Darkness
Disclaimer- Blah, blah, blah, blah. I don't own Dbz or the characters… yeah yeah.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 o' clock ROCK--
*
"Who is Dr. Gero?" Piccolo grasped Keket's shoulders and turned her around to face him.
"He's a… he's a…" Keket stuttered, but broke down into sobs once more before she could finish her sentence, "Piccolo? C-can we finish this tomorrow? I…I can't talk anymore…" She hiccuped
"All right. But I do want answers tomorrow, okay?" Keket nodded and wiped her nose on her tattered sleeve.
"D-do you know anywhere I could stay? Just for the night? I don't wanna go back to Miss Bulma's house, she's probably mad at me…"
"She's not mad at you… don't worry about that." Piccolo managed to calm her a little bit. "I guess you could spend the night at Kami's with me, since you probably don't want to sleep outside." Keket nodded and let out a tiny whimpering cry. Piccolo, who was stern in his demeanor, softened at the sight of the child's tears. Despite the fact that he hardly knew this girl, her small form and innocence made him think of Gohan and he could not be harsh with her.
"C'mon, we'll go now so you can get settled in before night." Piccolo did not await her reply. Instead, he scooped her up and let her weep on his chest. Frowning at her steady flow of salty tears, he brushed a hand through her hair. "We'll be there very soon, so don't be afraid of the height, okay?"
"I'm…I'm all right." Keket forced herself to calm down. There would be plenty of time for tears tonight when she was alone and could conceal her cries.
"Good, let's get out of here." Piccolo floated into the sky and flew as fast as he could, without scaring the life out of the child. Keket didn't seem to notice the speed, she merely rested her head against his strong chest and closed her eyes. 'I wonder what's gonna happen to me…' she thought as Piccolo began to angle his flight to a more vertical degree.
*
The wind blew in an almost constant, gentle breeze at the top of the lookout, causing the palms to sway and move in such a way that they looked like graceful dancers in rhythm with one another. Keket sucked in an awed breath at the size of the place. It had looked so small when she had been in Piccolo's arms, flying toward it. It wasn't until he placed her on the floor that she could take in the true enormity of it. If she'd thought CC was huge, then this place rated behemoth. Piccolo had told her to stay outside while he went in and found Kami, or as he had put it, 'a wrinkly old fart.' Keket had stayed put with pleasure, the sun on her face made her forget all her problems for a few precious moments and she savored them. Closing her eyes to bask in the soul-warming rays, she didn't notice the approach of a short, black man or actually, genie.
"And who are you, young one?" Came his voice, startling the life out of her. Keket's eyes flew open and she began to back away. "Do not be afraid, my name is Popo. I merely wish to know who you are."
"L-leave me alone… Where's Piccolo? What'd you do to him?" Keket continued her slow retreat.
"I haven't done anything to Piccolo, even if I wished to, I could not. Is he the one that brought you here?" Popo asked stepping closer.
"Yes, he…did," Keket's pace became faster, "Stop that…leave me alone!" She yelled frantically as Popo continually edged towards her.
"Hey kid!" Keket looked up to see Piccolo standing in the doorway of the house/mansion/castle/temple type thing in the middle of the lookout. She bolted past Popo and hid behind Piccolo's leg.
"I thought he…he did something to you…" She panted breathlessly and wrapped her arms around his leg.
"Who? Mr. Popo?" Piccolo nearly laughed again, "I doubt it… don't be so jumpy, no one here will hurt you." She looked up at him, wanting to trust his words but just couldn't do it. She circled his leg as Popo entered the room, attempting to stay as far away from the short man as possible.
"So it is you Piccolo. What brings you here? And with a friend?" Popo asked amiably. Piccolo winced inwardly at the term friend.
"I've come to ask a favor. My 'friend' and I need to stay here for the night, and I needed to speak to Kami. Where is the old man? I couldn't find him inside." Before Popo could answer, another voice arose from deeper within the room.
"Perhaps you just weren't looking hard enough." The voice belonged to a green guy that was obviously Piccolo's race, though he was old and wrinkled. Keket wondered how old he really was to have that many wrinkles.
"Why are you hiding in the shadows, old man? You already know why I'm here, so can I just have an answer?" Piccolo scowled at his elder.
"You are right, I already know why you're here, and the answer is yes. You know that you may always stay here, and the child is welcome as well." Kami replied, glancing at the child still clinging to Piccolo's leg, like he was life-support. "Who is she anyway?"
"Her name is Keket…" Piccolo answered and gave the girl a nudge out into the open. "Show some respect, brat." Keket turned bright red as she realized how rude she had been.
"S-sorry, Kami…sir…I was just…well…" She trailed off and bowed before Kami in respect.
"No need to explain, little one. I'll take you to your room. Popo, you can show Piccolo to his." Popo nodded in agreement and motioned for Piccolo to follow as he walked down a huge arched hallway. Keket ran to catch up with Kami after realizing that she would not be staying with her 'friend'. She finally caught up to the old man, who kept his pace down a second arching hallway.
