Chapter 10: New relationships

A/N: Sorry for the delay, for all of those living in the states please stay safe. Those outside take care of yourselves.

Returning back home and to school hadn't been the simplest transition. Gohan required a hefty bit of explaining to his girlfriend Erasa that he was helping Videl and not 'with' her. But that had been a bit easier to get around with Videl telling her childhood friend that there was nothing going on, though Erasa did feel a bit skeptical of that. Yet Gohan told her that he was sorry and just wanted to do something nice for Videl so they could really be friends.

So as 'punishment' Gohan had to walk her into school everyday for a week and take her out for ice cream and a date so all in all. A pretty light sentence all things considered. Speaking of which, Gohan was currently walking with said girlfriend into the main school. "You are just too sweet sometimes Gohan!" Erasa giggled Gohan had his backpack over his shoulder while carrying her books in his other arm as one was currently being held up by a blonde female.

Not that it appeared to be a secret anymore, the sophomore stud and equivalent genius was now officially dating someone.

But there was always room for rumors, this was high school and Gohan wasn't aware of one thing about Erasa's family history. That being-

'Wow she must really slut it up to get Son Gohan's attention.' The terse and harsh words meant for private conversations were heard by the demi saiyans ears. It made the long hair on his back twitch slightly. He couldn't understand how people could be so cruel? They had just faced annihilation by Cell not too long ago and they seemed to act like the petty squabbles were important. Wasn't there more to life than just belittling one another?

'Well I mean her mom was big in the porno industry, why do you think every guy here knows the famous Dick racer or Cock eraser from those crappy B grade adult parody movies she starred in. I'm sure her mom's passed on a trick or two to her daughter. I mean think about it- what does Erasa have that every other girl doesn't in this school?'

The back and forth between the two people talking, amongst other less nefarious cruel whispers was upsetting. Yet he also thought about how quickly Erasa had pushed him that one night, not that he had objected to it. She'd given him one hell of a handjob and he'd never felt well anything like that. But he didn't try to dwell on her actions as she had remained all smiles and hadn't done anything like that since.

He was enjoying more of the feeling of his arm touching two very soft fleshy pillows. 'I wonder how they'd actually feel…' Gohan's eyes swung down slightly to look quickly at the pair of nice feeling female breasts pushed up against him.

The entered the building together, Erasa still happily humming away as the two stopped by her locker first, as was appropriate the was the lady.

"Thank you Gohan." She planted a soft kiss on his cheek make the teen blush despite the amused snickers from those around the pair. She plucked out her books from his hands and set the first couple classes she'd need in her hands.

As she was busy her locker friend came up beside them. "How is the prisoner Warden?" Videl said laughing as Gohan shot her a glare for a second.

Erasa joined in with a giggle. "He's doing fine. But I think in a few more days I might," jokingly using the word might as she put her fingers in Gohan's hair.

"Oh come Erasa." He said looking away from her, trying to find something else to look at, her long nails felt quite good on his scalp.

"Oh is my wittle Gohan feeling like I'm becoming more of a ball and chain?" Teasing Gohan was her favorite, mostly because Gohan had the most priceless reactions. Of course that wasn't everything, his sweetness. It was practically a flavor to her.

Best of all she had given her own confidence back, Gohan was her boyfriend. She had gotten a little… well Erasa had to be honest with herself it was almost a shock to her.

That night when they had gotten into that pillow fight she had fled down the hallway and tried to hide in the bathroom, it was all in good fun of course, but then she heard the thud and when she peeked out from the door she saw something tear at her confidence just a little bit. It was Gohan sprawled over Videl, and her friend remained there quiet wearing barely anything beneath her boyfriend. She felt something sting inside of her.

Sure she had been 'jealous' of Videl, who wouldn't be, everyone was jealous of her. Videl was pretty, smart, strong, athletic, the pinnacle of the school-until Gohan- and she was the daughter of the man who saved the world.

Videl would always be her friend, but that didn't mean that Erasa wasn't worried about Videl taking something from her. I mean by comparison what did she have that Videl didn't?

