Gohan: Development of a Hero

This is a Dragonballz fanfiction.  To my eternal sadness, I do not own or in anyway profit from Dragonballz or any of the characters in this story.  This fic, as you can guess from the title, centers on Gohan, and begins right after the cell games.  It is an AU, and reviews are welcome and appreciated.

Part 4 – The Choice

            "Please, mom?" Gohan begged as the wind swirled around them.  Gohan and his mother were on their way back to Capsule Corps.  Bulma had finished her test results, and so they used that as an excuse to head to Capsule Corps to see their friends.  However, Gohan had not mentioned his deal with Vegeta, until right now.

            Chi-chi continued to glare at her son, "Gohan, I don't want you spending time with that monster.  Especially time fighting, when I already told you your fighting days are over.  You're going to study from now on, and be a scholar, not a fighter."

            "Mom, I know that.  But, Vegeta has changed." Gohan pleaded his case.

            "I don't care.  He is not the kind of role model I want you around, the kind of person shaping you during these crucial years.  What did you even want to learn from that horrid little man?" Chi-chi demanded.

            Gohan took a deep breath, and said, "I want him to tell me everything he can about the Saiyans."

            Chi-chi snorted, "Gohan, I know you're part Saiyan.  But why would you want to learn anything about that race of savages.  Merciless killers, all of them.  If your father hadn't hurt his head when he was younger, he'd have been just the same.  I can't imagine why you'd even want to…"

            "Because it's part of who I am," Gohan interjected fiercely.

            Chi-chi stared at Gohan, and asked, "What?"

            Gohan sighed.  He'd really hoped he wouldn't have to share this with his mother, but he had no choice.  "Mom, I'm not like dad.  I can feel the Saiyan in me, flowing in my veins.  I have instincts I don't comprehend, emotions and reactions I barely even fathom.  I didn't even know why I was feeling so protective around you until Vegeta explained. That's why I need to know about Saiyans.  And Vegeta is the only one left who can possibly answer my questions, and help me to understand where half of my genes come from.  I want…no, I need those answers."

            Chi-chi stared at Gohan for a long time, as Gohan looked right back.  Finally, she asked softly, "This is really important to you, isn't it?"

            Gohan nodded slowly and replied, "Yes mom, it is."

            Chi-chi sighed, and finally remarked, "Well, I suppose I could allow a few lessons…"

            "Thank you," Gohan immediately commented.

            Chi-chi held up a finger menacingly in Gohan's direction, "But only if you keep up with your other studies.  I won't have you falling behind."

            "Of course not, mom.  Thank you."

            Chi-chi smiled, but any response was stalled, as they'd arrived at Capsule Corps.  Gohan landed nimbly, then turned to help his mother get off of Nimbus.  As he approached the door, it opened silently, and Bulma was waiting for them.  She looked at them as they came closer, and then her gaze stopped on Gohan.  She grinned, "I heard about the lessons.  I'm impressed, I didn't think the Mr. Arrogant would ever say yes."

            Gohan frowned.  Something about that smile seemed forced.  And for some reason, Gohan smelled a strange smell from Bulma, something different than normal.  "Is everything alright, Bulma?" Gohan asked.

            Bulma laughed, "I look that bad, eh Gohan?   I just had a late night, that's all.  Between my work in the lab, Trunks late night snack, and his royal pain, I barely got any sleep last night. Why don't you head over to the Gravity Room?  Vegeta is waiting for you, and there are things I want to discuss with your mom, certain parts of the body a young man of your age should not know about."

            Gohan blushed slightly.  While still a little worried, that comment forced his mind away from that.  "Right, well, I'll come back when I'm done."  Gohan than turned and headed for the Gravity Room.

            The smile left Bulma's face once Gohan was out of sight, to be replaced with one of grave concern.  She turned and looked at Chi-chi, who demanded, "What's wrong?"

            Bulma's look deepened as she said softly, "Chi, we need to talk."

            "You're late brat."

            Gohan sighed.  So much for a positive start.  "Sorry, Vegeta.  I had to make sure my mom was settled."

            Vegeta's expression did not change, but he stated, "I suppose that excuse is acceptable.  But none of that 'Vegeta' nonsense.  Given the fact that I am granting a huge favor in doing this, and the dishonor I will incur by teaching such a low-class like yourself, I expect a little respect."

            Inside, Gohan sighed.  I guess I can bend a little bit for his ego.  "As you wish, my prince.  What will the first lesson be?"

