Chapter Four

What Will Come With Tomorrow

It seemed like the time had passed like a blur, the winter break had come and gone and already the school was preparing for mid-term exams. For semester length classes this meant finals week, including Ms. Corwin's dance class. The students within faced this time with some sense of foreboding with even the most reluctant dancer having no wish to end their time with the vibrant teacher they had come to love. Still all had hopes for entering her advanced class next year if they were lucky. For the four students who were enrolled in the competitions, this was the time to make final preparations as the regional competition was scheduled for the next week.

For her part, their teacher as elated at their improvement and skill level as once again they were meeting for an after school practice. The four had begun meeting during lunch and after school in hopes that the extra session would fine tune their skills. Facing Gohan, Videl, Erasa and Sharpner the young woman smiled gently, her eyes shining with joy and pride. The dancers sat in four of the row of chairs with a feeling of nervous excitement, the closeness of the competition was in their minds and the energy between them was almost palpable.

Bowing to them the young teacher spoke gently, "First I want you all to know how exceptional you have all been as students, the progress you've made over the past few months has been remarkable. Here we are a mere week away from the first round of the competition, now the format is the couples will enter the competition, and the field will be scored on a ten scale by a panel of five judges. The top sixteen couples will advance to the finals three weeks from now. I plan on Videl and Gohan competing, should something occur to prevent either of them then Sharpner or Erasa will step in as needed."

The four nodded, they had been told all this many times in the past few days, but they took it in nonetheless. No one of them had any experience in competitive dance, but they felt ready and confident in themselves and their partners. As Ms. Corwin regarded them she winked and giggled, "Now, to be a competitive couple you have to look the part, ladies if you'll follow me, gentlemen wait here."

Erasa and Videl rose smoothly, and as they walked with their teacher towards the back of the dancehall with their arms interlaced together like old friends, Gohan could not help but notice that Videl's movements were more fluid and graceful. She seemed to stand straighter and hold herself...more feminine would be the best way to describe the changes. The young half-sayjin smiled in bemusement and leaned back a bit comfortably. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, Sharpner spoke slowly his voice carrying the warmth of an arctic chill.

"So is it true you and Videl are going together?"

Something about his tone of voice put Gohan on end and he shook his head, "No, we're partners and friends."

"Of course you are," the blonde almost sneered and it was all Gohan could do to keep his composure, "But I don't think you should become too comfortable with your partnership, these things have a way of changing suddenly."

That gave the younger boy pause, something didn't feel right and he seemed so sure that something might happen to Videl and him dancing together that he felt compelled to ask, "What do you mean Sharpner?"

Ms. Corwin's emergence from the back rooms caused Sharpner to smirk and shrug, leaving Gohan to ponder the cryptic message. The dance teacher's skirts swung as she spun a bit and curtsied to the two men, "Gentlemen, may I proudly present your ladies?"

Giving a grand gesture she moved from the boy's line of sight to the back dressing rooms behind the wardrobe closet. Erasa emerged first, wearing a flattering forest green dress which hugged her chest and hips before flaring into a loose, knee length skirt which was cut in a row of triangles along the bottom. A softer green sash was cinched around her waist and across her chest were green sparkle designs, the bodice formed a V shape which dipped to her ample cleavage in just the right way to flatter without revealing too much. The dress came up to clasp behind her neck leaving her back and arms bare. A dark green butterfly barrette was clipped above her left ear with a thin slip of light green lace that fell just above her shoulder.

All in all it was very lovely and suited the blond well, as she stopped in mid-stride and turned to gently pull on the hand of her best friend. Videl hesitated and slowly stepped out, and with that simple act Gohan felt his heart stop. Looking down the young woman shifted her left toe against the floor nervously, as the rest of the room's occupants took in the sight of her. Her dress was a lavender color that matched her eyes almost perfectly, her shoulders bare save the thin spaghetti straps, the skirts of the dress, which didn't flair out as much and climbed slightly higher on her legs than her friend's, were slit along her right leg almost to mid-thigh to allow freedom of movement. Her sash was a glittering silver as was the ribbon that was tied around her braid, the tip of which nestled into the valley of her breasts which were much more pronounced in the dress' low neckline.

Erasa giggled and gently drew her friend closer and pointedly moved her to stand directly in front of Gohan, standing behind the two women, her eyes glittering with laughter, the teacher spoke, "What do you think gentlemen?"

Sharpner spoke first as the other boy was still struggling to find his voice, "That's hot, best look I've seen on you ever."

