A/N: So, I forgot a key part in the last chapter. Which I've since updated, but chapter 24 occurred one week after chapter 24 took place. Sorry I didn't notice I excluded that.

Chapter 25

Redemption

"Retire for the night" cried a solider as the army slowly halted. It had been three days of constant travel save for meals and a few hours of sleep. 18 had never witness a more determined man than Caleb. It seemed he never slept, and was always at the forefront.

He had arranged for her cage to be shortly behind him except when they'd set up for sleep. He was frank when he told the men that she'd be the second to die and in the eyes of the Teriok army. She tried to wear her bravest face, but with every minute she was losing that battle. And it made her realize with every day that passed that she missed the company of the fiery spirit Raven. Only she was certain now that she was dead.

18 only had a week of lessons and laugh with Raven, but she was indebted to her. Raven saved her as Krillen had and now the world didn't seem as heartless as her father Gero and Absalom made it out to be. What would she have done if she were free with this knowledge?

"Hungry?" Krillen stood behind her with a bowl of freshly prepared soup in hand for her as many times before.

She nodded as usually and he handed her the forbidden plate. Caleb forbade all from feeding her aside from the scraps he tossed after every meal, but Krillen broke that command every day. She took the warm bowl, nimbly, and hungrily drank the tasty soup. After finishing she gave Krillen the empty bowl.

"You're the best looking thing out here! And to think Caleb wants to see you rot away, I won't let that happen" he exclaimed, chuckling nervously.

18 felt terrible as she heard his declaration, because she understood every word, but Krillen didn't know. She had lost her confidence in speaking somewhere between Caleb's constant threats of killing her. She hated to admit it but she feared if he knew that she could speak in their tongue, Caleb would torture her.

"He's going to do his nightly sweep. I'll try to come back and see you again" he informed. As other nights before he disappeared, taking the empty bowl with him, and she remained alone. He had arrange for her to stay a short distant away from the camp, another foolish precaution of Caleb's. She sighed as she leaned her back against the prison bars, and stared out at the bleak night sky before her.

Where did her bravery go? She felt terrible because she could have saved Raven's life, and now she risked Krillen's. When had she begun to care? 18 fought sleep as long as she could to wait for Krillen's return, but it was effortless. The soothing song of the crickets lulled her to sleep.

A rustle of leaves stirred 18 from sleep, and she drowsily opened her eyes. A peculiar outline of a person was not too far off from her and she could hear whispers. She strained as much as she could to hear what was being said.

"The king will be dead by tomorrow, push him forward. They won't last."

She squint her eyes but all she could see was the outline against the dim stars' light. "He has me counting the men, I will tell him one has gone missing. That should do it, and he'll be in a race to make it to the front lines" said another voice.

18 adjusted herself from her awkward position, but accidently kicked against the bars. She froze, closing her eyes; she hoped they didn't realize she was awake. There was dead silence for a minute and then she heard the whispers again. They must have not only believed she was sleeping, but that she didn't understand Ox language.

"I will tell Prince Absalom and soon all the kingdoms will be under one rule" said the first voice.

The outlined figured yawn, and stretched out his arms. She then watched as he bent down and pulled up his pants. 18 was certain he masked his leave as a restroom break.

The figure walked passed her cage, but she didn't dare look. It wasn't till a few minutes drifted by that she glanced over her shoulder, but saw no one. What was she to do? Everything in her was in a conflicted battle. Teriokens were her people, but with Ox Kingdom she found something she never experience before- kindness. What was expected of her?

What if she dared to tell Krillen? Would he believe her? Why would he? She was the enemy the selfsame kind that murdered his people! If she held her tongue she would certainly be killed when Teriok invaded. She was enemy to both sides, she was all alone. Who would believe her? The only person that may have believed her was dead! What was she to do?

"I don't need help to beat the Teriok army, woman! I don't need you to try and think you know how to win a war either" barked Vegeta. He had enough of Bulma's foolish schemes, and her nagging. He and his army would be more than capable to win without help!

"So typical of you Vegeta to shoot down a good idea all because I'm the one that suggests it! Maybe you should throw out all the weapons I made too. Would that make you feel like the macho man you need everyone to believe you are? Huh?" Bulma was weary of Vegeta's lack of trust, selfishness, ego, and most importantly spitefulness. She had taken his jabs for years, and even his disrespect! But she had finally decided it would be the last time, no longer would she hide behind a mistake she made. No longer would she let him hold that over her!

