Title: Little Boys Blue
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: None.
Rating: Action, Angst
Warnings:Some OOC. Some Swearinging. Maybe a bit of blood. ^_^;;
Spoilers: None.
Notes: AU. This fic was written mainly to explore some father/son issues that could have arisen between the Trunks and Cell sagas. This was my first DBZ fanfic so it's a bit raw.
Feedback: Welcome. Please review.
Disclaimers: DBZ belongs to Akira Toriyama and Funimation. This fic is for entertainment purposes and is not in any way meant for profit. Don't sue me.
Part 5
"What has gotten into you, Gohan?" Goku shouted as he knocked aside one of his son's powerful blasts. "Is this from talking to Vegeta? Not even Piccolo would tell you to act like this!"
"Oh, so it's a problem that I suddenly decide to start thinking for myself?" Gohan cried. "I'm not going to follow you around blindly anymore, Goku!"
Goku knocked the demi-Saiyan to the ground suddenly and stopped. "I am your father, Gohan." Power hung around him like a heavy curtain. "You will show me some respect."
"Father? That's a laugh! Father's are around for their sons!" Gohan screamed. "You are just the man who screws my mom and then leaves her crying every time you go off to fight and don't come back!"
The resounding smack sent Gohan through an acre and a half of trees. Stumbling from the brush, Gohan stared at the golden haired form of his father. Growling, he clenched his fists as a bead of sweat dripped down his face.
"Grr--I don't care if you are a Super Saiyan!" Gohan launched himself at Goku.
***
Korin gazed out off the edge of his tower. The sunset tonight had been beautiful, the sky turning a deep shade of red. But for some reason, the color disquieted the white cat. It was too red; almost like blood.
Shaking his head, he turned to go back inside when he noticed a dark dot in the air, darker than the night around it. Shifting his staff in his paws, he calmly watched the spot enlarge into the shape of a familiar figure.
"Hello, Piccolo. What brings you out this fine night?"
The Namek landed, his cape flaring out behind him in the night wind. The whites of his eyes seemed unusually large and bright in the darkness. "I have no time for pleasantries, Korin," he spoke somewhat breathlessly. "I need some sensu beans."
"Ah," the feline scratched his chin thoughtfully. "We have engaged the enemy so soon, have we?"
Piccolo gazed out to the west where he had come from. "No. The only enemy being fought tonight is the enemy within our own hearts." He turned back to Korin. "Please sir, we are wasting time."
Korin stared at Piccolo for a long moment, his cat eyes gleaming in the darkness. "I see." A bag suddenly appeared in his hand. "I'm afraid I only have one."
"One?" Piccolo said the word like a curse.
"Yes. But I should have another one by tomorrow. Give the bean to the one of them tonight and I'll be by the hospital tomorrow to deliver the other one."
Piccolo took the bad and nodded his thanks before turning and preparing to take off. Korin spoke softly from behind him. "There is a reason Goku is acting the way he is, my friend."
"Yeah, he's jealous." Piccolo bit off harshly.
The white cat shook his head. "He is afraid. For the first time in his life, he is truly afraid."
"Afraid of what?" Piccolo paused at the edge of the platform.
"Afraid of losing." Korin spoke simply. Turning around, he waved. "Now if you'll excuse me, if I don't get back down there, Yajerobe will eat all my dinner."
But Piccolo had already left.
***
Goku gasped for breath as he watched his son fall to his knees once again. Slumping to the ground, he cradled his aching shoulder. Across from him, Gohan struggled to rise.
"Let's...call it a draw," Goku panted. "Before we destroy the whole forest."
"No!" Gohan shouted. "There will be no tie!" Stumbling to his feet, he once more took a fighting stance. "If I quit now, nothing will change. You'll still treat me like a little kid. But if I keep fighting, we'll be equals." He sniffled slightly. "Then I won't be a burden anymore. Then you'll want to be with me."
Goku's hair fell, turning black once more. "I don't understand."
