so mature warning.
Gohana sat in class, not paying any attention to anything. Though she nornally didnt pay too much attention as she knew the stuff, she could at least answer any question even if caught off guard.
"Son Gohana!" the teacher nearly screamed having been the fifth time she tried calling her.
Gohana jolted out of her own and looked up to see everyone staring at her.
"Oh, sorry Ma'am. Um, what was the question?"
Looking up at Gohana, the teacher adjusted her glasses.
"Gohana, usually I look past your inattentivness as you are still able to keep up. But if I can't get your attention while calling you specifically I will have to start marking you down for not paying attention. Do I make myself clear?"
"Ah, yes ma'am! Sorry ma'am!" Gohana appologized.
"Good, now can you answer the question?"
Gohana looked at the board behind her and saw a basic rocket science formula on the board. Gohana blinked a few times confused and looked at her book. 'Algebra' written across the cover in big letters. Why was a rocket science formula written?
"Um, well to answer the problem on the board, it's not written correctly so no it can't be. But...why is a problem like that being taught?" she asked confused.
"I've spent three minutes writting it down after spending another several attempts to get your attention. Glad to see you can at least answer questions as quick."
Great, another test to single her out. Gohana sighed and back to resting her head in her arms on the desk.
"Hey, Gohana are you alright?" Videl asked.
Videl had noticed since that incident last week Gohana had been acting rather odd. Not bad or anything but very not her. Like she was walking on eggshell? No that was not the right phrase, more like terrified of every little thing. But how could someone like her be terrified of everything?
"Yeah, I'm okay." She answered back in a rather monotone manor.
Lime looked over, having a very good idea what the problem was. She had picked up the hints, but she couldn't talk about it. At least not with the others around. Or at least not Videl. Just not yet.
"Hey Videl, dont worry. This is just Gohana trying to figure out something really important. Trust me, you'll know whats been on her mind when she brings it up." Lime tried to reassure Videl without giving it away, or lying.
Videl was a bit reassured from this. But she was still worried about Gohana. Since last week, since that incident where she almost got shot in the head Gohana has acted oddly distant yet too close at the same time. It didn't bother Videl other than Gohana just seemed so down lately. She really wanted to help her, but if Lime says to let it be for now, she'd let Gohana figure it out.So instead she thought about cheeringnher up instead!
"Hey Gohana, theres a new food place that opened up not too far from my place. Did you want to get some lunch together after school? Just the two of us?" Videl offered.
Gohana blushed slightly thinking it just like a little date. Though obviously not officially a date. But that didn't stop her from blushing slightly. At this point it didnt make much a difference. And with today being Friday she would be at home all weekend and probably wouldn't see Videl for a few days.
"Yeah, that sounds like fun!" Gohana answered a bit cheerfully.
Hearing Gohana a bit happier made Videl feel better. And she smiled a bit and went back to trying to take notes. She really did not like seeing Gohana so down like this. But she was glad she got a little bit of excitement out of Gohana.
The rest of the day up until lunch time was a bit more of the same. Gohana just seeming very down mentally, and while not depressed, but something heavily on her mind. Videl could not stop worrying about Gohana! How could she not be, she was in love with her! And she couldn't deny it any more. Though she couldn't bring it up right now either even if she wanted to.
Gohana barely ate much during their lunch break. Partially because Gohana didnt have too much food today. At least not as much as usual. Gohana had been so lost in her own thoughts Chichi noticed she only ate about half what she would make, so just started making Gohana half the amount of food. Which would still feed the four of them even with three of them eating more than average people.
Gohana was looking more to eating lunch with Videl later so she purposely didn't eat too much.
"Hey Gohana, I know were getting some food after school, but you can still eat your food now." Videl said noticing she barely toughed anything even for Erasa's terms.
"I know, I'm...juat really looking forward to it is all. I don't wanna ruin my appetite."
Lime gently elbowed Gohana in the side a few times to make a point. Gohana knew Lime was trying to get her spirits up, but by teasing her. And, well it worked.
"Lime stop teasing me like that!" she shouted at her blushing.
The others looked at her confused. It definitely made it obvious Lime knew exactly what was going on in Gohana's mind!
Gohana just bluahed.
"Sorry for the outburst guys. I just have a ton on my mind." Gohana appologized.
"Hey, dont feel bad Gohana. We all have times like that. But you know we're here if you want to talk." Erasa tried comforting her.
