~Memoir's of a Survivor~

Chapter 5 – Death

Gohan opened up his small note book. He pulled out a pencil as well...but he couldn't bring himself to write. What could he say? Without even noticing, his hand started to move as his thoughts became words on paper. His thoughts all poured out onto that small single piece of paper.

-Memoir Chapter 4-

Why does all these bad things happen to my father? Why? Why is it always us? We saved the world, two worlds even. So why do bad things keep happening? Its not fair! My dad's a hero, a super saiyan! How could some...heart disease do this to him. He's suppose to be invincible, he's my dad. So...why?

Bulma said that there was nothing she could do...how does she know that? It's only been three days since dad fell over! How can she know all ready? She's a genius right? Maybe if dad would just stay at Capsule Corp they could keep trying to find something! There's got to be a way. There always is. There's no way dad would loose to a heart virus. He killed Frieza!

There's just no way...

-End Chapter-

A sudden scream of agony worked its way up to Gohan's sharp ears, forcibly drawing his attention away from what he had been writing. Setting his stuff down, the young boy slowly crept down stairs. Glancing around the corner, he saw everyone he knew. Even Vegeta had shown up, though he wasn't inside right now. His mother was crying over Goku, and the world's hero was currently gripping his chest in pain...again.

It sent shiver's up Gohan's spine. It was...so painful to watch. To know that he couldn't do anything to help. He couldn't do a thing...and it dug away at him. Krillin seemed to be the only one to notice Gohan walk into the room, and quickly moved to push him out the door.

"Hey Gohan, we all could use something to eat. Do you think you could go get some for me to make?"

Gohan slightly jumped from Krillin putting his hand on his shoulder. The words sunk in after a few moments. Giving a slight nod...Gohan took the money Krillin handed him. He wanted to be there for his father...but knowing he couldn't do anything...he really wanted to be anywhere else than here.

Slowly, Gohan made his way out of the now quite room. Goku had calmed down a little, and it was enough for Gohan to let go of the breath he didn't know he was holding. Upon leaving, those outside eyed him. They all looked sad, startled, and frustrated all at the same time, and in varying degrees.

Gohan just went through the motions of saying good by to them as he took off.

As he flew, Gohan lowered his energy to let to cool damp clouds cover him. It was refreshing, and helped him slightly snap out of his funk. He flew slower than normal as well, to try and make the most of the quiet sound of the wind passing by his ears. It had a slight calming effect...and he needed everything he could get right now.

Too soon however he reached a town. Orange Star City they called it? It didn't matter, Gohan just landed on the outskirts and slowly started to walk.

His purple gi stood out as he walked through the town...but no one seemed to notice him. The short boy quietly made his way down the streets...the destination a grocery store, but he was to distracted to be able to come up with the best way to find one. And so he wandered, weaving in and out of the people who were oblivious to the fact that someone who had saved their lives on countless occasions was about to die.

Before he knew it, he actually found himself infront of a grocery store. Walking in, the doors parted ways for him. Gohan found it especially cold in the building...but no one else seemed to notice so he continued on. It didn't take long to find what he needed. Food is food for a saiyan after all. His mother could make anything taste good. Krillin...might be another story...but at least it was something.

Just as he was about to walk up to the counter to pay, two men rushed into the building sporting ski masks over their faces. With fully automatic guns, they shot the ceiling to bits to get everyone's attention.

"Alls rights, this heres be an old fashion sticks em up! Noes bodys move, give us yuse guys-es cash, and we'll leave all nice and quiet like!"

While the one was talking, the other was pointing a gun at the cashier, demanding the said zenny. The poor woman could only comply, fearing for her own life rather than her job for good reason. Gohan dropped the two baskets full of food he had gathered, gaining the attention of the one who had been yelling.

"Wells, looks whats we haves here! Hey boy, uses hand over your cash and we'lls make sure you're see your mommy and daddy safe and sound."

Gohan's eyes shot wide. He new it was just a lie, something the guy had said to get his money...but something was inside him was starting to slip. Reaching into his pocket slowly, he pulled out the money Krillin had given him. "You'll...let me see my father safe?"

"Huh? Whats yous saying boy?"

"My dad is a hero...but he's sick. He's dieing back home..." A white energy started to wrap around Gohan, his hair slightly starting to spike up more. "...and here you are...telling me that if I give you some pocket change...you'll let me see him safe?"

The robbers stumbled back, surprised that this small boy had suddenly caught fire, a strange white flame no less. Gohan's eyes were cold as he looked up at the men, his muscles bulging slightly. "Well here! Have the stupid zenny!"

