Author's Note: A lot of you all are wondering about the Tenkaichi Budokai and who's gonna be in it. Well, it's a secret! Well, may you can have ONE hint- some old and new guys are coming! I guarantee it won't be who you think. Anyone who knows me well would be able to guess . . . Anyway, don't worry about that, cuz it's not coming anytime soon. And yes, there IS a bad guy (what would DBZ be w/out it?) but no green lizard with the boobs (Babadi), Dabura or Buu.

Advertising has moved to the end. I don't want yall to become interested in another story and go to read that one and forget all about me! Just kidding.

This chapter is a little shorter than the others are. Sorry.

*~* Chapter Eight *~*

Broken Trust

Videl watched as her father flexed his muscles in front of the mirror in one of his many training rooms that were scattered throughout the mansion.

"Hu! Ha! Hu-WA!" he exclaimed as he went through different poses. "KEEP WORKING GUYS!" he shouted to his students who were using the room. "MAYBE YOU'S GUYS WILL HAVE BIG MUSCLES LIKE ME SOME DAY! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Videl rolled her eyes. "Dad, will STOP THAT for at least ONE second so that I can talk to you?"

Hercule paused for a second, then turned to his daughter. "Sure, muffin! What do you want to talk about?"

"The drawing tomorrow."

Her father's face lit up. "The drawing, eh? So you've finally come around?"

"No. I'm begging you to call it off. Please," she said.

Hercule shook his head. "No can do! Almost every television station is gonna be filming the drawing. There's no way I can tell them all to forget it."

She sighed and shook her head. "Well, I can't say that I didn't try . . ." As she turned to leave, her father asked, "Did you find that training room at Capsule Corp.?"

"No. There is no training room. After all, you said yourself that you heard rumors about it." To prevent her father from asking anymore questions, she quickly went up to her room and flopped onto her bed.

No use sulking, Videl. He's obviously not going to change his mind. And besides, don't you have a literature paper to work on?

She dug around her book bag for the book that they were supposed to be reading, The Tale of Genji. With a sigh, she opened it and stared down at the pages. But Videl was unable to concentrate.

She tossed the book onto the floor and turned on the television. On every channel there was something about her father's drawing. With a cry of frustration, she flicked off the tv and flung the remote at her door.

There was only one thing that would help her release her frustration- training.

She dressed in a white t-shirt and her usual black shorts and headed down to her private training room. She stared down the punching bag, then let out a growl. Videl envisioned her father's cocky, grinning face in place of the bag, then, with all of her might, began to attack it.

"That . . . jerk . . . doesn't care . . . about . . . anyone . . . else!" she grunted, punching the bag.

This went on for about an hour until Iria stepped into the room with a cordless phone in her hand. "Videl, you've got a phone call."

Videl wiped her forehead with the back of her head. She gave Iria a smile, then took the phone. "Hello?"

"Um . . . Videl?"

"Yes, it's me."

"Oh! This is Gohan."

She rolled her eyes. "I know. What do you want?"

"Er . . . I wanted to know . . . if you'd started on . . . that paper yet. I need some help."

"Really? YOU need MY help in school work?"

There was silence from the other end.

"Gohan?"

"Haha! I DO need your help!"

"RIGHT. Now tell me what you really want."

Gohan sighed. "Okay. My mom was watching the news and the drawing was mentioned. I just wanted to see how you were doing."

Videl blinked several times. No one had ever been so concerned about her before. "Um, thanks for calling. I'm just fine." Or I will be when I knock the stuffing out of my Dad . . . er, punching bag, I meant.

"Well, that's good. Who knows, maybe Sharpner will win the contest."

Videl snorted and sat on the floor. "Why would I want that to happen?"

"You know him. It'll be a lot easier to live with someone you know, rather than a stranger."

She thought that over. "You have a point . . . but that doesn't mean that I want him living here. I'm tired of him hitting on me!"

