A/N: I forgot to mention last chapter that the song in the beginning was Somewhere I Belong by Linkin Park.
A/N2: Thank you Volcanic, Daffodil8728, XZanayu, Miroku-has-darkness, and Shadow Dreamer 27 for your patience and reviews! This would have been up last night but our phone line was all staticy and dialup sucks. Smiles But I did get the next chapter started so that should be up VERY soon! Thank you all again!
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Disarm you with a smile
And leave you like they left me here
To wither in denial
The bitterness of one who's left alone
Ooh, the years burn
Ooh, the years burn, burn, burn
I used to be a little boy
So old in my shoes
And what I choose is my voice
What's a boy supposed to do?
The killer in me is the killer in you
My love
I send this smile over to you
-Smashing Pumpkins: Disarm
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Kage lay outstretched on the grass by the waterfall, his father floating in the air nearby deep under meditation. He closed his eyes soaking in the warmth of the sunlight when he felt a familiar ki approaching him. He sat up then scrambled to his feet,
"What is it?" Piccolo opened his eyes, his deep voice echoing across the pond.
Kage looked over his shoulder at him in disbelief, "It's Ganjo." He said turning back to the direction the ki signature was coming from. It wasn't too much longer before Ganjo reached the small clearing and landed before Kage. The two stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity to Kage. Then Ganjo did something Kage considered amazing, he smiled lightly holding a hand out for him to shake, "Been a long time Kage."
Kage stared at Ganjo's outstretched hand for a moment then grasped it, "Too long… Ganjo I'm-" He froze looking into the other man's eyes, something was different about them.
Piccolo landed by Kage, "It's good to see you again Ganjo."
His father's voice broke Kage from his thoughts; he let Ganjo's hand go moving his hand back to rub the back of his neck,
"Sorry," He mumbled sheepishly.
Ganjo smiled, "Hey Piccolo. Dad wanted to see you, said something about attempting to train Pan. She's a little spitfire." He laughed softly.
Piccolo nodded turning to Kage, "I'll be back later." He gave him a sturdy look before taking off into the air. Kage bit his bottom lip looking slightly childish in his own discomfort.
"Look," Ganjo said softly tilting his head to the side, "I understand what happened five years ago, that wasn't you. You didn't purposely take my sight."
"What?" Kage's head shot up, his eyes widening in shock, "Y-you're blind? Kami Ganjo… I didn't-"
Ganjo held his hands up cutting Kage off, he shook his head closing his eyes, "What's done is done Kage. What you did was… it was horrible; I'm not going to lie to you. But we have to get over it and move on. I have, have you?"
The words, although said with no anger, still stung Kage and he turned away looking to the ground for answers. A few minutes passed before Kage lifted his head again, "I'm getting there." He said softly earning a smile from Ganjo. A memory from when they were younger sparked up in the back of Kage's mind.
"Come on Kage, please swim with me!" A five year old Ganjo pleaded from the pond, the water just reaching his midsection, "It's not cold, I promise!"
Piccolo stood on the bank next to his son, his face neutral like always as he watched his best friend's son stand in the water.
Kage shook his head moving closer to his father, "I don't swim." He said softly toeing the ground. Piccolo glanced down at him then back to Ganjo and rolled his eyes. Slowly Ganjo walked out of the water and up to Kage smiling lightly, "Are you afraid because you almost drowned once?"
Kage, not seeing the reason to be smiling at his fear, scowled and turned away, "It's not funny." He growled folding his arms over his chest. Piccolo found himself smirking at the scene; he had to admit his son inherited his stubbornness as well as his good looks. (And his ego)
Ganjo grabbed Kage's arm lightly, "No it's not, but you have to get over it and move on-"
"Let's go swimming." Kage grinned pushing his guilt and fear to the back of his mind.
Ganjo flashed him a look of surprise, "Swimming? You don't swim!"
Kage laughed lightly, "Got to 'get over it and move on' right?"
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Large brown eyes stared up at the towering Namekian; if she had thought Ganjo was scary, this guy was horrifying. Gohan intercepted Pan, covering her mouth with his hand before she could scream. Piccolo lifted his eyebrows looking at Gohan quizzically.
"I swear I didn't teach her this." Gohan said quickly pulling Pan up into his arms and turned to her, "Pan," He said calmly removing his hand from her mouth, "That is no way to greet guests. This is Piccolo, you will treat him with respect, am I understood?" Pan nodded slowly glancing at Piccolo.
"Why're you green?" She whispered afraid her father would yell at her again for being rude.
Piccolo snorted, "All Namekians are green." He answered simply his eyes sliding up to Gohan, "Why didn't you tell me you had another brat?"
"I'm not a brat!" Pan squealed offended by the statement. Gohan sat her down on the ground and she pouted at the stern look she was given.
"Well… I didn't have time. With you being dead and then gone for four years." He shrugged nonchalantly feeling slightly embarrassed by his daughter's behavior.
Pan's eyes grew wide at the word 'dead', she silently gaped at Piccolo before slipping behind Gohan, "Y-you're a zombie?" She gasped poking her head out from behind Gohan's leg.
"Zombie?" Piccolo echoed Gohan the two men looking confused.
Pan nodded excitedly, "Uh huh. Uncle Goten let me watch a zombie movie last night! If you're dead, then you're a zombie!" She hid behind Gohan again clutching onto his pant leg.
Gohan rolled his eyes, "Goten…" He growled, "Pan, Piccolo isn't a zombie, okay?" He knelt down by her pulling her out in front of himself. She eyed Piccolo for a moment, "You sure?" She whispered and Gohan nodded.
"Positive."
Piccolo sighed in annoyance, "Now that we have that cleared up," He folded his arms over his chest, "I need to talk to you about Kage."
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A/N: Please Review!