Hello again one and all! The other half of the chapter I split, delivered quickly as promised.

Based on MasakoX's What If series "What if Gine went with Goku to Earth?", but a retcon with some changes of my own on how I think the story would have went down had Goku's mother escaped planet Vegeta with him.

DISCLAIMER: The following is a fan-based work of fiction. Dragonball Minus, Dragonball, Dragonball Z, Dragonball Super, and Dragonball GT are all owned by FUNimation, Toei Animation, and Akira Toriyama.

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CHAPTER 32: PREPARING FOR THE SAIYANS

Gine turned back into Kame House and saw everyone looking at her apprehensively. She groaned internally, realizing the scene she must've caused.

"Ahem. Right..." She coughed. "It's settled then. So let's get to work."

She didn't give a damn if they thought she was in the wrong in regards to what Kakarot said, but had to get back to business. Time to formulate a plan.

"We'll start training tomorrow. If everyone can get their affairs in order back home, lets meet at Mount Paozu and we can get ourselves ready for the next year."

Everyone listened as Gine laid out her strategy, she then addressed Bulma.

"Bulma, I hate to burden you like this, but do you have any more of those capsule houses we can borrow?"

"Um..." The blue haired woman dug into her pocket to pull out her capsule container. Opening it up, she picked out the largest capsule that was labeled "0" just like the one she gave to Kakarot five years ago.

"I just have one on me right now." Bulma said apologetically.

"That'll be terrific for now, Bulma. I'm just wondering if it could be possible for you to get maybe a couple more?" Gine said while addressing everyone else. "That way we can all set up camp near our place on Paozu to train and rest together. Less time for all of you to commute too."

Bulma's face lit up. "Say no more, Gine! We have plenty of these little homes to go around back at Capsule Corp. Just give me a day and I'll bring you them."

"You're a godsend, Bulma." Said Gine with a smile. Bulma tossed her the capsule and she caught it expertly.

"Raditz, you could come stay with me and Grandpa Gohan." Said Gine to her eldest son before moving on. "Krillin, Yamcha, go see Korin and ask him if he could grow us a new batch of senzu beans, I have a feeling that we might need them in a year's time. When you get back, we can go over the next part of the plan before we split."

The two Turtle school students nodded seriously. "Got it! We'll be back ASAP!" Said Krillin.

They both headed for the door, but Yamcha stopped for a moment and asked, "Say, uh, Gine... Kakarot said something about Kami being able to help us. While we're up there with Korin, do you think we could ask..."

Yamcha's words died off as Gine answered by glaring daggers at him, making him turn pale.

"Ehehe, um, never mind." He chuckled nervously, then sped out the door with Krillin as fast as he could. Soon both men were in his jet car and flying towards Korin's tower.

Then it was quiet again. Gine plopped herself down on the couch with a heavy sigh next to Chi-Chi and Little Gohan. She sat in silence and rubbed her eyes tiredly, as the energy sapped from her through the wild emotions from this upending day was starting to get to her.

"Soooo... lunch then?" Asked Blonde Launch.

At the mention of food, Gine looked over to the kitchen and saw Grandpa Gohan reheating the mountain lion steak and potato stew she had cooked earlier today, along with pork ribs, salads, rice, bread loaves, and several other delicious dishes that everyone else had brought for the get together they were supposed to have. With everything that happened today, she had almost completely forgotten that this was supposed to be a reunion party for the gang. Now some of the food lay there cold, and the jolly atmosphere long since shattered.

Mournful emotions swept through Gine. This day was supposed to be a simple get together, now her freedom from Frieza's reach was over, everything she cared about was in mortal danger, and was left numb and unsure of who to trust anymore. Funny how her entire world could be turned upside down so quickly. But at least her Raditz was alive and returned to her...

A deep grumbling sound echoed throughout in the room, startling everyone. They all recognized it as the same noise Kakarot's stomach made, but he was not here. It was from Raditz, who had been eying the spread of food.

Gine smiled knowingly and asked, "When did you last eat, Raditz?"

"Before I left to come here." Raditz answered without missing a beat.

Which must have been months ago, she realized. His Saiyan stomach grumbled again as if to confirm that.

"You must be famished then!" Said Grandpa Gohan to Raditz. He waved him over to the table with the reheated dishes. "Please, come sit down and eat something!"

Raditz didn't hesitate and went over to the table. He sat his large armor-clad frame down in front of the overflowing plates and bowls of food Gohan placed. He looked at the first dish, her stew, as if it were the most foreign thing he had ever seen.

