Yay update! I couldn't sleep last night, so I lay in my bed thinking up this chapter and here we are! Hope you all enjoy!
Gohan's soft breathing lulled Piccolo into a trance-like state for several hours as he stared into the open blackness of space through the window. Every once in a while, a loud snort emanated from Krillin's room, and a soft snore from Bulma's. And once, in the dead silence, a whimpering sound came from Vegeta's room.
And then, just before what would be the dawn, an ethereal glow filled the room and Tsuki appeared before him, a soft smile on her lips. Her eyes were fixed upon Gohan and her cool hand ghosted over Piccolo's, brushing the back of it along the boy's cheek.
"Such a special child," she whispered.
"How did Broly find us?" Piccolo asked, cutting to the point.
Tsuki looked at him for a long moment. "I don't know. There is no need for him to have shown up. Amat didn't need to send him; Frieza was his ace in the hole. I certainly didn't send him. He wasn't even showing up in my fates... Things are falling apart here, Piccolo. Falling out of place, and I can't control it. I fear something bigger than even I had feared is occurring."
Piccolo nodded gravely. "Had he not shown up... Gohan was exhibiting Super Saiyan traits... blue eyes, golden hair, incredible strength...but it was only for short bursts. Would he have been able to finish the job? Kill Frieza?"
"Yes. He would've, somehow. He may have died in the process, but he would've done it. In a way, Broly saved him. But now you must be careful. The boy and Vegeta are on Paragus' radar now, and he'll want them dead."
"Why? They're Saiyans too, are they not?"
"Yes, but Paragus and Broly were left for dead by King Vegeta after Broly's ki read dangerously high at birth. Killing Vegeta is Paragus' way of revenge."
"But why Gohan as well?"
Tsuki smiled at this. "Broly, as an infant, was cradled next to Kakarott, or Goku, as you know him. His incessant crying drove Broly into insanity."
"Shocking," Piccolo deadpanned.
"Hm, yes. Anyways, the boy is close enough in appearance and ki signature to Goku that Broly's anger will waft to him."
Piccolo moved his fingers through the boy's hair again. "Kid can't catch a break, can he?" he asked lowly, mostly to himself.
"The great and heroic usually don't," Tsuki agreed.
"What do we do now?"
"Continue raising the boy, train him to meet his Super Saiyan potential. Once he does, Broly will not be an issue. Broly may be the Legendary, but he is not like Gohan. Broly's strength comes from hatred, the boy's comes from love. Love will always win out."
"When do I know when to let him release it? How will I know he's ready?"
Tsuki shrugged. "You'll know."
"I was getting terrible headaches every time he showed an inkling of his power. Why?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I had nothing to do with that. Maybe... my mother... she may have bestowed you with the gift, though I don't know why."
"And Vegeta? What of him?"
Tsuki smiled. "My, you are full of questions tonight, aren't you? He too will ascend to Super Saiyan. He is close to attaining it as well, I saw, though the boy is closer."
"He will stay with us?" Piccolo grumbled more than asked. He had been hoping the Saiyan would leave as soon as they returned to Earth.
"He has nowhere else to go, Piccolo. Treat him with kindness and respect, and he will come around, eventually. Don't give me that look. Even you can afford some kindness," she said, almost teasing. Piccolo merely raised his lip at her in denial. She shook her head, laughing lightly, and began to fade away.
"Wait! What...what do I do with the boy? Where does he go?"
"Do you not wish to have him in your care anymore?"
"Yes, but...is it wise?"
"I put him in your charge for a reason. There was no mistake in that."
"Whatever you say..."
Bulma was the first one up. When Piccolo heard her door open, he snatched his hand from Gohan's head and crossed his arms over his chest. He debated shoving the boy off him, but Bulma was already walking sluggishly past him. It didn't matter anyways. She didn't send a single glance at the pair on the couch, just waved her hand at them lazily and slunk into the kitchen. Piccolo heard the telltale sound of the coffee maker and cereal being poured.
Piccolo had tried coffee once on the trip to Namek because Krillin and Bulma swore by its properties of keeping the mind focused. He was certain it was the most foul-tasting concoction he'd ever tried and he felt sick the rest of the day. Hadn't even improved his concentration.
