Chapter 3
Wake me up inside
Call my name
And save me from the dark
It was about 3:00 that morning before Gohan and Videl pulled into the parking lot of the rundown three-story apartment complex that Videl lived in. Gohan pulled into an empty parking space, put the car in park and turned off the ignition. Gohan looked down at a sleeping Videl, who was resting her head on Gohan�s shoulder. Gohan smiled. He didn�t want to wake her, but he knew he had to. Gohan bent his head down so it was inches from Videl�s ear. �Videl wake up, you�re home.� Gohan whispered.
Videl stirred slightly and Gohan watched as Videl�s eyes fluttered open. Videl opened her eyes to the sight of Gohan�s face. Videl smiled. For some odd reason Videl wished she could wake up to see that face every morning. Videl smiled again, but her thoughts were abruptly halted as she heard the driver�s car door open and then close hard. Videl looked to see Gohan get out of the car, walk over to her side of the cart and open the door on her side. As Gohan opened the car door he extended his hand to Videl. Gohan smiled down at Videl, who looked questioningly up at him. �Come on, it�s alright.� Gohan said in a caring voice just like a parent would speak to a frightened child.
Videl slowly extended her hand out to Gohan�s awaiting one. She hesitantly took Gohan�s had. Videl had been afraid to trust anyone for over two years and she was even wearier now after tonight. However when Videl took Gohan�s hand she felt a sort of safety and protection that Gohan�s hand could only seem to hold. Gohan took hold of Videl�s hand and helped her out of the car. Videl held on to Gohan�s hand as if it were her only lifeline as she led the way to the front door of her bottom floor apartment. When they arrived Videl took her key out of her pocket and inserted it into the keyhole of the slightly rusted door handle. Videl turned the lay and then pushing the door open. Videl would have taken the key out lock and turned the doorknob, but the knob was broken and the only way to open the door was to turn the key and then shove the door open. Videl walked into the small space that she called her kitchen, Gohan following behind her. Videl though her on the table and then looked over at the clock on the wall. �Damn it�s already after 3:00. There�s no way I�m going to get any shut eye tonight.� Videl said then sighing.
Gohan, who had been quietly standing near the front door, now spoke. �Um, Videl, I don�t know if you want these, but here�s your car keys.�
Videl turned to face Gohan. �Oh thanks. I�m sorry I�ve been a little funky tonight, but with everything that has happened, but I suppose it�s to be expected huh.� Videl said as she than began walking away from Gohan and heading to the living room.
Gohan followed her into the living room. Videl went to the small closet that dwelled at the beginning of the hallway. There she pulled out a mostly flattened pillow and what looked to Gohan to be a carefully hand stitched blanket. Videl closed the closet door and tossed the blanket to Gohan. Videl then took the pillow and began fluffing it. The once pancake pillow now was nice and full as if it had been brought back to life. Videl then put the pillow on the end of the couch. She then took the blanket from Gohan and unfolded it. �I know this isn�t much of a bed, but the couch is more comfortable than it looks. Be careful with this blanket too.� Videl said.
�Why so protective of the blanket?� Gohan asked curiously.
�Because it belonged to my mother. That�s why.� Videl said as she began to leave the room.
As Videl left the room she heard a voice call her name. �What Gohan?�
�Videl, I know this might sound like a stupid question, but are you going to be alright?� Gohan asked.
Videl didn�t answer for a while, but when she did her words said what she had been thinking. �Yeah, I�ll be alright. I just thought I could take care of myself earlier. I guess I was wrong.�
Videl then looked down at the floor, as if sad about something, but before Gohan could anything Videl left the room quickly and walked down the hall to her room. Gohan sighed after the door closed. He thin took off his jacket and shirt, laying them across the back of the couch. He then took his shoes and sock off before lying down on the couch. Gohan put his hand behind his head and stared up at the dark ceiling. Before falling asleep he called out, �goodnight Videl.�
Gohan waited for several minutes, waiting for an answer, but none came. Gohan sighed again, turning on his side and bring the blanket to his chin. Gohan lay there awhile longer, sleep finally claiming him. However just before his eyes closed he heard a faint, �goodnight Gohan.�
That night Videl dreamed it had been so long since she had dreamed that she thought that she had forgotten how to dream. That night Videl dreamed of something she never thought she�d dream about. That night she dreamed of a person. However that person was a tall black shadow. The shadow seemed to be calling her name, but Videl wasn�t sure if she would follow that darkness or stay where she was. The endless calling got to her thought and Videl couldn�t help but follow. The shadow led her down a narrow path. At the end of the path Videl could see a tunnel of light. �Videl.� The shadow called in a ghostly voice as it stepped into the light.
�Who are you?� Videl asked as she continued to step slowly towards the light at the end. �You will come to know soon enough.� The shadow answered.
�Why are you here?� Videl asked.
�To save you.� The shadow replied, �Come give me your hand.�
�Save me from what?� Videl asked.
�The darkness.�
Videl hesitated, but cautiously took the shadow�s hand. The shadow then pulled her into the light and placed its shadowy lips upon hers
Videl�s eyes shot open. She sat up straight and looked over at the old alarm clock with the broken snooze button. �Ugh, 5:31. Great only two hours of sleep and I start dreaming all of a sudden.� Videl groaned as she got out of bed and felt her way across the room to the light switch.
When Videl reached the switch she flipped it, illuminating the room in a dim light. Videl sighed and opened her door walking across the dark hall to the bathroom. Videl closed the door and turned on the light in the bathroom. Videl then turned on the cold-water clear water spitted and sputtered before coming out of the faucet. Videl splashed some on her face and then reached the thin towel and dried her face. Videl turned off the light and headed back to her room. She started crossing the hall, but then she heard a noise coming from the living room. Videl became curious yet cautious as she ventured down the darkened hall. When Videl reached the living room she flipped on the hallway switch. The light from the hallway came into the living room, lighting it slightly. Videl saw Gohan on the couch. At the sight of him there Videl mentally slapped herself. She had forgotten that Gohan was staying the night. The noise coming from the room was nothing more than Gohan snoring. Videl smiled turned off the light. It was now 5:38.
