Earth and its varying distractions were far from Takira's mind as she made her way up from the dungeons. Not only was that…presence still there and proven lethal, she could have sworn she'd felt another, faint, distant. Coiling her tail more tightly around her waist, she stalked toward the upper halls; probably just imagining things. That said, she was anxious to return to Kabu. She'd left her son with Deoge only because she feared what lay below. It had been, however, an uneventful trip. The only solid thing she'd found was Malak's body, still warm and apparently untouched. What in hell had happened to him?

Takira gasped as she became aware of a cluster of new ki signals…four of them, three quite familiar; she all but skidded to a halt. Couldn't…couldn't be, not here, there was no reason for them to be here, no way they could have tracked her. Even if they had…why the hell would they choose now to make their presence known? Cloaking her ki, Takira proceeded with even greater caution. She had to make sure Kabu was all right, that was all…

"Takira!! Some of your Chikyuu connections are here to see you!" She flinched at the voice, to say nothing of the content. So it was them…and the Agent was with them. Damn it, if he thought bringing them in as prisoners was some sort of sick joke…Kabu's sudden wailing dispelled any second thoughts she'd had about hiding. That fool Agent couldn't come near the child without making him upset sooner or later…steeling herself, she marched into the throne room.

It was as she'd feared…the Agent was there, holding Kabu at arm's length and looking disgusted. Azher hung back and to the side, apparently inspecting Deoge. Gohan was staring at the Agent almost fearfully, Goten was trying to quiet Kabu and failing…Trunks looked at her nakedly for one moment before glaring resolutely away, every muscle in his body tensed.

"Finally deigned to show up," the Agent sneered, holding Kabu out by the collar. "Take your damn brat. I have yet to figure out why he hates me so much, but I'm not going to listen to that squalling any longer than I have to." Takira held out an arm and Kabu grabbed on, scrambling around until he was perched on her hip, clutching at the neck of her bodysuit; quiet, but still watching the newly-arrived with wide wary eyes. Takira sighed.

"Well, I suppose you'll want to…" She paused and blinked at Goten. "You're…when did you get revived?"

"Just a little while ago," he said, smiling. "I'm…not really sure how it happened, myself…"

"Remember that vow, Takira?" Trunks murmured, still not looking at her. "Well, Chichi broke it. Shenlong brought Goten back to Abeter and we came to retrieve him. Didn't expect to find you here…particularly in such company…" He resumed glaring at the Agent; Takira looked confused.

"Such company? I'll admit he's a bit less than honorable, but not bad as mercenaries go." Trunks gave her a startled glance before remembering to look away again.

"You mean you don't recognize him? I suppose you never met him, but really, Taki…you met Juuhachi and there's more than just a passing resemblance there."

"He's Jinzouningen?" She stared at Juunanagou and was met with a graceful shrug.

"Well, you never asked," he said lightly with a hint of a smug grin.

"Ugh. Well, that explains your ki, anyhow…or lack thereof. Hell, I thought I was getting away from Earth!"

"Sorry to have spoiled that for you," Trunks muttered. "If you'll excuse us, we'll just be on our way…"

"But she hasn't told us about the baby," Goten exclaimed, turning to face her. "I didn't think you'd been away long enough to…well…is it really your child?"

"I don't think he'd be clinging like that if she weren't his mother," Gohan commented, looking distracted. He couldn't seem to take his eyes from Juunanagou.

"He's mine," Takira said, nodding wearily. "He's…not as old as he looks; he just seems to be growing quickly. He really is just a baby." An awkward pause.

"So what did you find down there?" Juunanagou asked conversationally, expression still mocking.

"Found Malak," Takira grunted. "Took care of that much…but whatever killed him is still down there." Azher frowned.

"And how do you know there's anything else down there? Did you see it?"

"No, I just…felt it."

"Can you still?"

"No," she sighed, releasing her grip on Kabu as he squirmed to get down and crawl toward Trunks.

"So what makes you so certain it's still there?"

"Well, she gave no indication that she was leaving when she spoke with me." Juunanagou whirled.

"Spoke with you?!" His calculating look was gone.

"Telepathically, she paid a little visit; proclamations of doom and the like. Odd, though…I think she was demented. She referred to someone named Cordec, whoever the hell that is." Takira shrugged, then gave Gohan a curious look; Gohan was scowling, deep in thought and plainly trying to remember something. Azher, unnoticed, blanched slightly and began to edge back further.

"Cordec…" Gohan muttered. "I know it was in the records somewhere…oh, yes. Denatu's son."

"The one he killed?" Trunks asked, endeavoring to avoid Kabu's clear blue gaze. Kabu continued to stare, fascinated.

"I can only assume so," Gohan answered. "He's not on record as having any other children. I'm rather surprised I was able to find information on Cordec at all…Denatu, apparently, had gone to considerable lengths to keep his son a secret." Trunks' brow furrowed.

