Sorry sorry sorry. I have posted apologies on my bio page and on the fourth chapter of my poems (which consequently fit very well with this story) so please look there if you want to know the reasons(which are real) as to why it has taken so long to update. I hope you haven't forgotten everything that is going on or at least will be able to pick it up quickly. As a reward this chapter is super long, around 6000words, about three times the length of previous chapters.

Oh and just so you know. That is if any of you are actually interested. I have an idea for a new story so eye me and I love the idea already. I won't be writing it though until:

1 I've finished this story (Shadow in the Light)

2 I've planned it so that I know exactly what is going to happen (It's easier to write that way).

This story (Shadow in the Light) was completely unplanned. I had no idea what was going to happen in each chapter until I sat down and wrote it. Is anyone else like that? It's a really bad habit. It's just that when I joined I wanted to write something straight away…so I did. And this was the result. Anyway on with the show. The original plan was to post this chapter at 100 reviews but as you have all probably noticed , it took a little longer than that to write.

Disclaimer:

Chapter fifteen

The sweet scent of spring's blossom drifted through the quiet, wooded countryside. Sweet peace reigned, as the sun bathed the trees in its warm caress. The comforting silence of twittering birds and whispering trees was broken only by the joyful giggles of children; a sound that could appease even the darkest of hearts.

Little three month old Goten rolled around on his back like the bubble of fun that he was, arms wind milling with the sheer joy of living. That same joy which his father before him had possessed. Videl knelt over him cooing and laughing at the oblivious babe making a point to dodge out of the way at appropriate moments to escape a flailing fist. Goten's size in no way reflected the power he had already attained.

The scent of crushed grass drifted up through the air and away from the pair and Gohan, perched on his windowsill with book in hand, breathed it in with a deep sigh as he stared down at his friend and brother. Oh to be free again! Ever since he had returned to the small house his father had built so many years ago Chi Chi had been drowning him in textbooks. And he'd been floundering.

Gohan was clever enough to do the work, no that wasn't the problem. It was the insurmountable quantity that Chi Chi expected out of him each day. And of course if he wasn't up to expectation then Gohan had obviously been slacking during the time he'd spent away. And though she never admitted it, Gohan couldn't help but wonder at his mother's reasons.

Of course Chi Chi claimed that she wasn't asking for more than she ever had before. But in the short breaks he did manage to snatch Gohan would find himself pausing to think. He knew his mother didn't like him training. They all knew what could happen if he grew angry… Would she worry enough so as to try and keep him strictly away from martial arts? His father's legacy?

And then there was Goten. The small bundle, who at that instant lay giggling in the grass, that brought a smile to the face of all who met him. So like his father. Though many were the times Gohan wished the babe wasn't such a perfect clone copy. The constant reminders of Goku hurt. They couldn't help but feel like blame. But then Goten would smile and the world would smile with him. Hearts lit up no matter how low they'd felt before. It was inevitable when faced by one who could find even the simplest of actions a source for delight.

And then there was Videl herself who sat below on the grass, playing with the Goku miniature. Gohan leant a little further over the edge of his window to see her better. Right now she smiled, and her face lit up the evening twilight as much as Goten did. Gohan's little brother was overjoyed at Videl's expressions. Little did the little tyke know that his antics were the cause of her laughter.

Videl had been spending a lot of time around at Gohan's house and she was truly welcome. After all the girl had offered the demi-saiyan shelter in his time of need and it was only fair that the sentiments should be reciprocated. Of course it wasn't that Videl was in desperate need of accommodation. But living with her father could be unimaginably intolerable at times and since her mother's death, well she'd been quieter as could be expected. And being around the man thought to have saved the world, hounded as he was by the media each day wasn't the environment for one in such a condition as Videl.

Hercule was going frantic at her disappearance as could be expected. She had told him she would be staying with a friend though he hadn't been listening at the time, preferring to sign the many proffered autographs. Videl had considered only staying at Gohan's a fraction of the time but she knew her father too well for that to work. He never noticed her when she was around but the moment she was out of sight, that was a different story. And Videl knew that as soon as she returned to her mansion that felt too cold and unwelcoming to truly be called home, she would be locked away in the house, much like arrest, and only be allowed out if she were accompanied.

