A Daughter's Difference Chapter 2: Fresh Wounds, a dragon ball z fanfic

Chapter 2: Fresh Wounds

AN: Apparently you guys like this. *both eyebrows raised* That was a surprise. Alright... I ...guess here is Chapter 2? One last note; Thanks Ace Son for taking the time to look over this chapter.

Present Timeline

In the mountainous areas of the 439, lived one small family. Their dome-like home seems like the only touch of human disturbance in the large rural area. Any person walking along the seemingly endless meadows could breathe the fresh air, and enjoy the peaceful calmness that the surrounding area provided. But like all peaceful situations before; eventually it came to an end with the sound of a screaming child, an intense bright light that blinded momentarily anyone looking in its direction. This was followed by what appeared to be the sounds of multiple explosions going off at the same time, with the ground rumbling for miles in every direction. The sun was only barely peeking out from behind the large mountains, but already one demi-human soul was already up and about.

Son Gohan, an 11 year old hybrid, a warrior-in-the-making, a future scholar, and newly appointed protector of Planet Earth. He floated above the crater with his eyes closed. His breathing was ragged and uneven, as he tried to calm the endless amount of emotions that were playing across his mind. It had been the same for weeks, scratch that, months. The nightmare never ended. Every night since the end of the Cell Games, he would try to sleep only for him to be dragged through the memories of his so called 'childhood.' Every time he got closer to achieving a state of tranquility, the anger inside of him would begin to bubble causing him to release a small growl at first. He pulled his body into a curling position in the air. The growls would evolve into howls and eventually full-blown screams, as loud as his young lungs could handle and his body would expand as far as it could reach. He would repeatedly open and close his eye lids giving any spectator in front of him, for a moment, the chance to look into his stormy turquoise iris. This would finally culminate with small lightning bolts to surround his body, as his body began to ascend to the new level of Super Saiyan he achieved six months ago.

Over the skies of Mount Paozu stood a young man, looking towards the heavens with wide eyes. His jaw hanged slightly open as he began to breathe more calmly. Towards the east birds could be seen flying as fast as they could, away from young teen. Clearly frightened by the wails of the young man a few minutes ago, as well as the impressive light show Gohan went through when he ascended. Large dark clouds had completely over taken the sky covering the early morning sun. The tremendous power exerted by the transformation had an effect both on the young man's body as well as his surroundings. Because Gohan did not have full control over his transformation, he seemed to be outputting more energy than needed; affecting the climate over Mount Paozu.

'Why does he still bother me' thought Gohan as small droplets of water began to fall from the dark clouds above. He tipped his head from the heavens, and looked down at his hand.

'I killed him with these hands. He's gone, and he will never come back, so why does Cell still haunt me?' angrily thought Gohan letting the aurora of lighting surrounding him to increase. He clenched his fist trying desperately to control the large amount of energy he was outputting.

Finally he took a deep breath, closing his eyes as the droplets were increasing. 'I haven't had a peaceful night of sleep in so long.' "Stupid Cell, stupid Gero, but aboVE ALL ELSE, DAMN YOU RADITZ!" yelled Gohan up to the heavens as his eyes moisten. That fateful day when Gohan met his uncle and Raditz turned Gohan's world upside down; will be a day Gohan will never forget.

A strike of lighting fell as Gohan powered up once more. He was letting his emotions take control once more. It was a little known fact between Z-fighters, that an emotional Gohan is more powerful and ruthless, then the calm and collected Gohan. At this moment Gohan was generating more power than he had done before. He was surpassing limits and breaking records he himself had set before. The stress of his home, his pregnant mother, and the lack of sleep were putting Gohan in a rough position.

Every night Gohan would attempt to sleep, but it wouldn't take long before his peaceful dream turned into the nightmare of his past. For hours Gohan would be trapped in his dream world reliving those memories that for years he had been trying to bury. Memories of the fights with the Saiyans, the battle on Namek, and of course the android invasion which ended with Cell; all plagued Gohan's dream world. He would wake up sweating all over clutching his cover, and if he looked in a mirror; he would have seen he was noticeably paler. After this he would immediately take flight to the training grounds near his home. The need to burn and release that extra energy that was building from the emotional roller coaster that was his nightmare was a necessity.

His energy leveled once again, and he took a deep breath once more. He looked around at the utter chaos he had created in his release. The storm above him had become quite violent. Seeing as this would be getting worse; he decided to intervene. He flew right into the darkest part of the clouds; the part he thought would be its center, right above him. He curled his body inward collecting as much energy as he thought would be needing. Once he thought it was enough, he uncurled and released the energy in all directions; thereby dispersing of the clouds in all directions.

