THE TWISTED MIND II

AN:Hey guys. This chapter was going to be longer, with scenes featuring other characters learning that Gohan is back. I couldn't find a way to make that fit in with this chapters main plot though, so what we have is a chapter focusing on Gohan and Goten. Next chapter should be longer, as I have a lot of stuff to cover with it. I'd dare to say it will be the longest to date for this fic. I hope you guys enjoy. Also as an aside, the next chapter may take a bit longer than normal to show up, as I plan to update another fic or two in other parts of the site.

Blind Anger

Gohan watched his brothers decent warily, but kept his expression neutral, and his stance non-threatening. Goten set down lightly, giving Gohan an icy glare.

"Goten." Gohan said in greeting.

"Gohan." The other replied.

For many moments the only sound was that of quietly chirping birds, and the sound of the lake water lapping at the shore.

Gohan decided to speak first. "Why are you here? Has Videl made her mind up already?"

"Hardly." Goten scoffed. "I think she would have come herself if that was the case."

Gohan nodded his agreement. "Then you're here of your own accord." Gohan observed Goten carefully, taking careful note of his tensed muscles, the hard look in his eyes, and the erratic shifts in his ki. He was like a land-mine right now. Even the slightest mistep could set the young saiyan off, Gohan knew.

This was something of a predicament for him. If Goten attacked him and he defended himself then the other Z-fighters across the world could get the wrong impression. Looking at the anger in Goten's eyes, he knew that in such an event Goten would find a way to rationalize his own actions and portray Gohan as the aggressor. He would probably believe it too.

Goten slowly began to pace with nervous energy, though his eyes never left Gohan, as he spoke. "I don't think you've changed."

"So I've noticed." Gohan muttered dryly.

"I think you're trying to make us think you changed, when really you're just waiting to catch us off guard." Goten growled.

"If I wanted to catch you off-guard why would I go through the trouble of earning your trust? Why not just strike before you realized I was back?" Gohan asked calmly.

"Maybe because you enjoyed seeing the pain your betrayal brought last time. Maybe you want to see it again." Goten accused.

Gohan felt a slight flicker of anger inside of him, but was careful to suppress it. "What are you going to do about it?"

Goten stopped pacing so suddenly Gohan was almost startled. An aura rose around the other saiyan as he clenched his fists and said "What do you think?"

"You'll try to kill me." Gohan surmised, then shook his head. "Supposing for a second that you could generate enough power to pull that off, what then? How will you justify it? I have done nothing wrong since my return, so you can't be acting in defense of the planet. Maybe you think you would be preventing a future threat, but you'll always have to live with the question 'What if I was wrong?'."

Goten's fists clenched so hard that his fignernails bit into his palms and blood came out. "What about revenge for what you've done in the past? When mother accepted what had happened, it destroyed her. Even now she can't get over it!" Goten hunched slightly in rage. "I should kill you for it!" Fissures spread outwards from Goten as his power built higher until he ascended easily to the second level of Super Saiyan.

Gohan did not power up, he simply gazed coldy at his brother as he said "Do you think fighting me here will fix that? Will it repair the damage? If so, then go ahead." Gohan spread his arms, leaving his torso exposed, and then he waited.

Goten's eyes widened as he saw the opening Gohan was practicly giving him. It had to be a trick, Goten decided. Gohan would wait for Goten to attack, and then strike when he over-extended himself. But a quick scan of Gohan's ki destroyed that notion. He wasn't powered up at all, and at his present level he couldn't hope to react in time to avoid an attack from Goten, let alone counter it.

Goten sank into a side-horse stance and cupped his hands at his side. Gohan would react to this, he would show his true colors.

"Ka!" Goten began. Gohan watched without expresion. "Me!" Energy built between Goten's hands, and the lake nearby began to thrash. Gohan didn't react at all. "Ha!" Goten felt the power growing stronger, it was getting difficult to hold onto it. Gohan's face remained a blank mask. "Me!" Goten felt the attack peak. All he had to do was release the energy he had gathered. But Gohan hadn't reacted as he expected. He had expected Gohan to power up, launch an attack of his own. Something to justify Goten's actions.

He's just trying to decieve me, Goten thought to himself, and tensed his muscles in preperation to strike. Gohan still made no move to raise his ki, or get out of the way, or even to block. He simply stood there, waiting.

"Damnit!" Goten roared at his sibling. "Why won't you do something!"

"If you truly believe that this is the only way to resolve things then who am I to stop you? I suppose I deserve it after all I've done." Gohan replied calmly, speaking just loud enough to be heard over the roar of the energy contained in Goten's hands.

Goten growled and let the attack fade along with his aura. He stumbled to a nearby tree and slumped against it, allowing himself to revert to his normal state.

Gohan slowly took a few steps towards his brother as he said "Look, you know full well Kibito Kai wouldn't have let me back here if I hadn't changed. I'm really not your enemy."

"He's made mistakes before." Goten replied as he looked up.

Gohan sighed. "What will it take to convince you Goten? What will make you believe me?"

The younger saiyan shook his head as he lifted into the air slowly. "I don't know."

Gohan shook his head as his brother left. Perhaps he had avoided making things worse here, but he knew they hadn't improved either. But perhaps he could change that in the days to come.