Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Shades of Darkness ❯ Gohan and Piccolo ( Chapter 3 )

Shades of Darkness

Part 3

Gohan and Piccolo

Disclaimer: Right. I own it all, which is why I'm a GIRL.

ENJOY!
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Hours after Chichi had run from the house, leaving not only an annoyed Gohan but a reluctant baby-sitter called Piccolo behind, he sat down to meditate for what ahd to be the hundredth time. The Kid just would not leave him alone and it was really getting on his nerves. He never had been very good with kids to begin with and this one was really testing his patience. A now thoroughly irritated Piccolo shot the small child a half-glare and returned to his meditation yet again. Gohan, a heart broken look on his face, sniffed and plopped down next to the tall green man. "Piccolo-san?" He asked, eyes filling with tears.

"What brat?" Piccolo barked in annoyance, not bothering to tone down his gruff voice.

"Why are you mad at me?" Gohan tipped his head back so he could look at Piccolo's face, which currently registered surprise.

"I'm not, brat." He snapped shortly.

"So why are you acting mad?" Gohan wiped his eyes.

"I'm not." Piccolo growled.

"I heard you and mama talkin'." Gohan said suddenly. "Am I really a slave? I really have to wear a collar like yours and Papa's?"

"I-yes, I suppose so." Piccolo nodded. Gohan sniffed.

"I thoughted my Mama and Papa loved me! Do they want to sell me now?" The little boy sniffed again, trying not to cry at the thought of his parents selling him.

"No!" Piccolo nearly yelled. "They have to because it's law!"

"I'm sorry." The little boy whispered, trying to wipe away his tears. "I didn't mean to make you mad." The child sniffed and began to leave.

"I'm not mad, kid." Piccolo sighed ruffling Gohan's hair. Damn lost puppy dog look! Piccolo cursed the gene that let Gohan have it. It had to be Kakarotto's. The thing would be utterly stupid on any female. But how a Saiya-Jin, or even a demi Saiya-Jin, could look so pathetically cute, Piccolo would never know.

"Promise?" Gohan crawled over to him and plopped down in his lap.

"Promise." Piccolo agreed with a nod. Gohan gave a smile and a yawn before drifting off to sleep.

"Night Piccolo-san. Ai shiteru." He mumbled. Piccolo blinked. What on earth did that mean? It must be Saiya-go. But it was too late to ask the little boy. He was fast asleep.
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Chichi was frantic. The man who'd called her had no idea what had happened and the slaves refused to tell her anything at all! He was obviously more concerned with his investment than with the slave's welfare! She groaned. Now what? The being was short with dark red-orange skin and long white hair. He was bleeding profusely from several large gashes on his back and if anyone knew what had happened they weren't telling.

The man gave a small moan. "Help me…" He croaked out. "The Lenta…" Chichi blinked. What was a Lenta?

There was a roar behind her. Her blood seemed to freeze in her veins. There, standing right behind her was the Lenta. Better known as T-Rex. Chichi gave a terrified scream. ::KAKAROTTO!::
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Kakarotto gasped, snapping from his meditation. "Chichi!" He exclaimed, leaping from the ground. He flew frantically towards his mate.
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Piccolo sighed. Gohan would wake soon and he'd be hungry. The man supposed he COULD cook. He wasn't very good at it since he didn't eat, but he wasn't too bad either. The only problem was that Gohan didn't want to let go of him. The child was clinging to the Namek-Jin like he was the last lifeline in the midst of a storm.

"Mama…" The boy mumbled, tossing in his sleep. "Papa… No! It'll get you, Mama." He muttered, then stilled. "Papa's coming, mama." The boy said softly. Then his face took on a look of pain.

"NO! You can't take them! MAMA! PAPA! Don't leave me!" Piccolo tried to shake the child awake.

"Gohan!" He wouldn't admit it, but he was terrified. This wasn't just any child crying out, this was the only one to succeed in capturing Piccolo's stony heart.

"NO! MAMA! PAPA!" Gohan thrashed about.

"Wake up!" Piccolo yelled.

The child squeaked in fear and his eyes snapped open. "Piccolo-san?" He asked, eyes tearing. "Where's Mama and Papa? Where are they?" He looked around frantically.

"What's wrong? Your Papa will be home soon and your mother took a call, remember?" Piccolo tried to soothe the child.

"I remember now." The boy agreed, still clinging to Piccolo. "But it was so real!"

"Do you want to tell me about it?" Piccolo asked hesitantly. He wasn't any good at this comfort stuff. Where were his owners when he actually needed them?

"I've been having it for a long time." Gohan admitted. "They come for my Mama and Papa and took me from them. You weren't in it, so you musta been safe. It was scary."

"Who are they, Gohan?"

"The bad people. They had long string things and they were hitting Papa with them and every time they hit him, it left a ouch." Gohan explained, snuggling closer to the tall green man. His tears fell onto Piccolo's clothes, soaking through them.

Piccolo nodded. The boy must be talking about whips then. But who on earth were the bad people?

"Piccolo-san?"

"Yeah kid?"

"Promise you'll watch out for my Papa and Mama so they won't take them away and I never see them again?" He sniffed.

"Anything kid."

"Mama and Papa call me Chibi Hakari." Gohan said softly.

"Yeah?"

"You can call me that too."

"Chibi Hakari, ne? What does it mean?"

"Little light."

"It fits you. How about some supper, Chibi Hakari?" Piccolo tried the name out. It did fit, rolling across his tongue.

