BFFC23.page

First off, I just want to say I am amazed that I have 147 reviews! You guys are seriously the greatest out there! Give yourself a pat on the back. (I wonder how many of you actually just did that.) Anyways, does anyone realize that our precious summer vacations are almost up? That fact sucks. Also, the sugar experience later in this chapter is based on the white, white, white, sand the have in Florida. For everyone's information: This is just a filler chapter, nothing important really happens here. Just FYI.

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Disclaimer: I own nothing except Teen Gohan and The Great Saiyaman action figures. (Also all my recorded episodes of DBZ.) Everything else is � Akira Toriyama except for original characters blah, blah, blah- on to the fic!

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER CHAPTER 23

"Ow, ow, ow! Could you keep the noise level down a bit?" Goku asked as he exited the bedroom and made his way to the kitchen table. "It's waaaaay too early in the morning."

"Honey, it's practically noon," Chi-Chi said, setting down a large platter of food and throwing her arms around her husband's neck.

"Like I said.early," Goku groaned.

Chi-Chi laughed causing Goku to groan again. "Have a little too much fun at the restaurant yesterday?" She prodded.

Goku shrugged. "I was okay until about the fiftieth drink, when Vegeta sucker punched me in the gut- Hey! Where's everyone?"

"Um, Bulma and I decided to throw Gohan and Videl's high school class a party on the beach later today. Videl took Goten over to Trunks's so she and Bulma could go to the beach and set up, and Gohan's at WCU. Staff meeting. So we'll be going to the beach later this afternoon. How's that sound?"

Goku squeezed his eyes shut. "Very loud."

***************

"...so that's when Chi-Chi and I decided to throw a little party for them..." Bulma explained from the living room. Vegeta, in the kitchen, opened the refrigerator door.

"Good for you. What's for lunch?"

"...and everyone's going and it's at the coastal beach near Satan City," Bulma finished quickly. Everything was silent. Then, there was the slamming noise of a refrigerator door.

"What are you trying to tell me woman?"

"That you're going whether you want to or not, and, if you don't, you will starve for the rest of your life, sleep on the sofa, and never step foot in a gravity room again!"

Vegeta huffed. "That is so typical, woman. I grow tired of hearing the same old threats."

"Are you telling me you won't go?" Bulma demanded.

Vegeta shook his head. "'Course not!"

"Good. Videl and I are leaving to set up, then we're going to run a few errands and invite the rest of the gang. We'll be back to pick up you Trunks and Goten in a few hours, expect us by five!"

"Damn it," Vegeta muttered.

***************
SIX-THIRTY P.M. AT THE BEACH SOUTH OF SATAN CITY
***************

Bulma smiled as she set the hover car down perfectly in a parking space (only to get out and encapsulate it.) Vegeta was seething.

"Do you women enjoy these outings or something? 'Cause us husbands can't stand them!"

Bulma smiled. "Vegeta you're the only one. Goku, and Krillin love these So do Yamcha and Master Roshi-"

"Oh, he doesn't count, the perv likes it anywhere there are women walking around in two piece bathing-" Bulma cut him off as she spied Chi-Chi.

"Oh my gosh!" She screamed. "You're son's getting married!" Videl rolled her eyes from behind Bulma. Chi-Chi was smiling brightly.

"You know, Bulma, I hope Vegeta didn't mind coming to this thing on such short notice." Bulma waved her off.

"Nonsense, Vegeta's going to have a great time," she stated, emphasizing 'great' as she turned back to her husband and Trunks. "Okay, Trunks, what did we talk about?"

The purple haired youngster sighed. "I promise not to wander off, get Goten in trouble, or blow anything at all up, especially living things."

"Very good."

Vegeta began walking away quickly. "You just don't want him to show any sign of Saiyan royalty at all, do you?" Bulma ignored him and began talking to Chi-Chi. Videl left to head toward the beach on her own, passing Goku as he went to talk to Vegeta.

"Oh, Videl!" Goku called. "I saw some of your friends from school down by where Bulma set up the barbecue pit," he informed. "We're makin' ribs!" He added happily.

"Thanks," Videl replied. "And Gohan's still at his meeting but he'll be showing up as soon as he can."

"Okay." Videl placed her towel on the ground. She was dressed in a pale purple swimsuit with a white sarong. Over this was a T-Shirt that she removed.

"I love your bathing suit!" A female voice called from behind her.

Videl turned around. "Angela, hi," she returned with little enthusiasm.

"You are not going to believe this!" The redhead exclaimed.

