"I'm back." Gohan came home from school and closed the door behind him. He heard the sound of running water and the kitchen light on.

"I'm in the kitchen Gohan," A woman's voice called out.

Gohan was surprised and quickly went into the kitchen.

"You're actually here mom," Gohan asked astonished.

"Well I would hope so. I pay the bills haha. Go and get ready for dinner. I wanna hear all about your day."

"Okay but, aren't we gonna wait for dad?"

"Your father is working late again today. Not really sure when he'll be back so we'll be eating lunch just you and me."

"Oh, alright then."

Gohan tried to hide the disappointment in his voice but it didn't go unnoticed by Chi Chi. She looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile.

"I don't want you to think less of us okay Gohan. Things are a bit complicated right now so we're just doing the best we can."

Gohan opened his mouth but quickly bit his lip. He racked his brain for a response but the only thing he could think of were questions and insults. He simply nodded and went to his room.

He closed the door and threw his bag on his work desk.

"Things are complicated right now so we're doing the best we can," he said, repeating her words. "So your " best" is keeping me in the dark? You two aren't even home enough to know what's going on…" Gohan sat on his bed and stared at the ceiling. "I can say though, today was pretty eventful."

He closed his eyes and thought about the conversation he had with Asuka.

"Yeah, I was thinking about you all morning and I've decided that we should be friends."

Gohan cocked his head to the side confused by the sudden declaration.

"Huh?"

"What, is that weird?"

"Not really it just caught me off guard. Why do you wanna be friends with me anyway? People stay away from me-"

"I don't care about any of that!" Asuka renarked. "Look, I was a gang mediator when I was in Osaka. I'm use to bullies and delinquents. Kentaro is just another delinquent to me. Now my question is, why do you let him push you around?"

Gohan was silent for a few seconds and couldn't provide an answer. He closed his locker and walked away.

"Hey don't just walk away from me that's rude!"

They were outside of the school with Asuka still walking after Gohan.

"I'm talking to you jerk. Answer me!" Asuka called out after him.

"This isn't your fight Asuka. Don't worry about me."

"That's it!" Asuka gained some speed and tackled him to the ground.

"Hey what's your problem?" Gohan tried squirming out of her grip but she had him pinned down on the sidewalk.

"Now you can't get away. Now I'll ask you again. Why do you let him bully you like that? You need to fight back!"

"YOU DON'T THINK I'VE TRIED! I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH!"

Other passersby students and civilians stared at the two. Gohan's face was twisted with anger when he spouted those words. Asuka sighed and got off him.

"Do you have a few minutes to spare before going home?"

"I guess, why?"

"There's this nice park near my house. We can discuss things there."

Asuka and Gohan were sitting on a swing in the empty park. A merry-go-round, a seesaw, a jungle gym and swing sets made up the park. They say in silence for a few moments.

"I live close by the school so I usually walk or ride my bike. I assume you walk too," Asuka said finally breaking the tension.

"I walk yeah," Gohan said in a low voice.

"That's cool, we should walk together sometime. How about you give me a push?"

"Sure I guess." Gohan got off his swing and got behind Asuka. He pulled the swing back and began pushing.

"I haven't done this in so long. Just like being a kid again."

"Okay, so what do you need to ask me," Gohan said in a monotonous tone.

"Alright, so I'll be straight with you. Setsuna, Mai, and Ayane told me the story with you and Kentaro."

"Oh did they?"

"Yeah, but I wanna hear your side of the story. I know you're a victim of bullying and I wanna see if I can help."

"I don't think there's really anything you can do."

"I can listen Gohan." When Asuka got high enough, she jumped off the swing and landed a few feet away. "Now start talking."

Gohan hesitated hearing the seriousness in her voice. He sighed, then began to explain.

"There's not much to tell honestly. I was walking home when I saw Kentaro beating up on a student from our school. I attacked Kentaro and managed to help the other student get away, but I wasn't so lucky."

"You took the beating for the other kid."

"Yeah I did, but I knew I did the right thing. What I didn't know was that he went to our school. Kentaro didn't have the Orange Star badge so I was surprised when I saw him. I tried fighting back but I was…" Gohan bawled his hands into fists, trying to remain calm.

