A/N: Its over 600! Thanks so much for all the reviews! I believe the 600th was 'Khi' so thank you! and to answer Khi's question: 17's crush on Piccolo will have some significance in the plot, once scene in particular and just so people don't worry Gohan and Piccolo are a solid couple and would never cheat on each other.

In reply to a review by Giovanna (apologies if i misunderstand as I have to use Google Translate lol): First of thanks for all your reviews! Secondly this story is a long one, really long, so theres plenty of time to finish his meditation and yes, after the meditation his and Gohan's sexual relationship will advance, fully in a later chapter ^^. As for anything about them getting married thats definitely an epilogue type of scene and as for a maids outfit (inspired by Gohan's taste in manga) that might be a cheeky bonus chapter at the end)! Ox King is a character mentioned in small details but isn't around loads and he's not major character and Hercule Satan is included but mostly in relation to Videl. Also I don't intend for Goku to be revived or really be a part of this story, next to other characters by now he'd be a bit out of place in the larger plot (I may however include him in bonus chapters after the story is finished).

In reply to Belli: Thanks so much for the lovely review! I'm a big fan of DBZ, think you can tell lol, but always felt character depth wasn't as well explored as it could have been but it was an action series not a character drama, so its why I wanted to build on the DBZ world and focus on character development. As for the spider plot, I'm curious if anyone can guess what that's amounting to, its definitely a twist and it's been foreshadowed, the final enemy section of the story should start in Chapter 55 I think ^^ x

Apples

Chapter 36: Innocence

Piccolo remained meditating by his spot at the waterfall, his body anyway, while his mind in its own realm, his senses strong but consciousness focused deep into the recesses of his own mind. And…he was lost. Fucking lost.

He seen his younger self and gotten a surprise himself never mind the child, amongst darkness and cherry blossoms he searched and searched for the little creature that had gotten away, he wasn't sure what he would get out of it but it was all he had to go on, but as time wore on he grew wearier and wearier, the only exploration he'd managed in his search was passing by elements of that didn't take a psychiatrist to understand. Spiders and webs looming on the periphery, the current threat unknown on his mind and not much he could do about that.

Frustration evident as Piccolo continued on in the world of silence; he needed to find that blasted kid, it was obvious who that was, a part of himself he never acknowledged, never let himself dwell on and he was heavy hearted in trying finding him but knew that was why he was here, to face the things he couldn't before and move on from it all stronger and wiser. He needed to try…or at least he would if he could actually find anything!

"What are you doing?" Trunks asked his younger friend, the two children having visited the meditating Piccolo and at that very moment Goten in boredom and cheek had started making funny faces and accompanying noises. The Namekian true to form did not notice or react, completely oblivious to the little one's silliness.

"Man, he really is focused" Goten chirped and his lavender haired friend laughed and just as Goten was about to try for round two Trunks sat down on one of the many ridges by the freezing waterfall and silent Namek, "So…is it true he's going to trainee when he wakes up?"

The dark haired boy instantly beaming with "yup! he promised."

Trunks just crossed his little arms and spoke as cool as he could "well, he can't be better than my dad, my dads super strong" showing off in true royal fashion.

"You'll see, Piccolo's the best" Goten said, not much minding the competitiveness, at least not until he'd gotten enough training to actually take on his friend a bit better; Trunks was older after all.

In truth Trunks wanted more training with his father, he knew part of the reason it was limited was because of Vegeta's own dedication and sparring with Trunks was for the boys benefit, he was no match or benefit to the Prince's training. Still sucked though. With a slight pout Trunks jabbed with "he's only training you cause he's dating your big brother" enough taking in his voice to know it wasn't serious.

"Nu-uh, he's training me cause I'm worth training and he's my friend too!"cam an instant and passionate answer, Goten really taken to the Namek and dark childish eyes even looked back to the meditating man as if for reassurance but the boy knew it was a truth anyway.

