Ok next chapter. Let's see what I can some up with. Um...ok. I know how the story's going to end now I just have to work out how to get there. Nothing to say so here we go.

Disclaimer: well what do you think...?

Chapter Twelve

"So that's really the truth?"

"Absolutely and completely"

Videl hugged her knees perplexedly to her chest, her face awash with bafflement. How could it be true? It was so strange? But then if it wasn't true then why would Gohan make it up? He would have known she wouldn't believe him! And his face was so sincere. Too much so for the story to be a joke.

But...he had beaten Cell?

Videl bit her lip, forehead furrowed as she tried to make sense of all she had been told. Gohan tried not to look at her, instead staring straight ahead, but he was unable to resist the occasional furtive glance. How would she react? At least Videl hadn't leapt to her feet, called him a freak and run off screaming. Never the less the Son life story was a lot to taken in. Especially for Videl considering the impact it would have on her family life.... If she believed him anyway. But much to Gohan's consternation, Videl's response was a smile.

"Well it all makes sense anyway. You know the blonde hair, the flying, the ripping metal apart like paper... heck if you've proved you can do all that, which is pretty unbelievable stuff, then well... Why would you lie? Breathe Gohan", she giggled at the pallid demi saiyan, "I believe you.

"Really?"

This one word was empowered with relief. He hadn't wanted to lose Videl as a friend, but in opening himself to her, he had had to face that possibility.

"Don't sound so surprised or I might change my mind. Anyway your story, like I said, explains a lot", Videl reassured. And then for no apparent reason she burst into uncontrollable laughter leaving Gohan thoroughly confused.

"Well...um...I'm glad. Because it's the truth after all but Videl-", he just had to cut in. What was wrong with her? "-Why are you laughing?"

Videl snorted trying to smother her chuckles with a fist, but on seeing Gohan's disgruntled expression, she couldn't help but gurgle some more with the infectious laughter that was ruling her body.

"I...(snort)...was just think...well..."she attempted speak but her tongue was ruptured once more, communication thwarted.

"My dad", she exploded hurriedly before the power to talk left her once more, "no wonder he let you stay without putting up much of a fight, jeez no wonder he wanted you out. Oh my God, can you imagine living in the same house as the person who you stole Glory from. Wait a sec?!?"

Shock crept from ear to ear eclipsing all semblance of mirth.

"My Dad", she began slowly, monotonously, "he... Oh my God I'm sorry."

The moment was fogged with unease.

"It's ok", mumbled Gohan awkwardly, "I'm over it and besides it's better like this. No press. Heh."

Videl couldn't suppress another violent snort.

"That's not true anymore though is it sorry, sorry", she said hurriedly on seeing Gohan's cold, and slate-blank expression. The demi saiyan blinked once slowly and all of a sudden the whole garden seemed to go eerily quiet.

"Um..." pondered Videl, rolling her eyes as though in hurriedthought. Gohan was so unnerving when he did that. "How about we go get some food?"

Gohan stared a little longer then-

"OK!!!" and he bounded off towards the forbidding mansion darting amongst the Hercule shaped bushes, shedding grassy tufts in his wake.

Videl, clambering to her feet, couldn't help but shake her head at the reaction.

The way to Gohan't heart was truly through his stomach.

-----

As Gohan stretched away sleep, his back gave off several audible cracks. A yawn echoed back at him from across the room. Oh that felt good.

A dim light crept through the curtains bathing the room in a golden, morning glow. So comforting was this that Gohan had to shake himself to resist the tempting pull of the bed. And therefore, to avoid having to resort to the use of and unpleasant wet flannel to bring him to full consciousness, he headed for the window.

Throwing aside the thick mantel light rushed in to devour the room bringing with it temporary blindness. Gohan squinted in frustration as he tried to force his eyes to adjust. Wildly, he reached for the latch and pushed the glass open, the wind a gentle, soothing caress.

With a smile of joy the demi saiyan launched himself from the window, revelling in the freedom of flight. It was at moments ,like this that he pitied those who knew nothing of the existence and wonders of ki. How did they get along? Then again they never had to face hounding evil freaks so maybe normal, ignorant life wasn't so bad. The quiet of the early morning sky was so relaxing. Incalculable space for himself alone. However a sudden gasp soon brought Gohan plummeting back to Earth as he was surrounded by a clacking as though of the beaks many gossiping birds.

The former blindness was replaced by blinking coloured flashes that refused to clear. Gohan inwardly groaned. He really should have looked before he leapt.

Below him lay a sea of flashing bulbs and clicking shutters as all the goldfish in the pond gathered greedily around one tiny morsel. Gohan couldn't believe his stupidity. He'd condemned himself. Given them direct evidence as if what Sharpner had done wasn't enough. What exactly did Sharpner know? Nevertheless the blonde had shown remarkable brain capacity in making all the links he had. The photos from the train incident and the City renaming ceremony had been the sugar sweet proof.

And how someone managed to get a photo in the middle of Gohan's super saiyan transformation he would never understand? They must have been quite a distance away for the ki energy being given off not to have ruptured the film. Maybe one of the passengers on the train who'd still had a few wits about him. It couldn't have been media as none of the press had been there at the time. They hadn't arrived until later. Damn.

A click and a whoosh came from Gohan's shortly vacated room causing Gohan to swing forcefully. Panic already having taken over, Gohan's over sensitive ear's were causing hell. The demi saiyan paled however when he sensed the reason for the quiet interruption.

"Gohan are you up? What..." Videl appeared in the window before Gohan could think to stop her- his own mind already numb with shock - and up rose a I tidal wave of rapidly flickering radiance, "Oh..." was all Videl could manage as she stared in bug eyed awe.

Gohan was the first to return to his senses. With a whirling sonic display of his ability Gohan shimmered into form before the window as his after image faded to nothing behind him the vanishing look of stunned surprise still in place. With frantic sudden movements Videl was sitting in an armchair in the corner of the bedroom with no recollection of how she'd got there, wearing an expression of hazy disbelief, as Gohan yanked the curtains violently shut once more. So aggressive were his movements however that a malicious serious of mocking popping announced the semi detachment of the heavy folds of material from there place above the window.

Gohan turned a panicked back to the half revealed glass, eyes darting like a cornered rodent. How could he sort this out? This was not good, not good at all. And just when Gohan was thinking things couldn't get any worse, Videl Proved him wrong.

"w..what happened", she began dazedly, before shaking herself back to reality. Videl had arrived in Gohan's room for a reason after all, "You know Gohan, we still have to go to school?"

Poor Gohan would have melted to the floor in a little gooey mess if he could have.

I know it's not very long but I wanted to get something out. I'm sorry it took me so long to update but I'm afraid schoolwork takes priority. Don't worry though. I won't give up on the story. Especially now that I know where the story's going.

Toodles for now

Honey Nut Loop