"Breath Gohan." Asuka held his hands and looked into his eyes.

"Asuka?"

"Take your time. I can kind of imagine what happened next. You were beaten badly, and nobody around you was there to help you. They rejected you and sided with the bully. They betrayed you."

"I was… I was…" Gohan started crying, unable to hold his emotions in. Asuka brought him into a hug.

"There there, it's okay. You might not have the strength or the muscle, but your heart is definitely in the right place. Not even Kentaro can take that away from you. Don't forget you have people who care for you."

"I never had anyone. I thought I did, but I was alone from the start- AHHH!" Asuka started hugging Gohan tighter making it hard for him to breathe.

"You are not alone stupid! You have me!"

"You're right you're right I can't breathe!"

Asuka released her bear hug and put her hands on her hips.

"Don't forget you have Setsuna too. According to her, she's been trying to help you. You've just been pushing her away."

Gohan's eyes saddened. He looked off in the distance trying to put the words together.

"I didn't want her to be bullied or harassed being with me. I know she's a martial artist and can handle herself, but no one should have to go through this everyday. I just suffer in silence."

"You don't have to carry this burden alone. Me and Setsuna are with you now. No high school punk is going to change that."

Asuka turned around and ruffled her hair.

"Now look at me, being all sentimental. I'm not usually like this so don't get use to it."

"You're probably the first person to give me words of encouragement like that." Gohan put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Thank you Asuka."

"You can thank me by acting like how you use to."

"How I use to?"

"Charismatic, lively, all that jazz."

"How do you know what I was like before?"

"Setsuna and the girls. Besides you looked like a troubled soul. Me moving here from Osaka must've been fate."

"Fate huh? Why did you move here anyway?"

"My dad found a better job here and we decided to move. I actually knew about you before I got here."

"You did," Gohan asked surprised.

"Yeah, our moms were college buddies and martial artists. Hey wait a minute how come you don't know how to fight? Chi Chi never taught you?"

"Well, I never had an interest in fighting. She just wanted me to focus on my studies. I should've learned enough to defend myself at least."

"Well you have not one but two friends who know martial arts. Setsuna is a student of my mom's dojo, so we spar often. I win naturally." Asuka puffed out her chest in triumph.

"That's incredible. It must be nice being strong."

"Strength doesn't choose its people. You can be strong too. Actually I know a place where you can get extra strong."

"Really? What place is that?"

"The Spirit World."

"Spirit… huh?"

"It's a different world from us. We have the power to go there, get stronger, fight all types of beasts and demons. It's so crazy and- HEY!"

Gohan already left the park. He waved back to her smiling.

"Alright, have a good night Asuka!"

"Gohan, dinner's ready. Let's eat!"

Chi Chi's yell brought Gohan back from his memory. He got off his bed and opened his door.

Her words felt sincere, but the Spirit World? Maybe she went on a tangent after her sentimental speech. I won't think too much of it.

Chi Chi has the table set with white rice, grilled fish, soup and two cups of tea. They both prayed and began eating.

"Sooo how was school Gohan? Tell me all about it," Chi Chi asked eating her rice.

"Today was unusual to say the least. I met someone interesting, her name's Asuka."

"Asuka?" Chi Chi raised an eyebrow. "Asuka who?"

"I think her last name was Kazama. She said you and her mom were friends and martial artists."

"Oh yes, me and Juna keep in touch. Back in our college days we would compete in tournaments and what not. I didn't know she was here Tokyo."

"I can tell she's a good person. She's a little violent and tomboy-ish, but she's someone who fights for what she believes in. Someone I feel like you can rely on. That's just how I use to be."

Gohan said the last sentence low enough so that Chi Chi couldn't hear.

"Well, as long as she's being a good influence on you then that's all that matters. I've seen Asuka a few times when she was little and I can tell she'd be a little firecracker."

"Haha, well you were right."

Gohan and Chi Chi enjoyed their dinner and conversations.

Late into the night Chi Chi was changing into her pink nightgown. She looked toward the clear night sky, the moon illuminating Tokyo.

