Disclaimer: Dragon Ball Z belongs to Toriyama Akira and will never be mine.

Discovering Gohan

Agonizing Meeting

He had been dreading this day ever since Lime had told him of Robby. Right now Gohan was pacing around the middle of the Briefs residence at such speed and ferocity that Videl wouldn't be surprised if the rug would sudden sprout a hole or five.

"Stop pacing, it's not the end of the world," said Videl, a hand resting against the side of her face.

Gohan stopped briefly to look at her before resuming the pacing. "You do not understand what I'm feeling. As a matter of fact, you're just sitting there!"

Videl rolled her eyes. "Gee, thanks for pointing out the obvious," said the raven-haired girl sarcastically.

Another muffled groan escaped the troubled boy's lips as he now ran his hands through his hair in frustration. Exasperated, he glanced on the watch strapped to his wrist before continuing with his pacing.

I'm amazed he hasn't gone bad yet, she thought dryly to herself. "Well you just relax! We still have an hour until we're supposed meet them Orange Star Café."

"An hour… an hour isn't much! Do you know how much could go wrong in an hour?" returned Gohan.

The raven-haired girl admitted to be quite startled about this totally new and panicky Gohan. Videl sighed and said as calmly as she could, "If you keep thinking those thoughts, things will turn out bad, now get your act together! I didn't agree to be your date for today so that you could screw up and made a spectacle of yourself!"

That seemed to have done the trick because before she knew it, Gohan had calmed down enough to straighten out his clothes and fix his messy hair, not like he could've done anything about it anyway. He noticed when he glanced at Videl that she wasn't wearing her usual baggy white shirt and bicycle shorts. Instead, she wore a nice white top and a pair of jeans which happened to show her figure a lot better compared to her other outfit.

"You look nice," he managed to choke out through his attempt to flatten his hair.

That complement was enough to tint the girl's cheeks a nice pink, thought she didn't know why she felt that way when he said it not anyone else. Videl grinned through her slight blush. "You wouldn't look that bad if you hadn't caused a hole in the living room floor or appear as if a tornado hit."

Gohan rolled his eyes at her comment and opted to go change into a more suitable outfit. Within minutes, he returned in a black dress shirt, black pants, and black shoes.

"Trying to make a statement?" questioned Videl.

The demi-saiyan ignored her comment and gestured her toward the car. "We should get going now."

"But we still have a lot of time," protested the raven-haired girl.

"Yeah… well, better early than late," replied Gohan, practically shoving the girl out the door.

"You two are going so soon?" called Bulma from the kitchen.

"We'll be back in a few hours!" returned Gohan who was already halfway out the door.

Bulma sighed. She just didn't understand teenagers even though she had went through that phase herself. Bulma just shrugged off the thought and returned her attention to the new recipe she had received in the mail. With a smile on her face, the blue-haired scientist prepared to face the most difficult challenge she had yet to face: cooking.

"In case you haven't noticed Gohan, the tomorrow has not come since the last ten seconds you glanced at the watch," said a rather bored Videl who was currently twirling her straw around in her drink.

"I know, but I just can't help it," returned Gohan who had somehow managed to calm himself down enough to sit still. This was the moment he had been dreading, the moment that would shred his heart to pieces. No matter how much he wanted to beg for forgiveness, he knew that it would be hopeless. He just hoped that this Robby would take good care of Lime or else he would tear that boy to shreds. Luckily for Gohan, that didn't seem to be a problem with his superhuman strength.

Gohan took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. He couldn't afford to lose his cool here, especially in front of Videl. Although he hadn't known her that long and was appreciative of her willingness to help, he couldn't help but be wary of her. There was just something about her that screamed trouble.

"Hey, when did you get this scar," wondered Videl, pointing to the patch of skin on his hand.

Immediately, Gohan tucked his hand away and sent her an icy glare that sent more than shivers down her spine. "That's none of your business."

Dumbfounded with the sudden change of behavior, Videl didn't know how to act around this boy anymore. One minute he was a nervous wreck, the next he was as cold as ice, no pun intended seeing as when she accidentally brushed his hand she was surprised to find how cold it was. She was just trying to break the ice by asking an innocent question, but apparently he took it to heart and looked ready to kill her at any moment. How strange could this boy be? Videl had finally managed to open him up to her yesterday, and now, well… let's not talk about it.

