Epilogue: Earth

It took him a couple of days to get away from everything; the media, his mom, classmates who, after nearly a year away, he barely remembered but all of whom seemed to think he was their best friend now. But as soon as he could Gohan went in search of the one person who had never been very far from his mind during the entire journey to and from Vejiitasei.

His sensei was standing in a characteristic pose, on a flattened mountaintop overlooking a sparse landscape, arms folded, eyes closed, cape streaming out behind him. The little boy touched down next to the imposing figure softly. Although the other gave no immediate indication that he knew someone had joined him, his arms fell casually to his sides. Reaching up, the boy tucked his hand into the big green palm. The sharp-tipped talons curled gently around the small fingers.

"Nice trip, kid?" Piccolo queried.

"Uh-huh. How did the championship go?"

"Too easy. Hardly worth winning. That oversized belt they unloaded on me clashes with my cape."

"Mr. Piccolo. I don't want to have to fight."

There was a grunt. "That so?" queried Piccolo, sounding moderately resigned rather than disappointed or angry or surprised. "I'll just have to make sure I leave you a world where you don't need to fight."

"I think that would be a good thing," the little boy told him.