Seen a few clips for Super Hero and I'm torn. On one hand, My giving SIGohan red eyes is now rooted in canon, on the other people are gonna think I took it from there. It still looks really cool. Love the silver hair too. Also, can't decide if I like the hair being so fluffy or not.

Anyway, super long chapter because I was not splitting this again. Especially after not updating last week.
Can't believe I originally thought I wasn't gonna make a whole chapter out of this and then I far more than doubled what I thought it'd be

Also, only actually responding to this review because I genuinely found it funny, to the dearest guest who certainly isn't reading and couldn't even be bothered to use an account to review: I'm cis, genius. Even if I wasn't that wouldn't change the premise of this being a Reincarnation fic. It quite literally is a "female soul in a male body" Why would you even click on a fic that you can tell from the summary you wouldn't like?

thewittywhy: Love Zenkai Abuse. All the homies love Zenkai Abuse.
And yeah, I have a different plan entirely for the Cell saga, but in an ideal setting, that would be the logical turn of events

Kitsune-Queen91: A fair guess for the Radish love interest. Solid reasoning. What shall happen? Nobody knows. Except me. I knows.

Reishin Amara: Ah yes, Bulma has had a very good time in the aftermath of the Cooler shenanigans

Mara. Kag: There are a few movies I think could take place, but yeah most of them have to be alternate timelines/universes at best

"Kakarot is stealing food off the brat's plate."

"Goku!"

Goku managed to wait until he swallowed to respond, "Aw, but he doesn't even like it!"

I watched in dismay as Chichi piled more fish than there was to begin with on my plate.

Granted, the Sayain appetite was starting to be an annoyance but I'd much rather fill up on rice and maybe a few vegetables than eat fish.

Maybe I could ask Bulma if there was some way to deal with that. She's been working on the healing pods, both the ones found on Frieza's ship and more from Cooler's. She had a field day when she learned about that. The alien ship, that is. Not the earth almost being destroyed.

And I have to assume that Future Bulma was the one who developed the assumably half Sayain safe puberty blockers. So like, if she can make those, something to add a few extra calories without having to outeat an army has to be possible, right?

Of course, this line of thought was distracting from the main issue, as I more poked at the fish than actually ate any.

I regret letting Raditz step into this house. While he and Goku might not be besties, he and Chichi actually acted like I'd expect sibling in-laws. Not particularly close, but enough so that Raditz knows exactly how to make trouble for Goku and I.

Raditz kinda bounced between here and Capsule Corp now. He spent more time here, because of Vegeta, and the fact that he's actually taking training a bit more seriously now, but still, he preferred Capsule Corp as his actual residence. It makes sense, it was bigger and had things to do.

Also, I think he's been helping out Bulma's dad? The last two times I ran into him he's been very poorly pretending like he wasn't helping. I'm half tempted to point it out, but I'm almost afraid it might set him back in doing anything.

I, really don't think he likes this. Training mostly, he's actually trying now, but it's still obviously not his favorite thing. I mean, I don't like training, but I like the competition of it. Fighting, it's kinda hard to say. I'm sure he likes it when he's winning a fight, but he hasn't exactly gotten much of that lately. I think it's wearing down his enjoyment.

He ah, definitely still likes being stronger than people though. Earlier on in the year, I ran into him as he was heading back from CC. He was, ever so slightly threatening some actual normal people.

On one hand, the group were definitely bandits and had probably tried to steal from him, but on the other hand, he definitely would have killed them so- yeah I interrupted him. Might have sprayed him with one of those cat spray bottles. Seemed appropriate.

He doesn't even consider training at Capsule Corp. Even I've gone in the Gravity Room a couple times. It's not my favorite. It's pretty big as to not feel cramped, but it's still not, ideal. I prefer training outdoors where the only thing I'd have to worry about is trees, and those can be fun to weave around. (Ok the ideal would be training in a large space with air conditioning but, we can't have everything I suppose)

Also, I don't think he likes the idea of training with Nappa. And obviously, Vegeta's out of the question. He'll talk with Nappa, even snip and bicker in the right circumstances, but honestly, it's barely better than him and Goku. And uh, obviously at this point, he was still avoiding Vegeta as much as possible.

I don't think it's as much fear anymore. I think he's kinda taken note of how no one really takes Vegeta too seriously. I think he just, doesn't like Vegeta. Whether it's because he didn't want to wish him back or just general dislike, or both, I couldn't say.

Probably both.

Piccolo was still pretty much a no go though. He doesn't flinch away anymore when Piccolo shows up, I think sensing helped with that, but anything more than two words? Not happening. Piccolo does not help in this matter.