"What's this?"

"It's mountain lion steak and potato stew." Grandpa Gohan answered. "Your mother made it and it's really good. Try it!"

Raditz had been so used to just eating rotten scraps handed to him from the chow lines or whatever alien game he could hunt for on other planets, the sight of real food that was thoroughly cooked and prepared (something he knew was only reserved for the highest ranks among Frieza's forces) being served freely to him caused a moment of distress for the low-class Saiyan's mind. Not even the most gourmet dishes saved for Frieza himself didn't look or smell as enticing as what was before him.

He picked up a piece of meat from the stew, not bothering with the utensils, and took a bite. After a couple chews, the pupils of his eyes dilated to pinpricks.

"Well?" Asked Grandpa Gohan.

Without responding, Raditz's hands flew into a blur as he dug into everything that was within his reach on the table. A flurry of bits and crumbs flew everywhere as he inhaled the spread meant for twelve people in a matter of seconds, leaving no plate untouched. Everyone watched in astonishment of how quickly he ate, as if he had never eaten in his life.

After a gluttonous display that would've made even Kakarot wince, everything that could be eaten was gone in under a minute, leaving only bones and stacks of dirty plates left. Thankfully, Grandpa Gohan was able to hide some bowls of food back in the kitchen for everyone else. Gine was hungry too, but wanted her son to eat first. She was glad of Gohan's foresight though.

Raditz turned to Gine and asked, "Is that it?"

His eyes were lit up more than Gine had ever seen him. Gone was the iron-hard frown of a warrior and replaced with that of a giddy child having received the greatest present ever. The sight made her laugh for the first time since he arrived.

"I take it that you liked my stew then?" She asked lightheartedly.

"This is..." Raditz tried to find the words to describe how something he ate was so delicious it bordered on a religious experience for him. "Mother, this is incredible!"

Blonde Launch spoke up. "Well if you're still hungry, you're gonna love what I brought. I cooked up a storm for the occasion."

Gine raised a skeptical eyebrow at Blonde Launch. "You cooked?"

"Yeah!" Blonde Launch boosted, then corrected herself. "Well, sorta. I know the stuff I make doesn't match up to everyone's expectations..." She said that last word venomously while eying Tien Shinhan with a murderous look, making the three-eyed martial artist back away timidly as well as everyone else. "...so I hired some chefs to do all the work for me."

She dug into her pocket and pulled out a capsule. Pressing the button, she placed on the table and watched it expand into an exotic and immaculate display of cakes, jell-Os, ham, other dessert dishes and appetizers. Despite the perfect display, everyone eyed the food suspiciously, remembering how atrocious her cooking skills were.

Raditz however did not have such qualms and started going at the new spread as well with as much vigor as the first round. Not bothering with utensils as well, his fingers and mouth were covered in frosting and crumbs flew into his long hair.

"My Kami! He has worse manners than a toddler!" Chi-Chi remarked, appalled by the lacking of any etiquette.

Grandpa Gohan chuckled, "For a man who probably never had a proper meal before, I think it's... understandable."

Soon the mountain of desserts was gone too. Raditz belched loudly and leaned back in his chair with a look of pure bliss on his face, still savoring the lingering taste of everything he just devoured.

Blonde Launch smirked, "See?! At least he appreciates my work, unlike a certain someone I know!" Tien rolled his three eyes from the corner where he stood.

"Could you quiet down, woman? You yap quite loudly." Raditz voiced from still leaning back with eyes closed.

The blonde woman whipped around on the tall Saiyan with a look of shock and anger. Fire erupted in her eyes, "WHAT'D YA SAY TO ME, YA BUM?!" She seethed.

Raditz opened his eyes and regarded Blonde Launch. He was taken aback by this wench's temper, while all the other men of the group backed away in fear.

"Whoa, whoa, I just said quiet down, woman. You talk too loudl-OW!"

Raditz cried out as Blonde Launch whipped him upside the head with the butt of her pistol. He tearfully clutched the rapidly forming bruise where she hit him. Despite how weak she was, it was a surprisingly painful blow.

Raditz glared at her. "What was THAT for?!"

"YOU GOT SOME NERVE, JACKASS!" She yelled, making Raditz shrink back.

"I JUST FED YOU A FOUR-COURSE MEAL AND YOU TELL ME TO SHUT-UP?! WHY I OUGHT'A!" She pulled out a submachine gun. "LET'S SEE HOW YOU LIKE BEING FILLED WITH LEAD INSTEAD'A FOOD!"

