Chapter 1 (dreams and that fighting feeling )
Everything was covered in a frosty layer of snow; there was no wind and no sound other than her breathing. Her crystal blue eyes were fixated on the darkness of which she thought was a forest, she couldn't see any trees but what else could it be? She was alone but felt the presence of someone's eyes on her. She began to walk cautiously towards the end of her snowy surroundings, where the darkness met the white. The feeling of being watched had gotten stronger the more she moved, "Please come out. I won't hurt you… whoever or whatever you are. "She called out but backtracking her thoughts, 'unless you try and hurt me first. ' As she finished her recoiling thoughts she heard a familiar voice, "But will I hurt you?" Her breath caught, squinting her eyes as she started to make out the forming figure in front of her. Once she got closer to the tall figure, she smiled gleefully. "Gohan!" She sighed and filled in the distance between them. Giggling a little bit out of relief meeting her friend a few feet short of actual contact. Looking up into his eyes her face began to fault. His face was set into an uncomfortable gaze, staring into the darkness that was now surrounding them. There was no more crisp snow around them anymore, no light. "Gohan? Are you ok…?" Her face now downcast knowing something was wrong with her friend. She was beginning to miss the cold air of the snowy forest, the darkness seemed to have heat to it... a little too much of it for her taste. She motioned her arm across her brow wiping sweat from her forehead, still waiting for her friend to answer. As she lifted her hand to touch his arm he began to disappear into the darkness. Frantic she began to call for him. "Gohan! Gohan! Please, don't leave me here! "And as he left, she began to feel as though she were on fire.
"Gohan!" Videl screamed as she stood from her chair, knocking it violently to the ground. Her face was dripping in sweat and her eyes danced with obvious concern. "Yes..?" Gohan stared up at her from his own desk. He wasn't the only one staring though; the entire class was giving her a confused look as well. She blinked several times before she realized where she was. "Uh..." was all she could mutter before the teacher cut in. "Miss Satan, thank you for joining the class again. If you must sleep please keep it at your house and on your own time! "The teacher slammed the book he was holding on the desk as the bell rang. " Class dismissed. "
Gohan stood up from his chair, keeping the look of confusion and concern on his features. "Are you alright?" Just then they heard a deep throated chuckle. "Looks like she was dreaming of superheroes, she must have had a nightmare." A jealous and bitter voice came from the blond man sitting on the other side of Gohan. "Sharpner shut it! It's ok Videl it was just a dream. "Soothed another blond, this one was female who had very girly features and a high pitched voice to match. She shook her head, her short hair waving side to side. "You're just jealous that she didn't call your name. " She giggled and Sharpner fumed grabbing his books and carelessly 'placing' them into his book bag. "Right Erasa, she didn't exactly sound happy saying his name. I'm not jealous over that." He emphasized the last few words, and with that, he walked down the steps and into the hall. Gohan became a light shade of red as he tried to ignore the conversation going on beside him. Videl finally became fully aware of where she was and sat down trying to gather her thoughts as well as her things, "I'm fine Gohan, like Erasa said it was just a dream." She replied with a little poison to her tone. Gohan gave her another look then began gathering up his things as well and they headed to lunch.
Gohan began scarfing down bowls of rice and several bento boxes worth of chicken and veggies that his mother made for lunch. She knew him well, knowing that in order to feed both of her sons and her husband; she would have to cook enough for an army every meal. She didn't mind, she loved her family with everything she had and she knew that they needed their strength just in case some monster/alien/android decided to try and blow up the Earth... again. It had been over a year since Buu tried to destroy the world, everyone had been wished back to life by the dragon balls and only a select few were allowed to remember the whole ordeal. The Z fighters and their families of course and Gohan felt it would be easier on him if Videl remembered as well. It saved him from a lot of confrontation about anything 'weird' he would do around her. Their friendship had grown over the year, Videl started to learn more and more about her saiyan friend and the rest of the group. She had even gotten to know his family quite well; Chichi of course fell in love with her and at the idea of her becoming the future bride of her first son. Goku and Goten too loved her and treated her like a part of the family. Gohan would always stress the word friend around his mother and that just because she was a girl doesn't mean she is his girlfriend. Vegeta was the worst, calling Videl his mate and no matter how many times Gohan would stress the word friend, it was like trying to dig through a frozen ground with your eyelashes, it was useless.
