Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Early Morning of a Life Together ❯ Videl Tricked ( Chapter 21 )

I don't own it. Akira Toriyama owns Dragon Ball Z. Except the idea for the story.

Early Morning

Videl Tricked

By Trynia Merin
****

Videl wrapped the towel around herself, stepping out of the shower.  It was indeed good to clean up after the last forty-eight hours.  Her long hair spiked out, still wet before she wrapped a towel around it turban style.  Regarding herself in the mirror, she surrendered to the whim of self-introspection. No popularity in the world could have prepared Videl for the situation she was in.  Faced with uncomfortable truths about herself, she could hardly blame Chichi for being aggressive.  Gohan's words came echoing back to her and she wondered how they would get out of this mess.

"Videl?" called Chichi's voice from the room beyond? "I left you a fresh change of clothes. I hope you don't mind..."

"It's fine Chichi, whatever you have.  I'm anxious to go back to Gohan," Videl answered.  So much for a quiet moment to think, she grumbled inwardly.  

Spending the afternoon and evening in the Ox King's home had further pushed her back towards admitting she had made a terrible error.  Inside her heart felt like someone was squeezing it in a powerful fist since she had flown away from her fiancée that morning.  Slowly it had tightened until it grew too powerful to ignore. Only anger blocked out the pinching sensation, for which Videl instinctively guessed the root cause.  Her own prejudices and fears were testing her and finding her wanting.

Slipping on a borrowed silk tunic, she then buttoned it at the neck and waist.  Silk pants completed the outfit along with clean white socks and soft china flats.  It offered her ease of movement.  The green tunic billowed around her legs with a slit in front and in back, her arms bare save the wristbands.  She had to admit green was her favorite color as she regarded herself in the mirror.  Someone knocked at the door and Videl opened it.

"It suits you well.  We can get back there soon if we take Nimbus," Chichi said, looking her up and down with an appraising eye.

"I might be strong enough to fly now," Videl said.

"Nonsense. You'll need all your strength and wits about you," Chichi scolded, indicating Videl had no say in the matter.  Wearily Videl nodded, not wanting to face a long flight to who knows where.  So caught up in escaping had she been that she had neglected to trace their route. Interestingly enough Chichi wore a blue and red outfit similar in style to hers, but her hair was tied back in a ponytail, making her look far younger than before.

"Thanks for the loaner clothes Chichi. I'll have them cleaned and sent back when all this is over," Videl started.

"No rush," Chichi waved dismissively as both women trotted downstairs.  Ox King waited patiently at the foot of the stairs while they arrived.

"I've gotten a call from Goku. He's wondering where you are and if everything's all right.  Gohan seems to have read your note," Ox king informed them.

"Your note?" Videl blinked at Chichi.

"Gohan needed some space to think.  I hope that the other part of my plan worked," Chichi said.

"What plan... wait a minute, I shouldn't ask," Videl sighed, unable to resist a small smile.  Her mother in law to be was quite shrewd. Little wonder where Gohan inherited his intellect.

Then suddenly her eyes widened and she groaned, "Oh no, my dad... he'll be worried sick!"

"Don't worry honey; I left a message with his housekeeper.  He already knows that you're visiting with me," Chichi reassured her.  Relaxing Videl was doubly impressed.  Chichi had thought of everything.

"But where would Gohan go?" asked Videl quietly.

"Probably someplace to fight with his father, or do Kami knows what with that... Piccolo," Chichi shuddered.  "Or he could have even stopped by capsule..."

"Don't worry Chichi.  Gohan's got a reasonably cool head," Ox King reminded her.  "And I'm sure Goku or someone has already found him, knowing them.  And don't count Piccolo out either... I know you don't like him, but the man means well..."

"I know Pa, but still," Chichi sighed.  "Now that's settled, let's go."

Clapping her hands together, she strode out. Only once did she stop to grab a small bundle and sling the long pole across her back.  Videl followed, glancing down to see that she did indeed still have her Saiyawoman watch on.  It would have been easier to simply put it on and use it as a change of clothes.  Yet somehow it would have been rude to refuse Chichi's offered clothes and the alternative was embarrassing.

The fluffy yellow cloud hovered right behind the front door when Chichi opened it.  She lept up on, and then extended her hand to Videl.  Taking it, her future daughter in law climbed on after her.  Both women sat down, then waved their goodbyes to the Ox King before whizzing away.  For a mile, it seemed the gold trail stretched behind the enchanted cloud Videl noticed.  Now Videl noticed the landscape stretching beneath them, listening to Chichi point out various points of interest.

"A volcano really DID blow up during your wedding?" Videl mumbled. "How awful."

"Goku and I had our first adventure together.  That's where he found the fan you sometimes see sitting against the wall.  We still keep it just in case it's needed, you never know," Chichi said.  "You can see the ruins as we pass over them..."

