To guest Tactician:

Damn, why didn't I think of that? That's hilarious.

I think I'll save it for later, perhaps after the shock of Gohan's appearance has worn off.

To guest Iwik:

At this point, the world is pretty much still in shock, but it has already started to wear off. And Gohan's actions at the end of ch4 Fury was a pretty rude wake-up call as well.

Note: It is Monday.

Chapter 6

Purity I

A black abyss. That was the only way to describe the place Videl found herself in.

Yet slowly, it lifted. She felt like she was ascending, as if rising through water. As she did, she felt herself more clearly. Until finally, she once again found herself within her own body.

She slowly opened her eyes. Everything was white at first. Then her vision became clearer, and she figured out that she was in a room made of white stone.

She was on something soft. A bed. With covers drawn over her. It was comfortable. She didn't move, except for her eyes. She did not want to move.

'Where am I?' She asked herself. The last thing she remembered clearly was hugging Gohan. After that, it was vague. But she did remember being moved about. Carried.

Or was she? It felt like a dream. It felt like she was still dreaming. But she was in a place she had never been before. Maybe it wasn't a dream?

'So where did he take me?' She then asked herself. Even though she came equally short on this answer, she still felt better. Gohan had taken her somewhere. She was safe here. She felt safe here.

Involuntarily, her mind went back to the events just before the darkness had claimed her.

The warehouse. The men.

And Gohan…

Did that really happen? She didn't want to believe it. And yet…

With a deep sigh she pushed it back, and moved a little. Yes, her body was still intact. Somehow. She had seen her wrist snap like a twig, yet when she looked at it, it was like it was never broken. It looked, moved and felt… perfect.

And it was covered by a red wristband.

She moved the cover off her.

She was dressed in clothes she had never worn before. Brown shoes, flexible and comfortable, yet sturdy. Lose purple pants, a red sash around her waist, and a loose purple top. And Red wristbands.

She peeked underneath her clothes. No underwear.

'Ah well.' Though she was a little embarrassed, she wasn't about to complain. The top was so loose that the mere act of turning sideways to climb out the bed exposed her.

Yet she didn't feel exposed at all.

There was no fear either.

All she felt was safety. And happiness. A strange, unnatural happiness.

'Was it a dream?' She wondered once again. 'Am I dead?'

She looked down at her hands again. 'I don't feel dead.'

She looked around the room one more time. There was a large door, and it was open. Was it ok for her to walk out?

Probably, or the door wouldn't be open.

Slowly she walked out. Her flexible shoes clapped against the white tile and echoed through the halls as she moved.

This was such a strange place. The white stone of the walls floors and ceilings were carved and shaped. And the air was so thin, she felt light headed.

She walked through the hall. Many doors were shut. Some were open, and she looked inside of them. Some had beds in them. Others were storerooms. None of them had people.

Finally, she came upon a large staircase, with an open door at the top. Through the door she could see the blue sky.

She climbed the stairs and left the building.

She was on some kind of platform, completely covered in white tiles. There were a few green trees, butterflies and some birds.

"Where am I?" She asked out loud.

At her voice, she heard movement coming from behind the trees.

A man, or something that resembled a man, came into view. Videl was reminded of pictures she had seen of a genie. She was also reminded of a racial stereotype.

"Ah, you are awake." The man said kindly. He had a pleasant voice. "How do you feel?"

"I feel really good actually. Thank you." She said politely.

"That is very good to hear." The man replied. "Even though your body was healed, you were asleep for some time."

"I guess I was just really tired." She replied, smiling a little, and feeling a bit embarrassed. She looked around. For all she saw, there was nothing but blue sky beyond the edge of the platform.

"Where am I?" She then asked.

"You are on Kami's Lookout." The stranger replied.

"Kami's Lookout." She repeated. Strange, she wasn't all that surprised. She looked back to the genie. "Are you Kami?" She then asked out of the blue. Even she didn't know where that came from, and to be honest, it felt a little rude to just ask it. Yet she did it.

"That is incorrect." He replied. "I am Mr. Popo. I care for the Lookout, and assist Kami as needed." He smiled gently at her. "And you are Videl Satan. Gohan has spoken fondly of you while you slept."

