Author's Note: This story doesn't directly fit the continuity of the tv series though if it did, it would place somewhere before the Buu saga and even tournament.

Disclaimer: None of the characters or DBZ are mine. If you're a DBZ fan, you'll know who's they are. (if not, see the disclaimer on the mainpage of this website).

The Trouble with School

 

It was the beginning of a beautiful day at the Son Family residence. Gohan had already departed for school and ChiChi now focused on the laundry while little Goten was preoccupied with his morning tv shows. A chilled breeze blowing off the mountains cooled the rapidly warming air. While hanging the laundry, ChiChi sighed, relishing in the sunny day and the peacefulness it offered her.

 

"If only Goku was here. No, best not think of that. If Goku was here, I would not have such a peaceful lull." Her thoughts, however, were shattered by a low thrum of helicopter blades. The thrum became a louder thromp, thromp as it approached the village in the valley below. The mail had arrived for the residents of the Mt. Paozu region.

 

ChiChi peeled open a nearby window.

"Goten! Go meet the mailman for mom, okay?"

 

From inside the house, she heard his muffled response.

"'kay mom!"

Shortly after, she saw Goku's magical cloud with little Goten aboard dash off towards the village.

And moments later, he returned.

 

"Hey mom, looky look. It's a letter from brother's school!"

 

*Hmmm...I wonder what that could be? Maybe another award letter?* ChiChi quickly grabbed the letter from her son and opened it.

 

Dear Mrs. Son,

 

I request an appointment with you to discuss your son's excessive tardiness, cutting of classes, and excessive bathroom useage. Should this problem ocntinue, we will be forced to place him in detention, suspend him, or fail him at the end of the year. Please call me at your earliest convenience.

 

It was signed by the principal of Orange Star High.

 

For a long moment ChiChi remained motionless. Goten became worried.

 

"Mom, what's wrong?" Goten asked while nudging on her dress. It snapped her out of her stupor.

 

"Uhhh, nothing's wrong Goten...at least not yet anyway."

 

"Is brother in trouble?"

 

*How perceptive* ChiChi thought.

 

"I'm not sure. That's what I'm going to find out. Call Trunks. Let him know you're going to visit him today. I'm going to Satan City to deal with this before Gohan can make any excuses."

 

" 'kay mom." Goten replied as he ran into the kitchen to call Trunks.

 

ChiChi quickly changed her clothes and prepared the jet flyer. Goten met her outside.

 

"Goten, lock the door."

 

"Ooops. Sorry mom." he sheepishly replied while turning back to firmly lock the door before leaping into the plane.

 

 

At Bulma's, ChiChi showed her the letter.

 

"Hmm...sounds like Gohan's having trouble balancing his hobby with school."

 

"What do you mean Bulma?"

 

"Great Saiyaman, that's what. Crime doesn't revolve around the hours of school. I bet he's darting off whenever something happens regardless if he's in school or not."

 

"But how would he know?"

 

"ChiChi, you really must try to keep up with the times and your son's friends. Videl is connected to the police by her wrist communicator."

 

"Oh, that's right! Well, I'll head off to the school and find out exactly what's going on then confront Gohan when he gets home. I'll see if their stories compare."

 

"But ChiChi, odds are the school doesn't know that he's the Great Saiyaman."

 

"Oh yeah. Forgot about that."

 

"You really are Goku's wife aren't you?"

 

"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?"

 

"Uhhh, nothing. Would you like me to drive you there? I don't think they'll let you park the jetflyer in the lot."

 

"But what about the boys?"

 

"Trunks' grandparents are here."

 

"I suppose I could use the company. Okay. Let's go."

 

 

The little chat with Orange Star High's principal went along fairly smoothly. ChiChi learned of many instances of Gohan's behavior and she assured the principal that she'd handle the matter. With a quick glimpse of the time, she decided she'd better race home if she was going to beat Gohan as well as make things look like she never left. En route back to Bulma's they passed an adboard. On it was Satan City's newest hero, the Great Saiyaman.

