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elisajdb · 5 years

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Life With You: XXVIII

Part Twenty-Eight:

Fallen Warrior

Goku paced himself as they flew to South City. They will arrive after nine flying this slow but with the heart virus making itself known, Goku knew he had to take it easy. All those visits to Dr. Sims told him overexerting himself will make the virus spread faster. Piccolo flew alongside him, conserving his own energy, too, but Gohan flew ahead of them eager to reach South City. He put a lot of distance between him and Piccolo.

“Gohan!” Goku called to his son. “Slow down. We’ll get there in time. You’re gonna burn yourself out before we even fight.”

Gohan slowed his pace. With Piccolo confident he can defeat the Artificial Humans but still having a sense of dread about today, his own health issues, and calming Krillin whom they met along the way, Goku put on his best acting job he was as cool as a cucumber.

When they arrived at South City, Yamcha and Tien were waiting for them on a mountain but so was Bulma with baby Trunks in her arms.

What the hell? Goku thought as he landed. He knew Bulma would have a child but he didn’t think he would be meeting them today. “What are you doing here?” Goku scolded Bulma. “The Artificial Humans will be here soon. This whole area could be destroyed. You’re putting yourself and your baby in danger.”

“Oh, hush,” Bulma ignored Goku’s worries. “I just want to see what they look like and I’ll be off.”

Goku slapped his forehead amazed at Bulma’s foolishness. He made some mistakes with Gohan when he was a baby but he never would’ve done this. Goku tried again to convince Bulma she needed to leave. He did not want his friend to die because of her own curiosity. As kids, Bulma got herself in over her head and it was up to him to save her. Knowing he was infected with the heart virus, Goku knew his fighting could be hindered.

“Bulma, you really should go back now while you still can,” Goku warned. “If you don’t care about yourself, think about your baby.”

Bulma remained happily stubborn. “Like I said, once I see the Artificial Humans, I’ll go home. Besides, with you here, I don’t have to worry. You’ll take care of the bad guys like always.”

Goku threw his hands up. Stubborn as always.

“So, how did you really know?” Bulma asked Goku suspiciously. At Goku’s questioning gaze, she said, “You really knew Vegeta is Trunks’ Dad by looking at him and guessing his name was merely a coincidence?”

“Oh,” Goku laughed nervously. “Maybe I discovered psychic powers in these three years.”

Bulma wasn’t entirely convinced. “So, you really haven’t seen Vegeta and he didn’t tell you about me and his baby?”

“Bulma, the last time I saw you two was three years ago. Honest.”

Bulma took a step closer to Goku. Goku wasn’t a mind reader but even he noticed Bulma looked a mixture of hurt and disappointment. “I haven’t seen Vegeta in months. Like I said earlier, we’re not living together.” She pressed a kiss on Trunks’ temple as he babbled. “Not all Saiyans can be domesticated I guess.”

Bulma sat on the grass preferring to sit as they waited. Gohan entertained baby Trunks while Krillin looked on repulsed Bulma had Vegeta’s kid. Goku loved Gohan’s friendly approach to Trunks. Gohan was good with little kids. Aki’s daughter always followed him around when he visited. Goku could see the same thing happening with Gohan and baby Trunks or his own baby brother or sister.

Perhaps after all this is over, me and ChiChi can try having another kid. Gohan will be a great big brother.

The remaining hour passed in peace but when the clock turned 10am and minutes passed undisturbed, the group became anxious. Goku considered they enter the city looking for any suspicious activity when Yajirobe’s car exploded in the air. All watched as the remains of Yajirobe’s car crashed in the ocean. Piccolo was the first to spot the Artificial Humans but it was Gohan who brilliantly guessed that because they were Artificial Humans they didn’t have Ki. After giving orders to everyone to search and not engage the enemy and for Gohan to check on Yajirobe, Goku ventured into South City.

Yamcha was the first to find the Artificial Humans and it nearly cost him his life. While Krillin carried Yamcha back to Bulma who held the senzu beans, Goku, Piccolo and Tien encountered the two Artificial Humans and led them away from the city to fight in a remote area.

Goku didn’t know if it was the sudden stress of the situation; seeing Yamcha near death; seeing half of South City be destroyed by one of the Artificial Humans, something Aki warned him about, but Goku felt a change in his heart. The heart virus was spreading fast. He could feel it. The tightness in his chest grew and he felt winded as he led these two monsters away from the city.

I’m only flying and I’m getting tired. I gotta finish this fight fast. Body, please hold on.

Goku was out of breath when he finally landed. I need time to gather my strength. I can’t fight like this. “Tell me something before we fight. How do you know about us?”

While the one who called himself No. 20 spoke, Goku recovered enough to fight but he was stunned the death of his friends and son in another timeline was caused by a grudge against him. The Red Ribbon Army. Goku hadn’t thought about them in years. He never heard of Dr. Gero. It was disturbing learning all these years a madman spied on him, studied him to build these Artificial Humans to kill him, his son and friends.

Goku felt he had an advantage. Super Saiyan. Once he transforms, he’ll take care of these monsters. This was his fight. Not his friends. There was that little wiggle of worry about his heart virus but Goku believed being a Super Saiyan will give him enough strength to destroy these monsters before he’s weakened anymore.

Super Saiyan will give me enough speed and strength to defeat them before this virus weakens me anymore. Body…. please hold on.

With a cocky smirk that would make Vegeta proud, Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan. He can easily transform at will into a Super Saiyan but because of his heart, Goku gradually built up his transformation. Anyone observing would think he is showing off with the explosive expanse of his muscles and exaggerated yelling but Goku was conserving his strength drawing this out. He felt the surge of strength and speed at his transformation but Goku also felt weak.

Damn. My strength is fading. I gotta finish this fight fast.

“Stay out of this, you two!” Goku told Piccolo and Tien. “I’m the one they want.”

Goku expected the ones called No. 20 and No. 19 to be fearful of his transformation but they were oddly calm and confident. No. 20 decided to stay back and let No. 19 fight him. It didn’t matter who fought him first, Goku knew he had to end this quickly.

Goku attacked first. Every punch and kick Goku gave No. 19 had all his power behind it and didn’t stop him at all. It was deflected and blocked. The hits Goku did land on No. 19 didn’t have the affect Goku wanted. A normal punch would’ve put a hole in No. 19. The show of speed and skills might be impressive to No. 19, No. 20 and Tien but Goku knew Piccolo suspected something is wrong. He gotten stronger over the three years they trained together. His power as a Super Saiyan should be far more staggering.

I haven’t put a dent in this guy and I’m getting tired. How am I gonna defeat him and No. 20 like this?

After an aerial assault that sent No. 19 to an explosive impact on the ground, Goku became aware of Gohan, Yamcha and Krillin’s arrival. The battle took a turn against Goku when he fired a Kamehameha Wave. No. 19 absorbed all the Goku’s energy from the wave. His increased power outmatched Goku’s diminishing strength.

Goku knew he was in trouble when he saw No. 19’s wicked grin. He moved too fast for Goku to block No. 19’s knee hitting his stomach and the slap across his face which sent Goku spiraling to the ground. It was a desperate move but Goku decided to use a second Kamehameha Wave. He already heard from Piccolo No. 20 and No. 19 can absorb energy but Goku was out of ideas. His body was breaking down at a rapid rate. Sharp stabs of pain jabbed his heart; his chest was on fire and his back, arms and legs were throbbing from the blows he received from No. 19.

I ain’t going out like this. Gohan. ChiChi.

That last blast of the second wave took what remaining reserves Goku had left. Against his own will, his body descended to the ground. Dropping to one knee with one hand on the ground, Goku clutched his chest.

Damn. Damn. I can’t stop this! My chest is on fire. Ugh! It’s like someone is squeezing my heart.

Gohan. ChiChi. I can’t stop. I can’t stop fighting.

Goku accepted a senzu bean from Krillin. It gave Goku a temporary burst of power but it wasn’t enough to stop Goku from being No. 19’s punching bag. No matter how high Goku jumped or how fast Goku tried to avoid him, No. 19 was always nearby to kick, punch and bruise Goku’s weakening body.

One painful kick to Goku’s back soared Goku several feet in the sky. Before he could stop himself, No. 19 appeared behind and punched his chest. Goku spiraled. Before Goku’s body slammed against the rocky ground, No. 19’s menacing face appeared again to thump Goku’s face. Flying up with no way to stop, No. 19 popped up again to kick Goku’s back. This time Goku landed on the ground, sliding several feet before stopping.

Pain coursed through Goku’s entire body from his head to his toes. He was so out of it, his vision blurred and he lost the ability to control his body to maintain his Super Saiyan form as he returned to his normal state.

I can’t even transform anymore. I ain’t winning this.

“Argh!” Goku screamed as No. 19 dropped his heavy body on Goku and locked a hand around his neck. Goku struggled but No. 19 had an iron gripped on his throat as he drained what was left of Goku’s life energy. Goku could hear his friends and son to try help him but No. 20 blocked them.

This can’t be it. I can’t go out like this. I gotta kill these monsters. I ain’t letting them to kill Gohan and ChiChi!

His spirit was willing but Goku’s body grew weaker with each passing second; the pain in his heart worsened; his vision worsened and his grip on No. 19 started to slip when a sharp white boot kicked No. 19’s face. No 19 released his hold on Goku as he was knocked several feet away.

Dazed, Goku’s eyes darted up to see who came to his rescue. White boots. Blue spandex. White chest plate. That wild spiked hair and that cocky smirk.

Vegeta.

“I’m the one who’s going to defeat Kakarrot. No one will steal that victory from me.”

Vegeta. Took you long enough.

Vegeta shook his head at Goku disgusted. “I saw everything, you jackass. You noticed the anomaly in your body but you turned into a Super Saiyan anyway! You fool! You knew it would put more strain on your heart!” Huffing and puffing heavily, one weak eye of Goku’s opened to see Vegeta scornful gaze. “My target has always been you…. Kakarrot. Don’t you fucking die on me.” Vegeta kicked Goku’s back, thrusting him off the ground and into Piccolo’s hand. “Someone take that fool home so he can take his medicine.”

Piccolo lowered Goku on his knees. Goku’s heart was on fire.

“Dad!”

Goku felt his son hold him up by his chest. The worry on Gohan’s face reminded Goku of the looks ChiChi gave him. He never wanted Gohan to look at him this way. I let them down. I… I can’t fight anymore. Gohan…. forgive me.

Goku’s eyes closed; he collapsed in his son’s arms. “Dad.” Gohan hugged his father. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll take you home. Mom will take care of you.”

“No,” Yamcha stepped forward and gently took Goku out of Gohan’s arms. “I’ll take him. I’m the least useful here.” He placed Goku over his shoulder and with a few parting words to everyone, Yamcha left the group. Yamcha considered himself the weakest out of everyone but wanted to contribute somehow. He’ll help by taking Goku home. His friend saved his life so many times. Yamcha was proud for once he can return the favor.

****

“I see it, Aki. I’m watching the news now.”

ChiChi stood in front of the TV watching the breaking news of the mysterious attack on South City. ChiChi knew the fighting had started and her husband and son were in the middle of it. The only causalities mentioned were of the people from the city.

“There are reports half the city’s destroyed. I warned Goku innocent people will be caught in the crossfires.”

ChiChi understood Aki’s frustration but she knew to trust her husband. “You know Goku would never intentionally let innocent people get hurt, Aki. Goku will use the dragon balls to wish those killed back.”

“I hope so. I’m getting my family in the shelter now. My cell phone works there. Kala!” Aki suddenly raised his voice. “Put that down and follow your mother. We’re going to the shelter.” ChiChi heard Kala responding. “You have plenty of toys in the shelter. We’re not taking anymore!”

As ChiChi listened to Aki argue with his daughter, ChiChi saw Yamcha landing in her front yard with Goku tossed over his shoulder. The phone dropped to the floor as ChiChi ran screaming, “Oh my God. Goku!!”

ChiChi nearly knocked the door off its hinges as she ran to her husband. “Goku!! What’s wrong?! Is Goku dead?! What happened to him?!” His face was contorted in pain as ChiChi cupped his sweaty face. “His face is burning. Goku, I’m here.”

