Disclaimer: Happy Holidays! I don't own Dragonball Z but I'm not going to let it get me down! Ah, who am I kidding?
***
Pass the tums! It's Christmas at the Sons! That rhymes! So what's new? I hope you've got the time to read my little present to all you guys out there (It's alot longer than the normal ones!) I mean... In comparison it's twice as long as a usual one...
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER
CHAPTER SIX
CHRISTMAS EVE
"Goten! Now I have `Jingle Bells' stuck in my head because of you!" Videl told him laughing.
Gohan, Goten, and Videl had just begun wrapping Christmas presents that they had bought for the rest of the Z-Gang in Videl's room. Gohan was quickly learning about Videl's lack of talent when it came to wrapping.
Videl sighed. "Again! This is the third time! I can't get this little piece of paper to-" Videl took five pieces of tape. "-stick!" She smashed all five pieces onto one spot, the piece of offending wrapping paper now sticking to the present where a huge mound of tape lay.
Gohan laughed. "That looks great, Videl," he said.
Videl glared at him. "I heard sarcasm in your voice, Gohan!" She tore the wrapping paper off the present and began again. Goten now joined in Gohan's laugher and so did Videl. "I can't do this, guys!" She exclaimed as the phone rang.
Gohan answered it. "Hello?"
Sharpner's voice was on the other end. "Hey Gohan! What are you up to? It's Sharpner. I wanted to know if you wanted to come to a Christmas party at my house tomorrow?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm have a party of my own at my house tomorrow. A bunch of guys that I know, they aren't from school or anything, are coming over."
Erasa joined in on another line. "Oh, Gohan! You have to come! It's not going to be any fun at all without you... please?"
"Sorry, guys," Gohan said apologetically.
Sharpner laughed. "That's okay, Gohan. Enjoy your party! Gotta go!"
"Alright. Bye Sharpner, Erasa."
"Bye!" They both replied.
"What did they want?" Videl asked.
"Party invitation for tomorrow," he said.
"Oh," Videl responded. In a second she held her hands up. "I give up! I'll stick on the bows and do the little `To/From' labels... but I am not wrapping!"
Gohan laughed. "Fine."
The three continued to wrap presents and talk until there was a knock on the door a while later.
"Who is it?" Gohan asked.
Chi-Chi's voice rang out. "Your mother."
Gohan scanned the room to make sure all of her presents were wrapped and then opened the door. "We only have a few more to go," Gohan stated.
Videl shook her head. "Actually, Goten just finished the last one."
Chi-Chi nodded. "Good, because it's about time you all get to bed or Santa won't come."
Gohan rolled his eyes and turned around to look at Videl as Goten jumped up and down. "Santa? Wow! This is so cool!" He started pulling on Gohan's hand. "We gotta go to bed! We gotta go to bed!" Goten told him.
Gohan looked pleadingly at Videl who smiled. "Go on, Gohan. The presents are finished, I'll just pile all the garbage and stuff in the corner of my room tonight."
Gohan nodded. " 'Night Videl!" He exclaimed, following Goten.
"Yeah, `night!" Goten echoed. Videl laughed.
"Good night, you two!" She called after them.
-
Chi-Chi placed the last present from `Santa' under the tree. Goten. Gohan. Videl.
"All done?" Goku whispered from behind her.
Chi-Chi nodded. "You made sure all the kids were asleep, right?"
Goku smiled. "They're all sound asleep," he affirmed, turning around to head towards their bedroom and, instead, crashed into a chair. The chair proceeded to fall to the floor with a resounding thud.
"Goku!" Chi-Chi hissed. "Shhhh!"
Goku laughed quietly. "Sorry!" Chi-Chi sighed.
"What am I going to do with you?" She asked him hypothetically.
"Um... can you make me some food?"
Chi-Chi sighed and put her head in her hands. "Let's just go to bed...I'll make a great big breakfast /after/ we open presents from Santa."
Goku pouted but obliged.
Videl shot up with a start, looking at her clock. 12:00
Hmmmm, she wondered. She climbed out of bed, dressed a pair of grey sweatpants and red T-shirt. What was that sound? She questioned.
Gohan sighed. Dad always knocks something down when he plays Santa, doesn't he? Just then, Gohan saw Videl pass by his door. He climbed out of bed...(let's see...I'll put him in those really cute white and blue plaid pj pants and a white long sleeved shirt. - Don't you think he would be just adorable in all white ... or all black? EVIL GOHAN...actually that`s Saiyaman Gohan with the green thing ripped off...hehheh...ANYWAYS...)
Videl walked out to the living room where there were three presents that hadn't been there before. Videl breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that it had probably just been Chi-Chi and Goku setting out presents.
"Hey, Videl!" Gohan's hushed voice said from behind her. Videl must've jumped twenty feet, not expecting someone else to be up.
"Ah!" Videl scream/whispered. "Gohan you scared the crap out of me!" She said, taking out her fear- turned- anger on him by punching him in the arm.
Gohan could hardly contain his laughter. When she acted like that it reminded him of the days when she wanted Saiyaman's head... literally.
"I'm guessing you heard that crash?" Gohan asked.
Videl nodded and Gohan chuckled in response. "Yeah...my dad... I'm telling you. Every year. Well, when I was a kid at least..."
A silence descended on the room, so thick, Videl thought she could cut it with a knife. She cleared her throat. "Didn't that wake Goten up?" She asked, changing the subject.
Gohan smiled. "That? Please. He could sleep through anything."
"Really?"
"Okay. Not /anything/ but..."
Videl smiled and watched Gohan kneel over by the tree, reading all the tags on the presents.
Videl walked up behind him. "What's wrong, Gohan?"
Gohan shook his head. "Nothing really- It's just, this is my father's handwriting. He always used to play Santa and-"
Videl sat down Indian style next to him. Gohan continued. "It's hard to explain. Even though he's back, I can't believe it. Like a dream come true or something- You want it to happen, you wish it to happen, and then when it happens it's too good to be true and you wonder when it's going to just end and so you always have this nagging doubt-"
Videl nodded as Gohan turned to look at her. "I've probably told you this before, but, I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for even playing any part in my dad's death. I'm the reason Goten didn't have a father for seven years, I'm the reason that mom - my mom - cried every night those seven years, I'm the reason that-"
Videl sighed. "You really have to stop beating yourself up for that, Gohan. It's in the past."
Gohan looked down. "I know. Videl, ever since the Cell Games ended, I've always carried with me this pain - but it's not physical pain like what you get from fighting - at least /that/ I'm familiar with. No, this torments me but never quite hurts enough. When I was eleven I thought that it was a punishment for the way things turned out-"
Videl shook her head. "Sadness," she stated simply. "It was sadness..."
"Yeah," Gohan said in reply. Moonlight entered through a window, patterning the floor with stripes of light. After a moment Videl changed her position, folding her legs up to her body, chilled.
"Do you have that feeling anymore, Gohan?"
Gohan shrugged. "Sometimes. It wore off. I guess time can heal all wounds... eventually. Then when my dad came back the guilt resurfaced, but then I was just to happy to see him. Hey! And you kept me pretty busy chasing me all over the city! The only thing I had time to worry about was you!"
Videl laughed. "True." She sighed, content. "Did you know it's after midnight?" She asked.
Gohan nodded. "Yeah... so Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas to you, too!" She whispered. Gohan got up, Videl following suit.
"I guess we should get to bed, huh?" Gohan asked.
"Yeah, `night Gohan," Videl said. "again."
Gohan stopped at his door. "You, too, Videl," he responded, and on an afterthought added. "Sweet dreams."
Videl turned around before entering her room. "Sweet dreams, Gohan."
They both looked at the other a moment longer before turning in.
-
Goten screamed. "And Yamcha... I also got this totally cool thing from Santa. I told Trunks I wanted it. It's a new toy, see? It's a jet and if you press these buttons it makes noises."
"That's great!" Yamcha exclaimed, Puar at his shoulder.
Vegeta was looking on with little amusement at the party. Kakarott's son, Gohan, was in the kitchen, eating more appetizers than he was helping to create. That midget was in the kitchen too, giving that brat a hand. His mate was fussing over Goten and Trunks. The Namek was silently watching Gohan from another corner.
Kakarott was dressed in khaki colored slacks, a Christmassy shirt, and a Santa hat. His eldest son was wearing black slacks and a green dress shirt. His youngest, like Trunks, was wearing his gi. Both sets of parents figured that if they were going to destroy clothes... better a gi than a dress outfit. Kakarott's wife, that women that did nothing but shout, much like his own, was wearing one of her dresses.... Except in red and green. Bulma had dressed up also, so had the midget, his wife, and Yamcha, as well as that pig, Roshi and everyone else but Piccolo and himself.
Vegeta did a quick glance-over once again. Where was that Satan girl?
As if on clue, Videl appeared for the first time at the party. She was wearing a simple black dress. The skirt of the dress was similar to the skirt she had bought a while ago with Gohan. The dress itself was a V-neck with short sleeves. Because of this, she wore a cozy but dressy red sweater over it. She also had on black pantyhose and black slipper-like dress shoes.
When she walked in the room, Krillin and Chi-Chi both nudged Gohan, who looked up. He absolutely lost his breath. "Dende!" he exclaimed, dropping the bag of carrots he was holding.
Krillin chuckled. "Gohan, you dog."
"What?"
Krillin winked over at Videl. "You're staring at her, Videl."
"Videl's here?" Gohan asked, trying to play stupid.
"Yes, Gohan. And if you weren't staring over at Videl... why did you just say `Dende!'" Krillin said, mocking Gohan.
Gohan shrugged. "I dropped the carrots on the floor."
"Riiiiiight." Krillin knew that Gohan had said Dende /before/ dropping the carrots on the floor but he didn't want to push the subject.
"Be right back," Gohan said in a trance.
"Videl!" He shouted.
"Hey, Gohan!" Videl shouted back happily. Looking over Gohan's black pants and green shirt outfit... he was handsome as ever. "Nice, you look good in those colors."
Gohan chuckled. "So you like the Saiyaman colors?"
Videl threw back her head and laughed. "Yeah, just..." She walked over to him and walked circled him. She tucked in part of his shirt that had been pulled out of his pants.
"C'mon, Videl," Gohan said, blushing.
Videl stepped back. "Perfect!"
Gohan's eyebrows furrowed jokingly. "What? The outfit or me?"
Videl laughed. "Both...So what do you think?" Videl asked, spinning around.
Gohan tripped over his words. "You- you look- well, you look fabulous. You're like- The prettiest girl on the planet- no - the universe. And believe me, I should know! You're a knockout!"
Videl blushed. "You really mean it?"
Gohan nodded. "I love the dress!"
"Thanks, I got it when I went shopping a week or two ago with your mom and Bulma."
Gohan frowned. "I didn't know about that! How come you didn't invite me?" He asked, fake pouting.
Videl smiled wickedly. "Um... because I wasn't in the mood for another strip show!" She and Gohan burst into a fit of giggles as everyone looked at them.
Chi-Chi exited the kitchen. "You have a lot of explaining to do, mister!" She said in Gohan's direction as she set down a large tray of appetizers.