Gohan grimaced as memories of the fight suddenly filled his mind. Yes, it was the scar he had earned from saving Vegeta from Cell's blast all those years ago. Although Dende had healed the wound, the scar had never gone away. It was a constant reminder of his failure as a fighter and as a son. If it weren't for his arrogance, Goku might've still been here. But he chose to throw common sense out of the window, which just so proved to lead to deadly consequences. The scar that ran down the length of his arm was a burn to his heart. Not only was it a reminder of his failure, it was a reminder of how his saiyan side had taken over. He hated his saiyan side and all the bloodlust it had caused him during battles.

When Videl had pointed out the scar, it was like pouring salt on old wounds that would never heal, no matter how much time was given. He glanced at his watch again, and this time, surprisingly, he did not panic nor did he show any other emotion on his face.

"They should be here soon," said Gohan quietly.

Wisely, Videl chose to nod to his observation and not to say anything that could anger the boy anymore than she already had.

After what seemed like an eternity, Gohan felt that it was safe enough to talk to the raven-haired girl he had scared without any trace of anger in his voice. It always took a while for him to recover after having those unwanted memories resurface. "Listen, Videl, I'm sorry if I offended you," he began, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had befallen upon them.

Videl bit her lip, not knowing what to say to this sudden apology.

"It's just that I got that scar through something very stupid that I had done a few years ago and it just brings back painful memories," said Gohan calmly. "My dad died because of what I did and I got this scar in return," he said, forcing the words out.

"I… I don't know what to say… except, sorry," said Videl solemnly. "I shouldn't have pried. I'm also sorry about your dad. My mother died, so I understand what you're going through."

"It's all right," the demi-saiyan managed to choke out.

His eyes were downcast, but Videl knew what he felt. After all, she too had lost a parent dear to her. Her mother had died of cancer when Videl was seven. Just the thought of her opened up wounds in her heart. Videl raised her hand and placed it on Gohan's and gave him a soft reassuring smile. She had no idea what had came over her, or what gave her the nerve to do such a thing, but she didn't regret the action because Gohan returned the smile and squeezed her hand in return.

"I'm sorry, but are we interrupting something?" asked a masculine voice.

Both Videl and Gohan untangled their hands and stared up at the owner of the voice in confusion. Neither knew who he was nor what he wanted. Gohan prepared himself for a fight in case this person proved deadly. The boy was rather tall and had short brown hair with matching hazel eyes. Then suddenly, the unexpected happened. Lime appeared right behind the boy with a huge smile on her face.

"L-Lime?" sputtered Gohan and Videl simultaneously.

Lime smiled and plopped down in the seat across from Videl. "In the flesh! Oh, and this is my boyfriend, Robby, the one I've been telling you about. Robby, Gohan and Videl. Gohan and Videl, Robby."

"Yes, yes. I've heard so much about you, Robby. Nice to meet you," Gohan forced out with a fake smile. In order to make the act even more convincing, he stood up and shook the boy's hand.

Videl repeated the gesture and returned to her seat beside Gohan.

It wasn't long before a waitress walked up to the group and took their orders. After the waitress left, Lime and Robby began to chat happily, oblivious to the world around them. Just the sight of those two brought ached Gohan's heart, though he made sure that his eyes hid all emotions. However, the clenching of his fists did not go unnoticed by Videl. She thought of reaching out to comfort him, but thought better of it. Videl wasn't sure whether or not Gohan would take her reassurance, so she decided to just watch concernedly instead.

After what seemed like an eternity, Gohan stood up from the table and excused himself for some fresh air. Videl knew the real reason for Gohan's departure and excused herself as well, much to the confusion of Lime and Robby.

It didn't take long for Videl to spot out Gohan, though she could've sworn his hair flashed gold for a minute. She blinked and thought that it was probably her eyes playing tricks on her. When she neared the demi-saiyan, she could sense the distress from him. Hesitantly, she carefully placed a hand on his shoulder.

He turned to greet her with the most heartbroken and melancholy eyes she had ever seen. The way his eyes looked at her spoke volumes. He needed someone to catch him when he fell and these were one of those times that Videl would actually help anyone.

At first it seemed weird when he latched onto her, but she knew that he was not in his right state of mind. Again, hesitantly, she brought her arms up around the tall boy and held him in an embrace. To others outside on the small balcony of the restaurant, it might've seemed like a weird to scene to see the girl comforting the boy, but they chose not to say anything and just continued with their lives. Gohan gritted his teeth and held her tighter, almost as if she would disappear if he let go.