“It’s the heart virus,” Yamcha informed ChiChi. “It struck Goku during the fight.”

ChiChi remembered Dr. Sims warning. “He could’ve made things worse for his heart. Bring him inside.”

Yamcha followed ChiChi inside to her and Goku’s bedroom. Yamcha laid Goku on his bed and removed his boots while ChiChi went to where she kept Goku’s medicine. ChiChi opened the case shocked it was empty.

“Where is it?” ChiChi pushed aside the clothes in the drawer. “Where did it go?”

Yamcha finished removing Goku’s boots. “What is it?”

“The medicine. It’s not here.”

“What?!” Goku suddenly cried out in pain, clutching his chest and thrashed violently on the bed. Yamcha held Goku down. “You have to find it! Goku needs his medicine!”

“Don’t you think I know that?!” ChiChi yelled back as she looked through all the drawers. “Goku looked at it this morning. He’s the one who put it away.” ChiChi rummaged the room looking for the medicine. “Where did he put it? Why didn’t Goku put it back?” Hearing Goku screaming in pain agitated ChiChi further and made her panic. ChiChi feverishly searched the room, checked the closet, opening drawers of her nightstand and tossing everything out as she searched for the medicine. ChiChi sat on the bed with her hands on her head frantically thinking where Goku put the medicine. That’s when she noticed her knitting basket.

It was out in the open and near them when she and Goku talked. It doesn’t make sense for it to be here since Goku was told to put it back in its proper place which made it the perfect hiding spot. ChiChi picked through the balls of yarn and spotted the medicine hidden at the bottom of the basket. “Thank heavens. I found it.”

ChiChi transferred the correct dosage to a needle and injected the medicine into Goku. Both breathed a sigh of relief when Goku’s arms stopped flailing.

“Whoo,” Yamcha wiped his forehead relieved. “That was a close one.”

ChiChi wasn’t relaxing like Yamcha. Goku received his medicine and it was taking some affects but he was still in pain. His body and forehead were scorching and he was sweating profusely. ChiChi rushed in the bathroom and came out with a cloth, bowl of water and thermometer. She placed a cool wet cloth on Goku’s forehead and the thermometer in his mouth. “Goku’s body temperature has always been hot but he’s burning up. He needs a doctor.”

“Are you sure?” Yamcha asked. “We should let the medicine work and how can we explain to a doctor what’s going on with Goku? This virus isn’t on the news.”

“Goku’s been going to a cardiologist for three years. I was trying to prevent Goku from getting this virus, but I guess you can’t change your fate.” While blotting Goku’s face and neck with the cool cloth, ChiChi asked, “What happened? Goku was fine when he left this morning. At least,” she dipped the cloth in a cool bowl, “I thought he was fine.” ChiChi remembered their conversation before breakfast. “I bet he knew and he fought anyway.”

“Are you sure?” Yamcha knew Goku to do foolish things but this was extreme. “Why wouldn’t Goku take the medicine if he was feeling sick?”

“Because he wouldn’t be able to fight if he did. This is heart medicine, Yamcha, and Goku’s doctor studied the medicine’s ingredients. He said Goku would be bedridden until he recovers.” Goku twisted in bed and raised his hands near his neck as if fighting off someone attacking him. ChiChi grasped his hands and whispered soothingly to him until he calmed down. “Dr. Sims warned Goku of the possible side effects if he fought while infected with the virus. He went against his doctor’s warnings.” The medicine should heal him but ChiChi wondered what the lasting effects could be. “Oh, Goku, what did you do to yourself?”

“He was saving us,” Yamcha spoke up. “You should’ve seen him, ChiChi. Goku gave his all fighting No. 19. You would’ve been so proud how amazing Goku fought. I would’ve been dead if he hadn’t saved me.”

Though Yamcha gave ChiChi a glowing review of Goku’s fight, ChiChi wasn’t impressed or happy. She was angry. “That’s all you and Goku’s friends ever think about, isn’t it? How Goku always save you. He’s your savior, your bodyguard.” She pushed down the tears threatening to surface. “You don’t care how much damage Goku did to his body fighting for you today! He was fighting that monster when that virus was killing him inside! Who knows what the lasting effects will be! But as long as Goku saves you, you don’t care about that! You don’t care he’s a husband and father and we’re the ones that will have to pick up the pieces when this is over!!”

“ChiChi…” Yamcha was at a loss for words. What could he say? “It’s not that we don’t care. I….” he stopped again unsure of what to say. “I looked out for Goku but he never needed me. He always took care of himself. Goku always bounce back. Saving everyone is what Goku does.”

“Until he couldn’t,” ChiChi tossed back. “He was dead for a year and my family has never been the same. All you people, Goku’s friends, only thought about Goku coming back to save you. You never gave him and the sacrifices he made to keep you alive a thought.”

Bulma told him ChiChi was like this but unlike his former love Yamcha understood ChiChi’s anger. He saw Goku as a friend, a little brother but ChiChi saw Goku as a loving concerned wife saw her husband. Goku wasn’t a savior or bodyguard to ChiChi. Goku was her husband and father of their child.

“Where is Gohan?” ChiChi asked. “He should be with his father. Why didn’t he come back with you?”

Oh, boy. Yamcha rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea telling Gohan to stay behind. “Gohan was gonna bring Goku back but I told him I’ll do it.” Ooooo. ChiChi didn’t like that. If looks could kill. “Gohan would be more useful than me fighting those Artificial Humans.”

“Hmph,” ChiChi turned away disgusted. “Like father, like son. You only see him as a bodyguard, too.”

****

Over two hours passed since Yamcha’s arrival. Goku slept peacefully but ChiChi paced worriedly thinking about Gohan. While Yamcha stayed with Goku, ChiChi called Aki. She forgot about him when Goku returned home sick.

“How’s Goku?”

“He’s sleeping but he still has a fever. Sometimes he’s screaming like he’s having nightmares. I want Dr. Sims to look at Goku, but his voicemail said he’ll be in surgery until two. I left messages for him to call back. I’m thinking about sending Yamcha to East City to pick up Dr. Sims and bring him here.”

“Where’s Gohan?”

“Still fighting. I’ve been coming to the window every twenty minutes looking out for him.”

“South City is under rescue and recovery mode. No other cities are reporting any attacks. This may be a good thing. Maybe Goku’s friends have stopped those Artificial Humans and Gohan’s on his way home.” ChiChi hoped that was the true. She couldn’t take anything happening to Gohan, too. “I don’t think you should send Yamcha to get Dr. Sims. You may need him there to help you with Goku. I’ll get Dr. Sims and bring him over. Maybe Gohan will be home when I get there.”

“Aki, you shouldn’t.” ChiChi appreciated his gesture but he had priorities. “You should be with your family.”

“My family’s safe in our shelter and it doesn’t seem like any other areas are being attacked. Goku’s my friend and he put his life on the line today. The least I can do is help him when he needs it.”

“Okay,” ChiChi accepted his help. “Thank you.”

ChiChi hung up her phone just as a knock tapped the door. Gohan wouldn’t knock but it was possible he was carrying someone like Piccolo home and needed help at the door. ChiChi rushed to the door and slammed it open. “Gohan!” Her happiness quickly dampened seeing Krillin at her door. “Oh, it’s you Krillin.” She noticed a startled young man beside him. He bowed and greeted her after Krillin whispered she is Goku’s wife. “Who are you?”

Before the young man could speak, Yamcha appeared greeting Krillin and noticing the stranger, too, “Oh, hey the kid from the future. Did you beat the Artificial Humans?”

Startled, ChiChi looked back at the young man. Goku told her about him. This was Trunks, Vegeta and Bulma’s child.

“I’ll explain later,” Krillin rushed out, “but we gotta move everyone to Master Roshi’s now!”

“Why? What’s going on?” ChiChi wanted to know. “And where’s Gohan?”

“Gohan isn’t back yet?” Trunks appeared surprised. “We left him over an hour ago.”

“Left him where?” ChiChi stepped to Trunks. She didn’t care if he was Vegeta and Bulma’s child and he’s a Super Saiyan. If he knew the whereabouts of her son, she wanted to know now!

“Um, ChiChi, you don’t know this,” Krillin started, “But this is---“

“Vegeta and Bulma’s son, Trunks. Goku told me three years ago.” Keeping her attention on Trunks, she asked again, “Where is my son?”

“What?” Yamcha gasped. “You’re their kid?”

“Uh, yes,” Trunks addressed Yamcha understanding how awkward this had to be for him. “I am.” He turned back to ChiChi because he saw the woman growing agitated her question wasn’t being answered. “We left Gohan with my mother, my younger self and Yajirobe. He was going to bring them here but I guess he decided to take my Mom home first.”

“Why?” Yamcha asked. “Bulma has a car.”

Krillin noticed the annoyance on Trunks’ face. He understood the kid’s frustration at what he saw. It wasn’t a shock to Krillin. He knew Vegeta but he imagined it was stunning for Trunks to see his father not rescue his baby and the mother of his child.

“No. 20 is actually Dr. Gero, Yamcha. We had Dr. Gero cornered but Bulma showed up and provided the perfect distraction where he blew up her car. Bulma and her baby are okay but Dr. Gero escaped and freed the Artificial Humans Trunks fight in the future.”

“Wait,” Yamcha interrupted. “The one that punch a hole in my chest and the one Goku fought aren’t the real ones?”

“No. No. 17 and 18 are the real ones and there’s another one: 16. They are even stronger and uh, are a lot different than them physically, too.” Krillin thought of the kiss 18 gave him. “Especially one of them.”

“Even stronger?” ChiChi gasped. “That’s crazy.”

“I don’t mean to be rude,” Trunks interrupted, “but we have to get out of here. 16, 17 and 18 are on their way here to kill Goku. We have to move him to safer spot.”

“Right,” ChiChi agreed. Getting Goku to safety was top priority. She couldn’t believe this was actually happening. Assassins were on their way here to kill her husband and she was forced to abandon their home: the one place she thought they would be safe.

Trunks helped ChiChi with the packing. Once Trunks loaded Gohan’s bag in the airship, he went back to assist Krillin and Yamcha with Goku. While Yamcha and Krillin carried Goku out of the house, Trunks removed the futon and bedding.

ChiChi stepped out and took one last look at her home. This was her sanctuary but it will soon be invaded by wicked beings wanting to kill her husband. She wondered if she will have a home to return to. These destructive monsters may destroy her home just for the hell of it.

Gohan returned as they finished loading Goku into the airship. In the airship, ChiChi made a call to Aki, warning him to not come to her home but meet her on Master Roshi’s island.

ChiChi and Yamcha got the entire story on what happened after Goku succumbed to the heart virus. She listened as Trunks expressed his frustration on not understanding how time changed but her comforting advice seem to help him. Trunks was so well mannered like her Gohan. Since Gohan trained Trunks, ChiChi wondered if his good manners rubbed off on him. Still, as well-mannered he was, she noticed Trunks looking at her a few times. When he was caught staring, Trunks looked away. ChiChi wasn’t the only one getting looks. At her home and on the ship, she noticed Yamcha looking at Trunks a few times.

Gohan and Trunks left when Bulma called to investigate a duplicate of Trunks’ ship being found. This left Yamcha and Krillin to explain everything to Master Roshi while ChiChi stayed upstairs to care for Goku.

****

Trunks didn’t understand how the infamous day that changed the course of everyone’s life didn’t go as predicted. He planned to return the day of the Artificial Humans arrival to aide Goku and learn from him a way to kill the Artificial Humans in his time. With three years notice of what will happen, Goku, his father and their allies should be strong enough to defeat the Artificial Humans but that didn’t happen.

Goku’s heart virus attacked later than predicted, he encountered two different Artificial Humans than the ones Trunks fight in his time. The ones Trunks currently battles were released but they were stronger than the ones in his time and there was a third one named No. 16. He’s not violent as 17 and 18 but he’s still deadly as his only goal is to kill Goku.

17 and 18 defeated him, Vegeta, Piccolo and Tien without breaking a sweat. It made all the hard training Vegeta, Piccolo and Tien put in worthless. Vegeta suffered the most having his pride wounded by 18. She defeated Vegeta with ease as if Vegeta’s strength was that of a child compared to hers.

