NEW CHAPTER!

Disclaimer: I said tear jerker, but when I wrote it, it didn't seem so tear jerker-ie. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy.

- Means a page break. (If Microsoft word works)

Words like this are flashback.

Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two outs, and one pitcher having a staring contest with a half saiyan batter. The game was tied. He, Sharpener, could walk the batter, Gohan, but then the person on third would walk home.

Game over.

Or he, Sharpener, could attempt to strike out the batter, but Sharpener knew that wasn't going to happen. Sharpener looked over at Videl, who was at first. He titled his head upwards a little, hoping she had an idea to distract the batter. Videl gave a shrug. She didn't want to be in the middle and decide who wins and who loses. If Sharpener wanted to win so bad he would have to do it the old fashion way.

Sharpener turned back towards Gohan. He was standing there using the bat as a cane, while his other hand was on his hip. He was smirking, knowing no matter what Sharpener decided Gohan's team would win. Sharpener looked over to right field. Erasea was sitting on the ground, plucking at the grass. She didn't care much about the sport, and was useless on the team. Why did the gym coach decide to put her on his team?

Sharpener looked back at Gohan and put his hand and ball in his glove. Gohan got ready, still smirking at his friend. Fast ball, curve ball, maybe pitch out of the pocket and hope the umpire/gym coach would call it a strike.

"Let's get this over with," Gohan said taking a practice swing. Sharpener took a deep breath. The catcher was giving off signals for a fastball. Sharpener shook his head. The catcher signaled to hit the batter, and Sharpener shook his head no. The catcher signaled a changeup. Sharpener gave a nod. Maybe if he was lucky, Gohan would swing and miss.

Sharpener lifted up his left knee, pulled his hand out of the glove, and threw the ball. He prayed for a swing and miss, a pop up, something that did not involve a home run.

KLANK!

Sharpener watched as the ball went flying. All the students dropped their mouths as the ball disappeared in the air. That was one ball they would never…ever see again. The gym teacher took off his mask trying to recall what happened.

"Wow…I haven't seen a hit like that since Yamcha was in baseball," the teacher said. "Game over. Blue team wins."

Gohan, still smirking, used the bat as a cane once again. Sharpener threw his glove on the ground.

"You could have let us win you know," Sharpener said folding his arms. "Or at least get two strikes to make me feel better."

"Why would I want to do that," Gohan said taking the bat and putting it on his shoulder. "I'm a team player. I'm not going to lose on purpose just because my friends are on the other team."

"I would have!"

"Please Sharpener," Videl said walking over rolling her eyes. "All you want to do is win. It doesn't matter who's on your team as long as you're number one."

Sharpener dropped his shoulders in defeat. Last time he had Gohan on his team he didn't do a damn thing. He let the balls go past him when he batted, and didn't even attempt to catch the ball when it came his way. But when Gohan was on the other team, then he was Mr. Professional in baseball.

Erasea made her way over.

"Is school over yet," she said. "Baseball is tiring."

Videl raised an eyebrow.

"You stood there at bat, and sat on the ground in outfield," Videl said.

"I took a swing too!" Erasea huffed. Soon, her mood brightened. "I can't wait until we go to the hot springs tomorrow!"

"It's going to be fun," Videl said locking her arm with Erasea's. "Outdoor hot springs here we come!"

"Man, I wish I had the money to go to the hot springs," Sharpener asked. The gang made their way over to the school.

"If your father was Hercule then you can afford anything," Erasea said with a giggle. "Besides, we need girl time!"

"You don't see us guys having special guy times, right Gohan?" Sharpener looked over at Gohan. He was in his own world, ignoring everything else around him. Sharpener noticed he looked a bit more depressed than usual. "Gohan?"

"Huh," Gohan snapped out of his daze. He shook his head and looked up at the sky. It was grey, but the sun peaked through every once and a while. "Oh yeah…"

"What's with him," Erasea asked. Videl let go of Erasea's arm and walked over to Gohan. She gently reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. Gohan looked at her and smile.

"Thinking about tomorrow," Videl asked. Gohan nodded.