Videl muttered something about a man thing to say and sighed as her eyes found the floor, but Erasa merely gave her friend's hand a squeeze and looked at Gohan expectantly, she sensed the feelings between them and wasn't wasting opportunities to draw them out. Gently she prodded Gohan, "What about you Gohan...what do you think of your partner's new look?"

Gohan closed his eyes for a moment and smiled calmly, reaching out he gently put his fingers under his partner's chin lifting her amethyst eyes to meet his and eliciting a blush to her cheeks, "I think you're wrong Sharpner...because the outfit is only as beautiful as the one who wears it, and right now it is the loveliest sight I've ever seen."

Erasa smiled as she thought, 'Points for Gohan,' she glanced at Videl's rosy cheeks out of the corner of her eye, 'Seems like I was right about those two, ah it is hard being this good, but I do what I can.' She gave a mental giggle as Videl shook her head slowly.

"Gohan you're embarrassing me..." the blush proved that true, though Videl had to admit, his fingers had felt nice against her skin. That line of thought only deepened the crimson on her cheeks and she continued with a smile, "I look better because of this dress..."

But he silenced her words, and her heart for a moment, when he laid his finger against her lips as she had once done to him, "Not another word Videl, I've never known a day when you weren't beautiful...at least to my eyes if no one else's ..." the last was a whisper.

"Gohan..." she whispered in return, her breath like a caress against his fingertip which sent shivers down his spine. Sensing the moment, Erasa moved and linked her arm with Sharpner as she began to guide him towards the back away from her friends.

"Ms. Corwin, shouldn't we get Sharpner something to wear as well?" true that would mean Gohan as well, but a few more seconds of their moment wouldn't be bad for anyone.

"Yes, indeed," as she agreed the young teacher winked to Erasa and walked with Sharpner, "We need to get this strapping young man something fine to wear." Of course this did nothing but puff up the man's ego even more and the two were temporarily forgotten. Gohan met her eyes and smiled gently.

"You need to get over this confidence problem you have," he touched her hand lightly and led her towards the chairs, she was so used to him leading that she barely thought about it now, "But one thing about you Videl, as beautiful as I find you on the outside...it's the beauty of your heart that I've admired most."

Now it was his turn to look down shyly as he confessed this last, his simple statement shook Videl to the core, "You...admire me?"

He looked at her as if she had just asked if he breathed, "Of course I admire you...I have admired you from the moment I met you." He blushed, "Okay maybe not exactly the first moment, I was actually kind of scared of you at first, but the more I got to know you the more I found myself wishing I had your courage, your strength of spirit and your ability to keep fighting..."

She looked down and shook her head, "But I'm not strong Gohan, I'm not brave...sure I can fight criminals, but how brave am I when I can't even tell my dad I am competing in this competition because I am scared? I am so afraid that I live as someone I am not...there's nothing brave about that."

A silent moment passed where each of them sought to find the words to say, finally he looked up, but before he could speak more he was called to get his outfit by Ms. Corwin. Instead of speaking he leaned forward swiftly and kissed her cheek tenderly. Her blush returned anew as he rose and made his way towards the back of the class. Erasa, feeling her mission of distraction completed, made her way to her friend. She gave Gohan a touch on the arm and mouthed 'thank you' before passing and sliding into the now vacant seat. Her green eyes blinked as she absorbed the look on Videl's face, a look she had never seen before.

"So I noticed you had an intense moment...do I dare hope you'll spill to your best friend this time?" She grinned as Videl regarded her friend quizzically as if only realizing at that moment that the blond girl was there.

Erasa would echo her friend's startled expression at Videl's soft confession "Erasa...I'm scared..." the openness of those words made the blond move and hug her friend tightly.

"What could scare you Videl? I'm all ears." Erasa wanted her friend to be happy, Videl had been her friend for years, and she had always been there when Erasa needed her. Now she only hoped she could be the comforter and be there for Videl.

"I'm afraid, because I think I am beginning to like Gohan..." she glanced towards the room where Ms. Corwin waited outside of.

Erasa grinned like a madwoman and she gripped her friend's shoulders moving so their noses were almost touching and her green eyes were level with the amethyst ones that were a mixture of shock, guarded fear, and something new...hope? "Videl Satan, before I get overly excited about nothing, I want you to look me in the eye and tell me right now, when you say you are starting to 'like' Gohan, do you mean you like him as a friend or you 'like' him as a potential boyfriend."

She blushed which was answer enough, but she confirmed it with a soft whispered, "As a potential boyfriend..."

