Eminem ain't the only one that can drop shit unannounced! ~TheUltimateMystic
Chapter 3: Familiarity
Satan University Condo
"One month till the tournament. I can't wait!" Videl exclaimed as she plopped down on the couch."
"Kan, Mai, and I will be cheering you, Gohan, Mirai, Gar, and Sharpner on from the stands.
"How come you didn't register for the tournament Mai? Videl inquired. "You're a pretty adept fighter right?"
"Yeah I can hold my own but I'm not really the fighting type." Mai replied. "I prefer a rifle to hand to hand and besides with all of you entering what chance do I really have?"
"I just hope I don't have to go against any of them in the first round." Sharpner stated. "I want at least one good fight before I get my ass handed to me on a silver platter."
"We'll try to go easy on you." Gohan joked.
"Yeah, we'll just your ass to you on a bronze platter." Videl quipped.
"Oh, how very kind of you."
"I'm not holding back." Gar said sternly. "If Sharpner goes against me he'll be eating out a straw for the rest of the semester."
Sharpner gulped as Gar stared intensely into his eyes before letting out a "Boo!" causing Sharpner to let out a loud yelp.
"Hahahahahaha! I'm just messing with you. I'll go easy on you. I'll let you walk away with just one broken bone."
"Funny..."
"Just three more classes tomorrow." Trunks stated.
"Yeah, then we have the rest of the day to start training." Videl replied.
"You're really excited for this tournament huh." Trunks replied.
"Yeah. Gohan and I never got a chance to face each other at the last tournament due to all having caused by Babidi and Majin Buu. You better not go easy on me either."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Gohan chuckled with a slight nervousness behind it.
"I hate to break it to you, but you may not even get a chance to fight Gohan if you face me first." Trunks bragged.
"Is that so?" Videl replied
"I hate to break it all of you but I'm winning this thing." Gar declared.
"And what makes you so confident?" Videl replied.
"I'm the strongest fighter on Namek. You could even say I'm a bit of a Super Namekian."
Gohan let out a slight snicker upon hearing Gar's words.
"You got something to say?"
"Oh, nothing. I just know someone who would probably argue that fact."
"Hey, since we have the rest of the day to ourselves why don't we go down to the workout room." Videl suggested.
"Yeah, a light work out sounds good." Trunks replied
"Yeah nice and light. We've got the rest of orientation tomorrow so we don't want to overdo it." Gohan replied.
1 hour later
"You...guys...are...insane!" An out of breath Sharpner exclaimed as he crawled out of the workout room.
"We told you to go at your own pace but you just had to try and keep up with us." Videl stated.
"That was a good workout but the treadmill doesn't get up to the speed I'd like it to." Gar stated. "Anyone up for heading to the track?"
"Yeah, I'm down." Trunks replied. "I'll see if Mai wants to join us. She's usually up for a nice jog. How about you Sharpner?"
"...Can't feel face...or legs."
"I'll take that as a no."
"I'll have to pass." Videl replied. "My mom asked me to meet up with her after classes were over. Gohan too."
"Oh, there was this place close by the campus called Swizzy's I was wanting to check out. How about we all meet up there later?
"Sure." Trunks replied. "See you guys later."
"Have a good one." Gohan replied.
Satan City Police Department
"So why did your mom ask you to meet her here?" Gohan inquired as they approached the police station.
"Not sure. Something about getting back into the swing of things."
"FREEZE YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!" A low toned voice suddenly rang out from behind Gohan and Videl.
Gohan held down the urge to nearly jump out of his skin as the voice said: "Both of you turn around slowly with your hands up."
"Listen officer there must be some kind of mistake." Videl replied.
"Are you resisting arrest!?"
"No..." Gohan replied as he and Videl did as they were told and turned around slowly with their hands in the air to see Vidalia standing in front of them wearing a Satan City Police Department uniform.
"Mom!?"
"Gotcha." Vidalia replied by speaking with her normal tone of voice. "You're both under arrest for being a buncha scaredy cats."
"Mom, Did you...?"
"Rejoin the police force. You bet. Even got my original uniform too. Can you believe the thing still fits?"
"Why? I thought you were retired?" Videl replied.
"Coming down with the heart virus cut my career relatively short and besides I was dead for over 10 years. I've been retired long enough."
"Well if it's what you want then I'm happy for you."
