Piccolo, Goku, Chi-Chi, and Gohan were up in the early hours of the morning. Goku holstered a stick on his back with a rope over his shoulders and stuck the two-star ball in his pocket. Chi-Chi had Gohan swaddled in a wrap hanging over her chest. She had a rucksack over one shoulder, carrying food, first aid, and any other essentials she wouldn't leave the house without. Piccolo carried nothing but the clothes on his back.

The party was ready to set out on their adventure. Goku called for Nimbus and once he and his family were on board, they flew off. Piccolo flied beside it, high in the sky.

Goku reached into his pocket, and pulled out the Dragon Ball. "This thing will start reacting, when we get close to one," he shouted to Piccolo. "I used to need a radar to get to them, until Kami pointed that out."

"This isn't your first search, is it," Piccolo asked.

"Not really. It's kind of a regular thing." He laughed.

Chi-Chi reached around and pointed at the ball. "Goku, look!"

Sure enough, it was already flickering and glowing. Goku made a 'yes' motion, with his fist, and immediately jumped off, without even looking down. Chi-Chi screamed, and quickly followed him, on Nimbus. There was a loud thud from below and a strained 'ow'. Piccolo shook his head, and lowered himself to the ground.

"Goku, you idiot," she screamed. "I told you to stop doing that!"

He staggered back up, rubbing his head. "Sorry. I just got excited," he said, laughing awkwardly.

She rolled her eyes. "So, the Dragon Ball is around here?"

Piccolo started looking at his surroundings. They were standing in a plain in the middle of a bamboo forest. The trunks were tall, reaching hundreds of feet above them. The morning sun had risen above them, and cast shadows of the leaves onto their path. In front of the tiny plain were a small dirt path, covered in dead leaves and broken sticks.

"Yep," Goku confirmed. "All we gotta do now is find it. Stay here, for a sec." Goku jumped back on Nimbus and flew in the opposite direction, before anyone could ask what he was doing.

Gohan was babbling, as he looked up at the train Nimbus left behind. Chi-Chi held him close. "Don't worry – your daddy will be back soon. He's just finding out what direction the Dragon Ball is in." She looked up and sighed, wistfully. "This takes me back. This was how your father and I met…" She leaned her cheek in the palm of her hand. "It was love at first sight. He was such a charmer, even back then."

Piccolo raised an eyebrow. She was still talking about Goku, wasn't she?

Speak of the devil, he came flying back right afterwards. He hopped off of Nimbus. "It's that way." He pointed at the dirt path. "It shouldn't be too far."

The party made its way deeper into the tranquil and quiet forest, on foot. The wind rustled through the trees, and the birds sang to each other in a hushed tone. The loudest sounds were coming from their steps, as the dead leaves and twigs were crushed beneath their feet. Animals quietly scampered up into the trees, while they passed by. Goku led the group, keeping a watchful eye on the Dragon Ball. Chi-Chi was right beside him, and Piccolo was behind them.

"So," Piccolo finally asked. "What did you mean when you said this was a 'regular thing'?"

"Well, I don't really look for them, but a lot of friends need them a lot. Mostly just to keep them away from bad guys." He scratched his chin. "We held onto our last batch of them for a couple years, until Mr. Popo came by for them."

"You've never even gotten a wish on them?"

"Not really. Don't need one."

Piccolo blinked. "Then why the hell are we looking for them?!"

"Watch your language," Chi-Chi snapped. "Gohan can hear you!"

He growled. "Why are we looking for them, then?"

"We won't be getting all of them," Goku explained. "We only need the four star ball. My grampa gave it to me, when I was a kid. I didn't even know what they did, until I got older."

Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "Is that not common knowledge?"

"No," Chi-Chi chimed in. "Dad didn't know what his Dragon Ball was until he met Goku. Most probably think it's just a legend."

It gave Piccolo a bit of comfort to know that most weren't aware of the balls existence. If they did, he had little doubt that chaos would ensue over finding them: he had seen it firsthand too many times.

"Hey, it's glowing!"

The Dragon Ball was glowing consistently, without ever flickering.

"This one's gotta be close! Start looking!"

The group split up, searching through nearby cracks and crevasses. They looked under small rocks, in between fallen logs, and through the tall blades of grass. Piccolo chose to look up the nearby trees, being the only one who could fly on his own. He looked at the tops of the trees, and into the small nests. More than likely, an animal was using it as furniture, right now.