On top of this, a new enemy surfaced: Cell, the final piece to Dr. Gero’s maniacal madness. This growing menace from another timeline had his father, Goku, Piccolo, Freeza and King Cold’s DNA but needed to absorbed 17 and 18 to reach perfect form. Civilians in two towns were dead because of Cell. More will die as he eluded Piccolo and continue his rampage to accumulate his power.

It looked bleak but there was some hope. Trunks and Krillin returned to Dr. Gero’s lab, destroyed Cell in this current timeline and found Dr. Gero’s blueprints of 17. Trunks gave the blueprints to Krillin to give to his mother and grandfather to study for a weakness. While Krillin went to West City, Trunks planned to find his father in hopes of training with him and ascending pass Super Saiyan. Before he met with Vegeta again, Trunks had a detour to make. He returned to Master Roshi’s island.

“You’re back!” Gohan greeted Trunks as he landed on the island. “Where’s Krillin?”

“He’s on the way to my Mom’s home but he’ll be back.” Trunks entered the house. “How’s Goku?”

“Still resting,” Gohan and Trunks went upstairs. “Mom’s with him but what’s going on? Why did we feel my Dad, Freeza’s and King Cold’s Ki? It was near Gingertown where we found your ship.”

“It’s a long story that Krillin will explain when he gets here. I can’t stay long.” Trunks stopped at the door where Goku rested on the other side. “But I wanted to check on your Dad and I need to talk to your Mom privately.”

“My Mom?” Gohan didn’t understand. “Why?”

“It’s something I have to do.”

“Oh,” Gohan didn’t understand but he trusted Trunks. “Okay. I’ll wait downstairs then.”

Trunks entered Goku’s room. Goku laid sleeping on his futon but his head was on ChiChi’s lap who softly sang to Goku. ChiChi abruptly stopped singing when she noticed Trunks.

“I’m sorry to intrude but I came to check on Goku.” He knelt at Goku’s side. “He looks better than he did on the ship.”

“Yes,” ChiChi caressed Goku’s hair. “The medicine is working. I’m forever in your debt for saving Goku’s life.”

Trunks blushed at the compliment. He wasn’t used to it or the woman holding Goku tenderly. “Gohan and my Mom told me a lot about Goku. I’m glad I can help save his life.”

“What happened that day? May 12th?” ChiChi suddenly asked.

Trunks eyed ChiChi with mild surprise. “Goku didn’t tell you?”

ChiChi’s fingers delicately caressed the bangs of Goku’s hair. “He said everyone died except Gohan but Gohan was killed several years later. If these Artificial Humans are so destructive how did Gohan survive that day? Did Piccolo or Krillin tell him to leave?”

Trunks wasn’t sure himself. He only knew of what his mother and Gohan told him. “Gohan never liked talking about that day. He came after the fighting started. Piccolo was already dead when he got there. He never went into details how everyone died but I think he saw their deaths. Gohan barely escaped with his own life. The way Gohan described it sounds like he was left for dead.”

“So, Gohan was late,” ChiChi guessed.

“Yeah. Mom said it was an ordinary morning. She was changing my diaper when the TV said something about an explosion in South City. She didn’t pay any attention to it but half an hour later, Dad came to Mom wanting her to call everyone. He felt Piccolo Ki’s dropping and wanted to know if the others felt it. Mom called Yamcha. He felt it. So did Master Roshi and Krillin. Dad left to find out what was going on.” Trunks eyed Goku mournfully. “He never came back. They all died that day except Gohan.”

ChiChi felt Goku’s forehead warming up again. ChiChi reached for the cool bowl beside her and pulled out a damp towel. After wringing it, she placed the cool towel on Goku’s forehead. “I’m pretty sure myself in your time held Gohan back as long as she could but when Piccolo died, there was no way she could stop him.”

“After South City’s fall, the world’s military stepped in but they could do nothing,” Trunks continued. “Mom said King Furry was killed on live TV. 17 and 18 created a paranoid fear where days will go by with no attacks and just when it’s too quiet, they appear out of nowhere and destroyed everything. West City was attacked months after everyone died. Most of the city was destroyed and Mom and I were forced to live underground.”

“What about your grandparents?” ChiChi asked.

“They were killed in the first attack.”

“First attack?”

“West City was hit multiple times but during the breaks we got, people tried rebuilding. Sometimes 17 and 18 came back and destroyed some more just for the hell of it.” Silenced followed for several moments. Trunks could hear Gohan downstairs laughing at something Yamcha said. It was strange to hear his mentor so happy and young. It wasn’t the Gohan he knew. “Gohan visited a lot. Sometimes he took me away from the city for weeks to train. He was a good teacher and my best friend. I learned a lot from him.”

ChiChi dipped the towel in the bowl again and placed it back on Goku’s forehead. “Where did you and Gohan go?”

“The country. It was always far from the city since 17 and 18 and didn’t venture to the countryside too much. It was peaceful there. Sometimes you didn’t think the world was in a living hell.”

“And you and Gohan were alone in your training?”

“Yes,” Trunks answered not understanding why ChiChi would ask that. Of course he and Gohan trained alone. They were the only fighters left.

“So you never visited Mount Paouz.” Trunks shook his head. He’s been to several mountainous areas; all of which he knew the names of but he never heard of Mount Paouz. “No. Where is that?”

“Mount Paouz is where Goku and our family live.” She emphasized. “It’s where Gohan lives.”

“Oh….I didn’t know.” Slowly, the wheels turned in Trunks’ head as he understood what ChiChi was getting at. Gohan took him to train in the mountains but never his home. Now he knew about ChiChi, Trunks wondered why. ChiChi must be asking that same question, too.

“I noticed on the plane ride here you looked at me a few times. I didn’t understand why but now I do. You never met me in your time which means I’m dead, too, right? Did Gohan or your mother say how I died? Was I killed by those Artificial Humans, too?”

Trunks didn’t even know where to begin. Either way, Goku’s wife would be hurt by what he tells her. “When Krillin and I came to your home, it was the first time I’ve seen that area. It’s true I never met you in my time and when I saw you I had no idea who you were. I didn’t know you existed.” Trunks wished he could take back those words if only to erase the shock on ChiChi’s face. “Gohan and my mother never mentioned you. I didn’t know Goku had a wife. I know Gohan had a mother but I always thought she was dead since Gohan and my mother never mentioned you. Even after Gohan died, nothing was said about taking his body to you and after what happened to it…” he sighed. “It didn’t matter anymore.”

“What happened to Gohan’s body?” Trunks diverted his eyes from ChiChi. “Trunks,” the sharp tone in ChiChi’s voice forced Trunks to look at her. “What happened to my son’s body?”

Trunks entered the room, limping. His mother wanted him to sleep but he couldn’t. These days have been horrible. His body was still recovering from the last fight and his mentor, best friend, Gohan was dead. Gohan lifeless body laid in the preservation capsule his mother had built several years ago. Trunks didn’t understand why his mother kept Gohan’s body in here than giving it a proper burial. It’s been days. When he entered he noticed his mother standing before Gohan’s capsule but staring at a phone on the wall. Quietly, Trunks approached her.

“You should be asleep,” Bulma told him.

“I slept enough.” Trunks figured he had to take care of Gohan’s remains since his mother wouldn’t. “I should take Gohan home. I think he would want to be buried there but he never told me where home is. I asked but he said it was safer I didn’t know.”

“Last time Gohan went home, 17 and 18 almost got him,” Bulma explained. “That’s why he spent his last weeks here or other places. I think it was a couple weeks ago he went to what’s left of Korin’s Tower and Kami’s Temple. He tried to find something that could help you.” Bulma stepped away from Trunks and sat down. “There was nothing he could use. Maybe Goku could’ve found something.” Bulma sighed as she pulled out a lighter and cigarette. “He knew everything about winning a fight.”

That name again. Gohan and his mother brought it up many times. Was Goku really as great as they said? Could he really stop 17 and 18?

“Guess it would be a waste if I went there but Gohan’s home,” Trunks brought up again. “Where is it? I couldn’t save Gohan. The least I can do is bury him at his home. He would want that.”

Bulma blew off smoke from her cigarette. “It wouldn’t be safe to travel with those killing machines out there.”

“I can evade them.”

“You can barely walk!” Bulma yelled at Trunks. “We lost Gohan! I’m not losing you!”

Trunks gave up. When his mother yelled at him to not do something, her word was final. “Then what should we do? Gohan’s body can’t stay here.”

Bulma exhaled smoke from her lips. She stared at Gohan’s capsule. “I’ll take care of it, Trunks. I promise.”

“A few nights later, West City was attacked again. My home was hit again. Part of it caught on fire.” Trunks could see ChiChi putting the pieces together in her mind. “Gohan’s body was in one of the rooms. It was incinerated. There was nothing left.” Tears rolled down ChiChi’s face. “I’m sorry.”

ChiChi accepted his apology as she wiped the tears away. It wasn’t his fault. It was someone else’s. “I don’t understand.”

“The attack was sudden,” Trunks told her. “It was in the middle of the night. I was still hurt. I had to get Mom underground before I could go back for Gohan.”

“No,” ChiChi stopped him. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Gohan was dead for days. Why wasn’t I contacted? Even after his body was…..” ChiChi cried overwhelmed at the awful visual of her son’s body burning up. Trunks patiently waited for ChiChi to stop crying. “Even after that, it doesn’t seem like any contact was made to me. You didn’t know anything about me. Why did your mother keep quiet about that?”

Again Trunks didn’t have an answer. All of this was new to him. “I don’t know.”

“If I was dead, Bulma would just say it. So would Gohan. I was alive when my son died and I wasn’t told. Eventually, I probably found out but I didn’t know for days! ”

Trunks agreed. If ChiChi was dead, there would be no reason for Gohan or his mother to keep that from him. “Does this mean you are still alive in my time?”

ChiChi hoped that wasn’t the case. That would be such a horrible future. “No. Gohan’s death would’ve killed me. To live in a world without Gohan and Goku, I couldn’t bear it but before Gohan’s death, I’m sure I was alive.”

Now Trunks understood why Gohan was so cryptic when talking about his home and why he spent weeks with him and his mother instead of immediately going home after escaping 17 and 18. Gohan was protecting his mother. But why did his mother keep the truth about Gohan’s mother from him after Gohan died? Trunks learned the more time he’s in the past the more he realizes his own mother embellished things. His knew his father wasn’t a martyr but it was still shocking to see his father not save his mother and him as a baby. He wondered if his mother had regret for her actions. It would explain his conversation with his mother before he returned to the past again.

Bulma handed Trunks two letters. “Take these with you and deliver them to these people.”

Trunks took the letters from his mother and read the names. One was addressed to his mother and the other had a name he didn’t recognize. “Who is ChiChi?”

“Give it to Goku,” Bulma instructed. “He knows who that is. He will take care of it.”

“Okay.” Trunks put the letters in the pocket of his jacket. “But why do you want me to send letters to ChiChi and your younger self? I thought you said the future can’t be changed.”

“Our future can’t, but that future can.” Bulma sighed. “I made some terrible mistakes, Trunks. I didn’t mean to but I’ve hurt people. It’s too late for me to do anything about it in this time but maybe in the past I can correct some things .”

Trunks dug in his pocket for ChiChi’s letter. “My mother wanted you to have this.” He gave the letter to ChiChi. “She told me to give it to Goku and he’ll pass it to you since I didn’t know about you.”

Wary, ChiChi took the letter, opened and read it to herself.

ChiChi,

I know this letter comes as a surprise. We were never friends but that’s why I’m writing this letter. I’m sorry we never were friends. We could’ve been but I did a lot of things that sabotage that opportunity. Goku was my oldest friend. You were his wife and I treated you so badly. I didn’t go to you the day Goku died saving Gohan from Raditz. I made sure you didn’t know what was happening to them on Namek. I attended Goku’s funeral and continued my life without calling to see how you were. I was vain, selfish, spoiled and in denial of things I didn’t want to acknowledge.

