Disclaimer:  I do not own Dragonball Z.

Author's Notes:  I know, I know.  It's been a while.  But this semester is finally over, so I have some free time.  It feels so weird, though.  I feel like I should be reading or writing something for a class.  But nope.  I can finally do things on my own free time.  Plus, I was finally able to find inspiration on this chapter.  I was stuck on the first three pages.  A line a day was good for me.  But for the past few days I've been manically hacking on this chapter.  I hope y'all enjoy.  I would make promises on the next chapter, but I'd probably break them anyway.

Chapter 39: Tired

The first thing that Jiten was aware of was a heavy feeling – a hurting all over – like he'd slept too hard.  He instinctively grabbed for covers, but they weren't there.  In fact…

Jiten's eyes slowly and cautiously worked their way open.  His eyes were gummy from sleep, so he impatiently wiped the grit away.  He took a quick look at his surroundings, but all he could seem to focus on was the hard ground beneath him.  It wasn't concrete, or tile, or wood, or metal, but a slightly warm combination of the four.  It was beige, and stretched as far as he could see.  At least, that's what it seemed like.  The sky was also the same color of beige, so he couldn't be so sure.

"Mommy?" he murmured drowsily.  Was this simply a new addition to the dojo?  "Daddy?"

"It's about time you woke up, Jiten.  I thought you were going to sleep forever."

Jiten turned over on the floor to the direction of the voice.  In his bewilderment, he didn't even power up or raise a defense.  He was beginning to think it was all a dream anyway.

"Wh-who are you?" Jiten asked, wincing as his voice came out extremely small.  "Are you a friend of my parents?"  In his little world everyone knew his name and his parents.

Finally the man stepped within sight.  The strange coloring of the place seemed to make for disconcerting optical illusions.  Jiten looked up… and up…  He was used to tall people, but this man was even taller than Piccolo.  When Jiten took in the sight of his fantasy-like leather armor and silver hair, only one thing went through Jiten's mind.  Cool…

But then Jiten's eyes suddenly widened.  "The Budoukai!" he shrieked.  "Mommy's gonna kill me!"

Jiten was up in a flash, wincing as his feet tingled from having fallen asleep on the hard floor.  He looked around frantically, but could find no indication that he was anywhere near the tournament stadium.  He looked up at the silver-haired man.  "Um, sir?  Could you help me get back to the Tenkaichi Budoukai stadium?  My parents are waiting for me, and they'll get mad if I keep them waiting too long."

The man squatted down to be at eye level with Jiten.  "Mad at you?  What for?"  The man cocked his head.

Jiten looked down and shrugged, shifting from one foot to the other.  "Well…  I'm not there, and stuff.  They might be looking for me."

The man nodded, almost regretfully.  "I see.  Well, Jiten, I'm afraid we're stuck here."

Jiten paused, blinking for a second.  "Stuck… here…?"

The man nodded again and sat on the ground.  "Jiten, do you know about other dimensions, where the rules work a little differently?"

Jiten nodded and then looked down.  "I've… um… seen it in, like, sci-fi stuff, and maybe my parents told stories about places like that before, but…  Are you saying this is an alternate dimension?"

The man grinned.  "Yeah, kinda like that.  I live here, in fact."

Jiten looked around, taking in the bizarre surroundings.  "You… live here?  Where's all the stuff?"

The man laughed, looking around at the nothingness.  "Actually, the stuff will come back in a couple of hours.  It's just disappeared right now.  Happens every year."

"Oh," Jiten said matter-of-factly.  To any other six-year-old this would have been bizarre in the extreme.  However, Jiten was used to believing bizarre stories about aliens and timelines and resurrection.  Being stuck in an alternate dimension with a fantasy warrior was less strange than, say, being stuck inside Buu conversing with really strong pieces of…

"Is there anything else you need to know, Jiten?" the man cut in.  "I know this is strange for you, so I'll do what I can."

Jiten frowned, considering.  "How long are we gonna be stuck here?"

"A year."

"A whole year?!" Jiten wailed.  "B-but I'm in school.  And I got training to do.  And everyone will be looking for me.  And—"

"Whoa!" the man said, holding Jiten's shoulders.  "Calm down.  I'm sure everything will work out.  I'm sure you're smart enough that you can miss a year of school.  And I'm sure your parents have found out what happened to you by now.  It's no reason to panic."

Jiten dropped to the ground, pulling his legs in Indian style.  The man had a point.  His parents knew an untold number of gods and psychics, and they might even be trying to get him out now.  He smirked faintly, picturing his reception upon return.  He knew that his father would be so relieved to have him back, when they thought he was going to be gone a year – and even forever – that he'd forget all about the stuff he'd been lecturing Jiten on.  Even his mother might be in the same way.  Yeah, I bet they're sorry now for how they've been treating me.  I'll bet mommy wishes she let me fight in the Budoukai, now that they think I'm gone forever.  He smiled.  Any day now they'll use the dragonballs or something to pull me back.  And then things'll be different.

Jiten looked up and self-consciously realized that the man had watched him the entire time, patiently waiting for him to finish his thoughts.  Jiten grinned up at the knowing smile.  If he was stuck, at least it was with a nice, cool-looking man.  Jiten frowned partially, realizing something.  "Hey, what's your name?  You never told me."

The man sat down in front of him.  "It just hasn't come up yet.  Well… I go through a lot of names…  Tell ya what.  Just call me Hoja."

Jiten looked down, mulling over the name.  He finally found it to be acceptable.  "All right.  Hoja.  It's weird, but not bad.  Is it an alien name?"

Hoja laughed.  "Depends on who you are.  You are alien to me, and I am alien to you.  You are, in fact, partially alien to most of the people on your planet.  I am one of the last of my kind, so I am alien to everyone.  But, to answer your question, the name comes from Earth.  It's Indian, I believe.  Or… no… Turkish.  I forget what it means."

"Names don't have to mean anything."  Jiten started to unconsciously adopt the intellectual philosophical tone and pattern of Hoja's speech.  "My name doesn't mean anything.  It's a fusion of my parent's two names.  For my Saiyan name I was named after Uncle Vegeta, and he said that his name means 'pride.'"  Jiten laughed slightly.  "I guess they couldn't think of a name that means 'gets into trouble' for me."

Hoja laughed easily, but not patronizingly, Jiten noted.  It was like Hoja was a friend his age.  At least, he was like what Jiten would image a friend his age.  Jiten didn't make friends easily.  He couldn't really play any games or sports with any of the other kids, causing rather a rift between him and the other boys.  It wasn't that he couldn't excel in sports.  It was just that he either controlled his power so much that he wound up being a wimp or he'd cause something so fast and mysterious to happen that the game would break up while everyone tried to figure things out.  Then there were the students at the Spider dojo, but they generally avoided him.  Only the live-in Cinty would really hang around him, and she was just annoying.  He avoided her when he could.

