Chapter Two
The rain was still coming down full force, as the days seemed to go on forever. The girls were now two weeks old and had easily doubled in weight.
Piccolo made sure they understood not to go near the end of the cave, as the first step was some two hundred feet down into a ravine filed with rocks. They had begun to walk, although somewhat unsteadily. Now, they struggled with words. Rideria had been the first one to say an audible phrase. Me hungry!…..Piccolo watched as the sound of her own small voice seemed to fascinate the other two girls.
Rikola tried to copy every movement of her older sister, which seemed to irritate Rideria to no end. Yes, this little leader had Piccolo's temperament, which meant the smaller two were in for a turbulent ride.
Rhyne was so very different. She was shy and withdrawn, preferring to keep to herself in the corner while the older two were intent on being under Piccolo at all times. Being that they did not yet reach his kneecaps, Piccolo had to be careful as to not trample them to death. But, Rhyne never seemed to be underfoot as the other two.
Four more weeks passed before the rain completely stopped. Kami watched the Earth from his Lookout, seeing enormous flooding which had destroyed several acres of land. Yet, at least now, the ground was saturated with moisture and the trees were beginning to bud with leaves and fruit again. It was the middle of summer and never could the Guardian remember it being this hot. Temperatures were well over one hundred degrees in most areas.
Kami watched as Mr. Popo tended to his flowers. "Kami, have you had any more of your visions?" Mr. Popo asked.
The Namek shook his head. "Not in a few weeks." He replied. Mr. Popo had been referring to a series of visions that Kami had which seemed to deal with Piccolo.
The first had been about fire. Kami felt an explosive heat, having the power to destroy the world. Its flames were tall and endless, yet, more yellow than red, which indicated that it was not a wild fire. But still dangerous.
Secondly, he had a vision consisting of water. A deep and amazingly blue ocean, filled with beautiful fish and greenery down below its surface. He remembered the way the water rippled, as if someone was skipping stones. Large stones.
Finally, the last vision of Kami's was the strangest. It was air. Soft and billowing, flowing through the clouds, full of softness. He remembered trees blowing gently and flowers dancing as the wind caressed their petals. Nothing but pure innocence and love for nature.
The visions had come all in the same night, just seven short weeks ago. Now that the rain had stopped, Kami considered seeking Piccolo out. Although his Namekian counterpart had never appeared in any of the visions, Kami's heart knew they were directly related. But, Kami so hated to enrage Piccolo, knowing well how he felt. And despite the fact that Kami had nothing to do with what Damioh had done to his tiny son, Piccolo found blame in Kami's presence.
"Kami?" Mr. Popo asked. "Are you alright?" He had been talking for several minutes, but Kami had not heard him.
The Namek smiled. "Yes, Popo. I was just thinking…..perhaps I will go visit Piccolo today."
Mr. Popo almost dropped his basket of daisies. "What?"
"I believe…..there is something that needs my attention." He said. "In a while…..when it is not so hot."
Mr. Popo did not argue, knowing that Kami was wise and responsible. Still, Piccolo frightened the small black man.
Rideria was stubborn. That fact was evident as she tried wholeheartedly to find a way out of the cave. Piccolo was in meditation, but aware of every element around him. Including the three precocious girls.
"Shhhh." Rideria said in a whisper. She took Rikola by the hand and led her to the edge of the cave.
As always, Rhyne was far behind, too scared to disobey her father.
"There is something out there." Rideria said assuredly.
"What?" Rikola asked, trusting every word that her older sister spoke.
"Not know." Rideria said. "But something." She inched closer, a few pebbles falling from beneath her feet.
Rikola swallowed hard, shaking her head. "No…"
Piccolo knew that if they fell or jumped, he would be there in seconds to save them, so he continued to let them pursue their independence. He was curious to see if his oldest could find a way out of the cave and down the mountain.
Rhyne inched back, taking a seat beside Piccolo, trying to be quiet so not to disturb him. Yes, she was Piccolo's shadow. Always close by.
Rhyne knew the man she called Father was her protector. A being, like herself, but able to do amazing things. Sometimes at night when the others were resting, she would stare at him and wonder what was in his mind. When a single onyx eye would snap open, Rhyne would pretend she was asleep. But, Piccolo knew better. Sometimes he would pick up his small daughter and let her sleep in his lap. He did not show favorites, but Rideria and Rikola were not as needy as Rhyne seemed to be. Piccolo tried to give each girl what she needed. Independence, guidance and……affection.
Several more pebbles fell beneath Rideria's feet, but she held fast. Stooping down on her knees, she looked over the edge of the cave and was amazed at the things she saw. Big stones, green trees and the water that had fallen from the sky.
Rikola pulled on her sister's gi. "Too close." She said. Rikola looked back and saw that Father was watching them and knew that he would be angry that they were trying to get away.
But Rideria was not listening. She was consumed with curiosity and determined to see more of this place Father had called Earth.
Rikola had decided she this had been enough of an adventure and let go of Rideria's gi. But, when she did, her older sister tumbled head first out of the cave.
Even as the scream was leaving Rideria's lips, Piccolo was there. She had scarcely fallen ten feet and then found herself securely in her father's arms. He hovered outside the cave, while Rideria clung to his gi for dear life.
Rikola and Rhyne stared in awe as their Father floated in the air. Piccolo had not left the cave since their hatching; therefore this talent was new to them.
Slowly, Rideria calmed down and opened her eyes. She did not let go of her father, but was afraid to look into his face.
"What you did was foolish." Piccolo scolded. "I told you when it was time, I would take all of you out to see the planet." Carefully, but forcefully, he tossed Rideria back into the cave, while he continued to hover outside.
He smirked as Rideria refused to cry. She was scared, but he thought he sensed more anger than anything at being caught and now being disciplined. "You want to see the world?" Piccolo asked them. To his astonishment, it was Rhyne that stepped forward.
"I want to see." She said. "I want to do what you do." She indicated his flying.
"It will happen in time." Piccolo told them. "I have explained to you before, that you will possess many powers. But, they have to be taught to you. If you act as you did just now, I will not teach you." He said roughly. "Do you understand?" He looked particularly at Rideria.
She looked her father squarely in the eyes, almost challenging him. "I understand." She told him. Rikola and Rhyne also agreed.
"Fine. Then come here." He motioned for them to walk to the edge of the cave. They were all the same size, but Rhyne was just a tiny bit shorter than her sisters. So, he picked her up first, securing her in his arms. Next were Rideria and Rikola. When they were holding on securely, Piccolo flew slowly downward. He passed the flooded areas and headed to the waterfall.
The area of the woods was beautiful. Apple and pear trees were everywhere, as were wildflowers. The waterfall itself was about twenty-five feet tall and flowed peacefully around an array of gray and white rocks.
Piccolo sat the girls down and watched as they admired their surroundings. Their small black eyes were huge, their mouths open slightly. He smiled at their first view of Earth.
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