Disclaimer: If I break it can I buy it?

Chapter 14

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As they passed a certain bedroom door Kat halted unexpectedly in her tracks, causing Gohan to swerve right to avoid running into her. Or through her, as the case may be. Despite his efforts his hand still passed though her side, and she jerked away at the sudden – feeling. It wasn't warmth, exactly, that she felt whenever he brushed her. Warmth connotes pleasantness, and this was far from pleasant. She didn't know what it was, but she felt something within her quiver and shy away from direct contact with him, or to be precise, his spirit.

"Do you mind?" She snapped, a little harsher than she'd intended. Crap but she hated not being in control of a situation. It was worse than being in control and doing something stupid.

He just raised an eyebrow at her, not bothering to point out that it wasn't his fault she'd failed to give notice of her actions. "Why'd you stop?"

"I was just thinking, Charlene, my sister remember?" When he nodded and encouraged her to get to the point she poked her tongue out and continued, "I haven't a clue when she'll elect to wake up and have breakfast. Needless to say I don't want to explain why there's a cute ghost in the quarters." At this he snorted, and made a mental note never to do that again. He sounded just like Vegeta! Bleck. "Could you just look in to see if she's awake?" Kat finally asked. Gohan thought he detected a suspicious innocence in her tone, but didn't see any logical reason to deny a request that clearly had both their best interests in mind.

"Sure, I guess." He replied. "This door?" He pointed at the nearest door. At Kat's nod he walked over and, after a slight hesitation, stuck his head through Charlene's bedroom door.

He didn't leave her in suspense for long. She had her suspicions of course, but it was nice to have them confirmed by the luminous blush that graced his cheeks when he jumped backwards.

With a cough Gohan said, "I don't think she'll be awake for a while yet." Then, seeing her countenance lacking any trace of curiosity or surprise, he accused, "Why did you ask me to do that if you knew? That wasn't very nice."

She rolled her eyes at the hurt look he was giving her, and headed towards the stairs that would take them to the lower level of their living quarters. "For your information I suspected Charlene was letting her boyfriend follow her home, I didn't know. I wanted to be sure and I didn't think you would stick your head in for me if I'd simply said, 'Oh I think my sister's been shagging this guy under mum's nose, could you just check?'"

"You could've found out if you'd waited for them to wake up." Gohan answered, slightly petulant for being manipulated.

"There's an emergency exit port in her wardrobe. I think she's disabled the computer that monitors it. She wouldn't risk them being caught leaving by the front door."

"How do you know all this? I was under the impression you two weren't on friendly terms."

Kat shrugged. "It's what I would do. And I don't blame her. Things haven't exactly been...tranquil around here lately."

"Oh? Why's that?" Gohan asked in surprise. First he'd heard of it.

"Never mind. You hungry?" Kat asked, as they reached the kitchen and the end of the tour.

"I really don't know." Gohan replied, experimentally poking his stomach.

"Here catch." She chucked a ceramic ornamental apple at him. He brought his hands up to catch it, but the apple passed through. It did however slow velocity as it passed through his body, so much so that Kat had time to run around him and catch it as it came out through the middle of his back. Lucky thing too. Her mum wouldn't have been pleased if she found its shards in the bin.

"Well, it's something I guess." Gohan said ruefully, as Kat replaced the apple with the other ceramic fruit of her mother's display on the kitchen counter. "What should we do now?"

Kat looked at the digital clock on the wall. "Holy hellions, it's nearly eleven. Where the hell is mum? She's usually an early riser." She went to open the fridge, but a screen on the front of it came to life. A woman's face appeared and started speaking.

"Darlings I had to leave early for a meeting and I won't be home till late. I'm terribly sorry but you know how busy things are for us now. There are meals in the fridge, but if you want you can order out for dinner. Love you."

"Tch." Was all Kat said, coupled with a sneer.

"What's wrong? Was that your mum?"

"Yeah. Tryin' to bloody bribe us again." She replied, opening the fridge and examining its contents.

"What's wrong with that? Food is always good." He asked, watching as she selected a covered dish of some sort.

