The lunchtime conversation was pleasantly topical, and Takira remained quiet throughout, despite repeated attempts to draw her into conversation. When the last of the dishes had been cleared, Gohan announced that he had to be getting back to Chichi, Videl, and Pan back home.

"You coming, Goten?"

"I might stay here a little longer, if that's okay."

"Sure, just try to be home before midnight this time, okay?" He smiled at Takira.

"Don't worry," she said, "I promise not to keep the boys up past their bedtime." She grinned.

"I've got some shopping to do," said Bra, "Mom, did you want to come?"

"No thanks, I think I might take a nap. For some reason I'm awfully tired today, know what I mean, Yamcha?" He gave her a worldly smile that showed he knew exactly what she meant.

"Trunks can go with you into town, Bra," Bulma added. Trunks looked sorely disappointed; so did Bra.

"Come on, mom, I'm old enough to go shopping by myself, I don't need an escort!"

"She's right, you know," Trunks chimed in, "It's really not necessary for me to go. I mean, I'd bring Goten and Takira along, too, and we'd just hold Bra back." Bra nodded emphatically. Finally Bulma gave in.

"All right, all right, go ahead by yourself then. Just make sure you have your keys, don't forget your purse, don't talk to strangers--"

"Mom, give it a rest!" Bra exclaimed, exasperated. Yamcha turned to Trunks and Goten.

"So, what'll you guys be doing?" Trunks shrugged.

"I thought maybe we'd give Takira a little tour of the place, maybe do a little more sparring--"

"I'm sure we'll think of plenty to do," assured Goten. "If you wanted to join us, Yamcha--"

"I think I'll pass this time. The idea of a nap really appeals to me." He smiled at Bulma.

"Say no more," Goten grinned. "We'll leave you to it."

"Well, I'm off," said Bra, having gathered keys, purse, and walking shoes. She breezed out the door.

"Me, too," added Bulma. "You coming, Yamcha?"

"You bet." Side by side, they left.

"I'll get going as well," said Gohan. "It was good to meet you, Takira, and I hope to see more of you in the future. Maybe someday you can make yourself known to more than just us three? You have a family here, if only you'll admit it." Takira shook her head sadly.

"You're very kind, but I don't anticipate that sort of announcement. At least, I wouldn't get my hopes up, if I were you."

"Well, it's your decision. You three stay out of trouble, okay?" He wagged an admonishing finger at them.

"We'll try," said Goten, "but we make no guarantees."

"Don't I know it. Have fun, anyhow. See you later." He exited, leaving the three youths alone in the room.

"So," said Takira, "What do we do first?"

"I know," Goten interrupted excitedly, "There's an arena, down in the basement, that's perfect for a little one-on-one. Trunks and Yamcha have had their turns, but I want to see how good you are."

"How about it, Trunks?" Takira asked, "You could act as referee. Then you can decide what we do next." Trunks agreed, and the three descended into the basement. The air was cool and damp, and as Trunks turned on the lights they saw the enormous arena, perfectly flat and open except for the occasional I-beam support. The ceiling was quite high, steel crossbeams strung with cobwebs.

"It's sort of a multi-purpose testing area," Trunks explained. "Capsule Corp. uses it to try out new products, but Goten and I have found it to be an excellent location for a sparring match."

"Looks good," said Takira. "Come on, Goten, let's go, that is, if you think you're up to it," she challenged.

"You bet," he said, "but I'd like to make a request: no swords."

"I'll allow it on the sole condition that you don't transform," Takira countered.

"Sounds fair. Are you going to leave your scabbard with Trunks again?"

"If he doesn't mind--"

"Not at all," said Trunks, "Hand them over. Would it be all right if I looked at them? I promise not to do any damage, but they're a lot different than mine, and I want to see if the feel is much different."

"I'm sure it is," Takira replied uneasily, "but if you have to see for yourself--well, I guess you can take them for a whirl. Just don't try anything fancy and dull the blades, okay?"

"Yes, sir." Trunks saluted, then dodged the punch Takira aimed at him. "Save it for Goten," he protested, "He's the one you're fighting, remember?"

After one last swipe at Trunks, Takira turned to Goten. "Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

"You got it." Goten began to power up, muscles bulging. No playing around this time. They'd get straight to business.

Takira struggled a bit with her power level. She knew Goten would be more of a challenge than Yamcha, and unlike Yamcha, she wouldn't be able to catch him off-guard with her power. She concentrated on Trunks' taunting, on her own anger. Half-Saiyan or not, she'd show this kid what she was made of.

At last the two were ready, and Goten made the first move, rushing in to level a kick at Takira's head. She ducked and countered with a kick of her own, but he caught her by the leg, throwing her off-balance. With her other leg, she bashed him in the face and he released her, staggered backwards--and then he disappeared.

Takira was dumbfounded. Where the hell had he gone? She looked around warily, then sensed the ki behind her, too late. He struck her in the back, sending her sprawling across the tile. She rolled and leaped to her feet to find him gone again; but when he appeared behind her this time, she was ready, and elbowed him hard in the gut. As she turned to face him, he swung for her face, and she pulled back too slowly; his fist clipped her cheekbone, snapping her head sideways. She aimed her fist at his throat and he caught it in one hand. She caught his clenched fist in her other hand and they stood face-to-face, hand-to-hand, bracing their feet into the floor as each tried to push the other back with ki alone.

