[1] I by no means have any knowledge of the justice system bar the occasional cop show.. I'm sorry but you all will just have to bear with me through the legal stuff.
[2] I'm really sorry about the wait. I'm currently suffering writer's block for my other story Everyone has Secrets so I've been spending loads of my time staring at a blank paper trying to come up with something to write down. Sorry to say I am currently failing. :(
[3] The events of the Buu saga never happened in this fic. I'm sorry if this doesn't please you but, I missed quite a bit of that particular saga because the saiyaman saga scared me off.
Chapter 2: Murder.
Ten Years earlier
"Come on you party poopers!" Erasa exclaimed. "Have some fun!"
The bubbly blond giggled and danced her way over to her friends. Tonight was a time to party. They had all finally graduated and were going to move on with their lives, and Erasa sure as hell wasn't going to let her friends ruin her above cloud nine mood. She grabbed onto Videl and Gohan and forcefully pushed them toward the make shift dance floor. Sharpner growled jealously before Erasa latched onto him and pulled him along to join the party.
The music was loud and painful for Gohan before but now, being practically next to the large amplifiers, it blared unforgivably in his ears. Slowly but surely giving him headache, but for the sake of his blond friend, and the fact that he was currently 'dancing' with the girl of his dreams, he wouldn't show his discomfort.
"You weren't kidding when you said you couldn't dance Gohan." Videl said with a soft smile.
"You thought I was joking?" Gohan asked returning the grin.
Videl grabbed his hands, stopping his awkward 'I can't dance, so I'll just rock side to side' movements. In the dim light she couldn't see the faint blush on his cheeks. Even now he couldn't help but blush when around Videl. Never letting go of his hands, Videl started to dance again. After a moment, Gohan hesitantly began to follow her movements. "There you go Gohan." Videl said with a grin. All other dancing ceased, as the other dancers noticed the two teens dancing like they didn't have a care in the world. Videl with he back pressed closely to Gohan. Her head twisted so she could look up at him as they moved to the music. Sharpner growled and clenched his fists while his blond friend after her amazement wore off, whistled and cheered causing the other students to follow his example. As the music slowed to a stop and the dancers slowed as well, they remained still in that position for a moment when the cheers erupted from the spectators. Both teens blushed but under the changing lights no one noticed.
"And you said you can't dance." Videl said with a smirk.
Gohan grinned again and scratched the back of his head.
"Oh you know Gohan." Erasa said with a smile as she reached her friends, Sharpner following behind her. "He's just modest." Erasa winked at the black haired teen who just offered her a sheepish smile in return. Three of the four friends shuttered when a devilish smile unseen on the blond haired girl's face made its first appearance as she glanced at Videl. It disappeared as fast as it had appeared. Erasa latched onto Videl's arm before turning and excusing the two to 'Powder their noses.'
Videl looked questioningly at the blond as she dragged her away into the ladies restroom. The devilish smile reared its head again as the girl spoke. "So have you two made it official?"
Videl looked at her at a loss of words. "W-What?" she asked.
"You heard me." Erasa said with a grin. "You and Gohan. Are you?" she questioned.
"N-No."
"Why not! It's obvious you like each other! You have since the first day you met him and don't you dare deny it!" Erasa said. "And I'm totally sure he returns those feelings."
"R-Really?" Videl asked. A sudden feeling of shyness washed over the girl as she thought about her long time crush.
"See!" Erasa exclaimed pointing an accusing finger at Videl. "I can see it on your face! Go out there and get your man!"
She gave Videl a playful shove toward the door. Videl looked back at Erasa, who offered a cheeky thumbs up, before a determined look spread across her face. She pushed the door open earning the attention of some of the other students. She took a deep breath before walking over to Gohan. Her posture telling everyone that she was a girl on a mission.
Gohan and Sharpner were standing in the same place in an awkward silence as Sharpner wouldn't let his glare fad. That is until he saw Videl coming. "Hey babe." he said silkily. "Why don't you and I go have some fun time alone?"
