Disclaimer: I don't own nothing. Har har har. >_>

Sorry for another wait. @_@ I've been loaded up with school (Evil) and volleyball (which is just about as evil, though it can be fun) Anyways, I've gotten requests to add a little more romance, ^.~ so you'll find some in this chapter. I say the boys do need a little cheering up, eh? ^.^ Heh. Well, enjoy. ^__^

AN: There will be a lot of skipping around in this chapter, from event to event, just because I'm not very...well, knowledgable in those areas. Like college classes. I have no idea what goes on in them. And football. My sports do not include that one, so...I'm skipping the parts where they actually, you know, play. Hehe. ^.^; Anyways, just left like saying that! Enjoy the chapter.

~*~

Piccolo, Vegeta, Krillin, and Goku sat in their room, talking into the late hours of the night. It had been a long time ago when a curtain of intense blue swept across the horizon, bringing out the city lights to twinkle in the darkness, like fireflies in the sky. Piccolo never would have thought, when he was a few years younger, that is, he would be going through something like this.

Something so emotional. Something so...deep. He would have never imagined it happening to him in a million years. Heck. Then, he never had thought he would even have a girlfriend. He felt overwhelmed. He never knew someone could...feel so much at one time. It was like he was going to explode. The sense of confusion, of worry, of fear...it all felt so new to him, even though it had been going on for almost a year...

Now, as he looked at his friends, he felt an intense feeling of great fullness fill is entire being. They really cared. Even Vegeta, the arrogant, self-centered prince of a dying race, who usually he fought will and made fun of, actually cared about how hard this was on him. Goku, the stupid, innocent saiyan who usually didn't even notice when he was hit in the head with a heavy object, was sitting here with him, talking it out, noticing his pain, trying to help. And Krillin...the little bald guy, whom he really didn't know as well as the others, even this little guy cared for him, even though he wasn't as close to him as the others were.

Piccolo hadn't broken his promise to Karina's kidnapper. He never had actually told the others. It didn't count if they over heard, right? And now Krillin knew as well, but it hadn't been Piccolo who told him. Vegeta and Goku did that. The thought of this irony, and how this loophole worked almost made Piccolo smirk in amusement. But, it didn't. He was far from showing any kind of sign of happiness period at the moment.

Piccolo's unfocused gaze shifted to the window, looking up at the scattered stars in the sky. The frat was in the city, and the light pollution didn't help the stars become very visible. But tonight, despite the city's glowing street lights, the stars were very viable indeed. They shone against the blanket of blackish blue easily, and this, in some odd way, gave Piccolo a mixed feeling of hope, and sadness.

He envied the stars. They were so free, so shining. They seemed to be happy. High in the night sky, they glimmered and sparkled without a care, while he sat down there on earth, feeling like he was in a hell hole. A hell hole of depression and worry. And most of all fear. He hated the feeling of fear. He had never felt fear before. Not really, even when Karina had first been kidnapped. Then, he had almost been sire of her death. If she was not in existence, then why should he fear for her well being, all he had been able to do was mourn, and wallow in self pity and regret.

Piccolo was completely unaware of the conversation Vegeta and Goku were engaged in. Krillin was listening silently, sitting on one of the edges of the beds, his fingers laced with each other between his legs, which loosely hung open. Awkwardly, though none of them even seemed to notice, the only clothing any of them were wearing was boxers. Piccolo just stared out the window. Still thinking...always thinking.

'It's not fair,' He thought, as one star his eyes were focusing on the most seemed to give a little extra twinkle of light at the same time of this thought, as though the star could read his mind, and knew it was being thought about, 'Karina is God knows where, trapped, alone...while that star sits high in the air, completely fine, surrounded by friends, not a worry in the world.' Piccolo felt his stomach sink. He once again, was shocked that not so long ago, he had never even thought about girls. How could so much have changed, and so quickly? He had never ever imagined feeling so much...for one woman. A woman not even in his race. He loved her...and couldn't deny it.

'Karina...please...be safe...' Piccolo thought pleadingly, his eyes lifting to the ceiling as if in prayer, 'Please...stay alive...' To Piccolo's extreme surprise, he felt tears sting his eyes. How could he be thinking this? It was as if he was asking her to just take care of herself. And she was completely helpless, wherever she was. She couldn't do a thing, at least, not now. She probably had tried. Piccolo knew past her timid, sweet side, Karina was strong. But, even if she had tried, tried to take care of herself, try to free herself, she couldn't. He didn't want to act like he was superior, but he doubted Karina could take on however many men were holding her captive. She was a human...so weak, so fragile... Sometimes he saw her as porcline. And he knew, even if she was strong inside, she could easily break physically.

