Yes, that's right this must be a nightmare. Piccolo had just witnessed his mate, no former mate, reciprocating a kiss from one of the androids that was responsible for destroying the future. Even though she ended up pushing the android away with a look of anger, he knew that look. He'd been on the end of it before. It meant she was furious, but something else. Did it mean the same towards 17? He'd never seen her give this look to anyone other than him before.

"This has to stop!" She said taking a step back from the android.

17 closed the space between them, giving her a mischevious look, "does it?"

Piccolo watched as 17 reached out for her about to pull her back to him. Rori hesitated, but slapped his hand away none the less, "Yes, it does!"

The Namekian tried his best to make sense out of what was going on. Why would she accept a kiss from that android? This had not been his plan for her ... he didn't have time for this. The androids needed to be destroyed before it was too late. Piccolo cleared his throat and the two turned to him.

At the sound of his voice Rori's face turned bright red, her body now facing him, but she was looking to the side in embarrassment. She hadn't seen Piccolo in almost three years and she had let her guard down with 17, letting him make a little show out of this for his amusement. Of course Rori knew Piccolo was there, Yamcha had told her the androids had flown to a nearby island with Piccolo to fight him. In her head she had planned on just landing a few punches to get out her frustration, before letting them continue their fight. Yet, 17 had surprised her and caught her off guard.

"I don't know what you two are arguing about... and honestly I don't care... We don't have time for this...Rori, get out of my way so I can get rid of him" Piccolo scoffed. He had been almost excited to try out his new powers on the androids and take them down. Surprise them with his power and end this before something got out of hand, but now he was just angry. Irrationally angry, Kami corrected in his head. You let her go Piccolo. You can't be mad at her for living her life.

I didn't ask for your opinnion old man. And she was supposed to live her life with... I don't know Trunks... or Yamcha... someone who could give her what I can't and here she is with a damn android, that's trying to kill her brother! Piccolo raged in response to the elder namekian.

She does appear to have a type, huh? Nail responded smugly.

ENOUGH! Piccolo's voice boomed in his head over the other two as he powered up causing there to be silence once again.

17 chuckled as he watched the Namekian power up in what appeared to be a rage. He couldn't blame the guy. While 17 wasn't 100 percent sure what had gone on between the Namekian and Rori, he knew how he would feel if he were on the other end. Too bad for him there's no way he can win. I almost feel sorry for the guy. 17 thought to himself shaking his head, "So eager to die."

Rori lifted her head when Piccolo began to power up. She looked into his eyes and furrowed her brow. This didn't feel right. Was this really Piccolo? It couldn't be the one she knew, something was different. His power was insane. She had a bad feeling about this. Yes, they were supposed to destroy the androids, but if Goku had healed as Yamcha said that might mean that no one had to die. These androids, weren't the terrible beings Trunks had talked about. They couldn't be. 16 and 18, she could almost call them friends at this point and 17... well...

Something was off, and 17 was being cocky as usual. Rori had never seen the android actually fight, but she knew Piccolo wouldn't go into a battle he knew he couldn't win unless it was to protect Gohan or someone he loved. And since that no longer included her, Piccolo must have a plan. Rori looked to the android next to her biting her lip, "...17...be careful..."

It appeared Piccolo was done powering up, but 17 wasn't concerned, " Don't worry so much. Piccolo's no match for me anyway. You should have seen how badly I beat him last time!"

"That's not Piccolo" 16 called out.

"What?" both Rori and 17 questioned, but it was too late. Piccolo had already charged at 17 sending him flying back into a boulder. Rori barely saw Piccolo move. Just a green gust of wind that flew past her, taking 17 with it. The Namekian didn't let up or wait for the android to gain any composure. He was out for blood.

Piccolo stood above 17 as he started to get up off the ground, but the namekian sent a large ki blast creating a large hole where the android had been. Piccolo knew it wasn't going to be that easy. His eyes flicked up to find 17 hovering in the air above him. With a smirk Piccolo sent blast after blast of energy blast in the air all around the android. At first, 17 just laughed to himself thinking the Namekian was missing him.

"17!" Rori yelled up at him. The android furrowed his brow before he looked around him to find he was surrounded, his eyes widening.

"Now you have no where to go!" Piccolo chuckled before slamming his arms together causing the blasts to advance on 17 exploding, "Die!"

Rori had never seen Piccolo so quick to the draw. He was much stronger than she remembered, but that wasn't it. It was obvious that he wanted this to over as quickly as possible, but why? As all the ki blast came together to explode, Rori was staring at Piccolo in shock, forgetting completely about getting out of the way.

