"I am sorry, Gohan." Bulma whispered as she looked at the small Saiyan. "Your father didn't make it." Bulma looked down and tried to fight the tears forming in her eyes. Gohan shook his head and sank through his knees.
"No, dad." He whispered softly. Piccolo knelt down and placed a hand on Gohan's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Gohan." Piccolo said as he watched the half-Saiyan shook his head slowly.
"Tssk, save it. He was a waste of space." Vegeta said as he got up. The man stalked closer as he spoke. "He did his job and killed Freeza. And with that he even got himself killed. I am very thankful." Vegeta continued with a smirk. "It saved me the job of killing him myself."
Gohan jumped up. "Shut up!" He yelled at the older Saiyan. Vegeta raised an eyebrow and stepped toward the half-Saiyan. Piccolo narrowed his eyes and mentally prepared himself for a possible fight. Vegeta placed his hands on his hips and leaned forward.
"What was that, little runt?" He asked as he towered over Gohan. The half-Saiyan clenched his fists. "You should fear your own life right now, brat. I could kill you without even lifting a finger. Maybe I should do just that." Vegeta smirked as a terrified expression appeared on Gohan's face.
"I have to get rid of this planet anyway. Why not I kill you along with it?" He asked amused. Gohan frowned and gritted his teeth. Vegeta chuckled. "Don't worry, Kiddo. I won't kill you just yet. You are a part of my race and I need someone like you. You can do all my dirty work when we are on the ship." Vegeta continued as he reached out and pushed Gohan's chin up with one finger. "Yes, you would be perfect for that."
Gohan smacked his hand away and growled. "I would never do anything for you!" Gohan yelled back. "You will have to fight me." He continued as he got in a fighting stance.
Vegeta laughed. "If I fight you I might accidentally kill you." He said as he got in a fighting stance. "Are you sure you want to take that chance?" He taunted.
Gohan frowned and attacked him. The two Saiyans fought their hardest but Vegeta quickly gained the upper hand. The Namekian villagers and Bulma looked up in the sky as the two Saiyans flew up. Vegeta managed the get a hold of the younger Saiyan and attacked the half-Saiyan with punches and kicks. Gohan managed to block a few punches, but several made it to their target. Vegeta released the half-Saiyan and Gohan slumped in the air. Vegeta created a blast and, before Gohan could look up, fired it. The half-Saiyan was hit and forced to the ground. There Vegeta landed close to him. Gohan slowly got up and got in a fighting stance. Vegeta smirked as Gohan attacked him again. The man swatted the first attack away but didn't manage to do the same thing with the second attack. Gohan handed out a vicious punch in Vegeta's stomach. The man growled and stumbled back. "That's it, runt. You got your chance to survive and blew it. Now I am going to kill you." Vegeta yelled at him.
The man launched at Gohan but was forced back. He frowned at Piccolo, who was standing in front of Gohan. "Leave him alone." Piccolo growled at the Saiyan. Vegeta narrowed his eyes.
After this he looked at Gohan. "I'm not done with you yet, boy. I will come back and you all will sorry." With one last glare at Piccolo, Vegeta jumped in the air and disappeared. Gohan bit his lip and looked up at his mentor.
"What do you think he is going to do, Piccolo?" He asked. The Namek was still staring in the sky and frowned.
"I don't know, Gohan. I don't know."
() **** **** ()
6 years later.
A young boy with black hair was racing through the air. The boy looked at his watch and bit his lip. "I am going to be late…" He muttered as he continued his way toward a school building. In front of the building his mother was waiting. She crossed her arms over her blue suit and frowned at the young Saiyan.
" Gohan! Where were you?" She asked sternly as Gohan walked closer. "Look at yourself. Your clothes are ruffled and dirty." Gohan looked down at his blue shirt and black pants. They were a little wrinkly but there was nothing wrong with them. Gohan looked up again as Chi-chi knelt down and organized his clothing.
"Sorry mom." Gohan answered softly as Chi-chi got up again. She smiled and tousled his long hair.
"Don't worry about it, Gohan. Now let's focus on getting you into this school." Chi-chi answered as she walked towards the high brown building. Gohan looked up at it.
