Not My Burden

A/N: No Rated M stuff in this chapter. Sorry \'bout that. Next chapter I think makes up for it XD Muahaha.



Not My Burden

Chapter 3

When You Finally See It



Laughter filled the silence before it was quickly muffled by small hands and two boys peered over their hands to stare at their object of fascination. Gohan was spread-eagle across the large bed, drool dripping from his mouth as it made its way down his chin.

“Go-han looks funny!” Goten giggled, his arm around Trunks\' waist as he tried to stand straight on his wobbly legs. The lavender haired boy chuckled after him before he climbed up the bed and pulled the younger one up after him. Then they both started to crawl sneakily over Gohan\'s sleeping form before they looked at each other.

“Ready...?”

“Ready!”

And then the two children were tickling the boy, making Gohan squawk awake. The teenager couldn\'t stop laughing though as he struggled to get out from underneath the two ambushing boys.

“AHAHAHA-oh my KAMI! HAHAHAHA-St-stop!” Gohan gasped out, trying unsuccessfully to roll them off of him. Goten and Trunks both fell on the teenager with loud gasps of laughter before they all breathed heavily on the bed from the exertion.

“Ahhh...kami, guys...Ah, well, let\'s get some food in ya, mmm?” Gohan was suddenly attacked by two children who latched onto his arms in adoration.

“You\'ll make us good food, hrmm, yus, brofther?!” Goten ranted happily as Trunks just rubbed his head over Gohan\'s left arm.

“Yes, brother will make a delicious breakfast for both of you, now get off!” The oldest boy rocked back and forth, flinging the children\'s arms from his own. Finally able to get up, Gohan rushed out of the room, hoping that the two kids wouldn\'t maul him anymore.

Noticing that Goten and Trunks had gone off and played in his room, Gohan quickly got down to business and pulled out food from the frig. He was quickly finding solitude in cooking, maybe this is why his mother put up with their Saiyan appetites, she found cooking to be calming?

It was about a half an hour more until Goten and Trunks plowed down in the kitchen, complaining before they saw the feast on the table. Gohan turned around, a blue, slightly frilly apron on, a sheepish look on his face.

“Aw, sorry guys! Was just finishing up this crepe, but you guys can start eating!” The two boys quickly dug in, manners forgotten. Gohan smiled happily as he finished the last crepe and put them on the table. They were instantly being eaten before the teenager could even blink and he grinned widely. He was glad his little brother had a friend like Trunks around.

“Brats!” came a voice none of them expected as they were finishing up their food. Goten nearly wet himself while Trunks jumped to his feet and bowed lowly. And Gohan choked on his omelet, coughing loudly.

“Hi, dad!” Trunks yelled, making the two Sons cringe slightly.

“Trunks...” Vegeta acknowledged, eyes darting to the other two youngins before glaring at the oldest Son.

“Bulma wanted me to come spend time with you three, so we\'re going to teach you two-” he pointed to the youngest of the them “-the basics of fighting and defense...” Gohan sweat dropped at the fierce look on the Prince of Saiyan\'s face, both children gulping slightly.

“B-but dad! We trained in the GR just the other day!” Trunks whined, a pout coming to his lips as Gohan began to clear off the table, Goten going to stand next to his best friend.

“Nope, that was to just have you get used to the gravity, you haven\'t learned anything yet, and if you two want to be like your fathers... or as strong as I am, seeing as Kakarot is probably weaker than me now...” A smirk lit his face as Trunks gushed adorably while baby Goten frowned.

“Gaw, Vegeta! Just take them outside, I need to clean this up!” The older Saiyan shrugged, walking out the door again but not before the teenager said in a low voice, “If you hurt EITHER of them seriously, I won\'t hold back when beating you into a pulp!” The youngest Son stared in awe at his brother as Trunks smiled slightly.

“Psh, whatever, brat....” was all he got in response before the three were outside. Sighing as he went back to his mindless task, Gohan started cleaning up the kitchen, other thoughts floating into his mind... Like why did he react to his dad\'s hand job so...well, like he did...? Oh god, just the memory of Goku\'s little homemade porn had the teenager gritting his teeth.

