--- Disturbance, Book 3: Endurance ---

Chapter E19 - This Afternoon

Disclaimer: The fun about this sentence is that by the time you realise it doesn't say anything, it's too late to stop reading it. Also: See first chapter.

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-Looking like another Bob Marley day-
-Hitting from the bong like a diesel train-
-And I'm down with hanging out this afternoon-

The party had continued late into the night, and there was no doubt that it would continue on until morning, and all through the rest of the week. Both the media and the politicians alike had yet to settle on a name for the celebration - using the words 'D-Day' or 'Armageddon' felt like shedding too negative a light on it - but it went without question that the week-long celebration Hercule had announced would become an annual tradition, probably with it's own festival, or a parade, or something; again, the specifics had yet to be worked out, but this year, everyone was too busy celebrating life to care too much about any specific festivities.

People the world over, regardless or race, creed, or any of the other hundreds of factors that segregated them, were united as one in celebration, if only for this week. This was never truer than in Satan City, the hometown of the celebration's founder. And in one little corner of the city, in a place many called home, but most called Club Chaos, they partied harder than most, as they were host to the new world saviours themselves.

Kaen felt a grin come to his face as he gazed across the club from his place on stage, holding his guitar to one side as the song ended. The club sure had changed a lot in the month since he'd last been here. 'Seems the ol' buzzard finally bought out that old gym.' The club itself had been relocated to the large, previously empty building next door, so the new club was no less than four times the size it had been, with a dedicated most pit (an actual pit, shallow though it was) and the usual booths on the raised platform around, and the bar at the very back. There was also an upstairs area which was currently closed off; he also had no idea what the old club building was being used for now.

-We got weeds in the backyard, four feet tall-
-Cheech and Chong probably would have smoked them all-
-So I'm out on the couch this afternoon-

Gripping the microphone with his tail like he always did, he waited for the roar of the crowd to subside slightly before speaking. "You like that one huh?" The crowd roared their approval again. "You guys miss me?" Another roar, louder than before. "It was a long month wasn't it? Well, I missed you guys too. For all the new faces, and those just joining us, I'd like to welcome you to the House of Chaos. In honour of the first 'I Survived The End Of The World' Celebration, we're playing the 'Top Ten Songs to Armageddon to', and we've got an old favourite for you up next. Hit it!"

Eagle started off, making good work of the pedals at his feet to make his bass sing, a slow build-up that sounded almost like a musical version of an engine that wouldn't start. Falcon and her keyboard were next, overlaying Hawk's tune with the sound of synthesised trumpets, building to a crescendo. The crowd began to cheer, many recognizing the song, Condor joining in on the drums as the tempo reached it's peak, followed by Kaen and Hawk, each on the guitar, the song building to another peak, and fading away moments before the lyrics started.

"We're leaving together, but still it's farewell." Kaen's voice echoed throughout the club, with the help of a little personal reverb. "And maybe we'll come back, to Earth, who can tell? I guess there is no one to blame, we're leaving ground. Will things ever be the same again?" He threw up one hand, and, with one voice, he and much of the audience shouted, "It's the final countdown!" The keyboard synth resumed, the faux trumpets building to peak again, as the crowd cheered their approval.

After a short moment, the song slowed once more, the chorus riff over, as Kaen started singing again. "Oooh, we're heading for Venus, and still we stand tall, 'cause maybe they've seen us, and welcome us all, yeah. With so many light years to go, and things to be found, I'm sure that we'll all miss her so. It's the final countdown!" The chorus riff played once more, building up to it's peak again, but this time, when it hit peak, a rapid drumbeat preceded Kaen and Hawk's duelling guitar solo.

-Beer bottles laying on the kitchen floor-
-If we take them out back we can buy some more-
-So I doubt we'll go without this afternoon-

"Boy sure knows how to work a room, I'll give him that," Avarrdo remarked, leaning back against the bar, drink in hand, "But it's still a bit hard to believe that he does this for fun, having watched him grow up as he did."

"You don't approve?" Vulture, owner, operator, and head bartender of Club Chaos remarked from nearby, drying a glass with the towel he kept with him at all times.

