A.N: Oh my! I have to apologise for two things: Firstly, for the unpredicted, unintended, but unfortunately unavoidable update delay! Moving house is always a real charm -.- Secondly, for my 4am writing in the last chapter. I can see the easy confusion over the bonded/mating terms, and even managed to confuse myself with what I had initially meant by it, when re-reading through. I was going to clear it up in a veeeery rapidly, upcoming chapter, but changed my mind when I realised I might need some feedback on an idea that might not make any sense!
The short answer to the question would be that bonding and mating are infact the same. 'Bonding' is indeed the official, more deeper mating connection shared between two Saiyans, and this one-off act would also create a (bonded) mate. So to say someone 'is mated to' is the same as being 'bonded to.' For example; Radditz is the mate of Kari, so they are bonded. But! On further thought; the 'mating' term in general, could in theory apply to either a bonded coupling or an un-bonded fling. But in the context of this story and to save on a lot of unnecessary confusion, I see the whole process of choosing a mate and having a successful bonding, would be quite sacred and important sort of ritual in Saiyan culture. Therefore, a Saiyan would use either word very carefully, as a sort of, respect. So in conclusion, Bond/Mate just has the same, very important meaning.
When Videl asked what an 'un-bonded coupling' was, Gohan tried using a word that he thought she might understand better. "They were not mated" just translated back to "they were not bonded (mates)." A fling would probably be described as simply 'laid with,' or more likely using far cruder terms. For example; Gohan rather kindly called the fling between Kari and King Vegeta, a 'union.'
Hope that clears everything up! On with the story :)
Chapter 9: Of Eagles, Bears and Hawks
The Saiyan didn't just approach the restless human. He moved past her, though not even needing to physically make contact to make her feel the invisible barrier of his heat pushing against her. Involuntarily, she took a baby step back, and the lowest section of her stomach gave a little flutter. It was as she watched him in curiosity rather than anxiety, that her jaw lightly dropped. Maybe he had some kind of high-tech, virtual reality system or…maybe even just some kind of, alien music? She eagerly anticipated the surprise, holding a baited breath as he stopped in the very centre of the 'pod' room. Before her blinking gape, Gohan fluidly lowered his body. Her jaw dropped a fraction lower. There he was, just sitting on the floor! His muscles quite relaxed, and the light cross of his legs. It immediately gave off the impression that he was about to start meditating. Videl frowned, uttering her disappointment under her breath.
"You've gotta be kidding me…"
The Saiyan said nothing, even though he'd undoubtedly heard her. Cocking his head in her direction, he just patted a spot on the floor directly opposite him, as if he could order her to sit like some obedient puppy. Despite the sheer humiliation of just doing whatever he asked, she had nothing else to lose. After all, she'd whined about having nothing else to do, and now he was trying to reach out and offer her something. So deciding that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to relax a little, she ventured forwards in ginger steps, until she sat herself opposite him. Maybe, he still had a trick up his sleeve. As soon as she'd fidgeted into a settled position that mimicked his on the rock hard floor, the Saiyan reached forwards, to claim her wrists.
"What are you doing?" Videl started, after her immediate, anxious resistance against the way he forced her arms towards him. His grasp was so light, that she managed to actually tug herself free, for once.
"I'm trying to show you how to feel," he announced, added emphasis on the 'feel,' with the trace of light agitation in his low voice overall.
"Oh," she stared with wide-eyes under lifted brows, clearly taken back by his refusal to drop their previous, heated subject. More so taken back by his sudden willingness to demonstrate his culture to her. He replied again with the simple offering of his outstretched hands, palms facing up while elbows relaxed against his thighs. Videl had to shuffle a little closer, before she tried to regain the positioning he'd initiated. "So…Was it like this?"
The Saiyan's confirming nod came in the form of the quiet, nasal breath, as the human's hand slotted over his. It was just the beginning of several more calm, deep and slow respiration, as he closed his eyes in cold silence. Watching for a moment, Videl cursed about how ridiculous this was, before settling into a silent, partially relaxed state of her own. Although not without more of a emphasised huff. All she could feel, was his slightly dry and callous, but very warm skin. She'd never really focused on the texture before, but had remembered his touch to be far less pleasant before. After all, he hadn't used it so nicely on her. It wasn't like she'd never meditated before though, so without his instructions, she'd already cleared her mind with another huffed breath; enabling her five senses to gradually explore what was usually ignored. The light hum of the engines, and the very subtle vibrations against the floor tiles. The hard surface beneath her, against the prickling, cold air that had made semi-permanent goose-bumps over her exposed skin. The damp smell of fresh water that had escaped the shower cube in a light, lingering mist in the air, together with the prolonged smell of multi-sexed, musky perspiration. The taste of coppery water on her tongue, and the bright specs of light flicking over her lightly closed eyelids.
