Vulnerable
A/N: Hello! New chapter.
Thank you for the reviews. I didn't expect the story to do this good to be honest, especially at this point. I hope I will keep it to your expectations.
For the guest reviewer, Lauren. I really appreciate you took the time to read the story and thank you for your critique. You'll see how the story will go, I don't want to spoil anything. And I hope you will like how I'll develop the story. If not, please feel free to review again so we can discuss it in details. I am more than open for criticism.
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ! However, I do own any new OC in this story.
Chapter 3: Invitation
How did she get into this mess? Why? Why did she tell her mother what Erasa said? And the worst part was that needed to find conversations to keep her parents distracted during diner, so they won't open up the subject. Because if her father would hear about this Gohan guy, boy would she be in trouble. She was only twelve, why would everyone started thinking about this stuff? Was she this off or was she the only sane one here?
Thankfully, her mother didn't mention anything and she started discussing her father's upcoming schedule "You're out of town for two months? Seriously Mark? What do you do during these trips anyway? The "Bring your parents to school day" is in ten days. Can't you at least come then?"
The world champion looked sadly at her daughter "I'm sorry pumpkin. I have to do this publicity for a protein company. And they need me to give a self-defense class and…" He saw his daughter playing with the food on her plate and he sighed "I'll try to come, okay sweetie?"
She smiled at him and quickly finished her dinner. She then kissed them both good night and went to bed.
For the next days, Videl and Erasa's days passed on pretty easily. They tried to find Gohan but he didn't appear to have come to the city. And Videl tried to ignore the endless fights between her mother and father, reminding him to come to school next Monday. How did her life turn out like this? When did it become this messed up?
Erasa looked at her friend one day, while they were sitting in an ice cream parlor "What's up? Book problems? Finished all the books in the library and they didn't bring new ones?"
Videl chuckled at her friend and took a sip of her ice cream "Gonna keep teasing me on this? I like reading, what's the problem?"
The blonde girl continued eating her scone but kept looking at her friend "What's the problem? You can tell me."
The raven girl sighed loudly "My parents are fighting a lot. It's getting annoying. They always fight when they think I'm asleep. I know that my dad has a lot of things to keep up with but, I just want him to be here because he wants it, not because my mom makes him. And I don't want my mom to force him to come and it's a mess and I just want to enjoy my ice cream."
Both girls stayed in silence for a while before Erasa quickly took over the conversation again, talking about this and that, changing the mood.
Monday arrived quickly and Hoshiko woke her daughter up, as every morning. The young girl hid her head under the covers, trying to sleep a little more and her mother laughed at her, removing the book off of the cover. She really needed to find a way to make her stop reading this much, specially late at night. Then, the mother looked at her daughter teasingly and she started to tingle her. Videl started laughing, trying to get her mother off of her, as tears started to fall.
Eventually, Hoshiko stopped and smiled at her "I'll meet you downstairs. Eggs and bacon?"
Videl shook her head excitedly and quickly jumped out of bed towards her bathroom to get ready. She then quickly came out and hugged her mother before she started to choose her clothes. Her mother smiled at her and closed the door, giving her privacy. She was almost a grown up now.
A few minutes later, Videl came downstairs, dressed in a simple blue and white strips dress. Her mother looked at her, smirking playfully "You're all dressed up. What's the occasion?"
Videl blushed lightly "It's bring your parents day. It's the only day we look like a normal family. And it's really hot today, I don't feel like wearing a jeans and my leggings are still in washing."
Hoshiko ruffled her hair playfully "I didn't know you would put on a dress if you had jeans available. You're growing up fast, aren't you? Now finish your breakfast." She then started arranging her hair "Ponytail or braid?" Videl quickly motioned at braid and her mother finished prepping her "You're all set. Your sneakers are by the door." She then kissed her "I'll see you at ten, okay? I love you monkey."
Videl replied with "I love you mom" and quickly inhaled into her food. Her mother was just the best cook ever. She then quickly washed up an left to find Erasa.
