Disclaimer: Trust me...I don't own the characters. I would know if I did. And you would also. 

Author's note of warning: First off, this keeps the end of DBZ the same. (Where Goku takes off to train Uub) However, it doesn't take the GT stance on anything. Pan would be about 6, and Goku has returned with Uub. They basically added him to the Son family, and Goku is continuing to train him while he spends time with his family. ^.~

As for the psychic blade, damn, I've seen those used a lot. Also, I've seen a ton of light blades used in anime, so accuse the unoriginality of it on that; for some reason I'm intrigued by those things.

Not only is this shounen-ai, but it's also Piccolo/Shin. Don't look at me weird. Try watching the Japanese version of the show. You know that episode where Vegeta shows up, Buu blasts him, and Piccolo yells out to see if Vegeta is okay? In the Japanese version he didn't yell out for Vegeta. ^^; He said, "Kaioshin-sama?!" I know, that's flimsy, ^^; but Piccolo cares for so few people, and he gladly gave the god of the universe his respect and concern. Not normal for Piccolo. And I felt like doing something weird, okay! Of course, the coupling is not why I did the story...the coupling just sort of grew in it.

The story's purpose is something else entirely, but I will leave you to find that yourself.

Post Finem
(After the End)

Yes, you can change the past; by using the truth.

(And that, is *MY* quote! I don't care if anyone uses it, but *YOU* must give me credit or Lina will flame you like no tomorrow. And she's a smart flamer! Yes, be afraid, very afraid! Sorry, I've just seen someone using my stuff, and I'm getting sick of my ideas being stolen. So consider this a warning!)

***************

Purple gauze glowed across the scenery in front of Kaiobit, reminding him of days that had passed, and time which had changed in so many ways. Lavender serenity painted the scene, lazily leaking into the planet of KaioShin-Kai itself.

It only took one act. One split second to shatter the vision of amethyst. A blood red sword of psychic energy slashed down, right through the being Kaiobit had considered "Grandpa." Indigo colored blood leaked down onto the image of soft lilac, and the serenity was torn.

Kaiobit felt the death, and turned to find it, the long angry, glowing sword of fire raised again.

Apparently, death was meager. Scarlet lighting ripped again through the helpless being, disfiguring the harmless old KaioShin. 

Large black eyes glassed over with pain, and Kaiobit bit back his tears, and then prepared to avenge Rou KaioShin's death, but stopped, when familiar black eyes pierced into his soul.

The world spun around him, and Kaiobit found himself turn to turmoil. He knew that smooth heart shaped face all to well, it used to be a face he saw often, and a face he had once owned. He froze, unsure of what the KaioShin in front of him wanted to do, and then the bickering in his head started.

(We must attack now!) the KaioShin part of him was screaming out for revenge.

However, the Kibito half was adamant for just the opposite, (No! I cannot!! It's you! I cannot...I will not, ever hurt you! I cannot! Not you!) almost screaming within Kaiobit's mind, his voice torn with the decision and the clash of heart break with the want to do as his other half wanted. 

Steel-set ebony eyes bore into Kaiobit's heart, ripping it to shreds with just the promise it held for him in those opaque spheres. The former KaioShin approached Kaiobit, twirling the energy blade to the right, and then he paused, tilted his head as Kaiobit played with notion after notion, trying to determine the best way to deal with a part of his self.

Kibito continued to plead with his other half, but KaioShin's heart was closed to the matter, only wanting revenge for the last he had of his kind. Once again, he was alone. Kibito fused inside of him, and Rou KaioShin in pieces in front of him.

Kaiobit rushed at the smaller being. KaioShin dodged away, twirling his sword forward. Kaiobit managed to avoid the blade, barely. He started up a psychic attack, only to have KaioShin fade from sight.

Confused, Kaiobit looked around, and then felt out for a ki, only to find that every ki of the servants on KaioShin-Kai were also extinguished, and KaioShin's was nowhere on the planet. The entire time his mind had wandered, KaioShin had destroyed everything he had known and based his world off of. It was gone, and he had been oblivious to it. Guilt ran amuck with other mixed emotions, and finally a tear slid down his face. There had to be something he could do, and he had to find this crazed KaioShin, fast, before he hurt anyone else.

