Chapter 4: Meet My Mother

A/N: Hope everyone is enjoying themselves and not going crazy like the rest of the world. I hope this can help you forget, even for a few minutes.

"GOHAN!" The crack of his mother's voice came in hard, just as fast as she did. Appearing as he sat with Goten in his lap. Startling the little brother who immediately jumped and looked for protection. Even at a young age, the small demi saiyan knew that a mad mom was a very, very bad thing indeed. But Goten was safe, Gohan, however, was not. "Young man, what in the world is going on with you?" Her brow twitching, the anger that had apparently built up exploding now that she was no longer kept quiet by the delicate standards she had no doubt been forced to keep.

She'd heard tellings from her nanny that was looking after the home and her boys that Gohan had all but told her off, snapping violently at her and telling her in no uncertain terms to shove whatever concerns she had far up her highly paid posterior. Then, on top of that, Gohan had left going on a date, and being the helicopter mother that she had developed into, not by choice but by all of the sheer unnatural craziness that came about their family simply by the extreme situations placed upon them all. She'd spent years worried about her family, and to a point it had been one of her biggest regrets that all she did was worry and put on a strong face and smile.

But now that there were no threats, she expected her Gohan, of all children, to behave. He'd always been so respectful, nice, kind, and a model for anyone to follow. She just couldn't imagine him being this way, they were well off, and living in greater comforts than ever before. So right now she wanted answers, and she wanted them NOW!

"Mom, this isn't a big deal." He tried to downplay how overblown she was. To Gohan it had been a memorable night. "I'm going on sixteen and I wanted to go out with some friends, they asked me at school to go with them to the movies, plus it was a friday and it was a thank you for how much I helped them out in class. I couldn't say no, that would be rude."

It was mostly true.

Chi-Chi took a full breath, doing her routine of calming down whenever Goku's antics tripped her stress levels and she acted irrationally. 'I might be overreacting just a little bit.' "If that's true why didn't you just call me?" This was still her baby, the honor student, and one whom she received nothing but glowing praise from all members of the school faculty. The admiration of many other moms, and just another rung for her to pull herself up and over the rest of those who would at one point have looked down upon her. She might be a widow of a fighter, but her children were not quite as simple minded as one might be led to believe.

She was the envy of so many people in her personal success, and her children had always been her motivation to sacrifice for them. Goku had given up his life for them, it would be only fair for her to do something similar for their sakes.

"Mom, I'm going to be a grown up soon. I saved the world from Cell, I can destroy planets with my hands, do I really need to ask you for permission to spend several hours out with some friends?" His mother was being a bit irrational, and he was a little childish, but this was true.

"You are still my son, Gohan," Chi-Chi said, exhaling and rubbing her temple. Her expensive golden bangles on her wrist clinking together. "I'm aware that you are almost turning sixteen and I am happy that you are spending time with friends, but I do not expect you to treat Paris like that. She's supposed to be there when I'm not, she makes sure you are okay and looks after your little brother." She reached down and picked up Goten from Gohan. The little boy protested slightly but calmed down when his mother rubbed his back tail stub with her fingers.

"Mom, Paris isn't you and… and I just can't stand her, she pretends to be like she knows anything about us. I know she doesn't discuss Goten's abnormal strength and appetite but just because she's older than me does not give her the right to tell me what to do." He looked at his mom with a trepid gaze, "She's not you and it's just… I never see you anymore and whenever we do, you spend it with Goten and I never get to really talk with you." His mother's approval had always meant the world to him, she was the only piece of family that he could count on to be there for him.

Cradling him in her arms after his return from Namek, spending time tending to his injuries after training, and showering him with all her affections to fill the void for when his dad wasn't there. He had taken on the responsibilities of being the man of the house. It was hard to admit, but he needed his mom. She was the only real person on this planet who understood what he went through. Sure Bulma, Piccolo, Krillin, and maybe even Vegeta - if he by chance got more than two words out of him - were possibilities but they weren't his family. They were all his dad's friends and the relationship between them had been good and yet strained at the same time.

"Mom, when was the last time we ever got to be a family? Me, you, and Goten?"

A hard punch and it struck deep into his mom's heart. She bit her bottom lip slightly, her brown eyes looking down at Goten who played with the shiny jewelry on her wrist. I don't even know… Chi-Chi could say that it had been months. Sure she'd come home from work and be with them, but when did she sit down and have a meal outside or even have a vacation with her two boys?

Always busy with one show, working here and there. It always seems to be that people need my attention or my signature for something. The life she had given up was better though, they weren't living in the wilds. They shared a million dollar penthouse, never a shortage of food, good schools, care for her sons. A close proximity to Bulma Briefs should there ever be a true emergency.

