Ayyy! New story cover! Also by Kitsune Queen on Instagram. I really like this one 10/10. Also she made some new fanart on Instagram. Based on that one, I think she'll be pleased by the ending of this chapter

Anyway, an even longer chapter this week because I wanted all the setup in one place.

Very small note at the end

thewittywhy: Le thank. Next chapter should be getting to Namek so we shall be makin progress

Shadowj6480: Thanks ^.^ The difficulty here is that here at the beginning of the series a lot of the setup has to be the same. It'd be pretty bad if the situation doesn't align up so that Goku never becomes a Super Sayain after all. The good thing about just having a first-person story though is that I only have to focus on what she knows and sees. What happens outside that? Who knows. There are two instances that I'm thinking I'll have to stray from the first person, but that's not for a long while yet. As in one being late Cell Saga, the other after the Buu Saga. And the second is so far out I still might change my mind on it.
I am thinking of making an other POV side story, but that'd focus more on character interaction than story plot.
And like I said in the previous comment response, we should be getting to Namek soon.

FlameSparks7: I don't think it would. They did try to mess with it in canon and it was appropriated by the government and then Bulma accidently blew it up and apart from Nappa actually just telling the group how to use it, which I'd doubt, I don't see how that'd change

The next time I woke up it was in a hospital bed. I took a few minutes to close my eyes again before getting up.

I noted I was now dressed in a hospital gown and had bandages over my surface wounds.

I looked around the room as I sat up, Goku was covered head to toe in casts and bandages and some kind of contraption talking with Krillin who was about as bandages as me, probably a bit more. The only other person in the room was-

Uh-

I'm just….gonna….ignore that for now.

Luckily that was when Krillin decided to look up.

"Well if it isn't the man of the hour, finally awake!" Krillin walked over to pat my shoulder.

"To be honest I'm amazed you slept through Goku's shrieking," he laughed turning his head back to Goku with a cheeky grin.

"Hey! What was I supposed to do? They were coming at me with needles!"

"To check your blood type Goku. Honestly how you've gone this long without ever going to the doctor's amazes me."

I giggled. Relieved at the relative calm.

"Hey want me to catch you up on what you missed while you've been out?"

I was half tempted to say no but his tone was light so I nodded.

"Right so, after we got all settled in here we discussed how to get to Namek some more, y'know? And so I remembered that guy, Vegeta, had a remote to summon his space pod thing so I figured the other guy must have had one so I swiped it off him." He inclined his head across the room. Ignoring.

"So I handed it off to Bulma who actually knows how spaceships work and she accidentally hit some kind of self-destruct sequence by mistake. We thought all was lost until Mr. Popo showed up and said he might know where the spaceship that Kami first came here in came from, so Bulma went with him to check it out."

So basically, I missed the plot setup. Oh well.

"We're going to get our friends back! Well most of them at least…" Krillin's voice trailed off as his grin faltered.

I frowned, "what do you mean?"

Krillin looked over with a sad smile, "well Chiaotzu has already been wished back by the dragon once before, so he can't be wished back again."

"But that's not-" I slapped a hand over my mouth. Luckily Krillin was too busy looking down in grief to catch my wide-eyed horror.

"Yeah, it's not fair," I was very glad that's how he decided to interpret my slip.

They don't know.

They don't know the Namek Dragon Balls work differently.

Of course they don't, why would they?

A new dread settled in my stomach, if Piccolo hadn't died there's be no way for us to get to Namek. There'd be no reason. The Earth's Dragon Balls would have activated in a bit less than a year and Mr. Popo could collect them quickly enough that they could make their wish in time.

The door opened.

"Gohan! You're awake!" I suppressed a sigh as Chichi charged across the room and I was suddenly engulfed in a hug. I was half grateful for her though for interrupting my slight crisis.

"Excuse me ma'am, but I would like to check over his wounds," a kind looking nurse saved me from my motherly prison.

"Oh of course!" Chichi bounced back.

"Now then, can you stand up for me?"

I hummed as I did as she said, and she walked through basic procedures and changed out my bandages.

"Well you're much better behaved than your father over there," she joked.

"Everyone has to be afraid of something."

"Oh? And what are you scared of tough guy?"

"Oh you know, grey aliens, creepy green bugs, and pink bubblegum."

