Disclaimer: Still do not own.
Feeling real bad about his earlier attack, Gohan did his best to be active, cheerful, and acted like nothing in the world was bothering him. It went great, for the first five minutes since he woke up from his nap, until Goku wanted to fly around the world for a while. Gohan wanted to get some fresh air, and to prove to Chi-Chi that he was perfectly fine, but he didn't know he was searching for himself.
He sat on the Nimbus as he flew around with Goku. Dinner was going to be done in another hour, and Goku wanted to explore before dinner was done. The flight wasn't so bad; it was the company, and topic of choice.
"Gohan constantly pushed himself past his limits. I saw that in the Time Chamber," Goku said as he flew next to Nimbus. Gohan sat there, listening, and nodding his head when the timing seemed right. "He really wanted to be strong enough to beat Cell. Once he really tapped into his hidden power he easily took out Cell. I was so proud of him."
Gohan explained to Goku that Vegeta told him about everything saiyan. The planet, being a super saiyan, and the stuff in between. The saiyans, Nameks, Androids, Cell…it was all explained during a drunken night. Goku was surprised that Vegeta discussed events like that, especially to a new friend. Gohan tried to explain that alcohol makes people talk more, when in fact Gohan didn't want to be told something he already knew.
Hearing stories about himself was boring. Most people would like to hear nice things about them, but when it came to fighting, and saving the planet, Gohan didn't care. Now if he was complimented on his music he would be a bit proud of that.
"I wonder if he thinks about us," Goku said, his eyes adverted in the distance. Nodding his head would be the answer, but Gohan's neck started to hurt.
"Every kid thinks about their parents," Gohan said. "I'm adopted, and I think about my real parents every so often."
"What do you think about?"
'Why am I here with you? Why can't you leave me alone? Where did my secret stash of candy go,' Gohan thought. "You know, how they are doing, and what not. Where are they now, and if they had anymore kids. I sometimes wonder if they think about me."
"I think about Gohan everyday."
'I can see that.'
"I wonder what he grew up to be."
'A rock star!'
"If he found a nice girl."
'A bit of a tom boy, but she's cute.'
"And if he hates me," Goku finished. That seemed to spark Gohan's attention. Goku didn't say much more, but curiosity got the best of Gohan.
"Why would you think that," Gohan asked. Finally, he gets to hear Goku's side of the story!
"Do you hate your parents Boss?"
"Why do you think Gohan hates you?"
"I'll only tell you if you tell me first."
"I asked you first."
"Kids are kids. You really can't change what they think."
"You're not answering your question. I don't hate my parents, I just…" Gohan folded his arms. "I was taken away, and they never fought to get me back. It was for the better anyway. My dad was never around, and my mother didn't care about it. Some days I didn't eat because she forgot to feed me."
'Mostly because you were never around,' Gohan thought to himself. It was after the fight with Frezia, and everyone thought Goku died. His mother didn't take it very well, and let herself be sad for a few days. Gohan ended up cooking something for her to eat, something simple like rice or soup, and he had to manage for himself.
When Shenron was summoned, and Goku wasn't dead, things seemed to turn around. It wasn't until Goku didn't want to come back that things went bad. Chi-Chi often blamed herself, not being a good wife, and the next few days were rough. Once convinced that Goku would return one day, Chi-Chi was back on her feet.
The Cell Games…
"I couldn't go back," Gohan whispered a distant look on his face. How could he tell his mother his father wanted to stay dead? How could he explain to her that he killed his father? The guilt that came afterwards, knowing that his mother will lock herself in her room for her own pity party, and sitting alone at the kitchen table with a bowl of cereal. "If I didn't get out when I did, I would be suffocating in my own house. I don't hate my parents Goku…I just wished that they remembered they had a son sometimes."
Goku looked over at Boss. He had a rough life, but he didn't let it beat him down. Boss lost his mother, but he was doing well after her death. When Grandpa Gohan died, Goku was devastated. It was the only person he's ever known, and whoever killed him was still around. It was determination that helped him get through his struggle.
Then again, he saw his grandfather at the tournament, and when the fire around Ox King's Kingdom wouldn't burn out. Grandpa Gohan was happy, and proud of Goku. It set ease to the saiyan, and from that moment on Goku stayed cheerful.
Except Frezia. That was another story, and it was pent up emotions that exploded on that day. It seemed as though everyone Goku ever cared for died. Grandpa, Krillin, and Piccolo was near death. Luckily, Gohan wasn't harmed, but through his cheerful smile Goku saw fear in his eyes. He yelled at Gohan, to get him away from Frezia, and yelled at him some more when Namek was near its doom.
"I just want to help!"
"I told you to get off this planet Gohan!"
Gohan still stayed cheerful, wished his father luck, and flew away.
"You know, I think Gohan always put on a brave face," Goku said with a smile. He stopped flying, and Nimbus floated in front of Goku. Boss just sat there. "You see, when Gohan was younger he was a crybaby. He had some training, and he wasn't a crybaby anymore. He always put up a strong face, but in his eyes I could tell he was afraid. Like you Boss…you put up a strong act, but on the inside something is hurting you. You remind me a lot of Gohan."
Boss pouted. It wasn't his fault Piccolo told him to suck it up. Still, he hasn't changed much since he was a kid. After being scolded, multiple times mind you, about his crying you were forced to push all feelings aside. Crying was a sign of weakness that is until Piccolo felt emotion for another being. That being was Gohan, who friended a demon king.
"If I were Gohan, and I'm not saying I am, I'm pretty certain he has a reason why he ran away," Boss said. He needed to pick his words carefully. "You keep searching for someone who doesn't want to be found. Gohan would be home by now, if he wanted to return, or give you an update or something. You're wasting time searching for him while you can be at home with the wife and kid. You searching for him…its pointless."
"But it bugs me," Goku said placing his hand underneath his chin. "Buu came and attacked the planet, and Gohan didn't show up to help. He's not the kind of person to turn his back when the planet is in danger. I can't help but worry that something is wrong with him."
"Have you ever thought that maybe he was…you know…"
"King Yemma would have told me."
"Right. Friends in high places." Gohan smiled to himself.
"Just how much did Vegeta tell you," Goku asked.
Crap.
"Piccolo too," Gohan added.
"You talked to Piccolo?"
Double crap.
"We spoke before," Gohan said, trying not to panic. "After we dropped Vegeta at his house. Piccy-san introduced himself, and wanted to kill me."
Goku looked up at the sky. He turned his head towards the Lookout.
"I guess Piccolo was worried Vegeta might turn again," Goku said. He chuckled under his breath. "I wouldn't worry about Piccolo Boss. He means well."
Goku offered a smile. Gohan let out a sigh of relief, and looked down at the general area they were flying over. Gohan recognized it as an old training spot. Goku and Piccolo trained him here because there was no wildlife. The falling of a few mountains was a bit scary, and if it was snowing you worried about an avalanche.
Snow covered the ground below them, and Gohan remembered on if their training sessions. He shot a ki blast at Piccolo, missed, and hit a snow bank instead. The rumbling was heard, but nothing came out of it. It wasn't until Goku powered up that the snow bank collapsed, and Gohan was caught in it. Goku yelled, Piccolo tried to grab Gohan, but the snow over powered him.
Layers of snow fell on Gohan. He was cold, and laid there. He wanted to be stronger, and tough enough to fight the androids. Gohan powered up, got rid of the snow, and watched as another heap of snow crashed into him.
He wasn't buried this time. His one leg and both arms were out of the snow, while the rest of his body was covered in the white flakes. Gohan sat up, and saw Piccolo and Goku looking down at him. Goku had a smile on his face as he reached out his hand. Gohan laughed, and grabbed his father's hand. Gohan pulled his father into the pile of snow, and in return Goku threw a snowball at him. Piccolo watched from afar, smiled, and shook his head as the father and son had a snowball fight.
The memory faded in Gohan's mind. It was a time of peace, even though evil was a few years away, but his father knew that he was still a kid.
"I guess I wanted him to follow in my footsteps," Goku said. "One day I will die, and I wanted to make sure the planet had someone to protect it. Gohan liked fighting, but not as much as Vegeta and me. Chi-Chi always had him studying, and I wanted him to fight. We forced him to do things, but he never complained. If I could go back I would ask him what he wanted to be, and pursue his dream and not the one his mother and I had intended."
"What if he wanted to be a rock star," Gohan asked. Goku laughed.
"Gohan can't sing! I heard him singing all the time. He's like me; he couldn't carry a tune! I wish I could sing though."
Gohan pulled out a pack of cigarettes.
"This will help."
TJ laughed.
"That's your singing voice," he exclaimed. Gohan's face turned red. "You want to be in a band, and you break any instrument you hold. You tried singing, and you can't do that either!"
"I'm trying to control my strength," Gohan said. TJ kept laughing. "I just want to sing like you!"
TJ stopped laughing.
"You have got to sing from the gut," TJ explained. "And my voice is raspy because I smoke."
"Then I'll start smoking too!"
"Then here." TJ threw him a pack of cigarettes. "Smoke 'em. This will help."
"I'm my brother," Gohan exclaimed. He stood up on Nimbus and looked up towards the sky, and pointed at it. "I better not come home one day with an uncomfortable itch TJ! You did this purposely, didn't you? Well at least I didn't…oh crap I did! Do me a favor Mu-Ma and strangle TJ for me! I am exactly what he is."
There was a rumble. Gohan looked over at Goku.
"Dinner must be ready," Goku said as he held his stomach. Gohan, on the other hand, saw a pile of snow right behind Goku.
"That's TJ's fault too!" Gohan pointed behind Goku, and both got hit with the avalanche.
(PG)
It was cold, and dark. His body was frozen to the bone.
'I'm dead,' Gohan thought. 'I am really dead. I died from an avalanche with Goku. Who's going to take care of Toki? At least I got to say goodbye to him…but we were going to have party when I got back! I still want to have our Christmas party! Toki…I am sorry. I guess we can't have our party after all. I'll see you in heaven my furry little friend.'
Gohan felt something grab his arm, and he was being pulled up.
'Must be TJ or Mu-Ma.'
Gohan opened his eyes, and saw purple. He looked up and saw Piccolo still holding his arm.
"Piccy-san," Gohan cried. "You died too?"
"No one died kid," Piccolo said as he released Gohan's arm. Gohan dusted off some of the snow.
"Where's Goku?"
"Over there."
Gohan looked where Piccolo was pointing, and noticed Goku kicking his legs in the air. Nimbus was right beside him, circling around him.
"Huh, at least Nimbus is okay," Gohan said as he and Piccolo walked over. Piccolo grabbed one foot, and Gohan grabbed the other. They both pulled Goku out of the snow.
Goku dusted off the snow from his body. He shook his head to get rid of any snow that still stuck.
"Hey Piccolo," Goku said cheerfully.
"What are you doing out here," Piccolo asked. Goku laughed.
"We were looking for Gohan," Goku answered. Piccolo looked over at Gohan, who nodded, then back at Goku. "Boss was helping."
"I do what I can," Gohan said with a shrug.
"Piccolo, is there anyway we can gather the dragonballs," Goku asked. "I just need to make one wish, and I think it would help us find Gohan."
Gohan glanced over at Piccolo. The half saiyan was confused, but there was a hint of fear hidden in his face.
"What kind of wish," Piccolo asked, keeping an eye on his old student.
"I want him to remember Majin Buu."
The fear disappeared, but the confusion was still there.
"Why," both Piccolo and Gohan asked.
"It's something Gohan should remember. If he remembers Majin Buu maybe he'll come back to us. As far as Gohan knows, there hasn't been any evil since Cell."
"What about the six months when everyone still remembered Buu? Gohan knew Buu still existed, and if he hasn't come back in that time, what makes you think he'll be back now?"
"Even if he doesn't come back home, at least he'll still remember us. Boss made a point earlier. Gohan has been missing all this time, and if he wanted to come home he would be here. I think we should stop looking for him, and hope that he'll come home on his own."
"Are you sure about this Goku? Are you going to give up eight years of searching for Gohan?"
"When Gohan is ready to come home, his mother and I will welcome him with open arms," Goku said. He smiled as he closed his eyes. "He'll come home one day…I know it."
Gohan shuffled his feet in the snow.
"He'll be home one day," Gohan mumbled.
(PG)
Even though Gohan told Goku not to tell Chi-Chi about the avalanche, begged almost, Goku decided to share the story anyway. Goten thought it was the coolest thing he ever heard, and Chi-Chi nearly died of a heart attack. She ran over to Boss, made sure he wasn't hurt in anyway or form, then yelled at Goku for a good ten minutes. She even took away his food, and sent him away to sit in the living room to think about what he had done. Chi-Chi also threatened to take away Goten's food if he kept on laughing.
Embarrassed, Gohan ate his food in silence. Sure he almost died today, twice actually, but he was a lot stronger than he looked. A mere avalanche wouldn't kill him. Well, hundreds of pounds of snow might, but he was fine. Chi-Chi is a mother, and worrying about her children, more Boss than anyone, was normal.
"I'll do the dishes today," Gohan said as he picked up some empty dishes.
"No, you shouldn't," Chi-Chi exclaimed. "You have a rough day, and company shouldn't do the dishes!"
"No, it's fine. Besides, you have done enough for me, and this is the only way I can repay you. I don't mind doing the dishes. I do Mu-Ma's dishes all the time, and you can ask her how well I-" Gohan froze. He gathered a few more dishes. "I'm sure during your tea time she talked about how great of a dishwasher I am."
Chi-Chi felt bad. Mu-Ma never said anything how he does dishes. She could lie…
"She often said how much of a pain you are," Chi-Chi responded. Gohan laughed at her response.
"I keep reminder her that she adopted me. Not my fault she chose someone who was a pre-teen for her teenage son!"
Gohan proceeded to collect more dishes, and set up a dirty dish pile by the sink. Goten was still eating, and Chi-Chi was almost done her meal. It was about a month since Mu-Ma passed away, and Chi-Chi couldn't help but see Boss not talking in the past tense. It was always a difficult thing to fix. Whenever Gohan was mentioned she wouldn't talk in the past tense either. It was like that for a while, but after a year or so, she realized that her Gohan wasn't home.
Chi-Chi would say how Gohan would be home soon, and it turned into Gohan hasn't been home in a while. Gohan will be here for the holidays, Gohan's not going to be here. She had no idea where her son was, what he was doing, or even if he was alive. Goku said that King Yemma would let him know if Gohan passed through, and so far Yemma hasn't said anything.
'What did we do wrong,' Chi-Chi thought as she finished her plate. Her plate was collected, so she got up to leave. She noticed Boss wearing headphones, music blasting loudly in his ears.
What if Gohan did turn out like Boss? The bad boy attitude, the punk like style with ear piercings and tattoos, and listening to explicit music loudly in his ears with an 'I don't care' state of mind? Could Gohan really become someone like that?
Chi-Chi had to laugh quietly to herself. There was no way Gohan could ever be like Boss! First off, Gohan is extremely shy. He doesn't like talking to new people, and it takes a while for him to adjust. Gohan would never be friends with Vegeta. The two did not get along, tolerated at best. Gohan also knew the difference between right and wrong. Chi-Chi's heard about Boss' track record, and there was no way Gohan would ever do anything bad or illegal!
"Goku, I think it was a good idea to invite Boss to stay with us," Chi-Chi said as she sat next to Goku on the couch. "He's been very polite, and he's helping out around the house."
"The house seems more alive when he's here," Goku said. Goten climbed onto Goku's lap. "Videl did seem really upset that he was going to spend Christmas alone. Vegeta seemed upset as well."
"They are worried about him, and I'm worried about him as well." Chi-Chi looked over at Boss, who was air drumming with the dinner spoons. "He had an attack today. I was so scared I thought he was going to die."
"He seems to be doing perfectly fine."
"Yeah, especially since he was hit with an avalanche," Goten chimed in.
"I'm at a payphone trying to call home, all of my change I've spent on you," Boss sang as he used tongs as a microphone. "Where have the times gone, baby, it's all wrong. Where are the plans we made for two?"
Goku, Chi-Chi, and Goten watched as Boss sang, and used the dishes as his muse. He was in his own world, enjoying himself, and dancing as he dried a few of the dishes.
"I like Boss," Goten said. "He tells me stories before we got to bed."
"What kind of stories," Chi-Chi asked her voice stern. There was no way Boss was going to turn Goten into a punk!
"About a prince and a dragon. The prince is stuck in a castle, and he escapes to play with his dragon friend. The prince has to be careful or the Queen of No-fun will catch him, and throw him in the dungeon as punishment."
Those weren't stories that Chi-Chi thought Boss was sharing with Goten. They were fables, children's stories!
"Oh good song," Gohan yelled spinning a fork in his hand.
Gohan had completely forgotten he was at Goku's house. He was just doing dishes, lots and lots of dishes, and got lost in his music. Quite often Gohan would get distracted while listen to music, and will have no idea what was going on around him. If there was an earthquake he'll assume the bass on his headphones were high. He became Mr. Oblivious when his headphones were in.
Gohan looked out the window as the music played, and this particular song brought back some memories.
I remember black skies, the lightening all around me
I remembered each flash as time began to burn
Like a startling sign, the fate had finally found me
Gohan looked over at Goku on the couch.
And your voice was all I heard,
Did I get what I deserve?
Yep, the song brought back some memories. Visions of the Cell games flowed in Gohan's mind. Eleven years old, ten if you didn't count the time chamber, and up against one of the strongest creations by Dr. Gero. He was brave on the outside, but terrified on the inside.
So give me reason to prove me wrong
To wash this memory clean
Let the thought cross the distance in your eyes
Everyone watched as he fought. He was losing, badly, and he couldn't explain why his father called his name to fight Cell. Vegeta and Trunks were stronger than he was, and his father was stronger than all three. What potential did his father see in him? He did not want to fight, but in order to protect the planet he did.
It wasn't until 16's head appeared. Gohan needed to release his powers, and even though he didn't want to fight he needed to. 16 enjoyed life, and Cell took it away. Cell needed to pay.
There was nothing inside
The memories left abandoned
There was no where to hide, the ashes fell like snow
Then he got cocky. Gohan was stronger than Cell, faster, and smarter. Like a lion on an injured deer, Gohan played around with Cell for game. Goku wanted Gohan to finish Cell, get it over with, but it wasn't enough. Cell destroyed so many families, killed hundreds for energy, and Gohan wasn't going to let Cell get off easy.
Everything was going well, until Cell was about to self destruct.
And the ground caved in between where we were standing
And your voice was all I heard
Did I get what I deserve?
After that, everything was a blur. His father sacrificed himself, and took Cell away. Never in his life has Gohan felt so guilty. If only he listened to his father, if only he took care of Cell while he still had the chance then everything would have been fine.
Trunks was the first victim, then it was almost Vegeta. Gohan's arm took the hit instead. It was so badly damage that his whole arm became numb. There was no pain, no feeling, so what was the point of trying. Gohan was exhausted, out of energy, and Cell was as good as new.
The only thing Gohan wanted to do was give up. His father was dead, and Cell was stronger than before. What chance did he have? Injured and weak, Gohan waved the white flag. Goku's voice was heard, giving him strength to defeat Cell, but Gohan knew no matter how strong his Kamehameha wave was it wasn't strong enough to beat Cell. He powered up anyway, knowing he was jus going to fail anyway, but with the help of the others, and his father, Gohan defeated Cell.
It was time to wish back Goku.
Gohan took a spatula and flicked it on his arm. He flipped it on his shoulder, where his other hand slid underneath it. The spatuala was once again flipped on his other arm, and landed in the sink. He sighed as once again he looked out the window.
He put on a brave face after Dende healed him. He was afraid to face his father when he'd come back to life. Guilt consumed him, and Krillin did his best to cheer up his young friend. Gohan did feel a bit better, knowing that mistakes happen, and his father wouldn't blame him. A thousand apologies, a thousand ruffling of the hair, and everything would be fine. At the time, Gohan wanted to sit at the edge of the Lookout to relax himself, and to plan future events with his dad and mom.
Once the dragon was awoken, the wish was made.
And your voice was all I heard
Goku did not want to come back to life.
Did I get what I deserve?
"So give me reason, to prove me wrong and wash this memory clean. Let the thoughts cross the distance in your eyes," Gohan sang, using a ladle as his microphone. He put the ladle in the dish dry rack, and looked back towards the window.
Gohan closed his eyes.
"Across this new divide."
He exhaled as he opened his eyes.
"You should have just come back," Gohan yelled, slamming his hand on the sink. A new song was playing in his headphones. "Oh Backstreet Boys!" His voice now chipper. "Oh AJ, you're the hottest one of them all, although Kevin is more mature than the others. I'm glad Kevin came back. That reminds me, I have to go buy their new CD. I work at a CD store; you would think I would remember to buy it."
Goku, Chi-Chi, and Goten could only stare as Boss had a full blown conversation with himself. He asked himself a question, answer it, dance and sing as he continued to do the dishes.
"He's weird," Goten said.
Once the dishes were finally done, Gohan turned around and saw the table in front of him.
"This isn't my kitchen table," he said. He looked over to his left where he saw Goku and Chi-Chi staring back. Music was still blasting in his ears. "Right, I'm staying here for a while. No wonder the dishes never ended. Here I though I slacked off doing my own. I should pay attention more to my surroundings. Actually, you should remember where the hell you are. Why can't I hear myself think? I can usually hear myself thinking, unless I'm talking to myself out loud…I never talk to myself out loud! I'm smarter than that. You're just losing your mind Boss. Maybe a nice, hot shower will help me think straight. Good idea."
"I think there's something wrong in his head and not his lungs" Goku said as he watched Boss walk into the bedroom.
End chapter!
Sorry for the delay in updating. I updated my other two stories, and forgot about this one, even though some of the chapters are pre-typed.