"Thanks, sweetie."
"Aren't people going to question the fact that you were supposed to be dead for over a decade?" Gohan inquired.
"Oh yeah, I've got a cover story for that. I went deep undercover to take down an underworld crime boss. The only ones who knew about it where my family and the chief of police."
"You got the chief to go along with that?" Videl replied.
"Yeah, it was easy. After a talk from, Marky and a generous one hundred thousand Zeni donation to the police pension fund he was willing to go along with whatever we told him."
"Hey wait up!" A familiar voice rang out from behind Gohan and Videl.
Gohan and Videl turned around to see Krillin, also in a police uniform and now sporting a shorter haircut, running towards them hastily adjusting his badge.
"Is that..." Videl began to say.
"Krillin?" Gohan finished.
"Vidalia, I told you to hold up. I...Oh hey, guys. What's up?"
"Since when were you a cop, Krillin?" Gohan inquired.
"Since today. It's my first day on the force. Vidalia, I told you to wait a minute."
"You snooze you lose, rookie."
"So wait, mom, is Krillin your partner?"
"Yep. After I heard Krillin was joining the police force I pulled some strings to get him assigned here. Figured it'd be nice to have a familiar face to show him the ropes."
"I appreciate that."
"No, problem."
"I have to say, I never pictured you being a cop, Krillin." Gohan stated.
"I didn't really picture it myself at first either." Krillin replied. "Apparently crime's been and the rise as of late and the force was looking for new recruits, and when you think about it I've been helping protect people for quite some time so this feels kind of natural."
"Krillin and I were just about to go out on patrol."
"Alright, I guess I'll see you later mom. Oh, by the way, there's a tournament coming up at the university and Gohan and I are going to compete."
"That's great. Kick his ass, sweetie."
"Plan on it." Videl replied before she and Gohan headed back towards the university.
On the way back to their condo Gohan appeared deep in thought.
"Something on your mind, Gohan?"
"It's nothing just wondering about something. It's nothing really."
"If you say so."
Ranchi's
"I guess this is the place." Gohan stated as he and Videl approached a rather plain and relatively small building with a neon sign above the door that simply read Ranchi's
"I guess so." Videl replied. "Not really much to look at."
Videl's expression changed from one disappointment to one of surprise as they entered Ranchi's.
The interior was much larger than the outside let on and had a sort of 1960sesque design with flowers and abstract designs of vibrant yellows, greens, and blues on walls and a peach and black checkerboard floor.
Videl didn't say a word but Gohan could tell by the expression on her face that her feeling of the place being 'Not really much to look at' was the complete opposite.
"Over here!" Trunks' voice suddenly rang out.
Videl and Gohan looked to see Trunks sitting with Mai, Gar, Sharpner, Erasa, and Kan sitting in a large booth in the far back corner.
"Hey, guys." Gohan greeted as he and Videl sat down.
"How was your time at the track?" Videl inquired.
"It was nice." Trunks replied.
"Kan and I had a nice jog." Erasa stated.
"Sharpner even make his way out there." Mai added.
"Of course he took one step off the line before falling on his face." Gar chided.
Sharpner simply sat with his head against his hand looking like he could barely pry it away even if he tried.
"So who had the best time?" Videl inquired.
"Me." Gar replied with great pride.
"That's only because we were all holding back." Trunks replied.
"Make all the excuses you want."
"Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun." Gohan chuckled.
"So what did your mom want to talk about?" Erasa inquired.
"She decided rejoined the police force."
"Oh wow." Erasa squealed. "Tell her I said you go, girl!"
"I'll be sure to."
"You'll never guess who her partner is." Gohan said to Trunks.
"Who?"
"Krillin."
"No way."
"Way."
"How's he been? I haven't gotten a chance to talk to any of the gang since I arrived."
"He's doing great he's got hair, a kid, and married 18." Gohan said the last part under his breath.
"What was that last part?"
"He has a kid."
"And?"
"Aaaand he's married to...Android 18..."
"He's what!?"
Everyone came close to jumping out of their chairs after hearing Trunks shout with the exception of Sharpner who didn't budge an inch although he did wince ever so slightly.
"He married Android 18 and had a kid with her." Gohan replied a bit sheepishly.
"Why!? How!?"
