Videl, the doctor's apprentice
Summary: In a medieval-like fantasy world, Son Gohan meets a young woman, Videl, who comes to West City in search of medicinal herbs to develop a cure for a mysterious illness which is killing people in Orange Star, her home. Will she achieve her goal before it's too late? Who will help (or delay) her? Gohan/Videl
Disclaimer: Do I own DBZ? HA! I wish… (sigh) A story partly-inspired by Game of Thrones, which I do not own either.
*I took the liberty to get a lot of characters from both DB and DBZ, both from anime and manga, who do NOT necessarily fit like they do in the original series as regards age, pairing or relationships. For example, in this story Vegeta and Trunks are NOT father and son, but unrelated characters from different families.
Anyway, imagine that I'm wearing posh black-rimmed glasses and holding a clipboard in front of me. I'm the vicious, ruthless decision-maker who holds auditions for the roles in this story. Basically, I just decided that some DBZ and DB characters could fit quite well in these roles. That's it. Full stop.
Enjoy the show! ;)
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Chapter 1: Thyme
The coldest of sorrows languidly fell from the skies that grey day. Since the break of dawn, that pearly snow had started to pour in very slow motion, as if an army of angels was taking delight in crying the winter out of their icy eyes. West City felt hard and cold like an iceberg, but enchanting and quite alive like a busy hive. The city was full of stone and wooden huts with moss on every wall and roof. The city walls were high and cold, also partly-covered in moss and snow. Even Lord Son Goku's palace looked old and stunning with all those moss-covered huge rocks and stones as walls. All the market stalls were gathered on the main street, with an impressive stone-made tower looking over them every day.
And there he was, standing aimlessly under that white, gentle shower of delicate snow, staring at the folk doing their daily, mundane tasks on that market day… There he was, Son Gohan. Tiny snowflakes rested on his black hair and his black attire. He had taken a minute to observe the busy people in their busy lives.
In spite of the freezing weather conditions, the marketplace seemed to have a life and will of its own. He could hear the people and their never-ending happy yelling, bargaining and soul-eating swearword-shouting; however, that day was a totally different day for some unfathomable reason. Everyone was smiling stupidly, as if they had fallen in love all of a sudden, all at the same time. That was odd. In addition, everyone was humming a joyful melody which Gohan didn't know. Had it been any of the folk's traditional ones, he would've recognised it immediately. Some were whistling it, but they hushed whenever Gohan was in their way.
Obviously, he felt both curious and threatened by this blissful secret. He regretted his current state of affairs, to put it mildly, but he knew there was no way to avoid being a bastard. You can't escape what you are.
Yes, Son Gohan was Lord Son Goku's bastard son. Lady Chi-chi was not his mother. He was not meant to be born. He was a bastard, and bastards were treated meanly because they did not belong in a "normal" social environment. Lady Chi-chi hated him like a demon.
As such, ever since he was born he had been shunned out of major social events or any sort of "normal" social interaction with those who surrounded him. As a kid it had been hard: how could an inexperienced, young mind like his possibly deal with something he didn't fully grasp? As a kid, he couldn't. However, growing up was no better. He had to learn the hard way, and yet he found himself unable to hate those with whom he shared his blood or his daily life with. He was and had always been too good, even though he was destined to soon depart to the Demon Realm Doors and spend there the rest of his miserable life.
The Demon Realm Doors were a cold place up north where usually most of the bastards, thieves and other delinquents had to go because they had been convicted or discarded in their native towns. It was some sort of punishment, although no one ever dared to phrase it using that word. It felt like a taboo. The Demon Realm Doors consisted of a large, never-ending wall with only two huge double doors surrounded by a large sculpture of a demon guarding the entrance to the Demon Realm, a cold region always covered in snow and where both demons roamed free. Some human beings also lived there, but they had devised a different kind of society and ruling status quo.
Therefore, when Gohan's father had told him there was no other option, he had had to unwillingly accept his fate. That was a long ago, at the beginning of puberty. That was why his father had given him those dark clothes as a present before his departure in a few weeks' time: the crew members of the Demon Realm Doors were always dressed in black.
Gohan, so young and so naïve sometimes, was unwillingly stuck in that station. Being ignored or despised by everyone you know because you're a bastard can be really hard. Therefore, that day in the marketplace he assumed that the people's sudden shutting up and melody-breaking, cold attitude towards him was another predictably normal yet revolting consequence of his merely immutable, yet despised existence. Nevertheless, the people's ongoing puzzling behaviour only spurred his interest more and more. What was that they were humming or whistling?