“Gaw, Gohan! Stop thinking, just finish-oh, wow, I\'m done...” the demi looked around at the cleanliness of the room, admiring his handiwork before he peered out the kitchen window.

Vegeta was showing the two boys how to punch properly, fists clenched by their sides as they watched the older man strike forward. Trunks followed immediately afterwards, his fist shaking slightly, but Goten half-heartedly let his fist launch in front of him, causing the Prince to scold him. Laughing lightly at the scene, Gohan leaned against the counter, content to just let the happiness of the moment wash over him. But then his father\'s pleading face entered his thoughts as the words pressed into his mind: “I just can\'t do it, leaving you here by yourself....”

Guilt overrode his senses for a moment as he knew he had put off seeing his parents for awhile, but it hurt... Goten wasn\'t a burden so much as living had become a great burden to the demi. He felt as if his emotions over his parents\' deaths would overcome him at any given moment and that he would fall into despair, so the 14 year old just suppressed it like he normally did. Maybe seeing his parents would help him figure out himself. Gohan was just so confused...!

“Stretch out those legs, Trunks!” was the yell he heard from outside, confirming that he had plenty of time to himself. The kids wouldn\'t want food for another few hours, and even then, Gohan could whip up some large quantities of food for the four of them.

Making a split decision, Gohan peeked out of the house and got Vegeta\'s attention, just a gesture to the heavens and the full-blooded Saiyan nodded once before turning back to the kids. Smiling slightly as he shook his head at Vegeta\'s antics, Gohan pressed his fingers to his forehead and concentrated on his father\'s ki. Flickering out of existence, the teenager fell with an “Ooof” on to something hard.

“Gakh!” was the response he got from his hard landing spot, and immediately Gohan flew off the person, squeaking out “Sorry!!” as he did.

“Well, I see your son finally decided to come see you, Goku,” Was King Kai\'s response to his presence, making the man he landed on jump to his feet. Before the teenager could even say “hi” timidly, Goku was crushing him in his hold, rocking him back and forth. King Kai snickered behind them before he, Bubbles, and Gregory left the two alone.

“Gohan, Gohan, Gohan!” Was all the older male said as the teen reluctantly smiled, tears coming to his eyes as he felt the same salty wetness against his shoulder. His father...was crying...?

The two pulled away from each other and the truth of Gohan\'s thought was written all over Goku\'s wet face. The man tried to smile but it failed half way through and he jerked as if trying to stop anymore tears from appearing.

“Daddy...” Gohan mumbled, his hand going up and gently wiping away the droplets with tingling fingers. Goku\'s larger hand slowly grasped his own and his father nuzzled his hand lightly before kissing his palm softly.

“Son...” the father said in response to his son\'s call. And Gohan promptly blushed a hundred watts of power as Goku finally gave him a Son grin.

“Oh, Gohan, are you sick...?” the father in Goku immediately grew worried before the boy shook his head rapidly, only noticing how he was seated on his dad a little bit too late.

“Ah-er-that is-I just-egh...” was the stuttering that came from Gohan as he twisted on his father\'s lap, eyes wide. Goku blinked predictably before laughing lightly.

“Well, I\'m sorry to say, but your mom... she couldn\'t keep her body...” Gohan stopped struggling to stare at his forlorn father for a moment before nodding slightly. At least he was there when she died...

“It\'s ok, dad... She talked to me before she died...” Gohan didn\'t want to cry anymore and instead buried his face in Goku\'s chest, vaguely noting that he was wearing his signature orange and blue gi. Arms immediately re-took their positions around his small, yet muscular form.

“Ah... Now what she said to me is making some sense, if she talked to you too...” Gohan could feel his dad\'s breath on the top of his head and the way his dad\'s laugh shook his chest. Yes, Gohan thought happily, I missed my daddy, his embrace, and his happiness, but now I\'m feeling all of those things and more... I\'m happiest here with him.

“Ah....Daddy...” Gohan breathed out slowly, making Goku look down at him with wide eyes before he smiled lightly. They stayed that way for awhile, just basking in each other\'s presence before Gohan finally pulled back.

