(A/N: Yay for double chapters! xD But I'm sorry if it seems like I rushed through Piccolo and Selena's training, but I was eager to get to this point. And I kind of couldn't think of what else to write. ^^')
It was hard to believe, but a year in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber had already flown by. Piccolo and you were about to leave the space, yet you found yourself pacing and dreading the moment you would take that first step out the door.
"There's no reason to get yourself so worked up. Neither one of us realized…this would happen…." Piccolo muttered with closed eyes. It made you wonder how he could always be so calm? Though you were grateful he hadn't taken this unexpected surprise as a bad thing, even if it had greatly shocked him.
"I-I know, but you remember what Vegeta said before we came in here…? I'm afraid he might do something drastic…And it doesn't help that I wasn't able to train as hard as you, so my being here was practically a waste…." you trailed off miserably, lowering your head.
You could hear Piccolo sighing lightly, but when he was right beside you and placing a hand on your shoulder, you looked up to see him gazing down at you with a softer look in his normally stern orbs.
"It's true you weren't able to train as much as you would have liked, but you did master that technique you created, so you should be proud," Piccolo encouraged, giving your small shoulder a light squeeze before heading for the door. "Come. We shouldn't stay here much longer."
You smiled faintly at Piccolo's back, taking in a deep breath of air before standing rather close to him; hoping to hide yourself from your brother's piercing gaze for as long as you possibly could.
"Great. A dramatic entrance," Vegeta scoffed when Piccolo slowly came through the red door, the light from the chamber making the Namekian's features look more intense. A smirk arose on the Saiyan's face as he started to pass by Piccolo. "Alright, out of my-"
When Vegeta's onyx orbs landed on you, a sheepish smile crept onto your pale pink lips. His face was almost comical since his mouth had parted while his finger was pointing at you and shaking like mad.
"Wh-what the hell happened to you?!"
Indeed, your look had changed slightly. Your waist length hair now nearly reached your ankles while your girlish face seemed a little more mature. And while it was clear your power level had increased and you had developed a bit more muscle, your stomach at the moment was very large and swollen.
"S-S-Selena…D-don't tell me you're…?" Trunks badly stammered out, staring at you along with Tien with wide eyes and looks of utter disbelief.
You bit your lip since Vegeta was just staring at you, but the blood had clearly rushed to his face, and you turned to timidly smile at your nephew. "Yes. I'm pregnant…."
"And the baby…the baby is…Piccolo's…?" Tien muttered out, his wide eyes gazing at the Namek who merely closed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Vegeta screamed at the top of his lungs. You gulped expecting him to lunge at Piccolo considering veins were popping up all over his face, but instead Vegeta did something completely unexpected. He fainted.
"F-father?!" Trunks cried out in a panic, rushing up to Vegeta's side to try and gently shake him awake. But the man was completely out cold.
"Of all the reactions I expected your brother to have, that wasn't exactly one of them…." Piccolo mumbled while massaging his forehead.
You nodded your head in agreement, your lavender eyes having turned to small dots. Knowing it wouldn't be good to leave him like that, you looked at Mr. Popo, asking him if he minded fetching a bottle of water for you.
When the genie-like male returned, you calmly approached your older brother's form, popping off the cap where you slowly poured the water on his face. It took a moment for Vegeta to stir, but once his narrowed eyes had focused on you, a light squeak left your lips since he was on his feet in an instant where he started to roughly shake you.
"I thought that was some horrible nightmare, but its true! Your…your! Gah! I can't even say the damn word!" Vegeta snarled out.
"Calm down, father! You shouldn't shake her like that!" Trunks exclaimed, managing to pry him away from your dizzy eyed form.
"You might as well accept it, Vegeta. Selena's having a child. My child," Piccolo said coolly, amazingly not flinching when the livid prince rounded on him.
"Oh, I know. This entire mess is all your fault! Your lucky I don't kill you right where you stand, Green Man! You were supposed to be training. Not…not fooling around!"
You gently chewed on your bottom lip, placing a hand on your chest as you looked at Vegeta with a weak smile. "We know, Vegeta…But to be honest, neither one of us expected something like this to happen…And even if it was a mistake, especially now with Cell and all…I don't regret it. So can't you just be happy for me, brother…?"
The Saiyan prince said nothing, only grinding his teeth before he turned away from you; storming off toward the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and slamming the door shut hard enough that it was amazing it didn't come off its hinges.
"Training should help him cool off. Maybe then he'll stop behaving like a spoiled brat and accept the facts before him," Piccolo spoke up with a small grunt.
You only nodded your head sadly, hoping that was true. Even though it took Vegeta some time to warm up to most people, you didn't want him to hate his niece or nephew when they were finally born….