Gine was about to step in when Oolong, thinking quick, grabbed the pepper shaker and sprinkled it into Blonde Launch's face. The girl froze, face contorted, and finally sneezed, her hair changing back from blonde to blue.

"Oh?" The demur and sweet blue-haired Launch saw the machine gun in her hand and went flustered. "Oh dear, did I lose it again?"

"Almost." Said Oolong, waving the pepper shaker. "Glad these things came in handy."

Raditz was utterly confused. "Wha... what just happened?"

Launch turned to him. "Oh, no! I didn't hurt you, did I?"

He gasped in exasperation and yelled, "Ugh, YOU HIT ME!"

Launch dropped the gun and went wide-eyed with guilt, the poor girl looked like she was going to cry. "Oh my, I'm so sorry!" She bemoaned, and went to embrace him apologetically, wrapping her arms around his wide frame and wild hair.

The lost and confused Raditz held his arms out, unsure of the girl clutching to him and eyed his mother for help to understand. "How could this wench just forget she just struck and threatened me moments ago?!"

Gine just shrugged. "She does that sometimes."

Launch let go of herself from Raditz, sniffling her tears. "I'm sorry. I have some weird ability to change personalities if I sneeze. I'm sure you must've seen."

A few short-circuits went off in Raditz's brain at hearing that. This planet was getting weirder by the moment. "Uhhh... yeah I have."

Launch turned to Gine. "Is this Kakarot's brother?"

Gine nodded. "Yep."

Her face lit up. "Oh wow, so nice to meet you! Oh, silly me! Where are my manners? My name is Launch!" She extended him her hand.

Raditz was baffled how this girl could change her attitude from fiery violent to sweet innocence at the drop of a hat, but was fascinated still. He took her hand, "Er... Raditz."

As they shook hands, Launch looked at his and gasped. "You're injured!"

"Huh?" Raditz, confused, let go and examined his hand. He saw the fragments of circuitry from the scouter he crushed in his enraged grip imbedded in the flesh of his palm. With the pain tolerance of Saiyans, he had entirely forgotten about it. Gine perked up that she had almost forgotten about it too, him having crushed his scouter in a dramatic moment overshadowed by events.

"Oh, it's not that bad." He said offhandedly.

"NO! you're hurt!" Launch insisted. "Here let me look at it."

"Really, it's nothing. Stop your needless worrying, woman." Raditz protested.

"Nothing?!" Launch shrieked. "Your hand is skewered with shrapnel! Don't be ridiculous!"

Raditz was about to say more when Gine said, "Don't argue, son. Let's take a look."

Sighing in defeat, Raditz relented and let Launch examine his palm. Turning over his hand and eyeing the black and white gauntlet adorning it.

"I can't see everything, let's take this off."

Groaning, Raditz reached over with his other hand and pulled off the gauntlet. He set it down on the table while Launch brought over a first aid kit. She pulled out some tweezers and eyed the glass shards with some nausea but willed herself to proceed. "Ugh, this might hurt a little."

Launch pulled out some of the shards, making Raditz inhale sharply and winch. "Ouch!"

"Sorry, sorry." Launch repeated every few seconds as she slowly extracted the offending shrapnel and bandaged up Raditz's hand with gauze. Raditz himself was already done with this emotionally unstable woman and her mood swings, but somehow felt endured to her caring for his injuries. Field doctors that healed him after battles never bothered to bat an eye over him. The coddling he was getting here made him a little uncomfortable, but he didn't resist it either.

As Raditz was being treated, Bulma picked up the gauntlet he set down. She turned it over in her hands and examined it curiously.

"Hmmmm, interesting thing you're wearing, Raditz." She said as looked at it and the armor he wore. Bulma experimentally held the armor piece in her hands, prodding and pulling with scientific minuteness, fascinated by how it stretched yet remained rock solid when she tapped it. "What's this made of?"

"Polycarbon." He answered. "It's an elastic material that's durable and flexible."

"Whoa." Said the blue-haired girl, seeing the gauntlet and armor with new zeal. "That's amazing! I've never seen anything like it!"

Raditz shrugged. "It's standard issue battle armor."

Bulma was floored. If this was standard issue stuff, what other kinds of higher technology did this "Frieza" have?

"This is really advanced stuff, to us at least. I could see all kinds of applications from material like this! Something so light, strong, and flexible! Just imagine the patents I could get from this thing!" Bulma spouted off all the scientific and technological blabber that Gine didn't understand. The girl was enthralled.