Jiten felt a flicker in the air, causing him to break his train of thought.  The beige void was starting to waver and distort, with colors contrasting the sameness of before.  Jiten watched in rapt interest as colors and lines formed, as if on a painting, first green, then brown, then the two colors wrapped around each other to form trees and vines.  Along with the colors and shapes, sounds of various animals and running water dimly filtered through, first in a whisper and then slowly building up in volume.  Grass and dirt grew and formed around Jiten's knees.  The sharp scent of growth and animal and tree – that scent that Jiten always connected with life in abundance – grew in his nostrils until he thought he would be overwhelmed after the nothingness of a few moments ago.  The spectacle of a world suddenly building itself conjoined and ended with a dark wood house that seemed to grow right out of the trees, not taking up anything but sharing.  The house must have been there for a while, because the trees around it looked old and slightly withered, while the trees right next to those were near young saplings.

Hoja smirked at Jiten's astonishment.  "Well, it seems my calculations were off.  I must have lost track of time.  Well, what do you think of my little home?"

Jiten's eyes were still practically bugging out.  "That was… amazing!  How…  Do it again!"

Hoja laughed.  "No can do, kid.  Only happens once a year, and you probably don't want to be here for another year just to see it again.  Now, what do you say to something to eat?"

Jiten opened his mouth to answer, but a loud grumbling from his stomach interrupted him.  It seemed forever since the scrambled eggs and toast he'd eaten on the run before the Budoukai.  That reminded him of the smashed statue in the living room, so he pushed his thoughts away quickly and merely nodded at Hoja, who was already beckoning him to follow him into the house.

Jiten quietly took in his surroundings as he entered the house.  The first thing that stuck out at him was how neat and compact the place was.  It was a change from the constant mess that his house stayed in.  But it wasn't as painfully sparkling as his grandparent's house, where not even a crumb stood a chance against his grandmother's manic housekeeping.  It had a sort of comfortable lived-in feeling.  It was all one room, except for three doors which were probably closets or a bathroom.  Everything was small, made for perhaps two people.  Off to the side was a bed, with a smaller bed along the foot of it.

"Well, Jiten, what would you like to eat?  I can make pretty much anything," said Hoja, heading to the refrigerator.

Jiten snapped his attention to Hoja at the mention of food.  "Um, I don't know.  I guess anything you have?"

Hoja frowned.  "Salad?"

Jiten made a face, but quickly remembered to be polite.  "No thanks."

"Cat vomit?"

Jiten giggled, shaking his head.

Hoja continued to grin.  "How about blueberry pie through a funnel?"

Jiten again made a face, visualizing that.

Hoja smiled and began to pull things down from some cabinets.  "Well, I had my heart set on cat vomit and blueberry pie, but I guess I'll just have to make spaghetti."

Jiten calmed down and nodded.  "That'd be great.  Um, thank you."  He still wasn't really sure how to act around Hoja, and found it a little strange that Hoja was starting to cook while still dressed in full armor.  Jiten figured that he must wear it all the time.

While Hoja was otherwise occupied, Jiten began exploring the small cabin.  The living room took up most of the space that was left after the kitchen and beds.  There was no television, but he was used to not watching much anyway.  Also, it made sense, since they probably couldn't pick up anything in another dimension anyway.  There was a bright red couch and a leather armchair, which surrounded a low square table that had some sort of game built in.  It was electronic, but Jiten couldn't find an on switch anywhere.  He abandoned the game table to look at the writing desk in one corner.  It was fully stocked with drawing and sketching materials, along with a large set of paints, much to Jiten's satisfaction.  Perhaps his stay wouldn't be as boring as he had feared.

"Why do you have two beds, Hoja?" Jiten asked Hoja out of the blue.

Hoja looked up from the sauce, which was already producing a rather delicious aroma, making Jiten's mouth water.  "What?  Oh.  I used to have people stay with me all the time before this dimension got closed off."

Jiten frowned.  "Yeah, what's the deal with this place?"

"This place used to be connected to other dimensions, in a more direct way," Hoja started explaining while shaking in various spices in the big pot.  "But the universe changes, and dimensions get closed off.  Right now the only connection this dimension has is to your dimension, and that's only yearly for a single day.  So I go to your dimension every year.  In the meantime, the opening makes this dimension's reality disappear, so I'm much happier going off instead of staying here.  The portal opens on Earth, so I usually just stay there.  My favorite times are every three years, when I can watch the Budoukai.  I'm so lucky that it happens on the very day I'm allowed to go out."

"So you were watching the Budoukai?" Jiten asked, plopping down on the couch.

Hoja finally put a lid on the large pot.  "Yes.  Unfortunately, you must have gotten caught into my field when I was heading home.  I didn't notice until it was too late.  I couldn't make a return trip.  The portal would have closed in on us and we would have most definitely been stuck, and in a far less desirable place.  Do you like the thick spaghetti or the thin?"

Jiten thought for a minute.  "Thin.  So does that mean that you saw my parents fighting?"

Hoja smiled.  "The Spider Masters?  Of course.  That was a great fight.  Only…"  Hoja cut himself off and poured some water into another pot.

"Only what?" Jiten asked.  "What does 'only' mean?"

Hoja frowned, appearing uncomfortable with the conversation.  "Well… their fighting style just seemed so bland.  Like they only have themselves to spar against.  There was no originality."

Jiten expected himself to bristle at such comments, but he felt that Hoja was making valid points.  He got tired of sparring against the same old people all the time.  His mother went on and on about how variety was necessary in fighting, but when then teach him and make him go over the same old things.  He just wasn't getting as strong as would have liked, and it frustrated him to no end.

Hoja watched Jiten, seeming to read his mind.  "You know, I'm quite the martial artist myself.  I could teach you some of my own style, just to give you a little diversity.  Who knows?  Maybe you can surprise your mom and dad the next time you fight."

Jiten's eyes widened at the chance to have a different trainer.  He had been a little worried that he'd just have to train himself for the next year or so.  "That'd be great!  Thanks.  Hey, why don't you just stay on Earth if you like going there so much?"

Hoja turned the stove down a little as the water really came to a boil.  "Well, this is my home.  I like it here.  No worries, no one in charge of me.  I lived in the larger universe long enough, so it feels right to just stay here."

Jiten nodded.  "I get that."

In one move Hoja grabbed the noodles and dumped them into a colander over the sink.  Jiten eyed the small amount suspiciously.  "Are you sure that's going to be enough?  I… um… I eat a lot."

Hoja smiled.  "I'm aware of that.  But the density and nutritional value of my food is about three times that of Earth food.  Um… let me put it this way.  Eating one bowl of my spaghetti is like eating three bowls of Earth spaghetti."

Jiten brightened.  "Neat!  Is it ready?"

Hoja took the lid off the sauce, making the wonderful smell intensify.  He grabbed a spoon for a small taste, which made him smile with satisfaction.  "Yup.  It's done.  What do you want to drink?"

Jiten frowned slightly.  "Do you have any Coke?"

Hoja ducked under a cabinet.  "Yeah!  Well, sort of.  It's pretty much like Coke.  Coke doesn't really keep here all that well."  He poured some dark fizzing liquid from an unmarked bottle into a glass.  "See if you like it."

Jiten accepted the glass and took a tiny sip, expecting the worst.  There was a time when all his mother had bought was generic diet drinks, trying to save money.  A near riot amongst the live-ins caused her to change back.  But to Jiten's surprise, the stuff was actually good.  A little sweeter, but he didn't like a lot of bite in his soda.  "It's pretty good," he said, taking another gulp.

