Just then, he knew where he was. Kuririn had taken him to Capsule Corporation after he blanked out. The boy could sense his friend�s energy further back in the house�but where was Piccolo?
Despite still being weak and hurt, Gohan leapt out of bed, opened the bedroom window, and took to the skies as fast as his limited energy would allow. It didn�t take him long to arrive back at the battlefield that had once been South City. Smoke rose into the air, creating an unnatural storm cloud. It was hard to see, hard to breath. Gohan circled through the city until he found the spot where he�d last been with Piccolo. Warily, he touched down, ready to sink into the debris in case of danger. After a few moments, none came. The androids must have moved on to find more victims.
�G-Gohan�?� a weak voice called out over the rubble.
The boy�s mouth dropped open as he furiously glanced around. At last, his tired eyes fell upon a dark form halfway down the street. Crying out in relief, Gohan rushed to his mentor. �PICCOLO-SAAAAAN!!!�
Piccolo was on his hands and knees in the rubble, obviously in pain. He practically beamed as he saw the demi-saiyajin coming at him. Gohan slid to a halt and threw his arms around the namekian�s neck, hugging him tightly and sobbing. Though barely able to hold himself up, Piccolo managed to rest an arm across his young friend�s shoulders.
�Oh Piccolo-san, I was so scared!!!� Gohan wailed, clutching Piccolo�s gi in his small fists.
�Yeah, you had me worried there, kiddo.� The namekian admitted. �But it�s alright now.�
Gohan suddenly pulled away. �But what about Vegeta-san?�
�Right here.� A hoarse voice answered off to their right. Vegeta stumbled out of the mess, cradling his arm. Gohan�s face lit up as he approached, but he wasn�t about to hug the haughty saiyajin too.
Piccolo sat up completely on the pile of cinder, surveying the damage of the tortured city. Gohan plopped down next to him in case he needed support. Vegeta, surprisingly, also relaxed enough to sit down.
�So what do we do now?� the boy asked, breaking the few moments of silence.
�We�ll wait for the androids to strike again.� Piccolo answered. After another moment of gathering his strength, he got to his feet. �I guess we should head home until then.
�I hope mom�s okay.� Gohan mused.
The three warriors took off into a slow flight, too weak to make any true altitude or speed. Gohan stuck close to his mentor, fearing that he would faint and fall to the ground. He also peeked over at Vegeta a few times.
Finally, the saiyajin prince headed off to the west where Capsule Corp was located. The namekian and demi-saiyajin made it back towards the Son House in silence.
�WHERE ON EARTH HAVE YOU TWO BEEN??!!� Piccolo winced as Chi Chi�s sharp voice practically deflated his eardrums. Gohan cowered behind him.
�I apologize for keeping him out for so long.� Piccolo answered coolly. �But his assistance in battle was necessary.�
Gohan laughed to himself from his hiding place. It was amusing how Piccolo was afraid of his mother just like dad had been. Dad. That was sort of a hollow word nowadays. Gohan knew no father. He just knew Piccolo, a beloved friend who was always there for him. Piccolo was just like a father, uncle, or big brother.
Finally, Chi Chi growled and shoved the two of them inside. Gohan also found it interesting on how she let the namekian hang around without tearing him to shreds. Maybe she felt bad about the demi-saiyajin having only one parent.
That evening was spent recovering. Chi Chi fussed over her son to no end, until he looked like a mummy. Piccolo simply shook off the pain, ignoring it as it passed.
Night came and Piccolo was sitting outside as usual, in a thicket near the house. Wounds healed, he was in a deep meditation, thinking about the day that lay ahead. Bulma had called the Son House, reporting that Vegeta had plans to go fight the next day. Kuririn was going to go too, so Piccolo decided to as well. But what about Gohan? The namekian grimaced at the thought of letting the boy go into battle against such overwhelming odds. It was Piccolo�s risk to take, not his. Gohan was the last hope.
Speaking of the boy, Piccolo opened his eyes to see Gohan running towards him, in his pajamas. He seemed to be frightened of something. Sensing it was urgent, the namekian got to his feet. �Gohan, what�s wrong?�
The boy panted as he ran, but didn�t stop until his face was buried in his mentor�s pant leg. �The androids�they�re�coming!!�
�What, what do you mean?�
�I heard it on the radio!� Gohan told him. �They attacked the Paozu village. They�re heading south�our way!�
Closing his own eyes, he sought what was making Gohan panic. Sure enough, the small village just down the road was in flames, the streets demolished, people strewn about the streets like clothes in a teenager�s room. Searching further, his eyes snapped open. The androids were coming!! There was a good chance that they knew precisely where to find the house of the Son Family!
�Gohan�run!!� the namekian gasped, the words slipping out from his clenched teeth.
�But my mom!� Gohan cried.
�I�ll get her!� he shouted, rushing back to the house. �Get to that cave you had for your dragon!!�
As Piccolo took off, he didn�t realize that Gohan was right behind him.
Bursting into the kitchen without bothering to open the door first, he called, �CHI CHI!!! COME QUICK!!!�
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