Piccolo sat on the clump of grass, under the large oak tree and caught his
breath letting aching muscles relax, and enjoying the stiff breeze that
held a hint of thunderstorms to come. Rain suited him fine, it served a
dual purpose. It gave him a bath, and it gave him an opportunity to cool
off after training.
The rain will pose a problem to the wedding, he thought idly and with sadistic amusement; they'll probably get caught in mid-ceremony.
The wedding; he'd been given an invitation of course, and had accepted the invitation graciously if not in his usual gruff manner. Piccolo recalled the look of pride and the boyish grin on his face as Gohan landed and roused his former master from his daily meditation.
"Piccolo-san! Hey!" Gohans voice reminded his old teacher that the boy had indeed grown up. He sighed faintly, not really feeling social, but since it was Gohan, and he rarely saw him anymore, he decided to face the once boy, now turned man.
"Hey Gohan, haven't seen you in a while." It was all Piccolo could think of to say. Somewhere in the back of his mind he wanted to retort with 'hey nice of you to recall that I'm still alive', but managed to keep his tongue in check.
Gohan flushed a bit, as if he'd picked up that thought, and let his eyes slide away from Piccolos stern gaze. "Uh, yeah. Been pretty busy with school, graduation, and then with that whole Buu thing, and now Videl and all that. You know how moms been hounding me since graduating to settle down. So," Gohan grinned and offered a sealed envelope to the large Namek. "We're getting married."
Holding out his hand Piccolo accepted the envelope, breaking the carefully licked seal with a claw, pulled out the sheet of paper and looked it over. The card itself had been carefully made from rice paper, very formal and the letters had been lovingly scribed by a steady hand, Chi- chi's, Piccolo randomly surmised. "Congratulations and thank you Gohan, I appreciate the invitation."
It sounded remote, rehearsed and line-fed, but what else could he say? He was happy for Gohan, Videl and the boys' family, but in all honesty after Buu, after the near destruction of this world and Goku running off with the reincarnation of Buu, everyone had gone their own ways. He hadn't had much to say to anyone afterwards.
"So, I uh guess we'll reserve you a spot?" Gohan sounded hopeful.
Now it was Piccolos turn to avert his eyes. "I'm not sure kid- Gohan. You know how I feel about social functions, but I'll try, okay?"
Gohans expression faltered just for a moment as he rubbed the back of his head and grinned a bit, the expression reminding the Namek a lot of Gohans father. "Hey, sure; I understand. Well, if you decide either way let mom or Krillin or someone know, okay?" He smiled faintly as his former teacher nodded once and tucked the invite into his sash belt.
If truth had been told then, it had hurt Piccolo that Gohan had virtually forgotten him for several years, had ceased training, and hadn't bothered to at least make the pretense of communication. He didn't want to admit it, but Piccolo in a way felt abandoned, an infantile feeling to be sure, but he felt it all the same. But how else could he have felt?
Goku had basically coerced (forced) him into training young Goten and Trunks by piling on the guilt, only to later on have the two boys become uncontrollable monsters after fusing, having nearly gotten them all killed with their juvenile bravado; it pissed Piccolo off that he'd been reduced to a glorified baby-sitter, and then forced to stand by and watch the children destroy everything they touched in to what he thought was a half- assed attempt at saving the planet. He'd thought Goku had really become a half wit to place the future of Earth in two children's hands, and thought so more, when the kids had failed because of their inexperience and combined egos as Gotenks.
He realized he was brooding. He also realized, that in the course of fifteen years, he'd become useless, a second string fighter; sure he could still out match anyone at the Budokai tournaments, anyone human even that moron Satan, but when it came to the saiyajins...
Piccolo had been out powered; he now ranked with Yamcha, Krillin and Tien; perhaps first in power in that category, but he'd long ago been surpassed by the saiyajins. Not that it bothered him; much.