Some clouds were still packed closely, and raining down on the fertile soil of Mount Paozu. Gohan saw them, but realized that soon those clouds would diminish to nothingness or move on. He began to slow process of lowering his power, and de-transforming to his base form. Finally after a few minutes, he dropped his power below the first level of Super Saiyan. He looked towards the east, where he could see sun rays once again poking through the clouds that had a few minutes ago dominated the sky.

Gohan bowed his head. 'What should I do? I can't keep doing this. If I do I'll end up destroying my home' sorrowfully thought Gohan. 'I have a little brother on the way, and soon he will be running around. What if he gets caught up in one of my power-ups?' questioned Gohan.

'Maybe I should do as my mother says…' clenching his hands Gohan thought.

With one final sigh, he began to fly in direction of his home. Most likely his mother would be awake by now, thanks to him. He was sure to hear another of her lectures about him running out in the morning to 'bum around and slowly becoming a delinquent' as she puts it.

Down below two figures were standing by edge of the forest, observing as the pre-teen flew towards his home.

A few minutes prior during Gohan's Ascension

Piccolo floated with his legs folded under him, and his eyes closed. Although it seemed like he was meditating; at the moment that was the last thing on his mind. Like every morning he felt Gohan's ki spike, and he rushed over to see the fireworks. Today though he felt something different; it was like Gohan was trying to release all of his ki at once.

'It seems the nightmares haven't stopped' summarized Piccolo as he opened his eyes. '…and I'm sure all that pent up energy from being trapped in that house is taking a toll on his body. Why that harpy doesn't connect those dots is beyond me. She likes to wave around her 'supposed intelligence' over us, yet she can't see that the only reason Gohan has been aggressive is because of stress, the same stress she is causing.'

He landed on the ground as his cape billowed aggressively as the winds grew stronger in the storm Gohan was creating above him.

He looked towards his former pupil, and could clearly see that his emotions were taking control. 'With all the years of training, that emotional factor is still one of the most dangerous power-up I have ever seen.' Once again awed by how high his ki was reaching. 'At least he has somewhat better control over it now.' Thinking about the first time he witnessed Gohan's emotion outburst of power.

Behind him he heard a small click. The clear of sign of someone landing behind him, and the ki he sensed confirmed who he thought it was. It was nice to be Namekian at time like this, with their stronger hearing capabilities.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of having you here?" Piccolo gruffly asked without looking at the newest guest behind him.

A snort was the first thing that came from the mysterious person. "Watch your tongue green bean. Remember you are speaking the 'Prince of all Saiyans'" Vegeta said

Piccolo scoffed at his response; same old Vegeta always on about titles long dead. "You are not my prince; therefore I don't bow to you."

Vegeta scowled as he walked and stood next to Piccolo looking at the reason that brought him all the way to the middle of nowhere. "That brat, I swear he will be the reason we perish one day thanks to his instability."

Piccolo smirked at the jealous undertone in Vegeta's phrase. "You are just angry that power isn't in your hands."

Vegeta glared at his companion.

Piccolo almost laughed at the expression on Vegeta's face. He knew he hit the nail on the head. "But then again, what good would that power do in your hands. After all I hear you are retired from fighting."

Vegeta clenched his hands. He did not come up with a response. It was true after all. He had given up fighting after the Cell incident. The idea that his long time rival was no more, and that his son had outclassed him so badly; made him reconsider his life goals.

Piccolo smirk fell into a neutral expression as his eyes returned to the pre-teen in the sky. It seemed that his power had leveled off again. He could see how the lighting strikes were falling all around Gohan. They kept striking everything and anything on the ground near Gohan.

Vegeta also looked on as the weather seemed to be bending to Gohan's will. Quite the spectacle if he had to say so. It annoyed him that a simple half-breed could reach power levels of that magnitude. He was the prince after all; it should be him that was in that vortex of rain and lightening. To think there was once a time that he could have killed the brat. Instead he thought the half-breed would never ascend to much. He pitied the poor soul, for the brat would never reach the height of Saiyan strength because he was mixed with the lower race. But at the end of the day who was the joke. It was he. Vegeta.

