Disclaimer: Don't own.
-Telepathically speaking-
Flashback
He awoke.
As he sat up he noticed Piccolo, Goten and Trunks still unconscious on the grass. He looked around, confused, and wondering what happened. There was an evil being named Buu, then he was on the planet of the Kai's to unlock his hidden power, fought Buu again, lost to Buu again, Vegeta came back to Earth, didn't know he died, and presented the fusion earrings. His father would see his memories, he panicked, and then he found himself, and the trio still unconscious, standing in front of King Yemma. Piccolo started talking about something, and he decided to wonder off wondering where the angels with the wings and halos were.
Piccolo, Goten, and Trunks all had halos, but no feather wings. Were they half angels? Goten pointed out that he had a halo too. Did that make him a half angel as well? That would be pretty awesome!
It was pretty awesome, until someone mentioned Buu destroyed the planet.
There goes being a guardian angel to someone. How disappointing.
Before he knew it he was back on Earth, no longer a half angel. Should he wake up someone?
He got up from the ground and looked around some more. He noticed a cliff above him, and jumped up there. He could feel millions of power levels, which meant everyone was brought back to life. His mother and Videl were with Dende and the others, which he was thankful for, and was deciding if he should go see them. His father mentioned that everyone thought he was dead. Maybe he should start writing what happened on the planet of the Kai's.
Too bad he didn't have paper or a pen.
He sat down on the edge of the cliff, and decided to wait until someone else work up. He felt like he was on Namek again, fighting Frezia as the planet was self-destructing, then ended up back on Earth again. Buu was like Frezia in a way. Four different transformations, one stronger than the last, kinda like Cell too. Did all the bad guys have transformations? Zarbon had a transformation, and he was lucky enough not to fight him. Good thing Vegeta killed him, even though Vegeta was ready to kill him when he was hiding the four start dragonball.
He chuckled to himself as he remembered calling the dragon radar a watch. Vegeta had no idea what a watch looked like. The radar was green, no numbers, and it didn't even tick as the seconds went by. Idiot.
Vegeta didn't have a strict mother like his mom. Making him study all day, getting mad when he snuck out, but she didn't stay mad for long. She did give him breaks though. Do homework and studying on the weekends sucked. You would think being home schooled you would have weekends off like all the regular kids in school.
…wait.
Wait!
The tutor from hell! His mom knocked his socks off when she saw what Mr., what's his name, oh yeah Mr. Shu. Stupid demon teacher.
Hm, something was bugging him, like…he should realize something. The sun was out, it was a beautiful day, Piccolo and the kids were waking up…was it the awakening of his friends? No, that's not it. Come on brain. There's been trouble in the past, like not remembering stuff, but just this once could he figure out what was bugging him? Stupid brain. Stupid Eck and others kicking him around. Stupid fights with stupid monster.
"Gohan, are you all right," Piccolo asked as he floated up near the cliff. Stupid training and laser beams burning his underwear. He rolled his eyes, at himself, and nodded. "Thinking?" Another nod.
Piccolo made a notebook and a pencil appear. Good old Piccolo, creating matter out of nothing. He jotted down a few sentences, mostly everything stupid, and showed it to Piccolo. His green friend read it, and gasped. Too many stupid's? Stupid stupid's!
"You remember Namek, and studying with your mother?" Why was he so surprised? "Gohan…I think your memory came back!"
Pfft! Yeah right! It's not like he remembers fighting Vegeta and Nappa when they came to Earth. If his memory came back then he would remember that.
Wait, he could remember that! He could remember his training with Piccolo for the saiyans coming to Earth, he could remember Namek! Radish!
No…that wasn't his name. Not important, he was four, and the name only came up a few times when he was younger. Radish was his uncle who kidnapped him and died.
His face lit up, and he felt a weight lifted off his shoulder. He could finally remember his past! All he needed to do was die!
Okay, dying wasn't really the greatest thing to celebrate.
A smile was on his face, one that stretched from ear to ear. He was excited, and hasn't felt this way in a while. His memory…he finally got it back. He was thrilled he remembered the lady in the purple apron was his mother. She used to sing him to sleep, let him sleep in bed when he had a nightmare, and protected him from danger. His mother turned him into a crybaby, but Piccolo turned him into a warrior. The trip to Namek, the Ginyu Force, Frezia, and Trunks coming to the past to stop the terror of the androids.
