Note: I do not own dragonball Z but I do own the original character that will appear in this story, Dragonball Z is the property of Akira Toriyama.

A/N: hi all, this is yet another AU story that popped into my head while I was at work (very boring place) and here is the start of it, this prologue is long so please be prepared.

This story contains violence, angst, spirituality and course language.

Once and again…

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Prologue

In The Arms Of An Angel – by Sarah McLachlan

Piccolo smiled gently with a pride that he had never felt before, pride for the boy that treated him with a kindness that he never knew existed in the world.

"Look at him, I guess saving the world can take its toll on you." He chuckles.
Tien adjusts Yamcha's arm over the back of his neck as he holds the man up on his feet, Yamcha's breathing is laboured, but he makes the effort to stand on his own.
Krillin approaches the young boy lying spent across the hard ground, a large open mouth smile across his face.
"Hey Gohan let me ask you something, where you holding back your power all that time just to scare us, cause boy it worked!" the monk exclaims as Gohan's eyes creak open, seeing the bald headed man looking over him, and with effort chuckles breathlessly at Krillin's words.

Yamcha managed to find his own feet.
"Gosh you guys, I cant believe we survived that!" he says with disbelief, the notion being alive still hadn't kicked in.
"Yeah, I know" Tien agrees.
Krillin kneels down beside Gohan, one knee against the ground supporting his weight.
"Don't worry about those bruises Gohan, we'll get Dende to fix them right up, and get you feeling like a zillion bucks!" he assures, though there wasn't much need for it.
The young boy knew what he had done, he knew that he had achieved the greatest of things; he had saved their world.
Piccolo watches, the laughter he gave was soothing to his ears as it brought thoughts of the boy's father to him, wherever he now was.

Yamcha approaches, kneeling down in the same manner as Krillin had.
"I gotch ya big guy" he says, slipping his large hands beneath the boy to cradle his neck and legs gently, Gohan was breathing heavily as Yamcha stood up, his eyelids steadily collapsing over his black orbs.
He noticed his blood was smudging onto Yamcha's gi and arms.
"Sorry, im a mess…" He says with a craggy voice and then his eyes closed shut, Yamcha felt the dead weight of the boy's head filling his hand.
Krillin panics.

"Eh Gohan!" he shout coming closer, his hand stretched out he grasps Gohan's wrist.
"Relax Krillin, he's just exhausted, that's all." Yamcha assures with a steady smile.
Tien notices his comrade's stance is weary, his arms twitching with pain and blood staining from inside his clothing, though he hid the discomfort well.

"What about you Yamcha, you have serious wounds yourself, are you sure you can fly as far as the lookout?" Tien expresses with concern.
"Sure, compared to Gohan's these are nothing but scrapes" He replies honestly, Tien doesn't pry any further, he knew there was no way to change his mind.
"Alright, ill carry Trunks just to be on the safe side, ill see you up there." He finishes, turning he paced over to fetch Trunks lifeless form, lying a few feet away in a pool of blood.

Yamcha was preparing to take leave from the battle plane, when Gohan suddenly jerks in his arms.
"Whoa he's awake already, he so tough he only need a few seconds of rest and just bounces back." He exclaims stunned, Krillin edges closer, he wants to see young Gohan's eyes open once again, however once he is inches from the boy he frowns.

"Uh guys, I think something wrong, listen to the way he's breathing." He points out.
Yamcha frowns, lifting the boy closer to his face he listens as long breaths were being taken in, they sounded like they were being sucked though vacuum with a blocked tube.
"That's just not right, what's going on in his body, Piccolo?" Yamcha turns to the namekian who was already on his way to them.
Piccolo stops by Krillin and watches the boys face for a few seconds; the breathing didn't improve so he leans in closer, placing his large ear against Gohan's chest.
Seconds later he pulls away, his eyes wide with concern.

Spend all your time waiting, for that second chance
For the break that will make it ok

"He can't breathe, his heart's throbbing like its in boiling lava, we have to get him to Dende now, give him to me!" Piccolo orders, rudely snatching Gohan from Yamcha's arms.
He takes a running start across the dry ground and just before taking off into flight, he activates a blue ki that surround his body, leaping up he speeds away toward the lookout.
"What the hells going on?" Tien shouts after seeing Piccolo leave abruptly, with Trunks hanging over his shoulder he jogs to Yamcha and Krillin.