 

"He's popular with all his good deeds." Bulma responded.

 

"Maybe, but I'm not going to let it consume his destiny to become a scholar."

 

Bulma just sighed. Poor Gohan never had and never will have a chance to choose his own path. ChiChi had him wrapped tightly in her grasp. With the introduction to Videl, even his future wife had been chosen for him.

 

Several hours later...

 

Gohan returned home after his day at school not even knowing his mother had been in the same building earlier. He was greeted by his ever-cheerful little brother.

 

"Hi brother! Looky look! Trunks gave me this today!"

 

"Pretty cool, Goten." Gohan replied as he looked over the little jet plane that had moving parts and flashing lights.

 

"It makes noise too!" Goten said as he pressed a couple of buttons. A loud whoosh filled the room.

 

"GOTEN, WHAT'D I SAY ABOUT NOISE!" ChiChi yelled from her position over the stove.

 

"Sorry mom."Goten sheepishly replied as he turned the toy off. He then signalled Gohan to come closer to him.

 

Gohan kneeled down and Goten whispered into his ear.

"Mom's in a bad mood. She got a letter from your school today and I don't think it was good."

 

"EEEeeehh???"

 

"SSSssshhh! You're not supposed to know!"

 

"Oh,uh, okay. Thanks brother. You're the best!" Gohan replied as he stood up, took a deep breath, and prepared to greet his mother.

 

As he entered the kitchen, ChiChi abruptly turned to greet her oldest son.

 

Feeling battle energy around her, Gohan nervously raked a hand through his hair.

 

"Uhhhh, hi mom."

 

Her response was a burning stare.

 

"Is something wrong?" He asked, sensing her ki escalating.

 

She gruffed then angrily handed the letter to him and waited for him to finish reading it.

 

Gohan gulped and could feel his stomach churning.

*How should I explain? She might not approve of me being the Great Saiyaman interferring with school. Hmmm...I'd rather battle a hundred Cell's and Androids than my mom! Videl's so lucky...hey wait! That's it!* Gohan thought.

 

"Well mom, Videl often has to leave school to assist the police. I don't want to see her harmed so I follow hero-like. It's just she has special permission to leave classes and I don't since my identitiy's supposed to be a secret."

 

"And what about the excessive bathroom useage young man? Do I need to have you checked by a doctor?"

 

Gohan blushed. "Uh, no mom. Everything's fine. I just, uh, well, use that as an excuse to leave."

 

"For a boy with intelligence, you're as naive as your father sometimes."

 

"Eh?!"

 

"Don't think that I've forgotten past incidences. Remember you often used that excuse to try to go off with your dad, his friends, or that damn purple dragon when you were a little boy."

 

"So why'd you ask me abou--"

 

"DON'T BACKTALK TO ME YOUNG MAN!"

 

"Sorry mother."

 

"Now, what are we going to do about this?"

 

"Is that a trick question?"

 

"Don't get smart with me!"

 

"But, uhhh..." Gohan muttered exasperated and utterly confused.

 

ChiChi continued.

"No suggestions? Fine. I'll use mine then. You're grounded for two weeks. You will go to and come home straight from school. While at school there will be no instances of skipping out of class or arriving late. If you must use the bathroom you will hold it until your break, lunch, or after school. Do you understand me young man?"

 

"But what about the city?"

 

"Great Saiyaman is on vacation. The city's had to deal with crime before his arrival. They can do it again."

 

"BUT VIDEL!!!" Gohan yelled in a shaky, panicky voice totally unaware that his feelings for his classmate were just exposed.

 

ChiChi, as astute as ever, caught on to this.

"AAhhh! So you do LOVE her!" she yelled victoriously with a sudden change from anger to glee.

 

"Huh? Wha-w-wait, uh..." Gohan stuttered.

 

"But, I know Videl can take care of herself. She's tough and skilled. She also was champion of justice before you arrived on the scene as well." ChiChi replied calmly.