Trading one life for another, but Chi-Chi knew this was for the better. She herself needed some time to heal, with the knowledge that Goku wasn't ever coming back, she needed to find a new purpose and spending her days alone with her children while her father took care of everything. She refused to let that be a part of her legacy.

"It's been awhile," She admitted, wrapping her arm around Goten she hugged him close, but she smiled at her son. "I know I may be a little too hot headed Gohan, but I care and worry about you. It's a thing moms do."

"I'm sorry for upsetting you." Gohan told her, giving her one of his innocent smiles.

She shook her head sighing, "No, I'm sorry for overreacting and while I don't understand why you would think Paris is trying to replace me, she's just doing the job I want to do, but I promise I'll try and be here more for you." Maybe I like the spotlight and the attention too much? She thought briefly. Setting down Goten on the floor so he could continue playing.

"Thanks mom, now can I ask you something not related to this topic?"

She smiled, "Sure, you can Gohan."

Gohan blushed, broaching the topic of girls… Well here goes. 'Mom, there's this girl at school and I like her and she likes me but I-"

"Stop." His mother said putting up a hand, "Before we proceed, No S. E. X?" Her voice dropping to a low intimidating tone that would be the fear of hell into Frieza's soul if he were still alive.

"N-No!" Gohan said waving his hands which made his Mom nod, "Mom it's not about that, I know I'm not old enough for that yet."

"Very good, you are to wait until you are married. You're still half alien, Gohan, that's going to cause a lot of problems the doctors I had while having both of you two had to understand how complicated everything was and be able to keep quiet. There would be a lot of people asking questions and making your life really difficult, then if that person doesn't know, how do you think they will react?"

"Uhmm mom why are you going so far into this?" Gohan asked almost nervously.

Chi-Chi took a breath, "Gohan, if you're considering a relationship you need to understand something about, well… lets just be educational. Your sperm, if it's anything like your father's you are extremely… how do I put this." Bringing a hand to her chin, trying to find the right word. "You, if you're like your father, are very potent. Your father got me pregnant on the first try I believe or at least within the first month of our marriage and no doubt Trunks was the same way. Without any form of birth control no doubt you can get a girl pregnant without meaning to." It probably wasn't time for the saiyan birds and bees talk but Chi-Chi had to address some serious issues that would come up. Goku was insatiable when he learned about sex and Bulma has no problems telling me about how her Prince can be all over her. Put a young boy like Gohan in with some tarted up hussy and I'll have grandkids before I'm even thirty five!

"Gohan, are you sure this girl likes you? She isn't just doing this because she knows who I am and believes this is her ticket or something like that, right?"

He shook his head, "No, she's really nice to me, she has always been someone who was nice to me and made me feel welcome, and since she treated me like I was normal I try and help her out. I do extra notes for her and help her with homework during lunch."

Saying it out loud helped Gohan confirm his own feelings. That and he was talking with someone he could actually confide within was reassuring as well. Gohan knew his mom wouldn't judge him, and if he wanted to have any real meaningful relationship with someone they'd need to get to know his family and his mom was one such person.

Chi-Chi smiled, "My boy apparently has his first crush."

"Mom…" Gohan said embarrassed, his face blushing, Gohan began scratching the back of his neck, reminding his mom of his father.

"Gohan, I think you like this girl, but do you like this girl because she's nice to you or because there's something else?"

"Something else?" He didn't understand. His mom just smiled and leaned back in the chair.

"Gohan, there's always the feeling of butterflies in your stomach, or just a ravenous pit if it was your father when it comes to love. I fell in love with your dad at first sight."

"Yeah you told me that before." Recalling that his dad thought marriage was food. Recognizing that his father hadn't exactly been in love with his mom at first, but overtime did gain those feelings. He wasn't like that though, he knew what love was, not exactly how it was supposed to feel. But that's why he had to talk to his mom, even given the choice his father wasn't exactly father of the year when it came to handling emotions. 'Not that dad is even around to talk with, the Other World is just too much fun.' The bitterness at the man who had been missing for years in his life.

"Gohan, what you need to understand is, and this is what I learned as well after knowing your father. Just because you feel something doesn't mean that those feelings aren't going to be reciprocated. You have to spend more than just a year or a date with this person to really know them. I mean, has she told you anything that would make you feel like this is mutual or exclusive?"

"Ummm well, she was kind of the one who approached me about it and we… well.. Kinda," His voice became an incoherent mumble as he wasn't capable of saying it. For all his talk earlier, the savior of the planet couldn't even tell his own mother that he'd, 'Well I'm a teenager what else was I supposed to do?'