After some childish chat and more funny faces to test Piccolo's unwavering meditation the pair knew they were best to head back soon, but just before while still in the emerald man's presence Trunks voiced something on his young mind: "hey, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah?" the dark haired boy chirped as he stood and patted the dirt from his gi, tail swaying as the tiny body stretched, stiff from sitting so long in one spot and ready to head home before hearing a question he hadn't thought of.

"Is it weird…your brother…dating another guy?"

"Uh…" Goten blinked, not fully understanding the question, it wasn't weird, he liked how Piccolo was like another big brother, it was awesome, "…why would it be?"

"I don't know," came Trunks' own slightly baffled answer, "but at the party i heard the old turtle man say he was surprised he didn't know Gohan was gay? So he was surprised that Gohan was with another boy."

Like a strange puzzle the pair didn't know what the rules were and Goten eventually just shrugged, what difference did it make really? Liking boys or girls? "I don't know about that…but big brother is super happy around Piccolo and they love each other so much, dont really know why it would matter that they're boys."

Somewhere in the back oh Goten's mind he knew Piccolo was a different species and that had its own unique details too but even that didn't matter, Piccolo and Gohan were great together.

"Maybe Roshi just thought Gohan and Videl were a thing but they're just friends?" he tried to 'logic-ify' his thoughts and in their own innocence and openness to the world found no barriers or pre-established taboos in their thinking, and good thing for it.

Still in that dark forest the Namek searched, though slower with the aimlessness of it all, traces of the boy long since lost and with a tired sigh Piccolo closed his eyes in a moment of frustration and leant against one of the many cherry blossom trees that were his only decoration in the otherworld empty void of this place. The bark feeling just as real against him, the mind full of memory and expectation where he could feel the things in this dreamscape as though actualised and solid, and he gave himself some moments more, just taking in the fall of the petals, the subtle sound of rustling leaves and his own breathing and felt himself grow calmer. Things would come in time, he was here and he was seeing this meditation through to some achievement no matter what.

In moments of calm like that he could even see the outside influences, he tell too clearly from within his mind but he knew enough, how Gohan must visit a lot, a lot, and at that very moment he was sure Goten was there and it made him smile.

He did care for that boy, he was so young and sweet and Piccolo had rather taken to him, plus the way the boy looked at him was filled with awe and respect and who would complain about that? If anything if confirmed to the Namek just how soft he'd become, and a soft side of himself he'd come to accept too, he found no embarrassment or dislike in being good with children or caring for one, and that alone was a sign of growth from darker days.

He would be training Goten soon and he'd promised not to hold back either, that he didn't find to troublesome but it was with a slightly heavy heart, he was so young after all. At least when training Gohan the threat of earth's destruction fuelled the urgency and they were still enemies at the time. Things would be different this time around but still plenty harsh as were the boys wishes.

And then he shook his head, who was he to think about being 'so young'? Hell he was trying to find his younger self at that very moment, a young self that had been far worse off and thrown into greater isolation from the very start. Brought out of painful thoughts as sensitive ears perked to a slight rustle and footsteps, his peripheral vision catching slight movement and the chase was back on, daydreaming abandoned with some relief.

Piccolo was a very popular Namekian apparently as he was visited by several despite not being the most talkative company, mostly by Gohan who visited more than all others combined but others weren't strangers; including one admittedly bored and impatient Android 17. Training with Vegeta had been but a small distraction, but at least he was holding his own and the fight wasn't a total wash, and as soon as the spar ended he was back to that empty and tired feeling. He'd even offered to babysit Marron a few too many times to be normal.

He wrapped his coat around himself a little tighter to shield from the cold as he stood by the Namekian, he wasn't entirely sure what he expected by coming here, it wasn't like there was anything to gain, well, except for the uninterrupted view of course.

