Disclaimer: Hmm let me think we all know that though Ann is a brillant writer, she doesn't own any major franchises so do we really have to go through with this??*hears whispering about legal stuff* Fine here's the deal, Ann doesn't own DBZ or it's characters they're owned by a few lucky son's of %^*# in JAPAN (whose writers really could have done better job of the show after the Cell Saga)
Last Revised : 6/16/03
Predator & Prey
Countdown – Day 3
"Sharpener, are you okay?" The man in question jumped at Videl's voice. The blue-eyed woman then frowned as Sharpener started stuttering and looked at everything but Erasa and her. "I'm--I'm--fine! Ah, Clip! There he is! I'll see you ladies later!" Sharpener hurried down the stairs and grabbed his best man before dragging him to Dende knows where.
"What was that all about?" Videl murmured, well aware of Erasa's worried look.
"I don't know Videl--he started getting jumpy since a few weeks ago and now it's getting worse--you don't think… That--that he…"
"What…?"
"…. That he's having second thoughts?" Erasa's voice was so tiny that Videl had to lean in to hear it.
"Nonsense, Erasa!!" Videl snapped. Like hell he will….
"But…"
"He's just nervous that's all!! You're also nervous right?"
"True--but…"
"No buts, Erasa. Come on, we got to get ready for
the dance."
Desperate to get Erasa's mind of the matter, Videl
forcefully dragged the blond off for hours of feminine torture.
"So, how's it going, Clip my man?"
"Well, she knows how I feel but…"
"Come on, don't give up yet!"
"Trust me I won't…."
"So why the down look?"
"You know, after the wedding and all, I'm leaving, which means I won't see Delilah again…"
"Ah, I see--well…."
"No, it's okay, really. What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Ah that...."
"Yes?"
"….."
"Sharpy?"
"…. Nothing. Nothing at all."
"Good evening Madame Yin," Videl and Erasa greeted. The tall woman nodded curtly back before waving over a few servants.
"Come, come now. We mustn't waste any more time! Especially you, boy."
Videl scowled, "You're still calling me that?"
Madame Yin gave her a one up before smiling smugly. "There's improvement yes, but still a long way to go."
Videl just sighed as Erasa giggled. The two friends were then pushed into chairs facing large vanity mirrors. Before Videl knew what was happening hands were all over her face and head; dabbing, wiping, cutting, she could hardly even breathe. Madame Yin was supervising the whole operation and was barking orders at the servants, occasionally coming in herself to show how something should be done.
The frenzy of movements reminded Videl of her first battle against the bounty hunters.
Her first battle against Gohan.
Chapter 8 Interlude
Black and Blue
She didn't expect them to be this good.
Dodging an upper cut Videl had to immediately avoid three other fists that flew at her. Then she had to grab a sword from a fallen hunter to slash away at the chains and nets coming her way. Continuing on she buried the blade into one hunter coming up behind her while sending a ki blast at one coming from the front. Her two hands occupied she couldn't avoid the swift kick that slammed into her torso causing her to grunt out in pain. She didn't stop to get her breath back as she was already on the move again, slashing and blasting at whoever dared to come near.
She had just left the Kame House a week ago. Stopping
in cities for supplies she found out that Frieza had put up a LARGE bounty
on her head. Interestingly enough he doubled the price to have her captured
alive than dead. 1.5 million zeni for her corpse, 3 million for her still
breathing body. She was lucky that so many of the bounty hunters were insanely
greedy; for it was the fear of killing her and losing the extra 1.5 million
that would frequently benefit her escape.
Videl hadn't been careful enough and managed to
get spotted in the small town of Pine which lead to the all out battle
with bounty hunters now. She was just hiking through the country side when
suddenly more than a dozen hunters ambushed her. This was her first fight
against them and she was eager to test her capabilities. Smirking, she
welcomed the onslaught.
Now she wished she ran.
The hunters were ferocious and tactical fighters, aiming for the weaknesses in her defense. They would utilize every mistake made on her side to the maximum; inflicting damage more than she would have let them to. All of them fought with different weapons and styles making it hard for her to keep up. Videl wasn't so bad off though, managing to defeat a few of the weaker hunters, but her stamina was seriously being pushed to the limit as more hunters seem to sprout out from nowhere.
"Why can't…" she blocked an axe, sparks flying as she twisted her grip to slice off the wielder's hand.
"…you bastards…" crushing hit to a jugular followed up by roundhouse to snap the vertebrae.
"….just….." catching all the knives thrown at her while throwing them back to disable some of the hunters.
"…leave…" jumping free from the frenzy while decapitating a hunter in mid-back flip.
"….me…." raising her left hand, her ki humming loudly as bright white flames burst out from her body.
