Chapter Four

As it was, Lola and Lena were twin sisters. So when the fifth round finished with Pikea proving to be the victor (but only just), Gohan could see Sineya eyeing her opponent closely as she stepped into the ring. For the first time, Gohan noticed just how gracefully Sineya moved. Perhaps it was because she was about to enter a fight for the first time in years. Or maybe, it was because he found it so difficult to tear his eyes from her.

"This should be interesting" his father said appreciatively, "What do you think Piccolo?"

The Namekian remained silent, and even though he was watching the pair as they bowed (Lena placing her hands together elegantly whilst Sineya barely nodded in response) he seemed a little… bored. As though he already knew the outcome of the fight.

"Ready…?" called the announcer. Lena stepped into a defensive position, guard raised high as her feet found a solid position to hold herself in. Sineya seemed to glide into place effortlessly, parting her feet and placing one hand up before her, stretching her middle and index finger straight as she placed them parallel to her eye-line.

"Begin!"

Much like Goku's fight, it was over before it had even begun.

Lena strode forward purposefully, her eyes fixed on her target. Sineya barely moved an inch. Just as Lena came within two strides of the slightly shorter woman, Sineya leant forward at a perfect angle, dipping her face low to the floor and lifting her back leg of the ground while forcing her knee up… and straight into Lena's chest. She held her position perfectly, her hair spilling onto the ground beneath her as she supported herself on only one leg, and Lena was sent skidding from the ring and onto the grass, chocking and clutching her chest after an attack that would have killed a mortal person easily, breaking the bones and crushing the organs beneath the surface.

With steady ease, Sineya straightened up and left the ring as the announcer pronounced her the victor. Gohan stared at her back as she rejoined the group from the West.

"Well… that was quick" was all Goku could think of to say.

"Perhaps her next opponent will be more of a challenge" Piccolo said broodingly.

Gohan shook his head, "She'll be fighting Pikea next. Lena's sister was about equal to him so Sineya shouldn't have a problem, if Lola and Lena are anything alike"

"Have you forgotten how to sense energy since dying Gohan" Piccolo said with mild disappointment in his eyes, "Lena was the weaker of the two sisters. And Pikea has greater potential then he shows"

Gohan tried not to scowl at his former teacher. In truth, he hadn't bothered using energy sensing techniques for a while. It never seemed to be needed in Otherworld. People rarely hid their power levels. But it began to dawn on him, that perhaps that wasn't necessarily true…

"Next up is Vegeta and Hainz!" called the announcer.

"You know, this tournament's not quite what I expected it to be" Goku said dismally.

"Considering the cost of victory, it's no wonder"

Gohan and Goku both looked at Piccolo's still shape, "Huh?" Goku asked, his nose wrinkled in confusion.

Piccolo smiled thinly, "Not everyone appreciates a good battle like you do Goku" was all he said.

While Vegeta proceeded to pummel his opponent into a messy pulp, Gohan thought about Piccolo's cryptic thoughts. He had a point. Goku rarely felt fear when facing a threat, and when he did, he revelled in it. Goku enjoyed the rush of battle, the adrenaline, in ways Gohan never had. Perhaps it was his father's full-bloodied Saiyan nature rising to the surface whereas Gohan's was mixed with the gentler disposition of a human. There was no doubt in Gohan's mind that his father would be sent back the lower realms to fight Jonah. And he wasn't sure how that knowledge made him feel. He himself had only trained for leisure, or at Goku's prompting, since entering the after-life. He hadn't surpassed Super Saiyan as a result of it, even though his father constantly insisted he could go further if Gohan just pushed himself.

"Vegeta is through to the finals!"

The announcer's voice cut through his thoughts and he watched as Torma and Ollebu stepped up next. Vegeta sauntered over to the group, looking as irritated as usual.

"This is pathetic!" he spat, "Not one of these contestants is worth our time! The Grand Kai might as well just resurrect us Saiyans and be done with it. No one here has the same potential as I!"

Gohan covered a snort when he noticed Piccolo roll his eyes at the Prince's tirade. It was one they heard on a regular basis, to the point of it not making any impact at all when it had once had him shivering in fear as a child. He remembered that day, so long ago, standing amongst the high cliffs as he watched Nappa and Vegeta laugh at their meagre attempt to protect the Earth. It was so strange to think about how things had changed. Vegeta was, to some extent, one of them now. Though he'd deny it with all his might, and would rather have cut of his own tail (if Yajirobe hadn't beaten him to it) then admit he was one of the 'Z Fighters' – as Master Roshi had dubbed them one drunken night, or so he was told.

"Hey Vegeta" he said suddenly, "Are you entering for the sake of fighting, or do you really want to be resurrected?"

The man, who had once towered over Gohan, looked up at him with something like fire in his eyes, "What business is it of yours?"

Gohan shrugged, "None"

"Well then: Shut up!"

