Cosmic Crisis 2 - The Return of Orion
Written be Erin Miller - nekochan016@aol.com 

Chapter 20 - Return to Earth 

	Natalie, Goku, Vegita, and Piccolo stood before King Kai.  This
was the last day of their training.  As of tomorrow, the dragon balls
would be recharged and ready to be used, after 2 1/2 months of hard
training.
	Natalie stood in between Goku and Piccolo, and was dwarfed by
their mass.  Yet, she had a look of determination on her face and it was
obvious that she had improved since she began.  Goku had managed to
teach her to teleport, and Piccolo showed her the Makankosappo, though
she wasn't very good, as shown during previous attempts.  Her Saiyan
tail swished behind her in anticipation.  She couldn't wait to see
Trunks again.  She longed to be near him.  
	Vegita studied Natalie out of the corner of his eye.  She definitely
was a fighter.  But it was different with her.  He couldn't place his
finger on it, but she wasn't like everyone else.
	"Well I must say I am very proud of the four of you." King Kai
said, bringing Vegita back to reality.  "I can see that you haven't
changed since the last time I met you.  And it was nice to get to know
you for the first time, Natalie."  Natalie looked up from staring at the
ground and it was obvious that she hadn't heard a word he said.
	"Oh, uh...yeah." She said, nodding her head.  She couldn't take
her mind off of Trunks, and Kira.  She hoped that she was doing all
right.  
	Trunks and Kira sat on the roof of the dome-shaped building of
Capsule Corp.  The sun had set but the clouds covered the night sky,
blocking out any light from the stars.  
	"Tomorrow mommy comes back." Kira said happily.  Trunks nodded. 
He had managed to keep his mind preoccupied during that time by focusing
on Kira's training.  He was very careful with her, though, after the
accident.  "Are you sad?" Kira asked, noticing the single tear that fell
down Trunks' cheek.  He looked at her with sincerity in his eyes.
	"No, I'm just very happy." Trunks replied.  He had realized how
much he cared for Natalie, and that he could not live without her.  He
willed the day to come faster, so that he could see her.  He also had to
think of a way to explain the situation to his father.  He could see it
now...Vegita would get mad and threaten to throw Natalie out of the
house unless they promised to stay away from each other.  Well, maybe he
wouldn't get THAT mad.  At least he hoped.  There had been something
bothering him...eating at the back of his mind ever since the day he
went back to get his things from school.  He couldn't figure out why
Ryan was all of the sudden missing.  And he remembered the cold
receptions he had gotten long ago.  Was Ryan possibly connected with
Orion?  After all, they both showed up at around the same time.  And
even the names were similar.  He had managed, however, to find out where
the clones were coming from.  They had been simple machines, designed
only to capture their prey.  They had no fighting skills whatsoever. 
Orion had used them to try and trick Natalie.  Fortunately, he had
underestimated her.  
	"Let's go inside." Kira said, rubbing her eyes sleepily.  "I want to
go to sleep."  Trunks took one last look at the night sky and then
floated down to the ground, followed by Kira.  Trunks had such a sense
of pride in her.  It was hard to see the girl as HIS daughter, yet he
felt a strong bond between them.  He wished that Natalie could be here
to share that with him.
	"Just be patient...just one more day..." Trunks told himself. 
But it was that fact that made him so impatient.  It was just like the
last day of school.  All of the sudden, it's right in front of you, but
then it won't move.  He knew just what to do.  He needed to escape into
sleep.  That always made the day come faster.  
	The two Saiyans entered Capsule Corp. quietly.  Bulma was probably
already asleep, and Bra certainly was.  During the past couple of
months, Trunks could sense a hint of jealousy in Bra's eyes.  She
probably felt shadowed because of Kira's presence.  He couldn't blame
her, though.  She hadn't gotten much attention lately.  But he knew that
would all change when his dad got back.  Vegita spoiled Bra like there
was no tomorrow.
	"What are you two doing up?"  Trunks snapped back to reality. 
Bulma was standing at the bottom of the stairs in her nightgown.  
	"Oh...sorry, mom...we were just-" Trunks broke off
	"Oh I'm not mad.  I just heard something on the roof and was
startled." She replied, her voice heavy with lethargy. 