Gohan chuckled. "Well-"

"GOHAN, GET IN HERE NOW!!!!"

On the other end, Gohan winced. "My mom's calling me. Hold on, I'll be back in a minute." He tossed the phone onto his bed, then ran out of his room.

Goten grinned and snuck into his brother's room. He picked up the phone. "HIYA, VIDEL!"

"Hey, Goten! What's up?"

"Trunks told me that you fought with his Dad. Did ya?! Did ya?!"

She laughed. "I sure did."

"AWESOME!! I haven't fought against him yet!"

Videl frowned. "Of course you haven't. He's way too strong for you."

"I don't think so. But of course, Mommy would have a COW if she found out that I fought Vegeta!"

"I'm sure she would."

"Say, Videl . . ."

"Yes?"

"W-will you marry Gohan? So then I'll have two mommies, since Gohan's like my dad?"

"Uh . . . marriage is a big step, Goten. Besides, Gohan and I are just friends!" What an . . . imagination!

"Aww," he mumbled, sounding a little upset.

"Goten, what are you doing?"

The little Saiyan jumped, dropping the phone. "I was just talking to Videl, Gohan!"

Gohan eyed his brother, who was looking a little guilty. "Get out of here squirt," he said, ruffling his little brother's hair.

Goten took off and Gohan picked up the phone. "Sorry about that."

"It's okay. Your brother's a cute kid cute. Almost makes me wish I had a younger brother."

Gohan snotred, thinking of all of the bad things Goten had done in the past. "Almost. Anyway, stay cool Videl."

Videl laughed. "Right. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Alright, then. Well . . . bye."

"Bye."

Videl ended the call, then looked up to find her father standing in the doorway. "Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?"

Hercule glared at his daughter. "Who the heck is this Gohan? His name sounds familiar . . ."

"He's no one."

Hercule crossed his arms over his chest and watched as Videl began to resume her attack on the punching bag. "WOAH! Is he that skinny kid that took you to the dance?!"

Videl did not answer.

"HE IS!! How did he get this number?! Or did you call him?"

"I . . . called . . . him," she lied, still attacking the bag.

"WHY?!"

Videl growled, then gave the bag a swift punch. The seams spilt and sand came rushing out onto the floor. Hercule just gapped- he'd never done anything like that before.

Videl took a deep breath. She walked past her stunned father and into the hall. "Oh, Dad? Could you get someone to put another one in for me? Thanks."

*~*

Angela stared down at the fifteen page print out lying on her desk. On the papers were the names of everyone who'd entered the Hercule contest. She took out a bright pink highlighter, flipped though the pages and found Gohan's name. Angela grinned evilly, then went over his name with the pink marker.

She recapped the highlighter and tossed it across her room. She flopped onto her bed, the smile still on her face.

*~*

Gohan woke up earlier than usual the next morning. He quickly showered, dressed, then went outside. He took in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh morning air. Gohan walked around the back of the Son home and went over to his mother's garden. Her roses, sparkling with the morning dew, caught Gohan's eye.

"Sorry, Mom," he muttered. Careful of the thorns, Gohan snapped a brought red rose from the bush.

He went back inside and went into the kitchen. He dug around for a knife and began to shave away the green thorns.

That was how Chichi found her eldest son- leaning over a rose with a knife in his hand, a look of concentration on his face.

"What in the world are you doing, Gohan?"

He jumped, the knife falling onto the table. "Oh . . . MOM!"

She eyed him. Then her eyes fell onto the rose. "SON GOHAN, IS THAT ONE OF MY ROSES?!?! WHAT DID I TELL YOU BOYS ABOUT PLAYING IN MY-"

"I'm sorry! But I wanted to surprise Videl with it!" he said quickly.

As usual, hearts instantly formed in Chichi's eyes. She put her hands over her heart and sighed romantically. "Well, why didn't you SAY so?! You can have all of the roses you want! You're so sweet!"