Avarrdo barked a laugh, grinning slightly as he replied, "I lost the right to approve or disapprove anything Kaen does or does not a long time ago." The mirth was forced, and the awkward silence that followed as the Saiyan took a swig from his drink proved it. "The twins too I suppose, but Kaen especially. I had focused most of what attention I could spare away from my work on his older brother, and by the time it truly clicked that I had a second child, he didn't need me; he raised himself."

The grizzled bartender paused. "Phoenix has an older brother?"

"Had," Avarrdo replied with a sad shake of his head. "Korin was killed in combat when Kaen was five. He... took it hard. If he hadn't had Pi, I shudder to think what would have become of him." He smiled again. "And look at him now. A seasoned warrior, a legend to his people, and a rock star to everyone else." The old Saiyan barked another laugh, though this one had more honest mirth in it. "And here I was, worried that he wouldn't be able to fit in here on Earth."

Vulture grinned slightly, remarking, "I wouldn't say he 'fits in', so much as he found one of the perfect ways to stand out."

"Eh," Avarrdo shrugged, "Six of one, half a dozen of the other."

-You better hang on if you're tagging along-
-'Cause we'll be doing this 'til six in the morning-
-Nothing wrong with going all night long-
-Tough to put the brakes on doesn't matter when you got to-

Even as the final notes of the previous song still hung in the air, Kaen grasped the microphone properly in one hand, using the other to wipe sweat from his forehead as he declared, "And now we come to the business end of tonight's proceedings: number two. Fairly new song this, new enough that I only just learned it myself tonight, especially for you guys. One of the best new songs I've heard from the past month, and I think you'll agree."

The lights around the bar dimmed as one, leaving only a band of dim blue lights lining the stage, and the scattered lights around the bar, to prevent total darkness. The drums and bass started first, almost together, and there may have been a hint of Falcon's keyboard work too, because it sounded the world like they were playing in a cave; a metal cave at that. The notion was reinforced as they were quickly followed by the lead and rhythm guitars, which, together, sounded like someone singing in some ancient, lost language, echoing around the club.

After about twenty seconds, the speed of the song picked up, though the beat remained the same. What was different, however, was that as the tempo picked up, the floodlights that lit up the stage began strobing. No light was on long enough to get more than a quick glimpse of any of the band, and there was no obvious pattern to which light strobed on next, save that no band member was lit up by two sequential lights. The intro lasted for just over thirty seconds, before all bar the bass, and occasional drumbeat, faded as Kaen began singing, providing his own reverb.

"I remembered black skies, the lightning all around me. I remembered each flash, as time began to blur. Light a startling sign, that fate had finally found me... And your voice was all I heard. That I get what I deserve." A sudden flash, like a strike of lightning, lit the Saiyan singer, as he broke into the chorus, the rest of the instruments resuming. "So give me reason! To prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean. Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes! Give me reason! To fill this whole, connect the space between. Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies... Across this new divide!"

-Get up, go out-
-Me and all my friends-
-Drink up, fall down-
-Then we'll do it all again-
-Just sitting around, hanging out this afternoon-

After about ten seconds of instrumental, they, and the lights, faded once more to just the bass giving beat, and the drums providing tempo, accompanied by strobes of light, and the next verse began. "There was nothing in sight, but memories left abandoned. There was nowhere to hide, the ashes fell like snow. And the ground caved in, between where we were standing. And your voice was all I heard. That I get what I deserve!"

Another flash lit the band proper this time, the chorus instrumental resuming. "So give me reason! To prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean. Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes! Across this new divide!" All the lights faded bar the spotlight on Hawk, as the dusty-haired human began his guitar solo, the riff sounding the world like a DJ letting lose, with occasional input from Condor's drums.

As the usual tune resumed, so too did the lyrics. "In every loss, in every lie, in every truth that you'd deny. And each regret, and each goodbye, was a mistake too great to hide. And your voice was all I heard! That I get what I deserve!" The music faded to just bass, as the lyrics continued. "So give me reason! To prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean. Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes!" The tune picked up once more, and even those who had never heard the song before knew it was building to its climax. "Give me reason! To fill this hole, connect the space between. Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies... Across this new divide!" The last line seemed to hang, almost visible in the air, repeated twice before the song began to fade for the final time, and the cheers began to rise.

