After over twelve hours of searching the area, Piccolo and Gohan finally went back to the Lookout.
Rideria and Rikola were heartbroken that no clues had been found.
"We're not giving up." Piccolo said. "That river has something to do with Rhyne's disappearance. And I won't rest until I find out what."
Gohan was absolutely distraught. He had not eaten or slept now in days and his eyes shone every ounce of pain he felt.
"Come back there and rest. I plan on getting with Kaizer and perhaps Goku to search the river exclusively." Piccolo said.
"No." Gohan told him. "I won't rest until she is found."
Piccolo frowned. "You collapse on me and you'll be worthless!" He said angrily. "Now, go rest or I'll knock you unconscious!"
Rideria knew this could turn into a bad situation and intervened. "Look, we're all on edge, but Rhyne would not want the two people she loved the most acting this way over her!" Rideria took Gohan's arm. "Come with me and I'll show you where you can get some rest. I promise, I'll come and get you before anything further is done."
Gohan looked at Rideria for a moment before he nodded. "Fine." Then he glanced at Piccolo as if to say he was sorry. Piccolo nodded and Gohan went about his way.
"The river had no clues." Piccolo said, feeling Kami walking up behind him. "At least, none that I could see."
"I believe I have an idea." Kami said. "It is time we worked with Rikola on her mental powers. If she concentrates hard enough, she may be able to give us some clues as to where Rhyne is."
"She is a mind reader…not a psychic." Piccolo said curtly.
"You do not know the depth of her power because it is an area you have not fully explored." Kami reminded him. "Isn't it worth a shot?"
Piccolo didn't feel this would help, but yes. Anything was worth a try. "I'll speak with her about it. Meanwhile, Goku. I plan on going back to that river shortly." He walked away.
Kami noticed the minor sway in his back as he walked Piccolo's shoulders, normally straight and tall, were slumped slightly. It saddened Kami to know how this was truly affecting Piccolo. All the powers he possessed, yet he was helpless. As a father, it was the worst feeling in the world and he wasn't sure if Piccolo…or if any of them…would ever fully recover. Not unless Rhyne was found….and brought home.
When morning came, Sabrina did not feel any more refreshed. She rubbed the back of her neck and shoulders, feeling a sharp pain. "Ouch." She said at the cramping of her body. "I hate it when I don't get any sleep." She had tossed and turned most of the night, finally deciding to sleep on the couch as to not wake Jade. "Mental note….buy a more comfortable couch." She said out loud as she began making coffee.
Although Jade did not eat, she loved the smell of coffee and had even tried it on one occasion. It didn't take her long to realize the smell was better than the taste. But, she knew it was morning when the wonderful aroma filled the air.
Jade got up and stretched. She had rested somewhat better, but knew Sabrina had not. In only a t-shirt and panties, she strolled through the house, rubbing her eyes.
"Well, good morning." Sabrina said, trying to sound happy. "I hope you slept better than I did."
"A little." Jade said. "Are you worried about last night?"
Sabrina held her coffee cup in her hand. "I worry, yes. What if you had been here alone? Anything could have happened."
Jade sort of understood what Sabrina was saying.
"It's just too dangerous for us to be alone out here without more protection." Sabrina admitted. "I always worried about bears and wildcats. I never dreamed a person would venture so far out into the woods. That's why I chose this place. I only wanted to be alone."
"So do I." Jade admitted. "I don't think I like people very much. Other than you." She smiled shyly.
"God, I love you, kid." Sabrina said. "I don't think I could manage if anything happened to you." She felt hot burning tears well up in her eyes and an enormous lump consume her throat. She put her coffee cup down and leaned against the counter, turning her back to Jade.
"You won't lose me." Jade said. "I won't let that happen! Ever!" She sat there, not sure what to do. She'd never seen Sabrina like this and it worried her.
"Damn." Sabrina said, trying to smile. "I hate it when I cry. Messes up my sinuses for days…" She joked.
Rhyne felt herself on the verge of tears. "You mean so much to me." She said. "I don't remember if I had a mother, but if I did I can't imagine she was any more wonderful than you."
That did it. Sabrina could not hold back her emotions any longer and hung her head over the counter and cried. Jade came up behind her and put an arm around her waist. They stood there, hugging closely for a while before Sabrina got control of herself. "Come on. We're going into town. I'm going to make sure no one every threatens our privacy again."
Gohan had collapsed into the bed and fell asleep almost instantly. Rideria covered him with a blanket and returned out front. Passing her father on the way, he told her what he was planning. Like Piccolo, Rideria was skeptical. "I'll go watch Raina so that Rikola can concentrate all her energy into meditation."
Piccolo explained Kami's notions to Rikola. She had never tried anything like her father was suggesting, but she did not seem as skeptical as the others. Piccolo picked up on her emotions, wondering if she had been keeping a secret from them all.
"Do you think it is possible?" Piccolo asked her.
Rikola's face was emotionless, but her eyes were filled with hope. "Yes, father. I do believe it is worth a try. There have been times in my life, when I have seen things…..strange things."
"Why have you never spoken of this?" Piccolo demanded.
"Honestly, I didn't want to be trained any further." She said feeling ashamed. "I've spent my whole life training my body. I just wanted my mind to be…mine."
Piccolo was shocked. "I only trained you to make you stronger." He said softly. "It's…..it's all I knew how to do…."
"Father, I would not trade a single sparring session I've had." Rikola said, reaching out and touching her father's arm. "You have made me strong. Stronger than I ever imagined I could be. It was because of you that all of us are alive! I know I was being selfish….and perhaps there is nothing there….perhaps I cannot do what is needed….." She said sadly. "But, I will put forth more effort for this than anything in my life."
Piccolo took her hand. "We will do whatever we can." He said honestly. "And if all I ever did was make you strong, then I've done enough."
Rikola smiled. "Father, you have done a lot more than make us stronger physically…." She reached up and kissed her father's cheek.
He couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his face. He looked into Rikola's eyes and knew he loved his daughter, without question. Something that shocked the girl was that Piccolo reached down and kissed her back. "I should have done that a long time ago." He smiled. "Never again will I let another chance pass me by, when I see how quickly I can lose one so dear to me."
Rikola's eyes filled with tears. "I understand now, Father. All of it." She said. "I see Raina…running….playing…laughing….And it breaks my heart to know in a few short years, she will be grown and will no longer need me in the same way." Rikola put her arms around her father and held onto him as if she were a little girl. "But, she will always need me, just like we need you. The love of a parent is not replaceable." She wiped away a few tears. "I'm sorry that we all grew up. But, we will never leave you….you are our Father. Nothing you say….or do….ever, could make us lose faith or trust in you. You are our hero….now and always."
Piccolo's heart was about to explode. He closed his eyes tightly, squeezing back the volcano of emotion he felt. He didn't say anything, just squeezed her tightly. When a few moments had passed, Rikola took his hand and pulled him toward a back room. "Now, show me what I need to do….I want to find my sister."
Sorry that my updates have been so LONG coming...Hopefully I will take time to upload, especially since this story has been completed for 3 years!
Sherri