-You know I was kind of surprised, I thought what I had planned for this chapter was going to be all too predictable. Judging from what feedback I received, only one person even remotely touched on what was actually in the works. Oh well, maybe I think that because I wrote it and already know everything that's going to happen… Ah, who cares, read on and enjoy!
Chapter Nine
"I just don't get it," Videl said aloud to herself, as she tapped her fingers across her desk. Why would Ryo ask me out right out of the blue like that? I had no idea he was even interested in me! Not to mention that he claimed to already have a girlfriend, no check that, a friend he has a thing for that he's not quite over yet. Plus, he's been teasing Gohan and I about being more then friends since just about the day we met! Why come on to me all of the sudden? Kami, this is all so confusing… Ryo's a nice guy and we get along well, but I'm just not interested in him like that… Or anyone else for that matter except for maybe… No, I got to stop thinking like that! Bad Videl, get that boy out of your head! Maybe I'll go on this little date with him just for fun, and let him down gently. Ryo will understand that. Then I'll have to find another way to deal with this thing with Gohan…
Speak of the Devil. Just as Videl's thoughts switched to him, Gohan took his usual seat next to her in class. She'd been feeling so guilty about how much she'd been wanting to see what Gohan's reaction would be when she told him about Ryo. It kept her up half the night just thinking about it. A part of her wanted Gohan to take the look of someone ready to jump up and rip Ryo limb from limb, but stay composed and keep his head in the end. Mostly, she just wanted him to at least seem upset when she told him. Maybe even… Nah, no use in hoping for something that wouldn't happen.
"Good Morning Videl," Gohan greeted her cautiously.
"Morning Gohan," Videl replied back to him, slightly nervous in her own right.
Gohan seemed a bit surprised. "You mean you're not still mad at me? About last night?"
Videl frowned playfully. "Oh that's right! I am supposed to be mad at you, thanks for reminding me."
Gohan picked up on the halfhearted frown Videl gave him whenever she was teasing him. Gohan sighed like a twelve ton stone was just lifted off his chest. Then again, this is a Sayian we're talking about here so we might want to make that thirty tons. "You're welcome. I'd still like to know what you were mad at me for. You said I couldn't take a hint? What were you hinting at anyway? That you wanted to go home?"
Videl wanted to slam her head into the desk, or better yet pick it up and break it over Gohan's head. Instead, she sighed in submission and shook her head. "Never mind, forget I ever said anything Gohan…"
"Okay… So, what's up? Anything interesting happen to you since last night?"
"Funny you should ask that," Videl laughed nervously. "As a matter of fact something did… You'll never guess what Ryo asked me last night…"
"That's a bet you're sure to win!" Gohan laughed. "If Ryo said it, then it's bound to be just about anything."
"You have no idea… You see well… He kind of asked me out to a movie tonight…"
Gohan paused, staring at her oddly as if it was taking a while for that information to process in that normally sharp head of his. He managed to keep his facial expression composed, but failed miserably when it came to keeping his voice steady. "Oh really now?… What, what did you tell him?"
"I told him I'd have to think about it. Truthfully, I'm leaning towards saying yes. It could be fun, and I really can't find any reason why I shouldn't." Videl stared Gohan straight in the eyes. "Is there Gohan?"
You're damn right there is! Like, like… Umm… Truthfully, Gohan could've come up with a million different reasons why she shouldn't, but they all centered around him admitting to Videl about these new emotions he'd been feeling towards her recently. Emotions he was still learning to understand, so instead of what he wanted to say his lips spoke what he expected she was expecting to hear. "I guess not… If you want to go then you should…"
"Fine, then I will!" Videl snorted.
"Good for you!" Gohan barked back, as the normally reserved Half-Sayian found himself growing defensive.
They remained silent for sometime after that, not even bothering to look each other's way 'cept for when they thought the other wasn't looking. Eventually, the remainder of the class began to pour in seconds before the bell rang, including Ryo who took his usual seat behind Gohan. Videl practically lunged at Ryo, not exactly looking excited or thrilled as she spoke to him.
"About your proposal from last night Ryo, I accept! We'll talk about the details at lunch all right?"
"Umm right…" Ryo said, obviously taken by surprise. "You mean you want to… I mean…"
Videl frowned in annoyance. "That's what I just said wasn't it?!"
"Yes, of course… I guess I just wasn't expecting you to say yes…"
Videl didn't say anything else. She just sort of grimaced like she usually did when she was mad or irritated, and sat back down in her seat. It took a moment or two for Ryo's head to compute just what had happened. He watched Videl and Gohan's actions at that moment and through much of the period, and smiled at how standoffish they appeared towards each other at times. He really wasn't expecting Videl to say yes, but that was okay. There were ways to work around that. This might just be working out better then I thought.
********
I can't believe this! Videl and Ryo? I didn't see this coming at all… Well, I guess it's nothing to be upset over… Why did I get upset when she told me anyway? I should probably just be happy for them or something. It could be a lot worse after all… She could have actually been dating Sharpner… Ewe, that's a disgusting thought! I guess I'm just going to have to get use to this…
"Hey Gohan, wait up!" he heard a voice call to him from down the hallway a ways. He grumbled when he saw Ryo approaching from behind him, weaving his way through the maze of students. Ryo was the last person Gohan wanted to talk to at the moment for obvious reasons. Gohan tried his best not to frown when Ryo bounded up next to him. "I'm glad I caught up with you. I've been meaning to talk with you all morning."
"Oh, I'm sure," Gohan grumbled.
"I can probably guess Videl's already told you that her and I are well…"
"Going out tonight, yeah I know," Gohan snipped, suddenly not caring if he hid his displeasure with the subject or not. "What's up? Do you want to brag about it or something?"
Ryo struggled not to laugh at the tone in Gohan's voice. "No, why would I? I just wanted to ask you if you were okay with this?"
Gohan looked legitimately confused. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean just what it sounds like Gohan. I can imagine how weird it might feel to someone when they find out two of their friends start dating or something… Plus, I know you've claimed to the contrary, but I always believed you had a bit of a thing for Videl. I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable with this before I go through with it."
If I'm okay with it?! If you were worried about that then you should've asked me that before you asked her out you back stabbing traitor! I can't do anything about it now! Not that I would've done anything about it before… Or ever had… Damn it! Gohan wanted badly to say something along those lines, but in the end responded in a much more Gohanish manner. "No, I'm fine with it Ryo. You two aren't kids, do whatever makes you happy. Whether I'm happy with it or not shouldn't matter. I'll have to live with it either way. I hope you guys have fun tonight."
