Chapter Three: Practicing Restraint

Gohan toppled out of the English room weighed down his cumbersome backpack. Videl, Eraza, and Sharpener followed behind him. Luckily it was the end of the day and they could finally leave. Eraza said her goodbyes and went off to cheerleading practice but strangely Sharpener did not leave.

Gohan dropped his load in front of his locker and quickly turned the knob to the right combination. Videl leaned on the locker next to Gohan, already having everything she needed. She continued the discussion with Gohan about what they would do now, "So you have to go and… train with Mr. Briefs. And then I can come over so you can give me flying lessons?"

"Yes," Gohan replied. "Uh… no. I have to get my homework done."

"Argh," Videl moaned. "You sure are Mr. Perfect aren't you, Gohan?"

"Thanks," Gohan shrugged digging back through his locker.

"It wasn't a compliment."

"I hate to break up the little chat but I'd like to get Gohan to come with me to the Martial Arts club that opened up this season," Sharpener announced. "Starts today. This very afternoon."

Gohan stood up so quickly he hit his head hard against the locker. Rubbing his sore skull, Gohan gasped, "Invite me? What are you talking about?"

"Well, Videl said you were quite good at it," Sharpener smiled innocently. "Besides, it would be good training for you. Come on. What do you say?"

"Go ahead, Gohan. I'll even go," Videl encouraged. "I doubt Vegeta would mind."

"Oh. He'll mind alright," Gohan scowled.

"Great!" Sharpener laughed. "See you there."

With those last words, Sharpener turned on his heels and skipped out. Gohan and Videl were left in bewildered silence.

"That was too strange," Videl muttered, "Sharpener's not usually that nice…"

"It's nothing… He's probably just excited," Gohan stated from his locker. "Could you hold this?"

Gohan handed her his full backpack by the straps. Videl caught it in both her arms while Gohan handed it to her with one. Her eyes went wide at the realization on how heavy it was and she toppled out of sight.

"Ow…" She moaned.

Gohan looked down quite startled, "Whoops! Sorry! Are you alright?"

Gohan had to change into the white uniforms they had handed out in the locker rooms. Feeling slightly awkward in all white, Gohan pulled out of his backpack a piece of his training outfit that he wore during his training sessions with Vegeta. It was a long blue slash that he tied about his waist. It fit nice and snug so he didn't look so robotic next to all the other students.

Goku liked to train with Gohan but he wasn't as good as a partner as Vegeta could be. So Goku just sparred with Trunks.

Trunks sure is lucky. Gohan thought to himself, He doesn't have to go to school and he gets to spare with Goku and Vegeta anytime he wants…

Gohan painfully reminded himself of the sparring he promised Trunks tonight. Man, it was going to be a long day.

He walked out into the padded room they usually used for wresting or gymnastics. An old man stood waiting for them all to enter. There were eighteen boys and only three girls including Videl. The other two girls looked as though they, too, were serious about martial arts.

The man bowed to them as they drew near him,"Welcome."

Gohan, Videl, and the other two girls bowed back. The rest of the class looked nervous and uncertain of what to do. Sharpener was still grinning that big grin of his.

Gohan has no idea what I have planned. Sharpener laughed in his mind, I'm going to embarrass him in front of everyone. He'll never have a chance with Videl after that.

"This is a beginner's class. We will be moving at a pace for everyone," The old man began in a kind cheerful voice, "Well, almost everyone."

He eyed Gohan for a spilt second and then turned back to the rest of the class. Gohan felt himself go a bit pale. Did the teacher think he was slacking off for changing the uniform a bit? He hoped he wouldn't have to pay for the outfit or anything.

"My name is Kenjin-san. But you will identify me as your sensei. Just like any of your other teachers," Kenjin stated. "I am not here to teach you how to kick someone else's, pardon my French, butt. And I am not necessarily here to teach you how to save the world."

Gohan burning a bright red at that comment but he swallowed it before anyone noticed him.

"I am hear to teach you discipline for yourself and your body. I promise that at the end of today you will all learn something."

Kenjin seemed to be looking towards Gohan again. Gohan felt himself begin to sweat.

"Everyone will learn something. No matter how strong… or how smart. Now who wants to help me out on a demonstration." Kenjin offered stepping backwards a bit, "Anyone? Come now, don't be shy."

