Chapter Two
Partners
It had been several weeks since that first class, and Videl had found her fears being completely removed. She still didn't think she was dancer material, but at least she was able to learn the steps, for each of the dances the students were partnered with a different person, and today they would begin the samba, a Latin style dance which made her glad, the faster paced, more relaxed Latin style came easier for her than the structured Ballroom and she had to admit there was another reason she was excited about this lesson.
"Alright Videl, you will be partnered with Gohan for this session, and Erasa you will be partners with Sharpner. Everyone take your places and we'll get ready..." Ms. Corwin waited as the pairs moved to a place on the floor, taking the basic initial stance. Videl looked at her partner as he took her left hand in his right gently, his left hand moving to the small of her back and her right hand moved to rest on his shoulder. She felt the sinewed muscle of his shoulder under his shirt. It was amazing to her to feel his strength so close and yet his touch was so gentle she felt that she would be safe with him anywhere they went, and she could trust where he led her.
He blushed softly, and she smiled a bit, "You alright Gohan?"
Those dark eyes gleamed a bit as he smiled gently, "Yea, just...a bit nervous I suppose."
"Why?" Videl was surprised, he seemed so sure of himself most of the time, she had seen him fight with such strength and courage that she doubted anything could shake him, but he didn't answer her question. Instead he turned to where their teacher was demonstrating the opening movements of the dance with one of the other couples and she felt his touch guiding her steps. Following easily she felt light as a feather in his arms as the moved, and she felt herself being pulled closer to him. The heat resonated between them as his hands slid along her arms towards her hips. Then drew her along into the first steps, like all dances it was slow when the first moves were taught. Still she could feel an electricity in the air that hadn't been there with other partners.
Ms. Corwin swayed and danced her way from one couple to the next, making small comments about form, and just as often offering praise for small victories. She always said that a positive comment was necessary twice as often as a negative, and truly even the corrections were tempered in a kindly way. As she moved in time to the rhythm of the music she came to Gohan and Videl smiling. For moment her green eyes only observed before she came to stand behind Videl and her hands moved atop Gohan's moving them a bit.
"There, and step closer together, move your hips in time with the steps...very good Videl you're a natural dancer," Videl flushed bright scarlet. She had never moved in such a way, so often she had been trapped in the tomboy image because of who her father was that she was often forgotten in the discussions of women. Admittedly she was beginning to enjoy the daily dance lesson as a chance to be just a woman in the eyes of the man she was partnered with.
Her thoughts were shaken by the movements of Gohan spinning her and drawing her so her back was against his chest and his hands were resting upon her stomach. This was certainly a place she would never have expected to find herself a short time ago. Leaning back against his body she felt the hard muscles beneath his black short-sleeved shirt and a shiver danced down her spine at the heat between them. She blushed again as she realized he was waiting for her to move so he could step forward, slow to step, ensuring she didn't move further than he could follow, they walked along the dance floor with her body moving almost erotically against his. After six steps he spun her back to face him, his movements careful so she would not fall or lose her steps. Finally he leaned forward dipping her so her weight was supported in his hands and their eyes met for a long moment.
"Gohan..." her voice was a whisper as she feared anything else might shatter the moment. He looked in a state of mild surprise before his lips curved into a quirky half-smile. His smile elicited one of her own as he drew her back up. Applause from the rest of the class and their teacher caused them both to blush and Gohan looked down in embarrassment.
"That was quite impressive, both of you really had the rhythm of this dance!" Ms. Corwin was almost giddy in her praise as she clapped enthusiastically. Erasa giggled as she hugged her friend and Videl glanced at Gohan who shrugged in embarrassment. As had happened so often she had become the center of attention, but for the first time in a long while, she didn't mind terribly. As several of the students were beginning to mill around the bell sounded to end the class and they moved to gather their bags from the chairs along the wall. Before anyone had begun to move towards the door the teacher called out.
"Videl...Gohan..." the boy looked up from where he had all but vanished to his seat again, "I need to speak with you both before you leave for the day." He looked to Videl with a questioning look, but she shrugged apologetically. Whatever it was about she was unaware of why the teacher wanted to speak to them. As the other students trickled out to their other classes the two walked with Ms. Corwin to the small office area with her desk and teacher's materials. She slid gracefully into her seat and indicated they should do the same in the small chairs opposite her across the desk.
Once they had been seated she smiled reassuringly as she rolled a pen along the desk in front of her, "First of all I wanted you to know what a pleasure it's been to have you both in my class. While I understand it wasn't entirely by choice Videl I have noticed you really putting effort into it and I appreciate that. With that being said I think that you two are perfect candidates for the school's representatives in the annual dance competition. Seeing your practice today confirmed my thoughts that you two would be perfect together. I am considering people for the alternates but I really believe you two are the best in the class."
