One Heart

A/N: I don't own DBZ; I hope you enjoy this chapter. I know that the preview I gave you guys a few chapters before wasn't really in the chapter that it was for so—anyways, I know and don't worry it will be in this one. I didn't upload this one Saturday, last week and this week due to lack of remembrance and laziness.

Notes:

"Speaking" thoughts italic sentences are generally flashbacks unless stated otherwise.

I know some of you guys maybe confused about the ages, so forget what I said before. It was a typo I never fixed due to laziness. Here are the current ages for any future references.

Videl: 18 (Recently turned 18)

Gohan: 18

Goten: 7

Trunks: 8


Chapter Five: The Plague (Part I)

Other World

Goku walked around aimlessly and yawned. "It's so boring up here, Old Kai. Are you sure King Kai isn't busy? I could really go for a good training now."

"He's playing canasta with East Kai. He's trying his luck after he won West Kai's 17" Television last weekend." Old Kai muttered.

Goku blinked and he smile widely. "Well, how about you. You're a Kai, they're suppose to be strong—"

"Suppose to be—what the hell is that suppose to me?" Old Kai snapped.

"Nothing, I swear." Goku laughed. "It's just well...you don't look strong, that's all."

"How dare you." Old Kai stood up angrily. "You idiot, you naïve idiot, how dare you insult me, me!" he wagged his pointing finger dangerously at Goku. "Your generation is the downfall of humanity! You have no respect for you're elders. And don't think I forget that old geezer and age question because I haven't, buster! I cannot believe—you ignorant people, I am the strongest of the kais, the wisest and—"

"—the oldest—"

"You—"

"Wait, I meant it only as the highest of compliments and that's a good thing, right? You said age comes with wisdom and being at you're age you're very wise."

Old Kai beamed and nodded. Then he replayed Goku's words and gaped. "What do you mean by "my age"?"

Goku stepped back and laughed again. "You know what? I'll just go see if Chichi's ready to go to King Kai's planet and maybe we can hurry up that game of canasta. Later."

"Young people, humph. Good for nothing."

Son House

"It's not like that, I swear! It's all innocent."

"Uh-huh. Sure Gohan." Sakia sarcastically said.

"It's the truth." Gohan added. "What kind of guy do you think I am?"

"Well, I thought—now I'm not so sure." Erasa replied.

Gohan let out an exasperated sigh. "Why don't you believe me?"

"Ok. Ok, stop hounding him." Sharpener shooed Erasa to the other side of the door. "But serious—I've just got one—one simple question that I MUST ask."

"What is it?" Gohan asked dreading the blonde boy's question all the while.

"How was it?"

"Ah, pervert!" Erasa shrieked and clonked him in the head.

"I didn't sleep with her—I—we did sleep together—no, no not in that term—sleep as in sleep not as in sex! Get in through you're heads, we did nothing. We're innocent, I swear."

"And you're half naked because…?" Erasa questioned.

"Sometimes it gets warm—"

"—in the mountains?—"

"—Yes, in the mountains."

"I still think you did something." Sharpener muttered.

"Well we didn't." he stood up. "Now if you'll excuse me." He grabbed some clothes and a clean towel from yesterday's clean laundry.

His grandparents and the blondes sidestepped to let Gohan through. Sharpener didn't stop tossing jealous looks at Gohan's back.

"I can't believe this. HE got to Videl and not ME! Me! This is so—so not right. After ten years, all gone to waste—" Sharpener thought. He frowned at his hair in the mirror and grumbled something underneath his breath.

"Well, that was quite an eventful morning." Sakia commented after Videl had left the room. "Well, I guess we don't need to do much pushing since they got the right idea so far."

"Sakia." Her husband blushed.

Sakia rolled her eyes. "Let's go back to bed, honey." She then eyed Sharpener who was busy combing his hair. "Are you coming sleeping beauty?"

Sharpener grumbled something and removed himself from the mirror. "Whatever."

Breakfast

Sharpener waited until Videl, Erasa and Sakia had left the kitchen leaving him alone with Gohan.

"So…"

Gohan looked up from his bowl. "So…What?—"

"Did you, you know."

"Huh?"

"Did you 'ya know —with Videl. Come on nerd boy, work with me here. Did you two—"

"I thought we cleared that up already? Let it go. I didn't sleep with her, ok?"

"Did you want to?" Sharpener smirked.

"NO!"

"Did she? 'Ya know, was she the predator?"

"NO!"

"Are you sure?" Sharpener asked. He wanted to be sure. If Gohan got Videl then what would that leave him? He'd been trying to get a simple kiss from Videl for ten years now and still zip. Then out of nowhere Mr. Nerd boy comes alone, makes out and slept with his first crush. He felt so insecure right now that it was confusing to the jock.

"Yes, I'm sure." Gohan rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, I'm lying. We were bored and sort of horny so yeah you guessed it. We slept together, it was wonderful. We did everything and she was screaming my name all night long. We did it so many times I ran out of condoms."

Sharpener's mouth was wide open. Gohan sighed; Sharpener definitely didn't hear his hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I was joking—" Seeing the blonde boy hadn't stopped gaping, Gohan added. "—a joke, as in Ha, Ha, Sharpener—"

Sharpener shook his head and came out of his shock. "Of course you were. I mean look at you and then look at me. If anyone has a chance with Videl, it's me. Alas, I am dating the lovely Erasa. Adieu."

