Disclaimer: Do I have to do this again...? You know the drill...
The next morning, Rina followed Gohan around as he got ready for school. She found it terribly amusing as he began to freak out over finding his other shoe.
"I'm gonna be late, I'm gonna be late, I'm gonna be late! Oh man, I'm so gonna be late!"
"Gohan, calm down!" Chichi soothed, or tried to.
"Calm down? Kassan, I cant find my other shoe! I'M GONNA BE LATE!"
Rina finally draped herself over something next to the couch and meowed loudly. Gohan turned, blinking. His eyes went wide… it was his other shoe.
"Rina, I love you!" he proclaimed as he picked up both the cat and the shoe.
He gave her a kiss on her furry cheek, then attempted to pull his shoe on while still holding her. Rina gave an amused mew and climbed onto his shoulder to free both his hands. Chichi and Goten smiled at them.
"I think that cat is the best thing to ever happen to you, Gohan." Chichi half teased, grinning.
Gohan blushed a bit and looked at his mother, "Gee, thanks mom."
Rina gently bit his ear, making him jump about three feet into the air.
"I have to say I totally agree with 'er." purred the red feline, "That or yer the best thing to ever happen to me… I'm not too sure just yet."
Gohan gave a nervous laugh and tied his shoe. He carefully straightened, then pulled Rina into his arms, only to hold her out at arms length to regard her.
"You be a good watch cat, hear me? I don't wanna come back and hear that mom or Goten were kidnapped by a pack of mice, okay?"
Goten laughed into his hand and Chichi just shook her head, smiling. Rina puffed her chest up and gave an arrogant mew.
"You can count on me, gov!"
Gohan laughed, set her onto the couch, then with a final smile headed out for school.
Gohan stretched his arms over his head as he started home from school, his mind drifting towards the goofy cat and new friend he had waiting at home. A sudden pang of worry hit him, but he shook it off. Mac, who ever he was, wasn't gonna find her so long as she stayed with him and off of Mac's radar.
"Gohan! Wait up!"
Gohan turned to watch Videl jog up.
"Oh…. Hey Videl. What's up?"
"Was gonna ask you the same thing. How've ya been?"
"Okay…"
"…Gohan… look, I'm sorry about yesterday and what I said about your cat. I just—"
"Forget it, Videl. I shouldn't have snapped at you like I did."
"Friends then?"
He nodded, "Friends."
"Good! Now, why don't we go find Ersa and go to the mall or the arcade!"
"I'd love to, Videl… but I gotta get home, I-"
"You can call your mom when we get there, come on!"
"No, its not that… well okay a little, but my cat--"
"Oh forget the cat, Gohan! It'll be fine!"
He groaned, "You don't understand, Videl! She--"
"'Ey there, Go'an…" purred a familiar voice.
Gohan turned, as did Videl. He blinked as his onyx eyes fell upon a tall, fair skinned, redheaded, teenaged girl. Her bright red, shoulder length hair had snow white and raven black highlights running though it. His eyes were also drawn to a long tail that matched her hair.
"…Gohan… who is that?" Videl asked, her voice a little sharp.
"I don't…" he started to say, then blinked and locked eyes with the girl.
Liquid gold to onyx black. The onyx eyes went wide with recognition. The golden eyes glittered with laughter as she smiled.
"Rina…"
She beamed and winked, "Bingo."
Videl glared as the tall, knock out of a girl walked up to Gohan. Chick had the strut of a Victoria's Secret model and knew how to use it. One of the jocks from school smacked his buddies and pointed. They turned, grinned and cat called, thus drawing attention from other students. Even Sharpener stared. Gohan gave a faint growl, suddenly feeling jealous and defensive. He then blinked rapidly.
'Why?' he thought, 'I don't have anything to be defensive or jealous about!'
Still, when he looked back at Rina, he saw amusement glittering in her golden eyes and he blushed, knowing full well she had heard him growl.
"Silly boy." She teased in Jellicle, her voice a sultry purr.
He blushed and slapped a hand over his face with a groan, making her giggle. Videl glared and fumed, reeeeeally not liking this girl…
"Gohan…"
Gohan jumped and dropped his hand, "Oh! Videl, this is Rina. Rina, Videl."
"A pleasure." Rina purred, holding her hand out to Videl.
Videl refused her hand and just glared, "I'm sure."
Rina dropped her hand and simply gazed back at Videl, unaffected by the dark haired girl's pissy demeanor. After a moment, Rina shrugged and turned back to Gohan. He slowly frowned.
"Rina, what are you doing out? Munku is gonna have a coronary if he finds out!"
She sighed, "I know… I know… I just got restless walkin' laps around the 'ouse… and… Go'an stop frowning at me like dat, 'eaviside!"
He crossed his arms and she slowly bowed her head.
"I'm sorry, Go'an… I just wanted ta spend some time with ye… dats all…"
His frown softened and he gently lifted her chin to look at her, "And I'm happy for that… but Rina, you know why you cant leave the house! And if something happened to you, I would never forgive myself for it…"
Rina smiled softly, only to half glare as Videl gagged loudly. Gohan's eyes turned into lil twin dots as he glared her, anime style.
"You two are like a friggin' soap opera, its disgusting!"
"Hn… well excuuuuuse us, miss emotionally distant." hissed Rina, her long tail lashing.
Gohan looked between the two girls, watching the anime-style sparks fly as they glared at one another. He knew a fight was inevitable if he didn't do something- and fast. He moved over to Rina, gently grasping her arms.
"Come on, Rina… calm down. You're in no condition to fight."
Videl fumed, "You're protecting HER!"
Gohan sighed and looked at the dark haired girl, "Yes. She's HURT, Videl. I don't want her getting any worse. Now, just head to the mall with Ersa, okay? I'm gonna get Rina home.."
Videl gapped, Gohan… telling her what to do! She stood there, sputtering as Gohan turned and gently pushed Rina along. She stopped sputtering and began to seethe as Ersa and Sharpener walked up.
"Videl… who's that with Gohan?" Ersa asked.
"Her name is Rina…" Videl growled in reply.
"Dude… what is she doing with Gohan? Chick is a babe!"
Videl backhanded Sharpener.