A/n: This chapter is brought to you today by Patrick Hansen, Saiyajin-Love, and the much missed LadyLaide.
Disclaimer: We do not own Dragonball/Z/GT, if we did *tear* …no we must not think of the impossible and get our hopes up. Now on to the chapter.
"Oh yeah, heh heh heh," he laughed, scratching the back of his head. "The name's Gohan, and don't you forget it." He finished off with a dazzling smirk.
'Hey that's what I had said before' Videl concluded with a smirk solidly planted on her face. And as she did, she couldn't help but to take in Gohan's clearly childish looks, which somehow faded in the shadow of the enormous body he carried around. Suddenly, it made so much more sense to her that he had been able to defeat her so easily.
"So how old are you Videl," Gohan asked glancing over to her. "I'm just wondering."
"No," was Videl's response.
"What?" Gohan shook his head, "That doesn't answer my question or make sense."
With the sun beaming upontheir backs, the two walked side by side with a fair amount of space between them towards a small ice-cream truck in the northern end of the park. Wandering aimlessly around after some stupid treat was actually starting to irritate Videl a bit, and it wasn't like this pestering boy to her left made it any better. What if someone was to recognize her? Thinking about it now, it was quite foolish for her to agree to get some ice cream in broad daylight after they had fought. And after this, where was he taking her? So many questions, and yet the only thing he was concerned with right now was her background.
"Come on. You look like my age. I just wanted to know how old you were," Gohan kept saying, being highly persistent as they neared the ice cream truck in the park.
"Oh, look, the ice cream man. You can stop talking for a minute," Videl interrupted him in the middle of his sentence. She stopped walking, causing Gohan to do the same as she moved and positioned her backpack in front of her. Opening it, she fiddled around for the little change she had left, her face frowning as her hand failed to come in contact with the money she thought she had.
"Uhh…" Videl awkwardly begin to say, looking toward Gohan slightly embarrassed.
"You know what; I'll take care of the ice cream. We may not be dating and you may have lost, but it's only logical and right that I pay for it if you can't," Gohan assured.
"No! I lost fair and square so I'm paying. I'm sure it's in here," Videl claimed as her hand frantically continued to search around in her bag. Becoming more frustrated for not finding it Videl added, "A-And don't you dare pity me. I can definitely pay for anything I want like that ice cream."
Gohan grinned before he relented and said, "Okay, I'll let you pay if you tell me your age,"
"No," Videl dismissed.
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes.'
"NO!" Videl shouted way too loud.
"Well with your height and everything else, it's only safe to assume that you're 9," Gohan teased.
Videl snapped, "What! I'm not that little. I'm going on…" She had to think for a second, counting on her fingers before saying confidently, "11 years old."
"Oh, you're about my age. Well that makes things easier. I guess I'll go and get the ice cream and you can find some place to sit," Gohan happily said as he walked a feet few away. Videl just stood there, watching him stroll on over to the ice cream man, a little bit thankful now that she didn't have to do so. For one, she shouldn't be so careless. What if the ice cream man knows who she is? And second, she saw just how much ice cream Gohan had gotten for himself. She would swear up and down that he had bought three gallons worth of ice cream as he came back to her with what looked like a bucket in his left hand.
She just stared at him, mouth gaping open as he handed her a cone full of strawberry ice cream before smiling down at his bucket.
"What is something wrong?" Gohan questioned as he noticed her stare.
Videl found her voice again exclaiming, "Yes, with you! How can you buy so much ice cream for yourself? People will look at you like you're crazy!"
"Oh…I see," Gohan replied. Videl was about to let out a sign of relief for him getting her point until, "I see, I need to eat it with a spoon. Like my mom say, 'I shouldn't behave like a savage in public."
Once he got his spoon and Videl overcame her astonishment to mumble a thanks, the two strolled the park. Any sane person would think that with so much ice cream, someone wouldn't be able to talk since they'd be stuffing their face but, clearly she was wrong, as her ears were ringing with his nonstop chattering. But he couldn't help it. Gohan had this refreshing feeling wash over him from meeting someone that he could possibly help out, thus proving that he's not really a bad person.
'If he doesn't stop talking soon, I'm going to kill myself!' she argued in her mind while trying to eat her ice cream in peace and shield out the constant waves of information that she was receiving about all forms of wildlife in the forest to everyday stuff like family and friends
"… And it gets kinda' lonely out there with just me and my Mom so it's really going to be nice to have a new face around," Gohan finished; turning his head to Videl in anticipation for the answer that was to come.