-Landlord says I should buy a tent-
-But he can kiss my ass 'cause I paid the rent-
-So I doubt, he'll kick me out this afternoon-

"So, what do you think Kakarott?" Vegeta sneered around his drink.

Goku, for his part, looked like he wanted to hold his hands over his ears, but was being too polite too. "It's loud..." he replied with a half-shrug.

Vegeta just snorted. "What kind of Saiyan are you? Can't appreciate good traditional music. "Okay, technically, rock/metal wasn't traditional Saiyan music, as the closest thing Saiyans had to 'traditional' music would've been war drums, but Kakarott didn't need to know that. Finding out that his youngest son knew more about Saiyan culture than he did had revealed a big red 'Insecurity' button, and Vegeta was deriving much enjoyment from pressing that button as often as possible. Oh, sure, he fully intended to teach Kakarott Saiyan culture, but he was going to have his fun first. And during. And probably after as well.

Vegeta just liked riffing Goku. 'Nuff said, really.

"I bet you can't handle your liquor either can you?" Vegeta continued, quirking an eyebrow as he asked, "Have you ever even had liquor?"

Goku scratched his head slightly. "Uh... I think we had wine at our wedding..." Vegeta erupted into amused laughter, and Goku could feel his pride burning. Fire in his eyes, the younger Saiyan spat, "Well, I bet I could out-drink you any day!"

Vegeta's eyes narrowed, as he too felt the hit to his pride. "Oh that's it Kakarott!" He growled, with much venom. "I was going to be civil, but as these humans say, it's ON now!"

As the womenfolk nearby, consisting of Chichi, Bulma, Raene, April, and Cherri, watched Truniz, Kellre, and Avarrdo be drawn into the drinking contest, the same thought drifted through their heads; Chichi, however, was the only one to vocalise it, rolling her eyes and remarking, "Such boys."

-Down on the corner in a seedy bar-
-Jukebox cranking out to CCR-
-Had a few to Susie Q this afternoon-

Pi loved to watch Kaen perform. Okay, so perhaps the music he played had taken a while to grow on her, and perhaps there were still a few songs in his repertoire she wasn't too fond of, but she loved watching him perform them anyway. To her, his performances weren't about the music at all; that was just a usually pleasant side effect. No, Pi loved watching Kaen perform for one reason, and one reason alone: when he played, he opened up.

Ever since they had been kids, Kaen had been very closed off, emotionally. His brother's death only made a bad situation worse, as Kaen drove himself harder to become the emotionless killer he felt he needed to be. By the time she'd caught up with him again after his failed first mission, she was more than a little afraid that his heart had actually died, but the more time he spent around her, the more reassured she felt that she could 'bring him back', as it were.

When they had found their families again, her hopes swelled once more as she saw him with Oran and Lime, possibly the only people bar her he would ever admit loving at the time. But when she had seen Kaen perform that first time, part of her inside had wept tears of joy. She'd realised then what she'd known deep inside all along: Kaen would never be an open, sharing sort of person. But here, within these walls, he was willing to let down the barriers around his heart, and let people he didn't even know see a side of him he had never before shown anyone outside his family; hell, she'd be surprised if his parents had even seen that side of him before.

As she watched him set his guitar aside, shucking his shirt as he prepared for the final song, her mind drifted back to an earlier conversation of theirs today, where the topic had drifted to their future. Pi herself had expressed an interest in attending university, then most likely joining her father's research. Kaen however had said, straight off, that he didn't want to make his music into a career; he did it to unwind, nothing more. When she'd pressed him about what he did want to make his career, he'd just laughed, shrugged, and replied flippantly that he'd know when he found it.

