Hello readers and welcome to the first update to this story in ages. I honestly wish I didn't even start it until I finished my other story seeing as leaving it on hold is a really bitter feeling. But I honestly have so much stuff to do that I can't justify spending even more hours in writing chapters for these stories even though it is a bit enjoyable. Though at times it does feel like just more work added onto my life…but enough of my whining we are back in action for this. And if you are wondering why I picked this it was 1. To take a break from writing naruto stuff 2. It will finish WAY faster than my other incomplete story.
Chapter 8
=Videl; her assigned room=
*sigh* "Why did I feel the need to run away after he started talking to me?" Videl asks herself sitting down on her bed. She knew that the party was still going on but she just couldn't find the desire to go back into it. Thankfully she at least ate enough of the food provided to not go hungry but still it was quite early to call it a night. So, she just sat on the bed too lost in her own thoughts to want to do anything else.
"I just panicked when I saw the clear signs of pity or sadness forming on his face….but I have no idea why. I mean I just couldn't stand the thought of him trying to comfort me. And as much as I hate to admit it even telling him the truth felt painful for some reason. But I have no idea why? I mean I know he has a girlfriend…two so there is no way that I feel sad cutting off my chance to be with him right? Wait why do I even care if I had a chance in the first place? Ugh my brain has just been so messed up ever since Mel's brother showed up. I just don't know what to think anymore…though I guess it doesn't matter. Instead I should be trying to think of how to deal with a loveless relationship that I am bound to be in within just a few short days." Videl thought.
After a while she was broke from her thoughts by a light tapping on her room's door.
"Videl are you in there?" Erasa's telltale voice was heard.
"Yea I am come on in." Videl quickly told her best friend. She then watches as Erasa walks into the room clearly concerned with Destiny following right after.
"Mel told us that you left the party early so we went looking for you after you didn't come back." Erasa explained as her and Destiny sat on either side of Videl. "We asked if Mel would come help us find you figuring you got lost or something but she didn't want to and said that you probably were back in your room."
"Ya, I have no idea what is going on with Mel either. I mean usually she would be more than willing to help anyone let alone her friends but this time she almost seemed to want to steer clear from you. But whatever at least following her guess we got to find you before we spent the rest of the evening looking around this big place." Destiny adds.
"Well thanks girls but I am fine really. I just have a lot on my mind tonight." Videl told them making them both look at her with worry.
"Is it anything we can help you with? I mean we are all ears gal." Erasa tells Videl with Destiny nodding in agreement.
"Heh, thanks girls but not this time." Videl tells them with a small smile at them. "Just the fact that I am forced to fight for a marriage I don't even want in what feels like only a few hours is weighing on me." Videl tells.
"What!?" Destiny calls out eyes wide making Videl look over at Erasa.
"You didn't tell her?" Videl asked surprised.
"You seemed so out of whack when you told me that I figured that if you wanted people to know you would tell them yourself…I can keep secrets when I try you know." Erasa states faking being offended seeing as she embraced the fact that she was one of the major sources of information about the students of the school.
"If you don't even want to be married to the prince why the hell are you fighting for it then?" Destiny asks clearly confused. So, Videl gives her the same information.
"Oh that man! Just because you are the strongest person alive doesn't mean you can just treat your daughter like some pawn…we should go talk to him and get him to let you forfeit." Destiny complained making Videl laugh bitterly.
"I appreciate the thought Destiny I really do but this is my dad you are talking about. After the popularity got into his head fully he has been going after anything that could give him just a bit more power. And in this case what he wants is a kingdom to go with his king title" Videl tells her.
"B-but he won't even get to be king of this place the prince would still be next in line after the Ox king.
*shrug* "Apparently that doesn't matter. After all I would be the queen and have quite a bit of sway else, he could just through a fit on tv anyways." Videl told her.
"Beh, honestly that man. If he wasn't the world's strongest, I would slap some sense into his head." Destiny told her then gave her a hug. "Don't worry if the prince ends up being some gross guy, we will help you run away and start a new life where you can do what you want." She adds.
"Heh, you know it gal. If this guy thinks he can just use Videl as he wants, he has another thing coming with us around." Erasa states holding a fist up confidentially making Videl laugh a bit more.
"Thanks girls you always know how to make me feel better." Videl honestly tells them feeling a bit better. "Now if you don't mind I think I am going to try to go to bed early….like it or not I have al lot to do tomorrow." Videl tells them laying down.
