A/N – okay, it's Gohan's turn to ponder his inner feelings. Yes, this may be a little boring, but there is a key point hidden somewhere in this chapter. No, it's not the man-bashing remarks. (I'm just kidding, guys, I don't hate men) anyway, the next chapters will have the best part of Dragonball- fighting. Oh, and some Gohan/Videl stuff too.

Changing Faces


Part 2 – Choices They Make

Chapter 29 – Gohan's Bumpy Road

Misty morning rays shown through the thin curtains of Gohan's room. He could see dust particles in the light and reflexively sneezed. He stretched the sleepy stiffness out of his muscles and yawned. Pulling his covers away, he shuffled to the window, and tugged the curtain back. The bright red sun temporarily blinded his eyes and he rubbed them.

"Man, Videl wasn't kidding about Pandova being closer to the sun," he muttered.

A soft breeze had started (induced by the tightening thermal gradient from radiation warming. What? I'm a weatherwoman ;) blowing cool air at his face. Gohan took the time to observe the bustling morning din of the outdoor marketplace. Further in the distance was what appeared to be a spaceport. He watched a ship similar to Videl's take off, rising in a huge cloud of dust.

Interesting... hmm, he thought. I wonder if I can sense the dragon's power...

Gohan stretched out his mind, exploring in the direction of the mountain Laku Nori. Along the way were several lower-powered (let's say... 2000-5000) beings. He swept across the mountain twice, but only picked up a few darker powers, larger and more evil.

Either the dragon is one, or they're Ruani.

Then, he noticed Videl wearily making her way up a path to the stone fortress entrance. He thought about calling out to her, but decided against it.

I still don't know if she's angry with me or not. Women are so frustrating sometimes. Man, I thought Mom was crazy with mood swings, but Videl is just as bad. I wonder if Dad ever wondered about women like this.

Maybe women aren't meant to be understood. (now that's not anything new)

He absently rubbed his neck where a completed mark should have been.

It wasn't just hormones that made me mark her. I love her. I know I do. I just have... to tell her.

He looked down where Videl should have been, but she wasn't there. It was as if she had just disappeared. In a moment of panic, Gohan searched for her chi and found it, somewhere inside the castle.

"I have to find her," he stated out loud.

The door knocked.

"Uh, yes?"

"Gohana, are you ready," a younger voice asked, "I thought you could join us for morning meditation."

It was Antella.

Great! Maybe Videl sent her to get me, "Sure, that sounds fine."

A short while later found Gohan with Antella, Javera, and Tatalia, Matiko's fourth daughter. There was no sign of Videl.

The four sat in a circle and were silent.

That's it, I give up. I am done thinking about Videl for now. I'll never understand her.

So now what? How did I get here? That sounds like a good one. Let's see... wow, this all really started three years ago when Videl... found me. Why me?

Because she is your life mate, another voice spoke.

STOP THINKING ABOUT VIDEL!

But you can't, she is why you are here. You came here to help her.

So I did. I wanted to help her, she is my friend. It would have been different three years ago, I might have refused her request at first.

Gohan's mind trailed back to one of the more interesting and ongoing discussions he had had with his mother.

So is it fate, or decision? Videl found me, which was an act of fate. But then I decided to help her, and by coming here, I've changed my destiny. 

He pondered the matter for a time, juggling each idea and weighing the sides. Finally, it clicked.

Fate gives us the choices, we make the decisions. Then from that decision come more choices and we start all over again. Fate intervenes from time to time, just to mess with our heads.

What a theory, Mom will love it.

The three girls looked expectantly at Gohan.

"Gohana, you may go, if you wish," Javera said quietly, as to not disturb his concentration.

"Thank you for allowing me to join you," he replied politely and excused himself, retiring to his room again.