Chapter Twenty Six – Subconscious' Plea
By rainbowraindeer
Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Dragonball Z. Not Gohan, not Babidi or his wizardry powers, not even the Majin symbol… only the plot… and I'm perfectly content with that... sorta...
Chapter Twenty Five's (An Offer and a Dieing Hope) reviewers: Time Shifter, MysticSuperSaiyanGohan, lady-kagome84, satan'stoasterstudel, BlueNightGVZ2341, Dairokkan, DBZ Chick1, dragonwarriorkeltyr, geuss, Ava, amytherat, and twisterblake.
Gohan's mind swirled with panic and astonishment. Goten… His eyes bored into the little boy. His face held no expression, so anyone on the outside couldn't tell how he felt about the situation, only that he wasn't happy… or sad…
What have you done? He's your own brother! A voice, deep within the confines of his mind, screeched. It was his own, of course, yet at the same time, it wasn't - not exactly. From the inside, it didn't sound unemotional, or uncaring. It sounded like before, before Babidi.
I…I… No, I didn't mean to! Really, he didn't actually want to hurt Goten quite like he had. But something had taken over his thoughts in those last few seconds, commanding that he end it quickly. The voice had been so strong; he just couldn't fight it off.
'End his misery' … it had told him
His brow knotted into a frown, and his teeth bit down – hard – into his bottom lip. He suddenly found Goten looking at him with two worried, turquoise eyes. It was amazing that, even after that last blow, the boy still hadn't dropped out of super saiyan.
But even if that thought made Goten sound stronger than he appeared, he still didn't look quite as good as the golden locks might have led you to believe. The first thing Gohan had to notice were the tears streaming down Goten's face, leaving a puddle beneath his form, and mixing with any blood that had splattered over the pavement.
You caused that. His mind told him plainly, referring to the event with so much venom that it made Gohan shudder – at least inwardly.
I know. That other voice – the Babidi possessed one – replied.
His eyes scanned his little brother once more, coming to rest on the gash that ran down his back, slowly flowing with blood that would surely kill the kid in only a matter of hours, or maybe even minutes. Goten didn't deserve to feel pain quite like that – he is only seven years old!
Gohan didn't really know what to do at that moment. He couldn't help the kid, for Babidi would surely never approve of such an action. And then he found himself regretting ever joining the 'Majin' side. He didn't even know why he had done so in the first place…
'They don't respect you like I do, boy. I can put your power to good use.'
'Ah yes, that father of yours! Do you honestly think I believe you respect that man?'
"Are you sure he didn't just want to get away from you? You truly were a horrible son. Such a coward! And you even killed him at o–'
Gohan growled under his breath, eyes igniting in red-hot flames. He didn't want to remember that conversation anymore. The conversation that had led to the madness he was currently living in, and causing – he had to admit – so he cut the memories off.
And then he suddenly found himself moving forward, towards Goten, towards his little brother. And he was brought back to his senses, Babidi's first conversation with him now lost in the depths of his darkened mind.
He still didn't know quite what to do once he got there, but when he caught the sight of a strong figure rushing towards him out of the corner of his eye, he knew he no longer had to. He couldn't quite tell who it was, even from how close they were, but still, he crouched into a fighting position, ready for anything.
"Get away from him!"
A fist suddenly swept him up, throwing both Gohan and his unnamed attacker across the pavement. They collided and slid, leaving a deep crater in their wake. Gohan spat heavily as dust gathered up around them, making it hard to see anything for a few seconds.
Finally, the dust cleared, and he was able to name his attacker… "Vegeta?"
"That's right." Came the snarl of a reply.
And another punch was thrown, tossing Gohan to the rounded edge of the lookout's surface. He pulled himself to his feet, but the shock of his new opponent caused him to lose his balance just slightly. He caught himself before falling over again.
"What are you doing, Gohan?" He asked angrily, brow narrowing into a scowl, mouth curving downward to fit into the picture. "Damn it, boy! He's your own brother!"
