The Odyssey – 6

The Light from the Darkness

The cool night air was shattered by a scream. It was the agonized, mournful cry of death and loss, amplified by the still, calm house walls. Videl lay in her bed alone, clutching her knees to her chest and rocking as the ragged sobs tore from her throat. She called her husband's name again and again, pleading with the fates to erase the pain.

She had just felt him die. Her connection to him was gone now, severed cleanly like a cut thread. It was as if she had watched it happen in front of her, and the ache was too much. She couldn't control herself, and the screams continued as the weight of it all hit repeatedly like a ram.

The light in her room came on and she felt hands and heard a soothing voice. It was Chi-Chi. As another round of terrified sobs took her, Videl fell into her arms and wailed.

"He's gone." She managed to choke, as the horrified Chi-Chi hugged and soothed. Videl felt awful for waking her, and wondered just how loud her screams had to be, but was selfishly glad she was here.

"Who, Videl?" Chi-Chi said mildly, as she rubbed Videl's back, "Who's gone?"

"Gohan." Videl said, his very name causing more tears to form, "I just felt him die."

"Now now, it was just a dream." Chi-Chi cooed, patting Videl's hair, "Just a bad dream."

"No, it wasn't!" She shrieked, breaking free of the embrace. She had known she'd say that, that anyone would think that. But her connection with Gohan was real and it had never been wrong. Videl had felt him in her heart for years, his presence as profound as her own appetite or heartbeat. And now it simply was gone. The hole gaped in her soul where her husband had been, threatening to suck every bit of remaining light from her already dim heart.

Chi-Chi stared at her with a look of mingled pity and fear. She was obviously worried Videl was having a breakdown, and Videl feared the same. She stared across the room at a wall and tried to gather herself. In the wake of Gohan's initial disappearance and Pan's flight, Videl had been a wreck for weeks. Goten had helped her to rise from the slump, and she promised herself that she would no longer be the victim of fate. She would fight the sadness and depression, for the sake of her family and herself.

An even after Goten had gone away without a word she had managed to rebuild her life and find a measure of peace. Goten leaving hurt her more than she could have guessed it would, but she didn't blame him for wanting to get away from the sad, lonely lump she had been. No one wants to be a babysitter after all.

Videl had learned to detach herself from her feelings these past months, finding solace in training. She had been very rusty, but as she struck the punching bags and gave herself to the disciplined mentality of martial-arts again, all that pain began to dull. Her father had done the same after Videl's mother left when she was a baby. Hercule Satan channeled his hurt and anguish into training and became the World Champion of martial-arts.

And lately, Videl had been a machine. She grew stronger, faster and colder by the day as she gave herself entirely to fighting. It was an exhilarating thing, to be made of steel; body and mind lean and lethal together, and the last traces of weakness and depression being killed bit by bit with every move.

But now, tonight, all that was for naught. Every repressed emotion burst forth from her hardened heart when Videl felt the love of her life, the father of her child, die. Now there was no more hope of his return, nothing to tell herself on those dark, lonely nights when the monster of woe tried to rear it's misshapen head.

And what of her daughter? Pan was out there somewhere, hurtling through space in search of her father that was no more. Videl lost it again as she realized this, dropping her head into her hands and sobbing fresh tears.

Chi-Chi rubbed her back still, at a loss for words. She had suffered in her life too, and understood Videl's pain. That irresponsible brute husband of hers had dragged himself and her children into danger more times than she could count, leaving her to pick up the pieces all alone. Now Videl was suffering the same way, her own family lost somewhere in space. At least when Goku flew away, he did it of his own volition. Gohan had just vanished into the void.

And he was still her baby, even if he did belong to Videl now. Chi-Chi had hurt alongside Videl when he was taken, even though the tough woman had learned to cope with having a family in constant danger. It never really got any easier.

After a while, Videl calmed enough to function. Chi-Chi insisted she come over to her house so she wouldn't be alone. Videl agreed, and was soon seated at the kitchen table, wrapped in a soft blanket and clutching a mug of hot tea.