"ALONE!!!"
The bright ki ball rocketed from her hand to strike the hunters dead-on. The faster ones managed to get away but more than half of the numbers lay decimated by Videl's attack. Finding the chance to escape Videl jumped up into the sky.
Danger. A ki higher than her own.
She looked behind to see a boy her age with his fist rushing at her in killing speed.
For a split-second her eyes met his.
First impressions aren't always the best.
She swung her sword around in a desperate attempt to cut off his hand but gasped loudly when it shattered into pieces. Her shock cost her dearly when she found herself hurtling and slamming to the ground from his powerful kick. Giving her no time to recover, the boy shot from the sky aiming his knee at her head. She jumped away to barely dodge it as she winced from the pain that laced up her left arm. His first kick had broken it.
Then before her foot could even touch the ground he was already in her face. She snarled at him and lashed her foot out but he slapped it away effortlessly. She cried out this time feeling the bones in her leg crack. Panicking she blasted a ki ball.
His ki spiked a millisecond as he lazily swatted the blast off.
Videl's eyes widened as she stood there panting heavily, clutching her mangled arm and the black eyed youth gave her a cold smile.
'A ki user!!' her mind screamed, 'No way I can beat him now!!'
She had no time to dwell on it as the boy blasted straight towards her. She saw him move but her body was too tired and beaten to avoid the punch to her gut. The pain was tremendous, making her choke up blood as she was thrown back to crash into a small hill meters away. Fear and terror gripped her heart like the time when she almost didn't survive the androids' attack. She was knew if this continued she would surely die. Piccolo wasn't there to help her now. Pushing herself painfully on her feet she squinted through the dust.
"Prepare to die."
On reflex alone was she able to
dodge the punch coming from the cloud of dust. Taking into the air her
eyes swept the landscape once. Yes, a city was nearby…
She whipped her attention back at the incoming ki
blast and quickly dropped out of the sky to get out of its way. Back on
the ground the boy was waiting for her along with the remaining hunters.
She landed a few feet away from them, determined to mask her fear and pain.
"Give up, girl," a turban wearing hunter said, "you
cannot escape."
Videl stared at the crowd before settling her eyes
on the black haired boy. "You all want the 3 million reward…." She panted,
keeping her eyes locked with the young hunter's, "…yet are you all willing
to share?"
The group suddenly took a few steps away from each other, clearly answering her question by the hostile looks they threw at each other.
"Not to mention," Videl continued, a cocky smile forming on her lips, "this particular hunter seems to be going after the 1.5 million. I suggest you get rid of him if you ever want a chance at the 3 million."
She smirked at the slight widening of the boy's eyes before he was forced to dodge incoming blows from the other hunters. Not wasting another second she crouched to jump into the sky. A loud explosion canceled her attempt.
"What the…" she winced as she got painfully of the ground to where she was thrown back by the shockwave. Almost afraid to look behind she stood up and turned her head.
The boy stood there unscathed as bodies were strewn about him. She dimly noted the fallen hunters were still alive and breathing but was far from caring. He took a step forward. She took a step back. They stared at each other.
"Are you…going to kill me?" Videl found herself breaking the tense silence. The hunter showed no visible emotion as he answered.
"Yes."
"I'm worth more alive."
"I'm not after the reward."
Videl's eyes narrowed. What was this person playing at?
"I won't go easily."
"I was hoping you wouldn't."
Videl let out a bitter laugh, the hunter gave her a slight grin.
"I'm innocent you know?"
"I know."
Double-take and jaw dropping.
"What did you just say?" she choked out before snarling, "YOU'RE ONE OF FRIEZA'S GOONS AREN'T YOU!?"
"No, I'm not." She swore his expression darkened upon hearing Frieza's name.
"Then…? Why…?"
"I don't care if you're innocent or guilty or how much a reward is on your head. I've heard a lot about you, General Videl. You would make a good prey."
It was temporary insanity that made her march up and slap him soundly with her good arm. She grew even more livid when all her slap did was make amusement dance in his eyes and her hand hurt.
"I am nobody's prey!!" she screamed at him, powering up a ki ball in her hand. His hand shot forward in a crushing grip on her wrist causing the ki gathered to dissipate. Too weak to resist she was pulled up to him. Videl's blue eyes shot open in panic and fear as the boy dipped his head down to her ear. She couldn't even find the strength to struggle.
"No you aren't…" he whispered darkly, "… You are mine."
She stood there as he let go and walked past her petrified form. He stopped a few steps behind her back.
"By the way, the name's Gohan."
Then he was gone.
Videl slumped shakily to the ground, wincing as pain shot up her leg and arm. Her heart was beating erratically and she was shaking from head to toe.