Chi-Chi slightly cocked her head, "Gohan? Did you just say?"

He bit his upper lip as he just quickly nodded his head and kept looking down.

"Gohan!" Her words flustered, "You shouldn't be kissing any girls! You're not even sixteen yet!"

"You told me that you tried to get dad to kiss you when you were younger." Gohan defended, his face red that she had quickly picked up on what he had said.

"Gohan you know that's different, your father wasn't normal." Somehow she regretted telling him that story right now. "Goku wasn't the easiest person to talk to unless it involved food or fighting."

'Yeah she's right about that' Talking with his dad about things had never been easy, there was a lot of black and white with him. Though he did have his deep moments, his dad never seemed interested in things outside his usual sphere.

"Anyway, Gohan you shouldn't be kissing girls, you're still too young and so is she." Though there was some happiness to see that Gohan was finding someone who liked him, she was still cautious. Her children were her children, and no hussy, hoochy, or two timing snot-nosed teen was getting her claws in her perfect child.

"Alright, I'll try mom." Gohan said to which his mother smiled and nodded, "Good, now let's get some dinner and you can tell me more about her. If you don't mind watching your little brother?"

He gave a short laugh, "No, I can watch my squirt brother." 'It's good to have mom back to normal.'

[***]

Another school day, though it was one of the creative school week programs that were going on to help kids express themselves. The motto 'stimulate both sides of your mind' was the goal. So this left Gohan sitting in the middle of class, Videl on his left and Erasa on his right. They were currently in some drawing exhibition, the teen working on doing a stylized portrait of his two neighbors. It was one of the few options he could actually choose to do. He was not going to start molding clay, or was he getting anywhere near the juvenile tables and helping little kids paint. His mom would kill him if he ruined his clothes, of course not literally, but she had him dressed up in some very expensive silk shirts and getting finger paints on them… 'Oh man that is a picture I don't want to see'

And for once no one was looking to him for help.

Erasa had a creative mind, as did Videl, they were both doing the same thing as him, doing a portrait of their neighbors.

But unbeknownst to all except the debutante princess/fighter herself. Videl had been studying Gohan carefully. While normally she was very observant, studying his actions, looking for that greater purpose. Yet she couldn't get what had happened out of her mind.

She never told Gohan or Erasa that she had seen what had happened when she had gone to get the car. Hearing the commotion she had come back only to view Gohan standing right into one the bastard's face.

Gohan didn't appear nervous, his entire being was focused, his hands and feet in a position to move swiftly. Yet she didn't even see the blow coming, for all of her skill, training, and technique Videl had yet to even blink and see Gohan strike the jerk square in the stomach.

It was so quick but also incredibly powerful, the guy dropped in just one blow, and not even in a vital area it seemed based on how he fell. Had it been to the head, back, or legs the man's body would've contorted, twisted, and fallen awkwardly. But he had just crumpled on Gohan's fist.

That was startling, she'd gone to ask her father to see his fastest and strongest punch. Which of course he had no problems doing, showing off and proving to his daughter that Dad was the biggest and the baddest of them all came naturally.

However, she was able to follow her dad, he punched a dummy with enough force to tear a chunk of leather off the sandbag core. Impressive and something for her to evaluate based on her own brilliant mind. Videl was able to compare the damage.

The results were shocking, Gohan hit with nearly three times the force of her father and for her to miss the punch at least six times faster.

'As if Gohan wasn't already mysterious enough, how is he that strong and fast? When in class he was maybe seventy percent faster than Sharpner and four times stronger than most boys… and yet here he is breaking records that my Dad set.' But then she wasn't angry, she saw Gohan stand up to someone for her best friend. Defending her honor and asking for nothing, going back to being his usual self. Although the guy's phone exploding was also suspicious, she couldn't figure that out. Spontaneous explosions just didn't happen, possibly Gohan had done something, or it was just sheer convenience? Whatever the reason it all came up in Gohan's favor.

'Maybe I have been wrong about Gohan, maybe he actually is being genuine in how he acts but I also know that he is hiding something,' The latter could not be understated for Videl.

Keeping her eyes on him was still the goal, but Gohan was looking out for Erasa and Erasa had been so giddy about the whole ordeal that she wouldn't stop talking about it. Most of the School had heard about their resident all honor roll and physical all star white-knighting for Erasa.

Quickly turning him from just another topic of discussion into one of forum posts, tags, and an object of desire for most girls. Hell, upperclassmen Seniors were talking about having a contest about bagging the genius since 'someone' had snapped a photo of Gohan shirtless had all but turned the attractive factor up to eleven.

