Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Downward Spiral ❯ Chapter Seventeen ( Chapter 17 )

Chapter Seventeen

 

A/N: Thanks to CrimsonSin and thanks again to King Kakarot, who have inspired me to start updating again. I hope this new chapter is okay, I haven't wrote this story for a long while and I've gotten used to writing in the style of my original works; well I hope it's okay and everyone enjoys it. Updates may be random as I have a heavy workload and a lot to do, but I'll update as often as possible so please be patient.

 

This was the last and only place left where Gohan could be . . .

 

Goku felt his heart racing, any second now and he expected it to burst from his chest, he just felt so - so nervous! After all what if his son tried to hurt himself again, or take his own life or ran away for good? God damn it, he had no idea how he would cope if something bad happened to Gohan! This was his fault, wasn't it? He could feel the despair creep into his mind and the guilt plaguing him, it was like every inch of his skin was being eaten by his own self-loathing. If he'd just stayed with Chi, if he'd kept his wounds better hidden, then Gohan wouldn't be so upset and everything would be fine . . .

 

He shook his head violently. No, it wouldn't have been fine, how could he even think about living without Vegeta or not having the new child that was on the way? Still, there wasn't much time to think about what could have been or would have been, he had to find his son! He'd checked everywhere, Videl said that she hadn't seen him at all and Kami House was empty save from Eighteen who wasn't exactly thrilled to have unexpected visitors - Kami Lookout was the only place left, and where else would Gohan feel safer than with his old mentor Piccolo?

 

He took a glance around and shivered. He hadn't really been here since the Cell Games, he had no idea why he was avoiding the place so much, maybe it was because of the memories of the Time Chamber and of Piccolo and of everyone being there, supporting him, back then everyone was a family and helped each other and they saw each other all the time . . . He missed that. If he ever found Gohan the first thing he'd do was get the old gang back together and celebrate.

 

Looking around all he could see was the great expanse of white, the whole place looked magnificent and was a little intimidating, he shivered and felt his heart shrink, everything was exactly how he remembered it - only now planet Vegeta could probably be seen in the night sky and now his family had fallen apart. His heart wrenched as he choked on the stale air, the night sky was giving way to morning and as beautiful as it was he couldn't bring himself to appreciate it.

 

“Dad!”

 

“Gohan!” He knew that voice anywhere! Kami, he was so relieved! His whole body sagged and relaxed, it was like a great weight had been lifted and his whole body was singing, just to know that Gohan was alright and was here meant so much to him! He shook his head to stop the tears from falling and gave a thumbs up to his son. He gave a soft laugh and walked up to Gohan who had came out of the palace with Piccolo. “You know how worried we all were? I looked everywhere for you!”

 

“Why?” Gohan raised an eyebrow, he looked more confused than annoyed but it was still a shock to Goku. What, did the kid seriously think no one should have been worried, did he really expect no one to look for him? Damn, did he even know how much he meant to everyone?

 

“You ran away! Of course we'd look for you!”

 

Piccolo glared down at Gohan. “You ran away?”

 

“Of course I didn't! Why on Earth would you think that? Mom was really angry at you and I couldn't take all the lectures and screaming, I went to Videl's for an hour and then came to Piccolo to talk.”

 

“But your Chi said you ran away, she was practically hysterical on the phone, and you've suppressed your ki too!”

 

“I'm still weak from what I did, it takes a lot of energy to fly, I asked Piccolo to bring me here and he did - that's why you can't sense my ki.”

 

He gave a bright smile and gave Goku a hug to show he was okay. He certainly seemed okay, he was no longer pale and was smiling kind of creepily, but then again Piccolo was smiling too but probably from relief Gohan was fine, after all they were closer than anyone Goku ever knew. Still, wasn't it a little suspicious though? Chi might be a little on the evil side but she loved her kids more than anything, she'd never make up something as serious as Gohan running away unless she really believed it!

 

Goku's heart raced with all the possibilities, but as much as he wanted to believe his son he couldn't, he knew Chi wasn't making this up, he might not be able to trust her for most things, but he could for this! He groaned softly and held his head in frustration.

