Sorry again for the wait and how short this is! This should be the last "filler and preparation" chapter before the reveal of the creature! I'm sure many of you have already figured out who it is by now. I haven't exactly been subtle about the hints...
Morning came, and with it, Shin.
The Kai listened patiently to Gohan and sighed at the end of his story before addressing the three warriors.
"There is not much I can say, I fear. You appear to know more than either I or even Lady Tsuki know. I wonder if perhaps when she gave you life, you inherited some abilities to see into the heavens. The Lady is so weak, she cannot see much. And I am just a Kai. I cannot see very far into the heavens. It isn't my realm. Do you perhaps have an inkling of where it might be? Did you see anything? A landmark perhaps? If somehow Lady Tsuki was able to take you into the heavens, would you recognize anything?" Shin asked eagerly.
Gohan shook his head. "I didn't see anything. Just...just those horrible eyes. They were staring right at me. It knows where I am. We're sure it'll be a year? No sooner?"
"I'm afraid we can't be certain, though Lady Tsuki is fairly certain she is correct. At least, that is what her fates say. I suppose we'll have to see if Amat tries to interfere. He is a powerful god, but I don't believe even he can create something so strong in under a year. All I can say is, train, and train hard. The lady and I have been watching, and will continue to do so. You are on the right path, that is for certain."
"You're sure you don't want to stay a few more nights?" Bulma asked as Piccolo and Gohan stood at the door, Jade in Gohan's arms.
"We're fine," Piccolo said.
"We appreciate it, Bulma. Really. Thanks for everything. But it's probably best we leave before your mother comes home..." Gohan said apologetically. "And before Trunks starts screaming again..."
Bulma chuckled. "No, it's okay, I understand. Piccolo has sensitive hearing. And, well, my mother does have quite the, um... voice. And Trunks' teething isn't likely to let up for another few days until this tooth comes in..."
"Thanks for understanding."
"No problem. Stop by at anytime! Always have the spare room for you!"
"Thanks, Bulma! We'll stop by soon!" Gohan said as he and Piccolo walked out the door. They took to the air, finally headed for home.
Vegeta threw a blast at Gohan, missing yet again as the boy phased out. Growing annoyed, he began throwing blasts randomly, his anger making him sloppy. It had been several months now since Piccolo and Gohan left Capsule Corp. Training was an everyday occurrence, with Vegeta stopping by at least three times a week. And this, this was happening nearly every time Vegeta and Gohan sparred. And Piccolo found he couldn't keep his tongue in check any longer.
"Alright, alright, stop," Piccolo ordered. "We're not getting anywhere with this."
"Think you can do better, Namek?" Vegeta retorted.
"As a matter of fact, I know I can. Gohan, full speed. Don't go easy."
"Sure, Mr. Piccolo," Gohan replied, phasing in and out as he darted about the desert wasteland. Piccolo concentrated intensely for a moment.
There.
He let loose a blast, hitting Gohan squarely in the bum.
"Ow! That actually kinda hurt!" Gohan yelped, rubbing his backside. "Good shot!"
"You, Namekian, explain!" Vegeta demanded.
"You're aiming for where he is rather than where he will be."
"And suddenly you're telepathic?" the Saiyan said sarcastically.
"No. You need to focus on where his ki is going rather than where it presently is. It will bounce to his destination just a nanosecond before he gets there."
"I demand you do it again. There's no way you can do it twice."
Piccolo shrugged and motioned for Gohan to continue racing about the area. Again, he watched for just a moment before sending his blast, this time hitting Gohan in the back.
Vegeta growled and clenched his fists. "Well, if you're so good at it, you can fight this being alone. You won't need our help," he growled sardonically.
Piccolo shook his head. "It only works if your opponent isn't a huge margin stronger than you. Yes, Gohan is a lot stronger than I, but I know him, and have trained him for almost five years. It's easy for me to pick up on his ki. Give it a try."
Vegeta crossed his arms over his chest in defiance.
"If a lowly Namekian can do it, you surely should have no problem, oh great prince," Piccolo finally bit out harshly, annoyed.
Vegeta rose to the bait, as expected. Except his target was not Gohan. With a feral growl, he launched at Piccolo, ki bright in his hand. Piccolo slapped his hand away, aiming a kick at the Saiyan. Vegeta launched a kick of his own, and their legs collided heavily. Piccolo noted in the back of his head that all the one on one with Gohan had indeed increased his ki. Keeping up with the angered Saiyan was not as difficult as it had once been.
Gohan hovered above the two, a hand to his forehead as he watched, annoyed. The two had been doing so well in getting along and training together, and now this again. He knew Vegeta was frustrated at his power level, but to take it out on Piccolo... Gohan felt his annoyance grow. Finally, as the two's fists bypassed one another, each striking the other in the cheek, Gohan had enough.
Phasing in between the two as they both unleashed a blast, Gohan caught both in each hand. Piccolo for once looked as though he was about to ignore his student. Vegeta clearly was. Raising his other hand, the Saiyan unleashed a blast at Gohan's face. Piccolo dodged and Gohan phased out, causing the blast to fly wildly into the desert. Vegeta suddenly found himself on the ground, Gohan's foot resting on his neck, holding him down.