"That sounds yummy." Gohan giggled, the dream forgotten. "Mama was gonna have fishes to eat. We need to make some for Papa too."

"All right, kid. Fish it is. You want to help?"

"Yeah!" Was the enthusiastic reply. "I wanna help make the fishes!"

"Let's go then." Piccolo swung Gohan up onto his shoulders and made his way towards the kitchen, Gohan cheering and giggling the whole time, while avoiding the door frames. Piccolo was even taller than his Papa!
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::KAKAROTTO!:: Chichi's scream froze the Saiya-Jin warriors heart. His Chichi was in trouble! The warrior gave a shout and powered up, tracking her ki as best he could. It had risen in her distress and he thanked Kami everyday that Muten Roshi, pervert that he was, had taught him to sense ki. His power flared, black hair spiking and tuning gold. His eyes, inky black orbs the color of the moonless and starless midnight turned turquoise and his power increased to it's maximum. He sped towards his mate, flashing through the sky and shattering the sound barrier.
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"Lenta…" The man whispered a second time, coal colored eyes fluttering open.

"It'll be okay." Chichi whispered, sound far more confident than she felt. She continued to bandage the man's wounds and winced as the T-Rex spotted them. Hopefully, their death would be quick. Everything seemed to fall into slow motion, time becoming like molasses and passing in strange ways.

The T-Rex opened its large mouth, it's hot rancid breath filling her nostrils, and roared a second time. Yellowed teeth snapped in their direction, drooling falling to the ground. Chichi closed her eyes, said a quick prayer and waited for the end. Moments passed, each time her watched ticked reminded her that she was still alive, still breathing, still able to hope. That there was still time for Kakarotto to get there, there was still time to live.

She said what she thought would be her final prayers, asking Kami to take care of Kakarotto and Gohan, to bless Piccolo and to free them all. The calm before the storm silence that had penetrated to her very soul shattered then, bringing time roaring to life about her. She felt tear slip down her face, regretting only that she hadn't gotten to say good-bye.

"HA!" Light played across her eyelids, shinning through her tightly closed eyes as a man shouted in rage. A loud thud and a weak animalistic moan followed the enraged shout.

"Kakarotto!" Chichi cried, eyes snapping open. He landed next to her. Chichi threw herself at her mate, wrapping her arms around him in relief. "Thank Kami!"

"What happened here, Chichi? Where's Gohan?" Kakarotto looked frantic.

"He's back at the house, Kamista." She told him softly.

"You left him alone?" Kakarotto gasped out, eyes widening.

"He's with Piccolo. Don't be silly." Chichi crossed her arms.

"That's just as bad."

"I don't think he'll hurt Gohan. Now, I need your help. He got attacked by that thing…I didn't know they attacked so close to human dwellings…and I need you to hold this shut while I sew it up."

Kakarotto, doing as asked, frowned. "They don't attack near humans, normally. The only reason I can think of is if the human has their baby. But who would be stupid enough to do that?"

"My master." The orange skinned being groaned.

Kakarotto gaped. "Jeisu?!"

"Kakarotto?" He choked out, coughing a bit.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was sold after the woman was taken away. You didn't think we'd all get our freedom did you?" Jeisu asked bitterly.

"I suppose not." Kakarotto admitted sadly. "But I did so hope…" He trailed off. There was nothing he could say.

"Well, I've done all I can." Chichi broke in. "Will you carry him, Goku? I need to get him back to the main house. He's got a broken leg, so he can't walk and He'll need to have very limited activity for at least a month."

"Of course, dear." Kakarotto lifted him easily and followed his mate towards the house. Once there, Chichi explained what had to be done and the master looked horrified.

"I can't not let him work for a month!" He shouted. "Why didn't you just kill it? Put it out of its misery?"

"That being is a he, not an it!" Chichi barked. "And HE will heal just fine! If he gets the proper rest!"

"Then I will kill him myself!" The master shouted, grabbing for a rifle.

"No, wait! I'll…buy him from you!" Chichi said frantically, naming a price. The man agreed. That was probably the best he'd get for a hurt and half-lame slave anyway.

"Come on, Goku. We're going home. And bring Jeisu!" She threw her capsule to the ground as Kakarotto took off.
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"A new slave resistance has come to power…" Piccolo eyed the television with distaste and sighed. There wsan't anything but the news on and the Son's hadn't cared to get cable. They almost never watched it. Nor did Piccolo, but Gohan had collapsed in his lap again after his bath and after Piccolo had gotten him into his Pajamas and fell immediately asleep, clinging to the Namek-Jin like before.

"The leader is still unknown but Police forces are hunting for them as we speak. They are thought to be an ex-slave, but that is just a rumor. More details at eleven." The speaker finished. Piccolo groaned and flipped stations. On this one was a perfectly boring soap opera…one that should have been taken off air after it's fourth season, but was now in it's tenth. That was no better than the news.

He'd have to stop flipping stations soon, he was only giving himself a headache with the thing. Gohan muttered in his sleep, snuggling closer to Piccolo and giving a contented sigh. Piccolo groaned. Today had definitely been a good day, but the evening COULD have gone better. The television was getting really annoying. The only thing that prevented it's untimely demise was Chichi's reminder of her existence left oh-so-sweetly on the counter. That's right, IT. And IT was plenty of a reminder. Piccolo absently rubbed the bump on his head and mentally groaned. It couldn't be made from anything from EARTH, that's all he knew. It hurt far too much for that.
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