The next few days were pretty uneventful for Piccolo and Gohan. Piccolo allowed him days off, and they spent most of their time at the waterfall, where Gohan would swim and fish under Piccolo's watchful eye.

Today, it was a little chilly, and Gohan determined it too cold to swim. He sat on the shore with Piccolo, flipping through a book of animals. He made some amused noises here and there, tapping on the pages when he read something interesting.

"Hm. Mr. Piccolo, can we get a pet?" he asked, looking up at his mentor.

Piccolo opened his eyes. "What's a pet?"

"You know, an animal you keep for companionship?"

"I am not companion enough?"

"No, you are! Pets are just... different. They're fun! Not that you aren't fun, Mr. Piccolo. I just want something snuggly!"

"There's all sorts of wildlife here. Claim one of them as yours."

"But that's not the same! Besides, they're wild animals. I can't take them away from their home!" Gohan protested.

"Well, where do people usually get pets then?"

"Animal shelters and pet stores," Gohan replied matter-of-factly.

Piccolo grunted and mulled it over in his head for several moments. "Fine," he relented. "But I'm not taking you."

"Bulma might!" Gohan exclaimed. "Oh, thank you, thank you, Mr. Piccolo! Can we go call Bulma now? Please, oh please?"

"Yeah sure. Whatever," Piccolo muttered, getting to his feet.

Gohan smiled brilliantly and bolted to his feet, lifting to the air, and speeding off. Piccolo sped after him, begrudgingly noting the boy was much faster than him now. Gohan was already inside and on the phone by the time he landed and walked inside. He could hear him chattering away on the telephone, his voice excited.

"Okay Bulma, thanks! I'll be right over!" he said, ending the conversation. "Mr. Piccolo, I'm going to Bulma's! She's going to take me pet searching. Want to come?"

"No. I'll wait here. Go on," Piccolo said.

Piccolo sat out in front of the house under his usual tree. It was peaceful here without the boy. Not that he didn't enjoy his presence, for he certainly did, but a little time on his own was treasured. An old habit that would likely never break.

"I was enjoying my peace and quiet, you know," he said as Tsuki seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

"It seems you are getting better at sensing my arrivals," she said, smiling. "Very good. A difficult task for most."

"Well, I'm not most people, now am I?"

"Ever sarcastic, aren't you? Are you like this with the boy?"

"Sometimes."

She smiled again. "He loves you, you know that." Piccolo nodded. "And you him." Piccolo hesitated slightly before giving a curt nod. "Piccolo, you're not going to like what I have to say."

Piccolo stiffened. "It's always bad news with you," he grumbled.

"I wouldn't say so much bad news, as unpleasant. The boy; I need to take him away from you."

Piccolo's lip raised slightly. "Why?" he practically hissed.

"Do not think this is because I lack faith in you. Gohan has much power. Nearly too much for one so young and small. He needs nurturing, help in controlling it."

"And you think I can't do it? We always seem to have this conversation. Have I not proven myself worthy?" he asked, annoyed.

"It's not that simple."

"It is that simple!" he nearly snarled.

"If Amat comes after him himself, there will be nothing you can do. He will kill you. Without a second thought. And then he will kill Gohan," she said, trying to maintain her calm.

"Do you foresee my death?" he asked bluntly.

"Well... it's hard to say..."

"That's not what I asked. Have you seen my death? Is it already written?"

"No. Your fate has been muddled now that it is so entwined with Gohan's. But that does not mean it isn't imminent."

"Or so you think."

"Piccolo, I am trying to protect you both."

"He doesn't need protection. He's a Super Saiyan."

"Broly was nothing compared to my brother."

"Gohan will only grow stronger. He's just a kid. Give me time to train him. He'll grow to overcome any obstacle."

"And if Amat comes for him before the boy is ready?"

"I will not let anything happen to him again."

"You can't say that with certainty."

Piccolo's cold eyes met hers. "I won't let him die."

"You would sacrifice yourself for him?"

"Without a second thought."

Tsuki smiled sadly. "I fear there may be a day where you must prove that."

Piccolo nodded gravely. "So be it."

"You are truly one of a kind."

"Hardly. The boy sacrificed himself for me, remember? I'm returning the favor."

"Piccolo..."

"No. Stay with us. If you're that worried, there's an extra room here."

"I have a job to do."

"And you can't just do it here?"

"Do you want me to live with you, Piccolo?" she asked, smiling.

"Not particularly, no. You're a pain in the ass, in all honestly. I don't think I'd be able to handle you," he replied, smirking.

"I will not sway you, now will I?"

"Not a chance."

"And to think, before, you were so eager to be rid of him."

