In case you missed it, I actually updated this story on Tuesday. If you missed the last chapter, then go back and catch up. Enjoy!

Oh, and if you're wondering why it looks like A Thrilling Chase got updated - I just decided to delete the last chapter about the spin-off. Didn't know that it was going to make it look like the story had been updated, so I apologize.


Piccolo didn't even know where he ended up. He was in a cold and cloudy canyon. Harsh winds blew from all sides, and the air was thin. It had only taken him a few minutes to fly to the other side of the globe. When he got there, he just lied on the ground, on his hands and knees. He couldn't even bare to stand up, right now; not after what he had just experienced.

How could he let himself get attached? It went against everything he had been taught for his entire life. Bonds like those never lasted, especially with a monster like him.

That was exactly what he was – a monster. He had never realized how many grave mistakes he had made until now. Everything his father said was true. He didn't do enough. He just blindly followed his master's orders. Even when he could have done something, he never did. He couldn't deny it any longer: he was every bit as evil as his father was. He didn't deserve redemption; his sins could never be amended.

This was exactly why he was destined to be alone. And he had no one to blame for it but himself.

Piccolo dug his hands into the dirt, and clenched his teeth. "Leave me be, old man," he snapped. "Unless you want me to kill you, right now!"

There wasn't a respond, but he could still feel his presence, behind him. When was he ever going to learn to take a hint?

"I never truly understood the depths of my mistakes with you… until tonight."

Kami walked up to his other half, stopping next to him. He slowly knelt to the ground, setting his staff next to him.

"You are not a monster. You never were. From the beginning, you were different. Even when you were reborn, I sensed none of your father's malice and hatred from you. You were your own man, even as you plotted my demise. Had I give you a chance, things might have turned out different.

"I set you on this path, years ago. I never gave you guidance, as a boy. I was more concerned about being betrayed and overthrown by an orphaned child. Without that guidance, I felt as if I was forced to trap you in the Dragon Ball, fulfilling my own prophecy. You did all that you could, with your circumstances.

"I failed you, Piccolo. And for that, I am so sorry."

Kami's voice wavered, as he gave his apologies. Piccolo managed to look over at him. He was shocked to see a few tears falling down his face. Kami was always collected and composed; never, for as long as he knew him, did he ever see him cry. It was making him uncomfortable.

"You need not forgive me, for I am not here for my sake. It is high time I finally start acting as a guardian to you. I only hope that you'll allow me to do so, this late in life."

At his lowest point, Piccolo knew that he had nothing to lose. Maybe a bit of wisdom from him would make it all stop. He lowered his head, and nodded.

"Alright. I'll need you to sit up straight and face me."

He sighed, as he shifted around to sit, cross-legged. He scooted himself on the grass, to face his other half.

Kami reached forward, and put his hand on his forehead. He closed his eyes and exhaled. Piccolo sat quietly, waiting for him to finish whatever he was doing. His mind began to feel cloudy and jumbled, as the ritual continued. His head was starting to spin.

Kami opened his eyes and pulled back.

"What did you do," Piccolo asked, in confusion.

"I reached into your mind, to see what had happened. I think I may have an explanation, for your outburst.

"That was not your father speaking to you – I found no trace of him lurking around your mind and body. If you were concerned about him coming out and taking over, then you have nothing to fear."

That was good, at least. "Then, what was it?"

"First, tell me this: who else knows about all that happened?"

"The Grand Elder of Namek, his assistant, and Bulma. That's it."

"How did they find out?"

"The elder has been watching us since we left Namek. Bulma and the assistant found out from him."

"So, you never told anyone what happened, yourself. Would that be right?"

He sighed. His nerves were shot enough, without the incessant game of twenty questions. He rubbed his brow. "What are you getting at, old man?"

"Answer me, please: I believe it's vital to putting everything to rest."

"Yes. That's probably right."

"Then, that is the solution: say your confessions to another, and then you'll finally be able to put this to rest."

He slumped forward, and narrowed his eyes. "You're joking."

"Piccolo, I believe the visions are manifestations of your guilt. You've kept all of this inside for so many years, not telling a soul. It's begun eating away at you. The easiest way for you to overcome your guilt is to talk to someone about it."

"Are you asking to hear all of my mistakes so you can rub it in?"

"No, not at all. I know your history. It wouldn't matter as much, if you repeated it all to me."

Piccolo groaned. "Then, who the hell should I tell?!"

Kami glanced up. "I have two suggestions, for you."

He was about to demand an explanation, but the look on his face gave him all of the answers he needed. "No," he immediately said. "I can't tell them. I… I just can't."

"Why not? You don't trust them?"

"Don't put words in my mouth! I never said that!"

"Then tell me the truth."

Piccolo sighed, and looked down.

"Weren't you the one who insisted that Bulma talk to her love, when she was feeling anguished? Should you not take your own advice?"

He shook his head. "If I told them… I'd lose them. I don't think I could take that."

"I think you'd be surprised – they might a bit more forgiving than you might think."

Piccolo didn't respond.

Kami grasped his staff and stood back up. "I'll leave you to think this over. The choice is entirely yours to make, but I ask you to consider my suggestion. And, Piccolo," He paused. Piccolo looked up at him. "I want you to come see me at the lookout, more often. I think there's much more that needs to be said, between us." With that, Kami hit his staff on the ground, and vanished in a flash of light.

Piccolo just stared at the ground. He put his face in his hand, and breathed deeply. What was he supposed to do, now? He felt as if he was running out of options. He wanted to put the past to rest. But, if Kami was correct, then the only way to do that was to risk losing the only people that truly cared for him. Would that be worth it? His temporary pain would cease, but then he'd be stuck without a home and without companions.

It was too late for him to go back to pretending as if nothing was wrong – his outburst earlier was one that he couldn't come back from. If he went back, they'd demand an explanation either way. He couldn't lie to them about it, though. And he couldn't keep it hidden, any longer.

"Piccolo!"

He looked up. Flying Nimbus came soaring down, from above. Goku and Chi-Chi immediately jumped off and ran towards him.

"What happened," she asked. "Are you okay? Does anything hurt? Are you bleeding?" She lifted his arm, checking for any injuries.

He pulled his arm away. "I'm fine," he said. "What are you doing here?"

"We tried to follow you, after you flew away," Goku said, "but you were too fast for Nimbus to keep up with. We were worried about you, Piccolo."

He looked around. "Where's Gohan?"

"He's back with my dad," Chi-Chi answered. "We asked him to take care of him, while we looked for you."

He couldn't believe it – they were willing to drop everything to go searching for him. He never thought that anyone would have done that for him. Sure, Goku went after him, before, but Chi-Chi was willing to leave her child with someone else in order to find him: the same woman who screamed at him and called him a brute, when she met him.

Maybe Kami was right.

"Come on," Goku said. "Let's head back home. It's getting really late."

Before they could climb back on Nimbus, Piccolo said "Wait." They stopped and turned around, looking at him, confused.

"I... I have to tell you both something important," he said.

Goku and Chi-Chi looked surprised. They clearly didn't expect this kind of request from him. "Can it wait, until we're back," Chi-Chi asked.

"No." If he waited any longer, he might lose his nerve.

They looked at each other, for a moment. Chi-Chi raised her eyebrow. Goku shrugged. She gestured towards him. He nodded. They looked back at Piccolo.

"Let's go somewhere quieter," Goku suggested. "Then you can tell us whatever you need to say."

Piccolo figured that was the best he was going to get. "Fine."