This is alternate universe. Some canon events have been altered, which should become apparent as the characters reference their histories.

This story was cowritten by my sister and I and we used Dragon Ball Z as a framework to create our own universe. Some important things to note: 1.) Before the events of this story, Goku's original Saiyan programming was temporarily reactivated and while evil, he killed Gohan (who has since been wished back). 2.) Goten, Trunks, Bulla, Pan, Marron, and Valese are all close friends and around the same age. Pan is OLDER than Goten in fact. Valese is the half-Saiyan and half-DRAGON daughter of Turles, who is a reformed baddie much like Vegeta; her dragon mother is not in the picture. 3.) Goku has already become Super Saiyan Three AND Four even though this story is set after Cell but before Buu. 4.) Bear with it! Things'll become clear if you're patient with the story. Enjoy!



Chapter One: Expiration and Unlikely Survival

"You're gonna have to save your energy if you don't wanna tire yourself out halfway through the fight!" The words were stern, but Goku couldn't help but grin as he powered down and watched his little one catch his breath.

Although panting heavily, Goten's eyes were bright as he lifted his head to look up at his father. His fatigue gave way to delighted determination. "That time I almost got you!" he said excitedly. "Let's go again!"

Goku's smile widened. In more ways than one, Goten reminded him of himself. His lust for the fight, for training and getting stronger, was all too familiar. It wasn't just his Saiyan blood, though that was certainly a part of it. In a way, Goten had subverted his Saiyan heritage, because while those instincts bred a love of violence, warfare, and killing, Goten was generally a peaceable boy, interested only in sparring for the sake of sport and personal growth and not interested in seriously harming anyone. Goku couldn't be prouder.

It was only recently that he'd decided that Goten's muscles were developed enough for slightly more intense training. Even though the boy was only seven years of age, his body's musculature had shown the typical accelerated maturity rate of a Saiyan. And honestly, Goten had been pestering him to go harder for a while now. He was champing at the bit to start "big boy" training—"hit me the same as you hit Gohan!" he had whined, much to Goku's amusement and Chi-Chi's chagrin.

That was another thing; Chi-Chi had been all for letting Goten train. It rather confused Goku and Gohan both, since they remembered what a trial it had been for Gohan to be allowed to fight, but, well, maybe all the dangerous enemies that seemed to follow the Son family around had changed Chi-Chi's perspective on the whole thing. After all, it was a mother's worst nightmare for her children to be defenseless. Better Goten get roughed up just a little now, by his father, and learn how to beat real enemies, than for his first experience in combat be the real deal.

Goku's thoughts took an uncharacteristically more somber turn as he felt a familiar sensation deep in his chest. There was another reason he needed to make sure Goten was prepared to take care of himself…but he shook his head; there was time to think of that later.

"Are you sure you don't want a water break first?" Goku asked, eyeing Goten as he hopped up and down in impatience. "It's important to stay hydrated, y'know!"

Goten paused in his jumping and pouted. "But I'm not thirsty! Except for sparring! Yup, yup, I'm thirsty for that!"

Goku laughed, ignoring the sharp pain he received for doing so. "All right, then, son, try to keep up with me." He sent a punch sailing straight toward his son's face, and was pleased to see Goten's reflexes were fast enough that he blocked the blow with no problem.

"Is that all?" Goten taunted jokingly, and sent a flurry of punches at Goku's gut.

Surprised, Goku doubled over, grunting in pain. But he smiled. "Good, Goten. As you can see from my reaction, my stomach is pretty sensitive. Remember to watch your opponent's reactions to certain attacks, and don't be afraid to exploit those weaknesses."

Goten nodded, having stopped his attacks to listen to the advice with rapt attention.

"But be aware of your own weaknesses too, because your opponent will try to do the same. Now, I expect your strategy to focus heavily on my stomach area now, but not too heavily, okay? The trick is to make it seem like you're not targeting any one area, so I don't know to block that area. Don't make a pattern out of it or I can easily figure it out and block your attacks, and worse, you'll become predictable and defeatable. Ready? Let's begin again."

"Okay!" Goten threw himself into attacking, and Goku was pleased to see that Goten was doing an excellent job. His strategy seemed haphazard, but there was an underlying method to the madness, and Goku had no doubt that Goten would be safe if ever he was attacked.

And yet—

Goku stopped fighting and stood back, noticing that Goten seemed exhausted again, like he only had short spurts of energy. He crossed his arms, thinking, and after a moment, the answer came to him.

"Don't put everything into the fight right from the beginning, son," Goku told Goten, kneeling down beside him and reaching a strong hand to his shoulder to steady him.

Goten's brow furrowed in confusion. "Huh? How come?"

"You're using too much energy at once," Goku explained. "Your attacks are strong, but only for a short while. Don't go all out at first. Wait for your opponent to tire and get a little sloppier, and then unleash your full power. They won't know what hit 'em!"

"Wow, really? Okay, let's try again!"

This time, Goku could only watch in amazement as Goten's fighting seemed to transform right before his eyes. He felt a surge of pride; Goten had had so much raw energy and potential of his own, and under Goku's careful guiding hand that energy had been shaped into a usable and fearsome technique. He couldn't believe what a fast learner Goten was! And he still couldn't believe, even though this was his second son and he really ought to be used to it by now, that he had had the privilege of being any part of making a miracle like Goten possible. Goten was like a beautiful but plain piece of clay, and with Goku's steady and unwavering hand, the lump of clay was slowly changing to a precious piece of ceramic pottery. Or like a seed that Goku had planted and tended and cultivated to grow into a strong, healthy plant. Goku felt grateful and awed even thinking about it.

