The Bus Ride
Time flew by for Videl as she spent increasing amounts of time with the new guy, Gohan. It was the weekend … already, and that too a pleasant Sunday afternoon to be exact and the raven was busy packing her bags for the field trip the next day.
"Hey pumpkin" came a gruff voice as Hercule appeared at her door.
"Hey dad" Videl replied, her eyes not leaving her travelling bag as she contemplated the color of her sneakers.
"How's it going?" asked Hercule.
"Well … it's going to be fine … except for the fact that … well … drop it" said Videl, a bit tiredly.
"Videl … come on now … just because that guy … had a thing against me doesn't mean that he'll treat you bad … you'll see … plus no one's going to recognize you as a Satan …" said Hercule hoping to cheer up his daughters mood.
"Dad … I want to be recognized as Videl Satan … not just Videl, like you want it … I am sorry but it's not going to happen" she said, as she had for almost all her time as the fraud's daughter.
The calm demeanor of Hercule flipped, as his face snarled into a scowl like it did every time he went down this road. He had tried, more than tried to make his daughter see the path … one which involved her being happy, other … well … shoulder his burden … paying for his crimes … no not crime … but … a single lie.
"You will not be recognized, more importantly … you will not let yourself be recognized … apart from those bullies at your school ... it's been four years since you've been out in public … no one in hell knows how you look like … let alone your name" yelled Hercule, as a few birds on the tree outside Videl's window took off feeling the tension in the air.
"Doesn't matter dad" said Videl without a trace of emotion in her tone, as she calmly packed her blue pair of sneakers deciding to ditch the yellow one.
"Does matter huh, … doesn't matter is it" muttered Hercule, his anger soaring to heights Videl had never before experienced.
Videl sensed the change in tone that her father used, but showed no signs of doing so.
"So this is it … right … this is what you wanted" Hercule said, anger replaced with remorse.
"What …" asked Videl, turning to face her father eye to eye for the first time since the start of the conversation.
"I see … you want to suffer … and want me to know that I was the cause of it … you want me to live with the guilt of not being a proper father … a father who ruined his daughters life … ISN'T IT" roared Hercule.
"This is your way of getting back at me right …" he continued despite Videl's urge to drop the subject.
"Dad Stop" said Videl firmly, holding up her hand, closing her eyes.
That did it, to calm him. A simple gesture yet still remembered and cherished within each of his memories for they were the only few things he had left of his long dead wife. Life is, was, and will be a bitch … but at least he still had one carbon copy of her standing in front of him.
Hercule breathed heavily before turning back, walking out of his daughters room closing the door behind him.
Videl heaved a huge sigh, settling on her bed. Her gaze rested on the scenery outside, a few strands of her hair swinging gently due to the gentle afternoon breeze before coming to rest on her forehead. Videl thought, rethought all of her father's words.
True, she had considered the same a hefty number of times. Why shoulder the burden when she could change her name with a little money, pick up on a life she had always wanted to live, one where she could walk along the streets with her head, not necessarily up high, yet not so down.
Where people would get to know the real her … No oversized hoodie shielding her face from any oncoming looks, No bullies, No restrictions … the perfect life … Normal yet special.
But … she had grown beyond those desires. She could live like this … like now … she would endure … then … she would strike back. She had to do something … something that would catch the attention of the world.
Something that would make people's heads turn … to see her not just as a fraud's daughter, but as a better person than all those who had taunted and tainted her heart.
She had to … She just had to …. Yet her endurance was crumbling … in the past months she had been longing for a friend … so desperate …
Her defenses had been crumbling but she had managed to hold them up …. Until … he came … Son Gohan. Damn that boy and his damn smile.
Videl absentmindedly smiled though her gaze was still fixed on the scenery outside. She was too deep in thought to even notice that she was indeed grinning from ear to ear.
Is he that easy going, to everyone? God, that kid could befriend anyone … maybe even Frank … nah not Frank, she would be exaggerating if she said that Frank was going to change.
Over the week she had come to a conclusion that there was something about Gohan … something special … that she couldn't quite point out … distinctly ... yet was sure that it was there.
