Chapter 7: Mall Makeover

The rest of the day went by quickly and soon Gohan found himself waiting outside with Videl. In the past month he had never really found himself alone with her for more than 5 or 10 minutes. Usually it involved them either walking to class together or one of them stepping in to 'save' the other though the situations were vastly different from Videl stepping in to pull Gohan away from the clutches of whatever girl wanted to take advantage of him and Gohan as the Gold Fighter jumping into Videl's defence when her police work was getting a little too dangerous.

"What's taking them so long?" Videl asked.

Patience was never her strong suit and she hated waiting, especially because she knew Erasa was the type to always be 'fashionably late'. Not to mention she had to go to her house first to do something. Gohan meanwhile just stood there gazing up at the clouds as a bunch of school students ambled by them. He looked back towards the school doors hoping to see either Sharpner or Erasa when he noticed a guy in his grade glaring at him and Videl. He had greasy black hair, was quite stocky and brown eyes that was making Gohan extremely uncomfortable. Trying to avoid this boy's fixated stare he quickly turned his attention to Videl who was fidgeting with her black gloves. Several minutes had passed and both Erasa and Sharpner were yet to be found.

"Ugh I'll just meet you at the mall I need to get home first" Videl exclaimed as she threw out her Jetcopter capsule.

"Wait Videl!"

Videl turned to Gohan who had a nervous expression on his face. His eyes hovered over her before looking down at the ground.

"What is it?" she asked him.

"Uh I was wondering…"

"Yea?"

"Well I uh…" he mumbled.

"Spit it out."

Gohan took a deep breath. It was just a simple question so why was he finding this so hard?

"I was wondering since I have Erasa's and Sharpner's but uh… could I maybe have your number?" he anxiously asked with a red tinge on his cheeks.

A small giggle left Videl's mouth.

"Is that it?" she laughed "Give me your phone."

Gohan nervously pulled it out of his pocket, unlocked it and handed it to her. Videl took it from him and inspected it the high tech gadget. She had never paid all that much attention to Gohan whenever he had his phone out and was surprised to see it was the latest in the line of Capsule Corp's Z Phones. How did a kid from the countryside have such a fancy phone like this? She looked at his phone wallpaper. It was a picture of Gohan with 3 kids wrapped in his arms. On the left was a boy with lavender coloured hair split down the middle with a satisfied smirk on his face. In the middle was a small girl with blonde hair in a bob with her hands up in peace signs. On the right was a boy with wild black hair that was being ruffled by Gohan's hand. He looked quite a lot like Gohan so Videl assumed that was his younger brother. But why else did he look so familiar? She would have to ask him later.

The trio of children looked extremely happy with Gohan and she couldn't help but smile. They seemed like such a happy group that adored the older male.

'He must be really good with kids' she thought 'wait why does that matter.'

Videl then opened up contacts and began to input her number. While she would've loved to flick through Gohan's phone to learn more about him it'd be pretty embarrassing while he was watching. She then handed the phone back to Gohan and stepped into her Jetcopter.

"I'll see you in a bit" she waved as she took off.

Gohan smiled and continued waiting for Erasa and Sharpner who had yet to come out.

Videl landed her jetcopter in her front yard and walked inside where she was greeted by the Satan House Maid. The older woman bowed slightly.

"Welcome home Miss. Your father is back from his business trip and is in his study if you wish to see him."

"Right, in a bit."

Videl made her way to her room and sat at her desk. The day before she had asked one of her contacts at the precinct to compile all the data available on the Jaguar Symbol as well as Gohan Son. She couldn't help but be curious about him. Videl always needed to know everything and was too impatient to wait for Gohan to open up more so she figured a small background search on him wouldn't be too bad. Just hide it off as police work. As the download bar reached 56% it stalled and came to a halt.

"Ugh piece of shit" she complained.

She slumped in her chest as she noticed her internet connection had died. It had been happening a lot lately and she was unsure why. The last time she called the internet company she got stuck in a long ass loop of useless phone operators. Resigning herself to the fact that it probably wouldn't fix again til later she made her way down to her Father's study to greet him before heading to the mall.

"Hi Daddy" she said as she opened the door.

Hercule was reclining in his chair, a glass of whiskey on the table beside him.

"Oh, hi Sweet Pea. How was school?"