"Alright!" She yelled standing from her seat on their bed. Vegeta stood with one eyebrow cocked, arms crossed over his chest, and leaning against the wall near their closed bedroom door. "I wanted to kiss Yamacha and I imagined life with him! I thought it would have been so much better than life with you here, and at the moment I feel it would have-"

"Woman sh-"interjected Vegeta.

"Don't interrupt me" commanded Bulma with fire in her blue eyes. "I needed a new start after I lost the baby. But you were never there, and whether you admit it or not you were just as responsible. Look what we've become! I can't….I can't….I can't anymore! I still need that new start with or without you! I'm leaving to help my friend and if you don't show up then I know that all that we were is over" she declared. Heated tears slided down her face, her heart racing, but the silence from her husband made everything so much more intense. She poured out her heart, and everything she held in, and he had nothing to say.

She felt empty, and abandon. With shaking hands she pulled open their bedroom door and hurried out. She was partly ashamed when she noticed the audience of eyes directed at her, and then angered by the smirking Yoruichi. It had been the desire of the golden eyed woman to part her and Vegeta, and though it hurt badly Bulma felt Yoruchi accomplished her mission.

Bulma shook away the rejection and the anger, as she hurried out of their tiny home. The day was beautiful but inside she was dying. She hurried across the camp not stopping to greet anyone, and wiping away her blinding tears often with the material of her sleeve. When she made it to the only entrance and exit of the camp a tall gate, she glanced over her shoulder. All she knew for nearly ten years was inside this camp, and the man she loved wasn't coming to stop her from leaving. She was broken.

She pressed forward out of the camp to her lab near the lagoon. She hurried there not daring to look behind her again. She would show Vegeta that she was serious even if it meant losing her life. It didn't take long for her to get to the lab, and with the key it opened wide. She didn't want to spend too long, for she feared she'd turn back. She grabbed her quiver with arrows, bow, and a canister and hurried in the direction ChiChi informed her.

"This may just be the stupidest thing I've ever done" vented Bulma as she tried her best to walk closely to the trees to stay hidden. Hopefully Vegeta would come, or she'd fine the camp by ChChi's directions. "This is going to be a long walk."

"Think fast!"

Raven catapulted an apple connecting it to the startle Goku's chest. Giggling proceeded as the mask solider disappeared into the mass of stray branches and leaves overhead.

Goku's smile slope into a frown as he noted the fallen apple, and heard the snickering David. "Coy that one is" noted David as he tried to stifle his laughter.

"To slow" came another cry as yet again an apple flew through the air hitting him square in the forehead. Goku winced at the sting and instantly tried to sooth away his discomfort, but another apple came flying shortly after hitting his arm followed by laughter.

Goku's eyes darted around the area till he witness a slight shudder of the leaves nearly above him. Raven had truly been a very agile fighter, but he had two older brothers and a very limber grandpa which many times past pulled various stunts as such.

Goku smirked as he felt her finally directly overhead, and when she reached to grab a fistful of his hair he caught her by the hand. With one tug she squealed as he pulled her down, but he caught her in his arms before she hit the floor.

A tiny frame laid cradle in his arms, her arms wrapped around his neck in fear and her eyes squeezed shut. Carefully he held her in his arms, his eyes glued on her's till they fluttered open. It was strange the way he found himself lost in the depths of her onyx orbs that now stared up at him. His heart was racing within his chest, his arms tingling, and suddenly his hands were moist. It felt natural holding her in his arms, but that comfort faded at the flash of ChiChi's sickly pale face flash before his eyes.

"Sorry" he murmured as he hurriedly set her down nearly dropping her. He felt immensely guilty for what had transpired; he had promised to care for ChiChi, not this woman. He grabbed hold of his horses' reigns again and pushed forward eager to put space between he and Raven.

"Sorry?" worded a bewildered Raven as she finally found her footing. One moment she was staring into his eyes and feeling the comfort she longed for. And now he was apologizing, she was completely baffled. Raven glanced over to David hopeful for an encouraging word but none came.

They walked along the narrow path in silence for a while till nightfall. "I believe this will be a good place to stop for the night" said David, yawning. "Who will take first watch?"

"I can" volunteered Goku. David and Goku tied their horses to a nearby tree, securely.

"If you two don't mind I'm going to look around a bit, I believe I hear water." Raven peeled away from the duo without another word.

"I'll survey the area" announced Goku.

"Sounds good, and I'll try to get a little sleep." David found a spot near the largest tree in sight and within minutes he was sleeping.

It didn't take long for Goku to survey the area, and after he finished he found a spot not too far from David to post. Raven hadn't made it back from her leave still, but Goku was confident she was well. He leaned against a tree and folded his arms over his chest, his eyes constantly surveying the area.