Goten had finished telling Yamcha about the jet and ran over to Videl. "Videl! Help me with the radio! I don't know how to do the little button things!"
Videl smiled. "Alright. Coming," she said, but turned back to Gohan. "You have to save me a dance!" She exclaimed. "Hold on a sec!"
Gohan simply nodded and when she turned he sighed. Dende, she was so... something! A few minutes later she returned.
"I have something for you, Gohan," she said, leading him over to the couch. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" was now blasting out the stereos.
Gohan sat down on the couch and Videl sat next to him, curling her legs up besides herself and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She handed him a envelope from behind her back.
Gohan saw his name simply written in her handwriting and turned it over. Just then a small ki blast whizzed past them.
"I'm taking the last, Kakrott!" Vegeta shouted, trying to pull a tray of food away from Goku.
Goku replied, food in his mouth. "Bah Vahata! I ha `am faust!"
Bulma walked over. "Stop children," she said, throwing Vegeta a glare. "Goku had them first, okay?"
Vegeta's lip turned up into a snarl but he left.
Videl turned back to Gohan. " `It's the holidays - let's fight.' " She said, repeating the slogan. Gohan nodded.
"Alright... where were we before the heart attack?" He asked. Then he laughed. "The wrapping job is superb, Videl. What happened?" He commented, noticing a ribbon tied around the envelope.
Videl sighed. "Actually, Goten did it all for me," she joked.
Gohan laughed. He opened the envelope to find a small card. It had a simple angel on the front. He opened it up. The inside was blank except for a short note from Videl. It read:
Gohan-
Best Wishes to you and your family, Gohan. I cannot possibly thank you for everything you've done for me, going out of your way to make me comfortable. You have no idea what it means to me. I once read that `Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.' That's the only way I can explain you. For whatever it's worth, thank you.
Your best friend always,
Signed, Videl
Gohan looked at Videl, bewildered. "Videl, /you/ have no idea what /you've/ done for me," Gohan began.
"GET OUT!" Chi-Chi screamed, hitting both Goku and Vegeta. "That is our Christmas dinner you pigs. OUT!" A few moments later Oolong was thrown out of the kitchen with them. All three sighed.
Videl was about to question Gohan on what he meant when Goten ran up. "Jingle Bell Rock" had started and he wanted to dance. Videl excused herself, and laughing, started dancing with Goten. (He had flown up to match her height.)
Krillin sat down by Gohan, noticing the card in his hand. He peered inside and read it.
"She's quite a friend, isn't she, Gohan?" He asked.
Gohan smiled and nodded. "She's an angel," he stated.
"Yeah, and she seems to think the same thing of you." He paused. "She's beautiful."
Gohan quit staring at her, looking down and blushing. "/Like/ and angel," he said in a whisper.
Krillin grinned. "Gohan, I can tell just by the way you act arounf her... you are in love with her, aren't you?" He asked. Gohan drew back but didn't say anything.
Just then the song ended and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" started. Videl finished her dance with Goten and looked over at Gohan, remembering his words from the other day: `Needless to say I didn't have a very merry Christmas.'
Videl walked over to him. "Can I claim that dance now?" She asked. "This is a slow song... I know you can manage that." She smiled.
Gohan stood up. "Sure."
They walked to the middle of the living room. Videl wrapped her arms around Gohan's neck, and he chose to dance his way - with his hands resting on the small of her back.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.
Here were are as in olden days,
happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
The musical part of the song began to play. Videl looked up at Gohan. "What were you going to say before on the couch?" She asked, softly.
Gohan looked down at her. "Videl, don't think about that right now," he told her, pulling her closer. She obliged and laid her head back on his chest.
"Here were are as in olden days,
happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more."
Gohan spun her out slowly and then back in. She giggled.
"Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow"
Gohan dipped Videl and she laughed and so did everyone who were watching the two.
"I thought you couldn't dance, Gohan?" She questioned. He didn't answer, just smiled.
"Hang a shining star upon the highest bough."
Videl took a deep breath and sang the last line to Gohan.
"And have yourself a merry little Christmas ... now."
Gohan looked at her, recalling his earlier words a week before in the attic. "I will," he whispered.
"The Little Drummer Boy" began and the two parted. Meanwhile, Goku and Goten were going to mutiny if they couldn't get any food. So Chi-Chi thought it would be a fine time to bring out dinner, which she did.
"Gosh, mom," Gohan said when he saw all the platters and plates she was bringing out of their tiny kitchen. "You really out did yourself this time."
Chi-Chi smiled proudly and everyone sat down to eat.
-
"PRESENTS! Presents! Presents! Presents!" Goten yelled, readily sitting on the floor under the tree.
Trunks ran over. "Open mine first, Goten!" He exclaimed, handing him a package.
"Yea!" Goten shouted.
Before Goten could even pull off the wrapping paper, Goku had already opened three of his own gifts. "Gee, thanks Vegeta!" He said at the sight of a case of capsules. The card with it read: "Here you go, I know you need it, some new Saiyan armor."
"Actually, it's been years since I used this stuff," Goku stated.
"What's Saiyan armor?" Videl questioned.
Goku opened the capsule. "This," he said, holding up some blue material and something that reminded Videl of a breast plate piece of knight's armor.
Gohan spoke up. "It's not the actual thing, though Bulma did a fantastic job of reconstructing it. It's similar to the traditional Saiyan armor that they used on the planet Vegeta. The stuff is nearly indestructible."
Bulma rolled her eyes. "/Was/ nearly indestructible," she corrected. "If you put a Super Saiyan in it, it can still be destroyed."
Videl took it from Goku. "Isn't it a little small, it looks like it would fit Goten."
Vegeta laughed. "It's expandable. Hasn't your friend ever told you about the Oozaru form?"
Videl nodded.
Vegeta continued. "Well, it was made to fit even when we were like that."
Videl's eyes widened. "That's really neat," she stated.
Goku turned back to Vegeta. "Again, thanks."
Vegeta rolled his eyes. "It was the woman's idea... I wasn't going to get you anything." Unfazed, Goku continued smiling and dug into another present.
And so they continued to open presents until late at night, when Goten and Trunks decided to go outside to play. Videl went outside with them to watch, and Gohan followed her. "Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer" was now playing and Goten and Trunks were getting a kick out of it.
"Hey, Videl," Gohan said, walking up lazily behind her.
"Hi," Videl returned, laughing at Goten and Trunks. "What a bunch of nuts," she observed.
"You don't have to tell me." Gohan noted that her hands were shoved deep into her pockets. "You cold?"
Videl nodded and Gohan expanded his ki. "Better?"
"Yeah," she replied as the snow beneath them melted.
"Whoops," Gohan said. "Well, now we have a dry place to sit."
Videl agreed and sat on the ground. Gohan followed suit and Videl yawned, leaning up against him. She smiled enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by Gohan's warmth and strength.
Gohan turned to face her, staring at what was obviously the perfect girl and sighed. Come on, Gohan, he thought. You can't spend your lifetime hesitating... Krillin's right... you love her. Are you going to hide or tell the truth here?
"Videl?" Gohan questioned. Videl looked up at him when she heard a nervous edge in his voice.
"What's wrong?" Videl said, worried.
Gohan cleared his throat. "Nothing, never mind."
This reminded Videl that he was going to tell her something before on the couch. "What were you trying to say before, Gohan... after I gave you-"
Gohan jumped. "I totally forgot!" He pulled out a small wrapped gift from his pocket. "Here, Merry Christmas!"
Videl took it and opened it. A small card taped to it only read: "To: Videl From: Gohan"
"Now, I know you don't like-" Gohan began as she opened it, revealing a small box.
"And it wasn't any problem so-"
Videl opened the box to find a silver necklace, on it was a small pendant of a simple silver heart.
"Like I said, I know you don't like jewelry but I thought that-"
"Gohan, I love it!" She lifted it up out of the box. "I've gotten jewelry before, but-" she paused. "Can you put it on for me?" She asked. Gohan smiled.
"Sure." He took the necklace and moved behind her, clasping it. Videl held the small charm in her fingers and looked at it.
"Thank you so much Gohan, I'll never take it off. It's so beautiful," she said, hugging him.
"Well, when I saw it I knew that there was only one girl beautiful enough to wear it." Gohan cringed. I did NOT just say that. Smooth, Gohan, real smooth. That was rich, Gohan, she's going to love that one...
Videl pulled back. "What? Do you really mean that?"
Gohan nodded.
Videl blushed. They were silent for a moment. The song "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer" ended and "All I Want for Christmas is You" (words at end of fic, just imagine it playing while the next part's going on...) started. Gohan cleared his throat.
"What I was going to say... um... back there was that," he paused, choosing his words. "I don't know... you- you are-" he stopped. "I don't know how to say this," he said.
Videl laughed. "Try," she prompted, smiling.
Gohan sighed. "Videl-" he looked down. "I don't think that you understand that you're something... extraordinary."
"Extraordinary?" Videl repeated. Gohan nodded.
"Ye- Yeah," was his awkward response.
Videl smiled. "I've never been called beautiful and extraordinary in one night!"
Gohan looked up at her. "You're kidding?"
"Nope. I mean... with Mark definitely not. And I was lucky I even had a conversation with my dad. And when I did it was only about other tournaments and a bunch of bullshit like that." Videl laughed. "And I don't know, I just never really had... well not until..."
Videl trailed off. "I'm just talking senselessly, aren't I?"
Gohan sighed. "It's fine. Usually I like to listen to you talk away."
"Usually?" Videl questioned. She turned to look at him, their lips only inches apart, the gap slowly closing to centimeters. Gohan locked his dark eyes with her light ones, quietly watching her.
"Videl, I don't have the words to tell you just what I'm feeling...but I'm almost positive that I'm in love with you and-"
Videl was aware of their closeness as stray thoughts ran past her mind. It was all she could do to stay focused on what he was saying.
"...I have only - this..." Gohan whispered, touching her face and leaning forward.
GOHAN! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?! He thought. HAVE YOU GONE INSANE?
Gohan slipped his other hand behind her back, pulling her closer while gently brushing his lips against hers, his eyes sliding shut. Videl allowed her own eyes to close, surprised by the feel of his soft lips. She didn't know what to think as Gohan held her tightly in his embrace. But it wasn't a moment later when he gently pushed away from her, breaking the brief kiss. "Videl..."
Directly above them, two kids were flying high in the sky. "Krillin was right! It works!" Gohan and Videl heard Trunks exclaim.
"Yeah, let's go tell 'im," Goten commanded. Trunks nodded and the two blasted off toward the Son house.
"What?" Gohan asked, confused. In reply a small spray of mistletoe floated to the ground. Videl picked it up and smiled placing her forehead against his.
"Do you know what this is?" She asked, laughing, bringing it to his nose and gently hitting him with it.
"What?" Gohan asked again.
"Mistletoe."
At his bewildered look she continued. "It's a tradition... if you end up under the mistletoe with someone, then you kiss them."
Gohan began laughing as he put two and two together. All of the sudden, Chi-Chi's voice cut through the night air. "HE'S GOING TO MARRY HER. I SWEAR!" She exclaimed. Goku could be heard laughing with everyone else.