Holy crap! The Trunks he knew now was the Trunks from the future!
Excitement still running through his veins, He jumped and gave Piccolo a hug. Piccolo smiled and patted him on the back. Goten and Trunks floated up by them.
"Is Gohan okay," Goten asked. He released Piccolo, and went to hug his brother. He spun his brother around, and Goten laughed.
"He got his memory back," Piccolo said.
"I didn't know it was missing," Trunks said. "Does that mean he can talk?"
"He chooses not to talk Trunks."
"Then what's the point?"
Oh cute little demon child of Vegeta. If only he remembered at the Check-in station that underneath the yellow clouds were a group of people who would have loved to beat the crap out of him. He wouldn't have a problem throwing Trunks down into the pits of HFIL.
-People of Earth, I need your help.-
That was his dad's voice! Just where was he anyway?
"He's on the planet of the Kai's," Piccolo said. He's been there before!
-Please, raise your hands up to the sky and give me your energy.-
Why?
"He's creating a Spirit Bomb," Piccolo answered. Was Piccolo always a mind reader? "The confusion is on your face Gohan." It was? "Still is."
Piccolo was a magician as well! His father could put out a fire, with everything still intact, and Piccolo could read minds like Supreme Kai! He looked at Piccolo like a child waiting for a present, wondering if he could read his mind again.
Ice cream.
C'mon Piccolo, say ice cream.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Ice cream!
"You're freaking me out."
So…no ice cream?
Piccolo turned away and landed on the ground. Guess he wasn't a magician after all. That was disappointing.
He looked up at the sky, and raised his arm up. He felt his energy fleeting through his fingertips, and hoped that his father was able to defeat Majin Buu.
(PG)
It was over.
Majin Buu was defeated, Earth was at peace, and his memories came back to him. It's been a while since he felt…free. He remembered things that he didn't want to remember, but the flashbacks were so bad. He didn't freak out like he usually did. There was no attack, no scratches in the ground, just a sick feeling in his stomach that went away.
Everyone was at the Lookout, but he took a detour. He traveled to where Piccolo trained him, the spot where they fought Vegeta, and rested where he first met Future Trunks. There was a dent in the ground where his father landed, and he sat on the round edge smiling. Today was a good day, and he took a big step all by himself.
He lifted up his wrists, and stared at the navy blue wrist bands. He couldn't wait to show his father his accomplishment! It was a bit uncomfortable, and it took about ten tries to get both on, but he was wearing them. He no longer felt chained, and breathing was much easier now.
Sadly, he was supposed to get the people of Earth to send some of their energy to his father. Instead, he traveled around. He gave Piccolo a thumbs up when he was told to tell people to raise their hands, but it's been so long since he spoke. He landed somewhere, realized that he was imitating a mime, and after some weird staring and pointing he took off into the sky. He doubted that anyone knew what he was gesturing, probably some weird workout, so there wasn't a point staying there.
If asked, he would nod his head as if he helped. Piccolo wasn't a mind reader, still disappointing, so who was going to know? Besides, he got his memory back. No one is going to question him if he really talked to people; they would be too excited for him, and he's wearing wristbands! His father defeated Majin Buu, and he defeated his inner demons. It was a win-win.
He knew, though, that his attacks were still going to come. The nightmares won't go away, but it was going to be okay. If he was lucky, really really lucky, maybe he and Videl could go out. She's already seen the worst of him, and she seems okay with his…issues? Yeah, issues seems like a good word. Maybe one day he would be married, and maybe have a child. He could be just like his dad!
Holy crap his dad!
His father was on the Lookout, and he wasn't there!
Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap!
Powering up, he took off into the sky traveling the fastest he could. Piccolo was there. At least he could tell everyone that he was, clearly, not dead, and he was pretty sure his power level was sky rocketing trying to get to the Lookout. At the speed he was going, and the distance from where he was to the Lookout, he figured he would get there in about…uh…
He could remember his memories but forgotten his math skills!? Weren't they part of the package?! C'mon! He can remember, he can wear wristbands, so why can't he remember all the smart stuff he used to know?
Twenty minutes.
He was just going to assume twenty minutes, since twenty minutes seemed-oh look the Lookout-the right amount of time to get to the Lookout that he…just…passed.
