Disclaimer: I, Goku's Daughter, do not own Dragonball/Z/GT.
:-Mailing List: Discontinued; I lost the list. If you want to be notified, request it. )
Edit: May 26, 2007 Due to changes in previous chapters, tiny changes must be done here.
Thank you Rupee and thank you Wind2 for reading and editing. Thank you encouraging reviewers. Your continuous support will help me write and see the end of this really long fic.
Also note that I edited chapter 12; I took out Lime and made other small changes.
Edit 2: December 30, 2008, grammatical changes made thanks to Ryan for pointing it out.
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Sinful
Written by the somewhat infamous Goku's Daughter
Chapter Thirteen: Protect
1 a to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction GUARD b DEFEND 1c protect the goal
2 to maintain the status or integrity of especially through financial or legal guarantees: as a to save from contingent financial loss b to foster or shield from infringement or restriction salesmen with protected territories protect one's rights ; specifically to restrict competition for (as domestic industries) by means of tariffs or trade controls
3 DEFEND 5 protect a lead
intransitive verb to provide a guard or shield protects against tooth decay
- Merriam-Webster OnLine
"I suggest you let me pass."
"I wish I could but I can't."
It was silent for a moment. The icy wind swept by, screaming in their ears. Their eyes locked before appraising each other mutely.
Videl glanced about for a second, and then she attacked Eighteen. Her rush was quick, almost causing Eighteen to fall over from Videl's surprising speed. Her jabs and punches meant to collide with her face; Eighteen could clearly tell she was trying to get her face. Her combinations included swift kicks as well, but Eighteen managed to block them.
Videl powered up slightly, feeling the rush of a fight fill her veins. The cold was not going to stop her. This woman was not going to stop her. She put all her focus and strength to hurt this woman.
Eighteen mused to herself that she was making noises to help empower her attacks. This woman, Videl, was serious to get past her. Eighteen continued to dodge and block.
Growing more furious, Videl increased her speed, even knowing she would get tired soon. Her punches grew more accurate and thorough; she smiled when her knuckles connected with Eighteen's face. Spit flew out as Videl landed another punch on the woman's gut, and then a swift spinning roundhouse sent Eighteen flying backwards.
Eighteen coughed, gripping to her stomach slightly. Her amused expression had vanished completely as she wiped the blood off her lip. "I was taking you too lightly." She had not expected her to be this strong but fighting in the air would be her last resort.
Videl kept silent, letting her cool be her advantage. She would win. She could get past her, even when she realized this woman must be an android. Videl knew the difference when she fought a human and a non-human.
She kept her wild eyes on the woman before her and tore the bottom of the dress carelessly. "Let me pass," Hercule's daughter repeated. Her breathing was quick, but she wasn't sure if it was from the adrenaline or if she was getting tired.
Eighteen shook her head slowly as her fingers slid through her hair. "You can't. Your life will end here." Her cool eyes settled on the female before her once again. Videl's fists were up and ready as she stood in a fighting stance. "You won't be so lucky in round two."
Videl immediately attacked again, only to have her punch caught in Eighteen's hand. The android was impressed that Videl kept her focus and manoeuvred out of it quickly by a nose jab. Eighteen quickly recovered and threw her own punches and kicks at the human girl, who was able to block and attack. This too was impressive, that this human girl was able to keep up with her. At one point Eighteen marvelled Videl's quickness to recover and respond when the android fisted Videl's hair in her hand and battered her gut in. Videl took the blows and fell to her feet, but she made no sound when her ki rose and she attacked again.
This woman would not give up. The android had never seen such spark before.
Videl attacked, unaware of her torn garments, the coldness around her, and the pain of her contracted muscles. When she retaliated she gripped the androids arm and managed to twist it around. With her knee she pushed the android to the ground and pulled on the arm tighter.
"If I step on your neck, I can kill you. Let me go," she threatened. Her foot connected to the back of Eighteen's neck and she applied some pressure.
It was silent for a moment until a laugh escaped her lips. "You can't kill me." Her voice was hoarse and before the human girl could apply more pressure, Eighteen broke free from Videl's hold and reappeared behind the young woman. Her speed increased so much that Videl almost lost sight of her movements.
"You're good, I'll give you that. But you're human, and you're getting tired." Eighteen strolled over to where Videl stood. Then suddenly she picked up the notch. Eighteen landed ten quick, hard punches in her ribs before the android side-kicked her, sending her flying.
