Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of its characters.

Blackmail

Monday could not have come sooner for Videl. She was determined to get some real answers from him about his past. His constant dodging of her questions was driving her crazy. It seemed his entire life outside the mundane was a secret, and even some of that was secret too. She despised that. For all she knew, he could be some sort of serial killer or gang member. Sure, she didn't really believe that—he was just too nice and…tranquil—but still!

Videl was busy slamming books into her locker when she was shocked out of her mental tirade.

"Videl!" screamed her best friend Erasa. "Where were you this weekend?"

"What do you mean?"

"We were supposed to go to the movies! I called you like eight times!"

"Really?" Videl checked her phone and saw a black screen. She groaned. She had turned off her phone when she went to talk to Gohan and had been so distracted afterwards she forgot to turn it back on.

"I'm sorry Erasa, I turned my phone off while I was in the apartment with…" She trailed off.

Oops.

"Oooo, Videl!" Erasa said suggestively. "Whoever knew you could be so naughty? Who was it? Give me all the juicy details!"

Big oops.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Erasa. It's nothing like that."

"Is that right? So what is it like?"

"Well, it's…I—"

"Come on! I think your best friend has the right to know."

Videl sighed and relented. What could it hurt, right? "Alright, alright. I'll tell you, but not now. Class is about to start. I'll tell you at lunch, okay?"

"Fine," the blonde huffed, scrunching her face into a fake pout. Within seconds, her frown cracked into her usual smile and she grabbed Videl's arm, "Let's go! I can't wait to see Gohan. Isn't he just so cute? I wonder what he thinks of me."

As they headed to class, she kept talking, completely oblivious to the red emerging on the cheeks of her friend.

Classes were every bit as awkward as Videl had feared. She didn't really want to talk to Gohan about that afternoon in class, especially with Erasa there, but didn't know what to say instead. Gohan, of course, seemed unfazed by the little chit-chat they'd had. Between classes, he exchanged a few pleasantries with a very flirtatious Erasa while Videl mainly sat and scowled. But when the lesson began, he seemed to switch his entire focus to the teacher.

What Videl did not know, however, was that today Gohan was every bit as distracted as she was. He was quickly regretting his decision to invite Videl into his apartment the week before. By the look of her scowl, instead of putting a damper on her curiosity, it had only amplified it. She clearly wouldn't be satisfied unless she thought she knew everything important. So now, he had to decide what he could tell her that would convince her of that when the inevitable confrontation came.

That he was half-alien was definitely out. That he defeated Cell was a no-go as well. Flying? Not a chance.

He could probably tell her about Bulma. That little bit of information was essentially harmless. The problem was that it could lead to other more sensitive information being exposed, what with Vegeta and the kids traipsing around Capsule Corp. He'd have to be careful.

Then, there was his father. He sighed inwardly. He tried not to think about his father. It just was too painful and reminded him of the nightmares. He would have preferred not to tell Videl, or anyone, about his father. Unfortunately, Videl had seized on that topic and did not seem keen on dropping it.

I'll give her the name and that's it. Let her figure out what she can from that, Gohan decided.

At lunch, Videl and Erasa were mysteriously absent, leaving Gohan and Sharpner to suffer through each other's company alone.

"So, nerd-boy, play any other sports besides baseball?" While he kept up the taunts, Sharpner's own opinion of Gohan had seriously improved, largely due to his performance in gym.

"I've read about a lot of sports, but baseball is the only one I've ever played before."

"Figures for a book nerd," Sharper muttered jokingly.

As the boys continued their lunch, Videl and Erasa were eating on the roof.

"Okay, now spill," demanded Erasa.

"You're not going to let me get out of this, are you?"

"Nope!" Erasa's smile was positively evil.

Videl sighed, "Alright, I've kind of been…investigating our newest peer—without him knowing." She certainly had a talent for euphemisms.

The eyes of her blonde friend visibly bulged and almost choked on her food. "You've been stalking Gohan?"

"It wasn't…" she wanted to deny the charge, but couldn't. She hadn't realized how creepy she was being. In the end, Videl nodded reluctantly. "I've been following him and watching his apartment. I wanted to see what he actually did after school. Somehow he found out and on Friday, he invited me inside."