"Umm… So you have no problem with it?" Ryo asked, looking somewhat surprised for whatever reason.
"I told you I'm fine, now just drop it!" Gohan snapped, his face drooping into a frown he could no longer suppress.
Ryo's look of confusion changed into a confident smirk. "So I see… Well then, I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask you then…"
"Ask me what?" Gohan sighed.
Ryo blushed, and rubbed the back of his neck. "Umm… Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about tonight… I've never really been on a date before… Except for that amusement park thing, but she had all her friends along so it wasn't really what I'd call a date… I was wondering if you might tag along for ah… Moral support."
"What?!" Gohan almost laughed, as he brow sunk so low over his eye's they almost singed his eyelids. "Are you nuts?! That's your problem, deal with it yourself! If you were afraid of going out with her then you never should've asked her in the first place!"
"I know, but I didn't even think about that until after I asked!" Ryo defended himself. "Plus, I never thought she'd say yes… I can't back of it now… Come on Gohan, do this for a friend. You know I'd do it for you if you asked."
Gohan was going to tell him to go to hell, when a thought crossed his mind. If he did tag along it would give him a prime opportunity to spy on them. He wasn't sure why he was thinking this way all of a sudden, but he could not and would not pass this chance up. Of course he couldn't let Ryo on to what he was thinking. "Fine then. What do you want me to do exactly?"
"Thank you Gohan. All you have to do is hide in the background, and make sure I don't chicken out. I'll even pay to get your ticket into the movie, and whatever else you might want."
"Sure… When do you want me there?"
"About six 'o clock, the show starts as 6:15. I really do appreciate this Gohan. I owe you big for this."
"Whatever Ryo…" You're damn right you owe me for this!
********
Gohan had roughly six hours to kill before Ryo and Videl's little date… The one he had somehow gotten himself drug into. He spent most of the day trying to get his mind to focus on any other subject other then them. He had hoped three more hours of school would help, but found he could hardly concentrate on his studies with his mind in other places… Once he got home there was only really an hour left he had to worry about, but that proved to be one of the longest agonizing hours he'd ever lived in his young life. Finally, he just decided to hell with it all, and showed up at the theater about thirty minutes early, and was surprised to find Ryo there waiting for him. A little eager about tonight wasn't he?
"Don't worry yourself about it Videl, he's a big boy he can take it," Videl told herself, as she marched towards the movie theater. It wasn't all that far from her home, so she decided a brisk walk would help clear her head and settle her thoughts while she rehearsed her lines. "I'll go out with him tonight, and at the end of the evening I'll let him down gently. I consider you a really good friend Ryo, and you're fun to be around, but I'm just not interested in you that way… I hope you understand, but I kind of have feelings for somebody else…" Videl growled at herself. "No, you can't tell him that! Like he won't know who you're talking about! But the only reason he asked me out though was because he thought I wasn't interested in anybody else, so how else am I going to explain this without lying to him? Ack, who am I kidding?! Knowing him, the only reason he probably asked me out was to get me to admit I like Gohan in some way! That sounds just like something he'd do, but I can't take that chance… Awe, damn it…"
"Well, at least he didn't make me dress for this," Videl said, as she straighten out her sweatshirt. Not that she would've regardless, but she wasn't about to look like a slob if she thought this was anything serious. She thought it was rather sweet of Ryo to tell her to come as she was, since that was the way he and everybody else liked her anyway. The compliment made her feel good in a way. He made it sound like tonight would be a little more friendly then anything, and if that were true maybe she wouldn't have as much to worry about as she thought she would.
Videl met Ryo at the movies at promptly six o'clock on the dot. For the most part things started off normal enough, exactly the way Videl had suspected. The only thing that bothered her was this weird smirk Ryo had on his face most of the night. An evil look that suggested he was plotting something in that devious head of his. Videl asked him about it a couple times, and all he'd tell her was you'll see. Videl was bordering along the lines of excited and worried. There were a few things she hadn't expected. She figured Ryo would be acting rather nervous or shy around her like he could tend to do in situations like this, but he remained composed and cheerful. Videl herself was a lot more comfortable then she thought she would be, probably Ryo's positive attitude rubbing off on her. One thing she didn't particularly like was Ryo's choice of movie… Some half-baked comedy that wasn't entertaining or funny in the least. Not that they'd been paying much attention to it anyway. The only other person paying less attention was the grumpy Half-Sayian hiding out in the back of the theater.
"Well, at least they seem to be enjoying themselves," Gohan grumbled. "Why am I even here? Why the hell did Ryo even ask me?! He seems to be handling himself just fine to me! What was I expecting to see anyway? Them having a good time?! Well here it is Gohan, you happy?!"
Ryo leaned over and whispered something into Videl's ear so not to disturb the other four or five people viewing what was a rather unpopular movie for obvious reasons. "Hey Videl, you don't want some popcorn or something do you?"
"I thought you'd never ask, I'm starving."
"I thought you might," Ryo smiled. He pulled a ten Zeni bill out of his pocket, (or whatever the DBZ equivalent is) and handed it to Videl. "Go ahead and get whatever you want, and would you mind picking me up a small drink while you're at it?"
Videl looked down at the bill in her hand, and then glanced up at Ryo like he had some sort of incurable skin rash on his face. "Umm… Maybe I'm old fashioned, but isn't the guy supposed to do that for the girl?"
"Well normally, but I don't want to miss this. This is the best part of the movie."
"Okay…" Videl grunted as she stood up from her seat, and headed for the exit. Wait a second, think about this Videl. He's giving you the chance to take a break from this crappy movie, so you might as well take it. Still… He's not exactly Romeo is he? Not that I was expecting much anyway.
A broad grin found Ryo's face as he watched Videl leave the theater. That was until he looked back at the screen. "Man, everyone was right. This movie really does suck."
Ryo's smile returned, when he looked back and found Gohan sulking in the back of the theater. It was rather easy to pick him out considering there was exactly nobody else in Ryo's line of sight. He found it amazing that Videl hadn't noticed him yet. He stood up, and waved his arm to motion his friend to come over to him.
"What does he want now?" Gohan grumbled, as he stood up. "Just showing up wasn't enough?!"
Gohan walked over to where Ryo was sitting near the center of the theater, and sat down next to him reluctantly. "What is it?" Gohan asked, trying his best not to sound too grumpy. He failed miserably.
"Well you seem cheerful this afternoon. What's the matter, did you miss dinner?"
"Stop kidding around, and just tell me what you want already?!"
"Okay, okay! No need to bite my head off!" Ryo laughed. "All I need you to do is save my seat while I run to the bathroom."