Videl's breathing quickened further as she braced herself up. She was not a quitter. She will get out of this.
Eighteen was surprised that Videl's ki rose again to keep up. Her determination blazed through her and her courage made the android despise her even more.
How long can you keep this up?
Another five minutes passed that they continued their fight. Although now, Eighteen was more able to land hits on the human girl, Videl still kept her head up.
I'm going to get out of here.
Eighteen rushed at her with a sidekick. Videl had initially dodged the attack, but wasn't ready for her spinning roundhouse. That caught Videl in the head and had thrown her, sliding, on the snowy ground. Videl almost sprang back up on her feet. Immediately, she went back into a fighting stance.
"You don't give up do you?"
Videl said nothing and she pushed aside that she was getting tired by her ragged breath and a slight buzzing in her ears.
"Round three," Eighteen muttered. She was going to kill Videl this time; no more games.
At the same time, both female fighters rushed at each other, intending to cuff the other girl. Both managed too, and retreated. Videl rubbed her cheek furiously. Eighteen did not.
"Oh what a pretty face to damage…" Eighteen murmured. And then she retaliated, throwing all sorts of combinations at the young woman. She knew humans had their limits.
Eighteen was tempted to cut Videl but she knew it would be better if there was no blood, no evidence left. She was finally relieved that as she increased her speed, she found Videl couldn't block anymore. At one point, Eighteen's fist connected with Videl's jaw and then her gut so quickly that her head snapped back, coughing out blood. Quickly afterwards Eighteen took the advantage and kept pounding at her until Videl managed to dodge.
It was then Videl knew she was going to die.
Knowing that you're going to die wasn't so bad, not as bad if you were being tortured to death.
But she didn't want to die.
Videl evaded Eighteen and decided to fight ki with ki. She drew energy from her hand and waited till Eighteen returned. When the timing was right she released it, throwing it at the android. Eighteen was unaffected.
Eighteen smiled, a cold smile, and caught Videl in a hold. Videl didn't show it but she grew scared.
"No one is here to save you," Eighteen said just above a whisper. The hold consisted of clamping down on Videl's pretty mouth, to break and grind her jaw. Her arm encircled the young woman's waist as if to hold her close, to prevent her from running away. Videl's eyes screamed as they stared into Eighteen's crystal blue orbs.
Eighteen paused for a moment, looking down at Videl's round, muscular legs that had started to go blue. She hadn't really done anything to them, Eighteen thought, and smirked slightly. Those legs were no doubt suffering from the cold, and would maybe hold purple and black bruises later on. There was no blood or shattered bones yet.
She reached down to Videl's supple thigh and began to squeeze then pull ever so slowly. The pressure itself was intense and Videl tried to jump back, but the strength of Eighteen's other hand was great and Videl was afraid of having her lips pulled out. She was able to, however, gather ki in her hands, and blast Eighteen's away from her leg.
Oh my…What was she trying to do? Break her leg off from her body as if she was a lowly chicken? Videl sniffed hard and noticed Eighteen freeze. Her head tilted up, as if sniffing out something. The android sensed at least two more people. Damn—she knew the girl attracted too much attention, which is why she avoided using ki as much as she could.
Suddenly, Eighteen slammed the woman on the ground, with the hand that almost broke Videl's jaw, and she stepped lightly on Videl's neck.
"Don't try to get out of this. I am far stronger than you. Accept death." Her tone was unkind but she offered the truth.
Videl did not notice the tears the trickled down her face as anger and helplessness consumed her. But it was there, streaking her beautiful face, ruining her makeup. Her fury kept growing; however she was unable to do anything. No matter how much she tried to wiggle or manoeuvre herself out of it.
She wanted to say, "Just kill me now."
Eighteen didn't break her neck but she applied enough pressure to keep Videl from retaliating. She then gathered energy in her hands, enough so to disintegrate the life below her.
Videl wanted to die. Sure she has been beaten up before, but never to this point. When she trained with Gohan, he didn't fight her to kill her. Her whole body was bruised. She felt like some of her bones were broken. She felt like she had no life left. Everything slowed down and colour faded out as if water washed over her vision. The cold. The soreness. The pain. The feeling of death. The feeling that your life had no meaning.
I want to die.
But I don't want to die.