Bulma paused, then timidly asked, "Say, uh... Raditz? Could I borrow this?"

Raditz eyed Bulma suspiciously. "What? Why?!"

"Well, I'd like to examine this, if that's alright." Bulma answered. "I am a scientist afterall, and would like to know how this is made."

"That's my armor, you wench!"

"Hey!" Bulma shot back. "For your information, my name is Bulma! And I'm not a wench, I'm a scientist!"

Raditz scoffed. "A Scientist? Please, your technology here is pitiful. You may as well be Neanderthals."

"Watch your mouth, buster!" She shot back. "You may be Gine's other son but you got some manners to learn!"

Gine shook her head. "Just let her have it, Raditz."

Raditz felt utterly ganged up on by these Earth women and his mother siding with them. Sighing, he said, "Fine."

Just then, Launch finished the last bandage. Raditz caressed his gauzed hand and examined it. This was far more primitive than the healing tanks, but this "Launch" knew how to do an alright field dressing.

"Thanks." He said.

Launch beamed at him. "Anytime!"

Bulma smiled. "Don't worry, I'll bring this back to you."

"I can get you something else to wear, Raditz." Said Gine. "Besides, you reek."

Raditz looked annoyed. "Why would that be a problem?!" He asked in an irritated tone.

Gine sighed, realizing that teaching him simple things like hygiene were gonna have to be considered. Of all things she had done with her eldest in their old life, it was only feeding he remembered. So that was a lot of ground she was to cover, compared to how she raised Kakarot. But she didn't mind, she was just happy Raditz was back, and in a way get to have the some amount of "upbringing" done all over again with Raditz.

Raditz was feeling apprehensive. Not just about settling down on Earth for the next year with these insufferable women, but to get getting reacquainted with his mother too. When they were "training" as she planned, what are going to do, catch up? If so, how were they supposed to do that after everything?

He dreaded to find out what will come next... but the cuisine of this planet was a plus though.

It was just after dusk when Gine touched back down at their hut on Mount Paozu. Raditz landed next to her and Grandpa Gohan hopped off the Flying Nimbus on her other flank. The sounds of the night filled the air.

After Krillin and Yamcha had returned from Korin's tower, the plan was set in motion. Bulma said she would arrive first thing tomorrow morning with a batch of her capsule homes for the fighting team, and everyone else agreed to meet here later in the day to begin their training. With that done, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu said their goodbyes and parted ways to take care of whatever personal stuff they had before committing to living here for the next year.

Chi-Chi and Little Gohan had returned to their residence not far off, but they will back here first thing in the morning. Just one more thing to take care of before Gine could turn in for the night. After everything that's happened, she could definitely use some sleep.

"Is this some kind of shed?" Said Raditz, looking over the humble wooden abode of Son Gohan.

"This is Grandpa Gohan's place." Gine answered. "Where Kakarot and I came after..." She stopped, not wanting to bring up that sore subject of their home world's demise.

Raditz didn't seem to notice or care, and just regarded the squat hut with incredulity. "That's a dwelling? Wow... Didn't realize earthlings were THAT primitive."

"It serves all the purposes one would ever need." Grandpa Gohan remarked.

Looking over the grounds of their homestead, Gine picked out a flat grassy clearing. This will do.

"You'll stay over here." Said Gine as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the one house capsule Bulma gave her. With a push of the main button, Gine tossed the capsule onto the grass. A second later, a cloud of smoke burst out and cleared to reveal the shiny dome of a portable home.

Raditz stared at the capsule home, fascinated at how such backwards people managed to have miniaturizing technology as this.

"Come on." Gine and Grandpa Gohan went ahead and opened the door to the inside of the capsule house, flicking on the lights. Raditz slowly followed her in, ducking under the low door and went slack jawed when he saw the interior.

A quick look around showed that the place had everything a house would need. A bed, some basic furniture, a fully stocked kitchen, a working bathroom, running water, and electricity. It was a simple setup with less than nine-hundred square feet of space, like a brand new bachelor's pad that Bulma used for her quest for the dragon balls so many years ago. But to Raditz, this place was far more luxurious than any private quarters he had ever seen in the Frieza Force or on planet Vegeta. It was so clean and spotless inside it was almost blindingly bright to him.

Gine and Grandpa Gohan stood by as Raditz took everything in. "I thought about letting you stay in Kakarot's old room, and you can if you want, but with this you can have your own place if you want privacy." She explained.