A sweat drop rolled down Gohan's head. "Well . . . I'm just trying to be a good friend, that's all. I can't imagine that she's too happy today."

Chichi sighed and sat next to her son. "Oh, yeah. That drawing's today, right? Poor girl . . . I could beat that man up for being so selfish and thoughtless!"

"So could I," muttered Gohan. He stood up and swept the thorns into his hand.

Chichi watched as her son threw away the thorns. She shook her head. He really cares for her. I wish that he'd realize just how much he cares.

"Say, Mom, you wouldn't happen to have an extra vase lying around, would you?" asked Gohan.

She smiled at her son. "Sure. Why don't you go and get some more flowers while I get it?"

Gohan grinned at her. "Thanks. You're the best."

Anything for you, Gohan. Anything.

*~*

Goten awoke to the screaming of his mother. She was yelling about flowers or something . . . He sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes with his tiny fists.

He blinked several times, then jumped up in his bed. He'd almost forgotten! He had to get Gohan to give Videl his gift!

Goten had overheard his mother and big brother talking about some drawing and how Videl was feeling sad about it. So he'd drawn her a special picture.

He ran over to his desk and grabbed his drawing. "GOHAN! GOHAN! DON'T LEAVE!!!!" He barreled into the kitchen, only to find his mother placing a crystal vase on the table. "Aww, Mom, don't tell me Gohan already left?"

She shook her head. "Not yet. He went out back for a moment, but he should be back in a few minutes."

As if on cue, Gohan walked through the back door clutching a few more roses and some pretty white flowers in his hand.

Gohan began to de-thorn the roses and smiled at his brother. "Morning, squirt. What's up?"

Goten sat across from his brother and presented him with the picture. "I drew this for Videl. Can you give it to her?"

The older Son brother looked up from his work and chuckled when he saw the drawing.

"There's Mommy, Dad," said Goten, pointing to his people on the paper, "me in the middle, Videl and you. My family."

"I'll be sure to give it to her," said Gohan with a tiny smile on his face. "I know she'll like it."

Chichi slid the vase in front of her son. "Here, use this one."

Gohan stared at the pretty crystal vase in awe. "I can't take this one! It's your favorite!"

"Yes, but I'm not using it."

"But-"

"Just TAKE the darn thing, Gohan! You know better than to argue with your mother!"

Goten giggled. "Watch out, Gohan! Mom'll pull out the frying pan!"

Chichi rolled her eyes. "Please take it, Gohan. I want to give Videl something, too. You'll tell her that the vase is mine, right?"

"Technically, the flowers are yours too . . ." muttered Gohan. "But, okay. If you want me to."

Once the flowers were in the vase and Goten's drawing was in his book bag, Gohan pushed the button on his watched and switched into Saiyaman.

Goten, still amazed that his brother was a superhero, cheered, "GO SAIYAMAN!!"

Gohan ruffled his brother's hair and went outside. "I'll see you guys later this afternoon!" He flew off towards Satan City.

*~*

The minute she stepped into Orange Star High School, a bunch of guys began to surround Videl, saying how much they hoped that they were going to win the drawing. Needless to say, Videl was getting ticked. She ignored them and continued on her way to her locker, hoping that they would leave her alone. Eventually, most of them realized that she was in a foul mood and drifted off.

Videl stopped at her locker and spun the lock. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Angela grinning at her from across the hall.

"Freak," she muttered and opened her locker. She removed several books and shoved them into her bag. She slammed the door shut and whirled around, nearly bumping into a hard body.

Videl was just about to fuss the person out for sneaking up on her when she realized that it was Gohan.

He gave her his Goofy Son Grin™ and pulled the crystal vase full of flowers from behind his back. "These are for you."

She raised an eyebrow at him. More flowers? She hesitantly took them from him. "Thanks . . . They're beautiful . . ."
"I'm glad you like them. I thought that you could uses something to brighten up your day. The vase is from my mom- it's her favorite, in fact. I'm surprised that she let me give it to you."

