For the rest of the day Kentaro was quiet and kept his head down. More people were snickering and laughing, but he paid no attention. He was the village idiot around the school now.

I'm just a joke around here now. I guess, this is how I made him feel...

Kentaro didn't understand why his mind kept going back to Gohan. Maybe this was karma for the way he treated him over the years. The thoughts made him feel sad and empty inside. There's nothing he can do about it now. Kentaro went to his locker and collected his things.

"Hey big boy."

He turned to see Videl staring at him. Every time he seen Videl, his mind kept flashing back to Asuka. He shook his head trying to suppress the thoughts.

"Hey uh, Videl."

"I'm sorry I followed you earlier. You just seemed a bit down and I wanted to help out."

"Heh, you really are nosy."

Kentaro couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Says the guy who got beaten to a pulp."

That shut him up. Kentaro closed his locker.

"Well, later."

Videl grabbed his arm.

"Look, I'm sorry. You just seem a bit, odd. Your like a bully and yet, not a bully. I don't pay attention to rumors but they said you got into a fight with someone named Gohan. He beat you, then I guess you transferred here."

Kentaro just gave up. All of his books dropped to the ground.

"Hey, what's wrong," Videl asked surprised. Kentaro put his hands on the lockers with his head down.

"Yeah, it's true. I got beat by someone smaller than me. I can't let that go. I threw a rock at the back of Asuka's head. She was bleeding from the back. I was mad she made me feel like a loser. He stared me down with those intense eyes. It was nothing I've ever seen before from him. I was at a loss for words. He beat me real good. After that I transferred here, not wanting people to laugh or disgrace me. The fight got here too. I just can't escape this..."

Kentaro started banging his head against the lockers. Other students stared but kept walking. Wet spots started hitting the floor.

"It's all my fault I guess. I don't have anyone else to blame but me. I would've done the same thing if I was in Gohan's place. I just, pushed him too far..."

Videl turned Kentaro around and his face covered in tears. She had no words for something this drastic.

"What, your gonna laugh at me too? Go ahead, I don't have anything here at this school anyway."

"No your wrong. You do have something here."

"What?"

"You have me."

That shocked Kentaro. He wiped his tears and looked at her face.

"I, I do?"

"Remember when I said you were weak and nothing special?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah...I'm not taking that back."

Kentaro would've gotten angry, but at this point what is there to get angry at? Asuka humiliated him, Gohan defeated him, Videl told him who's boss, and Kotsu put him down. Who's left to give him more trouble? He gave a light laugh.

"Is being weak and nothing special humorous?" Videl said laughing a little herself.

"A little bit. It was my first day, and I got treated horribly. Maybe I really am weak and nothing special."

Videl stared at Kentaro. There wasn't any sarcasm in his voice, as if he'd completely given up on everything.

"Well, I guess we got off on the wrong foot. I'm willing to forgive and forget and start over."

Videl held out her hand. Kentaro looked at it, then back at her.

"I don't have cooties or anything. Hurry up and shake my hand."

"Oh, alright."

Kentaro took her hand and shook it.

"Good, from this point on were friendly acquaintances."

"Friendly acquaintances?"

"Yep. I'm gonna reform you into a new man. Well I gotta go. See ya tomorrow."

Videl sped down the halls.

"Yeah, see ya- huh?"

Kentaro looked in his hand and seen a little yellow slip of paper.

"What's this? Report to the detention room after school. Reason: Vandalizing school property."

On the side was a little drawing of a stick figure sticking his tongue out. Kentaro couldn't believe it.

"You have GOT to be kidding me! I'm not serving this!

Kentaro crumpled up the piece of paper and threw it on the ground.

"That's loitering. Another detention."

Kentaro looked up and seen Videl write out another detention.

"I thought we were starting over."

"We are starting over, and you started off punching a wall. Then you threw your slip on the ground. Here."

She gave him another slip of paper. This one had a head with a dunce hat on and a mean face. A vain popped out of his head.

"Can you give me a break?"

"I'll break your face. Report to the detention room immediately."

Kentaro didn't have many options. Surrendering now would save him any more humiliation and frustrations. If he fought back, it could end badly for him.

"Tsk, fine I'm going."

Kentaro turned the other way and headed to the detention room. Videl smiled to herself.

For the past couple of weeks Kentaro hasn't caused any trouble for anybody, and he's kept his head in the books. The fight still lingered in the air as people looked on at him. It always made him angry and ashamed, but he kept thinking about Gohan, and knew that he did what he had to do, so it wasn't all bad. Soon after he stopped caring altogether. Videl spoke to him regularly. Walking with him and eating lunch with him. It made Kentaro feel uneasy since no girl was ever that interested in him, not even at Orange Star. Everyone soon started talking about Videl, but they kept their thoughts to themselves.

