Author's Note: Well, after being declared dead by my fellow fanfic readers...I'VE FINALLY RETURNED! I'm truly sorry that I haven't written in a long time, but I have a VERY BUSY schedule! I have been juggling school, homework, a night college course at the local community school (Japanese, if you are curious), marching band, work, and other activities ever since school started (I'm a SENIOR!). I was also too lazy at some points (did I say that out loud?). I actually thought I did die for a while there, but then I realized that I survived (barely...). Well, I'll shut up now and let you read the awaited Chapter 6 of Desperate Search. On with the story! Don't forget to tell me what you think of it.

Credits: I want to recognize Minimerc and Sita Seraph before we start. Without their help, I would still have writer's block and this chapter wouldn't be done yet. Thanks, Minimerc, for your ideas that got this story going. Thanks, Sita Seraph, for your ideas...they helped me get out of a sand trap I was in with the story. Thanks for everything! NOW on with the story!

Disclaimer: I'm only an average 18-year-old; how can I own DBZ or its characters?






Desperate Search
Chapter 6-Found, Yet Lost Again


Cell's POV:
'Yes! I'm almost there! And with the baka Z-Senshi out of my way, there's no stopping me!' I thought with anxiety. Demo, as I realized I was actually going to complete my task, I let out an evil laugh of complete triumph, "BWAHAHAHAHA!" Only a few moments left before I arrived where Son Gohan's chi was located...






"Ugh! What happened?" I asked, groggily, as I came to. I slowly got up and scanned my surroundings. 'That's right! I was getting groceries for Okaasan when Cell attacked me!' I thought as I remembered what had happened. Then I balled my fists angrily at the thought of being taken down so easily. How could I have been so scared? Cell WAS intimidating, yet I should have at least put up a fight! As I became more and more enraged, my chi rose. Then I felt it...Cell was heading towards me again! Unconsciously, I became terrified again. 'His chi is so much greater than mine! If I fight him, I could die! Demo, he is nearing so fast that I can't get away! OH NO!'

Then I picked up two small chis...right behind me? I looked around and saw Lime and her ojiisan. It took me a few moments to remember what they had done for me while I had lost my memory.

After a long period of silence, Lime's ojiisan spoke. "Are you okay, Son Gohan? You ARE Son Gohan, aren't you?" he timidly asked.

"Hai. I'm fine. Arigato for taking care of me. Demo, leave now! Cell is heading this way and I don't want you to get hurt!" I cried, giving the warning.

"Are you sure you are well enough to face him?" the old man asked, worried. Lime nodded her head in agreement.

"Hai. Now GO!" I sternly told them, knowing Cell would arrive any moment. They complied and ran for their house. I tried to shake off my fear as Cell finally arrived and landed before me. I got into a battle stance and readied myself for his attack.

At the sight of my crouched position, he sneered. "So, Son Gohan, I see that you are better. What happened to make you chi so low for awhile?" he asked in a cool voice.

"Because of you, I lost memory for awhile. Lucky for me that I regained it before you came or else I would have been in trouble." I growled.

"You are still in trouble. You are no match for me, bozu! With THAT amount of chi, you'll surely die! And that's why I have come...to kill you! I don't want you to interfere during my Cell Games, so I have decided to kill you. That way, NO ONE could stop me from winning and destroying Chikyuu! So, let's get down to business, shall we? Prepare to die!" he screamed and powered up. Then he charged at me.






Son Goku's POV:
'I can't let Cell reach Gohan first! Demo, I can't get rid of this Cell Junior! Cell's going to reach Gohan first and it'll be all my fault!' I thought as I dodged the Cell Junior's attacks. 'We've come this far! I'm NOT going to lose Gohan now! If I could only get by this little monster!' I desperately thought as the fight continued. 'This thing is so strong though! It truly is a little clone of Cell! I can't overtake it! Gohan, hang on! I'm coming my son! All I have to do is destroy this monster or get by it!'

Then I felt the thing I feared most...Cell! 'OH NO! He has already reached Gohan! What am I going to do?' I thought in despair.






I watched in sudden terror as speeding truck of a monster came charging at me. 'Why am I afraid? I shouldn't be scared!' I mentally scolded myself. 'But, he's so much stronger than me!' my mind screamed. In a panic, I raised my arms above my head and quickly drew power to them. As the evil drew closer, I let off my Masenko blast in sheer terror. I didn't even give myself time to wait for his reaction, when I turned and ran. I heard angry shouts behind me as I continued to flee in terror. I didn't stop running until I realized that I was lost to my friends again...