Somehow the brat had used the fact that he was a half-breed to his advantage. Or was it the Saiyan blood within him? No, it had to be the human blood running through his veins. No respectable Saiyan would lower themselves to express their emotions like he did. It had to be the human within him. And the biggest thing that confused him was that instead of his emotions putting the brat at a disadvantage; it fueled him. It made him stronger. The fact that the brat wore his heart on his sleeve only seemed to be a disadvantage, but for his opponent. Everyone, including himself, had thought they had found a chip in his defense, only to be laying face down on the dirt a few minutes later. They would provoke him, and he would retaliate stronger than before.

Vegeta could see him ascend into the dark clouds over his head. Piccolo also saw this, but unlike Vegeta, he knew what was going to happen next. In a matter of seconds all the dark clouds were dispersed. Both fighters stood watching as Gohan slowly began to power down until he reached his base level. In a matter of minutes Gohan was flying in direction of his house.

Vegeta seeing as the reason he was here for had left turned to leave as well, until he heard Piccolo's voice.

"Why did you come here? It's not like you ever cared for the kid. He has been doing this for a while now, why today?" Piccolo's gruff voice pierced the silence that had overcome the forest after Gohan's departure. Piccolo's head still staring in the direction Gohan had left; while Vegeta had his back to Piccolo.

Vegeta turned his head slightly. "I have my reasons, and as far as I'm concerned this is not sharing time" Vegeta mockingly responded. "The better question is, what are you doing here stalking him like an old pervert behind the cover of the forest?" Vegeta jabbed smirking.

Piccolo scowled, "He at one time was my pupil, and I want to make sure he is alright. As you can tell he is doing splendidly powering up until he destroys his surroundings" with heavy sarcasm.

"Yeah when you stop acting like a little school girl stalking her crush; then come talk to me" Vegeta said laughing as he began to take to the air.

"You are one to talk, still pining over Goku" responded a smirking Piccolo as he turned around in time to see Vegeta lose control of his flight and fall on his face.

"Say that one more time you overgrown house plant" Vegeta said, quickly scrambled to get on his feet, and walking over to stare deadly daggers in the face of Piccolo; using flight in order so they can stand eye to eye while grabbing on to Piccolo's white cape.

Piccolo with a smirk still intact said, "You heard me, what are you going to do now?Huh come out of retirement."

Vegeta scoffed releasing his hold on Piccolo. "You're nothing but an overgrown insect. Why waste my precious time with trash like you." Vegeta began to ascend, and within seconds was flying towards West City.

Piccolo let out a small chuckle. 'So the mighty prince has a button I can push, he he he interesting.' Piccolo summoned his ki, and also began his route back the lookout.

'Kid, I know this time has been hard for you, but if there is anyone that can overcome any obstacle; I know you can. You have showed me in the past that no matter what the situation is you always pull through. I just hope eventually you can find internal peace soon.'

Chichi was awoken early in the morning by a large 'boom', followed by a series of earthquakes. She could see as a frame picture of herself and Goku the day of their marriage was slowly bouncing to the edge of her night table. With her limited movement, thanks to the baby she was carrying, she made her way to the edge of her bed. Just in time to catch the frame as it fell off the table. She sighed as she made sure there were no cracks.

There were no pictures on the walls for this exact reason. Every morning, Gohan would leave to kami know where. She kept pressuring him to abandon this dead end road. Oh why won't he just listen to her. Nothing good has come out of fighting. She has lost her husband two times already, yet her son continues to fight knowing that is his destiny if he continues. She continues to stare at the picture of the uncomfortable Goku, as she clings on to his arm. She often wonders what possessed her to think that a life with a fighter was a good idea. She loved her son, and surely will love her baby as well, but she is now on her own, and will have to take care of another child. She still remembers the face on her son; as he sat her down to tell her what happened.

Flashback:

"Gohan tell me where is your father; why I will wring his neck for sending you to fight" Chichi was furious. After she made sure her son was ok; the only scar was the one on his shoulder. She began to look all over outside to find her cowering husband.

Since she was looking all over outside, she did not notice as Gohan bowed his head. Thankfully the Ox King, who was standing just inside the door, saw the expression on Gohan's face as his hair began to cover his eyes.

Clearing his throat he called for his daughter, "Chichi I think it would be best if you came inside now." The Ox King's voice was stern, letting Chichi know he was not be argued with at the moment and complied. Understanding that Gohan probably had more bad news; he took it upon himself to take Chichi's hand and guide her to the couch. Once she was seated, he took a seat near her, and turned to Gohan. "Go on Gohan, is there something you have to tell us?"

Gohan nodded, his head still bowed as he did not want to be the bearer of bad news and look into the eyes of his mother as he spoke those words, but it had to be done. Those words that he knew would mean heartache for his mother. It began as a whisper, "I- I- I'm so-oory" tears were already forming in his eyes. A lump seemed to be stuck in his throat not allowing him to continue.