"I'll take the food. It's the concept of bribing your daughters to love you that I'm not fond of."

"Food is food."

She placed her breakfast in a microwave type device, punching in some digits to produce the result she desired. "You mean you'd take food if someone offered it as a bribe?"

"Sure. Unless they wanted me to do something really gratuitous."

"Purity with limits eh?"

"Saiyan's gotta do what a Saiyan's gotta do." The microwave bleeped as if agreeing, opening of its own accord to present Kat with her newly re- hydrated bacon and eggs.

"You are the oddest person I know." She commented, picking out a small carton of what had to be orange juice from the fridge.

Gohan laughed. "Wait till you meet my family."

They both paused, Kat in the middle of opening her juice and Gohan in the middle of rubbing his head.

After staring blankly at each other for a while Kat finally said, "That's assuming you get home."

"Well, I have to get home. Somehow. So it's a safe enough assumption."

Kat seemed to be concentrating very hard on her carton of juice, despite the fact that she is naturally a brunette. "Well, what if you don't? Would it really be such a huge tragedy?"

Gohan looked at her, taken aback. "Of course it would! Do you know how worried my mum would be?! Besides, I can't just abandon her and Goten."

"But you'd abandon me." Not feeling remotely hungry anymore Kat left her untouched breakfast on the counter and walked past him and into the lounge area. Gohan felt the metaphorical ice beneath his feet groan ominously.

"I didn't say that." He protested, following after her.

"But that's what would happen isn't it? You go now, and we'll never see each other again. Ever!"

"That's impossible."

"It's not! It's the truth. I've been expelled from Nightlife, or is that little fact beneath your notice?"

They were facing each other now, with about two meters between them. Kat stood with her feet planted securely apart on the floor, hands on hips. Gohan felt himself tense as his subconscious registered the possible impending conflict.

"No, of course I know that. But you're gaining all these powers. You can already get to Nightlife by yourself. A little more practise and surely you'll be able to cross entire dimensions just as easy as crossing a bridge."

Kat scowled in contempt. "With getting to Nightlife I at least had a model. How am I meant to learn something, which may not even be within my power, without even an idea of how it's done?! It's insane! I could get myself killed trying for all I know. Or is that what you want?"

Stunned by this outrageous accusation Gohan could only stutter vague negatives. The obnoxious sneer on Kat's features melted to an expression of dismayed horror.

"Is that it? Have you been lying to me all this time? Who are you really? I don't even know you!" Having talked herself into this conclusion Gohan could only gape as she started to back away from him.

"Kat..."

"Stay away from me! Perhaps I really have gone insane. You're just a figment of my imagination, a result of some psychotic episode-"

Before she could get herself worked up in a full-blown rant Gohan interjected heatedly, "This is ridiculous! Kat, listen to yourself. You're speaking nonsense. Besides we've had this conversation before. I'm real, you're real, everything is fucking real!"

Instantly he clapped a hand over his mouth. Kat stared at him in pure astonishment, the shock of hearing him swear causing her to completely forget her unorthodox line of argument in their little debate.

"You swore!" She whispered, vocal chords at that moment unable to manage any higher level of sound. She stared at his eyes, as the rest of his face was still firmly clamped under his hand, and noticed how impossibly wide his eyes could go. Quite helpless to resist, she started to giggle.

Slowly Gohan let his hand uncover his mouth again, a small smile on his lips as he watched her giggles progress into all consuming, tear producing, stomach aching, falling to the floor, laughter. Then, quite suddenly, as though someone had just flicked a switch, she was crying.

With only a slight pause to process this development, Gohan was crouching at her side.

"What's wrong?" He asked her softly, trying to convey his concern with his voice, as contact was still impossible.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She gasped through her tears. "It's just..."

"It's okay." Hating watching her cry, and being unable to comfort her he repeated himself, "Really, it's okay!" Feeling frustration quickly growing within him he burst out, "It's my fault. I didn't consider your point of view before, and so you misunderstood my words. I'm the one who's sorry."

Kat tried to sob and laugh at the same time, and ended up with a weakly bemused hiccup. "Why do you always do that?" She sniffed, looking up at him through watery eyes.

