AnimeWolfGirl16: Good guess! Also, I think you are right about Marie and Gohan being a bit closer, but under different circumstances. Leyla had been spying on them though when they were talking, so I believe that she could understand a bit of what was going on.

schubskie: I'm glad that you've caught up! And yeah, the underground pool does kind of remind me of the Moon Pool from Warriors. Maybe that's where I got my inspiration. And yes, you are good at writing!

Chapter 10: Escape Alive

As soon as the figure finished speaking, the Tako lunged forward and came straight towards them. Gohan really didn't know what to do; he knew that if he tried to run that the Tako would get either Leyla or Marie.

Before he knew it, the Tako was right in front of them, tentacles just about ready to strike. Gohan, in a moment of fear, just stood there and did nothing. He closed his eyes, waiting for the Tako to strike, but a change in lighting made him open his eyes.

He gasped when he saw a barrier of light green vines circled around them, covering where they were standing completely.

He looked back at Marie to ask something, but he stopped when he saw that Marie's eyes were closed.

How can I help? He wondered, cringing when he heard the Tako roaring in rage outside of the vine barrier.

Not now, Marie answered, making Gohan feel a bit confused.

But couldn't I try and help you with the vines? He asked, hoping there was some way to help his friend.

No, we don't need you passing out right now, especially when the Tako is here. And besides, you can't even make a flower without passing out yet, Marie answered, and as much as Gohan didn't want to admit it, she was right.

"You can't hide forever," the figure said as she laughed, making both Marie and Gohan shudder.

He then realized with dread that the light green vine barrier that Marie had put up was breaking, and at a fast pace too.

"Marie, Leyla, when the barrier breaks, make a run for it," Gohan commanded, earning a nod from Leyla and a stubborn look from Marie. He guessed that it was the best Marie could do at glaring.

"Gohan…" Marie started in an angry voice.

"Don't worry Marie, and either way, I can't just do nothing," he said, trying to reason with her.

"You don't get it. It's not after me…" Marie started, but Gohan shook his head.

"I know, that's why I need you two to run for it. They won't harm you if you are further away," Gohan explained.

"But what about you?" Leyla asked in a worried tone, finally being able to speak through the terror she was feeling.

"I'll be fine," Gohan said while smiling, realizing that the barrier was almost destroyed completely, "I was trained by Piccolo when I was four. At least I know how to defend myself for a while."

"Stop using that as an excuse!" Marie shouted angrily, "You don't know what it can do to you!"

"Yes I do!" he argued back, "I saw what happened to Yamcha. I know what it does."

"That's not what I meant!" Marie retaliated, this time while tears streamed down her face, "You don't know how it feels when it's gone!"

Gohan was about to argue more, but then he felt the barrier break completely and froze when he saw the Tako.

"Run!" Gohan yelled, glad when he glanced back and saw both of his friends listening to him. He then looked back at the Tako, and saw a flash of white.

For a moment, his conscience was back at the crevice, and he saw the Tako come out from the rocks, apparently being embedded in it. The Tako then lunged for him, but it shrank back at some invisible force, just as he fell.

He didn't really have time to think over what he had just seen, because the next moment the Tako was in front of him and was swinging one of its tentacles at him. He quickly jumped out of the way, trying to remember everything he had learned up till that moment.

Think of the tentacles as Ki blasts, he reminded himself; they either come all at once or periodically.

Gohan's correction proved to be right, making it able that he was able to dodge all of the tentacles. The Tako then roared in frustration, its red membrane then starting to glow.

Gohan's eyes widened as he backed away then turned around and ran in the direction his friends had gone.

He heard the Tako roaring again in anger and could tell that it was going to come after him, but suddenly it stopped.

"No, let them run. There is no escape," the figure said to the Tako as she laughed, but Gohan heard every word of it as he caught up with Leyla and Marie; all three of them then flying away.

Sorry, I figured that I would stop at that. Also, I'm sorry that this one was short too, but I'll have the next chapter out soon. So, how was this chapter? Personally, I think that Marie and Gohan weren't getting along too well in this one, but for me it was kind of amusing. Marie usually wouldn't retaliate like that. Either way, what do you think will happen next? I just want to say thanks to everyone who has reviewed/favorited/alerted this fanfiction. Your words really keep me going. I hope you enjoyed this and please review!

-AnimeWolfGirl9