Let me tell you, flying is hard. Even when you're as strong as I have become, flying at speeds that double a cheetah is hard. And being afraid of heights doesn't help. I was almost to Kami's Lookout, I could already see it, but I was tired.
"I wonder if I should stop at Korin's tower? I could get a Zinzu bean… but then I might have to try to get the Mystic water from him."
I'm bound to be able to get it… and plus, I am pretty fast. I got to Korin's and stopped. I didn't see anyone there."Master Korin? Hello? Is anyone here?"
"Yes, yes, just a minute." I heard the voice from another room. I waited as patiently as I could, but I was a bit antsy, so I had a look around.
Wow… the Zinzus…There were a bunch of flower pots, and I recognized the plants immediately. I also saw master Korin's staff leaning against the table.
"… stupid idea eating so many burritos- oh, hello."
"Hello, master Korin." I said, bowing, "My name is Son Katie. I'm Goku's sister."
"No your not, but hello anyway." He replied, taking his staff."So you've figured it out?" I sighed, "No, I'm not really Goku's sister, but that's the story. You won't tell, will you?"
"No, no, but Kami knows too. So, what can I do you for?"
"Well, I've traveled a long way, and I wanted to see Kami. I was wondering if I could have a Zinzu bean first, and to see if you wanted to test me like you did Goku."
"You don't need to be tested, I can see it. You're just like Goku, not normal."
"Right, we're Saiyans."
"No, well yes, but that isn't what I meant. You have a purpose here, but I don't know anything about that. Goku is here to protect earth, and I think you are too. But you need Kami's help."
"So does Kami know about… my problem?" I asked.
"Yes, all you have to do is show up, he's expecting you. But here, a Zinzu." He tossed me the bean and I caught it without really looking. I ate it and felt my energy levels increase.
"Thank you, master Korin." I said, bowing.
"You really aren't related to Goku, you're too polite." He said. I smiled and headed back the way I came.
I jumped out the window and flew straight up, higher and higher, past the storms that protect the Lookout and finally I saw it.
The large bowl-shaped sanctuary wasn't given justice on the show. It was really a paradise, a home for a god. The white tiles were sparkling and all the trees looked perfect. I landed and saw Krillen, Yamcha, Tien, Choazu all fighting, and Yajirobe eating a bag of chips. I saw Kami and Mr. Po-po to the side watching.
Krillen saw me and stopped his punching exercises. He waved and called out to me. I smiled as I came in to land.
"Hey, Katie! What are you doing up here?" he called as I landed.
"I came for training." I said. The others started to gather.
"Hey Krillen, is this Goku's sister?" Yamcha asked.
"Yeah, Katie, these are my friends, Yamcha, Tien, and Choazu… oh, and Yajirobe." Krillen added.
"Hi."
"Hi." I greeted.
"So Katie, did you get away from Piccolo?" Krillen asked.
"He let me come. It's a long story." I glanced over to Kami, and he nodded.
"Greet your friends, then we'll talk in private." Kami said, heading back for the shade. I nodded.
"So, is Goku's boy doing okay?" Tien asked.
"Yeah, you won't believe all that we've been through. Piccolo just dumped us in the middle of nowhere and told us he'd be back in 6 months to train us in fighting."
"That sounds harsh." Choazu said.
"Yeah, just look at these. I got them from a tiger." I said, showing off my scarred arms.
"And Gohan?" Krillen asked, sounding nervous.
"Oh, he beat up a t-rex the first day. You weren't at the fight with Raditz, but Gohan tackled the guy and did more damage than Goku or Piccolo had done the entire fight." I said.
"What, really?" Yamcha asked, his eyes wide, "I'd love to see what you can do when you fight."
"That's why I'm here. I need to talk to Kami, but I'll be back in a sec." I said, turning to the shaded area that Kami was watching us from.
"Hello, Kami." I said, bowing.
"You're so open with them." Kami said, looking at the guys as they started training again. I looked too.
"I feel like I've known them for years. I guess I actually have… do you really know where I came from?" I asked, looking at him.
"Yes, you grew up human in another dimension, and now you're here and a Saiyan. You know the future of all of us." He sighed.
"Yeah, and I have to be careful of what I say or do. One little thing could mess it all up and then… disaster."
"You need another Saiyan to help you. That is what you were going to ask of me, weren't you?" Kami asked.
"Yes. I know there are a few ways this can be done."
"Those boys have been getting restless. Tomorrow I was going to send them into the Pendulum room. You know what that is?"
"Yes. Are you going to send me with them?" I asked.
"Yes, I am. Do you think you're up to it?"
"I have to be. I really have no fighting experience or technique, but at this point I have to try something." I said, breaking eye contact.
"You don't have to feel ashamed. I understand."
"Thank you, Kami."
"Go for a run with the boys, test your skills. I bet you are a natural fighter."
"Yes, I will. And I know I'm a natural, I mean, I am Saiyan."
Saiyans are natural fighters, so yeah, I guess I'll be a natural. Won't I?
I walked back out to the sunlight and looked the guys over.