"I never visited a grave before," Gohan admitted. "Do you buy flowers? I've seen people buy incense, and bring food, but do you always have to do that? What do you wear?"

"You're over thinking it," Videl said. "You go, flowers are optional, and you talk to her. That's what I always do." She felt a twitch in Gohan's hand. "Are you worried about something?"

"…no," Gohan replied. He attempted to smile. "You're right. I'm just over thinking the entire thing."

Gohan pulled her close to him, and kissed her on the head. He released her as they made it closer to the changing room, and he and Sharpener went to the boys locker room.

"If you put out I'm sure he'll feel a lot better," Erasea said. Videl's face went bright red before chasing Erasea to the women's changing room

Dish duty.

Sharpener hated dish duty. Picking up half eaten food, cups still filled with soda, and pushing a black little cart with a flat wheel. He picked up a plate of macaroni and cheese, and dumped it in a trash bag attached to the cart. Ugh…it smelled awful. He noticed Gohan taking orders from a table, and wondered how he didn't get stuck with dish duty. He hasn't been on dish duty for weeks, and he's not that great of a waiter. He gets good tips because of the women customers.

Sharpener mumbled to himself as he put the dishes on the cart. He pushed the cart, cursing silently as the cart thunked around the restaurant. Gohan looked over at him and smirked. Sharpener scratched his nose with just his middle finger. Gohan smirked and made his way into the kitchen. Sharpener soon followed, thunking along his way.

"That wasn't a very nice gesture," Gohan said grabbing a tray and cups when Sharpener entered the kitchen.

"I had an itch," Sharpener replied taking the dishes and putting them in the sink. "One day I'm going to wipe that smirk off your face."

Gohan chuckled.

"I'll like to see you try." Gohan began putting ice in the cups. "Thanks for taking my shift tomorrow. I know it's slightly last minute."

"It's no problem. I mean, I was already working an eight hour shift, why not work eight more? I'll have my breakfast, lunch, and dinner here."

"I've done an opening and close before." Gohan added soda to the cups. "I wanted to sleep but Pan decided to stay up the rest of the night."

"Was that the day you came to school, and crashed on the roof for most of the day," Sharpener asked. Gohan nodded. "I had to wake you up when the new period started, then we both had to run to class so we wouldn't be late."

"And I had to tell the teachers that I had stomach issues, and was about to explode in class," Gohan said shaking his head. "Back to the roof I went."

Sharpener emptied the cart.

"So Gohan," Sharpener began to say. Gohan looked over at him with a tray full of sodas. "You seemed a little down today. Is it about tomorrow?"

Gohan paused for a moment. He put the glasses filled with soda on the round silver tray.

"It's nothing," Gohan said lifting up the tray and resting it on his shoulder. Sharpener shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm no expert on feelings," Sharpener said grabbing soap detergent and pouring it in the sink. "I think that you're afraid to see her." He started the water in the sink. "Like, reality is going to hit you that you have a new girlfriend, and you're standing on her grave with feelings of regret." (I was reading Fruits Basket at the time…)

Sharpener heard a noise behind him. He quickly turned around and saw Gohan standing there with spilled soda by his feet. It took Gohan a while to realize that everyone was looking at him, and he quickly went to pick up the fallen glasses. Sharpener quickly grabbed some towels and helped Gohan with the clean-up.

"I lost balance," Gohan mumbled, gathering all the cups and throwing them in the sink. Gohan wouldn't look at Sharpener as he used the towels to clean up the soda.

"It happens," Sharpener said. "You'll never make it in the circus though."

Gohan chuckled to himself. Sharpener smiled, knowing it was better to lighten the mood a little.

"I think we got it all," Gohan said wiping the floor one last time. He noticed a spot where there was a lot of water, and bubbles. Gohan tapped Sharpener on the arm and showed him the bubbles. Sharpener turned his head, and looked towards where the source was coming from.

The sink full of dishes was covered in bubbles, and leaking over the sink. Both men panicked and stood up. Sharpener slipped on some water, and ended up knocking over a waitress with a tray full of food. Gohan, being quick, reached over and grabbed the plate before it landed on the ground. Sadly, a cook turned around from the noise, and ended up hitting the tray of food all over the place.

