Disclaimer: Do not own.

Lying in bed with a cold cloth on his forehead, Gohan stared hopelessly at the ceiling in his bedroom. He couldn't predict Chronoa appearing, and now he couldn't predict the tournament he and Bardock were going to participate in. Why could he predict everything else but not what really mattered? Gohan has made multiple attempts to view the future. He saw what he always saw, and many strands of it, but couldn't predict anything with Chronoa.

Of course, using his power caused him to black out. He passed out during dinner, blood coming out of his ears while Chi-Chi screamed. When he came to, his father informed him of what happened. Gohan asked his father to check Bardock.

When Goku came back from King Kai's planet, he informed Gohan that Bardock passed out as well. King Kai thought Bardock was exhausted from trying to catch Bubbles, and left him lying on the ground while he made dinner for he and Bubbles. Bardock was still lying there, face in the dirt, when Goku left. He heard King Kai tell Bubbles to start jumping on Bardock to wake him. Gohan was pretty certain Bardock would come back to yell at him when he awoke.

Chi-Chi came in with a bowl of ice water, and placed it on Gohan's desk. She arched her back making her belly stick out of her shirt. Chi-Chi was still in denial that she needed maternity clothes.

"How's you headache," she asked, taking the towel off of Gohan's head and dipping it in the water.

"Still throbbing," answered Gohan. "Bardock would describe it as the hangover from hell."

"If you drink alcohol then that's exactly what will happen." Chi-Chi wringed out the cloth, and put it back on Gohan's forehead. "It's a good reason why you shouldn't drink."

"I see dead people. That itself gives me a reason to drink." Chi-Chi frowned. "Being kidnapped, watching people die, dying myself…I should be shooting up the good stuff."

"Gohan! You shouldn't be talking like that! Where on Earth are you learning this kind of language?"

"Well gee Mom, I don't know. I'm so sheltered from the outside world that I shouldn't know about alcohol, or cocaine, or any drug substance I can shoot up in my arms. Maybe when I grow up I'll work in the black market. I can trade someone's organs for some decent pot!"

Chi-Chi turned and walked away, slamming the door behind her. Gohan grabbed his head and rolled over to his side, the sound of the door echoing in his head.

Chi-Chi's lip trembled as she stormed her way upstairs, passing a worried Goku when she walked by. Once she saw her bed in sight she broke down, collapsing on the side to break down into tears. She didn't know how much more she could take with Gohan's attitude. He wasn't well, and was bleeding from the ears for Kami's sake! She wanted to make her baby feel better, but all he did was snap hate her way. She wanted to protect him, love him, and all he did was spew venom. She let out a wail, grasping the blanket on the bed.

"Chi-Chi?"

Even the voice of her loving husband couldn't calm her down. Goku bent down, and put a hand on his wife's back.

"Chi-Chi…" Goku watched as his wife sobbed into the blanket. He rubbed her back as he thought about the right words to say to her, something to make her smile. "I'm sure our second child won't see dead people."

Chi-Chi wailed louder. Goku winced.

"I don't know if I can take it anymore Goku," she yelled in the blanket. She faced Goku, her eyes swollen and red, a trail of snot running down her nose. "My Gohan used to be this sweet boy, and now he's turned into some monster because of you and your friends! I wish he never went to that old man's island to visit your stupid friends!"

Chi-Chi dug her face back into the blanket and continued to cry. Goku lowered his head.

"I'm sorry," was all Goku could say. He wasn't sure how to calm down his wife. Once she's upset, there's nothing to really stop her. "Maybe Bardock can-"

"Bardock can what," Chi-Chi barked. "Gohan would be a normal boy if Bardock never showed up! Gohan would grow up to be a great scholar, but your friends and father are nothing but a bad influence on him! Why did he turn out this way Goku? What if our next child turns out just like Gohan?"

Chi-Chi rubbed her belly bump. Gohan never mentioned if their unborn son would be able to see Bardock, then again Gohan could never see Bardock in his predictions. Gohan couldn't even predict the upcoming fight, nor the people he and Bardock were going to face.

"We will worry about that when he is born," Goku said, putting his hand over Chi-Chi's. "When Gohan gets better, we're going to sit down and have a talk, as a family."

"How is that going to help? He barely listens to anything we say anyway."

"I'll talk with Bardock. I'm sure he'll be on our side."

…

"I was face first in the dirt, and you didn't have the decency to flip me over," Bardock said with a grunt. He was holding a blue ice bag on his head, sitting on the ground with his legs folded. "If you didn't help me then why should I help you?"

