Disclaimer. Not my intellectual property. Not making money from this. Just playing in the world

Getting back into writing. So just a short story. There is a 50/50 chance I'll add a second chapter to this. There is also a good chance of a new Blood of the Moon chapter in the next couple months. I can't type full speed or for long periods because I had a finger tendon successfully reattached and it's still healing. Wear cut resistant gloves when doing yard work with blades.

Masquerade

Videl crossed her arms and blew a black ringlet of hair out of her face and adjusted her elaborate mask. She gave an irritated look over at her best friend. Erasa was giggling at the animated tale some man was telling. The guy had been shamelessly flirting with the both of them for the last hour.

The man gave a large grin as he cupped Erasa's hand in his own. "Pardon me for a few, my lady. My tale has left me parched and I must seek refreshment."

Erasa let out another giggle as the man repositioned his grotesque goblin mask and disappeared into the crowd.

Videl rolled her eyes. "Well, he was sure laying it on thick. Who even talks like that anymore?"

Giving her friend a playful slap, Erasa slipped an arm around her best friend's waist. "Well, I think he was charming. You just need to learn how to have fun, 'Del."

Another irritated groan came from the black haired girl. "I'd be having a lot more fun if I wasn't stuck at some stupid masquerade ball in a costume I hate. And half the people here are rich sleazeballs that bought their way in hoping to pick up their next trophy wife."

She heaved a sigh. "At least I have you here to keep me from maiming someone, 'Rase."

Erasa stared at the girl next to her though her feathered mask. "You need to quit being such a downer. Not everyone has bad intentions."

Videl glared at her blonde friend the best she could through her mask. "Come on, 'Rase. Even you have to see that this is really just a high class hookup free-for-all. Sure, the purpose may be to celebrate the Ox Prince's 18th birthday, but it was made pretty clear that his family is hoping he'll find someone to choose as his future bride. All the losers, and there is going to be a lot of them, are just waiting for their shot at one of the other rich guys."

Suddenly Erasa squealed from next to her and squeezed her arm. "'Del look! Isn't that Bulma from Capsule Corporation?! That man with her must be her elusive husband. I'm not sure what type of costume he's wearing, but that tail sure looks real."

Videl gave an amused snort, but followed her friend's line of sight to the blue haired woman who's petite mask did nothing to hide her identity. This was a woman who wanted to be known. Beside her was a short man who's hair swept up and back. A furry brown tail swung lazily behind him, the tip flicking back and forth occasionally. He, too. wore a simple mask.

Videl frowned as she scoured her memory for a name. She recognized the man from some of the other events her father had dragged her to over the years. Suddenly it clicked. "Ah I think his name if Vegeta if I remember right. Dad got violently introduced to him once when he decided to use his 'charms' on Bulma."

Erasa looked over at her with wide eyes. "Do you think all those rumors about him are true? That he's some alien prince bent on world domination? If he is an alien, I wonder what he's like in bed?"

Rubbing her temples, Videl resisted the urge to strangle her friend. "Sometimes 'Rase, your imagination is way too much."

They watched as the couple turned fully in their general direction. Erasa's eyes were shining with glee. "He is kind of cute."

"I know I'm cute. You don't need to make a big deal of it all the time." A male voice flowed from behind the friends. Videl closed her eyes in frustration at the sound.

The two friends looked over to see a smirking Sharpner and a quiet Marker standing behind him.

Erasa stuck her tongue out at the blonde boy. "Why did you have to bring Sharpy? Why couldn't you have asked that cutie, Gohan, to come instead."

Sharpner gave a snort of disbelief. "Like that country bumpkin would know how to act at a classy event like this. Videl obviously wanted me here with her. My suave personality can help distract the hot women from some stuck up prince."

Videl elbowed Sharpner in the gut. "You know I'm really regretting the decision to bring you. I was hoping some of Marker's smarts and intelligence would rub off on you for the evening. Besides Erasa, my Dad only received six tickets. He needed two for him and his date. I've known you three for the longest time."

Placing her hands on her hips she gave them the once over. "So tell me, did either one of you see the Ox Prince? I've been looking but have no idea what he's dressed like."