	"Go back to bed, mom.  We'll be fine." Trunks said.  Kira took
Bulma's hand and led her upstairs.  Trunks followed, realizing that he
was quite tired himself.  He quickly slid into a pair of boxers and an
undershirt as Kira "tucked in" his mother.  He could sense something
about Kira.  There was some sense of desperation behind her eyes.  It
was as if she was hiding something, and masked it by innocence and a
will to please others.  He knew that she wouldn't say anything, for she
didn't want to risk preventing her birth.  Just then, she walked by his
door towards Natalie's room.  She had slept in there ever since Natalie
had "left".  He preferred to use that word.
	Just then, a dark figure appeared in his window.  Trunks immediately
froze.  His pulse was loud in his ears, and he could feel his heart beat
increase in his chest.  After only a split second of adrenaline rush, he
recognized the ki to be Goten's.  Trunks spun around, and sure enough,
Goten was standing on his balcony, peering inside the window.  Trunks
jumped up and opened the doors to the balcony.
	"Goten what in the hell are you doing here?" Trunks hissed.
	"Whoa sorry, Trunks.  Can I stay the night?" he asked.  
	"What?  Do you know what time it is?" Trunks said.
	"Sure.  I checked before I left, and that was ten minutes ago. 
Sorry for coming unexpectedly, but I didn't want to call and wake
everyone up." Goten explained.  "But Gohan came over again and of
course, he and Videl got my room, and I really didn't want to spend the
night on the floor with Pan."
	"That's fine.  I know my mom won't care." Trunks answered, and
moved out of the doorway to let Goten in.
	"Is Kira asleep?" Goten asked.  Trunks nodded as he got some clothes
out for his friend.  Goten had a hard time seeing Trunks as a father. 
He and Trunks had always been best friends and sparring partners ever
since they were young.  Sometimes seeing Trunks and Natalie together
made him feel lonely.  He didn't have good experiences with girls.  He
just never seemed to keep interest in just one.  Sometimes he wondered
if he would ever start a family of his own.  But what was he worrying
about now, he was only fifteen after all.  
	"You okay Goten?" Trunks asked, noticing that his friend didn't
seem very connected with reality.  Goten snapped his head up and nodded.
 The two of them both slid under the covers, sleeping on opposite sides
of the bed from each other.  Before they could even acknowledge the
exhausted state of their bodies, they were fast asleep. 
	Natalie was debating on whether to tell Vegita about Kira before
he found out for himself.  She could see him getting quite angry at the
fact that nobody had told him.  Every time she started to approach him,
she backed off.  She just couldn't do it.  Not after what had happened
before.  They didn't seem to be getting along very well lately.  Maybe
Vegita already knew about Kira but he wasn't saying anything?  Natalie's
head spun.  Everything was just so confusing.
	"Hey Natalie!" Goku called from across the yard.  Natalie jumped,
and looked up at him.
	"What?" she asked, a hint of irritation behind her voice.
	"You wanna spar with us?" he asked, gesturing to Vegita and Piccolo.
 "Just one last time before we go back." 
	"No." she said coldly.  What had come over her?  All of the sudden
she felt angry.  
	"Huh?" Goku said, an expression of confusion on his face.  "Oh
Natalie I know you must miss everyone on Earth.  But you've always loved
sparring with us.  Maybe you can relieve tension that way." Goku
suggested.
	"I said no!" she shouted.  Vegita and Piccolo looked at her and
Goku recoiled in surprise.
	"If you say so..." Goku trailed off and headed back for the
other fighters.  Vegita looked at Natalie, who was sitting against that
same tree that she always sought refuge under.  He knew that there was
something she was hiding from everyone.  And he was going to find out. 
He walked toward her, his arms folded and his eyes narrowed.  Just as
she looked up, he was three feet away from her.
	"What is your problem girl?" Vegita asked.
	"Nothing that concerns you." Natalie snapped back.  She couldn't
believe this.  Now even Vegita was on to her.  She had to think of
something, fast.
	"Don't talk to me like that.  I didn't do anything to you." Vegita
said, his voice surprisingly calm.  
	"Vegita," Natalie sighed.  "I don't think I should talk about it
right now.  Trust me you'll find out soon enough." She said.  Vegita
looked at her suspiciously.  
	"Are you pregnant?" he asked.  Natalie facefaulted.
