Firefly

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ OR HXH

Chapter 1: You my Friend

Rating: M for strong language, sexual references, and dark themes.

Pairings:

Gohan x Killua

Vegeta x Bulma

Goku x Chi Chi

More to be revealed soon!

Soundtrack coming soon!

Staring at the ceiling, I let my mind wander away, letting it find my deepest and darkest thoughts. I didn't mind it though. I got over my thoughts eating me away to the point that I just shrug them off like any other thought. It sounds dark, but I can't help it. Especially with the things I've been thinking of. Lately, I've been hitting that age when I start to question myself. What I mean is questions like "Is this who I truly am?" and "What would happen if I did this differently?" The basic questions any 14 year old would ask. Some questions, however, make me want to either laugh at how stupid they were or puke to the point when there's nothing left in my stomach.

But I'll just laugh at myself again. Laugh about how much I'm overreacting. If someone were to see me, they'll send me off to the mental asylum in a heartbeat. It sounds stupid, but trust me, you'd be freaked the fuck out too if you ever saw me like that. Anyway, when I turned 14 just a few weeks ago, that's when I started to realize that this is going to be my life. My life was going to be crap from now all the way until I'm dead, possibly. I've been through so much no other 14 year old should go through. I've faced aliens, a Galactic Emperor, androids, family members, and so much more. If I told anyone off the street, they'll call "bullshit" and laugh in my face. Others would send me to the same mental asylum I mentioned before.

Even after all of that, I somehow manage to overcome the odds. Granted, I did cower in fear a few times, but most of the time I stood up for my friends and tried my best to defend them. I should pat myself on the back for that. Funny, I've said that so many times, but I never do. I even wonder why I say stuff like that. It must be a hint that I'm still the same cheery and innocent Gohan like I used to be. Unfortunately, that Gohan is long gone. He's been gone for the past 3 years. This Gohan is not like the old one. This one is more mature, more serious, and especially more caring than before.

Goten. That's the name of my little brother. He's the reason why I'm more caring than ever. I'm more caring than that deadbeat I used to call a Dad. I can't believe I even looked up to that man. I looked up to him as my hero! He was my idol, my father! He's helped me through so much! Now, he's dead and we had the chance to bring him back with the dragon balls. Do you want to know what he says? He refuses to come back home. He chooses to stay dead and train rather than supporting his family! He left his firstborn, his wife, and his soon to be youngest son! What kind of jerk does that to his family? He's ungrateful!

I swore I'd be a better person than he was. I got that chance when Goten was born. I finally got the chance to prove I was the better person than him. Goten looks up to me as a father, as a brother, and as a friend. Dad had that chance with me, but he failed. I have to admit, raising Goten can be a pain in the ass sometimes. The little rascal can't stay in the tub, makes a mess every time he eats (I do too), and somehow finds a way to get dirty even if he was in the house. Yet through it all, I still can't stay mad at him, it's like I never can get mad at him. He makes my day every day. Without Goten, I don't even want to know where I'd end up.

If Mom was here, she would understand too. She used to tell me stories how no matter what kind of trouble I got into, she could never stay mad at me. She was overprotective, but I still loved her. I miss her every day, though. No matter what room in the house I go into, it would remind me of her. I ended up crying every day for the past month after her death. Looking at Goten would even make my eyes water. I don't blame him for her death, it happens to some moms. Blood loss from giving birth happens and it happened to my mom. I was planning on reviving her with the dragon balls, but I figured she'd be happier with Dad than down here. I did what was best for her and hopefully, she knew that.

After her death, Bulma and the others offered me and Goten a place to stay. I turned them all down. I wanted Goten to be raised somewhere I was raised, which was out in the mountains, not in the city or an island. My Dad's friend, Bulma, kept begging me to live in Capsule Corp with her. I still turned her down. Sometimes, she'd still call and ask again to move in with her. I'll give her the same answer as always. Once in a while, she'll come for a visit to drop off some Zeni or new clothes for Goten. I would show appreciation, but deep down, I didn't care. Goten already had enough clothes and we still have left over Zeni from Dad's tournament win that can last us a few more years. After that, she would leave.

Glancing at the clock, I noticed I was left in my thoughts for a good hour. I came to my room for a quick nap but now I had to move that nap to a later time. Yawning, I was walking to the living room to check on Goten when I spotted one of his stuffed animals on the floor. It was a small purple dragon that had a striking resemblance to Icarus, not only one of my pets but also one of my friends. I picked it up and chuckled at the memories I shared with Icarus. One of my favorite ones was when I introduced him to my sensei, Piccolo. Let's just say he wasn't too thrilled when we interrupted his meditation.