Gohan blinked. Maybe Sharpener was paying attention in French class and not always trying to check Mrs. Anjou out.

Living Room

"Think you're up for going back to school, Videl?" Erasa asked quite concerned.

Videl nodded. "Sure, why not? I mean I won't give them the satisfaction by seeing me crawling around depressed and mourning for the rest of my life; time to take action and kick that guy's ass."

"You remind me of my daughter." Sakia murmured. "You two are practically the same, both when it comes to you're love ones, and everything else. You don't take shit from anyone and you have a thing for naïve and cute guys." She grinned wickedly. "You'll fit perfectly in this family, dear." She hugged Videl. "Just perfectly, after the wedding—"

"W-wedding? What wedding? To whom?" Videl pulled away utterly confused and suspicious.

"Nothing, nothing; it's just an old woman's dream, nothing more." Sakia sighed sadly.

Erasa turned to the now silent Videl and asked, "Are you certain, completely positive? Utterly—"

"Yes Erasa." Videl snapped. "I am completely and utterly positive! Get off my back all ready!"

Erasa looked hurt and looked away. "I was—that is to say—I better go. See you guys later, ok?"

"Wait, don't." Videl replied. "I didn't mean to—I didn't mean what I said. I feel a bit erm, suffocated by the attention. Believe me, I'm all right. Everything is fine." Videl smiled. "Look, I got to go visit a friend so I'll be back in a few hours or so."

Sakia hesitated. "What about—"

"Don't worry about it; tell him I'll be back. I'm fine. You won't even know I'm gone, trust me." She took up her small backpack and grinned. "Later."

Sakia waited until Videl left. "That wasn't the only thing I was worried about. She was so quick to think that—I really think she likes him more than she let's on."

Erasa frowned and folded her arms. "I want to know who this "friend" is."

"It's none of our business. I better go tell Gohan before he starts asking questions and if one thing leads to another I could either get great grand or not and I dread the latter. "

Elsewhere

It was about three thirty in the afternoon. It was chilly as usual for the fall and the sun wasn't bright as it was hours before. Videl adjusted her jacket and shivered. She leaned her arms upon a blue railing, the bridge for passengers that was a few feet from a nearby graveyard. The resting place looked so peaceful and inviting with its flowers and fresh green grass and trees.

Videl frowned. "I wonder if he's here." She whispered.

BANG!

Videl whimpered and made a soft muffled groan. She huddled to herself and couldn't control her shaking and soft cries. From her outfit, no one would probably recognize her for Hurcule's daughter. It was on the news that she'd disappeared without a trace and a part of her wanted that. She wanted the bastards to think she'd left and then when their guards down she'd return with vengeance.

Videl looked up at the cloudy sky and a watery smile formed on her lips. "I wonder if their happy…up there…together." Videl murmured. If they were, Videl decided, she'd be happy to.

Videl leaned against one of her arms and frowned. She caught sight of her father's tombstone resting beautifully on a golden mantle that stood at least a good five feet. His name was engraved with the most beautiful colors that read:

Here lies the fallen hero of Earth. Hurcule Ronald Satan, Husband, Father, Hero, may our hero rest in peace.

Videl swallowed and fought back some tears. He was really gone. It wasn't a dream; it was some horrible nightmare that she could never awaken from because it was reality. Cold, harsh reality, the world that took any and ever she held dear to her without glancing back.

Videl stepped down the flight of stairs and walked solemnly down the oath that led to her father's grave. Arriving at the grave, Videl knelt down and sighed with remorse. It wasn't a dream.

Videl used one of her fingers and traced his name on the tombstone. "I miss you so much." She could hear his laughter, who would have thought she'd miss that. In truth, she missed him. She did. But there was nothing she could do; no magic could bring him back. She never felt so lost other than the day her mother—

Videl's chest tightened. Videl closed her eyes tightly. There was nothing no one could do.

"And I blamed Gohan…" Videl whispered sadly. She blamed the one person she—and he tried—he saved her— And on that very day she knew her father truly cared so much he gave his own life for his daughter.

Videl cringed. "You foolish, wonderful man." Videl thought. Videl closed her eyes and thought about her father. And when she looked back she realized he did care and she was so angry at him that she didn't see what was behind his ways, what was behind it was his love. She'd hated him for so many years because she felt it was his fault her mother died and it was his fault she was alone. But in truth she shared a piece of that blame and she saw it now.

On the first year since her mother's death, Videl had cried and when her father began to date, she—she couldn't take it. She became depressed, trapped in a world of deceit, nightmares and confusion.

She was hurt beyond belief and all her father did was ignore her, he never asked what was wrong, he never hugged her and told her "it was all right." He just didn't give a damn.

Then the next day she found a locket underneath her pillow. She'd opened it was care and wonder and discovered it had once been owned by her father. It was made from silver and engraved with gold it read: Forever, you and I.

And on the paper it was a note he'd written to her mother one week before their wedding.

"You are the most precious than life itself, and if I die right now I'd not regret it for I've spent it in the arms you." Inside the locket rested a picture of them taken right after their wedding then on the other side was the photograph of their family, her parents, her siblings and her.

It was the first time in her life she felt completely and utterly helpless. She couldn't bring her father back, she couldn't bring her mother back, and she didn't know where her family was. Everyone had vanished from her life as if they weren't even there to begin with.