Kind, cute, ripped, smart, and chivalrous. It checked a lot of teen boxes, and while bad boys had their place. Inside one of the girl's bathroom a graffiti scribbled on the door of 'Son Gohan, pick one' FUCK/MARRY/KILL? And tally marks were made below.

She had gone to see it purely for curiosity only to discover at least a hundred different tally marks. Several were made to kill maybe out of spite or attempts to be humorous, but the majority were either fuck or marry and considering how many marks most which were made with different instruments one could be assured that this was quite the diverse poll.

Videl herself hadn't put down a mark, as she thought about it. Had this been a week or two prior she would've struck kill without a second thought if she was so juvenile to graffiti a high bathroom. Which she wasn't.

Internally though, her eyes watched Gohan as he worked on his drawing. Being diligent and praising Erasa who was doing good work apparently - Videl didn't have time to check - as the class rolled on.

Her mind drifted to the topic, 'Fuck… hmmm.' Was the idea of Gohan fucking her appealing. Maybe? Gohan certainly didn't lack in the looks department. A foreign image of her laying on her purple and black bed sheets while Gohan was kneeling down on the floor. His face buried in between her legs, Gohan eats a lot of food, wouldn't his tongue be- Oh my gawd?! What am I thinking?' Her face turned red at the thought but the image had sown a seed in her mind. Gohan's face eating her out, even though she was a teen and a 'good girl' she had learned a thing or two. Not by choice, and her father's often loud female conquests were spoken on a few occasions where he didn't know that she could hear him.

But then picturing it made her stomach squeeze and her legs clench together slightly.

*sniff, sniff* Gohan was smelling the air, "What is that?" His head looking around, "Do you either of you smell that?"

"Huh?" Erasa tried her part but shook her head, "No I don't, what is it? Please tell me you don't smell someone passing gas, you always smell the bad ones early!" The blonde's sensitive sensibilities didn't want to enjoy a passing crop dusting or full blown chemical attack.

"No, nothing like that. It's well…" He looked at Erasa, then to Videl. His face panicked slightly then faced straight ahead. "N-N-Nevermind, it's nothing."

What the heck was that?' Videl didn't know what just happened, she sniffed the air, not visibly but she wondered what it was too. However she didn't notice whatever Gohan had picked up.

Looking back down at her picture Videl wondered what she could do with it. Letting her mind wander absently she got lost in the dimension of her own thoughts. Marry huh? What would it even be like to be married to someone like him?

He seemed to be the type of guy that you'd want to marry. He was student of the year, though he didn't participate in sports, his grades were all off the scale and he seemed more concerned about helping his classmates than worrying about himself.

Everything about him just reeked of the type of guy you'd want to have waiting at home for you. He'd sweep you off your feet, tell you how good you looked and how happy he was to be married to you. More than plausible. But then you wouldn't be worried either, Gohan was more than capable of providing, his brain could have him being anything he wanted to be and with colleges probably ready to line up around the block from Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and all other Ivy League schools ready to pick him up there wasn't much keeping Gohan from being at the top of whatever field he went in to.

A good looking guy, with brains, and a caring and nurturing attitude. Probably would be a good dad too. Slap on that his mom is a celebrity chef and you pretty much have hit all the boxes, the only way you'd probably make this better if he was some kind of royalty. Which she was, but Gohan wasn't. A child from a B list celebrity parent didn't trump the daughter of the guy who saved the world.

But it didn't hurt anything. She just sighed, and resigned herself to try and stop thinking about it until the bell rang.

"What do you think, Gohan?" Erasa said holding up her picture, "Wow that's really good. I didn't know you were a good artist."

"Thanks." Erasa said winking at him, Videl turned her head and looked at the picture her friend held up for her. Nope it's actually not bad. "He should be under my foot Erasa, you know I'm the best fighter in the school."

The image of Videl and Gohan dressed up in karate Gi's in a circle. Videl kicking at Gohan's forearm while he blocked. Both of them were pretty on point for being a pencil sketch. "Oh hush Videl, it's perfect." Erasa teased as she bent over to look at Gohan's picture. "Need's a little work. But good try."

"Ehhh, yeah I wasn't ever good at drawing." Gohan said, he did a portrait of Erasa and Videl, their faces were correct but they had some obvious errors with shading and lines. Not exactly Picaso if he had to admit it.

Before Videl could even look back at her own picture Erasa snatched it out from under her. "Oh my god! Videl oh this is too cute!"

"Huh, wait" She looked down then to her friend. "Hey give that back," Blushing but Erasa was already out of reach and showing it to Gohan.

"She made us getting married." Erasa had on a veil, and Gohan looked to be sporting a tux. It was from the neck up and the blonde saw herself in the picture. It was better than her own work.

