A.N. Though this chapter should answer a few requests/concerns and the need for 'nummy-nummies' (Ahaha! I do love that phrase, and almost made it this chapter's title ^.^) Ahem! Here are some hopefully non-spoiler answers:

Regarding Bulma and Vegeta, I almost included a flashback in chapter 25, but decided that the scene didn't do their relationship justice. I've considered trying to explore their past for a while now, with on and off planning. It could potentially form a rather short prequel, which I definitely won't be starting on until this story is concluded. I say 'short' but, I'm already three chapters over my original planning! *-*'

The same solution could possibly apply to Goku and ChiChi, though it would probably all be interwoven into the same prequel, or maybe just a one-shot. I also have two other, far more light-hearted projects planned, not to mention tons of reviewers fanfics to read. So I guess a prequel is possible, if only I can get my head around what exactly I want to focus on/explore first.

~ Anorelei~

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Chapter 26: Sealing the Future

Videl swallowed back her current breath, and replaced it with a rather irritated sigh. So far, Gohan had only proved how he could have just explained this whole bonding procedure with words. Maybe then she wouldn't feel like such a wet sponge, as she sat rather awkwardly over him. Very casually, he had placed the pillow behind his head, and relaxed against their makeshift bed. It somewhat infuriated her how he just rested his hands over the swell of her hips, and closed his eyes.

'Yeah, 'cause relaxing is so easy when you haven't told me what comes next!'

But Gohan wasn't as comfortable as he seemed. Behind the cool façade of his calm exterior, were the incessant thoughts and concerns that riddled his mind. Part of him hadn't explained the, because he couldn't, not when he barely knew himself. The other part, didn't want to attempt to explain something that by rights, should only be experienced. When two Saiyans bonded, it was a natural and mutual coming together let by instincts. It irked him how perfectly they'd finally come together on Gelidus, compared to how awkward this was already feeling. For the first time, he was genuinely nervous and burdened with his own desire for this to be as perfect as it could be. Hearing how the female heaved another unimpressed breath bothered him, so he opened one eye to be greeted by how she sat over him. The small nose wrinkled and face scrunching overall with her frowning and forced concentration. No doubt she was expecting something magical to suddenly occur. This wasn't how the bond was meant to feel.

"This is wrong."

Now the statement made her open one eye, and she peered at his lightly disheartened expression, before growling with her frustration. Now she really did frown, together with her palm sweeping across his chest.

"Oh no you don't! You are not quitting on me, not after getting me all pumped up."

Gohan smiled; apparently she hated to be refused things just as much as he did. Of course he wasn't giving up, quite the opposite in fact. Again, he tried re-arranging how they were positioned, or rather, how she was sitting. Videl grit her teeth with a very agitated growl as he fidgeted, and tried to determine where she was meant to slot between all of this. Somehow, they finished with their legs sandwiched, and her body lying over his. Almost. She insisted on hunching her shoulders and propping herself up over his diagonally raised chest. It allowing her to glare down at him from a better vantage point, and Gohan could hardly complain. Her preferred position only granted him with another satisfactory view. She was always so magnificent when she glared with that blazing fire behind those exotic eyes.

"Happy now?" Videl again retorted, huffing a breath and perturbed further by the disordered dark strands falling over her eyes.

"Very," he smirked with the simplicity of his answer, tucking her hair away.

The gesture succeeding in gradually soothing her. Videl heaved aside the last of her irate breaths, and tried to re-focus again with the dancing of her eyes. Again, Gohan laid his palms to rest over her hips, splaying fingers over the sides of her back. She flushed slightly as he settled himself with a levelled, unblinking stare. It was hard to return the deep eye contact, and she was more than grateful for the barricade of clothing between them. Not only was the complete structure of his male anatomy very clear to her; Videl could also feel the gentle rise and fall of his chest, as he inhaled and exhaled. Soon enough, she realised how he was actually breathing with her, submitting their bodies into a single wave against, back and forth in a gentle rhythm. That alone was another level of intimacy which sent a shiver down her spine. So she closed her eyes, finding it far easier to relax with her sight blinded. A meditative state was difficult to reach with all these distractions, but that was the point. Already, she was focused entirely on Gohan, in every way she could. He closed his eyes shortly after she did, waiting for the opportune moment. When he felt the alignment of mind, body and spirit, he begun to ever so carefully push his ki against the natural aura that surrounded her.

