Yes it's been awhile, but it takes hours to get these this done and now I have to do it while watching the episode so I can get the dialog I want to use right and remember everything that went on,

do you know how twisted things can get if you miss one little detail!? Uhg, (sigh) anyway I hope you like it. :)

Chapter 7: Frieza's Return

Gohan woke up slowly, curling onto his side. It had only been a couple of weeks since he had trained in the time chamber but he still felt very happy to be waking up in his own bed. Not that the beds in the time chamber were uncomfortable but there was just some peace of mind waking up at home in your own bed. Besides he'd been worried the whole time that his mother would wake up in the night to find him gone.

The six year old yawned pulling his purple dinosaur out from under him, as it had somehow got there through the night. Though he'd like nothing more than to stay in his bed for another hour or two Gohan knew today was the day, the day Frieza came and hopefully Trunks if he hadn't massed up the timeline too bad. If Trunks didn't come he was so screwed, and he knew it. That was the main reason he hadn't gone after the Cell larva yet, even though he knew it was supposed to have been there a year before.

He just couldn't bring himself to risk Trunks not coming, because if Trunks didn't come and his dad still got sick he'd die without the antidote. However he fully intended to go after Cell's larva form as soon as he dad was settled back at home… and no one was watching him. Gohan sighed, time travel was so complicated. Honestly he was starting to question every move he made. It was amazing how many things that had to fall in place for things to turn out like they did in his time.

Finally out of bed the little saiyan did his morning routine; shower, brush his teeth, and hair. He put his blue saiyan spandex on under his normal shirt and pants and wrapped his tail around his waist, not bothering to hide it. After all he was born with it, his mother had never cared before and he wasn't seeing anyone else till afternoon anyway.

Suddenly a thought that probably belonged in his father's head came to him. Last time he left without lunch and they had to wait around for three hours. With that thought Gohan made his way to the kitchen and made a capsule lunch for everybody after eating breakfast with his mom. Chichi of course was curious about why he was making so much food after just eating breakfast but didn't question it as she knew the capsule would keep it good and he was actually taking an interest in cooking. It was after all a desirable trait to get him a wife later.

His mother sent him to study in his room after that, though he barely got anything done as his mind kept wondering to Frieza and Trunks, and seeing his dad again. Before he knew it there was a doodle of baby Trunks next to a sword and a cut in half Frieza on his school work. Gohan frowned at it, part of him knew it would be better to erase it but another part was sure no one could know what it was, well maybe they'd know Frieza but everyone knew the monster deserved it.

Before he could decide he felt it; the power of Frieza. The pencil in his hand snapped but this time his hands weren't clenching in fear, he was ready. The phone rang and he knew it would be Krillen and what he'd say but he answered quickly anyway.

"Hello?" Gohan answered.

"Do you feel that?" Krillen questioned without a customary greeting, though with the fear showing through in his voice it was understandable.

"Yea, it's him." Gohan knew that Krillen knew exactly what he was talking about or rather who. On Namek it had been him and Krillen for a long while with Frieza's shadow looming over them. They became closer on that planet with only each other and Bulma to rely on. Now though Gohan knew it was different because he didn't share the same fear of Frieza as he did before. He was afraid though of not knowing if Trunks was there or if his father would live through the virus.

The phone conversation was over quickly and Gohan stripped out of his clothes to the blue suit he was wearing underneath before slipping the saiyan armor over his head and re-wrapping his tail around his waist. Hopefully Vegeta wouldn't freak out, he was probably still pretty mad about his being cut off. Not that Gohan could blame him because adults couldn't grow them back but he didn't feel as bad seeing as Vegeta was the one who cut his off the last time.

He climbed out his window and shot off like a rocket with plenty of time before his mother screamed out his window at him. It was time, finally after all the training and over thinking everything it was finally time. The moment of truth where Trunks would show up and everything would fall into place or… he wouldn't and his dad would die and Earth's survival would be on him, again.

Part of him felt relieved that he wouldn't have to worry about this much longer the other part though was nervous. Had he changed too much? He had tried not to but what if his very being there changed things… or what if he stepped on a freakin' butterfly? The six year old sighed, he'd been looking forward to today but he'd be glad when it was over. 'Please be there Trunks.' Gohan pleaded as he tried to sense a trace of the other time traveler, even though he knew Trunks would be keeping his energy low.

