Author's Note: EVIL CHAPTER AHEAD!!!! Don't say I didn't warn ya. * Wink *

I don't own DBZ, but I do own all of the wonderful reviews I've received. Wait, I do, don't I?

Oh, I haven't proof read this. My wrist hurts and I've got a paper to do. Sorry in advance for any mistakes.

II. Dark Passions

*~* Chapter Twenty Four *~*

Jealousy + Anger = Determination

The next morning, M.Trunks was sipping on a glass of nice, cold orange juice when his mother told him her plan. He immediately choked on his drink and set the glass down on the kitchen counter hard. "You want me to WHAT?!"

"Please?! Both Chichi and I think it's a good idea! Those two will never get together if one of them doesn't do something!"

"I'm not getting into this. Gohan's a big boy-"

"Who's shy and unsure about himself! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE?!!!!!" begged Bulma. "You're the only one who can do it."

M. Trunks gave his mother a stern look. "What do you mean?"

"You're Gohan's competition! You're about their age, you're a strong fighter, you're good looking . . . Gohan would easily get jealous over you."

"I don't want to hurt Gohan's feelings . . ."

"It'll be okay!"

"And Videl's . . . I'll be using her, sort of."

Bulma sighed. "Look, Chichi and I are sure that Gohan will tell Videl how he feels if she starts dating someone else! It makes sense."

"What if Videl doesn't want to go out with me?"

Bulma grinned. "That girl can be evil sometimes. I'm sure she'll see it as a perfect way to catch Gohan's attention. PLEASE?!!!!"

"OKAY, OKAY!! I'll do it! But if things get too serious or out of control, I'm out."

*~*

Videl was up bright and early the next morning, anxious to start her training again. She wanted to learn how to fly, now that she was pretty good with the ki blasts.

But Gohan was sleeping in late again, so she went out to warm up and do some work on her own. She sat on the cool, damp grass and began to stretch. When she bent forward, the chain holding Gohan's birthday present swung from under her shirt. Videl smiled, remembering what had happened the night before.

*~* Flashback *~*

Videl climbed into Gohan's bed and sighed. She shot a glance at Gohan, who was standing just next to the bed, looking down at her with his palms cupped over something. He looked down at her nervously.

"What is it, Gohan?" asked Videl.

He held his hand out and placed a black square box in her hand. "Happy birthday."

She stared down at it. "You didn't have to . . . after you planned that party . . ."

"Just open it."

She took the lid off of the box and stared down at a . . . rock. More like a rock attached to a silver chain. Well . . . she hadn't been expecting THIS. "What . . . is it?"

"Chalcedony. I know it looks like your average rock, but turn it over."

Videl took it out of the box and flipped the stone over. "Wow . . ."

Now it was a VERY pretty rock. It was gray with pale blue swirls in it with the swirls taking the shape of a rose. There seemed to be sparkles in it, because when she tilted it into the moonlight, it glistened. She gasped. "It's beautiful!"

Gohan took it from her and placed it around her neck. "It's said to have magic powers of a sort. If you're ever in danger, or you're feeling lonely or something, squeeze it HARD and think of me. I'll be able to locate you and find you."

So romantic . . . Videl gave Gohan a hug, taking him by surprise. "Thank you, Gohan. I love it."

*~* End Flashback *~*

Videl had never received a gift like Gohan's. I was original and she could tell that he had put a lot of thought into it. I wonder if it works . . . maybe only when I'm in trouble or something. She reached up to touch the warm stone and smiled.

"Are you just going to sit there all morning, or are you going to train?"

Videl turned around. "Trunks! What are you doing here?"

M. Trunks walked up to her and sat on the grass. He gave her a charming smile. "My mom was telling me that you were doing some training and I thought I'd stop by to see how it'd going."

Videl glanced back at the house. "I was working with Gohan . . . but he's still asleep. How about we spar?"

"Sounds good."
They stood up and took their stances. M. Trunks wasn't sure just how strong Videl was, so he decided to take it slow. She moved first and caught him off guard, hitting him in the face. He stumbled back and stared at her in surprise.

