And now for the disclaimer! I do not own Dragon Ball Z. It is the property of Akira Toriyama. You people have probably already figured out that I wish I owned Piccolo, but sadly, I don't. Oh, well. We can get to the story now. # Signs denote telepathic dialogue.

Chapter Three

Piccolo was in his cave meditating quietly when he received Dende's message. At first he tried to block out the voice in his mind, but it seemed that Dende was quite insistent, and had no desire to oblige Piccolo by leaving him alone. So after a few moments of struggling, Piccolo gave up and decided to listen to what Dende had to say.

#Yes, what is it? I'm busy. # Piccolo sent to Dende

#Gomen nasai, but did you perchance bring us an injured young girl? # Was his only reply. Piccolo bristled.

#Why? # He sent back warily. Dende was quick to reply.

#Well, she's a bit scared and angry, and she won't let anyone near her, and she keeps asking for you! Even I'm nervous to be around her! # Piccolo laughed dryly.

#How much harm can one, little injured human teenage girl do to you? # He asked. He was shocked by the answer.

#Well, it turns out that she's not human, or not full human anyway. She's a kitsune, and a pretty powerful one at that! And she's angry, but she doesn't know how to control her powers! She's very powerful, and right now she's acting like a caged animal. We don't know what to do! She says that she needs to fulfill a debt to you or something like that. Can you please come up here and see if you can calm her down or something? # Piccolo scowled fiercely at the inconvenience as he took off towards the Lookout.

"Damn girl," he muttered, "even when I get rid of her she still causes me problems!" Piccolo flew the rest of the way in silence. In truth, he wasn't angry, and in a way, he actually felt relieved to be seeing her again. 'Why the hell am I thinking about her?' he asked himself angrily. He didn't like these feelings.

It didn't take him long to reach the Lookout. Dende and Mr. Popo were there, waiting for him. He landed, and Dende rushed up to him.

"Piccolo, you've got to go and talk to Foxglove!" he said, his eyes wide, he was deathly afraid that she would hurt herself accidentally while she was so powered up. Piccolo looked at him in confusion for a moment.

"What are you talking about? Foxglove? Who's that?" he asked. Dende just grabbed his hand and led him towards the bedroom.

"The young girl you brought us earlier. The one with the hurt ankle. I healed it as much as I could, but she woke up. She immediately wanted to know where you were, and became very frightened when I told you that I didn't know. She doesn't trust anybody, except maybe you, and she keeps talking about a debt that she has to pay for. Will you try to calm her down? The others will be here soon, and I don't want her to be alarmed any further. Please, just try to help her. Mr. Popo will bring some food in as soon as it's okay. Thank you!" he said in a rush as he stopped at one of the large rooms atop the Lookout. Piccolo watched as Dende went back outside to wait for the others, and Piccolo sighed and resolutely trudged into the room. What he saw shocked him. There was the girl he had saved from the humans, but she was different. Her eyes were golden, instead of green; she had beautiful black ears, and a tail, and looked, all around feral. He scowled at her as he leaned in the doorway.

"What is your problem, girl?" He asked, his eyes betraying no emotion. She looked at him and he felt great amounts of wild power emanating from her. She smiled, confusing him.

"Hello, stranger. You are the one who saved me. You weren't here when I awoke, I was surrounded by strangers!" again he felt her power level increase, but just as suddenly, it decreased dramatically. She looked at him and, he was shocked when he saw tears coming out of her eyes.

"Hn, why are you crying? I thought it best to leave you here. You needed care, and I needed to be alone-" he stopped when he saw how upset she was getting. "I…" 'No don't say that!' his subconscious warned him loudly. "I…I'm sorry. For leaving you." Internally he was cursing himself for being so weak and soft. The girl looked at him, the tears still glistening on her newly golden eyes.

"You…you mean it?" she asked him tentatively, her tail twitching slowly. He nodded slowly, as if in conflict with himself. She slowly held her hand out to him. "I owe you a debt, sir, that I hope I can repay. All I ask is that you…that…"without warning, she fainted, falling off the bed. Piccolo caught her before she hit the floor. He sat upon the bed, still holding her on his lap. The scent of roses filled his nostrils. He immediately called for Dende.

#Dende, I need you in here quick! She's fainted, and her ki is low! Come help her! # He called frantically in his mind. Dende sent him an affirmative, and seconds later was in the room.

"What's the problem, Piccolo? She fainted?" he inquired, looking at the kitsune that Piccolo held in his lap. Piccolo nodded.

"I assume that she's just exhausted and overwhelmed. She needs healing though." Dende laid his hands on the girl's face, and Piccolo caught himself growling softly. 'Dammit, why should I care? He's only healing her!' he snapped at himself. Dende looked at Piccolo, and Piccolo…blushed? He angrily told Dende to finish. Dende did so quickly. A few seconds later, she moaned softly, and they heard her stomach growl. Dende smiled at Piccolo and chuckled slightly.

"I think part of the problem was simply an empty stomach. Mr. Popo will bring her some food soon. Right now though, she needs to sleep. Don't move her, because if she wakes up in her current frame of mind, she might injure herself further. Got that?" he told Piccolo. Piccolo scowled at him in annoyance.

"So just what am I supposed to do with her until then? Hold her?" Dende smiled.

"Precisely. You'll have to. She should wake up in about 2 hours. If you'll excuse me now, Piccolo, I have to go and get ready for the Gathering later this evening. Mr. Popo will bring food for her when she wakes up. Pleasant dreams." Dende called out as he exited the room. Piccolo growled at the other Namek's retreating figure for a moment, before pausing to once again look at the girl in his arms. A smile played across his lips, before being dashed away by his trademark scowl. She looked so innocent when she was asleep. He couldn't stop himself from brushing some of her black hair away from her face. She turned her face away from him and moaned softly. He froze, not wanting to wake her.

"Dammit to hell, how did I get wrapped up in this?" he thought miserably. He resolved that he would meditate while she slept, so as not to wake her. "Why do I get stuck being nursemaid?" he muttered as he began to relax himself. The lingering scent of roses followed him into meditation, haunting him…

Well, what do you people think? Thanks to all the people who reviewed this story, I really appreciate it. I hope you liked this chapter as well, and maybe, just maybe you'll review it (please, please, please). By the way, if you like my story, go and read any story by ZelAndPiccoloFreak. Her stories are awesome, and if you liked mine, I just know you'll love hers! So goodbye until the next chapter! *Waves goodbye*