She felt warm. She felt a heartbeat.
She felt safe.
A golden light came to her.
God was waiting for her.
The angels will come.
She smiled.
She felt the warmth.
Death, release, was here.
But I don't want to die.
She heard a scream, but it didn't come from her mouth.
When she opened her eyes, Videl found Gohan before her, his arm tightly clamped on Eighteen's neck. His other hand held Eighteen's arm, which was detached from her shoulder.
Gohan…
"You touched her," Gohan whispered bitterly. He struggled to control his tail; the tail that wanted to lash about wildly from fury.
Because I didn't want to die…
She watched him hazily as she got up slightly on her elbows. Videl observed well enough to hear the words he enunciated. She wanted to run away from Eighteen. A part of her was scared if Gohan would turn on her, murder her there on the spot for sheer weakness. But there was another part that made her feel safe with him, assured that he would protect her. Hope riled inside that it was the latter. She bit on her bloody lip, tasting the bitter red liquid, and continued to suck on her wound. In seconds, she collapsed to the ground.
Gohan was aware that the woman he chose could die. It grew colder and she was damaged. He didn't want her to die.
There was a funny sound in his throat before he spoke. In a threatening hiss-whisper he began, "I want you to go back to Gero… and tell him to…" he paused then cursed in Saiyan tongue. The translation was close to "Fuck off."
"It was Raditz." Eighteen managed to sputter. Her legs weren't touching the ground anymore. Gohan's arm didn't mind Eighteen's hard punches with her one arm. His grip only strengthened, tightened, applying such pressure on her neck to make her whimper. Soon her mouth was wide open and muted.
"He's not the one who made you. You leave her alone."
Then they reached a silent understanding. He released her to the floor. Hurriedly, Eighteen flew away with her broken, detached arm.
He was only half surprised that Eighteen cooperated without a fuss. When he looked down at Videl… his property—just his—he ached. He looked up in two other directions, as if he was looking at or for someone. Then he shook his head, pulled Videl in his arms… and walked away from their—the people who were watching—sights.
He made his way to the Limo and he wasn't worried about them. They could come to him for all he cared. The same thing would happen if Gohan went to them instead. Now, the half-Saiyan was concerned with Videl.
Just her.
Then when morning would come he would deal with Gero.
Five minutes after their departure, Vegeta emerged from his observation spot. He looked pleased. "Heh." So that was Gohan. The Prince wished that he could have met the boy earlier.
He took a good sniff of the air and could smell the acrid stench of blood. It was subtle, but it was there. At least Gohan managed to get rid of its presence as quick as he was.
Five minutes later Goku found the Saiyan. Krillin was with him.
"Hey Vegeta. Why are you out here?"
"No reason Kakarott." He turned around and stared at both men. "As you humans put it… I just wanted a breath of fresh air."
Krillin and Goku never noticed anything peculiar, and if they did, they didn't show it. Goku was curious, and he accepted whatever the Prince said. They followed the shorter man inside.
Five minutes earlier, Sharpener slipped back inside the party with a shocked look on his face. His breath accelerated while so many thoughts swarmed his head.
"Videl…"
Did she fall in love with him and decided to just disappear from her life to be with him? Or was he some kind of sick, abducting bastard?
"What the hell?"
Why did you go? What shit are you in!?
He wasn't sure what conclusion he would draw, but he was certain of one thing. Videl was here tonight.
"Videl, keep your eyes open." He got her awake. He just needed her to stay awake.
"No. So…tired…"
"You have to stay awake."
She heard the first line quite a lot, when they were sheltered in the Limo and when Gohan got frustrated from how slow they were going. She felt even more tired when he blasted into the air, hurrying to get home.
Videl wasn't counting the time. She concentrated on staying awake for her own sake. It felt like forever when she entered the warm building—and it got comfortably warmer when he brought her to the third level.
Then she heard more voices. Christina and Salina had now come to her aid. And Gohan left her. Coldness came again and the next thing she knew they brought her to the bathroom. Everything was in a haze.
Christina and Salina's lips parted similarly when they saw the state Videl was in. The woman left the house so beautifully, and now… she was in a mess. Her hair was ruined, wavy, tangled. Black mascara marred her face, leaving streaks from where the tears had fallen previously. Somehow, one of her earrings was missing and pieces of her necklace were gone. The bottom half of her dress was unrecognizable to its original state. The top half was ripped and it began to fall from being so loose. They wasted no time to fix her up.
