Author's Note: *Sighs* More Gohan torture up ahead. Poor guy. Anyway, this chapter is short and the upcoming ones will probably be too.

It seems that the plot is running away with me. . . So I've decided to do this story in parts. You're reading part one now. However, part two will have very little to do with the drawing, but the events that occur in that part will result from the drawing's effects . . . or something like that. Basically, all the stuff that happens in part two will result from something that's gonna happen in the first part . . . okay, maybe I should just stop now . . . You'll see later.

Okay, so I've forgotten my disclaimer a couple of times- or was it once? Here's one now: when I get some money that's owed to me, I'm gonna go straight to my nearest anime store and buy something DBZ. Until then, I own nothing! (Just any characters I make up and the plot.)

Part I

*~* Chapter Nine *~*

Forgive Me?

The next morning, Gohan found himself pacing around his room, trying to think of what he was going to say to Videl when he saw her that morning. He threw his hands up in frustration. His mind was a total blank.

"Come on, Gohan!" he snapped. "If you can kill an evil monster bent on destroying the earth, then you can make up with a girl!"

Gohan sighed and sat heavily on his bed. But, he had to admit, Videl was a different kind of girl. She was special. He didn't know how, she just was.

Maybe Mom can help. Nah . . . I haven't even told her what's happened yet . . . Aw, shoot! I KNEW I was forgetting something!

"MOM!!!! MOM!!!!!!! Where are y-" he shouted as he stalked into the living room. "Oh, there you are."

Chichi looked up at him from her seat on the couch. She was knitting socks for Goten- he could see his little brother's name knitted at the top. "What is it Gohan? Why are you screaming like that?"

"I've got a problem."

She sighed and rested the socks in her lap. "What is it this time, Gohan? Honestly, you get yourself in so much trouble . . ."

"I've gotta move into the Hercule mansion tomorrow," he said quickly and waited for the bomb to drop.

Chichi leapt out of her seat, Goten's socks falling to the floor. "YOU'RE WHAT?!"

"There's . . . been a slight misunderstanding and-"

"SLIGHT?! Oh, it sounds BIG to me!"

"Right. I KNOW. Now, if you'd let me explain, then-"

Chichi glared at Gohan, shutting him up instantly. "What's this about you moving where?"

Gohan took a deep breath. "Okay, here's what happened. You . . . remember that drawing I told you about?"

"Yes . . ."

"I, um, er, I well . . . he, he . . . it's funny, actually . . ."

"Spit it out!"

"Oh, right. I won."

Chichi blinked several times. "But . . . you said that you weren't going to enter."

"Exactly! And I didn't! But SOMEHOW, I won! And now I've got to move into the Hercule mansion tomorrow and Videl's not speaking to me and she never wants to see me again, she basically hates my guts and I-"

"WOAH! She HATES you?"

Gohan nodded and Chichi thought that he looked a little pathetic. "You've got to talk to her! You're not scared, are you?"

He shook his head. "I just don't know what to say."

"I'm sure you'll be able to think of something. Now, as for this moving in deal, that's a whole other story. You, Son Gohan, are NOT living in that house with THAT MAN! I forbid it!"

"Aw, come on Mom! It's the perfect chance for me to redeem myself in Videl's eyes. I could be extra nice to her, plead my case till my face is blue . . . I could-"

Chichi placed her hands on her hips. "Yes, you COULD do all of that, but you and I both know that she'll NEVER EVER believe you or forgive without some sort of proof."

"Yeah, you're right. The problem is, I don't have any proof."

"This isn't looking good for you, is it Gohan?"

His shoulders slumped down. "Are you . . . telling me that it's hopeless?"

"NO, it just might take a while, that's all. Give it time, Gohan and it'll end up alright."

"I-I just don't want to loose her friendship. I like her."

His mother raised an eyebrow at his words. "You LIKE her? As in-"

"A friendly way." He stood up and took a deep breath. "I'll try my best to get her to see that I'm not a bad guy. I just HAVE to."

