Disclaimer: As always, I don't own anything Dragon Ball Z.
It rained on my graduation, and hailed on our way home on the other side of town. I didn't mind though, I still had fun. They streamed our graduation live online for people with relatives in the military or out of town. I thought that was pretty cool, ah technology. You could hear me a mile away though because I wore all of my medals and pins (10 medals, 5 pins), and I was colourful despite the white gown because I got a gold sash for academics and three cords for the honour societies I was in. So I was really decked out. We unleashed our senior prank at graduation too; we all had pennies that we gave to our principle when we shook her hand. A lot of people didn't do it, but a lot did. I was going to be the first one, but I dropped the penny as I was walking over to her: P. It was hilarious, cuz she had these weird sleeves that draped down and became square-ish and she was stuffing all the pennies into her sleeve so by the end of the ceremony it was pretty full ;)
Chapter 9: Return to Earth
It had been eight years since I left Earth. My family had bounced from planet to planet over the past couple of years, and Christine and I decided it was time to settle down for good. Earth had been the only other home I really knew, so when I suggested it Christine was more than excited with the idea. I contacted Dende mentally before we left and he informed me that in his second year of high school, Gohan had been invited to take place in another Strongest Under the Heavens tournament and that everyone was going, including Goku. Christine and I decided to make our appearance at the tournament, and compete in it too.
We had been at the tournament for a while, it was packed with spectators and fighters, although a lot of the warriors were –well, pathetic. There was no sign of the others though. Christine and I waited near the entrance for them to show up and so we could sign in with them. Finally, a group of familiar chis entered. Gohan was dressed in a very odd costume with a white bandanna and sunglasses. He was a lot taller than I remembered him being. Vegeta looked like he always did, although he had finally gotten rid of the Saiyan uniform. I was surprised to see Kuririn with hair and together with 18, they even had a kid. Trunks and Goten had also grown considerably since I had last seen them. Goten looked exactly like Goku did at that age.
"Shall we go greet them?" Christine asked.
"No not yet, I think I'll wait for Goku to show up first," I replied. We stayed seated on a wall under a tree that was off to the side.
"I wonder when dad will get here," Gohan said and looked around anxiously.
"Maybe Kakarot forgot and won't show up at all," Vegeta sneered, obviously trying to provoke Gohan.
"Aw, if Goku said he was coming, he's coming," Kurirun grinned.
Gohan nodded but didn't say anything. A few minutes later, Son showed up, halo and all. There was a commotion as everyone greeted him. I waited for them thoroughly bombard him with hugs and hellos and said, "Alright, let's go."
We jumped off the wall and headed over to them.
I heard Gohan say, "This is great! We almost have everyone here, we're just missing one," he put his head down, "I hope he's okay too, no one's heard from him in years."
"Heard from who?" I came up behind Goku.
"PICCOLO!!" They shouted, and Gohan surprised me by running over and tackling me with a hug.
"Er, uh, hi kid."
Christine giggled, "I take it this is Gohan?"
"Yep, this is Gohan."
Gohan finally let go of me, "Shhh, don't say my name anymore, you have to call the Great Saiyaman while we're here," he put his hands and his hips and grinned.
I raised an eye ridge, "Why?"
"Well I want to keep my identity secret from all the kids in high school. That's why I have this costume, cool huh?"
I looked at his odd get-up, "…sure kid, whatever you say."
He laughed, "You just don't know what cool is now, but that's okay, I'm just glad you're alive. I like the change you made to your outfit too, what made you ditch the cape?"
I looked at the white, long sleeve coat that went down to my knees, "Well, this allows me to have weight on more than just my shoulders, and it doesn't get caught in things the way the cape would."
Christine smiled, knowing that part of it was also because she liked me better in the coat and not the cape.
"Who's the lady?" Yamcha suddenly asked.
"Oh, um, this is uh, my uh wife Christine."
"YOU'RE WHAAAAAT?!" Even Vegeta seemed shocked, it made both Christine and I blush.
"Yeah, we've been married for quite some time now," Christine said.
"Wow, wait to go Piccolo," Kuririn chuckled.
"Yeah who woulda thought you could land such a hottie," Yamcha added.
I wasn't sure how to reply to that, but thankfully Alucard showed, "Hey Dad!"
He stopped when he saw the group of people I was with, "Oh- uh, are these your uh friends?"
I grunted.
"Where are twins," Christine asked.
"Oh, they're probably hiding in a bush somewhere waiting to jump me; they've been trying all day."
"Don't worry, Christine, no one here is strong enough to hurt them anyways."
Her brow furrowed, "I suppose. Go get them though, so we can introduce everyone," she told Alucard.
He nodded, happy to have an excuse to get away from all of the new people.
"Wait, do introduce yourself first," Christine caught him before he left.
"Oh," he bowed, "h-hi, I'm Alucard."
They all bowed in return, Alucard took off the second they were standing straight again.
"He's shy," Christine said as she watched him leave.
Gohan seemed to be in shock, "Wow Piccolo, you have a wife and three kids?"
"Yes."
Vegeta scoffed, "you certainly have been busy Namek."
"Yeah, you seem a lot stronger too," Goku pipped, "I hope I get a chance to fight you."
"As do I," I replied.
"You're not a pushover either," Goku said to Christine.
"No, it shall be a lot of fun competing with you. I've never participated in something like this before, but from Piccolo has told me it should be very exciting."
"Hi!" The twins showed up with Alucard trailing behind.
"I'm Ryu," the boy said, "and I'm Selena," the girl added, they finished by saying in unison, "We're five years old."
Selena is a miniature version of Christine, although her eyes are brown. Ryu looked a lot like me only with hair and a blue tint in his skin. Alucard is a good mix of both of us. The group bowed again.
"Oh, they're so adorable," Bulma said and squatted down to their level, "So you're five years old?"
"Yeah, just two years younger than our brother," Ryu started and Selena finished, "but he's still a lot stronger than us."
"Really?"
They nodded.
Trunks scoffed, in a very Vegeta-like manner, "He doesn't look that strong."
"Trunks!" Bulma scolded.
"Last call for participant entries!" The tournament official called.
"We better sign in," I said.
They all nodded and we headed over to the table. Christine whispered to me, "Things seem a little hectic with them."
I grinned, "Yes, but it's oddly light-hearted."
Warning, I'll probably move more towards actioness and a little away from romance from now on, just so you know. Voice your opinion if you wish.
Elieare