…
He stopped and slapped his forehead. He was still an idiot. Yay he got his memory back, but his common sense was still missing. Rolling his eyes, he took off up in the air. This time he wasn't going to get distracted. He was going to land on top of the Lookout, see his dad, and-oh dear Kami he went too far! He looked down and saw ants…ants and a piece of gum!
Letting gravity take control, he let himself fall and landed on the Lookout.
"Gohan," his mother yelled. She quickly ran over, and gave him a hug. "My baby you're alive! And your memory…"
His mother put her hands on his cheeks. He nodded his head, and his mother began to cry. She hugged him once more.
"So all it took was dying to get his memory back," Krillin said with a smile on his own. "You know, even though the world exploded and we all died, today turned out to be a good day."
Vegeta huffed.
"Whatever makes you happy," Vegeta said. Bulma was hugging his right arm, and Trunks kept tugging on the other. He forgot Vegeta died, sacrificed himself actually.
"I knew you didn't die," Videl said as she ran over. She had tears in her eyes, but she was happy as well. He was happy too, so happy that he could…he could…he could kiss her!
But courage wasn't something that came to him once he died. He'll just stand there, smile and nod, and keep his thoughts to himself. He looked over at Piccolo, wondering if his friend read his thoughts, but Piccolo said nothing. Good, he kept his thoughts to himself!
"Sorry Gohan, but I'm still here," some big purple man with white hair said. And he was? "Supreme Kai, but can call me Kabitokai." Ka-beetle-what? "Kabito and I fused with the Prunga earrings. We are one being now." Sounds like something he would watch in an anime. "How do you know you're not in one?"
Mind blown.
"Don't confuse the poor guy," Yamcha said. "He just got his memory back! Where were you this whole entire time?"
Just because he got his memory back doesn't mean he knows how to talk!
"He was with us," Ka-beetle said. "Kabito and I took him to the planet of the Kai's to awaken his hidden power." What Ka-beetle said. "Kabitokai." Ka-beetle-kite! "Kai!"
"Did he hit his head before he came here," Krillin said pointing to the purple creature.
"It's nothing. I have to return back to my planet. Goku, we couldn't have done it without you."
Holy crap his father! He needed to show his father his wristbands! He needed to show everyone his wristbands! He had wristbands! Ka-beetle-nye chuckled to himself. Still reading his mind, huh?
Ka-beetle-nye-
"Kai!"
Kai stepped out of the way, and he finally saw his father. He lifted up his arms, and showed his exhausted father his new accessory. His father stared wide eyed, along with everyone else on the Lookout.
"Gohan…you're wearing wristbands," his father said approaching him. Ta-Da! His father touched his wristbands, and grabbed on. Panic set in, but faded. Oh thank Kami it went away. "Gohan…I'm so proud of you!"
They embraced, and he clutched onto his father's gi. When was the last time he's ever been this happy? Well it's been a while…
…so long that as he laid in bed his happiness kept him awake!
Lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling, and hearing the crickets outside his window wasn't how he pictured his night. He died, he gave his energy to his father, so why wasn't he tired? It didn't make any sense. His father, mother, and brother were all tried. They all went to bed and instantly fell asleep, and here he was, awake…if he knew how to knock himself unconscious he would! Sure there was the risk he would lose his memory again, but to get as good night's sleep was worth it!
It's not like he had trouble sleeping before. He could get an hour, two hours maybe, and still be fully functional the next day. The lack of sleep was not the issue. Being wide awake and too giddy was!
Fine! He wasn't going to bed anytime soon so he might as well get up. He pulled off his sheets, and decided to clean out his notebooks of memories that he wasn't sure were memories. Doing his best to be quiet (and by quiet he was knocking over his desk lamp, slamming the drawer, dropping his notebooks on the ground, falling on top of Goten), he was able to sneak out the door without a peep. Gathering the items he needed weren't as successful, but he made it into the kitchen. His father sat at the table with a cup of tea, and being ever so quiet he dropped the notebooks on table, and attempted to catch the ones that were falling.
Three notebooks fell off the table, three landed on the floor with a bang.
Silent like a hurricane destroying a town as people were screaming in fear. Yep, that's how quiet he was.
"Are you okay," his father asked as he picked up his notebooks. He nodded, and quietly put the fallen notebooks on the table. There! Now he quietly sit down and-
Errrrrrch!