"Girl I am sooo excited for you, but why are you afraid? He's, like, the last guy who would take advantage of you, and he's definitely a hottie to the tenth power." She grinned and winked.

"I know, but..." her voice trailed off as she glanced past her friend to where the two men were emerging from the changing rooms.

"But what hun?" Erasa prompted before turning to follow Videl's gaze. When she did she understood why she had stopped talking. Sharpner looked good, and if he had something other than the rotten attitude he carried with pride she'd consider him date material easily. He wore a pale yellow button down shirt, left open towards the top, with a deeper gold vest over top and his black pants hugged his muscular legs. His hair was pulled back and tied with a knot of green cord and his belt was black with a golden buckle. But he was quickly dismissed, and not just because the two women could not stand him, but because he was overshadowed by the man standing next to him.

Wearing a black renaissance style shirt, Gohan stood nervously as he looked at them silently. His pants were tight black with silver along the seams, and he wore a belt of black leather with a simple silver buckle. The shirt bared his chest and shoulders a bit and the sleeves had been redone, the had been hemmed more to hug his arms, but in a way that did nothing to detract from the elegance. Overall he cut quite a dashing figure that made Videl feel ever better about being his partner, and she had to agree with Erasa's assessment, he was definitely a hottie to the tenth power.

"So ladies, do they clean up nicely or what?" Ms. Corwin smiled as the two girls rose, "Now stand together, I want to get a good look at you as a group." Videl moved to stand on Gohan's left, while Erasa moved to Sharpner's right. As she looked at them, Ms. Corwin clapped her hands together. "Oh yes, you look wonderful, if nothing else you'll take the judge's breath away. Now I want you four to spend a bit of time practicing in your clothes to get a feel for moving in them. They can be a bit less comfortable than your practice clothing."

As they moved into their first position, Gohan's hand upon the small of her back caused the velvet dress to press against her skin and sent a shiver down Videl's spine. Looking up into his eyes she smiled nervously, "Gohan, I didn't get a chance to tell you thanks, for what you said earlier...it was the first time I've been complimented for something other than my skills as a fighter."

He smiled as they began the first steps of the foxtrot, his lead was gentle and her flowing movements caused the skirts to swirl around her body. All the while her eyes never left his, and she felt as though she were beginning to drown in that warm gaze, seeing nothing within him but a kind and gentle love. The rest of the room was forgotten in the movements which required only the simplest of thoughts from them. There was only the two of them and the steps they followed.

"Gohan...I..." he waited but she shook her head, "Later, we'll talk about it later." She stepped a bit closer and laid her head on his shoulder. So surprised was he that he stumbled but recovered quickly and shortened his steps. Despite not being a part of the dance, they were very strict about the forms, he didn't tell her to move being quite comfortable as they were.

"As you wish Videl," his heartbeat was strong as she sighed and reveled in being so near to him. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so comfortable and safe and she knew it was because she was with him. That thought alone told her what she needed to do, but knowing and doing were two very different things.

The dance ended and reluctantly the two stepped back and he smiled as he moved fluidly into a bow over her hand kissing the back softly, "Thank you for the dance my lady."

Ms. Corwin's voice broke the spell as much by the melancholy tone as by her words, "Videl...may I speak to you please? Alone, the rest of you...I will speak with you this afternoon."

Gohan changed and gathered his things glancing at the closed door worriedly, Erasa walked over and nodded to him, "Don't worry, we'll see her after seventh period." He sighed and went to his next class, but a sense of foreboding filled his heart as he did. What could the two be talking about? The hours until seventh period seemed to go by forever, finally he found Videl in the school's courtyard, gone was the joy from their lunchtime rehearsal and he touched her shoulder gently.

"Videl, is something wrong?" she looked down and sighed, "Did something happen?"

She couldn't tell him, she was afraid of what it would do to him. Wordlessly she slid her arms around him and buried her head against his chest. He sighed and ran his fingers through her hair softly, whatever was wrong he wanted to fix it, to bring back her smile. Unfortunately the silence left him with no clues as to the change in her demeanor. She merely clung to him as if he were a lifeline in a churning sea.

"Whatever's wrong Videl, I promise I'll find a way to make it right..." he whispered but she could not respond. Finally he gently tilted her eyes up as the bell rang to signal the end of the school day, "We'd best get going, we don't want to be late for practice."

She nodded glumly as if he had just told her they were going to a funeral, together they walked through the halls. The student body rushed towards the front doors leaving the halls near the classrooms all but deserted. Each step was like the tolling of a death bell for Videl, all those hopes were falling to pieces as she remembered the conversation with her teacher.

