Lema was pinned by Cooler's tail, Turles and Kakarot unable to break free from their fight with Frieza. He punched her again, she felt her jaw crack. Everything was so numb, her hair finally having returned back to it's original black color. Another blow fell to her broken rib cage, but she didn't scream, furthering the Ice-jin's rath.

"Scream, female!" His blows came closer and closer together, but he always held back. He didn't want her to die quickly. His feet tore into her flesh, still she said nothing. Instead, Lema smiled in defiance.

"Not what you expected, Ice-jin!" she spat. "It won't be the first time someone's beat me into submission. Never again will I scream for anyone!"

He clasped at her throat, everything was going dark. The last thing she could recall was hearing a rage filled roar throughout the mines and the structure start to collapse.

Turles and Kakarot easily kept up with Frieza, but it wasn't so easy to kill him. They both hesitated, feeling their connection with Lema weaken. Frieza laughed. "You will join her soon," he taunted. "Surely you didn't think a weak monkey could defeat us?"

Lema was limp and Kakarot felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest. The eight short years he had spent with her in the time chamber suddenly didn't feel enough. "No!" He roared; they wouldn't be able to save her in time. Everything he had kept pent inside, his smiles, his anger; he unleashed it all.

His human grandfather had told him to be aware of his abilities, that they could kill the people he cared for. What good was his power if it couldn't save the one person that had risked everything to see him again; whom had yet to see her other son. Lema, his mother, had never known a peaceful moment. That had been stolen from her, as everything else had been. "MOTHER!!!"

Turles lept back, dodging the falling rocks and beams from the mine shaft. Lema was on the ground, her skin pale and her body lifeless. He had failed her. His rage held no limits, his power blending with Kakarot's. Cooler took a step back, unprepared for the sudden assault and emotions of Lema's son and father. Frieza found himself pushed against the rocky walls, being smashed again and again on it's rocky edges. "Please..." he pleaded.

"Never!" Kakarot spat. Taking the Ice-jins tail, he spun him around and around, throwing him through the top and into the other Ice-jin fighting King Vegeta. One look at Kakarot and then Turles who sent Cooler close behind, he knew that Lema was dead.

The ground trembled, cracked and split apart. Everything would be destroyed and he would at last be with his mate. 'Saiya-jin, calm yourself.'

'No!'

Ryos left the children, easily moving past the rubble that had sealed off the mine. Minutes later, he resurface, Lema on his back. 'For saving my the life of my son and myself, you will be granted one wish. This breaks all the laws of my people, to aide an enemy; however, through her actions, the past will forever remain in the past.'

'Any wish?' Vegeta asked.

'Hai.'

'My mate; she is all I desire.'

'Then remember your wish when you destroy the Ice-jins. If you loose all control, we will all die.'

Kakarot slammed his fist into Frieza's jaw, side-kicked him in the back and snapped the Ice-jin's tail in two. He heard the creature scream, but he didn't stop. No, he would never stop! They had murdered thousands, beaten children and raped women for their experiments. NO! The Ice-jins had asked for their fate.

Frieza tried to run, but suddenly found himself looking down at a fist driven into his chest. In his hand, Kakarot held Frieza's heart and squeezed. The Ice-jins fell at his feet.

He walked over to Ryos and lifted his mother, burying his face into her long hair. She had died with a smile on her face and at last she was free from war and pain. He almost wanted to leave her there, to beg his father not to bring her back. Kakarot knew that it was selfish, but he wanted several more years with her and knew that his brother deserved to meet the mother he had never seen.

Cradling her close, he watched his father and Turles mercilessly kill the last two Ice-jins, King Cold and his son Cooler. The fight was over all too quickly, but Vegeta's and Turles's anger did not lessen. It continued to rise to levels that amazed Kakarot. The Saiya-jin king looked at Ryos; "Can you do as you say?"

Ryos rose to his hind legs, shifting into a man of seven feet. Even Kakarot had to look up. "All I ask in return is that you raise my son. He is the last of an ancient race."

Kakarot nodded, his hold on Lema tightening. Ryos began to chant, a silver chant building around him and his mother. Energy began to flow into her and it took him a minute to realize that Ryos was fading. "Wait!"

"For the life of myself and my son; I gladly give her a second chance. It is a fair trade."

