Iba's Notes: Ohh man, I only got about 7 reviews for my last chapter. Lameness, ya? Thank you again AbsoluteZero, I was wondering if anybody would notice that...heh heh. I didn't really like the whole silence thing. "Hotaru has silenced the world, and now everything is quiet!" *dramatic chord*.....You see why? Darkness is much more fitting, anyway.




~~~~~* * *~~~~~





Gohan sat in his chair. Noticing, just like the rest of the class, that Hotaru's chair was empty today. Videl didn't really seem to care, she was just finishing up the rest of her school work as if she was completely oblivious to what had happened. Rumors spread around of Hotaru's "Great Attack" on the trio of boys.

The memory played back in his head... Gohan had just seen Videl off, and he turned back to go to class, to only find Hotaru demonstrating the powers she had been hiding all of this time.

Gohan was so angry at himself. He had been sensing this power the whole time, and he had been running around like some kind of idiot asking for help finding it...when it was already right under his nose.

"Class!" the teacher yelled, getting everyone's attention. "I am very sorry to inform you all that Tomoe Hotaru will not be joining us today. She is in critical condition at the Satan City Hospital. It would be very kind, if at least one of you, would go to see her at the hospital and bring her homework to her... Well, anyone?"

Gohan felt his arm shoot up, volunteering himself to go visit Hotaru.

"Ah, thank you Mr. Son," the teacher smiled, her white teeth showing. "I'll give you her work after class."

Videl finally turned to look at him, and glared. After that "long talk", they had just schedualed a date after school. But Gohan had forgotten until he saw her face, and now it couldn't be helped.

* * *

"Hotaru..." Dr. Tomoe said to her gently, holding her hand. "This is the worst I've ever seen you...but....I know you'll get better! You have to!" He threw himself onto Hotaru with a small sob. "Oh my little girl..."

But she still did not move, and Tomoe knew it was no use. Regaining his senses he sat back up, and swallowed. He looked down at Hotaru, her lying there unconscious. She was completely oblivious to his worry. Dr. Tomoe somehow hoped she would stay obivious, but he also wanted her to live.

He shook his head, trying to get his thoughts straight. Dr. Tomoe just needed to give Hotaru some time, he'll come back later to check up on her.

"See you soon, sweetie," he said, and kissed her on the forehead. Then doctor Tomoe left.

He didn't seem to notice Gohan there, just outside the door, and merely passed him.

Gohan watched Dr. Tomoe walk off, he swallowed. Now was his chance.

The door creaked as he opened it, and he was hoping that Hotaru had not yet awakened...especially what he actually came here to do.

Cautiously, he walked over to her bed. Without taking his eyes off of her, he set her homework papers on the table and stepped over to her bedside.

Quickly he set his hand right over her face in order to release some energy which was meant to...kill her.

Somehow, she looked so beautiful in her sleep, and yet sad at the same time. Hotaru seemed almost angelic.

Gohan hesitated.

No! he thought. She has evil energy, and Hotaru has already hurt someone at school! I must put a stop to this before she is actually able to do some real damage. But her father already seemed so sad...

Then a curious thought popped into his head.

Just because someone has evil energy inside of them, does it necessarily mean that they are evil themselves?

A sound of life came from Hotaru, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her innocent violet eyes looked up to him. "Gohan?"

Gohan retreated, pulling his arm back. He tried smiling down at her. "Hello, Hotaru."

"What are you doing here?" Hotaru found it obvious that she was in another hospital. She had woken up in them so many times.

"I...heard the news about you in class. I've brought everything you'll be missing for homework," Gohan told her.

Hotaru looked over to the table. "Thank you..."

"Uh--um...how are you feeling?" Gohan asked.

"Better, I suppose," she replied. "I'll be out of here in no time."

"How do you know?"

Hotaru sighed. "They always bring me to these hospitals, and they've never found anything wrong with me. I should be back in school by Monday."

"All right..." Gohan said. "Well, I should be going now. See ya at school."




~~~~~* * *~~~~~




Whoo! This must get really annoying that all of my chapters end like this...Review and stuff.