He decided to walk about and simply observe what was going on. Once he had turned around the corner, he spotted a young woman of the same age he was in the middle of the main square. And it was she who was playing a guitar and was singing those same mysterious joyful tunes which were being blissfully copied around town.
Children had gathered around her like bees around their hive, drinking from the lovely honey of her sweet, magnetic voice. The tiny snowflakes which dared to touch her skin melted almost instantly, and those which fell on her hair remained and looked as if they were exotic pearls. Her blue eyes and long dark wavy hair were strikingly beautiful, but her lips were second to no other of her features: rosy and silky like the youngest of blooming flowers. The snow was settling on the wooden bench she was seated on.
He didn't recognise her because, in fact, she must have been a foreigner in West City. Son Gohan immediately guessed it the second he had spotted her, since her clothing was strange to West City's fashion: a light blue dress with some white, light pink and light salmon-coloured seashells sewn to it and a light baby blue cloak with white-furred edges.
As soon as she was done singing the song, the children sheepishly and rather reluctantly came back to their homes because their parents were calling them to have lunch or to help doing the housework. But it was midday and the market was still flooded with the people's frenzy to get the best products to be able to spend the coming winter as comfortably as possible. Thus, now that she was apparently alone, she obviously wanted to resume the task she had in mind. He could see her determination as she was packing her personal belongings: that was when she spotted Son Gohan and approached him directly. Usually, people ignored him or despised his presence near them.
Her reaction was odd. It was as if she had not seen he was wearing those dark, ill-fated clothes. She might not know about that, that's was what he thought.
"Excuse me, may I ask for some information? I'm looking for Kami." Her agreeable voice proclaimed rather enthusiastically.
West City was getting colder as days went by and Son Gohan, attired in the brand new dark-coloured furs which would keep everyone at bay, a mark of his destiny to the Demon Realm Doors, instinctively blinked a couple of times to readjust to the new situation: he was not just observing her then, he actually had to interact and answer her question sort of nowish. That was weird, especially because girls never wanted to interact with him. As usual, being a bastard was the culprit.
That was it: she was a foreigner, of course! Definitely! She didn't know what those dark clothes meant, she sang beautiful unknown songs, her clothes were strange yet alluring, and she obviously wasn't shunning him out because he was a bastard just because she didn't know who he was.
"If you'd be so kind to tell me, please…" She added consciously and politely as she blinked once, seeing that Gohan was still a bit dumbfounded and silent. She was obviously displaying more self-awareness and boldness than any other girl her age in that remarkably cold region. Plus, her blue eyes were a strong magnetic field.
"Who's asking, pray?" Son Gohan answered rather coldly, although he didn't mean to be rude or impolite, but her straightforwardness and the surrounding hectic were overwhelming him. Besides, another person's interest in him had never been beneficial to his well-being. People who had addressed him like that before had turned out to play a prank on him. There was always something weird going on, something in which he had nothing positive to hope for.
"Miss Videl Bluegin, from Orange Star." She answered smiling gently, interacting with him with a warm, quite normal formality; and for a split second Gohan forgot his own name.
"From O-Orange Star?" He whispered bewildered, stammering a bit, which didn't quite fit his handsomeness and well-built outline – or so she thought. He fell silent for a couple of seconds but he went on eventually. "You come from one of the best-provided cities in the world and still you've come to West City on market day, looking for old Kami." He said rather amused by that new information. Orange Star was a very popular city, and was very far away from West City, over the ocean, in fact. "How is that so? What can the old man possibly offer to a young woman from Orange Star, may I ask?"
Gohan was thinking he was right asking about that, but his bluntness and curiosity were not welcome. A smile was faintly drawn on his lips and, although he was not conceited at all, it accidentally seemed as if he was.
"That's rather personal." She answered neutrally, just trying to be nice. "I need to speak with him about a private matter concerning medical assistance."
Videl eyed him suspiciously wondering whether he actually knew the old man she was looking for or not. Since her beauty was too striking to go unnoticed, she had got used to dealing with womanizers and rude men during her journey. A single young woman travelling in that land had to undergo certain inconveniences and be very brave. That was why she was carrying a couple of knives under her cloak. She could also handle a bow and arrows quite well. Better be safe than sorry.
