Gohan was tired. It had been yet another day of training in preparation for the androids. He wasn't sick of training. Of course it was tiring, but it guaranteed countless days spent with Piccolo and his dad; so not too much to complain about. But that wasn't what was on his mind.

"You've been quiet, Gohan," Goku commented. He and Piccolo were walking back with Gohan to their house. "Something on your mind?"

Gohan was startled from his thoughts and looked up at his dad. He had expected him and Piccolo to be talking more with each other, not him. He blinked, "I uhh…not really," he tried to come up with an excuse. He found one. "..But I was kind of wondering…Piccolo?"

Piccolo looked down and over to Gohan. "What is it," he asked, as if he hadn't been walking with them the entire time.

"Where do you go when Dad and I go back to our house?" It had been a question that was lingering at the back Gohan's mind for months now, so it was a legitimate question at least.

"Huh," Piccolo said, turning back towards the front as they continued to walk, "I don't have a house like you and Goku if that's what you're asking. I go wherever I'm needed."

Usually, if Gohan were more interested, he'd follow up with another question. But this time he didn't. "Oh," he looked back down at his feet and the ground frowning, as he continued to walk as well.

Goku looked at Gohan frowning slightly then at Piccolo. "Well you're welcome to our home whenever you want, Piccolo. Chi-Chi's a great cook."

"Pfft, I don't need food like the rest of you saiyans and humans."

Goku laughed, "I figured you'd say that."

And so, conversation started up again between the two adults, as Gohan walked silently beside them.

Gohan yawned, "Okay just one more chapter." He flipped the page in his book. '…attacks are of course much higher in those who repeatedly take themselves to the limit.' It read. He shuddered.

Within an hour, Piccolo had walked with Goku and Gohan home and then flew off his own way. Goku and Chi-Chi were now talking in the kitchen while Gohan had supposedly gone to bed. And now, Gohan lay under the covers of his bed with a flashlight to secretly read a few books.

Seconds later, he was waking up to a knock on his door. His face at first stuck to the page and he blinked, realizing he had accidentally fallen asleep.

"Gohan?" His father's voice floated into the room from the hallway. A heartbeat later, light poured into the room as the door was opened.

Gohan flicked off his flashlight and popped out of the heap of blankets and sheets stacked on his bed. Chi-Chi was paranoid that he'd be cold at night.

Goku blinked when he saw his son still awake. "I thought I heard you still awake in here," he flicked on the light. "Did you have a bad dream or something?"

Gohan had a little frown on his face and looked down at his fists clenching the sheets. "No…I was reading," he said, pulling out a book to show Goku.

Goku walked over. Even though he was still acting like his usual self, Gohan could tell even he was a little tired and worn out from the day. "You should be getting some sleep, Gohan, aren't you tired? You should tell me and Piccolo if you aren't so we'll know to step it up on your training." He put a hand on his son's shoulder.

"It's not that; I just…was worried I'd fall behind in school again. Mom was really mad the last time I fell behind," Gohan lied for the second time that day.

Goku's mouth set in a frown. "Are you sure? You're not one to worry too much about school anymore, I know you," he laughed.

Gohan offered a weak smile and nodded. He even gave a small laugh in return, and held up his book. He made sure only part of the title was showing: Knowing the Science Behind…"Yeah but I checked it out of the library, Dad. Mom says I'm old enough to do that on my own now."

It was enough to convince Goku. He laughed, "Okay, but just get some sleep alright? Piccolo would kill me if he knew I was letting you read after a hard day of training."

He walked back to the doorway and flicked the light off. He paused at the doorway and looked back over his shoulder as Gohan got settled back into bed. "Goodnight."

With that he closed the door and left the room, turning the light off in the hallway as well.

Gohan sat there for two more seconds, and then looked back at the title of his book: The Science behind Heart Problems-an extensive guide to heart viruses.

"Goodnight," he muttered, still staring.

Then he turned over with the book still in his hands, and dropped off to sleep.

That night Gohan had a dream. Goku, he, and Piccolo were at the island the young man from the future told them to be to meet the androids. It was two years later. But when the androids came, his father fell to his knees clutching his heart. He ran to him, but he seemed to be getting and further and further away from his dad instead of closer.

Then, suddenly, one of the androids threatened to stomp on Goku. Gohan yelled for him to stop, only for his yell to be answered by another. Piccolo! He spun around to him lying, dead, on the ground. He turned back to his father just in time to see him finished off by an android swooping down from the sky…

"Dad!" Gohan sat up erectly. He panted, sweating slightly and looking around wildly from left to right. Good, it was just a dream, he thought.

"Gohan! You're going to be late!" Chi-Chi called from downstairs. Gohan hurriedly pulled off his covers and reached his feet towards the floor. The book fell as he pulled on his training gear. "One second!" He paused after putting on his second shoe, catching eye of the fallen book. He picked up his bag which he'd carry his lunch in, and stuffed it inside. Maybe later he'd read that chapter that he had wanted to last night.

Still shaken from his dream, Gohan left the room with his bag and ran hurriedly down the hall.

In the kitchen, Goku was already waiting for his son, having eaten breakfast, and talking to Chi-Chi. The Ox King ate at the table still. "Gohan," Goku greeted with his usual smirk, "You slept in again. Everything alright?"

"Yeah," Gohan said, a little unsure, "I just had a bad dream. It's fine now though."

"Well here's your lunch," Chi-Chi handed her son his bag, "And I already got breakfast all packed up for you so you can eat on the way-"

"Actually, I'm not really all that hungry," Gohan said to his mother. He turned to Goku, "Can we leave now?"

Chi-Chi was surprised, "Are you sure?" she asked, rushing forward already to feel her son's forehead. "You feel warm. Maybe you should stay home today."

This made Gohan freak. "No! I have to train! I owe it to Dad and Piccolo and everybody on Earth to be the best I can be!" His mouth still set in a frown, he thought. If something happens to Dad then I'll never forgive myself. I have to train and read harder to keep up.

The Ox King looked up, between Goku, Chi-Chi, and Gohan.

Goku looked perplexed, standing there with his hands on his hips. "Well we better not keep Piccolo waiting. Come on." With a frown now, Goku led his son towards the door with his hand on his back. He powered up and looked at Gohan, who had put his packed lunch in his bag. Goku also had a lunch, but held it in his hand. "Ready?" Gohan nodded anxiously, powering up, and the two flew off.

Chi-Chi ran to the doorway, worried, and watched the two until they were out of sight.