Despite herself, she was amused by the dumbstruck expression on her son's face. Not even the Ginyu Force had access to these kinds of comforts, and Raditz was having more than enough trouble trying to wrap his head around the fact that his mother was just giving this miniature palace to him.

"Ugh... I... I think... this will work, mother." He stammered, earning a chuckle from both Gine and Gohan.

Making his way to what he assumed was the actual sleeping quarters, Raditz regarded the queen-sized bed he found in there with utter amazement.

He looked to Gine, back to the bed, and back to her again as if he was asking permission to try laying down in it. She nodded in return, and Raditz plopped himself down onto the mattress on his back and spread-armed.

Although it was a little too short for Raditz's seven foot frame that left his booted feet dangling over the edge, the warm feeling of the cloud-like surface and plush pillows were a far cry from the cold dirt of the front lines or the cramped cots of a base he had been so accustomed to. And if left Raditz speechless. It was so soft and so comfortable he nearly wept in joy. He felt like a king almost.

Gine felt warmth spread in her chest and her eyes moisten at the sight of Raditz looking so content with something as simple as laying in a human bed. She knew exactly how he was feeling at the moment. He, like her, had never experienced such a simple thing as a proper bed for proper sleep, and a comfortable place to have shelter. Her old home, the quarters she shared with other Saiyans back on the old planet, had nothing in the way of how humans lived. And that discomfort went double for low-class warriors like them, having to sleep in gutter conditions or wherever you could find. Here, he could actually get a proper rest for once. Something he sorely deserved.

"Tomorrow I'll get you some new clothes for you to wear too. Okay?" She said, but he did not answer.

"Raditz?" Gine asked. She was answered by the sound of snoring.

Gine laughed. From the sheer comfort of the bed, combined with the onset of the food coma brought on by his first taste of Earth's culinary miracle and the exhaustion of interstellar travel, Raditz had fallen into the deepest sleep he ever had in his life. She believed he was going to love it here in no time.

"Right then." Gine said with a smile. "Goodnight my son."

She lingered in the doorway for several long moments, taking in the sight of Raditz asleep. Mentally, all Gine could think was that he was back. Despite everything, from the destruction of their home world to Kami's lie, her eldest son was finally back to her. It filled her heart with such joy that she still had a hard time believing this was real.

"I love you." Gine mouthed, before turning off the lights and closing the door behind her to what was now Raditz's new home.

Back outside, Gine and Grandpa Gohan stood in the silence of the night broken only by the chirping of crickets. Gine let out a shaky breath. To say that this day was emotionally exhausting on her was putting it lightly, now it was finally over. But in a way, it wasn't.

There were still two super elite Saiyans heading their way right now, intent on wiping out this entire planet. A year was a long way off, but it weighed on her as much as the heartache from this day. For once again, she had been called to fight to protect what she cared about as she did against King Piccolo so long ago.

She'll worry about it tomorrow. They need to rest, but they WILL be ready.

Grandpa Gohan regarded her with sympathetic eyes and asked, "Are you alright, my dear?"

Gine shrugged. "Today was... well, what can I really say? But... I'm more or less holding together still if that's what you're asking."

"Hm." Grandpa Gohan uttered, sounding unconvinced. "Are you?"

"What do you mean?" She answered dumbly.

Grandpa Gohan picked up on her act of playing innocent. "I may be old, Gine, but I could sense your turbulent spirit like an approaching storm at the mere inkling of Kami from anyone, especially your other son."

She figured what he was getting at, and her mood darkened.

He picked that up too, confirming his suspicion. So he asked, "What happened up there? At the Lookout."

"I rather not talk about this." She said, abruptly making for the hut with Grandpa Gohan following behind and looking more concerned.

"I don't mean to pry, my dear, but I just want to know if I should be worried about you." He said as he walked.

"Don't be. I'm fine." Said Gine unconvincingly.

"It didn't look or sound that way between you and Kakarot." He pointed out, having unmistakably witnessed her temper flaring with her youngest boy.

Her irritation was showing, clenching her fists. "He's a big boy. He can take care of himself and make whatever choices he wants!" She practically seethed.

"But can you?" Grandpa Gohan asked, looking at her gravely. "You looked like you wanted to rip your own son's head off earlier. Are you sure your mind and spirit are not out of balance if your anger is out of control?"

They reached the door of the hut, and Gine nearly crushed the knob in her grip.

"I didn't mean to cause you grief, Gine, I just..."