Chi-Chi was busy around her, preparing an early breakfast. It was three in the morning, but neither would be sleeping anymore, and the activity made Chi-Chi feel like she was helping somehow. Videl couldn't eat, she knew. But she said nothing.

"Have you talked to Goten lately?" Chi-Chi asked, trying to make small-talk. She had no idea that Videl hadn't seen or heard from him in months.

Videl's face cringed at the question, a whole new sadness coming onto her. She had taught herself to ignore the whole issue, but it still hurt. He had been her best friend for those weeks before he left, and she missed him terribly. She never figured out the reason for his departure, wondering if she had upset him or if maybe Rachel had taken him back. Videl hoped he was happy, whatever the case.

"No." She said, hoping Chi-Chi would drop the subject.

"I haven't either. I swear, that boy is just like his father. He'll fly off without a word!" She went on, but Videl wasn't listening.

She was hurt and a little angry with Chi-Chi for not believing her, although she understood why. One of the defense mechanisms the older woman had perfected over the years was the art of ignoring the truly unpleasant things in life. Videl knew Chi-Chi understood her connection with Gohan, and she was obviously trying to pretend she didn't.

To accept what Videl was saying would be to accept the death of her son. Far easier it was to carry on thinking he was lost, but just might return one of these days. Videl pitied her, but resented the dishonesty. She had never been one to cling to false consolations, and this often left her jaded. But in her mind, even a painful truth was preferable to a comforting lie.

XXX

Pan dreamed that night in vivid colors. A warm, happy light danced in her mind all night as she slept, the excitement of the previous evening fueling a contented slumber. She and Trunks had talked for hours, wrapped in blankets in the cool night. Pan listened as he told her in detail every thought and feeling he had about them. All his hopes and fears he laid bare, and she did likewise. It was as if they were just getting to know one another for the first time.

The turn Trunks had taken was such a surprise to her, and a part of her feared it wouldn't last. Maybe the planet had an effect on him, causing him to lose his inhibitions. What would happen when they returned to space and the familiarity of the Excalibur? Would Trunks snap out of it and change his mind about his feelings? Pan didn't know if she could handle such a roller-coaster ride.

But he seemed genuine now, and she was happy. She had never known what it was to be treated with such warmth and tenderness, save from her parents when she was little. This was so much different though, and so much more satisfying. The way he touched her hair, and kissed her was as if she was a treasure beyond measure; the most precious thing. She saw in his eyes a real devotion and love, and it was incredible to feel so wanted. Pan hoped he could sense the same from her, as she certainly had those same inclinations towards him.

The only thing still bothering her was his outmoded sense of valor where she was concerned. He treated her like some fragile rose that must be protected and preserved. This was sweet, but tiresome. She wasn't a virtuous flower or a maiden in a garden, and Pan hoped she could get him to see this soon.

Pan's dream fog was interrupted by a vacuum cleaner in an upstairs room. The sound was faint, but perceptible. She groaned and stuffed a pillow over her ear, wishing whoever was cleaning would give it a rest.

Then slowly, she remembered where she was and the fact that there could be nobody vacuuming upstairs. Her eyes opened to see a blue, early-morning desert sprawling to infinity. She sat up and looked around, trying to find the source of the sound that still lingered.

Trunks lay beside her, sleeping soundly. She looked to the ship and gasped – it was gone! Like a bolt, she shot up and flew to where it had been. The worktable remained with the part and tools still on it, but the Excalibur had vanished.

"Trunks!" She yelled, still scanning the horizon. He stirred, but didn't move so Pan flew over and snatched him up by his arm, "Get up, the ship is gone!"

He stared blankly for a few seconds, but quickly caught on and became alert. The two of them flew around, looking for the ship to no avail. Finally, Pan looked up. At first she saw nothing, but eventually she caught a glimpse of reflected light on metal.

"Up here!" She called to Trunks as she shot up toward the speck. Trunks flew up after her.