They arrived at school and quickly put their stuff in their lockers before heading to class. Since it was a special day, they only had two classes in the morning to give them time to find their parents. Even for Erasa, math and literature hours can pass on easily, especially when you're this excited.
At around ten, parents started arriving at schools and kids went excitedly to find them. Erasa quickly found her parents and waited with Videl. A few minutes later, her mother arrived and hugged her daughter. She greeted Erasa's parents and they started discussing this and that. Videl started looking at the door excitedly, waited for her father to join. But eventually, the school director came in and greeted everyone, inviting them to the several activities planned for the day.
They all started by eating together in the school's cafeteria before the students were directed back to their classes where their parents got the opportunity to see their classroom's environments. The parents then strolled around arts exhibition by their children, the gymnasium where a small show was planned for them, and finally the science fair.
At the end of the day, kids started leaving eagerly with their parents, happy to have their school day cut shorter. All but one kid. Videl remained seated in the gymnasium's stands, looking at kids cleaning their science projects. Her mother sighed, not knowing how to talk to her. Eventually, Videl stood up and started walking the exit, not saying a word.
Her mother didn't know what to do but, when they reached the school's doors, Videl stopped walking "Does daddy love me?" Her mother stood in place while Videl turned around, her tears hanging "Every kids had both parents here. Even the ones with separate parents. Why didn't dad come? He doesn't love me. He loves his job more than me." Her tears then fell and she started crying "I just wanted one day, just one, to feel normal. Is this too much? One day? We already live in different houses. Why couldn't he come? What was more important?"
Her mother crouched on her knee, hugging her. Videl continued crying while her mother patted her back understandingly. She was right on everything. What did her husband had that was more important?
She then took a tissue out of her purse and wiped her daughter's face "Sweetie, daddy loves you a lot. He just was caught up in work."
Videl quickly shook her head "Aki's dad came from another country just for today. My father is in another city! He could've come, but he didn't want to." She then looked at her mother "I don't want to see him when he comes back. He can stay in his trip as long as he wants." She then run away.
Her mother quickly stood up, as she tried to catch on to her "VIDEL! Monkey, where are you going?" But the pre-teen was faster than her and she quickly lost sight of her.
Not knowing what to do, Hoshiko quickly took out her phone, dialing a number "Please pick up, please. Erasa? It's Videl's mom. Look sweetie, I need your help please." She then explained everything to her daughter's best friend "You know where she went? Kami thank you. I'll come and pick you up."
She then decapsulated her car and quickly went to Erasa's house.
Videl continued to run, until she reached a small garden. She looked around and saw the rock she usually sat on and she observed at the small house that was near. It was their first house, the one she grew up in before her father won the WMAT. Afterwards, they had enough money to buy a bigger home but they never sold that one. She always liked coming there to sit in silence, it reminded her of easier days, before her father was a celebrity. She continuously came and gardened the trees and flowers, passing time whenever she felt low or her mother was at work.
She sat on the rock and sighed, her mind drifting back to the day. Her mother had reminded her dad of this day for over a week, how could he forget? What was more important? She didn't understand. How can work be more important than your children? And she was an only child, it's not like her father had a lot on his plate. He only had to remember school events for one kid, not two or three and mess them up; just one.
She was caught up in her thoughts and didn't notice someone calling her. Then, she jumped, startled, when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She quickly backed up, preparing herself to take a fighting stance her father thought her as self-defense, but saw Gohan looking worriedly at her "Hey Videl. Are you alright?"
She looked at him, surprised to see him here "Gohan? What are you doing here?"
He scratched the back of his neck, a motion that didn't go unnoticed by the young girl "I got, um, lost. I was in the city and I tried to find your school to meet you and Erasa. But I mistakenly took a right instead of a left and kept walking. Then I started to look around to find someone to help me and I saw you."
He was of course lying. He felt a disturbed Ki in the region and he quickly came to check in, making sure that no one was in trouble. He didn't know how he managed to lie, but he felt it was easier than trying to explain Ki without looking like a weird person.
He then took a tissue from his pocket, thanking his mother for making him carry it, and he gave it to her "Here. You're not hurt, are you?"