Speaking of whom, it didn't take much for him to make me a new sword. He was still on his, "you don't need it" stance, but he's just a big ol softy. The new one was a better fit in size and weight for me now than the old one anyway.

Man, I can't even pretend to be full, there are two cases of proof against it here. I'm pretty sure Raditz eats the least of the four sayains, but that does not mean much when any of them could win four consecutive eating contests.

I suffered in silence and ate the bare minimum I could get away with.

And more rice.

Gohan's namesake.

If Chichi didn't want me eating a majority rice they should've have named me that.

I sat by as Chichi cleared the dishes. I hated watching other people do dishes, it made me feel like I should be doing something. I also hate doing dishes. Touching wet old food is the worst and also illegal.

It's not like I really could help even if I wanted. There wasn't much space and I was too small to do anything but get in the way.

Chichi had a struck no flying in the house policy. Truly would be a shame to break it.

Raditz was frowning. At this point, it shouldn't be a notable detail, but specifically, he was frowning and avoiding looking at Goku. Enough so that Goku actually noticed.

"Is something wrong?"

It took a moment for Raditz to realize that it was him being spoken to. He took a moment to debate just ignore him or not.

He sighed, looking like he was regretting his response before he even said anything.

"I just, find it funny, for lack of a better word, that you can look exactly like our father, but act, nothing like him."

"Oh, I never really thought about if I look like anyone…hey I have an idea-"

"Don't hurt yourself."

"What if you told me about your, or, I mean our, parents, and I can tell you about my Grandpa Gohan! He's the one who found and raised me."

"You named your child after the person who raised you?"

"Yeah! Well, it was Ox King's idea, that's Chichi's dad, but, I really liked it."

"Huh…"

I kinda felt like I was intruding on a conversation now. I snuck off back to my room for the night.

…

Hanging out with Pigero's gang were still my favorite days. It was just nice, I could just hang out and not worry about, anything. Even in terms of social interaction, if I got distracted and missed something, the kiddos were more than happy to repeat themselves.

I did tend to spend the most time with Rom and Chico. They were closest to my physical age after all. Ena was probably the most after that, she liked to brush my hair.

Of course, the person I spent the least time with I was now alone in a room with. Hacchi.

I obviously couldn't just leave because then it'd look like I was avoiding him. Which I wasn't- I just, had nothing to say and obviously he didn't like me.

I focused on slowly threading ki through my new little friendship bracelet instead. It wouldn't make it indestructible, but it'd at least make it so it wouldn't break off in a training accident.

"Hey."

And now he was talking to me.

"Do you have any idea how much he worries about you?"

I looked up.

"Pigero. Every time you get into trouble, or at least every time he finds out about, he worries and frets and there's absolutely nothing he can do. He knows that and he worries anyway."

"It's not like I asked him to worry…"

"Do you think that matters?"

"It's not like I was ever given a choice when telling him things. And when I do it's super censored."

"Really? Going to some alien planet and getting a slice torn out of your arm is censored? Being kidnapped by your Uncle who you're now just buddies with is censored?"

"Yeah. It is." I felt far too defensive. I needed to tone down. I shouldn't not be putting this much care into what a teenager says.

It's not like he was wrong anyway. Pigero was barely a baby adult, having just turned 18 a couple months ago. He had no business worrying about other kids when he was still practically a kid, let alone having done so for years now.

"Besides, what'd you prefer? If I just stopped talking to him? I'm sure that won't cause him to worry." Granted he wouldn't have worried in the first place if I hadn't told him stuff before.

Hacchi frowned, no response.

"Why do you even spend time here? You gotta have more fantastical friends to hang out with? Why bother?"

"Because I like having friends? I don't know. I like having somewhere separate from everything else."

My response only made Hacchi frown more, "why do you talk like that? No eight year old talks like that."

Oh no. Someone actually calling me out on that.

Well to be fair, Gohan in canon was also absurdly smart. If anything I was probably trailing behind him academically.

I could only shrug, having no actual response.

Luckily Chico chose that moment to realize I was no longer in the vicinity and came to collect me.

At least I knew why he didn't like me now? Not that I had much means to fix it.

…

Hey so, if you were wondering, tail training is the worst.

Granted it was something I could mostly do passively, just whenever I was sitting around or whatever. But if I wanted to make significant progress, it hurt man, and I refused to let anyone else do it.

"What are you-" a voice cut itself off.

I turned my head to see Raditz slowly trying to sneak away, obviously figuring out what it was I was doing.

Wait-

Raditz-

Raditz never trained away his tail weakness-

"Hey Radish-"

"No."

"Don't you have to-"

"No."

"Didn't you never-"

"No."

"We have some new training to do-"

"You stay away from me!"

