Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.

A/N: I know I just updated, but I can't get to sleep for nothing (so, I apologize ahead of time for any errors in this, it's very early). Plus, I've been working on almost nothing but my college essays and research for days, it's about time I did some typing for fun. Thanks for the awesome reviews guys, this is turning out to be a rather popular fic. ;)

THANK YOU: Novaselena, Volcanic, Xzanayu, MarshmellowDragon, Rimera, Storm-of-insanity, Grand Wolf, Ishida Jill, ME, dragon-lady, dmx, Kiko cat, Pink-Charmed-One, willywonka, and rainbowraindeer.

-And a special thanks goes to cutelittlekitten18 and dragon-lady! I'm sorry you two, I had already finished most of Chapter 6 by the time ya'll reviewed, so I completely forgot to thank you in my author notes. Muchos Gracias!

ALL my reviewers rock, I appreciate your reading my crazy fics!

Chapter 7

Piccolo did the only thing he could think to do. He ran.

He looked around to see if Konna were anywhere nearby, but there was too much distraction. Goku's spirit bomb was launched and about to kill Frieza, and him too if the Saiyan wasn't careful. When the bomb hit Piccolo was knocked back hundreds of feet, bashed through what was left of a cliff and then slung in the water. He opened his eyes once in the liquid and found he was relatively safe for the time, so long as he could continue holding his breath.

Konna and Krillin had gotten a good head start before the bomb hit, but amidst all the energy being thrown about Piccolo couldn't get his ki bearings; he had no idea if the kid was alive or not. He did feel Goku though, slightly. In fact the Saiyan wasn't far from him, the goof had probably forgotten to duck or some stupid thing like that.

Piccolo suddenly felt the water current change, he was being dragged down stream far too fast. So fast, in fact, he barely had time to recognize a large fleshy mass when he floated by it…it was Goku. Piccolo grabbed up the Saiyan and gripped his upper chest hard, knocking some of the air out of the warrior. Piccolo gurgled some, trying to kick his way to the surface. Not that he really needed to, he could hold his breath for several minutes without a problem, but he doubted he could say the same for Son.

He could have let the man die, easily. It's not like he would have been upset at losing his life-long foe, or even really felt much remorse for his death (or so he kept telling himself). But he did know it would hurt Konna. He knew the girl would be devastated if she lost her father again, and this time for good. So he grabbed up the man who's life Piccolo had tried to destroy on more than one occasion, and saved him.

Piccolo finally made it to the surface of the water, grabbing the first solid form his hand could reach. Slowly he pulled himself out of the rapids and onto the muddy ground. Even more slowly he dragged Son's unconscious form out of the turquoise depth, pulling him until both were on dry land. He sighed from pure relief and tried earnestly to regain his breath.

Goku suddenly inhaled deeply and regurgitated a lung full of murky water. He gagged for several seconds then plopped back down on his back, breathing hard. His orange gi was mostly torn away but his navy blue weighted shirt was still on him, which was what had been dragging him down to begin with. He rolled his head to the side and looked at Piccolo, grinning just a little at the Namekian.

"You…saved me." he said.

Piccolo grunted. "Don't read anything into it."

Goku smiled and chuckled just a little.

"Yeah, okay." He breathed and closed his eyes. "Hey Piccolo, does this mean you don't hate me?"

Piccolo scowled and turned toward Goku. "Don't try to get all friendly with me, I'll throw you back in that water."

Goku smiled and rolled his eyes. "Whatever Piccolo."

"Piccolo-san!" Came a high pitched voice from above them. "Daddy!"

Goku leaned forward and turned around. Konna and Krillin were flying towards them, albeit a tad slowly, but still coming. Piccolo stood and crossed his arms, looking down at Goku only once. But Goku had barely made it to his knees when Konna floated right into his chest, hugging him tightly.

"Oh, we were scared you two didn't make it! You were so close to the blast." Konna said.

"Well, we almost didn't." Goku said. "But we're all okay now."

Konna smiled as her father planted a kiss on her cheek. Then she jumped over next to Piccolo and hugged his knee. She jerked back quickly and made a face.

"Ugh, Piccolo-san, you're all wet!" She squealed.

Piccolo smirked as she began to laugh.

"Yeah, well, we just decided to take a swim." Goku joked, standing up.

Konna shook her head and rolled her eyes, while Krillin suddenly yelped in fear.

"What?" Goku asked, looking around quickly. "What's wrong?"

