A/N: I'm giving Caulifla and Goku a break with this chapter! This is all Kale, Cabba and Goten and corresponds with the events of the previous chapter.

"Hoyo!" Goten shouted as he hopped across the river, careful not the slip on the slick stepping stones. "Hoy! Hoyo!"

Cabba and Kale looked on at the sight, more amused than perplexed at the boy's behavior.

Goten stopped in his tracks and squatted down, brushing the rapids with the tips of his fingers. He laughed gleefully and splashed both of his hands into the water, sending a spray of aqua and rainbow flying up toward his new friends. They all shared a laugh at his antics. Kale and Cabba watched Goten carefully from the air as he bravely did handstands on the slippery rocks, sticking his tongue out while he was at it.

"Watch your step, Goten!" warned Cabba when Goten nearly tumbled headfirst into the river.

Kale floated leisurely alongside Cabba. As usual, she avoided conversation and lost herself in her own pondering instead. Tomorrow, she and Cabba would be joining Caulifla in training. They hoped to gain full control of their super saiyan forms, Cabba especially after he had unlocked a new transformation. Kale, on the other hand, could feel in her gut that there were no other transformations for her. Her super saiyan form was different from her friends' - it was stronger, more aggressive and completely uncontrollable. Whereas Cabba and Caulifla could summon their mastered transformations through sheer will alone, hers was triggered only by strong, negative emotions.

"Haha, too slow, Cabba!" Kale vaguely heard Goten say. It was as if she was underwater.

"Gah! Goten, don't do that! It's dangerous!"

Kale had already established to herself that she did not like Son Goku. It wasn't as if he had done anything to directly cross her. No, it was worse. He had taken Caulifla away from her. Without him barging into their lives, she would have never left her home and things would have reverted back to normal. She and Caulifla had stuck together since life had brought them their own personal tragedies. Why did Goku have to ruin everything by simply showing up? It frustrated her to no end but she would never confront Caulifla about it. A fight was the last thing Kale needed right now.

"Aha!" cheered Goten, pointing to a sign that said 'Welcome to Chazke Village', "We're here!" He ran off into the village excitedly. "Hurry up!"

Cabba landed and went after Goten, Kale doing the same. The little boy was like a supply of endless energy. His excitement was contagious - Kale and Cabba couldn't help but smile as they entered the village. It was a quaint little thing but full of life, just like the boy in front of them.

One of the villagers approached them. "Welcome back, Goten!" He ruffled the boy's hair. "How are the folks?"

"Great!" answered Goten.

"That's good to hear." He glanced at Goten's companions. "Now who are these folks? Friends of yours?"

"Yeah! They're my dad's friends!"

Kale frowned slightly at being referred to as Goku's friend but brushed it off.

The villager smiled at them and stretched his arm out. "Well hey there. The name's Pete. It's obvious you two aren't from around here so welcome to Chazke Village!"

"Thank you," Cabba said politely, shaking the man's hand. Kale nodded in agreement, shaking Pete's hand limply.

"We're here to see Lime and Mr Lao," interjected Goten. "They haven't gone anywhere, right Pete?"

"'Course not, Goten. Them Laos really love the place. Wouldn't trade it for the world." He put on his hat as the sun crept out from behind the clouds. "Then again, most of us here wouldn't anyway. Chazke Village really is a great place once you adjust. Thinking of stay here long term?" The last question was directed at Cabba and Kale.

"Probably not," Cabba answered truthfully. "We're here to support a friend who's training with Goku. It's a nice place though. We'll come to visit!"

"I'm glad to hear that. Now I won't delay you any longer. Have fun with the Laos!" As they walked away toward Mr Lao's grocery store, Pete added, "Don't be strangers!"

When they entered the store, a small bell attached to the top of the door frame jingled merrily, announcing their arrival to the shopkeepers. A brown haired girl, who was reading a magazine behind the counter, dropped the publication as soon as they walked in. Her eyes lit up in excitement when she saw Goten.

"Hi, Lime," greeted Goten, bowing politely. "How's it?"

"It's been good, little man," Lime answered. "How's Gohan doing?"

At that, Goten pouted. "He's been paying more attention to Videl and Pan than me. We never play together anymore."

"Gohan is twenty two years old," Lime pointed out. "You can't expect him to hang out with you all the time, especially now since he has a family."

"I guess..."

"Aw, chin up, Goten! Why don't 'cha introduce me to your friends?" She gestured to Kale and Cabba but not in a rude manner.

"This is Kale, and this is Cabba!"

Once introductions were over and done with, they all sat down at the back of the store. Goten was busy raiding the fridge while Lime set down some tea for her guests.

"Say," Lime began, sipping her hot drink, the steam obscuring her face. "You two are foreigners, ain't ya?"

"Yes," Cabba answered evenly. "You could say we come from a pretty far away place." Further than you could possibly imagine.

"We are a long way from home," added Kale. "We're just visiting, you see."

"Oh. That's a shame," remarked Lime. "After all, all the other saiyans are living on earth."