Gohan blushed, "Ehm, yeah. Looks nice, good job Videl?" He laughed nervously as Videl swiped the paper away from her friend, her own embarrassment showing. 'Thank god she didn't really look too hard.' Videl's daydream had played a dirty trick on her.

It still had Erasa's face still, but the hair, and Videl's small mole were also present in the picture. I was drawing myself marrying Gohan… Ugh, he does one good and nice thing and here- Oh just forget it!

Getting up, an upset scowl showing on her face, Videl hurried out the door making a mental note to remind the faculty to go clean up the girls bathroom from defamatory and distracting marks in the future.

As the day wound to a close with Linear Algebra, Gohan popped a surprise question. To his friend and pseudo friend/obsessive competitor. "Would you two be interested in coming over for dinner this Friday? My mom is going to be home and I'd like you two to meet her." Though Gohan would rather just invite Erasa, it would probably be less troubling if Videl was brought along. Figuring that this could also help keep things smooth between them.

Videl had been acting less annoyed with him than usual, keeping her complaints about him to well below average and if he could extend a peace offering like this so that they could bury whatever grudges they had. This would be the perfect chance to do just that, and it might help quash quite a few rumors that Gohan was apparently now Erasa's boyfriend. Not that he wouldn't currently object to that, but he didn't need that going back to the faculty and to his mom. Oh man, he feared her wrath if she got told by someone that he hadn't listened to her advice and was now dating.

Keep things simple and wait until you are a senior, no talk of girlfriends. You can have girls who are your friends, young man, but do not start dating in high school. You are too young for that and you much like your father don't know how to say no to a pretty girl.

That was a loud and clear warning and things were better since he'd had the chance to talk with her about things when she was home it made keeping a level head easier. Of course she had disappeared again with the promise to return before the weekend.

Her agent always promised this was the last time, and he was getting sorely tempted to go tell that guy to piss right the hell off.

"So what do you say?"

[***]

"So… this is where Gohan lives?" The open ended question by Erasa was ignored by her friend as she looked up and around the location. "I gotta say this sure is one ritsy place. I can't really imagine Gohan living up here. Doesn't really feel like it, does it?"

Videl had tagged along, originally she felt like not going but if Erasa was going, she'd be damned if she'd let her BFF go off on her own and visit Gohan's family. Especially since her own perceptions had been a bit hampered by what she was coming to realize that maybe, and a big maybe, that there might be more to Gohan than she'd originally believed.

The large upscale, and very as her friend had put it, 'ritzy' place was indeed top of the line. It would be the type of place she and her Dad would stay when they would be traveling and making public appearances all over the place. It had given her anxiety with all the times they had been hotel hopping during her youth, fortunately in the summer months she'd have Erasa with her.

It was really the only company she'd have for long periods of time, servants, butlers, and maids were often the flavor of the day and Videl many times remembered how lonely it could get.

Approaching the main desk lobby, "Good evening ladies what can I do for you?" The employee behind the desk wearing his suit, the hotel logo embroidered over his breast pocket.

"We're guests for Son Gohan, probably under Chi-Chi Mao." Videl said, her arms crossed over her chest as she spoke with an indifferent tone. Looking as if she'd rather be anywhere else but here.

"Oh, and your names-"

"Videl Satan," Nothing quickly ended a boring conversation than the mere utterance of her name. She got that it was a formality but would a couple of teen girls really walk in here with ill intent on the day they had guest passes made.

The man's face went pale, his mouth opened to speak before closing. "Oh, please forgive me Miss Satan."

"It's fine, can you-"

"Yes yes," The man waved over one of the bellhops. "Michael, take them to the penthouse immediately." His hands almost hastily handing him the access card to that location. Leaning, he said some words to emphasize just how important this task would be.

The young bellhop swallowed and looked to the two girls, while normally one could crack a joke or maybe flirt with a guest. It was made in no uncertain terms that these two were to have the best experience possible during their visit.

"F-Follow me please." He said pulling at the turtleneck which felt much tighter than before, looking at the face of the most famous man's daughter on the entire planet. Well it certainly had an effect upon his disposition.

"Jeez Videl, you scare everyone." Erasa sighed, knowing this reaction and having seen it many times before. The world champ's daughter said nothing as they were taken up the stairs and came to visit their friend.

The bellhop quickly disappeared once they were let off the elevator. As there were only two penthouses on this floor, Videl and Erasa could tell which one was Gohan's based upon the decor leading to the main entrance.

Approaching the door, Erasa went to knock only to have the door swing open before her fist had even landed. "Welcome!" It was Gohan and he was smiling, but more importantly-

"Why are you wearing a suit Gohan?" Videl said cocking up one eyebrow upon seeing him dressed up like this.