Videl tensed slightly at this more spiritual penetration, feeling her breath sink to her stomach. She'd felt a fraction of this sensation before back when they'd first meditated together, and how he'd taught her what his definition of 'feeling' was. But this was far more intense. The sudden electricity of his energy made her bolt slightly, instinctively hitting him back with the inner flare of her own ki. He pushed again, inciting the light bucking of her body against his, as she exhaled a stuttering breath. She could feel how his warmth completely embraced her, but not just in the physical sense. This had ventured far beyond literal meanings. As Videl felt her energy shying away from the empowerment of Gohan's, she suddenly reacted with a counterattack against his aura. Gritting her teeth, she shoved against his shield with frowning determination. He ironically smiled as he surrendered to her ki completely. With that, came the friction of a unified knotting process. It were as though an equal portion of their ki had separated, to now surround -no, embrace the opposite person entirely. If Videl had opened her eyes then, she would see how both their bodies were glowing in a pale, white light. In a prefect mirroring, the ribbons of his energy entwined with her pure essence, while he was treated to the same inner weavings.

Many couples seek a deeper understanding of their other half, but Videl was treated to a complete knowing of Gohan in very sudden, vivid flashes. He too, would witness rapid fractions of her life threaded in varying hues and saturations, depending on the strength and emotional attachment to the memory. She would see the acceleration of his growth, from lonely and confused outcast to an older, competitive boy who only craved acceptance and strength. He would see the acceleration of her growth, from loved and protected daughter to an older, grief-stricken but determined girl craving … acceptance, and strength. A five year old Gohan completes his first transformation into the fearful Oozaru, while his counterpart cries as she embarkes on her first day at nursery school. A planet is destroyed, while a best friend is made. A barely pre-pubescent Videl dressed completely in black, severely bites back her tears at a dark and moody funeral, drawing beads of blood from her lip. Her counterpart growls back emotion as his training is constantly disturbed by the pushing, shoving and beatings from the sons and daughters of full-blooded, noble peers. Two Saiyans are defeated on Earth, while a Tyrant Changeling Prince is defeated on Gelidus. A daughter watches with pride in her eyes, as her war hero father claims the title of champion and world saviour. A son watches with pride in his eyes, as his war hero father claims the title of General, and rare approval from the newly crowned King. A punch here, a kick there; the two halves train their young bodies as they approach their early teenage years.

With a hissed a breath, Videl lowered to her forehead to touch against Gohan's lips. The beating of her heart still matched his own, and as her pulse had quickened, so had his. As her palm had fidgeted against the subtle curve of his hard chest, so had his palm pressed against the soft flesh over her hip. The intricate weaving of their ki continued with the flashes of their remaining six years. Together, they progressed to high school education, and the equivalent of the special 'ludus' where potential elites would train. Preceptor Jhinga cracked the whip of her tail as her students vigorously trained, while various tutors placed gold stars over essays written by a smiling, cerulean eyed girl. She would then link arms with a blonde haired classmate, while her other half exchanged fists with a dark-haired rival. As she goes home from a gruelling day of education to train her body, he goes home from a gruelling day of training, to read scientific studies in the further shaping of his mind. A large crowd roars, as the daughter of the Champion steps up onto the arena stage for her first ever, World Martial Arts Tournament. A smaller crowd frowns with envy and distaste, as the son of a Council Elite steps out from one very successful raid, bearing the fruits of trade cargo and the blue taint of alien blood over his tarnished armour. The large crowd gasps, as the champion's daughter brutally falls in defeat. The Elite Council questions the half-breed son, concerning his discovery of a new liquid-drug labelled Seox-H. A daughter swears to train harder to win the tournament next year. A son swears he will train harder to win the title of an Elite.