Videl sighed and hung her head down. Seconds later she felt a hand grip her shoulder in a tight grasp. Videl gasped and whorled around and gave the stranger a direct punch to his face.

Son House (Living Room)

Sakia yawned and flipped through another magazine. Her muffins shouldn't be ready just yet so she had about ten minutes to kill. Besides, she wanted to catch up on her Soap Operas and things. She heard the front door open and she looked up from her magazine. She looked amused for a second but concern pushed it aside. She stood up immediately and rushed over towards Gohan who was carrying Videl in his arms.

"What on earth happened?" Sakia questioned. Videl gruffly picked some grass from her black hair and glared at Gohan.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"It was your own fault." Gohan countered.

"Just put me down, will you." Videl ordered.

Gohan rolled his eyes. "Ok." He let her down to her feet and within that very second Videl collapsed.

"Pick her up, please." Sakia groaned.

"Make up you're mind." Gohan sighed and picked the stubborn girl back up.

Sakia inspected Videl's ankles and gaped. "Huh—is it that bad?" Videl asked.

"Not too bad." She said lightly. She noted the cloth that had been previously wrapped around her left ankle was from Gohan's gi, which explained the torn part on his outfit.

Videl made another groaning sound when Sakia poked the ankle. "Stop—it hurts."

"So you actually feel pain?" Gohan questioned with a small smile.

"This is not the time, Gohan." Videl hissed.

"Put her on the conch then get me some ice and the first aid kit." Sakia instructed. Sakia moved the cushions from the couch and Gohan gently laid Videl down on her back. Next, the demi saiyan went to grab the things his grandmother needed.

When Gohan returned Sakia thanked him and proceeded to open the kit. "You'll need to stay in bed for a while. At least until you're better. You sprained you're ankle but I can tell it hurts more like if you broken a bone. So—" she grabbed a small pouch and opened it. "Just do that." She applied some liquid onto the ankle then wrapped the ice into a cloth. After covering the ankle with a new cloth, Sakia added the ice on top of the ankle. "Good. If you get a bit restless or tired, just ask Gohan and he'll bring you to you're room."

"Great. Now I'm her servant." He didn't sound anger at all for the way he was smiling it was as if it was something of a game he'd enjoy playing.

"Oh!" Sakia stopped up abruptly when she heard the oven's timer go off. "My muffins, I'll be right back!"

Gohan just looked at Videl with one of his goofy smiles.

"Would you please—?"

"Please what?"

"Never mind, don't you have somewhere else to be?"

"…At this moment? Not really."

"Are you just going to annoy me all day?"

"No. I'll just watch you all day."

Videl blinked. "Excuse me."

Noticing the blush on her face and realizing his own he added quickly, "So you don't wonder off and get into anymore trouble."

"And just how do you get that authority? You're not my parent, my friend—"

"I want to be." He said softly. "You're uhm friend."

Videl looked at him and frowned. "Oh Gohan…"

Sakia hummed happily from the look of the muffins she was a shoe in for this year's pageant.

She grinned wickedly at the large showcase that held all her trophies since she was thirteen. First place every year and she'd like to keep it that way.

Sakia took a bite and smiled. She wondered if she could get those two to be her test takers. Goten was practically not allowed to be one for the rest of the week since her husband's last muffins had Goten in the hospital. "And Vegeta says saiyans can digest anything. Humph." She walked in with a plate containing two hot muffins. "Hey guys—" Sakia gasped and was thankful she had swallowed the last piece of her muffin before she'd entered for what she saw she'd sure have chocked.

Gohan was on top of Videl kissing her. Sakia saw Videl's hands slipping underneath Gohan's shirt and slowly trying to remove it from his body. Gohan began to slide back a bit to allow her to move faster.

Sakia and seen enough for one day. She cleared her throat loudly and after the second time the two drew apart so quickly Gohan nearly fell off the conch. Their cheeks were flushed, their lips were red and this hair ruffled. Videl quickly smoothed out her skirt and the two blushed sheepishly at the older woman.

"If you must do things like that haven't you tried to go in a room and NOT get caught? Honestly." Sakia sighed. "Oh, do me a HUGE favor—keep you're hands and body part to yourselves? No matter how much I adorable children I don't want a herd scrambling about."

"We're not having sex, Sakia." Videl muttered.

"How did this happen? And I was in the next room wouldn't you think—"

"We thought we'd be finished before then. It wasn't planned, I swear." She glanced at Gohan. "Well I didn't."

"What's that supposed to mean?—"

"—never mind."

"You to act like an old married couple." Sakia muttered.

"Do not." They pouted.

"I'll explain the complex later, now try one of these." Sakia shoved a muffin to each of their faces.

The two blinked and looked at the other than at the muffins. They both took one and took a bite then another. "It's great."

Sakia beamed. "Wonderful, first prize here I come."

Gohan smiled. "…Uhm…grandmother—?"

"I know, I know." Sakia sighed. "I should give someone else a chance but there's simply not enough competition with my Chichi gone." Sakia sniffed.

SatanCity

A woman stood on top of the building. Her silver hair blew in harmony as the wind.

She grimaced and narrowed her eyes when she sensed a nearby presence. "You can't hide from me, Kirk."

From a swirling mass of gathering black clouds a man appeared with a dark cloak, black hair red eyes. He had a dark smirk cast upon his lips. "Funny. And here I thought after five thousands years I could get the upper hand, Mayuka."

