Chapter 2: Return to Seiga

On the fourth day of travel, Hatsuko had become restless. Her legs could no longer sit, crouch or stretch without cramping. Her body needed to move and expend energy in any possible way. The only solution for temporary relief from her aching joints was levitation. This technique grew tired after a while though and she found it increasingly difficult to slip into a state of unconsciousness.

How can I relax when I've already relaxed for this long? I need to tire myself out before relaxing. This is utter torture.

Her brow was deeply wrinkled with tension. She stood before the wide control window facing the vacuum of space as if it were an adversary. She was sickened by the sight of its inky black emptiness. Her eyes no longer registered the streams of stars and other bodies of matter that passed by. They were as invisible to her as ghosts in a dark room.

"How many more hours?" she spoke aloud.

"Five point two five hours until destination is reached," responded the ship's computer.

Hatsuko's eyebrows twitched. Five hours seemed like an eternity away. She inhaled heavily and decided to finally use the ship's communication function to call Bulma.

"Call Capsule Corporation," she commanded. Following her request, a succinct beeping sounded for a few seconds. Then a noise interrupted the beeps that must have signaled someone answered her call.

"Hatsuko, is that you? Is everything alright?" asked Bulma's voice as clearly as if she were standing next to Hatsuko in the ship.

"Oh! Bulma, I didn't realize you would pick up so quickly. Yes, everything is fine I was just checking in to alert you that I'm about to arrive. Everything has been perfect. No issues at all to report," Hatsuko replied. She noted how strange she felt speaking out loud. Her vocal chords felt tight.

"I'm glad to hear it! So our hard work really paid off after all. I have to say that your ship is the most advanced one we've ever built here. Dad and I want to standardize the model and create more of them in the future. How has the journey been? Are you going crazy in there?" Bulma's voice lifted at the end of her question playfully. Hatsuko could clearly picture the smirk that was surely dancing on her lips.

"To be blunt, yes," Hatsuko said without hesitation. "I'm looking forward to fresh air and solid ground, however cold it may be," she added while attempting to sound less bitter than she felt.

Bulma chuckled. "Yeah, I hear you. I felt the same way when I traveled to Planet Namek all those years ago with Gohan and Krillin. I had cabin fever big time!"

Hatsuko's hearing sharpened. "So, you visited Piccolo's home planet? When was this?"

"Oh, no one ever told you that story? It was ages ago before I had even met Vegeta. Gohan was just a kid back then too. We went there to search for the Namekian dragonballs because Piccolo was dead and our set of dragonballs disappeared with him. We ended up in a huge mess with this monster overlord named Frieza. Goku eventually made it there and defeated him, but the entire planet blew up. The poor Namekians eventually survived and then found a new planet to live on. You've been there, haven't you?"

Hatsuko's mouth became dry. She hadn't heard this tale before. Questions and concerns swam through her mind like so many goldfish in a small bowl.

Piccolo…died before?

"You still there?" Bulma asked tentatively.

"Y-yes, sorry…that was a lot of information to absorb. I'll have to ask you more about that story another time. I have a lot of questions about the original planet Namek and Frieza for you. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was studying the events that led up to what you described." Hatsuko's voice began to shake a bit as her thoughts floated to her childhood that consisted of secret research on Saiyans and their history.

"I'd love to tell you what I know! As a matter of fact, Vegeta probably has a ton of stories for you too! Now, I can't promise you that he'll want to talk about them, but if you catch him in a good mood, he might give you some insight!" Bulma said between uncomfortable giggles.

Hatsuko swallowed. The thought of having a conversation with Prince Vegeta seemed like a daunting and almost impossible task. She pushed her anxieties to the back of her mind.

"Yes, I'd like that," was all she managed to say in response to Bulma's offer. "Well, I'm going to go now and prepare for landing. I need to make sure I have all my things together. Oh, and Bulma - ?"

"What is it, Hatsuko?" Bulma responded with a hint of uncertainty.

"Have – have you seen or heard from Piccolo at all?" Hatsuko asked quietly.