She smiled at his gentle side, taking the tissue "Thanks. No, it's nothing really. I just needed to think a little." He nodded at her, standing a little far to give her some privacy. She chuckled at him "You know you can stand near me. I don't bite."
He blushed a little and approached, sitting legs crossed on the ground. He didn't know what to say to her, he barely knew her. Instead, he looked around and decided to talk about something general "The flowers are really beautiful. It's a nice garden."
She chuckled lightly, knowing how shy he was, and she decided, for once, to be the one direct the conversation, especially since Erasa wasn't here "Thanks. I actually take care of it." She then pointed at the house "This is my old home. I come here when I'm bored and I do a little gardening."
He scratched his neck, blushing a little "You're a good gardener. The flowers are beautiful. But the trees could use some work. They are a lot of secondary branches you can remove."
She quickly looked at him, raising an eyebrow "The trees are perfectly fine. How do you know about this stuff anyway?"
He chuckled lightly at her. She clearly didn't like to be at wrong. But he lived in the mountains, and when you go to several villages full of farmer, you're bound to learn something "I actually live in the mountains. They are several villages and farmer near our house. I sometimes go to get groceries for my mom and I help when I can. You can learn many things from them." He laughed when he saw her blush lightly, surely embarrassed to have talked to him like this, and he got up. He then extended his hand and smiled at her "Let me help you get up. And, umm, I don't really know about this stuff, but I think people usually eat something sweet when they're upset. Since I'm new to the city, you can choose a place you like and we can go. It'll change your mood."
She laughed at him, making him blush, and she held his hand to get up. She didn't want to appear rude by telling him she didn't need help; he was just being polite "You don't have to. I have to get home anyway. My mom must be worried. But thank you, that was very nice of you."
He nodded understandingly at her.
But then, they saw a car park in front of the house, and a woman followed by Erasa rushed to them. The woman quickly run to Videl, hugging her "Monkey, why did you run like this? Are you alright?"
Videl quickly blushed at the attention "Mom, I can't breathe. I'm alright. How did you know I was here?" Videl then saw Erasa standing behind her and she rolled her eyes "Why did you bring her here? You know I come here to stay alone."
Erasa looked at her, mouthing her "sorry" before her mother sighed "Don't blame her. I called her. I was worried when you run off and I lost you. What if something happened to you?" Hoshiko then turned around and saw a young boy with disorganized black hair in traditional dark blue pants and white top. She quickly got up, smiling at him "I'm sorry, I didn't see you before. I'm Hoshiko, Videl' mom."
The boy bowed respectively "It's okay. I'm Gohan Son. It's nice to meet you Mrs."
The mother looked at him, finally meeting the young boy.
To say she was surprised was an understatement. He was barely older than her daughter, if not the same age. This boy was the one that stopped Cell? But he was very toned for someone his age, even though he tried to conceal it with his clothes. He didn't appear to be a bad boy, even though she could feel a hint of sadness in his eyes. But he was very well mannered, so that was a good thing.
Hoshiko smiled at him, and looked at her daughter and him "You're the young boy that my daughter met? She told me you're new in the city. Are you liking it so far?"
Both teens blushed lightly and Gohan scratched his neck, per his usual "I'm actually from the mountains. I come here to get some groceries from my mom when we can't find them in villages. Videl and Erasa helped me find stores and they wanted to introduce me a little to the city."
The Satan matron smiled at him. He was indeed a good boy, and didn't look like he had bad intentions. But she still needed to be sure "What do you say we all go to eat? I took the day off and it's lunch time. We can go eat somewhere or you can come to our house. Erasa you're also invited."
Erasa jumped excitedly but Videl and Gohan both didn't seem very comfortable.
The first one didn't want her mother to open a useless interrogation with a boy she barely knew and the second because, well, he's very shy and didn't expect a lunch invitation.
But the mother didn't let him decline the invitation and she smiled at him "What do you say Gohan? I know a very nice place near the park. We can go eat and then you'll head up there after lunch, spend the afternoon together."
The Son boy looked apologetically at the mother as he noticed the sun "I'm sorry, but I didn't tell my mother I would be this late and I have a long way to go."
