Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Blinded ❯ Tragedy Strikes ( Chapter 6 )

Tragedy Strikes

Popo, Piccolo, and Dende were shocked at the casual way Gohan was talking so shocked in fact none of them moved for a couple minutes after the boy had disappeared into the lookout. Finally Dende turned to Piccolo.

"What should we do Piccolo, he seems so calm? I'm worried."

The big Namek looked down at the young guardian with a thoughtful scowl and replied.

"I don't know Dende. I quite honestly didn't expect this. I think we should go inside and see what he is doing."

"Good idea Piccolo," Mr. Popo exclaimed "I will go make us some food Saiyan always feel better after they have eaten."

With that Mr. Popo turned and walked back into the lookout undoubtedly heading for the kitchen to fix them a snack. Dende looked over at Piccolo and said with a smile.

"I guess we had better follow him."

The two Namekians followed Popo into the lookout. Gohan was sitting on a window ledge a little ways away from a table in the center of the room. As Piccolo and Dende came in he turned his head towards them and spoke.

"Dende could you take these bandages off for me. I don't think Shenlong wanted me to keep them on for long. Most likely he was trying to let my eyes adjust to things better."

"Sure Gohan," the little guardian replied.

Quickly making his way over to Gohan he started to unravel the bandages covering Gohan's eyes and head. Piccolo took up a stance against a wall and was watching curiously. Wondering what Gohan's eyes would look like now that he had some vision back at least. Would they go back to being that black color full of life or stay that creepy soulless blue color? Piccolo shook those thoughts out of his head as Dende finished unwrapping Gohan's head. Gohan's eyes were closed at first, then he took a deep breath and slowly opened them. Squinting in the new light. It seemed Piccolo's guesses were both right. Gohan's eyes had changed but not back to his old color. His eyes were still blue, but it was a little darker blue and there were black flecks among the blue. One factor remained however the feeling you he got from those eyes was the same. You couldn't read anything out of them they had no life to them.

Dende's voice broke the silence.

"What do you see Gohan?"

Gohan smiled at Dende before responding.

"You know when there is a really think fog and you can't see hardly anything and if something moves around or is there all you can see is an outline or a shape. It's enough to identify but not enough to see. That's what its like and there is no color. I can tell your you but not from your shape. But I do see you standing next to me. Don't be depressed to tell you the truth I had a feeling Shenlong wouldn't be able to give me my eyesight back."

Just then Piccolo spoke up.

"Well kid looks like we need to test out your eyesight now. We will start tomorrow when we train. But you better get home to your mom soon."

Gohan clapped a hand over his mouth in a horrified gesture.

"Oh crap I forgot about mom. No doubt she noticed the dragon being summoned. I better get home fast."

He leapt off the ledge and started racing towards the door when Dende's voice stopped him.

"Uh Gohan. Why don't you use instant transmission?"

Gohan smacked himself in the face and grinned sheepishly.

"I totally forgot about that Dende. See you tomorrow Piccolo."

With that he put two fingers up to his head, concentrated and a second later was gone. Leaving the two Namek's and Mr. Popo behind. Piccolo was staring off into the distance with a slightly worried look on his face. Dende noticed and decided to ask him about it.

"What's wrong Piccolo? You looked troubled."

Piccolo shook his head and replied.

"I don't know Dende. Gohan isn't himself lately. We will be training and he will be normal. But at odd moments when he thinks I'm looking he changes. It's as if he wears a mask all the time and only lets his true feelings slip out when nobody is watching and that worries me."

Dende thought about it for a minute.

"You may be right Piccolo but I don't know what you can do about it except be there for him."

Piccolo sighed and went into his floating meditation stance.