"Do what?" He asked lightly, afraid to be the cause of any more tears.

"Blame yourself. You always blame yourself for everything!" She shook her head, but she was smiling.

"Well," he laughed, "you know me." Realising he inadvertently brought them back to their previous argument he looked at her warily.

After only a short wait she allowed her eyes to lock onto his. "Yes, yes I do."

With his trademark face-splitting grin he swept her into a hug, just as something clicked into place.

()-()-()

"Majesty!" A little crimson oni screamed, though currently he was purple from exertion. "We've found them!"

"What are you waiting for then?! Send in the squad!" King Unma bellowed, blowing his subject backwards by the force of his voice. Luckily the team created specifically to carry out this particular mission heard the command through the walls, and so the little oni didn't have to worry about reviving any time in the near future in order to convey the call to action message.

()-()-()

A small vortex appeared above a certain family gathering. Now a vortex is a rather imprecise method of inter-dimensional travel, but if you are not naturally gifted with such abilities a vortex is the quickest and easiest way to go. And though Fate's Messenger is obliged to utilise a vortex in his various Fate directed missions, he fortuitously is gifted with sharp reflexes.

Nimbly avoiding collision with a coffee table, the Messenger yelled, "Boss! We've found them!" Having completed its purpose the vortex above him closed with a petulant pop.

"Yes. I see you have." The woman addressed replied, easily slipping into what her husband termed 'Fate mode'. And she faded from sight.

"Hey wait for me!" Her Messenger tried, but she was already gone. With a resigned sigh he pulled a black gadget from his pocket, and prepared to open another vortex.

"Leaving so soon?" His doppelganger inquired politely.

"Well, I don't want to intrude." He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. At the familiar action most of the people in the room, all staring at him curiously, laughed.

"There's always room for one more." Bulma replied.

"Oh, um, well..." He glanced at the man whom he knew assumed the role of Time when so needed, who as yet had not spoken, for approval. He gave a half- shrug, an unconcerned expression on his face.

"We're about to have dessert." Chichi offered slyly.

That decided that. "Well since you insist." He grinned, and allowed himself to be integrated into the group without further resistance.

()-()-()

10:55am – subject shows definite sign of fading.

11:01am – rate of increasing transparency rising. Bed underneath subject can be perceived.

11:09am – subject observed to frown. Form now classified as translucent.

11:11am – subject can only just be perceived. Classified as transparent. Cannot be touched. Does not respond to high volumes of sound.

11:13am – He's gone! Completely vanished! What the hell am I going to tell Chichi?

Goten was just finishing the glass of water that had accompanied his lunch when he noticed something. Spraying water all over the table he spluttered, "Mum! I can't feel Gohan any more!"

"WHAT?!"

()-()-()

Both Gohan and Kat stiffened in surprise.

"I can feel you!" They cried at the same time. Gohan grinned.

"Guess my body finally caught up."

"You are real."

Gohan groaned. "What is it that makes that so hard to believe?!"

Kat grinned mischievously she rearranged herself in his lap so that their noses were nearly touching. "Because my darling," she purred, "you're out of this world."

Gohan cringed from the pain inflicted by her dreadful pun and Kat took the opportunity of exploiting his distraction by kissing him soundly on the lips. Pain now most pleasantly erased he kissed her back, and soon they were both so involved that the pert sucking sound of a vortex opening didn't register even with Gohan's highly developed senses.

However not even they could miss the room suddenly being filled with imposing figures, all wearing black combat suits, and waving menacing weapons. The shouting may have helped draw their attention as well.

"Step away from each other with your hands out where we can see them!"

Kat muttered bitterly, "Oh shit."

Gohan groaned, burying his face against her neck as if hoping they'd just go away of their own accord. In doing this he realised that a spiritual embodiment just doesn't compare to the real thing. For one who relied on his senses more than most, there was something continuously lacking at Nightlife. He could now smell her. To his senses she was like the air on a midsummer's night; dark and warm.

"Hands out where we can see them!" One of the squad hollered once again.

