This is a sequel to Odd Romance, which can be found on my profile page. I recommend you start with that. Just know that it's not very well-written.

Let me clarify one thing. When I published Odd Romance, I had no plans to continue it. But the nature of its ending left it open for a potentially interesting sequel, and a few commenters seem to think the same.

The inspiration didn't go away, and I had to do something with it. So here you go, this is what came of it.

Disclaimer

Nothing the characters in this fanfiction say or do is representative of my own thoughts or opinions. In fact, some characters are in direct opposition with my own real-world values. Child molestation is a serious crime, and, in my eyes, one of the most immoral and reprehensible. Do not try this at home.

Thursday, November 20th, Age 774

Goten sat down across from Erasa in an empty waiting room. Out in the hall, voices could be heard talking. "It's about time we have a chat, kid." Erasa said seriously.

Goten looked puzzled. "..Sorry, miss, but I have a girlfriend already.."

Erasa face-palmed. "I'm not flirting with you, you little twerp!" She shouted in disbelief and annoyance. "You're not?" Goten asked. "But my brother said you seemed pretty interested in me."

"Sheesh, that Gohan. What kind of image is he trying to give me?" Erasa wondered out loud, before looking Goten up and down. Though, I can kind of see what Videl sees in him now. He's really cute. Erasa thought, before snapping out of it and shaking her head. Different kinds of cute! Different kinds of cute.

Goten broke the silence. "So, what do you want then?" He asked, reminding Erasa of the situation. "..I just wanted to talk to you." She said, before realising how long it had been since their first meeting. "Don't you remember me? We met on your.. date.. with Videl. In the mall."

Goten suddenly remembered. "Oh! I forgot. You're Videl's best friend, Erasa." He said as it all came back to him. Erasa would've been flattered he remembered her name, but the words "best friend" echoed in her thoughts. "..Well, I used to be." She said regretfully.

"..Huh?"

"..Look, kid," Erasa started, getting back on topic. "I don't know why or how you and Videl are back together, but it needs to stop. If I can't convince your brother, maybe I can convince you."

"..You want us to break up? ..Why?" Goten asked, confused.

"Because, she's a danger to you. Trust me, you don't wanna get involved with her." Erasa warned. Goten didn't get it. Videl, a danger? And why was Erasa telling him this? "Aren't you her friend?" He asked.

Erasa sighed. "..We.. we had a falling out."

Goten tilted his head. "What's that mean?"

"We aren't friends anymore. It's her fault. She shouldn't be doing this to you." Erasa said with a hint of disgust in her voice. "..So take my advice, and stay far away from her."

"I couldn't do that! I love Videl!" Goten exclaimed. "..Besides, we're getting married the day after tomorrow."

"What?" Erasa asked reflexively, before she had time to process what she'd heard.

Then it sank in.

"..Wait, WHAT?!"

Five months earlier

Wednesday, June 25th

After Mister Satan left with Videl, and Bulma left with Trunks, Gohan and Chichi came back into their house, where Goten was sitting sadly at the table. Gohan wanted to say something to him, but instead went off to his bedroom. He figured it was best to leave him alone right now.

They'd just finished discussing Videl and Goten's relationship, which had only lasted about a week until then. Everyone present showed either indifference, or support for their relationship, except for Chichi, who had the final say. She'd decided that Goten and Videl weren't allowed to see each other anymore, but said that she may reconsider if their love stood the test of time.

Chichi knelt down next to Goten and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry, Goten. I'm sorry it had to come to this. I know you really like her." She said sadly. "But I just don't feel like I can trust Videl to take care of you. ..You don't hate me, do you?"

Goten gave her the biggest smile he could at that moment, which wasn't much. "No, of course not, Mom." He assured her.

"It won't hurt you too much to be away from Videl for a while, will it?" Chichi asked, to which Goten shook his head. "No, I'll be fine." He said, trooper that he was.

Chichi hugged him tighter and started to tear up. "I.. I only want what's best for you, Goten. You know that, right? I have that duty, as your mother." She said with a shaky voice. Goten hugged her back. "It's okay. I understand." He said.

As Gohan watched on from the doorway, he felt a sense of responsibility come over him. He began thinking of what could be done about it.

Thursday, June 26th

"Videl, you have a visitor!" Came the voice of Mister Satan from the other side of Videl's bedroom door.

Videl opened her door to see Gohan standing there with her dad.

Gohan smiled at her. "Hi. I'm sorry for surprising you like this. But I wanted to talk to you.. are you busy?"

Videl was indeed surprised to see him. Gohan never visited her, it was always the other way around. But considering what was going on, it was easy to understand. "Oh, um.. no. Come on in." She said quietly, a bit withdrawn.

Gohan could tell she wasn't taking the break-up well. "Thank you." He said, walking into the room.

"Now, no funny business, you two! Haha!" Mister Satan said in an effort to lighten the mood. In reality, he knew the real reason Gohan was here, and he knew how serious it was.

But his quip at least made Videl smile a bit. That was good enough for him. "Jeez, Dad, just go already." She said as she went to close the door. "I'm only kidding." Mister Satan said. "Let me know if you need anything. I'll be in my office." He finished before walking off down the hall.

Videl closed the door and turned to face Gohan. The two looked at each other for a moment before Videl spoke. "Why don't we sit down?" Gohan nodded. "Yeah."

Gohan sat on her couch, and Videl sat on her chair across from him. Gohan decided he'd be the one to start. "..Videl, I don't want to pry, but.. what's been going on?"

Videl stared at the floor in embarrassment, unable to look Gohan in the eye. "..I fell in love with your brother. What more is there to say?" She asked, uncomfortable to be discussing it. "That's what I mean." Said Gohan. "When did you.. well, I mean.." He tried to find the words. "..How did you fall for him?"