"Really?" she replied sarcastically.

He reframed from replying with one of his smart remarks. "We must ask quickly."

"I agree. But who must we send? We don't want to be ambushed nor easily destroyed. Maybe—yes, his skills will be most useful."

"Yes, his skills have become most powerful. The new expertise will have him over onto our side in no time."

"Very good, you do have the bracelet?"

"Yes."

"And the trap is ready?"

"Yes, completely foolproof. There are no loopholes to any treason what so ever."

"Very well, you are dismissed." She eyed him from the corner of her eye and scowled. "Do not forget Kirk, if you fail you shall be destroyed. You do understand that?"

"Yes." He bowed. Then the black clouds surrounded the mysterious man and the being and the clouds vanished.

After a few moments the woman remained still. When another set of winds came by her eyes snapped open. "It is time."

Son House (The Next Day)

Goten yawned and rubbed his stomach. "—Grandma."

Sakia smiled. "I'm coming Goten." She placed six bowls of his favorite foods in front of him. "After throwing up such an amount you must be starved."

"Now I know why curiosity killed the cat—he died from it." Goten groaned and lifted up his chopsticks. After getting a good whiff of the food he began to eat as he normally did.

Sakia smiled. "That a boy." She looked and saw Gohan and Videl were heading outside. "Where are you two going?"

Videl shrugged. "We're going to my house. I want to make sure everything is how it's supposed to be. You know with money looters, my father's ex and such. Also, I want to see how Cahokia and our friends are doing."

Sakia nodded and gave them a warning glare. "Just do what I told you early, hands to yourself. You don't want to be teen parents now do you?"

Gohan laughed when he saw that grin she plastered on her face after her warning. But the glare she sent them this time was no game. "I mean it, Gohan."

"…Why me…Why not her...?" Gohan blushed.

"With me I can control my hormones."

Gohan muttered something underneath his breath. "Bye grandmother. Bye Goten."

"Bye guys." Videl waved.

Goten waved his chopstick signaled he said "bye" as well. The two teens made their way outside just before something hit Sakia.

"Are you going to eat out for lunch? Or will you be back for lunch?" Sakia called from the door.

"Oh—uhm… what do you want to do?" Videl turned to the demi-saiyan.

Gohan blinked. He wasn't sure either. "Uhm…we could eat out. I'm not sure how long it will take. I'll call you."

"Ok. Just remember to call." Sakia said.

"We won't." Gohan assured her.

SatanCity

Mayuka lifted her sunglasses off her face. "He's near—I need a distraction." She saw Gohan and Videl looking at a store window and admiring something that was on display.

"It looks so expensive and so beautiful." Videl commented.

"It's probably from an old dynasty from a few centuries ago. It looks real fascinating. It must have some sort of—"

"You can be such a nerd sometimes." Videl smiled.

Gohan blushed. "Sorry. Stuff like that tends to interest me. You know, to know how people lived before cars and dyno-capsules were invented."

"Whatever." Videl shrugged and continued to lead the way. "Come on."

Mayuka watched but kept her distance. She was somewhat interest as the two interact with one another. "Humans." She rolled her eyes with disgust.

"Come on Videl. You're getting old." Gohan teased.

Videl glared at the demi saiyan. "We're not all as fast as you are Gohan." She pointed to the café across the street. "Let's take a break and head over there for some food then we can go to my house." Videl grimaced mentally, "If there's anything left." she thought.

They wanted for the sign for walk and they crossed the street. Gohan narrowed his eyes as he felt an evil presence nearby. It felt cold and—he looked around and way nothing. He mentally shook his head and sighed. Was it him or were there a lot of bugs around?

After making their orders, Gohan and Videl made conversation with the other as they waited.

Videl paused as she saw the cheerful red-haired waitress return with their order on a tray. Videl wasn't surprised Gohan and ordered a more humane amount of food since he ate recently.

"Here are you—" she paused and her eyes grew wide and for just a second they thought she'd seen a ghost. Soon though the young girl collapsed onto the floor, after that the staff as well as the couple and some of the customers crowded the girl.

"I—I…" she tried to speak and her face was a light shade of blue.

"Someone call the paramedics." The plump blonde waitress ordered. Their boss nodded his head and quickly got the phone that resided on the desk and began to dial the number.

"She has a pulse." Gohan murmured. "But she's so cold and completely blue like if she was ill prepared for a blizzard."

After about one minute the inhabitants in the room soon heard the sirens. And by then more than half the people there had fallen victim to the same problem. "This is so bizarre." Videl said.

"I know." Gohan agreed. "I don't get it." He looked outside. "It's at least eighty degrees outside."

Gohan narrowed his eyes and felt it again. Only it was nearer, darker—stronger.

He turned around and saw nothing.

He felt someone poke him and from Videl's expression se must have sensed his uneasiness.

"Relax. You're getting paranoid." Videl stood up and watched the last of the victims carried off on stretchers. "Come on; let's go to my place like we planned."

Gohan nodded.

After about ten minutes Gohan turned to the raven-haired girl beside him. He wondered if she noticed there's an awful amount of bugs around here. Gohan remained silent and didn't ask.

Videl sensed Gohan uneasiness but before she could speak he pointed to the approaching mansion.

Videl frowned. It looked the same as if nothing was out of place but still—something just didn't feel right. What was it?

