One Heart

A/N: I don't own DBZ. A little warning as you can see it's extremely long (I got carried away and got into the story). But I hope it's worth it and I hope you enjoy it. Sorry for the long delay.

Chapter Fourteen: Premonitions of danger

Son House

It's a little after 1:06 am in the morning and all was still until Sharpener's car came zooming towards the Son House. Sharpener's car sped off into the night just seconds after Gohan and Mai got out. Quickly the two headed for Gohan's window seeing it was the easiest way in without being detected.

"Shh!" Mai snapped as she and Gohan crept through his bedroom window.

The two barely got their other feet into the room when the lights were flicked on and they were greeted by two tired saiyans and an angry Chichi. Goku and Goten were in their boxers yawning and rubbing their eyes in the cutest of fashion. Chichi had her hands crossed over her blue robe, her hair loose and her eyes flaring.

"And just where have you two been?" Chichi asked coolly.

"YIKE, AUNTIE CHICHI!" Mai blurted out before a blush graced her face. "I—err—what are you doing here?"

Sarcastically she said, "I believe this is my home, the key fits doesn't it?" she narrowed her eyes again. "I'll only ask once more, where have you TWO been?"

BUSTED! A little voice in the back of Gohan's mind taunted. Gohan reframed from shouting at it to shut up because it seemed it never listened anytime before this, so why should it start now?

Mai paled. "You know A-auntie Chichi. A-at the party, r-remember?"

"You're stuttering Mai." She thrust her right hand to the clock on the wall. "It's after one. You promised to be home at midnight, remember that?"

Mai gulped. "It's after one already, truly? Wow." Seeing her aunt's glare intensify, Mai began to panic. "Well you see…the thing is…it's really a funny story actually."

"Oh really…? Well, I'm not laughing, Mai. So why don't you tell me? Oh wait. Let me. I remember someone telling me of a nice "get together" party and NOT some rave. But to my surprise I naively let you both go thinking 'hey, why not. Let them have some fun, they're RESPONSIBLE' .But you both knew what type of things could be there! That was completely irresponsible. I am so disappointed in you both. I too feel the same—irresponsible that is—but you two should be ashamed."

"Ok, everyone's irresponsible. Can we go to bed, now?" Goku asked hopefully and stifled a yawn.

"Yeah, I promised my little buggies I'd find them some new leaves in the morning. It's late." Goten agreed.

Mai pouted and it seemed everyone ignored the two or they didn't want to upset the balance of anger and naivety. "You'd never let us go if we told you. We'd never have any fun."

"Fun you say? Does it include the possibility of getting arrested? Drunk? Drugged? Harassed? Attacked? Juvenile Detention? Shall I continue?" she said in a hysterical voice.

"No ma'am." Gohan and Mai said no higher than a whisper. Both their heads hung down, they said nothing more.

"Good. Go get ready for bed." She turned around. "We'll talk at breakfast."

Goten and Goku couldn't look any happier even if they received a lifetime supply of food. They stifled their smiles and headed to their bedrooms.

Mai and Gohan looked at each other before they groaned. They were NOT looking forward to breakfast. Gohan decided mentally he may not be that hungry come morning. He'd be too tired and being scolded before he could dig in to his food. But he knew his father and Goten would make quick work of his portion.

Son House Breakfast

"Oh Mai, your 16; you have so much more going for you. Couldn't you wait a few more years?" Chichi asked softly.

Mai nodded. "Well…now after yesterday—totally."

Chichi smiled. "Probably wasn't any cute guys there either," Chichi sighed and couldn't help returning Mai's genuine smile.

"Totally," Mai agreed and began to take small bites of the rice ball in her hand.

"Ahem, Goku darling," Chichi asked expectantly.

"Uhm…more rice?" he asked holding up his bowl and grinning widely.

"GOKU, be serious would you!"

"Ok. Ok."

"Goku, don't you have anything to say to your son?" Chichi gestured to Gohan.

Goku pouted. "Why is he always my son when he gets in trouble and yours when he isn't? It doesn't seem fair."

"Goku," Chichi's eyes flared. "Who carried him for nine months, Goku?"

Oh boy, Goku thought. "I don't see how—"

"—Who?—"

"—But Chichi—"

"—oh answer the damn question, please."

"You,"

"Who nurtured him when his father was out saving the world?"

"You—but I don't see where this is leading."

"Forget the damn point. It's not leading anywhere at the moment. We'll talk later, besides there won't be anymore rice for you, mister. Gohan hasn't eaten yet." Chichi pointed her spatula to Gohan's empty plate. "He's a growing boy, Goku."

Seeing her aunt was now smiling, "So…does this mean we're off punishment?" Mai asked hopefully.

"Perhaps, seeing you learned a valuable lesson but I will not excuse your reckless behavior." She began to pace the kitchen. Four sets of eyes watched her before she came to an abrupt stop. "You'll have to baby-sit Goten and Trunks and go wherever they want to go for a week. No ifs and no buts. However, you must be responsible and don't allow them to wander off especially to immoral places." She turned to Mai and Gohan. "Is that a deal?"

The two grumbled something underneath their breaths, the dynamic duo were more of a handful than any super villain. Together the two teens nodded.

Goten beamed and rubbed his hands gleefully but in a sinister way, "Cool! So does that make me like a ruler or something? Ha-ha, my own servants to do my bidding. Where shall we go first, how about Hyperdulia?"

"Kami," Gohan and Mai groaned again, they've been doing this quite often since they got home. Hyperdulia was a kid's playground, full of hyper kids—note the name. There was nothing but shows and merchandises and kiddy rides for miles around. They had the craziest mascot who had this horrible theme song that drove anyone over ten insane. It was like a prison.

Chichi turned and gave Gohan a sly smirk. "So tell me about the rave? Did you try anything with Videl, Gohan?"

Gohan groaned and felt even more embarrassed that he was blushing. "Mom, please. Why does everything have to turn to that subject?"

Goten rolled his eyes. "You're such a chicken, Gohan. Gees, just ask her out."

"I did," Gohan said in a defensive manner.

"Once! Big whop! Go on and ask her out again. Do something drastic, crazy even. Do something that will have not only the tabloids but the world news talking about for months. Do something that will have Mai's romance books look like a-a faraway fantasy. Get a spine, will 'ya? How many times must we go through this? Do I have to literally knock you into her to see some fireworks—again?" Goten said.

"I can't believe I'm getting advice from a seven year old," Gohan muttered. "How pathetic is that?"

"Very," Mai winked.

"Thanks a lot, MAI!" he yelled, ignoring the fact that his face was redder than the ripest of apples.

Orange Star High

It was teen minutes before Orange Star High's warning bell would ring which gave students an extra five minutes to get to class. A teenage girl, about sixteen of age stood outside of Orange Star High watching the student body interacting with one another. Her green-hair was pulled back into a quick ponytail and her emerald-eyes searched the large campus. She was completely fascinated.