"I saw him at Gohan's wedding for a little bit!" Bulma answered gleefully. She seemed glad to be able to answer Hatsuko's question so easily as if she were expecting something worse to be asked of her. "He gave them your gift and my goodness it was beautiful! If you can find me one of those on your home planet, feel free to bring it home! No pressure, of course!" she laughed and sounded lighthearted. Hatsuko realized that she missed her company.

"I'm glad to hear that, Bulma, thank you. I'll do my best. Goodbye and take care. Send my regards to Dr. Briefs," Hatsuko said in farewell.

"Will do – land safely, okay? Bye!" Bulma said.

A clicking sound echoed throughout the ship signaling Bulma's hang up. Hatsuko noticed that the skin on her forehead had relaxed and her body felt light again. Perhaps what she had really been missing was home.

The time had finally arrived and Hatsuko's ship had successfully landed on Seiga. She set the location for the valley that she had first descended into with Kibito and Piccolo not so long ago. The air seemed relatively mild and the sun glared in strong through the control window. Hatsuko marveled at the brilliant green grass and fields of crops that expanded all the way to the horizon. The sky was a temperate blue-gray with strands of white cloud that seemed to move quickly like the current of a stream.

It must be the middle of the day. There's no snow in sight.

She swallowed and pressed a button on the control panel to release an exit ramp. The ship rumbled beneath her feet while sending vibrations through her bones. She had finally returned.

When she made her way down the ship's ramp, sunlight flooded the surface of her face. Her eyes squinted in response as they had not seen any natural light in many days. They almost ached.

Welcome back, Kiku.

Hatsuko's eyes opened quickly despite their inclination not to. She struggled to locate the source of her grandmother's voice which sounded clearly in her mind. She must have been communicating telepathically. Not a soul was in sight. Her body relaxed slightly.

Thank you, Grandmother. I'm glad to be back. How did you know I had arrived?

Please, Kiku, you underestimate my attention to detail. My duty is to watch over this region and I noted the disturbances in the atmosphere from your ship immediately. I then felt your presence. The moment that I fail to notice something so major is the day I shall step down from my post and wish for death.

Hatsuko shivered partly from the drop in temperature but also Sugiko's icy words.

I understand.

Well, then, don't waste time. I know why you have returned. Come to my location and we can arrange your stay with us. I am very busy today and I could use your assistance with something.

Hatsuko's eyebrows lowered forcefully. Her muscles tightened as she readied herself to respond again with a less than agreeable statement. But, against her instincts, she resisted and held her body in its poised state for a moment to steady her ki.

When she felt herself regain a sense of calm, Hatsuko exhaled and opened her eyes. Her hand reached into her cloak pocket and felt for the capsule shell that she had been holding onto for this very moment. She tossed the capsule behind her without looking to aim and heard an eventual tok sound as it met with the side of her ship. A familiar wheezing sound resulted. Hatsuko turned to ensure that the ship had been stored properly. She made a few steps forward and then reached down to retrieve the capsule. The grass was truly beautiful even up close. She inhaled and instantly thought of Piccolo as she savored the damp sweet scent.

I'll be sure to show you that our training here was just a foundation. I know there's so much more we can accomplish…

"There you are, Kiku," Sugiko said while maintaining eye contact with the young man standing in front of her. She had been conversing with him for quite some time and hadn't given him any warning that she was about to abruptly end her thought to greet her granddaughter.

Hatsuko was about four yards from where Sugiko stood. Her back was turned to face a Seigan male who seemed to be much younger. Hatsuko couldn't be entirely sure of anyone's age on this planet, though. Sugiko appeared to be more of a mother's age than anything else. She halted and a gust of bitter wind blew her cape from behind her towards her destination. Somehow she found herself unable to move forward one more step.

Hatsuko cleared her throat. "Greetings, Sugiko. It's been too long," she managed to say in a constricted tone.

"Come here, child. I'll be with you in a moment," Sugiko answered. She then returned to her conversation with the male. She was speaking a strange tongue that soothed Hatsuko's ears. She felt as if she had heard it before in a dream or vision, but could not concentrate enough to confirm her thoughts.

Sugiko ended her monologue and the male sighed deeply. He then bowed after a long pause and said what sounded like two words in response. He looked troubled.