"Believe what?"

"I'm going to West Capital! I was accepted! Maybe I'll be taking Gohan's class!" Angela smiled. "That guy is such a stud- but, that's right you're his fianc�!" She gushed.

"Videl!" Videl heard Chi-Chi call.

"I have to go," she said quickly to Angela.

*******************

Vegeta sat under a palm tree, brooding on what ill-fortune brought him to this Kami-forsaken place called a beach. Everyone with common sense stayed away from him.

Everyone except one man.

Everyone except Kakarott.

But then again, Vegeta thought. He's always been a little low on the common sense factor.

"Vegeta! Hey! I'm glad you could make it!" Goku shouted. Vegeta shot off one of his dirtiest looks, but the younger Saiyan didn't seem fazed. In fact, he looked downright comfortable, walking towards the prince in nothing but a pair of Malibu shorts and sandals.

"Kakarott..." Vegeta began.

"I can't believe you came!" Goku continued.

"Anything to get that god-awful women of my back," Vegeta muttered. Goku ignored the statement.

"Bulma said you and I are in charge of making sure that the kids stay safe. She also made it a point for me to tell you not to do a 'half-assed job'."

Vegeta growled. "The kids are all eighteen, they're going off to college in less than a month, they'll be fine."

"Not those kids, our kids," Goku replied looking at Goten and Trunks.

Vegeta shot him the evil eye. "Listen to me, Kakarott. If you think you can prance up to me in that ridiculous attire and tell me what to do than you can prance right back! I refuse to do another thing that women tells me until-" Goku turned around and began walking away.

"Vegeta's about to blow a gasket," he called nonchalantly.

**************************

Videl was flushing and paling alternatively as Chi-Chi and Bulma were talking. They were talking about her. And all about their new favorite topic: Gohan'sfianc�whoisgoingtomakeaperfectmotherforhischildren.

Eventually the two forgot Videl's presence as Bulma spied Vegeta popping some Advil.

"Vegeta! What in heaven's name are you doing?" Bulma shrieked. "Haven't you had like seven of those? Won't you die?"

Vegeta regarded her coolly. "Unfortunately, my Saiyan blood won't let that happen."

"Okay, listen, mister-" Bulma began. Videl was spared from listening to the fight as Gohan dropped from the sky right in front of her, still wearing the suit he had worn to the meeting.

"Hey, everyone!" he said happily, pulling off the suit jacket and loosening the tie, halting the motion when he noticed Videl. Videl smiled and spun around gracefully, showing off her bathing suit.

"Since you're not saying anything, I assume it'll do?" Gohan stopped fidgeting with his tie and stuffed his hands in his pockets almost bashfully and walked towards her. Videl tilted back her head and placed her chin on his chest. "How was your meeting?"

Gohan put his own chin to his chest and sighed. "It was okay. Well, I want to teach history, and believe me I am, the board over there at West Capital just put a little spin on it."

Videl frowned. "What kind of spin?"

Gohan pulled his hands out of his pockets. "Get ready for this," he warned, stepping away. By now the gathered Z-Senshi had pretty much fixed their attention on the conversation. "I am going to be teaching, and developing all the textbooks, curriculum, etc., for a history class on the Saiyan people." Everyone was shocked at first but then began to congratulate him. "That's not all," he said, cutting them off. "I'm also teaching another class."

"What class?" Krillin asked.

Gohan exhaled. "The true events of the Cell Games."

"Holy shit," Yamcha swore under his breath. "Why you?"

"Uh, I think because they figure 'Who better to teach the Cell Games than the kid that killed him!'" Gohan answered. "I need to write textbooks on Saiyan history and culture. They also said a written personal account of the Cell Games would be fantastic as well as a best-seller."

"Wow, you'll be like an author!" Tien said cheerily.

Gohan smiled. "I guess I will. That's kind of cool. But c'mon, we're having a party! Let's have some fun!"

Videl walked over to him as the fighters dispersed. "Gohan, the question is, can you teach a class on the Cell Games?"

Gohan pulled off his tie. "The answer to that is simple: no. I can't even talk about the Cell Games. There are things I haven't even told you. Think about it, you know your dad fought and lost, my dad fought, stopped, I fought, Cell threatened to blow up the Earth, my dad prevented that, he died, I finished him. What else do you really know besides that?"

Videl stammered. "Well, I know that you- well you fought those seven Cell Junior things-"

"Do you know why?"

"No, uh, well, you were supposed to fight them, right?"