"It's so big," she murmured. Today would be her first official day at a public school, high school. After a few moments she heard someone clear his throat, her father.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Cassandra?" her father asked gently. He was a tall man, nearly seven feet, blonde-hair and sky-blue eyes. He wore some faded blue jeans and a simple white shirt underneath his slightly unzipped coat.

Cassandra nodded, "Of course, daddy. I've waited for so long now. It would be a shame for me to crawl back now, especially after traveling so far."

"But you do know…" he trailed off when he saw her turn around and glared at him.

"Of course I remembered, daddy." She said curtly. Then she smiled, "You worry too much."

"Yeah, I know." Her father sighed, "Good luck, Cass."

She frowned at his use of her nickname. She hadn't heard him say it since she was five. Cassandra whispered, "Let go daddy, it's time."

Eventually he nodded and leaned to kiss her on the forehead but Cassandra sidestepped out of his path, "Daddy, you'll embarrass me."

He nodded again and placed his hands in his pockets and scanned the campus, "Well, we don't want to do that, now would we?"

Cassandra murmured a good-bye and started walking towards the entrance of the large building. Her father watched his "baby girl" walk away. Before Cassandra could reach the door, a teacher walked in front of her. He was a large, brawny man with a black beard and little hair on his head. He had tanned skin and the haughtiest blue eyes. "Ms. Troika," he extended his hand.

Cassandra blinked and the man and his outstretched hand. Not wanting to look foolish, she took his hand and he gave her a vigorous handshake. "Uhm..." she hadn't the slightest clue as to who he was. How did he know her name?

He smiled. "Nice to see you again, Chandra—"

"—Cassandra."

"—last time I saw you, you were nothing but a babe in your momma's arms. How is dear, Vinita?"

"Just peachy keen," she said after he released her hand. "And you are?"

"Don't remember me? Aye, it's been what? Sixteen years now? I'm Coach Flanker, your dad's old football coach." He said proudly.

Who? Cassandra blinked, "Uhm nice to meet you too, Mr. Flanker."

"Call me Jeff."

"Uhm…ok, Jeff."

"Probably didn't remember me without my hair, huh?" he patted his bald head. "It's been gone now for fifteen years. One day it was there and the next poof. Went to bed with a whole head of hair, woke up bald. Boy you could just imagine my wife, Sophia's expression that morning. Still to this day I don't know where it went." He laughed heartily and Cassandra found it to be her duty to laugh even if it was a hesitated one.

Cassandra cast a quick glance behind her. Her father's jeep wasn't there anymore. Cassandra mentally shook her head, her father was probably still watching out for her somewhere unknown to her. He was so overprotective. She'd relieved two big lectures on her way to school; one about how all guys were dogs and to protect her reputation. She'd been glad it was winter so she could have gloves on so it wouldn't have happened. She dreaded when that happened.

After a while Cassandra looked at her watch. The man had been talking on and on for almost fifteen minutes. She had barely ten minutes to get her schedule, find and unlock her locker, find her class in a school that had over 400 classrooms, and grab a seat before the late bell.

"You know what? Maybe we can catch up later? I'll give you my dad's cell later ok? Bye!" she headed for the door and quickly maneuvered around the student body.

What an agile child. Jeff blinked before he laughed once more. "Just like her father."

2nd period

Cassandra had successful avoided Jeff from talking to her again by nearly knocking down the principal. Neither man had seen her slip away, which she was thankful for. She was going to be late and she couldn't remember her combination with all these books in her hand and her panicking state now setting in.

What was it? 20…30…2? Or maybe 35…20…2? Or, or…30…2…20? Maybe it was…who knew what it was! She didn't have time for this nor did she have time to go to the office to get it.

Eventually she'd figured it out and had the locker open. Cassandra tried to balance her Calculus, Spanish and Literature book while trying to reach for her history book that was in the back. Soon she found her hands wobbling and then her books fell all around her. She dropped to her knees and began to pick up her books when she heard some chuckles and one brief whistle.

"Hey there Cass,"

Tyler Cassandra shuddered and felt like gagging. She withheld herself from correcting the oversize idiot. Within the hour she'd learned by simple gossip that he felt he was Kami's gift to the fairer sex—but many would strongly disagree. As planned, Cassandra ignored the chestnut-haired quarterback and continued to pick her two other books.

"Let me help," he grinned and took her History book out of her reach.

"Give it back!"

"Why?"

"Don't ask "why" bozo! I said give it back!"

He dropped the book and said in a taunting tone, "Aww, what are you going to do about it?" She hadn't seen it coming. He pinned her against the lockers and grinned. "You have the most amazing green-eyes, you know what?"

"And you have the most amazing bad breath. Get your dirty hands off of me, you jerk! I don't know where they've been!"

"You'll soon know all too well," He laughed. "Brace yourself."

Cassandra scowled. That was her line. Slowly, she leaned her leg back and got ready to knee him right where it hurt. The damn man didn't deserve to have kids. One asshole was enough!

One of his hands touched hers and her eyes grew wide and a gasp came from her mouth. He wasn't supposed to touch her, the stupid idiot. Her hair started to fly upwards and eyes faded, turning to a faint green. Flashes of various amounts of images came to mind, gruesome images.

Road…car…person…screams…blood… Road…car…person…screams…blood… Road…car…person…screams…blood… Road…car…person…screams…blood…

"You're going to die…" She whispered.

An electric shock came from her hands onto his. Tyler, the quarterback blinked, "What did you—aaah!" Because of the electric aftershock, he fell back from into the lockers behind him that left his three friends speechless. Cassandra's hair floated down to rest upon her shoulders and her dark-emerald eyes gazed warily at Tyler.

"You're some type of a freak!" Tyler snarled as got up quickly. Grinning, Tyler and his friends took one menacing step towards Cassandra.

"Hey!" Mai stood a few feet from the five and glared at the four guys. "Excuse me, what are you goons doing here?"

"Dudes look, it's her! She's that Waco that karate chopped her teacher last semester." Flex murmured to the three others.

Did not! Mai thought angrily. "Yeah, so you better run or I'll beat you up so bad that you won't be able to play for Friday's game." She taunted and did a mockery of a karate chop towards Flex.

Needing no more words the four ran to the end of C-wing and didn't look back.

Mai turned to Cassandra, "Hey, you ok?" Mai noticed the girl looked pretty shaken up, "Hey you're new aren't you? My name's Mai, you're Cassandra right?" The girl nodded, and Mai smiled. "Come on, this way. You're in my History class, right?" the girl nodded again.

Cassandra followed after she picked up her books. Mai continued to make a light conversation with her but all Cassandra did was merely nodded.

Mai's nice. She must have a lot of friends. She can't be some—some freak like me. Wish I knew what it's like to be normal again…but if I had the chance…would I remember what normal is? It's been so long now. Cassandra thought and this particular thought made her frown. Mai caught her frown and frowned herself before giving her an assuring smile.

