Chapter 11

A week and a half had passed since that baseball game Monday. After reconciling with Videl and Erasa, as well as showing up Sharpner, Gohan was finding his place in school. The kids from the class had changed their perspective of Gohan from a "nerdy, unstable kid" after the first week. To now in his class as the kid who can do it all. Getting stopped time to time after that class by his other classmates. Gohan still trying to downplay things more and not stand out would fail at that. No matter what he would say though their opinions of him would just go up.

"Man, how'd you do it? How did you show up Sharpner?" a group in his class would ask.

"Just lucky I guess, nothing special." Gohan would chuckle and brush it off.

"Ha! Pretty cool how you act low key about it." Some then saw him as cool and humble.

"Hey Gohan, how'd you get so close to Videl so fast? I've had her in all my classes in high school. I don't think I got her to talk to me once!" A girl would ask.

"I don't know, I was myself I guess." He said not sure how to answer.

"Hmm, maybe you just have a way with people…" Some then saw him as charismatic. Because how else would you be friends with THE Videl Satan.

Gohan almost done with his third week of school was learning maybe people just make up their own narratives for fun. The blend in method sounded nice and easy, but it's probably impossible. It's like everyone needed a role. And his role around the whole school was now as "friends with Videl."

Which he was having some fun with, it was nice for him coming to school and chatting it up with Erasa and Videl. It made it easy to block out the other kids when you got your own space in school. He was thankful with how fast the transition was into school. It was not trouble free, however. There were still some holding on to his and Videl's fight. Some still hate how he got to be friends with Videl. Then there was the aftermath with Sharpner…

He hasn't talked to him, Videl or Erasa in the week and a half after the game.

"I can't believe he isn't over it yet?" Erasa starts. Classes just ended for the day and Sharpner silently stormed away. "It's been over a week!" Erasa speaking to Gohan and Videl, the three in their new routine of chatting after school before leaving for the day.

"He'll get over it Erasa." Videl assures "He always does."

"He hasn't talked to us since Videl." Erasa mopes.

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Videl jokes.

"Videl!" Erasa chastises.

"I was joking!" Videl claims with a smile, causing Gohan to chuckle to himself. Erasa turns to eye Gohan, causing him to stop chuckling.

"Glad it's fun for you two!" Erasa sulks.

"Come on Erasa. Why are you so worried about it? You weren't exactly holding back yourself when we were playing him." Videl points out.

"Uh, mmhm…w-well…" Erasa starts and faulters not knowing where to begin. Videl mouths 'I'm waiting' mocking Erasa, prodding for an answer. Gohan, however, feels bad leaving people out to dry, offers her a reason.

"I mean to be far Erasa is partnered with Sharpner for that English project." After his words, Erasa snapped to realization and found her confidence again.

"Yeah! That's completely right. I need him to come around fast to make that project go as smoothly as possible." Erasa finishes but then quickly realizes something else. Annoyed at the irony she narrows her eyes at Videl "In fact I helped you fix your issue with your partner…" giving a glance at Gohan causing him to shrink, feeling guilty. In fairness she was the bridge for him and Videl, then he kind of pushed Sharpner out, hurting her in the end.

"When you put it that way…" Videl trails, smiling nervously at Erasa "I can see why it's important. Oh, but we have months to do that." Videl tries to brush off the issue, waving her hand in an upbeat manner.

"Easy for you to say. That's finding a job to volunteer for, work together, for what? Forty hours? Then write about it. You're right Videl I got time." She ends on a sarcastic note. Videl throws her head up in defeat.

"Alright, you win. You're screwed! Not much we can do, I hate to say it again, but you know how he gets." Gohan listening to the two feels guilty and apologizes.

"Sorry…I haven't been putting you in the best spot the last couple weeks huh Erasa?" Gohan gives her hurt puppy dog-like look. Erasa hearing the genuine apology and seeing his face broke from her rant.

"No. Sorry Gohan, you're not the problem, I kind off played a part in my situation."

"Kind of?" Videl scoffs.

"Yes! Kind of." The two girls lock stares, Videl turns away with a smug smile.

"Well at least you admit it, apology accepted." Videl teases.

"I was apologizing to Gohan not you!" the exchange causes Gohan to chuckle again.

"You two are fun to be around." He observed out loud. Causing Erasa to drop her annoyed demeanor. Videl seemed to look away embarrassed.

