A/N: Welcome to my second one shot. Here's the summary

Gohan and Trunks both lived hard childhoods.

When they meet, Gohan agrees to train Trunks.

They train for three years, then , nightmare strikes.

Gohan is struck down by the Androids.

Takes place in the future timeline.

Please enjoy In the Eyes of a Hero!

In the Eyes of a Hero

Three Years Ago

Gohan frowned as he heard of another city being destroyed by the Androids. Anger burned in his eyes, flying as fast as he could, Gohan came to the city. He was too late. All of the buildings were destroyed anf there were no survivors.

"Damn it! I'm too late!" Gohan said, that was when he noticed the young boy below him. "Hey, you! What's your name?"

"T - Trunks," the boy replied.

Gohan's eyes widened. "What's your father's name?" Gohan asked, wondering if this really was Vegeta's son.

"V - Vegeta," Trunks replied, "My mom's name is Bulma."

"Tell me, is Bulma still alive?" Gohan asked, hope brightening his mood.

"Yes," Trunks said. "What's your name? And what do you want? My mom warned me about strangers!"

Gohan smiled and said, "The name's Gohan. If that gives you any pointers."

"Gohan?! Goku's son?!" Trunks gasped, his eyes widening.

Gohan nodded and jumped down from his perch, landing right next to Trunks. The kid looked to be about fourteen. Gohan smiled warmly as he saw Trunks looking at him with awe. He looked him over and fought back the tears that he felt rising. He did not want to cry in front of the young boy.

"Let's get you home, Trunks. Bulma must be worried about you," Gohan said.

Trunks nodded and followed Gohan to Capsule Corp. As he expected, Bulma ran over to Trunks as soon as they entered the house.

"Thank you, Gohan. You've grown up so much since the last time I saw you," Bulma said.

"You have too, Bulma. It is good to see you again," Gohan said.

"What have you been up to, Gohan?" Bulma asked.

"Saving the world in my father's place. Training, doing anything to save the world from the Androids," Gohan replied, with a sad sigh.

"Is that it? Well, it must get lonely sometimes. You can train me if you want. You sound like you need someone to help you in battle. Or just to keep you company in general. I'll help you in anyway I can, if Mom will allow it of course," Trunks said, earnestly.

"T - Trunks, why would you...very well. You may join Gohan on his adventures. Just don't get yourself killed like Goku and your father did. And everyone else. I can't lose you too. Gohan, you be careful, I don't want you getting hurt or dieing either. I have lost too many of my loved ones to lose you two," Bulma said, clearly trying not to cry.

"Don't worry, Bulma. I'll defend him with my life if I have to. No matter what it takes, you will see your son again," Gohan promised. Bulma looked nervous, but she nodded and began to pace. Gohan looked at her in understanding, then beckoned to Trunks with his hand. "Come on, Trunks, let's get you trained up."

Trunks nodded and began to follow Gohan, with a few backwards glances at Bulma. Gohan couldn't blame him. When Gohan had left Goku and the other's graves, he had repeatedly looked back at their graves. The memory brought tears to his eyes. He fought them back and said, "Okay, Trunks. Let's begin your training."

Present Day

Trunks looked around the ruins of West City. He remembered that his mentor, Gohan, had left him to go and face the Androids. For all he knew, Gohan could be dead. Feeling a sense of anxiety, Trunks began walking through the ruins. He needed to see if his mentor was okay.

"Gohan! Gohan, where are you?!" Trunks shouted. He continued his dangerous trek through the ruins, calling out his mentor's name as he went. No response. With growing anxiety, Trunks began calling his mentor's name more desperately. A sudden cough got his attention. He ran towards it and saw a body. He saw Gohan covered in blood and rubble. "Gohan!" the young warrior shouted, running to his mentor.

"T - Trunks?" his mentor rasped, his voice was full of pain.