She was fast! And she hit pretty hard. He hadn't expected this. "Not bad . . . I underestimated you."

Videl looked smug. "Well, now you know."

M. Trunks attacked this time and Videl blocked. He was going so fast that Videl could only block. She growled slightly and ducked his next punch. She placed a hand on his chest and shot a ki blast.

He flew backwards and hit the ground.

Videl ran up to him, very worried. "I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?!"

M. Trunks sat up and stared at his charred gi. He laughed. "I see Gohan's taught you well! I hadn't expected ki blasts."

Videl pulled him to his feet. "Come on, let's get back to work."

*~*

Gohan's eyes fluttered open. He sat up, yawned and stretched. When he turned to see if Videl was still asleep, he was a little surprised to find his bed neatly made up. Gohan got up, grabbed some clothes and quickly dressed. He went into the kitchen and opened the fridge, sticking his head in to look for something quick to munch on.

Suddenly the ground shook, startling Gohan. He pulled his head up quickly, hitting it on the fridge. He removed his head and ran outside.

He gapped at the sight before him. M. Trunks was leaning over Videl, waving a hand in front of her face. Her clothes were torn a bit, and there was dirt all over her face. Trunks, however, looked just fine. What is he DOING here?! What happened to Videl?!

"What's going on?!" he exclaimed, running up to them.

Trunks flushed a bit. "We were sparing . . . I think my ki blast was a little to strong for her."

Gohan immediately began to freak. He shook Videl hard. "Wake up! Videl!!!!"

She opened one eye and said, "I'm fine. Just stop shaking me!"

"Sorry."

Videl climbed to her feet and worked her muscles. She smiled at the panicked look on Trunks' face. "I'm fine. Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure? I mean . . ."

"I'm okay!"

Gohan, however, was very angry. He turned to M. Trunks. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Both Videl and Trunks were shocked at Gohan's choice of language. It just wasn't like him to swear.

"You could've hurt her! She could've been killed!!"

Before Gohan could advance on Trunks, she stepped in between to two boys. "Calm down, Gohan! Like I said, I'm FINE!!"

Trunks grinned. "I don't think you're mad about that, Gohan. I think you're just jealous because I was training with Videl."

She turned to glare at the lavender haired boy. "Don't entice him," she hissed. He just kept grinning.

"I am not jealous! There's nothing to be jealous about!" Gohan protested.

"Is that right?"

Gohan took another step forward. "Yeah, that's right! I could take you any day and you know it."

"I've heard that you haven't been training for seven years, Gohan. I bet you're weak."

Gohan was jus about to leap forward when Videl punched Gohan in the stomach. He wheezed and fell over, clutching his belly. "Videl . . . no more!" he whined. He'd been punched TWICE the day before and once today. Gohan was afraid that a bruise would start to form.

"If you weren't acting like such a jerk all the time, then I wouldn't!"

M. Trunks was busy laughing his head off. Videl turned to him and gave him the same treatment. He, too, collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. "And I told YOU not to entice him!"

She walked back to the house, then stopped. Videl turned around and grinned at the two boys. "You know, Gohan, I don't think I need a frying pan. My fist will do just fine."

*~*

M. Trunks couldn't help but laugh again as Videl stomped away. She WAS evil! "Nice arm she's got," he grumbled, sitting up.

Gohan, who was already on his feet, glared at him. "What are you up to?"

"What makes you think I'm up to something?"

He didn't answer, but went into the house after Videl. Trunks got up and brushed the grass off of him. Mom was right. Gohan IS in love with her, and he IS jealous! This will be easier than I thought!

Trunks went into the house and got a huge smile from Chichi who was making breakfast. "Good morning, Trunks. You're here early!"

"Morning. I just wanted to see how Videl's training was coming along," he replied.

Chichi winked at him and he smiled back. "Breakfast will be ready in a little while. I think everyone is out front."

"Thanks." Trunks walked through the house and went out the front door where Videl and Gohan were watching Goten and Goku spar. He joined them. Gohan ignored the other boy, but Videl turned to him and said, "Look at Goten go! Isn't he great!"