Though Videl wasn't aware of everything around her, she knew when her hair was being loosened, when her jewellery was being removed and when her clothes were being peeled off. She didn't argue when she slid into the hot bath. Her body wracked in so much pain that she trembled. Her head shook and throbbed, but she forced herself not to cry.
Christina tried to distract her as her sister massaged her arms gently. "Videl how was the… party?" was her feeble attempt.
Hercule's daughter smiled before frowning disappointedly. She felt her lower half naked and her leg was being checked out. "It was okay," she choked out, her voice faint. "Where's Gohan?"
Salina answered. "He went to get something."
"My body hurts," Videl complained with good reason. She didn't want to look at herself. She still felt dead, or like she was going to die. A hand went to her forehead.
"I think you have a fever," Salina said, and after a moment she helped Christina pull the woman out of the warm water.
"Cold," Videl hissed immediately, but as soon as it was cold, she was wrapped in a robe and her hair in a towel.
She appreciated that they were being extra careful with her. She appreciated that they worked diligently without trying to hurt her. But every move she made, it hurt.
From where Videl was sitting she saw another body enter the room, and immediately she knew it was Gohan. He appeared to be carrying something in his hand.
"So was Gohan a gentleman?" Salina carried on while Gohan made his way to Videl's side.
She nodded slowly, her sad, empty blue eyes on the man beside her. "He was." Her head was spinning and without support she knew she was going to fall but she gave Gohan her full attention.
The hybrid showed her three odd looking pills. One was a blood red colour, the other sea foam green, and the last was pale purple with a bumpy texture. "Drink these down with this." He held up a cup of some yellow-green, lumpy-textured beverage that resembled vomit.
Videl shook her head furiously, her mouth opening in disgust. "No," she managed to sputter.
He frowned at her stubbornness. "Why would I give you something that wouldn't make you better?"
He made a good point and that caused Videl to frown reluctantly. She struggled to say, "Why does it look gross?"
The half human didn't lie. "Not from this planet."
Wrinkles gathered on her forehead but she reasoned that if it wasn't from this planet, it would help her, and she would do about anything to be liberated from this pain. Hesitantly she opened her mouth. "Ahh." He dropped all three in her mouth and pressed the glass to her lips. She gulped it down and gagged.
"Gross," she choked, coughing. Gohan kneeled down to her to look at her limbs carefully. Her skin was not monochromatic, but rather a canvas of blues and purples.
"Gohan," he heard her say, "Will I get scars?" Videl asked in a tiny voice.
"No, I don't think so." She didn't know what he was doing but she could feel the heat of his fingers trail her skin, tickling her.
I tried to escape. Technically, it was my fault. And it doesn't look like he's going to kill me yet.
"Are you mad at me?" she dared to ask him.
"Why would I be?"
Videl figured now would be the best time to confront him if Salina and Christina were around, and now that she was slowly going numb. "Because," she looked away, "I tried to run away." She was expecting a slap of some sort.
"You couldn't have gotten far," he told her, and he showed his arrogance. "I would have come back; no one or nothing can stand in between me and what is mine."
Normally such a line would throw Videl off but she oddly felt reassured. Oddly. She frowned at him.
When she didn't say anything he asked her, "Do you still feel pain?"
Videl shook her head and noticed Christina and Salina departing the room. "Are you okay?"
His shoulder lifted and fell. "Yes," he said softly. "You should go to bed." Gohan was careful to lift her. It was not awkward as when he first carried her out of her house. He was surprised that her head fell on his chest but she was zoned out to all around her. He left her for a moment and found her eyes still opened when he returned with a bowl of water.
"You should be asleep," he told her.
"I know," she replied, and a panic look almost crossed her face.
He squeezed the towel inside and pressed it gently to her face. "Your face is still dirty," he explained. Her lips drew together in a tight line as he tenderly rubbed the cloth over her cheek, cleaning up the mascara streak. The same was done to the other side.
Her body trembled, and her eyes grew heavy. She was confused. So confused about a lot of things.
The cloth touched her lower lip carefully, wiping the blood that had congealed. Gohan froze for a moment, feeling this rush of something flooding him. Gohan was unsure what it was. It was the amazement, the puzzlement that he felt for her before, but now it was stronger. He wanted to know everything about this creature.
