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Chapter 16
The Vile and The Heroic

Chichi awakens from a deep slumber, the first thing she feels is her sore arms and legs, not to mention stomach from Giren's attack. She is surprised to find she's in a soft bed, in fact it's her bed. She immediately jumps out of it, feeling much more energized despite her sore body. She looked around but found her room was spotless. She was unsure why she was set in such a comfortable place after being knocked out cold, but she realized she didn't have time for questions.

For all she knew the rest of the house could still be in the process of being pilfered by Giren and his thugs. She rushed out of her room but stopped in the kitchen which was in pieces. Not only was there a hole in the wall where she was ambushed, but two new holes had been formed in her absence. A second hole in the opposite wall to the old one and a massive hole in the ceiling. Chichi gave the rest of the house a quick check and found the back of her home had an extra large hole in the wall. This is obviously where Giren and his thugs first made their entrance since her front door was functional when she got back. She could tell where the thugs had been since entering the building since the hallway leading from this hole was also very damaged. Chichi grew furious, this was the house Bulma gifted her after the incident several months ago.

Chichi let out an angry yell, "I ain't lettin' them get away with this!" She suddenly burst into a full sprint out the front door where she quickly scanned the area. "I swear when I get my hands on… them?" Chichi's rage was soon replaced with confusion as she spotted Kakarot who was sitting on a wooden stump. The trees around him were either fallen or ready to fall. Chichi connected the dots and came to the conclusion Kakarot must have fought Giren and his allies off. Chichi smiled cheerfully, until she approached him, which is when she realized Kakarot didn't look pleased.

Chichi's expression dropped into a worried expression, he was staring at the ground, resting his head on his right arm which was placed on his right knee. Kakarot was clearly brooding about something but with the undamaged look of his armor made it clear it's not about losing a fight. Chichi wasn't sure what Kakarot was unhappy about but she knew standing around wouldn't fix his mood so she approached him from his left, slightly in front of him so he knows it's her who's approaching him. She took one step forward when Kakarot's Scouter lit up causing Chichi to stop. Kakarot however didn't even react to it, either out of a lack of interest or a lack of care to face any potential threats close to him.

Chichi figured he knew she was there and so cautiously said, "Kakarot…" Kakarot simply said back, "He didn't care." Chichi thought she got an idea of what happened and asked, "Did you find your brother?" Kakarot looked up at her with a rage filled look but upon seeing her gentle expression dropped it. He looked past her and said, "No, this is about that blue lizard." Chichi guessed he was referring to Giren and not some random dinosaur in the jungle that caused his rotten mood.

Rage returned to Kakarot's face as he thought back on Giren. He suddenly said through clenched teeth, "The bastard didn't care." Kakarot suddenly swung the back of his right fist into one of the still standing trees to his right, breaking it in two. The next words Kakarot spoke were said through a restrained rage as he attempted to keep himself from saying anything too revealing, "When I "beat" the bastard's friends he didn't give a damn. He couldn't care less about the fate of members of his own race, it's…" Kakarot didn't bother to finish his sentence, instead ending it with an angry grunt, he simply returned to his previous position. Chichi wasn't completely sure what to say so instead she sat next to him. Kakarot paid her a brief glance but then returned to brooding.

Chichi took a deep breath, her expression changing into a more melancholy one before saying, "I can understand being disturbed by someone's lack of empathy." She then looked forward, "Some people commit heartless, cruel acts for no good reason. Their ugly nature always comes to light when their life is hanging by a thread." Chichi's expression shifted into a more serious one with a hint of anger, "Would you like to hear a story? It might get your mind off of Giren." Kakarot glanced at her and after a brief moment replied with, "Why not." Chichi went on to tell Kakarot about the Rise of Demon King Piccolo and his fall. She explained that Demon King Piccolo appeared long ago, before she or even Gohan for that matter were born.

