A/N: Hey everyone thank you so much for your reviews and patience. My life has been pretty hectic for a while, and still is in ways. However, I noticed that kept getting reviews to continue this story and I want to complete it. I said in the beginning this is a project that I wanted to complete because in ways it express a major change in my own life. I will keep my word and finish this story, and hopefully now it won't be to far from ending. I noticed that someone reviewed and said they found this story through a tumblr which is pretty cool, and I'd love to know which one. Anyways, here is the chapter and hopeful it still has its appeal. (Just to say this is really long, and gives lots of backing.)

Chapter Twenty Eight

Let the War Begin: Part One

Krillen sighed as he bent down by the small creek filling his empty canister with water. The sun overhead was pounding away his strength, yet he couldn't allow that to stop him. Finally, after weeks of cooking he was entrusted with a mission that was more of his caliber, and he wanted to prove his capabilities. Krillen removed the turban from his bald head, and then placed the full canister into a brown sash that was tossed over his shoulder. Cupping his hands together he reached into the stream again this time catching water in his hands to wash his face. The cold splash of water against his face, made his entire body crave for the same comfort of the refreshing cool, to ease the ache of the burning sun.

"Boy isn't hot" complained Krillen, as he splashed his face yet again. The braying of his horse nearby was his only reply. "I nearly forgot you, bud. That wouldn't have been nice would it?" Krillen stood back up, the weight of his loose fitting tunic and pants suddenly becoming apparent, as he staggered to find his footing. Once he final steady himself, he made his way over to the tied up black stallion, and freed the knot. Then tugged him towards the stream.

Krillen glanced around the area. Several trees scattered throughout, and rocks and sand was all the ground consisted of. The opening of the tiny stream, seemed to have been a crack in the ground releasing the water below. The space of land resembled a tiny island in the middle of the vast desert wasteland.

Krillen thought the small island reminded him of 18, because she seemed like a gem in the midst of a people as horrendous as the Teriokens. His cheeks burned at the thought of 18, because it always brought him back to the kiss they shared and the many conversations- regardless to conversations being one way. As quickly as the memory of 18 came, so did the realization of leaving her behind, and he felt guilty. However, he was given strict orders to leave for Ox Kingdom and to make no stops till he reached to give the king a letter from Caleb.

"Do you think 18 will be mad?" Krillen asks the drinking horse. "Of course not…I mean she'd have to like me to be mad. What could a girl like her want with a guy like me?" 18 was pretty, and smart he was certain. She also knew how to fight, at least that's what she heard from Goku and Raven. She couldn't possible choose to want to be with a man like him, and regardless to the kiss he couldn't shake that. Yet he hoped that she would want to be with him, because he certainly wanted to be…

A scream drew Krillen's attention, and quickly he glanced around. Where had it come from? Another scream followed but this time it sounds like a woman, and he could hear her shouting out something now. Krillen lingered for a moment as he wondered what he should do. Was it a trap? Who would be out here? He pulled on the reigns of the horse gingerly, trying to pull him away from the stream. "Shh!" he mouthed to the horse, with his index finger pressed against his lips.

Slowly, Krillen guided the horse in the direction of the cry. It would be difficult to mask himself, because the trees were spaced out and there was no bushes to hide behind. Krillen knew this place little, because it was near the camp they were located a few weeks ago, before Caleb came. Krillen neared the last few trees before he'd make it out of the small island, and suddenly everything froze inside him. He was completely numb and certain that he was seeing a mirage in the distance. Had he passed out from the sun?

Only a short distance away he could see the blazing sun beating on the fallen blue hair woman. Krillen's throat felt completely dry, his knees weak, and his stomach in knots. "…Maron…"

Caleb's head was throbbing from 18's confession, because he was fighting hard to not believe. However; everything she said logically made sense. Only the man that she said was the traitor, was his best friend since the day they meant in training. It had been that selfsame man that saved his life many times before, but he couldn't let that stop him from his duties. He would have to kill Judas. How could he though?

Caleb took in his surroundings. A tall tree surrounded by smaller ones on every side, and a small fire spot close by. The men had already packed up their tents at his word that'd they'd be moving on. They arrived at the plains of Teriok, which was only a day's journey to the gates. There was no longer any sand in sight, and no sigh of drought. Everything around was lush and green and full of life. And that ached his heart all the more because he knew what needed to be done.

Caleb was twelve years old when he met Judas, and five years old when he was taken into the castle. His entire life was devoted to the protection of the royal family and the OX Kingdom, and he vowed a vow to do that, no matter the cost. Yet Judas did the selfsame thing, but he had broken that vow.