"You're being ridiculous," he snapped out, angry. "You can't lash out at someone every time you're angry."
"Tell that to the Namekian! He started it!" Vegeta ground out childishly.
"Oh yeah right," Piccolo muttered.
"I heard that," Gohan growled at his mentor. "You guys are making this more difficult than it has to be." He lifted his foot and allowed Vegeta to sit up. "You know, you could try listening to what he says, Vegeta. Mr. Piccolo taught me everything I know, and he's rarely wrong."
Vegeta pushed himself up into a standing position, glaring at the Namekian. "I do not need help from a low-class..."
"Why is it always class with you? Why is it always rank? In case you haven't noticed, there's three of us left. Hardly enough to classify any of us. We are equals on this battlefield. So we should listen to each other as equals," Gohan stated.
"Rank is important. It keeps order! And a higher rank, a prince, should not be training with you."
"And what rank was Krillin then? You trained with him, and he was human. I'm sorry he's gone, Vegeta. No one is sorrier than I. I killed him, I know. I know you resent me for it. But you've been going backwards in progress since he died and now is not the time to lose our camaraderie. I-I can't lose you too, Vegeta. Mr. Piccolo and I can't do this on our own. Please, please, help us," Gohan implored.
Vegeta stared at Gohan coldly for several long moments. "Go, fly as fast as you can," he commanded finally. "I want a fair shot at you."
Gohan nodded eagerly and took off. Piccolo's eyes whipped around, following his student's movement.
Suddenly, a blast skimmed just behind him.
Close! Piccolo caught sight of the smile on Gohan's face as he increased his speed, encouraging Vegeta wordlessly. The next blast would have hit him square in the back if Gohan hadn't whipped around and caught it in his hands.
"Good," Piccolo mumbled.
Gohan extinguished the blast and took off again. Vegeta's eyes watched him closely, and he reached out with his senses.
There.
He let a blast fly, landing a rather hot blast straight on Gohan's backside.
"Yeeee-ow!" Gohan cried. "My butt's on fire!"
Piccolo and Gohan flew back to the house sweaty and dirty.
"Hurry up and take a shower. I need one after you," Piccolo said.
"Sure thing, Mr. Piccolo," Gohan responded, going into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of the shower filled the small house. Piccolo went and filled a glass with water, eagerly gulping it down. His mind wandered to the events of the day, reflecting on the boy's mature actions.
"Mr. Piccolo? Shower's all yours," Gohan said, coming out of the bathroom.
"You're clean already?" Piccolo asked skeptically. He didn't know what it was, but Saiyan sweat was distinctly different from Namekian, and he hated the smell. Training with him and Vegeta so much made him slightly nauseous each day, and he would not tolerate it at night.
"Yes, Mr. Piccolo. I promise I used shampoo and everything."
"Alright. Get your dinner started. I will be out shortly."
Piccolo took a quick shower and when he stepped out, he was surprised that he did not smell the tell-tale scent of fish or some other source of food being cooked. After of clothing himself, he came out of the bathroom to find Gohan seated on the couch with his eyes closed and nose scrunched up the way it always did when he was concentrating.
"What's up, kid?" Piccolo asked lightly. He was taken aback when Gohan opened his eyes, revealing them to be glassy with unshed tears.
"Did you know tomorrow is the anniversary of all their deaths? My parents and then a year later Yamcha, Tien, and Chaoutzu?" Gohan asked softly.
"As it has been every year..." Piccolo stated, not sure where this was going. Sure, Gohan was always more sullen on that day, but this level of emotion was new, and seemingly delayed.
"Yeah, but, Mr. Piccolo... I've forgotten what they look like!" he despaired. "I mean, I remember Tien's third eye, Chaoutzu's white skin, and Yamcha's long hair, but... that's it! The details are gone! I can't remember their faces! The details are gone!"
"Gohan, you knew them for but a few hours when you were just five years old. Forgetting is natural. Expected," Piccolo reassured.
"But my parents too!" Gohan cried out indignantly. "I can barely remember their faces unless I'm looking at their picture in my room! My own parents, Mr. Piccolo!"
"Gohan-"
"Next will be Krillin. Bulma, Vegeta, Trunks... You. I'm going to outlive all of you and eventually I'll forget you too. I-I don't want to forget you, Mr. Piccolo!" Gohan said through a choked sob.
Piccolo knelt before Gohan so that they were eye-level. He placed a finger under Gohan's chin so that the boy had to meet his eyes.
"You listen here, Gohan Daimao. We will figure something out. I will never leave you alone, understand? You will never be alone on this planet, I promise."
"Don't you remember? I'm immortal. Last I checked, Namekians weren't. Eventually..."
"The universe owes you much. We'll make something work."
"Okay, Mr. Piccolo," Gohan said doubtfully.
"Now go, make your dinner," Piccolo ordered. As Gohan left the room, he looked heavenward. "You had better not make me a liar, Goddess."