A/N: Thanks for all the reviews :D

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ (Kai and GT) and do not profit from writing this story.

Embracing Myself

Chapter 4

When You're All Alone

Gohan Son was a tough boy: he took his mom's verbal abuse and sometimes frying pan without a true word of complaint; he went through each and every battle so far with a toughness his dad secretly admired. So as Gohan watched the planet Yardrat disappear into the darkness of the universe, the boy bit his lip and began to to try to figure out how to get the controls to unlock themselves. But the pain at his side had begun to take its toll on his strength and energy.

By the time Gohan managed to frustrate himself into laying back down, there were tears of sadness, self-doubt and pain in his onyx eyes.

"What am I going to do...?" he mumbled to himself, wincing when he jarred his side.

-Well, good thing I showed up early, huh? We need to first get your side properly taken care of... Your father stopped the bleeding, but it's not healing correctly...- Kakou's ghostly form appeared before the original, smiling mysteriously as he walked around the space ship.

"I-I've been wondering... how can you show up like this if you're only in my mind?" Kakou chuckled, leaning on the control console with an ease that made Gohan frown slightly.

-Well, it's a thing we Gohans from another time learn when we go through the space-time continuum... it's something that just happens... if you ever have to go into the past, future, or whatnot, you will learn its secrets... But, enough of that...The first-aid kit is in the bottom drawer of the bathroom... I'd get it, but... no body...- As Gohan slowly made his way to the bathroom, Kakou began to talk to himself. -I mean, I guess I could travel back to my body, then travel here and be here in both body and mind, but it would wear down on me, so, is unhelpful even in this slightly dire moment...- Their eyes met as Gohan raised a skeptical brow at the other, who laughed at his expression.

-Sorry, so used to talking to myself to work things out...- Gohan nodded at this explanation, quietly sitting himself on his messed up bed and folding his legs under him.

-Okay, you're going to want to get the hydrogen peroxide wipes and wipe down your wound with it. It will sting, so- A yelp stopped the older Gohan, who watched in silence as the original Gohan bit his lip and kept cleaning his wound with shaky fingers.

-My strength has been fighting off the infection... which is very unhelpful since I need to train you for what is to come, though your timeline definitely differs already from what our intentions were...- Kakou shook his head, his long hair flicking back and forth. Placing his hands on his hips as Gohan finished wrapping up his side, the other Gohan tutted to himself. -Really, this is all too complicated for me!-

"Do you always talk to yourself like that?" Gohan asked sheepishly, straightening as he patted his stomach lightly.

-...Yes, so shut up about it!- Kakou had the decency to blush before the ship shook, rumbling loudly. -Oh no... seems like something's going wrong again...- Gohan got up from his bed and struggled over to the control panel, which was flashing bright colors at them.

"Space Dimensional Shift! Space Dimensional Shift! Time continuum causing ripples through space. Please take your seats and buckle in," Gohan quickly did as the monitor instructed, sitting in the pilot chair and strapping in securely.

-Space Dimensional Shift? That means more than one person is in the past...or not in their correct timeline...- Kakou pondered as he floated in the air peacefully, everything around him shaking violently. Gohan's teeth clattered before the shaking ended, the computer peacefully explaining that they were back on course for... some mysterious planet.

Kakou watched in silence as Gohan tripped over his feet, landing lightly on his bed, where he passed out. The planet they were nearing was obscured by clouds, but Kakou kept getting a weird feeling he wasn't going to like this new planet. Or maybe just the people on the planet.

-Kakou to Omni, Kakou to Omni! Are you there, you idiot?- Kakou hissed aloud, jolting when the other Gohan snapped loudly back at him.

-Yes, I am! Don't call me an idiot! You'd be calling yourself an idiot! Ha ha...- Kakou's eyes closed as he muttered "Patience is a gift" before he slowly let out a breath.

-Omni, you're not...in this time, are you?- There was a moment of silence before the younger Gohan laughed.

-No! Because apparently, the Elder Namekian, Guru, is going to have their dragon wish back my dad! I can't wait!- There was a happy, jittery sound before Kakou sighed.

-I'm happy for you but...Something's wrong here...someone else is in the past too...Someone who isn't supposed to be...- Both thought in the next silence, the ship rocking slightly as it began its descent.

-Well, it might be that Mirai Trunks guy you were talking about. Doesn't he come back in time to warn us of the impending doom?- Omni asked, sounding slightly amused, but hiding his worry.