"Stupid bug…" Videl swatted the insect from her face.

When they approached the gate Videl tried her key.

It didn't work.

Videl growled. "Dammit." She pushed the intercom. "Let me in stupid!"

No response.

Videl muttered a few curses and looked at the mansion before them. Only one thing separated them for it, this stupid security system.

Gohan decided Videl looked angry enough to pry down the iron fence. "Though you have to admit she does look quite beautiful when she's anger—well not anger at you at least." Gohan thought. He noticed what he was thinking and blushed. "Maybe we can try another tactic." He was about to suggest flying but thought of how Videl would react.

Videl took out a bomb pin. "I saw this once in a movie and being a cop I have to have some endorsement tools." She began to fiddle with the key. "Erasa did it so it shouldn't be too hard. Besides, once I get this damn thing open I'll be able to hack into the controls. I know it sounds well—yeah but—d" she heard a bell sound and a hologram version of a scrawny man popup.

"You are trying to hack into this mansion, I cannot allow this. If you are an inhabitant of this mansion please enter the access code now."

"Go Champ." Videl replied.

"Access denied."

"I know—WHAT?" Videl scowled.

"Access denied."

"I heard you the first time you jerk! What do you mean "Access Denied?" You damn piece of rubbish I should—" Videl sweat dropped and remembered Gohan was just a few inches behind her and from the look on his face he was ready to burst out laughing. Videl blushed and spoke gently. "Please open up you sweet thing you."

"Access approved." The scrawny man vanished and the gate opened. Videl sweat dropped as she watched Gohan laugh uncontrollably.

"It's not that funny." Videl folded her arms and didn't wait to see if Gohan was following.

"You should have seen you're face." He replied as he walked beside her.

"I glad I didn't." Vide grumbled. "I wonder who screwed up that security system."

Gohan shrugged. "Maybe you're dad decided to change the password."

Videl frowned. Gohan winced and remembered mentioning her father was a dangerous territory. A territory only the brave and foolish entered. "I—uh—Videl…" Gohan stuttered.

"…Maybe." Videl shrugged. "He was always a bit coincident, I guess."

Gohan nodded. Coincided was putting it lightly but he decided to put it at that.

As they predicted her key didn't work again. Videl noticed that one of the windows was opened large enough for her to slip through. She wasn't sure about Gohan but from living in the same house as him for almost two weeks she learned a lot about him. Well not nearly as much as she hoped.

Videl managed with a few grunts and made it through the open window. She turned to call Gohan and found him already behind her. Videl blinked. "How—How—." Videl sighed and shook her head. "—never mind."

Gohan shrugged and was relived when she decided to drop it—for now.

"So is everything in place?" Gohan asked trying to hide how marveled he was by the large house. Capsule corps and this mansion were probably two of the biggest houses in the world.

"Yeah, except…"

"Except, except what?"

"No one…I don't see the staff or—"

"They probably all packed up and left after seeing the latest news broadcasts."

Videl shook her head and entered the kitchen. Gohan followed and watched her look around.

Videl looked in and around a cookie jar, on the refrigerator, the counter, the stove and cabinets.

"What are you looking for?" Gohan asked.

"A note, Cahokia would have left a note about everything. She always does." Videl informed him. "It has to be here somewhere!—!" Videl's eyes lit up as she felt a piece of paper touch her hands from the back of the stove. "Bingo. Cahokia never fails."

Videl looked at the note and frowned once more. "It's wet. The ink's running. Someone tried to sabotage her note."

"Maybe it was an accident. Or everyone was in so agonize or a rush it got wet by mistake." Gohan suggested.

Videl shook her head. "No water can get into the back of the stove unless someone deliberately moved it to get water to it."

Videl frowned and began to pace. "We should split up. I'll check upstairs and we'll meet back here. Sounds good to you?"

Gohan looked around the room. "What if I get lost?" Gohan knew he could find Videl by either her ki or the sweet fragrance that was coming from her; but he chose to not mention either.

"Don't worry. This please goes in a big circle. Besides, I even got lost a few times and I use to live here. Each room has a intercom so all you do is press the red button and I'll be able to hear you wherever you are. We'll meet back in let's say fifteen minutes."

Then she made her way out of the kitchen and up the long stairs. Gohan sighed and left the kitchen and began to search for something he wasn't sure of. Gohan looked at the kitchen clock for what seemed like the hundredth time. It's been thirty minutes now and in all a whole forty-five minutes. He knew the mansion was big but—something just didn't feel right.

Just as he was about to give up and go look for her he heard a bloodcurdling scream coming from upstairs. Without hesitation, Gohan raced up the long staircase with only one thing—person on his mind. "Videl?" he called over and over. He wanted a response; he didn't care if it was a scream because she saw a bug—which Mai seemed to do quite often. But Videl wasn't the type to scream like that unless something was seriously wrong.

He felt his heart begin to hurt when he felt her ki plummet so drastically. Perspiration ran down from his face, but not from exhaustion but from panic. He swung open the door; he looked around the room and saw Videl limp body. A woman with silver hair held Videl easily and was smirking at him like some idiot.

"What have you done to her?" Gohan asked. He saw dry blood on Videl's face and her hair was loose and draping over her battered body. If he hadn't been able to sense ki, he would have thought she was dead. But the small amount that kept her alive was like a miracle in itself.