"Yeah, I know I may not be too great at expressing my feelings, but I dont mind listening if it helps." Videl offered.
This did help Gohana feel a tad better. Though the thought of telling Videl what was on her mind was a bit too much, at least in the moment.
"Thanks you guys. I promise though I'll be fine. Honestly I'm really excited for lunch date with Videl." Gohana slipped.
"Huh, you are?" Videl blushed slightly.
"Yeah, it's been a while since we got to hang out just the two if us. Well when where not training to keep you safe or helping the cops. bu just relaxing."
Videl had to admit she did have a good point. Almost all the time they have spent together lately the last few weeks have been training or fighting together. Though that was partially the reason Videl started realizing she had fallen fir Gohana so she didn't mind. But just getting some lunch and relaxing did sound very nice to her.
"Yeah, I guess that does sound really nice!
Gohana spent rest of the school day feeling a bit better. Not that she felt better, more that she was looking forward to spending time alone with Videl. Maybe she should finally tell her? Was it too much?
Gohana wasn't too sure what to this. Well Lime wasn't exactly an expert. Or subtle. Though she was respectful. Nor was she really non biast. She knew what Gohana would want to hear. At least thats what Gohana thought.
Gohana had just one more class to go before school was out. Videl and Sharpner had hurried off as soon as the class bell rang, both needing to get something from the gym. Leaving Erasa and Lime with Gohana.
"Im gonna go get something from my locker. I'll see you both in class." Erasa said and hurried off.
This didnt surprise them, Erasa never liked carrying more than she needed for the very next class so would just go to her locker between each class.
Line and Gohana juat walked slowly to their next class, Gohana was still deep in thought. Lime wanted to say something but really wasn't sure what to say.
"Should I tell Videl?" Gohana broke the silence between them.
"Well obviously I think you should." Lime answered her, making sure to not be too loud.
"But honestly that's because I think you should never not try for love. Even if you're positive it will fall flat, you gotta at least go for it. So I say tell her how you feel." Lime answered, but keeping her tone a bit hushed.
Lime was trying to help, but from what she knew and thought, she was trying to help Gohana get past unrequited love. She never thought in a million years Videl would also fall for Gohana. Sure, she admitted i was possible! They both thought Gohana would fall for a guy as they both started getting to that age, and here she was head over heels in love with Videl, which Lime never would have bet on. She just didn't want Gohana to keep things bottled up. She had seen what that does.
"You really think I should, huh." Gohana blushed.
"Well I certainly think you should say something." Lime responded again, knowing Gohana was just repeating the question.
"Say something about what?" they heard behind them. They had not noticed Erasa come up behind them.
"Ahh, Erasa!" Gohana blushed hard, assuming Erasa overhead what they were talking about.
"Huh, Gohana are you alright? Your face is all red." Erasa asked worried.
"Actually, Erasa I think you'd be the perfect person to ask!" Lime said, getting a confused look from both of them.
"I'd be perfect for what?"
"Gohana, I'm going on ahead. You do what you think you should." Lime quickly headed off leaing Gohana with Erasa.
Gohana didnt want Lime to leave, but when she had a moment to think she thought she knew what Lime was getting at. Lime knew both of them, and knew exactly what was on Gohana's mind. She's been through something very similar of course. But Erasa didn't know, but she was close to both parties iinvovled and wouldn't be biased.
"Gohana, everything alright?" Erasa asked.
"Actually, Erasa, I think I need some advice!" Gohana blushed.
This threw Erasa off big time. Gohana, asking for advice? From her? What on earth could she possibly help her with.
"Okay, sure. But I don't know what i could possibly help you with. I dont know much about marital arts, or book smarts. But I'll try to help. Whats up?"
Gohana thought that too many people were around. More specifically anyone was around at all. Grabbing Erasa's hand she led her to the restroom. As she got closer she could sense no one was in there so they both went in.
"Okay, so its obvious you want some privacy, so what exactly can I help with?" Erasa repeated her question from earlier.
Gohana blushed even harder and juat hugged her backback she had been carrying, and more meekly than Erasa had ever heard from her.
"Should...I tell someone I like them if I know they won't like me back?" Gohana blushed and glnaced away
"Oh my god what!?" Erasa's eyes shot open like saucers, and quickly checked every door to make sure nobody was inside. It was very obvious Gohana was super shy about it and didnt want it to be talked about outside.
