Title: Steps On a Path

Author: Sasusc

Fandom: Dragonball Z

Pairing: Gohan/Videl

Rating: PG-13 (Subject to Change)

Timeline: Saiyaman Saga

Notes: No Buu, Saiyaman may or may not make an appearance (and it's not because I don't like Saiyaman-I'm one of the few, it seems, that actually likes him). I've read a few stories where Gohan becomes Goten's father after they've become orphaned and I wanted to dip my hands into this scenario. After watching episodes recently, I've noticed that years can past before the Z Warriors see or even talk to each other, and I'm going on this assumption for this story. After all, no one knew about Gohan until he was four. And most of them didn't know about Trunks until Bulma shows up with him in the beginning of the Android Saga.

Chapter One: First Day, First Meetings

Gohan could only hope that Goten's first day of school had gone better than his. Not only had he failed to make any friends, but he had mostly failed at keeping his strength hidden. It had been far too long since he interacted with normal people. He needed to figure out what was normal and stick to it. He would consider it a form of training.

"Daddy!" he heard shouted across the elementary school yard. He couldn't help but smile at the joy he heard in his brother's voice.

He always had mixed feelings when Goten calls him 'Daddy'. If it wasn't for his arrogance, Goten would have a father. But his little brother was too much like their father. He quickly forgave him, and decided that Gohan would become his daddy. There was nothing he could do to persuade the boy from his thoughts. Maybe if ChiChi was still here Goten would have been content to have a brother instead of a father.

Two years after Goten's birth, ChiChi caught a really bad cold that she couldn't recover from. There was nothing anyone could do. He had been too heartbroken to call everyone in the beginning and then it hardly mattered. The Ox King tried to convince him to come live with him, but Gohan couldn't bear to leave the only home he had known. Plus, he wanted to give Goten a little piece of his parents to him with all the happy memories that filled their home. He made sure to come and visit them every week, and Gohan appreciate the gestured. It made him feel less alone. There was always Bulma but he knew she was raising her own family. She didn't need the hassle of raising another half Saiyan. Anyway, ChiChi wouldn't have liked the thought of Vegeta having a hand in raising her son.

Gohan caught the blur in his arms. "How was your first day of school?"

"I missed you. Why couldn't I go to school with you?"

He smiled. "You know why. You need to make friends your own age just like me."

Goten frowned. "But no one here is like me. Like us." He buried his head in Gohan's shoulder. "They don't like me here. They called me a liar."

He could hear the tears in his voice. He rubbed a hand up and down his back. "What happened?"

"I told them that my daddy was the strongest man alive and they all laughed. They said some guy name Hercule Satan was the strongest cuz he defeated Cell. I told them that they were wrong."

Gohan chuckled. "It's alright, Goten. We both know the truth. That's all that matters. I'm okay with Hercule Satan taking the credit. I don't need or want all the fame that came with it."

"But it's not fair!"

"Let me tell you a secret. Real heroes don't care about taking credit. As long as everyone is safe, that's all that matters."

Goten thought that over and nodded. "I still don't like it."

"Mr. Son," a woman called out. Gohan turned to her. It was Goten's teacher. "Can I have a private word with you? It's about Goten."

Gohan nodded and set the boy down. "Go play while I talk to Ms. Mizuno."

"Okay."

"Goten…is unusually strong," she started off.

Gohan rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. I told him to be gentle. He didn't hurt anyone, did he?"

Ms. Mizuno shook her head. "No. There was small mishap with his locker door." She fidget. "And he ate an unusually large portion of food for lunch. I don't want to offend you, but is he eating enough at home?"

He couldn't help but chuckle. "He eats plenty at home. We inherited a very fast metabolism and thus requires large meals. Bulma always said it was a little hard to get used to." The woman nodded. "Goten told me he thought the kids didn't like him… Is that true?"

"They're kids. Things will work themselves out in a few days. Goten was very opinionated on a few things. They all are adjusting to each other. There's show and tell tomorrow. Have Goten bring in a favorite toy or something special. Surely, he can find a kindred spirit and they'll become great friends. I wouldn't worry too much. These things take a little time."

"Thanks, Ms. Mizuno. We'll see you tomorrow. Take care."

Gohan called for Goten and took his hand as they started walking. "Let's grab some ice-cream before we head over to Bulma's place."

