Chapter 6

Brought to you by Gue22

A light tingle lingered on her neck as soft lips pressed firmly against hers. Momentarily frozen, but not at all stunned, Videl could only hold her breath, her surprise shining through her eyes. Hesitantly, his lips parted in an attempt to move over her closed mouth, but just as her lips were readying themselves to respond to the kiss, it was already over.

Gohan had already pulled away.

"I...uh," he cleared his throat, uncomfortably? Videl wasn't too sure if she was reading him right but she had no intention of letting such a wonderful experience end in awkwardness.

She smiled, a teasing smile. "Well," her eyes twinkled. "I guess I get to remain human after all."

That seemed to do the trick, because any uncertainty she may or may not have read in his eyes was quickly replaced by a wide smile. Good thing she was already supported by the railing behind her because that dazzling smile was enough to sag the knees of even a tomboy like herself.

A gentle breeze drifted slowly from the man-made sea overlooking the balcony, cooling the hot pool of sweat pooling down her hairline. Videl frowned; if only she had a sweatband or a towel or something...damn, what a fine sight she must be - all blotchy and sweaty from the sun.

"Shall we go inside? It's time to cool down I think." suggested her host, as if reading her mind.

"Alright thanks, I won't be long," said Videl, grateful that he didn't seem to mind her request to use his shower. Now that the adrenalin was wearing off, she was simply too uncomfortable to remain in her current condition.

"The bathroom is-" Gohan started to direct her, but Videl was already well on her way. She knew exactly where the bathroom would be.

She pressed straight on, past the exquisitely hand-picked furniture that nestled comfortably amidst a boast of impressive paintings, sculptures and various other high priced ornaments. She hurriedly maneuvered herself past the grand Phoenician table stacked elaborately with its assortment of delicacies. From the ultra-fresh truffles made from pods harvested by the local staff, to the triple-tiered platter of almond-stuffed, and honey-scented pastries; none of the suite's offerings made any impression on her.

Videl had seen it all a million times before.

She was familiar with all the items on the hotel's amenities list. After all, all Satan Hotels were similar, and Kami knew she'd stayed in enough of them throughout the world while touring with her father.

Finally at her destination, she slipped into the in-suite bathroom, dumped her purse on a nearby armchair and locked the door behind her.

Phew! She sighed, alone at last.

The previously meticulous funeral outfit was looking rather shabby. Her skirt was crinkled and creased on all sides while her blouse was damp with sweat. The hair that had been so neatly twisted and set that morning was now freely falling around her face, damp curls clinging to her skin. And the smooth skin beneath it, all clammy with blotches of red from all that impromptu time spent training under direct sunlight.

Despite her dishevelled appearance though, inside she was feeling rather elated and accomplished.

She made quick work of her clothes and let them drop to the floor before she stepped into the shower. She was quick about it too. Her nerve wouldn't allow her to relax and linger under the soothing sensation of the hot downpour for long. She had imposed on her host enough as it was.

Showered, dressed and feeling rather snug in the hotel's snow-white bathrobe, Videl felt as light and sprightly as a bubble. She stood before the mirror and ran a few brush strokes through her wet hair, then followed up by threading her fingers through just to set it so and so. Satisfied, she grabbed one of the small bottles of scented mist, sprayed lightly on her wrists before rubbing the scent along her neck.

Right, she thought. It was time to head out and face her host.

On the subject of her host, she raised her hand tentatively and slowly brushed her finger along her lower lip in remembrance of that feather light kiss. The memory of that fleeting touch – firm, but oh so soft, the memory of it made the freshly showered and refreshed Videl flush.

A damn shame it ended before it even began, but that was her fault she supposed. Perhaps if she'd acted less like a statue while he'd kissed her, he might have kissed her for longer. Oh well, she sighed. It was still a nice bonus, since she'd had no expectations of "that" kind of thing.