            Vegeta walked forward, and placed four sheets of paper down in front of Gohan.  Gohan looked at them.  Each had a stylized symbol on it, one that seemed to draw Gohan's attention.  "What are these?" Gohan asked.

            "Unlike the weakling race of this planet," Vegeta explained, "Saiyans have no need for a belief in a deity.  We don't care if some stupid god is watching over our people, nor ever felt a need to pray to him.  Such would be beneath a Saiyan, asking for help.  However, there are certain characteristics that are the core of every Saiyan, as important to them as air or water."

            Vegeta pointed to the first symbol.  "This symbol means Strength.  It is the foundation upon which all Saiyans have stood for millennium, since the beginnings of our race.  To be weak is a sentence worse than death, and the constant pursuit of more strength has been the driving goal of our people forever."

            Gohan could almost feel the word, as if it had somehow branded itself onto his brain.  As Vegeta's hand moved towards the next one, Gohan's gaze followed, instincts awakening inside him that he didn't even know he had.

            "This second one means Pride."  Vegeta continued, "Pride in oneself and one's race.  Boy, you have the blood of hundreds of generations of warriors flowing through your veins.  Take pride in the superior genetics that exist in your body, brought to you through centuries of fighting and struggle.  To forget the pride of our race is a fate no Saiyan should suffer."

            "The third symbol is Rage." Vegeta mentioned quietly.

            "Why Rage?" Gohan asked softly.

            Vegeta smirked.  "Think about it boy.  Our power is strengthened by our rage.  The rage of a true warrior knows no limits, and can help a warrior attain new heights of strength.  Without rage, your father, myself, even you would never have reached the level of Super Saiyan.  You never would have found the strength to stop Cell.  Rage is in our genetics boy, it is the one emotion above all others that a Saiyan must understand and embrace."

            Finally, Vegeta's hand moved to rest on the final symbol.  He paused for a few moments, and then looked Gohan straight in the eyes, "Boy, this symbol is perhaps the most important out of all of them.  It is the symbol a Saiyan should keep closest in his mind and his soul.  It is what separates us truly from the other races of the universe.  It is Honor."

            "Honor?  Didn't the Saiyans kill innocent people by the millions." Gohan pointed out.

            Gohan half expected Vegeta to glare menacingly at him, but all he got was a look.  Finally, Vegeta said quietly, "Frieza changed a lot of things about the Saiyan race boy.  Were it not for my utter hatred of the vermin, I could almost admire his skill.  Somehow, he managed through fear and the promise of strength to cause Saiyans to forget this critical belief.   But even so, we still had Honor."

            "Look at this planet boy, and it's people.  They lie, cheat, steal.  They sleep with different people, behind the backs of their mates.  Such a thing would never be tolerated in the Saiyan society.  We killed, yes, but such a betrayal of honor would be considered an executable offense.  When a Saiyan chooses a lifemate, it is eternal.  But that is for another time.  What are your questions?"

            Gohan thought for a few seconds, and then asked, "Why these four characteristics?  Don't get me wrong, I understand their importance, but I want to know why were they chosen.  How did they come about?"

            For a second, Gohan thought he saw approval in Vegeta's eyes.  But he couldn't be sure, as it was gone a second later, and Vegeta answered, "There is a legend among our people, even older than the Super Saiyan.  It is said when our race was young, before the weaklings on this planet had even evolved, we were disjointed.  Savage, scattered tribes battled endlessly, living an existence that could barely be called life.  That all ended, when four Saiyan warriors appeared."

            "What was so special about these four Saiyans?" Gohan questioned.

            "Their power was immense, greater than anyone else on Vegeta," Vegeta explained.  "They unified the tribes, bringing them together and forging the Saiyan people through battle and struggle."

            "How strong were they?" Gohan wondered.

            A smirk crossed Vegeta's face, "Brat, it's all relative.  This legend is so old, true accounts are impossible.  But how often have we reached a new pinnacle of strength, only to find one above it?  Personally, I believe they were the first Super Saiyans.  I also think we are stronger than they were.  But it doesn't matter how strong they were compared to us, what matters is they were too strong to be stopped by other Saiyans."

            "What happened next," Gohan interjected.  This story was quickening his blood.  He felt almost as if a part of him was connecting to this tale, in a way no other story had ever accomplished.

            "After the unification of the tribes, the four Saiyans founded our entire society," Vegeta explained, "It was they who chose the four virtues to serve as the core of Saiyan philosophy.  To further this decision, each of them abandoned their given names, and took on the name of one of the virtue, living by that quality exclusively."

            "You're saying they called themselves Pride, Honor, Strength, and Rage?" Gohan asked skeptically.