Piccolo looked over and noticed her. Dammit, he thought and was about to go in and grab her, but 16 beat him to the chase taking her by the wrist and pulling her into a hover over the water with 18.

"You're lost in your thoughts, Rori. Now's not the time." 16 said before releasing her.

"Yeah..." she nodded her eyes still wide before thanking the red haired android. Rori turned her attention to where 17 was to find that there was barely a scratch on him as he was covered in a force field. She sighed with relief, but at the same time she was becoming worried about how strong 17 was and maybe even Piccolo. She could see now why Trunks had been so worried over the androids. If 17 could survive that kind of attack, she wondered what might happen if she ever got on his bad side.

"Hey you almost had me! Not bad!" 17 yelled down in amusement, "But you destroyed the island. Not cool. Let's find somewhere else."

They all flew until they found a big enough uninhabited island. Even though Piccolo's strength was amazing, 17 was still pretty cocky about having escaped the last blast and felt like taunting the Namekian some more.

"So ready to tell me where Goku is?" the android asked Piccolo in a friendly voice.

"You want to kill Goku, why would I tell you where he is?" Piccolo spat.

"Then I'll just have to get serious." 17 countered as they two began fighting again. This time 17 was keeping up and even seemed faster than Piccolo.

"You may be fast, but you're attack is lacking" Piccolo said with a smirk after they'd paused for a moment. This only made the android angry and the two began to go back at it.

18 looked to Rori, "So who is this guy if not Piccolo? Piccolo couldn't beat us a few days ago, so 16 must be right, that can't be him."

Rori shook her head, "I don't know... He's Piccolo... but something's changed. The last time he improved that much he fused with Nail... oh no... he didn't! 16? Your sensors are pretty wide range right?"

"They are." the red haired giant answered.

"Can you sense Kami's energy anywhere?"

16 remained silent for a minute before answering, "I sense him here... with Piccolo"

This couldn't be right. She knew how Piccolo felt about Kami. Yes, Piccolo had changed quite a bit over the years, but she wouldn't think he would fuse with the righteous Kami. No, that was just too wrong. Why was Piccolo so desperate?

The two had stopped fighting again and 17 laughed before wiping a bit of sweat from his forhead, "Not bad, but this won't last long."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Piccolo said looking as if he was ready to go again.

"Even if we're evenly matched, my stamina is infitine. I'll out last you everytime." 17 smirked and couldn't help but add one little jab in at the end, "just ask Rori."

The rage built back up in Piccolo again. He knew he was playing into 17's hand by getting angry, but that was the last straw. He had to get rid of the android before- Piccolo's eyes widened. It was too late, " Cell!"

Piccolo turned toward Cell causing Rori the other androids to follow his lead.

"What is that thing?" 17 called out confused. Why did everyone alway interrupt him when he was having fun.

"Ew... I don't know it looks like a giant bug... gross" Rori said cringing before she decided to ask, it appeared Piccolo had some idea, " Piccolo what is that thi-"

As Rori called out, Cell powered up showing his massive power level. It felt even stronger than what she'd felt from Piccolo just a few moments ago. How did everyone get this strong? It was insane, but it wasn't just his power. His energy felt familiar, it felt like Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Freeza were all here. She watched as the monster walked past Piccolo, heading for 17.

" How many innocent lives did you take? " Piccolo managed to breath out as Cell passed him.

"Oh Piccolo, they should be flattered to be part of greatness" Cell answered chuckling to himself as he approached 17.

"Ewww it looks even uglier up close, I hate bugs..." Rori said still cringing at it. She couldn't tell if she was more put off by its energy or its appearance.

"We'll see how you feel about me when I'm perfect" Cell called out before turning to 17, "This should only take a few minutes."

"We're kind of in the middle of something, so if you wouldn't mind getting in line after Piccolo-" 17 started but was cut off by Piccolo.

"17 get out of here he's going to try to absorb you!"

In an instant the bug like android let it's tail swing around and charged at 17. It's tail was looking for any angle to try and absorb him, and finally he flipped 17 to the ground and almost had a clear shot, until Piccolo knocked Cell off of him.

17 stood up brushing the dirt off him and growled, "what'd you say this things trying to do?"

"In short, he was created by Dr. Gero's computer out of our DNA. He won't be completed until he's absorbed both you and 18." Piccolo answered.

"Seriously, how many androids are there? Trunks said 2 and so far I see 4." Rori said shaking her head completely thrown off. She already knew something was wrong when she met 16, but now Cell.

