Chapter Sixteen
Not Quite An Earthling
xxxx
"Gohan, sweetheart. Wake up."
Gohan slowly creaked open his eyes, blinking the sleep away and allowing his vision to become clear. The beeping of the heart monitor reached his ears, along with the bustle of the hospital day staff echoing from down the corridor.
Realising where he was, the teenager bolted upright, his eyes immediately snapping to the incubator beside him.
A delicate hand pushed him back by his chest, allowing him to settle back into his chair, "Shh Gohan it's alright, he's fine."
The young saiyan looked towards the sound of the voice, his breath catching in his throat as he came face to face with his mother.
"M-mum?" He croaked, as Chi-Chi smiled softly.
She was sat in a plastic chair opposite him, dressed in her usual attire of a yellow dress and purple shawl. Her hair was pulled back into a neat bun, yet her eyes were framed by heavy bags. She hushed him, soothingly running her hand through the unruly spikes of his fringe.
The ox-princess breathed a heavy sigh, the bright hospital lightning illuminating her features. It was only then did he realise how exhausted she looked. She continued to stroke his hair, something he hadn't allowed her to do in a very long time.
"You were having a bad dream sweetheart," she finally spoke after a minute or two, studying him closely.
Gohan looked away, realising that his eyes were sore and puffy. He couldn't remember what the dream was about, all he felt was a sickly feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"What am I going to do with you, eh?" his mother smiled sadly.
The teenager said nothing, he wasn't sure what to say.
He looked down, picking at a piece of loose thread in his blanket. The cotton unravelled slowly, silence encompassing both mother and son. He was half expecting her to go on a complete rampage.
Looking over to the fragile boy in the incubator, Chi-Chi sighed, "He looks like you when you were born."
He blinked in surprise, "He does?"
She nodded, emotion shining in her eyes, "Bulma called about an hour ago. I hadn't realised you had gone."
"Vegeta explained everything," she continued, as Gohan opened his mouth to retort, "He told me on the way here."
The young saiyan quirked an eyebrow, "Vegeta brought you here?"
"Bulma called him and ordered him to bring me to you," she explained, her lips twitching into an amused smile, "He was rather angry, apparently, he didn't know you had snuck away from him either."
The teen gave her a sheepish smile, and sure enough he could feel Vegeta's Ki hovering outside in the hospital grounds.
The heart monitor beeped.
"What's going on with you Gohan?" Chi-Chi asked heavily, "I thought you had more sense."
He sighed, averting his eyes away from her, "I don't know, I don't know why she didn't tell me."
His mother tutted, "She may have been scared love, being pregnant is a life changing thing. Scary for somebody my age, let alone Lime's."
"It still doesn't excuse her not telling me!" He protested suddenly, feeling the anger bubbling in his stomach.
"No it doesn't," Chi-Chi said calmly, "and it doesn't excuse the both of you being so reckless behind my back now does it?"
The teenager clamped his mouth shut. It was true they hadn't been as careful as they could have been, hormones and passion had overridden his logical self.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. And he truly was.
"Oh darling," his mother croaked, stroking his hair once more, "Lime is such a sweet girl. I don't blame you for this mess. It's just terrible, the Lao's have lost so much in that fire. I'm so sorry Gohan."
"It's not your fault," said Gohan, his lips beginning to tremble as another wave of realisation hit him again, "I-I don't know what to do Mum, I-I'm sorry, didn't know Lime was -"
"Hush love," Chi-Chi soothed, as tears brimmed in his eyes.
"What's happened has happened, there's no point in dwelling on it," she sniffed boldly, wiping her own wetness from her cheeks and sitting upright, "Now, we're going to sort out all this mess and focus on getting this baby boy better, do you understand me young man?"
The teenager nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"Well that settles it then," she smiled brightly, though a sadness still lingered in her eyes, "Now, we just have to wait for Bulma and get everything sorted."
"Where is Bulma?" Gohan asked, she should have been here by now, the clock on the wall read eight-thirty.
