*This chap is just clips from the winter that passes. It's basically just chill time for the entire crew.

A/N: Since this story takes place in the time lapse between DB and DBZ, Piccolo does not know he's a Namek. Therefore, he can't hide behind that 'Nameks are asexual' excuse (in other fics, that's his 1st defense when he starts to like someone). Since he doesn't know, I don't see why he can't have such feelings.

It is my personal belief that Nameks are both sexual and asexual. On the show, they said that Nameks don't involve themselves in sexual matters, not that they can't involve themselves in sexual matters.

Chapter 12- Winter

Trista didn't have to make a decision about the keys, because the next day- it snowed. It was that classic 'White Christmas' kind of snow, and Trista couldn't get enough of it. She hadn't seen snow since she was 21. How old was she now? Once she entered the timeline she had to be about... What, 2000? Still, none of this mattered to her as she watched the ice flakes float to the ground. She leaned against the windowsill, the light of youthful wonder in her eyes. She had forgotten how magical snow could seem. Slowly she became aware of the chill in the room. But she ignored it as she looked out into the glistening wonderland.

*****

Piccolo did not view winter in the same aspect. The 1st snow always reminded him of his 1st winter in the valley. It was fine the first 3 days. Though it was cold, he found the snow fun. But then came the blizzard. He had awoken 1 morning to find himself completely snowed in. And him, being a child had not prepared for the cold season. He had no wood, no food, nothing. Any young child would have been terrified, and Piccolo was no different. He had huddled in a corner until he realized he was running out of air. Then, using what powers he had developed over the last few months, he made a small hole in the roof, allowing air to come through. He had been barricaded in a frozen tomb for 2 weeks. His only supply was the snow that held him. He ate it for water. Since then, he had been sure to be well stocked for the winter.

Piccolo shivered at the memory. He would have liked to blame it on humanity, but the truth was that nature, the very thing he took refuge in, had done this. However, those two horrifying weeks had taught him one thing: Nature could be as cruel as humans.

As he sat by his fire, looking into the flames, his thoughts turned to Trista. She was so kind, and for some reason, he was starting to get a strange feeling whenever he saw her. He couldn't quite explain it, but he felt he wanted something more with her. Spiritually and physically. He didn't understand them at all. Sometimes the strange yearnings (not just the physical one y'all) were hard to control, even for him. He didn't want to be around her much because of them. But also, he wanted to be with her... These strange feelings were proving too much for him. In all his memories (as well as Daimoh's) There was nothing to tell him what he was feeling. He sighed and rose to train.

*****

Our villains were somewhere deep in the northern region of the world: Snowed in. But this did not phase them. Cush never liked to travel in the winter anyway. And it gave Hioum some time to continue Satyr's lessons.

"Now Satyr, recite to me what you've learned in the last hour, in Atlantean if you please."

"Yes master. Pluto was on the edge of 2 solar systems. Thus, giving the small planet just enough light and heat to keep it in a constant state of late winter or early spring. However, the second sun that heated the planet died. This made the planet uninhabitable. But king Endymoin the 5th felt sorry for them, so he gave them a small plot of land suitable for their needs. Master, I do not understand. Why didn't he just let their civilization die? That would have been one less kingdom to war with."

"Good. Your accent is getting better. King Endymoin was a softhearted fool. At the time, all the planets were in disarray. The kingdoms on the planets were fighting for control. Planet Pluto was the only exception to that. The planet wasn't big enough to have more than 1 kingdom. At that time there were over 1000 kingdoms on Earth, each varied in size. But the Endymoin kingdom was the largest. The only kingdom that rivaled it was the Sularian kingdom. It was written that Earth would most likely be unified under one of these kingdoms."

"So what happened that the Endymoin kingdom was the one?" Just as Hioum opened his mouth to answer, his stomach growled.

"Perhaps after dinner." He said, rising. Satyr followed in toe.

*****

As Piccolo approached, He saw Trista sitting in the bar, looking out the window not paying attention at all. It wasn't like her to slack in her duties.

She was starring at some children playing in the snow. It reminded her of the vision she had when she was sick.

"What are you doing?" Piccolo asked.

"Getting lost in a reverie." Trista answered dreamily. Suddenly, she came back to reality. "Oh, Piccolo! Have a seat..."

The two talked about whatever came to mind. Piccolo had those strange feelings whenever she spoke. He loved her soft voice, what she said, and those large lips... And her ruby eyes...And her forest green hair...And those curves. What was he thinking? Was he sick or something? He needed some water. As if on que, Trista had to leave to get some more supplies. When she came back, she had a glass of water too.

"On the house." She said with a wink. Piccolo was surprised. How did she know I wanted water? He drank it and to his further surprise it was good. It was the water she had gotten from the river. He could tell it had been purified over a stove, but it had been chilled outside. She must have gone through a great deal of trouble to get this. She didn't make a big deal out of it, but it had been a trouble to figure out someway to please him. It was Trista subtle way of showing she liked him. Piccolo caught this and suddenly his feelings were almost unbearable. He left quickly, not looking back when Trista called.

*****

Piccolo had been training in the coldest region he could find, and hadn't let up on his training and meditating for days. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get Trista out of his head.

"WHY CAN"T I STOP THINKING OF HER!" He screamed, letting out a great amount of energy. It rattled the mountains for miles. Finally Piccolo sat and confronted his thoughts.

"Whatever is wrong with me is centered on her. Wait, don't human's go through something like this?" He thought back and realized that in the February month, humans often sought others of the opposite gender. He remembered watching females give things to males. The males would do the same and seemed to have problems being around females. These searches often ended in mating.

"Does this mean I consider Trista as a possible mate? A human? I suppose I would have needed a mate anyway, if I were to have an heir once I rule the world. But my sire didn't have a mate. Wouldn't I reproduce the same way? I'm so confused..." He never came to an exact conclusion, so he didn't think about it anymore. The thought would surely drive him mad.

*****

Trista had a normal day in the bar. As Trista lay in bed looking at her ceiling a simple thought filled her with impossible joy. Could it be? Is this real? Yes. I'm finally living a normal life.

A/N: Once again not my best, but its done. Its 12:35 on a school night people. If I get caught I'm dead. But I just had to finish this.