Gohan pulled off his shoes and socks. "Never mind, this isn't a discussion to have here. I'm going to go change into my swim trunks." Before he could say another word Bulma came up to the couple.

"Don't we look handsome tonight?" Bulma commented to Gohan. "Vegeta, take a look at Gohan!" Vegeta regarded Gohan, expression blank.

"So what?"

Bulma shrugged. "He looks nice."

Gohan and Videl were saved from the impending fight as a car squealed its breaks. Then the sound of Erasa shouting "Videl, hey!" reached their ears. Erasa jumped out of the driver's seat of Sharpner's car. "Sorry we're late!"

Sharpner, still in the passenger seat, cringed. "I can't believe you squealed the tires. The word 'classic' mean anything to you?"

"Hey!" Gohan threw a high-five greeting to his friend.

"How's it going?" Sharpner asked, slapping Gohan's hand.

Erasa smiled at Videl. "Can we say 'hot'?" She asked. "I mean, look at some of the guys around here, they're all so. muscular. There are entirely too many gorgeous men here. Entirely too many gorgeous men without shirts on. Videl- they're shirtless!"

Videl rolled her eyes for the second time that day. "Erasa, they're Gohan's dad's friends. They're all like forty."

Gohan interrupted. "I'm going to go change, be right back."

About five minutes later Gohan began walking back from the beach house where he changed. He now wore swim trunks and sandals like his dad. Erasa leaned in towards Videl. "Men like that should not be made to wear shirts," she commented. Videl gave her an odd look. "Yeah," Erasa continued. "The law should be that the maximum amount of clothing they can wear is boxers."

Sharpner glared at her. "Shut up, shut up, shut up. You're going out with me and I work out just as much-" Erasa moved over to Sharpner and wrapped her arms around him.

"I know, I'm just admiring the view."

"So who's up for swimming?" Gohan suggested. His question was followed by a series of 'Me!'s from Videl and Sharpner.

Erasa just pushed Gohan a bit and said, "Let's see some flexing!" Gohan blushed but performed a couple of flexes for her. Erasa pinched his cheek giggling. "You are so cute!"

Videl smiled and moved over to Gohan who wrapped his arm around her. "And the thing is, he knows it!" Videl said.

Gohan gave her an exaggerated wink. "You bet!" He laughed. "To the water!"

Erasa clapped her hands enthusiastically. "I'll follow from behind, guys!" She said, giving Videl the thumbs up and a wink.

Bulma smiled as she watched the teenagers leave. "That's so great," she commented. "Gohan really turned around and became the carefree boy he once was."

Goku took a swig of his Pepsi. "Yeah, with her help."

Bulma shrugged. "C'mon, Goku. Point of fact is that Gohan's turned back into the sweet, smiling child that he used to be. He never was the same after everything that happened when he was eleven. It's like a miracle."

"Exactly," Tien affirmed.

Goku threw a glance back at them over his shoulder and returned his gaze to his son and his friends. He sighed. A miracle? Or was Gohan just really, really good at hiding?

Bulma noticed the look on Goku's face but didn't say anything. "Time to continue making tons of food." She began turning over ribs on the barbecue, hitting Vegeta's hands as he tried to snatch one. "How dare you! I'm cooking and the next time you try to pull something like that I promise you'll be sorry." Bulma barked. "Listen here, my so-called prince, here's how his is going to work. I cook. You don't take any food. That way I can cook without interruptions. Is that clear?"

Vegeta stood with his arms folded, silent, as Bulma began to cook again, mumbling out what could have been an apology. Then again, it probably wasn't.

"So... back to the barbecue?" Bulma asked, sweetly. "Oh and Goku, Goten, can you mix up some lemonade?"

"Sure we will Bulma," Goku said quickly. "Let's go Goten!"

Goten followed. "Dad, look at this sand! We don't have anything like this back at our house, just dirt." He shoved a plastic cup full of sand in his father's face.

"That's right, Goten. Now, all we need is this fresh lemon juice Bulma brought," he poured it into a large punch bowl. "And some sugar to mix in. Can you get the sugar, buddy? We need about a cupful for this much lemonade."

Goten walked over to the car where Bulma had a bag full of sugar. Grabbing a plastic cup, he filled it with the white substance. "Got it dad!" He called, running back.

"Alright, now dump it into the lemonade and I'll mix." Goten looked down at his hands. Both held cups and both cup held a white sugary substance. One cup had to be sugar and one cup had to be sand.

"Uh oh," he said softly, shrugging and dumping one in. Goku mixed it up.

"Daddy," Goten began.

