AN. So we're dropping in after the conclusion of the fight. It's all in the canon and including it at the end of the last chapter felt stilted and awkward. So enjoy a brief summary at the start of this chapter!

Massive thanks again to CommanderAIK who looked over this chapter for me. He's wonderful and also the only other person writing T&C gen ATM. You should read his story, it's about preparing for the Androids and is cool as hell. Enjoy :D

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The room was completely silent. Even the sounds from outside seemed muffled, as though there was an invisible barrier around the room that isolated them from the rest of the world. Chiaotzu was sitting on the bed, his hands locked together on his lap, his face blank as he looked at Tien. There were bruises blossoming on the triclops' skin, marking the solid blows he had taken against Goku. In his hands was the heavy green surcoat emblazoned with the mark of the Crane.

He had won the match. He had had to use the Kikoho to destroy the ring, relying on the bukujutsu to remain hovering in the air with the last dregs of his energy, but he had won. And before he had used it he had warned his opponent to dodge, telling him that trying to take the blast head on would kill him outright. With this warning Goku had jumped up high, level with Tien, and used the last of his energy to headbutt the triclops from the air. They had fallen together, each unable to stop their descent, helpless, before a truck had bounced Goku to the ground a split second before Tien had landed.

"Are you okay?" Chiaotzu asked softly, trying to be gentle in his tone. Tien let out a low, shuddering sigh, his broad shoulders slumping. Chiaotzu flinched slightly at the pain in the triclops' voice and dropped his eyes to his lap. "You…you don't have to wear it," the telepath said. "If you don't want…"

Tien shook his head and then pulled on the surcoat. The cloth hung loosely, hiding his frame. He shuddered slightly and Chiaotzu let out a soft noise of concern.

"I'm fine, Chiaotzu," Tien said shortly. "It's just… It's strange…"

The telepath nodded and looked down at his lap again. He twisted his small white hands into the thick green cloth of his own surcoat. He was filled with a vague sense of unease wearing it, though it had the comfort of familiarity there as well. They weren't really students of the Crane anymore. They had defied their master, refused his orders, driving him to the brink of insanity it seemed with their insolence. Chiaotzu could still see the rage and hate that had twisted that familiar face, the hand forming a murderous strike, and shuddered suddenly as he closed his eyes.

There was a short silence and then Tien murmured, "Are you okay?"

"Yes." Chiaotzu didn't open his eyes, ducking his head and flushing. When he spoke his words were soft and flat, the emotion inside him still hidden. "He was going to kill me."

Tien's hand rested gently, uncertainly, on his shoulder, his voice hesitant when he said, "He was just angry…"

Chiaotzu's eyes flew open and he swung his head up to look incredulously at the triclops. Was he really trying to defend Shen? The man who had just tried to kill them both? The master who had corrupted them? Had turned Chiaotzu from a kind gentle telepath to an assassin? Had raised the triclops before him into the malicious man he was now?

But then he saw the pain and conflict in Tien's eyes and didn't say anything. Instead he flattened his mouth and hid the emotion in his own eyes, becoming a porcelain doll once again. Tien's lips tightened slightly. There was a long pause that stretched out between them, before Tien sighed and offered a small, uncertain smile. "I'm sorry, Chiaotzu. I'm still…I mean… He's still in my head, I guess…"

Chiaotzu felt his heart warm ever so slightly as he saw the pain in Tien's eyes fade and be replaced with the slightest spark of hope. He returned the smile, seeing the hope deepen to a warm glow that softened the triclops' formerly hard features.

Tien looked towards the other bed where their luggage was resting. Two wide swathes of purple cloth were spread out, their clothes piled carefully in the middle, ready to be wrapped up and secured around their backs.

"So, do you have everything? We should get out before Shen comes back to collect all of his things."

Chiaotzu flushed suddenly, avoiding Tien's eyes. He leaned towards his pillow, drawing it towards him, and reached into the simple cotton pillowcase. Feeling Tien's gaze on him like a brand he withdrew a small cracked stone, a pierced coin, and a small lock of black hair, tied with a thin worn strip of white cloth.

"Chiaotzu…?"

The telepath looked up, his flush now spreading to heat his ears and the back of his neck. He shrugged, feeling the weight of the three small items in his hands. "I had to keep them safe. I had to...remember…"

Tien nodded, not saying anything else. Chiaotzu carefully folded them into one of his white undershirts, smiling fondly as he ensured they were protected on all sides. They both collected their individual bundles and tied them tight, making sure they were secure. Then they left the room and the Crane School behind.

