Life of Gohan

By Silvertress

Disclaimer: I don't own it. Just check the records. Oh wait I don't have any. Just take my word for it I don't own Dragon Ball Z

Author's Note: Long time no see ne? Again sorry. But I'm back really after this chapter I have about 1000 words of when Gohan comes back just for ssj-chibigoten. And finally the second author review so keep a look out this weekend for that if I don't drown or something. Thanks to you e-mailers all of you that finally got my ass into gear. This chapter is dedicated to you. Nothing left except sorry this took so long and as always Read, Review and above all Enjoy.  %%%Thanks to all reviewers and readers you are what make the fanfiction world go round. Again sorry for the delay. Enjoy

Plot Notes: ***IMPORTANT*** I will not be changing the pairing I am sorry but there are warnings throughout and I already have major plots getting set up so can't go back now. If you're unhappy with that please go read some other fics. I bet other author's would love that. Or try and keep an open mind I'm not trying to stay with in the normal border of most of the after cell Gohan fics. I know a great many which are great I'm trying to do the same thing.

------Bardock will be majorly OOC in this fic. I saw the Bardock movie and he was driven by all that kind of lust for power and stuff very Saiya-jin. But for my little plot bunnies he's going to still be the way I first thought him to be very smart the whole instinct thing I just added on. Thanks. ^-^ Enjoy---

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            "I know you remember how on Vegeta-sei everyone is a warrior; at birth a baby's natural strength and energy is measured and they're put in a class. Usually your birth and bloodline determines that, but there are exceptions. Mates mostly were determined by class and who would produce the most powerful offspring, that's how you're attracted to them."

   "We already went over the birds and bees..."

   "You want to hear this don't you? Then don't interrupt." Bardock broke up his grandson's words, raising an irritated hand, Gohan nodded stopping mid-sentence.

   "Continuing, warriors that aren't highly ranked and have other abilities are given secondary or primary jobs to being warriors. Even after those there are even more duties assigned at times. Even within these there are classes. Third is the lowest, then there is second."

   "Then first which is noble, example Vegita, but what does this have to do with anything? I know all this."

   "Impatience will get you no where. You know that your life style is mainly determined by your fighting skill no matter if you're a first class scout, cook, farmer,"

   "Scientist," Gohan adds quietly.

   "Yes," Bardock answered harshly responding to his grandson pressing his nerves. At times his curiosity was a real nuisance. Taking a long breath he continued. "Usually true that is false in my case. I was the number one scientist of the race which brought me some social standing; especially with the king. The breakthroughs in technology and techniques, like that false moon allowed the invasion of worlds to increase exponentially. "The ease which he talked about taking over planets gave Gohan a reminder of the harsher part of Saiya-jin nature. But humans took over countries didn't they; if they had more power like his other half would they do the same? Still the information so far hadn't given him much in the way of his relationship to Vegita.

   "Then why does Vegita hate you, and call my Father a third class idiot?"

   "He's different from his Father. Freiza basically raised him. You see... His Father attempted an uprising against him... Because he knew the tyrant saw us as a threat. I saw that. Told him. He trusted me. That made him lose his own life. It wasn't to rescue his son. He could've gotten him back by other means, but for the masses of our people… We needed our planet. There wasn't enough time to relocate. It's against our nature anyway. Never give up territory. That rule is written with instinct and comes with the blood." The sentences were short and quickly said between breaths. "Freiza was too strong. He got the king. He was put under my care, and then died. As did all the warriors he used for the attack. Which were of course the King's elite, our strongest making us weaker. Soon after Freiza came, and we were killed. There was nothing to do. It was just luck that your Father or Uncle weren't on the planet." He finished up slower but the first sentences had been robotic but amazingly urgent. I never knew this... But then again he's never talked like this in all the years like he has in the last minutes.

   "You knew it would blow up? Why didn't you leave?" He would leave if he could, I mean he seems different.

   "I couldn't she refused. She wouldn't leave." He said shortly.