	"What!?" she cried.  She couldn't believe that he even *suspected*
her of something like that.
	"You heard me." He said.  "Well?"
	"Vegita I am not pregnant!  You think I'm some kind of a slut?"
Natalie said, obviously outraged.  Vegita laughed.  "That isn't funny!"
she cried, but Vegita continued laughing.  Soon, Natalie started to
laugh as well.  First it was just a giggle, but soon she was on the
ground and on the brink of tears.  Goku and Piccolo were watching the
scene with sweatdrops.  Piccolo sneered.
	"She certainly has a way with him." He commented.  Goku nodded,
his jaw still dropped and his hand behind his head.  Natalie eventually
stopped laughing and looked around, realizing that everyone was staring
at her.
	"What?" she said, throwing her arms into the air in protest. 
Piccolo, Goku, and Vegita slowly turned their gaze away from Natalie and
towards King Kai, who was standing in the doorway of his house.
	"Is there a problem?" the blue-skinned god asked, cocking an
eyebrow.  As always, his eyes were unseen because of his ridiculous
sunglasses.  
	"Nope!  No problem here!" Natalie said, laughing nervously. 
King Kai looked at her, and then at the group of men, and then back at
Natalie.  
	"Right..." King Kai said, drawing the word out.  "Obviously I missed
something."
	"No, no.  There's nothing to see here King Kai." Natalie said,
not doing a very good job of convincing him.
	"Great job, girl." Vegita said under his breath.  
	"Well...um..." Natalie started, clearing her throat.  "I guess
we should get back to sparring!"  She headed towards Piccolo and Goku,
passing Vegita on the way and nudging him in the ribs.
	"Don't ever pursue a career in acting." Piccolo commented.  Natalie
sneered at him before challenging him to a match.  
	"Well if you think you're so tough, why don't you prove it?" she
said, curling index finger inward as to say "come here".  Piccolo looked
at her strangely before stepping forward.
	"Fine, if it will shut you up." He said, throwing off his weighted
cape and shoulder guards.  Natalie smiled triumphantly.  Not that she
had any doubt in her manipulative abilities.  
	"Well are you going to spar or just sit there with that stupid
grin on your face?" Piccolo shouted.  Natalie snapped her head up and
looked at him.
	"Bring it on." She said, folding her arms.  Goku and Vegita watched
with interest.
	"I hope Piccolo doesn't hurt her." Goku commented.  
	"You fool.  There's no way that green bean could get the best of
the girl." Vegita snapped.
	"How do you know, Vegita?" Goku asked.
	"Haven't you seen her in battle before?  You know she doesn't
give in so easily." Vegita replied.
	"Oh, I don't know.  Piccolo isn't the type to hold back for anyone."
Goku said.
	"Neither am I and she's proven to be almost as good as you or
me." Vegita said.  "I just can't understand why she gained so much skill
in only a few months, when it took us 20 years.  There has to be
something very different about her."
	"Maybe she's a high class warrior." Goku suggested.  "She is Saiyan,
isn't she?"
	"Yes, Kakarott she is a Saiyan.  But only half Saiyan.  There's
another race mixed in there.  I don't know what it's called." Vegita
said.
	"Well why don't you ask her?  Maybe she will know, and she could
tell us who her parents are." Goku said, and then turned back to the
fight.  It seemed that Natalie was having a harder time with Piccolo,
since he had different techniques and she had never trained under him
before.  He launched a blast at her, and just as she brought her arms up
to block it, he struck, knocking her back.  She regained her balance,
and with hurt pride, charged a ki blast of her own.  She threw it at
him, knowing that it wouldn't do any good.  As expected, Piccolo blocked
it.
	While Piccolo was busy throwing ki blasts and punches at her,
she put up a ki shield, crossed her arms over her face, and
concentrated.  She hoped that she would be able to perform the attack
correctly and totally blow him away.  Not literally, of course.  As she
concentrated, the frontal region of her skull, in the area of her
forehead, began to tingle.  This was totally new to her, and broke her
concentration,
	"Looks like you couldn't handle it." Piccolo sneered.  Natalie
was still a bit dazed and was trying to make sense of the situation when
a large blast slammed into her, knocking her forward and onto her knees.
 After a few seconds of silence, she spoke. 