He appeared with an army of demons who rampaged throughout the world sparing no one until they encountered a lone school of Martial Artists who fought the army of demons to a stand still. After the battle only three martial artists survived, the army of demons however, were vanquished. Master Roshi, the soon to be master of Gohan. Shen, a sibling student and former friend to Master Roshi. Lastly Master Mutaito, the master of both Roshi and Shen as well as the master of their dojo. However, even the mastery of Mutaito was not match for Piccolo who didn't even need to move from his spot to treat Mutaito as a ragdoll.

Mutaito was helpless but for whatever reason he and the rest of his students survived while Piccolo continued his rampage elsewhere. Defeated and disgraced, Mutaito left after recovering from his injuries. The act broke Shen who was said to never be the same ever since that day. Roshi went into hiding and began to train himself in hopes of beating Piccolo one day. Eventually Master Mutaito found Roshi, having revealed he created a technique designed to seal evil individuals away. Roshi assisted Mutaito in sealing Piccolo, therefore defeating him at long last. Chichi finishes the tale but stops and says, "That was a story Master Gohan told me, he said his Master told it to him."

Kakarot asked, "So it's something that happened before?" Chichi nodded and said, "So much time has passed that people barely remember him." Chichi then mutters to herself, "Or at least that's how it used to be." Kakarot couldn't quite hear her but he felt he didn't really feel like pressing her after she distracted him with that story. Kakarot felt better, the story reminded him of the ones Raditz would tell him back when he was a child. At first Kakarot wondered if this "Piccolo" was involved with Freeza. Kakarot theorized that maybe Freeza sent this individual after the earth and that's why he sent Raditz here but Piccolo's sadistic nature doesn't sound like a subordinate of Freeza.

While Freeza is evil and his men are almost as deplorable, they at least have goals in mind. Like expanding or governing his territory, wanton destruction is something only Freeza would do. Regardless, Kakarot couldn't admit to Chichi the biggest reason he was in a foul mood, at least not without revealing his true nature. While he was upset with Giren's uncaring reaction to the death of members of his species, there was a much bigger reason he was so shaken even after killing all the grave robbers. Kakarot mentally said to himself, "It didn't get better. Usually killen' those bastards woulda' calmed me down if only a little. But that didn't happen, I just felt like I was wasting my time."

Kakarot disliked that he wasn't taking joy in the fight with the robbers, it was worrying given Kakarot's primary job but regardless, he put it to the back of his mind and decided to spend his time hunting for food. Before that however, Chichi stopped him and gave him a deep bow, "Thank you." Kakarot took a step back, unsure on how to react to this show of gratitude, it was a new feeling for him. "If you hadn't of stopped them, then who knows what could have happened to me or my house. Please wait a little longer, I need to start packing." Chichi let out a feminine chuckle and said, "Thanks to that "nap" I'm feeling better already, albeit a bit sore."

Kakarot just nodded and went off to search for food, he wanted to see what grub the Earth had to offer. He figured anything was better than Freeza Empire rations. Kakarot returned after an hour while carrying a large, blue fish. Chichi saw him through her window and scrambled to grab something. Kakarot set the fish over a fire he made with a small Ki blast. By the time he finished Chichi exited the house carrying something. Kakarot looked surprised upon seeing the blue set of clothes laying in Chichi arms. She then said, "Here's a gift for all the help with driving the robbers away."

Kakarot nearly stumbled back out of surprise before saying, "How'd you know I did it already?" Chichi gave him a confused look but then answered with, "Have you forgotten I can sense Ki? I don't feel them anymore so you must have driven them away, right?" Chichi switches to an inquisitive tone near the end, which causes Kakarot to scramble to reassure her. "R-right, thanks." Kakarot retrieves the clothes from Chichi while thinking to himself, "I gotta remember she can do that, still these clothes…" Kakarot then asked, "How'd ya know I needed clothes?" Chichi giggled, "I've wanted to make someone their own Gi, and I needed to thank you. So this was the perfect way to thank you and practice my knitting. I hope it fits, it's a design Master Gohan was holding onto."

