Disclaimer- Do you think I own Dbz? If you say yes, you should see a doctor. I am not a rich Japanese man named Akira. Figure the rest out yourself!
Summary- Do you ever just blame yourself for something but deep down you know it might not be your fault. Poor Gohan is, but he is convinced it is his fault. Maybe Piccolo can convince him otherwise…
(a/n- I should thank Infinity064, your oneshot, "Dead Hope", and your little goldfish, gave me the idea for this story. Hope it makes you feel better!)
Not always your fault
Gohan shivered as he sat down, back against a boulder. As he sat he looked up at the sky. He really wished it was day time, then maybe it wouldn't be so cold… he wished he could raise his power level to warm up too… That would help…
"Gohan!"
The demi- Saiyan nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard his name being shouted.
"But he can't sense me…" He mumbled to himself, crawling behind the boulder.
'Maybe if I stay hidden well enough-'
"Gohan, I can see you behind there."
Gohan sighed and slowly stood up, still feeling unsure.
"But how could you find me, Mr. Piccolo" He asked, feeling a bit miserable and embarrassed. But, who wouldn't? Running away didn't work too well if you got caught.
"Kid, I know you better than you think." Piccolo answered, landing in front of him. Though it was dark, Gohan could see him perfectly. He had his arms crossed over his chest and was looking down at him.
"I… I'm not going back." Gohan said, bravely, turning away, crossing his arms over his chest as well.
"Gohan, you can't run away from this." Piccolo told him. Gohan felt tears pricking the back of his eyes for probably the hundredth time that day, but he did his best to ignore it.
"What am I supposed to do then? Mom is miserable and it's all my fault! Dad's dead because of my, Piccolo!" He argued.
"Kid, you can't seriously blame yourself for thi-"
"It's my fault! If I hadn't been such an idiot, Dad would have lived and mom wouldn't be so sad…"
"It was your fathers choice to stay dead. He's doing this for you and your mother." Piccolo said convincingly. Gohan didn't take it and turned back to face him.
"But it's my fault he died in the first place-"
"Gohan, do you think that he would want you to blame yourself? Maybe your mistake affected his death in a way that can't be changed, but that doesn't necessarily mean it was completely your fault! And besides that, your father would be very upset to know that you are here blaming yourself for his death and your mother won't be too happy either. This isn't your fault but your mother at home worrying about you may be and that's something you should go fix."
Gohan, who had been staring at the ground with tears silently falling down his face, looked up.
"Your right Mister Piccolo. Thank you. I- I'll go fix that now."
"Hn." Was all Piccolo said in reply before blasting into the air back to Kami's lookout. But, the whole way there, he was [sort of] smiling.
At least he knew Gohan would be okay.
(a/n-Yeah, that's all I got. Guess today is my day for short stories… But 'some stories are better short' ;) )