She left her musing as she heard Kaen speaking once more, his voice still echoing slightly across the now-huge club. "Well, ladies, gents, boys, girls, and everything in between, here we are at last, the number one song. This is one of my personal favourites, and anyone who knows me will see why soon enough. Before we start this, our final song for the night, I'd just like to wish everyone a happy D-Day Festival, and let's hope we have countless more to come." Leaving his guitar where it lay as he pulled the mike off the stand and strode up to the edge of the platform, he added, "And now, without further ado, the Number One Song to Armageddon To."

-You better hang on if you're tagging along-
-'Cause we'll be doing this 'til six in the morning-
-Nothing wrong with going all night long-
-Tough to put the brakes on doesn't matter when you got to-

Hooking his tail around the low railing the stage lights were fixed to, he tapped his foot four times, seemingly setting the pace, as Hawk began the opening guitar riff, followed by Condor's snare drum, keeping to the exact same pace; the best way Pi could think of to describe the song was 'jumping'. Even when Condor began using the rest of the kit, and Eagle joined in on his bass, the song kept to that 'jumping' pace.

A satisfied smirk on his face, Kaen turned back to face the crowd, leaning over the pit slightly as he began singing. "Well it's midnight, damn right, we're wound up too tight. I got a fistful of whiskey, the bottle just bit me. Ooooooohhhhh, that shit make me bat-shit crazy. We got no fear, no doubt, all in balls out." Taking a deep breath, Kaen pumped one fist in the air, shouting, "We're going off tonight!" He was met by a cheer from the crowd, punctuating every line; they, it seemed, liked this song as much as he did. "To kick out every light. Take anything we want. Drink everything in sight. We'll go until the world stops turning while we burn it to the ground tonight!"

Even as Kaen leaned back slightly, relaxing after the chorus, his foot never stopped tapping to the beat. "We're screaming like demons, swingin' from the ceiling. I got a fist full of fifties, tequila just hit me. Ooooooohhhhh, we got no class, no taste, no shirt, and shit face. We got 'em lined up, shot down, firing back straight crown." He leaned out over the crowd again, thrusting his fist in the air to punctuate each sentence, along with a cheer from those in the mosh pit. "We're going off tonight! To kick out every light. Take anything we want. Drink everything in sight. We'll go until the world stops turning while we burn it to the ground tonight!"

-Get up, go out-
-Me and all my friends-
-Drink up, fall down-
-Then we'll do it all again-

The instrumental riff changed slightly, seemingly switching from 'jumping' to 'swinging', or perhaps 'cruising' was a better word, as it built up slowly to something of a peak. At it's apex, however, there was a sudden, loud explosion, as showers of sparks erupted along either side of the stage, and the club was plunged into darkness, all sound stopped. It was only when Kaen gave out a deep, villainous laugh that people realised it was just pyrotechnics. As the lights came back on, the band resumed, with that same 'swinging' pace as before; for some reason, Pi felt like Kaen should be snapping his fingers rather than tapping his foot to the beat.

The last member of the band to be re-lit was Kaen, who had a massive smirk on his face, as the final verse began. "Tickin' like a time bomb, drinkin' 'til the night's gone. Get your hands off this glass, last call my ass. Weeeellll, no chains, no lock, and this train won't stop. Ooooooohhhhh, we got no fear, no doubt, all in balls out!" The moss pit wound itself to a frenzy as the chorus began for the final time, again cheering each phrase almost like a Pavlovian response. "We're going off tonight. To kick out every light. Take anything we want. Drink everything in sight. We'll go until the world stops turning while we burn it to the ground tonight."

The frenzy built higher, the song building up to its final peak. "We're going off tonight! To kick out every light! Take anything we want! Drink everything in sight! We'll go until the world stops turning while we burn it to the ground tonight!" As the song drew to a close, Kaen stood upright again, backing back further on to the stage as he cried out, "Thank you all, you've been wonderful. Enjoy the rest of the festival, and until next time, stay safe and party hard. See ya!"

-Yeah, we get up, we go out-
-Me and all my friends-
-Drink up, fall down-
-Then we'll do it all again-
-Just sitting around, hanging out this afternoon-

"You were great tonight Kaen," Pi remarked, greeting him with a hug and kiss when he came out from back stage.