"Chichi, thank you for dragging me out here. I'm sorry I was such a pest but... I'm still scared."

"Not to worry dear," Chichi reassured her, glancing over her shoulder at the younger woman.  "We'll work it out somehow.  And if I know my Gohan, he's probably already up to something to try and get you back."

"You really think so?" Videl asked doubtfully.

"I know so. And it's not because of anything I did now," Chichi said. "Just a mother's instinct.  Which reminds me; I also learned how to be a housewife on the same trip that Goku and I took to find the fan."

"That's a lot to learn on a trip!" Videl mumbled, head reeling.

"I didn't learn it ALL right away, but the basics.  Can you believe I never cleaned a house, or did a dish before Octagon woman showed me? All during the time Goku was getting snow from that enchanted mountain that didn't like women flying around it," Chichi chuckled.

"That's another long story right?" Videl asked, and Chichi nodded.  “That can't be right. It has got to be a trick…”

“No I'm serious, dear,” Chichi reminded her.  “In fact our course takes us not too far from it. Once in a while I go to check on the old dear and thank her by sending her a jar of strawberry jam I've home grown as a thanks for what she's done.”

“All these things I never knew. I'm almost scared to think of what else I'm going to find out,” Videl murmured.  

“Speaking of, we'd better try and dodge around those storm clouds,” Chichi pointed up ahead.

“We could take another route, couldn't we?” Videl asked. Nimbus slowed down, but not soon enough to stop them from drifting into the grey darkness that rolled over them.  The sun vanished from overhead while tiny droplets of water pelted their face.

Chichi mentally commanded the cloud to fly around it, but she had no idea of what was up or down.  A loud rumbling shattered her concentration, causing Nimbus to rely on its own instincts.  “I can't get out of it!” Chichi called over the crackling sizzle.

“Watch out!” Videl called.

“Hold on!”

Chichi never finished her statement.  A stroke of lightening slashed inches from the cloud, and Chichi barely managed to dodge around it before she and Videl toppled off the cloud.  Nimbus sharply dove to try to catch Chichi, while Videl summoned her ki to arrest her own fall. Rapidly she dove after Chichi, not even thinking the cloud would try to catch its mistress. Wild blew widely, whipping around them though Chichi landed safely in nimbus and Videl flew along beside them.  A quick twist of her watch summoned her Saiyagirl outfit to protect her from the battering winds.  By now, sheets of rain slammed into them, and she stood on the cloud to shield her mother in law to be from the elements.

Videl took the cape from her costume and draped it around a shivering Chichi. On its own, the cloud seemed to be descending rapidly.  Pitch black alternated between thunderous crackles of lightening jumping from cloud to cloud, and they were extremely glad when the thunderheads yielded to open sky.  Shivering in the cape, Chichi sneezed.  Videl knelt close, arm around her mother in law as she tried to keep her warm with shared body heat.

“Chichi are you okay?”

“I'm sorry I couldn't avoid that damn cloud. It came out of nowhere,” Chichi shivered.  “Oh I should have just used my car!”

“Well where are we?” Videl asked, glancing around at the unfamiliar landscape whizzing under them.

“Not too much farther from home,” Chichi shivered. Indeed the gentle rolling hills of Mt. Pauzo sped under them, and they reached the forest that expanded like a green carpet for miles.  Finally, they felt the descent of Nimbus banking to take them right to the Son Family home's front door.  Both women climbed off the cloud and walked through the front door after Chichi unlocked it.

Much was as they left it before, and Videl walked with Chichi towards the kitchen.  Holding the ends of Videl's cape around her, Chichi glanced around.  “There's some blankets and towels… if you'd be so kind as to fetch me one…”

“I'll make some tea,” Videl said, banishing her Saiyawoman costume.  “You go get into something dry, Chichi.”

Without even thinking, Videl rushed into the kitchen, puttering about to try and find the can of tea, and a kettle.  Before long, she had fired up the gas stove and set a pot of water boiling.  Searching through the cupboards and closets, she found bread and jam, and slipped a few slices into the toaster.  Something impelled her to fix a snack for Chichi since she herself was feeling hungry.  By the time she poured steaming hot water into the teapot, she heard the footsteps of Chichi approaching.

“I made you some tea,” Videl said, leaning up to hunt for mugs.
“Upper right cabinet,” Chichi pointed.  Videl retrieved the cups and then set two places at the family table.

“Just sit down Chichi, I've got it covered.  You've been through enough today,” Videl said.

Chichi smiled, watching the ease with which Videl seemed to navigate the kitchen, and allowed herself to sit.  The yellow tunic and purple pants was the only thing clean, and she had hung the dripping garments to dry. Videl's hair fluffed out, looking remotely like Gohan's in how it spiked.