Chichi never being a patient person decided to straighten her son up at that moment. With a strong voice of authority she stated "Now Gohan that is no way I have trained you. You will speak diligently, and with enough proper etiquette. That mean you look at me when you speak to me."

Her father put his huge hand on her shoulder smiling at her, "Now Chichi can't you see how this is affecting poor Gohan. He is having hard enough time. This is no time for silly things like etiquette."

"But father, he has to…" Chichi was interrupted once again

"I mean it Chichi back down, and let Gohan go at his pace." The Ox King's voice once again stern to show he meant business. He was known as 'The Emperor of Demons' back in the old days for reason as he showed Chichi time and time again. Of course that was ancient history, but like they say old habits die hard. The Ox King smiled and gestured for Gohan to continue.

Gohan nodded towards his grandfather in 'a silent' thank you for intervening. He swallowed once more, and tried to get the ball rolling once again. "As I was saying, um…uh… I don't know how to say this, but I-I'm sorr-y mo-om, but da- dad didn't make it" He tried to finish fast towards the end. To his surprise neither his mom nor grandfather was in shock.

"Yeah we know Baba came with her crystal ball to show us the battle, after the TV went out. What I want to know is where that useless husband of mine is hiding, so I can drag his sorry backside back here." Chichi finished with her eyes full of the same fire Gohan saw at the entrance of his house a few minutes ago.

"N- n-no you don't understand mom, he is gone." Gohan whispered towards the end

"And we saw the sky darken, that mean the dragon was summoned, and I'm go on a limb and guess you wished all those that died, back to life. So Gohan stop hiding your father, and tell me where is he is?" Chichi all but shouted towards the end.

"Mom, Dad is gone and he is not coming back. Shenron can only bring a person back once, and he has brought Dad back once already." It seemed it was getting easier for the words to slip out of his mouth, but two trails of tears, smeared his face to emphasize what his mother was just not catch on.

"You mean…that … he can't come back." Chichi began to understand what her son was alluding to. Tears began to form as she tried her hardest to remain strong. She kept looking down at her hands, as if searching for a solution. The Ox King sighed and settled back into his seat. 'I thought so' thought the Ox King.

"WAIT… we can just ask for Poruja… or Pogana or whatever his name is. The dragon of the Nameks" screamed Chichi as if she cracked the code; while standing up to pump her arm into the air. She looked towards her son in the hopes to see a smiling face, until she noticed the tears had not let up. His face was still crestfallen looking towards the ground. The next phrase shook her to her very core.

"No mom, he said he doesn't want to return. He said he feels responsible for all the chaos and destruction in the last few years, and feels that if he is far away; then Earth will be better off. He asked me to apologize for not keeping his promise, and that we will meet again someday." Gohan concluded after saying his piece, he walked towards his room to rest. As much as he wanted to comfort his mom; he knew that he was not the right person. He too was in shock, and his grandfather seemed better able to handle the situation then he could. With the tatter remains of his Gi still on, he walked towards his bed and fell on top of it. His conscious leaving almost at the time his head hit the pillow.

In the living room, Chichi dropped to her knees when Gohan was out of sight. She thanked any deity above for giving her enough power to see her son off to his room, before she fell. She cried like never before. Her father stayed with her long hours into the night.

Flashback over

From that day forward marked a new beginning for Gohan and herself. She was brought back to reality, when she heard the distinct sound of plates falling and breaking in the kitchen floor. The rumbling had not stopped yet. In fact she could swear it was getting stronger.

Sighing Chichi picked herself off her bed, and slowly began to make her way to the kitchen. She didn't even need to enter the kitchen, and she could already see the broken pieces of dishware. Rubbing her eyes she made her way back to the living room, to await the return of her son. She could see that one of the doors of the cabinet had been left open. Probably her mistake. After the many days of destroyed picture frames, vases, and plates from Gohan's delinquent activities; she proposed to have less destruction around her house in morning. She took down all pictures hanging on the walls, removed any vase placed on a pedestal, and finally she, with the help of Gohan, placed small locking devises so the doors of the cabinet would not open. 'So much for that plan' thought Chichi. Oh when Gohan got home he was certainly going to get it.

Their relationship had lots of friction lately. With her moods swings and his stubbornness, was the perfect combination for sparks to fly between them. She of course could not help what was happening to her, but Gohan had no reason; at least that is what she thought. He was dead set on continuing his path as a warrior and protector. For the last few months, many verbal fights had broken out between them. The tension was high.