 

Gohan moaned in defeat. His head and shoulders emphasized the effect as they hung low.

"But--"

 

"This discussion is over Gohan. Now go to your room and do your homework. I'll yell when dinner's ready."

 

"Y-yes mom." Gohan moaned as he trudged off.

 

When he entered the livingroom, Goten looked at him with sympathy. He didn't understand what just occurred, but he hated seeing his brother, his idol, sad.

 

"B-brother?"

 

Gohan didn't reply. In complete silence he passed him by, leaving Goten stupified. Seconds later, Goten heard their bedroom door slam shut. Now angry, Goten stormed into the kitchen.

"MOM, WHAT'D YOU DO TO BROTHER!?"

 

"Not you too! Do NOT raise your voice to me Goten, EVER!" she yelled and gave him a fuming glare.

 

Frightened, the little saiyajin backed down, sniffled back the cry forming within him and returned to his toys in the other room safely out of harm's way. He'd never felt so alone. His brother was ignoring him and his mom didn't seem in a sociable mood. His feelings terribly hurt, he launched himself onto the sofa, buried his face in the cushions, and cried.

 

Dinner was eaten in compete silence. When Gohan was finished, he didn't even ask for seconds. He just got up and returned to his room to study.

 

The next day, Gohan explained to Videl what had happened. For some reason he felt comfortable opening up to her (though he still harbored some secrets). At first Videl felt an internal panic with the Great Saiyaman suddenly out of action, but she remained cool and composed outwardly.

 

"I'm gonna miss seeing you in that sexy outfit even if it is only for a couple of weeks."

 

Gohan's face blushed bright red. "Bu--but Videl. I thought you said that costume was ugly."

 

"No, I never said that about it. I just said some of your poses were ugly. I only called your costume bright."

 

Gohan laughed despite himself.

 

"Well, since you're grounded you can work on some new moves eh? Why not just try some martial arts motions. They always look cool."

 

"Oh."

 

"Well, cheer up, it's not that bad."

 

"Yeah, I guess so."

 

Videl then grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him down so she could whisper in his ear.

"Perhaps it's time the Great Saiyaman had a partner?"

 

Gohan abruptly yanked upward, out of her grasp. "HUH?!"

 

"Think about it Gohan. " Videl purred while tapping him on the shoulder and heading off to class.

 

"Eh?" was all Gohan could say as he watched her depart.

 

All day Gohan wondered what she meant by that. He glanced over at her from time to time during classes, but she only grinned and winked. Once classes were out for the day, Gohan met her at her locker.

"What did you mean by that?"

 

"You're still pondering that aren't you?" she teased.

 

Gohan nodded honestly.

 

She glared at him for a moment, her ocean blue eyes looking over every inch of him and making him squirm in discomfort. She loved doing this to him. He looked so cute when on the burner! She was quickly mastering this young man's buttons and the reactions she'd get when she pushed certain ones.

 

"The Great Saiyaman doesn't have to disappear at all. " she said in a seductive whisper.

 

Being Goku's son, Gohan still didn't understand. But, Videl knew this and tried a more obvious approach. She just loved seeing the naivety and innocence show in his confusion. It was adorable!

 

"Gohan, let Bulma make me a costume." she purred.

 

"But Videl?!"

 

"But what? Give me one good reason why not? Remember, I've been fighting injustice in this city longer than you have and I was doing so without any special powers."

 

Gohan remained silent. Videl had taken the only reason he had on against it. Or did she? He returned her stare, his ki searching her soul. She suddenly realized that he had understood all along. Before she could react, he spoke, softly, but emotionally.

"I don't want to see you get hurt because of me. I love you too much."

 

She didn't recover fast enough. Gohan had already lept into the air and was just a speck in the sky. Now Videl was left in the state of confusion.