"That woman," Chi-Chi tutted, "She's gone shopping in the city, buying just about everything for this little one and some clothes for Mister Lao and Lime."
Suddenly, the doors to the bay swung open, revealing a flustered looking Bulma with dozen's of shopping bags in her palms. To Gohan's bewilderment, Krillin entered too, trotting behind her with various sized packages, including a large blue balloon that read; It's a boy!
"Don't you think the balloon's a bit much?" asked Gohan sceptically, as the pair skidded to a halt before them.
"All of this," Krillin panted, dumping down the shopping onto a nearby chair, "All of this and you're complaining about a balloon?"
"Oh Gohan!" Bulma cried, the bags falling to the floor as she threw her arms around the teenager. He made to awkwardly hug her back when she thwacked him across the head, "Just what the bloody hell do you think you were doing?!"
"Bulma-" his mother started, but it was no use.
"I nearly had a heart attack!" She yelled, hitting him again, "Look at me! Running around since six this morning buying heaps clothes for the child of a supposed boy genius who isn't wise enough to wrap up the end of his -"
"Bulma calm down! This is a hospital for Kami's sake!" Krillin shushed, "Believe me, I'm just as shocked as you are, but this isn't helping Gohan right now."
The blue-haired woman's lip trembled, before she engulfed the halfling in a bone crushing hug, sobbing into his shoulder.
Luckily, his mother was able to soon prise her away from him.
"Thank you for getting all this Bulma," said Chi-Chi.
"It's on me," replied Bulma, blowing her nose before looking over to the incubator. Her eyes suddenly grew wide in excitement, she bounded over, pressing her face eagerly against the glass, "Oh look at him! He's gorgeous Gohan!"
"Woah, he's got a tail!" Krillin exclaimed, peering at the boy before turning to him, "Is there any news on your friend mate?"
Before he could answer, Nurse Melda came bustling towards them, a stack of papers in her hands.
"Ah, I wondered what all the commotion was in here," she chuckled, "How are you feeling after your little sleep Gohan?"
"Alright," he answered simply.
Melda nodded curtly, "Now that your mother is here, there was some things I wanted to discuss with you both."
"Like what?" Gohan quirked.
"Firstly," she smiled, "I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that your son is doing remarkably well. We thought he may have some carbon monoxide poisoning from the fire, but the results have come back clear."
"Oh that's wonderful news, isn't it Gohan?" said Chi-Chi, breathing a sigh of relief.
"So he'll be alright?" asked the teenager.
"The way he's improving I should say so. Though there is a risk that he may develop some respiratory problems in the future."
He glanced at his mother worriedly.
"He may develop a spot of asthma, but this can be well controlled," she continued, "We would like to keep an eye on him for a few weeks here, keep him on oxygen until we're sure he is completely stable, make sure he's putting weight on, that sort of thing."
"Of course," his mother replied, "Do whatever you need to do."
"Thank you Mrs. Son, but there are some matters to sort out before the baby is discharged from the hospital," said Melda.
Gohan frowned, as the nurse took a deep breath.
"According to the records, Gohan is named as the baby's father on the birth notification-"
"I am?" He blinked, as all eyes turned to him.
He was surprised, though he should have known from the name card above the incubator, maybe Lime really was going to tell him eventually.
"Yes," Melda confirmed, "But it gets a little complicated as you are a minor, as was the baby's mother."
The young saiyan thought not to correct her on the word was, it would get too complicated if he informed her that Lime wasn't actually dead, but brain damaged. If he did, they would question where the girl had sought treatment, and they may think he was losing it if he told them she was being cared for by two green men and a genie in the sky.
"Because Mister Lao was Lime's sole guardian, the baby was able to go home with her without the need for further support." Melda continued, "But as Mister Lao is hospitalised, his recovery is crucial to ensure that the baby returns home with him."
Gohan's heart sank, as much as Mister Lao was strong, he was still an old man. An old man that had a business and a home to rebuild, and there was no doubt that he would want to care for his granddaughter. They didn't yet know the full extent of Lime's condition, but there was no way he could look after a newborn baby too.
