Chapter Three
I'll Always Be Here For You
Saturday morning was usually a time when students in Satan city were free to find their own devices and not be regulated by those in charge to either a school or other activities. Sporting events, dates, and even part time jobs were the order of business for most students. For Videl, the day was usually spent in either martial arts training or some event for her father's personal relations campaign, or the worst was a date with someone of her father's choosing. But, as she slumped to her seat with a sigh, sweat drops glistening on her forehead, she began to think such things might be easier than this day.
She had spent the whole of the morning with Gohan, practicing before the critical eye of Ms. Corwin who was proving that she was a lot tougher than one would have thought by her easy-going school manner. Videl reasoned that it had to be because she took dancing seriously and didn't want them to fail. Still it was a bit taxing going through the steps time and again and having her stop them to make another correction, she was still kind with her words, but she didn't let up after nearly five hours. Even Gohan was beginning to show the signs of fatigue she had been wondering if he ever had. Even seeing Sharpner get corrected twice as often didn't help...well not much at any rate.
"Alright everyone, you've been working very hard, how about we take a break for today and I'll see you all tomorrow?" Ms. Corwin gently touched Gohan's bare shoulder, he had taken to wearing a sleeveless t-shirt for the practices, and shook her head at his protest that he was up for another go, "You mustn't over work Gohan, I know you want to succeed as much as Videl and I do. You and her are natural competitors deep down and that is another reason I chose you two, but you need to take a break before you fall."
"Well I've done that enough for one day," giggling slightly she nodded and smiled to Videl as she gathered the few supplies together and bid her students goodbye.
Sharpner gave Gohan a disdainful sniff and then put on an ingratiating smile as he stepped towards Videl, "Say Videl, why don't you ditch the skill-less wonder here and put yourself with a real guy on the dance floor."
Erasa glanced at Gohan and his face was dark with an almost ferocious countenance, but Videl smirked a bit and winked at her partner. Running a hand across his muscular chest she smiled at Sharpner, as he grinned back in anticipation. With a move swifter than anyone but her and Gohan could follow she stepped one leg behind Sharpner and pushed with her hand on his chest causing the blonde boy to fall backwards with a thump. Erasa and Gohan laughed as Videl shrugged to Sharpner as if apologetically, "I'm sorry Sharpner, but I don't feel you're quite graceful enough to be my partner. Work at it a bit and perhaps we can dance..." then she giggled, "If you can master walking first."
With that she smiled and walked over to take Gohan and Erasa with her leaving Sharpner flabbergasted on the floor. The three walked towards the door and Gohan raised a brow with a glance towards the boy, "You might want to take him up on it Videl, I mean he is pretty good as a dancer..." he looked unsure but she turned gracefully to put a finger to his lips.
"Not another word, you are far better as a dancer than he could ever be, plus it helps if you enjoy the company of your partner so he is certainly out of the question."
She smiled leaving him to ponder that, and attempt to catch his breath as he watched her walk with Erasa. With a shrug he followed and their footsteps carried them to the Satan City Mall where they passed a large assembly of people. Curiously the three students made their way into the crowd to see what was going on. As they managed to get through Videl gave an almost audible squeak and jumped back behind the taller form of Gohan. At a table on a stage was Hercule, a line of anxious people in line for autographs and he was laughing with the man who Videl had come to loathe as surely as Sharpner, for it was his very own father who served as Hercule's personal relations representative.
Glancing back towards Videl, Gohan arched a brow in question but she shook her head in response and mouthed 'I'll tell you later'. The crowd was obviously in the palm of Hercule's hand as he stood and posed with a cry. The crowd was cheering like the bunch of hyenas as their hero gave a cry and held up the current copy of his biography. The crowd seemed to be calling for him to read a passage, and both Videl and her partner rolled their eyes slowly.
"You want to hear some of my adventures?!" Hercule's shirt seemed to be precariously close to ripping as his flexed again. The crowd was eating it alive, much to Videl's disgust, and they all seemed to want the same passage from the book.
