Disclaimer: I'm not even going to bother, you already should know the drill by now. But for a quick overview.... I don't own DBZ.

A.N.: My second G/V fic. Hopefully it's even better then my first. Basically as a summary, Videl makes a decision based on what she thinks is the best course of action. But is it really? And how does it effect her and Gohan. Yes it is a bit suspenseful right now, but everything will be explained next chapter, so hold on until then. As always, review, review, review.

thinking : you should be able to figure out who's thinking what. I'll try to make it easy on you guys.

The Choice Is Simple

By ~Crystal Delphina~

Chapter 1: It's Been Five Long Days

{~*~} {~*~} {~*~}

She hated the spring right now for many reasons. One was that it would be beautiful and sunny one day, then the next, only gloom and rain prevailed.

It had been nearly two hours now since she had woken up. She hadn't moved at all, but just allowed the minutes to tick by, looking out her balcony windows. The rain wasn't helping her spirits at all either.

Peering at the clock on her bedside table, it read 7:00 A.M. Like another personal alarm, there was a knock on her door.

"Miss Videl," a young servant woman entered the spacious room. "it's time to get up. School starts in 45 minutes. Are you feeling better today?"

"I'm not going to school Noriko," Videl's voice sounded forlorn, as she continued to look at the droplets of water cascading down on the city and trailed down her window.

"But Miss Videl, this will be the fourth day. Are you sure I shouldn't call a doctor?"

"Yes I'm sure. I'll be fine. I'll go tomorrow."

"Miss Videl, you said that yesterday. If your father were to find out he'd have a fit. Thank your lucky stars that the master is off on a tour in America. He'll be returning next month you know." If Hercule found out that Noriko had 'allowed' Videl to stay home for four days, it would be her job on the line.

"Yes I know. My father won't get upset, so don't worry. I'm staying home today."

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Noriko turned to leave, grabbing the door handle in the process.

"Wait Noriko."

"Yes Miss Videl?" Hopefully she had decided to change her mind.

"You and the others can have the day off; you'll get full pay. I would prefer to be alone today."

"But Miss Videl!" She was shocked to say the least.

"No buts. You can all go."

"Yes Miss Videl, and thank you very much for your kindness," Noriko dropped the subject knowing that the young woman wouldn't budge, and just decided to accept the gift graciously.

Shutting the door once more, she paused. Although she was nearly 12 years older then Videl, they were on friendly terms.

"Videl," she knew that those terms were needed now and dropped the formalities. "are you ever going to tell me what's got you so down in the dumps?"

Seconds went by in silence before Videl finally spoke, " maybe someday, but for right now, I'm just going to say I lost something. Have a good day off Noriko."

Noriko sighed sadly, " you too Miss Videl." The door clicked shut with her heartfelt farewell.

{~*~} {~*~} {~*~}

Chichi was worried. Her oldest son had barely eaten anything the last five days. Only enough to sustain minimal life. The rest of the time, he was either locked in his room, or training to the extremes in the harsh elements. He even had refused to train with Goten.

She looked outside the window above the sink. Dirtied dishes piled into the soapy water were subjected to Chichi's sponge. Cleaning one after another, she continued to look out at the dismal weather, searching for her son.

Gohan was out in that rain, most likely, beating himself up. He probably wouldn't come back for lunch, and when he would return late that night, he would eat a plate of food, just one plate, then head to the lonely room he called his own. It was the same routine day after day. And it was driving her nuts because she couldn't figure out why!

He wasn't even obeying her. He refused to go to school, and even went so far as to yell at her when she pestered him about it. It was appalling. Her little Gohan, actually rebelling??

Gritting her teeth, she attacked the dishes with a bit of vengeance.

He's going to have a truckload of studying to make up when his little fit is over with

The dishes would have cowered under her glare if they could.

{~*~} {~*~} {~*~}

She got up. She actually had left her bed, and even more, she had got dressed; a miracle. And of all miracles, she left her room, the first time in the past five days. Miracles really could happen, and Videl just proved it.

Videl entered the massive kitchen that held more appliances then some top restaurants. Grabbing a spoon, then a yogurt, she sat down on a stool and ate. All of her meals had been served to her in her room. It was somewhat nice to eat outside of such familiar walls.

Finished, she headed down to the main training room. It was filled with her father's students. How disgusting.

"Everyone out now! There will be no classes or training of any kind here today." The students first stared at her until she extended a finger pointing towards the public exit to emphasize her point. No one moved.

"Get OUT!!" she bellowed. That got them. They scrambled as fast as they could out of the room.

Muttering, she began attacking the first punching bag in her path. "Finally."

After nearly two hours, she let out a frustrated cry. Usually each punch and kick she landed alleviated tension, or pushed away whatever she was concerned about to the back of her mind. Not this time though.

The whole situation she was in started with a fight.