"Okay so who is the lucky guy?" Erasa asked. "I cant recall you every really checking anyone out at school. Unless its maybe someone around your place. I mean you can get there pretty fast so maybe." Erasa was more rambling on at this point.
"I...dont want to say. But should I even say anything?"
"Well you say they wont like you back, but have you ever talked to them about it?" Erasa asked.
"Well, no but."
"Do you know how they feel about you?"
"Um, well no but there no way that-"
"Then if you've never talked to him about it then how would you know?" Erasa demanded an answer.
Gohana juat stood there, unsure what to even say. Short of flat out saying it was Videl she didn't know how to get across she was pretty damn sure it wasnt going to happen.
"Just I'm pretty sure that no matter what, she wont like me back that way. So should I even tell her?" Gohana asked, noticing Erasa's face.
"Wait, her?"
Gohana's face went beat red. She didnt mean to say 'her' in this. But still, she didnt say Videls name.
"Wow, I didn't know you liked girls as well." she said remembering one of their classmates she thought was cute when she first came. Outside that, Erasa couldn't remember Gohana ever mentioning anything about being attracted to anyone else other than her first crush when she was younger.
"I...didn't know either. Until recently when i realized it myself." Gohana responded blushing more.
"Hmm, well I'll be honest and say exactly what I would have told you even if it was a guy. You don't know unless you try. And whoever this girl is, to catch your eye, must be pretty special am I right?"
Gohana simply nodded.
"Your not confessing to me in a round about way, are you?" Erasa lightly teased.
"What, no! I mean...no offense but...Its someone else!" Gohana answered a bit flustered, afriad to offend her.
"Well glad I dont have to turn you down there then. But relax I'm only teasing you there." she said with a hint of reliefe, easily able to tell it wasnt truely her.
"Look, whoever she is she must really be something special. And if thye really cared about you I'm sure they would understand. I think you should go for it." Erasa enthusiastically tried to motivate her.
"Easy for you to say."
"Well, let me ask you this. If she doesn't feel the same, would she completely avoid you?"
"No, im pretty sure she wouldn't." Gohana answered after a quick paise to think about it.
"Okay, flip side. The chance she felt the same way to you, how would you feel?"
Gohana had not truely stopped to think about that. What if Videl really did return her feelings? Up until now she had been so worried about losing Videl over it, that she never though how being with her would feel!
While Erasa couldn't sense ki or anything like that, she could read Gohana like an open book right now. She wasnt sure who she was talking about, but she also knew it didnt matter. She could tell Gohana truely cared for them.
"Well there you go, worst case scenario she doesnt like you back and you stay friends. Best case, she does and you two date. Honestly I dont think most people have those odds. I say go for it!" Erasa gave her a thumbs up.
The door opening and a few girls coming in ended the conversation right there. Still, Gohana stuck with Erasa as they made their way to class. When they got there, Videl and Sharpner had returned and were chatting with Lime. Erasa took her seat, Lime catching her eye.
"Took long enough. Was I right?"
"I think so, yeah." Erasa answered, picking up the code.
"Huh, right about what?" Videl asked them curiously.
"Oh nothing." Lime tried to wave it off as nothing happened as Gohana took her seat.
"Well okay then. Oh, Gohana, we still good for some food after class?" Videl turned to ask Gohana.
Gohana just looked at Videl, quickly glancing over to Lime and Erasa, then back to Videl. She was able to supress a blush, but she couldn't hide her innocent beaming smile.
"Yeah, I cant wait."
Class couldn't end soon enough for Gohana. Even though it was only an hour, it felt like that entire hour was spent in the the time chamber! As soon as the bell rang, Gohana quicnly got up and was about to head to the door, bitbthen stopped realizing she didnt have to rush anywhere, she was already next to Videl.
"Man you sure are excited for food. Though I can't blame you." Videl laughed a bit. Though she did find it cute.
The five of them all made their way outside together. None of them needed to stay after school anyway, and Erasa and Sharpner lived in the same direction. Videl and Gohana started heading in a different direction, deckdkng tobwalk the several blocks thenold fashioned way, actually walking.
"Well you two have fun as well. I gotta head on home. Grampa asked me to help out with some firewood for the village."
"Lime, wait. Is...it Videl?" Erasa asked, having easily picked up the complete and total 180 Gohana had.
