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Last Revised : 4/5/03


Predator and Prey
by Psycho Ann
Chapter 3 : Calm Before the Storm




The sunlight filtered through the trees cast a warm glow on the sleeping figure under the tree. Videl came from her deep slumber, her senses slowly reviving.

warm. must be morning.

sound.... water? near river or lake....

smell.... fish. fresh fish. a lot of fish.

body... pain, still in pain.... can't move... much... pain

own ki.... recovering.... still too weak to get up....

the other ki.... Gohan.

Videl's eyes shot open as she bolted straight up only to nearly pass out again from the pain. She fell back to what looked like a green cloth as she waited for the spasm of agony to pass. Eventually it did, and she tried to calm her labored breathing. Even breathing hurt. What happened?

fight with Gohan

got away

rough hands

the smell of alcohol and sweat

a golden flash

It all came back in a rush of images and sensations. Dende, she was almost raped. But Gohan came.... she.... was saved right? Videl tried to feel if she was particularly sore but the general pain all over made it hard to tell. Again, she felt Gohan's ki and took up the courage to open her eyes.

He sat across from her, a dying fire separating them. He was expertly gutting a fish almost as big as him while his eyes were on her. He was only in his black spandex suit and she dimly realized she was on his green robe. Bandages and herbs were all over her wounds while she was dressed in an oversized shirt.

She tried to speak but her throat was parched and she coughed lightly from the dried blood. The cough sent another bolt of pain through her system and so she buried her face into his green robe to keep from whimpering out loud. When the pain died down, she found her thoughts floating to the cloth under her. It was definitely his. It was practically reeking with his smell. She always found his masculine smell clean and unique but this time it was soothing. Which brought her mind back to last night.

Did she call for him?

It was all like a dream now but yes, of the things she could remember, she did call his name.

Why? She maybe reasoned that he must have felt the ki ball she sent out and knew where she was. But then, it doesn't guarantee that he would help her anyway. Or maybe just because there was no other name she could call out to. The whole 3 years on the run, the only familiar face she kept seeing was his. Even though she hated it with a passion and tried her best to punch that particular face in, it still was a familiar face.

And now she got herself indebted to him. Great, just great. I owe my life to someone that wants to take it.

Videl felt the tears of frustration threaten to leak out. The years off being on the run seemed to all crash down on her now as she laid there vulnerable and weak. It got worse when Videl realized she would be crying in front of the enemy. Frustration, stress, anger, fatigue, pain, everything she been through. All of it, right now. She couldn't stop a tear from rolling down her cheek. Keeping her head buried in his robe she hoped he wouldn't notice, but then a sound came from her throat. Did she just let out a sob?

The more she tried to keep it back the more it seemed to come out. Getting disgusted at herself, Videl didn't noticed that she had started to cry desperately. She didn't even noticed that she started to curse the cause of all her troubles and mutter in broken sentences. Gohan watched as she sobbed quietly; his Saiyan hearing enabling him able to understand what she was saying. Mostly it was about self loathing as she scolded herself for being so stupid and useless, that she was always too weak to do anything when it mattered. How powerless she was when Frieza took over and framed the murders on her. How impossible it was to get revenge on him. How she hated getting herself indebted to Gohan. How she wanted just to die and give up.

It was a while before she quieted down and fell into another deep sleep. Gohan finished cooking the fish and ate most of it before leaving some over the fire for Videl. It might take another day or two to get her back on her feet. He expression turned grim. She was still running and time was precious. This would be the last time he would let her run; he would let her go eventually, but not until she was ready to lead them into Frieza's palace.

It was nearing midnight when Gohan felt her ki stir. He didn't open his eyes though and merely focused. She was still lying down, pretending to sleep, but he could tell by the tightly regulated ki she was in meditation mode. Obviously she was trying to build her ki back up so she could heal faster. Hours went by and Gohan just laid there, feeling her ki wash over him; he didn't realize how fast time passed till the sunlight peeked over the horizon. Already her ki had recovered immensely; even her scrapes and bruises were gone.