"Actually this makes 6, but you'd know that if you hadn't been off making friends with 3 of them." Piccolo countered. If Rori wasn't sure before, now she was certain Piccolo was upset about her and 17.

Cell cleared his throat. "Brother and sister... I'd hoped you'd come willingly to be apart of perfection. Once we are one, we will become the perfect warrior, just as Dr. Gero had planned."

"Yeah, no way." 17 shouted.

"Same! I actually agree with Rori, that thing is gross. There's no way I'd become part of that." 18 called from the sidelines.

"Besides, you're already looking at the ultimate warrior", 17 smirked pointing to himself, "but it looks like you need a demonstration."

16 finally decided to speak up, "17 you must run, this thing is much stronger than you. You will not win. If it becomes complete it will destroy not only this planet but whatever it touches."

And those were the magic words to get 17 to do the exact opposite. No one was stronger than 17 in his mind. How dare 16 try tell him to run. He wasn't a coward.

17 and Piccolo fought the monster for some time and yet everytime it looked as though they had gotten a hit on it, Cell was still ready for more.

"Ugh, men. They should stop playing with their food and just eat it already" 18 scoffed before she flipped her hair and took a seat.

"18... I can't tell if 17 is messing around, but Piccolo isn't" Rori countered with a worried look.

"17 is not playing with Cell." 16 answered before he looked to 18, "you must leave now before it is too late."

There was a loud explosion and Rori looked over to see that Cell had just sent a blast right to Piccolo's core, before tossing him in the ocean.

Rori felt a heat rising in her and she tried her best to push it down. She was going to burn up again, she could feel it. Her eyes moved to 17 and she remembered that he was still there, she had to do something. She had to make sure he wasn't absorbed. And so she stopped trying to push down the fire and just let them take over her.

It was as if a burning sensation made its way up her body, licking at her skin from her toes all the way to her head. She could feel the energy coursing through her. This time instead of trying to control her rage, she just let it lead her.

Cell had used this and Piccolo's death as a distraction. By the time she had transformed, Cell had beat down 17 and was in the middle of absorbing 17. 17 hands pryed at the sides of Cell's funnel like tail trying to keep it from him, but to his luck he didn't have to. 16 Pulled 17 out of the way and Rori threw an engery blast to cut Cell's tail off.

17 looked up astonished at both 16 and Rori. He remembered Rori telling him that she wouldn't become a super phoenix ever again. She thought it was too risky. This bug thing must be for real. 17 still never understood why Dr. Gero hadn't given him energy sensors like he had with 16. Maybe because they wouldn't work. Now 16 seemed to think he was strong enough to fight this thing. If 16 really was stronger than him then Dr. Gero wouldn't have made 17 and 18, right?

"16 you can't fight this thing." 17 shook his head, "Neither of you can. "

"I've calculated my power is equal to Cell's" 16 smirked to the android, " and so is hers. Cell is not trying to absorb us. You and 18 should get out of here while you can."

While 16 tried to get the other androids to leave, Rori was in the midst of fighting Cell. She had been so surpised by 17 and Picoolo's energies,yet she hadn't known her own. Sure she had still trained over the past three years, but she hadn' actually fought anyone and she definitely hadn't given in to any anger. Boy did it feel good to really fight again. She found that her almost lucid state of rage was like an old friend, now that she could let go completely. She threw the creature to the ground and smirked at it from above, "Is that it?"

"If you'd just let me absorb them, I'd be much more of a challenge" Cell yelled before he flew up landing a punch on her. He was no longer playing around.

Despite her being a super phoenix she hadn't trained in this form like Vegeta or Goku. It made her sloppy. Cell could easily predict her moves. Now that he'd figured this out he began to toy with her, catching her next jab with his tail freshly grown back, encircling her arm, "I thought you were afraid to touch the slimy bug?"

"Touching is different from squashing" she countered before 16 flew up knocking her from Cell's grip and took her place in battle. Unlike her, 16 was actually making some headway with the creature. Cell had tried to absorb 16, but to Cell's suprise, "Completely mechanical... that won't do."

"How'd he get his tail back?" 17 questioned.

"He has Piccolo's DNA" Rori muttered. This only made her more angry causing her energy to blaze up. This thing was taking advantage of the cells from Piccolo after tossing him to the side like he was nothing, "We'll have to kill him."

"You're not strong enough for that, my dear" Cell called out to her in a way that reminded her too much of Freeza.

"We won't know until we try." 16 answered before charging at Cell, followed by Rori.