"I see, well I'll be sure not to offer you any gum then," she laughed, and I hummed in response.

By the time I was announced nearly healed enough to leave and allowed to lay down again Chichi was already stacking workbooks with an almost content grin.

"Well Gohan, you're over a year behind in your studying, but that's fine you'll be back on track in no time!" I looked at the books exasperated. Actually, those books would place me at least a couple grades above Kindergarten.

It's not like I didn't know the material, but I'd hate for her to think that level of studying would be appropriate whenever Goten comes around. If Goten comes around. I guess it's possible we don't make it that far.

I'll just have to "struggle with it" long enough that she lightens up in the progression.

I absentmindedly scanned through the book as I really just listened in on whatever idle chitchat entered the room. I procured a pencil and doodled on the sides of the page.

Chichi noticed and swiped the pencil from my hand.

"Now Gohan. I know you like drawing and maybe you'll make a great artist one day! But now it's studying time."

I sighed. I guess I should be glad that Chichi had added a potential artist to her myriad of potential future jobs, albeit at the bottom of the list.

Course she was thinking landscapes and portraits, which was far too small for my tastes. Course I don't know what the animation or comics or otherwise stylized media looks like in this world so I can't plan much ahead in that regard.

Over time more people re-entered the room.

Master Roshi, the guy I might get the name of eventually, Korin showed up, which is neat. Talking cat with a walking stick. Ten out of ten.

The Ox-King came in with his large arms filled to the brim with presents.

"Grandpa Ox" was interesting to intact with. I quite liked him generally. He very clearly adored me and was the provider of most of my art supplies, as well as many plushies that decorate my bed at home. The house. Whatever.

But interacting with him one on one can be a bit much. He'd be great with actual children, but I find I don't have much to say when he's around.

And

I guess I probably shouldn't ignore it much longer.

This hospital room was designed for four people.

Obviously, Goku, Krillin, and I were in here.

And,

For lack of a better option,

So was Nappa.

I suppose logically it's the best arrangement. Better than leaving him out to his own devices, and better than putting him with some random civilian.

Didn't make it any less awkward though.

Of course, I didn't know if he was under anesthesia, he had a worse head injury than I thought, or just stubborn pride, but he hasn't opened his eyes once since I awoke.

Not that I'm complaining.

No one mentioned what the extent of his injuries were, and I didn't ask. He could stay bedridden forever for all I cared.

Finally, Bulma barged back into the room followed by a much more collected Mr. Popo.

I barely allowed my eyes to trail over for more than a few seconds at a time under the watchful eyes of mother hawk.

"It was amazing guys! We were at Jupiter! In ten seconds!" Bulma was clearly ecstatic.

"If the ship holds up like I think it will, then we can easily make it to Namek in less than a month's time! There are a few more repairs to make, but I'd say we can leave in the next five days!" I perked up. That was really soon.

Sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. Sooner means I get Piccolo back sooner.

"Mr. Popo found the ship, and with his help I'll find the Dragon Balls in no time!" She smiled at the…man? Hmmm, I'm filing Mr. Popo under the "do not question" category.

Regardless, he looked startled at Bulma's words.

"Oh I can't go with you. I am really sorry Bulma, but I can't go and abandon The Lookout for two months. I can't," Mr. Popo's voice was soft and passive. I almost had to lean in to hear him.

"But you're the only person I know who can speak Namek, and how am I supposed to start the ship without you!? The entire mission was counting on you! You can't just back out!" The Bluenette cried out in astonishment.

"I'm sorry, but I have to stay here."

Bulma gaped at the man in shock.

"Don't worry Bulma. We'll figure something out. I'm sure Mr. Popo can teach you the Namekian words you need to use to use the computer," Krillin reasoned.

"I guess, it shouldn't be too hard to grasp," Bulma looked down in thought, "but I don't want to go all by myself."

She looked back up, "so who's gonna come along to keep me company?"

No one stepped up.

I waited to see what everyone else would do.

"Hey let's not all volunteer at once, I thought you guys were my friends!"

"I am your friend but there's no chance I'm going in that tin can," the guy chimed in.

"Yeah I'm sure she was really hoping you'd go," Korin rolled his eyes.

A chill ran up my neck as Roshi laughed, "two months alone with Bulma. Sign me up! It'll be the trip of a lifetime I promise!"