A bit of orange caught his eye, in one of the larger nests. He craned his neck up, to see it at a better angle. Just as he suspected, the small orange ball was located right next to some eggshells. He jumped into the nest, and walked over to the ball, quickly grabbing it. To his disappointment, it was the five star ball. He huffed; he was hoping this wouldn't be a long search.

The nest shook with a loud thump, knocking him off balance, for a moment. He nearly lost the Dragon Ball, but he quickly caught it, again.

A deep laugh sounded, from behind him. He rolled his eyes, as he turned around. A large dinosaur with a huge wingspan was stalking up to him, from behind.

"Well, well, well: not every day dinner wanders onto my plate. What a pleasant surprise." It licked its chops. "Oh, I am going to enjoy-"

Piccolo walked past the dinosaur, and jumped out of the nest, with the Dragon Ball in his hands. The dinosaur yelled at him, begging him to come back and let him finish his speech. He landed gracefully on his feet, and went to regroup with Goku and the others.

"I've got it," he stated.

Goku and Chi-Chi looked up, from their search. When he saw the Dragon Ball, his eyes lit up, and he sped towards him, getting right in his face. Piccolo staggered backwards, wanting some elbowroom.

"Yeah, it's the six-star ball!" He took it from him, and put it in his pocket, with the other Dragon Ball. He flopped, onto the ground. "Phew! I think that's enough adventure, for day. How about we set up camp, for the night?"

Chi-Chi looked up. "We've been out for that long? Huh." Chi-Chi took off her rucksack, and reached into it, pulling out a capsule. "Stand back, boys!" She pressed the button on the top, threw it, and it erupted, when it hit the ground. In its place was a small house.

"You bought a capsule house, Chi-Chi?"

"I figured we might need one, if we ever take a trip, together. It took a bit of saving up, but I thought it was a good investment."

"Good thinking!"

She put her hands on her hips. "I think I packed enough food in the fridge, but maybe we can grab a few things, while we're here."

Goku pointed his thumb behind him. "I saw a river back there – I could take Nimbus and go fishing.

"Maybe. Piccolo, what do you think?"

She didn't get a response. He was gone. Goku and Chi-Chi glanced around, trying to find him. They didn't see or hear him leave. He had just vanished. They looked at each other, and gave the other a confused look and shrug.

Goku looked up, and saw a figure coming in, to land. He put his hand over his eyes and concentrated on it. When he felt its energy, he wasn't worried, anymore: it was Piccolo. All he was wondering now was where he ran off.

Piccolo came in for a soft landing, holding a trophy, over his head. In one hand, he held the now dead dinosaur from which he stole the Dragon Ball. He threw it on the ground in front of him, making them jump back. They gawked at the giant carcass, and then at Piccolo, wondering how he managed to do that.

"I assume that will suffice," he said.

Chi-Chi made quick work of the giant carcass, quickly chopping it up into patties and more manageable portions. It was more than enough to last them, for the next few days. Even its marrow was sufficient enough to salvage, and the bones could be useful for carpentry and building, when they got back home. A large platter of it was served that night, for dinner, much to Goku's delight. He didn't eat nearly as much, as the meat was surprisingly filling, even for his appetite. Afterwards, they relaxed in the small parlor.

Goku leaned back in his chair. "Man: this is just like the first time I went looking for the Dragon Balls. Never thought I'd end up here, because of them."

Piccolo had been curious, ever since Goku explained his motivations. He held off his questions earlier, not wanting to distract from the mission, but now was as good of a time as ever. "How did you find out about them?"

Goku tilted his head, trying to recall the story. "Hmm… I was 14… no, 12, right. Anyway,"

He went on to explain how he discovered the power of the Dragon Balls. He had been heading back home, after grabbing something to eat, when he was hit by a large vehicle. He had thought it was a monster, but it turned out to be three guys. They showed him their Dragon Ball, and demanded that they have his. They explained the legend to him, and made him join them, as a bodyguard. Anytime they needed intimidation tactics, they used him. They usually handed them the balls without any fuss.

"Yeah. Those guys were weird, and not very nice. After I met Oolong, he said to take their Dragon Balls and go look for them, with him." He leaned backwards, putting his hands behind his head. "I'm glad I did: I don't think I would have met my friends, if I didn't."

Piccolo nodded. So it never was about the wishes: he just fell into it. The only reason he's still looking is for sentimental reasons. It made him feel a bit better about helping someone find the Dragon Balls; at least he wasn't helping another entitled brat.

"Hey," he said, nudging him with his foot. "Thanks for coming along. I know it must be hard, with your bad memories. I appreciate all the help you've been."

He paused, letting the compliment sink in. "You're welcome."