On the sidelines the two twin androids were watching in shock. 17 thought he'd never see 16 in a fight unless it was with Goku, but here he was trying to defend them. His eyes moved over to Rori. He was a bit sad now he hadn't gotten a chance to fight her at full strength. Once they finished this Cell, she'd be too tired. She didn't have the unlimited energy as he did.

"17" his sister called in a worried tone pulling him out of his thoughts, "we should get out of here."

"What are you talking about. Don't be a scaredy cat." he looked back to the others fighting, "they've got him on the ropes. Nothing to worry about now. Just look!"

16 had thrown Cell so hard to the ground he'd made a crater and followed that up with a huge blast from his gun like arms causing beams of energy to explode up from the ground all around them.

"Amazing, 16!" 17 yelled over, followed by a cheer from 18.

"Why are you two still here?!" Rori called down from the sky while trying to locate Cell under the ground, "We're barely keeping him down if he gets one of you it's over!"

"What? no way. It tried to kill me, I want some pay back." 17 shook his head before turning to the red haired android, "Where is it? I'll finish it now."

No wonder Piccolo wanted them dead quickly. she thought to herself as her eyes scanned the ground for any sign of movement.

"Come on out, you ugly pest" 17 taunted. And come out it did. Right behind him before swallowing him whole with his tail in a matter of seconds.

"17" both Rori and 18 screamed trying to warn him. It was already too late. The transformation had begun.

Luckily the transformation took some time and 16 managed to get 18 off of the island to find a hiding place. Rori on the other hand stayed put and just watched. It was like Namek all over again, but this time she wouldn't be pulled out of it. Maybe she wasn't strong enough to defeat Cell, but she could buy some time.

As soon as it was transformed, Cell flew right past her in order to stop the androids from leaving, but she wasn't through with him. Not by a long shot. She reached out grabbing him by his tail, which he hadn't expected. He stopped and stared at her.

"Trust me you don't want to get between me and the last android" he spoke in his new deeper voice. Being this close to Cell she noticed he gave off the same kind of scent that Vegeta did the last time she was a phoenix.

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret Cell" she responded not letting him go, "You may be able to beat me, but even if you do absorb her, you won't be as strong as you think."

Despite her efforts, Cell was not going to miss this opportunity to catch 18. He released a large fatal blast sending Rori back plummeting to the ground. From there things went black. She felt the fire still surrounding her, but she couldn't continue. Her eyes went in and out of focus seeing what looked like Tian trying his best to keep Cell down. Darkness again. Her skin went cold and it felt like she was being carried, but she couldn't open her eyes. Then rumbling, what felt like the ground shaking. Silence. Then nothing.

Under lidded eyes the darkness faded and it became bright again. Rori clenched her eyes shut and noticed she didn't feel anymore pain. In fact, she felt great, as if she was completely healed up. She could hear some shouting and fighting in the distance and almost didn't dare open her eyes to see what was going on. She felt some arms tighten around her and a man's voice calling her to wake up, "Rori? Wake up."

Her eyes opened to find a pair of dark eyes staring right back down at her. Almost a little too close for comfort. When her eyes finally focused she recognized Yamcha hovering over her with a concerned look in his eyes. Rori sat up in his arms, looking around her. She was still on an island… not the same one she'd been on before though.

For a long moment they sat there in the grass not saying a word. She could feel Trunk fighting an enormous power in the distance. Senzu beans were great, but being pulled out of the darkness while the action was still going on left her in a dazed and confused state.

"Rori" Yamcha started again, worried when she hadn't said anything, "Are you ok?"

It then hit her suddenly. She had become a super phoenix again. Was she still one? She didn't feel the flames anymore, but she remembered everything before she blacked out unlike the last time.

"Yamcha! What do I look like?" she asked turning to him suddenly, her eyes wide.

"Rori… I don't think now's the time to be concerned with your looks" he laughed astonished that she cared about that, "such a model..."

"No… I mean..." she pulled her hair forward and noticed the golden color to it, " I changed back..."

"Oh, well yeah" he replied sheepishly.

They felt another explosion in the background. That's right the fight wasn't over yet. "Mind filling me in?"

Yamcha sighed. This might take a while. He told her how the androids had changed from the future. There hadn't been time to explain that earlier. Then how Tian saved the day at the risk of his life. Luckily Goku had managed to get him and Piccolo back safely to lookout. They'd all had their Senzu beans and were doing fine. Trunks and Vegeta had been training in the hyperbolic time chamber, apparenlty where they could train a whole year in one day's time. That who was currently fighting Cell.

"Goku asked me to come down and give you a Senzu before him and Gohan went into the time chamber." Yamcha finished.