She was sort of the opposite of Gohan while her friend seemed to be the perfect match, and admitting that to herself was hard. Ignoring it considering how poorly Videl treated Gohan at first had begun to give way to more feelings of inadequacies and she wanted to be sure that her boyfriend remained that way. Sure feelings could change and all, but right now she wanted to be Gohan's one and only. He wasn't the type of guy who liked to look around at other girls.

He certainly wasn't-

"So it's finally out, huh? You're cheating on me Erasa?"

The devil was certainly in the details. The blonde was wearing a none too pleased expression. His hands were in his pockets as his lips were pressed flat, his eyebrows were slanted into sharp angles. Sharpner hadn't come back until today from his spring break, there were always a few extra days that could be skipped when you were having fun. He'd come back to some exciting text messages and saw his fair share of how Erasa was gushing over Gohan. Not that he couldn't picture it, he just thought Erasa or hell Gohan wouldn't have the gall to do 'him like that'.

Erasa turned around walking up to Sharpner unafraid of his intimidating attitude. She drew up one finger and poked him in the chest. "Me and you were a thing last year, but I'm not with you anymore."

Gohan looked to Videl, what exactly was he supposed to do?

But Videl didn't seem to be interested in offering him some of that advice. She crossed her arms ready to act-if needed- but this was her friend's issue to work out. Erasa was a big girl too she couldn't step in everytime her friend had a problem. Erasa wanted to play the games with Sharpner and Gohan, she might've been playful in how she told her ex off but he clearly hadn't got the message.

"Since spring break? Erasa I'd figure of all the people who know how I take pride in my image. You should know how I dislike being belittled by my girl and," His eyes shifted to Gohan who found something more interesting on the ceiling to look at. "So you're going to give me a reason?" He threw up his hands almost expectantly, he wanted to know why-though he might have a good idea. He wanted to hear her say it.

"No, I don't need a reason, but since you asked so nicely." She took her one hand and gestured to Gohan, "I upgraded, someone who helps me with my grades, who cares about how I am doing, and doesn't look at me like I'm his trophy girl on the side." She then raised one finger to Sharpner's face. "But would you like to hear the biggest detail?" Her voice became mocking, it made the blonde brow on her ex's face to twitch slightly.

"Please," His voice obviously strained. "Do tell?

"He's way cuter but most of all." She then slipped back and put her hand in with Gohan's. "I appreciate a guy who cares about me for me and not these." Bouncing her developed chest for emphasis.

Gohan waited, his eyes waiting for Sharpner's reaction. The jock's hands came back down to his sides there was heavy pressure as his fists tightened up but no lashing out. No harsh reprisals to Erasa's clear declaration.

"Fine… if that's how you want to play this game then Erasa… We'll play it your way." Without waiting for a reply he whirled around his hand digging into his pocket and pulling out his cellphone to make some important texts to handle the situation.

"Hmph!" Erasa said proudly puffing herself up a little bit. "Well… now that that's," Looking at her Boyfriend. "Shall we?"

Gohan gestured for her to lead which she did so proudly. It was official that Gohan and Erasa were now a couple.

Walking alongside her in the hallway had become only mildly embarrassing, as Gohan received more than his fair share of unwarranted dirty looks.

Yet Erasa made him feel better about himself. He'd never had a girl like her before, hell period. It was what surprised him, she seemed immune to all of the bad things, never getting embarrassed or bothered. She just kept smiling and doing all of the subtle things. It wasn't everyday but it was something new.

As they arrived at her class she leaned up and pecked his cheek. "Thanks for the escort, see you in chemistry later." A hug and a pat later she was gone into class, waving hi to her friends and knowing that in a period she'd be sitting next to him and saying how much she had missed him and how happy she was to be back with him.

'And even I have to admit… I like hearing that.'

[*****]

"Mr. Heed you know I'm not the best with soccer (Insert Football for those not american)." Gohan slightly protested being forced into playing the sport, it was more than abundantly clear Gohan's far greater than average athletics were a problem when playing.

But the coaching staff were always super adamant about getting Gohan on a sports team. Hell any athletics would be top notch. Gohan's first time playing baseball had him leading off- even for gym- with five home runs. He'd hit the ball so hard it broke through the fence. Other times he had a vertical leap over seven feet to catch a stray ball!