Goten and Trunks were giggling.
"Laugh it up, boys," Gohan stated out loud, standing up and giving Videl a hand. "Well, let's go to face my mother..."
"And Krillin - and everyone else," Videl stated.
"And maybe torture and maim two particular half Saiyans," Gohan added.
Videl nodded, holding his hand. They both trudged through the snow up to the house, when they opened the door they were barraged with questions by one very curious Z-Team.
~You are the angel atop my tree, you are my dream come true~
-from another version of 'All I want for Christmas is You'
All I Want For Christmas Is you
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true...
All I want for Christmas
Is you...
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...
You baby
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You...
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need -
won't you please bring my baby to me...
Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You...
All I want for Christmas is you baby... (repeat)
***
Well? I wasn't going to have them kiss originally... but when everyone (I mean /everyone/!) wanted it I said 'Sure!' Keepin' the fans happy! So this is my story of Gohan falling in love for the first time in his life. And now, everyone in this story gets to live a nice long happy healthy life. That is, until I write another story... heh heh heh...
Some ides I've got: Orange Star finds out Gohan is the Great Siayaman! (I know ZSENSHI is likin' that idea!)
New Year's Eve par - tay.
Videl gets the flu... what does Gohan do?
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Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z, duh. And I don't own Cotton: `The Fabric of Our Lives' either... In case your wondering.
***
La-Le-Lu-Li-La...Lo. Hey ya'll. I have got the hiccups in case you're wondering. I haven't had the hiccups in years. Anyway. That was totally pointless, on with the fic.
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER
CHAPTER SEVEN
Videl left Gohan's house early for school. Upon arriving, she dropped to the roof and ran to her first period. She spied Erasa at her seat and climbed the stairs.
"Welcome back, Videl, how was your vacation?" Erasa asked cheerily. Videl dropped her backpack and pushed her short hair out of her eyes.
"Videl?"
Videl turned and looked at Erasa. "Have you ever had a boyfriend who was like your best friend?" She asked.
Erasa shook her head. "No. Why do you ask?"
Videl sighed and slumped into her seat. "I knew it. I ruined everything. Everything!"
"What?!"
"I kissed Gohan."
Erasa stared at her in shock. "You WHAT? Wow, really? Gohan? Like the guy in our class, Gohan? Like the guy that`s hiding you out at his house, Gohan?"
Videl rolled her eyes. "No, Erasa, his clone in the next classroom."
Erasa pulled her chair forward. "Okay, Videl. Let's hear about this kiss. Was it like gentle and tender, ya know. Did he softly brush against your lips? Or was it like a raw emotional, 'I need you now' thing?"
Videl laughed. "Well...
"It was Christmas night. His family was having a party with all his friends. We were sitting outside, only his brother and his brother's friend were out there. And no, Erasa, they're only seven and eight so neither of them is available for dating.
"Anyway, what happened was he gave me this," she began, holding out the silver necklace with the heart charm on it. "And I said that I thought it was beautiful and hugged him."
Erasa giggled.
"Then he said something like: I know, when I saw it I knew there was only one girl beautiful enough to wear it."
Erasa giggled again. "That's so romantic!" She exclaimed.
"I'm not done yet," Videl stated. "I asked him if he really meant that and he just nodded. Of course, I was blushing beat red! Then, he cleared his throat like he wanted to tell me something and started mumbling something about how he wanted to tell me something but he didn't know how to say it. I told him to try telling me whatever it was as best he could.
"So, then he says: 'I think you're something extraordinary.' I was all like `Extraordinary?' And he nodded and I told him I had never been called extraordinary and beautiful in one night and he was like `You're kidding?' And then I started rambling on about how I wasn't kidding, much like I'm rambling on now-"
Videl stopped when Erasa put her hand on her shoulder. "Take a breath, Videl. Calm Down." Videl did so. "Now continue!" Erasa practically shouted, enthusiastic.
"Okay, okay! So I kept rambling on and then I kind of stopped and asked him if I was just `talking senselessly' or something. He turned around and says: `It's okay, I usually like to listen to you talk.' Or something like that.
"Then I asked, `Usually?' By now our lips were like this far apart," Videl explained, showing Erasa about three inches between her thumb and forefinger.
"My heart be still," Erasa remarked, holding her chest.
Videl laughed and continued. "Then he says: `I don't have the words to tell you what I'm feeling, Videl...' and he started leaning forward. And then he whispered: `I have only... this...'
"Then he had his hand on my face like this," Videl cupped her own jaw. "And he put his other arm behind my back and pulled me over and that's when he kissed me!"
Erasa feigned fainting in her chair. "That's great Videl, but what was the kiss alone like?"
Videl shrugged. "I dunno. I think it was his first kiss. It was short and at the beginning of the kiss he was all tense but then he relaxed and he was so gentle and-"
As she described the kiss Erasa was staring with a look of longing on her face.
"-and we just sort of sunk into it."
Erasa snapped out of her trance. "Okay, another question. Did his hands stay there or what?"
Videl gave Erasa a `look' but decided to answer the question. "His one hand stayed on my back but the one that he was holding my face with slid into my hair and-"
"Okay, stop!" Erasa said. "AHHHHHH! I'm so happy for you! I can't take it! He's so cute and romantic!"
At that moment Gohan entered. Instead of going to his seat by Erasa he was pulling Sharpner across the room. Then he began talking to him.
"Wonder what that's about?" Erasa asked. Videl shrugged.
Erasa giggled for the third time. "You know, he is pretty cute... actually he's horribly attractive. Can I kiss him, too, Videl? I just wanna go over there, spin him around and like passionately kiss him, right now." Videl looked at her tiredly. "But I won't and I'll be shutting up."
"Erasa!" Videl whined. "It was so amazing. And he's sexy-"
Erasa cut in. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Sexy? Videl, YOU are using the word `sexy' to describe a guy... I- I- I- I can't believe it."
"Believe it, Erasa. He's so caring and smart, which makes him even sexier and... I have feelings for him but that doesn't necessarily mean that I love him. Does it? Well, I mean I /do/ love him but that doesn't mean I'm in love with him. Just because I... wanna go over there and kiss him passionately, too, that doesn't mean I love him. Just because that one time I fell asleep on his arm was the best I'd ever slept doesn't mean I love him. Oh, Erasa! Why didn't you tell me... I love him!"
Erasa wasn't listening anymore. "YOU FELL ASLEEP ON HIS ARM?"
Videl nodded. "IN THE SAME BED?"
Videl nodded again.
"HOLY SHIT!"
"Erasa!"
"So what're ya gonna do?"
Videl sighed. "Nothing. The whole kiss happened a week ago and afterwards neither of us really did anything about it. Even though his family and friends made a big deal about it..."
***
"Though, my family and my friends did make a big deal about it." Gohan sighed. "So Sharpner, what do you think? One kiss, right? No big deal? Right."
"Right," Sharpner agreed. "That's nothing at all. No big deal."
Gohan nodded. "Right."
"NOT!" Sharpner yelled. "Gohan! You've gone and done it! Ever think of this: You just kissed a girl who's living with you /and/ she's your best friend. What if you've ruined your chances with her /and/ your friendship?"
"What? Oh, no! What if I did?!"
Sharpner shook his head. "It doesn't matter now, You obviously love her."
"Shut up!" Gohan said, lightly pushing Sharpner, who fell down, not expecting that much strength from Gohan.
"I'm sorry," Gohan quickly said, helping Sharpner up.
"It's okay," Sharpner remarked, brushing himself off. "They say love makes you do stupid, stupid things."
Gohan glared at him. "You are way off pal," he stated.
Sharpner shrugged but continued. "No, I don't think so, see, because I think you love her, a lot. But if you don't want to admit that then-"
"OKAY!" Gohan shouted. He toned his voice to a whisper. "I do. I love her. Sharpner, help me! I don't know how she feels about me and what if I just lost my best friend like you said. What is she doesn't feel-"
"I don't care how she feels about you. How do YOU feel about HER?! /That's/ what's important here."
"Well, I think she's-"
Sharpner cut him off. "Well, that's great. Tell her that tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Yeah. You're goin' out to eat with me and Erasa."
Gohan started shaking his head rapidly. "You can't do this to me! What would my opening line be. `Excuse me, Videl. Dorrapbthhh!' ? I'm sure you thought this through in the twenty seconds you came up with the plan `take her out to dinner' but you don't know me. I'll screw up!"
"Gohan, it's dinner, the thinking through and screwing up is minimal."
Gohan sighed.
"So?" Sharpner asked.
"Fine."
A pause and then a quick laugh from Sharpner. "You do really like her."
"Shut up!"
***
7:30 P.M.
ALT-SIEN-VIOUX RESAURANT
(I MADE IT UP, SHOULD SOUND FRENCH, BUT I DON'T KNOW FRENCH- MAYBE I JUST CALLED YOU A GAY ELEPHANT, I DUNNO)
***
"All right. I'm fine. All right," Gohan was mumbling as he sat down at the table with Sharpner awaiting Videl and Erasa to arrive.
"I'm fine. Alright."
"You okay, man?" Sharpner asked.
"I'm fine," Gohan repeated.
"Alright."
Just then Erasa and Videl walked over to the table. Gohan and Sharpner, stood up, dressed in perfect fitting suits. Erasa wore a short, light green, spaghetti strapped dress with a black throw hanging loosely on her arms. Videl, following Erasa, was similarly dressed with a floor-length, sky blue dress that was strapless as well. However, she had her white throw draped over her shoulders.
"I'm not fine. Here she comes. Oh, I am so not alright," Gohan began saying.
Sharpner hit Gohan lightly on the back of his head. "Breathe, okay."
Sharpner had talked to Erasa and the two of them had invited Gohan and Videl to come with them to dinner making it just seem like a friendly get together... at a very expensive restaurant, nonetheless.
"Hey, how are you?" Erasa asked warmly to Gohan, noticing he looked a little pale.
"I'm fine," he answered quickly. The four of them sat down.
Immediatley, the waiter arrived. "Would you like anything else to drink other then water?" He asked.
"I'm fine," Gohan replied.
Sharpner elbowed him underneath the table. "Stop saying `I'm fine.' " He whispered.
"Alright," Gohan answered.
"And stop saying that too!"
"May I take your orders then?" The waiter asked.
Sharpner elbowed Gohan again. "Don't forget to tell her okay? Your mission is to tell Videl how you feel."
Gohan waved him off. "Not right now, we're in the middle of ordering and we're in a very public plaaaaaaaaaaaa-OW!"
Sharpner had punched Gohan in the side because Videl had been looking at their conversation questioningly. The punch caught Gohan by surprise more then it had cost him physical pain.
Erasa, Videl and even Sharpner stared at Gohan because of his sudden outburst.
Gohan quickly covered. "OWHA! I can't believe it! Would you look at that! The hard-shelled crabs are in season!" (HAHA! As Good As It Gets!)
Gohan laughed nervously.
"Would you like that, sir?" The waiter asked.
"Yes please."
Gohan wanted to times that order by fifty but knew that he shouldn't. He was also afraid he was going to throw up he was so nervous.
The waiter left and before the table could start up a conversation Erasa exclaimed that she wanted to touch up her make up.
