A/N: My apologies for not updating in some time. I was in the hospital for a bit and couldn't get to my computer. I'm better now, so hopefully the regular updates will resume.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4: A Family Issue

With the four family members in Gohan and Videl's living room, there was some brief discussion on the topic at hand. However, it was soon decided it would be best to move the conversation to the Son House where breakfast had already been started being prepared.

It didn't take long before they were sitting down at the kitchen table to partake in one of Chi-Chi's home-cooked meals. Before sitting down herself, Chi-Chi cracked a window to let some heat out from the kitchen. The pitter-patter of the rain outside filled the room as they started their meal in silence. Nobody quite knew what say given the sensitivity of the topic.

Eventually it was Gohan who spoke first. "He's made his choice. Now he will have to live the consequences." He said staring at his cup of tea. He remained fixated on it, fearing that if he faced his mother he would see hurt in her eyes. "I'm sorry if anyone has objection to this, but I'm done with him."

Goten looked to his mother, who remained silent, and then turned to his brother.

"Gohan, this is Dad we are talking about here. Don't you think this is a little extreme?" He asked.

Gohan looked up at him. "Goten look at what he does to this family. He left us for seven years, leaving Mom with two children to take care of. Then he comes back, and expects everything to be OK, only to leave again. This would be fine if he was on his own, but he has a family. His actions are unacceptable and I've had enough. When he left with Uub to train, he sent a clear message that he is unwilling to change and unwilling to take on any responsibility. Some of our friends may be used to this but I'm still not and Pan certainly isn't. Seeing my daughter cry like that was too much for me. I won't let him hurt my family like he hurt me. I won't let Pan suffer like I did."

Chi-Chi, who had been focusing only on the food in front of her because she was in deep thought, looked up at her son when he said this. She had never known he felt this way, and that word… 'suffer', it was a strong word to use. Even though she never knew how her son felt, deep down she always wondered how his father's absence had affected him and his younger brother. Now that it was finally being discussed, some of her worst fears were coming true. "Gohan…" She said in a near whisper. "I'm sorry… I didn't know that you felt this way. Both of you, I am so sorry." She then turned to Goten to show him that she understood if he was upset too. She did not want him to hide his emotions.

"Mom, you don't need to apologize. It's h-" Gohan tried to respond but was cut off by his mother.

"Yes, I do. You see, I have always known your father was like this. When we were younger he was always off on some adventure or dedicated to his training. He hardly stayed in one place very long. But this was something that attracted me to him. When we got married, I thought that he would settle down. It then became so confusing after your uncle arrived. Things seemed to of spiral out of control after that." Chi-Chi's voice was beginning to break. She realized that Gohan's life had been a very hard one, and that Goten's had not been too much easier. Everything that had happened to her family had been so unfair.

Videl, who was sitting next to her, placed her hand on her mother-in-law's hand. "Chi-Chi from what Gohan has told me, you did the best you could. I honestly think that any other person would have crumbled under everything that was going on. You shouldn't beat yourself up, but rather be proud of yourself. In times of great strife and turmoil you managed to stay strong and be there for your family. You were, and still are, a great mom."

Chi-Chi looked at Videl and smiled. She turned her hand so that it was firmly grasping Videl's. These words helped to lift her from the undeserved guilt she was feeling. It was clear that she was very thankful for the support and comfort her daughter-in-law provided.

"Besides," Gohan spoke. "Nothing was your fault. During my childhood, and Goten's as well, we all made choices. Like our friends, I made a choice to fight in the battles that I did because I wanted to protect others. All I have ever wanted was peace and to be with my family. But even after the battle was won, it was Goku who made the choice to continue fighting, and ignore his family."

Everyone looked at him. It was the first time ever he had referred to his father by his name.

There was a moment of silence.

"Gohan," Goten said trying to cut the tension. "I'm upset too. However, I think we should talk to him about this." He was careful to avoid the word 'father' or 'dad' given his brother's usage of the word Goku.

Videl looked at her husband. When she asked that same question earlier, he had became very emotional, and she was worried about how he was going to respond this time.

Gohan took a deep sigh and asked, "Do you really think he'd listen? Mom said it herself 'This is the way he is'. I'm not even going to give him the chance to make some type of promise, because I know he will break it. He's had his chances in the past. Besides, this isn't just about me, this is about my family." His demeanor changed to an even more serious tone before adding, "I will do what I must to protect Pan."