"Because Gohan listens to you," Goku whined. The expression on Bardock's face said otherwise. "Chi-Chi is getting upset with Gohan, and no matter what we do Gohan is going to do what he does. He's still a child."

"A child you forced into a world of fighting." Goku looked away. "Besides what Chronoa is planning, Gohan and I know what's going to happen. He wants to be the protector of the planet."

"He doesn't need to do that. I can keep the world at peace so Gohan can be a kid."

"He's stronger than you."

"But I'll be stronger than him soon."

"How certain are you of that," asked Bardock. He put the ice pack on the ground, in the same hole his face was previously in moments ago. "If we win this tournament you know Gohan is going to continue his training. I don't think you see just how much potential he has."

"He's not a full blooded saiyan like you, Vegeta or me. He's still human," Goku stressed out.

"Human blood doesn't deteriorate his saiyan blood." Bardock rubbed his forehead. "Listen Kakarot, I know you want Gohan to be a kid, and do kid things, but the one thing Gohan always wanted to do was protect people. He decided that on his own, and no matter what I do, or say, he will not listen. Just let him do what he wants, and as long as the planet stays intact then just go with it."

Bardock winced, and placed the ice pack back on his head. He has tried multiple times convincing Gohan to relax. He has tired explain to Gohan that changing the future would get them in trouble. Bardock has done everything in his ghostly power to give Gohan the chance to enjoy his youth. Hell, he made Gohan steal a space ship and escape from Space Patrol!

"Do you think letting him live on his own would be better for him," Goku asked. Bardock scrunched his eyebrows. Sure, being away from home will give Gohan, and himself, peaceful nights without a newborn screaming at all hours of the morning. There will be no punishments, although Gohan has no idea how to do laundry, or cook, or clean, any daily chores will be pushed to the wayside. Gohan has a pet cockroach living under his bed that he feeds daily. Bardock never saw that as an 'adult responsibility.'

"It won't be better for me," commented Bardock. "Sorry Kakarot, I'm not helping talk to your kid. No matter what you do he'll see it coming, well…once he gets better."

"Can you see the future when your, uh, head hurts," Goku asked.

"Right now his brain is stressed; any more predictions will do more damage. The last thing we need is Gohan out of commission, or forgetting about the competition."

Goku tossed his head from side to side. Bubbles made his way over to Bardock, putting his monkey paws on the ground.

"I guess I can't ask you to stay away from Gohan until he learns how to respect his mother, can I," Goku asked. Bardock snorted.

"You can't stop me from seeing Kakarot. You can't even see me in your own house, let alone anywhere on Earth," responded Bardock, He flicked the grass with his finger. Goku's head perked up.

"Okay. Got it!"

"Got what?"

Goku put two fingers on his forehead and disappeared. Bardock threw the ice pack. He put his hands on his face, mumbling under his breathe. His hands pulled away slightly, his eyes on the monkey standing beside him. Bubbles didn't move.

"I know what you're trying to do, and it's not going to work," Bardock said putting his hands on his legs. "You think I'm gonna try and reach for you, and when I do you're going to run. Sorry monkey boy but I'm not that stupid."

"Ooooh, oooooh," Bubble spoke, still not moving.

"I'm taking a break." Bardock stood up, and stretched out his back. Hearing the satisfying pop, Bardock walked toward King Kai's house. Bubbles didn't move, but could hear Bardock's footsteps fading. The door closed. Bubbles looked behind to confirm Bardock went into the house. He was carrying a banana with his tail, and decided that it was a good time to eat his snack.

Sitting there eating his banana, Bubbles stared at Snake Way. He took a bite out of his banana, chew, swallowed, and took another bite as he peeled off more of the skin. Still chewing, Bubbles jumped up in the air as Bardock landed face first in the ground.

"Oooooh! Ooooh!" Bubbles landed on Bardock's butt, taking another bite of his banana. Bardock removed his face from the ground, and looked over his shoulder, glaring at the monkey eating the banana.

"You must find this highly entertaining," Bardock said, spitting out dirt from his mouth.

"Ooh," replied Bubbles.

Gohan had both hands behind his head as he looked up at his blank ceiling. His headache was getting better, and came to terms that he would not be able to predict the outcome of the tournament. It was frustrating. With his power, he could predict anything that would happen in the future. He could change the course of time, make the future the way he wanted it, but even with that power he still couldn't predict Chronoa. Anything related to her was unseen. It irritated the half saiyan, having this amazing foresight only to have it blocked by the Kai of Time. King Kai didn't know too much about her. Maybe if he casualty brought it up to King Yemma, he may be able to get more information. The thought of finding Grand Kai, or Supreme Kai, was an option as well.

