fate 12

< I swear, that had to be the most boring assembly I've ever attended to at this school, > Gohan said to himself miserably. < Couldn't they get someone else to speak besides this guy who discovered a new insect? > Gohan thought as the boring man packed up his stuff and began to leave. Gohan's face lightened up when he saw that assembly was over, but it wasn't to be quite yet.

"Can I have the attention of the juniors and seniors, please?" the female principal spoke in a booming voice. All of the upperclassmen gave their attention to the principal as the lower classmen filed out of the assembly hall.

"I'm sure you all know what this is about, but for those of you who don't, I'm making an announcement about it. In four weeks are the Junior Winter Prom and the Senior Winter Prom. I encourage all of you to buy tickets to go to help pull the planning committees out of debt from paying for everything. They have worked hard to piece these proms together and it is only the right thing to go and congratulate them on their hard work. Thank you for listening to my announcement and you may all go on to class now." The principal stepped down from the stage, leaving the upperclassmen to leave the assembly hall at their own pace.

Gohan picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder, a smile on his face from the announcement. He wanted to go to the Junior Winter Prom and he wanted Videl to go with him.

< Think of it like your first date...if you can get her to go, > Gohan said to himself as he sought out Videl, ready to convince her to go with him. Gohan searched throughout the halls, looking for Videl, one of the most popular girls in school just because of who her father was.

Finally, Gohan's Saiya-jin senses picked up a strong ki and he knew it was Videl's. He followed the source of the ki for a few seconds until he came upon Videl, who was standing in front of her locker.

"Hey Videl," Gohan greeted as he leaned against the locker next to hers. Videl looked over from putting her books in her locker and gave him a smile in greeting.

"Well, you know about that Junior Winter Prom? Well I was thinking that it would be fun if we went together. So what do you say?" Gohan looked back up at Videl's face, which held a look of shock. Soon the shocked look faded and Videl shook her head emphatically

"No," Videl said simply and forcefully. Gohan's face fell, but he knew that it was how she would respond initially. She just needed a little convincing...

"Because I don't do dances like that. I don't like getting all frilly-ed up for a dance which consists of a simple dinner and then a lame DJ plays the lamest songs, leaving you feeling completely drained and wiped out afterwards because the evening was such a bore. That's why I don't want to go."

"Come on, Videl. It'll be different this time. I'll be there with you and if things get boring, we can go do something else. But, come on, it'll be fun. Please go with me?" Gohan pleaded, putting on his best puppy-dog look, a look perfected from years of using it on his mother. If it worked with Chi-Chi, Gohan was sure that it would work on Videl.

"Thanks, Videl. We'll have fun, I promise. I'll see you later, ok? I have to get to physics. Bye!" With that, Gohan turned and ran off to class, leaving Videl standing there in a state of awe and confusion.

"I just don't get that boy, sometimes," Videl said to herself, "But still, there's something about him that strikes me as odd." At the thought of the dance, Videl smiled.

< With Gohan going, the dance is going to be anything but boring. I think I'm actually looking forward to that dance. Hmm, who knew I would actually be looking forward to a dance? > Videl thought as she put away the last of her books, closed her locker, and finally made her way off to class.

< But work in a foreign language can wait until later, > Gohan thought, < I have more important things to think about right now. Like the Junior Winter Prom...even though it's not for a month. How are we getting there? I mean, traditionally, the guy picks up his date and takes her to the prom. I'd do that, but I don't have a license. > Gohan sat up straight as an idea struck him.

"Now, who could I get to teach me? Mom can't do it because she doesn't know how to drive. Bulma knows how to drive; she can teach me. I'm sure she's willing to do it. I should call her and ask her." Gohan pushed himself off the bed and went in search of the phone.

He reached the hall phone and picked up, first checking to make sure that no one was listening or standing where they could hear him. Gohan dialed Bulma's number, having memorized it from calling Bulma up to ask her if she could watch Goten, which was often considering how often Gohan was out at school and his mother out shopping. The phone rang several times and Gohan stood there, drumming his fingers against the table that the phone was sitting on.