Tail training was slightly less terrible with a friembd. As much as that word might be stretched in this case

As for my normal training, since Raditz outright refused to train with Piccolo that meant I was either training with him or Piccolo whenever he was around to avoid that matchup.

Training with Raditz, yeah I was still always winning, but he was visibly putting more effort into it which was nice.

Training with Piccolo was, well, training with Piccolo. He did not tend to pull punches and was the most serious about it. I was most used to training with Piccolo so it was also where I was most productive, even if I ended up with more bruises than probably necessary by the end of the day.

Training with Goku was, different. I'm not sure how to describe it exactly. He was better at power scaling back to accommodate a weaker opponent, in this case me, but it never felt like I was pushed quite as far. It's not like I felt like he was necessarily going easy on me, it just, I was more used to Piccolo's style. I guess.

Raditz and Goku's training was better than it was before. Still not the best, but with Raditz actually trying it wasn't quite moot anymore. I still can't quite pin down their interactions. They still definitely didn't act like brothers, but it was better? Maybe a bit closer than before at least.

And Goku had spent a bit of free time to show Ocari how to use the Power Pole properly. It was cute. Ocari had come up from a power level of 50 to a few hundred over the time skip. It wasn't grand scheme, but he should at least be able to protect Bulma from, her own chaotic nature really.

Studying, was still studying. Not much to note. I kept up my patterns enough to please Chichi, and nothing more. Only now I had an extra thing to distract me in tail training. Which is still stupid.

…

It was an early fall's day. As I had for the past few years now, I retreated from everyone else. That was my day. I didn't quite want to see other people on that day.

…

Interacting with mostly the same people for over two years is, unsurprisingly, a bit grating. Plus, I was curious.

Ok, I wanted to see Krillin. I'd barely gotten to interact with him on that dumb camping trip.

His training wasn't much comparatively, but I also had an unfair comparison point. Raditz, who was a Sayain, couldn't even keep up with it, so to expect Krillin to isn't exactly fair. If anything, I should probably be questioning how I keep up with it well enough. Probably just falling into the pattern.

Spending time with Krillin again was nice, though he pretty quickly noticed how much stronger I was and made note of it.

He was genuinely congratulatory, but I still felt a bit awkward about it. He didn't seem to notice which was probably a good thing.

Krillin resumed his training of cycling through movements and practicing his Ki waves, making a show of splitting the waves with a Kamehameha.

It was nice to just watch, sitting on the porch.

"Why hello there little one!" I was brought out of my state by an elderly voice.

I turned to see Master Roshi standing on the porch, also looking over Krillin's training.

"Oh, uh, hi?"

"I can't help but notice that we haven't yet had a proper conversation."

"I mean, I guess not…?" It's not like there's been much to say.

The old man sighed as he settle down to sit beside me. I scooted over to, make more space.

Ok, I could acknowledge the fact that Roshi has done good, he's the one who started Goku and Krillin's real training after all. But, that didn't justify his more famous character trait.

"So how's your training going then?"

Ah, more training talk.

"It's fine."

"I hear you're training with Piccolo? He's certainly come around these past few years. I hear it's thanks to you."

"If you mean talking to him and treating him like a person, then sure."

"Ah, well. Granted we never quite reached out to him, but he didn't exactly leave the best first impression either. One can hardly blame us for making assumptions, especially in affiliation with his father."

I didn't respond. That wouldn't have happened if someone had interacted with him as a kid. Course I couldn't really blame most of the main cast for that, I'm pretty sure they didn't even know Piccolo existed then. I could, however, blame Kami. Technically I understand that Evil half kid=also evil was his mentality, but also like, child. He could have at least tried.

Technically Goku also knew, but he was just kinda doing what Kami told him to do so like, not his fault.

"You seem to surround yourself with interesting characters, now don't you? It was you who brought back your father's brother, wasn't it?" Oh great, more questioning on who I spend time with. I never had to deal with this before.

Now was there any way to make a joke about him using the word characters there with it making sense without a show reference?

No, don't think so.

Oh well.

I settled on humming in affirmation.

"What made you want to do that? I would think you'd have every reason not to."

I shrugged, "why not?"

"Ah, that'd be a proper response if you had made a decision in the heat of the moment, like not allowing that fellow Nappa to die, or if you just passively allowed it to happen, but you made the active choice to wish him back to life. There must be a better reason."

"Seemed like a neat thing to do." Even if I wanted to repeat my reasons for the dozenth time, Roshi was far from the first person I owned an explanation to.

"Not budging I see. Oh well, enough of that then. How about you? What is it you like to do?"

"Draw. Play games. Watch shows."

"I see, pretty normal things for a kid your age. What about girls? Anyone suit your fancy?" My lip curled as his unfortunately familiar laugh sounded.

"No."