*~*

Angela smiled at Sharpner she sipped from a cup of coffee at a local coffee shop before school started. This was their way of celebrating their recent victory.

"I must admit, Sharpner. I was wrong about you and your plan. Did you see the angry look on her face when Gohan's name was called?" Angela giggled. "It was wonderful!"

"I know," he agreed. Yesterday had been the best day of his life. And today was only going to get better. HE glanced down at his watch. "We should get to school. I don't want to miss any of the action."

Angela raised one of her manicured eyebrows. "What action?"

Sharpner just chuckled. "You'll see."

*~*

Gohan was vaguely aware of the glares he was receiving as he walked down the hallway that morning. He'd expected everyone to be all over him since he'd just won the contest and all, but the opposite was happening. As he passed, other students began to whisper behind their hands and turn away from him.

Gohan didn't really care if they were all talking about him. He was on a mission, one that couldn't wait. He headed up to Videl's locker, sighing in relief when he saw her there, removing some books. He went up to her.

"Um, hey Videl," he said cautiously.

When she turned to look at him, he almost recoiled from the amount of hatred that flowed from her look. "I don't want to talk to you. Leave me alone." She turned to leave.

Gohan desperately reached out and gently took her arm. He turned her so that she was facing him.

"Give me a chance to explain!" he begged.

"Explain WHAT?! The fact that you lied to me, that you went behind my back?!" she practically shrieked.

A crowd of students gathered in the hallway. Videl and Gohan, who'd just been the hottest couple a few days ago, were having an argument in the middle of the hall. News of the disagreement traveled fast and soon the hall was filled with silent students eager to see the dispute.

"I'm trying to tell you that I didn't-" began Gohan.

"You didn't what?" She yanked her arm out of his grasp. "I don't want to hear any lies, Gohan!"

	Gohan felt himself getting a little mad. "You're not even giving me a chance! I didn't enter that contest!"

"Oh, good one! Couldn't you have come up with anything better than THAT?!"

"I'm telling you the truth!" He took a deep breath and lowered his voice. The kids in the hall tried to lean in closer to hear what he was saying. "Look, I gave you my word. And I have no reason at all to lie to you like that."

"Maybe you had this planned! Maybe you wanted to fool me or something!"

Gohan couldn't believe his ears. "Videl, I'm telling you the truth!"

"Like hell you are," she snapped. "I don't EVER want to see you again, Son Gohan. I don't want you to talk to me ever again! In fact, when you go home, burn my number!" Videl turned to walk away again.

He reached out and took her elbow. "Now wait a minute-"

She whirled around and raised her hand, slapping him across the cheek.

The sound on the slap rang throughout the hallway, stunning everyone, including Videl. She slowly backed away from him, a horrified look oh her face.

Gohan placed his hand on his cheek. Her slap hadn't hurt, but the fact that she'd hit him took him by surprise. She hated him THAT MUCH? She . . . really never wanted to see him again?

Videl ran her shaking hand through her hair. "Just . . . leave me alone, Gohan. Please." She pushed through the crowd and ran down the hall.

As the students wandered off, Gohan could hear whispers of, "I can't believe he betrayed her like that" and "Gohan's just a jerk" and other comments like that. He then realized that the glares he'd received earlier were because of what was going on between him and Videl. But how had the kids at school found out? Who'd told them?

Angela and Sharpner watched as Gohan stood in the hallway, staring down at the floor like a scorned puppy. Sharpner was laughing with glee. Okay, he hadn't managed to somehow create that explosion between Videl and Gohan, but he HAD gone around and told a bunch of people- particularly those who were gossips- what had gone on with the two. Now the practically the whole school was against Gohan.

Angela, however, wasn't that happy. "What did you do?! Gohan isn't supposed to be a social outcast, stupid! My boyfriend cannot be a social outcast!"

Sharpner just shrugged his shoulders. "Who cares. Besides, it looks like you've got some work to do." He gestured to Gohan who was still standing in the hall looking miserable.

