A/N: I seem to have lost my reviewers :-( Oh well, that won't stop me from writing.

Chapter Seven

Gohan was still melancholy, but he pushed all thoughts from his mind as he meditated in his morning training. He threw himself into his training, as always. His pain was mutilated into anger causing his ki aura and fighting ability to sky rocket. His anger did not lesson and as the sun rose higher into the sky his punches lost they're swiftness and his power level dropped. He descended to the ground slowly. His mother and Goten would be up soon. He flew into the house through his bedroom window and waited for his brother to "wake him up."

Sure enough Goten bounded in there ten minutes later crying "Gohan wake up big brother!"

"I'm awake, I'm awake. " He mussed his brother's hair and let out a breath. Goten could never stay sad long, which was a good thing. Gohan didn't want to have to deal with both his and Goten's misery.

Gohan consumed his breakfast with little thought. His mind was else wear; constantly volleying back to all his mistakes. He sighed softly, why was he so down anyway? His dad could always bounce back from anything. He would just smile and laugh and everything would be alright. Gohan frowned suddenly as something crossed his mind. Was the laughter and smiles just his dads way of fighting sadness? He stared at his now empty plate stunned. It had never occurred to him that his dad might not be as happy as he always seemed. He grabbed a stack of dishes and carried them to the kitchen. When he left for school he was still deep in thought.

Gohan so deep in thought that he nearly missed the school. He slammed on his "brakes" and dropped quickly to the school roof, praying to Dende that no one had seen him. Luck smiled upon him, or Kami decided he needed a little favour for no one was in the area. They were all in the halls.

"Thanks Dende, my friend," he murmured and headed to class.

Much to Gohan's surprise the day went by without a hitch. Videl only briefly questioned him about how he was, but was surprisingly quite and didn't pry. He whispered thanks to Kami as he walked out of the school, thankful that he'd had no confrontations about his secrets, odd behaviour, or anything else.

"Gohan, hey Gohan!" a feminine voice called.

Gohan turned around. It was Videl wearing a gi?

"Uh, hey Videl."

" Gohan, you owe me a favour for leaving me the day we met your dad. Don't you think so?" Videl grinned smugly. "Sharpner won't spar with me. Will you? I know you can fight so don't' use that as an excuse!"

"I don't think right now would be a good time Videl," Gohan scratched his head.

Sharpner sneered at him, coming up behind Videl and placing his arms around her. "What scared nerd-boy?"

Gohan growled as Videl threw Sharpner to the ground. His temper was still touchy. It had been, after all, only a day since his father had left. He tried to calm himself, he didn't want to hurt anyone.

"Gomenasai Videl, I don't think I am up to a spar today. Besides what kind of challenge would I be to you?" Gohan reiterated.

Videl's responding glare seemed to say 'I know you can fight.'

"You are scared. I can see you shaking." Sharpner lifted his lip mockingly.

Gohan's eyes narrowed at the blond, causing him to step back.'What harm can it do' he thought annoyed.

"Alright Videl, but not for long." Gohan looked at Videl with his head tilted. "Where?"

"Right here. I just need to warm up before teaching a class for my father." Videl pointed to the boundaries of the "ring", walked into it and settled into a stance.

Gohan followed her, and stood waiting for Videl to make the first move. He would show that he could fight; he was tired of Sharpner's jibes, but he would let Videl win. Gohan's nerves hummed in anticipation and he took a deep breath. This was not a real fight, he had to remind himself.

Videl shot towards him, at an impressive speed, for an untrained human, and threw a flurry of kicks; High, low, middle. He blocked them all! Videl changed to punches, testing Gohan's skills. Those two were blocked or dodged. Her stance changed and her eyes narrowed. Now it was for real. She jumped off the ground, launching a kick aimed at Gohan's stomach when he moved back she countered with a backwards roundhouse - blocked - gyakazuki - blocked - kizami geri jodan gyakuzuki chudan mawashi geri - blocked! How could he do that? No person in her dojo could do that! Except her father, but he wouldn't train with her. Videl frowned. From the looks of it Gohan wasn't even trying hard. She slid into stance and again began to throw an array of attacks.

Gohan smiled to himself. Videl sure was good, with some training she could be a match for Yamcha or Tien! It could take a year or so but she could be a great fighter. He separated himself from his thoughts to study Videl. She looked quite tired. It's time that the fight should end. He threw a very slow, soft kick at Videl, knowing she could catch it. She grabbed onto it with a grunt and threw him out of the "ring".

"Way to beat him babe. He had no chance!" Sharpner jeered.

"He did better than you could Sharpner." Videl retorted gasping for breath.

Gohan got up and walked over to Videl. "Good fight." was all he said before racing off like lions were after him, or in this case Chichi's wrath.

"Hey Go- where the heck did he go?" she growled. 'And why did he seem to be holding back while we were fighting? I figure it out Gohan!"

Gohan was a good distance away by the time they figured out that he had gone. All thanks to Videl he was late! If it had been a challenging fight it wouldn't be so bad, but he hadn't even gotten warmed up. Gohan sighed. His mom would sure be mad. Powering up slightly he sped towards his home.

Well that's it. Please tell me what you think. Thanks!