"Yeah, but I'm sure mini-me will be able to defeat him in the Tenkaichi Budokai," Trunks said confidently.

Gohan chose to ignore his remark.

"Why do you say that?" asked Videl.

"Well, Chibi Trunks IS a year older than Goten, and he's had Vegeta AND the Gravity Room to work with. You could call it an unfair advantage, if you want."

Gohan was staring up at the sky when something silver caught his eye. He raised a hand to his forehead to shield the sun from his face. No way . . . that looks like a hover car. But what's a car doing all the way out here? As it got closer, Gohan groaned. He saw a familiar face sticking out of one of the windows. Erasa.

Which meant that Sharpner was probably driving.

"Videl, Sharpner and Erasa are here," he grumbled, pointing to the sky.

Videl squinted, but didn't see a thing. "Huh?"

The hover car came closer, attracting the attention of Goku and Goten. They stopped in mid-spar and looked at the sky too.

"Having friends over, Gohan?" asked Goku curiously.

Why ME? Why NOW?!! How am I going to keep those two from finding out all of my secrets!! Gohan was freaking out. What am I going to do?!!

The car landed and Erasa eagerly hopped out. Sharpner got out of the other side and glared at all of the men surrounding Videl. Surely she's not living with all of these GUYS. Why would Hercule let her move here?

Erasa was just as surprised as Sharpner. Boy, Videl's lucky! Look at all the cute guys!! "Um, hi Videl."

"Erasa . . . Sharpner," Videl said uneasily.

They all stared at each other for a while until Goku exclaimed excitedly, "Don't just stand there, Gohan! Invite them inside!"

Gohan jumped slightly. "Er . . . right, Dad. Come on in guys."

Erasa gapped at Gohan's father as they went into his house. He was HOT! And he looked really young. The little boy who was practically clinging to the man's leg looked EXACTLY like him. And then there was the lavender haired boy who looked a lot like Bulma Brief's little son. He was hot too. I'd switch places with Videl any day . . .

Chichi came out of the kitchen and glanced at the two newcomers. "Who's this, Gohan?"

"Mom, this is Erasa, and this is Sharpner. Guys, this is my mom," he gestured to Chichi, "my dad, my little brother Goten and my . . . friend Trunks."

Erasa happily shook hands with them all, especially Trunks. Sharpner just nodded at them. Chichi pulled Goku and Goten into the kitchen to leave the teens alone.

Erasa wanted to show Videl her new car and took her outside, leaving the three boys alone in the living room.

"What a surprise, Sharpner! What are you two doing here?" Gohan asked nervously. "And how did you know she was here?"

"We came to give Videl her birthday presents. We asked her father where she was." Sharpner eyed Gohan and Trunks suspiciously. "With all of these people living here, where does she sleep?"

Gohan blushed. "Ahh . . ."

"Oh, I don't live here! I'm just visiting," Trunks said quickly. "But where DOES she sleep, Gohan?"

He glared at the other Saiyan. "Does it matter?"

"Just because I haven't seen Videl in a while doesn't mean that I've given up on her. She's still going to be my girlfriend," Sharpner announced with total confidence.

Gohan just snickered, knowing that Sharpner was no competition.

That's my cue, I think. Mirai Trunks cleared his throat. "So you're saying that Videl's free?"

Both boys just glared at him, then nodded slowly.

M. Trunks grinned. "Good, cuz I was planing to ask her out later."

"WHAT?!!"

*~*

Meanwhile, Erasa and Videl were sitting inside of Erasa's new car. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Videl?"

"Yeah. I'm really sorry about that. I've been really busy and so much has been going on . . ."

Erasa nodded. "I heard you were in the hospital a few days ago. What happened?"

"I caught some nasty virus, but I'm all better now."

"That's good. You know, Videl, you're so lucky . . ."

Videl looked confused. "Why do you say that?"

"You LIVE with all of those hunks?! Gohan, that guy with the purple hair AND Gohan's father, who, I shamelessly admit, is totally hot too!" she squealed. Videl laughed.