"Ah well, maybe once you're older. Your father wasn't so much a lady's man when he was young either. Didn't seem to make a difference to your mother though."

"…right…"

"Not much of a talker are you?"

I shrugged.

"Say, how about you do me a favor?"

If it'll get me out of here, just about anything at this point.

Roshi got up with less effort than a man his age should have given, walking back into his house. He returned a moment later, a shoebox in hand.

"Could'ya return this to my sister for me? I'd go myself, but for a man my age, quite the effort," he handed the box over, "don't open it, it's rather, important you see."

Important enough to be stored in a shoebox?

Wait, a sister? Since when did he have- oh right, the fortune teller lady. FortuneTeller Baba? I think it was. Well, at least I'll get to meet someone new.

Roshi started explaining where it was, pointing off into the distance as if that would actually tell me how to get there.

I sighed, bringing out my phone instead, and opening the maps app.

"Could you just put it in here?"

"Ah, one of those fancy new mobile phones, let's see.." Roshi took the phone and began poking at the screen.

"You just-"

"No no, don't tell me, I can figure this out."

I ended up sitting there for ten minutes longer than necessary, but he did, in fact, eventually figure it out.

The flight wasn't long and I saved the location on said phone. I doubt I'd have much reason to come back here but just in case.

I didn't even consider opening the box. I didn't care. It was probably something stupid.

The location did look familiar, it was in the original Dragon Ball I think. Some mini-tournament or something. Yeah, that had Grandpa Gohan in it, didn't it? Where Baba brought him back to life for a day. Neat.

It was surrounded by more water than I remembered. Probably a failing on my memory in that regard.

"What'dya want kid? If you're here for a telling, let me tell you now you can't afford it," I turned my head to see a little old lady dressed as a witch floating on a glass ball.

"Your brother asked me to give this to you," I held out the box.

"My brother? What does that no good-" she opened the box a crack, then immediately closed it with a start, "- that little- sending a child to- bet it's just because he's too lazy to bother-" she floated away back to her building, "well? Come on then. I'm sure it was a long way to travel, I bet the fool didn't even give you anything for your trouble."

"I mean, it got me out of talking with him so like- that's good enough for me really."

The Fortuneteller barked a laugh, waving me inside as she spoke about it "serving him right." One of the skeletons standing just inside her doorway as if guards waved at me. Ok then.

It was a nice place all things considered, though a bit dark to live in long term.

"What do children drink? Not alcohol, definitely not alcohol-" she rummaged through various cupboards as she muttered to herself, "ah forget it, you get water." She left the room only to return with a pitcher of ice water, only to squint, "actually are you a child?"

"Uh-"

"Oh never mind I don't care. Makes no difference to me. You're Son Goku's child are you not?"

"Yeah I- I have not said my name- how could you know that without any of your, magical, voodoo whatever."

"Eh, I've seen you before. Watched in on that Sayain fight a few years ago. Quite a show."Baba spoke almost distractedly as she shoved the box up on a shelf, too talk for her to reach without the floating ball.

Silence fell over as I just kinda, sipped the water.

"So, you're a Fortuneteller? What's mine say?" I joked to try and lighten the mood.

And she, did not immediately turn it down. Instead, she turned, a sly grin forming on her face, "would you like to know?"

"What? I mean- I was joking! Don't you usually charge like, a million Zeni?"

"Ten million actually. The only thing I hate more than not getting paid is my brother not paying properly. One fortune for one favor. This is however a one-time offer, it will not be applicable later nor in future favors," she said that last part as if a business disclaimer, "why? Are you afraid of what you'll see?"

"I mean, no- I'm not-" I technically already know the major future events, and seeing what would actually happen would probably just stress me out more than I already was. But that didn't mean I was afraid per se

"Afraid of what I'll see?"

"I- uh, no- that's not-" ok I might have failed to consider that, this actually probably isn't-

"No need to worry. Anything shown is by a strict client confidentiality. Got to build trust with my clientele after all. No exceptions."

"…" it's not that I was worried- I just- "I don't really think- if I know things will go well I might not try as hard- and if I know things will go bad I'd just feel discouraged and bad- I don't, I don't think it's a good idea-"

"How about I look further ahead then? Far enough that whatever is currently bothering you won't have effect, say, twenty years?" She rolled her eyes, as if exasperated by my refusal.

That, might not be so bad. At least that far ahead I'll know I didn't mess things up bad enough to destroy everything. Twenty years? That'd be like, around Super in the timeline, maybe even later.

I just barely nodded. That was good enough for Baba, who hopped down from her crystal ball and placed it on a pedestal.

"Now then. As a disclaimer. The further out a prediction is, the less accurate it may be. It entirely depends on you acting as you normally would, any great deviation may affect the results. This is unlikely, but possible."

