A NECESSARY EVIL
Warning: Lots more bad language than usual in this one.
CHAPTER 28: REMEMBER
Another week seemed to fly by, most fighters noticing a disturbance beginning to occur in the atmosphere around them. At first, they all thought they were being paranoid, but with only a month to prepare, they were wondering whether training alone would be enough of a plausible plan.
Gohan had been walking around with the box that Vegeta gave him in his pocket. He took it everywhere, never leaving it lying around, even laying awake at night staring at it. There was just one problem - he hadn't opened it yet, he was too scared.
His saiyan half had been safely tucked away and left dormant in the back of his mind since the day Nita was born. Vegeta had informed him of his brief change in personality during the events of Nita's traumatic arrival into the world.
Gohan sat down in the living area that evening with a sleeping Nita in one arm. All the non-fighters were there, including his mother and his two younger brothers, of which Goten was playing with Trunks in the corner. As much as the youngsters' help may have been required, Bulma and Chi Chi had absolutely refused to allow them to fight. Not yet, not while the world was in danger.
Chi Chi sat down next to her eldest, Haru in her arms babbling away. She had noticed a change in Gohan in the past week; even though he had physically healed after Cell's latest assault on him, he became more distant from her. Chi Chi admitted, that Gohan normally kept himself to himself these days, and she appreciated that now more than ever, but he was unusually quiet and withdrawn.
"Gohan, sweetie," she began quietly, making sure not to draw attention to them. "Have you been feeling okay?"
"Hm? Oh... yeah, I'm fine, why?" he answered, the plain tone of his voice not reassuring her.
"You're just so... quiet. Is it your depression again?" she asked carefully. Gohan was grateful for her genuine concern after they'd been burying his problems for the past five years, but he just smiled back softly.
"No, it's not. I promise," he said.
"Then what's bothering you?"
"When there's something that could be detrimental to saving the world, but you don't want to have to face it... what do you do?" he asked, his voice trembling. Chi Chi raised her eyebrows at Gohan's rather cryptic question, it wasn't what she was expecting.
"Is it Cell?"
"No... "
"Well... I guess, for the sake of the world, you need to stop running and face whatever it is. Because I hate seeing you tear yourself apart."
Gohan just smiled back weakly, not revealing the irony of her statement - he was already torn apart within his mind. But for once... she was right. Soon after, the fighters came into the room after their training, prompting Chi Chi to take Nita from Gohan and put her in her new crib that she'd been sleeping in for the past few nights; Chi Chi was now aware of where Gohan and Nita had been staying. She hadn't told Bulma about Gohan and Trunks, feeling that it wasn't her place. Clearly Trunks hadn't got round to it yet, going by the fact that Bulma hadn't mentioned it at all. What she was more happy about was what Gohan had managed to gain all on his own - he had his own little family.
A few of them left the room when all the fighters sat down, only Bulma and Master Roshi staying behind. Gohan was obviously oblivious to what was going on when Vegeta and Goku were both looking at him.
"Have you got the box with you?" asked Vegeta.
"Oh... yeah, it's here," said Gohan, taking it out of his pocket.
"How is it going? Have you managed to draw anything out from it yet?" quizzed Goku.
"Um, no... I haven't opened it yet."
"You what?!" shouted Vegeta. "Why the hell not?!"
"I'm too scared, okay!"
"You need to let go of your insecurities for this to work, Gohan! The universe itself depends on this!"
"What are you talking about?" asked Piccolo. Only Goku and Vegeta knew of Gohan's assignment.
"It's about time they knew, Gohan," said Goku. Gohan shook his head, running his hand through his hair to try and hide his face. "It might help you if we know what to look for. Then if something's amiss, we'll know it's not really you and we can help you get your control back."
"Okay," said Gohan, breathing slowly.
"Is someone going to tell us what's happening?" complained Krillin. Gohan began fidgeting with the box, tossing it between his fingers; it was the only way he could cope without breaking again.
"I have two personalities," said Gohan, partly feeling relieved that he'd got that out in the open. Though they all looked rather confused, Piccolo's brain finally clicked - this was why Gohan's energy had been so distorted for some time. "I'm half human and half saiyan, but about a year ago, those two halves split and now I've got two people inside my head. One of them is me, and the other is my saiyan half." Gohan paused while they all took that in, they were shocked to say the least.