I thought not keeping contact with you after Goku died again would be my biggest mistake but I kept making them with Gohan when the Artificial Humans attacked. As a mother who had a child fighting, too, we should’ve been bonding and supportive of each other and it’s my fault we weren’t. I should’ve reached out to you. I should’ve convinced you to live in West City with me so you didn’t spend so many lonely days worrying about Gohan. Instead I treated you like I always did and I hate myself for it.

I hate how things turned out with Gohan. I hate not telling you immediately when Gohan lost his arm. I hate not telling you immediately when he……Please believe I am truly sorry for that. I hope if the Artificial Humans are defeated in your time, you and myself can do what we should’ve been done: be friends. I know it won’t be easy. We’re women of strong personalities and different viewpoints but if you and myself can make that happen, it won’t be the best friendship but it’ll be a good one.

ChiChi read the letter again, thought over what she read and folded the letter. “I really am dead in your time.”

“Hmm?” Trunks questioned. “How do you know?”

“This letter your mother wrote should’ve been given to me in your time. Either I’m alive and want nothing to do with Bulma because her handling of Gohan’s death was the final straw or I’m dead. She feels guilt for how things were between us. She mentions things that hasn’t happened to my Goku and Gohan.” ChiChi placed the letter back in the envelope. “She wrote this letter to ease her guilty conscience. Whatever happened when I learned Gohan was dead, it wasn’t good because you still didn’t know about me. Your mother wants forgiveness. I guess since she failed with me in your time she tried with me in the past.”

“Oh,” Trunks understood from ChiChi’s tone, she didn’t sound pleased with the letter. Hearing ChiChi’s side of things, Trunks had mixed feelings about the letter, too.

ChiChi didn’t mean to sound harsh to Trunks. It wasn’t fair Trunks was in the middle of this. She couldn’t tell Trunks Goku friends, including his mother, had a history of leaving ChiChi in the dark on matters she should’ve been told about and her relationship with Goku’s friends was never good because of what they did to her. They never apologized to her for not telling her about Goku and Gohan immediately after the reunion; never apologized for deceiving ChiChi on what Goku knew when he died the first time or apologized for keeping the truth about Namek from her. They were always good at having unkind feelings towards her while ignoring their actions that contributed to ChiChi’s anger towards them.

A heavy silence fell between them. Trunks decided to leave. What he learned was troubling. He vowed to get answers when he returned home. With this conversation with ChiChi and his father’s actions, it was clear his mother kept things from him. “Please excuse me. I need to get going. I’m going to try training with my Dad. He thinks he can surpass being a Super Saiyan. If he can, I should, too.”

“Good luck,” ChiChi knew Trunks will need it, “And thank you again for Goku’s medicine.”

As Trunks went towards the door, he heard a knock with Gohan speaking from the other side. “Mom. Mr. Aki is here and he brought Dr. Sims!”

“Doctor?” Trunks opened the door and faced two men he’s never seen. One was a blonde man and the other was an older man with a large medical bag.

“You came!” ChiChi’s spirits were lifted at Aki and Dr. Sims arrival. While Aki and Dr. Sims entered the room, Trunks quietly left. He wanted to stay and but he needed to find his father.

“Sorry I took so long,” Aki apologized, “but it’s a long ways from the village to East City and here.”

Dr. Sims knelt to Goku and opened his medical bag. “How’s my patient?”

“He got the heart virus this morning,” ChiChi explained as Dr. Sims took out some capsules from his medical bag. Two opened to reveal a portable x-ray machine and another medical machine. “I gave Goku his medicine. He was in a lot pain earlier and screaming. The screams stop but he still has a fever.”

Dr. Sims pulled out his stethoscope. “Get this heavy shirt off him. I need to give Goku a proper exam.”

As ChiChi slipped Goku’s weighted blue shirt off him, Aki put his hand on Gohan’s shoulder. “Come on, Gohan. Let’s leave the doc and your Mom alone with your Dad.” The two stepped out and walked down the stairs. “Are you worried about your Dad?”

“Yeah. I never seen him sick before. It’s weird but he’ll pull through.”

“Of course he will. Goku’s not going out like this but are you all right?” Aki glanced over Gohan. “No injuries?”

“No. I didn’t fight. I saw part of Dad’s fight but I was mostly helping our friends.”

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Yamcha and Master Roshi were waiting for them as Tien and Piccolo stepped in Master Roshi’s home. When they arrived, Gohan rushed Aki and Dr. Sims upstairs without a proper introduction.

“Hey, Piccolo.”

“Aki,” Piccolo appeared surprised at Aki’s arrival. “What are you doing here?”

“Brought Goku’s doctor here. He’s upstairs checking on him.”

“You know this guy, Piccolo?” Tien eyed Aki cautiously. With all that’s going on, Tien was wary of any new person he met.

“I met him a few times when I lived with Goku’s family.”

The answer was acceptable to Tien and Yamcha but Master Roshi had questions. “How do you know Goku?”

“I met him when ChiChi brought him to King Gyu-Mao’s village. We’ve been friends since. I stood with Goku at his wedding,” Aki added proudly. “Goku told me all about you. You’re Master Roshi.” He pointed at Yamcha. “Yamcha right?” Then Tien. “Tien.” He bowed before them. “Nice to finally meet you.”

“Can the doctor really help Goku?” Tien asked.

“He should. He’s been Goku’s doctor for three years.”

“Goku hates doctors.” Master Roshi saw proof of this during Goku’s time in the hospital. There was no way Goku had a primary doctor for three years.

“After his first experience, I can’t blame him,” Aki joked aware of all the testing Goku went through when ChiChi was pregnant with Gohan. “Goku complained about Dr. Sims checkup sometimes but ChiChi’s only looking out for him and he knew that.”

“ChiChi,” Master Roshi grumbled. “That explains a lot but Goku still got sick. Why didn’t this doctor catch the virus?”

“Dr. Sims did say with Goku being an alien, some things will go undetected with his machines since they’re built for humans. Dr. Sims tried everything to prevent or slow down the virus even changing Goku’s food regimen. Goku hated that but he couldn’t win when ChiChi agreed with Dr. Sims.”

Again Master Roshi snorted. “With her constant yelling, I see why Goku gave in. Wait a minute,” Master Roshi wanted to go back to what Aki said. “You two know Goku’s an alien?”

“I didn’t find out until I visited Goku at the hospital. Kinda of wild but made a lot of sense. Goku always acted different from others but I should’ve suspected something at Gohan’s birth when I saw his tail.”

“You knew about Gohan’s birth?” How did this man know so much about him and Goku when he knew nothing about him?

“Yeah,” Aki said not seeing why that was a big deal. “I took pictures. Kinda had to help Goku a few times, too. He didn’t know anything about babies but he caught on quick.” He patted Gohan’s back. “Your Mom is protective of you but your Dad was too when you were a baby. You wandered off once when your Dad and I were fishing.” Aki laughed at the memory. “Your Dad panicked until he found you.”

From the smile on Gohan’s face, Master Roshi suspected Gohan and Aki had a familiar relationship. During Aki’s stay he noticed Gohan chatting with him more than Piccolo. He even helped Aki bring packages of food in the house from Aki’s car.

Eventually, ChiChi and Dr. Sims came downstairs. “How’s Goku?” Tien asked.

“It’s not as worst as I feared,” Dr. Sims answered. “I did an X-ray. There’s some damage to Goku’s heart but the medicine is working. I don’t think Goku will be asleep for ten days. Saiyans heal faster than humans and Goku’s body is working with the medicine to speed up Goku’s recovery. At best guess, he might be awake in four days but it could be sooner. He still has that fever but I think it will break soon.” Dr. Sims told ChiChi, “Administer Goku’s medicine every four hours and those shots that will keep Goku’s body hydrated every three. Call me when he awakens. I want another look at his heart.”

“I will,” ChiChi promised.

“There’s nothing else I can do.” Dr. Sims was blunt but hopeful. “Everything is in Goku’s hands but I think he’ll make a full recovery.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” ChiChi bowed to him. “I am forever in your debt.”

“Just doing my job.” Dr. Sims turned to Aki. “If you’re ready, Aki, I’m ready to go home. It’s been a long day.”

“Tell me about it. It’ll be dark when I get home.” Aki stepped to ChiChi. “I brought some food. When I told Reia what’s going on, she insisted I give you some of the food we have in our shelter.”

“Thank you.” ChiChi was moved to tears with all the help she was getting today. “Tell Reia I thank her so much.”

“No problem. You take care of Goku.” Aki bowed before ChiChi. “Goodbye, Princess.” Aki gave Gohan a quick hug. “Protect your Mom and Dad, Gohan.”

“I will.”

“Nice to meet everyone. I hope you can stop 17, 18 and this Cell monster.” Gohan and Yamcha followed Aki and Dr. Sims outside. Piccolo followed ChiChi upstairs to check on Goku. This left Tien and Master Roshi alone. Though it was a friendly meeting with Aki, Tien felt tension in the air from Master Roshi. Something was bothering the legendary master and Tien intended to find out.

Master Roshi went to the kitchen and examine the storage containers of food Aki’s wife left. He opened one and inspected a casserole dish with his fingers. Rolling his eyes, Tien handed Master Roshi a fork. “Master Roshi, excuse me for being blunt but what is your problem with Goku’s wife?”

Master Roshi tasted the food carefully. “Needs a little more salt.”

Tien watched Master Roshi grab a plate and load it with food. “Master?” he asked again.

“Why do you think you I have a problem with ChiChi and it’s not ChiChi who has the problem with us?”

“Things Yamcha told me implies the problem is you.”

Master Roshi dusted his food with a salt shaker. “What did Yamcha tell you?”

“Only that this tension between you and ChiChi started because of what you, Krillin and Bulma didn’t do when Goku died and Gohan was kidnapped. Yamcha’s got an idea of how you three felt towards her. Well, Krillin thinks differently now but you and Bulma don’t like her. Why?”

Master Roshi gripped his fork tightly. What would Yamcha know about how he, Krillin and Bulma were treated by ChiChi? He wasn’t there. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I think you did, Master. How could you let Goku’s wife not know what happened that day? Didn’t you think she’d worry when her husband and child didn’t come home? Even Master Crane wouldn’t be so cold.”

Comparing him to Crane, was a terrible low blow. How dare Tien. “You consider me colder than Master Crane after what he did to you and Chaozu?”

“Despite our falling out, Master Crane was loyal to those he considered family. He maintained a loyal bond to his brother even when they were estranged. You and Goku weren’t estranged and yet you were disrespectful to his wife. The Master Roshi I knew and respected during the chaos of King Piccolo wouldn’t have been disrespectful to his best student’s wife. That man shouldered responsibility and looked out for his students. What happened?”

No one but Tien spoke so bluntly to him. Of all his students, Tien was the most mature. As much as he hated, he had to credit Crane for that. Crane, before he lost his way, was always the most mature and level headed among them while Roshi, though a serious student was more fun loving.

Master Roshi put down his fork and pushed aside his plate. “Did you know we haven’t seen Goku for five years before that day?”

Tien didn’t but he didn’t see the issue with that either. “Goku got married.”

“Anyone who’s trained with me are like my children. Even when my students, Gohan and Gyu-Mao, left, they kept in touch over the years. I knew about Goku and ChiChi when they were babies. When Goku showed up with Gohan as his son, it was shocking. I was proud Goku finally learned sex but it was hurtful Goku was a father and he didn’t tell us. I did a lot for Goku. I took him in and taught him all I knew. You can’t imagine how upsetting it is to see someone you care for cut you from their life.”

“I can’t, Master, but Goku didn’t cut you out of his life. He was living his life with his family.”

Master Roshi shook his head stubbornly. He refused to accept that. “If I didn’t have that reunion, I never would’ve known.”

On some level, Tien understood Master Roshi’s frustration but on another level, he thought Master Roshi was petty. “Anyway, this doesn’t explain why you don’t like ChiChi.”

“Who do you think is the reason behind Goku not telling us about Gohan?”

Tien thought the answer was obvious. “Goku.”

As he suspected, Tien didn’t understand. “It was his wife. You haven’t been around her enough to know what she’s like: always angry, always against fighting. You didn’t see her when we were on our way to pick up Goku and Gohan after his fight with Vegeta. You didn’t see her at the hospital when she tried to stop Gohan from going to Namek. I bet she was against Gohan fighting the Artificial Humans even though Gohan has proven himself to be a capable fighter like his father.”