"Ooooo, Videl!" Erasa exploded. "And you said it was nothing like that! What happened? A hot make-out session on the couch? Wow, I never had Gohan pegged for that kind of guy. You are so lucky! Any girl at school would die to get that cutie."

Videl cut the drama queen off. "We just talked, Erasa. I was trying to find out more about him."

"Hmph, well that's not as fun." Suddenly, the sinister smile returned to her face. "You like him, don't you?"

"What? I do not."

"Haha, don't try to hide it from me. I'm your best friend. I can tell. You've never been this interesting in 'investigating' a boy before."

"I do not like Gohan!" Videl yelled defensively. "Videl Satan does not crush on boys, especially nerds. I'm perfectly fine without one. Besides, dad wouldn't let me date anyone, let alone Gohan. He would have to be stronger than my dad, and no one's stronger than him."

"Excuses, excuses. You need to ask Gohan on a date."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I will let it slip that you went into Gohan's apartment alone last weekend. Imagine the rumors that will start."

"But nothing happened!"

"Maybe, but they don't know that. I wonder if it will get back to your father"

"Erasa!" pled Videl desperately. The last thing she needed for her dad to get wind of this. He wouldn't so much overreact as explode. He'd hunt Gohan down and beat him to a pulp, and she would be entirely responsible.

"This is for your own good, Vi. You have until the end of the day. Oh, two rules. One, I have to be there. And two, you can't tell him about our little arrangement." Erasa left with a pert smile. She really was quite the devious one.

Oh, great! thought Videl, Now what am I going to do? If I ask him on a date, he'll get the wrong idea. I don't like him that way…I can't like him that way…I won't like him that way. I guess I'll just have to suck it up and ask him. Dang it, Erasa! Why'd you have to get involved?

The rest of the day was torture for her. It was ridiculous; the crime-fighting daughter of the savior of the world couldn't work up the nerve to ask a boy on a date. Every time she tried, her mind would provide dozens of excuses that he was busy or that he wouldn't want to talk right then. So, the final class of the day came around.

Gym.

"Alright class," the instructor started, "We are done with baseball. Given the rise in crime in Satan City, the school has deemed it appropriate for you to learn to defend yourselves. We will be learning martial arts for the rest of the semester. Since I myself have a very limited knowledge of the subject, you will have a guest instructor to teach you the skills you need."

"Is it Mr. Satan?" yelled one of the guys hopefully. The entire class's ears, save those of Gohan and Videl, perked up.

"I'm afraid not." A collective sigh rang through the gym. "But, he is a two-time former semifinalist as well as the second youngest competitor ever to compete in the World Martial Arts Championship."

The class as a whole was only slightly interested in this 'nobody,' but Videl, always looking for a challenge was curious as to what someone of this caliber would look like…and if he could still put up a fight. What she saw was not what she expected.

In walked a diminutive man with short, straight black hair. He was wearing a red shirt and loose, khaki pants. He looked rather…unimpressive to Videl, as well as to the rest of the class. She was a tad disappointed. Gohan, though, was silently cursing his bad luck. Why is Krillin here?

"This guy's no fighter," Sharpner, a devoted Satan-ite, spewed cockily, "He looks like a wimp to me."

"No respect," Krillin muttered under his breath. Out loud, he called Sharpner out, "Alright then, come here and see for yourself!" Not expecting this response, Sharpner had to take a few seconds to process the challenge. Once he did, he came forward quickly, putting on quite a show for the class. Once he took his position, Krillin explained, "If you can land one hit on me, I'll let you do whatever you want during this class for as long as I'm here. I won't even fight back. Go!"

Krillin remained in a perfectly relaxed position. Hands behind his back, he looked up, apparently bored. Sharpner just stood there in the trademark Satan stance, confused as to whether he should attack. Finally, he shrugged.

This is gonna be easy, he thought, and attacked.

Blow after blow rained down all around the shorter fighter, but none connected. Sharpner couldn't land a punch—every jab, cross, uppercut, and kick was either dodged or deflected harmlessly.

Within ten minutes, Sharpner had worn himself out. Covered in sweat, he walked off to the side and collapsed against the wall. Krillin turned to the stunned class, "Any questions?"