"The hospital needs to make sure that the baby is well supported," said the nurse, "and seen as Gohan wasn't there for the birth-"
"I wasn't there because I didn't know!" the teenager interrupted hotly.
"Gohan!" His mother scolded.
"I found out that Lime was pregnant today," he said angrily, ignoring her, "Trust me, if I had known, nothing would have stopped me from being there when he was born."
"Oh sweetheart," Chi-Chi whispered sadly as a tense silence engulfed the room.
"Well Gohan I apologise," Nurse Melda said carefully, "I can't imagine how emotionally draining this day must have been for you."
The teenager couldn't help but snort.
"Nurse," his mother started, "All this can easily be sorted out I assure you. I will have a chat with Mister Lao and I am positive he will allow the baby to stay with us."
Gohan gaped at her, "You're serious?"
Chi-Chi frowned, "Of course Gohan, he is your responsibility after all. I didn't raise you to disregard your responsibilities now did I?"
"Um, no."
"Then it's settled!" she grinned, clapping her hands together happily.
"Well if your happy to take the baby in Mrs. Son then there should be no problem," said Melda, an amused twinkle in her eye, "I just need a few details from you including a contact address, I see you have a few things for the little one already."
As his mother began to answer the nurse's series of questions, the young saiyan started to sweat, the reality that he was officially a single father hitting him like a ton of bricks.
He was shortly broken out of his thoughts, by a sharp nudge in the ribs.
"What's up with your mum mate?" Krillin whispered, inclining his head towards her, "I legged it here with Bulma expecting to scrape your dead carcass off of the floor."
Gohan sighed, his eyes drifting to the small tailed boy that lay in the incubator, "I have a feeling it'll be a delayed response."
xxxx
One should not take entering the bedroom of a teenage boy lightly.
No, experienced mothers would arm themselves with a can of air freshener and a dust cloth to cover their nose should they dare venture into the abyss to fetch the mountain of dirty washing.
They would be mindful, of course, of the CDs, books and miscellaneous items from Kami knows where that were strewn all over the floor. Careful, they would be, not to trip on the empty cola cans littered on the ground. Tut, they would at the mud, chocolate and cola stains on the carpet and promise themselves that they would work up the courage one day to do a thorough deep clean, as they knew that no matter how many times they nagged their teenager, it would never get done.
Gohan's room was no exception to the rule up until a week ago, when the baby boy was discharged from hospital. Now, a landslide of baby clothes, bottles, nappies, a changing mat and table and a crib accompanied the bombsight that was the teenager's bedroom.
Contrary to what the doctor's at the hospital had predicted, the young boy was allowed to be discharged no more than a fortnight after the incident. Bulma luckily allowed Gohan the time off work so that he was able to send the majority of his time at the hospital, the staff letting him come and go as he pleased.
The halfling was elated when the baby boy was finally allowed home, and he could make use of the heaps of presents and clothes that the Z-Fighter's had brought for him.
Of course, the news of Gohan's parenthood had travelled fast, and Bulma had to quickly inform them that no, it was not some elaborate prank conjured up by the halfling. The look on their faces when they came to visit the tailed baby was priceless, Gohan even took pictures.
The news of what had happened to Lime had saddened the group, especially when Gohan had told them about the circumstances of the tragedy. Tien, Yamcha, Chaiozu and Krillin had even offered to rebuild the Lao's home, something that both Mister Lao and Gohan were both honoured and humbled by. Mister Lao had recovered well, and was soon discharged to his newly built home with Lime.
Gohan had visited them a few days after the baby was discharged, but had not been able to work up the courage to go back since.
Lime was so different.
Her vacant expression didn't even acknowledge the baby boy, no matter how much the young saiyan tried to draw her attention to him. It was hard to accept that his best friend was basically a vegetable. She could sit up, stand and walk slightly, but he hadn't heard her speak at all, she didn't even seem to recognise him.
