Chapter 9

The two spent a good hour discussing todays sparring and details that happened in previous duels, what the boy did wrong and what improvements he needs to work on, after that they both settled, Piccolo getting ready to meditate the night away and Gohan massaging his muscles

"Mr. Piccolo ? "

"What"

Gohan almost did a double take, Piccolo has never answered like that before, he was usually grunting

"If you have nothing to say, then go to sle-"

" w-wait " the boy felt his pulse sky rocket, as utter excitement fills his chest, was this is it ? was his green, cold and distant friend finally going to at least attempt to connect with him through non battle related conversation ? to say Gohan felt elated is an understatement, his wishful thinking and optimism made his 'high' worse

Gohan was a jumble mess, but he must keep himself together, he cannot let this opportunity go!

" uh, can you share anything about yourself?" the kid mentally face palmed himself, what kind of question is that ? Yes ask Mr. one to three words per answer an open ended question, what a brilliant idea

"I like waterfalls." Piccolo answered dryly

The boy wasn't ready for this at all, not only did Piccolo actually answered, but answered what he would always call 'non-sensical questions' directly, Gohan felt like walking on a tight rope with sharp rocks below

"Oh, why is that? " the half Saiyan, Invited ( and gravely wished for ) his Namekian to talk more

There was a considerable pause before Piccolo answered

"it's sounds calm me down"

Gohan urged more answers "because? "Feeling tense

Piccolo bit back the feeling of panic and urge to shut down, he decided he was going to do this, not run away from whatever this was

"It drowns out the other sounds from the world, sound from People"

Piccolo's ears went slightly down, a telltale sign Gohan knew that his friend was getting sad, the air felt restrained, and the boy felt suffocated, he remembered when Piccolo told him about his plan on leaving him to survive in the wilderness he was so scared and lost back then to fully interpret what the Namekian was saying, then it hit him, Piccolo's story it was brief he only shared what was necessary to prove his point about surviving, the boy deduced that the reason Piccolo likes it when the waterfall sound drowns out other people noises is cause people noises only reminds him of bad memories

Memories of people being against him

Memories of being scared and alone

Memories of him having no choice but to fight alone

The way his friend said his story, he was cold and you can even argue proud? Proud of being able to survive against a planet that wanted him dead from the moment he was born, Piccolo acted like it doesn't affect him one bit, but Gohan knew better now, he patted himself at the back for taking the time to understand how his tall friend actually show emotions, which lead an even bigger need to be protective towards Piccolo

His Piccolo. His very first friend

Junior felt instant regret opening up, the boy was already looking at him with misty eyes and crumpled lips, he barely said anything and the brat was already vigorously punching him with care and sympathy he didn't ask for

His scowl deepen, and he let out a dreary sigh

"Does this answer suffice, will you go to sleep n- "

"We should train harder " Gohan interrupted

Piccolo nonchalantly blinked twice, did he hear that right? Of course he did, just look at his amazing ears

"Alright."