She didn't want to over-analyze the situation, but she couldn't help but wonder if that brief kiss had somehow been an indirect declaration about the nature of their relationship? Or perhaps a prelude to the expectations any man would have in finding himself alone in a hotel room with a woman?

Hmm...her less than pleasant past experiences were telling her head to reign in those hopeful feelings, but her heart...

Wait a minute. Was she hopeful? Was she actually hoping that he had the wrong impression about her 'visit'? Was she actually hoping for more?

To her embarrassment, she found that she wanted to replay that butterfly kiss over and over again. In fact she wanted to march right out the bathroom door, wrap her arms around his neck as tightly and as snugly as her snow-white robe and pull his face down for more than just a fleeting sensation.

It was true then. She was definitely hoping for more.

But that was not to say she wasn't ecstatic with the small progress this relationship had made in just two days because she was. She really was, especially because she had every reason to believe that the mutual interest was genuine. Her host seemed to be genuinely into her – just her. Not the saviour's daughter, not the crime fighter and certainly not the heiress. She was so thrilled that she wanted to stick her head out the hotel window and broadcast the entire experience to the whole world.

This intoxicated sense of jubilance was a foreign feeling, and clearly an utterly foolish one. She was meant to be a hard core crime-fighter, not some lame giddy air-brain. The foolishness had to stop now. She would allow herself none of the boisterous or foolish celebratory noises she was tempted to make. The most she would allow herself was a blab to her best friend.

She whipped out her phone and began to text.

The notifications on her screen alerted her that the blonde had called several times earlier in the day, leaving several voice messages and texts. Erasa wanted to know – no, demanded to know how last night had gone. But since she'd been at a funeral she hadn't picked up nor responded. She quickly tapped on her phone.

Hey E, got your messages. I'm with Nimbz at his hotel right now so can't call. What's up?

It didn't take long for her friend to respond in just the expected manner.

:O His hotel? What a slut! You slept with him?

Videl laughed, Erasa was such a character. For someone who was always pushing her in the direction of men so she could drop her V card, her response to the possibility of the fact sure was hypocritical.

:P you fell for it, as expected. I never said I spent the night with him Gutter Girl. I had that funeral today, so I came by after. Guess what though?

A little image of a pencil danced around her screen, indicating that her friend was typing.

You slept with him?

Videl rolled her eyes.

Absolutely Not! I just met the guy! Jeez Erasa, you really have a one track mind don't you? No, he taught me something amazing! A Martial Arts technique I never would have thought existed. I swear Erasa, this guy...he's perfect!

She wasn't surprised by the less than enthusiastic response.

Martial Arts Technique? Sure, I'm leaping for joy.

Videl could only smile at the sarcasm; she could very well picture her face as she said it too. It was so typically Erasa to be put off by the one thing that actually excited her. Ah well. But being the good friend that she was, she decided to drop her friend a bone just to keep her spirits up.

And he kissed me XD, she added, her face breaking into a smug smile.

She absolutely wasn't gloating. Not at all.

I kissed her. I just...up and kissed her...wow! Gohan marvelled back at his bravery. Pride and excitement engulfed him, but relief was probably the most prominent of his emotions. If she had rejected or reproached him...things could have taken an awkward turn. But she had kissed him back! Or...at least he thought she'd kissed him back.

Hmm...okay so maybe she hadn't really done much by way of moving her lips or pressing back, but the important thing was that she had allowed him to press his lips against hers right? Yes. That's exactly right. That was the important thing. Hell, she'd even smiled at him afterwards. So he really did have the right to feel proud of himself, right?

Consumed with these thoughts, he continued to pace around the hotel room not knowing quite what to do with himself. He was trying not to let his ears listen in on her movements in the bathroom. On the rustle of fabric as it fell off her body, her tiny footsteps as she moved around and certainly not on the downpour of water as it fell against her naked wet skin...

Yeah, he closed his eyes, chasing that particular image away. It was best to occupy himself with other thoughts lest he begin to let his imagination get the best of him.