“I missed you...” the same words they said last time, but with a smile this time. Goku mumbled something back before he smiled brightly and hoisted both of them up off the grass. Swinging his eldest son on top of his shoulders, the original savior of the Earth darted happily into King Kai\'s home and shouted, “FOOD!” in which the old Kai sighed in misfortune before he turned from making food and set the massive plates full of food on the table. Gohan quickly slipped down his father\'s shoulders and plopped to the ground.

“Mmmm, you\'ve outdone yourself this time, King Kai!” Goku enthused as he promptly started eating the food in front of him. Gohan sat and idly ate some of the food while watching his dad with a tiny smile on his face.

-I love him...- Gohan thought suddenly, blushing deeply as he also suddenly remembered what he had happened to be doing just the night before. King Kai eyed the boy as he took his plates to the sink for Bubbles to do later. Yeah, sometimes that monkey could do useful things.

“Well, I\'d say Vegeta has tired down the kids now, Gohan... you should probably get back soon... Don\'t want to worry your brother...” King Kai knew he sounded rude, but he also didn\'t want the teen being distracted by his deceased dad at that moment.

“Awwww, you have to go so soon, Gohan?!” Goku whined after swallowing a massive amount of macaroni.

“I\'m sorry, daddy, but I\'ve been taking care of Trunks for Bulma and need to get back so I can earn the money truthfully...” the teen bowed his head before straightening, almost falling back against his chair when his father\'s serious stare met his.

“Goku... I will ask King Yenma if you can visit your sons for a day. If you behave....” The blue kai shrugged as his pupil\'s eyes brightened considerably.

“Really, King Kai? That\'s great! Then I can meet my other son!” Goku hopped around happily, making the other two occupants of the house laugh at his actions. Gohan\'s smile didn\'t reach his eyes as he clutched at his heart for a moment of weakness. How would Goku react to Goten...? Would he love him unconditionally or-?

“Well... I have to go. I don\'t want to get a beating from Vegeta anytime soon,” the new protector of Earth murmured, gaining his father\'s attention.

“Well, ok... here, I\'ll walk you out and help you find home...” and the two left King Kai in the mess of a house, his smile wide. The kai knew that Gohan was troubled, but in time, his pain would be healed. But in time... it could also increase...

The slight wind fluttered Gohan\'s black locks as he pushed them out of his eyes, taking in a deep breath. He knew it was going to hurt to leave his father again, but Goten was waiting for him at home...even Trunks was probably waiting for him!

“I gotta go, dad...” Gohan said with a sad nod of his head, feeling those eyes on him before Goku turned away from him, grinning widely.

“I know, Gohan. Home is that way...and I\'m... proud of you...” the teenager tried not to let the tears gather in his eyes, but it was futile as he stared up at his father. “You\'re a lot stronger than you seem, Gohan. And... You\'ll be in my heart always...and I will always be there for you...” Goku turned toward him one last time before Gohan felt his fingers move up to his forehead, a single tear falling from his dark eyes.

“I love you, daddy...” and he was gone.

---X

When he got back it was to the two children running away from a raging Vegeta, whose aura was flared violently around him. Trunks and Goten both were laughing though, so it seemed the “chase” wasn\'t as scary as Gohan first perceived it as.

When Goten noticed his brother, though, the baby stumbled to him and yelled out happily, “Go-on!” Trunks and Vegeta stopped mid-step and turned to him too. Gohan happily caught his little brother in his open arms and smiled as the boy laughed into his shoulder.

“Come on, Trunks. Let\'s get you and Goten cleaned up for lunch...Do you want to stay and eat, Vegeta...?” the oldest of them shrugged, nodding when his son\'s eyes looked up at him.

“Ok, do you mind helping them take a bath...? Then I could make the food faster-” the Prince growled before snatching his son then Kakarot\'s second brat and marching them to the bathroom, both boys complaining all the way.

Gohan couldn\'t help but grin, looking up to the sky with large black orbs. “I finally see that I can find happiness here...even if it\'s without you...”.

The teenager spun around once, eyes closing in bliss before he fell to the ground, letting all his responsibilities\' weight fall off of his shoulders.

“Things are falling into place...but do you believe it will stay that way...?” they watched on in silence before the other replied.

“We can\'t expect them to... Just be ready to heal some heartache, my friend...” And the former nodded, eyes still forward.