"Tell us about the Cell Games!" one called.
Another took up the cry and soon the chant of, "CELL GAMES" was all that could be heard throughout the plaza.
Hercule milked them for a moment longer before opening the book and picking up a microphone, like a herd of children the crowd silenced swiftly. Standing amongst the crowd Gohan murmured, "This should be good," barely able to be heard as he waited with the others.
Clearing his throat, the world champion began reading, "The dust had just cleared as everyone remaining was unconscious, the boy had gone to fetch Cell's order and Goku hid like a coward begging for salvation from the monster. Despite my stomach pains I had to save this weakened man, so sucking up the pain I rose and called out..."
Goku's son sniffed a bit as he folded his chiseled arms over his chest and regarded the man who had lied his way to fame. Videl was surprised by the dark cloud that passed over her partner's eyes, she had never seen him look so angry, but she had heard about it before once, and knowing the peaceful side of Gohan she was truly afraid to see what that darker side was like. Ignoring her father's speech she looked to her friend and partner, "Gohan, what's wrong?" she touched his arm gently and it seemed to shake the cloud away as swiftly as it had come.
"Nothing, I'm fine," he shook his head and smiled that endearing smile once again, but she was surprised to see teardrops appear in his eyes. Despite his words she could guess as she thought about what had been said by her father. Brushing the tears away with a quick move of his hand he hugged her gently he smiled, "I've got some things to do Videl, I'll see you tomorrow for practice?"
She hesitated but hugged him back and nodded, "Sure Gohan, tomorrow, take care until then." He gave a hug to Erasa as well and wove his way through the crowd soon vanishing into the sea of bodies. The blonde watched him slip away and spoke slowly, "Like what was with Gohan, he looked totally steamed or some junk."
Videl sighed a bit, "Goku was his father...he died during the Cell games..."
Erasa blinked and looked back where Gohan had gone, "Poor guy..."
The two girls made their way out of the mall and Videl bid her friend goodbye. Her footsteps were slow as she walked down the sidewalk. Her thoughts were on Gohan and what had happened earlier that day. He had looked so angry, and with what had been read by her father she really couldn't blame him. Running up to her house she climbed her stairs two at a time and into her bedroom. Tossing her book-bag on the bed she checked her watch and sighed. So her dad would probably be gone for a few more hours, which she was somewhat grateful for as she really didn't want to face him right now.
Rummaging through her closets she changed from the spandex shorts and long t-shirt to something more...traditional. Snug blue jeans that hugged her curves met a softer blue tank top, she looked at herself in the mirror for a moment and smiled. It had been a while since she had worn something like this, completely impractical for a fight, but even she had to admit it did wonders for how she felt. Finally she scribbled a note for her dad and left it on the refrigerator, stopping at the door she held the pager she always carried and she set it on the counter. The world could survive for one day without Videl Satan.
Soon enough she was traveling through the mountains towards her friend's home. She had been there a few times to spar with him, indeed she thought him a great find as one of the few people who could give her any kind of competition. Still she was never sure how much he was holding back, only that he was holding back at all.
'Honestly though, I really never have been to his house, he's always met me out front...I wonder why? Goten's always been friendly to me so it's not his brother. Well perhaps it's time to change all that,' she thought to herself as she landed about fifty yards from the small house. She didn't want her small heli-plane to be intrusive. Walking the distance to the door she hesitated and did something else she hadn't done in a while, checked her appearance for anything out of place. Content that she was as good as she could be she knocked softly upon the simple wooden door.
A moment passed before the door opened and she was met by a woman who stood about as tall as Videl, her black hair was tied up in a bun with a few wisps out of place and ringlets on the sides. She looked young, and yet ageless at the same time with a fierceness in her eye that told Videl this woman was no stranger to a fight. Still she smiled gently as she looked at the girl before her, and it seemed as if she were measuring Videl on some scale. How she measured up was yet to be seen as the woman held a wooden spoon in one hand. Her clothes also betrayed her fighting heritage as it was a pair of loose pants beneath a long coat slit in a way to make it loose and maneuverable.