Crackle.

Immediately Goku's ears perked up at the noise, and his eyes shifted in the direction it came from. Quickly he sped in the direction of the crackling, instincts set in and he drew his fist back to attack the prey. "Whoa Goku! It is only me!" cried Raven, before taking another step.

"Oh! Sorry" he said, sheepishly. "Usually you don't make so much noise."

"Usually I don't bring fish back to eat either" she added, showing him the stick full of fish.

"Boy am I hungry" he exclaimed. Goku's eyes were in a daze, mouth drooling, by the roasted meat.

"I figured you would be; I charred them by the river." Raven extended the stick full of fish, and Goku pulled a few fishes free and begun to eat. "I think I will wait a little while before waking up, David."

"Hmmm…sounds...good" said Goku between bites.

Raven couldn't help but laugh. She took one fish and ate, as Goku greedily continued tearing into the roasted fishes. "I think I'll keep two to the side for David, before you eat it all."

"Hmm…oh man that was really good" exclaimed Goku. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Uncomfortable silence swept over the two of them, until Raven found the courage to speak again. "I'm sorry about earlier…but can I ask why you acted so cold?"

"I wasn't cold this morning, it's actually been pretty hot the entire day" confessed Goku, earnestly.

Raven was in a fit of laughter at the serious façade of Goku. "Some things about you don't change; I wasn't talking about the weather silly! I was referring to how you pulled away from me. We were playing around all morning, and then after you caught me you pulled away and distance yourself from me."

"Oh…" he whispered, sheepishly. "It's hard to explain."

"Try" she urged, hopeful. "Will you try and explain it to me, or else I don't know how I can stop the thoughts in my head of the reasons. Please."

Goku glanced down at the cloak woman that stood a few feet from him. Still he wondered what she may look like beneath the full black suit. She held the stick with two fishes, and her eyes were difficult to see with the lack of light. How could he tell her what he really felt?

"I…um…you remind me of the princess in away" he finally managed. "So many things about you, and sometimes you seem to smell the same way."

Raven's stomach was in a knot, and her heart pounded so loud. Did he hear it? She could see the confusion and hurt etched on Goku's face and she wanted to comfort him. "I didn't know…" she lied. "I don't understand how you can love her either."

"Why do you say that?" he asked with a stern gaze.

"At times she is childish, self-involved, and blind to the wonderful people around" voiced Raven. It took her years to realize, and a war before she final understood- how terrible she was.

"No she was kind, loving, and the first woman to make me feel like I belong. She isn't anything like you said, if only you could have met her." Oh but I have!

Goku made her sound wonderful, but she didn't feel that way. "You say I remind you of her?"

"Yes."

"Can I tell you something?" asked Raven.

"Yes."

"When you caught me today, everything seemed to melt away. I know its forward of me to say, but I wondered did any of you imagine it wasn't ChiChi?" She certainly was playing with fire, and any answer may burn.

"For a moment I remembered it wasn't, and that is why I pulled away" he admitted. It hurt everything in him to know that he may have been one of the reasons ChiChi passed away. His ChiChi was gone, and he was haunted with her memory.

Raven wanted to cry. He loved her. Of all the suitors that had inquired for hand none match to Goku. Sure they had kingdoms, riches, and promises- but Goku had the greatest thing Love. Cautiously she reached out and pressed her hand against his chest, and looked up to him. "You're a wonderful man, Goku. ChiChi would be the happiest woman with you at her side."

"I don't know it's partly my fault that she is gone" said Goku, sorrowful.

"Don't think that way, please don't. She is very much alive…in you. I never really knew who she was until I've come to know you more. Thank you." On tip toes she leaned forward barely able to reach her towering counterpart, to give him a peck on the cheek. She blushed, as she pulled away. Goku looked flabbergasted at her nearly innocent gesture, and she smiled inside. "I'm going to get some sleep now, good night."

"Good night."

A/N: There you go a jam packed Chapter, thanks for all the reviews. Ya, I don't plan on waiting years to update- lol. I will try my best to update as much as I can. Also, for those that once read a story I started with ChiChi and a very cute guy, I forgot the name. I discontinued it. At the time I was going through some rough patches. I also lost the laptop that had the updates to that on it, sorry. Please stay with me on this fic, it will be drawing to a close soon. Also my main focus is on ChiChi & Goku as a couple but I will be adding short tidbits of other couples, it adds the depth to the fic and their struggles. But rest assured that they won't become main focuses okay? Anyways, review- it push me forward.