Yeah, this is late AND short. Bad me. Teaching got a little hectic, so this went on the back burner. Sorry!
"An egg? Like from what you hatched from?" Gohan asked, eyes full of wonder as he gently touched the shell.
"Yes."
Gohan hummed for a moment before a brilliant smile graced his lips. "Mr. Piccolo! Does this mean I'm going to have a little brother?" he exclaimed, excited.
Piccolo stared at him, shocked for a moment. "God I hope not," he answered finally, regaining his composure.
"Why not?"
Piccolo playfully shoved Gohan's shoulder. "Because I can barely handle one of you. You think I need another little brat running around, with you teaching him all your dirty tricks?"
"Oh come now, children aren't that bad," came a feminine voice from behind them. Both warriors whipped around. Tsuki stood before them, a smile on her face. "Hello Piccolo, Gohan," she greeted.
Gohan cocked his head. "Are you the Lady Gami's daughter?" he asked.
"I am. My name is Tsuki, young Gohan."
"The Moon Goddess?"
"The very same." Gohan bowed then and she chuckled. "No need to bow, child. If anyone should be bowing, it should be I to you. You are powerful, young Saiyan. Very powerful indeed," she praised.
Gohan stood straight. "Thank you. I have a great teacher."
"Yes you do, Son Gohan."
"Daimao."
"Ah yes, I had forgotten. Gohan Daimao."
"Lady Tsuki, Mr. Piccolo had an egg!" Gohan exclaimed suddenly, pointing insistently in the direction of it.
"Ah yes, that is the whole reason I am here."
"What does it mean? Am I gonna have a brother?" Gohan asked, excited.
"I'm sorry dear boy, but this egg does not hold another Namekian."
"Huh?" both Gohan and Piccolo asked.
"But... isn't that where Namekians come from? Eggs?" Gohan asked.
"Well, yes. But this egg holds no embryo. Instead, all it holds is pure ki energy. In essence, pure life."
"I don't understand," Piccolo said. "That must be why I felt so ill when Gohan and Vegeta were close to ascending. I was collecting their ki influxes. Right?"
"I would believe so, yes," Tsuki answered.
"So when they transformed, everything fell into place and I had this egg... But why? None of this makes any sense."
"I'm not sure. My mother has some plan for it. For now, we must hide it from my brother and keep it safe. I suggest we leave it with Korin. Eventually, its use will make itself known to us," Tsuki said before looking to the sky. "Your friend is returning. I must leave you now."
And with that, she left, seemingly dissolving into thin air.
"Did you guys know Vegeta is quite chatty when he wants to be?" Krillin asked, landing in the place Tsuki had stood. "I mean, I had to prod him a little, but once he started, he didn't really stop."
"Maybe he likes you, Krillin!" Gohan giggled.
"Doubtful, kid. I think he's just quite prideful of his ascension. So, here's your guys' senzu beans. Hey Gohan, apparently right after you transformed, a huge plot of the beans bloomed! Korin was amazed! Ya did good, kiddo. Ya did good. You guys wanna come to Capsule Corp. with me?"
"Sorry Krillin, but we have to take Piccolo's egg up to Korin!" Gohan explained.
"Oh yeah, almost forgot about that thing. What is it anyways? You gonna have a kid, Piccolo?"
"No. It contains pure ki energy. Gohan and Vegeta's to be exact. Why we have it is unknown, so until we need it, it needs to be kept safe with Korin," Piccolo said, picking up the large egg.
"Why don't I go with you two and then we'll go see Bulma after? I'm sure she'll be happy to see you, Gohan. "
Gohan looked to Piccolo for permission, and against his wishes, Piccolo nodded his assent. "Sure!" Gohan sad happily.
The three then took off for the Lookout, Gohan in the lead. Piccolo held the egg tightly to his chest, becoming more and more grateful this egg did not contain a baby. Korin appeared to be expecting them, standing at the edge of his home, awaiting their arrival. He backed up as they landed, holding his paws out to take the egg. Piccolo practically thrust it into his paws, glad to be rid of it.
"The Lady has told me my mission. Curious, isn't it?" Korin said, his little claws making scratching noises against the shell.
"Stop that," Piccolo snapped, the noise annoying him.
Korin jumped, remembered fear evident. "Sorry," he peeped. "Anyways, I will keep it safe until its use makes itself known to us."
"Thanks Korin. We appreciate it," Krillin said. "Take care!"
"You too!" Korin said, watching them take off before calling to Yajirobi to carry the egg into his home.
The three landed in front of Capsule Corp. and went to the door, Krillin entering without knocking.
The sight they beheld was shocking to say the least.
Vegeta and Bulma stood by the stairs in an embrace, kissing rather fervently.
It all happened at once.
Krillin burst out laughing.
Piccolo's hand slapped over Gohan's eyes.
Vegeta shoved Bulma away and swore, his face red as a beet.
Bulma put her hands over her blushing cheeks, chanting "oh my god, oh my god..."
"Awwwwwkwaaaaaaarrrrrddddddd..." Krillin sang.