"Listen Trunks, 17 and 18 aren't the bloodthirsty killers that they were in your timeline. 18's actually pretty nice once you get to know her and 17...Well, no one's really had a lot of contact with 17. Although, I think I heard Krillin mention something about him being a park ranger once."
"I..."
Trunks had a hard time picturing either android as 'nice' let alone someone he could get along with. He wasn't sure how he would react if he saw either of them face to face.
"So about Krillin having hair. Crazy right?" Gohan said nervously trying to divert Trunks' attention away from the androids.
"Uh yeah. So he's not naturally bald?" Trunks replied deciding not to focus on any ill feelings.
"Nope. According to him he just kept it 'well waxed.' "
"You don't say."
As the group continued to converse a fairly busty and shapely waitress with deep blue eyes and matching hair accentuated with a red ribbon wearing a tight, lowcut light green, midriff exposing, tank top, red boots, and a pink frilly apron that covered her purple short shorts, approached them.
If Sharpner's jaw could drop, it would have sunk straight to the floor.
"Welcome to Ranchi's. How is everyone doing today?" The waitress inquired as she handed everyone a menu.
"Fine, thank you."
"Say, have we met before?" The waitress asked Gohan.
"No, I don't think so."
"Oh, maybe it's just my imagination then."
"The prices here are pretty good." Videl declared as she read the menu.
"Thank you. We here at Ranchi's provide quality meals at affordable prices so everyone can taste our tasty food. Now, what would you like to have to...Oh, shoot."
"What's the matter?" Videl inquired.
"I must've dropped my notepad somewhere. But where could I have...Oh well, I'll just have to remember it all."
The waitress, while having a sweet and pleasant personality, didn't really seem to present an air of someone who could memorize one order let alone eight.
"Are you sure about that?" Trunks replied slightly worried.
"Oh, sure my mind is a like a steel trap. I never forget anything. Well except my notepad, my keys, my lunch, introducing myself, my motorcycle capsule, my shirt that one time, my..."
"We get it..." Mai interrupted.
"Oh but I never forget information. So order away."
Everyone placed their orders Videl, Gohan, and Trunks were careful not to order an absurd amount but still enough to keep their stomachs satisfied. Which was still enough to make the average Joe do a double take. Mai, Kan, Erasa, who take the time to order for Sharpner. Each ordered an appetizer, an entree, decided to share an extra large banana split boat while Gar decided to in his own words "Splurge." By ordering three large iced-ts.
"Alrighty. I'll go put those orders in."
"This place sure is something." Videl stated.
"I know." Mai replied. "It's not really my style but I don't hate it."
"I don't either. I mean you gotta admire its uniqueness."
The waitress stopped suddenly before quickly turning around.
"Ooh, do you really like my designs?"
"Your designs?" Videl replied.
"Yeah, I designed the place myself. Well, except for the outside."
"Yeah right." Gar replied.
"Of course I designed it. It's my place after all."
"Your place!?" Everyone replied.
"Yeah. I own Ranchi's."
"Wait if you own the diner then why are you taking our orders?" Gar inquired.
"I like chatting with the customers." The waitress cheerfully replied before turning around but as she did she knocked over a pepper shaker that had been placed on the edge of the table. "Oh no..."
The pepper shaker hit the floor causing a tiny cloud of pepper to rise up into the air which traveled directly up the waitress's nose.
"Ah...ah...achoo!"
The waitress let out a massive sneeze and as she did her hair thinned out slightly turned golden blond while her eyes turned a vibrant green.
Everyone sat stunned silence at the waitress's sudden transformation.
"Ah dammit! That clumsy nitwit!" The waitress suddenly exclaimed in a different tone of voice that was less sweet and bubbly and a bit more course.
The waitress quickly spun around and gave everyone a death glare causing even Gar to tremble.
"What are you all lookin at!?" The now blonde waitress exclaimed.
"Uh, nothing...mam." Gohan gulped.
"Mam!? Mams for old ladies. Do I look like an old lady to you!?"
"No...um..."
"The name's Launch."
"Um..." Trunks attempted to say
"Um, what!?"
"N...nothing."
No one was really sure what to say. So silence seemed like the best option at the moment.
"Whatever. I'll get ya orders to the back."
"Wait do you know our orders?" Mai wondered.
"Yeah got it all up here." Launch replied before walking into the back.
'Have I heard that name before...' Gohan thought to himself.