Usually he would be in danger of appearing rude or awkward for eyes to linger too long, but as he was faced with the completely still and unresponsive man he could take in his appearance as much as he liked. He didn't dare tough, that would be too far, though he was sure the teen did, probably left his kisses on the cheek or hand in greeting and goodbye, meanwhile 17 just took int he mans poise, his face and features. So very beautiful a creature he was; with endless elegance at all times it seemed. Thoroughly worth admiring.

"C'mon, Pic" Seventeen voiced out loud, feeling a little silly speaking to no one, "it's so boring here without ya," he complimented and kept his hands in his pockets from the chill, a slight shiver telling him just to head back home and stop spending his time like this, besides it was rare of him to show he cared about anyone that wasn't his sister or niece. "Don't know what ya need to know anyway, fine as you are if you ask me" he tried and met silence yet again, a sigh escaped the cyborg puffing in the winter air.

Seventeen just had to admit to himself this was a little deeper than a liking, sure he had a crush, he was more than okay with that, Piccolo was one hell of a catch it didn't phase him that he was attracted to the man, but even as a friend…that friendship ran a little deeper than he first thought. Even sitting right there in front of him…he missed him. Even both being quiet types it was comforting to know the non-judgemental, understanding ears were there to listen and to know that strategic and fair mind was willing to help.

Piccolo was a great friend to have and other than his sister that was something he didn't really possess, at some point he must have let his guard drop to be feeling this down over something so simple and he knew he'd walk away from this one-sided meeting feeling no better for having visited, only his feelings a lot clearer in mind.

Damnit! Piccolo thought as he yet again had travelled for far too long after a sneaky little thing that was incredibly good at hiding, that or Piccolo had the uncanny and very unwanted talent for losing track of the boy which certainly didn't help things. Shoulders loosened in exasperation, body agitated and mind a blur with words of failure, he just wanted to feel like he was further on, that had achieved something by this, anything.

Yet again calming to a stillness, nothing but the flutter of the cherry blossom petals distracting his eyes as he collected himself and he became slightly aware to the world around him again, surprising really, he had assumed it was based on ki, but he had a funny feeling he was in the android's company? Or at very least he started thinking about him, and he was completely caught of guard to a sudden and destructive ki blast a bit behind him, wood splinters and smoke threatening in their wake and Piccolo turned in an instant reaction, heartbeat sped up at the shock.

Dark eyes scanned the scene of decimated and mangles trees and waited for the smoke to clear, a mild thought on how weird his subconscious was only slightly amusing as he was able to make out what was happening; the realisation making him blink. It was a memory. He watched on feeling safer at the knowledge of what he was watching though he certainly wasn't at the time and all the thoughts returned from back then, knowing just how worried he was back then, not knowing what was the right way to handle things but doing his best; meanwhile a scene played out before him of Piccolo fighting Seventeen from years ago, not long now and they'd be getting spotted by Cell and he'd protect the androids from the bug like creature.

He was a little confused at first why this would be so significant, he hadn't thought it at the time other than how it pertained to earth's survival, but he supposed in the context of his and Seventeen's friendship this is really where it started. As he watched the pair fight he saw the cocky smirks on both sides, enjoying the fight though it was meant to be so serious, and strangely as he watched it play out he realised something and was a little proud of himself.

During the fight, despite all the horror stories they'd been fed about the androids, his past self seemed to be completely non-judgemental. They were a threat to be managed of course, and their agenda to kill Goku one that couldn't pass, but if it were someone else he was sure he would see a different approach. Any teasing would be done to mask insecurity if it were someone else taking them on and their genuine feelings a combination of fear, anger and even disgust; yet…he never felt disgusted by the androids: if anything he was empathetic, against, but empathetic.

He knew what it was like to be given a goal that wasn't your own, and have t so deeply wired into you that its all you know? Cell was different, his actions in Ginger Town truly one of the most depraved and horrific things he'd ever had to witness, no power gain was worth that, at least not to anyone with any kind of decency. The androids…somewhere in there they had that, even if it was selective they had a relationship of heir own, the wanted good conversation and entertainment, and he could see how very easily the situation could be different for them if the world was only more kind.