A plate with toast was set before Chichi, and she held out her mug for Videl to pour freshly brewed tea.  Videl sat down opposite her and reached for the jar of jam.  “You okay, Chichi?” she asked.

“I'm perfectly fine. And you seem to handle yourself pretty well in a kitchen for a woman who says she can't do a lick of housework,” Chichi teased.

“Give me a break it's not that hard to make tea,” Videl started, then set the teapot down.  Glancing down at the nicely set table and mother in law beaming she blinked in shock. Heavily she leaned against the back of the chair and reeled with the revelation.

“You see anyone can learn. You're doing fine, dear,” Chichi grinned with a satisfied smirk on her face.

“You… you deliberately took that route so you'd get drenched and I'd… I'd…” Videl trailed off, and then slapped her hand to her forehead.  Shaking her head, she groaned at the innate cleverness and how she had fallen for it, completely.

“I think I've proved my point,” Chichi smugly beamed with a look of pride.  “If you can make tea and toast, you can make dinner. It's only a few more steps.”

“You dirty… you tricked me again!” Videl fumed, banging her fist on the table.

“Guilty as charged.  I just wanted to open your eyes a bit. Didn't you cook breakfast for Gohan this morning? He might have been upset but he didn't' seem like he was starving at full power,” Chichi also pointed out, dropping lumps of sugar into her tea.

“I ought to be furious with you, but I can't help but be blown away with how I just fell so easily for it,” Videl mumbled in irritation.  Still she wanted to be angry, but couldn't quite find it in herself to muster up the energy.  She had easily sprung into caretaker mode, and her memory called up that morning with how easily she had tended to her own needs as well as Gohan's.  Alternatively, how she had prepared food when camping when that awful Broly had first shown up.

“Shouldn't we go find Gohan though?” asked Videl.

“I think that we should just wait and see. If not, then Goku will go find him,” Chichi nodded. “I did leave Gohan a note to let him know where we were, and I hope he'll come home for dinner…”

“You seem awfully sure of that,” Videl said doubtfully.

“You'll see,” Chichi patted her hand.

“Is there anything in this kitchen for a hungry Saiyan?” asked a cheerful voice that made Videl and Chichi flinch.  Right in the middle of the room stood Son Goku, glancing around the place casually as if he had just walked in.

“Goku! I didn't see you there!” Videl blinked. The smell of fresh fish permeated the air, and they saw something hanging over his shoulder that dripped wet spots on the floor.  Wrinkling her nose Videl saw that it indeed WAS fish, and Goku had a string of them hanging over his shoulder just as Gohan had done.

“Goku, do you mind using the door for a change?” Chichi scolded, glaring at him annoyed. “I almost lost five years of my life!”

“I'm sorry Chichi. I just wanted to make sure you two were okay. I sensed your energies here and well…” He shrugged, setting the fish on the counter.  Already they seemed to have been sliced open and gutted thankfully.

Videl got up from the table at the same time Chichi did, and almost collided trying to get to the fish. “Have you seen Gohan, is he all right?” Chichi asked, rapidly removing the fish scales with a knife she pulled out of a drawer.  Videl bustled about, trying to reach for where she thought she saw a large cooking pot while the other woman moved through grabbing various spices.

“I stopped to get dinner on the way back and I was hoping Gohan would be back by now.  I'm sensing his energy a little bit away though,” Goku continued.  “Not to worry. Piccolo's keeping an eye on him so he's not alone…”

“I hope that… Piccolo is behaving himself,” Chichi mumbled.  “You say that you feel Gohan nearby? Well what's he doing?”

“Seems to be around Satan city,” Goku shrugged.  “You all right Videl, you look a little pale?  I hope you two had a nice chat…”

“Then Gohan is all right? I'm just feeling lousy that I put him through the wringer…” Videl fretted.

“He was pretty upset Videl, but I guess Chichi already told you that,” Goku said as he rested a hand on her shoulder. Although his face was serious, she saw no indication of anger along with it in the dark eyes.

“I'm sorry Goku, I really am,” Videl apologized.

“Don't worry, Videl.  He'll be all right. As I said before, Piccolo's watching him, and I even sensed your dad paying him a visit,” Goku broke into a smile.

“My dad… oh no!” Videl bit her nails.

“Oh not it's all right!” Goku reassured her, jumping in her way as she tried to rush out of the kitchen.  “Your Dad's gone home, and Piccolo said he saw him and Gohan talking pretty calmly…”

“So you did see Gohan… is he all right?” Chichi asked.

“He seemed to be relaxed when I sensed him and checked up on him. I didn't want him to see me watching because well Piccolo already was and um…” Goku continued.

“I still think I should go find him,” Videl said. Yet Chichi soon handed her an apron.

“Goku, where's Goten?”