Again Piccolo felt a sense of self-hate. He hated that he could think something like that. She was in peril, and there he was, asking her to be safe, to stay alive, as if she was in control of what they did to her. It was up to him to keep her safe. He was her only hope of survival. 'And you just think she can control what happens to her?! So STUPID!'

Piccolo was beating himself up inside again. He took a deep, shuddering breath, his temple pounding. He remembered when Bulma had told him to stop beating himself up about it...that it wasn't his fault. Her words helped slightly. He decided he hadn't been accusing Karina of being able to take care of herself. 'I just...' He thought, he felt as if Karina was hearing his thoughts, as if she was watching him with her gentle eyes, as he closed his tightly, choking back a sob, 'I just need you to stay alive. I need you...I love you...'

He felt so desperate...so hopeless...so lost... He wanted to cry. To really cry, like he had when he first learned she was gone. To let uncontrollable sobs shake his body, to release his pain somehow, to try and get this bottled up feeling out of his system. He had cried for the first time, for hours, just straight hours, lying on his bed during the football championship, sobbing his heart out. Begging forgiveness. To Karina, his angel, for he had thought she was most certainly gone, gone from this Earth, and was now watching him cry, watching him release his pain as an angel above.

But, she wasn't gone. She wasn't an angel. Not one out of this world anyways. In his eyes, she would always be an angel. Radiant and beautiful, with the heart as pure and loving as a real angel. This thought gave him a bit of hope, making the urge to release his pain through tears slowly ebb away. A warmth swelled in his chest. He felt...as if someone was watching over her. Some bigger force. An unearthly force. Someone that could really keep her safe.

The stinging tears slowly diminished their need to leave his eyes as he blinked them back. He gave a small sigh. All he could do was hope.

~*~

Darkness. Everywhere. It shrouded her, like a thick blanket, a hot, sticky blanket. And then, suddenly, the blanket would be pulled away, and she would gasp as the light blinded her, and she felt herself forced into the darkness once more. She could feel the cold night air chilling her bones. She could feel herself pushed forcefully into a small space. Her bound ankles and wrists made it hard to walk, much less move freely at all.

Many times, when she knew she was alone, when she couldn't hear their voices, and knew no one was around, she would cry. Cry into the cloth over her eyes, let it become drenched with her tears until the crying finally stopped. 'Oh...Piccolo...' She would sob, wishing he was there. There to take this pain away..there to hold her. To keep her warm in his arms...

~*~

The next morning the sun rose slowly, slowly letting it's light creep over the hills and mountains, slowly spreading over the city, which was already awake with life. The city rarely slept, and there was always cars moving, people bustling about on their morning routines. A lot of people were just getting home from night shifts, ready to go to sleep, since their sleep came in the day, unlike for other's, whose rest came during the moon's round. Some people were returning to their homes from a night at the bar, ready to get sober and rested for tonight.

Piccolo and the other's were still awake when the sun sneaked into the window of their room. They hadn't even talked all of the night. For many hours they were content with just sitting and thinking, staring at different parts of the ceiling and wall, and also out the window. After a few moments of silence as the sun slowly but surely brightened the room, Piccolo stood, stretching slightly. The bed squeaked slightly as his weight lifted from it.

Without a word, he walked to the dresser, pulled out some pants, and started to get dressed for school. The other's slowly did the same, still not speaking. It was only when they went into the kitchen to start getting some breakfast, when they talked. It was Goku who broke the silence.

"So...you are trying out for football...right, Piccolo?"

Piccolo looked at him for a moment, as did the others. After a small pause, he replied, "Yeah..."

Goku looked relieved with a small smile. "Good."

Vegeta smirked while loading a plate with various breakfast foods. "Yes, green bean will be very useful on the team."

"How about you?" Goku looked to Krillin. "Are you trying out?"

"Yep." Krillin replied with a grin.

Goku grinned back, "Yay!"

"Well, it's not like we have much to worry about," Krillin said matter-of-factly. "There aren't many people that are profoundly strong, like we are."

"Yeah, and they are human." Vegeta said as if it was the answer to everything..

"Hey, I'M human!" Krillin said defensively.

"No kidding?" Vegeta looked at him through half closed eye lids, "And I thought you were a saiyan."

"But, you said-"

"I meant that most humans are weaklings."

Krillin gave a small shrug of defeat, semi-agreeing, but still feeling a little offended. 'Don't let him get to you,' Krillin assured himself, 'I mean, it is Vegeta we're dealing with here...'

