Chapter 5- Then again, didn't I do the same
It had been three weeks since Tai had first enrolled in Orange Star and he was getting used to being around people again. For the previous 7 years it had just been him being trained by his master. It was also his first time being around people his own age, a group who he had determined to be annoying and worthless. All they did was gossip, make noise and make other people's lives difficult. Especially if they deemed you physically weaker or less attractive than they were.
A few people tried it with Gohan, it didn't bother him much or else he would show them real physical superiority, and they left Tai alone. In fact, they only went after Gohan when Tai wasn't present. The only one who did it with any sort of subterfuge was the teacher Mr Moore. Tai was the only one to pick up on what the earthlings called bullying. Moore was bullying Gohan by belittling him in class and going after his credibility with other teachers.
Gohan was smart when it came to books and to a lesser extent fighting, but in terms of interpersonal skills he was like a newborn. Tai may not have known how to deal with kids his own age, he knew how to deal with adults and he had the experience to tell when one was picking on a child.
It was English Literature, one of the few classes he shared with Gohan and Videls friends, and it was taught by Mr. Moore. He was reading The Tempest, with most of the class either being confused by the words or bored.
"How much longer is this torture?"
"Don't get your hopes up because we have gym later."
"Unlike these earthlings, I don't struggle with such trivial activities."
Gohan frowned at his friends' tone, "I meant about staying hidden. Not everyone can be saiyans like us."
"Yamcha, Tien and Krillin would find this easy."
"Everyone you've named has dedicated years of training, you can't expect that from everyone."
"I'll give you that, but if any of those weaklings try and vomit on me again, I'll end them."
"Sometimes I wonder what Vegeta was like at my age, I think you just answered my question."
"Vegeta wouldn't last 5 minutes without killing someone."
"You're right. Do you want a biscuit for your patience?"
"Do you want my foot up your ass, because that's what's going to happen if you keep patronising me?"
"Doesn't Dende's orders not to harm the earthlings extend to me."
"You're half human so I can beat you half to death."
The two shared a knowing smirk and unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by Videl. She wrote something down on a piece of paper and handed it to Videl.
Is it me or does it look like they're having a conversation.
Once she read it she too took note of the saiyans. Their facial expressions ranged from hostile to jovial and everything in between. Gohan even had to stifle laughter on occasion.
Maybe they just really like each other. She scribbled on a piece of paper, before handing it back to Videl.
Very funny. I know it sounds ridiculous, but we have a superhero who can fly and throw fireballs from his hands. Anything's possible.
Erasa was about to write back a smartass response, then she remembered that time the Tai put his hands on her forehead and made those feelings come up. It's not the most ridiculous theory you've had this year.
"GOHAN," Mr Moore bellowed, causing some of the sleepier members of class to jump. "I like to laugh too, so would you mind explaining what you and Tai are laughing about."
The class turned to face the pair, but mainly on the demi saiyan who had been called out by their teacher. "We were talking about how hard it was to read when we were children," Tai spoke up.
Moore glared at Tai menacingly. He thought back to the day that Gohan had caught him on the roof and remembered the litany of lunch boxes. Maybe Tai was there too, he thought, however he remembered that was a month before the boy even arrived and returned to his original target.
"You will speak when addressed, Taikon, I was talking to Mr. Son."
"Tai's right, we were talking about being kids and struggling with this."
Moore smirked at the opportunity "So you've been reading Shakespeare since you were a child. I can hardly believe that."
"It's true."
"We probably know it better than you," Kai grumbled, but was ignored
"Then you wouldn't mind doing the next scene, everyone please give Mr Son a nice round of applause," the class did as commanded and Gohan played his role. Once at the front he asked.
"What scene is it?"
"Act 3, Scene 1 from ''A prince, Miranda—I do think, a king"
Gohan shifted uncomfortably at the attention he was getting from the class. Some of the jocks enjoyed seeing him that way, this was also true for the populars. Victimising nerds was a pass time, but they could appreciate a teacher getting in on the act.
"This scene involves Miranda, you can't expect him to do it alone can you," Tai spoke up.
"Maybe one of the girls should join him," Sharpener jumped in.
Erasa and Videl regarded Moore with disgust at the show. If this was the first time this had happened she wouldn't care, but this was a pattern. Gohan was routinely singled out, for the smallest of infractions. The same infractions he'd allow some of the others to get away with.
"Gross, who'd want to be near the nerd boy," Biro spat.
Biros response made Marker, Angela, Pencilcase and Tipex,, the members of her clique in this class, laugh.
"You might catch his nerd germs," Pencilcase added.