I burned my face deeper in the book to hide my uncomfortable scowl.

"Watch yourself old man!"

"Yes ma'am."

"Goku can't make it either, that leaves you. Krillin will you go with me?"

Krillin paused, "it's not that I don't want to help, but I need training. We could be attacked again at any moment, and I want to be ready next time…" he trailed off as he looked down, half glaring at a certain corner in the room.

To be honest I'm kinda impressed with everyone else's ability to ignore him.

"Um-" I was spoken over.

"Krillin you can't pass this up. It'll be a great opportunity for training once you get to Planet Namek!" Goku chimed in and I bit back a laugh. Yeah, that's an understatement.

"Alright, I'll go," Krillin smiled at his best friend, "but when I get back I want to see you in perfect fighting condition, Goku."

"Don't worry about me I'll be out of here in no time."

"Hey uh," I was almost spoken over again but Chichi noticed me.

"What's wrong Gohan? Does something hurt? Should I call a nurse?"

"No, I'm fine, " I paused, "I was just gonna say I want to go too."

I stared as calmly and with as much conviction as I could.

"Wait a minute Gohan," Chichi leaned over the bed, "you don't want to leave me alone for two months."

To be honest, it probably was selfish after being gone for a year.

"You won't be alone. Dad's here. Besides, I have to go. I need to be there when Piccolo's brought back."

My eyebrows furrowed as I looked down, bends tightening in the sheets.

"Ah Chichi, let him go," I smiled at Goku, but was already aware he'd support my decision. The real obstacle was Chichi.

"I- can't take this anymore! I swear! Why couldn't I have a normal family that eats dinner! And talks about their day! And watches the TV and goes to bed!" Her voice wavered and I felt bad.

"You married Goku, of course that wouldn't be normal."

Chichi faltered, "I know that, but that doesn't mean I'm going to allow my son to fly up into space for the sake of some green monster who kidnapped him!"

"If I wanted to leave I could have."

I closed my eyes, recollecting myself, "but do you want to know about my day? Or my day before I woke up? Because it wasn't great. Because it ended with my only friend for the past year dying. Actually, my first friend. And now I have to make sure he gets back here safely."

Chichi stumbled, she looked down searching her thoughts.

"He couldn't have been your first friend, what about…what about…" she trailed off, "you met Krillin and Bulma before all this started didn't you?"

"Yes, but meeting someone doesn't automatically make you friends. I'd say I'm friends with Krillin now, maybe, but I've had maybe half a conversation with Bulma."

"But what about-"

"Please. I have to go."

"How did I raise such a stubborn child?"

I didn't respond.

She deflated.

The Ox-King placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder, "Don't worry Chichi. You have a brave son there. I'm sure he'll make it back just fine."

"I promise I'll keep an eye on him at all times Chichi. And Krillin will be there too. Who knows, maybe I'll qualify for that friends title by the time we get there," Bulma winked and I huffed a laughed.

I leaned back as Bulma and Mr. Popo determined how long it'd take for Bulma to learn Namekian, and Bulma announced we'd meet up in ten days.

After that conversation lightened, Bulma wrote up a schedule with Mr. Popo, Krillin and Goku chatted, and Chichi sat in a hospital chair peeling apples.

Finally content that I was getting to Namek as plot demands I sat back and noticed my backpack leaning against the bed.

I resolved myself to open it.

Carefully I took out my extra Gi's, making sure they were folded semi nicely before setting them to the side. Someone had returned my cloak to its spot and I folded and refolded that too. I took out my Bamboo water bottle and placed it on the bedside table.

And-

Oh. I had nearly forgotten that.

I frowned. It wasn't really important, but I did make a promise.

"Um, Bulma?"

The woman in question looked over at me.

"Do you have a GPS I can borrow?"

"Uh, sure Gohan, why?"

"I just, promised I'd visit someone and I don't know how to get there by myself."

And so all was set. Chichi was concerned but comparing it to Namek, traveling a few miles out wasn't exactly a deal-breaker. Once I was discharged from the hospital I had an orphanage to find.

…

Once again the hospital room tittered out.

Goku was once again asleep so Krillin, Bulma, and the crew left the room to talk without disturbing him. Chichi and The Ox-King had left as well to prepare whatever supplies I might need for the trip.