"Gohan." She repeated. She felt something ignite within her chest. She wanted to see him. "Do you know where he is?" She asked Mr. Popo.

"Indeed." He nodded. And started walking. "Come. I will take you to him."

And she followed him without question. As they walked back inside, Videl looked around again, noting the many carvings in the white stone.

"Kami's Lookout." She repeated.

"Yes." Mr. Popo replied. "Gohan brought you here. The current Kami, Dende, is a close friend of Gohan."

"Of course." She thought out loud as she nodded. "It would make sense for Gods to know each other."

"No." The man next to her said. "Gohan may have extraordinary powers, but he is not a God, and does not wish to be seen as one."

"He isn't?" Now she was really surprised. "Then what is he? An angel?"

"He is an Earthling, just like you." Mr. Popo replied, still kindly, and clearly not growing tired of answering her questions anytime soon. "He has a power that even Dende could never match, but he is no deity."

"That's…" Videl shook her head. She had barely wrapped her head around him being a God. And now he was not. How can someone like that not be one?

It was hard to form a coherent thought. Her head felt fuzzy, yet clear. Empty, almost.

If it wasn't for the fact that she'd never be able to imagine a place like this, she'd think she was still dreaming. It was all like a living dream. As if she could wake up…

…in that warehouse.

She froze for a second. And had to take a deep breath, repressing the thought.

Mr. Popo halted his own stride for a moment, and silently waited for her.

Now the two were walking quietly, until they arrived at a strange door.

"We are here." Her guide announced.

Videl looked at a door, a large one, slightly ajar. Looking aside, and receiving an encouraging nod, Videl grabbed the handle, and pulled it open completely.

She walked in. She did not see Gohan, just another room. Was it a room? It looked bigger. She walked over the tiles, to what seemed to be the outside.

Mr. Popo didn't follow her in, he just remained at the door.

She walked out a little further, and looked beyond the tiles. There was nothing there. Just whiteness. She couldn't even see where the ground ended and the sky began.

She walked forward, towards the edge of the tiles.

"Careful now." A new voice sounded.

It made her jump a little. Someone was there. She had been so captivated by this place she must have walked right by him.

He was tall, and green, wearing white robes with a little red. In his hand he held a long wooden staff. And on his head were two antennas.

"I see you are awake." He said to her. "I am Dende, pleased to meet you."

'Kami.' Videl found herself face to face with the one and only Kami.

She felt overwhelmed. A little frightful, yet happy.

"Greetings." She bowed to him, having absolutely no clue on what to do now, but didn't want to offend him.

"It is alright." He said to her. "A friend of Gohan's is a friend of mine."

She looked around, a little uncertain.

"Go ahead, ask." Dende encouraged her.

"What is this place?" She asked.

"This is the Room of Spirit and Time, or the Time Chamber." Dende replied. "Time flows differently in here." He glanced back at the open door. "When you close the door, that is." He smiled at her, giving a little nod to the door.

"Why would Gohan be here?" Videl wondered out loud.

"Gohan was pretty angry when he found you." Dende answered, sounding a little sad. "He needed a bit of space to himself. A place where he could unwind a little, and clear his head. It is why the door has not been shut."

"I see." Videl said simply. These things were coming at her so fast, it made her head spin, yet she could understand it all so easily. Her mind felt light, yet calm. Clear. Tranquil.

And her heart felt heavy, her emotions so intense. They seemed to lead her mind, rather than the other way around. They filled her being, yet didn't overtake her.

It was so strange. She never felt like this before. She had never been in this position before either.

"Can I go to him?" She then asked.

"No." Dende replied simply.

"Is it forbidden?" Videl wondered.

"No, but the gravity outside of this place is ten times higher." He informed her. "You would not survive."

"Oh." She looked to the white floor. Ten times the gravity.

She smiled to herself. Here she was, casually chatting with Kami. Unbelievable, yet she didn't even doubt this was real.

Kami, a friend of Gohan's.

She turned back to him. "How did you and Gohan become friends?" She wondered.

"That is a long story." Dende replied. "And Gohan is on his way here already. Another time, maybe."