"I SAID I'M FINE!" She shouted a little too loudly, startling the few nocturnal animals out in the woods into silence. Grandpa Gohan backed off, holding his hands out in feigning surrender.

Gine immediately regretted yelling at him. "I'm sorry." She said, feeling her eyes stinging with tears.

He was right, she WAS loosing control of her anger. "It's just..."

She wanted to avoid this conversation with him, but he knew her better than to just ignore when something was troubling her.

"Kami lied to me." She said simply as she opened the door and went in.

That gave Grandpa Gohan pause, "Kami?"

Gine nodded, leaving him more confused. The Guardian of Earth was capable of perjury?

"About what?" He asked as he followed her inside.

"About Raditz." Gine said bitterly. "He told me long ago, when I first started training under him, that Raditz had died when our planet was destroyed, and was lost to limbo forever."

"Oh my..." Grandpa Gohan breathed.

"I don't know why he would do such a heartless thing!" She said through her tears, letting out her pent up emotions. "To hide your child's fate from you and tell you that he was dead?! Do you know what that does to your soul?! HOW I WEPT FOR HIM AND LIVED A HAPPY LIFE HERE WHILE HE WAS TRAPPED IN SERVATITUDE TO A MURDERING TYRANT?!" She shrieked before finally collapsing to her knees and cried out loud.

Grandpa Gohan stayed silent for a moment longer, digesting her words. There wasn't much he could say to comfort her with those kinds of questions, so he just bent down to her level and took her into his arms, holding her as she wept. Soon her sobs quieted down and Gine just stood there.

"I'm sorry." He said softly.

"Don't be." Gine said abruptly as she tried to wipe away her tears, trying to look serious. "My son is back to me, that's all that matters. And when this is all over, when the prince and his goon are defeated, I'll deal with Kami in my own way."

"Let's not be too harsh, my dear. I know what Kami has done may seem unforgivable, but... I think he may have had his reasons."

He spoke carefully, drawing an aghast look from Gine as he continued. "He is the Guardian of the Earth afterall, a being who is supposed to be an embodiment of all that is good and pure for this world. Whatever reason's he had to... withhold things from you, I'm sure were-"

"Are you kidding me?!" Gine yelled, shooting back up onto her feet. Grandpa Gohan was the one person she trusted more than anyone in this world and the next, but he was siding with Kami too?!

He stood up slowly and held up his hands soothingly. "I understand that you are upset, but I beg of you to listen to yourself. You are sounding like you want to kill the very being meant to protect this planet. Whatever he has done, it is for the greater good than individual souls, however painful it may be."

Gine had to reel herself in less she throttle Grandpa Gohan, his message finally hitting home that maybe she was overreacting if she was willing to harm the old man who gave her a second chance at life, but only just. He had true courage to stand up to her knowing she could rip him limb from limb.

"Please, don't let your anger cloud your judgement. Afterall, if we are to need all the assistance we can gather to face this new threat, then killing Kami would be rather counterproductive if the dragon balls go with him."

She seethed and almost broke down again. Her anger at kami clashing with her realization that she was an emotionally weak and useless fighter. Something she was rightfully outraged by, but used against her. It made her brain hurt and want to punch something, but in the end she forced herself to calm down.

"I just want to go to bed." She breathed shakily.

Grandpa Gohan made a concerned but understanding face. It was apparent that Gine did not want to address things now, but counted the little victory that rest would do her some good. Besides, she would need to get ready for training tomorrow.

"Of course, dear. Go ahead, it's been a very long day anyway."

Gine gave his hand a grateful squeeze. "Thank you, Gohan."

He gave his sweet, reassuring old man smile in return. "Good night, Gine."

She retreated to her room and shut the door, and could sense a moment later she had passed out as quickly as Raditz did.

Grandpa Gohan stood where he was, eying the door to Gine's room with worry.

There was a lot to unpack with her grudge against Kami, but he hoped they could resolve it soon. Her anger gave her great power, and from what she told her long ago, had spent such pains to control it. With her trust in the Guardian now broken and all that progress undone, who knew what Gine was going to do if she could barely control herself.

With the concern of a father for a daughter, he mentally made a note to join her in the training to see if he could try to get her to meditate with him. He had to make sure she wouldn't do something with Kami she would regret, or else the Saiyans won't be the only thing to worry about...

Meanwhile, in the Otherworld check-in station, Kakarot and Kami stood before the gargantuan desk of King Yemma.

"Is this him?" Asked the bearded, pink-skinned giant. He wore a spiffy business suit, a hat with a pair of ivory horns, and towered over the duo like a mountain.