******************

Quiet echoed through the laboratory as Bulma finished up the last touches on her new concept item, and her large blue eyes took a moment to look at the calendar.

"May 12th. Okay...let me write that down." She took a notepad and wrote down the date of her finished product. It was nice to have Trunks take over Capsule Corps, leaving her to invent odd little gadgets at her leisure, and Bulma took full advantage of it, showing her brains to the world.

Finally relaxed, Bulma took note of the dark clouds rolling in, promising a darkened, stormy onslaught of liquid ice. She sighed, the grey aerial battle reflected in her sapphire depths.

"Bulma-san?" A soft voice broke through the silence that had taken over her ears, and she turned to find Kaiobit in her lab, of all of the places....

"Kaiobit?"

And behind him, Son Goku, still in his training attire. 

"Son-kun? What brings you two here?"

Goku grinned sheepishly and then pushed Kaiobit forward. "You experienced it, you tell her about it."

"But, Goku-san," Kaiobit stammered at the Saiya-jin, "you are the one who suggested we come here...."

"Right. Well, Bulma. It's kinda like...." Goku thought for a moment, trying to conjure up just the right words. He settled for sitting down, while Kaiobit remained standing. 

"See, you know how Kaiobit used to be two beings, Shin and Kibito?" Bulma nodded her head as Goku continued on, "Well, apparently there is another KaioShin, another, just like the Shin Kaiobit used to be. And this Shin attacked Kaiobit. We were wonderin' how that's possible. He came to me asking if I could help him fight it and everything, but I know how weak Shin is compared to me, and I don't want to hurt him. We just don't know how he got here, or how it's possible for there to be this Shin, and the one fused with Kibito."

Bulma's eyes blinked at the mess of words Goku left for her to decode, and she sighed, understanding after processing and throwing out information she didn't need. Then she turned to Kaiobit. "Now, you tell what me happened."

Stuttering in the beginning, Kaiobit informed of how this other KaioShin had attacked all of those living on KaioShin-Kai, and how he had also started to attack Kaiobit, but then he had disappeared. Possibly using the Kai-Kai to go to another planet.

"Well, Son-kun, Kaiobit...how do I explain this?" Bulma muttered as she rose from her seat and headed for a chalkboard. She would need drawings for this one. But no, there was something nagging at the back of her mind, and she stopped, the chalk about to touch the green surface. "Son-kun, seriously, why did you come here?"

"Well, I would like to know how it's possible, first, and then, we'll try to talk to him."

"I don't think you can talk to him Son-kun."

Kaiobit's face paled, his eyes focused on the ground as he quietly asked, "Why?"

"Sit down, Kaiobit, this may take a while."

Bulma drew two lines on the chalkboard, then she drew a series of lines leaning in one direction on one, and for the lower one she drew a series of lines leaning in the opposite direction.

"It's like this." She pointed to the top line and said, "This is our universe, and the way things run here. However, there have always been theories of parallel universes that run along side ours. But with these other universes come changes. It's almost like the different timelines Mirai Trunks made with his time hopping, only, the timelines are small changes."

Slowly, Bulma pointed to the other line, "However, with a parallel universe, everything is the opposite of our universe."

Seeing Goku's large black eyes blink at her cued her in to explain with some examples. "For instance, Cell could be the hero of the world, and you, Son-kun, could have been out to destroy the Earth for the evil god of the universe."

Kaiobit's eyes closed, barely holding back tears, while Goku smiled. "I get it now."

Shaking her head, Bulma massaged her forehead, waiting....

"Oh...." Goku's eyes narrowed.

There it was. He understood the full impact now.

"So, we have to kill Shin, as...he's evil."

A drawn out sigh came from Bulma, masking the whimper from Kaiobit, as she said, "If this is the case, then yes. Everything in that parallel universe would be the opposite of here. Who knows how he got here, or what he's doing, but I wouldn't take any chances if I was you. This could be serious, on many levels. The people he killed could be important for our time flow later, and he may ruin that, or kill innocents."

*******************

Obsidian peered from out of narrowed slits of hatred, watching, as two children exchanged gentle punches and kicks. A sparring session they enjoyed greatly.

The little girl, her short black hair framing her heart shaped face, eagerly kept up with the older boy's carefully timed moves. His black hair, on the other hand, was a mohawk of a mess; tufts of it blew in the wind, at times almost obscuring his view.