"Ehh, well my mom wanted me to leave a good impression and she doesn't like me wearing my regular lounging clothes when company is over." He explained, as his mother didn't want him looking like a bum, two very nice girls were coming over and he was going to leave a good impression. Friends or not, Chi-Chi wasn't going to have her son walking around his father would.

"Oh-kay, mind if we come in then?" Erasa asked a little excited to see Gohan's place. It had to be nice.

"Oh, sorry, yeah come on in. Just be careful my little brother is running around and he doesn't know quite how to behave himself yet." Gohan admitted, as he could hear Goten padding around the place as they spoke. His little squirt would be going nuts around new people. He just got really excited and wanted to play with everyone, unfortunately that didn't always turn out so well, as Goten had cracked a few ribs and broken a bone or two when people were around the powerful demi saiyan. For whatever reason his kid brother was way stronger than he was when he had been born.

As he opened up the door, Videl and Erasa both were a little surprised. The place was indeed top notch, the granite counter tops, the nice leather furniture, the plants while fake fit the flow of the room, the expensive carpets. A small gas fireplace was rolling even though it was spring, but as they looked towards the kitchen the expansive spread of food was overwhelming, in both quantity and smell.

"Wow," Erasa said looking around, "Man, Gohan I'm a little jealous and you've seen my house. Of course it's not quite up to Videl's pad but you know what I give it a solid eight out of ten." Going off all of the lavish decor and where she had seen it in her numerous magazines and fashion shows that she'd watched.

Videl kept quiet herself, her eyes looking around and seeing all the hallmarks of a happy home, walking towards the couch she saw an older picture. It was Gohan, or at least she'd guess it was him looking at how similar they were in the photo. Wearing a yellow jerkin and green pants while in the arms of a tall looking man with an orange gi, next to a traditional woman in a blue and pink cheongsam.

They seemed quite happy, looking past that she saw another one more recent. This one was bereft of that pure happiness, more along the lines of a family together, but struggling. Clearly this was even before Gohan's family rose up to prominence. As the same mother looked tired, the boy who had become a teenager had sadness in his eyes unlike the child who resembled the boy from before. The father was replaced by the son, and the mother is now a widow.

It was not the kind of thing one would expect to see and she wondered why anyone would put out such a family picture. Looking back Erasa was still chatting away with Gohan, their conversation mostly small talk until they heard the sound of pattering feet.

A boyish cry came up as Gohan not even looking backwards caught his little brother had leapt up towards him. The boy's high jump was comparable to many athletes in the school and this one was only three years old.

"Calm down Goten." Gohan sighed, shaking his head as he pulled his small little brother forward. Wearing his small overalls and red shirt, Goten appeared to be like a regular kid. Just with hair that was just defying gravity. "Eh sorry, this is my little brother. Goten say hello."

"Heywwooo!" Goten gleefully called out waving his appedages towards them.

"Oh man he's so cute," Erasa fawned over the little baby brother. "Man I can't wait to have my own kids, I'd love to be a mom having lots of children." Coming closer she brought a hand closer to Goten, "Hey there Goten, I'm Erasa."

"Urza?" Goten said, grabbing one of her fingers, under careful scrutiny by his big brother.

"No Erasa, E-Raz-Ahh" She vocalized for him. 'Kids are the best.' She smiled as Goten put a finger to his mouth.

"Say E Goten." Gohan tried helping, though it might be a bit of a lost cause, Goten hadn't really taken to learning his phonetics so well. But he'd give this a shot at least.

"Eaa?" He tried at least. "No E-E, make an E sound."

"EEE" Goten squawked, "Good, now E-Raza" Gohan tried again, but unfortunately his brother crushed his expectations.

"Uraza!" Both Erasa and Gohan let their heads fall. "Sorry, we'll work on it." A little embarrassed, Gohan thet set his brother onto the ground ,let him walk up to his friend and touch her leg with his small hand and give her a huge smile.

"It's fine Gohan, he's still a little kid. Plus it's cute." She wasn't upset over a three year old getting her name wrong, "So where's your mum?"

"Oh she's still getting ready, but if you want we can sit down and eat if you're hungry." Offering them a chance to grab some food as his mom was still trying to make herself look good for his friends, Why does that matter? They're my friends. It's not like this is something super formal, it's just dinner and getting to know the family. Her actions were a bit conflicting but whatever, they were here now everything was fine.