"Woah! Stop right there buddy. We are only on a need-to-know-basis. Don't get all fluffy on me!" she said, raising her voice a bit higher than she actually intended, though still keeping her posture.
"Yea… Sure," Gohan relented; the disappointment clearly visible in the boy's voice and his face. Yet Videl had mistaken disappointment for embarrassment. Gohan had already gotten too ahead of himself. He merely meant to gain a tad bit of her trust before he helped her out. Truth be told, he did not want to be her friend that quick because in the back of his mind he kept thinking, eventually believing, that people shouldn't get so close to someone with blood stained hands. It may only bring them death, much like his father. Plus, it's only proper that he tells a little about himself and that's what he was concerned about right now.
"Oh come on you big cry baby, let's sit down over there," Videl commanded, snatching Gohan out of his thoughts as she pointed towards a bench that gracefully stood in a small clearing; it was the same bench where she had first met him.
Surrounded by nothing else than nature and the life of the forest, and with the sun laying it's light in between the leaves above, it almost looked magical to the eyes of newcomers. Around the bench, a small pond snaked its way, expressing sounds of pure tranquility and peace, surely also drawing the wildlife of the park to it. The birds' songs were filled with joy, filled with freedom, and last but not least, they were filled with adoration.
"Wow," was all that escaped Videl's lips as she sat down next to Gohan, not making a single movement in the fear of breaking this truly rare moment.
"It's beautiful isn't it? That's why I always come around here if I don't go to the lake near my house," Gohan responded, turning his head towards hers.
"Yea I guess so. I don't really get out the house often," Videl said.
As the stillness seeped in between them, Videl continued to carelessly lick away at her ice cream while Gohan fretted with his fingers, patiently waiting for Videl to finish eating. Now, as she could only hear little chirps and her own sound of slurping, the silence was starting to get to her.
"So…umm..what did you mean by teaching me and everything? Like where will you teach me," Videl asked, making an attempt at conversation as she lapped up the ice cream trickling down her forearm.
"Oh, you can come live with me and I'll train you," Gohan answered right away.
Videl stopped licking her ice cream, not believing for a second that he had just suggested to her. How could she? But thinking about it some more, a comfortable cozy bed versus the hard cold bathroom floors of the train station, sounded a lot better. Videl nodded in response, and Gohan smiled back understanding her reply.
"So….who taught you how to fight like that? It's hard to believe that a kid like yourself, learned on your own," Videl doubted as she finished off her ice cream cone.
"Well in the beginning I had a mentor named Piccolo, but when I got older and a new threat appeared…my father did," Gohan murmured, fretting with his fingers even more. A nostalgic look settled into his eyes, his tone becoming quite proud as he quietly boasted, "He pushed me to my limits, bringing out a sort of power that I didn't think someone my age could achieve. And even when..." Gohan paused, hesitating before gulping down the lump in his throat to finish, "And even when, I messed up; he was there to save us all from that monster."
"Oh really?" Videl questioned, perking up from what she had heard. "If he brought out that power in you then he can definitely do it with me! You know, I have a good idea, why doesn't he teach me instead? That way, I can learn from the best. So where is he?" Videl asked, excitement filling her eyes as she looked at Gohan. Yet, he was lost in his own thoughts; his surrounding being nothing but a mere buzz in his ear as his gaze remained blank.
"Gohan, where's your dad?" Videl asked again, arching her eyebrow as she was confused on why he was ignoring her now.
"Goku I won't accept you or Piccolo keep beating up my little son like this every single day just because some… androids will be here to destroy Earth!" the enraged mother argued, never switching her focus from him.
"Chichi this is important. And I promise I'll make him read every single night?" Goku gleefully responded, as if this was just another quarrel that he was going to sneak his way out of, but this all changed when his wife stormed out the room, leaving both males completely baffled.
Just as his wife, Goku instantly changed to a more serious attitude; lightly petting his son on his forehead before saying, "Wait here, son," and rushing out the room after his beloved.
"Hey, Gohan!" Videl called waving her hand in front of him before bursting out and laughing at his face, "Haha! That's funny, you're joking right?" But he began to slightly shake, small trembles erupting over his frame. Instantly, her face dropped, her expression becoming stern as she demanded to know, "What's wrong with you? Are you okay?"