Rori's brow furrowed. The last she remembered she was knocked out in the same spot as Piccolo and Tian. Why hadn't Goku taken her too?

"Goku...He left me?" she asked a bit taken back. Not that she would blame him. She hadn't been there with them to train or even to visit in the last three years. It still hurt though.

"No, he was going to take you too, but he could only carry the two of them. When he came back to get you Cell had already taken you with him. He laid you over here while he was trying to find 18." Yamcha reassured her and then laughed trying to make light of it, "That's why he had me wait until Vegeta and Trunks were here to distract him."

"Cell moved me? He's the one who knocked me out though" She looked into the distance where Cell was still fighting Trunks.

"We think he was trying to use you as bait to lure Goku out before he was ready" Yamcha added shrugging his shoulders, "who knows what that creep was thinking, but it should be over soon. I mean, wow they got real strong. It wasn't even worth it for the rest of us to train."

Rori stood up finally brushing herself off. She had some holes in her clothes but nothing too bad. It seemed like they were in better shape than she was. She'd have to thank Bulma again for the training gear. "Well, let go have a look then?"

Yamcha's eyes widdened, "what are you crazy?"

"You said it yourself. It should be over soon" Rori said not waiting for him to answer as she flew over toward the island where Cell and Trunks were fighting.

Why am I always after girls that have a death wish, Yamcha thought to himself but followed her nonetheless.

When they arrived on the scene, things were much different than they had expected. Vegeta was completely unconscious with Krillin at his side and Trunks was no longer a super saiyan. He was just standing like a statue before Cell. Who had changed much from the last time she'd seen him. That must have meant he'd absorbed 18. But why wasn't Trunks fighting? She always seemed to be one step behind.

"Trunks? What's going on?" She asked as she landed next to him.

"He's given up. He was no match for perfection" It was Cell who answered her with a smirk before walking up to the two of them, head straight up, chest puffed out towering over her trying to intimidate her. Proud as a peacock, "Well? What do you think of the ugly bug now?"

Rori thought about biting her tongue. She couldn't beat him in his other forms, how could she possibly plan to beat him now in his final form? Yet the words came out anyway. "You've still no chance against Goku."

"Is that so?" he answered, almost intrigued by her arguement, " the kid says you could all get much stronger just like he did. I want to put that to the test. I'll give you some time. 10 days. Get as strong as you can. I'm going to have tournament. You'll all have your chance to defeat me."

Rori furrowed her brow, "Why are you doing this? You could obviously finish us now"

"Maybe don't remind him!" Krillin called out from behind her.

Cell leaned down so he was eye level with her and smirked, "The game's not worth playing if it's too easy."

Rori's eyes widdened. Was 17 still in there somewhere? He couldn't be. The damn bug was messing with her head.

Cell stood up and laughed, pleased with the reaction he'd gotten from her before turning to Trunks, "Or maybe I just want to see your faces when there's no sign of hope left in them. Like Junior over here."

And with one wave of his hand, Cell flew off leaving them all confused.

While Krillin was helping Vegeta with a Senzu, Rori took this opportunity to interogate Trunks a bit. When she'd arrived he looked completely devistated.

"Trunks even after you surpassed Vegeta... how did this happen?" she could tell he was strong enough to beat Cell and yet...

"What?!" Trunks laughed this off shaking his head and laughing as if she were crazy, "why would you think that?"

"Vegeta never told you anything about the phoenix or saiyans did he?" she asked her brows raised.

"...No..." Trunks answered carefully.

The last time she was around him she hadn't remembered anything from being a phoenix, but she did remember that strange scent he had. Now that she remembered being a phoenix, she knew what it was. She moved her face in next to his neck inhaling his scent deeply. "Trunks I can smell it on you. You can't keep it a secret from me. Saiyans give off a scent depending on their strength around others. It's pretty discrete, but it's there. As a phoneix I think I can sense it better... That's probably how we find the strongest mate. "

Now his face was a bright shade of red, "wait you mean-"

She laughed at this and cut him off, "No, no! I'm just saying I can tell is all. How could you lose to Cell?"

Trunks sighed, not that he wasn't be flattered. "I hadn't trained that form enough. I was too slow. Even though I was stronger than him it didn't matter... How could I have been so stupid?"

"Well... now we have another shot. Don't let it go to waste." she smiled patting his shoulder trying to get him out of his bad mood. "Look on the bright side. We have a second chance! You won't waste it."

He nodded. The fight was long from over.