He remembered as he fought Seventeen, no doubt his life was on the line and he would be killed if he didn't fight at his best, but he knew the reasons behind their actions, while not excusable, were understandable. Were they really supposed to wake up after being experimented on, years of having missions drilled into their heads, going through all of that knowing those commands were the only reason given to them for being alive, were they really supposed to come out of that as well rounded, objective and kind? It was a wonder their vendetta against humanity wasn't more aggressive!

And he knew all of that even back at this fight and he knew he was a rarity, other z fighters lips would curl in distaste at the very idea of their existence, the main exception being Krillen for obvious reasons, when he wasn't afraid he was making googly eyes at the blonde one.

But he had been in the same boat as them, not exactly the same, but eerily similar in some ways, an egotistical and vengeful father of their creation forcing a hateful goal onto the vulnerable without outside support, the logical reaction was to obey, lan from that voice that was their only guidance, thats what children did. The androids older of course but who knew when the experiments started, in fact it might have been their maturity that allowed them to desire freedom so quickly, to take on Dr Gero like that, he was glad for them, to most that might seem strange but it meant of all the unfair and terrible things, Gero getting his just desserts and a pair of victimised siblings less under his thumb it was at least a small relief.

Yet again he was trying to save the android, and yet again that bastard Dr Gero was trying to use his creations against their will, and he felt a slight pang in his chest at something he had never processed before. Especially as he watched the group and saw Krillen fussing by his wife and their kind relationship, then looked to the battered and leaning Seventeen, and Vegeta cocky smirk unmovable.

Vegeta had mentioned before about Seventeens possible crush, and while he had always felt some denial about that, mainly due to his own self reflection, the longer the man had stayed at the lookout and the more they spoke and trained together, not to mention the more familiar Piccolo became with reading other people's feelings, he had to say…he could see what Vegeta was talking about.

Those icy blue eyes didn't just watch him, they admired him, and in plain respect or with eyes of a child like Goten as he was most familiar, he felt strange being desired in such a way, in a lot of ways he could still tell himself Gohan was so close developing feelings for him was a little easier somehow, but to know someone else whom he'd spent significantly less time with saw him in such a way? It struck chords he wasn't able to fully reason out.

He wasn't sure what came over him when he stepped forwards, memories in this place were fluid and explorative but nothing concrete, and he knew things could become far more interactive and abstract here, and as he neared the group of fighters it changed, it didn't fade exactly but people did, one by one Krillen and Vegeta faded from the scene, then Eighteen and her slumped brother fell to the ground still unconscious, his dark hair still messy and clothes shredded and scorched in areas, then Gohan who was holding Piccolo up faded too.

He expected to watch his own body fall to the shattered ground too but instead in a shocking incident he found his own point of view shifted, in an instant he was in place of his memory self and falling to the ground in a slump. It was bazaar the control this mindscape had over him, with influence on the mind he could be told to feel pain or pleasure, that something was like it really there or not, and the fact became unpleasantly clear as a dull aching started in his body, returning to the battered form he was at that time, his skin littered with cuts and burns and scrapes from their fight and he hit the unforgiving broken streets, covered in dust, debris and glass. Completely sore and tired he could only lay there and look with obsidian eyes at the man next to him, his chest rising and falling the only evidence he was alive, and there was a part of Piccolo that wanted to reach out, move the hair form his face and watch out for him.

He still didn't know how to handle the romantic feelings towards himself, you would think with all the affection and charming words of the demi-saiyajin Piccolo would have quite the egotistical view of himself by now, but he still found it harder to believe be was beautiful and lovable than if he were ugly. But his self image was a lot better than it used to be and it grew better every day, every moment and gaze given.

He didn't know much about social conventions or what was necessarily right or wrong, not in everything, humans being so strange, but he couldn't deny a tug in his heart towards the Android, it wasn't the same as what he felt for Gohan, nothing could be, but it was still very powerful.