He watched as she seemingly walked up to him. The smirk on his face grew as she made her way over. But it fell as she passed him, seeming to not even have heard the offers he was giving her. And what irked him even more, was that she passed him up for Gohan. He inched closer to hear what was going to be said. To the delight of his ears he heard her mutter, "We need to talk". The we need to talk was usually the downfall for all guys. It meant the girl wanted something to be done, or that the relationship between the two was over. And what would Videl Satan want Gohan to do? Sharpner personally wanted Videl to tell Gohan to go back to where he cam from, but he would settle with a 'Leave me alone.' or 'I'm in love with Sharpner sorry.'. He was slightly disappointed when she pulled him off to the side. He muttered darkly under his breath.
"Gohan can we go talk over here for a minute?" Videl asked loud enough for him to hear over the pounding music.
"Sure Videl." Gohan said as Videl lead him away not bothering to wait for a response.
She stopped a good five feet away from anyone. She took in another deep breath before quickly turning to face the taller boy who was looking down at her in question.
"Gohan I.." Videl started hesitantly not really knowing how to word what was on her mind. "I think I... I think I love you." she said looking down at her feet like there was some great mystery about them. She could feel Gohan's wide eyes on her. His mouth hung ajar and he looked at her in total shock.
He went to say something but found the words just wouldn't come out. He closed his mouth but couldn't wipe the look of shock off his face. Sharpner smiled triumphantly. She had said it! Take that Nerd-Boy! That look he had on his face told him everything he needed to know. Erasa also grinned, although she actually knew what was going on. Sharpner looked down at the blond and suspected that she had also know this was going to happen. This only made his smile grow. If only he knew.
Videl couldn't help but look up at Gohan nervously. What if Erasa had been wrong and Gohan just liked her as a friend and that's all they would ever be. Slowly as the seconds ticked by that he hadn't answered made that sadness of doubt eat away at her. Her mind cursed the name of her friend who had played this sick joke on her. She glanced over at her two blond friends and saw them smiling together. It had most definitely been a trick, but she couldn't get herself to move. The trusting part of her said Erasa would never do something as cruel as this, so Videl stood her ground. She glanced up at Gohan to find a rather wide grin spread across his face. She tilted her head quizzically at him.
"You don't know who long I've waited to hear that one." he said causing Videl's heart to soar. "I didn't know if I should have told you that I loved you. I.."
'I love you Erasa.' Videl thought as she wrapped her arms around the black haired boys waist. She looked up at him and smiled sheepishly. "S-Sorry." she muttered.
"N-No problem Videl." Gohan said scratching the back of his head. "But Videl." he started earning her undivided attention. "If... If you feel the same way that I feel about you, would you... I mean if you want to.. be my girlfriend?"
Videl felt the smile on her face spread until it threatened to split her face. "Of course Gohan." she said.
Gohan smiled down at her and wrapped his arms around her as she already had hers around his waist, and pulled her into another hug. He couldn't believe that this was happening. This was probably one of the greatest nights of his life.
Sharpner's jaw dropped as he watched Videl throw her arms around Gohan. His head looked toward Erasa, who was grinning like a loon. He turned his attention back toward the two. What was going on? Why did Videl hug Nerd-Boy? Why is she not over here with me? All of these questions and more swam around in his mind. He watched disbelievingly as the two shared on more hug. Thinking the worst was over, Sharpner found words to calm him.
'Nerd-Boy is just realizing that Videl is right and he should lay off. There just hugging it out. Any second now that hugs going to break an Gohan is going to go the other way, and Videl will come into my awa...!'
Sharpner's words were soon tossed aside when she looked up just in time to see Videl give Gohan a playful look before getting up on her tippy toes to place a kiss on Gohan's lips. Erasa let out a woot as she screamed at the top of her lungs, 'They're finally together!' There were other cheers following hers drowning Sharpner in his own sorrow as he looked from Videl to Gohan. He muttered darkly under his breath again but stopped as his two friends walked back over. Erasa excitedly congratulated the two for finally getting together with Sharpner just mumbled incoherently before looking away.