Videl blinked a mirror of Gohan's astonishment, true she felt he was a good choice as she had seen him in the weeks of class doing very well with various partners and all the dances. He seemed confident and sure, his knowledge of martial arts aided his ability to learn quickly and he worked hard to perfect his skills. So she partially agreed with the teacher but she didn't feel nearly up to the same level as the man beside her. Glancing at Gohan a moment she blushed and looked down when he caught her looking.
Turning to Ms. Corwin she spoke at the same time that Gohan did, their words echoing each other, "Ms. Corwin I think you should choose someone else, I am not as good as he/she is..." they both trailed off and Videl blushed. 'Gohan thinks I am a good dancer, even a better dancer than he is?'
Ms. Corwin smiled a bit and leaned back into her chair, "You even think in sync already, you are both in excellent shape...and either you are both very humble of yourselves or very praising of your partner. Both are perfect qualities for a competing dancer for it means they understand that they are not alone. But now you must trust me in my decision making. I'll make you a bargain, think it over and let me know by week's end? If you are not interested I will choose someone else but I think all you need is a few days to think it over."
Videl finally nodded her head and sighed, "I'll think about it." And she rose slowly bowing slightly to her teacher and her current potential partner. Gohan smiled to her and waited as she stepped out of the room before looking to Ms. Corwin, "Are you sure you want me?"
She nodded without a moment's hesitation, "I think you are the only one who can really bring out the grace she has within her, for you are most likely the only person she feels she doesn't need to be a certain way for." He nodded looking a long moment towards the door and sighed a bit, his thoughts full of the woman who had just walked out.
For her part, Videl was still in a state of shock as she stepped along the empty hallway. She had never thought of herself as a graceful woman, but it seemed that others felt that way. And how did she feel? Stepping through the front doors she made her way to one of the benches that was often utilized for lunch and a meeting place for students. Her feelings were a turbulent whirlpool of insecurities and mysteries she wasn't sure she would ever solve. She thought about the competition and the idea of dancing with Gohan again. She wanted to, she couldn't deny that to herself, but there were so many other things that she would have to weigh before making a decision.
She closed her eyes and wondered just what she would do if things were different, if she were the woman that she wanted to be. Without difficulty an image formed in her mind, her and Gohan resplendently dressed were at a party. He took her in his arms and they began to dance together slowly spinning. Before the thoughts went much further, she was shaken to reality by the steady vibration of her pager going off. Reaching down she looked at it and almost groaned in agony. Her father's number had come up and she felt like using a curse fit to strip paint. Still it was useless to hold back as Hercule would merely page her incessantly until she answered. Rising to her feet she went to the nearest phone booth and dialed her home phone number.
There were two rings and she sighed irritably, her father was the only person she knew who would page you and then force you to wait to answer the phone. Four rings later he finally answered and she held her patience for a moment, "Hi dad, I got your page, what's up?"
"Videl, I won't be home until late this evening, so you'll..."
She sighed and finished for him, "...be on my own for dinner, I got it dad. I'll be alright, enjoy yourself." He didn't reply and as the dial tone sounded she hung the phone back on the receiver and closed her eyes sadly. Hercule had changed after her mother had died, he became a flagrant lady's man and was at a party almost nightly. She missed the days when he had been a family oriented man, but now it was rare that she saw him at all, and often it was not a pleasant sight when she did see him. He had made a habit of coming home at early hours of the morning and passing out in a drunken mess on the couch. It was so bad that she was embarrassed to have anyone over to her home.
But even worse was the idea that her father wanted her to be his daughter, but she was beginning to want more. Still she wasn't sure she could be both people, and the truth was she didn't know if she would be able to make it as more of a woman. Times like this made her want to have her mother with her. Stepping out of the phone booth she noticed Erasa walking towards her with a smile. Meeting the blonde halfway they began walking away from the school.
Erasa's green eyes glanced at her friend expectantly, and Videl knew she was waiting to find out just what had occurred during the meeting with the teacher. She giggled slightly as she kept her friend in suspense for a short while longer. They walked through the city streets towards Videl's home and as they came to the door Erasa looked like she was ready to burst. Finally she turned and grabbed Videl's shoulders, "Alright girl, spill it."
Feigning surprise and ignorance, Videl grinned a bit, "Why Erasa, whatever are you talking about?" Before she could answer Videl grinned and opened the door, "Come in and I'll tell you all about it."
