Author's Note: I hope this update was fast enough. Anyway I now present to you…chapter Fourteen!

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball Z.

Life and Death by Lourdes-Sunrise-Princess

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"Goten…" Goku managed weakly, he could feel the pressure building in his throat. This was too much.

Silence was his only answer; even the approaching children of Cell were creping up to him quietly. Too quietly.

"This is not funny Goten…" His voice faded as he mocked a laugh. He didn't know why he was mumbling these callings; it wasn't as if Goten could actually understand him, he was barely a year old!

Maybe he had gone insane. But didn't one lose all common sense when they were insane? If so how could he tell he was insane? Perhaps his clouded mind couldn't think of anything better than insanity, it was understandable considering he had never experienced the intense feelings he was now.

Emptiness.

He felt numb, and hollow as if a huge chunk of his life had been ripped to pieces; never had he felt such agony and emotional pain, not for his dearest friends, not even for his beloved grandfather Gohan. Guilt filled him as those thoughts crossed his mind. Bulma….Yamacha…Krillen, all of his dearest friends who had risked their lives to help him so many times, who had laughed with him and shown him true joy were being forgotten for a small infant he had met only hours ago, an infant that couldn't talk, or understand a simple conversation; an infant that had stolen his heart, and made it seem like an innocent act.

The fact that he didn't even understand why he was feeling this way, only made him feel more like a lunatic. He could faintly hear the demented chucks that were coming from all around him: Cell's children were coming….

His feet buckled under him as he tried, and failed to set his body into a regular fighting stance.

…Closer.

His brain screamed, 'MOVE', and yet his body didn't obey.

…And closer.

A rock suddenly collided with his stomach, and the destroyed stadium floor filled his vision.

The children had made it, but for several moments…they did not move. Goku lifted his bleeding face from the rubble; his hazy vision saw the smirking green figures hovering over his fallen body as if they had just received a brand new toy to play with. One of the tiny Cells – the closest – raised its bony finger, and a bright, purple light glowed at the tip of the creatures nail. Goku closed his eyes and awaited his death.

………There was nothing?!

Maybe it had been a painless death. Just to be sure, Goku opened his heavy eyes, and saw only rocks and dirt. Lots and lots of rocks and dirt. And although the enemy was not visible, he had learned that this did not mean the danger was gone. A sharp twinge suddenly erupted on his skull; he could feel a hand pulling at his spiky black hair with great force; blood trickled from the roots onto his face. Unexpectedly something was forced into his mouth, and he was forced to swallow.

A dull and bitter taste entered his mouth as he chewed on the foreign object. Rapid warmth entered his body, at first the intense heat was irritating but it became soothing. His wounds closed, and the excruciating throbbing transformed into a mild tickle. He could barely feel his earlier damage; it felt like it had been neutralized by a drug. But, how was he healed? Who had given him the sensu bean?

Turning he saw nothing, then a struggling cry reached his ears. For a moment he grinned, thinking the sound had come from a distraught Goten who wanted to be changed, but to his utter shock he noticed the sound was coming from above.

Kohaku!

The golden-haired teen was now in a strangle hold. Cell's children were twisting his limbs into horrifying positions, and the full-blooded saiyan had never heard such a terrible sound come from anyone's mouth like that before. The poor boy was being brutally tortured by those little bastards.

"How did you like the sensu bean…Goku?" Cell's menacing voice questioned.

For a moment Goku felt fear shoot through his spine, if Kohaku couldn't beat this new monster, how could he? And yet, another question burned through him…why on earth had Cell ordered his children to give him a sensu bean, when he knew it would only heal his wounds?

At the moment that didn't matter, a strong force was telling him he needed to protect Kohaku at all cost…even his own life.

"Yes, the sensu bean helped…" Goku shouted into the sky, "But why?"

Cell laughed, obviously expecting such a reaction, " Why what?"

"Why…why did you make those things heal me when I was as good as dead!?" Goku demanded as his finger pointed to the mass of smaller Cells swarmed around Kohaku: the sight made his heart clench in sorrow.

"Hmm you would rather be dead?" Cell sneered, already knowing the answer.

Goku however, had had enough, " You…you know what I mean!"

For what seemed like countless hours Cell just stared at Goku, and back at Kohaku. An emotionless expression craved in his features, but you see – even from a distance – the significant evil glitter in his eyes was visible. He was plotting something…something big.