Since Gohan didn't give her any clues as regards Kami's whereabouts, Videl decided to end that nonsense altogether.
"Look, I'm not really into small talk, so if you excuse me…" Videl eventually said trying hard to veil the fact that she was mildly pissed off. She knew that handsome guys like that one could easily be jerks.
'What the hell is wrong with dudes nowadays?!' She thought with ire. 'Who do they think they are?! I'm not a lush portrait to be stared at!'
"I-I'm awfully s-sorry." He rushed to say with a trembling, sheepish voice, hesitating on which words to use. "I d-didn't m-mean to…"
Before Gohan could open his mouth to elaborate on his apology for his sharpness and what had seemed an unwillingness to give her an answer on his behalf, a boy started screaming. Both Videl and Gohan turned around to see what had happened. The boy behind the butcher's market stall was hurt: his right hand was profusely bleeding on his palm. Some people started to panic and left an empty circle around the boy.
"Dear Gods!" Videl gasped as she made her way towards the boy. "Come, let me handle this." She added as she squatted down in front of him in the street.
Her hands came closer to him and got hold of the boy's right hand so that she could examine it closely. He just had a cut on his forefinger extending to the centre of the back of his hand. It would need some stiches, but he was crying as if his hand had just been cut off. His overreacting didn't really bother Videl: she knew how to deal with children.
"Now, stop crying. You're a grown-up lad, right? Are you the butcher's son?" She said quite motherly and straightforwardly as she sweetly stared into his eyes. Then, the boy became too shy to hold her gaze and stared at the snowy floor, then stained with his blood, scared to even breathe, but then she went on speaking as sweetly as before: "Isn't your father here with you?" When he shook his head twice, she decided to carry on talking. "You're helping your parents to cut and sell meat in the marketplace, I see. That's great… But you have to be more careful with knives. This wound is no big deal. I can help you, but you have to stop crying. Hey. Look at me…It'll be alright. I promise."
Then, she cupped the boy's chin with his free hand and gently she made him face her. As she smiled at him, he stopped crying and calmed down. As soon as she had said those soothing words, the boy's aunt, who happened to be passing by, came closer and introduced herself.
Son Gohan was amazed at Videl's ability to soothe that poor boy. A few seconds had been more than enough to change his mood and calm him down. Even Gohan was feeling the soothing effects of her voice, as if he could feel goose bumps on his soul.
"I'm going to cure you. We need to disinfect the wound. Have you got thyme at home by any chance?" Videl asked the boy. He just shook his head in denial. "Don't worry…Is this your home?" She was referring to the hut right behind the market stall. His aunt confirmed it immediately. "Let's go inside. I'll clean the wound first." Videl concluded.
She made the boy enter his homestead while his mother was rushing to him from inside. The woman had heard him scream and became a bundle of bad temper and nerves, but who could blame her for being worried? While the mother was hugging him and taking him to the kitchen, the kid eyed back to Videl, who as still standing on the street, in front of the open door of his home, and, with a special dark interest, he also stared at Son Gohan, who was right behind her.
Then, Videl turned to Gohan. A gentle cold breeze hit both their faces with the first snowflakes of the season.
Gohan couldn't help but staring at her for some precious seconds, as if he was a moth drawn into the candlelight. Then, she looked at him quite coyly and briefly smiled at him, as if she was suddenly shy. Some snowflakes had settled on his bewitching black spikes of hair. She bit her lower lip for just a brief instant as she stared at him, and then she asked him straightforwardly:
"The kid hasn't got thyme at home. Can anyone get me some thyme around here?" The question was meant only for Gohan, although she was too proud to acknowledge that by saying the correct pronoun in her question.
"Sure." Gohan replied rather sheepishly, his voice very much like a warm whisper then. He was glad she didn't seem offended anymore. "Kami should have some. I'll go and fetch him and some thyme for you right away."
Videl saw the change of attitude and thought she might have been a bit rash as regards judging him. His half apology had also been quite childish in its performance. It was almost as if he was unaccustomed to talk to the female sex. In spite of his timidity, he smiled at her with such a warmth as if they had known each other for years, and then he disappeared in that engulfing sea of marketplace people. Somehow Videl felt there was something deeply mysterious and lonesome, but also appealing about him.
A few seconds later, she came into the butcher's home and found the boy, his mother and his aunt in the kitchen.