-drag the chair on the hardwood floor. He bit his bottom lip as he sat down. He will never understand why things were ten times louder when everyone was asleep. At least everyone, mostly everyone, was asleep. Okay, half the family was asleep, the other half was sitting at the kitchen table making a ruckus. Well, he was making a ruckus while his father was silent like an empty building. His father chuckled.
"You can't sleep either," his father asked as he took a sip of his tea. He nodded. "Neither can I. I was hoping some tea would help, but it doesn't seem to be working."
His father looked exhausted. You would think sleeping would come easy for someone like his dad, especially with a day like today. He pulled out an empty page from one of his notebooks, and asked if everything was okay. He handed his father the note, and his father sighed.
"I'm fine Gohan. A lot happened today, and it's keeping me up." He knew exactly what his father was talking about. He nodded atheistically and smiled. His father did as well, but it wasn't as big as his. It looked forced. Maybe there was more to the fight with Buu. If his dad wanted to talk about it he would. Right now he was going to answer his own questions.
The first book he grabbed had a few drawings, doodles of some sort. In his dreams they were shadows, so he did his best to draw the shadow. There were a few he could name, mostly Frezia's henchmen, but others he wasn't so sure of. Garlic Jr.'s henchmen maybe? If they were he was too little to remember their name.
Some of the shadows were his friends. This was actually becoming quite fun. Piecing together pieces pictures he drew, figuring out random words in his notebook, and knowing what items his mother packed on Namek. Why she packed that stuff he'll never know, but he knows she packed it, and gave him a stupid haircut.
He lifted up his head as he flared his nostrils. That haircut…it was bad. It was short enough to be flat, and stupid enough for Krillin to laugh at for days. The trip to Namek wasn't as fun when Krillin kept calling you Moe, followed by a nyuk nyuk nyuk. With Krillin's hair now he could gel it flat, and nyuk nyuk nyuk right back at him! Or write nyuk three times, however that would be spelled.
It was days like those where he was happy he was homeschooled. All of the kids would have teased him.
What if had that haircut when he was kidnapped? They would call him bowl head! Bowl head would be better than what they called him, but he wouldn't blame them for what they did. With a haircut like that any kind of beating would be appropriate!
He frowned.
No beating, even with a dumb haircut, was worth it. Maybe it would have made things…easier? Maybe if he didn't have that stupid haircut he would be home. Atlas, he didn't have a bad haircut. He was a child, and they preyed on the children. He put up a fight for most of it, which they liked, and it didn't matter what he did. He was the intended target no matter what his hair looked like.
He started to draw chains on an already busy piece of paper. Small arms and hands were added, along with his out of control hair. He drew the rest of the body, if you call it a body, and studied the picture. He could do much of anything. It was at that point he was tired, and let them do whatever they wanted. It wasn't fun anymore, and they left him there to die.
When was the last time he was ever alone like that?
He's been constantly around someone. There was never a time he was left at home. His father still flew with him to school for heaven's sake! Okay, he was going to lock himself in his closet, and see what happens.
The notebook closed.
Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.
What was he, crazy?! There was no way he was going to lock himself in the closet! He used the notebook to hit his head.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid!
He threw the notebook behind him, folded his arms and pouted.
"Sometimes I wished you still talked so you can explain what you just did," his father said smirking. Oh yeah, his dad was still here, and his dad saw him throw a tantrum. Real mature Gohan! "Is it always this difficult to sleep for you…with the nightmares and everything?"
He looked at his father. What an odd question to ask. Did his father have a bad dream? He responded with a nod, and felt his stomach turn. Nightmares weren't his favorite topic of choice, which probably explain the feeling in his stomach. His father sat there with something on his mind, but his father wasn't saying much.
"I never wished death on anyone before." His father adjusted his seat. "Buu was the first person that deserved to die. The last time I felt that way was when we found you."
Ah yes…the death of his tortures. Too bad he didn't see them get blown to pieces. Although his father wasn't one to dislike people so much. His father gave Frezia energy to escape Namek, and let Vegeta live many years ago. He didn't think his father could hate. What did Buu do so bad to make his father feel that way? Buu did eat a lot…maybe Buu ate his father's food. He knew he would be mad if someone ate his food!