"Kiku, this is Umero, your cousin. His brother is currently my top apprentice. He shows promise as well but tends to slack in his studies. You two will work together tomorrow," Sugiko said. She was now facing Hatsuko, who had taken up her left side. Her eyes were relaxed as if they had just seen Hatsuko only yesterday and still remained unimpressed.

Hatsuko remained silent and locked eyes with Umero. He was slightly taller than Hatsuko, but still shorter than their grandmother. He appeared to be thin but was wearing heavy cloaks so most of his body was concealed. His clothing seemed worn and battered. The hems were frayed and the color was a faded charcoal. Beneath his cloaks, he wore some sort of high collared armor that was a deep crimson. His face was pale flesh pulled taught over accentuated bones. His eyes were deeply inset into his brow and were the same color as Sugiko's only with black pupils. He had pulled his shoulder-length brown hair behind him but some strands had come loose and fell just next to his ears.

Hatsuko bowed to him. "I cannot speak your language. I apologize. It's nice to meet you. You can call me Hatsuko if you want-"

"Your name is Kiku here. Don't confuse anyone with your Earth name."

Hatsuko's heart skipped a beat at her grandmother's reprimand. She attempted to swallow what little saliva was left in her mouth and spoke again.

"Excuse me. I'm Kiku," Hatsuko said flatly.

Umero seemed to notice her change in demeanor but did not react. Perhaps he was accustomed to hearing such things from Sugiko.

"I can understand you. Welcome, Kiku. I was hoping to meet you one day," he said. His voice was a pleasant alto pitch with a slight ringing quality. He sounded as though he could speak much louder but was actively suppressing his voice.

"Well enough, you two. Umero, you are dismissed for today. Return to the taoka field hut at dawn for further instructions. Kiku and I will be there," Sugiko said while rolling her eyes in Hatsuko's direction to ensure she was also listening.

"Until then, Sugiko-sama," Umero said as he bowed in farewell. He nodded to Hatsuko curtly before lifting himself into the air and flying away at a rather relaxed speed.

Sugiko was silent. She watched as her grandson's frame became smaller in the sky. The howling wind grew colder with each passing second.

"Come, Kiku. I'll show you to your shelter. I trust you will find it familiar yet improved," Sugiko said. She glanced into Hatsuko's eyes and waited for an acknowledgment. When she saw Hatsuko nod, she turned around and began to walk in the direction Hatsuko had just arrived from.

The pair walked for what seemed a mile or so. The grass was beginning to crunch under their feet as the temperature dropped to freezing and then below. The sky grew dark and the clouds began to swell in size. Their shape changed as well from thin wispy strands to bulky masses. Their color was now a deep indigo.

"It will be night soon. Our days are their shortest this time of year, which means we only have a few hours of daylight at our disposal. We must be prompt tomorrow morning so we can maximize our productivity. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Grandmother, I do. May I ask what I am going to do with you and Umero tomorrow?" Hatsuko asked. She attempted to keep her tone as level as possible.

"That will be revealed at the proper time, Kiku, do not worry. Tonight you should recover. I am not sure how your journey went, but I do not expect that it was pleasant. Am I wrong?" She asked. Her voice barely fluctuated as she asked her question. It was more of a request for Hatsuko to confirm that she was right.

"It was not," Hatsuko replied. "I'm looking forward to resting but not as much as training. I need to learn everything I can about the genki technique."

Sugiko chuckled softly to herself. "How ambitious you are. I admire that about you. I will give you some practice tomorrow and if you can perform, you will be a candidate for further training. If you cannot, then your next step would be to return to Earth."

Hatsuko hesitated before she spoke. The two women stopped outside of the hut that Hatsuko and Piccolo had stayed in previously. Hatsuko pictured the interior perfectly in her mind's eye and immediately felt her insides jump.

"I know I can perform. I have to."

"Very good, Kiku, that is what you should be saying. Rest well tonight and be outside with the sun. Until tomorrow," Sugiko said. She waited for Hatsuko to bow to her before she lifted herself into the air to depart to her own hut several miles away.

Hatsuko felt a bead of sweat trickle down her cheekbone despite the drastically low temperature. She clenched her teeth and inhaled. A wet snowflake landed on the tip of her nose.

I will.