“His energy's with Gohan's.  He's not alone.  But I just came back because I got a bit hungry and figured it's hard to function on an empty…”

“Not to worry, I'll have some fresh grilled fish soon for you, and you can have a proper meal while we wait and see if he's going to come home on his own,” Chichi answered.

“But I want to see him,” Videl complained, before Chichi thrust a spoon and bowl into her hands.  

“The best thing you can do now is just calmly wait with me and I'll show you my fish soup recipe,” Chichi reassured her.  “I think we've had enough adventure for one day…”

“It's better if you wait.  Gohan needs to work this out on his own.  And if he knows you're safely here, it's better than you rushing blindly about trying to find one another,” Goku answered.  Something however seemed to be resting on the tip of his tongue that he wasn't saying, Videl suspected.

“I hope you're right,” Videl murmured.  She felt the reassuring squeeze of Goku's hand resting on her shoulder.

“Relax.  It will be all right now,” Chichi silenced her.  “Call it mother's instinct.”

“Please, just trust us,” Goku repeated.  Videl sighed, moving off to place pots on the stove as Chichi continued to prepare the fish.  Goku wandered over to stand behind his wife at the cutting board chopping up vegetables.

“Goku, he is all right, isn't he?” Chichi whispered, leaning back to accept the kiss he pressed to her ear. He rested his hands around her shoulders, leaning his chin into her neck. It felt comfortable to have him embracing her from behind.

“I hope so, Chichi.  Something's not quite right, and I don't want you to panic, but there's a good reason why Piccolo's been watching Gohan…”

“Now wait a minute!” Chichi started. Yet Goku spun her and silenced her with a kiss.

“Please Chi, not here.  You're right to keep Videl with you.  Gohan's really badly shaken by this, and we need to be on our toes,” Goku whispered, embracing her tightly.  Videl glanced up from where she stirred a huge pot of soup, blushing to see the openly shared displays of emotion between the Sons.

“Oh I knew it!” Chichi bit her lip.  “What is happening to my Gohan, and out with it!”

“Later Chichi.  He's fine now, with Goten with him… and…”

“You had better go right now and find him and make sure, mister!” Chichi hissed into his ear.  

Goku blinked with a guilty look, almost like a puppy that had disappointed its master. “But I'm starving…”

“Oh honestly, there are some rice cakes in the larder,” she sighed, motioning for Videl to take her place.  Videl moved in behind the cutting board, still keeping an eye on the couple behind her.

“What is it, what's going wrong with Gohan? Don't keep me out of this!” Videl interrupted. She chopped a radish with a loud slice, and then sunk the knife into another as she whirled around.

“But…” Goku began.  Angrily Videl advanced on where the couple stood in the middle of the kitchen.  Chichi felt Goku's arms tightening around her, pulling her closer so her breasts pressed to his chest.

“I'm sick and tired of all the secrets!” Videl shouted. “Don't I deserve to know what you're going on about? Don't keep the truth from me because I can't stand all of this running around!”

“She's right, Goku.  How can you stand here and pretend all's well when it isn't!” Chichi continued, pushing away from Goku slightly.  Yet his arms kept her comfortably trapped.

“I'm sorry.  It's just that Gohan's powers are tied to his emotions like you know Chichi!”

“That's why I didn't want him training in the first place, Goku. I know he has the abilities inside him but messing around with them is what makes things so dangerous to begin with!” Chichi threw up her hands.  She squirmed out of Goku's embrace reluctantly.  With a look of hurt on his face, Goku stepped back.

“I don't want to argue with you Chichi.  You know why all this had to be.  But now the consequence is that if he doesn't constantly master his own techniques he is at risk of losing control!” Goku interrupted, trying to keep patient.

“Why didn't you say so?” Chichi yelled at him.  “You mean to say the whole reason he's had martial arts was because you thought he'd go mad?”

“Yes Chichi.  When he was on the Kai planet, he had his powers unlocked. However, that created greater problems. Gohan can access his powers more readily but it's a two edged sword. Any great emotional unrest can…”

“Goku, slow down!” Chichi demanded, grabbing his shoulders.

“You mean because I upset him he's in danger of… going mad?” Videl asked, hands on her hips. “That it's my fault if he goes insane and blows up the world?”

“That's not possible! My Gohan would never do such a thing!” Chichi snapped.  She squeezed a fold of Goku's gi and twisted it hard, wringing it between her hands.

“It's not that,” Goku pressed his hands down, as if asking volume to drop along with them.  

“It is my fault,” Videl said firmly.  “Which is why I can't be sitting here making dinner when he needs me!”

“Videl, it's being handled,” Chichi cut her off.  “Right Goku?”

“Yes,” Goku nodded.  “Somehow Goten and Piccolo have calmed him. His ki is very calm and placid now.  Yet…”

“What does it mean Goku? Tell me,” said Chichi.  “And tell me now.”