Darkness.

Endless, eternal darkness.

The flowers waved with the breeze, soft pastel tones. Softly showing, despite the darkness. Pollen wafted gently.

All in the darkness.

Piccolo stood in the flowers. Some of them were forget-me-nots, he noted. There were some daffodils, and dandelions. Clovers. Apart from that, he didn't know any names. Maybe they didn't have any.

A butterfly fluttered to sit on a pink flower.

And still the horizon, the sky, everything beyond this simple field remained black.

A soft step behind.

Piccolo turned gently.

Gohan. Smiling.

Piccolo returned the smile.

Not goofy Son grins.

Not awkward, I-didn't-mean-to oops smiles.

Not smirks. This was not a place of aggression, pride, or false bravado.

These were the smiles of purity. A deep caring. True happiness.

The breeze made the flowers dance and the pollen spin.

Piccolo, Gohan greeted.

Piccolo walked up to Gohan. Needless rush were for others. Others who were caught in the mainstream of Time. The Namek had all the time he would ever need.

Gohan, He whispered, I...

Gohan blinked, and tilted his head slightly.

Yes, Piccolo?

Piccolo looked at the young man in front of him. His eyes sparkled with all the life and happiness that came with being a Son. His face was open and welcome.

I... I need to tell you something.

Gohan chuckled. He took Piccolo's hand, squeezing it gently to comfort his friend of many years.

Piccolo's worries fled at the half-Saiyan's touch.

Gohan?

Piccolo touched his hand to his friend's arm, crouched a little, looked straight into his eyes.

I love you.

Always have.

And... I want you in my life.

YOU want?

Piccolo spun. ChiChi?

You ungrateful brat! How dare you think only of yourself?

The black-haired hag advanced quickly. Hatefully.

I...

Piccolo raised his arms in defence.

Did you think of me?

Piccolo turned. Gohan?

You can be so selfish, Piccolo! What about me?

You're so self centred!

Where did the flowers go?

You ignore the needs of others!

No! I--

You you you! Is that all you talk about?

Where did all these people come from?

Everybody only comes second to you! Is that it?

Who are they?

Selfish!

Mean!

Self-centred!

Wrapped up in yourself!

WHO ARE THEY?

BRAT!

The ground shuddered.

And the darkened nightmare of a figure emerged.

Piccolo looked up to the enormous monster.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

No...

The monster pointed, accusing.

YOU NEGLETED YOUR DUTY! YOUR DUTY TO OTHERS!

Not him...

It slammed its fist into the ground.

TO ME! WHERE IS YOUR HONOUR?

Not you!

Piccolo was grabbed around the neck, and lifted.

HOW COULD YOU FORGET YOUR FATHER!!

NO!!

Piccolo's head was driven into the dirt.

SELFISH BRAT!

"NOOOOOOOO!!!!" Piccolo sat straight up in bed.

Breathing heavily in the soft darkness of his room, in the electric red glow of his digital clock, Piccolo pulled his doona closer.

'The dreams... haven't been so real since... since...'

As his breathing stilled, he wiped away the sweat from his forehead.

'Since Senior left... my body.'

Piccolo lay back down. The room felt so large and empty.

"Gohan." He whispered, and curled up against the mattress.