"Thanks, Gohan, I wished I'd got paired with you. Speaking of you, any idea what you two plan to do." Erasa decides to ask the pair. With Videl's busy schedule they have to plan out what would fit.

"Well since this is a paired community service project, I can't exactly write about fighting crime. Not unless you want to try fighting crime Gohan." Videl half mindedly jokes. Causing panic in Gohan he forces a bad fake laugh loudly

"Hahaha, That's a good one Videl! That wouldn't be possible!" He tries to laugh it off in a higher pitch tone than usual, causing both girls to raise their eyebrows. Over the last couple weeks, Gohan as Saiyaman had a couple of run-ins with Videl. She is still extremely hostile towards him. Demanding to know his identity. Gohan was glad he was getting along with Videl at school. Now he hopes over time she can be okay with his alter ego too.

"Look even though it was my joke Gohan, it wasn't that funny." Videl deadpans.

"Heh heh right…" He awkwardly says.

"Anyway, we will figure it out we got time, any ideas Gohan? I don't mind if you pick, you have to travel more. This will eat into your day more, especially if we do something in Satan City."

"I haven't thought much about it, I can figure something out though," Gohan replies.

"Let's move on to planning something fun," Erasa chimes in "are we able to all get together this weekend? We haven't hung out outside of school. We need to have a city day and show Gohan around Videl!" Erasa excitedly claims.

"Right now, it's looking like I'm free," Videl informs them.

"Yay!" Erasa squeals "How about you tomorrow, Saturday?" Gohan stokes his chin in thought.

"I'll be busy tomorrow, that's my birthday. My mom is having a small get together with friends of the family." Gohan explains slightly bummed. He wished he could spend the day with his new friends, but he also was excited to catch up with everyone. And it's not like he could have those two around, his secrets would be blown instantly.

"Your birthday! Right, you did tell us it was this month." Erasa exclaims in a bolt of realization and guilt for not remembering. Videl murmurs an "Oh yeah." Quietly to herself in the same realization. "Gohan sorry, sorry, sorry for forgetting about that!" Erasa frantically cried, showing more remorse needed. Gohan chuckles and waves her off.

"It's no big deal, besides it's been a hectic couple of weeks. Even I forgot until my mother reminded me." Gohan assures. Causing Erasa to relax a bit.

"Still…" Erasa weakly protests, Gohan smiles. What he knows for sure about Erasa is she does not want to let down her friends.

"Well, why don't we just go to your party?" Videl offered, causing Gohan to pale. "It works out perfectly."

"Oh, duh! Problem solved!" Erasa chipper attitude shines back. Gohan though is in a panic, mentally thinking of an excuse.

"Shoot! They can't meet anyone. Bulma is hosting, so right off the bat, they'd know I'm connected to Bulma Briefs. Not to mention the weird ragtag group of companions. Then Trunks and Goten, they would show off or let something slip." Gohan runs his hand through his hair, frustrated.

"Uh no, you two don't have to! It-it uh…I mean it will just be mostly adults and boring family stuff. Nothing worth coming to." Scratching his nose, trying to play it off as bland, get together.

"All the more reason to come right?" Again, Videl spoke causing Gohan to freeze "We can keep you company, so you're not bored." She shrugs her shoulder to show she wouldn't mind and it's not a waste of their time. Erasa enthusiastically nods, showing support. Gohan starts to sweat, fidgeting in his seat, as the two look at him.

"Yer well yeah…but-but…Oh! It's going to be waaaaay out in West City since most people live out there. The time to fly out there isn't worth it." Gohan stumbles to another excuse.

"West City? That is a long flight. But Gohan we wouldn't mind." Videl states firmly trying to get through to him. Gohan bites his lip, Videl picking up his body signs, starts to connect the dots. "Unless you just don't want us to come." Videl voicing her suspicion, raising her eyebrow. Erasa confused, whips her head back and forth between the two.

"Ah!" Gohan slips out a surprised yelp, "What? How was she so accurate? Well, lying got me in a big mess, I'll be as truthful with them I can." Gohan sighs.

Gohan presses his two hands together firmly, pleading in an apologetic manner "Sorry, nothing personal, believe me! It's just my family and friends can be weird. And my mother would constantly bug us with how overbearing she is, I'd just rather hang out another way." Gohan telling the truth.

They two seemed to understand, smiling at how guilty he pleaded to them. "Some other time then." Erasa giggles.

