It certainly has been a while since I posted last. I think this chapter is
something of a crossroads in the story so I spent a lot of time on it, hope
it was worthwhile. Here is Chapter 9:
=-=-=-=-==-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Chapter Nine:
**********
The dawn awoke Videl the next morning. It was a marvelous thing to wake to the sunrise in such a way. Since she did not bother with any light she slept and woke with the sun. 'That really was nice, maybe not something to do everyday, but something I would not have missed.'
As she reflected deeper it was clear that not only did the effect of this peaceful evening and new morning give her this happiness. There was something more. 'It's like I am close to a contentment. I can feel it slipping away but for a moment there, I was truly at peace with my father and the direction of my life. Someday I will live in that moment. And I guess that is what I am looking for in the end.' Came the wise thoughts of the young girl.
Though she was unsure of how to grab hold of that contentment that was pushed back by the realities of her life, for once she knew what it was. And now she could strive for it. But those were things far in the future, for how many girls her age found the peace of mind and satisfaction she sought to keep for the rest of her life?
If Videl had found contentment in the forest with her life, the city drove it away from her minutes after her arrival at their new 'home'. She found herself whisked away by a coordinator of some sorts and dressed in an outfit befitting a girl half her age more appropriately. But before she could complain she found herself on a stage with her father in front of this strange mansion that was said to be her home.
"And now, it gives me great honor to present to you, the world's savior, the key to the city." Said the short round bald man, which Videl had seen in her vision of the present.
"Thank you Mr. Mayor." Said her father, with a happy smile and a fake tear in his eye.
"That is not all Mr. Satan, we have another little surprise for you. The city council and I have unanimously decided to change the name of Orange Star City to Satan City, in honor of our most famous resident." Said the Mayor, though it was quite clear by the proceedings and interactions that Videl's first impression of him as her father's errand boy was quite appropriate.
"This is such a shock!" Exclaim the proud namesake of the city in his fake surprise award speech voice. Videl fought the urge to knock him down, steal the microphone and announce to the masses gathered that it was surely his idea to name the city for himself. "Thank you all so much, on behalf of my daughter and myself, thank you." He said with pride. Though the short gulp based on the glare he got from Videl as he looked to her to extend her thanks was very noticeable. However Mr. Satan's charms quickly won the crowd back and allowed Videl to escape to her transplanted room.
After a quick shower and change of clothes, she set out reloading her capsules for her next mission. Even if it were just a quick run down the island it would not hurt to be prepared. Though in truth she was keeping busy to calm down before she would have to see her father again to set off on her quest of training anew.
"Dad, you have a minute?" She called into his study, once she had worked up the nerve to speak to him and choked back her bile. She found him, in what was a familiar situation away from others. He sat admiring better days on his TV. She thought sadly to all she had learned just before she met Korin, and pushed it aside since he was obviously not ready yet.
"What is it Honey?" He asked. Looking up from his old match after a long pause.
"I am off on another training mission." She said simply but firmly.
"Are you sure? I worry about your safety." Said the larger man, his concern fighting through his own woes.
"I will be fine daddy, I'll just climb Mt. Paozu to the south. Nothing major." She said nonchalantly.
For a moment, in his shock at her progress, she saw the idea of telling her that it was too much, that he could not even do such a thing. But it passed, and with it the thrill of the moment of closeness.
"Just be careful dear." Came his voice, distant again, caught up in remembering his past of earned glory, and lost love. His daughter pitied him for a moment, as she resolved to try and be more patient with him.
'All that has happened has hurt him, maybe even more so than me. And in all the commotion I think if it is possible he misses mom more than I do.' She thought sadly as she set off to find this mysterious master to the south.
Outside of the gate of their new house, was a large crowd of sightseers. As they noticed Videl at the front door flashbulbs popped. This made the most famous girl in the world retreat back inside. For a moment, she thought herself trapped in her own 'home'.
'I cannot believe I forgot.' Thought Videl as she retreated to the back yard, hid behind a tree and disappeared from the view of normal eyes. In a flash she leapt over the security wall and made her way out of Satan City. 'Now there is something I wish I could forget.' Thought Videl of the newly posted sign, "Now Leaving Satan City, Home Of The World's Savior".
