(A few weeks later)
Shadow sparring was always a great way to focus on your techniques and fighting skills. It even served as a terrific form of meditation and breathing exercise, depending on what kind of style you practiced. For Gohan it was a little bit of everything, and though it was an enjoyable experience when training on his own, it was even more stimulating when he was training alongside his family and friends.
In almost perfect synchronization, Gohan, Videl and Goten stood side by side throwing combinations of punches and kicks, sliding through stances and positions reminiscent of those practiced by the Shaolin Monks. Shifting from stance to stance one after the other, the trio exercised proper technique and form as they moved through a repetitive combination of gestures meant to instill within them a sense of control and confidence. They could then apply these same moves to fighting, so that if they were forced to dodge they could retaliate instantly, and if they responded with a parry they could counter respectively.
Over and over again the three of them moved, their movements flowing like water down a stream. Though they were sweating a bit, it was only because they were all wearing weighted clothing set at a manageable level but could still give them a hard enough workout.
It was also worth noting that all three of them were wearing the exact same gi as one another, orange and blue, with the only difference being Goten's long-sleeved undershirt and tie-on belt as opposed to the band versions that his compatriots were wearing. Whatever the case, all three of them were moving harmoniously, and against the background of Mount Paozu with a cool breeze drifting past them, it was the most ideal setting they could've possibly asked for.
After a full morning of practice going through these same moves repeatedly, it was safe to say that the three of them were pretty much set for the next session following. So, ending their practice with a quick combination of blows, the trio of fighters then began limbering up.
Just like his older brother had shown him, Goten loosened his shoulders and shook out his arms and legs, skipping on the spot from left to right. Videl pretty much did the same thing, with Gohan moving to stretch out his legs in a manner his father was best recognized for doing before every fight. Their warm down soon ended however when the teen hybrid moved further out onto the grass and turned to the pair with a big smile on his face.
"Alright guys. To finish up our morning session, the two of you are going to come at me with everything you've got," Gohan instructed, folding his arms over his chest and watching the pair lock glares onto him. Not sensing an ounce of fear or hesitation on them when they assumed their respective fighting stances, the demi-Saiyan grinned, "We're going to work until you give up or drop, so don't hold anything back. Once we're done, we can go back inside and settle down for a nice spot of brunch. Deal?"
Goten allowed a smirk to cross his face in response, "Deal."
"I'm going to give it my all, Gohan," Videl announced with an equally enthusiastic smile.
Arms still crossed, the teen nodded to them in acknowledgement, "Come."
Without another word, Goten rushed straight at his brother and, in a blur of movement, opened up with an onslaught of attacks. Punches flew up at the older boy who, upon leaning back, began blocking his brother's attacks with his right leg. He effortlessly parried and deflected the kid's blows as they flew his way, and continued to do so until he decided to counter with a swift side kick. This attack prompted Goten to leap off of the ground and attack him from up high, throwing punches and kicks at Gohan's head. Despite his best efforts though, the older brother effortlessly slipped and ducked around all of them.
Uncrossing his arms, the spiky haired teenager retaliated with a swift combination of his own, forcing his little brother to block and avoid before dropping back down to the ground. As soon as Goten landed, he spun and threw a low roundhouse kick, which Gohan checked.
The second he did so, the demi-Saiyan perked up in surprise when he sensed a shadow appear behind him and ducked to avoid a wide hook from Videl. The Saiyan then began head slipping punches thrown by the tomboy on the spot, his form blurring between them before he blocked her fist and countered with a kick, forcing the human fighter to spring away. The young duo then rushed back at Gohan and attacked him from both sides, forcing their opponent to avoid from his left and right. He danced between the pair and parried a couple of hits with his leg, until Goten swung in with a wide hook, allowing Gohan to slip under him and cause the youngster to spin over to Videl's side.
"Don't overcompensate. Keep it tight, Goten," Gohan instructed, smiling as he then watched the pair focus all of their attention on him once again. "Try not to be too direct, Videl. Your line of attack is getting predictable. Move around some more."
The teen then faced the duo and allowed them to charge in and attack once again. They came at him head on, but the teen kept his arms at his sides and slipped around their combined assault with ease, slowly backing away as they unleashed everything upon him. Gohan avoided all of their blows like they were moving in slow motion, his smile remaining for a short while until his expression became a little more intense and he quickly matched a counter to their onslaught of blows. When Goten and Videl dove in for a simultaneous attack, he parried both of their hits and, with a swift series of kicks, struck them several times before knocking them away.
Both skidding along the grass to a stop, the young hybrid and human fighter gave a huff and charged right at their opponent once again, who stood before them with his arms crossed. The second they dashed at the teen, the entire process started all over again. For the next hour, both Videl and Goten attacked Gohan with reckless abandon while their trainer dodged, blocked and parried all of their attacks.
After another hour, all three of them were called back into the house when Chi-Chi came out to get them and found two of her hard workers lying flat on their backs, beaten, bruised and utterly spent.
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