   "She?"

   "Your Grandmother... As I said the territory thing is written into us. Or them I was always slightly different; Logic above instinct." Grandmother? Of course Saiya-jins never leave their mates if they know or slightly sense danger.... So he stayed... The way he is now... That means he's not all logic.

            This was the first time in all the years he'd known Bardock to show weakness. The older pure blooded scientist was now leaning forward his head in his hands a position rarely used by pure bloods except with great turmoil or weakness. His face was hidden in his large hands all that could be seen were his pointy ebony locks defying physics as always this is what kept Gohan sure it still was his Grandfather. This was such peculiar behavior for him. Was he hiding it from him? Some ghost of the past haunting him? A memory? Or was it something deeper? But the voice gave it away. Not strong and commanding, the same pitch but softer, it almost seemed to be quivering. Gohan felt if he would move the sound waves themselves would dissipate.

   "Is that what it's all about?" He didn't know what else to say.

   "Not at all that's just the top of the pile. You wanted to know. Well it's just started." He straightened himself so he looked Gohan straight in the eye now fully composed. "How do you think you of low class blood should be so powerful? I myself am weak. Perhaps evolution? That is incorrect. It's in your genes. You are royalty."

   "What?" Gohan was speechless. Saiya-jin royalty, Is that possible? This is getting way too strange even for me. Astonished he was picturing himself as a version of Vegita. Terrified he stopped it at that.

   "Raditz was parented by me and another third class warrior. Later she died on mission... So like any other male, the next cycle I found another. But this time I was prime scientist and considered in higher social standing. Calling me one of the courts would be a little too far but I was close. That's when I met her, your Grandmother. Too bad that she was the sister of the queen. But that didn't matter to us. There was a whole scandal; the king himself had to clean up when your Father was born."

   "Wait Vegita and my Dad are cousins?" This is the weirdest thing I think I've heard in my life. "That's what all of this is about? You being Vegita's Uncle?" The demi-Sayai-jin asked trying to stop picturing what a family reunion would look like. It seemed just too strange. Yes, they were allies but related? Again this went beyond strange.

   "That in its self is a disgrace. But there still is more." There was a pause that seemed to last forever. What can be worse then being related to Vegita? "It's my fault that he had to spend his childhood with Freiza." The words were said bluntly and just seemed to hang in the air.

   "What?" Gohan exclaimed breaking the echo but not severity of the words.

~~

            This is what he had waited an unwanted number of years to hear. The origins of his miseries and tribulations he had to face as a child. Memories and damned phantoms of his past still haunted him. Years of training had developed his arrogance and brusque cold manner but still within the depths of himself he was repentant of it all. Almost every last breath he took the screams the lives. But he could do nothing about the past now. He wasn't the future version of his son.

            He would just live with the evils within himself. Being heir and ruler now of a dead, remade race. He had yet to take the crown of King of the Saiya-jins for reasons only known in his own subconscious, But along with the Saiya-jin ideals, instinct, food, thirst for battle, pride, and above all power; there were concepts not shown to him in his childhood surfacing.

            Mostly because of those damn humans. Especially a blue haired woman that could be savior or bane to him. But now wasn't time for an inward soul search or revelation or what ever the hell he was trying to get at. Now was time for some damn long a waited answers. Shifting stealthily so his sensitive ears could pick up more he made sure his power was severely hidden from sensing. Nothing was going to stop him listening to this tale but perhaps his presence being known.

            The means of perhaps an false or true storyline to what happened was in his dreams but he didn't know the truth. There was no proff as to if the visons or even images of his imagination were real or not.

~~

Flashback:      It was complete chaos. Just as he had seen it before, only worse now because it was happening. Why couldn't this all have been changed? Was this fates own twisted joke? Give the sight but not the ability to change it? Or had he failed? Was Freiza just too powerful? Definitely more so then himself and the King along with the elites. That was already apparent. The King being the only survivor of the raid had, just a few moments earlier inhaled his last breath giving into entropy.

