A/N: 'Mea Culpa' is Latin for 'my fault'. I suppose this could accompany that other thing I wrote titled 'Nothing', which was Gohan's view. This one is Piccolo's.
I got the first line from my friend, Jen, who in turn got it from some techno song.
Don't underestimate me, boy. I'll make you sorry you were born.
That was one of the first things I had ever said to that kid. I knew he would, in time, grow more powerful than I could ever imagine…more powerful than most could fathom. But he did not know that. The entire purpose of my existence was to train the boy so that he could awaken and control the power within himself. It was necessary. He needed it to survive on his own to be prepared for whatever condition, whatever situation he was thrust into. The world also needed it; I needed it.
I never anticipated being affected at all by this period of time. It affected me more than anyone would have guessed, being who I am. Looking back on it now, all of the memories made out there mesh together. I'm not sure if I really spent all that time with him. I can't tell if we had spent too little or too much time with each other, and if it would have made any difference.
Yes, it would have made a difference. We spent so much time with each other that we sometimes seemed, for want of a better word, fused together. Had we been in each other's company for a lesser amount, I would never have become so attached to him. I was practically his guardian angel after we were through with the formalities. I even gave my life up for his once. I wouldn't have been able to stand seeing his death. Besides, he was worth more than the others than I ever was. I've never mattered to anyone, except for him. As disgusting as I had always thought sentiment to be, I admit that he made me feel special. I became unique out of his love.
Nevertheless, we have grown apart. I always knew that he would never be as close to me as he once was. I can't blame him or anybody else for it. I think that I always knew somewhere deep in my mind, my soul, and (curse it) my heart. He is growing closer to other people who have entered his life, and his whole persona has been undergoing a change. He is still a shadow of the one I knew years ago, but he will never again be the kid I had trained.
Out of my own ignorance and stubbornness, I never allowed myself to show as much care as he did. Despite my sacrifice, he never knew how deep my love ran for him. I have no one to blame but myself.