Hello all! I'm sorry I haven't updated lately, but the stress of school is getting to me. I'm hoping I'll get to update tomorrow.

Pre-Dinner

It was a dark place in Videl's opinion. A man in his 40's stepped out of a back room and greeted them.

"Hey Karisu! Cooking again?" The man joked.

"Yep. Kanryou's asking me to cook dinner, plus we have company."

"Is that so? Who?"

"Satan Videl and Son Gohan. Videl, meet Yamcha."

"Hello."

"Hi." They shook hands. "Well, I'd better give you extra if Gohan's going to be eating with you."

"You know Gohan?" Videl and Karisu asked.

"Yeah. I'm friends with his parents. We go back a long way." He handed Karisu 2 bags and Videl 1.

"Thanks Yamcha. I'll see you again soon!" She waved as best she could.

" Not too soon I hope." He laughed as the girls took off.

The duo landed a little while later. Gohan was sprawled over a low branch and Kanryou was propped against the tree, covered by Gohan's vest.

" Aww, aren't they cute?" Karisu asked.

"Well, the little one is." Videl joked.

"Hey! I'm hurt." Gohan pouted as he sat up. Kanryou continued to sleep.

" Oh, I'm just kidding." Videl turned to the younger girl behind her.

" How are you planning to cook this?"

" Well, I own a number of capsules. I have a kitchen. That's how I cook when I live out here. Speaking of which, I'll be finished in about an hour, okay? So you can do what you wish until then." She pulled out the capsule and set it up then went to retrieve her child.

Karisu stepped into the two-quarter capsule home. She walked into the first room, which was a simple room with a bed. Gently, she pulled back the covers and set Kanryou down, then covered him up. Giving him a loving look, she kissed him on the forehead and went to cook dinner.

Meanwhile…

Gohan and Videl were sitting by a brook not far from where Gohan lived. It was hard to believe that for two years there was a small family out there, surviving.

"Gohan," Videl turned in his embrace to look at him.

"Yes?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Life, and how it treats people."

"I know what you mean. She's only seventeen and already has a child, not to mention she's not even human."

" I see. Videl, do we have a future? Gohan asked.

"What?! Of course Gohan. I love you."

" Okay then, I want to ask you something from the bottom of my heart." He shuffled a bit, but kept his arms around Videl.

Karisu was sitting on a wooden stool, cutting up carrots. Her mind was wandering.

What do you want? What are you planning to do with him? He's not only your son. He needs to know life, not bring terror upon it. She brought the knife down on her finger, slicing the flesh drawing blood.

"Ow." She rinsed her hand in water, letting the warmth spread through her frozen hand. I had to fall in love with the one man who would end up attempting to kill me and take our son to corrupt him. All this at the age of 17. What the hell is wrong with me?

After tossing the carrots into the pot, she let the food finish cooking and went to sit next to Kanryou.

"I'll protect you no matter what. That bastard won't touch you and live to regret it, either one of them. Little one, you'll meet the rest of your family soon, when I can deal with it easier. I love you."

::Beep::

The kitchen timer went off, signaling the food was finished. She hurried into the kitchen to take the food out and set up.

There you go! I stayed at home Tuesday and Thursday because I was sick. Just to let you know, daytime TV sucks. Thursday, I went out to eat with my family, and was caught. That's right, caught, by another student. Now they'll know I was playin' hookey. ( Just kidding. I was really sick. ;} )