"I'll ask you again, what the hell have you done to her?" Gohan glowered at the woman. "I won't ask nice forever, you know that."

She smiled. "Humans, so vulnerable, so easy to break, don't you think?" When she heard his frustrated growl she only smiled wider. "A pity isn't it. She was very beautiful…wasn't she?" she licked her lips. "What lovely hair she had. She put up a great fight unlike most of her species. Pity though she had to die so young, but it must have been an honor to die at the hands of me." She looked at him and gave him an innocent look, as if she could be innocent. "You look angry. Was she you're mate? I'm dreadful."

Gohan took a menacing step towards the woman. "If you kill her—"

"What an unfulfilling threat. You wouldn't dare hurt me." She lifted Videl's chin up and Gohan saw her unconscious face. "Not with her life at sake. One step boy, and you're little girlfriend will be erased from existence." She smiled. "And believe me, I'll do it."

"What do you want?"

"That day the sky grew dark, the invasion of my insects. You could see it, you could sense it. Couldn't you?" she twisted Videl's face so she could look at Videl. "She had beautiful eyes too. A very nice shade of blue, don't you think?"

"Stop playing games." Gohan grunted.

"I'm not playing games." She shrugged. "It had to be done. Too bad she got too noisy. Then again it did run in her family." She looked at the portrait beside her. "Too bad, such a lovely family, well all great things are in need to be put to an end."

"What did Videl ever do to you?"

"It doesn't matter anyways. She's hanging on by a mere thread that I shall soon cut."

"Do it and you—!"

"Tsk, tsk. Don't you saiyans learn anything after all these centuries?" she wagged her finger.

Then Gohan saw it. Two insects, like the ones from today! He could see they were eyeing Videl's neck.

Gohan clenched his fist just as the woman licked her lips and before he knew what had happened, Videl started to turn blue.

Those things moved so fast! Just before he could utter a syllable of her name, Videl collapsed to the floor and the insects and the woman vanished.

"Be forewarning saiyan. I'll be back and when I do this whole planet will be mine." She had said before her voice faded out. Gohan raced over to Videl and heard her soft, slow breaths of life.

"You'll be ok. I promise." Gohan murmured and brushed a few stray hairs from her face. "I won't let anything happen to you. I swear."

Capsule Corps

"—we've reached word from the National Medical Center that there have now been 4950 new cases in the last fifteen minutes. No one has yet any leads to what is causing these sudden attacks. Currently there is no cure for this disease and it's still unknown of how it infects the body or whether it's contagious. From our earlier interview, Bulma Briefs, the daughter of Dr. Briefs, says that from recent studies this disease is 9/10 is fatal. Below we've included some of the known symptoms. As you know this disease strikes hard." The blonde reporter spoke and gestured to the screen. "Some of the—"

Bulma slammed the keyboard on her laptop. "I don't get it. Dammit!" she ran her hands angrily through her blue hair. "It doesn't make any sense. It's like a combination of influenza and some—some other crap!" she made a loud groan and threw some paper off her desk.

She heard the doorbell ring vigorously before she heard a crash which had to be the front door coming down. "Vegeta—"

Her husband was standing by the doorframe picking splinters off his clothes. Beside him she saw a frantic Gohan holding some injured girl. "Oh my—gosh—" Bulma said and raced over and ignored the crashing of her chair falling onto the floor. "What happened? Who is she? Are you ok? Is she breathing? Say something!"

"I—she got that unidentified virus thing."

"Hey, get the ER ready, will you?" she yelled at the nearest robots that beeped and scurried off to do her bidding. As they quickly made their way, Bulma asked. "Why is she so battered up?"

Bulma noticed all that was on the teenager's mind was this girl in his arms. Bulma nodded and understood. She'd ask later, but first she had to get the girl some medical attention.

Ten Minutes Later

"She's resting peacefully now." Bulma exited the room. "Don't worry. I did make some pills that all the hospitals have which will slow down the process a huge degree." She set down a tray that had three cups of tea. Vegeta took his and sat in the way corner in his "favorite chair."

"So what happened?" Bulma asked after waiting a few more minutes. After taking a few minutes to explain the odd story, Bulma looked shocked. "What a lunatic. You can see what's causing this disease?"

Gohan shrugged. "I thought it was odd there were so many bugs around. Then Videl and I saw the waitress collapse and so many people afterwards. I saw this kid collapse after she got bitten so I do think those bugs are the problem."

"Then why can't I see it?" Bulma asked.

"Because woman, it's a good chance people with a high level of ki can."

"I have a name you know." Bulma grumbled and placed her cup down. "But then—that would explain why no one else knows of any possible causes. So who is this Videl girl? Is she a friend? Or—a how will I say this? A very good friend, hum?"

Gohan looked at his cup. "Uhm, we're just friends, Bulma."

"Oh just friends huh—the very girl you were caught in bed with?"

Vegeta spat out his tea and Bulma chocked on her creampuff. "Excuse me?" Bulma asked and looked up to see a grinning Mai seated comfortably on a nearby chair. "How did you—" she looked at Gohan. "You were—"

"MAI, stop giving them the wrong idea—" Gohan yelled and knew his blush was running the effect.

"Hum…" Bulma smiled. "Oh yeah, you're grandmother mentioned that to me a few hours ago." Bulma turned to Vegeta. "Guess you were right. Saiyans are very—"

"Don't even finish that sentence." Gohan said.