"That's more like it!" Erasa giggled as she stepped inside the large mansion anxious to find out all the details and hoping to have some fun with her friend. They walked up the large staircase and past the large picture depicting Hercule in all his heroic glory, though for her part Erasa felt a bit creeped out by the picture. Still she didn't say anything as she followed her childhood friend into the second floor hallway to her bedroom. Spacious enough to be a small apartment the room was surprisingly simple; just a white dresser with a mirror, a desk with a good computer on it next to her stereo, and of course this being Videl there was a set of dumbbells and a punching bag attached to the ceiling, but there were also faint glimpses of the feminine side of Hercule's daughter if one looked hard enough...a strand of ribbon on the dresser, a unicorn embellished diary on the night-stand next to her bed and the most telltale sign of all, a vase of red and white roses kept on the dresser top near a picture of her mother and father with a much younger Videl.
Flopping down on the large bed Erasa smiled encouragingly, her face a grin as she lay on her stomach, her head comfortably resting upon her arms, "So let's hear it I am just dying to know what Ms. Corwin had to say."
So Videl shared the events of the meeting with her closest friend, and too she shared her personal thoughts, "I just don't know what to do Erasa, I mean I'd like to do it, just because it's nice not to be seen as 'Hercule's Daughter' but as Videl, but..." she sighed regrettably as she ran a hand along the rough side of the worn punching bag.
"But?" Erasa prompted her friend, it was rare to see Videl so unsure of herself, it was one of the things Erasa had always admired and felt that she should help her friend somehow. But to do that she needed to know the whole problem and for that she was going to have to get Videl Satan to trust somebody else.
"...but dad would freak if he found out, he wants me to be his daughter and uphold the family legacy...his legacy." She looked down and sighed again sadly, "He wouldn't want me doing this."
Erasa mulled that over for a short time as she kicked her legs on the bed slowly in thought. She was beginning to understand and she looked up at Videl, "You are torn between being the woman you want to be and being the person you're expected to be." Videl nodded and Erasa shook her head, "Well I don't think there's much problem, you just have to decide what's more important, your father's life, or living your own."
Videl glanced at her friend a long moment and frowned, but the worst of it was that she did not doubt that Erasa was right. She just wasn't sure what she would choose. She walked out of the room as the blonde began working on her homework and Videl drew the phone from the receiver and dialed her father's cell phone number. Within moments he answered and she spoke slowly.
"Dad, I have a question for you..." but he didn't give her a chance to speak another word.
"I am glad you called Videl, I wanted you to know that there is a dinner with a very influential group of city officials tomorrow, and I entered you into the martial arts exhibition Sunday. Also you need to be ready for the documentary that they will be doing on my life next week..." she bit her lip and sighed, it was always like this, him setting her into his appointments without a concern for her feelings. As he trailed off she spoke quickly before he could begin another round.
"I have...work to do for school, a sort of extra curricular program, my evenings are going to be kinda busy."
He stopped and she could almost hear the frown in his voice, "It's not a boy is it? I don't want you dating without my permission Videl, you know that."
"It's not a boy dad," not a lie per say, the boy wasn't why...just a bonus, "It's so I can pass my class is all."
He sounded so relieved it almost sickened her, she wondered why she wasn't trusted to be herself, why she wasn't allowed to find her own way. Her father's voice brought her back to the moment at hand, "...just as long as you aren't kept away from your duties."
"Yes dad, no worries about that, it...won't interfere with everything else, I'll see you when you get home. Goodbye dad." She slowly hung up the phone and sighed a bit. So it seemed as he always had, that her father had her life planned out. 'It amazes me that he hasn't told me who my husband is already...probably waiting for the best offer I'll bet.' Slowly she returned to the room where Erasa looked up and grinned a bit.
"I was about to send a search party for you Videl..." seeing her friend's morose face she hesitated, "Is everything alright Videl?"
"Yea, but I don't think I'll be free to do the competition with Gohan..." she looked down, "Dad's got a lot lined up for me and well it doesn't look like dancing is in the cards."
Wordlessly the blonde hugged her friend gently, somehow knowing that she needed it. Videl hesitated a moment before returning the hug. She felt tears sliding down her cheeks and was unsure why, it just felt like she was in no control of her own life anymore. Finally the two friends stepped away and Erasa smiled gently. "There there girlfriend, you look like you need something to take your mind off of your worries. SHOPPING TRIP!" she all but squealed as she dragged her friend through the mansion and up to the Satan City Mall.
The crowds were small today, the middle of the week usually was and as such they were able to wander freely from one store to the next. Before long she was glad that she kept herself in fighting shape because the endurance was needed to keep up with the blonde. As they stepped into a bookstore which was their fifteenth store so far and the blonde seemed nowhere near stopping, Videl noticed a familiar figure and couldn't help but smile. A book perched open in one hand he held a small library in his other Gohan's dark eyes slowly scanned the pages idly.
"You know most of the students in our school forget what a book is once class is over," she grinned as he barely held on to the books, "Too much studying is bad for your health you know."