Gohan felt her body relax. He heard her breathing calm into a fixed rotation, and felt her natural body heat radiating, combating against her chilled, outer layers of skin. He'd of course by now registered her unique scent, along with her calmed pheromones. Knowing that she was ready for the next phase, he opened his eyes, and subtly elevated his own ki, forcing the controlled, transparent ripples, slowly through the subtle joining of her hands. The danger of overwhelming her entirely with what could've been a fatal attack, was definitely worth it. For it was a beautiful sight to beyond, as the human reacted to the invading presence with the light, curious tilt of her chin. Then, the twitch of her brows, followed by the tip of her nose. He moved his hands slowly from under hers, but the action didn't cause a reaction from her at all Her most literal 'touch' sense, was far too overwhelmed by the other four. No, the other five. There was something very spiritual about the aura that had, and still did, course through her. It stated with the tingling of her fingertips, and travelled up her arms to fill her entire form, right the way down to her pickled toes. Gone was the humming of the engine and all her other observations. The only thing she could touch, taste, smell, see, and hear, was the Saiyan opposite her.
Startled by what had suddenly occurred, Videl suddenly jerked to a more alert status, with a breath to match her state. Eyelids quickly lifted and fluttered, as she took control over her loose body. She hadn't even realised how she'd lightly swayed, or how her chin had lifted to slowly roll her head back. It was nothing compared to how she was now very, very much aware, of how the Saiyan just sat; observing her with his arms cleanly folded, and a very light smirk playing on his proud lips. He hadn't even been touching her anymore, and the flabbergasted Videl immediately begun to ponder exactly when and how he'd managed to lose her hands without her noticing. More importantly, why it still felt like he was holding onto them…
"I felt you," she announced rather loudly, trying to convince herself more than him that this was the conclusion of the experience. Gohan barely managed to hold back his growing grin, yet also lightly unimpressed scoff. Of course she'd felt him. "What was that? Some kind of cheap trick?"
"No trick," he more openly scoffed. "What you felt, was my energy. You humans would rather concern yourselves with words and physical contact. No wonder you have not even tapped into your ki."
"My… what?" Gohan repeated himself, louder and more defined in pronunciation. But the human frowned deep enough to show him glimpses of how she no doubt wanted to smack him. He narrowed it down to baby language.
"Ki... Your essence. Your energy. The very power that flows through you."
"That doesn't explain why I…I could feel you." She was clearly still overwhelmed and stunned, as she stared down at her hands in clear awe. Gohan gladly enlightened her in the continued tone of a teacher, even though it was tempting to have her wait much longer for the answer.
"That's because you felt my ki. Since you clearly can't sense it on your own freewill, I gave you a very generous, helping hand. What you felt was the smallest possible fraction. But I had to be very careful," he boasted, smirk playing again. "I don't doubt anything bigger would kill you."
Now it was her turn to scoff at the clear ego.
"Then… how do I sense my own ki?"
"Right here." He reached forwards, pressing his digits against the flatter plate above her chest and below her collar. "Inside. You just have to look hard enough." It amazed him that this creature was so oblivious to one of the first lessons a Saiyan learnt in the arts of martial combat. "And until you've harnessed your own ki, your attacks are, and will always be flawed."
"So…" she trailed off with a frown, re-gathering her wide collection of questions and assumptions. "That's why you called me weak? Because I can't feel ki like you do?"
"Among other things." Now he was really pushing it. Instantly, her back straightened at the new challenge.
"Like what?"
"You hit in all the wrong places," he started casually, but before she knew it, a long list was flowing off his tongue without giving her any chance to defend herself against each individual charge. "You put power in all the wrong attacks. You underestimate everything. Your sense of surroundings is… overly flawed."
"Hey! Just a second-"
"Not to mention you don't even take advantage of your own body."
"What!" Now he'd really dealt the wrong card. "You better not be suggesting what I think you are!" Of course, he continued in his matter-of-fact tone, even adding the simple shrug of his shoulders.
"That you're short?"
"….Oh. Great! So now you're saying my being vertically challenged is also a weakness?"