Gohan dreamed that night. Gohan dreamed may times, almost every night, but he couldn�t seem to remember his dreams in much detail. However this time he was bound to always remember the dream he had that night.
Gohan appeared in an endless white room. The room seemed to have no walls, floors or ceilings for that matter. Gohan wasn�t sure if he was upside down or right side up. He started walking, not sure where his destination was. Suddenly a dark vortex appeared out of nowhere. Out of the black vortex came a shining figure that appeared to be in shape of that of a woman. Gohan, who was surprised was abler to regain some composure and looked at the shining amongst the black vortex. The figure reached out its hand and spoke in a ghost like voice. �Please, help me.�
Gohan raised an eyebrow. �Help you with what?�
The shining figure looked back at the swallowing blackness behind it and then turned back at Gohan. �Please, save me.�
The vortex then sucked the figure into its darkness. Gohan could hear a shrill scream. Then all was silent as the vortex closed, leaving a confused Gohan in its wake.
Gohan woke up and moved his eyes back and forth, making sure he was still in the same room he had fallen asleep in. He then looked at his wrist where his watch was. Gohan pressed a button that made the watch�s surface light up. Gohan sighed. �5:41, great I�ve only been asleep a couple of hours, and I have classes tomorrow.�
Gohan sat up, kicking the blanket off of him. He rubbed his eyes before getting up and heading for the bathroom to splash some cold water on his face. Gohan then remembered that he didn�t know where the bathroom was and he did not wish to wake up Videl to ask her where it was unless it was and absolute emergency. Gohan instead went to the kitchen where he saw the kitchen sink. Gohan walked dup to the rusted old sink and turned the cold-water handle. Water came gushing out. Gohan put his hands under the faucet only to quickly pull them back for hot water had startled him. Gohan turned off the cold-water tap. He then looked at the hot water tap. Gohan turned that on and put his hand under the faucet once more. Cold water formed a puddle in his cupped hands, Gohan splashed the cold water from the hot tap on his face. Gohan dried his face with a paper towel and went back to bed. However before Gohan could settle back down he heard a faint sound coming from Videl�s room. Gohan stopped moving and listened again. There her heard it again. It must have been Videl. Gohan walked down the hall and knocked quietly on the door. �Videl is are you alright?� Gohan asked barely above a whisper.
No answer came so Gohan figured she was asleep and he was hearing things. Gohan was about to leave when he heard the noise again only this time it was much more violent sounding. Gohan knocked on the door again. �Videl is everything alright.�
Again no answer came. This time Gohan didn�t leave for he had a distinct feeling that something was no right. Gohan tried the doorknob only to find it locked. Gohan pounded on the door. �Videl what�s wrong? Come on open up!� Gohan shouted.
Without waiting for a response g9ohan made a fist and punched through the door. His splintered hand felt for the knob on the other side. When he found it Gohan unlocked the door from the inside and then pushed the door open. The sight that caught his eyes immediately angered him beyond anything. There stood Videl and Antonio behind her, him holding a long sharp knife around her neck. �Don�t even think about taking one more step, or she�ll be speaking through a second mouth.� Antonio said as he held the knife painfully close to Videl�s neck.
Gohan looked at Antonio with a deadly stare. �I�m warning you, let Videl go now.� Gohan said as he tried desperately to not let anger and the protect Videl take over him.
Antonio laughed evilly. �Pathetic fool, what do you think you can do to save her?�
Gohan couldn�t hold it back any longer. The feelings he felt at that moment became too much for him to handle. Gohan became blinded by his emotions as the ground below them began to shake. Gohan balled his hands into fist, his eyes turned to greenish-blue and his hair rose as it turned from black to blonde. Thunder could be heard from outside, just as well as lightening could be seen. Gohan finished his transformation, being able to take control of himself once more. Antonio, once confident and unemotional was unsure of what was happening and felt fear grip him as he held the knife tighter to Videl�s neck. Gohan lifted his head and looked with cod turquoise eyes at both a frightened Antonio and Videl. �Pathetic fool huh? You�re the pathetic one for even thinking that you could get away with this. You should have listened to me when I told you not to ever come near Videl again or that you would regret it. Well now you�re going to pay for it.� Gohan said almost as if the voice wasn�t his, but that of another persons.
Antonio was somehow able to muster the strength to swallow his fear and represent to Gohan his former composition, which was that of cool and calm. Antonio griped the hilt of the knife with white knuckles as he forced the blade against Videl�s skin. The blade�s sharp edge now indenting itself dangerously into its intended victim. �Look boy, I�m serious, you take one more step and it�s the end of your precious little jewel.�
Gohan froze right where he was. How to get Videl away from Antonio so that he could grind him into a giant bloody pulp? Gohan concentrated on the knife. Videl�s skin finally gave under the pressure of the sharp blade. Videl felt the edge beginning to slowly pierce her skin. Gohan saw a small trickle of blood come from the blade. That was enough. Gohan was once again overcome by anger as he ran forward with blinding speed. Antonio didn�t even notice that Gohan had run behind him. �Time to die you bastard!� Came a cold voice, from behind Antonio.
Antonio slowly turned his head, for fear had once again taken over him. Antonio�s suddenly yelled in pain as a pale skinned hand came seemingly out of thin air and squeezed the hand that was holding the knife. The knife dropped to the floor as another blood curdling yell filled the room, which was followed by the sound of crushing bone. Antonio yelled once more as he felt his hand become smashed as Gohan�s hand continued to put tremendous pressure upon it. Gohan squeezed until he could feel that every bone in Antonio�s hand was either broken or completely crushed to dust. Gohan released Antonio and then pushed him hard to the floor. Antonio began to cry in pain as he cradled his completely ruined right hand with his slightly damaged left one, which Gohan had injured at the bar. Gohan kicked Antonio as hard as could without actually killing him. Gohan wanted to make Antonio pay for what he had done to Videl. Antonio grunted in pain as he flew from where Gohan had kicked him to the hallway wall, leaving a deep indention in the wall�s surface. Gohan walked over to Antonio, knelt down on one knee and grabbed Antonio roughly by the neck as he raised his free hand into the air to form a fist. �Now you will pay for what you have done. You will pay with your life.�
Gohan�s hold on Antonio�s neck tightened as his fist began to descend upon Antonio�s face. However before Gohan could end the life of the person writhed beneath him Gohan felt a strong grip hold itself upon his forearm. Gohan looked back, his teeth gritted from anger at the person who dared interrupt the task laid before him. At the sight of that person Gohan�s anger immediately disappeared. �Gohan please, don�t do it.� Videl pleaded.
