Lone Survivor:
A.N. 5/05/05 – Wow I can't believe it's been over a year since I last updated! I had loads of plans written up, and I've been writing another fanfic too, but me being me lost the damn plans . So this is all new stuff that I hadn't planned, but I hope you all enjoy reading it. My computer access isn't good at the moment, but I'll try to get this fic finished.
Chapter 12: Kung Fu Fighting
"And breathe in……and out……..aaaaaand relax."
Wednesday's very interesting drama lesson was coming to a slow end at last, and Videl found herself sighing as she breathed in, and out, and in, and out, over and over again to the teacher's commands. Of course, she could never admit that the breathing exercises were actually very relaxing, especially when lying down in a silent room, except for the soothing voice of the teacher.
"Psst…hey, Videl!" The blue eyed, raven-haired saiyan opened one eye and cocked her head to the side to stare at Eraza. "You gonna tell me where you were all yesterday? I missed ya girl!" The question merely made Videl groan and close her eye again as she turned her head to the other side. Which was just as well really seeing as Miss Tanaka was searching the room for the owner of the whispered voice. 'Geez she's so damn nosy.'
The previous day had been awkward to say the least, but things had somewhat returned back to 'normal', if you could call the Son family normal that is. Goten had just been glad to see Videl again, and ChiChi was glad to have everyone back home. Gohan had kept to his room mainly to finish his homework off, and Videl just stayed out of his way. She had taken up enough of his time after all, and she felt she owed him some solitude at the very least. But the morning was just like all the others; Gohan made her coffee and breakfast, and then they had flown towards the city, landing in an alleyway to run to first class.
"Alright, now slowly rise into a sitting position, bringing your head up last. So curl onto your side, and then slowly raise your body. That's it Eve, slowly now." Everyone started to do as ordered, and Videl felt a short spell of dizziness as she finally lifted her head up. The bell rang right on cue though, and the sleepy looking students began to head for their bags and collect their books.
"Alright class, homework assignment is to read Act 3 of 'A Midsummer Nights Dream.' There will be a short test next week on it." A few 'awws' were heard in response, but Miss Tanaka merely giggled and shook her head. "Alright, class dismissed."
The students slowly began to file out of the class, heading for their next lesson. But Videl was last out of the class, and the consequence of that was a short chat with the teacher.
"Videl, a quick word please? I won't keep you long." Stopping dead in her tracks, the exit so close yet so far, Videl sighed and turned around, attempting to be co-operative.
"Yes miss?" Miss Tanaka smiled sweetly and spoke as she collected discarded textbooks from the seats and floor.
"Well, have you been told about the school councillor?" Videl gaped slightly in response, fumbling with the straps of her satchel. Did Miss Tanaka know about the other day? But who had told her? Gohan wouldn't, and Eraza didn't know anything about it.
"Um…n-no. Why?" She bit her lower lip anxiously, but Miss Tanaka smiled and shrugged gently.
"No reason, other than the fact that you're still new here. If you have any problems or just need some advice, or even just someone to talk to, then the school councillors office is room A12 on the ground floor." She paused, and Videl breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the conversation was over. "You are settling in okay right?"
'I spoke too soon,' Videl thought with a frustrated sigh, and folded her arms. "Yes. But, if I have any problems, I'll go straight to the councillor person. Are you done? Mr Masuda hates us being late."
"Oh! Yes, yes of course, sorry to keep you." Hesitating no longer, Videl turned and fled the classroom, running down the hall and up some stairs to reach the maths auditorium. How she hated this lesson and now she would receive a good telling off from the damn teacher.
The class all turned as they heard the creaky door open, and Mr.Masuda, who had been scratching at the blackboard with his white chalk, froze at the distraction. Gohan was last to lift his head from his textbook, and almost whacked his forehead as Videl timidly walked into the classroom. It was amusing how she tried to just go to her seat without an explanation, as if her lateness was no big deal.