"It was alright. Boring to be honest. Isn't it a bit early to be drinking?" she asked.

She already knew the answer. It was never too early to be drinking for Hercule Satan. She wondered how all that alcohol consumption was affecting his body and yet he still seemed to be in quite good shape.

"It's fine, just a little relaxing glass" he said as he took another sip "How's your police work? I heard that someone's been helping out too but I didn't catch the name."

"Well we don't exactly know his name but… he glows" Videl replied, trying to choose her words carefully. She didn't want to bring back the memories of her as a kid constantly asking about the Delivery Boy.

"Glows?" Mr. Satan exclaimed as he almost jumped out of his chair "wh… what colour?"

"Gold."

'Shit, are they back? No one's seen them since the Cell Games. I wonder if it's the kid' Mr. Satan thought.

"I see well.. I guess if he's helping out then he's a good guy."

Videl was a little surprised. Her father in the past had lambasted the old fighters in the Cell Games as Tricksters and Frauds whenever in public but had a less obnoxious opinion of them in private whenever Videl asked. She wondered why he was like that and had a few suspicions. Not wanting to continue this conversation, she hurried her goodbye.

"Sure… well I'm going out, I'll be back later."

"Where are you going with and with who?"

"Just to the mall with Erasa, Sharpner and another one of our friends"

This peaked Hercule's curiosity. Videl never hung out with anyone other than the two blondes.

"Who's this new friend? It better not be another boy! You know I don't like you hanging out with boys! They only want one thing!"

'Here we go again' Videl mentally complained.

"Now I don't mind that Sharpner kid since you basically grew up with him but anyone else is not allowed!"

Videl let out a deep exhale. Typical overprotective father.

"Relax Dad, Gohan isn't like that. He's actually quite nice and respectful."

Hercule continued on his tirade.

"Now just because he seems nice doesn't mean he's going to stay ni- what was his name?"

"Gohan" Videl answered.

Hercule's eyes widened a little as the name registered in his mind. So it was him. Gohan was the name of the Delivery Boy if he remembered correctly. The unknown Grandson of the Ox King. Was it the same Gohan from the Cell Games and was the Ox Princess already moving ahead with the Arrangement? And did Gohan know about it. More importantly, did Videl know about it.

"Tell… me about this err Gohan kid" Hercule asked.

"Uh I don't really know too much about him, he's pretty shy but I know he lives by Mount Paozu with his Mum and Younger Brother. Don't know about his Dad though. Never heard about him from Gohan."

Mr. Satan's heart dropped a little. He remembered seeing the young Gohan call after his Father 7 years ago at the Cell games when he sacrificed himself. Maybe he shouldn't overreact with the kid. And it looked like Videl knew nothing else about him or anything to do with the Arrangement. If it was him.

"I see. I'd um, I'd like to meet him sometime. Invite him over after school."

To say Videl was surprised by this was an understatement. Normally her Father would go on an outburst about the evils of boys and how they weren't to be trusted. Not that she needed it, she had never really been interested in a boy anyways but it was the fact that he would be extremely overprotective that irked her. How she wished for some freedom in that regard. And yet here he was asking to meet Gohan only after hearing his name. What was up with that? He was never like that with Sharpner in all those years that they'd known him. Not that Videl thought of Sharpner that way, he was merely one of the few friends that she had. Not to mention every time the mere mention of a boy caused him to go into his 'Any boy with eyes on my little girl has to be able to beat me first'.

"Sure, I'll ask him when I see him" she said as she approached her father and gave him a goodbye kiss on the cheek "I'll be back later."

"Have fun, Sweet Pea" Hercule responded as Videl made her way out of the room.

Mr. Satan slumped back into his chair and took another sip of his whiskey. His mind wandered to the last time he had heard anything about the boy. While the Ox King was a public figure, his daughter and grandson were definitely not. It had been four years since he last saw the Ox King. Four years of pushing that fateful Arrangement into the back of his mind and now it seemed to come back without any notice. His deep thought was interrupted when the Maid Janice knocked with a phone in her hand.

"It's for you, sir" she said as she handed him the phone and left the room.

"Hercule Satan speaking"

"Hello Mr. Satan" a woman's voice responded "It's the Ox King's daughter Chi Chi"

Hercule sat up in his chair and focused all his attention on the woman on the phone. Her voice was a little croaky.