More silence.

While everyone was thinking about what to say next, and how to further handle this situation, lighting filled the room as thunder clashed outside. The storm was getting more intense and the wind was starting to pick up.

A few drops of rain had made their way through the open window and landed on the back of Gohan's neck. The demi-saiyan turned slightly towards the window so his voice was clearer. "The storm's getting pretty bad and we are about to close the window. You should come inside Piccolo."

Everyone looked up confused and then looked outside the window. Through the pouring rain Goten could just barely make out a figure perched in a tree about 40 meters away. As it descended and came closer, the figure proved to be the Namekian.

About 15 minutes ago, Piccolo had been in the nearby area when he felt Gohan's ki accelerate. By the time he had arrived everyone was sitting down at the kitchen table in the Son house. Rather than disturb them, he decided to listen in. When Gohan acknowledged his presence, Piccolo jerked upright. He had thought he had been suppressing his ki enough, but obviously his former student had noticed.

By the time Gohan finished closing and locking the window, Piccolo walked through the front door.

"Piccolo." Goten greeted.

Piccolo gave him a nod in greeting and faced Gohan.

It didn't take long for Gohan to figure out that his old mentor had stayed in the nearby area since they arrived back from the Tenkaichi Budokai. When his ki had risen during his conversation with Videl it had only reached a point to where not everybody would have noticed; only those close by.

A million things were going through both their minds as they tried to figure out what the other knew. Eventually Piccolo just said what he truly felt.

"I'm sorry Gohan."

"Me too." He responded.

"Gohan." Chi-Chi stood up. "It doesn't have to be this way. You have every right to be mad but I don't want to see this happen. I know your father is a good man. Please, when he comes back just talk to him." A few tears started to make their way down her cheek as she clutched her napkin ready to catch them.

Gohan turned to his mother. Seeing her cry was incredibly hard for him. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. He looked down at the floor and closed his eyes as he started to cry too.

"I-I'm sorry… I just don't think I can. I… I…"

"Gohan!" Goten shouted, causing his brother to look his way. Emotions were certainly running high at this point in the conversation and it was taking its toll on everyone. While the younger demi-saiyan looked stoic, inside he was scared that he was witnessing a major fracture in his family. "Listen, I'm angry too. He should be here. It's not right that he just left us. But I remember how you used to tell me stories of him when I was young. You would tell me all about the adventures you guys had and how great of a person he was. These stories made me wish I knew who he was. When he came back, I no longer had to rely on them for comfort. Instead I got something that I have cherished every day since then. I may be angry right now but I do not want him to be absent from my life forever. I know deep down inside you feel the same way."

Gohan was silent. Seeing how heavily this was affecting his family caused him great sorrow. On the other hand, there was no way he could open himself up again to getting hurt. There was also Pan to think about. He had to protect her from going through what he went through. His mind continued to race as he became deeply torn on what to do. It seemed like no matter what, someone was going to get hurt. Both Videl and Piccolo felt the internal strife within him.

"You can't let this eat you up Gohan." Piccolo commented.

"He's right." Videl added as she stood by her husband's side. "If you won't do this for you, do it for your family. Give your father a chance to see his granddaughter again. If Pan is feeling hurt now, think how she will feel if you tell her that she can never see him again."

The input he was getting from those in the room began to sway his decision. As more tears came down Gohan's face he took a pause before slowly nodding in confirmation that he would meet their request. This agreement gave the Son family some relief.

Videl gave him a hug. They embraced for a few seconds before he broke away and faced her. "But there is something I need to do." He then turned to Piccolo. "I need you to train me."

"What!?" Goten, Chi-Chi, and Videl said in unison.

Gohan explained. "I need to prove to him that he doesn't have to search for someone who will take care of the Earth. I can show him that there are people right here who can, and will, protect this planet. He needs to learn that training does not mean he has to abandon his family. I will train around my family time, not in place of it. Lastly, it's time for me to take action and accept the responsibility that comes with my power. This past week has shown me that I need to work to protect those around me. I can't take things for granted anymore."

Piccolo looked into his former pupil's eyes. The intensity of them showed his commitment to this goal and the Namekian understood why. His personality was good-natured and pure, but concentrated when it needed to be. It was the saiyan-human hybrid in him that made Gohan this way. This was something he felt he needed to do for himself, and his family.

Piccolo smirked.

"Agreed."