"5Minutes late!" Mr Masuda announced, and Videl winced as she stopped, her back to him. "How dare you be so tardy Miss Satan."
"Apologies," she said quietly, but it wasn't enough, and Mr Masuda noticed the sarcasm in her tone. She quickly followed up with her truthful excuse before he could yell however. "Miss Tanaka wanted to see me after class."
"OH!" He jumped to conclusions, and Gohan sighed as he buried his head in his book. "So you misbehaved in one lesson, and now come here to misbehave too?"
"No," she replied flatly, gritting her teeth. No matter how hard she tried, there always had to be some jerk to ruin everything. "Ask her yourself, but I you don't want me in your lesson then I'll just leave." Her calmness was evidently annoying Mr.Masuda, and he stomped his foot as he snapped his chalk in half, only to point towards the seating area.
"SIT DOWN!" A grin struck her expression, only visible to the students who had enjoyed the little display, Videl was always entertaining to watch when arguing with a teacher, and she did play up to this attention a little. Finding her spare seat next to Gohan already taken by Eraza, Videl scowled over-protectively and sat down next to the annoying girl.
"Oh my gawd Videl," Eraza whispered once Mr Masuda had his back turned. "You're getting a detention for sure! Did Miss Tanaka really keep you behind class?"
"No," Videl lied through her teeth, opening her textbook as she refused to look at Eraza in fear she'd start to strangle her. "I went to smoke behind the bicycle sheds, duh." Now this caught Gohan's attention, and Eraza giggles, placing a hand over her mouth.
"You're so naughty! Were there any hot guys? Next time take me too, okay?"
Yet Videl looked past Eraza to see Gohan staring disapprovingly, his eyes anxious. 'Geez he still doesn't trust me,' Videl sighed, looking away to concentrate on the lesson, which passed as slowly as humanly possible. Yet after what seemed to be a lifetime of maths problems and equations, the bell finally rang to mark the end of the lesson and the beginning of lunch. Of course, no one dared to get up until Mr Masuda declared the real end of lesson.
"And therefore x3. Homework is the exercises on pages 53 and 55, class dismissed."
Shocked that she hadn't been called to stay behind class, Videl assumed that Mr Masuda would take it up with Miss Tanaka first, and so, happily retreated from the room with Eraza and Gohan following. There was already a long queue forming for the canteen, and both Gohan and Videl's stomachs were aching with hunger.
"I'm so hungry," the demi-saiyan announced, trying to break the silence. Eraza had skipped off to chat to a girl she said she hated, leaving just Gohan and Videl together.
"Yeah," he simply said, scratching the back of his head nervously. Sure, yesterday had been strange, and although he'd said that he wanted to put things aside, and it was in his nature to be forgiving, he still just, couldn't help wondering about Videl, constantly wondering therefore if she was lying or telling the truth.
"You're mad at me again," she sighed, and he suddenly turned to stare at her, his mouth wide open, as she looked away, her eyes sombre.
"What? No! I'm just…concerned."
"Concerned?" She arced a brow, taking a few steps forwards as the queue moved on a little. They both spoke in hushed voices amongst the rowdy crowds, their superior saiyan hearing picking up each other's replies easily.
"It's nothing, never mind."
"No," she stubbornly persevered, and Gohan sighed, knowing she wasn't about to give up so easily. "What happened to the clean slate? Do we have to start over again? Wow, that didn't last long." They were both impossible at times, and while she jumped to conclusions too quickly, he was too reserved at times to co-operate.
"Did you really smoke behind the sheds?"
"NO! Geez Gohan, I was joking to wind up Eraza."
"Well don't," her eyes snapped to his and she raised a brow, but Gohan merely cleared his throat and looked away. "You'll give yourself a bad….well…image."
"I don't care about what other people think of me." Well that was a lie, there was only one person whose opinion was valid to her, and she was talking to him right now.