Gohan chuckled to himself.

Kabito would freak out if Gohan went to the Planet of the Kais to talk to the Supreme Kai. No human is allowed to touch the planet, let alone speak to the Supreme Kai. How awesome would it be to go there, pull out the Z sword, break it to release Old Kai, and gain his Mystic power years before Buu?

"That…actually sounds like something I could do," Gohan said, sitting up in his bed. "It will give us the advantage over Chronoa's fighters. I can tell him the whereabouts of Babadi and Buu in exchange for Old Kai giving me Mystic powers!"

Gohan smiled as he jumped out of bed. He winced slightly, a shooting pain in his head. He shook it off, mildly cursing himself for getting out of bed too quickly. As he exited his room and into the kitchen, Gohan saw both his parents sitting at the kitchen table. When Goku noticed his son looking better, he pointed to Gohan's chair.

"Sit." Goku's voice was stern; Gohan wasn't used to his father sounding like that. It was strange seeing his carefree father become serious. Gohan has seen his father like this before, but that was always before battle.

"But I don't fee-"

"If Barock is well enough to train with King Kai, you are well enough to talk to your mother and I," interrupted Goku.

"Just because he's feeling better doesn't mean that I am," snapped Gohan. Chi-Chi squinted her eyes at her son.

"Your father said to sit, and you will listen to your father Gohan," she said. She wasn't yelling, but her voice gave Gohan the chills. Suddenly he felt defenseless. Bardock wasn't around to help either. With both his parents looking over at Gohan displeased, the young half saiyan looked at the ground, slowly making his way over to the table.

He hoped it wasn't anything too serious. He's already grounded from stealing Jaco's machine, and forced to wash everyone's clothes manually until he worked small side jobs to buy a new washer. The small jobs included babysitting Trunks, helping the local town with farming, and earning positive attitude points from his parents.

He was in the negative in attitude points. A dollar was taken out of his washer fund every time he gave an attitude to his parents. He made thirty dollars last week, ten of it was taken out for talking back at his mother. The money taken, however, went into making the nursey.

Once Gohan was settled in his seat, he looked up at his parents. He wished he didn't abusive his powers to predict the outcome of the tournament. It would have been easier to predict this discussion than seeing his future fight.

"What do you want to talk about," Gohan said, his voice quiet. He didn't have time to 'talk' with his parents.

Chi-Chi looked over at Goku, worried. She put her hand over his, offering him a smile. Goku smiled back, patted her hand, then turned back towards Gohan, his smile gone.

"Your mother and I have been talking about this for a while now, and we decided to hear from you first," Goku said. Hear from him? Hear what from him? "Your mother and I are not appreciating the way you have been treating us, and we want to know why you are talking at us with disrespect."

That was it? His parents wanted to talk to him about the way he spoke to them? This discussion was going to be easier that Gohan anticipated!

"Hormones," Gohan answered with a shrug. "It happens to every teenager. I'm sure you guys spoke back at your parents, er…parent…uh…" Gohan bit his bottom lip. "Maser Roshi?"

Gohan was pretty certain that his father never talked back at anyone. He probably ate them out of house and home, but never spoke back. The only other person Gohan could think of was Vegeta.

Well, Vegeta snapped at everyone.

"Saiyan blood," Gohan questioned as he spoke. "I wasn't always this way. I grew up, quickly I may add. I was thrown into this…this saving the world. You have to have thick skin to survive."

Both Goku and Chi-Chi exchanged looks.

"It's not the thick skin Gohan. There's something I saw with you as well," Goku said. Gohan raised an eyebrow. "Your mother agrees with me. I believe you put yourself on this pedestal. You think you're better than everyone else, stronger than anyone here, and that you don't feel you owe anything to anyone."

"I am the strongest person on this planet."

"But that doesn't give you the right to disrespect you mother and I, or anyone you know." Gohan rolled his eyes.

"Son Gohan you better roll those eyes back to where they were, and stop rolling your eyes" seethed Chi-Chi. Gohan scrunched his nose. Just how was he supposed to reverse his eye roll without making his eyes roll? "Punishment doesn't affect you, and no matter what we do you always find a way to sneak out to do what you want to do. That ends today."

Gohan resisted his urge to roll his eyes. He had to train to save the world, their timeline, and didn't have time to be grounded. No matter what his parents would tell him, he was still going to train.

Goku took a deep breath.

"Piccolo no longer lives here," Goku said. Gohan blinked. "He's agreed to live on New Namek until you learn to be polite to everyone."