They understood each other, at leas tin a way, they could talk freely and enjoyed each others company, and maybe in a special way he couldn't with others, something wholly unique and necessary. It kind of reminded him of how…how Gohan looked at Videl. They were incredible friends those two, hell even Videl obviously had romantic feelings for Gohan, the comparison a little too neat the more he thought about it. It would be a crying shame for those two to distance from each other because she couldn't be with him, their friendship its own incredible thing, or worse if they drifted apart because Gohan was in a relationship, to think if Piccolo had made an issue of it, saying to the teen to choose between them. He never would and he would never want to, he didn't feel the need to, he trusted Gohan and wanted both of them to be happy.

Also…she filled a void that Piccolo couldn't. Piccolo could understand a few things about the human way of life, but some elements were beyond him, most were actually. He would never understand the pressures of school, of the modern or working life, of academia or just some of the so very strange things human's did that he didn't get. And he was glad Gohan had someone that understood the side of him that Piccolo couldn't, be that extra pair of hands where Piccolo's were skilled but not in every craft, why wouldn't he want that for he man he loved?

So as he gazed at his long haired friend yet again and with soft eyes, he saw someone that shared common experiences and understandings that were invaluable on both sides of the relationship and he just hoped things would work out as he'd hate to loose such a good friend and he didn't intend to anytime soon.

Sometime after the android had departed the Namekian had an unexpected visitor that would probably deny ever coming by, and said visitor was rather irate as he levitated in front of the meditating man, arms crossed and brows knitted and without being too invasive did try test the waters of Piccolo's control. A sharp high pitched whistle right by the Namek's ear made the green man tense and seemingly be in discomfort but he still didn't shift.

"Uh I'm so bored," grunted the Saiyajin Prince in a tired admission and not so subtly and with a firm voice spoke "wake the fuck up."

And still nothing, the prince knew he was being silly but dammit he was annoyed and it was other peoples' problem, and it wasn't like the Namek was going to give a damn anyway so far gone as he was. Vegeta just grunted at being 'ignored' and vented "the woman is obsessed with the damned frog, metal head's only just decent and you are sleeping in the company of royalty!"

The scent of food and alcohol filled the space, the scene becoming truly surreal as the cityscape had faded from Piccolo's vision and instead left in the dark cherry blossom world yet again and he came across, of all things, a party and bar. Almost as though parts of the party were disembodied form its proper setting but he could distinctly see that this was a memory from one of the many Capsule Corp parties over the years. Most likely one a younger Gohan would have begged him to attend and he'd spend most of the night as a wallflower.

Almost like shadows he could see how people moved and who might have been there, but the most distinct was one man seated at the bar, the Saiyajin Prince himself. The closer he got the more he was sure he knew which party this was. Nothing spectacular happened, nothing of much interest to most, that is except that this seemed to be the first time Piccolo and Vegeta started getting closer as friends that wasn't on the battlefield.

There was no version of himself to watch but he was pretty sure he knew the lines or they'd flow easily enough, and they did, as though his body wasn't his own he felt himself melt into place as he did several years ago, taking a seat by the Prince and asking for an ice water from the server robot, only for the prince to cancel said order and place down a small cup and fill it with warm sake from a jug, a clear invitation to drink with him.

"Thanks," he said to the silent invite, Vegeta wasn't the friendliest or most social person but one thing he could do was share drinks, a beer here and glass there, often wordless and he'd even walk away afterwards, if it was a gesture t wasn't well explained but really Piccolo just figured it was a whim of his, the only thing it really said of the man was who he gave them to. Bulma a regular of course, he was no stranger to her parents either, and while there was the odd other person it was Piccolo.

Piccolo wasn't the biggest drinker but he didn't mind the odd treat and admittedly most of his drinking experiences were thanks to the Prince but he did notice something slightly different, voicing a line he remembered from long ago, reliving it as he heard it from his own lips "I don't often see you drink sake..occasion? and don't say 'because it's free'" he said as, for the first time, Piccolo sipped the clear and sweet drink which was quickly becoming his favourite.