"Don't worry they're just a pack of goons, nothing more. They shocked everyone when they even passed last year's finals. How they did it remains a mystery…unless they cheated of course. I wouldn't put it passed them." Mai shrugged.

That's not what I'm worried about. He's going to die and I'm the only one who can stop it…but how? Should I remain silent after he tried to maul me? I loath this—this curse! It's not fair! Cassandra thought seconds before they reached room A-5.

Courtyard

"You look winded," Mai commented as she jogged beside Cassandra.

"Yeah, it surprises me too. I grew up in the mountain area." She smiled wryly.

"Hey, me too," Mai said. "I grew up in the mountains and I live there now too. I live closer now though. I'm living with my Aunt and Uncle and my two cousins until I finish high school." Her eyes lit up. "Oh, there's my oldest cousin, Gohan."

Cassandra blinked and looked at the handsome teen who was laughing with an equally beautiful girl. Cassandra sighed. They looked great together, happy and so carefree.

"…Uhm... his girlfriend?" Cassandra questioned and gave Mai a glance.

"Oh, that depends on your definition. A girl that's a friend," She wagged her pointing finger. "A girl, that has known him for years and makes him go crazy and blushes from head to toe? Or the same girl that teases him to no end only to be teased back? Or that exact girl who joys in blushing with him when they get caught stealing a few kisses? Perhaps," Mai smiled. "But my cousin is such a naïve guy sometimes. Can't figure out he's in love without a nudge or two."

"He seems nice, Mai."

"He is. You want to meet him?" Mai suggested when they finished their lap around the track.

"I—well…" before Cassandra could muster enough words, Mai called the two over.

"Gohan, Videl! Over here!" Mai waved and before long the two teens arrived.

"Gohan, Videl. This is my newest friend, Cassandra. And Cassandra, Gohan and Videl." Mai presented them to each other.

"Hi, nice to meet you," Videl said and gave Cassandra a bright smile.

"Hello," Gohan held out his hand, "Same here."

Cassandra looked at Gohan's outstretched hand and hesitated for a moment. Seeing the perplexed looks coming from the three others she quickly took his hand and smiled gratefully. After they shook hands, Mr. Flanker called Videl and Gohan over to help with the equipment.

"Two peas in a pod," Mai grinned as she watched the two take off.

Mai turned and blinked seeing Cassandra looking at her hand that she'd just shook with. She looked at it curiously and waved it and sighed.

Why couldn't I see his death like the others? Cassandra thought.

"He has that affect on all the ladies," Mai shrugged.

"Definitely," Cassandra mentally shook her head. That wasn't it. She had learned secretly that this curse—GIFT—only worked on humans. She knew it hadn't been lifted since she could sense it somehow still in her veins.

What are you? She thought casting a discreet glance at Gohan.

"Except me because I think that now I'm immune because I knew him since I got crawl." Mai continued as the two made their way to the locker rooms with the rest of the girls. "I don't think he'll ever get use to the goo-ga-ly eyes the girls give him. But that's where the tough girlfriend comes in. Gotta be tough and the type to kick ass to keep your territory—erm man to yourself."

"I heard she's Hercule's daughter. Am I right?"

"Yeah," Mai shrugged.

"Must be cool to be friends with his daughter, huh?"

"It has its ups and downs. But enough about Hercule, what about you? You're so quiet. Why were you freaking out back there?"

"Freaking out?" Cassandra blinked.

Mai nodded, "Yeah, like—"

"I know what it means!" she snapped and left Mai speechless. "Sorry, I didn't mean to—I just didn't think—I'm sorry."

"It's ok," Mai plastered on a weak smile. "Really it is. Gohan always warned me I took the cursed trait."

"Cursed trait?"

"Yeah, prying," Mai giggled. "He says it runs in the family—on the female side. But I think it runs through everyone one of us."

"So is your cousin on the football team or something? He's got quite an arm."

"Uh-uh," Mai shook her head. "He's more of brains over brawns. He prefers to read or do homework. Rarely does he go out after our last escapade."

"Escapade…?" Cassandra questioned.

"Yep, we all we're a bit stupid, we went to a rave and nearly got arrested. It was hilarious now but back then…well it sort of wasn't. Videl was so pissed off at Sharpener and so was my cousin. I wasn't sure who'd kill him first. My bet was it would be a draw." Mai laughed.

"You sure have very interesting friends."

"Oh, I do. They're so much fun. You'll never meet a bunch of people who can piss each other off one second and laugh about it the next." Again, she laughed.

"Yes, I agree." Cassandra looked up at the bleachers of the gym when they left the locker room. A boy with chestnut-hair, green-eyes and a board smirk was talking to some redhead caught her attention. "Isn't that—?"

"—one of those jerks that we bulling you around? Yeah. He's the quarterback of our football team." Mai said.

"Hey there Mai," Tyler said jumping down from the bleachers and ignoring Cassandra.

"And here comes "Mr. Star" himself," Mai said dryly.

"I haven't seen you around. Did you like last Saturday's game?" Mai ignored the fact that they saw each other earlier.

"Depends," Mai plastered on a fake smile.

"Depends on what?" Tyler grinned.

"Depends on whether I get bored at watching you hog the ball or bored because you never make a touchdown. Which ever comes first, I presume." She shrugged.

Fuming, he glared at Cassandra who all the while was staring at him before he turned to leave. "What are you looking at?" he snapped.

Cassandra eyed the arrogant quarterback and scoffed. "Humph nothing much," She decided then and there maybe the world would be better off without this pigheaded teen.

Completely dumbfounded, Tyler grunted. "Whatever."

"What an ass," Mai rolled her eyes when Tyler was out of hearing range. She turned to the now silent girl. "I've been meaning to ask you. What was that?"

"What was what?"

"Before 2nd class. I saw Tyler fly off of you like—like…"

"Oh, it was nothing. I just kicked him that's all. I took several martial arts courses before I came here." She lied.

"Oh…really?" Mai said sounding not quite convinced.

"Really," Cassandra said with a stern tone before looking at her watch. "Look, I better head off for class. I'll catch you later, Mai."

Mai could only blink as the bell rang and Cassandra disappeared into the crowd. "Uhm…yeah…later."

Orange Star High 3:59

It was after school, most of the students and teachers had gone home. Only a few remained, mostly seniors who were socializing in the parking lots or the front loop of the school. Gohan, Videl, and Mai were leaving the school just then.

"I tell you there's something really weird about that girl, cuz." Mai shook her head.

"You always say that about people," Gohan said.

"Do not."

"Do to."

"DO NOT and that's final."

"Do to," Gohan muttered and received a glare from Mai.

"I heard that, jerk! Anyways, remember we're supposed to go over to Videl's for the study session."

"I haven't forgotten."

"Yeah, you were hoping I'd forgot because you're just anticipating getting her alone and then you'll—"

"—get your head out of the gutters and your feet back on planet Earth, if you please."

