Mercenary. One of the many term used to describe someone who fights. Other terms include fighter, soldier, warrior, footman, grunt, knight etc. However the thing that separates a mercenary from the others is this. They are not associated with honour, or loyalty. They are associated with money, because that's what a mercenary is, someone who fights for the highest payer. It has been said on numerous occasions that money is the root of all evil, and thus mercenaries are also associated with evil and corruption. A mercenary will not care who he kills, who he hurts or who he saves, just as long as he gets paid.
On a particularly rainy day, there sat a boy. He just sat in the mud, not making an effort to get out of the rain, or to even keep himself dry. He looked towards the place that he had once called home and heard an ear piercing scream. But still the boy did not move a small tear escaped. "Dad… how could you," said the boy, Son Gohan.
Another scream came from the house, in which Gohan slightly turned his head towards that direction. "How could you leave me?" a few more tears fell.
The sound of rain hitting the ground was once again pierced by a scream, this one louder and prolonged. "How could you leave mom?" the tears, flowing more freely.
Suddenly the screaming stopped and was replaced by the sound of a babies cry. Gohan glared directly at the house, growling. "How could you leave your unborn son?"
The crying continued and with his enhanced hearing, he could hear Bulma running around in a panic. Gohan growled some more. His glaring eyes flashed from charcoal to turquoise and his jet black hair transformed into a brilliant gold. "HOW COULD YOU LEAVE, YOU BASTARD?" yelled Gohan.
Sitting there in the mud, where a silent young boy sat, now shone a golden haired god, burning with hate and anger. "Why… why did you leave, you son of a bitch," whispered Gohan, looking back at the ground.
"What do you think you're doing brat?"
Gohan turned his head to face Vegeta. "Go away Vegeta,"
Vegeta only frowned and moved closer. "Why are you so upset?"
Gohan glared. "Why do you think?"
Vegeta nodded. "Because he left," he said simply.
Gohan turned his glare to the sky. "He told me to look after everyone. Why should I? Mom is his wife, that baby is his son. Why should I look after them while he's off training in the afterlife?"
"He's a Saiyan. He has an opportunity to get strong so naturally he takes it," said Vegeta.
Gohan looked at Vegeta, his glared lessened but still transformed. "You once told me that when a Saiyan forms a bond with his mate, then they virtually become one, right? And that a Saiyan would do anything for his mate,"
Vegeta nodded. "So why should I look after another Saiyans mate?" said Gohan.
"She's your mother. A Saiyan also has a duty to his parents and his loved ones," said Vegeta.
"Then why isn't Goku here," spat Gohan.
Realisation hit Vegeta. "You feel he's passed the mantle of provider onto you, don't you," said Vegeta.
Gohan nodded. "He's always leaving to train and to fight, and never faces up to the responsibility of being a parent and a father. Was it common for Saiyan's to abandon their family just so they could get strong?"
Vegeta shook his head. The boy only sighed.
Gohan then noticed Bulma's jet fly off. "Where's she going," he said.
Vegeta looked towards the jet. "Something went wrong, some minor complications. There taking Chichi and Goten to CC for better care,"
With that Gohan stood up and changed back to normal. "Perfect," said Gohan.
Vegeta shot him a questioning look. "What do you mean by that?"
Walking to the house he simply said "I'm leaving,"
Vegeta looked surprise. He wasn't excepting that response. "You're not serious are you? What about your mother and brother, you're just gonna leave them?"
Gohan stopped for a moment. "Saving the word is one thing Vegeta. Raising a family is a completely different task, one my father never did. And it's only natural for children to imitate their parents,"
Vegeta just looked as the young man made his way into the house. A few minutes later Gohan came out with a bag on his shoulder. Gohan looked at the older Saiyan. "Goodbye Vegeta," he said.
As Gohan walked past him Vegeta placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure you're doing that right thing, Gohan. Who will look after your mother and brother?"
"Goku should have thought of that before he decided to stay in the Otherworld," Gohan said. "It's not fair for him to ask me something that he won't do himself,"
Vegeta sighed. He realised that he wouldn't be able to talk Gohan out of it. "Gohan, tomorrow night at ten, I'll leave a capsule pack in the CC letterbox," said Vegeta. "What you do with them is up to you,"
Gohan nodded and started to walk away. "Thank you Vegeta. And please tell the others that I will kill anyone who tries to find me, and that I would rather not be put in that position."