He was in the midst of planning another trip out to Chazke Village, but for now he stuck to daily updates of the baby with Mister Lao over the phone. Mister Lao was devastated at first, when he learned of his granddaughters condition, but soon took it in his stride with the hope that she would one day become well again.
The teenager had only told Piccolo what had happened with Borbonne, though he was certain that the rest of the Z-Fighter's could harbour a guess when they had learned about the situation in which Lime had been injured.
Still, Piccolo had not pressed the issue or pressured him to train, only to come and talk if he needed to, which Gohan was thankful for.
He could tell his mentor was worried, the young saiyan had not donned his alter ego since the incident. The Gold Fighter costume lay abandoned at the bottom of his wardrobe, and the teen had put crime fighting to the back of his mind. Along with the dozens of missed calls from Videl.
The media were starting to get suspicious, nearly every newspaper headline read; 'Where is The Gold Fighter?' 'Missing: World's No.1 Superhero' 'Love Affair: Have Videl and The Gold Fighter split?'
Gohan was somewhat grateful that he was able to look after the baby and not pay attention to it all, Bulma had given him a months worth of paternity leave and free access to the nursery should he need it when he went back to work.
He wasn't really sure what to tell the other interns and colleagues, but Iris had already broken it off with him when he had informed her of the news. Though the young saiyan was not too put out by the end of his short relationship, he was too busy relishing in the relief that he was still able to start his internship in September, his mother offering to babysit whenever he needed.
He was both surprised and delighted when Chi-Chi announced that his career was still important, she wouldn't have her grandson growing up with an uneducated, layabout father.
The baby boy was now four weeks old, and doing remarkably well considering the nurse told Gohan they didn't think he would make it through the night when he first arrived at the hospital.
Goten and Trunks adored the little saiyan, especially seen as it was another boy they could add to their mischievous duo. Yet still, the teen couldn't think of a name for the youngest saiyan, and according to Mister Lao, Lime had wanted to wait until she told him to think up a name.
He had been racking his brain for days, but it was getting increasingly difficult to concentrate due to the sleep deprivation.
He didn't understand, Goten was never this bad when he was a baby.
"So you still haven't got a name for him yet?" Dende asked one sunny April morning at The Lookout.
Gohan yawned loudly, cradling the fussing baby in his arms as he sat crossed legged on the marble tiles. He had decided to take the boy out for a slow flight to see if it would settle him, which worked for all of five minutes.
Fed up of dealing with the sound of screaming alone, he took a detour to visit his favourite Guardian.
"Nope," said Gohan, as a thrashing tail hit him in the nose, "Mum's been trying to to enforce Einstein on him, but I'm reconsidering turning it down the way he's been lately. Oh bloody hell, stay still will you!"
Dende grinned, "Surely you don't mean that."
The teenager narrowed his eyes, "You have no idea how close I am to snapping, I haven't slept in over a week."
The baby boy gurgled in his arms, his chubby arms flailing about him.
"Yes, and its all your fault," Gohan replied, shooting him a glare.
The child didn't seem to take kindly to the comment, and let out a wail of protest that echoed over The Lookout. The two teens winced, as the teen lifted him up to meet his face.
"What's up kiddo? You hungry?" he asked loudly over the screams, "Shall we see if Grandma's got a bottle ready for you?"
"WAAA! WAAA! WAAAAA!"
"Ugh," Gohan sighed in defeated, getting to his feet and hoisting onto his shoulder what the teen had dubbed his 'second child' - the duffle bag full of nappies and clothes that he had to constantly carry around with him, "I should go, he's only going to get worse if he isn't fed."
"Oh I don't mind Gohan," said Dende.
The young saiyan snorted, "You don't have to lie Dende, I feel like tearing my ears off too."
His friend chuckled, "Well I'll tell Piccolo you stopped by."
"Yeah, typical of him to be in 'deep meditation' when I bring the baby over," he said, looking to the distraught child who was growing increasingly redder in the face, his tail thrashing wildly, "We have to get you a name kid, maybe that will help you stop screaming."
