Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z

Chapter 27

Lost In Translation

"They broke up…" Trunks said, "Appura told Gohan to go and he left."

The others stared at Trunks. They couldn't believe what he was saying.

"What are you talking about?" Chester asked, "Gohan never said…"

"They were arguing, always arguing," Trunks explained, "And one day, Appura said she never wanted to see him again, screamed at him to leave her, to go away. The next day, he was gone."

"That's impossible," said Bardock.

"I know, they seemed so strong…" commented Chester.

"No, I mean physically, mentally…Saiyans mate for life," said Bardock, "They never split up, they can never break that bond."

"Gohan is only half-Saiyan," said Vegeta, "And for once, I hate that I was right."

"You thought my son was going to break your daughter's heart?" asked Goku.

"Not like that," said Vegeta, "I never thought they'd be able to make a mating bond in the first place. And from the sounds of things, it was my daughter that did the heart breaking."

"No wonder Gohan's been so focussed in the last few months," said Chester, "I never really noticed that he didn't mention Appura, I never questioned it."

"So, what happens now?" asked Goku.

"We defeat Kuda," said Bardock, "And then we'll deal with those two later."

"But how? Kuda has an army of Saiyans," said Goku, "And right now, I struggle to stand upright."

"There's a prophecy," came Gohan's voice. He'd returned with Appura just behind him. But now they knew, the rest of the little group could see that they were no longer a couple. They had their arms folded, they were stood further apart than was normal and were slightly leaning away from each other.

"What prophecy?" asked Vegeta.

"Dende's prophecy," said Piccolo, "He had a vision. Seven shooting stars and king on a throne of death."

"Throne of death?" said Bardock, "That sounds like Kuda. His throne was built on the deaths of a million Saiyans, almost including my own." He traced one finger down the jagged scar on his cheek.

"Only problem is I'm not waiting around for seven shooting stars to get my son back," said Appura bluntly, "I want my baby back."

"Shooting stars?" asked Goku.

"Yeah, Dende drew what he saw," said Gohan, "Chester, my pack." Chester ran to the car and pulled a backpack off the passenger seat. He handed it over. Gohan rummaged around in it, pulling out various bits and pieces including clothes. He glanced up and saw everyone watching. He flushed a little.

"I've err…been living out of this bag for a while," he said, before pulling out something small and rectangular, wrapped in cloth. He unwrapped it and handed it to Bardock.

"It's all there, even the writing he couldn't translate," said Gohan.

"I already told you, it says when seven shooting stars appear in the sky, the blood king's reign will end," Appura said in exasperation. Bardock snorted.

"Ima was never very good at Ancient Saiyan," he laughed. Appura glanced at him.

"What?"

"It doesn't say seven shooting stars," said Bardock.

"Well, what does it say?" Gohan asked.

"Seven super Saiyans," said Bardock, grinning, "And at last count, we had seven right here."

"Six," said Appura, "Goku, Gohan, Goten, Father, Trunks and myself."

"Seven," Bardock corrected, "Kakarrot, Gohan, Goten, Prince Vegeta, Trunks, yourself and me."

"Seven super Saiyans," said Vegeta.

"I've seen this prophecy before," said Bardock, "Ima's own father predicted this at the outbreak of the civil war. Kuda must be unaware of your Super Saiyan abilities, otherwise you'd be dead."

"But how? Soldiers have seen us transform," said Gohan.

"Videl," said Goku suddenly.

"What?" said Appura.

"Videl," repeated Goku, "She's been holding stuff back."

"How do you figure?" asked Gohan.

"Kuda kept talking about how he wanted to…it's gross, but he wanted to mate with Appura because she would give him strong sons," said Goku, "He said they'd be the first Super Saiyans in a thousand years. He would know if we were Super Saiyans but he doesn't. Videl is their only source of information on who we really are, if she holds back…"

"Then they have no idea, Kakarott, no idea what we're capable of," said Bardock, "If we bide our time, allow the Hakai to wear off…we can surprise them."

"They'll never know what hit them," said Vegeta.