Videl looked awfully bored at the whole thing. She kept eying the clock wearily and she whispered to Gohan,"I was here last year. The first day is always boring."

"Videl? Would you like to?"

Videl's eyes got wide at the prospect of Kenjin choosing her. She bowed quickly and cried, "No thank you, Sensei. I'd rather sit this one out."

"Why?" Gohan whispered.

"Because he whooped my butt in last years demo," Videl hissed back through gritted teeth, still bowing.

Gohan took in the way everyone here seemed to respect the teacher in a very high way. It seemed he was fairly strong and as Gohan sensed his power level, and found a reasonably high ki for a human. He smiled. It was good to see some people who were still interested in the old arts other then his group of friends.

To keep from showing off too much of his power, Gohan promised himself that he wouldn't volunteer unless called upon. He prayed the teacher would just look over him like they did in soccer where the smaller players were usually chosen first.

"Aw, come on. You can't just leave me hanging," Kenjin moaned, "Or do I have to pick someone?"

Sharpener quietly sunk behind Gohan without anyone noticing. He then pushed Gohan with all his might forward. Gohan, who was caught off guard, stumbled out onto the mat.

"Ah. A challenger," Kenjin smiled happily.

Gohan's face paled with panic as he realize he was stuck in a rather tricky situation. Videl scowled at Sharpener who was waving a peace sign over Gohan's way. Gohan sighed and got back to his feet to face the sensei. Hiss nerves were rattling inside of him. He couldn't win this match. But if he lost he would look a huge idiot in front of Videl who knew he was stronger then that. He made up his mind quickly to lose the match. Even if he did look bad, at least he wouldn't kill Kenjin-san.

Out of the corner of his eye, Gohan could see Sharpener passing some zenny back. No doubt they were betting against him. Well, they'll be happy. Gohan only hoped he was a good enough actor to make it look convincing.

Gohan sank into his fighters stance as everyone awed and hid their money behind their backs. Gohan blinked, quite startled by their sudden noise. He turned to the teacher confused to find Kenjin started circling around him like a hawk.

"See his form. It's alert and protects him from all attacks. Quite a clever technique. Do you take lessons, my boy?"

"Eh…Sort of," Gohan sweat-dropped.

"Who's your Sensei?"

"First it was this guy named Piccolo. Then it was my father. Now it's an old family friend, Vegeta."

"Interesting."

Kenjin sunk into his own fighter's stance only to bounce out of it again to face the class. He cleared his throat leaving Gohan quite bewildered.

"Now, the first lesson is predictions. To overlook the outcome of a match to avoid certain pain. Now, Gohan," When Kenjin addressed him, Gohan jumped a foot, "Who do you think will win?"

"Uh… Me?" Gohan said rashly.

"Good," Kenjin smiled turning back to the class. "Now who bet on me? Raise your money into the air."

Several students slowly raised several fists full of zenny into the air. Sharpener had a crisp American twenty in his grip. Kenjin zapped about retrieving all the money and then stuffing it into his pocket stating, "Y'all lose."

Gohan and several over people face faulted into the mats. Gohan climbed to his feet just as Kenjin nodded to him to sit back down.

"Now for the rest of the class I want you all to practice this. I will come round to see if you are right."


"I can't believe that Kenjin-san said that it would be a close match between Angel and me. She is such a cry baby," Videl huffed as they headed out of the classroom. Gohan gazed over his shoulder to see Sharpener and several of his friends begging the teacher for their money back.

"What can I say. Gambling hurts," Gohan heard Kenjin laughing over their angrily voices.

"Well, Angel is pretty good," Gohan shrugged.

"This coming from the Great Sayaman. Ha," Videl hissed. "I bet you could beat her."

"Maybe."

"Hey, what are you going to do about that stalker?" Videl asked suddenly.

Gohan paused for a second. He shook his head and sighed, "Ignore it for now. It's probably just nothing anyway."

"Yay! Flying lessons! I can't wait. Let's go, Gohan!" Videl laughed grabbing Gohan's wrist and yanking him out the door. But from the shadows a strange man with purple skin and white mohawk stood watching. His mouth twisted into a small smile as he watched them leave,

"Be careful, young hybrid. You have much danger ahead of you as the tournament nears."


To Be Continued…
Please R + R!

Finally! It took me awhile but I finally finished this chapter. Now for all of you to read and review!