The boy stood, silent as the night and awaited a following command by whoever was in charge, but no one came. For hours he stood, waiting to hear the laughter of the people he loved the most, waiting to feel their warmth, and waiting to feel their love.
Finally, as the sun was setting in the horizon, a figure made its way past him. Without a word, the female sat down in the small brown couch located in the eastern side of the small room, with no lights other than the rays from the dying sun, and muffled cries of someone expressing their sorrow.
"Mom what's wrong?" Gohan called out, but his voice came out hushed while his mother did not seem to notice him.
The tears flowed from her eyes; flooding the floor as the puddles it formed became bigger. Like a wave, the water snaked its way over to Gohan's youthful body, turning into blood upon contact. He began to panic, the thick blood staining his shoes, building up until it reached his calves. Becoming anxious, his eyes shot back up, noticing his mother's throat was being held onto by that…that monster Cell.
"Mom, NO!" Gohan called out again, but he cries were stifled. With no hand to lead him through this, with no rope to hold on to in this time of need; it was so easy to give in to the darkness.
"Gohan, what is it? Don't ignore me! Answer me!" Videl angrily cried.
The ground around him started to dissolve. As if the universe itself was falling apart, he found himself on an island; an island sounded by… nothing. The memories of his life, his friends, the ones he loved, were washed away in a sea of darkness. Only one thing remained; the sobs of his mother and the disappointment of his father.
A picture of the hero Goku appeared in the sky, lighting up everything it touched, though still keeping its distance from the broken soul on the small island.
"Why didn't you protect her Gohan!" The voice of Goku harshly asked, now looking directly down on him.
"I-It…she was.. I couldn't," the boy wept, struggling not to suffocate in this pressure and distress building up inside.
"You are a disappointment to me!" Goku yelled, striking down on Gohan as the last word left his lips.
"You are a disappointment to your mother!" The words slammed down on him again.
"And you will disappoint everybody!" The words damn near shattered him. With that the blood took the boy, forever holding him in its grasp, torturing his soul to the end of days.
"GOHAN! -" Videl called, finally gaining enough guts to slap him hard across the face, her hand stinging on impact.
" Are you insane! Why are you looking like that? I asked you one question and you looked like you were having one of those crazy person episodes. I'm out of here!" Clearly enraged, Videl lifted her body and turned in direction of the city, believing she once again was left to herself, though a force kept her back.
"Wait!" Gohan started. "I..- I promise to try and not let it happen again. Please," he pleaded, trying as hard as he could to hold on to his sense and pretend that it wasn't there. Yet, he could smell it, he could feel it, and he could see it; the blood. It hadn't left him in his horrible vision, no it had followed him out into the world of the living, even after the eternity Gohan felt he had spent in that dark abyss; it wasn't ready to let him go. But he had to get a hold of himself, if he wanted to help her out and get rid of his blood stained hands forever.
"I-" Videl was still cautious towards him, afraid that he would once again lose control, and her slap not being enough to make him come back to his senses. But there was something, in his eyes that said that he needed this a lot more than she did. And since she refused to go back to lying on a bathroom floor in the train station, he was the only option for her. Videl deeply exhaled before she resigned, "If you promise on everything that you will make me stronger."
"I will," He honestly answered, happily sighing inside.
"So why don't you show me where I'll be staying, oh great mentor?" Videl teased, putting on a big smile to cheer the young fellow up. "I'm sure we have a lot of practice ahead of us, right?"
Gohan nodded before standing up from the bench and tossing his bucket into the nearby trash bin. He smiled and walked into a direction with Videl following behind. As they exited the park and made way on the street, he seemed a bit too eager to her. Like, look at how his pace was picking up. His legs were moving as if he was on a power walk. She couldn't help but to become more and more uncomfortable as he became, what she called, more excited. And Gohan was getting quite ahead of her. Just as she tried to match his pace, she heard several thuds behind her while weight seemed to magically lift off of her back.
'Oh crap, I forgot to zip it back up,' Videl angrily thought as her eyes rolled before she turned around to grab her things from off the cement below. She kneeled to the ground to hurriedly place them back in her backpack before zipping it up. Strapping the backpack right over her shoulder once again, Videl stood up. Her eyes scanned over her surroundings, noticing that he had disappeared.
"Man, where did he go?" Videl complained as she began to take aimless steps forward.
As her eyes continued to search her surroundings, she noticed that quite a few people were around, and suddenly, she felt troubled. The last thing she wanted right now was to be recognized. Videl quickly walked about, turning on a street where she didn't see anyone around. But, just as she passed another corner, one blonde man and black haired man whom appeared as brothers, bumped into her.