"That wasn't hard now, was it." Videl smugly teases Gohan, her intuition validated.

"Geez, I can see that detective skill you've over the years." Gohan sighs "Also the party is until later we could still meet up earlier and I can leave later."

"Are you sure?" Erasa asks cautiously excited "It would take a while to commute out there, don't want your big day wasted traveling late."

"No worries, like I said it would be later. I will have time before leaving." Gohan assures "That and it takes me only 15 minutes…"

"Yay! Sounds like a plan. We can show you around the city!" Erasa starts to think of all possible plans.

"Good, glad this all got sorted." Videl laughs. Gohan relived, laughs as well.

"Sorry should be more upfront, especially if Videl can sniff out info like that." Gohan jokes.

"Don't give me too much credit you're like an open book." Videl smirks and giggles.

"As long as you're having fun" he mumbles to himself, smiling.

A beeping sound breaks the conversation. A tone all three of them have grown to learn. Videl whips around and looks at it.

"Sorry guys, duty calls. Trouble at the warehouse district." She stands up, grabbing her bag.

"No worries," Gohan replies, noting the location.

"Be safe!" Erasa as always sends off. Videl gives a quick salute, before running out of class.

The pair of Gohan and Erasa watch her leave the class. Gohan needing to make his exit soon too, time for his secret duty as Saiyaman.

"Ah well, I guess I'll take that as my cue to head out too. It's getting late and all." Gohan feeling like he's getting better at making an exit. Erasa shifts her body looking at Gohan, narrows her eyes, and rest her head in her palm.

"Gohan, why is it ever time Videl leaves you bail too?" Erasa asks, raising her eyebrows in a teasing manner.

"Gah-!" Gohan's brief confidence was shaken. "Uh-I-I" Gohan lost, seemingly broken causes Erasa to giggle.

"I'm kidding! I know you live far. I hope you never get used to being teased." Erasa smiles a genuine smile at the equally genuine boy. "Later Gohan." She says to the boy standing and packing up.

"I can't read you two…" Gohan weakly complains about his new friends, recovering from his near heart attack, thinking Erasa had him pegged, he smiles in relief "See you tomorrow!" yelling out the room leaving Erasa alone in class.

Gohan smiling with determination makes his way through the relatively empty school. Gohan, Erasa, and Videl have been staying a couple of hours after class since they made up. Since none of them were in clubs it gave them something to do. However, it has a perfect routine going. Videl would get called off and Gohan would, in turn, follow her off to assist as Saiyaman.

Gohan has been enjoying the post-school hangouts. It was nice to see school after class, he felt way more comfortable with fewer people. Or with everyone in clubs being focused. In class, it feels like people are bored and looking for conflict or gossip. Gohan made his way out the doors ready to find a secluded spot to fly off. The only downside of post-school though…

"Gohan! Fancy seeing you here again" Gohan hearing the voice of his teacher , turns to the man walking up to him. Gohan sighs, almost home free standing in the courtyard. Even though he wasn't close to the baseball practice Mr. Metz still gets to him.

"Oh, hey. You know on my way home." Gohan is about to have the same exact conversation he's had for the last two weeks.

"I see that you've been staying after school for the past couple weeks. You know if you're looking for something to do, I have the perfect suggestion." Mr. Metz slyly smiles, playing dumb like they haven't been playing this game every day after school. Before he could speak again, Gohan lifted his hand motioning for Mr. Metz to not continue.

"Let me guess, join the baseball team? The answers the same as any other day. Thank you, but I'm not interested." Gohan politely declines. He enjoys Mr. Metz as a teacher, but he had no time to waste on something so trivial.

"Look, I know you have some good reasons to say no." The man getting into sales pitch mode.

"I'm not interested in sports. I live far away so I can't practice and make it home at a reasonable time, I'm more focused on my studies, my mom wants me focused on my studies, I've never played, some players on the team hate me. That's just at the top of my mind." Gohan effortlessly rattles off reasons in a clean manner, trying to get to some crime fighting. The main reason to not play sports, can't really say that though.

Mr. Metz rubbing his chin, nodding slowly, takes a quick breath attempts to sell him on his team "Okay, okay. Well, you can't say you're interested if you've never played on a team, it adds so much to win and lose as a group. You've been staying after school for a couple of hours anyway, you could just practice. You are the smartest kid around. School wouldn't be a challenge. Uh-uh hmm, what was the rest of the reasons?" He asks forgetting the rest of Gohan's list.