"The saiyan half has been dormant for a while now, but within this box is the energy that can draw his saiyan half out. The purpose of this is to essentially put his two halves together again," said Vegeta. "Your saiyan half has something you are lacking - he's confident!"
"I can't let him out... " said Gohan, determined to keep his other personality away from his friends.
"You have to. If not for yourself, then for the world. Think of Nita," said Goku gently. Gohan was looking at Trunks now and again, who was sat at the opposite end of the room. Trunks was looking at him as if to say that everything was going to be alright. You don't have to do this alone, Gohan. "We can help you if your other half gets out of control."
"What's your saiyan half like?" asked Piccolo.
"Some of you have seen it before," said Gohan, mentally apologising to Trunks more than most. He didn't remember it, but from what he gathered, his saiyan half practically pounced on him. He was also sorry for Jeice, who had seen a lot of his cruel attitude.
"He's a pure blooded saiyan, more so thanks to the tail," said Vegeta.
"He's a raving lunatic," said Gohan. "He's manipulative, vile and above all else, he's a killer... " Gohan's eyebrows knitted together when he realised something. "Wow... no wonder Cell liked him so much."
"Cell's familiar with it?" asked Goku. "Was it him in control while you were together?"
"Nope... sorry to disappoint, but that was all me," sighed Gohan. "But when he did surface, it made things more interesting. Cell used to call him 'my evil twin'. You sure you still want me to draw him out? Because I promise you, you aren't going to like what you see. You can pretend that it's someone else all you like, but at the end of the day, he's me. The part of me I never wanted anyone to see."
"We all have our dark sides, Gohan," reassured Trunks. Gohan looked over to him; he knew that Trunks had another side to him that nobody had seen apart from him. While everyone else saw a brave, humble, relatively quiet person, Gohan knew that it wasn't all as straight forward as that; Trunks was a recovering depressive and self-harmer, and he still had nightmares almost every night, some of which he'd wake up crying from.
"It's time to face yours," said Vegeta, him also carrying his own past demons. "And you will come out on the other side. Because you're a stubborn little brat."
Gohan laughed weakly, gearing himself up to open the box.
"Do you want to do this privately?" asked Goku. Gohan nodded, letting his father lead him out and into the gravity chamber. The other fighters sat there in silence, taking it all in, imagining what Gohan's saiyan half would be like in full swing.
"Try not to agitate him when he comes out," warned Vegeta. "Don't indulge him, don't let him get under your skin, and don't even look at him funny."
"Like we do with you?" remarked Yamcha as they all got up to leave.
"Precisely, moron."
As everyone filed out of the room to do their own thing after the hard day of training, Vegeta walked over to Bulma and Trunks, who was sat leaning against the wall staring into the distance. "Trunks, you be careful especially."
"Why?" asked Trunks, looking worried.
"Gohan's saiyan half is driven just like any other saiyan. At his age, he's calculating and promiscuous. And as his mate, he will target you."
"His mate? What are you talking about?" asked Bulma, only catching the last part.
"Thanks for that, dad," said Trunks sarcastically.
"I don't give a fuck who knows and who doesn't. It doesn't bother me," yelled Vegeta. "But take my advice, when he approaches you, you absolutely cannot let him have his way. When it comes to saiyan sexuality at this primitive level, you have to assert yourself and take control. Or else he might even kill you. You have to ensure that you have his respect and that he's completely loyal to you. Much like his human half."
"What?! I don't understand, what are you going on about, Vegeta?" cried Bulma, stopping still when she caught sight of the guilty look on Trunks' face. "Trunks, is there something you've not told me?"
"Does he really need to spell it out for you, woman?!" spat Vegeta.
"Trunks?"
Trunks didn't say anything, believing that the situation couldn't get any more awkward. He ran his hand through his hair, not really knowing where to start.
"He and the brat are romantically involved," said Vegeta as if it was a passing comment. "And don't think I feel any better about the fact that you've been laying with a third class!"
