Chapter 9

Slowly and reluctantly, Piccolo opened his eyes. For a second, he didn't know where he was. He lifted his head and saw that Katrina was still beside him. I guess I needed sleep... He thought and noticed that their hands were still clutched together tightly.

He looked down at Katrina, who was sleeping soundly on his shoulder. She seemed so peaceful and innocent. Half of him wanted to believe that she wasn't the one who's power he felt that day. That side of him did not want to burden the poor teen with the fate of the planet. But even if he believed in that completely, one more problem arose: Would he let her go?

Piccolo continued to stare down at her and meditated on that question. Finally, he shook his head. She's the one. She has to be...

She seemed to stir after his thought but she was only dreaming. I better go check on Gohan, make sure he's not dead. He thought bluntly but waited for a few extra minutes before he actually processed the thought of standing up. Carefully, he eased his hand out of hers and laid her down on the ground. He wrapped the white cape around her body and stood up.

He walked for a bit before actually powering up and taking flight. On the way to Gohan's mountain, he got a chance to think. Why is it that when ever I'm near her, I feel more comfortable and relaxed than when I'm with the kid?'He asked himself. It doesn't make sense. I've never been like this around anyone before...

When he reached Gohan's mountain, he landed close to where a thin trail of smoke was floating up towards the blackened sky. Gohan was sleeping as well, his small sword resting next to him. Well, it looks like he's doing ok. He thought. The sword was a good idea, I guess. Then he turned and flew back towards the other campsite.

He again landed some feet away from the campsite and continued the way by foot. When he got there, he saw that she was somewhat awake. "What's wrong?" He asked, still standing.

Katrina lifted her head towards where he was. "I just had a bad dream..." Then she laid it back down on the grassy Earth and closed her eyes. "Don't worry about it."

Piccolo walked over and sat down in front of her with his back to the dying fire. "What was it about?"

"I told you not to worry about it." Katrina said, sounding a little irritated that she had to repeat herself.

"Well sometimes," Piccolo said. "Dreams can be more than what they seem. So," He hesitated. "What did you see?"

Katrina opened her eyes to look at him. She sat up slightly and leaned on her elbow. "It's not new to me, I've had this dream before. I just see the full moon and a glowing red eye. And then it ends."

Piccolo looked up at the black sky. He saw that the moon was almost full, but not quite. "When do you usually get these dreams?"

"I dunno, about once a month I guess."

"Well that would explain the moon..." Piccolo mumbled, looking back down at her. "What else did you say you see?"

"Just a big, red, glowing eye. I never understood that part of it, but I've never really had to." Katrina said.

Piccolo meditated on it but was interrupted by a slightly strong, cool breeze blowing through the clearing. Katrina lifted her face, closed her eyes and smiled as the breeze refreshed her. When it blew through, she looked back over at him. "It's going to rain soon."

"Caught that, did you?" Piccolo smiled over at her.

"I can usually sense the weather." Then she broke out into a smile and stared off into the distance. "I remember, back when I was about seven or eight, whenever we went on a fieldtrip somewhere, the teacher would ask me if there was going to be bad weather." She remained to stare off into the distance. "I remember when the class cheered when I said it wouldn't rain."

Piccolo watched her facial expression like it was a slide show. First she was smiling brightly, then it faded into a frown, and then finally her eyes saddened and wavered. A few tears streamed down her face, but before she could wipe them on her arm, Piccolo wiped them away with a gentle thumb. "You miss those days, don't you?" he said in a low tone.

Katrina nodded and looked at him. Something had changed since the first time they met. His eyes seemed...open and understanding. They were no longer frozen and bitter.

"What about you?" She suddenly asked him. "Do you miss some of your past?"

Piccolo looked a little shocked that she would ask him. "Why do you want to know?" He finally inquired.

"It just seems like I barely know anything about you...other than the fact that you hate cheaters." Katrina pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them. "I want to know more."

Piccolo blinked at her. He face suddenly turned sour and he stood up. He turned his back on her. "No...you don't."

"Yeah, I do—"

"Get some sleep." He cut her off with his back still turned. "We're still going to train, even if it does rain." He started to walk away when he felt a gentle tug on his arm.

Katrina had stood up and caught him. "Piccolo..." She pleaded. "Please...just tell me..."

Piccolo didn't look at her. He only looked at the ground and wondered why he wasn't still walking. Her grasp was not that strong, but for some reason his feet were frozen to the ground.

Katrina stepped to his side. "Listen...I don't like parts of my past either, but I would still tell you. It can't be all bad—"

"It is." Piccolo muttered sharply. Finally he turned towards her and grabbed her arms. "My name doesn't seem the least bit familiar to you?!" He tried not to scream.

"What are you talking about?" Katrina asked, trying to loosen his strong grasp on her arms.

But then his grasp got tighter and his nails seemed to dig into her skin. "You should remember! It was only a few years ago!" Piccolo bared his teeth. "Fine, if you don't remember, let me give you a hint! Do you remember the name 'King Piccolo'?"

Katrina's eyes widened. The King Piccolo issue was known worldwide. She was lucky enough to not be terrorized by his power. It practically became a national holiday when he was killed by an unknown fighter.

Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "I thought you would know him." Piccolo then released her arms and stared at her with a hurt expression. "He was my father. Basically, I'm an exact copy."