At the outskirts of her hometown Videl figured that she should at least make good on her conversation with her father. So she made her way to the top of the nearby mountain. She passed the treacherous paths and valleys with ease. Taking her time to appreciate her improvement. Even at this more reasonable pace the amazing jumps and sprints made short work of the misty valleys, as she found herself at the summit in no time.
"Would you look at that?" She marveled at the scene before her. It truly was nature's majesty before her. The mist of countless waterfalls hanging above the fertile valley below was breathtaking. As she looked out to the southwest she saw it. Along a river from the mountain was a small cluster of houses. She could not really tell if it was a small village or just a sectioned house, but that would be as good a place as any to begin the search for this prodigy.
=-=-=
Son Chi-Chi was sitting at the kitchen table of her secluded home, nursing a cup of tea. She had often done this even before the recent anguish, in the afternoon lull between meals. She was however, so wrapped up in her troubled thoughts that she did not hear the knock at the door at first.
At the second knock she hurried to the door, afraid to loose one of few visitors, as well as respite from her troubles. What she found at the door puzzled her. There stood a young preteen girl, with a nervous look on her face and unusual outfit. The nervous look increased when Chi-Chi sized her up, though she lacked the more defined skills of her friends, the fighters, Chi-Chi's rudimentary ki sensing did tell her: this girl was above normal.
"Hello, ma'am I am Videl. I have been sent to find the young master Gohan." She said nervously.
"Really? Sent by who exactly?" Asked Chi-Chi perplexed. What could this girl be after her son for?
"Masters Korin and Tenshinhan. They said he would expect me." Answered Videl, her confusion mounting as well.
"Those two huh? They are two of the more reasonable of the group, but I have not heard from them. There seems to be some sort of break down of communication."
"I knew she was coming." Came a fiery voice from within the house. "Tien was here the other day. I will tell you what I told him, I have no need for distractions or silly chores to keep me busy. Find yourself someone else." Said the voice of the silhouette just inside the house. Through the darkness caused by the afternoon sun Videl could have sworn she saw his eyes, burning in festering rage, it scared her more than she had thought possible. Then as unexpectedly as he appeared, he was gone.
"That was Gohan." Informed Chi-Chi sadly. "He has been very angry since the death of his dad. I can only imagine what would happen. . . Where are my manners? Please come in." She said as she led Videl into the kitchen and fixed her some tea.
As the woman, this seemingly perfect mother, like out of a dream, Videl thought about what she had said. 'Gohan's father died recently. He is very powerful, according to Korin. Could he be?'
By the time the tea was done, Chi-Chi's concern for her son, and for their lot eased to remind her that they had not been properly introduced.
"So my dear, your name is Videl? Mine is Chi-Chi . . ." She started.
"Son Chi-Chi?" Asked Videl carefully, but with understated excitement.
"Yes."
"Then your husband was?" Asked Videl with wide eyes of shock.
"Yes, he was Son Goku alright. I am surprised you didn't know that."
"I was just told, look for a boy my age named Gohan here. I am sorry for your loss." Said Videl gathering her courage for what she had to say next. Chi-Chi just gave a tearing nod. "My father is Mr. Satan. He is stealing your husband's credit. I will do anything necessary to make amends for his crimes." Her shame, honest regret, sadness and need to undue the wrongs of her father's fame were clear on her face well past her words.
Chi-Chi just looked at the young girl for a moment as she prepared to be rebuked. What the older woman did next was not even in the realm of possibilities to Videl. She smiled.
"My dear, it seems your father has wronged you far worse than my family. They do not fight for glory, but for the safety of others. And besides, the biggest surprise is that Goku did not beat Cell, it was Gohan." She said with pride for her son, and sadness for her lost husband.
The shock of the revelation that might be expected was overloaded by the disgrace.
"No! You must be angry. Yell at me, scold me, hurt me, I am guilty by association. My father is a bad man; he steals the hard earned sacrifices of others. So much so that he would risk anything, anyone to keep his ill- gotten gains." Yelled Videl tearfully, the shame, and loneliness overloading her once again.
Before she noticed what was happening she was being hugged by Chi-Chi. She was comforting her. How could a stranger care more for her than her father?
"I honestly thought I was past this." Said Videl through her heavy sobs.