"Your right Dende that's all I can do for now."

~~~~~~~~~

After I left the lookout with my newly acquired instant transmission technique I made it so I appeared in the woods a good two miles from my house. I need some time to think before I went home to mom. Piccolo was getting suspicious of me. I don't think he will keep buying my happy go lucky I'm fine routine for much longer. I made to many slips around him. Everyone expects me to be all happy and carefree because of my age they don't seem to factor in my experiences with life. My uncle kidnapped me when I was four my dad died trying to save me. Piccolo kidnapped me and made me live in the wilderness for a year by myself. Then came the fight with Nappa and Vegeta when dad came back to life and almost got killed again. Piccolo actually did get killed because of me and so did Yamcha, Tien, and Chaoutzu.

Then there was the trip to Namek where we battled Frieza and dad stayed behind and almost got killed again instead he disappeared for a year. Then there was Garlic Jr. and the dead zone where everyone turned on me. Finally dad came back only to find out from Mirai Trunks we had to fight some damn evil androids in a couple years. Then came 17 and 18 who kicked our asses including mine. Finally Cell came and absorbed the two and decided to make us take part in the damn Cell games. Dad fought then turned it over to me and I let everyone down again and let them get their asses kicked by the mini Cells.

Finally I got pissed off enough to where I could beat him. But did it stop there of course not my stupidity and pride made me wait long enough so that Cell started his stupid self destruct and dad used instant transmission to take him someplace else to blow up. If that wasn't enough well Cell came back he managed to regenerate from the blast and come back to earth. Finally with dad's help I managed to kill him but not before he had almost killed Trunks and Vegeta. After all that my family and friends expect me to remain innocent and carefree I really didn't feel like disappointing them or dealing with all of the questions about what happened to our sweet little Gohan. Things they don't even know about are buried in my memories, evil things that I don't want to face.

I find the easiest way to deal with them is to act like im still carefree and innocent. It seems to keep them happy but I still do have moments when I let it slip and unfortunately Piccolo has been around for to many of them. Piccolo is probably the person that knows me best. I really shouldn't be surprised that he noticed. I just hope he doesn't want to talk to me about it. Oh well only time will tell.

The only bright spots in my life now are Piccolo and Goten. My little brother is developing fast and he seems to prefer me to mom and that tends to make her a little pissed. My bond with him grown stronger everyday. I know what he wants and when he is getting into mischief. He is such a happy baby and mom says that he looks so much like dad that its as if he was cloned. I am almost at my house. I feel a gentle touch on my mind that I recognize as Goten. So far he can't talk to me but he can send me feelings through our bond. Right now he is happy because I am home.

I clear my mind of all thoughts about Piccolo and my life and begin to focus solely on my little brother. Before I close everything away a stray thought comes out.

<I think I'm going to start training with Vegeta tomorrow. >

Shoving all thoughts but my brother to the back of my mind I open the door and step inside.

~~~~~~~~~

Reactions were pretty predictable when Chi Chi found out about Gohan only mildly recovering some of his sight. Of course she wailed on about her poor baby and promised that he wouldn't miss any studying because Bulma was going to make him special stuff. The other Z fighter took it as quite a shock but when they saw how calm Gohan was about it they began to take it in stride.

A day after he made his wishes on the dragonballs he began to train with Vegeta again. Then Bulma announced she had Gohan `s studying equipment ready and Chi Chi and Gohan argued about training vs. studying. Finally they came up with a compromise. This is how Gohan's day went.

Wake up at 5:30am

Arrive at Capsule Corps by 6:00am

Spar with Vegeta until 8:00am

Arrive at 9:00am wherever he and Piccolo decided the day before.

Train with Piccolo until 11:00am

Go home for lunch by 12:00pm

Eat lunch and Play with Goten until 3:00pm

Start Studying until 7:00pm

Dinner at 7:00pm

Bedtime story for Goten at 7:30pm

Nighttime Meditation starting at 8:00pm

Nighttime meditation stops 9:00pm

And the next day it begins all again. Gohan honestly didn't mind he had time to do everything he wanted so he was happy. The first time he and Vegeta had sparred he knew he had surprised the Saiyan prince. Vegeta had no doubt thought that he had lost his touch when he had become blind and wouldn't be able to move as gracefully before. It wasn't until he got his ass pounded with out Gohan going super Saiyan did he realize that he had underestimated Gohan. Throwing Gohan out of the gravity room he had returned to his rigorous training his goal now to beat Kakarrot's brat. The observation that Gohan seemed to be avoiding going super Saiyan was tucked away into the prince's mind to be examined at a later date. Right now he was focused on training. After that Vegeta and Gohan went back to their regular spars where they gave each other a workout but didn't beat each other to a bloody pulp.

Gohan also spent a little time with baby trunks just like he did with Goten. It was one of the days that Vegeta had kicked him out of the gravity room early. Gohan decided to go see baby Trunks and Bulma. Bulma was chatting about some new invention or other and Trunks was crawling all over Gohan when Gohan had a great idea. He thought of Trunks as a little brother just as much as he did Goten. Why not establish a bond with Trunks like he had with Goten. That way he would always be there for Trunks if he got in trouble. The more he thought about it the more it seemed like a good idea. He decided he had better ask Bulma's permission first though. That settled he politely waited until Bulma paused for breath to ask.

"Bulma?"

"Yes Gohan?"

"I need to ask you something."

"Ok Gohan go ahead and ask."

"Well you know I now have telepathic and emphatic abilities right?"

Bulma looked at him a little strangely then answered.

"Yeah Vegeta told me but I wasn't sure I believed him. Do you really?"