"So you take away my best friend because of my attitude problem," Gohan yelled, getting up from his chair. Goku could feel Gohan's power level increase. Still, Goku masked his emotions.

"Until you learn how to respect others, Piccolo will stay on Namek," Goku spoke. "You are free to do whatever you like, but if you want Piccolo back you will treat everyone with respect, and finish your studies when your mother asks you to."

"You can't be serious?" Goku and Chi-Chi remained silent. He growled, and stormed out of the house. He powered up as a super saiyan, and flew away.

'There's no way Dad took Piccolo away,' Gohan thought as he flew top speed to the Lookout.

It didn't take long to reach the floating palace in the sky. Gohan powered down to his regular form, and looked around. He saw Mr. Popo sweeping the entrance to the palace, Dende looking off the Lookout to Gohan's left. Gohan approached Dende. The guardian heard Gohan's footsteps, and turned to his friend.

"I bet you're here because Goku told you what he did to Piccolo," Dende said.

"Did Piccolo really agree to be taken to Namek," asked Gohan. Dende shook his head.

"That's not what actually happened…"

(Flashback)

All was peaceful at the Lookout. Mr. Popo was beating dirt out of some rugs, Dende was looking over Earth, and Piccolo was meditating in his favorite spot between two trees. Butterflies were flying around the flowers as birds chirped by the bird feeder. It was a lovely day, that is…until Goku appeared.

Dende felt Goku's ki signature. He turned to see his friend while Piccolo and Mr. Popo chose to resume their tasks.

"Goku, good to see you again," Dende said as he approached the saiyan. Goku noticed Dende grew taller the last time he saw him.

"You're almost as tall as Kami's staff," commented Goku. Dende cheeks flushed a shade of pink.

"Thank you Goku. What brings you to the Lookout today? Do you need me to help you with anything?"

"Actually Dende, I'm here to see Piccolo."

Goku pointed to Piccolo, whose ear twitched at the mention of his name. He opened his one eye to see Goku waving at him. He sighed, and stood up from his meditation position. He walked over to the two, surprisingly with a smile.

"It's good to see you Goku," greeted Piccolo.

"I'll leave you two alone to speak," said Dende as her went back to the Lookout edge.

"It's not often you come here to chat, unless it's about Gohan."

"Well, it is," Goku said smiling, his hand rubbing the back of his head. "Gohan is a growing up so fast, and he's been snapping at Chi-Chi and me, and I came up with a way to control his anger."

Piccolo gasped, then smiled once more.

"You actually thought of something Son? I'm impressed," Piccolo said. Goku put his hand on Piccolo's cape.

"You are going to stay on Namek until Gohan learns to be nice again."

Piccolo's smile was gone.

"I'm what?!"

"You won't be there long, I promise!"

"I am not going to Namek!"

"Don't worry Piccolo. Once Gohan gets better you'll be right back. It should only take a couple of months…tops!"

Before Piccolo could say anymore, Goku put two fingers on his forehead and disappeared. Mr. Popo and Dende could only watch Piccolo being teleported away.

(End flashback)

"He's going to be so mad at me," Gohan said running a hand through his hair. It was true. Piccolo was on Namek, unwillingly of course, and it was his fault. His father found the perfect punishment for his son. Not only was his best friend taken away, he now had to adjust his whole attitude! It was impossible to travel to New Namek without the coordination's, and with his power needing rest, Gohan couldn't even predict the correct route.

He needed to learn to be…nice.

Crap baskets.

"So Piccolo won't be back until you make nice with everyone? Huh, Kakarot has found the perfect punishment for you."

"I want to be mad at him, but what he did was a genius move," Gohan said. Even though Bardock was training with King Kai, he would come back to Earth every night to see how Gohan was doing.

"He has his smart ideas, I'll give him that," Bardock said rubbing his chin. "That explains why I you're doing your homework, and not in the gravity room."

Gohan scrunched up his nose. When he came back from the Lookout, he apologized for his earlier behavior, and promised to work on his attitude. Chi-Chi accepted his apology, and told him that he needed to complete his studies after dinner. She suggested he should relax a little before he did his homework.

Gohan forced a smile on his face, thanked her, and went back to his room to…rest. It wasn't rest per say. Gohan kicked the air, silently screaming as he waved his arms up in the air, and mouthing bad words like he was in a Samuel L. Jackson movie.

"Catch Bubbles yet," ask Gohan, wanting to change the subject.

"Is Piccolo back from Namek yet," retorted Bardock. "I'm about to creating artificial moon light to get that damn monkey. It takes a monkey to catch a monkey."