"Yes, King Yemma, this is the Saiyan I told you about, Son Kakarot." Kami answered, his hand on Kakarot's shoulder. Behind both of them was a line of floating puffy, individual apparitions that waited like a grocery store line that stretched out beyond the entrance of the heavenly gateway to an infinite horizon of orange clouds and pink sky.

King Yemma eyed the tiny figure of Kakarot uncertainly. Both the Saiyan and the old Namekian were like ants to his immense stature. "And you want him to go down Snake Way? Are you sure, Kami?"

"I'm absolutely sure, sir." Kami stressed. "Kakarot here is the strongest warrior on Earth, and have seen him perform many great achievements of strength and character. I believe he is worthy and able to make the journey to King Kai's planet."

Kakarot turned his head to Kami. "So, does everyone come where when they die, Kami?"

"Indeed, Kakarot." Kami replied.

"Even aliens?"

The Guardian of Earth sighed in annoyance. "Yes, even aliens. All deceased beings from across the universe come here to receive their final judgement, where King Yemma here sends them to spend all eternity in either heaven or hell, depending on their actions in the world of the living."

Kakarot looked around in awe and curiosity. Blue-skinned ogres in business suits moved around in cars, carrying clipboards and making tallies of the fluffy clouds being shuffled about, which were the souls of the dead. One of the ogres shouted through a megaphone at the line behind the duo, reprimanding some of them for cutting in line. The idea of there being an afterlife was mindboggling enough for the Earth raised Saiyan, but he didn't imagine it would be like this.

"I see." Said King Yemma, before leaning over his desk to look at Kakarot.

"Now, Son Kakarot, are you truly ready to travel down Snake Way?"

Kakarot nodded seriously. "I am."

"Are you sure?" King Yemma repeated. "Because I warn you, crossing the full length of Snake Way is no easy feat even for a deity like myself, since I was the only one who ever made it across. And that was eons ago."

Both Kakarot and Kami listened intently.

"It is a one million kilometer journey over a narrow stone pathway that threads over the pit of hell itself. If you fall, you will be trapped down there forever. No amount of paperwork will be able to fix that. And since you are a mortal being, you are still bound to your biological functions to survive. So you must either make the journey quickly or perish."

Kami gulped nervously at the treacherous description while Kakarot stood unflinching and determined.

"So as a disclaimer, Kakarot, whatever happens to you out there, Otherworld management will take no responsibility. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Kakarot answered with conviction from every ounce of his being.

King Yemma smiled. "Very well then. You may go."

"Alright!" Kakarot whooped excitedly. Kami bowed to the giant.

"Thank you so much for your help and wisdom, great King Yemma."

"Save it, Kami. I've done a lot of paperwork to allow this, just don't make me regret it."

"Um, no-no worries, sir!" Kami stammered. "I believe in Kakarot's abilities."

King Yemma pointed a thumb to the northern wall of the vast chamber. "Head down that way towards the side entrance, Kakarot, and a guide will take you to the start of Snake Way."

"Awesome! Thanks King Yemma!" Said an eager Kakarot, before turning back to Kami.

"And thank you too, Kami, for giving me this opportunity."

Kami nodded appreciatively. "No need to thank me, Kakarot. I am doing what I must to protect our planet. I just hope your mother won't make too much of a fuss over this."

"She's okay with it... mostly." Said Kakarot, his excitement for the challenge ahead briefly clouded with melancholy.

"I'm sorry she couldn't join you." Kami said, also his eyes turning down at the ground in shame. Both of them thinking of the grief that has happened before their departure.

Kakarot shrugged. "It's okay. I know you had your reasons, and mom isn't alone. I'm sure she'll come around eventually."

Kami turned away uncertainly. "I sincerely hope so." He said ominously.

It deeply troubled him that Gine, his own student, had turned against him in every way after his confession. He had worked so hard to help her face her darkest fears, realize her true potential, teach her how to harness it, and to achieve balance of her spirit. Now he feels it was all for not, if she was to intentionally ignore all of his teachings and let such negative energy dictate her actions. And as someone who was supposed to safeguard Earth, her turning down any help out of blind anger which was now playing havoc with her emotional state, with the strength she had now, put the the future of the planet at risk.

Kakarot looked thoughtfully to the entrance for where it would lead to Snake Way and then back to the Guardian of Earth.

"Say, Kami, I've been wondering... wouldn't you like to train with me too?" He asked.