"Don't worry Gohan," soothed the young Namekian, "It'll get easier."
"Do me a favour Dende and lay an egg," said Gohan, over the baby's desperate squawks, "Then you can tell me just how easy it gets."
And with that he blasted from The Lookout, leaving a blushing Guardian behind him.
Unfortunately for Gohan, the baby was too unsettled to fly much further, so the teen had no choice but to make a stop in West City.
"Bulma?!" He bellowed loudly, the screaming reaching a whole new level as soon as he stepped over the threshold of the Brief's front door, "Bulma! I need a bottle! BULMA!"
"Alright kiddo, there's no need to shout."
He seemed to have interrupted what had been a quiet family breakfast.
The Briefs were all sat around the long wooden table, an array of breakfast items including crumpets, cereals and orange juice littered around them, the television to the side of them blaring the news report over the sound of clinking cutlery.
Dr Briefs looked up from over his paper, his cigarette dangling from his lips, whilst Mrs Briefs stopped what she was stirring on the stove. Trunks' spoon dropped into his cereal bowl with a loud slop, and even Vegeta turned away from his mountain of bacon to stare at the messy haired teenager with an aghast expression.
"WAAA! WAAA! WAAA!"
Gohan was close to pulling his hair out, as he failed horribly at consoling the crying baby over his shoulder.
"Oh sweetheart!" Mrs Briefs cooed, taking the baby from his arms and pressing him to her bosom, "What ever is the fuss about eh? Let's see if I can find one of Bulla's bottles and whip you up some milk."
The screaming soon turned into small whimpers as Mrs Briefs switched on the kettle, grabbing one of Bulla's bottles from the draining board and fishing about in the cupboards for the formula.
Breathing a sigh of relief as the cries subsided, the teenager took a place next to Trunks, the smell of bacon wafting towards his nostrils. His stomach grumbling, the teenager wasted no time in helping himself to the pile of bacon sandwiches that sat in the centre of the table.
"Gohan?" Bulma asked tentatively.
"Yeah?" he asked though a mouthful.
"Sorry to be blunt but-" she started.
"You look like shit," Vegeta interrupted, causing Bulma to glare at him from where she was feeding Bulla in her highchair.
"Vegeta! Not in front of Trunks!" she growled.
"It's alright Mum," said Trunks boastfully, "I've heard it all before, I am nearly six you know."
"Go to your room Trunks," said Bulma.
"But Mum-!"
"Now."
The purple haired prince pouted, before bidding Gohan a short goodbye and scurrying off upstairs. As soon as the teen heard the bedroom door slam, Bulma was upon him again.
"Now Gohan please tell us whats going on," she cooed, "I thought your mum was helping you out."
Gohan snorted, running a hand through his messy hair before grabbing another sandwich, "She does, sometimes, but she seems to think that I got myself into this mess then I should get myself out of it."
"The harpy has a point," said Vegeta.
"Be quiet Vegeta," Bulma scowled, before turning to the teenager, "Seriously kiddo, is everything alright?"
The teenager sighed, sinking into his chair as his bacon sandwich lay abandoned on his plate, "I think the baby hates me."
Bulma and Vegeta shared a quizzical look.
"What?" The blue haired heiress blinked, "Don't be silly Gohan, of course he doesn't hate you! He loves you!"
"He didn't love me at four o'clock this morning when he decided to piss all over my pyjamas."
"That's what babies do brat, they piss, shit and cry and you until they get big enough to talk back at you, thats when you know its time to start training them," Vegeta informed him with a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Gohan rolled his eyes, "Thanks for the pep talk V, but surprisingly that doesn't help me when he screams at me every time I go near him. I don't understand it, Goten was never this bad."
"It's different when its your own kid," Bulma smiled sympathetically, placing her hand on his, "It will get easier."
"That's what everybody tells me," he sighed, "I have no idea how Lime handled it, I haven't had a full nights sleep since he left the hospital. I don't know whats up with him."
"Well it seems to me like this little one was just hungry," said Mrs Briefs, waltzing back to the table with the baby who was currently guzzling down a bottle in her arms.