�But he�s harmed you twice. That I can not let happen to you again or anyone else.� Gohan said.
�Gohan please. It�s not worth it don�t lower yourself to his level by taking his life. Then you would just be repeating what he has already done.�
�But-�
�Gohan, please. Besides there are far more worse things than death.� Videl said.
She was right and Gohan knew it. Any man knew what she had just said was true whether they had experienced it or not. Gohan undid his fist and let go of Antonio�s neck. Videl helped Gohan up as they both heard Antonio cough. Gohan looked down at Videl. He tilted her head slightly to examine the place on her neck where the blade had been. All that he could see was a knick, which had already clotted. �Videl I�m sorry. I promise that will never happen again.�
However Gohan�s words were ignored as he felt a hand begin to fiddle with a lock of his blonde hair, almost as if examining it. Videl, who had first been horrified at the strange transformation Gohan had preformed, now was intrigued and curious by it. Videl looked up at Gohan�s eyes as she continued to fiddle with Gohan�s lock of hair. �Videl, did you here what I said?� Gohan asked.
Videl shook her head slightly as she came out of her dream world at the sound of her name. �Yeah, sorry.� Videl said as she removed her hand from Gohan�s hair.
Gohan smiled. �Videl you have to leave this place. It�s not safe for you here any longer. I don�t want you to get hurt again.� Gohan said in a concerned tone.
Videl looked up at Gohan then looked away. �Gohan I know and I wish I could, but I can�t. I have no where else I can go.�
�But don�t you have any family? A boyfriend? Someone-�
�Don�t ever mention those words again.� Videl interrupted in a cold tone.
Gohan gave Videl a confused look. He wanted to protest, but did not for the look she was giving him was one that could kill. �Well at least come stay with me� wait, I got it!� Gohan said excitedly.
�What?� Videl asked.
�You could stay with my mom and brother. I�ve needed to pay them a visit and I could bring you. I�ll tell my mom that you are a friend of mine and that you just need a place to say for a little while.� Gohan replied.
Videl gave Gohan a worried look. �Gohan I appreciate it, but I really don�t want to intrude.�
�Don�t worry about it. Mom always welcome�s with open arms.�
Videl thought about Gohan�s proposal. There was no way that he would let her get out of this. However it had been over two years since she had any contact with the world and she had grown accustomed to it being that way. Now that Gohan was in a way forcing her to live among others again was something that Videl wasn�t sure she could do. �What about your dad, will he agree to it?� Videl asked.
Gohan, who had been all excited and smiling, now wore a frown upon his face and a sad look in his eyes. �My father is dead, he has been for a long time.�
Videl gave Gohan an apologetic look. �I�m sorry.� Videl said as she touched Gohan�s arm.
Gohan flinched at her gentle touch as he tried to hold back the oncoming tears.
�Pack your things. I�ll be her at 8:00 a.m. to pick you up. it�s a long drive. Want to be there at a decent time.� Gohan said.
Gohan then turned and walked out of the room, picking Antonio up by the back of his as he dragged him across the floor. Videl walked at fast to catch up to Gohan, who was almost at the door. �Gohan wait.� Videl said as she held Gohan�s shoulder and turned him around to face her.
Gohan looked down at her, frowning. �Where are you taking him?� Videl asked.
Gohan looked down at Antonio. �Thought I�d drag him over to the police on my way home.� Gohan said.
�How are you going to get home?� Videl asked.
�I�ll drop this bastard off then I�ll go back to the bar and get my car and drive home. I should be there in about an hour.� Gohan said as he turned to leave.
He was again held back. Videl tuned Gohan back around again and looked up into his eyes. �Before you go I just wanted to say, thanks. Thanks for everything. I don�t know how I can repay you, but somehow I will.� Videl said.
Gohan looked down at Videl, as he finally was able to muster a smile. �Don�t worry about it. Later.� Gohan said he opened the door and left. Videl watched as Gohan left. She then closed the door, went back to her room, and packed what little she had. She got dressed and gathered what money she had. She went down to the apartment complex�s main office and paid most of the money shad had to the manager for rent. Videl then went and sat on a bench and waited there for Gohan. He arrived as he said he would at 8:00 a.m. Videl put her suitcase in the backseat and got in the front seat. Gohan put the car in drive and away they went. As they left the city limits of Satan City Videl felt a huge weight being lifted from her. Even though she was leaving once again from the life she had lead she felt that this life she was about to begin would be for the better. She felt prepared for the hardships ahead or so she thought. However little did Videl know that even though life for her had ended in the darkness physically, she would still have to come out of the darkness mentally. She would have to come out of the darkness and allow herself to be saved by Gohan. To be loved by Gohan.
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I�ve become
- Evanescence
Chapter 4
Frozen inside without
Your touch without
Your love darling
They had been on the road for nearly five hours. In that time Videl had asked about how Gohan had done the little stunt he pulled back at her apartment and why. Gohan had taken most of the 5 hours explaining this incredible story to her. Most of Videl didn�t wan to believe it, but a small part of her wanted too. To make a very long story much shorter Gohan had told her he was half alien and that why he had done what he did only happened when the need to protect the people important in his life surfaced within him.
Now for the last fifteen minutes Videl had been trying to take in what Gohan had told her and pondering on this story presented questions to her. Aliens? Most unlikely. Gohan is probably just sort of mental. However how does that explain that weird transformation come into play? I saw something similar at the beginning of the broadcast of the Cell Games, but those guys already had gold hair and dad once said it was a trick. What did Gohan mean by he only makes that transformation when the need to protect the people important to him surfaces? Am I that important to him that he cares about me? I�m just a bartender. Who would care about someone who does that for a living? Videl thought to herself as they continued to drive down the road.
Gohan could see the tiny house that he called home coming into view. �Hey Videl, we�re almost there.� Gohan said as he smiled at the site of the only home he ever knew.
