Hidden Bars

Life Decision

It was the night of Mikia's party; and hundreds of people showed up for the celebration. The whole place was packed with guards, and many people that were invited could not get in because of their history background from AJ's laptop file.

As the part was beginning, AJ was walking the castle. It was suppose to be a happy day for her sister; since Mikia was now turning fifteen. Yet, this was Gohan's last night as her caretaker. So much was about to change, and AJ wasn't sure how to take it.

Just as AJ was turning a corner, Gohan was too and they bumped into each other. They both fell down, and as AJ dusted herself off she got up and looked down at Gohan. Gohan was a little dazed and didn't get up.

"Gohan..." AJ touched Gohan's shoulder but there was no reply.

"GOHAN!" AJ began to shake Gohan, but that only caused him to have tears run down his eyes.

Gohan blinked as more tears ran down his eyes, "Piccolo?"

AJ had heard that name before, and he rarely had flashes anymore. AJ was curious as a cat about what was going on, so she closed her eyes and tried to eavesdrop into Gohan's mental conversation.

Gohan? Is that really you?

Yes of course it's me. I have been trying to connect with someone...

What happened...When you were first captured we couldn't connect with you.

Gohan blinked and looked up to find AJ trying to enter his talk with Piccolo. He didn't want her to listen, so he pushed her connection back, "Please AJ," his throat sounded dry and pleading.

AJ was a little hurt that she was not able to listen. Gohan had told her of his formal master Piccolo, and how he was like a father to him. Yet, by the way Gohan reacted this was the firsttime he connected with anyone from Earth.

Yet, AJ smiled and kissed Gohan on the forehead and walked away.

Gohan smiled back, she was sometimes pushy but he couldn't help to love her as deeply as he was. He stared at her until she was out of her site. Gohan crawled himself to the wall and leaned his head back.

Who was that... without knowing it, Gohan sent Piccolo a mental picture of AJ.

Gohan blushed, AJ, she's the queen of this planet and my mate.

Gohan liked the idea of AJ being his mate.

Does that mean you're free? It seemed like Piccolo was upset.

Yes, but-

Piccolo began to scream "YOU'VE BEEN FREED AND HAVEN'T COME BACK? Where are you? I'll drag your ass back to Earth."

Gohan hated to make Piccolo mad, yet it was hurtful that this was their first time talking in six years and Piccolo was already yelling, "You don't understand Piccolo. The past three years I've been freed...But I was only freed to take care of a princess," It still bothered Gohan that people always used him, yet anything was better then Vanlash, "Until the princess turns fifteen I'm not allowed to leave."

There was a pause in the air, "I'm sorry Piccolo."

"...How much longer do you have...until this girl turns fifteen?" Piccolo voice sounded guilty.

"Tonight," Gohan breathed deeply, "At midnight I'm done."

Gohan breathed deeply,

"Are you coming back?"

At first Gohan would of answered without thinking. Yet, Gohan was beginning to grow a life with Mikia and AJ. Gohan even talked to Mikia about becoming her adviser once she turned fifteen. Yet, Gohan knew where he needed to be, and that was on Earth. He dreamed of the days were he would see his family and friends. Goten was now six and he needed more then just his dreams. He needed his home.

Yet there was AJ, and he wanted to be with her.

"I don't know yet," and more tears fell from his eyes.

"What do you mean you don't know? Gohan we need you back, everyone misses you!"

Yet this angered Gohan, "Six years ago no one fucking cared about me...What has changed now? That they feel guilty? You don't understand what if finally feels like to be wanted and not become that robot everyone controls. I am beginning to pick up my pieces, slay my demons, and feel something real! Why should I come back when I have everything here," Yet Gohan knew that he didn't have everything he wanted.