"She could be lying" said Caleb, dubiously. "Yet where is her gain in that? And Judas lied to me…I seen Krillen go into his tent….I seen Krillen with that woman ever night. He couldn't speak a word of terioken." A battle was underway in Caleb's entire being, and his entire body was weaken by it.

Caleb leaned against the tree, as he tried to regain control of himself. Everything made sense with Judas being a traitor, because he was even there the day that the original alterations of the uniforms were presented to the king. "Why Judas? Why?" Caleb closed his eyes trying to drown away the frustrations, and when it didn't help he pounded his fist against the tree trunk.

"Caleb? What's ailing you" interjected Judas, as he came to stand before Caleb. "Is it because of the short man? I'll take full blame for his escape" informed Judas.

Judas stared at him with confidence, and it stung Caleb to the core. How could he be so callous? How could he be so indifferent? Caleb wanted to hope 18 had lied, but something deep inside him vouched for her confession.

"Remember, when I told you that I fancied the princess?" Caleb managed to say. His gaze shifted to the ground as he tried to mask the frustration, hurt, and pain that were pooling in his eyes.

"I do? And I remembering saving you from a lifetime of misery" announced Judas, assuredly. Judas flash a smile and pat Caleb on the shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry about me having your back, again. That is what I'm here for."

Caleb feigned a smile as Judas words slithered its way through his entire being. "You told me that she requested you to escort her to meet one of her suitors, and then you said she kissed you. In fact you said she flirt with you and told you that she cared about you and wished you were to court her. Remember?"

"Yes. What is with the question?"

"Did that really happen? Did she tell you that? Or did you say that simply, because I told you what she had said that to me?" Caleb shifted his gaze back to Judas with a stern face, and when he seen the falter in Judas face he knew the truth. "Her mother had just died, and she told me that she fancied me. And not even two days after she told me that I told her that I didn't have time for her. I said 'I don't have time for promiscuous girl's games, and I could never like her.' I broke her heart because you lied, and I lost my chance with her."

"You're over reacting, because we both know that would never have lasted. She was a princess and you a common boy, and their kind has no use with men like us. I just saved you from the unavoidable." Judas raked his hand through his dark black hair of curls, nervously.

"Why do you think that? I don't understand didn't we both stand before the king and everyone else, saying that we vow to protect the kingdom, and the royal family?" asked Caleb, inquisitively.

"We did. However, you never opened your eyes and seen what they did. Yamacha a friend of mines was dismissed from the army and sent away to die,, because he was becoming too close to the princess' right hand. If he a solider already at that point, was drafted away for the right hand, then imagine what they'd have done to you? I lost one friend I wouldn't another."

"You had no rights" yelled Caleb enraged. "You had no rights to make so big a decision for me! I had cared for her for so long, and I was the selfsame person to take care of her as she was growing up. We both grew up together, and it could have been different. Yamacha's situation was completely different from mine."

"Wake up! There was no difference between the two of you, and you would have gone down the same path. Had it not been for Terioken solider that took Yamacha in, he would have died."

Caleb's eyes grew wide, and he felt an invisible blow to his chest knocking him against the tree. Caleb's back pressed against the trunk of the tree, and his flabbergasted eyes focus on his friend before him. The little hope he had in finding that 18 was wrong had withered away by his friend's words. "You're the traitor" breathed Caleb stunned. "How could you?"

"What are you talking about?" questioned Judas. "I told you who the traitor was. What is going on with you?"

"A man is only a man by his word, and you didn't honor the oath you took when you became a solider. I can't do the same" informed Caleb.

Instantly Judas eyes directed to swift shift of Caleb's hand, as Caleb drew his sword from the sheath. Judas quickly tried to reach for his own sword but found he lost the race, and Caleb had his sword pointed directly to his chest.

"I have to do what I vow, and I don't want too. You've been my best friend, but you put the kingdom and the royal family in danger. Don't make it harder than it already is, and tell me what your last words will be."

Judas clenched his jaw, until his anger dissipated. The tip of Caleb's sword pressed uncomfortably against Judas breast, but it was the sword that hurt the most. And as Judas held his gaze with his friend slowly he feigned a smile. "You are a good man Caleb, and a friend always to me. You never shift your gaze from your word. I was a failure and I do understand that, but I was a failure because I was afraid. Maybe that's why they made you general, even though I won at every practice."