However, he snapped out of it as a tiny elbow rammed into his chest. Goku staggered and fell heavily to one knee, trying not to let on how much pain he was in so as not to alarm his son.

Obliviously, Goten pumped a fist in the air, victorious. "I won! I won against you, Dad, didn't I?"

Goku gave Goten a thumbs up as he got back to his feet with difficulty. "Well done," he told Goten sincerely and enthusiastically. "You beat me."

"He said it! Did you hear that, Gohan?"

Goku turned his head, surprised that he hadn't sensed Gohan watching them from the patio. Gohan smiled as he walked further into the backyard, approaching the two of them.

"You've improved, Goten. I'm impressed," he said.

"Thanks, Gohan!" Goten's chest swelled, and Gohan made a face at the display of pride. "But you know, it's all because Dad was givin' me all these tips during our match. I like that kind of sparring 'cause he lets me take breaks and pretty much tells me what to do to beat him!"

Gohan laughed. "Could I have a turn sparring with you, Dad?"

Goku nodded fervently even though he felt like resting. "Yes, sure, Gohan!" Things were sometimes a little rocky between him and Gohan since the events of the Cell Games. He was grateful that, just now, Gohan seemed to be in one of his good swings, and Goku wanted to keep it that way—especially now. Gohan rarely sparred anymore, and preferred to do so with Piccolo rather than with him, so Goku jumped on the chance.

So Goku started to engage Gohan to the best of his abilities, but he found that, in his condition, Gohan was a little too fast for him. Easily, Gohan dodged every punch, and Goku quickly found himself on the defensive.

Gohan smirked, assuming that Goku was holding back on him. "Come on, I haven't slacked on my training that much, Dad. You don't have to give me this many free hits."

"Sorry," Goku muttered, sharpening his concentration. The last thing he wanted to do was make Gohan think that he underestimated him. But his nervousness at not wanting to give out the wrong impression only made him less focused.

Thankfully, Gohan didn't seem to notice. For a while, the two were at a stalemate, blocking each other's every move with lightning precision, until Gohan said, "So aren't you going to teach me?"

Goku looked up, surprised.

Gohan's expression turned a little sheepish, unsure. "Like you taught Goten? Give me tips?"

"Oh! Oh…yes! I didn't know you'd want me to give you any," Goku said, still truly floored. Gohan had been so angry with him recently, and Goku was wary of giving him unsolicited advice, especially about fighting. That wasn't to say Goku didn't want to; he did. He just had no idea why Gohan was allowing him the opportunity. And the irony was not lost on him: that Goten had begged and pleaded to be trained "just like you train Gohan!" and now here was Gohan requesting to be taught "like you taught Goten!"

"Well, Gohan," Goku said, replaying the fight thus far in his head, "it looks like your main weakness lies in complacency."

"Complacency?" Gohan tilted his head.

"Yeah…?" Goku looked at his son expectantly.

"Well, I—no, nothing." Gohan flushed and looked down. "Continue."

"What is it, Gohan?" asked Goku, now curious as to what Gohan could possibly want to keep from him. "You don't have to be scared to tell me anything, you know that."

Gohan flinched and Goku saw with a pang that familiar look of pulling inward Gohan sometimes got when Goku overstepped his boundaries and tried to be too familiar and fatherly again. Gohan wasn't ready for Goku to step back into that role, and Goku understood even though it hurt him. Their previous closeness wasn't anywhere near what it had been before.

"I just…didn't know you knew a word that big, is all," Gohan said, his voice colder.

"Oh." Goku grinned through the emotional and increasingly physical pain. It was all he knew how to do. "Yeah. Chi-Chi taught me that one." When no answer from Gohan seemed forthcoming, Goku decided it would probably be best to plow ahead. "Well, anyway, Gohan, it seems like you easily fall into the swing of a fight and stop paying attention."

A glimmer of interest in Gohan's eyes. He perked up. Goku was grateful, at least, that he was getting through.

"Beware of routines, Gohan. They serve you well in the academic world, but here it's a whole different ball game." Goku smiled, remembering a story Gohan had told about his first baseball game in high school, how he had amazed everyone by catching a fly ball by, well, flying. Goku tried not to think about the bitterness Gohan had exuded when he'd mentioned that Goku hadn't been around to play catch in the yard to practice. They'd never just played ball, like other fathers and sons; it had always been about martial arts and strength. There was a part of Goku that regretted that, but it was too late to do anything about it now. Now that they had drifted so far apart, sparring was the only language Goku and Gohan could still speak together.

"Don't get complacent and expect your opponent to do the same thing the ninth time that he's done all eight times before, because it just so happens that the ninth time could be the time he decides to shake it up a bit. If your defenses aren't prepared for everything, if you don't stay alert at all times"—Goku's normally chipper face turned grim—"it could spell the difference between life and death."

"Got it," said Gohan, unimpressed. "Shall we go again?"

Goku gave a nod, glad that he had gotten some time to rest his body. He could dodge more easily now, and his punches were stronger. Ultimately, though, as he knew would happen, his eldest son defeated him.

Goku looked up from where he had fallen from Gohan's crushing blow to the head. He could see the shadow of a dark smile on Gohan's lips, and knew that there was a part of Gohan that still resented him and was glad to see him hurt. But he also knew it was only a mixture of Gohan's hormones and the pain, guilt, and grief he had experienced. After what seemed an interminably long time, Gohan reached down to help Goku up.

Goku took the proffered hand gratefully and hoisted himself to his feet. By now his chest was burning, and he knew he shouldn't have exerted himself so much, but it was worth it.