"Mom, are you sure about this?" He asked hesitantly. "I could easily stay at home and study there. I don't know if it is such a good idea to go to school." He continued as he eyed the building. "And Vegeta is still out there. We don't know when he…"
"Don't worry, Gohan." Chi-chi answered with a smile as they approached the door. "You are going to be fine. Vegeta won't show up for a while and why would he go for you if he came here?" She continued. "You are just a boy. Vegeta will probably attack Piccolo and Piccolo will destroy him. That's that."
Gohan looked down. 'I wish I could believe that.' He thought sadly. The two walked inside. A few hours later Chi-chi was walking out, her fists clenched at her side. Gohan was walking behind her and he was looking down in shame.
"Gohan! You have really done it this time!" She yelled at him once they got in a car. Chi-chi decided to learn how to drive when they found out Goku really died and wanted to stay in heaven.
"You told me to be honest when they ask a question!" Gohan answered accusingly. Chi-chi gave him an angry look and the half-Saiyan bit his lip. "Sorry mom." He answered softly. Chi-chi nodded approvingly before she started up the engine.
"I know I told you to answer the questions truthfully but if they ask you why you didn't go to kindergarten, you can lie, okay." She asked tiredly. "You can't tell them that you spent a year living in the woods!"
"You told me to tell the truth!" Gohan accused again.
"I know! But they will think you are crazy if you keep talking about aliens and warriors." Chi-chi answered, raising her voice slightly. Gohan looked down and frowned. "Gohan, I don't want to be mad at you." Chi-chi continued with a frown. "If you tell them that you spent a year in the woods, without me…They'll take you away from me. They will think I can't take care of you properly. Do you want that to happen?" She asked him. The eleven-year-old shook his head.
"Let's just forget about it, okay?" Chi-chi asked as she patted the half-Saiyan on the head. Gohan nodded slightly and a silence fell over the two. They reached the house where Chi-chi told Gohan to go to his room and study. Gohan shook his head and followed her into the kitchen.
"Mom. I have to go to Piccolo." Gohan whined as Chi-chi placed the groceries on the counter. "It's four o'clock. I am already late. I have to leave now or Piccolo is going to be mad at me." Gohan continued.
Chi-chi turned around and groaned. "Can't you miss one training session with Piccolo?" She asked.
Gohan shook his head frantically. "No! What if Vegeta comes back tomorrow and I am not ready to face him because I missed today's exercises?" He asked frowning.
Chi-chi tilted her head as she watched her son tap on the floor with his foot. "You are obsessed with Vegeta." She muttered. After this she walked closer and knelt down in front of him. "Gohan, what is going on?" She asked then. "Since Vegeta left you have been scared to death of him coming back. Did he threaten you or something?"
Gohan looked down. "Sort of." He answered hesitantly. "I know he will come back, mom. If not for me, he will come to kill Piccolo. And I want to help Piccolo if Vegeta shows up. So I will have to face him anyway. When I do I want to be at my strongest." Gohan continued as a fire appeared in his eyes. Chi-chi smiled – seeing her son like this reminded her of her husband when he was younger. She got up and crossed her arms.
"I guess there is nothing I can say to convince you. Don't make it too late, okay?" She asked as she turned around.
Gohan grinned and nodded. "Thanks mom!" Gohan yelled before he raced to his room and changed into his dark-blue gi with a red sash. The half-Saiyan pulled on his dark brown shoes and jumped up. After this he climbed out the window and blasted off to his mentor.
Piccolo was floating on his usual spot near the waterfall. Gohan floated next to him and smiled. "Hello Mister Piccolo!" He said as he floated closer.
The Namek looked up. His white cape was floating behind him because of the wind that was caused by the waterfall. "Hi kid." Piccolo answered as he uncrossed his arms and turned to the half-Saiyan. "Are you ready for today's challenge?" Gohan nodded eagerly.
"Okay. We're going to play a game which you humans call hide and seek." Piccolo started as he powered up. "You have to lower your power-level so I can't find you. I'll do the same and we'll try to sneak up on each other, okay? The one who manages to sneak up on the other without being noticed wins."
