Hi it's me again. I know, I know...couldn't wait could you. Lol. Thank you to all reviewers, once again. Wow there are more and more with every chapter (sighs with joy then cackles manically...what, how could you forget that I was a bit on the loony side?) Sitting in my p-j's, 10:30 at night, writing this chapter when I should be revising my chemistry. Oh well!

Ooh and guess what people, I now have what 30 reviews for my original fiction. Cool huh. All it takes is a little perseverance. I was a little let down after getting nothing for days when this fic was reviewed on the day I released it. But now...YEY. I think that's turning into my fave word in this fic. Anyone think of any alternatives? Well? You'd better review and tell me. He he. Bon Appetit.

Disclaimer: (sighs) once again, don't own never will, wouldn't want...wait a minute.

Chapter four

'Hum', thought Gohan, 'Wonder what's going on back home. Hope Mum's ok. She shouldn't get distressed in her condition. I'm sorry Mum, I'll be back soon. I promise...'

Raising a lazy arm, Gohan blocked the leg that was flying towards his face. Videl spun away to prepare for her next attack. Sweat streamed unnoticed down her cheeks as, still poised to pounce, she panted profusely. 'Does this guy not ever get tired', wondered the distressed, and oblivious, girl, "He's not even trying and I haven't been able to touch him.'

But, just as Videl was about to throw herself back into the spar, stubborn as she was, refusing to give up, they were interrupted by a throbbing rumble that vibrated the floor beneath their feet.

"Wha..wha...? Huh?", stuttered Videl in confusion.

Gohan shifted his feet sheepishly and grinned.

"Um Videl. Could we go now?"

Videl blinked blankly at the demi saiyan. Gohan laughed nervously.

"I'm getting kind of hungry."

That was all it took for Videl's jaw to hit the ground.

Gohan sat alone in the grounds of the Satan mansion meditating under a willow tree. He could hear the cars rushing by just beyond the walls that caged the estate. It was hard to concentrate. Loneliness was all engulfing leaving nothing to distract him from his guilt. Videl had had to go to school, although she had only gone only after leaving express warnings that he'd 'better not try and run away Son Gohan'. Gohan chuckled absently to himself. He knew she was about to burst from curiosity; she wouldn't be able to contain herself much longer. Soon, too soon, he would have to decide whether that which he told her was going to be the truth...or not.

Suddenly a frown creased the soft skin of the boys' forehead.

"Hello Piccolo", he muttered resignedly under his breath. The words were easily picked up by the Namek's sensitive ears.

Piccolo shook his head slightly and smiled, an expression only ever seen directed at Son Gohan. Such a happy child, yet somewhere that all went wrong! The Namekian thought his ki well enough hidden but then the boy had always had an affinity with his senses. When he bothered to use them anyway.

"Hey Kid", the green man grunted as he lowered himself to the ground in front of his student. He then proceeded to wait patiently. It was going to be up to Gohan to speak first.

"Did Mum send you?" sighed Gohan, discarding all prospect of soothing meditation at his mentors' persistence. He looked up solemnly.

Piccolo released a rare, suppressed, chuckle that allowed little room for mirth.

"No kid, and yes. She threatened the saiyan and I with severe headaches-and earaches- if anything happened to you before her hormones kicked in and she burst into tears demanding to be fed cheese and blueberry pancakes."

Gohan laughed bitterly.

"I suppose she wants me back?"

"Of course, kid, we all do..."

Gohan dropped his face uncomfortably into his hands, massaging his cheeks. How was he going to say this? The decision was made for him.

"But only when you're ready." Gohan's head shot up in surprise. "That's right", Piccolo went on, "When you're ready. It's no use if you won't talk about what's bothering you. Just remember that we're here, if you need us."

"Thanks Piccolo", smiled a relieved Gohan, leaning back on his hands as he stretched out contentedly on the grass.

"Well just one more thing. A message from your Mum. She says you have to study and if I were you I'd listen", Piccolo gingerly rubbed his head, "She's strong for a human."

Gohan reeled with laughter. Only his Mum would do something like that to Piccolo. No one else had the guts to hit the severe looking Namekian. And as for the studying, well, he should have expected it. After all, his Mum was a little bit obsessive.

Piccolo had left soon after the conversation, leaving Gohan to mull over his visit. The Kid had to believe that he had to go to gang, not the other way around. If Gohan had one of the z-senshi turning up every now and then he wouldn't feel the same need to sort out his problems. Whatever they were? No one was quite sure.

In truth there were many predicaments weighing on the young boy's mind, anxiety over his mother, worry at having the burden of the world on his shoulders (quite literally) since his Dad died and guilt for his brother who would never have a father and the father that would never meet his son.

But though these thoughts were oppressive they weren't the real cause of Gohan's violent outburst. Any of these troubles he could have discussed with his family and friends even though he would have found it hard.

What he couldn't bring himself to dredge up was his misery. It just didn't seem right that the strongest warrior on the planet should be depressed, surely the gang wouldn't approve. Though in fact it was they that caused the sadness. Their fear, and the pity that came with it, was what disturbed Gohan most, and this meant that he couldn't discuss his other worries. He couldn't feel comfortable with them. And if his closest were that afraid what would the rest of the world think?