What Master Roshi said was true. He hasn’t been around ChiChi as Master Roshi, Bulma and Krillin have been. He saw it as a good thing because he wasn’t bias like them. “Gohan is Goku’s son but he is a child. A mother wouldn’t want their child fighting in the fights Gohan has been in. I don’t want Chaozu in this fight with the Artificial Humans and if Chaozu wanted it, I would stop him.” Tien came to an understanding why Master Roshi disliked Goku’s wife and he found the reason ridiculous. “All due respect, Master Roshi, but do you know your student?” Master Roshi didn’t answer but behind those dark shades, Tien knew Master Roshi felt insulted. “The little I know of Goku, he didn’t stay in the same spot for long. For Goku to be with his wife and son for five years, meant Goku was happy. How as his teacher you didn’t see this and only thought of yourself?”

Master Roshi admired Tien’s directness but he was going too far with this. “There is nothing wrong in a teacher wanting to see his student!”

“No, but you were upset Goku kept you out of his life. You blamed his wife when it’s Goku you should be mad at….if you want to be that petty. Goku’s wife is very faithful staying by his side during his absences. She’s tried to find a prevention of the virus that has stricken him. She’s been by Goku’s side since he’s fallen. What have you been doing these past three years to help Goku?” He was harsh but Tien thought it was the only way Master Roshi will reflect on himself and his actions towards ChiChi. “Goku is your best student but you and everyone else fail to see Goku more than a fighter. He’s a husband and father now. It’s time you see how important Goku is to the people he is closest to.”

****

It was nighttime when Master Roshi headed upstairs. After his talk with Tien, Master Roshi was reflective. He wanted to tell ChiChi what happened to Goku and Gohan but he backed down when Bulma and Krillin didn’t want to go. As eldest, he knew they should’ve told her but ultimately, he didn’t want to and he let his bias towards her not do what should’ve been done.

Master Roshi admitted to having some distasteful feelings towards the woman. Letting ChiChi wait a day before telling her what happened to her family was a mistake he never owned up to. Instead of taking responsibility, he lied to her when ChiChi confronted them on what happened to her family. ChiChi wouldn’t have leapt over Goku that day if he didn’t mislead her to think Goku knew what happened to Gohan. It was ironic he had disdain for ChiChi when he was the cause of her anger and misunderstanding towards her husband. Until Tien talked to him, he didn’t realize it was his own pettiness that caused a lot of tension between him and ChiChi.

Perhaps, he was jealous how Goku moved on with a family and didn’t think of him at all. That hurt Master Roshi. When Goku lived with him, he tried to learn more about his student’s grandchild but he never did. Goku always appeared distracted by something else and didn’t seem capable of thinking of anything but fighting. ChiChi saw through that and got him to open up in ways Master Roshi never thought Goku capable of.

It was the start of visiting hours when Master Roshi casually walked to Goku’s room. Normally, he would arrive two hours after visitor’s hours started but with Gohan in space, Master Roshi thought Goku was bored and wouldn’t mind him visiting early. He smiled at nurses along his peaceful walk. Nurses ran or stood behind the nurse’s desk seeing him approaching. A few weeks of groping nurses and he gets a bad reputation with them. Oh, well.

Master Roshi pushed Goku’s door open, quickly closed the door and opened it slightly to peek inside. Goku and ChiChi were in bed together kissing. Oh, yeah! His best student definitely picked up a thing or two while married. So, ChiChi’s mouth was good for something.

Goku pulled back hardly breathing while ChiChi panted breathless. “I thought about you and Gohan a lot. You might not believe me but I kinda wished he didn’t have to go to Namek with Bulma and Krillin but he’s the only one strong enough to protect them.”

“You’re right,” ChiChi caressed his face. “I don’t believe you.”

Goku opened his mouth in protest but smiled instead noticing ChiChi’s face. He hugged ChiChi close to him. “Ah, ChiChi, I love how you get me. No one else does. Not even my friends.”

“They don’t understand. They only see you one way; how they want instead of how you are.” ChiChi cupped his face. “But I see you. I’ll always see the real you.”

Goku and ChiChi resumed kissing again. Master Roshi shut the door. What did she mean by that? He knew Goku as well as ChiChi. In fact, he knew Goku better than her. He was sure of it.

Master Roshi thought that then but now he wasn’t sure. He opened the door partially staring between the small crack. Gohan was in the room with ChiChi playing cards. Gohan had two sets of cards in front of him while ChiChi held one in her hand while her other hand caressed Goku’s hair while his head rested in her lap.

Gohan put a card down. “Draw Four, Mom.”

“Oh, no,” ChiChi laughed. She picked up four cards and put down one. “I’m never gonna win.”

Gohan laughed. “Dad’s gonna win again.”

ChiChi playfully poke Gohan’s nose. “I think you’re cheating for your Dad.”

Gohan giggled. “I am not.”

“Yes, you are,” ChiChi teased. “You’re always helping him. When we played Monopoly last month, you were helping him.”

Master Roshi observed the warm banter between mother and son. Master Roshi thought ChiChi was a strict, no fun enforcer who put fear in her family but ChiChi had a warm and playful side that Goku and Gohan knew very well and he didn’t.

Maybe I have been wrong about her.

Master Roshi pushed the door opened and stepped in the room. “How is Goku?”

“Getting better.” ChiChi put her cards aside. “His fever finally broke.”

Master Roshi observed ChiChi caressing Goku’s face tenderly. “You’ve been caring for Goku all day. It’s almost nine. Have you eaten anything?”

ChiChi shook her head. “I’ve been too focused on Goku to eat. I wanted to monitor his fever.”

“You said it yourself. His fever broke. Go downstairs and get something to eat. Take a break for an hour,” Master Roshi suggested. “Gohan and I can watch Goku.”

“I….” ChiChi hesitated. “I really shouldn’t.”

“If you pass out from not eating, who will take care of Goku?” Master Roshi sat on the floor besides Goku. “Go eat. Rest a little. Gohan and I can take care of things.”

“We can,” Gohan agreed. “If something happens with Dad, we’ll call you.”

ChiChi put a hand on her stomach. She really could use something to eat. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast. “All right. One hour and I’ll be back.” She was genuinely surprised at Master Roshi’s kindness. “Thank you.”

When ChiChi arrived on the first floor, Piccolo was in a corner meditating, Yamcha and Krillin were on the sofa talking and Tien was in the kitchen cleaning up the dishes. ChiChi entered the kitchen seeing some of the opened dishes laid out.

“Is everything all right with Goku?”

“He’s fine, Tien. His fever broke. Master Roshi kinda kicked me out of the room.” She chuckled. “He thought I should eat and relax for a while.”

Tien smiled. He was glad he got through to Master Roshi. “Good. Have a seat,” he suggested. “I’ll fix you a bowl of stew Chaozu made earlier and a plate of food Aki’s wife left.”

“I can fix my own plate.”

“You’ve been taking care of Goku all day,” Tien patted a chair for ChiChi to sit. “Relax. Let us take care of you.”

ChiChi was speechless. She never expected that from Goku’s friends. “I…. thank you.” ChiChi sat. Tien poured a bowl of hot stew for ChiChi and arranged a separate plate of food. He placed both before her and poured ChiChi a glass of water.

The food smelled and tasted delicious. ChiChi happily ate dinner while Tien resumed cleaning up. “How is the stew?”

ChiChi swallowed a spoonful of stew. “It’s delicious. Chaozu’s a very good cook.”

“Chaozu will be pleased to hear that from someone like you. You’re Goku’s wife. You must cook a lot.”

ChiChi chuckled as she ate more of the delicious stew. “I do and it’s very nice to not have to cook.”

“Goku never cooked for you?”

“Oh, he does,” ChiChi ate a forkful of Reia’s casserole, “but it’s mostly over a fire. He can use the stove but not as well as me.”

“I can’t believe Oolong kept this a secret for so long!!” All eyes turned to Krillin. Yamcha was on his feet trying to get away from Krillin who followed him around the room. “He always talked about you two arguing and breaking up and getting back together again and again!”

“Oolong lives with me and Puar since Bulma and I broke up. He knew to keep quiet about it.”

“What happened between you and Bulma that she went to Vegeta?” Krillin wanted to know. “Why didn’t you tell us Bulma got pregnant by him?”

Yamcha knew this will happen when everyone reunited but he didn’t want to have this conversation. “What does it matter, Krillin? What’s done is done.”

“Yeah, but I don’t understand how. You shouldn’t have allowed Vegeta to stay. He took your woman!”

As if he had a choice in the matter. “I didn’t want Vegeta to stay but it’s not my house. Bulma invited him and her parents allowed it. You know how they let her do anything.”

“That’s true,” Tien agreed while ChiChi resumed eating. Since she already knew about the breakup, she focused on her food and tried not to listen to the conversation.

“I can’t believe you let a murderer like Vegeta take your girl! Sure he helped me and Gohan on Namek but he was responsible for your, Piccolo, Tien and Chaozu’s deaths!” Krillin wouldn’t hold back his shock and disgust at the situation. “I wouldn’t have allowed that!”

Yamcha stopped walking. He turned around. Krillin was a friend but he was pushing it. “Like you can talk. You’ve never had a woman. Hell, even Goku got a wife and kid. Have you even kissed a girl or even gone on a date with one?!”

ChiChi mentally cheered. Good one, Yamcha.

Krillin stammered; his face flushed embarrassed. 18 kissed him on the cheek. That should count, right? “Y-y-you can’t compare me to Goku. If he hadn’t made that promise, he still would’ve been in the same boat as me.”

ChiChi half rolled her eyes. She highly doubted that. Someone would’ve snagged Goku. He had that magnetic appeal to attract people. With his body and looks many women would’ve flocked to him. Still, ChiChi wished Krillin hadn’t used her and Goku as an example. Goku was naïve but given their quick courtship and the wedding night Goku would’ve responded to a female advances eventually.

“Yamcha. Krillin,” Tien addressed his friends. “That’s enough. Don’t embarrass Goku’s wife with your talk.”

Whoops. Krillin and Yamcha both turned and noticed ChiChi eating. She didn’t speak to them but, Krillin, worried ChiChi will scream at them, ran upstairs offering to check on Goku. Yamcha sat on the sofa and watched TV. Piccolo, who saw the argument, shook his head.

After her meal, ChiChi stepped outside for some fresh air. She sat on the porch and gazed at the clear sky filled with stars. If it wasn’t Master Roshi’s island, ChiChi thought this could be a very romantic place. ChiChi closed her eyes. Maybe she can take a quick nap before going back to Goku.

ChiChi heard the door open behind her. She didn’t move from her spot. If it were Gohan, the door would’ve slammed open with him telling her Goku was having another attack, but no, the door opened quietly.

“Hi, ChiChi. I didn’t know anyone was out here.”

Yamcha. ChiChi kept her eyes closed. “I’m just getting a moment to myself.”

“Yeah,” Yamcha shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned on a wooden post. “You’re probably sleepy. You’ve been up all day caring for Goku.”

“A little.”

Yamcha apologized. “I’m sorry you heard me and Krillin talking.”

ChiChi opened her eyes. She wasn’t getting her nap. From the look on his face, ChiChi could tell Yamcha was still bothered by what Krillin said. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Huh?” Yamcha shook his head awkwardly. “No…I can’t. There’s nothing to talk about. Besides, you have a lot on your mind with Goku.”

That was true but Yamcha wasn’t going to stop talking. “It’ll be a nice distraction.”

Yamcha looked so relieve to talk about this. The only other people who knew about his situation were Puar and Oolong. Talking to them didn’t help. “Krillin doesn’t understand. It’s not like Vegeta took Bulma from me. Things haven’t been the same since I came back to life. Before I died, I thought of myself as invincible. I was confident in myself and more reliant on Goku than I wanted to admit. I knew if I were in trouble, Goku would come through and save me. When he died, I realized how weak I am without him. I died and I left nothing. I didn’t marry or have any kids. I vowed when I return things will be different. I envisioned marrying Bulma, having kids, but she…. she didn’t want that.” His eyes cast downward. “At least not with me.”