As Gohan finished inhaling the last bowl his mother had prepared he glanced over the downdraught girl beside him who had barely eaten a bite. He fought the temptation to ask if she was going to finish that and replaced the words with something that wouldn't make him sound like he only cared about food. "Do you want to talk about it?" Videl looked up from her own bento box, meeting his eyes for only a split second then quickly adverting her gaze to an airplane flying into a passing cloud. "It was just a dream Gohan, I'm fine. I guess I'm just tired. "She suggested trying to find a simple reason for her acting strangely. Gohan didn't buy it. He was about to protest, his mouth trying to form the first word but was cut short with a mouth full of rice. Videl smiled in victory and she giggled a little bit as he seemed pretty happy with her little present. "Gohan I promise, I'm fine" She insisted, this time sounding more reassuring. He finished chewing the rice and smiled slightly at his friend, "I just want to make sure. I mean you /were/ calling my name after all.. "He looked up trying to avoid the glare being shot his way. The plane had now made it out of the other side of the cloud, leaving a trail of smoke behind. What was so interesting about the plane? He thought to himself trying to avoid the girl. She sighed. "You left me. Well… it was more like you vanished into darkness." She looked down absently playing with her food. That was bothering him a little more than it should but he focused on his friend instead. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." He smiled as she looked up at him. She couldn't help but to mimic his smile, noticing a grain of rice on the side of his cheek. She raised her hand up and brushed her thumb across his cheek, scooping the piece of rice into her own mouth. "You better." She winked and stood up, brushing the crumbs of food onto the ground. Gohan turned a noticeable shade of red and laughed nervously, doing the same as she had done. He stretched as he stood; it had been so peaceful in the past year that he took every advantage of being as 'normal' as possible. Sitting on the roof and enjoying lunch with one of his friends was a nice privilege he had, hell; he even started doing normal teenage things. Like going to the movies with groups of friends for instance, or staying out late and looking up at the stars.
Videl sighed as the sun shown down upon her. She loved the peace Gohan and his friends had created. Sure she had liked it when she thought her dad had saved the world, but she always had that doubt in her that he was keeping secrets. When she found out her own friend was the young boy who actually defeated cell she felt like her life had finally began to make sense. Sort of. The whole saiyan thing was still a bit confusing to her. She knew that Gohan, his dad, brother, Vegeta and Trunks were the only ones left of this alien race. A race of people who had the power to destroy planets with the flick of a wrist if they wanted too. An amazing, odd, and interesting group of people she thought to herself. "It's such a nice day, though it sucks that we still have 3 classes before school lets out." Gohan mumbled a complaint as he walked towards the door into the school. They grew fond of eating their lunch on the roof, it gave them more privacy and if needed, an easier chance to escape. "Well… we don't HAVE to go to the 3 classes." Videl hinted too him. Gohan laughed slightly, "I kind of regret teaching you how to fly, any chance you get you try and leave school." He smiled seeing the first sign of happiness in his friend all day. "Oh come on, don't be such a teacher's pet. I don't think anyone will complain about the 'daughter of the guy who defeated cell' skipping out on a couple of classes." She laughed, mocking the idea of her dad defeating cell. Gohan smirked as he began to leave the ground, hovering in place for a moment. "Alright, but if your dad finds out that you're hanging out with a 'scrawny weakly' he'll die of anger." Videl followed Gohan's motion only becoming a little higher off the ground than he, "Well then, we'll just have to make sure daddy doesn't find out." And with that she flew into the direction of Capsule corp, Gohan flying right next to her.
Bulma always allowed Gohan and Videl escape from school whenever they wanted too. She understood that they were different from the other students and if they ever wanted a break from school or just life in general, they could come over. The only set back was Vegeta, who was always there. As the duo landed on the front porch the door flew open and before Videl could react she was on the ground. Gohan glared down and picked Trunks up off of Videl and dropped him down next to her, helping Videl up more gingerly. "Trunks you have to be more careful!" Gohan snapped and Trunks winced at the harshness of Gohan's voice. "I'm reaaalllyyy sorry Videl," he apologized honestly, "But dad is trying to get me to train with him!" He started to stand up and attempted to run off but was caught by Gohan who wasn't done scolding him. Trunks whined in protest. "So? You always train with him." Gohan set him down but kept a hand on him. "Yea but he's really mad at something. I don't want to die again Gohan, help." He pleaded and Gohan sighed. Videl brushed off the dirt from her shorts, about to say she was alright and that it was a little extreme to say his own father would kill him, but her words were interrupted by Vegeta. "Well if it isn't the Brat and his mate." Gohan glared at the prince who was wearing nothing more than spandex shorts. "Well if it isn't Mr. Happy himself. What, did your wife hurt your feelings and now you need to play with a child to feel better?" Videl smirked unafraid of the man in front of her. Vegeta's smirk turned into a glare, his eyebrow twitching in frustration. "Watch it brat, I'm not in the mood to deal with your pathetic attempts to act tough." He walked past the girl and grabbed his son by the shirt just as Gohan had done moments before. "A warrior doesn't run from a fight no matter how outmatched he might be." Vegeta glared down at his son who was now shooting pleading glances at Gohan. "If only you follow that logic, you wouldn't be such a hypocrite." Gohan glared, still angry about the mate reference. The shorter man dropped his son who proceeded to run into the kitchen. Videl guessed he was going to find Bulma, she was the only person who could make Vegeta do what she wants and Trunks used that to his advantage at times like this. "You're one to talk; I remember several times where I had to save your pathetic life because you were too weak to do it yourself." Vegeta shot back walking up to Gohan, looking him straight in the eyes. "And I remember times that both my dad and I had to save the 'prince of all saiyans' on several accounts. I would ask if you remember, but you were probably hit too many times to be able to remember correctly." Gohan smirked, glaring down at the man who was only inches from him. Vegeta fumed, his Ki rising significantly and Gohan did the same, unafraid of the prince. Vegeta had pushed Gohan one too many times with the comments he made about himself and Videl, it was time to put his foot down. Videl slowly started to back away from the two fighters, knowing how saiyans get when they're angry. She recalls the destruction left the last time Vegeta and Goku went at it. Chichi had banned Vegeta from coming over without Bulma and Gohan and to threaten the news cast in order to keep what transpired off the 6'o clock news. But she had never seen Gohan actually get this upset before outside of battle. Vegeta on the other hand was usually the main one she could remember starting fights between himself and Goku. Videl's thoughts were put on hold as Vegeta went to punch Gohan in the face, Gohan, who easily blocked Vegeta's punch, went in for his own punch towards Vegeta's stomach. That punch made contact. Videl closed her eyes as the noise from the punch could be heard from what she thought could be miles. She was afraid to look. Vegeta then let out a yell, gold bursting around him turning his hair yellow and his eyes a greenish color. Videl opened her eyes just in time to see Vegeta kick Gohan hard enough that even when he blocked it made him fly back into a tree. "Gohan!" She shrieked as she ran towards him. "Videl stop!" she heard another familiar voice. She turned to see a blue haired woman standing in the doorway with the terrified Trunks clinging to her legs. "Don't get in the middle of them; I don't think Gohan would forgive me if I let you do something careless like try and help. He can take care of himself." She then eyed her husband who still looked furious. The look she gave him made even Videl quiver. Another yell was heard as Gohan emerged from the fallen tree, he too was now glowing.