Angela tossed her wave of hair over her shoulder and walked over to Gohan. "Oh, Gohan, I just saw that awful fight you and Videl had. I'm SO sorry."

"Thanks," he muttered.

"How about I walk you to class," she offered, attaching herself to his arm, "and you can tell me ALL about it?" As an added effect, she batted her lashes.

"Whatever . . ."

She giggled. "Okay. Let's go!" She tossed Sharpner a wink over her shoulder.

*~*

Minutes later, Videl slid into her seat. She'd run all the way to class after slapping Gohan in the face. She buried her face in her hands.

I can't believe I did that . . . and in front of all of those kids . . .

He deserved it! The nerve of that guy, telling you absurd lies about-

Videl looked up when she heard several girls snicker. Gohan was standing in the doorway, gently prying Angela off of him. She watched as he gave her a smile and entered the classroom. Videl held her breath as their eyes meet across the room.

He looks so sad . . .

Sad my foot! Don't let him get to you.

Shut up.

Gohan gave her a weak smile and went up to his seat. They were the only people in the row so far. Videl raised her chin.

"I'm sorry, Gohan. That was uncalled for," she said, not looking at him. She didn't need to tell him what 'that' was.

"It's okay." Gohan tilted his head to the side and stared at her stiff form.

"Oh."

"So . . . we're talking now?" he asked.

"No."

"Oh . . . right."

*~*

Throughout class, Gohan sat in his chair, hunched over a sheet of blank white paper. He continuously glanced up at Videl, who was, for once, concentrating on the teacher. She was nibbling on the end of her pen.

Gohan's hands were moving quickly. He stared down at the picture forming on the piece of paper. It was Videl sitting at the desk, looking very cute as she bit the end of her pen. Gohan glanced back up at her quickly. His drawing was actually pretty good.

Gohan sighed wistfully. What was he going to do? This problem with Videl was interrupting his schoolwork, and his mother wouldn't like that. Not to mention the fact that he rarely ever drew something unless he was distressed. For instance, he'd done that sketch of the Eternal Dragon and the seven Dragon Balls the day after his father had died and couldn't come back.

Videl's cell went off. "Videl here."

This drew Gohan's attention. He shoved his drawing into his book bag and began to listen to her conversation.

"The Crimson Tide gang has taken over City Hall? I'll be there in ten, Commander!" Videl excused herself from class and left.

Gohan frowned. She was in no condition to fight. She had a lot on her mind. He stood up. "Um, excuse me, could I . . . got to the bathroom?"

The teacher looked up at Gohan. She'd heard about his confrontation with Videl in the hall and felt sorry for him. "Sure. Go ahead."

"Thanks."

*~*

When Videl arrived at City Hall, the Chief of Police was busy negotiating with a member of the Crimson Tide gang over the phone.

"Now just tell us what you want, and we'll get it for you? What is it, money?" the Chief asked desperately.

"Nah! Our boss here wants a good fight with Hercule, that's all!"

The Chief looked confused. "But, he'll never win! Hercule-"

"Is a lying, weak idiot! And we're gonna prove it to everyone when our boss knocks the shit out of him!!!!"

The Chief looked at Videl for an answer. "Tell him that the daughter of Hercule is here. I'll fight him."

"Er . . . okay. Look, boys, we've got the daughter of Hercule down here. She'll fight you."

The gang member laughed so loud that the Chief had to move the phone away from his ear. "Yeah, right! The boss don't wanna fight no little . . . what? You wanna fight her?" The guy sighed. "Fine. Our boss'll fight her. If he wins, the building goes up in flames, got it?"

Videl nodded once. "Tell your boss to get his sorry ass out here so we can start."

About a minute later, a huge guy stepped out of the building with a cocky grin on his face. Videl, however, wasn't intimidated by the man's size. He would probably be too slow to do anything to her.

Videl approached the man. She lowered herself into a fighting stance. "Let's do this."