ChiChi knew Bulma and Yamcha will break up but she didn’t dwell on it. It wasn’t her life, her business and she didn’t know them. It had to happen so Trunks will be born. Bulma and Vegeta had to come together. She and Goku knew it will happen but neither considered how much heartbreak it would be for Yamcha to lose someone he loved.

“I was pissed to come back to life to find Vegeta living with Bulma. He’s the reason I’m dead and now he’s living with my girlfriend and her parents. I let Bulma know I didn’t like it but it didn’t change anything.”

ChiChi understood how Yamcha must’ve felt. There was no way to explain this was the best course of action but ChiChi tried. “Vegeta did need a place to stay. He was marooned here. If Bulma didn’t invite him, he could’ve attacked the world looking for shelter and food. This was the best way.”

Yamcha grumbled incoherently. Maybe ChiChi was right but he didn’t want to hear it. “Well, it wasn’t that bad the first year. Vegeta spent most of his time away, exploring the world and training. We hardly saw him. Things were good between Bulma and me. I even proposed but Bulma said no.” ChiChi thought Yamcha would be disappointed but he was smiling. “It wasn’t the first time I did it. A year after Goku left us to marry you, I proposed.” He laughed. “It’s actually a funny story. With the tournament permanently over, I had to do something with my life. I didn’t want to mooch off Bulma forever. I turned my baseball hobby into a career. It paid very well. We went to an expensive resort where Bulma was completely pampered. Bulma could pay herself but it felt good I could do this for her. One night, we were on the beach by a fire; I had Bulma in my arms. We were talking, kissing and being happy with each other when Bulma suddenly said, ‘It’s been a year since we’ve seen Goku. Do you think he’s still married?’”

The smile ChiChi had on her face as Yamcha relive happier times with Bulma fell to a frown. “What?”

Yamcha kept smiling unaware of ChiChi’s annoyance. “Wild, right? I’m holding my woman in my arms. We had a perfect day. It’s the perfect mood for sex and Bulma brings up Goku and what’s he doing.” He laughed. “We were like that a lot. Bulma would be in a romantic mood and my mind is somewhere else or I’m ready for sex and Bulma’s mind is elsewhere. Bulma cares about Goku. I do, too, but I wasn’t thinking about him in that moment.”

Yamcha was laughing but ChiChi didn’t find this funny at all. “So, a year into my marriage with Goku, Bulma questioned if we were still together?”

“Well, to be honest, when Goku left with you, we all wondered what the hell Goku was doing. Master Roshi thought it was a good thing for Goku since he’ll finally have sex, and after King Piccolo and Piccolo thought Goku could use a break from fighting. Bulma thought it was insane since Goku didn’t know you and wondered why you would hold Goku to a promise he made as a kid.”

“We were both children,” ChiChi defended herself. “I thought Goku wanted to marry me.”

“Bulma’s like a big sister to Goku so she was understandably concerned. Krillin thought Goku was too young to get married but I think he was frustrated his friend was leaving him again after seeing him for a short time. Tien and Chaozu thought Goku was honorable and wished you a good life. I also think Tien was hoping marriage would slow Goku down so he can be stronger than Goku again.”

“And you?” ChiChi questioned. “What did you think?”

“It was cool but I didn’t think Goku really understood what marriage meant. He’s always running around from one adventure to the next. I didn’t think he would settle down but we hadn’t heard from Goku in a year. I started thinking Goku did understand and I was the dumb one. Goku meets his fiancée for the first time in years and marries her. Me and my girl for over seven years are still dating. There’s no more tournament, I’m starting a great baseball career and I can finally afford to treat my girl. I wondered what I was waiting on. So, on the beach, I proposed to Bulma and she said no."

This time ChiChi heard some of the cheerfulness leave Yamcha’s voice. “Why did she say no?”

“Bulma didn’t want to get married or have kids. It wasn’t her. I wanted it but I wanted Bulma, too, so I thought I could be happy just being with Bulma but then Trunks came and told us of our future.” A somber look too over Yamcha as he recalled Trunks’ visit. “I started to panic. I came back to life a year ago and three years from now some Artificial Humans will kill us all, Goku will be dead again and can’t save us. Life wasn’t turning out the way I wanted it to go.”

Yamcha stepped away from the post and paced. “I told Bulma my fears about the future. I told her I wanted marriage and kids. That way if I died, I’d have some legacy. I thought this time Bulma will say yes to marriage, yes to kids but she said no. I asked why she is being selfish.” Yamcha stopped pacing and released a heavy sigh. “Sometimes I wonder if things would’ve been different if I didn’t say that.”

ChiChi didn’t have the heart to tell Yamcha it wouldn’t. In Trunks’ timeline, Bulma and Yamcha broke up without knowing Yamcha’s fate to 17 and 18. Even with this Yamcha knowing the future, it wouldn’t stop the breakup. It had to happen.

“Bulma hates it when she’s called selfish. Sometimes I think Bulma thinks she’s a saint. I love her but her ego sometimes….” He rolled his eyes. “Anyway, we had another fight which was typical of us but I didn’t let her do all the yelling this time. I yelled back. I went into everything wrong in our relationship, how she always got mad at me for thinking I was looking at other women while she always looks at other men and I brought up Vegeta.”

“Vegeta?” Oh, boy. Goku told her he noticed something between Vegeta and Bulma. If he noticed, Yamcha must’ve seen A LOT.

“Bulma always accused me of being unfaithful but she was the one with the wandering eyes. I didn’t let it bother me because Bulma never did anything and she didn’t spend a lot of time with the guys she flirted with. They were never interested in her or were,” his eyes met ChiChi’s for a moment, “married and living far away. Vegeta was the only threat. He was single, stronger than me and living with us. You would think Vegeta being a mass murderer would be a turn off but Krillin told me Bulma flirted with some guy called Zarbon on Namek and he was one of Freeza’s henchman.” Yamcha shook his head frustrated. “Bulma’s a genius with science but with men, excluding me, she was not that bright.

“We were both yelling at each other and Bulma said, ‘I don’t wanna look at you anymore.’ I told her I didn’t wanna look at her either. So, we broke up. We’ve done this before. Argue and,” he raised his fingers quoting, “‘breakup’. When this happens, I’d move into a hotel for a few weeks before Bulma calls. We’ll talk and I’ll move back in again.”

One didn’t have to be a genius to guess what happened next. Yamcha sat beside ChiChi. He was quiet for several moments. ChiChi saw the emotional turmoil on his face. “I thought it would be for a few weeks but after months of silence, it sunk in our last breakup was final and Bulma meant it this time. I couldn’t believe it was really over. I couldn’t get out of bed for a week. It was hard to accept but I realized it was what we needed to do. Bulma and I were together since we were teenagers and we’re in our thirties now. We were each other’s first for everything. That and a lot of things are probably why I put up with some our issues for so long.”

“That must’ve been hard to deal with.” ChiChi admired Yamcha’s patience for dealing with a lot red flag issues in his relationship with Bulma but she also questioned Yamcha’s lack of action. If he didn’t let Bulma get away with all the things she did, their relationship wouldn’t come to this. Maybe they would’ve broken up sooner and Yamcha would’ve found someone else. With what little she knows of Vegeta, ChiChi knew he wouldn’t allow Bulma to flirt with other men while with him.

“I moved out of the hotel, got a place of my own and continued my training. One day, Bulma called me. She was crying and begging me to come over. She needed to talk to someone and I was the only one she could talk to.” Yamcha smiled again. “It felt like old times when Bulma and I made up. I thought she wanted to get back together. I started dating other women but I wanted to try again, too. I cleaned up really fast with a fresh shower and sharp clothes. When I saw her, I had all these thoughts of what we will do now that we are back together.” ChiChi braced herself. She had a bad feeling about this. “Bulma was waiting for me on the balcony. She hugged me, told me she was happy to see me, so happy I came but then she started crying. ‘My life is a mess. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe him.’ I knew it was about Vegeta and I begged Bulma to tell me what’s wrong. I wasn’t stronger than Vegeta but I wanted to do something. That’s when she told me she’s pregnant and Vegeta’s the father.”

ChiChi winced. She knew what Bulma will tell Yamcha but she didn’t think Bulma would drop the news so fast. “That had to be hard to hear especially when you wanted Bulma to have your babies.”

“It was crushing. I couldn’t believe it. Vegeta? He was responsible for me and our friends dying and Bulma gets pregnant by him. I thought Vegeta forced himself on Bulma. She told me it was consensual.”

“Did she tell you what happened?”

Oh, she did and it didn’t ease Yamcha’s hurt. “She thought Vegeta was lonely. He rebuffed her flirting several times but one night it happened. Bulma thought it was a mistake and a one-time thing but….” Yamcha let ChiChi figure out the rest. “When she became pregnant, she told Vegeta. Bulma never expected that reaction from him.”

“Vegeta wasn’t happy?” ChiChi presumed.

Yamcha shook his head. “No. Bulma never told me what Vegeta said but it was enough for her to call me. Bulma and I haven’t spoken since we broke up but her pregnancy made us realize even though a romantic relationship isn’t for us, it didn’t mean we couldn’t be friends.”

“That’s admirable, Yamcha.” Kind of foolish ChiChi thought but admirable. “You pushed aside your heartbreak and you were there for Bulma when she needed someone. You’re a good friend and a good person.”

“Admirable.” Yamcha shook his head amused. “Good friend. Good person. You’re the first person to say that. Oolong called me a fool and sucker. Puar thought I was making the biggest mistake of my life letting Bulma into my life again. Puar even worried I would try to get back with Bulma when she and Vegeta broke up.”

“Broke up?” The news surprised ChiChi. “But they have a child.”

“Yeah, but Vegeta moved out when Bulma was pregnant. Her Dad set up Vegeta at one of their vacation homes. Vegeta still comes by a few times but,” Yamcha shrugged. “I don’t know. Some days Bulma seems to miss Vegeta and others she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Lately, I thought maybe Bulma and I should try again but now that I know her baby is that kid from the future, I think I’m done.”

“That should make Puar happy.”

Yamcha laughed. He never thought his sweet cat could have such venom towards a person. “Puar’s never gotten over Bulma having Vegeta’s kid. I was with Bulma for 15 years, wanted to marry and have kids and got nothing. Vegeta has a child with Bulma without trying. What Krillin said about Goku fits Vegeta, too. ‘Things came easy for him.’”

Any sympathy ChiChi had for Yamcha was replaced with hot anger. “What?” Her raised voice sent Yamcha sliding a few inches from her. “What did Krillin say about Goku?”

Her anger was surprising but somewhat amusing to Yamcha. “Things came easy for Goku. He got everything without really trying.”

“Without really trying?” ChiChi gasped. How insulting! “Do you know how many hours Goku trained to get as strong as he is?!”

“Not that. Fighting yeah, Goku worked hard but not as hard…” Yamcha stopped talking. ChiChi looked ready to scream at him. “Krillin and Goku were friendly rivals growing up. Goku was always stronger than Krillin. He caught onto fighting techniques faster. He was always taller. Krillin thought there was one thing he had an advantage over Goku. Women. I remember him saying, ‘Goku might always be stronger and taller than me but I will get a wife before he does.’ Then you show up to remind Goku of his promise and he gets a wife without even trying. He never had to ask a girl on date. He never worried about proposing or her saying no.”

Oh. Yamcha had a point. “Oh. Well, maybe that part was easier but Goku worked hard in our relationship. We had good times and bad times. It was not easy.”

“No,” Yamcha respectfully agreed. “I guess it wasn’t but those five years must’ve been something special. We didn’t see Goku for five years, and if wasn’t for that reunion, who knows when it would’ve been. Goku must be very happy with you and Gohan.”

“I’m happy with my husband and son, too.” Speaking of her husband, it was time to get back to him. ChiChi stood up and stretched. “I need to check on Goku.”

“I understand. Thanks for listening, ChiChi…. and I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I know what caused your tension with us. I had no idea of what they did until after I came back to life.” Yamcha shook his head. “It was wrong. As Goku’s friends, we should’ve treated you better.”