"Well I do," his reply shocked her, hell it shocked him too, and they both stared at each other in bewildered silence. She had no idea how far a reputation stretched at high school though, and Gohan did. He had been labelled a geek already, but he didn't want to think about what Videl might be labelled as.
"Fine, I'll try to behave, for your sake."
Finally taking a seat at a table after receiving their meal trays, Gohan and Videl wasted no time and dug right in, though slower than they would at home. Eraza joined them briefly to discuss her favourite show on tv, boring the hell out of her dinner buddies. She was only trying to impress Gohan though, and each time she made physical contact with him, Videl would narrow her eyes. Gohan was too naïve too realise that Eraza was flirting, or he just wasn't interested at all. 'I'm not jealous,' Videl told herself as Eraza hugged Gohan with one arm around his shoulder, giggling as he made a silly comment. 'Nope, not jealous at all.'
"Have I got something on my face Videl? You've been staring for ages!" Eraza again giggled, but Gohan's curious eyes shot to Videl, turning her cheeks a little red.
"Uh…n-no. Sorry I was…thinking about….stuff."
"I know that look! You fancy someone. Oh c'mon, tell meeee! Oh god don't tell me it's Sharpner?"
"No way! I don't fancy anyone Eraza, I was just thinking." This only caused Eraza to frown though, and she became even more persistent, much to Videl's annoyance.
"You know, you never told me where you were yesterday. And you Gohan!" She folded her arms in a strop, and now Gohan began to panic also.
"Er..n-nowhere, haha!" He picked up his milk carton and looked away, trying to stay out of the conversation. Videl couldn't help but smile as she watched him, looking all innocent and childish as he tried to exclude himself from the conversation.
"Liar!" The sound of Eraza's voice however completely ruined the scene, and Videl realised enough was enough.
"Family emergency," she suddenly announced, adding quite rudely. "Which means that it's none of your business, ok?" Gohan slurped on his milk, nearly choking, and Eraza stared at Videl, blinking a few times as she stuttered.
"Oh…oh right." She picked at her fruit salad, but seemed a little upset. "Well, I was only asking, sorry to care." Her eyes fluttered around the room, while Videl rolled her eyes and stabbed her meatloaf. The girl was impossible, butting in on business that wasn't hers; any saiyan would know not to interfere.
"Oh look! There's George, he's been in hospital. I better go say hi." Eraza scuttled from her chair, as if she had been burnt by it, and dashed over to a table at the far end of the room. Gohan and Videl simply watched, and while Gohan was concerned, Videl couldn't care less.
"Good riddance," she reached for her rucksack with a mutter, and Gohan stared in disbelief. He never thought that Videl hated Eraza or anything, why would she? Eraza was always so nice, although a little annoying at times.
"Don't you think that was a little, well, harsh?"
"No," she replied coldly, looking over her timetable as she tried to change the subject. "Gym class next, what does that involve?"
"Don't change the subject, but, then again, I don't think you should do gym class." He trailed off, trying to occupy himself with his food, but Videl was already onto him.
"What? Why not! At least tell me what it is!"
"It's erm," he sighed, trying to explain it to her. "Like sparring, you play sports games and compete against each other." Her eyes brightened, showing excitement, which only made matters worse.
"Like a tournament?"
"No! No nothing like that, well maybe a little, oh I dunno." Videl folded her arms, losing her appetite as she pushed her tray forwards and sat back.
"Well whatever. So why can't I play these games too?"
"Because," Gohan felt hot under the collar, pushing his tray away also.
"Because what?" She had the urge to kick him under the table, and as hard as it was, managed to resist it, for now.
"Because even I find it hard not to get into trouble, so I can already imagine it to be impossible for you." He lowered his voice and leaned forwards towards her, as if discussing something top secret. "Humans are weaker, you'll end up hurting someone easily if you don't suppress your strength."