"My dear you cannot reason your way through hurt. You can only endure."
And so the young daughter of the fraud was comforted by Chi-Chi, and it helped. In so many ways, not the least of which was the fresh motherly connection she had found, if only for this moment.
(A/N It seems that I honestly believe that what Videl needs most is a nice big hug, as in my other story.)
After the moment had passed Chi-Chi spoke first.
"I know you are a strong young woman, not used to showing your feelings. I can tell, just by that embarrassed look on your face. There is no need to be."
"I, but still, I am sorry for bothering you with my petty concerns. So much more has happened to you than me, I mean your family, and your loss." She said, rambling apologetically.
"Never mind that now, I think this training is a great idea. Gohan needs to focus on something besides the pain of loss. In some ways you do too. But more than that you need, let me guess, to make your own name, become your own woman. And to do that you want to be stronger." Said Chi-Chi feeling she had a pretty good grasp on the situation.
"It's not like I want to beat him up or nothing. Sometimes maybe, but I think I could give him a run for his money right now. No, I want to help people, have been helping people." Said Videl passionately, denying any of her father's fame seeking ways.
"Of course dear, I did not mean to suggest otherwise." Interjected the older woman, her opinion of the girl only rising as they spoke.
"I have been helping people, as I could, on my way here. I must admit that the boost it gives my father's fame does hurt a bit. But only because I am doing this as penance for all he has taken." She said, unconcerned with the consequences of her words, the woman to whom she spoke did know the truth after all. Even if she chose to ignore what wrongs her father had done, Videl still felt a need to give back, to help where she could.
"But really why I am here is to become strong enough to help whenever, wherever possible. Maybe it is a combination of my morals frowning on his actions in gaining that praise, coupled with the need for it that he has passed on to me. It is the only time he pays any attention to me." She started sadly.
"I understand, you don't need to retread this, you have me on your side already. My son really needs something, and I think you can help. It is important that we improve his mood before I tell him my secret. Will you help me?"
"I already owe you and your family so much because of what my father has done, compounded by what you have done just now, not to mention your son's deeds, how dare I say no?" She said with a short pause, before whispering on, her voice loosing all of its previous conviction. "Besides, it will help me get what I am here for." She let the sadness and irony of that fact speak for itself.
"Videl. You are so sweet and considerate; I think I will tell you, maybe even need to tell you. Tell you why your help is so important. And don't be upset at getting what you want, it is really not unnatural, just be glad we are in agreement." She stated, happy at her accomplice in this matter. Then her face got a little sad as she leaned in as whispered as quietly as she could.
Videl's eyes jumped as she heard to those of the speaker, searching for truth there. Chi-Chi smiled at her reaction, then she stopped and contemplated, before deciding on being happy about the situation for the first time in a long while.
"Really? And you seem so happy about it."
"I am, now we just have to convince Gohan not to blow up when he finds out, and take this continent with him." She said in a tone that at first sounded playful. But as Videl thought, it became clear that she was deadly serious.
After a moment of contemplation and silence the new union began with its first preparations.
"I think we must start by having you staying here for a while. If you help out a little bit I can give you any pointers I can think of as way of training." Said Chi-Chi as she stood and began to prepare for dinner. Videl made her agreement known by rising and washing her hands in the sink, signaling that she was going to help. "I figure if we get Gohan used to you he might just join in with the training." Concluded Chi-Chi with a wink. She then set out a knife and cutting board at the table for Videl.
"I guess that sounds good, but he seemed so angry." Said Videl as she took the vegetables to be diced as they were handed to her and began to chop.
"Yes. Good, and cut these lengthwise dear." Offered Chi-Chi in regard to the meal, before continuing. "He just blames himself for what happened with his father. But it really was not his fault. That Cell monster was going to blow up the planet if Goku had not sacrificed himself. Gohan could not have known that he would sacrifice everything to win. And moreover that the fiend could have survived it where his father did not"
"But afterwards Gohan beat him?" Asked Videl, trying desperately to keep some attention on the dangerous implement and her task. The topic was not helping.
"To hear Vegeta tell it, once Gohan had discovered that new level of power, Cell was not an issue." Said Chi-Chi absentmindedly as she buzzed about the kitchen working on several courses at once it seemed.