Gohan growled in a chaotic manner, hands coming to his head to pull at the golden strands. "I know!" He yelled. He's your own brother! That had been exactly what his mind had told him only moments before. "I know!" He repeated.
"Why did you try to kill him, then, hmm?" Vegeta dared to ask, looking the eighteen-year-old directly in the eye.
The other saiyan – as half as he was – didn't answer. No, he wouldn't answer, for really… he didn't have a clue…
So instead, he flipped forward at the speed of light, and attacked Vegeta's now-raised arms with a furry of strongly forced kicks. The older of the two took a step back as the force in Gohan's feet became stronger and stronger. And finally, one slipped past his defences, and hit him squarely in the chest.
As Vegeta stumbled and fell, Gohan flipped backwards to land safely on his toes. Before the other warrior got back to his own feet, the majin took a quick glance at his brother. The boy had finally dropped out of his super saiyan transformation, but still, even with the great loss of power, Goten still seemed to be watching him.
Gohan sighed deeply, a little – okay, maybe close to extremely – disappointed in himself. Like everyone - everyone being Vegeta and that annoying voice in his head – had said, how could he have possibly done that to his own brother? A brother who didn't even want to fight back…
Lost in thought, he didn't notice two feet spring up from Vegeta's now crouched form. Those same feet slammed into his jaw, and he was thrown sky-high before he could even react. He twirled in mid-air in an effort to stop himself from reaching the hard ground.
He did so successfully, finding himself suspended three metres from the ground. Vegeta was soon to join him, inflicting a frenzy of powerful blows wherever he could hit. Gohan reacted slowly; his mind still on Goten, meaning Vegeta was able to do a lot of damage.
Goten didn't deserve that…
A first slammed fast and hard into his face. His head was sent reeling back, body going with it. He flipped back up, dark, turquoise orbs trying to keep an eye on the battle, and where Vegeta's attacks were coming from.
…He didn't even fight back…
Gohan's arms went into the defensive as Vegeta kicked out in an effort to push him back. Gohan grabbed the attacker's feet angrily and tossed him over his head. Vegeta collided with the pavement only a few seconds later.
…But did that stop you?
He could hear the shattering of rocks from where he floated, and the sound of Vegeta jumping to steady feet also reached his ears. Just as quickly as the full-blooded saiyan had recovered, a strong energy blast was gathered in his hands.
"No, it didn't." He said aloud, eyes shifting to Goten once more.
A low growl rumbled within the confides of his chest. He swung around, unseen by the human eye, and battered Vegeta's ki-based attack away as though it was nothing. His hands suddenly blazed with red fire. His brow narrowed, his eyes clutched shut, and his hair blew, using only the wind radiating from his gold, flaming form to move it.
He felt angry, extremely angry. But not at Vegeta. No, the prince of four had done nothing wrong. He was angry with himself, for everything that had happened. It was his fault Buu had been released. It was his fault that the majin team were at the lookout. But most of all, it was his fault Goten was hurt and bleeding.
"All my fault…" He gasped out, quietly as he could. "Idiot!" His voice grew louder as he repeated that word over and over again, bouncing off the walls, the ground, and circling the beating hearts of those around him.
His still blazing hands clutched at his head, trying to control the headache that ate away at him. It was then that he screamed, long and loud, in an effort to release his frustration.
Two crimson energy blasts fired in opposite directions. One destroyed all in it's way, including several palm trees, and the very top of the lookout house. The other fizzled out into the airy distance, never to collide with anything.
His eyes slowly opened, revealing two pupils of the very same colour as those two ki attacks. "Goten… I'm sorry… I didn't…" He didn't finish his sentence, because in a flash of golden and red light, he had shot off like a bullet into the distance.
The last anyone saw of him was a strangely coloured raindrop diving into a mess of trees far from the lookout.