Something about her manner was very familiar to Videl as she bowed slowly, "Forgive me for intruding, I am looking for Gohan..."
The woman nodded causing her ringlets to bounce as she spoke, "I see, you must be Videl, Gohan's told me a lot about you and I have been hoping to meet you someday."
She blinked those amethyst eyes in surprise, "Oh I hope it's all been good."
The other woman giggled slightly, "Yes well, it's not been bad, he seems to hold you in high esteem. Oh!" she gave a cry and blushed, "Where are my manners? I am his mother Chi-chi, it's a pleasure to meet you miss Videl." And she bowed in return with a smile.
"The pleasure is all mine Chi-chi...umm is Gohan home?" she glanced over Chi-chi's shoulder getting a glimpse of the simple house. It seemed so warm and welcoming compared to the mansion she lived in. A home like this, she could see why Gohan was happy so often and she had to admit it made her a bit envious.
"Actually, I am not sure where he is, he came home and then said he would be out for a little while, hmm...Goten!"
As she called the name, a blur of orange and black scurried into the hall eliciting a smile from Videl. Goten, a black haired boy who always had a smile and a kind way about him, wore an orange martial arts outfit and bowed to Videl before giving a laugh and a wave, "Hi Videl!!"
Giggling softly she knelt and ruffled the younger Son member, "And hello to you Goten."
Chi-chi smiled somewhat sadly, her youngest son always reminded her of Goku. Wiping her misty eyes she knelt and looked at her son, "Have you seen your brother Goten?"
He nodded, "I think he went to see papa."
Videl blinked a moment, "I...thought his dad was..." then she blushed and looked down in embarrassment, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to bring such memories..."
But Chi-chi shook her head and smiled, still a bit sad but a smile nonetheless, "We've come to terms with it, Gohan's up on the hill where his father's grave is." She pointed and smiled, "You should go see him, I'm sure he'd be glad to have some company."
Videl blinked and shook her head, "I couldn't disturb him so, he probably wants to be alone with his father, I can wait."
But Gohan's mother smiled gently and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, "It's alright, he needs the support of friends and I think it would do him good to have someone besides his family there to help him."
Videl nodded slowly and touched the older woman's hand gently, there was strength in both her body and her spirit and, somehow Videl felt a kinship to this woman already. Bidding both of them goodbye she set out to climb the path of the hill that Chi-chi had indicated. The path was well worn and marked with a row of smooth rocks. Cleared of debris and covered with white sand, it was obvious that someone made a point of caring for this road. Stopping mid-way, Videl picked a few white carnations from a patch on the side of the path. Her footsteps slowed as she neared the top and even her breathing seemed to quiet.
As she came to the crest of the hill she spied Gohan sitting cross-legged before a small alter. Two white candles were lit on either side of a marble pillar engraved with Goku's name, his date of birth and death and a small statement that she couldn't make out. On the alter in front was a picture of the man, a wreath of evergreen holly set around it and various objects including a folded gi, just like that worn by Goten, a purple pole, a small plate covered with a clear top. Finally she noticed a small carved figurine that resembled Goku made of wood and painted with loving detail.
Gohan's eyes were closed as he sat and breathed softly, the stillness of the air creating an aura of peace and comfort. Stepping out of her shoes, the young woman stepped forward and set the carnations on the alter next to the pole before kneeling next to Gohan. Without opening his eyes he smiled gently and reached out to touch her hand gently causing her to gasp in surprise. Still she didn't speak, merely squeezed his hand gently waiting for the time when he was ready.
"I'm glad you came, my father would have wanted to meet you," his voice was different, calm and sad, but above all it seemed...at peace. She smiled as he opened his eyes to look at her, but then she looked down.
"Gohan, I wanted to find you, to apologize for what my dad said today..." he blinked for a moment and then shook his head a bit.