It killed him every time when he didn't know the answer to something. With his thumb he slowly traced the little bump of her lip. She kept still and continued to watch. Videl had no strength to fight him.
"Am I that intriguing?" she managed to ask him.
He removed his thumb from her lip and smoothed out her hair. "You're someone that I never met before." He saw confusion flash in her eyes. "I won't lie to you, but I like you."
She frowned while her eyes darted side to side before it rested on her lap. "Then why did you kiss her?"
The hybrid looked perplexed. Then realization swept in and his face softened. "Angelica." The ice in his eyes had seeped in however.
Videl nodded. He remembered her name. "If you like me… then why did you two—"
He interrupted her. "She tried to kiss me. I stopped her." His voice was steady and truthful. His hands that held her dug in Angelica's body to make her stop without making a big scene. He told her some scary lines and she backed off, or so he thought. Then afterwards in case she tried again, and he pressed hard on her shoulder, paralyzing her with his strength. She was attractive, but he did not like her or want her.
If she had the energy, she would have rolled her eyes. Then Videl muttered, "Whatever."
The half-Saiyan raked his black hair with his fingers. "I heard about this emotion before. Jealousy? Humans are foolish people." A deep yet soft laugh escaped his mouth, which only infuriated Videl.
"I'm not jealous," she snapped as best as she could. "I believe you."
"Do you?" He didn't sound like he believed her.
She looked up to the ceiling before glaring at him. "Yes."
He made a cocky smirk. "Liar." Gohan waited for her to cool down. "I'm possessive. I would not share you with anyone."
She did not say anything else for a short moment. "You would do anything to keep me?"
Gohan did not look at her until he responded. "It's nice to know you're wanted, isn't it?" Once her face was cleaned, he put the bowl on the nightstand.
Hercule's daughter looked at him as careful as she could. Another thought crossed her head. "Why did she try to kill me?'
Gohan reached his side of the bed. "You should sleep." He pulled the covers up and slid underneath.
"Answer me." There was stubbornness in her voice.
He looked away from her again. "Someone doesn't want me to have you." His voice was still truthful.
Her body trembled again, but slightly. "You're a danger to me then."
"Do you want me to leave?" he asked.
She was going to say, "Take me home where I am safe," but instead she said, "No. You confuse me."
"You should go to sleep," he said again and this time, thankfully, she listened. He did not want to have this conversation now. When her eyes closed, certain thoughts flooded the half-Saiyan's head.
Thoughts that consisted of killing Gero.
His eyes drifted to her bruised arm that tainted her beauty. It made him angrier.
His thoughts strayed to Raditz. The alliance. The plan. The contract. His destiny.
She will stand beside him. He will protect her. She was the right choice.
They did not need Gero anymore.
It would wait till early in the morning.
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GD's Note:
Thank you for the poll responses. Yes, Gohan's character, as we know it, will not rape Videl, but I was referring to chapters way beyond this point (even then he can't); I'm glad to hear what you readers think. I really am.
My next question/poll for you guys: Do you care if this becomes a really really long story (maybe 50 to 100 chapters, but I'm thinking 80+ chapters…)?
A) Yeah, don't make it that long; you take forever to update, and then it'll be forever for you to finish this thing!
B) Do whatever you want, I'll read
C) Yes, I want a really really long G/V story!
D) your own response
The reason I ask this is because this story is getting longer and longer, I swear! I know how it will end but getting to that point is a very long journey. When I originally wrote the plot for this, I should have been done (in terms of what I have pre-written so far). It's funny though, this wasn't meant to become a G/V story like this but somehow it did. . Anyways, I also think I have a fear of finishing this, if that makes sense at all. Now this note is drabbling. So please respond!
Preview for the next chapter:
The first thing Sharpener said when he saw the Champ was, "Sir, I saw Videl!"
Tears sprang out from his eyes. Immediately he rushed towards the young man and fisted his collar. "Where?" His eyes lit up in excitement.
It took him a moment to reveal who she was with. "Gohan."
Hercule released him and carefully examined him. "Who?"
Sharpener took a step away, his hazel eyes looking remorseful mixed with guilt. "I'm so sorry. I introduced them…"
The old man's eyes narrowed. He waited for him to elaborate.
Thanks for reading! Review please! )
//kiss kiss//