 

Gohan's expression suddenly changed when he saw how worried Goku was. It wasn't as if he'd done anything wrong, right? After all he'd just behaved how he felt best, he need a break so badly, and who else could he turn to other than his best friend Videl and Piccolo? Kami, staying in that house was so suffocating, he had no control over anything! It was like being in space without a spacesuit, feeling the air escape your lungs and the pressure overwhelm you. Then there was all the abuse his parents threw at each other and the cries of his brother, he could never do anything to help Goten, and to hear him crying just cut into his heart like a knife . . .

 

“Don't look like that dad,” He pulled down his sleeve as far as it could, he'd soon heard plenty from his parents the other day about his self-harm, he never expected it to be secret forever, after all Piccolo told Goku everything and Goten was just a kid and wouldn't know to keep it quiet. Still, why did it hurt so much to have people knowing? He pulled his sleeve tighter and shivered. “She probably thinks I ran away because I told her I was moving out and stormed to my room, she must have came to check on me and my stuff was gone and so was I.”

 

“So you did run away! Oh son, why didn't you talk to me, I could have helped you. Where are you staying now?”

 

“Hey, I told you I was going so it isn't really `running away', is it? Well, my stuff's still at Videl's but Piccolo says I can stay with him - I think I'll stay here for a while and then get my own place, college finishes soon so I can get a job, Bulma's offered me a job at Capsule Corps so I might go there.”

 

“Yeah but son, you need your family around you, you're still recovering and what's your brother going to think? Why don't you stay with Vegeta and me?” Goku gave a bright smile, he knew it probably wouldn't reassure anyone though, his fear shone through too much - he scratched his neck nervously and then sighed. “Well, okay, it sounds like a good plan, and I guess there's no need to worry with Piccolo around you. You just try your best and work hard and I bet you'll be running Capsule Corps in a few years.”

 

Gohan laughed and gave a sincere smile. “Thanks, dad.”

 

With a quick hug Goku gave Piccolo a wink. “You keep an eye on him, okay, if anything happens I hold you responsible.”

 

“Goku, when has anything ever happened on my watch?”

 

With a bright smile Goku grinned. “I could name a few examples. Anyway, if you're okay I better be going, I've got to tell your mom your okay and see about Goten. Take care son, I love you. You take care too, Piccolo!”

 

* * *

 

“Fine? Fine! How is it fine? He's gone away to live by himself after everything that's happened? And you tell me it's all fine!”

 

Goku heaved a sigh and covered his face with his hands, she'd been screaming at him non-stop since he came here, luckily though she hadn't resorted to any physical violence but then again with Goten curled up on his lap sleeping, it was very unlikely that she would. He gazed into the fire by his side, the logs had lit pretty quickly and the smell of the matches still flavoured the air, it would have been very relaxing if it wasn't for Chi pacing the length of the living room.

 

The only light came from the flames of the fire, it made the room seem almost romantic really as the all the features were illuminated and shaded all at once, and the way the fire lit up Goten's sleeping face made him seem like an angel - he was so cute and it reminded Goku of Gohan when he was a child.

 

“And speaking of `fine' what the hell is he doing here?”

 

Goku followed Chi's finger to the source of her anger. In the corner of the room nearest to the kitchen Vegeta was curled up on a large armchair, he was more awake than what Goten was but looked like he was on the verge of sleep. As soon as he heard Chi groan and stamp he feet he gave a mischievous smile and raised a finger to her, one that made her anger all the worse.

 

He wished so much that he and Vegeta were at home, or that he was playing with Goten and Gohan outside but he couldn't help the fact he was here, after all he had to explain what had happened, just - just why didn't he feel anything? It was like all his fear had gone, his sorrow but also his happiness and joy. It was always like this with Chi! Whenever he was around her and she got like this, he felt like he had to protect himself, so he switched his brain off and let his body die with it. He just sat there waiting for her to calm down but knowing she wouldn't.

 

“He has a name Chi-Chi, call him by it and I might answer you.”

 

“How dare you? You can't speak to me like that -!”

 

She stormed over to where Goku was sitting, he flinched violently but when no strike came he looked up at her curiously. There was smoke coming from the wall where a ki blast hit and Chi was glaring furiously at Vegeta who was curled up innocently with a wicked grin plastered onto his face.

 

Chi snorted and then stormed to the middle of the room and leant against the wall in complete anger. “So why is Vegeta here? It's bad enough that you decide to be with him the second we break up, but to have him here threatening me is just downright disgusting and rude!”