Gohan had assured her using as vague a terms as possible that her disappearance wouldn't matter soon, and when she returned to Satan City her father wouldn't care. It was the truth after all but it was down to Videl to interpret it. Not Gohan's fault if what she thought wasn't what he had in mind. And she had trusted him. After all what were friends for? And he had never yet done anything to hurt her.

He would tell her everything soon, plain and clear. But for the moment he selfishly wished to carry on seeing her happy for while longer. She wouldn't like his plan. Not even he liked it. But it was the only way. Gohan felt himself swallowed by another regretful sigh. Well at least he could make the most of the time they had left. Birds chirruped comfortingly from the forest as though sensing the mists of distress. And then, as suddenly as the crack of a rifle, the silence was shattered perversely.

"GOHAN"

The flock of birds that had serenaded Gohan so sweetly, erupted with violent squawking from the treetops causing Goten to coo with wonder as he gazed up at them perplexedly from where he lay alone on the lawn. As for Gohan well, the demi-saiyan clutched his ears with a moan of pain and toppled in a pile of flailing limbs from his perch on the windowsill collapsing in an ungainly heap at Videl's feet.

"Wha…what? Huh?" he spluttered incoherently to Videl's knees as she glared down at him.

Videl rolled her eyes in exasperation. She should have been used to Gohans antics by now but no, as soon as she got over one incident, he had to do something else undeniably stupid. Only Gohan could fall out of a window and stand up without even being winded or realising that what he had done was in anyway abnormal.

"As I was trying to say", said Videl, fists on hips, eyes flashing, "I think your mum's on the way back and she won't be happy to see you day dreaming. You know how she gets if she thinks you're slacking."

Videl indicated over her shoulder towards the youngster on the lawn behind her who was clapping idly as though in self-praise. Gohan followed her finger and received an upside down image of his young brother from where the teen still lay on his back on the dusty ground.

"Goten's got that gooey eyed look he always seems to get before your Mum gets home. It's scary how he seems to know. A bit like how you seem to always know if someone walks into a room."

The dark girl frowned, trying to make a connection between the two phenomena and Gohan chuckled nervously seeing the determination in her stance.

"Yeah it's weird huh. Must run in the family. Heh, heh."

Luckily for Gohan she wasn't given long to muse. For as we know all to well, Chi Chi Son isn't known for her patience.

"GOHAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING! You are supposed to be studying young man. How are you ever going to get into a good university if you don't apply yourself. Enough lazing outside on the grass. Shoo get up. Inside NOW. Oh…"

Videl and Gohan stared dumb struck at the unexpected tirade. No matter how many times they felt Chi Chi's wrath they still couldn't get used to it. Not even Gohan though he had live with it his whole life!

Thankfully Goten had interrupted and thus managed to break off the onslaught, which would almost certainly have ended painfully. The manic creature of despair changed with the flick of a wrist to a doting mother.

Gohan blinked at Chi Chi's retreating back.

"Who's a cute little boy then? You are! Yes you are!" she cooed at Goten, rocking him gently whilst he gurgled cheerfully back at her, never ceasing to wave his fists. Our beloved demi saiyan gaped at the display. Gohan had thought, no he'd hoped, the mood swings might end when the baby had been born but apparently not. Videl's expression could have been the mirror of his own.

"I…I think I'd better get upstairs. Um. Before mum remembers us", he stammered at the stunned girl.

The only reaction Videl graced him with was a shallow nod and almost incomprehensible grunt.

"Uh huh…"

Her eyes never left the picture before her in which Chi Chi appeared in every way to be the model mum. Then as though hit by a sudden bout of intuition said model mother span once more to glare at the teens. Videl squeaked in apprehension at the silent reproach and as for Gohan, well lets just say he'd made his exit swiftly barely a few seconds before. And a good thing too!

Calm. Utter silent solace. Clouds scattered benevolently like soft feathers swaying gently in a breeze, framing the gravity-defying palace suspended in the sky. Little could shatter the tranquillity of the Lookout during times of peace.

A lone sparrow swept by on spread wings singing gladly without truly knowing why. For it is the way of the world to feel content when in the presence of their God. That is, if content is how God wishes them to feel in any case.