"Let me help you clean the wound. A young man will bring some thyme shortly, don't you worry." Then, Videl asked the boy whispering: "Do you know him, by the way?"
"Yes, he's Son Gohan. He's…" The boy answered quickly, but his voice soon stopped due to sudden hesitation. He suspiciously eyed at the elder women present, his mother and his aunt. Then, he hissed as Videl poured some cold water on his wound.
"He's… what?" Videl asked.
"He's Lord Son Goku's bastard son." His mother suddenly whispered to her as if she was ashamed to say those words.
"But he's a good man, m'lady. I swear!" The boy suddenly rushed to tell Videl.
"Benjamin!" His mother scolded him.
"I'm not a lady." She commented quite happily and giggled at him a bit. "But you flatter me."
Videl seemed happy then, but somehow the mother's scolding seemed to be intended to hide or disapprove of something, and she frowned a little. Videl didn't like that one bit. The conversation gently died soon after that, but Videl couldn't stop thinking about that young man she had just met.
'Son Gohan…a bastard from West City.' She thought. 'And a good man. I guess.'
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A few minutes later, Son Gohan returned with dear old, bald and green-skinned Kami, who was holding a glass bottle containing thyme liquid extract and rushing to see if the boy had been badly hurt or not – and to meet this young lady who was soothing him so wonderfully. Gohan had portrayed a brief but heavenly description of her to him, which had spurred the old man's interest in meeting her personally as soon as possible.
"Come in, please, Kami." The boy's father, the butcher, said gently but firmly. He had come shortly after the incident, as soon as he had been told about it. "They're expecting you. They're in the kitchen."
The three men went inside, although the butcher didn't seem pleased to let a bastard into his home. His face showed his contempt for him. Since it was a commonly displayed feeling towards him, Gohan realised of it immediately but paid no special notice. The attitude was too obvious to go unnoticed, but he was used to it.
"Praise the Gods!" Kami exclaimed seeing the boy's wound. "You're lucky, Benjamin!" He said relieved. "Very lucky! This young lady has taken good care of you, I see. Now that the wound has been cleaned properly, we can proceed by applying some thyme liquid extract to disinfect it… Thank you, by the way… errr…"
"Miss Videl Bluegin, Kami. Nice to meet you." She said gently as Kami poured some of the disinfecting liquid on the boy's hand.
To his relief, it didn't hurt much. So the kid stopped frowning and making funny faces. Both Videl and Gohan chuckled lightly at his childish reaction. The fact that they had both displayed the same automatic reaction made them catch a glimpse of each other for just a second. Somehow Gohan felt embarrassed by that and blushed a bit, but Videl felt good and just let her eyes rest on little Benjamin's hand.
"We'll talk later, Miss Bluegin." Kami swiftly answered once he was done with the thyme liquid. "Now we need to take care of sewing the wound. It'll need some stiches."
"I can do it, if you don't mind of course, Kami." She offered happily.
Kami eyed her amazed, but if she had taken care of the boy until then so industriously, did it mean that she could properly stitch his wound too? Was she able of such a thing? Was she some sort of doctor? Did she know what to do exactly? Therefore, when he dared to utter his honest doubts to her, he did so in slight disbelief, but expecting to obtain a surprising answer on her behalf. She didn't take it badly. As an answer she smiled warmly and said:
"I'm a doctor's apprentice, Kami. I can prove it to you." She said with confidence.
He smiled back and looked satisfied. And her work on the poor boy's hand was enough proof of her word.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A few minutes later that same day, Kami had been summoned by Lord Son Goku to talk about some issues concerning some current issues of the daily routine in West City.
"But tell me, Kami," Lord Son Goku went on. "you've been talking to this young lady for a while. If she cured the butcher's eldest son, does this mean that this young woman is a doctor?"
"No, not really. Let me explain." Kami answered keenly. They had been postponing their duties for some minutes as they chatted about what had happened earlier that day in the marketplace. "Miss Videl Bluegin is only an apprentice, but she gives a lot of importance to self-teaching. I'm told she has been travelling all across the land in search of the best physicians, doctors and healers, to learn from them of course, and she reads a lot as well – anything that she can find of medical value on her way. She's not a doctor per se. But I guess that's just a matter of time, my lord."
"Interesting." Lord Son Goku seemed to muse on something else as he stroked his chin.