Videl noticed he saw the sun's position and she tilted her head "You can know the time by the sun's position? How?"
The boy chuckled lightly. Being left alone in the wilderness when he was younger surely had its benefice "I don't have a watch so I try to adapt. In the villages, not everyone have clocks in their houses so we learn the time based on the sun. Since I don't spend a lot of time at home, I learned some tricks from farmers. It can always help. Since we are in the end of March, the days tend to get longer and the sun sets at around five. So, since the sun is at almost a 30° angle from the horizon, it should be around three."
The three girls looked at the sun and their watch and laughed lightly.
Erasa then looked at Gohan questionably "30° angle? How do you know this if you're not in school? I'm in school and I don't know how to measure them."
Videl laughed, looking at her friend with a look that said "You're not good at math" and she waited for Gohan's answer. Erasa was right, how did he know about all this? They didn't learn this stuff yet. The boy blushed lightly "My mother is very keen on my education. I'm actually home schooled."
Hoshiko nodded at him "Most of the people in the mountains are home schooled. It helps them have a little knowledge on things. At what level did you stop?"
Gohan started thinking, trying to remember which book he lastly finished "I don't really remember if I just finished the Grade 10 or 11 book. I think 11."
Videl and Erasa both looked at him surprised and the latter quickly started counting something on her fingers before she chuckled playfully "You're really short for someone who's seventeen."
Videl and her mother both laughed, making Gohan blush. He then scratched the back of his neck "I'm actually twelve. Or thirteen. It's a little mixed up."
They looked at him as if they just saw a ghost. How was a twelve years old boy capable of learning this much information?
Erasa quickly squealed, making the boy winced a little. She will be the end of his sensitive Saiyan ears "So you're cute and smart. That's so cool." A sentence that made Gohan turn crimson red, making them all laugh.
Hoshiko then smiled at them, happy to see her daughter finally laugh. Maybe this Gohan was a good boy and it wouldn't be this bad if he were friends with Videl. He was educated, and Videl had a thing for reading books. They could get along pretty well.
She then clapped her hands together, gaining the attention of the teens "Gohan, if you have a phone at home, you can ask your mom for permission to stay? We can give you a ride back after lunch."
The boy started shaking his head but the mother quickly glared at him as she gave him her mobile phone. He smiled dejectedly and reluctantly took the phone as he dialed the numbers. After a few rings, he heard his mother's voice "Son residence, how can I help you?"
"Hey mom, it's Gohan."
He could hear his mother's tone change in an instant "Gohan? Are you alright? Why are you calling? Did something happen to you?"
He chuckled lightly at her overprotectiveness "No mother, I'm okay. It's just that, I wanted to ask you for permission to stay a little bit longer in the city."
As soon as he finished his sentence, he could feel his mother sending him deadly glares from the phone "What did we say about the city, Gohan? Don't let it get in the way of your studies. Did you finish your homework? Why do you want to stay?"
He sighed and started thinking. He then answered "Yes, I finished all my work, it's on my desk you can check them if you want."
In an instant, his mother disappeared. A few seconds later, he heard her voice back "Okay. Why do you want to stay?"
"You remember Erasa and Videl? The girls that helped me the other day. Videl's mom is actually inviting us to lunch and I wanted to know if I could stay. It's not polite to decline an invitation so I thought I would ask you."
"Okay sweetie, but don't stay up too late. And Gohan, behave in public. Don't eat like your father. Restaurants in the city aren't cheap so make sure to pay for yourself. You'll eat more when you come home."
Gohan nodded and hung up, giving the phone back to Hoshiko. She smiled at him and looked at the girls "Burger and fries?"
The girls jumped excitedly, making Gohan laugh. He then went to retrieve his bike and he told the girls he would follow them.
Hoshiko rose an eyebrow at him, but he assured her he could keep up with the car. And to her surprise, he actually kept up easily, not breaking a sweat. Smart, polite, shy and athletic. This boy was an enigma; what a weird combination of attributes put all together. Specially for a mountain boy.