A smile bedecked the green lips of the Namekian deity as he sat cross-legged on the edge of the platform he called home deep in meditation. Mind cast out beyond the boundaries of the world. And in that moment he felt them. Like a sharp pang across his mind, a source for sorrow and cheer though at times one struggled to deduce which.

Eyelids fluttered open to reveal eyes bright and unaffected by the sudden brilliance that filtered in. It was time.

Family and friends all gathered in mourning. Oppressing silence crushed the claustrophobic restriction of the glade threatening to suffocate all who resided there. The forest lay silent and no creature dared stir as though they too grieved the passing of a hero.

All were assembled in a clearing in the woods, bright with wild flowers, though the colours appeared dim that day. The forest had always been a place Goku felt comfortable, away from the confusing kafuffle that were the lives of many of the civilians of planet Earth. One with nature, plants, animals. A reason to risk life in battle. An innocent should never die.

But now, rather than instilling joy, the frozen clearing in all its spring time splendour only served as a reminder of what once was and could have been. Remorse weighed heavily on all friends and family, but on none more so than the son of one passed.

Gohan stood with head bowed trussed in the suit his mother had wedged him into. He was gagging to squirm in discomfort but nagging guilt kept him in check. The more he could avoid attention the better. Even standing still he felt the occasional glace bore into him like a blast preparing to rend his flesh.

It had all happened only a year ago that day. Elsewhere in the world celebrations danced in the streets and the occasion was remembered with joy. But though that day many lives had been saved or returned thanks to a magic that few would ever know to be grateful for, one had died to bring about this miracle. One and only one. The one that refused to return.

"I miss you dad", whispered Gohan, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks, eyes never daring to lift from the bushy patch of grass they had settled on. When the wind blew it was almost as if the foliage wept with him and the low keening cry of the trees channelled the grief Gohan fought not to show.

But the melancholy whisper, though quiet, had not been silent enough. The eye's of Vegeta and Piccolo glued to the boy, as their sharper than human ears twitched at the words. And though they did not show it, neither could help but feel sadness at the loss of a rival and a friend.

Krillin wept silent shameless tears for a loved one gone but far from forgotten. He had lost an ever-present support and been left to fall to the ground. But someone had arrived in time to catch him. Comfort had come from an unexpected source. Android 18 wrapped her arms around the shoulders of the monk gazing emotionlessly though her heart bled inside for the one she had been created to destroy.

As for Chi Chi, well she surprised everyone. Of course to begin with she had acted like a toy that had been played with too violently and broken from the treatment. Arms gripped tighter and tighter to the babe at her bosom until Bulma had felt the need to try and lift Goten away for fear of him being smothered. But as soon as the scientific genius had lain a finger on the child Chi Chi had snapped from her trance and transformed into the loving mother. A husband had been lost but he had left her behind a gift to go with the one she already had. And they needed her.

Goten, who had been dozing up to this point regardless of his mothers oppressive bosom, blinked his eyes opened. He smiled his childish smile and giggled his exuberant giggle. And the world sparkled back to life at his actions. It was as though the spirit of the departed Goku were with the group after all, for father and son were almost one and the same. But the sudden peaceful euphoria was short lived.

A shock snapped through the clearing almost hard enough to shake the leaves from the trees. Krillin leapt three feet into the air in surprise. And then all of a sudden, as everyone in their own way tried to find any sign of the cause of their sudden unexplained tension, a voice crept into their minds.

"Gohan. It's time. They're ready."

As soon as the words were spoken the whisper was bourn away like an imagined breeze leaving behind a thoroughly startled group.

But Gohan knew. He turned to Videl and watched her from where she hovered at the edge of the crowd, not quite belonging yet one of them all the same. The time had flown by all too quickly since they first met. However no mater how much he didn't want to lose her, there are some things in life that have to be let go. After all a caged bird cannot sing its full splendour.

Videl herself was oblivious to the tremor that had just passed through the clearing. She stood instead in ever-silent mourning, eyes fixed respectfully on the ground, framed by nature's glory. Gohan spared a moment to capture the image. The memory would be short lived but he could savour it while it lasted.

