Author's Notes:
In your reviews, GIVE ME A RATING ON HOW I HAVE PORTRAYED THE MAIN DBZ CHARACTERS. Think of it as payment. I am slightly disappointed that the initial posting of this chapter did not yield any said ratings. I thought you guys cared. The difference in this posting is that I HAVE REWRITTEN THE ENDING SECTION because I realized my sleep-devoid habits caused me to make the original version . . . too risqué.
Chapter XIV: Friendships
Bulma had recovered from the initial shock of Gohan's revelation. Though she knew he wouldn't lie, Bulma didn't believe Vegeta to be dead. Chichi sat off in a corner. Bulma sat down next to her, "Are you all right?"
"No. Both of us lost our husbands today. Only this is the third time for me. You'd think I would be used to it by now . . ."
She hated to see her friend so broken up. Bulma had been there for both times Goku had died. She pitied Chichi, but had secretly wished she never had to go through it. The strange thing was, Bulma didn't feel that bad. Did that make her some horrid person?
She rubbed Chichi's shoulder, "Well . . . we will see both of them again someday." Neither of them needed to talk about this, "So, why did you want Gohan to take Videl with him into the Time Chamber? That would be a bad idea to me."
Chichi's mood brightened, "Don't you get it? Gohan is just as thickheaded as Goku! He needed a push in the right direction, so that's what I did with Gohan. Videl will make a perfect wife for him!"
The starry eyed smile on Chichi's face was both warming and terrifying to Bulma. Light footsteps drew their attention back to the building atop the Lookout. Piccolo stepped out from the shadows, holding a small hourglass up. He set it down on the tiled floor.
"They're in."
* * *
Videl marched out into the endless white expanse of the Time Chamber. Though she couldn't see him, Videl could feel him. Cupping her hands to her face, Videl screamed, "Son Gohan, come back here right now!"
A streak of golden light filled the sky, and a moment later Gohan touched down several feet away from her. His Super Saiyan three transformation seemed to get stranger and stranger every day. Most likely due to his normal hair continuing to grow out.
Gohan blinked, "Videl, you can't keep interrupting me. I have to train!"
"Do you think I don't know that!? Gohan, I am sick and tired of just waiting here for you. All you do is show up with a beaten body, ask for food, and go straight to bed. You aren't even there when I wake up in the morning! You never take any time to talk to me."
I really don't need this right now, "Videl, I'm sorry, but I came here to train. No one would let me in if I didn't bring you along! This is something I have to do. I didn't plan anything other than intense training while being here. I don't mean to neglect you, but there are more important things going on."
Her eye twitched for a moment, but Videl showed no sadness. She crossed her arms, "Not even to spend five minutes alone with me?" This was probably the most she had seen him for the last few days since they had entered.
"I have to train." Gohan answered quickly.
They stared at each other for another minute. Videl's eyes burned. She gave a slight nod, and walked back to the chamber entry. Gohan didn't like just ignoring her, but he really did need to train. He had to prepare himself for Buu. Gohan shot back into the outer reaches of the Time Chamber. With a short power up, he continued his training.
* * *
If the thought of Goku undergoing this had angered Vegeta; he being trapped before the Elder Kai was even more maddening. The Kai sat across from Vegeta, who sat cross legged, holding his hands straight out. His posture was interrupted every now and then by bursts of laughter as he read some magazine stored between his legs.
Vegeta felt his eye twitch. He couldn't take much more of this. Goku and the two Kais were off to the side, watching him. Nothing had ever been as embarrassing to Vegeta as this ordeal. It had started with the Elder Kai walking around him in circles, emitted strange . . . clouds in his path. Then he stopped, and ordered, ordered, the prince to be seated.
If only Vegeta's pride didn't demand he follow through with his word, the Saiyan would have snapped the old man's neck. The Kai never took any notice of the prince's discomfort. He was content with reading his magazines while doing nothing.
"How much longer will this torture last?"
"Oh . . . twenty hours I should say." The Elder Kai turned a page, "We only just started the crucial parts of the ceremony. You must have patience."
"Twenty hours!? This is insane; you aren't doing anything!"
He turned another page, "The effects of the ceremony will become noticeable soon. You will just have to wait."
* * *
Buu felt lost. He had never been free before, nor had there never been someone there to tell him what to do. Below him he could see a city full of people trying to go about their lives. Bibidi had told Buu to destroy, and Babadi had told him to kill, but there was no reason to do that now. Buu felt bored.
A faint smell of something sweet caught him. Buu's gaze drifted back to the city to see a large cake shop. He smiled, "Ohhh! Buu like sweet, sweet cakes." He darted downward, touching the ground with the grace of an ice skater.