Marker nodded his head vigorously, nearly dislodging his mask from where it rested over his glasses. "Yes. He's dressed up like those old pictures of the Ox King from our history books. Horned helmet that covers most of his face and all. He really doesn't want anyone to know him."

A lusty squeal erupted from the blonde girl. "Oh! Point me in the right direction. I want to at least get in a dance with him, just to say I did."

Black eyes watched the small group from under a golden helmet. He discreetly lifted his nose to scent the air, confirming the identities of the four. A smirk lit his face as he made his way towards them.

Stopping several steps away, he looked over Videl's costume before speaking in a falsely deep voice. "Perhaps the beautiful lady here will honor me with a dance?"

The group turned as one to find the source of the voice. A tall, sleek figure stood there in the imposing garb of the Ox King of old.

Erasa sucked in her breath, struck speechless for the first time in her life.

Videl's mind was working in overdrive. 'I know that voice! How can that be him?!'

The figure held out his hand to Videl and asked again. "Dance, my lady?"

Any hesitation on Videl's part was short lived as Erasa gave her a shove towards the man. She turned to complain, only to have her wrist grabbed and be lead out onto the dance floor.

Feeling the eyes around her watching, Videl blushed in nervousness. She tried vainly to pull her wrist from her captor's hand. "I don't dance very well. I'm sure there are plenty of other girls you'd be much better off dancing with."

He turned to look at her and gave a small chuckle. "No, I think I'd very much like to dance with you, Miss Videl. Just please don't try and take my helmet off this time."

The dark haired girl gawked at him for a second before slapping him in the arm. Not daring to expose him, she hissed at him in a low voice. "It IS you, Saiyaman. I thought I recognized that fake voice. Why can't you just talk normal for once? No one here will recognize you."

He gave another chuckle. "This voice is just for you. You're right, the only ones who would recognize me actually know me."

Videl blinked, then blinked again. "Does that mean I know you?"

She gestured at his body with her hand. "I mean the real you, not the Saiyaman you."

His mouth drew into a wicked grin as he pulled her close and spun her into a dance. He leaned in just enough to whisper in her ear. "Maybe."

Her glare through her mask was ineffectual. "You're so irritating, do you know that?"

She gasped in surprise and tried to pull away from him as a furry brown tail slid up and flicked her on the chin.

He gave a laugh and did it again before sliding the tail behind her back and pulling her closer.

Videl's eyes were wide when she looked back up at him. "That's a tail! Is it real?"

He gave a nod. "It is. I'm surprised you've never noticed before. I don't think I have it wrapped under the tunic all the time."

A slight shrug lifted his shoulders. "But then the Saiyaman costume and persona are designed to distract and be totally unlike who I really am."

Videl looked thoughtful as she mechanically followed in the dance steps. "So are you really the Ox Prince?"

He gave another shrug and a nod. "Yeah, I am. This dance thing wasn't my idea, though. It was my Mom and Godmother's. They kind of forced it on me hoping that I'd find a girlfriend."

Now it was Videl's turn to laugh. "Really? I wouldn't think with you being a prince that you'd have a hard time getting any girl you wanted."

He shook his head and shuddered. "No thank you. I don't like those type of girls. All they are looking for is fame and wealth. I want someone who likes me for me."

A sad sigh escaped his lips. "Unfortunately, the girl I like doesn't seem to like me at all."

Videl rubbed a comforting hand up and down his muscular bicep. "Hey, I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. Even though you get in my way when I'm working for the police and act like a dork, I don't think you're a bad guy. Tell me who this girl is and maybe I can help you out."

He paused in the dancing and looked down at the girl he held. His tail slipped from her waist to twitch nervously behind him. He looked around for someplace secluded before wrapping her arm around his and quickly leading her off through the crowd.

They slipped outside into the darkening evening, avoiding couples mingling beside the doors. Pulling her along, he finally stopped at a small fountain, secluded from sight of the building by some tall shrubs. He urged her to sit on the stone bench beside the trickling water.

Videl complied and looked up at him questioningly.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steeling himself. Then he looked down at her. "The girl I like is you, Videl."

She gazed at him in confusion, not even noticing he'd dropped the fake voice. "What do you mean, me? Our only interactions are you getting in my way and me yelling at you."