At the end of the day, Videl led Kentaro into the girl's karate club room.

"Why did you bring me here?" Kentaro asked suspiciously.

"Your a fighter right," Videl asked.

"Ye, yeah I guess."

"There's this Inter High tournament coming up in a month and I'm entering. I need a sparring partner to get me ready. Help me out."

"Why should I help you? Isn't there anybody else you could fight?"

Videl went over to the racks and grabbed two headgears.

"The girls are in a training camp in Osaka, so they won't be back for awhile."

"Well isn't there a guy's karate here?"

Videl put on the headgear and grabbed two pairs of gloves.

"I train with them sometimes but they won't ever fight me seriously. I end up beating them pretty bad."

Videl put the gloves on.

"So you just wanna knock me around is that it?"

"Well I hoped for a challenge from you at least but if you won't fight back then yes, I'll just start beating you up."

Kentaro looked at her funny. At Fakato Academy he couldn't be called the baddest or toughest guy around but NEVER has a girl looked down upon him to the point he's made a punching bag.

"Alright your on. Just don't blame me if you get hurt."

"Nice answer."

Videl threw him the headgear and gloves. Once they were ready, Videl placed some mats on the floor.

"Safety precaution."

"For you or for me," Kentaro said snickering.

"Act smart all you want."

Kentaro an Videl met in the center. They touched gloves and took their stance. In no time at all, Kentaro rushed in and threw a straight punch at Videl. Videl easily went under his punch and sent her fist into his stomach.

"Uh hah!"

Kentaro was hunched over a bit. Videl used this to her advantage. She brought her leg from behind him and swept his leg.

"Ughh!"

He became unbalanced and fell on the mat. Videl brought her fist down, inches from Kentaro's face. Sweat started to form around Kentaro's face.

"You fight to much like a street brawler. You'll never beat anyone with martial art skills," Videl said with a sly smirk on her face.

"Whatever, I just underestimated you."

Kentaro got up off the mat.

"I'm ready. Bring it on!"

Videl rushed in after him. She threw a kick in his chest.

"Haaaa!"

With a loud yell, Kentaro puffed out his chest pushing the kick back. Videl was vaguely surprised.

"So those muscles aren't just for show."

Kentaro tried throwing a kick off his own. Videl tilted her head so the kick reached her head. Kentaro's leg reached her neck, and Videl grabbed it.

"Tsk, let go!"

He tried to punch Videl in her face.

"Alright."

Videl lifted his leg in the air, making him unbalanced.

"Gaaaa!"

Kentaro couldn't keep his balance and he fell looking at the ceiling once again. Videl stood over him again. This time she punched him in his face. The punch knocked him out just like that.

"Now that I look at it, I may look like the bully here. Oh well."

She took off both their headgear and gloves. She sat down next to him and waited for his conscious to return.

Moments later Kentaro awoke dazed and a little sore.

"What, what happened?"

He looked around and seen Videl smiling at him.

"You seen a rat and passed out."

"Rat?"

Kentaro didn't recall of any rat. He remembered him and her fighting. He tried to go for a kick, but was countered. Then it just went pitch black after that.

"Oh, I see what happened. I lost...again."

There was a sudden sadness in his voice.

"Maybe I took this one too far. Thanks for the spar."

Videl got up and left the room.

"Videl, wait!"

"Yeah?"

Kentaro wasn't the one to ask people for any help whatsoever. But in this case, he can't really be picky about anything right now.

"Can we, can we practice here for right now? You say you need help for this tournament right?"

Kentaro started scratching his cheek.

"I guess, I guess I can help out."

"I'd like that very much. See ya tomorrow."

She left the room.

Kentaro laid back on the mat with his hands behind his head.

So that'll make her the fourth person to have beaten me. Gohan would be the first, and I really hate to admit this, but Asuka probably might've taken me down, then there's that Kotsu guy.

Kentaro got a little angry remembering that beating on the rooftop.

With Videl's help, I might just get stronger.

For a full month, Kentaro was learning different fighting techniques from Videl. His mood has taken a full 180 as well. Soon the fight died down, and everything turned back to normal. He's just a regular guy now. In the karate room, Videl and Kentaro was finishing up their spar. Kentaro had bruises all around his face again, another day with Videl of course. Videl had little to no bruises on her face. She took her headgear off.

"Ok, that should be enough for today."

"Alright."

Kentaro sat down on the mat. Videl sat down beside him.

"Your getting stronger and stronger Kenty."

"Kenty? Heh, guess I am huh. You are too, you'll kick all those girl's butts at the tournament."

"I hope you'll do the same too."

"What do you mean?"

"I signed your name up for the tournament."

"WHAT?! WHY?!"