Kissing her back for a good minute before pulling away, he grinned at her, replying, "You say that like I'm not great every night." Pi just rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner, grinning back at him.

"It's great to have you back man," Hawk commented, offering his friend a drink, which the Saiyan politely refused; he wasn't going to have any alcohol tonight. "I mean, yeah, it's been great being the de facto leader of the gang again, but... It's just way too quiet without you Phoenix."

"Speaking of which, I love what you've done with the place," Pi remarked, glancing around at the newly-enlargened club. "Vulture finally caved and decided to buy the old gym did he?"

There was a moment of awkward science from the gang, before Falcon replied slowly, "Uh, Vulture never expanded the club. We found it like this after the Earth was rebuilt. We thought-"

Abruptly, Kaen burst out laughing, actually having to wipe a tear of mirth from his eye as he remarked, "Oh, so that's what that was." At their questioning look, he explained, "I could feel this presence at the back of my head when I was explaining the wishes to Flute. He must've scanned my mind, and made a few... modifications."

-Don't want a wristwatch or an alarm clock to see what time it ends-
-From the moment I wake up I just love being with my friends-
-We barely get by, but have the best times, and hope it never ends-
-We drink all day until we fall down, so we can do it all again-

"Hey," Kat asked suddenly, half-sitting on one of the bar stools, "What did you guys do for entertainment this past month without Kaen around?"

"Oh, all sorts of things," Eagle replied, practically bouncing on the spot as he spoke. "Hired a DJ to handle some nights, played our live recordings others. Once a week we'd perform what we called a 'Live Practice', playing up on stage with who we had. Rest of the time, Vulture just set up the karaoke machine and let them entertain themselves. Our regulars knew the band couldn't perform, so there weren't nearly as many complaints as we first thought there'd be."

"Wait wait wait," Kat remarked, a curious look on her face. "Did you say 'karaoke'?" When the humans nodded slowly, the catgirl exclaimed excitedly, "Oh, I've always wanted to try that. Can you guys set it up?" She glanced around the group, before finally settling on Condor; it was his family's club after all. Her eyes actually seemed to grow, crowding her face, with traces of tears in the corners as she said, in possibly the most pleading voice in history, "Please?"

Not surprisingly, the group quickly caved, with Condor and Oz heading off to set everything up. Videl, watching from nearby, had to admit she was impressed; after a display like that, she doubted ever Vegeta, with all she'd heard about him, could say no to her. That said, she was insatiably curious as to how she did it, so she moved up to the girl and whispered in her ear, "How'd you make your eyes that... anime-cute?"

Kat just giggled slightly, whispering back, "I'm a shape shifter, remember?"

-It's not the human walk, it's the human race-
-I feel we're living on the edge and taking too much space-
-So I'll doubt I'll figure out just what to do-
-About to kick it around, hanging out this afternoon-

"Hey runt, come over here!" With an annoyed eye roll, Kaen headed over to see what his uncle wanted, and found the three older Saiyans, along with the two physical older, but chronologically younger Saiyans, seated around a table, with three shot glasses in front of each man, along with roughly a dozen of oosquai bottles scattered across the table, several of them already empty. "Siddown boy, pull up a drink."

"Sorry uncle, not tonight," Kaen replied with a half-grin, as he turned away slightly to leave.

"Whassamata boy?" His father slurred, "You too good to drink with yer old man?"

"Or are ya too busy playin' rock star with the girls?" Vegeta added.

Kaen sighed, hanging his head, before turning back to the older men and explaining, "Look, let me say it this way: Pi and I have been separated for two weeks, and, for the two weeks before that, did nothing but training. Now, we have the next week with no obligations. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks yourself."

Were they human instead of Saiyan, no doubt Truniz and Kellre would have been quite upset and/or offended at the implications of his words. However, being Saiyans with mates of their own, the brother's smirked slightly, Truniz remarking, "So, we should not expect to see you for the next week?"

Kaen smirked back, replying, "Let's just say, don't call us, we'll call you."