"My mom," Gohan says simply.

"I could convince her." Metz offers.

"Ha!" Gohan lets out at the thought "Sorry but you don't know my mother if you did you know it wouldn't happen."

"The other reasons?" Metz asks crossing his arms, eager for the challenge. He hasn't had to recruit in a while and the man hadn't seen such potential.

"Never played."

"All the more reason to, that was not beginner's luck. If you practice and are coached up, you could do amazing things on the field."

"Players hate me, one in particular…" Picking up on Gohan's inference Mr. Metz continued without missing a beat.

"Look Sharpner is how do I say it…" scratching his head looking for a positive spin "Competitive. He can lose sight of everything and focus just on winning." The man finishes making a case for Sharpner's character.

"No, I get it. I don't hate him or anything. I'm just saying with all these issues and the lack of my interest. Me on the team isn't going to be possible sorry, I appreciate the offers." Gohan politely and eloquently declines the offer, hoping it will end them all in the future.

The teacher sighs, unable to justify his consistent recruiting "I know you're right, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't hassle talented kids." Smirking, showing Gohan he may be underestimating his determination. "I'll get out of your hair for the day, I'll do the other part of my job and help the other coaches wrap up practice."

Gohan gives a nod, the man passes him, heading back to the baseball field. Gohan starts heading towards a thicket just pass the courtyard off school grounds. A place he can fly off from in privacy, not many secluded places in the city, other than some alleys and roofs. Before he was completely out of range of Mr. Metz he turns back to yell out.

"Just so you know I'm stubborn, if my mind is made up it's made up." Hoping these words will close the book on every day after school talks.

The man turns around, shrugs his shoulder, almost like a non-verbal "we'll see."

Gohan runs off "Alright time to see what's going on at the warehouses." Checking his phone, all the alerts on his phone about news in Satan City are popping with headlines "Gun Shots Reported in Satan City Industrial Section!"

"No good! Need to go and fast!" Gohan makes it to privacy and changes. Blasting off in blinding speeds to the commotion.

…

Half an hour after Gohan left Erasa was still loitering around after school. With no one around she figures she would kill some time. Knowing exactly what she was doing, she pretends though she is just randomly hovering around the baseball field, where the players were practicing. Standing in the shadow the school is casting, the sky showing why the name Orange Star High was appropriate. Burnt orange skies, coloring the field same as the field was in the light. Erasa far away and hidden watches, hoping for a chance to catch Sharpner.

Since he's been avoiding them like the plague, not returning calls or text Erasa is beyond frustrated. Finding a nice spot to watch, she sits and watches Sharpner throwing pitches off the mound. Looking at her phone as well to burn time, she keeps updating news to hear anything on Videl. For years Videl has been fighting crime, but it never gets any less scary. Scanning live reports she sees 'Saiyaman appears!' Erasa takes a sigh of relief. She knew Videl didn't trust the masked man, Erasa, however, appreciates any support for Videl.

Erasa looks up to some team members yelling and laughing off to the side of the field.

"Hey!" Sharpner yells at the few members goofing around, catching everyone in the vicinity's attention. "Get serious before we become jokes ourselves!" Sharpner bellows, piercing at his teammates. The group disperses, following his advice and started practicing again. Sharpner turns back and begins throwing again. Erasa couldn't help fight back a smile.

"Sharpner and Videl are so similar when it comes to losing." Erasa thinks aloud to herself "I do like seeing him play. The only time he is locked in and serious is baseball. If he took classes that seriously…eh, who am I kidding I'm not great at school either, at least he's good at something." Erasa pouts, going back to looking at her phone, only to keep watching Sharpner.

Before Erasa knew it she sees the coaches wrapping up practice. The boys whooping and hollering running off pleased to be free, heading to the locker room. Erasa planning to ambush Sharpner before he can leave school, the more she sat there watching him, the more she got annoyed with him freezing her out. Noticing one of the boys straying from the group, she notices Sharpner was the boy and he was walking towards the courtyard.

"Perfect." The chance for Erasa presents itself. Slinking back she waited until he passed, she slinks past the building corner to the back tailing him. He walks towards the back of the building, walking up to a vending machine to buy a drink. Completely unnoticed Erasa walks up behind Sharpner and speaks up.