The store clerk blinked as he watched Buu enter, and begin to eat everything in sight. He walked around the counter and poked the pink man's shoulder, "Excuse me . . . sir, but you have to pay for those."
Buu stopped halfway through eating a pie, "Pay?" Crumbs flew from his mouth as he spoke.
"Yes, with money."
"Money?"
"Yes, money. Don't tell me you don't have any."
Buu glanced down at the pie and back up at the clerk, "What money look like?"
"For the love of . . ." The clerk went back to the cash register, opened it, and produced a twenty zenny bill. He handed it to Buu, "It looks like this! Now, do you have any, or will I have to call the police?" As Buu examined the green piece of paper, it suddenly occurred to the clerk that he looked very familiar.
Buu smiled, "Buu can make!" The antennae on his head swung forward and pointed towards the top of the counter. With a burst of pink energy, a neat pile of bills appeared on the surface.
The clerk, whose eyes had gone wider than quarters, creeped to the counter, and picked up one of the bills. He swallowed a lump in his throat, "Th-they're all twenties!! There's got to be at least three thousand dollars here!"
"That enough?" Buu shoved several muffins into his gaping mouth.
"Enough? That's enough to buy pretty much everything here."
Buu grinned and grabbed as much as he could. With a happy smile and a few laughs, he walked out of the store. The clerk could only stare back and forth between the door and the pile of money. Then it hit him; "Oh my god . . . that was him! It was the guy from the tournament!" He half leaped over the counter and grabbed a phone, dialing the number for the police.
* * *
The emptiness of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber crackled as Gohan sped through it as fast as he could. No matter how hard he tried, Gohan just couldn't sense her. Why had Videl run off like that? It didn't make any sense to him. He hadn't seen her for nearly three weeks, and he was worried. More than he had ever been in his life.
Gohan set back down on the floor and cried out, "Videl!!?" No answer. Where the hell could she be? You would think that in an infinitely flat, white room I could see her easily.
The first day Gohan had gone back and didn't see her, it wasn't a big deal. She could have just been out training. The second day he didn't see her, Gohan became apprehensive. It wasn't like her not to be around, and he couldn't sense her energy. The third day had been hell. He spent it searching for her, but to no avail. Videl had vanished. She couldn't have left the room as the door is sealed shut until the full year is over.
"Videl!!"
"What do you want?"
Gohan spun around as he heard her disembodied voice. He still could see or sense her. When the hell did she learn to do that trick? "Videl, please come out. I've been worried sick about you."
"Why should you be? You didn't care for weeks about whether or not I was around. Do you know how it feels to be ignored like that when there's no one else around?"
"I'm sorry. I just didn't want . . ." Gohan stopped as he felt the air become denser an electrified. While he couldn't know where Videl's voice was coming from, he knew it wasn't behind him. They were beginning to move into the outer reaches of the Chamber where the conditions became worse and more hostile, "Videl, you have to come back. It isn't safe out here!"
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"Videl? Videl!?" She had left again. Gohan felt his hand tremble. Videl was strong, but these areas wreaked havoc with one's body. He had difficulty going long periods of time in such a place, and Videl wouldn't last.
* * *
Buu didn't mind the masses of people staring at him. What he did mind was the screaming and wailing and running away. He also hated the strange sounds coming from the floating metal things following him. With a satisfied smile, Buu popped the last cake into his mouth. Delicious.
"You will stop this instant, and place your hands over your head!" One of the blue men yelled.
Buu, as he always did, ignored him. He was more concerned with finding more sweets.
"I said stop!" More of the blue men appeared. This time they wore funny masks and held up large black things in their hands, "You are under arrest for the murder of the citizens present at the World Martial Arts Tournament!"
Buu stopped, "What's 'arrest'?"
That was an unexpected question, "Huh? Well . . . it means you will be put in jail for the crimes you committed."
"What's 'jail'?"
"It's a hole to put scum like you in!"
"Scum?" Buu turned a shade redder, "Buu no like you." One of the yellow gloves clenched into a chubby fist.
"Let him have it!" Every officer in the area opened fire and pummeled Buu with as much ammunition as they had. Once the barraged ceased, they waited for the dust and smoke to clear. Some of the officers had begun to give themselves high-fives, and hoots of joy. They had killed the monster of the tournament.
"You . . . hurt . . . Buu!"
Everyone jumped back as they beheld a melted version of the chubby pink creature. Buu huffed, and his body regained its normal composure. He glared at the police, "Buu make you all dead!" In a massive backhand, Buu let loose his power, spraying outward in a yellow arc.