            "Don't mock this brat," Vegeta snapped.  "It is beyond question.  The four Saiyans ruled over the Saiyan people for almost seven centuries."

            Gohan gasped, "That's impossible."

            Vegeta lifted an eyebrow, "Why?"

            "No one can live that long…" Gohan paused.  "No human at least…How long can Saiyans live?"

            Vegeta shrugged, "As far back as I can remember, no Saiyan ever died of old age.  The oldest Saiyan I can remember knowing was my father, and he'd passed at least three centuries."  Vegeta turned and focused on Gohan, "As a half-breed, the strength of the Saiyan race has been diluted.  Still, you could probably live a few centuries, assuming you weren't killed in battle."

            Gohan knew he was gaping, but he couldn't help it.  He'd just found out his lifespan was much longer than he'd ever thought possible.  His mind struggled to accept that fact, while Vegeta waited impassively.  Finally, Vegeta said, "After ruling for so many centuries, the four Saiyans decided it was time to step down.  They'd grown weary of life.  So, they left the Saiyan people, and battled each other in an all our spar.  To this day, no one knows who won, but none ever returned.  Rulership of the planet passed to the firstborn son of Pride, who named himself and the planet Vegeta."

            Gohan gave a start, and stared at Vegeta.  A proud smile came over Vegeta's face as he nodded, "That's right boy.  I am the direct descendant of Pride."

            Gohan's mind was awhirl with thoughts and images, completely overwhelmed with what he'd learned.  Vegeta seemed to sense this, for he said, "Enough lessons.  It is time to fight.  Unless there was some pressing question?"

            Gohan was about to shake his head, when he remembered.  "Why did Bulma smell funny this morning?"

            Vegeta blinked, and said, "What?"

            Seeing the look on Vegeta's face, Gohan quickly added, "She still smelled great.  It was just different.  It wasn't anything major, just something subtle in her scent."

            Vegeta stared at Gohan for several long moments, and Gohan awaited Vegeta's attack.  Instead, Vegeta simply asked, "Brat, how old are you?"

            Gohan looked surprised by the question.  "I turned twelve right before the Cell Games.  Why?"

            Vegeta nodded imperceptivity, and added, "It started a little earlier than I'd have thought, but that's probably the human in you."

            "Huh?" Gohan wondered.

            Vegeta sighed, "Brat, Saiyans go through various stages of growth, as they develop to adults.  Around their thirteenth year, their senses grow stronger, and continue to grow until there twenties.  Bulma isn't 'different'; rather, you are able to smell the subtle changes in her scent brought on by her emotions.  It'll take a while, but sooner or later you'll start to figure out what each scent means."

            "Enough talk," Vegeta suddenly barked.  He slipped into a fighting stance easily, an example Gohan quickly followed.  A wolfish grin came over Vegeta's face as he said, "It's time to spar."

            Gohan staggered out of the Gravity Room.  He stumbled for a few steps, and then paused to take a deep breath.  Gohan had just finished a two-hour spar with Vegeta, who was currently lying on the floor of the GR.  Despite being the stronger of the two, Gohan was hard pressed to handle a fighter of Vegeta's experience.  Vegeta had managed to get several hits in, mostly because Gohan had not powered all the way up.  Finally, Vegeta had collapsed, and told him to get out.  But not before giving him homework.

            Gohan held the capsule up in front of him, and laughed slightly.  Never in a million years would he have pictured Vegeta giving him homework.  But that's what this capsule contained.  It had books and CD's to help Gohan learn to speak and read the Saiyan language, for 'no self-respecting Saiyan Warrior would not learn a language far superior to this Earth garble.'

            Gohan shook his head, and headed towards where he sensed the ki of his mother and Bulma.  As he got closer, Gohan could make out a conversation carrying to him.

            "…going to tell him?" Bulma asked.

            There was a pause, and then Chi-chi responded, "I don't know.  But I need to tell him.  He has a right to know."

            "Hey mom, are you finished," Gohan called out as he entered the room.  Eavesdropping had been a habit his mother had firmly stomped out of him, and Gohan wanted to make sure they didn't say something they would regret him hearing.

            His mother and Bulma turned to stare at Gohan.  Gohan stopped walking, and felt fear start to rise in his gut.  Something in their stance, their eyes, even their smell told him.  Something was wrong.  "Mom?"

            Chi-chi took a deep breath, and said, "Gohan honey, sit down."

            The fear combined with dread and seemed to form a hard know in Gohan's stomach, restricting his breath and causing a deep pain.  Gohan took a deep breath, and slowly sat down.  "What is it?"

