So confused. What to do. On the one hand I'm being told that yes Videl's Mum had to die, on the other you reviewers (and I mean you Son Oliver) say she has to come back to life along with Goku. Gah I don't know. Maybe I should write two versions. But that would take forever. I suppose I could have a vote. Hmm so difficult. What do you guys think? By the way I won't complain if you guys want to review my DBZ poem (smiles hopefully) It's about Gohan too. Thanks to all those who have reviewed this and my other work and thanks to those who ARE going to review.

Disclaimer: Oops forgot to put one of these on the last chapter but I don't really care. I think you got the idea after eight. Me no own.

Chapter Ten

"HE CANNOT STAY IN MY HOUSE!"

"YES HE CAN!"

"NO-"

"Yes he can father. I have enough gossip on you to keep the press occupied for months. You may be my Dad but don't think I won't use it. I hope it doesn't come to that I really do but if it does... He's my friend Dad and he's been around lately a hell of a lot more than you have."

Videl's lowered voice held just as much force as it would have if she'd bellowed. A tiger hiding in the long grass and waiting to pounce. And boy did she pounce.

"But honey", her over built ogre of a father whined, "You don't know the things I do about him-"

"And I don't care. Unless you plan to tell me them now I'll find out myself in time. He's done nothing wrong and I won't judge him by your standards. Now why can't you just shut up about it and have more respect for Mum. Sh...she's dead and even if you didn't love her I did!!!"

Videl ran from the imposing room that was too detached to hold warmth of emotion that was dripping in waves from the petite girl. Hands pressed to her face, Gohan could see she was trying in vain to hold back tears. How he wished there were something he could do to help.

Gohan had been sitting with his head resting against the hall wall since the argument had started between father and daughter. They hadn't realised he was there though the raised voices would have been audible to his Saiyan ears no matter his location in the mansion. Gohan sighed and rubbed his eyes. What time was it? Late.

Light caught the side of the saiyan's face in a bronze sheen as it clawed at the darkness of the hall, flowing out of door Videl had left open moments before. Gohan squinted under the sudden barrage of light.

Hercule and Videl had been arguing since they'd arrived home. Though a placed with so little love couldn't really be called home, it just happened to be a building used to shelter a select few. Until now that was. Now it wept with the grief that filled it.

Hercule had forced Videl to leave the hospital against her wishes and Gohan had hovered in the shadows uncertain whether or not to get involved. Well he had been there if Videl needed, but she hadn't called.

Padding footsteps alerted Gohan to a lumbering approach. Hercule traipsed clumsily into the hall and stopped framed in the doorway to release an audible sigh, running his hands down his cheeks and releasing an unpleasant squelching sound. There was no shame in the man's manner, no remorse, just selfish incomprehension for anything other than his own expansive ego growing large as the universe itself. But even the universe would one day reverse its course and recede to nothing, Hercule never would. He was blind beyond the nose of his own success.

As though he could feel Gohan's gaze Hercule shivered and turned abruptly. Eyes locked in a battle of wills. Neither giving way, neither betraying an ounce of feeling. Needless to say it was Hercule who cracked first. With a nervous twitch the pompous, afro headed, over grown gnome scurried off down the darkened hall, trying to hide his hurry. Yet any who saw his face could clearly see that the hounds of hell were after him, ever napping at his heals. Haunted torture refusing to leave him alone no matter how hard he fought.

-!-

Videl had no idea how long she had been crying. Trails of salt lay hardened down her cheeks, smothered against the damp pillow.

"I thought you would live forever mother", she whispered, twisting onto her back to stare at the dark ceiling above, "I didn't think you'd ever leave me alone."

There was a soft knock at the door. Videl twisted herself round her duvet, hugging it close, but didn't answer, seeking comfort in her own warmth. Nevertheless even though she ignored it with all her might, the knock came again. Why couldn't whoever it was just go away? Didn't they know she was upset! Maybe if she stayed very still they wouldn't bother her...

Silence. No receding footsteps but...

The door eased open letting in a thin crack of light. A spectrum of colour erupted across Videl's eyes as the brightness caught liquid. Something so beautiful in the shadows which brought with it the only one she could bear to see, her only source of comfort other than her own sorrow.

"Videl are you in here? Are you awake?"

Gohan. If there was anyone she could talk to...

"Yeah I'm awake", she croaked trying to clear her throat, clogged as it was from her tears. Gohan twisted uncertainly by the door. Had he done the right thing coming to Videl's room tonight? Should he try to soothe the girl... or maybe another subject entirely? Waves of emotion weren't always a good topic of conversation.

"Um... I know this isn't really what you want to talk about at the moment, but we're going to school tomorrow right? It might help get your mind off...everything. And well..."