Gohan took an unsteady step forward. "These past three years training with you and Piccolo have been some of the best in my life. But I feel like you wouldn't even be around except to fight the enemy and save the world. I want you around for other things too, not just when you pop in to save my life! I want to be able to tell you about my first day of real school, my first bully I outsmarted, my first kiss. I want you to be a part of my world, Dad; not just some glowing figure outside of it. I want to have a normal life!"
"I'm sorry Gohan." Goku hung his head. "I wish I could promise you all those things. But if the Earth is in danger, I have to protect it. And when I go to fight, there is always the chance that I might not come back, but that is a risk I'm willing to accept for saving our planet."
"I don't accept it!" Gohan cried. Power whirled around him as his eyes narrowed and his fists clenched. "I'd rather kill myself than watch another person I love die!"
Gohan's hair flickered a dull yellow for a moment before a blinding glow surrounded him. "If I beat you now, then I will have earned the right to fight this enemy and you won't have to get involved!" Roaring, Gohan released all of his energy in one gigantic wave.
Trunks and Vegeta watched the wave of energy flow over the glade like an erupted volcano. The wave neared and they braced themselves against the blast. The explosion died quickly, leaving them standing in a forest that was now eerily quiet.
That discharge had been powerful; the trees beside them had been uprooted and those left still standing were charred and blackened. Father and son exchanged bewildered looks before Trunks flew towards the area the energy blast originated from. Vegeta followed at a more sedate pace.
The lilac-haired boy ran into the clearing that was now devoid of grass. Landing, he ran across the scorched ground towards the two collapsed figures. "Gohan! Goku!" Reaching the older man's side first, he knelt down.
"Goku?"
A moan was his only answer. Vegeta's eyes raked across Goku's form before he began walking towards the smaller form of Gohan. Halfway there, though, he stopped and stared into the sky. Trunks looked up in confusion.
"What is it?"
Vegeta continued to watch as a figure emerged from the dark sky, the burning foliage acting as a beacon to their location. Minutes later Piccolo landed on the hard ground and gazed around angrily. "It is as I feared."
Walking past Vegeta, the Namek strode quickly over to his pupil's side. Piccolo kneeled down and gathered Gohan up in his arms. The black haired boy opened his eyes and gave Piccolo a small smile. Pulling out the sensu bean, Piccolo held it to the demi-Saiyan's lips. "Here Gohan, take it. It's the only one we have for now."
But Gohan pushed him away. Grabbing the precious bean with blood-covered fingers, he wobbled to his feet. His eyes moved to where Trunks was kneeling to check on Goku, and he began to limp over, each step sending waves of pain through his body. Piccolo watched him worriedly.
"Go--Gohan...." He started to rise.
"Leave him be, Namek." Vegeta warned. "This is his choice."
Trunks watched in awe as Gohan nearly collapsed beside him. The raven-haired boy's eyes were completely focused on his father. Gohan silently pressed the only sensu bean between his father's lips and watched as Goku struggled to chew it.
Black eyes opened to stare into the eyes of his son. Gohan nodded solemnly and made as if to stand, but his legs wouldn't hold him up any longer. He felt himself falling before strong arms caught him and he slumped into unconsciousness.
"Gohan!" Trunks gasped. Piccolo rose to his feet in alarm and even Vegeta's face creased into a slight frown.
"He'll be okay," Goku said softly, as he cradled his son's limp form. Holding Gohan tight against his chest, he stood, looking at the other three. "Guys, I'm sorry for the way I've been acting. I've been a real jerk. I used to be the center of Gohan's world, and it's hard to deal with the fact that he's grown up. I was jealous and I was blind." His gaze dropped to Gohan's battered form.
"Instead of getting to know my son as he is now, I begrudged you guys for being close to him. Gohan's got some really great friends and I'm glad you guys have been watching over him. If anything ever happens to me, I know he will be well taken care of."