He shook his head, dispelling the unsettling thoughts. Gohan would be getting married now, he'd be beginning his life with Videl, and soon they'd have a child of their own. They'd grow old, their children would grow to adults and they would all eventually die, while he; he lived on, alone here in the woods, for probably a good three or four centuries more, depending on what threat came along next.
"Tcha" Piccolo spat, crinkling his nose in disdain. "You're a fool, acting like a god damn human or worse yet a spurned lover." That thought didn't settle well in his stomach.
Heading to the small falls that fed the small creek that ran through his glade, he crouched by the smooth waters, taking a moment to wash sweat off his face, neck and arms; the glimmer of sunlight glinting off the water caught his attention and drew it to his reflection.
He wasn't bad looking as far as Nameks went, certainly he wasn't hard to look at, but he'd never thought about his appearance before, unless it had been drawn to his attention, which it frequently had by Vegeta and by tournament opponents. It'd never bothered him, who he looked anything but human, he wasn't ashamed of his appearance by any means, but neither did he gawk at his reflection like Narcissus.
Which, he realized he was doing right now. Staring at his reflection like a dumb-struck child. Growling he flexed his ki, banishing the clothing that adorned his body and slide into the cold waters without so much as a splash, the water sliding over his body and head as he sank to the bottom of the pool. His ears picked up the muffled sounds of water cascading down, hitting the water and rocks below, the whooshing sound relaxing and soothing to his tense nerves.
Why am I so god damn tense? It makes no sense for me to be acting this way! You're acting childish Piccolo, and just proving to yourself that you're being a jealous moron. He sniped quietly to himself, the agitation and restlessness that he felt fed upon itself, just making him that much more agitated. Snarling, expelling bubbles he surfaced so violently it sprayed water in all directions.
He landed on grassy shore and came face to face with a sopping wet, still in his tuxedo Gohan. Piccolo stood there nearly chest to nose to the young demi-saiyajin. Gohan staring at Piccolo's bare chest and using one hand to mop hair away from his eyes; Piccolo stammered, completely caught unaware, he hadn't felt the saiyajins ki.
"G- Gohan." Piccolo stammered uncertainly.
"Piccolo-san, I." Gohan seemed as shocked as the Namek, and flushed quite profusely, spinning in an about face to keep from feeling like a pervert.
Never before had Gohan seen his friend, mentor and near surrogate father naked before. It was an all together disturbing experience and he silently prayed to any god listening that he'd never see something like that again. "Ahem, ah, I just stopped by Piccolo to see. I mean say."
Piccolo smirked faintly as his former student sputtered and gasped in near terror at his state of undress. He shook his head and summoned up the energy creating his usual outfit, without weighted cape and turban, just giving himself the soft shoes and jumpsuit to wear. He was embarrassed as well, never had be been caught with is pants down so to speak. "Don't be embarrassed Gohan, you're not five anymore, and I know you sure as hell have seen people naked before."
"Yeah, but never, I mean you're different." A stammered response and a quick subject change followed quickly. "I just came to see why you didn't come." The young man trailed off uncertainly.
Different? The words struck Piccolo like a slap, and he clenched his jaw in an attempt to keep from snapping at the kid. He cleared his throat swallowing a scathing retort, and brushed it off to Gohan being surprised. Instead he focused on the second half of the question. "I didn't feel it was my place to be there Gohan. Your mother would have had a conniption fit if I'd shown up. And I don't think Videl's family would have appreciated it either. Thank you for the concern Gohan, but really it just would have been awkward for me. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings kid."
Gohan stood there feeling awkward and embarrassed, knowing that what Piccolo had said was true; that his mother would have thrown a fit if he'd shown up, and he knew that Videl's family would have been scared witless by the Nameks presence. The family had been traumatized enough by Vegeta and Goku's impromptu sparring session during the reception and dance. He scratched his temple and sighed faintly. "It's alright Piccolo, I understand. I guess I'd hoped that you'd be there."
