Goten's first impression was one of death. But no, death wasn't quite right for it; even death(he knew from personal experience)had a certain feel to it. Rabadoth was just…nothing. He wasn't really floating, because floating would require some sort of medium and there was just nothing there.

He wasn't sure what he'd expected, but this utter lack of sensation…of anything…was disconcerting. In his dream Takira hadn't looked this removed. Goten bit his lip and looked at the blankness around him. It wasn't even plain black or white, but a sort of dim twilight gray, completely without expression. It was neither welcoming nor sinister, it simply…was.

Why would his father want to come to such a place? More puzzling, why would Vegeta wish so intensely to avoid it? Something to do with Moreviv, whoever she was…but there seemed no sign of her, either. Goten frowned, and after a few moments hesitation, called out softly.

"Moreviv?" As he spoke, Goten felt something…well, shift. A strange sensation, almost like movement, as though the empty space around him were folding, twisting, pulling him with it. He shut his eyes for a moment, dizzy, and when he opened them he received his first real glimpse of the goddess that had been haunting his sleep.

She seemed almost unnaturally tall and whisper-thin, somehow managing despite these proportions to project an air of calculated grace…controlled; control above all else. A simple robe, the dark thick burgundy of old wine, flowed easily with her movements, accentuating her smoothness and graceful curves. A thick mane of blood-red hair spilled down her back and framed her pale, narrow face. Long-lashed eyes, a solid pupil-less deep royal blue, were watching not Goten, but the Saiyajin prince held captive in her seemingly delicate embrace.

In contrast with her cool collection, Vegeta looked beyond upset, almost…torn. Pleasure, wanting, overt hatred and disgust warred on his normally implacable face. The overall impression was one of intense battle but Vegeta didn't seem to be physically struggling. He didn't appear to be moving at all.

Not even when Moreviv pulled him tight against her body…when she bent her head to kiss him…

Goten inhaled sharply and Moreviv's head snapped up, depthless eyes fixing on him immediately. Vegeta went nearly limp in her arms, gasping, too dazed to put much thought toward the cause of the distraction. Moreviv ignored him but did not, Goten noticed, release her grip on him.

"I have no time for intruders," she murmured coldly. "Go."

"B-but…I…I came to find my father. I think he's here." Moreviv looked at him a bit more keenly now, allowing one hand to drop from Vegeta, the other supporting him easily.

"Yes," she said with a faint smile, "I think I recognize you now. You're the one my daughter tried to hide from me; though why Takira would go to the trouble of protecting you is beyond me."

For a moment Goten simply stared as the conflicting facts slowly pieced themselves together. After a few unsuccessful attempt, he managed to choke out:

"Takira…your daughter?" Even Vegeta, in his semi-conscious state, seemed to take note of that…and he didn't look happy about it. Moreviv, however, was unconcerned.

"You mortals think so literally," she sighed. "I can call her what I wish; it makes no difference." Goten eyed her cautiously.

"So…she's still Saiyajin, right? She's not some sort of weird god-spawn or something." Moreviv chuckled softly, gracing Goten with a smile so beautiful he went weak at the knees; jeez, and he'd thought that was just an expression…

"Of course she's Saiyajin. I did not," a derisive snort, "spawn her. I'm immortal…my kind, as a rule, do not breed." Goten accepted that grudgingly, though it made him wonder what exactly she planned to do with Vegeta; just based on the way she'd been acting, she…

"So, um…now that that's all settled, I'd like to see my father now. Er, please." She tilted her head to the side, watching him curiously.

"Why come to me, boy? I can't help you." Goten deflated, expression tragic.

"But…but he has to be here!"

"Oh? And why is that?"

"The dream…he was there…and you…"

"You thought that was a dream, young one?" she asked gently.

"You mean it…it wasn't? Then what was it?"

"I believe you mortals call it 'out of body' something or other. You were here, whether you realized it or not. You came at a rather busy time…which is of course why Takira sent you away."

"Well, if I got here before, why did I have to try so hard to get here this time?"

"You had to fight your conscious mind this time," she explained patiently. "When you sleep, your mind…your soul…is more free to wander unconstrained. Once you awake, your consciousness feels the need to take over and keep your errant mind in line. Even so, it is surprising that you made it here without help."

"Guess it runs in the family, huh?" Goten offered with a weak smile. Moreviv sighed, looking a bit distracted.