Videl leaned forwards also, grinning slightly and enjoying this close proximity. He could feel her breath tickling his face, making him feel a little, uncomfortable.
"Aw c'mon, I'll be a good girl Gohan. You and I both know you're stronger than me, I need someone to beat on."
"NO! No beating people up!"
"Ugh, I'm not gonna! You know what I mean, I need to…you know, win something. Please?"
He raised his eyebrows, her eyes examining her expression, the curve of her lips as she grinned mischievously, the sparkle in her eyes as she stared back at him.
"No flying, no bullying, and no cockiness." She only grinned more in response, chuckling as she finally sat back again, and he followed suit.
"Like I said, I'll be good, so don't worry. Wow finally a lesson I'm gonna enjoy, hehe!" Gohan nearly whacked his forehead, 'that's what I'm afraid of.'
The lunch hour flew past quickly, and Videl soon found herself parting from Gohan as they arrived at the changing rooms. There were two gym teachers, a large, muscular man called Mr.Takeshi, and a fat woman called Ms.Harper. Several boys were dressed in curious outfits; padded armour, helmets, and spandex shorts, it reminded Videl of the saiyan armour.
"Are they going to battle?" She asked, and Gohan chuckled.
"No, they're going to play football. I dunno what you're gonna do about sports gear, maybe Eraza can help?"
"Ugh I'm not talking to her."
"Well if you wanna play the games then you gotta be wearing sports clothes." Videl scowled as Gohan smugly walked through the door labelled 'boys' with a stick figure of a man. Growling the depths of her throat, she walked through into the girl's changing rooms, to find loads of people getting changed into various outfits. She spotted Eraza on her own in the corner, trying to decide between different outfits that she had hung up. 'Trust her to bring more than 1 outfit.' Videl couldn't help but snigger, and casually made he way over, dumping her bag on the floor, which alerted Eraza to her presence.
"Oh, hey Videl. Maybe you can help? I dunno which outfit to wear." She was happy, but there was something deep in her voice that was a little off, making her slightly distanced through her fake happiness.
"I didn't mean to yell at you," Videl lied through gritted teeth, hating the fact that she had to be civil, but she really wanted to join in with this class. Eraza beamed though, oblivious to Videl's lies, and she suddenly reached to hug her tightly, an action that surprised Videl and almost made her growl.
"I'm sorry too!" She announced, and Videl rolled her eyes, refusing to hug back. "I didn't mean to pester you, I know everyone has their secrets." She finally pulled away, grinning like crazy and now turning to her clothes. "So which should I wear? And where's your gym bag?"
Videl took this as her chance to get some sympathy, looking down at the floor and acting all upset. "Um, well, I don't have any with me. I didn't know we were-"
"Oh my god!" Eraza interrupted, and Videl looked up. "You should've said! You can borrow mine." Of course, now Videl was worried that the clothes wouldn't fit. Eraza was pretty skinny, too skinny infact, while Videl was happily curvy, her muscles toned, her hips quite wide, and her chest a little fuller than Erazas.
"Here, how's this?" Eraza chucked a pair of green short shorts with two yellow stripes down the sides over to Videl, followed by a plain white vest top. "And they'll look cute with your sneakers!"
"Yeah, thanks Eraza, I owe you."
"No probs. Now I think I'm gonna wear this." She lifted a white tennis dress from the hanger and began to unzip her jeans, while Videl blinked. 'How is she going to fight in a dress? Ugh, I give up with this girl.'
"Yeah, that's erm….nice." She began to undress quickly, not liking being exposed in the room with jealous and curious eyes staring at everyone.
"I need a boob job," Eraza suddenly announced, sticking her chest out as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Videl rolled her eyes, her own bust strained against her top, and the shorts were more like hot pants, clinging to her every curve. "What cup are you?" Videl blinked, with no clue what the hell Eraza was talking about.
"Um, I dunno. Shouldn't we get going?"
