Chapter 6

The Undesired Path

The strange man cut his laugh short and suddenly the room became silently tense once more. The man walked over to Videl; His steps were slow and the creaky floorboards beneath him cried out from his heavy feet. Each moment that he spent to reach Videl made her fear grow slowly. Gulping, Videl's breath became shallow,

"Aw, no need to be afraid dear," The man assured as he slid behind her, "We won't do much…" he continued as he caressed her soft cheek. Videl jerked away at his sudden touch, she touched the spot where his hand had laid just moments before,

"W-who are you?" she asked, half in disgust half in fear, she was seeing how far she could push; which was not a very wise thing, "W-where is my father?" Videl asked with a raised voice,

"That's exactly what we were wondering. Weren't we?" The man asked his partner, who simply grunted in agreement, "Don't tell me your father did not tell you what he did?" the man questioned in an insulting tone. Videl was shocked at his questions, 'What father did? What does he mean? Wait. I cannot listen to a stranger whom I met in my home!'

"Get out of my home!" Videl barked in an attempt to be courageous, "I know…I know! My father has done nothing wrong! He works too much to do anything dishonorable!" she stated with her fists clenched. The response Videl received was laughter from the two men,

"hahaha! Oh man! Did you hear what she said!? 'My father can't do anything wrong!'" The first man exclaimed,

"Hercule Satan! A hard worker!? Are you sure you're his daughter?" The second man questioned between his chuckles,

"What nonsense do the two of you speak of?" Videl asked with tears forming in her eyes, "My-my father…what has he done to make you come here?" she questioned. The first man stopped his laughing and turned to face Videl,

"What has he done? I'll tell you," The man began with one last chuckle, "Your father has just about the worst case of gambler we can think of, love," he stated calmly, "he's gravely in debt because, you see, he's not a very good gambler at the same time " the man explained.

Gambling would have explained all of Hercule's absences…but this was Videl's father how could she just believe any old thing? She did not know what to do or say, "No! It must be a lie! Please! Don't say such a thing!" she said while hiding her face in her hands. The first man glanced over to his partner,

"Awww, poor girls having trouble soaking it in," his false sorrow then turned into a smug smile, "well then, you're really going to hate what I have to say next," he said while walking over to Videl and placing a few stray hairs behind her ear. At this point, Videl was too deep in thought to notice his actions. It was only when he began to speak when she snapped out of her daze,

"If he does not return, to this estate, by sundown…Then we'll be forced to take you, as his payment," the man said joyfully. Videl gasped at his statement,

"What!? No!" Videl exclaimed as she began to back away from the man, only to land into the arms of the other. He held her tight while the other began to tie a rope around her,

"Let me go! Leave me! Please!...please…" her voice became frail and she was slowly giving up while tears flowed freely down her face. Once secure, the second man let go of her arms and she fell to the ground. The first man roughly tilted her up by the back of her hair to face him, "Shut up," was all he said before tossing her to the ground,

"..Gohan..." she quietly uttered between silent sobs.

Above Videl there was a window, and looking through the window was a young boy. He had lavender hair and ice blue eyes, he had seen everything. He waited until the men were out of the room before he made his next move.

The little boy leaned over the window and looked down at his beaten neighbor and gasped a little. She had always taken care of him and, though she was blind, looked out for him. He felt it was time to return the favor…no matter how scary these men were,

"psst! Videl!" he whispered coarsely in an attempt to get her attention. Videl's eyes shot open and she quickly turned her head up to face the window,

"W-who's there? Trunks?" she questioned,

"Yes! What's happening Videl?" he asked her with fear hitched in his voice. With what was left of Videl's strength she managed to sit up, so she could speak properly to the boy,

"Trunks, listen very carefully, I need you to do something for me," she started with a serious tone of voice, "Please, go find my father and do it before sundown. If you don't then…I might have to go away forever," she said sadly. Hearing those last words forced Trunks to jump into action,

"Don't worry Videl! I'll comeback! They won't take you away," he promised before running off. Trunks's footsteps became very faint and Videl realized she was alone again, she propped her self up against the wall so she could at least sit up, 'please Trunks, please come back,' she thought, 'I think it's the hour of noon right now…That gives Trunks five or six hours,'

Meanwhile, Trunks was running as fast as his little feet would go, 'Where would Satan san be?' he asked inwardly. Trunks stopped to think for a while, 'where, where, where!?' he began to panic but then it hit him, "The Mines!" he exclaimed before sprinting off once more. The Mining area was on the outskirts of the city, forcing Trunks to spend much time getting to his destination. He was just a ten year old running on foot. However, because of his father, he was able to not tire out, which was very useful at this point.

