I do not own Dragonball Z or any of its characters. I am only twisting them to fit my little world.

I do not own The Manual of the Warrior of the Light by Paulo Coelho

Please don't feed the plot bunnies.

Welcome to my newest story. It has been plaguing me for some time now, and I finally decided to do something with it. This will be another Gohan goes to high school fic, and I know that there are thousands of those out there, so original ideas are becoming scarce, but I will do my best to find another angle.

"Gohan, you did great. I'm proud of you, my son. You have grown so strong, there isn't anything else I can teach you. Please take care of your mother. I leave the Earth in your hands."

"No! Dad! I can't do this without you! There is still so much you haven't taught me! Dad, I need you! Dad!"

"Dad!" Gohan shouted sitting up in his bed. Realizing that he had been dreaming, the young demi-saiyan slowly ran his hand down his face. Looking down, he saw the end of the long scar that ran down the length of his left arm. When Dende healed his arm, he specifically asked for him to leave the scar. It was to serve as a visual reminder of the price of his arrogance. Clenching his fist, Gohan got out of his bed and slipped into his gi. Exiting out his window so as to not disturb his mother, Gohan flew to the nearby clearing that he and his father used to use for training. It had been less than a week since the end of the Cell Games, and his father's decision to stay in the otherworld, and Gohan had finally set his mind. His father had entrusted the protection of the Earth to him, and he was determined to not be a disappointment any more.

The sun had yet to rise, wisps of fog covered the field, and Gohan was going through his warm up exercises. Gohan was going through the basic katas he knew as he recalled his fight with Cell: the destruction of Android 16, the attack of the Cell juniors, his father's sacrifice, Trunks' death; it was all due to his inability to do what was needed of him. His whole life had been one incident after another where he had failed in one way or another. No more, he would not fail those important to him again.

Little did Gohan realize, but his movements had been increasing in speed and intensity and his energy output had skyrocketed to the point that he was now in Super Saiyan form. He was moving so fast that each strike against his invisible enemies created a sonic boom. So blinded by his rage towards himself, he was close to ascending to to the next level.

Suddenly one of Gohan's punches was caught by a strong hand. His eyes coming back into focus, Gohan saw a large green hand holding his wrist. Looking past the hand, Gohan recognized his mentor and long time friend, Piccolo.

"Hey, Kid." Piccolo said, a look of concern on his face. Piccolo was just as shocked as everyone else when his one time rival turned comrade made his final decision and knew that Gohan was deeply troubled by all that had happened. He had been meditating up at the lookout when he felt Gohan's energy spike. From his vantage point, he could see that the boy was running on auto-pilot, lost in his own mind while his body acted on its own, running through all the training that had been forced upon it. He was just going to watch to make sure the kid didn't hurt himself, but knew he had to do something when he saw Gohan powering up to his Super Saiyan 2 transformation. There is no telling the amount of havoc that would cause if he accidentally let loose a ki blast in that state.

"Pi-Piccolo?" Gohan said, as if just seeing him for the first time in a long time.

"Yeah, Kid. It's me." Piccolo answered. "What's eating at you?"

Gohan looked away, ashamed of himself. "It's my fault." He stated morosely.

"What's your fault?" Piccolo asked, although he had a strong feeling he already knew what the preteen would say.

"Everything. Dad's death, Android 16's death, The world almost coming to an end." Gohan said, tears forming in his downturned eyes, trying hard to not let his voice waiver. "If I wouldn't have been so weak, if..if I wouldn't have allowed myself to be controlled by that power, they would still be alive. Android 16, he had a gentle soul. He loved nature so much. It was due to my own weakness and fear that he died."

"After 16's death, and my ascension, I was so overcome by rage and the feeling of power that I almost allowed the world to be destroyed. Dad had to sacrifice himself to clean up my mess. If I would have just finished Cell off when I had the chance, dad would not have had to die. He wouldn't have had to make the choice to not come back. Mom wouldn't have to cry herself to sleep every night." Gohan continued, tears running down his face.

