"You bastard!" Tien roared, charging up his own attack but by that point Raditz was long gone, having not even bothered to watch what his attack would do.
The ultimate disrespect.
"Yamcha," I whispered before I rushed forward, moving to join the others as they gathered around the scarred face bandit. Tien rolled him over onto his back and I winced as I stared at the blood smeared across his face and his glassy eyes. There was a wet sound as he took in a breath, gurgled and trembling.
Krillin sniffed, kneeling down next to his friend. "Yamcha… why did you do that?"
"You… were already brought back once," Yamcha said, managing a weak smile. "Besides… everyone knows… its better… if you're around… Goku needs you…"
"No… do say that," Krillin whispered. "Yamcha… Yamcha?"
Yamcha didn't say a word, staring sightlessly into the sky.
"Yamcha," I got out, dropping my head.
"What… what do we do now?" Krillin asked.
Tien sighed. "We get everyone back to Kame House… and then figure out our next move."
"I'll help Piccolo," I offered and Tien looked at me, clearly wondering who I was but realizing that at this point they needed all the help they could get. "Isco… call-" I stopped, swallowing the lump in my throat. I hadn't even met Yamcha. Only knew him from the show. And the joke he had become to so many. Yet I had seen him throw himself at certain death just to save his friend, because he knew if he died… that would be it for him.
That… was no joke.
"Call Bulma," I got out. "Let her know to get Gohan someplace where he can't see us. At least not at first."
"Yeah," Krillian said as he moved to help Goku up, Tien having the task of picking up Yamcha. Piccolo glared at me but still allowed me to help him up, his arm drapped over my shoulder as I carried him towards the cycle. "Little guy shouldn't have to see this."
With that we moved to return to Kame House, none of us feeling like we'd won a damn thing.