Piccolo shrugged and looked out at the water fall, the water tinged pink and red with the setting sun, the clouds looming to the west, rumbling ominously with a promise of a violent storm. "Can't be helped now, Gohan. Like I said, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but you know as well as I it was for the best. You know I'll always be there if you need me Gohan, but lets face it, you stopped needing me to come to your aid since you were ten."
"I'll always need a friend Piccolo-san. I hope that even after all this, that we can still be friends and occasional sparring partners." Gohan smiled faintly, eyes slightly hopeful.
Piccolo shook his head. "Gohan, you have your life now. Go live it. Stop trying to live your fathers' life; it's nearly destroyed your parents' marriage as it is, with your father running off to train Uub. Don't go looking for adventures, or sparring partners or training some hopeful future generation of earth's protectors. Go to your wife, live the life you've wanted to live Gohan, and be happy. I know you've never wanted to be a fighter; your soul was too pure to carry hatred that makes a fighter. You've had hatred forced on you since you were five, and have had to keep it up until just after Cell. Go be a family man Gohan. I'm proud of you and I'm proud that you've become someone I can respect and call a friend."
Gohan watched Piccolo closely, unsure how to respond to such a statement. He wasn't sure if Piccolo was sending him away, or if he truly meant his words, and just wanted him to have as normal a life as possible. "I wish- I guess- I." He cleared his throat free of a lump forming and stared down at his feet. "You've been more of a father to me than my own had ever been Piccolo, you were the one I came to first when I had a problem, or needed help in some way. I love my father, I really do, and he's a great man, he's done a lot for this world and for everyone on it.. But even I know that he just never could cut it as a family man. He tried, sure, but even then he always fell short. I think mom had a lot to do with it, but I'm not going to talk about it. Thanks Piccolo, I know it's a lousy way to repay you for everything you've done for me, but all I can say is thank you and that no matter what, I hope that our friendship never changes, just because the world around us does."
Powering up, Gohan lifted into the air, offering a faint smile to his mentor before flying off, not giving the Namek a chance to speak.
Piccolo stood there, absorbing everything Gohan had told him, had admitted. Turning away from the rapidly departing Son, he made his way to the falls and sat in his usual meditative position, feeling drained and defeated somehow. He soon gave up all attempts at meditating and went into the cave he called home, and slept.
The next few days were restless for the Namek; he roamed endlessly from one end of the woods to the other, and when that didn't help with the pent up energy he traveled the world, unseen and unheard. He couldn't figure out just what had changed within him, couldn't fathom why he suddenly couldn't sleep, concentrate or think straight.
So what was bugging him? What was it that was making him chase the sun around the world? What was it that made him edgy, snappish, and feeling dangerous? He avoided people, cities on purpose as he traveled, knowing if he did happen upon the human population, he'd probably do something that'd get him into trouble.
Piccolo had found himself on several occasions heading to the Lookout, but stopped himself about midway chastising him self for acting like an idiot; who would he talk to? Dende and him had nothing in common, other than Piccolo had the Kami, the former guardian fused within him, and Dende was the current guardian; that and Piccolo had Nail, some relative to Dende.
He was lonely. It all boiled down to that. It was the fact that he had no one to talk to, no one to spar with, and he'd isolated himself quite nicely in his own private world. The other fighters were scared of him Yamcha and Krillin both; he and Vegeta had a long standing hatred for each other, stemming back from the battle with Frieza on Old Namek. Yes, they grudgingly respected one another in terms of battle prowess, but as for on a personal level, if things ever came down to him and Vegeta, he knew they'd tear each others throats out and not bother with any formalities.
Giving up, he headed to the Lookout; if anything he could roam the halls and poke around long forgotten rooms of the guardians' tower. Who knew? Maybe he'd discover something that'd occupy his time, and attention. He'd considered going to the room of spirit and time to train, but then realized he'd already used his time, and couldn't enter again.
Landing on the edge he was greeted by the ever present Mr. Popo and Dende. Dende blinked in mild surprise at the sudden unannounced arrival of the elder namek.