"…ok but if you think of anything we can do to help you just let us know. ok?" Erasa tells her before leaving with Destiny.
"Those two truly are people I was lucky to befriend." Videl muttered to herself with a small smile. She then laid down with questions without answers still swimming through her head.
~+~)_(~+~
Videl was sitting bored listening to the tour of the castle. *sigh* "I guess I gotta know this because I will be stuck here for the rest of my life after I win this tournament." Videl mumbles as the rest of the class seemed to ignore her.
"Wait what?" Gohan asked walking out of the group that begins to walk away without them even knowing they lost the two of them. "Why would you be stuck in this place?" Gohan asked clearly concerned.
"Well as much as I hate it my dad is making me win this tournament so I am going to have to get married to the prince. Whoever he may be." Videl told him watching as Gohan got went through a range of emotions from surprise to horror.
"You can't do that!" Gohan told her making her stare at him. "I-I mean he can't do that to you." Gohan told her rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
"Are you ok Gohan? You are acting a bit weird." Videl asks putting a caring hand on his chest making the man blush. 'He it is far too easy to tease Gohan. If only you didn't look so cute like this." Videl thought with a smirk. "Do you have something to tell me?" She asked enjoying watching him stutter and blush like usual. But this time he actually managed to shake himself out of it somehow.
"Actually, there is Videl." Gohan tells her.
"Oh?" Videl asks then gets surprised as Gohan grabs her hands.
"V-videl I have been meaning to tell you for ages I-I have a crush on you for ages. I can't let you go to some prince without a fight!" Gohan tells her seriously making her blush.
"I-I am flattered Gohan-kun but what about Bri and Lime?" Videl asked knowing he was dating both girls.
"They don't mean anything to me! I just wanted to make you jealous. But you never noticed! So, please just give us a chance." Gohan begged her.
"B-but I have to fight in the tournament" Videl tells him only to be stopped.
"You already said you don't want to. Why don't we just escape. Just the two of us..please." Gohan told her staring directly into her eyes making her blush as she found herself lost in his eyes.
"A-all right we can try." Videl tells him with a blush. They then quickly grab a few basic supplies and run from the castle. Something that was quickly noticed and the Ox king sent out loads of his men to try and bring them bac. Course with Gohan cheering her on Videl was able to easily take care of any number of the men.
After a long journey with Videl protecting them the whole way they managed to reach a small town where no one knew who they were. But thanks to her skills in martial arts, she was easily allowed to enter the police force and Gohan was able to find a job occasionally teaching and mentoring with his advanced knowledge of everything.
"Oh Videl this life might be different than what either one of us expected but at least we are happy together." Gohan tells her with a warm hug.
"You go that right. But honestly, I don't think I could be any happier. I am matched with my dream guy and got a job that I have been wanting to do for ages. Now come on where is my welcome home gift?" Videl asks as their heads get closer and clearly prepare to kiss.
~+~)_(~+~
"Whoa!" Videl called out as she woke up in her given room as she woke up. "It was a dream. It was all a dream." She murmured surprised by herself.
"I just had a romantic dream. Me Videl Satan not only had a romantic dream about a classmate; but also about putting him ahead of my pride and running away from a problem." Videl thought as she laid in her bed. She then spent some time sorting out her feelings about this dream before coming to her own conclusions.
*sigh*"Ok Erasa MIGHT have been right just this once. As much as I hate to admit it…leaving all this behind with Gohan sounds pretty tempting. I must have some sort of crush on the loveable goofball. But sadly that was just a dream. There is no way that I can take the time to figure out my first crush further seeing as there is no way that dream will really happen. While I could probably flee it would only mean that Videl Satan has run away and that is something that can NOT happen…besides he has two girlfriends. There is no way any guy is gonna give up two beautiful girls for me. I just have to face reality." Videl thought sadly. For in all honesty, she found herself rather happy with the thought of figuring out her crush on her black-haired friend. And while she knew it would never happen, she surprised herself by feeling some longing for the similar relationship she had in the dream settling into her brain.
(AN: that dream was meant to be weirder/rough seeing Videl has never had her head 'filled with flowers' so they say. So, when it comes to a romantic dream her dream is gonna be quite strange and not anything like some romance movie. Also she is struggling with the new emotion she found herself having.)
*sigh* "I guess I have to just admit it…I do have at least a small crush on Gohan…I hate that Erasa is right though…not that it matters." Videl mutters sitting up. "Even if I am the daughter of the world's hero; I still am just one plain girl who has already caused some issues in our relationship. Not to mention this tournament thing and the fact that he managed to get two beautiful women already." Videl added but pushed it out of her mind as best as she could. She then gets ready for the day knowing that she had a busy day.