"Oh that's- Whoa! Hey-!" Erasa jumped slightly as Goten climbed up her leg. In a few handfuls the small boy was holding onto her side and looking into her face. "Jeez Gohan, your little brother is super strong." Despite generalizing the term, she was shocked that he could climb just like that, but when considering his brother it didn't seem like too much of a stretch.

Videl had seen that too, the boy had just climbed her friend like a tree. What is up with this family? I can sort of get Gohan's strength, but his little brother did something a kid shouldn't be able to do. Her scrutiny was missed though as Gohan sweated and pulled Goten off of her despite his protests.

"Goten, stop acting like a miscreant and come over here." A new presence entered the room, and both Erasa and Videl came face to face with the family matriarch. Chi-Chi wore a nice dress, full straps and covering her chest and legs, half of her hair pinned back into a bun with a gold circlet leaving two long flowing bangs to come around the side of her face and just below her neck. The lush midnight hair did not obstruct her view of her guests.

"Oh, wow, It's nice to meet you Mrs. Mao." Erasa said, coming over to shake her hand. "I've seen quite a few of your shows and no offense but you look great in person."

"Thank you, and you can call me Chi-Chi. You don't need to be so formal with me if you are my son's friends." She smiled, shaking the girl's hand, but studied her carefully. The inspection had begun, 'Let's just see what kind of girl you really are.' Chi-Chi didn't give her any other inkling but noticed that another party was here. "You must be Videl."

"I am, I guess I'm pretty recognizable." Videl stated as she approached the woman. "I've read quite a bit about you, are you really a finalist for the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament."

Gohan felt a bit of tension in the air, 'Seriously, are you sizing up my mom?!' Gohan could scarcely believe it, but as he looked at the scene unfolding he saw something: a young strong independent woman undaunted by someone else. Looking up at someone who was their senior and not backing down. In some twisted image he could almost see his mother standing where Videl was. He quickly dismissed those thoughts as ludicrous.

Chi-Chi gave the girl a smirk, "I've met you before and your father on the few occasions where I've had the 'privilege'," The world mildly sarcastic, "of meeting him has had volumes of pictures about his daughter. So I do recognize you." There was something about this girl, she liked her already.

Videl and Chi-Chi laughed before turning to the kitchen. Erasa was a little confused about the exchange but didn't put much concern to it, they'd come here to meet Gohan's family and have a good meal. She could sweat the small stuff later.

"So, Erasa, Videl how long have you two known my son?" Taking the opportunity to run her hand through Gohan's hair and make the poor teen blush.

"Well since he came to Orange Star, Gohan was really shy at first but I knew there was a good guy in there, it just took awhile to get everyone to open up to him."

"I see, and you Videl. My son says you see him as some sort of rival, is that true?" Taking small bites of her cut up food before offering another large helping of curry to her little Goten that was eating at his usual ravenous pace. The daughter of Mr. Satan had quickly garnered Chi-Chi's attention more than the blonde, mostly due to Videl's status, but in small part because even Chi-Chi could see there was quite a bit of herself in the young martial artist.

"Mom!" Gohan exclaimed, why was she bringing that up?

Chi-Chi just smiled, "Oh come on Gohan, you've talked quite a bit about your two friends here. I just want to know if the stories are true. Don't be embarrassed." She told him but she couldn't stop Gohan from looking down at his lap. Unable to maintain any level of his usual level headedness and acting unaffected, but his family was always something that got him flustered no matter his personal self control.

"I wouldn't say rival, just unwelcome competition." Videl countered, but doing her best to remain polite.

"Oh Videl, you just can't admit that you like Gohan too," Erasa teased, making her friend glare at her in obvious contempt, but she was undeterred by that look. "We both like Gohan, he's very nice and super helpful when I'm struggling in school. My grades haven't been better since he's been helping me in class."

"Is that right?" Chi-Chi said almost grinning, "Which of my methods are you using, Gohan?"

'Oh that hurts.' Gohan couldn't vocalize it though, "Wow are you saying you're Gohan's teacher?" Erasa couldn't believe that, his mom was a martial artist, a super cook, a celebrity, and also a teacher. She was like a super mom or something.

The mother nodded her head, "Yes, I was Gohan's tutor, I bought him everything since I saw his potential growing up. He's always been so gifted in his education and it makes me happy to see him using his own knowledge to help others, almost makes me wonder if you'll become a professor somewhere in a big Ivy League if you are already teaching in high school."

"Well I would love to be his student, he's really helpful." Erasa admitted, "Oh and before I forget, this food is fantastic. How do you do it?" She really had a hard time saying that she'd eaten anything better, considering the spread all of her taste buds were checked.

"A lot of practice." Chi-Chi chuckled. The scene broke down into more small talk, they talked about school. How they were doing, the ups and downs of general life. Chi-Chi however, recognized Erasa's namesake.