"Sooo did I really got to track you down after school to get a hold of you?" Erasa calls, trying to keep it sounding light-hearted as possible, but she's been simmering in her annoyance watching him practice.

Sharpner's shoulders sag, his back turned to her, he wordlessly shakes his head. Erasa feeling like he wasn't going to turn to face her let alone respond decides to be kind to ease the tension.

"Here," She walks up to the vending machine, she interrupted him before he bought a drink, she cuts in front of him, putting in some Zeni and punching in a code for a sports drink. The clunking sound from the bottle falling is heard, she bends down and grabs it. Turning to face Sharpner she offers the drink "My treat, your favorite drink!" She sing-song rhymes joking with a smile, being playful nature to the blank face she sees.

Without saying anything he rips the drink from her hand and turns around, starting to walk away.

"Hey! What the hell Sharpner?" She scolds him while cutting him off before he gets away.

"What do you want?" Sharpner asks coldly, opening his drink, taking a sip. He was breathing a little heavy, sweating, clearly worn out from baseball practice.

"What do you think? Honestly. I take time out of my day to track you down because you won't respond after class, to my calls, to my texts. I even buy you a drink and play nice and you storm off, how long are you going to pout and ignore us?!" Erasa unloads on the boy.

"Dunno, until I feel like it." He shrugs his shoulders "Are you done?" he asks. "I'm tired and am going home." Sidestepping Erasa, she steps in time with him keeping him in front of her.

"Seriously?! You act like a total jerk, to me, Videl and most importantly Gohan. You almost took his head off last week, got your pride hurt then and ignore us. Here I am being nice to you and you still want to keep this fight up?!" Erasa just keeps asking the questions going through her mind all week.

"Then why try?" He quickly cuts in. Erasa takes a step back, stunned.

"What?" was all she could muster.

"Through your eyes, I'm the asshole and you got a new best buddy in the new kid. Why do you care if I don't talk to you?"

"Wha-you-…" Erasa hurt in her eyes couldn't find the words. Sharpner mocking her leans in a bit, waiting for a response. "Are you really playing the victim? I never thought that of you. Even when you were the one being aggressive, to the point you almost hurt the guy!" Erasa takes the offensive, standing her ground. She knew he didn't like Gohan, but to just avoid his friends all together? It pissed her off to be so petty.

"Hey, you said it yourself last week that I'm a dumbass," He motions to himself with a dark smile, before he continues Erasa interjects.

"I was just anger at you! I didn't mean it even if you WERE and yes you were acting like a jerk last week!" Erasa balling her fist up, clenching tight. She had no idea how she was being painted as the villain. She was trying to extend the olive branch to him, so he could earn his way back from his feud.

"And the psycho? He freaked on you and disrespected Videl, then next week you three are buddy buddy? How the hell does that work, I've known you guys for years I'm the ass. The new kid we don't know blows up, now best friends. I'm not in the wrong here." Sharpner finishes, believing he was the one being slighted.

"For your information, he apologized like a mature adult. He didn't cry and throw a temper tantrum like someone I know!" Erasa full on losing her cool on how far off the mark Sharpner was. If he knew the situation…but was it her place to explain Gohan's story?

Sharpner clicks his tongue in anger "Are you here to apologize or what?"

"Me?! Apologize?! What planet are you from? I'm the one being nice and giving you the chance to let bygones be bygones." Erasa grits her teeth. Sharpner smiles.

"Well, looking at it on my end, you're the one who wants to speak with me. I'm not the one trying to talk with you." Sharpner smugly responds. Erasa watery-eyed shakes her head.

"Maybe I wanted to talk with my friend again." She answers in a weak voice.

"Hey now, no worries. You don't need me, you got the new kid now." He answers in a faux cheery tone, pats her on the shoulder, then pushing lightly pass her, walking off he offers "thanks for the drink." Leaving Erasa shook, alone in silence.

….

"For the last time who are you?!" Videl yells at the masked man. The two stood in a wrecked shipping warehouse. Battered thugs thrown about, Videl's first instinct is not to call in the cops to clean up but to question this man who's been interfering with her work for the last couple weeks.

"Oh you know, a concerned citizen." He chuckles. Videl storms up to him face to visor "Gah!" he yelps in surprise. Videl staring down her own reflection in his visor, unamused by his antics.

