Wrote this chapter before, didn't like it, so re-wrote it as I was traveling back home for the holidays. Merry Christmas!

We'll Get Through It

"Reaction"

-Son Akito

Even though the young saiyan had always tried to fight it, especially when his father was around, there was something about studying that calmed the mind. Reading, research, finding out answers, all of it intruded Gohan. The world was a wondrous place, and the more Gohan knew, the more he could make sense of the world.

He wasn't sure how long he had been studying his biochemistry, but a knock to the door broke his concentration.

"Gohan-chan?" the door cracked slightly as his mother poked her head inside the room. It warmed her heart to see her baby boy studying, "How's your homework going?"

Gohan gathered the papers on his desk and walked them over to his mother. He had finished his history and mathematics hours ago, "All I have left for today his biochemistry, Mom."

Chi-Chi gathered the papers from her son, quickly glancing to see if all the questions had been answered, "Well done Gohan-chan. I'm so proud of my little scholar."

Gohan glanced out the window, noticing that it was now mid-day, "Where's Dad?"

Chi-Chi sighed, shaken her head lightly, "You know your father, he's off with Piccolo."

It took every ounce of self-control on Gohan's part not to react.

"Lunch will be ready in a few hours, I expect the rest of your work to be done by then. After lunch, we'll go over your English and sociology."

Gohan gave his mother a single nod, "Yes, ma'am."

Chi-Chi could not hide the proud look in her eyes, she placed the papers close to her chest, "You're going to be such a great scholar one day."

With that, Chi-Chi closed the door behind her.

Gohan stood by the door, waiting until he heard his mother's footsteps reach the bottom of the staircase. Once he knew she was no longer near his door, he gave out a long sigh. Now that his concentration was broken, Gohan decided that a break would do him some good.

Tip-toeing to the window, Gohan very quietly opened the window. The spring breeze instantly hit Gohan's face, and he couldn't help but to smile. He breathed in the forest air, and wondered for a split second if he'd ever come back.

Jumping out of the window, Gohan floated softly into the air. He couldn't release too much of his power; even if Chi-Chi couldn't sense chi, she would be able to feel the source of energy in Gohan's power if he did make a quick get away.

Very gently, like a leaf dancing in the wind, Gohan flew off to Piccolo's waterfall.

It had been a few hours since the sparring had began, but either party was far from tried.

Gokuu had showed up to the waterfall without saying a word, which was unusual for the saiyan warrior. Piccolo didn't mind this, Gokuu's rantings had become annoying, and the Namek was beginning to see where Gohan had got that from. Piccolo didn't mind Gohan's antics since he was a child and his friend.

Gokuu on the other hand, they were officially friends now according to Gohan. And even though Piccolo did not want to kill his former enemy, the word friend seemed like a stretch. He could almost feel his dead father rolling over in his grave at the mere thought.

Piccolo is one of the best fighters on the planet. The Earthlings were simply no match, Piccolo was fairly confident that if he was up against Vegeta now, his fighting technique could out do the saiyan prince, and since he was Gohan's teacher, he knew all of Gohan's moves. There was only one person who Piccolo knew could out do him, although he hated to admit it (and would never say the words aloud), Gokuu was brilliant fighter.

Their spar had been evenly matched, although the saiyan was holding back in power. Piccolo had been trying all day to get one single punch across his face, just one, but the damn guy was too fast. Gokuu had punched him once in the face, and without any words spoken between them; the punching in the face had become a game. One that Gokuu was winning.

Piccolo was on the defense at the moment, Gokuu was trying to get a second hit but Piccolo wasn't having it. Flying in the air, dodge to the left, dodge to the right, ducking down. Piccolo knew he had to strategize this. Gokuu had to have an opening, and he had to find it quick before this game turned 2 – 0.

Gokuu threw a right punch towards Piccolo's face. The Namek had stepped out of the way, and in that split second was a nice little opening. Piccolo smiled, he had his shot.

Gohan knew that he had to play this just right. If his father or Piccolo knew he was out here without permission there would be hell to pay.

He had to take that risk. Something inside of Gohan had felt a ping of jealously. Piccolo was his friend, and the boy really didn't like his father stepping in the middle of it. He didn't quite understand why.

Of course during those times in the woods, when it was just Piccolo and Gohan, Gohan had wished for this moment. All he wanted was his father and Piccolo to get along, and the three of them would forever be a trio. Best friend and father, at the time nothing was better then that.

Now, it seemed like a duo, and Gohan didn't like to be left out.

Hiding behind a tree, Gohan watched on as his father and Piccolo were sparring in the air. It looked like his dad had the upper hand. Gohan smiled inwardly, he knew Piccolo had to be pissed.

Piccolo's victory was short lived.

Gokuu had barely moved out of the way, but it was enough for Piccolo to get a single nick off Gokuu.

Piccolo didn't fucking care, it was 1 – 1 now.

Gokuu didn't waste any time, he grabbed ahold of Piccolo's arm and swung him towards the ground.

