And now for the disclaimer that no one reads half of the time. I do not own Dragon Ball Z. Akira Toriyama does. There, I've said it! And all of you lovely people can guess whom I wish I owned, can't you? *No response. * Oh, well, I guess you can read the story now.
Chapter Four
Warmth…that was the first thing she sensed as she struggled to regain consciousness. She hadn't been warm like this in years. Something was holding her, and she struggled to open her eyes. When she finally managed to get her eyes open, she was shocked to find herself in the green ones lap! For a moment, she had the urge to escape, but it soon ebbed away, and she took the opportunity to study the face of the man who had saved her. His face had sharp lines to it, with high green cheekbones. 'That means that he is a stubborn person used to getting his way,' she thought to herself absently. He had a high forehead, which was topped with two little antennae. His nose was aristocratic, set above a pair of perfect lips, which were at the moment smirking at her…
"So you're awake, huh?" Came the amused voice from deep within the man's throat, rolling forth to her like thunder. She shivered, her tail coming up to shield her.
"Yes, I suppose I am," she said, trying in vain to get off of his lap. He held her tight, keeping her somewhat immobile. She looked up at him, and for a moment, Piccolo couldn't take his gaze off of those eyes. They seemed to be filled with all of the sorrows of the world. Gently, he released her, allowing her to get up.
"Arigatou." She said softly, her eyes not quite meeting his. For a few moments, there was absolute silence. Then, swiftly, Piccolo gently set the kitsune on the floor. He looked down at her.
"I suppose you need to get dressed and all of that." He remarked, his eyes betraying no emotions. She looked at him quizzically.
"Dressed for what?" Piccolo looked at her for a moment, startled. 'That's right, she doesn't know anyone here. She is a stranger to us, but that can't be helped. I wonder if she has any family that I can leave her with. ' He thought, shaking his head at the same time. He didn't want to let her go, but he didn't know why. He decided to change the subject.
"Why were you being chased by those men when I found you?" he questioned. She looked up sharply, and Piccolo could see the anguish in her eyes. For a moment, time stretched before them in waves, until she finally spoke.
"I…I was trying to get some food. We didn't have anymore in the cave, and I was so hungry. My brother…." She choked up. Piccolo knew that something had happened to her brother, but he wisely didn't press the subject. He knew that she would tell him when the time came. She looked at Piccolo for a moment, with tears streaming down from her beautiful, green-gold eyes and Piccolo felt a part of him respond to her (A.N.: not that part, you hentai's…at least not yet…). He felt the need to comfort her, but that in itself angered him. 'I am getting too soft. I'll let her meet Gohan's family, and then they'll take care of her, and I'll be able to back to my peace and quiet-alone.' He fumed silently. Ever since he had met Foxglove, a battle was being fought within him. Growling, he looked at the beautiful kitsune before him.
"You are atop the Lookout. I brought you here. There is a gathering today, and my…." He choked on the next word, "friends….will be here soon. If you would like to meet them, I suggest that you get dressed." For a moment, the kitsune looked at him, bemused.
"And what, pray tell, am I to wear?" she gestured towards her dress, which was torn and ripped and…clinging. 'Stop it' Piccolo silently ordered himself. He was brought back to the present, by the kitsune's melodic voice.
"Piccolo, sir? Are you okay?" she asked him mildly. He stared at her for a moment. The scent of roses was still clinging to him, making him dizzy.
"Get over here!" he growled, "and I'll make you something suitable to wear." She surprisingly obeyed, but she was a bit skittish in standing in front of him. He immediately zapped a beautiful red dress on her. It was the color of blood, and shiny, with a plunging neckline and a hole for her long tail. She smiled in pure pleasure at the dress, and before Piccolo could stop her, she reached up and licked his cheek, finishing by kissing him on his other cheek. Piccolo was shocked. He had never been kissed before. Women had always been afraid of him, but this female had just kissed him! 'Why did I have to put her in that?' Piccolo moaned inwardly. He was brought out of his reverie by a knock at the door. They both looked over in unison. There stood a bemused Mr. Popo, holding an enormous tray heaped with food.
"Well, it's good to see that you are awake, Miss Foxglove." Mr. Popo said cheerfully, setting the tray down on a nearby table. With that small task done, he bowed before her and waddled out of the room. Piccolo watched in amusement as Foxglove carefully stalked towards the food. She sniffed it, and looked questioningly at Piccolo.
"It's food, girl. You eat it." She bristles at that.
" I know that, baka. Is it safe?" she sad, her eyes wide. Piccolo wondered what sort of upbringing she had had to where she was wary of simple food. He nodded at her.
"Hai, the food is safe. Eat as much as you want, it's all for you." She looked at him quizzically.
"What about you, Piccolo-sama?" He was taken aback for a moment by the title of respect. He knew what she was asking, so he answered.
"I have no use for food. I don't eat, I only require water. Eat all you want, it's okay." He caught himself coaxing her. She didn't need to hear anymore. She calmly sat down at the table and began to daintily eat the food. Piccolo began to walk out of the room, but turned when he heard whimpering. He swiftly turned around to find that Foxglove was looking up at him in terror. He sighed.