Bulma came back out and seated herself at the controls, taking a sip of her coffee and tapping away at a few buttons. She then sighed and, leaning back, swiveled her chair to face the pair. Her eyes flitted straight to Gohan and she smiled slightly.
"He looks so much like his father," she said softly. "I miss him. Them. So much," she added, mostly to herself. "It's just me and Krillin left from the old days... and you."
Piccolo picked his head up at that. "And me?"
"Well, yeah. I mean we were on opposite sides back then, but now...well, here you are, with us. With your sworn enemy's son's head on your leg. I assume you'll be with us from here on out, yes?"
At that moment, Krillin came out from his room, yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Morning guys."
"Shh, Gohan's still asleep," Bulma tsked.
"Oh, sorry. Bulma, how old is the coffee?" he asked.
"Only a few minutes. Still hot and fresh."
"Oh thank god. I really need it." He went into the kitchen and came back out with a mug and a bagel in his hands. "What's going to become of the kid? Where's he going to stay? There's a room available at Kame House with me, if need be."
"Oh yeah, like that's a good idea. Let's let a kid grow up with two perverts, a turtle, and you as the most moral person..."
"Well geez, Bulma, if you put it like that... well... yeah, you're right," he relented.
"He can come live with me. Mom would love to have a little kid around again. He could keep up with his studies, train with you when you come by, Krillin, or you of course, Piccolo. You can come by as much as you'd like."
Piccolo felt his heart drop just a tad at Bulma's words. They made sense, of course. Gohan shouldn't live in the wilderness with him. It just wasn't feasible. He needed a roof over his head, access to a steady supply of food and water, the necessities that a child needed that Piccolo just couldn't provide.
Gohan stirred against his leg a little and sighed softly. "Mm...Mr. Piccolo?" he mumbled, his eyes fluttering open.
"I'm here, kid," Piccolo replied.
Gohan's eyes opened fully and he tilted his chin, his gaze locking fully on Piccolo's face. He smiled broadly, and Piccolo couldn't help but smile back. "Hi, Mr. Piccolo."
"Hey, kid."
Gohan sat up then, rubbing his eyes. "Morning Bulma, morning Krillin," he greeted.
"Morning Gohan," they replied.
"There's cereal in the kitchen if you want some. Orange juice too," Bulma said, gesturing to the kitchen area. Gohan smiled and nodded happily, getting off the couch and going into the kitchen. While he was clambering about, Bulma spoke again, "Mom can take him shopping, we'll get all his old stuff from his house, he'll have everything he ever needs at my place."
"I want to stay with Mr. Piccolo," Gohan said, coming out with a heaping bowl of cereal and a glass of milk.
"Gohan, honey, it's just not a very good idea. You need to live in an actual house. Piccolo can come visit whenever he wants."
"No, I want to stay with him. He can give me everything I need," Gohan retorted.
"Gohan..." Piccolo started...
"No! Before I died, you said I could stay with you!"
"Kid..."
"THE LADY SAID I NEED TO STAY WITH YOU!" he said forcefully then. "S-she said you'd keep me safe and help me. That I can't leave you again."
"The Lady?" Krillin asked, scratching his head.
"Yes. The Lady Gami! She said so!"
"Gohan, who is Lady Gami?" Bulma asked.
"She's a goddess! I went to stay with her when I died. She knows EVERYTHING. I can't disobey her. I have to stay with Mr. Piccolo!" Gohan reiterated, stomping his foot.
Just then, Vegeta's door flew open. "I swear to god, if you all don't shut up this instant, I will kill each and every one of you!" he snarled, slamming the door shut again.
It was silent for a few moments then, before Bulma spoke. "Okay, Gohan. You can live with Piccolo, if he'll take you. You'll take him, right?" she asked, looking to Piccolo.
He nodded. "Of course."
Gohan smiled brightly, settling himself on the couch again and shoveling spoonfuls of his cereal into his mouth. Piccolo grimaced. He certainly hadn't missed that.
