Yes, yes I know it's been a while. Plus, I mean, does anyone ever read DBZ anymore? Man I sure hope so! DBZ can never get old if you ask me~ Anyway. Yep, it's Son Akito here, updating her story... I know it's amazing, right? Who knew I still even remembered this story? Anyway, it's kind of short, but it's the thought that counts, yes?

I don't own DBZ


Hidden Bars

Dreams

-Son Akito

Gohan wasn't use to all this free time.

The Princess seemed to have a full schedule. She was always running around meeting new people, making guest appearances, lectures with her father, full time school work… And so many other things the guardian couldn't keep track of.

The Guardians didn't do much then be personal body guards. It was quite boring. It bothered the saiyan that when he finally was able to relax he was bored. At least he had Hazuki around. The King quickly got rid of their switching days off, so the both of them followed behind the Princess, sensing the room for any dangers.

There were none. There was never anything exciting going on.

And the saiyan still didn't understand why that bothered him so much.

Hazuki tried his best to keep them both entertained, but the saiyan didn't know how to react to his character. He was so out spoken, almost rude but at the same time very hilarious. When some of his jokes made sense to Gohan, he cracked somewhat of a smile and Hazuki always grinned.

"I knew I'd get you, you heartless bastard!"

Sometimes Eva would stand with them as the Princess went on with hear daily events. Her and Gohan would talk mainly about life – not his life – but her life with AJ. Gohan never really talked, but listened as Eva told him about the Princess. Whenever her name came up, his eyes seem to glisten. Hazuki would notice this and always nudge Gohan.

"Not a good idea to date the boss, man," he teased, and each time Gohan would lower his head and lightly blush.

When the saiyan first started working, he noticed that Eva and Hazuki would never approach him, never look at him, and for the most part left the saiyan alone completely. It worried the saiyan, feeling that maybe he was too screwed up to ever again experience human contact. He'd stand back and watch as those two interacted with each other, and when the Princess was able to talk to them the three of them laughed and giggled all the time. The saiyan would stay back and start to think.

He'd think of all the horrible things he'd done, and he didn't blame them for not wanting to include him.

Sometimes the memories were too much and when he wanted to cry or scream he bite his tongue and never showed it. This left him in a trance like state; trying to focus himself to not show any weak emotion, but the memory would still be dancing in his head.

AJ would shake him when this happened, "… Gohan?" She'd whisper each time.

He'd look over at her, "Yes?" He'd chock out, as if he still was trying to find his voice. He'd look up at Hazuki and Eva, who both were still engulfed in their conversation. Most of the time they were still on the same topic before he spaced out, which meant he wasn't out for long.

"Making sure you're okay, that's all." She gave him a small smile, before turning back to the other two to continue their conversation.

And he'd still be left alone in the dark.

Gohan didn't know why or how it happened, but though out time the three of them including him in their conversations. Maybe they got so use to him being around, or the Princess talked them into it, but something happened and they started talking to him.

It didn't make him think so much, so he was grateful.

He still didn't talk, and when he did his voice was soft and empty. It bothered him. He wanted to be able to find his voice and be confident when he spoke like the other three were. AJ would smile at him softly every time he spoke and tried to be a part of the group. When she did that he felt like he was on a stage; and the stage lights would burn his eyes so he wasn't able to see the crowd below. And the crowd would sit there and wait for him to say his first line but it was lost within the hot lights.

He'd always lose his train of thought then, and would continue to sit back and enjoy listening to the other three.

One thing that the saiyan made him happy was when he picked up school. AJ was attending one of the greatest schools in the world, and in each class Gohan would take his note book and take notes for the class. Even though he was not a student, he couldn't help but to study the martial and be fascinated by each subject. Math and science were his specialty and many times he would tutor the Princess when she was having trouble.

"Wow, Gohan," she smiled up at him, "You're really good at this stuff."

"Thanks," he's say; he seemed lost in thought, "My mom always made sure I studied every day."

"Your mom?" She asked, leaning forward, "That's the first time I've ever heard you mention a family."

Gohan didn't answer, that was the first time he ever remembered anything about his past.

And that is when the dreams started.

His dreams would always start out sitting at a dinner table with a bunch of paper work, books, rulers, pens, and pencils all around him. The room was silence as he sit down and study.

"Oh look at my little boy!" He couldn't look up from his paper work but he felt small familiar hands rest on his shoulders, "You're going to be a wonderful scholar one day I know it!"

"Thanks mom," he'd say glancing back down at his paper work. Yet this time the paper work was covered in blood.

His eyes would widen, as he push himself away from the table, and when he was able to look up at the hands at the person who was touching him it was Tomack.

"No…" He'd try to get away but when he looked down the collar was around his neck and he was unable to escape.

The dream always woke him up covered in sweat. Most of the time he would be able to wake himself up before anything worse would happen.

Yet, sometimes he was able to look away from the paper work and see whose hands were truly on his shoulders. He couldn't make out anything but her tightly binned hair and her dark brown eyes. Those eyes were firm and strong, but they also had a softness that only he could make out.

It was only a dream though, he knew that but it was still nice to dream up something that was familiar to him, only if it was for a second.