With the weaving of energy almost complete, the final stages materialise in much longer scenes. Videl sees through the eyes of Gohan, as he in turn sees through her exotic perspective. The first encounter between a pathetic weakling versus a strange tyrant monster. The continued disapproval and zero attraction, until the intervention of Kari's ownership slowly begins to change both viewpoints. He views her hopefully, wanting so desperately to connect with this representation of his 'other' blood. She views him with jaded hope, partially surrendering with her desperation to be given the chance to go home. Gradually they connect; the sparks of their frustration further reinventing the way they begin to see one another. For him, it starts with a needle that represents his fear of losing the only connection he might ever have, to the human side he was always denied. For her, it starts with the fear of losing the only alien she feels she could trust onboard this lonely ship, far away from the comforts of home. A gentle touch. An irate breath. A frowning scowl and a heavy sigh. She sees how the Saiyan views her with almost obsessive intrigue hidden behind his serious shell. He sees how the Human views him with innocent curiosity hidden behind her tough exterior.

The bonding completes, leaving the raw friction of their mirrored perspective impacting on their physical state. While the serene glow around their bodies slowly fades, Gohan rolls with the memory of Gelidus, and how he feels the rush of Videl's protective nature surfacing. How she persistently leaps against Nappa, and urges Gohan to recover, to fight by her side. Feeling herself being crushed, Videl groans against the sandwich of rock hard muscle pushing her against the arching of the recliner chair. She accepts his need to be as close to her as possible, as their bodies grind together with the capturing of hungry lips. She accepts the memory of their first intimate moment; her heart fluttering as she experiences the genuine desire in Gohan's gaze, as he looks into what he considers to be the most beautiful eyes in existence. The bonded pair barely are both aware of how they roll off the chair together as their limbs hit the hard floor, but fail to halt their excited actions. Just as he had claimed and imprinted his intended mate by a crackling fireplace, Gohan reclaims Videl with their shared wrestling for dominance on the pod floor. All the while, their lips never cease to part.

The most recent memories are the last injection of carnal fuel needed. The awareness of their deepest and most secret feelings laid bare to each another, finally forces their eyes to open to the reality of their situation. Lips break apart with their mutual need to breathe very heavily, and refuel their lungs for the inevitable onslaught to come. Having successfully managed to be lying over Gohan again, Videl's victory is short lived. As he forces her to roll again, Gohan also lifts himself up, bringing her body with him. The slope of his shoulder cushions the flat of her abdomen as he primitively gathers her, and then drops her with several bounces onto the springy mattress of the bed. He could easily have had her on the floor, but he knows through the raw freshness of their bond, that this is what she prefers and deeply wants. She seeks the comfort of a softer surface, and he can hardly deny what he knows will greatly please her. Digits tug at the knotted belt around her waist, while others slip under more alien clothing to find the divinely sculpted abs beneath. Videl feels the bath robe slip from her skin, but only sits up to fully accept its departure from her naked form. Barely giving Gohan's gaze time to roam over what she knows is perfection in his mind, she answers her own desire to rid his upper body completely of the navy blue bodysuit. No longer does she possess the ability to be patient, or deny her own basic lust. As she manages to tuck her fingers under the waistband of his pants, his straying hands firmly push at her shoulders. Videl feels her back hit the bed again, followed by Gohan's advantageous lowering to claim a modest breast in a massaging hand, and its' strawberry peak between warm lips that force it to the point of hardening. The Earthling writhes with her pleasured, female sounds, and already parts her welcoming thighs for his heavy body to nestle between them more comfortably and intimately. He knows she's more than ready for him, but smirks against her skin to focus on granting equal attention to the twin mounds at her chest. She would suffer for making him wait this long to seal the bond, and ravage her body again.

