Chapter Eight: Change of Objective
Goku climbed down the cobbled path looking for a sign of his teenage son. Finally, when he was turning back, Goku saw a young girl in the distance carting the child he was searching for. A big grin signaled his relief as he waved them down.
"Hey Dad," Gohan said with a small smile as he walked up to his father. "What's up?"
Goku looked up at the sky confusingly until he remembered it was one of the slang words he wasn't used to yet.
"I was looking for you," Goku said quickly so not to give Videl the chance to laugh at him.
"Sorry," Gohan smirked sheepishly. "Videl and I went down to the building down there to make sure that the tournament still continued."
Goku's expression darkened slightly, "They were going to cancel it?"
"Ya, you see…" Videl began.
But Gohan cut her short. He knew what his father would say if he brought up the strange deaths of the fighters. He would have encouraged the tournament to be deferred. But this tournament meant a lot to Gohan and he wouldn't let his father stop this event too, due to suspicion.
"What are you doing here, dad?"
"The other fighters we getting a bit rowdy. So I came down here to look for you instead of staying there." Goku smiled getting his usual warm nature back. "Vegeta is looking for you. He said that he wanted to tell you that if you fought anyone you aren't allowed to go super sayian."
"S-Super sayian?" Videl muttered quite bemused.
"It's uh, a fighting style," Gohan explained rashly. "Very difficult."
"Could you teach me it?" Videl said quite excited. "I love difficult things. Including in fighting!"
"You have to be of a certain blood type," Gohan sweat dropped.
"What blood type?"
"Uh…Blood Type S," Goku chipped in.
"What?!" Videl gasped. "There is no such thing."
"You'd be surprised," Gohan hissed under his breath.
Gohan then turned back to his father, hoping Videl would drop the pressuring subject, "But that's hardly fair. Will you all go Super Sayian?"
"We have to, to even stay in the ring for longer than two seconds with you," Goku said simply.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny."
"Would all competitors for the children's division please enter stadium two at this time. I repeat, will all competitors for the children's division please enter stadium two at this time. Thank you," A dull tone rang over the area.
"Children's division?" Gohan asked befuddled.
"This year they split the tournament into two sections. One for children 3 to 15 years, and one for adults 16 and up," Videl said knowledgably.
"I see," Gohan nodded. "So the younger kids won't be pounded about by the adults. I guess that is safer."
"Trunks won't like that," Goku smirked. "I bet he had a loud argument about that. No doubt who will win this."
"Yeah," Gohan smirked. "So what's the winning prize?"
"Oh," Videl smiled. "2000 zenny and a expedition match with Hercule Satan. My father. Those kids have it easy."
"No kidding," Gohan smiled. "Lucky Trunks."
"I feel sorry for the kids he goes up against," Goku smiled. "Let's go watch!"
Trunks sat in the corner of the locker room gazing lazily around at all the other children. He brushed his lilac colored bangs out of his cerulean eyes and let out a miserable sigh of defeat.
"What an utter waste of time. I should be fighting Gohan or someone worth fighting."
"Hey baby!"
Trunks looked slightly annoyed at the nickname that had been sent to him. He glared up at the two boys in front of him. One was a small boy with curly brown hair and a blue band across his round face. His fighting gi was worn clothing and not at all appealing in anyway. He looked to be about five years older then Trunks but age clearly wasn't a help in battle. Usually the younger and more able won in the end, from Trunks' experience.
The other, which appeared to be the fat boy's brother was long and skinny. He was several feet taller then Trunks and judging he was smiling the brightest at Trunks, he was the one who had insulted Trunks. His hair was a faded blonde that hung in strands about his face. His clothes were very similar to the first boy yet longer to fit his taller body. He appeared to be fifteen years of age barely making it into the children's division.
"I was talking to you." The taller boy hissed, "Babies sure are deaf, aren't they, Butch?"
"Yes very!" Butch said almost too enthusiastically.
Trunks didn't give them the satisfaction of hearing a comeback. Trunks just climbed to his feet and walked to the exit. The fat boy gripped his muddy hand around Trunk's arms to hold him back. Trunks' face reddened at the mud that was splattered onto to him.
"You can't leave," The tall one spoke again. "Not yet anyway. Not until you say something to us."
Trunks wrenched his arm away and kneed the fat boy hard in the stomach causing the boy to collapse. Trunks turned about glaring angrily at the taller boy who was slightly impressed. Trunks thrust his left hand in front of him as it began to glow a bright gold. A small orb melted upon his palm as Trunks hissed threateningly, "Don't mess with me."
Trunks turned abruptly and fired the blast into the lockers on the left of the tall blonde. Then Trunks spun on his heel and marched out of the room heading for the stadium.
"Wow," The tall boy gulped staring bewildered at the melted lockers that were still smoking slightly. "I have never seen a more convincing magic trick."
As Gohan, Goku, and Videl raced toward stadium two they noticed a lot of the other competitors tagging along. Apparently, they were tired of waiting for their tournament to start, resulting in seeing the children fight. They were stopped a couple of times so they could say hello to some friends (like meeting Krillen's family) and meet some challengers for the coming tournament.
"Hello. My name is Shin," A strange purple skinned man smiled kindly as he walked up to them as they said farewell to Marron who loved waving.
He had a very large red skinned main behind him with the same dazzlingly white hair atop his head. Shin seemed fairly nice while his body guard appeared very menacing.
"Nice to meet you Shin," Both Gohan and Videl bowed remembering to respect their elders.
"Pleasure," Goku nodded. "My name is Goku. This is my son, Gohan. And is girlfriend, Videl."