"Oh sure; like as if you didn't have your mind in the gutter while I was talking about your intentions. Come off it, Gohan. Anyone with one eye and half enough sense can see it." Mai grinned and couldn't help but laugh at the fact that her cousin and Videl were blushing like crazy.

At the loop of the school, Cassandra was talking with her father at the curb of the sidewalk. "Everything went fine, father."

"No…you know what." He looked cautiously behind him.

"Y—err nope, none at all." She lied.

"I heard hesitation, Casey." Her father said.

"Dad, please don't call me that." Cassandra felt her cheeks burning knowing full well that she was blushing.

How degrading, Cassandra thought.

"You'll always be my little Casey." He smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

Mortified of the possibility that someone saw, Cassandra mumbled, "Dad, can we please go?"

Her father looked at her now paled face. "Are you all right? You look so jittery."

"I'm fine. Really, I am." She lied and smiled slightly. "See?"

"O-ok," he murmured still looking at her waiting for a moment for it to spill out. Cassandra rolled her eyes; she for once wasn't going to spill.

"Let's go," she headed for her father's new jeep and hesitated. She saw Tyler laughing with his friends over Kami knows what. Everyone was unaware of what was to come—

Except for me, Cassandra thought. It left a bitter taste in her mouth. If she let him die without warning him again…it would eat at her conscience for the rest of her life. Cassandra groaned underneath her breath. He was still alive, but in the vision she'd seen the clock on the side of the building reading 3:00. She looked at clock at the side of the school and she muffled a gasp—it was 2:59!

"Tyler is such a loser," Mai shook her head.

"Tyler this, Tyler that. I'm starting to believe you like him, Mai." Gohan laughed.

Mai gaped at her cousin, "Ugh! Traitor, how could you even say that! I mean really, gees some cousin you are!" she gave him a mocking pout.

"Totally," Flex grinned. "I'm so going to win this game for us."

Tyler laughed out loud and headed towards the curve, Cassandra gulped inwardly.

It's now or never. Get moving you wimp! Cassandra scolded herself. Tyler stopped in the middle of the road—like a moron! Cassandra thought—as he laughed again at another joke before his three friends turned around to head for Flex's sports car.

Get moving you big dope before you get killed. Cassandra thought. She heard a noise and saw a car speeding towards Tyler. To Cassandra, driver looked preoccupied with something inside the vehicle because the car hadn't stopped nor did it slowed down. Tyler being his stupid self hadn't paid much attention to where he was walking.

Cassandra felt her words of warning caught up in her throat, her feet were frozen into place and it seemed everything was happening in slow motion. Her heart pounded loudly and everything was blocked out except for the car and Tyler's laughter. Finding her inner strength, Cassandra yelled as loud as she could. "TYLER!"

Gohan's head shot up as he heard Cassandra's yell. The quarterback looked up then and saw the car, his eyes widen like those of a deer confronted by headlights. He was frozen to the spot like some people usually did when they were in such unexpected danger. Cassandra wanted desperately to close her eyes but in her mind's eye she kept seeing the teen being through into the air upon impact. What in the world? Cassandra thought.

Cassandra blinked, one second Tyler was in front of the car and the next, he was on the ground unconscious with Gohan beside him. Cassandra saw the driver of the car get out and looked frantically at Tyler. She felt Gohan's intense gaze, knowing he suspicious of her and looked a bit worried.

Looks like it time to move to another school. Cassandra thought grimly. She looked up and her father met her gaze and his face too reflected her thought.

And I really did like this school too. Cassandra added.

The remaining students and some staff members crowded the two students. Gohan managed to slip through and rejoin Mai and Videl.

"That was amazing," Mai said and Videl nodded.

"I really don't see why you don't join the track time. You'd literally live the competition eating your dust," Videl smiled.

Gohan blushed. "It was nothing, really it wasn't. It's a normal reaction on my part."

Videl lifted an eyebrow making her look even more endearing. "Natural? To run like the speed of light, jump between a speeding car and a person and land safely on the grass on the other end?"

"Well not safely. I think Tyler got a few scratches," Gohan said willing himself not to blush.

"For the boy who saved the world from Cell you're awfully modest." Videl murmured.

"Yeah, I mean almost anyone would grab at the chance for the title." Mai added.

Gohan laughed nervously, he'd hoped everyone would have forgotten that factor. Guess not. "Guys you're embarrassing me and—"

"—but I love it when you blush. It's so adorable," she pinched his left cheek.

Mai sighed, "Ah, yet another moment spoiled by me. We have a study session we have to go to. You guys can mess around in the backseat. But remember that my car is NOT a limo—"

"—we get it, Mai." Gohan and Videl said in unison.

SatanMansion

"What do you mean you didn't mail the letter?" Suzuki yelled.

"Well…I…and…this…well…I was busy."

"BUSY?" she shrilled.

Andrew winced. "Yes, busy. You know working—"

"I know what it means, damn you! How could you screw up like that?"

Hercule blinked. "Well I think—"

"Oh shut up!" Suzuki hissed and Hercule snapped his mouth shut. She glared at Andrew. "I want you to find the damn letter and this time, don't screw up!"

Andrew gulped. "Well…the problem is…well what happens was…"

"Would you just SPIT IT OUT ALREADY?"

"I kind of don't remember. There was this bar—really nice bar, and the music—nice music too—and the bartender—really, really nice babe—and well…I kind of got drunk and it…it—"

"—it? —IT WHAT?"

"It's kind of…lost."

"LOST?"

Andrew gulped. "Not lost per say. Temporary misplaced actually."

"I'll permanently replace you if you didn't find it!"

Andrew paled. "Yes," he bowed and ran towards the front door.

Hercule swallowed and looked nervously around the room. "Uhm…w-w-what's so important about some dinky letter?"

"There's nothing DINKY about it. That letter holds the undoing of your daughter and that Son boy. Trust me."

"Is it legal?" Hercule blinked.

"Trust me, Hercule." She cooed.

"Again, is it legal?"

Videl's apartment

Videl looked at the front door and noticed it was opened just a bit, "Wait here." She murmured and went inside.

Gohan blinked. For all they knew she was being or had been robbed and the crooks could still be in there. "Wait here?" he scoffed and walked in. He admired her bravery, but everyone needs backup, right?

Feeling a gust of wind, Videl looked behind her. "I thought I told you to wait." Videl whispered.

"And leave you at the hands of criminals, I think not."

"You're so noble." Videl grinned.

"Ah, whispering love birds." Hercule laughed sitting in the nearest armchair beside Suzuki.

Videl and Gohan's eyes widen when they noticed the two adults. "What the hell are you doing here—here in my apartment?"

"I'd call it a penthouse, darling." Suzuki giggled. "Quite quaint yet chic, but darling—"

"—don't call me darling." Videl hissed.

"Now, now, that's no way to converse, young lady." Hercule looked at Gohan. "If you'll excuse us, young man we have something to discuss with my daughter."

Videl scoffed, "Daughter? Now that's a new one. I thought you disowned me."