"He's coming?" Videl looked, but didn't see him.

No reply. They just waited as the seconds slowly ticked by. Then she saw a blue sparkle in the white.

Within the blink of an eye, Gohan had crossed the distance, and now hovered just before her.

"You finally woke up." He said to her as a greeting.

She needed a second to convince herself he really was there. To her, he almost blinked into existence. But she already had accepted his powers were real, and moved on.

"You're the third to say that." She remarked, amused. "Did I really sleep that much?"

"A few hours, I think." Gohan replied, setting down now.

"A few hours." She repeated. "Wow, I must have really been out of it."

"Well, you did go through a lot." Gohan sated, though casually, he sounded somewhat sad about it.

Without even thinking about it, Videl moved forward. Since she couldn't quite reach his cheek, she settled for kissing him on his chest.

"I… didn't even thank you for saving me." She said as she looked up at him. "So thank you."

"You're welcome." Gohan put a hand around her neck.

Videl closed her eyes, and thoroughly enjoyed his touch. How she wished to remain like this, in the safety of his embrace. And she remembered how she had pressed herself against him before, wearing nothing but her boots and gloves that time.

"Did I…" Gohan started, but cut himself short. He sounded hesitant.

"Did you what?" She asked him.

"Did I come in time?" He asked, sounding worried now.

Videl blushed a little bit. This boy, who might as well be a God, was worried over her maidenhood.

"Yes." She replied. "You did."

She could feel him sigh in relief.

Videl heard the soft thud of boots setting down. She pressed away from Gohan lightly, and looked past him.

Another green man. Taller, and more masculine. And wearing the same clothes she was. Come to think of it, so was Gohan.

"Dende." The second man spoke. "You were right."

"Of course I was right." Dende replied, sounding a little proud.

"Come." Gohan led her to the door.

"Maybe you should stay for a bit." The second green man suggested. "You could use a little meditation. And your friend as well."

"I think that is a great idea." Dende nodded. "We'll close the door, so feel free to take your time."

"Thanks Dende." Gohan smiled at the other. "For everything."

'Everything?' Videl wondered.

"You're welcome." Dende smiled at his friend, and left the place, shutting the door behind him.

Gohan looked to Videl, and grinned awkwardly. "So, here we are then." He stated, clearly not knowing what to do now.

So strange, was this the same guy who saved her a few hours ago? The same person, wrapped in gold, not thinking twice about killing seven people on her behalf.

If she hadn't seen him change with her own eyes, she couldn't have believed it.

But she did, and it drove all doubt from her mind.

"What are you going to do now?" She asked him, feeling more than a few tads curious.

"I'm going to mediate." Gohan replied, sitting down to do just that.

And Videl sat down across of him. And looked at him. Not observed, or watched, or even examined him. For the very first time, she looked at him with unbiased eyes.

He was strong. He looked strong. His arms were thick and toned, as was his neck. His chest, or what little she could see, was wide and defined, his shoulders broad.

His face hardened, yet not unkind. His closed eyes that held sadness, yet told her of joy and happiness.

His hair springy and unruly, and completely natural. And as black as her own.

Truly the body of a God.

'But he is not a God.' She reminded herself. 'But if he is not, then what is he? He can't be Human, can he?'

"Gohan?" She started, slightly hesitant, but also feeling secure in his kindness.

He opened his eyes, and looked at her.

"Are you really not a God?" She asked.

"Of course I'm not a god." He looked a bit angry, and a bit sad, but it wasn't directed at her. If he's not a God, it must be frustrating that people keep calling him one.

"Then how do you do that?" She then asked. Yes, this was something she had been wondering ever since she first saw Saiyaman in action. How does he do that?

"Do what?" He asked, looking rather confused.

"That light thing." She continued. The word 'trick' had been at the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it. This was no trick.

"You mean this?" He asked, holding up one hand, and formed a ball of blue in it.

It was beautiful. Videl leaned over slightly and admired it. It looked so mesmerizing.

"How do you do that?" She asked again, looking up at him.

"How do you breath?" He asked back.

She stared at him. "I'm serious." She said. "What is that?"

"It's energy." He replied. "Using it comes as natural as breathing to me."