He was the most innocent guy she had ever met not mention the kindest, not only to those accepting him, but also to those who detested him.
The way he talked about his brother, how he played and interacted with his sibling may seem childish, immature to any teenager … but … she couldn't help but find it adorable.
The way his face eased into a grin … a carefree smile etched forever on the boy's face … how could one be so cheerful?
As she recalled, he lived in the mountains, Mt. Paozu or something, area 439 which meant that he wasn't rich, though she wasn't implying that money was the cause of all happiness.
From all that she could gather, she could now finally place her finger on the boy's attitude. Maybe he was and is and will be that way for whenever she may meet him. He was one of those people, you know … like … one in a million … Gohan Son … one in a million … yep damn right she was.
Next Morning – 5:15 A.M
Videl woke up with all smiles, making it easy for her to brush her teach. After a hot steam bath for about fifteen minutes, a moderately dressed Videl Satan checked her appearance in the mirror before strapping a small yellow bag over her neck. She grabbed the neck of her suitcase dragging it towards the living room.
Only as her hands reached for the door knob of her room did she thinks about her dad, the incidents of the previous night flooding her memories.
Without further hesitation she forced her hand to turn the knob and entered the living room. She dragged her suitcase roughly, setting it down such that it rested below the dining table. With a barely audible huff she pulled out a chair settling comfortably.
'Guess he's ignoring me … normally he would've greeted me by now ….' thought Videl.
"Good Morning, Pumpkin" echoed Hercule's boisterous voice around their small cabin.
Videl was taken aback by her dad's cheerful mood, something that she wouldn't expect after an argument … no that particular argument … which happened in the Satan household twice a month.
"Good morning dad" Videl said in a small voice, uncertain of how to interpret the situation.
"Something wrong Pumpkin" asked Hercule pepping out of the kitchen with a confused look.
Videl smiled to ease her father's confusion, or more likely smiled in relief before replying "Nothing dad … just … just thinking"
Hercule smiled before his head disappeared once more into the kitchen, leaving Videl to her thoughts.
He came out a few minutes later, with three sandwiches, scrambled eggs and some orange juice.
Breakfast was silent …uncomfortably silent for Videl, with her gulping down her food like there was no tomorrow, with Hercule sitting casually across her, legs crossed.
She emptied the last few drops of her orange juice before getting up from the table, gaining Hercule's attention.
"So … next Saturday huh" he asked a small glint in his eyes.
"Ya dad … I hope it goes well … you know the camp … but I'll miss you though" replied Videl.
"Don't worry Pumpkin … I am sure it will …" Hercule replied warmly as he took her hand.
Videl smiled despite the argument yesterday … her pops knew how and when to make her feel better. She initiated a hug her father placed his hands gently on her shoulder.
Father and daughter enjoyed each other's presence, relishing the comfortable silence for a few more minutes before parting.
Videl was … to say the least … all smiles. She didn't know why, yet she was feeling happy, a feeling of contempt, hope that all will be well.
She had made up with her dad and was also going to spend an entire week with her new friend not to mention Erasa and Sharpener … wow … She could almost taste the life she had always wanted to live.
"Ummm … dad … I think it's time I hit the road … I promised Rase and Sharpener that I would meet them at 6:15 at the school entrance" said Videl as she checked her bag, strapped around her neck, containing her mobile, some money, etc. She pecked her father on the cheek before grabbing her bag and exiting the cabin.
Hercule followed suit, watching with pride as his fully grown daughter swell with … happiness … an event he would not have believed possible four years back.
"Videl, how much money do you have?" he asked, his parental concerns taking command.
"Ummm … around 2000 zenni" replied Videl.
"You sure you don't want more …. You could never end up with too much of money" he asked.
"No dad … I'm positive" said Videl.
"Ok then … remember … don't listen to what the other kids tell you … stick with your friends and don't forget to enjoy yourself" he said, 'Even though you're going to my enemy's fort' he added in an afterthought.
Videl sighed as she witnessed her father's overprotective side take over. "Don't worry dad, I am good. I am strong enough to take care of myself" she said curling her fists.