Grabbing another notebook from his pile, he wrote if Buu ate his food. His father laughed as he read the question.
"No. Buu and I didn't have time to enjoy a meal," his father answered. Old Kai had no problem dancing around him. He didn't think it was a stupid question to ask. "Buu absorbed us," meaning Vegito, "and as we travel though his body I saw…"
His father became hesitant.
"The insides of his stomach!"
The insides…of…Buu's stomach…
What was so horrible sitting in Buu's stomach? Buu ate people, but they were candy. Maybe when they reached Buu's stomach they became human again? So bodies were floating around in stomach acid?
Hello new set of nightmares.
"Are you okay?" Yep. Just thinking about people dissolving in acid, and their half skin half bone bodies floating around. His stomach wasn't feeling well earlier, and thinking of what Buu ate wasn't making him feel any better! He was thinking about a midnight snack but his stomach was not going to agree with him. Something told him that he'll be laying off the candy for a while.
On the same piece of paper he asked his father if he saw dead people in Buu's stomach. His father laughed once more. Again, he did not think it was a stupid question.
"Just food," his father answered. Was it rotten food? Old cheese? Pink turnips? Even if he asked those questions his father would laugh, especially the part about pink turnips. It was better than his original thought. He revised the question: what was in Buu's stomach that made you so mad?
His father looked at the question, and sighed. His father rubbed the back of his neck, a trait of stress. His was brushing his fingers through his hair, while his mother was rubbing of her forehead. Goten had yet to develop a stress trait. The kid didn't have too much to stress about.
His stomach was turning. Something was going to happen, and he didn't like the feel of it. He grabbed the piece of paper, and put a line in. It read 'what made you so mad'. His father adverted his eyes, the hand finding its place on the neck.
"You know how Buu absorbed Piccolo and Gotenks," his father asked. He nodded. "He reminded you a lot about Piccolo, didn't he?"
Ah yes, the 'why didn't you dodge' as Buu's fist hit him in the stomach. Buu kept pestering him about being distracted, and that he needed to concentrate on the battle at hand. Buu reminded him of Piccolo, and since he absorbed Piccolo he had to have absorb his memories. It was the only thing that made sense. Who else would tell him to dodge? At least this time his underwear wasn't fried!
He nodded his head to answer his father's question.
"Gohan…you were absorbed too." Uh yeah. He had a panic attack because he was afraid to put on a stupid earring. He didn't want his father to see his past. Just because Buu was able to absorb Piccolo's memories did mean his memories were absorbed as well! He's pretty sure he never told his father to dodge! The worst Buu could do to his father was chain him up and-
…no.
No! No! No! No!
Hoping what he was thinking wasn't what his father was talking about, he looked at his father, pleading that it wasn't what he thought it was! His father couldn't have seen it! No, maybe Buu demonstrated what his attackers did! That was bad, really bad, but he didn't see anything!
What did he see in Buu's body?!
"I'm sorry," his father whispered, a single tear falling down his cheek.
(Vegito was absorbed by Buu. Goku and Vegeta were able to split apart, and when they reached a fork in the road they went their separate ways. Vegeta had to battle Piccolo and Gotenks. Goku, on the other hand, had to battle something worse.)
Splitting up didn't seem like a good idea, but if Vegeta didn't want to follow Goku so be it! He could survive on his own. Buu's body was nothing but pink goo. Worse case he could blast a hole somewhere, and find Vegeta if needed. No not find…help Vegeta! Something told Goku that those worms would come back for Vegeta. Splitting up would look like a bad idea, and Vegeta would come crying back to Goku.
'Daddy…'
Goku stopped walking.
'Daddy…help me.'
The voice sounded familiar. Was it Goten? No, Goten wasn't here. Goku took a few steps, and started to hear laughter.
'Please…no more!'
That voice sounded like Gohan!
"I'm coming Gohan," Goku yelled. It's been years since he last heard Gohan's voice, but it was just how he remembered. As Goku turned a few corners the laughter grew louder. Goku heard a snap of a whip, and froze. Gohan screamed, and Goku continued to run. Who was hurting his son?
As Goku turned the corner he stopped in his tracks as he saw four familiar people, one with a whip in his hands. Gwak turned around and saw Goku standing there. Eck, Bup, and Zane were smirking as Gwak craked the whip in his hand once more.
