Farewell

Goku, Tien, Krillin, Yamcha, Master Roshi, Khami and Mr Popo stood with sombre faces in the middle of the wastelands. The dead body of Chiaotzu lay in front of them, wrapped in a white cloth.

It was a starry night. The half moon was up as well.

Tien, Krillin and Yamcha had multiple bandages upon them.

Goku, meanwhile, was totally wrapped in bandages. It appeared a miracle how he was still standing. Still he had been determined to participate in the last rites of his fallen friend.

All of them except for Goku stepped forward and began to dig the earth. Soon a grave had been dug.

Tien took up Chiaotzu's body in his arms and descended into the grave. With steely eyes he lay down his best friend. The three-eyed man then jumped out.

All of them collectively began to put soil over Chiaotzu's body, filling up the grave. "From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time..." they lightly spoke the verses as they buried him.

Soon, it was done.

Master Roshi sighed. "To God we belong and to God we shall return. May you rest in peace, Chiaotzu."

It was then that Tien's eyes began to water. He put his elbow over his face to hide his expression. "Chiaotzu..." He had been his only friend. He had been his little brother. For the past 20 or so years, they had ate together, trained together and fought together as well. He couldn't believe his friend was no longer with him.

Yamcha put his hand on Tien's shoulder. "Have patience, Tien."

It was extremely rare for Tien to ever get this emotional.

Krillin looked down. His fight with Chiaotzu in the world martial arts tournament seemed like just yesterday. He had hated him at that time. He didn't know that one day the same person's death would leave him grief-stricken.

As all of them stood there silently, Khami started to address his pupils. "Chiaotzu was a good person. For the last many years he had been an obedient servant of God. I hope he is awarded high ranks in paradise."

Everyone nodded. "Amen."

Tien looked at the old green man. "You are right. Ever since the fight with King Piccolo, he had always been generous to humanity. I was many a times surprised by his acts of kindness for public welfare." Tien remembered how many wells he and Chiaotzu dug up together and how many times they would use their money from martial arts tournaments to organize free-for-all feasts. It had been an attempt from them to make up for their past lives. And it had been Chiaotzu's initiative most of the times.

Goku looked solemnly at Tien's face slightly lightening up. He too hoped the best for the fallen fighter.

All of the people present there then prayed to God that Chiaotzu may be forgiven and granted a high rank in paradise.

Clouds had begun to gather in the sky, hiding the moon and the stars from view.

Krillin looked up. "It looks like it is going to rain. We better get going."

All of them nodded.

Gohan lay in the hospital bed. His mother sat on a chair beside him, knitting a sweater.

He smiled at his mom. She smiled back at him.

"Mom, it feels surreal to see you like this. At one time I had almost given up hope to ever see you and dad again."

"Hopelessness is not from belief, Gohan. Remember that."

"Right, mom."

Soon there was a knock at their door.

Chichi got up to open it. Standing there was Goku, supported by Khami.

Khami stepped inside and handed Goku to Chichi who gave Goku support till he was lying on his hospital bed.

"It may take months for Goku to recover," the old man said. "Take good care of him."

"We will."

With that the door closed as Khami stepped out. Goku was immediately fast asleep.

Gohan smiled. A minute later his dad was snoring loudly just like always. He was going to be alright.

Krillin, Yamcha and Tien had been given a single room to share. Each of them sat awake in their hospital beds as they pondered on their situation.

Krillin fumed. "I can't believe I let Yajirobe get kidnapped like that."

Yamcha smirked. "Leave it to you to mess things up," he said.

"Shut up," Krillin replied.

Tien looked at the ceiling. "I don't think you need to worry much about Yajirobe, Krillin."

Yamcha grinned. "I would actually be more worried about the Saiyan. I can't imagine myself being alone in Yajirobe's company for too long."

Krillin snickered. Yajirobe sure wasn't easy to put up with. But he doubted that the Saiyan would have much patience for the fat man's antics. He just hoped that Yajirobe wasn't dead already. "Tomorrow, we will discuss the matter with Khami and the others."

Piccolo stood alone in the rain. His clothes had become soaked. He was currently busy in praying.

He had refused Gohan's offer of staying in the hospital. The Namekian prefered his regenerating abilities. Also, he supposed that the boy would be better off finally spending some time with his parents rather than with him.