"Hey!" a familiar voice called from the sky.

Goten laughed and waved both hands in the air. "Hiya, Trunks!"

The young, purple-haired prince grinned as he descended into the Son backyard. He casually leaned with his elbow on Goten's head, as if Goten was an armrest instead of a person. "What're you guys doing?"

"Sparring, Trunks! It was great! I beat Dad!" Goten said happily, not seeming to mind the way Trunks was using him.

"Did you?" Trunks took his arm off of Goten so that he could step back and take a good look at him. "Are you sure he didn't let you?"

"Nah, he beat me, fair and square," Goku cut in. "He needed some pointers to form his technique, but then he pretty much nailed me!"

Trunks rubbed his chin, looking from Goten's flushed, beaming face to Goku's open and honest one. "Well, if Goten can beat you now, that must mean he's stronger than me. And my father wouldn't be pleased to hear that. Obviously, I need to get the same training he did!" Trunks demanded arrogantly.

"I didn't hear a request anywhere in there, Trunks," Gohan said.

"Nobody asked you, Great Saiyadork," Trunks returned without missing a beat.

Goku sighed inwardly. He really wasn't in any state to push his body any longer, but he didn't want to deny Trunks the opportunity to get some training from him. He knew this might be one of his last opportunities, and he also knew that Vegeta went a little too rough at times. Being much more Saiyan than Earthling, for Vegeta the lines between tough love and all-out pounding seemed very blurred. He didn't seem to understand that constant pounding on Trunks wasn't constructive and wouldn't make him a better fighter in the end.

"All right, Trunks," Goku said, settling into a fighting stance once more and clenching his teeth to the pain exploding behind his ribcage. "Let's do it."

That night, Goku lay in bed between his two sons, sore and tired but content. Trunks was curled up near Goten, having opted to stay over for the night as he often did. Goku listened to the chorus of snores and, odd as it might sound, it soothed him. But tired as he was, sleep evaded him. Maybe it was because he knew he wouldn't have much longer to enjoy his sons' presence, and on a subconscious level, he refused to waste these last, few, precious moments.

Gohan stirred, and Goku glanced over at him, wondering if he was having a dream. If so, he hoped it was a pleasant one. He'd heard from Chi-Chi that Gohan's sleeping had become increasingly restless as he'd entered adolescence, and there were probably a number of contributing factors to that, but guilt gnawed away at Goku as he considered that it probably had very much to do with him.

The movements rustling the bed diminished, though, and Gohan lay very still. Goku's concern heightened to alarm. He knew he was probably just overreacting, but the sudden stillness of his son's body disturbed him. Before he could stop himself, he reached over a hand to shake Gohan.

Gohan caught Goku's hand before Goku could touch him.

"Gohan!" said Goku in surprise. "How long have you been awake?"

"Just woke up," Gohan grunted. "I'd thank you not to touch me."

The words were harsh, but Goku knew Gohan didn't truly mean them to sting as much as they did. Gohan just wasn't ready to regain the old familiarity and camaraderie they had enjoyed in the past. After all, all that was the past now. Goku resolved to keep Gohan's boundaries extra firmly in mind.

But he also knew that there wasn't much time. He took a deep breath. He couldn't leave Gohan without warning again; it had almost broken his son the first time. Well, actually, it had broken Gohan. Goku admired how Gohan was doing his best to slowly repair himself, little by little opening himself up to Goku and making himself vulnerable again even though the effort that took must have been gargantuan…Goku couldn't be more grateful or proud. He just wished there was more time.

Finally, he made up his mind to speak. "Listen," Goku said quietly, "there's something I have to tell you."

Gohan gave no indication that he was listening, but he didn't object. Goku took that as license to go on.

"I'm proud of you…" Goku could sense Gohan stiffening, but he pressed on; now more than ever, this was important. "Not just for how strong you've become, but because of your smarts. Gohan, you might think I haven't been paying attention to your grades, but that's not true, Mr. Straight-A's."

Gohan was quiet for a moment, taken aback. Then, graciously, he said, "Thanks, Dad."

"And Goten is becoming just as educated as you, and as strong. I don't have anything more to teach either of you. In fact, you've taught me a lot in the past few days alone."

"Thanks," Gohan said again. It seemed like that was all he was going to say, but then he awkwardly blurted out, "But I think you do still have more to teach us. I mean, we may be better with the reading and educational stuff, but you're still the best fighter I know. And I…I really… liked our sparring lesson today." He hesitated. "I hope you'll give us more of those."

It was Goku's turn to be quiet, pensive. "I didn't teach you anything that you didn't already know deep down. I just helped bring your knowledge to the surface. But now it's time for you to do that on your own." A sudden burst of agony. He couldn't contain it any longer. He gripped his chest and groaned.

"Dad!" Gohan cried in alarm, sitting up and fully facing Goku for the first time.

Goku smiled through the pain. "No, Gohan, no, it's okay. It's time for me to go, but before I do, I have one last thing—"

"Wait, 'go'?" Gohan was panicking. "What do you mean 'go'?" As soon as he'd asked, he understood. "It's the virus, isn't it? Dad, don't worry, I still have your medicine." He pulled the vial out of his pocket. "You said you'd take it if it got too bad."

Goku shook his head. "This isn't too bad." He marveled at how Gohan had kept the cure near him, even in the pocket of his pajamas. Even though Gohan had mixed feelings toward Goku, he really did still care and Goku felt his heart swell. He had been sick from a relapse of his old virus for a while now, but refused to take the medicine after reading the label on the medicine. Since it was peacetime, there hadn't been an immediate need to take it, and he had promised that he would if it truly became unbearable…but, there were the horrifying implications on the label…

"What are you waiting for?" Gohan asked, frustrated. "You said you feel like you're dying."