With that in mind she quickly got ready for the morning and joined her class.
~Dining hall~
"Hey Videl good morning." Destiny called out happily.
"Morning." Videl muttered to her friend not nearly as happy as the girl.
"Come on Videl I know you aren't happy about the tournament but you can at least try to not have it ruin the rest of your day." Erasa whispered into Videl's ear who just sighed and muttered fine.
They all then enjoyed their meal with some basic chatting before finally finding themselves huddled up with the rest of the class.
"Students please come here. Today we will go over the basics of the Ox kingdom and our governing body." A guide calls out into the dinning hall. The class then begrudgingly follow his lead making him chuckle a bit. "Now now, I know just like everyone one of us you kids just want to see the tournament that is starting soon but we have to get through the actual work your school requires before we can play around. But don't worry our lord was kind enough to block off an entire area for the class to use so those that wish to watch don't have to worry about missing it." The man tells the class who begins to mutter excitedly. "Kids these days. Oh so excited by anything to do with martial arts." The tour guide muttered quietly with an amused smile. Afterall whoever was chosen as the princess doesn't really matter to any of the kids. Still, he wasn't gonna complain about an easy carrot to dangle in front of the class to get them to make his job easier. Even he couldn't manage to completely remove the dryness of the topic.
With that being said the group slowly goes through the tour with only a few really paying attention. Something that the tour guide chose to ignore rather than waste his time trying to hopelessly all of them focused.
"So, have you told Videl yet?" Bri asks walking a bit behind the rest of the class with Gohan and Lime.
"Not yet. There has either not been time or not been the opportunity…I will just have to tell her right before the tournament I guess." Gohan told her.
"…honestly, I don't even know how she is gonna take the news of all of our weirdness but I mean she has to win. The rest of the options were even farther from a proper match with our group." Lime adds worried. For not only would Videl have to deal with their harem relationship but also with the fact that her dad is a dirty liar and finally the fact that her future husband is part alien.
"Well I have honestly not seen any of the other fighters that the kingdoms have sent yet but she has always been one of the strongest humans…well if you use normal measurements. But even if it isn't Videl it could just be a loveless marriage like most royals have. I mean I doubt many of these kingdoms are here because their princess just 'must' be with me for love." Gohan told them.
"I would honestly want to avoid having to deal with that problem and from what I can tell Videl seems to be at least a bit interested in you. Course I guess if we wanted we could use the dragon balls but honestly I don't know of a way to wish this away without causing some other problem or just having this situation come back to us" Bri told them.
(AN: honestly always forget about the wishes in the show and the show really does as well. But lightly thinking about it I don't know what kind of wish would not cause some sort of other problem or just solve the problem for a time in this case but it'd be a chapter itself if I thought of a couple of them)
"Ya…wait Videl is interested in me? Are you crazy? She thought I was just a weird fan just a few days ago and acted all crazy." Gohan told them.
"Yes but she just doesn't know what to do with herself. Even though she acts all tough she still is a woman that doesn't know how to deal with real feelings after spending years dealing with fake confessions and relationships. Hell beside our small group I don't think I really know of many people that truly didn't want something besides friendship when they got close to her. Spending your life growing up with people like that is bound to make you keep on the defensive side of things." Lime explained.
"Is that true?" Gohan asked looking to Bri who sadly nodded her head. "Poor girl. I guess I might have to keep an open mind when it comes to her in the future." Gohan mutters noting to give her at least some time to acclimate to things if they ended up having to be together.
"Heh so you haven't already been doing more than that?" Lime asks with a knowing smile.
"What do you mean?" Gohan asked confused.
"You can't tell me you haven't noticed that you have been getting closer to her even if by just a little bit. I mean instead of taking the easy way out and fighting with any one of the group you let yourself be pushed into a fight with her. And don't even get me started about carrying her to her room after the gravity room." Lime stated with her hands on her hips. "You may not even be thinking about it but somewhere in that big heart of yours you have created a place for her."
"…I'm sorry." Gohan muttered for while he was unsure if what she was saying was true, he couldn't refute things he did in the past. He would have to think about how he actually felt about the girl when he had more time.
