So, I've been going through my outlines and notes, and I've found that this is going to be a LOT longer than Watching was, I believe. Because I haven't even addressed the androids, or Cell, OR Buu yet... So uh... I hope you're in it for the long haul... Because I am! I'm expecting to top out around... 70 chapters? Although who knows, I may be condensing and make it less, so we'll see. Because I'm not 100% sure exactly HOW I'm covering those sagas...
Piccolo threw himself onto the ground, glad for the cool air around him. He was breathing quite heavily, and sweating profusely, despite the chill. Gohan threw himself down beside him, sweating as well, but breathing much more easily.
"Okay, so yes, I'd say about doubled," Piccolo muttered.
"Really?" Gohan asked, his voice edged in excitement.
"Yes, really. We're done for the day. I need to give my muscles a rest."
"My muscles hurt too. I'm not used to this. They feel really heavy. I need to take a bath."
Piccolo shook his head. "The water is too cold. Your muscles will freeze right up."
"Oh, come on, Mr. Piccolo. I'll show you what that big barrel is for beside the house."
Gohan led the way back to the house, instructing Piccolo to fill the barrel with water. Once it was full, Gohan lit the fire beneath it, and shot a small blast into the water to catalyst its warming. He dipped his hand in, and when he determined it hot enough, he began to strip off his clothes. Piccolo, who had never been comfortable with nudity, turned his back until he heard the splash indicating Gohan was in the water.
"Ahhhh! Come on in, Mr. Piccolo! The water is great!" Gohan said, propping his chin and forearms on the rim of the barrel.
Piccolo sighed and removed his own gi, stepping into the barrel. He found he had to bend his knees to fit in so that the water would go to his aching shoulders. He sighed again, this time in relief. Gohan smiled and submerged himself completely for a few moments before coming back to the surface. His hair stuck to his face. Piccolo reached over and placed his hand on the boy's head, rubbing it briskly, shaking the water off.
"You are in need of another haircut," he said.
"Yeah, I guess so. My hair grows so fast! It's so annoying sometimes," Gohan replied.
The two sat in companionable silence for a while longer, the tension in their muscles slowly releasing. Both closed their eyes in content, and tuned out the world around them.
Piccolo's ears twitched. A very soft noise alerted him, and he opened his eyes. Behind Gohan's side of the barrel, a white light began to fade into nothingness.
"Gohan, something's behind you. What is it?" Piccolo asked, sitting up straight, standing tall in the barrel now.
"Huh?" Gohan swiveled his head around. "I don't see anything-OH!" Gohan snapped back around, his hands over his eyes.
"Well? What is it?" Piccolo asked, impatient now.
"It's the Lady Tsuki, Mr. Piccolo. And she's... she's naked."
"What?" Piccolo moved to get out.
"No, you can't look! She's a girl!" Gohan protested.
"I have no intention of looking. Is she awake?"
"No, her eyes are closed."
"Is she breathing?"
"I don't know! I didn't exactly look for that!"
Piccolo grunted, stepping out of the barrel. He flared his ki and then a new gi appeared on him. He approached the other side of the barrel by Gohan, not at all pleased with the situation. As soon as his eyes landed upon her form, he felt blood run to his cheeks and his eyes rolled heavenward. He stepped closer and knelt beside her, never looking directly at her. He placed his hand over her, and in a moment, she was clothed in a gi identical to Piccolo's. Finally, he allowed his eyes to rest on her.
She was breathing, but her ki felt weak, almost identical to that of Bulma's. Piccolo felt his stomach twist. He reached out and shook her shoulder.
"Tsuki. Tsuki, wake up," he called. He gave her a moment, and then her eyes began to open. She squinted up at him for a second, before her eyes shot open, deep blue staring into onyx.
"Piccolo," she breathed. "Gohan... we must... I must..." she spoke incoherently, attempting to stand, yet stumbling in doing so. Piccolo knelt down beside her and grasped her shoulders, steadying her, and easing her into a sitting position.
"No Goddess, you must sit for a moment," he said.
Tsuki's hand went to her forehead and she closed her eyes. "Damn him. Damn him!" she practically snarled. She held her hand out and attempted to release some ki, yet nothing happened. "Damn him!"