"Energy?" She repeated, not understanding. "You have to have this energy to do that?"

He grinned somewhat, and scratched his neck. Before she would have thought he was making up an excuse, but now she could see he was merely looking for the right words to explain it to her.

"All living beings have energy." He started. "I have learned to draw upon it, and use it as a weapon."

"Then could I, theoretically, do that as well?" She asked. She wasn't trying to get him to divulge his secrets to her, just to understand him better.

Gohan looked at her with a bit of apprehension. Or was he merely wondering something. It was hard to tell.

Then he asked her something in return.

"Do you want to?"

Gohan looked at her, feeling pride as she created an energy blast of her own, and fired it from the platform.

Of course, once under ten times the gravity it crashed and exploded, but that didn't matter.

Videl learned to draw upon her energy, and so quickly too. Three hours ago she didn't even know what energy was, and now she was creating blasts.

Yes, she had talent.

But something had been gnawing at the back of his mind.

She felt… different, somehow. It wasn't just her energy either, the way she looked, the way she moved, there was something off about it. He couldn't quite place it.

Of course, he had expected her to behave a little different from before. After all, this was the first time they met since the alien attack, now nearly a week ago. In this time, she had been robbed of her home, her family, her friends, and the goodwill of the people.

And nearly got raped.

She had been cruelly ripped out of her life. Such a thing leaves its marks.

But this, he didn't expect this. He figured she'd be more frightful, and distrusting towards strangers, and even him. Especially him.

But there was no fear, no hostility at all. She seemed to be oddly cheerful.

Of course, she was still Videl Satan. While she was searching within herself for the energy, and moved to control it, he could see the familiar passion still burning brightly in her eyes. It hadn't dimmed in the slightest, it just seemed to be more contained, and less likely to lash out at her surroundings.

Before she felt hostile at all times, and often angry to boot. It was rather strange to sense her energy without these emotions.

He watched her create another ball. Likely her last, as she had spent a lot of energy now. For a moment, he let his glance wander over her figure.

It was the very first time he saw her in anything other than her usual white shirt and black shorts. Disregarding the nothing, of course.

These clothes allowed him to see her better. She was a dedicated fighter, and though small, she had the body of one.

At first sight she may seem small and scrawny, but her muscles were well developed, granting her surprising strength and durability. Something he had not missed during his time helping her.

She also had just the right amount of fatty tissue, somewhat hiding her developed muscles from view, without looking fat. When he held her earlier, after he had calmed down a little, he found himself surprised how well balanced her body was, no doubt the result of a well managed training schedule and diet.

It was such a pleasure to hold her to him. Soft, yet strong just underneath. Those men, they didn't even notice, they didn't care too. All they had in mind was their own desires. They had no idea of the fine beauty of the girl they were well on their way of ruining.

He took a deep breath, feeling his rage surfacing again.

He let his eyes rest on her body, as she threw another blast.

The colours of his own master looked rather strange on her, yet he liked it. But her top could use a little work though. It was obviously not meant for a woman, as when Videl moved her arm to throw the ball, it shifted and revealed a beautiful pink…

He blushed and shifted his gaze, wondering how he ended up staring directly at her breasts.

She probably needed something to cover that up. An undershirt perhaps? Like his own father used to wear.

He smiled as she looked back at him, breathing hard, yet her energy was still burning brightly. Her face was flushed with joy and excitement, and perhaps exhaustion. She gave him the thumbs up, which he promptly returned.

"I think I got the hang of it." She proclaimed. Before there would probably have been pride, and perhaps even arrogance in her voice. There was still a bit of pride, but it was different, somehow.

"Pretty much, yeah." Gohan agreed. "Let's take a break. I don't think you have much energy left to use anyway."

"I haven't been this tired for years." She stated, pretty much falling down on the spot.

"You hungry?" He asked. "I sure am." He hadn't eaten since breakfast, which was… how many hours ago? He wasn't sure.

"Not really." She replied. And looked rather confused as she placed a hand over her stomach. "Wait, why am I not hungry?" She asked out loud. "I haven't eaten since Thursday."