"There's been a development so to speak"

"Is it time?" he asked.

"Yes. This weekend if possible."


Gohan sat inside a small coffee shop inside Satan City Mall with Erasa and Sharpner as they waited for Videl who said she'd be over in 5 minutes. Feeling a little bit peckish, he ordered a small coffee and three cinnamon rolls from the young waitress that had served them while he waited.

"Didn't you just eat 2 burgers?" joked Sharpner.

"Well I'm hungry, I don't get to eat much at school" Gohan replied.

"Much? You had a full lunch box today."

"What can I say? I'm a growing boy."

"Of course you are, I'm just going to go to the bathroom while Videl is on her way. Be back in a bit" Erasa said as she walked out.

Gohan's order soon came and he began to tear into the cinnamon rolls. After he had finished the first one, he noticed a pair of eyes watching him from the other side of the mall. It was that same kid that had been glaring at Gohan after school. Trying to hide the fact that he noticed, Gohan nudged Sharpner.

"Hey who's that kid over there? He keeps looking at me weirdly."

Sharpner discretely turned his body to face where Gohan had been looking and saw the greasy haired boy.

"Oh him, that's Pardus. Weird kid to be honest. Doesn't really hang out with anyone."

"Why has he been staring at me like I'm some sort of criminal?" Gohan asked.

Sharpner chuckled.

"Well it's cause you've been seen around Videl quite often. He had a thing for her in the past. Actually he was really creepy about it and it started to annoy Videl so she kinda embarrassed him when he tried to ask her out. I think he tried to sway her with money too but you know her being Hercule's daughter and all, doesn't really matter to her."

"So he's sorta jealous of me then?"

"Maybe, I haven't seen him try to talk to her in over a year so I thought he was over it. Just ignore him, he's a creep."

Erasa had come back while Gohan began to eat his second cinnamon roll.

"Is Videl not here yet? Typical" Erasa sighed "And she complains when I'm late."

"Hey there she is" Sharpner said, pointing behind Gohan.

Gohan turned to see the black haired girl walking towards them. She seemed to be thinking about something and almost bumped into someone in front of her before she made her way to sit down in the empty seat beside Gohan.

"Hey you okay? You seem a bit out of it" Erasa asked.

"I'm alright just a bit on my mind. Sorry I'm late" Videl replied.

She noticed Gohan looking a little bit uncomfortable.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Nothing, Pardus has just been staring at him and it's giving him the creeps" Sharpner answered.

"Ugh that loser. Just ignore him Gohan, I've learnt to."

Gohan nodded and began to tear into his final cinnamon roll.

"Come on Gohan, let's go. We have to make up the time we lost for your make over!" Erasa said as she attempted to pull Gohan away.

"Wait my coffee!" he whined as he grabbed the paper cup and noticed something written on it "What the?"

"What is it?" asked a curious Videl.

Gohan handed her the cup and she noticed someone had written something on it. She handed it back and laughed though felt a little bit annoyed at it. The waitress that had served Gohan had written her name and number on the cup. The two blondes noticed this and began to laugh too.

"Damn Brains, you got some game" joked Sharpner.

"Err is that a good thing?" Gohan innocently asked.

"Oh it's great, don't worry. Now we just have to make sure you look good too" Erasa said as she dragged a struggling Gohan to the first stop on their shopping adventure.

The first few stores were a bust in Erasa's eyes. Gohan had politely refused all the options she had been giving him. He had told her that he wasn't all that comfortable with flashy numbers or bright colours and would prefer simpler looking clothing.

"Alright fine but they aren't allowed to be super baggy okay?" Erasa yelled.

Gohan resigned himself to the compromise and nodded.

"Great! Let's try this store" she said cheerfully as she dragged the poor Half-Saiyan into another store with Sharpner and Videl following behind, bored out of their minds.

After a few minutes, Erasa picked out a 'simple' outfit for Gohan that would fit his look. It was a simple light purple V neck with a single black stripe along the hem of the shirt and a pair of black fitted jeans. Gohan eyed the clothes as Erasa handed it to him.

"At least try this one on this time" she whined.