Piccolo was able to stop himself before making contact with the ground. Looking up at Gokuu, he had realized that the saiyan was preparing for ki-blasts, Piccolo smirked, this way he would be able to sneak up and get an extra point.

The blasts started to fly past Piccolo, and the Namek was with ease was able to dodge each one. Piccolo would search for an opening; all he had to do was play the game.

A blast headed toward Piccolo that he could not dodge; very quickly Piccolo was able to put enough power into his arm and bounce the energy blast away from him.

Gohan was too intrigued with the match to realize that one of the blasts was heading straight towards him. It was only until he could feel the hot heat of the energy that he looked up.

Gohan didn't have any time to think, reflexes allowed the young warrior to power up as he crossed his arms over his face and prepared for the blast. He wasn't able to protect himself completely as the blast made contact.

The presences of another power level quickly caught Gokuu's and Piccolo's attention as their eyes directed away from the match and towards the source. A small explosion came from behind a tree, and the hint of burnt skin hit the air.

Piccolo was the first recognize who it was, "Gohan!" Piccolo flew off towards the explosion. It took Gokuu a second to realize that Gohan got caught in the cross fire of their training, and sheer panic crossed his face as he flew behind Piccolo.

Both adults touched base with the ground as the smoke started to clear. Gohan had been pushed back, sitting on the ground looking down at his arms. The sleeves of his studying clothes had been completely ruined; some of the fabric fell to the ground, as pieces of it were burnt into his skin. The blast had hurt, but Gohan knew better then to react to pain around Piccolo.

Gohan knew that his father and mentor were in front of him now, but a little part of him hoped they had not seen him. He knew that was a foolish thing to think, but he couldn't help it.

"What are you doing?" Piccolo didn't have a hint of concern in his voice, he had seen Gohan hurt many times, and knew the boy could handle a little burn.

Gokuu on the other hand, wasn't thinking as instincts kicked in, his son was hurt. He ran over to his son to inspect his arms, "Gohan, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Gohan winched as Gokuu stretched out his left arm, examining the burns, "It's just a little ki-burn."

"Little?" Gokuu's eyes widen, noticing the burn fabric that was now attached to his skin, "Your arms are all burnt up!"

Gohan moved his arms away from his father, brining them close to his chest, "I'm fine."

"You didn't answer my question," Piccolo crossed his arms, ignoring Gokuu as he looked down at his student, "Better yet, why did you allow such a little blast to injure you so severely?"

Gohan tried to shallow his words, but they spit out before he had a chance to come up with a good lie, "I was trying to hide, sir."

"Why were you trying to hide son?" Gokuu asked gently, looking down at Gohan.

His father was looking at him with such an expression of concern it started to physically hurt Gohan more then the burns actually did. Tears started to form under his eyes, but he tried his best to suppress them, "I didn't want you to know I was here."

Gohan hiccupped as the tears started to roll down his face. He tried to rub his face, but his arms wouldn't allow him to move them without hurting. Gokuu bent down, picking his child up, and holding him close to his chest. Gohan tried to hold back his tears, but it only made him hiccupped more.

Gokuu turned towards Piccolo, "I'm going to fix him up and then take him home."

Piccolo's face was expressionless, "He's only reacting like this because you're here."

Gohan instantly stopped crying, and looked over at Piccolo. Piccolo gave Gohan the look he had given him when they first started training together. Over time the look faded when Gohan had become stronger and learned to take care of himself. Now the look was back. The look of inconvenience, of displaying weakness during training. It had been such a long time since Piccolo last given him that look.

Gohan jumped out of his father's arm so quickly that it took Gokuu a full second to realize Gohan was out of his hands.

"I said I was fine!" And with that, Gohan ran off into the woods.

Gokuu was about to chase after Gohan when Piccolo placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Let him go." Was all that Piccolo said.

"He's hurt," Gokuu turned back to Piccolo, "I have to make sure he's okay."

"He's fine," Piccolo answered back, "He's been hurt far worst then that. He's only reacting this way because you're back."

"What does that mean?" Gokuu asked, a hint of aggression in his voice.

"Gohan knows how to take care of himself now, I made sure of that," Piccolo's expression was flat, "He isn't that spoiled little brat that needs his father to take care of him anymore. How do you think he's going to fight against the Androids when you're tending to his every little injury?"

Gokuu didn't know how to answer; instead, he glanced back towards the direction Gohan took off in. Piccolo was right, but there was still that little part of him that wanted to tend to his child.

Gohan had learned how to handle burns from his father, it did not take the little warrior long to patch up his arms and make his way back to the house.

Very carefully, Gohan opened to window to his bedroom and closed it behind him. He tried to listen to his mother, she wasn't near his bedroom, and Gohan gave out a loud sigh. Walking over to his dresser, Gohan found another long sleeve shirt and put it on.

Gathering his now ruined shirt, Gohan walked back to the window and threw the shirt into the air, and with one little ki blast, his now ruined shirt turned into ash that blew away with the wind.

Sitting back at his desk, Gohan picked up his text book and went back to work as if nothing had happened.