Gohan felt a pang of pity strike through him, though it left as fast as it came. "That would probably be the Senzu Bean I gave you." He replied. "Senzu beans restore your health and stamina, and makes hunger go away for some time, depends on how badly hurt you are."

"So that's why I'm not hurt either." Videl stated.

"Yes." Gohan nodded. And walked into the back. "Hope you don't mind, but I'm starving."

"You and your appetite." She shook her head, though in amusement.

He moved to get his food. She was watching him silently from the sidelines. Her energy felt calm and peaceful, yet her silent watching was making him nervous.

'Is there something wrong with her after all?' He wondered.

"Hey Gohan." She suddenly called. "I know you saved me, gave me this bean and brought me here, but how did you even know where I was?"

Ah, he didn't get around to telling that part, did he?

"Kami told me." He grinned back at her.

"Kami." She repeated. "Err… Dende, was it?"

"Yes." Gohan nodded, not interrupting his preparations. "He told me what was going on, and where you were."

"But how did he know?" She asked. "Is he omniscient?"

"Not at all." Gohan replied calmly. "He knew, because you sent a prayer to him."

"A prayer?" She repeated, looking dumbfounded, and probably trying to remember said prayer.

"It was more like a mental curse, or something." He replied, not sure himself. Dende didn't explain that part. It wasn't important in the heat of the moment. "But it was enough to get his attention. Usually he can't intervene directly, but he knew you were a friend of mine, so he contacted me, and let me handle the rest."

Videl looked speechless for a moment. "You… thought of me as a friend?"

Gohan paused for a moment, hearing the emotional tone in her voice. He didn't even need her energy to know her feelings.

"Of course." He replied. "What else would you be?"

She looked aside for a moment. "I guess I just wasn't sure." She sighed. "I have been horrible to you, haven't I?"

"If it was really that bad, I would have done something a long time ago." He reached out, and let his fingers slide through her short hair.

Greasy hair.

Come to think of it, she didn't smell all that good either.

"Why don't you go and take a nice relaxing bath?" He suggested.

She blinked. The words taking three whole seconds to sink in.

Then she scowled. Right back to the Videl he knew.

"Why, do I smell that much?" She asked defensively.

"I have a really sensitive nose." He tried. And realised that was the wrong answer.

Usually there would be an outburst of anger. Though he still saw the anger, she didn't let it burst out. Instead, she just averted her eyes.

"Fine." She sighed. And turned to take a bath.

Gohan frowned again. Something was seriously off.

On the other hand, considering everything that happened to her the last week, perhaps it would have been more worrying if there wasn't.

Videl had taken her bath, and as she didn't bring fresh clothes, she was forced to put her only set back on.

Or go naked.

Old clothes it was then. She did regret not having something to cover up her chest. If it was just Gohan, then she didn't really mind. He had seen her already. She had been naked when he rescued her, and probably until he dressed her once he brought her here.

At least, she hoped it was him, she didn't really want anyone else to have seen her skin.

Gohan had clearly finished his meal, and was now sitting against a pillar, meditating.

She walked over to him. She could hear her footsteps echo. To her left she could see the white void, stretching on until the border between ground and sky had vanished completely.

There was nothing here. Nothing but them. It unnerved her.

So she looked back at Gohan, deep in trance.

'Always the dependable one, isn't he?' She thought to herself. 'He is so kind. Even though he had every right to hate me, he just didn't. He even rescued me, just because he could.

I guess that's why he can ride the Nimbus Cloud, and I can't.

He really is pure of heart.'

She hunched down right in front of him. So focused, and so calm. His sculpted chest moved slowly with his regular breathing. It was like he didn't even notice her being here.

She smiled slightly to herself. She decided to sit down next to him, closed her eyes, and took a couple of deep breaths.

Once again, the memory of that warehouse resurfaced. But this time on purpose. Thanks to her training and experience with the police, she knew it was not good to keep repressing those feelings and memories.

The longer one represses them, the stronger they become, until one day, they can not be repressed anymore, and break free.

No, it was better to let it flow. It was not going to be pleasant. But here, under Gohan's protection, in the safety of his reach, she decided this was the time.

She let her mind go back in time.

Two events stood out.