"What is more, she's travelling on her own, but she won't be talked out of it although it's quite dangerous for a woman. She's stubborn and possesses an admiring degree of determination, I must say. She says she knows the risks and claims to be good at defending herself." Kami stated rather amused by it. "She owns a nice couple of knives and a bow and arrows – and she claims she knows how to use them properly."
"She knew your name, didn't she? How come?" Lord Son Goku inquired quite seriously, as if he suspected her intentions.
"She says she had heard of my reputation a few miles south from here. That's why she decided to come to West City." Kami answered flatly. "She wants my knowledge, my lord."
"And you say this quest of hers is meant to provide some sort of medicine or cure for a mysterious, lethal illness spreading in Orange Star. If no doctors from Orange Star itself have a clue about what to do, it must be something big… and an extremely dangerous illness. Orange Star is enormous and quite advanced in all fields, especially commerce." Lord Son Goku was not happy at all. That could have serious consequences. "Is the field of medicine also advanced there?"
"Yes, my lord, and I'm afraid this serious illness could be something big." Kami added with a heavy sigh. "She's told me that the nature of this illness is quite strange, since it doesn't infect everyone and develop in the same way. Its development and spreading pattern to present day is confusing. Every single doctor from Orange Star and abroad is appalled by the facts presented to them before their eyes." Kami's eyes distilled his biggest fears. "So far she hasn't met a doctor who could provide any straightforward solution. And neither could I, to be sure. She was devastated."
"Is there any chance she could be infected?" Lord Son Goku asked quite darkly, thinking of the welfare of the people under his command and protection.
"I think we should trust her, she's clean. The illness is found only in men, my lord. Or so she says."
"Let's hope so."
After a few seconds in complete silence, Lord Son Goku spoke again. The severity in his voice had worn off.
"And you say my son, Gohan, has met her, right?"
"Yes, my lord. He came to fetch me and then he told me about her." Kami told Lord Son Goku with a gentle smirk on his face.
"Why do you smile that way, pray? I've never seen you smile like this in a very long time." Lord Son Goku asked quite amused due to Kami's automatic reaction.
"It's nothing, my lord." He excused himself. "But I had been young once too… you know." He giggled a bit.
Lord Son Goku smiled back at him because he had understood what Kami was talking about.
"I wish to speak with her, Kami. Can you bring her to me now, please?" Lord Son Goku asked rather seriously, but keen.
"Sure, my lord."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"I was looking forward to meeting you, Miss Bluegin." Lord Son Goku said rising from his chair as Videl and Kami came in a few minutes later.
Kami was surprised to see that Trunks was also present, the eldest son and heir standing with pride next to his father, but he didn't say a word even though his eyes revealed an unruly curiosity for the young lady. His purple hair was beautiful.
"I humbly thank you for receiving me, although I don't deserve such attention, m'lord." She answered politely, wondering who the young one beside Lord Son Goku was. She assumed he must've been a legitimate child of his whose age was similar to Gohan's.
"But you do deserve my attention: tell me, Miss Bluegin," Lord Son Goku proceeded with a keen interest in her – and she could clearly sense it, like Trunks' penetrating gaze on her. "don't you think I'd get interested in someone who cares about the children under my protection and cures them despite not knowing them at all?"
"Well, I never treat people differently, m'lord. They're all equal to me. Young or old. Rich or poor. Men or women. Neighbours or foreign people. That's what my father taught me." She said rather formally, but warmly.
"Are we all equals, Miss Bluegin? Am I to understand that you're defying the nobility of our country?" Lord Son Goku giggled a bit at the thought, but he never implied to be rude or aggressive.
"Is that the impression that I've given you so far, Lord Son Goku?" She elaborated as calmly as she could muster although she felt under attack. "Do illnesses or wounds treat you differently from the rest of the mortals, m'lord?" She made a pause. "Or death, for that matter?"
Silence reigned in the room then. Lord Son Goku saw she didn't mean trouble, although her mind and tongue were sharp like a blade. She wasn't defying the concept of nobility, she was just telling him she didn't mind curing those who were poor or unknown to her. It was obvious that she just thought of the well-fare of absolutely every soul around her, which was admirable. Trunks was also positively impressed by her attitude and her ideas.
"Your father is a very wise man. I apologise if I have been rude to you, Miss Bluegin. I never meant to say anything which would bother you." Lord Son Goku apologised warmly.