"Yeah, it's been an . . . adventure . . ."

	"I wonder if Trunks has a girlfriend . . . Anyway, we came here to wish you happy birthday. Well, BELATED birthday." Erasa pulled three gifts from the back seat of her car. "One is from me, the other is from Sharp, and the last is from your dad."

Dad . . . I haven't spoken to him in while. I'll call later. "Thanks. Let's take them inside."

When they got inside, they saw both Sharpner and Gohan glaring furiously at Trunks, who looked a little scared.

Videl raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem here?"

Sharpner was about to say something when Trunks quickly slapped a hand over his mouth. The blond boy began to squirm, but couldn't break his grip. "Nothing's wrong, Videl. We're just having a friendly chat. Isn't that right, Gohan?"

"Whatever you say . . ." Gohan muttered dejectedly.

Erasa slid up to Trunks and eyed him. "Wow, you have even more muscles than GOHAN! Do you have a girlfriend?"

Trunks turned bright red. "I . . . well . . . er . . . um . . ."

Gohan snickered. "He's just visiting, so I'm afraid he won't be in the area for too long."

"That's too bad . . ." She turned to Videl. "Where do you want me to put these gifts?"

Videl led Erasa down the hallway and into Gohan's room and told her to put them on the bed.

Erasa looked around. "This is where you sleep? What's the cot for?"

"Ah . . . this is Gohan's room. I sleep on the bed, and he sleeps on the cot."

Her friend winked at her knowingly. "I bet he hasn't used the cot since you got here, right?"

"ERASA!! Really!"

They went back to the living room where the boys were seated on the couch, watching tv. Well, Sharpner was watching tv. Gohan was too busy glaring at Trunks as the lavender haired boy tried to ignore him.

Erasa noticed the VCR on top of the tv and pulled out a tape from her purse. "It's movie time!" she announced happily. She popped it into the VCR and pushed start. Erasa then wedged herself into the spot between Sharpner and Trunks, leaving Videl to take the empty area between Trunks and Gohan. Naturally, Sharpner didn't like the fact that he wasn't sitting near Videl one bit, but there wasn't anything he could do about it.

"What IS this, Erasa?" asked Videl.

"You'll see," she chuckled.

Brought to you by Waves and Rocks . . . appeared on the screen. Then came the title of the movie. The Kidnapping of Satan Videl. [A/N: From here till I say so, double spaces between paragraphs indicate the switch between the movie and 'real' life.]

"WHAT IN THE WORLD?! ERASA!!!" shrieked Videl, nearly jumping up off of the couch. Gohan chuckled under his breath, then immediately stopped when she glared at him.

"I've never seen it before," said Erasa, "so I don't know what they're going to show."

Videl sat back in the couch. Trunks began to watch with interest. If Videl was acting this way to the film, it must be worth watching.

The first scene opened up with 'Hercule' sitting in his study with his hands folded on the table before him. Then came his thoughts. These threats on my dear daughter's life are becoming more and more serious. I'm afraid it's time for drastic measures . . . 'Hercule' pushed a button on the intercom on his desk. "Could you send Videl and Gohan straight up?" he asked his secretary.

"Right away, sir."

Gohan groaned. HE was going to be in this movie? "Erasa . . . turn it off!! Please!!"

Trunks laughed evilly. "Keep it on! I want to see this."

Erasa let it play.

Videl and Gohan entered Hercule's study. They'd managed to find a pretty good Videl look-alike, but the person playing Gohan was ALL wrong.

"WHY AM I FAT?!" moaned Gohan. Sharpner laughed his head off, pointing to the screen. Videl snickered. Trunks clamped a hand over his mouth to stop from laughing.

"You're not . . . fat, Gohan," Erasa said supportively. "You're just chubby."

"I AM NOT CHUBBY IN REAL LIFE!! Don't tell me that that guy is NOT fat! His stomach is hanging over his pants! Or my pants! Whatever!" whined Gohan.

"What is it, papa?" asked Videl sweetly, giving Hercule a kiss on the forehead.

