___Chapter 50___
For the third time in the last hour, Piccolo was snapped out of his meditation by a sneezing fit. With a flurry of irritated curses he jerked up, letting out his anger on whatever was closest (the tree), and storming away, leaving the sap to dribble from the five deep gashes he'd left in it.
The namekian's eyes were narrowed in fury at this point. "Goddamnit! Can this get any damn worse? Now I'm not *sneezes* even aloud to fu- *sneezes* -ing concentrate!! This has to be that old bastard's doing!"
Piccolo smirked, not even paying attention to the fact that he was shaking or couldn't see straight. "I KNOW it's that bastard! It's got to be!"
Then he started laughing, and charged his chi to jump into the air and blast off, but never got the chance, since at that point he collapsed to the ground, unconscious, the rain pelting his already soaked form.
---
In another place, the sun shone a bit more brightly, beating down on the people below. The wind didn't seem merciful either, as it refused to blow or offer any sort of condolence to them in the form of relief from the heat. For most of those below, it was torture.
*Goten shoves his head in front of the screen* HELL YEAH!! *Goten gets knocked away, and starts complaining, only to shut up by Trunks and Dende smacking him upside the head*
Both: Stop it with all the hot air! We're sweltering already!
But for two, who's had a BIT too much sake....... (note- they're still working while they're talking)
"Hey, Tien! Do you like horses? I've always wanted to ride one while I was a bandit, that would have made me a REAL desert prince!"
"That does sound interesting... why didn't you ever try it?"
"Because I'm afraid of horses."
"Then why in hell were you just talking about them?!?"
"Because it would be cool."
"But you're afraid of horses you just said!! Why would you want to ride one through the desert?"
"Chicks like horses! And then I would be able to find one who wouldn't leave me for some egotistical troll man who doesn't really give a damn about her or their kid!"
"........ It always comes back to Bulma, doesn't it, Yumcha?"
"*sighs* Yeah.... Well, I miss her. We were like THIS *demonstrates by twisting two of his fingers together* !"
"I know, I know. I was there, remember? I don't get it either, but I've heard alot of those rumors flying around that you kept chasing other girls."
"I was young, every guy does that at that age! And it's not like she didn't drool over every nice guy she saw either! We both knew what the other was doing, but it wasn't too severe an issue, since we were doing the same thing! She just uses that excuse now so she doesn't have to tell me the truth."
"You've... got a point there. Um.... how about a topic change- Piccolo's kid!"
"Oh, yeah, his name's 'Lute', right?"
"Uh-huh."
"Damn... were you as shocked as I was?"
"I don't think so, because while I'm just an ally to the guy, you could almost call yourself a friend! How the hell did you manage THAT?"
"*shrugs* Well, I guess through Krillan. And how the hell did that midget manage it, anyway?"
"How am I suppose to know? But If I made a guess, it would have to be that Gohan convinced him to get to know Krillan better, and his strange brand of humor did the rest. *shrugs* "
"Maybe. *shrugs* But hey, let's get some more of your lady's refreshments, shall we? She makes some KILLER sake, the best I've ever tasted. Why didn't you ever tell me about it sooner? We're buds, aren't we?"
"Well, I've never actually had much of it before, and I just forgot..."
"*laughs, slaps the triclops on the back* Then amend for your sins by getting us some more booze!"
".... *shrugs* whatever."
---
"So.... what now?" asked Vegeta, unfolding his arms to brush his hair out of his face before re-folding them.
"Don't you KNOW??" yelled a voice from inside the elder's hut. Osu had opened a window and poked his head out, eye-ridges drawn, and he continued in a matter-of-factly tone with "Tell him, Piccolo-sama!"
"Yeah, show that sayian, Piccolo-sama!" yelled Chui as he poked his head out the other window. Hiku's hand appeared behind Osu, set in the 'V for victory' sign.