Gohan was ready to hang up the phone when he heard it being picked up on the other end. He cringed when he recognized the voice on the other end.

"Of course I mind! You interrupted my training. Because of your little telephone call, I was pulled from a very important exercise and now I have to start all over again thanks to you! But, I'm feeling nice today. You may speak to my wife. Hold on a moment, brat." Gohan heard the sound of the phone being put down roughly on a hard surface. Faintly, he could hear Vegeta calling out for Bulma in the background.

"Bulma! Kakarot's oldest brat wants to speak to you through that dreaded device you call the telephone!" Using his sensitive hearing, Gohan picked up the sound of footsteps running towards the receiver and moments later, he was greeted with a cheerful voice.

"No, he's not always in a bad mood. I think he's a little mad at the fact that Trunks wanted to play with Goten instead of train with him yesterday. I think, even though Vegeta won't admit it, he likes training with Trunks. It gives him this sense of father/son bonding that he wouldn't normally get with Trunks. I think that Vegeta is preparing Trunks for ruling his 'empire'." Gohan chuckled a little at Bulma's statement.

"That's an interesting theory, Bulma. But, I didn't call to talk about Vegeta and why he trains Trunks. I called to ask you a favor." Bulma blinked in surprise; Gohan never asked for her help unless it was of the utmost importance.

"No, nothing's wrong. But this is kind of important." Gohan drew in a deep breath before asking his favor. "Bulma, will you teach me how to drive?" Bulma let out a sigh.

"Oh, that's all? Phew, Gohan you had me worried there for a minute. Yeah sure, I'll teach you how to drive. It's really easy, Gohan. With your intellect, you should pick it up easily. Hey, even your father learned how to drive, so it can't be that hard." Gohan was grinning from ear to ear.

"Well, you're probably going to laugh when you hear this, but the Junior Winter Prom is a month from now and I'm taking Videl and I wanted to know how to drive so I could drive the two of us there." Bulma smiled.

"Now, why would I laugh at that?" Bulma asked, "I think that's sweet. Now I'll be than more than happy to teach you if that's the reason."

"You're welcome. Now, I think I have to go and start making dinner for his 'highness' or else I'll never hear the end of it. So, Gohan, why don't you come over around 5:00 tomorrow and we'll start your lessons, alright?"

"Bye Gohan," Bulma responded before hanging up the phone. Gohan waited until he heard the click of the phone being hung up on the other line before he hung up the phone. He walked away from the hall phone with a big smile on his face.

Gohan couldn't stop smiling; he was just too proud of himself to stop smiling. The day before, after a month of practice, Gohan finally got his driver's license.

"MOM!! I need your help!!" Chi-Chi heard the sound of her son's voice all the way down from the kitchen. She rushed upstairs, ready to help her son through any crisis that he might have. Within seconds, Chi-Chi was standing in the doorway to Gohan's room.

"What seems to be the problem?" Chi-Chi said, a little short of breath from running across her house to get to Gohan as soon as possible. Goten looked at his older brother, then at his mother from his position on Gohan's bed.

"I think Gohan's having problems with his tie, mom. I don't think he can tie it," Goten said. Chi-Chi looked at Gohan had his back turned on his mother.

"Oh, in a minute," Chi-Chi gushed, "Just let me look at you." Chi-Chi closely inspected Gohan's black tuxedo and her smile grew even wider.

"Not if I don't have my tie tied, mom. Will you help me or not?" Gohan said. Chi-Chi shook herself out of her stupor and nodded enthusiastically.

"Of course I'll help you tie your tie, Gohan. Just hold still and tip your chin up so I can see what I'm doing." Gohan complied and Chi-Chi made short work of doing up Gohan's tie. Within seconds, the piece of black fabric was tied up perfectly.

"There," Chi-Chi said, patting her son on the shoulder, "Why don't you see how it looks?" Gohan turned around and inspected himself in the full-length mirror. His smile reappeared on his face.

