Chapter 26: Another Day

In midair was a young boy who was repeatedly throwing punches and kicks. Gohan was out in the middle of a desert wasteland, that was also known as the place where the Cell Games took place.

The young saiyan was in his super saiyan form. He was training or rather letting out some of the anger that he was holding in. Each punch and kick he would throw would destroy part of a mountain in the background, but he still made sure to be careful in not destroying or damaging the planet.

Gohan was just mad for the fact that he hadn't slept well for the past couple of days with those stupid shadows always appearing in his dreams. Each time he woke up he always felt exhausted as though he had been fighting in real life and then he usually wouldn't be able to fall back to sleep.

And he was mad at himself for not keeping his anger in check last night. Piccolo had only wanted to help him and he had gone out and punched him, of all people. It was a no wonder Piccolo was silently above watching him. Gohan had sensed the namekian follow him when he had went the other direction instead of school.

~ Gohan, what is it that's ailing you? Why won't you ask any of us for help? ~ Wondered the alien to himself. He remembered back to the times when Gohan fought hard in regaining control of his body from his saiyan side. Was it really what was happening now? If so, there wasn't much they could do for the boy, but they could at least reassure him and bring him more comfort.

Stopping his attacks, Gohan let out a sigh and wiped his forehead. ~ I might as well go to school now. I don't want to get in anymore trouble for skipping out. ~ He had already missed three class periods. Checking his watch, he decided that he had enough time to stop by Bulma's first. Powering up, he left for Capsule Corp.

In the distance where Gohan had just been, Piccolo watched his former student fly away. The namekian had decided to not follow him , after all he couldn't trail him all day and it would most likely just annoy him, especially with what happened last night. The last thought he had in his mind before leaving was, "Gohan."

- () -

Meanwhile, after several minutes of flying, Gohan had arrived at his destination. Walking inside the large building known as Capsule Corp, Gohan yelled out, "Hey Bulma are you home?" Answering his call was the all mighty prince. "Hey brat, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in your stupid human school?"

Turning around, Gohan came face to face with Vegeta. He smiled. "Why would you care about something like that?" Vegeta smiled as well. "I don't, but seeing as your not in it, what do you say to having a sparring match with me?"

A sparring match actually sounded pretty nice right now, but Gohan didn't know if to go through with it. He still felt a little bit of anger, but no so much as before though. He was just too worried that he might slip up and really hurt Vegeta. After all if he attacked Piccolo, one of his best friends, he didn't even want to think what would happen if Vegeta angered him even more.

"Ugh, sorry Vegeta, but I just came here to see Bulma." Said Gohan, deciding better to just get done what he came here to do. "Oh I see. Kakarot's mighty son is too scared to fight the prince of all saiyans." At that comment, Gohan narrowed his eyes. "Well I don't blame you. There's no way a saiyan halfbreed can compete with an elite like me." Obviously, Vegeta was trying to get the young saiyan angry enough to want to fight, trying to tempt his saiyan blood. But of course doing this was dangerous, playing with Gohan this way.

Keeping his cool, Gohan spoke, "I'm not scared of fighting you okay, but I have to be somewhere else, but if you still want to fight later, I'll stop by again in a couple of hours." Vegeta grinned. "Now that's more like it. And if your looking for the women, she's in Trunks room." "Thanks." With that Gohan left to the direction of the room.

Arriving at the door, Gohan knocked lightly. Opening the door was Bulma with a sleeping Trunks in her arms. "Oh hi Gohan. I didn't expect to see you here. Aren't you supposed to be in school?" "Well, actually that's the main reason why I came here." "Oh really." Said Bulma intrigued. "Here, let me just put Trunks in his crib and we'll talk."

A few seconds later, Bulma emerged from the room. "So, what's up?" She asked as both started walking down the hall. "Well, I was wondering if you could make me a fake note for school since I'm barely just gonna go right now." Hearing that, Bulma had a surprised look on her face. "Gohan. I didn't think you were one to ditch class." He let out a small laugh. "Yeah, well I was training, just letting out some anger. Besides I always have to leave to stop criminals anyway."

"I see." Of course Bulma had caught what the young saiyan had said. "Gohan, what did you mean by letting some anger out?" Gohan mentally cursed himself for letting that slip. He knew that if he lied, Bulma would know since she was so smart, but then again he wasn't so good when it came to lying.