Vegeta merely folded his arms as he leaned against the wall, leaving Trunks feeling rather awkward as he avoided eye contact with Bulma.
"Trunks, why didn't you tell me?" asked Bulma, calming down a little.
"I didn't know how to," said Trunks. It was an honest answer at least. "We've been together for about three months. We've been pretty quiet about it, Gohan's only just told Chi Chi."
"Are you sure you know what you're doing? Gohan's not exactly stable, like what we just heard... it's scary. And it's now scaring me even more that you're in danger!"
"He's not dangerous mom, he's just lost."
"And you know that for certain do you?"
"Yes. Because I've been there," said Trunks. "Gohan needs help, that's all. And both of us knew when we got together that it wasn't going to be an easy ride, but - "
"What do you mean you've been there?" asked Vegeta aggressively. Trunks just sighed.
"Leave it," he answered quietly.
"No, come on. You've been there. What do you mean by that?"
"I'm just saying that I understand how hard it is for him." Trunks pulled himself onto his feet to leave before things got more out of hand.
"How? How could you possibly know that?"
"I don't have to tell you anything!"
"What aren't you telling me, boy!" shouted Vegeta. Bulma tried to cut in but her protests were ignored. "Don't tell me you're just as weak minded as he is?"
"You really want to know? Fine! I used to cut myself, just like Gohan did!" Trunks instantly regretted letting out his darkest secret as soon as he received almost a disappointed look from Vegeta, but it didn't conceal his shock. His father said nothing in return, storming out of the room. Trunks let out a growl, pulling his own hair before punching the wall, but not enough to break through it.
"Trunks... Trunks, sit down," said Bulma softly, carefully lowering him onto the sofa with her. Trunks was close to tears, but managed to hold them back. "It's okay."
"It's not... it's really not. I don't know what to do."
"About your father?"
"Pff... I didn't expect him to embrace me and tell me that everything was going to be alright," he replied cynically. "It's not about him. I don't know how to help Gohan. How can I still be open with him without worrying that he's going to turn on me. And if he does, he's going to feel worse than ever... what if this just sets him off again!"
"Whoa, slow down... help me out here."
"I can't watch him try to hurt himself again. There was so much blood... it's different when it's your own, but when you see it on someone else it really hits home."
Bulma could see Trunks turning away again, shutting himself down.
"Trunks, come on. Don't shut me out, you clearly need to talk to somebody. Keeping all of this bottled up isn't helping you."
"Sorry... it's just always been something I've had to do. I've not exactly had many people to talk to in my life."
"Better late than never. When did all this happen, I thought he stopped... "
"Cell got to him a few weeks back. I found him in his room, and he was trying to kill himself. I managed to drag him into the bathroom to clean him up, but he kept pushing me away. I'm surprised nobody heard us, we were screaming at each other... eventually, I got him to calm down. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do... and I've spent a whole year alone in a room with dad."
"Trunks, you saved his life."
"It took him so long to get better. I don't think I can watch him do that to himself again."
"This is probably the hardest thing Gohan's ever going to have to face. And by the sounds of it, the person he's going to look to for help is you. No matter which of his personalities is in control."
"What am I meant to do if his saiyan half comes at me? I don't want to hurt him."
"You'll just have to find a way to make him trust you. Just be there, Trunks."
"What if I'm too late?"
"It's never too late. From the way Gohan's bounced back after being attacked last week, I believe that he's a lot stronger than you think. And to me, Vegeta's exaggerating."
"You think so?"
It worked like a charm.
But Goku and Vegeta didn't expect him to be so quiet. Gohan was sat on the floor with them in silence, leaning against the wall lazily as they interrogated him with their eyes. They both knew that he's changed, they sensed the switch immediately as Gohan's unstable energy shifted.
"Do you know where you are?" asked Goku finally.
"Yep."
"And what day it is?"
"I'm not concussed... " said Gohan, looking back at him funny.
"No... no you're not. I just don't really know where we're supposed to go from here... "
"Where's my daughter?" he asked abruptly.
"She's with your mother."
"I want to see her."
"I don't think now's the best time, do you?" said Vegeta.
"Who asked you?"