Bulma shrugged and finished her snack. "Oh Gohan, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Did you use protection?"

Gohan groaned.

Bulma frowned. "Oh Gohan you didn't—"

"Bulma, we're you even listening? We didn't do anything! Videl and I—"

"Videl, that name sounds so familiar." Bulma murmured.

Mai smiled, "She's the girl Gohan's been living with and—"

"MAI!—" Gohan yelled.

"What?"

"—really?—" Bulma looked interested and laughed at Gohan who looked angry and embarrassed from Mai's outburst. "It's not from that Mai. Videl's Hercule's daughter isn't she?"

Gohan nodded and glared at Vegeta who was laughing. "Ironic, isn't it brat? The guy who took your credit! And now seven years later you're sleeping with his kid—!"

"Would you—" Gohan grunted.

Other World

Goku fanned his wife with a large fan. "Chichi…you in there? Wakie, wakie, it's time to get up."

Chichi began to groan and saw the burly image of her husband and soon her vision was back to normal. "Goku?"

"The one and only, how are you?"

"I don't remember. What happened?"

"You heard Mai say that—"

"Grandbabies." She shot up and scared Goku enough to stagger back a bit. She began to sob. "And I'm stuck HHHEEERRREEEE!"

"Would you please?" Old Kai yelled and began to drool at the girls disappearing on the crystal ball. "Go baby, go!"

"Can you not think of anything else but you're stupid porno?" Supreme Kai asked.

"THIS is NOT—and I repeat—NOT porno!" Old Kai yelled.

"And here I thought kais were to be P-U-R-E! Pure!"

"Whoever told you that was simply lying." He shrugged. "You're generation is so easily manipulated."

Supreme Kai rolled his eyes and took his crystal ball from the older kai. "Thank you."

"What—HEY! Bring that back this instant!"

"My poor Gohan..." Chichi sniffed, completely oblivious to two arguing kais. "How EVIL that world can be," she touched the crystal ball and Goku wondered if she really thought she was touching her son. "Well don't you worry, sweetie, mommy's coming and no one's gonna stop her. You got that, right?"

"Uhm Chi?"

"Not now, Goku!"

"But Chichi."

"Goku, I said not now."

"You're talking to yourself and I happen to know that it isn't normal."

Chichi stood up and clenched her fist and Goku looked around frantically awaiting the frying pan.

Instead, tears flowed down his wife's face. "Well—well, what do you expect me to do? I can't talk to my sons, I can't talk to my parents, I can't plan or a decent wedding without getting their sizes or—or—I'm so damn miserable here!"

Goku wife's arm and brought her into a warm hug. "It's ok."

"No it's not ok!" she pounded her fists into his chest. "This place is so boring! I have to wait another week before I can go back! Why couldn't they handle that stupid crisis themselves? Then we'd both be alive and I'd—I'd…" she began to sob and her words were muffled by his shirt.

Capsule Corps

Gohan stood outside the door, Videl on the opposite side in a mild coma.

Gohan swallowed and pushed open the door and heard the soft beeps of the machines. He winced looking at all the tubs connected to her body.

He walked over to her still body and studied her face. She looked so peaceful but from how her lips were frowning it looked as if she were fighting.

"Videl…" He touched her skin and found it cold, freezing cold. "You've got to fight it. Don't die on me, you hear?" he held her cheeks and felt his tears burl his vision. He hadn't cried in years. She looked dead; she was so pale and lifeless as if she was gone. "Give me a sign. I feel so helpless…please open you're eyes."

Gohan paused, if his touch made her body gain more then…Gohan hesitated. There was no guaranteed…and if Videl recovered she would be pissed off since he hadn't gotten her permission.

He lowered his head and kissed her. Then he slowly broke the kiss, and then he kissed her again with more fire.

Gohan stood back at full height and frowned…nothing. Videl was always responsive when he kissed her.

It was like Sleeping Beauty, except Videl didn't wake up.

Something caught his eye and he saw some box with his name on to front. Gohan watched Videl carefully as he retrieved the box. He wanted to catch any sudden movements that would put him more at ease. He could still remember, willingly or not what Bulma had said just minutes ago when Videl was first placed in this room.

"From what I see, I'd approximate at least new 250 cases every hour and every ten minutes 500 more of those things are born and more than half will strike within that time period. Now according to this—see all those blinking lights? Those are the cities and infected. See now how half the screen just turned red? That means we're in big trouble. Within a half an hour, the attacks have tripled! However, I do have good news…and bad news. The bad news is, when you're attacked you're body temperature drops—fast! I'm not going to lie to you. This is something that can be fatal—like if you fall asleep without medication, 9/10 you are going to die faster. I did come up with a medication that can be taken to slow down the process; all the hospitals and villages have them. I'll give that to Videl. Also, you're life energy when you had her in you're arms was keeping her stable as possible in this state." Bulma had grinned. "In other words, she was responding to you. Keep her awake at all cost." Bulma then added with a teasing tone, "We wouldn't want you to go ape on us if she dies, now do we."

Just as his hands were about to lift the box, he heard a muffled moan. He turned and saw Videl moving, ever so slightly. Forgetting the box he raced over to her.

Videl moaned and tossed her head to the side. Her face had regained some color to it but still remained blue even with the medication and extra blankets. He heard her murmuring something and he was thankful for his acute hearing.