"Oh yeah, heehee you're right. I really hate gym class though. Some martial arts expert is here today to teach us some self-defence classes."
Videl couldn't believe her ears, 'martial arts? Oh this is going to be good!'
They were last to enter the gymnasium, where several mats had been laid out and several people sat on benches waiting. A man with short black hair stood next to Ms.Harper, who shook her head as Eraza and Videl scuttled into the room.
"Glad you decided to join us," she muttered, then coughed to clear her throat. Most of the girls were gazing at the man dressed in orange gi, and Eraza gave Videl a nudge, her eyes glued to the 'hottie.' Videl already recognised him as a friend of Bulma's, and he recognised her with a wink, which Eraza misinterpreted.
"Oh my gawd Videl, he winked at me!" Eraza whispered while Ms.Harper called the register. "He's a major league baseball star! Can you believe it? I have his picture on my wall! He's so cute, don't you think?"
"He's okay," she muttered, glancing over at Gohan in his baggy tracksuit bottoms and baggy baseball t-shirt, hiding his muscles and looking nervous. Sitting next to him was Sharpner, wearing a vest top to show off his muscles, and tighter tracksuit bottoms. It was an amusing contrast, seeing as compared to Gohan; Sharpner was a bug waiting to be squashed.
"Alright class, today we have a treat. Mr Yamcha here has agreed to teach you a few defence move, so everyone pay attention, I don't want any injuries. Yamcha?" The man nodded with a cocky smile, aware that the girls were smitten; he loved the attention though.
"Alright, you need to like, pair up with someone. We're gonna work on grabs and holds." Eraza immediately latched onto Videl, whose eyes were scanning the classroom, latching onto a guy who sat on his own who she recognised as the jerk from the day before.
"Nate," she uttered under her breath, but Eraza heard, since she strained her ears to hear just about anything and everything.
"You know Nate?" The pair were walking towards a spare spot on the mat, and Videl scowled.
"Yeah, unfortunately." Eraza suddenly gasped, putting a hand to her lips as she stared at the boy. He was the school ruffian, not to be messed with and known to be quite the bully. No one wanted to work with him therefore, no one, except maybe Videl. "Sorry Eraza, but I got a score to settle."
Before Eraza could object, Videl was walking over to the man in question, her eyes intent as she scowled, folding her arms as she stood infront of him. He lifted his head, a cocky expression on his face aimed at the person who dared to work with him, but it soon faded as he recognised the face staring back at him.
"Heh, I was wondering what happened to you." He rose from the bench, and Videl smirked, playing along with the little charade.
"Likewise. I didn't know you were in my year."
"I'm not, well I shouldn't be. Heh, I flunked last year." It was amusing how he was proud of being a dumbass, and Videl's smirk widened.
"Figures, so you gonna work with me or what?" Her attitude matched his, and he chuckled cockily as he followed her onto the mat, his eyes pinned to her backside. Obviously he thought she had the hots for him, how wrong he was.
"Um, Mr Yamcha sir?" All eyes turned to Eraza, who stood on her own. "I don't have um, a partner." She bit her lower lip, and Yamcha laughed slightly.
"You can work with me then, and be my little assistant." She beamed and giggled, casually walking over, but there was a skip in her step while other girls looked on jealously. Gohan was too busy looking for Videl though, and when he finally spotted her at the back of class, he wasn't happy about the guy she was working with.
"Your boyfriend is givin me dagger eyes," Nate announced with a smirk, but Videl couldn't face Gohan, not yet. She was too busy concentrating on Yamcha's instructions, and watching Eraza blush bright red like a berry.
"He's not my boyfriend," she answered under gritted teeth, embarrassed that he even thought that.
"Well he acts it." Videl rolled her eyes, if he carried on being so friendly, she'd just wanna beat him up even more.
"You two, quit chatting and listen." Yamcha was trying to demonstrate what he described as a 'death hold' and how to avoid it. Eraza seemed to be enjoying herself though, with Yamcha behind her and his arm around her throat, and the other holding her arm to her back.