"I can wish you back!"

Ryos smiled; "Then we will meet again, Saiya-jin."

Ryos turned into small silver lights and entered Lema's small body. She arched, taking in a lungful of air. Her injuries faded until all that was left were pieces of a bad dream. "Where am I?"

"Safe..." Kakarot told her. She smiled, slipping into a contented sleep. He gave her to his father, who had yet to calm as he walked away from them. In the center of all the turmoil, a figure shimmered. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I..." Jasmine looked around in surprise and laughed. "Bardock was in the process of blowing up several ships when I was suddenly brought here. I guess you defeated the Ice-jins." She smiled, laughing when Kakarot picked her up and headed for the castle.

"It's cold out here! Couldn't you wear something a little warmer?"

Jasmine rolled her eyes, but knew from the logs on the space pod that Saiya-jin males were very protective of the females. "I am a little cold," she agreed. She pretended to shiver, amused that Kakarot pulled her closer and grabbed several clothes from a table and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Aren't you cold?"

"I should check on the little ones."

"Don't bother," Turles growled, holding a Saiya-jin in each arm and the wolf child in his tail. It had finally fallen asleep and he looked ready to kill anyone that took the baby from him. Kakarot assumed all the Saiya-jins would feel the same, knowing the sacrifice that Ryos had made for Lema. Yes, he would make a trip to Namek or Earth to make a wish. He needed to tell Krillan, Yamcha and Bulma good-bye anyway.

Lema felt warm and... the word was unfamiliar to her, and it had been a long time since she had felt it... She was safe, held protectively in a tight embrace. Lema opened her eyes, captivated by an ice cavern with a pool of water that steamed at the surface. Vegeta had yet to power down, his eyes closed in a restless sleep. Each breath ended in a snarl, but Lema knew he would never harm her. She had frightened him and his heart still ached from the loss of her death.

Sensing that she was awake, Vegeta opened his eyes and stared at her. He said nothing, but Lema could see the anger in his expression. "I won't apologize," she finally said, breaking the silence between them. He growled, but she would not be intimidated. Lema had not changed. "It was my choice!"

"Dammit, little one! Never again will you leave my side! Your life is mine!"

"I'm a royal guard!" Lema snapped back, trying in vein to pull free. Vegeta stood, moving to the hot water. He easily separated Lema from her clothing, and soon she was neck deep, purring loudly. She quickly forgot what they had been arguing about, but Vegeta hadn't and titled her head back and kissed her.

"You will not risk your life again, little one."

"But..."

"Turles and Bardock will be my only Royal Guards. Two is more than enough!"

"But..."

He quickly silenced her, ending any further protests that she may have had. Never again will he let her risk her life for his; Vegeta made his desire quiet clear throughout the next several days, distracting her.

They made their trip to Earth. The Ice-jins had been destroyed and to everyone's surprise except for Turles, every planet had been wished back. It was as if the Ice-jins had never existed, but it didn't replace all the races that had been anhiliated. That was beyond the dragon's ability. It only had the ability to bring back those lives that had been taken in the past year.

Kakarot visited his human friends, telling them of his fight on the Ice-jin homeland. True to his word, King Vegeta refused to let his mate more than ten feet away from him, afraid she would find some other adventure that would endanger her life. Content and pregnant with another set of twins, Lema finally started to relax. It had been hard at first, always waking up with a sob or a scream.

It would be a long time before she forgot the feeling of hopelessness and despair. Would she keep her life of peace, or was it only temporary? Despite what King Vegeta desired, she knew that if her family was ever attacked, she would gladly defend them with everything she had.

Standing in a field of grass, they all gathered around the dragon balls. Prince Vegeta stood next to Sonya, his tail around her waist the only indication that he held feelings for the non-fighter. Kakarot chased Jasmine around the valley, teaching her various techniques that improved her fighting skills. Cyan was head deep in more children, Tasmir laughing as one bit his tail and another clung to his head. She always had three or four children at one time, making this about the fourth set. Lema counted the children and laughed. There was a total of 16 of the feline Saiya-jins.

He gave her a contented smile, glad to be at peace like his twin. Even Turles didn't seem to find a driving desire to be in space, all his time spent with a very pregnant Zucca. Lema couldn't help but wonder if Arico and Cowli would have had another child and if they were finally happy where they were at. She looked at Jasmine and hoped she had done the right thing by paring her with Kakarot. They both seemed happy and Jasmine loved Lema like a second mother.