Once he arrived at the mines, he was stopped by a large man in a brown outfit, "Little boy, this is no place for children, go back home," he warned. Trunks was too much in a rush to deal with distractions such as the guard,

"No! Who are you!? This is important! Get out of my way!" Trunks said angrily while trying to pass the guard. He was simply stopped by a large rough hand pushing him back,

"What business do you have hear son? Why don't you tell me and I'll deliver the message," The man kindly asked, trying to calm the boy,

"That's just the problem! I do not actually know the details! I just know that I need to talk to Hercule Satan! Please! Go get him? I think my time is running out!" Trunks exclaimed while running around in circles, he was panicking,

"Ok, ok! Calm down, I will go," The guard reassured. Trunks sat down to catch his breath; it seemed like forever before the guard came back. He arrived with a very dirty Hercule trailing behind him. Hercule did not look happy to see Trunks; he did not think anything was important enough to bring him from work. After the guard left, Hercule opened his mouth to speak,

"What is it Trunks? I do not want to be bothered by a useless matter," Hercule warned,

"It is not a useless matter! Unless you do not care for your daughter!" Trunks barked. He immediately caught Hercule's attention,

"What? What did you say? What happened to Videl?" Hercule asked Trunks, while grabbing his shoulders, "tell me!" he commanded while shaking the boy a little,

"At your house! There are two men there! They tied Videl up! And they said that if you did not come back by sundown, they would take her away!" Trunks exclaimed. Hercule became slack jawed and his eyes were as large as saucer plates,

"What!?" Hercule exclaimed, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pocket watch, it was half past one. Hercule knew he had to hurry; he began to run in the direction of his district, "Let's go Trunks!" he called. Trunks began to run after the large man, he was trailing behind, but he was able to follow.

"What else did you find out Trunks?" Hercule asked to the little boy next to him,

"That you're a terrible gambler!" Trunks said angrily, "And that this is your fault!" he continued. Hercule paid no attention to insults,

"I know who it is," Hercule whispered to himself.

After a long while of running, they finally reached the neighborhood. Hercule sprinted to the gates of his home and burst through the front door,

"Ryuunosuke!" Hercule called angrily.

In another room, the man who keeping an eye on Videl glanced over to the direction where his name was called, "Well," the man began smugly, "Looks like your father has finally arrived, dear," he said while caressing Videl's cheek with this hand. It was then, when Hercule ran into the room, he was fuming,

"What do you think you're doing in my home!" Hercule barked, it was more of a demand then a question,

"Oh don't be foolish Satan, you very well know we have every right. I mean, you do owe us quite a sum of money," Ryuunosuke stated, "and don't worry, I've already informed your lovely daughter here all about you and your dirty habit," he said with a smirk on his face. Hercule glanced over to his daughter; her hair was messy, her clothes loose, and her face was red with shame,

"How dare you bring my daughter into this!" he shouted,

"There you go again acting an idiot," the man started, "You very well know that it is past your due date, and I very well know that you are a poor drunken bastard. Therefore I am allowed to take whatever would match the value of your debt, and in this case, that would be your daughter," he said while forcing her to stand by roughly grabbing her by the shoulders.

Hercule knew the man was right; he had to think quickly before they took his daughter away forever,

"Well Hercule? I'm waiting," he stated, "You know, even though she is blind, I am sure men will have fun with her. She is a very pretty girl," he said while placing an arm around her, "and her uh assests are very nice too," he said with a smirk. Hercule glared at the man. Then an idea suddenly hit him,

"Wait! You will not be taking my daughter anywhere!" he stated angrily,

"And why not?" Ryuunosuke asked with a frown,

"I-I will get my daughter married! I will get the money," Hercule assured, "I just need a little more time," he stated. The man simply chuckled,

"Oh Hercule, always taking the easy way out of things. All I would like to know is who would be willing to marry a poor, blind girl?" he asked. His words did not affect Videl at all; she was used to people always saying that no man would marry her. It was typical.

"That is none of your concern, I will find my daughter a groom," Hercule repeated,

"Fine," the man uttered, as he cut the rope, threw Videl to Hercule, and walked past them, "You have a week to find someone. If you exceed that time limit, I will do what I must," he warned before leaving with his partner.

Once all was silent, Videl rested her head on her father's shoulder and began to weep, "But father, he is right! How will you find a groom in one week, when we haven't been able to for so long?" she sobbed,

"I'm sorry Videl, that you have to make sacrifices on my behalf…but do not worry, I will find one," he assured. Videl could not help but listen to him in disbelief. Lucky for him, she had a big heart and had forgiven him for his mistakes, but this was a complete extreme…it was…marriage, 'I suppose this is for the best, now I don't have to feel bad about Gohan's wedding…wait! I am thinking of him again!' she mentally scolded herself while in her father's embrace.

"No father, sacrifices are what families are for. It's alright," she stated, though he could hear the sadness in her voice.

"I will have to visit Ms. Shimizua," Hercule bluntly said,

"That old matchmaker? Am I that hopeless!" she have jokingly, half sincerely uttered. Hercule ran a hand across Videl's hair,

"You are so strong Videl, just the same as your mother," his voice was quiet; he nearly whispered his sentences now. However, Videl became as silent as death. She could hide her emotions for a little while but was it necessary for him to bring up her mother? Was she not in enough pain? Videl simply broke apart from her father and began to scurry out of the room,

"I will return Trunks to his home now…" she stated before leaving the house, leaving Hercule alone in the room,

"Mrs. Shimizua will definitely have someone for Videl…she must…" Hercule whispered to himself after his daughter left. He got his family into this mess; he would have to fix it all.

Say what!? Videl's gonna get married:o lol yes I said it But do you know who it's gonna be!? Eh…actually I bet you do ; anyways! Is this the end of Gohan and Videl as we speak? What's going to happen? Are they really going to marry other people??? well yup, you'll have to read da next chapturrr X3