Neither Goku, Chi-chi nor Goten had slept since Gohan's death. Every time they drifted off, or began to, they were visited by memories of Gohan…lying there in hospital, dying. The funeral was to be held in only a matter of days; underneath the apple tree that Gohan had loved so, and held many memories from early on in his lifetime. Chi-chi often took to showing Goten old pictures of a young Gohan, and Goku could not seem to find the energy to train. A beat gathering of flowers and gifts had been set on the sidewalk outside Capsule Corp. Even Vegeta made no objection to the wreaths of carnations, bunches of roses and a certain Great Saiyaman helmet.
Every single student at Orange Star High knew of Gohan's death. A special assembly was held in the middle of the week, and the whole school was obliged to come. Videl did not know if she could take it. she could not prevent herself from crying desperately on somebody's – anybody's – shoulder. As the principal talked on about what a gifted student and athlete Gohan had been, and as so many of the students sobbed into their own hands, arrays of thoughts flashed through Videl's mind.
Why did you have to leave me? Her voice was the only one that echoed inside her head. I love you, Gohan! Why did you leave me? She hid her face in her hands, unable to listen to any more talk of Gohan.
It was even worse for Videl to have to endure walking past Gohan's empty locker. His classmates had plastered it with notes and photographs, and she had tom pass those pictures of Gohan's smiling face every day. She also had to sit next to his empty seat in class, unable to accept that Gohan would never sit there again. More unbearable still for her was when she was not at school. She could no longer bring herself to fight crime, as she and Gohan had worked so well as Saiyaman and Saiyagirl, but now she was just…Saiyagirl. She imagined the Tabloids for a split second. What would they say? 'Great Saiyaman is no more' and right underneath it, another picture of Gohan, as Saiyaman this time. How could he leave her there on her own? How could he leave her?
Chi-chi sank down on the bed, unable to bring herself to do anymore work on the funeral. Goku followed her, after shushing a crying Goten to his restless sleep – he would only dream about Gohan again, but the young boy needed to sleep. Goku and Chi-chi sat silently for a while, thinking over the past week.
"Goku" Chi-chi cried, sobbing uncontrollably. She produced the photo album from under her pillow, and turned to the images of Gohan's eleventh birthday party. A bright-eyed boy stared back at her, holding tightly onto a telescope he had just unwrapped. His face showed the radiant, cheeky, and ever-present on Goku, Son grin. She had not known it, but those days meant so much to her. She could have dwelled on the past that she so desperately wanted back. It wasn't fair that Gohan should die in such a way, and that he should be taken so soon after he arrived at the hospital. Goku stared out of the window, his vision blurred with tears. He could see the lake…how many happy times had he spent there fishing with Gohan? One of the most memorable occasions had been shortly before the Cell Games. The time when he had remembered the promise that he, Gohan ands Krillin had made. 'Let's grow old and do it the natural way.' Krillin had said, all those years ago when Gohan had only been five. They all promised the same – to die naturally by growing old. Goku clutched Chi-chi even tighter as the tears began to slide even more harshly down his face.
The Sons stood beneath the apple tree; all wearing the same coal black shade of clothing and the same solemnity was etched on their faces. The others had yet to arrive from hundreds of miles away. The weather seemed to be sharing in the mood of depression like it did so often at funerals. There was no undertaker; this was a friends and family gathering to celebrate Gohan's life, and to bid their final goodbyes. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting and crying, the first few black-clad figures could be seen arriving across the horizon. Bulma's aircar landed on the grass and a tearful Bulma and Trunks emerged; followed by the same silent and subdued Vegeta as the night of Gohan's death. They seemed to be too upset to talk, and stood as silently as the Son family, waiting. Slowly, the friends and family began to drift towards the tree, and finally Piccolo, who looked deeply shaken. He was probably thinking the same thing as everyone else – how was it possible for Gohan to die in such a way? When everybody was gathered underneath the apple tree, those who could bring themselves to stood up to say a few words. Krillin was the first to rise, his face displaying obviously that he had been crying – something that he did not do often. As he began his speech, the poor guy was barely audible above Videl's – and most of the other's – sobs. The only others able to do it were Bulma, Piccolo and Goku. As each of them took their places, the others wept, not wanting to hear much more of Gohan's lifetime. Piccolo was the last once more; his voice deep and sorrowful like it so often was, but now even more so.
Slowly, Gohan's coffin was lowered into its rightful place at the base of the apple tree. With a knife, Goku carved the words into the tree trunk:
In loving memory ofGohan Son
Beloved son, grandson, older brother And friend. Rest in peace, Gohan. The gathering of friends and family headed towards he Son household for the wake. Almost every single one of them had cried more tears than they had done in their whole lives. The worst part, however, was enduring the sight of Videl's depression. These days, she was likely to yell at anyone who said even the slightest thing wrong. She was going to pieces, and even she knew it. In a sense, she just wanted her life to end, so that she could be with Gohan once more. It wasn't fair of him to leave her… Goten wanted more than ever to live up his older brother's memory. The seven year old would often find himself listening to some of Gohan's music, or else reading (or trying his best to) one of Gohan's favourite books. At dawn or dusk, the apple tree where Gohan was buried would often be visited by Goten. All that the little boy did was sit there…but he could remember. He could remember back to when he was just three years old, and a fourteen-year-old Gohan had taken him out to the lake for the day. "Dad used to love this place…" Gohan had told him, before diving into the water. Later, after drying off, Gohan had taught him a few fighting techniques. The young boy sighed, as he looked at the inscription on the tree, and then took off once more. Videl sat alone on her bed, sobbing into a photograph of Gohan. She could not take life any longer. But what more could she do? She remembered the heartbreak that Gohan's death had inflicted upon his loved ones…but just because she was famous didn't mean she was loved. She didn't want to live. She wanted to be with Gohan. Her father would not care; he only cared for his fortune and his fame. Hercule Satan was busy as usual, watching his glory days, and reliving them by yelling at the screen. Videl crept past him, on her way to his weaponry showcase. Very carefully, she drew a sword from its holder and took it back to her own well-furnished room. Hastily, she scribbled a suicide note. She pressed the note to her lips, before signing it and pointing the sword from the bed at her chest. The point quivered in her hand for a second…then…she plunged the tip in, and lay back…bleeding on the bed. She closed her eyes and waited for her soul to join Gohan's and for her life to finally end…