Luckily she was true to her word – she didn't take long at all. Less than fifteen minutes later she stepped out with damp her, a white fluffy robe tied expertly around a tiny little waist with her funeral attire all bunched up in her hands.

"Thanks a lot for letting me use your shower," she said, smiling. "I feel better than new." she beamed.

Oh man, thought Gohan nervously. This was really bad. She looked so cute and comfortable in this place, she really seemed to belong.

"I don't suppose you have any spare clothes in my size?" she asked jokingly.

"Mnn...I don't know," he said thoughtfully. "Something in your size? Let me check my bag. I might have accidentally packed something of Goten's," he said thoughtfully, just before he grinned.

"Goten as in your ten year old brother?" she pursed, emphasis on the ten.

"Aha," he beamed at her, his eyes laughing even as he easily dodged the bunched up clothes that suddenly came flying at him.

"I'm not that small," huffed Videl.

Gohan chuckled, raising his hands in a truce. "Seriously though, I don't think I have anything that would fit you. Maybe a t-shirt if you want." he offered more seriously.

"Don't worry about it," she dismissed. "This robe will do for now. I'll just call up Housekeeping - they have Express Laundry here. That's...if you don't mind me imposing on you for another two hours or so till my clothes are done?"

Though she looked playful when she said it, Gohan wouldn't allow her to think even for a second that she was anything but welcome for as long as she wished it. "You're not imposing!" he blurted. "You're not imposing! Really, I want to have you! I mean glad to have you." He quickly added. "Stay, as long as you like. We could...um...order some food and have dinner while we wait for your clothes."

"I accept," she said immediately. "I'll dial Housekeeping right away so they can come for the clothes." she added, receiver already in hand to do just that.

He watched her curiously as she made the call. And not for the first time since her arrival, it struck him just how comfortable she seemed to be in this suite. First of all, she had been neither surprised nor impressed by the outrageous size or extravagance of the suite. Then, she'd breezed around, finding her way around like she'd done it a million times before, and just now she'd dialled the correct extension for Housekeeping without having to look it up. How was that possible? Had she stayed in this hotel before? And if she had, what did that say about her? Normal students, grad or otherwise, shouldn't be able to afford a place like this. Not unless their last name had a Briefs or an equivalent attached to it.

Come to think of it, he didn't really know her last name at all, did he?

He listened in as she gave instructions for her clothes. Her voice sure and commanding before she hung up. She then marched purposefully to the bedroom, pulling open the correct drawer out of an impressive eight to retrieve a laundry bag and paperwork.

There was no question in his mind. She had definitely been here before.

The whole business with the laundry was taken care of in a matter of minutes and before he knew it her dirty clothes had been taken away with the promise to have them cleaned and delivered in a mere two hours. It was impressive to say the least, though technically his own hand-washing abilities would have been able to best that two hours by a long shot. But of course he couldn't exactly offer.

He now found himself sitting shoulder to shoulder with her on the couch as they skimmed through the Room Service menu – another thing she seemed to be all too familiar with. She knew exactly what she wanted to order while he was still drooling over the vast and, dare he say, rather impressive-looking possibilities.

He would have been satisfied to order just about everything on the menu, but he knew he was faced with two distinct limitations. The first being the ridiculously wallet-breaking prices, and the second being...well...how would he explain his monstrous appetite? Things were going extremely well between them, but not that well.

Besides, he would be getting a satisfying meal later once he flew back home to Mt. Paozu anyway. Nice as the suite was, he had no intentions of sleeping in it after she'd gone.

He fumbled around with the notes in his wallet. He really had no idea how much tip to give. He would have asked Videl for advice since it was obvious that she had experience in this hotel or perhaps a similar one, but...she had disappeared into the bedroom for some reason when the waiter came in to deliver their order.

It was twice now that she'd done that when someone came knocking. The first had been the guy from Housekeeping and now the waiter. It was obvious that she didn't want to be seen. Or was it that she didn't want to be seen with him?