He didn't know why but a sinister thought kept creeping in the back of his mind. Whenever the thought bothered him he would turn to prayer and it would go away but this time it was too strong.

As Piccolo completed his prayer he looked ahead of him. He had barely concentrated, his mind had wandered.

'This is my chance.'

Piccolo floated in the air in front of the hospital window. The window had been left open by Goku's family.

He could see that Goku's bed was near to the door (farthest from Piccolo).

Piccolo floated inside the room without a sound.

Slowly and carefully without making any noise he walked up to where Goku lay wrapped in bandages.

This was it. Father...

Yes. This was his chance for revenge.

It was then that Goku's eyes opened. "What do you want, Piccolo?" he asked calmly without any sign of worry on his face.

Piccolo frowned. "So calm and confident, even in the face of your death?"

Goku smiled. "Go ahead."

Piccolo raised his hand, his eyes focussing on to the jugular vein visible on Goku's neck.

Goku continued to smile.

Piccolo's body trembled as he stood in his place.

Goku looked serious now.

Piccolo growled, finally making his decision. It was then that he felt somebody pulling at his leg. The Namekian looked down to find a confused Gohan looking up at him.

"Mr Piccolo?"

Piccolo closed his eyes and shook his head before quickly walking to the window and jumping out.

Gohan scratched his head as he saw his master disappear. "What's wrong with Mr Piccolo?"

Goku smirked. "Nothing, son. He just wanted to pay a visit." Goku knew that Piccolo couldn't kill him. Not with Gohan around.

...

Piccolo's aura was roaring around him as he sped in the air. Sweat shone on his forehead and his teeth were gnashed together.

Khami's place..

Both Khami and Mr Popo stood in prayer. They could sense someone land on the lookout. Completing their prayers, they turned to find Piccolo standing there.

The Namekian was panting as if he had just come back from a fight.

Piccolo angrily walked up to Khami and lifted him by the collar. "I want the borrowed water... now."

Khami calmly looked his nephew in the eye. "Over my dead body."

Mr Popo looked furious. "Put Khami down, Piccolo."

Piccolo growled before roughly releasing Khami to his side. "I have had enough. If you don't give it to me now I will destroy this place along with both of you."

Mr Popo clenched his fists. "I would like to see you try."

Khami coughed. "I am sorry, Piccolo, but the borrowed water cannot be used by a person whose mind and heart contradict one another. For it to be useful you should be in oneness with your mind, heart and spirit."

Piccolo gnashed his teeth. "Atleast tell me where you have hidden your spaceship!"

Khami looked towards Mr Popo. "Popo.."

Mr Popo looked aghast. "But Khami.."

"Do as I say, Popo.. you shall be the manager of this place after my death but for now, I am the boss here."

Mr Popo nodded, sweating. He looked towards Piccolo. "You should be thankful to Khami, Piccolo."

Piccolo intimidatingly stepped forward in Mr Popo's direction. "Make me.."

Mr Popo gulped, deciding to stay silent for the moment.

Khami looked towards his friend. "Popo.."

Mr Popo nodded. "Follow me," he said to Piccolo before leading him to the edge of the place and jumping down. Piccolo followed.

Piccolo and Mr Popo stood in front of a large strange looking object.

Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "So this is it?" The spaceship looked familiar somehow..

Mr Popo handed the Namekian an instruction manual. "Take this and don't forget to tie your seatbelt. Otherwise I am afraid you may be turned into pickle."

Piccolo frowned. "Don't worry. I won't."

...

Mr Popo watched as he could see the spaceship disappear into space. "I wonder where he's headed to. Could he be in search of a she-Namekian? I hope he doesn't have better luck than Khami did."

Mr Popo really hated Piccolo.

Next morning...

Khami, Mr Popo and Korin had come to pay a visit to the injured fighters of Earth. They had tried to contact Master Roshi as well but his phone was switched off.

Currently they stood in the room of Tien, Krillin and Yamcha.

Krillin had already told Khami and the others the whole story before.

Yamcha opened his mouth to speak. "The question is, how we are going to find out where the Saiyan has taken Yajirobe?"