"I am dying," Goku said calmly. "The virus is nearly done eating away at my heart. I won't last much longer…but I have to tell you—"

"Tell me after you take your medicine," Gohan interrupted. "Dad, you don't have to die. The cure's right here in my hand!"

"Gohan," said Goku quietly, "the label says this disease is 'communicative.' That means there's a chance it's contagious. I've been hanging out with you and Goten the most, and if you get the virus, I want you to have the medicine."

Gohan's eyes widened. "Oh. So that's what all this was about. Why you wouldn't take the medicine right away as soon as you first told us you were feeling symptoms. Well, I feel healthy. Goten hasn't complained about any chest pains." Gohan pressed the little glass container into Goku's hand. "We're both fine. If we were going to get the virus, don't you think we would have felt it by now? Here, just take a little bit, and then we'll save the rest just in case we need it."

"No," said Goku firmly. "I want you to have it all."

Gohan was frustrated. "What do you think Mom will say if I tell her you died from the heart virus and I had the cure in my pocket the whole time?"

"Your mother will understand," Goku said. He was starting to feel a bit out of breath. "I told her everything she needed to know when I was telling her that we were going sparring outside."

Oh, Gohan thought. He must have already told Mom he was dying. I wonder how she's doing.

"Gohan, listen," said Goku, looking at his son intently. "There's a level beyond Super Saiyan Four."

"A Super Saiyan Five?" Gohan asked, surprised. Where was this coming from?

"Yeah." Goku nodded. "I was only able to achieve it once…" Goku closed his eyes against the painful memory, but he knew he had to communicate this to Gohan, to leave him in safety. "When I turned evil… and…and… killed you… my anger, and pain, and guilt transformed me into a Super Saiyan Five for a short while. Super Saiyan Five will give you the power you need to defend the family from any enemy, so you must learn to reach it."

"Dad, I think you're forgetting that I can't even reach Super Saiyan Three or Four," Gohan pointed out. "There's no way I'll reach Five."

"You will, Gohan," insisted Goku. "It's very similar to the way you reach One, so I don't think Two through Four is even necessary to reach Five. Remember, I reached Super Saiyan by watching my best friend die. I reached Five by watching my son die and knowing it was my fault. You were the person I'd give anything to protect."

"So…you're saying to reach Super Saiyan Five, I have to kill a family member?" Gohan asked skeptically.

"No," Goku said, shaking his head furiously. "The killing part wasn't important. Gohan, you were my world. And when I wasn't strong enough to protect you, my world came crashing down. What was important was how much I loved you. How much I wanted to protect you. How guilty I felt that I hadn't. Gohan, to achieve Super Saiyan Five, you have to focus on how much you love the ones you want to protect. How desperate you'd feel if you didn't have the power to protect them. Super Saiyan Five will give you that power. The only problem is, I couldn't sustain that much power in my body for very long. I was only able to stay Super Saiyan Five for a few seconds. You'll have to learn on your own how to sustain the form."

Now that Goku had said what he needed to, Gohan saw him drifting off. Desperation seized him, and he placed his hand over his own heart. "Dad! You said you'd do anything to protect me. Well, all I need to do is a single blast through my chest, and I'm history. And I'll do it too! But you can stop me. If you take your medicine, I won't do it. It's your choice, Dad. Either we both die, or we both live. It's up to you."

Goku looked up at Gohan and smiled. He slid his hand in between Gohan's hand and chest, and held Gohan's hand tightly in his. "You won't kill yourself, Gohan. You care too much about Goten to leave him brotherless."

Gohan looked at Goten and dropped his hand, knowing his dad was right.

"Dad…please," Gohan begged, trying not to cry. Then another thought, one even more distressing, struck him. "Oh no. Dad, Shenron can't bring back people who die from natural causes like disease. If you die from this virus, you're gone for good." Goku didn't reply, and Gohan knew that his dad had already considered it. A strange mixture of resentment, hatred, love, and desperation overwhelmed Gohan's mind, and, without really thinking about it, he found that he had placed his hands over Goku's heart. Gohan swallowed, his throat drying as his brain caught up with his body's intentions. Feeling somehow sick and triumphant at the same time, he said shakily, "Well, if you're going to die either way, I'll kill you so we can wish you back."

"I used the Dragon Balls not too long ago," Goku reminded Gohan, and Gohan remembered how, right after Goku had revealed that he was in pain from the virus but unwilling to take the medicine, Goten had used the pretense of giving his father a hug to jab a syringe filled with the cure into Goku's back. It had been clever, even if Goku hadn't taken the "betrayal" or the needle so well. Unfortunately, Goku had gathered the Dragon Balls and wished that Goten had never administered the medicine to him. And now Gohan knew why. It had been because, all along, Goku had been afraid that he or Goten would contract the virus after Goku had already taken the last of the medicine, and then Goku would have to watch his children die with no hope of wishing them back.

Gohan frowned. "Yeah, I know you used them and I wish you hadn't so we could wish you back right away, but I guess I can wait as long as I know you're coming back."

Goku placed his hand gently over Gohan's. "No, Gohan. Even if you try to wish me back, I'm not coming back this time. You and the whole Earth will be safer without me here. You and Goten are strong enough now to be the saviors of the Earth. Don't waste the Dragon Balls on me…"

"It won't be a waste. I'm sorry, Dad." Gohan could feel Goku's heartbeat slowing and weakening, and he knew he had to make a decision quick. He took a deep breath. "Masenko!"

Nothing happened.

