Hahahaha, I love it when I'm evil.
I'm happy that a lot of you actually liked it when it turned out that Gohan wasn't Sharpener's best man. Forgive me for I try me best to keep you guessing ^^ And thanks so much for the reviews! I wish I could reply to them one by one but college is HELL. Just know that I am forever grateful, especially for the regular readers of P&P ^^

Disclaimer: Yes Ann owns DBZ and she's writting this fic to give a example of why you should sign her petition to have the writers assigned to her show moved to other projects, mutters "if you belive that I have some real state you might want to buy..."

Last Revised : 6/16/03


Predator & Prey
Countdown - Day 4





"Did anyone every tell you how beautiful you are?"

"Did anyone tell you how corny that sounds?"

"Just answer the question, Delilah."

"Well, no, Clip, no one ever told me that."

"I don't know whether to be mad that no one told you or happy because I'm the first to
do so."

".........."

"Seriously. You are beautiful."

It wasn't really the corny words that was making blood rush to her cheeks, but the way Clip would stare straight into her eyes. His black orbs sometimes reminded Videl of Gohan. Dark, deep.... Eyes with secrets and mysteries yet to be solved.

Gohan's were deeper though. Sometimes filled with pain and sorrow--sometimes with wisdom beyond his years--worn. Gohan's eyes were that of a warrior who had seen too much bloodshed, been in too much battles. And yet sometimes Videl would catch a glimpse of something soft and innocent--calm, serene.... Usually when he's staring off in space. He must have been remembering a good memory to cause his hard eyes to glow with such a gentle light.....

"Delilah?"

Videl snapped back to the present, embarrassed that she hadn't heard a word what Clip was talking about. "Ah, s-sorry about that! I was thinking of some things--you know planning..." she laughed nervously, fingering a rose next to her. She shouldn't have come to the garden. Clip hadn't stop hitting on her since yesterday afternoon! Now where was Sharpener?? He wouldn't leave her alone here with Clip, would he?

"I was hoping you were thinking of me..." he whispered, suddenly reaching out to tilt her chin to him.

Videl felt a shock go through her when he touched her.

It was a warm sensation that spread all the way to her toes.

But that wasn't why it shocked her.

She was shocked because that particular warm sensation gave her a sudden urge to rip off his arm for touching what was not his.

Not his--???

Then.... Whose?

Where the hell did that thought come from?

In her confusion Clip took the chance to lean down, intending to capture her lips in a kiss. Before he could make contact Videl instinctively shoved him away. Hard. He was thrown back a few feet before flipping over and landing gracefully on his feet.

"What the hell were you trying to do?!" Videl screamed at him. Clip walked calmly towards her. Videl's eyes narrowed as her fighting instincts reared up, automatically accessing her opponent. Bastards... All of them are....

"Calm down Delilah... I just--I just--wanted to show you how much I like you."

"Well, I don't. Don't touch me. Ever."

"Del--"

"Don't call me that."

"I'm sorry, please, just..."

"No. I need to go, just tell Sharpener I'll be in the kitchens."

Videl pushed him away from her roughly and stomped back into the mansion. How dare he try to kiss her!!! They only known each other for a frickin' DAY!!! And she thought he was a good person! He seemed nice, intelligent, caring.... Augh!! Well--he did look pretty down after she screamed at him--maybe she shouldn't have been so hard on him....

should she apologize?

"I'm sorry, please, just..."

Okay, she'll apologize to him later. But he would have to understand perfectly clear that she does NOT like being touched. She's been touched enough already by men of all ages and sizes. And when she says touched, she meant anything from a gentle caress to a bone breaking punch. In fact, all her first impressions with people important in her life started with some sort of touch. Like Muten Roshi who--groped her. Ah, she
remembered that day......


Chapter 7 Interlude
Talking Turtles and Pink Houses




"Follow the sun as it dips into the sea. There you will find him."

"Why couldn't Piccolo also tell me how to get there!!!" Videl fumed, feeling the urge to stomp her foot like a spoiled brat. Okay, it's been a few weeks after the murders and Piccolo had taught her the basics of ki and some katas. He left yesterday, telling her to find the turtle hermit, Muten Roshi, who apparently was somewhere to the west on an island in the middle of the ocean.

And HOW was she going to get there?

She had no money, no ID, no ideas.

Smuggle on board a ship? Still how would she find the island?

Ask someone? NO ONE KNOWS!!!

Hijack a plane? Yeah great, that's what she needs, some publicity. Frieza had found out she was alive a few days ago. It won't be long before bounty hunters and royal soldiers come running after her.

