Author's Note – Hey! Here's Chapter 7! Muwahah! So close… anyhow, thank you guys for all of your suggestions! Many of them greatly support my ideas for the story now and in the future chapters, so I hope you'll enjoy! Hehe, almost time for Saiyaman to make his grand entrance! Oh, and don't worry, I'll get to work on Chapter 8 as soon as possible! ;)
Chapter 7 – Strategies
"Alright!" The teacher exclaimed as the students all made their way across the field towards him. "Today, we will be playing baseball. Please assemble into teams. Videl and Sharpner will be the captains." Zoa frowned as she pulled on the cord of her sweat pants, making sure they were tight. She looked over as Gohan adjusted his cap, and smiled. Suddenly, Videl walked over to them.
"So, we're playing baseball. Do you know what baseball is Gohan?" She asked in an extremely mocking and sarcastic tone. Gohan raised an eyebrow. "Well, I know about it, but I've never played it before. Have you Zoa?" Zoa frowned, shaking her head. "But, hey, didn't Yamcha play baseball Gohan?" Gohan nodded. "Yeah, that's right." "Cool." Zoa replied, peering out over the field.
Sharpner laughed, playing with a bat as he shook his head. "What a couple of country kids." He muttered. "Hey," He began, turning towards them. "I tell you what Zoa; you're cute. You can come and be on my team if you want." Zoa frowned, waiting a few moments before responding. "Um, sure I guess. As long as you stop hitting on me." Sharpner's eyes widened at this. No girl shot him down that quickly! He stood blankly, unable to think of anything to say. Erassa noticed this and suddenly broke down into fits of laughter.
"Just ignore Sharpner Zoa. He's one of those guys who figures he's 'all that', and that any girl he might be interested in would be more than happy to jump into his arms." Zoa nodded, looking quizzically at Erassa. I wonder if those two were ever in some kind of relationship? Zoa pondered. She guessed they were, from the way Erassa acted towards him. "Anyway," Erassa continued, "You'll probably have to get used to it. Getting hit on like that by self absorbed guys like Sharpner seems to be a problem girls like you and me with D cup sized bras have." As Erassa finished saying this, Zoa turned bright red and crossed her arms. Saiyan women were famous for their large bust sizes, and Zoa was no exception. Even when she had been just a little kid, she had been strangely top heavy because of that. And the thought of Sharpner checking out her chest somewhat bothered her. Of course, maybe if Gohan would…-
"Anyway," Sharpner grumbled, now adequately embarrassed, "My team just filled up, so looks like Gohan's on your team Videl." Videl rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. "Yeah, thanks a lot." She muttered angrily. Gohan blinked, wearing an innocent expression.
"Hey, give him a break! I bet he can think up a whole bunch of strategies since he's such a smarty!" Erassa replied on Gohan's behalf. Videl just frowned. "Whatever, fine. Gohan, I'm putting you in right field. Do you know where that is?" Gohan nodded, an extreme 'give me a break' look on his face. "Uh, yeah. On the right." He replied, pulling down the brim of his cap and heading over to his position. As it turned out, Zoa was first to hit. She furrowed her eyebrows and picked up a bat, heading over to home plate.
All right Zoa, She thought as she got ready, not too hard. I don't want to let on how strong I am, right? Right. She frowned, watching as Videl put on a smug look.
Well. Miss Smart Ass thinks she can hit one of my pitches huh? I'll just have to show her otherwise…
With that, Videl hurled the ball towards Zoa with as much strength as possible. Zoa swung the bat and connected with the ball as softly as possible. However, restraining is a little difficult for Saiyans, and the ball shot past the left fielder, right through the fence, and somewhere a few blocks away.
"Oops…" Everyone turned with wide eyes in response. "Woah! Nice hit!" Gohan declared, shrugging his shoulders when she looked over at him. Zoa smiled shakily, sweat forming on her forehead. "Um, wow! Guess that's a point for us, right?" She inquired, lazily running the bases.
Oh that was great. So much for control… She scolded herself as she arrived back at the plate and headed to the bench. "What a lucky hit, huh?" She added as she sat down, trying to convince everyone that it had been some kind of fluke.
Videl blinked a couple of times. Unbelievable! What planet is she from anyway? She thought as the teacher threw her another ball to pitch with. After a few more classmates, Sharpner was up to bat, and he strolled up to the plate, smiling cockily at Videl. "Looks like you're throwing some pretty pathetic pitches today!" He declared as he readied himself. Videl gritted her teeth. "I'll show him…" She wound up, and pitched the ball towards him. However, Sharpner too managed to get a hit. Right into right field.
"Damn it! I hate it when he's right…" Videl muttered, but stopped and turned around slowly as she realized Sharpner wasn't running. She turned and looked into right field to see Gohan about twenty feet in the air, the ball safely in his glove.
I can't believe this! Well, whatever planet Zoa's from, looks like her boyfriend's from there too…
"Hey! That runner's off his base!" Gohan said aloud to himself as he floated in the air. "That means if I throw the ball to third, he'll be out! Easy now…" Gohan threw the ball towards third as gently as possible. The baseman watched with wide eyes as the speeding ball headed in his direction. But he managed to catch it, and narrowly avoided getting thrown back further than his base. Gohan landed softly on the ground, grinning brightly. "Alright! That's three outs!" He declared as hurried infield. But he suddenly became aware of everyone staring at him. "I guess I threw it too hard…"
Zoa let out a cheer from the bench. "Yay Gohan!" Sharpner spun around suddenly and gave her an angry glare. "Hey! You're supposed to be cheering for our team!" Zoa frowned, trying to look serious. "Oh, right." Sharpner shook his head. "Whatever. Come on everybody! Take a position! I'll pitch." Zoa frowned and got up. Despite Sharpner's 'team spirit' lecture, she gave Gohan a high five as he walked by, and he tossed his glove to her. "Looks like I'll head out to right field." She said with a smile as Gohan gave her a goofy Son grin. He walked over to the bench where the teacher congratulated him.