Regardless, he couldn't dwell on her motives for now for the waiter was still waiting expectantly for a little something from him. Cringing on the inside, he settled on a twenty Zeni note and passed it, watching carefully for a reaction. Luckily, he seemed satisfied enough. Promptly he bowed and made his elegant exit. On his meager intern salary, a twenty was no laughing matter, but Bulma had already paid for everything else so he supposed spending twenty Zeni to buy the lovely Videl dinner was okay.

As soon as the door closed behind the waiter, said individual was suddenly back in view, munching on a fancy-looking carrot stick. She flashed him a conspiratory smile. "I just realized that I'm starving, haven't actually eaten all day." she said.

"Shall we?" he invited.

"Let's," she happily obliged.

Dinner turned out to be as cosy as it was gratifying. His guest had insisted on eating in the lounge since she was feeling tired, the effects of last night's drinking and lack of sleep, coupled with the long day she'd had finally wearing her down. She sat lazily with her tiny body curled comfortably into the couch. Gohan didn't mind, this way they were able to sit side by side, sharing the assortment of small dishes he had moved from the dining table to the coffee table.

"This much?" asked Gohan, scooping up a spoonful of orange-looking paste.

"Eh...a bit more," said Videl.

Gohan pressed deeper into the bowl and scooped up a bit more. "This much?"

"That should do it."

"You really like this stuff," he observed, dumping the whole lot of it on her side plate before passing it on.

"I really, really do," she beamed, taking the plate as she curled back into the couch, her feet tucked underneath her. She was quite the vision under the fluffy white of the robe, the fresh scent of soap pouring from her skin. He imagined the texture to be soft and warm, the desire to pet her taking him off guard.

Good thing she seemed oblivious to his wayward thoughts. Using a bread stick as a spoon, he watched her scoop up a bit of the paste before she bit the crispy bread.

"So basically," she picked up their conversation after swallowing, "He managed to get his way by driving her crazy?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"Well, I say bravo to your brother for winning that battle against your mom. I have nothing against homeschooling, but from what you've told me about him, seems like he wasn't really suited for it."

"Heh heh...well Goten's always been very spirited," he chuckled, his eyes roaming over what was left of their order – not much he observed. Not counting the orange goop that Videl seemed to be so fond of. "What about you? Do you have any?"

"Siblings? Me? None."

"Just you and your parents?"

"Yeah, pretty much. It would have been nice to have a brother or sister, but my mom...well, she's no longer with us," she said tonelessly.

"I'm sorry to hear that Kata, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"Oh no!" she waved her hand in heated denial, placing her now empty plate back on the table. "It's not like she's dead or anything. My parents are just not together anymore."

"Oh, still I'm sorry. A divorce is-"

"Technically not divorced," she corrected with a small laugh, waving off his serious expression. "Their situation is a bit precarious actually." She seemed to take a pause as if seriously thinking on something before she added: "I really ought to pressure my dad into getting a proper divorce. Legalise everything in case he ever wishes to re-marry."

Gohan quirked his brow in obvious confusion.

"See, my mom, she kinda shaved her head and took a vow of silence."

He blinked, just once. "Huh?"

"I said so last night didn't I? That the only way I'd listen to your type of music was if I-"

"If you took a vow of silence and joined your mother in Monochus while she meditates her life away." He finished for her. "You were being serious?" His face was incredulous.

"I was. She joined the spiritual female order of Monochus after I was born. I've seen pictures of her, but...I never met her." She grinned at his obvious disbelief as she curled back into the corner.

"Uh,"

"It's kind of a strange situation, I know."

"Well, um..." he struggled to find something to say. Unless he was missing something, it sounded like her mother had abandoned her at birth, but she didn't seem upset about it at all. "Um...well...this friend of my dad's was a monk once, he gave it up though. He's happily married now, so maybe your mom might..."