The mother of two was unsure of Gohan was aware of it, probably not considering that he liked her. But Chi-Chi had heard from others that Erasa's family were big in the adult entertainment industry, mainly: porn. It made her want to crinkle her nose up at the blonde but she remained polite the girl was being very civil and she wouldn't condemn her for what her family did. She was a bit traditional in her upbringing and didn't see the need for things like that despite its lucrative nature, when coming down to her personal pride Chi-Chi wouldn't ever want to degrade herself in such a fashion and hopefully this nice young woman would also not do the same. But considering her looks, and how she was struggling in school without her son's help. Chi-Chi didn't give the girl the highest of marks for success outside of her family name. But I've been wrong before.

Yet when it came to Videl, Chi-Chi actually liked her. She was quite the little firecracker, while proud she was nothing like her father. The loud bombastic over the top character that he was probably wasn't good for raising a daughter, at least that's what she thought and yet. Looking at the girl before her now, Chi-Chi could appreciate everything about her, she had good morals, spirited, and a spine. Something sorely lacking from a large portion of people she met nowadays.

Not privy to his mother's internal thoughts, Gohan managed to maintain his general composure. The girls were probably looking more at Goten and his mom than him.

As the dinner came to a close, Erasa wanted to see Gohan's room and Videl tagged along just wondering if there were any secrets, although this dinner was planned, Videl doubted very much that someone like Gohan would leave some juicy goods out in plain view.

Erasa could see it was blandish, there wasn't any real pizazz or decorations. A lot of textbooks in shelves were wall to wall, a large desk with any number of educational tools and instruments, some of them memories of years previous along with his bed which was a large queen size with no decorative sheets. 'Not a poster, not a pin up, hell, he doesn't even have any sexy backgrounds on his computer screen.' Erasa had to admit this wasn't unexpected but it also was not a surprise.

"Have you read all of these?" Videl asked, there were so many books but unlike them being just window dressing there were obvious marks on the book edges and covers. They had been pulled out with enough frequency to leave marks.

"Yeah, my mom was quite heavy on my education." Gohan said with a sheepish laugh as Videl held up the encyclopedia of the world, along with it's disc set for audio learning. "Yeah that too."

"God you're such a nerd." Videl said almost disgusted but put the book back while Erasa picked apart things on his desk. Videl came to more family pictures, but unlike those in the family room. These had been altered. It was the same picture but Videl could see that Gohan's father had been covered other kodak style photographs she could see the face had been blacked out as well.

He must really be upset with his father, it's not just one, there's two, three, four, five, six… the number just kept going up and up to where this wasn't by accident or coincidence. Looking back at Gohan she saw a little more beyond the brains and calm demeanour. 'His dad was killed by Cell so why would he be upset about him dying? My mom died during childbirth so I don't hate her for that. So why does Gohan appear almost hostile to the idea of having his dad's face appear in photos?'

Then again, 'I don't really know his backstory? Was maybe Gohan abused somehow?' Her logical brain putting together quite a hypothetical scenario where Gohan's abilities stemmed from personal childhood trauma in his family life. An abusive upbringing where his father ends up dying and leaving his mom, and two sons alone might stir up a hefty bit of personal resentment. But that didn't explain why his mother wouldn't have some similar feelings if that were the case, talk with a little sense of pride about who Son Goku was and happy that Goten looks like his father.

She'd need to start digging a little further. But as she looked down to her watch, "Alright Erasa, time's up let's let Gohan and his family be."

"Oh alright, but let me get my notes and I'll be right out." Erasa said to which Videl merely shrugged and left the room.

"Notes? Erasa I don't have any for you." He was confused there wasn't any need for him to put in any extra work for her. They hadn't had much in the way of difficult topics - for her level - and she hasn't requested any so he was a bit unsure as to why she would say that.

But he quickly discovered why.

"Oh Gohan, you are just too-" She brought her hands up and around the back of his neck, "-Cute." Before placing her lips back over his mouth. Much like their kiss in the photo booth at the mall. Except this was a bit sweeter.

Pulling back she smiled as Gohan's face was completely red with embarrassment, but he didn't seem ready to object. "Thanks for inviting us over."

"S-Sure." Gohan stammered, as Erasa planted one more kiss on his cheek before leaving his room. Finding Videl waiting by the door almost bored.

"Get what you wanted?" Videl said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, yes, yes I did!" Erasa giggled covering her mouth as she and Videl left the penthouse. Leaving behind one flustered saiyan and Chi-Chi who had quite the opinion of Gohan's 'friends' but she wasn't going to share her thoughts quite yet.

R&R