Gohan sighed. He had to at least try it on if she was spending this much time and effort on it even if he didn't particularly want it. Taking the clothing from her, he made his way to the change rooms as Erasa shouted back at him that she was going to look for more. He changed into the outfit and found that it was quite tight fitting and showed off more of his physique than he particularly liked. A knock was soon heard on the door.

"Yo Gohan, you good bud?" Sharpner called out.

"Err I'm not sure about this" Gohan said as he opened the door.

The door swung open and to Sharpner's amazement in front him was no longer the scrawny looking book nerd with the fashion style of a circus monkey and instead was a stylish and fit looking man.

"Dude what the fuck have you been hiding under there?" he exclaimed.

"Hey not so loud!" Gohan said trying to hush his friend "I don't want people to stare."

"No way, you walk out of there and everyone's going to be staring. Your body's almost as good as mine."

Gohan blushed a little at the compliment.

"No homo though" Sharpner quickly added on as he continued to inspect the Half-Saiyan.

"You'll definitely have to take that red bracelet off when you wear that though. Doesn't suit the shirt at all" he remarked.

Gohan nodded and quickly removed it before turning back to the mirror to examine his new look.

"You're right. Red doesn't fit with purple" he said as he bent down to store his bracelet inside his bag on the floor.

"OH MY KAMI!" a voice screeched behind them.

Gohan turned around to see Erasa and Videl standing there, mouths wide open in awe.

"This is what you look like under those baggy shirts?" Erasa said.

Gohan nodded with a nervous laugh as he rubbed the back of his neck. This was way too embarrassing. He noticed Videl's cheeks which seemed to be a bit red and wondered what it was about.

"Wh… what do you think Videl?" he asked nervously.

Videl's cheeks flushed a little brighter. He was asking her out of everyone for an opinion? Videl's fashion style was probably just above Gohan's.

"You um. You look good" she mumbled out.

Her eyes couldn't help but hover over Gohan, the tight purple material clinging to his well -defined torso, his ripped arms now on full display instead of being hidden underneath his long sleeved shirts. Even his forearms seemed well defined.

'I wonder how firm his chest is' she thought 'wait I shouldn't be thinking this.'

Her internal battle was quickly interrupted by Erasa making a loud noise as she shoved more clothes into Gohan's hands.

"Try these on too!" she squealed.

Gohan set down the clothes on the bench inside as Erasa began to shut the door to give him some privacy. Videl's eyes were still fixated on Gohan as she saw him remove the shirt and reveal his undressed upper body for a split second, the image of a scar running down his left shoulder piquing her interest before the door shut.

"Damn…" she breathed out as a little bit of blood felt like coming out of her nose.

She thought that had slipped out unheard but soon realised she was being looked at by a smirking Erasa.

"So 'del" she began to say as her smirk grew bigger and bigger "I see you like what you saw?"

If there was a colour brighter than red, Videl's cheeks would have had it beaten handily. Erasa only ever called her ''del' when she was teasing her. She began to shake her head vigorously.

"No no I was just um surprised is all" she blurted out.

"Oh yeah? Is that why you couldn't take your eyes off him?"

Videl's cheeks flared even brighter. Even Sharpner had noticed and began to tease his long-time friend.

"Heh I'm right here and out of all the guys you could have paid attention to it happens to be Brains huh?" he half teased half whined.

Sharpner received a sharp jab to the shoulder for his trouble.

"Shut up! He's gonna hear and think weird things" Videl said through gritted teeth.

"Heh fine fine" Erasa said "How's everything going Gohan?"

Gohan meanwhile had heard everything due to his enhanced Saiyan hearing. Was Videl really looking at him like that? Her reaction was kind of cute to be honest, a word he wouldn't normally associate with the tough as nails Videl Satan he had previously come to see.

"I'm okay!" he yelled back "I think I'm happy with these things."

He opened the door wearing his old clothes from before as all the things he had tried out were neatly folded in his arms.

"I'll just go pay for this and we can go" he said not wanting to cause a fuss which had the added bonus of saving Videl from the torture from the blondes.

As Gohan finished paying for his 'makeover' he shoved the capsulized items into his bag where he felt his Grandmother's bracelet jostle about in his fingers. He reattached it around his left wrist and made his way back to his friends as Erasa received a phone call from her Mother.