In truth, Gohan had suddenly thought about Trunks and Bulma. He remembered when the lavender haired boy had once asked him about Vegeta, and Gohan had tried to answer as honestly as possible without... making Vegeta sound like too much of a monster. He wondered if Bulma had filled her son in on the truth about his father yet, or if Trunks still wondered…

Gohan couldn't help but feel, as he watched Vegeta scowling menacingly, that perhaps Trunks was better off not knowing his father at all, rather then having to deal with the knowledge that Vegeta really didn't seem to care about him in the slightest. Not once had Vegeta asked about his only child's welfare, and he showed no emotion whatsoever when King Kai had graciously informed them of Trunks' defeat of the androids.

He'd have to ask Trunks how he'd managed it…

Gohan's eyes widened suddenly. Was he really thinking as though… as though he was sure he would get to go back to the lower realms? To perhaps have the chance to see Trunks and Bulma again. Considering Trunks too was a Super Saiyan, maybe he could be of some use. No doubt his father had already thought of that.

But then again, that would mean reuniting father and son, if Vegeta won on the finals.

Gohan snorted inwardly. Like there was anyone, except Goku, who could stop Vegeta when he really wanted something.

Suddenly, his father's voice interrupted Gohan's thoughts. "The fights over, you'd better warm up Gohan. You're up next… King Kai said to tell you not to look into Caterpi's eyes. Ok? Something about a special ability…"

Gohan nodded, "Right dad, wish me luck!"

"You won't need it" Goku grinned.

Smiling bashfully, Gohan stepped onto the platform and faced his opponent. A large caterpillar-like creature that stood at least two foot taller then himself with oddly round… enchanting eyes…

Gohan blinked hard and shook his head as he fell into a defensive position, 'Don't look into his eyes, remember!'

"Are you ready!?" called the announcer enthusiastically. The crowd roared, obviously not put off by the fact that so far most of the fights had been somewhat… anticlimactic.

"Begin!"

As Gohan tensed his body in preparation for attack, his mind seemed to take over as a slightly familiar feeling over took him. Caterpi was no challenge, that he seemed to know instinctively. But for some reason, he couldn't stop the sudden blood rush that heated his body, strengthened his muscles and told his mind to focus on only one thing.

Victory.

This sudden change in the half Saiyan seemed to occur in the blink of an eye, and only two people appeared to have noticed it, aside from Gohan himself. Goku and Vegeta stood apart from each other, but both sensed the sudden shift in the young man whom they observed fighting skilfully. Goku cocked his head, a flicker of concern on his features. His son was a gentle soul, as was he. But unlike his father, Gohan was reluctant to pursue strength and power, even to use it for the sake of good. The sudden appearance of such… aggression… brought out conflicted emotions within Goku as something in his mind seemed to be telling him to be cautious.

Vegeta only smirked and wandered lazily over to Goku's side. "It's about time he accepted his Saiyan nature" he said lowly, "The fool was only making things harder for himself, acting like a weakling human all his life".

Goku frowned, eyeing the man with an unnatural look of seriousness, "What do you mean?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes and crossed his arms across his chest, looking up at his fellow Saiyan with a look of irritation, "Don't tell me you didn't feel that just then? It's quite simple. The suppression of his natural desires for carnage and violence, his Saiyan blood in other words, can only build up within him until he chooses to unleash it. You can feel it now, simmering beneath the surface. You're lucky he has to much self-control…"

Goku frowned as he caught the sound of resentment in Vegeta's words. Was this true? Had Gohan's mixed nature been a curse to him?

… and did that make him… dangerous?

"I wouldn't worry Kakarot" Vegeta said nastily, "Gohan may finally be realising his potential, but he's still nothing compared to the likes of us"

"Yeah… for now"

The two stood in silence, almost as if separate from the sound of crowd roaring in approval at the fight before them. As they watched Gohan overcome his opponent, they remained unaware of a figure only a few feet behind them, well within ear-shot and eyeing the man in the ring with scrutiny.

Perhaps that was what she had sensed from him… just as Vegeta had said, Gohan was no ordinary warrior. There was something more there, something she'd come to be fascinated by. The last five hundred years, she'd only met warriors intent on being stronger, faster and more powerful. She'd met no one like… herself. Not until Gohan had appeared in the Otherworld. Quiet, gentle and… well, nice.

But then again, five years was not a long time to the likes of Sineya. She knew better then to judge people by what was on the surface alone. She had an uncanny knack of seeing what truly lay within a persons heart and soul. But with Gohan… she found herself confounded by his… uncertainty. He'd had to grow from child to man overnight, that much she was sure of. And it had left him with a void he couldn't understand, nor fill. Was it, like Vegeta said, his Saiyan nature; he desire within him to fight, to kill? The darker side of him he'd tried to ignore and forget, probably feeling ashamed for the feelings he hid even from himself?

She slid back into the small group when Gohan finally finished the fight by launching Caterpi from the ring. She could make herself as good as invisible on a whim, blending into any crowd no matter then size and avoid drawing attention to herself.

But even though Gohan couldn't see her as he joined his father, he could still sense a pair of eyes on him. It made him uneasy and a flash of irritation rose inside of him. This… scrutiny… was unlike the way his father was looking at him, nor the glare he was receiving from Vegeta or the feel of the eyes of the crowd on his face. He felt exposed. And he almost wanted to…

No. He shook his head and cleared himself of the rise of emotions in his heart. He was just… rattled from the fight. He hadn't really had to compete with anyone in a long time. It had probably brought up some unpleasant feelings about when he'd battled the androids. That had to be it. He wasn't violent by nature, he was just shaken from the adrenaline rush.