"Thank you. I apologise if I have been rude to you too, m'lord. It was purely accidental." She went back to her normal, usual self.
"Can I ask you some questions before Kami shares his medical knowledge with you?" Lord Son Goku asked politely.
"Sure, no problem, m'lord."
"He's told me your story, but he was quite brief, I think. Would you like to expand on the aim of your quest, please?"
"The aim of my quest is to gather as much knowledge and herbs as possible so that I can develop a cure to a strange illness which is killing hundreds of men back home, in Orange Star. Its wake is usually slow and painful – and unfortunately, it started affecting my father as well, soon before I decided to start my journey. I was hoping to find some evidence of it here, but I think this illness hasn't spread yet – fortunately for you, unfortunately for me, of course."
"Unfortunately for you?" He raised an eyebrow at that comment.
"Yes, if you had known about this illness, that would've meant I wasn't alone fighting against this." She said rather hopelessly and then she sighed. Trunks' eyes saddened due to her words. His empathy was more than obvious. "Or maybe you would've already developed a cure we've been unable to discover."
"How many doctors and healers have you met so far?" Lord Son Goku asked.
"I've lost count, but I've met the best doctors from all cities south and east of Capital City and for the last few weeks I've been meeting some doctors in a nearby town… That's when I heard about West City and Kami."
"And then you came straight here?"
"Why not? The people I met along the way loved you and claimed you have got a good reputation. I think I have done right." She said with great determination.
"You may have." Lord Son Goku saw her sincerity from the very beginning. She was an extremely kind, noble, young woman. "I hope that you can find here what you're looking for. Should you ever need my help, I'd be glad to come to your assistance, Miss Bluegin. You are not alone in this."
"That's too generous on your behalf, m'lord…" She answered as if she was embarrassed.
"Unfortunately, I know very little about medicine. So I assume I'd be of little assistance in that matter." Lord Son Goku admitted a bit too honestly. "But I can provide you somewhere to stay and food, if you let me. This will be my treat. I'm in your debt since you cured that child."
"Nonsense! You don't owe me anything at all!" She exclaimed bit too straightforwardly. "… m'lord. I can manage on my own. You don't have to worry about me or…"
"Absolutely not, Miss Bluegin. Please accept my invitation: I've already given orders that a room should be cleaned and prepared for you, quite close to Kami's study room. You'll stay as long as you need and eat with us all meals."
He actually thought she might mean some fresh air in the little society of West City. Not many travellers would stay for longer than a couple of days, since the weather was not generally inviting. Once their business was over, they left soon afterwards. In fact, he was thinking about his offspring, actually: Trunks didn't seem keen to find a woman to marry yet (or the best matches were living too far from West City); Pan was mad at her elder sister Bulla, and was in need of a new friend and a more feminine role model than Trunks or Gohan; Bulla was bored with her girlfriends and couldn't help daydreaming of going abroad and meeting new people; Sharpner, an adopted son from another noble household, was nothing but trouble – at that age (18 years old) who could blame him?; little Goku Jr. was unable to focus on his training and kept climbing walls too often… and Gohan was thinking of going to the Demon Realm Doors already because he didn't quite fit in West City – or no one thought he could, that is. Videl's long stay could be an enriching experience for them all before life would actually tear them apart with arranged marriages, travelling experiences, aristocratic routines and the Demon Realm Doors – or that's what he was hoping for.
"I thank you… a lot…, Lord Son Goku. I…" Videl managed to utter, but surprise had left her speechless. "I… have… no words to express my gratitude right now."
"You may thank me later – don't worry, child. By the way," Lord Son Goku added, spiking her interest right when she thought it was over. "we're receiving a very important visit in a couple of weeks or so. Would you feel imposed on if the King and the royal family sat by our side at the table, Miss Bluegin? You don't need to be frightened of so many of us around you." He asked smiling at her.
"Do I look scared of nobles?" She asked smirking quite boldly, which made Trunks smile back.
"I beg your pardon, but you do a little bit when it comes to expressing gratitude, Miss Bluegin…" Lord Son Goku said smiling broadly, but not really meaning naught. Seeing that she breathed a bit deeplier than normal and didn't dare to answer anything after that, Lord Son Goku decided to stop pushing her. "It's fine, Miss Bluegin! Relax. I apologise if I've been rude now." His gently smile put her immediately at ease.
"Don't worry about it, m'lord." She said smiling briefly.