Lime just smiled and walked off towards one of the alleyways, deciding to not answer the queation.
"Videl? Is what Videl?" Sbarpner asked completely cconfused.
"Huh, oh nothing." Erasa lied.
Gohana and Videl enjoyed the walk to the resturant. It was a tad different than both were used to. Videl was used to flying her jet everywhere, and Gohana was used to just flying. Even geting to crime scenes was alwaya flying. So walking was kind of a nice change of pace.
"So after lunch what are you headed off to?" Videl asked.
"Oh I promised I would help Raina and Goten with a school project."
"Already getting hard assignments even though they just started huh?" Videl asked knowing they were in school now.
"No, nothing like that. I just need to help them take some pictures is all." Gohana laughed a bit.
"So what is this place we are going to anyway?"
"It's a new place opened up. Nothing too fancy, but this is the first one to open up here in Satan City!"
"You normally have to travel to go there?" Gohana asked surpised.
"Yeah, closest one is two hours away."
"You guys drive or fly two hours for a resturant!"
"You live like a several hundred miles from school." Videl teased Gohana, causing Gohana to just nervously laugh.
"Beaides, this place was my favorite resturant to go with my mom and dad. And dad and I go every now and then. I just know you'll love it and with one opened up in town I wanted to take you!" Videl explained.
This made Gohana smile and fave flush a little bit. She was already feeling more comfortable, and confident, to tell Videl how she felt. Even if she really didn't do so today, she felt like she could at least soon maybe explain to Videl how she felt. Deciding to not an it out and just go based on feeling, Gohana stopped thinking about it at this moment.
Gohana had to admit, this place really did smel like the food would be amazing. Gohana and Videl had barely even sat down and Videl already knew what she was getting, itbwas what she always got. Gohana, however, couldn't decide what to get. Videl couldn't help but find this amusing.
"You want one of everythong, dont you?" Videl said half questioningly, half matter of factly.
"Oh, yeah but honeatly i though I would just keep it to maybe just a main meal and an appetizer."
Videl was surpised to jear that fron Gohana knowing how kuch she eats. But shebdidnt know Gohana was always insanely considerate when it came to food at restaurants. Unless itbwas a buffet she always tried keeping it to a normal human level. Even though it was alwayabeither her mom, gradmpa, or bulma paying for it and they could affors it. Even Videl could but she didn't want to break that streak.
In the end, by the time the waiter came by, Gohana still couldn't even narrow it down so Videl ordered for her.
"So you came here when you were younger with your mom huh?"
"Yeah, we didn't live here at the time obviously. But it was something we splurged on every month. Even after she passed, dad and I would still come here. It meant more. And even when we moved to Satan City, well Orange City back then, we would still go every month. No matter how busy dad got, he would make time for this trip. He even insists Sharpner andbErasa come from time to time. Even Lime if she is over."
"Oh, it must be a pretty special place then for you."
Videl smiled at Gohana.
"Yeah, it is. And now I get to share it with you."
Gohana couldn't stop her blushing a bit. But it wasn't too obvious either so she didn't really try hiding it. Videl didnt think much of it herself either.
Videl and Gohana just continued to make small talk until their food arrived. Though to Vids surpise Gohana ws just eating like a regular person. She had seen Gohana eat twice as much food as she had in mere minutes, and she was just eating at a similar pace as she was.
"I gotta say, it's kinda weird seeing you eat at a normal pace." Videl said, just watching her.
"Yeah, well usually I just dont hold back and eat. And mom doesn't really mind normally. But she always insisted we learn to slow down when the time calls for it. ."
"Still this is barely an appetizer for you."
"I can always just eat more food when i get home." Gohana waved it off.
Gohana and Videl enjoyed the afternoon together just the two of them. Just a normal afternoon that is. They took their time eating, which for Videl was a trip to see. She was so used to seeing Gohana eat a teams worth of food within twenty minutes that a simple single person meal take her half an hour was just so bizzare.
After they ate, they both headed towards Videls place. It wasnt that far either, and it was a sage place for Gohana to take off from. While Gohana had been more comfortable, she was still debating to tell Videl how she felt. Little dod she know.
'Should I tell her?' Videl thought to herself.
She didn't initially mean for this to be such a nice time. And Gohana seemed to be so happy suddenly. Still, maybe telling her would ruin the day for her. And seeing Gohana seem so down the last week hurt her. She didn't want to make it awkward.