When no answer came for the passenger side of the care Gohan glanced over to see Videl just staring straight ahead. Gohan shook his head and then put his hand on Videl�s shoulder. �Hey Videl.� Gohan repeated.
Videl awakened from her thoughts and looked over at Gohan. �What?� Videl asked.
�I said we�re almost there.�
Gohan then pointed to the small white domed shaped house that they were approaching fast.
There was no driveway present so Gohan drove up the grassy hillside and parked close to the house. Gohan helped Videl out of the car and they both walked up0 the pathway to the front door. Gohan knocked on the door. The two waited for a few minutes for an answer, but when none came Gohan started to walk away. �Where are you going?� Videl asked as she followed Gohan.
�They�re probably in the backyard.� Gohan replied.
Gohan and Videl walked the short distance around the small house and stopped when they came into the backyard. A small boy about the age of seven was the first to look up. As soon as he spotted Gohan his face lit up. He then turned to an older looking woman. �Hey mom Gohan�s home!� The young child said excitedly.
The older woman turned from the clothesline that had been occupying her attention as a wide smile crossed her lips. �Gohan?� The small boy shouted excitedly as he ran at Gohan.
Gohan smiled as he bent down and opened his arms to the child. The boy then jumped into Gohan�s awaiting arms. �Hey squirt.� Gohan said as he lifted the boy onto his shoulders.
�Gohan you home!� cried the ecstatic woman as she to came towards Gohan.
�Hey mom!� Gohan said excitedly as he gave the woman a big hug.
As Gohan�s family rejoiced at the sight of seeing each other once more Videl couldn�t help, but think of her own family. She quickly reminded herself of why she left though and shoved the thought away. After Gohan�s mother and what Videl took as his brother were done hugging and squeezing the life out of Gohan they finally turned to see who the mysterious girl Gohan had with him was. �Mom, this is Videl.� Gohan said as he looked from his mother to Videl.
�Hello Videl, it�s very nice to meet you. My name is Chichi.� Chichi said as she extended her hand.
Videl took Chichi�s hand and shook it. �Nice to meet you ma�am.� Videl replied.
�Oh please, call me Chichi.�
�Ok.� Videl said.
�Don�t forget me Gohan!� the young boy said.
�Oh yeah, this is my brother, Goten.� Gohan said as he ruffled Goten�s hair.
Videl bent down so her face was level with Goten�s. �Hello there. It�s nice to meet you.� Videl said as she extended her hand to Goten.
�Hi! Are you Gohan�s new girlfriend?� Goten asked curiously.
Gohan blushed as he looked down at his brother. Videl noticed the blush on Gohan�s face and couldn�t help but smirk. �No Goten I�m not Gohan�s girlfriend. I�m just a friend.� Videl said.
Goten looked confused. �Well if you�re not his girlfriend then are you his boyfriend?�
Videl was confused for a minute before realizing what Goten meant. She couldn�t help but chuckle at that. �Well if you put it that way, than yes I�m one of Gohan�s girl friends.� Videl said.
�Oh, ok.� Goten replied still a little confused.
After everyone had exchanged their greetings Chichi led Gohan, Videl and Goten inside the house. They appeared in the kitchen and Gohan sat down at the kitchen table, as did Videl along with Goten. Chichi proceeded to the refrigerator and opened it. �Well Gohan I�m taking it you�re hungry after the long drive so I�ll fix you and Videl something for lunch.� Chichi said as she peeked into the refrigerator and began looking for something for her boy and his friend to eat. �Thanks Mom.� Gohan said.
�I�m fine thank you.� Videl said.
Chichi�s head appeared out of the refrigerator. Her eyes wide with surprise and shock, as if she�d never heard Videl�s words spoken before by anyone. �Nothing to eat? Oh, dear, but you must be hungry.� Chichi said.
�No I�m fine.� Videl said.
�Gohan looked over at Videl. �But Videl, you haven�t eaten in a while. Mom makes a plate for Videl too. Here let me help you.� Gohan said as he got up to help his mother.
�No Gohan, honestly, I�m-�
�Videl please eat lunch with us. Gohan and his brother eat a ton anyway. I don�t think it�s going to be a hassle to feed one more. Just please stay and have lunch with us.� Chichi said.
Chichi then pulled what looked to Videl to be a giant bucket of rice. Chichi then reached back into the refrigerator to pull other various ingredients out. �Gohan, why don�t you go get a fish.� Chichi said as she opened a cupboard door and pulled out a large black frying pan to cook the rice in.
�Ok, be back soon.� Gohan said as he got up and began to walk to the front door.
�Gohan, can I come huh, huh?� Goten asked.
�Sure, Videl do you want to come too?� Gohan asked.
�Yeah then we can show Videl how big the fish are!� Goten said excitedly.
�How big are they?� Videl asked smiling for she was amused by the child�s excitement.
�Uh�� Goten paused to think as he put his finger on his chin, �this big!� Goten said as he stretched his arms out all the way.
�Wow, that�s pretty big.� Videl said before smiling once more at Goten�s awesome display of cuteness.
�Alright Mom, we�re going to go now. Be back in a little bit.� Gohan said as he pulled a giant fish net from the closet.
When Videl saw the net her eyes were wide with disbelief. �Wow those fish must be big.� Videl said as she took in the size of the net.
�Told you they were big.� Goten said cheerfully as he followed Gohan out the front door.
Videl followed slowly behind them, still not sure of what to make of the situation.
All three walked out the door and down the grassy hill and headed towards the river. Gohan walked ahead with the fish net dangling over his right shoulder and a grin on his face. Goten hopped and scurried every which way every once in awhile to try and catch an animal that passed in their path. Videl was in the rear. She was awed by the beauty of the forest and various forms of nature that presented themselves to her. She had never been in such a heavily wooded area before since the city and its streets of concrete and stone had always been her way of life. Gohan, Goten and Videl reached the river about fifteen minutes later. It wasn�t really a big river, just big enough to sustain life. Gohan put the net down and began undressing his upper body when Goten interrupted. �Gohan let me catch the fish, please.� Goten begged.
�Oh alright.� Gohan said as he put his shirt back on.
�YAY!� Goten shouted excitedly as he took the top half of his gi off and jumped into the water.