"Well, what do you think, Squirt?" Gohan asked his little brother. Goten's nose scrunched up as he took in Gohan's outfit. Finally, the 6-year old child spoke.

"I think you look kinda like a penguin, Gohan. You look kinda silly." Gohan chuckled at his brother's response and shrugged his shoulders.

"I guess," Goten responded quietly, not quite getting what his brother was telling him. Gohan turned back to the mirror and gave himself one last look-over.

"Ok, mom, I think I'm ready to go. The corsage is downstairs, the capsule car is in my pocket; I think that's everything I need. Is there anything I'm missing, mom?" Gohan asked. Chi-Chi tapped a finger against her cheek thoughtfully as she ran through the list of things that Gohan would need for the night. Her eyes lit up with remembrance as she thought of something.

"Well, Gohan, don't be silly. You need the money for pictures! Come downstairs and I'll give you money." Chi-Chi rushed out of Gohan's bedroom and Gohan followed, along with Goten who didn't want to miss out on anything that was going on. The two siblings arrived in the living room to see Chi-Chi rummaging through her purse, obviously on the search for money.

"Now, I know I had a few 20's in here somewhere..." Chi-Chi mumbled to herself before pulling the desired money out of her purse triumphantly.

"Now, Gohan, I expect you to take pictures while you're at this prom. Otherwise, how will I be able to put this memory in the scrapbook? If you don't come out of this with pictures, I will be disappointed, Gohan." Gohan sighed.

< When she puts it like that, she makes me feel guilty. How can I get of it now? I can't. This is my mother we're talking about. There is no refusing her anything... > Gohan thought as he nodded his head.

"That's my boy, Gohan. Now, if you don't leave now, you'll be late. So, get going and have fun," Chi-Chi said as she walked over to the front door and opened it. Gohan picked up the corsage from the table in the front hall before walking out of the door.

Gohan arrived in front of Mr. Satan's house a little over an hour after he left his own home. He slowly approached the front gate from the air, landing with a soft thud on the paved ground in front of the grand estate.

Gohan gasped at the size of the place. Even though he had been to Videl's house a few times, the size of the mansion never failed to take his breath away.

< How do her and her father use up even a quarter of the rooms that fill up this house? > Gohan asked himself. Gohan shook himself out of his stupor; he had things to do, like go inside and pick up his date. Cradling the plastic box that held the corsage gently, he pulled the small capsule that held the car he would be taking to the prom. Pressing the button on the top, he threw the capsule to the ground. The car appeared with a puff of smoke, resting beautifully next to the front gate. Gohan smiled at the wonders of technology; they had given him and so many others the ability to do many things and he, for one, was grateful.

Taking one last glance at the car, Gohan straightened his jacket and walked through the open front gate. He walked across the roundabout, taking a moment to snicker at the fountain that was shaped like Mr. Satan before rushing over to the front door. After a little bit of searching, Gohan found the doorbell and, calming his nerves, pressed it. From his standpoint, Gohan could hear the sound of the doorbell as it resonated through the house. After the doorbell sounded, there was quiet for several moments, during which Gohan took the opportunity to look about the entrance to the great estate, particularly marveling at the huge, polished wooden doors that stood in front of him.

Suddenly, the door he was looked up at opened and Gohan moved his head to look at the person who opened it. He was greeted with one of Mr. Satan's butlers, who immediately inquired who he was.

"Wonderful," the butler said warmly, "Come right in and wait. Miss Videl isn't ready yet, but she will be shortly. I'll go and tell her you have arrived. Come in, I insist." The butler motioned for Gohan to enter. So, Gohan did and immediately became overwhelmed at the size of the foyer with its tall ceilings and marble floor. The butler led Gohan to a sitting room that was adjacent to the foyer.

"Please, have a seat," he said, "And I will announce your arrival to Miss Videl." The butler was gone in an instant, leaving Gohan alone in the huge room.