Throwing the money at the crook as a distraction he really didn't need, Gohan shot at them both. They never had a chance to even pull the triggers on their guns. Gohan planted a fist into the first one's gut and then moved past to kick the second man through the glass doors. Turning around, the flames around Gohan seemed to grow as he aproched the first man.

Obviously they were both all ready out cold, but Gohan wasn't even close to being ready to stop. Jumping on his chest as the man lay on his back, Gohan continued to punch the man. A left, and then a right. Another left, and then another right. It wasn't until a man with a large Afro tried to pull him off did Gohan stop for a moment.

"That's enough boy. Any more and you'll kill him!"

Gohan struggled, but it was weaker now. Tears were flowing down his face, and his strength was draining fast. The large muscular man took a few good hits himself, but struggled through it to make sure the boy didn't end up doing something he would later regret.

"Just calm down. You did good! Leave the rest to the cops."

Sniffling, Gohan tried to break free...but all he could muster was a wiggle. "But...but my dad is dieing! He's a hero! This isn't right! This guy should be the one who's dieing! He's the bad guy, why isn't it him who's sick! It's not right!... Its not...right. Its not..."

"I know boy. I know. Its...not fair." The man stuttered, as if he was struggling to find the right words. What would anyone say to this poor boy. He obviously wasn't normal. He took two fully grown men with automatic guns all by himself, and obviously could have easily killed them. But that wasn't the reason why he didn't know what to say. From what he could gather...this boy had a heavy weight on his shoulders right now, that no one should have to suffer through.

Gohan finally broke free, rushing to grab the baskets of food and darted out through the hole in the glass just as the cops showed up. As he ran out, a few simple words shot out of his mouth.

"None of you deserve my dad! He should have just let you all blow up and die!"

The man was started at the boys strength. Seeing it was one thing, but experiencing the small boy break free gave him a small taste of what the boy was capable off. He quickly exited the grocery store as well, but the boy was long gone.

Gohan flew for a quick burst, but soon found himself so drained he couldn't go on any more. He couldn't control it, but he was going down. Seeing a patch of green, Gohan made a v-line for it. His feet hit first as he tried to land, but they gave out and he tumbled head over heals as he came to a stop. And there he lay. He didn't care, he was tired. Really really tired. All of this...it was just to much for him to take. He had all ready lost his father once to death and a second time to space. Now he was going to loose him for good...it was just to much.

As his eyes slowly started go close, a second wave of tears rushed down as the gray clouds in the sky started to rain down.

"Hey, you'll catch a cold if you just sleep here."

Slowly...ever so slowly Gohan's red puffy eyes opened to find a girl with an umbrella dressed in a red with yellow trimmed rain jacket standing over him. Slowly, he stood up. Looking around, he soon remembered what had happened and why he was where he was.

"Who...are you?" Gohan asked the girl, making little to no attempt to hide his eyes. She was rather plain, but not in a bad way. Shortish black hair in pig tails, big blue eyes, and a curious look on her face.

The girl smiled, answering quickly. "My name's Videl! What's yours?"

"G-Gohan..."

"Gohan? Well, I've never seen someone with that name before. What are you doing out here?"

Gohan rubbed his eyes again, finally standing up off the damp ground. "Just...taking a break, I guess."

"Well that's a silly place to take a break. Wanna go sit on the bench over there? My daddy's gonna be here soon. We're both looking for you, and its almost time for him to come back here."

Gohan gave a silent nod, and the girl led the two towards the said bench. Gohan quickly charged some energy in his hand, drying off the bench before they both sat down. The girl didn't seem to notice, and Gohan let a sigh go. It was then that his foot kicked something by accident. Blinking, he looked down to find two bags under the bench with food in them trying to stay dry.

"Don't worry, you can keep the bags. I found em in a garbage can near by that was still clean."

Gohan quickly turned back to this girl. She did that for him? That was...nice of her. Blinking, he turned forward, looking down at the wet grass, not sure of what to say.

Finally, he did muster out a "Thank you..."

The girl smiled happily, giving him a nod. "No problem. But you really should be more careful! Someone else could have found you and took all your food or hurt you or took you away!"

Gohan blinked, started at how...protective? No...that wasn't the right word for it. Motherly? No...maybe naggy? Kinda...she actually reminded him of what a less strict form of his mother would be like. Shaking that thought off, Gohan smiled, flexing his arm.

"It's all right. I'm pretty strong."

Videl put on a slightly upset face, it looked more like a pout because of how old she was though. "That's what daddy said, but there's no way you're stronger than my dad. My dad is going to be the World Champion!"

"World...Champion?"