Kakarot noted that this was a coincidence and told her he'd go change. Chichi stopped him as he turned around asking, "Where are you going to change?" She had a bewildered look on her face as he answered, "In the woods of course." Kakarot answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Chichi's cheeks burned red as she stammered in protest, "Wha-? N-No, no, you can use my bathroom, the woods are for the animals." She quickly pushed Kakarot inside who offered little resistance, he was instead confused by what he considered an odd reaction.

Once Kakarot found the bathroom he removed his armor and got to examining the outfit Chichi gave him. It was a blue sleeveless Gi, it had red wristbands and black laceless shoes. Kakarot noted that it was a little similar to Chichi's Gi but it was clearly different in design. Kakarot murmured, "This is what a warrior here wears." Kakarot wasn't sure what to make of it, it was very different from the armor Freeza provided. This outfit was simple cloth rather than advanced fabric and flexible armor. Simpler wasn't bad for Kakarot however he knew it would take some time to get used to. Kakarot slipped it on and disliked the feeling immediately. To him armor was more natural, he even disliked the type of fabric that Vegeta wore.

However, Kakarot decided it was worth it, "So long as I blend in." Kakarot then wrapped his tail around his waist, he then said, "Good thing she didn't notice my tail, I'm not one to hide it but if my armor could raise eyebrows, then my tail would do the same." Kakarot slipped the shoes on and exited the bathroom and then the house. Chichi's eyes lit up as she saw Kakarot in his new Gi and immediately asked, "How's it feel, does it fit?" Kakarot bluntly said as he tightened the white belt, "I'm not used to this stuff but, it fits."

Chichi's expression drops into a more nervous look before saying, "Sorry, I didn't have much time to practice before mother passed away. She didn't get to teach me all the basics of knitting." Kakarot waved the comment away saying, "I'm not bothered by it, I lost both my parents when I was a runt too." Chichi's expression immediately dropped into a remorseful one, she suddenly said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know." Kakarot didn't flinch when saying, "It ain't a problem, I didn't get attached to them before it happened." The lack of meaningful emotion in his voice saddened and disturbed Chichi who, with an uneasy expression said in response, "I can't really understand not caring for my parents, they brought me into this world…" Kakarot was surprised by this reaction, realizing he was acting colder than she was used to.

He suddenly said, "Don't think about it too much, my family are warriors. We're used to a life of battle and death, I still had my brother in the end anyway. Though Raditz did idolize father a great deal." Kakarot then said, "I can tell you about him on the road if ya want." Chichi looked a lot less guilty, Kakarot then told her he was going to take his armor to his "camp" and get his other stuff, he then left to do that. Kakarot returned to his pod and stashed his armor away. He then grabbed his bag of supplies and returned to where Chichi's house used to be. Kakarot was surprised to find Chichi standing alone where his house should be.

He immediately blurted out, "Chichi where'd your house go!? I-it was right here!" Chichi looked confused by his reaction before saying, "I put it in my Dino Cap." Kakarot questioned what a "dino cap" was which confused Chichi further, "I told you about capsule corp before, I thought you knew about Dino Caps." Kakarot shook his head, which is when Chichi explained, "You see Dino Caps are these little devices that can store anything you need, no matter how big or small." She then pulled out a peanut sized capsule and said, "I even stored father and masters graves in one."

Kakarot looked perplexed asking, "Y-you really stored your loved ones in a capsule?" Chichi looked confused at first before breaking into a smile and giggling. She then said, "Those graves are decoys, they're just there to keep the robbers from actually digging up their graves." Kakarot gave her a surprised expression before saying, "Then why'd ya throw your all at me when we first met?" Chichi looked a bit nervous when she said, "It's more the idea that they would be willing to do that, that made me so mad. Besides, I need to keep them from suspecting it's a decoy." Kakarot then asked, "But it shouldn't be a problem now." Chichi shook her head before saying, "I wish that were the case. I've driven them out before but they always come back."