"You just got here!" Sharpner exclaimed.
"I don't care!" Erasa left and Videl decided to go with her. Sharpner shook his head.
"Well, as long as they're going to the bathroom we might as well, too. Plus you don't look so good. C'mon, follow me."
Five minutes later had Gohan leaning over a toilet and throwing up.
"I don't see why this is such a big thing," Sharpner said. "All you have to do is honestly tell her that you love her."
"I've never done this before, okay?"
Sharpner spun around. "I can understand that but at least you've gone out on a date before right?"
Gohan shook his head.
"Oh... my...um... you've never gone out on a date, have you?"
Gohan shook his head.
"In your life?"
Again, a head shake.
Gohan walked over to the sink and splashed his face. "I can't believe I'm even considering this. I'm very aware of my tongue." He looked at Sharpner. "I'm going to say the wrong thing." Sharpner was still in awe.
"This is like your first date then! And that was your first kiss and - Why didn't you tell me?"
Gohan shrugged and ran to the toilet again.
"Damn, Gohan."
***
"I don't even look like me with all this makeup you put on me before we left, Erasa."
Erasa ignored her. "You are going to go out there and totally dazzle him, got it?"
"Got it."
"Then go!" Erasa told Videl. Videl nodded surely and walked out.
***
"Sweep her off her feet, okay?"
Gohan nodded.
"Go!" Sharpner ordered.
****
Gohan and Videl walked toward their table as Sharpner and Erasa watched. "Think it'll work?" Erasa asked.
"No, it's suicide! The guy's so nervous he can't remember his name..." Sharpner stated.
"I think it's cute."
".../And/ he's thrown up at least three times..." Sharpner added.
"Oh no!"
"I know," Sharpner said.
"No! I mean 'Oh, no!' as in Hercule and Mark are both here! They just walked in the door!"
"WHAT!?"
***
Duh Duh DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha! Cliffhanger! And if I ever get around to writing the next part... it's good. And within the next few chapters guess who's going to find out he's the great Saiyaman??????????? Sucks to be you! You may never know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA! *ahem* ^_^ () <------ Innit the cutest thing?
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Disclaimer: AH!!!!!! I don't own Dragonball Z but if I did it would probably revolve around Gohan and Videl or the Mirai characters. (If you haven't noticed that yet!)
***
LALALA! I don't know why I've been doin' that! Maybe because I play an instrument now. Whatever. I could really care less. So what's up with all you fellow DBZers? Not much? School stinks. A sewer is more inviting. Anyway... Um, yeah, Goku does have a talk in here with Videl where he cops his `stupid' attitude. But like I said before, I honestly think that Goku is smarter /about/ people then anyone else on the show.
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER
CHAPTER EIGHT
"What the hell are they doing here?!" Sharpner almost yelled. "The last thing Videl needs is her father showing up with her damn ex-boyfriend!"
Erasa turned pale. "Just when we get them alone and Gohan worked up the nerve and-"
Sharpner swore. "I just hope everything goes okay ... now."
***
Gohan walked towards the table trying to organize his thoughts. Videl Satan was the most beautiful woman he had ever met...and the strongest... and oh-so seductive even though she wasn't trying. If he hadn't been sitting when he /actually/ saw Videl, actually been able to study her as he did all things, for the first time, he would have promptly fell down. She still made him weak in the knees. Why couldn't he just tell her that! Sharpner was right, he was blowing this whole thing way out of proportion.
Gohan sat down in his chair and Videl smiled at him. "Hi," he said. Um, he thought. What exactly do I say after that? He nodded his head. Just say something, you idiot, he told himself. "So... Videl..." Good one, his mind said, sarcastic. "Yeah...um...I just-"
"What's wrong, Gohan?" Videl asked.
"Nothing," he said quickly.
"And nothing's right either. Spill it, Gohan, what's up?"
Gohan opened his mouth to speak, to tell her flat out that he loved her more than anything, but instead froze, his face showing panic.
"What's wrong, Gohan?" Videl asked quickly. "Are you okay?"
Gohan was staring at Hercule and Mark. Both heading in his general direction. "I'm fine, just having my worst fear realized..."
"What?" Videl asked. And it was just then that Mark saw them. Gohan saw him tap Hercule in the arm and point over to them.
"Videl," Gohan said calmly. "Don't get upset but your dad and Mark are coming over to us."
"NO!" she shouted as she backed her chair out, right into Mark.
Videl stood up.
"Hello," Mark said, condescendingly. Gohan stepped in between the two. "Aww, protecting her." He laughed and looked directly at Gohan. "It's Mr. I Always Get What I Want." He glanced at Videl again.
Gohan could tell Videl was getting pissed quick. All of the sudden, she started throwing punches at Mark. Caught off guard, he was taking the brunt of her attacks in the face. Gohan grabbed Videl by the waist with one hand and held her arms down with the other.
Hercule was watching the whole thing. How can he not see how Mark treats Videl? Gohan wondered. He groaned. The whole situation was making him sicker than he was before. He decided to reply to Mark's statement.
Still holding a very angry Videl`s hands, Gohan spoke. "I always get what I want, huh? Believe me, of all the ways I can imagine this night turning out, this isn't it. This is not what I want." Gohan began evenly but now his voice was rising. "No. This is NOT what I want. Y' know what?" Gohan tapped the table irritably. "Nevermind. This is just too difficult and I can't deal with this. Not now, you know it's not the place. I'm not going to start anything. I can't do-"
Gohan stopped and turned to leave. Erasa and Sharpner, watching from the back of the restaurant were stunned. They both looked down, ashamed that the night had turned out like this. They watched Gohan walk to the door, then cringed at what happened next.
Hercule purposely walked right in front of Gohan, blocking his way between two tables.
Videl held her breath as she noticed Gohan's eyes quickly flicker from black to green to black again. "Don't try me, Hercule. Please get out of my way."
Hercule didn't move.
Gohan cleared his throat. "Hercule, I have had enough of this," he said strongly and firmly. "Please move."
Nothing.
"What!?" Gohan exclaimed, all of the sudden. "Why do you do this to me? Beacuse I-I-I care a lot about your daughter and treat her with nothing but the utmost respect for who she is as a person and a friend? And... If you hold something against me, I think that you should take it up with me. Not your daughter."
Gohan looked directly into Hercule's eyes, unflinching. The whole restaurant was now staring, after all, it wasn't everyday that someone talked to Hercule as this teenager was now. Gohan was aware of this, but didn't care anymore. He took a deep breath as Hercule spoke. "Listen to me now, I am her father, and I will tell her what to do. However," Hercule let go of Videl's arm roughly. "If she chooses you and your friends then I never - and I mean NEVER- want to see her or you again, unless it's by my will alone and if I do then you will be in the most trouble you've ever found yourself in. Get it?"
Gohan wasn't intimidated. "I get it."
"Then make sure you really consider it," Hercule hissed.
Gohan balled his hands into fists. "I will."
Gohan sighed. "Sorry, everyone," he said, somber. He walked towards the exit a few steps then stopped and turned around, walking back to Videl, who was biting back tears.
"Don't cry," Gohan said gently, putting his hand on her arm. "I- I just wanted to tell you that...the reason I took you out... that-"
Sharpner and Erasa held their breath,
"-that... I love you, Videl. And, you know what? Your father can never ever take that away from me. And, that's all. That's what I wanted to say." Gohan nodded as if to reassure himself. "Yeah," he said vaguely. He turned to leave again but spun around. "One last thought," he stated. "whatever you do, or whatever you decide, I just want you to know that I hope you end up appreciated by someone special. Someone who's just as great as you are in every way. Follow your heart, or whatever. Promise?" He sighed again, not expecting an answer and put his hands in his pockets. "Goodbye."
Erasa turned to Sharpner "He's going to just leave..."
Videl, who hadn't said anything yet, ran in front of Gohan. "I'm sorry, Gohan. I wish I could take everything back that happened. Everything that my dad's ever said about your family. Everything he's ever said about you. Ug, I wish I could take back everything that ever hurt you. But I can't and-"
Gohan saw two tears roll down her cheeks, but didn't move. "I just can't," Videl began, wiping her face. "I just can't see me - us - throwing away a chance this so damn great. I-" she sobbed. "I love you, too. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't. I can't imagine my life without you and what you've done for me. What would I do without you?"
Gohan sighed but didn't move toward her. "Maybe if it wasn't for me," he said. "You and your dad might get along. Maybe you should give him another chance."
Videl froze, stunned, looking as if he had slapped her. Gohan was the one ally she /thought/ she'd had against her dad. And now?
Hercule laughed. "Your friend just going to abandon you? This is why I didn't want you going out with boys! This is what they do! Now, c'mon, we're going home!"
"Lay off it, dad!" Videl shouted.
Gohan spoke up. "See? I'm not worth this, coming in between you two-"
A sharp slap rang out through the restaurant as Videl hit Gohan in the face, of course, it didn't do anything.
"Don't you EVER say your not worth anything!"
Gohan opened his mouth to speak but she continued. "You think that I should go home? Yeah right. I can't believe you of all people- well, you know what? I don't need you, or my father! Just take your lies of helping me, take your kiss, take your necklace," she undid the clasp and threw it at him. "Just take it all and leave then. I don't care." She broke down into sobs. "I don't care. They mean nothing to me, /especially/ your lousy kiss."
"Videl- you /can't/ tell me that kiss meant nothing to you! You /just can't/. I know you truthfully can't."
Hercule, in between the two, bellowed. "KISS?! YOU KISSED MY BABY GIRL?! WHY I-"
Mark's laughing cut him off. "No disrespect, but I'm sure that's not the only thing he did..." Mark threw a grin at Gohan.
Gohan's eyes went wide as Hercule shouted. "YOU SLEPT WITH HER?!" He turned to Videl. "HE SLEPT WITH YOU?!"
Videl didn't say anything, just picked up her throw and began walking out. Gohan tried to stop her by grabbing her arm. "Videl, you can't go it alone. I've been through that, all the hurt and the pain and I won't let that happen to you-"
"Then why," she asked, seething. "Did you suggest I go home?" She let her statement sink in and then pulled away. "Why not? Why the hell not? Why, the hell, not? Why can't I `go it alone'? I have every right in the world to do what /I/ want."
Gohan pounded a table nearby him. "Well then, what the hell does that make me? Someone you used for a free ride? Because you had a `right' to? I can't believe that. I can't believe any of this-"
"Shut up and leave me alone," she said, glaring at Gohan through tears. "- all of you," she added as a parting note to Gohan, Mark and her father, with a look that read `Wanna question any of that?'
With her words, Gohan turned away and walked calmly out the door, not looking back. Inside, he felt the panic of losing his best friend and the love of his life. A voice inside continued to repeat. /Bad idea, Gohan...Bad idea, Gohan./
***
Videl ran out after Gohan, flying away, towards Gohan's house out of habit. She caught herself, though, and halted. She slowly turned in midair to face her house. She took a deep breath, and flew.
