"...once the bonding process has started it grows over time. The two spirits are almost in constant contact with each other, but you don't even know it. It's a failsafe mechanism that allows one to know when the other is in danger. But that's just scratching the surface."

Vegeta explaining the Saiyan Bond to Videl in the Room of Spirit and Time

The emotion-spirit streaked down from the heavens and landed on Earth; it's arrival marked by barely a whisper.  After a moments orientation it began its mission.  The power that gave the emotion-spirit life also gave it a few extra abilities to help achieve its goals.  It had the ability of sensing the emotions of things around it, it also had the ability to heighten the emotions of whomever or whatever it decided to target, it could also suppress those emotions, and it had the ability to possess bodies.  The only limit on the last ability was the willpower of the target.  If the targets willpower was strong enough then the emotion-spirit couldn't posses him or her.  The body its master wanted had an ungodly high willpower so the emotion-spirit had to think of another way.  It had a rudimentary intelligence and was able to think for itself.  In order for its master's plan to work the emotion-spirit needed to destroy the target's soul.  It could do it easily enough but first it needed to destroy the target's willpower so it could possess him and destroy him from within.  In order to do that the emotion-spirit needed to be tricky; it had to find a way to lower the target willpower, and that would take some time.  But how would it accomplish that?  As soon as the question was asked the answer was there: possess another body and use that body against the target.  It would have to be a body that was physically appealing.  Then, once the target trusts that person the emotion-spirit could begin draining away the target's willpower.

            Armed with a plan, the emotion-spirit began looking for a suitable vessel.  It didn't take long for it to find one...

            Lia Dayspring rested on top of a hillside that was blanketed in clover, overlooking a small river.  Behind her was her home, the small village of Dahl.  The village was poor and didn't have anything more technologically advanced than the wooden cart, the wheel, and the fishing and farming instruments that the village needed to stay alive.  Life was hard, but the people were happy going about their business without a care in the world. 

            Lia celebrated her 17th birthday the day before, and even though it rained all day the celebration lasted well into the night.  Now the sun was out, drying away the wetness from yesterday's storm.  The day was warm and she went to her favorite spot: the hilltop overlooking the river.  She wore the new clothes she got for her birthday.  Her shirt was low-cut in a V pattern, and the red and yellow hues contrasted starkly with the lush greenery around her.  Her pants were practical like a farmer's, but made of nicer material.  A slight, warm breeze glided over her, sending wisps of her long, dark red hair trailing after the wind.  Her sapphire-blue eyes were closed and her chest raised and lowered in rhythm with her breathing.  She shifted to her side, uttering a small moan of contentment.  The clover bed was so warm and soft. 

            It was a lazy day for the village.  The rains swelled the river and the fishnets had caught enough fish to feed the village for a week or more.  Everyone was relaxing and enjoying the sun's warmth.  It was a great day.

            That's when it happened.

            The emotion-spirit spied the girl sleeping on the hilltop.  She was the perfect vessel for its master's plans.  The emotion-spirit read the girl's emotions and found them to be a match for the target.  The innocence of the girl and her location in the isolated village made her a good choice.  The girl's willpower wasn't particularly strong or weak, and the emotion-spirit concluded that controlling her wouldn't be much of a problem.  The spirit considered taking the easy route and destroying the girl's soul, but then her memories would be lost as well as her mannerisms, and since the village knew the girl the spirit would need those memories and mannerisms to maintain its façade until the true target arrived.  As the sleeping girl turn over to her side the emotion-spirit struck.  If anyone was around her they would have seen an almost imperceptible outline of a humanoid figure appear next to her.  The outline moved over her and was absorbed into her body.  The only perceptible evidence of anything happening was Lia's eyes twitching once.  Phase one was complete.  Now all the emotion-spirit had to do was to wait for the target to appear.

           

            Videl arrived at the Son household, but everything was quiet.  She knocked softly on the door and a moment later Goten answered.  His bright smile at seeing her didn't hide the sadness in his eyes at Gohan's departure. 

            "Hi, Videl," he exclaimed with forced cheerfulness.

            She smiled back at him, but it was a sad smile.  "Hello.  Are your parents in?"

            The smile faded from the young half-saiyan.  He lowered his head and stared at the ground.  "They're outside, behind the house," he said in a meek voice.  "Mom's still sad.  She's been sad ever since..."  His lower lip started to tremble.

            She ran her hand through his thick hair in an effort to comfort him.  "I know.  That's what I want to talk to them about.  Is it okay if I see them?"

            Goten sniffed, wiped his nose, then nodded, "Uh huh."

            "Thank you," she said sweetly.

            Suddenly she was gripped by Goten in a hug.  He only reached her stomach and he buried his face there, crying openly.  She put her arms around him and hugged back.  She wanted to say something to him to make him feel better, but nothing came to mind.  Her own emotions were threatening to burst forth but she forced them down.  They hugged each other for a long time, before Goten finally let go.

            "I...I guess I'd better get to my chores," he sniffed.