"That you are" Hercule admitted as he had personally taught her all of his techniques. Hey … he may be out the league of the World Savior but he did win the WMAT once.
Videl shifted uncomfortable seeing her father lost in thought before saying "Ok then … Good bye dad … Sharp and Rase will be waiting for me"
"Alright" said Hercule, shaking out of his fatherly thoughts. "Right … you shouldn't keep your three friends waiting" he said.
Videl froze in her tracks, her eyes bulging as she turned to her father head down.
Hecule smirked. Did she think that he did not know his own daughter? If his girl who used to be frightened to go to the first week of school, was now in fact, rushing to school half an hour early every day, coming back home late not to mention the chirpy attitude and cheerful smile that she wore instead of the tired and exhausted look he had become accustomed to over the years pinpointed in the direction of the existence of a new person in her life.
"Wha … I … dad?" stuttered Videl
"C'mon sweet pea, I am your father. Now tell me who it is" asked Hercule.
"His name is Gohan" Videl mumbled as the old martial artist gave a small smirk.
"A boy huh …" he started before being cut off by Videl.
"He doesn't know" she said.
"Doesn't know what?" asked Hercule fearing the inevitable he was sure that he was going to hear from his daughters mouth in a few seconds.
"That my surname is Satan" she said shocking Hercule. Though he guessed that I would concern the name Satan, it didn't help ease his shock.
"Videl … what … Ugghhh …" he let out a frustrated sigh. Damn him and the name passed onto his daughter because of him. His sweet pea was going to lose what she was considering a good friend in a matter of days.
The image of Videl crying her eyes out, as he had witnessed in 10th grade flashed passed Hercule's eyes making him say "Videl … forget the boy … he doesn't deserve your company"
His daughter turned to face as Hercules face did a 360, his angry face cut changed to shocking at the sight of his daughters smiling face.
"Dad" she began, confidence laced in her done, filling the forest air between father and daughter, "He's not like the rest … I am damn sure that he'll accept me for me and ignore my surname … I have faith in him" she said before waving goodbye and running off towards the city, her suitcase on her heels.
Hercule numbly registered his hands waving after his daughter. He couldn't believe it, that his daughter put so much faith onto that guy. She had done it many times, befriending someone only for the guy or girl to ill-treat her the second they got wind of who her father was.
Those incidents had been painful more to him, than it had been to his daughter for he was the cause and always will be the cause of her sufferings. He was the one left to feel guilty after every such incident, reminded of his lie, reminded of the humiliation he faced ….
But … his daughter ill-treated by a guy on whom she had put her faith on … no he couldn't bring himself to imagine that scenario. It would cause a permanent scarring on his daughters heart, one that would never heal. It was his fault for not monitoring his daughter's activities; damn … he should have confronted her sooner regarding the boy.
As much as his daughter had faith in that boy, his experience had faith that he would turn her down, turning into one of the many bullies breaking his little girl forever.
He did NOT want to see his daughter suffer, again. No more could he allow that. Maybe he could bribe that Gohan kid, but what use would that be … he would just be making the same mistake again … money … No his daughter had to earn the guys relationship not her father buying it for her … but how earn when all refuse to give you a Chance … yep that's right … A Chance … that was all his Videl needed …. And pray to the Gods above that this boy gave her one, to prove what an amazing young Gi.. Woman she was.
OSH 6:10 A.M
Videl walked into OSH to see two huge yellow buses parked against the entrance. She saw a few students in groups talking, chatting excitedly about the field trip.
She spotted Sharpener sitting on of the school benches, a bit drowsy but awake nonetheless.
"Good Morning Del" he greeted while rapidly jamming the keys in his mobile.
"Morning Sharp, where are Gohan and Erasa" asked Videl as Sharpener flashed his phone indicating that he was texting the blonde.
"Erasa … well you know her … some last minute makeup or something … as for Gohan ... I don't have a clue on his location nor do I have his number" said Sharpener.
