-Change of Scenery
School was closed for an indefinite amount of time. It made sense really, seeing as how there'd been two dangerous occurrences in less than two weeks time, each getting closer to the school. And seeing as how the last one had proved fatal to at least five and counting students and two teachers... no one was complaining as time was needed to mourn the loss of friends, rivals, caregivers, and educators.
I had donned my black dress, the one with the laced collar and hem, three times already this last week, and hoped that I wouldn't see it for a long time as I chucked it into the back of the closet, not bothering to hang it up. I instead took out the barely used duffel bag I kept for occasions where I could only travel light.
Gohan had told us to meet him at his house for training, taking advantage of the 'break' we had. Saying something like 'it's easier to see true power when you're emotional.' We had hesitated, of course. Me and Angela specifically, but we gave in, not reluctantly mind you, eventually. Videl, always the fighter, was ready to go, in fact, she was at my house already. I, was actually really excited about this excursion, I now I'd be leagues behind Videl and mountains below Gohan in skill but I had no doubt that he could make it so that Angela and I could protect ourselves.
The door to my room creaked open none too silently as Videl peeked in, "Need some help 'Rase?"
"Nah I'm good," I waved her aide off. That didn't stop her from, coming in and sitting on my plopping herself on my bed.
I pulled out my usual workout gear in the comfortable silence of my room, a deep pink track suit, some cycling shorts, t-shirts, sports bras, literally anything that I could move comfortably in. I guess my lack of an exercise routine was going to go against me during this training, but it did leave my duffel half full.
Which was more than enough (or so I thought) room to pack some 'actual clothes'. Tube tops, short shorts, ruffled skirts, blouses, leggings, skinny jeans, on top of high heels, flats, hats, earrings...
Videl looked at me quizzically, "You know this is a TRAINING trip right?"
"What do you mean by that?" I answered her as I say on my bag trying to close the zipper. "I always seem to never be able to close my bag," My pout accompanied the comment.
"That's because you packed enough shirts alone to start an outlet!"
"Videl!?" I was aghast, "You know I never shop at outlets!" Except for the odd accessory of course...
Shaking her head she ordered, "Empty your duffel bag."
"But I've almost got it closed!" She shot me a glare and I sighed before pouting and emptying my luggage in a pile on the floor. "Now what?"
"What do you really need? Something you always travel with." That was easy enough, I took my camera from the pile, the butterfly bejeweled design shining lightly. She nodded in approval, "Anything else?"
One toiletry bag later and I had everything I desperately needed. Though no clothes were in the bag. "Now put on the sweat suit, because that's something you need to bring, toss in one regular outfit, and two pairs of chill out clothes," Ten minutes of excruciating deliberation later, and I'd finally chosen the three outfits.
"Good. Now let's go."
"Go where? This is nowhere near enough clothes to last the week. Hell, this isn't enough clothes to last the weekend!"I exclaimed outraged at the though of having only one real outfit.
"Oh, I know that," Videl affirmed as we made our way out of my house, bidding farewell to my mom in the process with a kiss on the cheek. "We're going to pick up Angela and head to the mall in West City for a quick little shopping spree," she said nonchalantly, to which I squealed in excitement. "A shopping spree for workout gear, you shopaholic. I'm pretty sure Angela is having the same problems so it'll be necessary."
Unsurprisingly enough, Videl had been right, Angela was even more of a mess than I had been. Videl gave her the same treatment though the redheaded girl was much more scandalized.
"Like, how does he expect us to survive for a week, with only one bag!" She pleaded her case to us and I nodded empathetically, while Videl shook her head, definitely frustrated with our behaviour.
It was an hour's flight to the west city mall. The time was spent gossiping and with light chatter, talk about anything other than the terrorist attack and Gohan filled our group.
It wasn't until we were in the sports goods store and Angela brought it up that the trip was mentioned.
"So RaeRae," she directed my way, I nodded,"how'd you convince your mom to let you spend a week in the wilderness?" She mused as she looked through several track suits, finding an off white, short sleeved tracksuit that she put into her growing 'try on' pile.
"Apparently, my mom knows Gohan's dad, said that they were part of a foster family together, with some other guys." I didn't bother telling her some of the names my mom had dropped in her excitement, champions, superstars, emperors, scientists, it was overwhelming for me so I knew Angela would probably pass out. "She actually jumped at the chance for me to meet his folks. Said it would calm my mind."
"That's so cool! It's like you and Gohan were destined to meet, right?!" she looked giddy at the prospect and Videl looked interested as she came back with some equipment and what she dared called 'accessories'. Sweatbands, scrunchies, water bottles, bandages, tape, fighting gloves, and more all geared to help us out on our excursion.
"Yeah I guess we sort of were," answering distractedly as I searched through the racks. I already found five of various colours and was looking for a baby blue, sleeveless, hooded, sweatsuit. It was frustrating to just try to find the one.
Especially seeing as how I've found four others of different sizes.
I let out a growl as I pulled out an extra small, mumbling, "I don't want to be popping out of my top..."
"Mom always said 'sexy not slutty'," Angela sing-songed as she dumped her growing pile in the kart Videl was pushing around, placing it away from mine to avoid confusion.
Pondering my earlier statement, Videl piped up, "I wonder what's so special about his parents..." she mused, "though they're probably really strange, judging by Gohan and that they live in the middle of nowhere by choice."
"Well I think we already knew that much, but they can't be that weird, not if they're hanging out with Ms. Briefs."
A shrieking Angela met my statement, "Oh. My. God! You did not just say that he knows THE Bulma Briefs!" Videl's mouth was agape in shock, not even she with her father's fame, had personally met Bulma.