He sighed dramatically. "It pains me to do this, Videl, but your friend Gohan is going to have to leave."

Videl gasped just as dramatically, her hand flying up to her chest. "But PAPA, I-"

"With all that's going on, he has to leave. Your friend Angela was killed and someone's after YOU. I'm doing what's best."

Videl turned to Gohan. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

Gohan just scratched his gut, blinked several times, then turned around and left the study without saying a word, leaving Videl to rush into her father's arms and cry.

"IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THAT WAY!!!!!" Gohan exclaimed. "I'm not a big fat lazy jerk! I put up a fight! I didn't even have any lines! I-"

"Chill, Gohan!" Videl snapped. But she didn't like the way they made her all sweet and nice. And she HADN'T ran to her father and CRIED. Where do they GET this stuff? "I'm going to get some popcorn," announced Videl.

"No, let me do it," said Trunks.

Gohan glared at him. "You're the guest, Trunks," he said as nicely as he could. "I'LL go get it, Videl."

Sharpner realized what they were doing. "No, I can go get it!"

"You don't know where anything is," pointed out Trunks.

"Neither do you," Gohan snapped. "This is MY house, you ALL are guests, so I-"

Videl got up off of the couch. "I have LEGS, if you haven't noticed!"

Oh, I've noticed . . . Gohan immediately flushed. Well how could he have NOT noticed? She wore shorts all of the time . . .

Videl stomped into the kitchen and prepared two bowls of popcorn.

While she did that, Trunks had an idea. He slid closer to Gohan, so that the only empty area was between him and the couch's arm. Gohan noticed and glared heatedly at M. Trunks, who pretended not to notice.

When Videl came back, she hesitated slightly and sat next to Trunks. She placed a bowl of popcorn in his lap, then handed another to Gohan for him to share with Erasa and Sharpner.

"You missed the part when you took Gohan home, Videl," Erasa said.

This is soooooo stupid! It happened to ME, so I should know what happened!!!!

Videl went back up to her room and hesitated when she realized that the lights were off. She flicked them on. She screamed theatrically when she saw the housemaid lying on the floor and passed out. The actor playing Vile stepped out of the closet, scooted Videl up and went to the balcony.

He jumped off and flew away.

"I didn't FAINT," Videl mumbled. "And did you see the strings on that guy's back?! This is ridiculous!"

Sharpner stared at her. "Isn't that what those guys who SAY they can fly, like Saiyaman, actually use? String?"
"NO!" Trunks, Gohan and Videl exclaimed at the same time. Both Saiyans were offended. They didn't use STRING to get around.

Just then, Goku wandered into the room and grinned. "Ohhhh, a MOVIE! I haven't seen one in a LONG time! Can I watch?!"

Gohan didn't want his dad to see The Kidnapping of Videl. After all, they'd made him look stupid, and they would probably do the same to Saiyaman. Before he could say anything, Erasa giggled and invited him over. Goku happily sat on the floor and watched with wide eyes, like a kid staring into a candy shop.

The words 'two days later' appeared on the tv and next scene opened with Saiyaman 'flying' through the air, with strings clearly attached to his back. Saiyaman reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of Videl. Hold on, my love. I'm coming. He kissed the photo and stuck it back into his pocket.

Gohan gapped at the screen, turning a bit red. What?! Saiyaman is NOT in love with Videl! And I don't even HAVE any pockets!!!

Videl was also red. "I AM NOT in love with Saiyaman! And where exactly did he get a picture of ME? They're making stuff up!"

Goku, however, wasn't complaining. "SHHHHH!!!! I can't hear!"

Saiyaman 'landed' outside of a cave blocked by a huge bolder. He lifted his palm. The camera showed Saiyaman step on a red button and the rock blew up into tiny pieces.

"Ohhhhh, special effects!" Goku exclaimed.

Gohan sighed and shook his head.