Hercule looked at Gohan expectedly. "Young man—"

"—whatever you want to say to me you can damn well say it in front of him!"

"Very well," Hercule sighed deeply. "You're a very stubborn child."

Videl ignored the word "child," and placed her hands upon her hips. "I'm surprised you wanted to talk. How many times has it been, two times this month? Oh boy, am I lucky."

"Good to see you too." Hercule said just as sarcastically. He looked at Gohan then back at Videl. "Ahem. You do plan to marry this go-whatever character, do you?"

"It's GOHAN."

"Boy, you have a set of pipes." Suzuki giggled lightly which made Videl scowl.

"Whatever, you never answered my question. Since you're so lovey-dovey I presume marriage did cross your mind, once or twice."

"Perhaps," Videl shrugged. "I don't see how that is any concern to you."

"Why of COURSE it is! Seeing billions you "own" is really MINE, and then of course it's my concern. It's an unwritten law that people of certain class marry into the SAME class. I've been drilling that into your head for years now!"

"Really?" Looking extremely bored, Videl yawned. "Is that all?"

Hercule gestured towards Gohan, "Don't you see? He doesn't give a damn about you, only your money. Don't be so NAÏVE Videl!"

"He's not like that!"

Hercule laughed. "How do you know what? You've known him for what—a month?"

"And your point is?"

"Humph, didn't take him long to brainwash you, did it? I thought I raised an intelligent girl!"

"You NEVER raised me at all!"

Suzuki smirked. "Temper, temper your mother would never approve—"

"—don't you ever, EVER speak of her name—" Videl yelled at Suzuki then turned to Hercule. "—and you never loved her!"

Hercule stood up, his eyes flaring. "How dare you, you insolate child! I loved my wife with all my heart and soul—"

"—small heart huh? It didn't take you long for you to get over your mourning."

"You rude little—you don't even know what love is! You're only sixteen years old!"

"Eighteen years old and I know more about love than you! At least my heart is capable of it!"

"I never ever dreamed you'd ever turn out to be so small-minded, Vid."

"You never knew me at all. And don't call me that. You gave up all rights—"

"—did I? Does that mean this scrawny boy took them?"

"He's not scrawny!" she hated the fact that she was blushing as she said this. If she'd turned around at that very moment she would have realized the very quiet saiyan behind her was blushing as well.

"Really?" Hercule laughed. "How long did it take him to bed you, my dear? A day? two? perhaps tree?"

"He didn't—why am I even defending myself to the likes of YOU?"

"You dim-witted—"

"Uhm…Mr. Hercule I don't think that's very fastidious thing to say." Gohan said finally getting a word into this argument. He'd never seen such a heated one in his entire life. Videl's ki was flaring and so must be her blood pressure.

Hercule smirked. "It's rather interesting don't you think? Whenever we talk nowadays, this BOY'S the root of the problem."

"Indeed, a weed in the garden." Suzuki murmured.

"YOU, you're the problem!" Videl gestured to Hercule.

"Excuse me?" Hercule snapped.

"Don't play dumb! You're always the problem! At times I wish you'd just disappear!"

"I don't play dumb. You had your wish, to have me disappear didn't you? But that boy and those 'people' brought me back."

"Those 'people' are Gohan's family and friends and they deserve more respect then that especially since you STOLE Gohan's credit for defeating Cell! I mean what type of bozo would believe YOU defeated Cell?"

"The truth's been out for such a long time, Videl. Yet, I'm still making more money than he could ever see in his lifetime, unless he somehow wiggled into this family by a WEAK link named 'Videl'!"

"Get out."

"Videl don't you—"

"—I said GET OUT!" Hercule stood and so did Suzuki. "Next time you come here like this I'll have you arrested. Do I make myself clear?"

Gohan watched her clench her fist, her cheeks flushed and her ki skittering. She was holding onto consciousness. Such a burst of energy especially from a human could cause horrible consequences. Never had he seen someone so worked up in years, never had he seen such hate and sorrow. It seemed that Hercule brought out the worst in his daughter—Gohan sighed—if only they could get along like before…none if this would have happened if Hercule had been truthful in the beginning. He understood Videl's feelings—betrayal, sorrow, misguidance—she'd been exposed to so many emotions a child shouldn't have to face.

Hercule walked out the door followed by the grinning Suzuki. Hercule turned around and saw Videl at the door glaring him down. He opened his mouth to speak only to be confronted by her slamming the door in his face.

"Well that went well." Suzuki beamed.

"How can you be so—so happy? We just got kicked out and that-that boy's in there. Who knows what they could be doing in there—I know what they could be doing in there! Kami, my name will be dragged in the mud by this! Oh boy, the tabloids will have a damn field day!"

"No need to worry," she pulled out her cell phone. "I'll take care of everything."

Gohan blinked. Videl was gone. After searching a while Gohan found Videl in bedroom. She was there sitting cross-legged with a scowl on her face. Her eyes were darkener now and her breathing ragged. He took cautious steps towards her and was thankful that she hadn't heard him yet.

"…I can't believe he'd do that. Damn obnoxious, conceited bastard." Videl muttered. She looked angry, angry enough to kill. "Arrogant, bigheaded, detestable, insufferable, filthy, stupid, egotistic, womanizing—"

"You know you'll run out of adjectives soon." Gohan took another hesitated step towards the bed.

Videl glared at him, a glare that could definitely match, if not surpass his own mother. A woman whose glare had the foolish and the bravest, who dared to challenge her, quiver with fear.

Gohan laughed nervously and took a seat beside her. He barely heard the soft squeaking noise before Videl tried to push him off. "You're killing him!"

"Who, where?" he jumped up and looked curiously at her.

"Charlie," Videl murmured and lifted up the stuffed animal. It was a moose, with innocent brown eyes and a half grin on its face. Gohan was caught between feeling compassionate and burst out with laughter. He wasn't dumb enough to do the latter but he smiled.

"Charlie?" Gohan asked.

"Yes. My mother gave it to me for my eleventh birthday. He means the world to me. I know I'm too old for stuffed animals but…it's nice having something to hold onto."

Gohan held out his hand. "Hello, Charlie. Nice to meet you"

Videl grinned and deepened her voice. "Nice to meet you too."

They laughed after a few minutes and found themselves close enough to each other that their noses were touching. Before they probably would have blushed and looked away. But today, they didn't. They just stared.

"Videl says she wants you to kiss her now," Charlie added softly.

Needing no more than that simple invitation, Gohan kissed her. In the mist of passion, Charlie found himself on the floor, his grin never faltered. Gohan climbed onto of Videl and planted another kiss on her forehead before kissing her along her neck.

Suddenly a musical sound surrounding them; to them it sounded like an orchestra playing as their tongues danced to their own unique rhythm. Eventually their feet landed back on Earth, that was then they had realized it was Gohan's cell phone.

He frowned as he reached into his pocket for the phone. Videl got up and tilted her head towards Charlie.