It wasn't long before he spotted Krillen and Gohan smiled thinking no matter how strong they all got in the future Krillen stood with them even knowing he wasn't anywhere near their level. He was a true friend.

"Hey! Krillen!" Gohan shouted and waved getting the short monk's attention, who smiled back at his young friend. They flew together in silent the rest of the trip and soon landed next to the others who had gathered just like before, Vegeta, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, and even Bulma and Puar were there. Piccolo was close by but he was further away than the other.

"Hey there! Gohan, Krillen!" Bulma waved greeting them. Gohan smiled ready to greet her back but Yamcha broke in.

"Hey! Any word from Goku?" Yamcha asked hopeful. Like all their problems would suddenly be solved if his father was there to save them. Gohan shook his head feeling more annoyed than last time. Honestly it was a bit unfair to his dad that everyone just relied on him to save them. Then again his father had done the same to him with Cell.

"Nope." Gohan followed the shake of head with a verbal response since everyone seemed to get quiet at the lack of news, not that Vegeta really cared he just didn't have anything to say about that. He looked at everyone, glad to see them all together, it felt like old times. Suddenly Piccolo looked up and shouted.

"He's here!" Piccolo yelled surprising everyone. They all quickly spotted the ship as it landed, Gohan watched the ship as it went over their head and landed behind them but if the others were looking at him instead of freaking out they'd notice he didn't look afraid as them.

"It's landing just over that ridge!" Krillen stated the obvious as the ship settled on the ground. Nobody bothered to respond to that. Bulma keeled down whimpering, even without any training she must have been able to feel Frieza's evil intent. Gohan walked the few steps to her breaking everyone out of their fear induced trance and knelt down wrapping his small arms around her and Puar who she was clutching to her chest.

"It's going to be okay Bulma, I promise." Gohan stated holding her securely but not too tight. Vegeta humphed thinking that it was an empty promise to make the woman feel better but no one even spared him a glanced knowing it was just his nature. Bulma felt a bit better with Gohan's small but strong arms hugging her so she nodded and hugged him back before pulling back and standing back up and petting the hair on top of his head.

"Now, everyone must keep their power levels down or Frieza's scouter will sense us." Vegeta order, nobody bothered to snap back not to order them around as they all suppressed their power levels. Piccolo step up to the little saiyan and laid a hand on Gohan's armored shoulder pulling the boy's attention to him.

"Ready?" Piccolo asked smirking though his voice and even his smirk was kinder than he showed anyone but his first and only student. Gohan smirked back up at him and nodded Piccolo nodded back proud at how his student had grown. After Yamcha and Tien stopped freaking out over Frieza's power level they all made their way quietly to the high ridge to get a better view.

It had been trying to get there without using any of their energy, climbing the small cliffs, and even more so for Gohan as he was smaller than most of them and couldn't reach as far for handholds though he managed and even pulled Bulma up with him. Once he was almost to the top the six year old's head snapped up and his breath caught.

Gohan quickly pulled Bulma up the rest of the way and scrambled to the edge dropping down as he did so, his eyes wide as he looked for the energy he sensed. The little saiyan smiled widely when he saw him. There, before Frieza and his father was a teenage boy with lavender hair and a sword on his back, and it looked like he had just cut down a few of the men Frieza had with him. Gohan let out a laugh like breath in relief. He hadn't screwed everything up, Trunks was here.

Piccolo noticed the sound and looked over towards where Gohan was. Though the only reason he could see for Gohan to be relived was the strange teen with purple hair, because there was no way Gohan was happy to see Frieze. Why, though was the question on the Namek's mind. Why would Gohan be relieved to see this purple haired boy, did he know him? Piccolo pushed his thoughts to the side for a better time as the teen's voice caught his attention and everyone else lay down like Gohan to watch.

"I know exactly what I am up against Frieza, and let me tell you, I am not worried. Make no mistake; I'm going to finish you once and for all." The teen on the ground spoke just a few in front of Frieza and another lizard like alien that Piccolo heard Frieza call 'father'.

