Aftermath, a love story.

By Zoicyte aka Johnnyjosh.

Warnings; MAJOR ANGST, Hentai (het), death, angst, lemon.

Notes; AU, TWT, weirdness, OOC, just strange. This takes place I guess just before Bra would have been born, but in my universe, the Buu thing is over, and there are currently no more threats to the safety of the world, just need to clear that up.

Pairings; Krillin/Juuhachigou, Vegeta/Bulma, and ?/?.

Disclaimer; Don't own 'em, not making any money.

"Denotes speaking"

*Denotes thoughts*

Thanks to Ivy for her help, and for betaing this sad sack tale for me.

------------------------------~~-----------------------------

Juuhachigou stood on the far side of the room, clutching Marron to her tightly as she sobbed piteously. The blonde girl stood silently, tears running down her face as she tried to absorb what the doctor had just told them.

Krillen was dying. He had been born with a genetic disorder that they didn't even have a name for, it was so rare and new. There had only been one other recorded case. The disorder sat inside the person like a genetic time bomb, waiting for the predetermined time to explode, causing the victim's internal organs to begin shutting down. Krillin had already had two massive heart attacks, and four strokes. The experts were not optimistic about Krillin ever waking up again. But Juuhachigou stubbornly refused to go home to rest. She realized that her husband was going to die, but she would not leave. She knew that she would never be able to live with herself if he woke up one last time, and she wasn't there to say goodbye.

Goku and Yamcha burst into the room, eyes wide and disbelieving. Bulma quickly followed. Trunks, Gohan, Goten came in right after them. Chi-Chi and Ox were next. Tien, Chiaotzu, and even Piccolo made their way in next, and Vegeta quietly slid in after Piccolo. Moments later, Yajorobe Korin Oolong Turtle and Master Roshi pushed their way in.

"Korin..." Goku looked at him wildly, his dark eyes shining with desperation.

"I'm sorry Goku, an injury, or anything else, I could help...but.." Korin spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness. A wave of sadness passed over the room at that.

*Dende!* The young guardian was startled by the sound of Goku's voice, but he knew what he wanted. His heart lurched as he prepared himself to deliver the bad news. *I'm sorry Goku. The dragonballs can't help you either. And even I can't change his genetic code to eradicate this.*

Goku hung his head, a whimper of frustration escaping him as a tear ran down his cheek.

Goku's display of emotion seemed to be a cue for everyone else in the room. Yamcha dragged a chair over to his longtime friend's bedside and took his hand, lowering his face to the blanket and crying softly as Puar burst into hysterics and buried her face in Yamcha's hair. Gohan wrapped his arms around Trunks and Goten, and Videl joined the group hug, all of them trying to stifle their sobs as they clung to each other. Bulma and Chi-Chi stood on either side of the distraught jinzoningen, hugging her and Marron gently trying to show their support. Korin and Yajirobe stood silently at the foot of the bed, Yajirobe's round cheeks wet with tears, and the white fur on Korin's face showing two damp streaks. Chiaotzu wrapped his arms around Tien's neck and cried, Tien staring down at the bed, eyes shining.

"Mr. Popo!" Dende ran across the lookout to his companion and advisor. "I...I know I shouldn't shirk my duties...but...I ...I.." The young Namek stuttered as his eyes filled with tears.

"It's alright Dende." Mr. Popo said softly, gripping the guardian's shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze. "I understand. Go see him, before it's too late. I'll keep watch until you return."

"Thank you Mr. Popo." Dende said, choking back a sob as he flew over the edge of the lookout, and raced to earth.

He flew to the hospital, lowering himself until he was in front of the window, and tapped the glass gently. Gohan immediately opened the window to let him in.

"You came." Gohan said, his voice quavering.

"Of course." Dende whispered. He walked over to the side of the bed, nodding at everyone as he passed, until he stood beside Krillin. He was shocked to see how emaciated his friend looked, and the black rings around his eyes. He winced as he took in the tubes and needles that jutted out of his body. He could barely see Krillin's small frame under all the tubes and wires. He hoped Krillin wasn't feeling too much pain, and that death would be merciful and take him before he felt much more of it. "I'm sorry Krillin." He whispered. "I wish there was more that I could do." He wiped at his tears, and turned to walk across the room to Piccolo, wrapping his arms around the stoic warrior's waist and beginning to cry.

Piccolo looked down in surprise for a moment, before reaching down to cup the back of the guardian's head gently. The other hand rubbing the young Namek's back in small circles in an attempt to comfort him.