"What?"

"I think I just put sand in the lemonade. I didn't now which was which."

Goku stopped. "Why didn't you tell me? Here, give me the cup you didn't pour in." Goten handed him the cup. Goku ate some. "Well, this is definitely sand, so you put the sugar in there. Don't worry."

Vegeta walked up. Goku and Goten grinned at him. Vegeta frowned.

"Want some lemonade?" Goku offered.

Vegeta eyed the lemonade suspiciously. "Not if you two made it. I think I'll do as the Namek does and just have some water."

Goku whined. "Awwww, but Vegeta I know we made it right!"

**********************

Sharpner was calf-deep in the ocean water, posing for the camera with Gohan and Videl. "Okay, so I want everyone together with the sunset in the background. There... perfect!" Erasa exclaimed, snapping a camera shot. "Now just Videl and Gohan!"

Sharpner slumped exaggeratedly and frowned. "Aw, I'll have Videl take a pic of you and me next!" Sharpner perked up with a smile and hugged her.

Gohan stood behind Videl and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, letting his head drop towards Videl's neck. Videl cocked her head towards Gohan and smiled as Erasa snapped another photograph.

"Now me and Sharpner!" She shouted. Videl laughed and took the camera from Erasa, waiting for them to pose and then taking a photo. Erasa gave Sharpner a quick kiss and then sighed. "I can't believe this was our last year to hang out together!" Everyone else sighed. She pointed at Gohan. "You're going off to teach at West Capital." She pointed to Sharpner and Videl. "You guys are going to Satan College. And then I'm going to take a year off from my education to work as a receptionist at my dad's office. This is so sad!" Erasa threw her arms around Gohan and Sharpner. "What am I going to do without my big strong guys to protect me?" She went over and hugged Videl. "And my best gal friend to hang out with?"

All four best friends looked at each other for a moment. The setting sun finally completing its decent in the sky as night staked its claim. Gohan cleared his throat. "Hey, right here we have everything that will ever really be important to us. Let's promise not to lose that."

Sharpner nodded. "Well said, my man."

The group was interrupted as Goku trotted up, stopping at the water's line. "Guys! Food's done! Time to eat! Eat! Eat! Eat!" The group rushed in.

"What are we eatin', dad?" Gohan asked quickly.

"Barbecue ribs and-"

"Ribs?" Erasa asked. "I'm a vegetarian, I can't-"

"No problem," Goku said with a wave of his hand. "See the guy in the red shorts with the white print? That's Tien. He'll fix you up with something meatless."

Erasa nodded and walked up behind the man Goku described. "'Scuse me? Goku said to ask you about a vegetarian meal?"

The man laughed. "Tien-shin-han at your service, ma'am," he stated politely, turning around.

"Tien-shin-haoooooooly shit- you have three eyes. And I knew that, I'm sorry. I just wasn't expecting-"

"It's okay, don't beat yourself up."

Erasa swallowed. "Sorry about the 'three eyes' remark," she said apologetically.

"No offense taken."

"Okay."

"Yeah."

"I'm Erasa. One of Gohan's girlfriend's -er- fianc�s best friends."

The large man smiled. "Nice to meet you."'

Erasa laughed. "Pleasure."

Tien sighed. "Sooo, let's get started on that meal, shall we? What would you like... a shish kabob with just fruits and veggies?"

Erasa shrugged. "Sounds perfect!"

Videl came running up behind her, tapping Erasa on her shoulder. "We're waiting on you to eat. Oh, hi Tien."

"Hi, Videl. Congrats, by the way. You really gave Gohan a run for his money," he joked.

"I try," Videl said, trying to hide a grin.

Tien worked his culinary magic quickly. Placing two fruit-and- vegetable shish kabobs on a plate. "There you go!" He announced. "Now go hang out with those significant others of yours. I'm sure they miss you already!"

Erasa smiled widely. "Thanks!"

When Erasa and Videl made it to the area where their friends were eating at a cluster of beach chairs, Sharpner was ecstatic. " 'Rasa! Gohan's going to do a Kamehameha Wave!"

"Why?"

"Cause we asked him to! Wouldn't it be great to see THE attack that completely annihilated Cell?"

Videl cast a glance at Gohan. "Yeah, I guess."

Sharpner looked at her disbelieving, a piece of pineapple in his hand. "It was only the single-most thing that decided the fate of the planet!"

Videl still hadn't taken her eyes off Gohan.

"S'okay, Videl," Gohan said with quiet cheer. "As a matter of fact, I'll do it right now."