"He's always hungry," huffed Gohan.
"Well thats not surprising," chuckled Bulma, "He is part saiyan."
"And a part of me is going insane," he shot back, before exhaling a deep breath, placing his head in his hands. "Help."
"Oh Gohan you just need a good nights sleep is all," said Bulma, "I'd be happy to take him for the night but I've only just started to get Bulla to sleep through."
"No need to rub it in."
"I'm not rubbing it in kiddo, I'm just saying," she pressed, "Couldn't Mister Lao have him for a night to give you a rest?"
Gohan shook his head, "No, Lime still isn't good, I couldn't ask him to do that."
"I see," Bulma said sadly, "Well I think the only thing to do is-"
"Suck it up brat."
"Vegeta!"
"What?" The prince spat, "The boy needs to learn. For once his ridiculous mother is right, he got himself into this predicament. He needs to grow up and learn how to cope with the consequences of his actions."
Gohan blinked, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"There's no need to be so harsh Vegeta!" Bulma growled, "Gohan is very sensitive right now, men can suffer from postnatal depression too you know!"
"I'm not sensitive or depressed!" The teenager protested, "I'm just bloody shattered!"
"Of course he's not depressed woman," said the prince, "he's just struggling to adjust to becoming a father at his age, the quicker he stops wallowing and gets off his backside, the quicker his runt will stop screaming."
"You know, I really hate it when you lot talk about me as if I'm not here…" he drawled, though the hot headed couple didn't seem to hear him.
"Oh because you're father of the year!" Bulma seethed, "I didn't see you getting up for night feeds!"
Vegeta all but smirked, leaning back in his chair, "I believe you are the one with the breasts woman, feeding the brats is your job."
"Oh here we go, mister misogynistic-!"
"Um, I think I should go…" said the young saiyan, though the pair ignored him.
"… it's looking to be the most exciting event of the decade! Yes that's right! The World Martial Arts Tournament is making a come back!"
"What?!" Bulma shrieked in excitement, flipping suddenly from her heated argument with her husband and rushing towards the television set.
The young saiyan stared curiously, as the image of a news reporter flashed upon the screen, a tropical beach in the background.
"That's right, the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament will be debuting right here on Papaya Island in approximately two years time. Renovations to the old tournament grounds are already taking place! For those that remember the events of the 23rd world tournament, the entire ring was destroyed in the final round, thus the 24th tournament in which Mister Satan claimed the title, was held in the Island's small events arena where only 500 diligent fans attended.
With generous sponsorship from Mister Satan himself, martial arts fans from all over the world will be able to gather in a state of the art area, housing up to 500,000 people! It's looking to be the fighting event of the century! Now over to you Frank in the studio with The Strongest Under The Heavens, Mister Satan!"
The screen switched, to a smartly dressed studio, where the news anchor was sat across from a smirking Hercule Satan, who was smoking a cigar as he leaned back casually in his chair.
"Thank you Tom, exciting stuff," said Frank, before turning to Satan, "Now, Mister Satan, what made you seek to revive the old tournament in all its glory after seven long years?"
"Im just giving the fans what they want," Satan replied cockily, "There's been a lot of people questioning my abilities lately."
"So your saying that you've brought back the tournament so you can prove your worth to your fans?"
"But of course!" The large man scoffed, "I want to show my fans that I'm still their hero. And it gives other young fighters the chance to give the Champ the old one two. Fun for the kids, great publicity for the art and gets back to what martial arts is all about, you'll see no fancy light tricks from this Champ!"
"Marvellous," Frank grinned, shifting through his notes, "Now Mister Satan, I must ask you, aren't you worried about The Gold Fighter appearing in the tournament? There are some out there who believe that he may be actually stronger than you. He is the young boy who stood up to Cell after all."
Unfortunately for Frank, Satan was in the middle of taking a gulp of water and subsequently spat his drink out all over him.