Hoja handed him a heaping bowl of spaghetti.  "I'm glad you like it.  Here, we'll just eat in the living room.  I'm not used to people coming over, so I don't have a dining room or anything."

Jiten shrugged, already walking over to the couch.  "I eat in the living room anyway, at least when I can get away with it."

As the two sat and ate, conversation halted.  Hoja seemed to respect that, like all Saiyans, Jiten wanted to devote all his attention to his food.  He got up three or four times for refills, and soon found that Hoja was right.  He was getting extremely full already.  Jiten let out a satisfied burp, and then covered his mouth apologetically.  Hoja smiled and let out an even bigger burp, prompting a rather long contest that left the two dissolving in laughter.

"I won!" Jiten exclaimed, practically rolling on the floor.

Hoja gasped for breath.  "No you didn't.  That last one was a hiccup.  That doesn't count."

Jiten was about to argue his case, but he was stopped by the fact that he was suddenly extremely sleepy.  He raised his glass for one more drink, but never made it.  The cup fell from his hand, landing on the floor and causing the last few drops to be soaked into the carpet.

The leech was suddenly very calm, but still smiling.  He quickly cleaned up the remnants of supper and stared at the stain in the carpet forcefully until it disappeared.  Then his attention focused on the sleeping boy.

"I really am sorry I have to do this to the boy," Hoja said to himself.  "I'd rather form the bond the natural way, but the Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell hasn't really gotten to this one yet.  Who knew he'd grow up to be this stable with that lot?"

Hoja picked Jiten up, cradling his head carefully as if he were a newborn.  He laid the child on the small bed at the foot of his own and began moving his hands over the boy's head and hair, muttering strange alien words.  Jiten twitched slightly, but stayed asleep.  After a few moments Hoja sat back on his haunches and stared at the sleeping form, both of them slightly drained already from his probing.

"I'm sure I can form a strong enough bond this way," Hoja whispered.  "Children can turn from their parents so easily.  Though it's funny that I won't just wait.  Have I gotten so impatient after all these years of planning and waiting?  Building my power?  Ever since that damned green leech-slayer…"

The leech broke off in frustration, not willing to revisit the past, especially the one memory that haunted him the most – the memory of his own near demise.  The only salve he had for those wounds was the fact that he had killed the leech-slayer.  That "champion" was dead, and he was still alive.

"I've come a long way, and I've got to be careful," he continued to talk to himself.  "This is still the perfect disciple for me.  I'll still interact with him, but I'll just use this to help it along.  There's no real risk in that."  Hoja frowned.  "Still, maybe I should have kept that dagger.  It's much better for hypnotizing.  Although, it might not have worked after all, since it was stained with his father's blood."

Having seemed to settle that matter in his brain, the leech put his hands back on Jiten's face and began the process again.

*****

Goten trudged after King Kai.  That's the only thing you could call it.  A trudge.  His temper tantrum at his father had given way to a sort of numb feeling, a vague acceptance of events, past and present.  He'd barely even noticed the ride on the clunky plane, although in retrospect he wondered why they hadn't just flown to the planet on their own power.  It wasn't as if a flight through space could kill them, and there was no indication that the atmosphere leading to the planet had been any different from the atmosphere they'd breathed at King Yemma's.  But, then again, did it matter anyway?  He had the presence of mind to notice such things, but he was too numb to care.  Hence, the trudge.

Now they were surrounded by fighting aliens of all different kinds, making Goten have the vague feeling of walking through Jabba's Palace.  A boyish fantasy made him wonder where Leia in the slave-girl outfit was, and then he wondered why he was thinking such weird things.  Maybe it's a side effect of death.  I'll have to ask dad sometime.

Thinking of his father brought on a brief flash of guilt and embarrassment.  He was slightly ashamed for what he said.  He'd just been reacting, saying the first things that came out of his mouth.  He knew that his father wasn't all to blame.  Jita had probably been too stubborn to allow help, and had gotten lost in the mix.  Besides, she'd told him repeatedly that there was no hope for her once she was dead.  But he hadn't listened.  She wasn't the only stubborn one.

So why had he blamed Goku?  Well, truth to tell, he still blamed his father.  Goten just couldn't help it.  Every time he tried to reason in his mind, a flash of white-hot anger filled him.  Goku had just stood there and calmly pronounced Jita's death, saying that the seal to the Lower Realms was now fully intact, as if that were some way of justifying Goten losing everything.  Goten hadn't merely been reacting.  He'd been telling the truth.  He didn't care if it sounded childish or pathetic; he'd lost his wife.  He didn't really regret a single word of what he said.  He only regretted that the words were true.

Goten dimly listened to King Kai's lectures and partial introduction.  He knew that King Kai was just trying to break the tension and distract him.  "… and over there is the South Galaxy champion.  You don't have to worry about him.  South Galaxy has always been too peaceful to produce any really strong warriors.  What you have to worry about it the West Galaxy.  Not that they're as strong as any from the North, but they're tricky.  Well," he amended, "except for Pikkon, of course.  That's who you'll work with.  Oh, hello, Olibu," he stopped, even as the Herculean purple-eyed warrior approached.

"Greetings, King Kai," the blonde man bowed slightly.  "Is this a new warrior?  It looks like he's from Earth.  I guess that means he's not going to stay around for very long."

King Kai laughed at the running gag.  "Actually, you're right.  Just a year.  Goten, this is Olibu.  He was the strongest of the Northern champions before Goku.  And Olibu," he turned to Olibu, who was slightly scowling at the reminder of Goku's strength over him, "this is Goten.  He's Goku's second son."

Olibu blinked and laughed slightly.  "Second son?  When did that happen?"

Goten smiled sarcastically.  "I guess he found the time on one of his brief stays at home."

Olibu cleared his throat, suddenly awkward.  "Well, it's good to meet you, Goten.  Are you going to be training with us?"

King Kai stepped in before Goten could open his mouth again.  "Actually, he's going to be training with Pikkon.  Goten's training to fight a leech."

Olibu nodded with understanding.  "Pikkon's specialty.  Good luck.  I've never met one, but I've heard that they can get pretty tough."

Goten laughed.  "Tough enough to kill me and my entire family."

"Okay," King Kai cut in, grabbing Goten's arm and steering him away from Olibu before he got downright rude.  "Don't want to take up more of your time, Olibu.  We have to find Pikkon now.  Goodbye."

As the two walked away Olibu shook his head slightly.  "Poor kid.  Newly dead and all.  Must be torture."  Then he brightened a bit.  "But he's Goku's son.  He'll bounce back soon enough."

Goten allowed himself to be led away from the heroic-looking warrior.  He didn't know why he'd been so rude.  The man hadn't done anything to him.  But that's just what Goten felt like.  Nasty.  Rude.  He didn't want anyone to be friendly or nice to him, and if they were his hackles rose.  He knew that he was behaving irrationally, but he just couldn't stop himself.  He couldn't stop his feelings.  He just – he just wanted everyone to leave him alone.  Just for a few minutes.  Or maybe a few years.  He didn't want to talk about his feelings – he wanted to kill something.  Preferably of the leech variety.