"There is no reason for you to be sorry. After all we were the one's to tell you that you needed a harem to begin with. Besides you'd end up with her even if you didn't like her if this tournament goes the way we think it will" Lime tells him honestly. With how much love Gohan has for everyone he considers even slightly close to him it didn't surprise her at all that his feelings got spread to more than one person. She swore that if Goku was smarter about things like relationships he would probably be the same from the stories she's heard about him.
(An: yes this is my flimsy excuse; that the main character cant help but help people and gain their love. It is very overused but yet quite literally works for what Gohan's character is built up to be like…before they decided to nerf him and go back to Goku)
"Ya, as long as you don't go too crazy we already accepted the fact that we will have a couple more girls join us…but if you dare to forget us for another then I will make sure you pay for it…got it." Bri told him adding quite a bit of KI to the last part making Gohan quickly nod his head.
"I-I should tell Videl the truth before she finds out in this tournament" Gohan quickly decides and goes to try and find her making the other two girls look at each other.
"Well just like we said I am not surprised that Videl has caught his eye." Lime stated with a shrug.
"Yes I just hope she can get your head out of the thoughts her dad is pushing into everyone's head to see the real truth….if not then we might just have to go back to plan dragon ball. Screw 'saving the balls for if we really need them' if we get stuck with a girl that can't learn properly." Bri growls out.
"Yes, yes just calm down I am sure it will be fine. I mean granted I wasn't as brainwashed against energy but even I took a while to get around to fully accepting it." Lime states.
"I guess we will have to see. But for now, I think I should at least tell her that I am the prince." Gohan decided. With that being said they caught up with the rest of the class who was hardly paying enough attention to even notice. But after what seemed like hours to the students, they finally found themselves standing by the arena. In other areas the spectator booths were already pretty filled up but there was a decently large area that was empty around the students.
"And here we go you have 'listened' enough today. So as promised this will be your area for watching the competition. Now you are more than welcome to leave and enjoy the other amenities that we have provided you. It is your choice to watch or not after all; but with that being said I will leave you for today." The guide told the class and walked away while the rest of the class sat in their seats muttering excitedly.
*sigh* "Well I guess I better go get ready." Videl mutters.
"I hope you enjoy your matches Videl. And hopefully you will find someone that can match you." Erasa tells her trying to be supportive.
"Thanks" Videl mutters and begins to walk away.
But after she got some ways away from the class Gohan made his move and ran fast enough normal people couldn't see him to catch up to her. Then after he got pretty close to her, he slowed down and did a fake run towards her.
"Hey Videl!" Gohan called out making her stop and look at him.
"…hey Gohan." Videl muttered with her dream still fresh on her mind.
"Videl before you go I have to tell you something you. You see-" Gohan started but was stopped by Videl.
"Gohan, I am sorry but my mind is such a mess of questions right now. Uh. I mean I need to focus on the tournament I don't have time to talk to you…it makes feel strange having to leave you." Videl states muttering the last bit under her breath.
"What is going on with my head right now. First that dream and now my heart hurts thinking about the tournament while seeing Gohan…I just need time to sort out my feelings…if only I was allowed to have them." Videl thought with a frown. Afterall she still perfectly remembered the fact that her dad would fight in this tournament if she made any attempt not to get herself hitched to some unknown prince. At least there was a small chance that she lost rather than watching her dad destroy everyone.
"I know you nee to get to the tournament but that is what I need to talk to you about. You see the prince-" Gohan tells her only to stop as she got up on her tip toes and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips shocking him.
"Thanks for trying to talk me out of this Gohan but I don't have a choice. Right now honestly my thoughts about your are a mess even though I know all about Bri and Lime…I just wanted to at least experience something real before being stuck in a marriage." Videl told him honestly with a decent blush on her cheeks. She then ran towards the tournament area leaving a surprised Gohan standing there.
*sigh* "Well I failed to let her know that I am the prince but at least I now know she has to feel something for me I guess…now I just hope that we can let her figure things out without going too crazy on us." Gohan thought accepting his failure and returning the class seats. When he finally got there he sat by the rest of his friends who waved him over as soon as they saw him. He then felt a vibration and took out his phone to notice a text.
_Bri: Did you tell her?
_Lime: So how did it go?
Seeing this Gohan stifled a sigh and began typing his reply.
_Gohan: Not good I tried to tell her the truth but she just stopped me both times…
_Gohan: But she DID end up kissing me before she ran off just out of the blue.
_Lime: Heh, I knew she liked you.
_Bri: Yes you did…but I guess she will now just have the surprise of her life coming up after this tournament
_Gohan: You mean IF she wins this tournament
_ Bri: …feel the energy of all those fighters. Even if they are the 'elite' of each kingdom they don't stand a chance against a girl who is close to forcing her own Ki breakthrough.