Throughout his reverie others had been talking, or, in the case of Piccolo, standing in silent meditation. The Namekian knew of Gohan's plans. For though he no longer held precedence over Earth, he still kept an ear to the goings on. After all Dende was still only young and a planet could be a heavy burden.

"That was Dende right?" questioned Krillin to no one in particular.

"Yeah, Yeah", muttered Gohan in dazed response.

The group exchanged a quizzical glance.

"Well, uh, would you like to explain something buddy? I mean he was talking to you!"

Gohan turned from his Videl musings and graced the group with a broad grin.

"I get the idea I'm not going to like this", muttered Krillin, but nevertheless he sighed in resignation.

Gohan was, or at least pretended to be, oblivious to the apprehension he caused.

"I'll explain later, but now I have to gather the dragon balls. And guess what? You guys are going to help me. We'll meet on the Lookout. I'll take Videl."

"But wait Gohan wha-"

But he was already gone, startled Videl in his arms.

With a startled cry, which shocked Krillin for one to near panic, Bulma suddenly lunged for her handbag and rifled through the contents frantically.

"I don't believe it. He nabbed my dragon radar!"

Floating over the countryside, soaring like a bird on the updrafts, the wind billowing past an adrenalin rush. Such was the only way Gohan Son could describe perfect joy and the laughter that erupted from his lips reflected the passion of flight as he twirled and looped in personal dance.

A sharp rap on the back of the head bought him back to Earth. Not literally of course though he did drop a few feet through the air. Glancing down in search of the source of the discomfort Gohan locked eyes with the accusing glare of Videl. The poor demi-saiyan, in his delight, had quite forgotten that he held her there.

"Oh hi Videl", he chuckled nervously. This was quite the wrong thing to say as it pointed out to Videl how plainly he had overlooked her presence.

"Gohan Son, one of these days I'm going to", she wrung her hands to try and express her sentiments before crying in frustration, "ug."

Shaking her head she tried again. There was no point in getting angry, especially when the one you were getting angry with was the only reason you were still alive whilst suspended several hundred metres above the ground.

"Anyway, what I want to know is, what are we doing? And why did you just grab me and take off like that? Explain!" the last was a command rather than a question. Videl obviously expected to get what she wanted. But for once Gohan wasn't going to cave.

"You'll see Videl. I'll explain it all soon, to you and the others. Let's just enjoy ourselves ok?"

Videl merely stared dumbstruck at the answer and Gohan took the silence for assent. Videl remained in shock for a good few minutes more still unable to believe that, for what was probably the first time ever, she hadn't got her own way.

Krillin, Piccolo, Vegeta and the rest of the gang including Bulma and Chi Chi were already gathered at the Lookout by the time Gohan and Videl arrived later that day. Goten lay on his back with baby Trunks beside him amongst the sparse garden, watched closely by Mr Popo who was still a little unsure of what to make of the young pair. They looked innocent enough when on their own but together Mr Popo felt sure he saw a devilish glint in their eyes, a premonition of things to come. But of course if he ever mentioned it he was quickly scoffed. After all, what harm could a baby do?

Meanwhile, as Popo quailed under his baby sitting duties Gohan was being interrogated as to what was going on, both silently and in the not so silent manner. Vegeta of course, being the sociable man that he was stood to one side stoically glowered in a failed attempt to hide emotion, or namely his irritation. Krillin took the position of inquisitive friend whilst Chi Chi, Bulma, and Vide glared, all looking rather too similar for comfort.

Gohan surveyed the group nervously, hiding behind a small, blue backpack, which he clutched to his chest. Hmm what to do? The question really was, how much did he like having his head attached to his body? Luckily god was on his side for once and Gohan sighed with relief when Dende strode out of his palace, over sized staff in hand, and headed cheerfully towards his friends. Gohan could have hugged the small Namekian, the little green man has just saved him from a near death experience.

"Hi guys! You got the Dragonballs then Gohan? Good. Well let's get this over with then."

Gohan nodded at his green friend avoiding Videl's speculative glances. Keeping his eyes averted Gohan reached into the blue backpack he held clasped in his arms and pulled out three orange balls. The orbs pulsated with a gentle light, which could only mean that their companions were nearby.

