Chapter 4

"Dad?"

'Don't do it son. I understand you're angry, but you need to calm down. I know you don't like hurting people, you don't want to be a murderer,'

Piccolo touched down as the echoes of his father's voice faded from Gohan's head. He wasn't sure if the others could hear Goku as well or if they thought he was losing his mind, but either way they made no move. Vegeta looked genuinely amused at how close Gohan had come to vaporising his opponent, while Trunks' face still bore the initial signs of shock.

Gohan let out a mighty roar as his aura flared around him. The resulting pressure blew the mangled body of the arcosian in front of him off into the distance, where Trunks -having been snapped out of his stupor by the overwhelming energy being unleashed in front of him - was able to intercept him before he was injured further.

"You're such a hypocrite!" Gohan roared, seemingly to no one, "You spent your whole life showing mercy to your worst, most evil enemies, then when you force me to fight them for you, you tell me to finish them off right away! I know it wasn't exactly 'mercy' I had in mind for Cell, but still! Then when a new enemy appears, I try to do the right thing and finish them quickly before anyone gets hurt, or the Earth is put in danger and you flip on me again!"

'Are you sure that the creature you fought is an enemy? I'm sorry Gohan, I know you were just trying to do the right thing, but I think you might have misunderstood the situation,'

Gohan sighed and released his grip on the white hot fury that sustained his power. His aura faded, and his hair dropped, returning to it's natural black state.

"You know the worst part about it, dad? You're always right. You spared Piccolo, and now he's my dearest friend. You spared Vegeta and even though he's a bit rough around the edges still, he's got a family now. You told me to finish Cell off – I didn't and now you're gone."

Gohan fell to his knees, tears forming in his eyes.

"I'm sorry dad. I'm not like you. I don't have the same instincts for fighting, or the knack for seeing the hidden good in people that you do. I have this tremendous power, but what good is it if I can't use it to protect the people I care about? I turn into a monster and I just end up doing more harm than good. You need to come back, dad. We need you. Not just me, mom and Goten, but the whole world."

'…Goten?'

Goku's voice did not have the same wistful, carefree tone it normally did. Something clicked into place in Goku's mind.

'I have to go now son, but I'll speak to you again soon. Go to the lookout in a few days' time, I'll be sure to have King Kai listen out for Piccolo or Dende. Remember, I'll always be proud of you, Gohan'

Though Sheer was extremely worse for wear, the ever-resourceful Piccolo had stopped by Korin's tower for Senzu beans before attempting to catch up to Gohan. Once his injuries had healed, Sheer returned to his original form, going wide eyed at the realisation that his mother would have felt his energy drop and blasting off back towards capsule corporation.

Trunks took this opportunity to explain the situation to Gohan and Piccolo: the Arcosian known as Sheer was brother to Cooler and Freeza, but had grown up far from their influence after their mother escaped from King Cold's palace. Knowing that King Cold would kill all who were involved in the escape, Sheer and his crew were forced to live in secrecy. He had always intended to train until he could usurp his father when he was strong enough and allow his mother to return home in peace, but by the time he felt he was ready, his mother had grown ill. Not wanting to cause her unnecessary stress, Sheer decided to hold off until his mother recovered, but she never had. Knowing that she would die on her ship regardless unless she received medical treatment, and knowing that his siblings and father were most likely dead at the hands of a powerful Saiyan, he decided to take his chances and confront him directly.

As it turned out, the Saiyan(s) who had killed his siblings and father had not taken control of the PTO as Sheer had assumed and they could have gone to any planet they had wished. Though the initial contact between Vegeta and Sheer was tense, Bulma had arrived and managed to defuse the situation. Once it was clear that the aliens which had landed bore no malicious intent, Bulma immediately offered up capsule corps' finest medical facilities and lodgings (a frequent habit of hers, Yamcha noted).

Later, once he was satisfied his mother's condition was stable, Sheer had challenged Trunks to a friendly match, having discovered earlier through Vegeta's boasting that the purple haired demi-saiyan was the one who had defeated his father and Freeza.

Shame and bile began to rise in Gohan's throat. How could he be so quick to jump the gun? He should have been more observant and trusting in his friends. In retrospect, it was obvious. Since when did Trunks pull punches against dangerous opponents? He was straight to the point, and took any advantage he could in a serious fight, preferring to finish them before they truly started. And since when did Vegeta sit back and allow someone else to fight? If the opponent truly was dangerous, then Vegeta would be demanding he face the wrath of the prince of saiyans, or something like that.

Gohan made a mental note to go to capsule corporation later and apologise - he didn't know if this 'Sheer' would want to see the person who'd just beaten him to a pulp, but he didn't sound like a bad person from what Trunks had said and Gohan was willing to do whatever it took to earn the creature's forgiveness.

Vegeta had taken his leave some time ago, and once Trunks had finished his story and assured Gohan he would try his best to explain to Sheer what had happened, he too took flight, leaving Gohan and Piccolo alone.

"Piccolo," Gohan asked, rather sheepishly, "When I was fighting, the only reason I stopped was because my dad spoke to me. Did you hear him too?"

"I could, Gohan, but the others probably couldn't," Piccolo replied, "King Kai got back to me as I was flying toward you. I assumed Goku would want to speak to you so I opened a telepathic link between the two of us as soon I arrived on the battlefield."

"So, did you hear what he said? He said he would talk to us again in a few days. I feel really bad about what I did to Sheer, but I can't help feeling excited, you know? I'll try my best to make it up to the guy before I talk to dad again. That'll make him happy, it's not quite the arch enemies into allies that he made a habit of, but it's a start right? And did you hear how he said Goten's name? I think he's figured out who Goten is, and he might really be thinking about coming back!"

Piccolo sighed. Any visage of the fierce warrior which overtook Gohan in battle was washed away. He was most likely the mightiest warrior the universe had seen in millions of years, yet the hope and naivety that danced on his features at this moment made him look every bit the lonely child, missing his father that he truly was. Piccolo shot his pupil the same kind but stern look he often did when correcting his form, or demanding he run through a series of attacks again.

"Look, Gohan, I know you miss Goku. We all do, even that thick headed fool Vegeta does, though he'd never admit it, but I don't think he realises what a foolish, selfish decision staying dead was. I think he's totally oblivious, and although he might have been given an insight into the consequences of his actions today, I'm not sure he'll go back on his choice. I've known him for a long time, first as an enemy, then a reluctant ally, then finally as a friend. His heart's in the right place, but he doesn't see things the way most people do. Could he want to come back? It's possible, but I wouldn't put it past him to be completely blind to what you really want and just have a fantastic idea for some new training to help you control you power, or something. I don't want to get your hopes and end up hurt again."

Piccolo allowed a soft smile to grace his usually stoic face as he placed his hand on Gohan's shoulder.

"Go home kid, I'll be in touch when it's time to talk to your dad."

Try as he might to heed Piccolo's sensible warning, it took the entire flight home and everything he had to suppress his grin before walking through the door of his home.

Man, I sure go a while without updating. I'm a bit out of practice writing, excuse any blunders in chapter.