"Enough of the games, interfering in crimes is serious. Especially when it's some no-name person. If you ask me it's really shady how you come and go, for all I know you can be the cause of these crimes." Videl rattles off her suspicions, giving Saiyamen no room to move. Lucky for her they were inside, so no way for him to blast off to the skies to run away.

"Rest assured I'm here to help. If I was dead set on crimes why would I save you a couple of weeks ago." He reasoned, Videl stepped back embarrassed and ashamed, face red. Also annoyed, she was looking for any reason to not trust this man.

"Point taken…" she grumbles "Why the mystery then? If you're not bad why hide?"

"Um," the man scratches his chin in thought "convenience?" he awkwardly and unconfidently lets out. Videl cocks her head confused.

"I-what? Do you know your reasons or not?!" Videl off balanced by his awkwardness.

"Ms. Satan I promise I just want to help people nothing more, nothing less." The man answers with sincerity. Videl arms crossed hears how earnest he is and sighs.

"That may be, but don't think I'll let this go. An unknown strong fighter who happens to fly comes out of nowhere. That's something I want to know about. How long have you been training? How do you fly? Are you a tournament fighter? Did you fight Cell?!" Her once cold and untrusting demeanor gets replaced by enthusiastic curiosity. Stepping toward the man, leaning in, looking hopeful for any answers.

This caught Gohan off guard, he stepped back and started to stutter. Mind racing unsure how to answer anything "Ah I should have gotten out of here immediately!" He mentally groans.

"Ah- I don't fight in any tournaments." He answered with no thought, hoping one answer would please her.

"So you fought Cell!"

"WHAT? Where did you come up with that?!" Gohan stunned can't keep composure he normally keeps when in his persona.

"Well, you only denied the tournament question." She answers slyly, with a challenging glint in her eyes.

"Well that was the most harmless question, it was easy to answer." Gohan tries to bounce back in his Saiyaman routine, deepening his voice, trying to sound confident.

"So the other ones are hard to answer? Meaning there are answers you don't want to give me." Videl smiles, having out thought the masked man. Gohan eyes bulge from his sockets, luckily the visor hides his face. Videl though could see his lips twitch, as he stood frozen and motionless. "I want some answers, please! There's been so much I've wanted answers that I couldn't get from elsewhere." Videl pleads hopeful, looking at her possible source for her life's greatest mystery. 'What happened during The Cell Games?'

"You have it good now, there is no need to know about these things." He replies in a serious tone "Sorry but to answer another of your questions. I wear this," pointing at his helmet and visor "to avoid attention."

"But-" Videl goes to interject gets cut off.

"Trust me it's better this way. Think of it this way if you could just help without the attention and your name attached, would you prefer that?" Videl mulls the question over. Knowing he was right.

"Videl we got the surrounding areas cleared. All good in there?" She heard someone shout, the voice of a police officer giving her the status. She looks around at the still incapacitated thugs around the room. Her and Saiyaman knocked everyone out. She runs over the sound of the voice going to a railing. She looks down the lower level seeing officers, armed and coming in.

"Yeah all clear! We may have gone overboard." Videl yells down to the lower level, seeing the police chief, a middle-aged woman Videl has gotten to know over the last few years.

"We?" was the response.

"Yeah, we…" Videl turns to look at Saiyaman. Seeing him floating up a window making a break for it. "Hey hold it right there, we aren't finished!"

"Looks like you got it from here Ms. Satan!" Saiyaman unconsciously gives her the same salute Videl gave Erasa and him earlier. With that, he opened the window and flew off.

"Hey! AHGRR!" She groans as the man slipped away yet again after the situation was handled.

"Videl are you alright?" The woman makes it to the second level concerned.

"Yeah, the masked idiot flew off again that's all."

"Glad to hear, always dicey when guns are involved. Wow, you guys sure as hell didn't go easy on them." The police chief looks around slightly amused. Seeing wrecked equipment and bodies sprawled about. She gives Videl a once over and she was scratch free. Completely unaffected other than a bit of sweat.

"Yeah, well, I never asked for his help so it felt like a competition on who could end the situation first. Saiyaman showing up probably put these guys in more danger."

"That's the Videl Satan I know." The chief just shakes her head at the girl. It was hard to have a lot of sympathy for a squad of drug runners. A security guard came across a drug meeting and called in the cops. Next thing you know shots are fired, a little excessive force wasn't going to lose her sleep. "Sorry things got out of hand, hate calling you to clean up our messes." The woman apologized.