They named Ryos's son Syian. He was already walking and Turles always kept a watchful eye on the boy, surprised to see him shift into a wolf cub at six months. Like Saiya-jins, the boy loved raw meet, making it easy to feed the boy. None of the Saiya-jins allowed anything come close to the boy and he looked at Turles with love. Kyra and Natasha were under King Vegeta's protection and he made it very clear that no suitor would claim them unless he approved.

They were barely seven when they arrived on Earth and were allowed to have their childhood. At first afraid to laugh, they learned to play with Cyan's children and soon they were often in a lot of trouble. King Vegeta tried to be strict with them, but even he didn't want to give them a harder life than they had already been through. Never again would he make any Saiya-jin feel as if they were a slave. Dillon and the few Saiya-jins that had followed him from the fields made homes on Earth, far in the mountains away from the other humans. They farmed and made money in the markets.

Lema smiled. Everything wasn't in vein. Their was no social class between them anymore and King Vegeta always listened to those that came to him. Bardock and Turles were his official body guards after the final battle and they didn't seem to mind when a few humans tried to overstep their boundaries with the outsiders. Earth recognized the Saiya-jins and allowed them to settle in the green valleys and the mountains.

Four seasons was new to them, and Kakarot taught them how to make snowmen and other things. He taught them how to have snow ball fights. Soon it was time to call forth the dragon, Shenron and as he hovered above them everyone knew what their one wish would be.

Lema floated up to the dragon and bowed in respect. "Shenron, all I ask is for Ryos of the wolf race to be brought back to us alive. Can you bring him here to this valley, Shenron?"

"Your wish is simple, Saiya-jin. Is this all that you desire?"

She blinked in surprise, "I thought there was only one wish?"

"The gods have asked that I give you this. It is there thanks for stopping the Ice-jins and never asking for anything in return."

"Well... I like the Saiya-jins to have long lives, to never age. I don't want them immortal though. And, is it possible to bring back all the lives that the Ice-jins killed."

"I grant the first, but the second is impossible. However, I can make an exception to two that you called friends. The gods will allow it this one time. Do you know the ones I speak of?"

Lema looked at Jasmine and smiled, "Hai; Arico and Cowli. That is all I desire."

"Granted. Ryos, Arico and Cowli will be brought back to life and you will live long lives. I was to give you a message, Saiya-jin. Peace here will last many decades, but there will come a time when you will be needed again." Shenron disappeared and Lema landed beside her mate. He looked at her curiously and all she could do was laugh as Ryos and two unexpected Saiya-jins appeared before them.

Arico and Cowli looked around in shock, their eyes falling on Lema. "We don't understand. I thought..."

"There's someone you should meet," Lema whispered, ending all questions. Jasmine was clutching Kakarot's arm painfully tight, tears in her eyes. She took a step forward, afraid that she was dreaming and her parents would disappear. "Mom! Dad!"

They caught her as she flew into their arms, unable to voice their thanks. To hold Jasmine was more than they could have ever asked for and didn't mind that she had chosen Kakarot as her mate. Lema could remember her reunion with Prince Vegeta, even if he would try to deny it. He glanced at her and gave a rare smile.

Ryos walked up to Lema and touched her shoulder. "Again I am in your debt, little one." Lema shook her head and everyone laughed. It seemed she would forever keep her nickname, even among the other races. "I suppose it could be worse and my son approves of your father."

"Will you stay with us Ryos?"

"Hai."

Lema was finally happy, having everything she had ever wanted. Friends, allies and family. Broli had vanished, exploring his newly found freedom. He vowed to one day return, but he wanted to end all slavery in the universe and Lema couldn't blame him.

"Let's go," King Vegeta told her, wanting time alone with his mate. "You've been over exerting yourself too much lately."

Lema was exhausted, but soon she would hold her twins. "Don't let anyone take my babies again."

Ryos's expression grew cold and unforgiving. "I will protect your unborn with my life, little one. Now go, your mate grows restless."

Life was peaceful for the next one hundred years, the Saiya-jins separating themselves from galactical and human affairs. It was the way they wanted it.