Chapter V: Training for Victory
Gohan finished his stretching and stood up. The sun was just rising over the hills. It would be a perfect day for weather, and thus a perfect day for training. Only he wouldn't be doing any for the daytime. Gohan still trained during the night, when he was fairly certain that no one would sense him. During the day he would meditate, and sleep. Sleep sounded very good at that moment.
Gohan flew back to his home. He only traveled a short distance for his training. There was a canyon only forty miles away, and it concealed him quite well. He touched down a yawned, walking through the front door. He yelped in surprise as Goten latched onto his chest, "Hey Gohan, where have you been?"
"Training." Gohan grabbed onto his brother and pried him off. The child Saiyan giggled as Gohan set him down.
Goten leaped backwards onto the table, "You've been acting weird all week. You're almost never awake during the daytime." Goten pouted his lips, "Its no fun without someone to play with."
He really did hate to see his brother sad. Gohan smiled, "How about I take it easy for this week, and spend some time with you? We could do some training together!"
"Yeah, that sounds fun!" Goten's smiled vanished, "Oh, wait. I was supposed to tell you something. Oh yeah! There's someone here to see you."
Gohan blinked, "Huh? Who would be here to see me?"
"I would." An icy voice said from behind.
Gohan turned around to see Videl standing there behind him, "Oh no!"
"And what do you mean by that!?" Videl slammed her foot on the ground, now very angry.
Oh, great going Gohan. Why can't you think about what you say, "Videl, that's not what I meant. I had completely forgotten about teaching you to fly. I'm really sorry."
"I'll bet you are."
"I am! Please, I just forgot. I've been training this past week, I found out my dad's coming back to compete, it's just been really hectic."
At least he's honest, "I believe you. So your dad's coming back?"
Videl had calmed down from Gohan's explanation. He felt a lot better about that, "Yeah. When he heard me and a bunch of our friends were entering, he decided that it would be fun to come back for one day."
"Are your parents divorced?"
Goten shook his head, "No, he's just dea-"
Gohan clamped his hands around Goten's mouth to prevent him from saying that last word, "Sorry, he doesn't really understand. My parents are kind of . . . separated at the moment."
Videl nodded, "I understand. He ran away with another woman, didn't he? Oh, that's just like my father. I know it's been years since mom died, but he doesn't have to hang around with all those women." She smiled, "Sorry, I just get really frustrated by him."
"That's not a problem. Well, you want to get started tomorrow?"
"Huh?" The frown returned to Videl's face, "No, I want to get started now."
Gohan yawned again, "Come on, Videl. I've been up all night, I'm tired."
"And just why were you up all night?"
"Training. I don't train during the day."
Videl grabbed a nearby chair and sat down, "Why? Do you not want to be seen or something like that?"
"Something like that." Gohan felt his eyes becoming heavy. He really needed some rest, "Why can't we start tomorrow?"
Videl crossed her arms. Gohan couldn't help but notice how similar she acted to his mother. Videl grunted, "The tournament is in two weeks. I'm ready physically, but I really need those lessons. I want to be in top shape for the competition." By which she meant Gohan.
Though he really wanted to sleep, and his body ached, he did promise her lessons. Gohan nodded, "Ok, let's get started." He looked down at Goten, "You want to learn how to fly too?" Goten nodded in a blurry motion, "All right then. We should do this away from the house."
The three walked outside and started down a road. Videl kept her hands behind her back and enjoyed the scenery. It was really quite lovely here. She wished she could have grown up in a place just a nice, without the city noise and constant people flocking to her father for autographs. Gohan motioned to an empty field, and they stopped. Videl could see the fatigue written on his face.
Gohan frowned in thought, "I've never had to teach anyone before, so I hope you'll forgive me for bungling around a little. First, you will have to be able to touch your energy. I know Goten can do that, can you Videl?"
She shook her head, "What are you talking about? What energy?"
Now Gohan really felt lost, "Um, I don't know how to describe it. I've used it all my life. It's that part of you that you can feel deep down inside of you." From the blank expression on Videl's face, Gohan knew he wasn't getting anywhere. He turned to Goten in desperation, "Think you could help me out?"
Goten nodded. He turned to a rock in the field and held out an open palm. "Energy is like this." Goten released a small ki blast and destroyed the rock.
Videl's jaw dropped at what the seven year old child had done. Gohan grimaced at her expression, "I'll take it that you've never seen nor used it before."
