1Disclaimer - jah, right, I don't own. But my odd little stories are mine. Smiles.
Note - I hope you guys like this one. I got so many great reviews I worked until the wee hours of the morning to have it done. You guys are so awesome. I've been considering...naw, never mind. Enjoy.
Hotter Than The Sun
Chapter 3 - Ambassador Duties Begin
Ridiculous.
No, fucking moronic was a better choice.
Gohan, against his expressed wishes, had been sent to escort 'Earth's Ambassador' back to the palace. A complete waste of his time really, but he'd been ordered by the Prince to do it, and that was a man you did not want to anger. There were rumors spreading he would soon challenge his senile father for the throne. Good thing their people ruled by might, or the decrepit old king would most certainly run the planet further into ruin.
"Gah, where are these earthlings!"
He had been searching the overcrowded port for the last twenty minutes, finding absolutely no trace of his quarry. Pushing a large alien out of the way, Gohan's sensitive nose was again assaulted by the stench of the place. Saiyajins had centuries upon centuries of evolution to deal with the heat, and watching out-of-worlders try to adjust was simply appalling.
Damnit. If he didn't find those earth people soon he was just going to leave. It's not like he didn't have enough stresses already.
Their Quadrant's Tournament was to commence in one moon...(one moon is a month)
...and Gohan had been the undefeated champion six years running. The only reason, of course, was because the Prince would not degrade himself by challenging 'weaklings,' and his father, after a twenty year bout as champion, felt another should take the spotlight. It was nudgingly implied his son would be the one to do this. Something about friendlier relations with other planets and how nice it would look if a saiyajin kept up the tradition, blah, blah, blah...
"Ompf!"
Glancing down, he saw a dark head bounce harshly off his chest. He caught the small alien, and began to get annoyed until it looked up...
She had the most beautiful face...
Suddenly nervous at forced interaction, Gohan did the only thing that came to mind just then. He was rude and brusque. Such a fucking moron.
"Watch where your going."
Definitely a female alien. He watched in awe as her large blue eyes narrowed and her pouty lips frowned in distaste. Great. What did his mother always say?...Can't make a first impression twice. Idiot.
"I was going to say sorry. But maybe I will just do you a favor and not kick your...your...end place!"
Gohan started cracking up at the serious look on her face. The laughs ended quickly though, when he noticed his unruly thumbs were rubbing circles on her arms. Okay, time to stop touching. He backed up a few feet and schooled his features into a look of chagrin.
"I apologize for my rudeness."
She looked unsure for a moment, and then a kind smile came to her face. Yup, a quickly diffused one. With a very pretty mouth.
"VIDEL SATAN!"
The little beauty turned her head and suddenly looked nervous. It was sharp, the instinct to protect, and Gohan was very surprised by the feeling. He glanced over the undulating mass of aliens toward the blue headed female barreling their way. Huh, the girl had stood up to a fully grown saiyajin, yet she feared this person. Very strange.
"Is this an enemy of yours?"
"...uh...maybe. I mean, no."
Finally, the woman came into full view, punching an Alakloid in the process. Gohan caught sight of her jacket and was struck dumb. The Earth crest. So, these were the people he was searching for.
"...You would not happen to be part of the entourage of the Earth Ambassador, would you?"
Videl had been confused by the strange man's actions since the beginning, and was almost thankful when Bulma's voice cut the air. The memory of his rubbing fingers, she was disgusted to find, still made her want to purr like a happy kitten. Pathetic. Really.
Looking up at the question, she took a moment to fully digest his appearance. He was wearing some kind of alien armor... But the mark on the right chest plate quickly gave away the mystery of his origins. And, of course, the furry tail wrapped securely around his waist. A saiyajin. Their escort. Great, more time with this intimidating male.
"I am the Earth Ambassador, babe."
He looked confused for a moment. "I am not a child. Why would you call me a baby?"
Slapping her face, Videl was about to explain when she was grabbed by the arm and spun around. Bulma was breathing fire and raring to go.
"WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU? DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS? GEEZE, VIDEL, DO YOU DO THESE THINGS TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK? ARGH! WHAT IF YOU WERE KIDNAPED? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN THEN? THAT'S IT! I'M BREAKING BOTH YOUR LEGS AND YOU CAN MEET THE SAIYAJIN ROYALS ON WHEELS!"
"Oh God, I'm sorry Bulma, I, I, um, look! I found our escort! We can go now! That's good right...I mean, we can, you know, overlook this small transgression. Please...?"
Suddenly the scientist was tearing up, and hugging her like crazy, sobbing about how she had been so worried. Videl felt the intolerable guilt build up as she patted her friend's back gently. Damnit. Now she'd have to be extra good until the stupid conscience feeling went away.
"Please stop crying Bulma. I'm really sorry, I won't do anything dumb like that again. Come on, he's gonna take us to the palace!
Wiping her eyes discreetly, Bulma looked at the saiyajin in question.
"...You sure he isn't some psycho?"
"No one would know about us coming here except the King and the Saiyajin royalty. Besides, look, he has their crest. He's probably some guard or something."
Gohan was getting irritated by their random noises toward one another. He could garner the subject was him, courtesy of all those enforced hours spent pouring over language texts, but they were going fast, so it was hard to get everything. Finally, he just butted in with a rusty Earth tongue.
"Stop. I sent by Prince Vegeta. No question. We go now."
They both looked shocked, and he almost smirked at the reaction. Almost. If he didn't get out of this smelling pit hole soon there was going to be a murder. Preferably, the woman who made his ears bleed. The 'Earth Ambassador' switched back over to Uni-tongue (Universal tongue) and spoke.
