My Inner Demons

Chapter 9

Goku and his friends stood watching Goten and Trunks fight. Goku wasn't necessarily paying attention, he was to busy pondering that voice and power. It was all so familiar, but he couldn't exactly point out who it was.
"Are we going to talk about the boys' 'imaginary friend?' Because I don't think he's imaginary anymore," Krillin asked, looking at the rest of the group.
"I know, but something doesn't feel right about this," Piccolo said, his frown deepening.
"That power, it felt so," Goku started.
"Familiar," Krillin finished
"What exactly did he say to you, Kakarot?" Vegeta asked.
"He said that he knew me and that I should think of him as an old friend. I asked him if I should consider him an enemy. He told me not to hurt the boys or I'll regret it, then he rose his power level," Goku explained.

Vegeta frowned in thought.
"So we don't have to worry about him being an enemy, just as long as we don't hurt Trunks and Goten?" Krillin asked.
"What I don't understand is why are those two the only ones who can see him?" Eighteen asked from beside Krillin.
"That's a good question," Goku muttered.
"Look I think it would be best not to push this, so no training the boys or anything that could cause them any sort of harm, okay?" Goku said.
"Tell that to your woman, Kakarot," Vegeta said.
"What? Why?" Goku asked, turning to Vegeta and giving him a confused look.
"She slapped Goten the day you told us you were coming back for the tournament," Vegeta said, clearly annoyed by all this.

Goku frowned. First Gohan dies then the boys have an imaginary friend who isn't so imaginary and now Chi-Chi's slapping our son? What is going on and what's next?
"I'll talk to her when there's a break between the child and adult division." Goku said, his attention quickly being pulled away to the boys on the ring when there was a massive explosion. Goten stood there, looking sheepish.
Gohan chuckled from where he stood leaning against the wall near where his father and the others were. He had decided to stay there and watch the boys, he didn't want to stand on the ring and distract them. His gaze went over to Goku. He felt angry just looking at the man, how could he just shrug off his own son's death? Gohan couldn't help but feel forgotten again. He was abandoned even in death. All he ever wanted was his parent's love, to be forgiven for his mistakes, but he didn't get it. Not even in death did he get their love ir forgiveness, they didn't miss him. Not even Piccolo. Gohan sighed sadly, feeling the need to just curl into a ball, scream as loudly as he can, until his throat is raw and then cry until he couldn't anymore.

"Chi-Chi!" Goku called, grabbing her attention along with all the others.
"Goku?" She asked.
"Hey, so the boys told me about their big brother," Goku trailed off.
Chi-Chi sighed loudly, she knew this would come, the boys couldn't help but introduce their brother to everyone they met.
"Oh that again? It's just a faze! He isn't real," Yamcha said, laughing.
"Oh he's real and protective, too," Goku answered.
"What? That's just ridiculous, Goku," Bulma said, placing one of her hands on her hip.
"It's not, woman, Kakarot even had the privilege of meeting him," Vegeta said, annoyance clear in his voice.
"What?!" Yamcha yelled in surprise.
"Yeah and he kind of threatened me. He said that if I hurt the boys, I'll regret it, so I think we should just be careful with how we act around them. This guy's power is enormous, we don't want to push the wrong buttons," Goku explained, glancing a few times at Chi-Chi.

"Daddy! Did you see me? Did you see me?!" Goten yelled, running to his father.
"I sure did! You were great!" Goku exclaimed, picking his son up and starting to tickle him.
Gohan glared at the scene, jealousy coursing through him once again. He growled lightly, clenching his fists.
Piccolo heard the growl with his sensitive hearing. This whole thing was starting to make him nervous.
"Alright! Let's eat, I'm starving!" Goku said.
Gohan scoffed, not noticing that Piccolo heard it as well.
Piccolo looked around, wanting to find out where it came from. He stayed behind when the others walked away. Gohan noticed this and stayed behind with him, wanting to find out what was going on.

"Who's there?" Piccolo asked, his voice lower than usual.
Gohan raised his brows in surprise. Could Piccolo hear him? He decided to test this.
"Someone you used to know," Gohan answered.
"Used to know? Tell me, what's your name?" Piccolo asked.
"That's assuming I have one, right?" Gohan asked.
"Why do you sound so familiar? Who are you?!" Piccolo demanded.
"You know who I am, Piccolo. You just forgot my name," Gohan answered before he walked away, leaving a confused Piccolo behind.

Gohan walked into the area where everyone was sitting and eating. Piccolo was soon to join and sit down.
Gohan glanced around, noticing that the boys weren't there.
He turned to Goku, who was talking with his mouth full. He pulled his face in disgust.
"I could just kill you," Gohan said softly.
Piccolo nearly fell out of his chair, choking on the water he was drinking. Goku stopped eating, looking at his friend in concern. Gohan smirked at his former mentor. He had forgotten briefly that the man could hear him.

"Uh? Are you alright, Piccolo?" Krillin asked.
"I'm fine," Piccolo said through clenched teeth.
"What happened?" Goku asked, but was ignored.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Piccolo asked no one in particular.
"Maybe, maybe not, but it was hilarious," Gohan laughed.
Piccolo stopped, instantly recognising that laugh, it was a laugh he had adored for years and had longed to hear again for so long. But, how was it even possible? It just can't be!
"Big brother, there you are! We need your help!" Trunks yelled as he and Goten came running in.
"What is it boys?" Gohan asked.
"Just c'mon!" Trunks said and pulled him away, explaining their plan as they went.