Falling Away from Me

By:Desertdweller

Chapter four: Salvation







~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Goku~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I watch as the light being in my arms breaths slowly in and out. His head lolls like a newborn against my forearm as I race both in body and in mind. I rack my brain trying to find somewhere I can get help from him. I growl… I can't take him to a doctor… They know nothing of Namekusei-jin physiology. I can't take him to Vegeta's because Bulma is out of town. And he couldn't take him to Dende's… The little Kami was on a trip as well, visiting his father on New Planet Namekusei… My growl deepens as I wonder why everyone had to go somewhere or leave at the same time. I sigh… Growling wasn't gonna get Piccolo any help.

I race down the streets, dodging both people and automobiles. I stop in a deserted section of town to think for a minute. Then I get an idea… I will have to take him home.

At least there I can tend to that nasty wound on his wrist. I lean him up against me for a minute so that I can switch hands to avoid cutting off circulation in one of them.

His slender body falls against my own and I feel lightheaded as his cheek brushes my own. I cradle him back into my arms and look down at his serene face. I sigh… I notice that his cheeks have become paler. I need to hurry. So, instead of walking or running, I power up. I hover in mid-air and then turn towards my home in the mountains.


The forest landscape rushes underneath me like a green river at full flood. I gaze down at the being in my arms, making sure he is securely held in my arms during the flight.

After no time at all we arrive at my home. I reduce my ki and gently land on the springy grass before the doorway. I open to door quickly and rush inside. The air inside is cool and dry. I barely notice this as I rush Piccolo in.

Once inside, I face a dilemma. Where do I put him as I tend to him? My choices were either the bed or the couch. I gaze once more at his peaceful face and marvel at the delicately fine features his face possesses. I make my decision at once… The bed.

I rush into the room and lay him down with the utmost care. I carefully lift his head and place a soft, downy pillow underneath. Then I start removing his bloodstained clothing.

His shirt and jacket are soaked with it. The life blood gives off an almost coppery smell. I wrinkle my nose and throw them into the washer, turning the setting to soiled clothing.

I glance back at the emerald warrior and sigh… He has blood all over him… I guess I will have to clean him off before I can tend to him. I pad into the bathroom and turn on the hot water tap. The room soon fills with fog as the warm water heats the air. As soon as I deem that the water is warm enough, I fill the tub.

I race back into the bedroom. Piccolo is still in the same spot I put him in. I take off his bandage to see how his wound is doing. The bleeding has slowed down considerably. Probably because of his amazing ability to heal quickly, otherwise he would be already dead and on Snake Way by now.

I strip another bandage off and soothingly wrap his wrist. Then I pick him up and carry his limp form to the bathroom.

I stand there for a minute and then begin to blush. I was hoping he would be awake to do this but I was obviously hoping in vain. I sigh… 'Get it done and over with, Goku.. Besides… aren't you even the LEAST bit curious about him?"' my thoughts invaded my mind.

I shake my head and steel myself. I sit on the toilet seat and straddle him across my hips. His back leans against the wall. He looks asleep… Efficiently I strip him nude and gently settle him into the warm soothing water.

I take a soft sponge and lather it up. The warm water wakes him up slightly and he gazes at me with bleary eyes for a moment. Then they close and he leans into my hand like a child seeking warmth from a parent.

I feel my lips lift in a loving smile at the namekusei-jin. I wonder how alert he is. I run the sponge over his satin skin, erasing the dried amethyst off of his face and chest. I clean his face, torso and arms. Now I have to clean the rest of him… He had gotten blood all over clothes, including his pants. The blood had seeped through and stained his emerald skin.

A sweatdrop rolls over the side of my face and splashes onto his delicately pointed nose as I lean over to clean him better.

I finish up soon and dress him in some old jeans and a shirt of mine. Then I gently place him back into the bed.

As I turn to leave I hear a soft voice call my name…

"G-Goku?"

I pivot around to see dark fathomless garnet eyes staring tiredly back at me. I gulp and try not to lose myself in that smoldering gaze.
"Hai," I whisper, my heart caught in my throat.

"A-arigatou, Goku… Thanks for not letting me die and be forgotten," he whispers softly and then closes his tired eyes, falling back into dreamless oblivion.

I feel my heart soar at those little words and I smile…

Your welcome, Piccolo..

I walk out and wait for him to heal.


Authors note… I know this is a short chapter, but I felt like I had to write it convince those out there that Piccolo does not die after all… I have had some emails.. Please review and send me ideas… I thrive on reviews!