"Ok…"

"You sit over there and do not move." She point to where I was already sitting as she sat directly opposite.

They waved her hands over the ball, speaking man incantation, "Oh hoi, hoi, hoi, poi..."

An image slowly appeared in the ball, but from my point of view it was only blurred shapes and colors, I couldn't make out any real details.

"I see a young woman with a boy. One I have not yet seen, nor do I expect to anytime soon. You also, have not yet met him. I cannot quite tell if they are married or in a close relationship, but it is happy, with a child."

"I ain't having kids," I interjected. I realize this world was weird and fantastical, but I could not imagine getting past that.

"I did not say it was your child. No, it is certainly not your's, biologically speaking. The child does seem to be fond of you however."

I frowned, adopting, does seem to be more likely. With my track record in this world, I'd almost be more surprised if I didn't.

I guess it must be some random kid though, since I can't think of any canon kids that'd need adopting.

Any potential boys would probably be random bystanders too, wouldn't they? I can't imagine anyone in the age range in canon. I wouldn't even feel comfortable dating someone age-appropriate for Gohan until I was at least in my 20s again.

"Can I see?" I craned my neck to the side only for the Fortuneteller to immediately drop her hands and the image faded away.

"Well it'd be no fun if you were just handed all the answers, now would it? Besides, knowing who one's future partner is, tends to make one act as they normally would not, which would affect the reading. Besides, even I have no idea how you come across that child. Any interference there might affect that one."

I pouted, but couldn't fault her reasoning. Oh well, it's far in the future anyway. I'd probably forget about it before it was relevant.

Wait- that, kinda implies that the child must mean something to canon, doesn't it? Or at least not be a norm on earth?

Oh well, I clearly wasn't getting anything more out of Baba either way.

I guess I should be leaving then, Baba was certainly ushering me out. I paused at seeing her little fighting ring as I remembered her other ability.

"Hey, could I ask one other dumb favor?"

"I've already repaid you in full a dozen times over. Don't get greedy."

"Ok, but like, I'm pretty sure you're the only person able to."

"Yeah? I hear that all the time, now get out."

"It's not even for me-"

"Should I count off every time I've heard these things? You won't be getting anything more out of me unless it comes with a nice ten million."

For some reason, hearing what I wanted changed her mind on that matter. She claimed it to be conditional, but didn't say what the conditions were.

Regardless I was too tired to deal with any of it for now, she said she wouldn't be up for it for a few months anyway.

…

"What am I looking at exactly?" I asked as I stood in the lab of Capsule Corp.

"She's carrying Vegeta's precious heir." was all a completely deadpan Raditz had to say as he rolled his eyes.

It was completely understandable however, considering everywhere Bulma went, Nappa was just a few steps behind her, as if afraid a gust of wind would blow her away.

"You should see him when she tags along to her father's business meetings," Raditz almost sounded amused, "apparently a stuffy room filled with old scientists is far too dangerous for her to go alone. Of course they can't just let him go like that-" he pointed to Nappa's training armor. It had changed a few times over the past couple years, but was still fundamentally the same, "they got one of those ridiculous earth suits tailored for him. I think he half uses it as an excuse to flirt," Raditz's lip curled in disgust at the thought.

Similarly, my nose scrunched up.

"Wait, where is Vegeta anyway?"

"Hell if I know. He found out that Kakarot had actually reached Super Sayain and that's what the Future boy's hair change actually was and went off to who knows where to "train.""

"Why are you here?" Raditz asked, only now wondering apparently.

"Huh, oh right. Mom says you have to be at the house next week. No exceptions."

"Why?"

"No exceptions!"

I retreated before he could respond again.

…

Gohan's birthday was kinda just that, Gohan's birthday. I didn't have much connection to it, but everyone expected me to so I played along.

I got to have a dinner of foods that I wanted, and a cake of my choice. Presents were mostly books from Chichi, though a few were ones I had wanted.

The Ox-King was over the moon with the fact that I had normal child interests now, and I got several Digimon figures, the kind you build yourself. They were, admittedly, really cool.

Krillin got me some sketchbooks and colored pencils, and Bulma sent over a gift card wrapped with a certain pink shirt with Raditz, since she obviously realized why Raditz was being forced to come.

Raditz, was there. He obviously had no idea how to act. He wasn't rude at least, which was almost more unnerving than anything else.

By the end of the night I was socially exhausted, but not necessarily in a bad way. I unboxed the most complicated looking figure first. An Imperialdramon. Objectively a cool looking Digimon, even if it's not one of my favorites.

I felt a slight spike of ki and looked up to see a cardboard box sitting on my windowsill. I smiled to myself.