"Huh?" Replied a confused Kami. "What do you mean? This is as far as I can go, Kakarot. You must go to King Kai on your own."

"No, no. I mean, train to be a fighter alongside me." Kakarot clarified.

This caught Kami by surprise.

"I can't, Kakarot. It's against my job."

"Well, why is it?" Asked Kakarot.

Although he knew the answer (or at least thought he did), Kami had never been asked directly before about it. Still, he answered. "That would be interfering with the affairs of mortals. I cannot bestow divine intervention for too much."

"But why though?" Kakarot persisted. "If protecting Earth is your job, then why not learn martial arts to better protect it?"

He opened his mouth to answer, but the Guardian found he couldn't. Again, he thought he knew why, but had never given it much thought since it was never actually addressed, even by his master and previous Guardian.

Any rule bestowed upon deities couldn't be too vague, or else would lead to all kinds of questions and reality-warping loopholes in divine law that could upend everything they held dear. So it was either glossed over or discarded. But with Kakarot's ever naïve mind to bring it up now, it made him confront that uncomfortable possibility.

Kami sighed. "It's... not the simple." He said lamely. Gine's painful words from when they last saw each other echoed in his mind.

"Hmm." Kakarot held his chin thoughtfully, stumped and frustrated with the vague yet unbreakable rules of immortal beings. Then, Kakarot perked up his head as if he had an idea. He turned towards King Yemma.

"Say, King Yemma, if Kami wanted to fight alien invaders on Earth, could he?" He asked.

The judge of Otherworld looked perplexed at first as that Kakarot hadn't left yet, but answered, "Um, technically he can't interfere with the affairs of the planet of his charge. As it's considered divine intervention, and should only be done in special circumstances."

"Uh-huh." Kakarot nodded, then continued. "But alien invaders are NOT from Earth, right? So, technically, it's not divine intervention into the affairs of Earth if he's protecting it from an external threat, right? Wouldn't that be considered a special circumstance?"

Kami was floored by Kakarot's questioning. He had never considered that before, and was truly surprised by how Kakarot could surprise him after all these years. Even if the man Kakarot was now will always be the simple boy from long ago, he occasionally had his moments of genius.

"Huh." King Yemma said, also in thought. "I suppose so. But the more important question however, is why haven't you left yet, Kakarot? You're holding up the line!"

He pointed to the fluffy clouds of souls pilling up behind the duo, they were getting more agitated.

"Go soon, or else I may have to revoke your dispensation to be here!" King Yemma commanded.

Kakarot laughed nonetheless. "Okay! Sorry, King Yemma, I had to ask."

He turned back to Kami one last time. "Well, I guess that answers that."

Kami was utterly speechless at what this could mean. Kakarot seemed to pick that up, and just chuckled.

"Just think about it okay? We'd really appreciate your help, and I think that as Guardian, it would do some good to actual protect Earth."

"HEY!" An ogre at the entrance waved over at them. The guide to Snake Way.

"Alright, I gotta go, Kami." Said Kakarot. "Take care, okay?"

"Oh, er... I will. Good luck to you, Kakarot." Said a distracted Kami.

"See ya!" He said before running off to the entrance. A moment later, Kakarot was gone.

Kami starred after where Kakarot ran off to, and frowned thoughtfully. Things were swirling in his mind.

So it was true that he could learn to become a fighter afterall if the threat was from outer space? It was a possibility he never entertained in his three-hundred year tenure as Guardian. Even though he missed the days of yore before taking up that mantle, of being a martial artist in his own right before swearing his oath of nonintervention and pacifism. He thought he had been able to set aside that part of the past, but that part never really died. Now, it was rearing itself up again and obtruding in his consciousness.

But there's no way it would work. Even if he wanted to, he's too old and decrepit, a fact as irreversible as death... He may as well be as useless as Gine said he was... right?

His eyes went wide when he remembered his own creation, those seven magic orbs. Something that could reverse that.

What if I could? He dared to think. What if he was able to help? To train and fight like them again... He could-

King Yemma slammed his fists onto his mahogany desk, scaring Kami out of his wits. "FOR THE LOVE OF ME, KAMI! DO YOU HAVE TO THINK SO LOUDLY?! GET OUT OF HERE ALREADY, YOUR HOLDING UP THE LINE!"

"Ah! Sorry, great King Yemma!" Kami stammered, and teleported out of there without another word or thought.

A/N: Now the training and Raditz's rehabilitation has begun! And what will Kami do? Find out next time, which will be an actual leap forward than this one.