They all re grouped outside of the time chamber at the lookout waiting for Goku and Gohan to come out. Some had been there longer than others. Piccolo had been waiting for quite some time after he'd recovered. When he'd realized that Goku didn't plan to go back to get Rori he'd almost gone down there himself, but Goku had stopped him, telling him it was too risky and it didn't look like Cell was planning on harming her any time soon. He was too occupied with getting 18. While Goku had a point, he still couldn't leave her. He had flown off the lookout with her Senzu bean in hand. If Goku wouldn't bring it to her, he'd do it himself. Hmph, some brother he is, he thought to himself. Half way down he started to change his mind. He sensed Trunks and Vegeta on the way. Piccolo only planned on seeing Rori if he had to. No need to make things more complicated than they were. Or risk her figuring out he still loved her, even if she still loved him at this point, it didn't matter. He still couldn't give her the life she deserved. So new plan. He flew down to Kame house and gave the Senzu to Yamcha.

"Just tell her Goku gave it to you." Piccolo said without waiting for a response before heading back to the look out. He'd waited there, sensing the battle with Cell and Trunks. It wasn't long before they'd arrived too and were all eager awaiting Goku and Gohan. It had appeared Yamcha had listened to her as Rori had no idea where the Senzu came from.
As they waited Rori was sitting next to Trunks, far enough away from the others to not be overheard, asking him questions about the future.

"Gohan lost an arm...? Yeah they're really not the same androids here. So...you said everyone dies fighting the androids?"

"Well not everyone. I mean Goku died from the heart virus." Trunks answered.

"Ah, so everyone but Goku." she corrected.

Trunks was silent.

"Someone else?"

"Maybe one more..."

"Who is that?"

"...well I guess this timeline's changed so it couldn't hurt to tell you... You never showed up to fight the androids in my time either."

"Ah... I was avoiding Piccolo I guess..." she said to herself shaking her head, " but I didn't show up after?"

"My mom told me sometime after Goku got the heart virus and died you left the planet. She tried to contact you but something happened to your ship. You could be alive, we're not sure."

"Oh..." was all she could answer. She couldn't just leave it on that, "So... Chichi really let Gohan train you when he had only one arm?"

As Piccolo listened to them he'd forgotten how tiresome she could be sometimes when she was stuck on a subject.

You mean cute, Nail countered in his head.

No one asked you Piccolo scoffed.

Just saying, if it's so annoying then why are you still listening to them.

He didn't have an answer.

After a while they started to figure out the time schedule for who would go in the time chamber: when and with whom. Eventually they'd come to the conclusion of Trunks and Vegeta going in after Piccolo and Rori, but they hit a few road bumps along the way.

"I'll go in with Vegeta" Piccolo was the first to comment. If Vegeta and Trunks went in together that would only leave Rori and him. It was way more efficient to train with someone else than it was alone, but he wasn't ready to spend a year alone with her.

"Hah, please! I'd be better off going in alone." Vegeta scoffed and turned to Piccolo, "Don't get me involved in the little avoidence game you two are playing. I've got enough problems of my own with the woman and kid."

"Fine, Then we'll go in alone, but don't forget I'm the first one in."

Once Goku and Gohan came out still super saiyans as if it was their natural form, Piccolo changed his mind internally. The super saiyans left the lookout and everyone was in awe of their new strength. Piccolo couldn't even sense their energy, which made no sense because they were in their powered up form.

Rori had grown in the three years more than she'd realized, but even from afar Piccolo saw it. If he wanted to put his time to the best use it would be getting her to where her brother was, not training himself. Finally, Piccolo entered the time chamber, but just before closing the door he called out to her, "Rori. You're coming too."

Rori looked back to him her brow furrowed, but she followed nonetheless.

From the second they entered the time chamber the two got right down to business thanks to Piccolo. It could have been awkward, but even with a year, they still didn't have time for that. Before Rori had even a second to ask him any questions, he'd told her his plan for their year in the chamber. He had thought it out much like he had with when he first trained Gohan.

"So you haven't transformed over the three years since goku came back?" Piccolo asked though he already knew the answer.

"Yes, I have!" Rori argued defiantly.

"Not including yesterday with Cell." he grumbled.

"Oh... well then no..." she pursed her lips.

"But you've continued the mediations?" he asked, partially curious for training purposes, the other part more for personal reasons. To see if he still had some power over her after all this time. Rori hated meditations but she always did it for him anyway.

"Yeah... I thought with the androids... I might need to eventually..."

"Good. So every day you'll practice that. Going super phoenix and then back. Eventually you'll have to stay in that form even when your on a rest day, but we'll start out easy so you'll have confidence in changing back."