However, thinking that nothing could surprise him anymore, was a mistake on Gohan's part. The impatient Videl's shove against his shoulders, was powerful enough to push him onto his side at most. She followed with the movement, teasingly grazing her front teeth over his male pecks, while finally ridding him of that last remaining, material barrier. He hoarsely chuckled, cutting Videl's victory short once again, as he reeled back against the direction she'd only just pushed him in. A hard chest won against a softer one, while larger hands gripped at the back of two thighs, and pushed up. She gasped; knees lifting at either side of Gohan's waist. Finally, he answered her impatience with the pinnacle of his masculinity, hilted in a single thrust that was accompanied by an all-male groan. The initial joining stalled for a moment as Videl tensed at how unexpectedly he'd completed her, together with the initial, sharp prodding force between her thighs. The pause was shattered as they both caught their stolen breaths, and gentle pelvic rocks commenced in an agonisingly slow rhythm.

While the bonding had indeed left a more Saiyan taint to Videl's needs, it was a very human and cautious awareness that Gohan contrarily suffered. The tightness that had almost hindered the way he slickly tried to slid home, only challenged his control afterwards. As did the way Videl crossed her legs over his back, meeting his pelvis with a far more passionate force driving her wider hips. Her hand came to rest over the back of his neck, straining slightly until her body found balance on her other arm. Gohan mirrored the position, settling his eyes on hers as one hand supported her back, and the other effortlessly supported his weight over her. His palm purposefully resting with warm heat over her sensitive tailbone spot, while her fingers reacted to the sudden, harder thrust with the tugging of his dark hair. Slowly, he maintained that same, ardent force with very controlled purpose. As they stared deep into each other's souls, a female voice climbed higher, and higher to the point of breaking. Any thoughts of attempting to overpower the male were overwhelmed by the building of pleasure, while he did his best to hold out for as long as he could. But the strain of their bond together with the natural need for release was far too great. With a final, intense plunge; the two half-breeds shared the clemency of their jointly delivered, trembling bliss.

Collapsing more or less together within the same second, Gohan made sure he rolled to the side lightly as he fell, and brought his Videl against him. Even as they both struggled for air, they each sought to claim the other's mouth in the rapturous frenzy of their glowing aftermath. Both gave in to the needs of their lungs however, to instead bask in each others warmth, and the gradual calming of their erratic pants.

'Wow,' Videl thought to herself with the surprised lift of her brows. 'That was -'

"Perfect."

Tilting her chin to stare up in awe at Gohan and his beyond satisfied smirk, she gaped in further stupor for a moment. It hadn't quite been the word she was looking for, but neither had she expected him to answer her thought.

'Did I really say that out loud?' She questioned herself, but the answer came with the way Gohan lowered his gaze to her. His smirk widened, and Videl's gape also suffered a wider spread.

'No way,' she tried to convince herself further. This time, Gohan lightly chuckled, answering with words that definitely did not escape from his pursed lips.

'It's only temporary,' she heard him explain. 'The bond is still settling.'

Not really knowing what to think or say about that, Videl shuffled into a more comfortable sitting position; lifting and locking her knees together. The dull throbbing between her thighs was bearable enough, but the clear scent of Gohan all around her convinced another shiver to tingle down her spine. The benefits of being female, leaving Gohan to enjoy the sight of her recovery. Even when her skin carried a thin coating of moisture, she was still magnificent in his besotted opinion. Videl turned her narrowed eyes to the still very hot-blooded male, and scolded him with the slap against his arm.

"Stop that!"