"Gohan. Don't worry, I'm here now, you'll be okay," Trunks cried, tearing a piece of cloth off of his shirt and wetting it with his tongue. When he placed it on the side of his mentor's head, blood instantly reddened the whole thing. Tears streamed down Trunks's face as he continued to clean off the blood on Gohan's body. "Don't worry, Gohan, you'll be okay."

Suddenly, Gohan grabbed Trunks's hand, causing him to look up. "Trunks...it's not worth it."

"Why would you say that?! I need to make sure you live! I won't give up until you do!" Trunks retorted.

"T - Trunks, you're a good child, but you must save the world in my place. I will be joining my family and friends soon. Don't worry, I will be happy soon," Gohan whispered.

"No! I won't let you die! You will survive!" Trunks said, determination in his blue eyes.

"Oh, dear child...you have sacrificed so much. Given me so much...and you were...never repaid for it, this is...my gift to you," Gohan murmured, his eyes glazing.

"No! This is not a gift! Sacrificing yourself for me...it - it isn't right!" Trunks said, clearly fighting back a loud wail.

"Don't cry, Trunks... know that I will always be watching you," Gohan murmured.

Gohan felt as if his entire body was on fire. He knew he was dying. He knew that he had to give Trunks some last words of advice. "Trunks...tears only make the truth worse. You...need to make my death count."

He barely felt Trunks's hand anymore. He knew his time was running out. "Please, don't leave me. You are the only real friend I ever had. I can't face this threat without you!" Trunks said.

"Yes...you can...and you must," Gohan whispered.

He felt his body going numb and knew that it was almost time for him to say goodbye to his young student. A sudden bright light appeared, causing Gohan's eyes to glaze over. A familiar figure stood in front of him. It was his father Goku standing beside him was his mother, Chi Chi and his little brother, Goten.

A figure that made him want to cry even more was his dead mentor, Piccolo. Beside him was Tien Shenhan and Chiaotzu. There was also Yamcha and Vegeta. There was even Krillin, with a warm smile on his face. Neither of them looked like they had when they had died.

Goku was not screaming in agony, too weak to move. Chi Chi and Goten did not have the holes in their chests. Tien and Chiaotzu did not have that blank look in their eyes. Yamcha did not have that powerful punch wound. Piccolo did not have that broken neck. Krillin did not have those glazed eyes. Vegeta did not have that hole in his stomach.

"F - Father. Is that you?" Gohan whispered.

"Yes, I'm real. Along with all the others with me," Goku replied. He then looked to Vegeta who nodded his head. "Vegeta has something to say."

"Gohan, I would like to thank you for teaching my son, Trunks all of the things he needs to know to survive. You taught him the value of friendship, fighting, and love," Vegeta said.

Goku fixed Vegeta with a taunting glance as he said, "You said you would leave fighting out of it!"

"I had to include it. It helps with my mood," Vegeta said.

Gohan let out a weak laugh and the entire group turned to him, smiles on their faces. Except for Vegeta, he didn't smile. He just fixed Gohan with those eyes. Gohan felt his body slowly growing lighter.

"Are you ready to go?" Goku asked.

"Yes, Father. I am," Gohan whispered.

"Then follow us," Goku said.

Gohan nodded and followed his father, feeling content. But when he looked back, he saw that he was dead. He had left a body broken and battered. He has left Trunks crying and raging. Wait, it wasn't just any rage! He was going Super Saiyan!

"Vegeta! You'd better come and see this!" Gohan said.

Vegeta walked up to him, a shocked look on his face. "Well, well, looks like he turned Super Saiyan after all."

"Hey you two! Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to come back with us?!" Goku called in a teasing voice.

"Goku!" Vegeta snapped, he then flew after him.

Gohan stayed where he was, surveying his former home one last time.

A/N: And cut! I can't start crying because I'm at school at lunch. But I am dying inside! I mean, this one really pulled me in emotionally. Well, I hope it did that with you too! Anyway, see you next time!