She could see outside and the sun that had been shining a few minutes ago had been covered by dark clouds. In the distance she could see a spark of intense light forming a small ball. The lightening striking all around this figure; she knew better than to doubt that figure was Gohan.

She didn't understand what was going through the mind of her son sometimes. At times like these she blames that green monster that kidnapped her well educated son, and returned him as a rebel. 'I mean what is the point of him glowing like beacon in a dark room.' Thought Chichi, not fully understand that Gohan did not do this out of pleasure, but release all the pent up energy. "When that boy gets back, he will get to work on cleaning that kitchen, and then he will march back to his room to continue his studies. For too long they have been abandoned. I have been plenty lenient with him, and he hasn't finished his Calculus and Thermodynamics workbooks." Chichi began to rant again.

'I have to find a way to get him away from training. I can't wait until this baby is born. I'll be sure to drop most of the responsibilities on him. That should keep him plenty busy on the off times, when he is done with his workbooks' thought Chichi with a slight smirk on her face.

As she looked towards the outside window, she saw that the clouds, that had moments ago covered the sky, were dispersing rapidly in all directions. She knew it meant soon her son would be home. 'I hope you enjoyed your last day of freedom Gohan, because from now on things will be going according to my rules.' She could hear the entrance door opening. Through the door enters a familiar hair-do. "Good morning, mother." Gohan greeted his mother respectively.

Chichi beckons him to come closer, "Good morning, Gohan you and I have a long conversation to have…"

AN: Yeah I know more set-up. Trust me I am trying to move as fast as I can, but I want to set-the- mood ;) . Anyways I hope you liked the chapter. Hopefully the next one will be closer to the long awaited meet-and-greet.

Letters to my dear reviewers:

Dear Ace Son,

Woohoo (slightly less enthusiastic) I mean it's not like you had access to when it was going to be uploaded ;). hehehe. Thanks, I came up with the title all...by...myself. (Just kidding. Round of applause to this man for thinking up the name) After this chapter you can expect a mob, so good luck with that hahaha

Dear jbird2352,

Oh it will be interesting. Very interesting. *evil laugh* Thank you hopefully I can write a decent enough story for you guys to bare with me.

Dear Yoru Kurogane,

Thanks man :)

Dear BlackTea,

It's been so long :) I knew you would like it ;) It is definitely hard for Chichi to give up Pan, but like any parent; she wants what is best for her granddaughter. Even if it hurts her in the process. Somehow I'm sympathetic to that Chichi, but not the one in the main timeline. Weird huh? Well we will see how Pan interacts with her new present timeline family soon. Finally, no you did not tell me you liked time travel stories. Huh I learn something new everyday.

Dear Power9987,

Thank you for taking the time to evaluate my work. I hope my future chapters get better. Also thank you for the advise you offered me.

Dear TeeLee-Sensei,

I'm sorry unfortunately Trunks is needed in his time. I also want to keep the story as clear as possible. If Trunks were to stay I would have no need for him, and he would be eventually forgotten. I still hope you stay with the story. I also liked Trunks' thought it was my favorite part.

Dear The King of Ranting,

I wish I could answer any of your questions, but I feel I would spoil something if I answer even one. Though I can say there will be some huge changes. Most that I'm sure you will like. ;)

Dear Guest,

Thank you :)

Dear Princesa de la Luna,

I will try to make it as long as possible, but I make no promises. I'm not that good of a writer, and even this seemed like quite a bit for me. Apparently it's not enough haha. Yes Chapter 2 will come out August 4. ;)

Dear Zyphrost,

Are you kidding me with all the Gohan taking care of Goten stories out there? I'm beating the same drum, but with a different stick (my stick has Pan written on it). But I get your point, age 11 and you already have a kid. A kid you had no part in the action, but still your. Damn that's got to be some bad luck.

Dear The Fantastic Altruist,

You know what I agree, in fact I remember arguing with someone that exact point once. The response I got was; you have to remember that material were rare at that point. Why try to build a ship to bring back warriors you know can't match the power of the Androids; when you can cut the disease at the core. That was why the time machine was more important. The other thing they said was, 'Also the humans never knew where New Namek was located; after all they asked the dragon to take them to a planet similar to their home, not to rebuild their old home. It is located somewhere in the cosmos, and Bulma would never knew where to go. In fact Goku had to go to King Kai, so he could point in what direction the Nameks were located.

Sincerely,

The Author.