"H-how come I don't get to stay with Piccolo?" She asked tentatively.
"He's not the most social of people. I think it's best that you give him some time alone. You can still see him if you feel the need, but there's really no need for you to bother him." Kami answered and took the child's hand as she walked/ran at his side to keep up.
"Where's my room?"
"Actually, it's right here…" Kami stopped in front of a huge doorway, which opened to reveal an equally huge room. Keket's eyes grew the size of saucers.
"I get to stay in here??" She asked walking to the center of the room and enjoying the space.
"Yes, you do. There is a bathroom behind that door over there," Kami pointed to a door to Keket's left that was nearly as large as the one that closed off the entrance to this room. "You can clean off and remove your old clothes. I will have Popo bring you some that are clean."
"Thank you, so much…" She looked back up at her new acquaintance.
"It's nothing, little one. You go ahead and take a bath. New clothes and towels will be waiting for you when you get out." Keket nodded happily and ran into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Kami waited until he heard water running before exiting the room, smiling to himself.
*
"Mmm…I feel better," Keket smiled as she climbed out of the tub. She must have soaked for half an hour before realizing that her skin was nearly as wrinkly as Kami's. Clean clothes were laid out on her bed, just as he had said. Keket slipped into them and ran her hands over the soft material. The pants were baggy and allowed free-range of motion. A robe kind of thing tied around her upper half and was held in place with a sash. "These are kind of cute…" A knock on the door drew attention from the new attire.
"Y-yes?" she called out.
"It's me, Mr. Popo… If you are hungry, there is food in the kitchen." The thick door between them muffled Mr. Popo's unmistakable voice. 'They have a kitchen here?' Keket thought, 'Well, I guess everyone has to eat.'
"I-I'll be there in a minute, thank you."
"Do you know the way?" Keket realized that she didn't.
"Um… no…"
"Come with me and I'll take you there now." Mr. Popo suggested. Keket pondered her options. She did not want to be alone with Popo, he just freaked her out, and Piccolo wasn't here with her…but she was so hungry… Keket made up her mind, firmed her resolve and opened the door. She resisted the urge to pull back when she saw Popo.
"Just follow me…" He beckoned and Keket obediently followed, making sure there was a good distance between them at all times. They finally arrived at the kitchen, where upon entering, Keket spotted a huge platter of food waiting for her.
"All that's for me?"
"I'm afraid I'm used to cooking for Saiyins." Mr. Popo admitted. Keket cocked her head to the side in puzzlement.
"Sai-yan?" She pronounced slowly.
"Yes, Piccolo hasn't told you about them already?"
"No…we've only known each other for a short time…"
"Oh…well have a seat, and I shall tell you all about them…" Mr. Popo said excitedly, happy to have someone to talk to. Keket took a seat at the table and listened intently as Popo told her the story of the saiyans and the Z-gang.
…….
"Wow, that's quite a story. But after meeting all of you, I'm inclined to believe it." Keket finished off the last bite of her rice and gave her stomach a satisfied pat. "Ah… that was really good. I think this is the first day of my life that I've enjoyed two wonderful meals in a row. Thank you very much."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it…" Kami's voice arose from the doorway.
"Oh…hi Kami! Popo was just telling me a little about everyone." Keket felt much more relaxed now and it showed.
"Yes, well… now is the time for you to answer our questions. Piccolo said that you've been dodging this, but we need answers from you." Kami said sternly.
"Yes sir… I understand…" Keket glanced away and drew in a long breath. "What do you want to know?"
"For starters, how about telling us who Dr. Gero is." Piccolo walked up to her and took a seat at the table.
"This could take awhile…" she warned.
"We are patient." Replied Kami.
"Well, my momma always told be that Gero was a terrible person. She said he was a doctor that was trying to create an army of robots to destroy just one person. Why anyone would need a whole army to destroy someone is beyond me… but… anyway, mother threatened me countless times, that if I didn't do as she asked, she would tell Dr. Gero to use the army to do terrible things to me." Keket sighed miserably, "Momma used to be such a nice person…"
"Do you remember who he created this army for?" Piccolo asked.
"I think his name was… actually… it was… GOKU! That's it! Remember Mr. Popo?" Keket looked up at him, "that was the guy in the story you told me!" She turned to look at Piccolo, "Do you know him too?"
"Son Goku…" whispered Piccolo. He stared sternly at Keket, "Are you sure that was his name?!"
"Yeah… I 'm pretty sure of it. I remembered, 'cause Mr. Popo told me about him. I thought I had heard that name before."
"Are you sure about all of this? How did your mother know what Dr. Gero was planning?" Kami asked.
"Well, that's easy," she smiled, not realizing the danger they were all in, "she's his sister."
*
A/N- I was truly struck with inspiration this time! I'm sure what some of you are thinking about this story, and let me just say that it is gonna be a huge twist! My muses must be working over time! Oh, and for those of you who wanted to know- Keket is about 7 years old right now. Please stick around, the story's action is about to pick up.