"Yes, but -" Cabba froze when he realized what she had said. She knew of the saiyans! And she was comfortable enough with the idea of extraterrestrials living on earth to mention it in such a casual manner! Instantly, he put his guard up. "Who are you?" he demanded. "What do you know about us? Answer me!"

"C-Cabba!" exclaimed Kale. "C-calm down, please... I'm sure she'll tell us..." She glanced at Lime. "Right?"

Lime snorted, putting down her cup. "You lack any sort of tact," she told Cabba bluntly. "I'm surprised no one's told you already about me." She paused, then corrected herself. "Actually, scratch that, I'm not. I was only ever friends with Gohan and Goten after all. After he married Videl, it's like no one remembers me." Cabba's impatient look was noted by the brunette. "To answer your questions, I've known about the existence aliens since I was ten years old. Y'see, Gohan saved me from drowning and we became friends. He eventually trusted me enough to open up to me about his past and heritage. I'm surprised though. I didn't realize there were so many saiyans left."

She doesn't know of the existence of other universes, Cabba realized, relaxing slightly. The only saiyans she's ever met are the Universe 7 ones like Goku and Master Vegeta.

"I'm surprised you're taking it so well," Kale said sotto voce when Cabba didn't reply. "Most people would run... or hide... or both..."

Lime waved off her remark. "I've had years to wrap my head around it. It's not so strange once you think about it. The universe is a big place after all."

At that moment, Goten chose to return with unreasonable amounts of food. He dumped it all on the table and began shoving a string of sausages into his mouth. He swallowed. "Want some?" he offered around the table.

After lunch had been taken care of, Lime invited Cabba to sit out on the porch with her while Kale and Goten became more acquainted with Mr Lao. She knocked off the neck of a bottle of peach schnapps and started drinking straight from the bottle. She wiped the corners of her mouth with her sleeve after taking a swig. The girl smiled slyly at Cabba. "So..."

Cabba started sweating. Why was he getting that 'Yumi Megumi' feeling again? Was Lime Lao going to try and violate him like that little girl had done? He stared at her, hoping he wasn't looking too petrified. "Uhh..." Real smooth. Like that's going to make her leave me alone!

"How long have you liked her for?"

Huh? The question was not at all what he was expecting. When he realized he was simply gaping at her like a fish out of water, he closed his mouth and cleared his throat. "What are you talking about?"

She took another swig. "That girl companion of yours." Lime rubbed her temples. "What's her name again? Gale?" She burped in the most unladylike way possible. "Sorry, I didn't really pay attention to her... Shy one, ain't she?"

"Her name is Kale," Cabba said, feeling miffed on behalf of his fellow saiyan. "And of course I like her. She's my friend."

Lime hummed into the bottle. "Right, right... You sure you don't like her as more than that?"

Cabba turned away from her but the question circled in his mind. Do I like her as more than a friend? What were those symptoms that his baby sister used gush about? Ah yes, racing heart, fluctuating temperature, blushing cheeks... tightening in the lower regions... Had he been experiencing those with Kale? A small frown appeared on his forehead as he contemplated his feelings, Lime watching him with amusement. His eyes widened as he came to a conclusion, Lime snickering at his facial expression. The only thing in his mental checklist that he hadn't felt around her yet was the so-called 'tightening in the lower regions'. Though some would call him ridiculously naive for his age, Cabba was no stranger to sex, the Sadala Defence Forces having educated them on the birds and the bees and issuing the order to ban fraternizing. Kale was quite physically attractive and Cabba knew he would have no trouble getting... aroused over her if the means called for it.

"Helloooo?" Lime waved a hand in front of his face. She had finished downing the entire bottle and was now moving on to a powerful vodka. She hiccuped. "Anyone theereee?"

"I think I do," Cabba said quietly. "Lime... I think I love her." There. He had said it. He loved Kale. He would always be willing to protect her and cherish her - surely love did not extend to more than that? As he thought about it more, he felt his heart leap with the sudden desire to ravish her with kisses and hug her tightly.

"Whooaaaaa!" Lime exclaimed, gesticulating in a manner that splashed alcohol all over the patio. "Slow down loverboy! Just 'cause you reaaalllyyy like her doesn't mean you lurrvee her." Her speech were growing increasingly slurred as she finished every single drop of vodka.

"But I do," Cabba protested. "Lime, I love her. I didn't know before, but I do now. It's... a new feeling that wasn't there before."

Lime shook her head, hiccuping. "Surreee... whatever you say. Just screw her before another guy does." She laughed harshly at Cabba's shocked and flushing visage. "That's the guy mentality right?! Just fuck her senseless and leave her bloody and cummy in the barnyard!" She howled again; this time the sound was somehow piercing and throaty at the same time. Lime pulled something out of her pocket. "Want a smoke?"

Cabba shook his head. He had to admit, this girl was filled to the brim with filthy, bad habits. Lime blew out smoke from her nose and mouth before continuing. "Let me give you some advice," she drunkenly hiccuped in between, "there's this little nub at the top of her fish. Stroke it, lick it, suck it, whatever! She'll go absolutely loose for ya. It's less painful for her too after an orgasm. Don't just rut her! That's not how you get a girl off..." A few tears welled up in her emerald eyes and she moaned sadly. "Ugh... don't let Goten see me like this... he's not coming out right?"