I was slightly surprised he bothered, at least for the fact that he knew it wasn't actually my birthday.

It wasn't wrapped, which at least made cutting it open cleaner.

I paused as I opened the box. To be honest, I didn't even think he knew the show was even called Digimon, only ever acknowledging it as "that dumb show" or something of the like.

It wasn't even that that got to me though. It was dumb, it's not like he could have known. But I still couldn't help the melancholy feeling as I saw the Terriermon plush that was so similar to the one I had in my previous life.

The thought of Piccolo asking someone about Digimon was funny enough to bring me out of it though.

Regardless, I guess I had my favorite present of the night.

…

"Wanna practice flying?"

Pigero looked up at me as a floated above. He was the only one who really got a hang of flying himself. Ena almost could, but she wasn't confident in going higher than a few feet into the air without help. She still really liked the actual feeling of flying though. They could both make little ki blasts, Rom could make a slight spark of one.

"Uh, sure. I don't have anything going on today," he said, "is it just, flying in general or…?"

I floated higher, prompting him to follow, "nope! We're going somewhere," I said once we were out of earshot, "I uh, could only really choose one, and barely that, so uh, maybe don't tell any of the others."

"Tell them what?"

"I probably shouldn't say until we get there, just in case she changes her mind, again."

"Who?"

I didn't respond as we got higher into the air, and that's what Pigero became preoccupied with instead.

I flew backwards a bit ahead of him, keeping an eye so that if anything happened, especially as we started flying over the ocean.

"How- how far are we going exactly?"

"You should be able to make it."

"Should?" His eyes snapped up to mine for refocusing on the water below again.

"It'll be fine. It's not like I'd let you fall."

Pigero didn't look convinced but he didn't complain again at least.

By the time we reached a shore again Pigero definitely needed to stop and rest.

"You ok?"

"Yeah- totally- totally fine-" he said as he was doubled over panting.

He glanced up squinting, "you're not- even winded-" he managed, not quite in between breaths but more as he exhaled.

I just kinda, shrugged. How else was I really meant to respond to that?

I offered my water bottle which was all but snatched as he sat down.

"Please tell me we're almost to- wherever it is you're taking me."

"Uh, about half an hour at this speed."

Pigero groaned under his breath, "alright. I guess. I should point out, that this is not flying practice. This is a flying marathon."

"Well, I mean I'm fine-"

"Yeah well, obviously you're cheating some system out there."

Fair. Said system being biology.

It took half an hour for Pigero to feel up to flying again, but he made it the rest of the way without much issue.

"And where is here, exactly?" Pigero asked once he caught his breath again.

"This is Fortuneteller Baba's home."

"…is that name supposed to mean something to me?"

"Probably not. She's a Fortuneteller who way overprices her services."

"Ok…and we are here because…?"

"There's this one other thing she can do- which she said that she would-"

"Conditionally! I said conditionally! That depends entirely on your friend here." Baba floated out, just as she had before, just in time to interrupt.

She suddenly floated much too far into Pigero's personal space as she looked him over, grabbing his wrists and looking into his eyes.

"Yes, you should do nicely. Alright youngster. Here's the deal. I can bring one person back from the dead for 24 hours, or two for 6 hours-"

"…what…?"

"Wouldn't that be two for 12 hours?" I questioned.

"-Don't question me child- if! There's an if! You come back here and learn under me for, what was it, say eight months. Yes that should do. You study under me for at minimum eight months."

"What?" It was my turn to question.

"Most of my abilities, such as Divination, take years upon years to learn, but a few months should cover the basics of magic. Bringing people back for a day takes centuries of learning and connections, so I wouldn't get your hopes up on that one."

"People don't just- come back to life that's not- wait did you say centuries?"

"Yeah? Tell that to the child's father and most of their friends. And yes, despite my youthful good looks, I have walked this earth longer than its current guardian, who, between you and me, isn't long left for his position."

"Guardian-? What are- Wait no, that's not- people don't just come back to life- you can't just-"

"Would you like to stake your chance of seeing them again on that assumption?"

"…"

"What harm would playing along for an hour or so bring? I have no issue holding my end of the bargain in advance, as I already know that you will hold yours if you agree."

"Why? Even if, even if what you say is true, your price is teaching me? Isn't that just, a win-win in my favor?"

"Perhaps it is. However, I've grown tired of my brother always bragging about his precious students, how even his quote-unquote grandchild, because apparently, his students are also his children, is stronger than almost anyone on the planet. So, I've decided I need a student of my own, to rub in his face in turn. You got lucky kid. Don't turn it away."

"I…alright, fine. I'll play along. Why, not…"

"Excellent, you," she pointed at Pigero, "stay here, and you," she pointed at me, "I don't care what you do."