-Yes, but this is way too soon...It was a year after Frieza's defeat...when Goku comes back from Yardrat that Mirai Trunks appears...- They both tried not to think of the other possibilities this meant.

"Landing on Planet Grashtove. Two minutes to landing..." the computer suddenly announced, startling the two other Gohans before Kakou shook his head and canceled the connection between him and Omni.

"Grashtove? That sounds... alien..." Gohan muttered from the bed, sitting up as he rubbed his eyes. The older Gohan nodded, still lost in thought before the ship landed, roughly against the ground, causing the boy to fly out of his bed.

THUNK.

"OW!" Gohan yelled, rubbing his abused head, glaring at Kakou when he laughed. The door opened, both looking out as they spotted a man in … Saiyan armor?

"Who goes there?" the man yelled out, cape rushing around him as the wind picked up. Gohan walked forward, tail wrapping instinctively around his small waist.

"You-you're Saiyan?" the man asked, stepping forward before he nodded his head. "I am Paragus, and this is New Vegeta..." he gestured behind him, where a grand castle-like structure stood white and proud. "And who are you?"

"My-my name's Gohan Son... nice to meet you, sir..." the boy still had manners, bowing to the older male with respect as Paragus's eyebrow rose.

"Not a Saiyan name, and too young to have lived on Planet Vegeta... Are you a...half-Saiyan perchance?" Gohan looked sharply up at that, narrowing his eyes before he nodded.

"A half-Saiyan... huh... What is the other species? Changeling? Reptilian?" the half-Saiyan shook his head, mumbling something before clearing his throat and warily saying:

"Human... the other half is human..." Paragus nodded, an astounded look on his face before he smiled.

"Well, Gohan the half human, half Saiyan, why is it that you've come here?" he asked curiously gesturing for the child to walk with him. Kakou, by this time was gone from Gohan's sights, yet was a reassuring presence in the back of his mind.

"My ship malfunctioned and programmed itself to come here, actually... it called this planet 'Grashtove' though..." Paragus smirked before he smiled gently down at Gohan.

"The planet was formerly called Grashtove...We'll get your ship fixed up, but in the meantime, enjoy yourself... Oh, here is Broly...Gohan, meet my son, Broly..." The man before him had tinted blue-green hair, gold bands decorating his arms. A gold necklace hung from his neck, another gold band around his neck as his impassive eyes found Gohan. He had no shirt on but had on a red loincloth over his white, loose pants. A tiara with a blue gem circled his head before he moved forward, bowing to Gohan as they drew nearer. Gold loop earrings adorned his ears, swishing as he stood straight.

"Hello little one, I am Broly," he said in a calm, yet sinister tone. Gohan felt a shiver up his spine but held out his hand to this man with something pushing him to do so.

"Hello Broly, I am Gohan Son...it's very nice to meet you..." the taller male looked to his father, who shrugged before Paragus moved around his son, letting Broly firmly grasp Gohan's small hand in his own.

"It's... nice to meet you too..."

Kakou didn't like this predicament, but wisely kept silent as Gohan followed Broly after Paragus. The oldest of the three told his son to show their guest around while he worked in his lab, making the other full Saiyan frown deeply before he turned to the young Saiyan with a smile that made Gohan think that he could really ...get Broly.

The man walked the boy around the castle, explaining the intricate designs of the Saiyan line that were depicted in its walls and teaching Gohan some Saiyan tongue when the half-Saiyan told him of his own heritage. They were truthful to each other as they walked through the unoccupied castle and it made Gohan feel a companionship he hadn't felt for a long time.

"I... dislike my father... he makes me...unhappy..." Broly admitted when they finally got to Gohan's room: a room filled with a queen bed covered in green, a dresser made of fine wood to one side, a fine rug beneath their feet and a desk made of the same fine wood across from the dresser.

"I think I know how you feel. My mother expects me to do what she wants me to, but I don't really want to become what she wants..." Gohan sighed, running a hand through his short, cut hair. "Take this hair cut for example... It's...stupid..." Broly laughed, making Gohan pout before he continued.

"Of course, I didn't want to get my hair cut, but my mom insisted... So I got it and dealt with the teasing remarks for her..." the boy plopped onto the bed as the older Saiyan gently took a seat in the elaborate chair in front of the desk.

"My father... controls me. My every move, thought, emotion..." Broly sighed, as if letting the anger that had boiled in him simmer off.