"What? What's wrong?" Gohan asked, now out of the water and dressed as well.
"Amat is now as strong, if not stronger, than I. He has made me mortal. A human," she hissed.
Piccolo's heart sank into his stomach.
"What? But... it's not forever is it?" Gohan asked.
Tsuki carefully studied her hands. "No, it is not. See this?" She pointed to a small, almost unnoticeable crescent moon on her hand at the base of her thumb. "That will disappear if I'm mortal for good. Amat has one as well; a sun. This will only last until the moon has completed her cycle and is full once again."
"That's a month away. Why would he make you mortal only for a month?" Piccolo asked.
"I don't know. He must be up to something he does not want me to know about. Something that must be done in the openness of the heavens, where I'd be able to see it. So he made me mortal. Now I am blind to that world. I am an ordinary human. I cannot fly, I cannot utilize ki in any way. I'm essentially useless."
She sighed then, slumping her shoulders slightly. It was then she became aware of her clothing. "I... am wearing a gi. Where... oh dear. I was naked, wasn't I?" she whispered.
Piccolo's cheeks flushed. "Yes. I clothed you."
"Thank you. However, a gi is not proper for a goddess, even if I am mortal, for now."
"There's plenty of dresses in my mom's closet!" Gohan offered.
"Thank you, dear, but I'm afraid your mother was of average human height. I have retained my godly height, it seems, and therefore I will not fit in them."
"Well unfortunately, dresses are not in my repertoire of clothing I can create," Piccolo said, smirking.
"I wouldn't expect it to be. Can you give me just a bolt of fabric then? I will create my own. Gohan, your mother had needle and thread, yes?"
"We have a sewing machine! Mom had to do a lot of repairs on Dad's gis. But we could just take you shopping!"
"As wonderful as that sounds, I must decline. I am nearly seven feet tall. People will recognize me at once from shrines and paintings. I cannot afford to let that happen."
"Oh, I suppose not. Well, you can definitely use the sewing machine then."
"Wonderful. Well then, Piccolo, may I?" Piccolo outstretched his hand over her lap and a large bolt of purple fabric appeared in her lap. "Hm, purple. I do prefer blue, but I think this is fitting for my time here. Thank you, Piccolo. Gohan, since you own this house, may I stay here?"
"Of course! You can sleep in Mom and Dad's room!"
"I thank you."
"No problem! I'll go make sure the blankets are clean!" And with that, the boy disappeared into the house.
Piccolo cleared his throat. "Well... do you feel well enough to stand now?"
"Yes, I believe so. I don't suppose you would mind helping me up?" she asked, somewhat playfully, arching her eyebrow and looking over her shoulder at Piccolo.
"Goddess, I would say being turned human has given you a sense of humor," Piccolo replied, smirking. He stood, holding his hand out and offering it to Tsuki. She grasped it and he hauled her to her feet as gently as he could. She stumbled somewhat, catching herself on Piccolo's chest, still weak in the knees.
"And to think, there was a time when I could grab you around the neck and lift you off your feet," she said ruefully, though smiling.
"Can I let you go now?" Piccolo asked. He did not enjoy touching anyone, with the exception of Gohan.
"Yes, I believe I'm fine," she said, pushing herself back. "This weakness should wear off shortly."
They made their way inside, finding Gohan at the stove boiling water for dinner preparation.
"Hi! Um, Lady Tsuki, what would you like for dinner? I have fish, fresh-caught yesterday..."
"Oh, thank you Gohan. I suppose I do have to eat now that I am human. I'm afraid I cannot eat meat."
"You didn't have to eat as a goddess? Really?" Gohan asked, shocked.
"No. We eat for pleasure only. Drink as well. I've never been hungry or thirsty before. Never had human food. The food of the gods is all fruit and vegetables, found nowhere else but our heavens."
"Oh yeah! I ate that with the Lady Gami! Um, I think we have some apples. And I have rice! Will that do for dinner?"
"I think so, yes. Thank you, Gohan."
"Okay!" Gohan chirped happily, pouring some rice into the boiling water and putting a large slab of fish in the oven. He then bustled over to the table, pulling out a chair for the goddess and gesturing for her to sit. When she had, he pushed her in and then hurried to the sink to pour her and Piccolo a glass of water.
