Gohan landed momentarily before Akira. The Nimbus cloud seemed tired from the rigorous flying it had undertook today, but seemed relieved to be at home among the mountains. A woman holding a baby boy stood in the doorway of a small and charming house, the only house they had seen for miles. The mountain breeze ruffled the boys' hair, as they headed for Gohan's house.
 The dark sky obscured the look on Chi Chi's face, but it was one of relief. Gohan jogged up to her, and gave his mother a hug. Akira stood back, feeling sorrow for the way he had almost brutally tore the Tamatzu family apart. He knew it was for destiny, but he couldn't help feeling upset at the sight of a mother and son embracing.
 Gohan rubbed his baby brother's thin black hair, blowing wildly in the breeze. The baby smiled.
 "Hiya squirt!" Gohan greeted him, and Goten chuckled. His mother noticed Akira shrouded in obscurity, the darkness of the night protecting their sight from the pitiful young man.
 "Gohan," Chi Chi asked, "Who's that boy?" Gohan moved closer to his mother, and began to whisper.
 "Mom, his name is Akira. In martial art after school, my dad told me he was the 'Warrior of Destiny'. What that means, I don't know, but he hasn't got a family, and has nowhere to go. I figured you'd be kind enough to let him stay with us." Gohan looked at his mother, an innocent smile plastered across his face. Chi Chi looked past him and over to Akira. Feelings of sympathy spread over her. "How can I refuse this poor boy? He looks sad and lonely." She thought to herself, almost crying at the thought of the pain he must have been through in his earlier years.
 "You didn't need to ask, Gohan, of course he can stay." Gohan smiled. "Come on, Akira, we don't want you freezing to death." Chi Chi called to Akira. Akira awoke from his trance of sorrow, and headed over to Chi Chi, and the Nimbus zoomed off to get some rest.

 

* * *

 

 Akira entered the house, which was much larger on the inside than it appeared. Two dark wooden couches, cushioned by pillows and covered in a deep green fabric, sat at a right angle, a small coffee table filling the angle. Toys littered the floor of the living room, and the aroma of a freshly cooked turkey floated from what he assumed was the kitchen. Understandably, Akira was nearly drooling on the blue-carpeted floors at the thought of a home cooked meal.
 "Well. Akira, I don't know what you've eaten today, so there is a large turkey, and lots of vegetables, and mash potato. I'm experimenting with different cultures, so I thought it sounded nice. Hell to cook though." Chi Chi told him, and Akira began to laugh. Chi Chi looked at him worryingly.
 "Sorry," Akira said still laughing, "My adopted mother was into trying new cultures. You could say it was an unprecedented failure. I'm sure yours will be lovely." Gohan decided to confirm this.
 "My mom is the best cook for 50 miles, maybe even 100!" Gohan said, nearly displaying her as a prize given to him. Chi Chi didn't pick up on this and began to blush. Goten giggled.
 "Well, then, you better get into the dining room and get eating. I know how hungry Gohan can get, well, anytime of the day!" Chi Chi said, carrying on the humour. She headed for the source of the tantalising smell as Gohan led Akira into the dining room.
 The theme of the living room continued into the dining room. A long wooden table, chairs of the same wood lined up against it, took the centre of the room. The blue carpet also continued. A large window opened up the room to the world at one end, showing the woods, and in the background, the snow-peaked mountaintops.
 Akira and Gohan sat down, the plush velvet seats supporting their aching backsides. They sat in silence, before Chi Chi waddled in; carrying the biggest turkey either of them had ever seen. She set it in the centre of the table before hurrying off to get the mash potatoes, carrot and turnip, Yorkshire puddings, and gravy. When this was carried n, she set it perfectly around the turkey. Akira and Gohan stared at it, eyes popping and jaws hanging. When one of them could finally said something, all it was was "WOW".
 Without warning, they began shovelling food onto their plates, and then into their mouths, hungry wolves ravaging their hunt for the day. The forks were lifted with incredible speed. Suddenly, they stopped to swallow.
 "And whoever said that western food was awful?" Gohan said, laughing through the food was Akira, already shovelling food back into his mouth.
 The doorbell rang, and Chi Chi came into the room, Goten squirming in her arms.
 "Could one of you hold Goten while I answer the door?" Two replies came. Gohan shook his head, gulping down the food. However, Akira nodded, also swallowing the food.
 "Sure, I don't mind. I used to look after the babies at the orphanage. Not a problem." Akira answered. Goten looked at him, smiling, his jet-black hair clearly visible, and his small arms reaching out for Akira. Chi Chi carried him over to him, and Akira stood Goten on his knee.
 "Call him squirt. He loves it! Gohan instructed, his voice muffled through the mountain of mash potato crammed into his mouth.
 "Do you Goten? Do you, Squirt?" Akira asked, bouncing him on his knee. Gohan giggled happily, free of pressures of his teenage counterparts. At the front door, he could hear Chi Chi telling someone to leave them alone. Akira just kept bouncing Goten.
 Chi Chi walked in to the room, and suddenly Goten's eyes became transfixed on her. Then in a weird mixture of excitement and the bouncing, he decided to empty his stomach through his mouth, right onto Akira.
 Gohan stopped eating and stared. Chi Chi stopped breathing and stared. Akira just smiled, rubbing Goten's back, waiting for the burp, which came promptly came. Goten giggled. Chi Chi went to scold him, but Akira stopped her.
 "I apologise. It was my fault for bouncing him. When he saw you, he got too excited, and well, you can figure it out yourself." Chi Chi backed off the anger, and smiled. Goten reached for Chi Chi, which she accepted. Gohan had now cleared his mountain of a plate. Akira had some left over, but didn't feel like it.
 Gohan got out of his chair, and pulled Akira with him.
 "Come on Akira. I think you need a change of clothes!"