King Kai led Goten into the castle.  Having lived on the Grand Kai's planet for years now, he was allowed to come and go as he pleased.  It would be a while before he could get another planet to replace his old one.  It was sort of a penance for losing his old one, as well as meddling in the affairs of mortals.  Of course, no penance would stop him from doing it again, especially where the warriors from Earth were concerned.

They passed by various warriors and what looked to be guards (merely for decoration) and several matching ornate hallways.  The Grand Kai liked to live – grandly.  Finally, after Goten was sure that he would never find his way out even with sensing ki, they came to a set of double doors with the words "Pikkon: West Galaxy" inscribed on a small nameplate.

"So, do all the warriors get this?" Goten asked offhandedly.

King Kai cleared his throat.  "Only the ones that have been around here for a long time.  Pikkon is one of the eldest that's still active.  Most others get tired after a while and retire to heaven."  King Kai looked over at Goten.  "But you don't have to worry about that any time soon.  Just concentrate on your training and the fight next year.  I'm going to leave you now – I've got some business to take care of.  Please, Goten, try to be a little less… abrupt."

Goten nodded, relinquishing the argument.  "Don't worry, King Kai.  I'll be good."

King Kai was already walking down the hallway.  He called over his back, "And no jumping off of Snake Way!"

Goten watched him go and turned to face the double doors.  He'd heard his father mention Pikkon.  This was one of the friends that made Goku's time of being dead so happy.  Goten gritted his teeth, remembering his promise to King Kai, which he would try to keep at least a little while.  He approached the doors, but then realized that he didn't even know if he was supposed to knock or what.  The door didn't have a doorbell, so he figured that would be the polite thing to do rather than just barge in.  He raised his fist to knock.

"You know, you can come in if you want," a deep voice interrupted the motion of his hand, making him leave it in midair.  The door slid open to reveal the green warrior.

"Piccolo?" Goten asked incredulously.

Pikkon sighed.  "Yes, I know.  I look a lot like the Namek warrior Piccolo from Earth.  Your father told me that all the time.  I'm sure if we ever met we'd have loads to talk about – about being green and wearing weighted clothing.  Now will you just get in here?"

Goten was slightly taken aback.  "Um, I didn't mean to be rude.  It's just that you look so much like him, and I've never even met you before."

Pikkon climbed from the floor, where he had been sitting in meditation.  "I'm sorry.  I just get a little tired of it.  I am much older than this Piccolo, no matter what his identity comprises of.  I mean, how would you like to be called Goku wherever you go?  Your resemblance is quite remarkable."

Goten folded his arms.  "It's been done.  And, yes, it's annoying.  I apologize."

Pikkon straightened a fold that had slipped in his turban.  "I express my sympathies for your loss, both of your wife and your own life."

"Well, you're the first person to show any sort of feeling for death," Goten pointed out before he could stop himself.  What was wrong with his mouth today?

Pikkon raised one eyebrow.  "Well, that's what happens when you've been dead for hundreds of years and see people die practically every day.  You become a bit callous toward the whole thing.  It's not like we don't care.  It's just that we see it every day."

Goten crossed his arms, accepting this.  He looked around the room.  It was remarkably austere and pure white, mostly comprising of a large training room.  There were a few books and a chair in the corner, but otherwise there was no furniture.  "So I heard you were a friend of my dad's."

"Goku was a great warrior.  I admired him greatly," Pikkon said in a solemn voice.

Goten smirked.  "You speak like he's dead now."

Pikkon nodded.  "He is no longer in this plane of existence, so I guess he is dead to here.  I was surprised when he came back to life.  I thought he'd never want to leave here."

Goten rolled his eyes.  "Yeah, well, he never did want to leave here."

Pikkon shifted uncomfortably at the bitterness in Goten's tone, which made him seem very little like Goku.  "North Kaio-sama has informed me of your demise at the hands of a leech," Pikkon continued.  "I will be able to help you, but it will be difficult.  Especially with the fact that your son is his disciple.  You have a hard battle ahead."

Goten cleared his throat.  "How did you die?  I didn't think it would offend you to ask."

Pikkon nodded.  "It doesn't.  I was, in fact, killed by a leech.  I was a leech-killer by trade – there used to be many more than there are now.  I actually thought that the leeches were extinct, so I was rather surprised when I heard one was still alive."

"Surprised me too.  So… um… how do you kill a leech?" Goten asked, sounding off-handed.  "How did you usually kill a leech?"

Pikkon lowered his head.  "You probably won't like this, but I have to tell you.  The first step to killing a leech was usually to kill the disciple.  Then…"

"What?!"  Goten glared balefully, his eyes narrowing.  "There is no way you're going to tell me to kill my own son, or to let anyone else!  I've already lost my wife, and now my son?!  You—"

Before Goten could get another word in, he found himself on the floor, his jaw feeling like it was going to burst from pain.  After fighting a twinge of nausea, he lifted himself on his elbows.  "What?..."

Pikkon hauled Goten to his feet.  "Calm yourself, young Goten.  You've had a chip on your shoulder ever since you walked in here, and that will not serve you.  I did not order you to kill your own son.  So if you want to beat this leech and get your son back, you had better accept a few things and just forget about any difficulties with your father.  Otherwise I will not train you."

Pikkon let Goten drop, who fell unceremoniously on his butt.  Pikkon then resumed his seat on the floor, crossing his legs, the folds of his white flowing gi somehow falling perfectly into place.  He waited as Goten regained his feet, the ire in his eyes somewhat gone.

Goten lowered his eyes.  "I—I'm sorry, Pikkon," he said softly.  "I don't know what's wrong with me today.  I just seem to be blowing up at everyone."

Pikkon nodded.  "It is understandable.  I am not so soulless that I cannot understand pain.  The training will not begin today.  We have plenty of time for that.  For now, just rest up.  There's a guest room five doors down to the right.  I've arranged for you to stay there, since you probably don't want to give up food and sleep just yet."

Goten felt relief wash over him, and suddenly Pikkon seemed like an angel of mercy.  "I will… take you up on that offer.  Thank you."

Pikkon kept looking straight ahead.  "Anything for the son of Goku."

Goten forced himself to walk out without a comment, bowing politely as he left.  He began his trudge again, finding his room without any difficulty.  It already had his name and "North Galaxy" written on a small paper label beside the door.  He walked in, expecting the worst, but thankfully his new room was completely furnished and almost cozy, if it wasn't for the sterile feel of generic decorations. 

Ignoring all matters of hygiene, Goten flopped onto the large bed, automatically taking only the left side.  The softness and warmth of the bed was in true direct contrast to the horrors he'd experienced in the last… was it twenty-four hours?  Or longer?  His brain wanted to go over all of the events to see if he could have done anything differently, but every time he did all he could see was Jita, pale-white and covered in blood.  The tears formed in a lump in the back of his throat, and this time he didn't hold them back as he reached for a body that wasn't there.

*****

Krillen could make the trip to the Son House blindfolded.  If nothing else, the enormous ki of his childhood friend would draw him inexorably right to the doorstep.  For once, though, Goku's ki wasn't as high as usual.  Krillen at first figured that Goku was sleeping, but his ki wasn't in the house.  It was right by the river where he fished.