"Really? I'll have to call her up and thank her."

Gohan reached into his book bag and remover Goten's drawing. "This is from my brother."

Videl couldn't help but smile at the picture. "So cute! I'll hang it up in my locker." She did just that, and put the flowers in her locker, too, to keep them safe.

They headed off to class together, unaware that Angela was following them. Just before the two of them stepped into the classroom, she called out Videl's name.

Both Gohan and Videl stopped and turned to see who was calling Videl's name.

"Angela," sneered Videl in disgust. "What do you want?"

"I just want to talk to you," she said sweetly. She then gave Gohan a significant look. "A girl talk, you know?"

Gohan got the clue and went into the classroom, leaving Videl in the hall with her worst enemy.

Videl glared at the pampered girl. "You're not fooling me with your sweet act. Tell me what you want, and then get the hell away from me."

"Tsk, tsk, Videl," she murmured. "I . . . have some information that might interest you."

"Believe me, nothing you have to say interests me."

"Really?" she cooed, looking down at her blood red fingernails. "Is that so?" She drew a packet of papers stapled on the top left corner out of her purse. "You might be interested to know who entered your father's contest behind your back."

Angela's sinister voice sent shivers up and down Videl's spine. She's up to something. "Why would I care who entered that stupid contest?"

Angela flipped through the papers, folding them back. "Oh, trust me, you'll want to know. Ah, here it is." She handed Videl the papers.

Videl glanced down at it, her eyes falling on a name highlighted by a bright pink marker. Son, Gohan it read.

"Where the hell did you get this shit!" she exclaimed, shoving the papers back at Angela.

The other girl blinked innocently. "Why, I was with my father when he made a print out of all of the people who entered the contest- your father hired mine to file all of the names away for organization. And, out of curiosity, I looked through them. When I saw Gohan's name, I was just as shocked as you are now!"

"Don't lie to me. You faked this, didn't you?" hissed Videl.

"Why would I do that?"

Videl growled in frustration. "You know why! You're jealous of the friendship that Gohan and I have!"

Angela narrowed her gaze. "You don't believe me? Fine. Why don't you stop by my father's office and check out the entry forms that were filled out as people entered. I'm sure we'll find one there with his name on it." With that, she walked away.

Videl shook her head, then entered the classroom just as the bell rang. She sat next to Gohan again.

Throughout the class, she found herself unable to focus on the teacher. Her thoughts were on Angela's revelation. She shot a glance at Gohan. He was innocently taking notes as usual.

Gohan wouldn't enter the contest behind my back! He said that he wouldn't.

People DO lie, Videl. Your father sure does it a lot.

Videl sighed inwardly. Now she was reduced to arguing with herself.

But Gohan is so nice . . . he gave me flowers today, he took me to the dance and made sure I had a good time . . .

How long have you known this guy? Not very long. You don't know much about his past- it's like he's hiding a lot of secrets.

Everyone has a few secrets . . .

And you've got to admit, he's a little weird. He lives in the woods, for goodness sakes! And how EXACTLY does he get to school in the morning if he doesn't have a copter?

Well . . .

Thought so. Face it, Videl. He could have entered the contest! He could have gone down to the office, gotten an entry form and filled it out just like so many other students did! The guy's a fraud, a liar, a cheat, a-

"SHUT UP!" she exclaimed out loud, jumping out of her seat.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Er . . . Is . . . something wrong, Videl," asked the teacher. "Do you . . . need to see the nurse?"

She flushed wildly, then sank down into her seat. "No, sensei. It's just . . . the stress . . . from . . . fighting crime! Yeah, that's it!"

"Alright, then." The teacher continued his lesson.

Gohan would NEVER do anything like that! He's the nicest guy I know, and he'd never go back on his word. Angela's just a hateful bitch who's obsessed with a boy who doesn't want her.

Videl forced the thoughts from her head and tried to concentrate on the teacher's lecture.