"Who is that?" Krillen was the only one that spoke but even he kept his voice down. Since he was facing out beyond the cliff and no one could see his face Gohan allowed himself to smile at the question. Trunks was going to thrash Frieza and his father, King Cold.

"I'm sensing another huge power level and… and this one makes Frieza seem like nothing." Vegeta said as Trunks raised his power.

"It's coming from that boy." Piccolo stated even though they all could now see the wind whipping around the boy and before any could say another word Trunks transformed. The young teen's body was set ablaze by the golden flames of his super saiyan transformation. There were gasps in shock behind Gohan but it was just because of the power they sensed. The only people on the cliff who had seen his father's transformed state were Vegeta and himself.

Vegeta was staring in shocked wonder, which quickly changed to suspicious anger. He knew there were no saiyans left but him and Kakarott and the little half saiyan Gohan. Piccolo however was looking at Gohan since he had witnessed Gohan in a similar state on Namek though the boy's hair hadn't changed like the teen on the ground. Gohan felt Piccolo's eyes on him but didn't turn; he was busy watching Trunks give Frieza a beating. Besides he was sure any questions his teacher had at the moment wouldn't be good for him to answer.

"Is that a super saiyan?" Piccolo asked no one in particular though he still watched Gohan from the corner of his eyes. Vegeta huffed nearby but answered anyway.

"He can't be a saiyan only Kakarott and I are left." Vegeta said though he didn't deny what the transformation seemed to be.

"That's what Father looked like on Namek when he fought Frieza." Gohan chipped in, not wanting everyone including himself to get confused on who was a super saiyan and who wasn't. Though he quickly turned back to the fight; if one could call it that as Trunks had just been playing with Frieza and now was about to attack.

A few minutes later everyone but Gohan stood on the cliff in shock having witnessed a teenager just destroy Frieza; which Piccolo had told them was Frieza's father since he was the only one who could hear even a little of the conversation from so far away. Gohan followed the others as they wanted to move closer so they were all in the air when Trunks blasted a hole through King Cold.

Once Frieza and King Cold were dead Trunks took out the ship. By then of course Gohan could practically feel everyone gaping around him and he was trying very hard to not let his attentive sensei sense how amusing he thought it was. Trunks powered down and noticed everyone a fair distance behind him in the air.

"I'm heading off to a place near here to meet Goku, would you guys like to come?" Trunks asked happily. Gohan didn't really notice the first time but Trunks looked happy to see them. Gohan gave a small bitter sweet smile. Trunks had to grow up without them. He never even knew any of them but Gohan and his mother. He and Bulma though probably told him stories. It would be better this time. Gohan ignored everyone's surprise and kept quiet looking at Trunks.

He knew he had asked something about Trunks knowing his father before but he really didn't think his acting was good enough to draw attention at the moment.

"Come on it's this way. Goku should be arriving there in a couple of hours." Trunks stated pointing and not waiting for an answer to his previous question as none of them looked like they were going to answer. At first glance Trunks seemed confident but when Gohan reached out his senses he knew Trunks felt nervous meeting them… He was probably afraid of being rejected by the people that were meant to be his family but he never even got to meet.

Behind him Piccolo was suspicious and to his left Vegeta just seemed angry. Though that was probably cause he still wasn't a super saiyan and Trunks was.

"Hey follow me! Don't worry I won't bite." Trunks called out again as Gohan was having some serious déjà vu. It seems Trunks realized that his power may scare some of them at this point in time. Gohan wanted to laugh at that. They would all become so much stronger in just a few years.

"This way!" Trunks called out a final time before flying ahead slowly. Gohan didn't wait for the others to say anything this time and flew right after Trunks. After he did it he realized it might be a little weird for him to follow a stranger so quickly.

"Gohan!" Krillen called after him. Gohan turned to him for just a second smirking. "Come on Krillen!" the six year old called back before blasting off with more speed; which quickly caught him up to Trunks. Of course after Gohan was off Piccolo was right behind him and the others followed quickly. Gohan was closest to Trunks and kept a little ways between them so that the others wouldn't think he was too comfortable with who they thought was a stranger.

