Day Four: Early Morning

[Bardock]

His stride was smaller, and his pace a little slower, but Bardock refused to use a crutch. He still had his pride. At the very least, he had his sanity back. The sun was rising, and the fighter?s rest was over. He had allowed himself a few hours of rest, food, and defecation. Time to move, as the others would be rising from their slumber, and those who had chosen to forgo it altogether would already be on the prowl.

The saiyan checked his map, looking for a source of water. The temperature had already climbed to a peak, and the humidity was becoming daunting. Bardock sweat freely, reeking of the manly stench of four days without bathing. Squinting even behind his sunglasses, the brawler glanced at the blazing yellow star.

?Huh,? he chuckled. ?I think I just outlasted last year. Easy part?s over.?

His gaze settled on the horizon as he trekked the unbeaten path. Now all that was left was surviving against the nineteen other competitors that were still alive.

Bardock?s ears suddenly perked up.

Water.

He quickened his gait and found the source of the sound. A running river stretched out in either direction. The saiyan rushed to its bank and scooped a mouthful. It was cold and refreshing, whereas his bottled water had long since become warm and stagnant. Without further ado, he plunged his head in, sucking the liquid in freely while cooling down his perspiring brow. The roughneck pulled out and took the opportunity to change the bandages that swathed his head. They had become soiled with blood, sweat, and dirt. Since the wound had now sealed of its own accord, there was no further need for a waste of alcohol. After dumping and refilling his water bottles, he decided to take a full on swim downriver, as it was faster travel. He raised his bag and water-vulnerable items over his head and treaded down the stream.

The fast lane didn?t last long. The current picked up and Bardock decided it wouldn?t end well, so he kicked out early. His boots squished as he found himself a new route of pursuit.

Food rations are low, he thought grimly as he rearranged his items. He would need to re-supply before long.

Abruptly, Bardock froze in his tracks. In one swift, fluid motion, he grabbed his pistol and whirled around, armed and ready.

His target?

?The beast?? he glared, charging a shot. It was the squirrel, sitting on its haunches and glancing innocently at the saiya-jin. ?Tracking me, are you??

Before anyone could blink, Bardock fired off a bolt, and the ground where the squirrel stood charred and smoked. The fighter blew the vapor from the barrel of the pistol, twirled it, and holstered it.

?I still got it.?

With that, he turned and walked away. High up in a tree, the squirrel cocked its head and watched Bardock go.