"Looks like we have company," Gwak said snapping the whip on the ground. They took a few steps back, and Goku was at a loss of words.
Chained to the ceiling and ground Goku saw his son, Gohan, beaten and starved. Gohan's eyes were dark, all life drained out of him, and his blank expression was locked with his father's eyes. His hair was mangled, his small body black and blue. It was how Goku found his son many years ago. Blood stained and near death, his son was fighting for his life. Goku could feel anger running in his veins, and powered up.
"You monsters," Goku yelled as he went towards Gwak.
"You really think that's a good idea," Gwak asked. He snapped the whip, and wrapped it around Gohan's neck. Goku threw a punch at Gwak, but found himself punching pink goo instead. "Miss me."
Goku turned around, and noticed Bup was choking Gohan.
"D-Dad," Gohan choked out.
"Let him go!" Goku charged up an energy beam and shot it at Gwak. It hit Gwak, and he exploded into pink goo. Just when Goku thought Gwak was gone, the pieces of the pink goo began to form into Gwak once more. With the whip still wrapped around Gohan's neck, Gwak cracked his neck and smiled.
"You don't have any power here," he said. Bup licked his lips.
"Make sure he has a good seat for the show," Bup said as his two counter parts melted to the ground. Goku went into a fighter's stance, but before he could attack he felt something wrap around his arms. Goku tugged at his arms as Buu's goo continued to wrap down to his feet. "Oh Rohr! We have an audience to watch."
Gohan's eyes went wide in fear.
"No! Not him! Anyone but him," Gohan yelled as he tugged at the chains. Gwak released the whip as footsteps approached. "No please!"
Tears were falling down Gohan's cheeks. Goku had enough.
With a loud scream, Goku powered up and disintegrated the pink goo. With his hands in a C shape, Goku brought his hands to his side.
"Kamehameha," Goku yelled, aiming his Kamehameha to Gwak. The blast hit him dead on, and took Bulp with him. Goku shot two more ki blasts, destrpying Zane and Eck. Goku quickly ran over to Gohan's side. "It's okay son, I'm here."
"Daddy," Gohan whispered. A small smile appeared on his face, but his features started to change. His eyes turned red, and his face turned pink. Goku gasped as Gohan's face became Buu's. "What's the matter, father?"
Buu's voice replaced Gohan's, and Goku watched as Gohan's body turned into a pink mush. Goku stood up, and shook away the pink mess. Buu's laughter echoed all around.
"Poor Gohan," Buu's voice said. Goku looked around, but he couldn't find the pink demon. "He doesn't want you to know what happened, but I saw everything. Maybe when I destroy you and Vegeta I'll release your son, and tie him up like the dog he is. I can't wait until he starts to whimper, and begs me to stop. Hahahaha!"
His nails dug into his long sleeve shirt, his body trembling up and down. His father saw…his father saw everything! The one thing he pushed his father away from, the main reason he stopped speaking for was in vein. The beatings, the teasing, everything! He wanted to run, run as far as possible but his legs were cement. He couldn't move, and he couldn't stop shaking.
He was improving! He was doing better! He just wanted to run! He needed to run!
It was a struggle, but he managed to get out of his chair, quickly, and run out of the house. His legs still felt heavy, but he didn't stop running. His father called his name. His father sounded scared, and here he was running for the hills. His heavy legs failed him, and he collapsed on top of them. He gripped the grass between his fingers as he figured out his next move.
Footsteps were heard behind him, and they came to a sudden stop.
"Gohan, I didn't want to know!" The voice was shaky, and the last word crack as it was spoken. "I didn't want to see-"
Something didn't feel right. Releasing the grass from his fingers, he stood up. He turned around and faced his father, and he felt his chest tear apart. Tears were pouring down his father's face, his balance was unsteady, and his father was reaching out towards him. With shaky steps his father slowly approached him. Surprised by his father's reaction he took a step back. His father stopped moving.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" The hand reaching out towards him was shaking. "Please Gohan don't…don't run! I won't tell anyone I swear!"
His father was afraid.
"Please Gohan! I'm sorry!"
Why was his father apologizing?
"It's okay Gohan! You're going to be okay!"
Surprisingly, he felt fine. For the first time in years he actually felt…better. He was relaxed, and was at ease. His father was not, though. His father had years of watching him grow, fighting demons his father couldn't see, and hiding his own emotions for the sake of his son. No matter what happened to him his father was there by his side.