-You better hang on if you're tagging along-
-'Cause we'll be doing this 'til six in the morning-
-Nothing wrong with going all night long-
-Tough to put the brakes on, doesn't matter when you got to-

"She's pretty good isn't she?" Kaen remarked quietly, causing the blue-haired teen seated nearby to jump, turning away from watching Kat sing to face her brother. The Saiyan had a gentle smile on his face, his eyes on his adopted sister, as he added, "I can't say I've ever heard her sing with her own voice though; she adjusts her vocal chords to sound like whoever's song she's singing." When Leo failed to respond, he asked, "So, how are things between you two? You and I, we've never really had time to talk."

Leo smiled back, though it was a little shaky. "Is this where you give me the trademark 'big brother' speech?"

"No," Kaen replied with a slight shrug, "All I was going to tell you was that she looks a lot happier now. She's had something of a traumatic past, and she deserves to be happy. So, as long as you continue making her happy, I don't especially care what you get up to. One thing to keep in mind, though: break her heart, and I'll break your legs. And maybe a few more things." Before the other teen could respond Kaen strode off, dropping into the seat next to Pi and wrapping one arm around her.

Pi, in response, shifted closer towards him, resting her head against his shoulder and sighing happily. A slight mischievous smile on her face, the Saiyan girl whispered, "How long do you think it'll be before no one'll notice us leaving?"

Kaen grinned back, replying, "After we get Videl, Gohan and Leo up on that stage at least once, we're leaving."

Applauding as Kat's song finished, Pi remarked, "I'll drag 'Del up there after my go if I have to. I leave it to you to get the other boys up there." Extricating herself from Kaen's grasp as Kat moved offstage, she headed up to take her place on stage, cycling through the available songs before quickly settling on one she liked, though was honestly surprised to see on the machine, given it's owners. Smiling softly as the laid-back music began to play, Pi waited for her cue, before singing, "In you and I, there's a new land. Angel's in flight. My sanctuary, my sanctuary, yeah. Where fears and lies, melt away. Music inside. What's left of me, what's left of me now."

As he watched her sing, Kaen knew she hadn't chosen this song just because she liked the way it sounded; she chose it for the message the words conveyed: that, from now on, she would be open and honest with him, and that she wanted him to do the same. Kaen simply smiled to himself, as, subconsciously, he sent out an image of the two lying in each other's arms across the bond; after all they had been through in recent times, it was the least he could do.

-Get up, go out-
-Me and all my friends-
-Drink up, fall down-
-Then we'll do it all again-

As Pi's song wound down to much applause, the Saiyan girl smiled down at Videl as she called out, "Come on Videl, your go." The human girl instantly started shaking her head, so Kat, a smirk on her face, used her shadow powers to shove the girl towards the stage, leaving her no choice. With a sullen frown, Videl realised she wasn't going to get out of this, so she strode over to Pi, who was still standing near the microphone. Flicking it off quickly, Pi whispered reassuringly, "Trust me Videl, I found one I think you'll love. Plus, you want to show off for Gohan don't you?"

Rolling her eyes, Videl had a look at the song her friend had selected, feeling a smile tug at her lips as she read the lyrics, before nodding slightly. With a smile, Pi turned the mike back on, setting things up for Videl before heading off stage. Videl took a deep breath to calm her nerves, before the music began to play, and she began to sing. "When you walk away, you don't hear me say 'please, oh baby, don't go'. Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight. It's hard to let it go."

Looking over at the crowd, and locking eyes with Gohan, Videl felt her nervousness fade, as she continued singing, "You're giving me too many things, lately. You're all I need, oh, you smiled at me, and said, 'Don't get me wrong, I love you, but does that mean I have to meet your father?' When we are older you'll understand when I said 'No, I don't think life is quite that simple.' When you walk away, you don't hear me say 'please, oh baby, don't go'. Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight. It's hard to let it go."

Watching his girlfriend sing, Gohan felt a slight niggling in the back of his mind. Realising quickly that it was someone with limited telepathic skills trying to contact him, Gohan focused a bit harder on it, and wasn't surprised to hear Kaen's voice; judging by the way Leo seemed to jump, Kaen was sending him the same message too. Listening to the plan Kaen outlined, he nodded once, noticing Leo do the same. Gohan smiled slightly as he decoded Kaen's motives behind the plan; he had, it seemed, found the perfect way to fulfil his obligations to his mate and sister, and provide enough of a distraction to leave the party, all in one fell swoop.