Takusan growled, and was about to reprimand the trio when Lute spoke up, saying "Aw, go easy on them, sir! It's not their fault they're awed!"
Takusan stared at the child briefly, the look on his face asking 'What the hell? Are you serious?', but Lute merely grinned and flashed a peace sign, laughing. The elder just rolled his eyes and buried his face in his hand, muttering "I'm too old for this, but too young as well. Ah, damn it all."
"Um... sir?" Gohan questioned, glancing over in confusion, "Are you ok, sir?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." he murmured without a second thought, but then he looked up, smiled, and leaning on his staff stated "Well, which of you shall be doing the first task"
Oboe opened her mouth to speak, but was preceded by another voice behind her saying "Me."
---
Kami watched in amusement as Bubbles tore through the tomatoes he'd given the little simian, who them yawned and fell asleep on the green man's lap. Even though it was pouring outside, the little house was warm and comforting to the old god.
Bubbles and Gregory had been staying inside with Kami since the rain had started, but Piccolo's presence was the main reason. Neither one of the 'lackeys' was rather fond of the younger namekian, and with his temper at an all-time high, they wanted to stay as far away from him as possible.
Kami-sama smiled at the little creature resting on his lap, and stroked the fur on it's head as he hummed something softly to himself. A glance out the window affirmed that it was still raining, but the sky was no longer red, which puzzled him. Instead it was a deep, sickly brackish-gray.
"What are you doing now, child?" he murmured, only half paying attention to the outside as he absentmindedly scratched Bubbles' little brown head. Then he stopped.
Something was wrong.
Kami stood up, making sure not to awaken the little simian as he sat it down on his chair and opened the door to the outside. There was a strange feeling in the air, one he didn't like in the least. And something was definitely wrong.
Into the outside he plunged, walking carefully as to not trip into one of the mud puddles that'd formed. Even though he had good vision, he was as blind as a bat within a few seconds in the murky haze surrounding the planetoid.
The god swore softly as he slammed right into a tree he hadn't seen, and pulling one of his hands away from the trunk to wipe his face, discovered fresh sap dribbling down it. Another look revealed five deep gashes cutting almost straight through the wood.
"Piccolo." he whispered to himself, a slight frown on his face. {{He was here... but where did he go?}} Kami took a few steps forward, and nearly tripped over something else in his way.
"What in blazes is-"
Then he stopped dead.
Lying on the ground in a soaked, unconscious heap, a good two shades paler than usual, his cape strewn around him like a bird's broken wings, was the young namekian man.
---
Piccolo was totally unaware of anything going on around him, his mind in a muddle from the fever. All those hours exposed to the elements had begun to take their toll on him. Otherwise he would have fought like hell when Kami knelt down by him or lugged him over his shoulder. He wouldn't have allowed himself to be taken inside the Kaio's house, have his drenched clothing removed, or be laid in a bed. He certainly wouldn't have stood for Kami sitting nearby, watching over him. But Piccolo's mind was feverish, and he could do nothing to stop any of that from happening, if he even knew it was happening at all...
---
"You, Vegeta?" Lute asked, craning his neck to look up at the sayian's face from his seat on the ground. He craned it a bit too far, though, and fell over flat on his back with a little 'oomph!'
Vegeta had to fight not to crack a smile as he reached an arm down, helping the child up as he said "Yes, I am. *looks up* So, what do I do?"
Takusan watched with interest the changes on the sayian-jin's face, but most importantly in his eyes, the windows to his soul. What he saw there made him smile, and he only nodded, saying "That I-"
But once again, he was interrupted mid-sentence, and whirled to see Hiku standing next to him, poking his shoulder. Before the elder could react though, Hiku whispered something in his ear.
When he was done, Hiku ran back to the hut with a smile, jumping on the roof and watching the other two climb up with him.