Then they had tried him out at soccer and he'd kicked the ball so hard he dented the crossbar, Gohan had been the goalie at the time, not to mention the goal was the one on the other side of the field.

Then there was him cracking the backboard when throwing a three pointer and his state record shattering one mile run. Even if it wasn't officially recorded Gohan's time was beyond exceptional. That and with a mind like his there wouldn't be a school in the entire world that wouldn't want to come here and meet him.

More school prestige was always needed, and Gohan would get publicity, as a teacher he couldn't understand why the young man wouldn't want to get involved.

Said young half superhuman always had trouble controlling his strength, like trying to use a jackhammer as a chisel. Sure he could handle things but when kicking or hitting things there was a struggle keeping himself in 'human' levels.

Yet they wanted him to go out and play soccer. 'Ughhh.'

Wearing his crisp white shirt with white bottoms with an orange ring around the bottom-the schools signature athletic uniform- Gohan was standing as both team captains were picked, the usual crowd of kids as Videl-de facto team captain always and another student were going to pick teams. Well the first five anyway, after that the teacher would grab half and half of what was left and stick them on either team.

"Alright Videl who do you pick first?"

Videl looked about, knowing the usual group she had her selection but she was going to mix it up. Afterall she had to show her new teacher that she'd be willing to help him out. "Gohan."

'Wait what?' He looked surprised, normally Videl would want to be- 'oh, I see'

Gohan headed over to Videl's side as the other student picked out the members on their team. "So I'll assume that this is the favor you promised?" He said quietly beside her.

She hid her smirk but not her pleased tone of her voice. "You helped me, I'm helping you Gohan. I know a little bit of arm twisting occurred in my favor but I think this will benefit us both. Don't worry I'll do most of the work during gym and you won't have to go crazy and take off." She hinted at their lessons but not averting her gaze from the other students.

Videl had learned some incredible things from Gohan, just the other day in fact had been truly eye opening.

"I want to do what you do Gohan, show me how to control and manage my ki." Holding up her hand in a mimic of how Gohan had shown her back at the resort. "Just like you did, show me how to do that."

Gohan released a breath, Videl it's not a switch I can snap this takes a lot of practice and strength and it's hard to just explain. But I can show you by doing it with him." Gohan stepped back and revealed his kid brother with the even crazier hair. "Goten, come here."

Her teacher had told her that he hadn't been ever given a simple course, that he'd been forced to awaken his latent powers without much say in the matter. So Gohan in practice had been working on teaching her by teaching someone else.

That person being his brother, little brother, someone who was about to turn four. Wearing purple pants and a white shirt while Gohan wore a blue training gi with no sleeves. "We gunna pway?"

Gohan smiled, "Not play Goten, remember how we controlled our energy." Loosely translated it was playing tag and catch with ki balls but they could only keep playing if Goten was the one who made them.

"Ohhh-! Okay!" Goten was excited, bounding over Goten put both of his hands together and made a cup-like shape, interleaving his fingers as his eyes began to just stare hard at them in an effort to maximize concentration. Though he did look pretty humorous to Gohan and cute to Videl with how hard he was trying.

"Goten is doing everything he can to pull his energy out of himself. You have to be able to do the same Videl."

For her she'd always preferred seeing over hearing about it. Her eyes watched as the little tongue stuck out from Goten's mouth. His stance, the way he was holding his fingers and the sheer intensity on someone so little.

Videl recalled the way she was supposed to reach out and draw it from within. Pull it out from her stomach and then let it roll through her, visualize and believe in herself that she could do this and it would happen.

It was no different then when she learned martial arts, she had to see herself doing it before doing it. So she put her image over that of Goten's in her mind. Feeling the way the small boy was drawing out energy until-!

It sparked to life, flickering brighter and brighter until-! It took shape the small glowing yellow orb. "Wow…" Videl was still amazed by what she saw, how she couldn't wait for herself to be able to do something like that.

"Okay-! I'm ready Gohan! Let me-" She was cut off as Gohan's arm shot out and grabbed the ball of ki that had been throwntowards the two of them.