"But WHY?!" she had screamed in rage and grief while putting a sizeable dent in the desk with her fist.

"I'm sorry Videl, it's out of my hands..." the auburn hair covered Ms. Corwin's tears as she sat across her desk and hung her head unable to face her disappointed student. She felt horrible, like the air had been sucked from her body.

"This is...wrong...it's not fair to do this to him!" seeing nothing would sway her teacher she had run from the room thinking, 'it's not fair to do this to us...'

With a start she realized they were at the door to the dance hall, the room she had begun to see as a welcome place was now viewed with foreboding. Gohan opened the door still trying to solve the mystery of her sadness and coming up with nothing but more questions. As they entered they found Erasa and Sharpner already seated. The blonde boy seemed especially smug today, going so far as to blow a kiss in Videl's direction. Strangely Gohan felt like a cat in a dog pound, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end as he took his seat. Videl remained standing her eyes not meeting his, before he could speak, however, Ms. Corwin came out and stood before them clearing her throat a moment.

"There's been a change..." she stopped and licked her dry lips, each word forced unwillingly from her lips, "...a change to the way we will do this. Sharpner and Videl will now be dancing together while Gohan...you..."

He rose slowly, back straight and voice tight as he tried to keep a tight grip on the emotions within, "I'll be the alternate..." he felt his heart sink as he looked at Videl, "Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?? Changing partners now...after...everything that happened?"

Her head came up quickly, and the bitter mix of sadness and shock on his face was enough to cause her own heart to sink as she realized what he must be thinking, "Gohan it's not like that..." but he held up a hand, forestalling her words, fearing that he didn't want to hear more. His heart screamed defiance, not wanting to believe the painful conclusion he had come to. It couldn't be true, but how else could this have happened.

Sighing a bit he spoke slowly the words not easy, "I always worried that I wasn't good enough...after all what did I have to offer, but still I thought there was something there...I guess now that I was wrong. Don't worry Videl, I promise I won't darken your doorstep any more." It hurt him to say but he couldn't stop the words. "So good luck with your life Videl...since I am sure you'll be happier without me." With that he turned to make his way to the door.

She felt tears fill her eyes, as she rose to follow him, to stop him with a hand on his strong arm. "Gohan, please believe me I didn't want this to happen."

He shrugged her hand away biting his lip and opening the door leading to the hallway letting it close behind him, the sound echoing in the room as if the fragile chords of hope had been snapped. Staring at the doorway Videl fell to her knees the strength to stand falling away, her arms shaking as sobs wracked her body. She felt like something had died within her while shimmering tears fell from her eyes. Erasa ran over and drew her into a hug, her eyes flew to a smirking Sharpner and for a brief moment she left her best friend in the care of her teacher. Standing before the young aristocrat her palm swung hard leaving an angry red hand-print on his cheek as he turned his head back slowly.

"I don't know what, or how, but I know you had something to do with this, and I hope you know what you've done..." before he could respond she turned on her heel and returned to her friend. Rising, his back stiff with indignation, Sharpner all but stalked out of the room, feeling his victory had been soiled somehow.

As she slowly began to recover, Videl stood slowly though her knees still felt weak, she managed to stammer "I...I am going to go..." she swallowed barely keeping her tears down, "go...get some...air..." the door had barely closed fully before Erasa spun and stomped angrily towards her teacher, she seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

"Are you out of your mind?! What were you thinking breaking those two up, and why now?! Gohan loves her and now he thinks she did this, and I know that it's dumb male mentality but what was he supposed to think? And my best friend is crushed, do you understand that? Crushed! So tell me why did you do this?!" By the end she was shouting and Ms. Corwin gave a weary sigh slumping into her chair feeling far older than her age and feeling disgusted with herself as well, she didn't even have the strength to look the blonde in the eye as she spoke slowly.

"Because...if I don't change it, I lose my job..."

"What?" that halted Erasa's rant, for a moment at least, "They can't fire you for the partners you picked." She may be blond but even to her that made no sense.

Ms. Corwin's laugh was bitter and far short of mirth as she shook her head, "Not fired, but laid off, or suspended indefinitely, however you color it it's the same thing.. Sharpner's father came by...he basically said he wanted his son to be in that competition and he has pull with the school board. I'm twenty-four Erasa, if my career gets a black mark now I'll be stuck with nothing...I had no choice."

Erasa nodded and realized that her teacher was taking this as hard as anyone, perhaps harder, "I'm sorry...I didn't know."