Gohan grinned. "Okay. I am ready to go!" Gohan punched in the air in excitement. After this he followed Piccolo to the woods where the two lowered their power-levels and spread out. Gohan hid in the bushes and concentrated. The boy closed his eyes while he tried to feel Piccolo's life-force. Gohan opened his eyes when he heard a rustle in the bushes near him. The half-Saiyan silently crawled away and tried not to make too much noise while doing that.
He whirled around when he heard something behind him. Nothing. Gohan took a deep breath. A twig cracked near him and the boy turned around again. Gohan narrowed his eyes and forced himself to breathe normally. A hand landed on his shoulder and Gohan turned around again. Piccolo was right behind him and punched him right against the cheek. Gohan was forced to the ground and pouted slightly. "You won." He muttered as he got up. Piccolo immediately powered up and charged at the half-Saiyan.
() **** **** ()
A big ship was making its way through the Northern quatrain. Inside the ship several aliens were running around and working hard in the control room. A man with flame-like black hair walked in the room. Everyone immediately sat straight as he walked by. He was followed by a female of about his age. She had long black hair that fell down her back and waved as she walked.
"How long before we reach our destination?" Vegeta asked as he crossed his arms over his black armor.
"It will take us approximately three days to land on the planet, Lord Vegeta." One of the small green-colored aliens answered. Vegeta frowned at the big windows in front of him. The aliens were sitting below the windows and all had their own machines, buttons, screens and desks to work with.
"Why do we have to go to that planet?" The female whined as she leaned against Vegeta's shoulder with her head.
"I have some unfinished business on that planet." Vegeta answered shortly.
"Can't you just destroy the planet?" The girl asked as she brushed over her black dress and tapped against the ground with her black boot. She looked around the room and widened her bright blue eyes when she noticed the colorful screen on the right. She tilted her head and walked toward it but was held back after she took a few steps. She looked at her wrist where a thin blue ki-line was tied around her flesh. Vegeta was still looking outside and the man was the one holding the rope. He tugged at it and she stepped closer to him again. "Let me go." She snarled at him.
"No." Vegeta answered shortly as a smirk tugged at his lips. "You're staying right here so you can't mess anything up. I want to reach that planet as soon as possible." Vegeta continued as he pulled on the rope again.
The female stepped closer again and frowned at him. "You'd better let me go or I will scream." She threatened.
"You'd better not do that." Vegeta snarled back at her. The female tilted her head and smiled innocently. She then took a deep breath and opened her mouth. Before she could get any sound out Vegeta placed her hand over her mouth. "I said no." Vegeta said frowning. "Let's get you back to our room." He continued as he turned around and started walking, pulling the female with him. "I want to land on that planet in two days."
"But sir!" One of the aliens said as he got up. "We said it would take three days to get there."
"I want to be there in two days or you'll be sorry!" Vegeta screamed back. The female snickered as she followed him.
"They're not going to listen to you." She said as she followed him to their room. Vegeta opened the door and motioned for her to walk in. She did this and Vegeta closed the door behind him. After this he stepped closer to her and smirked at her.
"Good thing you still have to listen to me." He answered as he ran a finger over her cheek.
She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. "You make our relationship sound so romantic, Vegeta darling." She answered as she clenched her fists. Vegeta brushed through her hair and turned around.
"Stay here." He said as he opened the door. After that he closed the door behind him and locked it. The female tried to open the door and growled. After this she turned around and let herself fall on the bed. Vegeta was back in the control room in seconds and stared out the window. "Watch out, brat. Here comes trouble." He muttered under his breath.
() **** **** ()
"Come on, Gohan." Piccolo growled as the two exchanged punches and kicks. "I know you can do better than that!" Piccolo continued when he caught Gohan's fist. He tightened his grip and whirled the half-Saiyan around. After this he let gravity do the rest and Gohan was launched away. Piccolo watched as Gohan landed somewhere in the woods. Gohan groaned as he landed on the ground and rolled on his stomach.