But until then, Gohan wanted to enjoy Videl's singing more.

As Videl's song ended, to almost thunderous applause, the three guys all stood up, heading to the stage together. Pi smirked amusedly as she saw it, instantly realising Kaen's plan, but having no intentions to stop it; she was just as eager to get somewhere more private as he was. Gohan headed towards the microphone, cycling through for the desired song, while Kaen and Leo stood slightly behind him. Seeing the Nekojin teen looking nervous, Kaen whispered, "Leo, just trust us, and follow our lead." That said, he and Gohan re-established the psychic link between the three of them, as the music began to play.

-Yeah, we get up, we go out-
-Me and all my friends-
-Drink up, fall down-
-Then we'll do it all again-

To the simultaneous amusement and horror of their respective girlfriends, the three guys actually started to dance to the music, a lively tune that almost everyone in the club seemed to know instantly, thus, attracting almost everyone's attention; Pi could tell, both from the waves of amusement rolling in through the bond, and through Kaen commenting telepathically 'Defeat awkwardness with Maximum Ridiculousity!', that it was very intentional. [1]

When the drums and saxophones reached their peak, Gohan grabbed the microphone and began singing, with the other two on backup. "Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby, just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around. And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby, when you say you will (say you will) but I love you still. I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin', you know that I have from the start. So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart."

In the small lull between opening chorus and the first verse, Gohan shuffled away from the microphone, switching places with Leo, who took up the 'lead singer' position. "'I'll be over at ten,' you told me time and again, but you're late, I wait around and then (bah-dah-dah) I went to the door, I can't take any more, it's not you. You let me down again. (Hey, hey, hey!) Baby, baby, try to find (hey, hey, hey!) a little time, and I'll make you happy (hey, hey, hey!) I'll be home, I'll be beside the phone, waiting for you! Ooo-oo-ooo, ooo-oo-oo."

Again, in the next lull, Gohan took the lead again, and Pi was further amused to note the vast number of people watching that were clapping along to the beat, and some even joining in as Gohan sang the chorus again. "Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby, just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around. And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby, when you say you will (say you will) but I love you still. I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin', you know that I have from the start. So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart."

For the next verse, Kaen took the lead, an amused grin on his face. "You were my toy, but I could be the boy you adore, if you'd just let me know. (bah-dah-dah) Although you're untrue, I'm attracted to you all the more. Why do I need you so? (Hey, hey, hey!) Baby, baby, try to find (hey, hey, hey!) a little time, and I'll make you happy (hey, hey, hey!) I'll be home, I'll be beside the phone, waiting for you! Ooo-oo-ooo, ooo-oo-oo."

Gohan took centre stage one final time, for the final chorus. By this point, almost everyone in the club was either clapping along, singing along, or both. "Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby, just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around. And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby, when you say you will (say you will) but I love you still. I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin', you know that I have from the start. So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart..."

The music starting to fade, Gohan sang the last few lines. "I-I-I need you-oo-oo, more than anyone, baby, you know that I have from the start. So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart." Even as the last notes were fading from the air, the crowd cheered their approval, as the three teens took a bow. They knew that their friends would probably give them hell about this for a while, but, as they saw the amused-yet-pleased look on their respective girlfriend's faces, they all decided it had been well worth it.

-Just kicking around, hanging out this afternoon-
-Sitting around, hanging out this afternoon-
-(Last call you sonsabitches!)-

It was nearing two in the morning, and the party was finally winding to a close. Well, this one was, at least, for now anyways; no one had any doubts there would be parties all through the night and into the morning, and that, come tomorrow, the party would probably resume in the club too. Glancing around at the club, Gohan amended his earlier estimate; the party wouldn't be starting here again until mid-afternoon at the earliest, allowing time for clean up.

