Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Beyond The Forest ❯ Epilogue ( Epilogue )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: Don't own it.


A/N: This can be very emotional and tragic. Made me cry when I wrote it, but if you wish not to read this and have your own thoughts how this story ends then by all means you don't have too. But if you would want how I would think it would end read but it may not be one of the easiest to read. ( My Opinion)

(6 Years later)

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Bardock sat alone in the small house he had built, his face aged slightly even after 12 years. Having raised Gohan by himself and it was hard without a wife or even for Gohan who didn't even have his real mom and dad. He felt so bad himself, unable to prevent the tragedy that befell him. He knew that Gohan's demon blood kept him from being weak and breaking down as well as being depressed. He looked like any normal boy and girl save for his spiky hair and golden eyes but it wasn't as signifigant as his own. Not a thick coat of fur, long sharp claws, and tail. He was as close to human save for his strength and speed, outmatching any human alive at his age.
He wasn't sure if he should tell him about the real truth of his mother and father, that he was not fully human. That he and his entire family were side show attractions, that he had burned his father leaving no ashes of his remains to be seen and create any further weapons that could be used in humanities name. He had retrieved his mother's body from the shallow grave the night before, burying her outside of their home. Bardock had to bite back his tears... Its so unfair! I shouldn't cry as such but this is inhuman... no child deserves to loose their mother and father! Not having the only two people who wanted him in this entire planet. That would not look at him differently... He began to cry hard, the loneliness and unending torment breaking his old heart. Why? The boy deserved someone, especially not me... if I wasn't so out of control with my demonic blood I could of raised my son, taken he and his lass somewhere safe. But no... I was weak... I was a... a coward... I ran... He banged his fist on the table hard as his tears ran down his arm. His hands balled tightly and his eyes shut.
He looked outside through the tattered window at his grandson. His young body kneeling in front of the large stone. The gravesite of his own mother. The one he killed... how... how do they manage... knowing they killed the most loving being in all of creation. Looking through his own tear soaked eyes he saw Gohan's head hung, his hands digging into his pants. He didn't need to be smart to know that he was crying admirably trying to talk with the loving mother who wanted him so greatly only never to hear her voice. See her beauty as a small boy. Feel the comfort against her breast. No he had lost it all...
Silence would be his answer. His torment would be living, living a life where he alone killed her. Bardock knew Gohan would grow up, live a life, maybe start a family but still be bound by his past. The one part of any child's heart would never be open. Never to know unconditional love he would be unwilling to accept it, accept another easily. His pain could never be lessened for it wore on him everyday he left for school. Having to look back at his home and the shallow grave where... Bardock got up walking away from the scene as he had done before, being a coward. The severity wearing on him as he sat alone on the floor no willing to look up, only to stare at the floor. Looking at nothing because everything else reminded him of everyone he failed.
His wife, his son, his daughter in law, his grandson, his family, his people. Everyone he failed... alone he was nothing, everyone tried to better him but he knew it down inside he was at fault. His own weakness hurting everyone he could ever care for. This is... too much... for me to handle... im old and weak... Gohan does truly deserve something and someone who can teach him... not this old bag of skin and bones. No one could ever understand, no one ever needed to, for he had to make some amends. Give Gohan a future, give him some hope.
He got up slowly, his knees cracking as he walked now, heading outside he closed the door silently behind him, his head hung. Approaching behind Gohan the little boy turned his face fresh with tears. Wiping them off with the back of his hand. " She...doesn't want to talk today..." Was all he could sniffle out. Bardock's heart cracking that little more it was just...so unbearable to watch him suffer.
" Gohan...come with me... its time I gave you something a little boy deserves." He said not looking up from the mask of his hair. Reaching out his large hand he took Gohan's who grasped it and pulled him up to his feet. " Promise me though... do not look at what I do today as anything more then what any child deserves. I've done all I can for you, but its time you get someone else who can show you more then what I can." Throwing on his old tattered cloak and taking what little money he had headed off with Gohan into the busy city.

