Chapter Twenty-Two
Jade felt wonderfully safe in Gohan's arms. However, she longed to feel the freedom of the wind on her own. "Will you teach me to fly again?" She asked him, her lips almost touching his ear.
Gohan shuddered at the closeness, but managed to smile. "Of course." He said. "How about I show you where we used to spar?"
"Spar?" Jade asked.
"Train….when we were just kids, we started sparring together. You said it was cause I didn't hit as hard as Piccolo!" Gohan laughed.
Hearing his laughter made Jade laugh as well. "I'm sure Piccolo can hit pretty hard!"
"Oh, he can!" Gohan admitted.
Jade could tell that Gohan had deep feelings and a lot of respect for the man he called her father. "How long have you known him? Piccolo I mean…"
"Well, we met when I was barely five years old." Gohan said. "If you think he's a grouch now, then you should have seen him then!"
"Wow…" Jade smiled.
"Yeah." Gohan said. "But, we hit it off right away. And he's been like a father to me ever since. There were many times when my dad wasn't around for one reason or another. But, Piccolo has always been there for me….except that one time he died."
Jade's eyes were as big as saucers. "He…died?"
"Yes….he died for me." Gohan said proudly. "He took a blast, that put a hole through his entire chest….to save me. And he died. It took me almost a year, but I found a way to get to his home planet of Namek, where there were other Dragonballs. I wanted to wish him back."
"Dragonballs? That's what they were talking about last night? That would restore my memory?" Jade asked.
"Yes." Gohan explained to her about the seven Dragonballs and how when collected and the Dragon is called upon, you get a wish. He then went on to tell her about Frieza and the horrible battle that ensued.
"So, you brought Piccolo back to life." Jade said. "That was brave of you."
"I love him." Gohan said without hesitation. "Just like you love Sabrina. I understand how you can have a parent, yet find the same wonderful qualities in someone else."
"You do understand, don't you?" Jade asked as he sat her down in a clearing.
Gohan nodded. "Well, this is it." He smiled as she glanced around at the wide opened space. "We used to train here for hours every day. Then, we'd lay down, exhausted under that tree and talk." He pointed to a large oak tree.
"This place is beautiful." She said.
Sabrina ate breakfast and had to admit that the little black man was an excellent cook. "I could get used to this!" She told him.
Of course, Mr. Popo was thrilled to have someone new to cook for. "I shall beg preparing lunch in a while! Any requests?"
Sabrina shook her head. "I'll eat whatever you decide to make."
As she walked out toward the front of the tower, she spotted Piccolo standing, looking over the edge.
"I envy you." Sabrina said, standing directly behind him.
Piccolo did not turn around, but answered. "Why?"
"Your daughter is a wonderful girl. And it was your love and guidance that made her that way." Sabrina admitted. "And even if her memory never comes back, you will always be her father….that cornerstone in her life that taught her to be brave in the face of adversity. That's why she survived that damned river. She was just too stubborn to die."
"Why are you telling me this?" Piccolo asked.
"Because I want you to know….even if I tried…I could never take her away from you. I see it when you speak, she hangs on every word." Sabrina smiled, fighting back her emotions. "My Jade may be somewhat different than your Rhyne…but her heart is the same. I only hope that I can keep just a small piece of it for myself….and I know that is selfish."
"Why do you choose to stay alone?" Piccolo asked bluntly, changing the uncomfortable subject.
"I do not like the way humans treat one another." Sabrina replied.
Piccolo wondered if someone had hurt her, perhaps enough to make her dislike her own race. "But, you did not fear my daughter? When you found her?"
Sabrina shook her head. "She was so helpless….so injured. I didn't take time to feel fear of her…I felt fear for her. If it weren't for her ability to heal herself, she would have died. I could have taken her to the hospital, but they would have done unspeakable horrors to her, being that she is obviously an alien. I wouldn't put anyone through that."