"We forgot Bulma." He said dejectedly.

Goku huffed and let out a sigh of relief. "Jeez Krillin, you scared me. I thought Frieza was back."

Krillin looked down and twiddled his thumbs. "Yeah, well, she can be worse sometimes."

Goku suddenly burst out laughing, followed by Konna and Krillin.

"That's so mean." Konna said between fits of laughter. Then she turned to Piccolo and hugged his knee again.

"Piccolo-san." She started.

"Yes?" He asked, putting his hand on her head to ruffle her hair.

She giggled and wrinkled her nose. "Aw, never mind."

Krillin was the only one facing opposite of the other three, when his face turned white and eyes bugged. He began shaking and staring at something beyond them, his finger went up to point at whatever it was. His mouth opened like he wanted to say something, but no words came.

"What is it Krillin?" Goku asked.

Konna walked a little closer and frowned. "You look sick Krillin."

But the little monk only shook his head furiously and pointed at something behind him.

"It…its F-Frieza!" He shouted.

They all turned around to see a bloody, beaten up Frieza, but whom was very much alive. His finger was up, turning red with energy, and his face was a picture of pure hatred. Krillin jumped out the way quickly and Piccolo threw Konna to his far left, but Goku didn't move in time. The man was simply too worn out to react quickly enough, even though Piccolo had shouted a warning to him.

"Goku, get down!" Piccolo had barked, but it simply wasn't soon enough.

"Daddy!" Konna shouted just after her sensei.

The small bullet style ki blast made it's way for Goku, who was unprepared to get out of its way. Goku's eyes widened and he knew this would be it, his second death. So he just prepared himself for impact. Piccolo, though, acted on an emotion he had yet to identify, and fazed in next to Goku. He pushed the Saiyan hard enough to knock him over, but overstepped his boundary to far to the right. The ki blast ripped through his chest like a red-hot poker.

Piccolo stood still for several seconds, then sought out the wound with his hand. Blood, his blood. The blast, luckily, had barely missed his heart, but it would take a miracle for him to survive for long. He heard Frieza laughing as he fell to his knees, the sneering became louder when Goku jumped up and yelled at Frieza to shut up.

"Ha, stupid Namek." Frieza spat.

Konna, though, ran up to Piccolo moments after he'd landed on his knees.

"Piccolo, it's okay. You'll be okay." She said, pushing him back as his body tried to fall face forward into the dirt.

"Piccolo? Answer me!" She yelled, but his eyes were rolled into the back of his head. She grabbed a hold of his gi shirt and gently laid him down on his back, moving his legs so he wouldn't crush them.

"Piccolo-san, you can't die again. I can't wish you back a second time if you do." She said, then bit her bottom lip to keep from sobbing. "Please wake up, sir."

She looked at his chest and saw the blood, so she tore away a strip of his gi sash to wrap around him. She knew bleeding was bad, and she needed to make it stop if he had any chance of surviving.

"No, Frieza, let him go!" Goku yelled.

At the sound of her father's voice Konna looked up, only to see Krillin being shot upward like a rocket.

"This time…you won't come back!" Frieza said, clenching his fist. Then there was an explosion, and Krillin was gone.

"No." Goku whispered.

"Oh, Krillin." Konna wailed, now fully crying. Her friend didn't even have a chance to defend himself, there was no honor in that.

"No." Goku said again, angry beyond all reasoning. "I won't let you get away with this!"

Konna watched as the water surrounding them rippled away from her father, and the ground he stood on shook beneath him. She looked to Frieza and he seemed just as perplexed as she. Her father though, he was so angry sparks were flying all around him. He grinded his teeth and clenched his fists, growling like an animal. She'd never seen him like this.

Lightening flashed in front of her, circling Goku. She held on tighter to Piccolo's gi and pulled him back with her, away from her father.

"You'll pay." Goku said.

His hair would shoot straight up, turning a golden color. It did that several times until Goku's ki spiked and he roared toward the darkened sky, his hair turning to a golden flame. Konna's eyes widened at the scene, her father was becoming something completely different. Then he turned and looked straight at her, scowling.

"Konna, take Piccolo to my ship, find Bulma and get going home." he said.

"But, daddy, what about you?" She asked.

"Don't argue with me, now go!" He almost yelled, not a single ounce of his friendly, carefree self in his tone.

Konna nodded dumbly and positioned Piccolo over her shoulder.

"Goodbye daddy." She said, taking off toward the ship.