Vegeta half smirked and was about to answer "occasion? well…" before trailing off and shrugging, taking a long sip of the drink and no answer forthcoming, but his mind still seemed to be active and full of thoughts unsaid.

"Nevermind" Piccolo spoke quietly, not the conversational type himself, after a small while of silent company Vegeta refilled their cups and finally worked around to asking something on his mind.

"So…" his voice slightly gruff and he looked only at his drink "you're a lord or a king or something right?" Vegeta asked out of the blue.

The Namekian paused and nodded, Vegeta as a later addition to the grup, hell, the planet he didn't know people's stories in the same detail as others and so he enlightened: "Demon King, by inheritance rather than standing, a Lord if Hell."

"Why are you just Lord of Hell and not King?"

Piccolo came to realise he had never actually explained these things to anyone, nobody wanted to ask about the unknown or dark side, how these things worked on a practical level, Vegeta not so blinkered was really the first person to ask these things "Well…because Demons are just a part of Hell and nobody can take my bloodlines position…Where as the King of Hell can change with basically whoever's interested and beats out the competition, blood means nil, I think it's a guy called Dabura now, he's happens to be a devil type of demon I think."

A devil…type of demon? Vegeta seems to process the information and become curious "so…whats the deal with demons anyway; like…what are they?"

Both sipped their drinks and continued, Piccolo didn't mind being asked these things, they were just facts and Vegeta was hardly bothered about the negative connotations "Demons are a race but its really broad, bigger variety than humans and older."

"Like?"

"Like there are regular demons but you also have sub-races of goblins, devils, succubi, hellions, tengu, shaytan, golems, more spiritual types. Then there are all the stories humans came up with about them like Beldames and Krampus and all that stuff."

"So whats they're point?"

What a strange question, "do they need one?"

"Guess thats why they need a king, huh?" Vegeta smirked.

"Well…" Piccolo tried to think of a way to put it, "most demons are not that smart, more like beasts or monsters, helpers really, really they just balance out the world, for every light there is a shadow and Earth despite all this alien business thats been going on lately was plenty interesting just with the magic and lore it had anyway. Higher than that the smarter and more powerful they get, some can possess humans which makes up a lot of humanities folklore, hell sometimes its a type of demon that delivers what they call karma. In common though I suppose all demons like to cause and live in chaos."

"So...what makes you the King?" the prince asked, eyes actually looking from his cup to the Namek this time, no doubt as a royal to a lost kingdom Vegeta might be extra curious on the subject.

"My father was born of complete darkness and while that opened up Kami to more godly options if opened him to more demonic ones, not a demon by genetics but in spirit: a thinking, independent Devil with an affinity for that same darkness and chaos; also being so smart and powerful there was no competition, also no dark presence was able to command all kinds of demon before as a race; hence he was the Demon King."

"Sounds like too much work to me, how do the demons cope."

"Misery loves company" was as good an answer as any.

"I'll drink to that" and the prince raised his cup for the clink which the Namek humoured and both drank finshing the cupful.

After a calm pause and feeling nicely relaxed, whether it was the conversation or the alcohol he didn't know for sure, he spoke "Why'd you ask?"

Vegeta just smirked again and referred back to the beginning of their talk and mysteriously just answered "the occasion."

Vegeta thought to leave, but this was as good a place as any to be bored and do nothing, he'd trained almost solidly the last week and home was hardly homely at the minute at least this area was quiet. He also hadn't expected the namek to spend so long in his meditation, a few days, a week tops, and with the waiting threat in the wings he would rather have all the able hands available should the situation go south again.