"..I don't know, really. It was like magic. ..When I was babysitting him, it just came over me like a blanket. This feeling that.. when I was with him, everything was right with the world." Videl said, doing her best to describe her feelings. "..Maybe it's his innocence that brings out a childlike energy in me, or something. I don't know."

"..That doesn't sound much like you, Videl." Gohan said. "Haven't you always been.. well, how do I put it.."

"A bitch?"

Gohan was a bit startled by the language. "N-no, that's.."

"A tomboy? A fighter? ..Yeah, that's right. I was all of those things, because I thought I had to be all of them." Videl explained. "I thought to be a fighter, I had to be aggressive. But when I met your family, and I saw how strong you and Goten were, even though you lived so peacefully.. that was when I lost my nerve, I think. ..I became more like a girl. ..And I guess falling in love with Goten was the next step from that."

Gohan scratched his head as he tried to take it all in. "..Hm.. I see. So, after you met us, you started to open up more emotionally, and you lost your nerve because you realised.." Gohan trailed off, before shaking his head. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to analyse you, Videl. It's just.."

Videl stood up from her chair. "No, I get it. It's weird for me, too. Just like it's weird that I fell for Goten, a seven year old kid. I'm still growing and changing, I guess." She posited. "But listen. That doesn't mean I'm just some weak, girly girl that likes little boys now. I'm still a fighter. ..I just.. have to sort out these feelings first." She said quietly as she sat back down.

"..How have you been feeling, Videl? ..That's the real reason I came here." Gohan said, concerned. "If you're having problems, I want to help you."

Videl gave him a sideways look. "..I'm.. fine. I'm not having problems. My only problem is that I can't be with my boyfriend." She stated regretfully, before looking at Gohan. "..Whatever you do, don't listen to your mom. I'm not a pedophile. Goten just happens to be as young as he is, and that's not my fault."

"Right.." Gohan started, a bit apprehensively. "I believe you, Videl. I'll always be on your side. Because we're friends. Right?"

Videl smiled at him. "..Right. Thanks, Gohan."

Gohan smiled and nodded at her.

Wednesday, June 25th

After brushing her teeth, Chichi got into her nightgown and turned her bedroom light off, ready for bed at the end of a very confusing day.

Goten looked so sad.. this really is important to him. And to Videl. She thought as she got into bed. Her expression turned to one of anger. Damn that Videl. Why did she have to do this? Everything was fine until she corrupted my innocent little boy with her selfish desires.

She turned over and closed her eyes in an effort to fall asleep. But it didn't work. She couldn't shake the feeling that she'd done something wrong.

If I look at it one way, I protected my child from a dangerous situation. One which was bound to hurt him, one way or another. She thought optimistically, before frowning. But on the other hand, you could also say that I separated a loving couple. ..Even if Videl is the cause of the problem, she's only a teenager, and she can't help what she feels. ..And I can tell she really does love him..

Chichi rolled over in frustration. What do I do about this? What's the right answer here?

Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

A white, heavenly light came over her, and a figure could be seen before her.

Chichi squinted her eyes, and saw the figure's face up close. "..Goku?"

"Hi, Chichi. It's been a long time, huh?" Goku said as he embraced her in a hug.

"..Oh, Goku. I miss you, you know that?" Chichi asked, returning the hug. "..Now, of all times, I need you. ..I just don't know what to do. Every decision seems wrong, and nothing makes sense anymore. ..I need you, Goku. Please, tell me what to do. I'm begging you!"

Goku broke the hug and placed his hands on Chichi's shoulders. "..Chichi. You know I'm not good at this family stuff." He said while smiling down at her. "You always know what to do in situations like these. I'm sure you'll figure out what to do." He reassured her before hugging her again.

"..Goku.."

Suddenly, Goku slipped from her grasp and began to fade away. "I have to go now, Chichi. Be strong." He told her. "Goku!" She shouted desperately, reaching out to him.

She opened her eyes as she awoke from her dream, and found herself reaching up into the air. She soon got a hold of herself, and lowered her arm.

The room was silent, aside from the fan blowing in cool air from the window. After a minute of staring at the ceiling, Chichi turned over onto her side.
"You make it sound so easy." She muttered to herself as she closed her eyes.

"Mom?"

Chichi sat up and looked toward her door, which was open a crack. "Yes, sweetie?"

Goten opened the door a bit more and peeked his head in. "..Are you okay? ..I heard you saying Dad's name.." Goten said, sounding confused. Chichi sighed. "Yes, I'm alright. It was just a dream." She tried to put him at ease. "You can go back to bed now."

Goten looked down. "Um.. actually.. can I sleep in your bed tonight? ..I feel kinda.. lonely."

"..Oh, o-of course you can, sweetie!" Chichi said as she was overcome with a mixture of happiness, guilt, and motherly instincts. Whatever the reason, Goten wanted to be with her, even after everything that'd happened.

Goten climbed into the bed and got under the sheet next to Chichi. "Thanks." He said. Soon, he had fallen asleep, comforted by the presence of his mother. Chichi, alone with her thoughts, was awake for a while longer. When she finally began to drift off, she faintly heard Goten whispering something in his sleep.

"Videl.. Videl.."

Chichi felt waves of guilt as she heard Goten experiencing the same thing she did just moments before. To think that she was the one causing Goten's pain was nearly too much for her to bear. "I'm sorry, Goten." She whispered as she held him close to her. "I promise, I'll figure this out. I'll find a way to make this better for you."

Everyone did their best just to make it through the next few confusing days. Days turned to weeks, and weeks to months, and before they knew it, summer break was over.

To be continued in Chapter 2