"I could not imagine Vegeta admitting such a thing if it were not rather obvious." Videl Marveled, her short time with the man reveling his character quite well.
"You've met Vegeta?" Asked Chi-Chi puzzled.
"Sure, I know all the Briefs, I met them yesterday on the way home. Some of them sure are friendly." She said with a smile.
"Really?" Asked Chi-Chi, apparently pondering something.
"Yeah, Bulma even asked if I could be Trunks' babysitter sometime."
"I just talked to her, she mentioned meeting a nice girl, but she did not say you were headed this way."
"I guess we never talked about where I was headed. Although I was supposed to let her know when I get settled for tonight." Said Videl.
"Now we could give Bulma a good surprise by having her over and seeing you here, but I think we should concentrate on making sure you are settled here. Perhaps in a week or so, we could spring it on her, after we get Gohan onboard of course." Chi-Chi whispered the last part. Videl had noticed that she was very sensitive of her son's moods and was touched and encouraged to try and help at the same time.
By the time the pair had completed the evening meal, and Videl had reassured Bulma that she had made it home ok, Gohan had returned. Whatever he had done all day had mellowed his anger slightly and he just settled on a scowl instead of the look of rage that Videl had been terrified of in the afternoon. He was not exactly pleased to see their guest, but ignored her all the same as he quickly ate, and went off to bed. Videl, while amazed at the quantity they had prepared and the speed in which the food was consumed was all the more concerned by the mood of the boy her age. Though some of his anger was clearly pointed at her, she could not help but feel sorry for him, and the majority of his anger that he plainly aimed at himself.
It was at this moment that Videl committed completely to her agreed upon task. For if her toll to reaching her goal of strength was to be a cause so worthwhile then she would be the lucky one. And she could certainly not allow herself to fail, so she just smiled back at the scowl and enjoyed her dinner. And she enjoyed being more secured in her goals and path to those goals than ever before.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
End Notes: Well there you have it. I like to think that most meetings of Gohan and Videl are not quite like that. Also, the time frame of this gives us an interesting added element, not that Chi-Chi's secret is all that much of a secret to the reader, but still interesting. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoyed it.
=-=-=-=-==-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Chapter Nine:
**********
The dawn awoke Videl the next morning. It was a marvelous thing to wake to the sunrise in such a way. Since she did not bother with any light she slept and woke with the sun. 'That really was nice, maybe not something to do everyday, but something I would not have missed.'
As she reflected deeper it was clear that not only did the effect of this peaceful evening and new morning give her this happiness. There was something more. 'It's like I am close to a contentment. I can feel it slipping away but for a moment there, I was truly at peace with my father and the direction of my life. Someday I will live in that moment. And I guess that is what I am looking for in the end.' Came the wise thoughts of the young girl.
Though she was unsure of how to grab hold of that contentment that was pushed back by the realities of her life, for once she knew what it was. And now she could strive for it. But those were things far in the future, for how many girls her age found the peace of mind and satisfaction she sought to keep for the rest of her life?
If Videl had found contentment in the forest with her life, the city drove it away from her minutes after her arrival at their new 'home'. She found herself whisked away by a coordinator of some sorts and dressed in an outfit befitting a girl half her age more appropriately. But before she could complain she found herself on a stage with her father in front of this strange mansion that was said to be her home.
"And now, it gives me great honor to present to you, the world's savior, the key to the city." Said the short round bald man, which Videl had seen in her vision of the present.
"Thank you Mr. Mayor." Said her father, with a happy smile and a fake tear in his eye.
"That is not all Mr. Satan, we have another little surprise for you. The city council and I have unanimously decided to change the name of Orange Star City to Satan City, in honor of our most famous resident." Said the Mayor, though it was quite clear by the proceedings and interactions that Videl's first impression of him as her father's errand boy was quite appropriate.
"This is such a shock!" Exclaim the proud namesake of the city in his fake surprise award speech voice. Videl fought the urge to knock him down, steal the microphone and announce to the masses gathered that it was surely his idea to name the city for himself. "Thank you all so much, on behalf of my daughter and myself, thank you." He said with pride. Though the short gulp based on the glare he got from Videl as he looked to her to extend her thanks was very noticeable. However Mr. Satan's charms quickly won the crowd back and allowed Videl to escape to her transplanted room.