"We're going to Bulma's? Do you think Trunks will be there? Can I play with him? Please, Daddy, can I?"

"We can't stay for too long. I have homework to do and dinner to make. And you have to figure out what you want to bring to show and tell tomorrow."

Erasa nudged her friend. "Isn't that the new boy?"

Videl glanced over towards the counter when Son Gohan stood in a small line. This ice-cream parlor was always filled with OSH students after school for those who wanted a nice place to hang out or to go over some homework. Her small group was there to go over the math homework. Erasa was struggling to understand the work, and Videl wanted to get it done before she went home-or before she had police business to deal with.

"Yeah, so?"

"He's a genius, isn't he? We should invite him over."

Videl frowned. "I don't know… It looks like he's here with his kid brother."

Erasa could barely conceal her squeal. Gohan had the most adorable little brother. She wanted to go over there and squeeze the life out of him or take him shopping and play dress up. "Ohhh, isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen?" She stood up. "I'll just go over and invite them to join us."

She was gone before Videl could stop her. She turned to Sharpener. "Looks like Erasa has a new project."

"At least this new project has some benefits. We can use Brains to get better grades in class."

Videl watched her friend join the tall teenager. There was something about Son Gohan that didn't quite fit the image he tried to portray. He was a genius if his test scores were anything to go by. He was quiet and seemed a little unsure about interacting with his peers. Gym class showed a completely different side of the geek. He showed great stamina that most athletes could only dream of having, the ability to jump high, incredible strength, and a hard head that any boxer or martial artist would envy. Yet he showed no interest in taking up any kind of sports.

"V! Gohan has agreed to help us with our homework. Isn't that great?"

Gohan smiled sheepishly. "I can't stay long. I promised to stop by at a friend's house."

The little boy peeked around Gohan's legs. Videl found his shyness adorable. He glanced up at Gohan. "All these people are your friends?"

Gohan wasn't sure how to answer that. Erasa had taken the initiative to make him feel welcome on his first day of school by asking him to sit next to her. And she tried to include him in on their conversation throughout the day. Videl was a little tight lipped and harder to get to know. Sharpener thought smarts were less important than sports and thus he barely had anything to say to Gohan unless it was trying to get him to join a team. He would hardly say they were friends.

Videl took pity on the teenager. "Yep. I'm Videl and that's Sharpener. What's your name?"

"I'm Goten." He buried his face in Gohan's leg. "Even you can make friends easily. Why can't I?"

"Hey, buddy," he said as he picked Goten up and settled him on his hip. "You'll make friends."

"Yeah," Erasa joined in. "You're such a cutie. Everyone will love you. Are you going to Orange Star Elementary? My cousin is a teacher there."

Goten nodded. "Yeah. Ms. Mizuno is my teacher. She's really nice. She gave me a gold star for getting an answer correct."

"Ms. Mizuno? That's my cousin! You're one lucky boy for getting her as a teacher."

"Wow! That's so cool."

Gohan took a peak at the homework laying on the table. "So what don't you understand about it?" The sooner they started, the quicker he they could get out of there. He was worried Goten might call him 'Daddy' and he was not prepared to give them an answer. After almost four years of raising Goten, he did feel more like his father than brother so it was a rather difficult question to give a simple answer without digging too deep. Although, he suspected that by next week they would start asking questions if Erasa and her cousin started talking. Goten's school knew him as a very young father. He didn't deem it important to tell them that they were orphans. He had always been a private person. It was why he allowed Hercule Satan to take credit for killing Cell. He didn't want the fame and the lack of privacy that came with it. It was also to protect his family. He figured that it was none of the school's business to know the truth.

For the next ten minutes, Gohan went over the homework while Goten ate his ice-cream. He was getting bored listening to them. The blonde girl was nice. She kept whispering funny things to him. But he was ready to go play with Trunks. His friend wanted to show him a new move that his dad had shown him. Goten wanted to see it and then learn how to do it too. He was already told that he wouldn't have much time with Trunks.

He tugged at Gohan's sleeve. "Are you done yet?"

Gohan rubbed Goten's head. "Sorry, buddy. We'll leave in a minute. Do you guys understand it now?"

Videl nodded. "Thanks Gohan. We appreciate you taking some time helping us."

"It was no problem," he said grinning. "Let's go, Goten. Trunks is probably driving Bulma mad waiting for us to show up."