They then reached a small restaurant and the Satan matron invited the kids to sit in a booth near the windows. The waiter then came with the menus and they all started to choose what to eat. All except a certain half-Saiyan who had no clue what to do in restaurants, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Videl and her mom, who were sitting in front of him.
The mother smiled and looked at him "Gohan? You never been in a restaurant before, have you?"
The boy shyly shook his head and Videl quickly stopped Erasa from commenting. They didn't need to embarrass the boy more. Her mother nodded at them and she looked at him "Do you prefer to eat meat, chicken or fish? You seem pretty athletic, so I don't think you're a vegetarian."
He shook his head and quickly glanced at the prices. The meat was more expensive than the chicken, so it was a definite no. He knew that fish in restaurant wasn't fresh, so chicken would be better in this case.
Hoshiko saw his eyes wandering around the menu and she lowered it, looking at him "Gohan? I know what you're thinking. Don't worry about this, trust me. So, forget the menu, let me get you something I think you'll like." She then took the menu from his hands and called the waiter "Hello, please I want two chicken burgers with extra mozzarella, one regular hamburger, and one with bacon and cheddar. All with fries. And please three juices and a big water bottle." The waiter nodded, leaving them.
The Satan matron looked at the kids, trying to make easy conversations with the young boy. So far, it didn't look like he knew who they were. Unless he was very good at acting, he genuinely seemed to pay attention to money, without knowing they had the ability to pay for lunch pretty easily. He didn't look like a bad person and she felt he really cared about both girls. Back in their old house's garden, it looked like he stayed with Videl because she was upset, so he couldn't be this bad. And for a teen, he didn't seem to care about Videl and Erasa as girls, more as people he wants to be friends with. She knew his mother wanted him to have a good education, she was very forward with this, it was a good thing. And they looked like they were living off the lands in the mountains, so they knew the values of things. Gohan seemed like a helpful kid, and she knew from Videl that he had a baby brother, so it looked like he was responsible. And he clearly was very curious, based on what he said, and he tried to learn from people near him as much as possible. The only thing she didn't yet know about him was his father. If he really was the boy from the Games, her father should've logically been the man in the orange Gi. But the thing that didn't add up was that Hercule told her that the boy and his father had blonde hair, yet Gohan had black hair. But if Hercule was sure he was the boy, that means they might have concealed their identity so they couldn't be recognize, surely for privacy. But she needed to be sure, just for her own peace of mind.
Her trail of thoughts was cut short by the waiter bringing their food, and the kids all dug happily in them. Hoshiko smiled at Gohan, asking him about his burger and he nodded at her, thanking her. He really was well mannered. Eventually, they all finished eating and Hoshiko smiled at them.
"So, how was the food? Does anyone want anything else?" She looked at Gohan and smiled at him "Don't be shy. Sadly Videl is an only child so I don't really know how much boys your age usually eat, but I know you can eat more than that."
He blushed lightly, shaking his head "No it's alright. I actually ate before I came. But thank you, the burger was very good. I'm not used to foreign food, my mom's more of a traditional cook."
She smiled at him, and decided to go for it "Does your mom work?"
He shook his head "No. My grandfather has a little money lying around, so he helps us when he can." He then thought quickly, carefully choosing his words, not wanting to draw unwanted attention to his father "My dad had inherited a little money when he was younger and we live by them. We sometimes exchange stuff with nearby villages, like vegetables we can grow in our garden, in exchange for some we can't. We use money for meat or for stuff like noodles and rice. And we actually go fishing for sea food and they are some wild animals nearby to hunt."
The girls all looked at him surprised. There were still people who lived like this? Videl quickly kicked Erasa under the table, before she could ask more about it, and Hoshiko chuckled lightly "My parents used to tell me that people live differently in the mountains. But it's really nice, you know. Your life is somewhat easier, since you can find ways to avoid using money. Trust me, money is nothing more than a problem. But what about your dad? Doesn't he help you a little?"
Gohan's face quickly changed, as sadness took over him. Hoshiko felt she hit a sensitive subject, but she didn't know how to change it anymore. She didn't want the boy to feel uncomfortable, but telling him not to answer would only rub salt in the wound. She then saw him sighed lightly as he tried to smile at them "My dad passed away, last year."