Piccolo growled at the other end, "Are you kidding me. Do you have any idea how much your family and friends need you? Goku got wished back for you, and has been looking for you for years. That mother of yours is always crying, and Goten-"

"Don't you think I don't know that? But I need to make my own life decision. I'll be back one day, I'm just not sure if I should leave so soon," Gohan started to cry even harder that Piccolo could hear Gohan pant, "I just don't know where I belong; I've never have." "Gohan..." Piccolo sighed, "You belong on Earth, you know that."

Gohan started to cry even harder that Piccolo could hear Gohan pant,Piccolo sighed,

"I know but...but..."Gohan was short of breath, he was searching for all the right words to say to convince Piccolo that Gohan couldn't come back home, but he couldn't find them, "I miss everyone."

Gohan was short of breath, he was searching for all the right words to say to convince Piccolo that Gohan couldn't come back home, but he couldn't find them,

"We miss you too. Everyone feels guilty about everything."

Gohan shook his head, forgetting Piccolo couldn't see him.

"Come home when you are ready," It felt like Piccolo was able to understand him, "We'll wait until you feel safe."

"Piccolo," Gohan felt a warmth that he hadn't felt in so long, "Don't tell anyone we talked. It will just be too hard."

Gohan felt a warmth that he hadn't felt in so long,

"Okay kid. I'll contact you later."

"Thanks Piccolo." And Gohan felt Piccolo connection drop.

Gohan closed his eyes and stood up, just as Mikia came up to him.

"Gohan! You can't let me run wild yet," Mikia grabbed Gohan's arm and they began to walk, "My party is starting soon."

Gohan smiled, "Okay," and they walked into the party.

(-)

"Are you sure you can pull this off."

"I have been waiting three years for this."

"But we've seen his power..."

"We have also seen his style, and it's lacking. I can beat it."

"We'll be landing in an hour."

"Prefect."

And they laughed.

(-)

Gohan watched as he saw the youngest princess dance with a boy across the ballroom. The party started a while ago and the caretaker had to run around to fix all the problems within the party. First it was that there were no drinks, then no napkins, then a fight in the middle of the party, and a flood in the bathroom. The saiyan needed a break.

"Care to dance?" Gohan turned around to find AJ standing before him.

Gohan smiled and stood up, "Sure."

Gohan grabbed AJ's hand and they walked to the dance floor. Gohan placed his hand on AJ's waist as the Queen placed her hands on the caretakers shoulders.

"So, was that really Piccolo," AJ tilted her head to the side.

Gohan couldn't help to grin, "Yes, it was. I was so happy to hear from him,"

"What are you planning to do," AJ stopped dancing and stared into his eyes, "After tonight?"

Gohan looked away, "AJ...That's not fair."

AJ sighed, "I just want to know..."

"I'm not sure yet. You know it's impossible to choose right?" Gohan tried to convince AJ, but it wasn't working.

"You should go to Earth, you've been away from it for too long," AJ pulled Gohan closer to her.

Gohan placed his head between her shoulder and neck, "I don't want to leave you."

"Then let me come."

Gohan pulled AJ away from him and held her shoulders, trying to figure out if she was serious or not. They both couldn't look away from each other unitl...

"AJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ"

Both Gohan and AJ looked up to find a dark shadow holding up Princess Mikia, screams echoed in the castle as people started to run.

"If you want the girl back Gohan..." as soon as the shadow talked every memory that Gohan had flashed before his eyes.

Gohan turned into a super saiyan, something that he had not done in years. AJ was powerful enough to still be standing in one peace as Gohan transformed. AJ powered up, she knew who the voice belonged too.

"...You have to fight for her," Vanlash appeared along with his crew, who were destroying everything in site.

"Give her back," Gohan growled so deeply it was hard to understand him.

Gohan and AJ could see Mikia trying to fight Vanlash off, but nothing was working. Tears ran down her eyes as she screamed for Gohan and her sister to recuse her.

The crew made sure to smirk to Gohan before they all took off in the air, with a screaming Mikia in the background.

It wasn't even a second before Gohan and AJ chased after them.