"What?!" Hercule spluttered, struggling to regain composure, "That's preposterous! I AM THE CHAMPION! I ask you, what light tricks and frilly capes can do against brute strength?! HA!
"Of course! You're absolutely right sir!" said Frank, wiping his face with a handkerchief.
"And furthermore," Satan growled, "If the Gold Fighter is so great, then where is he now? I don't see him giving 2.4 billion Zeni away in order to provide an incredible spectacle for his fans! Hidden away from it all he has, he's just a kid, can't handle the pressure of being famous you see."
"Ah well, I'm afraid that's all we've got time for!" Frank called, turning towards the camera, "Wise words as always from the Champ. And for those of you who missed this announcement, The 25th World Martial Arts Tournament will be coming to Papaya Island on the 7th May 774! You heard it here first folks! Get your tickets early, they'll be sure to sell out soon!"
"Tosser," Gohan spat as the news credits rolled across the screen.
"Oh don't be like that Gohan I think it's great!" said Bulma, her blue eyes sparkling.
The teenager raised an eyebrow, "You do?"
"The whole gang back together again at a real tournament! Just like old times!" she gushed, tickling Bulla's tummy, causing the baby girl to squeal in delight.
"I think it's a joke," Vegeta grunted, "The man has no sense of pride or honour."
"Oh come on, I think it sounds like fun! We can get everyone to compete!" Bulma exclaimed, "don't you want to show Mister Satan what it means to be a true warrior once and for all?"
Vegeta's eyebrows furrowed in thought.
"You're serious?" Gohan gaped, causing the prince to smirk.
"What's wrong brat? Surely you'd want to please your fans."
"I told you I don't do that anymore Vegeta," the young saiyan growled.
"So what? You had a slip, its natural. It is in your blood after all."
The teenager glared, "Why don't you get Piccolo to join in or something? You could train together and leave me the hell out of it."
"Tch, the Namek wishes he had me for a training partner."
"So your really going to compete Vegeta?!" Bulma squealed in excitement.
Vegeta scoffed, "If it will stop your screeching then yes woman, I will compete. Besides, it is two years away, it will give the weaklings time to train to give me somewhat of a proper challenge."
"Woohoo!" Bulma shrieked loudly, causing the two saiyan's to wince, "I'll have to call Krillin and the others, this is so exciting!"
The teenager couldn't help but snort, he couldn't think of anything worse than competing in a tournament, especially as his alter ego.
"Gohan? Come on, you'll be the only one missing out," Bulma sang.
"If you haven't already noticed, I'm a bit preoccupied with a newborn right now," said the teen, "and also, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes."
"That can be arranged," said Vegeta.
"Well suit yourself," said Bulma, ignoring her husband, "But you've still got two years to decide."
"Of which I'm sure the baby would have killed me off by then, so no need to save me a place," he replied dully, causing her to laugh.
"Trust me kiddo, it'll get better," she soothed, "Now why don't you head home now he's settled? You can put him down for a nap and you can get a quick forty winks yourself."
"That sounds like a good idea," The young saiyan yawned, stretching out his arms and holding them out so that Mrs Briefs could place the sleeping child into them, "Thanks Mrs Briefs, I'll just-"
"WAAAAAAAA! WAAAAAAAAA!"
"Not again," Gohan groaned, as soon as the teen shifted the baby boy into a comfortable position for flight, did he begin to scream once more.
"Huh, I see what you mean," Bulma offered sympathetically, "Tough break kid."
"Yeah, thanks."
xxxx
Bleep. Bleep.
Bleep. Bleep.
There went his watch again. He had to remind himself to take the batteries out of the damn thing, but it was difficult to remember such minor tasks when his time was occupied by taking care of a screaming baby. For now though, the baby boy was currently fast asleep, his chubby fists embedded into his t-shirt as he slept on Gohan's chest.
Bleep Bleep.
The teenager sighed, tentatively getting up from his bed and picking up the watch that lay abandoned on his desk.
Bleep Bleep.
It was Videl. For the four-hundredth time that week.