"But what about the people of Earth?" asked Gohan, "What about Videl and the World Army? Are we going to assume they went along with Kuda's plan willingly?"

"Of course they were," said Appura.

"No!" said Goku, "We cannot assume that. They may have been forced…Videl kept trying to tell us that they had her father. It's possible that the Saiyans were forcing the humans to help them."

"That's true," said Chester, "Until recently, no one seemed to care whether you guys were aliens or not."

"Fine, we leave the humans be, but if they stand in our way…" said Vegeta.

"Then we move them," said Goku, "I'm done with this."

"Then it's settled," said Piccolo, "We're taking a stand. No more hiding."

Goku lay on the grass, staring up at the stars. He should have been asleep but he could feel it, the Hakai was wearing off, slowly, his strength was returning. Goten was curled up at his side. There was a rustling and two booted feet appeared beside him.

"Mind if I sit here with you?" Bardock asked. Goku shook his head and tightened his arm around Goten, making the sleeping boy sigh contentedly. Bardock lowered himself and lay next to him.

"I'm guessing you have a lot of questions for me," Bardock said.

"A few," said Goku.

"I have some for you, if I may ask?"

"Go for it."

"Did you truly defeat Frieza?" Bardock asked.

"Yes," said Goku, "That was the first time I went Super Saiyan."

"Amazing, I had a vision that you would be the one to do it," said Bardock, "I'm proud of you, son. I have one more question for you. Have you had a good life?" Goku paused and thought about it.

"Yes," he replied, "I wouldn't change any of it. I have my friends, my wife, my sons…and a grandson."

"I'm a great-grandfather to a Prince," Bardock muttered before chuckling, "I never thought that would happen."

"You should have seen him when he was born," said Goku, "He was tiny. He was early."

"I heard," said Bardock, "Do you have any questions for me?" Goku turned to look at his father.

"My mother," he said.

"Not a question but I get what you're asking," said Bardock, "Your mother…she was one of a kind. The first time I met her, she got knocked down in training a dozen times that day by someone twice her size and she kept getting back up for more. By the end of the day, she had him face down in the dust with her boot on the back of his head." He smiled at the memory.

"Do you know who it was?" he said to Goku.

"Who?" asked Goku.

"Me," said Bardock, "I'd never met her before but I knew she was the one for me. She put me in my place when I got too big for my boots, could tear me down with one look. She was the only person I feared. And I loved her more than I could say." Goku laughed.

"Sounds like my Chi-Chi," he said, "My wife. She's the only person I'm scared of. There's times I wish I could tell her how much she means to me, but I don't know how to say it."

"You're a Saiyan," said Bardock, "We like strong women but keep our feelings to ourselves. I regret only two things in my life."

"What's that?"

"I never got to hold you," Bardock said, "And I never got to say goodbye to your mother."

"What was her name?" asked Goku.

"Seripa," said Bardock. Silence followed as they lay there, staring at the stars.

"Where was Planet Vegeta?" Goku asked.

"The original one is somewhere over there," said Bardock, pointing off to the west, "But the new one, the one Frieza destroyed, was over there." He pointed to the east.

"Did you ever think of us?" Goku asked.

"You and Raditz?" Bardock asked, "Every day. But by the time, I found out where you were, both of you were dead. King Kai told me what had happened; I didn't think your wife would appreciate me turning up on your doorstep so I stayed away."

"Bulma would probably have shot you," said Goku, "That's Vegeta's wife. You'll like her, and Chi-Chi. They're just like…Mom."

"I'll understand if after this, you want me to stay away," Bardock said, "I've been a stranger your whole life and…"

"You can stay with us," Goku said, "You're family afterall."

"Son…wouldn't you want time with your family?"

"You are family," said Goku, "End of discuss…"

"Kakarott?" Bardock said, sitting up. Goku flexed his fingers.

"I think it's wearing off," he said, "I can feel my strength returning."

"That's good," said Bardock, "Keep resting, by sun up, your full power should be back."

"And then, we can go get Kabu, Bulma and Chi-Chi," said Goku, smiling.