~~~~ ( ( … ) ) ~~~~
Gohan was positive nothing could ruin his mood. As he sat with Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner, he contently listened to Erasa recollect events that happened over their years at school. His arm rested on the booth seat, behind Videl's head who seemed to be the only one of the other three to add in on Erasa's reminiscing.
"And.. And that time when we all went to the park.. Sharpner got his head.. stuck in that tree!" Erasa laughed. Videl and Gohan, remembering that day clearly, joined her in her hysterics while Sharpner just sulked. "The fire department.. had to come and get him out!"
Three of the four laughed at the expense of their blond haired friend while he grumbled and sunk into his seat.
Erasa, after regaining her composure, smiled brightly. "I hear the trees are beautiful this time of year." she said. "We should all go back again. Before the summer ends over. I mean, I know we'll see each other at school and all, but I think we're all planning on going into different majors." she finished pointing out the obvious.
"That's true." Videl said with a 'no duh' smile on her face.
"So what do you guys going to study at the university?" Erasa questioned looking curiously in between her friends.
"Well," Videl started slowly. "I've been debating whether or not to go into criminal justice to 'further my existing career', or education." she finished.
"Oh that's cool!" Erasa said. "I'm going for fashion design. I can't wait! What about you two?"
"Me?" Sharpner asked. "Well, I'm going for something in Enterprise." he said with a proud smirk. "You're last Nerd-boy."
"I was thinking about studying biology." he said. "My mom, she was pushing for Engineering but I think just as long as I make a life for myself I don't think she'd really care."
"Leave it to Nerd-boy." Sharpner grumbled with a roll of his eyes before getting elbowed by Erasa.
"Oh lay off Sharpner." she grumbled. "You're just jealous."
"Jealous?" Sharpner questioned annoyed at the thought. "There is no way I'm jealous of Nerd-boy!"
"Just keep telling yourself that Sharpner." Erasa said crossing her arms over her chest turning away from the blond boy.
Inside Sharpner was seething. 'Curse that Gohan.' he thought while wishing horrible things upon the black haired teen. He watched as said boy looked down at his cheap wristwatch. A smile spread across his face as the look of panic spread across Gohan's.
"I'm really sorry guys but I have to go!" he said hurriedly. "I have to go pick up Goten and take him home. I totally forgot."
"Oh." Erasa pouted. "But the parties not over yet."
"I know." Gohan said. "And I'm really sorry Erasa." He turned to Videl and smiled sheepishly. She lent over and placed a goodbye kiss on his cheek.
"See ya Gohan." she said with a smile.
Gohan moved his way out of the booth. He turned and waved before running off to the door. As the doors closed behind him Sharpner let out a sigh of relief. Now that Gohan was gone, he could make his move to prove he was the better of the two.
~~~~ ( ( Gohan ) ) ~~~~
Gohan ran down the streets at frightening speeds. From the club Erasa and Videl's parents had rented for the graduating classes party in West City, to the Capsule Corporation was just short of a good workout. Good being on a normal persons scale.
He stopped abruptly, and looked over his shoulder.
"I hear the trees are beautiful this time of year."
He slowed to a stop as the park came into view. Remembering what Erasa had said earlier made him want to see if his friends words were true. He slowly crossed the usually busy street to enter the park. The path dimly lit with lamps, it seemed rather inviting. The warm summer air adding to that.
The cobblestone path wound its way into the park and Gohan found himself seemingly alone.
~~~~ ( ( Elsewhere ) ) ~~~~
"Brad... I... I don't understand!" A young woman, maybe around the age of eighteen said frightened as she backed away from her enraged boyfriend.
"You.. deceived me." he said slowly threw clenched teeth. "You.. told me... you loved me." he said.
In the darkness, the woman couldn't see the concealed weapon he had on him.
"I.. I never lied to you Brad!" she cried out. "I do love you!"