Videl nodded, "Well, actually I have seen stuff like this is the Cell Games videos, but those were just tricks."
Gohan felt a little angered by that statement, considering all the people that died during those games, "They aren't tricks, Videl. You can do this too. You just need to know how to touch your inner power." Which meant Gohan would have to teach her that as well, "Hey, Goten, why don't you go play for a while. I need to give Videl some beginner's lessons."
"Ok!" Goten ran off into the field and started performing cartwheels and somersaults.
Videl growled, "Beginner's lessons?"
"Well . . . just when it comes to this. You have to be able to bring out, and control, your energy if you really want to fly." Gohan sat down cross legged and motioned for Videl to do the same.
Once she was sitting across from him, Gohan held his hands out. Videl watched as he concentrated, and then a small light formed between his palms. He looked up, "This is energy in its purest form. This is what you have to bring out." The light vanished. He nodded to her, "Now you try. Push everything out of your mind, and concentrate. Feel for it deep within, at the center. Then just bring it out."
Videl assumed a stance identical to Gohan's. She then did as told. Gohan watched her carefully, almost as though looking down through a microscope. Videl's hands began to shake, "I can't do it."
"You're too tense. You have to let your body relax. Bringing out your energy has nothing to do with physical motion." Videl's hands still trembled as she concentrated. Gohan covered both of them with his own, "Just calm yourself."
How can I calm myself when you're holding me like that? Wait, that shouldn't even matter. Videl looked up, "You can let go." Gohan backed away, giving Videl her space. Videl closed her eyes, hoping it would help her ease her mind and body. It did.
"That's good Videl, keep it up." Gohan glanced at the still rising sun. It would be a very long day.
* * *
Videl cried out in joy as she finally brought out her power. She held her hands up. In between them floated a small light. She glanced over to her teacher, "Gohan, I did . . ." Gohan laid on the ground sound asleep. He hadn't been watching her.
Videl's first thought was to hit him and yell at him for neglecting his duty to teach her, but with how peaceful he looked laying in the grass, she couldn't bring herself to do it. The light faded away, and Videl instantly felt winded and drained. Bringing out that small amount of power had taken much effort. She fell to her side, lying aside Gohan.
The sun had already reached its noon position. Videl felt her stomach rumbling. No doubt Gohan would be starving, considering how much he ate during lunch at school. She grabbed his arm to wake him. Gohan's face grimaced in discomfort, and he rolled his head away from her.
Wow, Gohan's training must really be something. I hurt him just by touching. He must really be giving this his all. The thought that Gohan was taking the tournament so seriously brought a smile to her lips. Videl shook him again, gently.
Gohan's eyes opened, "Huh? Videl?"
"Well, good morning, or rather, good afternoon. Aren't you hungry?"
He was. Gohan felt his stomach caving in on itself having not eaten anything since dinner the previous night. How on Earth did he go so long without food? Gohan sat up, "I'm sorry I dozed off, but the nap did me a world of good. Did you do it?"
Videl's smile widened, "Yeah, I brought my energy out just like you did."
"That's great!" Gohan stood up. He hesitated, and then offered Videl a hand. She took it, and he pulled her up. Gohan grinned, "It's only midday. You managed to do all that in six hours, incredible! I can remember it taking me a lot longer to really focus my energy. By nightfall you should be able to control it."
Videl patted her abdomen, "Not unless I get some food. Can you cook?"
"Actually, I think my mom will have lunch finished by now. She always cooks extra, so there will be enough for you too." Gohan noticed Videl had giggled, "What's so funny?"
"I know why she makes extras. Don't give me that look, for the first few days at school you were the star attraction at lunch. We made bets on how much you would eat."
"You . . .did?" So much for fitting in, I was already the oddball without even knowing, "How many of those did you win?"
Videl flicked one of her pigtails over her shoulder, "None. Erasa won every time. When we finally stopped, she told us that she could tell when you noticed people staring, and would stop then. I lost a hundred zenny to her."
Though being the center of a gambling ring didn't sit well with him, Gohan would let it slip. He couldn't help the way he ate. It was just one of those Saiyan traits he had to live with. Not that he minded eating all that wonderful food.
"Well, let's go. Goten probably left already. When he's hungry he doesn't bother to wait around."