 

Later that evening, crime stirred once again. Videl rushed into action. There was a hijacking attemp occurring at the Satan City Airport. Videl arrived on the scene and was given the details of the situation by the police present. The plane was still on the ground. Seeing her opportunity, Videl crept up from behind and underneath the plane's large tail. She then found access inside through the main landing gear housing. She was nervous, there were still many unknowns about the situation such as how many hijackers, their weapons, and so forth. In the back of her mind, she wished the Great Saiyaman was there with her, even if only as her back-up.

 

Elsewhere...

 

Gohan was busy shovelling down dinner when his astute ki senses halted him mid-spoonful. He closed his eyes and concentrated.

*Videl! She's in danger! Her ki's increasing, but its fluctuation indicates she's unsure of something.*

 

Goten stopped eating when he noticed his brother's sudden change.

"Brother?"

 

Gohan didn't reply.

 

"Brother, what's wrong?" Goten asked worriedly. He could sense his brother's ki rising.

 

Caught between two rights, Gohan knew one had to become a wrong.

*It would be right for me to remain here and obey my mother. I'm being 'punished' afterall. But, it would also be right to save the girl I care about. I can't care for her if she's dead.* Gohan thought then suddenly stood without hesitation.

"Mom, Videl's in danger! I gotta go!"

 

With the speed of a cheetah, ChiChi turned from the stove to face Gohan.

"You will NOT. Now SIT."

 

Gohan stood his ground. He feared for his life,but he couldn't bring his body to obey his mother this time.

*Why am I doing this? I'm not stupid! Mom's gonna grind me to a pulp!* he thought as he kept his stare locked on his mother's. The with the speed only a super saiyajin could possess, he dashed out the back door and launched into the air.

 

"GOHAN!!!" ChiChi yelled at the top of her lungs, but in vain.

 

Goten wasn't sure how to react, but he felt compelled to stand up for his brother.

 

"Brother likes Videl very much mom." he said quietly as he slinked lower under the table and braced for the onslaught.

 

"I KNOW THAT! HE STILL NEEDS TO...TO...to..." ChiChi trailed as she broke down into tears. "My baby boy's a man now and doesn't need me any more!" she sobbed.

 

"Hmmm?" Goten questioned, but decided t just leave it and just resumed his eating.

 

 

Meanwhile, at top speed, Gohan reached Satan City within minutes. He quickly transformed to the Great Saiyaman and concentrated on the whereabouts of Videl's ki.

*The airport? Hmm...yes! That's it!* Gohan, err...the Great Saiyaman thought as he arced towards the airport.

 

But for all the speed and power a super saiyajin like Gohan possessed, the Great Saiyaman was just a bit off in his timing.

 

While he was en route, Videl's rashness cost her the element of surprise. A slight miscalculation in direction placed her within the fuel fumes of the wing fuel tanks. She unintentionally breathed in several breaths of it. It was enough to slower her reflexes ever so slightly. Leaping out of an accesspanel in the Coach section, Videl found herself situated between two of the armed hijackers. Both opened fire. With basically no room to move in the cramped jetliner, she had no choice but to dive to the floor. She was too slow. Bullets caught her in the shoulder and thigh.

 

Gohan sensed her pain. It also allowed him to pinpoint her exact location in the plane. His attack plan already formulated en route and with a sense of urgency he'd never felt before, he neutralized the situation before anyone could even blink. The hijackers were rendered unconscious and dumped out of the plane via a Masenko-opened hatchway. Aside from minor injuries amongst the passengers and a slightly damaged aircraft, the situation was over...except for Gohan's. He quickly yet delicately scooped up the semi-conscious Videl and sped off to Satan City's primary hospital. He flew straight into the Emergency Room causing nurses and gurneys to spin out of the way. He landed then caught on of the speeding gurneys and placed Videl on it. He then wheeled her to the first doc he could find.

 

"Videl's injured, please help her!"

 

The doc sputtered before catching her name.

 

"Vi-Videl? As in Champion Mr. Satan's daughter?"

 

"Yes, yes...hurry, please."

 

The doc rushed as fast as he could, but could barely keep up witht he teen hero as he wheeled her into a vacant room.