"Ooh Fast-! Throw-! Throw!" Goten cheered as he jumped into the air excitedly, he was ready for another rousing game of ki ball. Not understanding the delicate situation that his brother was in-but he didn't care it was play time when he was with his big brother.

"Alright Videl now it's time for you to practice, I have a little brother who needs to be worn out." Gohan then tossed the ki ball up into the air which Goten leapt upwards for. Videl's jaw dropped, "Did he just jump thirty feet!?"

"Probably," Gohan said, there was little point in hiding his brother's superhuman ability levels after all Gohan could fly, stressing and acting like jumping really high was a big deal seemed less important. "My little brother is just as exceptional, if not more so than when I was his age." Gohan smiled as he batted the ki ball right back up to him, knowing well that his brother couldn't fly and when he flopped back down the ball missed him.

"Aww-!" Goten whined as he watched it zip well out of his reach.

"Well make another one." Gohan said, coming over to ruffle his hair. The smaller demi saiyan offered a pout before putting back on his serious face. The teen turned back towards Videl, "Well are you going to start trying, because we don't make any progress if all you do is watch my little brother."

So that's how Videl's first lesson had gone, not the most exhilarating of experiences for her as she struggled to do what Gohan had shown her, and what his little brother had done in a manner of a minute. By the end of the day she hadn't managed anything, but Gohan said she would just have to keep trying and beginning to focus more on her own self balance.

'He told me to meditate… He is a nerd. But he's a good person.' Videl thought the teams were squared away for a quick twenty minute game of soccer. Still physical education soccer but it was some good exercise.

The game started out like normal, but Gohan immediately just felt that something was off. There were an extra three kids per side just due to the number which wasn't the problem but there was a tingle on the back of his neck.

All the kids rushed in as Gohan more or less acted the part letting Videl do her thing and be the best at everything. But as he went through the motions he wasn't paying attention when a leg came up in front of his and inside his feet. "Sh-it!" Gohan cursed as he fell forwards. Hands planting down onto the astro turf.

The rest of the group pushed away with Videl kicking the ball out of the scrum and sprinting down, dribbling it side to side with her feet and juking out one of the kids attempting to at least try and slow her down. Videl rolled right past her and fired her cannonball of a leg. The shot bounced right off of the crossbar before bouncing out of the goal. "Damn." She cursed before rushing back after the ball. Gohan came to the side and moved to pass the ball over to her, doing his absolute best to not tap the ball like he had done when playing goalie that one time.

As he moved up another student came up, and dropped into a slide- something they were told not to do- attempting to do something as aggressive and take out Gohan's legs.

The teacher's whistle blew as the student's slide was checked and matched by Gohan's planted legs. A loud pop was heard as soon as the student made contact. The painful screaming that came next made Gohan's eyes flinch slightly, it was only minor and nothing like the hell his mother could raise.

Gohan looked down and could tell that his competing student had just dislocated his knee judging by how far the joint was bulging out. 'Straight leg slide, that might've actually hurt me if I wasn't able to take a tank shell to the face and not even flinch.'

Mr. Heed came over, "This is why I tell you guys to not slide tackle, or act like wannabe pros because you do stupid things like this!" Emphasizing the student who was not in any capacity to complain about the prospect of being called stupid. "Videl go get the nurse and probably call for an ambulance, with how his leg is looking I'm going to assume he'll need one."

Mr. Heed then set about having the other students holding him still, while they hissed through their teeth at the pain. The continuing lecture from their P.E. teacher about following directions and not doing dumb things continued for another ten minutes until the school nurse, dean, and Videl returned to help get things under control.

It was just another not so typical day for Son Gohan and he had an odd feeling that things weren't going to get better.

[***]

In another section of the world Chi-Chi was standing in front of the camera, working as a critique guest star on the iron cook show. It was in between takes for the semi reality T.V. show, where live and pre-recorded pieces were shot on set.

Chi-Chi was having her make-up redone on set by two attendants while the producer on set was barking directions for the next take.

Due to the usual hustle and bustle of cinema and star life and the upcoming anniversary to a very important day there was a special guest. One who deeply annoyed Chi-Chi's sensibilities but a man she could at least respect in terms of his wealth and prestige.

'Even if it is all mostly a lie.'