Vegeta nodded. "Goodbye son of Goku,"
Gohan stopped and turned with a sad look in his eye. "And don't ever associate me with Goku, again," he said, placing two fingers to his head and disappearing, leaving the Saiyan prince to his thoughts.
It had been four months since Gohan had left and only Vegeta and Piccolo had respected his wish to be left alone. Krillin and the others tried to look for Gohan, but after Yamcha was almost eaten up by a Masenko, they soon got the picture. The capsules that Vegeta had given him turned out to be every useful indeed and included a portable gravity room, similar to one Vegeta used before the androids and a portable home, which contained lots of food an a few nifty gadgets.
For the past four months Gohan had lived mostly on the enormous amount of food left by Vegeta. But now his supply was running low and he would need to find a way to get food, otherwise he would starve. As Gohan debated on ways to solve his food problem, he walked down the street of some nameless city. People who saw his on the street just assumed he was some runaway Goth. Before he came to this city, Piccolo had given him a weighted black trench coat as a farewell gift. Along with his muscle shirt baggy black jeans, black boots and black fingerless gloves, he looked the part.
While he was walking he noticed a bunch of people had gathered in front of a large bank. Making his way over, he asked a bystander what was happening.
"Some thugs are robbing the South City Bank," said the bystander, an elderly man who looked like he couldn't take much stress.
Gohan nodded and watched. The desire to help people had gone. He saw no reason why he would help save other peoples money.
"ALRIGHT EVERYONE OUTTA THE WAY," yelled a man at the front.
Like the Red Sea the people parted to get out of the thugs way. Gohan saw three men, slowly approaching. These men looked like the times that left school to become body builders and ended up as thugs. They pointed their guns at towards either side of the crowd, with the third covering the rear.
"Yo," whispered one of the front thugs to the other, "we should grab a hostage to make sure the cops don't try anything funny."
The other thug nodded and reached out to grab the shirt of the nearest person.
Unfortunately that person was Gohan.
Instead of being yanked forward towards them like the thug had planned, Gohan grabbed his arm and pulled the thug towards him, kneeing the thug in the gut. Catching the other two off guard Gohan picked the first one up and hurled him at his companions, knocking them both over. After getting over their initial shock the police swooped in and handcuffed the thugs, while Gohan just vanished to a dark alleyway, avoiding everyone he could. Seeing that the police were looking for him, he stayed in the shadows, waiting for the coast to clear.
It took a few hours for the police to leave the area, allowing Gohan to move freely. He could have used the instant transmission to get out of here, but wasn't ready to leave the city, nor willing to risk someone seeing him pop out of thin air. Making sure that they had all left, Gohan walked out of the shadows only to be stopped by a man in a business suit and two thugs, dressed similarly to the three that were robbing the bank earlier. "I thought you would come out sooner or later," said the business suit, his thugs flanking either side.
Gohan just stared. "Who are you?"
The businessman gave a little bow. "Joseph Mortimer, of the Black Syndicate South City Branch, at your service," he said, smiling.
Gohan face hardened slightly. The Black Syndicate was possibly the largest crime organisation in the world. "What do you want with me?" he said.
Mortimer smiled. "I was watching the operation in the crowd, and couldn't help but noticed that you only stopped my boys after they got you involve. Am I correct in saying that you wouldn't have done anything if they had left you alone?"
Gohan nodded. Mortimer's smile widened. "Excellent, then I have a proposal for you. How would you like to work for the Black Syndicate?" he said.
Gohan raised an eyebrow. "Doing what exactly?" asked Gohan.
"Oh nothing beyond your abilities I assure you. Just bodyguard work, robbing banks, you know, the usual mercenary work," said Mortimer.
Gohan remained silent. Before the androids started attacking, he would have said 'get lost' straight away. Before he fought Cell, he would have said 'Not on your life' without hesitation. Before his father left he would have said 'No' without consideration or a second thought.
But that was before, and this is now.
"How much?"