A small grunt escaped the annoyed prince at nothing in particular, as much as he liked a good fight and new foe this method of corrupting spiders was significantly less fun. Then his brow furrowed as his thoughts were stopped part way through, sniffing the air he realising the scents and just how popular the Namekian was. Gohan's scent was so obvious it hadn't phased him to sense it as he visited the Namek, but he realised that Goten and Trunks must have visited earlier too, Satan's daughter's scent was very faded, likely only nipped by with the other teen, but those weren't what got his attention.

He picked up the scent of Seventeen, recently too, He'd make fun of the android if he wasn't here himself, differing reasons of course, and…crap, just then he realised Gohan would be able to tell the Prince was so bored he'd made the journey to visit a silent Namekian, well, hopefully he would be too distracted by the android to care.

Piccolo's vision moved seamlessly into a memory from the following year after the first conversation, and he needn't move either, the prince's clothes different and the decor slightly altered from the party before and he was instantly back in conversation with Vegeta, some starting chat and poured out sake later the pair slowly learned a few things about each other, Piccolo had asked what working for Frieza actually entailed, Vegeta had asked about Piccolo's past against Goku and so on.

"What?" Vegeta responded, the question unexpected and just wanted it repeated and so the Namek did.

"I've told you mine…so what's the Saiyajin royal heritage like?"

The Prince thought to himself, how to answer that? He paused a little long and Piccolo thought to retract the question, but the Prince just took another sip of sake and refilled Piccolo's cup in a well practiced tradition and started "okay..."

And so he did, about how it was like most royals, the Saiyajins being a rowdy bunch but great warriors and they weren't like the wussy royals of modernised earth, he supposed it would be considered medieval but he didn't see anything wrong with it, a time when kings were expected to go into battle with their soldiers, fight alongside them as a leader, a rock and a comrade in blood and triumph. He mentioned his mother, how she would look after things while the king was off fighting but was one fierce lady and not to be underestimated, but she was calmer and more conversational than her husband.

While Vegeta spoke, although the words were casual and not too in depth, it dawned on Piccolo, truly for the first time, just what vegeta was talking about and what he was listening to: Vegeta wasn't describing being a Prince…he was describing his family. The one he lost.

"…the occasion" Piccolo interrupted by accident, his thought aloud and it made Vegeta hesitate, eyes telling the Namek his theory was indeed correct.

"Yeah?"

"This day, there just happens to be a party on the same day of the year and no reason given, Bulma throws this because…" the Namek's voice cautiously soft as he spoke the idea "its when your home planet was destroyed, isn't it?"

The Prince took a moment to think on his response, he hadn't expected the green man to put all of that together and made a note of just how sharp he was at all times, he downed what was left in his cup and seemed to think a little deeper before speaking "you don't miss your family do you?" knowing the answer.

"No" Piccolo answered easily and waited for the Prince to speak again.

"I don't think that makes it easier...just different, I'm not going to get all mushy" Vegeta clarified and some of his usual tone in his voice, returning the atmosphere a bit closer to normality.

"I wouldn't dream of it, well, unless I wanted a laugh" Piccolo jested and successfully lightened the mood. He was mainly hoping then that Vegeta knew how little Piccolo judged him for things like this, and the lack of pressure to meet any one else's curiosity, the Prince no doubt well aware he could tell the Namek to drop it and leave with no hard feeling between them at all.

Both drank for a small while before Vegeta took on a particularly nostalgic gaze at his cup, he also noticed that moment of daydreaming had been caught by the Namek and luckily he elaborated that sake was very similar to a wine on his home planet, the type that even older children would partake in at festive or celebratory times, the main taste he recalled from when he was back there. That story told the Namek just why Vegeta drank it on this day, in memorial, and just why he didn't touch it on other days and might rather forget it.

"What else did you do when you were younger?"

"Hm? I'm not writing an autobiography"

Piccolo just smirked, keeping the mood light, "and i wouldn't buy it if you were, I just asked a question, being a prince I bet you were spoilt rotten?" and that little push started it all, that day and over the years then came funny stories, little things, big things, random things and things Vegeta might have forgotten for good if not prompted to recall.