Piccolo's boot landed on the ground next to him. Gohan jumped up to avoid getting kicked in the air again and charged at his trainer once more. Gohan frowned as Piccolo blocked and dodged his attacks without too much trouble. Piccolo leaned back to avoid a punch and punched Gohan in the stomach. The boy gasped and Piccolo took this opportunity to elbow him in the back of his neck. Gohan landed on the ground again and tried to push himself up. Piccolo frowned and crossed his arms. "We are done for today." He announced as he turned around and walked away.
Gohan sighed. "I'm never going to be strong enough to fight Vegeta, am I?" He whispered as he managed to push himself up.
Piccolo stopped walking and thought about that statement. "Vegeta is a very strong enemy, Gohan. Neither you nor I can ever think of defeating him by ourselves. The only thing we can do is train and get stronger so that we can hold him off longer." Piccolo answered before he lifted off the ground. "I'll see you tomorrow Gohan. You did a good job today."
Gohan smiled slightly as Piccolo flew up and disappeared in the night sky. The half-Saiyan looked at the dark sky and bit his lip. His mother was going to kill him for coming home so late. Gohan quickly jumped in the air and raced home as fast as his injured body could fly. The boy touched the ground in front of his house and ran inside.
"Mom!" He yelled as he walked in closer. The half-Saiyan walked in his room and grabbed his pajamas. "I'll get in the shower and then I'll start on my homework okay? I'm sorry for being so late!" He yelled as he ran to the bathroom. The half-Saiyan pulled the elastic out of his long spiky hair.
He quickly jumped in the shower and prepared for bed. Chi-chi met up with him in his bedroom. The female was sitting on his bed as she watched Gohan walk in. "There you are." Gohan said with a smile. He sat down on the bed too. "Is something wrong?" He asked when he noticed his mother's expression.
"No. Nothing is wrong." Chi-chi said with a smile. She brushed through Gohan's hair. "I was just thinking you were growing up so fast. You're going to school tomorrow. Ready to face the world without me."
Gohan rolled his eyes as a small smile appeared on his face. "I hope the school is nice. I don't know what to do there though. You tell me I have to suppress my power but I don't know if I can do that."
"I bet you can. Now let's go to bed. You need a good night sleep for your first day at school tomorrow." Chi-chi said as she got up and grabbed the sheets to pull them down. Gohan got up and got in the bed. Chi-chi gently covered his body with the sheets and leaned over to press a kiss on his forehead. "Good night, Gohan." She whispered as he got up.
"Good night, mom." Gohan answered as he watched her walk out the room. The boy sighed as he shifted in the bed and eyed the white ceiling of his room. He thought about the last six years. He'd been training with Piccolo every day but he felt like he wasn't improving. He was optimistic in the beginning but as the years passed Gohan started wondering if Vegeta would be coming back at all. Piccolo kept saying that they should always be prepared just in case Vegeta was planning to attack the planet. Gohan wondered if he was strong enough to fight Vegeta. He knew he couldn't defeat him. Vegeta had been training too. He knew it.
Gohan found his sleep several hours later and was woken up by his alarm clock too early, in his opinion. The half-saiyan crawled out of his bed and got ready for school. Chi-chi was found in the kitchen. "Gohan. Hurry up. You're going to be late for your first day of school."
"I have enough time, mom. I can be there within twenty minutes." Gohan answered as he sat down at the table. Chi-chi placed a plate in front of him and sat down to have breakfast too.
"Are you nervous?" Chi-chi asked as she smoothed the wrinkles in her blue dress.
Gohan looked up. "I have been through worse things than a first day of school. I'm not really nervous." He answered innocently.
Chi-chi tousled his hair. "I hope you'll have a great day." She said.
"I just hope I won't get too much homework. I still have to find time to train with Piccolo after school." Gohan muttered worriedly.
"I think you should slow down your training." Chi-chi answered. "It's been six years and nothing happened. I don't think that Vegeta is still coming here. He would have come here earlier, don't you think?"
"I don't know. Piccolo says I should always be ready." Gohan answered. "As long as he is still alive he can attack the planet."
Chi-chi sighed as she got up. "I'll never win that battle, will I? Piccolo is always right." She complained as she walked to the kitchen.