"Oh come on people, the world champ is starving over here how about a little more cooking and a little less of the proverbial escargot alright, I'm the world champion and I need some full meals down here!" Hercule maintained his loud laughter.

"Of course, Mr. Satan we understand we'll be getting to that soon I promise you!" The producer and director had their noses shoved quite far up the world's champs ass that they could tell what he had for breakfast yesterday. It made CHi-Chi almost smirk with amusement.

Though as the two sat waiting for the next shot to be readied, Hercule decided to break down a little small talk with his guest host. "So you're the famous Miss. Chi-Chi."

She slowly turned her head towards him, her hair shorter, cut to framer her face with twin black bangs and the rest of her hair held a sharp sheen, it was a perfect match for the full cocktail dress she had been given to wear for the show. Sex sells, and sexy women sell it very well.

Given the look that world champ was sending her Chi-Chi knew that it was broadcasting quite the message. "It is Mrs. Chi-Chi," She corrected him. "I was a happily married woman until my husband died during the Cell games."

"Ah, that's a shame I didn't get to deliver my," He raised his hand up for emphasis. "Chop-! To the monster Cell before that happened then."

Restraining herself from snickering Chi-Chi gave a polite nod. "A shame then, now is there anything else that I can do for you, World Champ?" Adding just a bit of sarcasm to her voice.

Hercule had to laugh, she wasn't the least bit intimidated by him in fact she was almost mocking him. 'She's got fire, character, and one hell of an impressive figure.'

"Well before we jump the shark. Mrs. Chi-Chi. I hear that your son is quite the star over at the high school, the one that my own daughter is attending." Ice-breaker question, in the business world and focus should be on that of getting a person to see you as someone beyond the current image that you portrayed.

Business 101, and relationships 102.

Chi-Chi lowered her guard a bit, "He is, Gohan is at the very top at everything he does, also I have met your daughter, she is quite the young woman. She is like you and not like you in many ways."

He chuckled, grabbing the water mug in front of him and taking a quick swill. "Yes, my little videl has been handling your son's talents," being careful of his wording. "She used to come home on the days that I was home and demand that I make her stronger and faster than your son." It was a moment of pride he had as a father for his daughter. "I've never been so proud to see her work so hard, she reminds me of just how hard her mother worked."

"I never had the honor of meeting her, she sounded like an impressive woman." Chi-Chi admonished, any woman that could tolerate Hercule's antics had to be a saint.

The champ smiled, "That she was. I could say the same of your late husband, I heard he was the former world champion of martial arts. It would've been quite the honor to fight against him in a match at least once, rumor has it they had to rebuild the whole stadium after his victory."

Chi-Chi actually genuinely smiled, "yes my Goku did win that day, it was there that he proposed to me and made me his fiancee." With a slight smug grin on her face she looked at Hercule. "Though I doubt you would be able to fight my husband for very long."

"Hmph," The champ said, acting like he was deeply offended. "With how I'm planning to break my record tonight and shatter 40 tiles with one single chop tonight I doubt you will feel the same about that."

His new record breaking achievement was always to increase his strength, always pushing his limits, as the best in the world he couldn't act like he was stagnant, everything had to be impressive, over the top, and better if not bigger than before. He had to keep human hope and spirit alive, along with faith in his merchandise.

"Maybe you should've challenged him at the Cell games, I mean he did take the stage right after you…" Chi-Chi sipped some water as she rotated her chair allowing her body to wholly face the world champion. "I'm sure you remember him. Tall, blonde hair, teal eyes, orange fighting gi, and blue sash. Surely you would recall him there right?"

He blinked, 'Did… she just.' The bottom part of his jaw opened up as he tried to voice some words but they didn't form. 'No- That just can't be.' He knew that guy, the one who was performing all of those crazy tricks- 'But they had to be tricks no person could do that kind of stuff.' All of the crazy movements, those explosions, light shows, all of it had to be a trick!

He swallowed.

"I believe you do and how about that ending, Mr. Satan, you would have to admit it is certainly impressive how you defeated Cell." She dropped her head lower, and her voice just a bit lower as well, "I mean you probably wouldn't ever believe it, but there's some crazy rumor going around that a small boy who was helped out by an android who's head just happened to be thrown to him." She gave him a wicked grin, even with those deep red painted lips there was quite the foreboding feeling she gave off just looking at him. "Sound's quite absurd… don't you think?"