He must have dozed off after a swim or something.

Krillen wouldn't have found that odd at all, except for the events of the previous day.  Krillen found it unlikely that Goku would swim and nap the day after his son's death, not to mention the death of his son's wife and his grandson's kidnapping.

As he thought this, Krillen gave up trying to work it all out.  He and Eighteen had of course been watching the Budoukai on the television.  They'd been making wagers on who would win the bout between Goten and Jita when it had all happened.  Then the various ki disappearances had made him more confused than ever.  About the time when Krillen had just made up his mind to go to the Lookout, Goku and Vegeta had appeared again and everyone was leaving.  He figured that he'd just wait until the next morning to talk to Goku.

Bypassing the house, Krillen made his way nimbly to Goku's river, half devising a plan to scare Goku awake.  Remembering the last time he'd hit Goku with a rock in the face – the only time he'd seriously irritated Goku – he dropped the plan.  What was he thinking?  Goku had just lost a son!  If anyone tried to joke around with Krillen if he ever lost Marron, he'd get severely mad.

The plan would not have worked anyway.  Instead of seeing his friend lying on the grass, snoring loudly, he saw Goku standing at the edge of the river, staring off into space.  Krillen edged forward nervously, not really sure of what to say.  Usually, in those situations, Goku would break the tension with just a smile.  Krillen waited for Goku to turn around and acknowledge him, but it was in vain.  Goku merely stared straight ahead, not saying a word.

Krillen broke out of the tense waiting.  "Uh, hey, Goku.  You okay over there?"

In a voice devoid of any life, Goku responded.  "Hey, Krillen."

Krillen was slightly taken aback.  He had never ever heard Goku speak that way.  It was just a flat tired monotone that made Goku sound like a whole different person.

"So, um…" Krillen started, not sure of how to phrase anything.  "I saw what happened yesterday.  I'm sorry."

Goku didn't turn around.  "We're wishing Goten back in a year," he said in the same voice that sent a chill down Krillen's spine. 

Krillen brightened slightly, despite Goku's confusing mood.  "That's great, Goku!  Man, am I glad."  Then he turned slightly serious.  "But what about Jita?"

Goku's frame seemed to tense more.  "Can't do anything about her.  She's gone forever."

Krillen's eyes widened.  "Gone forever?  What happened yesterday—"

Before the question could properly leave Krillen's mouth, Goku had taken off, too fast for Krillen to even see in which direction Goku had gone.  Krillen shook his head, his eyes wide.   "What was that all about?" he asked the empty space.

*****

Gohan landed hard on the beach of the tiny island, making his foot tingle on the hard sand.  He looked around, the beach seeming slightly empty without Master Roshi napping on a lawn chair with his ever-present porn.  Umigame had followed Roshi's death closely, and Oolong had decided to move back into his old mansion now that the old villagers had forgotten about him and all their daughters had married.  All that was left living in the Kame House was Krillen and Eighteen, with Marron visiting occasionally.

"Krillen?!" Gohan called.  "You here?!"

Eighteen walked out of the house.  "You know, there is a door.  You can knock.  What were you, raised in a barn?"

Gohan scratched the back of his head.  "Sorry, Eighteen.  I'm used to someone always being outside."

Eighteen sniffed disdainfully.  "Krillen isn't here.  He was just going to your parents' house…"

She broke off when Krillen suddenly appeared in the sky.  "Here I am!" he yelled, landing lightly on the ground.  "I felt your ki-signature here, so I decided to come on home.  Maybe you can explain what's going on."

Gohan sighed.  "You saw?"

Krillen nodded, scratching the top of his head.  "We saw everything… well… at least what was on the television.  We didn't understand any of it, though.  And… well… we would have gone to the Lookout last night, but we weren't sure if there was anything we could do."

Gohan shook his head reassuringly.  "It's all right.  I was there for the whole thing, and there wasn't anything I could do either."

Krillen nodded, painfully understanding the feeling.  "Hey, let's talk over some coffee inside.  I think the weather's starting to turn."  Sure enough, the dark clouds were gathering quickly, and the air felt heavy and damp.

"Um…" Gohan began, glancing nervously at Eighteen.

Eighteen smirked.  "Don't worry.  Krillen made it.  I've given up on the intricacies of java."

Gohan let out a breath in relief, earning a snicker from Krillen, who earned a smack on the head from Eighteen.  "Ow."

The three walked in and sat around the table, pouring coffee and stirring in creamer or sugar according to preference.  Gohan took a warm sip and sat back, eased just a little.  "So," he began, "what do you know already?"

Krillen shook his head.  "Nothing really.  I saw this guy kidnap Jiten and kill Goten and Jita.  Then the guy's and Jiten's kis disappeared, followed by Goku and Vegeta.  Later Goku and Vegeta showed up again.  Now Goku's acting really weird, being all depressed and stuff.  He wouldn't really even talk to me.  All he said was that you're wishing Goten back in a year, and Jita's lost forever."  Krillen shrugged.  "That's all I really know."

Gohan just launched right into it.  "That guy… was a thing called a leech.  He kidnapped Jiten to make him his follower, or disciple.  They're in another dimension right now and unreachable for a year, when the leech promised to come back and kill everybody.  When Jita died, she was sent straight to the Lower Realms of Hell because she sold her soul when she died the first time to the master there for training and a chance to come back to life.  Goten followed her to rescue, but he got caught as well.  Dad and Vegeta had to travel through hell to get to them, but they could only rescue Goten.  Jita is lost forever.  Goten's getting training in the Afterlife from someone who knows how to kill leeches.  I don't know why Dad's depressed, but it may have something to do with Goten.  So, the plan is to train for a year and confront the leech, wishing back Goten sometime in there."

Krillen stared, eyes slightly wide.  Then he took a sip of his coffee.  "That's about what I thought."

Gohan laughed under his breath.  "Yeah.  Predictable, really."

"Yeah," Krillen chuckled, and then fell into silence.  The pathetic attempt at levity was over.

"So there's no way to save Jita?" Eighteen asked.  "Dragonballs?"

Gohan shook his head.  "Jita asked specifically not to be brought back with the dragonballs.  She figured that she might not even possess a sound mind, even if she was pulled out."

"What about Jiten?" Eighteen persisted.  "Surely Shenlong can reach him.  Even if the leech shows up in a year, at least the boy would be safer."

Gohan shook his head again.  "Dende already asked Shenlong.  It's beyond his power."

Eighteen folded her arms.  "Seems like everything's beyond that dragon's power."

"So how many people have you told?" Krillen interrupted her, though he partially agreed with her sentiment.  It seemed that the dragon was only useful for bringing back the dead and materializing underwear.

Gohan looked down into his coffee cup.  "Wasn't many to tell.  Trunks was there, and he's told everyone around there.  Tien and Chaotzu were there, so they know.  I talked to Yamcha first, though."

Krillen smirked.  "Let me guess.  He's not going to fight, but he'll be there if we need him."

Gohan shrugged.  "Could you blame him?  I'm tempted to take that excuse too, but I'm too powerful to back out.  Besides, it concerns my family.  And… wait.  Did you say 'we'?"