"You misunderstand, and therefore you assume. That's another weakness." Pausing to access the twitch of her brows and the gentle huff in defeat, the Saiyan explained his true meaning in his continued, factual tone. "Kari is…I'd say, around your height. Our King is also… not exactly much taller, if at all. However, both are two of the strongest warriors our planet has to offer."
"Fine, I get your point. But all the rest are just a matter of your opinion. I'll have you know I trained under the best martial arts instructors my planet has to offer. Oh yeah, and the World Martial Arts Tournament last year?" Now it was her turn to fold her arms, and mimic his proud, gloating expression. "You're only looking at the winner."
"Impressive," he calmly replied, though his body language didn't match the word. Casually, the Saiyan leaned back, stretching his legs out to the side of her, and resting his weight back on his elbows. He even crossed one ankle over the other, as he continued with the return of the smirk. "To another Earthling, maybe."
That just about hit the nail on the head. A lightly growling Videl shot back with more pride showing through. Winning that damn tournament last year had been the greatest event of her life! Not only did she reclaim the humiliation of her loss to Yamu the previous year, but she was still the youngest competitor and the youngest winner ever!
"And those moves you insulted. They're mine. Can you understand that? Look," and that said, she was fluidly springing up to her feet. The rather arrogant Gohan, simply enjoyed the brief view. "I'll show you!"
Moving back into a clearer space for her baited demonstration, the human found her central point of balance, adjusting her feet accordingly. As she lifted her slightly stiff arms, she made a focused sound and swiftly bent the elbows in one, quick motion. Lightly narrowing her focused eyes, she saw her invisible opponent, and struck. The first kick was low not only low, but also propelled her into the bicycle kick of the second follow-up kick. Impressively, just as she hit the ground, feet seemed to just bounce off the surface. But her swift jump again, she spun, performing the third and final kick that had a high priority of launching her opponent backwards a pace or more. The Saiyan just watched attentively; noting each of her joints and the way she constructed the attack. Already, in his mind, he'd improved it.
"I call that the Eagle Kick," she announced, hands on hips, and glaring back at him. Gohan failed to move an inch from his relaxed and lazy position.
"Is that it?"
The baiting worked, again. With a light, determined growl she slipped back into her neutral training stance in another attempt to oppress the impossible male. Clutching her fists tight enough to feel the sting of her nails, Videl crouched down slightly, head dipped low as she took a very deep breath. Then, without warning, she shouted "Hawk Arrow!" in unison with her body's sudden movement forwards. Her steps forwards are accompanied by a rising, elbow barge, that should again disrupt her opponent's sense of balance, as well as causing damage to the gut area. This time, she Saiyan even dared to utter a short, hoarse chuckle.
"Still want more?" The human asked, confident and proud of the moves she'd designed for herself. Her voice took a more serious and threatening edge though, as she beckoned him with the flick of straight fingers. "Get over here and I'll show you the Bear Blowthrou -"
"I think I've seen enough." Indeed, he recognised these attacks and their variations from the two times they'd fought, and she was definitely not putting meaning to 'three times the charm.' But he just had to push it. "At least your hair is no longer a problem."
"Grrr!" Stampeding all over her personalised attacks was bad enough, and now he had to start attacking how she looked too? "STAY OUT OF MY HAIR YOU BIG JERK!"
Instinctively, she tucked a section of overgrown fringe behind her ear. Now he really did have to laugh. The way her temper stitched so easily at such a meagre comment; how had she taken insult to what was really a compliment? He would never tell her, but despite the humiliation of losing her hair, he did in fact prefer the shorter style. It highlighted the sharper, pixie-like features of her face. Mostly, the pointed tip of her nose, and the wide, lifted jaw with narrower chin. Sitting up at last under her unrelenting glare, the Saiyan however did not budge from his set-in-stone opinions.
"It was only getting in the way. Would you rather have something your opponent can easily grab onto?"
"Like your tail?" He grinned again, tolerating her snippy temper in a far more likeable manner. It wasn't just cold, demeaning entertainment. The enjoyment felt different, though he couldn't quite explain it and didn't intend on trying. It just was.
"Fine." The toned mass of muscle and sinew visibly flexed under the second layer of skin, as the Saiyan rose in a fluidly mastered movement. Videl had to suddenly swallow at both the sight and sudden anticipation of a new game. "Let's try your little theory."
"Fine!" It didn't exactly help that he practically sauntered towards her, closing the space in a sizzling radiation of tense anxiety. She had to win this, so the pressure swiftly mounted in a surge of her own heat. 'I will win this! I'll grab his stupid tail, and I'll pull it soooo hard!'