"No I should thank you, I got a lead on something…"

….

The next day Saturday morning Gohan woke up to his little brother jumping up and down on him earlier then he would of like.

"Gohan! Gohan! Happy birthday!" Goten cheers happily, laughing all the while.

"Ahhh sleep please!" Gohan rolls over to try to shove his brother off, only for Gohan to float.

"Ha Ha that's not going to work on me now! I can fly!" Goten happy as can be, he was the morning person of the family.

"This is how you repay me? Just let me sleep in a bit, it's the weekend Goten?" Gohan pulls the covers over his head.

"But mom just made you a big birthday breakfast she wanted me to wake you up. She made a lot, more than usual!" Goten explains excitedly about the special occasion of more breakfast.

"Food does sound good…" Gohan mentions, his Saiyan side wanting to eat, his human side wanting to sleep. "Decisions…" he mumbles.

"If you don't hurry I'mma eat it all!" Goten yells running out their room to the kitchen. Gohan still contemplating lays in bed. Seconds later Goten walks in the room void of energy.

"Mom says we can't eat until you're awake…" Goten states dejected, guilting Gohan to throw the covers off.

"Fine! I'm up!" Gohan gets out of bed and shuffles towards the kitchen still in his pajamas.

Goten sprints to the kitchen, beating Gohan there. "He's up mom!" Gohan smells the plethora of food, hitting his senses making his stomach groan in anticipation. Making it down the hallway he walks into the kitchen. His mother sees him and squeals.

"Oh, happy birthday Gohan! 18 years old, where has the time gone." She hugs her son lovingly. Gohan returns it, he'd rather be in bed. But he had to admit it his mom outdid herself. The table was set with everything possible no room to spare. Rice, fish, meat, vegetables, tea, lemonade. You name it was there.

"Geez mom how long have you been up doing this?" he motions towards the table. Goten already seated taking his share.

"Don't worry about the details, I want to make sure you have the best day possible. My baby is now an adult. Soon you'll be going to college, getting a job, having a family. Let me enjoy the time I have left. Here sit down." She rushes him to his seat and he obliged. In a lot of ways, this day was more for her and he understood. Seated he grabbed his plate and started piling food on top making a small pile of food. Small compared to Goten's tower of a plate that is. Looking at the clock he saw it was 8 am he had a few hours before he met Videl and Erasa in Satan City.

As he and his brother dug in there was a knock at the door.

"Oh, he's here!" Chi-Chi exclaimed running to the door, Gohan checked a mental list of who would come over and he was not surprised to see his giant grandfather at the door. Walking in he called to the kids.

"Hello," his deep boisterous voice calls through the home. He walks in taking up all the space available. He wore his typical button down with suspenders, beard, and glasses on his face. "Happy birthday Gohan! Gohan stands up to greet his grandpa, Goten sallows his mouthful and follows suit. The Ox-King sets down his bag and hugs Gohan, then squats down to young Goten's level, greeting the kids.

"How are you doing Grandpa?" Gohan asks.

"Oh great as always, I'm excited to see you all today." Before they could go any further in conversation Chi-Chi steps in.

"To the table, eat up, I made a lot to go around. Here dad let me grab you your plate, you traveled all this way."

"Thank you, dear."

They get to the table and catch up, it's been a bit since they've all got together. Having a nice family breakfast to start the morning.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! I learned to fly since the last time you saw me. Gohan and Mom have been teaching me to fight!" Goten proudly boasts to his Grandpa.

"Wow, just like your father and brother, you are going to be quite the fighter yourself huh?" The Ox-King comments.

"Gohan has been teaching you to fight?" Chi-Chi narrows her eyes at the boys. Gohan mid-sip of his drink narrows his at Goten for blowing their secret. Giving the same look Chi-Chi was giving them, Goten covers his mouth.

"Oops" he lets out.

The Ox-King lets out a laugh.

"You remind me so much of your father when he was your age Goten." Chi-Chi smiles at her father's words. Gohan gives a silent thanks to his Grandpa.

"You knew my dad when he was my age?" Goten asks curiously.

"Just about, he was strong and fun loving." The Ox-King recalls. Chi-Chi sighs lovingly, falling back into her memories of Goku.

"He was so kind…" She looks lost in memory. Gohan smiles since Goten doesn't know much about the family history. He decides to take a trip down his mother's memories.