"You'll probably destroy King Kai's planet, and release Bojack."

"King Kai is not supposed to have a planet anyway." Bardock pouted. "I have to hit the cockroach with the hammer next, right?"

"He's a grasshopper Bardock."

"Whatever. He's a bug and I can squish him."

"Is King Kai going to teach you Kaioken and the spirit bomb?" Gohan turned his chair towards Bardock, who was sitting on the bed.

"Kaioken I think. I can do a different version of the spirit bomb. I just need the energy of the saiyans, all two and a half of you. Two and a two thirds saiyans."

"Two thirds?"

"Goten is in that turning to a baby looking stage. He's about a fourth complete, and you're a half saiyan.."

"Would it be three saiyans when he's born?"

"When he's born it will be two saiyans, and two half saiyans."

"What about Trunks," Gohan asked.

"I keep forgetting about that purple half breed," Bardock said. He snapped his fingers. "Oh, there's Tarble. He's a full saiyan."

"But he's not a fighter like us."

"The king sends his son to take over a planet when he's older, and he ends up befriending everyone on that planet. Poor excuse for a saiyan."

"Didn't Dad turn out the same way?"

"He hit his head when he was a kid, but if he didn't he would have destroyed this planet years ago." Gohan gave him a blank stare. "Well in an alternative universe he did!"

"In an alternative universe I'm sure he took over Earth, but we are not in that alternative universe now are we?"

Bardock stared long and hard at Gohan.

"And it's because of that attitude is why Piccolo is nor here," spat Bardock. "I'm going to catch the monkey now."

Bardock disappeared, leaving Gohan to chuckling to himself.

With his powers almost restored, Gohan decided to fly to Satan City to visit his two friends. They would be getting done soon, and he hoped to get to know his future wives better so he could decide who to pursue in the future.

Well…if there still was a future.

Gohan didn't want to think about it right now. He still hasn't heard anything from Chronoa, or anything about the tournament. Bardock kept telling Gohan that everything was going to be fine. Just train, and get Piccolo back. Gohan has been working hard to be nicer, and trying not to snap at his parents. There were some snips between him and his father. Those snips happened when they were fixing the purgatory library. Goku would constantly slack off, and teleport to King Kai's planet to watch Bardock train leaving Gohan alone. Gohan would politely ask his father to stay. Goku would want another break, even though he took one moments ago. Gohan would try and reason with his father, only getting a shoulder shrug as a response.

It was hard having only two people organize millions of books, especially when one was thrown at a certain lazy saiyan.

Instead of taking the small hint to continue to work, Goku would teleport to King Kai's planet.

His father returned many hours later. He had forgotten he left Gohan there. One way or another, Gohan was going to learn Instant Transmission. He didn't care if he needed to steal another ship to get to Yardrat!

Landing in front of the school, Gohan looked at his watch. He had about five minutes before Cassie and Videl were done school. He leaned up against the wall and waited. Hercule Satan signs were all over the place. The hero who defeated Cell months before. It never bothered Gohan that Hercule took the credit, not in the present or the future. Gohan wanted to protect the planet, and the planet needed a savior. Hercule gave hope to everyone.

The bell rung, and Gohan watched as students began to walk out. Gohan looked around, and was able to spot Cassie talking to a friend.

"Cassie! Over here," Gohan yelled as he waved his hand. Cassie adjusted her glasses, and saw the boy who was yelling her name. Her friend said something, to which Cassie shook her head. Cassie put her hand up, and walked towards Gohan as her friend stood there. "It's been a long time since I last saw you."

Cassie examined Gohan, then smiled.

"You're that crazy boy Videl and I met a while ago," she said. She turned to her friend, and waved. Her friend smiled, then waved back. "How did you know what school we went to?"

"Uh…lucky guess," answered Gohan.

"Well that was some lucky guess! I didn't recognize you in your normal clothes." She scrunched her eyebrows. "Why are you here?"

"I uh…well…" Gohan was ill prepared for this moment. Bardock wasn't even around to give him pointers, not like they would be any good anyways. "I want to be friends with you and Videl. I don't have many friends where I live."

'Alive anyway,' Gohan thought to himself.

Cassie pouted her lips.

"Videl didn't come to school today." She sighed. "I don't know what happened. She suddenly wanted to do martial arts like her dad, and won't talk to me because she wants to train. We got into a fight yesterday, and now she won't talk to me."

Gohan lowered his eyes. He knew what happened.

"Maybe something is going on at her home," suggested Gohan. Cassie let out a breath once more.

"I'm her best friend. If something was going on she would have told me."

She wouldn't have.