With a quick glance at the dragon radar Gohan cast a questioning look towards Krillin, Vegeta and Piccolo. Krillin eagerly delved into his pockets to reveal his double prize and Vegeta did the same though his actions were decidedly more sullen as he tossed the single orange globe up and down in a hypnotising motion. Up and down, up and down. As for Piccolo, well by the time Gohan blinked one more of the treasures appeared clasped in his green claw-like hands. All in all this brought the total to seven. And as the balls were placed together in a group their soft light burst into kaleidoscopic luminosity. This was a remarkable scene in itself but for one who had not seen it before the extraordinary beauty was of even greater value.

"Wow", whispered Videl, which roused an unimpressed snort of disdain from Vegeta. Videl fixed him with her patent stare and though he appeared to display no reaction, those who knew him could tell he was unnerved. There are very few who can put a Saiyan on his toes and Videl was now one of them.

Once again it was Dende who broke the tension he seemed impervious to by shuffling forwards until he stood just before the seven glowing crystal orbs. However, he was just about to call on unearthly powers when his progress was halted.

"Wait just a second Dende!"

All eyes turned to Gohan.

"Um hi guys", he scratched the back of his head, lowering his eyes', uncomfortable with the sudden attention, "Well I- I just figured I should explain to you all what's going on. I-"

But he was cut short.

"You mean they don't know?" exclaimed Dende in shock before releasing a suppressed chuckle, "I did wonder why everyone looked so confused."

Gohan smiled half-heartedly at his Namekian friend unable to share the amusement. He may not have spoken of their plan yet but that did not help him in escaping from the hazardous task. So with a dubious sigh Gohan resigned himself once more to a possibly very short life if Videl and his mother had anything to do with it.

"Yeah well as I was saying. I wanted to tell you this now instead of a few months ago when I decided it all because I wanted you all to be happy. I didn't want anyone to worry or feel sad. This way it'll all be over quickly and none of this will matter anymore. I'm sorry it had to come to this. It's going to hurt me too. But in the long run I think this is for the best…" he trailed off. But then before anyone could interrupt him with questions he braced himself and tumbled head first into the final blow.

"I want to use the dragonballs to wipe everyone's memories of all the time since I ran away. Well not all of everyone's memories of course, but just those that are significant", it was at this point that the inevitable interruption erupted

"No Gohan", whispered Videl her face a mask of shock. But Gohan ploughed on through his monologue silently praying that at his next words Videl would understand.

"I have more than one reason for this as you can probably guess. The first is that I want to remain anonymous. I know that may sound selfish but I've had a taste of what fame is like now and it's not pretty. I didn't want it in the first place and I'll be damned if I want it now. My second reason is that I want to wish back the people who died in the train accident a few months ago and yes Videl that includes your mother", the demi-saiyan added when he saw the young girls lips quiver in anticipation, "and I can only wish those people back if everyone's memory of the disaster is wiped otherwise the time lag between the incident and the people coming back to life would cause everyone to panic, which really wouldn't be surprising. I mean what would you think if a friend you thought was dead suddenly knocked on your front door? Wait don't answer that guys. You'd al think it was perfectly normal but lets look at this from the perspective of a regular person ok?" asked Gohan, raising his hands to hold back the answers to his rhetorical question that he could see were about to be fired. Half open mouths snapped shut.

"Well that's it", Gohan muttered scratching the back of his head, "You can all tell me what you think but I must tell you now that this has to happen. And…I'm sorry!"

He snapped his mouth shut and waited for the tirade that must surely come. But only silence stirred the air as all stood stunned, none having the words to voice their thoughts. Even Vegeta looked too shocked to speak and Gohan had felt sure he would have objected vehemently to having his mind tampered with. Videl clutched her arms to her chest, contorted in anguish, torn between a mother and a friend.

"Gohan", she whimpered, hoping for the happy go lucky charm that never failed to brighten a dark situation but all she got was a grim smile as Gohan struggled to contain his own emotions. The oppressive vision of what was to come had been hanging over him for months while others had whiled away in ignorant bliss. But he hadn't wanted to mar any happiness they might have felt by bringing the news. No one would have known how to act! No, he had done the right thing. Always better for one to suffer rather than many. Which was one of the many reasons Gohan's father the hero had risked his life, even given it, so many times for people who would never even know his name, a lesson he had passed to his son. Squeezing eyes and fists shut Gohan, with a deep breath, shut away his sentiments. He had to be strong now. It would all be over soon and then there would be no pain.