Not five minutes later Goten had successfully caught a giant blue fish. Gohan held the net so that Goten could put the fish into it. Goten then climbed out of the water and put his gi shirt back on. �Ok, let�s go.� Gohan said as he got up.
�That was fast.� Was Videl could say.
She was still taking in how Goten had caught a fish 3 times his size with his bare hands. The three walked back to the house. Gohan put the fish on a giant skillet and then put the net away. �Gohan, let�s go outside and spar!� Goten said.
�Ok. Mom me and Goten will be outside, call us when lunch is ready.� Gohan said as he and Goten went back outside.
Back inside the Son House Videl watched from the dining table as fried the huge amount of rice and cooked the fish at the same time. Chichi came towards the table a few minutes later. Before she sat down though she went to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of water as she then started pouring some in a glass. �Would you like something to drink Videl?� Chichi asked as she finished pouring her glass of water.
�Water please.� Videl said.
Chichi went to the cupboard, standing on her tiptoes, and pulled out another glass. She then poured water for Videl and set the glasses down at the table before sitting down herself. The house was now quiet except for the frying sound coming from the two pans on the stove. Chichi was the first to speak. �So� how old are you Videl?� Chichi asked.
�I�m 21.� Videl replied.
�Oh so you and Gohan must go to the same school. Is that where you two met?� Chichi asked.
�Actually I�m not going to school. I graduated from Orange Star High School. After that I moved away and began working.� Videl said, not wanting to tell the woman too much.
�Oh�so where do you work?� Chichi asked.
�I work at a bar.� Videl said.
�So where did you and Gohan meet?� Chichi asked.
�Actually that�s where we met was at the bar.� Videl said.
�Really, now long have you known each other?� Chichi asked.
�Oh, a couple of weeks. We met at the bar one night when I was working,� Videl said as she saw the look on Chichi�s face and she knew exactly what Chichi was thinking, �he came in that night after some classes of his. He ordered a-�
�Yes what did my son order. It wouldn�t have been anything with alcohol in it would it now?� Chichi asked as she continued to stare at Videl.
�Uh, no, he ordered a root beer. We talked for about an hour, then he left.� Videl said.
�That�s it?� Chichi asked somewhat amazed.
�Yeah.� Videl said.
�What happened next?� Chichi asked as she put her chin on her hand.
�He came back next week and that was it.� Videl said, not wanting to talk about the rest.
�That�s it? So you talk to my son a couple of times and then he brings you home. You guys must be close.� Chichi said before talking another drink of her water.
Videl gave Chichi a disapproving look at her last comment. �Actually no.�
�Then do you have a-�
�No.� Videl cut in abruptly.
Chichi was taken a back by Videl�s tone of voice.
�Just wondering.�
The house fell quiet once more. Chichi tried to think of something to talk about. Videl didn�t seem to like to talk about herself much. So Chichi thought she�d try talking about Gohan instead. �So Videl, what do you think of Gohan?�
Videl shrugged her shoulders. �Oh I don�t know. He�s all right, I guess. He�s kind of weird though.� Videl replied.
�What do you mean, weird?� Chichi asked as she felt her anger rise slightly from Videl talking about her son that way.
Videl didn�t pay any attention. �On the way here he told me about that he was half alien or something and that his father was part of this Saiyan race. Most of me doesn�t believe him, but yet there�s a small part of me that does.� Videl said.
�Well you should believe it.� Chichi answered.
�Why?� Videl asked.
�Because it�s true. Every word of it.�
�Well how the hell was I supposed to know?� Videl replied.
They then looked over to the door as they heard the sound of Goten and Gohan coming in. �Is lunch ready?� Goten asked.
Ten seconds later the timer went off. �Now it is.� Chichi said as she got up.
�I�ll set the table.� Gohan said.
Gohan then went to the cupboards and pulled out plates, forks, spoons and knives for everyone. �Don�t forget the cups!� Goten said excitedly as he jumped up on the counter and grabbed some cups.
After the table was set all sat around as two very hungry ones began digging in and piling their plates full of food. So much food that Videl thought the food would begin to fall off the pile that had formed on both Goten and Gohan�s plates. In the end Videl could only guess how much more the two boys had eaten then she had. So much more she guessed that it would have made a normal person explode. �Ah, thanks Mom. That was great.� Gohan said as he looked down at his now full stomach and smiled in satisfaction.
�Yeah Mommy that was the best! You�re the greatest mommy in the whole entire world!� Goten said excitedly as he outstretched his arms in emphasis.
Chichi smiled. �Why thank you Goten. Now you know what you two boys could do that would make you the two greatest sons in the world?�
�What Mama? What can me and Gohan do?� Goten asked excitedly as Gohan just shook his head and sighed.
�You can help me wash dishes.� Chichi replied.
Goten thought for a moment. �Ok.�
Gohan sighed. He wanted to protest, but he didn�t want to have to face the wrath of Chichi for he knew all to well what the results were after Chichi�s Wrath had been inflicted upon a person. Videl watched as the large piles of dishes were carried by Goten and Gohan to be washed. All to simple to put it, they were victims of their own appetite. An hour and a half later all the dishes were done. Gohan and chichi sat down at the kitchen table while Goten went outside to catch some wild creature. This finally left Gohan to talk to his mother about Videl staying with her and Goten for a little while. �Mom there�s something I must talk to you about.�
�What is it Gohan?� Chichi asked.
�Well I was wondering if it would be alright if Videl stayed here with you and Goten for a little while.� Gohan replied.
�Why?�
�Well, something unexpected came up and Videl needs a place to stay just for a little while.�
Chichi was silent for a moment. �I know that there�s not that much room here Mom, but Videl doesn�t need much.� Gohan said as he looked over at Videl.
�No not at all. I�ll even pitch in and do my share around here. I�ll even pay rent.� Videl said.
Chichi turned her head to look at both Videl and Gohan. �Well it�s fine with me. Does you family know that you�ll be staying here? Why don�t you call and tell them.� Chichi suggested.
At the sound of Chichi�s words Videl�s face went from that of somewhat happy, to that of dark and angry. Videl glared daggers at Chichi. �I really don�t care to call.� Videl said.