Krillen gave a weak smile.  "Yeah.  I thought that's what you were coming to do – to tell me to train.  You guys are practically my family, so I didn't think it was just right to just sit around and watch everything happen."  Krillen laughed.  "I'd rather stand on the battlefield and watch everything happen."

"I will train as well," Eighteen announced.  "I won't die running like last time."

Gohan smiled.  "That's really great.  I guess we'll keep in touch until then.  Hey, um… is Dad really that bad off, Krillen?"

Krillen's weak smile completely vanished.  "I don't know.  I can't really tell.  I've never seen Goku depressed at all, so I don't know what kind of reaction this is.  I… just…  Something bad must have happened," Krillen concluded weakly.

Gohan nodded.  "He looked pretty upset and got defensive when Vegeta mentioned something about "leaving Jita behind" or something like that.  I don't understand.  But Dad's not talking, and Vegeta never talks."

Krillen shook his head.  "I would say this isn't like Goku, but maybe it is.  He's used to beating the bad guy, no matter what.  Now that he actually couldn't save someone, he doesn't know how to deal with it.  And he's been through a lot.  I guess we just never give him the chance to be human.  Um…  Saiyan?  Anyway, we never give him the chance to be like the rest of us."

Gohan nodded.  "Yeah, I guess.  It's just that I'm used to nothing fazing my dad.  Remember those ten days before the Cell Games?  I don't think I could have gotten through it without his cheery no-worries attitude.  Now… everything seems so… dead.  I can't even get the enthusiasm to train.  No one's really all that determined or anything like before."

Krillen sipped his coffee, and grimaced at the cold liquid.  "So does that mean you're not going to train?"

Gohan looked away.  "I'll train, but I'll know that it probably won't do any good.  Same with Trunks, I think.  And I don't know what any of the humans are going to do."  He paused.  "Except you, of course."

Krillen smiled.  "Well, we all know that Vegeta will train."

Eighteen snorted.  "He'd get up from his own funeral to train."

The two others laughed.  "Yeah," Krillen said, "that's Vegeta.  But what about Goku?  He usually trains."

Gohan ran one hand through his hair.  "You know, for once, I don't know.  I'll try sparring with him sometime, just to see if he will, but I get the strange feeling that he may not be as reliable in this.  I… don't know."

Krillen got up and put a hand on Gohan's shoulder.  "Don't worry, Gohan.  It'll work out somehow.  It always does."

Gohan smiled.  "Yeah… thanks, Krillen."  He finished off the last cold dregs of the coffee.  "Well, I gotta go.  I have an appointment in half an hour with a student.  I'll see ya."

As the demi-Saiyan flew off, Eighteen looked over at Krillen.  It amazed her that he could shoulder so much, and no one even know it.  The concern and worry was etching premature wrinkles around his mouth and eyes, making her eternal youth look ridiculous in comparison.  She wondered if she'd ever be able to show such concern for so many people at once.

"So," Eighteen said softly.  "We train?"

Krillen nodded gravely.  "We train."

*****

Jita wrapped her arms around herself as she knelt.  Her legs were starting to go numb and cold from sitting on them.  But she didn't dare move more than that.  Not without her Master's permission.

Why is it so easy to call Him that now? she wondered.  I resisted Him for decades – what felt like centuries – and now I'm taking to being His slave so easily.  Why is that?

Jita could feel the Voice's presence around her, but she couldn't see Him.  It didn't matter, though.  She knew what was coming.  This was just a prelude of anticipation.  And this wouldn't be torture for a purpose, like before.  At one time she had thought the pain had been meant to beat her into submission, just so that she would surrender like she had now.  Now she realized that the pain had simply been to make her rebel, just so she would tear a hole big enough in the seal to release Him.

Jita smiled grimly.  She'd made that plan fail.

Her smile disappeared, however.  She wasn't allowed to smile.  She wasn't allowed to think badly about her Master.  All she was required to do at the moment was to kneel and wait for His bidding.  While she had never been a true slave herself, she knew how one was supposed to act.

But she couldn't help but let her mind wander to her family, her only true solace and peace.  She knew that it was anything but peaceful for her family, but once they had killed that leech and gotten her baby back, they would be much better off.  Better off without a damned soul in their midst, causing them all danger.  And maybe He will let me see glimpses of them… if I am good.

The words that flowed through her mind so easily now she knew would have once repulsed her.  In fact, those words would have been unthinkable even the day before.  What had changed, besides trading in her freedom for the Voice's continued captivity?

My pride, she thought suddenly.  I have no pride anymore.  I don't even have to put up appearances for myself anymore.

Jita chuckled inside.  I've finally lived up to my name.

Jita wasn't even startled when the Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell appeared before her.  She almost wanted to shrink back, but she didn't dare move.  She could feel His fury, and she knew what was going to happen.  It might be forever before He truly eased up on his angered torture.  Jita set herself, held her breath, and waited.  She didn't have long to wait.

Jita faced her brother, the lizard she wanted to kill so badly cackling off to the side.  If only she could talk to Vegeta – make him understand.  But no.  She had never agreed with her in the first place.  He was displeased with her for going against his judgment and endangering them all with no chance for victory.  She knew that he would sacrifice her just for the chance to go on living and kill Frieza in the future.

"Vegeta, look up," she heard the familiar silky voice.

The full moon.

Before Jita could rally herself, she was being crushed under a foot.

Jita gasped at the vision, somehow keeping herself from falling over.  The usual pain raced through her body.  You know, Jita thought, now that I understand what Vegeta was trying to do, it doesn't hurt so much.  That looks like one vision I can handle.

The world of Frieza's throne room dissolved, showing a very different throne room. 

Jita faced her father, the king, her face simmering with anger and shame.  The entire elite court seemed to be laughing at her.  She'd burst into the throne room to demand a change in personal servants, and King Vegeta had forgotten the name he had given her.  She wasn't even sure if he recognized her at first.

King Vegeta looked down at her like someone would look at a small annoying insect.  "Escort… Jita… back to her chambers.  And make sure the throne room is guarded a little more securely."  He nodded to a couple of elite soldiers, who bowed and moved to drag Jita off.

Again Jita considered her vision.  Sure, she'd been angry and hurt at the time, but she'd gotten over that, really.  She'd lived for so long among the Earth Saiyans that not having a tail seemed common place among Saiyans.  And she knew her father was a jerk.

As she felt the world shift again, she found herself in her chambers in the palace on Planet Vegeta.

Jita stared out the window as the huge red ball of energy descended upon the planet, ripping apart and disintegrating Saiyan after screaming Saiyan.  Her eyes widened in fear as she realized the energy was heading straight for the palace…

And just how did I get out of that one again? Jita asked herself, not really paying attention to the vision.  I was a little busy afterwards, and I just found myself on one of Frieza's ships, so I never really… What am I thinking?!

The pain had gone.  Well, it hadn't really gone, but it was dulled to an intensity that Jita had learned to deal with many years ago.  Not only that, but she could actually deal with the pain of the visions and the emotions they brought on.  That had never happened before.  She was confused, so she decided to ask.

"Um, Master?" she began.  "Why aren't You hurting me?"

