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Her eyes were narrow as she watched the equine-like creature. She shifted her weight carefully, but a twig snapped loudly. The animal's ears shot up, and it dashed off. Mia stepped out of the underbrush and cursed. "Don't worry about it," Goten said. "There's plenty of game out here. We'll find something." Mia raised her eyebrow, and shook her head. Her ears were alert, listening for any other prey. But all she could hear was Goten's calm heartbeat. Somehow, it infuriated her. They both took to the sky, skimming over the dense trees, searching for the Ki signature of an animal. It took a small amount of time, but soon they were tracking a herd of something. The moon was just beginning to rise, and the stars shone brightly overhead. Mia focused her eyes on one animal, and dove, her kick landing right on target, snapping its neck. She landed in the middle of the herd, sending kicks out, downing animals. Goten joyfully joined the fray. Mia felt wild. Blood was flying as she ruthlessly attacked, and all she could do was smile. Goten stood to her right, eyes flashing in the sheer adrenaline-pumped action of the hunt. Somehow he felt as if this is what they were born to do: to fight, to fend for themselves. He almost didn't want to back to Earth and his wife. Mia was covered in blood. In her state of mind, she was dangerous. Her eyes fell on Goten, and mixed thoughts ran through her. Her heat cycle was almost over: she could wait, couldn't she? She could wait for Trunks, but somehow her brain was scrambled. It would be wrong of her to take advantage of Goten's hunt-heightened state, or would it? Goten caught her eye. Mia could tell the same thoughts were running through his head. He didn't know she was in her heat cycle. Her want was so great...she didn't know how to react. Goten was getting closer, and Mia's throat tightened. His damp hand touched her cheek, leaving a blood streak across her cheek. She closed her eyes and swallowed. 'His hands are so soft...just like Trunks'...' she thought to herself as she slowly opened her eyes. Goten was there, looking back at her. 'A dream...all a dream...' she thought. She kissed Goten lightly at first, and then it became more passionate. She tried to pull away, trying to stop herself, but Goten held her arms firmly. Finally, Mia surrendered to her Saiyan instincts, and decided to let nature run its course.
Dawn came. Ix'bet knew what he wanted to do. He'd been watching one particular human: the one that didn't like to kill. Ix'bet had decided that he'd be the easiest target. All he needed was a simple blood sample. He had an idea, and wondered if he could use it to his advantage. He didn't want to kill the Saiyans; he just wanted them to leave them, his race, alone. Ix'bet used the scouter over his ear to track the merciful human. "Hi'tan, report your position regarding the Saiyans." "Due East of them. Serori just left, in my direction. Making no moves to engage in battle," The young voice replied. "Good," Ix'bet answered. "We want to take samples from Humans One and Three. If the possibility for Two and the Offspring arise, seize it. They've proved ruthless in battle. Remember to use dilute Tryonide on them." "But sir-" "Quiet. Don't question my decision. I haven't survived this long by being stupid. We want to make it seem as if we're losing the battle by a long shot." Ix'bet's scouter bleeped. The Human was coming his way. "We are losing sir," Hi'tan replied. "Maybe now, but after I'm done with them, we'll of won the war." "Yes, sir. Hi'tan out." Ix'bet pushed his power level low. He knew the Humans could sense power levels without scouters. He waited in the underbrush, breathing silently. Patience... There he was. The human with hair much like a Saiyan's. Ix'bet narrowed his eyes, and readied the Tryonide needle. When it was the right moment, Ix'bet shot out in a burst of orange Ki. The Human whirled to face him. Ix'bet teleported before the attack could hit him, and appeared behind the human. He was about to throw a punch, when he was hit with a brutal Ki blast. Ix'bet was sent tumbling, smoke rising from his scuffed armor. The Talisian righted himself to see the Human standing over him, his eyes narrowed, ruthless. Ix'bet moved quickly, swiping low with his foot, tripping the Human. Ix'bet stabbed the Tryonide needle in the Human's neck before he could react. "What is you name?" Ix'bet asked. "Gohan..." "Thank you, Gohan." Gohan slowly drifted into the solid confines of his mind. Ix'bet knew that Gohan could hear and feel everything he did. He'd been under the effects of Tryonide once. Ix'bet took the blood sample needle and marked on it: 'Human One: Gohan'. He found a vein on Gohan's limp arm, and stuck the needle in. "I'm just taking some blood, Gohan. All I want is a small sample of your blood. I did have to inject you with some Tryonide, but its been diluted. You'll shake out of it in an hour or so," Ix'bet calmly explained as he extracted some blood. "It's sad, you know? How the tables turned. If I got my reports right, you battled with the Talisians that were sent to Earth. Back then you feared us. You were scared of what we could do." Ix'bet chuckled slightly. "Now we fear you. Our children don't sleep because they're afraid someone will kill them while they aren't awake. We hate dying without looking our opponent in the eyes. We want to see who killed us." Ix'bet had his blood, and he retracted the needle. "How do you like being the 'bad guy', Gohan? Do you like to know that children, and innocent people fear you? How does it feel to know you kill children, just because of what they are? You may say I'm no different than you, but I never killed children. I refused." He shook his head. "Do you have children, Gohan? I did, but you and your Saiyan friends killed them. I saw it, I saw the female...Hakuto? Yes, the child of Sekkai shot a Ki blast through my mate's heart then incinerated my two sons. Do you know what it's like losing someone you love? Maybe. Think about it Gohan. And thanks again for the blood." Ix'bet turned and sailed into the dawn sun. He'd send this to Refuge, where they could perhaps perfect cloning techniques. If they had a clone of Gohan, they could have an advantage. They could use the clone to battle. He landed in front of the Lab, and entered his access code. The door opened, and he slid inside. The green lights reflected oddly off his skin, and the whooshing sound of liquid was reassuring to him. The Lab opened up, and Ix'bet began preparing the blood sample for transport. He attached a message for the scientists at Refuge, saying why he sent it. He watched it sail away. He hoped that maybe he could capture one of the Saiyans and use them as well. He hated the thought of repeating past mistakes, but if what he said hit something within Gohan, maybe they'd have another ally for the War. There was one Genetic Chamber left. He began to prepare it for use.
Sekkai walked silently down the quiet halls of the old, battered labs deep within the old Capsule Corp buildings. Hidden inside one of the most run-down, unused labs was a glowing machine: a modified rejuvenation tank. Sekkai had been working on it, finding old, spare parts and building it by herself, without anything but her instincts to guide her. She stepped inside it, and covered her nose and mouth with the mask that would let her breathe. She used an internal control panel to begin the process of trying to restore her youth.
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