His father never complained, and always kept a smile on his face. Tonight his father was broken. Seeing his son tormented, unable to protect him like many years ago…the years of putting up a strong act were falling apart right in front of his eyes. How did he respond? He took a step back when the entire time his father kept taking steps forward.
How must his father feel? The one time his father reached out a hand, like he has many times before, only to be left out of reach. He remembered as a child, reaching out for his father anyway possible, and even though he couldn't make it halfway his father made sure they connected somehow.
Between them was a gap, and his father couldn't move anymore. His father was reaching out, unable to move forward, while he stood there. This man has helped him throughout the years, and he carried a burden of his own. His father never expressed it, and always made sure that he was okay.
His father took a few steps forward.
"Gohan…please don't run."
How long has his father been suffering in silence?
"We'll get through this just like we did before!"
Why hasn't he seen it until now?
His father clenched onto his shirt with both hands, buried his head in the shirt, and cried.
The roles were reversed. With the thousands of breakdowns he had his father was having the first. All the pent up emotions, anger, sadness, and fears were being released. His father was angry at his tormentors, upset that he couldn't be there sooner, and afraid there was nothing he could do to fix his son.
If only he could tell his father that he was okay.
Wait…maybe he could!
It's the least he could do for the man who saved his life! He looked down at his father, but couldn't say a word. It wasn't coming, just like the millions time before, but this time he wasn't going to give up easily. He couldn't look at his father, and turned his attention to the woods. He needed to build up the courage, just like his father has done for him. He closed his eyes and bit his lip. He could do this! Two words was all he needed to say, and with a deep breath, he opened his mouth.
"…"
Don't be a coward now! Your father has done so much for you! Why can't you do something for him you selfish child?! Do this for the man who gave you nothing but love, and never asked for anything in return! Two words…it's okay…it's okay…
"It's okay," he said. He said it! He spoke! His voice sounded so lame! He opened his eyes and stared at the trees. He felt his father lift his head, all crying ceased. "It's okay."
He still couldn't look at his father. Even when he was skin and bones his father had a hard time looking at him. It was easier for his father to speak to the ground, or an object nearby than look his son in the eye. At the time he thought he disgusted his father, but now he saw why. It was easier to speak to nothing than to speak to someone who couldn't look you in the eye.
"Gohan, did you…" his father could finish his sentence. The only thing he could do was nod, and avoid any eye contact. "I'm so happy!"
Two arms wrapped his chest, and squeezed. He wasn't sure if he heard a rib crack, or an animal stepped on a twig. Either way he couldn't breathe.
His father released him, and the tears that had fallen were gone. A smile has taken over, and it was the first time he saw his dad happy. Like, for real happy. Not the kind of happy that you fake for the sake of someone else. No, this time his father was extremely happy.
"Say it again," his father cheered. Oh no…it'd going to be the same lame voice he heard earlier. He furiously shook his head no. That was going to be the last time he would ever speak! "Say anything then!"
Aw hell no!
Sometimes he wished his father could read minds like the beetle kai. His voice sounded lame!
"Why not?"
Did it look like he had a paper and pen? Read his mind! His voice sound stupid! It was lame! He didn't-oh for heaven's sake just speak to the man!
"My voice…it's lame," he said making a face. It sounded worse than before!
"I think it sounds wonderful," his father said, a huge smile on his face. His father was deaf! "Lets go back inside the house and get some sleep."
Easy for you to say.
He nodded his head, and followed his father towards the house.
Hello everyone! Sorry of the delay of chapter, but I'm having relationship issues at home. I'm staying at my mom's for a while, and any work on chapters are at my house…which I am not at. I lost the original chapter, and had to write the chapter all over. (I make edits, and accidently delete things I wanted to keep. Go me!)
Most of you wanted to read Gohan fight Buu. It would have been similar to the series, and I am not very good at writing fighting scenes, which explains why it was cut short. I felt bad, so when I rewrote this chapter I decided to have Goku see what happened to his son. I couldn't go into full detail since I write this at work.
I'm at a writers block right now, but I know I'll think of something soon. I have an idea of what I want to write next, and if I have free time at work I ca start on a new chapter.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Love,
-CrazyGohanGurl