The bubbles began to expand in size. Gohan looked over and saw the detergent leaking over the sink. He ran over, slipped and crashed into a stack of clean dishes. The bubbles soon filled the kitchen, and the cooks were having trouble prepping the food.

"What's going on in here," the manager yelled. He saw a mountain of bubbles appear in front of him, and he quickly left, holding the swinging doors up against his back. Customers looked over and saw the manager struggle to keep the door closed.

The door busted open, releasing all the bubbles into the restaurant. Customers began to run out of the building as the bubbles chased them out the door. Gohan and Sharpener still stood in the kitchen, covered head to toe in the bubbles. The manager stood up, looked at them both, and his face turned red.

"Who is responsible for this," he yelled as the bubbles formed a Santa like beard and hat on his face. Gohan bit his lip trying not to laugh at the sight of his manager. Sharpener, on the other hand, opened his big mouth.

"I guess we made it on the naughty list this year," he said. Gohan started to laugh.

"I couldn't think of a better way to be fired from a job," Sharpener said as he and Gohan walked down a street, still covered on bubbles. "At least the dishes were clean!"

"Yeah, but we had to sacrifice our next paychecks to cover for damages and lost food," Gohan said, brushing away some bubbles in his hair.

"Did you get any tips today?"

"Only about fifty zenny."

"Great! We're going in here!" Sharpener pulled Gohan into a store. Gohan looked around and recognized this place.

Flashbacks of chugging down a bottle, Piccolo flying him to his mother's house, the vile that came out the next day. Sharpener wasn't serious, was he?

"This is not a good idea," Gohan said as they left a bubble trail behind them. "Can't we just waste it on arcade games and food? Like normal teenagers?"

Sharpener turned and looked at Gohan.

"Since when do you consider yourself a normal teenager," he asked. "Listen, I'm just getting something to help relax your nerves. You have too much on your mind right now, and it's not like you're going to chug down the whole bottle."

"I didn't have a great experience drinking this stuff," Gohan said as Sharpener started to walk ahead. He trotted to catch up. "Sharpener I'm serious!"

"I'll just get something for myself then! I just got fired from my job and need something to make me feel better." He looked at Gohan. "I do need to borrow fifty zenny though."

Gohan slapped his forehead.

Sharpener and Gohan sat next to each other on a park bench. Sharpener took a sip of something out of a paper bag. He handed it to Gohan, and without much of a rebellion Gohan took a small sip. Sharpener looked at Gohan and noticed that he was relaxed. Part of him wanted to talk to Gohan about tomorrow, but the other part wasn't sure if it was right to bring it up. They sat there in silence for a while, and Sharpener was tired of it. Gohan took another swallow of the bottle.

"I'm scared," Gohan said as he looked straight ahead. "I know she's dead, and I moved on, but I'm afraid that seeing her grave…it makes it permanent."

"Does a part of you still believe she's coming back," Sharpener asked. Gohan handed Sharpener the bottle.

"My dad gets to come back for a day." Gohan brushed his fingers through his hair, then clenched it with his fingers. "She can't. It's not fair." His voice came out as a whimper.

Sharpener, not really sure if loosen Gohan up was a good idea, patted his friend on the back.

"When you're done seeing her tomorrow, come back to my place and we can finish the bottle," Sharpener said, putting the cap back on the bottle. "This is going to sound weird…but I'll be here for you when you need me."

"You're going to make a nice boyfriend one day," Gohan said, letting his hand brush the rest of his hair. "But I have a girlfriend, and I don't swing that way."

"You're an asso Gohan."

Gohan stood up and stretched.

"Welp, Piccolo is not going to be happy that I got fired from my job, but at least I'm all clean." Gohan looked down at his buddy on the bench. "Thanks Sharpener."

Sharpener nodded and watched Gohan take flight into the sky. He got up from the bench and began walking home.

Today was the day.

Today Gohan was going to visit her, and tell her that he missed her, and let her know that their daughter is doing well. He was going to tell her all about Pan, and let her know about Videl. He'll tell her that he'll be back to visit, with Pan, and maybe have a little picnic. He'll tell her that he knows she is there in spirit, and still bring her favorite food. Today was the day.