Piccolo was silent for a moment. "Things change," he said softly.

"Somehow, I don't believe I could have dragged the boy away anyway."

"Then why bother coming? All we do it talk in circles."

"It is not often I come across an individual so strong willed. Most just give me what I want."

"Spoiled?"

Tsuki smiled again. "Been hanging around Vegeta?"

"Not a chance."

"Think about what I said, at least. If things start to seem out of the ordinary, you need to think about what is best for the boy."

"I just want him to have as normal of a life as possible. No kid should be going through what he has been. No adult, even."

"I know. Hardly fair. I admire your persistence with him. You've changed, Piccolo Daimao. Just as I knew you would."

He said nothing at first, merely nodding. Then, "Out of my sire's shadow."

"I would say so, yes."

They stood in silence for several moments before Piccolo perked up and looked up, sensing Gohan's approaching ki. When he looked back to where Tsuki had been standing, she was already gone.

Piccolo waited for Gohan outside. The boy was flying cautiously, something carefully clutched to his chest in one hand, and carrying two bags in the other. He landed gently, broadly smiling.

"Mr. Piccolo, meet our new pet!" he said happily, holding out his hands. Piccolo looked down. A tiny kitten stared back, giving a quiet mew.

"A cat? You got a cat?" Piccolo asked, not entirely pleased. "You could have just gone to Korin's."

"Mr. Piccolo! That's not the same, silly! Korin is like a person, just in cat form. This is an actual cat! Her name is Jade. Want to hold her?"

"No, I do not."

"Why not? She's so soft! Like a feather!"

"I'll take your word for it. Now c'mon kid. It's near your bed time."

"Aw, but Mr. Piccolo! I haven't gotten to play with her yet!" Gohan whined.

"You can play with her tomorrow after training. Off to bed," Piccolo said sternly.

"Aw man... Alright. C'mon, Jade. I'll show you to our room! You can sleep with me!" he said, going into the house and setting the kitten on the floor. Piccolo followed them in, shutting the door. Gohan got a pan out and set it on the floor, filling it with a sand-like substance. "Okay Jade, here's your potty," he said, putting the kitten in the pan. He then got bowls out and poured brown nuggets into one from the other bag and water into the other. "And here's your food and water!"

"Gohan, go brush your teeth."

"Mr. Piccolo, how come you never have to brush your teeth?"

"Because my teeth don't get dirty like yours. It must be a Namekian trait. Go on, then."

"Fine. Come on, Jade!" The kitten paid him no heed, eating from her bowl.

"Just go on. You can get her on the way to bed." Gohan nodded, turning away and walking into the bathroom. The kitten looked up then, and looked about the room, her bright eyes landing on Piccolo. She mewed again, trotting over to him and brushing against his legs, making figure eights around his ankles. Piccolo stepped back, but the kitten stayed with him, continually rubbing up against him. "Go away," he said lowly, pushing her back gently with his foot. She remained persistent, only stopping when Gohan came back out of the bathroom and she scampered over to him to be picked up.

"Come on, Jade. Time for bed!" Gohan said happily. Scooping her up, he walked into his bedroom, Piccolo following behind. Piccolo took up his position at the foot of the bed as peer custom, while Gohan got situated under the blankets, the kitten at his side. He stroked her on the head for a while, the kitten purring loudly. Eventually, both fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, Piccolo felt something tapping at his legs, interrupting his meditation. He opened his eyes and looked down to see the kitten standing on her hind legs, her front paws resting on his knee.

"Go away," he whispered, pushing her away gently. "Go back to sleep with Gohan."

Jade purred loudly, unrelenting. She sank her sharp little claws into his gi and pulled herself up onto his leg and rubbed her head against his side, looking up at him with large green eyes. Piccolo sighed and ran his hand gently from the top of her head to her tail. Her purring got louder, if that were at all possible, and she licked his hand with her sandpaper tongue.

"I can already tell you're going to be just as annoying and troublesome as your owner," he said softly, scratching her chin with one long nail. She curled up on his leg, snuggled against his torso.

Gohan sighed and his eyes blinked sleepily. "Mmm... Jade? Jade?" he grumbled, feeling around on the mattress.

"She's over here," Piccolo said, gesturing to his lap. Gohan smiled and crawled over to Piccolo, tugging down on his gi so that Piccolo rested on the mattress. Piccolo grunted as the boy rested his head on his knee and then ran his fingers through his hair, ruffling it. "This is the only night this is happening. I am not a pillow. Got that?"

"Sure, Mr. Piccolo," Gohan said sleepily.

Piccolo grunted again, crossing his arms over his chest, the kitten and boy asleep on his legs.