The champ was completely caught off guard, there was absolutely no way she could know all of that. But clearly she did. 'Now what's her angle? What does she want from it?'

Their time for question and answer faded as the producer got the ball rolling back on the set. "Alright next take people, get your faces ready to make some magic and money." He clapped his hands as he went back to his position behind numerous monitors.

"Perhaps, a discussion later?" Hercule said directing his attention back to where it needed to be.

"Sounds promising. Somewhere nice I hope?" Chi-Chi put her hands underneath her chin and a self satisfied smirk still on her lips.

"I think it would only be appropriate given the situation."

The rest of the shoot was uneventful, Chi-Chi was used to this after over two years of hard work in the entertainment industry. Her part to play was spelled out, she was to be kind but critical, degrading but uplifting in the same sense. She wasn't the harsh lecturer or critic destroying someone's self esteem and worth. More or less she was the Mom of the show, the kind that would spank her children but hug them later and reassure them that everything would be alright and that they needed to learn their lesson.

Leaving the comedy and uneducated fish out of water of one Mr. Satan who knew how to work a camera crew and set. Coming off as bombastic as he wasn't a cook but correlating it to martial arts and at the end giving pointers and autographs on how to grow as a person. It worked out quite well, even for Chi-Chi the man had Charisma if nothing else. 'Makes sense, he tricked the entire world into thinking he beat Cell for crying out loud.'

Yet later she was greeted with an address and a chauffeur to pick her up after the set, disregarding her agent's objections Chi-Chi decided to see just what the World Champ had to say about everything that had come and gone. That and she was interested in a little socializing, it would be another week until she got home and the new caregiver would be sent to look after their children once Paris was removed from her duties.

The girl would be in charge of cleaning up the home and leaving. She didn't pick up Goten or take him to daycare or look after him, that was all Gohan. Her son jumped at the chance to be rid of her and hopefully the new replacement would be a good fit and not cause further animosity with her son. She had yet to receive any other answers about what had transpired and CSB had obviously no intention of fighting with her star power and money, deciding to drop anything further after just one meeting with Chi-Chi.

Chi-Chi had dressed herself down from her show clothes into a more business casual dress suit and skirt. Looking up at the place she had been brought too, it seemed fitting, 'Casa lontano da casa, considering he's a fighter and a trainer this would probably make sense.'

Given her special directions the staff ushered her to a private table set up on the second floor for VIP's only. There she saw Hercule sitting at a table at a table, surprisingly not alone, a plethora of food already set out and his assistant sitting beside him. A small nerdy looking young man in his late twenties scrolling through a Capsule Pad for whatever reasons that she wasn't privy to.

"Ah wonderful, I ordered some appetizers, not sure what a gal like you is into for food but I'd figure a good spread is nice for starters." Hercule offered her a gesture as she took a seat across from him. "Don't mind my assistant, he'd my letterhead and just fixing up my schedule since we were all taken up for time during that shoot and I didn't have a free moment till now."

"Much appreciated," Chi-Chi picked up a menu setting it down in front of her wondering what she was in the mood for. Her eyes didn't look up before she started talking again, "Now one might be asking a few questions about this little get together, correct?" Her finger sliding over what she might like before scrolling down the list with her fingernail.

"Heh, well I can't very much look a gift horse in the mouth and just pass on it now can I? Since you know what happened I'd very much like to offer my sympathies, for what happened."

Chi-Chi looked up, "Oh?" Curiosity had her. "I do have wealth and fame already, granted it's nothing like yours but considering my position I don't feel that would be the correct compensation."

The champ took a drink of water as he pointed to two things on his assistant virtual tab and told him to fix those dates and times before redirecting his attention back to Chi-Chi. "Surely that was one avenue, but I was thinking more along the lines of something more direct."

That caused her eyebrow to rise up. "Do tell me then." She closed the menu in her lap before the champ gave her a grin as she heard quite the interesting proposal from one Mr. Satan.

R&R