I fidgeted in the bed, before standing up. This room was getting a bit stuffy. I'm sure no one would mind if I stepped out for a bit.

I walked over to the door and reached for the handle-

"Wait."

I flinched.

Stubborn pride it is.

I turned with a glare only rivaled by the one its recipient was sending to the ceiling.

"Why?"

"Why what?" My words were clipped.

"Why did you save my life?"

And I had to hold back a groan.

"I stated my reason already. The fact that everyone keeps trying to read deeper into it is annoying. Vegeta was just an annoying idiot."

Nappa frowned.

"If anyone else had tried to kill you I wouldn't have done a thing. I should have killed you. I still should," I scowled as I turned back to the door. I should just walk out. I didn't.

"Why can't you just use the Dragon Balls here to revive your friends?"

I sighed.

"Because for Dragon Balls to work, the Namekian who created them must be alive and well."

"Who I killed."

There was a calm casualty in his voice that had me clenching my fists, and I had to take a few breathes before I responded.

"Close. The one who created them was Kami, but his life was tied with Piccolo. Who you killed." The last sentence had more bite than was strictly necessary.

"Hey wait, you just stayed silent when Bulma was messing with your pod. You just let her blow it up!" I accused.

"Sure. It's not like I can use it to leave here, and even if the woman wanted to go alone, it can be tracked by Frieza."

I huffed, mildly annoyed at his response.

"You said you wanted to kill me?"

"Uh, duh."

"If you want my life you can have it."

My head turned so sharply I'm surprised I didn't get whiplash. Despite that my voice came out barely more than an angry whisper, "what?"

"I can't return to Frieza's army. If Vegeta doesn't kill me, he will for such a failure. And I have no intention of staying here on a planet with an expiration date. Next time Vegeta comes here, he might not land to fight. He'll probably just blow up the planet from a distance. Being killed by a warrior is a much more suitable death."

"I am not a warrior. I am a child. Oh but wait, there's no difference to you, is there?"

"That's right."

"That's right, you, or your people of whom you still agree with, sent my dad here as a baby to kill everyone. And then what? He'd die from starving to death if he did a slightly too good a job at it? Or he'd be alone for over twenty years before Raditz showed up. I'm sure he'd have been a great and properly socialized contribution to society."

"Who knows. He clearly failed."

"Well guess what. I am no warrior. I have no intention to fight any longer than I need to. The only reason I had to in the first place was because of you lot barging in and threatening everyone," I refused to give him the satisfaction of raising my voice.

"All the better then. It'd be a waste for your potential to be ignored like that."

I glared, my lips curling into almost a snarl, before I just turned back to the door, "just shut up."

I reached up to the door and almost as an afterthought, "why would I do what you'd prefer anyway?"

Just before I could open the door I heard something that made me freeze.

Chichi's voice.

I flinched back and dove for my bed, settling the covers over me right as Chichi opened the door.

"Oh he's asleep…"

"Let's leave him alone for now Chichi. Let him rest," dearest Ox-King came to my rescue.

I sighed as the door closed again and I double-checked to make sure their Ki's were leaving.

Nappa laughed, "you sass off to Vegeta, but you're scared of some human woman?"

I sputtered, "I'm not scared of her! I just don't really want to deal with- I said shut up!"

Refusing to engage in more conversation I curled under the covers and tried to will myself back to sleep despite the angry energy.

…

Finally, the next day I was released from the hospital. The doctors were most confused over the scab where my tail used to be, but since they couldn't find anything else wrong with me and my few injuries were healing normally, I was let go.

I had just enough time to change and duck out of the house before Chichj decided to do anything.

So, clad in a regular T-shirt and shorts, plus my backpack and sword, GPS in hand I zipped off into the sky. The flight now effortless.

I inputted the address on the pamphlet and just went where the device told me to. Being able to fly over any obstacles made the travel rather short.

And so I was standing in front of a gated orphanage.

Standing there.

I guess I should go in, but really, I doubt they'd even remember and it's just a bunch of kids why would they even-

"Goh? Is that you?"

I started as I turned my head to see a maybe ten-year-old girl with bright purple hair. Her hair was neat and had blue ribbons tied into it. She wore a yellow dress tied with an orange belt. I didn't remember her name, though she clearly knew mine.

"Oh my gosh, it is!" I blinked as I was suddenly engulfed in a hug by the taller girl.