Caleb tried to stay focus, and hold a firm hold on his sword. He was certain the men back at the camp must have seen already, and he would explain later. "What is your request?"

"Right my wrongs for me. Take care of my wife Bethany and our child Tamar. I'm sorry, I'm sorry" said Judas, regretfully before he pushed himself forward against Caleb's blade.

"Judas" shouted Caleb. Judas died instantly as the sword ran straight through his heart. Caleb knew it was duty to end the life of anyone that would cause Ox Kingdom or the royal family danger, but it hurt terribly.

Slowly, he fell with his friend's stiff body. He could hear men after men running towards them, but he couldn't face them just yet. He didn't just lose a solider with Judas death but a brother, and it ripped him up inside.

He sat on the floor cradling his friend's body, until his Radditz came and pulled the fallen solider from his arms. All the strength in Caleb had vanished.

"We shall bury him, and give him a solider's grave" said Radditz.

Caleb glanced up at him with thankful eyes, before looking back to the ground. "Once we bury him we will change into the uniform, and we will head for battle. I want personally now, to face the vindictive lot of them. Tell everyone we will be in war by morning."

Yoruichi cackled, jumping to her feet. A small trickle of blood lined her chin; swiftly she wiped it away still laughing. "Whoever said I underestimate you? Dear, I did say that I like to do things the easy way, but usually others don't want too. I merely wanted to see all that you had to offer."

ChiChi cocked a brow at the Yourichi's arrogance, wondering if she was simply bluffing. She glanced over her shoulder for a mere second at Goku, who was equally bewildered. "You're bluffing" spat ChiChi.

"Am I? See, you don't exactly know who I am- because if you did, you know I never bluff. I'm one of the elites of Teriok, they say I'm like a cat" said Yoruichi with a wry smile. "I play with my prey…let them think they have a chance, and then…I pounce"

"Enough of your foolish talk; show me what you got" said ChiChi irritated, as she fell again into fighter's stance.

"Don't say I didn't warn you" Yoruichi assertively replied, before jetting forward at the mask solider.

ChiChi prepared for the attack, but when Yourichi vanished moments before connecting she was startled. She glanced around her arms held high before her, hands clenched in a fists. When she couldn't find any sight of her opponent she dropped her guard, but it was a mistake. Yourichi reappeared connecting a hard punch to her open face.

ChiChi stumbled backwards falling against a nearby tree. Instantly she covered her burning nose with her palm, and slowly it filled with the warmth of her blood. ChiChi tried to blink away the pain, as she watched Yourichi stand confidently only a few feet before her. The morning breeze made the leaves rustle, and the sun poured through the windows of the towering trees.

"Give up?" asked Yourichi.

It would have been smart to give up, but ChiChi was never one to do that. She took in a deep breath of air, and glanced around the small open space. There were a few bushes nearby, and wild mushrooms peeking from the green grass that coated the floor. Rocks scattered throughout the ground, and trees that towered around with branches that nearly linked together.

A small red flower caught ChiChi's attention, and for some strange reason she'd felt she knew it. Where had she known the flower from?

"Was that really all it took to shut you up, eh?" Yourichi took a step forward closing the distances between her and the mask solider.

ChiChi shook away her thoughts at Yourichi's word, and quickly she shifted her attention back. Her hand was drenched with her own blood, and her body racking with pain. Yet she pushed passed those feelings, because she had been through worse in her trainings. "Do you really think that's all it'll take? You're mistaken!"

ChiChi pushed herself off the tree as Yourichi again rushed forward with a punch, but ChiChi easily countered it with a jab of her own. Yourichi stumbled backwards, and ChiChi swiftly followed with another jab to her face and another. Yourichi yelped in pain as she lost her footing, with one knee in the ground, and using her left hand for support she stopped her fall.

She growled, at the taste of more of her own blood, again.

"Now are you done?" ChiChi asks, stepping back. She glanced over to Goku who stood off in a safe distant, smiling approvingly at her. With just a glance at the handsome solider ChiChi was ready to end this fight, and be one step closer to being in his arms. "I'm going to end this." ChiChi turn back around, and reach to grab hold of the fallen Yourichi.

However, the moment she reached for Yourichi the catlike woman looked up at her with an insidious smirk. Before ChiChi could say a word Yourichi opened her closed fist, blowing a translucent powder from her palm, and instantly ChiChi stumbled back a few feet.

Shaking away the lightheaded feeling that follow, ChiChi pushed herself forward. Yourichi stood her eyes watching the sluggish ChiChi, as she stumbled towards her, but stood firm without a wave of apprehension.