"Ugh fine alright Mum, I'll be there soon" she said as she hung up the phone dejectedly.

"I guess we'll have to end Gohan's makeover here. Mum wants me to go home and help her with something. Can you give me a lift home, Sharpie?"

Sharpner frowned.

"Did you really have to use that nickname?" he complained.

Erasa simply smiled at him, almost in an evil little way.

"Fine fine" Sharpner said "Let's go."

Erasa gave Videl and Gohan a quick hug goodbye as she and Sharpner headed for the Mall's exist leaving the two dark haired teens in a rather awkward silence. A good minute had passed before either one said a word.

"So um, I guess if there's nothing else I should go too then" Gohan said.

"Uh maybe. Just because they had to go doesn't mean we have to end it here" Videl replied.

For some reason unknown to Gohan his heart rate began to speed up a little and he felt a little more nervous than usual. Did Videl really want to hang out with him? Sure they could be described as friends but whenever Sharpner or Erasa weren't around they hardly talked save for a few minutes of interaction a day. Taking a big gulp he managed to get out a few words.

"What do you want to do?"

Videl pondered for a moment as she looked around what was nearby.

"Want some ice cream? There's a decent place just around the corner."

The words 'ice' and 'cream' instantly registered in Gohan's mind and he nodded eagerly causing Videl to chuckle lightly.

"Come on" she said as she grabbed his arm to lead him to dairy goodness.

She didn't know what had come over her and why she did that. The only times Videl interacted physically with the opposite sex was when she was beating them up or kissing her Father's cheek. The material of Gohan's long sleeved shirt felt unusually slippery for a cotton shirt as Videl's grip loosened and fell down Gohan's forearm and down to his wrist. She turned back to Gohan who had a hint of red forming in his cheeks as he tried to keep up with the girl that was leading him. As they turned the corner Videl attempted to fix her grip on Gohan's arm when she felt a bump under his shirt.

'Is that a bracelet or something? I never took Gohan to be the type to wear things like that' she mused.

"Here we are" she said as the duo reached Cold Cone Ice Creamery "get what you want, my shout."

Gohan's eyes lit up at all the flavours before him. He could probably eat half of what the store had in 5 minutes. Not wanting to take advantage of Videl's generosity he mulled over the flavours and decided to only get two scoops. That would have to sate his sweet tooth for now.

"Pick what you want?" Videl asked "I usually just get two scoops of the Crème Brulee on a heated waffle."

'Mmm that sounds good too' Gohan mentally drooled.

"I think I'll just get one scoop of that and one of the Cookies and Crème in a cone."

"Sure thing, go take a seat in the meantime."

Gohan smiled at her and walked over to an empty table before plopping himself down on the chair tiredly. He was never a fan of shopping, especially when his mother or Bulma would drag him to the mall every few months for their 'therapy sessions'. It just took so much energy out of him. He looked back at the counter where his eyes met Videl's and she gave him a weak smile while she waited for their order. Instantly all tiredness he felt was gone when he saw her face.

'What's this feeling?' he began to wonder 'and why do I only feel like this around Videl.'

His inner investigation was interrupted by the ice cream shop's door opening and a little girl's voice began to call to him.

"Uncle Gohan! Hi!" the little one said in excitement.

Gohan looked down to see a girl, the age of 4 with big brown eyes and a blonde bob greeting him. He instantly smiled and lifted her up onto his lap as she hugged him.

"Hi Marron! What are you doing here? Where are your parents?" he asked.

"Daddy's in the city apple-ing for a job! Mummy made him do so."

Gohan was confused for a moment. Apple-ing? Was Krillin looking at fruits or something?

"She means applying" a cool feminine voice answered.

"Oh hey Eighteen. Where at?"

"Anywhere" the blonde woman scoffed "We just need a steady income so we can get our own place and move away from that Perverted Island."

"Any luck?" Gohan asked.

"Yea, he said he found a nice paying job but didn't want to tell me yet until he was hired for certain. What are you doing here?"

Gohan nervously chuckled. It would have been easier if Erasa and Sharpner were here but if Krillin ever got wind that he was hanging out alone with a pretty girl he would never hear the end of it.

"I'm just here with a friend" he murmured.

It was at that moment that Videl had walked over to Gohan with his ice cream.

"Here" she said as she handed Gohan the cone and took a seat opposite him "Who are your friends?"