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Chi-Chi woke up that morning determined to move on. She was devastated when she learned that Goku had died fighting against Cell. She felt her world shatter when Goku announce his decision to stay dead this time. She felt so abandoned and alone. Chi-Chi had been on autopilot for the past several days. This morning a fluttering sensation from her abdomen reminded her that she had to be strong, if not for her own sake, then for her children's.

Chi-Chi had discovered she was pregnant not too long before the arrival of the androids, but with all the turmoil since that day, she had not mentioned it to anyone yet.

Chi-Chi decided to check up on Gohan before she started on breakfast. She couldn't imagine what he was going through having actually being there for Goku's final moments. If he was anything like his father, which she knew he was, he was probably blaming himself.

*knock knock* "Gohan, honey, are you awake?" Chi-Chi slowly opened her son's door and she felt her heart stop. His room was empty. She quickly rushed around the house to see if he was possibly in another room, but there was no trace of her son anywhere. Suddenly, several loud booms in succession shook the house. Fearing the worst, Chi-Chi ran down the stairs and to the front door.

Running outside, Chi-Chi could see a golden glow a short distance into the woods in the early morning light. She knew that was where they would train, but the threat was over, why would he be out there training. He should be up in his room still recovering and resuming his studies.

Throwing her shoes on and grabbing her frying pan, Chi-Chi set off to bring her son home. She had just arrived at the edge of the clearing when she heard Gohan start to break down. She stood in shock hearing everything her precious little boy was saying. It broke her heart to hear that he blamed himself for everything that had happened. "It's not your fault." She whispered. She noticed Piccolo look right at her. She shook her head and slowly back away from the clearing. As she walked back to the house, she was trying to figure out how to help her son. Subconsciously she started to rub her belly. "Oh, Goku, Why did you have to leave? Your son needs you."

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It wasn't long after she had returned to the house when she heard Gohan enter his room through his window. A few minutes later, she heard him start down the stairs.

"Mom! Eh he, ummm…" Gohan was shocked to see Chi-Chi sitting on the sofa in the living room and wasn't sure what to say to her. He had hardly seen her since the end of the games, let alone spoken to her.

"Good morning, Gohan." Gohan could tell by the tone of her voice that she knew something. "Is there something you want to tell me?" Chi-Chi was trying to not be too stern on Gohan, but she needed to make sure he knew where his priorities should lay. She expected him to make an excuse or something, so she was not prepared when he looked up at her with an almost desperate look in his eyes.

"I-I was out training." Gohan admitted. "Da-dad…" He took a deep breath before continuing. "Dad made me promise...to take his place as Earth's protector...and-and to take care of you." Tears were streaming down his cheeks.

Chi-Chi was taken aback. 'Damn you, Goku. He is just a boy, my precious little boy. He can't protect the world, he has to grow up and be successful and get married and give us lots of grandbabies.' Chi-Chi wailed in her mind.

"Gohan, I won't allow it!" Chi-Chi yelled. "You were almost killed by that monster, Cell. I won't allow you to keep getting into danger like that. You are going to study your butt off and become a great scholar. I won't have my baby boy becoming a delinquent like your father and his friends! Now march your butt back up those stairs and get started on your studies."

Gohan glared at his mother for a moment. "Dad wasn't a delinquent, he was Earth's greatest warrior." He stated harshly before turning on his heel and stomping up the stairs. Chi-Chi watched him climb the stairs and waited till she heard the slam of his door before she collapsed on the sofa and started crying.

"Oh Goku…."

"Dad, why didn't you come back?" Gohan looked out his window to the morning

sky.