"Yeah I do. Although they are a lot more advanced now than when Vegeta found out. But anyway the day Goten was born I formed a special type of bond with him. I formed something called a mind bond. The mind bond lets me know where he is every second and we will eventually be able to talk to each other telepathically. He can also send me his thoughts and emotions. I think of Trunks as a little brother just like Goten and I want to form a bond with him if you will let me."

Bulma looked kind of shell-shocked for a minute but recovered enough to ask.

"Will it hurt him in anyway?"

"No Bulma if anything it will help protect him. If anything were to happen to him I would feel it and hopefully be able to stop it no matter where he is using dad's instant transmission."

Bulma considered it for a minute then spoke.

"Ok Gohan you can do it."

"Thanks Bulma you won't regret it."

Bulma sighed "I hope not Gohan. What do you need to do?"

"Well I need to hold Trunks so I can connect with him and don't be surprised if you see a little ki trail around us."

Bulma handed Trunks over to Gohan. Once he had Trunks settled comfortably he began the same process he had gone through in the hospital only he had to alter the words of the vow a little bit. As Gohan entered Trunks mind he found feelings of warmth and contentment with a hint of curiosity. Once he was sure he was in the right place in Trunks mind he started to speak mentally imprinting the words in Trunks mind.

// I Son Gohan protector of this planet and by the shared friendship and kinship of our race. I do vow to protect you from all evils no matter where they come from with my last breath if need be. Know that you are protected always. //

Gohan slowly raised his ki and settled it over him and the baby sealing the bond. As the ki slowly faded away Gohan gave Trunks back to Bulma and stood up. It was time for him to go meet with Piccolo. Bulma got up and hugged Gohan and whispered in his ear.

"I am glad my son has more than one protector now. Thank you Gohan. We'll see you tomorrow right."

Gohan had blushed when Bulma hugged him but managed to stammer out a yes and then took off out the door. Just a few minutes after Gohan left Vegeta came into the room.

"Why was Kakarrot's brat ki rising in here onna?"

"He formed a bond with Trunks so he could protect him just like he did with Goten."

Vegeta exploded "WHAT ONNA YOU LET THEM FORM A BOND!?"

Bulma frowned this wasn't the reaction she was expecting. She thought Vegeta would be happy that he didn't have to keep an eye on Trunks all the time.

"I don't see why its such a problem Vegeta your always bitching about how having to answer Trunks takes away from your training."

Vegeta's voice was slow and measured as he spoke.

"What exactly did Kakarrot's brat tell you he was going to do onna?"

Bulma frowned as she thought back to what Gohan had said.

"He said that it was a mind bond and by forming it he would always know where Trunks was and that Trunks could contact him anytime and that he would know if something happened to him. He wanted to do it because he thought of trunks the same way he did Goten and wanted him to be protected just like Goten."

Vegeta sighed he was afraid of this. The damn brat hadn't told her the whole story and he didn`t exactly want to tell his mate what Gohan had left out. Bulma looked at Vegeta's face and figured there was more to this than what Gohan had told her. She looked over at Vegeta who seemed to be thinking and poked him to get his attention.

"Vegeta you better tell me what ever it is that Gohan left out and you better tell me now."

Vegeta growled "well onna he just happened to leave out the fact that for him it is also a life bond. If Trunks or Goten dies he will to. If he dies it won't affect the brats except they wont have the bond anymore."

Bulma looked horrified, "You mean if either Trunks or Goten dies Gohan will as well? What the hell was he thinking!"

"I have no clue onna but I plan on having a little chat with Kakarrot's oldest brat to find out."

With that Vegeta walked out the door and took to the air heading for Gohan's ki. Bulma stared at the door for a moment then down at Trunks and whispered.

"What were you thinking Gohan?"

Vegeta landed in the clearing where he had found Piccolo and Gohan before. In the middle Gohan was quietly meditating next to Piccolo. With Vegeta's approach however he dropped out of meditative state and turned to Piccolo who had dropped out as well.

"Piccolo can you leave us for a moment Vegeta and I need to talk."

Piccolo looked at the fuming Saiyan prince and down at his student before finally responding.

"Sure kid. Call me when you're done."

With that he flew off leaving the two alone. Gohan let out a short laugh before speaking.

"I'm guessing Bulma informed you?"

Vegeta was seething once again "What the fuck did you think your were doing brat?"

Gohan sat down with his back against one of the many trees in the clearing before responding.

"You know exactly what I did Vegeta you shouldn't be upset about it no harm will ever come to Trunks. Bulma agreed and so did Trunks. You know a mind bond can't work unless both people agree."

Vegeta smirked "you forgot to tell the woman the other part of the deal."

Gohan's voice and expression were cold as he responded.