Swim? Aimlessly in the ocean? Plain suicidal.

Fly? Piccolo hadn't taught her yet.

So--HOOOWW???

Videl wanted to cry. She slumped wearily on a bench as she watched people hustle about at the pier. She was hungry, tired, frustrated, angry--lonely.

Mother... Amie..... Erasa....

Father.....

tap tap tap TAP TAP TAP

Plop.

TAP TAP TAP tap tap tap

"Hm?"

Videl raised her head to see a single white capsule resting on her lap.

"What the-" she quickly got on her feet trying to find who dropped it. She caught a glimpse of a small child just rounding the corner. "Hey wait! you dropped this!!" Videl rushed after the lavender blur but as she got past the corner there was no sight of the little boy. That kid was either very, very, fast or she was imagining things. Looking back down at the white capsule she shrugged. Pressing the release and throwing it to the ground it popped open with a puff of smoke.

As the haze cleared Videl gasped audibly. A shiny yellow helicopter stood there in all its glory. Almost not believing it she stepped forward hesitantly, brushing her fingers lightly against its frame.

Real. Real. Real real real!!

Getting inside she found out the fuel was full too. Just as she was about to turn on the ignition she felt a pang of suspicion. What sort of coincidence that a small boy just happen to drop an expensive capsule with a capsule copter in her lap when she needed transportation? Slowly getting out of the copter she looked around briefly scanning the area's ki for anything hostile. She found none. She then started to look around the copter, making sure there wasn't any bombs or tracking devices. Satisfied that everything was safe she got in again.

"I guess I was just lucky..." she murmured before turning on the engine and taking into the sky.

It was a few hours before she suddenly spotted a strange colored blur in the horizon. Pink?? Blasting towards it, the pink shape solidified into--a pink house? A pink house in the middle of the ocean with the words 'Kame House' was enough evidence that it was indeed the house of the turtle (kame) hermit. Smiling triumphantly she landed the plane hopped unto the soft sand. Quickly scanning the house, she found two high ki's--yes definitely this was the pla--

"Why hello there, we've been expecting you."

Videl nearly jumped 10 feet into the air. Spinning around to glare at whoever surprised her she found herself staring at a large turtle. A talking turtle. Well--okay. Not much of a surprise with all the animal people running around.

"Ah, um, excuse me?"

The turtle chuckled, "We've been expecting you, go on, go in!"

"Um... Thanks," she said uncertainly before making her way in the small house.

Before she could finish opening the door the first thing she felt was a pair of wiry hands on her right breast. Squeezing.

"Woo hoo!! Hehehe, my aren't you a pretty!!!" a dirty old man connected to the hand cooed. Instantly Videl felt her anger shoot through the roof but before she could pound the vile pervert down to the core of the earth a smooth white hand smashed down. The old man twitched on the floor as a beautiful blond stepped back, her blue eyes cold.

"Hmph, dirty old man," she said in a monotone voice before disappearing into what seemed to be the kitchen.

Videl stared. Minutes seem to go by before a short man holding a young girl waltzed into the living room.

"I heard something--oh! Hey!! You must be Videl!"

Snapping back to reality she asked in a small voice, "Hi... Um... This is the house of the turtle hermit--right?" Hermit. Usually indicates an old man. Please please please don't say he's the dirty pervert twitching on the floor please please please--

"Yeah, it is! He's the dirty pervert twitching on the floor. By the way, I'm Krillin, this is Marron and I guess you met my wife Juuhachigou, she's the one..." Krillin went on not noticing Videl had ceased to pay attention after the second sentence.

Her mind was a jumble of screaming and disbelief.

Needless it took a while to convince Videl to take lessons from Muten Roshi.

The months she spent there were wonderful, minus any discomfort caused by the roaming eyes and hands of a particular old man with red rimmed sunglasses. She got to train with Krillin and 18 and perfected the Kame Hame Ha wave. Krillin also taught her how to fly and in the end they concluded they taught Videl all there was, she needed to improve by herself from there on. It wasn't long after she left the island that she met a certain young hunter.

The one she would later find out to be named Gohan.

- End Interlude-


Again, her thoughts went to him. She still couldn't understand it completely. The first time they met, Gohan wasn't as cruel and cold as he was now. Well, maybe he was just losing patience with her--after all he keeps on claiming to make her a better 'prey'. She cared less whether or not to be a better prey for him. As far as she was concerned a day without him was heaven. It wasn't long before she stopped fighting seriously with him and concentrated on only trying to get away.

To run away.

From everything.