"Erasa will make it alright … but Gohan … doesn't he live at Mt. Paozu or something … I hope he makes it before the bus leaves" said Videl, with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
"Yep … Brains has got about 20 minutes more … the bus leaves at 6:30 right …" Sharpener said checking his phone.
Videl response was cut short by the bubbly blonde's entrance which included a bone crushing hug and a Saiyan earsplitting squeal.
"Hey guys" said a moderately dressed up Erasa, which was rare.
Videl recovered quickly from Erasa's appearance but Sharpener couldn't help but gape.
Erasa noticing him responded, "What is it Sharpie … like my new dress" winking a bit.
Sharpener chuckled humorously before saying, "No Rase … it's just that, this is the only time that I have seen not over-dressed like in every other occasion"
Erasa's beaming face turned red before she slammed her handbag full of make-up, on top the blondes head making him yelp in pain.
She pouted, turning away, "Where's Gohan by the way?" she asked.
"Brains hasn't shown up yet" said the blonde as he watched a crowd of giggling girls enter the school, each talking at a unique frequency.
"Looks like the sluts are here" muttered Videl as she witnessed some of the most revealing clothes she had ever seen.
The girls made faces at the gang of three, soon to be four, before chirping loudly to greet the brainless, muscle bound jocks of the school. Each girl found an arm to cling on to before chattering away at speeds unknown which surprisingly the owner of the arm, some brainless jock, took in very well; hiding any traces of annoyance that threatened to reach his face as long as he had a chick by his side.
Man … teenage hormones and popularity … two life deciding factors in the life of school kids, how immature.
"Hey guys" came a voice making the trio take a U-turn, to come face to face with Son Gohan.
Videl's sour mood lifted past the clouds, as her face instantly transformed on its own accord flashing Gohan a grin that could almost rival the Son Grin TM. That boy … what an effect he had on her ….
The trio greeted their newest friend warmly, Erasa with a small hug, Sharpener with a bumping fist, and Videl with a smile she had not worn in many years.
"So brains, up for some Martial Arts" asked Sharpener enthusiastically
"Huhhh … am not really into fighting" replied Gohan, justifying that it was not a lie as he had begun training that too scarcely, a few days back after an embarrassing comment from said boy.
"Pfft" scoffed Videl as the thought of actually learning something from a man who had humiliated her dad. "I am damn sure that I wouldn't be learning anything in this trip, considering it as a trip arranged by the Nexus" said Videl, a scowl grazing her lips.
"Awww … come on Vi, don't be like that. At least we'll have fun spending time together" cheered Erasa, being always the most easy going and happiest among the group.
Gohan scratched his head, setting down his luggage on the ground which included a simple travel bag he had gotten from Bulma the day before. The rest of his luggages were inside storage capsules, neatly packed into his bag by Chi-Chi.
At the speed of light, Gohan's hand travelled from his sides to cover his ears as a loud voice echoed through the school grounds. The students recognized as Mr. Runt, speaking through a microphone from the principal's room.
"Good evening my young … athletes. You may now move and occupy the two busses parked near the entrance. We will be taking off in around … 20 minutes so I want all of you nicely loaded into those two busses. Furthermore, it has been established that only I and Mr. Anderson will be accompanying you kids as the other teachers have stated that they have no interest in Martial arts, a poor and unwisely decision if you ask me. Now then … come on ... Move your lazy butts and let's get this field trip started" yelled the Martial arts enthusiast through the speakers.
The horde of High school students rushed into the two busses, both of which surprisingly stood strong after the impact.
The gang of Videl, Gohan, Erasa and Sharpener managed to squeeze themselves into the second bus, finding themselves a seat nearer to the rear end of the bus.
They loaded their bags on the stands above their heads with relative ease due though Sharpener made quite a show of it, flexing his arms making the girls roll their eyes. Videl shoved Sharpener out of the way claiming the seat with a window for herself, making the blonde boy scoff in indignation.
"What do you suppose the Nexus had planned for us?" asked Sharpener suddenly, interrupting Erasa's babble making the blonde scowl a bit.
