"I'm just not entirely sure we can trust them," Chi-Chi said, pulling her knees up to her chin. She was in the Briefs' living room with her father and Gohan. Bulma and her parents had graciously offered to house the group before they left to search for the Dragonballs. Gohan sighed and looked down at his hands.

"I don't understand, Chi-Chi," her father said quietly. "You were so eager to help before and now you don't trust them?"

"It's not all of them," she replied. "Just Verspa. If she were here to get help, why would she bother fighting in the tournament?" Her father shrugged in reply. Chi-Chi sighed. She just had so many questions about these six strangers that were going unanswered. It was difficult for her to muster up the courage to ask the necessary questions since she felt none of the visitors really liked her. Or any Earthling for that matter. She couldn't pretend that she particularly liked any of them either. From what she had seen already, these people were violent and brash, though it seemed that they meant well. Except Verspa. Chi-Chi didn't trust her and doubted if she ever would. At least, not after the way she had treated Tien. Chi-Chi's thoughts were interrupted by Gohan.

"Hello, Kakarot," he said, cheerily. His eyes were sparkling as he looked into the stranger's face. Chi-Chi turned to follow Gohan's gaze. Kakarot was sauntering into the room with an odd smile on his face.

"This sure is a strange planet," Kakarot said, sinking into one of the unoccupied couches. He stretched and rested his arms behind his head. Chi-Chi stared at him in silence. She was still upset at him for attacking her earlier, even though she'd technically started it.

"Where exactly are you from?" Chi-Chi's father asked. All eyes were on Kakarot. It was a question none of the visitors had answered, and all the Earthlings were curious. Kakarot wasn't fazed by any of the attention. He merely continued to sit in his lax pose and return the curious stares.

"Vegeta," he replied shortly. "I lived underground with a group of other Saiyans." So they were Saiyans. At least Chi-Chi now had a name for the foreigners. There was one more thing on her mind that she felt she really needed to know about.

"And, your tail?" she asked, hesitantly. She was still on edge around him, as though afraid he would attack again. The thing that bothered her most about the Saiyans was that it seemed like they enjoyed inflicting harm upon their enemies. Verspa had obviously enjoyed almost killing Tien, and Kakarot didn't think twice about attacking her.

Kakarot gave her a puzzled look. "What about it?" he asked.

"Well, why do you have it?" she asked, slightly annoyed. She could feel Kakarot studying her intently. She shifted uncomfortably, but continued to stare forward at him.

"I guess you don't have tails then," he said finally.

"Obviously not," Chi-Chi said, crossing her arms.

"Well, a Saiyan's tail is their source of power. When there is a full moon we are able to transform into Oozaru," he said, calmly. He looked around at confused faces. "An Oozaru is a great ape," he said, clarifying gently. "It's a pity Earthlings don't have tails. I bet you guys could use them," he mused aloud, innocently. His comment enraged Chi-Chi for some strange reason. It was as though she was determined to hate the Saiyan, but without good reason. At times he did come across as rather prideful. In this instance, it was as though he thought Earthlings were beneath him. Even if that were true- and it most likely was- it was rude of him to point out. She hadn't decided to help the Saiyans because she had nothing better to do.

She stood quickly, glaring at Kakarot.

"We don't need your stupid tails. And if they really gave you so much power, you wouldn't have to come to us for help," she said, stiffly. Once she had finished speaking, she turned sharply on her heel and walked out of the room. She stood in the hallway, out of Kakarot's sight, looking on into the living room still curious. As much as she was sure she hated the Saiyan, there was something about him that fascinated her.

Kakarot stood to follow after the strange Earth woman. He wasn't sure what he had said that upset her so. The Earthling called Gohan raised a hand.

"Let her go, Kakarot," he said, gently. "She's a bit conflicted at the moment." Kakarot sat back down, thoroughly confused. His father had told him when he was younger that girls were quite strange. Kakarot hadn't ever anticipated that they'd be this strange.

"We do have a big day ahead of us tomorrow," said the Ox-King, stretching his great arms and stifling a yawn. "Even with Bulma's locator, it could take us a long time to get all the Dragonballs." Gohan nodded.

"If we're lucky, most of the Dragonballs will be in one place. But that depends on what you mean by lucky."

"What do you mean?" Kakarot asked, scratching his head. Gathering seven Dragonballs didn't sound like too difficult of a task, especially if there were devices that could track their location. Gohan's comment was a little disheartening.

"I believe that most of the Dragonballs are in the possession of a very evil one," he said slowly. He ran his fingers down his white mustache.

"Worse than Frieza?" Kakarot asked. He wondered if there could even be someone alive in the universe worse than Frieza. It seemed impossible, but Kakarot had learned to never assume. The Ox-King shook his head.

"I don't know. From the way your father described Frieza, this being's power can't compare. Frieza is surely much, much worse."

"Ox-King and I fought this evil Namekian long ago. We defeated him, but he had reincarnated himself. Our planet's guardian, Kami, has a connection with this Namekian. We believe he is trying to gather the Dragonballs."

"We'll help you stop him," Kakarot offered cheerily. He would do anything it took to get the Dragonballs. Besides, this new enemy sounded like quite a fantastic challenge. Gohan and the Ox-King smiled.

"I like your spirit, Kakarot," said Gohan, softly. "I have a gift for you. You mustn't show it to any of the others until after we've gathered all six of the other Dragonballs."

"Six?" asked Kakarot. Perhaps they had been told wrong, but he was sure there were seven. Gohan was reaching into his pocket. He extended closed hands to Kakarot. Kakarot took what was being offered him. He looked down at the cool, smooth object he now held in his hands. It was an orange sphere with four scarlet stars suspended in the middle. It was one of the most curious objects he had ever seen, but he knew without a doubt it was a Dragonball. He looked back up at Gohan and the Ox-King, both of whom were smiling.

"Protect it, eh?" Gohan laughed.

"It's our gift to you," Ox-King smiled. "And don't worry about Chi-Chi. She'll come around. She likes you, she just doesn't know it yet.