For the first time, Piccolo turned around and looked at Sabrina. "I realize how much you care for my daughter." Piccolo said. "Your ability to close your eyes to her differences shows me your heart is beyond my comprehension. For, I do not have such a luxury. Too often, I see people for what they are…not who they are."
"You mean…me?" Sabrina asked.
Piccolo nodded. "You were a human, trying to take my daughter away. However, I do not see you in this light any more."
Sabrina smiled, almost afraid she was hearing things. "So, how do you see me now?"
Piccolo took a deep breath, wanting to phrase this correctly. "My daughters have only one parent. Me." He said. "But, Rhyne now has another. She has you for a mother…if that's what she wants. I won't stand in her way to see you or be with you. As long as you show me the same courtesy."
Sabrina couldn't hold in her tears any longer. She felt foolish for crying in front of this big and obviously in control man, but at the moment she didn't care. He was giving her permission to be a part of Jade's life. Forever, if that is what Jade wanted. "I can't thank you enough."
Piccolo scoffed. "Don't thank me. Just be good to my daughter. But, understand, I have final say so. She is a Namek; therefore there are certain responsibilities. Rhyne is to continue her training, and focus on her fighting until…or if…her memory comes back."
"Agreed." Sabrina said. "Whatever you say!"
"Now, do you wish to stay here on the Lookout? Or do you wish to return to your own home?" Piccolo asked.
"Can I talk with Jade first?" Sabrina asked. "I mean, I have her to consider."
Piccolo nodded. "Of course." He stepped off the platform and hovered in the air. "If you don't think she would mind, I'd like for her to use her given name…."
"Yes." Sabrina said, understanding how difficult this must be for him as her father. "I will talk with her about it."
He nodded and flew away.
Sabrina watched in fascination, wondering what was going on in Piccolo's mind. He was so aloof and untouchable. And she wasn't sure how he had gotten close enough to someone to become a father. But, she was a few steps closer to seeing a part of his heart that was always hidden from the world. She smiled, and went back to her room. Having not slept, she was exhausted.
Within a few minutes, Sabrina was asleep.
Three weeks passed before Sabrina decided to leave the Lookout and return to her home. During this time, Jade, who had returned to her birth name, had grown very comfortable with her sisters and her father. And spent a great deal of time with Gohan.
Yet, her memory had still not returned. She had confided in Sabrina that at times, she felt things. Emotions or feelings that were familiar. But, no actual memories.
Knowing that it would take time, Sabrina thought it would be best if Rhyne stayed with her family…alone. For at least a while.
As she packed her bags, Sabrina heard the sniffles coming from Rhyne.
"I don't want you to leave. With you here, everything is perfect." Rhyne said.
"It's not like I won't get to see you." Sabrina said, hoping she sounded stronger than she felt. "Besides, I need to return to work. They probably think I've been kidnapped by aliens or something!"
Rhyne laughed, as did Sabrina. "I'll always be here for you." Sabrina said. "But right now, you need to spend time with your father. He needs his daughter."
"But, what will you do? Who will you watch Lucy with? Or play poker?" Rhyne asked, tears filling her onyx eyes.
"How about, we make a date. Every night at 7:00pm you come over and we'll do whatever you like!" Sabrina said. "We can watch DVD's or play poker. It's up to you!"
"I miss my bed." Rhyne said, unable to stop crying. "I miss my pillows and the way your house smells….like flowers and cinnamon."
It was becoming more and more difficult for Sabrina to hold back her own tears. She hugged Rhyne, hoping she wouldn't hear the cracking of her voice. "I'll miss your snoring too."
Rhyne laughed. "I told you, I don't snore!"
"Whatever you say, kid." Sabrina said. "Now, help me with this bag, amazon girl!"
It was true that in just three weeks of working with her father and Gohan, Rhyne's strength had more than tripled. And she was able to fly at a decent rate. It was as if her own natural abilities were slowly coming back to her, even if her memories weren't.
They smiled, arm in arm, as they walked out into the front of the Lookout. Piccolo waited there, along with Rideria and Rikola.