"Oh, excuse me…" the blond man began to say before he caught a glimpse of her face.
Videl bowed her head and quickly replied in a deep voice, "It's okay," before she tried to resume walking again.
However he stepped right in front of her to ask, "Hey aren't you."
"No," Videl interrupted as she tried to walk around with her head tilted down a little more to the ground. Yet, the black haired man blocked her way, forcing her to come to another halt.
"Oh. This is definitely her," he said as moved his hand to lift her head up and stare into her eyes. "This is definitely daddy's girl, the sweet ole Videl Satan." Videl's eyes that had widened when he touched her, had settled into slits with such an insult. He only smirked in response.
Videl snatched her head out of his grasp and threatened, "Don't you ever touch me! Or I-I.."
"You what," the blonde man challenged.
Videl's fist, with perfect aim and speed, immediately went to crash upon his jaw line. A grin came across the blonde man's face, as he easily caught her punch and then effectively pinned her arm behind her back, causing her to wince in pain as she struggled to break out of his grip.
"Ha, ha," the black haired man snickered. "This is all Mr. Satan's daughter is capable of?"
"I'm not even sure this is his daughter. She may just be a look-alike," the blonde man added.
"Oh, but she is," the black haired man assured as he took a step toward the struggling Videl. His eyes became fixated upon her fiery orbs full of hate. And he said softly, "Daddy isn't here to save you. So act like a good little girl and come with us. I'm pretty sure there's a good price for your return."
"NO! Get off of me! I'm not going back!" Videl screamed as she thrashed in the young man's grasp. Just the thought of going back, infuriated her beyond belief. She tried to step on his foot, but he only tightened his grip on her arm, digging his fingernails into her delicate skin; causing jolts of pain to spread up her arm. Her efforts were fruitless and they laughed at her pathetic attempts some more.
"Awww. What's wrong? Daddy's little girl ran away because she didn't get the ponies she wanted for her birthday?" the black haired man chuckled.
"You don't know anything! Now let me go!" Videl shouted, attempting to ignore the throbbing pain within her already sore arm.
"I don't think you're in a position to give orders," the blonde man spat, tightening his hold onto her some more.
"And I don't think, you are either," Gohan stated as he walked up. His eyes went past the two and on to Videl. His hands went into his pockets as he calmly asked, "What seems to the problem? Do you know them Videl?"
"What took you so.. I mean if you would've come any later I would have to deal with these guys myself!" Videl confidently stated as she turned her nose up.
"So you don't know them?" Gohan asked as his eyebrows wrinkled upon his forehead, for the simple fact that she hadn't answer his question.
"No, I don't! They're just bullying me for no reason and want to take me away against my will. Now enough talking so I..I mean we can deal with them!" Videl replied.
The two busted out laughing. The blonde man's hold on her tightened some more, forcing another shushed cry from Videl while the black haired man clutched his sides as he rolled over in laughter, his eyes squinting to hold back tears.
"You.. Deal with us? Much less with this shrimp over there?" the black haired man asked as his thumb pointed over to where Gohan was.
"Uhh. What are you pointing at?" the blonde man asked as he looked in the direction his friend was pointing.
"You idiot, I'm pointing at…" He stopped talking as he glanced to where he pointed. "Wait. Where did he…"
"Oh, you're going to get it now," Videl giggled.
"What are you…"
BAAAMMMMM
Was the sound of the Gohan's fist as it was sent crashing against the black haired man's guts. He buckled over, without even a single gasp of pain, for the damage done was so great that it shadowed his mind with confusion and agony until it became too overwhelmed and fell out of consciousness.
"You brat!" the blonde man yelled as he tossed Videl to the side, her body scraping against the cement as he launched himself towards Gohan who simply stood there looking at him.
'Why isn't he moving!' Videl screamed in her head as instinct took over and she immediately went to grab one of the blonde man's legs. He tripped, and his face fell right onto Gohan's fist. Blood sputtering out his lips as a few teeth became unlodged from his gum. The blonde man's body limply fell to the floor and Gohan just stood there, his eyes casted upon his fist stained with the crimson liquid. It began to taunt him. His eyes broaden, as his heart thumped against his chest. Anxiety taking over his mind. Not this again. NOT this again! NOT twice in one day!