"Im pretty amazed the cime sprees have gone down this past week." Videl finally broke the ice.
"Yeah, you're right. Only been two calls this week and neither was ki invovled."
Videl thought back to last week, seeing Gohana be so brutal. The week before that she could notice Gohana was getting more and more agggresive. But that last time, almsot scared her.
"Gohana, can I ask you something?" Videl said a bit sheepishly
"What? Sure whats up?"
"That last time, well even a bit before that. You've been really aggressive. Whats going on with you? are you alright? I've been worried." Videl grabbed Gohana's arm to stop her as they both were now staring at each other.
Videl didn't want to ruin the good time they were having, but she also didn't want to bring this up in front of the others. Or even right after. It had been a little while since then so maybe now would be a good time?
"Well, I just dont want to lose you." Gohana sai.d, not lying.
"I get that but lately you seem to act, almost not you. I remember you mentioning those rage boosts you got when you were younger, but from how you discribed them. Well it doesn't feel quite right. I'm just worried about you! I'm not sure if it's juat you being protective or if it has something to do with you being a Saiyan. I just want to know."
Gohana just looked down to Videl and could tell Videl truely was worried.
'Just tell her now!' Gohana's mind screamed at her, blushing slightly whuch Videl absolutely noticed this time.
"Videl...I uhh...ummm, I..." Gohana started stunbling and started to look very visbly nervous.
Videls heart skipped a beat, was her mind playing tricks on her? Gohana just looked even more nervous as Videl didnt stop staring at her.
"I just really appreciate you and I dont want to lose you!" Goahan blurted out with her face red.
Gohana immediately was screaming at herself in her mind. Appreciate you? How hard is it to say love instead of appreciate!
Videl looked down a little bit, of course her mind was playing tricks on her. She was only getting her hopes up.
"Well I guess I appreciate you too." Videl put on a slight fake smile.
The rest of the walk to Videls place was in awkward silence. Not that they had far to go, only two blocks. They were still on the opposite side of where the front gate was but they were both able to easily jump the fence.
"So, you headed home to help Goten and Raina?" Videl asked.
"Yeah, I should be going. I dont want it to be too late."
Gohana just stood there, not yet flying off.
"Videl, I..." She started but immediately stopped.
"Huh, yeah whats up?"
"I...really enjoyed lunch! Maybe next time we can go and its on me."
Videl just stared at her, knowing from her tone Gohana switched what she was going to say.
"Yeah, its a date." Videl forced a slightly sad smile.
Gohana just smiled back and quickly vanished from site. Videl was used to it but could also sense she was just up in the sky and already headed off.
Videl just stood there and stared off in the direction Gohana was flying.
"Appreciate..." Videl repeated, before taking a deep breath to head inside from the rain that was staring to fall.
Her wrist commmunicator brought her out of her mind. She was surpised by it going off, she had already gotten used to it going off daily. But all week it barely happened.
"Videl here."
"Videl, I think we could use your help on this one. Could you make it to the first national bank?"
"Yeah I could be there in a few. Should i contact Saiyako as well?" she asked knowing she could signla Gohana to come back.
"No, we dont think thats needed. It's just some old dude with two others. We cant get closer because they have the mayor hostage, but they dont have weapons either. They just requested an audiance with you.'
No weapons, and just an older dude with two henchman? Videl could easily handle this, but this was a new one. Videl thought still about calling Gohana back, butbshe thought against it. She was certian she could handle this herself.
Videl arrived at the banks entrance as fast as she could. Landing her jet and getting out to save fave about ki, it was too public and open a place to fly the new way.
"Okay what are we looking at?" Videl asked.
"Still nothing new. Just an old geezer. We tried sending in a few forces, but its clear hes an expert at Martial Arts. And the two with him. They said if anyone else comes in thats not you they'd kill the mayor. But theyd let him go if you and only you show up, no questions asked."
"And you believe that?"
"The threat to kill him if it'ss not you? Yes. But the letting him go, no"
"Are you sure I shouldn't bring Saiyako?" Videl repeated her earlier question.
"Too be honest, even the old you we thought would be enough. But will leave Saiyako up to you. We don't know how to reach her anyway."