"Come on! Everyone will be so happy to see you! Oh Rom and Chico will be so excited!"

And then I was being dragged by the arm towards the orphanage.

Hmm, guess they're all like this.

"Hey guys! Guess who finally came to visit!" She called out and I really just wanted to tell her to keep it down when two smaller child-shaped objects tumbled over each other.

The two previously spoken of gasped and I was nearly knocked over by the force of their hug.

The siblings Rom and Chico began speaking over each other and I couldn't make much of it out.

"Um, hi?" I smiled awkwardly.

"It's been so long!"

"We were thinking you'd never visit!"

"We were getting worried!"

"What took so long?"

They began asking questions rapid-fire as the other children filed out to the yard. I couldn't get a word in edgewise before another voice interrupted the two.

"And here I was starting to think I'd have to look for you myself."

I turned and looked up to see Pigero leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets. Ok cool guy.

"I doubt you'd have much luck."

He shrugged, "couldn't stop me from trying."

He was dressed mostly the same, though with newer and cleaner clothes, and he doesn't have that headband anymore. Kinda a shame since it did look kinda cool.

Checking back on Rom and Chico who had seized their questions to let Pigero speak, their clothes were newer too.

Chico still dressed in a red Chinese-looking dress, but this one had no tears or dirt. As well as having black tights instead of pink. Rom managed to get dirt smeared on his also much newer but similar simple outfit of a t-shirt and shorts.

I smiled, glad that they were much better kept than last I saw them.

I was brought back to reality when Chico gasped, "what happened to your tail!?"

My face fell into what I will deny being a pout, "some jerk cut it off. It's fine. Probably. It'll grow back in a few months. Dad's did when he was a kid."

Pigero placed a hand on my head with a dangerous smile, "I thought I told you to visit very specifically in one piece."

"Oh? Would you have preferred I waited a few more months then?" Was my ever so innocent reply.

"I might have some words for whoever it was who decided cutting off a limb of a child was a good idea."

"Ah yes, I'll be sure to let him know. 'Hey Mr. Bad Man my friend here wants to have some words for you'"

Any further conversation was interrupted by a plane flying in.

"GOHAN!"

I visibly deflated.

Was it bad I was kinda glad I'd be gone for a month? It was definitely selfish but, still.

"Who's that?" Chico peaked her head around me to see Chichi bounding out of the plane flown by Bulma (traitor) towards us.

"That would be my mother."

"Ohhhh…hmmm"

"Oh Gohan! There you are! You should have told me you were going somewhere, no! You should have asked if you could!"

"I did tell you, at the hospital," immediately I regretted my words as Pigero started at them. He didn't say anything though which I was glad.

"No, you should have asked before you left the house! Honestly what kind of child doesn't ask their mother before leaving the house…"

I never used to ask when going outside to the woods, or does she consider that part of the house?

"Oh! So these are your little friends? I know! You don't go and I'll let you come visit them whenever you want!" She smiled as brightly as she could, to the point where it looked obviously strained.

I looked away, "I'm going," it was not a question.

My knight in shining armor came in the form of Pigero walking forward, "ah, you must be Goh's mother! It's nice to finally meet you!" He extended his hand to shake and his smile could qualify him for a teen acting job.

His other hand signaled behind his back for us to leave and so Rom and Chico dragged me away by the arms.

Once we were a fair enough distance they started asking their questions again, this time much more orderly, and I answered as they came.

But all the while I glanced back at Chichi and Pigero talking. There was something, something wrong with that but I couldn't put my finger on what.

It seemed to go well enough though since soon enough Pigero was walking back over and Chichi went to walk with the woman from when I had first met this group. I should probably get her name.

"Hey, can I speak with Goh alone for a moment?" Ok nope, I was right the first time. Something was definitely wrong.

Regardless of my worrying the other kiddos listened to their leader and returned to the orphanage.

He motioned for us to sit.

"So, first things first, your mother seems quite concerned with you going somewhere in less than a week?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm going somewhere with some of my dad's friends. It'll be a long trip so she's kinda worried."

"Oh? What's it for?"

A lie formed on the tip of my tongue before I remembered our first conversation and it sputtered away.

"It's, to help people." Was my vague, but honest response.

"Ok…how exactly?" He wasn't suspicious before but now he definitely was.