Moore didn't bat an eye at the blatant bullying, he just continued to stare at Gohan expectantly. Tai observed the situation with interest. The familiarity of the atmosphere made his skin itch. He'd encountered cliques like this as a child, but he assumed that was just the Frieza forces general attitude, cowardice and cruelty. Maybe this is how all living creatures behave. I guess Kakarot and his lackies are outliers after all.
"Don't talk about him like that," Videl snapped.
"Or what? You'll hobble over and give me a stern warning," Biro sneered.
Videl sent the girl a look that could have given Vegeta pause, but Biro was unphased. Seeing that girl made Videl's blood boil. Biro carried herself with an arrogant swagger that came from her families power. Her mother was the Grand Attorney, the highest lawmaker in the region, meaning Biro got away with just about everything. Videl would spend hours on the punching bag imagining it was her face.
The little argument that engulfed the class ended when the bell rang, much to the relief of Sharpener and a few uncomfortable students. Sharpener was friends with Biro's clique and Videl was one of his best friends, so their feud made him feel awkward.
Moore dismissed the class before giving Gohan detention for talking and asking Angela to stay behind. Tai observed the teacher with minor curiosity, He likes to stir the pot until in boils over, then see how others react. He has Cui written all over him.
"Out of the way," Marker cursed as he shoved Tai out of the way.
Tai allowed it to happen but had to swallow a considerable amount of bile to do so. For good measure, Gohan placed a calming hand on his shoulder.
"He's an idiot, but that doesn't mean he should die," Gohan sighed.
"He's insolent."
"Insolent... really... you sound just like Vegeta," the demi-saiyan said again.
Tai grumbled at the comparison, but his lack of direct answer showed he agreed begrudgingly with the comparison.
"I'm proud of you, I know the earthlings can be grating but you haven't hurt any of them since you've been here."
Gohan's smile was met with a blank mask by Tai. He was contemplating telling Gohan about what happened the first time he entered the city. Gohan's kindness had always confused and intrigued Tai. They had met on Namek when Gohan had rescued Dende. He didn't think about his actions, he just knew that the kid needed help and jumped in. This became much more impressive when he found out they could sense Frieza's power.
I never could have done the same, and yet we share the same saiyan blood. He would do anything to protect the innocent, especially those of this wretched planet. And as far as I'm concerned none of these earthlings deserve his protection. Why would my master subject me to this stupid planet? Earth holds the answer to the blasted question that keeps me here. It even holds the damn question, which I can't figure out. But one thing I did figure out is that all earthlings are annoying.
The idiots all have a death wish. Whether it's the moron who just tried to intimidate me, the harpy that hounds Gohan, the teacher, the red shark gang that tried to mug me or the blonde that had the nerve to strike me. After seeing the difference between Kakarot and Vegeta I'd thought this planet to be special, or the inhabitants to be unique. But they are just like everyone else: Greedy, ferocious, spiteful, selfish and have no care for anyone they think to be weaker.
Master, I need your guidance.
-X-
Lunchtime was over, and the student population had returned to their classes. Tai had a free period and opted to climb the tree that he and Gohan ate under, so he could rest and be alone. Since the encounter with Moore and his class earlier that day, Tai been mulling over Goku and Gohan's behaviour.
He knew the two's kindness wasn't the glaring weakness like Vegeta thought, but it didn't make it any less of an anomaly. They refused to use their power to get what they wanted, they tolerated the abuse they received from earthlings and most bafflingly they were willing to die to protect such an ungrateful lot.
Then again, didn't I do the same. An irksome point echoed through his mind. He groaned as he smacked his forehead at the thought. Why did I do something that idiotic?
His thoughts were interrupted by the two energy signatures he sensed approaching the tree. He looked to the ground and scowled as the pair put their bags down and settled under the shade the tree provided.
"I told you he wasn't going to be here," Erasa sighed as she helped Videl to the ground.
"I didn't come here looking for Gohan, I came here for the shade."
"Sure, you hobbled for 10 minutes to the tree where Gohan eats his lunch just for the shade," the blonde smirked knowingly. Tai rolled his eyes at the two best friends, silently cursing Gohan for attracting Videl's attention.
"This is also a Biro free zone, that alone is worth the trek."
"You shouldn't let her bother you. She only acts that way because she knows it gets under your skin."
"I'll feel better when I can punch her in the face," Videl said, punching her palm aggressively. Kai unconsciously nodded at the statement, making some leaves rustle.
"And you're letting her bother you," Erasa groaned, she knew Videl wouldn't listen, but she thought she should try.
