And Life Goes On...

By: Firefly

"I don't know what to say to you Tears are on your face You don't know how we'll make it through Such a lonely place But if you could read my mind Then you'd understand Even in times like these I'm wanting nothing other than" Our Love --by Amy Grant

He'd run to a place he knew well. Craving silence, nothingness. Instead, he heard trees and birds and water. He heard...life. Walking to the rivers edge, Gohan slumped to the ground. The seven year old's body becoming numb like his heart and mind.

*I could have saved him! Why? Why didn't I? Cell killed my father! And I let him!*

Overwhelming feelings broke through his defenses and attacked him without fail. He could feel himself loosing control, and his body began to tremble.

A few minutes passed and the pain lessened. Feeling stronger, Gohan shakily stood. Looking to the sky, he felt a familiar ki and turned back to the river so as not to face his visitor. Piccolo landed softly behind him.

"Gohan..." His gruff, but soft voice said in a way that was half question, half order. Gohan didn't move.

*Please, just go away....I can't face you now. Not after what I did. Not with tears in my eyes. I just can't!* Gohan's heart was screaming.

Tears were clouding his vision and a sob was lodged firmly in his throat. Making it impossible to speak. But he was still in control, not wanting to break down in front of Piccolo, or let him see his tears.

"Gohan..." Piccolo stepped up behind him and put a hand to his shoulder.

A touch. A single touch and his self-control shattered.

With a sob he blindly fled. "I killed him! Why do I ALWAYS lose him?! It's my fault!"

A hand encircled his wrist and he turned, throwing his weight and anger at the body connected to it. His arms and hands beating against a solid chest, tears streaming from his eyes.

When his heart slowed and his will was in control again, he looked up into the unreadable eyes of Piccolo. To reach Piccolo's chest, Gohan had lifted off the ground and was now a few feet in the air.

"Are you finished?" Was the next thing said. Gohan's feet touched the ground, still trembling, trying to keep the dam he'd built so carefully around his battered heart from falling apart.

Gohan's angry gaze drifted up at Piccolo then back down to the ground.

"Why did you ever teach me to fight? I hate fighting! But nobody, including you, ever listened. All of you always pushed me to fight and to hurt people! I've never been a warrior, and I've ALWAYS hated you!!" With those words and without a back glance at Piccolo, Gohan took off again. But he tripped on a root and went crashing to the ground and with him, his dam of emotions. He didn't move to get back up, didn't see if he was hurt, he just lay there and let the deafening emotions carry him away. Reality faded out, the knowledge of his fathers death and the pain and tears that went along with it became everything.

He felt someone gently pick him up and strong, safe arms folded around him, as if to protect him from more pain to come. He felt the air around him blow as he was carried, flying, away.

When his eyes opened again, he wasn't sure where he was. But it was dark and only bright, twinkling stars were out. He felt warmth all around him and finally realized that he was curled up in Piccolo's lap. Piccolo's cape making a blanket. Shifting his position, he turned his face up to look at Piccolo and found Piccolo silently watching him.

"What time is it? What happened?" Gohan sleepily asked while rubbing his eyes.

"Late. And you cried yourself to sleep." Was the short reply. Gohan thought about this for a moment. When he remembered his angry words, he started crying again.

"Oh, Piccolo-san! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!" Gohan's small hand curled into Piccolo's large one, holding on to him as if his words spoken in anger would make Piccolo disappear. He was still crying when he felt Piccolo's hand tighten just a little. He looked up at him, tears falling freely.

"Gohan, you are a great warrior.You don't have the confidence yet, but, one day, you will be the most powerful being in the universe.Right now, you're a small boy.You have a great power within, and you can feel it, and it frightens you. Perhaps we do depend on you to much sometimes. But remember, you are just a child. I know you miss him. I know you don't hate me. I know alot about you, Gohan. And I want you to know, it wasn't your fault. I will never be angry at you for feeling emotions. And I will always be proud of you. No matter what."

Gohan's tears had lessened, he was still holding Piccolo's hand, looking up at him through a vail of tears. He didn't realize, but he'd soaked the front of Piccolo's gi.

"Now, it's been a long, trying day, and you are exhausted. Go to sleep." Gohan smiled weakly up at Piccolo and was rewarded with a twinkle in Piccolo's eyes. Curling up again, he whispered "I love you, Piccolo-san" before drifting off to sleep. A few final words rung in his ears before deep sleep.

"I love you, too."

Authors Note. I've always loved the way Piccolo acted around Gohan. They're my two favorite characters and I'll use them often in fanfics. I think their friendship is so cute and innocent ^_^ The song at the very beginning is one of my very favorite songs by Amy Grant. I thought only the first verse went with this story so I didn't put the rest. But I think it is one of the best song in the world! If you want to read the rest, I put it below.

Our Love -- by Amy Grant

I don't know what to say to you Tears are on your face You don't know how we'll make it through Such a lonely place But if you could read my mind Then you'd understand Even in times like these I'm wanting nothing other than Our love You and me together Our love I'll stay with you forever Our love Our love our love is true Oh won't you take me in your arms That's where I belong Together we are safe from harm Together we are strong I will hold your heart in mine And guard it through the night Let the stillness of this moment Speak to us of all that's right with Our love You and me forever Our love I'm made for you Our love Our love our love is true Close your teary eyes and sleep I'll watch through the night and keep Our love You and me forever Our love I'm made for you Our love Our love our love is true