"Er, anytime now Eraza. I'm strangling you, you're meant to be trying to escape!"
"Oh! Um…what do I do again?" He sighed while several people laughed, and let go of her neck. "Okay, let's try this again. Gohan work with Eraza, you there, come here and help me demonstrate." Sharpner stepped forwards rather cockily, while Eraza was just as happy to be working with Gohan. Videl didn't like it of course, and shuffled on the spot with agitation.
"If he's not your boyfriend," Nate whispered, observing her carefully. "Then why are you-"
"Shut up," Videl hissed, clenching her fists at her sides. "Or do I have to make you shut up?"
"Oh I see," he smirked, looking down his nose at her. "You're the violent type. Think you can beat me up eh? Sorry, I don't hit girls."
"Then make an exception," before he could say anything else, Videl brought her fist back to slam into his face. His surprised cry made everyone turn round to watch as the fight broke out, and Videl held already moved behind Nate, putting the demonstration to the test as she strangled him with her arm, holding one of his arms behind his back in a firm fold.
"Uh, yeah that's it," Yamcha panicked, hoping that he could cover up the fight. "Now he has to reverse the hold. Everyone pay attention."
Nate was struggling though, and in one swift movement managed to break the hold by twisted and turned, suddenly flipping Videl onto her back. Several people gasped and clapped, but Videl hadn't exactly been trying to hurt Nate, and had even helped him flip her just for the hell of it. She wasn't done with him yet though, and suddenly trapped his ankles with her legs, making him lose his balance and fall onto his back. Laughing, she flipped to her feet, getting in her fighting stance as the students crowded around, eager to watch this fight. Gohan meanwhile, whacked his forehead with his palm, but even Yamcha wanted to see this fight.
"Go Viddy!" Eraza yelled, the pet name made Videl scowl while Nate slowly got to his feet; his back was aching from the fall.
"Bitch!" He scowled, "what the hell was that for?" Gohan frowned over-protectively as Nate insulted Videl, his anger rising to the point of not being able to control himself.
"Part of the lesson," she said innocently. "Now, where were we?" She suddenly launched a punch at Nate's face, a punch she had thought was weak, but on contact, the smack made a few people wince as if they felt Nate's pain. Twice he had been punched, and that was enough to make him fight back.
"Crazy slut," he insulted once more, giving her a hard shove, yet she stood firm and grinned, pushing him back. While his shove was useless, hers sent him flying backwards, skidding across the floor. He was back on his feet in no time though, advancing towards Videl with an angry expression, wiping the blood that seeped from his nose with the back of his hand. Too bad Ms.Harper entered the room at that moment, to see Gohan rushing to Videl, only to block the punch that Nate had unexpectedly thrown. Videl, angry at Gohan for interrupting, lashed out wildly, trying to get past Gohan who made himself a human barrier between the two opponents. Nate, shocked that Gohan was un-phased by his strongest punch, stumbled backwards and fell down onto the floor.
"You're both a pair of freaks!" He announced, and the room went deathly silent as Gohan looked over his shoulder, his eyes narrowed. Enough was enough, and Nate deserved everything that Videl had given him, and more. Giving Videl a little shove backwards, she could only watch as Gohan strode towards Nate like a deadly tyrant, and suddenly lifted him off the floor like he weighed nothing. Several students gasped, Sharpner couldn't believe his eyes, but Yamcha found this whole thing very entertaining, even though Eraza was tugging his sleeve and begging him to stop the fight.
"Watch your mouth," Gohan said darkly, but the sudden blow of a whistle made everyone jump, and the crowd parted as Ms.Harper stalked forwards. Gohan already knew the consequences to his actions, everyone did infact. When Ms.Harper was fuming like she was now, it could only mean one thing.
"SON GOHAN! MY OFFICE….NOW!"