"Juna and her family live in Osaka, so why are they now here in Tokyo? Juna never called or told me anything about her coming here. She must have been sent her by Claire. Coming to get Gohan no less. Damn…"

"Something on your mind dear," A voice said putting a hand on Chi Chi's shoulder.

"HI-YAH!" Chi Chi grabbed his hand and swept out his feet from under him.

"Gaa! Wait I come in peace. Don't kill me", he said putting his hands up.

"Ugh, Fuji dear why do you have to sneak up on me all the time," Chi Chi said getting in bed.

"For laughs and giggles. You know it's me you just like tossing me on my ass on purpose."

Fuji got up and rubbed his bottom. He rustled his jet black hair. He wore a black suit with a red tie underneath.

"Anyway Gohan met someone very interesting today."

"Oh, and who might that be? A female I hope," Fuji said taking his black slacks off.

"It is. It's Juan's daughter, Asuka Kazama."

"Asuka Kazama ok- ASUKA GUAHH!" The sudden realisation caught Fuji off guard while trying to slip out of his pants. He got one leg stuck and fumbled to the floor.

"They really moved from Osaka to get Gohan?"

"That's what I think. Claire must've sent them, and Juna sent Asuka to get Gohan into the Spirit World."

Fuji finally got his pants off then took off his shirt, revealing his dad body. He got in bed and under the covers.

"So much for keeping it a secret, but I knew we'd have to tell Gohan eventually."

"WE didn't say anything. THEY took it upon themselves. I don't like this one bit. Who cares if Gohan is the descendant of this Goku person or whatever. This isn't his fight. He's a completely different person from a completely different world."

"The prophet told us we'd have a son who would inherit the power of a Sayian. That Sayian would then save the Spirit World. We ended up having a son didn't we?"

"Yes but I don't want him getting killed out there with demons and monsters. He's fine the way he is."

Fuji looked away, and shook his head.

"I'm not so sure about that."

"What, do you know something I don't?"

"No, not at all. If they went this far into getting Gohan to the Spirit World, it might be time for us to explain ourselves."

"You might be right, but I won't say anything unless Gohan asks us. The less he knows about all this the better, and you better not mention anything to him."

"Alright alright. Goodnight."

"I'm off to school," Gohan said out loud as he pinned his Orange Star High badge on his vest. He had his hand on the doorknob. He looked around his empty household.

"Silence again. Feels like deja vu now. " Gohan sighed and opened the door.

"Have a good day at school Gohan." Fuji and Chi Chi said together.

Gohan turned around to see his parents in robes smiling at him.

"Mom and dad? Dad when did you get back?"

"Early this morning. I'm just glad I got up in time enough to see you off haha."

"Here Gohan don't forget your lunch." Chi Chi gave Gohan a small bento box with a bow on it.

Gohan couldn't contain his smile.

"Thanks mom. I'll be sure to eat it all."

"That's my boy. Now off you go, I don't want you to be late."

Fuji put a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Make sure to have a great day at school. Don't get too distracted by those girls okay," Fuji said giving going a wink.

"Haha, I'll keep that in mind. I'll see you both later." Gohan waved to his parents and headed off to school. He couldn't erase the smile after seeing his parents send him off. He was practically skipping to school.

Mom and dad both there to wish me well. It sounds basic, but that made me so happy seeing them both together.

"Hey Gohan!" Asuka waved to Gohan from up the street. Gohan quickened his pace and caught up with her.

"So you really do live nearby," Gohan said.

"Duh, I wasn't joking about that. Now we can be walking buddies."

"Never had a walking buddy before. I can't say it would be unpleasant."

"That's the spirit. Speaking of spirit, I wasn't joking about the Spirit World."

"Haha, so you were serious about that," Gohan said sweating.

"You bet your ass I was. You probably thought I was crazy and talking nonsense huh?"

"It crossed my mind once or twice."

"Again with the rudeness! First you run away in the middle of my speech, then you call me crazy. Someone's looking for a beating."

"Now hold on a sec. Anybody would've thought the same thing. What's this talk of a Spirit World, and demons? Doesn't that sound weird?"

Asuka stopped in her steps and pondered at Gohan's words.

"You know what you're right. I think it would be better if I showed you."