"Piccolo, what brings you to the Lookout? Is everything alright?" Dende glanced over his shoulder worriedly.
"Everything is fine Dende; I don't know why you'd ask, since you're supposed to be the guardian of this rock." Piccolo smirked faintly at the younger Namek, who flushed profusely at his comment.
"You shouldn't be so cranky Piccolo," an irritated reply came from the younger namek. "I'm just surprised to see you here, its not often you show up here, and when someone usually does now, it's for help or something has gone wrong." Piccolo looked back over his shoulder and frowned a bit, Dende usually tolerated his crap, but apparently not today. He shrugged and headed towards the entrance not really thinking much of it. "I just came to see if there was anything in the rooms that would interest me. Would you mind if I stayed up here for a bit?"
"I don't see why not Piccolo, its as much your lookout as it is mine, or anyone else's; you're welcome to any of the guest rooms; if anything I look forward to the company even if-" the young Namek's tone took on a hint of amusement, "- the company doesn't look forward to being with me."
"I'd ask if you got your sense of humor from Kami kid, but I know for a fact he couldn't even be that much of a smart ass." Piccolo smirked and continued on his way down the hall. "I'll make myself scarce; I suppose if you need me you can find me by my energy signature."
Dende nodded, saying nothing more to the elder namek and turned to focus his attention on Mr. Popo. "He's lonely. Maybe it'll do him some good to stay up here a bit and explore. I know that Gohan's sudden lack of caring for him has bothered him greatly; but he wouldn't ever admit it. We'll just let him be, and let him come to terms with his life."
Mr. Popo nodded quietly looking at the entrance Piccolo had entered through. He wrung his hands a bit worriedly. "Of course Dende-sama, I'll accommodate him as best as I can, and I'll prepare a room for him immediately; is there anything I can do for you while I'm running errands?"
Dende smiled at the faithful servant and shook his head. "Nothing for me thank you Mr. Popo. I'm fine for the moment; I think I'll head to my own rooms to think a few things over."
Popo watched the guardian head to his own chambers before turning and heading off to prepare a room for their guest, making a list in his head as to what he remembered Piccolo would require for his personal quarters.
The rain will pose a problem to the wedding, he thought idly and with sadistic amusement; they'll probably get caught in mid-ceremony.
The wedding; he'd been given an invitation of course, and had accepted the invitation graciously if not in his usual gruff manner. Piccolo recalled the look of pride and the boyish grin on his face as Gohan landed and roused his former master from his daily meditation.
"Piccolo-san! Hey!" Gohans voice reminded his old teacher that the boy had indeed grown up. He sighed faintly, not really feeling social, but since it was Gohan, and he rarely saw him anymore, he decided to face the once boy, now turned man.
"Hey Gohan, haven't seen you in a while." It was all Piccolo could think of to say. Somewhere in the back of his mind he wanted to retort with 'hey nice of you to recall that I'm still alive', but managed to keep his tongue in check.
Gohan flushed a bit, as if he'd picked up that thought, and let his eyes slide away from Piccolos stern gaze. "Uh, yeah. Been pretty busy with school, graduation, and then with that whole Buu thing, and now Videl and all that. You know how moms been hounding me since graduating to settle down. So," Gohan grinned and offered a sealed envelope to the large Namek. "We're getting married."
Holding out his hand Piccolo accepted the envelope, breaking the carefully licked seal with a claw, pulled out the sheet of paper and looked it over. The card itself had been carefully made from rice paper, very formal and the letters had been lovingly scribed by a steady hand, Chi- chi's, Piccolo randomly surmised. "Congratulations and thank you Gohan, I appreciate the invitation."
It sounded remote, rehearsed and line-fed, but what else could he say? He was happy for Gohan, Videl and the boys' family, but in all honesty after Buu, after the near destruction of this world and Goku running off with the reincarnation of Buu, everyone had gone their own ways. He hadn't had much to say to anyone afterwards.
"So, I uh guess we'll reserve you a spot?" Gohan sounded hopeful.