Videl didn't mind the added pressure or the fact that her shirt was getting soaked from the boy she was holding in her arms. It still seemed very weird to her how strong Gohan could appear to be when in front of others, but when he was by himself of dropped his guard, he was just like any other lost boy. This was what Videl admired about Gohan. She admired how strong he could appear to be in front of others, but she found it a pity that his past was the cause of the pain he kept locked up to himself.

"Just let it all out," she whispered to his ear soothingly.

Strangely enough, Gohan found himself very comfortable in her presence and found it very easy for him to release all his pent up frustrations. It was as she could make everything better just by simply being there, and holding him the way she was holding him right now. He felt free. He wasn't that lost lonely little boy that everyone ignored, no, with her, he was just Gohan.

After a while, Gohan pulled himself away from her and reached into his pocket for a handkerchief to wipe his face with. Gohan took a deep shaky breath and laughed. "I'm sorry for being my little outburst. I guess I'm not as strong as I thought I was."

Videl's eyes softened at the sight of his still slightly shaky form. "Everyone needs to let out his or her emotions once in a while."

"I guess," said Gohan with a small smile as he looked up at the darkening sky.

Videl thought that his smile seemed very cute and wished that he would smile more often, though she knew that it was sort of useless. There was no way he would smile unless he settled whatever was bothering him, and from the looks of things, that wouldn't be happening anytime soon.

"She was my first love," he whispered just loud enough for Videl to hear. Her ears perked up at his words, but she did not quite understand where this was going. "My only love," he continued with a small sad smile. "Our relationship ended on a rather sad note. It was my fault that I drove her away with this stupid obsession of mine."

Videl was about to say something, but chose not to seeing as Gohan was about to continue.

"I'm pathetic, huh? Not only am I grieving over my deceased parents, but over my ex-girlfriend who I had driven away. How cruel life can be," said Gohan with a wry smile. "My father died because of a mistake I made and my mother giving birth to my little brother," he whispered more to himself than to Videl, but she heard it anyway. When he looked up at her, she felt her heart skip a beat. His onyx eyes bore into her cerulean ones for what seemed like an eternity before Videl broke the eye contact.

"Why is it that when I'm with you, I feel like I could tell you everything? That all my problems don't matter anymore? And that everything has been lifted from my shoulders?" asked Gohan just loud enough for her to hear.

"I… I don't know," Videl returned in a whisper.

He smiled again, but this time with his eyes closed, his elbows propping him up when leaning on the railing of the balcony.

Feeling bold, Videl reached out to grab his arm, startling him out of his reverie. "Let's leave this place." When he didn't respond, but look at her bewilderedly, she continued, "We could go to the movies and grab something to eat on the way home."

This time he gave her a genuine smile out of gratitude and hope that everything would turn out all right as he was being dragged back into the building. After leaving behind an even more bewildered Lime and Robby, the duo headed off toward the nearest cinema.

"That was the worst movie I have ever seen," commented Gohan, sipping on his soda.

Videl rolled her eyes. "If that was the worst you have seen, then you haven't seen my dad's collection of martial arts tournaments."

Gohan couldn't help but snigger at her comment, knowing very well how the tournament had went down the drain the last few times it came around. "Strange, I have never noticed this place being here before."

"Well, that's because rich people tend to go to fancier restaurants while the poor folk come to places like these," supplied Videl, munching on the fries on her plate.

"I wasn't always rich you know," said Gohan dryly.

"Neither was I," returned Videl with a triumphant smile.

"Okay, then you beat me there," said Gohan in surrender, finishing off the rest of his steak.

"Hurry up, I want to bring you somewhere," said Videl, pushing her nearly finished food aside.

Gohan sighed. What was the point to finish eating here? This puny steak wasn't enough to curb his saiyan appetite. He was planning on going home to finish his dinner anyway. So he finished off what he could and left with the raven-haired girl.

To say that the demi-saiyan was surprised to be flown to such a place would be an understatement. He was shocked and rooted to the spot Videl had decided to drop them off at. "I… I…" was all he could get through gaping mouth before he closed it and forced out, "Why did you bring me here?" The pain was evident in his voice.

Videl looked at him a little worriedly, but placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I know that this isn't exactly the place you wanted to go to, but I feel as if you should come here. Blaming yourself won't bring your parents back, so I figured visiting them now should make amends for all the times you neglected to come here."

Still he stood there, rooted to the spot. He couldn't believe that he had been dragged here without his knowledge. Did he actually believe she was going to bring him to somewhere like an amusement park? No. Common sense had once again left him. He barely even registered Videl moving to the back of her jet to remove the three bouquets of flowers from the trunk. So this was what those were for.