"BUT WHAT ABOUT HIM HUH?" the man named Brad yelled. "I SAW YOU TWO LIZA! You and him..."
"Him?" Liza questioned trying to looked confused but threw her fright, the lie showed clearly on her face. "W-What are you talking about?"
"YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!" Brad roared and he threw himself at Liza, knocking her to the ground. With a gloved hand, he pulled out the knife he kept hidden in his inside jacket pocket. He showed it to her before sliding it to her neck. Tears poured down the boys eyes and he applied pressure. She looked up at him in hysterics.
"Brad! Brad please! Don't do this!"
"Now you'll feel some of the pain I feel."
Liza didn't even manage to get out a scream to warn anyone of her distress. Even though she knew no one would be in the park at this time of night. As her eyes slid close, she saw Brad, the love of her life, who had seen her twin sister kissing a boy. His beautiful ocean eyes filled with sorrow as her ran off.
'I love you Brad.' she thought before everything finally went blank.
~~~~ ( ( At the Party ) ) ~~~~
Sharpner slid into the booth next to Videl, who seemed to have lost the will to party after Gohan left.
"Hey babe." he said smoothly moving to grab her hand. When he had a firm yet gentle hold on his target he gave a pull. "Why don't you come dance with me?"
Videl glared up at him before pulling her hand out of his roughly. "Why don't you go bug someone else?" she asked.
Sharpner grimaced before grabbing her wrist and pulling a little more forcefully. "Come on babe. Just one little dance."
"No Sharpner." Videl said. She found herself being pulled from the booth by the blond.
"Sharpner," Videl started. "Can't you take a hint?" She glared up at him coldly trying to get him to get the picture. A picture in which he seemed to never be able to grasp.
Erasa watched with a disapproving scowl from on the dance floor as Sharpner practically drug Videl, kicking and screaming, out onto the dance floor. He pulled her chest close to his as he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. He started to sway to the slow music and smiled smoothly down at her. Before she had a chance to defend herself, the blond bent down and planted a firm kiss on her lips. Videl, angered, lashed out and managed to get a punch to connect to his jaw. As his grip on her waist lessened, she shoved him away.
"What the hell was that?" she yelled in his direction.
"Babe come on! I can't believe you're going to settle for that!" Sharpner yelled back.
Videl sent an icy glare in his direction. Sharpner felt as if icy water was running threw his veins. He didn't think that that little act would cause this much damage.
"Erasa, I'm going home." Videl called.
As she turned and walked toward the door, Erasa stomped over to the other blond. "Now look what you did!" she practically screamed. "I can't believe you Sharpner!"
As the doors closed behind Videl, Sharpner pouted. What was he doing wrong?
~~~~ ( ( Gohan ) ) ~~~~
Gohan kept walking along the path. He could hear the sounds of the city beyond the trees, but here even that seemed more peaceful. It might take him longer to get to capsule corporation, and ultimately he would have to face the wrath of his mother, but right now it all seemed worth is just for the moment of peace.
Peace that was so abruptly ended.
There was rustling in the bushes and a dark figure burst from them seeming frantic. He ran over to Gohan and with an iron grip, latched onto him. Gohan looked down questioningly at the dark clad figure.
The man grabbed Gohan's wrist roughly and forced his fingers to curl around the handle of something. As soon as he had accomplished this, the man took off, leaving a rather confused Gohan behind. Gohan watched his retreating figure. After he had disappeared, he took that as the first time to examine the object the stranger had forcefully given him. As his eyes traveled down to his hand, he felt his panic begin to rise. There was a knot in his stomach. He wanted to hurl. His fingers went numb as the blood on the knife trailed down the handle and his hand. He object slipped from his fingers as he backed away. Not really thinking anymore, Gohan ran. Away from the dimly lit cobble stone trail. Away from the peaceful park.
He only knew one person to go to at a time like this. His mother wouldn't know how to help him with matters like these. None of his other friends would. But he figure she could.