They giggled and bounced around each other, playing more than sparring, the little girl's eyes shining with mirth, staring up at the boy as though he was the center of the Earth. 

The figure watched behind the bushes, waiting for a moment to strike, his sights set on the boy. One mangled thought screaming through his mind; 'I know he's reborn, but he was still Majin Buu! And I will kill him. I don't care anymore!'

But a voice replied back, one he knew, but for some reason he could not place it. 'He is an innocent. He has started over and done nothing.'

'He killed all that I knew....'

'Not this time.'

'It doesn't matter!'

*******************

A fleeting darkness floated on the psychic winds of the planet, calling to it's guardian, and he took notice.

Dende's eyes scanned the ground for a moment, and then he closed them, trying to place the ki he was feeling near Pan and Uub. Something was not right, but he was having difficulty determining the reason for the upset. The balance was off, and tipping to the side of darkness; he could feel it.

After hours of meditating, Piccolo finally moved. One eyebrow raised in Dende's direction, letting the younger Namek know Piccolo felt his concern. Piccolo opened his eyes and ceased floating. He knew he would not be able to ignore Dende's distress, and it would interfere with any further meditation he chased after, so helping the younger god was more fruitful. 

Piccolo never even had to say a word; Dende understood what he sought after in response.

"I feel a familiar ki. But I'm not sure whom it belongs to. I think I know it from somewhere. It's causing a disturbance in the balance right now, and...I think it's rising." Dende's eyes opened, wide as saucers, with the horror the smaller Namek felt stab through his heart. "It's near Uub and Pan. Over at Goku-san's home!"

Immediately intrigued, Piccolo felt for the ki, and he recognized it from a few years back. It was a tad different in the signature, and as far as he knew, it was impossible for the ki to be there, but he knew who it was. However, what was he doing at Goku's?

"That ki is rising...Piccolo...."

Piccolo nodded his head, understanding what Dende was thinking. "Why would he attack?"

"He who? Piccolo-san, you know who it is?"

Without a word Piccolo took off, headed for Goku's house, leaving Dende lost in thought, until he recognized two more kis headed to the same place. One of them was Goku's, and the other one, was similar to the one that had Dende puzzled. Now he was puzzled for a different reason. "Why?" he asked the air, as thunder boomed in the distance. 

******************

No warning was sounded as KaioShin sprung from the bushes and shot straight for Uub. Uub's large black eyes blinked at the blur of purple, ebony and white headed right for him, and Pan screamed, noticing the translucent blood-red blade in Shin's hands.

The young girl's scream managed to shatter KaioShin's thoughts for a moment, clearing his vision to see the young girl standing out in front of Uub, just before he could strike. He thrust the sword upward, missing both children. And for his efforts he was kneed in his stomach.

Goku growled while holding onto his grand-daughter and Uub. He nodded at Kaiobit and then disappeared, taking the children to safety. One last telepathic thought was sent to Kaiobit on the matter. (Don't use somethin' so strong it destroys the house. Chichi will be pissed.)

(I understand.)

Faded, the blade hilt was now on the ground, while KaioShin's small arms wrapped around his abdomen, large black eyes pathetically blinking up at Kaiobit. A couple of droplets dripped from the eyes of the sky, a portent of the battle to come.

Slowly, KaioShin's eyes rose from the ground to look into Kaiobit's. It was still odd to see his own face, slightly different, but still his. He knew who else was in there, and the reason he had fled earlier was thrown back in his mind. 'You know why you ran off. You can't hurt him.'

'Yes, I can! But I...I don't want to....' Shin's inner argument was at times, almost like the one from inside Kaiobit, only one portion of Kaiobit was intent on stopping the small being, KaioShin was completely unsure of himself, thoughts drifting in and out.

To Kaiobit, KaioShin's eyes were glazed over, and hinted at his sanity. Against the second voice in his head, he started up another blast, eyes narrowed on the tiny purple being.

In defense, KaioShin quickly grabbed for the metal sword hilt, powering up the item. First the blade was blue, and then a dark redness swirled into the light, coating it with hatred. KaioShin pointed the tip at Kaiobit, rain drops washing the small bit of purple blood from his arms, and the black clothes hiding it from Kaiobit's sight.