Pan clenched her fists and grinned as she rocketed towards the gray speck that grew larger as they closed. If someone was trying to steal the ship, they sure had picked the wrong ones to cross. It had been too long since she had got to beat something to a pulp.

When they approached closer, they saw the Excalibur being hoisted by a tractor beam into a large, circular ship. The noise Pan had heard had been generated by the beam.

"Hey!" She yelled as they caught the ship. The beam continued to pull the Excalibur into an open dock. A port on the side opened, and out flew a large yellow alien, humanoid in form, with several rows of bony protrusions scattered along it's limbs.

"Get out of here!" The beast roared, flinging his arm as if to shoo a pesky dog.

"That's our ship you're stealing." Trunks said, moving in front of Pan. This infuriated her, and she quickly moved to be beside him.

"It's mine now," The alien growled, "so get lost before I waste you."

"Last chance, you ugly bastard." Pan said with a grin, lowering into fighting stance. The yellow thing spat and raised it's hand, firing an energy blast at Pan.

She dodged it effortlessly, and Trunks charged the creature. He flung punches and kicks at it, but it was fast, and not one landed.

"You've got a little spunk. This will be fun." The alien darted at Trunks then with unbelievable speed, and smashed it's knee into his gut. Air and spittle spewed from Trunks' mouth, his eyes going wide with the pain and shock.

It grabbed a handful of Trunks' hair then, and flung his head down hard into it's still-raised knee. Pan watched the blood spurt from Trunks' face, and saw his unconscious eyes roll back as the alien dropped him, letting him fall back towards the surface.

Rage took Pan then, hot and furious. She yelled as she tensed her whole body and summoned her ki to infuse every muscle. White-hot energy visibly radiated from her skin as she increased her power.

The yellow alien watched in surprise as Pan's power surged ever higher. With a final yell, she finished the power up and eyed her enemy with vicious loathing.

"So you're the fighter, huh?" The brute asked rhetorically, as it cracked it's knuckles, "Maybe I can break a sweat with you."

It shot at her then, aiming a swift kick at her head. Pan deflected the blow and fired a ki blast directly into it's middle. The blow landed, but the thing surged forward through the fumes of energy, completely unaffected.

They fell into a melee, punching and kicking with tremendous speed. Pan reveled in the exertion, but she was beginning to tire. The alien's strikes landed like hammer blows, and although she matched it in speed, her own attacks seemed to do nothing.

Finally, she broke free of the melee and gained some distance from the monster. It didn't chase, but watched her with a leering snarl. Pan had one more trump card she would try. She lowered her stance, positioned her hands at her side and began to draw the energy for the attack.

"Ka...me...ha...me...HA!" With a blinding, blue-white flare, the Kamehameha Wave shot from her outstretched hands, flying towards her foe. The alien's smug look fell, and it staggered it's stance to block the beam, it's arms raised in front of it.

"Yeah, you just try to stop this." Pan said to herself as she stood, feeding the beam with her energy. She had already put enough power into the wave to demolish a world; this guy would be crispy in a few seconds.

With a roar, the alien took the hit directly. The beam pounded into him, sparks and flames of energy flying off from the contact point. Pan was astounded; it was actually taking the wave directly and maintaining a guard. What sort of monster was this?

She continued to dump her energy into the Kamehameha Wave, swiftly tiring but knowing that if this didn't work, she would be finished. Digging deep, she channeled every bit of rage and frustration she had into her attack. She fed it with her anger at seeing Trunks hurt, her fear of losing the Excalibur and her desperation to survive. But it wasn't enough.

With a final roar and lunge, the yellow beast threw the beam off and sent it past him, harmlessly into the sky. Pan cut the energy and stood panting, staring with hatred at the freak in front of her. It watched her for a moment, a victorious snarl on it's face. Then, moving faster than Pan could even follow, it closed the distance between them and landed an ax chop on her neck. The world went black.