And after the wedding would she continue running?

She could just stay here and--hide.

But no, that would endanger Erasa.

But....

Coward. Pathetic. Weakling.

Videl sighed, stopping her quick stride to the kitchen. Massaging her temples she finally admitted that she was a coward. She was scared. Scared to face her past, the demons there, the faces....

If she couldn't even think about it, how could she face it?

Die. If she could just die.

No, she was too proud for that. She would never do that.

Her mother and Amie wouldn't want that.

But father....

No, Videl. Don't think about it. Stop. JUST STOP IT.

Raising her head high, Videl continued her strut to the kitchens.


The guests have all arrived and settled in. Videl eventually found the time to apologize to Clip who was visibly relieved she wasn't pissed at him anymore. He continued hovering by her though, making it clear that he was still interested. His company was surprisingly enjoyable. After all, Videl spent so long running from men trying to kill her and now with one so nice and decent with her--who wouldn't find it enjoyable?

Yet she knew she would never return Clip's feelings.

It would never work out. She was a fugitive; Clip was a diplomat's son.

And somehow she also felt that even if their backgrounds weren't so different she would still not fall for him.

Her own feelings baffled her. It wasn't like she wanted to like him that way, but she was plainly curious why she didn't feel anything more for a man like Clip.

He was strong, smart, kind, romantic, rich, available--and as it seemed, attracted to her.

The feminine side of her whispered that she just hadn't found her one and only true love.

Hah! Scoffed her rational part. It wasn't like she had time anyway to ponder about soul mates and fate.

Yet.....

No. She had already made up her mind that after she got her revenge she would just let go. There's no happy family life with a house on a hill surrounded by a white picket fence in her future. She would let Gohan kill her or something.... Weird as it was--why would he still insist on killing her after she killed Frieza? Obviously his motive wassn't the huge reward, he had already pointed that out years ago.

Is because he wanted a 'prey' strong enough to beat Frieza?

Maybe he has a grudge against the alien tyrant too?

If so.... Maybe she could--ask for his assistance?

The thought was viciously stamped out by her pride. She had already owed her life to him once, like hell she would go begging for his help. Besides, this was HER revenge. HER right. HER redemption.

Now if she could just find the courage to go with it.


Ann's Notes: Sorry about this chapter, still no Gohan in sight. Well, since nothing really happens on Day 4 I was forced to just write some introspection and interludes. I know a lot of you are starting to get restless and stuff for the lack of G/V romance, well, let me just say I'm sorry but you'll have to be patient. Just to keep you interested, I'm happy to inform Gohan will be coming in the next chapter... and Videl will have the surprise of her life when he does. ::grins evilly:::

Wraith's Notes: Oooh Roshi is one dead hermit if Gohan hears about what he did to Videl *thinks* maybe I should tell him just for kicks hehe. And like Ann said G/V romance is coming but we're not going to make it one chapter they hate each other the next they're soulmates for life, thats far too simple. And if you're wondering about the revision made to chapter 6 concerning Piccolo, I'm working on a idea for a prequel which would anwser most of the questions you might have. This chapter was mainly to give some insights on Videl's past relationships with men (by relationships I mean like freinds and that kind of thing, not lovey dovey type) and to give a clue as to her feelings Gohan-wards and now my muses wish to rant.

Coolio: "BAHH SAD EXCUSE FOR MATE OF A *muffled by hand* #whispering# "I MEAN SAD EXCUSE FOR A FEMALE WARRIOR ALL THIS EMOTIONAL CRAP IS MAKING ME SICK,WHEN ARE THEY GONNA FIGHT..... "

Wraith: "Not bad Coolio, you actually didn't give away any major plot twists I'm impressed. May I ask why the special treatment???"

Coolio: "BECAUSE I HATE BEING A PIN CUSHION TO A PYSCHO"

Wraith: "I thought that saiya-jins had such tough skin that iron and steel didn't effect you??"

Coolio: "Well yes normally this is true but SOMEONE GAVE ANN SOME TITANIUM SEWING NEEDLES"

Gohan: *whistles inoccently*

Coolio: "YOU!!!!!! I'LL KILL YOU" *Gohan yelps,sounds of mayhem and chaos follow*

Wraith: "Hehehe little does she know I gave Ann the needles*grins evily*, anyhow Gohan said he thought Clip was gonna get sent to the next dimension and that if he doesn't apear soon he's gonna tell some big secret of Ann's plot (kinda idle threat seeing as Coolio is going to be injurying him so much he'll need a senzu :D. I'm not as dumb as I look ehh?)