"Here doc, please?"

 

The doctor looked over her wounds. He pulled her shirt down slightly to better see the damage. Gohan blushed, but didn't look away. The doc then began to pull down Videl's pants to inspect her thigh wound.

 

"Doc, please!" Gohan yelled, bright red and embarrassed.

 

The doctor stopped for a moment.

"Look, uh Great Saiyaman, I need to do this to examine the wound. If you're uncomfortable with this then please wait in the hall."

 

Gohan sputtered, his morals of decency in battle with his heart.

 

"I...I'll stay. I'll just uhhh, look at this wall for now."

 

"Suit yourself." the doc said having already progressed with the examination.

 

Gohan remained throughout Videl's ordeal. He paced in the waiting room while they took her to surgery to remove some bullet fragments and he remained steadfast when Mr. Satan arrived and gave him an earful. He even thought briefly about calling home, but he knew he'd catch hell if he did. Nothing really seemed to phase him though. He felt detached from reality and only his heart was responding to the situation and even that was giving him only one focus...Videl.

 

In a couple of hours (an eternity to Gohan), the doctor returned with her status. She was going to be fine. Her wounds would heal and she'd be back to normal in no time. Mr. Satan was allowed to see her, but he refused to let Gohan in. To him, the Great Saiyaman was at fault for not being there in time. Gohan sighed and slumped against the waiting room wall. He'd simply have to wait for visiting hours to end or Mr. Satan leaves, then sneak in.

 

Back at Mt. Paozu...

 

"THIS IS ALL GOKU AND THAT PICCOLO'S FAULT! MY GOHAN WAS A PERFECT, OBEDIENT ANGEL UNTIL THEY TAUGHT HIM TO FIGHT! "

 

"Mom?"

 

ChiChi stopped sputtering for a moment and glanred at her younger son.

"Goten, why are you still up? Get your butt to bed this instant! Do you hear me?!"

 

Goten gulped. "Bu-but mom, I was in bed. I...I...with brother not here I ..." he quietly muttered, his face flushed with embarrassement.

 

"Well what Goten? Spit it out."

 

"I...I wet the bed." he quietly replied, his eyes and head focused downward at the floor.

 

ChiChi was about to blow off more steam on the boy who still wet the bed on occasion despite being seven years old.

But, her motherly instincts prevailed and she kept herself in-check. Goten already looked humiliated enough.

 

"Change into some clean underwear and pjs. Put your others on the washer. I'll take care of your bed and sheets. Take a blanket out of Gohan's closet and go sleep on the sofa."

 

Goten nodded, but didn't scoot away. His large, tear-filled eyes gazed upward at his mother.

 

"What now Goten?"

 

"Where's brother? I miss him. He's never been this late."

 

"I'm not sure, but I know he'll return. He always does." she replied gently while within her she was seething in anger at her eldest son. Man or not, he was her son and still lived in her house. He would obey her rules. Even Goku knew better than to challenge her to such a degree.

Tending to Goten's problem, she then helped him get settled on the sofa, kissed him goodnight, and then headed to bed herself. As she switched off the lights to her room, her eyes caught the glimpse of a falling star.

 

*Gohan, dearest Gohan, you're all grown-up now. You've become a fine young man and I can brag to the world that you're my son. I know why you took off. Love makes a person do the strangest things. I should know. Oh Dende, my Gohan has found the greatest gift life has to offer...true love!* ChiChi announced to the star-filled sky.

 

Elsewhere in Heaven, Goku momentarily halted his training and beamed with pride.

*My son! He's more than I ever could imagine!*

 

Back at the hospital, Gohan finally had his chance to visit Videl. He stealthily slinked down the hall and entered her now dark room. She was sleeping peacefully. Gohan lightly ran a finger down her cheek. A tear scampered down his own and laid to rest on her arm. Not wanting to disturb her slumber, Gohan silently departed. But Satan City was without its heroes now. Gohan knew his mother would not fall for the same trick again and he'd be watched even more closely now.