The young saiyan couldn't even bring himself to talk to her, let alone contemplate what on earth she must think of him. The news of Borbonne's capture had made it to the headlines a few weeks ago, though they had miraculously left out the part where The Gold Fighter had nearly strangled him to death. He couldn't help but think that maybe Videl was behind that one, her family had strong links with the press after all.
A part of him wished he could explain to Videl what had happened that night, how he did what he did because he was so full of overwhelming rage and emotion. But no, it would be best for him not to contact her, it would be best for him to never loose control like that again.
Making a decision, Gohan crushed the watch in his palm, the glass casing shattering as tiny puffs of smoke dissipated into the air.
He knew Bulma would be cross with him for destroying the thing she worked so hard to build for him, but he didn't really see the point of having it anymore. It's not like it would use it again.
Unfortunately for Gohan, the slight tinkering of glass caused the little boy in his arms to stir.
"Shhh, shh little guy, it's alright," the teenager cooed, his eyes glancing to the clock on his bedside table.
It was just past midnight, and he really didn't want to wake up his family in the middle of the night again, he was certain that they were getting just as frustrated as he was.
In an attempt to soothe the disgruntled child, the young saiyan gently bounced him in his arms. Gohan crept tentatively onto the darkened landing and made his way down the stairs, his feet padding lightly on the cool wooden floor as he entered the kitchen.
The baby boy whimpered, tears brimming at the corners of his emerald eyes.
To Gohan's surprise, the kitchen was dimly lit by the light above the stove, and it was only when he caught sight of his mother sat at the table with a cup of cocoa did he realise he must have already woken her.
"Sorry Mum," he whispered, not wanting to wake his brother up also, "I didn't-"
"It's alright sweetheart I was already up," she smiled softly, her onyx eyes twinkling as she caught sight of the teen cradling her grandson, "Is he hungry?"
"Think so," said Gohan, "Is there any clean-?"
"There's clean bottles on the draining board," she informed him, still smiling.
"Thanks," he replied sheepishly, grabbing one and attempting to put in the formula one handed, subsequently knocking it all over the counter, "shit."
"Language Gohan," his mother scolded, getting up from her place and moving over to him, "Here let me, go and sit down before you make any more mess."
The young saiyan obeyed, rubbing the baby's back gently as he began to cry, "Shh kiddo, Grandma's getting you some milk now, please stop crying."
"Here darling," cooed Chi-Chi, placing the warm bottle into his hand.
As soon as the sound of rapid sucking filled the room did the teenager breathe a sigh of relief, "Thanks Mum."
"You're welcome," she chuckled, sitting down opposite him as he let out a huge yawn, "It's a hard job isn't it?"
"I never knew I could be so tired," he replied.
"That's parenting for you," said Chi-Chi, "though I think you're handling it quite well."
Gohan scoffed, "Bulma and Vegeta don't seem to think so."
"Nonsense," she said, "I'll have you know that no one was as unprepared for parenthood as your father."
He blinked, she hadn't spoken about his father to him so readily in years, "Really?"
His mother nodded, "Oh yes, he had never even seen a baby before, let alone held one."
The young saiyan laughed, "I can imagine actually, Krillin told me once that he didn't know the difference between girls and boys at one point."
"That's true," she chuckled, "Your father was a case, but as clueless as he was, I'd never seen pride like it when you were born, not even Vegeta's pride could measure up to how proud Goku was."
Gohan looked away, his gaze focusing on his own son who was guzzling his milk like there was no tomorrow.
"Oh how I wish he could of met Goten," said Ch-Chi lovingly, "and this little one of course, he'd be so proud of you all."
"Shocked I think is the word you're looking for mother," he grinned cheekily.
"Well yes, there is that," she smiled, a slight tinge of pink to her cheeks, "But I think he would be proud of you all the same, just like I am."
Gohan couldn't help but smile back, it had been years since he and his mother had sat down like this, just talking and sharing stories.
"Mum?" the teenager called after a moments peaceful silence.
"Yes dear?"
"I think I know what to call him."
