Gohan knew he shouldn't have sneaked out of home and leave his mom alone, especially tonight of all nights. Well, technically she wasn't alone. Grandfather was home, too. If he wasn't, Gohan was sure he wouldn't even consider leaving. She was in very bad shape after hearing the news of his father's death as well as news of his decision to not come back to life. She cried for hours, well into the night until finally she fell asleep from sheer exhaustion.

He had to sneak out, though. He had to see Piccolo. There was no other way. He had to talk with somebody who he new would tell him the truth and not coddle him like he was still a baby. Sure, he was young, but he was almost his father's age when he went on his first adventure with Bulma, looking for Dragon Balls and having lots of dangerous adventures. Nobody coddled his father then, he was sure of it! He was much more powerful than his Dad then, too. So it just wasn't fair that everybody still treated him like he was a toddler. Everybody except Piccolo, that is.

Ha! Even when he really was a toddler Piccolo didn't treat him as such! He always could count on his sensei.

Gohan accelerated his flight toward the Lookout. He really needed to make this fast. He didn't want to risk his mom waking up and finding him gone. She needed Gohan there with her now. He had to talk to someone, though. Someone not likely to burst into tears in the middle of conversation and not likely to try to placate him with a pretty lie.

He didn't make a sound when he landed several feet away from Piccolo, his training so ingrained in him he didn't even think about it anymore. Mr. Piccolo and his father's instructions no longer repeating in his head. It was instinct now.

"Mr. Piccolo..." Gohan whispered softly.

Despite the distance between the two of them, Piccolo heard the boy clearly. He opened his eyes and slightly inclined his head toward Gohan to let him know that he was listening.

"Do you think Dad hates me?"

The question burst out in whisper even before Gohan thought about it consciously. It was the wrenching pain in his chest, a gaping wound. One doesn't need to think about what hurts when it's just so agonizing. The whisper didn't diminish the feeling, didn't bring relief, though. At least it didn't rip him further into shreds.

"What are you talking about, kid?" deep, gruff voice of Namekian sounded almost loud in the night.

Gohan exhaled in resignation and hung his head in shame. There was really no point in pretending before Piccolo.

"Well, that's the only reason I can think of why he wouldn't allow us to wish him back." Gohan sat near his teacher and friend mirroring his lotus position. He trembled slightly from the avalanche of emotions inside of him, but held them back as well as he could. Nothing good happens when he allows his emotions to rule him.

Silence stretched again between them. Gohan knew how to wait. His teacher never was very talkative. Instead he looked around and allowed his mind to wander about.

It was very dark on the Lookout. The Palace lights were out. It looked like Dende and Mr. Popo were sleeping.

He'd better stay silent, then, he thought. It was a rough day for everybody, Kami of Earth included.

The stars shone brightly above the two. It was probably the best place for stargazing. Bright lights seemed so close, one could drown in them. It reminded Gohan of the training in the desert with his sensei. Familiarity of it calmed his soul just enough to take a few deep breaths. Ever since he told his mother about his dad he felt like he was suffocating. Right now, just being beside his sensei he could feel the pressure go away just enough to really breathe.

"Kid, you remember what he said..." Piccolo said finally and Gohan felt himself go tense. He knew that tone! He would not be talk down to!

"I remember" Gohan's voice cut off. It was rare indeed that he showed his sensei such disrespect. "I just don't buy it."

Gohan stood up again and walked slowly to the edge of the Lookout. His hands unknowingly forming into fists. Hurt, anger and guilt mixed together in his heart in wrenching emotion. Gohan closed his eyes tightly and pushed it all down. He would not lose control ever again.

"It just doesn't make sense, Mr. Piccolo" he sighed, his anger somewhat abating after few seconds. "Sure, some of the threats were targeting Dad, but not all of them. Emperor Pilaf, Red Ribbon Army and, you know, your dad... they wanted to rule the Earth."

Gohan let out a sarcastic chuckle and shook his head.

"They didn't even know Dad existed! At least not until he stood up to them while they were all searching for Dragon Balls, right? Raditz came for Dad, sure, but Vegeta and Nappa came for Dragon Balls. And Frieza was about Dragon Balls, too, only the Namekian ones for a change. And Garlic Jr... he didn't care about Dad at all, really, he wanted revenge on Kami."

Gohan turned around and looked intently at Picollo. His teacher was still sitting in his meditative pose, not moving a muscle. Only the look in his eyes showed Gohan that he wasn't being dismissed. That his arguments didn't sound crazy.

"Only Raditz had actually wreak havoc because of Dad... The rest of them Frieza coming to Earth, androids... it was just a domino effect. They wanted Dad because he stood up to them earlier, fought them in the past and he didn't finish them. They wanted revenge. Even you, Mr. Piccolo..."

Gohan bit his lip, not wanting to continue.

"Yes, I wanted revenge too," said Piccolo calmly. He wasn't going to hide the truth from Gohan. Boy's earlier outburst was clear enough indication that wasn't the way. "You stopped the domino in my case, kid. You were able to do what your father couldn't. Several times, at that."

"W-well..." Gohan's voice faltered and the boy looked down at his feet, slightly embarrassed. His cheeks warmed a bit. He wasn't used to praise coming from his sensei. "Maybe."

Silence stretched between the two once again. It was a kind of silence that speaks volumes of gratefulness and appreciation. Both Namek and young demi Saiyan understood each other clearly, though.

"If any dominos are still in motion they won't stop just because Dad is... unavailable" Gohan whispered in the silence. "If new dominos start to fall, it won't matter that Dad isn't here either, they will still move forward."

"What's your point, kid?" Piccolo asked harshly all the while knowing what Gohan is trying to say.

"You taught me..." Gohan swallowed loudly. He knew his arguments were strong and the conclusion of them tore his heart. "You taught me that bad guys won't stop, that they will not hesitate to inflict damage. If someone comes around to fight Dad and find him gone, they will target me and mom instead, won't they?"

For once Piccolo wished he could be able to ever tell a lie to the boy.

"Yes." he conceded, much more harshly than he had intended.

Gohan didn't flinch. He expected that answer. Sad, bitter smile appeared on his face. "Yeah, I thought so. They'll go straight for the next best thing. And Dad doesn't want to be wished back to life so that means he must really ha ..."

"Your father doesn't hate you, Gohan" Piccolo interrupted with irritation, his fang showing in a sneer. "He isn't capable of hate. There is much simpler answer to your quarry."

"What! What is it!?" Gohan shouted not caring he might awake Dende and Mr. Popo anymore. "I don't see one! He could be alive! He left me and my mom! He could be here to protect us! He could be here to live with us! The enemies that are supposed to come will come. And he left me to deal with them! Alone! He isn't a coward, that much I know for sure, but..."

Before Piccolo knew it he had Gohan on his lap, his little fists clenched in his gi, shoulders shaking from nearly soundless, heart wrenching sobs. Piccolo wasn't sure how that happened, but he found himself cradling the boy in his arms so hard his claws nearly bit into boy's skin.

"You are not alone. I'm here, aren't I?" Piccolo said harshly, knowing full well that nothing less would penetrate that thick skull of his student. "And the answer you're looking for is that your father is a fool! He hadn't two brain cells to smack around in his skull from the day I known him, in either incarnation!"

A surprised burst of laugh mixed with sobs burst from Gohan chest.

"You're really funny when you want to Mr. Piccolo" the boy managed to say through the constricted by conflicting emotions throat.

"Don't push it, kid" Piccolo murmured deep in the chest never once loosening grip on Gohan, letting his cheeky kid cry his sorrow, grief and fears in his chest until the stars above them started to pale.