Chichi�s smile faded and fear gathered in her features at the sound of Videl�s voice. �Well, ok then. That�s fine with me.� Chichi said as she quickly got up from the table and left.
Gohan looked over at Videl. He could see by the look in her eyes that there was something wrong. �Videl what�s wrong?�
�Nothing is wrong.� Videl said in a tone that Gohan did not agree with.
�Videl, what�s wrong? Is this about what Mom asked?�
Videl looked at Gohan. �I don�t want to talk about it.�
�It is isn�t it?� What is it?� Is your family gone? There must be a relative, friend, boyfri-�
�I said I don�t want to talk about it! They don�t need me and I don�t need them. I loved one, but I love no more!� Videl yelled.
She then got up and ran out the front door, leaving Gohan all by himself. Gohan was mad at himself for making Videl angry with him, but her statement also puzzled him. Gohan got up from the table and went to the door. He then decided there was only one thing he could do to help Videl. �Maybe Bulma can help.� Gohan said to himself as he took to the air.
Gohan headed towards Capsule Corp. He was about too dwell into a part of Videl that she wanted no one to know about. What Gohan would find out would be far more than he expected and there would be only one way he could help her. Gohan would have to fall in love with her.
Only you are
The life among the dead
- Evanescence
Chapter 5
My spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there
Gohan could see Capsule Corp. coming into view. It had seemed like years since Gohan had been to the place. Capsule Corp. seemed the same except for a few new additions. Gohan landed on the large front lawn. He then proceeded to the front door of the dome shaped building where Bulma and her family stayed. Gohan knocked on the door, which was immediately opened by a young boy with lavender colored hair. �Hi Gohan.� the boy greeted.
�Hey Trunks. How are you?� Gohan asked.
�I�m ok. I�m better when dad isn�t trying to spar me to death. Something about that I must always be stronger than Kakkarott�s brat.� Trunks said as he tried to sound like his father.
Sounds like Vegeta Gohan thought to himself.
�Who�s here?� asked a voice from inside the house.
�It�s Gohan, Dad.� Trunks said as he rolled he eyes.
A man with spiky black hair then came to the door. When compared in size Gohan was taller, but looks are deceiving.
�What do you want baka?� Vegeta asked in a voice that would have scared most people away.
�Actually I need to talk to Bulma.�
�Why?� Vegeta asked as he crossed his arms over his chest, blocking Gohan�s path.
�I need her help to dig up some info on a friend of mine.� Gohan replied.
�Why?�
�Because-�
�Vegeta will you lay off of it already! I swear to Kami every time someone comes to the door you have to question why they�re here.� said a bluish haired woman.
�Well excuse me woman for wanting to try and make sure some freaked insane psycho doesn�t try to come and kill you and the brat.� Vegeta replied.
�Vegeta, you�re way to paranoid.� Bulma said as she came to the front door.
�Humph, fine then don�t come crying to me when some baka weirdo comes and beats you within an inch of you life. I�ll be in the GR room. Don�t bother me unless it�s an absolute life or death situation.�
�Or when supper is ready.� Bulma added.
�That to.� Vegeta replied.
With that Vegeta left dragging trunks by the collar behind him. Bulma finally turned to Gohan and smiled. �Sorry about that Gohan. I swear sometimes I wish I never would have fallen for that man.�
�Yes you do.� Gohan replied.
�Your right, I guess, but at times I wish I could beat him.� Bulma said as she ground her fist into her open palm.
Gohan chuckled. �So what can I do for you? Must be something important if you didn�t bring your brother along.� Bulma said as she noticed that gotten wasn�t with him.
�Well yes it is kind of important. You see I have a friend and I have a feeling that she�s not telling me everything about a certain something.� Gohan said.
�Oh, snooping into someone�s private life without them knowing. I like it. Follow me.� Bulma said as she motioned for Gohan to follow her.
Gohan closed the door and followed Bulma through a series of narrow hallways that turned every which way. Finally after fifteen minutes of walking in various directions Bulma came to a small white door, which was only code accessible. Bulma looked around her to make sure Gohan and her were the only one�s in the hall. �Close your eyes.� Bulma said.
Gohan obeyed and put his hands over his hands. Gohan could here some buttons being pushed and then a hissing sound. �Ok you can open them.� Bulma said.
Bulma then walked through the door and Gohan had to duck slightly to through the door because of his height. Gohan stood up straight again only to be confronted by a large computer monitor the size of a movie theater screen. �What is this place?� Gohan asked as he looked around the gigantic room in awe.
�I�ll tell you only if you promise not to tell another living soul.� Bulma said as she looked up at Gohan.
�I promise.� Gohan said.
�Ok. Well many people do not know this place and my father and I built this place years ago. What this machine basically does is give us any type of information on anyone on this entire planet. Human and alien alike.�
�Wow.�
�So who do you want to find the dirt on?� Bulma asked as she sat at the computer and turned it on.
�Well I need to find some background information on a friend of mine. Her name is Videl.� Gohan said.
�Gohan could you maybe narrow it down a little bit.� Bulma said.
�Oh, well she has short black hair, blue eyes. She�s about 5�5�. Oh and she lived in the Satan City suburbs.� Gohan said.
�That�s all? No last name?� Bulma asked.
�She never told me her last name.� Gohan replied.
�Well ok guess this will have to do.� Bulma said as she typed in the information that Gohan had given her.
She then pressed the search button. Thirty seconds later the computer came up with six matches. �Well this is it. You recognize any of them?� Bulma asked.
Gohan examined the faces of the six girls before pointing up at one. �That one, the third one down. That�s Videl.� Gohan said.
Bulma clicked on the image and a whole bunch of info popped up on the Videl that Gohan knew. �Whoa, her dad is Hercule Satan. Better watch out Gohan.� Bulma said sarcastically.
�Yeah I better.� Gohan replied as he frowned at the picture of Hercule Satan.
Bulma scrolled down to the very bottom to see the latest information on Videl. �Hmm, reportedly she�s been missing for two years now. Her last known site was by her father who said that she left for an unknown reason. He also said that her boyfriend was the last one she was with other than him. Hmm.� Bulma said as she began thinking.