After a quick shower and change of clothes, she set out reloading her capsules for her next mission. Even if it were just a quick run down the island it would not hurt to be prepared. Though in truth she was keeping busy to calm down before she would have to see her father again to set off on her quest of training anew.
"Dad, you have a minute?" She called into his study, once she had worked up the nerve to speak to him and choked back her bile. She found him, in what was a familiar situation away from others. He sat admiring better days on his TV. She thought sadly to all she had learned just before she met Korin, and pushed it aside since he was obviously not ready yet.
"What is it Honey?" He asked. Looking up from his old match after a long pause.
"I am off on another training mission." She said simply but firmly.
"Are you sure? I worry about your safety." Said the larger man, his concern fighting through his own woes.
"I will be fine daddy, I'll just climb Mt. Paozu to the south. Nothing major." She said nonchalantly.
For a moment, in his shock at her progress, she saw the idea of telling her that it was too much, that he could not even do such a thing. But it passed, and with it the thrill of the moment of closeness.
"Just be careful dear." Came his voice, distant again, caught up in remembering his past of earned glory, and lost love. His daughter pitied him for a moment, as she resolved to try and be more patient with him.
'All that has happened has hurt him, maybe even more so than me. And in all the commotion I think if it is possible he misses mom more than I do.' She thought sadly as she set off to find this mysterious master to the south.
Outside of the gate of their new house, was a large crowd of sightseers. As they noticed Videl at the front door flashbulbs popped. This made the most famous girl in the world retreat back inside. For a moment, she thought herself trapped in her own 'home'.
'I cannot believe I forgot.' Thought Videl as she retreated to the back yard, hid behind a tree and disappeared from the view of normal eyes. In a flash she leapt over the security wall and made her way out of Satan City. 'Now there is something I wish I could forget.' Thought Videl of the newly posted sign, "Now Leaving Satan City, Home Of The World's Savior".
At the outskirts of her hometown Videl figured that she should at least make good on her conversation with her father. So she made her way to the top of the nearby mountain. She passed the treacherous paths and valleys with ease. Taking her time to appreciate her improvement. Even at this more reasonable pace the amazing jumps and sprints made short work of the misty valleys, as she found herself at the summit in no time.
"Would you look at that?" She marveled at the scene before her. It truly was nature's majesty before her. The mist of countless waterfalls hanging above the fertile valley below was breathtaking. As she looked out to the southwest she saw it. Along a river from the mountain was a small cluster of houses. She could not really tell if it was a small village or just a sectioned house, but that would be as good a place as any to begin the search for this prodigy.
=-=-=
Son Chi-Chi was sitting at the kitchen table of her secluded home, nursing a cup of tea. She had often done this even before the recent anguish, in the afternoon lull between meals. She was however, so wrapped up in her troubled thoughts that she did not hear the knock at the door at first.
At the second knock she hurried to the door, afraid to loose one of few visitors, as well as respite from her troubles. What she found at the door puzzled her. There stood a young preteen girl, with a nervous look on her face and unusual outfit. The nervous look increased when Chi-Chi sized her up, though she lacked the more defined skills of her friends, the fighters, Chi-Chi's rudimentary ki sensing did tell her: this girl was above normal.
"Hello, ma'am I am Videl. I have been sent to find the young master Gohan." She said nervously.
"Really? Sent by who exactly?" Asked Chi-Chi perplexed. What could this girl be after her son for?
"Masters Korin and Tenshinhan. They said he would expect me." Answered Videl, her confusion mounting as well.
"Those two huh? They are two of the more reasonable of the group, but I have not heard from them. There seems to be some sort of break down of communication."
"I knew she was coming." Came a fiery voice from within the house. "Tien was here the other day. I will tell you what I told him, I have no need for distractions or silly chores to keep me busy. Find yourself someone else." Said the voice of the silhouette just inside the house. Through the darkness caused by the afternoon sun Videl could have sworn she saw his eyes, burning in festering rage, it scared her more than she had thought possible. Then as unexpectedly as he appeared, he was gone.