"N-no way. S-so Trunks wasn't just pulling my leg then…." Krillin said with a nervous laugh, having arrived at the lookout along with Goku, Gohan, and Yamcha when Trunks called to inform the others of the good news.
Gohan was looking at your belly with bright eyes, and you couldn't help but smile when he placed his small hand on it. "Wow! So your really going to be a dad, Mr. Piccolo?"
"Yeah. Looks that way." Piccolo confirmed, a faint purple tint on his cheeks while his head was turned to the side.
Goku laughed and walked up to the clearly embarrassed Namekian, patting at his back. "Hey, congratulations! Guess we should start calling you daddy Piccolo now, huh?"
"Don't even think about it!" Piccolo said with a small growl that caused Goku to sheepishly laugh and hold up his hands defensively.
Yamcha grinned awkwardly and rubbed at the back of his neck. "So yeah uh, how exactly does this work? I mean, Piccolo's race is all males and don't you guys erm…spit out eggs to have kids?"
"Yes, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible for us to breed with other races like you humans do. We're heterosexual, but most Namekian's prefer to reproduce the natural way our race was intended to," Piccolo said with a small scowl, looking lightly flushed.
Your eyes widened in amazement since you didn't even know this, but it seemed Piccolo was the very first of the Namekian's to actually try mating with someone. Your hand moved to rub at your stomach since you realized this would be the very first Namek that would be mixed with a different species, and it made you that more eager to see your little one take his or her first breath of life.
"By the way, Piccolo. There's something I wanted to ask you," Goku suddenly spoke up, causing you and the others to turn your attention on him. "You can split yourself in two again, right? So that there's a Piccolo and Kami? See with Kami gone, all the Dragon Balls have disappeared. But we really need a wish from the dragon. We need to wish for all the people Cell killed to be brought back to life. And I mean every single one of them. It's the only way we can make up for letting Cell come this far!"
"Sorry, Goku, but I can't. Once two Namek's have fused together, they can never split apart. That's why I was so hesitate to fuse with Kami because it was a permanent deal," Piccolo replied quietly.
"That's too bad because I was really…hoping," Goku said, looking down sadly. He soon perked up after a brief moment, and the smile returned to his face. "Wait! I remember Gohan told me once that all the survivors from Namek went to live on a new planet some where. Maybe I can get a hold of them."
"Why?" Piccolo questioned, narrowing his eyes.
"Maybe I can get one of them to come here? Yeah! And then he can become the new guardian for earth! That way, we'll have a new set of Dragon Balls, right?" Goku said excitedly. "If we explain our situation, I'm sure they'd be happy to help!"
"I would just love a new guardian to keep me company!" Mr. Popo added happily, clearly on board with the idea.
"But you don't have the time to be doing this! You don't even know what planet they're living on!" Piccolo said, looking at Goku with slightly wide eyes. "It'd take years to find them!"
"Aw, I doubt that. Not if I use my Instant Transmission," Goku claimed with a knowing grin. "Its just a simple matter of finding an energy signal similar to Piccolo's."
"You can't sense energy that far away!" Piccolo cried out in frustration.
"Oh, sure! I must admit I've never actually tried," Goku responded easily, furrowing his brows in concentration while he placed his middle and index finger on his forehead, "but if I put my mind to it, I bet I can!"
Everyone remained silent as they watched, a few minutes passing by before Goku grinned in a goofy manner and said, "Funny, you were right. I can't…."
You sweat dropped since everyone but Piccolo comically fell to the ground, the Namekian only slapping his head and muttering something that sounded like "naïve fool…", but you weren't certain.
"Hey! I know what I'll do! I'll go to King Kai's planet and locate them from there!" Goku chirped, hitting his fist on his left palm before once again concentrating. "Now if I can just get a clean picture of King Kai-Oh! There we go!"
"…So, do you think he'll do it?" Trunks asked, a small bead of sweat trailing down his head despite his calm façade when Goku had vanished.
"I…don't think we should rely on it if that's what you mean…." Piccolo said indifferently.
You shook your head with a small smile, going to sit on the steps that led to the Hyberbolic Time Chamber next to your nephew, only to wince when feeling a large twitch in your stomach.
"Are you alright?" Trunks asked you with mild concern.
"Y-yes. The baby just kicked. Its been doing that a lot recently," you mused with a faint smile.
"Really? Can I feel?" Gohan asked innocently, his eyes shining with excitement. After you nodded, he gently touched your belly, only to grin when feeling the small pressure on his hand. "Wow! And the baby doesn't hurt you when they do that?"
"No. It just feels a little uncomfortable. Though I do feel like a punching bag at times," you said with a small laugh.