"Wow, there might be more to our little mountain boy than we thought, huh?" Videl thought aloud and I could practically hear her gears turning asking the question, 'Just who is Son Gohan?' she shook her head to get rid of her muse,"Anyhow, let's get out of here, we should have all the stuff we need, at least for the week."
Me and Angela agreed almost immediately, we were getting leered at in here, and it smelled like a pool of sweat. 'Yuk! A dozen cans of air freshener couldn't help this place.'
Hopefully we'd never have to come here again.
Thankfully our new outfits, which we didn't particularly want (but we could make them work), were compliments of Mr. Satan, as Videl had explained it. I had serious doubts that he'd know until the bill at the end of the month.
As we were about to get out of there when I had an idea. Telling the other two girls to go on without me, I hurried myself back into the store. Not ten minutes later I met them back at the deep purple jetcopter, with a single bag, showing them the camera supplies that I had got.
'They never saw my actual purchase.' I smiled cunningly as I put my newly bought clothes into the duffel bag, which closed properly this time, even with six outfits and exercise equipment. 'Huh? Maybe Videl was right, I do pack too much clothes," I mused as I leaned my head against the back of the chair in relief, my secret weapon hidden away with the rest of my luggage.
We'd been flying for way over an hour at a casual pace and the hum of the engine's were peaceful. We had been talking lightly and sharing snacks that we wouldn't get to eat for our time away.
I munched on a cookie, one of those ridiculously large ones that tasted like heaven, when I asked Angela, "I never asked, How'd you convince your mom to let you go to the mountains of all places, girl? You're mom is the biggest worrywart in all of Satan City!"
Angela swallowed the candy she was eating before she replied, "Well I had to be a little less than honest..." she blushed sheepishly before snapping into her dramatic persona. Placing a dainty hand delicately on her forehead she whined, "'But mommy... I desperately need this mountain retreat, I'm under so much stress! That I simply must get away!'"
Videl and I chuckled Angela reenacted the scene. She broke down into a fit of giggles herself. "How'd you do it Videl? How'd you get permission to go all the way out here?"
"I didn't, Dad wasn't home. He's at Pyapa island doing some things for the world tournament, I left a note saying I was doing some martial art training at a camp and told the police chief the same." She clenched her hands th tiniest bit tighter around the wheel in frustration but didn't comment, not that she could've.
In the distance there were four domed structures, one dwarfing the other three with smoke raising out of the chimney. We were here. Gohan's house.
The jetcopter was landed expertly by Videl and instantly capsulized as soon as our stuff was out, there in front of us was Gohan in a dark purple gi, a more mature looking lady with a soft smile on her face, and a young boy bouncing and tumbling around.
Gohan greeted us and took our bags, giving us each a hug as was basically mandatory practice by this point.
"Hey girls," he scratched the back of his neck and smiled widely, "Welcome to Training Camp!"
Not much going on this chapter but I'm trying to upload every weekend.
The girls are finally ready to begin training under Gohan. That is definitely going to be fun to write. He will be teaching them basic ki control I really don't think he has any reason to hide that besides his mother saying "BE NORMAL" and since in this story he is more of a take charge type of guy, he really has zero reason to not teach three people that he trusts a viable way to defend themselves. As stated last time Videl is going to be more of an aggressive fighter, as she is that way normally, while Erasa and Videl are going to be more defensive, both with a focus on speed and distracting to land hits rather than pummeling opponents. And if I'm not mistaken this is our first instance of Goten coming into the story which I find exciting. I love writing little kid's personalities, and hope I can do Goten justice.
Review Reviews Time:
RKF22: I'm just assuming it's not all puppies and rainbows when you have to walk on eggshells to avoid hurting anybody, and seeing as how Gohan is like a hedgehog in a balloon factory when it comes to women... eggs will be broken.
maximusrexmundi: Not to knock what you're saying but the public is impacted by Cell seeing as they applaud Hercule for saving them, it's nothing big or traumatizing but it is a signal that they do remember, and the events of Buu were wiped clean from everybody's mind 6 months afterwards. Besides it's not as if Toriyama could show how it affected everyone besides those in the main cast, DBZ is action, humour, adventure, coming of age, friendship and drama all before angst and showing traumatized people beyond Vegeta (and to an extent Gohan) would put a serious damper on the whole show. There's dramatic angst and then just being a downer. As for Gohan teaching the girls, GOhan is a prodigy in both academia and martial arts, in this story he's learnt all of the different styles of the Z-Fighters as well as their enemies and also has seen most if not all of their moves in action. I'm sure he can cook something up. The Ki endurance thing is a pretty good point though.
Sportsfan64: I think she's treated unfairly by fans too hence her inclusion in this story, but I think the blackmail thing could be used to show her being nervous and uncomfortable around boys and having an idealistic view of dating in general. That's the Angela I'm trying to portray, a more nervous one that tries to fit in with the norm as her idealistic views get shot down. She's still a ditz though. And this Story will primarily be a GxE with some Videl and Angela thrown in to make it harder on the Son boy.
snailhunter23: Thank you :)
KY111: Yeah Gohan is a lot more ruthless than his father, he's not out for blood but he will kill if the villian is decidedly evil, sometimes questions are unnecessary if the answer is right in front of you.
chaos267: Thank you for the advice, I'll try to slow it down a tad. And remember "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" and Gohan has three women he could accidentally scorn. He isn't quite Casanova. hehe
Well, Thanks to all of you for reading and a special thanks to those who reviewed! Let's try to break 75 reviews over the course of the next few chapters! I believe in you guys!
Thank you so much!