"Hello?" Gohan paused. He heard nothing. His brown eyes darkened among instantly. He felt strange. An uncontrollable urge flowed through his veins. He pressed the "end" button and placed the phone on the night stand.

Videl looked at his inquisitively. "You ok?"

He barely nodded before he began to kiss her and they resumed back to their formal position. His hands caressed her waist and one of they drifted tracing along the bed and grasped a pillow from behind her head. Within an instant Videl found herself fighting for her life. He pressed the pillow down with one hand, and the other grasped both of her own to rest above her head. Instinctively, Videl began to scream even though most of it was muffled by the pillow. Videl felt her world began to darken as her body grew weaker and oxygen grew lesser.

"Don't worry it will all be over soon enough." Gohan's voice was menacing. Videl's body grew limp. "There."

A battle cry of rage erupted from somewhere Videl was unsure of. Soon she felt Gohan's weight being pushed off of her all at once and then a mighty thud followed.

Someone wrenched off the pillow and Videl came face to face with a set of hazel eyes. "Mai!"

Erasa and Sharpener stood behind Mai with two bowls of water. Their attention was drawn from her for a moment when they heard a low groan coming from the other side of the room.

Gohan sat up and looked up to see an angry Erasa and a jovial Sharpener. "This will hurt you more than it will hurt me." Sharpener said. "I've been waiting to do this for a long ass time."

Before Gohan could utter even a syllable of a word, both blondes dumped the water over the young saiyan. Instantly he shot up with his clothes clinging to him in very possible way and his hair which was usually sticking up, flapped down. He opened his eyes, blinked for a few moments before he lashed out, "What the—HEY what did you do that for?"

"You trying to take advantage of Videl, you—you jerk!" Erasa snapped.

"What? I wasn't—I didn't—I don't remember—why would you say such a thing?"

VioletCity

Angela began to pace. Her father was downstairs waiting for her with his wife. She began to wonder what idiot that led them here! Of all the—

"Angela, honestly your pacing is making me dizzy." Her aunt murmured and held out two different outfits in her hands. "Which do you prefer, the lavender or perhaps the burgundy?"

Angela replied with an unladylike scoff before she stopped abruptly. Once she had changed into the burgundy outfit with the matching jewelry, she glanced at her aunt. She looked similar to her mother—same hair, same build, same taste in clothes—except her eyes twinkled with humor and adoration whereas her mother's was haunting and cold.

A part of Angela felt that her mother always resented her because she was prettier than her mother as a teen. Her countless amounts of fiancées and boyfriends would usually flirt with her or pretend to accidentally brush themselves against her. A few had been daring enough to try to kiss her in her mother's presence. Though there was a handful in which she wasn't uncomfortable around, her mother didn't want her happiness so she usually sent them backing.

"Do you like it?" Angela gestured to reflection in the mirror.

"Exquisite," her aunt beamed but it faded a bit when Angela frowned.

"Once she looks at me the only thing she'll see is her husband's daughter out of wedlock. Nothing more," Angela sighed. "I keep thinking that if I don't screw this up…then maybe…just maybe…"

"Don't worry, Angel. Once someone gets to know you they'll know how great a person you really are. And it won't matter what's in the past. But what's in the future. And if she doesn't accept you, then it's her lost."

Angela embraced the older woman and a muffled "thank you" was heard.

Her aunt smiled then she looked at Angela. "Oh dear, your mascara is running. Let's fix that shall we?"

Angela only nodded.

Bennie's Charming Café

Angela and her father laughed together about a recent joke he had just told. Angela saw from the corner of her eyes that her father's wife, Connie hadn't laughed once. She was looking between overprotective and upset. Her father turned to the petite redhead and smiled at her. She returned the smile, nice and brightly.

Fake. Angela thought bitterly. She was not going to let this uptight twit ruin her day out with her father. No way!

"Refills…?" Angela asked the other two who nodded.

Connie smiled at her husband, "Why don't you get it, sweetie. It will give me and Angie some time to talk."

"Angela." The two corrected at the same time. They both laughed at this for a moment before he left.

Angela hesitated just as Connie did. "I know you don't like me but—"

"—you seem to be like the type of girl to get what she wants, hum? You appear to be a kept together girl, so that's why I'm telling you not to get too close to my husband."

"What? He's my father." Angela objected.

"I know he is. He has a family now, Angela. That family does not consist of you, my dear."

"W-why are you telling me this?" Angela frowned.

"You might think I'm telling you this out of spite, but I'm not. I'm helping you."

"Helping me—by insulting me?" Angela scoffed and stood up.

Connie grasped the younger girl's arm. "I'm preventing you from getting hurt when he losses interest, my dear. He always does, it never fails. He's interested on second and then the next he's not."

"Maybe in you," Angela snapped.

Connie opened her mouth and snapped it shut. They glared at each other for about two minutes until Angela's father returned with a tray holding three cups of hot coffee.

Angela's father frowned. "I got three—uhm, did I miss something?"

"No!" the women said in unison. "Nothing at all…"

He smiled. "What did you two talk about?" he sat down and waited. He was not prepared for the long silence ahead. Angela turned her body away from the couple and gazed out the window, a cup of coffee in hand. Connie took out her cell phone and began to talk with her oldest child, Amanda. He recognized his wife's cold behavior and his daughter's similar to his own when he got upset. Angela's father merely groaned underneath his breath, oh boy.

Hospital

Gohan stepped out of the hospital room; hospitals always gave him the willies ever since the time he went after fighting against Vegeta and Nappa; the smell of it, the dreary silence, the occasional eerie wails of a patient. It was so overwhelming at times.

This was the fourth incident had occurred within a 24 hours span. It was weird and a bit freaky. Videl was at her apartment resting and insisted everything was fine. She literally pushed them out saying she'd developed a headache. But Gohan refused until she agreed to answer the phone when he'd call every five or so minutes.

Videl had a few scratches and one severe cut her latest assassin Sharpener just regained consciousness after he was flung into the furthest wall of the school after he attacked Videl. As usual, the aggressor held no memory of the attack. That part of their life was a total blank to them.

"Old. All the attackers had a phone call prior to the attacks. Videl's generally alone during these attacks too. Also, it seems the people attacking her are those closest to her and have most access to being around her." Mai murmured. "How weird,"

"Weird doesn't beginning to describe it! Try freaky!" Erasa shrieked. "I feel so guilty. I could have drowned her." She then turned to Mai, "And you could have killed her—where did you find a hatchet that size in a school, Kami knows—" abruptly she turned to Gohan. "—and you tried to suffocate her!"

"It wasn't me!" Gohan objected.

"Well whoever it is pretty smart. If not cunning if I do say so myself."

Mai beamed. "Perhaps it's an obsessive admirer or—"

"—you and your romance books, one of these days—" Gohan muttered.

"—or—I heard that—an ex con or maybe a stalker or a jealous—"

"—AHEM!" Erasa snapped and cleared her throat. "Perhaps it's Andrew?"