"I can't—they're waiting for me—he's waiting for me—I can't go."

"Who's waiting for you?" Gohan asked softly as he walked closer.

"King Yema."

"Videl?" he stood beside the bed. "Don't die on me, you hear? You're stronger than this, we both know that."

"They seem to avoid animals but beings with abnormal life energy are bitten more than once. For you saiyans, maybe five or so bites, one bite won't affect you in the least."

Other World

"GOKU, you have to do something! This is awful!" Chichi said. "Look at my baby. Look at my daughter—"

"You don't have—"

"Shut it, old man!" she glared at Old Kai who backed off instantly. Chichi turned to her husband, "Goku, there has to be a way to speed up this plan. You always found a way even in the darkest of moments. They're too young to die, Goku. No one deserves to die like this."

Goku nodded. "I just wish it was that simple Chichi."

"If we don't figure out a cure these people will die within the next two hours at the most. Within the next hour, 98 of the world population will be infected and by then my pills will be inadequate in slowing down the process." Bulma concluded. "If we don't stop this now—there will be no one left to stop it."

To Be Continued….

As the clock ticks down on the final moments of Earth inhabitants, what will our heroes do? Will they find the mysterious woman and put an end to this veil disease? Will Goku and Chichi make it back in time, but if they do? What can they do now? Just what will it take for humanity to survive such a dark peril? Find out…


A/N: I really appreciate the reviews. Also, I shall hopefully update "Stolen Kisses", I took a bit longer break than I intended. Also, "Forget Me Not" will hopefully be updated soon, but I have to find it through my masses of fanfiction documents. "Celebration: DBZ Style" will also be updated, I'm not sure if I'll do another Thanksgiving chapter but I will be doing a Halloween one. The Spring Break version, I think I gave up on that one. :( I guess I lost a bit of my sense of humor, plus I'm revising and I notice it's a bit—"crazy" to sum it up into one word. Also, I appreciate the reviews once more. Here are the past reviews for the pervious chapter. For some reviews, I might add my own comments to such as to clarify anything or something like that. Never assume anything for my fanfics, because you never know where twists and turns can happen. :) Another twenty-one pages, I hoped you enjoyed this long chapter.

If you're looking for updates upon any of my fanfics that I have not discontinued or new fanfictions by me please check on the following days: Fridays—Mondays.

Completed: October 7, 2004.

Past Chapter Reviews:

(I deleted an Author's Note so some of these reviews were meant for Chapter 4. I also provided comments from myself.)

tATu-fan

Hey!
You did it well!
Please update it soon! Could you update "Stolen Kisses" and "Forget Me Not," they liked me too much
Thanks

Author: I'll update them as soon as possible. I'll probably update them both around the same time, but chances are Forget Me Not, will be first since I'm way behind in updating.


SSJ3MysticGohan

Verry, Verry, Verry, Verry...Keeps going for 5 minutes...Verry good story. This is the second best story on FFN that I have read. And trust me that is a lot of stories. You have a verry good eye for making sure there are no mistakes. I didn't fine a one. I can't wait till the next chapter. THE ONLY TIP I HAVE: put responses to reviewer to show that you read their ideads/comploments/not in this storyComplaints. It will usually give the reader more of a reason to review.

Author: Thank you for your suggestion and you're review.


Luna's Meow

You can always up the rating you know...

Author: I know that bedroom thing was a bit—well it wasn't intended for anything other than a little fun. I really doubt there will be a lot of those type of scenes in future chapters, teases maybe but nothing citrus or anything on that line.


SilverRainbow223

So...long...

I feel like my eyes are going to fall out. But it was for a good cause. This is such a great story. These chapters are great and well written. The plot is so deep, how did you think of it? Inspiration or did it build or some thought you had? It is truly great. Keep writing and update ASAP.

And great job on the length. 20 pages originally? Are you serious? That's a TON of writing. It must have taken a while and a lot of effort, and it shows. I hope you continue to write, you have a talent.

Author: Thank you very much; I'm glad you enjoyed it.


Aragorn566

Great chapter. Can't wait to see where you take this next.
Good job, keep it coming.

Author: Sure will.


tATu-fan

Hey! I love your stories, please update this soon; and please if you can update "stolen kisses" and "forget me not" I would thank you.
Arigato
Sakura


unknown reader

Hate to ruin the story for anyone else but all your Gohan/Videl fics are the same. Videl is half sayi-jin and her mother is Vegeta's sister, she also always has an older brother and older sister. I would like to ask for some variety.

And by going with what I just wrote the mysterious lady is Videl's mother and Vegeta almost recognized the female he saw because she looked like his sister.

Author: Actually, I'm not trying to be rude but truthful. My stories are not all the same, I won't go into depth so I don't ruin the next chapter. Videl's is pure human in One Heart, and the reason Tory and Serenity are there is to change up the story because too many fanfics have her as an only child. Also, after they premiered for the first time, some of my reviews could relate to their behaviors and they became a natural for me to include. So, sometimes I won't give them a big role but in past works and upcoming you don't see them which sort of doesn't let the story flow as great when their there sometimes.


Aydan07

update!

Author: Thank you for your review and once again I am quite flattered. But I must decline from the requisition. Believe me; I get tons of writer's block with fanfictions and other writings more often than I'd want to admit. I'm more than willing to give you suggestions and ideas. If you want to discuss this in detail or have any questions just let me know.