The leader of the Crimson Tide grinned and began to attack. Videl was shocked- he was faster than she'd thought.

Meanwhile, Saiyaman was flying above the scene, determining whether or not Videl needed his help.

"What is she doing?" he muttered, watching the fight. "Her form is sloppy, her movements are too slow . . . she can do better than that!"

He growled when the big guy grabbed Videl and slammed her into the ground. He began to kick her, laughing the whole time.

Saiyaman swooped down and landed behind the gang leader. He wrapped on hand around his neck and pulled him away from Videl.

The man looked him over. "Who the hell are you?!"

"Your worst nightmare," Gohan growled. He ended the fight with one swift punch. He then turned to the building and called, "Okay, you all can come out! Don't make me come in there after you!!"

The gang members, who'd all heard about a flying superhero, quickly came out with their hands on the air and threw their weapons aside.

While the cops busied themselves with arresting the men, Gohan turned to Videl and helped her off of the ground. "Are you alright, miss?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

She nodded.

Suddenly Gohan had a brilliant idea. "Is something on your mind? Your head wasn't in the game," he observed.

"I'm just having problems . . . with a friend."

"Ah. Care to . . . tell me about it?" Say yes, say yes . . .

Videl looked him over suspiciously. "Okay . . ." She hesitantly told Saiyaman about her problems. "What do you think I should do."

"It seems to me that you haven't given this young man a chance to tell you his side of the story."

Videl gave him a look. "You're only saying that because you're a guy. And besides, what other side of the story could there be?"

"All I'm saying is that you should talk to him. It sounds like you really liked him as a friend."

"I did . . . but . . ."

Gohan crossed his arms over his chest. "Just think about it. I'm sure you'll make the right decision." Gohan then took to the air.

*~*

By the end of the day, Gohan was a little depressed. His conversation with Videl while he was Saiyaman hadn't helped a bit. Videl had avoided him all day- she even sat away from the group during lunch. And worst of all, Angela was hanging onto him like a magnet.

As Gohan flew home, he began to rack his head for ideas, but so far, nothing came up. There's always one place I can go for advice. He made a sharp turn and flew off towards Capsule Corp.

When he got there, he immediately tracked down Bulma, who was in the kitchen, attempting to make something edible for dinner.

"No need to tell me any details about this one," said Bulma. "Videl already came by and she told me everything."

"She . . . came by?"

Bulma nodded. "To use the gravity room. I tried to tell her to give you a chance to explain- even Vegeta did, but she wouldn't listen."

Gohan's shoulder's slumped over. "So, you're out of ideas?"

"On this one, yeah."

Gohan collapsed into a chair and Bulma returned her attentions to the stove. She eyed the directions on the box of instant mashed potatoes, then looked down at her pot of boiling water. She added the flakes and jumped back when they began to bubble and pop, splattering everywhere. [1]

"Shit!" cried Bulma. She quickly took the pot off of the oven and tossed it into the sink. "Why do I even try . . .?" Bulma returned her thoughts to the dejected looking boy sitting in her kitchen. She almost slapped herself when the most obvious thought came over her.

"Say, Gohan, did you ever stop to think that maybe someone else entered you into the contest?"

He looked up at her. "No . . ."

"You told me before that there was this guy at school . . . what was his name? Oh yeah, Sharpner. Well, you told me that he didn't like you. Right?"

"Right . . . So you're saying that maybe HE entered me? I don't think so."

"Why not?!"

"Um . . . I don't think Sharpner's that smart."

Bulma rolled her eyes. "If you say so."

Gohan stood up. "Thanks for your help anyway. And next time you want to cook the potatoes, try taking the pot off of the burner before you add the flakes."

*~*

Gohan didn't know how he got there, but an hour later he found himself sitting in a tree just outside of Videl's balcony. He felt like a Peeping Tom, but he knew he wasn't there to look at her.

He sat in the tree until it got dark. Gohan decided to make his move.