***
Gohan loosened his neck tie and peeled off his jacket, throwing it into the air. He felt into his pockets and grabbed the necklace with the heart he had given Videl and was seriously considering throwing that down, too. He /had/ to make it up to her. Why had he said that? Basically, 'I love you but go back to your dad because it was 'wrong' to run away.' He /knew/ she hated it there. And now she was gone, masking her ki.
Gohan allowed himself to just drop to the ground, halting almost when he was about to hit. He fell to the ground, laying on his back and looking up at the bright stars. His eyes roamed to the grassy ground and surveyed the landscape, noticing a beautiful white flower, kind of azalea shaped. If the night had ended any other way, he thought, maybe I would have flown here with Videl and picked that flower for her.
He sighed.
Maybe I still can.
***
Videl silently opened her window and entered her room. It had been months since she'd seen it and she didn't really miss it. She held her breath when she heard a door slam shut downstairs followed by voices. Since her room was on the second floor she listened without worry of being scene, only heard.
It was Hercule and Mark.
"I'm telling you, it's true. He /is/ the Great Saiyaman!" Mark was saying.
"And I'm telling you, he's alien!" Hercule replied.
Videl gasped.
"Now that's a little ridiculous..." Mark began.
Videl strained to hear the rest of the conversation, but couldn't. What were they talking about? Could they be thinking about unmasking Gohan's secret identity and his heritage? Videl automatically felt sympathetic towards the half-Saiyan and tried to stop herself. She couldn't. She had to find him and tell him.
She smiled to herself. Gohan was smart, but she had taught him a lot. He was far too trusting, and she guessed that if she grew up in a family like his, she would to. But his trust allowed people to take advantage of him and his feelings, which were always pure and well-meaning. That was why she wasn't truly mad at him and knew she couldn't be. He had suggested giving her relationship with her father another chance because he had seen it as a good intention. Well, look what he and Mark are doing now to you, Gohan, she thought.
-'"If she chooses you and your friends then I never - and I mean NEVER- want to see her or you again, unless it's by my will alone and if I do then you will be in the most trouble you've ever found yourself in. Get it?"
Gohan wasn't intimidated. "I get it."' -
No you don't, Goham, she thought. They know who you are.
Videl searched for Gohan's strong ki but couldn't find him. Well if I can't, I know someone who might, she thought.
She didn't know what they were planning with the knowledge of him they had, but it might be better if he were prepared.
***
Videl walked into the Son house quietly, tip-toeing to her room. All of the sudden she walked into a hard stone wall, or at least, that's what it felt like.
"My son was right, you are pretty in a dress."
"Goku?"
A nod.
"He said that?"
A nod.
Videl began crying again. Through her tears she saw Goku, in and orange robe walk over to her and a second later she felt his arms around her. "What happened?" was all he asked.
Videl didn't answer but instead decided that this is what it must be like to have a parent to run to when things went wrong. Someone who wouldn't judge... someone like Gohan. Well, the next best thing was his father. His father... in his orange robe and the dim light, Goku almost seemed like a normal father, a selfless terrific father... a father that would give anything for his children, except Goku wouldn't - he already had.
"We had a fight at the restaurant, Mark and my dad showed up-"
"Ouch!"
"-and I got angry with Gohan 'cause he said something about me moving back with my father and now I'm here with you and he's not home and he's out there somewhere alone and he has no one."
"Shhh..."
"I'm so sorry, Goku. I really hurt his feeling. He just didn't mean to-" She wiped her eyes with her hand and Goku waited for her to continue.
"I'm so sorry," was all she said. Goku looked around for something within arms grasp to give her to wipe her eyes. Instead, he offered the sleeve of his robe.
She smiled and wiped her eyes again with his sleeve. "I'm just so sorry," she said definitive, almost shouting.
"I think Gohan might've actually heard you after that one." Goku motioned to the couch. "Look Videl, you gotta understand, and this is between us - Gohan never does things to hurt someone's feelings. I now he said that, and I know he just left you alone, and acted like - I don't think this was my point. Basically, I'm just trying to say that he didn't mean it. But I'm not apologizing for him, he'll do that on his own, you know that, I know that."
They both laughed lightly. "Goku? Can you just see if you can find him?"
"Sure! Instant Transmission oughta do the trick!" He stood up and placed two fingers on his forehead. He fazed out. A minute later, he came back, sopping wet.
"Whatever that ki was, was not my son's!" He stated. Videl laughed. "I guess he's masking it." Videl nodded.
"But don't worry, he'll be fine. Now I have to worry about what my wife will say when she sees me!" He took off his robe. Videl grabbed it.
"I'll wash it, don't worry, I'll do your pjs too, just leave them in the laundry room. She'll never have to know."
"Thank you! Geez, we're like co-conspirators of some crime."
Videl laughed. Goku turned to go to his bedroom. "Goku?"
"Hm?"
"I'm just going to sit outside... in case Gohan comes home."
"Okay."
With that Videl left. She sat under a tree in the Son yard, swiftly falling asleep.
***
Gohan held the flower tight in his hand, speeding home. Maybe his dad could find Videl with his Instant Transmission. Gohan was thinking hard when he came to a sudden stop. There was Videl, sitting under a tree. Gohan landed besides her to find she was asleep. He smiled and gently picked her up, noting that she had a slight temperature. He carried her inside and walked to her room, lay ing her on the bed. He removed her shoes and pulled the covers up over her shoulders, tenderly brushing a strand of hair out of her face. He sighed and walked out.
Gohan walked into his room and changed into pajamas. He glanced over at his brother, sleeping peacefully, dreaming innocent dreams that he didn't have the luxury of. Dreams he hadn't had the luxury of in a long time. He sighed and exited his room, traveling into the kitchen, deciding he was hungry. He opened the refrigerator, studying it's contents with the aid of the light that illuminated the inside.
"Are you ever going to get a girlfriend?"
Gohan jumped up to find his father leaning against the kitchen cabinets. Gohan glared at him, saying nothing in return, merely slamming the door of the fridge.
After a minute he spoke. "I thought you were mom, catching me on one of my midnight raids."
Goku laughed. "Dende forbid," he offered.
Gohan nodded.
After another minute Goku spoke. "Well?"
"Well?"
"Are you ever going to get a girlfriend?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Dad..."
"Son." Goku smiled and continued. "'Cause I'd say you still have a chance with Videl."
Gohan didn't respond at all this time. Instead he turned around and opened and shut a few cabinets, pouring himself some cereal.
Goku still watched.
"And I'd bet you still want that chance."
Gohan stopped and turned around, staring at his father in the darkness. Goku smiled. "I'm going to bed for good, you young people are going to be the death of me."
***
Videl was curled up on the couch in the living room. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and her arms were folded across them. That was just how Gohan saw her when he walked out of his room. For not the first time in his life, he was reminded of an angel, her wings removed by whatever gods had given them to her, leaving her to lay where she had fallen. Into his world.
Gohan must have made some sort of noise because Videl spoke up. "Thanks for taking me inside last night, Goku-" She turned around to see Gohan, with a white flower in his hand.
"Good morning, Videl," Gohan said softly. "I got you this flower."
Videl, stunned, took it from him. "Thank you, Gohan. I thought y ou were your dad."
He knelt down by her, putting a hand on her shoulder. After she didn't say anythign else he withdrew it tentatively.
"Videl?"
"Yea?"
"I...I'm not exactly proud of me, here..."
"I know."
"But I..."
"I know."
She heard him sigh half a heartbeat before an arm snaked itself around her stomach, pulling her back against a very hard, very warm, very comfortable chest that rose and fell gently and rhythmically. They lingered in the embrace a moment before they drew apart at arms length. Gohan was almost reluctant to do that. For a few hours he had thought he would never find her, and now he wanted to maintain physical contact with her for always.
"Videl, we've been friends a long time. I'm sorry for last night. I know I probably screwed our friendship up more then is repairable. There I've apologized for that...now let me apologize for being too caught up in my own problems to notice yours."
"You were being kind of an idiot," Videl teased.
"More like an ass," he shot back. Videl laughed.
"I was wrong, too, Gohan."
"Maybe."
"Gohan?"
"Yeah? I'm still here." Videl laughed.
"I love you."
"I love you, too, Videl."
He reached into his pajama pocket and pulled out her necklace, placing it around her neck and clasping it.
"I was just thinking," he began. "About how much I'd love to kiss you again."
Videl looked up. Gohan's lips were parted ever so slightly and his breath was shallow. She smiled and they leaned into each other, kissing softly. Gohan wrapping his arms around Videl and pulled her closer to himself.
Goten, in Pjs and wiping sleep away from his eyes, walked by.
"Get a room," he said, not even really noticing them. The two pulled away.
"We have one," Gohan countered.
"So use it," Goku volleyed back, entering the room.
Videl laughed as Gohan smiled and leaned over to kiss her on the forehead.
***
Gohan has no idea what he`s doing sometimes. Like a chicken with no head. (I mean that in the most loving of ways.) Has anyone ever seen Beverly Hills Ninja? Gohan wore the pimp suit in it from part 2, remember? Well, you know how he's trying to catch the chicken an rip it's head off? That's funny. Sorry, vegetarians...
P.S. This whole fight was to show Videl gaining valuable information... heheheheeheeheehahahaHEH HEH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! <thunder sounds and lightning flashes in the background>
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Disclaimer: dntioononlalbozgrwda <- unscramble (answer at bottom)
(P.S. I also don't own `Unbelievable' by EMF)
***
Hey all! I'm back! This chapter is just a sappy Gohan-taking-care-of-Videl deal.
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER
CHAPTER NINE
Gohan gently shook Videl. "Videl, get up! It's time for school! We're going to be late," he whispered. Videl rolled over.
"Leave me alone," she grumbled. "I don't feel good."
Gohan pressed his hand up against her burning hot forehead. His eyes widened. "Videl, you have a fever. My mom'll let you stay home, don't worry."
"I feel like shit, Gohan," Videl groaned.
Gohan laughed. "Sorry." A pause. "Ya know, I think I'm going to stay home today too."
Videl smiled and sarcastically said, "Your mom's going to let you do that? Uh huh."
"I'll play the sympathy card."
"What?"
Gohan smirked. "Be right back." He exited her room, finding his mom. Chi-Chi was hysteric.
"Son Gohan! You are leaving for school in two minutes! WHAT are you DOING?!"
"Mo-om," Gohan half-whined. "I'm not going. Videl feels lousy and I'm the only one who can take care of her. She has a /fever/ for Dende's sake. You're not going to make her go to school, are you?"
"She doesn't have to, but /you/ do. I can take care of her."
Gohan rolled his eyes. "You'll catch the flu or whatever she has, too. I won't. I'm Siayan. Lemme stay home, please?"
"Goten will-"
"Yeah, right."
"Goku can-"
"Are you listening to what you're even suggesting mom?"
"Are you talking back?"
"No, ma'am."
"That's what I thought." Chi-Chi glared at her son.
Gohan's face brightened. "Look at it this way mom, I'm practicing for when I have kids!"
"By taking care of Videl?"
Gohan scratched the back of his neck. "Well, they could get sick..."
"They?"
"My kids."
"Gohan, are /you/ listening to what you're suggesting?" Gohan blushed deep red. Chi-Chi laughed. "You know what? Go ahead and take care of Videl. She'll probably need two days off so neither of you have to go back to school until Thursday." With that, Chi-Chi walked away.