"Oh, that's right." Gohan had recently had trouble performing spoken energy attacks because Chi-Chi had insisted his wisdom teeth be removed. For some reason, throughout the recovery period of the surgery, Gohan hadn't been able to do Kamehameha waves or Masenkos. An odd impediment to be sure, but there it was. Gohan stared down at Goku, depressed. Despite his anger at the man, it was after all anger at being abandoned by him. He wasn't ready for Goku to be gone forever.

Again, practically without thinking, his body acted on his desperation and he shook Trunks awake.

Trunks muttered, squeezing his eyes shut tighter. "What…?"

"Trunks!" Gohan hissed, trying his best not to jostle Goten. "Trunks, I need your help."

Trunks's big blue eyes finally opened. "Whattayawant?" he grumbled at Gohan, looking none too pleased to have his beauty sleep interrupted.

"Trunks, this is going to sound horrible and insane," Gohan prefaced, knowing that it was an understatement but he had to at least try to prepare the kid, "but I need you to kill my dad."

Trunks blinked at Gohan for a moment and then turned over, pulling the covers over his shoulder. "Obviously I'm dreaming."

"Trunks." Gohan yanked the blanket off of Trunks and forced him to look at him. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. Dad doesn't have much time left…"

Trunks shook his head. "Certainly not if you want me to kill him! I know you don't like him ever since he died at the Cell Games—"

And there it was. Gohan cringed. "It's not that simple."

"—But don't look at me. I'm not killing your dad! Even if I wanted to, Goten's my best friend, and there's no way he'd ever forgive me!"

Gohan looked at Goten's peaceful, sleeping form, oblivious to all of this, but he knew he definitely couldn't ask Goten to kill his dad. He sighed.

Goku placed his hand over Gohan's hand, and Gohan looked up, surprised. "Gohan, here," Goku said, letting energy sink into Gohan's body. "I'm giving you the last of my energy. We can do a Masenko together, if it'll make you happier for me to die this way instead of the virus. But I want you to know you have nothing to feel guilty for. You've made my life so happy." He placed his hand on Gohan's leg. "And Goten too." He held Goten's hand, feeling his life receding and contentment spreading through him. "I'm so happy."

Gohan looked away from his dad's face as he brought his hands back to his dad's chest.

Trunks's eyes were huge. "Gohan, are you really doing this? Don't! Why would you want to?"

Gohan felt hot tears prickling at the back of his eyes. "I don't want to," he said huskily.

"Then don't!" Trunks pleaded, starting to feel scared. He didn't really want to watch a man die, especially not Goten's dad. And if Gohan could flip out like that and just murder his father, who was to say he couldn't do that to anyone else? The Son house, even more so than his own, had always seemed to Trunks a place of safety, warmth, and love, and now the little boy was just confused. Instinctively, Trunks put his arms around the sleeping Goten, calmed a little by the younger boy's unconscious nestling to Trunks's chest.

Gohan knew there was no time to explain. "Masenko!" he rasped, feeling the power that Goku had lent him surging through him and assisting him even though his pronunciation was flawed. This time he felt the blast rip through Goku's heart. Goku's hand fell off of Gohan's leg, his other hand going limp in Goten's.

Gohan couldn't help it. He felt tears leaking from his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Dad." He finally gathered the courage to look into Goku's face, and despite himself, he smiled through his tears, returning the smile that Goku still had on his face. "You're just always happy, aren't you, Dad?" Gohan shook his head and sat back on his heels, emotionally drained. "I'm sorry I had to do that in front of you, Trunks." Fiercely, in his mind he vowed never to be too late to save Goten. He'd work hard to achieve the power of a Super Saiyan Five.

There was a rap on the window. Trunks and Gohan looked over to see a familiar pointed silhouette.

"I'll let him in," Trunks said hastily, extricating himself from his friend and hurrying to open the window.

The curtains flew outward as the Prince of all Saiyans made his entrance. Secretly, Trunks was relieved to no longer be alone in the room with the unstable teenager who had just blown a hole through his father's heart.

Vegeta looked down at Goku's body, his expression hardening. "I was hoping I was wrong. I felt Kakarot's power disappear, and—Trunks." Vegeta abruptly stopped ignoring Trunks and went over to him, examining his face and body curtly and roughly. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah," Trunks said shakily.

Vegeta gave a swift nod and turned to Goten and Gohan. "How about you two? The person who did this—he didn't harm you?"

Gohan looked at the ground guiltily.

Before he could respond, Piccolo and Krillin arrived on the scene. Krillin easily entered through the open window. Piccolo had more difficulty.

Krillin's eyes locked on the motionless figure on the bed. "Oh no, Goku!"

Piccolo narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms, having finally squeezed his way through the space. "Just as I thought," Piccolo said. He walked over to Gohan and put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right?"

Gohan shook his head, feeling sick. "Every time Dad dies, it's always my fault."

"Nonsense," said Piccolo. "You love your father. One thing I know about Goku is that he always chooses to die, for someone else, the fool." Piccolo smirked. "It doesn't bring him pain, because he's doing what makes him happiest, protecting people."

"It's always me," Gohan said. "He sacrificed himself to put down Raditz so that I'd be safe. If I had killed Cell when I had the chance, Dad wouldn't have had to give up his life. He did it for me. Yeah, for the whole world, but mostly to save me. I could tell by the way he looked at me when he was doing it, like I meant more to him than anything else. And now…now I've killed him again." Gohan put his head in his hands, but Piccolo's sharp hearing picked up the next muffled words with no problem. "All this time, I've been protecting myself by pretending it was him I was mad at. Because—because I couldn't face who my real enemy has been the whole time—"

"That's enough, Gohan!" Piccolo roared, catching everyone's attention. Amazingly, Goten simply turned over and stuck his thumb in his mouth. Piccolo grabbed Gohan by the shoulders. "This pity party has gone on long enough. I watched you grow from a sniveling, whiny brat into a fierce warrior, and I won't sit here and watch you regress to the way you were when you were four years old! Not after all you've been through. Not after all I've taught you."