            He knew that his race would win in the end. Seeing his own son amazingly enough as a legendary Super Saiya-jin delivering the final blows on a dying planet. He still wasn't sure if Kakkorot would survive though. Still a child and already in space for his first mission, the child had a larger power almost higher then some of the elites but the King had covered it up putting him as a third class warrior and mothered by his former mate. This hurt his true mother deeply. But anything to sustain the little honor she still processed on account of him. He would probably be trapped on that planet. It worried him that the gravity was a tenth of what it was here on Vegeta-sei. That would most likely change his true strength.

Power, that's really what he needed. Sometimes he wondered if his species was just self destructive with their honor, pride, and blood lust. If they didn't have someone else to fight then it had to be amongst themselves. The oldest way of settlement was by blood. This nature just caused them to be stronger.  Making them naturally a threat; to deal with those you either ally with them, cower, or crush.

            Freiza had used them not really as allies but pawns partly crushing them. What he was doing now was finishing the job. It was his cunning and power that made him the tyrant. Him and that damn family of his. If only they had been given more time then the Super Saiya-jin would appear.

            Could he enter yet? They must've told the Prince. This was too much for him to handle. He knew beyond his visions more on instinct regrettable that the Prince had to survive. This would be easily accomplished in a number of ways. But the choice and ultimately his fate was in his hands.  How he wished at times like this he was just another mindless warrior of his class.

            Now wasn't time for frivolous wants or wishes. He had literally a species to save. He entered the room slowly. It was one of the small holding rooms in the medical center very isolated for a number of reasons. Absent of much the small space had a bed and table with chair that was its extent not even windows were present. When the door closed it faded into the pale walls giving it the illusion of being in a sparsely finished white square.

            The Prince was just sitting there his small body rigidly straight sitting on the bed staring at the wall. His face was pink and swollen from tears shed, while the sleeves of his armor were dark from what looked a rushed attempt to get back his composure. The scouter must've warned him of Bardock's coming. He had to admit though this boy had turned out very Saiya-jin. He already acknowledged Bardock as an illegitimate and inferior. Of course, he was the Prince of Saiya-jins. The generation of noble that was rumored in ledged to have the ability or perhaps potential of going Legendary. He had yet to see this in a vision. But this child was so stubborn and determined he probably would do it out of his own sheer will.

            Bowing deeply on his knees arm over his chest he addressed the prince. Anything less and all his words would be ignored. "My young master, you have a few options now. But you must decide quickly. I may not tell you why under the King's orders." That was false and if found out he would be put to death. But it really didn't matter; he was going to die anyway. His mate was staying so that meant he would. The only thing that mattered was the safety of his off spring and the Prince. He had finally decided that if too many were sent on missions by his meddling then Freiza would be wary and perhaps go to rasher action. The fewer of them the better. Any Saiya-jin would gladly lay down their lives for the safety and survival of the race. Even if the result would be near extinction and relying on the production of half-breeds. Class above all, territory protected, honor, instinct, power, and then masses. That was how it had always been.

    "You have a chance to change your future my prince. You can be saved from the harsh hand of Freiza, but the cost to you will be high. You can renounce your title and join the ranks of Frieza away from him. He won't even know your identity I have ways of hiding it." The Prince's eyes stared colder then ever. That was definitely a no. He already knew it would be.

    'You also may become a refugee on a planet." He was thinking as the one his own son would be trapped on. No again the eyes grew smaller and darker, he was so young but already hardened. He had only spent a few months in Freiza's presence alone. How transformed he seemed. "Things can be as they are now. You a higher ranked solider under Freiza with Nappa as your protector."  That was the last. If he had agreed to one of the first two there was variation but the last was as he said. Being the Prince of all Saiya-jins and soon to be king of course he would choose the latter.

            The child picking this was terrifying but it was his right. "I need to be with the power." Was what he had answered the question? Yet another slave to the instinct of power. Hiding his disappointment he bowed swiftly but lowly then left not looking back. 