'You have got a point there.' Krillin agreed.

'Yeah, I know, so don't let that ass offend you.'

'Good idea.' Krillin thought.

'I told you to listen to me more often.'

Krillin shifted about uncomfortably, 'But your ideas aren't always the best..'

'Sure they are.' Came the reply, 'It's your fault you don't carry them out correctly.'

Krillin narrowed his eyes, 'I did just as you told me!'

'My ASS you did! You always screw everything up...'

Krillin growled slightly, 'I do not!'

'Do too.'

'Do not!'

'Do too.'

'Do not!!'

'Do too.'

'Do not!!!'

'DooOoo tooOoo...' Was the sing-songy reply.

"SHUT UP!" Krillin burst out loudly, and all the others in the room blinked, turning their heads to look questioningly at the shiny-headed teen.

Krillin stood holding his head, eyes darting about crazily, as if looking for another person in the room who was not there. Vegeta and Piccolo glanced at each other, and in unison, their left eye brows(/ridges) lifted. They looked back to Krillin, who was being gawked at unceasingly by Goku, who's look was nothing short of complete confusion.

Unfortunately for Krillin, he was finding himself in a very awkward position indeed, and quickly tried to calm down and attain a normal look. Dropping his hands and taking a deep breath, he ran one hand over his bald head as if wiping sweat from it, or smoothing the hair that did not exist there back. He gave a nervous smile that he obviously hoped was reassuring. Added to this smile, he gave a harsh laugh, that was more like a bark, and quickly shut his mouth again, hearing the odd tone to his voice, which was caused by his embarrassment and nervousness.

Goku was still staring non-stop, making the whole situation, for Krillin, even worse. Shifting from foot to foot as if movement would avert the aghast saiyan's eyes, Krillin shoved his hands in his pockets, then stared down consciously at the floor. This was mainly to avoid Goku's uncomfortable gaze, and he could not help but wonder why exactly Goku found this as such an amazing spectical.

"Um...sorry," Krillin finally said, breaking the dead silence as his eyes consciously glanced about at the faces around him, "I, uh...had a head ache."

After a pause, where more uncomfortable silence filled the room, Vegeta slowly spoke, word for word, as if Krillin might not understand if he said it too quickly, "So...you were telling...your headache...to shut up...?"

Goku's face, if possible, contorted into an even more puzzled look, his eyes never leaving Krillin. The bald teen gave an uncomfortable cough, then rubbed the back of his glimmering head, looking back to the floor. "No...I just, er..."

Another quiet that was so piercing filled the room, and soon a faint buzzing was heard in each of their heads, from lack of real noise. Goku finally pried his eyes from Krillin's embarrassed face to look around stupidly for the source of the buzz. Of course, there was no source of the buzz. It was all in his head, as well as everyone else's. And it was even worse in Piccolo's sensitive, easy-to-irritate ears.

"Hearing voices?" Piccolo asked, more to really just break the silence and get the buzz out of his head then anything else.

"NO!" Krillin said at once, almost too quickly. Again, Vegeta and Piccolo exchanged doubtful glances.

Vegeta opened his mouth to criticize and make fun of the poor short one, but Piccolo saw this and quickly moved his elbow roughly into his side, and the only sound that escaped Vegeta's mouth was an uncomfortable grunt. Growling, the spiky-haired prince turned a hateful gaze upon the annoyed Piccolo, who merely gave a sharp shake of his head to tell Vegeta to keep his mouth shut. Vegeta gave a scowl that looked like more of a pout, looking to the side stubbornly. He decided, however, there was enough stress on them all to add more...

Piccolo looked at his wrist watch. "Better head out or we'll be late for class," He declared quickly, lugging his bag over his shoulder.

"Yeah," Krillin agreed, happy for the interruption, and followed Piccolo's example willingly, slinging his bag over his shoulder, the device buldging with his football pads. The others did the same, though a little slower and hesitantly.

Soon, they all decided in silent, mutual agreement, or nods and knowning looks behind Krillin's back, to forget about the whole little 'incident' in the kitchen as they made their way trudgingly over the campus, toward the main buildings. If Krillin was hearing voices, it was his problem, not their's. Right? Vegeta coughed. Right.

~*~

The only sound for a while was their feet heavily hitting the grass, seeing as it was early in the morning and none of them had gotten much, if any, sleep last night. Finally, deciding to make conversation, Krillin spoke up, "Odd how there are actual TRY-OUTS for football..."

"Yeah," Piccolo agreed, not looking up from the movement of his feet, "In high school you used to sign up and boom-you were in. Not anymore."