The students were speechless, paralyzed by the display of mastery they had just seen from such an unlikely culprit. However, it affected Videl most of all. She had fought Sharpner before, and while he had not presented a great challenge—he was all brawn and no brains—it had taken a good deal of effort to take the brute down. The ease with which this mysterious new fighter had blocked and dodged every one of his attacks was mind-blowing. He wasn't even out of breath! Was this tiny man that much better than her?

Just then, Krillin's eyes locked on a member of the crowd of students. "Gohan!" he yelled to Gohan's horror and started toward him.

The name instantly snapped Videl out of her contemplations. This martial arts master knew Gohan? She was surprised, but curious and excited that this could be her chance to find out about his mysterious past.

Krillin reached his target. "Gohan," he started, grinning amicably, "What brings you to high school? Did Chi-Chi put you up to it?"

Chi-Chi? Who's Chi-Chi? Videl made sure to remember that name for later.

Gohan whispered something imperceptible to Videl's ears and shook his head ever so slightly. Krillin sobered up and nodded seriously. "Okay," he again addressed the class, "First of all, my name is Krillin. I'm going to pair each of you with someone else of approximately the same strength. They will be your sparring partner for the new few weeks as you learn the basics, unless I see significant differences in skill."

He proceeded to make the groups. Sharpner was with another muscle head. Erasa got paired with a girl named Angela.

Videl was with Gohan, a fact which both irritated and intrigued her. Either this new teacher had never heard of her and thought a weakling like Gohan would be a good match, or he knew who she was and thought Gohan was strong enough to keep up. That would explain why he had given her advice while she was at his apartment. Maybe he really knew about fighting. It seemed unlikely, but based on what she'd seen, Krillin seemed to respect him. Could it be that Gohan was as strong or stronger? The very notion seemed ridiculous.

Only one way to find out, she decided. She started her stretching routine, just in case it would be a good fight. It unnerved her that he just stood there with his hands in his pockets and his eyes down. He appeared to be thinking, and seemed a little off to Videl. Then, as she got into her stance, Gohan sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes.

"What are you doing?" she asked, baffled yet again by her classmate.

"I'm meditating."

"Meditating? We're supposed to be sparring!"

"I choose to meditate instead."

"Don't you care that your friend, the teacher," she added for emphasis, "told us to fight each other?"

"No, I make my own decisions. I will not fight."

"What? Why!?"

He was silent for so long she thought he would not deign to respond. Then, instead of answering her, he repeated himself slowly, almost painfully. The finality with which he said the four simple words struck Videl with almost physical force, despite the relatively low volume.

"I. Will. Not. Fight."

As he made this pronouncement, Gohan opened his eyes and looked up at her. His deep onyx eyes seemed to penetrate into her soul, resonating with all the self-pity and self-doubt she had harbored for years. She did not try to respond—he had silenced her with a single sentence and the strength of his gaze. Despite herself, she could not look away from those dark, piercing eyes. For the first time, she saw flashes of intense emotion behind those two orbs of obsidian. In them, she caught a glimpse of the immense sorrow and regret that Gohan had worked hard to bury deep inside. In that moment, she felt inexplicably connected with this person she hardly knew. And yet, in that moment, it didn't bother her to be in the dark. Somehow, in that moment, she felt complete.

After what seemed like hours to Videl, Gohan looked down, severing the invisible link between them. Videl sat down and exhaled heavily, feeling exhausted for some reason. Gohan, on the other hand, do not seem to react other than to again close his eyes. They remained there for several minutes, absorbed in their individual thoughts, neither making a sound.

When Gohan reopened his eyes, his emotions were once again concealed behind a mask of tranquility. He said evenly, "You wish to become a better fighter." It was a statement, not a question. "I understand that. I cannot fight you, but fighting is not always the best training. There are two aspects to every fight: physical and mental. Each is nothing without the other. While we are partnered, I can help you train your mind and thereby use your body to its fullest potential. If prefer to spend your time fighting, I'm sure I can convince Krillin to make other arrangements."