"Save your seat?!" Gohan looked around the theater. "There's nobody here! I doubt anyone is going to take your seat!"
"You're probably right, but I don't want to chance it. I'll be right back, I promise."
"But what do I do if Videl comes back?!" Gohan paused just then taking notice that she was gone. "Hey, where did she go anyway?"
"I don't know, she got up to do something," Ryo answered quickly. "I promise you I'll be back before she is. Just do me this favor, and you can go back to sulking in the back or whatever you were doing."
"Fine, just hurry up!"
"Thanks Gohan, I'll be right back."
Five minutes later there was still no sign of Ryo. Gohan was starting to grow impatient, well more so anyway. "Be right back my ass! What did he do, fall in and drown?!"
Just as he said that, somebody finally weeded their way back over to the seat next him. Assuming it was Ryo, Gohan didn't waste a second voicing his displeasure. "It's about time! I was getting tired of waiting!" Gohan's eyes widened when an angry female voice answered him.
"Well, excuse me! You're the one who told me to… Gohan?!"
"Videl?! I um... Oh crap."
"What are you doing here?! Are you spying on us?!" Videl frowned on the outside, but on the inside some small part of her smiled at that thought.
"No, no! You see Ryo… Awe crap…'
Videl placed her drink in a hostler, and the bag of popcorn she bought in the chair before crossing her arms, and glaring at Gohan menacingly. "Now tell me! What in the world is going on here?!"
Gohan sighed, and rested his hand against his forehead. "Ryo was really nervous about going on this date with you tonight, and he asked me to tag along to make sure he didn't chicken out or something. He asked me to save his seat, don't ask me why I know there's only three other people in this theater right now, while he went to the bathroom. He promised me he'd be back before you would, but as you can see he lied!"
"I see…" Videl wasn't sure whether to believe him her not. She knew Gohan was not the type to lie out right, so in the end she decided to take him at his word. She picked up her popcorn, and gawked at it as she took her seat. "If he went to the bathroom then why didn't he just stop and buy this stuff himself! He had me do it because he said he didn't want to miss the movie."
"I don't know maybe he…"
Videl and Gohan's eyes widened in sync with each other. Videl was the first to voice what was on both the teenager's minds.
"Oh Kami that little…"
"We've been had!"
In the meantime, Ryo had just exited the building, whistling with his hands stuffed smugly into his pockets. "I can't believe they fell for that! It's funny how everybody forgets about the oldest trick in the book when they don't expect anybody to use it. Oh well, when a cow's being stubborn sometimes you have to poke it in the butt to get it moving…. Speaking of beef, I'm hungry. I think I'll go grab a burger. Yeah, that sounds good!"
"I can't believe he did this," Videl repeated for about the fifth time as she shook her head.
"Why can't you? We both should've seen this coming. When you think about it, it sounds just like something he'd pull."
"Yeah well, he didn't exactly go by the book. Usually, when you try to fix two people up you lead them somewhere and ditch them, not ask them out, talk your other friend into tagging along, confuse the hell out of everybody, and then duck out on you! I will hand it to him though, he made it almost impossible to be suspicious. I don't know whether to be offended or not. I thought he really liked me for a minute or two there… Guess I should've known better."
"Don't talk like that, you know that's not the reason Videl! I guess he still thinks we have a thing for each other… He's getting rather desperate to see us together if you ask me, to go to these extremes I mean."
"Yeah. You have to admire his ingenuity though," Videl sighed as she looked at the screen. "I wonder why he picked such a horrible movie though?"
Gohan smiled at this. "Probably because he knew we wouldn't stay and watch it."
"He just might've been right…" Videl grumbled. "I'm not sure how much more of this I can stand."
"Well, I know how much more I can stand, and it's only about three more seconds." Gohan would've been lying if he said he didn't feel awkward about all of this. Still, he pushed that to the side for once, and smiled at Videl. "Hey, you want to go grab a bite to eat or something Videl? Ryo went to all this trouble, and I'd hate to disappoint him."
"I won't do anything just to satisfy that little dorks delusions!" Videl blushed slightly, but covered it up well with a smile. "But I will do it for me. Now let's get out of here before we fall asleep!"
The two friends wasted little time escaping from the theater. The question of where they would go for dinner didn't take long to answer. They decided on a little café that was almost empty when they walked in. They parked themselves in a corner booth, and pretty much chatted close to an hour away rather then eat. Gohan even decided to take it easy when it came to eating, so not to freak out Videl again. It was only a minor coincidence that it was much easier on his wallet as well. He'd already eaten a big dinner anyway.
"The Tenkaichi Budokai? Is it time for that again already?" Gohan asked.
"Yep, it's only a few weeks away Gohan. Heck, it's pretty much the biggest day of the year for this city, and you're telling me you had no idea?!"
"Can't say that I did," Gohan grinned. "I guess it's just not that big of deal to me as it is to a lot of people in this town. So, I'm assuming you're going to enter?"
"Of course I'm going to enter! I wouldn't miss this for the world! A chance to show the world, and prove to myself how far my skills have come over the past seven years. You know I did win the Junior Division during the last tournament."
Gohan looked confused. "There's a Junior Division now?"
"Yeah, they put it in place about two tournaments back after this young kid broke his neck during the quarter finals," Videl informed Gohan. "They just don't want to take the risk of kids getting hurt like that anymore."
"I guess I can understand that, but I can't say I completely agree with it. Look at my dad for instance. He was still a kid when he made it to the finals. Sticking him with a bunch of children would've almost been like an insult to him."
"Tell me about it," Videl mumbled. "When I found out I was going to have to participate in that thing instead of the adult competition, I didn't exactly take it very sportingly. Heck, the entire thing was a joke! I don't think even one of those snot nosed little brats lasted more then two minutes with me. It was so easy I was almost too embarrassed to accept the title when they awarded it to me."
"I can imagine. Your father must've been proud of you huh?"
"Are you kidding?! He ate the thing up! It was great for publicity after all. World Champion Hercule, and Junior Champion daughter Videl. At the time I was too young to realize what the heck it really meant to him." Videl frowned as another thought of her father crossed her mind. "He's also the favorite to win again this year. A part of me really wants to see him win again, another part of me would love to see someone finally knock him off his high horse, and a third more spiteful part of me would love to kick the crap out of him myself!"
Gohan laughed at this. "Well Videl, you do know you just might get a chance to make that happen."
"Are you kidding?! He's the World Champ! He'd rip me to pieces…" Videl wondered as to why Gohan was smiling the way he was. Of course she had no idea Gohan already knew that her father was actually little match for her. "What are you smirking at? Hey, are you going to enter the tournament by any chance?"
