Chapter 1

Videl had succeeded in the past 6 months. She found two more dragon balls, the 2-star and 7-star dragon balls, leaving her with three out of the seven orbs. She was astonished by how beautiful they looked next to each other. The next one was about a day's trip away in the 439 Mountain Area. She decided to take some time to herself as she fished in the lake she set up her house capsule next to for the night.

As she fished, she looked up at the stars out in the country. She smiled as she could clearly see nebulas and constellations without a telescope out here in the country. She felt so peaceful out here. To the point where part of her was willing to just settle down here and give up. But she knew this peace was temporary as her mind would eventually return to her mother, who was waiting to be brought home.

She returned to her house capsule and cooked her fish as she thought about what was to come with this dragon ball. So far she has had to fight more for her life than she ever had in her life, but she felt like she was getting stronger as she went on, it rekindled her love of martial arts as she spent at least 2 hours a day training her body.

In the morning she woke up to find the TV playing the news, as she fell asleep with the remote in her hands. She did a quick stretch, being careful about where she sets up camp she smiled deviously as she stripped completely naked before running out and jumping in the lake to clean herself off. For the past four months she made sure her camp was always secluded so she could skinny dip. She did it because it made her feel free. Although it made her feel a little shame, it also excited her immensely.

After getting dressed again, she recapsulised her camp and took off in her jetcopter towards the 439 Mountain area, curious why this dragon ball was so deep in the Ox-King's territory. She wasn't sure if she was ready for a fight with a renowned tyrant such as the Ox-King. But she knew nothing would get in her way of her goal to resurrect her mother, not if she could help it.

Gohan meditated in a clearing about one kilometer from his house. It was the same clearing his father would bring him to fish and just relax. He did his best to give his brother similar memories, which was lucky that Goten wanted to do everything his big brother did. Every now and then, though, Gohan did want to be out here by himself, to take time to reminisce.

He felt completely at peace as he listened to the sounds of nature around him. The sound of an engine broke the silence, surprising him enough to lose his concentration and fall into the water below him. He looked up to see a yellow jetcopter flying by him and back towards his home at a decent speed. He reached out with his ki and felt an above normal ki in the copter.

"That's unusual. We don't usually get traffic out here. Why are they heading towards home?" Gohan wondered to himself as he began chuckling to himself, "I should probably get home to make sure Goten isn't torturing anyone." He laughed as he rushed towards his house as fast as he could, passing by the jetcopter, he took a split second to peak inside and was astonished to see a beautiful raven-haired girl with pigtails staring at him in shock. He was surprised considering he barely slowed down at all, just enough for a peak, yet this normal human girl had locked eyes with him for what felt like hours. He was disappointed when he did eventually break gaze and pass by the copter at the speed of light.

As Videl flew towards the dragon ball, she felt a familiar aura that she hadn't felt since the Cell Games wrapped up. She looked out her window as she felt it passed by, and she could see the spiky hair and onyx eyes of a boy her age, looking at her with as much shock as she had on her face.

As he disappeared from sight, she saw a streak of light passing by her, heading in the same direction she was going. 'Is it possible? Was... was that Gohan?' she thought to herself as she sped up, thoughts racing through her head, 'Is he searching for the Dragon Balls too? Does he live out here? Why else would he be out here? If he is looking for the Dragon Balls then I better hurry and get there before him!'

Gohan arrived at home and stood outside the door of his house as Goten plowed through the door to tackle him. Gohan expected this and powered up in anticipation so that he wouldn't get taken down. Goten looked up at him and frowned, "I almost got you big brother!" Goten exclaimed as Gohan chuckled. He felt out the power and noticed the copter in the distance.

"Goten, we might have company soon. Remember the rules for acting around humans. Go tell mom that we might have a visitor." Gohan ordered his brother as Goten smiled widely, excited to make a new friend. Goten rushed inside and told his mother who smiled and prepared some tea. She'd be damned if she wasn't polite, even to complete strangers.

Videl landed a bit away from the house as she looked down at Gohan who smiled and waved nervously. Normally when travelers came through, he was cool and collected, but he had never thought he would meet someone so beautiful traveling through his woods.

Videl hopped out of her copter and glared at Gohan. She capsulized her copter and walked over to Gohan. Remembering her manners, she spoke "Hello, My name is Videl Satan." She introduced herself confidently as Gohan was taken back by this girl. She radiated an aura of strength and intelligence.

"Uh, hi? I'm Son Gohan. Might I ask why you are here? We haven't had travelers pass by in a few years." Gohan asked curiously as he noticed a big smile appear on her face before her arms wrapped around him. Gohan and Videl both blushed as Videl hadn't smiled this genuinely in years. She was actually happy to have an opportunity to meet the true savior of the world.

She broke away from him and looked down shyly, "Sorry about that, I recognize you from the Cell Games Broadcast." she explained as Gohan was aghast, fearful of what she might say, "Thank You so much for saving us all." she replied, noticing his face contorted into fear.

Gohan visibly relaxed at this and nervously asked, "How do you recognize me exactly? Most people know me as the Delivery Boy."

Videl giggled slightly remembering Sharpener's declaration to become stronger than the delivery boy. "I heard your dad say your name on the tape. Most people didn't hear that part, but I did." She smirked confidently.