And neither of them had to do with the actual nearly being raped part. In fact, compared those two, that part hardly bothered her at all. What she did remember was mostly just pain and helplessness.

No, it was what came just before, and just after it. Her failure at saving herself. Her strength, the one thing she had left, finally leaving her as well.

As immediately afterwards, Gohan arrived. He didn't even need to do anything, he just had to be, and everything changed instantly.

So powerful. Less a person and more an embodiment of power.

What is it like to hold such power? When he told her he had killed her assailants, he sounded sad, remorseful even. He clearly had let himself slip for a moment. Seven men gone, in the blink of an eye, crushed like bugs.

Her assailants. She recalled their faces. No a hard thing to do, since they all and one especially were burned into her mind.

Last week she had arrested them. And abused her power to vent her frustrations on them, just because she…

Something clicked in her mind.

Yes, she wanted to feel powerful.

Saiyaman's appearance had made her feel weak. She put so much effort in her job, and he did it so easily. Not strange, considering who he turned out to be.

She took it out on them.

And the appearance of the Golden God had made the whole world feel powerless. And these men, they had felt weak. That wasn't about lust, or desire, that was about power, plain and simple. Nothing quite says 'I'm more powerful than you' quite like rape. They had tried to regain their feeling of power and control by stealing hers.

In the end, she got what she had been handing out.

Make no mistake, Videl was not excusing them. They were responsible for their own actions. She simply realised that, in the end, what she had done wasn't so different.

She took a deep breath. She did the one thing she had not been able to do before. 'I am weak.' She told herself. 'And that is ok.'

Her breath escaped her lips. And with it, it felt like a weight fell from her heart.

Yes. She was weak. She hid in her pride, her arrogance, her physical strength, using people as stepping stones just to give herself the illusion of strength.

But when the truly powerful rose, her illusion had shattered. Her influence, her popularity, her friends, even her own strength, it was empty.

It was time to let go.

She opened her eyes a little, and looked at the boy next to her. The one whose mere presence had overturned the world. Whose power was real.

Was she envious? Most definitely. Who wouldn't be? He was strong, good looking and intelligent. Plenty of people were envious of him, even before he revealed his divine powers.

'Divine?' She asked herself. 'But he's not a God.' She reminded herself once again as she let her eyes slide over handsome face. A strange feeling made itself known in her chest. One she was sure had never been there before.

'I'm not falling for him, am I?' She reflected to herself. 'I can't be getting into something as cliché as a Rescue Romance, can I? Or is it Stockholm Syndrome? He did take me here without my permission, so, technically, he did kidnap me.'

The thought made her chuckle slightly. She was well aware of the privilege she had been given, not just to be here, but to learn his powers.

She held out her hand, and sent a small flow of energy through it, making a small ball. Her energy. Her very own power. Real power.

Nothing could describe this feeling. Something she had believed to be a lie. She believed to be divine. And now it was hers. Truly hers.

She looked up once again, looking at his features. So powerful, yet so calm and relaxed.

She smiled to herself. It was mind boggling. Even more so since he wasn't a God. Even though he had such power. As did she now. 'Does that make me a goddess?' She thought to herself.

'Yeah, no!' She shook her head, still watching the guy. He was in such a deep trance he hadn't even taken notice of her. His mind must be clear, unlike her own, where one thought after the other kept racing through. So focused.

Still smiling she just looked at him for a few moments. He looked so peaceful. So calm. So…

Did she just hear him snore?

She felt her smile melt off her face.

'He's not meditating, he's napping...' She realised. And yawned.

'Actually, that's not such a bad idea.' She told herself. And looked at the boy one more time. It was rather jarring, even though he said he wasn't a God, somehow, this idea had just lodged itself in her head. Probably has something to do with his enormous power, and the fact he was quite literally glowing.

And here he was now, having fallen asleep while meditating.

It was just so…

Human.

End of Chapter

I'm sorry to have this cut short in the middle, but this chapter was twice as long as the other ones, so I had to cut it in half. Luckily, there was a small cut right here, so I didn't have to alter the story to make two neat parts.

I thank MrChuckMan for taking the time to help me with this chapter. It was a bit of a mess at first.