"What, me? No, I don't think so."
"And why not? I know you had to have learned some kind of fighting techniques from your father other then how to take a punch without flinching. Think of the possibilities, the son and the daughter of the last two winners of the Tenkaichi Budokai going head to head!"
Gohan had to admit that it sounded tempting… Not fighting with Videl, but the thought of entering a fighting competition appealed greatly to his Sayian side. That's when he remembered what kind of competition there would be. Absolutely none, so basically it would've been a waste of his time. "No… I don't think so. I really don't care for fighting all that much unless I have to. Besides, I'd just kick your butt anyway."
"You can not!" Videl frowned playfully, as she slammed her first down next to Gohan's plate almost knocking over his juice. "You'd be dreaming boy! Or maybe you're afraid to enter because you know I might wipe the ring with you!"
"Maybe that's it, but probably not," Gohan teased, wearing a sly look that let Videl know he wasn't going to be goaded into anything. "Honestly though, I just don't think I'm interested."
Videl eased back in her seat, wearing that half frown/half smile Gohan had come to know and quite honestly love. While it scared most people, it charmed him in some strange way. "So… You mean there's no family tradition or battle lust you've inherited from your father?"
"Now that you mention it, I guess fighting does flow through my veins, and I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some part of me that didn't enjoy a good fight," Gohan said truthfully, naturally leaving out the part of that blood being that of an alien race of warriors called Sayians.
"Then what's the problem then?! Come on, sign up with me! It'll be fun."
"Well… I'll tell you what, I'll think about it okay. At least long enough to think up some excuses why I shouldn't."
"That's good enough for me for now," Videl accepted. "You know I'm going to goad you until you say yes."
"I don't doubt it!" Gohan laughed. "So… What do you think about all this?… This thing with Ryo I mean. You're not disappointed that this was all some cheap attempt to fix us up are you?"
"No, not at all," Videl replied honestly. "I told you already that I like Ryo, but I'm not interested in him in that way. I just see him as a friend."
A mischievous smirk found Gohan's face. "Then why did you say yes then?"
"The reason why is not important!" Videl blushed. "Also, like I said before, why not?"
"So, I guess Ryo isn't this guy you've been telling me about then huh?"
"Nope."
"Then I have no idea who else it might be then…Is he anyone I know?" A look of horror fell over his face. "Wait a minute? It's not Sharpner is it?!"
"Kami, no!" Videl wasn't sure whether she should laugh or puke. "That's not even funny Gohan! As for the first question yes. Oh yes, is he ever! As for Ryo… I wouldn't say I was disappointed about anything except for maybe in myself because I should've seen it coming. Not that I really care, but come on! I mean a guy actually interested in me? That isn't a creep anyway! I should've known better."
"Don't start that Videl!" Gohan groaned. "How many times have we been through this? Then again, you can't really blame a guy for not wanting to date a girl who could kick the crud of him."
Videl frowned. "Isn't this where you're supposed to encourage me?!"
"I'm kidding Videl! Look, I'll admit… You are a tough as nails type of girl with a bit of a temper, and you do scare the hell out of people from time to time. I know you say you don't care right now, and I don't doubt you, but one of these days you're going to find someone who's going to look past all that. You're a very sweet, likeable, and kindhearted person when you'll let people see it Videl. As far as the martial arts thing goes, I for one think it's kind of sexy…" Gohan nearly chocked on his tongue as he stopped himself. In the meantime, Videl's face turned the shade of an apple, and she laughed slightly.
"Why Gohan… If I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to hit on me. You're not are you?"
"Umm… That depends," Gohan gulped nervously. "If I say yes, you're not going to start hitting on me literally are you?"
"Why don't you just answer me and find out?" Videl said wearing an evil smile that didn't install Gohan with much confidence.
Gohan wisely decided that then was a good time to shut up. He stayed silent for the better part of a minute, but she didn't try to pry an answer out of him like he expected. He bounced around nervously, Videl's eyes never once leaving him, and still wearing the exact same smirk on her face. "Videl what are you doing?"
"I'm just looking at you. You have a problem with that then tough."
"No, I don't… I'm just wondering why…"
"I don't know," Videl's grin softened into more of a playful smile. "Maybe I like what I see. You know you look cute when you're all nervous like this."
"Now who's hitting on who?" Gohan countered.
"Well, at least I'll admit it," Videl retorted, causing Gohan's face to light up red. That was about the last thing he was expecting her to say.
Gohan found himself lost for words yet again. Another few moments passed, Videl's eyes still locked on the boy practically teasing him. Gohan smiled deciding he was going to use those shinny blue orbs against her. He forced himself to look Videl straight in the eyes, causing her to blush a bit and finally whipped that smirk off her face. "You know you have gorgeous eyes Videl. It's hard to notice when you're giving the evil eye like you usual do, but I can see it right now. I don't think I've ever quite seen that shade of blue before. I guess I should feel honored they're looking at me. Has anybody ever told you that?"
Videl lowered her head slightly. "Yeah, but not from anybody who's opinion really matters."
"Does mine matter?"
"Maybe…"
"Hey, at least I got a maybe. That's a lot more then I expected," Gohan joked.
"Well then maybe you don't expect enough from yourself."
Just like that it seemed that both of them had run out of things to say, as if they realized what they were doing and suddenly became all shy all of the sudden. Not that either one was sorry it happened either. In fact, they were both thinking along the same lines. They had cycled through various emotions since Ryo had left them stranded. At first a bit amused, then a little ticked about it, and now they were both to a point where they might have to thank the little geek for it.
"It sure looks like a nice night out there huh?" Videl asked as she looked out the window, finally breaking the tension.
"Yeah it does. You want to go for a walk or something?"
"Sure."
Gohan paid for their meal, and the two exited the café. Videl smirked, and said out of the blue. "I bet I'm faster then you!"
"You really think so?" Gohan asked skeptically, and made sure Videl noticed.
"Well we're about to find out." Videl smacked Gohan on the shoulder, and took off running. "TAG, YOUR IT!"
"Oh, grow up Videl!" Gohan called after her.
"What's the matter pokey?! You afraid you can't catch me?!" Videl taunted him before disappearing around the corner into some alley.
Gohan smirked, sensing his Sayian pride being tested. "We'll see about that. I have a little surprise for you Videl."
Videl smile confidently before turning around, and seeing that Gohan was nowhere in sight. She frowned slightly, wondering if he was even chasing after her, only to get the surprise of her life when she turned around to find Gohan standing no more then ten feet in front of her. More out of shock then anything else, Videl tried to slam on the breaks only to lose her balance and tumble right into Gohan's awaiting arms. Videl lifted her head up slowly until she made eye contact with Gohan, and they both lit up like lava lamps.
