A/N – Sorry for the short chapter 9. part one is almost finished
Changing Faces
Part 1 – Searching For Her Past
Chapter 10 – Final Lessons
Nighttime passed by without any consequence, and the sun rose another day. Dawn worked its warm waves over the grassy plane, sparkling madly on the morning dew. Birds chirped happily in the distance, some took to air looking for a morning snack or foliage for a nest. Others simply sang their sweet serenade to whoever would listen. Deer frolicked in the expanse of the plane and an occasional squirrel darted along the tree line.
Videl sat pensively in the tall grasses, head and eyes barely visible. She observed every detail of the dawn, as much of the wildlife that came into eyesight, and the way the sun glinted off the dew soaked meadow.
Such peace... all at rest, yet still so alive. I wonder if Pandova had looked like this when my ancestors first arrived. It's too bad that they destroyed all evidence of who they were, and what they left for.
Her head dipped down and she wrapped her arms around her bent legs. She focused on her blue-clad knees and tried to remember.
My earliest memories do not include this planet, yet there is a point that I simply cannot remember past... She sighed and looked up.
I know I will never forget the beauty of Earth... She noticed Gohan in the sky, Or the people I have met here. Gohan...
He arrived with a gust of wind and the grasses parted for his landing. Gohan's attire was the same as the day before, as well was Videl's. A few moments of silence gave way to Videl's desire to learn and practice.
"Let's begin," she said with a confident grin.
So continued the next five days, with a few hours each day in which Gohan completed his schoolwork.
"This way," he explained to a somewhat annoyed Videl, "I can still help you train, but please my mother by continuing my schooling."
"Right," she sighed, "Your education."
All too soon, their time was up. Videl waited to the very last minute to inform Gohan.
"Well Videl, I'll see you tomorrow, right?"
"Actually..." She drifted off.
"You aren't coming back, are you," he asked dejectedly.
He had certainly enjoyed training the spunky young woman that past week, and he had even looked forward to seeing her every morning. But now it was over and she had to return home.
"Don't worry Gohan, I'll come back some day," she affirmed as she appeared to stretch her neck with both hands.
He cleared his throat and began, "Videl, I want you to know that you did an outstanding job learning those techniques. I really enjoyed teaching you."
Gohan reached his hand out in a sign of friendship. Videl paused, confused of the feeling surrounding his gesture. She slowly reached out and took his hand. Sparks flew between the two, but it seemed Gohan was the only one who acknowledged it. She let go and took flight without another word.
Gohan looked down at the object Videl had left in his palm. It was an exquisite gem the size and shape of a small round pebble and attached to a threadlike silver chain. Its sapphire color emulated the deep blue pigment of Videl's eyes.
It's beautiful... but why would she give it to me?
She stared back at the half-Saiyan from the air, still facing him. Then, Gohan waved goodbye, and she turned and left, leaving him pondering the jewelry.
What does it mean? What has fate sent me? All I know is that there's something about her... He watched her departure in mixed emotion.