     "Choosing the hardest way, going through hell its self." Bardock murmured to himself. "We can't risk it this way." He said louder squeezing his nails into his fist. There is a chance Freiza will get bored of him. Then it's all over. He is needed. Unfortunately my Prince your future is going to be decided for you once again. But why the hell did it have to be me?

~~

    "Why the hell should I believe you?" The voice of Nappa low and sharp almost shook the empty corridor around them.

    "You have an obligation as the only elite left to. Why would I lie to you?" Bardock question calmly. Usually he wouldn't even address such a person as Nappa but having the Saiya-jin believe him were crucial to his plans.

    "How hell should I know? But the King died under your care….  You're probably looking for power." He looked down harshly at the scientist his face in a scowl that could perhaps bring Freiza to his knees.

    "Like I've ever even cared…"

     "Please Nappa, he's telling the truth. If not for him do it for me, or the Prince." A new feminine voice entered the abandoned hall interrupting the low husk of Bardock's. It got the right effect though the harden warrior eyes softened slightly as they looked to Bardock's mate; she was of his own blood about a second cousin but they were close. "Freiza will destroy us and I need you to protect the Prince."

     "Feh… Why did you ever come with this low class? He's fucked you up good." Nappa replied.

     "Shut it," She replied in a growl. "He's done nothing. Bardock is just doing as the King wishes and until Vegita assumes it his words are final." She said lowly quelling any chance for him to argue.

      "Hmmmm, fine what do I have to do?" He asked hesitantly. Hiding a smirk Bardock wrapped his arms tighter around his mate and started…

~~

            "What do we have here?" The voice of Freiza was high and made all present spin around. Bardock's heart raced. All had been going to plan. Nappa had put the drugs in the Prince's food and they were about to enter the docking area to send the two to a isolated space being out the reach of Freiza and having time to train the Prince.

            It happened so quick there isn't much to explain. Bardock tried to stand between them and was knocked away in one swipe of not his hand but finger then Nappa seeing superiority bowed. Of course and the Prince Vegita fell into the hands of Frieza once more. One flick of his finger and it was over. All the planning. He had failed once again.

~~

            There had been no time for a second try. After the Prince was taken and put securely in the depths of Freiza's ship Vegeta-sei was destroyed by " a meteor shower" as Vegita was to believe for most of his life. Nappa from fear or who knew what never spoke of that day and the truth. But the Prince was cast into a life he could have been saved from without the knowledge of what could've been.

            It wasn't the rumbling of the docking area or the world around him shaking and coming up around him. The warmth of that small calloused hand caused his eyes to open. He couldn't move but her body was over his their fingers interlocked. The same fire going through them comparing with nothing the now combusting planet could ever produce.  Still time can't be frozen even if it seems so. Soon the radiance that surrounded them was turned to black and an new empty space was created in the Universe where Vegeta-sei had once been.

~~

            "I let him go to Freiza. I was the different one I could have stopped him. But I gave in. He over powered me." Then he was silent.

    "You must be joking right?" Gohan said softly. "You couldn't help it. You did all you could. That's all anyone can do. How would Vegita even know of this if Nappa never told him?"

     "Dreams," The Grandfather and Grandson turned around in shock. In the darkened hall the long forgotten lightning and thunder helped to reveal the Prince of all Saiya-jins in that door way.

      "Vegita?" Gohan stuttered.

       "Shut up," he said shortly. "This for once does not involve you. But you." A finger concealed in a white glove pointed towards Bardock. "I will not repeat this again and it'll never be mentioned. You served my Father well and in that I thank you. Before I thought it was you who killed him purposely to turn me over to an enemy. If Kakkorot hadn't been protecting you, I would've ripped out your heart the first moment I saw you. Now I know." He gave a nod. "Just don't forget your place."

Author's Note: That's it for now. ^-^ Not really a cliffy… just an ending.