Gohan knew Cassie's parents were going through a rough patch as well. Her father traveled for business, and was never home. Her mother was a doctor who was always at work. Cassie's older sister and brother took care of her, even after their parents divorced. This all happened when Videl's mom left. Videl had her own issues, and because both of them were having family issues their friendship fell apart. Videl was a private person, and didn't want her issues to upset her friend. Cassie has her brother and sister to help her, Videl doesn't have anyone.

"I'm sure she has her reasons. Maybe I can talk to her and see what's wrong," Gohan offered.

"I doubt she will talk to you," Cassie said with a deadpan face. "You're the boy who approached her out of nowhere. Unless you're a fighter of some sort she won't even look your way."

Gohan awkwardly laughed. He rubbed the back of his head. If he approached her now she wouldn't even acknowledge him.

"I guess you're right Cassie. I don't think I would be able to talk to her, but I'm gonna try."

Gohan stretched his ki to find Videl's.

"You're so nice Gohan," Cassie said, her smile warm and cheeks a slight shade of pink. Gohan's cheeks imitated Cassie's. "If you do find her, can you tell her to call me? I want to make sure she's okay."

"I will," responded Gohan. He waved goodbye to Cassie, and ran towards where he felt Videl's power.

There were no other ki's around her, which meant she was alone. As Gohan followed her ki, he noticed he was getting further away from the city. He passed by a local playground, and found a trail leading into the woods. Videl's ki was in there, so Gohan approached the woods carefully. He passed by some tress, bushes, and tripped over a tree root. Gohan landed with a hard thud, his chin hitting the ground.

"Who's there?"

Gohan stood up and quickly dusted off his pants. When he looked up, he saw Videl starring at him. Her eyes were puffy and red, her shirt stained with tears. She was sitting on a fallen down tree in the middle of the woods. Passer byers wouldn't even notice her walking by, then again not that many people would wonder off the beaten trail.

Videl squinted her eyes, then snapped them back open.

"You're that strange boy," yelled Videl. She jumped off the tree, and began attacking Gohan. Her attacks caught Gohan off guard, but was able to easily dodge her attacks. Her right arm aimed at his face, he moved his head to dodge. She started to use both hands to punch him, but he kept moving. Growling, Videl began to kick him. Gohan would jump, duck, or pull his body back so he wouldn't get hit. "Stop moving you idiot and let me hit you!"

Videl tried punching again, and this time Gohan decided to block her attacks. Her furious punches were being caught by Gohan, her kicks being blocked by his legs. She even tried to hit him where it hurts. Gohan used both of his hands to block that kick.

"That's cheating," Gohan cried.

"It's not cheating if you are not letting me hit you!"

"I am! It's called blocking!"

"Stupid boy!" Videl pulled her right arm back. Gohan stood there as she made a fist, and punched Gohan right on the nose. Gohan stood there, unfazed. Videl's left eye twitch, a tear slowly making a way down. Videl pulled back, and brought her hand to her chest. "Ow! Ow! Ow! Is your face made out of cement or something?!"

"Strong bones I guess," was all Gohan could reply. Videl shook her injured hand, and made her way back to the tree. Gohan followed, and sat on the tree. He offered Videl a hand. She slapped it away, and jumped on the tree by herself with both hands. She stuck up her nose, indicating that she was able to jump up, then went back to tending her hand. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

"How did you know that I was here," retorted Videl.

"I went for a walk, and found you here. How else would I know that you would be here?"

Videl glanced over at Gohan. She turned her head away with a huff.

"That makes sense since no one knows I'm here." She lowered her head. "I doubt my parents are even looking for me."

Gohan frowned, Videl moved her fingers on her right hand.

"You throw a mean right punch," Gohan said, trying to cheer her up. Videl blew a piece of her hair out of her face. "I mean it! You're really strong!"

"That's because my dad defected Cell! One day I'm going to be strong like my dad, maybe even stronger!"

"It's hard to get stronger if you're just fighting trees," commented Gohan. He's tried, with rocks and trees. His real training didn't start until he was able to survive the wilderness for six months.

"I wasn't using my full power on you because you look weak!"

"I don't look that weak! I train every day!"

"That explains how you were able to easily dodge my attacks."

"Your attacks are slow, and predictable. Plus you leave yourself wide open for attacks." Videl slapped Gohan upside the head. He rubbed the spot where Videl hit him. That one hurt a bit.

"I bet you didn't see that coming," Videl said with a victorious smirk. "So you're a fighter, huh?"

"Yeah. I guess you can say I was thrown into it when I was younger." Thrown into a rock to be precise.