Ms. Corwin nodded and put a hand on Erasa's, "Just take care of Videl, I don't want her destroyed because of this. And Gohan...if he can forgive me..."

"I'll see what I can do, but I don't know if I can fix this," she sighed and made her way through the door. It took a moment, but the sounds of quiet sobbing led her to the girl's room, where she found her friend staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were red from crying, her hair was loose in it's braid, and she was splashing water on her face. As Erasa walked towards her the young woman turned and hugged her friend tightly.

"There there, it's alright..." Erasa's voice was gentle, though she didn't believe what she was saying, it was not alright. In fact it was everything wrong and terrible. Worsened by the lack of a solution in sight.

"I was going to tell him today, how I felt about him...and now he doesn't want to talk to me..." her voice was broken by the fresh tears waiting to be spilled, but she didn't want Erasa to have to see her breakdown again. Her friend hugged her gently and the two girls drew comfort from the presence of each other, "What am I going to do Erasa?"

"Unfortunately sweetheart, I think only the person in the mirror can answer that question." Videl turned her eyes towards the mirror, the person gazing back looked scared, confused and broken. It was a far cry from the Videl Satan that everyone had come to know and rely on. For the first time in what seemed like centuries she felt vulnerable, weak and her life seemed to be spiraling out of control just when she had thought she was gaining ground.

"I don't know if there's anything to be done..." she whispered to herself. Hope was forgotten now with nothing but despair and grief remaining. 'So much for the joys of life, perhaps there is no joy to be found for Videl Satan.' Her bitter thoughts remained as she bid Erasa good-bye. Her only thought was that she had to get away from this place.

The mansion was blessedly empty devoid even of the staff as the servants were not anticipating her to be home yet and were enjoying the quiet afternoon. Her braid flew like a dark comet as she ran into her room and shut the door. As soon as the lock clicked into place she fell onto her bed and buried her face into her pillow. The tears she had valiantly kept back fell into the pale blue pillowcase. She sobbed loudly and gripped the pillow to her chest finding solace in holding something...anything to feel that she had not been forsaken completely.

"Why did this happen??" her voice was raw as she spoke to her room, but no answer was forthcoming as she slowly fell into an exhausted sleep. But her dreams were a tumultuous sea of doubts, fears and worry over the man she cared for most of all.

Miles away, in the black hills near the Son household, Gohan was facing his own feelings. Standing amidst a range of mountains, the elder of Goku's children screamed in rage his body glowing with his drawn power. Flying down he drove his fists into the side of a mountain, seeking something to forget the pain in his heart. Rubble flew with the force of his blows, hours passed and soon Gohan felt the sting of his efforts as he finally managed to break the skin on his knuckles, but he welcomed the physical pain and exhaustion.

Slumping to his knees he looked down whispering, "Videl...why did you turn me away?" The rain clouds offered no reply and he shivered as he gazed at them. Finally he began walking towards his home, unable to muster the energy to fly, his body soaked with rain as blood began to clot on his bruised knuckles. He stumbled as he was blinded by the tears in his eyes, but even when he fell he just rose and continued on to his home. There he passed his mom without a word, his brother was pushed aside and he fell onto his bed, too tired to cry anymore.

"Even now I still hurt...and the truth is I still want to see her happy, even if it is with Sharpner..." he sighed and closed his eyes, but sleep was as reachable as his shadow. "Videl..." he whispered.

A knock at his door was followed by his mom entering and looking at him worriedly, "Gohan...what's wrong sweetheart?"

He sighed, he knew it was pointless to try keeping silent, she wouldn't let him rest until he had talked to her, and really he thought it might be better if he got it off his chest. Slowly the words came out, and with them came tears much more broken than his white-hot fury. These were the tears of grief he had been unable to shed earlier, the tears of a man who's soul had died. Chi-chi listened as he explained of the change, the hurt he was feeling, the insecurity that her son was unable to face, and the fact that he still loved this girl despite what had happened. He never said love, but she could read the signs, by the end she held him in a tight embrace, whispering comforting words to him as he cried on her shoulder, the same tears he had shed when Goku had died.

As the last tears fell, she felt his breathing change, becoming the calmer breaths of sleep and she smiled a bit gently laying him back onto the bed. Covering him with the blankets she kissed his forehead softly, "Gohan...I know it hurts, but tomorrow will be better and I know it will work out...you just have to have faith." Closing his door she whispered a prayer that she was right, but tomorrow was a long way away and one could never tell what it would bring.