"Didn't you and dad meet around that time, when he started his adventure, right?" Gohan asks, prompting his mother to excitedly talk about her and Goku meeting. Goten was fully invested in hearing stories from the past. Gohan heard the stories from time to time, but this is as good as any time to hear. The family finished their breakfast, Chi-Chi clearing the table, they sat seated still telling stories over the course of hours.

"While we are on the subject," The Ox-King starts, reaching for the forgotten bag pulling out a present for Gohan "this seems like a fitting present. Happy birthday Gohan." Handing the boy a medium size box.

"Oh you didn't need to get me anything, thank you, Grandpa!" On wrapping the box he opens it up to reveal a book. Not just any book though he opens it up to reveal pictures of friends and family. "Oh wow, wasn't expecting anything like this." He comments, quietly. On the first page seeing him as a child on his father's shoulders in front of the house.

"What is it? I want to see!" Goten asks and runs around the table to see.

"I want to see how it turned out!" Chi-Chi doing the same looks over the shoulder of Gohan. Goten awes at seeing his older brother as a child and his father. Hearing stories in the morning and seeing pictures as Gohan slowly flips to see the contents.

"You put this together?" He looks over to his Grandpa.

The man bashful explains "Well it was just my idea. I told your mother and we asked around from all Goku's friends. We got every scrap we could. I figured it's a good way to remember him by, he came here with nothing and made so much of an impact. I wanted to archive it for you because you are doing the same. We are proud of everything you've done and all the work you are doing. Since you are grown up now, your mother and I wanted to show how much you are like him. And to keep building the book with new memories." Gohan takes in the heartful speech, hitting him right in the heart. Around this time of the year, he definitely needed to hear this. The gift to Gohan was perfect. He puts the book down, stands to hug his mother next to him. Tears in her eyes she wishes him a happy birthday again.

Gohan walks over to his seated Grandfather and wraps an arm around his shoulder for a half hug.

"Thank you two so much! This the perfect present, I honestly wasn't expecting anything." He admits stunned. Gohan was never the type to ask for anything, so to get such an emotional gift was impactful.

"Cool, I want one." Gohan taking his brother seat says while flipping through pages seeing memories of the Son family.

"Don't worry you'll get something similar." Chi-Chi pets and ruffles her youngest hair, looking over the pages. Goten looks up and gives her a big smile.

"Now," Chi-Chi starts changing the subject to keep the room light, not wanting to cry on her son's birthday even though it'd be happy tears. "Why don't we go out for a nice walk and fresh air?" she offered.

Gohan quickly remembers his plans and looks at the clock, seeing it was time to be meeting up in Satan City soon.

"Ah, sorry, I never mentioned it mom, but I have plans to meet a couple of friends from school today before the party at Bulma's," he explains guilt on his face.

"Oh, friends? From school? You never told me about them." She starts concerned, then quickly changes to a kinder tone "No worries, go do your plans. It's your day, just be sure not to be late tonight." She instructs Gohan.

"Are you sure? I could cancel, also I didn't know Grandpa was stopping by." Gohan offers feeling bad about leaving.

"No, you go have fun. And I'll ask later about these friend's at the party, are they coming tonight?" Chi-Chi questions.

"No." Gohan quickly scoffs at the idea. "I think a party with everyone would be hard to keep things normal so I just decided to meet them for a few hours." Chi-Chi ponders at his explanation.

"Are you sure? Well, whatever you're comfortable with. We will clean up go get ready, we will just be here until the party." She signals to Goten "We can look over Gohan's album and tell you more stories." She says sounding excited to keep talking about the past. Goten cheers, mirroring how Chi-Chi felt on the inside.

"You sure?" Gohan asks giving one last chance to stay. Both his mom and Grandpa nod and smile at him. He returns the smile and quickly hugs both them again, thanking the two. He runs out to shower, getting ready he runs out the house shouting a goodbye, reaching the outside and blasting off hoping that he wasn't going to run late like usual.

With that, we are back with the story! I wanted to take a slight break to road map the rest of the story. I feel like part two is planned out it's time to move on to writing. Got this out for the first year anniversary. I'm excited to get this done, like usual if you are enjoying the story feel free to let me know. Same if you have criticisms really, nice to get input especially if you've read this far. Until next time, thank you again and hope the wait was worth it.