"I am sorry," she laughed, "It seems we are both sorry this day."
Gohan didn't stop to examine his stomach's reaction to her giggles, but instead turned, and started making a path toward a parts booth.
"Hey, um," Bulma tried to tap his shoulder for attention, "We have nine other people with us and they should be at a seating area in the south end."
"We will get them then, and leave this damned place."
Changing directions, he made sure both females were behind him at all times.
"...I have just realized we are not properly introduced. My name is Bulma Briefs, and I am the most brilliant scientist on Earth."
"Not very modest are you?"
"Modesty is for those who are worried they are not good enough. I am most certainly good enough."
Videl smiled at her friend's blatant display of arrogance and then turned to gaze at the saiyajin's back. He looked very strong. She wondered if she could take him...And then she wondered how he looked without a shirt on.
"My name is Videl Satan, and I have already told you what I do. What is your name?"
"...Gohan."
"What? No last name? Nothing more?"
"Son."
"Yes, I know, your planet has two suns. You are not, retarded, or something?"
Gohan stopped, turned his head to look at the smaller female, and then started shaking with laughter. He continued walking after a minute.
"No. Son is my last name. You like being funny?"
"...Sometimes it has advantages."
He decided not to answer that, afraid of turning around and doing something...regrettable to...Videl. Well, maybe regrettable to her. Definitely not regrettable to him. Gohan discreetly glanced at her lusciously full lips and almost gnawed off his tongue when she started licking them. Skimming down, he tracked the curve of her chest and the gentle switching of her hips. So sweet, she tried to hide all that femininity with large shirts, and some-what controlled body movements. You'd have to be blind, deaf, or dead three months not to know that was all woman.
"There they are!"
The two females hurried forward to confer with the rest of their group, and Gohan continued to look imposing as was expected of a saiyajin elite. Frankly, he could do with some lunch. Breakfast had been very sparse that morning; only three courses instead of the usual five.
"We are done and ready to leave."
"This way then, Ms. Satan."
"Ugh," she twisted her face in disgust, "Please, Videl. Ms. Satan sounds like an old maid with bible issues."
Gohan nodded his head politely and started for the exit. If he didn't get a proper breath of fresh air soon...Well, it wouldn't be pretty.
Videl followed after, her eyes watering at the bright suns as they stepped outside.
Geeze, it was like going from a oven straight into the fucking fire.
Looking back towards the group, she watched them instantly wilt from the onslaught of steam. Oh boy, she hoped to God they weren't walking to the palace. Bah, Mr. Saiyajin looked perfectly comfortable in the heat. Jerk.
"...Prince Vegeta figured, with your 'pathetically weak resistance to the temperature of this planet' and all, that it would be wise to provide some cooler transportation."
If looks could kill, he'd be dead twice over. Once by Ms. Briefs, and once by Videl. Rubbing the back of his neck nervously, a terrible habit he'd inherited from his father, Gohan tried to make explanations.
"Please, um, I am only repeating what was said to me by his highness."
The blue haired one narrowed her eyes. "His highness can kiss my ass! Please do not repeat what he says to us. Ever. I will not be insulted by a man who is not even here!"
"...I apologize. Please," he lowered his voice dramatically, "do not insult the Prince, we have many unsavory types with open ears running about this place."
"Whatever."
Looking a tad put upon, Gohan sighed and ushered them into a car which had driven up during their conversation. A few of the guards, as well as scientists, gave him a pitying/understanding look as they climbed in. Ha, great, now frail body earthlings were feeling sorry for him. This day was just shaping up to be a real beaut.
"Radditz?"
His uncle had come along as a favor to do the driving, since Gohan had never been very technically inclined. He usually ended up breaking delicate machinery.
"...I was wondering if you'd be all right without me riding along."
"Uh," he raised a questioning eyebrow, "Why...?"
"I need to be up there."
Radditz nodded his head in understanding. Since Gohan was born, he'd always been kind of a strange kid, never really comfortable in a lot of company. Where normal saiyajins were very used to large, extended families and random crowds, Gohan was just...well, the best way he could put it, the kid was more at home in the sky. It wasn't a problem, just a little odd. But, then again, Kakarot was a weird one too. Reaching out, he harshly ruffled his nephew's hair.
"Yeah, get lost you little punk. I'll stay with these stupid humans."
"Don't worry, I'll keep a tab on your energy signals."
"...You know, that's a clever trick. I do this for you, how 'bout teaching me so I won't have to use those annoying scouters anymore?"
"Mm," smirking, he taped his temple "Trade secret remember? What would father say? How about I have my mother whip you up some of that Kelani you like so much. Deal?"
Laughing, Radditz grasped arms with the younger boy, and then slid into the driver's seat
Gohan sighed in relief at his easy getaway. Finally, he'd get a little freedom.
Pausing at the open back door of the hover craft (think vaguely capsule corp car), he smiled politely at it's occupants.
"This is where I will be saying goodbye to you for a little while."
All of the earthlings inclined their heads respectively...except for one with dark hair and big blue eyes.
"Where will you be?"
"...I have other transportation."
"Hmpf!"
"...Ah, how nice, you will be missing me."
A collective breath was held for the impending tsunami.
"...I, I, UGH! I-"
"Videl," the name felt good on his tongue, "I suggest you try to remain calm. Because as soon as you are inside palace walls, your ambassador duties will begin."
Gohan shut the door carefully, waited until the car zoomed off, and then shot off into the red skies of Vegeta. Some how, above all the steam, the air tasted so much better.
Note - did you guys like it? Please tell me. I know some people were expecting someone else besides Gohan, but I kind of figured it would be nice if they met real early on. Well, let me know if it was okay to you! Smiles.