Bulma scrolled down a little further and clicked on the picture of her boyfriend. A profile popped up of the longhaired, blonde, brown-eyed young man.
�Hmm, age 21. Current residence is Satan City. Last known girlfriend was Videl Satan a little over two years ago.� Bulma said as she read aloud the info to Gohan.
Bulma clicked on an old newspaper article that was around the same time of Videl�s absence. �Police interviewed Mr. Sharpner about Videl�s last known whereabouts. Sharpner said that the night she came home he had been with a lady friend. Videl took things the wrong way and left in a raging fit. I�m sure.� Bulma said.
Gohan thought about what he now knew. So Videl must have left because of Sharpner Gohan thought to himself.
He then thought about the last words that Videl had yelled rather than said to him. �I loved once, but I love no more.�
Gohan then put two and two together. It was all clear to him now. He needed to speak with Videl right away. Gohan got up and ran for the door. �Wait Gohan, where are you going?� Bulma asked.
�I have to speak with Videl.� Gohan answered.
�But don�t you want more information?�
�No thanks Bulma. I owe you one.� Gohan called before running out the door and down the hall.
Gohan ran in different directions down the hallways before finally reaching the front door. He opened it and ran out. He then jumped into the air. Gohan blasted off at full speed needing to get back home as quickly as possible. Gohan was there in record timing. He ran through the front door only to face a surprised Chichi and Goten. �Where�s Videl?� Gohan asked frantically.
�She�s in the back.� Chichi said.
�Thanks.� Gohan said.
He quickly ran back out the door and around the back of the house. When her reached the backyard Gohan spotted Videl sitting in the grass looking at the setting sun, her back tuned to Gohan. Gohan walked up behind Videl quietly for he didn�t want to disturb her. Videl stared at setting sun before her. She was silently wishing that all parts of her life could be this peaceful and beautiful. She then had a feeling that someone was behind her. Videl turned around only to be looking up at Gohan. �Gohan what are you doing here?� Videl asked, as she was surprised to see Gohan standing here before her.
Gohan sat down in the grass next to Videl. He then looked from Videl up at the now starry sky, all the while a smile was present on his face. �Have you ever seen the starts so beautiful? You just stare up there can�t help, but be memorized in the stars� beauty. I�ve always wondered though what goes on behind that beauty,� Gohan said as he looked back down at Videl, �if something so beautiful exists then why do they hide themselves during the day. It�s almost as if they�re in doubt about something. Maybe that�s why the stars only shine at night so that they can hide that doubt behind the blackened sky.�
Videl looked at Gohan in confusion. �Gohan, what the hell are you talking about?� Videl asked.
Gohan, who was back looking up at the stars didn�t answer Videl, but just continued. �It�s almost like some people in the world. They put on a smile and you think everything is ok with them. However that person could be hiding their doubt behind that smile which is why they only smile while other are present. Any other time that person is caught in his or her own shadow of doubt. Some could be caught in the shadow of doubt of whether or not their life is worth living. Others in the shadow of doubt of whether it�s worth taking someone else�s life. Still there are others who are caught in that shadow of doubt to ever love again.� Gohan said as he looked over at Videl.
Videl, who was confused about what Gohan was talking about, returned his gaze. �Gohan what the hell are you talking about?� Videl asked again.
�I�m talking about you Videl. I�m talking about you and the reason why you left your family and friends.� Gohan said.
Videl felt shock wash over her. How did Gohan know? No one other than herself was supposed to know. �H-how did you know?� Videl said, still in shock.
�I have my ways. Why did you do it though? Was it because you were afraid to love again? To face your boyfriend again?� Gohan asked.
Videl felt hot, salty tears sting her eyes. �That is none of your business!� Videl answered angrily.
�Please Videl, let me help you. You need to move on. You can�t let this type of thing get to you, if you do it will destroy you. Please tell me. I want to help you. Let me help you.� Gohan pleaded.
�How the hell could you help me? He would you know? Have you ever had your heart used, played with and the stomped on like it was a toy? Have you ever loved someone and you thought they truly loved you, but everything you thought to be was only a big fat lie?� Videl asked angrily as she let her tears fall a little faster.
Gohan looked down at the ground. She was right. Gohan had never even been in love. Gohan didn�t even no what love felt like. The only piece of advice on the subject tat Gohan had ever gotten on the subject was from his father before he had died. Gohan didn�t know it at the time, but his father had known that he wouldn�t see his son for a long time after that day. So to make up for that time when he would be gone Goku gave a then young Gohan all the advice on life that he could offer. Goku had said to Gohan to live everyday as if it were your last because you never know what tomorrow would bring. He had also said to never let anything get you down. One of the last things Goku had told his son was the night before the Cell Games. His father had come to say goodnight to Gohan. That was the night Gohan had given Gohan perhaps the most important advice of all. Goku had told Gohan when he got older that he would find someone special, someone that he would want to spend the rest of his life with. He said that when Gohan found that love that he should treat them right and never let them down. Most importantly though true love was a feeling that Gohan would experience once and that he was would never experience again with anyone else other than the person found. Gohan looked back up at Videl. Even if he had never loved before he was bound to help Videl move on with her life. �No, I have never been in love before.�
�Well then how on Dende�s green Earth could you help me?� Videl questioned as she wiped her tears away with her sleeve.
�Well if you told me about what happened and why you left I could help you move on.� Gohan answered.
�What if I don�t want your help?�
Gohan sighed. �Look, don�t you want to try and move on with your life? Don�t you want to forget the shadows of your past?�
Videl nodded her head slowly. �But I also don�t want to feel the pain I did then and still do.� Videl said.
�Well then forget that to. Forget everything that ever happened between you and your past. The only way I can help you through is if you let me by telling me what really happened.� Gohan said.
Videl looked form Gohan up to the stars and back down to him. �I was a little over two years ago when I left. I didn�t want to leave my family and friends, but I had to. Sharpner wouldn�t quit bothering me. He kept insisting that he still loved me. I told him if you really loved someone then you wouldn�t cheat on them. I left, but I didn�t want to go to far. I wanted to stay close to Satan City. That�s why I lived in poverty. To be able to still live near Satan City, but low enough were people would care more about where their next meal came from then who you were. My dad tried looking for me, but he looked in all the wrong places. He eventually gave up. I guess he figured that I left for a reason and that I would return someday if I wanted. As far as Sharpner and I go we met our sophomore year and were together shortly after that. Then our senior year we rented an apartment and lived together. Once night about a month after we graduated form Orange Star High School I came home early to surprise Sharpner. It ended up her surprised me. When I went back to the bedroom I found him and another girl together. After that I just couldn�t take it. I ran. I�ve been alone ever since.� Videl said.