            "As you know, I performed a great deal of tests on your mother during my examination," Bulma began.

            "Is something wrong with the baby?" Gohan asked, as his throat started to constrict.

            "No," Bulma replied immediately, "the baby is perfectly healthy.  It's a boy, by the way.  However, I found something else…" Bulma trailed off, and turned to look at Chi-chi, as if unsure how to proceed.  Gohan tried to keep the terror and dread out of his expression as he met his mother's gaze.

            "Gohan, I have cancer."

            In his entire life, no other four words ever hurt more.  Gohan felt as if time were slowing down, and his entire body was frozen in abject terror and disbelief.  He couldn't…it wasn't possib…

            Gohan struggled, fought to force the words out past his throat, which had suddenly shrunk four sizes.  Gasping, Gohan asked, "How long?"

            "With proper treatment, she could live a few more years…maybe as long as three.  Without it…she has four months, at most." Bulma explained softly.

            Three years.  His mother only had three years left.  Gohan knew that was what was said, but he couldn't seem to get his mind around the concept.  It just wasn't possible, that he was going to lose his mother so soon.  There was just no way.  Gohan pulled in every ounce of willpower he had, and forced the fear down.  He had to be strong, for his mother.  He knew she had to be afraid, and he couldn't let her get dragged down with his emotions.

            "What is the treatment?" Gohan asked softly.

            "I'm not going to get any treatment," Chi-chi said in reply.

            "What?" Gohan couldn't believe what he was hearing!  He couldn't believe what he was hearing.  Sure, he knew cancer treatments were painful, but we were talking about extra years.  There was no way he'd heard right; his mother was the bravest person Gohan knew, she would never fear any treatments.  She must be kidding.  What was she thinking!  Gohan turned his gaze and met Bulma's eyes.  He wanted…no, needed her to explain.

            Bulma's gaze turned distraught as she remarked, "Unfortunately, the cancer is in an inoperable location, which limits our options.  Normally, we'd turn to chemotherapy or certain drugs, but…"

            "But what?" Gohan demanded.  He was fighting to keep his anger down, trying to comprehend why his mother wouldn't get treatment.

            "But the baby would never survive if those were used," Bulma finished.

            Blinding comprehension came to Gohan, and it hit him with more force than any blow he'd ever received in his life.  He turned back to his mother, and his eyes begged her to take the treatments.  He couldn't lose her, not in such little time.  "Mom…" Gohan managed to force past, as tears began to form at the corners of his eyes.

            Chi-chi slowly knelt down by Gohan, and placed her hands on her son's shoulders.  She gazed deeply into his eyes, as she said, "Gohan, I can't…I won't kill your little brother to barter for more time.  He has a chance to live a full life; mine has been cut short."

            "But…in four months…that's only six months," Gohan's mind whirled.  He didn't understand a great deal about pregnancy, having no practical experience.  But he'd read books, and knew almost no babies born that premature survived.

            Chi-chi's eyes blazed, "I don't care about that prediction," she stated firmly, "I'm going to survive, and I will not let this disease stop you from having a brother."

            Gohan could no longer meet his mother's gaze.  He dropped his gaze, and he felt as if he were suddenly in a bubble.  He heard words pass over his head, but only caught a little bit of it, "…caught it sooner…do what I can…not giving up…"

            Suddenly, Gohan stood and ran out.  He ran out of the room, the building, the city.  He had to get away he couldn't face his mother, couldn't look at her and deal with the awful truth; his mother was going to die, and there was no way Gohan could stop it.

            "caught it sooner…"

            As the words rebounded in Gohan's head, he suddenly skidded to a stop.  He remembered the glances, the looks on Sensei whenever Gohan talked about his mother and the pregnancy.  He'd known!

            Rage burned through Gohan, tearing away all fear and sadness and coursing through his blood.  If they'd found out sooner, his mother might have had a chance.  Sensei had known, and hadn't told him.  Sensei had cost them valuable treatment time.

            The rage in Gohan increased, erasing all thought as it filled his eyes with red.  Gohan had one last thought before he surrendered to his emotions.

            That bastard is going to pay!!!

            TO BE CONTINUED…

            Hey guys.  Sorry for taking so long to update.  Also, I apologize if I messed up in my understanding of medicine in the field of cancer.  I don't know a whole lot about the subject, and I apologize if my ignorance caused me to make a mistake.  I'll try and get the next part out as soon as possible.  Please, review and feel free to give me any suggestions you may have.