All she got back was silence, punctuated by deep gasps.  After a few minutes Jita finally dared to look up.  She saw the Voice's face twisted in fury, but also something else that could almost resemble fear.

He began to mutter to himself in rage.  "You little… you took everything… you knew what you were doing… all those years… I gave you EVERYTHING!!"

The last word was punctuated by a large wave of energy surrounding Jita.  She steeled herself, expecting the worst… but it didn't come.  Almost irritated, she deflected the energy aside like she would a spider web.

"Listen, I don't know if You're playing with me or something," Jita spoke calmly, "but it isn't funny.  If You're going to torture me, then get on with it already.  We only have all of eternity."  She paused, and then added as an afterthought, "…Master."

"I won't let you leave," the Voice seethed, having lost all of His calm and intimidating air in the wake of His fury.  "You destroyed my plans, so you have to pay."

Jita shifted her weight on her knees.  "Well, I'm right here, Master.  There's nothing stopping You."  She suddenly reflected on how ridiculous that conversation was turning out.

"Well," a soft voice came out of nowhere, "are You going to let her go already?  She's already beyond Your power."

The Voice suddenly took a sharp hiss of air and backed up, looking around wildly.  Jita also looked around curiously, still from her knelt position.

"You're not taking her," the Voice hissed.  "She's mine.  She sold her soul."

"And bought it back, as you are beginning to realize."

Jita was beginning to make a form out in the distance.  Before she could stop herself, she asked, "What do you mean – 'bought it back'?"

"Shut up," the Voice directed at her.  "You aren't going to stop me now, kai.  She's part of your precious seal.  She's mine forever."

The figure finally fully emerged from the shadows.  Jita looked over her shoulder to see a purple figure with white hair.  The man was wearing the most inscrutably calm expression she'd ever seen.

The man wasn't even looking at the Voice any more.  He directed his attention to Jita.  "Your legs are probably hurting.  Don't you want to get up or something?"

Jita stared at him a minute, nonplussed.  "But… um – I can't, cause the seal – and…"

The purple figure shook his head.  "You may be too tired and hurt to notice, but you'll feel it as soon as you get well again."

"What?" Jita asked, ignoring the seething man standing over her.

The man walked forward and knelt to eye level with Jita, also ignoring the Voice.  "Search within yourself.  That hole you've been feeling for so long?  Can you find it now?"

Jita eyed the man warily.  He didn't look like he was lying.  In fact, he didn't look like he could lie.  Pushing aside the pain that still lingered and closing her eyes, Jita searched for the hole – the evidence of her lost soul.  After a few minutes her breath quickened and she began to sweat, despite the frigid cold.

"It's… what… it's…"  Jita opened her eyes.  "My soul.  How is it possible?  And who are you?"

The man cleared his throat and raised both of them to their feet.  Jita's legs tingled harshly as the blood rushed back.  "I am the Supreme Kai, but that matters not.  It is time to go."

"You aren't going ANYWHERE!" the Voice shouted desperately, throwing another wave of energy.

The Supreme Kai deflected it with ease, much to Jita's amazement.  "Remember, Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell," he said in a mocking tone.  "You may be Lord here, but I created this place and this shield.  I've always been the most powerful here, and I'm even more powerful now.  I am leaving with Jita, and You will not interfere."

The Voice smirked.  "I am no longer intimidated, kai.  You showed your true weakness and cowardice in your fight against Buu.  You had to get a bunch of Saiyans to do your dirty work, while you stood off to the side and panicked.  You are no match for me."  With that He powered up an even stronger attack, drawing energy from all around.  Jita edged away.  She knew this attack, and didn't really see how the little kai could deflect it.

As the blast shot for its target, the Supreme Kai smirked, held his hand out, and scattered the shot with barely an effort.  Whispering a spell, he bound the Voice in midair.  All the Voice could do was kick with the effort to break the hold.

"You are no Buu," the Supreme Kai said calmly.  "You forget Yourself.  You are sealed, and You have failed to break the seal.  I commend You for Your plan.  Too bad You had to enslave a decent person.  And You are the last person to lecture anyone on getting Saiyans to do Your dirty work."

The Voice practically spat in anger, now simply relaxing in the Supreme Kai's bond.  Jita could actually see defeat in her Master's eyes, and only then did it sink in.

"I'm free," she whispered.

The Supreme Kai smiled kindly.  Yes, you are.  Now grab my hand, and we'll get out of here."

Jita pulled her hand back.  "I can teleport myself."

"You don't know where we're going.  And, no, you're not going to break the seal now," the Supreme Kai concluded what Jita was really worrying about.  "You're not a part of the seal, and you're under my protection."

Jita nodded.  "Fair enough."  She looked over at the Voice.

"Just shut up and go," the Voice spat out bitterly.

"Master…" Jita began.

DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME?" the Voice screamed, nearly berserk with rage and frustration.  DID I STUTTER?!  YOU WON!  NOW GET OUT"

Jita grabbed the Supreme Kai's shoulder in an almost panic, and before she knew it, the familiar feel of teleportation surrounded her.

At least, it was familiar until she felt a stab of icy cold race through her semi-paralyzed body.  Jita gasped without air, wishing to flail her arms to reach some indication of material form.  The cold nothingness seemed to last forever…

…until she landed hard on the ground.  A soft grassy ground.  With a light blue sky overhead.  And a warm sun beaming down.

Jita unsteadily got to her feet.  Her head was still ringing from the prolonged teleportation.  "W-what just happened?"

The Supreme Kai circled around to her line of vision, since she didn't really look steady enough to turn around without falling.  "Just give it a minute.  Your body's still adjusting.  Here, I think this will help."

A warm glow enveloped Jita, mercifully banishing all cold from her bones, as well as all pain and fatigue.  She stretched luxuriously in the feel of new vigor.

Then it all struck her.  It all sunk in.  She was free.  She had a soul.  She was…

"Well, no, I'm not alive," Jita smirked.

The Supreme Kai laughed.  "I'm a healer, not a miracle worker.  Well… maybe a miracle worker, but I can't raise people from the dead."

Jita grinned, knowing she was looking a little goofy, but not really caring at the moment.  "But I've never felt so alive!"

The Supreme Kai nodded.  "Regaining your soul and freedom will do that to you."

Jita stared off into space for a second, still grinning, and then let out an enormous WHOOP of pure enthusiasm.  The Supreme Kai looked slightly startled, but then grinned.  Jita's mood was contagious.

Jita caught herself and settled down.  She was slowly starting to regain a sense of pride, and yelling like an idiot didn't seem to fit with her personality.  "So… what happened, Supreme Kai?  I'm still not clear on it all."

The Supreme Kai raised his hands, as if to deflect her questions.  "Call me Shin.  And I would think you would need a proper rest before any explanations."

Jita crossed her arms.  "I feel fine.  Tell."

Shin sighed, knowing it was impossible to reason with a Saiyan.  "You've probably figured out that I constructed the seal around the Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell."

Jita nodded.  "Yeah, that's pretty much explained.  Now how did I get my soul back?"

"Simple," Shin said.  "Self-sacrifice.  For the most pure and noble reasons ever."