The thought was fleeting as the smell of delicious food began to fill the air. It wasn't long before the thought of chowing down was the only thing on Gohan's mind. The smell of the food was enough to even make the worn out Sharpner sat at attention.
It wasn't very long before the appetizers came which, after they were by devoured everyone, were shortly followed by the entrees, and finally the desserts.
"So ya liked the food?" Launch asked everyone after they were finished with their meals.
"Oh man that was great." a satisfied Gohan stated.
"Yeah, I couldn't drink another drop." Gar replied after drinking his last sip of tea.
"I wasn't going to go for the octopus tart at first but I'm glad I did." Mai stated.
"The whitefish was pretty good too." Kan replied.
"So ya liked the food?" Launch asked everyone.
"Definitely." Videl replied.
"My compliments to the chef.
"Good. I'll tell him ya loved it..."
Gohan felt a sudden chill run down his spine as Launch began to stare intensely at him.
"Say don't I know you from somewhere?"
"No...I um don't think so. The other um you asked the same question."
"You sure about that? What's your name?"
"Gohan."
"Gohan, huh..."
After a few moments of thought, a look of realization appeared on Launches face.
"Hey, you related to Goku?"
"He's my father."
"You don't say."
"You know my dad?"
"Oh yeah. Me and your pops go way back. He was a good kid. Haven't seen him in years though. Hows he been?
"Well he was dead for a while but he's alive now. Spends a lot of his time training."
"Yeah, that sounds like Goku alright."
"You know I think I heard Master Roshi mention you once before."
"That perverted old bastard's still alive."
"Yeah and still as perverted as ever."
Launch and Gohan both let out a slight chuckle at that.
"I like you kid. I can tell you gotta good heart like your father. I'll tell you what your orders on me."
"Oh, you don't have to do that really."
"Nuh uh. I ain't takin no for an answer."
"But I..."
Launch shot Gohan another death glare causing him to instantly give up.
"Thought so. Tell your pops I said high and if you happen to run into Tien tell him I'm lookin for him."
"Will do."
"Can we um get a bit more food to go." Mai asked lightly blushing.
"Sure I'll have the chef whip ya up a few things."
Satan University Condo.
Everyone entered the living room ready to wind down for the day with Sharpner heading straight for his room.
"That was neat running into an old friend of your dads like that." Videl said to Gohan
"Small world." Gohan replied.
"I think Sharpner had the right idea about turning in early." Trunks stated as he let out a yawn.
"Yeah, we got general chemistry first thing in the morning." Mai replied.
"Alright. See you guys in the morning."
Everyone said their good nights before heading to their rooms.
Gohan's Room
Gohan lied in his bed, his mind racing about the events of the day, in particular, the conversation he and Videl had with Vidalia and Krillin.
'Crime is on the rise...'
Gohan grabbed a tv remote from off of his nightstand and turned on the tv switched to the news. The first thing he saw was a report of a breaking and entering.
"This is the fifth breaking and entering in the past two weeks in this area. Police suspect the same person or persons may behind all of them but they don't have a lot of evidence to go on. We hear at OSSC News will keep you informed as soon as we have more information."
Gohan switched to two more news channel and saw even more reports of crime
"Maybe it's time to..."
A sudden knock at the door caused Gohan to abandon his train of thought.
"Come in."
The door open and Videl stood in the doorway in a nightgown holding a DVD in her hand.
"Hey, Gohan." Videl greeted after entering the room.
"Hey, Videl. Can't sleep?"
"Yeah, so I was wondering if you wanted to watch a movie."
"Sure, what do you want to watch?"
Videl blushed slightly as she showed him the movie.
"Magic Pony Kingdom: Revenge of Twinklestar. Ah your favorite"
Gohan remembered the first time she told him her secret favorite movie. "Tell anyone about this and you're dead." "Got it not a word."
Videl popped the movie in the DVD player before getting in bed into and cuddling up to him.
After a bit of the movie passed Videl looked at Gohan and said "So you're thinking about becoming Saiyaman again aren't you?"
Gohan knew he couldn't lie to her. She saw right through him so he simply replied "Yeah."
A/N
Back from the dead once again. Sorry for the absence I've been dealing with some personal stuff but I'm back now. Not a whole lot really happened in this chapter, but I hope it was enough to keep you entertained. Anyway, let me know your thoughts and as always have a great day. ~TheUltimateMystic