Kakarot felt the urge to reassure her but immediately realized that he couldn't put her thoughts to rest without telling her he killed them. Her reaction to his cold attitude toward his parents kept Kakarot from telling her this fact, he needed her to trust him if this was going to work out, at least until he learned all about Ki. With that all done, Chichi told him she had finished packing and they were on their way off the mountain. On their way Kakarot asked, "Why'd ya choose to live here, don't ya got friends in a city like that Bulma you talked about?"

Chichi answered with a subdued tone, "After father passed away I was lonely and a bit angry. I decided I needed to… master myself so I moved to this mountain. It's the same mountain Master Gohan lived on a long time ago, his house is next door. Anyway, I felt a peaceful life here where I can focus on training was for the best." Kakarot could respect the desire to train alone but wasn't sure how much progress she could make in a stagnant environment such as Mount Paozu, so he decided against pressing her on the issue. Kakarot then asked, "You talk about this "Gohan" as if he was the most amazing person in the world, who was he?"

Chichi's depressed mood suddenly brightened dramatically once the topic of Gohan started. She began to sing his praises, "Master Gohan was an accomplished martial artist who lived on this mountain. He studied under the same master as father, Master Roshi." Kakarot recalled Chichi mentioning Gohan and Master Roshi in the story about King Piccolo. Chichi then turned to Kakarot and said, "You might want to study under Roshi if you want to get even stronger." Kakarot nodded in response but he had doubts about how much stronger an earthling could make him. He didn't let this pessimistic view become apparent to Chichi though, hoping not to start an argument with her.

Kakarot noted that their pace was rather slow and suggested, "If we fly we could save time." Right when Kakarot began to float up into the air, Chichi suddenly exclaimed, "You know that technique already?" Kakarot stopped, his thoughts freezing up for a moment upon hearing that. "T-technique?" Kakarot muttered to himself. Chichi sounded astonished as she said, "That's a really advanced technique, I'm honestly surprised you know so little about Ki and yet have mastered one of the more advanced techniques."

Kakarot turned toward her, nearly glaring at the disturbing realization he was undergoing. "She doesn't even know how to fly… and she considers it a technique." Kakarot can't comprehend flight being called a technique since he has it ingrained in his head at a subconscious level. That, however, was not the worst of it, "If she can't fly then we might not make it in time." His thoughts echoed in his head, and he scrambled for a solution. Kakarot thought to himself, "Adding training to a walking pace is too much. I need to rectify this delay." Kakarot floated down to her and said, "I'll teach you how to fly." Chichi suddenly said, "Oh, why?" Kakarot immediately replied with, "We'll save on time, and it wouldn't be fair if I'm the only one learning stuff." Chichi brightened up and asked when they were going to start and Kakarot said, "Now."

Kakarot and Chichi immediately set up on some grasslands. Chichi begins to explain the basic concept of Ki. "Everyone possesses Ki, animals, people and even plants possess Ki. However, only those aware of it can train it to its full potential. Sure, there are those naturally gifted but no matter where you come from, if you've never trained to use your Ki then you're limiting yourself to what comes naturally." Kakarot recalled that he fought many races which weren't aware of it but undoubtedly had it. Since Power Levels are just Ki but put through a numerical system, then that's irrefutable proof that everyone has Ki, granted their Scouters seem to only be able to detect Ki in animals and people but not plants.

With the concept of Ki explained Kakarot began the lesson on flight since it would be better to get Chichi's training out of the way so she can focus on his training. Kakarot said, "We'll start on flight since I already know how to feel and utilize my Ki." Chichi nodded and focused on what Kakarot had to say next. "You call it complex but it's the simplest use of Ki once you get a handle of Ki manipulation. Really, flight in itself is a good way to practice Ki manipulation." Kakarot took a deep breath before saying, "Simply put, to fly you use your ki to lift yourself in the air and direct you where you need to go in the air."