 

“Will you give it a rest, harpy?” Vegeta snapped, opening an eye he stretched out and threw his legs over the arm, he seemed pretty relaxed considering but with all that had happened in the last few days that was far from the truth. “I've been following Kakarott since you phoned him, I'm not leaving his side whilst you're anywhere near him, he might not defend himself from your abuse but I will. You'll never touch him again.”

 

“Just how the hell is what I do any of your business?”

 

“When you attack the person I love it is my business!”

 

“Guys,” Goku yawned loudly, “I've been up most of the night looking for Gohan, whose fine I may add, he's already got a job waiting for him and he's nearly finished college; can we please keep our voices down?” He heard two simultaneous grunts and took them to mean `yes'. “Thanks guys.”

 

He heard a low sigh from `Geta who was starting to fidget for a comfortable position, he found himself staring at `Geta's stomach and smiling, to think that in a few months time they'd have a family of their own was an amazing thought, it cheered him up no end. He suddenly jumped as he felt a pull at his tail, it seemed Goten was used to sleeping with his cuddly toys and decided his tail was a good substitute.

 

Suddenly Vegeta broke the peaceful silence. “So what are you going to do about the brat?” He pointed to Goku's lap where Goten was still sleeping contently.

 

“What do you mean?” Goku winced again as Chi's foot stamped loudly on the floor; it was loud enough to make the sleeping child stir but not enough to wake him entirely. She held her hands at her hips and leant forward to begin her tirade of yelling but the look on Vegeta's face forced her to stay calm. “Well, he's staying with me of course. I've already lost one son so I'll be damned if I lose another.”

 

“Gohan's not dead you bitch!”

 

“Vegeta!” Goku snapped. God, he knew how angry Vegeta must be feeling but did he have to stoop to insulting people like that, he was hardly making it easy for everyone! If he kept resorting to swearing and threats Chi could just argue that Vegeta was equally as violent as she was, and what would happen then?

 

Luckily Vegeta seemed to calm down and Chi seemed to ignore it as a usual royal, temper tantrum. “Vegeta, don't insult me, do I insult you? Besides, I know he isn't dead but he nearly died! I nearly lost him for good! Do you know how hard it is to nearly lose a child or how devastating it is for them to leave you when they need you the most?” He seemed stunned by this so she smiled and carried on. “I thought not.”

 

“You ought to keep that mouth of your shut, you have no idea what you're talking about. I was ripped from my parents when I was five and forced to be practically a slave on Freeza's ship, so I know what it's like to have a child leave when they're not ready, and my best friend Raditz was ready to give birth when the father found out and ripped the child from his body and killed it, so yes, I know what it's like to lose a child too.”

 

Wait. Did he just hear this right? Vegeta just said that it was Raditz who lost the child, right? That was his brother! Damn, why didn't `Geta tell him about this? Goku could only stare at him in total shock and horror at what he just heard and Chi could only stand there in shock and annoyance that she'd been beaten at her own game.

 

Vegeta rolled his eyes. “I don't plan on taking the brat from you, he needs you and I admit that, but what's stopping you from abusing him like you did to Goku?”

 

“What! I love my son -.”

 

“You loved Goku too, didn't stop you then.”

 

They both fell quiet again and both pairs of yes fell onto Goten, he had a smile on his face and was obviously dreaming of something pleasant, he squirmed slightly and yawned despite already being asleep. He looked so innocent and sweet it was hard to think that they were arguing over him.

 

“How about this,” Vegeta started. “You have the brat weekdays and Goku has him weekends. That way seems fair enough and if one scratch, one bruise or even one tear comes from him then I'll take you to court myself, and we both know you'll lose.”

 

“Don't you dare threaten me!” She snapped. “Fine, I'll agree to your stupid idea, but likewise if Goten comes home with any bad ideas, any swear words or any inappropriate material from you, Goku will never see him again and I'll make sure of it.”

 

Vegeta growled and finally offered a nod in response.

 

With a heavy sigh Goku smiled and looked at the two of them, it had gone much better than he thought and he was pleased, but still - he wished they didn't have to resort to threatening each other, but Chi had always been a control freak and Vegeta had always been used to resorting to violence. At least things were looking up, but he still was waiting for the inevitable to happen; after all there was still the baby to be born, Chi would soon complain about Gohan and Piccolo's relationship and no doubt Vegeta would end up trying to kill Trunks before the week was over because of his childish pranks.

 

Still, at least it was all good for now . . .