XXX

"Gohan, you must clear your mind. Focus." Cael raised his hand to stop Gohan, feeling his clouded thoughts.

"I can't." Gohan said, closing his eyes and huffing a sigh, "All I can think about is my family. I'm stuck here for a year, and who knows what will happen in this fight with King Ice. What if they never find out what happened to me?"

"I understand your pain, but there is nothing you can do now but get ready. Do as Al-Mourd wants and then go home to them, if you wish." Cael sat in front of Gohan and looked at him. They were on the planet Fuilar, two days into Gohan's training. Cael was having him meditate to finish unlocking his old power that had been somewhat restored when they left Mourd.

Gohan had expected it all to return, but to his dismay he found himself as weak as he had been at five years old, when Vegeta first came to Earth to terrorize the world. Cael expected this, and told him that he must dig deep within himself to recover his ability. This was to be part of his training. Gohan wondered how he knew all this, but he trusted the old man.

The meditation had been working and Gohan felt his strength coming back steadily, although rather slowly. His distractions worrying about his family was hindering the process, and this is why Cael tried to focus him.

"You have a great opportunity now, Gohan." Cael said, "On Fuilar, the realm of Motion and Flux, time and dimension are malleable. As you progress, concentrate. You may visit again your circumstances and rediscover the force behind your strength. Do this, and you will be mightier than you've ever been, stronger in body and mind than you ever thought possible."

Gohan didn't understand. He was beginning to think Fuilar was a cosmic dud. The world was washed in green, just as Mourd had been in red. There were green rivers snaking through green fields which harbored green bushes under a green sky. The planet looked a little like Namek, Gohan thought.

He closed his eyes again and tried to concentrate on his energy. Cael had given him a mantra – clarity – and Gohan hinged on the word as he breathed in deep, steady regularity. He could feel the energy inside him, which was so welcome after half a year without on Mourd, and he tried to pay attention to it's structure and purity.

It felt different now in this weaker state than it had in a very long time. The force inside him was the force of his childhood, of long days and nights training under Piccolo, and the looming fear of Saiyans. It was the energy that missed his mother, and mourned his father; the force that had found an unexpected friend in Piccolo, and wanted to make him proud.

As Gohan let himself into his own energy, he relived those days more clearly than he had since they actually happened. He could smell that scent of the fresh fruit he had for breakfast every morning during training, and he felt the blows Piccolo landed as he tried to prepare Gohan for the fight to come. He felt the child's deep fear.

Gohan opened his eyes to tell all of this to Cael, for he was amazed at the lucidity of these memories. But when he looked, his voice froze in his throat. He and Cael were on Earth. Gohan jumped to his feet, looking around at the familiar terrain. He had been here before. His breathing came faster as he puzzled over this. Then he heard voices.

"Get ready, Gohan. They'll be here any minute."

Gohan choked up with a lump in his throat as he heard that voice. A few dozen feet away stood Piccolo, his posture ready for a fight. And behind him, dressed just like the Namek, stood Gohan as a child. The boy looked around warily, trying to be brave. Gohan felt the boy's emotions along with his own. He recalled the paralyzing fear and trepidation.

"How old were you?" Cael asked. Gohan hadn't noticed him come to stand next to him.

"Five." Gohan said, "What is this?"

"This is the history of your power. As I said, on Fuilar, time and dimension are malleable. Who is the Namekian?"

"That's Piccolo. He trained me for a year prior to this. We were waiting for the Saiyans to arrive." Gohan said, watching the two.

"Saiyans?" Cael asked with astonishment. He looked intently at the scene. Gohan didn't get a chance to a answer before the Saiyans actually arrived. He could feel their power and malevolence, and the fear quickened in his heart again as he watched.

Vegeta and Nappa landed, scouring the scene with their malicious faces. Gohan looked at Cael to explain, but he found the old man staring at the two with an intense concentration and surprise. He noticed Gohan's gaze though and composed himself.