Videl nodded and started walking back to Gohan's small home. He picked up his pace until he walked beside her, a faint blush on his cheeks. Videl was glad Gohan wasn't watching her. She had been blushing too. What was it about him that she found so . . .
* * *
Chichi sat down at the outdoor table. Gohan, Goten, and Videl all began digging into the heaps of rice, potatoes, and beans she had prepared. If there was one thing Chichi never became tired from, it was being complimented on her cooking.
Though to her surprise, the first came from Videl, "Oh, wow! This is fantastic Chichi. Not even our chef makes food this good."
"Your chef? Does your family run a restaurant?"
"No." Videl picked several meatballs off a plate and put them on her own, "We don't run a business, he just cooks our food for us."
"For you?" Chichi leaned over the table, "Your family must be pretty loaded. How many rooms does your home have? Twenty? Thirty?"
Videl stopped eating to think, "That's a very good question. I would say . . . maybe fifty to sixty rooms."
"Fifty!!" Chichi now bolted out of her chair and slammed her palms onto the table top, "That's the size of a small village! And you want to marry this girl, Gohan?"
Gohan, who had been silent throughout the conversation, choked on the rice he was shoveling and spewed it across the table onto his brother's face. Goten didn't mind, "Does this mean Videl's going to be my new sister?"
Gohan looked ready to burst, "I no idea what you're talking about!!"
* * *
Gohan glanced off to the side to see Goten chasing a frog with a net. It felt nice to see Goten playing instead of fighting aliens and saving the planet. Gohan missed out on a lot of his childhood. He focused again on Videl, who had been attempting for the last hour to manipulate her power. Gohan had given her the task of trying to focus all she could into her fist. So far, Videl hadn't been doing so well.
Gohan placed his hand on her arm, "Videl, you have to relax your muscles. Clenching up like that will only inhibit you."
"I am trying!" Videl's harsh voice retorted. Gohan jumped back a step in fear. Videl had been acting somewhat colder to him since lunch, and he had no idea why. She lowered her arm and sat down in defeat, "This is hopeless. I can't do it."
"Aw, don't say that. You only just learned to touch your power. Actually controlling it will take some practice."
* * *
The sun had now begun to set. Videl and Goten stood in front of Gohan, ready to try their first flight. Gohan eyed them both with worry, "I've never tried to teach this to anyone before." He laughed, "I said that earlier, didn't I? Well, all you need to do is bring out your energy, and push it under you. Then . . . just lift yourself with it. It's kind of like projecting your energy towards a point, only you're carrying yourself with it."
Goten started jumping up and down, but Videl concentrated on her power. She brought that energy out, pushed it down. Now all she had to was lift. That proved much harder than actually focusing her power.
"Goten, you're hopping, not flying. Just use your energy, you've done it before."
Goten stopped bouncing and stood perfectly still. Videl's concentration broke as the child floated into the air, and began to move. Goten couldn't stop laughing, "Wow!! Look at me, Gohan, I'm a birdie!!"
"That's great, Goten. Just don't fly so high. Goten, I said don't-" Goten abruptly fell seven feet into the ground, face first. Gohan cried out in shock and ran to his brother's side, "See? I told you not to go so high. But that was great. You'll be flying high in no time at this rate."
"Gohan, have you forgotten about me!?" Videl didn't know why she said that. This part of the lesson didn't require Gohan's help. Yet she wanted him near her anyway.
"Coming!" Gohan ran back across the field and stopped just in front of her. Videl felt as though Gohan were scrutinizing her. The grass around her feet began to ripple. Gohan grinned, "Good, that's the energy. Now just push it up! I know it's hard the first time, but you can do it."
Videl tried not to tense up as she focused all her will on her power. Her feet lifted up an inch, and then she found herself floating a good foot in the air. Videl set herself back down, and collapsed. Gohan was quick to her aide, bending down and offering a hand. Videl brushed it away, but looked up and gave him a smile.
Gohan returned the happy face, "Congratulations. That's pretty much all you need to know. Your energy grows and becomes stronger the more you use it. The more energy you have, the faster and longer you'll be able to go."
Videl looked at the sunset. She would have to go home, or else suffer an even longer speech from her father than she was prepared to take. "Gohan, do you mind if I come back for more lessons? I'd like to learn more about this energy."