"Umm… Excuse me…" Videl stammered. "Thanks for stopping me I guess…"
"You're welcome," Gohan gulped. His arms were still latched around her waist, from where he had grabbed her to keep her from falling. He wasn't about to move them until Videl made him either. He also noted how she still hadn't bothered to loosen her grip from around his waist either. All of the sudden, a thought of the Videl everyone else except him, Ryo, and possibly Erasa knew came to mind. Gohan laughed at the thought of the consequences most guys in this position might have to face by now. "So… Am I the first?"
Videl cocked her brow in confusion. "The first to what?"
"The first guy to put his arms around you like this without getting them ripped off and beat with."
Videl stayed silent for just a moment and stared at him, before beginning to laugh. "Now that I think about it, yeah I think so… You know Gohan, I actually had a really good time tonight…"
"Yeah… Me too…"
"You know I really wouldn't mind doing this again sometime… For real I mean…"
"I don't think I'd mind either…"
Gohan panicked a bit when he felt Videl's grip tighten ever so slightly as her arms began to slide farther up his back, but that was quickly forgotten. Gohan pulled his head back slightly, but Videl's face just kept moving closer regardless. Close enough where he could feel her hard anxious breath roll into his face. He forced his eyes to focus on her face, and noticed how nervous she looked even with her eyes half closed. A lot like she wanted something, but she was still trying to decide whether she should pursue it or not. The little space in between them disappeared ever so slowly, and now nether one of them was in much of a position to think let alone worry about now trivial things like consequences and doubts. Breathing became a bit harder and shallow, and hearts started to beat a little faster while their lips moved that much closer together… For a few moments that seemed to last an eternity for those who had been secretly waiting for this to happen most, it seemed like it was inevitable but…
It wasn't meant to be just yet. All of Gohan's senses and rational thought had pretty much melted like butter by then, but one uncanny sense of his remained sharp. He felt the approach of a strong Ki coming towards them. The person he sensed wouldn't have been anything more then a walk in the park to Gohan, but with Videl there with him it was enough to make him take notice. Enough for him to turn his head away and grimace at the night sky, searching for any signs of whoever he might've sensed. He found no one, and all he managed to do was ruin the tender little moment they had almost shared. Videl for one wasn't exactly thrilled with the sudden change of the mood.
"Gohan, what are you doing?!" Videl frowned, clearly agitated that Gohan had pulled away just seconds before they could make time stop. She finally let go of him, and put her hands to her hips allowing her expression to demand an answer for her. "What's your problem, you think I have cooties or something?! Grow up!"
"I'm sorry Videl, I thought I felt someone…" Gohan and Videl stared down each other briefly before they both blushed as if they both just then realized what they had just come a mere second or two away from doing. Once again, Gohan let his guard down for just a second. A second too long.
"AGHH!" Gohan screamed, as he felt someone's foot strike him right between the shoulder blades. Gohan went flying hard into a brick wall, knocking over a trio of trashcans set up behind one of the buildings, sending their contents spewing everywhere, and sending alley cats fleeing for their lives. Gohan bounced off the wall, and rolled about three times before finding his lips kissing the pavement. He laughed thinking how he knew it would've been much sweeter kissing Videl, his last thought before he blacked out for the time being.
"GOHAN!" Videl cried, as she watched him get sent crashing into one of the buildings. She would've run over to him if his attacker hadn't had the gall to show himself to her. In an enraged fit, Videl lunged at the strange masked man only to be surprised when he quickly disappeared from her sight. He reappeared behind her, prompting her to turn around and growl at him. "Why did you attack Gohan?!"
"Don't worry about your little boyfriend," the man snickered. "I'm not interested in him, I merely needed to get him out of the way. I'm here for your life miss. I am called Riego, and I represent the Ray Lien."
"Is that supposed to scare me?" Videl smirked, noting how the man before her was deck out in a full body pink Gi. "Forgive me, but I'm not about to be intimidated by some over confident Mortal Kombat reject!"
"Mortal Kombat? Interesting… What is this Mortal Kombat, some sort of human fighting competition?"
"No, it's a video game you moron!"
"Video game?"
"Oh, just shut up!" Videl shouted, as she took a swing at him only to deck thin air as he phased out. Reigo appeared behind her, and before Videl knew what was happening Riego had his armed lassoed around her throat effectively squeezing the breath of her. "Let go of me you creep…" Videl wheezed as she kicked, clawed, and bit at him in every different way she could manage from her position. No matter how hard she struggled she just couldn't break free, and all that was doing was pissing her off even more.
"You are a feisty one. And quite alluring too… But a job is a job I guess."
Reigo flattened out his palm, and jammed it into the back of Videl's skull. A numb feeling feel over Videl as her body stiffened up, and for a few frightening moments it felt like she couldn't breath. Reigo released his hold on her, only to allow her limp body to drop to the ground as she had already lost consciousness. Riego humfed indifferently before pulling the girl's body up to her knees by her ponytails.
"You see… I'm not all bad miss… At least you won't feel any pain when you meet your end."
"Videl…" Gohan mumbled as he came to, listening to the voice of his father scolding him for letting his guard down like that. "VIDEL!" Gohan shouted out this time, as he saw her predicament. He forced himself up onto his feet, but by then he was watching in horror as the blade of Riego's sword raced towards Videl's neck.
One quick swipe and the job would be done, that was Riego's mindset anyway. His eyes widened a bit when the sword stopped just inches in front of her neck, and felt his wrist being restrained. Much to the assassin's surprise, he looked up to find the big brown eyes of a human boy looking at him. Before Reigo could react, he pulled his arm back and nailed the ninja right in his jaw. Riego flew backwards, and hit the ground with
enough force to shatter the back of the average human.
"Ryo!" Gohan gaped in amazement after watching his friend nearly take Riego's head off. Fully recovered by that point, Gohan sprinted over to the boy, the only reason for that being was that he was already kneeling over Videl's body checking her over.
"Don't worry, she's still alive Gohan," Ryo assured him. "She's out cold, that's all."
"Thank Kami… And you too Ryo." Gohan looked in Reigo's direction as the ninja struggled to sit up, and he growled. "If you'll excuse me I have some business to take care of."
Ryo stood up, and cut Gohan off. "No. I'll take care of him Gohan. You need to…"
"Forget it Ryo!" Gohan's face got stern and serious. "Thanks for the offer, but I can take care of myself! This is personal!"