Now it was Piccolos turn to avert his eyes. "I'm not sure kid- Gohan. You know how I feel about social functions, but I'll try, okay?"
Gohans expression faltered just for a moment as he rubbed the back of his head and grinned a bit, the expression reminding the Namek a lot of Gohans father. "Hey, sure; I understand. Well, if you decide either way let mom or Krillin or someone know, okay?" He smiled faintly as his former teacher nodded once and tucked the invite into his sash belt.
If truth had been told then, it had hurt Piccolo that Gohan had virtually forgotten him for several years, had ceased training, and hadn't bothered to at least make the pretense of communication. He didn't want to admit it, but Piccolo in a way felt abandoned, an infantile feeling to be sure, but he felt it all the same. But how else could he have felt?
Goku had basically coerced (forced) him into training young Goten and Trunks by piling on the guilt, only to later on have the two boys become uncontrollable monsters after fusing, having nearly gotten them all killed with their juvenile bravado; it pissed Piccolo off that he'd been reduced to a glorified baby-sitter, and then forced to stand by and watch the children destroy everything they touched in to what he thought was a half- assed attempt at saving the planet. He'd thought Goku had really become a half wit to place the future of Earth in two children's hands, and thought so more, when the kids had failed because of their inexperience and combined egos as Gotenks.
He realized he was brooding. He also realized, that in the course of fifteen years, he'd become useless, a second string fighter; sure he could still out match anyone at the Budokai tournaments, anyone human even that moron Satan, but when it came to the saiyajins...
Piccolo had been out powered; he now ranked with Yamcha, Krillin and Tien; perhaps first in power in that category, but he'd long ago been surpassed by the saiyajins. Not that it bothered him; much.
He shook his head, dispelling the unsettling thoughts. Gohan would be getting married now, he'd be beginning his life with Videl, and soon they'd have a child of their own. They'd grow old, their children would grow to adults and they would all eventually die, while he; he lived on, alone here in the woods, for probably a good three or four centuries more, depending on what threat came along next.
"Tcha" Piccolo spat, crinkling his nose in disdain. "You're a fool, acting like a god damn human or worse yet a spurned lover." That thought didn't settle well in his stomach.
Heading to the small falls that fed the small creek that ran through his glade, he crouched by the smooth waters, taking a moment to wash sweat off his face, neck and arms; the glimmer of sunlight glinting off the water caught his attention and drew it to his reflection.
He wasn't bad looking as far as Nameks went, certainly he wasn't hard to look at, but he'd never thought about his appearance before, unless it had been drawn to his attention, which it frequently had by Vegeta and by tournament opponents. It'd never bothered him, who he looked anything but human, he wasn't ashamed of his appearance by any means, but neither did he gawk at his reflection like Narcissus.
Which, he realized he was doing right now. Staring at his reflection like a dumb-struck child. Growling he flexed his ki, banishing the clothing that adorned his body and slide into the cold waters without so much as a splash, the water sliding over his body and head as he sank to the bottom of the pool. His ears picked up the muffled sounds of water cascading down, hitting the water and rocks below, the whooshing sound relaxing and soothing to his tense nerves.
Why am I so god damn tense? It makes no sense for me to be acting this way! You're acting childish Piccolo, and just proving to yourself that you're being a jealous moron. He sniped quietly to himself, the agitation and restlessness that he felt fed upon itself, just making him that much more agitated. Snarling, expelling bubbles he surfaced so violently it sprayed water in all directions.
He landed on grassy shore and came face to face with a sopping wet, still in his tuxedo Gohan. Piccolo stood there nearly chest to nose to the young demi-saiyajin. Gohan staring at Piccolo's bare chest and using one hand to mop hair away from his eyes; Piccolo stammered, completely caught unaware, he hadn't felt the saiyajins ki.
"G- Gohan." Piccolo stammered uncertainly.
"Piccolo-san, I." Gohan seemed as shocked as the Namek, and flushed quite profusely, spinning in an about face to keep from feeling like a pervert.
