Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ in any shape or form.
A/N: Hiya! It's been a LOOOOONG time since I've written a DBZ fic. I don't know where the inspiration to write theis suddenly came from, but it's made me put my other story 'Quiet Misery' on hold for the time being. Ganjo and Kage are mine, and the story in the end will most likely center on them.
The title of the story has to do with the background of wolves; they were feared and killed because of how they were and the stories that had been built up around them. But they're not the horrible creatures people made them out to be, in other words, 'don't judge a book by its cover.' That quote there is very important to this story. You will find out why in later chapters.
Enough of my ramblings now, read!
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Gohan stood in the entrance of the cave Piccolo had been living in for the past three years. Had been; now it was still, dark, and empty. Piccolo's ki had vanished several days earlier; no one had been concerned, since vanishing was something Piccolo often did. But as the days passed and still no sign of Piccolo, Gohan became worried, which had led him to the cave.
He moved turning his back to the darkness and faced the rushing waterfall. The sound was soothing, calming his nerves from what he had found out earlier.
Piccolo hadn't been the only one to disappear, Videl had too four years earlier breaking Gohan's heart in the process. She had just up and left without any word to anyone, which tore her father apart. Mr. Satan never gave up search for her and neither did Gohan, even after the angry phone call he got from Mr. Satan himself about it all being his fault. And then just the other day she appeared on his front porch with a child baring a striking resemblance to himself in her arms.
"This is Ganjo," She had said softly, the little boy staring at him with large coal black eyes, "Your son."
Sniffling snapped Gohan out of his thoughts; he turned slowly peering into the darkness of the cave. The shadows shifted and he instinctively slid down into his fighting stance, "Who's there?" He said as the shadows moved to outline a small figure.
It moved forward into the light, "Don't hurt me." The small child, a Namekian, Gohan noted in disbelief, whimpered.
"I won't hurt you," Gohan said falling out of his stance, "What's your name?" He decided to start there to calm the child down.
The little Namekian rubbed at his eyes, "Kage, who're you?" He looked at Gohan with sharp black eyes a little puffy from crying.
"My name's Gohan." Gohan smiled lightly dropping down to his knee so he was close to the height of Kage; he had read somewhere that this was less intimidating to children.
Kage studied Gohan carefully, "You know where my Father is? He left a long time ago and hasn't come back." His small voice wavered slightly, his small green hands wiped at his eyes again.
Gohan felt the sick feeling of worry tighten his stomach, "Who's your father?" He was pretty sure he already knew, the purple gi a dead give away.
A confused look washed over Kage's face, he blinked a few times then shrugged still wiping at his eyes in a vain attempt at stopping his tears.
Gohan sighed softly bowing his head in thought, "Why do we take you up to the lookout? Dende might know where to find your father." He smiled reassuringly and Kage nodded moving closer to him.
Gohan picked him up and held him against his chest like he used to do with Goten before he learned to fly, "Ready?" He asked softly and Kage nodded wrapping his little arms around Gohan's neck.
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"Gohan!" Dende called out running up to the teen, "There's been-" He stopped himself and blinked, "Who's that?" Shaking his head, Dende continued, "Never mind right now, there's been an accident."
Gohan carefully set Kage down, "What kind of accident?" He said turning his eyes to Dende.
Dende leaned a little on his staff, "A few days ago I notice subtle ki spikes from Piccolo, but something was off about them," He studied Gohan warily for a moment, as though he was trying to figure out a way to explain what he meant, "When I went to investigate," He continued deciding against the explanation, "I found Piccolo unconscious in the middle of the field you two used to train in."
Gohan's eyebrows shot up in surprise, "Is he alright? Why didn't you come and get me sooner?" He asked, annoyance underlining his last question.
Dende held his hands up in defense, "I'm sorry, I just found him yesterday. He woke up this morning with no memory." He paused for a moment, "Of anything."
"He has amnesia?"
Dende nodded, "I think it's only short term. I would give him a sensu, but Vegeta used the last one yesterday and Korin said it'll take at least three weeks for the sprouts to become usable."
Kage, who had been hiding silently behind Gohan the whole time, cautiously poked his head out from behind Gohan's leg. He studied Dende with large eyes for several seconds then said in a shy voice, "You look like father."
Dende smiled squatting down to Kage's level, "And who's your father?"
Kage shrugged, "I dunno." He whispered bowing his head.
"Can I see Piccolo?" Gohan asked, "I think Kage here is his son."
Dende's eyes widened, "Piccolo's?" He asked incredulously.
"Well if he isn't yours…" Gohan shrugged smirking slightly, something he had picked up from Piccolo when he was a kid. Dende coughed into his hand and stood up; his cheeks purpled a little in embarrassment.
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A/N: Please Review!