I glance up at a photo of the man I know as my father, Son Goku. How could I not be proud?

All of my life, I have looked up to this man. Not only was he the world's most powerful fighter, he didn't flaunt it. He was confident, but not over confident. He would always do what was right, that was just who he was, even if it cost him everything.

Most people wouldn't understand my father, he was never home after his first death, but I couldn't really blame him. He was a hero. My father couldn't just stand around and let evil prevail. That wasn't him.

It may have not been fair to my mother, but she understood. It wasn't that he wanted to be away from us. It was just how the cards fell.

I can barely remember a time when he wasn't having to run off into battle. It had to be before I was five, because that's when I started fighting as well.

My father died trying while trying to stop my uncle. I remember the grief, but I was interrupted by that sadness as I was kidnapped by Piccolo at the time.

The Namek wanted to make me his student, he wanted to use me, but that never happened. Instead, I gained someone who felt like an older brother, and we gained a powerful ally.

I remember Piccolo's sacrifice for me at the hands of Nappa and my father's return from death. Again I was hit with grief, but didn't have time for it to register.

You sent me away, not for the glory, but to keep me safe. I didn't listen. I came back, and it's a good thing I did. You would have died again. The Saiyan Prince would have killed you.

I was startled when I learned that you let him go. Why did you save the man who almost killed you? It wasn't until later that I realized that your call was correct. Without Vegeta, Krillen and I wouldn't have lasted long on Namek.

You came in our time of need, I almost died.

You became a living legend, I was proud to have a dad as strong as you.

I remember being faced with your death again, but you weren't dead. You survived both Frieza and the destruction of Namek. I was relieved, even if you didn't just come straight back. I knew what you were doing. You had become so strong, Namek was almost destroyed by your power alone. You would want to harness that power before returning.

Frieza returned, but was stopped by a mystery boy from the future. You came back as well, but the news I got wasn't the best. Even if I was the only one to survive the Androids, I could never be happy knowing that everyone else would be dead.

I learned of the heart virus that would take you away again, but I was told there was medicine. So I put that fear away.

Mom didn't want us to train, I think she had enough with all of the fighting, but I knew neither of us could just stand around and do nothing.

We trained in secret for years, preparing for the challenge that came our way.

The androids came and you fell ill. I worried, but I couldn't focus on that. I had to stay sharp.

Myself and the boy from the future, started to unravel more. A true monster had come. The being that would seal your fate and mine.

When it was discovered and you were healed, we waited. I watched as Piccolo almost died again. You saved his life, I was grateful again. Was there anything you couldn't do?

We went into the chamber and you started to show me more. You told me that I could become a warrior of legend, just like you. I trained every day. Hoping that you were right. I could feel myself grow stronger, but I didn't see how I could ever match up to you.

We came out and I had reached the form, but I was nowhere as strong as you, Vegeta, or Trunks. I didn't understand how you could be so confident in me. The truth was, I really didn't like fighting the same way you did. Yes I would fight because if I didn't everything I cared for would be destroyed, but if there was no danger I would probably slack off.

The Cell Games came and I befriended an Android. The monster known as Cell murdered him….And I finally understood what you meant. The strength I didn't know I had came forward. I surged to a form higher than you. I surpassed you. And you looked so proud.

But fate would get in the way again, you would pass on in that battle. And I was left as the strongest one on Earth.

I didn't hate you, I could never hate you. You did what you had to do. You blamed yourself for causing the creation of Cell. You didn't want that to happen again. So this time you stayed dead.

Mother found out she was pregnant soon after, Goten was born less than a year later. I often tell him stories about you. Our father the grand hero. He wants to fight too, but the time is peaceful, for now.

The tournament is next week, and I can't wait to see you. It's been seven years since that battle and thinking back on everything I can truly say, I'm proud. I'm proud that I'm your son. That you're my father. I wouldn't have gotten far without you and I'm grateful. Grateful for the trust and strength you gave me.

Author's Note

Yes, this ends before the Buu Saga, that's because we get the bulk of Gohan and Goku's interaction before the Buu Saga. I do plan to do Trunks and Goten, but don't really expect them to be as happy as this, especially Goten. I don't know if I will do Future Trunks of not, maybe if enough people ask for it. Also I'm not doing Bra. I haven't watched GT nor do I think of it as cannon. Also Super is not complete so I won't be using anything from Super in these.