The demi saiyan turned to Videl with a ready smile and took her hands in his own as she stood limp, still unable to comprehend the situation. For of course to those who didn't know of or understand the Dragonballs, Gohan's plan was inconceivable and Videl didn't know whether she wanted to believe the boy or not. But it wasn't a decision she could make. The choice had already been made months ago.

"Videl?" he coaxed gently, "I'm going to miss you. It's…", he trailed off before nodding decisively to himself and clutching her hands a little harder, "It's been fun!"

Who would have thought that so much could be felt from just a few little nondescript words. Videl, all of a sudden, flung her arms around Gohan's unsuspecting neck and clasped him tight. Momentarily transfixed with shock, Gohan stood immobile like a deer caught unawares, before he melted his arms around Videl's body.

"I'll miss you too Gohan. I don't want to lose you!" mumbled the girl into his chest.

"It'll be ok Videl. You won't even remember that we ever met. None of us will. And maybe, if we're lucky, we'll meet up again one day. Ok?"

It clearly wasn't ok but after a tense moment in which Gohan worried that Videl might fight against the inevitable, she broke away eyes shining with tears that stood on the point of eruption, and nodded. Smiling gently, soothingly, Gohan stepped away and back towards Dende.

"Let's get it over with then."

There are times for words and there are times for silence. And so Dende nodded encouragingly at his friend and spread his hands over the glowing orange orbs that had so many times been an unrecognised source of salvation without speaking a word.

"Eternal dragon I summon the by thy name ", intoned Dende as though he had been conducting such ceremonies his entire life instead of just once before, "Shenron!"

A crack of lightning loosed from the ring of Dragonballs and the sky grew menacingly dark as though the heavens of space melted into the atmosphere leaving behind an eternal nothing into which it would be possible to fall forever, a dark vortex, a bottomless abyss, the night sky with every star blacked from existence.

And suddenly the dark was broken by a stream of liquid light, which slid, snake-like, up from the circle of pulsating globes, cracking the landscape in two. The heavens glowed like the rising sun on the horizon, before the light itself began to take form.

The majestic creature of legend sprung to life in serpent form. A dragon rich in splendour twisting its many coils creating artwork of perpetual motion, a sight few expect to ever lay eyes on or even believe exists. Its form hung in the sky defying natural laws as its very presence defied rational thinking.

No number of fairytales was enough preparation for the majesty that towered over the group who appeared as insignificant as ants by comparison. The beast opened its jaws but growls did not emerge. Neither did a booming wind. Nevertheless the voice penetrated every annex, vibrated every cell, giving an extremely clear indication of who held power here.

"You have summoned me from my slumber and I thus shall grant you two wishes of your choosing that are within my power to give. Make your wishes!"

No matter how many times the Z senshi were faced with the splendour of the eternal dragon the awe never died. Videl stepped forward and clutched to Gohan's gi for comfort. The demi saiyan made no move to step away but instead took a deep breath, swallowed apprehensively and began to speak. Dende stood back to give his friend room.

"Shenron, it is I. Allow me to explain my first wish", Gohan paused trying to contain the shudders that threatened his body. But swallowing his trepidation he continued, never once letting his sentiments show, "A few months ago a train crashed on earth killing many innocents-"

But poor Gohan had barely begun before an interruption tried to blow him off his feet.

"I do not have time for stories, the wishes, then let me leave."

Unnerved though he was Gohan couldn't help murmuring to himself, "I was getting to that", though once the words were spoken he cringed at his own insanity, dearly hoping that the dragon hadn't heard him.

He covered his tracks with a loud, and as bold as he could manage considering the circumstances, "Of course Great Dragon! My first wish is for those that died as a result of this crash to be restored to life once more!"

Wind blew a gentle breeze as the conversation lulled and Shenron turned his attention inwards. Then, almost imperceptibly unless you happened to be watching, Shenron's eyes glowed with a dull light.