As they walked to the front gate Tien hesitated, straightening his spine and lifting his slumped shoulders. Chiaotzu tilted his head questioningly, then saw what Tien had seen.

The Turtle School and their friends were standing there, laughing and talking. Even Yamcha was there, his broken leg encased in a cast that was black with scribbles and drawings. It was almost as though they were waiting for their rivals.

Sure enough as they approached the conversation ebbed and all eyes turned to them. Chiaotzu landed on the ground, suddenly self-conscious of his ability to hover effortlessly in mid-air. Tien bowed his head but kept his spine straight.

There was a prolonged silence. Eventually Tien broke it with a soft and awkward, "I…apologise for my actions during the tournament." His voice trembled slightly as he continued and his hands were tight fists at the end of his arms. "I…I was cruel and malicious, and did terrible things to all of you. I hope you can understand and forgive me one day."

Chiaotzu's lips curled up in a very small smile. He was glad that Tien was making amends, even in this small way. Yamcha broke the silence of the Turtle School, hobbling forward on his crutch and smiling. Tien avoided his eyes, shame on his face, and then Yamcha lightly hit one fist on Tien's chest. "Of course. I want a rematch for my leg though." Tien, unable to respond verbally, nodded, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Do you two have somewhere to go?" Roshi asked. "If not, I'd be happy to accommodate you."

"Please!" the blonde woman exclaimed, startling the group. "I've fallen in love with your savagery!"

The slightest of flinches touched Tien's face, something so small and hidden so immediately that it seemed no one else noticed. When he spoke his voice was measured and cautious, each word carefully chosen, "Thank you for your generosity…but even though we defied him we are still students of the Crane Hermit. To join you would be an even greater betrayal. Chiaotzu and I will find somewhere else to settle."

The group seemed to accept this, even the blonde woman who was eyeing Tien appreciatively. Goku's stomach let out a loud growl, startling the group, and the rest of his friends laughed. They started to make plans for dinner, Tien offering to pay with the winnings, much to Krillin's amusement. The others started towards the restaurant, laughing and smiling. Chiaotzu hung back slightly, and to his surprise Tien stayed right beside him, keeping pace easily with his short steps.

They were silent for a moment, before Chiaotzu looked up at the triclops, his face blank. This time when he reached out telepathically the mental walls protecting Tien's mind were considerably thinner. The man's emotions were uncomplicated, a note of fear and shame beneath his relief. Did you mean it?

Tien didn't have to ask what he was referring to and his lips twitched up in a small but genuine smile that warmed Chiaotzu's heart. Of course I did. You and I will find somewhere else, far away from Master Shen.

Chiaotzu nodded, relief coursing through him. He had half believed that once the tournament was over and Tien was free of Shen's influence that he would run and never look back. The mercy he had bestowed on Goku was the first step in a drastic change to their outlook, not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. He had been worried that in abandoning the tenets of the Crane School Tien would also abandon those who were associated with it, and Chiaotzu had been a staple of the Crane for all of Tien's life.

Without looking at each other they reached out with their minds, the telepathic link that had previously been limited due to their protective barriers as strong as it had ever been. Chiaotzu felt relieved tears sting at his eyes and quickly rubbed his face with his sleeve.

Ahead of them Goku turned slightly, checking that his newfound allies were still behind them, and they both drew back immediately, their faces becoming carefully blank, their minds separating. Goku grinned at them and then turned back to Krillin, laughing loudly at something the bald former monk said.

Do you really think they forgive us, Tien?

I hope so. Tien's telepathic voice was soft and bitter as he added, I hurt Yamcha pretty badly...I didn't expect to be forgiven.

Chiaotzu looked at the group in front of them, his head tilting curiously. They seem to look after their own. Maybe that will include us one day?

Maybe. Something in Tien's tone suggested he didn't think so. After we find our own place we probably won't have much to do with them.

Sure, that makes sense. Chiaotzu felt a slight pang at this. They had all been so accepting: Jackie Chun who was really Roshi in disguise, Goku, Krillin and Yamcha showing them kindness and mercy after their about-face. Even just after Tien's refusal to follow Shen's instructions Goku had shown total acceptance, not being cruel or vindictive. After the match he had congratulated the triclops with genuine pleasure. Chiaotzu wouldn't mind staying friends with them, if the opportunity arose.

AN. Okay... Okay? Okay! This is not the end! We have a heap more canon drama to get through and some really great Chiaotzu-heavy chapters I've dreamed up and cannot wait to write! Hopefully you'll stick around, and I hope you enjoyed :)