He's not worried about me, is he? she thought to herself, but wouldn't ask. He already seemed uncomfortable to be there with her. He wouldn't look into her eyes when he spoke but for a few seconds. Almost as if it hurt to look at her. She wasn't sure what she'd ever done to make him hate her so much, but she wished she could take it back.

They were coming up on the home stretch. Just a little over a month left in the time chamber. Rori has followed Piccolo's orders and tried not to bother him, keeping mostly to herself when they weren't training. Initially it had been hard for her, the gravity she was used to, but the dense air really got to her. She wondered if it had the same effect on Piccolo, but if it did she couldn't tell. She had gotten to the point where she could stay in her super phoenix form without a problem and even stay in the right frame of mind. At first it had been difficult. She'd come out of the form for a minute here and there just to reassure herself that she still could, but now she was so conscious in it that sometimes she forgot until she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

Now that she was more conscious in this form she started picking up on things in the last months that she just hadn't when they had first started training. She was too focused on the training to notice, but now she noticed every strange move that Piccolo seemed to make. All the times he wouldn't look her in the eyes. All the times there hands came close to touching when doing something and how quickly he would pull away. At first she had thought it was hate, but she couldn't be sure. Then she remembered he'd acted the same way around her when they'd first met. He'd acted as the though he wanted nothing to do with her then and yet she'd found out when she went into heat that was the furthest thing from the truth. Too bad now that she was technically his mate, that would never happen again so she'd have no way to find out. Once she'd found a mate she never had to go on that strange hormonal rollercoaster again.

The two were sparring as normal today. Rori was in her phoenix form and she was for the most part much more than Piccolo could handle now. Piccolo was on his toes now and looking for any opportunity to take her down. With only one month left, Rori decided to take advantage of that and finally find out what all of his strange behavior meant.

Piccolo found and opening in their battle, one that she'd left him to see if he'd let himself get that close to her. He was so wrapped up in the fight that he did. His arms wrapped around her over hers locking her into a hold against him so she couldn't move her arms.

"What did I say about leaving yourself open like that?" he scolded with a smirk as if proud of himself that he'd bested her. It wasn't until he realized how truely close their faces were that he let her go quickly, pushing her away as if she'd burnt him.

Rori lowered her arms from her fighting stance and just stared at him for the longest time as if trying to figure something out. Finally Piccolo couldn't take the silence anymore, "What are you doing?"

"Piccolo..." she moved in biting her lower lip as she came to her conclusion, "You still love me... Why are you doing this?"

He didn't know how to respond to that. He could deny it, but she was right. Even if she was right, that didn't change things and he couldn't bring himself to tell her why. It was pride mixed with shame the he wasn't really worthy of being her mate. She would want him anyway, but that didn't make things better. So he didn't deny it, he just did what he knew best and pushed her away again. "That's enough for today go take your rest day."

Again, he wouldn't look at her in the eyes, he began to head back to go meditate, but when he looked up he realized that she hadnt budged. She was in the same spot watching him her arms now crossed.

"You can push me away all you want Piccolo, but I want you to know I'm not going anywhere." she started unwavering, she should have done this a long time ago, but she was too afraid that he really didn't love her anymore. Now that she knew she couldn't let it go, "I promised you a long time ago that I'd be your mate and by your side even when you still had plans to ruin this world. Whatever it is you're not telling me, when you're ready I'll be there."

He laughed at this, "so that's what loyalty looks like, huh? Joyriding around with the androids? Kissing one in front of me?"

"You pushed me away! I've been trying for three years to stop loving you and I can't. 17 distracted me but he never once made me forget that I'm yours no matter how hard he, or I for that matter, tried. So now I know for sure and you do too. I'll always be yours, whenever you decide to come for me."

Rori sighed letting out all her frustration and saw that he wasn't going to budge. She turned dropping her arms to her sides and headed back to the housing unit, "I'll take my rest day now..."

When she got to the housing wing she made a beeline straight for the bath and took a long soak amongst the bubbles. If there was one thing she really liked about this planet it was their nice baths and soaps. They always tooks some of the stress out of the situation. Yet, today they didn't seem to help as much as she'd hoped. Her mind kept wandering. The hardest part of this place should be the training and yet it was spending all this time with Piccolo that was the hard part. She kept racking her brain to remember if something had changed in their relationship before they broke up, but things were all pretty typical.

As she mulled it over she watched as the heat from her transformed body started making the water steam. This training had better be worth it, she thought to herself as the bath water went down quicker than usual with some of it evaporating.