So they know she is far stronger now, and she should be able to handle this before that, that helped Videl feel more confident. While no one but the police chief knew really what she coukd do now, moat od the force knew shebwas fast more powerful somehow.
"Alright, I'm going in then."
Videl stepped through the empty lobby noticing no lights were on. And no one was here. They did mention she had to go up to the second floor, so seeing nobody on the ground level didn't surprise her.
Making her way to the stairs Videl tried to get up as quiet as she could. Once she finished carefully walking up the stairs, she felt like an idiot since she could have just flew. Still she didnt beat herself up for it either. Starting to open the door very quietly, Videl tried being as slow as possible. She noticed she was now in a hallway, witj a single door slightly ajar. Making her way to it quietly, she troed glancing inside without moving the door.
"Dont bother sneaking, I already know you are there. Just come in here." an older creakily voice spoke up.
'How did he know I was here?'
Opening the door more casually, Videl saw an old man in green with a goofy looking hat on sitting on a desk, with twounger looking men near him. One of them was holding the mayor by his ciffed hands.
"Alright, Im here now let him go."
"But of course. The police held up their end, we shall hold up ours. Besides we got what we came here for." the old man said as he grabbed the majoy and started walking.
This threw Videl off, they were just letting him go?
Walking the major towards Videl, he pushed Videl more forward as he walked last. Reaching into his pocket he took out the set of key for the handcuffs being used. Releasing him, he opened the door and shoved him into the stairway.
"Now get lost!" he screamed at him as he closed the door and easily ripped the handle off.
This caught Videls attention immediately! These doors were all made of solid steel! This was the most secure back in the city and he just ripped it off!
"Now then, I imagine you are wondering what we want?" he snapped his fingers as a door on the far wall opened, and many others started walking in.
Videl quickly got into a defensive position ready to fight, even raising her ki up a bit.
"Oh, so you really do know about ki? And can even use it i see." the old man said.
"Wait, how do you-"
"Know about ki? You clearly don't know who I am. I am the Crane hermit. And I have come to take revenge on you for my brother."
"Your brother? What the hell i ever do to your brother? I don't even know you!" Videl remained in a defensive position.
"No, its not what you did yourself. Its what was done to him in your defense. He was killed in cold blood, His body torn apart. Tai Pai Pai deserved better."
This hit Videl hard! She knew from what Gohana told her that she had killed them, and she was distraught over it. But ripped apart?
Videl noticed people were no longer pouring into the room. There must have been close to thirty people in here now.
"His job was to train these sorry useless maggots to take you out. And after that little ingrate murdered my brother and those he was training at the time. Well lets just say revenge is best served cold."
Without warning, Crane extended his fingers and shoot a dodonpa straight at Videl. Videl was able to quickly dodge this though thanks to already raising her ki earlier. She tried to quickly signal for Gohana but because she still had to focus, she wasn't able to see Crane am his fist into her stomach, sending her flying across the room.
Videl skidded across the floor before slowing down. She quickly got up into her stance that Gohana had been teaching her.
"My my your ki is remarkable. Honestly I would say its even higher than mine." Crane casually spoke.
"Yeah, then why are you so cocky?" Videl spat back, to focused on keeping track of everyone to have time to try signaling again.
"Why? Well because while you may have an edge on strength," he started before appearing right in front of Videl, grabbing her by the throat and throwing her easily over him. "I have experience! And numbers as well."
Videl caught herself once again in midair, landing easily. She wasnt sure where to even start. She couldn't even keep up with this old geezer who can somehow use ki! And then there were those behind her, twenty nine others.
Taking another look behind her Videl started to recognize some of them. Individually, many of them had given her massive trouble in the past. But now they were all here! Looking over them all, Videls eyes widened when she came upon a few specific ones. The ones in that picture with 'kill Videl" written in blood.
"Oh and dont think you're getting away. We're not the only two that can use ki."
Videls heart sank when she heard this, as three energy beams were suddenly shot at her. Videl barely even had time to dodge them as two people were already at her her. One of them reached out to grab a hold of her, but Videl was able to avoid the grab. But she couldn't avoid the kick that followed from the other direction sending her flying.
"As I'm sure you're aware, but when you can use ki, it has a nice side effect of strengthening the body. From my understanding, you've struggled against almost everyone here in the past."
Videl wasnt even allowed any time to think, let alone focus on who else was there. Sure she had already recognized some of them. Bit how was she supposed to remember them all.