He was too strong, too fast.
He could have killed her anytime but let her go.
He was toying with her.
Videl tried to swallow but her throat was parched. Trying a few more times she managed and felt considerably calmer. Glancing around at the carnage around her, she stood up and retrieved items and money from the fallen that she could use. It took some time to locate her bag but when she did she immediately took to the sky.
She was Videl Satan. She would not be toyed with.
Her features hardened as she vowed not to be intimidated by this hunter, Gohan.
She would not be his prey.
End Interlude
Videl was actually almost dozing off when Madame Yin's voice pierced through the haziness surrounding her brain.
"We're done."
Videl opened her eyes, stared, blinked--then stared some more. The woman staring back at her from the mirror was a stranger. Long dark lashes framing bright blue orbs, blood red lips, the slightest of rose tinting her cheeks. Her sloppy mess of hair was trimmed to curl around her face and neck, its silky strands inhumanly soft. Videl couldn't believe it, she actually, dare she admit it, looked beautiful.
"I can see you like my work, boy," came Madame Yin's teasing voice. Videl frowned slightly.
"Yet you still call me a boy."
"We have yet made a woman out of you, boy. The gown still needs to be put on."
"How much did you put on anyway? Even blinking feels heavy…"
Madame Yin laughed. "It is clear you haven't put on make up often am I right?"
Videl thought for a while. Maybe, when she was young…. "Never saw the need," she answered simply. Glancing to her side she gasped. "Erasa! You're so beautiful!!"
Erasa's best features were also highlighted as she seemed to be glowing. Her short blond hair was curled and fell in elegant waves. The small amount of eye shadow brought out the blue of her eyes, and her lips were a glossy pink.
"Del! You look so beautiful yourself!!"
"Enough with the chit-chat ladies. It's time to be a woman."
Putting on the gown, Videl felt giddy. It has been more than 6 years since she last wore silk. The dark navy fabric hugged her tightly, her shoulders bare. A single sapphire pendant rested on her smooth skin. She almost giggled when they put it on, luckily she didn't or she would have never forgiven herself. Stepping into a pair of high heeled white sandals she grimaced. Ouch.
"Why can't I just go with boots or something, it's not like anyone can see my feet wearing this gown…" Videl grumbled, earning laughter from around.
"Del, you seem happier today," Erasa mused. Videl raised her eyebrows at her best friend before staring off into space.
"You know what…. I feel lighter today--you think it might mean something good?"
Erasa smiled, "I sure hope so!"
Videl smiled back.
She had woke up this morning feeling better than she had in weeks. She felt…. Complete. The emptiness present before was gone for some reason. She had shrugged it off due to the excitement of the dinner dance. But now thinking about it--she couldn't really identify the feeling…
Oh well. Maybe it's a good sign.
The moment Videl and Erasa stepped in, the ballroom seemed to grow quiet as all eyes rested on them. Videl suddenly felt nervous under the scrutiny and was grateful when Clip came up to take her arm. Majority of the men in the ball room sighed and continued on with their business.
"Oh wow, Delilah--you look--wow."
"Thanks, Clip. I'll take that as a compliment." She grinned up at Clip who was dressed in a white-tie tuxedo. Sharpener was dressed in a similar fashion and had already got his fiancée around her waist. Videl looked around and detached herself from Clip's arm.
"Alright, I've got to go and play supervisor."
"Don't get your gown dirty, Del!" Erasa called out as Sharpener and Clip were dragged away to meet some family friends.
Videl waved and then lifted her gown and strutted through the swing doors into the kitchen. Cooks and waiter bustled around, getting ready to take orders. Videl stepped up and cleared her throat loudly, the whole kitchen staff lined up in front of her.
"Okay, listen to me good, I want everything to be perfect! You all know your tasks right? I assigned them to you yesterday; is everyone clear on what their job is?" Videl's cold eyes scanned the room for any hint of confusion.
"Yes ma'am!" came the collective reply.
"Any problems are to be reported to your watchers. Watchers, if you can't solve the problem contact me immediately. Make sure all drinks are filled and that there are no empty glasses lying around. Miss Cent?"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"I want you to keep an eye on the serving tables; if any of the appetizers or silverware start to run on empty I want you to get them filled back up, understand?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"Good," Videl rubbed her gloved hands, "NOW GET TO IT!"
The staff scrambled off to their stations fearing the wrath of Delilah Natas. Videl grinned, she missed the feeling of power when ordering people around.
"Hello, hello? Is it on?"
