THE TWISTED MIND II

AN:Hey guys. Finally got another chapter out. This one flowed a little faster than I expected, and has left me with a better idea of what to do with the next couple of chapters so there shouldn't be to much of a wait before the next update. However, I make no promises. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and please let me know what you think!

Just a Bad Dream

Gohan did not go immediately back to Videl's house. He wasn't ready to go back, not just yet. He needed some time to calm down. He made his way towards a gentle stream nearby and knelt down beside it and peered into the water. The moon provided enough light to see his reflection, but the water was dark. The image that stared back at him was concealed in shadow, and the ripples in the water distorted his appearance into a sick imitation.

It was fascinating in a way. While Gohan knew better, he couldn't help but imagine that the reflection he was looking at was a mirror, showing not him, but the monster inside of him. Images came unbidden to his eyes, of his friends falling before him. All the atrocities he commited seemed to play out before him, one after another. Screams echoed in his mind, torn straight from his memory. Blood spraying through the air, his fathers form disintegrating before him. Above all he felt the sick twisted pleasure that had burned within him as he committed those acts. Finally he forced himself to look away with a shuddering gasp. The images faded, the screams receded back into memory, and the pleasure subsided.

Several minutes passed before Gohan dared look back into the water. His reflection remained, peering back at him, mocking him. He tried to ignore it as he splashed water onto his face, washing the blood away. When his face was clean he removed his clothes, and began cleaning them as best he could as well. The task gave him something to focus on, something other than his nightmare, the dead animal, and the reflection in the water. It was good not to think for a little while. He washed out as much of the blood as possible and gave the outfit a brief examination. The stains were mostly gone, anything that remained probably wouldn't be recognized for what it was. Once they had dried to an acceptable level he put them back on, and prepared to head back to the house.

He could not quite resist the urge to give one more glance to his reflection in the water as he stood. Though his reflection was to badly distorted to see clearly, he could have sworn it was smiling at him. He turned, and ran from the river.

–

Goten lingered for a short while until he finally decided that whatever danger Gohan had posed had passed for the time being. The flight back to his parents house was a short one. When he did arrive the first thing he noticed was his father standing outside, waiting for him. He landed nearby and made his way over.

"Sorry I was out so late dad, I just sensed Gohan and-"

"I sensed it to." Goku cut him off with a surprisingly serious tone. "What happened?"

Goten let out a sigh. "I don't know. Gohan came out into the woods like he was in a daze. I guess he was sleep-walking. Suddenly he just freaked out and killed an animal nearby."

Goku's eyes narrowed somewhat as he looked in the direction Goten ahd come from. "Is he alright?"

Goten followed his fathers gaze. "He came about right after he, ya know."Goku nodded and Goten went on. "He was shocked at what had happened, I don't think it was intentional. He said he had a dream about the way he was back then."

A few moments of silence passed before Goku spoke. " You have something else to say."

Goten blinked. Despite Goku's outward appearance the man could be stunningly perceptive when he felt like it, and it never ceased to surprise Goten.

"Yeah. I think he's dangerous. If he had had that nightmare while he was still in the house, instead of in the woods, who knows what might have happened! I don't think he should be anywhere near Pan." Goten knew his voice sounded a bit shaky. He understood on some level what had happened earlier that night. He understood that if he had been the one to draw Gohan's attention, rather than the unfortunate creature that had been slaughtered, Gohan could very well have killed him instead.

Goku was silent for several moments, and when he did anwser he didn't sound entirely certain. "No, Gohan should have a chance to rebuild his life. He wasn't in control of himself back then. He deserves a chance."

"But dad! What if-"

Once more Goku cut him off. "I understand what you're saying Goten!" The demi-siyans mouth snapped shut.

Goku turned to face him. "I know that you're worried about Pan, and Videl. You're worried they'll get hurt if Gohan loses it again." Goku let out a sigh, and Goten realized how miserable Goku looked right then. "And, maybe you're right."

"So, what then?" Goten asked.

Goku frowned. "I don't know Goten. The best thing we can do is wait and see what happens."

"I guess." Goten said reluctantly.

After a moment of silence Goku said "Come on, lets head inside." Goten nodded and followed his father into the house.