*~*

"Boy, am I HUNGRY!" exclaimed Gohan as he sat on the bleachers, pulling out his lunch. Five turkey sandwiches, ten huge cookies, four apples and a huge bottle of water. Mom loves me! She's the best.

Videl still wasn't used to the crazy appetites of the Son family. She remembered seeing Goten eating a ton of food when she was there. "That's . . . a nice lunch you've got there, Gohan."

"A nice, BIG lunch," said Erasa in awe as Gohan wolfed down most of his lunch in one second.

Gohan grinned sheepishly. "Um . . . growing boys need their food!" he said quickly. "So, Videl, what did Angela want with you?"

Sharpner raised an eyebrow. Did she do it? If she did, why is Videl talking to Gohan right now?

Videl thought about telling her friends about what had happened, but then changed her mind. Since Angela had just faked the whole damn thing, what was the point of bringing it up? "Nothing. She was just being her usual annoying self, that's all."

Erasa rolled her eyes. "That girl is going to get what's coming to her one day!"

Sharpner was disappointed. What happened? Why wasn't Videl furious at Gohan for lying to her? He glanced down at his watch, then smiled. Well, there was ONE thing that he was looking forward to. After lunch, everyone in the school was going to walk over to Orange Star Park where the winner of the contest was going to be randomly picked and announced.

Videl noticed the stupid grin on Sharpner's face. "What are YOU so happy about?"

"The drawing, of course! We'll be leaving in about ten minutes," said Sharpner.

She glared at him. "I suppose you want to win, hmm?"

"Yeah . . . Why?"

Videl growled and chucked a cupcake at his head. "Some friend you are!"

Gohan snatched the cupcake out of the air just before it hit Sharpner's startled face. He took a bite out of it and smiled. "Mmmm, this is good!"

Erasa stared at him. "You're fast!" she exclaimed.

He flushed and gave her a Goofy Son Grin™. "I don't like to waste food!"

*~*

Erasa slung her arm over her friend's sagging shoulders and gave her a sympathetic smile as they turned down Main Street on their way to Satan City Park. The streets were fairly empty- it seemed as if EVERYONE had gone to see the big drawing.

"Don't look so down, Videl," said Erasa, attempting to cheer Videl up. It didn't look like it was working, though. A frown was still etched on Videl's face. "Look at it this way. Maybe a really hot guy will win the contest! Imagine, a sexy somebody living just down the hall from you . . ."

Videl shot her friend a look.

"What?! If you ask me, you should be worried more about your love life or you'll end up an old maid by the time you're thirty. Who knows- maybe a guy will take your mind off of your Dad."

"I don't think a guy will solve my problems. Unless, of course, he can shove my father off of his high horse by beating my him," she grumbled.

Erasa sighed in defeat. "Well, I don't know if THAT'S going to happen. It looks like you're just gonna have to . . . ignore this one the best you can. He can win this ONE TIME, right?"

Sharpner came up to them and draped his arm over Erasa's shoulder, knowing that Videl would've killed him at that moment if he'd touched her. "It's good to be out of school again, isn't it?"

Gohan joined them, noticing the angry look on Videl's face. Poor Videl. One day . . . one day I'm gonna teach that guy a lesson.

*~*

The Satan City Park was filled with adults and children of all ages, all awaiting the announcement of the winner. In the center of the park was a stage. There was a clear plastic wheel-like object with a bunch of paper in it from where, Gohan guessed, they would be drawing the name of the winner. Venders were scattered throughout the park. The smell of food and the lively music presented by the police force's band created a lively and festive atmosphere.

The moment they arrived, Videl was pulled aside and told to the stage where her father would be joining her shortly while Erasa and Gohan tried to get as close to the stage as possible.

Sharpner went off to find Angela. He found her standing underneath a tree with her groupies. They were all sipping smoothies out of bright cups.

"What happened to our plan?" he demanded, glaring at her. "Videl is SUPPOSED to be furious with Gohan right now."