"H-how does he do that?" Gohan asked, frowning deeply as he looked carefully over the man. He stood, walking forward as Broly watched him warily, chuckling when the boy poked his necklace.

"Close...it's actually my 'tiara'..." He said it with disdain and disgust as he fingered the gold around his head. Small fingers walked along it, making Broly blink as the child touched the gem in the middle and a spark flew off of it.

"Woah! That's crazy... Why would he want to do that...?" Gohan mumbled, biting his lip as he looked up at the man, big eyes trying to pull the answer out of him. Eyes narrowing as he realized what the truth might cause, Broly stood, making the boy stumble back before the older male patted the boy's head fondly.

"It doesn't matter. It won't come off anyway... Don't worry about it. I have to go now, though...I'll come up and get you for dinner..." And Broly was out of the room, Gohan frowning as he plopped back on the massive bed behind him.

-I don't like it here...There's something not...right about this situation...- Kakou announced to the silence, making Gohan look over at him as he pouted.

"Well, of course not! Broly is being controlled by his own father! How would you feel if...if..." the younger Gohan slid a hand over his eyes, groaning softly. "I'm-I'm never going to make it back to him...!" Kakou shifted at the sudden change of topics before sighing deeply.

-I'm going to train you... specifically that mind of yours... You're still not as willful and confident as you need to be...We'll train in your mindscape, though... It's too dangerous to reveal myself to these … Saiyans...- the older Gohan ran a finger over his lip, poking the corner of his mouth before smiling down to a tearful Gohan.

"How are you so sure of yourself...?" he asked quietly as Kakou floated before him.

-Hmm, that's a story I'll have to tell you later. It's my life story, after all...- Kakou grinned widely before he pointed to the bathroom. -You should go take a relaxing bath or something... You need it- Then his form disappeared as Gohan felt his presence in the back of his head.

The boy walked into the bathroom, marveling at the marble counters, sinks and bath tub. The bluish gray of the marble stood out against the bright sky blue of the tiles of the floor and ceiling. The large tub took up one corner of the room, weird letters and knobs on one side of the basin. Trying to figure out how to turn the water on, pink fluid instead came out of one nozzle, filling the air with a scent of some type of strange, yet wonderful floral smell. A blue knob seemed like the choice as deep blue water filled the tub, mixing with the pink soap. Gohan grinned widely as he stripped of his very dirty clothes and placed them on the counter. Slipping into the tub, the half-Saiyan sighed pleasantly, feeling a lot better as the warm water soothed him. Touching the bandages over his stomach, the boy poked his side, cringing as it twinged in discomfort.

-Close your eyes... We'll do some trial and error right now... see what does and doesn't work for you...- Gohan did as he was told, immediately seeing Kakou standing in front of his mind-self.

-Good, now... Relax fully, let all thoughts and troubles be washed away...- Gohan nodded once, thinking of nothing as he blanked his mind. Kakou smiled as he walked around the boy, gathering his power.

-Now, let your power come out...slowly, bit by bit.- Kakou stopped his circling, standing in front of the demi-Saiyan with narrowed eyes. Gohan's breath came out slowly, and with it, gold light shined lightly from the boy. It grew in intensity as the minutes went by before Kakou had to hold a hand over his eyes.

-Now, grab your anger at Radditz, Frieza, and Recoome! Remember the pain when you felt your dad's ki vanish ...! Take all those bad memories and utilize them!- Gohan's terrified black eyes opened wide as he stared up at the other Gohan. Suddenly, his lips trembled and tears dripped down his cheeks, his hands turning into fists as he clenched them by his sides. A scream ripped through his body as gold suddenly cracked across his small form. Kakou immediately clapped a hand down on Gohan's shoulder, subduing the power as it tried to flare out of control.

Gohan was shaking his head back and forth, making the older Gohan blink before he knelt in front of his younger self. -Gohan, wake up... You aren't ready to face this yet... let go for now...- As if the dam stopping the water from rushing past collapsed back into place, the younger half-Saiyan opened terrified eyes, staring at his hands. Flickers of gold walked across them as he pushed them back under the water.

"Gohan? Dinner will be ready in five and I brought you some change of clothes, seeing as yours were dirty..." Broly's voice was light as he pressed the door to the bathroom open. Gohan smiled up at him, kind of relieved to see the other Saiyan rather than his father.

"What are we having?" the boy asked as he jumped out of the bath, letting it drain as he pulled a soft, green towel around him.