Goku looked back and forth between them, thinking that the last thing they needed was two Vegetas in one room.
"Gohan, you need to focus. Do you remember anything that's happened since you were last around?" he asked bravely, trying not to look a little shaken by his son.
"Bits and pieces, I guess," shrugged Gohan.
"You need to find the other half, Gohan. Sooner rather than later."
Gohan just sighed, seemingly avoiding that request altogether as he stood up.
"Where do you think you're going?!" yelled Vegeta as Gohan walked towards the door as if they weren't in the room.
"I've got better things to do than this shit," he scoffed in return as he headed out, leaving Goku and Vegeta dumbfounded by his attitude.
"Let's hope Trunks has better luck than we do," said Vegeta, feeling a little disheartened as he thought about his own son after his earlier outburst.
"Trunks? What makes you think Gohan's heading for him?"
"Well, we've refused him access to his child. Who do you think is the next person he's going to go looking for?"
"Hey, beautiful."
Trunks froze where he was. His jacket was half-folded in his arms as he turned around to see Gohan leaning against the door.
"Hey," he answered nervously. He was secretly hoping to avoid him for a few more hours while he got his head around the change... but as he looked at him, he felt the same as ever - he looked like Gohan, sounded like him, and even smelled like him.
"What's a nice guy like you doing here... all alone... " he joked. Trunks indulged him, laughing back. It was strange, they still looked and smelled the same, but now he sounded like someone else - or a more confident, abrasive version of himself.
"Hiding, I guess," said Trunks in response. He decided to be completely honest, Gohan would know if he was pretending.
"Did I scare you?"
"What?"
"Last time you saw me. Sorry if I was a bit... forward."
"It's... uh... fine... " Trunks was avoiding eye contact with him as he came closer, staying where he was when he felt Gohan's hand place itself on top of his. "So... what's next for, you know... everything?"
"I don't know... " he shrugged in response, his voice and facial expression completely unreadable. "Play it out, see if I can pull any repressed memories out, I guess."
"Right," said Trunks, looking down at Gohan's hand, which was stroking his own affectionately. He felt Gohan's other hand suddenly appear on his face, holding it as he received a gentle kiss on the cheek. "What were you saying about being forward?" Gohan laughed.
"If I was being forward, you'd be screaming my name by now," he whispered against his ear. Trunks should have known. This Gohan was only after one thing - and Trunks had to either resist, or beat him at his own game.
"It's funny... you sound the same but you don't." Trunks gasped when Gohan deliberately brushed his lips against his mark; he half expected it not to feel right, but it sent familiar sparks through him instead like it usually did. Trunks tried to regain his composure, remembering what Vegeta said to him before their altercation; he had to be the one in control, even if the feather light kisses he was receiving along his neck were starting to drive him mad.
"Is it turning you on?"
"What gave you the impression that I was easy?"
"I don't see you pushing me away."
Trunks suddenly did exactly that, shoving him against the nearest wall by his shoulders. Gohan certainly didn't see it coming. Trunks didn't like having to be so rough and heavy handed with him, having grown used to always being affectionate and as open as he possibly could.
"Ow... that hurt... I kind of like it," he giggled ominously; he grabbed onto Trunks' belt and started to undo it, but his hands were promptly ripped away and held up against the wall at either side of his head.
"Behave yourself," scolded Trunks lightly, getting a rush out of it.
"Go on then, discipline me. Or I could discipline you instead... "
"I don't think you're in a position to be making threats."
"I can name a few we could try if you want to fix that - " Trunks pulled Gohan towards him and slammed him back into the wall again to shut him up, earning a painful grunt out of him. "You can't convince me that you don't want this. I can see it in those pretty eyes. And I can kind of feel it too... "
"You talk way too much... " he said in return. Trunks was struggling with his own instincts, his body telling him to go for it. He didn't want to sleep with him while he was like this, but Gohan wasn't giving him much choice.
Gohan managed to catch him off guard, shoving him away as hard as he could. But since he wasn't used to being the half in control, and due to Trunks having been training while he hadn't, his efforts were proven futile as he found himself back against the wall. He was about to answer back with something foul until Trunks suddenly crashed their lips together. Trunks finally let go of his arms, letting them circle around his neck. He shook Gohan a few times as he continued to fight him, trying to lead the kiss. Gohan seemed to be relenting at last until they pulled apart.