"We're your friends to, Goku." Trunks protested. "And we all feel jealous sometimes. I was so jealous of Gohan since I came back to this time. I mean, here he is, with all of these people to care about him and I was alone." The demi-Saiyan bowed his head. "I forgot that it all just meant that everyone's death must have been that more painful for him in my time."
"Gohan has a strength greater than all of us, a strength he inherited from his father," Piccolo spoke. "That strength doesn't come from his power, but from his heart. And one day that strength will save the world."
Vegeta shifted his feet irritably before glaring at the three. "As much as I love standing here and praising the pipsqueak's numerous attributes, if the runt doesn't get some sort of medical attention for his wounds, he won't be saving anything." He turned his glare to Goku. "So Kakkarot, I suggest you get your tail-less ass in gear and use that special technique of yours to get him some help."
"You're right for once, Vegeta." Goku smirked. "I guess I'll take him to the hospital."
"Korin said he should have another sensu bean by tomorrow," Piccolo told him. "I'll be sure to send him over once he has it."
"Okay. Thanks, Piccolo." Goku shifted Gohan into a more comfortable position. "Come on, little man. Let's see if I can get you all fixed up before ChiChi finds out. She'd kill us both." Giving a wave to the others, the Saiyan place two fingers to his forehead and disappeared.
After he had gone, Piccolo wordlessly rose into the air and took off. Trunks watched his departure with confusion, Vegeta simply laughed. The lavender-haired warrior stared at him curiously.
"Some things never change," The black haired Saiyan chuckled. " That fool Namek still can't stand being away from that half Saiyan brat. I'll never understand how a once powerful fighter turned into such a mother hen."
"Hey, that half Saiyan brat taught me everything I know!" Trunks joked.
Vegeta's eyes shifted over to his son. "So that's what's wrong with you."
Trunks' jaw dropped and Vegeta smirked. "Come on, runt. I still have some restless energy to work off and I wouldn't mind using you for a punching bag."
"Oh yeah?" Trunks echoed his father's smirk. "We'll see about that."
***
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: None.
Rating: Action, Angst
Warnings:Some OOC. Some Swearinging. Maybe a bit of blood. ^_^;;
Spoilers: None.
Notes: AU. This fic was written mainly to explore some father/son issues that could have arisen between the Trunks and Cell sagas. This was my first DBZ fanfic so it's a bit raw.
Feedback: Welcome. Please review.
Disclaimers: DBZ belongs to Akira Toriyama and Funimation. This fic is for entertainment purposes and is not in any way meant for profit. Don't sue me.
Part 5
"What has gotten into you, Gohan?" Goku shouted as he knocked aside one of his son's powerful blasts. "Is this from talking to Vegeta? Not even Piccolo would tell you to act like this!"
"Oh, so it's a problem that I suddenly decide to start thinking for myself?" Gohan cried. "I'm not going to follow you around blindly anymore, Goku!"
Goku knocked the demi-Saiyan to the ground suddenly and stopped. "I am your father, Gohan." Power hung around him like a heavy curtain. "You will show me some respect."
"Father? That's a laugh! Father's are around for their sons!" Gohan screamed. "You are just the man who screws my mom and then leaves her crying every time you go off to fight and don't come back!"
The resounding smack sent Gohan through an acre and a half of trees. Stumbling from the brush, Gohan stared at the golden haired form of his father. Growling, he clenched his fists as a bead of sweat dripped down his face.
"Grr--I don't care if you are a Super Saiyan!" Gohan launched himself at Goku.
***
Korin gazed out off the edge of his tower. The sunset tonight had been beautiful, the sky turning a deep shade of red. But for some reason, the color disquieted the white cat. It was too red; almost like blood.
Shaking his head, he turned to go back inside when he noticed a dark dot in the air, darker than the night around it. Shifting his staff in his paws, he calmly watched the spot enlarge into the shape of a familiar figure.
"Hello, Piccolo. What brings you out this fine night?"