"No, you need not apologize, it hurt but you cannot be responsible for what other's say. Dad never cared about what others thought of him, he just did what was right for the world he loved and wanted to protect."
She nodded and looked at the picture, the smile on his face and the look in his eyes. It was that same contagious smile that she had come to love on Gohan, but when she turned back to him she saw his eyes glittering with tears waiting to fall. She was unsure what to say, it seemed surreal to see him this way, so vulnerable and open.
"I just...if I'd been stronger he would have lived...if I hadn't been so...so..." his voice broke and he doubled over as emotions long held in spilled over. The tears fell from his face as he relived the moments of that fateful day. The pain seemed almost unbearable, until he felt gentle arms draw him into her embrace. Videl gently drew his head to her shoulders and she stroked his hair softly, but it was when a warm teardrop hit his cheek that his breath stopped.
"It's alright..." her voice was a mere whisper, but in the silence of that place it was an echo of comfort. "It's alright, you can let go, I'll be here to support you, you don't need to be alone anymore." As Videl held him she remembered her own pain. She remembered the day when her mother had passed away and how she had felt that day. But she hadn't become the head of her family, hadn't had to care for a sibling and a grieving mother. And she hadn't watched her mother's memory trampled and forgotten as he had, all while holding his own grief in.
He clung to her like a lifeline, his head on her shoulder and his tears falling onto her bare skin, and all the time she cried with him. Moments passed like hours with the only sounds that of the two souls letting their emotions come forth and the wind blowing softly around them. Finally Gohan's sobs calmed to soft whimpers, and finally the tears slowed to mere damp eyes. Drawing back he raised his eyes to meet Videl's shimmering amethyst orbs. Blushing in embarrassment he slowly reached up and let his thumb brush the tear streaks across her cheek.
"Videl...I...thank you," his voice was nothing more than a whisper as he feared anything else would break the moment. She smiled serenely and turned his hand pressing her cheek against the back of his hand.
"You're welcome Gohan, you don't need to be afraid to share your emotions with me, I'll always be here to listen if you need to talk."
He smiled and spoke softly, "Dad would really have liked you Videl...you remind me a lot of how he used to be. Putting others before yourself and caring so much," he rose slowly and drew her up to stand his fingers strong in hers.
"So what happens now?" she looked at him and his smile grew to that warming glow she had always sought.
"Now...I invite my dear friend and dance partner to join me and my family for dinner?" and he stepped back fluidly moving into a bow causing her to giggle softly.
"And I tell my dear friend and dance partner that I gladly accept his invitation." And she curtsied to him with a smile, drawing his hand to kiss his palm. He blushed again and moved to offer her his arm. As she took it she looked towards the picture of Goku, and somehow she thought he seemed to be smiling even more now. As Gohan led the way back down the hill she squeezed his hand gently.
"Gohan, I'm glad you trust me so much, and I want you to know, I will always be here if you need me...as your friend and partner in life as well as dancing."
He looked at her and again she saw tears only this time she felt they were the kind she would always welcome, "And I will always be here for you Videl, whenever you need me." They walked again and Videl felt closer to Gohan than ever before. Even if they never danced another step she knew that she would always be closer, for she felt that together they were free to let go, and she doubted anyone else could bring that feeling. It made her happy to know he wanted to have her there. Always she would be there for the man she was beginning to realize meant more than a mere friend...but she wasn't ready to say what she saw him as. Fear held her back, for she knew not what would happen should she reveal her heart.
After a fine meal and a wonderful conversation with the Son family, Videl said her goodbyes, but before she left she reminded Gohan of her promise earlier, "Anytime you need me Gohan...I'll always be here."
With that she walked to her heli-plane, leaving Gohan staring after her a bemused smile on his face, as Chi-chi came up behind him he spoke slowly, "So what do you think of her mom?"