After I tossed the toy in my room quickly, I noticed Goten in the living room playing with a few action figures I got for him at the store. One of them was a man wearing a black tailcoat with a red-lined black cape, a top hat, and a white mask. I think his name was "Tuxedo Mask" or something. Another one was roughly the same height with slicked back black hair and wearing a green jumpsuit with yellow buttons and black shoes. I can't quite remember the name, but I believe it was "Yusuke". I'm not sure.

I smiled when he placed the two figures on top of a box before holding up two new ones.

"Takes this!" He made an explosion sound effect when one of the figures collided with the other. The one who was hit dropped to the floor with Goten pretending it was in pain. "Ha! Ha! You are a weakling! No one will save you now."

I chuckled as he continued playing with his imagination. Recently, I started to train him, hoping he can become as strong as me one day. We started with basic martial arts warm ups. It was hard trying to find a balance between training and education yet making him stay a little kid. Of course, I'm not making him study as hard as my Mom made me. She forced me to study all day and every day so I could become a scholar one day. In honor of her, I kept up with my studies and, hopefully, become a scholar once I hit 18. I did find time to train, of course, there was no way I wouldn't stop. I have to become strong not only for Goten, but for my friends too.

When I told Piccolo I was still planning on becoming a scholar, he thought I was bluffing. Most of my friends, or should I say Dad's friends, thought I would follow in his footsteps and defend the Earth. To be honest, that really pissed me off. I'm not becoming a thick-headed man-child like he was. I wanted to do what's best for me and do what my Mother wanted me to do, even if it isn't exactly the way she hoped I would do it.

"Ah! Save me, Tuxedo Mask!" Goten exclaims in a high pitched voice as he held up an old doll I found in the closet. "I'm coming, Mercury!" I grin when he continued playing with the figures I got him. He must really love those.

"Hey, squirt."

When he met eye contact with me, I felt my grin grow as he flashes me one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen.

"Hey, Daddy! I'm playing with my toys right now, wanna join?"

Goten calls me Daddy. Do I deserve that name? Yes. I've been raising him since Day one. A Dad is someone who is there for you during the tough times and teaches you how to tie your shoes, who loves you, who kisses you goodnight and scare the monsters from underneath the bed. Does it feel right? Parts of me tell me to tell him the truth about his real Dad but the other part says to not worry about it. I've told Goten about Mom and he looked like he really didn't care. He said as long as he has me, he'll be happy forever. That hit me hard that day. A 2 year old managed to make a 13 year old cry that day.

I nodded while sitting beside him, grabbing one of the toys. "What's his name, Goten?"

He grabbed the toy and studied it for a brief moment. His eyes were squinted so you can tell he was really determined to remember. His face lit up like a Christmas tree when he finally realized who he was holding.

"Oh! His name is Kurama! He's cool." He handed me back the figure before picking two up and returning to his famous voice acting. "Hey! Who invited Kurama to the party? Do you want to get beat up too just like Tuxedo Man?"

I laughed until holding up my figure and moved it side to side as if it was talking. "Yeah! I'm here to avenge him and beat you up."

We continued to play for the past hour, I think. Time seemed to go by fast today. I didn't care. I could play with Goten all day and not get bored with him. He didn't care either. No matter what we do he'll always have a good time. Whether it's cleaning his room, giving him a bath, or even studying, he'll still have that same smile on his face. That same smile that brightens my day. I heard a small growl coming from his stomach, causing him to laugh.

I smiled. "Oh, looks like someone is hungry." He nodded when I stood back on my feet. "So what will it be today, Goten? Rice? Soup? What are you in the mood for?" My smile grew when he started to ponder to himself.

After giving it some thought, he jumped in the air. "I want chicken and rice! I want chicken and rice!" He chants, pumping his fist in the air.

I scratched the back of my head. "If that's what you want, sure but you know me, Goten. It might take a little bit."

I wasn't the best cook in the world. Mom was easily one of the best. I don't know how she could cook so much food for me and Dad, considering how much we eat a day. When it comes to my cooking, it was decent. I'm used to cooking toast or pancakes. I won't cook a cuisine or any of that. Rice is easy to cook and I could just roast the chicken. Yeah, that sounds good. I might have to get a few extra chickens at the store though.

"I know that, daddy." He giggles.

I chuckle at him for a moment before frowning. "Well, we have to go to the store than to get more chicken. We also have to get more juice and milk for the morning."

Goten continued to smile, which made me smile back. "Okay! Let's go!"

The store wasn't that close to home, but not that far either. If you were walking it would take a good 15 minutes, but if you were like us, flying, it would take less than 3 minutes. Poor Mom had to walk and with the amount of food we eat, she was probably struggling just to walk. She could've taken the Nimbus cloud, but she said walking helped her ease her mind. I couldn't agree more. Speaking of Nimbus, Goten was flying the yellow cloud while I flew next to him.