"Hmmm, Taxig meat, well-done and Chuba leaves with speckled Larnx for flavor..." At the openly bemused look he got, Broly laughed, shaking his head as the kid grinned in response.

"I guess you'll just have to see, then, huh?" The tall man said with a smirk before he noticed blood seeping from the boy's side.

"You're injured? How did this happen?" Broly frowned, putting one big hand gently over the now bleeding wound.

"Oh, uhm... When fighting an evil tyrant, I got hit in the side, saving my father from a death beam...It's been really hard to heal..." Gohan cringed slightly as the larger Saiyan started to unwrap it. The wound was mostly bruised, purple skin surrounding the bleeding, fist-sized hole in his side. Broly lightly touched the dark-colored skin with a finger tip before green surrounded it. Gohan gasped as the pain slowly receded, taking the bruises with it and stopping the bleeding.

"Wow...how'd you do that?" the boy asked in amazement, placing his palm over the reddish wound before looking up at the other Saiyan.

"Something I've learned from having a lot of wounds myself... But, let's not get into this now..." He tugged Gohan over to his clothes and slipped the flowing robe over the boy's head. As the older male tied the sash around the boy, Gohan stared up at Broly with a mixture of appreciation and puzzlement. Just as the full Saiyan finished the intricate tying that made the sash fall in a delicate sort of way, he didn't catch the look the half-Saiyan was giving him and instead led them out of the bathroom and through the maze of the castle to the dining room. The long, green-wooded table sat in the middle of the room, two large chairs at the ends of the table while many black-seated chair were sprawled in between. Large platters sat in between the three set plates, where napkins and a large glass sat. There were no utensils to be found on the table. Broly looked to one corner, where Paragus stepped out from, a large smile on his face as he sat at the head of the table.

"Come, sit down and enjoy the meal, young friend..." the father said, his voice low and mischievous as he tucked into his food. He picked up a large piece of meat with his bare hands, and took a huge,disgusting bite, making Gohan cringe slightly as he sat in his seat in between the two ends of the table. Broly sat at the other end, nodding to the youngest as he too dug in.

The conversation was almost nil, except for the occasional question about Earth, seeming that Broly was steadfast in trying to avoid his father's piercing gaze. After all the strange food was gone, servants filed out of a back room, their heads down and feet scrambling as Paragus stood, staring straight at his son.

"Excuse us, Gohan. Broly and I have some business to take care of. Please, enjoy your night. If you need anything, there is a bell you can ring in your room for one of the many servants..." Broly stood at that, quickly following after his father as Gohan reached out a hand.

"Broly..." the half-Saiyan whispered before he quickly walked out of the dining room. He just saw the ends of Paragus' cape go around the corner.

Gohan, don't think about it! First, we need to get to your dad! That is the main priority here! Kakou suddenly yelled into his mind as he made to follow, pausing as he came to the bend.

"Ugh, I know you're right, but..." Angrily, the boy crushed his fist against the wall, making a nice fist-shaped hole before he pulled back and sheepishly stared at the gaping hole.

"Whoops," Gohan groaned as he turned around and made his way upstairs to his bedroom.

So, we're going to work on controlling that power of yours next... Kakou informed him, taking form next to the other Gohan as they made it to Gohan's room. Plopping on his bed, the half-Saiyan immediately straightened as a sudden increase in ki flashed through his mind.

"Broly... Broly's ki just sky-rocketed! He's-he's really strong! Stronger than me or dad..." Gohan stared, wide-eyed into the distance as the ki fluctuated harshly before the whole castle began to shake. Just as suddenly as it started, the ki began to disappear just as quickly, becoming controlled as pain lanced through the energy.

"He's...he's being controlled!" Gohan clenched his fist as he stood. Power drifted around him as he tried to contain it, barely managing to as he bit his lip. Kakou only stared into the distance as he too felt the emotions coming off of the ki.

"I-I can't just stand by any longer!" Gohan yelled at Kakou, who only glanced at him.

You are in control of your own actions...and consequences... Do as you please... At that, the half-Saiyan launched out of the door, flying down the stairs and hallways toward the flickering kis. Paragus was going to stop controlling Broly if Gohan had anything to say about it!

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I got into Resident Evil, which somehow lead to me being obsessed with House before I started watching DBZKai. XD It's so pretty! I like how they compile it too! YAY! Review please! Thankies! :)