Buildings and trees were blown to splinters as the energy wave cut through the city. Buu's fierce gaze scanned the ravaged landscape. He had wiped out over three-fourths of the island with that blast. That should have meant something to him, but it didn't. Buu didn't feel anything. It confused him.
One way or another, Buu knew he should have felt something.
A rumble coursed through Buu's belly, reminding him of his plight. Buu smiled again, "Oh yes; Buu hungry. Buu want candy!" Turning around, Buu spotted the remainder of the police picking themselves off the ground.
His antennae flipped forward, "You . . . turn into chocolate!"
* * *
Piccolo nearly retched his innards at the images of Buu's wanton destruction. The thing was a child, through and through. It became angry when threatened, but happy the next instant when it found something it liked. A child, and it was going to kill them all.
Some warrior. I wouldn't be able to lift a finger against this evil.
He stepped away from the edge of the Lookout. While Piccolo did not claim to be Guardian of the Earth any longer, he lived with Dende as a guide of sorts. Having undergone two distinct fusions with other Namakians, Piccolo had much to teach the young Guardian.
Dende picked up on his friend's darkened mood, "I know. Buu stands unmatched for now. Until Gohan's training is complete, it will be like this. I'm not sure the Earth will live out this day." Dende's fingers tightened around the staff he held.
"Do not think to blame yourself. There are many roles a Guardian may choose. I choose the warrior, but you have taken the path of a healer. It is as noble as fighting. You shouldn't think yourself so weak."
"Oh . . . thank you, Piccolo." He must be reading my mind. A trick off a Nail I suppose.
* * *
Videl's eyes opened slowly. Her entire body felt sore. She pushed herself up, surprised to find white sheets falling from her shoulders. She was back at the building inside the Time Chamber. She still wore her clothes from earlier; evidence from the burns and marrs of the intense environment in the distance.
A stifled groan made her jump. Videl craned her head to see Gohan, battered, bruised, and resting against one of the walls. He looked so tired. She slid her legs over the side of the bed and winced as she stood up. Wobbling, Videl walked over to Gohan and knelt in front of him.
Gripping the top of his shoulders, Videl whispered, "Gohan?"
He came too slowly. Then his eyes shot wide open when he saw Videl's face. Gohan's arms swept around and ensared her in a crushing hug. She felt his tears touch her neck, "Videl! I'm so glad you're all right! I'm so . . . I'm sorry . . ."
That didn't feel right. Videl pushed him back, "Gohan, did you get all these injuries from coming after me?" He nodded. Hindsight kicked in, and Videl felt her face flush in shame, "No. I'm the one who is sorry. I can't believe I did something like that. I was just . . ."
"What? You can tell me." Gohan reached up and caressed her check. The action surprised them both.
"I was angry. We had . . . well, we shared such a wonderful moment in the garden, and then suddenly you're all closed up and ignoring me. I mean, we're in this together, and you do nothing but train and avoid me."
He understood. I'm as thick headed as my dad, "I am sorry, Videl." His hand moved the back of her head. He pulled her back into a hug, "I just . . . was a little scared. Everything happened so fast once Buu appeared. When my mom urged you to go into the chamber with me, I realized that we would be all alone and . . ."
Videl glanced over and saw him blushing. She gave a grin he couldn't see, "You perverted hentai."
"What!?" Gohan pulled back to stare at her, "Videl, I didn't mean-" She was laughing. Worse; she was teasing him again. "I didn't find it that funny." He pouted.
"I did." She ran her fingers through his long hair, "It seems like something bad has to happen for us to be together like this. Well . . . at least something bad to us." She measured a strand out to five inches, "You really do need a hair cut."
We go from a tender moment to hair? "I'll let you cut it. As long as you don't give me some bizarre style, that is." They stood up, but Gohan didn't move, "Videl, I promise to spend more time with you."
"Not good enough."
"What do you mean by that?"
Videl took a step away from him, "I would like to train with you. Like before the tournament began. I . . . I wouldn't want to be in your way all the time, but I would like you to keep training with me for a few days a week. It's something to do other than share the same boring conversations over and over again."
Training with Videl would slow him down, considerably, but the thought was also alluring. They had shared some good times those two weeks. He laughed, "This feels like that talk we had after your first flying lessons." Videl gave him a smile, "All right. We'll train together, and we'll spend time together."
Videl fell forward, wrapping her arms around him, "Promise?"
"I promise."
* * *
Pride be damned. Vegeta howled as he stood up, his fists shaking in humiliated rage. The Elder Kai snorted, "It seems that patience is something not easily had for Saiyans."
"I will suffer this humiliation no further! What have you done these past hours? Nothing!! You haven't done one damned thing but sit there and laugh like the idiot you are!"