Another one of Goku’s friends treating her kindly. ChiChi wondered if something was in the water. “Thank you. It’s not your fault but thank you, Yamcha.” ChiChi left Yamcha and entered the house. As ChiChi walked up the stairs to Goku, she thought of the kindness of Goku’s friends today and wondered if relations between her and them have finally softened.

****

ChiChi woke up with a stiff back. She slept with her back against the wall and Goku’s head in her lap. Gohan slept soundly by his father. ChiChi felt Goku’s face. It was warm but normal for him.

ChiChi gently slid Goku’s head from her lap to his pillow. She leaned over and gave him a kiss. “Good morning, Goku.” Being so close to Goku, an unpleasant scent touched ChiChi’s nose. Goku was a little rank and ChiChi knew where the source was. Dr. Sims warned her this will happen. With Goku in his deep sleep, his bodily functions would move slowly. It happened over the night.

ChiChi gently shook Gohan awake. Gohan’s eyes slowly opened. “Mom.” Immediately, Gohan looked over at his father. “Is Dad okay?”

“Dad is fine.” Gohan sat up and rubbed his sleepy eyes. “Since we have to worry about these Artificial Humans, you can train with Piccolo this morning.”

Gohan dropped his hand from his face. He was wide awake now. Did Mom tell him to train? “You want me to train?”

“Just a little and get some breakfast. Reia left food for us but it’s almost gone now.”

“Oh, I get it!” Gohan understood. “Okay. I can spar with Mr. Piccolo and bring something back for us. I kind of want to spar with Mr. Piccolo anyway. He’s so much stronger now that he’s merged with Kami.” Gohan put on his shoes, gave his mother a hug and left.

It was early morning when Bulma descended on Master Roshi’s island for a smooth landing. While her Mom and robots watched Trunks, she and her Dad spent the night studying 17’s blueprints. She fell asleep in the middle of the night and woke up just before dawn when Dr. Briefs was ready for a break. So while her Dad got some sleep, Bulma used the time to visit her adult son and Goku.

“Hey, everyone!” Bulma cheerfully announced.

The TV was on with the morning news recapping yesterday’s events in South City, Gingertown and Nicky Town. “Bulma, what are you doing here?” Krillin poured coffee for himself and Master Roshi while Tien drunk his tea and Yamcha flipped the channels on the TV. “Where’s your kid?”

“My parents and robots are watching him. I thought I’d see how my adult son and Goku are doing.” Bulma looked around. “Where are they?”

“Trunks hasn’t been here since yesterday. He’s with Vegeta and Goku’s upstairs sleeping.”

“Oh,” Bulma was disappointed. “It’s good Trunks is spending time with his Dad but why isn’t Goku awake from the virus yet? We need him.”

“It’s gonna take a few days before Goku recovers.” Krillin explained. “What about those schematics you got from Dr. Gero’s lab?”

“Dad and I are still studying them. Dr. Gero was a brilliant scientist. Such a shame he wasted his brain.”

ChiChi entered from the stairway. “Good Morning,” she sleepily greeted everyone as she went to the sink with two wash basin in her hands. Master Roshi, Tien, Yamcha and Krillin stared at ChiChi. Last night they saw ChiChi covered up in her cheongsam outfit with her hair up in a bun. This morning ChiChi’s hair was down and she wore a pale blue robe. It was loose but more form fitting than the cheongsam with pants ensemble. As she walked, teases of her tone legs peeked through her robe.

Bulma noticed how all the men were looking at ChiChi. She couldn’t remember the last time all of them stopped and stared at a woman. She couldn’t recall this happening when she sunbathed on the beach. Master Roshi tried to touch her but Yamcha and Krillin didn’t do anything.

“How’s Goku?” Tien asked.

“Much better. Goku only had one nightmare.” ChiChi held one basin under the running water. “I’m gonna give Goku a sponge bath so please give us our privacy.”

“Sure thing.” Tien approached ChiChi and took one of the water basins from her. “But let me help you carry one of these so you don’t make two trips down here.”

ChiChi was appreciative of Tien’s help. “Thank you.” Once the second basin was filled, Tien and ChiChi returned upstairs with Master Roshi, Yamcha and Krillin still staring at ChiChi.

Once both were gone, Master Roshi finally spoke. “I wish she’d give me a sponge bath.”

“She’s strict,” Krillin added, “But she’s still beautiful.”

“With her hair down like that, she’s as pretty as she was at the tournament,” Yamcha remarked. “She’s a good listener, too. Goku got himself a good one.”

Bulma was dumbfounded. Where was all this praise for ChiChi coming from? What did Yamcha mean about ChiChi being a good listener? Why were Master Roshi and Krillin staring at ChiChi with admiration when they never did before? When ChiChi visited Capsule Corp to see Porunga, none of them paid attention to ChiChi. Sure she looks different, perhaps younger and prettier with her hair down and wearing nightclothes but it wasn’t that much difference. “You three are disgusting! Goku’s sick and you three are ogling his wife!”

Tien returned but blocked Bulma when she tried to enter the stairway. “Where are you going?”

“Upstairs. I want to talk to check on Goku.”

Tien frowned. Didn’t Bulma hear ChiChi? “ChiChi has to give Goku his bath.”

Bulma tried to go upstairs again but Tien blocked her. “I’ve given Goku a bath before. I’ve seen it all.”

“As a kid. Not as an adult, Bulma,” Yamcha reminded her. “You can’t have access to all Saiyans.”

Bulma scowled at Yamcha. What was he implying? They remained friends through their breakup but it didn’t stop Yamcha from getting in digs occasionally. With Tien acting as a wall and all eyes on her, Bulma sat on the sofa and waited for her chance to check on Goku.

****

A closed bag stood in the corner of the room by the two water basins, fresh sheets were on the futon and ChiChi dressed Goku in boxers and a blue shirt that wasn’t like the weighted one he usually wore. She was laying Goku back on the futon when a light knock tapped the door.

“ChiChi, it’s Bulma. Can I come in? Are you still cleaning Goku?”

Bulma’s visit was unexpected. Yesterday, Krillin said Bulma and her father were studying 17’s blueprints. With Trunks’ letter still on her mind, Bulma was not the person ChiChi wanted to see anytime soon. ChiChi reminded herself this Bulma didn’t send her that letter but they did need to talk. “Come in.”

Bulma sauntered in the room as ChiChi pulled the sheets to Goku’s chest. Bulma knelt on one side of Goku. “Goku looks the same,” Bulma remarked. “The way Trunks and Gohan described him, I thought Goku would look like he’s at death door.”

“He was in bad shape yesterday,” ChiChi admitted, “but the medicine is working.”

That medicine made Bulma so happy. “I’m so proud my son saved Goku. Pretty amazing my son has gone back in time to save all of us and I built a time machine. It’s usually Goku who does it but history shows Goku isn’t the only Saiyan to save us. And,” she pointed to herself and giggled, “humans can, too.”

ChiChi wasn’t sure how to take Bulma’s words. Was she bragging and taking credit for something an alternate version of herself and child did?

ChiChi pulled out the medical case Dr. Sims left her. Bulma observed ChiChi sticking a needle in Goku’s arm. “Is that the medicine?”

“No. This will keep Goku hydrated and nourished since he can’t eat or drink anything.”

“Looks like it works.” Bulma patted Goku’s chest. “Last time I saw Goku sleeping, he was a little boy. Thought he was a runt then but looking back, he was a cute kid. He’s….” her fingers lingered on his chest, “definitely not a kid now.”

ChiChi noticed Bulma’s eyes on Goku; Bulma’s hand on her husband’s chest. ChiChi took Bulma’s hand and placed it back on her lap. “Bulma, we have to talk.”

“About what?”

“I know about the talk Goku had with you when he came back from space. As Goku’s wife, I think we need to talk.”

Bulma remembered that talk she had with Goku. If she could, she would smack Goku now! What was that idiot thinking telling his wife about it?! “It was a small thing, ChiChi. Nothing to get worked up about or still think about three years later.”

“Ten years ago it was a small thing but carrying these feelings for years when Goku is very married and has a child makes it a big thing.”

Bulma inched away from ChiChi. That face and voice told her ChiChi was ready to strike her if she said the wrong thing. Bulma knew ChiChi was still in martial arts shape. If those hands hit her….. “I know it sounds bad but there's nothing to worry about. Goku would never be unfaithful.”

As if ChiChi didn’t know that. “I know that I have Goku’s heart. It's you I wonder about. Are you finally over these feelings? Have you accepted only friendship is all you can have with my Goku?”

Bulma thought the big important thing that happened to her would be proof of that. “I had Vegeta's kid.”

“But you're not together now.”

Unfortunately not. Vegeta moved out when Bulma was pregnant. She was furious her father helped Vegeta relocate to one of their vacation homes. Her father accepted Vegeta’s excuse he needed to concentrate on the Artificial Humans arrival. He did come home a few times but it was always brief and disappointing especially after Trunks’ birth. “Regardless of what Vegeta and I have or had you don't have to worry about me flirting with Goku.”

Maybe she didn’t but it didn’t make things good between them. With her own suspicion over the years and Trunks’ letter, ChiChi was reaching her breaking point with Bulma. “Tell me Bulma; keeping things from me; speaking badly about me; was that due to me having Goku and you didn't?”

“Where did you get that idea?”

“Other than getting the dragon ball from my father’s castle, you haven't been welcoming towards me. When I was at the tournament, there wasn't time for me to get to know you. I wanted to because you were my fiancé’s friend. I should know you. A good wife knows her husband's friends. I became Goku's wife, had his child and I learned about you through him. When I lost my family, no one came to me. I had to track you down the next day.”

That day again. ChiChi will not let them forget that. “We were wrong about that. Goku told us we were wrong.”

“It shouldn't have taken Goku to tell you that!” Why were his friends so thick in the head? “While I worried about Goku and Gohan that year, I picked my brain on what I did to deserve such disrespect; to deserve to be kept in the dark all night. We didn't know each other and you did this. You got the dragon balls Goku collected and nothing for a year from any of you. I had to force myself on the island the day Goku came back.”

No one expected ChiChi to show up there, especially Master Roshi. They all thought ChiChi would stay home and wait for Goku. “Why did you come to the island? You would have been safe at home.”

“Safe and ignored you mean. That's how you both wanted it, isn't it?” Bulma didn’t have to say yes. ChiChi saw it on her face. “Goku told me I should go there if he was ever in another big fight. He said Master Roshi's place was the safest place to be.”

Oh. Bulma never guessed Goku was the reason. “Wow. I never thought Goku had that kind of insight.”

That wasn’t surprising. ChiChi knew what Goku’s friends thought of her husband. “There's a lot about Goku you don't know. There's a lot about you I don't know either. When I learned you had feelings for Goku, your treatment of me made sense. You didn't like me because I had Goku.”

“Chichi.... it's not that simple. It’s complicated...”

“Then why?” ChiChi heard enough excuses. She wanted answers. “Why have you said awful things about me when I've done nothing to you? Why did you treat me, your oldest friend’s wife, like I'm trash?”

It was rare Bulma felt pressed against the hypothetical wall; pushed to be honest instead of hiding behind lies and bravado; losing control of the situation she wanted to manipulate. The only time anyone had her in this position was Vegeta. She wanted to seduce him; she wanted to control the courting as she did with Yamcha. Unlike Yamcha, Vegeta was stubborn and confident and Bulma was out of her league playing those games with him.

A firm hand slammed against the wall over Bulma’s head. Bulma jumped at the sudden force. Her eyes darted up to see Vegeta staring at her.

“What’s your game, Woman? Always trying to find ways to be around me. When I come out of that training room, you’re there. When I want to eat alone, you’re there. You want to know about my life under Freeza. You want to show me Earth’s culture.”

Bulma’s heart raced as her eyes swept up and down Vegeta’s shirtless, muscled body; as he stood inches from her in his black boxers. He wasn’t tall like Yamcha or Goku; didn’t have women immediately swooning like Yamcha when she dragged Vegeta out her home, but there was a magnetic appeal to him.

If she can win him like ChiChi won Goku….