Vegeta stared blankly, but before he could ask what the hell was going on, Takusan turned around and continued speaking like nothing at all had happened. "As I was saying, that I can do for you. All you have to do is-"
For the third time in the last hour, Piccolo was snapped out of his meditation by a sneezing fit. With a flurry of irritated curses he jerked up, letting out his anger on whatever was closest (the tree), and storming away, leaving the sap to dribble from the five deep gashes he'd left in it.
The namekian's eyes were narrowed in fury at this point. "Goddamnit! Can this get any damn worse? Now I'm not *sneezes* even aloud to fu- *sneezes* -ing concentrate!! This has to be that old bastard's doing!"
Piccolo smirked, not even paying attention to the fact that he was shaking or couldn't see straight. "I KNOW it's that bastard! It's got to be!"
Then he started laughing, and charged his chi to jump into the air and blast off, but never got the chance, since at that point he collapsed to the ground, unconscious, the rain pelting his already soaked form.
---
In another place, the sun shone a bit more brightly, beating down on the people below. The wind didn't seem merciful either, as it refused to blow or offer any sort of condolence to them in the form of relief from the heat. For most of those below, it was torture.
*Goten shoves his head in front of the screen* HELL YEAH!! *Goten gets knocked away, and starts complaining, only to shut up by Trunks and Dende smacking him upside the head*
Both: Stop it with all the hot air! We're sweltering already!
But for two, who's had a BIT too much sake....... (note- they're still working while they're talking)
"Hey, Tien! Do you like horses? I've always wanted to ride one while I was a bandit, that would have made me a REAL desert prince!"
"That does sound interesting... why didn't you ever try it?"
"Because I'm afraid of horses."
"Then why in hell were you just talking about them?!?"
"Because it would be cool."
"But you're afraid of horses you just said!! Why would you want to ride one through the desert?"
"Chicks like horses! And then I would be able to find one who wouldn't leave me for some egotistical troll man who doesn't really give a damn about her or their kid!"
"........ It always comes back to Bulma, doesn't it, Yumcha?"
"*sighs* Yeah.... Well, I miss her. We were like THIS *demonstrates by twisting two of his fingers together* !"
"I know, I know. I was there, remember? I don't get it either, but I've heard alot of those rumors flying around that you kept chasing other girls."
"I was young, every guy does that at that age! And it's not like she didn't drool over every nice guy she saw either! We both knew what the other was doing, but it wasn't too severe an issue, since we were doing the same thing! She just uses that excuse now so she doesn't have to tell me the truth."
"You've... got a point there. Um.... how about a topic change- Piccolo's kid!"
"Oh, yeah, his name's 'Lute', right?"
"Uh-huh."
"Damn... were you as shocked as I was?"
"I don't think so, because while I'm just an ally to the guy, you could almost call yourself a friend! How the hell did you manage THAT?"
"*shrugs* Well, I guess through Krillan. And how the hell did that midget manage it, anyway?"
"How am I suppose to know? But If I made a guess, it would have to be that Gohan convinced him to get to know Krillan better, and his strange brand of humor did the rest. *shrugs* "
"Maybe. *shrugs* But hey, let's get some more of your lady's refreshments, shall we? She makes some KILLER sake, the best I've ever tasted. Why didn't you ever tell me about it sooner? We're buds, aren't we?"
"Well, I've never actually had much of it before, and I just forgot..."
"*laughs, slaps the triclops on the back* Then amend for your sins by getting us some more booze!"
".... *shrugs* whatever."
---
"So.... what now?" asked Vegeta, unfolding his arms to brush his hair out of his face before re-folding them.
"Don't you KNOW??" yelled a voice from inside the elder's hut. Osu had opened a window and poked his head out, eye-ridges drawn, and he continued in a matter-of-factly tone with "Tell him, Piccolo-sama!"
"Yeah, show that sayian, Piccolo-sama!" yelled Chui as he poked his head out the other window. Hiku's hand appeared behind Osu, set in the 'V for victory' sign.
Takusan growled, and was about to reprimand the trio when Lute spoke up, saying "Aw, go easy on them, sir! It's not their fault they're awed!"
