This story has been on my computer for a very long time so I thought I might as well finish it! This is an Au taking place after the Tree of Might battle. Goku witnesses Gohan's close call during the battle and begins to wonder if he should still let him fight. I'm going to try my best to get the second part up soon!
Goku felt his Ki drop rapidly as the adrenaline faded. Dropping to his knees, he tried to catch his breath. The final moments of the battle against Turles had been way too close for comfort. It would have been game over if he hadn't been able to tap into the Tree of Might's energy to make the Spirit Bomb. Both the Tree and evil Saiyan had been destroyed. In time, the trapped life energy would be disbursed back into the world. The surrounding area was already starting to heal. Goku stood up and searched for everyone's Ki signals. They were low, but not fatal. He would meet with them later; he had a more important matter to attend to.
Ignoring his exhaustion, he flew to the safe spot he had left Gohan. Icarus was already there trying to awaken him. Seeing the dragon made Goku let out a sigh of relief. He was afraid Turles's attack had done away with him. Taking notice of Goku's sudden appearance, Icarus growled.
"It's ok, boy, it's me." Goku said as he held his hands up in a submissive manner. Icarus immediately realized his mistake in thinking he was Turles. His growls then turned into low, sad, sounding chirps while looking at Gohan. Goku knelt beside his son and gently picked him up. He was still wrapped in his orange gi shirt and asleep. Aside from some cuts and bruises nothing seemed too serious. Icarus nudged Goku's arm with his head.
"He'll be ok. He's just tired." Goku patted the dragon's head. "Thanks for helping, we'll meet you back home. Ok?" Icarus seemed to accept this answer as he squawked happily and took to the twilight sky.
"Let's go home, Gohan. You did your fair share today." Goku said standing back up. "I almost lost you." He thought as he looked at his son's sleeping face. The moment of Turles launching his attack kept haunting his mind. Gohan had been nothing more than a plaything to him. Goku gritted his teeth in anger, the Saiyan got what he deserved.
He should have known Gohan would follow him to the fight. The boy loved his father and friends dearly. There wasn't anything he wouldn't try to protect them. But…should this go on? So lost in thought, Goku didn't even notice his friends landing beside him.
"How is he?" Yamcha asked concerned.
"Oh, hey, guys. He just needs rest." Goku replied turning to the group.
"Heh. I guess that's what transforming into a Great Ape does to you." Krillin joked with a small laugh. However, the look on his best friend's face showed that he wasn't in a laughing mood.
Tien tried to lighten things. "You should be proud of him, Goku. He really helped Chiaotzu and I out of a tough spot."
"Yeah! He was great! I can't believe how strong he is." Yamcha chimed in.
Goku made a small smile, but it fell. "Where's Piccolo?"
Krillin rolled his eyes. "You know him. He takes off before anyone can get near him. I swear he only hangs around us because of Gohan."
As if responding to his name, Gohan stirred in his father's arms. Goku looked down and adjusted him slightly. "I guess we're gonna head home. Thanks, guys. For everything."
The Z Fighters said their goodbyes as Goku called for Nimbus. The yellow cloud descended allowing him to get seated before speeding off.
On the way home, Goku thought about what he was going to say to Chi-Chi. Of course, she didn't bat an eye at him going to the fight, he was the leader of Earth's defenders after all. But Gohan…that was an entirely different story. He must have snuck off while she wasn't watching. He would certainly get punished for disobeying his mother.
Goku sighed. It didn't happen often, but in times like this, he longed for a somewhat normal life. He wasn't going to lie, he loved the thrill of battle, he lived for it. But what would it be like to live in a world where he didn't have to fear for everyone's safety? The thought was almost alien to him. He had been someone's protector since he was a kid. However, that torch had been passed to Gohan at a far younger age.
Was it really the right thing to let him continue down this path? Goku had seen his son injured and transform during the fight with Vegeta. Thinking back on it still made him shudder. The only thing was it had been an all or nothing situation. If Gohan hadn't been there, they would have lost. Today's battle was far different. The sight of home seemed to make up his mind. Maybe Chi-Chi was right all along. Maybe Gohan needed to stop fighting.
Stopping in front of the Son residence, Nimbus lowered itself to the ground being considerate of its injured passengers. Goku didn't even have to open the door due to it being flung open.
"Goku…" Chi-Chi grew pale at the state of her husband and son.
"We're ok, Chi. Just a little banged up." Goku handed Gohan to his wife's outstretched arms. Without another word, Chi-Chi ran inside to take care of him.
