Okie, how long has it been now? Gahh, I lose track... I've just been so excited because my story had a breakthrough, and I have been typing so much, and... okay, I've been lazy. Thank you for putting up with my procrastination. And for your reward, yes, another chapter!

Trunks: Um... Can you just get on with the chapter already? I'm sure they don't want to waste their time reading your random thoughts.

Sutsuki: Ahh, so true... Well then, read on and enjoy!

Chapter 30: Three Long Days

"This is bizarre..." The young maid muttered to herself. An hour ago she had been running around the network of halls as usual going about her daily duties, never anticipating any change, and expecting to stay in these cold dark chambers of the castle until death. But in that short period of time, her life had forever changed.

"Hey Keiko, lights out!" An annoyed voice rang from the bunk above her head.

"Fine..." Keiko conceded, and blew out the candle on her bedside table. "Goodnight, Mitsuko..." She closed her eyes, allowing the memory of her conversation with the princess to run through her head once more. She still couldn't believe this was happening to her. She was almost afraid to go to sleep, thinking she would wake up from this dream. No, she thought. This was no dream. This was real...

She had been fully informed of her new quest, and had also solemnly sworn not to mention this to another living soul. The plan was to be carried out in exactly 72 hours... three days.

"... Hey, Mitsuko?"

"Mmm...?" The older girl grunted.

"Will you promise me something?"

"Yeah, what?"

"Promise me that whatever happens, you won't stop being my sister."

"What are you playing at?" Mitsuko questioned, poking her head over the edge of her bunk.

"Sis... would you still love me... even if I was a traitor?"

"A what?!? Stop fooling yourself!"

"I'm just asking..." Keiko rolled over so her back was to her sister.

"Well... I guess I would. Of course I would. I promised Mama and Papa I would always look out for you, Imôto-chan."

"I know... thank you..."

Mitsuko smiled. "Goodnight, Keiko."

"Night, Mitsuko."

"That's enough. Let's call it a day."

Pan collapsed to the ground, fatigued and winded. She and Piccolo had been practicing ki shooting, and she had been completely drained. Not to mention she had been up since four in the morning. Now it was after dark.

Piccolo grinned at her, lying limply in the grassy field. She was barely conscious.

(She's got guts; I'll give her that... Excellent... just like her father...) Feeling satisfied, and a bit sympathetic, he picked her up, slung her over his shoulder, and floated back to the camp.

"Hey, Piccolo-san!" Gohan waved in greeting. Seeing his daughter, he chuckled. "Hard day?"

"Excruciating..." Piccolo sighed with a smirk. "She'll definitely sleep well tonight. She'll need it, because we'll be doing the same thing again tomorrow."

Pan groaned, as though she could hear them. The two adults chuckled, and set her down in a tent. Gohan went to fetch Dende to heal her wounds.

Later, Gohan, Piccolo, and Kuririn sat around the last lit campfire discussing various subjects; Pan's training, the future of the surviving villagers in the camp, what to do in case of another raid...

Suddenly, the ki senses of the three warriors picked up two distinct energy signals a split second before they appeared out of thin air right in front of them.

"Hey, guys!" Goku exclaimed, removing his two fingers from his forehead.

"Check out our hoard!" Goten called. "Do you think this will be enough for a few days?" In front of them were bags and crated filled to the brim with food and supplies.

"Heh heh... That looks like plenty to me!" Kuririn chortled.

Gohan shook his head. "Though I disapprove of this whole method of stealing, I don't see any alternative way to get the things we need to survive out here..." He mumbled to himself.

"Aww, come on, bro! We only stole from those who had more than they needed!" By that, he obviously meant they had stolen from the wealthier side of town.

"Oh, all right!" Gohan acquiesced. "Let's just get these supplies somewhere safe, and get some rest."

For the next two days, Piccolo's harsh schedule took its toll on Pan. She woke up each morning feeling worse than the previous. She didn't feel like she was getting any stronger. Though she actually was, her sore muscles and fatigue kept her from realizing it.

On the third morning, Pan awoke by herself before Piccolo had. Try as she might, it felt impossible to get back to sleep. So she left the tent and headed down the hill and into a forest. She hadn't traveled very far when she came to an old tree that had fallen. The empty space where its branches had once grown let in a patch of sunlight through the rooftop of leaves. Once there, she stuck her hand in a large hole in the base. When she withdrew it, it was clenching a familiar red sheath with a blue leather strap. Pan strapped it around her back, and stepped backward to get a good look at the aged tree.

Then without warning, she drew the sword, and swung it hard against the thick trunk. A dull thud was heard as the blade merely punctured the rough bark. Pan smiled, and sheathed the sword again.

"When I am able to cut you in two with one clean stroke," She said to the tree. "I will know my training is complete." She placed the only memory of her previous mentor back inside the gnarled tree, and returned to the camp.

No sooner had she entered her tent and laid her head back down on her pillow when she heard a familiar voice calling her name and threatening to force her into training an additional three hours if she didn't get up this instant. Pan groaned, and mumbled that she was coming.

Elsewhere, the king and his children were also training early in the morning.

"Focus, Bra! You're not concentrating at all!" King Vegeta called from across the white training arena. To get her attention, he fired a small ki blast in her direction.