"Dunno, but I have a good hunch that it would be all about muscles" scoffed Videl "I mean, seriously guys, that's all they do in these so called Nexus gyms. They purchase huge amounts of machinery for body building, wasting tons of money but fail to formulate a standard fighting style. You can easily say so just by seeing the stances of some of those logger-heads that attend that gym and unfortunately our school"
"Cheer up Vi, everything's going to be great, minus the fighting of course. We don't have to spend all our time training and besides, the fights will be held at the tournament, which is technically on the last day of the trip" came Erasa's optimistic reply.
"A To-Tournament? Is it mandatory, Erasa?" Gohan couldn't help asking, he didn't like the idea of fighting against his classmates.
"Yes of Course, though it's not mandatory. Goodness Gohan, you keep forgetting that there are people like me. God knows what would happen to my pretty face, should I participate in one" Erasa shuddered involuntarily.
"Who do you expect is going to be teaching us?" Sharpener asked.
"Does it matter? Come on Sharp, it's going to be that oaf Reacher of course" Videl replied sarcastically.
"Who?" asked Gohan with a confused look.
"Reacher, Jack Reacher. The Martial Artist with the highest probability of winning the upcoming WMAT. Come on Brains, don't tell me you haven't heard of him" Sharpener sighed as Gohan shood his head in the negative.
"Reacher is one of the most popular Martial Artists in the world. He is only 22 and yet he won the last four tournaments with a single knockout punch. He is also the son of the leader of the Nexus not to mention one of the most desired men in the world, second only to the World Savior" Erasa finished in a single breath with a dazed look.
"Yeah Brains, some are even speculating that Reacher may even be more powerful than the World Savior." Sharpener continued.
"But, Why would they say that? Dind'nt the World Savior beat Cell?" asked Gohan considering the possibility of actually losing to this Reacher guy. Tue, he hadn't trained for several years, but he couldn't be that weak, could he? Impossible, he Saiyan heritage alone was enough to beat those wankers.
"Think about it from the people's point of view Brains. They have seen this Reacher guy in action as he bested the best. He has earned the peoples trust and respect by displaying his strength and proving to everyone what he truly is capable of. But we can't say the same for the World Savior who hasn't been seen in over seven years save for once, which was a few weeks back. True, he did defeat Cell and save the world, but people have lost their faith over time. He hasn't appeared at any of the Martial Arts tournaments nor has he given the public any reassurance of his fighting skills"
"Load of dung if you ask me" interrupted Videl, "Don't let it bother you Gohan. People in the city love to speculate and gossip, a lot more than you can comprehend. However the topics for speculation and gossip have always been associated with some form of sports if not movies. With the threat on the world vanquished by a single individual, the topic of Martial Arts has captured many people's attention. The whole Nexus group of Martial Artists depends on these public stunts for money and funding. To be blunt, the Nexus is trying to create its own World Savior or something equivalent to that in the form of Jack Reacher."
"So what you are implying is that all the actions of the Nexus are soley for the sake of making more money?" asked Gohan.
"More or less, For example, tell me Gohan, how much did you pay for this trip" asked Videl a slight smirk on her face.
"Ummmm … 250 Zenni" he replied.
"250 Zenni form each student, right? There are around 100 students involved in this field trip which makes it 25000 Zenni in total which is hardly enough to satisfy the cost of hotels and food which we will be feasting upon this week not to mention the charges required for hiring this bus were sitting in, which I dare say is one of the most expensive busses I have encountered. How does the payment for the staff of the Nexus gym who will be training us, not mention Mr. Reacher who am sure would never make an entrance unless there was money involved, come under our feeble 25000 Zenni" asked Videl, showing a business-woman type of behavior with her voice becoming more sharper and angrier with the end of each sentence.
"Ummm …I d-don't k-know" Gohan stuttered, not quite used to such a stern and strict Videl. In short she sort of reminded him of his mother, onl y a tad bit less scary. Funny that, in the two weeks he had known her, he had never stumbled upon this side of her seeing as he had gotten a good sense of character on Sharpener and Erasa.
Sharpener and Erasa snickered seeing Gohan's reaction encountering, not Videl, but Ms. Satan, a dominant and domineering Mistress who bowed down to none whilst having a tone sharper than ice.