"That was amazing Gohan! You must have jumped a good twenty feet into the air!" He declared. Gohan nodded, quickly coming up with a clever response. "Yeah, thanks! It must be these new shoes! You know, they're those air-cushioned kind! Ahehe!" The teacher ponder this thoughtfully. "Of course, must be the shoes…"
"Hey Gohan, isn't it your turn to bat?" One of Gohan's teammates asked, looking over at him questioningly. "Oh, yeah! I guess I'm up!" Gohan replied, picking up a bat and hurrying over to the plate. The teacher frowned as Gohan prepared to hit.
"Um, Gohan, that's the left-handed batter's box." He stated. Gohan turned to look at him with a worried expression. "Oh! Is that wrong?" The teacher slowly shook his head. "Well, no, it's just that, most right handed people find it more comfortable to bat from the right-handed batter's box. That's all." Gohan nodded his comprehension. "Oh, I understand. But it's okay if I try from here?" The teacher shrugged. "Sure, if you want. Just bat from there then, and see what you think." "Okay!" Gohan got prepared, trying to plaster on his game face. Sharpner chuckled from the pitcher's mound. So, brains thinks he's pretty good at this, does he? Well, I'll give him such a scare he'll be running home crying…
Gohan frowned as he considered his options. If he swung, he would probably end up with a hit similar in power to Zoa's, and that could be dangerous. But he did have other options… Suddenly, Sharpner launched the ball at him with incredible force. "You'd better move fast!" He shouted, but much to his surprise, Gohan didn't even try to.
"You fool! Why didn't you dodge it!?" He shouted as a gasp went through the class. Zoa frowned. She knew that Gohan probably had hardly felt that, but it still looked painful seeing him get hit in the face with the ball. Gohan didn't even blink as the ball rolled past his feet.
"Hey Coach, I got hit, so that means I get to take my base, right?" Gohan inquired. The teacher nodded in disbelief that this kid wasn't even hurt. That hit should have knocked him cold! Gohan grinned as he ran to the base. All right! I got on base, and didn't even have to show my power! Zoa let out a small breath. She wasn't sure which was more suspicious, an amazing hit, or getting hit in the face like that with the ball and not feeling an ounce of pain. Oh well…
Sharpner shook his head, overcome with incredulity. "Unbelievable! Impossible!" He stammered. Videl narrowed her eyes. Something was definitely up with those two…
"Man, some day huh?" Zoa asked as she slung her bag over her shoulder. Gohan nodded tiredly, shutting his locker door and clicking the lock into place. "No joke." Suddenly, Sharpner and Erassa appeared around the hallway corner, walking towards them.
"Hey Gohan, what clubs have you joined?" He asked idly. "Um, none yet." Gohan replied in a regretful voice. Sharpner nodded. "Good! Then you can join the boxing club! That was amazing how you took that hit today! With a little practice, you just may become a good little fighter!" Zoa fought off a snicker at this comment. Sharpner turned to her. "And you might make a pretty good cheerleader you know…" He added. Zoa shook her head and moved closer to Gohan. "Thanks, but no thanks." She responded, putting her hands out in front of her. "Gohan nodded. "And, I think the same goes for me and boxing." Sharpner shrugged. "Well, you should consider it you know." Gohan frowned. "Well, it's just-"
"That you both live in towns that are far away and don't have time for clubs, right?" Erassa offered cheerfully. "Yeah!" Gohan agreed, "That's right!" Erassa nodded, putting some books in her locker. "Speaking of time, I have to get home. Hey Gohan, could you give me a ride?" "Well, actually, I promised Zoa I'd take her home, and my ride's just barely a two seater." Gohan answered apologetically. "Sorry!" "I have room in my car Erassa." Sharpner suggested as she zipped up her book bag. Gohan grinned, grabbing Zoa's hand and pulling her towards the door before anyone more questions could be asked.
"Great! Sounds like a plan to me!" He declared, heading outside. "So, see ya tomorrow!" "Bye!" Zoa added with a wave as they both took off out the door.
"This whole hiding our powers thing is a lot harder than I would have thought…" Gohan frowned as he and Zoa walked along down the sidewalk. "Yeah, you can say that again…"
Videl frowned as she walked a safe distance behind Gohan and Zoa. Strange… they say they both live very far away, and yet they're walking…
Zoa stopped as she heard some scuffling behind them. She turned to Gohan. He nodded and they quickly ran around the corner and took off to the top of the building. Zoa peeked over the edge as Videl appeared, looking around in confusion.
"That was close." Gohan said quietly as they watched her leave. "We'd better just go get Nimbus and get out of here." Zoa nodded in agreement as they took off quickly across the roof, hurrying to meet the golden cloud on the outskirts of town.
"I am so hungry! Hey, think Mr. Popo will mind if I stick around for a while after I drop you off and get something to eat?" Zoa smiled, shaking her head. "I doubt it. You know you're more than welcome to stay. And that would also make Piccolo's day." Gohan grinned. "Well, I may just have to do that then!" He exclaimed. Suddenly, he decided to turn the conversation to something that he had been thinking about for some time.
"How am I ever going to keep fighting crime in Orange Star? It's getting way too risky!" Zoa furrowed her eyebrows and considered the question. "I'm not sure. Maybe you need a better disguise?" An idea popped into Gohan's head as Zoa finished saying this. "Maybe Bulma can help…"