I'm BAAAAAAAaaack!
MG: *monotone* Everyone don't get too excited, now.
I know everyone's gonna kill me 'cause he's not going back in time yet…
MG: But she already had this written up to chapter six before she ever posted it in the first place.
Yeah…but now they're all gonna kill me because I've got that much written and I'm not updating faster…I'M A FRESHMAN, PEOPLES! I HAVE HOMEWORK!
MG: That's her excuse for everything. The real reason is this chronic condition called 'teenage laziness'.
*growls* Well, if you're so great, my dear Gohan-san, why don't you type it for me? *creepy/sweet smile*
MG: Because, my dear Anshin, I only have one hand, so it would take twice as long. *forced smile*
Hn. Don't think that won't stop me from making you do it, just 'cause I'm mean like that. Well, on with the reviewer feedback.
Matt Zero: First question-Uh…lemme check…end of chapter five? *ducks rotten tomatoes from everyone* Second question-He'll reach SSJ2 somewhere along the way. And the title…can I get back to you on that one? I don't really remember what I was thinking when I came up with the title. ^^;;;
Frying Pan of DOOM: Yeah, he'll go back to when Goku's alive. He'll go back about like Trunks did.
Chibi Lauryn: Gohan has a comment…
MG: Second best? Man, everyone loves Trunks! What's the deal?
Oh, chill. I made a shrine to you, so you can't complain that much. (Anyone that wants to see my Mirai Gohan page, it's on my bio. ^___^)
Sunshine: I actually had you in tears? *flashes 'victory' sign* Oi…look at all the compliments…domo arigatou! Three times a day, huh? I feel loved…
MG: She's right! My life is crap! At least I could've reached home in peace! I think I'll move in with her…
Oh, no you don't. *grabs him by the collar* I'll give him a break. Don't worry. I love him more than that! *hugs Gohan*
Chris-Redfield26: I'm sorry! I had to go!
MG: I had to let her go! She's an authoress, and I really don't wanna get on her dad's bad side…*finishes reading review* 'let Anshin go…stalking…rest of your friggin life'? Well, considering the way Ani's treating me in this fic, my life may not be that long. Didja really have to go and choke me? *rubs neck*
I'm not gonna kill you off, Gohan. Don't worry. ^__^
Goten's Guardian Angel: MG: ACK! Too…tight…can't....breathe…
Kerwin Inuyasha: Thanks! Battles are my thing…I just don't do romance. That category belongs to my friend Lil-Pink-Mew. Oh yeah-Inuyasha rocks!
Sailor Vegeta: He's mean, but he's soooo much fun to write! And sorry, but you can't kill him.
MG: Besides, he's mine. *smirks, eyes flash green*
Erm…yeah…*inches away*
cory: Yeah, yeah, I'm getting to it!
MG: Oh, is that what you call it? *rolls eyes* Everyone hates me.
Saiyagal: Uh…well…just don't order it, okay? I'm not asking you this for Gohan's sake, it's for the monkeys' sake. I'm afraid he would kill them if they tried to kidnap him. And yeah, but I don't think he'll fight Frieza. Sorry, but that's Goku's battle.
Android 71: I'm back, and I'm updating! A day sooner than planned, too!
MG: Well, not everyone hates me, apparently…*puts Sunshine and A71 on his list of people to be nice to*
notgoingtotellyou: It's so good, cats ask for it by name! *begins singing* Meow meow meow meow…
MG: *slaps forehead* You just had to get her started, didn't you?
sakura117us: Yeah, poor Gohan.
MG: Yeah, poor me.
Oi, I took too long with the feedback! On to the fic!
*****
"Dad? Are you finished?" a voice called from the kitchen. Chichi turned the heat down on the stove and stepped out into the hall. She nearly dropped the towel she was holding when she saw who it was. "Gohan…"
"Hi, Mom."
Chichi tossed the towel onto the counter and ran down the hall. She wrapped her arms around her son, and he put his hand on her back. "Good Lord, Gohan, where have you been?" She stepped back and looked at him. "Oh my God, what happened to you? Your arm—"
"I'm fine, Mom."
"But you…"
"I was in a bad fight about a month ago. I'm fine."
Chichi looked up at Gohan, worry and grief in her eyes. She knew there was more than he was telling her. She looked deep into his eyes. "How are Bulma and Trunks?"
The breath caught in Gohan's throat, and he looked away. "Bulma's fine," he said quietly.
"And Trunks?"
Gohan turned away and walked into the living room. He fell into the chair, and Chichi sat on the couch opposite him.
"Gohan? What is it?"
He ran his hand through his hair and looked out the window. "He…he died yesterday."
Chichi froze and stared at Gohan. She didn't know what to say. She knew that Trunks and Gohan had always been like brothers. "Oh." She hesitated a moment. "I'm sorry, son."