"For your information," Angela snapped back, "Videl thought that I was just making up the whole thing! I showed her the print out, but she just didn't care!"

"Damn! Now what are we going to do?" muttered Sharpner.

Angela tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I've got it covered. I told her to stop by my Dad's off ice and see the real entry forms. She'll have to believe me then."

"Is that your great backup plan?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, stupid. That's my backup plan for your lame one. If this doesn't work, Sharpner . . ."

He tuned her out because, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Hercule stepping onto the stage with Videl. The crowd roared in approval. "Looks like the drawing's going to start. Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I've got a contest to win." Sharpner abandoned the girls and shoved his way through the people as he made his way up to Erasa's side.

"Please quiet down, people! Quiet down so we can start!" cried the mayor as he pulled on his collar. "Uh, it's hot out here, so let's get this over with!"

Everyone quieted down almost immediately.

"That's better. Um, welcome to our beautiful park on this wonderful day! I know you all are anxious to see who's going to win Hercule's drawing, so let's get started . . . unless Hercule has something to say?"

Of course Hercule didn't pass up the chance to look macho in front of all of his fans. "I'd just like ta say . . . who ever wins this contest betta be ready to rumble with the best, cuz they're in for a workout at my school!!! No sissies need apply!!!"

The guys ate it up and began to flex and cheer. Gohan rolled his eyes.

"And good luck to you all!"

The crowd screamed again. The mayor quieted everyone down once again and then went over to the wheel. He grabbed the side of it and spun it (A/N: Like Wheel of Fortune . . .) When it stopped, he reached his hand inside and drew out a slip of paper. He slowly unfolded it, drawing a groan from the crowd.

"And the winner is . . . SON GOHAN!!!! Come up here, Gohan, wherever you are!" cried the mayor. The crowd went wild. People who knew Gohan began to shove him up to the stage.

Gohan jet them shove him- he was shocked. What is going on? I didn't enter the contest! Oh, gosh . . . what's Videl going to think? His gaze fell onto her face.

Different emotions washed over her- surprise, shock, confusion, but the last, and the only one that Gohan caught, was anger.

"No, Videl, you don't understand!" he shouted as he stumbled up the steps and onto the stage. She didn't hear him though- the noise was way too loud.

Videl's heart nearly stopped. He DID lie! Why . . . I don't understand!

He's just like the rest of them- untrustworthy! Guys are dogs!

Videl wasn't about to stick around any longer. She stalked across the stage and shoved past Gohan, running down the steps. No one seemed to pay any attention to her as she fled from the park.

Videl had never been so mad in her LIFE! Rage was flowing through her body as she ran through the streets and all the way back to Orange Star High. She was planning on ditching the rest of school.

To think that I TRUSTED that guy! That I let him take me out. That I . . . OH GOD . . . I let him KISS me!! I'm so stupid . . . when Angela presented me with the evidence, I denied it because I . . . I thought he was my friend!

Videl found an unlocked entrance to the school. She went inside, her breath coming in hard pants.

"That . . . bastard!" she shouted into the empty halls. "I NEVER want to see him AGAIN!!" Videl slammed her fist into her locker out of frustration. She spun the dial quickly and put in her combination. She threw the locker door open.

Videl's shoulder's slumped and her anger slowly drifted away when she caught sight of the beautiful flowers that Gohan had thought to bring her sitting in her locker.

Videl collected her things and shoved them into her book bag, removing Goten's picture from her locker. She then carefully picked up the vase and clutched it to her chest as she headed out of the school.

*~*

"This is AWFUL," moaned Gohan as he let his head fall into his hands. "What am I going to do?"

Erasa bit her lower lip. "I'd like an explanation. How did you win the contest if you didn't enter?"

Gohan and Erasa were sitting on the edge of the stage. People were beginning to drift away once everything had ended. Their fellow classmates had returned to the school- Gohan and Erasa were given permission to stay behind.