 

His flight home in the star-filled night gave him a sense of lonliness. The sky so vast, the stars so far, and himself, along amongst them. As a child, he relished in a serenity like this, but now, he'd only feel at peace if Videl was there near him. As he flew closer to home, he concentrated on his mother and brother's kis. Both Goten's and ChiChi's were barely sensible, indicating that they were sound asleep. He quietly slipped through his bedroom window. A strong smell of crisp linens combined with a faint whiff of urine told him Goten wasn't in there.

*Heheh. He forgot to wake up to pee again.* Gohan thought to himself as he transformed back, undressed, and prepared for bed. He had school tomorrow and he would be lucky if he got a few hours of sleep.

 

Suddenly he snapped alert.

 

*Shit! I can't go to school! The news will be out about Videl and I'll get pestered since I hang with her all the time! What should I do?! I can't stay here. Mom'll kill me. Mom's gonna kill me anyway, but I don't want death times two. I do need to see Videl though and still be within striking distance of the city in case the Great Saiyaman is needed. But mom said I can't skip out or miss a single day of school. I'm in a mess! And now I can't sleep! WAH!*

 

Then his stomach growled for attention.

*Maybe food will help me think through this better.* he thought as he crept quietly into the kitchen. He began sifting through the fridge for any leftovers (which was rare) or any easy things to put together. As he was pawing through it, the mustard jar tried to make its escape. It landed on the floor with a thud, rolled, then settled by a table leg. Gohan had turned and tried to catch it, but the lights were out and his dive thwacked him headfirst into a chair. It gave way from his impact and slammed against a nearby wall. Before Gohan could sort out what just happened, the kitchen lights flipped on. He gulped. There stood Mount ChiChi, preparing for an eruption of the century. Her expression made the powerful saiyajin cower further under the table he had crashed near.

Full of fear, Gohan tried to remain composed.

"Uh, hi mom. I was just trying to fix a late night snack."

 

ChiChi didn't respond. She simply glared at him. This made Gohan even more nervous. The thought of going Super Saiyajin and bursting through the wall behind him popped into his mind. He quickly disposed of it. It would infuriate his mother more. One, she hated the super saiyajin form and two, he would have damaged her tidy, well-kept house.

"Uhm, I guess I'll just go to bed instead." Gohan sheepishly added.

 

ChiChi didn't want to wake Goten (not that he'd awaken anyway) so she remained as composed as she could given the situation. She sharply turned her back to her eldest son and with a disgusted "hmph", she returned to her room.

 

Being left to ponder the consequences was the worst punishment ChiChi could dish out. For the remainder of the night, Gohan pondered...and pondered...and pondered until the sun broke from the horizon. He sighed deeply and headed for the shower. There were no options. Just go to school and deal with his mom afterwards.

 

Once dressed, he grabbed his bookbag and headed towards the kitchen as he always did, but with one slight change.

 

"Gohan, don't you want breakfast?"

 

At that moment, Goten broke from his meal.

"Brother's here! Yay! Yay!"

 

"Morning Goten. And no mom, I don't want breakfast. I've got a couple of errands to take care of before school begins."

 

"Errands?"

 

"Mom, Videl was shot yesterday. She's in the hospital and it's all because of me. If I had gotten there sooner..." Gohan trailed.

 

ChiChi's face had gone pale. It was the reaction Gohan was looking for. He patted Goten on the head before giving a wave good-bye then departed. This allowed this possibility of guilt to sink into his mother.

 

He made record time in the air despite his lack of sleep or food. Arriving at the hospital, he checked with the station-nurse as to whether or not Mr. Satan was there. He hadn't arrived yet. Acknowledging himself as her boyfriend (though he wasn't yet), he was permitted to see her.

 

Videl was awake though still looked tired.

 

Gohan gave her a gentle, warming smile.

She smiled back.

 

"How're you feeling?" he asked softly.