"Fuck me, Trunks."
"Don't tell me what to do," said Trunks, trying to play along but ignoring how tempting that request was.
"Come on... I won't stop you."
"Now who's being easy?"
"Ooh, didn't think you had that in you," laughed Gohan. Trunks let him go again and took a step back. Deep down he knew the inevitable outcome of this. Then he began to wonder if he had the ability to listen to his own saiyan half as well, at least to get him through this. But it still felt like another excuse to give in. "You're doing that thing that he does... "
"What thing?"
"Feeling bad when you don't have to."
"Don't try to... stop that."
Trunks was smiling, and cursing himself for it as he tried to ignore the invasive hand that found himself between his legs. Gohan annoyed him further with that insolent laughing. He was pushed backwards until the edge of his bed caught him, causing him to fall onto it. He managed to keep himself upright at least, watching Gohan's every move.
"Gohan... " he said in a warning tone as he got down on his knees in front of him.
"Yeah?"
He tried to object, but the next thing he felt was Gohan's hands untying his belt again.
"Gohan! Stop... " he gasped, not really meaning it.
"Say it like you mean it... lover," he purred. Trunks shuddered as his mouth finally engulfed him, completely clouding his judgement.
"Oh, fuck it," he sighed. He slid his hand around to the back of Gohan's head, pushing it down on him him gently. He also did something he'd never thought to do in the past, untying Gohan's long dark hair curiously and letting it fall out of it's usual place. At least it gave Trunks something else to grab onto...
Switch
The last thing Gohan remembered was opening that damned box. Now he was in bed. And it was morning. And all he could see was a mound of tatty purple hair in front of him, making him noticed that his own hair was just as untamed. He was spooned up against Trunks, who was still fast asleep, judging by his deep breathing. Their arms and legs were tangled together and they were both naked, which told Gohan that they weren't exactly playing video games last night. He started to panic.
"Trunks?" he whispered. He used the arm that was hooked under Trunks' to gently nudge him.
"Hm?" he mumbled as the world came back to him slowly.
"What happened?"
"Um... what?"
Gohan was reminded that Trunks wasn't a morning person. He kept his arm around his torso, not wanting to let him go for the rest of his life as he felt so insecure and uneasy about everything at that moment. Trunks finally responded to him, turning himself around onto his back so that he could see him.
"You don't remember anything?"
"No... I can't," fretted Gohan. He let out a frustrated growl, prompting Trunks to step in.
"Gohan... calm down, it's okay," he said firmly, untangling one of his arms and cupping the side of his face. "Remember what your father told you. You have to remember. So concentrate."
"But what if - "
"Nothing bad happened, I promise."
Gohan slowed his breathing down, controlling his anxiety and pretending that it was just like any other morning. Images of the night before began returning to him gradually. It was different from his previous returns to reality, no longer feeling the need to block any remote reminders of what his saiyan half did. It was like the wall between them had a hole ripped into it. He could see again.
"Hey... I can remember... "
"Yeah?" smiled Trunks warmly, still holding his face and tracing his thumb over his cheek in a comforting manner.
"Oh... " said Gohan with a weird look on his face; he was remembering everything now. "Oooh... I like you." Trunks' warm smile turned into a dirty one as he started laughing. "Did we really... "
"Uh... yep."
"Oh, that's naughty."
"It was your idea!" he laughed.
"Wow, you really put me in my place, didn't you?"
"That's progress. You're not talking about him like he's not you."
Gohan kissed him passionately, brushing their noses together as he pulled back.
"Do you really have to train today?" he groaned hopelessly. Trunks gave him an odd 'fuck it' look before answering.
"You know what? No I don't."
"Why, what happened?" Gohan knew that look all too well, it was hardwired into him.
"I'll tell you about it later. I just want to stay here all day," sighed Trunks, bringing Gohan down to rest on him in his arms.