"Showed me?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna physically take you to the Spirit World. It'll have to be later though when we have more time alone."

Gohan put his hand on Asuka's forehead.

"No signs of an illness. Have you been eating properly?"

"I'm not sick or crazy! Geez, let's hurry before we're late." Asuka slapped Gohan's hand away and walked off.

"Alright, I'm right behind you."

Lunchtime rolls around as Asuka and Gohan head down to the cafeteria. Gohan picked a circular table near the window and sat down.

"Not getting lunch Gohan," Asuka asked.

"I brought my own this time. I'll wait for you here."

"Alright, I'm starving." Asuka grabbed her tray and waited in line.

Gohan laid his arm on his cheek as he stared at Asuka.

I can't remember the last time I interacted with someone like this. She's so driven to help me, and doesn't even know me all that much. Heh, she's something else alright.

"YOINK!"

Snapping Gohan out of his thoughts, he didn't notice his bento box leaving the table.

"Hey, Kentaro!?"

"A little bento box with a bow on it? What are you 12? Whatever, I forgot my lunch and didn't wanna wait in line. Thanks for being a pal Gohan haha!"

Gohan got out of his chair with fire in his eyes. He balled his fists ready to strike, but his body wouldn't move.

"What, you wanna try and fight me again? You know what went down last time. You sure you wanna do that?"

Gohan scanned the area and noticed students looking on at the spectacle.

Figures, nobody would do anything about it as long as it doesn't involve them. It's so frustrating! Even so I…"

"Kentaro, you…"

WHACK! Kentaro's head went forward as a loud thump echoed around the cafeteria.

"Who, who the hell was that…"

"The same person who shattered your manhood, and the only person with enough courage in here." Asuka had an empty tray in her hand hitting it with her hand.

"Oh you. You like giving me cheap shots don't you." Kentaro turned around and glared at Asuka. "I'm willing to overlook that and that cheap shot you just did. I see you with this loser a lot. Why don't you get with a real man, someone who's strong and with muscle."

Kentaro rolled his sleeves and flexed his muscles. "This is what women want. Guys that have guns like these have all the power and respect. So how bout it? Go out with me."

Asuka face palmed herself and began laughing out loud. The other students murmured to themselves as they looked on. No one has stood up to Kentaro like this, let alone a transfer student female. His forehead started gathering sweat as he could see a couple of students talking whispering and pointing.

"Dammit why are you laughing? What's so funny?!" Kentaro clenched his fist.

"So you think because you have some decent muscles, that gives you power and respect over people? That's weak and cowardice I see from you. You're not a real man, you're just a punk ruining other people's lives. Ugh, looking at you just pisses me off. I haven't eaten lunch yet either. Speaking of lunch, leave Gohan's lunch alone and get the hell out of here before you really piss me off."

The cafeteria was so quiet you hear a pin drop. Gohan was shocked with the amount of confidence Asuka displayed. Even Kentaro was stunned. His face was beet red and his mouth dry. Asuka tapped her hand on her lunch tray again.

"Didn't you hear me tough guy? I said leave."

Gohan's eyes grew a bit wide hearing Asuka's tone, almost like scolding a child. Kentaro's glare could burn a hole through Asuka's head with how hard he was staring. He walked and bumped into Asuka before leaving the cafeteria. Everyone went back to eating and conversing, but the atmosphere was still stuck on the previous transaction.

"Oh great now that idiot wasted half of my lunch and I don't wanna get back in line." Asuka scratched her head.

"Well, I can split my lunch with you. My mom made it, and she made enough for two people, fortunately."

"Oh, I don't know if I can do that it seems a little rude of me but if you insist c'mon open the box I wanna she what she made us!" Asuka quickly pulled up a chair rubbing her hands with excitement. All Gohan could do was laugh at her childlike enthusiasm.

She amazes me every time. I've never met a girl quite like this. She stood her ground against Kentaro. It was amazing to see, but this won't be the last we hear or see of him. That's what scares me the most…

She disrespects me, and humiliates me in front of everyone! And for what, that weakling GOHAN?! She must not be from around here, she doesn't know what happens when you cross me. This is one person you don't piss off! - Kentaro