……………………………
A creamy white hand pushed off the edge of the tree, bringing Videl to shaky feet. She stumbled slightly, but managed to grab a hold of the tall shrub before she completely dropped again. "Gohan…" She mumbled under her breath, watching the ray of red and golden light blur off into the distance.
Her mind still couldn't grasp what had just happened. All that she knew was that Gohan had had a mental breakdown. Videl sighed, maybe the events had finally caught up to him, maybe he had finally realized what he had been doing to his family and friends…
…maybe…
Videl smiled to herself, Gohan would be okay, he just needed a little time to talk to himself, then he would be back on their team and ready to fight Buu along side them. Or the others anyway, she knew she couldn't possibly be any match for that brute.
She also knew she probably couldn't talk to Gohan anymore, she had done all she could, and he had eventually thrown her aside. Even after he had spilled his thoughts about everything that had happened to him… He had forgotten completely about it, he had gone after Goku as soon as Babidi – yes, she was sure it had been him – had returned all of his strength.
It was like he had never truly wanted her company. But… but… she thought he had been warming up to her. And maybe he was, but not enough to stop his urges of beating the ones who hurt him the most to a bloody pulp in a fit of revenge.
"The Gohan I know doesn't solve his problems with revenge." She said in mild anger. A foot raised into the air, and dropped again in a stomp, effectively digging into the well-watered ground surrounding the palm tree. But… then again… this isn't the Gohan I know, not really…
Her eyes roamed around the lookout, finally landing on Gohan's little brother. And she remembered exactly what made that Gohan not the one she knew… and loved - she had to admit. He had… he… he had… "He almost killed him, he almost killed Goten." She finished aloud.
Her hands lashed at the air, angry at everything around her, from the plants, to the concrete, to even the air she breathed. But not at him. Strangely enough, she felt she could never ever be mad at him, no matter how hard she tried.
And it was then that her mind reeled back to Goten again. The original plan had been to walk - or crawl, depending on the circumstances – over to him and see if he was okay. Taking a deep breath, she went to do just that.
She brought her hands to her sides – stopping her crazed outburts of clawed hands - and took a few steps forward, leaving the grip of the tree behind her. "Please be okay, Goten…" She quietly said, taking a few more careful steps towards him. "Just! Please be okay…"
Closer and closer she came – whispering words of hope, hope beyond hope, that he was okay – until Goten's back was but a few centimetre's from her outstretched toes. She hovered over him for close to ten seconds, not quite sure what to do.
He didn't notice her at first, he merely stared off into the distance, tracing Gohan's trail of energy with his dark eyes. It wasn't until she lightly touched his back, accidentally brushing over his open wound in the process, that he saw her. He smiled slightly at her, and rolled over to face the other way.
"Videl!" He said to her weakly, although she could tell the word, her name – nonetheless – was meant to sound giddy and overjoyed.
She merely smiled back at him.
"Hey, Goten…" Her fingers fiddled with the pebbles beneath her, but discontinued the action when she noticed said pebbles were tainted with blood. Died blood. She wasn't sure who it belonged to. "…I'm sure Gohan didn't mean t–"
She stopped her sentence abruptly as Goten's nose scrunched up in disgust. He clenched and unclenched his fists, before saying to her, "I know he didn't… he's my big brother… The best big brother in the world!" He paused for a second, before looking up at her with pleading eyes…
…it was at that moment that they both heard those words – the last words Gohan had muttered before flying off – echo in their minds…
"Goten… I'm sorry… I didn't…"
The young seven-year-old smiled, "He said sorry, you know…"
Videl's face brightened ever so slightly, and the teenager nodded, "Yeah… I know…"
……………………………
Babidi blinked. Once. Twice. Gohan… he had been there, and now… and now… he was gone? Just like that. The short, wrinkled wizard tried desperately to get his head around it, but couldn't. Everything had just happened too fast. He could hardly even remember what events had taken place.
Only two words generated: There. Gone. That was it.
But it wasn't exactly what had happened that created the problem; it was what it had resulted in. Gohan had run away, leaving himself, Babidi, short one servant. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, and he could do only one thing…
…Scream.
