Gohan didn't want to open his eyes. When his eyes opened, he knew it would be the start of the day, and this was one day he didn't want to have to face. Five years ago to the day, his father had given his life to save the planet from Cell.

The covers felt warm and soft, but he couldn't go back to sleep. . His mind was not fooled by his bodies' actions and knew he was awake. He opened his eyes.

You didn't even get to know you had a second son... Gohan looked down at the small child who slept next to him. The boy's hair was long and ruffled, and his face held a slight smile from a pleasant dream where candy grew on trees and toy's fell from the sky. His face was completely innocent, and the child would feel no remorse from the death of a man he never had known.

Gohan sat up and looked outside. The sun was just peaking over the mountains, trying to burn away the fog that had settled overnight to cover the land. It seemed the fog held on; knowing today was not a day for sun and warmth, but for darkness and remembrance.

Gohan crawled out of bed and cast a glance in the mirror. His young face had begun to transform, becoming more angular and harder as he grew up. He still wore his hair in the same fashion he had five years ago, but looking on it today, he realized it was a child haircut on an adults face. But dad gave me that haircut... Dad. Gohan hadn't meant to think about his father. Just the thought brought back memories that brought tears to his eyes.

Why, Dad? Gohan got dressed, forcing his body to move into a thoughtless task to have anything to do. He dressed simply in a black pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt. He kept his shoes in hand and walked out into the hallway, careful to shut the door softly so he wouldn't wake the sleeping form within. Gohan floated down the corridor, fearing the boards would creak under his weight. He stopped outside his mother's room and peaked in. Her hair was tangled and strewn all about her pillow, and the sheets were crumpled in a ball at the foot of her bed. Her face made Gohan want to cry. It was twisted in pain and anguish, she looked like she wanted to cry and throw up, even in her sleep. Obviously, she remembered what day this was too.

Gohan left the house. He flew through the air, not having any sort of destination in mind, he just wanted to outrun the memories that threatened to overcome him, memories that he knew would make him go insane.

He looked down at the planet below him. Trees, animals, people, life! All these things were what he had fought for on that day, but he didn't care. He spent nine months in the Room of Spirit and Time, and all of these things had been but a distant memory to him, but he was happy. He was happy because his father was with him.

Everything around him now seemed tainted. Nothing was right without his father; nothing felt like it fit in, he was lost in this world now. Dad, where can I go?

Gohan landed. He didn't need to, but his mind threatened to overwhelm him, and he didn't feel like going anywhere.

Why Dad? A simple wish. One trip to Namek. Everything could be brought back to normal! We could be happy again! Gohan hugged his knees, and felt the gravel move beneath his socks. He looked down at his shoeless feet and realized he had never put his shoes on; he had been carrying them the whole time. He looked at his shoes, and he became angry. I can't even notice I'm not wearing any shoes! He picked up one and threw it as hard as he could. "Why!" He yelled out, tearing his throat raw. Why did I have to be so stupid! Why did he die! Why can't things be back to normal!

He slumped down and hugged his knees again, ignoring the fact that rocks bit into his feet. I'm sorry Dad. I don't know why I did it. I just wanted him to feel the pain he had put all of us through. When I was fighting him, the only thing I could think about was his blast going straight through Piccolo. I wanted him to suffer, I wanted him in pain, humiliated, cast away like the piece of trash he was! But I killed you. I killed you.

Gohan buried his face in his hands. I killed you. It's all my fault. You knew Cell could still win, but I didn't want to believe you. I couldn't see past the fact that my power exceeded his; I couldn't realize that being the strongest makes you the winner. Dad, I failed you. How many times have you proven that strength doesn't matter? How many times have I seen you triumph in hopeless situations? I killed you. My arrogance, my starvation for pain, all of it! You paid the price for me!

"No!" Gohan yelled out, his lone cry echoing off the hills and coming back on him tenfold.

Dad, I sorry. This is all my fault.

No, it's not, Gohan.

Gohan looked up. The voice was a familiar one. It had forced its way into his grief stricken mind, leaving a peaceful presence in a troubled storm.

"Dad?"

Yes, Gohan.

Gohan could feel his father around him. The chill morning air was pushed away by his fathers' warm presence; it was like the world was right once more.

"Dad?"

Gohan, I want you to know something. Cell was not your fault, nothing has been. You are a pure, kind young man, and your actions towards Cell were only brought about because of his own evil. My death was not your fault, it was Cells. He was the one who wanted to destroy the Earth, and you had no way of knowing he would blow himself up. I've been watching you tear yourself up over this for the last five years, but it's time you finally took responsibility for your actions.

"How?"

I want you to live Gohan. You can't just mope around because I made a decision you didn't like. I want to be around you, and I want to protect you, but in order to do that, I have to draw danger away from you. Look, I know you feel bad about what you did, but you're going to have to learn someday that no matter what happens, you will still wake up he next day, and the world will still function. Life continues, even if it doesn't happen the way you want it to.

"I miss you dad,"

I miss you too. Gohan, I want you to know. Of all the things I've done, of all the victories I've had, you are my greatest accomplishment. I love you, my son.

"Dad..."

Gohan felt one last brush of warmth, and then he was gone. Dad... Gohan collapsed on the rocks. "I'll make you proud Dad, I promise."

"You okay kid?"

Gohan looked up to see Piccolo standing behind him, a small smile mixed with a look of concern on his face.

"It was five years ago, Piccolo..."

"Yea, I know."

"You could hear him," He stated.

"Of course. He was a great man." Piccolo sat down on the rocks next to Gohan, leaning back and looking relaxed for the first time in his life, "But he wasn't the greatest man I know."

Gohan looked at his friend, and his friend looked back at him, "It was you, Gohan. I never knew what it was like to have a friend, or to care about someone before you were thrust into my life. I came here to remind you of that. Even though you feel horrible right now, I wanted to let you know that so many lives have changed for the good because of you."

"Yea," Gohan sniffed, "I just wish he could be here too."

"I know," Piccolo awkwardly placed an arm on the young mans shoulder, and Gohan leaned in, sobbing into the Nameks cape.

Five minutes later, Gohan sat up and rubbed the tears away from his red and swollen eyes, "Thanks." He mumbled, embarrassed to cry in front of his idol.

"It's alright Gohan. You're only human. Well, half human anyway."

Gohan let out a singular laugh through a sob, "Was that a joke?" He asked with a small smile.

"Yea. See? If it wasn't for you I would never have become Piccolo, the world greatest stand up comedian!"

Gohan laughs intermingled with his tears, and he sighed, "Thanks, Piccolo," The young man gave Piccolo a hug.

"No problem kid."

That sat together for a few more minutes in silence, until Piccolo broke it.

"Hey, kid?"

"Yea?"

"What the hell happened to your other shoe?"