Gohan was unsure of what his grandpa was doing following him wordlessly as they approached a large white building, a blue sign above the entrance. Child Services Center and Adoption He didn't know what it meant but his grandpa lead him inside.
Bardock approached the desk a older woman sat there filling out a form as she looked up and saw his hooded form. " Yes sir may I help you?" She asked as he stopped.
" Yes I would like to have my grandson placed in foster care. Im afraid that I cannot support him..." His head turned looking away almost painfully as the receptionist looked up over her desk at the boy holding his hand.
" Well as you request sir, is there any certain relatives you may be able to place him with? Or any family or friends you wish to request for him?" She asked grabbing the forum.
" No, his mother and father are dead. All living relatives are as well deceased, the same goes with friends. I am far too old and far too weak to handle a child." He said placing his hand upon the counter. " Please all I want is for him to be someplace happy..." He looked down at Gohan who only looked around not knowing what he was saying or doing.
" Are there any medical conditions, or serious illness we should be aware of?" She asked going down the list, Bardock saying no to all of them. " Upon signing this agreement you willingly relinquish custody of your son." She said handing him the form which he only signed his first name not having a last one. " Any last or other info we should know or concern us?"
" Yes, he's very strong and agile. Not normal he can do things any normal man can do please note that even for his size." He said watching as the woman skimmed over the report. " Oh yes make sure the boy has this for currency." He said reaching up and setting down a large handful of golden coins. " That's everything make sure he gets it." He said looking down to Gohan as the woman wide eyed took the money and deposited it in a security box for him.
Bardock reached down and pulled Gohan up on the counter. Though hurting to do this to him he had no more choice. He stroked Gohan's face. " Your going to stay here Gohan. Be nice for the people here they are going to take care of you." He said as Gohan looked up at him stunned.
" Why? Where are you going?" He asked sounding a little frightened as his grandfather's hand left him.
" There is nothing left for me to give you Gohan. Your going to be far better off without me." He said turning to leave but Gohan grabbed his hand.
" Don't leave! Grandpa please don't leave me! Im happy with yo-" He was silenced as Bardock put his finger over his lips.
" Gohan this isn't about me thinking your not happy, this about what's really best for you." He said looking at Gohan.
" Please don't! Grandpa don't!" He begged but he pulled his hand away. The woman behind him trying to hold Gohan back as he cried reaching for him with his small hands. Bardock turned away and slowly walked out his feet going as faster as Gohan's wails grew louder. " No! NO! GRANDPA GRANDPA! COME BACK COME BACK GRANDPA!" He cried harder the further he got. His limbs flailing madly as another man working there came over to hold him. His cries grew so desperate, his eyes raining tears as he shook his head screaming madly.
Bardock turned back one last time at Gohan before shaking his head and heading out the door. His form disappearing outside as Gohan only cried and cried harder. His face finding comfort in the receptionists chest who held him like a mother would rubbing his back as he cried so hard in her shirt.
But a couple who had watched the whole spectacle saw the pain in the young boy's face plus the father seemed to hold some resemblance to the boy and his situation. The man got up from his bench, Long spiky hair that hung around his ankles as his wife who was barren. The reason for their journey to pick a child for their family. Heading over the man approached the male receptionist. " I think we found a suitable choice don't you agree dear?" He asked as his wife nodded her head.
" Well sir being that all the info on you and you wife filled out already and the boy's is here presently we will let you sign this form." He said handing him Gohan's form. Signing his name. Raditz Sayjin with that the man placed his form back on their file as he went back and got the boy. His red beat eyes and limp form giving some hint to the emotion running through him. Handing over Gohan to Raditz's wife the barren mother found instant comfort in him.
" There, there. Im sure you feel so bad but don't worry we're going to take you home today. You'll be very happy." She said reaching into her purse with a free hand. " Here little Gohan.. have a cookie." She said offering the treat to him which he took slowly and nibbled on it. His crying still coming but slowing as he just laid against the underside of her neck.

Bardock made his way out of town, heading to the nearby rocky ridges that bordered the great sea. His eyes burning with tears after leaving his grandson but he had no choice. Looking up to the sky, it clouded over, the light being covered as he looked down the long ridge. His hand grabbed the tattered cloak and ripped it off letting it fly over the edge. Turning around he raised his arms up his side. His heels hanging over the edge. " No child of demon's such as I shall be born again and become a plague to life...Im sorry Gohan for doing it but you will understand in time I know you will find out... the truth of who you are..." Letting his tears fall he smiled one last time before leaning back. He fell off the ledge his hair flapping as he looked up to a parted sky a bright line shining up above him, two angels looking down at him. His son and his wife... neither seemed angry or upset. Goku's hand reached for Bardock's through the clouds. Bardock gave a final smile as he reached up as the waves silenced beneath him. It took yet an instant his hand grasped his sons... his body cracked against the rocks below and sliding down into the murky depths of the ocean...

Many years had passed and Gohan had grown up, his life becoming one never to forget. He couldn't anyway, kneeling down as he had when he was a child. The old and moldy headstone of his mother he looked at it, the house at which he had lived the beginning of his life had been torched, nothing but ash remained. But the headstone still remained. Growing up he had been the best, at everything, athletics, academics, people. Everyone loved him or knew him. He had been a great success in his college career as a football player. A international super star known world round, marrying his high school sweet heart and not the top models, and actresses that offered him everything. But doing what he thought best he didn't go pro in football. No he gave it up and went into Genetics, finding cures for several diseases and working on a new cure for Alzheimer's and Cancer.
Though that wasn't the reason. He wanted to know he was, who his mother was, who his father was. It took three years of all overtime work but he found out his answer. And what a shocker it was. From a film that was locked away from the public he got it. His father Goku, a Demon a red furred animal who once was a main attraction for a major company until breaking free and causing chaos in the city. They found him the day later with the president of the company dead, his body had been charred leaving only his skeleton. His mother an unknown woman known as Chi-Chi who came with Goku after being taken back as prisoners from where they had both originally came from. He knew he was the little boy that was born to eyes across the world, but unknown in fate. He had one chromosome too many once he studied his DNA and recovering a sample from his mother's remains he knew that he was in fact the Demon child's son. Impossible as it seemed it all made sense, his strength, size, and skill in everything.
Still after everything, he knew his parents. It finally caught him after so many years that he was himself. His parents didn't change him for better or for worse. Should it matter he was 1/4 demon or whatever his father was? No... he was still him and in the end that's all that really mattered.

FIN

Rushed? Not done? Maybe but its an epilouge right? All is done and Beyond the Forest remains one of the finest G/CC's out there.