Sadly, Gohan was still lying in bed staring at his alarm clock. Pan was spending the weekend with her grandparents, and Gohan was happy to actually get a full nights rest. No crying, no diapers, and a good night's rest.

Gohan sat up on his bed. He didn't sleep very well. He kept dreaming that she alive, and they were in their own little house with Pan playing on the front yard. Videl would show up, and Pan would crawl towards her, calling her 'Mama.' The happy dream disappeared, along with Videl and Pan, and leave him with her. She would be crying and yelling, but he couldn't understand what she was saying. When he went to grab her she disappeared, and he was alone.

The rest of the early morning Gohan just stared at his alarm clock, dozing off here and there, waking up when he saw her face. He brushed his fingers through his knotted hair.

After a long shower, Gohan made his way out of the building. Piccolo was out by a tree meditating. Mr. Popo was watering flowers, but Dendae was nowhere in site. It didn't bug Gohan much; Dendae was the God on Earth. He could be anywhere.

Piccolo looked over at Gohan. He watched as Gohan made his way to the edge of the Lookout, and stood there. After a few minutes of just standing there, Piccolo got up and walked next to Gohan.

"I…should get her flowers," Gohan said out loud. Piccolo didn't know if he was talking to him, or if he was talking to himself. "Maybe some chocolates."

"Why bother," Piccolo said. "The dead doesn't enjoy flowers or chocolates."

Gohan nodded. Piccolo's answer was a little harsh, but Gohan knew that he was right. Gohan knew it wasn't going to be as bad as he thinks, so with a deep breath Gohan took off into the air.

He did his best not to think about it. After his father died Gohan would look up to the skies, and talk as though he was there. He may have a cried a few times, what eleven year old doesn't, but he was okay. Even after hearing his father wanted to stay in the other world, Gohan took the news pretty well. His mother did not at first, but the next day she saw Gohan and smiled. She kissed him on the forehead, was thankful that she still had her little boy, and proceeded on with life.

There were times where she would look at the skies and tear up. Like Gohan, she would talk to Goku as if he was there. When Goten was born it made both Gohan and Chi-Chi happy. It was like Goku never left.

So if the death of Goku was easy to get over, why couldn't Gohan get over her?

Watching his friends and family die right in front of him, he taught himself to keep going. There was also the Dragonballs, which made death easier to accept. With her, there were no Dragonballs. With Goku, he didn't want to be wished back. They were both dead, but why did her death hurt him far worse than any other death he experienced?

"I know it's hard Gohan, but you have to take care of your child," Chi-Chi said, cradling the sleeping infant in her arms. Gohan sat on the edge of the bed with his hands clasped together, and his head rested on his hands. "Gohan…I know how difficult it seems." Chi-Chi sat down next to Gohan. "I've been there, remember? You were there for me, and now I'm here for you. You can take your time grieving, but you still have a daughter to take care of."

"Take my time grieving," Gohan repeated. He titled his head towards his mother. Swollen red eyes and dark circles looked at her for a moment before he turned his head away. "Dad's been dead for years, and you still wash his clothes like he's going to return."

Chi-Chi frowned, and looked at the little one in her arms.

"He's going to return one day," Chi-Chi said confidently. "And when he does he'll have clean clothes, and food on the table."

Gohan glared at his mother. Chi-Chi held the baby a little tighter, afraid of the look Gohan was giving her. His eyes began to water.

"She's not coming back," Gohan yelled, punching his desk in the process. The desk proceeded to fall apart, waking up the sleeping infant. "She's never coming back!" Gohan stood up and looked at his mother. "What gives you the right to believe that your husband is going to return?!"

Chi-Chi's eyes went wide.

"Gohan I-"

"Dad's dead, she's dead, and they will always be dead! Dead! Dead! DEAD!" Chi-Chi clung onto the baby for dear life, which made the crying infant scream louder. Gohan refused to let his tears fall, even though they were on the brink of being released.

"G-Gohan your s-scaring your daughter," Chi-Chi stuttered. The baby wasn't the only one scared.

