Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Warui No Ou ❯ Conclusion ( Chapter 21 )

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

(Nearly 20 Years Ago…)

"It's an offer, Gohan. It's something that we both will benefit from. It still stands even if you leave. Whenever you're ready, I'll be waiting." Gohan heard an amused tone in Vejita's voice. He ignored all the words and shoved the door opened. He left Capsule Corporations as quick as he'd arrived there, but instead of flying he walked through the gates and began down the streets of the city, lost in his thoughts. He ignored the people that rushed by in their blind daily lives, thinking that Satan-san was protecting them and the planet from all the monsters that could crush his head like a grape with their powers, not even needing to soak their fingers in his blood. He earned a few stares for his ruined clothing, but it felt right. They all knew he was a murderer. The birds had whispered it in their ears. Look at that boy. He killed his father. What a horrible child! Stare at him and make sure that he knows you know. Make sure that he feels guilty beneath all your horror-filled looks.

Why would Vejita bother with him? Gohan sighed as he pushed himself through the afternoon crowd. People were rushing off to lunch. Despite missing breakfast, Gohan didn't have the stomach for food. He felt ill, sick, and dirty. Why would Vejita bother to request training with a failure? It just didn't make sense. Sure, it would be difficult, but eventually Vejita would reach the power Gohan held. It was even possible that Vejita could teach Gohan some things. Perhaps he could learn how to be more brave, more of a real senshi. It wasn't a bad offer, but Gohan couldn't accept it. He didn't have the right to become more powerful. He couldn't even save his father and he had been the most powerful one of them all.

Gohan heard a laugh coming off from his right. For some reason he found himself pausing and looking in the direction. A smirk grew over his face as he saw Satan-san leaving a large and expensive restaurant, walking towards the limousine that sat at the end of the block. The laugh had come from a small child that walked at his side. A little black haired girl skipped along beside the "savior of Chikyuu", giggling as she spoke rapidly. Following the two was a thin crowd of admirers, begging for a word or an autograph. Satan-san shook his head, thick afro bouncing around with each movement. 'I didn't know Satan-san had a daughter,' Gohan thought, watching the little girl. She was a beautiful young girl with large eyes and thick hair and resembled Chichi in a great deal, though sweeter and more innocent. With a small burst of speed, Gohan darted across the sidewalk, undetected by human eyes and passed off as nothing more than a breeze. He hid behind the corner and watched as Satan-san and his daughter passed by. Satan-san froze instantly, his eyes turning to see the senshi that had truly defeated Cell. Gohan smirked and gave him a devilish 'you're doomed' look. Satan-san gave a girly scream and ducked into his car, screaming for his daughter to join him. The young black-haired girl only stared at Gohan with her large eyes. "Ossu! I'm Videl. Who are you?"

"Gohan," he replied. The young girl had to be at least five or six years old, just a few years younger than Gohan was. Videl turned and pointed to her long black car. "Are you a senshi like Tousan? Tousan is the most powerful fighter in the world. He saved us all from that big mean demon. Tousan was on television!" Gohan grinned at the girl's innocence. She was a pretty little thing. "Hai, I am a senshi," he responded. "I was there when your father defeated Cell."

"Really?" her eyes widened brightly. Satan-san was now standing outside his car, glaring at Gohan as his eyes looked down with worry to his precious daughter. The small crowd had grown somewhat and was asking Satan-san about Gohan. They recognized his gi from the Cell Games. "Tousan is teaching me to be a senshi just like him. I'm going to be as powerful as him someday, and then I can fight and save Chikyuu!" She jumped up and down, clapping her hands. Gohan laughed along. Knowing just how powerful her father really was, Gohan didn't doubt that the young Videl could even become more powerful than Satan-san.

Roaring for Videl, Satan-san finally grew the nerve to step over and grab her arm. "Get in the car right now, Videl. Never talk to strangers!" He shoved her away and she obeyed before turning and shoving a finger in Gohan's nose. "Now you listen here…!"

Gohan stared in silence at the index finger that stared him directly in the nose. Why did all this seem so familiar to him? He had the greatest urge to reach out and grab that finger, snap it in two and watch the "savior of Chikyuu" run into that limo clutching his little finger….

For some reason, he didn't. He glanced past Satan-san, seeing the young girl standing next to the door of the limo, watching him curiously. He offered her a smile, chuckled, and turned… walking down the streets towards his home.

Floating above the heavens, a relieved Piccolo sighed.

The guilt would forever be inside of Gohan, but it could be coped with. Perhaps he had killed his father, and perhaps he did not. Everyone knew the truth, but the truth's meaning was something that had to be determined by each individual. Gokou was a moron, yes, and would probably always be. Vejita would eternally be searching for a way to gain that power he desired… but Gohan…

Gohan had to follow his thoughts and feelings and ignore everyone else. He knew that now, as he looked into those innocent eyes of that young girl, Videl. She knew who she was, what she wanted, and she'd be damned if she didn't get it.

Gohan liked her.

The young demi-Saiyajin turned and darted into the air. Piccolo watched with a smile dressing his lips. Gohan had learned years ago that pure men sometimes become evil because evil men saw them that way…

Sometimes, though, evil men became pure because of love…


~*~



THEND