"Don't just stand there, you dummy. Wipe it off," Videl scolded as she pulled a handkerchief to clean his hand, before tossing the cloth to the side. "Now let's get going before they wake up or a crowd shows up!" Videl ordered as she grabbed Gohan's clean hand and ran away. His narrowed eyes following after them before the blonde man got up off the cement ground, holding his mouth.
…..
Her little legs thumped against the ground, going in no direction whatsoever as she held onto his cold hand. Once she was four blocks away, she stopped and released his hand, taking away that warmth so hers could rest upon her knees while she bent over, panting because of the lack of air.
"I..think…we're…far away….from them now." Videl wheezed, before she stood straight up. "Now, lead the way," Videl demanded as she looked towards Gohan, whom was staring at his hands again.
"Hey, Gohan?" Videl called to him but he was deep in thought.
Just like that, it was gone. At the moment, his hands didn't have a drop of blood on them. Gohan hesitantly touched the palm of them to see if it had really disappeared but, he didn't see or feel it; instead his hands were cold and his nerves were completely calm. He didn't think that it would be so easy to simply have someone else wipe his hands clean with a cloth. He made a note to try that, next time. Right now, he should be thinking about what to say to his mom about how he had agreed to someone living with them without her permission.
"Oye, Gohan. Answer me! You better not be having another episode," Videl warned.
"No, I'm not," Gohan easily dismissed, smiling off such notion. "Let's get going. Follow me,"
"Sheesh. Took you long enough," Videl murmured as her feet trailed behind him.
As they neared his mother's destination, Gohan found himself becoming more apprehensive as he thought of how to break the news to her.
'I could easily beg and say that I'll do my homework for 20 hours a day…" Gohan's face wrinkled at the thought of doing that. Plus, lately, his mother has stopped him for doing too much homework since she believed he needed to exercise. There's no way she would agree to that right now.
'Well what if I walk up and say bluntly, "This is Videl and she's going to live with us."' Then an image of a frying pan flashed within his head. The day that he would tell his mother what she's going to do and allow, is one that he will dread. Shaking his head to remove such notion, Gohan halted as he and Videl stood around the corner from the store Chi-Chi was in. Gohan let out an involuntary sigh.
'I guess I'm just going to have to ask nicely and explain the situation. And she's been quite kind lately, so she might agree.' Gohan positively thought.
Before he entered, Videl tried to follow after him; but he turned around. "Umm, you just wait right here. I have to make sure my mom is the store down there and…." His voice trailed off at the end as he walked away and left a puzzled Videl standing there.
Gohan finally had reached the entrance and strolled through the store, until his eyes came upon a woman with a scowl on her face with her head staring off in Kami knows what direction. As he walked up behind her, he saw that she was staring at; a young girl and boy passionately embracing each other as they swapped spit.
"Hey, mom. What's wrong?" Gohan asked.
Chi-Chi hmphed before she turned to her son and answered, "Oh it's nothing. But just look at how young that boy and girl are! And then they're all touching each other like it's nothing."
"I know you're right. So mom, can I ask you…" Gohan began to say as he tried to safely cut her off.
But Chi-Chi continued to speak as if he had not said anything. Her scowl became more profound as she said, "Back in my day, we knew not to act that way in public. I wouldn't be surprised if these two acted improper on a regular basis and actually lived with each other even though they're not married."
Gohan replied with a nervous laugh as he asked, "What's wrong with that mother? Y-You know the two living together."
"What! They're so many things wrong with that! Do you know…" Chi-Chi stopped herself. "Wait you don't know. And you won't need to know until you get much, MUCH older," Chi-Chi righteously said as she folded her arms.
Sweat dropped down Gohan's forehead. His mother's change of attitude was definitely short lived. There would be NO WAY that she'd allow Videl to stay with them.
"Now what was it that you wanted to ask me?" Chi-Chi asked, snapping Gohan out of his thoughts.
Gohan laughed again, causing one of Chi-Chi's eyebrows to rise upon her forehead. "Oh, it was nothing mom. I just have to go use the bathroom and I was wondering how long you'd be," Gohan replied with a grin as he scratched the back of his head.
"Oh, I shouldn't be long. This store doesn't have what I'm looking for. You gone on ahead. I still have some unfinished business here. It's time for some schooling for these two over here." Chi-Chi stated as her eyes glanced over to the two who refused to let each other go, no matter how many onlookers were around.