Saiyaman jumped into the cave and into one of his poses. "I am the defender of love . . . and justice . . . and all that is GOOD!!! I am . . ." He pointed to the bad guy. " . . . your worst nightmare! Don't mess with me! I am . . . the GREAT SAIYAMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

* Cheesy music plays *

"Oh, Saiyaman," cooed Videl seductively from the ground where she lay with her hands tied behind her back. "I knew you'd come for me."

"I. Will. Defeat. You!" cried the bad guy in choppy sentences. "Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha!"

"No, you will not!" Saiyaman attacked very slowly, punching the man in the face.

"Argh!" cried the man, throwing himself back as Saiyaman's fist neared his face. "You. Will. Pay!!"

There was more fake fighting, then Saiyaman raised his hand again and stepped on another red button. Then the bad guy froze and was suddenly replaced by a dummy look-alike. The doll exploded and the bad guy screamed somewhere off screen.

Goku was clapping enthusiastically. "Good job, Saiyaman!!"

Gohan groaned and placed his head in his hands, muttering, "Someone kill me," over and over again.

Videl rolled her eyes. "How much more FAKE can this get? Buttons, string, dummies . . . I should sue!!"

Saiyaman scooped Videl up into his arms. "Videl . . . you're okay."

"Yes, I am. All because of YOU Saiyaman."

As they flew off into the setting sun, they kissed.

THE END.

"That was great!" Goku exclaimed. Erasa agreed with him, while Sharpner muttered something about why HE wasn't in the movie, but Gohan was.

All Videl could say was, "Erasa, burn it."

	

*~*

Sharpner and Erasa left a little while later, much to Gohan's relief. It hadn't been as bad as he thought it would've been. Erasa was crazy about his dad and Goku seemed to feel the same about the blond girl. They're both a bit ditzy, I guess . . .

Once they were gone, Gohan turned to Videl and said, "Are you ready to learn how to fly?"

She nodded eagerly.

Gohan turned to Trunks. "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Aren't you going to LEAVE?"

"No. I'd like to watch, maybe help."

Videl glanced at Gohan, who was normally friendly to most people. "What's your problem, Gohan?"

"Nothing. I mean, he just got here, so I thought he'd like to be with his family . . ."

"Nah, that's okay. I'm having a great time here," Trunks said too sweetly.

Vide knew something was up. They went around back and began their lesson with Trunks watching carefully.

[A/N: We're gonna skip the flying part, since I'm pretty sure we all saw the episode, okay?]

Gohan kept working with Videl until the sun began to set and he got hungry. He glanced briefly at Trunks, who'd been sitting in the same spot for the past couple of hours watching Videl. What is he still DOING HERE?!! I thought he would've left hours ago . . .

Videl, who'd mastered hovering in the air a few feet above the ground, landed in front of Gohan. "I'm hungry! Let's go in a and eat, okay?"

"Sure thing."

They went into the house and Trunks followed them. M. Trunks glanced down at his watch and placed a hand on Videl's arm, stopping her right outside the back door. "Can I talk to you for a second, Videl?"

"Okay."

Trunks looked at Gohan, who stared back. "I mean, alone."

Gohan reluctantly left them alone, going into the house and closing the door behind him, but leaving a little crack. Goku, Goten and Chichi were already in the kitchen about to eat dinner. They all stared at Gohan as he leaned slightly against the door, trying to hear what was going on outside.

"Gohan," began his mother.

"Shhh!" Gohan hissed.

"I want to ask you something," Trunks was saying.

"Okay. Shoot."

"Uh . . . are you free tonight?"

"Yes . . . why?"

"Would you like to go out with me?"

Gohan stuffed a fist in his mouth to keep himself from crying out in alarm. He was SERIOUS?!! NO, Videl say NO!!!!!!!

Goten giggled and whispered to his father, "Gohan's trying to kill himself again!"

" . . ." came from Videl.

Gohan was panicking. Videl was taking WAY too long to answer, meaning that she was thinking about it. Shoot, Videl, say NO and I'LL ask you out!! PLEASE!!!!!

"Okay, sounds like fun," Videl replied.

Gohan's heart broke. She'd said yes. He stepped away from the door and stared down at the floor. Tears were flooding his eyes, and he let them come. Chichi frowned.