It was only a few minutes before Trunks landed and Gohan made sure to also land about twenty feet away. The others landed soon after to his sides or slightly behind him. It was tense for a moment as Trunks pulled out his mini fridge capsule. It was fairly difficult for Gohan to reject the tense atmosphere even though he knew there was nothing to fear.

"Look out you guys, he's up to something." Yamcha said a bit too loudly. Gohan rolled his eyes hoping it didn't bother Trunks too much cause he had to of heard that.

"How about a cold drink? Goku isn't due to arrive here for another couple hours and it's pretty hot and dry out here." Trunks stated as he opened the mini fridge and got himself one. Everyone just kind of stared for a moment until Bulma broken the silence. Which Gohan was grateful for.

"Well I don't see why not." She said stepping pass the guys and Gohan quickly went ahead of her in a childish trot up to Trunks.

"Wait! Gohan…" Krillen called out helplessly. "Chill out Krillen they're just sodas." Bulma dismissed him, so Gohan didn't bother stopping. Bulma went straight for the fridge "Hey, I'm starting to like this guy, he has root beer." She stated looking at the selection. Gohan though stepped over to Trunks.

"Hi, I'm Gohan." He introduced himself with a small bow that his mother had drilled into him. "It's nice to meet you." Gohan stated as he brought his eyes back up and smiled at his confused cousin.

"Uh, it's nice to meet you too." Trunks said repeating the small bow he just learned from Gohan, but feeling a bit bad that he had to leave out his name. Gohan acted like he didn't notice though since he knew why Trunks couldn't say. He wanted so badly to just pull Trunks behind a mountain and tell him everything. He had been hiding so many things and he knew Trunks would understand but he also knew he couldn't, that it would change things and the others would want to know what was said… plus Piccolo had excellent hearing.

"So I can have one?" Gohan asked pointing at the little fridge even though Trunks had offered them to everyone.

"Of course." Trunk replied with a smile and a nod. "Thanks!" Gohan chirped and smiled happily at him to try and make him feel welcome before turning to the drinks. Everyone of course was watching and listening to every word but didn't say anything.

"Orange!" Gohan exclaimed letting out a bit more of his childishness than normal to show Trunks he was happy. "Hey Krillen!" Gohan called to the monk that had stayed close to the others after he took a sip. "~There's grape!~" Gohan sing-songed holding out the one he knew Krillen grabbed the first time, knowing he liked the stuff. Krillen looked like he was poisoning himself when he took the first sip before he realized it was good.

"Have we met? You look so familiar." Gohan heard Bulma say and looked over to Trunks. "Uh… no sorry." Trunk lied and Gohan felt sorry for him; having to lie to his mother like that at the risk of his own existents. Gohan walked over to stand beside Trunks not knowing what to do while his slightly younger body instinctively tried to give Trunks support. Krillen noticed though and it drew his attention to why they were there.

"Hey, um, how do you know Goku will be here in two hours?" Krillen asked not knowing the guy's name so just directing the question as best he could. Trunks was confused why little Gohan seemed to like him so quickly but was drawn from his thoughts as Krillen spoke.

"Well, that's uh… sorry I can't say…" Trunks trailed off. He actually looked sorry that he couldn't tell them and Gohan nudged closer to him almost touching now, in silent support.

"Why not? I'll tell you, because you're up to something. Tell us now tough guy, who are you?" Vegeta demanded stepping up, accusing Trunks. Gohan bit the inside of his cheek in anger and so he wouldn't say anything. Trunks didn't deserve that, especially from the father he'd never met, he was here to help them. Though Gohan knew the others didn't know that yet, it was still unfair.

"I wish I could. Sorry." Truck apologized again looking away. Gohan moved subtlety and without thinking slightly in front of Trunks and glared at Vegeta.

"Hey you were a super saiyan when you defeated Frieza right?" Krillen asked curiously trying to break the tension. Which Gohan realized he had asked something similar in his timeline after Krillen asked.

"Yes, yes I was." Trunks answered quietly, relieved that it was something he could answer.