The trees begun to blur together, but ChiChi couldn't lose. She grunted as a wave of pain raked her body, and with all the strength she could muster she charged at Yourichi. Both women fell backward into the nearby bush with the red flower.

ChiChi's strength evaporated with the fall, but still she tried to press pass her discomfort. Only, a push from Yourichi sent her rolling off onto the rock peppered grass, and she couldn't move. Breathing had become a difficult struggle, she was helpless.

"Raven!" shouted Goku, rushing forward.

"Ya'ka bev'na" cried Yourichi in her tongue. Instantly four men emerge from hiding, and each with swords pointed at Goku stopping him in his tracks."Uh-huh, lover boy this isn't your fi-" Yourichi yelped in pain grabbing her side as she felt a sharp pain rip through her body.

Instantaneously, Yourichi shifted her attention to ChiChi who still laid flat against the ground with her eyes wide and staring up at the sky. "What did you do?" demanded Yourichi, before she kicked ChiChi in the side.

ChiChi could only whimper at the ripple of pain, but she couldn't move. What had happen to her? All she could do was hear, feel, and see. The view of the blur green of the surrounding trees' leaves, and the hints of blue from the peaking sky was soon replaced with Yourichi's face.

"Speak" said Yourichi, and with the wave of her hand ChiChi felt the tightening on her tongue loosen.

"Wha…You used dark magic" cried ChiChi, pushing against the exhaustion ringing in her body.

"Aw clever girl you are" said Yourichi, indifferently. "Now you're in a nearly catatonic state, but you have the perks of seeing, hearing, feeling and now talking. So I suggest you tell me what you've done to me? Or else I'll turn lover boy into my little pet right, now."

ChiChi's inside turned at the thought. Yet she knew there was nothing she'd be able to do at this point. All her energy had been spent by Yourichi's terrible magic, and she had heard enough tales to know the solemnity of dark magic. 'What am I going to do now?'

"What are you doing to her?" ChiChi heard Goku's voice, but all she could see was the shift of Yourichi's attention.

"I did nothing" informed ChiChi, trying to regain Yourichi's attention.

"I felt it, and I know your lying" tiff Yourichi, her brows hooking together. Yourichi reached, grabbing ChiChi by the front of her suit, and pulling her forward. It was then that ChiChi caught sight of the red flower perched on Yourichi's arm, and then the wheels in her head begun turning. She remembered where she seen that flower before! ChiChi's anxiety shifted, and her lips curled into an unseen smirk.

"It's a shame you thought your black magic would make you win."

Yourichi growled. "What have you done to-?" With extraneous shout, Yourichi lost her grip on ChiChi, dropping her to the ground. Hives begun to spout from every inch of Yourichi's body, and she couldn't stop scratching. However, the more she scratched the more she was stung with pain.

ChiChi felt pain in every inch of her body from the fall, but she knew it would do her best to not show her pain- so she laughed. A joyous laugh, that made Yourichi even more enflamed.

"STOP IT! STOP IT NOW!"

"You want me to stop? Well only if you do two things" interjected ChiChi, and she knew she had Yourichi's attention.

"What do you want?" she inquired, still scratching against her tender skin.

"Release me from whatever spell you placed on me, and release Goku" said ChiChi, assertively.

"I will not."

"Then you'll die, and when you do your spell will wear off of me, I know that much. And Goku will easily have those men on their knees, and you will be dead. You only have till this time tomorrow to get the antidote, and I may be the only person alive that knows that antidote."

"You're lying" growled Yourichi.

"I'm not, trust me. The next thing that will follow those hives is a cold spell throughout your body, and if you want to wait till then you will have a less chance of surviving."

"Why are you the only one with the antidote?"

"My mother's people grew that very flower, and we're the only ones with the antidote. All her people were murder, and she alone survived." ChiChi needed to get her to agree, no matter the cost. "If you do this I promise, you will have more to live for when you stand before Absalom."

"Why is that?"

"You will only know if you do as I ask."

Yourichi couldn't bargain. Yet she was smart enough to know that if she didn't, she'd die. She glanced over her shoulder at Goku who stood cornered by the men, and then back to paralyze ChiChi. "I don't bargain" said Yourichi, exasperated.

ChiChi confidence faded, and now more than ever she was grateful for her mask. Yourichi grabbed ChiChi by the hair, pulling her up. And she yelped in pain, as Yourichi moved deadly close to her.

ChiChi didn't know what to do, but pray.