Cell's POV:
'Kuso that gaki!' I thought in sheer rage. When the blast had cleared, there was no Son Gohan in sight. 'Where did he go? Damn him!' I looked around, but no was there.

Realizing the amount of time until the Cell Games, I decided to give up. 'It's not worth it. Who cares if he fights? I will just kill Son Gohan right before Son Goku's eyes. That would be so much more satisfying...' With that, I called the Cell Juniors to me and left to wait for the start of the Cell Games.






Son Goku's POV:
'GOHAN!' My son's name popped into my head as I felt a scared, yet familiar chi flare. 'He's in trouble!' I readied myself to whatever I had to do to get by the obstacle that blocked me from reaching my son. As quickly as it had risen, the chi disappeared. 'Nani? What happened?' New fears surfaced as I thought of the possibilities of what could have happened to him. I blocked a punch that the Cell Junior threw, blasted him away, and concentrated hard. 'My son isn't dead...' I determinedly thought. As I concentrated harder, I felt the familiar chi, small and well suppressed. 'He's alive...' I thought with relief.

All of the sudden, the Cell Junior started to leave. 'Where is it going? Is Cell calling it back? Why?' When it was gone, I was alone to ponder Cell's plans.






The further away I ran from the battle site and all my friends, the more ashamed I became. I had become a coward! I could never face my friends after I realized that. I didn't even want to face my father. I had shamed him, my friends, and my power. I stopped running, son down on a rock, and cried.






Son Goku's POV:
After I couldn't answer any of the questions I had thought up, I decided to go to the village where I had felt Gohan. When I landed, I again met up with the old man and little girl that my son had met only days ago.

"Hello again, Son Goku!" the old man greeted me.

"Hello. I felt Gohan around here. Where is he?"

"He's not here anymore, I'm afraid. He ran off a short time before you came," he explained.

"Nani?! Why would he do that?" Then it came to me. "Cell..."

"That may be true, but I really don't know why. You probably that Cell picked a fight with your son."

"Hai. I felt it. I felt their chi," I affirmed.

"Well, Son Gohan seemed scared when put up against Cell alone and after he hurriedly attacked Cell, your son ran."

"That doesn't sound like Gohan..." I said with concern. "At least, not anymore..."

"I know. Let me explain what happened in detail...I'll start from when he first came..."

"Okay."






It had been awhile, but I was still crying. 'How could I have done that! I'm such a coward! I haven't changed!" I mentally berated my actions.

Then I noticed a small bird, not to far from where I sat. Watching it, I became jealous. It was so lucky! It knew what it had to be and do, but I was still trying to figure out who and what I was and what my purpose was. Growing annoyed at this small creature who knew more than I did, I got up and walked away.

When I came to a lake, jealousy overtook me again. How could it be so calm! My life was a total mess and here this lake was serene and undisturbed.

Unable to take it anymore, I ran. As I ran, I became angry with myself. I was running away again! I'd been running away my whole life! I ran from my enemies, from my problems, everything! I'd never really faced anything! I WAS a coward! I suddenly stopped. 'I'm not going to run anymore! I'm going to face Cell!' I told myself.

I realized I was going to be able to do so soon. Tomorrow was the tournament. The Cell Games. With firm resolve, I decided to finally face my fear...






Son Goku's POV:
"So that's what happened?" I asked the old man, shocked at my son's actions.

"Hai. I'm so sorry, Son Goku," the old man apologized.

"Don't be. It's not your fault. It's okay."

"It's a shame, though. I sensed enormous power within the boy and he probably would have been a big help during the tournament."

"He'll be there."

"Nani?" the old man asked.

"He'll be there. I know it," I said, confidently.

The old man brightened. "You're right! He'll be there!" he agreed.

I nodded, waved good-bye, and headed home.






From the cave I had stayed in during the night, the sun shone in. I awoke and walked to the mouth of the cave with a look of determination on my face. Today I was going to face my fear...

I quietly lifted off and flew in the direction of the Cell Games...



To Be Continued...


Next Desperate Search-The Cell Games begin! Son Goku fights the infamous Cell first (NO SATAN IN MY STORY!), but gives up. He knows of a stronger fighter, but is the fighter even there?

Find out in Chapter 7-Facing my Fear





So, what do you think?! Did I do well from returning from the dead? Was it worth the wait? Are you glad I'm back?! I think I'll stop asking stupid questions. Please review and I WILL be back! Oh! Tell me if there are any mistakes in here (spelling, etc.). I was too lazy to proofread.