"That was Gohan." Informed Chi-Chi sadly. "He has been very angry since the death of his dad. I can only imagine what would happen. . . Where are my manners? Please come in." She said as she led Videl into the kitchen and fixed her some tea.
As the woman, this seemingly perfect mother, like out of a dream, Videl thought about what she had said. 'Gohan's father died recently. He is very powerful, according to Korin. Could he be?'
By the time the tea was done, Chi-Chi's concern for her son, and for their lot eased to remind her that they had not been properly introduced.
"So my dear, your name is Videl? Mine is Chi-Chi . . ." She started.
"Son Chi-Chi?" Asked Videl carefully, but with understated excitement.
"Yes."
"Then your husband was?" Asked Videl with wide eyes of shock.
"Yes, he was Son Goku alright. I am surprised you didn't know that."
"I was just told, look for a boy my age named Gohan here. I am sorry for your loss." Said Videl gathering her courage for what she had to say next. Chi-Chi just gave a tearing nod. "My father is Mr. Satan. He is stealing your husband's credit. I will do anything necessary to make amends for his crimes." Her shame, honest regret, sadness and need to undue the wrongs of her father's fame were clear on her face well past her words.
Chi-Chi just looked at the young girl for a moment as she prepared to be rebuked. What the older woman did next was not even in the realm of possibilities to Videl. She smiled.
"My dear, it seems your father has wronged you far worse than my family. They do not fight for glory, but for the safety of others. And besides, the biggest surprise is that Goku did not beat Cell, it was Gohan." She said with pride for her son, and sadness for her lost husband.
The shock of the revelation that might be expected was overloaded by the disgrace.
"No! You must be angry. Yell at me, scold me, hurt me, I am guilty by association. My father is a bad man; he steals the hard earned sacrifices of others. So much so that he would risk anything, anyone to keep his ill- gotten gains." Yelled Videl tearfully, the shame, and loneliness overloading her once again.
Before she noticed what was happening she was being hugged by Chi-Chi. She was comforting her. How could a stranger care more for her than her father?
"I honestly thought I was past this." Said Videl through her heavy sobs.
"My dear you cannot reason your way through hurt. You can only endure."
And so the young daughter of the fraud was comforted by Chi-Chi, and it helped. In so many ways, not the least of which was the fresh motherly connection she had found, if only for this moment.
(A/N It seems that I honestly believe that what Videl needs most is a nice big hug, as in my other story.)
After the moment had passed Chi-Chi spoke first.
"I know you are a strong young woman, not used to showing your feelings. I can tell, just by that embarrassed look on your face. There is no need to be."
"I, but still, I am sorry for bothering you with my petty concerns. So much more has happened to you than me, I mean your family, and your loss." She said, rambling apologetically.
"Never mind that now, I think this training is a great idea. Gohan needs to focus on something besides the pain of loss. In some ways you do too. But more than that you need, let me guess, to make your own name, become your own woman. And to do that you want to be stronger." Said Chi-Chi feeling she had a pretty good grasp on the situation.
"It's not like I want to beat him up or nothing. Sometimes maybe, but I think I could give him a run for his money right now. No, I want to help people, have been helping people." Said Videl passionately, denying any of her father's fame seeking ways.
"Of course dear, I did not mean to suggest otherwise." Interjected the older woman, her opinion of the girl only rising as they spoke.
"I have been helping people, as I could, on my way here. I must admit that the boost it gives my father's fame does hurt a bit. But only because I am doing this as penance for all he has taken." She said, unconcerned with the consequences of her words, the woman to whom she spoke did know the truth after all. Even if she chose to ignore what wrongs her father had done, Videl still felt a need to give back, to help where she could.
"But really why I am here is to become strong enough to help whenever, wherever possible. Maybe it is a combination of my morals frowning on his actions in gaining that praise, coupled with the need for it that he has passed on to me. It is the only time he pays any attention to me." She started sadly.
"I understand, you don't need to retread this, you have me on your side already. My son really needs something, and I think you can help. It is important that we improve his mood before I tell him my secret. Will you help me?"
"I already owe you and your family so much because of what my father has done, compounded by what you have done just now, not to mention your son's deeds, how dare I say no?" She said with a short pause, before whispering on, her voice loosing all of its previous conviction. "Besides, it will help me get what I am here for." She let the sadness and irony of that fact speak for itself.