Noticing the oncoming blast, the alarmed princess shrieked and quickly deflected it with one hand, sending it flying toward her brother, who neutralized it with an even bigger blast.

"Good." The king said. "Bra, you have to stay focused! If that would have been a real battle, your enemies would show you no mercy. They would simply find it the perfect opportunity to attack."

Prince Vegeta cackled at his sister in the background.

"And Vegeta!" The king turned to his son firmly. The boy shut his mouth, and stood at attention. "You're using an attack against an attack too often! Try to practice defense and deflecting more."

"Yes, sir..." The prince bowed.

"Gomennasai, Otou-san..." Bra apologized. "You're right... I'll try harder to stay focused..." She wiped the thoughts of Zamuri and Keiko from her mind. She was getting too anxious... The plan was due to be carried out that evening.

"Hmm..." The king nodded firmly. "Vegeta, you've done enough training for today. Go now; I would like to spend some time alone with your sister."

"Huh... fine." The prince sighed, and trudged a bit wearily out of the room. Once he was gone, Vegeta turned his attention back to Bra.

"Now, Bra... Tell me, what's on your mind." He said sternly, folding his arms.

"Wha...? What do you mean, Otou-san? Nothing's bothering me." Bra replied innocently.

"Come now, girl. You can't expect me to fall for that pathetic bluff. Just how nearsighted do you think I am?"

"I-... I don't, sir!" She stuttered.

"Well then... Out with it! What are you keeping from me, young lady?" His glare progressed into an agitated scowl as he grew more impatient.

"I'M NOT HIDING ANYTHING!!! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?!?" As soon as she heard the anger and ferocity in those words rebounding off the walls, Bra knew she had gone too far. She had lost control of her emotions again. A blur of fear and embarrassment clouding her vision, she rushed from the arena, and back up to the sanctity of her bedroom. Her only thought was of the surprised- and slightly terrified- look her father had given her in response.

(What's wrong with me...?) She thought frantically, burying her face in her pillow. Her fists were trembling madly. (Why am I having these random outbursts?!?) It was true that this had happened before, but never had it scared her so much as it did now.

As for King Vegeta, all he could think was that there was something terribly wrong with his daughter. He had to find out what- and fast. This had nothing to do with teenage hormones. He had sensed something far darker inside of her... some evil presence, as if trying to break loose in her mind... He definitely knew better than to toss these concerns aside without a second thought. He decided it was best to let her cool down for a bit, and then approach her from a different, more patient and understanding angle.

Keiko had been overly anxious all morning. She knew that her secret pact with the princess would be fulfilled that evening. She reviewed the details of her mission over and over again in her head, and though she promised herself she knew it by heart, she couldn't help but fear the worst should happen. The most pressing question in her mind was... why had it been her? There were plenty of other maids in the castle. Could it just have been pure luck that she and Princess Bra had passed in the hallway? No, Keiko was not one to believe in chance and superstition. She had always been taught to believe in fate; that her whole existence was but one piece in the vast puzzle of the destiny of the universe. This was her chosen fate; her destiny. But what of Mitsuko? Why hadn't it been her sister who was given this vital quest? Keiko had been too young to remember what it was like outside the castle, but her sister, being 3 years older, had a vivid memory of everything from the old friends they had to exact descriptions of their parents. What was to become of Mitsuko, should Keiko never return? She would be condemned to life within these bitter, unforgiving walls, never again able to see the outside world which she longed for dearly. Unwilling to allow herself to think such appalling thoughts, Keiko wiped them all from her mind, and tried once again to concentrate on her usual chores. But no sooner had she ridden her head of all distracting thoughts, when Mitsuko hurried up to her.

"Hey, imôto-chan! There you are! The boss has been looking for you!" Mitsuko called breathlessly.

"The boss? About what?" Keiko asked.

"I don't know, but it sounds important. You'd better head down there right away."

"Right... Thanks, sis!" Keiko waved as she headed down toward the main hallway where the 'boss' was waiting. The 'boss' was actually an elected leader of the maids. She had been chosen for her wisdom and leadership. She had long graying hair pulled back into a neat bun, and was always seen carrying around a little clipboard. Her name was Chikako, nicknamed 'boss' for short.

"Aah, so glad you could join us, Keiko." Chikako greeted as Keiko entered the main hallway.

"What did you need me for, Boss?" Keiko bowed slightly.

"Your duties have been reassigned, Keiko. You now have a new job in place of some of your old ones."

"What is this job?" Keiko asked curiously.

"There are a few new prisoners down in the dungeons that are in need of daily meals. Your job is to make trips down there two times a day, bringing food and water to the assigned cell numbers." She handed the confused girl a small list of cell numbers.

"But... why me?"

"Keiko, dear... When the Kais send you a blessing, it's sometimes best not to ask why it was sent."

Keiko's mouth gaped open slightly, but she closed it again quickly, and thanked Chikako for her wise words. How was this a blessing?

"Your new job starts tomorrow, so don't be late!" Boss called after her. Keiko waved goodbye, and headed back to her quarters. She now had another dilemma.

(Oh Kami... I have to take that trip across the mountains tonight! There's no way I'll be back in time to start this new job!) She thought frantically.

"Hey, sis. What did Boss want?" Mitsuko questioned as Keiko entered the dimly lit bunk room.

"Mitsuko... I'm going to need your help..." Keiko muttered.