Still clutching the corsage close to his chest, Gohan sat down on one of the sofas, tapping the plastic box gently. He allowed his eyes to wander the room, taking in the carpeted floor, the antique couches, and the roaring fire that sat in the hearth. Gohan was so into studying the room that he didn't feel the arrival of another person.

Slowly, he turned around and found Mr. Satan standing in the doorway to the sitting room. Gohan inspected the older man closely. He looked just like he did at the Cell Games, except for the fact that his hairline had receded slightly and there were more lines around the corners of his eyes and mouth.

< He is a liar and a cheater; I can't believe he fathered a person like Videl, > Gohan thought as he looked at Mr. Satan. Mr. Satan, in turn, looked back at Gohan; his mere appearance struck a chord of remembrance; where had he seen this kid before?

"Well, it would serve him right. I've seen your father fight at the Tenkaichi Budoukai. And I can easily say that the only reason why he won was because of the tricks he used. Your father was a cheater and I hope that you don't take after him because if you are, then you have no business associating yourself with my daughter. She doesn't need friends like you." Gohan's fist clenched at his side; he had never hated anyone more that he hated Mr. Satan at that moment.

< That man has the audacity to call my father a cheater when he took the credit for defeating Cell, even though he knows he didn't do it. Where does he get the nerve to do that? > Gohan thought angrily. He wanted so bad to hit Mr. Satan as hard as he could, but Videl would never forgive him if he did that, so he kept his anger to himself. Mr. Satan approached Gohan and looked down at him.

< I'd like to see you try, > Gohan thought, wanting to badly to say those words out loud, but knowing that would only get him in more trouble.

"Do you understand?" Mr. Satan asked, backing off a little. Gohan only nodded; he would not waste his words on the ignorant man standing in front of him.

Gohan fought to get his raging anger under control. < That's only bad thing about Saiya-jin blood: the uncontrollable rage that comes with the incredible stamina, speed, strength, and sharp senses, > Gohan said to himself, his anger finally getting itself under control, his fist unclenching itself at his side. Gohan saw movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head to see the butler standing there.

"Miss Videl," the butler said simply, standing to one side in order to let Videl enter the room and when she did, Gohan's jaw hit the floor. He suddenly forgot all about his confrontation with Mr. Satan and was fully focused on the vision standing in front of him.

The dress she was wearing was incredibly simple and incredibly sexy. It was a black, floor-length halter dress and it clung to her gently, softly outlining the curves of her body. Tucked into the crooks of both of her elbows was a black wrap, its ends hanging in front of her. Her black hair was done in a French twist with a few wisps loose and framing her face. She wore little makeup, just lip-gloss and eye shadow; Gohan thought she had never looked more beautiful.

She smiled shyly at him and began to walk towards him. That's when Gohan noticed her shoes and the lower half of her dress. He almost fainted at the size of the slit in the dress. On the right side of the dress, it extended up to mid-thigh, exposing almost the full length of her leg as she walked towards him. Her shoes, black as well, were open-toed with heels that were at least three inches high. The whole effect was breath-taking and Gohan was thoroughly amazed at what he saw. She stopped a couple of feet in front of him and her smile grew as she saw the look on his face.

"Hello, Gohan," she said with a slight tone of flirtatiousness in her voice. It took a couple of moments for Gohan to snap out of his daze and when he did, it was only to say one word.

"And you do too. How many times do I have to tell you?" Videl asked. Gohan smiled back and held the box with the corsage in it in front of him. Opening it, he pulled out the flower ornament and looked at Videl, silently telling her to hold out her hand. Videl extended her right hand and allowed Gohan to place the corsage around her wrist.

Once it was in place, she looked lovingly at it, the white flower surrounded by white ribbons and smaller flowers. Videl lifted it up to her nose and smelled its fragrance.

"Mmm," she sighed, "Gardenia, my favorite flower. Thank you Gohan, it's lovely." Gohan internally sighed with relief; he was worried that she wasn't going to like it and was pleased that she did. Standing tall, he held out his arm for her to take.