Kakarot then went into more detail on the first steps of flight. "First you must push out the required amount of Ki and direct it under your body. Then you use it to lift yourself in the air. The process of consciously controlling your Ki helps build up your Ki control. This will also help with other forms of Ki manipulation like changing its form, like with blasts and full powered techniques." Kakarot then asks Chichi, "How much experience do you have in Ki control?" Chichi replies with, "I know how to release it but only to barely enhance myself." Kakarot concludes that she knows the basics of harnessing Ki but not controlling it any farther than using it to enhance her abilities but is surprised that she can do so little and yet it is enough for Ki suppression.

Kakarot notes that if she's able to use it to enhance her abilities, even if just a little then maybe teaching her won't take that long after all. "Practice the first step, focus on expelling your Ki and get familiar with how it feels." Instructed Kakarot. He then said, "In the meantime could you explain to me how you hide your Ki?" Chichi happily nods and says, "Sure, you're already familiar with how your Ki feels right." Kakarot nodded in response, Chichi began her full explanation, "Suppressing your Ki can be tiring at first but it's real simple. When you're not pushing your Ki out naturally it spills out in all directions.

Depending on how strong your Ki is or if you have a lot of it determines how easy it is to feel and read. If your skill of reading Ki is advanced enough you can even determine if the person using it is malicious or not, I'm not actually at that level yet." Kakarot felt like he got lucky, if Chichi had been able to feel his Ki in this way, then he couldn't have possibly befriended her. Chichi continues her explanation, "In order to suppress your Ki you pull all of your Ki into your core, it's the opposite of pushing your Ki out. There it is undetectable, but this method has the caveat of not being able to use your Ki at all, flight, special techniques, it can't be used."

The explanation made sense to Kakarot, even these caveats won't be a problem since he won't be using much of anything with a technique that's supposed to hide himself. Chichi finished the explanation with, "Keeping it inside is more difficult than pushing it out, if you miss any then the technique is a failure. To me it was very taxing until I received this advice from master Gohan. Imagine your core as a turtle, you store all of your Ki in this "turtle". When it's all inside, imagine your "turtle" hiding inside of its shell. Remembering the feeling of the "turtle" in its shell will help you memorize the feeling of locking your Ki inside your core.

This method will help you subconsciously suppress your Ki, eventually suppressing your Ki will become second nature and it won't require much focus." Kakarot noted, "That's an odd analogy but I think I get it." Chichi let out a short laugh and said, "Gohan's school is the turtle school, so a turtle seemed fitting for me. A locked chest could work too if you prefer that analogy." Kakarot still found it odd but considering the effort Chichi put into teaching him he couldn't complain. Kakarot then said, "Alright let's practice these techniques for two hours. Soon Kakarot and Chichi drifted into a meditative state where they began to focus on their respective techniques.

Author's Notes: The outfit Chichi gave Goku is actually an adult version of the first Gi Goku wore in the manga/anime, presumably gifted to him by Gohan in canon.

Important Note: I wanted to make it clear how I deal with big rules like, How Ki works or How Lore works in this fiction? And other stuff. I make my own canon out of what I see. Like, we don't get a real in-depth explanation on how Ki works outside of flight since it kind of becomes relevant after the Piccolo Junior Arc but doesn't really get explained. So, I make my own rules based on what I see in the manga/anime, and I try to keep them consistent. So just take whatever rules I make up as canon to this fanfiction only. Also, If I get inconsistent, please tell me so I can be sure to correct it or explain it. I want this fic to be as good as I can make it.

One more thing, I kind of got super into the fic and started writing the next chapter instead of reviewing and posting this one right after finishing it, so expect the next chapter very soon, much sooner than normal.

Power Levels:

Kakarot: 4,000

Chichi: 800