 

* * *

 

  The hour was late in the night, probably early in the morning, and Akira and Gohan sat on the couches in the living room, a bed made up for Akira on one. Gohan had already explained about Dragonballs, and his father. Akira had already explained to Chi Chi about the events of the last couple of hours, and the dream of training. He kept the other dream personal, not letting anyone see into his mind and interpret his feelings. These were his own, and no one else's.
 "Gohan, why did your dad not come back to Earth? I mean, from what you've told me, couldn't they use they Dragonballs?" Akira asked, expecting Gohan to change the subject quickly, but gallantly, Gohan answered.
 "You see, Akira, over the years, people have come to Earth for two reasons; to take it over, or to kill my father. Most wanted both. Evil beings such as Nappa, Furiza, and Cell all tried, and all failed. All of them killed innocent lives. So, my dad figured, if he stayed on Snake Way, and the Other Dimension, then, less lives would be hurt." A solemn tear rolled down his face, silent, glistening in the dim lamplight. He smiled, thinking of his father, and of the happiness he is leading. Akira began to ask something else, when Chi Chi walked in.
 "Gohan, dear. It's time for bed. Akira, you as well. Have pleasant dreams!" Chi Chi told them. Gohan wiped the tear from his cheek, smiled widely, and walked off to his bedroom, as Akira looked on, amazed. The light went off, and Akira laid down for a proper night's sleep.

 

* * *

 

 The stars twinkled in the night sky. No planet or moon visible for all eternity. A small pale yellow capsule floated through space, the words 'Sweet Dreams' written on in a pale lime green. A baby lay inside, asleep, gently, sucking its thumb, a headband of the rising sun lying across its chest. The baby was happy, never knowing its future, or its past.
 The capsule turned forward, and a small speck of light visible in the far-reaching distance. It gradually grew, grew to a beam, and grew to many beams, before it was upon you. Everywhere you looked there was blinding white light. Without warning it changed to a much more evil colour. BLACK.

 

* * *

 

 Akira awoke from his dreams of childhood. Awaiting the sun to arrive, the sky was still dark. He looked across his chest for the headband, for it was normally there. It wasn't. He went to run his hands through his hair when he discovered something unusual. It was on his head.