"Sounds like a plan to me... "
Gohan actually felt different today, more reassured about his situation now that he'd began to gain access to all of his brain. But as he caught sight of the clock for the first time since he woke up, he was pulled out of his bubble of ignorance.
He was about to say something about it until Trunks rolled into him a little harder than before. They were sat up on their knees, Gohan relying fully on Trunks to stop himself from toppling forwards and melting away. He leaned back against him, feeling safe and secure in those warm arms wrapped around his torso lovingly. Gohan's tail was wrapped around Trunk's waist in return, keeping him as close to him as possible.
Gohan was starting to lose it again, fast approaching yet another orgasm. They were both tired and overstimulated, but neither of them wanted to stop; they wanted to stay right there, getting to know every single thing they could about each other. It wasn't often they did it with Gohan facing away from him, but they'd built up enough trust for him to feel secure enough to do it without thinking that someone else was there. Gohan supposed that the events of the night before saw to that more than anything.
It wasn't as if Trunks was that far away from him though; he was right up against him, rolling his hips against Gohan at a short, rapid pace. He was starting to lose himself too.
"I love you... " he whispered into his ear. Gohan tried to say it back but couldn't form the words, feeling Trunks smile wickedly against him. "Sorry, I didn't catch that... "
"Fuck y-you," stuttered Gohan, not hiding his own widening smile. Trunks noticed an improvement; even though Gohan's human half was in control, some of his saiyan side seemed to be seeping through at last. It was a start, at least. Their moaning was silent up until that moment, Trunks retaliating with more vigorous movements until he heard Gohan's voice start to make itself known.
Suddenly, they heard noise in the hallway outside. Some of the fighters were passing through. Trunks glanced over at his alarm clock, it was lunch time, and no doubt people would be wondering why he hadn't shown up that day for training. Not that he cared. The noise outside distracted Gohan a little, worrying that someone was going to knock on the door to look for them. Trunks wasn't too concerned since he'd remembered to lock it.
"Sshh... " he hushed softly into Gohan's ear, still purposely thrusting into him. Gohan was thinking of something witty to say back, having trouble controlling himself; Trunks had been playfully tormenting him all day, probably getting his own back after the events of last night. "They'll hear you."
"Fuck off," he grunted through his teeth. Gohan felt him shift over to the right a little, hitting him at a different angle and making him figuratively hit the ceiling. A short scream escaped his lips for a half a second, prompting Trunks to finally stop and throw his hand over Gohan's mouth to shut him up. They kept as still as they could, praying that nobody heard it.
The noise finally died down after a few seconds, signalling that everyone had gone past, making Trunks burst out laughing, along with Gohan as soon as Trunks removed his hand from his face.
"That was your fault," giggled Gohan.
"Mm," said Trunks, kissing his shoulder. "I love when you scream."
"You're a sadistic motherfu- "
Trunks let go of his arms, making Gohan's already unstable body collapse onto all fours with a gentle shove. Gohan felt hands on his hips, hands that he trusted more than anything else; they gripped onto him as Trunks began pounding him mercilessly.
"Say my name," said Trunks in a playful tone.
"Bastard!" he scoffed back at him. Trunks smirked at his insolent backchat and leaned over him, yanking his head back by his hair.
"Say it!"
"Fuck you," laughed Gohan, still playing along. He liked this game. Trunks gave a few more thrusts before stopping to catch his breath. He bent down over Gohan, trailing wet kisses and hickeys on his back. Gohan twitched, not meaning to let out a short whimper when Trunks' long hair tickled him as it was draped over his back.
"What was that?"
"Not your name," teased Gohan with a smug grin on his face. Trunks giggled into his ear as he leaned further forward, taking a good handful of his dark hair and yanking it back again.
"Fine... I'll have to make you."
Gohan dove into his thoughts for that witty comeback before being torn out of them again. Trunks wasn't holding back this time, hitting him harder and harder until Trunks finally got what he wanted. He leaned over again until he was lying on top of him, holding him close as they both finally climaxed together. He turned over, bringing Gohan with him until he was on his side, spooned up against him.
"And I thought I wasn't getting a workout today," he panted.
