A/N – Here's a long chapter for ya, 2 and a half pages worth. Oh, I think I can have a regular updating schedule. Every six days I can update. See, I work 12 hour night shifts 3 days, and have 3 days off. The first two nights I'll write, the last one, I'll post the latest, until I finish. So, until next time! Thank you to my reviewers!

Changing Faces

Part 3 – Of Ladies and Dragons

Chapter 4 – I Was Blind...

The next day, Goku greeted Videl just after she awoke.

"Hey Videl, I've got great news for you. You're a Saiyan!" He smiled happily.

For a moment, she stared at him with a dumbfounded look upon her face, "Uh, Goku, I already know that. And in fact, I'm only half Saiyan. My other half is human."

Goku seated himself in front of her, cross-legged, and a serious look washed across his face, "If you are half human and half Saiyan, you would be more powerful than either race alone. You've watched me go Super Saiyan, right?"

"Super Saiyan? I thought it was called Gold Fighter," she said blankly. Gohan lied?

"Uh... we always called it Super Saiyan," Goku answered as he scratched his head.

"We?"

"Yeah, me and my two sons, and another Saiyan named Vegeta, and his son too," Goku answered.

Videl absorbed this for a few quiet moments. Goku launched into a history of the Saiyans, of one she already knew. Why did Gohan call it Gold Fighter instead of Super Saiyan?

She remembered back to his hesitation, Maybe he was protecting our history as Saiyans, by calling it Gold Fighter. Yes, this must be it, and that would make Gohan...

"Your son," she murmured out loud.

Goku stopped his history lesson, "What about my son?"

"His name is Gohan?"

He cocked his head curiously, "How did you know that?"

Videl smiled brightly, "I am his life mate."

"No kidding?" Goku exclaimed.

She answered with a smile, then a frown, "Please don't tell anyone, Goku."

"I won't, Videl, you can trust me. But why don't you want anyone else to know?"

"Well, there is a long story behind it, and I wish not to get into it," she said hesitantly.

"Okay, I won't tell," Goku promised again, "But back to my story, you being half Saiyan means you can go Super Saiyan too. It'll take a lot of work and training, but I believe in you."

"Alright," she said nonchalantly, but inside, she was jumping with joy.

The power, grace, and agility the Super Saiyan held was suddenly a tangible rope to her, swinging gently in the breeze, just out of grasp. With the assistance of the fighters in the Other World, Videl would reach out and take hold of that rope.

She could feel it in her marrow.

It seemed like months had passed since Videl had joined the dead in the Other World. She fit in with the universe's best fighters, but something made her different from the rest. Perhaps being one of the only two Saiyans, and being a female in the Other World training grounds made her unique. Once word of her heritage spread, Videl often found herself being the center of attention, perhaps more often than she had been as crown princess of Pandova. It was an unwanted recognition to the young former royalty; she simply wanted to train and be left alone.

However, the growing friendship between the Devoroy named Sill, and kinship to a fellow Saiyan named Goku, did kindle some sociality in her.

Videl and Sill talked often during breaks in training, and slowly her longing for Gohan faded. It wasn't until she inadvertently scratched her bite mark that she realized that she hadn't thought of her life mate in days; how much she still missed him!

Mulling silently and alone, Videl pondered her betrayal of devotion to her Gohan. What is happening? I still love him; I feel it, but being away from him no longer hurts as much. Am I getting used to our separation, or... am I falling out of love with him?

She sensed Sill's arrival long before she saw him.

"Videl, you are alone," he said quietly.

He couldn't be more accurate, "I'm just thinking."

"About Gohan," he finished.

Her silent nod confirmed it for him. "You really should concentrate on becoming a Super Saiyan. It is very important to you, I can tell."

She nodded again, unsure of how to reply.

"Videl," he hesitated, "Just before I died, my mother vowed to wish me alive. It shouldn't be long before I leave again."

She was speechless as her astonished eyes searched his, "How... how?"

"This Earth you speak of isn't the only place with Dragonballs. Huro also has a Namekian Guardian, who looks after the planet and the Dragonballs. So you see, with only seven dragonballs to find, my time here is short."

Videl vaguely wondered if Gohan would collect the Dragonballs for her.

"So when will you go," she asked, recognizing the pang of hurt in her heart as pain of losing a close friend.

Sill saw the pain rise to her eyes before he spoke, "I have an offer to make you, Princess, if you will."

At her appeal, the Devoroy continued, "The dragon will grant two wishes. The first wish will bring back those killed by the terrible war, to include myself. The second wish is mine alone. I would like to wish you alive, on Huro with me."

The prospect of being alive again sent shivers of joy up and down Videl's spine. She thought of all the wonderful details of life; she thought of her mother and sisters even if she was forbidden to ever return to her home; she thought of Gohan...

"What if Gohan tries to wish me back, I won't be here," she said.

"Gohan! You think of him when I offer you life! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I had hoped you would see this sooner; your 'Gohan' isn't going to wish you back. Destruction of entire cities delays my people collecting our dragonballs, but what is Gohan's excuse?"

Videl had never seen Sill angry and she offered no explanation.

He continued, "Dragonballs can be collected in just a few weeks with the proper equipment and devotion."

Realization slowly dawned on Videl. If what Sill said was correct, than their bond was worth nothing. Perhaps the Pandovans were accurate in their beliefs- all men suck. (author is currently rolling on the floor laughing and apologizing to the few good men out there)

So Gohan throws away our love... and I was blind to this... this forsaking!

Pain and anger welled up from the deepest part of her soul and she cried out in emotional pain.

"No..." she whispered, "It's not fair!"

Her power began to rise, swirling around her like an outward manifestation of the sudden storm of anguish raging inside her heart.

"Let it go," Sill shouted, "Take hold of your anger! Use it!" (Use the Force, Luke!)

His encouragement pushed her over the edge. The golden energy replaced the silver encasing her; her eyes became teal, and at last, her long hair stood in the golden glory of the coveted Super Saiyan.

Fatigue quickly overcame the young half Saiyan, and as soon as she achieved her goal, it faded from her form. Videl fell to her knees panting and drenched in sweat.

Shoes she recognized as Goku's materialized before her.

"You were magnificent, Videl," Sill said proudly, "Worthy of your crown and title. Let me know when you have made your decision."

As Sill soberly walked away, he heard Goku's excited questions about her transformation. But Goku-san, her transformation was more than just physical.