Goten nodded excitedly. "Let's go!" He bowed to the group of teenagers. "It was nice to meet you."

Videl watched them both leave, Goten clinging to Gohan's back. "Cute kid," she commented. Her friend nodded. "But there's something not quite right about Son Gohan."

"There's nothing wrong with him, V. You're a tad upset that he didn't know who you were. "

"Am not. It's nice not having someone fawn all over me because of my dad."

Erasa bounced in her seat. "You're interested in him, aren't you?"

"It doesn't matter," Sharpener cut in. "We all know your dad won't let you date anyone weaker than him, and I highly doubt the nerd could last a minute in a ring with Hercule."

"You're probably right about that, but I'm not interested in Gohan like that. I'm just curious. There's something strange about that boy. Him and his brother look familiar-like I've seen them somewhere before."

"Gohan," Bulma greeted him.

Bulma couldn't help but check over the Sons. If she had things her way, the two boys would be living with her. She had been so angry with Gohan for keeping ChiChi's death quiet for almost two years. And then he refused to let her take them in and help raise Goten. A teenager shouldn't have to be burdened with a baby. He was still only a child no matter what kind stuff he had gone through in his life. She chewed out the Ox King for allowing Gohan to live alone raising his baby brother. It wasn't right. Goku would have wanted her to raise his sons. ChiChi wouldn't have wanted Gohan to be alone like that.

Vegeta told her to let her anger go–that Gohan was old enough to decide his own fate. He reminded her that Goku had lived alone for years before he met her. And she, herself, wasn't that much older when she went on her Dragonball quest. He was right but she refused to admit it to his face.

"Bulma. I just wanted to thank you again for helping get Goten and I into school. My mother always wanted me to get an education."

Bulma sighed. Gohan would be bored silly in school. The only thing he would learn there was getting along with kids his own age. This would be the first time he would really be interacting with his peers. She only hoped that Gohan would find a nice girl there that he could settle down with. "You're welcomed. Visit more often. We all miss you, and Trunks would like having Goten around more. Vegeta has him locked away in the GR for hours." She shook her fist. "And that arrogant jerk has been teaching that boy to be just as arrogant as he is! Trunks doesn't even try to make friends at school. He claims that they all are beneath him."

Gohan couldn't help but chuckle. "Did you really expect anything different when he spends too much time with Vegeta?" He patted the older woman on the shoulder. "I'll let Goten visit at least once a week. If I'm not too busy with school, Trunks could spend the weekend with us."

"Oh! It's been awhile since me and Vegeta had any time alone. I'll just have to do some 'repairs' on the GR to get him away from training. He's so determined to get stronger than you."

Gohan smiled. Bulma smiled back. She pulled him into a hug.

"Gohan… I'm glad you're finally going to be around more. We all miss you." She sighed. "So tell me about your first day of school."

Meanwhile, Goten entered the GR where he knew his only friend to be. Vegeta and Trunks both paused when the program disabled.

He grinned at them. "Hi! I'm here now."

Vegeta snorted. "Clearly." He walked over to the panel and turned the program back on. The forced of the gravity made them all shift their bodies to adjust to the heavier weight. "You two train over there and stay out of my way."

"Okay Mr. Vegeta!"

The two boys quickly got into a fighter's stance. "I wish I could go to school with you," Goten said as he swung his leg out.

Trunks easily blocked it. "Me too. There's no one remotely interesting at my school. I don't know why your dad didn't enroll you into my school. Everything would be so much better if we were together."

Vegeta snorted as he overheard the boys. "As if we would allow the two of you to go to school together. You'll cause too much trouble."

"Aww! Mr. Vegeta, we will be good. We promise!"

"Yeah," Trunks chimed in.

"It's not going to happen. Maybe when you both are older. That's final," he said quickly when he saw the boys were going to protest.

Vegeta placed a hand behind his back and flipped himself into a one-handed handstand. He started his pushup count as he focused on the two boys sparring. They had moved on from a simple warmup to Trunks showing Goten a move he had recently taught the boy. Goten easily picked it up. Gohan had been training the boy well.

He knew his wife had been upset-which was an understatement-that Gohan had refused to come live with them about five years ago, but it seemed that both boys were doing fine. Goten could be a little more Saiyan, but it would seem that he had too much of his father in him to be anything else.