"I don't know!!!" he exclaimed, pulling on his hair. "Oh, God! Did you see her face?! She was so angry!!!"

"You gave her your WORD, Gohan! Of course she's mad!"

Gohan gave Erasa a look. "Come on, you have to believe me! I did not enter that contest. I know how much it meant to Videl and I wouldn't do that!"

Erasa placed a hand on his shoulder. "Alright. I believe you."

"She probably hates me now," Gohan groaned. "I mean, I almost hate myself right now."

Erasa sighed. "Let's just get that information you need and head back to school, okay? We'll talk to Videl when we get there."

*~*

Vegeta frowned as he stared at the red light above the door to the gravity room. Whenever it was on, it meant that someone was in there. "Who the hell is taking up my training time?" he demanded, although no one was there to hear him. He angrily stalked back into the living room area where his woman was watching a soap. He placed his body right in front of the television.

"HEY!" she cried, leaning to the side to try to see around him.

"Who is in the gravity room?" he growled.

"Videl! Now move!!" Bulma was a little surprised- Videl had been in the room for about two hours now and Vegeta was JUST noticing.

"WHY is she in there?! Isn't that little girl supposed to be in school?"
Bulma leapt up off of the couch and shoved him out of the way. "Now we can talk. Well, she came here looking really upset and asked to use the room. Since I told her that she could use it anytime she wanted, I said-"

"YOU WHAT?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" roared Vegeta. Trunks then wandered into the room, curious at what made his father so angry.

"Calm down! You use the damn thing too much anyway!" snapped Bulma. "You should do more around the house!"

"I refuse to do the work of an onna!! Now you get Kakkarot's brat's mate out of that room NOW or I'll-"

Bulma stuck her chin up in the air. "You'll what?"

Trunks grinned. "VIDEL'S HERE?!"

The adults ignored him.

"Or you'll be sleeping alone for a month, woman," said Vegeta in a low voice.

Bulma frowned. "I'M supposed to say that!"

He just shrugged. "Hey, you're the one who insists on having it EVERY night . . ."

Bulma flushed, then shot a look at Trunks. "FINE!! Anything to shut you up!!" She stalked off towards the training room with Trunks on her heels. She opened the door, automatically shutting off the gravity in the room, making it safe for Bulma to enter.

Videl, who had been doing some push ups, got off of the ground and gave Bulma a strained smile. "Hey."

"Hi. Uh, Vegeta's being an . . . a butt-scratch, and he wants to use the room," she said politely, remembering that Trunks was there.

Videl nodded. "That's fine." She picked up her towel and began to wipe her forehead with it. She walked past Trunks, ruffled his hair and headed to the front of the house.

Trunks went into the training room and began to practice some of his moves as he waited for his Dad to join him.

Bulma took Videl into the kitchen and got Videl a drink of water. "You looked really upset when you came here. What's up?"

Videl stared down at her feet. "It's Gohan."

"What about Gohan?"

She sighed. "He . . . he PROMISED me that he wouldn't enter my father's contest. But . . ."

Bulma raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you're father's thing. Well, Gohan's told me all about it. He also told me he wasn't going to enter because you said you didn't want any of your friends to."

"Then he lied to us both," she muttered bitterly. "He obviously lied because he won the stupid thing."

Bulma was shocked. "What?"

"You must be mistaken, girl," grunted Vegeta as he walked into the kitchen. "He wouldn't lie."

"Well he did!"

"I suggest you check your facts," advised the Saiyan Prince. "That boy is painfully loyal, trustworthy and an overall sap, just like his father. He also happens to be a clueless and too friendly for my tastes. He wouldn't do anything as dirty as that."

Bulma was even more surprised at that. Wait- was Vegeta, the mighty Saiyan Prince, sticking up for Kakkarot's brat? "Um . . . yeah, Videl. I've known Gohan all of his life and his father since he was a little kid. Both of them are the most honest and just people I know . . . or knew, in Goku's case."