"It has been done!"

Solemn silence.

"That's it!" muttered Videl to herself a little too loudly. Gohan eyes widened nervously and he cast an apprehensive look towards Shenron before trying to silence Videl without being noticed. Did she have a death wish? Nevertheless the girl was thoroughly disgruntled.

Thankfully it appeared that Shenron hadn't heard this second jibe or had at least chosen to ignore it.

"What is your second wish?" the dragon rumbled, agitation and impatience evident and it was clear the creature was not trying to hide it.

And as for the second wish, well this was it, Gohan could hear the necessary words in his mind. But the words wouldn't come. He tried to choke them up but they died over and over in his throat, a rancid taste.

"Come on Gohan", Dende coaxed, "You have to finish what you started. You know that. We discussed this! They have to forget. The repercussions would be too great otherwise. The human mind wasn't made to cope with resurrection. At least not without understanding the reasons."

Gohan nodded but could not look Dende in the eye. He knew, knew it all. But the words just wouldn't come. Turning to Videl he saw the tears rising in her eyes and could tell she knew that this was their last goodbye.

"Videl-" he tried but she covered his words with a hand.

"Don't sat anything ok? Let the last times be happy ones", she whispered, smiling bravely through her distress. And Gohan played her game and smiled back before gathering his resolve.

"Shenron, for my second wish, I wish for the memories of the last few months to be wiped clean of all that which would be hurtful to them, pertaining to the crash… and pertaining to myself", he ended in a whisper as though merely adding the words as an after thought. But there was no taking back now what was said, he wouldn't even remember shortly that there was anything to regret.

A brief flash of light and the dragon spoke once more.

"It is done! The dragon balls shall remain now inactive for one Earth year. Until then, farewell!"

With a burst of brilliance the dragon vanished leaving behind no trace of its massive form. The Dragonballs rose into the air in a spinning coil before exploding away from each other to spread to distant corners of the globe. The world itself breathed a deep sigh. In the end it was Krrllin who broke the calm.

"Hey you guys what are we doing here? Did we just make a wish or something?"

Gohan blinked perplexedly, swinging back and forth as his eyes surveyed the group. Piccolo, Vegeta, Bulma with Trunks, 18, Dende and Krillin of course. Not forgetting his mother and little Goten. They were all there. But the sense that someone was missing lingered for a brief moment, before that too vanished leaving Gohan to puzzle over the fact that he couldn't remember what he had been puzzling over in the first place.

"Well whatever's been going on there must have been a reason for it", he spoke up, voicing his thoughts, "But I couldn't for the life of me say what that reason was. Let's just go home!"

"Amen to that", crowed Krillin as he slapped Gohan on the back before running to the edge of the Lookout and throwing himself to the mercy of the elements, 18 in tow. Gohan smiled a farewell to his friend's departing figure before, all of a sudden, his eyes snapped away and he frowned and squinted at a patch of tiles that made up part of the Lookout floor. He could have sworn for a second that he'd seen a the image of a dark haired girl standing there… But he couldn't have. Could he? He stared hard, so much so that his eyes began to water. What had it been? But his attention has broken before he could arrive at a conclusion.

"Come on Gohan what are you doing? You have to get home and study young man!" yelled Chi Chi from where she stood next to Bulma's air ship, a giggling Goten in her arms.

"Yes mother", Gohan replied vaguely and, taking a last quizzical glance behind him, jogged nimbly over the flagstones to where his mother waited for him without giving the incident a second thought.

Well there you go people and once again I am sorry it took so long. But this chapter is nearly 6000 words so it kind of makes up for it I hope. Please forgive me, everyone. But sadly there are some things in life, which take precedence over my writing.

Only the Epilogue to go now and that shouldn't take so long as it will be shorter and my mock exams are over. Just go the real ones to worry about now.

Well I hope you like this chapter and could remember at least vaguely what was supposed to be going on.

Oh and I hope I got the summoning of the dragon thing right. It's been about two years since I last saw an episode of DBZ. How horrible is that? Plus that which I did see was in Spanish so I've had to translate what I know and remember what I've read in other fics.

Well toodles for now (but hopefully not for too long: P)

Honey Nut Loop

R&R