An amused smile found it's way to his face when he saw the aftermath of the Great Saiyan Drink-Off. Vegeta, he'd been told, had been the first to fall, passing out after somewhere between one-quarter and one-third of all consumption, and as such, the person who had to pay for all the booze; Bulma, by this point, was helping him walk, and chastising him good-naturedly as the 'Prince of Lightweights'. He'd actually asked Bulma before why she never did anything about Vegeta's new drinking habits, and she'd said that, compared to other things he might get up to, this was actually the cheapest. Gohan suspected that there was another reason, judging by the faint blush he'd seen on her face; his guess was that Vegeta was a cuddly affectionate drunk.

Next to go had been Avarrdo, just past the halfway point. He could still more-or-less stand on his own, but he couldn't fly, so April had asked Bulma if she could borrow a car capsule for the night. Truniz had fallen next, two bottles shy of the finale, and Cherri currently had her arm around him, as he moaned about 'where Kakarott put it all'. When all was said and done, the contest had come down to a draw between Kellre, and his own father. The older Saiyan looked his usual stoic self, with the exception of the drunken, rosy cheeks, while Goku was swaying in his chair as though physically drunk, but still was fully mentally cognitive; well, as much as Goku ever was anyway.

And the reason they'd called the contest a draw: they'd gone through an entire case, and didn't feel like cracking open a new one.

-Just kicking around, hanging out this afternoon-
-Just sitting around, hanging out this afternoon-

Though amused, Gohan was glad the kids weren't here to see this; they were all up on the second floor, where the living area was for the members of Club Chaos. While Kaen and Pi had ducked out hours earlier, they'd told Oran and Lime that they could spend the next couple of nights here, and, as a result, Goten, Trunks, Vincent, and Gina had asked to stay over too; well, Gina asked for her and her brother. Faile had been very excited when her older sister told her that she'd have not one or two, but six friends staying with her for at least the night, and the kids had hurried upstairs to get settled in, and probably play more late into the early morning, out of the way of the grown-ups partying below.

As the demi-Saiyan teen watched his mother assist his father in standing upright, it suddenly occurred to him that he'd probably be better off not going home, as his parents, like the rest of the couples here, would probably want some alone time. Before he could even begin to process a list of places he could stay, though, Videl sidled over to him and asked softly, "Gohan would... would you mind spending the night at my house?" The shocked look on his face made her flush, before defending herself quickly, "Uh, that sounded really bad. I just... After everything that's happened, I... I don't want to be alone tonight. I'm not trying to, uh... proposition you or anything."

Gohan smiled gently, resting his fingers over Videl's lips before her hurried rambling went any further. "I'd love to Videl." He laughed a bit before adding, "I was actually just thinking I may not want to go home tonight." He excused himself quickly, informing his mother he wouldn't be home tonight, so she and Goku could have the house to herself, before returning to Videl's side and offering her his arm, with a faux-posh, "M'lady?"

Smiling amusedly, Videl threaded her arm through his, resting her head against his bicep as she allowed him to lead her out. Glancing up at the clear night sky, the two decided, without words being spoken, to walk to Videl's house, if only to prolong this nice, peaceful moment. They walked in serene silence for ten minutes, before Videl had to ask a question that had been plaguing her mind. "Is this it? Is the adventure over?"

Gohan smiled softly, thinking back over the many battles that had been, and the more that were surely to come. 'The calm lasted seven years this time,' he mused, 'Let's see if we can break that record. "No Videl," he replied aloud, "The battle may be over, but the adventure, that has only just begun."

-Just kicking around, hanging out this afternoon-
-Just sitting around, hanging out this afternoon-

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Author's notes:

[1] - I borrowed this line from the web comic Questionable Content. Well, I borrowed it from one of the T-shirts they sell.

For those who are interested, the song list was, in order: Final Countdown, New Divide, Burn It To The Ground, Sanctuary, Simple and Clean, Build Me Up Buttercup.

I finished this chapter a little while ago, and I was originally planning on releasing this chapter and the one before it at the same time, as it felt more 'complete' that way. However, by the time I finished this, I realised that it wasn't worth releasing the final chapter, which is basically just an epilogue, separately, so I held onto these two chapters to release all three of them together.