"If her mother wasn't the Grand Attorney of the region, I would have smeared the floor with her."
Erasa wasn't in the mood to listen to another rant about Biro, Pencilcase or Marker after their English lesson, I've wasted enough energy on those losers. She went to the one topic that could grab her attention more than anything.
"How's Saiyaman been handling crime without you?"
Videl was aware of what the blonde did, and she mentally scolded herself for talking about Biro so much. "It's weird."
"What is?"
"Ever since my leg was broken, the chief hasn't been paging me in class, and Saiyaman hasn't been seen between 9 and 3."
"I can see where you're going."
"I'm not finished. He's only ever seen between 7 and 8:30 in the morning, seeing him after 3 is rare."
"All pointing to Gohan being Saiyaman," Erasa sighed.
Now they had Tai's full and undivided attention.
"Come on Erasa, when you put together all of that evidence it makes a strong case for Gohan being saiyadork and possibly. All three showed up around the same time, Saiyaman and the gold fighter have the same abilities. Plus, the only time anyone saw the gold fighter, he was wearing the same thing as Gohan. As for his hair, those guys in the Cell games could go blonde, so maybe Gohan can too."
His eye twitched at the mention of super saiyan. This earth woman is smarter than I gave her credit for.
"He only shows up on weekdays, he didn't show up on the bank holiday or teacher training days, despite major crimes happening on those days, and those just happen to be the days that school is closed. And remember all those times I would get called out in the middle of class, then Gohan would go to the bathroom and we would get back to class at roughly the same time. Not to mention they're the same height and their voices sound kinda similar."
Tai was at a loss for words. He wasn't sure whether to be impressed by Videl's deductive reasoning or annoyed at Gohan's carelessness.
He thought to the conversation he just listened to. He remembered her spouting off her theories but didn't take her too seriously, it was only when she laid it all out for her Erasa that he realised his error in underestimating her.
"Idiot," he whispered, unsure of whether he was referring to himself or Gohan.
-X-
It was gym class; the last period of the day and the class was stoked. The excitement had been building for weeks since it was announced they would be doing martial arts. However, that wasn't what excited them, what did was the guest instructor. The men's changing room was filled with suggestions, most thought it would be Hercule, the saviour of the planet, vanquisher of Cell. They'd pressed Videl on the issue, but she knew nothing about it.
While they pondered the mystery instructor, Tai was talking to Gohan about Mr Moore's attitude to Gohan. "What did you do to him?"
"I don't know?"
"Well you did something, because he only acts like that when you're around."
"He's had it in for me for a while."
"When did it start?"
"When he saw me eating on the roof. He saw my lunch containers and assumed other people were with me."
"Were there?"
"No, it was just me."
Tai scratched his chin pensively, trying to think of what Gohan did so wrong. He knew Gohan could be naïve when it came to ordinary people. From what Tai had observed, earthlings were the same as the aliens he'd been around growing up, so they were predictable in terms of greed, envy, wrath and gluttony etc. He put a hand over Gohans forehead and looked at the memory, which was easy since Gohan had just thought of it.
"What are you doing?"
"What Kakarot did to Krillin when he first arrived on Namek."
Gohan wasn't sure when Tai had learned it, hell he wasn't even sure when his dad had learned it. "Did you see anything?"
"I've seen that look before. Cui had the same look when I caught him stealing food from Zarbon. He was doing something wrong himself when he saw you. Since you had your back to him, I couldn't see what it was."
"So, we should check out the roof during lunch and see what he did wrong."
"Sounds like a plan."
-X-
The class gathered inside the gymnastics hall, waiting for their new instructor. Sharpener was using his boxing skills to impress the girls, while other boys did their best to look cool. Tai leaned against the wall with his arms folded, with Gohan standing behind him. The class stood at attention upon hearing Mr Fields' whistle.
He walked into the room with the new teacher in tow. There was a collective ogling of the newcomer for different reasons. The boys celebrated internally, with a few barely concealed smirks, with Gohan's jaw firmly planted on the ground. The woman who followed didn't let the attention phase her. Her tranquil, blue eyes scanned the class as she flicked a stray blonde hair from her vision.
Tai felt an air of familiarity when he looked at the woman, but he couldn't figure out why.
"Boys and girls, today we start martial arts training and your new instructor is..."
"18."
A light bulb lit inside Tai's mind, he remembered who she was, and he had lots of questions for his friend about why no one destroyed her after Cell spit her out.
"That's a number," Biro scoffed derisively.
"It's my name, what's yours?"