Vegeta came back out of his room a couple of hours later, still bandaged up and walking stiffly. Krillin was already desensitized to his presence, and pointed him in the direction of the bathroom and kitchen. Bulma showed no fear of him either, brushing past him in the hallways and sharing few words with him.
It was surprisingly Gohan who showed the most hesitance around the Saiyan, even though it had been he who had defended the warrior on the battlefield and cared for him after it. He gave Vegeta a wide berth and made little effort to communicate with him.
Not that he had much interaction with him. The Saiyan spent most of the day in his room with the door closed. He ventured out only for food and use of the bathroom, barely sparing a glance at his companions.
When dinner came around, Bulma threw a giant dish of pasta, meat, cheese, and sauce in and oven. Lasagna, she called it. Piccolo had no idea what that was, nor did he intend to find out by eating it, but Gohan and Krillin looked equally ecstatic at the prospect of eating it. Even Vegeta popped his head out of the room when the smell of it cooking reached under his door.
Krillin and Gohan sat giddily at the small table as Bulma pulled the dish out of the oven.
"Bulma, that smells absolutely amazing!" Gohan exclaimed, practically bouncing in his chair.
"It sure does. Mom's recipe. It doesn't get any better than this! You want to try some, Piccolo?" she asked, offering him a plate. "You might like it."
"You know I don't eat," he replied from the corner he was stationed at.
"Yes, I know. Just being polite. VEGETA! FOOD!" she practically shouted, causing Piccolo's ears to flick back in annoyance. "Here you go, Krillin," she said, handing him a steaming plate of the pasta. "And you, Gohan," she added, handing him an even larger plate. "I'm assuming you have your father's appetite, yeah?"
"Tell me about it," Piccolo muttered, though loud enough to be accidentally heard by the others, who laughed heartily.
"Woman, there is no need to shout," Vegeta growled, coming into the kitchen. And for once, Piccolo agreed.
Bulma huffed, but said nothing in retort. "Food's done. Ah-ah-ah, don't touch the pan! It's hot!" she scolded. "Get a plate and scoop it out."
"This won't all fit on one plate," Vegeta said, speaking to her slowly, as if she were an idiot.
"You can't eat all of it!"
"Are you kidding? This will barely hold me over."
"You know what? Fine. Let me get my serving on a plate. You can have the rest. Sheesh," she said, scooping some onto her plate. "Well go on, have a seat," she said, indicating to a chair at the table.
"I'm eating in my room."
"Uh, no. No you are not. You're going to make a mess, and then I'll have to clean it up. That bedding has to last until we get back to Earth."
"I will not make a mess!" he retorted.
"Oh, just sit down! Eating at the table isn't going to kill you!"
As the two continued sparring in their battle of wills, the other three sat back and watched in amusement. As Vegeta slumped down into a seat and wrapped his knuckled on the table, Krillin chuckled.
"Looks like the Prince has met his match."
Bulma dropped the hot pan in front of the Saiyan. "Here you go, oh royal highness."
Vegeta raised his lip at her, but said nothing. Instead, he dug his fork into the lasagna and began eating with a gusto that made Piccolo's eye twitch in disgust. When Gohan began to eat just as fiercely, he pushed at the boy's shoulder.
"Slow down," he grumbled. "You're going to choke."
"But Mr. Piccolo, this is DELICIOUS! Lady Gami made pretty good food, but goddesses have some pretty weird fruits and vegetables... and no meat!"
Within moments, Gohan's plate was empty, and he began eyeing the pan Vegeta was eating from, and the contents inside. Vegeta glanced up at him finally, glanced back at his food, and then back at Gohan. He then began cutting into a corner of the pasta he hadn't begun to demolish, scooped it out, reached over, and plopped it onto Gohan's plate.
"Saiyan appetite?" he asked knowingly.
"Saiyan appetite," Gohan replied.
"You know, we're going to have to start rationing food at the rate they will be eating," Krillin said, dumbfounded. "And three times a day to boot."
"It's a good thing you don't eat, Piccolo," Bulma sighed. "Guys, we're going to need to work out a...schedule... of sorts for the two of you. Distribute food appropriately. Understood?"
The two Saiyans nodded without looking at her, mouths still working.
An alliance was formed.