It took a while for Konna to make it, considering she was worn out and carrying a very heavy Namekian on her shoulder. When she did reach the ship she landed on the runway and walked carefully up the plank, into the ship. After laying Piccolo down softly she took another look at him, he was still in pretty bad shape; luckily, though, he was still alive.

"Please hang on Piccolo, Bulma can help you." She said. "I'm not going to see you die again, sir. You'll be alright, I promise."

Then she left to find Bulma, hopefully in enough time to get back on the ship and leave. She had her doubts though, but she was praying for the best outcome possible. Kais help them, they certainly needed it.

X-x-X-x-X

Piccolo opened his eyes and stood up, just what had happened? One minute he was dying on the battle field, now he's waking up on a ship. But, with no chest wound.

"Ahh!" Came a high pitched feminine scream.

Piccolo turned around to be facing a blue haired, human woman. He thought he recognized her from the Teckenchi Budakai, but wasn't sure. He scowled at her and she started acting very strange.

"Umm, Konna will be back soon." She said, twitching and looking generally nervous. "She brought you here and, uh, went back to help her father."

Piccolo blinked and turned away from her, opening the door of the ship.

"Hey, where are you going?" She asked, but not quickly enough. He was already out the door and flying toward the kis he was feeling, one of which had better of been the girl's.

Before he could form any type of attack plan, he was no longer flying over Namek…he was on Earth. He knew it was Earth because he could feel Kami again, and the scenery had changed dramatically.

Kami, you old fool. Piccolo thought. You wished us to Earth.

"Piccolo-san!" Konna yelled, darting through a crowd of Namekians to find herself beside Piccolo.

"You're okay!" She yelled, grabbing his knee. "I knew you would be!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." he said.

"Dad was fighting Frieza. Something happened to him, his ki went way up and his hair turned to gold."

Piccolo nodded and scowled. Just what had happened?

"Say that again brat." Vegeta said, walking over toward her. "What happened to Kakkarot?

Konna frowned and made a face at Vegeta. "His power got bigger and his hair turned to gold."

Vegeta looked like a mix between two emotions, one good and the other not-so-good. Finally, he settled on the good feeling.

"Well, seems he finally did it then."

"Did what?" Piccolo asked. "What are you talking about Vegeta?"

"He's a Super Saiyan, Namek. He's become the legend, he can beat Frieza now because he's stronger."

Piccolo scowled. "We'll see."

Konna smiled. "I know daddy can beat Frieza, he has to."

"You bet he can." Bulma chimed in.

"And you know," She said, turning toward Vegeta. "You should learn to be a little more laid back, you are kinda cute."

Vegeta scoffed and made a disgusted face. "I'm the Prince of Saiyans woman! Don't ever call me 'cute' again!"

Bulma waved him off and turned back to Konna. "We'll be seeing your dad soon, I'm sure of it."

It wasn't for several minutes that Bulma was contacted by King Kai, and talked to by Yamcha. Apparently, Goku couldn't make it to a ship in time, so he'd be caught in the blast when the planet exploded. After some debate over the issue, when it was explained they couldn't just wish Goku back, Bulma started crying.

"I just can't believe it, Goku has to come back. He just has to." She sobbed.

Konna kept shaking her head, not wanted to believe it was true. Piccolo knelt next to her and tried to calm her down.

"If it is possible for your father to return, then you know he will." He said to her.

"But, what if he can't?" She asked. "I don't want him to die."

Piccolo stood again and tried thinking some more. Surely there was something that could be done.

"Face it brat, your father's not coming back." Vegeta said, walking toward the girl. "You might as well accept it."

"That's not true, he will come back." She argued.

"Oh, I don't think so. And let me tell you, what makes you think he'd want to come back if he could?"

Konna nearly turned red with anger as she yelled at Vegeta. "You take that back! My father would always come home, he's not like you!"

"Watch it brat, you'll regret fighting with me."

"I'll fight you! Don't think I wont." She said hotly.

"Alright then." Vegeta said, and he lashed out at her with his fist. "You want a fight, you'll get one."

Konna dodged and leapt forward, punching and kicking at Vegeta fiercely, anger and fear driving her. She did manage to land a punch, giving Vegeta a bloody lip, and was repaid by getting slammed into the dirt. As she went to get up, Vegeta blasted her hard enough to make a sizable crater, with her in the center.

