Author's Note: Umm...I don't like Videl. She's now officially never existed (at least not in this fanfic anyways) :). But, seriously, for this fic to work; she can't exist. Sorry Videl fans!
Piccolo sat quietly near his favorite part of the waterfall. His breathing was calm and even, his body floated in mid-air, and an aura of intense thought radiated outward from his still form. The world had been at peace now for several years, since the defeat of Buu. For this reason, his meditation did not concern the spars of past or yet to come. No, only one thought permiated the Namekijin's mind.
"Gohan."
The kid hadn't been by to see him in years. Or had it merely been months? The Namekijin'smind regestered both months and years without Gohan as one and the same.
"Piccolo-san! Please don't leave me! I can't do this without you!"
"I could never forget you in a months time Piccolo-san!"
"Y-you're my best friend Piccolo-san."
"Don't lie to me." Piccolo said unconciously.
Piccolo's fists clenched menacingly. His teeth were ferociously bared. But, the only thing he was aware of, was the tightening of his throat. He sank from his meditative postition to his hands and knees on the cold, hard earth. He began to shake, tryingto keep the tears in his eyes from rolling down his jade cheeks.
"Gohan...you...stupid fucking brat!" He cursed allowed.
He coughed, spitting out small specks of mucus.
"Gohan...you...you dirty son of a whore!"
Cursing Gohan's name was the only thing Piccolo felt he could do. The only thing he could do since he gave up dening he loved him.
Piccolo knew he loved Gohan as more than a friend, student, or son long ago. Perhaps, deep inside, Piccolo always knew he loved him. Ever since the destructive power of the Cell Games. But, he'd blocked it out of his mind. Gohan was only eleven, and Piccolo thought he had enough to deal with. The death of his father, his new baby brother, his guilt...Piccolo knew Gohan couldn't handle the repulsive advances of his sensei.
Then came the years with infrequent visits. Piccolo told himself he didn't care. After all; out of sight, out of mind. But when Vegeta had announced that Gohan was dead...Piccolo could've sworn he'd heard his heart rip in two pieces.
Then, Gohan came back; but as a highly trained warrior, bent on only destroying Majin Buu. Piccolo remembered the feeling of wanting to just hold him and kiss his pale lips. But, again, Piccolo stifled the feeling.
Two smooth rivers on his face brought him back to reality. Sitting up on his knees, Piccolo used the palms of his hands to destroy the two rivers of feeling. And in that spot he stayed for who knows how long, the only sign he still lived where the occasional gasps of air.
"What am I going to do? I can't go on living this way." Piccolo asked aloud.
"You're not gonna tell him, are you?". A voice from nowhere.
Piccolo stood up quickly.
"Who's there?"
"Nevermind that now. I wanna know if you're gonna tell him or not?"
"I...I"Piccolo stammered.
"YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" The voice shouted, knocking Piccolo back onto the ground.
"You honestly think he'll be all lovey dovey back at you? I'll tell you what he'll be...Distgusted. You confess feelings, and face it; you'll be ostracized. It'll be just like the old days. When the humans would chase you, shoot at you, and call you all those nasty names."
Piccolo looked at the ground and squinted his eyes. What this voice was saying seemed to be true.
"Now, think about this" The voice continued. "When were you the happiest? Now? When you trained the squirt? Or when you had only yourself?"
Piccolo had to seriously consider that one. He certainly could say he wasn't happy now. He was more worried when he had trained Gohan. Maybe the best answer was when he was alone.
"I thought so." The voice said, as if reading his thoughts. Piccolo wasn't sure if he found this voice comforting or frightening.
"Who are you?" He asked.
"Don't worry, you'll see soon enough."
Moments later, Piccolo felt entirely alone. But not in a bad way. It was if the voice had beena painkiller; allowing him to think clearly without the normal jolt of pain. He calmly resumed his meditation...Gohan and pain free.
Somewherein the depths of Hell, a long dead enemy began to laugh.