–

The next day came without incident. Gohan crawled out of bed early, leaving Videl to get some extra rest while he made his way to the kitchen. He had not been able to fall back to sleep the previous evening, so the first thing he did upon arriving in the kitchen was to brew the strongest pot of coffee he could. When it was ready he poured a cup for himself and made his way to the table. The coffee tasted bitter without anything added to it, and it was so strong that he could have sworn it was dissolving his teeth. Still, he drank it and felt grateful for every sip.

When the cup was drained he promptly refilled it and returned to the table. He allowed his thoughts to wander as he nursed the beverage. Slowly his mind wandered to what Goten had said. Could he really guarantee Pan's safety near him? Would it be better to keep his distance? No, he decided. He couldn't do that. Not now, not after he'd met her. She was his daughter, whether she knew it or not was a moot point. He wanted to be there for her, and that was that. He wouldn't allow himself anymore incidents like last night.

His thoughts were interrupted when the subject of his thoughts wandered sleepily into the room. "Good morning." She muttered.

"Morning." Gohan acknowledged with a nod. Pan moved past the table to the fridge where she retrieved a jug of milk. That done she hovered up off the floor to the cupboard containing the cereal and grabbed several boxes of a cereal brand Gohan did not recognize. With cereal boxes and milk set on the counter Pan made her way to another cupboard and retrieved six bowls.

"Hey." Gohan said. Pan looked at him. "Can I have some?"

Pan blinked, and promptly retrieved six more bowels. Gohan stood from the table, swallowing the last of his coffee, and went over to help Pan prepare breakfast. It was a soothing experience, and slowly Gohan was able to relax and allow worries to fade from his mind.

There was no conversation during breakfast. There wasn't a chance. Pan had every bit as much appetite as her father and grandfather, Gohan noted. Instead of speaking Gohan contempalted the taste of his cereal. Mildly sweet, but not overly so. It was a bit to crunchy, but the overall flavor wasn't bad. It wouldn't of been his first pick as a kid, but it wasn't terrible.

He had just finished when he noticed Videl entering the room.

"I see you didn't bother to make anything for me." She said with a smile.

"Sorry mommy." Pan said apologetically. "But normally you make breakfast."

"Thats true." Videl muttered thoughtfully. "I suppose I should be grateful that I didn't have to start the day by cooking a whole feast."

"Cooking a feast isn't that bad." Gohan said.

"Speak for yourself. You actually get to eat some of it." Videl said as she looked at him.

"Fair enough." Gohan replied. "By the way, theres still half a pot of coffee left."

Videl nodded and turned to retrieve a cofee mug. "Thats good."

Pan finished the last of her own cereal before stepping away from the table. "Can I go outside and play now?"

Videl glanced at her over her shoulder. "Shouldn't you take care of your dishes first?"

"I'll get them." Gohan voulenteered as he too stood.

"Thanks!" Pan smiled before turning and darting from the room.

The next few minutes passed with a comfortable silence as Gohan took care of his and Pan's dishes while Videl prepared her own breakfast and sat at the table. When Gohan finished his work, he poured the last of the coffee for himself and joined Videl at the table.

Videl observed him closely. "Didn't sleep well?"

"Is it obvious?" Gohan asked.

Videl nodded. "Oh yeah."

Gohan sipped at his coffee. "Just had a bad dream. No big deal."

Videl nodded. "So what are you planning to do today?"

"Not sure." Gohan said. "I thought I might go see my mother, but I'm not really feeling up to it."

"It might be a good idea to wait until she's ready to see you. She took things badly." A flash of guilt shot through Gohan's eyes prompting Videl to add "She's been doing a lot better though."

"Doesn't matter, she shouldn't have had to have anything to get better from." Gohan replied.

Videl didn't seem to have an answer to that, so for a moment silence ruled the table. "Hey, theres a new water-park about thirty miles west of here. Pan's been wanting to go there really badly."

Gohan was thankful for the change in subject, and focused on the topic at hand. "That sounds like it could be fun."

"Yeah." Videl agreed. "I can give you the money for it, and you can take Pan there while I'm at work."

"That sounds great!" Gohan said honestly. "Besides, I can't remember the last time I went to a waterpark." Gohan looked thoughtful for a moment. "Actually, I don't think I've ever been to waterpark."

"Well theres a first time for everything right?"

Gohan nodded his agreement. "Right." Gohan couldn't quite shake the dark feelings that had come over him last night, but maybe things would turn out alright anyway. He smiled.