This would be the time where Gohan would intervene and stop his mother before she did something terrifying, but he needed to discuss things with Videl. And he only had one opportunity to do so before his mother found out. Therefore, Gohan rushed towards the exit just as a woman's scolding voice could be heard throughout the store.
Gohan eagerly ran through the door, and dashed around the corner. His eyes widen as he looked from left to right, trying to make sure that his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. But, they weren't. Videl was actually gone.
…
. "Umm, you just wait right here. I have to make sure my mom is the store down there and…." His voice trailed off at the end as he walked away and left a puzzled Videl standing there.
She watched his retreating figure. The way it moved away from her quickly, darting between the townsfolk as he struggled to get by, before disappearing completely within the crowd into the distance.
'What now?' Videl thought. She stood there for a moment longer, her eyes fixed upon what would be, a now random spot on the horizon. There was nothing significant about it anymore. He had left. A calculating look crossed her face briefly, and then it was gone, just like Gohan, leaving her young face to harden completely. Eyes fierce as the adrenaline kicked in, she had made her choice and this was it, the afternoon had been fun with Gohan, that she had to admit, but she just couldn't trust him. She wouldn't let herself be hurt again. Not now, not ever. Turning around to walk in the opposite direction, she grabbed her backpack.
With the fierce look of determination in her eyes, blood pumping, she walked. Where to? She didn't know, but which runaway ever does? It was ironic how her aimless travels caused her to pass the area where she had first bumped into Gohan. The same bench she had debated her life over, the same bench where Gohan had made her feel like she didn't deserve this life; the same bench where she had foolishly believed him. She granted the pitiful memory a single fleeting glance. Gohan's smiling, cheerful face flashed in her mind and his words, spoken only moments ago, "Wait right here," rang in her ear. Innocent enough they had seemed, hell, he had been innocent enough but how could she trust him to return? He was no older than herself; he was just a kid, she snorted. Just another stupid kid, she repeated.
Just when she thought she had him figured out, she had concluded that he was another freelancer, in it for the money. Her mind just had to reason with her, causing her to second guess her choices even when she was so sure.
She had just called him a kid, but wasn't that what she was herself? Just a kid, out all alone, left to fend for herself in a world where she shouldn't have had to. For an eleven year old like herself, she should have been surrounded by a protective family who would love her dearly; but instead, she had suffered enough to last a lifetime, all at the hands of her pathetic father, Hercule Satan. But what was worse, home or life on the streets? That was what she had yet to decide. She knew the streets were a harsh place, she had learnt that lesson at least, but if anyone could make it, Videl Satan knew she could. With enough determination and smarts to make it through, this would just be yet another challenge she would need to face.
Sighing, she focused on the journey ahead, she already missed him even though she berated him every chance she got, but there was no way he was coming back, why would he? She was just a girl and it wasn't like she had been nice to him. Why would he even waste his time? He was probably laughing at her right now, thinking he'd fooled her. And sure enough, at one point she had caught herself thinking she could trust him but she was smarter than that, she knew in time if it wasn't today, he'd prove her wrong. Just like her father had, time and time again.
"Goodbye, boy named Gohan." She whispered as she passed the scene of their earlier agreement, without so much as a single look back. From now on, she needed to rely on herself, it was the only way. Readjusting her backpack which had sagged slightly on her back, she tightened its straps around her arms, bracing herself for anything and with a deep breath she ventured further into the busy streets of civilization.
Yeah, that's right. She only needed to rely on herself.
Walking through the town aimlessly at a rather slow place, she did not even know where she was going, but it wasn't important to her, all she could think about was Gohan. What if he had come back? What if he wasn't lying? Did he really care enough to help her? These same questions kept ramming against Videl as the magnitude of what she may have just passed up on hit her. But then again maybe she was stupid to walk away, maybe her father was right, maybe she just wasn't strong enough to make the choices that counted.
No. She told herself, she definitely wasn't stupid, she chastised herself for the very thought and since when had her father's opinions even mattered to her? Her father was never right! Her, weak? If anything, she decided, she was even stronger than she thought for leaving 'home' and going it alone. He never thought she would have the guts to do it, and now she had. Her hands tightened and made fists around straps of her bag, her knuckles turning white as she clutched onto it for support and further encouragement as the memory of why she left home struck her. That wasn't a mistake and neither was this. She knew she had made the right choice, Gohan was no-one to her and she was no-one to him. He wouldn't hold up his promise, she knew he wouldn't. He had probably lied to her all along. Videl became angered at the thought of being deceived, even if it was for only a moment she had believed him.