"Who?" Cassandra blinked as she entered the waiting room.

"Only a jealous playboy wannabe who's the son of one of the shrewdest millionaire; can you believe his father makes 4.2 thousand dollars a week sitting behind his desk and a glass of whiskey in tow? Andrew is one of the youngest CEO to ever live." Erasa explained. She blushed from their bewildered looks. "I did my homework."

"He does fit the profile of the jealous admirer. I mean he lost his "fiancée" to our loveable Gohan here. I guess he could be one of those psychos that kill of a woman because she doesn't want him or vise versa and he doesn't want anyone else to have her." Mai said. "He has that suave appearance on the outside but could be a serial killer or could have a-a mad scientist at his disposal. Why not other people kill her off, have them remember nothing and be done with it. And no one suspects you. That's where he's wrong, I suspect him."

"He hasn't been in the city for nearly a week now. That's six days before all this had happened." Erasa said.

"He's a slippery one, I'll give him that." Mai nodded.

"What do you purpose we do Sherlock?" Gohan asked.

"Oh Hah ha, very funny Son boy."

"Anyways, Sharpener's about to be released soon and we can go back and check out Videl." Erasa beamed.

Just as Gohan and Erasa had left and Mai proceeded to follow, Cassandra stopped her.

"Mai, wait up."

Mai stopped and looked at the frightened girl. "What's wrong? You look so pale."

"We need to get back to Videl, now!" Cassandra said.

"Why, what's wrong Cassandra? What happened? What's going on?"

"It's just-I have this ability to-to see things…"

"Like a prophet or a fortune teller?"

"Maybe-I think-I don't know." Cassandra said. "That's not important. It's just that...remember earlier I had literally freaked out when Videl touched my shoulder to see if I was ok?"

"Cassandra, are you ok?" Videl asked and touched the girl on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me! I—I can't—I see—" Cassandra blurted out.

"Cassandra, what's wrong?" Mai had asked.

"I'm ok, just a migraine. That's all." She offered Mai and the rest of teens a weak smile. "I just need some aspirins."

Mai nodded. "Yeah, we all thought you were going to have a panic attack or something. Sharpener was one number away from calling the ambulance. Why?"

"Well I saw something…" Cassandra fell silent. She wondered why she was telling Mai this. She knew her for an entire week but she trusted her so much. The last person she told had her reported to a mental institution. She had tried countless of times to be accepted by her peers but somehow the truth always leaked out, by accidentally or on purpose. Every time she tried to save someone, they'd always died. Why, because they never believed her. She'd discovered over the years two things. If she was touched anywhere—hands, legs, shoulders, head— it would happen. Two, never trust anyone.

"Saw what?" Mai questioned.

"I saw…it's vague now. I saw fire. I could practically smell it. It was so horrible. I heard some horrible laughter and I heard Videl. She was dying in there. All bruised and seeping into unconsciousness." She turned away. "You don't believe me, do you?"

"Of course I do."

"I—you do?" Cassandra looked at her with unmistakable astonishment. "Truly…?"

"Yes."

"But—but why?"

"I know you wouldn't kid about something like this. You can be silly at times and serious too. But you'd never be cruel to play such a trick. Besides I heard Tyler talking with his goons as usual and you came up in the conversation. I confess I was eavesdropping but I am the queen at it. Anyways, he was so pissed off. He kept saying you had jinks him that day when you told him he was going to die."

"He would have, if you cousin hadn't saved him. You sure he's not on the track time or—"

"—nope, He's a born sprinter. Reacts like the speed of light."

"I remember the cottage was near—near a fountain I believe. I think maybe somewhere named Ferity."

"I know where that is." Mai's face grew serious. "Let's go get those three."

"All ready back." Erasa smiled. Cassandra tensed and began to wonder how much they had heard.

"We were waiting for your conversation to end." Sharpener added. "Gohan was locating some of those crackers and that horrible juice they feed us—the patients—for me. The doc said I'll have a weak stomach for a few hours."

"Uhm... speaking of Gohan, where is he?" Cassandra asked.

The two blondes blinked and looked behind them. "He was just here a minute ago."

Elsewhere

"You were the cause of this, you know." Hercule bellowed. "You caused her to die, didn't you? She—"

Videl regained consciousness enough to hear his yells. Who was this she? Where was she?

Slowly and vividly she began to remember what had happened prior to this. She had been standing at the balcony getting some fresh air, when someone had grabbed her from behind and someone else had used some sort of cloth with an unidentified scent that made her grow limp and become unconsciousness.

She began to become aware of her surroundings. She was in some cottage, tied to the beam of the house. Her gaze fell upon a shrine-like thing that concealed pictures and more pictures of her mother and all the mementos that was placed on her grave.

She looked up at the brawny figure and noticed it was her father. He had something in his hands and his back as to her as he continued to muttered things. Videl began to fidget and wiggle as much as possible. She didn't like how things were going.

When Hercule finally turned around he was laughing heartily. "Now my dear, sweet girl; it is time to pay the price… one life for another. It's a pity you won't be able to live when the tabloids come a running to hear of the fate of the city's brazen heroine. No one will suspect who had done it for centuries from now. Who'd bother? I am a man of money; I could have this covered up in minutes."

"You're a wicked man, letting yourself be controlled." Videl muttered.

"Now, now, look up. We wouldn't want you to miss the last moment of your life." Hercule chuckled and began to pour out the large gallon of gasoline.

Videl's eyes widen. So that's what was in it.

He tossed the empty container over his shoulder, with a menacing smirk he pulled out a lighter. "Wish I could say I hold some remorse, but I can't. He can't save you now." He bent down to the area closest to him and the flames came alive. "Let her be avenged!" he declared before he fell, face first onto the ground.

Videl frowned. How peculiar. After a few moments Videl gave up screaming for help. Her vision began to burl as the smoke and the fresh wound to her forehead made her feel woozy and tried. She found herself ceasing to struggle against the ropes, she found herself welcoming the darkness with open arms. The sounds of the burning pictures and wood grew fainter and fainter. Her last thoughts were of Gohan.

Gohan landed just outside the cottage. His eyes grew wide as he saw the burning cabin. He barely sensed Videl or her attacker. Within an instance he was there before her, he looked around and saw Hercule inches away unconscious just like his daughter.

Gohan gripped the ropes and broke Videl free. He would have pulled her free with the bonds in tack but knew the beams would break instantly. Because he was a saiyan, his body hadn't been affected much by the heat or the amount of smoke. He tossed Hercule upon his shoulder with ease and had Videl in his arms. Judging from the amount of fire, and extra precautious explosive, the place would blow up—

"LOOK there' it is!" Erasa shrieked and pointed towards the cottage as they neared it.

The four hesitated. No way could either of them go in and come back alive. Mai frowned, they were too late. "Oh Videl…"

It wasn't until Cassandra's loud gasp that drew Erasa and Mai from looking at the ground.

"Look! It's Gohan and Videl."