Never before had Gohan seen his friend, mentor and near surrogate father naked before. It was an all together disturbing experience and he silently prayed to any god listening that he'd never see something like that again. "Ahem, ah, I just stopped by Piccolo to see. I mean say."
Piccolo smirked faintly as his former student sputtered and gasped in near terror at his state of undress. He shook his head and summoned up the energy creating his usual outfit, without weighted cape and turban, just giving himself the soft shoes and jumpsuit to wear. He was embarrassed as well, never had be been caught with is pants down so to speak. "Don't be embarrassed Gohan, you're not five anymore, and I know you sure as hell have seen people naked before."
"Yeah, but never, I mean you're different." A stammered response and a quick subject change followed quickly. "I just came to see why you didn't come." The young man trailed off uncertainly.
Different? The words struck Piccolo like a slap, and he clenched his jaw in an attempt to keep from snapping at the kid. He cleared his throat swallowing a scathing retort, and brushed it off to Gohan being surprised. Instead he focused on the second half of the question. "I didn't feel it was my place to be there Gohan. Your mother would have had a conniption fit if I'd shown up. And I don't think Videl's family would have appreciated it either. Thank you for the concern Gohan, but really it just would have been awkward for me. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings kid."
Gohan stood there feeling awkward and embarrassed, knowing that what Piccolo had said was true; that his mother would have thrown a fit if he'd shown up, and he knew that Videl's family would have been scared witless by the Nameks presence. The family had been traumatized enough by Vegeta and Goku's impromptu sparring session during the reception and dance. He scratched his temple and sighed faintly. "It's alright Piccolo, I understand. I guess I'd hoped that you'd be there."
Piccolo shrugged and looked out at the water fall, the water tinged pink and red with the setting sun, the clouds looming to the west, rumbling ominously with a promise of a violent storm. "Can't be helped now, Gohan. Like I said, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but you know as well as I it was for the best. You know I'll always be there if you need me Gohan, but lets face it, you stopped needing me to come to your aid since you were ten."
"I'll always need a friend Piccolo-san. I hope that even after all this, that we can still be friends and occasional sparring partners." Gohan smiled faintly, eyes slightly hopeful.
Piccolo shook his head. "Gohan, you have your life now. Go live it. Stop trying to live your fathers' life; it's nearly destroyed your parents' marriage as it is, with your father running off to train Uub. Don't go looking for adventures, or sparring partners or training some hopeful future generation of earth's protectors. Go to your wife, live the life you've wanted to live Gohan, and be happy. I know you've never wanted to be a fighter; your soul was too pure to carry hatred that makes a fighter. You've had hatred forced on you since you were five, and have had to keep it up until just after Cell. Go be a family man Gohan. I'm proud of you and I'm proud that you've become someone I can respect and call a friend."
Gohan watched Piccolo closely, unsure how to respond to such a statement. He wasn't sure if Piccolo was sending him away, or if he truly meant his words, and just wanted him to have as normal a life as possible. "I wish- I guess- I." He cleared his throat free of a lump forming and stared down at his feet. "You've been more of a father to me than my own had ever been Piccolo, you were the one I came to first when I had a problem, or needed help in some way. I love my father, I really do, and he's a great man, he's done a lot for this world and for everyone on it.. But even I know that he just never could cut it as a family man. He tried, sure, but even then he always fell short. I think mom had a lot to do with it, but I'm not going to talk about it. Thanks Piccolo, I know it's a lousy way to repay you for everything you've done for me, but all I can say is thank you and that no matter what, I hope that our friendship never changes, just because the world around us does."
Powering up, Gohan lifted into the air, offering a faint smile to his mentor before flying off, not giving the Namek a chance to speak.
Piccolo stood there, absorbing everything Gohan had told him, had admitted. Turning away from the rapidly departing Son, he made his way to the falls and sat in his usual meditative position, feeling drained and defeated somehow. He soon gave up all attempts at meditating and went into the cave he called home, and slept.