Yes, he had lied to her, she convinced herself. She just couldn't trust anyone. She lowered the baseball cap on her head, tucking her long jet black hair into her jacket. Her guard up, she avoided all eye contact, from here on out, it was self preservation. Videl looks out for Videl, end of.
She felt bad for leaving the only boy who was nice to her since she ran away from home. He was the only real friend she could truthfully say, she had. One who wasn't after her money, or celebrity status, but truly liked her for her. For Videl Satan. But there was nothing she could do. The safety of a warm, loving home was not an option for her. It was not something she could afford to take a chance with. And it was certainly not something she should get her hopes up about, not when she had lost so much already, the little hope she had left was not something she could bear to lose. Because if she did, what then?
Everything in her life that she touched or even cared about turned to dust and endless catastrophe. It was how she found herself in her current predicament. This was her life, what more did she expect?
"Ow!" Videl stumbled backwards suddenly and looked up sharply, her hand instinctively moving up to her forehead, the place of the unexpected pain.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there," a large rotund bald, middle-aged man said, he turned around to face her fully, his large brown eyes, wrinkled with age, glancing over Videl's appearance appreciatively.
"Well next time, watch where you're going buddy," Videl glowered. Her head stung a little from the impact. She had damn well nearly fallen on her butt and injured herself further, the idiot. He should watch where he's going.
"My, what a temper!" The strange man said, his eye containing a hint of lust as he inched closer to Videl. A smirk forming on his lips.
Videl only looked up and glared at the large burly gentleman she had run in to. Darn Gohan and his stupid self, it was his fault she got sidetracked and wasn't watching where she was going.
"Aren't you a little young to be on your own?" The man asked, his eyebrow arching slightly as he feigned his concern. Here was the perfect opportunity, it was late, she was young and wouldn't know any better. He could probably use the old candy in the van excuse.
"What's it to you?" Videl said, eyeing him mistrustfully, she was still annoyed about her entire situation.
"You have really nice eyes, so pure and innocent," he said, reaching out to stroke her hair as he attempted to close the distance between them.
Videl suddenly noticed he was now standing right in front of her, how had he gotten that close without her noticing? She didn't know, but she certainly didn't like it. His breath stank of stale old beer. It was apparent he hadn't bathed for a while to say the least, his worn, tired clothes were stained in a few places, and now that he was a little closer, she could see he hadn't shaved, the grey and black bristles of facial hair becoming more apparent. The lines of his face were deeply etched there, so much that they had become a feature. His face showed no happiness even though his voice said otherwise, he seemed warm on the surface but there was something more there, something mischievous, sneaky almost, and most definitely dangerous.
Videl turned around and ran as fast as she could out of there. She didn't stop for anything; she pushed and shoved several people out of the way as she passed them, ignoring their screams and shouts as she let her emotion fuel her. She didn't care. The tears streamed from her eyes, but she let them flow freely, she didn't care, she just didn't care.
She ran and ran until her feet felt like they were going to give out from beneath her. When she finally stopped running she collapsed from exhaustion on to the concrete ground and her tears continued to fall, her breathing erratic and out of control, why her?
That was the only question on her mind, why her? Why was it always her? What did she do to deserve such rash treatment? She looked up at the night sky and questioned the stars, why her? She waited and waited for an answer, but they held none. They remained as silent as ever and continued to twinkle within the night sky. Videl scoffed. What did she expect? As if she would get a response. No one would reply to her. She was without anyone. But again, what did she expect? She had always been alone since her mother died.
"Awww. What's wrong? Daddy's little girl ran away because she didn't get the ponies she wanted for her birthday?" the black haired man chuckled.
"You don't know anything! Now let me go!" Videl shouted, attempting to ignore the throbbing pain within her already sore arm.
They didn't know anything. She had been by herself….so alone.. Even on her birthday.
The camera lights flashed, cheers erupting as confetti fell down while words echoed, "Satan, Satan, Satan!" But even though it was her fifth birthday, those words weren't for her. They were for her father, who used her birthday party as another one of his fancy shows for the public. As she sat at the head of the table staring all around for someone to acknowledge her, she realized that she was surrounded by unfamiliar faces of people she didn't know, of people who didn't seem to care.
"Excuse me, Daddy," Videl softly called trying to draw some attention to herself but he was encircled by a crowd that cheered him on as he continued to flex his muscles in front of them.