He grinned back and again she felt that warmth that came from his smile, it was almost intoxicating to her, "Hi Videl, what are you up to?" She glanced at the books in his arms and smiled a bit wider, all but three were on dancing. But her smile faded with the realization that she was going to disappoint him. Before she could say anything, Erasa giggled and came over.
"Impromptu shopping trip, we needed to lift Videl's spirits a little bit."
He glanced at her worriedly, "Is everything alright?" He set the books down and placed a hand on her shoulder gently. Glancing at the stack of books she sighed.
"Can I talk to you for a minute Gohan?" and they walked over to a corner as Erasa began flirting with one of the clerks. Looking at her expectantly and those eyes were shining with concern, it made her look away unable to face the disappointment when he heard the news that she would not be joining him as a partner. Struggling for the words she took a deep breath and spoke quickly, afraid that once she stopped she would be unable to start up again, "I...Iwon'tbeabletodancewithyou!"
He blinked at the onslaught of words and took a moment to comprehend what he had just heard, "Why?"
That simple question brought fresh tears to her eyes and she bit her lip sadly, "Because my father has too much planned and won't give my time to myself...I want to Gohan really I do, but I guess my life is beyond my control now." She reached up and took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
He reached up causing her to gasp as his finger gently swept her tears aside and smiled somewhat sadly, "Well I guess I won't either."
"What do you mean, there's plenty of time to find a new partner?" she protested quickly stunned at what he had just said.
But he shook his head emphatically, "I only agreed to do it because I wanted to be your partner, I think you're the only girl I'd feel comfortable dancing with."
"What about Erasa?" she asked searching for something else, feeling terrible now that he seemed to be saying he wouldn't dance because of her.
"She's a friend but our styles and level of skill are different. We've partnered before and I just feel that you are the one I could be at my best with. But the fact is that you must do what you feel is right."
She sighed and looked into his eyes, there was a warmth there that silenced her protests. Something in that gaze made her feel that she would be wrong to do anything but what her heart was telling her to do. With the force of a hammer stroke she realized that she had no desire to step back, she didn't want to give up and be forced to let her dad run her life. She smiled a bit and squeezed his hands again gently. He seemed curious why she was smiling now when so shortly ago she had been in tears before him. Before he could ask she leaned up and kissed his cheek causing a delightful shade of pink to appear on his cheeks which caused her to giggle.
"I'll see you Monday Gohan," with that cryptic message she all but leapt out the door Erasa jabbering in enticed curiosity beside her leaving the stunned boy the lightly rub his cheek in shock as he watched the two girls depart.
The next day in their dance class Gohan sat with the other students glancing at Videl curiously. She had been in high spirits all afternoon, but even Erasa didn't know what to make of the change to her mood. She had been so unsure of herself just yesterday but it seemed she had escaped that melancholy. He looked at Erasa questioningly but she merely shrugged in answer. Still no luck and he rested his chin in his hand with his elbow resting on his knee in thought.
'What are you thinking Videl? I hope she will let herself be who she wants to be, but I can not say what she will choose.' His thoughts were interrupted as Ms. Corwin entered the classroom from her office and she was all smiles. As with every class she begin with a curtsy, her skirts spreading wide as her hair swung like a banner around her with her movements. The class quieted and she looked at them all.
"After due consideration I have invited some of the class to participate in the upcoming inter-school dance competition. I am happy to say we have our couples selected, first is the couple of Gohan and Videl, and their alternates shall be Sharpner and Erasa..." but Gohan raised his hand and she looked up, "Yes Gohan?"
He rose and spoke a bit sadly, so much that it almost broke Videl's heart, "I regret that Videl and I will not be able to participate..."
"What he means is that we had thought we could not Ms. Corwin, but my schedule was cleared recently and if he'll still have me...I'd love to be his partner..." Videl broke in and her eyes met Gohan's as she waited and watched a slow smile appear on his lips.
"I'd be honored as always Videl," several of the girls sighed a bit, and already there were excited whispers of the possibility that this would be more than just a dancing partnership. As for Ms. Corwin she could only smile and nod.
"Then it's settled, couples will be welcomed to practice here with me after school or during lunch, and of course anytime you need to you can call me for help."
But Gohan only heard part of what was said, his eyes remained locked on the woman who would be dancing with him. Already he felt as if a burden had been lifted from his mind and he sighed gently walking over to her. He knew that the course of his life had just been changed just by that decision. Meeting her eyes he smiled and held out his hand to her. She smiled and took it and he created a small ball of energy, just enough that she would feel the warmth, and she all but gasped in surprise. Then it was his turn to be surprised as she returned the gesture with a grin and a wink, he knew then what no one else was able to yet tell, that this would be something to remember.