The Namek landed, his cape flaring out behind him in the night wind. The whites of his eyes seemed unusually large and bright in the darkness. "I have no time for pleasantries, Korin," he spoke somewhat breathlessly. "I need some sensu beans."
"Ah," the feline scratched his chin thoughtfully. "We have engaged the enemy so soon, have we?"
Piccolo gazed out to the west where he had come from. "No. The only enemy being fought tonight is the enemy within our own hearts." He turned back to Korin. "Please sir, we are wasting time."
Korin stared at Piccolo for a long moment, his cat eyes gleaming in the darkness. "I see." A bag suddenly appeared in his hand. "I'm afraid I only have one."
"One?" Piccolo said the word like a curse.
"Yes. But I should have another one by tomorrow. Give the bean to the one of them tonight and I'll be by the hospital tomorrow to deliver the other one."
Piccolo took the bad and nodded his thanks before turning and preparing to take off. Korin spoke softly from behind him. "There is a reason Goku is acting the way he is, my friend."
"Yeah, he's jealous." Piccolo bit off harshly.
The white cat shook his head. "He is afraid. For the first time in his life, he is truly afraid."
"Afraid of what?" Piccolo paused at the edge of the platform.
"Afraid of losing." Korin spoke simply. Turning around, he waved. "Now if you'll excuse me, if I don't get back down there, Yajerobe will eat all my dinner."
But Piccolo had already left.
***
Goku gasped for breath as he watched his son fall to his knees once again. Slumping to the ground, he cradled his aching shoulder. Across from him, Gohan struggled to rise.
"Let's...call it a draw," Goku panted. "Before we destroy the whole forest."
"No!" Gohan shouted. "There will be no tie!" Stumbling to his feet, he once more took a fighting stance. "If I quit now, nothing will change. You'll still treat me like a little kid. But if I keep fighting, we'll be equals." He sniffled slightly. "Then I won't be a burden anymore. Then you'll want to be with me."
Goku's hair fell, turning black once more. "I don't understand."
Gohan took an unsteady step forward. "These past three years training with you and Piccolo have been some of the best in my life. But I feel like you wouldn't even be around except to fight the enemy and save the world. I want you around for other things too, not just when you pop in to save my life! I want to be able to tell you about my first day of real school, my first bully I outsmarted, my first kiss. I want you to be a part of my world, Dad; not just some glowing figure outside of it. I want to have a normal life!"
"I'm sorry Gohan." Goku hung his head. "I wish I could promise you all those things. But if the Earth is in danger, I have to protect it. And when I go to fight, there is always the chance that I might not come back, but that is a risk I'm willing to accept for saving our planet."
"I don't accept it!" Gohan cried. Power whirled around him as his eyes narrowed and his fists clenched. "I'd rather kill myself than watch another person I love die!"
Gohan's hair flickered a dull yellow for a moment before a blinding glow surrounded him. "If I beat you now, then I will have earned the right to fight this enemy and you won't have to get involved!" Roaring, Gohan released all of his energy in one gigantic wave.
Trunks and Vegeta watched the wave of energy flow over the glade like an erupted volcano. The wave neared and they braced themselves against the blast. The explosion died quickly, leaving them standing in a forest that was now eerily quiet.
That discharge had been powerful; the trees beside them had been uprooted and those left still standing were charred and blackened. Father and son exchanged bewildered looks before Trunks flew towards the area the energy blast originated from. Vegeta followed at a more sedate pace.
The lilac-haired boy ran into the clearing that was now devoid of grass. Landing, he ran across the scorched ground towards the two collapsed figures. "Gohan! Goku!" Reaching the older man's side first, he knelt down.
"Goku?"
A moan was his only answer. Vegeta's eyes raked across Goku's form before he began walking towards the smaller form of Gohan. Halfway there, though, he stopped and stared into the sky. Trunks looked up in confusion.
"What is it?"