Stepping inside the house caused the battle's exhaustion to hit Goku full force. He knew that if he laid on the couch the way he was his wife would kill him. Opting to keep his life, he went into their bedroom to get a change of clothes. On the bed was a tank top, sweatpants, and the first aid kit. He smiled. Chi-Chi always put up a tough front about him fighting but she really did care. Gathering up his stuff, Goku went outside. Chi-Chi was in the bathroom taking care of Gohan which was fine. He would just use the barrel. After lighting a fire with a small energy blast, he jumped in. The hot water felt like heaven on his aching muscles!
After soaking for a bit, he got bandaged up and dressed. Going back inside, he went into the bedroom. Chi-Chi was sitting on the edge of their bed in the dim light. She quickly wiped at her eyes.
"You're not too hurt, are you?" She asked as her husband sat next to her.
Goku shook his head. "Nothing some rest won't fix."
"That's good." Chi-Chi blinked back tears. Goku noticed and put his arm around her as she rested her head against his.
"Did you already put Gohan to bed?"
Chi-Chi simply nodded and the two sat in silence for a few minutes. "I saw his tail had grown back. He transformed again, didn't he?" Goku just lowered his head in response. "I didn't even know he was gone until it was too late. I told him not to go." She pulled away from him as the tears rolled down her face. "Goku, we have to put a stop to this! He's just a child! He's going to get killed!"
Unbeknownst to her, Goku felt the same way. The memory of Turles kept creeping back into his mind. Laying her down next to him, he wiped the tears away.
"Please don't cry, hon. I'm going to talk to him tomorrow."
Chi-Chi couldn't believe it. Had Goku agreed with her? She was about to question him when she heard light snoring. He had already fallen asleep. Well, she couldn't really blame him. Judging by his injuries he had fought a tough battle. She nestled closer to him and closed her eyes, thanking the gods that her family had survived another battle.
"It's always a shame to kill a Saiyan. Especially one that is as kind-hearted and worthless as you." Turles said concentrating his attack. Seeing his enemy, Gohan roared in his Great Ape form as he jumped towards him. Smiling wickedly, Turles took no time launching his attack. "Take this!"
"No!" Goku formed a slicing energy disc and threw it as hard as he could at Gohan's tail. The following explosion sent him flying. Shaking off the pain, he saw Gohan in human form falling towards the water.
"Gotcha!" Goku said catching him. Gohan flinched as he opened his eyes halfway.
"Dad…It hurts…"
"I know it does, but you're going to be ok! I just had to cut off your tail…" Something furry brushed against Goku's arm catching his attention. To his horror, it was Gohan's tail…he hadn't cut it off in time. Slowly, his son's eyes started to close. "No! No! Stay with me!" Goku cried frantically. In the meantime, Gohan's heartbeat slowed causing his Ki signal to rapidly drop.
Running ashore, Goku placed Gohan on the ground and transferred some of his own Ki in hopes of kickstarting his heart back. But the effort was futile. Tears streamed down Goku's face.
"No…! Gohan!" His whole body shook as Turles's maniacal laughter echoed in his ears.
Bolting upright, Goku quickly scanned the dark room. Heart still pounding, he put his face in his hands. It wasn't unusual for him to dream after a battle. He figured it had something to do with his Saiyan heritage. It was kind of like watching a replay of the fight to see what could be improved upon. Only, this hadn't been a dream, it had been a nightmare.
Straightening back up, he looked down at Chi-Chi. Somehow, she was still asleep. Very slowly, he got up and walked out of their bedroom. Maybe some fresh air would do him good. As he made his way into the living room, a sudden spike in Gohan's Ki caught his attention. Opening the door to his son's room revealed he was having a nightmare of his own.
"No... daddy…!" Gohan whimpered as he thrashed around. Immediately, Goku went over to the side of the bed and knelt next to it.
"Gohan, it's ok. Daddy's here." Goku said placing a comforting hand on him. A few moments passed before the boy calmed down. Opening his eyes, he saw his father.
Goku smiled at him. "Hey, there. You were just having a bad dream." He fixed the tangled covers around his son. "You're ok now."
Gohan staid quiet, but Goku noticed he was crying. Sitting on the bed, he picked him up and held him close.
"Shhh…you're ok." Goku said patting him on the back.
Hugging his father's neck, Gohan cried softly. Goku hugged him back tightly.
"I'm here, Gohan. You're safe…"