"It's nothing." He stated as his mood darkened a little. Knowing too well that Gohan obviously didn't want to talk, Bulma decided to let it go. "Well okay, but Gohan you really shouldn't keep things bottled up inside. If there's a problem you should tell someone, you know. If not us then maybe one of your friends at school."

As Bulma got out a piece of paper and pen, Gohan sat down on a chair thinking about what she said. ~ Maybe Bulma's right. Maybe I should tell someone, but I don't know. That'll mean that everyone will get worried and start smothering me and I really don't want that. ~

~ And now that I think about it, Videl's gonna want answers. This whole headache thing is getting out of control and she's already seen a little too much. She already figured out my other secret...That girl really is smart... ~

"Okay. Here you go Gohan. This should get the school to leave you alone for coming in late." Said Bulma, knocking him out of his thoughts. "Thanks." Said Gohan as he got up, taking the paper. "Don't mention it, but if I were you I'd try not to miss more classes or else the school might give a call home or something." "It's kinda too late for that. Since I leave class to fight bad guys I usually don't make it back in time and well the teachers give me detention. I actually have one today."

At that Bulma laughed a little. "I'd be careful if I were you with getting in trouble. I can't imagine how your mother would react." "I can and let me tell you it won't be pretty. I guess I'll see you later then." "Bye Gohan."

- () -

After several minutes of flying, in the distance the city known as Orange Star City came into view. And following close behind was Gohan's school. Landing on the roof, the young saiyan quickly made his way towards class seeing as though he was a little late.

Making it to his class, Gohan gave his teacher the note and climbed up the stairs to his seat. "Gohan what are you doing here? I'm telling you, you're too sick to come to school right now." Said Videl. "I told you I'm-" Interrupting him Videl spoke, "You're fine. I don't think so. I've already seen you collapse like two times because of those headaches you've been having."

"Headaches, how come you haven't told us anything about that Gohan?" Asked Erasa, as she had been listening the two of them with intrigue. "It's not that big of a deal. That's why I came late. My mom took me to the doctor's to make sure it wasn't anything serious. And they said it was just a mild migraine." "That sounds kinda serious to me Gohan." Said Erasa. "I have to agree with Erasa." Said Videl. "Well the doctors said I was well enough to got to school. So, I wouldn't worry."

"Gosh Videl, the way you act I'd say that you really like Gohan." Said Erasa whispering to Videl. "You've got to be kidding me, no way. We're just friends." "Heh, whatever you say." Videl spoke, "Hey, I know that tone anywhere Erasa. You better not be thinking up one of your crazy ideas." "Who me, of course not."

~ Well, it looks like Videl at least believed that and everybody else for that matter. ~ Thought the young saiyan to himself.

~ Hmm...I don't know. What Gohan said sounded believable enough. Even the symptoms match perfectly. Still though, why is that I feel that he's still not telling us the truth. I was right about him being the Gold Fighter so maybe I could be right about this too.~ Thought Videl as she looked carefully at Gohan.

Gohan didn't even have to turn around to know who was looking at him. He knew full well that it was Videl. ~ Really, doesn't she ever get tired of doing that? ~

- () -

Hours later, it was the final class period.

Everyone was sitting down as their substitute teacher, Trunks took row.

All of the students were happily chatting with each other except for our young hero who wasn't taking any part in the conversation with his friends. He wasn't really in the mood for talking. His head was unfortunately starting to hurt again. In the last periods he had felt the pain, but in a more bearable way where it was barely noticeable. And now it was back, more stronger this time. ~ I wish this could all just disappear. ~

"Hey Gohan are you feeling alright?" Asked Erasa seeing as though he hadn't spoken a single word this whole time. "You look a little tense." "It's nothing, just a small headache." "Maybe you should go to the nurse's office if you're not feeling well." "No, it's fine. Besides I can't miss more classes." Sharpener spoke, "Yeah really. Since you're always ditching them." "Oh shut up Sharpener." Responded the yellow haired girl.

All the while Videl watched in silence. She just couldn't understand how Gohan could be so stubborn. Always saying that he was fine when clearly he wasn't.

"Alright class everyone get ready to start running. You'll run four laps and then the rest of the period you'll get to play." Said Trunks. Everyone groaned at this, but did as told. "Aw man, I really don't feel like running right now." Stated Erasa. "Hey look at it this way babe. At least this way you'll stay in great shape." Said Sharpener. "Easy for you to say. You're already in good shape because of the boxing club, isn't that right Gohan."