Goku rushed out from the shade of a nearby tree and placed himself at Vegeta's side, "Hey, calm down! Vegeta, you're better than this."
"Shut up Kakkarot!" Vegeta's fist flew through the air, sending a massive shockwave at his fellow Saiyan. Goku managed to hold his ground, but just barely. The prince turned his gaze back on the Kai, "What do you have to say for yourself, clown!?"
The Elder Kai only blinked, "Why don't you try powering up a bit? See how foolish I really am."
Vegeta growled his distaste, but humored the self proclaimed god. He cried out, and raised his energy. It came as always, but differently this time. The energy was not the steady, engrossing buildup the Saiyan had always known.
It was a raging flood.
His power erupted outwards faster than he could control. Goku had withstood the first assault, but couldn't stand against this. Anything not firmly held down flew away in the mighty storm that was Vegeta.
He hadn't been prepared for that. Vegeta halted the power increase as quickly as it had begun. He stared at his unclenched hands, "Where . . . did all that come from?"
"Where do you think!?" A somewhat muffled voice shouted. The Elder Kai roughly pushed Goku off of him, huffing and puffing his hate for the manners of younger people. He grinned once he saw Vegeta's perplexed face, "It may not seem like I'm doing anything, but I am. I am manipulating you energy, channeling it in ways that will yield greater strengths than before. A little trick I picked up an eon ago."
The Kai walked back to Vegeta and sat down as though nothing had happened, "Now then, are we going to continue?"
His power was much greater than it had been earlier. It was a cheat, though. He did not earn it. Brief images of Bulma and Trunks crossed his mind. Goku was not worth swallowing his pride for, but they were. He sat down, "Finish it."
* * *
The cheers and hooting of joy and salvation were music to the hero's ears. Hercule proudly walked out of his personal training complex and raised his hand in a victory sign, "People of the city, I am back! Having recovered from the pains from the Cell Games, I, Hercule, will hunt down this Majin Buu and I will kill him!" The other hand shot up, mimicking the first.
Hefting his large duffle bag, Hercule strutted his way through the crowd to his personal transport, shaking hands of random people along the way. It's no big deal, really. As long as I give them some hope, they all might hold on long enough for one of those magicians to show up. Well . . . either that or I give that Buu a few of the toys I'm packing. Hercule chuckled.
He stopped and the Hovercopter and turned back to the people, "Stay strong, and get the victory party ready, because I will teach that rookie the meaning of the word: PAIN!" With one last pose, Hercule boarded the vehicle, and took off to the skies.
* * *
(Author's Note: This is a different section
than what you may have already read.)
Videl growled as she struggled back to her feet. Not too far away, Gohan laughed. It may not have been the smartest thing to do, but he found the whole situation funny. He shook his head, "If you keep attacking aggressively like that, you'll always end up leaving yourself vulnerable to counterattacks."
"It doesn't help that you're a lot stronger than me."
"Actually, I've been keeping myself down to your level. Then again, I have been doing this for a lot longer than you." He crouched down, "Ready for another round?"
"Why don't you attack me? That way if I get hurt, I can always blame you."
Gohan blinked in shock, "Videl, you know I'd never-" He was cut short as she charged forward with a powerful punch meant to take him out cold. Gohan however had half expected this and brought both his arms up to block it.
She surprised him. Instead of following through with the punch, Videl let her momentum carry her forward, her arm passing to the side, and slammed a knee into Gohan's exposed belly. He hunched over from the pain, and Videl then brought her hand down and hit him in the back.
Shakily, Gohan sputtered, "Ouch." He rolled over, staring up at a very satisfied young woman.
"You're really naïve, you know that?" She lay down next to him, staring up at the white sky. "I didn't hurt you too badly, did I?" She asked.
"Not really, but you sure did surprise me." Gohan rolled over, moving closer to Videl. He also stared up, "You know, you really are improving a lot. You have to be at least five times strong now then when we were at the tournament."
"That seems like such a long time ago, but outside it's only been half a day. Every day I'm amazed by this place." Videl shifted herself over so she could rest her head on Gohan's chest. He lifted his left arm, and then placed it around her.
Their relationship had progressed since the day they had reconciled. Gohan found himself enjoying Videl's company a little too much. Every time she was around he felt flushed, and a little nervous. It never showed, but he knew that she could see it. She was such a tease.
Videl felt Gohan shuffle slightly. She placed her hand on him and pushed up. Leveling her face with his, she asked, "What's wrong?"
What is wrong? I don't know. That's actually true. I don't know. Gohan placed his other hand on the base of her neck, "Nothing. Nothing at all." Then he did something neither of them expected.
He kissed her.