Gohan was about to ask Cael if he recognized them, but his attention was diverted as the Z-Warriors began to arrive. His eyes filled with tears as he watched them all, so young and brave. He felt the excitement in the young boy's heart and the hope that maybe they stood a chance with their new numbers.

Cael and Gohan watched the fighting. The Saiyans produced the Saiba-men and unleashed them upon the Earth's defenders. Yamcha fell, and Gohan relived the shock and pain of his death. On it all went until the brutish Nappa stood before them, hulking and invincible. Chiaotzu sacrificed himself bravely, but to no avail. Then Tien fell to Nappa's might. Gohan knew what was coming, for he remembered the shame.

Soon, Picollo hatched his plan for attacking the huge Saiyan. He, Gohan and Krillin were to work together to beat Nappa. The plan was set, and executed. Piccolo and Krillin leaped into action, driving Nappa towards the young Gohan, where he was to hit him with everything he had.

But the child froze. Gohan looked at his small self, remembering so vividly the paralyzing fear and hesitation. He wasn't ready; he was too weak. There was no way this would work, and he was going to die!

Cael watched intently and said, "Pay attention, Gohan. This is the first step. You feel that fear, yes?"

Gohan nodded. He felt it all just as he had that day.

"Here is your opportunity to rise higher. Defeat that fear now, and attack in your mind. Do now as you should have done then and you will grow."

Gohan tried to focus his mind and fight the fear. It was difficult, as his heart and mind were one with the child standing in the face of certain death. Nappa flew towards him, stunned slightly but still terrifying. Gohan saw his child self quake and turn to run.

"No." He said aloud, trying to channel his will into the boy, "Attack him." As he watched, he saw the young boy's look of horror slowly turn into one of determination.

"That's it," Gohan said, "Now!" The boy let out a cry and charged the falling Nappa, summoning his ki into the most powerful concentration he could muster. With a yell, he let it fly. The blast struck Nappa full-on, exploding into a shower of energy tendrils, smoke and shattered armor.

Gohan's heart soared with elation as he watched himself overcome his fear. He felt instantly stronger, braver and more experienced. Picollo swelled with pride and Krillin let our a cheer. He had done it! After all these years of shame over this incident of childish fear, Gohan had righted that wrong.

"Excellent." Cael said, "You will grow from this."

"Am I changing history?" Gohan asked, proud but afraid now of what this may mean.

"No. This is only the history of your own power and life. You are changing yourself, but reality remains as it was."

They watched then as Nappa rose from the smoke, battered and dirty but very much alive.

"You see," Cael said, "history remains. But you have bested yourself, and now you grow stronger." And indeed the battle progressed as it had that day. Piccolo sacrificed himself to save Gohan, and the ache of that loss brought fresh tears to his face as he watched the young boy's power surge and the attack he hurled at Nappa.

"Incredible." Cael said, true wonder in his tone, "You had a great power hidden within, Gohan."

"Yes. Piccolo had been trying to bring it out as he trained me, but it didn't work. I never learned to control it until many years later."

Cael continued to watch with great interest, and Gohan noticed an odd look of almost recognition on his face. It was like he was trying to work out some complex puzzle, and Gohan didn't know if Cael was merely trying to learn all he could about him for training or if he truly saw something familiar here.

Goku arrived soon after, fresh from his training with King Kai. Gohan's heart leaped at the sight of his father, standing before the hulking Nappa with such calm confidence. He had always admired this in Goku, and wanted so much to have that same poise. His father could face anything, standing up to it with courage and strength.

"Bardock?" Cael whispered with an almost desperate rush of breath. He stared for a moment, wide-eyed with wonder and a forlorn longing, before he could compose himself in front of Gohan.

"That's my father, Goku." Gohan said, looking quizzically at Cael, "Do you know him?"

Cael didn't answer, but shook his head in reply, "You have gotten all you can out of this journey, Gohan. Come, let us return."

Gohan's heart was torn. He wanted so badly to watch his father longer, to stay with him and hear him speak. But already the scene was dimming, as if being slowly submerged in water. He opened his eyes again, and they were back on Fuilar.