Other Namekians had begun to try and help, but Piccolo kept them from doing so. Even Bulma had walked forward to try and stop the fight, but Piccolo simply growled at her and she backed down. Piccolo waited and watched, looking at Konna and Vegeta as they fought. No child should be able to hold their own against a seasoned warrior for so long, especially one as efficient as Vegeta.

But she could. Then he knew, without a doubt, this girl would someday exceed them all. And then Vegeta put his hand up, ready to actually kill her. Piccolo fazed himself in front of Vegeta's hand and shook his head.

"Not today." Piccolo said, eyeing Vegeta. Knowing he was stronger than Vegeta for the time, the prince backed down arrogantly.

"The brats not worth it anyway." he said.

Piccolo walked over to his student and helped her stand up.

"You did good." He said.

She just looked to the ground and shrugged. "Not good enough."

"You'll get there." he said, standing up again.

Someday. He added mentally.


It was decided that the Nameks would stay with Bulma at Capsule Corp. until their dragon balls reformed in six months. And it was discovered that Goku could return through Earth's check-in station, which was Vegeta's idea ironically enough. So during the waiting period Konna was allowed to come and visit, after her studies were finished of course, and play with the other children. Piccolo, too, stayed mostly at the mansion, mainly because it interested him to be surrounded by others like him.

One day Konna was playing with Dende and two other children. The two were called Creasy and Chibo, they were brothers. Actually, what truly confused Konna was that all the Namekians called each other 'brothers'. The only difference with these two was that they came from the same father.

"Pass it here, Konna!" Dende yelled.

Konna threw the ball toward the little boy and he raced to catch it. When he did he passed it to Chibo, who tossed it underhanded to Creasy, who then threw it at Konna again. The game had lasted for nearly an hour when Creasy threw the ball much harder than before. Konna raced to get it, but just as the ball touched her fingers she ran full smack into something very hard and sturdy.

It was Roth, another Namekian warrior. Though, he was not near so strong as Piccolo or Nail.

"Oof!" Konna huffed, falling backward. "Sorry sir."

"Watch it brat, or do you want another fight?" He asked meanly.

Konna stood and dusted herself off, shaking her head timidly. Dende came up behind her and scowled at Roth, he knew this man was not a nice one. The other two did as well, and Creasy (the more bold of the four) walked toward Roth.

"Why did you faze right in front of her like that? You knew she would hit you."

Konna frowned and looked up. "I didn't see you sir, honest. You're not hurt are you?"

Roth scowled. "You can't hurt me. Now get away from me Saiyan."

Konna stepped back and slowly turned to head off toward the other side of the field.

"Don't worry about him, Konna." Chibo said, after Roth was out of sight. "He doesn't like Saiyans."

"How come?" Konna asked.

"Because," Dende started. "His whole family was part of the Snake tribe, and they were killed by Vegeta."

"Oh no, that's awful." Konna said. "But what's that got to do with me?"

"Well, Vegeta isn't the first Saiyan to come to our planet." Dende continued. "Many years ago they came and killed lots of people, but didn't stay once the weather turned bad."

Konna nodded. "So, do a lot of your people dislike Saiyans?"

Dende looked down and nodded. "But not you or Goku, we know your trying to help."

Creasy put his arm on Konna's shoulder. "I wouldn't pay any attention to Roth, he's kind of crazy anyway."

Chibo laughed, followed by the other three children. Then they went back to their game of catch with Konna's blue ball.

XxXx

A few weeks later Konna was giving Dende a sparing lesson, considering Dende had asked what kind of moves she'd used on Vegeta to land that punch. He was starting to get the hang of it, considering he was not talented at all in the field of martial arts. She took it easy on him, and they were having a lot of fun. Accidentally, though, Konna kicked too hard when he put up his arm to block.

"Aya!" Dende shouted, grabbing his arm.

"What? What is it?" She asked, walking to him.

"It hurts Konna, you kicked too hard." Dende said through tears.

"I'm so sorry, I was trying to take it easy on you." She said, helping him stand up. "I'll take you to your grandpa."

"No you wont." Roared Roth, coming from across the small built-in pond. "Get away from him Saiyan."

When he was close enough he jerked Dende away and pushed him in the opposite direction. "Go to your grandfather Dende."

"She didn't mean to, we were just playing." He explained, stepping toward Roth.

"I said to go, do not disobey your elder." He said.

Dende sighed and turned to walk away, knowing he could not defy someone so much older than he. He did turn to give pitiful glances to Konna, trying to let her know he was okay and not angry at her.