A half-mocking laugh came from him. "Don't forget always saving your life."

She frowned and slapped at his leg. "But I don't know you."

He became very serious and dropped down on both knees before her. "Yes, you do."

Grabbing both of her hands he placed them gently on the sides of his helmet and looked her in the eyes. He dropped his own hands to his sides. "Go ahead. Take it off."

Videl hesitated, watching him. Then slowly she lifted the metal free. She let out a gasp and droped the helmet as her hands went to her mouth. "Gohan."

He caught it before it hit and set it gently on the ground, never once taking his eyes off her.

Reaching out, Videl slapped him in the face. "You lied to me! I asked you if you were Saiyaman and you said no!"

Gohan grabbed the hand she had just hit him with and began to massage the palm and fingers. "You shouldn't hit me. That's a good way to hurt yourself."

She tried to pull her hand away but failed. Ripping her mask from her face she glared at him. She hiss in pain as he rubbed up a finger. "Damn you're like hitting a brick wall. What are you some kind of alien?"

Gohan laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "Ummm..."

She stopped him with her free hand. She looked behind him speculatively. "You know they say that Bulma's husband is one of those aliens that attacked East Capital City about thirteen years ago. It's kind of funny. He has a furry brown tail and so do you."

Dropping her hand, Gohan picked up his helmet and hurriedly got to his feet. "Um, I think I need to get going."

Videl stood up and grabbed the front of his shirt with both hands. "Oh no you don't. I'm not done with you yet."

He gave her a look full pain and started to gently remove her hands. "No, I need to go. I thought there was some hope that you might have liked me, but I can see I was wrong. Detective Videl just doesn't want anyone to have secrets."

She loosened her hands in shock. "But..."

"Enough." His voice was hoarse with feeling. Freeing himself he turned and started to walk away.

Videl stared after him, a mental war going on in her head. 'Stupid, stupid. He lays his heart out to me and I go full interrogation instead of listening. He's the only boy who hasn't been interested at all in who my dad is.'

She groaned internally. 'I just let the sweet and smart guy, that I might kind-of sort-of like ,walk away. This was probably my only chance and now I'll probably never see him again.'

Looking up in a panic, she saw Gohan slipping his helmet back on his head and walking towards the doors.

Rushing after him, Videl wrapped her arms around him from behind. He stopped and half twisted to see her.

Videl gave him a glazed look. "I'm sorry. Please don't go. I really didn't mean it like that. It's just you are different and interesting. No one else has ever drawn my attention like you."

She blushed and turned her face away from him. "I might like you as well. You're the only guy who has treated me like a normal person and not an extension of my Dad."

Gohan pulled her arms from his body and turned around.

Dropping her head and shoulders in defeat, Videl took a step back.

Stepping into the gap, Gohan carefully and gently cupped her chin and lifted her face to him. "I really do like you. I'd really like it if we could try dating. Then maybe over time I'll feel comfortable enough to let you in on all the little secrets in my life."

Videl smiled up at him. "I think I'd like that."

Gohan pulled her into an embrace, letting her wrap her arms around him. They stood there like that for a while, finding comfort in each other.

A gruff voice broke them out of their reverie. "Brat! You're mother is looking for you. Get in here before her and my wife go full banshee looking for you."

Gohan broke away from Videl with a start. "Vegeta! You startled me!"

The Saiyan looked between him and the girl in his arms. "I see you've been busy. Maybe now they will stop harping about you finding a woman."

Vegeta looked Videl up and down, then narrowed his eyes. "Isn't she that afroed baboon's daughter?"

Videl stiffened in outrage and pointed a finger at the short man. "Hey! Dad isn't that bad."

A smirk spread on the Saiyan's face and then he began to laugh. He stepped up and gave Gohan a slap on the back causing the teen to stumble forward. "How ironic. He stole your greatest victory and you steal his daughter. I want to be there when he finds out who you are."

The helmet did nothing to hide the grimace that Gohan wore. "I'm hoping to put that off."

Pulling himself together, Vegeta crossed his arms. "Go take your woman to see your mother. I can hear her starting to yell."

The Saiyan turned and walked back into the building.

Gohan took Videl's hand and reluctantly followed.