She made to leave the room, "oh, almost forgot. Names, date of birth. And, of course, date of death."

Pigero grimaced but provided the information nonetheless.

She then left the room and went, somewhere. Soon enough I couldn't sense her energy at all anymore.

I quickly ran the math and yeah ok, even if the Cell saga ran super long for some reason, there should be absolutely no reason he should be done in time. There are five too many months there for that. Even if he finished and got really cocky about it, which didn't line up at all with him as a person, he shouldn't be in danger of plot at least until the seven-year time skip.

"So uh, Goh…"

"Yeah."

"This Fortuneteller Baba, she's- odd."

"Yeah."

"Do you, do you actually think she can, bring people back, I mean that, even your Dragon Ball story seems more plausible than some just being able to do that."

"I wouldn't have brought you here if I didn't think she could. That'd be mean…The person who adopted my dad died when dad was still young. When my dad was, I'm pretty sure it was 12, he ran into Fortuneteller Baba. To get her to tell him a fortune without having to pay the ten million he had to fight in a sort of tournament. The last person he had to fight was his Grandpa Gohan, who ah, if it wasn't obvious, I was named after."

"…that, sounds like a nice story, but I still can't imagine it being true."

"I can't imagine a lot of things in this world being true."

Pigero could only nod in agreement.

I didn't have much more to say, and evidently neither did he, but still, I stuck around until I once again could sense Baba, her voice familiar and clearly speaking to someone else.

Pigero jolted at the voice who responded, jumping to his feet. It was unfamiliar to me, but obviously not to him.

Pigero couldn't seem to find any words for a moment, only staring into the doorway that Baba had disappeared into and quickly coming back to.

He turned to me, "I-"

"I think I was gonna head out," I stood to back away, "I, wouldn't want to take what time you have…"

"That's not- I-" Pigero's head turned back to the doorway, before shaking it and turning to me, "Goh, I- thank you- it's- I don't know-"

"I didn't really do much. Just asked if she could."

"No- no it's- you have no idea how much this means-" his voice broke- no bad, crying bad, he had better not- I have no idea how I'm supposed to deal with people crying-

"It's nothing, I'd have felt bad if I didn't try. That's all."

"…it's- thank you. That's all. Thank you- sorry-" he rubbed at his eyes.

He was thankfully once again distracted by the voices coming ever closer, almost to the door.

I snuck out just as Baba reentered the room, just barely making out two other silhouettes beside her.

…

I gazed up at the darkening sky as I walked back home.

It'd been a few weeks since the whole Baba thing.

Pigero's place of residence was still the orphanage, I'm pretty sure neither of them would want him staying there. That did have the unfortunate side effect of him having to fly back and forth every few days. The first few times I went with him to make sure he wouldn't tumble out of the sky, but eventually he was confident enough in the path to get there on his own.

I made it inside just as it started to rain.

As the night went on, the storm only grew heavier.

I sat on the couch, trying to draw, but only really looking out the window in concern.

It was dumb to be worried. I knew that. I knew Piccolo has spent time in worse weather than this. Heck, I've slept my way through similar storms when living on my own for those six months. That was before he had even given me my cloak.

Still, I couldn't help but look out in concern.

Suddenly I heard a sigh, I turned my head only to see Chichi marching towards the door and prying it open.

"Gohan!" She pointed out the door, "go and don't you come back unless it's with Piccolo in tow!"

I blinked, confused for a moment. Then A small smile grew on my lips. I guess I wasn't being too subtle about my worry then, wasn't I?

I ran to get my cape, a newer hooded variety. It had been long enough that I outgrew the old one and figured if I was gonna get a new one anyway, might as well get one with an added function.

I weaved my way through the trees, quickly pinpointing Piccolo's ki signature and making my way to it, eventually finding him meditating in a cave.

"What are you doing here? You do know it's raining?"

"Yeah. Mom was super concerned about you being out here in the rain so she sent me to go get you. Specifically said not to come back without you."

"Seems out of character of her to kick you out indefinitely."

"Yeah, you should probably just come back with me. Make it easier for everyone."

"A shame. That I won't."

…

…

…

So anyway we headed back to the house. Piccolo only slightly sulking. He actively had to duck his head a bit to fit through the door.

He looked actively uncomfortable in the living room, retreating to the back corner, as if to be able to watch the entire room, keeping the entrance in sight.

He actively looked more comfortable out in the rain. I am quite certain he would flee at the slightest provocation.

Remarkably, his clothes were not wet. Probably protected himself with Ki. I probably should have done that actually.

"I gotta change, I'll be right back. Stay here."

I ran off to change as quickly as I could. The dry pajamas feeling much nicer than the soaked-through day clothes.

