This is my first fic so be nice. Constructive criticism is welcomed and reviews are great. I think Piccolo is OOC but I'm not sure. Oh well. Please read and review.

Disclaimer: I do not own dbz. All rights go to Akira Toriyama.

-A Fighter's Pain-

Gohan's POV

Dad why did you have to go? I can't be Earth's protector. I'm too young. Besides I'm not strong enough to protect it. Did you leave because of me? Was it because I got cocky and let Cell win? Please dad, why did you have to go? As I sat there in the middle of the forest, I started to wonder why all this happened to me.

I've been nothing but good to this world, yet I'm always the one who has to suffer. I couldn't hold it in anymore, so I just sat there and cried my eyes out. I was like that for a few minutes until I sensed a familiar ki land behind me. "Mr. Piccolo…" I mumbled.

He sighed to himself and said, "Kid it's not your fault. You know it isn't. Goku made his own decision, so you didn't do anything."

I jumped up with tears still in my eyes and yelled, "BUT IT IS! IF I WASN'T SO COCKY NONE OF THIS WOULD HAPPEN! DAD WOULD STILL BE ALIVE, MOM WOULDN'T BE CRYING WHEN SHE THINKS NO ONE'S THERE AND GOTEN WOULD HAVE A FATHER! I MESSED EVERYTHING UP!" I stood there shaking while neither one of us said a word.

A few moments passed until I heard Piccolo sigh. He then walked over to me, put his hands on my shoulders and said, "Look at me Gohan." I reluctantly lifted my head up and stared at him.

"Goku was many things. He was a great fighter and a merciful person. But the one thing I have noticed is that he wasn't much of a father. He wasn't smart when it came to life in general but he really did care about you. He cared about you so much that he gave up his own life just so you can live your own. So you better not waste this opportunity to really live your life."

I stood there with my head down absorbing everything that he just told me. Piccolo's right. Dad really does care. That's why he gave up his life. Just so I can live out my own.

I stood there for a few more minutes until I finally lifted my head and said," Your right Piccolo. I shouldn't be wasting my time dwelling in the past. I should go out there a really live my life."

Piccolo smirked and said, "Of course I'm right. Now stop moping around and spar with me."

I gave a small smirk of my own and said, "Whatever you say, Mr. Piccolo. Whatever say."