Gohan was left with a puzzled expression on his face. His mom had /never/ been that easy to persuade before. What was that all about?
Gohan decided not to think about it and hopped into Videl's bedroom. "We get today and tomorrow off! So how do you feel?"
Videl, unamused, placed a hand on her forehead. "Like I was run over by a capsule car a hundred and fifty times. You?"
Gohan laughed. "So, what'd'ya wanna do?"
***
(A/N: We're going to skip only a few hours to 11:15 at night. Like I said, only a few hours... :-P)
***
"It's funny, Gohan, how when you're down even the smallest and most normally insignificant things hurt like a sonofabitch," Videl was saying. "Ug, I am so sick. Okay, for one thing, my head is so full of snot..." she laughed. "Goten would love it."
"Huh?"
"For his snot sculptures."
Gohan laughed.
All of the sudden Videl clutched her mouth. "I think I'm going to throw up."
Gohan jumped up. "Oh, no!" He quickly helped her to her feet and took her to the bathroom where Videl walked over to the toilet.
"Leave!" She protested weakly. "I don't want you to see me throw up!"
"C'mon, when my mom was pregnant with Goten all she did was throw up, it doesn't bother me."
The conversation was cut short as Videl threw up.
Just then, Goten appeared at the doorway. "What's wrong with Videl, brother?" He asked, sleepily.
"Um, heheheheh, hey Goten." Gohan pushed his brother out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. "Go back to sleep okay?"
"Is Videl alright?" Goten said, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Of course! She just has the flu. She'll be fine...after she throws up a few times."
"I just heard you say that mom threw up a lot."
Gohan smiled nervously. "That was for... other... reasons Goten."
Goten honestly looked up at his brother with his big black eyes. "Okay, but is Videl pregn-"
Gohan had his hand clamped over Goten's mouth before he could even finish his word.
"NO!" He glared at Goten. "Got to bed! What would mom say if she knew you were up!?"
Goten frowned. "She wouldn't be happy."
"No she wouldn't," Gohan confirmed.
Goten's head dropped and he marched back off to bed.
Gohan entered the bathroom, and made sure to shut the door. Videl smiled at him. "Geez, Mr. Say-It-Like-It-Is out there. He has a very big mouth."
"Yeah, sorry... about... that." Gohan cringed. There was an awkward moment or two of silence. Gohan clapped his hands together. "Hey, let's talk about some stuff to keep your mind off throwing up! What's new in your life, Videl?"
Videl smiled and moved into a more comfortable position, leaning up against the tub. "Well, I have a boyfriend."
Gohan smiled. "Tell me about him," he prompted as he, too, moved to lean against a wall across from Videl.
"He's cute, like his brother..."
Gohan face lit up. "This `cute' young man has a brother?"
"Yup."
"Really?"
Videl looked up, thinking. "Lemme see, he's handsome, sweet," she counted on her fingers as she went. "A hell of a kisser-"
"Hmmmmm? `A hell of a kisser`, eh?" Gohan smirked.
Videl rolled her eyes and ignored him, continuing. "He believes in truth, and honor, true love... he has a smile that won't wash away... "
Videl trailed off when she made eye contact with Gohan, whose face had grown almost serious looking. When he noticed she'd stopped he quickly said : "Continue!"
"...charming! He's sooooo charming... and careful... caring...so absolutely gorgeous that- that- I could just throw up!"
One of Gohan's eyebrows raised in question.
"I'm not speaking metaphorically, I'm seriously going to throw up!" Videl remarked. Gohan helped her back up to the toilet and then looked away, giving her some privacy.
A minute later, Videl was once again leaning against the tub. "I oddly feel better."
Gohan yawned. "Good. I'm going to go get some coffee, want some?" His words came out all vowels with no breaks, just changes in pitch.
"I don't feel quite /that/ good... yet," Videl answered.
Gohan left and came back a minute later with more than just `some coffee.' He also had an assortment of snack foods and chips.
Videl laughed as he began to dig in and then grew silent as she watched. A few seconds later she looked up at him, drawing his eyes. Gohan stopped in mid-action of putting something in his mouth. "What?"
Videl looked down and played with the hem of her shirt, then looked back up, almost ashamed.
"What?" Gohan questioned again.
"Gohan?"
"Yeah?"
"What- What's your, I don't know, your worst nightmare- your worst secret?" She asked quietly.
Gohan put down the food he was bringing to his mouth. He stood up, crumbs falling everywhere but he didn't care.
"Videl..."
Videl curled up against the tub. "I really want to know. I mean it."
Gohan laughed. This surprised Videl and she tilted her head to look at him.
"I'll tell you another time... we still have one more day off, maybe if you're good, I'll tell you tomorrow."
Videl sighed and looked down at her watch. 11:58.
They sat in silence as she watched the tiny instrument tick away. 11:58:30. Gohan sat down again.
11:59. Silence.
11:59:15. Gohan played with a little food, but didn't eat.
11:59:30.
11:59:45. Gohan's form finally began to relax.
12:00 AM.
Videl smiled and he looked up at her. "Ok, you wanna tell me yet? It's tomorrow," she stated.
Before she could move, Gohan dived across the room and grabbed her, playfully shaking her. Videl forgot about her flu and laughed as Gohan pulled her up to him, holding her across his chest.
"Why not?" Gohan asked, out loud.
Videl watched him expectantly.
"I'm... well, I guess I'm afraid, was afraid, no, still am afraid ... nervous, too...to fall in love."
His grip relaxed on her and she stared at him. "What?"
"Everyone near me ends up getting hurt, I don't mean it, really, it just... happens..."
Videl continued to study him, and he continued speaking.
"But with you it's different. I don't know... I could watch you fall asleep, I could watch you sleep, all night, into the morning time."
Videl cracked a smile. "I'm flattered I have that effect on you, Gohan."
Gohan smiled, uneasy. "It's just that..." He stopped, distractedly when he noticed Videl laying across his own body, on top of him, quite intimately. It reminded him of a particular snow fight weeks ago. He blushed as Videl realized the same thing. Slowly, he helped her off himself.
"Just that, Dende knows, the next thing that'll terrorize this world would be like giant, man-eating, radioactive ants and I'd have to stop them and someone would get hurt - or I would get hurt - and-"
Videl sat next to him, and he grew silent as she put her arm around him and played with his hair. He began to relax and soon fell asleep. She laughed as Gohan blushed in his sleep and immediately stopped playing with his hair. Even in his dreams he blushed.
What could the innocent Son Gohan be thinking about in his dreams to make him blush? Videl wondered, curious. Videl smiled, and brushed some stray locks of hair out of his eyes. He's so cute like that. She blushed at her own thoughts and promptly fell asleep next to him.
***
Videl awoke to the sound of pounding bass from Gohan and Goten's room. She quickly looked around and found herself in her bedroom. She rubbed her eyes and got up out of bed listening to the music... it sounded familiar. It was only when she peeked into the brothers' bedroom that she recognized it as `Unbelievable' by EMF.
She laughed.
Goten was running around with a Great Saiyaman toy, making it fly through the air as he jumped around the room, off his bed, of his walls, off his brother...
Gohan was dressed in khaki cargo pants and a wife beater. He was laughing at his brother as he sorted through his closet, looking for a shirt to wear.
Videl ducked back into her room as she heard Goku walk down the hall to his son's bedroom, not wanting to get caught spying. From her bedroom she heard this:
Goten: <chanting> SING! SING! SING! SING! SING!
Gohan: Hey, dad!
Goten: <still chanting> SING! SING! SING! SING! SING!
Gohan: Goten, I'm NOT going to sing!
Goku: <laughs> I just wanted to know what you were all doing today.
Gohan: Beats me.
Goten: He's probably going to do something with Vi-d-el!
Gohan: Goten!
Goten: <mocking Gohan> Sure Videl! /I'll/ stay home and hang out with you.
Goku: <joining in> Let's go out for a nice romantic dinner!
Goten: Come, live with me and my family.
Gohan: <seriously> That's not funny, Goten!
Goku: Next you'll be taking her to dances and asking her to marry you!
Gohan: DAD! Stop it!
Goten: Gohan and Videl sittin' in a tree ... how do you spell `kissing'? Oh well, My brother GOHAN is going to MARRY VIDEL! She's pretty, you /should/ marry her.
Gohan: That's not why people get married Goten... it's because they love each other.
Goten: But you love Videl, don't you?
Gohan: Very much
Goku: The kid's got a point. Any fool can see you love her more than anything.
Gohan: <through a smile> Yeah...alright, alright, I do love her... but marriage? I'm only eighteen, people. /She's/ only eighteen, people.
Goku: Whatever.
Goten: SING! SING! SING!
A crash.
Goten: That didn't hurt.
Gohan: It wasn't suppose to, but you stopped chanting 'SING!'
Videl realized that maybe she shouldn't be eavesdropping on their conversation. She threw on a pair of jeans and a red tank top and walked out of her room.
Gohan walked out as she was passing by his bedroom and she crashed into him.
"Sorry! You okay?" Gohan said quickly.
"Yeah! I have a knack for crashing into Saiyans, don't I?" She replied.
"What?"
"Nothing, just the other night... me and your dad, you guys are like brick walls!"
Gohan was now dressed wearing his khaki pants with a brown woven belt and a long sleeved, white canvas button down shirt. (It was buttoned up! So you couldn't see any of the wife beater... but Goku will fix that later...)
Goten came running out behind them with Goku.
"BREAKFAST!" Goten shouted.
"BREAKFAST!" Goku repeated.
Gohan followed them, lifting up his baby brother, swirling him around in the air, and plopping him down in a kitchen table chair. Videl laughed. "You're great with kids."
Gohan blushed, but respended, "Well, I once was one."
Goku laughed. "And still is."
Gohan ignored him. "What do you want to eat, bro?" he asked.
Goten thought. "Eggs!"
"Bacon," Goku chimed in.
"Juice!"
"Milk!"
"Steak!"
"Sausages!"
"Oatmeal!"
"Muffins!"
"French Toast!"
"Pancakes!"
"STOP!" Gohan shouted. "Videl, what would you like?"
"Cereal and water! Only!" Chi-Chi exclaimed, stepping into the room. "C'mon, she's getting over the flu!" She turned to Videl. "Videl, dear, why don't you go to the bathroom and freshen up, your hair's not even combed."
"Mom!"
Videl put a hand to her hair. "Um... okay," Videl said, leaving.
Gohan frowned. "What'd you do that for?"
Chi-Chi walked over. "I overheard your little conversation with Goten and Goku this morning..."
"So..."
"I heard the word `marry', did I not?"
Gohan's shoulders dropped and he rolled his eyes. "Don't start..."
"Already did. Now, let's see, shirt tucked in, good. Pants ironed, good. Fingernails clean, good."
Goku and Goten laughed, especially Goku, who stood up. "Chi-Chi, leave him alone. You know what I think? I find you, like many other females from this planet, like one of two things: Men in a tux, or all dressed up in whatever that itchy material is, and men totally 'grunge'."
"Grunge?" Gohan questioned.