"Yes, I suppose it does. Now if you've no further business here, I'd suggest you leave. I have other matters to which I must attend."

"What about my father?"

"What about him? He's out of my hands, boy. I don't know what you expect me to do about that."

"Well, you could help me find him," he pouted. Moreviv smiled again, expression mildly chiding.

"Why would I do that?" Goten blinked, utterly confused. Moreviv laughed delightedly at his expression and in that moment, the heretofore ignored prince took action, slamming a powerful kick into Moreviv; not to harm—she didn't so much as flinch—but to drive him away from her, out of her grasp. She lunged for him immediately…too late. With a weak but triumphant smirk, Vegeta crossed his arms over his chest and disappeared.

Moreviv stood where he'd been, expression one of complete disbelief, her long fingers flexing slightly as though grasping at what should have been there. Slowly, a perfect picture of power and control, she turned to face Goten, face set and eyes flashing.

He had only a moment to panic before the darkness took him.

* * * * *

Gohan moaned, thrashing his bedsheets to a hopeless tangle before jerking awake. Nightmares…again, always; but now, with the silence…it only made them worse. This one had been new, though, the voice hadn't been in this one; at least, not that voice.

This time, it had been Kaio-sama speaking to him.

He'd only been able to understand bits and pieces through the fear and agitation, both Kaio's and his own. Something about Vegeta…a different realm; he'd come back, but Goten had been left behind. What was Goten even doing there in the first place?

Didn't matter…however he'd gotten there, Goten had not returned. That was bad. Kaio-sama had been unable to locate him in heaven or hell, not even on Earth, though Gohan couldn't understand why he would bother checking Earth. Unless Goten were wandering around wearing a halo…

"Trunks?" Gohan called weakly, mouth dry. Trunks, still staring out the window, did not even turn.

"Yes, Gohan?"

"Something….something's wrong with Goten. He's…gone." Trunks was silent for a moment.

"He's not on Kaio-sama's planet anymore?" he asked.

"No, and that's what's got him so worried, because—"

"Is he on this planet?" Trunks interrupted.

"Um, no. Kaio-sama said that he couldn't—"

"Well, then I think I know where he is," Trunks said mildly. "I supposed I ought to go retrieve him."

"What? What do you mean 'retrieve' him?! Where is he?!"

"It would be irresponsible of me to leave you here," Trunks continued, for the moment ignoring Gohan. "I could always bring you with me. Perhaps you'll have recovered by the time we arrive. As for Juuhachigou…I imagine that between Krillin, Yamcha and Pan they can handle her. Of course, there's still the matter of Piccolo, but some things just can't be accounted for…"

"Trunks, if you don't tell me just what the hell you're talking about right now, I'll…" Trunks glanced at him, faintly amused.

"You'll what? You were building up to something good, I could tell. What are you going to do to me?" Gohan groaned and sat up in bed, head pounding; he was still quite dehydrated.

"No games, Trunks, not now. Where do you think my brother is?" Trunks gave him a slightly condescending look.

"Well, there are really only three places he could be, and you ruled out two of them."

"So you think he stayed in Rabadoth?"

"Rabadoth? I'm not sure I follow you, Gohan. Whatever Rabadoth is, I'm not sure it's an option. Is it a planet?"

"No, it's a…a realm. Like heaven and hell, but more…a bridge of sorts. Life and death, or something."

"So it's for the dead and dying?" Gohan shrugged helplessly.

"I'm guessing that would be it. I honestly don't know for sure; Kaio-sama wasn't in the mood for explanations." Trunks dismissed it with a flick of his fingers.

"Well, if that is what it's for, then it's hardly of any concern. He wouldn't be there."

"What makes you so sure?" Trunks gazed out the window again.

"Have you been watching the sky lately, Gohan?" he asked quietly.

"I've been asleep," Gohan grumbled. "Why?" Trunks sighed.

"You really are still incapacitated, aren't you?" There was no sarcasm in his tone…somehow that disturbed Gohan more than the statement itself. He waited, for the moment not contesting Trunks' words. Trunks turned and gave him a hard, appraising look, evaluating.

"You'll make it," he announced. "See if Videl can pack some things for you. We leave tomorrow for Abeter."

With nary another word, Trunks strode out the door to make arrangements for their departure.