Videl shook her head. "Until I hear a good explanation from Gohan, then I can't believe you. I'm sorry." She set her glass onto the table. "Thanks for letting me use the room."

Bulma watched as Videl left. "What a mess Gohan's gotten himself into this time!"

Vegeta snorted. "The question is- can he get himself out?" [1]

*~*

Videl slipped her feet into her fuzzy red blue slippers as she wrapped her body in a matching robe. Her hair was wet from her shower and was sticking to her forehead a bit. She didn't feel like blow drying it, so she just went into her room and sat on her bed with a big sigh.

She'd sat Goten's drawing next to the picture of her and Gohan at the dance. As Videl looked at the dance photo, she sighed again. Those were the good old days. The days when you THOUGHT you knew someone until they stabbed you in the back.

Videl punched one of her pillows. "Jerk," she muttered, lying the photo face down on her side table.

Just then, Hercule threw her door open and entered her room. "I see your skinny little boyfriend won my drawing. In a way, I'm glad the poor twig won. That way, I can build him up to the proper size."

"He's NOT my boyfriend," she growled.

"Right. Anyway, he'll be moving in the day after tomorrow."

Videl shot up in her bed. "WHAT?!" She wouldn't be ready to see him again by then.

"I thought he needed help right away," her father said.

"BUT-"

"No buts. Everything's worked out."

Videl was even angrier now. "So why do you even bother talking to me if you make the decisions without me?!"

Hercule did not answer. He left her room, slamming the door behind him.

Videl fell back onto her bed. "Someone shoot me," she groaned. She jumped when the phone began to ring.

"Hello?"
"Hey, Videl. How are you doing?"

"Oh, Erasa. Just fine," she said.

"It doesn't sound like it."

"I'm just . . . tired."

"Oh. Say, Videl . . . about Gohan."

Videl froze. "What about Gohan?"

"He's really upset. He was looking for you during school, but you skipped out on us."

"So?"

"Aww, come on, Videl! He told you he didn't enter. I believe him!"

"That doesn't explain how he won the damn contest, now does it Erasa?"

"But-"

"Look, Erasa, I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore! He lied to me and he went behind my back! Those are NOT characteristics of good friends!"

"You're not being fair, Videl. Give him a chance to explain."

"He'll probably just end up making up some story or something. I don't care if you and Gohan are still friends, but he and I are through. And you can have your seat back in class."

"But Videl-"

"I gotta go, Erasa. I've got homework to do." She hung up the phone.

Erasa sighed. "You heard her, Gohan."

Gohan, who'd begged Erasa to do three-way with him, frowned. "Okay. Thanks, Erasa. I'll talk to her tomorrow at school."

A few minutes later Gohan hung up the phone. Gohan didn't know what to do about Videl- he was at a total blank.

But the only thing he knew was that he couldn't let her stay mad at him forever. She meant a lot to him and he valued their friendship, no matter how odd it was.

This time, it was Gohan who had a mission.

Author's Notes: You know you luv me! Don't get too angry and come after me with pitchforks and stuff! Please review. And if there are any errors in here, sorry cuz I didn't feel like reading it over like I usually do.

ADVERTISING: If anyone out there just happens to be a Gundam Wing fan, then I've got a goodie for you! This fic is called Bridlewood Manor and it's by Mitsugi. Be careful, though! If you're a Relena Peacecraft fan, then this isn't for you. It's a 1x2 (Heero and Duo) story set in the early 1900's. It's got romance, history, drama, action, humor . . . Go check it out!

[1] You all are probably like 'yeah, right'. Okay, Vegeta's OOC, but I luuuuuuuuuuv him- big forehead and all! And besides, when he thought that Gohan had been killed by Buu (Hey, is he REALLY dead? I can't stand the wait.) he got . . . sorta upset. It's my fic anyway.

Next Chapter: Videl is STILL mad at Gohan. Will they ever kiss and make up?