	"Who did it?" she said with a dull tone of voice, as if she was
really quite irritated.  Nobody answered.  She figured that it was
either Piccolo or Vegita, as they tended to do that a lot.  She dusted
herself off and stood on her feet, stretching her muscles in the
process.  "All I can say is, good job." Natalie said, extending her hand
to Piccolo.  He, however, stood in place and didn't bother accepting the
handshake.  Natalie shrugged and walked off.
	Goten awoke the next morning, forgetting that he had spent the
night at Capsule Corp., sat up in bed with a start.  Trunks awoke and
looked around the room, blinking several times.
	"What's the matter?" Trunks asked.  Goten looked at him with a
grin on his face.
	"Come on!" he said, grabbing Trunks by the hand and jetting down
the stairs.  "Where did you put them?" he asked hurriedly.
	"Put what?" Trunks said, quite confused with the situation.
	"The dragon balls, moron!  Where did you put them?" Goten replied. 

	"Oh yeah!" Trunks said, remembering that today was the day that
everyone would be wished back.  He ran up the stairs and swung the door
to his mother's room wide open.
	"What the!" Bulma cried, sitting up in bed.  "What are you two
doing!?"
	"Sorry." Goten said.  "We were looking for the dragon balls."
	"Oh." Bulma said, placing a hand over her forehead.  "Of course.
 They're in the science wing in the second door on the left." She said. 

	"Thanks mom." Trunks said.  He and Goten headed downstairs towards
the science wing, when Kira appeared in front of them, surprising the
two boys.
	"Damn, Kira you scared us." Goten said.  Trunks elbowed him in
the ribs, hard.  "Ow!  What was that for?" Goten cried.  
	"Are you looking for the dragon balls?" she asked.
	"Heh heh...yes we are." Goten said.  "Would you like to come
with us?"  Kira nodded.  
	After the three of them made their way to the science wing and
collected the dragon balls, they headed outside.
	"Uh...Trunks." Goten said as Trunks put the balls in a circle.
	"What?" Trunks asked, not looking up.
	"Don't you think that we should put some *clothes* on first?"
Goten suggested.  Trunks stood up and looked at Goten, and then down at
his clothes.  He then realized that they were both still wearing the
same thing that they went to bed in.
	"Oh...right." He said.  They both headed upstairs to change clothes.
 After all, they wouldn't form much of an impression if their parents
came back and found them in their nightclothes.  After much scrambling
about upstairs in Trunks' room, the two emerged.  Trunks was wearing a
black tank top and navy blue training pants with his usual trademark
boots.  Goten was wearing a tight, white shirt and grey training pants
with a pair of boots identical to Trunks'.  Kira, nevertheless, remained
in her pajamas.  Or, rather, Natalie's pajamas, since she didn't exactly
bring any clothing with her.  The three of them returned outside where
the dragon balls were grouped in a circle on the grass.  A slight breeze
blew, rustling the grass and causing Trunks and Kira's hair to blow in
their faces.  Trunks turned to Goten.
	"Ready?" he asked.  Goten nodded.
	
	Natalie sat in the grass next to Vegita, watching Goku and Piccolo
spar for the third time.  She was bored, and fell back onto the grass
with her hands behind her head.
	"So what are you hiding, girl?" Vegita said, breaking the silence. 
Natalie looked at him with confusion written all over her face.
	"Huh?" she asked, sitting back up.
	"You know what I'm talking about.  There's something that you
are hiding from everyone.  And I have a suspicion that it involves more
than one person, if you know what I mean." Vegita replied.
	"No, I *don't* know what you mean." Natalie said.  "You always
think that I'm up to something."
	"You have been acting strangely lately.  You have this air about
you." He said, looking at her suspiciously.  
	"You know, Vegita, even if there was something wrong with me you
don't have to be so rude about it." Natalie snapped.  Vegita didn't
comment.  "Besides, there's this whole concept of patience, you know,
and maybe you should look into it."
	"What is that supposed to mean?" Vegita said.
	"It means, wait until we're wished back.  You're bound to find
out eventually." Natalie replied.  She just didn't feel safe revealing
the news about Kira on a tiny planet in the middle of nowhere with
nobody around to save her from Vegita's wrath.  Suddenly, as if on cue,
Natalie, Vegita, Goku, and Piccolo started to glow.  King Kai, who had
been buffering his car, looked over at them.  