Flipping over the next person wbo was trying to get at her, Videl's survival instinct started to kick in. She knew this wasn't a sparring session, or training. She knew quickly what this set up was, and the fear kicked her adrenaline, and her ki, into overdrive
"You already know their intent on killing you. And my intent on getting my revenge for my brother. But lets see how long you can last. We wont make this quick!" Crane more barked the last part, with a twisted smile on his wrinkly face.
Forming a ki blast, Videl shot it as hard as she should at the neck of someone she just jumped over, landing it dead on as he fell over. Videl could suddenly feel someone coming up behind her. Hoping they couldnt sense ki well enough or fly, Videl launched herself even farther into the air. A ki beam stopped her as it barely missed her and a kick from above sent her flying towards the ground.
"Lets keep this on the ground shall we. These idiots never could learn to fly. But have at it with whatever ki blasts you think will help." Crane hovered above them.
Videl managed to catch herself and used her ki infused speed to quickly get behind the entire group. So they couldn't fly, maybe that meant they couldnt use ki that well either.
"Why are you doing this?" She screamed as she tried to raise her ki as high as she could.
None of them at this point seemed as if they were going to answer her. She knew what the wanted, they wanted her dead. But why? Why go through all this trouble for her?
Crane appeared in front of her again, holding his hand up to stop the others.
"Fine, I guess its obvious you know you're going to die here. At least I should let you in on why. Well part of it is that you have made life very difficult for the crime lords of this city to run things, what with you stopping so many of their grunts. But that only put you even more on their radar. You were technically always in their radar for many many years."
None of this was making sense to Videl. She had only started fighting crime a few years ago! Figuring he was lying, Videl surged her aura around her as she lunged forward, surprising crane a little bit from the sudden burst. He was still able to dodge her blows as several others started attacking. Videls ki and adrenaline was giving her the edge though at the moment as she was able to counter a few of the blows.
A few stray ki blasts were shot at random from others.
'Fuck can everyone here use ki?' Videl was starting to panic.
"It all goes back thirteen years ago. When your father screwed over the people who he owed so much too. They finally hired my brother to finally finish the job."
Videl was barely listening at this point as there were too many things happening at once now. She had no idea how she could keep up with everything but she didn't care. A lucky blow finally landed on her face though as she was sent flying into a large marble pillar. The action seemed to slow down as many of then started making their way towards her.
"And he trained all these men personally for one thing. To kill Videl Satan, to take away his daughter just like they did your mother. The Black Hand clan doeant just forget."
Videl felt like the world was suddenly slowed down as her eyes widened in fear. The reality of her situation came crashing down on her. They were the same group that killed her mother!
"And now, I'm here personally to take revenge for my brother."
Videl was too in shock she didnt see three of them quickly get close to her until it was too late. The three of then all haymakered her across the room. Videl couldn't even catch herself so braced to hit the wall, hard. Quickly getting back up she was able to luckily this time dodge what she thought was a side hook, but she saw that his hand was actually covered in ki like a blade!
Videl managed to dodge every swipe he took as he wasnt particularly fast, but with those Videl guess it would only take a single lucky strike. He went in for an overhead strike, but Videl quickly pushed his arms apart as she grabbed his head and slammed it as hard as she could into her knee. Usually she tried to hold back but right now she was starting to freak out. She needed to get out as fast as she could!
'Gohana! Please help me!' Videl started screaming in her mind as she tried to signal her ki, but she wasn't given even a few moments of breathing room. She couldn't focus long enough to rapidly raise and lower her ki, the signal Gohana had taught her. She could barely get enough time to raise her ki at all to defend herself!
A sudden force hit her from behind, someone had somehow gotten behind her and front kicked her in the upper back, causing her to go flying forward as pain shoot through her body. A larger man was getting ready to attack her as she flew towards him. In a desperate measure, Videl focused her ki into her hand, bit instead of a ball or a beam, Videl quickly tried to on the spot make a blade like she saw.
It barely worked, she couldn't get it to cut very well. But it cut his hand enough that he missed grabbing her, and Videl used this opportunity vault over his arm. Videl wasn't thinking and was going on adrenaline, she channeled her ki into her fist and slammed it as hard as she could. She didn't aim, but her fist hit the side of his head right at the top of the neck, severing his spinal cord as he droped like a sack of bricks. In all her years of fighting this was the first time, accidentally or intentionally, Videl killed someone.