I returned. Piccolo had not moved. In the slightest.

I grabbed his wrist and lead him to the couch. He looked, slightly less awkward sitting at least. Key word being slightly.

Chichi tossed a few more logs into the fireplace before standing up, "would you like anything to eat, Piccolo?"

"I don't eat."

"…alright. If you need anything, just ask."

Predictably, Piccolo did not ask.

If he needed anything or not it went silent.

Still, I sat next to him, focusing instead on my sketchbook.

I couldn't tell you exactly when, but eventually, he seemed to relax a bit. And further on when I glanced up his eyes were even closed. Could he have been meditating again? Yeah probably. He looked suspiciously asleep to me though.

Between the quiet and the fire, eventually, I too drifted asleep.

I woke up to see Piccolo, remarkably, still there. At some point either he had draped the corner of his cape over me, or I had stolen it for myself. I could not say which was more likely.

Regardless, now that I was awake, cape blanket privileges have been revoked and it was removed.

The rain had probably long since cleared and Piccolo was already as I was barely sitting up.

"Piccolo," Chichi seemed to materialize in with remarkable timing, Piccolo paused but didn't turn towards her, "Gohan cares about you, so if you ever need anything, you will always be welcomed here."

"…I will, keep that in mind," he took a step, "thank you." And then it was more like he was escaping than leaving.

…

On one day we, including Raditz this time, got back from training to find Chichi seething in front of the kitchen table, an every so slightly tattered grocery bag behind her.

"Uh, hey Chichi, how was your day?" Goku at least picked up that something was off.

"How was my day? HOW WAS MY DAY?! Well gosh Goku, I just don't know what my favorite part was! Was it being chased down the road by a wild boar?! Or was it walking the rest of the way on my aching feet?! I just can decide! All because we're the only house in this District that can't be bothered to get a car!"

"Well gosh Chichi, even if we had a car, neither of us has a driver's license," Goku rubbed the back of his head.

"Exactly! So you need to get one! Understand! Honestly what grown man can't drive a car?"

"Uh-" Goku looked around the room to see Raditz now sitting at the table, looking quite amused, "well Raditz doesn't have one either!"

Raditz didn't even blink twice. Instead, he reached into a pocket and brought out an actual just normal wallet. And out from it came a standard driver's license.

"I've lived here for three years. Why wouldn't I?" He asked smirking, almost grinning, sounding remarkably smug about it.

"Uh- that's uh- hey Piccolo…"

"You leave me out of this!"

To be honest I'm not sure why Piccolo comes back with us this far since he still generally refuses to come inside. But what's important is it has led to the quite funny situation.

Ah yes, it was now more than clear what was happening here. The car driving filler.

"THAT'S IT! BOTH OF YOU! BOTH OF YOU ARE GOING TO DRIVER'S SCHOOL AND GETTING LICENSES!"

"Excuse me?" Piccolo asked.

"That's right! You stay at my house you go by my rules!"

"I am not staying in your house," Piccolo pointed out, still stubbornly outside.

"Well that's that," Chichi nodded satisfied, "And if you don't go, then you have to cook your own meals from now on!"

"I don't eat," Piccolo again pointed out, Goku, meanwhile, looked horrified at the concept.

"Just do it!"

…

Goku picked at the collar of his orange button up, undoing several of the top buttons until his undershirt was plenty visible.

Piccolo was absolutely just brooding in the outfit that Chichi somehow forced him into. It amazes me how easily he can be swayed into going along with things.

Piccolo glared at me as I grinned, as if it was my fault he was stuck like this.

If there was anything, anything I could regret, it was the fact that I couldn't follow and watch. But alas, today was a studying day, and Chichi was very protective of those days. Even if I could sneak out, it wasn't worth the trouble of her inevitably finding out.

Still, it wasn't until after the two had come back, having obviously failed, that I asked why Chichi herself couldn't just get a license. Cutting out the middle man entirely would be more convenient for everyone.

And with that last moment of levity did I glance at the calendar to see the days dwindling away as the plot once again approached.

Hey, I acknowledged that Baba exists. Yeah, I brought up Pigero's parents twice so I kinda had to pay that off, and obviously, I couldn't just have Baba be a nice person just, because. That'd be ridiculous.

As for the Fortune, I was gonna hint towards the end of the Cell saga, but since we're relatively close to that and I've already hinted at it a fair bit that felt redundant, and it felt awkward to have a literal fortuneteller and have her predict nothing, so I hinted towards one of my long-term plans. The main one really. I left myself a bit of leeway in the case for some reason I change it but something serious has to change for that to happen

If you want to try and guess you can, but especially with the kid, Good Luck. I honestly do not expect anyone to guess who the kid is.