"A very special girl, much different than I expected the daughter of Hercule to be, but are you two...close?" to that Gohan was unsure how to answer. Oh he knew what she was asking, but whether she and Gohan were 'just friends' or whether more was brewing he couldn't say. True he knew he cared for the girl, but he felt afraid to shatter the relationship they had on a gamble of what could be.
"I don't know mom, I like her sure, but how much is...unsure."
"Well you'll know when the time is right," she kissed his cheek and smiled, "Don't be up too late, you have school in the morning."
He nodded and his thoughts rested on Videl as she was arriving at her home. Stepping onto the lawn she glanced at the starry night and sighed contentedly. For the first time in so long she didn't feel alone. Stepping to the door she blinked as it opened and Sharpner's father, Elliott, regarded her for a moment as if seeing something disdainful before he sniffed. He had the same platinum colored hair that his son had, as well as the same arrogant attitude with his white suit and the clipboard that seemed to run her father's life under one arm.
"Ah Miss Videl," the name bore no warmth to it as he frowned, "Your father and I were very disappointed when you failed to arrive for the dinner this evening."
She narrowed her eyes and shrugged, "I had a call to help the police..."
His blue eyes regarded her suspiciously, "Hmm just keep in mind that you are not the only one who's affected by your absences Miss Videl, it would do you some good to remember that your father expects certain things of his daughter and perhaps you should make some efforts not to disappoint him."
Videl shook her head and moved to walk past him and she ran up the stairs angrily. Falling to her bed she reached for the picture of her mother. She hadn't told Gohan that she too had lost a parent, because he was hurting so that she didn't feel it was a good time to bring it up. Tears shimmered in her soft purple eyes as she laid back.
"What am I supposed to do mom? I care for Gohan, but I don't know if I should take that next step with him...what if I lose everything??" she closed her eyes, "I miss you so much, and I wish you were here to tell me what to do." The only answer to her words was the silence of the night, she thought about the home she had visited and the warmth that had been there. Memories came unbidden, of a time when her family was more like Gohan's, before her mother's death. Tears fell fresh with the memories of better days and times when she didn't feel like she was disappointing her father every time she did something she wanted to.
She laid in her bed for a while, trying to collect her thoughts, but the ringing of her phone startled her to dropping her mom's photograph, stumbling to reach the phone she managed to calm down enough to speak, "H...hello?"
The voice on the other end was the last she expected, but the one she had secretly felt she needed to hear most, "Videl? Sorry to call so late, but I wanted to thank you again...for talking with me earlier."
"Gohan, it's fine really, I was glad I could help." She smiled sadly, just talking to him made her feel better.
Sensing her mood he hesitated, "Is everything alright Videl? You sound a bit upset."
She almost laughed in misery, "It's that obvious?"
"Well I'm ready to listen...if you feel like talking."
"I don't want to lay my problems on you..." but he interrupted her quickly.
"Videl, you are my partner, and more importantly...I care about you as a fr...as a dear friend," he amended the last not wanting to lessen his feelings for her, but also careful not to imply too much.
She blushed and smiled a little bit, "Well...you do have a point. I guess it's just, I keep feeling like I am letting my dad down all the time of late. He expects me to be his tough daughter, you know the next generation and all that. Honestly I haven't told him much about the dancing thing. I just feel trapped, if I do this I let him down, but if I don't I feel like..." she sniffed as she sat against her bed and drew her knees to her chest, but Gohan finished for her.
"Like your losing yourself..." his voice was gentle and he spoke slowly, "I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you this much, and I want you to believe me. Whatever you do, I will support you and be here for you, just like you were there for me today."
She smiled gently whispering, "Thank you Gohan...I will see you tomorrow alright, I'm gonna go to bed I think."
He spoke gently, "Sweet dreams Videl, tomorrow then."
She hung up the phone and gently replaced her mom's picture on er nightstand, "Mom, I think it'll be alright, because I have Gohan in my life. Whatever we are, I will always be so glad to have him." She changed and slowly slid beneath the sheets of her bed, happier than she could remember being in quite some time.