Gohan shrugged, "I guess that makes sense. But I still have to ask why you're here. Like I said, we don't get many travelers anymore and I doubt you came all the way out here to thank me." Gohan requested her purpose.

Videl shifted nervously, "I don't know if you'd believe me. But I'm searching for some magical wish granting orbs called Dragon Balls." she pulled her own dragon radar out and showed him, "According to my dragon ball radar, there is a dragon ball close by, and I was wondering if I could look around your property for it." Videl asked as Gohan inspected the dragon radar impressed by how advanced it is compared to Bulma's radar.

"Well then, that begs the question, what is your wish?" Gohan asked with a straight face as Videl scowled.

"My reasons are private, and even if you saved the world, it certainly doesn't entitle you to those reasons!" She yelled angrily as Gohan was surprised by her outburst.

"It's my business because our dragon ball has sentimental value. We won't just give it up, so I want to know your reasons or you won't get it from us." Gohan stated simply as Videl scowled at his response.

They stared at each other, despite their standoff, Gohan couldn't help but admire her deep cerulean eyes, filled with anger and sadness. A sadness he could recognize and his face fell slightly as he felt a conflict in her.

Just as she was about to respond, he held his hand up, "You don't have to tell me, you want to bring someone back to life don't you?" Gohan asked her, painfully knowing he won't like the answer.

Videl was surprised that he figured it out, but she could swear that she felt his sadness radiating from him. It pained him to ask her that, knowing that he could relate to the pain of loss. "Y-yes. I want to bring someone back to life. I miss her and she was taken too soon." tears began stinging her eyes as she felt vulnerable in the presence of this boy.

"GOHAN! Did you make that poor girl cry!?" Chi-Chi's voice broke the tension as Videl wiped her eyes and gave a fake smile.

"It's okay Mrs. Son, I'm fine." Videl said with a trembling voice.

"It's clearly not by the sound of your voice dear. Would you like to come in for some tea?" Chi-Chi offered kindly as Videl nodded politely. "Great! Gohan, be nice to her." She smacked him lightly with a wooden spoon before turning to go inside before stopping, "By the way dear, please excuse Goten, he's very excitable." she said cheerfully as she stepped inside.

Gohan motioned for her to enter politely as she smiled at him, Gohan easily noticed the façade she had put up, feeling the pain behind her smile.

As Videl entered the warm home she could feel the air of loss that plagued it for so long. Anyone else would believe it was a happy home, filled with a kind matriarch and her two odd but well-raised sons.

But beneath it, Videl felt the loss they felt every day for the unfulfilled role of a patriarch. The closest she felt to the warm feeling that only a father can bestow, was the shrine near the door. A shrine that housed the treasure she sought.

She kept looking at it as she sat with the family for a cup of tea. It didn't take long for Chi-Chi to notice her eyeing their prize.

"So youre after the dragon balls?" Chi-Chi asked politely, with a slight sting in her voice.

Videl looked at her hands sadly, doubt filled her mind as she felt as though she couldnt just whisk away the primary source of light in this otherwise dark home.

"I assume Gohan has already asked for your reasons. That dragon ball belonged to my Goku, it's the reason he and I met. I hope you have a good wish to make." Chi-Chi explained as she smiled lightly at this girl.

Gohan listened intently, feeling the sadness fill her as she struggled to speak. Tears stung her eyes as her voice trembled, "I have a reason, a-and I, uh, I dont know if it's a good enough reason to receive it from you all." Her eyes fell closed as she attempted to stop tears streaming down her face. She was about to ask them for a strong source of warmth in their home be given to her, possibly causing them pain in the process.

She inhaled heavily as she felt a hand on hers, she hadn't realized how tightly she balled up her fist until now. She looked at the source of the hand to see Gohan's goofy smile. He looked over to his mom. "I dont know the details, but somebody passed away, she wants to bring them back." Gohan said as he stood and walked over to the shrine and retrieved their dragon ball.

"I can think of worse reasons to collect the dragon balls." Gohan continued as he set it in front of her. She hesitantly put her hand on it, all of these orbs had an odd energy flowing through them, but this energy was more warm and kind.

Gohan's hand again rested on hers as she grabbed the ball. "My one condition is that I come with you. I know where the 1-star ball is, and it's not easily attainable by normal humans." Gohan explained as she focused on his hand on hers.

She had blushed deeply as her heart fluttered at his touch. She hadnt felt like this since her mother was alive. She looked deep in his eyes as he smiled at her. She nodded in agreement, "Ha-Happy to have you." Her confidence shook around this boy as she agreed to travel with him.

Chi-Chi watched the interaction happily as she gave her blessing for her eldest son to travel with this dragon-ball hunter.

She was offered to stay the night in the guest room, and the two would leave in the morning. As they spoke, Chi-Chi learned of Videl's accomplishments. At such a young age, Videl graduated high school, became an accomplished engineer, even meeting and impressing Bulma Briefs during an internship at Capsule Corp.

If she didnt think she'd make a good wife for her Gohan before, she certainly did now, and she was not afraid to mention it to the embarassed teens.

End Chapter

Gohan joins Videl's journey, and they will search for the remaing three Dragon Balls.

I will try and keep the chapters short and sweet.

In an effort to hear people's opinions and reviews. I will not do too many Author's Notes, and will not explain my writing. I will try to reply to reviews via Private Messaging.

Please Review and thank you for reading.