Krillin laughed at your comment and placed his arms behind his head. "Sounds like the kids definitely yours, Piccolo. Already trying to get in some training before they're even born,"
Piccolo didn't say anything to this, but you thought you saw a small smirk upon his lips before his face returned to its usual serious nature. And when Goku had abruptly returned, Piccolo's eyes widened when seeing the familiar figure with him, "Dende?! You brought Dende here to be the new guardian of earth?!"
"Hey, don't worry!" Goku said nonchalantly, smiling when Gohan and Krillin both ran up to greet the young Namek.
"Its been so long! Its really good to see you, Dende!" Krillin said with a large smile.
"So is it true you're going to take over Kami's position?" Gohan said amazed while holding onto Dende's hands, smiling happily when the shorter boy nodded. "That means we can see each other every day!"
"Now Dende, are you absolutely certain you're ready to handle the Dragon Balls?" Piccolo cut in sternly, causing Dende to look down almost unsurely.
"Lighten up, Piccolo. After all, the old guy told me that Dende was one of the most talented Nameks on their planet," Goku gently reprimanded.
You moved to stand by Piccolo, smiling softly at Dende. "If it's Moori Goku's talking about, I'm sure he's right about Dende making a great guardian,"
Dende let out a cute gasp and ran up to you. "So you're here too, Selena?" he said brightly, only for his dark orbs to widen when he noticed your appearance. "Are you having Na-I mean Piccolo's child? I can sense a faint aura that feels like ours coming from you."
You tilted your head wondering what Dende was about to say, but nodded your head with a light pinkness dusting your cheeks. "You're right. Though it's impressive you could sense that, Dende."
Goku laughed and patted Dende's head, causing the young Namek to blush now. "See? Told you he was talented! And I bet you'll have those Dragon Ball made in no time!"
"Yes. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to make the Dragon Balls in one hundred days,"
"O-one hundred days?! But we really can't wait that long!" Goku exclaimed in alarm.
Dende looked down for a moment, lost in thought, but he soon perked up with a smile. "If you still have the old Dragon Balls and the model of the dragon, then I should be able to do it right away!"
"The old Dragon Balls are scattered across the earth changed into stone," Piccolo mentioned gruffly.
"And yes, the old dragon model is in my room," Mr. Popo spoke up.
"Awesome! Let's cook this dragon up!" Krillin cheered with a fist pump. "Oh hey, Dende? What about wishes? Can you make it grant three just like on Namek?"
"Sure!" Dende said with an easy-going smile.
"What about its power? This isn't Namek, and with three wishes, the dragon might be weakened," Piccolo questioned with a light smirk. "Now, think. Can you make it bring back all those killed by Cell with one wish?"
Dende seemed to be panicking for a moment as small beads of sweat bounced off his head, before he smiled meekly at Piccolo. "Well, all I have to do is re-channel some of its energy into its wishing power. But that way, it can only grant two wishes each time."
"Good enough. Make the dragon like that," Piccolo said with a faint smile while Dende promised he would do his best. "Alright, Mr. Popo, bring us the model."
Mr. Popo nodded, soon returning with a stone model of the dragon inside a circular case. "Careful. I made this dragon myself,"
"Oh! What an interesting shape!" Dende admired, gingerly taking the replica. "I guess I'll begin."
After placing the little dragon on the floor, Dende held his hands above the glass case and started to chant in his native language. You watched in amazement as what appeared to be golden strings of light flew around Dende before they formed together, shooting up toward the heavens. The lights then parted, flashing off in different directions to create the new Dragon Balls.
Dende let out a light sigh before smiling at everyone. "Its all done. The dragon can be summoned as soon as the Dragon Balls are collected,"
You smiled gently as everyone was praising Dende for his fast work, even noticing Piccolo wearing a proud expression for the young Namek. Though a sudden pain in your stomach caused you to cry out, and you wrapped your hands around your stomach.
"What's wrong?" Piccolo questioned, his intense eyes boring into you.
"Y-you remember those contractions I told you I was having before we left the chamber…They are starting to become more frequent…." you told him, gritting your teeth.
"Oh, man! Oh, man! That sounds like what happened with Chichi before Gohan was born!" Goku gasped out, waving his arms up and down.
"I-I'm sure its too soon for me to be going into-" you started to say, only to trail off when feeling a small trickle of fluid trailing down your inner thigh. "Um, I think my water just broke…."
"EH?!"
You smiled weakly since all of the guys were overly freaking out, really wishing Bulma or Chichi was around since at least they wouldn't be running around like head-less chickens wondering what to do….
"We should get her to a hospital!"
"But its too dangerous to fly her there!"