Jita lifted an eyebrow.  "Really?  How clichéd is that?"

Shin rolled his eyes.  "That's just how I constructed the seal.  I could never make it strong enough to keep the Voice from pulling in people if they did so voluntarily, but I was able to make a loophole for repentant souls."  Shin shook his head.  "I've been remiss in watching Him, what with the whole Buu thing and all.  I didn't know it had gotten so far until it was too late for any of my intervention.  And if I told you about the loophole, it wouldn't have worked.  You would have been doing it in the view of self-interest."

Jita smiled.  "No arguments there.  And I loved how you bested and humiliated Him down there.  I just wish you could have smacked Him around some more."

Shin chuckled.  "Do you think I'm the type to slap people around, perhaps saying 'Who's your daddy?'"

Jita laughed at the mental picture, finding it all together disturbing.  "So, what was that feeling when we were teleporting?"

Shin crossed his arms.  "Um… I'm afraid you're not – entirely – free from the ramifications of the seal.  I had to be very careful getting you out.  But not to worry," Shin added hastily as Jita's face twisted in horror.  "I knew what I was doing.  It wasn't beyond my abilities… it was just difficult."

Jita breathed deeply.  "So am I completely free from it now?"

Shin looked down.  "Maybe.  I'm not sure.  You're one of a kind, Jita, and there is no precedent.  The only way to be sure is a year's quarantine of this planet."

Jita's eyes widened.  "I have to stay here?"  Then she shrugged.  "Well, I'm dead anyway.  Here's as good a place as any to spend the time.  I just need to communicate with my family to tell them I'm alright."

Shin shook his head.  "No, Jita," he said softly.  "You can't.  I mean a full quarantine.  No communications out."

Jita did the figures in her head quickly.  "But… then they won't know in time to wish me back with the dragonballs.  Plus, I need to see how Goten's doing.  And Jiten…"

"I'm sorry," Shin cut in.  "There's just no way.  Maybe they can use the Namekian dragonballs, or maybe they will wish you back anyway, just to try it.  But if you leave or communicate out of this planet, you're putting the seal in danger."

Jita closed her eyes, knowing it to be true.  "Well," she said softly, "I got my soul back.  That's what counts.  I just wish I knew where my son was."

Shin smiled.  "I think I can help you out there.  The thing that killed you and your husband is called a leech.  He's… kidnapped your son and taken him to another dimension, wishing to make him his disciple.  They will return in a year from yesterday to kill all the warriors on Earth, and then probably to take over the universe.  Goten is still dead, training to beat this monster.  I'm not sure if he's going to succeed, though."

Jita turned sharply.  "What do you mean?"

Shin gave Jita a serious look.  "The odds are stacked against him.  If he is to fail, you will be the only hope."

Jita snorted.  "What are you talking about?"

Shin smiled inscrutably.  "I think you know."

Jita's head jerked up, her eyes wide.  "No."

Shin frowned slightly.  "The leech gains power by leeching it off other sentient beings, as you well know, since he did the exact same thing to you.  That won't be a problem for…"

"No!" Jita said more emphatically.

"But if it can be controlled…"

Jita turned around.  "I can't control it.  I never could.  I'm not even sure how to begin it, much less make it end."

Shin squared his shoulders.  "I'm sure we can find a way to control it, and make it end."

Jita closed her eyes.  She knew she would do anything to save Jiten.  "It will be a last resort," she conceded.

Shin smiled.  At least he had that much.  "Good.  We will start the training… tomorrow.  For now, get some rest."

Jita nodded in gratitude, and then looked around.  "So, where's your house?"

Shin cocked his head.  "I don't have one.  This planet is my home.  I've never needed a building to live in."

Jita frowned for a second, and then nodded.  "I can sleep out in the open.  As long as there's no perverts around."

Shin sweatdropped.  Sure enough, at just the wrong, and therefore ironic, moment, the elder kai appeared over the rise in front of them, chasing after a magazine from his extensive collection that was blowing away in a particularly strong gust of wind.  Shin could hear Jita groan from behind him.

Rou Dai Kaioshin finally caught the magazine right in front of Shin and Jita.  "Well, you're back, young 'un.  And who's this pretty little lady you brought back with you?"  The elder kai grinned lecherously at Jita, who gave him a thoroughly disgusted look.

Shin set his teeth against the conflict he knew would arise.  "Honored elder, this is Jita.  Remember the Saiyan Vegeta?  This is his sister."

During the introduction, the elder kai had gone in to take a closer 'look' at Vegeta's sister.  Jita maneuvered out of his reach and somehow materialized a large wooden mallet, using it to wallop the old man in the face.  The elder kai fell to the ground, momentarily stunned.

"There," Jita smiled in satisfaction.  "Now that we've reached an understanding, I suggest you not come anywhere near me for the next year.  Got it?"

The elder kai was too dazed to respond.  Shin scrambled for an apology.  "You must excuse the honored elder.  He does not mean to offend.  He's just…"

"…just a lecherous old man," Jita finished the thought.  "That's all right.  He's harmless.  He won't try anything," she said, shouldering the mysterious mallet.

Shin smiled in relief.  He'd been hesitant of keeping her there, but he really hadn't had a choice.

Jita suddenly yawned, the fatigue overtaking her rapidly.  "I'll take you up on that offer for a rest.  I feel like I could sleep for two days straight."

Shin chuckled.  "Sleep yourself out.  Your body needs to catch up before you do anything that resembles training."

Jita nodded and walked for a little ways, settling down under a tree to get out of the sun.  The grass was surprisingly soft and squishy, almost as comfortable as her bed back home.

No.  What would really make it comfortable was if Goten was right here, and I could reach out and touch him.  Or if I could walk down the hall and watch Jiten sleeping.  Or…

Jita felt an involuntary tear spill down her cheek.  Suddenly, her soul didn't seem like enough.  Before any more tears, she forced herself into sleep. 

Reviewer thanks:

Silver Warrior:  I hope this chapter made you a little happier about the 'good guy's' chances.

SsJ ChiKa:  New person!  Hope you're still reading now.  And there's some Jiten-goodness that I hope made you happy.

Dark Wolf:  I hope you couldn't see any fatigue in this chapter, despite the name.  Maybe a little, though.  I hope you don't go crazy any time soon.  *laughs*  Update already! (says the hypocrite).

aqua-illusions:  Maybe now I'm putting a few of the shards of your illusions together.  And maybe I'll end the story with a barbeque on a cloudy day… where the food sucks… and it's before a funeral of half the characters…  No, I will not get that depressing for the ending.  I'm just jokin' ya.

Tonifranz:  I hope I'm not going over the top with poor Goku.  I just wanted to do something different and interesting with him.

Omega:  You know, I worked really hard on that last chapter, with every word being painfully ripped out of my imagination, and all anyone can say is that it's the short chapter.  *laughs*  No, I'm not as bitter as a sound.  It's just funny.

Lil Shady:  It'll be a while before you even read this.  This is for your review around chapter 25.  I'm glad you're reading my story.  And, no, I wasn't disappointed with your last chapter (the one right after Vegeta died).  I was just half asleep and not even sure what I was writing at the time.  I tend to not be as positive during those times.