"Grunge."
Chi-Chi smiled bashfully. "Well, that /is/ true. But my our boy is going to-"
Goku waved her off. "Okay, Gohan," he said. "See this?" Goku motioned to his over sized surfing short and loose T-Shirt. "Beach fatigues. Irresistible."
"True," Chi-Chi agreed, sighing.
Goku turned his attention back to Gohan. "Do this: Roll up the shirt sleeves loosely. Okay. Like that, good. Um, just untuck the shirt. Let's see. You know, let's just unbutton the shirt. Good. Good. There, you can't tell me that any teenage girl won't be after him now!"
Gohan blushed and looked at his reflection in a pan. "People at school wouldn't recognize me if I dressed like this! It's ... casual looking!"
Goten laughed. "Big brother's trying to impress Videl!" Gohan glared at Goten as Videl entered the room.
"Um, what's..." She noticed Gohan's new clothes style. "...up?"
Everyone looked at her: Goten with a big grin, Chi-Chi with a cheesy smile, Goku with a self-satisfied smirk (that oughtta be good) and Gohan almost uneasily.
Videl didn't notice, though. The only thing she saw was her extremely cute boyfriend looking extremely sexy, not to mention kind of uncomfortable.
Chi-Chi was the first to say something. "You guys should go outside and `hang out'."
Everyone now stared at her in horror, as if the world was about to end and she was some doomsday prophet.
"WHAT?! `HANG OUT?!'" Gohan exclaimed.
"You teenagers are wearing off on me!" As she said this, Chi-Chi took a variety of breakfast foods, capsulated them, and handed them to Gohan. "Here, go outside and get Videl some fresh air!"
"O...K," Gohan said, still stunned.
"AND ENJOY IT CAUSE TOMORROW YOU'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!"
***
Thursday Morning
(Videl telling Erasa about her days off)
"Well, I was sick..."
"Any highlights?"
"Sleeping on the floor with Gohan."
"Where?"
"Bathroom."
"What the HELL were you doing with him on the bathroom floor!?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
***
(answer) i do not own dragon ball z. <Flashes the thumbs-up and a cheesy grin> This worked out perfect, everyone! In honor of my next chapter, chapter ten, I will be writing a a big hu-mung-o event. So stay tuned...
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Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z. Duh. HOWEVER! I /do/ own these stories! P.S. I do not own Juicy Juice Grape Juice.
***
Hello! Heeheehee. This is my evil chapter.
Another little rant: spell check sucks. <Bangs head on keyboard> rgiijge;rjiogoihoaer
Oh! And: Personally, I don't think that this unveiling is as great as the Lip-Locked one but they do find out something extra 'bout Gohan and Hercule... I know that if you're following this story it should be in the middle of January... however, they see something about a Valentine's Day Dance so, though I know that doesn't coincide, Valentine's Day is in a week and I plan on writing something for it so tough.
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER
CHAPTER TEN
THURSDAY NIGHT
Gohan entered his house at eight o'clock. "Mom, I'm home!"
Videl came into the room, reading a large book, probably a textbook since she was making up the work she`d not done while absent. "She's in the laundry room," Videl stated, noticing Gohan was in his Saiyaman outfit, a rather dirty purple stained looking one, too.
"What happened?" Videl questioned. Gohan sighed.
"Word of advice, never stand by the Juicy Juice Grape Juice when people are shooting guns at you, for the juicy juice cartons will break and you will get soaked," he explained as he removed his sunglasses and turban.
Videl laughed. "Alright, well, g'night Gohan. I'm going to bed."
"Okay, `night."
Gohan walked into the laundry room. "Hey, mom."
"You smell like Juicy Juice."
Gohan nodded. "Cause I'm covered in it. I was just going to wash this," Gohan said, removing the green Saiyaman cover. (A/N: Heh heh heh... Gohan: ^_^() )
Chi-Chi took it from him. "I'll do it, it can go in the load I'm washing right now."
"Great. Goodnight, mom."
"Goodnight, Gohan."
Gohan transformed back to his normal school clothes, walking into the bathroom. He saw Videl, her face covered in soap suds with her eyes closed, medicine cabinet open, washing her face. He grinned and crossed his arms, leaning against the doorjamb.
Gohan watched as Videl rinsed off her face, shut the medicine cabinet, patted the counter for a towel and found it.
As Videl dried off her face, Gohan moved forward so he was standing right behind her. Videl put the towel down, opened her eyes and screamed at the reflection in the mirror as Gohan wrapped his arms around her, laughing as she tried to hit him.
Frantic, Videl grabbed a bottle of bubble bath and squirted it at Gohan. Gohan screamed, trying to rip the bottle out of her hands while turning on the shower. He pushed her under the cold water, Videl shrieked and pulled him in with her under the spray, still squirting bubble bath at him.
"Well, I'm glad to see you feeling much better," Gohan remarked.
Videl grunted a response as she ran out of bubble bath and grabbed shampoo. "You scared me, Gohan!"
To this he laughed.
Goten ran in from his bedroom. "Fight!" He exclaimed, jumping into the fray, and following Videl's example as he armed himself with conditioner.
"Kids," Goku remarked walking by.
***
FRIDAY MORNING
BEFORE FIRST HOUR
Gohan and Videl entered, taking their respective seats, speaking of a sign they saw for a Valentine`s Day Dance at Orange Star. (By the way, the teacher, just to give him a face, is the one that made Gohan hold the buckets.) Both teenagers were glaring at each other with grins on their face.
Sharpner grabbed Gohan's arm. "Please tell me we didn't have a lab!" He exclaimed.
"We didn't have a lab," Gohan stated.
"Are you just saying that?" Sharpner demanded.
"Since you asked me to, yes."
"NOOOOO!"
Sharpner looked at him. "Gohan!" he whispered loudly. "I need help! I didn't finish my lab paper and it's do next hour. Can I copy yours? Please, please, please, please, pleeeeeeease?"
Gohan laughed and rummaged through a folder of his. "Here, he said, handing Sharpner a neatly written lab.
"Thank you!!!!! You have saved my grade."
Gohan laughed and opened his English book, thinking. He remembered when Sharpner couldn't stand him. Sharpner had once thought Gohan was a little show off and nothing more. Now, they were best friends. Gohan almost had fun being one of the least cool people at the school. Sharpner and Erasa liked him as a friend and that's really all he needed. As well as Videl, who knew everything, but still liked him... she /loved/ him.
"Okay, class. Ahem, class!" The teacher shouted. "Who's not here today... Mark, Ahodu...."
Gohan sighed and began writing a note to Videl.
Hey,
Wazzup, girlfriend? Did that sound like something Sharpner would say or what? It's so boring sitting two seats down from you. Is it exciting over there, four feet away from me? So... what'd'ya wanna do when we get home? Spar? (He drew a mean face.) Eat? (He drew a smiley face.) Backseat? (He drew an evil face.) Just kidding, you know that. Well, if this note isn't proof of how bored I am... never mind. This makes no sense. (Smiley face with tongue sticking out) I am taking you to that dance! Love ya, Videl.
(Signed.) Gohan.
P.S. I so won the fight last night!
Gohan handed the note to Erasa, who handed the note to Videl.
As Videl read it she laughed. When she finished she took out a pencil and scrawled a reply.
Gohan- you're so full of shit... but I love you. You're also such a badass! What's up with that? First, you 'drink' at Mark's party, them you `strip' at a department store, /now/ you want to `backseat'? I'm for it. Just kidding. You bet you're taking me to the dance!
Tag you're it, Videl
P.S. I kicked your ass last night, Gohan.
Erasa rolled her eyes as she passed Videl's note to Gohan.
Gohan read it and quickly wrote something else on it. Erasa passed it to Videl.
It read: Tag. /You're/ it.
Videl sent one to Gohan: You're it. Touch blue, make it true.
Gohan was about to reply when Hercule and Mark showed up.
"We have a lead on the identity of the Great Saiyaman! Is there a Son Gohan here?" Mark said, smirking.
Everyone turned to look at Gohan who was in the process of ducking under his table-desk, painfully realizing he was conscious as all eyes followed him. He stood up. "I'm here."
Just then, Mark and Hercule appeared. "Yes, that's him," Mark said to himself.
The kids in his class were now starting to whisper. One boy stood up. "Are you the Great Saiyaman?" He asked.
Gohan sighed and cast a quick glance at Videl. Videl looked away, knowing he wouldn't lie. Not to a big group like this.
"Yes."
"You're the Great Saiyaman!" Erasa exclaimed, jumping up.
"Everyone needs a hobby," he responded.
"Prove it!" A girl shouted. Gohan shrugged and pressed a button on his watch. Light filtered through the room and then there stood the Great Saiyaman...In less then perfect attire.
"That's not the Saiyaman costume!" The boy exclaimed. Gohan's face scrunched up in question.
"You bet it is-"
Then he realized it... as a few girls started to swoon.
Oops.
All he was wearing was the black undersuit. All of the sudden he felt very exposed.
Erasa grabbed his arm, pinching him. "So are these real or what?" She asked, indicating his muscles.
"They're real!" Gohan exclaimed.
Hercule was pissed. They were suppose to be making fun of him, or... or... something!
"Bah- Wah- NO! Okay, fine! You all want to know the truth, I'll tell you the truth! He's an alien!" Hercule boomed. "He's dangerous!"
"Wha?!" Gohan exclaimed.
Videl stood up. "Dad!"
Gohan was breathing quickly. "I suddenly had the feeling that I was plummeting to my death. But I'm not."
"An alien?" Sharpner asked, backing away. Erasa stopped touching him and recoiled in fear as well.
"Yes!" Hercule replied in response to Sharpner's question.
Sharpner looked at Videl. "And you're going out with him? You can't do that."
"To hell I can't!" Videl shouted back at him.
"You knew about this?" Erasa questioned. Videl didn't respond.
Hercule continued. "Something called a Saiyan. Why don't you ask him?"
All eyes were once again on Gohan. "Ah, um..." He looked at Videl again, she moved closer to him for support.
"It`s true."
"Ha!" Hercule shouted. "I vote to get his alien ass kicked out of the school!"
Erasa gathered her courage and moved closer to Gohan. "But, but, he fights crime, and helps people out and..." she moved closer.
Sharpner did likewise. "And he's helped everyone here with their homework at some point or another!"
"Thanks guys," Gohan said weakly, smiling at them. Nice try, Gohan thought.
Mark stepped forward in front of Hercule. "Are you really going to listen to them? I say we get rid of the Sai- Sai-'
"Siayan," Gohan supplied.
Mark glared at him. "I say we get rid of this little Saiyashit. We don't need him!"
A few people nodded.
Hercule smirked. "I'd say it was nice knowing you, but that would be a lie, see ya around."
Hercule began to walk towards them. There was nothing they could do, if Gohan hurt Hercule, then he would only be proving that he was dangerous. If he became a super Saiyan then that would just freak the class out. Videl, in a desperate attempt to do anything, grabbed Gohan's hand, pulled him to her, put her hand on the back of his head, pulling his face towards hers and kissed him.
Videl smiled inwardly, aware that everyone was looking at the two of them. She opened her eyes, looking into Gohan's, blushing at the intensity of them. Her cheeks went hot.