Takira strained, clenching her jaw. Goten was quite strong, almost certainly stronger than she was, but that wasn't a concern for her. As a Saiyan she had won battles against opponents stronger than herself. Often it came down to which combatant had a greater will to live--or in this case, a greater will to win. Takira was sure it was she who would ultimately prevail.

Goten, however, had yet to break a sweat. After fighting killer androids, this was hardly even a challenge. He was a little disappointed. He knew Takira was in a human body, but he'd sort of hoped she'd have some Saiyan power. With a blast of energy he flung her away.

She caught herself almost immediately, and lunged for him. He ducked, but instead of sailing over his head, she brought up her knee into his face. He grunted as he was thrown backwards. She punched him in the stomach, sending him crashing to the floor. She formed an energy sphere in one hand and launched it at him; quickly he rolled out of the way, the blast just missing him. The next moment he was on his feet, facing Takira. He brought his hands together, almost in the attitude of prayer.

"This is a little trick you may want to learn someday, Takira," he murmured.

"Ka--me--"

Takira crouched, bracing for the attack.

"Ha--me--"

She crossed her arms before her.

"Ha!" With an explosion of light, Goten fired. Takira stayed on her feet, but the blast shoved her back, her feet digging into the floor. Her aura was actually holding off the full force of the blast, but it was degrading fast. Another few moments and she'd be blasted away, and the fight would be lost.

"No!" she roared, summoning her rage. She was a born fighter, she would not allow herself to be beaten by this half-breed punk! With a sudden blast of her own, she deflected Goten's attack back at him, surprising him. He managed to dodge, but barely, and the force of the explosion shook the building.

"How did you do that?" he gasped.

"I was about to ask you the same question," she muttered hoarsely, struggling for breath. Angry, she had to get angry. 'Think of being trapped in this pitiful human body,' she thought, 'Think of these youngsters having more power than you dreamed of as an adult. Think of Koretz. Think of Vegira.' She could feel her power build.

Goten stood watching her, trying to decide whether to wait for her attack or hit her again before she had a chance to gather it. He no longer had the kamehameha as an ace in the hole. She had deflected it once, she could probably do it again. He saw her adopt that stance again, arm extended, palm open, and he knew the decision had been made for him. With a warrior's cry, Takira launched her attack.

Fortunately Goten was still powered up from the kamehameha. It almost took more energy than he had to deflect the attack, but he managed, if only barely. He didn't want to give her a chance to form another attack like that, not if he wasn't allowed to transform. He leaped for her.

In the rapid exchange that followed, both fighters landed a few blows, but most were blocked. The two broke apart into another stand-off. After a moment, Takira smiled and walked forward, her manner casual. Goten lowered his fists, confused. Was she giving up the fight? She stood a mere hand's-breadth from him, looking him in the eye.

"I think it's time I showed you something." She lifted her hands to either side of his head. "It's a little technique I developed as a Saiyan and perfected as a human." She closed her eyes and suddenly Goten screamed, the pain unimaginable but his body paralyzed, powerless to push her away. A few moments later Takira released him and he fell to the ground, gasping. Immediately Trunks was at his side.

"Goten, are you okay?!"

"I--I think so," he sputtered. "I just--feel so weak--" He heard Takira chuckle. Trunks stood, facing her.

"What did you do to him?" he demanded.

"I drained his power. Not all of it, not by a long shot, just enough to make him a little more manageable, and me a little stronger."

"What?! How could you?"

"Now, now," she interrupted, "Before you get too upset, let me assure you the effects are strictly temporary. I'd say in another ten minutes, Goten will be back to his usual robust self and I will return to my status as a weakling human. I haven't learned yet how to make the change permanent." Goten cringed.

"Good thing," he muttered with a groan. Trunks tried to help him to his feet, but Goten waved him away. "Don't bother, I'll just lie here until my strength returns. I don't want to stand up until the room stops spinning. That 'technique' of hers packs quite a wallop."

Trunks nodded and turned to Takira. "Need I say--"

"--that I'm not to use that technique again on any of you. I know. I don't make a habit of using it as it is, but I wanted to test it on someone stronger than me."

"Well, it worked," Trunks retorted. "Are you satisfied?"

"Quite," she replied, "though I don't see why you're so upset. Goten's going to be fine."

"She's right, Trunks," Goten said, getting up stiffly. "I'm feeling better by the minute, though I think I'm finished sparring for today. What'll we do next?"

"Well, unless Takira wants to fight some more--" She shook her head wearily and he suddenly noticed that her lip was bleeding and she was developing a black eye. The fights hadn't been entirely effortless for her. "--we could show her around Capsule Corp.; that is, assuming it's not demolished by now. The kamehameha is not an attack usually used indoors." Goten looked sheepish, but not really penitent.

"I'm not back up to full power yet, but I think I could take on a leisurely walk," he said. "Lead the way, Trunks."