I looked down to think of another response.

"Hey, none of that. Just answer."

Still, I couldn't, not if I wasn't careful with-

"Anything you say stays between us. It won't go any further. Not to any of the other kids, not to Isabella, and not to your mother."

Ok, I guess the woman's name was Isabella.

I sighed and leaned back.

"Piccolo is gone."

Pigero paused, "gone as in he left, or…" he trailed off, not wanting to finish the question.

I only glared down at the grass.

He ran a hand through his hair.

"I see. Look I'm sorry, I, I know you cared about him, and while I can't really understand why, that doesn't matter-"

"Where we're going we can bring him back."

He struggled to respond, "…kid-"

"I know! I know it sounds stupid and idealistic and- look it's- Ok, you missed one of my lies back when we were first talking."

He raised an eyebrow and waited for me to continue.

"Remember, when I said my dad was hurt?"

"Yes."

"That was the lie. He wasn't hurt, he was killed. And it took a year to get him back, at the time. This trip should only take a bit over a month. Month and a half maybe."

Pigero paused. Unsure of how much of what I was saying was true. But I wasn't lying and I knew he could see that. The only issue would be if he thought I was misunderstanding something.

"I just don't want you to be getting your hopes up. I know I'm not exactly intertwined in your world here," he gestured vaguely to me, "but people coming back to life, that's not, something that happens."

"Well unless you think we have time to go over the history of the Dragon Balls, there's not much else for me to say on the matter."

He sighed, looked like he was going to ask, but then he leaned back and sighed.

"Maybe later, but first there's one other thing I have to ask," he trailed off, looking slightly uncomfortable, waiting for me to respond.

"Ok…?" I shifted, suddenly not wanting to be there with the tone shift.

He looked over as if to make sure no one else was around.

"Your mother referred to you with male pronouns…?"

Oh.

Oh no.

That was the thing.

That was the thing that was wrong.

"Hey hey, it's ok. I didn't say anything in front of her or anything like that, I'm just checking in with you first."

I sighed. Ok, that could have been really bad actually. At least with Piccolo, I asked him not to refer to me as a girl in front of the others, but I never even considered any of these kids interacting with someone from canon.

"I just wanted to check, you do prefer being called a girl, right?"

I nodded.

"And you don't want your mother to know?"

I nodded again.

"Anybody else?"

"The only other person who knows is Piccolo."

An odd look covered his face before he sighed, "alright!" He stood up, then raised his voice, "alright you guys can come out again!"

Rom was the first one to poke his head out the door, "you said we could come out?"

Pigero nodded, "Yep!"

And children filed back out into the yard. The lot of them, the only ones whose names I remembered were Rom and Chico, but I recognized from before.

"Alright, you guys keep your voices down."

"We have to discuss something important, and no one else can know ok? As in no one outside this group at all. Understand?"

He didn't move on until he had a chorus of nods from the group.

"Alright. And I cannot stress how important this is, when around anyone, anyone else, Goh is to be referred to as a boy, ok?"

"Ok…but like, why?" The second oldest boy asked.

"Because other people think she is a boy, and she doesn't want to correct them yet. This includes her parents by the way. Just to be clear, she is also to be called a boy in front of her parents."

"So kinda like, a secret identity? Like superheroes have?" The purple-haired girl asked.

"Sure that works, and you absolutely cannot tell anyone about it."

"Wouldn't her parents of all people know if she were a boy or girl…?" The dog boy was also confused.

"Doesn't matter," he waved him off, "it's just how it is in this case."

Eventually, all the kids nodded and accepted Pigero's words at face value. While it probably wasn't the best explanation it'd do for now.

"Wait, can we still call her Goh? Or do we have to say Gohan too?" Chico asked.

"Well, Goh is just shortening her full name, so it should be fine..." Pigero looked down at me, and I nodded.

"Yeah, that's…thanks…"

Pigero smiled and ruffled a hand through my hair, "sure, just be more careful with making sure people know what's up in the future. I mean what if one of us had called you a girl before your mom called you a he? That could have been bad."

I just nodded.

"Now then," Pigero's hand tensed and I looked up. That dangerous smile was back, "what's this I hear about a hospital?"

Yeah I was not subtle at all in the fact that these kiddos would be coming back, but like, if I surprised you anyway, uh thanks