This story is a little different that the others I've written. First, this is a "what if" story as in, what if GT never happened and what if Saiyans don't live to be around 125 to 130 years old, they aged the same way humans do. Secondly, I didn't write this piece for fun, but rather as a form of therapy. I started writing this just after my father-in-law passed away and it really helped immensely in my grieving process. It was a way that I could celebrate his life and say good bye in a good way.

So, this is as if GT never happened and all the Z Fighters have gotten older. Some have grandchildren, some have settled in due to many years of peace and some have already moved on to Otherworld. I apologize before hand if some of them seem OOC, but remeber they have grown up a bit differently and have had different influenses on them that they would have had Goku gone off to train Uub and then been turned into a child. Instead he stayed home and his presence altered things somewhat. Not exactly alt-universe style, just a little differently. In this time of peace, family became more important than anything.

The Last Days of the Warrior

1

The day was as it should be. The warm sun shone in the bright blue sky and the songs of the birds were trying to compete with the noise and laughter of the children playing in the field outside the tiny white house. A warm breeze blew through the window and made the white curtains billow into the room. He smiled slightly, lying on the cool cotton sheets, knowing that soon the day would be absolutely perfect. Just as soon as Gohan arrived.

Gohan walked up the stone path towards the house. The warm sun shone on his face and the scent of the trees filled his nostrils. 'It's good to be home again', he thought. He had been away for a long time. Teaching at the university had taken much of his time. His schedule made it very difficult to get away. He did manage to spend as much time as possible with Videl and his daughter Pan, who had grown into a beautiful young woman before he knew it. Unfortunately, the thing he had the least time for was his training. He hadn't trained as much as he would have liked to, but he was devoted to his family first and then his work in that order.

He hurried to the house because he knew they would all be waiting for his arrival. The last time all of them had been together like this was ten years ago when his mother, Chi-Chi passed away. She was the binding force in the family and had kept them firmly grounded their whole life. Gohan missed her terribly, but he also knew he would see her again someday. However, right now his only thoughts were of his father who was about to see his beloved wife again. Goku was dying.

"Is it time yet King Kai?" she asked in a very quiet voice. The tiny woman that stood beside him, clasped her hands in front of her and waited patiently for the answer. She was wearing his favorite purple dress and her snow white hair was tied up in a tiny bun. Her eyes were calm and quiet and the lines around them seemed deeper that usual.

"Not yet Chi-Chi," replied King Kai, "these things take time. Besides, Gohan isn't there yet. You know he will want to see him first."

"My little Gohan," she said wistfully.

"He's not so little anymore!" corrected King Kai. "And that Goten of yours has turned into a fine young man too, that is when he stays out of trouble."

Chi-Chi smiled and stood next to King Kai waiting patiently.

This being a bit short and in the way of an intro, I have posted Chapter 2 as well. Please read on and enjoy.