"No," answered Cabba. "Why are you doing this to yourself? Nicotine and alcohol are a deadly combination," he told her, reminded of Vados' lectures.

Lime chuckled hollowly. "Maybe that's just it. Haven't you ever felt so low that the only thing you can do is try to slowly kill yourself?" At his blank expression, she cackled. "I envy you, then. Because that's all I've ever known for a really long time." She managed to blow out a smoke ring. "You'd better tell her soon before it's too late. Trust me on this, buddy. Tell her... before it's too late."

Goten had gone back to the river with the promise of some fish. Mr Lao had told him that there wouldn't be any fish in the rapids, but Goten had replied saying that he relished in the challenge, leaving Kale with Mr Lao.

The old man sighed. "That boy. Is it because I am getting old that this generation keeps getting more and more foolish?"

"Kids will be kids," mumbled Kale.

"Not just kids," said Mr Lao. "My granddaughter... I don't know what happened to her. She would never open up to me. She became..." He struggled to find a word. "Not so good. Do you know what I mean?"

Instantly, visions of Caulifla bringing a male home every single night for two years flashed in her mind. "All too well," she admitted, looking down. It had taken one attempt for her to convince her sis to stop being so promiscuous. One attempt that had taken two years to summon the courage to do. Sometimes she wished she wasn't such a coward.

"Smoking, drinking." He clicked his tongue before burying his head in his hands. "She doesn't even try to hide it in front of me. I normally find her passed out somewhere in the house. I don't know what to do for that silly girl anymore..."

"O-oh..."

"But enough about Lime. I do not want to speak of her right now." He poured himself and Kale some more tea. "Let's talk about you."

"H-huh? Me?"

"Yes, you. I've seen the way you look at that boy."

Kale blushed and focused on her tea.

"Kale. Look at me."

Unable to resist a direct command from anyone, Kale did as she was told, looking deep into Mr Lao's wizened orbs. "Y-yes?"

"You already know that you are very much in love with him," Mr Lao said. "And from what I've observed, I think he feels the same way, even if he doesn't realize it." He shook his head. "Sometimes men are so incredibly dense. I'm very curious, Kale, how did you come to love him?"

So Kale told the old man about how Cabba had fought alongside her on multiple occasions and even saved her. She owed him so much and, somewhere along the way, had fallen in love with him. Mr Lao nodded or drank his tea at all the right intervals, successfully encouraging Kale to totally open up about Cabba. Of course, she neglected to mention the Universal Survival Tournament and instead passed off their partnerships in fighting as associates from the same fighting league.

"You've had quite an adventure with this boy," Mr Lao said at the end of her story, his eyes wide. "I can see why you love him now. It is pure and true. But," he eyed room suspiciously for any eavesdroppers, "I would wait for him to come to his senses first. Something tells me that it will be soon."

It was night when all the talks had finished. Goten had returned empty-handed from the river. Lime invited them to stay over for the night and they gladly accepted. The group ate dinner together, enjoying a large assortment of seafood for supper.

"How's the food, Goten?" Lime asked, now sober. "You enjoying it? I cooked it all myself, you know."

"I love it," Goten said through a mouthful of lobster. He swallowed before continuing. "It's good but not as good as mom's. Sorry!" he squeaked when Lime shot him a glare. The glare quickly melted into a grin and everyone laughed.

By the time dinner was finished and all the dishes were scrubbed clean, it was already midnight and everyone was preparing their futons. Kale and Cabba had their futons aligned with one another but were both strewn in a position that had their backs facing each other. Both were contemplating the words of Lime and Mr Lao.

I love her, Cabba repeated in his head as if not saying it would mean that he no longer held any affection for Kale. I love her. I love her. But I'm not telling her... not yet anyway. Lime said that it might not even be love.

Mr Lao said it was love, Kale was telling herself. Is he right? ... I feel like he is. I've never felt this kind of love before. The only love she had ever felt was the sisterly affection Caulifla had for her. Her mother had died at a young age and her father had been slaughtered like a pig while drunk and unconscious. And now, suddenly, a new sort of love had entered her life. It was nothing like Caulifla's love or her mother's love. It was different. More fulfilling if such a thing was possible. And she felt it with Cabba, someone she knew and trusted despite he having made her cry on their first meeting. Surely this was better than falling in love with a total stranger?

"Goodnight, Kale," Cabba said, his voice breaking the silence as well as Kale's train of thought.

"Goodnight," Kale murmured back.

A/N: Lime. No not that kind of lime. Lime Lao. Despite her relatively complex characterization in this fic, she won't be developed. She's only here as a supporting character.

Kale and Cabba have finally acknowledged the affections they have for one another (though they don't know that the other feels the same way)!

Just a side note: I spend about 1-2 hours writing a chapter. I don't know why I decided to share this. But eh.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter~