THE TWISTED MIND II

AN:Sorry this chapter tok so long. I've been rethinking certain plot elements for this story, and rearranging things. I want this story to be largely character driven, with some intense action scenes here and there. Basicly the opposite of The Twisted Mind, which was intense action scenes with some plot here and there. The original layout I had for thigns would not allow me to write things the way I wanted to, so I had to rework some things both for this chapter, and the story as a whole, which is why it took this long. That said, I hope you guys enjoy, and please feel free to leave any feedback.

Uncertainty

As Gohan flew through the air he decided that things had gone fairly well. Videl hadn't rejected him, and he could certainly understand why she might want a little time. He would probably have wanted some time as well. His eyes drifted over the landscape racing past beneath him, and stopped when he saw a lake sitting in a mountain valley surrounded by a lush forest.

It looked like a good a place as any to wait for Videl, so he lowered to the ground and walked towards the lake. A light breeze rustled his clothing as he moved onto the shore and looked out at the pristine water. It was a refreshing sight. He closed his eyes and let his head lull backwards, and allowed himself to relax, though the slightest bit of tension remained.

–

Videl sat quietly in her chair looking over the living room. Goten was standing quietly in a corner with a vacant expression. Videl assumed he must be trying to track Gohan. She herself was following his ki signature, but not with the same level of focus. She doubted Gohan was a threat, and she would've gladly let him back into her life on the spot, except she had to worry about Pan. On the slim off-chance that Gohan was a threat, could she really risk her young daughters safety?

She turned her gaze to her daughter, who was currently playing tag with Goku. Goku looked completely carefree, like always, but Videl had known him long enough to recognize the subtle signs of anxiety in his face. Pan of course was oblivious to it as she avoided Goku's tag.

"You're to slow grandpa!" She exclaimed with a giggle. As she spoke, Goku moved in easily tagging her shoulder.

"Got ya!" He declared with a big grin. Pan giggled as she immediately returned the tag and darted away.

"Hey no tag backs!" Goku shot after her.

Videl was thankful for Goku's presence. She knew her daughter was curious about Gohan, and she knew Pan would ask questions. Thanks to Goku she had some extra time to collect her thoughts.

Goten sighed and walked over to Videl, carefully skirting around the increasingly fast game of tag that was consuming the middle of the room.

"What is it Goten?" Videl asked as he reached her.

Goten sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm concerned, about Gohan."

"You think he's dangerous?" Videl asked.

"Yes. I don't think you and Pan should stay here until we know for sure he's changed." Goten explained.

Videl frowned. "He hasn't done anything to suggest he wants to hurt anyone."

"I know, but he went his whole life without seeming to be voilent or evil before he turned on us. We never saw it coming, and because of that we weren't able to react until most of us were already dead." Goten reminded her.

Videl resisted the urge to chew her lip. She couldn't really dispute that claim. Before she saw the proof of Gohan's actions she would never have believed he was capable of doing such things. How could she be sure then that Gohan was not dangerous, she wondered.

"Look Videl, I'm not saying that Gohan is definetely our enemy, but we should be ready for the worst until we know for sure." Goten said quietly.

Videl nodded slowly. "You're right." Goten seemed to relax a little before she said "It's been awhile since Pan spent the night at at your guys' place."

"I'm not sure that would be a good idea. Mom's bound to freak out once she hears about Gohan." Goten replied.

Videl nodded in agreement. "Maybe she could go to Bulma's place then. She gets along with Bulla really well."

Goten allowed a small smile. "That sounds like a good idea. Besides, with both Trunks and Vegeta protecting the place, you would be hard pressed to find a more well defended spot on the planet."

"Thats what I was thinking." Videl agreed. That said she turned back to the game of tag just in time to Pan leap over Goku as he lunged at her.

"Darn, you're just to fast for me." Goku said with mock frustration.

"I'm the fastest girl in the whole world!" Pan declared, proudly pointing her thumb at herself.

Goku plopped down with a big smile as he said "You sure are." He quickly glanced around as if looking for eavesdroppers before whispering "I'll bet you'll be faster than Goten soon."

Normally Goten would have taken this chance to join in with a playful barb of his own, it was all sort of a game to them. But today he ignored them, focusing his senses elsewhere.

Goten walked towards the door. "Hey, I'm gonna go get some air."

A frown crossed Videl's face. "Where you going?"

"Nowhere in particular."

Pan looked up with an eager smile "Can I go with uncle Goten?"

Videl patted her daughter's head as she said "No sweety, you're going to go visit Bulla at Capsule Corp."

Pan's face brightened considerably at the news. "When can I go?" She asked.

"Go get some things packed and your grandpa will take you, won't you Goku?" Videl said.

"Sure, no problem." Goku replied.

While Pan went to get her things Videl went outside to see Goten preparing to take off. "Wait." Videl began.

Goten looked at her over his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm not going to make trouble with Gohan. I'm just gonna fly around for awhile, think a little."

Videl nodded, not entirely sure Goten was being honest, but not having any reasonto disbelieve him either. "Alright."

Goten shot into the sky.

–

Goten allowed his thoughts to wander as he flew through the air at a leisurely pace. He allowed old memories to surface. Of those memories only one rose completely to the surface. He remembered the casual, almost dismissive way Gohan had swat him aside many years ago. He remembered that he had been attacking Gohan just after Gohan broke into the building and attacked his friends, even killing some of them.

A grimace crossed the normally cheerful demi-saiyan's face at the memory. That event had been the moment where he had realized that his brother had turned into somebody else. That had been the moment when his trust had been shattered. Every so often that memory came unbidden to his mind, to remind him that even those close to him could become his worst enemy.

For weeks after that day his mother would cry, and when she wasn't crying she was silent. Goku had barely had any time for Goten those days. He had spent all his time taking care of Chi-chi. Goten had felt hurt, but didn't hold a grudge. He had understood. He had spent a lot of time at Capsule Corp. with Trunks, waiting for Chi-chi to recover. She never did, not fully at least. She talked now, even maintained her temper. But there were often moments where she would get a vacant look, and afterwards grow very quiet.

Now the man responsible for her emotional damage, and for Goten's own pain, was here again. His brother. Gohan claimed to be different now, like he was before those dark times. Goten wanted to believe him, but how could he? He had trusted Gohan before. They all had, and he had turned on them.

Goten snapped out of his thoughts, and was surprised to see that while his mind had wandered he had flown to the mountains where Gohan was. The young saiyan looked down as he came to a stop, and saw Gohan looking back at him curiously. Goten blew out his breath, and lowered to the ground.