Vegeta continued to watch as a figure emerged from the dark sky, the burning foliage acting as a beacon to their location. Minutes later Piccolo landed on the hard ground and gazed around angrily. "It is as I feared."
Walking past Vegeta, the Namek strode quickly over to his pupil's side. Piccolo kneeled down and gathered Gohan up in his arms. The black haired boy opened his eyes and gave Piccolo a small smile. Pulling out the sensu bean, Piccolo held it to the demi-Saiyan's lips. "Here Gohan, take it. It's the only one we have for now."
But Gohan pushed him away. Grabbing the precious bean with blood-covered fingers, he wobbled to his feet. His eyes moved to where Trunks was kneeling to check on Goku, and he began to limp over, each step sending waves of pain through his body. Piccolo watched him worriedly.
"Go--Gohan...." He started to rise.
"Leave him be, Namek." Vegeta warned. "This is his choice."
Trunks watched in awe as Gohan nearly collapsed beside him. The raven-haired boy's eyes were completely focused on his father. Gohan silently pressed the only sensu bean between his father's lips and watched as Goku struggled to chew it.
Black eyes opened to stare into the eyes of his son. Gohan nodded solemnly and made as if to stand, but his legs wouldn't hold him up any longer. He felt himself falling before strong arms caught him and he slumped into unconsciousness.
"Gohan!" Trunks gasped. Piccolo rose to his feet in alarm and even Vegeta's face creased into a slight frown.
"He'll be okay," Goku said softly, as he cradled his son's limp form. Holding Gohan tight against his chest, he stood, looking at the other three. "Guys, I'm sorry for the way I've been acting. I've been a real jerk. I used to be the center of Gohan's world, and it's hard to deal with the fact that he's grown up. I was jealous and I was blind." His gaze dropped to Gohan's battered form.
"Instead of getting to know my son as he is now, I begrudged you guys for being close to him. Gohan's got some really great friends and I'm glad you guys have been watching over him. If anything ever happens to me, I know he will be well taken care of."
"We're your friends to, Goku." Trunks protested. "And we all feel jealous sometimes. I was so jealous of Gohan since I came back to this time. I mean, here he is, with all of these people to care about him and I was alone." The demi-Saiyan bowed his head. "I forgot that it all just meant that everyone's death must have been that more painful for him in my time."
"Gohan has a strength greater than all of us, a strength he inherited from his father," Piccolo spoke. "That strength doesn't come from his power, but from his heart. And one day that strength will save the world."
Vegeta shifted his feet irritably before glaring at the three. "As much as I love standing here and praising the pipsqueak's numerous attributes, if the runt doesn't get some sort of medical attention for his wounds, he won't be saving anything." He turned his glare to Goku. "So Kakkarot, I suggest you get your tail-less ass in gear and use that special technique of yours to get him some help."
"You're right for once, Vegeta." Goku smirked. "I guess I'll take him to the hospital."
"Korin said he should have another sensu bean by tomorrow," Piccolo told him. "I'll be sure to send him over once he has it."
"Okay. Thanks, Piccolo." Goku shifted Gohan into a more comfortable position. "Come on, little man. Let's see if I can get you all fixed up before ChiChi finds out. She'd kill us both." Giving a wave to the others, the Saiyan place two fingers to his forehead and disappeared.
After he had gone, Piccolo wordlessly rose into the air and took off. Trunks watched his departure with confusion, Vegeta simply laughed. The lavender-haired warrior stared at him curiously.
"Some things never change," The black haired Saiyan chuckled. " That fool Namek still can't stand being away from that half Saiyan brat. I'll never understand how a once powerful fighter turned into such a mother hen."
"Hey, that half Saiyan brat taught me everything I know!" Trunks joked.
Vegeta's eyes shifted over to his son. "So that's what's wrong with you."
Trunks' jaw dropped and Vegeta smirked. "Come on, runt. I still have some restless energy to work off and I wouldn't mind using you for a punching bag."
"Oh yeah?" Trunks echoed his father's smirk. "We'll see about that."
***