"Again, thank you," Tsuki said, taking the proffered glass. She lifted it to her lips and took a sip. "Yes, I do believe I understand why the Namekians enjoy this so much. Very refreshing," she commented.
"You should try Bulma's water. She has a purifier and chiller... It tastes much better. Hey, maybe we can go over there one day!" Gohan said excitably.
Tsuki shook her head. "I'm sorry dear, but no one can know I'm here. Not even Krillin or Vegeta."
"Oh."
"It's not that I don't trust them, Gohan. It's just the fewer people that know I'm here, the better. I'd prefer it if it were just you two aware of my presence."
"I understand."
"Thank you."
Gohan nodded and turned back to the food. Tsuki sighed, resting against the back of her chair, when suddenly something brushed against her legs. She looked down and smiled broadly, picking up the cat that had wandered in.
"Oh, Luna. Or rather, Jade, now isn't it? Oh, I've missed you, my beauty," she cooed, stroking the cat, eliciting mews and loud purring. "You must watch over him while I am here now, darling. I fear you have better insight than I now."
"Seriously? The cat?" Piccolo asked incredulously.
"Yes, Piccolo. I told you, I am blind to that world. My little one is not, however. She is mostly, for she is simply a cat. But, as I explained to you before, she was my cat, and I willed her the gift of sight, for however little it may be."
"Unbelievable," Piccolo muttered.
Gohan set down a bowl of rice and a plate of apple slices in front of Tsuki. She took a bite of apple and closed her eyes briefly.
"Oh, this is delicious. Tart and crunchy... what did you say this was again?"
"Apple, Lady," Gohan answered, smiling.
"Fantastic. And this is rice," she said, taking a bite. "Also delicious."
Gohan smiled broadly, going back to the oven and plating his fish with rice. He returned to the table and sat to the left of Tsuki. She caught a whiff of his plate and wrinkled her nose discretely. Piccolo, however, caught it, and smirked.
As evening came, they moved to the sitting room and Gohan lit the fire. Tsuki seated herself on the couch while Piccolo seated Gohan before him and began to cut his hair. Tsuki watched them silently, a small smile upon her face as she marveled at the relationship between the former demon king and young Saiyan. Watching from the heavens just did not offer the same magic being up close and personal did. Jade jumped onto the couch beside her and purred loudly, pressing herself beside her former owner.
Once Piccolo had finished cutting Gohan's hair, which was now at a manageable length that stuck out in all directions, he snapped his fingers and the clippings vanished. At her request, Piccolo handed Tsuki the scissors and she began manipulating the fabric Piccolo had gifted her. Gohan plopped onto the couch right beside her, pulling Jade onto his lap so that he could make room for Piccolo. He grunted and seated himself beside Gohan, drawing his legs into his customary lotus position, and began to meditate.
It was silent for a while, the only sound being the snipping of the scissors. Gohan yawned after a while and stood without a word, going into his room. After a few moments, he came back out, dressed in his pajamas. This time, he sat closely to Piccolo, slowly sinking more and more against him as the moments passed. Finally, he sank all the way down, resting his head on Piccolo's leg, fast asleep. Piccolo shifted slightly, and then his hand began to run through Gohan's hair. The boy sighed and smiled softly in his sleep. Tsuki stopped her clipping and watched them, a small smile gracing her lips.
"He really loves you," she said quietly, returning to her clipping.
"I know," he replied.
"And you love him."
"I know."
Tsuki made a humming noise before yawning, rather ungracefully. "I assume this is what it means to be tired," she mused, rubbing her eyes.
"Gods don't sleep?"
"No. I'm constantly working. There is much to oversee."
"I see. Your room is through there," Piccolo said, jerking his head towards what had been Goku and Chi-Chi's room. She smiled and stood, setting her material down.
"Well, I'll retire. Goodnight, Piccolo."
"Goodnight, Goddess," he returned. As she left, he gathered Gohan in his arms and took him to their room, Jade at his heels. He set him on the bed and pulled the covers over him before taking his spot at the foot of the bed.
And that night, he got no rest, wondering what horrors Amat was planning as his sister slept soundly in the mortal world.
Okay, so little twist we got going. Thank you all so much for your patience, as work has been kicking my butt, as has caring for my horse. I love you all!