"What is it girl?" he growled impatiently. She looked at him fearfully for a moment before answering.
"Don't leave." She whimpered, "please don't leave me here again! I'll behave, I won't cause any trouble or anything for you, if you just stay!" Piccolo was shocked. She wanted him to stay with her? He couldn't quite grasp the concept of this. People had always been scared of him, but this girl actually trembled at the thought of being away from him. He felt himself….blushing?! 'Dammit, if I'm not careful, she'll have me jumping through hoops soon!' he thought wryly. He turned back to the kitsune, who was eating, but also somehow managed to keep one wary eye on him the entire time.
"Don't worry, I won't leave again-for now. Now are you gonna finish eating and get ready to meet the others or what?" he asked sharply. She paused from eating, long enough to nod her head. She then went back to daintily eating her food. 'She's way too thin' Piccolo caught himself thinking. It was true; she was quite thin, as if she had just barely gotten by for a long time. Angry at where his thoughts were taking him, again. He mumbled something about talking to Dende, and exited the room.
Foxglove smiled softly as she continued her meal. She liked him, she knew that, but at the same time, she wondered if he liked her back. Sighing, she finished her meal and walked outside. The sun was just now beginning to set, and the view from atop what they called a "Lookout" was absolutely breathtaking. She could see everything! Her tail swished in appreciation of all the beauty that surrounded her. She was so caught up in the wondrous beauty of the landscape that she failed to notice Piccolo coming to stand behind her. She nearly fainted from shock when she heard his voice behind her.
"Hn, are you okay?" Piccolo asked, looking down at her. She turned her face towards him and nodded, a tiny smile playing across her lips.
"Hai," she replied, her voice breathy. Piccolo almost groaned from the painful effect that her voice had on him-without her even knowing it! He managed a small smile, which was followed by a scowl.
"Well, come on, let's go and find Dende. The others will be here in a few minutes, and I'm sure they will want to meet you." He said dryly. He gently grabbed her arm to lead her, but she resisted. Turning about to face her, he saw that she wanted to say something to him. Fearing what she might say, he turned shook his head in warning.
"We have to go. I can already sense their ki, and they are close. Anything you have to tell me can wait until later. Understand?" he asked gruffly. The kitsune looked up at him for a minute, and nodded, sighing. Foxglove knew that she couldn't wait much longer to tell him of the debt, and pay him back. She let him take her to where Dende was standing, and even managed a smile for the smaller Namek. He grinned back, and bowed. She flicked her ears at him appreciatively. Suddenly, she turned, feeling large amounts of ki approaching-fast. She knew that it must be from Piccolo's friends. 'I hope they like me,' she thought wistfully. But her mind really wasn't on the Gathering and the people she was to meet. It was instead; focused on the debt she would soon have to pay to the handsome Namek that stood beside her…
Well, I am sorry for making this a bit of a cliffie, but this is how it goes sometimes. You know the drill. If you want another chapter, then please review and tell me so. Thank you to everyone who reviews this story! I appreciate your kindness!
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This is where I am going to personally thank every person who has reviewed this story so far.
JadeTheDolphinQueen: Thank you so-o-o much for reading my story. Luv ya!
PiccolosDragon: You'll know soon enough where this story is headed, but email me if you have questions! Thank you!
Cassie-bear 01 - Arigatou! I love those types of stories too! That's why I wrote one! Thank you for your kind words.
Masked & Anonymous: Haha, you're not really anonymous! I know who you are! You should know by now that I try to update regularly. I thank you for reading these chapters before I post them, so I can make 'em perfect for the other reader! Luv ya, little sister!
Lia-goddess: P-chan is cute, isn't he? He is very cool. Thank you for your wonderful moral support, I needed it sometimes, when my stories went evil! And yes she is half-kitsune, and damn proud of it!
LadyHiei-Trunks: Thank you for saying that my story is cool! You have made me feel special! Onegai, no bugging me about my love of cliffhangers and such, that would be wrong. You are a good friend, and I appreciate your proofreading my fics as well.
Guitar Daughter of Piccolo: Arigatou for your kind word. You make me happy. I indeed shall write more!
Demoness Yasha: Thank you. You will see more of this story soon, I promise.
Sawnya: Your kind words mean a great deal to me. Thank you. I try to write good, entertaining stories, and it means lots to me that people enjoy them! Piccy-chan will indeed have his hands full with Foxglove. I tried to keep Piccy-chan in character as much as possible. More will be up soon, you know that!
tristasdragon127: Thank you. Was it cute? I leave off at cliffhangers because that how the stories want to be written, you know that, silly! Thank you for having the patience to read my chapters while they're barely finished, and then give me ideas for them! I luv ya little sis, you should put your stories up soon, so these lovely people can read them!
ZelAndPiccoloFreak: What can I say to you? You were the one who inspired me, and gave me the courage to post my ficcy. I am honored that you enjoy my story, and I hope you will continue to read and review. Arigatou. Hey everybody! Go and read ZelAndPiccoloFreak's stories, if you liked mine at all. She is incredibly talented and I'm sure you people would love all of her Piccolo-related stories.