Redemption

I do not own any rights to Dragonball Z, or any characters and ideas, except my own.

PsycoT, ZGMF-X20A-SF, animepostal: Thanks for reading and for writing a review. And to answer your question animepostal, there will NOT be any "new" levels. I am pretty sure that at this stage...well why don't you just keep on reading ;-)

"..." talking

'...' thought

mind speech

Chapter 2 Aftermath: Part 1

A lonely wind blew across the barren landscape, raising the occasional dust devil to go scampering off on its own whim. Rubble from a tournament ring lay strewn about for miles around, giving mute testimony to the battle that had raged across its stage only hours before...

It had been several hours since word had reached everyone in the city that Cell had been defeated. Many flocked into the streets cheering as loved ones who had perished were miraculously brought back to life. Everyone of course attributed this the Kami of Earth, completely unaware of the presence of the Dragon balls. Some people however rushed to their vehicles and raced to the site of the Cell Games, to congratulate the one who defeated Cell.

"What's wrong with my baby?!?!?!?" Shrieked Chi Chi, as Gohan was carried into the small abode of the Son family, by Piccolo. She had been spared the sight of Gohan's tattered clothes and body. Piccolo winced in pain, but carefully set the young boy down on the couch, as Bulma, Krillen, Trunks, and Vegeta all walked in.

"Gohan is fine. He is just a little tired." A new voice said from out of nowhere. Everyone but Piccolo turned to see Dende standing in the door way of the house, with a small sad smile on his face. Everyone at once felt uncomfortable, and tried to look anywhere else than at Chi Chi. It was time for some bad news.

As Chi Chi fussed over the still sleeping Gohan, she absently asked, " Well, where is Goku? I know how hungry he gets after a fight. Frankly, I am surprised you guys beat him here." The silence was deafening. Chi Chi slowly looked up, with anguish on her face. "Bulma, whats...whats going on?" she asked with a slight tremble in her voice. As she slowly stood up and looked at the faces of her closest friends, she knew. Goku was gone. Tears ran freely down the faces of Krillen, and Yamcha. Bulma was openly weeping, on Vegeta's shoulder. But Tien's face was a mask of pain, full of unshed tears.

She was about to vehemently start her grieving process in denial, when she happened to look upon the face of Vegeta. Vegeta's face gave away nothing, but his eyes told everything. They say that the eyes are a window to the soul, and what Chi Chi saw in those eyes silenced all doubt. She slowly fell to her knees, and let her tears fall, as the pain of loss cut its way viciously through her heart.

Dende bravely walked forward and knelt down next to Chi Chi, and whispered into her ear. Chi Chi head jerked up, and everyone was shocked to see the joyful expression on her face, even though it only last for a few seconds. She looked at Dende with shouting silent questions with her face, only to have Dende just nod once. He stood up, and looked at everyone, and as if it was a signal, they knew that it was time to leave and to let Chi Chi grieve alone, with her family. As they all turned to leave, a small cry caused them to look at sleeping boy, concern etched on their faces.

The first conscious thought of Gohan had, as he was waking was that he wasn't in pain. 'Must have been a dream then.' He thought to himself. That notion was quickly dashed as he sensed his friends ki's all around him. All except the one he was looking for. He couldn't help the small cry that escaped his lips, as tears once again ran from his now open eyes. The look on her now eldest sons face was enough to make Chi Chi lose it herself, but she put her grief behind her, as only a parent can do, and wrapped her son in her arms as his sobs began to wrack his body. One by one the other Z fighters went and also wrapped their arms around the two, until the only ones left were Vegeta, Piccolo, Dende, Trunks. Tien having left quietly without anyone noticing.

Feeling a little out of place, Piccolo and Dende left, shortly by Trunks, who went to get things ready for his trip back to his own time line. That left only Vegeta, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed in his usual pose. He was at war with himself, and with his own emotions. He had been taught that to show emotions was to show weakness. It was not the Saiyajin way. But then he had met Kakarot, and everything changed.

This was a Saiyajin warrior who was the complete opposite of Vegeta, but contradictory to what he had been taught, it was Vegeta who had always fallen to second place behind the Saiyajin know as Goku. Vegeta was finally letting go of his past. The effect the death of Trunks had caused something to snap inside, and it had made him stronger yes, but the pain, had awaked something inside that had been sleeping for all this inside of him. He was now realizing what made Goku and Gohan different from everyone else. They didn't fight for pride, and they didn't fight for the idealistic notion of honor. No, they fought with pride and honor. They didn't fight for themselves, but they fought for others. That is what drove them...

As these thoughts ran through his head, he found himself walking towards the group of grieving friends. One by one they noticed his approach, and quietly moved out of his way, until there was nothing between himself, Gohan and Chi Chi. He placed his hands on the shoulders of the family of his once greatest rival.

"Chi Chi, Gohan," he couldn't help his smirk, knowing that they knew nothing of the gift he was about to give them. He was about to give them the highest reward that could be given to a Saiyan. "Chi Chi , Gohan" he began again, " mate and son of the Saiyan warrior know as Kakarot. Due to the heroic efforts and ultimate sacrifice this family has made for this planet I, Vegeta Prince of the Saiyans, do hereby proclaim thee of the house of Vegeta. You who were once the mate and son of a Third Class Warrior, are now Super Elite, second only to myself. Goku has earned this reward many times over." He then turned to look solely at young Gohan and said, " Gohan, you have been through much for one your age. I also have experienced many hardships at a young age, and I know some of the feelings you are going through. But remember this above all things. Remember why your father did what he did. He didn't do it for pride or honor or for the sake of being the strongest. Remember that he never went into battle for himself. Also know that your father is proud of you." He then backed up a few paces, and bowed to the two them, further shocking the rest of those gathered there.

As he turned around, the shocked faces on Bulma and the rest of those still at the house irritated him enough to bring the old Vegeta back for one more romp. "Woman!!" he growled, as he picked her up in his arms we are leaving. Now!" He then turned his glare at the rest of them, and they quickly got the hint. It was now time to give the Son family time to grieve by themselves. With quick hugs and promised visits, Bulma, Krillen, and Yamcha said there goodbyes, and left the small house in the woods...

-Ta sen-

A/N: Just so everyone knows there will only be one or two more chapters set recently after the Cell Games. After that shift, the main story will finally begin to develop. All of this has a reason so please bare with me okay. So read and review please, it is a major way of making your fav fics even better!!!! Thanks in advance