Gohan was pulled into her kiss and eyes immediately. Ignoring everyone, he wrapped his arms around Videl, purposely holding her close to his own body. Take that Hercule, he thought.
"This is two weird for words," Sharpner commented.
"Weird good or weird bad?" Someone asked.
"Weird WEIRD!" Sharpner replied.
"Can anyone say `tabloid`?" Erasa asked.
Videl felt Gohan's arms snake around her and smiled through her kiss. Gohan had never kissed her in `Mr. Saiyaman' mode, as she thought of it, before.
Sharpner was now laughing. Hercule, if he were Saiyan, would have gone Super right there.
As it was, he charged up to their desk pulling the two apart.
"Videl! Stop acting like some- some- skank in front of your whole class! Do I have to remind you he's an alien."
"I know that already, dad."
"But you care about that don't you? Huh? He's a freak! He had a tail!-"
Gohan cut him off, looking at Videl. "You care about that?" He asked, hurt.
Hercule saw what his words had done, so had Mark. Before Videl could answer, Mark spoke up. "You bet. She's the one that told us you were alien and the Great Saiyaman. She can't stand you, she's just playing you for all it's-"
Gohan took a step back. "Videl?"
"No! I do not care that you're an alien! No! They're lying. And I definitely didn't tell them you were the Great Saiyaman!"
"Did you tell them I was alien?"
"No! You know my dad knows that from seven years ago!"
"VIDEL!" Hercule shouted.
"What happened seven years ago?" Someone asked.
"NOTHING!" Videl, Hercule, and Gohan shouted.
Videl continued. "I swear to you, Gohan. I do not care! Do you understand? I do not care that you`re an alien!"
"Marry her," Sharpner whispered.
Videl turned her attention to her father. "You both," she said motioning to Mark. "Have no right doing what you're doing, I don't care /what/ you were talking about downstairs that night you ran into us at dinner!"
Gohan took another step back. "You knew they were going to do this Videl?" He looked at her with distrust.
"Gohan, I'm sorry, I didn't think that- I don't know- It's just- I'm sorry, I mean-"
Gohan began to look like a caged animal. The only ally he thought he had knew about this and never even mentioned it? "Any thing else I should know, Videl?" He asked. "Any other surprises? Huh?"
Videl turned to her father and Mark. "Why'd you lie? Why /do/ you lie?"
Videl turned around to the whole class, looking at everyone as she spoke.
"Goku always says not to think badly of anyone until you give them a chance. What does it matter if Gohan /is/ part alien? I'd hate to sound clich� but what matters is what's on the inside. And you know what? On the inside," she looked back at Gohan. "Gohan has heart."
Hercule laughed. "Goku, by the way, is Gohan's father, he`s alien too."
Sharpner sat up. "Wait, Goku's the guy that did really good in all those martial arts tournaments."
"Yeah," someone else said.
Sharpner looked at Gohan. "I remember him!"
Hercule's eyes widened as his statement about Goku was turning against him. "Goku is a weakling! Remember when he tried to beat Cell? He-"
"Don't speak about Goku like that," Videl said, voice low and calm.
Gohan, however, was not. "That`s my dad! You can talk about almost anyone however you want to- but you do not call my father a weakling! He /died/ fighting Cell! Hercule! Are you listening to me? Hercule, who really beat Cell?"
Videl grabbed Gohan's shoulder roughly. "What are you doing?"
Hercule stammered, "I-I beat Cell. O-O-Of course."
Gohan laughed in his face. "If you're going to lie, at least sound like you believe it."
"What are you talking about?" Hercule asked nervously. "No one will ever believe you..." he added to Gohan under his breath.
Gohan grinned slyly. Hercule's eyes widened. "I can prove it," he said, breath a whisper.
"What?" Videl questioned.
"Super Saiyan."
"Gohan..."
Gohan stood up straight. "You know as much as anyone that I don`t want anyone to know, but telling everyone that I beat Cell to save this planet is the only way they're going to believe that I'm not here to hurt people."
"Saiyaman..." Videl offered.
"That didn't work."
Videl saw his point. "Fine..."
Gohan hesitated a minute looking at Videl. Then, once again a flash of light filled the classroom. A blast of air blew all papers against the walls. Gohan concentrated on thinking of something that angered him. Like Mark, for example. The Super Saiyan form gripped him and his hair turned gold and his eyes, green. Underneath the black undersuit, Gohan's muscles grew to accompany the new power he had brought out.
Needless to say, Mark screamed like a girl. And Hercule was quickly backing up as he was repeating, "I'm not afraid of you! I'm not afraid of you!"
"Famous last words," Gohan said.
Gohan looked at Hercule venomously . "Who beat Cell?"
"I did."
Gohan expanded his power, his energy bursting once again.
"You did," Hercule said immediately.
Videl continued to watch her father, upset. Everyone's eyes widened.
Gohan shut his eyes and powered down.
"Did he ever mean to harm anyone?" Videl asked.
"N-No, but-"
"No `buts' dad!" A sob escaped her lips. "Why would you say anything like that?"
"What's the big deal?" Hercule asked.
"Everything! Gohan wouldn't hurt anyone and neither would his family! I can't believe you'd say something like that about him when everything is really your fault!" Gohan walked up to her and hugged her, holding her head against his chest.
"Calm down, Videl," he said soothingly. "It's okay."
"No it's not," Videl said weakly. "People know who you are now. You didn't want that and-"
"It was the only way, you agreed."
Videl shook in his arms. "But if dad hadn't said anything, your secret would still be safe."
Gohan shut his eyes and rocked Videl back and forth. Everyone else in the room watched uneasily. For seven years the hero of the world had been Hercule. Hercule had done it, he had saved everyone from Cell. They owed their lives to him. He was the world champion! But now, what was this? It had actually been an eleven year old boy who was almost too scared to have done anything?
Gohan opened his eyes, still holding Videl, to look at everyone else. He stared them all right in the eye.
/This/ was the most powerful man on the earth?
/This/ guy, who was made fun of on a daily basis?
The antisocial loser who had never had any friends his own age until a year ago?
/This/ was the guy they owed their lives to?
Gohan sighed. Of all the things he wanted to do right now, one really jumped out at him. And that was getting rid of Mark and Hercule immediately.
He let go of Videl. Unceremoniously, he picked up Hercule and Mark by the backs of their shirts, not hiding his power, and walked to the door, placing them outside the classroom.
"I just want to tell you- and I think I speak for everyone- when I say-" Gohan slammed the door in their faces.
When he turned back to the class everyone was in their seats and looking at him with awe.
"You really beat Cell?" A voice asked.
Gohan nodded as he walked over to Videl. Her face was contorted in sorrow. "Why? Why couldn't he just leave you alone... now there's going to be reporters and- oh, why did he have to do that?" Gohan smiled bravely.
"Videl? Hey! Don't worry...I've found in this world that you have to laugh- you have to see the best in each situation- because if you don't laugh...you'll cry."
Gohan sat down in his desk, looking as if nothing had happened. He looked over at his teacher, who looked frazzled. It wasn`t everyday you find out that you have an alien that had saved the world in your class.
One girl spoke out. "Are there any other aliens?"
"To answer your question," he said. "Yes. Too many to list right now."
"Are any green?" A few people laughed. Gohan smiled.
"His name is Piccolo. He's a Namek. He's tall, and, well, green..."
"Can you really fly?" Another girl asked.
"Yes." Gohan hovered off the seat and flew up to touch the ceiling. "Videl can, too."
A boy stood up. "If there was another bad guy would he be dangerous to fight, or are they weak?"
"It would be impossible for a human to fight someone with Cell`s strength." Gohan said. "...impossible for a normal person. "
Videl laughed. "So, you're saying that you're a freak?" She kidded.
"Yep." He said. " And you know what they say about freaks."
"What?"
"He who hangs out with a freak, is a freak." He said.
"Hmm. So Goten is a freak too?" She said, lifting her eyebrow up.
"Who's Goten?" Someone asked.
"Gohan's kid brother," Videl replied.
"So can you kill people easily?"
"Yes, but I don't."
"Who else is Saiyan?"
"I don't want to disclose that information."
"What did Hercule really do at the Cell games?"
"For the most part, cower in a corner."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"How do you get a body like that?"
Gohan raised an eyebrow, noticing he was still in the partial Saiyaman costume, hit the button on his watch. "I work out."
(A/N: I do push-ups and sit-ups and drink lots of juice!)
Another kid raised his hand. "So what do you do?"
"Everything a normal human does. I have to eat, sleep, study, work... I'm the Great Saiyaman by day." He stood up and struck a Saiyaman-type pose, putting both hands on his hips.
"And by night?" The kid asked.
Gohan chuckled. "I annoy my baby brother and scare Videl."
"What?" The kid asked.
"I live with him."
"Y-You do?"
Videl nodded.
"She does," Gohan confirmed.
"Are you guys going out?" A girl asked. "Cause she kissed you and all."
Gohan smiled proudly. "Yes."
Videl laughed.
"Do you guys ever, you know-"
"NO!" Gohan and Videl both shouted. Sharpner and Erasa laughed as the whole class joined in. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all...
FRIDAY NIGHT
Videl walked out of the bathroom wearing khaki shorts and an army green T-Shirt, with a towel wrapped around her head, having just got out of the shower. She plopped down on her bed and took out the novel they were reading for English. She was just about to begin reading it when a tall figure appeared in the door.
It was Gohan.
Gohan wore a black turtleneck and jeans. His hands were nervously fidgeting. Hesitant, he cleared his throat.
"What's wrong, Gohan?"
Gohan kind of shrugged, allowing his hands to drop at his sides. He leaned against her wall and looked away. Videl stared at him, trying to ignore how incredibly handsome he was.
"Gohan? Is it about today? No one really seemed to care and there`s no reporters following us-"
He nodded.
Gohan looked as if he were on the verge of telling her something but just couldn't get it out. Videl jumped off her bed and hugged him.
"I am so sorry about today, Gohan, honestly. But, that whole Super Saiyan thing was not a good idea. Luckily no one seemed to care... they thought it was kind of cool."
Gohan tightened his hold on Videl a bit. "I know. I'm not saying it was a good idea... I just snapped !It won't be `kind of cool' when the Satan City Police or the newspapers get a hold of it, though, our class loved it. I felt like I should be on some show called 'Twenty Questions with an Alien... Your host: Son Gohan!' "
Videl laughed. "Don't worry, you'll get through this and I'll be there for you."
"I know." Gohan smiled.
"And," Videl added. "How about a day of sparing... just you and me. Tomorrow's Saturday, no school."
"Let's see: sulk around house in a state of disbelief after what's happened today BEFORE saving the world from evil forces and convincing my mother to let me go hang out for a whole day with you and do nothing but fight? ... ah you're worth it."
Videl laughed. "Then it's a date."
"You bet."
***
Okay, next chapter... a day of sparing and a funny revelation for the z team...well Krillin seems to think so... oh yeah, and the fact that Gohan's school is going to know who he is by sundown is going to make for interesting plot devices at the Valentine's day dance... <eViL gRiN>
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