A/N- Welcome to the sequel, or part 2, of Rising. This story begins exactly where the previous one left off. I would suggest reading Rising first, if you haven't already. It is the set up for what is to come. Also, as an FYI, just like Rising this will end rather abruptly. I intend to have at least three connected stories. So some of the loose ends from Rising may not be resolved just yet, but they are not forgotten. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer- I own nothing

Chapter 1

The man sneered in disgust at the prone figures before him. How had a Namek and a Saiyan half-breed managed to defeat Mavoy? They appeared to be so weak, helpless. Hearing someone approach, he faded from sight. Listening to the Elder's conversation, he noted King Kai's declaration that the two would recover. Silently, he transported himself away; his master would be interested in their prognosis.

xxxxxxx

Gohan sighed contentedly, floating above the mountain range he and Piccolo had chosen stay in. They had made their new home in a nice cave; it was spacious, dry, and the walls were amazingly smooth. The grassy area at the base of the mountain stretched for miles to the east, a perfect area for training. Directly to the west was an inlet to one of the massive oceans New Namek was blessed with.

'Time to go kid.' Piccolo rose into the air to join his counterpart.

Gohan nodded as the two turned towards Elder Moori's village. It had been ten days since the battle with Mavoy and three since they had left the village. King Kai had arranged for a cosmic telephone call to Earth today.

Touching down on the soft blue grass, Gohan waved to the Namekian children. The Earth raised warriors fascinated them. Not only had they fought the tyrant Frieza, but they had also returned and helped them once more. Chuckling softly, Gohan mentally nudged Piccolo, turning his attention to the children. Growling irritably, Piccolo glanced at them and stopped. At least half of the youngsters had copied, if not his gi, then his cape and turban.

'I think they like you!' Gohan teased.

'Not a word of this to anyone! Do you hear me? Not a single word!' Once they had fully regained consciousness, the awestruck children had constantly followed Piccolo. For someone who had always valued his solitude, it made for an uncomfortable situation.

'Oh come on, I know Vegeta would love to hear about your fan club!' Gohan teased, enjoying his sensei's predicament as they made their way to the waiting Elder.

"Piccolo, Gohan," Moori nodded to them in turn. "I must say that you two look much better than when you left us. Though you know, you are both welcome to stay in one of the villages. You do not have to live alone in the mountains."

Gohan looked at the hopeful faces around him. The villagers had been very disappointed when he and Piccolo had left to find a more isolated location to call home.

'You can stay if you want to kid. I don't intend to.' Piccolo said, still keeping a wary eye on the children.

Gohan bowed to the Elder. "Thank you, but we feel much more comfortable on our own."

Moori nodded glumly. He had expected no less, but he had to try. After Nail had fused with Piccolo, they had lost their only true warrior. Having them stay would have been a definite boon. "Well, let's get started then." Motioning for the two to come closer, he searched for King Kai's presence.

"Ah, Elder Moori, I was wondering when you were going to join us." King Kai's jovial voice rang out, startling the Nameks present. "Dende, are you there?"

"Yes sir. Everyone is here." Earth's Guardian answered. On the Lookout, the Z-Warriors had gathered, as well as Chi-Chi, Goten, Bulma, Trunks, and Hercule.

"Okay, Gohan, Piccolo, this is a very long distance call. In fact, I had to ask the Grand Kai to help orchestrate this little conversation. You don't have long and this will probably be the only time we do this. Understand?"

"Yes King Kai, we understand. Please thank the Grand Kai for his assistance." Gohan said politely.

"Gohan, baby, is that you?" Chi-Chi called.

Piccolo snorted quietly. Who did she think was talking? This conversation was mainly for Gohan's benefit. The only ones other than the kid that would even notice his absence were Dende and Mr. Popo. He was confident in Dende's ability to manage the Earth on his own at this point. Should anything come up, King Kai would be at the ready to help.

"Yeah Mom, it's me, are you doing okay? And Goten?"

"We're okay. How are you? Do you and Piccolo have enough clean underwear? When are you boys coming home?" She fired her questions off rapidly.

"Um…" Gohan trailed off, his mind momentarily blank as Piccolo fought to keep impassive. Never before had the Namekian warrior been asked such a question. Deeming the last question the safest, Gohan continued. "We'll be back as soon as the Dragonballs recharge. Elder, do you know when that will be?" He turned to the Namek in question.

"Well, our new home has a longer year than the original Namek. We have about seven of your Earth months to go."

"What?" Chi-Chi shouted. Goten looked at his mother in apprehension. Whenever she used that tone of voice the frying pan always appeared out of nowhere. Running over to hide behind Tien, he kept watch for the evil pan.

"Hey, that's not too bad Mom, we'll be home in time for our birthdays."

"That's not acceptable! You need to come home now. Bulma! Go start working on a ship to bring my baby home!"

Bulma blanched at the manic look on Chi-Chi's face. Personally, she thought this would be a good experience for both Gohan and Piccolo. Gohan, at least in her opinion, felt too responsible for his family. He needed to have a life of his own and since he had little choice at the moment, now was a good time to start. In addition, Piccolo did not spend a lot of time around the Namekian people before. This was the perfect opportunity for him to learn about his heritage.

