I know (shuffles sheepishly). It's been a week but it's not that long. You should feel lucky that I have time for this. I mean I have a biology test to revise for which I probably won't have time to do tomorrow because I'm going to see a horse. But I couldn't leave you waiting it makes me feel so mean. Thanks to everyone who reviewed I'm up to 42. Yay! Special thanks to Peace Lover for being the first reviewer of this story and who is still reading.

Na thanks to felinoel for reading this fic and liking my work. Makes me so happy.

Thanks to everyone else as well. I mention Peace Lover for reasons stated and felinoel because he's read my other short fic 'Goku the Delivery Boy!' as well as this one. Anyway on with the chappie. You don't want to listen to my ramblings all day. -

Chapter Nine

Gohan touched down in the twilight garden and slowly strolled towards the Satan mansion. A sleeping Videl wriggled in his arms trying to sink into the warmth of the boy's body. Bubbles of cold erupted across her skin. Cold. Seeing her reaction Gohan quickened his pace towards the house. He didn't want her to get ill, and in the state she was.. well it was best to be quick. What greeted them on arrival however was enough to fracture the tense peace that had previously reigned between the two.

"Miss Videl!" the butler called alarmed at the Gohan and Videl's entrance.

Gohan raised a finger to his lips.

"She's asleep", he chided, "Don't wake her. It's...been a hard day."

He didn't seem to capture the obvious urgency in the butlers' voice. The poor man didn't know where to turn. The girl's father, Hercule was still gallivanting in other countries without a conscious thought for his daughter. Surely someone had to tell her. She would hate it if the truth were withheld.

"I'm terribly sorry young sir but this is something she'd surely wish to know", pleaded the unfortunate man.

Gohan frowned and gripped Videl a little tighter. Stirring slightly, it was almost as though she were about to wake and it was only as she returned to slumber that Gohan released the breath he'd been unwittingly holding.

"Why? What's...?" Gohan began concerned but stopped short as with a loud exhalation of breath Videl's eye's twitched briefly beneath their lids before opening like the morning sky as the sun rises overhead. Urgency whirled like toxic vapour in the air. Invisible to the eye but perceived nonetheless. Pencil fine eyebrows burrowed together; sleep hiding away as quickly as it had previously come.

"What's going on?" Videl asked firmly though a slight quiver betrayed the fear still etched into her heart. Why didn't they answer? Gohan must know something. Well one of them must at least!

"Well?" she cocked her head questioningly at Gohan and had she been on her feet would have rested her fists on her hips. Gohan tried to shrug though Videl's weight, slight though it was, held him back. The demi saiyan chewed his lip thoughtfully for a moment. Something was wrong and it was something Videl wasn't going to like. Would it be best to pretend otherwise? She would know if he did.

"I don't know Videl. We only just got in."

But he needn't have finished. Videl's attention had already left him and was fixed accusingly on her poor Butler. Though he tried valiantly, the man couldn't help but tremble under Videl's gaze. He was the prey beneath the owl, death an inevitability, the only question being, when the grim reaper was to come. He quailed and answered, shoulders rounded in distress, dry washing his hands. Videl was worried already. This man was always so sure of himself. Knew everything that was going on. What on earth could have happened?

"I'm so terribly sorry Miss Videl. I'm afraid this is going to be quite upsetting. It's your mother-"

"What's happened to Mum?" snapped Videl. The Butler gagged at the interruption, on edge as he was, and almost bit off his own tongue.

"She...she had an accident. A train-"

"The train crash? We were there. That's why we're so late!"

This time it was Gohan's turn to cut in. The Butler was reduced to hacking coughs as his tirade halted once more.

"Oh my! Are the two of you well? Are you in-"

"We're fine for crying out loud. Just tell me what happened to my mum?"

The anxious girl was practically screaming with worry. Her nails dug into Gohan's neck and though the boy winced, he didn't try and break her grip.

"I'm afraid Mrs Satan is in a coma at Satan General Hospital. She was on the train heading to the city to buy Miss Videl a present... for her birthday I believe or so she said at her last call. Wanted to find out what her daughter desired then and thought I was the best to ask. I am terribly sorry. It should have been you father's place to tell you what has happened but with him being away I considered it my responsibility..."

Videl as no longer listening. She lay limply in Gohan's arms, shock prescribed to every fibre of her being.

-!-

"Mum", Videl whispered, unable to withhold the tears of pain that insisted on leaking down her cheeks. She dashed them away viciously. Tears were weak; she had to be strong; for mother.

Gohan stood meekly to the side as he watched Videl take her mother's hand and clutch it to her chest. He knew how she was feeling. What is was like to lose a parent? Truth be told Videl's mum was still alive, but in the comatose state there was nothing left that made the woman her, the body lifeless.

"Mum", Videl muttered again in anguish, sinking to her knees. The day had held too many traumas and exhaustion couldn't be kept at bay forever. Gohan considered leaving, but he didn't think the young girl could cope. He hoped his vital presence, his beating heart would bring at least a little comfort.

Day's passed at Videl's mother's side. Though only just over forty-eight hours had gone by since the accident it felt like the pair had been trapped in the flow of centuries. And in only that short time Videl had changed. Not in any obvious way, but the fire seemed to have been snuffed in her heart. She shuffled around, avoided company and questions. Sleep came less and less often. There were times when she even jumped at Gohan's approach. The world of dreams was stealing her away from reality.