"That's a lie!" Vegeta immediately spat and Trunk seemed to flinch. "Look my friend," Vegeta started sarcastically. "Kakarott, the one you call Goku and myself are the only saiyans left. Kakarott's son over there is half saiyan so if you count him that makes three of us. There is no way you could have saiyan blood." Vegeta tried to call him out. Everyone looked at Trunks for answers but Gohan who was standing between him and Vegeta and biting the inside of his cheek so hard he could taste his own saiyan blood. Thankfully Gohan remembered he did actually defend Trunks the first time so he could do so now without consequence.

"Vegeta, we all just saw him defeat Frieza AND his father all by himself!" Gohan tried to keep his voice calm but the in justice of it all was really getting to him.

"Well I'm calling him a liar not a weakling." Vegeta stated. Gohan's tail had become unraveled and flicked through the air in his anger.

"He looked just like my dad did on Namek though. You remember; you saw my dad before we were transported back. If he isn't a saiyan he has to be at least part saiyan." Gohan tried to reason but he felt like he went too far with that last sentence. Vegeta narrowed his eyes at Gohan then let out a small huff.

"Maybe." Vegeta allowed and Gohan relaxed slightly as he felt Trunks let out a small breath behind him. As soon as he'd thought he'd gotten Trunks a moment of peace though Bulma noticed the Capsule Corp. logo on his jacket and Gohan wanted to groan.

"Hey you've got our logo on your jacket. That's my Dad's company. Are you one of our employees?" Bulma asked at her discovering. Gohan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and why did Trunk have to wear that? He sighed and stepped back to Trunks's side in slight support again, it was going to be a long day.

"No, not exactly. Just a fan." Trunks smirked at the question and leaned away. Apparently he decided it was funny.

"Oh I see, well tell me your name and I'll recommend you to Dad." Bulma offered nicely. Trunks enviously looked down again, and Gohan could tell he really hated not being able to tell them even his name.

"I uh, can't do that. I'm sorry I know it's strange." Trunks replied repentantly. Thankfully Bulma didn't seem to take offense.

"Oooh, mystery man." She stated with a smile. Gohan really hoped Bulma wasn't flirting and was just being nice.

"Is his shoe size a secret too?" Tien scowled. "Yea, why can't I have a secret name? That's not fair." Yamcha agreed. Gohan wanted to smack them both for acting like brats; he really might snap at someone if they didn't stop picking on Trunks.

"I bet you have a secret spy decoder ring too." Yamcha continued. Thankfully Bulma stepped in after that.

"Knock it off you guys. You're all jealous. This guy just beat Frieza single handedly! So there." Bulma stated cheekily. Gohan smiled brightly at that, not that he cared about Frieza but at least Bulma was sticking up for Trunks too. She could really put everyone in their places. Vegeta scoffed but didn't say anything. After that thankfully everyone backed off Trunks for a while.

Gohan looked over to Piccolo after a while and noticed his sensei practically studying him and Trunks. The six year old huffed knowing Piccolo noticed his protectiveness over Trunks. Though no one else seemed to give it a second glance maybe Piccolo had been reading his energy. Gohan grabbed another soda and went over to sit down next to Piccolo instead of Trunks so it wouldn't seem like he was being overly familiar with someone he supposedly just met. Well more so than he'd already shown.

About an hour later it was Vegeta who broke the silence. "What are you looking at?!" he snapped at Trunks. Gohan frowned his tail flicking in agitation which Piccolo noticed. He couldn't have realized the first time but now it was obvious Trunks was just trying to take in the father he was far too young to remember.

"Oh, um nothing it just that I uh… like your shirt." Trunks explained lamely. Honestly even Gohan knew it was a dumb shirt. It was bright neon pink and had 'Bad Man' written on the back.

"You would." Vegeta scoffed, as he hated the thing and only put it on because he had nothing else until they went back to Capsule Corp where hopefully his saiyan armor was clean and dry. A moment later Gohan realized he had ask Piccolo something important at that moment last time. Reliving that same day was really helping him remember even the smaller details he had forgotten about a lot of the things they talked about today. But quite a few little things seemed to act as reminders for other things.

"Hey Piccolo, do you mind if I ask you about something?" Gohan started trying to even get the same words and walking a little closer to the Namek so he wouldn't have to yell.