'I can't do this.'

(I will not hurt you! This is wrong!)

KaioShin took another breathe, desperately trying to remain conscious, but to Kaiobit, he seemed questionable. 

(I have to. He cannot be allowed to hurt anyone else.)

'I can't do this.'

(I will not allow this!)

Kaiobit rushed at KaioShin, determined to make the kill quick, and KaioShin was prepared to at least defend himself, as best as he was able.

'I don't want to, but...but....'

(I do not want this!)

"STOP IT!"

Both stopped to find Piccolo standing in front of them, KaioShin started to rush around him, blade ready to slice through Kaiobit, but Piccolo quickly caught him one arm, his other hand pressing the area Goku had kneed earlier.

He felt a tinge of guilt as KaioShin wilted in his arms, eyes close to tears, but at the same time, it was all he could think of. He had always held regret that he could never help KaioShin when he was fighting Buu all those years ago, and this was the least he could do for him. The empty metal hilt rolled to the ground.

Gingerly, Piccolo picked up KaioShin as the being whimpered. Kaiobit stared in shock at the two, angered Piccolo would dare step in.

"Piccolo, he is evil, and he must be stopped."

Calmly, Piccolo held his hand over Shin's abdomen and then flung the purple blood in Kaiobit's face as the rain washed it away.

Kaiobit could only stutter in response. Shock paralyzed him.

"He is harmless. Don't worry about it. I'll handle this. Neither of you really wanted to hurt each other anyway."

"No!" came a sharp argument from the bundle of pain in Piccolo's arms. "I will kill him. Put me down!" 

KaioShin apparently had lost no spunk, though, as he tried to scramble from Piccolo's hold, insisting he could hold his own. Piccolo's only voiced thought on the matter was, "If I can pick you up, and you can't get away, then you are in no condition to be fighting."

Piccolo knelt down and retrieved the sword hilt, and a mangled sob from the purple being was the best response KaioShin could give, and it satisfied Piccolo. He simply nodded at Kaiobit, and took off, while Kaiobit stood there, rain pouring down, soaking his clothes, and all he could do was watch.

"What just happened?"

******************

Gently, Piccolo laid KaioShin on a couch in Kami's palace, careful not to touch the wound he knew was there. Without permission, he lifted Shin's shirt and found not only a bruise from Goku's attack, but a frightening gash across his abdomen, that had been healing, until the Goku's attack reopened it.

"How long have you had that?"

"I don't know," KaioShin managed to sob out, with his large eyes focused away from Piccolo, unable to look at him. "I've lost track of time."

For a moment, Piccolo could just think, focusing on Shin's ki as it dropped drastically, indicating fatigue. His mouth twitched, knowing KaioShin had never stood a chance fighting Kaiobit in his condition. "Dende! Get in here!"

The younger Namek scurried in, his eyes widening at the picture in front of him, and the decreasing ki energy.

He focused his energy on KaioShin's wound, thankful to see it close, but he looked at Piccolo, completely confused.

"Did Kaiobit unfuse?"

Piccolo only shook his head, and then looked at the door, grateful Dende noticed his movements, and could read him so well. Quietly, Dende left as quick he entered, but he looked back, and gave Piccolo an expression the older Namek knew all too well. Dende was expecting to be filled in. Piccolo nodded his head to indicate "Yes," and Dende left them to discuss matters in private.

"First off, what are you doing here?"

KaioShin did nothing but turn away, refusing to speak, and Piccolo had expected no less of the secretive being, but he found it annoying.

"Okay, why did you attack Uub and Kaiobit?"

"Do you think I'm evil?"

"Huh?" Piccolo asked, eyes wide in shock. "Evil? How could you be evil?" He chuckled a bit to himself. "You could never be evil," he explained, tilting Shin's face to look at his own.

"Do you think I'm evil?"

A frown formed on Shin's face, as though he was pondering the matter, and then he gave a quick, "No."

"Then how could I dare say you are evil, after all I've done." Piccolo took a deep breathe, frightened to ask again, but knowing he had to understand the reasoning behind the attacks. "How did you get here?"

"Long story."

"So, start telling it, or we could be here all night."

Silence. 

"I don't appreciate this, since I did save you."