Videl realized with a jolt that she was scaring the innocent boy. She suppressed a sigh pushing aside the cold and indifferent attitude of Videl Satan which she usually reserved for morons like Frank and old-codgers like Mr. Runt. She giggled when Gohan's face visibly relaxed, making the boy look at her strangely.
Her thoughts began to wander in the direction of the Nexus gym. No matter how controlled she was, the mere mention of that place or that man was enough to get her riled up. She was used to the taunting's and pointing by now, but her anger grew more and more with each incident.
At first it had hurt her, that too badly to be called as a liar's daughter and what-not but that had slowly changed to a point where she no longer cared about such taunts. Maybe a small part of her still cared about such comments, though the rest of her had gone numb with her feelings retreated to the darkest corner of her being.
Her anger though had grown, beyond anyone's wildest imagination. Her father had advised her numerous times that revenge was never and never will be the solution. She had taken his words to her heart, not bothering to waste her time on the idiot who had bullied her. She had repeated it over and over again in her head that she going to be better person. But what if she didn't want to be a better person, what if she wanted to be normal like any teenager, wanting revenge? Did she have a choice?
"Videl, you're spacing out" Gohan's gentle voice snapped her out of her musings.
"Oh right, sorry" she replied, her brain retracing its path to the conversation or argument that she had left hanging.
"Where was I? Oh yes, the money, it actually comes from the school fees that the students pay every year. Should they arrange a field trip indicating the full cost and all, I am damn sure that not a single student would be willing to join. Henceforth they collect the required money in the form of donations and various other pathetic excuses claiming to provide the students with the best source of knowledge. OSH has a huge reputation as one of the best schools in the country, which is true to some extent though it is not an excuse for the high fees that we have to pay" Videl finished.
Gohan looked thoughtful for a few seconds before replying, "But if they do provide a good or even decent enough training in this field trip, then it means that they have earned the money fairly, right?"
Videl sighed wondering why the boy won't just accept that there wouldn't be much of a Martial Arts training in this field trip. "Gohan, all they are going to make do is work on our muscle strength. They are going to give us access to some of the body building machineries and that's it, no training other than that. They won't be teaching us any proper stances, nor will they be teaching us some of their fighting styles for quite frankly they don't have a good enough one to spread."
Seeing as he wasn't about to argue she continued, "I have seen their so called 'The Death stance' a million times on T.V and I could point out a million flaws in it. It's just one of those money making show for the Nexus. They have shrunk the world of Martial Arts, into a small square and have deluded people into believing that using the Death Stance is the only way to attain victory"
Realisation dawned on Gohan as he managed to segregate the truth that Videl was trying to covey. 'It couldn't be that bad could it' he thought remembering his dad's stories of the 23rd WMAT where he fought people with different fighting styles and techniques. Goku had explained to him that all styles had certain negative factors. For Example the turtle style mainly focused on speed, in fact it relied too much on speed that it was almost useless against Piccolo's Demon stance, which was purely defensive.
'Could Videl be right? Could the level of Martial Arts be degraded to such an extent that a common human like Videl could point of a million flaws in one of the so-called best stances in the world. And by the way, how did Videl know so much on Stances and Styles? Was she into fighting? Of course she was, hadn't her higher power level than normal humans more than enough for him' Gohan was brought out of his thoughts by a sneering voice that made Videl's eyes widen in surprise.
"So that's what you think about the gym do ya? Wait till I beat the shit out of ya Brat" Frank was one of those bullies who never gave up on tormenting the young Satan girl and was'nt planning on doing so anytime soon.
Hey there, hows is goin? I am back, and i dont plan on going anywhere anytime soon. have taken this sudden interest in Harry potter and had published a fic which i will be updating next week. You guys should try giving it a read, not just my fic, but HP in general. Its great actually. The next update for Life Goes on will be ... after i finsh wrirting the next chapter. I am terribly sorry for the late update ... which is around ... Ummm ... 5 months late .. :( ... Read and Reviw, plz ...
Until Next Time ...