Welcome to Boxer & Rice

3.1

“Okay, let me get this straight…” Krillian was upset, that much was obvious. He paced in front of Gohan, one hand on his head, the other on his hip or occasionally waving in the air as he expressed himself. He knew Krillian well enough to recognize that Krillian was extremely agitated. He wasn't, he, personally, felt this may have been the better move, of course, things would get tricky if Trunks decided to give up the ‘I am weak act’. He wasn't sure if Gohan could really beat Trunks in a fight or not. “We send you to kidnap Pan… instead you kidnap Trunks? The man who killed your father AND could probably do the same to you? ARE YOU NUTS?!” Krillian was so angry he was squeaking.

Piccolo was amused. He watched from his position by the door. He carefully kept all signs of amusement from his face to prevent turning Krillian’s wrath on himself. He wasn't afraid of Krillian but they had been friends long enough that he knew being the object of the little man’s wrath was never a good thing. Krillian could carry a grudge like no man, saiyan or Namek he knew. He had always respected Krillian’s ability to never be bitten more than twice.

Gohan sighed, “I know, I wasn't thinking straight…”

He sounded completely unapologetic but he looked like hell. Upon closer inspection Piccolo could see that there were dark circles under Gohan’s eyes and he looked dead on his feet. His eyes were blood shot and he looked concerned, of course he had reason to be concerned, considering the circumstances. “The drinks were spiked.”

“Huh?” Krillian and Gohan both turned to him, equally dumbfounded expressions on their faces.

“The drinks they were serving at the Briefs’s was spiked. One of the kids found the supply of wine and dumped some drug or other into it.” He explained.

“See,” Gohan turned immediately back to Krillian, “I wasn't in my right mind. I was drugged! You can’t blame me.”

Krillian glowered and Piccolo once again had to hold back a laugh. How someone could look so fierce was a mystery, “Do you remember what happened?”

“Well, yes…”

“Then you weren't out of your mind enough!!”

While they continued their argument he wandered over to the room where Trunks was being kept. He could sense the boy’s power signature… but there was something off about it, something he hadn't felt in it before. It was weaker, and something else about it was different, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what had changed. He opened the door and stepped inside.

Trunks was huddled on the bed, his back to the door. Piccolo sensed more than saw how the boy tensed upon his entry into the room. Then tension in the room was thick, the scent in the air was … out of place. “Piccolo?” He was so engrossed in studying the inert form on the bed he didn’t hear Krillian walk up behind him, so when the man spoke he whirled in surprise.

“He’s no danger to Gohan.” He said, trying to disguise his surprise. It wasn't hard. Humans were clueless about Namekan’s, so they had no way of telling when a Namek was surprised, which always worked to Piccolo’s advantage.

“Who? Trunks?”

“His ki is weak.”

“For now maybe.” Krillian snorted.

“No, for good, it has been permanently damaged. I doubt he will ever be able to retain the same amount as he has previously.”

“What are you talking about?” Krillian frowned darkly.

“What could damage someone’s ki so drastically?” Gohan asked softly.

“You believe him?” Krillian glanced at Gohan, frowning with disapproval.

“Would I lie?” Piccolo snapped in response to Krillian then he turned to Gohan, “There are only a few things that can drain a saiyan’s ki as badly as Trunks has been drained. I do not wish to mention them.”

“I felt it.” Gohan said softly, “This morning, I just didn’t know what it was… what could have happened? Last night at the reception there wasn't anything wrong with him.”

Piccolo looked at Gohan. He couldn't help but feel a moments doubt. Had Gohan been the one to put Trunks in the state he was currently in? He doubted Gohan could be capable of such cruelty but this was Goku’s murderer and he just couldn't be sure what Gohan would do with his father’s murderer.

“Doesn't change anything! You still shouldn't have nabbed him!” Krillian, obviously tired of the conversation, threw his hands in the air and stalked away.

***

3.2

“The only way to permanently damage a saiyan’s ki, is to break his spirit.” Piccolo murmured softly. He and Gohan were sitting alone in the living room now. Piccolo, actually, was hovering over the floor, his legs crossed and his hands on his knees. Gohan, meanwhile, was curled up in the armchair.

“How could someone have … hurt him enough to do that in the brief space of time between that time I saw him in the dining hall and then when I grabbed him later? That was only… two, maybe three hours at the most.” Gohan stared into his cup, at the black, thick liquid that was supposed to be coffee. He wasn't sure he was brave enough to drink it.

“There is a marked difference in him, Gohan. I am sure if you concentrated you would feel it.”