No...he just couldn't talk to them...not yet...could he? He knew he was powerful, but why couldn't they trust him to keep his strength under control. Sure he had made a mistake, but he knew better now. Wasn't the guilt that beat down upon him every minute of everyday already punishment enough? He was eleven years old!?!

On arriving home Videl was welcomed by disturbing mumblings coming from Gohan as he tossed and turned ferociously on his bed. The thoughts, whirling round his head had eventually led to troubled sleep, contaminated by unease.

All of a sudden Gohan's uncalculated thrashes grew more violent still.

"No...", he began with a whisper though his scream rapidly rose in pitch, "NO. I'm sorry. It wasn't my fault. DADDYYYYYYYY...!"

The demi saiyan sat up with a jolt and then had to collapse again due to the dizzying effects of swirling blood.

"I don't want your pity...I don't' want it..." he murmured, half sobbing as he clutched his head in sweating palms.

Videl stood staring, wide eyed by the door, clutching her school bag to her chest. Wavering, not knowing what to do, she shifted her weight uncertainly. The door creaked. Gohan's head shot up and glared at her. She had caught him at a particularly awkward time. His harsh eyes dared her to comment.

"Y...you ok Gohan?" she asked tentatively, unsure as to whether the wolf that crouched before her would leap and bite.

"I'm fine", he muttered before collapsing back, ending the conversation. He couldn't let her see the tears threatening his eyes.

And so it was that Videl didn't see Gohan again until dinnertime, for no self-respecting saiyan could ever go without a meal no matter what the reason, be it illness or argument. Both youngsters were uncomfortable as they sat at the table, the weight of before hovering over them like all engulfing fog, though, wisely, neither of them commented on their earlier, rather brief, chat.

"Um Videl?" asked Gohan, rather nervously, not sure how she would react after his previous outburst.

"Uh huh", she smiled sweetly, glad he was talking to her again. Videl had been as uncertain as he as to their current relationship after...that.

"Well..."

Gohan breathed out heavily and scratched the back of his head, wondering at the right way to put this.

"Um...well...do you think it would be ok if I joined your school?"

Videl choked violently and spluttered her mouthful over the tablecloth. That was the last thing she'd been expecting! Gohan raised his eyebrows at the waste.

"Wh..wh...?

"It's my Mum", cut in Gohan answering her question before it was asked, "She likes me to study. And I don't want to make her more mad you know."

Videl took a short while to reply though when she did she was hesitant, "Well I guess we can get you enrolled. It shouldn't be too hard, but..."

She saw Gohan's worried look

"I'm sure we can wrork something out."

"Great. Thanks Videl. That's a real help."

He smiled at her and went back to shovelling food into his gaping void of a mouth before she could say another word. Videl laid down her cutlery and watched the oblivious boy. Curiosity was burning within her until it threatened to explode. She would have to question him soon she'd just have to. When the time was right anyway. But when was the time ever right?

'I will find out Son Gohan', she vowed, 'I know that something's going on.' She may have been being able to suppress her insatiable inquisitiveness but she wouldn't be able to wait long before she began to prise open the locked door on Son Gohan's world. He owed it to her after all.

It turned out not to be as difficult as Videl had first thought to enrol into Orange Star secondary school. He would start as of next Monday. They had had to invent some of his details but hey, who would ever know? Nevertheless Vidal was worried about Gohan's request. She watched him anxiously as he lay on her bed doing her homework. Gohan's intelligence had surprised her and she hadn't been able to resist when he'd offered to 'help'. The naivety however would only last until Gohan started school himself and then no doubt he'd tell her she had to do her own work. But she could always ask him to check it for her. Videl smiled cheekily at the ways in which her mind worked.

All the same, no matter Gohan't uses, Videl was worried. The social side of the school would be curious as to the identity of the strange boy, especially if the found out he was living with her. Not to mention that the recent papers had been plastered with stories and photos of the event that had taken place at the renaming ceremony a few days before. Gohan's face was crammed into every available space. How many people would recognise him, even though his hair seemed to be black now. How had he done that? She didn't want any more publicity and she doubted Gohan did. How would they explain that one away if it cropped up? Well it was a problem to be sorted when it came along, and she'd just have to hope it didn't.

But of course if characters were given the easy route out of problems then there wouldn't be any story. Poor Videl was in for a nasty time. As was the utterly oblivious Gohan.

Piccolo hovered overhead watching the two pre-teens chatting contentedly through the brightly lit window, which penetrated the dark outside. He smiled to himself. Maybe this girl could prise the reluctant Gohan out of his shell. He hoped so anyway, for if she didn't then his whole plan could well have been in vain.

Well that's it. Chappie Five. Struggled a bit with this one because it's a between happening stuff chapter. Well I couldn't just jump the story could I.

Hope you like. R&R blah...blah...blah.

Sorry. Not very hyper today. Too tired. Had that chemistry test and it didn't go so well. Doesn't matter though as long as my Dad doesn't find out. Lol.

Hope you haven't forgotten me just because it took what...a whole TWO days to update. He he. I'll be waiting expectantly for all those reviews and remember, more reviews equals more story. Oh and by the way, I called it orange star secondary school because I'm English I know next to nothing about the American system.

So until next time...whatever, toodles, -

Honey Nut Loop