"I never asked you to!" Surprising Piccolo, Shin shot up, glaring at him, intense hatred flashing in his eyes.

A low growl silenced him before he could say anything else, and Piccolo asked, "You would rather be dead?"

"Maybe I would," Shin softly answered, eyes staring off at the wall.

"Where is Kibito when you need him?"

Shin's eyes closed, and Piccolo understood something. 

"What happened? Are you ready to talk now?"

KaioShin handed Piccolo a complicated device of metal parts and sobbed lightly. "Kaiobit got to our planet with that. And I got away with that wound you saw."

"And Kibito?"

Shin only shook his head, still refusing to answer, unable to. So Piccolo stopped, knowing he was asking too much already. "Is that how you got here?" Piccolo gestured to the device.

"Yes."

Piccolo handed Shin the sword hilt, and he never voiced his thoughts, but he decided Shin must have used that to keep himself alive against the Kaiobit that attacked him. Shin could only stare at the blade, and mutter, "It came out red. It should have been purple...was my hatred that great?"

"Never mind that. Your eyes are closing. Get some sleep," Piccolo told him as he rose to leave, grabbing the device, only to have one small, purple hand grasp his cape, and small, "Please," stop him dead.

"Why did Kaiobit...?"

"Maybe Kaiobit went there for the same reason you came here," was the only thing Piccolo could think to say. His mind was lost in thought, baffled by the whole event. "Now, you need rest."

"Don't go." 

He looked back at Shin, and smiled for him, feeling a warmth for the deity. "I will call Dende in here then. I have something I need to do. But when I get back, I will watch over you, and be here," he soothed Shin with his words and bent over to kiss his forehead lightly, then he called Dende in again.

The younger Namek let his irritation show with one look, but then he was concerned with Shin's state. He looked KaioShin over, and then shook his head, telepathically talking to Piccolo. (He's suffering from malnutrition, badly, amongst a few other things.)

(He's also exhausted. Make him eat when wakes up.)  

(Where are you going?)

(I'll come back. Just watch him. He needs someone to be here when he wakes up.)

******************

"You have no idea where Piccolo took him, but he didn't hurt Piccolo," Tenshinhan interjected, hoping that would instigate his point on the matter. It hardly seemed this KaioShin was a large danger to the planet, but a few of the others were uncertain on the matter and discussing retrieving the being from Kami's palace.

"No. He couldn't even hurt Piccolo. He was too weak," came a whispered retort from Kaiobit, who still desperately wished he could have held Shin, or helped him.

Goku's large black eyes blinked at Tenshinhan as he said, "So, you think we made a mistake?"

However, it was not Tenshinhan that answered.

"Yes. You made a mistake. He's not evil."

They turned to find Piccolo standing there, and holding the odd device Shin had given him. He tossed it to Bulma's table and informed her, "That's how KaioShin traveled here. Thought you might find it interesting."

Quickly, Piccolo turned and started to take off into the darkened sky, but Goku asked, "If he's not evil, what is he?" and Piccolo stopped.

For a moment Piccolo was quiet, and then he answered, "He is scared." Then he started to lift into the air, yet Piccolo had just one more thing to say. "But at least now, he is not alone."

*****************

The End

(5-7-2)

End notes: Well, it's not that great, as I was running out of ideas, and my inspiration just got back to me today. Sorry it took so long as well. It should have never taken me this long to write out something so lacking. Biggest problem is, I don't know where to bother with it anymore. I've played the scene out in my mind one too many times. Ever have that happen? Try to avoid it from happening, it ruins very good story ideas. Oh well, you are all entitled to your own opinions on the matter. I think the over all plot idea was good. Oh well, I won't say anything more. I don't want to drive you guys insane with my drivel. ^^; 

I just felt like doing something different, and compared to my recent fics, this was as different as it gets. I know you would all have loved the complete parallel universe Shin, which I may still do, but I didn't feel like doing it with this one. ^^! Hehe, don't know why, but this seemed more soothing, and more of a trip on the mind. If you guys want me to really try, and maybe if someone gives a good idea to being with, I can still try it. Maybe do that AU where Goku is secretly working for the Dark KaioShin of the universe, and Cell saves the planet from an evil Namek named Dende, and his partner Gohan. ^^!! It's just an out there idea. Tell me what you all think.

~Neko-chan