Clearing his throat he looked around. King Kai gave him the thumbs up and a large smile, which he returned shyly. The next pair of contenders where entering the ring, and he turned to watch as they prepared themselves to finish the semi-finals.

He eventually tuned out the crowd as he studied Pikkon's fighting style, making mental notes on the best way to attack and defend against him. It was a general consensus that Pikkon would indeed go through to the semi-finals, even though his opponent was putting up a good fight. Gohan was so enthralled by the battle, that he was oblivious to the glances his father was making every so often. Nor did he catch the glint of worry that appeared in Goku's eyes as he pondered on Vegeta's words.

Goku knew his son well. But he did not know his sons dormant power, or repressed nature.

His darker side.

His Saiyan side.

The day had been a long one. Trunks was not a business man by nature, but when his mother began to get sick he had had no choice but to stand in for her as president of Capsule Corp. The number one institution used to organise the re-building of the world. West City and Central City had both been restored within the last six years, with various smaller towns also being repaired. It had been tough, organising new homes and work for the surviving population to fill. Medical care and education had been top priorities, though with some minor changes.

Emiko, Bulma's carer, was a part-time teacher herself. She had been in her late twenties when the androids first arrived and had had several years experience with caring for the elderly and disabled. She taught all she knew to a class twice a week to those who wanted to work as carer's for the numerous left disabled by the android attacks. Mostly, people took care of their own family. But there were some who weren't so lucky and had been left completely alone in the world.

'Alone… just like me'

Trunks shook his head at the thought. He wasn't alone, not like some were. He still had his mother, no matter the state of her mind. She was still there for him. Hadn't she proved as much that morning when she'd had one of her rare lucid moments.

"She's sleeping"

Trunks started and looked up from the desk he was sat at to find Emiko leaning against the doorway, dressed as she was everyday, in flat shoes, jeans and a warm jumper. She smiled at Trunks' baffled expression, "Did I interrupt something?"

"No… no… I wasn't really concentrating anyway"

Emiko's gaze fell to the thick stack of papers Trunks had set in front of him. Her eyes filled with sympathy, "Must be tough work. President of a company like this, at your age and all"

Trunks tried to shrug casually, but he couldn't help but agree with her comment. "I'm older then I seem" he said eventually.

"Everybody is these days" Emiko replied grimly.

A silent understanding hung between them before Emiko pushed herself from the doorframe and slung a bag over her shoulder. "Anyway, Bulma's asleep. She had plenty to eat and I helped her bath. I did my usual domestic chores, the dishwasher's still going though. You should be all set for a quiet evening"

Trunks nodded and expressed his thanks, following her to the front door under the pretence of saying goodbye, when really he was desperate to escape the office he'd been sat in since lunch.

"Have a good weekend, call me if you need any extra help ok? I'm not busy"

"Thanks, but you should take the time to have a break" Trunks insisted, "We'll be fine".

As he closed the door and settled down once again at his desk, he found his mind wandering. The words and figures on the paper in his hands slowly blurred and became nothing but meaningless markings. Before long, his eyes slid shut and the papers he'd held in his hand floated noiselessly to the floor.

Eyes as cold as ice… screaming… flashes of light and thunderous crashes that had nothing to do with the grey sky overhead…

He was in the middle of a street, the rain soaking him through.

In the middle of the road in front of him was a shape…

Don't do it…

Don't look at him… not like that… not him…

Not Goha-

Trunks fell from his seat with a cry and a loud thud. His breathing was short and ragged as he pushed himself upright on the ground, his eyes searching the room and half expecting to find one of them standing before him. Laughing at him just like they used to.

Rubbing his eyes roughly, he managed to clear his head. Some paper work had been knocked onto the floor as he'd fallen, and he began to slowly pick each piece up and place it neatly on the desk.

"Is this my life now?" he thought to himself, "Paperwork and nightmares… this isn't what I imagined…"

Seating himself back at his desk, he glanced at his watch. He'd been sleeping for a few hours and hadn't gotten nearly enough work done for the day. With a sigh filled with discontent, he fetched himself a strong coffee… and got back to work.

"If my father could see me now…" he muttered to himself. Here he was, the last of the Saiyan bloodline and lone protector of Earth… checking spreadsheets. He'd barely pushed his training as far as he'd like since returning to his own timeline, and was hardly any stronger then he had been six years ago. And though he was happy that the world was finally free from the androids, he also felt…

No. He couldn't feel that way. Not after everything that had happened. He shook his head and felt the rising shame within him. This was just how the world should be, or so he told himself. His loneliness and unrest was just a burden he had to carry silently.

Completely and utterly…

Alone.

Orginally I had this whole conversation between King Kai, Trunks and Gohan. But I scrapped it. I thought it was just too... 'blah'.

Disclaimer: I own no rights to Dragonball Z. Insert witty comment here.