"What's that?" Piccolo asked. Gohan could always get his attention when he'd normally ignore others.

"Well… When Dende and the other Nameks left to settle on that new planet… you could have gone with them. I was wondering why you chose to stay here with us? They're your people." Gohan asked softly though he knew what he'd been told last time, he didn't want anything to change in his relationship with Piccolo. He didn't want Piccolo to think he didn't care, or didn't notice.

"Well I might join them someday but for now I feel like my mission is here on Earth. Sometimes connections between people run deeper than where they're from or what color skin they have." Piccolo answered and Gohan walked closer to him.

"I'm glad you stayed. I'd miss you if you were gone." Gohan stated completely unembarrassed of his statement as he smiled fondly up at the Namek who looked away. Gohan could tell from Piccolo's energy that he appreciated the words. Behind him Gohan could hear Bulma noticing that Trunks has a resemblance to Vegeta but ignored it as he knew they notice the first time and nothing bad happened. So he stayed standing by Piccolo content to stay there a while.

"Why do you keep looking over here? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before? If you like it that much you can have it." Vegeta snapped again and Gohan frowned it was really frustrating everyone not knowing Trunks was family.

"No, no thank you." Trunks was nervous but was trying to be polite.

"Then knock it off kid." Vegeta ordered. Piccolo sensed Gohan's energy was agitated at the confrontation. He couldn't guess why though, he knew Gohan didn't like arguing in general but it was more than that. It was like Vegeta was being rude to the boy's mother or something. Maybe that was it? Did Gohan really know the boy? But then why not just say so? Was it for the same reason the teen wouldn't give his name? The Namek's eyes narrowed, Gohan definitely knew something but he'd give the boy room for now it was obviously important.

Gohan ignored the others arguing theories about Trunks and couldn't help but wince as Bulma yelled at Yamcha. Everyone was pretty quiet for the next hour until Trunks checked his watch

"Hey, uh that's it." Trunks called out to everyone still a bit nervous around all of them. "Two hours have passed; Goku should be arriving any second now." Trunks stated relieved that the awkward wait was over and looked to the sky. Gohan threw out his senses and immediately looked to the same spot Trunks did with a small smile. That was his dad, or at least the one from this timeline. Everyone else soon sensed it too and seemed surprised but glad Trunks was right.

Gohan realized he wasn't nearly as excited as he was the first time his father came back but he just couldn't make himself fake that much enthusiasm. While the others started getting excited he stayed quiet by Piccolo and they all watched as a space pod sped through the air to the ground.

"Last one there is a rotten egg!" Krillen called as the pod landed just maybe a mile from them and they all shot off after it.

"Hey wait for me!" Bulma called out. Gohan knew he had been first in line last time but this time he stopped and picked Bulma up around the waist to fly her with him. Bulma smiled at him when they landed just a few seconds later and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you Gohan, at least there is one gentleman here." She stated ignoring the others until she remembered why they were all there and watch the pod open. Gohan was happy that he helped her but was watching the pod too even as the others bantered at the hardness of his father's head verse the ship. The pod opened slowly but then there he was.

"Hey guys." Goku stated and Gohan heard everyone break into cheers but he didn't know how to react. The last few times he saw his father, he died, refuse to come back and then this version turned into a super saiyan and ordered him to leave, after wards he also refused to come back, staying away for a whole year. Of course Gohan knew now that he could have gotten back sooner with his new technique. Was this when it started? That his father decided he didn't need to be here? Gohan stayed quiet watching.

"How did you guys know I was coming?" Goku asked as everyone else welcomed him home.

AND CUT!

"No one keeps a secret so well as a child." –Victor Hugo

To Void: Thanks for the review but I think it would break Veggie-head's precious little psyche to know that Gohan

is a Super Saiyan, plus it isn't really fair seeing as Gohan has a time advantage. Piccolo will probably figure it out

though Goku will probably need it thrown in his face :)

To FloatingCow: Thanks! I know Gohan deserves to be a kid sometimes.

To Tail advocate: Thank you... I think (a little scared) yes he will keep it :) I love the tail too :D

And thanks to all my loyal readers that understand I can't always be typing but I will stick with this story ;)