Chapter VIII

"How can you be so stupid," Gohan said shoving the box into my chest.

"What kind of question is that? You can't ask me that!"

"I can ask you whatever I want, now answer."

"Gohan, what are you talking about?"

"You know," he said looking away.

"I can't do anything about it-I – I can't believe we're having this conversation. This is where I was born I have no choice. Do you understand, I have to."

"You don't have to do anything."

"I'm glad you think it's so easy but I have no choice. Why can't you understand that?"

"Is it so hard to believe that I can't understand why you have to fuck all these people just because you live here," He yelled.

I sat there stunned at his tone, I had never heard him yell before. My voice lowered to try and calm him down, "Gohan please don't get mad at me. This isn't really your business anyway. You can't judge me like that, who do you think you are?"

"This is what you want?"

"What? I did not say that. You think I enjoyed it?"

"I don't know what I think."

"Gohan please don't do this," I said grabbing onto his arm.

He pulled his arm away and sighed, "I can't just ignore this Videl."

"Gohan it's not a big deal, just forget about it okay. This doesn't change anything at all."

"You think that doesn't change anything," He said looking at me.

"It doesn't," I sighed, "what do you want me to do about it? Yeah I'll just go tell Madam that 'Gohan doesn't want me to do what you raised me to do'. I'm sure that will go over well." He didn't say anything he just stared ahead. "Please don't do this to me, come on," I grabbed his arm.

Gohan looked at me, "Fine. We'll forget about."

I went to bed feling horrible that night. There was so much on my mind but no reason for it. Was he really going to forget about this or is he really mad at me? Things were so complicated why couldn't he just understand that I can't leave. Why couldn't I leave? Was I just making excuses because I was scared? No, I do have to stay.

18 came to my room, which was just what I needed. She looked at me for a while and pulled me out of bed, "What's wrong with you now?"

"Shut up and go away," I responded blankly.

"Come on you baby. Why is Gohan upset with you?"

"He's not go away," I said quickly.

"Well then I guess you won't mind me telling you your next job. Get ready to go because you are making a house call."

"No," I whispered looking her in the eye, "I can't."

"Gohan is not your boss, you listen to Madam."

"I can't," I yelled.

18 went silent for a moment and shook her head, "Well that's just too bad isn't it. Get up, we're going."

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

"No," I struggled against her as she tried to pull me up.

"We already went through this, you're going."

I remembered the look in Gohan's eyes when I talked to him. He wasn't mad at me so what he been feeling? We are still friends, right so why did it make a difference to him? No matter what he was feeling I couldn't stop 18 or Madam. "Fine I'm coming just let go of my arm."

"Fine come on." 18 led me through the halls and out to the entrance. This time I didn't feel like I was taking a walk of shame because no one was out in the hall. Still it was hard not to think about Gohan. But this was my job and there was no way for me to get out of it.

We stopped at the door where a man was waiting for me by a carriage. 18 handed me over to the man and he shoved me into the wagon. It was so dark I wasn't sure how big the thing was. I didn't move for fear of what I might find if I felt around. The truth was I was in a horrible world where nothing was for sure.

It stopped after an hour, which seemed like forever. Another man let me out and led me into the huge house. He left me in a room to get changed and wait for my customer. The wait was horrible, like waiting for a death penalty. It was cold in the room making the condition worse and all I could see was my hands when they were right in front of my face.

The door opened letting in a splitter of white light and a dark figure walked in the room. I tried not to look at the person too much but I guess it wouldn't have mattered since I couldn't see anyway.

"It's a little dark in here don't you think," I said as he came over to me.

Before I could say anything else he grabbed my mouth, "Be quiet."

He let go of me and I tried to see, "Gohan?"

"I said be quiet," he paused for a moment holding onto my arm and then he spoke quietly, "It's not Gohan, it's Goku."

"Goku?"

"Shh. You shouldn't be here you have to leave."

"How am I supposed to get back?"

"You're not that far from home, just wait for me outside but hide."

He helped me out the window and told me where to hide. I had no idea why he was here. Why was did 18 tell me to come here if I shouldn't be here? She wouldn't put me in any danger.

Goku came to me a moment or two later and grabbed my arm, "I'll just carry you so hold onto me, we'll be back soon. Don't worry about Madam either, I'll deal with her."

"But why are you taking me away, isn't this my job?"

"This guy is not good, I've heard things about him and I don't think anyone should have to go there. He's been trying to get a girl from Madam for a long time but she wouldn't send him one till now. When I found out she sent you I decided to come help you. I wonder what made her change her mind."

"She's going to mad at you isn't she," I asked.

"Don't worry about her I can take care of it. Don't worry about me either, what's the worst she can do kick me out and would that really be so bad. I mean I would end up raising my family in a better environment probably."

"I don't want you to leave," I mumbled but he didn't hear me.

When we got back he left me with Gohan and told me to hide out there for the night. I went straight into Gohan's arms when his father left, "I have no idea what's going on."

"It's okay."