Then Cell smirked so wide that Goku could have sworn he saw the forest green skin brake at the edges of his cheek, "I wanted you to see something…"

Goku didn't comprehend what Cell could possibly want to show him, and his confusion grew as he saw Cell gesture to one of his children to do something. Invisible to his untrained eye, Goku saw the miniature Cell zip towards a broken building, and come back with a torn blue jacket. A shudder ran through his body as Goku, saw the jacket move?!

'That's not a jacket!' Goku realized, ' Wait a minute…that's…that's –'

"GOTEN!!" He had expected the name to tumble from his dry lips, but instead heard the high pitch, and scratchy voice of Kohaku. Looking towards the boy he noticed he was trying harder to fight against the green arms that firmly held him in place. The thrashing did nothing, and tears of frustration and trepidation slid down his youthful face.

Goku didn't know which site was more appalling.

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Gohan didn't understand why he was being held in place, or why his father had been given a sensu bean until he saw his baby brother being held by that filthy Cell wannabe. He desperately called out to him, and tried to break free of the strong hold that Cell's children had on him, but it was pointless, he was too tired and too weak. Cell was planning on making him and his own father watch as he held Goten – his baby brother – hostage.

This was like a nightmare, except this nightmare did not end with him waking up: this unimaginable nightmare was real.

Once again he saw flash backs, he didn't even know how many flash backs he had so far; too many that was for sure. Apparently one is supposed have flash backs when they were about to die…at the moment he didn't doubt those superstitions.

** ** ** ** **

His father as a mighty Super Saiyan yelling at him, "GOHAN FINISH HIM OFF!" His strong features falling into sadness as Gohan ignored his desperate calls.

** ** ** ** **

His beautiful mother stuttering during their typical breakfast; she had dark bags under her eyes indicating how stressed she was, and yet a sincere smile graced her lips, "Gohan…I know that the past month has been hard…without…your father, and I…know this may not be the best time…but this is important. It's going to change our lives…what I'm trying to say is that…that you're going to be a big brother…"

** ** ** ** **

"So Gohan, what should we name him?" Chichi asked in gasps; her time was coming, she knew it was. Gohan merely shook the tears out of his eyes, he wanted to let her choose a name but her excuse was that she couldn't think of one. Her stubbornness sometimes made him laugh out of frustration. "…I think…he looks like a…a Goten" Chichi stared at her oldest, and then at the newborn in her arms "Goten" She breathed, "…It's perfect."

** ** ** ** **

"Gee you sure are strong for a little feela aren't you?" Gohan wondered as Goten grabbed his much larger finger with both of his little tanned fists; squeezing it with force that he had certainly inherited from their father. But like every other time he had tried to communicate with Goten, all he received were loud gurgling noises accompanied by the occasional giggle. The sight of his younger brother always sparked warmth in his heart, he would never let anything so innocent be taken away. Never.

"I love you baby brother, more than I ever imagined I could."

** ** ** ** **

"Gohan do you really think it's safe to bring Goten with you?" Bulma whispered in a worried tone. Gohan merely continued to bounce the baby on his knee as he screeched for more, "Bulma…I won't lie to you. I know it's dangerous, and utterly stupid to take a baby with me, but I…Goten is all I've got left…I need him by my side." Bulma stayed silent. "Besides Bulma, you know that I will do everything in order to protect him…."

** ** ** ** **

Gohan's throat burned as he realized he had failed to protect the one person who had changed his life. Goten had not only brought him out of the depression of losing both his parents, but he had opened his eyes and offered him pure joy.

"Hmm so this is Goten, your baby brother am I right?" Cell asks as he lifts Goten up to eye level.

Snapping out of his trance, Gohan's rage builds as he realizes who is holding his brother, "Don't touch him!!"

"I don't think you are in any position to be making demands" Cell tsked, ignoring the glare he received from the demi-saiyan.

"Shut up you filthy bastard!!!" Gohan spat, the feeling of being useless was crushing him.

"Gees someone is grouchy…" Cell joked, "If you want I'll let go of him, but don't come crying to me when you're too weak to save him from going splat onto the ground."

Cell mockingly let his grip on the blue blanket slip, making Goten drop slightly only to be caught again. However, the sudden fake drop caused little Goten to cry, making Cell wince in annoyance. "You know what I change my mind, this little lung projector is a waste of my time…" And with that he loosened his grip.

"NOO!!" Gohan yelled urgently, he didn't care if he had to beg. As long as Goten lived. "PLEASE…DON'T…PLEASE DON'T DROP HIM!!"

