(major AU warning) The unthinkable has happened - Earth has been destroyed. The suddenly orphaned, 10-year-old Gohan must pick up his life from the shambles. And what does he do to accomplish that?

A/N: Once again, DAMN but this is popular! I've never had so many reviews in so few chapters. I'm so happy! ~does a little dance~ Is it just because it's an angst story? I should do more of these!

DYVA - Good grief, how did you come up with so many questions? I'll try to answer as best as I can. 1: I said before that almost all the human race got off Earth before it was destroyed. Videl and her father were just two of the lucky few. 2: Gohan hasn't gone to New Nameck because at first his grief wasn't allowing him to think about that, and later he didn't care. 3: He did - he knows ITT. 3: He has tried. Read this chapter. 4: Nope. 5: Again, read this chapter. 6: Well, that's just my little secret! ^_^ Glad to see you're so into this!

Thanks to DYVA, Android 71, P.L.S, happy-girl, Golden Cheetah, Professor Authordude, kinto'un, gohan's-girl, and whoever blah was for reviewing. Continue the reviews, it's wonderful!

Ch 2 - A Deal

Other World

Goku was going through his morning exercises with a feeling of intense guilt. The guilt was normal; it had been a part of him since the day Earth had been destroyed.

You weren't there for them! he yelled at himself. You let them all down! And look at what your son has become because you weren't there for him when he needed you!

Gohan's life was not unknown to Goku. He knew that Gohan was one of the greatest bounty hunters in the universe, that his son was the most ruthless of the lot. He knew that Gohan no longer cared who or what he killed, just as long as it paid the bills, so to speak.

And he knew that Gohan blamed his loss of childhood on Goku, which made him so much sadder.

Krillin walked cheerfully up the hill where he was training and immediately noticed his dark mood. "Hey Goku, what's happening?"

"Nothing I can do for anyone," Goku replied somewhat waspishly.

Krillin held up his hands in a placating manner. "Chill dude! It's just a question."

Goku sighed unhappily. "I'm sorry Krillin, I've been thinking, that's all."

"About Gohan," Krillin nodded.

"Yes, about Gohan. I heard from King Yemma that Gohan will go to the HFIL if he doesn't stop his killing spree now. He kills any more sentient, aware, intelligent creatures, he gets the ultimate price." He shook his head, trying to make the tears leave him. "It's my fault he's like this, Krillin! If I hadn't-"

"If you hadn't died, ALL the humans would have been doomed," Krillin interrupted. "And even if most of them died anyway, it was NOT your fault."

"But-"

"No buts!"

Goku hung his head. "Once again, I'm sorry but I have to disagree. I just feel that if I could somehow talk to Gohan face-to-face, make him see what he's done, he'll change back to that sweet boy again instead of this bloodthirsty demon!"

"Then go to him."

"I told you, if I could-" Then he realized that Krillin hadn't spoken. In fact, the voice was behind him. And from the way his friend was staring, it was a very famous voice.

He slowly turned around and came face-to-face with the Supreme Kai. The man hadn't changed in the three years he'd known him; everything from his hair to his clothes was the same.

"Why do you care, Shin? Is Gohan that much of a problem?" He felt like the most complete traitor talking about his son like this, but he knew he had to know.

"Kamisah, as he is now known, is most definitely a very big problem," Shin replied with a sigh. "He's been growing stronger and stronger, and not only in his ki. I personally know that he is more then powerful enough to defeat Majin Buu, as it stands."

Krillin let out a low whistle. "Damn. He's been busy."

"Very much so. He's mastered every weapon in the universe and he's been researching." Shin paused significantly. "Researching how to get to Other World without dying. And he's damn near the answer."

"WHAT?!" both Krillin and Goku yelped.

Shin nodded. "Correct. If he does get to Other World without dying first, then he will upset the delicate balance between this world and the living world. In sum, your son will be responsible for the destruction of both."

Goku sat down very suddenly and very heavily. It was too much for him to bear. That his son, his precious little one, could do something like this seemed impossible.

"That is why I will allow you to find Gohan, stop his research, and save the universe."

Krillin wasn't sure he'd heard it right. "You mean you'll let Goku go back and stop Gohan?"

"Yes," Shin said, nodding. "If there is anyone who he'll listen to, it's you, Goku. Will you accept?"

"I don't know." Goku muttered, then looked up with sadness, pain and guilt reflected in his eyes. "I just don't know. How can I face him, with all I've done to him?"

"All you've done to him?" Krillin cocked his head quizzically at his friend. "You haven't done anything to him, except what can be perceived as."

"As abandoning him."

"No! Good grief Goku, where would he be if not for you?"

"On Earth, since it wouldn't have been destroyed by Majin Buu."

"No, it would have been destroyed long before. Listen to me, Goku. You can't blame yourself for every little thing that you've done, or hell, what everyone else has done. Gohan took his life in his own direction, and you aren't to blame for it!"

Shin held up his hand to forestall Goku's angry retort. "Goku, I'm asking you to face him not only for his sake and the universe's sake, but your sake as well. You must face what he has become!"

"You're saying that like he's a monster! I can't believe he's like that!"

"Do you want me to show you one of his bounties? How he accomplished it?"

Goku and Krillin stared. "Huh?" they asked in unison.

Shin smiled at their confusion. "I can show you his memory of one bounty. He was paid well for it."

"Who was the bounty on?" demanded Goku.

"A young millionaire, about 16 years old."

Goku slowly backed off, shaking his head in disbelief. "No. No, he'd never.never do."

Suddenly, it was like he was in another world completely. All around was darkness, shadows, no light except for the moon shining through the blinded windows. It gave the entire room the look of a warehouse. Goku belatedly realized that this must be Gohan's memory - Shin must have done what he'd said.

Then a young man, probably about 17 years old, stepped from behind some barrels. He was fairly tall, with shoulder-length spiky black hair, and eyes like black ice, coldly calculating. His clothing looked like he was well off, being made of dark satin and silk. Goku felt his throat catch with tears.

My son? he thought. My God, he looks like Vegeta did when he first came to Earth!

Gohan continued foreword. He opened a door and light poured in. He glanced around cautiously, then entered the hallway beyond. Goku followed him. He seemed unaware of his father's presence.

He stopped so suddenly that Goku went right past him. He opened a door and entered, Goku still following him. With a jolt, he saw the expression on his son's face - one of cold amusement, like one used to blood and death.

On the bed was a boy, about 16. He was sleeping, his face one of blissful oblivion as he apparently dreamed a good dream. Goku was glad, because what happened next he certainly didn't want the boy to remember.

Gohan slid a knife, gleaming silver in the dim light, out from under his shirt. With practiced ease he walked over to the bed and slit the boy's throat, causing the boy to gurgle slightly in death and Goku to yell.

But he wasn't done. Using the now stained blade he proceeded to dismember the boy, first the head, then the arms, then the legs.

Goku ran from the room, blind with tears. The image of his son, his precious little one, killing so.coldly, as if he didn't care at all, broke his heart like nothing ever had.

He came back to his senses on the grass of Other World, slowly becoming awake that Krillin was patting his back awkwardly and Shin was waiting patiantly.

"That was a year ago," Shin said softly. "A particularly large bounty, as far as they go."

Goku raised a hand, cutting him off. "I'll do it," he said, his voice void of emotion. "For my son, not for the monster that is called Kamisah."

A/N: Does that answer you, DYVA? Hope ya'll liked it! Oh yeah - please give me 10 more reviews before I update again. Please!