	"Looks like this is goodbye!" King Kai called to them.  Goku,
Piccolo, and Vegita all nodded.  Natalie, on the other hand, was on the
verge of hysterics.
	"What the hell is happening to me!  Someone save me!" She cried,
waving her arms around frantically as her body was lifted slowly into
the air.  King Kai laughed at her innocence.  
	"Have a nice trip!" King Kai said, just a split second before
the four of them disappeared into thin air.  
	"Your wish has been granted." The eternal dragon growled.  The
dark sky lit up with lightning and the dragon began to glow.  After a
clap of thunder consumed the sky, the dragon was gone.  The dragon balls
rose into the air and hung still for a few short seconds before
scattering themselves throughout the planet.  
	"I-I think it's over." Goten said.  He looked over at Trunks,
who was trying to pry a frightened Kira off of his leg.  Suddenly, four
glowing balls of light appeared in front of them.  They soon took the
form of people, and the light faded to reveal Natalie, Vegita, Goku, and
Piccolo.  When the four of them gathered their senses, they looked up. 
Natalie was still confused, until she locked on to Trunks' figure.
	"T-Trunks!" she cried, racing across the yard and jumping into
his arms, almost knocking him backward.  Trunks looked a bit stunned,
but was overwhelmed with joy at the same time.  Vegita, Goku, and
Piccolo stood still, observing the scene.  Then, all at the same time,
they spotted a little, purple-haired girl clinging to Trunks' leg. 
Vegita's eyes nearly bugged out of his head while Goku and Vegita got
humongus sweat drops.  Natalie finally peeled herself away from Trunks
and looked down at Kira.
	"Hi mommy!" the girl spoke, jumping into Natalie's arms.  Vegita
got an even more ridiculous look of surprise on his face and fell over. 

	"Heh heh.  Who's the girl, Trunks?" Goku asked, grinning.  
	"Er..." Trunks started, not exactly sure on how to explain the
situation.  He waited for Kira to use her *wonderful* sense of timing
and deliver an innocent-eyed comment about her *parents*, but she
didn't.  
	"Yes, Trunks." Vegita began, with a psychotic look in his eyes. 
"Please...explain."
	"Well...you see, there was this...um..." Trunks trailed off.  He
looked at Natalie nervously.  It was apparent that she was scared stiff.
	"Anyone hungry?" Goten said, breaking the awkward silence.  However,
nobody even glanced at him.  They were all focused on the girl.  By now,
Vegita had his fists clenched and his teeth gritted.  It was obvious
that he was *quite* angry.
	"Well, you see, Vegita, it's really quite simple." Natalie began. 
"This girl-"
	"Had better be pretty tough if she wants to survive the onslaught
YOU two are going to suffer." Vegita growled.  Natalie stepped back in
fear.  
	"Vegita, don't you think you're overreacting?" Goku asked.  
	"Stay out of this Kakarott!" Vegita snapped.  Just then, Bulma
popped out the door.  
	"Vegita you're back!" she cried, and ran to her husband, just as
Natalie had, almost knocking him backward.  He smiled slightly and
allowed his left hand to rest on her back.  
	"Hey dad!" Goten said, walking over to Goku and slapping him on
the back.  "How was the trip?"
	"Great.  We met up with King Kai again." Goku replied, studying
the scene.  "I think we should go home to your mother.  I don't want her
to yell at me for being late!" Goku said happily, and took off to the
sky.  Goten said goodbye to everyone, and followed his father.  
	Piccolo was standing by himself, with his arms folded, when Kira
innocently approached him.
	"Hi." She said.  "I'm Kira.  Are you mister Piccolo?" she asked.
 Piccolo went wide-eyed.  
	"Who are you?" he asked, studying her suspiciously.  
	"I told you already." She said, laughing.  Bulma noticed her and
then turned back to Vegita with a sweat drop.
	"H-have you met Kira yet, honey?" she asked nervously.  
	"You mean that brat over there?" Vegita said.  
	"She's not a brat!" Natalie spoke up.  Vegita glared at her.  
	"Oh really?" he said.  "Then tell me...who IS she?"