Takusan stared at the child briefly, the look on his face asking 'What the hell? Are you serious?', but Lute merely grinned and flashed a peace sign, laughing. The elder just rolled his eyes and buried his face in his hand, muttering "I'm too old for this, but too young as well. Ah, damn it all."
"Um... sir?" Gohan questioned, glancing over in confusion, "Are you ok, sir?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." he murmured without a second thought, but then he looked up, smiled, and leaning on his staff stated "Well, which of you shall be doing the first task"
Oboe opened her mouth to speak, but was preceded by another voice behind her saying "Me."
---
Kami watched in amusement as Bubbles tore through the tomatoes he'd given the little simian, who them yawned and fell asleep on the green man's lap. Even though it was pouring outside, the little house was warm and comforting to the old god.
Bubbles and Gregory had been staying inside with Kami since the rain had started, but Piccolo's presence was the main reason. Neither one of the 'lackeys' was rather fond of the younger namekian, and with his temper at an all-time high, they wanted to stay as far away from him as possible.
Kami-sama smiled at the little creature resting on his lap, and stroked the fur on it's head as he hummed something softly to himself. A glance out the window affirmed that it was still raining, but the sky was no longer red, which puzzled him. Instead it was a deep, sickly brackish-gray.
"What are you doing now, child?" he murmured, only half paying attention to the outside as he absentmindedly scratched Bubbles' little brown head. Then he stopped.
Something was wrong.
Kami stood up, making sure not to awaken the little simian as he sat it down on his chair and opened the door to the outside. There was a strange feeling in the air, one he didn't like in the least. And something was definitely wrong.
Into the outside he plunged, walking carefully as to not trip into one of the mud puddles that'd formed. Even though he had good vision, he was as blind as a bat within a few seconds in the murky haze surrounding the planetoid.
The god swore softly as he slammed right into a tree he hadn't seen, and pulling one of his hands away from the trunk to wipe his face, discovered fresh sap dribbling down it. Another look revealed five deep gashes cutting almost straight through the wood.
"Piccolo." he whispered to himself, a slight frown on his face. {{He was here... but where did he go?}} Kami took a few steps forward, and nearly tripped over something else in his way.
"What in blazes is-"
Then he stopped dead.
Lying on the ground in a soaked, unconscious heap, a good two shades paler than usual, his cape strewn around him like a bird's broken wings, was the young namekian man.
---
Piccolo was totally unaware of anything going on around him, his mind in a muddle from the fever. All those hours exposed to the elements had begun to take their toll on him. Otherwise he would have fought like hell when Kami knelt down by him or lugged him over his shoulder. He wouldn't have allowed himself to be taken inside the Kaio's house, have his drenched clothing removed, or be laid in a bed. He certainly wouldn't have stood for Kami sitting nearby, watching over him. But Piccolo's mind was feverish, and he could do nothing to stop any of that from happening, if he even knew it was happening at all...
---
"You, Vegeta?" Lute asked, craning his neck to look up at the sayian's face from his seat on the ground. He craned it a bit too far, though, and fell over flat on his back with a little 'oomph!'
Vegeta had to fight not to crack a smile as he reached an arm down, helping the child up as he said "Yes, I am. *looks up* So, what do I do?"
Takusan watched with interest the changes on the sayian-jin's face, but most importantly in his eyes, the windows to his soul. What he saw there made him smile, and he only nodded, saying "That I-"
But once again, he was interrupted mid-sentence, and whirled to see Hiku standing next to him, poking his shoulder. Before the elder could react though, Hiku whispered something in his ear.
When he was done, Hiku ran back to the hut with a smile, jumping on the roof and watching the other two climb up with him.
Vegeta stared blankly, but before he could ask what the hell was going on, Takusan turned around and continued speaking like nothing at all had happened. "As I was saying, that I can do for you. All you have to do is-"