"Videl. You are so sweet and considerate; I think I will tell you, maybe even need to tell you. Tell you why your help is so important. And don't be upset at getting what you want, it is really not unnatural, just be glad we are in agreement." She stated, happy at her accomplice in this matter. Then her face got a little sad as she leaned in as whispered as quietly as she could.
Videl's eyes jumped as she heard to those of the speaker, searching for truth there. Chi-Chi smiled at her reaction, then she stopped and contemplated, before deciding on being happy about the situation for the first time in a long while.
"Really? And you seem so happy about it."
"I am, now we just have to convince Gohan not to blow up when he finds out, and take this continent with him." She said in a tone that at first sounded playful. But as Videl thought, it became clear that she was deadly serious.
After a moment of contemplation and silence the new union began with its first preparations.
"I think we must start by having you staying here for a while. If you help out a little bit I can give you any pointers I can think of as way of training." Said Chi-Chi as she stood and began to prepare for dinner. Videl made her agreement known by rising and washing her hands in the sink, signaling that she was going to help. "I figure if we get Gohan used to you he might just join in with the training." Concluded Chi-Chi with a wink. She then set out a knife and cutting board at the table for Videl.
"I guess that sounds good, but he seemed so angry." Said Videl as she took the vegetables to be diced as they were handed to her and began to chop.
"Yes. Good, and cut these lengthwise dear." Offered Chi-Chi in regard to the meal, before continuing. "He just blames himself for what happened with his father. But it really was not his fault. That Cell monster was going to blow up the planet if Goku had not sacrificed himself. Gohan could not have known that he would sacrifice everything to win. And moreover that the fiend could have survived it where his father did not"
"But afterwards Gohan beat him?" Asked Videl, trying desperately to keep some attention on the dangerous implement and her task. The topic was not helping.
"To hear Vegeta tell it, once Gohan had discovered that new level of power, Cell was not an issue." Said Chi-Chi absentmindedly as she buzzed about the kitchen working on several courses at once it seemed.
"I could not imagine Vegeta admitting such a thing if it were not rather obvious." Videl Marveled, her short time with the man reveling his character quite well.
"You've met Vegeta?" Asked Chi-Chi puzzled.
"Sure, I know all the Briefs, I met them yesterday on the way home. Some of them sure are friendly." She said with a smile.
"Really?" Asked Chi-Chi, apparently pondering something.
"Yeah, Bulma even asked if I could be Trunks' babysitter sometime."
"I just talked to her, she mentioned meeting a nice girl, but she did not say you were headed this way."
"I guess we never talked about where I was headed. Although I was supposed to let her know when I get settled for tonight." Said Videl.
"Now we could give Bulma a good surprise by having her over and seeing you here, but I think we should concentrate on making sure you are settled here. Perhaps in a week or so, we could spring it on her, after we get Gohan onboard of course." Chi-Chi whispered the last part. Videl had noticed that she was very sensitive of her son's moods and was touched and encouraged to try and help at the same time.
By the time the pair had completed the evening meal, and Videl had reassured Bulma that she had made it home ok, Gohan had returned. Whatever he had done all day had mellowed his anger slightly and he just settled on a scowl instead of the look of rage that Videl had been terrified of in the afternoon. He was not exactly pleased to see their guest, but ignored her all the same as he quickly ate, and went off to bed. Videl, while amazed at the quantity they had prepared and the speed in which the food was consumed was all the more concerned by the mood of the boy her age. Though some of his anger was clearly pointed at her, she could not help but feel sorry for him, and the majority of his anger that he plainly aimed at himself.
It was at this moment that Videl committed completely to her agreed upon task. For if her toll to reaching her goal of strength was to be a cause so worthwhile then she would be the lucky one. And she could certainly not allow herself to fail, so she just smiled back at the scowl and enjoyed her dinner. And she enjoyed being more secured in her goals and path to those goals than ever before.
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End Notes: Well there you have it. I like to think that most meetings of Gohan and Videl are not quite like that. Also, the time frame of this gives us an interesting added element, not that Chi-Chi's secret is all that much of a secret to the reader, but still interesting. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoyed it.