 

"Like I've been shot. Uhm Gohan?"

 

"Hmm?"

 

"Aren't or weren't you and Great Saiyaman grounded?" I think I saw Great Saiyaman at the airport yesterday."

 

"Uhh, well you see--"

 

"You're in deep shit aren't you Gohan?"

 

"Kind of. I'm working on it though."

 

"Gohan, getting in deeper shit doesn't help you get out of shit."

 

"But you'd have been--"

 

"You over-protective, over-bearing pain in the butt" Videl teased.

 

"I'm over-bearing?"

 

"In a good way Gohan."

 

"Oh."

 

"Don't you need to be somewhere?"

 

"Eh?"

"Well, even with your super speed, you're gonna be late for school in a couple of minutes."

 

Gohan checked his watch. "Crap!" he muttered as he popped open the window in her room and lauched out with a jaunty salute good-bye. It had taken him longer than he thought.

 

School went by easier than Gohan had anticipated. Nobody aside from Sharpener bothered Gohan, but Sharpener always bothered Gohan. Throughout the day, Gohan gathered Videl's school assignments.

 

After school, Gohan headed straight for the hospital. He didn't check for Videl's father, but simply entered. Of course, Mr. Satan was there now.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

 

"Sir, I brought Videl her school assignments so she won't fall behind. And since I am at the top of the class, I figured I could tutor her in any of the new material if she doesn't understand it.

 

Mr. Satan grumbled before speaking.

"As long as that's all it is. You may put her books on the table there."

 

"Thank you Gohan." Videl said sweetly with a smile.

 

Gohan blushed. "Uh, yeah, well, I'd better get going before my mom--"

 

"Yeah, you're in enough trouble as is." Videl interrupted with a wink.

 

When Mr. Satan wasn't looking, Gohan blew her a kiss good-bye and departed.

 

Upon arriving at home, Gohan tried the quick-ignore-it approach.

"Hey mom, here's my mid-year grade report." Gohan said as he plopped it on the table before heading straight to his room as a way to suck up to his mom by doing things before she asked him to do them.

 

ChiChi picked up the report. The lowest grade on it was a 98 out of a possible 100.

 

*Maybe I should've told the school to advance him beyond his own age group? School isn't much of a challenge for him. Still, I want him to learn how to socialize with others his age. Strange though, despite his excessive absences, they have no effect on his grades. And his rebellion against me...that's got to be true love. Not even Goku would dare such a defiant stand. Oh my! I really am losing my baby! My Gohan's no longer mine anymore!* ChiChi thought as tears began to scamper down her cheeks.

 

Meanwhile Gohan sat at his desk and stared out the window. His thoughts were locked onto Videl, not his studies.

*But she's just a very close friend...isn't she? We have so much in common and she's figured out so much about me. Why does she even care to know about me? Does she actually care about me beyond friendship too? This is hard. Why'd I have to go to school? Everything's so complicated now. Life was simpler with home-studying. I didn't have others on my mind the way Videl dominates it. Man, I'd rather battle a thousand Cells than sort through all this! But, that's not reality...like it or not Gohan, you've gotta accept the fact that you're not a kid anymore. You can't runaway or hope somebody else will make it all better. It's time I face the fire of life by myself. Besides, I'm the eldest son of Goku! I can handle anything!....at least I hope I can.*

 

 

Gohan didn't receive any showdown with his mother in the following days. Much to his surprise, she didn't eve enforce the rules of grounding on him. When Videl was well and out of the hospital, Gohan became protective and actually somewhat possessive of her despite her protests (but she still liked it nonetheless). She and Gohan began doing more things together and he taught her a few speed moves so she could dodge bullets even if caught off-guard. yes, the signs of a blossoming relationship were there and it had Gohan's name all over it. This saiyajin had no defenses against the weapon it wielded...love. And he had school and his mother to thank for placing him in its path.

 

End.

 

Well, that's it for this one. I hope you enjoyed it. There's more to come in later fics. :)