Sharpener blinked. "It looks like nerd boy—" he saw the figure exit the burning cottage with the ease of someone who did this for a living. "—it is nerd boy. Well, I'll be damned."

The four faced up to Gohan just in time for the explosion. The debris and the force of the winds knocked them all onto their stomachs. Form a few minutes all was still, the once glorious cottage was nothing more but burnt wood and metals.

Videl blinked. She managed to get herself onto her back and stared up at a pair of concerned brown-eyes. "G-Gohan?"

"You were expecting someone else?" he grinned. Noticing everyone was beginning to stand up and taking note of the awkward and also intimate position they were in he moved off of her after giving her a brief kiss on the lips.

"Well that's attack number 5." Sharpener said.

"Aren't you Mr. Observant?" Erasa chimed. "Why—"

"We better get these two to the hospital." Mai interrupted.

SatanCity

"DAMN YOU!" Suzuki yelled and slammed the crystal ball onto the foyer. She didn't like what she'd seen. Hercule had failed. The damn man failed! She glared at the maid who saw her do it. "Clean it up you insolate wrench!" she pointed to the shattered crystals.

"Yes ma'am, right away." The younger woman murmured as she picked up a nearby broom. But I rather stick this broom down your big mouth first! The maid thought angrily and glowered at the older woman.

Hercule wouldn't have approved of this method, but death did separate people, right? If he found out—damn I'd lose my safe haven. I need more time. I've just finished my latest plan if that human boy finds that damnable letter! Suzuki thought.

"Work faster, idiot!" Suzuki scolded the maid.

Suzuki bit her lower lip until it drew blood. The taste of her own blood didn't sicken her. In fact, it made her think even harder.

"So we got ourselves a little fortuneteller, eh? Interesting... My poor Hercule, I had to use you too. But you're just as useless as the rest. Dammit." Suzuki muttered.

"A shame huh?" the maid laughed. "Really you're so pathetic."

Suzuki glared at her. "Excuse me?"

"Your not excused, woman." She smirked, jumped into the air and morphed into Starlight. Her golden locks fell to her shoulders, sea-green eyes glowed with mischief and her wick grin didn't make Suzuki feel at all uncomfortable, only anger coursed through her veins.

"You're dressed casually in a maid's outfit, how amusing. I always said serving me is becoming of you." Suzuki chuckled.

Not wanting to be outdone, Starlight countered. "Been one for two weeks and you hadn't noticed. You must be slipping Su, how awful for you."

"It's not Su, you twit." Why do people keep giving me such idiotic nicknames?

"Whatever." Starlight hovered and crossed her legs. "You must tell me how one is so easily able to fail miserably even with such advancement of technology that is a mere dream to these mortals. To perform such a "unique talent" must be worth a medal or something. Frankly, it baffles me. Really it does. I'm sure it will enlighten us all. Don't you think? Speaking of such I have some wonderful—ahem, awful news for you. The master is getting quite impatient with you, dear Su. I wouldn't want you to lose your position but there comes a time when one must accept defeat."

"Oh but I agree that there comes a time when one must be killed to give others some piece of mind."

Starlight huffed and tossed her hair to the side and smirked. "Better hurry. Time's a wasting. You have yet to open even one of the portals, how pathetic. I've been thinking—"

"—that's a first. Did it hurt?"

She rolled her eyes. "Really now, must you be so vulgar?" Starlight did a slight flip in the air.

"Really now, must you be so bitchy?" Suzuki countered.

"Oh? Bitchy am I? Looks like someone's broaden their vocabulary lately." Bored, Starlight began to inspect her fingernails. "Must have a lot of time on your hand, hum?"

"Not enough to kill you with." Suzuki grunted. "Now I would advise you to leave because I won't hesitate to drive a knife or a ki blast through that "pretty" little face of yours."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me." Suzuki said as a lazy smirk graced her face.

"You—oh forget it! I've warned you! Touch this glamorous face and I'll have you hanged for it."

"Hanged? Must we live in the medieval ways of my people?"

"Yours—ha! I'm out of here." She scowled. "Wait until master hears of your latest failure. Soon it will be my turn and unlike you, I will please my master. I shall open the portals, destroy the saiyans and release the darkness back to where it belongs! Not only that but I shall rid the universe of incomparable servants like you!" she glowered at Suzuki. "Oh yes, don't forget the clock is ticking, dear Su." Starlight did another flip and a dark mist surrounded the blonde woman as she disappeared.

Tick

Tick

"Damn you!" Suzuki yelled on the top of her lungs and ignoring Starlight's distant laughter. "Damn you Starlight, damn you saiyans, damn you all!"

Suzuki scowled. Indeed, this maybe my last chance.

Next Time:

Saiyans and Full Moons

The full moon is upon us and it seems it's affecting Gohan. His friends remain clueless; Gohan's hormones are raging out of control, and Videl's avoiding being alone with the once meek teen. Once was enough for Videl to figure out, it wasn't safe being around him—alone—anymore. But it won't be that easy with him popping up at every corner or how tempting his propositions are. Meanwhile, Angela has come to her final decision about Orion's affections and that of her father and his wife. What does her mother have to say when she meets Mr. and Mrs. Sauk face-to-face after an entire decade?

Completed: 4/2/05

Past Reveiws

Mew:

I love the story a lot, and I love your development on Angela (very nice) and I don't think your writing is in a "blah blah" style (especially when someone said that who can't even spell exaggerate in one of your other reviews), but I have one question...

I think I must have missed something, because last time I checked Chichi and Bulma were trying to kill Goku and weird stuff was going on with Videl (who was just about to carry out Suzuki's plan), but in this scene they're back at Gohan's house. Since the title of the chapter is "Chapter 12: Hearts to break and hearts to mend", I'm guessing somehow the real chapter 11 got lost...

Just a heads up. :)

But in any case, your writing is DEFINITELY above par and I like your descriptions a lot. Please, don't change your chapters or their lengths at all, or anything about this.

-Neko

Author: (blush) Yeah, I notcied that a while after I posted it. Thanks for your reveiw.

I DO like this; but the G/V seems to be moving REALLY slowly. I mean, they've been together since chapter 4 or so, and he still won't even ask her to be his girlfriend, let alone tell her he loves her, yet their making out and sleeping next to each other! When's the mating season start, cause Gohan needs to grow some balls and start confessing his love, or somethig like that. I look forward to the next chapter.

Author: I agree. I hope the next chapter is more to your licking. I've been planning this one for a while. Can handlelywait. Thanks for your reveiw.

miroku-has-darkness:

awesome update soon

Author: I will, and this time hopefully I won't take like two months to do just that. Thanks for your reveiw.

anonymous one question... rather than raid, did you mean rave? liketheunderground parties with rave music? because you used raid quite a bit... and police raid raves. just wondering

Author: Yep. I noticed a day after I posted the chapter. Because of that error I took two days and profread the entire chapter (#14). Thanks for your reveiw.