Two weeks remained until the tournament. Gohan had trained himself ragged the first. Spending time playing teacher didn't sound too bad, "You know, I'd like that. I've been pushing myself so hard this past week. I'm not sure how much I can improve, but it really wouldn't be substantial. Besides, there are a lot of applications for that energy I could teach you."
"Like what?"
"Speed and strength being to foremost. Develop your power enough and you could begin using ki blasts like Goten did earlier."
"I could do that?"
Gohan nodded, "Like I said, anyone can do this stuff as long as they can touch their power." Videl had already resized her Hovercopter, and made to board it. Gohan couldn't help himself from saying, "Videl, about your hair. Maybe you should . . . have it short."
Videl felt her cheeks warming, "Huh? Gohan, are you saying you like short hair?"
He hadn't expected that. A yes or no, but not that. Don't say yes, don't say yes. Think of something, "Um, well I just thought . . . it could get in the way." That didn't sound right, "You know, while fighting. I mean, someone could grab it," Why aren't I shutting up? "or even get in your eyes . . ." Damnit, Gohan, SHUT UP!!
He regretted every word. Videl's face turned to one of rage, "Why don't you forget about my hair and leave me alone you damn jerk!!" She leaped into the Hovercopter and took off without saying another word.
Goten ran up to his brother's side, "Why was she so angry, Gohan?"
Gohan felt like crying, "I . . . don't know." That was a lie. At least Goten can't tell the difference, "Come on, let's go home."
* * *
There is no greater joy to any one person alive than that of sleep. Ten hours worth, and Gohan reveled in every moment. His body felt much better from the rest, and his mind wasn't as cloudy. Gohan rushed his breakfast, and went outside to enjoy the brisk air.
His walk became interrupted by a sudden gust of wind. Out of nowhere came Videl's Hovercopter. Goten came outside at that moment. He pulled on Gohan's pant leg, "Hey, Gohan, who's the new girl?"
Gohan couldn't answer. He stood speechless, "Videl . . . wow."
Someone as young as Goten would be forgiven for not recognizing her. Videl's hair had now been cut to a length of only four or five inches. It stuck out in front, and on both sides, ending at the base of the neck. She looked a whole new person.
Videl liked the blank expression on Gohan's face, "Thought I would take your advice." She did a twirl, "How do I look?"
Is she teasing me? Gohan smiled, "You look great." His stomach felt full of butterflies. Gohan decided to change the subject, "Ready for day two?"
Videl's mischievous grin vanished, "Actually, I kind of wanted to talk to you."
Gohan didn't know what was going on, but he gathered Videl wanted to talk in private. He kneeled down and ruffled Goten's hair, "Why don't you go off and practice for a while Goten? We'll find you later."
"Ok!" Goten took to the air and flew off in an unbalanced fashion. Gohan turned back to Videl, "What's up?"
Videl motion down the road they had taken the other day. Gohan walked with her. She spoke once they had moved away from the home, "Gohan, you've been really nice to me about the whole . . . blackmail thing. I just got all excited at the thought of having some really talented people in this year's tournament. I mean . . . some of my dad has rubbed off on me.
"I just want to tell you that you don't have to go through with it. It just doesn't feel right; forcing you to do this when you don't want to."
"That's not true." Videl's head spun in surprise, "I'm glad you forced me to participate. It's led to so many things. Getting a chance to see my dad again is the best part of all this." Gohan halted in the middle of the road, "Besides, it's been a really long time since I had a good match against someone. I want to deny it, but fighting is a part of me. My dad did it all his life. He helped a lot of people."
"I never knew that. I mean, I knew your father won the world championship, and even fought against King Piccolo." Videl's thought train stopped, "I guess your right. What does that have to do with you?"
"Well, I've always looked up to my dad. He used strength to protect others, and that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to be like him. Now, there aren't any more fights to fight, but I keep training just in case that does happen. It's gotten to a point where I don't even know what I can do. Maybe with this tournament I'll get an idea of where I stand."
Videl felt slightly confused at Gohan's speech, but moved at the same time. There was much more to this fellow crime fighter than she had thought. Videl punched him lightly in the arm, "So you'll still join?"
"I promise."
"Well then, I'll forgive you for your remarks the other day."
Gohan frowned, "What did I . . ." Gohan, why don't you just let it go for once? "Er, right. So, do you want to get started with your advanced lessons?"
Videl smiled and bowed, "It would be a pleasure, oh wise teacher."