The young girl wasn't the only one to fade. Her mother had become drawn and gaunt, weight streaming from her body. It was clear that the doctor's did not expect her to survive. None of them, however, had the courage to break this to Videl who already appeared close to shattering. Hope was all she had. Hope and prayers that her mother would survive.

Hearing the whispered pleas for help Gohan was twisted with torment for he knew Dende could do nothing, except maybe ease Videl's mothers passing. Would it be better if she went quickly? Would Videl suffer less? No, it was no one's right to steal away mother and daughter's last moments together. Til death do they part. The only memory to break Gohan's misery for Videl was that even if death split loved ones apart, in the end it would also bring them together once more.

-!-

Sharpner gathered up the morning paper eyes half closed with the sleep not even daylight could take away. Videl and Gohan hadn't been at school the other day. He wondered unconcernedly what could have caused the sudden disappearance.

Ladling up a mouthful Cheerios, Sharpner raised the spoon to his mouth. But there it stayed dribbling a beard of shocked milk down his chin. Shock, which was quickly replaced by a malicious smile, liquid still dripping sickly off his face. Ironically white instead of the red necessary to match the spiteful clockwork of Sharpner's mind.

Oh what fun! He would get his revenge after all on that spiky haired freak.

The news, which to most would have brought sorrow and sympathy, had only served to highlight the blonde boys mood. Cameras were a true blessing to the world.

"How are you feeling today love?" asked Sharpener's mother kindly as she shambled into the kitchen, deep bags weighing down her eyes, breaking his reverie.

"Mum", he smirked, "I couldn't feel better!"

-!-

Gohan rested his head to the wall as his weary body sank to the floor. Videl had dozed off beside her mother and he couldn't bring himself to wake her despite the late hour and the fact that they should both be heading home. The unfortunate girl had slept so little of late. He would give her half an hour. At least that. But though Gohan's intentions were good it wasn't to be.

"VIDEL!!!!!"

The bellow echoed menacingly down the corridor like the ringing gong signalling death. Videl jerked awake, the hair on the right side of her head a plastered mess.

"Wa..."

Gohan was on his feet looking this way and that for the source of the unwelcome disturbance.

A silhouette fell into the darkened room as the door banged open. Moustache quivered in anger, afro wobbling with discontent.

"Daddy?" Videl squeaked.

Hercule Satan stormed in without waiting for an invititation.

"And what, young lady, is the meaning of this", the hushed voice though quiet was laden with needles of accusation. A sheaf of paper was thrust beneath Videl's nose and the overgrown giant didn't even seem to notice the woman lying unconscious in the bed.

Videl stared with glazed eyes at the news presented to her. Astonishment soon had her gaping.

"But? What? Daddy he's just a friend?"

She was helpless.

"What was my daughter doing in the arms of a boy...a MALE? Do you have any idea what this could do to my reputation? What if you got pregnant?"

"He was helping me Dad. Just a friend like a said, ok. After the crash I needed someone to lean on and you weren't here."

Satan took a tight hold of his daughters shoulders and shook her viciously.

"I...don't...care...who...he...is. Do you hear me? Do you-?" he shouted in his daughters ear causing her to wince in pain.

But Gohan had had enough. No one threatened Videl.

"Let go!" he hissed. And if Hercule had had more than half a brain he would have done just that. Instead the large man turned with deliberate slowness and sneered.

"You", he spat back, "You're the one who dared lay a hand on my daughter."

"And I'd do it again if I had to. You...you just left her and cavorted off to who knows where without even thinking. What kind of real father would do that? Now let go of Videl before I get mad and make you. You don't want to see me angry. I don't want to see me angry. Too many people died the last time that happened."

To begin with only clouded anger shadowed Hercule. But as recognition began to settle fear replaced the hot temper. It was almost possible to see the dawning acknowledgement of to whom he spoke.

"You-?" he stuttered nervously, voice rising an octave.

"Yes me. And much, much more than you could believe or would ever want to."

The over muscled ogre of a man backed away into the wall, bubbles of saliva tumbling fretfully from his large mouth, eyes flashing to all directions. How to get out?

"That's right. You just-"

But Hercule then made a terrible mistake. With a squeak of fear, eyes firmly closed, he lunged at Gohan with all his strength. Almost any other being would have quailed under the force of that blow brought about by panic and desperation. It was the nonchalance with which Gohan blocked that caused the dam inside Satan to break, gushing forth gibbering apprehension. With a lazy hand Gohan deflected the attack and growled. It was enough to make Hercule sink to his knees.

Lucky for the unfortunate man, it was right then that Gohan's attention was distracted from what had previously been his only aim. Punishing the man that had dared to hurt his friend. Just when she needed it least as well.

"Gohan!" Videl sobbed in alarm.

Grief broke the emotionless mask that was Gohan at that moment. He closed his eyes tight and swept to Videls side just in time to support her as the last traces of strength vanished from hr body.

And so it was that at 22:19 Aurora Satan died. Surrounded by those she loved and had loved. Surrounded by a cloud of mourning.

Aurora?!? I know, I know. I don't really need opinions on that. It was just name. Sorry to all those who didn't want Videl's Mum to die, if any, but it had to happen. After all, the woman isn't even mentioned in the series. If it's any consolation, she felt no pain (Sniffles).

As for Hercule I suppose he's a little out of character but hey, this is my fic and my Hercule and Gohan scared him senseless so that's good. He he.

Anyway, hope you like. I'll update as soon as I can. Half term next week. The joys of holidays (Sighs).

Toodles for now

Honey Nut Loop