"Give me my baby." It was a demand. Chi-Chi stood up as Gohan gently took the baby out of her arms. "Get out."

Chi-Chi didn't need to be told twice. She quickly ran out of the room, leaving Gohan alone with his daughter.

'I am an asso,' Gohan thought to himself. First thing he was going to do was go to his mother's house, and apologize for being rude and being a self-center bastard.

After she died things were a little blurry. Everything just went to auto pilot, and Gohan had no control of his body. He went back to manual, either when his mother kicked him out or when he started school. He's really not sure how he and Sharpener hit it off. They just did.

Gohan landed in front of the cemetery gates. They were black, opened, and little cherubs were attached to the top with smiles on their faces. Why they were smiling in such a sad place confused Gohan. Maybe they were there to make the place more…cheerful?

There seemed to be no one in the cemetery. It looked older, with graves that were small praying temples, some with flowers some with old, moldy food. There were graves that reminded Gohan of Halloween decorations, and some where the grave stone laid flat on the ground. He had no idea where to start. He left the map back home, but he had a general idea of where she was.

He walked inside, and looked at some of the graves he was passing. He looked at the birth year and death date, feeling his chest tweak when he saw children graves. Some only hours old, some that were still children, and ones where they haven't reached adulthood yet. He noticed husband and wives buried together, and families next to each other. Some of the graves, the bigger ones that looked like temples, were wealthy families. Gohan recognized a few famous names.

There were holes ready for the departed, and holes filled with new caskets. Gohan was feeling a little uneasy. Part of him wished that someone was here with him. He was uncomfortable, and looking at all the graves weren't helping either. Old people, young people, freshly dug holes, newly covered holes, and graves that haven't been touched in years. Flowers…he should have brought flowers.

"I can't wait until we hit the hot springs! It's going to be so much fun! I don't know why we don't go there all the time!" Erasea was going on and on but Videl blocked her out. She would nod her head occasionally, chime in a yes or a no, but the window was more interesting that whatever Erasea was talking about.

Truthfully, she was distracted. Gohan called her early in the morning, not able to sleep, and just needed someone to talk to. Videl had trouble falling asleep anyway, so the phone call didn't bother her so much. It was small talk for the most part. Gohan was excited for a full nights rest without Pan, but the excitement about sleeping kept him up. She could tell by his voice that other things were bothering him, but didn't press on.

Videl knew he was seeing her today. She knew that was the reason why he couldn't sleep. He didn't mention anything about it earlier; he just needed a distraction for the time being. And right now, traveling in a limo with food and drinks, and Erasea talking about everything, Videl kept thinking about Gohan.

Gohan really wasn't the romantic type. He never did the flowers, jewelry, or anything when they went on dates. He would, however, always be early, and welcome her with a smile. That smile made her body flush. He would welcome her with a kiss, tell her how nice she looked, grab her hand and continued on with their date. Pan would sometimes be there, when Gohan couldn't find a baby sitter, but it was hard to talk when shoes, socks, toys, and other random items being thrown all over the place.

Even with the dates, and quality time with Pan, Videl always noticed that something else was bugging him. Videl already made the assumption that he was afraid of losing her, like he lost his last girlfriend. She couldn't blame him. He tries not to talk about her too much, but there are times where it slips.

Videl never had a boyfriend with issues before, but at least he was cute. Pan too.

Videl's eyes went wide as she looked out the window. She looked over at Erasea, who was still talking, and bit her lip. She was having a mental battle herself.

Clenching onto chair, Videl made up her mind.

"Driver! Pull over!"

Erasea stopped talking and looked at her friend.

"What's wrong Videl," she asked. Videl didn't respond back. Once the car stopped Videl jumped out of the limo, and ran. "Videl! Where are you going?"

He was in the right area. There were statues, a water fountain, and a pine tree that stood out all by itself. Gohan remembered the pine tree from the directions he left at home. He stood looking over a field where the grave stones laid on the ground. She was around here somewhere.