"Go-Gohan, honey, may I please come in?" Chi-Chi knocked gently on her son's door. She was afraid that he had fled out the window when she heard the door latch click. Slowly she entered the room and found Gohan was standing next to the window, silent tears streaking his face. She sat on his bed and patted next to her, inviting him to join her. He looked back out the window for a moment before moving to take a seat next to his mother. Suddenly he buried his face in her bosom and started to sob. Stroking his hair, Chi-Chi rocked her son gently. "I'm so sorry, Gohan. I miss him so much. I should not have said those things." Tears were flowing down her cheeks as well.

They sat that way until Gohan had cried himself back to sleep. Chi-Chi laid him down and covered him up and kissed him gently on the forehead before heading to start a late breakfast.

The smell of food cooking roused the young half saiyan a short time later. Walking down the stairs, he was greeted by his mother who forced a smile. He could see that it didn't reach her eyes, but he was relieved to see that she was up and about.

"Good morning, Gohan." Chi-Chi greeted her son. She tried to offer him a smile, and he offered a very similar smile in return. She knew she had to put up a strong front for him. "After breakfast, I want you to start back with your studies. You have a lot of catching up to do after all."

Gohan sighed in resignation. "Yes mom."

Chi-Chi looked on slightly worried as Gohan started to eat his breakfast with much less gusto than he would normally show. 'Yes, studying will be good for him, it'll take his mind off the memories that are bothering him.' Chi-Chi thought confidently. "Gohan,"

Gohan looked up at his mother. "Yes, mom?"

"Later today, if you feel up to it, I need you to go to town and get some supplies. Our pantry is starting to look a bit bare." Chi-Chi requested.

Gohan smiled slightly. "Sure, mom, I think I can handle that."

"Thank you, Gohan. I'll call the store after breakfast so they will have everything ready for you to pick up."

After eating his fill, Gohan showered and dressed in his purple gi and grabbed his mother's grocery list so he could confirm everything was accounted for. Gohan waved goodbye to his mom as he took off for the short flight to Chazki village.

Chi-Chi stood at the door watching him disappear into the distance, a soft smile on her face and her hand on her belly. It was just a very slight bulge indicating her pregnancy, not yet noticeable through her dress. She knew she would need to make the announcement soon, she was just afraid of how Gohan would take the news. She knew he would make a great big brother as long as his guilt didn't drive him away first.

Gohan closed his eyes and let a small smile grace his lips. He loved flying and the sense of freedom it brought, it was as though all his worries and concerns vanished for those few minutes. He allowed his mind to wander as the wind rustled through his hair. His good mood soured though as his mind drifted to memories of flying with his dad. Before he knew it he could see the outskirts of the small village.

Not wanting to cause a scene, Gohan landed in a clearing just outside the town and made his way to Mr Lao's store on foot.

Mr Lao was dusting a display when Gohan walked in the entrance. "Ah. Good day young man. Good to see you again. How may I help you?"

"Hello, Mr Lao. I'm here to pick up an order my mom called in a little while ago." Gohan said.

"Hmm.." Mr Lao looked over a list of orders he had received that morning. "Ah! Here we go." He ducked behind his counter and retrieved a capsule.

"I knew you'd be able to defeat that monster." Gohan was taken aback by his statement. In the days following the Cell Games, Mr Satan had been all over the news taking credit for Cell's defeat, so it came as a shock when Mr Lao have Gohan the credit he deserved. Gohan didn't have a chance to respond because another person just entered the store.

"GOHAN!" The young demi-saiyan barely had a chance to register his name being called out before he was tackled by a familiar figure. He started blushing furiously when he discovered a pair of lips locked onto his own.

"Oh my gosh! You're here! I knew you could beat Cell! That mean nasty lying Mr Satan says he beat Cell, but I know it was you! It had to be you, you're so cool and strong. It was you, right? What happened to your hair? I thought you had yellow hair, but now it's black. You look really cute with black hair." Lime gushed out rapid fire, seemingly without taking a breath. She had sat up and was straddling the poor boy's lap while beaming at him.

"Uh….." Gohan sent a pleading look at Mr Lao who just chuckled lightly.