Videl let out her breath slowly as she opened her eyes once again. The pain was gone but still her body ached. Stretching as silently as she could, Videl peeked over her shoulder to see Gohan still asleep (or so she thought). Suddenly, she shivered as her ki died down, exposing her to the cold morning mist. Laying there, she realized that she was practically naked and that Gohan was the only one there to dress her. She wanted to curse but just felt acceptance, it wasn't like he was the type to be perverted or anything.

The cold seeped into her more and she raised her ki to counter it, not caring if it would wake Gohan. She sighed.

'I cried last night.... surprisingly.... it felt good.'

The last time she cried was a few years back when the wounds were still fresh. Being able to release it all brought a renewed vigor to her. Even before the murder of the royal family, she hardly ever cried, especially after she became the general of the Satan troops. The wind rustled the tree above her. One time ago, the same happened. Rustling of leaves.

Rustling of leaves.

Videl stopped her sword in mid swing to turn and discover a girl her age watching. Long soft ivory black tresses paired with sky blue eyes lighter than her own smiled.

"Still practicing, Videl?"

Videl wiped the sweat off her brow to turn fully, returning the warm smile. "You know I have to. I'm the General after all. It won't be funny if I turn out weaker than my troops."

"But Videl, you're already the strongest girl, no, human in the country!! I bet even some of the Saiyans will have trouble fighting you. Not to mention you're still so young!!"

"Gee, thanks for the compliment... ugh I'm so sore..."

As Videl tossed her pigtails over she stretched, fully aware of the sudden seriousness in the other girl's eyes. The sky blue seem to turn a deeper cerulean as fingers tightened on silk robes.

".... why are you doing this, Videl?"

"What?"

"Don't pretend you don't understand the que-"

"I don't want to talk about it. Anyway, I'm perfectly happy with my decision."

"But Vi-"

"End of discussion."

Ocean depths clashed with sky blues as the two stood there, autumn leaves blowing around them. The smaller figure sighed and let a smile return once more.

"At least take a rest now, you've been going at it for hours."

"Is that an order?"

"Do you prefer it is?"

"I don't know, you're the princess here."

They both laughed.

"General Videl, I, the Princess of Satan command you to join me for supper."

"You wish is my command, Princess," Videl played along, giving a deep bow.

Bursting into fits of laughter, the two friends skipped into the palace.

Flames. Blood. Screaming. Blood. More Blood.

Again a familiar ache welled up in her chest. Videl nearly let out another fresh batch of tears. 'Dende, I must be nearing my time of the month....' Videl muttered in her mind. Then after a few calculations she found she was nearing her time. Well, that explains the sudden sensitive moods.

Then the sound of rumbling thunder surprised the two under the tree.

Oh wait, that was Videl's stomach.

Videl felt her face flush as Gohan opened his amused eyes to her.

"Hungry?"

"Understatement."


Finishing off the large portion of fish, Videl couldn't help but squirm under Gohan's intense gaze. "What?!" she finally snapped at him, deliberately raising her ki in a challenge. She KNEW this was a bad move but frankly, at the moment, she didn't care.

"I wouldn't raise it too much if I were you. First, there could be androids around. Second, if I were to answer the challenge, would you survive it?"

"Try me." It was a millisecond later Videl started kicking herself mentally for letting her mouth run off.

Gohan kept his gaze steady as he suddenly stood up and advanced towards her. Videl almost gasped as he pushed her roughly to the ground, his face mere inches from hers. All of the sudden she felt very, very vulnerable. Now with his whole body pressing down on hers, a trace of fear ran through her. It never did bother her much, but it's clear that he was a man. A man that could have his way with her without even breaking a sweat.

that never stopped you from anything before

let them come even if they are stronger

that never stopped me

i will not back off in fear

Yes.

Videl's eyes hardened to match his as they both stared at each other. He narrowed his eyes more and almost growled at her; she didn't even flinch.