"I didn't think she needed to be informed of that part and I hope to hell you didn't tell her."

"What do you think brat?"

"Brilliant Vegeta now she is going to worry and probably call my mom so my mom worries even though it won't change anything."

"Watch how you speak to me boy. Now tell me boy why are you doing this?"

"Why do you ask questions you already know the answers to Vegeta?"

"I want to hear it from your own mouth brat now tell me."

"Fine whatever Vegeta. I am now the protector of this planet there isn't much I can do with the generation now you guys are all middle aged. But I can make damn sure the next generation will be protected to the best of my abilities and ensuring the mind bond is just one of the steps. Besides I love them and I don't want them ever getting hurt. Satisfied Vegeta?"

The Saiyan prince grunted and turned to leave.

"Be careful with what you do boy. You may not be able to handle it."

With that he flew off back towards Capsule Corps to reassure his mate. Gohan sighed and then called out to the seemingly empty forest.

"You can come out already Piccolo I'm sure your Namek ears heard everything already."

Piccolo appeared at the edge of the forest and walked over to stand in front of Gohan who was still sitting against the tree.

"I hope to hell you know what your doing kid."

With that last comment they both resumed their meditative positions and silence returned to the forest.

It was a nice peaceful day ten months past the anniversary of Goku's death and Gohan's wish on the dragonballs when tragedy struck. Bulma was at Capsule Corp working on a new invention with Trunks beside her. Vegeta and Gohan were sparring in the gravity room. Piccolo was meditating by his waterfall preparing for when Gohan would show up. Krillin, Master Roshi, Eighteen and Turtle were all on Kame Island relaxing. Yamcha was at baseball practice and Tien and Chautzou were somewhere in Tibet.

Son Chi Chi was stirring soup for Gohan's lunch with baby Goten in his high chair next to her. Suddenly she dropped the spoon and screamed as a blinding pain hit her in the head. Her last thought as she fell into unconsciousness was.

"Gohan."

In the gravity room Vegeta and Gohan were fighting in 350 times normal gravity when Gohan felt the wrench in his heart and knew something was wrong. He stopped right in the middle of the fight and put his fingers up to his forehead calling out to Vegeta.

"Something's wrong at home Vegeta. I got to get home."

With that he disappeared leaving Vegeta cursing up a storm before going into the

house to tell Bulma.

The first thing Gohan noticed when he appeared in the kitchen was baby Gohan crying and whimpering while pointing at the ground behind the table next to his high chair. On the floor lay Chi Chi unconscious. As soon as he saw his mother on the floor he grabbed baby Gohan and knelt next to his mother so he was touching both her an Goten.

"NO MOM PLEASE DON'T DIE. DON'T LEAVE ME!"

He screamed out before he teleported to Bulma's lab. A his waterfall Piccolo was tossed out of meditation as some one started screaming in his mind. It took him a minute but when he recognized whom it was he took off immediately in search of Gohan's ki. As Gohan appeared in Bulma's lab he vaguely registered that Vegeta was there too. He stepped towards Bulma pleadingly.

"Bulma please help mom I think she's dying!"

Bulma ran over to Chi Chi and knelt by the woman searching for a pulse and yelling at Gohan.

"Take us to a hospital Gohan right now!"

As they appeared at the hospital Gohan still holding Goten in his arms. Immediately Bulma started screaming at the nurses and doctors. Chi Chi was picked up and immediately put on a gurney and wheeled down the hall Bulma at her side. Just then Vegeta and Piccolo burst through the doors. Piccolo immediately went to Gohan while Vegeta went on a manhunt for Bulma. Gohan was still sitting in the center of the room holding Goten and crying. Piccolo picked both boys up, walked over to a chair and sat down with Gohan holding Goten in his lap. About ten minutes later Gohan stopped crying and looked up. Just then A tired and haggard looking Bulma with a scowling Vegeta came out.

Gohan stood up still holding his baby brother and walked over to Bulma, put his hand on hers and said simply.

"I know."

With that Bulma burst into tears and turned into Vegeta hanging on to him for dear life. Then he slowly walked over to Piccolo and handed him Goten and walked down the hallway towards the room they had placed his mother in. As soon as Gohan was out of earshot.

"What the hell happened Bulma?" Piccolo hissed softly

Bulma was still crying as she tried to explain.

"They said it was a brain aneurysm and that she was dead on arrival but they tried to work on her anyway. She was already gone when she got here."

Just then Gohan walked out of the hallway and back over to them and said something so softly even Piccolo had to strain to hear it.

"The other world took her body so she could keep it. It means she is with dad now."

Gohan took Goten from Piccolo and began walking out of the hospital leaving the others to follow.

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