XXX

The woods echoed with screams as Videl kicked again and again. Her entire body was drenched with sweat and sore, but she drove her foot into the heavy bag still, letting go a cry each time.

When she was younger, she could tear one of these bags in half with her force. Now she was no longer in that kind of shape, but she was getting there. Her legs finally gave out and she went to the bar she had installed and began doing pullups. There was still juice left in her upper body, even if the lower was spent.

Videl had transformed a section of forest into a gym. Bags of various size and weight hung from tree branches, she had several bars set into position for some gymnastic-style agility training between two massive oaks, a cleared dirt space was set for practicing forms and she had marked a trail through the woods for sprints. More was ever being added as she thought up ideas.

This had become her entire life lately. Day after day she would train, sun-up to sun-down. She never quit until she could barely stagger home, bathe, eat and sleep. It felt amazing to be strong again. The dull, toothache-like pain in her heart never left, but she beat it to a pulp daily.

She wasn't a victim anymore. It had been three weeks since she felt the death of her husband, and every day she worked to overcome everything. All this time, she had let herself be knocked down by life. Disaster upon disaster left her broken, reeling and hurt. But no more. Videl had made a vow to herself to keep the upper-hand from now on, and put her weakness to rest in every way.

She actually found herself thinking of Vegeta from time to time. Gohan had told her before of his history, and the hardships he endured. Vegeta never spoke of his past, but everyone knew that his gruff, arrogant attitude was a defense built up over years of abuse. Videl understood the difficult man a lot more now, and sympathized. She knew she'd never adopt such a hateful shell, but she sure could use some more strength and defense.

The hardest part was the fact that she had given every bit of her life to her family. Outside of Gohan and Pan, she had nothing – no friends, hobbies or interests. So now that they were gone, there was nothing for her. She had considered trying to contact some old friends from school, but found she could never pick up the phone to dial. There was no way she was going to let herself lean on someone else for support the way she had Goten. There was always Chi-Chi, and Videl did visit her regularly to check on the older woman, but the two were so different. The day Gohan had died had showed Videl Chi-Chi's true colors, and her penchant for ignoring reality. This blatant dishonesty was something Videl simply couldn't stand to be around.

But she wished every day that she could speak with her father again, and hear his advice. He had been a hard man to get along with, but if there was one thing he understood, it was how to cope with a tough hand. Videl's mother had left them both when she was very young, and Hercule managed to turn his life around and become the best at something – using that focus and dedication to mask all the pain of his old life. But the heart attack that had claimed his life eight years ago had convinced Videl that the grueling training and heavy diet of a champion fighter was no good for a mere human.

But she didn't care about the risks now. She didn't have a death wish, and was making sure she kept up with her health, but the rigors and dangers of a fighting lifestyle was just one more thing she had learned not to fear any more. She felt that she was finally at home when training and fighting, and the exhilaration from the endorphin rush was the only friend she had.

A World Martial-Arts Tournament was approaching in three months, and Videl had decided that she would participate. There was nothing else for her to do, and this goal served as a beacon in her tortured life. She may not win, or even place, but it was something to work towards. The media had hounded her for weeks after Mr. Satan died, asking if his daughter would claim the Champ's title and fight to defend it. They were so rude, and Chi-Chi kept them scared off the property while Videl mourned her father. She had finally told them that she would not compete, ever again. Now, she wondered what they all would say when she returned, bearing the same emotional scars that had led Hercule to fight his way to the top so long ago.

She limped home as the sun set, blissfully exhausted to the point of mental numbness. The washing, cooking, bandaging and sleeping was a routine now that fell into place despite her total detachment. The bed was a warm cocoon that enveloped her entirety, and she sank into a dreamless slumber.

Knocking on the door woke her the next morning. Videl sat up groggily, forgetting for one wondrous second the reality of her life now. She was about to call for Gohan to get the door, since he was always awake before anyone, and was sure to be milling about the house. That familiar lead weight settled onto her chest as she realized once more that he would never answer the door again.

