Running across the open field, the boy skidded to a stop at the same time Videl did, leaving the two kids staring across at one another and beaming.
"Hey," the girl greeted.
"Hey," Gohan smirked back.
Not knowing what to say to each other at first, even though they were standing several miles away from the city and in the middle of a farmer's disused field, the youngsters continued looking at one another. It was then, after shaking out of their dazes, the two started to move a little, with the pig-tailed girl taking her time in analyzing Gohan's state.
Looking at his tattered clothes and heavily beaten appearance, Videl chuckled, "You look like hell."
The half-Saiyan chuckled, "I feel like it too. It's a set."
Looking up at his gravity defying blonde locks, the young martial artist reached up and ran her fingers through them. "Wow. I've never seen this look on you before. Is this that second transformation you were telling me about?"
"Yep. The one and only," Gohan said, feeling the girl flick the bang in front of his face. "Sorry if it's a little bit scary."
Videl shrugged, "It's not that scary. You seem pretty cool to me." Seeing the boy smile back at her, the young teen placed her hands on her hips and took him in completely. "Your opponent must have been pretty tough to push you this far. After your fights with Cell and Bojack, I didn't think there would be anyone else strong enough to make you work so hard." Still, she'd seen what that girl could do. It was nuts.
"It's a big universe out there," Gohan said, glancing up towards the sky for a bit and giving it a few seconds of consideration, "I wouldn't be surprised if there were any more people like her roaming the stars." When Videl also glanced upwards, the two faced each other again when the demi-Saiyan continued to speak. "After fighting Kana today, I know now that I have to train even harder if I want to continue to protect the earth. If there are any other aliens out there who are going to be coming here looking for a fight, then I have to be as ready as I can be to face them."
The raven haired girl nodded in understanding, "Yeah. I agree."
Sensing her shared enthusiasm as well as picking up something else lingering in her voice, Gohan then thought for a second before flashing her a grin, "Still interested in learning how to fight like me?" After she'd seen everything he could do, he wouldn't be at all put off if his friend was now feeling a little bit intimidated.
Instead of seeing Videl back off, the girl's expression brightened and she clenched her fists excitedly, "Hell yeah!"
Gohan chuckled, "Well then… how about coming to visit me this weekend and we can get you started?"
Eyes sparkling with joy, Videl grinned and nodded her head vigorously, "Yes! Thank you, Gohan-kun!"
After giving the girl a few moments to settle back down, the young demi-Saiyan looked across the way towards Satan City glimmering in the distance. Once he'd reestablished his bearings, he turned back to the girl and pointed over to the metropolis, "I've got a few things I need to do before heading home. Wanna join me?"
Videl nodded to him, "Sure." She then balked a little when the boy stepped towards her and wrapped his arms around her lithe form; an act which drew a slight blush to her cheeks. A second later, she then felt the ground leave their feet as the boy took off into the sky. At first gripping onto him fearfully, the girl then became more relaxed when she felt the demi-Saiyan had her and began marveling at the landscape as it passed her by. She then turned back to the hero of the day and fixed on his hair, "You going to stay like that, blondie?"
The half-Saiyan grinned, "Yeah. Since I'm already in this form I may as well practice getting more used to it." He figured he'd try for a couple weeks this time and break his record.
"Works for me." His response drew a grin from the girl. "I think you look good with blonde hair."
Laughing as they flew off, the pair was seen off by the still present Z-fighters in the field behind them. The sight of the two kids drawing a slight smile to Piccolo's face, the green-skinned man then focused his attention on Zangya, who was staring after the boy intently with a firm expression in play.
His own serious contours returning, the Namekian decided to step over to her and see what was troubling her.
Even though she did help them in their battle, the former guardian of earth was still suspicious of her and had made it to a point to shadow the Hera as much as possible.
"Why?" Zangya asked in a quiet voice, drawing curious glances from Krillin and Eighteen standing alongside her.
"Why what?" Piccolo asked, unflinching as ever.
"Why did he do all that?" the alien girl elaborated, narrowing her gaze when they saw the pair of kids disappear into the distance. "He spared me and that girl… even though he could have killed either of us without a second thought. Even though I was his enemy, someone who hurt his friends and the people he cares about… I just can't understand why he let a person like me live?" It was the very question that'd been stabbing at her since that fateful day back at the tournament on the island. "He killed Bojack… but why didn't he kill me?"
To that, the Namekian had an easy answer, "Because Gohan must have seen something inside of you that he thought was worth preserving." The warrior's words drew Zangya's gaze up to him, while he continued to stand there with a sagely look on his face. "He isn't a ruthless person by nature. The boy is kind and gentle, someone who cherishes life and the people around him above everything else. On the inside, he's not a coldhearted warrior like me, you, or Vegeta for that matter. If I was to summarize who Gohan really is… he's a merciful person, plain and simple." When he sensed the look of surprise and inquisitiveness reflected on the woman's face, Piccolo continued to speak, only this time a smile appeared on his face. "It's the very same person that showed me what it meant to have a friend."
Krillin sprouted a grin, "Yeah… that sounds like our Gohan."
Zangya, eyes wavering when she heard the man finish, looked down at the ground thoughtfully for the next minute. In that time, as her mind processed what was spoken to her, she felt a great weight lift from her shoulders. Like a pair of shackles had just been removed, her body became even lighter and a warm feeling burned deep inside of her chest that sent a surge of life rushing through her.
At that moment, Zangya felt content, and looking up towards the city, a small smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you," she mouthed.
Hearing her say it despite her quietness, Krillin and Eighteen smiled. So did Piccolo. And with that, the four of them returned to staring over the horizon as a gentle breeze brushed over them.
For all they knew, a big change was coming for all of them, and they were all looking forward to seeing how it turned out.
OOO
(Meanwhile – Otherworld)
King Kai breathed a sigh of relief, "Well that was intense." Thank goodness it didn't drag on for too long. Thanks to Gohan, the earth was saved from yet another harrowing experience.
Smiling after watching the battle come to an end, Goku pulled his hand away from his teacher and watched as all the other fighters around them returned to their business. Even the West Kai left with a little more vigor than he had previously, allowing the master and student some time to themselves.
"I gotta say, your boy sure knows how to show a girl a good time," the blue-skinned man chuckled while sparing a glance at the Saiyan.
Goku snickered and placed his hands on his hips, "Gohan's growing up fast." Hell, it wouldn't be too long before the youngster was as tall as him one day.
Boy. That was a scary thought.
His mind then clicking back to the memories of the fight, the spiky haired hero grinned nervously and leaned over to whisper to his teacher, "Umm… King Kai, about Jupiter…"