Gohan smiled as he set Marron down off of his lap and onto the seat beside him.

"Videl, this is my Goddaughter Marron and her mother Eighteen. Marron, this is my friend Videl."

'That's a weird name. Who names their kid a number?' Videl thought.

Eighteen noticed the confused face on the girl sitting opposite Gohan and answered.

"My Father was a dull and unsuccessful man. It took him Eighteen tries to get me and his mind was too gone by the time I was born."

Gohan's sweat dropped a little. He knew that was a load of horse shit. He was thankful that Videl didn't press anymore questions and took notice of Marron who had been eyeing Videl's ice cream with envy.

'She looks familiar' Videl thought.

It took her a few moments but she remembered where she saw her from. It was the girl in picture on Gohan's phone. She was so cute and seemed to absolutely adore Gohan.

'To be a Godfather at his age must mean he's pretty responsible.'

"Would you like some Marron?" she asked the little girl who nodded.

Videl smiled as she walked over to the counter to ask for a second plate and some cutlery to half her waffle with Marron.

"Can I leave Marron with you for a moment?" Eighteen asked Gohan "I need to go buy a few things."

"Sure thing."

Gohan watched as Marron moved from her seat beside Gohan to the one beside Videl who had cut her waffle in half for the little girl who seemed to have taken a quick liking to the dark haired teen. In the month that he had known Videl he knew her as a strong willed girl who wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. But seeing her interact with Marron almost in a motherly way was nice. Who knew that Videl had a softer side to her like this. He even noticed Videl using a napkin to wipe a bit of ice cream that had managed to miss the little tyke's mouth.

"Thank you Miss Videl! You're very nice and super pretty" Marron said with a grin on her face.

The sight made Gohan smile deeply inside as Videl began to blush at the child's compliment. Suddenly his senses picked up something nearby.

BOOOOOOM

An explosion had gone off on the east end of Satan City Mall causing a shockwave to verberate through the ground and knocked people off their feet. Smoke began to quickly fill the hallways as shoppers hurriedly tried to escape the commotion.

"Are you okay?" Gohan asked as he saw Videl had her arms wrapped around Marron.

"Yeah I'm fine, you?" Videl replied.

Gohan nodded that he was okay.

"Come on, we need to find Eighteen" he said as he took Marron from Videl and cradled her in his arms.

They exited the ice cream shop and were nearly knocked over by the stampeding crowd who were screaming in terror. Carefully making their way through the crowd, they ran into Eighteen who had bolted towards her daughter's location as soon as she heard the explosion. Gohan quickly handed the frightened girl to her mother as Videl's watch started beeping and she pressed the button to answer it.

"Videl hurry over to Satan City Mall! An explosion went off and it seems like there is a group of terrorists wreaking havoc" the voice said.

"I'm already here Chief" she responded "Send a few squads over to contain the threat and evacuate the premises."

"Understood. Be careful Videl."

Videl turned to Gohan with a worried look as another, smaller explosion was heard in the distance.

"Sorry, I have to go deal with this. You better get out of here while you can" she said.

Gohan returned the look of worry and managed a weak smile.

"You be careful, okay?"

She nodded and took off towards the direction of the explosions. As she cut pass through the people making their escape, Gohan looked at Eighteen who was trying to hush Marron's soft cries.

"I have to go help her" he stated "can you help with making sure people evacuate safely?"

Eighteen nodded in affirmation as Gohan jumped around the corner into a quiet hallway and transformed in to his Gold Fighter disguise. Quickly locking onto Videl's Ki he noticed that she was standing off across from three figures, a single man in the middle flanked by two larger men who had much stronger Kis than Videl. Gohan eyed the man in the middle closely who appeared to be the leader of the trio. That's when he noticed that the face was familiar to him. He had seen this person twice today.

'Pardus?'


Author's Notes:

I think I'm going to slow down a little more on updates (well I'm in a great writing mood right now so I want to take advantage of that) so I can work on things a little more and keep a steady stream of content going so in case I get into a block I'll still have chapters to post.

Sleyyer, yea in Chapter 5 I made a mention that Gohan did train on some weekends but it wasn't a regular thing because of times of peace. His power won't be at the same level as he used to be and he'll be a bit rusty.