"Meh..." Videl shrugged. "I don't really dwell on that idea. It doesn't really matter to me either way. You can't really miss what you never had to begin with. She was never really a mother to me, just a face in a picture."

"I guess." Gohan mused, it couldn't be all that simple, but he wasn't about to press the issue.

"Well...between you and me, I have my own personal theory about what happened to make her give it all up."

"You do?"

"Mmhm. I do. Wanna hear?" she enquired with a glint in her eye that he couldn't quite read.

"Tell me."

"Well," she scooted closer. It's simple if you think about it."

He waited.

"Child-birth."

Gohan blinked. Wha...?

"I think she must have been so traumatized by the intensely gruelling, excruciatingly long, and unbearably painful task of giving birth to me that the minute I was out, she swore never ever to do that again."

Gohan stared, unblinking.

"It's true. I can imagine it clearly. She must have made the decision then and there to swear off all men, especially my father who was probably no help at all during the experience. And if I know Dad, he was probably panicked like a caged bird, flailing and wailing around like the ordeal was his own." She sighed and shook her head. "Mother had to get away after that, the sacrifice of her hair and voice was well worth the alternative – staying on with us and risking another pregnancy. Can you blame her?" she regarded him seriously.

"Um..." Gohan just stared, speechless.

She burst out laughing then. "Your face is priceless!" she pointed at him.

Gohan straightened up and shook his head, "I..." he scratched his scalp, breaking into a grin. "You had me going there for a while, you're crazy."

"Nuh, it's not even my theory. It's my friend Erasa's. She made the whole thing up one day when I was a bit down to make me laugh. She always comes up with stuff like that."

"So I guess your mom is not with the Order of Monochus at all then? You were just teasing me."

"No. The part about her being with the Order is true." A frown suddenly overcame her cheerful face. "You know, I've overheard my dad saying that she didn't even hold me after I was born. Not even once."

"I'm really sorry Kata."

"Yeah, my poor dad. He dates and stuff – a lot," she frowned again. "But he never really settled down with anyone else you know? I think deep down, he's still foolishly hoping that my mom will come back one day. Poor Daddy."

"It must be hard for him."

"Ha! Don't feel too sorry for him, he has more than enough going on in his life to compensate for whatever sadness he may or may not be feeling about Mom."

"Well, it's kinda hard not to. I've seen a little of that kind of sadness. My parents were separated for seven years. They only got back together four years ago. It was really hard on my mom when my dad um...was um...gone."

"What? Seven years? And they got back together? Wow."

"Yeah."

"I guess in life, you never know," she rubbed her eyes and seemed to sink further into the corner of the couch.

She was really tired, he realized. It was in the way she rubbed under her eyes and held back her yawn. But mostly it was in her Ki.

"I think I'm about to fall asleep on your couch. I'm sorry to be such a bother."

"It's fine," he said quietly. "You can doze off if you want Kata. I don't mind."

"You know, that name is really starting to grow on me." she grinned at him.

"Name?"

"Kata. Even though you know my name, you still call me Kata. Have you noticed?" sleepy eyes twinkled at him.

"Heh heh," he scratched nervously at his scalp. "Yeah...I guess I'm just used to thinking about you as Kata. Sorry," he said sheepishly.

"I'm not complaining, I like hearing it. Somehow, it feels warm...intimate," she ended quietly.

She looked up at him then, her eyes soft and full. Though inexperienced in such matters, Gohan definitely felt a change in the air, the cosy dinner atmosphere was suddenly...charged.

They were already sitting so close, all it took was a slight turn of his shoulders, a small dip of his head and his face was looming over hers. "Kata," he said it again, softly, and for the second time that day, he kissed her.

Unlike the first time though, she didn't freeze or hesitate, she wound her arms around his neck and pulled him down until his body was pressed over hers, pinning her further into the cushions. Heart thrumming, he was vastly aware of their every infinitesimal movement. From the way her breath warmed his face with the first parting of her lips to the way his own lips responded shyly in a parting of their own.