"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean-"

"Shut up girl, what were trying to do? Kill him?" Roth asked meanly.

"No, of course not." She said. "Please, don't be mad. I'm sorry about your family but I'm not a bad Saiyan."

Roth kicked Konna in the stomach and sent her backwards. "Don't speak about my family, you know nothing of them."

Konna leaned forward and stood up, staring far up at the large man. In the back of her mind she knew she was probably strong enough to beat him, but at the same time she debated over whether it was a good thing to do.

"Please don't be mad, I meant no disrespect."

Roth raised his hand again to silence her, but then someone was in front of him. It was another Namekian, wearing a turban and cape.

"Move brother, she needs to be taught a lesson." Roth said.

"I'm not your brother, and it's you who needs the lesson." Piccolo said, grabbing up Roth by his collar. "Get away from here. And if you touch her again I won't hesitate to kill you."

He pushed Roth away and glared at him until the man left. Then he turned to Konna and grunted.

"Didn't I teach you better than that?" He said. "Don't pick fights you don't expect to win."

Konna scowled, then dropped her jaw. "Don't make a joke Piccolo-san, you know I didn't pick that fight."

"But you did almost break Dende's arm." Piccolo said.

Konna looked down and sighed. "I know, I didn't mean to."

"I know that." Piccolo said quickly. "But no more sparing with him, he's a healer and not a warrior."

Piccolo started walking away but Konna followed him. "But it was his idea."

"You heard what I said girl, no more sparing with him."

"Yes sir." She said sarcastically, grabbing hold of his gi pants near the knee. "Thank you."

Piccolo snorted and pulled her hand off his pants. "Yeah, yeah. Just watch yourself."

Konna smiled and pulled at the straps of her overalls. "Do you like my outfit? It's new."

Piccolo took another glance at her and, without tone or emotion, said "Lovely."

Konna noticed his presumed excitement and laughed at him. "You see, that's why I like you so much. You're funny."

Piccolo huffed and crossed his arms again. "Funny indeed. Just a regular barrel of laughs."

Konna looked up at her sensei in wonder, laughing at him. "Two jokes in a row. Wow, Mr. Piccolo you're on a roll."

Piccolo picked the girl up by the suspenders of her overalls and glared at her, even baring his fangs just a little (though, in honesty, he knew she would not be frightening by it).

"What did I say about that name?" He asked meanly.

Konna put a finger to her chin and looked thoughtful. "If I ever called you that again you would throw me through a cliff and blast me straight to Outerworld."

Piccolo tossed her down, which she landed gracefully on her feet, and scowled. "So why did you do it again?"

"Because I know you wont do that stuff to me." She said plainly. "We're friends now, you're stuck with me."

Piccolo made a perturbed face and started walking away again. "Stuck indeed. I can't find a way to get rid of you."

Konna chuckled just a little, following Piccolo to a tree he used to meditate. He levitated next to the ground for a long while, until Konna decided to jump into his lap.

"Stop that kid, I'm meditating." He said.

She leaned again his knees and let her hand fall onto the grass in front of his feet. "I know, I'll be really quiet."

Piccolo grunted and shifted her until she was not such a burden. She rolled over after a few minutes to stare at Piccolo while he meditated.

"You know Piccolo, when you said you couldn't get rid of me, did you mean it?" She asked.

He opened an eye and looked at her.

"It's just, if you ever really do want me to leave you alone, all you got to do is tell me to go."

Piccolo scowled, nodded, and closed his eyes again.

Konna smiled and rolled back onto her side. Fifteen minutes later Dende was making his way over to the last spot he'd seen Konna. Roth had already come back, but Konna hadn't. So he yelled her name several times in hopes that she'd come back to play with him.

"Your boyfriend is calling." Piccolo said.

"He's not my boyfriend!" Konna nearly shouted, jumping up. "But I am going to go play with him."

"Don't kill him." Piccolo mused, watching her stick her tongue out at him as she ran off.

Piccolo waited until she was gone to close his eyes again, and he though of what she'd said. Want her to go? He'd thought nothing along those lines at all. He didn't want her to go; not even now to go play with Dende. And she'd said he was stuck with her, well yes he guessed he was.

Well, kid. He thought. Your stuck with me too.

-

A/N: Kami, got a little carried away with that chapter, I guess. Too many new characters? Ack, my imagination has run away with me again! Oh well, 'till next time guys.