"I know that Gohan, but you're going to have other problems to worry about in a few seconds!"
"Like what?!" Ryo didn't have time to answer him. He got his answer when he felt another large Ki nearby, much stronger then Reigo's. Gohan nodded his head towards Ryo to let him know he understood. "Okay, I'll leave him to you then. You be careful…"
"You too…" Ryo trailed off, as if he was reluctant to say what was on his mind. "I know you're going to overreact to this, but you better take my word for it. This next guy isn't someone to fool around with, so you might want to go Super Sayian to be on the safe side…"
Gohan's mouth nearly hit the pavement. Ryo had already attempted to make his getaway when Gohan grabbed him by the side of the arm, and pulled him back to him so they were looking each other right in the eyes. "Hold on just one second! How did you know I was a Super Sayian?!"
"There's no time for that now! I'll explain later, but at the moment we've got more important things to worry about!"
Gohan wanted to protest, but he understood that Ryo was right. He felt that Ki he'd been sensing coming closer, and that was enough to convince him to drop the subject. By the time he blinked his eyes Ryo was already off and on his way anyway. That's when Gohan's eyes fell back down to the young lady laid out on the ground at his feet. "Videl…" That urge to rip Riego limb from limb returned to him, and all of the sudden decided he didn't give a damn about Ryo's warning. Before he could act on that instinct he felt that Ki again, and it was close… Very close… It took Gohan a moment to place a lock on the newcomer, but finally he did. He was right above his head."
"HEY!" Gohan grunted, as he rolled out of the way of a blurred streak. That streak came into view in the form of a Katana attached to the arm of a man dressed exactly like Reigo, except his uniform was dark blue. The ninja stood up slowly and glared at Gohan through the corner of his eye, representing the mirror image of poise and confidence. Gohan on the other hand was pulsating, his Sayian blood melting away any composure he might've normally shown. He didn't care if this was Riego or not, he was there, and all he wanted to do was take somebody's head off. Whoever the hell this guy was, he would do just fine. "So, your friend brought some backup huh? That's just fine with me!"
The blue ninja looked indifferent. "We don't require backup boy. Riego is here for the girl. My mission is different from his. I am Syro of the Ray Lien. The reason I'm here should be obvious to you by now."
"So you're here to take me out eh? Might I ask why? What the hell is the Ray Lien anyway?!"
"You ask too many questions boy," Syro sneered. "I'd give you your answers, but that would be a waste of breath. You won't live long enough to ponder them."
"You think so?" Gohan smirked. "I'd like to see you try to make good on that threat! Come on, try me!"
"In such a hurry to die. Well if you insist."
Syro readied his sword, and his speed took Gohan by surprise. Syro phased out, and faster then Gohan could blink his assassin was behind him swinging for his neck. Syro got a surprise of his own when Gohan picked up his movement, and ducked out of the way. Gohan threw a kick upward, knocking Syro's Katana from his hand. Gohan wasted little time following up with several punches and kicks. He landed the first two knocking Syro back, but the Ray Lien managed to shake the blows off and caught up with the Demi-Sayians pace, managing to block or dodge every one of Gohan's attacks. Gohan growled in frustration, and loaded up all his strength behind one kick he hoped would take Syro's head off. Literally if needed be. Still enraged over watching Videl nearly get decapitated by Riego, Gohan wasn't thinking straight. Normally his first thought during a fight would be that someone with Syro's speed and strength was nowhere near weak enough for that kind of attack to work. Gohan's kick was way to slow, and sailed over Syro's head. The blue assassin capitalized, bringing his knee up into the small of Gohan's back. Gohan arched his back over in pain, but still managed to plant his fist into Syro's face knocking him back. Both combatants reeled backwards a few steps before gathering their bearings, and stared each other down.
Gohan grinned. "You're not that bad."
"You're not so bad yourself," Syro jeered, before they jumped at each other again.
Riego groaned as he picked himself up off the ground. Riego mumbled something towards Ryo that the boy couldn't understand. Ryo recoiled in shock when he took a good look at Reigo's face. His jaw was badly dislocated from the rest of his face, protruding off to the left as far as it would go without completely unhinging from the rest of his face. Ryo's shock would change into the urge to puke at what Riego did next. Riego placed his hand underneath his chin, and violently snapped it back into place. He adjusted it slightly before turning his attention back to Ryo. "Damn you boy… That hurt."
"Ewe…" Ryo cringed. "Guess I don't know my own strength."
"Don't get too full of yourself, it was a lucky punch! You caught me off guard, and now you're going to pay for it… Then I'll take care of the girl."
"I think you're the one who's full of yourself," Ryo laughed. "A pink Gi huh? That means you're just a level one Ray Lien huh? Or are you just a rookie?"
"What do you know about our classing system?!" Riego growled, clearly insulted. "I can still destroy you with a breath you little…"
"You just breathed, and I'm still standing. Maybe two will do it, give it a try."
"Silence you!…"
Riego leapt forward, launching a kick at Ryo's face that the boy easily dodged. The over anxious ninja was quick to follow up with a rapid succession of punches and kicks all of which Ryo blocked for courtesy if anything. He sighed, seeing why Riego was a mere level one assassin. His technique was sloppy and predictable, and packed little force behind his attacks. He found it hard to believe he managed to even stun Gohan, even if he did have his guard down. Ryo thought that this fool was lucky Gohan didn't power himself up when he felt Riego coming, or he might've broken his leg when he came in contact with Gohan's body. Gohan must've been *really* into Videl for this weakling to get the jump on him like that.
Ryo decided to put this little hapless fool out of his misery. Ryo allowed Riego one last free punch that he dodged before burying his fist into Riego's gut. Riego's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull as he doubled over. Ryo followed up with an uppercut to Riego's jaw, knocking it out of place towards the right this time as he flew backward. He flew through the air like a dart until his skull crashed into the hard brick of a nearby wall, miraculously avoiding blowing a hole into it in the process. The sound of his skull crashing into the wall drowned out the sound of the bones in his neck snapping as his body folded up like and accordion. Riego dropped to the ground, shuttering and grunting slightly before his body was drug away by the cold unforgiving hands of death.
Ryo was taken back a bit at the scene, for that was not at all how he expected to end the fight. He hadn't even hit Riego all that hard… He must've been even weaker then Ryo originally thought. Ryo shrugged the unpleasant thought off, and went to check on Gohan. He was up against a much more powerful opponent after all.