Tien looked at the scar-faced fighter. "I don't know, Yamcha. The universe is no small place."

Khami held his chin in thought. "If that Saiyan is on the hunt for Ragon than I think I know just the planet which he might give a visit.."

Korin looked surprised. So there was a hope.

Krillin looked hopeful as well. "What is that planet, Mr Khami?"

Khami closed his eyes. "It's the planet Namek."

Krillin blinked. "Planet.. Namek? "

Khami opened his eyes. "But there is a problem... Piccolo took my spaceship with him last night."

Krillin's face fell.

Yamcha growled. "That bastard!"

Khami continued. "But me and Mr Popo have been working on getting another spaceship built of similar design. We originally started work on it so that if in case the Saiyans defeated you all, we could get away with as many people of the planet as possible. ...The ship should be ready in a couple of weeks."

Krillin sighed. 'Talk about lack of trust.' So Khami and others had already thought out this scenario as well... that the fighters of Earth were going to get killed fighting the Saiyans. Oh well.

Korin looked uncharacteristically saddened as he grabbed Krillin by the collar. "Please, you have got to rescue him. He never wanted to train in the first place, much less fight. It's all my fault. I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to him.."

Krillin looked blankly at the cat. "If you are that much worried than I think you should go instead of me."

Korin sweatdropped. Actually Korin was not as much bothered about Yajirobe's well-being than he was about having to look after the crop of Senzu plants all by himself. Of course he wouldn't tell that to anybody.

Krillin sighed. "Alright. I will go.. now who is to give me company?"

All the people present looked away. It was like asking the mice: who would tie bell to the cat's neck?

Krillin looked exasperated. "I-I can't go alone.."

After half an hour of arguing...Krillin managed to persuade Yamcha to go with him.

Khami looked at both the fighters of Turtle school. "I think you will be wise enough not to pick any fight with the Saiyan. Just make sure to hide your ki and sneak away with Yajirobe when you get the opportunity. Alright?"

Both Krillin and Yamcha nodded.

Khami turned to Mr Popo. "Popo.. I have a message for Guru. Would you be kind enough to take it to him for me?"

Mr Popo nodded with a smile. "Sure."

Gohan looked excited when he heard about the adventure his father's friends would be stepping into.

The boy looked hopefully at his mother. "Mom. Can I go too?"

Chichi shook her head. "No, Gohan. I am afraid you have some catching up to do in your studies."

"But mom I have never been to space before."

"No means no, Gohan."

Gohan sighed, giving in. The boy looked down dejectedly.

Goku grinned from his bed. "Good boy, Gohan."

Two weeks later...

Yamcha and Krillin stuffed themselves on the dining table of Kame house as Master Roshi looked with his mouth agape. There went his savings..

"Sorry.. Master..." Krillin managed to say between bites. "But.. don't.. bother.. with.. the sweet-dish. We don't have.. much room left!..."

Yamcha hummed in agreement.

Master Roshi felt relieved inside his mind. 'Thank God.'

The now-ready spaceship stood outside Master Roshi's house. The two had planned to depart the coming afternoon.

Frieza Planet 327

Crab and Brob, technicians in the PTO, watched as information displayed in the monitor in front of them.

"Vegeta and Nappa are back."

The two rushed outside for reception.

Soon two space pods made a soft landing on the special circular pads made for this very purpose.

When a minute passed by without anyone getting out, Brob daringly approached the pod belonging to Vegeta. "Why! He is using his life support system!" he exclaimed as he peeped inside.

Meanwhile, Crab was even more astonished as he looked inside the pod which belonged to Nappa. "No! Nappa! What have you done to yourself!? How many times did I warn you not to use that hair-growing cream but you didn't listen to me!"

Brob walked over to where Crab was standing and slapped him on the back of his head. "Fool! Can't you see? This isn't Nappa. Look closely."

Crab scratched his head. "So where is Nappa?"

"Prince Vegeta would be knowing but I think we should admit him to the healing chamber first."

Crab nodded. "Right."

...

Vegeta floated in the greenish-blue liquid of the healing chamber. 'Kakarot..' His brow twitched even as he remained unconscious.

...

Yajirobe opened his eyes. He was lying on the bed in some sort of white room. The fat man sat upright and looked around himself. There was nobody there.