"Well looky here, how the mighty super saiyan has fallen…" Cell taunted, "I really see no reason to grovel, the child will still die anyway…"

"NO, CELL PLEASE…I'LL DO ANYTHING!" Gohan pleaded; he hadn't even noticed the fresh tears that were making tracks down his face. "JUST DON'T HURT HIM!"

"Just…don't hurt him…."He finished lamely.

Cell smiled like a sly fox who had just managed to escape the killer farmer with his tricks, "Anything eh?"

Gohan sniffled, and licked his dry lips. "Yes…yes anything…just…please…Goten" Oh great he was babbling now.

"Hmm this could be fun!" Cell laughed evilly, "Alright Gohan why don't you help me out."

He nodded towards the monstrosity that held his brother, "W-what k-kind of help-p".

"Oh nothing too hard." Cell reassured, "All I need you to do is make my job of destroying this planet easier."

Silence.

"Go take care of your goof of a father will you, and make it a quick kill. Earth's destruction waits for no one!" Cell abnormal snicker rang through Gohan's ears.

"You can't be serious."

"Oh but I am, you just said it. You would do anything, last time I checked killing counted as anything."

"B-but h-he's my f-father!!"

"And this" Cell lifted up Goten, while shaking him ruthlessly, "Is your brother."

Cell expected him to choose, but how could he!? But as Cell's mini goons released him, he realized Cell was serious! He really expected Gohan would kill his own father…but he had meant it when he said he would do anything to ensure Goten's safety.

He felt so selfish; this meant another universe would be created. He would have his Goten – whole and safe – while others would perish. But as a picture of Goten's sleeping face filled his mind, he realized there was no decision. As much as he loved his father…he loved Goten more.

'Mother…fathers…everyone…please forgive me for what I'm about to do…'He thought as he flew towards Goku's shocked form.

"Kohaku…what is going on?" Goku asked as the glowing teenager landed in front of him. "What is Cell taking about…killing your father, isn't he already dead?"

"My name isn't really Kohaku…" Gohan whispered to his young father, "It's……Gohan"

Goku's eyes widened, it still didn't make sense, but the name sure brought back memories, "…Gohan?"

Suddenly a yellow light sparked at the palm of Gohan's outstretched hand, and it was pointed towards him!

"I…am-m…s-sorry dadd-dy…" Wait did he say daddy, but what did that mean…?!

"Hahahahaha oh this is great, who knew this baby could get the mighty Gohan to fall at my command ha-ha" Cell chuckled as he stared at the Ki blast that was forming in the half-breed's hand, until it suddenly vanished. Cell frowned, ' I knew he wouldn't do it…Oh well his loss, he could have been a great help in destroying the universe.'

Cell silently gestured to his children, and they disappeared.

Gohan stared at his shaking hands as large salty droplets of tears landed on them. "I-I…c-can-n't….I…can't do it…" His voice was barely able to form words; it was sore and scratchy from all the crying he was doing. He was a wreck, but he didn't care, he and everyone else for that matter was going to die anyway. His knees gave out under him, and his body shivered violently. He had failed. Again.

"Koh – Gohan what's wrong?" Goku innocently asked, but as he neared the troubled teen all he heard was mumbling.

"I'm sorry Goten…daddy…I-I'm sorry, so sorry…I didn't mean it…I'm sorry daddy, I didn't want to…I'm sorry Goten…please…so sorry".

Goku's heart panged painfully, Gohan was suffering so much. This burden was tearing the twelve year old apart, both emotionally and mentally. He felt a strange urge to go hug the boy, and scream 'It's not your fault! I'm not upset, what you were about to do was for Goten! Stop blaming yourself!' It was true though, why did the boy have to take it upon himself to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. Every mistake he made was suddenly an epic failure in his mind, but that was a horrid way to think.

He was only human, no one was perfect.

Goku put his hand on Gohan's hunched shaking shoulder, and watched as he stiffened but continued to cry out.

"No…I didn't mean to, I'm sorry…I can be a good boy…please…I can try harder…I'm so sorry…didn't mean it…sorry please!"

Goku sat there waiting for the unbearable cries to stop, but they didn't, and then like a flash of light he was suddenly kicked powerfully into the air, and grabbed by a small powerful hand.

Cell's children had captured him!

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A/N: Umm…well there you have it. You can review…if you like. Like always more reviews = more updates, so you all know what to do. Toddles.