"GOHAN! URGH! I can't believe that boy. Did I tell him to go? No! I told him to finish off that pesky brother of h-"
A giggle was heard beside him, cutting him off in mid sentence. His large, rolling eyes shifted to look at the one who dared to utter a sound while he was busy ranting. He was amazed at who he saw.
"Buu…" He growled angrily, whiskers twitching as he did so, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" His wrinkled fingers extended to where Goku lay, not having moved since Buu had abandoned him. "You're supposed to be killing that man!"
Incompetence. Babidi's mind uttered in announce. Why were none of his loyal servants actually being loyal to him, and doing what he told them to do?
Buu was unfazed by the master of wizardry's sudden outburst. "And what are you laughing at?" Said wizard asked angrily, eyes turning to slits.
More laughs echoed from the childish monster, "You funny when you angry!" His hands clutched his stomach in a gesture to say he was in stitches.
Babidi's hands flew into the air, followed by his gaze, "Be QUIET, Buu!" He practically screamed, "I am not trying to be funny!" His voice calmed, but inside he was still flaming, "Now tell me, why aren't you brutally slaughtering that blasted saiyan?"
Buu's laughing stopped as his mouth closed, only to be replaced by a wide grin. "He say that if we come back in two days, much stronger challenger will be here to fight!" His hands clapped together in glee, "Can't wait! Can't wait!"
His creator's son growled, hands clenching dangerously at his sides, "I didn't agree to anything like that!"
"HA!" Buu laughed, poking Babidi's head in a humorous manner, "I no listen to you! Me wait! That's final!" He steamed slightly, staring daggers at the little wizard in a somewhat childish manner, like an infant throwing a tantrum.
Babidi didn't have time to ague with his so-called servant. So, although it took a huge hit to his pride, he agreed. "Fine! We'll come back in two days…" He mumbled curses under his breath, walking behind Buu in the process. I have to find Gohan anyway…
He slowly pulled himself onto the monster's back, and gave him a small kick in the side. He held on tightly to the creature's cape.
"Come along, Buu!" He said, "Lets go find that traitorous boy…"
Buu smiled wide, "Okay! Okay!" He turned to Goku, still slumped against the tree, "Me be back in two days!"
His feet pushed off the ground as he propelled into the air, and, much like Gohan only minutes before, disappeared in a flash of light. Only, it was white this time.
Childish laughter was heard trailing after the two.
To be continued…
Posted 12 February 2006 – 2854 words
The author note for this story is directed at Ava, but I want the rest of you to read it, just in case some of you have the same concerns…
Firstly, sorry if Gohan is being too OOC for you, but that's just how he is in this story. He's not the same shy guy you read in all those high school fictions that reside in the Gohan-Videl section - no, he's turned into a confused and emotionally-drained being. How can he possibly be IC? I ask you?
And what about when he was fighting Goku? He almost strangled the guy. Did you find that, in any way, disturbing? Well if you did, sorry, but nobody said so. Besides, the events have worn on, Gohan has been pulled even deeper into the ways of a villain, and even so, he still has his weak what-am-I-doing-to-Goten moments.
Secondly, please don't rush me. As LauraNeatO once said…
"Work at your own pace. Don't ever try to force the story; the story should guide you. Take your time writing. We'll all be here waiting when you update."
I do admit, two months was a bit much, but there is a time when someone just finds writing too stressful, and needs to take a break. Not that I took a break for two months or anything, maybe two weeks (One of those weeks being when I took a class trip to Wellington)(The other was spent filling my brain with Xiaolin Showdown action in that particular fanfiction tray). But even so, I'll try my best.
As for the Gohan-Videl moments… They'll come… I am a little short on any possibilities for them to talk or interact or anything, but I do try. If the moment's right, it'll happen…
Okay, I'm done, you can now go on with your lives - or the next chapter, depending if its a few weeks later and I've posted it.