Goku dragged up a chair beside Yamcha, dragging his palms across his face almost angrily, trying to stop crying. He draped one arm across Yamcha's shoulders, and reached up to brush his fingers across Krillin's cheek.

Juuhachigou walked over to the bed, leaving a trembling Marron sandwiched between a softly crying Chi-Chi and Bulma. She reached down and took his other hand, turning to gaze at the rest of the room. "I'm glad you're here. He would have wanted to see you together again." She said softly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Goku and Yamcha were leaning against each other heavily, lost in reminiscence.

Vegeta looked around the room, exercising rigid self control in the face of so much emotion. *They remind me of the wailing women that would come when a warrior died.* He thought, remembering customs his people observed before Freeza had taken over.

A collective gasp was heard as a soft moan came from the bed. Everyone crowded around, even Vegeta. Krillin opened his eyes, and Bulma and Chi-Chi fought not to recoil at the sight. Krillin's eyes were blood red. No white whatsoever as most of the blood vessels in his eyes had burst.

"Honey?" Juuhachigou said softly. "We're here for you."

Everyone looked up in surprise as Juunanigou strode into the room, quietly taking up a place beside Vegeta. Vegeta looked at the jinzoningen in surprise, and was secretly glad he had decided to show up and be here for his sister.

"Hey.....w..what's up?" Krillin rasped, raising his eyes to take in all the people that stood and sat around his bed. "Hi babe." He said to Juuhachigou, smiling wanly. "Why's everybody lookin' so down?" He tried to laugh, and only succeeded in sending himself into a coughing fit. Goku gripped his friend's shoulder, as Yamcha tightened his grip on Krillin's hand. "H...hey, you..you guys are the best. I...I'm the luckiest guy on the planet to have an extended family like this." He smiled again. "We've done some amazing things, and had some awesome adventures." He began to cough again, but it didn't last as long, and his next words were spoken with a wheeze. "It's been a hell of a ride. I just...wanna thank you. Juun," He looked up at the jinzoningen, who jumped in surprise. "You take care of Juu-chan, and Marron."

"Yes. Of course." He said, looking over at his sister and niece sadly.

"Piccolo, you take good care of Dende and Gohan for me." He rasped.

"You know it Krillin." Piccolo growled.

"The rest of you take care of each other too. And don't mope over me. I don't want to come back for a visit and find you all moaning and wailing over me." He smiled as he looked over at Yamcha and Goku. "Hey you two, cut that out." He admonished softly, squeezing Yamcha's hand as he gazed fondly at Goku. "You guys were the best brothers a guy could ask for." Both men wiped at their tears, trying to stop crying. "Bulma, Chi-Chi," He gazed over at the women. "You two were like my sisters. Thanks for everything." Both of them hugged each other tightly as they smiled as Krillin through their tears. "Master Roshi, Ox King...I'll never forget you. Thanks." Master Roshi took off his sunglasses, and handed them to Krillin, his own tears now plainly visible.

Mr. Satan burst through the door, a sad frown on his face as he strode over to hug his daughter.

"Hey, glad you could make it." Krillin whispered, his voice starting to fail. "I can't talk much longer....I'm tired...I love you guys, all of you. Thanks, for everything." He coughed again, and Marron and Juuhachigou were beside him in an instant, each of them hugging him and kissing him on the cheek. "I love you two so much...you're the best things that ever happened to me." He rasped.

*Vegeta..* The Saiyan gasped as Krillin's thoughts came to him. *Please, watch out for them. Juu-chan's like you in so many ways. Will you and Bulma help her through this?* Vegeta nodded curtly, feeling tears building. He crossed his arms and scowled, trying to maintain his self control. *Thank you Vegeta.* Krillin's voice came again. *Yes, your welcome. I would want someone to be there for Bulma as well if anything happened to me. Oh, and by the way ningen..." He tried to smirk, but it came out a sad resigned smile. *Thank you for saving my life.*

"No prob." Krillin said softly, smiling back at him. "Thanks for coming you guys, and next time, don't make me take such extreme measures to get you all together again." Choked sounds were heard from everyone, a strange combination of chuckle and sob.

"I'm so...tired..I need to..." Krillin drew one last, shuddering breath and released it, his body growing eerily still as his face settled into a peaceful, almost cheerful expression. The only sounds heard were the scream of the heart monitor as Krillin's heart ceased beating, and the door being ripped off its hinges as Vegeta tried to escape the room before anyone else could see his tears.

TO BE CONTINUED.............................................

DAMN!!!!! Where did this sad little booger come from? I have no idea. Sorry!

C&C?? But no threats, unless it's sporking etc. to write more.

JJ