Vegeta nodded, "Guess the standards for this coach is really high. It's the best or none."

Goku gave a small pout, "That means there won't be that many people, and we'll have to probably be playing a lot more with no subs."

Vegeta looked back at Goku, who was to his side and behind, "You are complaining?" He gave a small shake of his head, then said flatly, "Better drop that attitude."

"Besides, when have you ever been the one to complain, Mr. 'It's alright guys! Let's keep at it!'" Piccolo said, eye ridge raised questioningly.

"I'm not, I'm not..." Goku said, looking at the ground as if trying to think of something to back up this statement, "I just meant, well, it's going to be true..."

"It doesn't matter," Vegeta huffed, looking forward, "We're some of the best players anyways, and they won't let us rest much anyways, just like last year."

"Yeah, that's true..." Goku agreed, though not willingly.

"I think it will probably be a breeze," stated Piccolo airily with a wave of his hand, "I doubt there will be anyone on other teams to be much of a challenge. I bet practices and scrimaging will be more entertaining."

"Heh," Vegeta laughed confidently, giving a nod of agreement, "Exactly. There won't be anyone like US out there on the other teams. Sure they might be talented, by human standards,"-At this point, Krillin gave an indignant cough, but Vegeta ignored him-"but they haven't seen anything close to talent yet."

They finally reached the towering dome that was the football field, surrounded by many seats, rows and rows. Not like a professional stadium, exactly, but quite a nice stadium none the less. They went through an entrance, quickly finding the locker room, thanks to helpful signs on the walls, which also had Braille below the raised letters. They went inside, and were surprised to see how many young men were already there. They had heard the muffled noises of talking and movement once approaching the door, but as it was opened, the sound increased ten-fold, making the few that just arrived blink, and even the sensitive-eared Piccolo grimace.

The hustle and sound of so many voices at once was surprising, but even more surprising was the lack of clothes. Some of the men just walked about, to and from the showers, completely without a scrap of clothing, not including the towel around their neck or hanging carelessly over their shower. All of their eyes widened, then quickly averted from these sites, and made their way unsteadily inside, looks of disgust on their faces. Sure, they had been in the showers with other guys before while in the gym, but had had the decency to put on a towel before and after showering. Vegeta's eye twitched, and Piccolo looked beyond disturbed, staring determinedly at his new locker as he stripped is shirt off, throwing it into the locker. He bent down to the bench before the lockers, taking out his football pads from his bag, never looked anywhere else besides the pads, the floor, and his locker. He began putting them on in an almost mechanical way, very used to this routine.

Soon him and all the others were dressed in their football attire, and in this time-span, the realization came to their minds that it was just before try-outs, and they had done nothing yet to need a shower. So why were the other men taking showers? Perhaps they had not showered for a few days and wanted to freshen up. Uncomfortably, they quickly left the room in an unceremonial way, clambering for the door as if a fire was spreading in the locker room, and they were all trying to get to safety.

Feeling much more comfortable as they walked out onto the green, lush grass of the huge field, they relaxed and slowed their pace down, which had practically been a sprint all the way from the locker rooms 'till reaching the field. Piccolo straightened the collar of his football jersey, as if he was straightening his tie, giving a cough. The others loosened up soon as well, and they went into scattered stretching, doing different stretches on and off.

Goku's head turned when he saw movement on the other end of the field. There was their coach, adorned in blue sweat pants, a grey t-shirt, whistle askew upon his chest. Titebutte looked as harsh as ever, his thick brows set in a stern scowl, his upper lip almost curled, the wrinkles around his nostrils evident from even a far distance away. It seemed that he was not having the best of days.

'Uh-oh...' Goku thought, then elbowed Vegeta, who was closest to him, and gave a nod of his head in the coaches' general direction. Vegeta growled slightly at the elbow nudged into his rib, then looked in the indicated direction. He passed the 'message' to Krillin, who in turn passed it to Piccolo. Soon they were all watching the angered Titebutte storm closer.

Once he arrived, all the other players (now dressed in pads, etc) were also out, and watching. Everything, except the sound of the coaches' storming cleats on the grass, was quiet. He finally arrived in front of them all. He took his wistle in his hand, shoved it in his mouth, and blew loudly, the shrill scream echoing through the stadium long after he had lost his breath.

Piccolo thought he was going to keel over.

Titebuttes voice was a snarl, "Welcome to hell, ladies."

~*~

End.

I know, a sucky ending, but I mostly wanted to get a chapter up before I went out of town. Sorry it took so long, and hope you all like it. Please review!!!!