The Saiyan Heritage and the Loneliness of the Warrior [Piccolo x OC]

Chapter 17

LETTIE

It took me three days to finally go to Chi-chi's house.

During this period, I sank into a dark, deep and apathetic state of lethargy.

After saying goodbye to Piccolo, I gathered all my belongings in my old backpack and went to the second place on Earth that brought me more comfort than our Camp: the Hot Springs.

I lay down on the grass in front of the large lake in that ethereal landscape and just existed, crushed by the pain of grief and contemplating those natural pools, realizing that I would never again experience all the wonderful experiences we had there.

If it wasn't enough that I thought about Piccolo in the moments when I was awake, when I managed to fall asleep, he appeared in my dreams, with his body destroyed in my arms and his voice pleading how much he didn't want to die.

I remained in the Hot Springs until the pain of losing him became unbearable. The image of my nephew was what made me muster up strength and stand up. I needed to see him. Surely he had already been discharged from the hospital and was at home with Goku. Having the company of my family was just what I needed.

As soon as I got up, I looked across that vivid painting for one last time and allowed one more tear to fall from my red, swollen eyes.

Here I say goodbye to the place that brought me intense joy. Now all I have left is a future full of fears and uncertainties.

What comforted me was that I still had my brother and my nephew. Well, at least, that's what I thought when I flew off from the Hot Springs and headed to the address written on that sheet of paper that Chi-chi gave me.

During the way, my stomach complained in protest at having gone so long without eating, and my weakness affected the quality of my flight. I only know that it must have been close to noon when I finally arrived at Goku's house, and I hoped, from the bottom of my heart, that they would serve me something to eat when I saw smoke coming from the chimney.

Despite my emotional state, it was impossible for me not to notice how lovely their house was. Confirming Gohan's words, the building was located on a large land located in the countryside, surrounded by mountains and nature. It was made of white bricks, with a roof and some details in woods, which gave an appearance of simplicity and luxury at the same time. A concave circular annex, covered with smooth white stones, recalled the aesthetics of the modern architecture present in cities.

Rubbing my hands together, I walked toward the front door of the house and rang the doorbell. A feeling of anxiety, mixed with nervousness and shyness, came over me. It felt like I hadn't seen them in decades, and not just a few days. From the outside, I heard the sound of a pressure cooker muffle the sound of hurried footsteps.

The door was opened by Chi-chi. She was wearing the same set of clothes as when I first saw her, only with a kitchen apron over it.

I confess that her typical stern features made me cringe, and I wondered what the heck I was doing there. Did I expect her and her family to help me or take me under their roof? I can't say. Besides, realizing the deplorable state of my clothes only made me cringe more in embarrassment.

Thankfully, my fears dissipated when she gave me a little smile. "I suspected it was you." She stepped aside and gestured into the house. "Please, come in."

Even though Chi-chi was receptive, she still exuded an aura of authority over me. I mentally cursed myself for forgetting to take a bath in the Hot Springs. But grief makes us forget even basic stuff.

Dying with embarrassment, I adjusted my backpack on my shoulders while cleaning my heavy boots on the carpet in front of the door, trying to appear a little more decent in front of my sister-in-law, and went in.