"'S okay." He stood up and went on down the hall. "I'm gonna take a shower."
Chichi nodded. She stared at the table a moment, then picked up the framed picture of Goku and a nine-year-old Gohan. "Oh, son," she said. A tear slid down her cheek.
Gohan leaned against the back wall of the shower as the hot spray hit him in the face. He let all of his muscles relax, and he just stood there for several minutes, not wanting to move.
He reached for the bar of soap, but cringed and dropped it as every muscle in his arm screamed for mercy. He cursed out loud as he bent to pick up the white rectangle. "Dammit. Today is just not my day."
After another ten minutes of watching the dirt, sweat and blood that covered his body run down the drain, he turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. He pulled on a pair of boxers and his navy flannel pants, then picked up his shirt. He fumbled with it a minute, then wadded it up and threw the thing at the wall. "Screw the shirt," he muttered as he picked up the slip of paper he had had in his jeans pocket and walked into his bedroom.
"Gohan!" His mother's voice floated down the hall. "Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes!"
"'Kay," came the reply as he fell backwards onto the bed. He unfolded the piece of paper and stared at it a minute, his tired mind not wanting to comprehend it. He tossed it onto the desk and rolled over. "I'll fool with it in the morning," he mumbled as he closed his eyes. Within moments, he had drifted off; he was too tired to even bother with the blankets, opting to sleep on top of them instead.
"Gohan?" Chichi wandered down the hall. Dinner had been ready for half an hour, and she knew the Saiyan appetite better than that. "Gohan, are you—" She looked in his room, only to find him peacefully sleeping. He was curled up on his left side with his face to the wall.
Chichi quietly approached the bed, brushed the hair out of his eyes, and kissed his temple. His breathing remained deep and rhythmic, and he didn't stir at her touch. She smiled. "Sleep tight, sweetheart."
Gohan slowly opened his eyes. He was still in the same position he had fallen asleep in, and his joints were stiff. Sunlight was pouring through the window, indicating it was after noon.
"Man, what time is it?" he said through a yawn. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock on his desk, which read 1:19. He stretched, then glanced at the doorway. Chichi was standing against the doorframe. "Hey, Mom."
"Hey, baby. Did you sleep well?"
Gohan smiled a little and nodded, then yawned again. "I'm still tired." A low, rumbling noise sounded, and Chichi laughed as Gohan rubbed his stomach. "And hungry." The classic Son Grin slowly spread across his face. "Sorry I missed dinner. I guess I just sorta conked out."
"It's alright. You must've been exhausted—you slept for twenty solid hours."
"That long? Dang," he said as he turned back to stare at the wall. Chichi smiled at him, but her expression quickly changed as she ran her eyes over his muscular, fairly scarred back. She sat down on the edge of the bed and placed her delicate hand on his shoulder. He involuntarily flinched at her touch, and she drew her hand away.
"I'm sorry, is your shoulder still sore?"
"No. Just a reaction," he lied. He didn't want his mother to worry about him any more than she already did. Chichi's brow furrowed.
"Talk to me, Gohan. Please."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Then at least turn over so I can see your pretty eyes."
Gohan made no effort to move, and remained silent. He subconsciously began rubbing his left shoulder.
"Gohan…"
"I don't want you to see me like this." The words came out a bit more harshly than he had intended, and maternal concern overtook Chichi's expression.
"Gohan…" she repeated. His hand tightened over his shoulder in frustration.
"Leave me alone. I don't want to talk."
A small knot caught in Chichi's throat, and she pushed it down. She could tell that her son was in more pain than he would let on, if more so emotionally than physically. She simply nodded, ran her hand down his arm in a comforting gesture, and left the room.
Gohan continued to stare at the wall for several minutes after he heard the door click shut. "Why did I do that?" he asked himself. "Why am I pushing my own mother away?" The childish fear he had tried so many times to bury was resurfacing, and he needed his mother more than anything. He just couldn't admit it to himself.
He closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
*****
MG: Grrrr…you are so mean to me!
I'm sorry. I'll try and insert a little humor…sooner or later…
MG: It'd better be sooner. Your readers want me to go to the past, and they're gonna kill you for writing another short chapter.
Chill! I'll post chapter four tomorrow!
MG: But tomorrow is your little brother's birthday.
Oh yeah! He's turning twelve! *does Happy Hamster dance* Well, I'll just work around that. Hopefully, you can get the time machine by Saturday evening.
MG: *in monotone again* Oh joy. I can hardly contain my excitement.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the King of Sarcasm.
MG: And my lovely queen, Anshin.
No, we are not going out, but I was officially dubbed the Queen of Sarcasm by my friends, LPM and sayianessonsugarhigh. Well, go review! Ja ne, minna-san!