Slowly, he tiptoed outside the door.

"Where do you think you are going?"

Yajirobe freezed. A purple skinned well-built man in Saiyan armor sat on a chair there.

"Just wanted to relieve myself. Could you point to where the wash room is?"

Brob pointed his thumb down the corridoor.

Yajirobe forced a grin. "Thanks.. hehe."

Yajirobe grudgingly walked down the corridoor. Every now and then a funny looking person would walk past him. These had to be aliens. Strangely enough for Yajirobe each of them was gawking at him like he was the funny looking one around here.

Leaving this place for him wasn't going to be easy.

Gohan tossed and turned in his bed, failing to fall asleep. His father's friends would leave tomorrow afternoon. Gohan was wondering how a spaceship looked like. He had to take a look at it before Krillin and Yamcha left.

Slowly the boy tiptoed outside the door of the hospital room.

His mother mumbled something about ill mannered kids but was fast asleep immediately after.

Gohan let out a sigh of relief. He walked outside and carefully shut the door.

...

The boy had brought his father's smartphone with him. Luckily for Gohan, Goku never set a password in his phone which meant anyone could easily access it.

Gohan searched for the island which he knew belonged to Master Roshi. His dad had the location saved in his phone.

The boy jumped out of a window and flew away.

Gohan stood in front of the strange looking spaceship on Master Roshi's island. The lights of Kame house were off which meant everyone was fast asleep.

Gohan remembered some of the instructions from when he had taken a look at the spaceship manual. His mom had once left it on the table of their hospital room.

"Piccolo," said Gohan as the door of the spaceship opened. So this was exactly like the spaceship his parents had travelled in.

Gohan went inside and ignited a small ki blast in his hand to light his surroundings. "Wow.."

The boy began to explore the area. He soon found himself in front of a reclining sofa.

He jumped upon it. "This is fantastic!" he exclaimed as he bounced upon the sofa. It felt so comfy.

The boy lay back on the sofa looking around himself. By now his eyes had adjusted to the dark surroundings.

Slowly, Gohan's eyes began to close as he dozed off happily.

The next morning...

Krillin and Yamcha were yawning on their beds when Master Roshi shouted at them to wake up.

Both the fighters grudgingly obeyed, walking out. After getting refreshed both of them walked down to the dining room.

Master Roshi had ordered some breakfast for them. Soon the three began to eat.

Master Roshi's brow twitched as he again saw both his students munch away at surprising pace. Their appetite had increased vastly compared to last year. The old man simply couldn't afford to let them stay till lunch. They had to go now.

"Ahem." Master Roshi cleared his throat to speak. "I don't find any reason for you to delay your trip till afternoon. Yajirobe is in urgent need of your help."

Yamcha looked at his former teacher. "But master.."

Krillin continued. "We had thought of making a trip to South Carifa city's pizza restuarant with you. For a nice good-bye meal, you know."

Master Roshi fumed. These audacious little brats. . "YOU WILL LEAVE AFTER BREAKFAST! AND THAT'S FINAL!"

Yamcha and Krillin looked shocked for words.

...

Soon it was time for the both of them to leave. Mr Popo had arrived as well. Krillin had alerted Mr Popo about the change of schedule and he had duly arrived. The two Turtle school students bid farewell to their master before getting into the ship along with Mr Popo.

Master Roshi heaved a sigh of relief as the ship blasted off and disappeared. Now with his wallet out of the way, concern began to creep into his mind. 'I hope you stay safe, both of you.'

...

Krillin and Yamcha relaxed as the ship completed its take-off. The two unbuckled their seat-belts and began to look around.

Mr Popo remained seated. He had taken out a newspaper out of his pocket and was reading it.

They were in space now, having escaped Earth's gravitational field. The trip to Namek was going to be a long one.

Krillin wondered why Khami had not come with them too. Surely he would have loved to visit his home-planet after such a long time.

It was then that their eyes fell on someone lying strapped onto the reclining sofa. And boy, were they surprised...

"Gohan? What are you doing here?"

Gohan blinked with widened eyes.

To be continued...

Author's note: Thanks for the reviews. I have read all of them and agree upon most of the things mentioned. Hopefully this story won't leave you disappointed.