Secret Heart

Chapter 13

Videl immediately tensed when she saw her father stomping toward them, looking furious.

Damn, he came back early from his trip.

"Hi Dad." She said nervously.

"Don't "hi Dad" me!" Mister Satan shouted. "Where were you all day?! And who is this boy?! So now you're taking advantage that I'm away to hang out with boys?!"

Videl sighed. "Look, Dad, Gohan is just a boy from my class. He's giving me math lessons, as I was having difficulties these times. That's all."

Mister Satan narrowed his eyes, looking at the young man. Gohan? He thought. Where have I heard this name before? Looking at Gohan more carefully, he got the impression that he was familiar to him, but he didn't seem to be able to remember from where. Well, anyway, it didn't matter. What was bothering him was that this boy was spending time alone with his daughter, and God knows what could happen during those 'math lessons'.

"If you have difficulties with math, or with any other subject, I'll hire a tutor. But I don't like that you hang out with boys. You know what they all want."

"Gohan isn't this kind of boy at all!" Videl retorted. "He is very well-mannered and is very smart. And plus, he is a very good teacher; I don't need you to hire another one!"

Mister Satan then got an idea, and he smirked. "I accept to let him give you those math lessons, but in one condition. That he beats me in a fight. You know the rule, Videl."

"But that's not fair! The rule doesn't say that a boy has to beat you to give me lessons!! It's only for the boys who would want to go out with me! And it's not Gohan's case!" Videl protested.

Well, I guess he wouldn't mind if I go out with him, considering that he loves me and all… She thought.

"Well the rules have changed." Mister Satan said, crossing his arms, a triumphant smirk on his face.

"But Dad…"

"I accept." Gohan said, speaking for the first time since Mister Satan's arrival.

The two Satans turned toward him, blinking.

"Excuse me?" The father said.

"If I have to beat you to be able to give lessons to Videl, then I will." Gohan said calmly.

Mister Satan then started to laugh loudly. "Hahahaha! That's too funny!! And you really think that you will be able to beat me? Did you forget who am I? I'm the World Champion! The one who defeated Cell!"

He seems to believe his own lies. Gohan thought. How can this man be Videl's father?

"I know very well who you are." He said. "And I still want to fight you."

"You're serious, kid? You really want to fight me?" Mister Satan asked incredulously.

"Yes." Gohan replied calmly.

I think it's time I teach him a lesson.

"Gohan, are you sure?" Videl asked him uncertainly. "I know that you're strong, but my father is the World Champion…"

He turned his gaze toward her and smiled at her. "Don't worry about me. Don't forget who I am." He added with a wink.

"Well, since you don't seem to want to change your mind and at the same time save your butt, we're going to fight." Mister Satan said. "Follow me."

Videl looked at Gohan as he followed her father, before following them as well. Gohan seemed confident, would he really be able to beat her father? It was true that he was the Great Saiyaman, but her father defeated Cell. She hoped Gohan knew what he was doing.

They arrived at the training room, the same one where Gohan and Videl sparred not too long ago. Mister Satan got on the ring in the middle of the room, quickly followed by Gohan. The two men were facing each other, under Videl's worried gaze.

"It's your last chance to back away, kid. Don't blame me if you finish in the hospital, afterward." The Champ said arrogantly.

Gohan frowned. It's couldn't be possible that this man was Videl's father. She had to be adopted, he couldn't see any other explanation. He decided to ignore the fake hero and got in a fighting stance.

"Enough talking, I'm here to fight." He said.

"Pff, if you insist." Mister Satan said, getting in a fighting stance a well. "But you can't say that I didn't warn you."

So, how do I proceed? Gohan asked himself. Do I beat him in one blow or do I prolong the fight? As much unbearable as he can be, he's still Videl's father (even if I have a hard time believing it), and I don't want to make him ridiculous in front of his daughter.

He glanced at Videl, who was looking at them with worry.

I guess… that it's better that I prolong the fight… Gohan finally decided.

"So, do we begin?" He asked the World Champion.

"You seem confident for someone who's about to get the beating of his life." He boasted.

Gohan frowned. No, in fact, I'm going to make him ridiculous.

"Well, since you seem to have a dead wish, let's begin." Mister Satan continued, always as arrogantly.

Yep, definitely; I'm going to make him ridiculous. This liar deserves no less.

Mister Satan rushed toward Gohan, convinced of his superiority, and tried to punch him. But his opponent had suddenly disappeared.

"What the…?"

"Behind you."

The Champ turned around briskly, facing Gohan who had his arms crossed, smirking.

Videl looked at Gohan, and felt herself blush. Is it me or… Gohan is incredibly sexy with that smirk? She blushed even more at her thoughts, then shook her head, focusing on the fight.

"Ho… How did you do that??" Mister Satan asked, starting to panic.

"What, that?"

Gohan disappeared once again, reappearing behind his opponent, who had jumped when he saw him disappear before his eyes.

"I'm only moving with great speed." He said, making once again jump the 'world savior', who turned around briskly.

"You… Those are tricks!!" He exclaimed, pointing at Gohan. "You're a cheater!"