How Vegeta's father would complain about his facial hair but the moment the Queen said 'just shave it then' he would go completely quiet and he'd keep it anyway only to complain later on, how his mother would sing and when she'd try for a high note her voice might disappear on her, how she would brush her hair and always, always manage to break the handle and spent a fair few meetings with odd styling of her hair digging the handle she couldn't dislodge. Great battle stories from both of them, foes that chose the wrong people to take on, the time his father won by just stepping forward and an enemy panicked themselves into running into a wall which had everyone in stitches, or whenever his mother was underestimated and just punched out the biggest baddest guy in the room like it was nothing.

And then other thoughts began to show themselves over the years, how his mother would have liked to meet Trunks, she liked the colour purple, and, as begrudged as vegeta was to say this aloud he managed, she did baby children except when training, it was like there was no middle ground, she was either kissing and hugging you or punching you in the face. How his father might find it awkward if they were to meet now, Piccolo had thought it might be because of Vegeta's marriage to a human, living on earth, protector for good…and while those were true it turned out the King often made short jokes, and well...the Prince hadn't exactly ducking under doorframes. He even had a brother called Tarble that was still alive and out there somewhere!

Quirky notes and ponderings made Piccolo warm a little, thinking that Vegeta, despite his coldness, missed people. But there was something else, as soon as it dawned on him, the true meaning of losing his family and in such a way, to lose his entire planet...there was a much grander understanding which, after several years of this, the anniversary drinks and chat that is, Piccolo finally understood the man.

The understanding seemed to pass between them, not in words but in a glance and letting it just be there, Vegeta having learned many a few things about the Namek too, and they simply drank their sake and looked forward to next year.

It was 'innocence.'

A whole knew level of respect for the Prince grew and Piccolo understood that, even Piccolo kept a level of innocence Vegeta didn't possess anymore. Piccolo could think better clearer than most, that when a threat arrived on earth, the real danger of the situation, while others might not think too hard on it, or they might panic some short sightedly, or some might logically know the risk but remain hopeful, and Piccolo might calculatedly surmise the most likely outcome was failure and fight anyway, not even in his worst imagination could he actually accurately be aware of what lay in such an abyss.

For the majority of life, however wild their imagination, could only touch upon a fantastical likeness of the truth were they actually to fail. Should the z senshi fall and the world be destroyed, they would have to experience it and only then could it be even vaguely real, standing in battle to avoid that outcome they maintained an innocence, unable to actually know what failure would be, spoken in word but not fully comprehended and thankfully so.

Vegeta held no such luxury, every fight he entered, every new foe, he withstood a mountain of knowledge and fear that no one else was experienced enough to have. He knew, actually knew, that they could fail…because he had been through that already. That world that seemed so permanent, so important and was indeed home was gone, and far easier int he mind of the Prince, it could happen again.

Vegeta stood when he felt a ki signal approaching, the Namek very popular apparently, and decided time was up and prepared to leave before casting one last glance at the silent company and just hoped he would finish soon. Bulma and Piccolo the two that knew him best and one was stressed to hell over the contraptions in her lab and some demented frog, while the other was soul searching in a way that left the z senshi wish one less pair of eyes to watch out for danger. And dangerous this enemy certainly was and the prince couldn't shake the dread in his psyche. "Like I said…wake the fuck up soon" he said lightly though his nerves didn't quite agree and he left.

A/N: I always felt Demons were never well explained in the series so I've made my own version which I think works, especially when you include characters like Garlic Jr. (goblin) and even original Dragonball films where there's literally a demon called Lucifer.

I wanted to show just how Vegeta and Piccolo got closer as friend in this story and it seemed a good way to do it and hope you liked it. Also Vegeta does in fact have a brother called Tarble!

Next Chapter: "Dance with Me" - expect more of Piccolo's meditation and this time focusing on Videl and Gohan! x