"Biro,"
It was 18s turn to scoff, "You give me crap about my name when your named after a pen," she retorted. Videl didn't even attempt to hide her smirk and Erasa snorted to prevent herself from chortling.
"I think we've gone a little off track," Mr Fields sweat dropped. He didn't want to irk Biro, and he was going to have a private conversation with 18 to explain why she should tread carefully around that one.
"I'm going to teach you all how to fight. Does anyone have a problem with that?" she said the last part with daggers in her eyes, almost inviting a challenge.
Tai finally managed to set up a link with Gohan and immediately began his interrogation. "Gohan, what's happening? Why is she still alive?"
"Relax, she's not a threat to the Earth. After we beat Cell, she… started dating Krillin."
"WHAT! He does know he's dating a toaster right. Then again cue ball was desperate enough to entertain that blue haired woman."
"First, 18 is human, Gero just added some robot parts. Second, I remember that you had a crush on Maron."
"Don't be ridiculous. I could never be attracted to an earthling."
"You could've fooled me, the way you blushed and looked at her like she was food."
"Hey love birds, snap out of it she's almost here," Erasa mocked with a wink. The confused look on the saiyans faces only made her giggle. She was right since 18 was mere meters away.
"That one is strange" Tai thought, looking at the giggling Erasa.
"We have to partner up and do some stretches," she said before walking over to Sharpener.
18's was looking at the pairs of martial artists, looking at stances and telling them on how to improve. Some pretended to take her advice seriously, before returning to their previous stances that they learned in Hercule's gym,
Gohan was curious about why 18 was working in the school. He knew that Krillin had moved his family here, so it would be easier to support them, Kame house can only support so many people. But he assumed that 18 would be at home taking care of Maron. There's no way that Master Roshi would leave the island after so many years living there and I doubt they would leave Oolong in charge.
Tai however was plotting a way out of his predicament. He was still trying to remain anonymous on this planet and 18 was a threat to that. She'll probably tell Cueball, and he's an idiot. He can't even keep his own secrets let alone someone elses.
"Tai, before you start panicking, remember she's never seen you."
He glared at Gohan, annoyed that he was so obvious that others could tell what he thought. "Gero's bugs followed you to Namek, so she would have to know about me."
"Yeah, but that was from when you were 6, so any images of you must be from then too, and remember those bugs were for Cell not 17 or 18, and Krillin killed the present Cell. Also, you were with me carrying Bulma to West City when they fought Vegeta, Tien, Piccolo and Trunks. And the only reason you've even seen her is because…"
"Yeah I know…" Tai interrupted. He fought sternly to prevent the sliver of guilt in his stomach from growing. He remembered being there when Cell spit 18 out, and what happened afterwards. Piccolo explained everything to him on the lookout.
"My ears are burning," 18 surprised the two and they jumped apart. "Are you two talking about me."
Tai eyed her apprehensively. I didn't sense her coming, what the… she's an Android. He mentally berated himself for forgetting such details.
Gohan's eye was twitching and he rubbed the back of his head "N-no of course not ma'am."
"Cut the crap Gohan, you're a horrible liar," she jabbed. Gohan mentally face palmed. Well I can't act like we just met now.
A certain pigtailed teenager heard Gohan's name and she focused on the trio. "Krillin told me I might see you today. I didn't think you'd end up in my class."
"I'm more surprised that you took a job, especially one as a teacher," Gohan laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
"I've always wanted to teach," she replied deadpan.
"I didn't think a washing machine could dream," Tai mumbled under his breath.
It wasn't half a second later that Tai was blocking a punch from 18, with a strong gust of wind coming from her fist. "Hn, you're not like the rest."
Damnit, I didn't think she'd hear me speaking so quietly, and the force she used would have ripped these weaklings arms off. She knows something. "You're right about that."
18 looked to Gohan, who was sweating bullets because he just knew that Videl would have a field day with this. "You're weird kid. Who are you?"
"None of your business."
She frowned at his dismissiveness but chose to ignore it. Gohan, part sensing the tension between the saiyan and the android, and part wanting to avoid Videl needed to get out of there.
He made up an illness and asked for Tai to take him to the nurse's office, but 18 had one final card to play.
"You should come and visit us sometime Gohan. Marron misses you and Goten" she smirked, giving Videl a quick glance. She's an interesting one and can make Gohan squirm.
"Don't invite anyone else, we can barely handle two Saiyans at a time.". And Krillin thought I'd be bored here. Torturing Gohan is kinda fun and that girl is the perfect instrument for it. And when I'm not doing that I might as well try and figure out his friend. He seems interesting.