"You may go now. Check if the chamber suits you, and if there's anything I can do for you, you just need to ask for it. I'm expecting to see you at supper."
"Again, thank you very much, Lord Son Goku. You're extremely generous."
Having said that, she left feeling Trunks' eyes glued to her back.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Kami accompanied Videl as they went to her chamber. Soon he left her to herself.
There were top-quality items everywhere. The wood was thick and good. The bed sheets had golden embroiderings. There were bronze decorations everywhere. The candles were quite thick and pure white. And there were books… plenty of books on the shelves. Now this was an improvement compared to the last few weeks!
"Wow… This is beyond amazing!" She whispered to herself, flabbergasted to see such a luxurious place. "This is meant to be my chamber?! These people are loaded… and nuts!"
So loaded. Or so it seemed to her.
She gasped at every single expensive thing or detail she discovered as her eyes roamed around her chamber. She wasn't a noble young woman, but she was the daughter of a doctor back home, and that meant something. Since she was little, she was used to seeing luxury and wealth in his father's richest patients' homes.
In particular, she became a really close friend of a boy who was the only heir of an extremely successful merchant in Orange Star. His name was Android 17. Her father had treated his whole family and, as time went by, both men – doctor and patient – became great friends. Therefore, she was brought to their home every now and then despite the class difference. And that was how she and the boy had become childhood friends.
Android 17 and she were the same age. They used to play every afternoon in their back garden: it was her favourite place in the whole world. She could actually smell peace and quiet if she closed her eyes and remained silent. The sound of the water of a nearby well had had soothing effects on her. The golden, warm sun would pour his rays on them and made them feel its warmth of their skins. Plants and lush exotic flowers surrounded them and it made them feel as if they were happily playing in paradise. Thyme grew tall and strong – and she loved to smell it every day. And Android 17 loved it when she enjoyed their flowers.
And now that she was there, in one of West City's luxurious chambers, she was reminded of that level of wealth, although West City and Lord Son Goku's abode were completely different from Android 17's home in Orange Star. However, the mere remembrance made her smile warmly.
One of those blissful afternoons, somehow she had ended up holding hands with Android 17 by the thyme bushes and he suddenly promised he'd marry her. They were just a couple of ten-year-olds. She giggled at the prospect and he thought she was not taking him seriously, so all of a sudden he frowned, pulled her closer and kissed her right cheek. Naturally, she froze… and he left in a rush.
They never spoke about that ever since, but she honestly thought that neither of them had forgotten about it. She never would. The thing was that time went by, obligations made them live in different environments, and their friendship grew colder due to distance. She began to study and practice medicine; he began to follow his father's steps, travelling and trading goods in several different countries.
Videl then sat on her new bed in West City and sighed as she remembered how they sadly grew apart. Her eyes were lost outside the window, focusing on the falling snow from West City. She was confused and she knew it: other girls knew for sure whether they fancied a boy, but she was unable to tell the difference between missing and fancying a former friend from childhood.
The only thing she knew for sure was that, just a few months ago when she was still in Orange Star, right before starting her journey, Android 17 had come back for her one evening at her home with a mysterious purpose, but he didn't stay for long. Actually, he might've felt ashamed or something, since he had sneaked into her room when she wasn't there. He climbed to her balcony. But then, she accidentally caught him climbing down from it when he was already leaving. When their gazes met, he suddenly felt horribly ashamed, blushed and fled immediately.
In spite of his sudden flight, he had had enough time to do what he had intended to do. He left a gift for her on her desk: a generous, lovely bouquet of thyme and a note which said "Thyme to disinfect any doubts in your heart. I haven't forgotten my promise". She had definitely felt something strong enough to make her blush and freeze completely when she realised what that might have meant. But it was too late: she picked up her suitcase and left to this new country, facing the adventure of her life. The ship wouldn't wait for her much longer. She had a quest to fulfil and no time to lose.
Quite literally.
And when she found herself so far away from home that wintry afternoon, in such a cold place like West City, Videl felt overcome with fear and homesickness like never before.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Hello dear readers!
I'm back! More DBZ fanfiction from me! ;) Anyway, I hope you like what you see and give me some feedback if you like. I hope that the character mix I've planned for this story doesn't bother you much!
If you don't enjoy it, there's no need to keep on reading. I'm serious. Don't like, don't read. And enjoy your free time doing something else! Namaste! ;)
Love,
Denim Jean