	"She's OUR daughter." Natalie said, pulling Trunks to her side. 
Trunks had a nervous look on his face.  Obviously Natalie didn't know
what she was getting into.  
	"That's impossible." Vegita said.  "She must be at least five
years old."
	"She's from the future." Trunks informed.  Piccolo looked up.
	"The future, huh?  How did she get here?" Piccolo asked.
	"Well...I don't know." Natalie said, and then turned to Kira. 
"How did you get here?" she asked.  
	"I don't know." Kira answered simply.  Everyone fell over.
	"Well surely someone sent you?" Natalie said.  
	"Yes you sent me right before you died." Kira replied.  Natalie
cringed and the thought of being killed by the one person she truly
hated.  Orion.
	 "Did you travel in a time machine?" Trunks asked.
	"No." Kira answered.  "I just wished to come back in time, and
it happened." She explained.  Natalie and Trunks were now quite
confused.
	"You mean you just...WISHED?  That's all?" Trunks asked.  Vegita
had his arms folded as usual, with Bulma by his side looking concerned. 
"I don't understand." He said, looking over at Natalie, who was still
looking at Kira with a curious look on her face.  
	"Well I should have known..." Vegita commented, turning back to
Trunks and Natalie.  "That you two would go and do something like this."
He said, and gestured over to Kira, who was running in circles around
Piccolo.  
	"What's the matter, Vegita?" Natalie said, getting a defensive
stance.  "You can't handle someone like me being related to someone like
you?"
	"No." Vegita growled.  "I can't handle the fact that nobody bothered
to tell me that you two decided to get it on in the future."  Natalie
jumped back from the bluntness of that comment.
	"Well, that's one way of putting it honey." Bulma said, trying
to calm her husband down.  "I think they just wanted to wait until you
returned to Earth to reveal the...news."
	"Vegita don't take it so hard." Natalie said calmly.  "You should be
proud because you have continued the Saiyan race."  Vegita's face
softened a bit and he looked over at Kira, who was still managing to
have fun with Piccolo.  Natalie smiled, knowing that she had convinced
him.  He looked at Natalie's smiling face and hardened up again.  
	"Hmph.  Just as long as she isn't a pathetic weakling I suppose
I can stand her." He said.  Natalie was filled with joy and ran to
Vegita to hug him.  He just stood there like a statue, not moving. 
Trunks walked over as well.
	"Thanks dad." He said, putting his hand behind his head and looking
around the yard.  Kira was holding hands with Piccolo and giving him a
tour of the backyard.  Trunks snickered.
	"Well I think we should go in and celebrate!" Bulma exclaimed,
taking Vegita by the hand and strutting into the building.  Natalie and
Trunks stood next to each other as they watched Kira and Piccolo. 
Trunks squeezed Natalie's hand, as if to say "I'm glad you're back". 
She looked at him and smiled, her eyes sparkling in the morning sun.  
	"You look different." He said, looking at her.  
	"Do you mean that in a good way?" she asked.  Trunks nodded.
	"The training paid off, I assume." Trunks commented.  
	"Oh, did it ever.  I feel so much more powerful now!" Natalie
exclaimed, flexing her muscles.  Trunks laughed and play-punched her in
the stomach.  
	"Hey daddy!" Kira called across the yard.  Trunks and Natalie
both turned to their daughter.  "Can mister Piccolo stay for dinner?"
she asked.  
	"She's just like Gohan was when he was little." Trunks whispered
to Natalie.  "At least that's what I hear."
	"Does Piccolo want to stay for lunch?" Natalie asked, glancing
up at the Namek.  He had a look on his face that read "save me!". 
"Maybe another day." Natalie said, and gestured for her to come over.
	""But I want him to stay now!" Kira whined.  Piccolo had a sweat
drop and it was clear that he did not know what to do in this situation.
 Natalie looked at him expectedly, as if waiting for his opinion on the
matter.
	"Uh, well...I have to get going." He said, trying to think of an
excuse.  "I...promised Tien that I would...train him.  Yeah."  Natalie
and Trunks looked at the Namek in disbelief.  
	"Okay.  See you tomorrow mister Piccolo." Kira said, and waved
goodbye to him as he flew off.  The three of them then headed towards
the Capsule Corp. building to enjoy each other's company and celebrate.