Gohan leapt from the tree and onto her balcony. He knocked softly on the door, careful not to be too loud. He was a little startled when the door flew open and Videl began to bring a baseball bat down onto his head.

Gohan, using his quick reflexes, stepped to the side, dodging her attack just in time.

"WHAT IN THE-" began Videl.

He quickly placed his hand over her mouth and pulled her close to him, stepping forward so that they were both inside her room. Gohan then closed the balcony doors and released Videl.

She looked furious. "What in the world are you doing? Are you some sort of creep?!"

"Shhh!!! What if your father heard us?!" he hissed.

Videl tossed the bat onto the floor and stomped over to her bedroom door, locking it. "Will you PLEASE tell me why you were on my balcony?!"

"We need to talk!"

She shook her head. "I don't think so. I-"

"You're going to hear me out! I'm not a liar or a back stabber and, to tell you the truth, I don't like people thinking that I am!"

Videl sighed. A lot of people have told me to give him a chance . .

.

"I suggest you check your facts. 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."- Vegeta

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."- Bulma

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

And even Saiyaman- "All I'm saying is that you should talk to him.

It sounds like you really liked him as a friend."

Videl sighed again. "Fine. You've got-"

"VIDEL!!! WHAT'S ALL THAT NOISE IN THERE?!!" shouted Hercule from the hallway. He tried to open the door, only to find it locked. "AND WHY IS YOUR DOOR LOCKED?!!!!"

Videl roughly shoved Gohan into her closet and closed the door. She then pulled a robe over her clothes. "HOLD ON!"

She took a deep breath, then yanked open the door. "What do you want?"

Hercule looked his daughter over. He peeked around her and into her room. "What's all that shouting about in here?"

"The tv."

"Oh. Uh . . . Then why was your door locked?"

She gestured at her robe. "I was getting dressed and I didn't want you to barge in here on me! What does it look like?"

"Like there's some boy in here!"

"Well, there isn't! Now go and bug someone else!" She slammed the door in his face and locked it again.

A few minutes later, Gohan crawled out of the closet. "Um, is it safe to come out now?"

She nodded. "You've got five minutes."

"Um, right. Okay. Let's see . . . well, I didn't enter the contest, Videl. After all, I made you a promise. But, Bulma has a theory. . . sort of. She thinks that Sharpner entered me in the contest to turn you against me! And it worked, didn't it?"

Videl thought that over. "Sharpner? I don't think he's smart enough to think up something like that." She bit her bottom lip as something hit her.

"Enjoy his company while it lasts, Videl. He won't be yours for long."

"Angela! Oh, that bitch!" she exclaimed. "Why didn't I see it before?!"

Gohan looked confused. "What? What!"

"While we were on the field trip, Angela said that I should enjoy your company while it lasted. And today, she showed me a print out of all of the people who entered my Dad's contest! SHE could have thought this all up so that we wouldn't be friends anymore!"

"Well, that wasn't a nice thing to do!"

Videl gave Gohan a look. "Yeah, it wasn't. When I get to school tomorrow, I'm going to kick her ass into outer space."

"And this time, I don't think I'll stop you."

Videl laughed, then quieted down. She stared down at her feet. "I-I should apologize, Gohan. I said some really mean things to you earlier. I eve hit you. I'm really sorry."

Gohan smiled at her. "It's okay. You were mad."

"No, it's not okay. I-" She coughed. "Um, do you think I could have a hug? It would make me feel a lot better."

Gohan rubbed the back of his head. "Er, sure." He went up to her and wrapped his arms around her. He then took a step back, his face burning red.

Videl's cheeks were a little pink as she smiled back up at him. "It's really late. Do you need a ride home?"

Gohan shook his head. "I'll manage." He smiled at Videl for a while, then went over to the balcony and jumped down to the ground.

*~*

Gohan used Instant Transmission to get home that night. Needless to say, Chichi was furious.