As we walked down the aisles, Goten was bombarding me about the food. He said some looked good and others looked nasty. I only laughed at him. He kept on asking if I could get him a candy bar, which I had no choice but to buy. He gave me those innocent puppy eyes again. Every time he gives me that look I always give in to it. It was like some freaky mind control technique. You can't resist it.

After finding everything we needed, we waited on the checkout line. People were staring at us in awe. Not because they saw a 14 year old and a 2 year old here without a parent, but at the amount of food we were buying. Literally the whole cart was filled with chickens, juice, milk, eggs, and pancake mix. Thanks to Goten, we added a few chocolate bars to the list. Thank Dende I brought enough Zeni with me or else we had to put stuff back.

"Your total is 200 Zeni." The clerk says with a deadpanned voice.

I handed her the Zeni and put the food in multiple plastic bags. I gave Goten the bag with the chocolate bars for him to carry while I carried the rest. When we walked outside, I was bumped in the shoulder by a dark figure running. I opened my mouth to say something, but a woman beat me to it. The black clothed figure snatched her purse and ran down the crowded area of people. He bumped into them, knocking a few to the ground.

"Help! He stole my purse!" She cried out.

Goten gasped and looked up at me, fear in his eyes. "Daddy! Go stop him!"

I looked between Goten and the robber and sighed. I had to be a hero to Goten. I had to show him I'll be brave even during the tough times.

"Stay here! Don't move!" I gave Goten a quick hug before setting the bags down and, in blinding speed, followed him to a dark alley way. He didn't know he was being followed until looking over his shoulder. He let out a small cackle and held out a switchblade. He looked cocky, but he has no idea who he was dealing with.

"Aw, you tryin' to be hero, little boy?" He teases, swinging the blade like a maniac. I held back the urge to laugh at him trying to be tough. "You shouldn't have followed me. Run along back to Mommy before I cut you."

I rolled my eyes at him. Does he really think a little weapon like that could damage me? I honestly loved thugs like this. I love it when their smug faces morph into shock before my fist connects with their jaw. It's one of the best things ever.

The thug's smirk grew when I remained silent. "So you the silent type, ay? I actually feel sorry for you, you lil' bastard. Dying at such a you-"

A sickening ripping sound bounced off the walls followed by the thug puking up a fair amount of blood. He then gagged, looking down at the gaping wound in his stomach. I stood in awe while he tried to scream, but the blood in his lungs wouldn't let him. When he tried to, it came out like a gargle. He then fell on his knees, coaxing his pants in his fresh puddle of blood. Letting out one last gasp, he became lifeless and landed face first in the pool of blood.

Who could do this? I wasn't going to kill him, no, but I would've gotten him seriously injured. Broken arm, broken jaw, or even a broken leg would do him justice. Judging by the wound in his gut, it couldn't have been a weapon. No knife or even gun would make that kind of hole. It had to be a hand, not even a fist. Someone just straight up sliced through his stomach without balling their hand into a fist.

My hypothesis turned out to be correct.

Standing behind the collapsed corpse was someone roughly my height and age. His hand was held out and the thug's blood was dripping down his fingers. His skin was pale, paler than mine. One of his most stand out features, though, had to be his white, spiky hair. The best one was his bright blue eyes that I couldn't help but stare into. He was staring right back at me, frowning when he began studying me. I noticed the small smile he had when he finished.

After wiping the blood on his white shirt, he picked up the purse and tossed it to me. I caught it with one hand never taking my eyes off of him. Who the hell was this guy? He couldn't be any normal kid, that's for sure. Any normal person will start to flee at this point, hoping I didn't see their face to turn them in for manslaughter. This guy, however, remained still, still staring at me. I opened my mouth to say something, but words refused to come out. Why am I so nervous? What's wrong with me?

"Daddy!"

Goten was running down the alleyway, carrying all the groceries which surprised me. Thank Dende he saw the thug run in here or else he'd be lost trying to look for me. He ran my way, despite dropping a few apples on the way. His smile returned when he saw me with the lady's purse, but mine never did. I dropped the purse, bent down, and held him close to me, trying to shield his eyes from the mess this guy made. He was too young to see shit like this. I didn't even see stuff like this at his age. Things like this could traumatize him.

"You did it!" He cheers, his voice being muffled. "You're a superhero now! What should your name be? Super Son?" He kept on suggesting random superhero names, but I had no choice but to ignore him. I was staring at him again. This time, his face was showing confusion. I can't blame him. How could someone my age be a Dad?

I finally decided to break eye contact with him.

I looked down at my little brother, spreading a soft smile on my face. "C'mon, Goten. Let's bring this back to her." He nodded and began to skip down the alleyway, swinging the bags in his hands. I shook my head, but couldn't help but chuckle.

"You dropped this."

"Huh?"

The kid from before held out one of the bags Goten must've dropped. The soft smile returned on his face. It was like he forgot about killing a guy before. Any normal person would scream and call him a 'monster', but I was better than that. I wasn't any normal person. At this point, I was very used to shit like this. If someone was to be decapitated in front of me, I would shrug it off as if nothing happened and continue with my day. I find it sick.