Tien and Choazu like to use mental abilities, so I better wait… Yamcha and Krillen are about equal… I'll see if Krillen wants to spar.
"Hey Katie, you joining us?" Yamcha called.
"Yeah, for a bit. Yo Krillen, wanna spar?" I asked, running over to the bald monk.
"Yeah, this will be great!" Krillen said, coming toward me and taking a fighting pose.
"You might think so… but I've never fought before…" I admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of my head.
"What? But you're… you're Goku's sister, aren't ya?"
"Well yeah but… I've never fought before." I sighed. I put my bow and arrows against a tree and faced Krillen.
"Well then, allow me to show you the basics. I trained with Goku and master Roshi, so I know a thing or two."
Well, part of being here is going to be keeping up my story, so I better act the part… oi…
"Sounds great!" I replied.
"First, why don't you show me what ya got?"
"Uh… okay…" I copied a fighting stance I had seen Piccolo use. I was facing Krillen, and my arms were to my sides, one above my head and the other waist level, "How's this?"
"You got that from Piccolo, didn't you? Alright, now I'll start off and you defend." Krillen said. He took a Kame pose and grew serious. I felt my anxiety grow as I waited. This was exciting, my first fight ever. I kept my eyes on Krillen as he looked me over.
He's examining me, trying to find a weak spot… I better do that too…
It was a little early, but I figured that he preferred his right due to his stance and that he would most likely try to charge me as an opening move. I tried to decide on my first move.
If he charges, I'll roll to the left… if he tries to punch, I'll dodge… if he tries to kick, I'll block… wait, do I even know how to do any of that?
I realized I had no idea what I was really going to do. Sure, I knew what move to do, but I didn't know how to do those moves. I couldn't just push square-circle-up and produce an attack.
I'm a Saiyan… Saiyans are born to fight… I have to let my instincts guide me- my instincts! What if I lose-
I didn't get to ponder as Krillen vanished from sight.
"Hey, where'd he go?"
I felt stupid asking the question. He was moving faster than I could see, it was obvious, but I didn't know where he was. Before I could find him, I was punched in the stomach and I fell over to my hands and knees.
The others stopped practicing to watch, and they all had the 'big brother' look. I stood up and held my stomach as I faced Krillen, who looked surprised.
"Krillen! You hit her too hard!" Yamcha said.
"No, that was good. I don't want anyone to take it easy on me, not because I'm a girl, or Goku's kid sister. Just pretend I'm a boy, that's all I ask. Let's go again, Krillen."
"Uh, yeah, okay…" they all seemed surprised as I took the same posture again. I watched carefully, and I used my Ki to 'see' Krillen. This time when he vanished, I turned right to him and I blocked his kick. He jumped back and charged, so I rolled and stood in an all-four position; on my hands, on one knee, and one leg out. My tail waved behind me as a smirk graced my face.
"Wow… she's flexible…" Tien said. I felt heat rise to my face and I growled in anger.
"Of course, you have to be when your daily routine consists of outrunning dinosaurs!" I growled. But instead of anger, I got laughter. I ignored it as I waited for Krillen to make his move. But, he was laughing, so I stood back up and crossed my arms as I waited.
"So much for treating me like a boy…" I sighed.
"Sorry… sorry kiddo… alright, alright, I'm cool." Krillen sighed deeply to calm himself. I got back into form as well, and this time when he charged I dodged hit punch. He landed and came right at me, so I jumped up, trying to dodge. But I used too much jump and he was able to come after me in the air. We fought in the air then, I was mostly blocking his hits that I could.
"Krillen?"
"Yeah, what?" he asked, not stopping.
"You think maybe I can try to attack you now?" I asked.
"Sure, try it!" he called. I grabbed one of his arms and kneed him in the stomach, and then he fell to the floor. I followed him down as he got up.
"Sorry, was that too much?" I asked.
"No…" he said, holding his stomach.
"Maybe I should give it a try." Yamcha said, walking over.
"Sure dude… but watch that knee of hers…" Krillen said.
I over did it… this is a spar, not a battle to the death. I gotta watch it.
I took my stance as Yamcha came over.
"I don't know what Goku has told you, but you better keep your eye on me, I'm much stronger now." He said.
"Yeah, I can see. How's your baseball career?" I asked, smirking.
"Too easy, this is what I love." He said.
"Too bad that's what Bulma thinks too." I replied, "You really should go see her before we fight the Saiyans. It might be your last chance to make up with her."
"Girls and gossip… we're here to fight!" Yamcha didn't waste any time getting started. He came right me to punch, so I blocked and we exchanged punches. He went to kick, but I back-flipped out of his way and shot off a Ki blast. He smacked it away and came at me.
"I won't take it easy on you! Wolf Fang Fist!" Yamcha's patented attack was unavoidable as I was hit and thrown back. I slid on the tiles for a few feet, and I felt my cheek already start to swell. Yamcha looked shocked as I stood up.
"What, was that a finisher?" I said, "My turn, Copy-cat Technique! Wolf Fang Fist!" amazingly, but not too surprising for me, I was able to perform the attack first try, but I missed Yamcha.