"Here," he added as he stopped at an arm's length ahead of her. "I'll even make it easier on you." On cue, his furry, dark brown tail unwound itself from his waist, to flick excitedly in the air behind him. It were as though the tail wanted to be touched at least.
"Did I ever tell you you're a jerk?" His response was almost a laugh, as he pre-occupied himself with sliding into his own, defensive sparring stance. The human wasted no time, hoping to keep him off guard with her sudden attack. He just side-stepped away from her charge.
"Again," he lured, the sound of laughter reaching his tone at least. The human complied, this time trying to use her 'eagle kick' on the real opponent. He leaned to the left for the first leg, then gracefully to the right in time for the second. For the third, he simply leaned backwards.
"You're not even aiming for the tail," he finally laughed, still grinning as she growled and resorted to trying to snatch at the target. A shove here, a barge there, all the while almost stumbling over her own feet as he just effectively moved her around in circles. It irked her more that his tail just danced happily behind him. At last, she gave up, ridding herself of the sudden, very desperate idea to somehow climb over his shoulder and no doubt further ridicule herself. Enough was enough: He'd made his point.
"Even if I can't," she backed off in lightly dizzy steps, resting her hands on her hips to regain at least some control and authority. "I bet another Saiyan could."
"More fool me for not being able to defend myself." She crinkled her nose at his swift recovery, but could not fault it. "Be thankful Kari did not take a more permanent memento. Perhaps when you are more capable, you can grow back your lost pride."
"I'd rather shave her bald first." Both grinned, as they shared a matching image of the bold confession.
"Then you must seek a very slow and painful end."
"I dunno… I somehow managed to escape with my life so far..." Oddly, the Saiyan turned a quarter angle, and rested his palms very loosely on his angular pelvis in conjunction with a quieter, more thoughtful tone.
"Hmmm… let us think about this." He even rubbed his chin, giving off the distinct sound of scratching stubble across a very light dusting of 5am shadow. "For an equal fight, you would need to match nearly forty ye-"
"Forty! She doesn't look that old." He frowned at the interruption, casting a quick glance before rewinding and continuing.
"Match nearly forty years, of the most intense training known. It's impossible. If the training alone didn't kill you, then there is the simple fact that Kari won't stop and wait for you to just, catch up. You will always be too far behind her."
"Is she stronger than you?" The question admittedly caught Gohan off-guard at first, and it took an equal amount of time to consider an answer, as it did to recover from more of her bold words.
"Watch your tongue. If another heard you say such a thing…."
"You haven't even thought about?" The disbelief in her tone carried through with the light tilt of her head, answered by the Saiyan's continued, off-guard gaping.
"Kira has… at least twenty years advantage. It would be suicide to go up against an elite of her rank and status." Seeing an opening for further luring to his ultimate plan, Gohan allowed himself another playful, genuine grin, as he folded his arms and looked at the human. "But if you wanted to catch up to me, you would only be nineteen years behind. Maybe you'd finally land a decent hit!"
These more promising words clearly caught Videl's attention, as her face seemed to light up at the sheer prospect revealed by his subtle suggestions. All the overwhelming information had distracted her from prying more about one particular subject, but now he reminded her, and she took the golden opportunity without a second thought.
"That ki business. Would it give me say... a head-start?"
"...Most definitely."
"So, the next time we sparred?" He had to keep grinning, at her rather high optimism, and actually decided to feed it for once. He was interested in the limits of her spirit, but was also kidding himself if he tried to convince anyone that this was purely for the benefit of the so-called 'project.'
"Hmm...you know, I might just have to try harder." Sold.
"So teach me! Let's do this already!"
The satisfaction of seeing her so happy to comply, and buzzing with the almost juvenile energy to learn, from him of all people, just made Gohan all the more merrier to obey. Sure, it was illegal to train outsiders the Saiyan arts, but that was on Vegetasei. Last time he checked, he was still on a ship. The bending of the rules brought a smug little grin to his cupid's bow lips, until….
"Don't just stand there smiling! C'mon! Show me!"
"Alright," he tried to say calmly, but the little hop she'd excitedly given was hard to erase from his mind. As he slowly, more carefully sat into a meditative positioning again, she immediately copied; eyes wide in anticipation. It was certainly empowering his ego to realise how much pull he could have over her. Empowering and undeniably attractive. Despite everything, here she was, putting her trust in his ability to teach her something so delicate yet powerful. And here he was, willing to break laws for her. His father was right; she really was pure. If only he had known, right from the very start, just how easy it was to keep this woman so, entertained…
To be (swiftlier) continued…