Gohan's stomach turned sour. He wanted to see her so badly. Part of him wished that her ghost would appear, and talk to him like in the movies. Part of him thought that she would stick out her hand and pull him in the grave with her. The rest of his mind told him that he was watching too many scary movies, and to stick with children's shows instead. Less nightmares.

Gohan started at the first row, looking at the names as he walked by. None of them had her name, so Gohan continued to the second, then the third, and soon the fourth. He was starting to think that he was in the wrong part of the cemetery when he reached the fifth row. He noticed a name that looked familiar, and realized that he was in the family plot. He noticed some spots without graves, saved for John and Marsha, and knew she was here.

He body froze, scared to move forward. His heart started to beat faster. She was around here.

He took a deep breath as his legs started to move forward. He passed by two graves, reading the names through misty eyes. He passed another grave, noticing the death dates becoming more recent. He looked at a new grave stone, one without dirt or mold like the others. There, he saw her name. Her birthday, the day she died, and who she was.

Gohan collapsed on his knees and touched her name with his fingers.

"I found you," he whispered as tears began to fall. "I finally found you."

He looked underneath the dates and read a quote written in cursive.

Beautiful daughter

Wonderful friend

Loving mother

Gohan's eyes went wide as he read the last sentence. He grasped the grass between his fingers. She's never going to watch Pan grow up. She'll never see her first steps, she's never heard her first word, she's not going to watch her grow up and have children of her own. Pan is never going to see her mother again; She is never going to see her daughter again.

Gohan felt his chest clenching. He grasped onto his shirt as his breath went short. Tears were landing on the grave where her name was engraved, the grass still held tightly between his fingers. The happy family he pictured months ago flashed through his head, only to fade into a distant memory. Her smile, her laugh, everything about her started to fade away. The memories he held onto deeply were never going to happen again.

He never got to say goodbye.

He wanted to say 'I love you' one more time.

He was never going to see her again.

She was gone.

He was alone.

Pulling the grass from his fingers, Gohan pounded the ground with his right hand. He screamed out her name, and pounded the ground once more. Like a child who lost their favorite toy, Gohan released all the closed up feelings he hid from the world. He let it out, not caring who could hear or see him.

He felt arms wrap around him, holding him tightly as he cried. He didn't know who it was, or why they were there, but he clutched onto that person for dear life.

He wasn't alone.

She was there.

This time he wasn't going to lose her.

Videl held Gohan as some of her own tears fell as well. Erasea soon caught up and caught her breath. Her heart broke as she saw Gohan, who never showed emotion or feelings before, crying. Her eyes were misty, but she refused to cry.

Sharpener soon appeared next to Erasea with flowers in his hand. She looked over at him, and wondered where he came from.

"I stayed by the tree," Sharpener said.

"Why," Erasea asked.

"That's what friends do," Sharpener replied. "I was afraid he would relapse, be back in that dark place again. Apparently Videl had the same idea, and is stealing my glory."

Things settled down, and Videl lead Gohan to the limo. Erasea followed behind, but Sharpener walked towards the grave. He placed the flowers on top of her grave stone and smiled.

"I wanted to meet the person who made such a beautiful daughter, and a smart ass friend," Sharpener said putting his hands in his pockets. "Gohan is…not really ready to do this sort of thing, but I know he'll be back, and he'll talk to you. I can't stay here too long, but I wanted to tell you that Gohan's going to be okay…Pan too." Sharpener took a step away, then turned back towards the grave. "Oh, and those flowers are from Gohan. He forgot to get them, so I made sure he got them for you. It was nice meeting you."

End of chapter.

I had to re-read the fanfiction, to try and keep everything on track. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter.

"When is Goku coming?" Soon I swear. I'm still confused on how I want to write that chapter. I have an idea, but I'm not sure if that's how I really want to write it. So I'm asking you, my lovely reviewers, for ideas. How would you like Goku to appear in the story? No tournament, no Buu! Also, Gohan hates/misses his father, but he's not so sure. (I'm not sure either since in the early chapters he hates Goku, and then a change of heart. I wish I could remember what I write.)

Thank you for reading my stories, even though they take frickin' forever to update, but I am grateful for all my readers.

Love,
CrazyGohanGurl