"How did you… when did you…?"
"Saiyans can copy attacks almost immediately after seeing it done. Remember when my brother copied the Kamehameha Wave?"
"Yeah, but still…"
"Maybe I should give it a go." Tien said.
"Well… I…" I stammered. Tien was like Piccolo or Goku, on a higher level than me. There was no way I could beat him.
"Come on kid, it's just practice." Tien said.
"Yeah… wow, this is so cool…" I said, taking my stance again.
"Yeah, but it won't be easy. You're pretty good one-on-one, but how about three-on-one?"
"Uh, oh." I said.
"You got that right. Tri-form!"
Tien wasn't going to take it easy on me at all, he wasn't even going to start slow for me. Two Tien clones appeared and the three started to surround me.
There's a trick to beating this, but what was it? Goku beat it, and I saw it… what was the trick?
I kept my eyes on the Tien in front, and my Ki sensing on the one behind me. The one behind me lunged, so I turned and chopped him in the back. He fell to his hands and knees while the second one went to punch me. I grabbed his arm and threw him on top of the other one I had knocked down. Then I felt a surge of pain hit my back, and I fell to my knees. When I looked back I saw that Tien had my tail. I was limp as much as I was in pain.
"Tien! Tien! Tien!" Choazu called.
"I remembered that Goku's greatest weakness was his tail, so I figured I'd try it on you too." Tien said.
"Great… and of course the other two are getting up." I couldn't move, and as I watched the other Tien's moved toward me, both powering up Ki blasts.
Gotta think, gotta think! Let's see… wait, division! That's it!
While the other two were powering up their offensive, I looked back at the Tien that had my tail. He wasn't watching me, he thought he had me.
"That is one of the harshest lessons to learn. You thought you had won, so you let your guard down."
How right you are, Piccolo…
It was very hard to move at all with my tail in Tien's hands, but all the same I brought my leg up and paused. I watched to make sure none of him saw, and then right as they prepared to fire I kicked him in the shin. He let go and grabbed his leg in surprise as I rolled out of the way. The other two Tien fired their attack and destroyed the fake Tien. I got and wrapped my tail around my waist.
"No more tail for you." I said, waving a finger at the remaining two Tien. Yamcha snorted. I had made a dirty joke by pure accident.
"But- how did you-"
"I remembered the flaw of your technique. There may be more opponents, but your power is divided between them. All I had to do was gather enough energy to deliver one kick and I was free."
"Well then I guess I concede for now. If you can beat my best technique then you really can fight. Your strength is another thing." He said. One of the two walked over and he placed his hand on the other, fusing together again.
"I think that's enough tonight." Kami said, coming out, "Mr. Po-po has already prepared your meal. You'll rest tonight and pick up on training again tomorrow. And don't worry Katie, we made sure to fix enough for you." Kami smiled as the others looked at me.
"Saiyans in general eat much more than humans. It isn't just Goku." I said as we headed in.
"So, you have to tell us of your adventures in the wilderness. I bet it's been tough, especially having to look after Gohan."
"Well, Gohan is a pretty tough kid. I've mostly just hunted." I said, picking up my bow and quiver again.
"You must be a pretty good shot." Tien said.
"Yeah, I guess. I shot a deer from 150 meters before." I remembered that all too well. That was when I lost control with Mychal and Kattalia.
"Katie, what's the real reason you're up here?" Krillen asked.
"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked, trying to play coy.
"You're already equal to us, and Piccolo is really tough. Why would you have to train with us?"
"Yeah, I was wondering that myself." Tien said.
"It's… I… well, we have to fight together anyway, so I might as well tell you. I'm a Saiyan… and Saiyans have very powerful animalistic instincts, as I've found out recently… and well… I've been losing control. I was so wild I even attacked Piccolo. I don't think Gohan knows. I left him by himself because I was scared I'd hurt him."
"What exactly do you mean by 'lose control'?" Yamcha asked.
"I was able to take down a t-rex with my bare hands, that's what I mean. I lost my humanity and… became a beast. That's why I'm here; I'm trying to see if I can learn a way to control it."
"But why would you be having so much trouble when Goku didn't?" Krillen asked. I sighed.
"Because… until a few months ago I was human." I sighed, "And plus, Goku hit his head as a kid."
I can't tell them about knowing the future yet, but I can at least tell them I was human and that I can't control these new instincts…
"But how is that possible?" Choazu asked.
"I'm not from this dimension… at least I think that's how it worked out. And as far as I know, Saiyans don't exist in my dimension."
"Then how do you know so much about Saiyans? And why are you saying you're Goku's sister?" Krillen asked.
"Goku found me, and because of the tails… it made sense. And I only know what Raditz said about Saiyans."
More lies… more deception? When will I be able to tell the truth? After they all die? After Namek? I don't like lying to them… but wouldn't it be okay if it's to help in the long run?
"So then Goku told you all about us?" Yamcha asked.
"Yup. He never said how cute you guys are, though." I said with an evil smile. I could have sworn I saw Yamcha drool as the others blushed. I kept walking with my proud smirk. I liked messing with boys, it was fun.