_Gohan: Yea that is true…but things can happen still. I just want everyone to have decent matches
_Lime: Leave it to Gohan to think more about fighting even in this situation lol
_Gohan: Well sorry for hoping for an actually interesting tournament
_Bri: Don't worry Gohan she's just messing with you. But you ARE crazy if you expect this to be interesting at all to us.
_Gohan: Oh whatever, just cheer for Videl and not worry about it…but we do need to think about how to deal with the situation after this. Its gonna be a nightmare explaining to Videl or whoever wins.
And as they were texting the first match of the preliminaries was close to starting bringing people's focus to those on the stadium. In the center of the stadium a man in a suit stood in between two muscular men.
"Welcome one and all to the Ox kingdoms first ever tournament. As all of you are well aware the contestants today are each the champions of their respective kingdoms. And each of these fine fighters is fighting for the fine honor of having the Ox King's mysterious grandson marry their princess to be queen of this kingdom. Now I am sure all of you are just as excited as I am to see these top tier fighters duke it out for glory. But as always there are rules to follow. First there is no hits to the privates allowed under any circumstance but all other attacks are allowed. Two there will be no killing in this ring if someone is to suffer from an unfortunate accident the Ox kingdom is not liable for the damage and that must be discussed between the two kingdoms that the problem started with. BUT the killer will be kicked out of this tournament. Three we ask that you refrain from permanent maiming of your opponents but if it happens follow rule two. Four the judges' words are final; if you want to complain that is perfectly fine but it won't help your case after they have decided. Five there is to be NO fighting outside of the arena. If found to have happened then the instigator will be disqualified;…and just to make this clear you can instigate a fight even WITHOUT throwing the first punch. Lastly these matches last until one of three things happen. Either you are knocked out for ten seconds, you are knocked out of the area, the judges determine you lose for some reason. Now I hope that we all get to enjoy watch the various fighting methods all of you have brought to the table. Feel free to use any and all unique fighting abilities you have. But I have talked far too much. Let's get this first fight between the Coral and Shade kingdoms fighters started!" the man explained causing cheers to come out from the crowd as he fled from the arena. Soon after he was out of danger there was the sound of a gong and the fight officially started.
One of the fighters quickly got down into his stance with his fists ready to attack while the other man quickly pulled a sword out.
"Oy I thought this was a fighting tournament what are you doing bastard?" the first man asked angrily.
"Hahaha maybe you didn't realize it but the Ox kingdom respects ALL fighting styles. My style just happens to include my sword. Afterall it is hard to be a swordsman without it." The other man stated with a smirk.
"Bull shit weapons can't be allowed in this tournament, right?" the first man asks looking over at the judges. The three judges then looked at each other for just a moment before the one in the middle stood up.
"As we have stated multiple times this is not a tournament based only on martial arts. We wish to see who has brought the best warrior; the means they fight with isn't important to us. They just need to make sure they follow the rules." The judge told the men then sat back down.
"Heh hear that? Guess you are screwed seeing as I got the advantage here." The second man stated fully happy to have his weapon.
"Tsk whatever" the first man grumbled.
The two men then restarted their match and charge at each other. After which the fight didn't last too long as the martial artist easily weaved through the sword swings and landed a heavy blow to the chest of his opponent as soon as his swing left him open.
*cough* *cough* "You bastard how dare you cheap shot me." The second man growled out through his gasps.
"That was far from a cheap shot. Don't judge my ability poorly just because you thought that bringing a weapon in on a technicality would get you the win." The first man stated calmly then ended the match with a heel kick straight down on his suffering opponent's head.
"Winner Coral Kingdom!" the man in a suit called out over all the cheers as the man gave a quick bow and walked off the stage. His opponent was then quickly picked up by medical staff in a gurney while one of them collected the lose sword.
(AN: yes they could technically bring guns into these matches but rather than make most of the fighters have some way to beat a gun user without trouble I would rather just ignore the fact that I created this hole. I mean how boring would it be to have someone with a shot gun or worse win all the way up basically.)
And that is where I am gonna end this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed this seeing as it has been SOOOO long since I worked on this. Honestly I enjoy this story and where I want it to go…though I am pretty tired of writing harem stuff. BUT I can't help that it is part of this story…and honestly would have to scrap a good portion of the story if I wished to fix it now. Anyways for now I will say Ja Ne.