The two fighters met in the middle, exchanging blows and releasing energy blasts at the other. After what felt like hours, the two were out of breath laying on their backs, and back to a normal color. "How dare you talk... "Vegeta gasped to finish the sentence. "To your superior that way." He eventually finished still sounding winded. "I told you..." Another gasp was heard "Videl is my friend, not my mate." Gohan sighed as his breath and reasoning came back to him. Videl figured they were both too tired to do anymore damage to each other or their surroundings and ran over to the two fighters. "Gohan are you ok?" She leaned down next to him, quivering. Gohan looked up at the shaking girl beside him and smiled a little. "Yea I'm fine. Are you ok?" The sat up around the same time as Vegeta did. Videl nodded still violently shaking. "I'm fine. Just shocked." She closed her eyes as she tried to regain control of her body. Why was she shaking? Gohan's face turned pale as he realized she was scared, he put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "I'm sorry. I let him get the better of me. I didn't mean to scare you… "He looked down ashamed of himself. Scared? She thought to herself. "You didn't…" she mumbled as Bulma prepared her angry lecture. "Vegeta, what in the HELL were you thinking?!" She fumed. Trunks was no longer in sight, probably taking refuge in his room. Smart Kid. "I didn't start it. The brat decided to grow some balls and attempt to talk down to me in my own house!" He glared to Bulma, knowing he was fighting a losing battle. Damn it. "I heard what he said; you deserve what he did to you! And just look at this house! We're going to have to pay the gardener so much money to fix this up Vegeta! You BOTH know the rules, no fighting in the house!" Vegeta smirked at that moment, "We weren't in the house." Bulma then glared at him and the simple look made everyone shiver. Gohan looked down, even more ashamed then he had been. "Videl..." he tried to sooth her and that caught the arguing couple's attention. Videl blushed when she realized what everyone was staring at. She was crying. 'Why?' she thought to herself as she stood up, her legs almost giving out on her. Gohan ignored the pains he felt throughout his body and the blood that was staining his school uniform as he stood beside her. "Videl I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me…" He went to wipe the tears from her eyes and she flinched away. Gohan felt a stabbing in his heart as she did so. He quickly pulled his hand back and took a few steps from her, giving her some room. Bulma frowned and walked over to the girl who had just witnessed world war 5 (WW3 and 4 happened in the same week between Goku and Vegeta) and wrapped her arms around her. Gohan looked down at his torn clothes and all the anger he had felt before became a feeling he never felt before. His friend, a strong willed girl who has never shown fear to anybody, was now quivering and crying in front of him. And it was his fault. "Everyone is ok Videl, with this group these things happen. They need to do this to let out anger, for everyone's sake. "She only half joked. The older women wiped the tears that Gohan couldn't away from the beautiful girl's features and guided her into the house.
Gohan didn't watch as they walked away, keeping his sight averted downward. "I've never seen her like that before." Vegeta's voice was level, all anger gone. He brushed himself off and looked at the younger Saiyan before him. "She's seen Kakkorat and I fight but when she sees you fight in such a manner, she can't control her emotions." Gohan looked up only to see the door shutting behind the two women. "I didn't mean to scare her… I should have had more control of myself and my actions, especially around her." He muttered to himself but it was clearly audible to Vegeta. "As much as I hate to say, you have Saiyan blood in your weak body. Even you can't control it all of the time." His face was serious as he walked a little closer to him. "Give her some space and let the woman handle it for now." By woman he obviously meant Bulma and as much as Gohan hated to admit, Vegeta was right. Without another word, Gohan left his sergeant mothers home and headed for his own. Leaving his friend behind.