Gohan had underestimated this Syro guy drastically. To that point the ninja warrior had matched Gohan move for move, and even gained the upper hand on two separate occasions. Gohan managed to rebound both times, and now they were locked in a familiar pattern of blocking and attacking at a pace that would seem like the speed of light to the naked eye. Finally, Syro managed to land a hard left into Gohan's face knocking the boy to the ground. Gohan quickly dusted himself off, and wiped off the blood trickling from the smile on his lips.
"This is pathetic," Syro complained. "What did I expect from a Sayian anyway? You're allegedly an all powerful race, and yet I've never fought a one of you that was ever any match for me."
"Well, I will give you that, you do seem to have this Sayian's number so far," Gohan smiled wickedly. "But let's see how well you can do against a Super Sayian."
"Ack, don't trifle with me boy! Super Sayian's don't exist! That's just some old wives tale, Sayian women created to make their children behave."
"You think so?" Gohan taunted, as his Ki began to flare and flicker. "So, tell me what you think of this?!"
Syro's eyes widened more from the dramatic spike in the boy's energy than the gold aurora that erupted around the boy's body. Even someone who couldn't sense Ki, much like Syro, he could still feel the power simply pouring out of him. Gohan even caused the ground to shake just for show, as he completed his transformation to a Super Sayian. "What in the?…"
"So, do you still think Super Sayians don't exist?"
"That's your so-called Super Sayian?" Syro asked, after shaking the initial sense of shock off. "Turning your hair gold? Big deal, I'm not impressed."
"Then allow me to show you what else I can do."
Gohan aimed a punch directed towards Syro's face, and the Ray Lien foolishly put his hand up to block it assuming Gohan's power hadn't risen all that considerably even with his little light show. It had the effect of a plywood shield against cold Spanish steel. Gohan punched Syro's hand right into his face, and before Syro could wonder what the hell was happening, Gohan was all over him. The blue ninja tried desperately to block or dodge everything Gohan so rapidly threw at him, but most hit dead on regardless and with tremendous force. First a right to the face, then a left to the body, and vice versa several times in rapid succession. A vicious assault that would have killed lesser men. Eventually, Syro appeared to have realized just what he was up against, and responded accordingly. Gohan appeared to be growing frustrated that he hadn't been able to knock Syro off his feet yet, and Syro used that to his advantage. Gohan hesitated for one second, and Syro saw his opening to launch a hard roundhouse kick to Gohan's face. To his horror, Gohan caught his leg like it were a can of soda, and the smirk the Sayian gave Syro made him want to scream. He might have done just that, if Gohan hadn't planted his fist into Syro's face before he could.
Syro flew backwards, crashing straight through the brick wall at his back. Luckily, it was just some old abandoned storehouse, so he didn't give anyone the scare of their lives. Gohan walked slowly, methodically in a way, finding the building rather dark as he entered through the freshly made door. Gohan flared his Ki slightly so that his golden aurora shown brighter, illuminating the dark area. Still no sign of Syro however, no sign of him except for the big blue ball of Ki speeding towards his head. With a flick of his wrist, Gohan sent the ball of energy upward, blowing another hole in the roof of the building before it ascended into space. Gohan's first thought was as to why Syro would've used such a weak attack against him, but then thought that maybe he had severely weakened Syro by that juncture of the battle. He would soon realize it was merely a distraction for the second Gohan knocked away the blast Syro was already in his face. The Ray Lien assassin rammed his shoulder into Gohan's chest, sending the boy flying back out of the building.
Gohan took control of his body before he hit the ground, using one hand to spring off the pavement and to his feet just in time to greet a charging Syro. He launched a series of rapid punches and kicks at the Demi-Sayian that accomplished nothing except showing the boy that his opponent was getting desperate. Gohan waited for just the right opportunity, and landed a kick of his own right underneath Syro's chin spinning the blue ninja completely around. Syro played it for more then it was worth, and surprised Gohan by sending a back kick into Gohan's stomach. Syro then hit ground and attempted to take out Gohan's legs, when the boy surprised him this time by taking to the air. Gohan rose slowly, summoning up the energy from the center of his body. "Ka…. me…
Syro's eyes widened in horror. "Is he insane?! He has to know an attack like could destroy this entire planet if he misses me!"
"ha… me…"
Screw the planet. Syro wasn't about to take the bullet for Earth, if it imploded on itself that wasn't his concern. Syro scrambled to his feet, stumbling slightly as he did so.
Gohan smirked. He had no intention of firing that attack, and he got exactly what he wanted. For Syro to let his guard down. Gohan used his Super Sayian speed, and in a flash was standing in front of a mortified Syro. Gohan almost literally drilled Syro in the gut. The ninja doubled over violently, as Gohan followed up with a hard roundhouse to Syro's chin that nearly took his head off. Like the loser of a bout in a bad boxing movie, Syro collapsed to the ground seemingly in slow motion. His body gyrated slightly, but other then that he stayed limp.
Gohan stalked over to his fallen opponent, and glared down at him as Syro shuttered slightly. In a show of mercy he was going to leave it at that, and leave the man to live or die on his own. That was until a voice rang in from behind him that told him otherwise.
"Finish him Gohan," Ryo told him. "There's no other way."
A slightly disgusted look formed on Gohan's face. "I will not! I've already defeated him, so there's no need for that! He couldn't pose much of a threat to a houseplant at the moment!"
"That's not the point Gohan!" Ryo insisted. "You don't know how his kind operates, I do. He won't stop until you're dead! He'll keep coming after you until the job's done!"
"He's right…" Syro mumbled, as he rolled over on his stomach. "Please just end my life now, and give me an honorable death. I can't go back now… You have no idea what the price of failure is for the Ray Lien."
"Well that's your problem then isn't it?" Gohan said almost cruelly. Maybe it was, but if he was going to die anyway he'd rather have it on Syro's comrades hands rather than his. "Maybe you should've chosen a more honest life."
"You really think it's that simple boy?" Syro snickered, as he struggled to his knees. "I won't stop until I've finished you… And if I can't beat you one-on-one, maybe I'll just find some other way to get to you. I've done some research on you boy, as we do with all our targets. It would be a shame if something happened to your poor dear mother. I also know that you have a little brother… I've always wondered what the insides of a human child looks like…"
"Shut up!" Gohan growled, as he kicked Syro in the face. Syro rived on the ground, and coughed up blood through his mask. Gohan had half a mind to grant Syro's request, but he composed himself allowing that surge of Sayian adrenaline to sizzle out. He promised himself never to let it get out of control again after all. "If you get so much as fifty feet from my family I'll do more then kill you, I'll rip you limb from limb and feed the rest of you to my friend Todo and his family!"