"I said you dropped this." He repeats sounding a little annoyed.

I blinked at the bag before grabbing it from his hand. "Um, thanks I guess."

"I'm Killua."

"Huh?"

He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Do you have trouble hearing? My name is Killua." He points to himself before pointing right at me. "What's yours? Don't tell me it's 'Daddy', that would be ridiculous. You couldn't be a father."

I narrowed my eyes at him. What makes him think that?

"For your information I am a father." I state, my eyes narrowing even more at him to the point I'm glaring at him. "And my name is Gohan."

'Killua' opened his mouth to reply but instead shifted his eyes to look over my shoulder. Turning around, I saw Goten running back over here with the woman in tow. She wore high heels so running wasn't going well for her. Goten tried to match her pace, but the overwhelming excitement caused him to run much faster than her.

"Here he is!" Goten says to the woman.

Tears began to form in her eyes when I held out her purse. "I think this is yours." I laugh.

"Thank you so much!" She says before handing me a few Zeni bills. "Take this as a token of my gratitude. I won't forget this!" After that, she ran back. Watching her run and almost slip made me almost burst out laughing. I know it's bad, but watching people fall in high heels keep hitting my funny bone. Goten found it funny too so he held back a giggle by covering his mouth. I heard a slight chuckle from Killua, but I chose to ignore him.

Hearing him, Goten looked up at him and smiled. "Oh, who's this, Daddy? A friend?"

I glanced at him for a moment before shrugging. I just met him, so I can't call him a friend.

"No, Goten. Just someone who helped me." I reply. I instantly regretted saying that when I noticed the look of defeat on Killua's face. Maybe he wanted to be my friend? Just looking at the hurt in his eyes made me…sad. Not sad but more like apologetic. Why am I acting like this? This is weird…

Goten frowned at me. That's one look from him that can destroy my whole day. "Aw, maybe he wants to be my friend." He then looked back up at Killua, the smile returning. "I'm Goten. What's your name?"

I look at Killua, who smiled down at him. "I'm Killua. Nice to meet you." He then held his hand out for him to shake. Using both of his hands, Goten shook it. "I was here to help your…'Daddy' catch the bad guy." When Goten turned his head to look at the mess, Killua stepped in his way. "I wouldn't look if I was you, Goten. Something like that will give you nightmares. Do you like having nightmares?"

I nearly yelled at him for asking such a stupid question. Of course he doesn't like nightmares! I swear I think he's trying to either scare Goten or make him look at the corpse. Either way, I should stop him before he asks anything else.

Goten shook his head. "No, I don't like having nightmares but my Daddy tells me a bedtime story to make me have good dreams. Sometimes, he'll look under my bed and in my closet for scary monsters."

Killua chuckled before glancing my way. "He does, does he?" I shrugged in response. I stared at me for a moment before bending down to Goten's height. "Well, if you don't want nightmares, then don't look behind me, okay?" He nodded.

I just looked on, flabbergasted at the two. I've never seen Goten make a friend so fast. Not only that, but Killua was actually forming a bond with the small infant. Half of his brain told him to break it apart and return home but the other half wanted him to stay and see where this goes. Being Goten's guardian, I have to do what was best for him. So the best thing for him right now was making a new friend.

"I have so many new toys I got!" He exclaims, throwing his arms in the air. "I want you to see them. Daddy?" Looking up at me, he flashed me another giant smile, one I couldn't help but smile back at. His smiles always make my day. "Can we bring Killua to the house and play?"

Killua looked at me with a smile. I stared at him, cocking my head to the side. His smile…his smile somehow reminded me of Goten's. I found myself smiling back and I couldn't make it go away. Not only that, but his smile seem to grow when I smiled back at him. What's wrong with me? I felt my face get hot. Great, now I'm blushing. I could only imagine what I must look like. I probably look like an awkward freak. I wasn't the only one blushing though. I noticed Killua's cheek turn pink when we both realized we've been staring and smiling at each other for the past 5 minutes.

Goten looked between us, confused as ever. I can't blame him. "Are you guys okay?"

I finally snapped out of my trance and nodded. "Yes, Goten, we're fine."

"So can Killua come over and play?"

I looked at Killua for an answer. He shrugged before nodding his head.

I found myself smiling again.

"Yes, Goten. He can come over and play."

Maybe having someone over for a change wouldn't be so bad. Who knows? Maybe Killua could be my friend too.

After all, I do see me when I look at him.

Author: Did you guys enjoy it? I know it's a short chapter but I promise, next time will be longer. Also, I will be cycling between this, Hunter x Hunter x Saiyan, and another HXH story I'm working on. Please, give me some love. Trust me, I'll make this pairing work.