"Lime, honey, I think you're overwhelming our guest." Mr Lao placed a hand on his granddaughter's shoulder gaining her attention.

Lime looked down and saw the blush on Gohan's cheeks. Following his gaze, she finally noticed the position they were currently in. In her excitement she failed to notice her skirt had bunched up, exposing her panties, which Gohan was trying hard to not stare at. "You-you-you...pervert!" Lime slapped Gohan hard across the face before jumping up, sticking her tongue out at him, and running away blushing.

'Oh my gosh, he saw my panties!' Lime thought embarrassed. She lifted her skirt to see which pair she was wearing today. White with a orange cat face on the front. 'Great, he'll think I'm just a little kid still.' She froze and slowly brought her fingers to her lips. She smiled as she remembered the feeling of his lips on hers. "Yes!" She cheered happily.

Gohan watched Lime quickly leave the room while he rubbed his smarting cheek. He shot a questioning look to Mr Lao, who just chuckled and shook his head while offering the confused boy a hand up. Gohan accepted and Mr Lao helped him up off the floor.

"You'll have to forgive her, she's a spirited child." Mr Lao smiled as he handed Gohan the capsules containing his mother's order.

Gohan paid for the supplies and turned to leave, but paused, looking as if he were having an internal debate. "Mr Lao?"

"Yes son?"

"I was..I mean, I remember Lime telling me that you once competed in the budokai...and I was wondering if you could teach me your style?" Gohan asked respectfully.

"Son, you just defeated Cell, I don't see how you could learn much from a old man like me." Mr Lao asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Sir, strength is not always enough, sometimes a battle comes down to skill and technique. I cannot always rely on my strength alone, there is always someone stronger out there. I want to learn other styles so I can be more versatile." Gohan explained.

Me Lao looked contemplative for a few moments. "I am not an easy teacher, are you sure you can handle it?"

Gohan chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "No offense, Sensei Lao, but I don't think you can be as tough as my first teacher." Mr Lao gave Gohan a skeptical look. "He taught me to access my ki by throwing me at a mountain, kind of a do or die situation." Gohan continued sheepishly.

Mr Lao blinked several times in disbelief, but recovered quickly, and coughed into his hand. "Very well, we'll start tomorrow morning. Be here at seven o'clock sharp."

"Hai! Yes sir! Thank you, Sensei." Gohan bowed to his new mentor.

"Go on, get out of here." Mr Lao chuckled. Gohan bowed again and pocketed the capsules he had been sent for and left the store.

Gohan landed at his house and walked in to find his mother sipping on a glass of tea and reading a book. "Hi mom, I'm back."

"Oh! Gohan, please set the capsules in the kitchen and get yourself a quick snack. I want you to get on your studies right after that." Chi-Chi directed.

"Hey, mom...I talked to Mr Lao today...and he agreed to help me with my training in the mornings." Gohan informed his mother.

"Training? Don't be silly, you're done with training. Cell has been defeated, now it's time for you to resume your studies. I'll allow you a little time to get out and stretch and get some fresh air, you won't have time for any training." Chi-Chi responded dismissively.

"Mom, I have to continue to train, I have to be ready for the next threat, and I still don't have full control over my new powers yet." Gohan argued.

"Let the others deal with any threats, that's not your concern anymore." Chi-Chi stated.

"What if they can't handle it, what if it is on the level Cell was on?" Gohan countered.

"But what about your dream to be a scholar?" Chi-Chi almost pleaded.

"That's your dream, mom." Gohan said sadly. Seeing the look on his mother's face, Gohan ran his hand down his face. "Look, mom, I know you just want the best for my future, but from the time I could recognize shapes and colors, you have immersed me in becoming a scholar, I've never had a say in the matter. Then came Radditz and the Saiyan attack, I was forced to learn how to fight. That was dad's wish, for me to become a fighter, just like him."