No response came as he had started walking towards Trunks. The three of them turned to look at where he was going. "Hey what do you think he's doing?" Asked Erasa. "He did say he wasn't feeling good right. He's probably asking the sub to be excused." Answered Videl. "I guess so."

Noticing that Gohan was walking towards him, Trunks spoke, "Hey Gohan what's up?" "Hey Trunks, is it alright if I'm excused from running today?" Seeing the worried look on his face, Gohan spoke again. "Don't worry, I just feel kinda tired." "Sure. It's no problem. Just go ahead and sit down." "Thanks." Without saying another word, Gohan took his leave.

Trunks only looked at his best friend as he left. Piccolo had informed them all about his little outburst last night on how he had lashed out at Piccolo. As far as he could tell Gohan didn't look so agitated, just a bit exhausted like he had said. And all that worried him greatly. He didn't want to experience losing his friend again without being able to do anything.

"What are you doing over here Gohan? You're not gonna run?" Asked Videl. "No, the sub excused me for today." "Lucky you! I wish I could be in your shoes. I seriously don't feel like getting hot and sweaty." Said Erasa. Gohan laughed lightly at that. ~ Trust me Erasa. You wouldn't want to be in my position. ~ Thought Gohan to himself. All of them had no idea.

"Well we'll see you when we're done running. It looks like they're about to start." Said Erasa. "Just think that it'll be over really fast Erasa." Said Sharpener as both of them started walking away. Videl on the other hand had stayed put. "Are you sure you're going to be fine Gohan? You've always said that and..." Stated Videl as she couldn't finish the statement. "You're my friend and I don't want to see you hurt." Gohan spoke, "It's okay. I don't want anyone to worry about me. You just have to trust me that I'm fine."

Onyx eyes met Sapphire eyes for a split second. "You should hurry over with everyone else. I don't want you to get in trouble." "Well alright. You win this time Son Gohan." Said Videl as she started walking away.

- () -

And so the time rolled by as it was time to go home.

Gohan and Trunks were currently flying to Capsule Corp. "So Gohan, I take it you're feeling better now?" "Yeah, I am." "Why were you feeling tired anyway?" "I guess it's since I was training for three hours straight and the lack of sleep I've been getting lately."

At that Trunks stopped flying. Seeing this Gohan stopped as well. "Lack of sleep?" "Yeah, it's nothing really." Said Gohan avoiding eye contact as he was contemplating whether to finally tell the truth. Both were silent as Trunks waited for Gohan to say something. "Trunks please I don't want or need you to worry. I'll be fine." "Well alright, but Gohan if you want to talk you know we're all here right. I mean we won't judge you or anything." "Yeah I know." Gohan said quietly. "Now, let's go."

As they continued flying, Gohan thought about what Trunks said. ~ It's just like Bulma said, but I...just can't bring myself to say anything. We're finally having a couple of days of peace and I don't want my friends to worry and ruin that peace. But at the same time I can't keep going on like this. ~

After minutes of flying they both landed having reached their destination. Walking inside the large building, Trunks noticed Gohan going the other way. "Hey where you going Gohan?" "To the gravity room to train with Vegeta." "What? Are you sure that's such a good idea? I mean you said you were feeling exhausted lately. I think it'd be best if you'd take it easy."

Not responding Gohan continued on walking. At that moment, Trunks became aware of a sudden tension in the air. As if the air suddenly turned cold, the kind of feeling when facing a powerful foe. If he didn't know any better, Trunks could have sworn all that was coming from the young saiyan. ~ That can't be right. Gohan's energy signal feels completely normal. ~

Taking one last glance at Gohan, Trunks starting walking away wondering what it was that he had just felt. And as both went their own ways, none of them heard the faint laughter that raged throughout the halls.

Knocking on the door to the gravity room, Gohan was greeted by Vegeta. "So, you did decide to show up. How brave of you." "Right." Said Gohan as he walked in.

Even the prince could tell that something was definitely strange here. Eying the young boy carefully, he felt the same thing that Trunks had. Everything about Gohan seemed perfectly fine, his energy signal, his behavior. And yet, there was just something that seemed off.

"Hey, so are we gonna start anytime soon." Said Gohan. Without saying a word Vegeta walked over to the controls and turned up the gravity. Both got into defensive postures, waiting for the first move.

A/N: Sorry for the wait, but I've been studying and taking notes for my finals next week! O_o So, wish me luck on that and please review! Thnx!