Gohan nodded sullenly, “I do feel it but it doesn't change anything!”

“Of course not.” Piccolo responded calmly and Gohan immediately felt foolish for snapping at his old friend.

Piccolo was like a second father to him. He needed and trusted Piccolo. He always felt bad the odd time when he was impatient or rude to his dear friend. “I’m sorry.” Gohan said softly, “Even though I hate him… I didn’t want … something like that to happen to him and I feel like an idiot because I feel this way!” It didn’t make sense in his heart and it didn’t make sense when he voiced it out loud.

Piccolo understood. Piccolo always seemed to understand him even at his most incoherent moments. “You still have a good heart, Gohan. He killed your father, not your spirit.”

“I want to hate him!”

“You do.”

“I… I don’t want to feel pity.”

“Yet you do.”

“Stop it Piccolo!” Gohan shouted, slamming his cup onto the coffee table so his hands would be free for him to rub his forehead.

“Drugged or no, you did take him, and now we have to keep him here. If you feel you will be unable to keep an eye on him, then Krillian or I will remain here while the other two leave to find the witness.”

“No, I can stay. He won’t … fool me into letting him go.” Gohan said sullenly, “I do feel pity for him but I won’t let that cloud my judgement.”

“It has already, he lays in that room with nothing but ropes to hold him. Yet you know his strength.”

Gohan nodded, realizing that Piccolo was probably right. “I can do this Piccolo. We can’t let him go, if we do … who knows what he’d do to that witness.”

“Then you’ll go with Krillian to find her, while I stay here with Trunks.”

“No, Piccolo, please, I can stay, I can watch him.”

Slowly Piccolo nodded and Gohan sighed. He felt relief but he wasn't sure why. Did he really want to keep an eye on Trunks? Or was this desperate need to stay with the boy caused by something else? He didn’t know and he really didn’t want to think about it.

***

3.3

He slept, it was such a light sleep that he could still hear things going on around him. Gohan’s voice, Piccolo’s, and later Krillian’s. They were agitated, about him. He could tell because of the brief snips of conversation that he could understand. They kept saying he had killed Goku, but that wasn’t true. Cell killed Goku. Mirai Trunks had returned too late. And Goku had died. But with the help of the ones left behind and Mirai Cell was defeated. Trunks had been too little to remember any of it, but he knew the story well. His mother had told him many times.

His mother. How long had it been since he spoke to her? She must be worried about him. He knew he was worried about her. She never did well on her own. Not since Vegeta left. She got so depressed when she didn’t have someone to talk to. Through the hazy veil of his light sleep he could hear the voices getting closer, and then abruptly they were gone.

The silence was overwhelming. Frightening. What was going on? Why were they suddenly quiet? He opened his eyes, blinking rapidly as he tried to clear his vision. Silence made him nervous. The cell had been silent. Was this all a dream after all? It felt like one. The accusations that he had killed Goku, the room, the ropes tying him. It was all too good. More importantly he couldn’t remember being taken from the cell. He should be able to remember that at least. He had been hurt, sure, but not badly enough that he wouldn’t be aware of being lifted and removed from his prison.

Nothing made much sense at the moment. If this was a dream he wasn’t sure if he wanted to wake up or not. Was this worse than the reality of the cell? No. It wasn’t. Here the pain was bearable. So if it was a dream he didn’t want to wake up.

***

3.4

Gohan stood alone in the living room. Piccolo and Krillian were gone. He was alone with Trunks once more. He glanced at the door to the room where Trunks was lying. Once again, he found himself wondering what could have hurt the boy so much to damage his very spirit? More importantly; who? Trunks was strong, there was no doubt about that. Anyone who could kill Goku, back attack or not, was very strong. So, who was strong enough to hurt someone like Trunks badly enough to ruin his ki?

With a sigh he sunk into a nearby chair. He should check and make sure Trunks was still where he’d left him but he didn’t feel ready to look at the other yet. He needed time to sort through his thoughts, with any luck Piccolo and Krillian would find that witness soon and he wouldn't have to wait too long. He wasn't sure if it was really wise for him to be here. His feelings towards Trunks were so confused. One moment he hated him so much he wanted to kill him, the next he pitied him… and after that he was thinking that really, Trunks was a beautiful man.

He shook his head, chasing that thought away. What was wrong with him? He sighed and rubbed his face, then reluctantly got to his feet and walked to the kitchenette. Murderer or no, Trunks would need food soon. So he pulled random boxes out of the cupboard and began to fix something for Trunks to eat.