"Piccolo just lost it and took Gohan from me, something really wrong, we have to get to the lookout and check this out" Yamcha explains, powering up while still on the ground, and like a marathon runner takes off with great speed into the skies.
Tien followed instantly, Krillin runs to fetch the unconscious #18 to bring along, and he would not leave her behind no matter what. Once she was cradled in his arms he also takes off, following the others toward the lookout.

There's always some reason, to feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day

It was only moments into the journey and Piccolo was starting to panic, his eyes constantly looking down to Gohan who's breathing was nothing but wheezes, his chest was rising high but no air was filling it.

"Hold on Gohan, well fix this." he utters, his eyes locked on to the boy.
Suddenly Gohan's starts to scream, pushing the small amount of air from his chest, his eyes snapping wide open as he start rolling in Piccolos arms.
"What wrong with you Gohan, dammit give me a sign give me an idea!" the namek growled, felling absolute helplessness.
Then Gohan's hand rose up and grasped his chest, frantically clawing at the skin with his blunt fingernails.
Piccolo tried to pry Gohan's hand away to see, but the boys grip was firm and his strength still apparent.
He glances up momentarily in the hopes of seeing the lookout on the horizon, there was no sign on it.

I need some distraction oh beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins

He looks back when he hears Gohan coughing unusually, discovering sticky pink mucus was now spread across the boy's lips and chin, another cough and more surfaces.
Something then clicked, the shortness of breath, extremely fast heart rate and the clutching of his chest, it all fit together.

They may be empty and weightless and maybe I'll find some peace tonight

Dende, Dende hear me! He mentally shout's, full of panic. Dende was awaiting their arrival anxiously, his ears perked and his excited smile dropped when Piccolo anxious calling reached his psyche.

Yes Piccolo I hear you, what's wrong? He asks concerned, he had never heard Piccolo sound so, frightened.

Its Gohan, I think he's having a heart attack, im on my way there but what can I do to stop this now! He pleads. Dende blinks as he takes it all in; he knew his healing ability only allows him to heal wounds of the flesh and not vital organs. He had no notion of what could be done, but how could he reveal this to Piccolo.

I don't know Piccolo, im so sorry I cant help him, you must take him to a human healer in one of the cities Dende explained, as much as it hurt him, he feared time may be running out.

What? … What do you mean you can't help him, you're a healer!" Piccolo replies viciously at the guardian.

I'm sorry Piccolo, but please don't waist time talking to me, get him to a human healer quickly, please" the guardian pleads, his lips quivering and his eyes twitching to avoid any tears.

Piccolo is enraged, his teeth bared he growled out load, his lungs filling with air before delivering his final word.
"The hell with you!" His voice booms in the direction of the lookout.

In the arms of an Angel fly away from here

From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear

He comes to an abrupt stop in mid air, searching around furiously for any cities nearby and spots a faint skyscraper in the distance, clouds collecting around its tip. Gohan coughs up more pink mucus, so forceful from his throat that it splatters across Piccolo gi and throat.

You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here

He tightens his grip around Gohans head and body.
"Don't do it Gohan, buck up and give me a chance, please." He pleads, holds the boys body closer to his chest, now his own heard was skipping beats.

"Is that Piccolo hanging there?" Yamcha point, spotting a strong blue ki in the distance.
Tien squints his eyes and nods.
"Yeah, what's he up to, is he waiting for us?" He asks and turns to Krillin.
"I don't know, but damn im going to find out, he was really jumpy with Gohan when he took off." Krillin states, speeding up ahead to catch Piccolo before he may leave again.
The others followed.

Yamcha carrying no load meant he could get closer faster; he surpassed Krillin and was getting closed when Piccolo suddenly took off again.
"Dammit, listen you guys keep going on to Dende and get those two heeled up, ill follow him and find out where he's taking Gohan." Yamcha stated and proceeded after the namek.
"But wait you'll let us know if something wrong right?" Krillin called after him.
"Yeah, just get going" Yamcha called back over his shoulder, his voice growing finer as he flew further from them.

The skyscraper was getting closer; his eyes focussed upon it like a starving dog on a stock of fresh meat, oblivious to Yamcha who was steadily closing in on him.
He noticed Gohan's skin started feeling clammy, also swelling with fluid, he tried hard keep his cool but he found himself preying, preying that he make in time.
He arrives at the outer edge of the city; the buildings were stouter here and the crowds in the street sparse.