The demi Saiya-jin frowned. "Only because you don't know something doesn't mean that it's a 'trick'."

"Bullshit! You're just a cheater! I refuse to fight with a cheater like you! And don't ever approach my daughter again, you hear me?!"

"No." Gohan replied.

"EXCUSE ME??" Mister Satan shouted, red from anger.

"I refuse. I'll see Videl if I want to." Gohan stated calmly. "You're just trying to find excuses because you understood that you can't beat me."

"Ha! Without all your little tricks, you would never stand a chance against me!" Mister Satan boasted.

"These aren't tricks. Videl, show him."

Videl nearly jumped, having not expected Gohan to speak to her.

"Show him… what?" She asked.

"That these aren't tricks; show him your Ki."

"But… I still can't get it out…"

"You almost did it. I know you can do it." Gohan said, smiling at her.

"Videl, what is he talking about?" Mister Satan asked, looking at his daughter with confusion.

"I… I will show you." She said.

She got on the ring and, Gohan's encouraging smile in her mind, cupped her hand in front of her, starting to concentrate. A few minutes passed, but nothing happened. Mister Satan was starting to lose patience.

"And? Just what is Videl supposed to show me?" He asked, annoyed.

"Quiet, she needs to concentrate." Gohan said firmly.

The man with the afro was ready to protest but a glare from Gohan silenced him. He had to admit that this boy could be very intimidating when he wanted to.

Videl kept on concentrating, her eyes riveted on her hands, the words that Gohan had said to her encouraging her.

"I know you can do it."

She persisted, not giving up, and finally, a blue light appeared between her hands. Her father was wide-eyed. It couldn't be possible!

The light between Videl's hands disappeared after a few moments. She felt spent, but also immensely proud.

"I did it…" She said softly, barely realizing. Elle looked at Gohan, who was grinning at her. "I did it!" She exclaimed, jumping suddenly in his arms.

Gohan blushed, but he ended up smiling, and hugged the girl back. Mister Satan was red from anger. He approached them and separated them brutally.

"Don't you dare touch my daughter!!" He roared, mad with rage.

"Dad, calm down!"

Mister Satan turned his eyes full of rage to his daughter. "Calm down?! You're throwing yourself in this good for nothing's arms and you want me to calm down??"

"Gohan isn't good for nothing! And firstly, he's stronger than you!"

This was the last straw for Mister Satan. He raised his hand, having the firm intention to slap his daughter for her insolence, but something prevented him from doing it. Or rather, someone. Gohan had caught his forearm. He couldn't believe that this creep was about to raise his hand on Videl – his Videl – and an uncontrollable rage raised in him. He tightened his hold on the impostor's hand, causing him to fall on his knees, whimpering in pain.

Videl wasn't sure to understand what was going on. One moment she had thought that her father was going to slap her, and the moment after, he was on his knees, whimpering in pain as Gohan held his arm firmly. Another whimper, meaning that Gohan had put more pressure on her father's arm, seemed to wake her.

"Gohan, stop it!" She cried.

"He was going to hit you, Videl." Gohan said, his voice full of rage, while his eyes never leaved Mister Satan. "I can't let him get away with it."

"Gohan, please, stop it!!" Videl cried again.

He turned his gaze toward her. Her eyes were begging him. He sighed, and released the arm of the father of the girl he loved. Mister Satan held his aching arm, keeping on whimpering.

But Gohan wasn't finished with him yet, and took him by his collar, lifting him up, and looking at him straight in the eyes.

"But I warn you, Satan, if you ever raise your hand on Videl again, I will kill you. Did I make myself clear?"

While he was saying this, his eyes turned teal for a few seconds. Mister Satan widened his eyes, as he realized from where he knew this boy.

"Ve-Very clear." He stammered, trembling in fear.

Gohan let go of him, disgusted by this coward, being less and less able to believe that he was Videl's father. The girl in question was having a hard time to believe what had just happened. The kind, innocent, naïve Gohan had just threatened to kill her father, the great Mister Satan. Her father, who was trembling in fear before this young teenager. It's all seemed so unreal.

"I better go now." Gohan said, holding his anger back, his fists clenched. He was feeling that if he didn't leave now he could do something he would regret, especially in front of Videl. He didn't want her to see this side of him. But now, it was a bit late. What would she think of him now?

Videl looked at Gohan as he got off the ring, walking toward the training room's exit, then she looked at her father who had fallen back on his backside, still trembling in fear, his face as white as snow, clearly terrified. Her eyes then turned back to Gohan, who was about to exit the training room, and, quickly making her decision, ran after him.

"Gohan, wait!"

He stopped, right in front of the exit, but didn't turn around, as Videl came to his level.

"I'm sorry, Videl." He said, his back to her. "But I can't bear this kind of behavior. To dare to raise one's hand on one's child is intolerable."

"I know, but… You didn't have to threaten to kill him…"

"I won't hesitate to kill anyone who will dare to hurt you."

On those words, he exited the training room, Videl being too stunned by what she had just heard to think about following him.

To Be Continued…