Each hit she gained on the defenseless bag just reminded her of that. A spar. Just a simple little training session, right? She swallowed a hard lump in her throat just at the thought of it.

{~*~} {~*~} {~*~}

The ki blast did an arc and headed right back towards the original source. Ready and waiting, Gohan let it hit him full force. He wanted to feel the pain.

A way to get his anger out and know that he was still there; alive. His usually training had him doing controlled movements, graceful actually in some ways, that had a gentle force behind them, but still powerful. Now, he was nearly reckless, just putting raw power behind each attack.

He was blinded. It was almost like that blindness that came upon him when he fought Cell. When his own pride caused him to make a fool of himself. However, this emotion wasn't pride in knowing he was powerful. No, this emotion was just heartbreak and confusion. He threw another ki blast out. It turned and began to come back once more like a boomerang. He was ready and waiting to feel the pain.

{~*~} {~*~} {~*~}

Videl collapsed to the floor, her legs giving out on her. She slumped forward, gasping heavily from the strenuous work out. She glanced at a clock; 2:30 PM. She had been training for nearly 6 hours. She moved to get up, and headed back towards her room. As soon as she entered, she heard the buzzer in her room, indicating someone was at the front door.

"Who is it?" she sounded gruff, like the 'old' Videl, as she flipped an intercom switch.

"Erasa. Can I come in?"

"Fine," she clicked the button to unlock the door, and tried to look presentable. It didn't seem to work, and Erasa made it apparent.

"My god Videl, you look just awful. What happened? And you know you shouldn't be training when you're sick." Erasa sat down on Videl's bed, throwing her book bag on the floor.

"I'm not sick."

A confused expression came on Erasa's face as she stared at Videl. Videl started throwing clothes around trying to decide what to change into.

"Then why haven't you been at school?" Videl paused; froze was actually a more accurate description.

"I just haven't felt good, alright?" she snapped.

"Ahh, I get it. Your dad's away so you're just chilling out right?"

"Uh...yeah...right." Videl absentmindedly agreed as she began searching once more.

"That's cool. But it's been really boring at school without you around. And especially since Gohan is gone too. He must be sick, because he's been absent since Monday like you."

That damned lump came back in her throat. She tried to not sound interested in the topic of conversation. Trying not to choke, she actually acted rather harshly.

"Oh really? That geek must be studying at home for some big exam or something. You know that he's never been sick once. I bet his mother wouldn't even allow him to be sick."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Anyway, I've got a date with Sharpener in thirty minutes, so here's your homework." Erasa reached down and took a bunch of papers out of her book bag. After placing them on the bed, she stood up while grabbing her bag in the process.

"I'll see ya later Videl. You better come tomorrow though." Erasa flounced out of the room, giving a small wave to her friend. Videl began musing over her new information as soon as Erasa left.

"So Gohan hasn't been going to school either, huh?" She headed towards the bathroom to get cleaned up.

{~*~} {~*~} {~*~}

The sun was setting; at least he assumed it was. It was already dark out with the cloud cover and rain. He opened the door to his house, water dripping off him and onto the hardwood floors.

Chichi looked up from the mangled shirt she was trying to sew. Gohan just stood in front of her gazing off somewhere else.

"Mother," his voice surprised her. "I've come to an important decision. I would like you to finish my education. I can take exams later this spring and get my diploma. Then I can take the university exams this summer."

"WHAT?!" The shirt forgotten, she jumped up in shock. "You can't do that! What about all of those classes?!"

"I already know all of the information," he was calm and reserved. To calm for Chichi's liking.

"But what about your friends? The whole reason I sent you to a public high school is so that you could be with people your own age." He flinched.

Ah ha!

"I'll do just fine without them." Chichi's determination hardened. It was time to pull out the big guns.

"Well what about Videl? You two seem so close." Her question sounded innocent enough. She got the response she had been looking for though. Gohan seemed to wince in pain at first before he visibly hardened.

"It was nothing. She just wanted lessons out of me, that's all. Nothing to serious." Mother's intuition stated that he was lying through his teeth. Time to start asking questions.

"Gohan, what happened between you two? Since Saturday afternoon, you've been an emotional tornado. Literally. Look what you've done to the poor landscape around here."

"Nothing happened mother. Look, are you going to home school me or not?" he cut straight to the point, avoiding her question.

"But Gohan -"

"Nothing happened. Just leave it at that. What's your answer?" his voice was steely, dangerous really. She sighed knowing she had lost this battle.

But there's still the war.

"Fine Gohan. But you have to go to school tomorrow and next week to get everything in order. Now go to bed. It's late, and you have classes tomorrow." He left the room without any further commentary. Not even a simple goodnight at that.

Chichi picked up the discarded shirt and began her handiwork again, upset about her son. She then remembered that he hadn't even had dinner.