"I-I think my mom's house would be better. That's where she said she had me. Erm…past me,"
You were panting heavily, finding it hard to stand and were grateful when feeling strong arms lifting you up bridal style, realizing it was Piccolo as his lime colored face looked paler than normal, but it was surprisingly still calm.
"Goku. Use your Instant Transmission to take us to Bulma's. Selena's in no shape to reach for or use her crystals," Piccolo instructed in a strict tone.
"H-huh? Oh um, right!" Goku cried out startled, moving behind Piccolo as he placed his hand on the warrior's back, and in a flash, you were all in a white lab where Bulma appeared to be working on Android 16.
"Goku! You really-" Bulma trailed off when she noticed your heavily panting form in Piccolo's arms. She blinked multiple times, dropping the tool she had been using where she let out a shrill scream. "S-Selena?! She…she's….!"
"Pregnant, okay? It happened in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Now, can you help her like Trunks said or not?!" Piccolo growled out, an anger vein throbbing like mad on his head.
Bulma shakily looked from you to Piccolo, her pupils smaller than normal. "O-of course! Come on, we need to get her to a room where she can lay down," Bulma said, managing to regain her composure; leading the way after telling her father to keep working on 16 for her.
You were taken to the guest room where you had been staying, smiling gratefully at Piccolo when he laid you down on the large bed. Two women quickly entered the room, carrying towels and a large tub of warm water that they placed on an end table near the bed.
"I think it would be best if both of you waited outside," Bulma said while placing a pair of rubber gloves on her hands. Seeing Piccolo's look when you let out a yell of pain, she gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. She's in good hands."
You sent Piccolo a weak smile of your own before Bulma shut the door, letting out another cry since the pain seemed like it was getting even more unbearable.
"Its okay, Selena. Just keep breathing in and out," Bulma instructed you, checking to make sure if you were ready. "Okay, I'm going to need you to start pushing."
After what seemed like forever to you, you finally heard a sharp cry; your head falling back on the pillow where you let out tired breaths of air. You watched out of the corner of your eyes as one of the women cleaned your baby before wrapping it in a warm blanket.
"Congratulations, Selena! Looks like you have a healthy baby boy!" Bulma said, beaming as she carried the tiny bundle over to you once you had carefully been propped up.
You gingerly took the crying babe in your arms, your exhausted features brightening when seeing your son. He had more of a human look to him, yet his skin was the color of Piccolo's and it seemed he had inherited his father's pointed ears. There was also a very small patch of black hair on top of his small head.
When hearing the door opening, you smiled weakly when seeing Piccolo as Bulma had left the room to give you two some privacy.
"Aren't you going to come see your son, Piccolo?" you asked gently since he almost seemed hesitant to do so.
Piccolo slowly approached your bedside, gazing down at the child who was making odd cooing noises as his eyes widened. "He's so…small…."
"Isn't he adorable?" you said happily, placing a loving kiss on your little ones forehead. "Do you want to hold him?"
"Are…you sure that's a good idea?"
"Of course I'm sure. Here, hold his head like this," you told him, tenderly helping Piccolo. "Make sure you keep him close to your chest so he'll feel secure."
Piccolo awkwardly did so, but he was stunned to feel just how light the infant really was. Even more so when his son seemed to smile at him and his still blind eyes opened for the very first time. "Purple eyes, huh?" Piccolo mused since they were a darker shade then yours, carefully reaching out a finger to stroke his small cheek.
"So, what do you think we should name him?" you asked, finding the sight of Piccolo holding his son to be one of the sweetest sights you'd ever seen.
"You want me to decide?" Piccolo murmured out surprised, frowning in thought when you gave a small nod. "How about…Vitali? It means life."
Your eyes widened at this before you beamed, nodding your head in agreement. "That's perfect, Piccolo! Our little Vitali…."
You smiled as Piccolo sat down beside you on the bed resting your head on his shoulder, just watching your son with wonder as he let out a small yawn. I promise, Vitali. With everyone, I'm sure we'll find a way to defeat Cell. That way, you can grow up in a peaceful world…I won't let your life end before its even begun….
(A/N: *Squeals* I'm just imagining this tiny little babe that's a cross between Piccolo and Selena! ^.^ When he's older, I can see him looking similar to a green skinned elf considering he'll have hair unlike other Namekian's, hah hah! Not sure whether to give Vitali antenna's like his daddy or not. What do you all think? :3 Also, what sort of personality can you see Vitali having when he's around Trunks and Goten's age? I can't quite decide. But I hope having Selena already give birth wasn't too rushed. I wanted her to have her son before the fight with Broly and Cell comes in. ^^
And I only realized, but when you think about it, Selena's not only with Piccolo, but Kami and Nail as well! I turned her into a harlot! And it doesn't help that she attracts the psycho's as well. Frieza, Cell, maybe Broly... x_x )