"Oh, Chi-Chi, I am so sorry! Vegeta's broken the GR so many times that I am all out of material." Bulma lied smoothly. "It will take me a few months to manufacture the alloys. Then, New Namek is so far away, it would take at least two months to travel there, four months round trip. The Dragonballs are our best and fastest way to get them home."

Chi-Chi let out a high-pitched scream of anger. Rounding on the Saiyan Prince, she pulled her frying pan out. Vegeta glared at his mate as he dove off the Lookout and away from the Harpy.

'Wow, go Bulma!' Gohan was amazed that she had sacrificed Vegeta like that. Piccolo nodded slightly in agreement. Even he wasn't that evil.

"Hey Bulma?" Gohan called out over his mother's shouting. She was trying, without much success, to convince Vegeta to come and face her.

"What kiddo?"

"I need you to look in my desk at home. There are a couple notebooks with plans for a few more inventions I think you might be interested in. Just do me a favor, take about a third of anything I earn while I am gone and put it away for me. Make sure Mom gets the rest of it okay?"

"Oooh, more toys huh?" Bulma rubbed her hands together. His kit had become one of the most popular products CC had available; she welcomed anything else he had cooked up.

"Does that mean you aren't coming home soon Big Brother?" Goten chirped, still hiding from the frying pan.

"Sorry squirt, we won't be back until about May. Are you being good and having fun?"

"Uh-huh! I've been really good for Mommy. And guess what? Tien and Chiaotzu put up a house in our back yard. They are there all the time! Tien is even training me for Mr. Satan's special tournament!" Goten babbled happily.

Gohan went from relief and gratitude to irritation in a heartbeat. When he had asked Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu to watch over his family, he had not expected any of them to relocate. But, that meant he didn't have to worry about their safety at all in the coming months. He could actually relax and enjoy himself. However, a tournament in the Buffoon's honor was preposterous. "Thank you Tien and you too Chiaotzu. Hey Goten, I bet you'll do really well after training with those two. When is the tournament?"

"You're welcome. Chiaotzu and I really don't mind staying out there. Besides, your mom is a much better cook than we are." Tien answered with a wry grin as his floating companion smiled in agreement. "The tournament is being held on May 26th. Hopefully you two will be back in time to compete."

"We should be home by then Tien." Gohan felt a pang as the full implications of the date set in. His gaze hardened as he continued, "The tournament will mark the seventh anniversary of Dad's death. Maybe its time we all put the Buffoon in his place." Hercule gulped in fear at those words. "If you all agree, I'd like to see everyone there, in the same style of clothing you wore to the Cell Games. Think of it as a tribute to Dad. Then we fight our way, Dad's way, and show Satan a few light tricks." Piccolo looked at Gohan and sent him his approval. They had both had enough; it was time to stand up and restore ki control's proper place in the martial arts world.

Goten looked around in confusion and pointed at Hercule. "But-" Trunks ran to his friend and clapped a hand over his mouth. Shaking his head vigorously, he managed to convince Goten to keep quiet.

"What was that Goten?" Gohan asked.

"Umm…" Goten looked at Trunks desperately.

"He uh, just, uh, wanted to tell you what Tien taught him!" Trunks piped up quickly.

"Oh, yeah, he showed me something really neat. Watch this, Solar Flare!" Goten put his hands to face and demonstrated the blinding attack. "Did you see it?"

Back on Namek, Gohan slapped a hand to his face. His little brother was definitely their father's son. Meanwhile the rest of the Z-gang was busy berating Goten.

"Goten you baka! Whatcha do that for?" Trunks yelled, rubbing his eyes.

"You're just jealous because you can't do it!" Goten yelled, upset that everyone was mad at him.

"I can too!" Before anyone could stop him, Trunks shouted, "Solar Flare!"

At this point, Piccolo stood in disbelief as the Nameks present tried to make sense of the argument being broadcasted to them. 'Are you sure you are related to them kid?'

'So they tell me.' Gohan shook his head as they listened to shouting and carrying on as Tien grabbed the Demon Duo and escorted them home.

"Well, I hate to break this up, but, you're tying up the line." King Kai interjected.

"Oh, bye everyone, we'll see you in a few months!" Gohan called out, as the connection was broken.

xxxxxx

Hercule turned shakily to face the others present. "He doesn't know. I-I thought…you were supposed to… We already made the announcement!" He stuttered and wailed.

"Don't worry about it too much Hercule." Krillin told him, a sadistic grin on his face.

"Don't worry! He's going to kill me!"

"No, he won't kill you. Remember, no killing in a tournament. He'll just take off a limb or two." Yamcha said, clapping the trembling man on the shoulder.

xxxxxx

Waving a farewell to the villagers, Gohan and Piccolo took to the air. Piccolo allowed a ghost of a smile to cross his face. Seven months of peace and quiet on a planet where people understood the term go away. Gohan looked over and grinned, mirroring his friend's feelings. As he immersed himself in the sheer freedom of flight, a shiver worked its way up his spine. Looking around, Gohan tried to place what had bothered him. Piccolo shrugged, he had felt it too, but there was nothing there. Dismissing the feeling for the moment, they returned to their mountain home.

xxxxxxx

"Master, they will be out of communication with their companions for the next seven Earth months." The man bowed low to the ground as he presented his report.

"Interesting, that means no one will miss them for quite some time. Keep watch for now, it is almost time."