Her tongue brushed against his, sending a hot current down his spine as both of her lips did something delicious with his bottom lip. He was strangely terrified that he'd give himself away, and his pride wanted to keep the knowledge that he was a novice at this a secret. So he followed her, mimicking slowly and cautiously at first, touch for touch, nip for nibble, savouring each caress of her lips and each massage of her tongue.

The smell of fresh shampoo assailed him, but there was something more subtle wafting teasingly from her skin. Honeysuckle and vanilla? He was in too much of a hazy fog to be sure. As the heat grew between them, the arms snaked around his neck became more insistent, tugging down on him with more pressure, but their faces were already as close as close can be so he didn't know how to answer to their urgency. Barely able to catch his breath, his lip caught gently between her teeth, he attempted to pull back to adjust his angle.

She looked up at him then, eyes soft and clouded, a small pant making her chest rise and fall.

"I should check on my clothes," she said hoarsely. "My dad will be expecting me."

Waves of happiness bounced from every fibre of him as he soared in heart and body above the dark clouds. He was sure of it now; there was definitely something tangible going on between him and Kata, err...Videl.

He could already imagine the sweet smells of tomorrow's brunch. This was turning out to be one hell of a weekend. Friday night had been unexpected but thrilling, and today, tonight had been simply amazing. And just to add icing to the cake, they had agreed to meet tomorrow for a lazy Sunday brunch. He really ought to ring up Lime and thank her for the best idea she had ever come up with in her life. Steering him towards the internet had just about changed his life!

Okay, so maybe he was getting ahead of himself a little bit here, but come on, he had the right to feel optimistic didn't he? Losing himself in a daring air-flip or two he told himself that yes, he definitely had just cause to be on the optimistic.

Head first he plunged down through the clouds as he reached the familiar mountain peaks near his home as he allowed himself to drift westwards towards the upcoming clearing.

Even though he knew this area better than the lines at the back of his hand, he stalled in the air a few feet from the ground glancing around stupidly just to make sure he wasn't lost. For how could he be in the right place if the spot that had been his house just a few hours ago now stood...well...kinda...empty-ish.

"Wha..." Not for the first time that night he found himself blinking in utter confusion.

It was comforting to notice that both his parents and his brother also stood, albeit on the other side, of what used to be their house, staring equally as if not more stupidly than he.

"Goku you idiot!" his mother seemed to be the first to recover by bashing on her husband's chest.

"I'm sorry Chi," he hung his head lamely.

"Wha...what happened you guys?" he found his voice, at last.

"Humph! Someone set our house on fire, that's what!" she huffed.

"What?"

"And your genius father here tried to put it out with a giant Kamehameha! But as you can see, not a spec of...anything is left. He incinerated the fire along with every spec of home we might have had left. Not even rubble," she grumbled.

"What do you mean someone set the house on fire?" he exploded, a sense of foreboding creeping up to the surface. "You're sure Goten didn't burn down the kitchen again or something."

"Hey!" Goten huffed indignantly.

"Quite sure, thank you very much," said Chichi. "We have the culprit right here." She pointed down to a spot near Goten's feet. Adjusting his vision, Gohan noticed that it was being occupied by a person.

"Your father caught him while trying to make his pitiful escape."

Anger burst out from a place that had been filled with such unadulterated happiness just a few minutes ago that he found himself storming towards his parents. This kind of thing was just unacceptable. First the hotel last night, for he had no doubts now that the fire had been no accident and now his home? His home! Damnit!

"Easy Son," Goku touched his shoulder, "your mother has already overdone it with this guy."

And sure enough, even through the cover of night, Gohan could see the evidence his mother's work from the arsonist's battered face. He sighed, dropping his shoulders as he stared blankly at the unconscious body. "Did he say anything?"

"You think mom gave him a chance?" Goten just rolled his eyes.

Of course not, he realized dispiritedly.