"I just started, but my daddy said I'm a quick learner! He's been teaching me how to fight!"

"My dad taught me too. Hey, can I see your fighter's stance?" Videl nodded. She jumped off the tree, and quickly got into her stance. Gohan jumped off as well to examine the stance. "Is this your attack stance, or your defense?"

Videl blinked.

"There's a difference?"

Gohan spread out his legs. His arms was over his chest, while his right was closer to his face.

"This is my defensive stance. My right arm is to block head shots, my left arm for any chest attacks. My legs are spread out to stop any incoming kicks, and to jump or duck from attacks," Gohan explained. He spread his legs out wider, his arms both in front of his chest. "This is my attack. My right arm is further back so I have more force when I try to punch." Gohan did a quick jab. "My weight is on my front foot so my back foot can hit quickly."

Gohan swung his back leg forwards, hitting Videl gently on the hip. Videl imitated Gohan's defense stance. Gohan moved her arms and legs until they were right.

"It's a bit uncomfortable," admitted Videl.

"You can make adjustments so it suits you better, but you want to make sure you block any serious attacks." Gohan swung his right leg. Videl lowered her left arm to block him from hitting her side. He tried his left, and Videl blocked. Soon Gohan went quicker, and a bit harder. Once Videl was able to block with ease, Gohan tried aiming at her upper body. Videl used her forearms to block his punches. He aimed for her face, so she formed her arms into an X to block. "You're really great at this Videl!"

Gohan trained with her for a few hours. The sky was turning orange and purple as Videl and Gohan sat on the dirt. Both had some sweat on their bodies. Gohan tossed Videl a water bottle, he purchased them when both were getting dehydrated. She caught it, and gulped it down eagerly. Gohan looked up at the sky.

"So why are you out here by yourself," he asked. Videl wiped some spilled water off her lips. She curled her legs up to her chest.

"Ever since my dad saved the world, he's been busy and hasn't been home," Videl said. "Mom is upset because he's always out, even though he constantly buys her stuff when he's away. When he's home he wants to spend time with Mom and I, but my mom keeps complaining about the fame."

Gohan looked forwarded at the trees. Hercule was never around, so he would buy things to help with his absence from the house. From what Videl said, he tries to spend time with the family when he's home. Hercule wasn't in love with the fame as it seemed. He loved the camera, he loved doing interviews, but the one thing he loved the most was his family.

"It's a change, and some people can't handle a sudden change like that. Has your mother ever talked to you about it," asked Gohan.

"I'm just a kid. I don't understand anything, or I'm too young to know about adult things. I'm old enough to know when something is wrong! My mom has been acting strange, but no one is telling me anything!"

"I don't think adults understand that us kids know a lot. Well…maybe they do, but they want us to be kids," Gohan said. He suddenly thought about his dad, constantly telling him just to be a kid. "They don't want us to worry about adult problems until we're adults."

"But when we become adults, we have no idea what to do because our parents never told us how scary the adult world can be," complained Videl. "You see someone trying to destroy the planet, and you can't help because you're just a kid. Tell that to the delivery boy who fought in the Cell Games. He's a kid just like me, and he's out there fighting evil! And then there's you."

"Me?" Gohan pointed a finger at himself. "What about me?"

"You approached me out of nowhere, twice! And you have a tail, which is really an odd thing to have. You don't even know me but you're real nice to me."

"Uh…I…uh…" Gohan was a loss of words. He didn't want to predict his way out. If Bardock were here he would add his commentary. Gohan did not want that. "I'm just…trying to make some friend. I don't have many kids where I live." It wasn't a lie. "And I saw you, and you were pretty so I wanted to say hi."

Videl's cheeks went red.

"You're stupid," she said as she spun around. Her back was facing Gohan. "But you're a good fighter, and I like that about you."

"We can exchange number is you want. If you want to train more we can, or if you want to talk. I know you're having family problems. When I was little, my dad left my mom and I for a year."

Videl's head perked up. She spun herself back around, captivated by Gohan's words.

"Why," she asked.

"My dad fights a lot. He travels all around, even now. It kinda gets lonely when he's not home, but I have my mom with me. We have each other, and it's not as lonely when she's there."

Videl looked up at the sky. She nodded her head, and got up from the ground. She walked over and reached her hand out for Gohan to grab. With a smile, Gohan grabbed her hand.

"You're still stupid," she said when Gohan fully stood up. "Meet me here around the same time next week. We can exchange numbers then. Wow, I haven't had a good training session in a while. All these bruises just shows how hard I worked!"