"Shes handling herself better than I expected. Lets make this more interesting."
Crane appeared behind the shaken Videl and slammed his pointer and index figner hard on her rear shoulder, causing a searing pain to shoot through Videls entire arm as it suddenly fell limp. Videl screamed in agony as he right arm was now dangling useless, the pain not subsiding even though she couldn't feel her arm.
Videl through her pain still managed to avoid a kick towards her face. A ki blast from the side though hit her and she went tumbling over from the force of it.
At this point Videl was panting for air and struggling to keep her ki high. She knew if she didn't stop though she was dead. And she wished she didn't know but she knew how some of them tortured theyr victims. Videl would rather not give them the pleasure of that, but she had to just get out at this point. but there were twenty nine of them still, most had not even participated in this fight, someone who had clearly far more mastery over ki than everyone else in the room combined.
'You fucking idiot, you should have told her.' Videls thoughts started going down, her mind slowly shifted to more negative thinking.
No, she had to make it out if there and tell her! Glancing at the door, Videl quickly surged what ki she still had farther than she should and bolted as fast as she could towards the door. She didn't need to sustain this output, only get out of here!
She did manage to break down the door when she ran into it, the pain in her right side being shut out from adrenaline. But before Videl could continue much further, she was slammed hard against the wall, several times, before being flung back into the room. Videl struggled to get back up, but was struck across the face the moment she did, collapsing back to the ground.
One of them picked her up and started repeatedly slamming his fist into her stomach. At this point Videl couldn't even keep her ki raised at all and it dropped, causing Videl to feel the blows even more! Dropping her to the ground, everybody stood and watched as Videl struggled to move and get up.
"See now this is what I was hoping for. None of the quick and painless killing my brother was so fond of. My brother suffered in agony for hours thanks to his robotic enhancments. Sadly I dont think you'll last that long. Assuming the boys here allow you to even die."
He walked over to Videl who was barely able to get up, and he grabbed her by the hair and held her up at his eye level.
"I'll tell you what, maybe if you beg hard enough, I might spare you. At least spare you from death. But to everyone else you will be. And you'll wish you were."
Tai PaiPai loved killing, it was like a past time for him. But Crane loved to torture. If someone pissed him off enough, he wouldn't allow them to die, or get away. Videl could barely speak at this point, but she had more than enough energy to respond.
"Fuck you" she spat back at him as she literally spat her blood and spit on his face.
Crane threw Videl hard across the room in disgust as he ordered someone to get over to him, proceeding to wipe his face with their shirt when they did. He wasnt about to soil his silk garments with his victims blood.
Videl noticed that she was flung near the door. Looking back, she saw everyone seemed more scared of that Crane person. Struggling with all her might, Videl miraculously managed to get to her feet, and started making one final attempt to get away. She had to get out!
A sharp pain shot through her back and legs as she fell to the ground, causing her to become dizzy and disoriented. Someone came over and grabbed her as he just dragged her across the floor. They let go of her leg as he brought her to Crane.
"You're going to pay for that you know." he said as casually as someone says 'go that way' before slamming his first into Videls stomach.
Videl barley registered the pain at this point but coughed up not only her lunch, but a large amount of blood.
"Well they paid my brother, and in turn me, to kill Videl Satan and make her suffer." He said and shot a dodonpa into Videl's left shoulder, having now incapacitated bother her arms and paralized her from the waist down.
"Boys, make sure she suffers more. And make sure her father gets it. As far as Im concerned if he hadnt double crossed your clan all those years ago, then my brother would still be alive." he told them as he headed out without a hint of remorse as his work was done. What happened to the girl now meant nothing to him.
Videl couldn't move her arms, or even feel her legs. She layed on there completely immobile. Only able to scream and make noises. She had never been more terrified in her life, fighting
"Go..hana." Videl weakly called out with labored breath as her face was covered in teats and blood.
"What's that huh? Got something to say?" one of them leaned down and shot a bullet right into Videls abdomen, causing her to scream out in pain, her scream echoing through the building as she was unable to even writh in pain.
Standing back up, he pointed the gun at her face.
"Any last words?"
Videl's vision was already very blurry at this point and was fading. She just stared at the ceiling as she started crying.
"Gohana...I..."
Videl couldn't finish as a gun shot and a scream echoed through the marble room chamber.