Chi-Chi was the caller, and she looked Videl over suspiciously when the door was opened. Videl knew she looked like a wreck. Her skin was mottled with scrapes and bruises, her hair was a ragged shock that she had cut herself to be rid of the excess burden, and her face was a perpetual mask of stoic indifference that always took Chi-Chi aback when she saw her.

"Hey, Videl." Chi-Chi said carefully, trying to project a happy visage.

"Hi, Chi-Chi." Videl responded. She gave a small smile, going through the motions to keep from appearing glum, "How are you?"

"Good, sweetie. I hope I'm not bothering you, but I wanted to tell you that Bulma is having a party later this evening and would really like you to come. She is trying to get everyone together for a visit – nothing special." Chi-Chi smiled encouragingly, obviously expecting Videl to decline the invitation out of hand.

And Videl really didn't care to attend such an event, casual or not. She knew everyone was pitying her for her situation and although she appreciated the concern, the last thing she wanted was to be an object of misfortune to be consoled, sucking all the life from a party.

"I don't know," She said, "I think I might have to pass this time."

"Please reconsider, Videl. Bulma wants you to come most of all. She's been trying to call you, but hasn't been able to get through. I think you could use a change of scenery too."

I could use a lot of things, Videl thought. She said nothing for a while, contemplating the best way to tell Chi-Chi that she appreciated the concern, but just wasn't going. But she thought then of her vow to overcome all this depression and self-pity, and realized that she probably should push herself into such an uncomfortable situation, using it as an opportunity to begin healing.

The thought almost made her groan aloud. An upbeat social event was literally the last place she wanted to be. But maybe she could just go for a little while, appease Bulma and slip out unnoticed. After all, she was proficient with flight now and could take off whenever she felt like it.

With a sigh of resignation she said, "Okay. I'll go for a while. What time?"

Chi-Chi lit up, surprised and relieved at Videl's decision, "That's great, Videl! We all need a little break, and you know Bulma always throws the best parties. She's got so much money, after all. I swear, if I only had a handful of her worth I could pay everything off and then maybe I could relax in my older age. I'm no spring chicken anymore, and all this work is killing me, all alone. If that Goku wasn't such a bum, he could use all those muscles to lend a hand once in a while, but no!"

Videl couldn't help but smile as Chi-Chi unwound. She eventually found out that the party would start at seven. Chi-Chi offered to drive Videl but she declined, telling her that she'd rather fly on such a nice day. Videl invited Chi-Chi inside for a cup of tea, but she said she had a bunch of chores to do before she left, and she still didn't know what in the world she was going to wear.

After a late breakfast, Videl changed into her training clothes and headed out into the forest. Her routine always started with a run so she broke into a brisk jog, weaving through trees and underbrush. The morning runs were a favorite of hers, the steady patter of her feet and rhythm of her breathing lulling her into a trance, peaceful and calm.

It was so quiet in the woods; the only audible sounds being her foot strikes and breathing. But there comes a time in every run where one overcomes initial brutality of exhaustion and settles into a natural stride. Videl's ragged breaths eased into a softer, more steady tempo, in and out with the rhythm of her feet. Inhale for four foot strikes, exhale for four. Once she reached this plateau, the real sounds and sights of the forest around her became amplified in contrast, and she sank into that world.

The mid-morning sun beamed warm luster through the branches of trees, spearing and dispelling patches of fog like a god's radiant lance. The dew was still fresh around her, and the occasional brush against a wet bush or limb triggered a delightful spray of cool droplets on her hot skin.

She never stuck to the same route, always letting her feet take control and guide her. It was freedom; not as ethereal as flight, but a physical, primal thing. She was an animal when running, gliding smooth and lithe across the earth, head flooded with endorphins. When in this state, Videl knew that this is where she belonged. For a few hours at least, the troubles of her life would fall away, leaving nothing but sweet serenity in the wake of every step.