Gohan got up and jogged to the shoreline, stopping and breathing deeply. Erasa smiled. "Yea! Gohan!" Gohan looked back with a smile before bringing his hands in front of him.

"KA..."

The first shout began to attract some attention from the other high school graduates on the beach. The sharp, rapid rise in Gohan's ki alerted the fighters. Gohan brought his hands to his right side.

"ME..."

Angela screamed. "He's doing one of those power thingies, isn't he?"

"HA..."

Sharpner glared at her. "It's called a 'Kamehameha Wave, for your information."

"ME..."

Gohan continued to hold his hands at his side a little longer for a dramatic effect, the ki sparking as he prepared to use it.

"HA!"

Gohan brought his hands forward, allowing only a fraction of his energy out. People watched in awe, and then clapped, as the energy cut through the waves and seemed to continue well on into the ocean. Gohan allowed a wave of ki to explode around him, flaring sand in ever which way.

Cheers rang out. Gohan turned around as he modestly shrugged, like firing off one of the strongest ki blasts ever created was as easy as tying a knot. Over the applause Goku's voice boomed (with the aid of a microphone.)

"Yes everyone, that's my son. And don't look so astonished because that one was nothing compared to what he could do and what he has done. However," Goku chuckled. "That's nothing compared to what I can do."

Laughter rose up from the various scattered groups along the beach. "But that's not what I'm here to announce. I wanna say that Bulma's got one heck of a karaoke machine here along with two mics people! Let's here some tunes!"

Krillin was the first to jump up. "I'll go!" He said enthusiastically.

Vegeta rolled his eyes and turned away. "Please don't," he muttered.

Gohan laughed at the Saiyan prince and put on a smile as he neared Videl. "So my dad has managed to piss off Vegeta again with the help of Krillin I see. I'm sure that Vegeta wants nothing more then to wallop my dad's ass into the ground."

Goku jumped off the stage and came over. "Us adults are going to hang out on the beach over in this area. If anyone wants to leave or anything they can, I'm pretty much leaving you to your own devices."

Gohan raised an eyebrow. "That's not exactly smart."

"Hey, Goku, your turn to sing!" Bulma called.

"Gotta go," Goku said hastily.

Gohan went over to his discarded clothes and pulled on a long sleeved shirt. Night had fallen completely now and one by one the stars were emerging. The moon was only a sliver in slice of silver in the sky. The half-Saiyan wandered over to where Videl was going through her things. Videl looked up as she heard him approaching and laughed. "Beautiful night, isn't it?"

Gohan nodded. "Yeah," he said softly.

"You okay?" Videl asked, throwing on a large T-shirt.

Gohan didn't answer, instead he absentmindedly sat down in the sand, looking up at the stars. Gohan threw a momentary look in Videl's direction before returning his eyes to the delicate black blanket above him. "I'm fine." Gohan shrugged, turning his attention to her. A cool ocean breeze caressing a lock of hair out of his face. He brought a hand to his mouth, covering it as he yawned. Videl laughed and crossed her legs Indian style.

"When we all leave to go to college, I'm going to miss you," Videl stated, voice barely above a whisper.

"Aw, c'mon," Gohan said, bringing his hand to hers. "It won't be that bad."

Videl's shoulders dropped. "It's just that these past few months you have been my very best friend." She held his hand with both of hers and Gohan let the corners of his mouth turn up. With her fingers still attached to his hand, Gohan brought his hand up to her face and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes, tapping her nose with his pointer finger gently. She looked up at him and he flashed her one of his cruelly disarming, sunny smiles.

"I'll miss you, too," he murmured, leaning over and kissing her softly on the forehead. "That's just it," he continued. "I'll miss you, but I won't lose you. I've always been afraid to lose you. Lose you to Mark, or lose you to a threat like Cell, or lose you because of your dad. But, I'm not anymore. I might miss you but I will never, ever be able to lose you," he whispered pulling her closer.

Videl laughed against him. "Sounds like I'm all yours."

Gohan laughed with her. "Only if I'm all yours."

"Sure," Videl giggled.

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Like I said, just filler. Lots-o-fluff. Meg and I have been getting together everyday to work on 'When the Stars Fall' so when I've come home to BFF I'm tired and my writing can't take on more than happy-happy boring- boring style. Not only that but schools in my district start in about two weeks and it's the end of summer rush for me. I have one more big project to do in math (this 500 page packet) and I really need to work on that. And remember: You guys are the best! So to all my #1 fans out there, thanks! :-)