Author: FireCracker KLee624820@aol.com

        A/U

        TURLES RISING: Old beginnings
 

        "He did WHAT??"

        "You heard me, Chi Chi" Piccolo sighed. "Bulma says Goku stopped by earlier to
        borrow the dragonball radar."

        Chi Chi blinked in astonishment. "But why? What's he up to?"

        The namek looked out a kitchen window. "I wish I knew. He hasn't exactly confided in
        me lately."

        Slim fingers tapped the refrigirator impatiently. "Why in the world would Bulma give
        him the radar like that? Who knows what Goku is doing!"

        "He said nothing to you?"

        Chi Chi closed her eyes briefly. "No. We're just going through the motions now
        anyway, for Gohan's sake."

        Piccolo squeezed her shoulder. "I'm sorry. You can't reconcile?"

        Chi Chi sat at the table. "Not the way he is now...I've tried to understand this new
        'saiyan', but it isn't working out. I want my old Goku back!"

        Piccolo folded his arms. "Is it really that bad?"

        "For the most part no, but on a personal level...I just can't deal with it!"

        "I didn't mean to pry, Chi Chi."

        "You aren't" she smiled sadly. "You've always been a good friend, Piccolo. I might not
        have said it before, but I realize it now."

        The namek gave a rare smile. "I'm always here if you need me. How's Gohan holding
        up?"

        Chi Chi clutched her head. "He thinks his dad is 'ultra cool' now."

        Piccolo chuckled. "Well he is part saiyan."

        "And part loony. Maybe if I go to sleep and wake up, this will all start over!"

        Piccolo poured himself some tea. "We can't change the past, Chi Chi. Goku can't help
        being what he is."

        "Where does that leave me?"

        Piccolo fell silent. He had no answer.

        ****

        His heart raced, his blood pounded. Like a shot, Goku flew for the fifteenth latitude
        towards South America. He had a hot date with an even hotter prince. And then there
        was the matter of a wish...

        The others awaited him eagerly, anxious for his success. Goku arrived at the keep
        within the hour, landing gently through shaded jungle. Vegeta was on him
        immediately, eyes flashing in excitement.

        "You have the radar!"

        Goku hugged his fragrant prince. "Did you doubt me?"

        "Never." a sticky kiss.

        Raditz and Nappa nearly bounded into the open glade. Raditz grabbed Goku in a bear
        hug.

        "You've returned, Kakarot. And successfully, I see!"

        A thick tail waved happily. "Hai, brother."

        Nappa pulled the fat coil. "Ai, it must have been some story you told that Bulma
        woman!"

        Goku laughed. "It wasn't easy...she'd heard about what happened here, and
        suspected my motives."

        Vegeta eyed him warily. "And?"

        Goku smirked. "I gave her the sad eyes routine."

        The ouji snickered. "Sly dog..."

        Goku made a mock display. "After all, I couldn't let the radar land in the wrong
        hands...saiyans might want the dragonballs!!"

        The group laughed wildly. Vegeta tugged a muscled arm.

        "Come, koi. We've a delightful meal prepared here at the keep. Surely you're
        hungry?"

        Goku patted his stomach. "Hai. All that flying leaves me empty!"

        Raditz chuckled. "Ever and always a bottomless pit."

        Nappa palmed the radar thoughtfully. "Amazing to think all our plans rely on this small
        device."

        Goku shook his head. "We could locate the balls eventually using our senses, but it
        would be tedious and take much longer."

        Vegeta coiled his tail around Goku's thigh. "Come. Time enough to discuss the
        implementation of our plans. We eat, and then..."

        Goku nuzzled spicy skin. "Then?"

        Hot velvet eyes looked up. "What do you think?"
 

        THE END

        Next: TURLES RISING: The Plan in Place