The demi-Saiyan snapped out of his crude thoughts that craved a second round of rather erotic activity, which had unfortunately been witnessed involuntarily by his mate. Wrinkling her nose, she tried to reach for her discarded robe, only to hear the irritated whack of a certain tail across the bed. The feeling of his pleading eyes on her back, brought a clear flush to her cheeks. It was bad enough that the Saiyan passion had evaporated from the female, without her suddenly seeking prudence and modesty. If he wasn't allowed to sate his physical cravings more, then Gohan wanted to at least look at his mate in her most natural state. Nervously she agreed to that, at least for a little while. Or maybe a while longer, especially if he had anything to do with it, as he circled an arm around Videl's waist. Having to sit back as he leaned forwards against her, she exhaled a shaky but alluring breath, as her mate lightly smiled to her.

"How does it feel?"

Neglecting the fact that their minds were connected still, he accepted her preference for normally spoken words. The grateful feeling that he sensed surging inside her, made such preferences definitely worth the extra observation. Meanwhile, Videl felt how genuinely intrigued he was. No doubt he already knew the answer to the question, but it mattered more to him, if he could hear her admit it. So she swallowed back, feeling the flushed dusting of pink brighten over her cheeks.

"Overwhelming?" She finally replied, questioning him as well as her own failure to find a suitable word. "Intense and, definitely not what I expected…"

Trailing off, her expression suffered the hardening of her more serious contemplation. Everything was still so fresh in her mind, and it was hard to focus on just one thing, when all she could think about was everything and anything related to Gohan. He studied her, knowing exactly which part of his past she was thinking about. The painful memories that had tested his non-Saiyan emotion. Typical, that she should focus on what made him seem more human, but he could hardly frown at her for long. Not when her hand came to rest against his cheek with such delicate love.

"They were so cruel to you." Pausing briefly, Videl sensed his clear discomfort behind that tough shell. It didn't stop her from pressing further though. "Even when you gave everything you had. Sure, it made you stronger, but -"

'Stop,' he demanded, his hand roughly grasping at her wrist. She only shook her head in stubborn defiance.

"But hardly anyone ever gave you the praise you wanted, not even just a pat on the back. You've been such an outcast…"

Trailing off again, Videl pursed her lips a moment while Gohan looked to the side with the light turn of his head. Though they had both been granted the ability to read each other like wide open books, it was she who responded the most to all this new information. After all, she had imparted little pieces of her Earth life to him, while he had not quite returned the gesture. It was certainly eye opening to have him revealed to her in this other light, even if it was a little more information than she'd ever expected. Not that she didn't treasure every last bit of it. Ducking her head slightly to catch Gohan's dark eyes again, Videl gifted him with a rare and precious smile, easily reclaiming his undivided attention. She wanted to tell him how perfect and special he was, just the way he was, despite the flaws. But he'd already heard the jumbled compliments in her mind, and paled slightly as they accomplished more than just the usual swelling of his pride. Gohan felt a very strange and alien heat rising to his face, while his heart felt like it was glowing in his chest.

"Is that a… are you blushing?"

Her guess was definitely better than his, but whatever it was that burnt his cheeks, it was growing in discomfort. More so thanks to the way Videl insisted on staring at him, and even breathing the sweetest little giggle. Dark eyes looked down, both liking and hating this power she suddenly held over him. Being so vulnerable was such a weakness and yet, she relished in it, while others would only spit in disgust. A Saiyan warrior, reduced to a blush? Inconceivable.

"Oh Gohan," she cooed, and before he could muster a manly counterattack, she was already taking his breath away again. Literally. Gohan was definitely lost for words entirely, as his mate climbed onto his lap with the embrace of arms around his neck. More importantly, the deep kiss that was the proof of her total acceptance, took his guard away completely. As her chest collided with his own, he realised she'd made him fall backwards. Videl had wanted total truth and honesty. It was probably the one thing she'd ever look for in a partner. Now that she finally had it, there was no way in Hell that she would ever let it go. Meanwhile, Gohan could only grin. Perhaps he'd been wrong about the departure of Videl's more passionate spirit? He could only hope that whatever it was that had just convinced her to entertain his previous thoughts, wouldn't fade away. At least not for what he was determined to make another very well spent hour.

To be Continued…