"Fuck... " sighed Gohan in return, before letting out a laugh. Despite not being able to feel his legs, he was quite giddy. He managed to shuffle around onto his back, kissing Trunks with the last of his energy. "I love you."
"Are you okay?" asked Trunks softly.
"I'm fine... I never thought I'd like it that rough."
"Really?"
"I thought it was going to hurt," said Gohan honestly. Trunks had always been quite careful with him up until now.
"It doesn't have to."
"Well, I know that now," he laughed, pulling him into another kiss. It was then that there was finally a knock on the door.
"You two! Get your sorry asses out here!" yelled Vegeta. They just lay there giggling quietly before finally getting out of bed.
- Two Weeks Later -
It was safe to say that Vegeta's plan had worked. Gohan's energy was becoming more stable as the days went by, he was even training again. Even everyone around him had noticed how different he'd become - actually, similar to how he used to be when he was younger, but with the added life experience. But Gohan still felt on edge, like he wasn't really getting better, constantly anxious that he was going to fall back down again at any moment.
He found himself heading to Bulma for answers one morning when he lay awake all night thinking about it.
"Bulma?"
"Oh hey, Gohan," she said pleasantly. She was in her lab as usual, doing her part for the imminent chaos.
"Do you know much about... mental health?"
"A little, I guess. Why, what's bothering you?"
Bulma led him to sit down next to her.
"I feel better... " he said with a confused look on his face.
"And that's bothering you?"
"I don't know! After feeling so lost for so long, I'm not used to being... well, normal. It's like I'm not depressed anymore."
"That's a good thing, Gohan."
"But I don't understand! Why is it gone, just like that?"
"Completely gone?"
"Well no, I still have my moments," he said. "But it's no where near as bad... I don't think about hurting myself anymore."
"This might be a hunch, but maybe the depression was actually a warning sign of your split personality."
Gohan's eyes widened. Everything suddenly made sense.
"So I really am getting better?"
"I do think you have depression, especially after everything you went through, but it was exacerbated by the underlying problem."
"I don't know what to say," laughed Gohan, shocked at the prospect of a normal-ish life.
"You're doing so well, Gohan."
"I think we're not supposed to be in here," said Gohan. The gravity chamber was empty.
"Huh, maybe that message got a little garbled," remarked Trunks as he placed his sword against the wall.
"Who told you we were supposed to meet here?"
"Uuh Krillin, I think."
"Did he say to meet at the gravity chamber?"
"Yeah, at 1pm."
"... It's not 1pm, Trunks," laughed Gohan.
"Wait, what?"
"We've not even had lunch yet."
"Hey, I never said I was the smart one out of the two of us!" joked Trunks.
"Fair point," answered Gohan. He looked over at the control panel, staring at the settings. "Which one does Vegeta claim to train at? 300 times normal gravity, my ass."
Gohan heard Trunks laugh, but then he heard him choke. He turned around to see blood on the floor. His eyes trailed up Trunks' body to see his sword sticking out of his abdomen; he'd been stabbed from behind - by Frieza.
"TRUNKS!"
"He really isn't too clever, is he?" chuckled Frieza, who was back to full strength; his muscles were bulked out, stretching his skin like it was before - he was draining the power source again. He yanked the sword out of Trunks' back brutally, dragging it all the way through him and tearing up his insides even more on the way out. Gohan's feet came unglued from the floor, he darted out catch him as he fell forwards, blood seeping out of his wound slowly.
"Hold on, I've got you," he said desperately, ignoring Frieza and guiding Trunks to the floor with him. Trunks was shaking uncontrollably, grunting painfully with every movement, but feeling weaker by the second. Gohan put his hand on the wound on Trunks' stomach to try and stop the bleeding, panicking when he remembered that there was also one on his back. The sword had gone right through him.
"But who's got you?"
His eyes widened at the sound of that voice. Cradling his lover in his arms, he slowly looked behind him to see Cell standing over him looking more menacing than ever.
Gohan froze - he was surrounded.
Another evil cliffhanger right there. A nice mixture of lightheartedness with a good ruthless ending.
The next chapter is going to be extremely brutal, just to warn you. And I've planned out the rest of this story! The end is nigh, but how will it play out?