No one expected this answer. They thought at first that his parents were separated, even though it wasn't very common in the mountain. But judging by his and his brother's age, his father must have been pretty young. It surely was difficult. They also all easily concluded that his little brother hadn't met his father. This wasn't an easy thing to live by, especially for a boy ready to enter his teenage years.
They all stayed silent a little, until Erasa decided to brighten the mood a little "Hey Gohan? Are you good at monkey bars? The park's just right here and Videl and I always compete at who's best."
He chuckled at her, scratching his neck "I've actually saw any, so I don't know."
The girls looked at him, very surprised by this, and they nodded firmly at him "Then come, we'll show you."
Gohan chuckled lightly but quickly took a glance outside "Another time, I have to go if I want to make it home before the sun sets. It's almost four-thirty I guess."
Hoshiko took a glimpse at her watch, still amazed by his ability and she shook her head at him "Non-sense, you're not going back on your own. I'll drive you."
He shook his head and got up "Thank you really, but I'm used to this. When we come in the winter, the sunset is much earlier. Thank you for lunch, I had fun. It was really nice to meet you." He then took money from his pocket, counting them fast and he put them on the table "I don't actually know how much my burger was, but I guess it should be a little more than a regular one. Is this enough or do you need more?"
The Satan matron quickly held his hand, stopping him "Non sense, I won't accept it. My treat, as a thank you for staying with Videl before we came."
He blushed lightly but looked at the mother "Really, I can't accept it. You don't have to pay for me, you don't even know me. I insist, please. As you said, money come and go easily."
Videl and Erasa looked at each-other, surprised to say the least. So Gohan really had no idea who they were, and that Videl's mom could easily pay for his lunch.
Hoshiko sighed, but then smiled at him. She didn't want to embarrass him more, she knew that kids this age liked to take on responsibilities, and Gohan wasn't an exception. When you grow up without a lot of money, you tend to think that you don't want others to pay for you, it was a common concept. So instead of fighting him, the Satan matron nodded "Okay, I'll let you pay this time. But next time, it's my treat, okay?"
He chuckled lightly and nodded.
He then bowed at them and waved them good-bye. They saw him from the windows mount his bike and he left.
Videl looked at his mother, surprised by her reaction "Mommy? Why did you let him pay? And why didn't you insist on returning him home?"
Hoshiko ruffled her daughter's hair, as she paid the check "Look, both of you. Sometimes, for people who grow up without a lot of money, they don't really like it when others pay for them. Some of them take it as pity. And Gohan appears to be responsible, and I didn't want to embarrass him. He must have thought that paying for his lunch could be a burden on us. So, when you all go out together, try to avoid going to restaurants, so he won't have to pay a lot of money each time he comes here, okay? You can tell him one time that's it your treat, but he won't like it every time, and he'll want to do it too. So, instead, go play somewhere and eat a light snack. When you want to eat, come to the restaurant or to our home, this way he won't feel bad, okay?" Both girls nodded at her, understanding a little, and Hoshiko kissed her daughter on her forehead "And I don't know but I felt like he wanted to come back on his own, take some time to think. I'm not okay with him riding in the dark, but something tells me he's used to it." She then looked at both girls "He doesn't seem to know your dad, right?" Videl then shook her head and her mother nodded "I thought so too. Where do you wanna go now?"
Both girls started to plan the rest of their day, making Videl's mom laugh. Life really was simple when you're this young. Except for Gohan. She could feel he didn't have an easy life, but she felt like he was okay. He clearly didn't live many happy experiences, but she was confident that with Videl and Erasa as friends, he might live a normal life. And maybe it wouldn't be too bad for Videl and Erasa to learn a little about the life in the mountains. Maybe, if they became good friends, she could call his mother and ask her to plan a small weekend for them, helping the girls discover aspects different than the city. Yes, it was a good idea, and the spring break should come soon. She will definitely plan this small getaway, it will be fun. Both girls could benefit from this, learning that money isn't everything.