The ride home was rather quiet. The two teens were exhausted, Goku from his fights, ChiChi from the lack of sleep. As the sound of the pavement passed beneath them she thought back to her encounter with 18. She really was a nice girl, but just like herself, misunderstood. If she didn't have Goku in her life she imagined she would be the exact same way as 18. Antisocial, cold, and afraid. When 18's brother had shown up she had been surprised.

"Who's this 18?"

"A girl from my school." 18 had responded flatly.

"Hi, I'm 17, 18's older brother." He had said while extending his hand.

"I'm ChiChi."

"Well, it's nice to meet you. I hope you can become friends with my sister. She doesn't really have any." 17 had responded sweetly.

"That would be nice." ChiChi said.

All the while 18 kept her eyes downcast.

"So ChiChi, what brings you to the tournament today?" 17 asked.

"Oh, uh my boyfriend is competing. Son Goku."

"Ah, I've heard of him."

"Most everybody has." ChiChi replied with a blush.

He smiled at her before turning his attention back to his sister.

"I'm finished for the day 18 so we can go. Why don't you have your new friend over sometime?"

18 stood up from the table silently.

"Hope to see more of you around ChiChi." 17 called out as the two siblings left.

"Yeah."

It seemed to her that 18's brother was really concerned about his sister's lack of friends. Not that she could blame 18. It wasn't easy to find people that could understand, but she could. She made up her mind. She would do whatever it took to befriend the pretty girl.

"Hey Chi?" Goku sounded from the front seat.

"Yeah?"

"Is your Dad going to be home when you get back?"

ChiChi sighed. Her response was barely audible.

"Yes."

sat there silent. He hadn't moved in hours. Bulma looked outside her window and gazed at the boy. Her heart sank at the sight. He was sitting on the curb of the street in front of his house. She wanted to go over there and comfort him, but knew that he wouldn't want her sympathy. She wondered what he was thinking. What was going to happen now? She knew that his mother was still alive, but Vegeta had on more than one occasion expressed his hatred towards her for divorcing his father. In fact when they had divorced she had won custody of their sons, but Vegeta had refused to go with her. Was he going to have to live with her now?

"Oh Vegeta. Why you?" She cried.

It was strange, this feeling. It was as if he was numb, and he enjoyed it. As if he couldn't feel the sadness, the anger. There was nothing. Was it wrong to feel this way?

"I hate you!"

Suddenly the pain started to seep into his heart. How could he have said that to his father? He shook himself from his thoughts and stood up. There was only one place he could go, only one person he could stand to be near.

"Here you go ChiChi." Master Roshi exclaimed as he stopped the car in front of the young girl's house.

"Thank you."

She exited the car as well as Goku and went to claim her belongings from the trunk of the car. She was about to walk into the house when Goku grabbed her wrist and held her back. She looked up at him in surprise.

"Listen Chi. J-just be careful alright? Promise me you'll come to me if it gets bad." Goku pleaded.

"I'll be fine."

Goku released her wrist then and watched as she walked into her home. He sighed deeply.

"Thanks for the lift Master Roshi!" Goku announced as he exited the car now parked in front of his modest house.

"No problem kid. Just remember we have a lot of training to do the next couple of weeks for the second stage of the tournament."

"I know. See you tomorrow after school!" Goku waved goodbye.

He watched as the car sped off down the road. Suddenly an eerie feeling crept up his spine. He was instantly on his guard. He carefully scanned his surroundings when his eyes fell upon someone sitting against a tree near his home, hidden by the shade.

"Vegeta!"

"My father is dead Kakarrot." Vegeta sounded as he rose from his position under the tall oak and walked towards his friend.

Goku was shocked. Did he just say his father was dead? He didn't even know the man had been sick! For once, he found himself at a loss for words. Vegeta was now just an arms length away from him.

"I was wondering if I could stay with you for a while." Vegeta asked, well more like mumbled.

Goku looked his friend up and down. It was obvious that Vegeta was trying to keep his emotions under control.

"Of course."

"But you can't tell anyone about this. Got that!!!"

"Sure, sure." Goku replied while waving his hands in front of his body as if afraid. "But I'll have to tell ChiChi, but she won't say anything. I promise."

"She better not." Vegeta snarled.

"Look Vegeta, ChiChi has had her own share of misfortune. She of all people would understand." Goku tried to soothe.

Vegeta nodded his head.

"Come on in Vegeta." Goku said as he swung the door to his home open wide.

He hadn't returned. Bulma had spent the night watching from her window for any sign of Vegeta. He had left sometime that afternoon, and he had never returned. Her mind was a blur as she walked to school. Was he alright? Where did he go? Should she call the authorities? The questions kept popping up in her head, but never any answers. When the school finally came into view she saw Vegeta casually standing next to Goku who was trying his best to wake up, but failing miserably. Her heart nearly exploded in her chest at the relief of seeing him alright, and then she got angry.

"Where the HELL have you been? Where did you go?" Bulma shouted as she stomped up to Vegeta.

Vegeta glared at the bluenette, and without saying a word, walked away from her and into the crowded halls of Orange Star High.

A/N: Short, I know, but I've had a lot of homework lately so I haven't had the time to update. Let me know what you think?! Spoiler A new character will show up next chapter…..any guesses to who it might be?? (Original character to DBZ) Love the reviews!!!! Thanks!!!