"Uh Gohan, I think he means you." Kat smirked teasingly.

Very grudgingly he withdrew his hands, and they both stood to face this latest obstacle.

Taking a deep breath he said as calmly and ominously as he could, "I'm giving you one chance to leave right now, and never come back."

Instantly the burly men surrounding them, looking all the more imposing as they now hardly fit into the once seemingly spacious lounge room, scoffed, guffawed, and made similarly irritating noises of amusement. Gohan felt a twitch develop in his right eyebrow.

Once they'd gotten over this curious affliction the leader said with a gruff sneer, "You're outnumbered boy. Give it up or your little whore might get hurt."

Kat returned the man's sneer and raised him a dark look, but it was nothing compared to Gohan's reaction. The words burrowed deep inside him, sparked cheekily at what they found lying repressed there, and meeped in fright just before the wildfire they'd ignited consumed them.

In case you don't understand my metaphor, I'll tell you now. Gohan was angry.

Kat squinted as before her eyes the entire room became illuminated in a blindingly white light, with Gohan a shining beacon in the centre. The guards couldn't see the pure Light energy that held the room in its firm grasp, but they could sense that something had changed. Many of them suddenly found themselves wishing they could call for backup.

And when the flames of rage that coursed through his body manifested themselves in a small flare from his vast stores of core energy, many hands did frantically fly for the security of a com unit.

"Bloody hell, should've brought my sunnies." Kat muttered.

Gohan exhibited his inhuman restraint as he ground out through his teeth, "Why are you here?" In truth all he really wanted to do was blast them to pieces.

"Look kid, we're just followin' orders yeah? Don't be hasty now."

Kat snorted at the change in attitude, and Gohan smirked. Their fear was palatable to him. As trained Nightlife guards even the least of them could sense the build up of raw power in front of them. If they weren't very very careful it could crash down with more force than a tidal wave upon their heads.

"And what exactly did those orders entail?" He growled, and Kat felt a little shiver shoot down her spine. It wasn't fear exactly that she felt standing so close to his blazing form. More like...apprehension. She didn't believe he would burn her, but she wasn't about to touch him and find out.

"To remove, er, I mean, assist you, Mr Son Gohan, in returning to your proper dimension. You can't stay here." Perhaps regaining some confidence from the vow, the leader drew himself up and added, "So, if you would please come with us we'll summon a vortex to send you back where you belong." Neither Gohan nor Kat noticed the guard inching closer to her unguarded left side.

Gohan's eyes narrowed just a fraction more. "You are too kind. I however have a different proposition. You will take both me and Miss Satell-Lune back to Nightlife where we will begin negotiations with The Manager on the sentence passed too rashly upon us, among other things."

Kat glanced quickly at him, wondering what he was planning, but he kept his unwavering glare on the leader of the group of guards.

"King Unma isn't going to like this." The leader said, with a resigned sigh. Kat grinned triumphantly, and Gohan smirked.

Unfortunately their celebrations were condemned to be premature, as at that moment the guard closing oh so innocently in from Kat's blind spot whipped out a device that appeared similar to a pair of mittens.

Sensing intent contrary to her wishes Kat spun around, only to have her hands deftly covered and bound by some unknown force across her chest. Gohan made to grab her, but she was jerked from his reach and pinned between two muscular men near twice her size.

"Which is why we're not going to do things your way." It was now the leader's turn to smirk. As Gohan twisted back to face him, the flare of power easily signalling he fully intended to bulldoze each and every guard in the room, the leader raised his hands. "Now now, I'm sure you don't want anything to happen to that manipulative darkling you're so fond of."

When it was clear Gohan hadn't fully absorbed the portent of his words the leader made a gesture. One of the guards holding Kat cuffed her over her ear, causing her to cry out. That got Gohan's attention.

"Leave her alone!"

"If you come quietly we will."

"Gohan don't!" Kat yelled, head smarting but desperate not to see him go.

"I'm sorry Kat. I won't let you get hurt." Gohan replied heavily, the burning flames of power already rescinding.

"You can't trust them. He's already fooled us once." Mockingly she said in a dumb voice, "King Unma aint gunna like this."