"It'll be fun. C'mon you said it yourself that you've gotten stronger. Plus your not fighting like a street brawler anymore. Your learning real combat. Even if you lose, you won't go down without a fight right?"

"Ahhhh, well..."

"Ugh, what's wrong now?"

"I don't know. If Orange Star's gonna be there, they'll defiantly rub it in my face that I lost. Plus there's gonna be some experienced fighters there. I'll just be a novice to them and get beat in the first round."

"Now don't say that. You won't lose, and you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because you'll have me in your corner!"

Kentaro didn't know why, but that made him feel refreshed and a whole lot better. No one has ever fought so hard for him. If someone believed in him this badly, then there's no reason for him to have doubts. Kentaro never thought of himself as a wuss. He got up and raised his fist towards the sky.

"Your absolutely right Videl! Now that I have you with me, there's nobody on planet earth that can beat me! WOOOOAAAHHH! INTER HIGH HERE I COME!"

"Ready?! Begin!"

The second round was underway. Gohan and Kentaro circled each other. Videl looked on at the match, closely studying.

Just remember, as long as I'm in your corner, you won't lose.

Kentaro looked at Gohan, his memories bringing him back the unpleasant feeling months ago.

Never would I imagined I'd be facing you. This must be fate.

Asuka had her fist tightened. She looked almost ready to jump in the match herself.

Gohan, I know how you feel, but this is the time to throw those weak feelings aside and fight. I'll fight with you, so you won't definitely lose, especially to scum like him.

Gohan made the first move and dashed at Kentaro. Kentaro punched directly at Gohan's face.

"Dodge it!" Asuka yelled out.

Gohan slipped under the punch and went for a kick to his head.

"BRACE YOURSELF!" Videl yelled.

Kentaro tightened his neck and braced for the impact. The kick nailed him straight in the head. It didn't do much damage but Kentaro did feel the attack. Gohan was utterly surprised.

"My turn!"

Kentaro tightened his fist and sent it straight at Gohan's face. He was stuck.

"BLOCK IT!" Asuka yelled.

Gohan made an X with his hands and blocked the punch. It sent him halfway across the ring. He lowered his hands, and blood trickled down his lip.

Even with my guard up, he can still create this kind of damage.

Asuka bit her lip.

I'll admit, he has gotten some good training. It's all her fault!

Asuka looked across the arena at Videl. They both meet gazes and stared each other down. Videl smiled at her.

Gohan is good. It's no question how he beat Kentaro before, but this time, it'll go much different.

Kotsu was up in the bleachers eating an apple.

My my, Gohan does live up to his rep. Kentaro isn't bad either. These girls seem to be at each other's throats too. I'm starting to see this as a 2 vs 2.

For most of the match, Kentaro and Gohan were dodging and receiving blows given command by Asuka and Videl. The whole auditorium was pumped for the match. Half of the side was cheering for Gohan. The other side Kentaro.

"NOW HIT HIM!" Asuka yelled.

Gohan built power in his fist and slammed it in Kentaro's face. Kentaro's head snapped back but he was still standing.

"PAY HIM BACK TWICE AS HARD!" Videl yelled.

Kentaro pulled his fist back and punched him deep in the stomach.

"Gaaaa!"

Gohan doubled over in pain, but barely kept posture. Asuka and Videl were carefully giving commands as their fighters were in the arena. They even imagined themselves in the ring fighting each other with Kentaro and Gohan. Kentaro fighting Gohan and Asuka fighting Videl. The four of them were moving around the ring. Shots were being thrown, sweat flying everywhere. Personal feelings were coming into play of this exciting, gut wrenching match!

"PUNCH!" The girls yelled.

"HAAAAA!"

Gohan and Kentaro's punch were both heading for their faces. Asuka and Videl both saw this coming and acted fast.

"CATCH IT!" They both yelled.

Gohan and Kentaro used their other hand and caught the other's. A loud BOOM echoed around the auditorium. Suddenly the cheers and yelling stopped. The atmosphere gotten incredibly tense, and everybody knew it, especially with the two girls basically coaching the two fighters. Videl and Asuka were growing reckless of the stalemate. They yelled at the top of their lungs.

"ATTACK!"

Gohan and Kentaro both gritted their teeth and head butted each other. Another loud BANG was heard. Blood started flowing down their heads, but neither cared. It was a test of strength for both of them. Neither one was backing down.

Kentaro, remember I'm in your corner. YOU WON'T LOSE!

Gohan, remember the pain he caused you. DON'T LOSE!

Videl, you've changed me, and made me different now. FOR YOU, I WON'T LOSE!

Asuka, you were there with me. Together, WE WON'T LOSE!

The arena grows still and quiet. Personal grudges are held. The battle between the two is coming to a close. Who's will is stronger? -Crescent Waves