"IT IS TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT AND YOU'RE JUST WALKING INTO THE DOOR?!!! YOU HAVEN'T CALLED TO TELL ME YOU'D BE OUT ALL NIGHT!!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, SON GOHAN?!!!!!!!!"

Gohan winced. He was barely inside the house and his Mom was chewing him out already. "Gee, Mom, do you think I can come in first?"

Chichi was standing in the doorway, blocking the way inside the house. "I don't know! Maybe your punishment should be sleeping outside for the night!"

A sweatdrop rolled down the back of his head. Okay, so what? He'd slept outside plenty of times before. "Aw, Mom-"

"WITHOUT dinner," she added, a smug look on her face.

"NOOOOO!!!!!" He hadn't had anything to eat since lunchtime at school. Now THIS would be pure torture.

Chichi slammed to door in her son's face and locked the door. Gohan sighed. Now what?

"PSSSST!! Gohan! Over here!"

Gohan turned to see his little brother's head sticking out of a window, his arm waving in the air. "You can get in this way!"

"Thanks, tyke!" Gohan went over to the window and was just about to climb in when Chichi appeared out of nowhere and brought the frying pan down on his head.

"OUCH!" He fell backwards onto the ground.

"AND NO SNEAKING IN!" she exclaimed. "As for you, Goten, you get back in bed! If I find out that you've helped Gohan in any way . . ." Chichi closed the window.

Gohan dusted the dirt off of his pants and grinned. It had been fun playing with his mother, but now he was REALLY hungry. He put two fingers on his forehead and zapped inside the kitchen.

His mother was there, preparing a cup of cocoa for herself. He snuck up behind her and tapped her shoulder. "Hiya, Mom!"

She shrieked and nearly dropped her mug. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?!!"

"Instant Transmission," he said.

"Damn Saiyans . . . a mother can't even punish her sons properly . . ."

Gohan chuckled. "I have a very good reason for being out so late. I was making up with Videl."

Chichi looked a little suspicious. "Making up how?"

Gohan began to tell his mother about his day at school and how she'd hit him in front of everyone. Then he spoke of Bulma's suggestion- Chichi laughed when he told her about Bulma and the instant mashed potatoes. "And so then I went over to Videl's place and snuck onto her balcony. When I tapped on her door, Videl tried to attack me with a baseball bat-"

"Of course she did!" his mother interrupted. "She probably thought you were some Peeping Tom! Honestly, Gohan . . ."

He flushed, then continued on with his story. "Anyway, I managed to get inside and told her about Bulma's idea about how Sharpner entered me into the contest. But Videl had another idea."

"Let me guess, she thought that that psycho Saran Wrap girl entered you, not this Sharpner."

"Right! I guess that Videl is right. I mean, Angela said some pretty strange stuff to her."

Chichi raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

When Gohan told her, Chichi slammed her mug onto the table. "Why, it's so obvious! Of course that little witch entered you!"

"Videl's planning to beat her up tomorrow at school. I don't think I'll stop her this time."

Chichi looked shocked. "Why, Gohan! I never thought . . ."

He laughed. "I was just kidding. Um, say Mom- do you think I could have something to eat now?"

"Well, alright. I guess . . . just don't make this a habit."

"I won't!" Gohan rubbed the back of his head. "That frying pan hurt!"

Author's Note: There seems to be a misunderstanding! Everyone thinks that Angela entered poor Gohan into the contest. Will Sharpner EVER confess? (Even I don't know . . .)

[1] Haha! This has happened to me before! I've learned my lesson- when that stuff pops and gets on you, it burns! So, always read the directions on that stuff. It's all very important.

ADVERTISING: If you haven't checked out 'The 25th Tenkaichi Budokai' by illjwamh, you don't know what you're missing! A lot of DBZ fans want to know 'what would've happened if Yamu and that other guy didn't attack Gohan and the tournament went on'. Well, this fic gives one possibility. There's some G/V in there, so check it out.

Next chapter: Gohan moves into the Hercule mansion! Goten and Trunks come along and they all spend the day at Videl's house. What will happen?