So tired of the straight line, and everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back

Yamcha was metres away and closing; when he found himself close enough to touch Piccolo he shouted.
"Where are you going, where are you taking him?" he calls out, flies up beside the namek.
"Shut up, I have to find a doctor, any doctor," he declared, his gaze turning attuning to each of the building he passed, hoping to see some indication of a doctor.
Yamcha didn't ask question, but he did have an answer.
"Look there's the city's main hospital, follow me this way" he called pointing toward a mid sized building, it was covered in reflective blue windows from top to bottom.
Yamcha leads them toward to buildings roof where he knew there was an entrance, they spot where a helicopter-landing pad and thankfully it was deserted.

They land; Piccolo immediately heads for the stairs leading down to the main ER.
"Here give him to me" Yamcha shouts, racing out in front of the namek to stop him from going on, only then does he see the boys awful state, pail with little to no sigh on life.
Piccolo instantly pulls Gohan away from Yamcha's reach.
"Get out of my way, you have no idea what your doing, I do!" he snaps and tries to push past.

The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack

Yamcha holds his ground, anger forming in his face.
"What chance do you think you have in getting him in there, the second the staff see you they'll panic. They will listen to me so I can get him the help he needs, c'mon Piccolo give him to me!" He implores.
Piccolo refuses bluntly, at first, and then he begins considering the issue.
Yamcha had a point; he was something the humans feared.
He looks down at Gohan, whose breaths were quickly decreasing and chest pains increasing.

Wordlessly, he thrusts the boy into Yamcha's arms and steps back, turning away.
Yamcha nods gratefully, pushing his way through the door to the stairs, ignoring his own pain he thunders down two sets of steps at once until he reaches the top floor.
Forcing the door open with his shoulder he bursts inside, several medical staff walking through the waiting room turn to face him in surprise.
"Please this boy's ill, he need help now!" he shouts, after a silent pause of stares and raised eyebrows, one of the senior nurses steps forward, coming to Yamcha's side she makes a quick assessment, taking note of the symptoms.

She picks up a small hand held light from her front pocket, placing her hand over Gohan's ruffled hair she lift his eyelids one by one with her thumb, shining the light into them.
"How long has be been like this?" she asks calmly.
"Uh, I think, I think about 15 minutes but please just get one of your doctors out here now!" Yamcha pleads, but the nurse continues her relaxed examination.
"Has he done any strenuous activity in the last 24 hours?" she asks.

It don't make no difference, escaping one last time
It's easier to believe

Yamcha went cold, what could he possibly say that will have this woman believe without her laughing in his face.
"Yes, yes he has" he replies simply, hoping it would be enough.
The nurse continued, her unhurried manner was taking forever for Yamcha
"Please lady he won't wait," He shouts and the nurse composes herself.
"Alright, Nurses I need a bed please, we need to get this boy into ER" she calls over her shoulder and moments later, a female and two male nurses approach, pushing a simple thin mattress with a green sheet over it out beside them.
The two male nurses gently take Gohan's lifeless body from Yamcha, laying him across the bed with his arms by his sides.

"P…pic.. olo." Gohan mumbles in whisper, one eye half open while the other was fully closed.
Yamcha's forhead lines deepened as he heard Gohan's words, he followed as they started wheeling the boy away, but the senior nurse stepped in.
"I'm sorry sir, you can't go into the ER at this time." She states and starts walking him in the opposite direction, stopping at the reception desk.
"Please I have to be there, im all he's got right now." Yamcha tries walking back toward the ER, and again the nurse holds him back.
"Your son is in good hands, so leave it to the doctors capable hands, now if you please follow me to fill out some paperwork" She instructed.
All he could do was comply, and watch over his shoulder as the bed Gohan lay on was quickly wheeled away and out of sight.

The doctors worked quickly, indeed Gohan's heart was the cause…
Tubes hung from his arms, a nasal cavorter leading down his throat, an oxygen mask was placed over his mouth as the surgeons opened up his chest, clamps holding the skin apart.
The heart stopped, a loud beeping filled the surgery and the main surgeon reached in taking Gohan's heart into his hands, pumping away and massaging to try and start it up again.