            Videl just nodded, forcing back her own tears of loss and sadness.  It was getting harder for her to suppress the swell of emotion she was feeling.  Goten closed the door and she could hear him sniffling as he left.  She took a moment to compose herself and get her emotions under control.  I have to be strong, she thought to herself, but she didn't feel it.

            She walked around the house and saw Goku holding Chi-Chi in his arms.  She had been crying for what looked like a long time.  Her face was buried in her husband's chest and he gently stroked her hair in his hands, slowing rocking her back and forth.  Goku saw Videl but he didn't say anything.  He motioned to her to come over by jerking his head.  Videl stood there for a second, unsure what to do.  Her self-control was quickly breaking down, and she could feel the tears forming in her eyes.  Goku motioned for her again and she slowly walked over.  Chi-Chi was still crying in Goku's chest but he let one arm go and when Videl walked up to them he put it around her and drew her to them in the embrace.  In that moment, Videl's self-control was lost and she cried along with Chi-Chi; both women sharing the burden and pain of loss.  Goku held them for a long time, giving them some semblance of release from their sorrows.  Finally Chi-Chi pushed herself off of her husband, and Videl did the same a moment later.  Both women took a moment to get composed.  Chi-Chi spoke first.

            "I'm glad you came," she said, "We were both really worried about you!  I tried to warn you about Gohan, but you left too soon."

            "I know," Videl said gently, "I was just so excited that he woke up.  I'm sorry for not staying and listening to you."

            Chi-Chi shook her head, "Don't worry about it.  I'm just glad that you're okay.  We thought the worst when we didn't hear from you.  Please, don't scare us like that again!  Goku and I think of you as family and we don't want to see you get hurt."

            Videl lowered her head.  It was a bit surprising to her to hear Chi-Chi say that, and now guilt was added to her jumble of emotions.  "I'm sorry, I...I didn't know...what to do.  I felt so..."

            "Lost?" Chi-Chi offered knowingly.

            Videl nodded, looking down at the ground.

            "That's how I feel every time Goku leaves," she said.  "I try my best to make him stay but everything I do doesn't work."

            Goku thought about saying something in his defense but that would start an argument that never ended between them, so he kept quiet.  Chi-Chi continued, "I just want the two of us to live a normal life together, is that so wrong?"

            "No it isn't," Goku answered.  "But I have to go when people need me."

            "I know," Chi-Chi said, "but I don't have to like it."

            "Let's not talk about that now," Goku said, he turned to look at Videl.  His eyes bored deep into her, making her feel small in his presence.  "Let's talk about you."

            "M...me?" she asked.

            Goku nodded, "Yeah.  Vegeta called me saying you were on your way over here.  He said that you and I should have a talk."

            Videl gulped, "He told me to come here and talk to you; it was his idea."

            "It's good that you still listen to your sensei," he said.  "I know what you want to do, and I think I may have some advice."

            Chi-Chi excused herself, "I'll be back at the house."  She put her arms around Videl and hugged her close.  "Remember, we'll always be here for you," she said.

            "Thank you," Videl replied earnestly, returning the hug.  The love of the Son family went a long way, and for that Videl was eternally grateful. 

Chi-Chi smiled a sad smile and walked back to the house.  When she walked inside Goku motioned to Videl to sit at the picnic table.  She did as instructed and then Goku began to talk.

"I understand that you want to go find Gohan," it was a statement not a question.

She nodded.

Goku's eyes changed in expression, like when he's sizing up an opponent right before a battle.  "Vegeta thinks that's what you should do.  But is that what you really want?"

Videl was confused at the question.  What does he mean?  Of course that's what I want!  "Uh..." she stammered, "What do you mean?"

A slight pause.  She could feel his intense stare pierce through her, making her feel very self-conscious and she couldn't meet his gaze.  "I mean: do you really want to find him?  Is he the right person for you, or do you think you can move on with your life without him?"

Anger welled up within her and she now met his gaze with a glare that bordered on furious.  "How can you say that?  Gohan and I are bonded!  I'd do anything for him, or haven't I proven that enough already?"

Goku's glare softened, and he smiled.  "So you know about the bond, huh?  I had to be sure."

"Yes, Vegeta told me about it when he trained me in the Room of Spirit and Time.  He even let me experience his bond with Bulma for a few seconds to make me believe."

"Whew!  I can't imagine what that felt like," he exclaimed with a grin.  "What else did he tell you?"

Videl was still a bit angry at Goku at his deception but she told him.  Goku listened intently, nodding at all the major points.  When she finished he nodded approvingly.  "Not bad.  But there's more."

"Vegeta said the same thing.  He said I'd learn more over time."

"And you will.  If you don't mind me asking, how strong is the bond between you and Gohan?"

She was silent for a time and Goku noticed that she was trying to gather the strength and will to tell him.  "It's getting weaker," she said softly.  "I can feel it slipping away; I can't even feel Gohan's ki anymore."

Goku nodded as if he understood what she was going through.  For a moment, she thought he suddenly looked much older than he was and a lot wiser in his eyes.  Then a thought struck her like a lightning bolt: maybe he has gone through the same thing! 