Videl ran down the dirt trail, waving her hand in the air. Gohan waved back, and watched as Videl disappeared in the woods. He wondered if he should have mentioned to Videl to call Cassie. Hopefully Videl would call her on, and the two could still be friends.

"You should have kissed her."

Gohan screamed.

Bardock was standing behind Gohan, grinning from ear to ear.

"How long have you been here," Gohan asked, clutching his fast beating heart.

"Long enough to watch you train your girlfriend," Bardock sang. Gohan's face turned red; his tail shooting upwards. "What about Cassie? Are you two timing her?"

"I-I'm not two timing anyone!"

"Oh, so you decided to go with Videl?"

"I didn't decide anything!"

"So you're gonna do the two girlfriend thing until one of them find out?"

"I'm not…I….I don't know what I'm doing yet, okay? I don't need to make a decision now," yelled Gohan. Bardock whistled.

"Yeah, you're right. It's not like the world is going to end anytime soon. You don't mind dying a virgin, do you?"

A vein popped out of Gohan's forehead.

"You don't mind dying knowing you couldn't catch a monkey, do you," retorted Gohan. Bardock squinted his eyes.

"I'll catch that monkey before you pop any cherries kid," Bardock said.

"Wanna bet?"

Gohan and Bardock had a starring contest.

"Ghosts can't blink."

"You may be a ghost Bardock, but I have seen you blink."

A twig snapping caught the attention of Gohan and Bardock. Both snapped their heads at the sound.

Videl stood there, head titled to the side. Her eyes were squinted, her mouth slightly open.

"I…forgot my coat," she said, pointing to the black jacket on the ground. Bardock looked at his wrist.

"Look at the time. I got a monkey to catch. See you later kid," he said.

"You don't own a watch," Gohan said. Bardock disappeared. "Hey wait! Get back here!"

Gohan attempted to grab Bardock. Videl saw Gohan jumping up in the air, reaching out for someone who wasn't there. After a brief scream, Gohan turned his attention towards Videl. He put his hand behind his head, weakly smiling.

"It's not what it looks like," he said, laughing to hide the crazy he showed Videl.

"It looked like you were talking to someone, a ghost named Bardock," Videl said, her eyes locking on Gohan's. Gohan began to sweat. Videl stuck out her bruised arm. "You better tell me what's going on, or I'll tell everyone how you attacked the daughter of Hercule."

Even as a kid, Videl's blackmailing skills were on point.

END CHAPTER!

Do you think Gohan's punishment was perfect? Quite honestly, I couldn't think of anything that would be a good punishment. Sure there was babysitting Trunks, but that seems overdone. Ya'll gonna see a semi-nicer Gohan. (Or Gohan working on his acting skills)

I tossed in some Cassie and Videl in this chapter. Had some G/V in the chapter, a bit of background on the girls as well. I remember in the Buu saga, Gohan said his dad wasn't around, and Videl mentioned a bit of her mother. I took it as her mother hating the fame, and ran off. (Either that, or Hercule was getting too much attention from the ladies, and jealousy took over)

I have three winners for the tournament contestants! I am still missing a Namekian and Majin, so if you have ideas for those characters please let me know. If not, I'll create those two on my own. (I have an idea for Namekian, but I'm always open for ideas) The previous chapter shows how to apply. :D

The Frost Demon winner is: Exim Black!

The character's name is Blitz Krieg (male)! Blitz is a quiet guy, doesn't talk much, would rather speak with his fists than his opponent. He has the power to teleport, can use psychic powers when pressured. He's really good in physical combat, but using ki energy drains his power. HE HAS A PET BIRD!

The Human winner is: Contentkarma347!

The character's name is Brandon (male). He uses a Katchin katana with some ki powers. Gets angry easily, and when angered get tunnel vision. He, like Bardock and Gohan, can see into the future, but only mere minutes. (I have an idea how I'm gonna use that attack) WEAR ROSHI GLASSES CAUSE HE CAN!

The Saiyan winner is: Jedi Master Albus!

The character's name is Kolliflour (female). Has the power to go Super Saiyan three, but only when really angry. She's easily distracted, but can pack some ki power! She has high levels of stamina, and can take any hit given to her. BARDOCK'S NEW CRUSH?! (I am going to have tons of fun writing the interaction between her and Bardock)

Congratulations to our three winners!

You can still enter a Namekian and Majin character.

On the next chapter of Through the Ghost:

Gohan confesses his secret to Videl. Will she believe him? Will Bardock catch Bubbles? How is Piccolo handling his time on New Namek? Everything will, most likely, be answered on the next chapter of Through the Ghost!