"We'll miss having you around." Rikola said, hugging Sabrina. "Raina especially." The little girl looked up and hugged Sabrina around the legs.
"I'll miss you too, little one." Sabrina stroked Raina's baldhead. "I promise to come back and read to you again." Raina had developed a love for some of Earth's classic stories such as Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. Sabrina took comfort in reading her a story every day.
Rideria even stepped forward and hugged Sabrina, only not as emotionally as her sister. "I do hope you'll come back and visit us."
"I will. And you are all welcome at my home….anytime." Sabrina smiled. She bid a very emotional and hard farewell to Rhyne, but knew it was for the best.
"Ok…" Sabrina said. "I'm ready." However, she wasn't prepared when Piccolo was the one who picked her up. She inadvertently let out a small scream of surprise.
"Calm down, woman." Piccolo said. "I won't drop you…" She wasn't sure if he was making an attempt at humor or not, but she didn't like the way he had said that.
With her duffle bag in her lap, she held on tightly to Piccolo's neck as he shot into the sky. He did not reduce his speed, but flew at what he considered a normal pace. However, it was a bit much for Sabrina, but she didn't say anything. She just kept her eyes closed.
It seemed like only seconds had passed when they arrived.
"You can let go now." Piccolo said as he landed at her front door.
Sabrina opened her eyes and relaxed. "Oh." She said, realizing she had practically choked him. "Sorry."
Piccolo only snorted and dropped her bag on the step.
Sabrina reached into her pocket and got out her key, put it in the lock and turned, opening her door.
She turned around to say goodbye to Piccolo, only to run face first into his chest. "Oh…." She said again, looking up at him.
"I thought I'd come in and make sure there were no problems." He told her.
Sabrina was not afraid of Piccolo and only smiled. "Of course, come in."
Piccolo ducked, avoiding hitting the doorframe, which was over a foot too low for him. He walked in to the house, which he had seen on one other occasion, but now he looked at it differently.
He could smell the faint scent of cinnamon that Rhyne had spoke of, and saw the shelves of books. To he left was a large desk, then furniture. Walking to the table, he noticed several pictures of Rhyne and the human woman. In each of them, Rhyne was smiling.
"I would like to see Rhyne's bedroom." Piccolo told her.
Sabrina nodded and he followed her down a short hallway to a series of doors. "This is hers." She took the doorknob and turned, allowing Piccolo to fully view the girl's room.
He was astonished. Inside were bright colors, lacy pillows and curtains, and strange little figurines on the shelves. Even a couple of dolls and stuffed animals.
"I let her do the room just as she wanted." Sabrina told him. "We ordered a lot of the stuff out of a catalog, and I gave her some of my old stuffed animals. She liked to sleep with this one." She held up a rather tattered green frog.
Piccolo's whole purpose in wanting to view the room, was to see who his daughter had become. Now, he wasn't sure where to go from here. "I never gave her things like this." He said, almost regretfully. "There were no dolls for my girls….no bright colored rooms….no lace and frills."
Sabrina was stunned at his revelation, and wanted to comfort him. "A girl needs more than frills to make it in this world." She said. "You gave Rhyne what she needed to survive in that ice cold water. None of this other stuff matters now."
Piccolo's large green hand traced along the side of the lace curtains. "Will you be safe here?" He asked. "Alone?"
Sabrina smiled. "Yes. I lived her for three years before Jade….I mean Rhyne came along. Plus, you know I'm a good shot."
Piccolo smirked. "Yes. That you are." Forcing himself to let go of his current emotional state, he headed for the door. "I'm sure Rhyne will be by tonight to see you." He hurried outside.
"Wait!" Sabrina shouted, hoping to catch him before he flew away. "Piccolo, thanks for everything."
"You owe me no thanks." He said, and left. Just like that. Never turning around, never looking back.
Sabrina shook her head slightly. "You are a strange one, Piccolo." She said.
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