Silence, and then—"It's okay, Gohan," Krillin said. "We'll just wish him back with the Dragon Balls."

"He said he won't come back because the Earth will be safer, and he thinks we don't need him anymore," Gohan said miserably.

"That's nonsense. We'll convince him to come back," Vegeta stated. "Kakarot is not allowed to die until I have surpassed him. He's not getting out of our rivalry that easily…" His gloved fists clenched, and he added, quieter, "With him gone… what's the point of getting stronger?"

Gohan struggled to collect himself. "Well, it'll take a while before we can try anyway. Dad already used the Dragon Balls not too long ago."

"That's fine, I can wait," Vegeta said. "I'll keep training down here, and surely he will be training in the Otherworld. When he comes back, we'll see who got the better training." He smirked. Then he said thoughtfully, "Or I could just meet him in Otherworld now." He started up a blast and aimed it at his own heart.

Paling, Trunks looked up at him with wide eyes.

Vegeta noticed this and sighed, making the blast disappear. "I'm only joking, Trunks."

Trunks hadn't thought it was very funny. He said nothing.

Vegeta knelt down next to Trunks. "You don't have to worry. Kakarot would've never died if it wasn't to protect his children. I too would give my life up without hesitation if it meant saving you or Bulla. But I would never end my life on purpose if it wasn't to save you. You don't have to worry about losing me."

Trunks threw his arms around Vegeta, burying his head in his chest.

Vegeta slowly patted Trunks on the back and straightened up, holding Trunks in his arms. Gohan felt some jealousy that Trunks could still hug his dad.

Without warning, Vegeta held one hand out of the window and blasted a hole in the Son's backyard.

"What are you doing?" Gohan demanded.

"Digging a grave. We can't just leave Kakarot here, can we?"

"I guess not, but…he doesn't even get a funeral? Or even a coffin? It seems wrong somehow just to stick him in a hole in the ground."

Vegeta put Trunks down next to Goten, who picked that moment, finally, to wake up. Goten blinked bleary eyes and focused on the warm body beside him. "Trunks?" he yawned.

Trunks looked down at Goten's innocent face and felt a pang. "Hey," he said limply, trying to postpone seeing tears in those black eyes as long as possible.

"Hey!" Gohan said, going over to Goten and enveloping him in a sudden hug, one that conveniently happened to keep Goten from seeing the corpse on the bed.

Confused, Goten patted his older brother on the back. "Guess you're happy to see me, huh, Gohan?"

"I sure am. And I'll also be happy if you don't look over there, okay?" Gohan jabbed his finger toward the reposed figure of their father.

"Why? What's over there?" Goten craned his head around Gohan to try to get a look.

"Nothing!" Gohan quickly turned Goten around. "Why don't you talk to our guests?"

Goten looked up, surprised. "Krillin? Mr. Piccolo? Vegeta? What are you guys doing here?" He yawned again and rubbed his eye, then smiled brightly at them.

Krillin and Piccolo exchanged wary glances, but Vegeta was the one who opened his mouth. "Well, we sensed what happened to your—"

Gohan interrupted. "They just came to visit. That's all," he said, moving in such a way that he blocked Goten from seeing Goku's body.

Trunks raised an eyebrow, wondering what Gohan was up to.

"In the middle of the night?" Goten's tone wasn't disbelieving or accusatory, just curious. His blind trust made it harder to lie to him.

Gohan bit his lip. But it was for the best, right? Knowing the news would only depress Goten, and Gohan was planning to bring Goku back before Goten would even miss him. For he'd remembered the New Namekian Dragon Balls, which as far as he knew, should be charged and ready to use. It would only take him a few days to travel there and wish his dad back.

With that in mind, hoping that his father wasn't watching right at that moment, Gohan bumped his hips into Goku's body and made him fall onto the floor.

Thump! "What was that?" asked Goten, tilting his head.

"Something that Vegeta ought to take care of," Gohan said meaningfully.

"Huh?" asked Goten, but Gohan was looking up at Vegeta, inwardly pleading for him to play along.

After a moment of looking back at Gohan harshly, Vegeta sighed and went over to Goku, picking him up. Vegeta went out to the backyard and tossed Goku's body into the grave, then blasted the dirt back into the hole. He turned to leave, but then glanced back at the forlorn patch of dirt. Looking back and forth to make sure no one was looking, he quickly stuck a rock at the end and carved the name "Kakarot" on it with his blasts. Finally, he pulled up some weeds and threw them on the grave. He stood back and admired his handiwork. A gravestone and flowers, that made it fancy.

He returned, dusting his hands off, to hear Goten complaining to Gohan about being hungry. He rolled his eyes, but his eyes softened as he looked down at Trunks who still seemed pretty disturbed about the whole thing. He picked Trunks back up. "Come on, let's go downstairs and fill up our stomachs."

"Yeah, I don't think we're gonna get much sleep, so we might as well," Krillin agreed. "You want a ride too, little guy?" At Goten's eager nod, Krillin picked him up.

Piccolo put his hand on Gohan's shoulder and steered him downstairs.

When they entered the kitchen, they were surprised to see Chi-Chi already cooking.