"Shut up hellion. Your control over him ends today. I don't know what your kind are planning to do with him, but we won't let it happen. Not on this watch."

Her control him? The man was obviously delusional. Gohan was always the calm one, the rational one, always in control of the situation, holding her back, never letting her mouth get the better of her. Not that he looked at all calm or rational at the moment. Surely that wasn't what all this was about. King Unma definitely didn't seem to care a rat's arse about either of them. He was only concerned about the club...

"So that's it!" Kat spat savagely, delighted to be the one to have worked out the opposition for once. "Nightlife doesn't want to be held responsible. If something happens to Gohan while he's here, or to his world because he isn't there, you're liable because it's your fault he's here in the first place."

From the way the leader paled Kat knew she'd hit the bullseye, even without any target practise. Nervously the man's eyes flickered between her and Gohan. Tense, the room awaited his response.

()-()-()

Fate looked pensively down at the scene. Two little beings hovering behind her moved forward to land on her shoulders, one on the right and one on the left.

"Time to decide." She muttered, more to herself than the vaguely cherubic beings on her shoulders.

"Get them to negotiate. It's the best way out of the situation; no angst, everyone gets what they want." The bright little being on her right chirped.

"It's beyond that." The gloomy being on the left snapped sourly. "Negotiations now will achieve nothing. They need to fight their way to a position of authority."

"At what cost?" The first being shrieked in dismay. "They could both wind up dead. Or worse! Only one of them could die, leaving the other to shatter the balance and destroy countless dimensions."

"A dire prediction indeed." Fate murmured.

"And you would have them live happy day by day, unmotivated, stagnant? Does not bode well for when a real threat to the balance is cast." The second sneered. "They need to find themselves now, before it is too late. There is a long road ahead, and it would be most beneficial for them to be prepared if they wish to survive their destiny." It flew to look Fate in the eye. "Train now, trust later."

Fate nodded. "For now at least, offence will be our defence." She looked down at the scene below, and it obediently shifted forward to show her the immediate consequences of her decision. She gave a slightly grim smile. "Let us hope that in this case absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder."

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Sorry for the wait on this one guys...this chapter just wasn't working for me, and it took me all this time to realise it just needed an extra one page scene...
Please excuse any grammar/spelling/format mistakes...feeling way too bleck right now to quadruple check everything like usual...

The lateness of this chapter is by no means a reflection on disappointments in the review department...hugs and chocolate kisses go to:

Unknown reader – aww, you're so polite. Thanks!

DemonDancing – I must say I'm very glad you're amused...nothing worse than failed attempts at humour.

Blah – Same to you, you...human being! Please don't drop dead in horror, but I don't know who Hiei is...

Godzilla2 - cringe I'm suddenly very ashamed at the large period of time between the last update and this one...but I have already started on the next so you shouldn't have to wait so long this time round...

Frying Pan of DOOM – am extremely gratified you like Kat...to be honest I can't quite remember where she came from...she's been evolving in my mind for...about three years maybe? And even now, just when you think you've got her all worked out – bam! She hates being predictable even more than I do.

Exarikun – write to me already!

Min Farshaw – jumps around happily My boding bodes! Yes! You know, you are way too sharp for your own good. You're forcing me to consider a drastic plot twist just so I can catch you by surprise. shakes fist And if you're lucky things will be blowing up next chapter...

DBZ Chick1 – I love little Goten; he's so fun to write! He's so cute you just wanna squish him! looks around blinking Hey, where'd he go? He was just here a minute ago...ah well, I'll squish him later...

Madam Hawke – kinda scary isn't it? If only I put this much effort into my major work...

Rose Vaughn – Vegeta hasn't been to Nightlife in a while...not since he met Goku and later started living on Earth in fact. Some of his Nightlife past might pop up in later chapters...I do have much of it worked out...but we'll have to wait and see.

And I am aware that most of you will have to re-read your own reviews to understand my replies...I know I would after nearly TWO MONTHS...gah! Is my self-disgust apparent enough? If not I'll say it again...gah!

Thanks again to the reviewers...