"Gohan's what's wrong?"

"V-V-Videl's going out on a date with Trunks," he replied softly. "I . . . I'm not hungry, Mom. I'm going to lay down, okay?"

Gohan walked back to his room, moving as slow as molasses. When he finally arrived in his room, he flopped down on the cot, buried his head in his pillow, and began to cry.

*~*

"We're not having dinner here," Trunks said as they came into the kitchen. "I'm taking Videl out to dinner."

Chichi gave them a hesitant smile. "Okay. Have fun."

Videl told M. Trunks that she was going to change clothes and freshen up a bit. She went back to Gohan's room, hesitating slightly when she heard soft whimpering.

She entered the room. "Gohan?"

"Y-yes?"

His voice was very soft and child like. Something was wrong. "Ah . . . I'm going to change," she said. "I'm . . . going out for dinner with Trunks."

* Sniffle * "Okay. Have fun."

Videl squinted in the dark, trying to see if Gohan was crying or not. She couldn't see a thing, and gathered some clothes, then left the room, giving Gohan one last glance.

*~*

Mirai Trunks is very nice . . . but I can't do this to him. This just isn't right! Videl glanced up at Trunks over her ice cream cone as they walked down the sidewalk in silence. They'd had a wonderful conversation at the restaurant- Trunks was very funny and smart.

But, as she walked next to him, she admitted to herself what was REALLY going on here. She was just using this nice young man to make Gohan jealous, hoping that in turn, he'd develop some feelings for her or something.

Videl sighed and grabbed Trunks' arm, stopping him on the sidewalk. "I've got to tell you something, Trunks . . ."

"What is it?"

"I'm using you."

He looked a bit surprised. "What?"

"I'm using you to make Gohan jealous. I'm so sorry if I'm leading you on or something."

Trunks laughed. "I've got to confess something, too. All of this was my mother's idea. Me coming over to visit you and all. She thought that I could make Gohan jealous so that he'd ask you out or whatever."

"Well, isn't this a surprise!" she laughed. "Say, you wouldn't mind . . . keeping it up? I mean, we could pretend like we're dating to make Gohan jealous."

Trunks grinned. "Sure! This is sort of fun!"

Videl elbowed him in the ribs. "You're evil."

"It's all Vegeta's fault!"

*~*

Gohan was still awake, lying in the exact same position he had been before, when Videl came back into the room. He pretended to be asleep as she undressed on the other side of the room and slipped into some nightclothes.

"Gohan? Are you awake?" she asked softly.

He didn't answer and kept still.

"Well . . ." Damn him! I bet he's awake. "Trunks and I had a wonderful time. We're going out again. Goodnight."

Gohan wanted to cry, but he'd stopped that a while ago. Now he was seething with anger. How dare Trunks, who he'd THOUGHT was his friend, suddenly appear and take his girl?! It wasn't right, Videl was HIS. He wanted to HURT Trunks . . . His anger began to bubble.

What are you going to do about it, Gohan? Crying or moping won't solve your problem! You have to be STRONG . . . That's the only way to get her back!

Gohan had an idea. He was going to work hard, train hard. He was going to enter the Tenkaichi Budokai. He was going to BEAT Trunks in front of Videl, in front of millions of people around the world.

He was going to win that Championship Belt . . . and Videl's heart.

Author's Note: Oh, no! Gohan gets tough! Watch out Trunks, Gohan's after you! Hey, people, don't kill me for this, okay? I luv you all . . .

ADVERTISING: Here are some stories that people have asked me to put here.

'The Wacky Story of Gohan and Videl' by Drama-Princess87 'Chimera' by JZero.

Next Chapter: Weeks pass, and the Tenkaichi Budokai is only one day away. M. Trunks and Videl have been 'dating' the whole time, and Gohan's separated himself from Videl, training 24/7 and hasn't protested one bit about the whole dating thing. She's confused, Chichi and Bulma are confused, EVERYONE is confused! AND . . . the Tenkaichi Budokai gets underway- the elimination round, the line up, and the appearance of a few mysterious people!