The occupants of the ball room turned their heads to the mini stage to see Erasa tapping lightly at the microphone. Videl stood offside of the stage with Clip and Sharpener. Clip was standing a bit too close for comfort so she shot him a look. Clip raised his palms in surrender and backed off a bit. Videl gave him a thankful smile before turning her attention back to Erasa.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! I want to thank you all for coming for our wedding, it's really a pleasure. As you know, we have a dance tonight! But first of all I want you to give a hand to your hostess for tonight, Delilah Natas!"
Videl was shaking her head at Erasa to shut up but quickly turned it into a nod as the crowd turned to her and clapped. "Thank you, thank you," she smiled, feeling the blush creep up her neck. She hated being the center of attention, it made her feel vulnerable, a feeling she despised. Only when the ovation died down did she let out her breath. She felt so nervous, damn these large crowds…
"Now without further ado, let the dance begin! Have fun!!"
Erasa immediately went to Sharpener as Clip held out his arm to Videl. She took it lightly and they joined the couples who were already twirling around to the music. Videl couldn't help but laugh as Clip spun her around and around to let go, transferring her to another man. The dancers laughed and danced their way through different partners, weaving around each other to the carefree music.
Videl never had so much fun as she spun her way around the ballroom floor, laughing along with Erasa who swept pass her a few times. She even ended up with Sharpener who skillfully swung her low (emitting laughter from both) before passing her on. Everyone was laughing and enjoying the fast dance that made the world spin in a myriad of colors and sounds. Soon all Videl could feel was the music as she let all her worries disappear in the whirl of mosaic shades.
But all dreams end.
The music came to a finish and the couples stopped to clap the wonderful performance by the orchestra. Videl was still smiling broadly as she panted, her face flushed from the excitement. That was fun! She was pulling away from her current partner when she found she couldn't. The arm around her waist jerked in sharply as the hand that held hers tightened its grip so suddenly and ruthlessly that she gasped involuntarily. The pain clouded her mind for a split second before everything stopped.
Everything.
Time. Sound. Color.
Nothing moved but her increasing heartbeat.
Then in a blink resumed in real time as the presence slammed into her mind and soul.
The presence.
His presence. His essence. His.
Feeling her legs nearly give out from under her she clutched tightly at the black suit as her eyes slowly trailed up.
His smell. It filled her lungs. She couldn't breathe.
The white shirt underneath was half unbuttoned as she could see the familiar sculpted chest. There was no scar. How?
His touch. It burns through the cloth. How could she have not noticed?
Continuing up, a strong neck greeted her, then the features that have burned themselves permanently in her soul.
Him. Everything.
She wanted to cry. To run. To kill him. To embrace him.
Too many emotions. Too many decisions. Too many contradictions.
Then their eyes met. Videl paled.
"Hello again, Videl."
His voice. Oh Dende, his voice.
"Hello again, Gohan."
She had danced literally into
his arms. And he did
not look happy.
Ann's Notes : THERE!! GOHAN! YOU ALL HAPPY!?! MWUAHAHAHAHA! Warning, major sap coming up next. You wanted romance? Well, there's plenty of it in the next chapters. Be warned though, it will not all be consensual BWAHAHAHAHA I'll let you dwell on that thought.
Wraith's Notes: Hehehe Ask and you shall recive :D, now I'm sure some of the more intelligent ones among you figured the reason Videl became calmer was because Gohan was near, all I'll say about that is you're not wrong but your not totally right either, I mean after all they hate each other right??, ¤Grins evilly¤ Also we're going to shake your concepts of reality very soon hehe now my first edtion of insanity corner.
Insanity Corner: AHAHAHAHA You all were whinning about Gohan not being in the story of late well now he is so SHUDAUP
Insane quotes: "I'm not insane It's Tuesday.... Tuesdays are my day off." ; "I'm not insulting your intelligence I'm insulting your lack of it."
Coolio: "BAHH THIS CHAPTER WAS ALRIGHT, ABOUT TIME THAT BRAT OF KAKAROTT SHOWED UP."
Gohan: " *somewhat muffled due to the bandages wrapped around him* YEA!!!
I was in this chapter remind me why I have to be such a jerk *sad face*
:( ?? *Wraith whispers why* "Because shfythghsi past trauma shfksidhsg
she shfjsuvnsu thats why you're sgvksuvdghbl got it?? *Okay well anyway
Madam Zin is on my people to kill when I'm more normal list. Daring to
call my Beautiful Sweet Kind Dangerous SEXY Videl a boy will she.......*Coolio
mutters something about how much a erutuf eatm means to stupid brat of
3rd class baka* ¤ And is promptly sent to Ann with some FPOD(Frying-Pan-Of-Doom)
quality needles for almost mentioning the plot ¤
( Screams of torture and begging to not be sent there are heard in
distance)