Videl sat on her heels, processing what he had said. Her thoughts revolved not around his suggestion of mental training, but around his sudden change in demeanor. Just a second ago he had seemed so vulnerable and real. The two had seemed to connect at a deep level without any exchange of words. Now, he was so distant. There was no trace of the previous Gohan, as if he had never existed. She didn't understand. She didn't understand at all. It seemed like there were two Gohans: The living, real one with real emotions and real feelings, and the glass façade that was lifeless and dead.

"Well," Gohan's voice broke through her trance, "What is your decision?"

Videl did not have to think. "I'll stay with you."

"Good, we'll start right away. Sit quietly with your eyes closed for the rest of this class. Ignore everyone else, ignore all the distractions, and calm your mind. I have to go talk to Krillin now. It's important. If you're having trouble, focus on taking deep, even breaths. Think of nothing else."

With that, he left Videl to follow his instructions. She started to protest, but thought better of it, so she sat on the hard floor as she began to 'calm her mind.' Heeding Gohan's suggestion, she directed her attention to slowing her breathing down to a steady, rhythmic pace. But no matter how much she tried, competing thoughts were constantly barging into her mind, whether from the noises of the rest of her classmates sparring, her own curiosity about Gohan, or even something as trivial as her shopping list. It proved impossible to stop the constant stream of these thoughts, despite her best efforts. Videl Satan, however, was not about to give up. So, she remained there in the same position with eyes screwed shut, hoping to force her mind into submission. This was a different kind of battle than what she was used to. Instead of fighting people or criminals, she was fighting herself.

"Yoohoo! Earth to Videl!" Erasa's voice startled Videl out of her concentration.

"Whaaa—!" she fell back. "What's going on?"

"Class is over, silly."

"Really?" How long had she been sitting there?

"Uh-huh. What were you doing just now?"

"Umm," Videl was slightly embarrassed, "Meditating, I guess?"

"Meditating?" her friend looked at her strangely. "Since when do you do that?"

"Since now, okay?" Videl was not interested in that line of conversation.

"Okay," Erasa dismissed easily, eager to move on to juicer topics. "So, do you remember our little deal?"

"You mean you blackmailing me?"

"Yeah. Sooooo…Gohan's right over there with our new teacher." She pointed over to the opposite end of the gym, where Gohan and Krillin were talking. "If you don't ask him now, you won't have a chance and I'll have to tell everyone about your little lover's tryst."

Videl sighed heavily, "Erasa, it wasn't a tryst." Her palms started to sweat and her heart started pumping as she recalled what she was being forced to do. After their little…moment together, it seemed more awkward and embarrassing than ever.

"Details, details. Let's call him over, shall we? Oh Gohan!" She waved the boy over. After a few seconds to wrap up his conversation with Krillin, he headed their way.

"Do you want something, Erasa?" the ever-polite Gohan asked.

"Videl would like to ask you something."

"Okay…" His level gaze fell on the blushing girl. She took a few steadying breaths.

"Well, I…I-I was wondering if you…if you would maybe…like to go out to dinner with me," the final words rushed out of Videl's mouth. Her cheeks darkened into a deep blush. That had been humiliating, but at least it was over. Now she just had to wait for his response.

Gohan blinked. Was that all? Why did she seem so flustered? "I would be happy to. When?"

The obvious question stumped Videl, who was not functioning at full mental capacity given the circumstances. Luckily, Erasa came to her rescue. Unable to contain herself any longer, she exploded, "Friday at six! She'll pick you up. Now, if you'll excuse us…" the ecstatic blonde practically dragged her friend away. "Dress nice!" she shouted as the pair left the gym.

Gohan was left standing there, unsure of what had just transpired. "Why would I need to dress nice to eat?" he wondered aloud. The sound of hysterical laughter reached his ears. He turned to see that Krillin, in tears, was just behind him, clutching his abdomen and rolling on his back as he howled.

"What?" the demi-saiyan demanded. That only triggered more fits of laughter. As Krillin recovered, Gohan looked at him fiercely. "Well?"

"You're just so clueless!" Krillin said wiping tears out of his eyes.

"What do you mean?!" he demanded.

Krillin suppressed the urge to burst out laughing again. "You have a date, Gohan!" He doubled over in hysteria once again.