"Why would he do that? Surely he wanted an heir."

"A full-blooded heir, yes. Cordec, however…"

"Was a disgrace to both raced that bore him," Deoge murmured, breaking his long silence; all turned to look at him. "I am only surprised that Denatu didn't kill him sooner." Gohan raised an eyebrow.

"You know of this, then, sire?"

"Oh, yes," Deoge sighed. "I knew it better than anyone here; well, except perhaps my loyal mercenary." He graced Juunanagou with a brief pained look. "Didn't figure out he was part of this until he dragged the Earthlings here for not better reason than 'prudence'. Seems she's not content to simply kill me."

"What do you intend to do about her, sire?" Takira asked, eyeing the Agent. Deoge slowly rose from the throne.

"The best I can do now is to make the end swift. I will go to her."

"Sire, that's not a solution. Either we track her down and kill her or we leave the planet."

"Let him go," Azher said softly. Deoge looked surprised, and Azher, face set, forced himself to take a threatening step forward. "You heard me. Go before I kill you myself."

"Azher, have you gone mad?" Takira said sharply. "He's your king!"

"The king is dead," Azher intoned lowly, speaking to Deoge. "Must be awful to be in that weak body; I'm sure your own was far more…versatile. Just think of the possibilities."

"You have already denounced me as your ruler, Azher. Do not slander me as well," Deoge managed with a degree of dignity.

"Only stating the facts, half-breed. Not ashamed of your heritage, are you? You've royalty on either side…only natural that you'd want to play at being king."

"I was never 'playing' at anything," Deoge growled. "You think this is a game? Maybe to her, but not to me. I'd live out my days serving Geo if I could."

"Not while I'm around to prevent it." Calmly…too calmly…Juunanagou placed himself between Azher and Deoge.

"Entirely unnecessary, Azher," he said soothingly. "Cordec will die in his own time. Stay out of it, and maybe you'll be allowed to live." Gohan stepped up behind Azher.

"Juunanagou, just what is happening here?" The Jinzouningen looked back at him, expression blank, and suddenly Gohan heard that voice again, the one that had haunted his dreams and nightmares alike.

'Only what I promised you, Gohan; an end to your pain. You got Goten back, didn't you? That made you happy. This is also important…you must not interfere. I do not require your help.' Gohan let out a strangled growl.

"Y—you did this to me? You were the one that…that…" Juunanagou managed to look honestly surprised.

"I'm not sure what you mean, Gohan. I haven't seen you in years. What do you think I've been doing to you?"

"Talking to me…I didn't recognize it before, but now…oh, yes, I remember. I've been listening to your damned voice ever since…" His voice dropped. "Since Goten died." Juunanagou didn't change his expression, but Trunks looked far less guileless now.

"So it was you," he hissed. "Were you torturing your sister at the same time? Was that fun for you?" The android glanced at him sharply before schooling his face to boyish innocence again…though that glance has somewhat spoiled the effect.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said quietly. "I fear Gohan has been overly distraught lately, and as to Juuhachi….if she's ill I don't see how I can be the cause. I'm just her brother."

"Her twin brother," Trunks corrected, "and it seems to me I've heard of twins being gifted with a certain…empathy…a link between each other."

"And you believed that?" Juunanagou snorted. "Trunks, I thought you'd finally learned not to be so foolishly trusting." His eyes flicked to Takira for an instant, and when he looked back at Trunks there was a hint of cruelty in his eyes. Trunks' face was cold.

"I've learned…which is precisely why I'm not inclined to trust you. You'd help your case by explaining just what the hell is going on here."

"Help my case? And why would I do a silly thing like that?" Boyish look suddenly gone, Juunanagou smirked. "You'll all be dead soon…it really doesn't matter what you think of me."

"Oh, and you're going to kill us?" Trunks raised an eyebrow, hand resting almost casually on the hilt of his sword. "I'd like to see you try."

"No doubt you would…but I'll have to pass on your kind offer. My job was to bring you here, not dispatch you. There are others to do such things." Azher froze as a familiar voice came from one of the arched doorways.

"Any special instructions?" Lidivy asked nonchalantly. Juunanagou shrugged.

"Do what you can…she'll take care of the rest. Oh, and leave the brat alone…I have my own plans for him." Giving Trunks an unpleasant smile, Juunanagou stepped back with a slight mocking bow to the shape-shifter. Lidivy didn't appear to notice, making a beeline for Azher.

"You thought you'd escaped, didn't you? Well, I'm glad you're here. It's so much worse when you've tasted freedom before your own blood, isn't it? Poor Azher…not a spy at all, are you? What a shame; a spy, at least, would have died for something better than stupidity. Don't worry, dear interfering fool…I have enough on my plate; I'll make this quick…"