"Haven't you people ever heard of knocking?" Bulma practically shrieked.
"I swear, if you all say anything to anyone, I will kill you all!" Vegeta snarled.
"Who are we gonna tell?" Krillin asked. "You are the only people we talk to!"
"So... are you guys dating?" Gohan asked.
"No, we are not!" they shouted in unison.
"Then why were you kissing?" he asked innocently.
"Yeah guys, why?" Krillin jibed, waggling his eyebrows.
"And we're done here," Vegeta said, stalking up the stairs and to his room, his door slamming shut.
Bulma stomped her foot, her fists balled at her sides. "You guys! UGH!" she whined.
"Bulma, we didn't know you two were in here sucking face! We'd have knocked otherwise!" Krillin whined back mockingly.
"Gah!" Bulma gasped, plopping down on a step, putting her head in her hands.
Krillin turned serious then. "I'm not judging you, but, Bulma... he's the reason we lost everyone. How could you... do that?" he asked.
"You think I don't know that? How messed up this is?" she shot back.
"How long has this been going on?"
"Just a few weeks."
"Why?"
"I don't even know. We just... we butt heads all the time, and we were arguing...one thing led to another and well... here we are."
"Do you love him?" Gohan asked.
Piccolo was growing increasingly uncomfortable.
"Oh honey, I don't know. Everything about this is wrong..."
"How so?"
"Gohan, we all know why. If you weren't some sort of god or whatever, you'd still be dead. Pretty much by his hand. Don't you realize that?" Bulma said wearily.
Piccolo bristled slightly at the memory, his hand drifting to the boy's shoulder.
"Has he apologized ever?"
"No, kiddo. And I don't think he ever will. It's not in his nature. But... every day I feel like he's changing somewhat. He's still rough, downright horrid at times, but... I don't know. Things are changing around here. I don't want to jinx it. Only time will tell."
"Well, I think you two will be a good couple," Gohan said, innocent in a way only a child can be.
Bulma smiled softly. "Thanks, kiddo. You're the best." She sighed and then brightened. "So, my little friend, I hear you're a Super Saiyan! The first in a long time! How amazing is that, huh?"
Gohan smiled happily. "It's exciting. It's been what we've been working for for a long time!"
"Care to show me what it looks like?"
"Vegeta didn't yet?"
"Not yet. Didn't have the chance. I was just happy he was back unscathed. That you all came back in one piece."
"Well I can show you!"
Piccolo immediately sensed Gohan was about to power up in the house and grabbed him, shoving him toward the door. "Ah ah ah! Outside! You'll destroy the house!" he scolded.
"Oh sorry!" Gohan said, scurrying out the door. Moments later, a huge influx of ki formed and then Gohan was back inside, blonde haired and blue eyed.
"Oh, look at you! Rocking the blonde hair! And your eyes! So bright! Definitely handsome. And Vegeta looks the same?"
"Mhm. Broly too," he replied, lowering back to base form.
Bulma sobered up. "Guys... how close were we to losing?"
"Pretty close. But Gohan saved us in the end. Just as Goku would've," Krillin said proudly.
"Of course he did. I think we have a little champion on our hands," Bulma said, her tone reflecting Krillin's.
Piccolo shifted from foot to foot, getting gradually more uncomfortable and ready to go home. "Gohan," he said lowly.
"Guys, stay for dinner. Mom's chicken casserole is almost ready, and she made a ton of it. Please."
"I'm game," Krillin said. "I live for your mom's cooking."
"Mr. Piccolo, can we please stay?" Gohan asked.
Piccolo sighed. "Yeah, I suppose you've more than earned it."
Gohan beamed.
A few minutes later found the group around the table with full plates, besides Piccolo, who stood diligently behind Gohan's chair. Upon return to the group, Vegeta's face heated red again, though he held his head high and proud. The warriors shoveled their faces full with the food, though none more so than Gohan. Even Vegeta didn't match his appetite.
As soon as Gohan was finished, Piccolo bade him to say his goodbyes so they could go home. The two flew back to their home wearily, both ready for a well-earned rest. Upon landing, Piccolo had Gohan take a shower. When the boy came out, Piccolo made use of it as well while Gohan prepared for bed.
The boy was already tucked in by the time Piccolo entered the room. He shut the light off and perched at the foot of the bed as usual. Gohan smiled at him goofily and he returned it softly.
"Mr. Piccolo, am I really like my daddy as much as everyone says I am?" he asked.
Piccolo hesitated for a moment. "I didn't know your father very well, Gohan. But from what I do know about him, I'd say yes. Yes you are."
"Do you think maybe, in time, I'll be more like you?"
"Kid, I don't think you really want to be like me."
"Sure I do. I want to be just like you!"
"Kid, I want you to be like you. The world doesn't need two of me. I'm one of a kind."
Gohan laughed sleepily at that and his eyes drifted closed. Piccolo smiled at him and hyper-extended his arm to ruffle the boy's hair. "I'm proud of you, kid," he said softly.