The daughter of Mr. Satan dropped two bouquets into Gohan's empty arms before walking off toward another direction. No doubt visiting her mother, thought Gohan. Gohan closed his eyes, trying to push the pain in his heart away, but finding it useless. There was no use. He was here and this was where they lay. Summing up the courage he knew he had somewhere deep within him, Gohan trudged forward. Each step felt like his leg was attached to a few dozen tons, but he managed to get through half of the cemetery before stopping. Swallowing, Gohan bent down and placed the bouquets in the holes provided.

"Mom, dad," began Gohan, his voice breaking. At least their graves were right next to each other and not far apart so if he broke down and didn't want to visit the other parent, it wouldn't be a problem. "It's me, Gohan." Tears were pricking his eyes, but he didn't care. "I'm sorry I haven't visited you in six years. It's just that it hurts to come here, to accept the fact that you're no long with us." He smiled weakly. "Mom, you should be glad to know that Goten is as fine and healthy like the day you gave birth to him. He's growing really fast and really strong too."

Closing his eyes, he continued to speak. "Don't worry, mom, I've drilled it into Goten that he should keep up his studies if he were to fight. Dad, I bet you should be glad to know that I've gotten a lot stronger since we fought Cell. But if only I had done what you had told me to, you wouldn't be there! You'd be here with Goten and I, perhaps mom if she could've survived giving birth to Goten. I… I'm sorry. I'm not the son you wanted me to be. I'm weak, even though I appear to be otherwise on the outside." He opened his eyes to reveal dark cold onyx eyes. "I already promised Lime that I would not wish for our lives to be normal humans, but I don't know how long I can keep it. Life is hard without you and there isn't a day that goes by when I don't wonder what life would be if we were normal human beings and not saiyans." Gohan ran a hand in frustrated through his unkempt hair. "I'm not going to wish that yet, but it's only a matter of time until I do," he said with a pained voice.

At that time, Videl chose to come over to Gohan, but stopped in her tracks when she noticed that he was not done talking. She was about to leave when the next part of his little speech caught her ears.

"As for Lime… I don't think I'm quite over her yet. Even though it's been quite a few years since we broke up, I don't think I ever really got over her. It really pains me to see her with her new boyfriend, but then again, what could I do? I was the one who drove her away. I was the one who caused this mess, so I can't really blame her." Releasing a deep sigh, he continued, "No matter how long it takes, I don't think I'm ever going to stop loving her. It's one of those things that stay in your heart forever, even if you're with another person." He gave them another weak smile. But then again, I could be wrong. What I feel around Videl is so different from what I felt around Lime. I never felt so comfortable around another person before and that's saying a lot. Could this mean something? I… I don't know what to do, he thought to himself. "Well, it's getting late. I guess I should thank Videl for this little visit, eh? Heh, thanks to her, I have the courage to come visit more often. You can count on that. Well, I'm going to go now."

When he turned around to go, he was quite surprised to see Videl standing off to side, waiting for him though he did not show his surprise on his face.

"Are you done?" she asked carefully.

He nodded and began walking toward the other end of the cemetery. "Thanks for the flowers," he said, reaching into his pocket for some money to reimburse her with.

"Don't," said Videl, pushing his hands away. "Consider it a little gift from me to you."

Giving her one last smile, he turned away from her and drove home in his own de-capsulated car. Could it be that I'm starting to fall for her?

"How was your night, Gohan?" asked a concerned Bulma. She knew of Gohan's little rendezvous and she was genuinely concerned for him.

"Interesting," was all he offered before heading off toward his room.

Bulma raised an eyebrow at his answer and decided that she'd ask him tomorrow. For now… that cake she made wasn't looking too great.

Yes, I know that I'm terrible with updating. I keep saying that I'm going to update soon even though I don't. (shrugs) well, what can you do? Anyways, I know that this is sort of way off from the original The Wretched Life of Our Hero, but this was how I originally intended the story to be before an action bug crept up on me. Anyway, action fans, I'm sorry to say that you won't be getting that for quite a while. This is more of a Gohan and Videl type of thing now.

Like I've said million times before, though probably not here, I know that there are errors littered everywhere. I neither care nor will do anything about it. Usually when writing, I only concentrate on writing and fix all the grammatical errors later. Well, I hope you enjoyed this rather… interesting… chapter and review! Eh… for my sake, review and give me some sort of support or knowledge that people are reading this. Oh yeah….hopefully the next chapter will come out soon.