In this sweet madness, oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees

He could hear them, the panic in their voices was hard to ignore. He could see them too, faintly, more like shadows moving around over him in a bright light.
A cold sensation on his bloated skin was aggravating, he listened and wondered what was going on, but then as the voices became faint he started realising what was happening.
Please.. They need me, Krillin, Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien and Mom everyone, please let me stay… please He voiced mentally, even his feeling of existing was starting to fading now, until he couldn't hear anything and no longer see the surgery light above his closed eyelids.

Yamcha sat in the empty waiting room, he had filled out at least a dozen forms, in the section that asked the relationship to patient, he placed father.
He feared if he didn't, they wouldn't allow him to check on Gohan, now he sat with his face buried in his hands, a blight of tension in his heart.
A nurse approached him and he stood up instantly, looking into her brown eyes tensely.
"Gohan, is he alright?" he asked, the nurse calmed him down and shook her head.
"I'm sorry sir, but I have no information about you son yet, but please may I see your injuries and tend to them?" She inquired, but he shook his head.
"Forget about me, just please let me know about Gohan, that's all I care about." He stated, falling back down into his seat, his heart in his throat as his mouth started drying up.

A half hour later, he had fallen asleep in his chair, his head falling forward and his arms folded against his chest.
He hears high heels approaching, his eyes blink open and he looks up.
"Hello Yamcha im Dr. Roldmans" she says, offering her hand from her pocket, Yamcha stand and takes it, shaking it wearily.
"Gohan?" he asks instantly.
The Dr. expression is blank; she releases his hand and tucks her back into her surgeon's coat front pocket.
"I assisted in the operation on your son Gohan, and im very sorry to have to report to you …Gohan didn't survive the surgery…we concluded that he suffered heart failure on the way here and then a cardiac arrest took place." She revealed in a long fluent sentence.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" she adds, companion on her eyes.

In the arms of an Angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear

Yamcha's world felt like it was crashing down around him, his knees turned to jelly, his fingers twitched and he fell back into the seat behind him.
Burying his shocked expression into his hands he began sobbing quietly, he hated himself for failing Gohan, for failing Goku.
"Yamcha, im going to have to ask you to fill out some details for the death registration, could you do that for me?" She asks gently, kneeling down to his eye level, with her hand spread over his back.
He turns his face toward her, his eyes reddening and his lips trying hard not to quiver, he nods a 'yes'.

He heard it all as it was spoken, the time and date of death announced by the chief surgeon was now edged in his mind forever, he even heard Gohan say his name.
Vulnerability, something he experiences so little as he collapsed against the wall of the stairwell and slipped down slowly to the ground.
No tears came instead only pain deep in his rarely felt heart, he looks up to the sky above him and watches the clouds go by leisurely as the earth turns, each shape unique and unmatchable, incomparable and unachievable, seconds passed and he can no longer hold the anger down.

The boy's energy signal fizzled out.
"GOHAN!" He hollered, falling to his knees, his head falling to the concrete floor as his body convulsed in fits, trying and suppress the outweighed emotion he was feeling, it was alien and unwanted.

You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
In the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here

He promised, promised he wouldn't let the boy die alone and now that promise meant nothing, absolutely nothing.
"God damn you god… god damn you god!" he cried long and hard against the floor, claws scraping across the ground until they formed a tight fist.

He slammed it hard against and cracking the steel enforced concrete, leaving behind a fist shaped crater.
His flesh twitched violently, his arms and legs began taking on a foetal position pulling in toward his chest, and it was as though he didn't know how to react to such an alien emotion.

At first it was fear of it, then it became retaliation, slowly his body was surrounded by a fizzling, sparking red aura. He forced himself up from the floor and onto his feet, his fists clenched so tight that the skin sliced open in eight places.His jaws parted and he hollered toward the skies, the aura surrounding him flared, echoing against everything in its path.
The building shook, the glass door leading to the stairs shattered, the pieces collapsed in a mound at the frames base.
He curled his arms against his chest locking his jaws shut, and hissed through fine gaps between his teeth… still the pain wouldn't fade away, but the power in him was growing.
In a spectacular display, every single window on every side of the building shattered, reflective shards scattered several up to four blocks away, injuring many as many more ran for safety.

Gohan was gone…

You're in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here

Thanks for reading, please review!