The next few days were restless for the Namek; he roamed endlessly from one end of the woods to the other, and when that didn't help with the pent up energy he traveled the world, unseen and unheard. He couldn't figure out just what had changed within him, couldn't fathom why he suddenly couldn't sleep, concentrate or think straight.
So what was bugging him? What was it that was making him chase the sun around the world? What was it that made him edgy, snappish, and feeling dangerous? He avoided people, cities on purpose as he traveled, knowing if he did happen upon the human population, he'd probably do something that'd get him into trouble.
Piccolo had found himself on several occasions heading to the Lookout, but stopped himself about midway chastising him self for acting like an idiot; who would he talk to? Dende and him had nothing in common, other than Piccolo had the Kami, the former guardian fused within him, and Dende was the current guardian; that and Piccolo had Nail, some relative to Dende.
He was lonely. It all boiled down to that. It was the fact that he had no one to talk to, no one to spar with, and he'd isolated himself quite nicely in his own private world. The other fighters were scared of him Yamcha and Krillin both; he and Vegeta had a long standing hatred for each other, stemming back from the battle with Frieza on Old Namek. Yes, they grudgingly respected one another in terms of battle prowess, but as for on a personal level, if things ever came down to him and Vegeta, he knew they'd tear each others throats out and not bother with any formalities.
Giving up, he headed to the Lookout; if anything he could roam the halls and poke around long forgotten rooms of the guardians' tower. Who knew? Maybe he'd discover something that'd occupy his time, and attention. He'd considered going to the room of spirit and time to train, but then realized he'd already used his time, and couldn't enter again.
Landing on the edge he was greeted by the ever present Mr. Popo and Dende. Dende blinked in mild surprise at the sudden unannounced arrival of the elder namek.
"Piccolo, what brings you to the Lookout? Is everything alright?" Dende glanced over his shoulder worriedly.
"Everything is fine Dende; I don't know why you'd ask, since you're supposed to be the guardian of this rock." Piccolo smirked faintly at the younger Namek, who flushed profusely at his comment.
"You shouldn't be so cranky Piccolo," an irritated reply came from the younger namek. "I'm just surprised to see you here, its not often you show up here, and when someone usually does now, it's for help or something has gone wrong." Piccolo looked back over his shoulder and frowned a bit, Dende usually tolerated his crap, but apparently not today. He shrugged and headed towards the entrance not really thinking much of it. "I just came to see if there was anything in the rooms that would interest me. Would you mind if I stayed up here for a bit?"
"I don't see why not Piccolo, its as much your lookout as it is mine, or anyone else's; you're welcome to any of the guest rooms; if anything I look forward to the company even if-" the young Namek's tone took on a hint of amusement, "- the company doesn't look forward to being with me."
"I'd ask if you got your sense of humor from Kami kid, but I know for a fact he couldn't even be that much of a smart ass." Piccolo smirked and continued on his way down the hall. "I'll make myself scarce; I suppose if you need me you can find me by my energy signature."
Dende nodded, saying nothing more to the elder namek and turned to focus his attention on Mr. Popo. "He's lonely. Maybe it'll do him some good to stay up here a bit and explore. I know that Gohan's sudden lack of caring for him has bothered him greatly; but he wouldn't ever admit it. We'll just let him be, and let him come to terms with his life."
Mr. Popo nodded quietly looking at the entrance Piccolo had entered through. He wrung his hands a bit worriedly. "Of course Dende-sama, I'll accommodate him as best as I can, and I'll prepare a room for him immediately; is there anything I can do for you while I'm running errands?"
Dende smiled at the faithful servant and shook his head. "Nothing for me thank you Mr. Popo. I'm fine for the moment; I think I'll head to my own rooms to think a few things over."
Popo watched the guardian head to his own chambers before turning and heading off to prepare a room for their guest, making a list in his head as to what he remembered Piccolo would require for his personal quarters.