Gohan trailed off as he saw Videl's body convulse in a heart-wrenching sob. Stupid, stupid. Honestly, she'd lost her Mum. Why did he have to bring up an idiotic subject like that.

"Videl", Gohan consoled, eyebrows drawing together as he bit his lower lip. At the sight it was as though his body grew a mind of its own. Within only a few tentative steps he stood beside the girl. She looked so sad. Well of course she was sad she lost her mother. But what should he do? How could he help?

Gohan stared down at her slender down and reached out a hesitant hand. He paused inches from touching, before sinking down beside her and holding her in his arms. That was how the pair stayed until, still unable to hold in the occasional hiccup of her sorrows Videl fell asleep in Gohan's arms.

And that was how they remained all night, entwined as one, through no fault of Gohans. As soon as he'd tried to move, the small girl, despite her slumber, had latched her fingers into his top. Compassion had embraced the demi saiyan and he had been unable to bring himself to break Videl's grip for fear of waking her. Let her sleep. Uninterrupted this time. He would keep Hercule at bay.

Unbeknownst to Gohan however, Hercule was keeping his distance from the saiyan. Too much rested in the boy's hands. Reputation and what some would consider more important, a daughter's love for her father.

-!-

"I've got you now pretty boy", sneered Sharpner, blonde hair hanging like two malicious curtains down the sides of his face, screaming of hidden secrets.

He could see Gohan walking down the hall a rather depressed looking Videl at his side. What was up with that girl? Moody. No surprise really, must be wondering how on earth she turned someone down with looks of his calibre for Mr Nerd. Why were all those girls staring at Gohan? Sure he was clever but Sharpner...well... He was just one fantastic guy. Obviously the girls were too dazzled to see it. Wait, enough self-flattery. Gohan was talking. Anymore incriminating evidence about to flow from the victim's...err, the target's mouth?

"Look Videl, I know it's hard. I lost my Dad you know, not long ago but you have to move on. Would your Mum want you to mope? I don't want to be heartless Videl but..." Gohan sighed and lowered his arm in a sweeping gesture of frustration, no matter what he said he didn't seem to be getting through. And the hole he was digging was only getting deeper. He needed to try and pull himself out.

"Videl-"

"I know Gohan", Videl cut in, smiling for the first time in days at her friend's predicament. Poor thing looked so confused...and worried. Couldn't forget that. "Mum would want me to move on. It's just hard you know. I'll try to be strong."

She smiled bravely, tears barely suppressed in her eyes.

'Oh Videl', thought Gohan, 'You don't know how strong you already are. I'll tell you everything tonight. I promise.' 'And I will' Gohan told himself forcefully. Videl had been patient though it burned her inside. Better to tell her of his own accord rather than wait for the awkwardness of being asked.

Lost in thoughts as he was Gohan was paying no attention to his surroundings, or rather only enough to keep him at Videl's side. So when a certain someone, a certain blonde someone, stepped out in front of him the demi saiyan slammed straight into the stranger sending the poor bimbo sprawling to the floor where he proceeded to slide into the nearest column of lockers.

"Oh my God I'm so sorry", cried Gohan instinctively as he snapped out of his trance, not paying attention as to exactly who he'd just taught to fly. As for the poor boy on the floor, he couldn't have been more dazed had he slammed into a brick wall. And those who are familiar with saiyans would know that that was effectively what Sharpner had done.

The blonde scrambled to his feet, shoulders square, fists clenched, hair ruffled like a cat caught unawares. Oh the humiliation, to be brushed aside as though he were nothing. Well he'd soon clear that problem up. And Videl would his for the taking once more.

"You won't be sorry for long", snarled Sharpner as Gohan's eyebrows rose in surprise, "After people see what I've got here you'll be finished at this school."

Gohan laughed trying to share the humour with Videl but she wouldn't respond. There was no fun in seeing her like this.

"What are you talking-"

"Don't try to stop me. It's too late. And I have plenty of evidence. Heh. Ever seen these before", babbled Sharpner, a sheaf of press cuttings appearing in his hands.

Sharpner's spiteful smile broadened as he saw the incriminating shock recognition spread across Gohan's face. So he'd been right after all!

And... you'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out what's going to happen if you haven't already guessed. Sorry it took so long I've been doing work experience. I really wanted to get this up today (Wednesday 21st October 2004) but as it's gone midnight you'll have to wit, plus you're all probably in bed. I'll proof read this and get it up tomorrow ok? Ok.

Toodles

Honey Nut Loop

P.S. well it's now 1:30 so if you think about it it took me longer than I said it would to get this up, not that you've actually read the above authors notes yet. I'm really just talking to myself. Anyway I'll shut up now. You know how it is I went out with a friend this evening and didn't have time. But I did stay up late just to get this posted so that's something right.

Oh and by the way. I've bought a horse (subject to vetting) so yey. It's going to be so much fun.