"Daddy!" Videl called a bit louder this time. Still no response. Little Videl became frustrated. Why was daddy ignoring her too? It was her birthday, not his. He should at least give her some attention.
"Daddy!" Videl yelled, standing up in her chair, placing her hands around the outside of her mouth to make her call louder. The people immediately stopped talking to Hercule, turning around to give her a look, a look which made Videl slightly cringe inside, but she ignored it.
"Daddy, when is the cake coming out? And when are we going to open the presents?" Videl asked, eyes clearly showing how much she anticipated and longed for such.
"Videl, I'm in the middle of something right now. Your father is entertaining the guests. Now, be a good little girl and sit down in the chair. And as for gifts, isn't being surrounded by this group of people who care dearly for you enough?"
"Well said, Mr Satan," one man praised.
"You truly are a wonderful person with words as well as great combative skills," another applauded.
"You know well," Hercule commended as he laughed. "Am I right? Aren't I the best fighter on this planet! No one can defeat me!" Hercule boasted, cocky as ever.
"You're right, Mr. Satan," they agreed.
"Satan, Satan, Satan!" the crowd started cheering. As they continued to chant, one person entered the room with a deluxe white frosting cake with strawberries and 'Happy Birthday Videl' written in icing. Videl's eyes instantly lit up, she began waving her hands, signaling the person to come place down the cake where she was. She thought they actually had noticed her and she was about to scream in glee until…
"Here you go Mr. Satan. It's a cake to celebrate how great you are," the person carrying the cake said.
"Make a wish!"one cheered.
"Oh I shouldn't," Hercule tried to feign off, but they urged him, pushing him towards the cake as they lit the candles.
"Yes you can! Right everyone? Satan!" they chanted.
"Oh if you insist," Hercule said before he blew out her candles. On her cake. Videl's arms dropped as well as her face. She stared at the happy people; feeling the same ache her little heart had felt whenever she thought about her mother. The scene before her, became clouded by tears and before she wailed in front of everyone, she walked out of the room. The sound of her tiny feet and her cries silent, as she walked out of a room where no one noticed or cared that she was leaving.
Videl squeezed her eyes shut, suppressing the memory as well as her tears. She pressed herself up against the cold hard surface behind her, arms clutched around her knees as she shivered and trembled, holding together her very being. Her teeth chattering as she swallowed deeply and looked all around her. She had found herself in a dark and dreary alleyway, high rise walls that almost seemed to want to swallow her petite frame entirely were she to venture too deep into its fortress.
She was freezing and hungry and most certainly tired. Maybe if she was lucky she could find a more suitable place or some scraps. Videl stood up, with her backpack still tightly fastened, she shuddered and the thoughts she had tried to suppress ran through her mind. She was always alone with no one to count on.
Videl began to take steps forward, and down the alley, looking left to right as she noticed how dark and quiet it was. The rats and other critters weren't even rattling in the trash on the cold ground. This...became unsettling to her. Her heart picked up its pace, racing in her chest as she anxiously continued to stroll down the alley; her trembling hand, gripping her backpack even tighter.
Plop.
Videl jumped, turning around to see where the noise came from. Her hand grasping at her chest, as her eyes darted from left to right in the night. She panted, trying to calm herself. It was all in her head. It was probably just a rat or cat or something. She was merely overreacting.
As much as she tried to convince herself, Videl turned her head back around, picking up her pace to get out of the alley as soon as possible.
Plop. Plop
She picked up her pace some more. 'How long was this alley?' She frantically thought. Her heart thumping in her chest even more, her grip tightening on the strap of her back pack as if she was ready to use it.
Plop. Plop. Plop
Curiosity got the best of her, Videl snapped her head around and saw...a dark figure..following her.
Videl snapped her head back around, sprinting down the alley her backpack banging against her back as she tried her best to get out away. She stepped into the street illuminated by the street lights. She looked left, looked right trying to decide which way to go. But before she did, she looked behind her one last time..and...the dark figure was gone.
Confused, Videl questioned whether or not her eyes had been playing a trick on her. Whatever the case, she was glad that he or whatever it was, was gone...
Videl couldn't finish her thought, as she felt a hand cover her mouth and pin her arm behind her back, preventing her from screaming for help and protecting herself. She struggled, tears beginning to form in her eyes at what was happening. And then in the still of the night with a voice that she had heard earlier today, he whispered into her ear, "I've been looking for you."