"I was getting a start on tomorrow's dinner," she explained, eyeing the several people in her house that did not in fact reside in her house. "Unannounced company, huh? Well, I made extra," she sighed. "You guys good and hungry? I made chili."

Goten's hand shot up in the air like he was in a classroom. "I'm hungry!"

Trunks and Gohan mumbled. The truth was, Gohan's appetite was completely gone.

"Oh," Chi-Chi continued, smiling, "and I was thinking, if you're going to eat the chili now, then for dinner I could make a feast of everyone's favorite foods. Does that sound fun? I'll have spaghetti for you, Gohan, fried chicken for you, Goten, and of course, some roast beef for your father—"

Gohan looked at her, surprised. Hadn't Goku told her what was going to happen to him? "Uh, Mom, I don't think you need to make the roast beef."

"Why?" Chi-Chi scowled. "Did your father do something again so that he doesn't deserve dinner?"

"Yeah, why, Gohan?" Goten was already spooning chili into his mouth. "Dad gets hungry too, ya know."

"I don't think he'll need dinner tonight." Gohan was confused. He was sure his dad had told him that he'd already broken the news to Chi-Chi, and a large part of him had been glad that he wouldn't have to be the one to do so. "Um, what did Dad tell you before he came out to spar with us?"

"Oh." Chi-Chi blushed. "He just said that he loved me, and that he thought you and Goten were strong enough now to protect me even without his help…oh, and he also said that he was sorry for all the times he'd worried me and made me angry. That father of yours can be a real charmer when he wants to be."

"Oh." Gohan swallowed. He knew it was better to get this over with sooner rather than later. "Trunks, can you and Goten go eat in the other room?"

Chi-Chi raised an eyebrow. She knew that Gohan wouldn't disregard her rule about eating at the table unless there was a good reason to send Goten away. But Goten was oblivious.

"Can we really eat in the living room? Cool! Let's go, Trunks!"

Trunks grabbed a bowl of chili despite the roiling in his stomach, and followed Goten silently.

Chi-Chi tapped her foot. "Well, Gohan?"

Better to remove the band-aid in one rip. "Mom, Dad's dead."

Chi-Chi dropped the bowl she was spooning chili into. "What?" She looked around, her eyes widening. "That's why you're all here. You were fighting with Goku against whoever killed him. Weren't you?"

"No…The virus got him again," Gohan explained.

Chi-Chi's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Goku. He probably didn't tell anybody he was hurting until it was too late, so we weren't able to visit Future Trunks and get the medicine in time." She sighed. "That man never wants anyone to worry about him."

"Actually, we did have the medicine." Gohan took a deep breath. He knew he had to tell her the whole truth. "He wouldn't take it, and he was dying from the virus, so I killed him before the virus could. I killed him so we could wish him back, since Shenron can't bring back someone who—"

Chi-Chi slapped Gohan, tears pouring down her face. "How could you." She was shaking.

Krillin quickly went to Chi-Chi and started to lead her away. "How about you rest in your room for a while, Chi-Chi? I know this is hard to handle."

Chi-Chi dropped her head in her hands and let Krillin lead her upstairs.

He tucked her into her bed and pulled down her bun, letting her hair fall free.

Chi-Chi swallowed, trying to stop crying. She hated anyone seeing her weaknesses. "Thank you, Krillin. I should've known when he said he loved me and he was sorry, that he was saying goodbye." Her voice was very small.

"Wow," he said without thinking. "You're beautiful with your hair down."

"What?"

"No-nothing!" Had he really just thought that about his dead best friend's wife? And what would Eighteen think? "Just try to get some rest. I'll finish up the food."

"You're a lifesaver, Krillin."

Krillin turned and left the room at a brisk pace that was almost a jog. What was wrong with him? He felt like he needed a bucket of ice cold water dumped on him. As he came back downstairs, he saw Gohan rubbing his cheek, still dazed.

"She didn't mean it, Gohan," Piccolo was saying. "She's just… emotional right now."

"You half-breeds may rejoin us now!" Vegeta called to the next room. "The adults aren't talking anymore."

As Trunks and Goten returned—Goten's bowl empty and Trunks's bowl barely-touched and Goten asking, eyeing the steaming, almost-full bowl of chili, if Trunks was going to eat it— Krillin went to the stove, got on his tiptoes, and stirred the chili that was still in the pot.

"What do you think you're doing, short stuff?" Vegeta smirked. "You think you can cook? You won't be able to see if the food's burning. And you won't be able to smell it either!" He was referencing Krillin's odd noselessness.

Krillin stuck his tongue out. "I know about how long it's supposed to simmer. I cook all the time at Kame House!"

"I bet the stove there is shorter," Vegeta muttered.

Suddenly, Future Trunks burst in. He immediately drew his sword. "You idiots!"

"Hey! Who're you calling an idiot? You're the one who kicked down an unlocked door!" Krillin said.

"Who're you?" asked Trunks, staring at the taller man who shared his eye and hair color.

Future Trunks ignored them. "I told you to give Goku the medicine, but you didn't! Now the guilt is going to slowly drive you and your mother insane, Gohan, and soon you'll destroy everyone! I have no choice but to stop you now."

"Now wait just one second," Vegeta said, standing in between Gohan and the sword. "Trunks, you put that down right now."

Trunks? Trunks tilted his head.

"Dad," said Future Trunks, "I'm warning you. Move out of the way, right now, or I'll be forced to cut you down."

Dad?

"I'd like to see you try," said Vegeta, not moving.

Trunks tugged on his father's sleeve. "Dad," he said. "You said you wouldn't let yourself die, no matter what."