Gohan left it at that, and walked away. Syro however, would have none of it. He gathered up all the strength left in his battered body to launch one last desperate attack while Gohan's back was turned. Ryo cried out to warn him, but it wasn't all that necessary. Gohan felt him coming. He whirled around, and fired a small Ki blast into Syro's chest. Syro stood still doing nothing besides moaning slightly, as his last seconds of life ticked away. Gohan stared in shock, as Syro's body fell over. He couldn't feel Syro's Ki anymore. Not one bit of it. He hadn't intended for that blast to be strong enough to do anything but stun him, yet still…
"He leaned into it," Ryo explained, as if answering his unasked question. "Well, so to speak anyway. He powered down as much as he could, and made sure he took your blast head on. He had no intentions of going back to his masters a failure."
"If you say so," Gohan stammered, a bit unnerved by his latest kill though unintentional. He shook it off, realizing he had other more important things to concern himself with. He walked over to Videl, and checked her over one last time before taking her in his arms. He smiled, noting how her Ki had improved steadily to the normal level of a sleeping human, and that otherwise she appeared perfectly fine.
"Well, I see you have things well under control here," Ryo smiled at the protective way Gohan cradled Videl to his chest. "Guess I'll be on my way then."
"You wait just a minute!" Gohan demanded, sounding almost angry. "You're not going anywhere until you explain to me what's going on!"
Ryo frowned defensively. "I fail to see why I need to explain myself to you."
"And why not Ryo?! What are you afraid of?! Are you hiding something you don't want me to know about?! Like for example how you even knew I was a Sayian let alone a Super Sayian!"
"I have my ways," Ryo answered simply. "I'm sorry Gohan, but like you have things you don't want people to know about you, I have things I don't want people knowing about me. Though I may know more about you then you could ever imagine, I still didn't see you sharing any of it with me. I'm sorry, but I just can't tell you as of right now…"
"I'm not going to accept that! I need to know how you know about me, and what you know about these Ray Lien! Not to mention how you know about them, and how the hell you knew they were going to attack us here! I need to know Ryo! Until I do, I'm not sure if I can trust you!…"
Gohan regretted his choice of words the second Ryo looked back at him. He didn't look surprised, he didn't look angry… He just went cold, and glared at Gohan briefly before turning his head away. "Fine then Gohan… Have it your way. I would've thought you knew me better by now… And here I thought we were friends. Guess I was wrong."
"Were are friends Ryo! It's just that… You say that, but you refuse to tell me anything about you…"
"Would you have ever told me you were a half-alien, one that just happened to kill a monster named Cell seven years ago unless you absolutely had to? Would you have told me anything about your trip to Namek, or your fight with Frieza? Would you have shared any of that with me, or even Videl for that mater? Would you, or would you have kept it a secret as long as you possibly could?"
Gohan's eyes widened, as Ryo ran off a brief history of rather important events of his life he by all means had no business of having any knowledge of. Ryo was really starting to give him the creeps. "Well no but…"
"That's what I thought. I guess there's nothing left to say then," Ryo sighed, as he took to the air.
"Ryo wait!" Gohan nearly took off after him when he remembered the precious cargo he was holding in his arms. He forgot all about Ryo for the moment, and looked down at her. His eyes widened a bit when the girl moaned, and began to stir. Gohan blushed ever so slightly when he heard her moan out his name.
"Gohan…" Videl opened her eyes slowly, only for them to shoot all the way open when she saw just who was holding her. "It's you again!"
Gohan was confused for a moment, until he remembered he was still in Super Sayian form. To her he was the Gold Fighter at the moment, not her friend Gohan. "So you're awake. Getting yourself into trouble again I see…"
Videl frowned as if she was going to snap at him, but stopped when something more important entered her mind. She shot up into a sitting position, still in Gohan's arms, and looked all around the surrounding area. "There was a boy here with me! Did you see where he…"
"Your friend is fine, he's already headed off on his way home."
Videl frowned again. Gohan couldn't decide whether she was angry or looked more disappointed. "Oh really…"
Gohan picked up on the hint and smiled. "He really didn't want to leave you though, I practically had to kick him in the butt to get him off on his way. He was worried about you, but I convinced him I'd take care of you. There's no need to worry about that man coming after you again, he's been taken care of."
Videl's expression softened as he told her that. A smirk crossed the girl's lips, as she glanced over at the boy she called the Gold Fighter suspiciously. "Oh really… Still, I think I'm going to have to give him a piece of my mind tomorrow regardless."
Gohan sweat dropped. Wonderful! I'm really in for it now…
"Umm…Excuse me Golden Boy, but… Would you mind putting me down please?!"
"Oh sorry!" Gohan laughed nervously, as he set Videl down on her feet. "It is rather late… You don't need me to escort you home do you? Especially considering you were just attacked and all…"
"Thanks, but no thanks! I don't need a bodyguard, I can take care of myself!" Videl snapped, and then glared at Gohan as she set her hands on her hips. "Besides… I was hoping someone else would walk me home tonight, but since he supposedly ran out on me I guess I'll go myself."
"Oh, I see…" Gohan gulped. She was hoping I'd walk her home? Really?… What, am I doing?! Don't read too much into that Gohan!
Videl smiled at Gohan evilly, and it would've made the hair on Gohan's chest stand on in if he had any there. "You know you look cute when you're all nervous like that. What's the problem anyway?"
"Uh, no problem! Since you don't need any help, I guess I'll be going now. Ha, ha! See you later Videl!"
All Videl could do was smile as she watched Gohan fly away. Only one word entered her mind. "Dork."
In the meantime, Gohan was hovering in the air slightly pouting. "That was the same line she used on me back in the café… Guess I was stupid for letting myself fall for it."
Gohan wasn't about to let Videl walk all the way home by herself. He powered down, and followed her secretly until she was safely inside her home. After that, he headed home, and without a doubt would be left to ponder just what in the hell had happened that night. With Ryo, and Videl…
End.
-Whew! I spent most of Sunday editing this thing for you guys! Hope you appreciate it. As for the thing with Ryo asking Videl out, well besides setting up this chapter I really wanted include at least one thing in this story that would make the reader go *What the hell?!*. I do have a question for you guys. When Videl woke up after the fight scene did anybody else forget Gohan was still as Super Sayian, because I almost did and I wrote it! I didn't want to suffer alone, so I decided to make Gohan forget to. He was understandably distracted at that moment.
Chapter ten preview! Being stubborn like boys can be, Gohan and Ryo go the better part of a week without speaking to each other. Videl has no clue what happened between them, but she's determined to get them to make peace with each other. And possibly drive Sharpner crazy in the process… He, he.