"That's not true." Gohan answered as he got up too. He placed his plate in the sink and smiled up at his mother. "Piccolo is just very vigilant. That's nice, right? To have someone who keeps an eye on us like that?"
Chi-chi smiled and nodded. "Yes. That's definitely nice." She answered with a smile. Gohan grinned back at her and grabbed his bag.
"I'm leaving." Gohan said as he walked to the door. "Bye mom!" He heard his mother's answer and walked out the door. Gohan closed the door behind him and jumped in the air. While he was flying there he suddenly noticed a high power level flying toward him.
"Good morning, mister Piccolo." Gohan yelled as he waved. Piccolo appeared next to him and the man crossed his arms as he was flying.
"Where are you going?" Piccolo asked gruffly.
"I'm going to school." Gohan answered. "It's my first day."
"Pay attention to your surroundings. Be careful. Something is going to happen today. I can feel it." Piccolo said as his eyes moved around to keep everything in sight.
Gohan nodded. "Do you think it's Vegeta?" He asked as he looked around.
"I don't know." Piccolo answered frowning. "Just be careful. We don't know who they'll go to first. You are an interesting target. You're one of the strongest warriors on the planet."
"I intend to be that." Gohan answered with a smirk. "I'll keep an eye on everything." He said after that. Piccolo nodded and put his hand up as his sort of a wave before he flew off. Gohan watched him go and smiled slightly. He sighed and looked forward again.
Gohan landed on the outskirts of the city where his school was. The boy decided to take the rest of the journey by foot. His mother told him to hide his powers. Within ten minutes Gohan was standing in front of a large building. "So this is what middle school is about." The eleven-year-old muttered as he eyed the building. The building had a brownish color and large windows were spread over the stone building. Gohan walked through the open entrance of the fence and looked around the large area where kids were spread everywhere. Groups of children were talking and some were running around. Older teenagers gave disdainful glances to the younger students. Gohan smiled as he thought that this was the first time he was surrounded by people his age.
Gohan made his way to the building and looked for the secretary's office. There he got his schedule and other necessary papers. He was led to a classroom where a group of children was already standing. They were probably waiting for the teacher to open the door. Gohan decided to wait there and observed his schedule. He wondered how much he already knew about the subjects he was about to be introduced to.
"Hi there. Are you new here?" Gohan looked up to meet two deep-blue eyes. A girl with blonde hair in two braids was smiling back at him. She was wearing a white shirt with a black star on it. Her pants were slightly too big for her and dragged over the ground as she walked.
"Yes." Gohan answered. "I'm Gohan." He held out his hand and she took it.
"Senna." The girl introduced herself. "This term started two weeks ago. Aren't you a little late?" She asked.
"Yes. We had some problems getting in." Gohan answered with a small smile as he thought about the meetings his mother attended for him. He usually didn't show up because Piccolo kept him from doing anything else than training.
"You'll have some catching up to do." Senna said as the teacher walked closer and opened the door. "But that's okay. I can help you."
"Thanks. That's nice." Gohan answered as he grabbed the bag from the ground. The boy brushed over his black pants and straightened his blue shirt. After this he followed Senna inside. Senna met up with her friends while Gohan sat down. He noticed Senna pointed at him and her friends giggled. Gohan raised an eyebrow but decided not to think about it too much.
The class started and Gohan quickly noticed he was far ahead of the rest of the class. He sighed as the class continued and he watched the teacher write down things he already knew on the board. The half-saiyan scribbled a few things on the paper and drew out a new technique he'd just learned from Piccolo.
The half-saiyan didn't notice it when the door opened. "Good day, sir. We're in the middle of a class. Do you need to speak to a student?" The teacher asked as she eyed he newcomer.
Students looked up and whispers were heard. Gohan rolled his eyes as he heard the different stories and philosophies going around. Kids had too much imagination. "Yes. I need to speak to one of your students." Gohan heard the voice and didn't think anything of it at first.
"Which student, sir?"
"The hybrid." Gohan widened his eyes as his pen froze above his paper. The half-saiyan looked up and gasped.
"Hello, boy. Did you miss me?" Vegeta was standing in front of the classroom and grinned at the half-saiyan.