Gohan oddly felt a surge of pride. Underneath all the apprehension, fear, anger and sadness, there was still traces of the fire he once saw. It was burning slowly, like dying embers. All he needed was fuel to let it explode into a roaring flame once more.

"What does it take to push you over the edge, Videl?"

She remained silent, breaking her stare only to blink.

"Your life, your virtue; even when it's threatened you still haven't gone beyond...."

"My reasons are mine alone..."

"You're still running away. After all these years."

Videl blinked. Gohan smirked as he pushed himself off and towered over her prone form.

"Why is it taking so long eh, Videl? 3 years and yet you haven't gone to the palace. We've circled the globe a dozen times already."

"I.... I'm still not strong enough..."

"When is the last you fought Frieza's troops?"

"That...."

Once. She only fought them once. And it almost resulted in her dying a painful death. Since then she avoided them, finding it easier to run away then take her chances for another confrontation. She didn't even know how well she could fare against them now. Somewhere in her mind the pain of the first escape reminded her not to try and see.

"And when is the last you seriously fought me?"

"I... it's no use. We both know you're stronger than me!! Why should I risk dying in a fight with you!!! I still have my mission!!!"

They both know she was lying to herself. She was running from something, seemingly unwilling to finish off what she started. Gohan could only wonder what.

"You have improved, Videl. Have you even tried testing it out?"

"Improved?!? My arms and legs still ache the exact same way the first time I blocked your hits. Anyway, I couldn't even try testing it out my abilities if I wanted too. Raising my ki attracts YOU remember??!!" she was standing now, screaming in his face. She didn't know why she got all defensive but she couldn't stop herself.

"Last time I didn't hold back."

"What?"

"I held back my strength for years now Videl. Only recently have I gone all out." Okay he was lying there but she must not know who, what, he really was. Videl didn't seem to have a comeback.

"You're almost ready, Videl. After you get your revenge I'll have your life. You don't need it afterwards right?"

"No... no, I... I'm not ready..." she herself was shocked at the way her voice came out like a scared little girl.

"You are," Gohan insisted, suddenly curious what she really was hiding, "You're running away, stalling, what are you afraid of? Frieza is your goal isn't it? Revenge doesn't get any clearer than that. Do you fear him?"

"NO!! IT'S WHAT HE KNOWS THAT I FEAR!!"

Videl abruptly covered her mouth with her hands, not believing she just said that out loud. Gohan was staring at her now. What Frieza knows? What?

"What he knows?"

Videl shook her head, finding herself unable to reply. Gohan stepped closer as she slowly backed away.

"I see now. That's why you are still running. You wish not to confront him again and somehow this secret he has.... concerns you doesn't it? You want to kill him for revenge or is it to keep him quiet?"

Videl kept shaking her head, not meeting his glare as she continually backed away.

"You don't fight desperately enough for your life.... is it because you find it easier on you if you just die? If you're dead you won't be worrying about this secret, right?"

Videl had stopped dead in her tracks and Gohan knew he got it all on target. When she raised her head up he almost staggered back with at the amount of guilt in her eyes.

"He deserved it.... deserved it...."

What? He? Who? Frieza?

Suddenly her mood changed and he instantly knew what she was going to do. She was going to run again.

"No you don't," he growled, the fierceness in his voice surprising even himself, "don't you dare run on me."

Every nerve in Videl screamed at her to run. To run from Gohan. To run from the truth. She had deluded herself for years, convincing herself that her mission wasn't what it really was. Now that he brought it all up, she felt it slam into her harder than any blow she every received. She was blinded with rage and panic. She wanted nothing but to get away from him. To kill him. To shut him up.

Her body was still mending, her ki still recovering. It was virtually impossible to run from him.

Yet it didn't stop her from lunging for her bag and trying to blast off.

Gohan blinked out of existence to appear in front of her. He grabbed her roughly and threw her to the ground. He was through with these games. She would not be running from him again. He was about to knock her unconscious when he felt a piercing pressure on his chest. Looking down, he could see her hand still on the handle of a small silver dagger. A dagger buried fully into his chest.



::insert cliffhanger of evilness::