"You..." she stammered, "You went through this before, haven't you?"

Goku confirmed her suspicions with a sad smile and a nod of his head.  "Every time I died," he said somberly, "Vegeta went through it too when he died."

The realization hit her with a shock.  It's so obvious, she thought, how could I have missed that?

"We know what you're going through, and we want you to succeed.  That's why I didn't go off and find Gohan myself; you need to do it."

She stared at him dumbfounded for a moment.

"See," he said, smiling, "It can be done."

"I...I never knew," she said incredulously.

"Our problems were a bit different than yours, but the basics were still the same.  Chi-Chi and Bulma have already gone through what you are experiencing now, but they won't be able to give you much help; Like Vegeta said, you'll have to do this yourself."

"Then why are you telling me all this?"

"The only advice I can give you is this: hold on to your feelings.  You'll have to be stronger than you ever were before; if you don't..."  He didn't need to finish his sentence, his expression said enough.

Suddenly that cold feeling in the pit of Videl's stomach resurfaced.  Her own self-doubts were coming back.  What if I can't do this?  What if he never gets his memory back?

"That's a chance you'll have to take," he said, reading her thoughts, "But I think you can do it," he finished with a smile.

            She considered his words for a moment.  Vegeta said the same thing, more or less.  But I don't know if I can do it!  "That doesn't help much," she conceded, "How can I make him remember once I find him?"

            Goku's smile turned to a frown as he concentrated, then he shrugged his shoulders.  "I don't know," he said apologetically, "That's something you'll have to figure out for yourself."

            "Thanks," she said sarcastically.

            "I know something that you can do, though," he offered.

             Her eyes brightened momentarily.  "What?"

            "Close your eyes," he commanded, "and clear your mind."

            She gave him a wary look, not knowing what he was up to, but she did as he asked.  "Is your mind empty?" he asked.

            She nodded after a time.

            "Good.  Next, concentrate on a particular memory that is between you and Gohan.  Try to picture everything that happened in that memory."

            The memory that popped in her head was the one where Gohan and she were training on the deserted island before Gohan left with the others to go to New Namek.  Gohan materialized in her mind's eye clearly.  She rested her head on his chest, spent after a hard day of training.  His powerful hands were gently stroking her short hair, and then he lightly kissed her head and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's a beautiful night out," he said.

"Mmmm," she replied dreamily. "I don't want it to end."

Gohan smiled and closed his eyes. Slowly he raised his ki enough that the air swirled around them. Videl raised her head and looked at him questioningly. "Gohan, what are you…"

"Hush," he replied gently and concentrated. His ki feels different, she thought. His aura blazed blue and enveloped the two of them.

"Now…concentrate," Gohan said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"Just…concentrate."

She relaxed and rested her head back down on his chest. She closed her eyes and concentrated, raising her ki to the same level as his. Her aura blazed green as they melded together. The rising ki energies caused Gohan to slowly rise and float above the ground. Videl was totally unprepared for what hit her! She trusted him and that belief caused their ki to merge. Gohan opened his eyes slowly and smiled at her. He gently brought her face up to his.

"Now, kiss me," he said quietly. She did, passionately.

She was assaulted by waves of ki that touched every nerve in her body. It felt like a constant ki blast, but instead of pain there was nothing but pleasure. After several seconds she released him from her kiss. They gently hovered back down to the ground.

"What…what was that?" she asked breathlessly.

"Oh, just a little something I've been working on," he said nonchalantly.

The memory faded from her mind, but the feeling didn't, it lingered for quite some time.  Her eyes were still closed, and her breathing became heavier, relishing in the feeling...in him.

"You feel him, don't you?"

Her eyes were still closed, lost in the feeling, but she nodded.

"Now, where do you feel him?"

She was confused at his question, but she stretched out with her ki, using the feeling of Gohan from her memory as a reference.  Surprisingly, it came easy to her.  Her right arm jutted out of its own volition and pointed north.  Her eyes opened and stared at her outstretched hand in surprise.

"How did I do that?" she asked in wonder.

"It's a little trick I learned when I had to find my way," Goku replied.  "The bond between you two hasn't weakened that much yet, and now you know which direction he went.  It's a start.  But the longer you two are apart, the weaker the bond will get, so I suggest you'd better get on your way."

She lowered her arm, still astonished at the simplicity of the technique.  Goku gave her a hug, "Good luck," he said with a smile, "You're welcome back anytime, and if you have more questions don't hesitate to come by and ask."

She returned the hug, "Thanks," she said.  "You've been a great help, Goku.  Thanks...for everything."

His smile broadened and he released her from the hug.  He nudged his head in a northerly direction, "Get going, he's waiting for you."

She nodded, returning a small smile of her own.  She powered up enough to get her silver aura to blaze around her and she took to the air.  She waved goodbye to Goku as she headed north.  "All journey's begin with a first step," Vegeta saidThis was a good start!

Next:  Find out what Gohan's been up to, told from his point of view!  See you next time!