Gohan paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. "I failed dad at the Cell Games, and he died because of that. I have to do this, I have to be strong and protect the Earth in his place. It's my way of honoring his memory. But I want more than just that. I want to continue my studies. To make you proud of me, but also so I can discover my dream, and to find my own place in the world."

Another pause, Gohan could see tears in his mother's eyes, but she kept quiet so he could finish. "Please, allow me to balance training and my studies. I have already failed dad once, I don't want to fail anyone else again."

Chi-Chi was stunned. She had never heard her son speak so passionately about anything before. She had no idea he felt that way, and she felt bad that he had never had the chance to find his own dream. Moving to sit next to her son, she embraced him. "I am proud of you, and I know your father is too. Don't ever think that you are a disappointment. Okay, continue your training, but I want you to put as much effort into your studies as you do your training."

"Of course, thank you, mom. I love you." Gohan said, a few tears streaking his face.

"I love you too, Gohan."

With a renewed determination, Gohan returned to his room to resume his studies. He would find his place in this world. Looking at the study schedule Chi-Chi had made for him, he saw he was supposed to be working on theoretical physics. Opening the book to the section on the conversion of matter to energy, Gohan was struck by inspiration.

"Hey! Dad did say that the secret to Instant Transmission was turning your body into light. Maybe I can use this to learn and maybe improve on dad's technique." Thought out loud excitedly.

He grabbed a sheet of scratch paper and started working on some equations.

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Gohan arrived at Mr Lao's shop just before seven to find Lime sitting on the veranda weaving some wild flowers together. "Hey, Lime!" He greeted the young girl.

"Hey, Gohan! Did you come to play with me today?" Lime beamed.

"Well, truth is, I'm here to train with your grandfather. He agreed to teach me his fighting style." Gohan admitted. "But we can play for a bit before I go home."

Lime looked a little disappointed at first, but brightened up when he said he would make some time for her. "Great! I'll let gramps know you're here."

Mr Lao emerged from his shop wearing his gi and smiled at Gohan. "Good, right on time. Are you ready to get started?"

"Yes sir!" Gohan responded.

"Very good. We're going to start off with some stretches, then I want you to demonstrate what you already know. We'll go from there." Mr Lao directed. Gohan immediately began some warm-up stretches, followed by a series of katas, starting from the basics to the more advanced moves from Piccolo's Demon style and Master Roshi's Turtle style.

Mr Lao was impressed with his current level. For such a young man to have mastery over not just one style, but two was not very common at all. "Very impressive, you have a very solid foundation to build from. Let us begin your journey into Dragon style Kenpo."

A few hours later, Gohan met up with Lime and spent a couple of hours relaxing and playing with her. After lunch, more of a snack in Gohan's opinion, he excused himself stop he could return home and resume his studies.

Gohan decided to try to use Instant Transmission, so he closed his eyes and focused on finding his mother's ki. One he found it, he focused his energy inward as he pictured himself in his home. With a snapping sound, Gohan vanished from Chazki village.

"Gyah!" Gohan appeared in the top of a tree near his house. Unfortunately the branch he appeared on was not strong enough to hold his weight and promptly broke, sending the poor boy falling, hitting every branch on the way to the ground. Gohan got up and dusted himself off. "I think it still needs some work." He muttered to himself.

Gathering himself up, he went inside, kissed his mother on the cheek and for back to work. Chi-Chi watched him from the door for a few moments, pride in her son radiating from her as she touched her belly again. 'Gohan, you're going to make such a wonderful big brother.'

That's the end of Chapter 1. Let me know what you think. I'll try to update when I can, but with my other story along with beta reading, work, and family life, updates are going to be on an as time permits schedule. This fic will have Gohan pair up with Lime, Erasa, and Videl, though not at the same time. I will have a version of Saiyaman, but he will look and act different from canon. I am also not including Majin Buu, but I do have an idea for a villain in the works.

The first few chapters are going to show life for Gohan in the seven years between the Cell arc and him starting high school. There will be some time skips to get to the main part of the story, but that will probably be a few chapters away.