"What! You've never heard of it? Its were a whooole bunch of really strong fighters get together to see who's the strongest. It's gonna happen soon, and the strongest out of all of them is named the World Champion."

That rung familiar in Gohan's mind. His father had one against Piccolo, he almost chuckled...his dad would have liked to fight in the tournament. "I see...so you're dad must be pretty strong then."

"Uhuh! There's no way he'll lose! He's the strongest there is! Nothing can beat him cause he's just that strong!" Videl's words were digging into Gohan harder and harder with each word. But then, Videl said something different, something else that made him widen his eyes in shock.

"Ever since mom became an angel, daddy's been working really hard. With his hard work and mommy looking over him, there's no way he'll loose! I just know it! And I'll work hard too, so one day I can be just as strong as my daddy is now. That'll make mommy happy. I know that for sure."

Gohan's wide eyes slowly turned to face Videl, his mouth slightly gaping. "You're...like me. You're just like me."

"Hmm?" Videl finally turned to face Gohan, both of their eyes met. Gohan was overcome with something. Something deep down he had been feeling for the longest time but had been unable to place.

Loneliness.

Even with everyone back home, he had felt so alone and helpless. And here was this girl he didn't even know, giving her life story to him...and to boot she had lost her mother for good. Tears started to fall down his face. How selfish was he? Here he had gotten to bring his father back to life, where this girl had to go one without her mother. She had it just as hard as he did, if not harder...and she was so strong. She didn't even look sad while she was talking about it.

A lump on his throat, one that had been their for a while now, grew much more prevalent. His fists were balled and pressing against his legs, and tear drops were running down his face...and he just couldn't stop it. It was just all to much for him.

It was then that a soft hand landed on his face. Looking up, Gohan found the girl standing up now, right infront of him as she whipped away one of his tears. "Daddy said you're daddy was sick and going to die. Don't worry, I think it's okay for boy's to cry. Daddy cried a lot when mommy became an angel. And if someone as strong as my daddy can cry, I think its okay for you to cry too."

Gohan just couldn't take it any more. He instinctively shot forward, hugging this girl while burying his face into her shoulder. Videl just hugged him back, softly rubbing his back. For the longest time, in the rain under the umbrella, the two stood there...Gohan crying into Videl. Seconds felt like hours, but minutes felt like mere seconds. It was like time was moving fast and slow at the same time. Gohan's head was spinning, but he didn't move. He felt better here.

It didn't last though. Suddenly, Gohan's head shot up. It startled Videl to say the least, but the girl stayed close. Gohan's head shot towards the south west, seemingly looking to the sky. While tears were still falling, Gohan forgot about the food and took off as fast as he could.

Hercule showed up just as Gohan left Videl. "Darn it, where's he going?"

Videl's head cocked to the side, slightly confused. "I don't know, but he whispered dad before he took off..."

Hercule sighed, rubbing his beard. What was the world coming too? Kids shouldn't have to go through all this crap. "Well sweet-pea, we did what we could. Let's get out of the rain before you catch a cold."

Videl nodded, folding up her umbrella as she got under her father's larger one. She stopped though, turning around to face the sky where Gohan had taken off. "I wonder if I'll see him again."

-MS-

Gohan eventually had to land, flying was just taking to much of what little energy he had today. He didn't slow down though. Jumping through fresh puddles near a small river, he did his best to keep his pace as fast as he could muster. Soon enough, he was dashing down the path to his house. He could even see it. Gohan's mind was racing just as fast as his feet, from what he had begun to sense, and all he could think was not now dad...don't go. Not yet!

Oolong spotted him first. "Hey, look its Gohan!"

Puar saw him next. "He made it."

Gohan burst through the door, not bothering to say hi. When he opened it, he found Master Roshi, the Ox King, and his mother all looking at Goku.

"Father..."

It was all he could say, but it held so much meaning for Gohan. Chi-Chi gasped, tears running down her face as well as his. "Oh Gohan...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry hunny."

She started to break down and cry even harder now...causing new tears to rush down Gohan's face.

Outside, Krillin was shaking from his mix of frustration and sadness. "He's...gone..!"

The others outside twitched after hearing that, their own eyes wide and full of tears. Even Piccolo was taken back, his mouth gaping open. Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu as well all gasped in shock as they felt the last of their friends energy slip through the cracks. Bulma held a crying baby Trunks, to shaken up to even try to calm her child. Goku was...was gone...she just couldn't believe it.

Vegeta even was in a state of shock. There just was no way...

"Kaka...rrot...no..."

And as the sun set, breaking through the storm clouds as they moved passed, earth's greatest hero...a father, husband...and friend to everyone he ever met...

Passed on.