"She's not my girlfriend!" Gohan said going red in the cheeks.
"I am very obliged to make your acquaintance," Shin smirked. "This is my partner, Kabito."
"Hi," Kabito grunted without really paying attention to the group.
"The famous Son Goku," Shin smiled kindly bowing. "It is a great honor to finally meet you."
"Famous?" Videl questioned. "Him?"
"Ah yes," Shin smiled. "In ways you can't even begin to imagine."
Shin's dark eyes darted upon Gohan for a split second be for he turned back to Goku. He smirked sinisterly as he held out his hand as if to shake. Gohan knew exactly what he was trying to do… Shin could read all of Goku's memories with one touch of his hand including all his attacks. Gohan frowned at the attempt to cheat so he quickly stopped it by eyeing his father carefully. Goku caught the hint and lowered his hand slightly, while Gohan stepped forward with an excuse, "My father isn't feeling too well. It wouldn't be wise to shake hands."
Videl cast him a confused glance which Gohan ignored. Gohan held out his own hand instead and smiled,"But I wouldn't want to leave you hanging."
Shin raised an eyebrow slightly but nodded and took Gohan's hand. As soon as he did, Shin drew back as if he had been burnt. His face went a slight pale as he stared in bewilderment at Gohan.
"What's wrong?" Gohan asked innocently.
"N-nothing," Shin coughed trying to hide his shock.
"We better head of toward the stadium," Goku smiled looking up at the sun. "It should start soon."
"See you later, Shin and Kabito," Videl bowed toddling after Gohan and Goku.
Once they were out of earshot, Kabito turned to his master with a look of concern of his face, "Did he hurt you, Supreme Kai?"
"No." Shin said clutching his hand as he spoke. "I couldn't feel a thing. I couldn't see a thing. It was all a bright white… and a lot of screaming."
Kabito and Shin exchanged dark looks, "What does this mean?"
"That Gohan… is incredibly strong."
As Gohan pushed through the crowd he felt two strong hands clasp his shoulders. They pressed him forward roughly causing him to run into popcorn cart. Gohan found himself hard on the ground with buttered popcorn all over him in a matter of seconds. Gohan heaved himself up slightly catching sight of the man who pushed him. It was a teenage boy about his age with piercing amber eyes that made Gohan feel incredibly guilty. Before he could snap out of staring at those haunting eyes, Videl was shaking him.
"Hey, are you okay? You took a nasty fall."
Gohan blinked and the boy had disappeared. Gohan felt his heart beginning to hammer relentlessly in his chest as he searched the crowd for the boy with the unforgettable eyes.
"Gohan?"
"I'm fine." Gohan whispered softly as he pushed himself to his feet, "Lets find a good seat."
"Hey babe. You free tonight?" A boy with long stringy blonde hair cooed.
The girl rolled her dark violet eyes once more as she sat comfortably on a stone wall outside the stadium. She let her long legs dangle above the stone as her high healed shoes clanged against the sandstone. Her light blue hair hung lazily in a braid over her shoulder gently swaying in the breeze with her calm movements. Her outfit consisted of a bright green holster top with the words 'out of this world' written on it and small blue shorts.
"I have told you a million times, Jewel," The girl hissed. "I am not interested in you."
"Aw come on, honey."
"Honestly, You don't even know my name," The girl snarled pushed him away.
"Yes I do! It's Tammy, isn't it?"
"Argh!"
"Tiffany?"
The girl's beautiful eyes lit up as she caught sight of the teenage boy approaching. She leapt of the wall and flung her arms about the neck of the boy giving him a long kiss on the lips.
Jewel was in complete shock. The boy's face remained neutral once they pulled apart. She linked arms with the dark haired boy and gave Jewel a wink, "This is my boyfriend, Taiyo. Sorry buster."
Jewel's face burned a bright red as he muttered under his breath of how she had terrible choices in men. Taiyo's dark eyes followed the boy as he stomped off.
"What was that about?" He asked tonelessly.
"He was getting on my nerves," The girl sighed letting go of Taiyo's arm. "It was the first thing that came to mind."
"But did you have to kiss me, Tsuki?" Taiyo squinted slightly as his cheeks turned a pale pink.
"Are you blushing, Goten?" Tsuki smiled.
"Don't call me that." Taiyo hissed. "That person is dead."
Tsuki frowned slightly and linked arms with Taiyo as they walked away from the stadium.
"We will have to keep this image for awhile." Tsuki sighed, "I hope your… Gohan won't recognize me."
"He won't," Taiyo muttered. "He still hasn't figured me out yet."
"You have to be more careful," Tsuki said harshly. "We aren't here to kill, Gohan. We are here to capture him. No mess ups, okay."
"As long as I get to fight him in the tournament," Taiyo smiled sinisterly.
"This is a test, Taiyo," Tsuki stated. "Stick with the mission. You can't let your emotions get in the way."
"I lost emotion a long time ago," Taiyo said sharply.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Tsuki sighed, "I thought you and me might hit it off."
Taiyo didn't answer her. Tsuki sighed a bit more realizing that Taiyo's mind was now back on to thoughts of Gohan once more…
"Gohan will need to be careful," Shin said softly to Kabito as the spied on the two teenagers. "Both of Boppity's men are dead. That mission is through. Buu will not return any time soon. But we need to worry about Gohan now. These children are up to something… I am not positive of what… but it can't be good."
To Be Continued…
Please R + R!
The tournament has been modified to my benefit. So if some of the names are off, like Butch, ignore it. I can't remember exactly what they look like or what their names are.