Rori stood up and started to dry off, bending over her legs with her towel.

eh-hermmm , she stood as she heard Piccolo clearing his voice from the doorway to get her attention.

Again there were no words, just and exchange of looks as Piccolo put his thoughts together again. She stood before him completely naked and apparently unashamed. Then again why should she be he'd seen her naked before. It'd had been so long since he'd seen her like this it was almost like the first time. Everything he'd thought of to say before suddenly escaped him as he stared at her. Doing the only thing he could think of he closed the space between them and pulled her into a kiss.

When Piccolo pulled back he realized that he was looking at dark ashen eyes and shook his head. This wasn't right, "Can you umm... come out of that?"

"Oh yeah" she nodded having forgetten and closed her eyes to concentrate as her hair turned back to its normal golden color. The eyes that looked back at him when she opened them were now the familar greenish blue that he'd fallen for so long ago.

When she smiled at him he felt a sinking feeling. He didn't want to hurt her more, but it was for the best that spoke his mind now. He couldn't give her his reasons. He was still to proud, but he could give her himself for now at least, "You're right about everything, but that doesn't change this. We can't be together except for here and now. If we survive this, you have to find someone else. I'm not a saiyan and I'm not even human. This won't last. I'm not meant for this. So if you agree to that, then we can at least have now."

While Rori was more confused now than ever, she heard the one thing she really wanted to hear. She could have him. Maybe not forever, but she could. The rest she'd figure out later. She didn't answer and just lifted her arms over his head and around his neck while hopping up into his arms and pulling him into another kiss. Piccolo carried her into the bedroom as she started pulling off his clothes, setting her down only for a second so he could step out of them.

She had forgotten how small she felt compared to him as he laid her on the bed and towered over her. His hands found their path sliding their way up her sides to her breast then back down to her legs pulling them over his shoulders, kissing a trail down one of her thighs. He wasted no time and slid himself all the way home, letting his eyes close as he felt her walls tigheten around him.

Rori hadn't been ready for him, but she didn't want to wait either. She ran her fingers up his chest as he watched his green member invading her tanned flesh with every move of his hips finding the perfect angle. She encouraged him, rolling her hips before letting her legs down from his shoulders and wrapping them around his back, pulling him as close as possible, feeling his body almost crush hers in the very best way.

It didn't take long for Rori to come apart as she felt the friction between them against her center. Piccolo pulled back leaning his forhead on hers, watching the look on her face as she fell apart in his arms, slowing his pace to give her a moment to breath before he continued bringing her over the edge again shortly after the first time. He revelled in the power he felt making her come apart so easily. She was one of the most powerful fighters in the world, but in his arms she completely his. When he'd given up on his plan to bring the world to its knees it had mostly been due to Gohan, but there was more to it. He had also found more pleasure in bring the sister of his enemy to her knees, knowing that she was completely and willingly his than he ever would in destroying humanity.

His nails dug down her sides coming to her hips to hold them in places as he finally came bringing her with him one last time. They both panted as he lay ontop of her, his head just over her breast, her arms wrapped around him, making little patterns on his back with her finger tips.

"Sorry that didn't last as long as with your infinite battery powered sex toy" Piccolo laughed to himself as he rolled over staring up at the ceiling. He could joke about it knowing there was no way 17 ever could have compared to him after watching her come so hard.

"What?" Rori asked confused, "You mean 17? He was just messing with you, Piccolo. We never did this."

He felt a little stupid now for being jealous, but he'd have to get over that eventually. Eventually she'd be with someone else and not him.

—-

A/N: Hey so they're on the right path now! Who knows where that will lead. Anyways, thanks so much again for the reveiws. This will be coming to an end shortly. I don't know that I'll be continuing through the Buu Saga because most of the problems should be resolved by then.

What I'd like to suggest is if you want to leave any ideas on alternative plot lines from this one that you'd like to see, I'll probably do some one shots. I know there was a lot of love for 17 after this one that I hadn't expected, so i might do a what if Rori did end up with 17. Another one-shot showing some of Yamcha's and Rori's relationship during the time she wasn't with Piccolo and maybe even her weird relationship with Vegeta when she was on Freeza's ship. Some of the side stuff I didn't put in this fic because it was making it too long.

So if you'd like to request anything go for it I might add it or some what if things were different. Thanks so much for being patient with this. I rewrote this one a few times and moved some characters around to make more sense, for example initially it was Trunks who gave Rori the Senzu, but I scratched that to give you some more of Piccolo insight... so this is basically the result of me changing things for weeks until I couldn't anymore. Thanks again and please review :)