"You said that my mom and I turn evil," said Gohan, frowning as he addressed the time traveler. "What about Goten?"

Future Trunks looked at Gohan with a sneer. "Does this answer your question?"

He threw his sword at Goten. Trunks ran to push Goten out of the way, but Gohan got there first and dove in front of Goten. The sword sank into Gohan's gut.

"Gohan!" cried Piccolo.

"Goten, you're okay," Gohan said weakly, reaching up a hand to caress his brother's horror-stricken face. "What do you know, Dad, I guess I'll be seeing you sooner than I thought." He went limp.

Piccolo's eyes widened and he glared at Future Trunks. "You're not from the bad timeline, are you?"

"What?" Future Trunks asked.

"You're from our timeline. Goten doesn't even exist in the bad timeline. And you hesitated killing Goten because he's your best friend. And you call Vegeta 'Dad,' not 'Father.' You're just our Trunks, grown up, and you came back with your time machine. Isn't that right?"

"So what if I am?" asked Future Trunks.

"So—" Piccolo picked up the kid Trunks, his expression grim. "That means if I break this one's neck, you will have never existed, and Gohan will come back to life. Won't he?"

"Piccolo?" said Trunks, terrified.

Vegeta aimed a Big Bang Attack at Piccolo's head. "Put him down, Namek. If you hurt him, it'll be the last thing you ever do."

"Vegeta, your son killed Gohan!" Piccolo argued.

Krillin went to Gohan, lifting his torso and holding him in a half-embrace. He blinked away tears as he looked at Gohan's still face, but then his eyes widened. "Wait, you guys, Gohan's not dead!"

"What?" Piccolo asked.

"Really?" squealed Goten.

"Yeah, I feel a little energy in him still. It's faint, but he's still alive. If I get him to Dende right away, maybe there's a chance he can be healed."

"Well, if you think there's a chance he's still alive, then go to the Lookout now," Piccolo ordered.

Krillin pulled the sword out of Gohan, and picked him up. "Come on, Goten, follow me."

"Hey, wait right there!" Future Trunks said, starting to go after them, but he stopped when Piccolo tightened his grip around kid Trunks's neck.

Krillin flew up to the Lookout as fast as he could, Goten following. When they arrived, Krillin laid Gohan on the floor at Dende's feet.

"Gohan!" Dende looked away. "Krillin, why did you bring me his body?"

"Quick, Dende! He's not dead! Heal him, fast, before that changes!"

Dende frowned. "Are you sure…?"

"Just do it!" Goten snapped. The shortness was unlike him, but his eyes were large with worry as he stared at his wounded brother.

Dende placed his hands on Gohan's chest, closing his eyes to concentrate. "You're right. I do feel a little bit of life. He's hanging on!" he said triumphantly, before sobering. "Okay." He got to work immediately, putting his hands over Gohan's wound. "If his heart or lungs had been pierced, he would've been a goner by now. But it was his liver that got hit. Was it a blade?"

"Yeah," Krillin answered. "A sword. Why?"

"No reason, really, except that makes it easier. This is encouraging. You see," he said conversationally, "when you get hit with those blasts, there are all those jagged edges to try to piece back together and often hunks of skin will just vaporize…but this is a clean cut, so I'll just close it up." He noticed Goten's pinched, worried face, and added, "Don't worry I've been working while I talk."

"Okay," said Goten, but he didn't look any more reassured.

Dende concentrated harder, and soon the wound was closed. "Now all I have to do is find that bit of life again and bring it up to the surface," he explained. He put his hands back on Gohan's chest and soon Gohan's breathing grew stronger and steadier. "Okay, he's about to wake up, but he'll still be weak from all the blood loss and he might be a little confused."

"Thanks, Dende!" Krillin said.

Gohan opened his eyes. He looked at Krillin first. "Krillin? Or is it Tien? What are you doing here?" Then he looked at Goten. "Dad? I'm sorry, I followed you to Otherworld. But I didn't mean to! I had to save Goten." Finally, he looked at Dende. "Piccolo, I'm so sorry. Take care of Mom and Goten for me, okay?"

Dende shook his head. "Gohan, it's me, Dende. And you're still alive."

"We brought you to the Lookout. You were almost gone there, buddy, just hanging on by a thread, but that was enough for Dende to heal you," Krillin told him.

"Huh? I'm still alive?" Gohan patted his stomach. "Thanks, Dende. Goten, you're okay? I'm sorry if I gave you a scare there." You just lost Dad, you don't need to lose me too. "I wasn't thinking. I just knew I couldn't let you get hurt. But from now on, I'll try not to have any more close calls like that. I don't want to leave you alone."

"Gohan!" Goten rushed and wrapped his arms around his brother, tears of joy pricking at his eyes.

"Mom! Is she okay?" Gohan asked.

"Yeah, Piccolo is controlling Future Trunks by threatening to kill Kid Trunks," Krillin said.

"What? We can't let Trunks get hurt!"

"Gohan, do you really think Vegeta is going to let Trunks die? If Vegeta really thought Trunks was in danger, Piccolo's head would be rolling around on the floor," concluded Krillin. "I think Vegeta knows Piccolo won't do it. They're both bluffing to buy time. I need to go back down there and help them."

"I'll come too," said Gohan.

"No, you stay here. You're still weak," Krillin said.

"But I have to help protect Mom."

Krillin looked at Gohan sympathetically. "I know you want to honor your dad's memory. But I was Goku's best friend, and I know he would never want me to let his sons be in danger. Just stay here and wait."

"Okay, Krillin." Gohan sighed. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Krillin flew back down to Earth.

And that was how it all started.