�You know my dad told me once before he died that true love is something you experience once and you�re sure you�ll never experience again. Now when you were with that Sharpner guy did you feel like it was true love?� Gohan asked as he looked at Videl.
�How the hell am I supposed to remember that?� Videl asked.
�Just think.� Gohan replied.
Videl groaned, but did as Gohan asked.
She tried to think back to when Sharpner and her first met. Sure she had fallen head over heels for the chiseled blonde haired boy. What girl in their school wouldn�t have? Sharpner had taken a liking to Videl right away because not even a week after school started the star jock had asked Videl out. From then on they had been together and Videl thought it would never end. Sure she loved Sharpner. She even felt at times that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. However that was in the beginning. These feelings had drastically changed after Videl had put in the first month�s rent into their new apartment. After a month of living with Sharpner she learned that he wasn�t all he appeared to be in public. She�d found her savings jar broken into one day. Three days later she went into the bathroom and found used needles and medicine bottles hidden behind the toilet. Videl confronted Sharpner about it, but he grew angry and insisted it wasn�t him. After that things seemed to go downhill. Videl still loved Sharpner somewhat, but not like she used to. She wanted to try and keep things together which was one of the reasons why she had taken off of work early that day to surprise Sharpner. However she learned the truth when she walked into the apartment. So had Videl truly loved Sharpner? �No I never really had that feeling, I guess.� Videl answered.
�Do you regret leaving him?� Gohan asked.
�No, not really.� Videl replied.
�Then why are you still living like you do?� Gohan asked.
Videl thought about Gohan�s question. Why was she living like this? Well obviously because she did not want to ever experience the pain again, but she realized it was also keeping her form loving again. So am I ready to move on? Videl thought to herself. �Are you ready to move on Videl?� Gohan asked.
Was she? Yes, yes she was. �Yes I am.� Videl answered as she smiled.
�Good, now are you ready to go back to your family and friends?� Gohan asked.
Was she? Yes she was. �Yes I am.� Videl answered once more.
�When do you want to go?� Gohan asked.
�Tomorrow.� Videl replied.
�Tomorrow it is.� Gohan said smiling.
That night Videl couldn�t sleep. She was to mixed up in emotions. She was excited about seeing her family and friends again, nervous too. She was also afraid of what her father might say or how he would react to her presence. She was more afraid though that Sharpner might show up if he found out that she had returned. The she was thankful. Thankful that Gohan would be there with her.
Morning came, with it the quarrels of big brother and little brother. Videl had gotten up at the same time as gotten. Goten, who was already full of energy at 7:30 in the morning decided to go wake his brother. �Hey Videl let�s go wake Gohan up.� Goten said excitedly.
Videl, who was still half asleep slowly, got up out of bed. �How about you do it, I�ll watch.� Videl managed to get out before letting a big yawn out.
That made gotten giggle. Goten then skipped down the hall all bright eyed while Videl followed him with her eyes dropped. So drooped to the point where one would think she was sleepwalking. Gohan was sleeping on a couch for the second night in a row. He had the pillow covering his head to block the morning sunlight. He also had no shirt on and Videl couldn�t help but stare at him. �Shh.� Goten put his finger over his lips, breaking Videl�s gaze.
Videl nodded and couldn�t help but smile at what gotten was about to do. Goten tip toed towards the end of the couch where Gohan�s feet hung over. Goten climbed on the couch�s armrest and stood up. He then jumped off the armrest and landed straight on Gohan�s stomach. Gohan sat straight up. �GOTEN!� Gohan yelled as he looked down at his little brother.
�Morning Gohan!� Goten replied cheerfully.
�Get off, great Kami out of all the ways to be woken up. Next time you do that� oh Dende why me?� Gohan asked as he looked up at the ceiling.
Gohan then heard a giggle from behind him. He turned his head to see Videl only in one of his old t-shirts that he had let her borrow. He found himself looking at her longer then he would have. He shook his head and looked away not wanting to raise Videl�s suspicion if he kept looking at her. �Uh, what time is it?� Gohan asked as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
�A little after 7:30.� Videl answered.
�Which means I need to get breakfast started so that you guys can get left.� Chichi�s said as she came down the hall.
�Morning.� Everyone said in unison.
�Morning to you too.� Chichi said.
Chichi then went to the kitchen to get breakfast started. Half an hour later two hungry saiyans inhaled their food, one female human ate her food at a normal human pace and the other female human stared in awe with her mouth gaped at the two saiyans. �Eat Videl. If you just stare at them they�ll steal your food.� Chichi said.
Videl only nodded. She forced herself to not look at the living vacuum cleaners and eat. After breakfast Videl took a shower inside while Gohan heated some water and took a bath outside. Thirty minutes later Gohan and Videl left. On the five hour drive back to Satan City the car was filled with talking as Gohan and Videl exchanged conversation. They talked most of the five hours. When they got into the city limits Videl told Gohan what streets to take to get to the Satan mansion. They arrived a short time later and Gohan pulled up to the front gate, which was locked. Videl rang the bell. �What do you want?� asked a man from the intercom.
�I want to see my father.� Videl said.
�Ha nice try, but Videl has been gone for along time now.�
�I am Videl!� Videl yelled.
�Yeah right.�
�Why don�t you come out and see for yourself.� Videl said.
The guard came out and he stopped dead in his tracks at the site of Videl. �I�m so sorry Ms. Videl. I�ll open the gates right away.�
�Good.� Videl said.
Seconds later the gates opened and Gohan drove through and up to the front door. Gohan and Videl got out of the car and went to the door. Videl rang the doorbell. The door opened and they stepped inside. From that first step onward both Videl and Gohan�s lives would change forever. Was it for the better though?
And lead it back home
Wake me up inside
- Evanescence