“I’m trying to be a friend to you. You’re marooned here. No friends. No family. You must be lonely.” A brave hand gripped his muscled arm. Was Yamcha’s arm ever so tight? “I want to show you what Earth has to offer.”

Vegeta grope a breast through Bulma’s thin, white buttoned shirt. He smirked as he squeezed the soft flesh, watching the deep blush spread on Bulma’s face. “That includes you, doesn’t it? This vulgarity appeals to you.” He dropped the hand chuckling at her. “The courtesans in space have more subtlety than you.”

Bulma’s face turned red again but she wasn’t aroused. She was angry. Did Vegeta compare her to a prostitute? Bulma raised a hand to slap him but Vegeta caught it and pressed it over her head.

That arrogant smirk on his face turned to an angry scowl. “Dressed how you are; throwing yourself at me as you have; you’re in no position to feel offended.”

Before she could use her other hand, Vegeta grabbed that and pinned it with the other. Vegeta gazed at Bulma watching her body language, looking in her eyes. No fear. “Are the men on this planet so inadequate you seek me to satisfy you?”

Bulma answered with silence.

It was enough for Vegeta. He released her. “You intrigued me, Woman.” He walked away from her. “Come if you’re so curious.” He stood by the door to his bedroom with his arms crossed. “If Kakarrot hasn’t killed his wife during mating, then I guess you’re strong enough for me to not kill you. But if you do,” he smirked, “you’ll die with a smile.”

Bulma fumed at Vegeta. He read her like a book. He knew what she was doing all this time. He insulted her; threw Goku and ChiChi’s intimacy in her face. How dare he compare her to ChiChi! She was much better and can handle anything ChiChi can. She should walk away and pretend this didn’t happen; leave with dignity but she couldn’t. She was challenged, forced to admit her feelings. It was enthralling; exciting. Yamcha never made her feel this way. Bulma smiled, opening one button of her shirt after the other as she walked to Vegeta’s room.

This time Bulma didn’t feel excitement or challenged. She felt vulnerable and open. The wife of her oldest friend demanded answers of her mistreatment; answers Bulma felt she ChiChi deserved to know. Only problem is, it will leave ChiChi knowing things about her, Bulma wanted to keep bottled.

“You’re pretty,” Bulma told her. “You probably didn’t notice everyone looking at you when you came downstairs. They never looked at me like that. Yamcha told me I’m pretty but he was my boyfriend. Krillin never called me beautiful but he did about you. Hmph,” she scoffed. “I remember Krillin thinking I was a guy because I hid a huge diamond down my bikini bottom.” Bulma noticed ChiChi’s eyes go up in confusion. “It was an adventure we had with Commander Blue.”

ChiChi’s anger simmered as confusion rose. Where was Bulma going with this?

“When you became Goku’s fiancée, I felt threatened. You had Goku’s eyes since the tournament. He married you.”

Threatened? Goku’s eyes? What was Bulma talking about? “I didn’t have Goku’s eyes then. He married me because of the promise he made. It was after we married, he fell in love with me.”

“Maybe but you had Goku’s attention. Yamcha told me what happened between you two during the preliminary rounds. Goku watched all your matches. He kept saying he felt he knew you but couldn’t remember where. Yamcha could tell Goku was excited to be paired against you. It was the first time Yamcha noticed Goku responding that way to a girl. It was a bit annoying Goku never reacted that way to me.” She pointed to herself. “Look at me. I’m gorgeous. I yelled at him when we reunited at the tournament but he didn’t react at all. You do it and Goku couldn’t stop looking at you.”

Was this true? Goku did say it was exciting fighting her but he never talked about what he thought of her during the preliminaries. She saw him a few times but she didn’t know he was there for all her matches.

“I’m rich and beautiful but I didn’t have friends growing up,” Bulma continued. “I could make them easily. I’m rich after all but I couldn’t keep them. Goku was my first real friend. With him, I found a guy and made more friends. I like the attention I got. I like how I got my way. As terrified as I was, going on those adventures were fun. I didn’t feel threatened losing the inclusion. Not even with Lunch. Lunch couldn’t help them. Lunch wasn’t as pretty as me. Lunch wasn’t even strong. Her guns only made her appear strong and she was left behind a lot.” Bulma moved to touch Goku again but seeing ChiChi’s hawk eyes on her, Bulma decided to keep her hands to herself. “Goku would’ve allowed you to come. Everyone would want you to come on adventures with them.”

ChiChi listened attentively. She believed Bulma until her last words. Now she felt Bulma was trying to dupe her. “Are you playing me for a fool, Bulma? Me be included in your adventures? You shut me out like you did Lunch. I’m the last person you want around.”

“You’re beautiful,” Bulma told ChiChi again, “Very strong and you know martial arts. If you stayed as a fighter, being Goku’s wife, you would’ve automatically be included on adventures like Gohan is included because he’s Goku’s son. You had everything to take my place in the group. I didn’t want to lose that.”

“Oh, my….” ChiChi put a hand over her mouth sickened to her stomach. Bulma did what she did for those reasons? “So, you led the charge to exclude me; keep me uninformed in what’s going on with my family; said awful things about me all so you---.”

“Your attitude shaped some of that.”

“Only because I was kept in the dark!!” ChiChi nearly lunge towards Bulma. Bulma put her hands up. ChiChi exhaled and she stood. She needed to put distance between her and Bulma or she may do something she will later regret. Maybe.

Bulma moved closer to the door in case she had to make a quick escape. “When Goku told us you didn’t want Gohan learning about martial arts, you called it a waste. Master Roshi laughed it off but Krillin was hurt about that. It was easy to convince them you were always an angry woman only focused on Gohan’s education and will kill anyone who got in the way of that. It was easy to exclude you.”

In the hospital, Goku told ChiChi about his talk with his friends. ChiChi denied that was the sole reason for their hate. It was too ridiculous but hearing Bulma…..

“Did you ever stop to think Goku’s fight with Piccolo was my reason to not have Gohan fighting?” ChiChi couldn’t believe she actually had to explain herself. “Maybe it traumatized me but I didn’t want my child going through what my husband went through. Also, Gohan was four years old. Now that you’re a mother, maybe you will understand.” ChiChi went to her bag of belongings. “Now I know what you mean in that letter about being in denial about things you didn’t want to acknowledge.”

Letter? What letter? Before Bulma could ask ChiChi what she meant, ChiChi dropped the letter in her lap. “Trunks gave that to me. It’s a letter from his mother. You and she aren’t the same person because you haven’t lived her future but you two were the same in the past and she said things that made me think you feel now.”

Bulma opened the envelope. It was definitely her handwriting. Bulma read the letter. She cringed as her future self in another timeline brought up her mistakes with ChiChi. Her mouth dropped reading how she continued to keep things from ChiChi while Gohan fought 17 and 18.

Bulma met ChiChi’s stern gaze. “What I’m saying in this letter, ‘I hate not telling you immediately when Gohan lost his arm. I hate not telling you immediately when he….’ did I keep Gohan’s death from you?”

“In that timeline, yes.”

Bulma groaned. “Oh, shit.” Even Bulma couldn’t believe she did it again. “When did Trunks give you this?”

“Yesterday.”

Dammit. Bulma wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. Ugh! She bragged about making a time machine and Trunks saving Goku while ChiChi had this on her mind. No wonder ChiChi so was frosty with her today.

“I never wanted to take your place among Goku’s friends. All I wanted is to be Goku’s wife and have his children. A wife and a mother. That’s all I wanted.”

Bulma knew that. It took her a long time but she finally saw that. ChiChi was innocent in the mental war Bulma waged against her. With her future self writing this letter…… “I should go.” Bulma returned the letter to ChiChi. “I need to get back home. I need to help my Dad finish analyze 17’s blueprints so we can build a weapon against him.”

“I wish you luck in that.” ChiChi returned to Goku’s side. Her back was to Bulma. She was done speaking to her.

Bulma felt the chill but said nothing. She couldn’t. ChiChi had every right to feel the way she did. If she was treated the way ChiChi has been for years, Bulma would be furious and want nothing to do with any of Goku’s friends.

“I know my place with Goku, ChiChi. He’s your husband and I’m only Goku’s friend. That’s all. You don’t have to worry about me. Believe it or not, I actually grew up in these three years. Motherhood is changing me. I’m still making mistakes but I’m understanding you more, too. Maybe after all this mess with Cell and the Artificial Humans, we can sit down and talk; maybe we can try to be friends.”

Bulma’s request was met with silence. Bulma accepted that. ChiChi should feel this way right now but Bulma hoped in the future, ChiChi would give her a chance. Maybe two strong personalities like them can be friends.

****

Another night and day passed in peace for ChiChi as she stayed by Goku’s side and cared for him. The world was in growing turmoil as the populace in more cities suddenly disappeared. Piccolo led the hunt for Cell only to always miss him. Gohan stayed behind to guard Goku in case 17 and 18 arrived. It was Piccolo who told Gohan to stay but ChiChi knew it was the Kami side advising Gohan.

Tien, Krillin and even Yamcha left with Piccolo. Gohan stayed on the beach sparring alone and keeping his skills sharp. Sometimes Master Roshi sat on the beach with a beer cheering Gohan on while ChiChi watched from the window. ChiChi thought Gohan could be using his time studying but even she knew that would be a waste.

The world was in trouble and as much as ChiChi hated it, she knew Gohan will fight. With Goku recovering from his illness, ChiChi thought of herself in Trunks’ timeline and her lost. That ChiChi lost her husband and son. What was it like in their home for that ChiChi to watch her son dedicate himself to getting stronger, taking Trunks under his wing, lose fight after fight against 17 and 18 and eventually his life? Some nights she and Goku talked about that time and wondered what went wrong.

“I don’t get it, ChiChi. Gohan shouldn’t have died. Gohan should’ve been much stronger.”

Goku laid on his stomach as ChiChi massaged his body. It was an almost nightly ritual for them when Goku finished his training for the day. Sometimes the massage led to intimacy and other times it led to Goku and his wife simply talking.

“Everyone’s dead in that time.” ChiChi’s strong fingers penetrated the muscles on Goku’s back. “Gohan lost you and everyone who could train him when he was nine years old. He had to teach himself and Trunks. That’s two kids fighting monsters without proper training.”

“Yeah,” Goku groaned as ChiChi massaged his lower back. “A little to the right. Gohan survived alone for six months. He taught himself a lot. Yow!” Goku yelped as ChiChi slapped his backside. “What?”

“Those six months didn’t help Gohan be a better fighter. Gohan just learned to survive.”

“Yeah,” Goku agreed. “You’re right. I used to think because Gohan was so young and never been in a fight that’s why he froze fighting Nappa and Vegeta but it was Piccolo’s way of teaching that caused that.”

ChiChi moved her fingers to massage a leg. “What do you mean?”

“Today Piccolo was harsh with Gohan. He yelled at him because Gohan missed an obvious attack. He screamed how the Artificial Humans won’t show mercy. Piccolo attacked again and Gohan made the same mistake.”

“You know Piccolo was that way with Gohan for six months.”

“Yeah,” Goku didn’t sound happy about that. “I know. I’m working with Gohan now to undo some of Piccolo’s training.”

“You know,” ChiChi realized, “In that other timeline, you were alive for two and a half years before you got sick and died. Life was peaceful. You probably never trained Gohan in that timeline. He never got the training our Gohan is getting from you. Maybe that’s what went wrong.”

“I think you’re right. One of these days, maybe after we fight the Artificial Humans, I’ll take Gohan for training; just the two of us.”

“Goku, no. We talked about this. After this fight, there’s no more fighting for Gohan. You agreed.”

“It was different then. Your arm was broken and now I know Gohan in the other timeline never received my training, I have to train him.”

“No!” ChiChi took her hands off Goku. “I won’t let you! You’re trying to find a way to keep teaching Gohan martial arts! You want to keep interfering in his studies!”

“But, ChiChi…..”

“No, Goku! I won’t change my mind on this!”

Goku dropped the idea of teaching Gohan alone. Now ChiChi realized Goku was right. Gohan needed that training with Goku. He needed it now! Gohan in Trunks’ timeline didn’t get that training. He wasn’t strong enough to defeat 17 and 18. He lost an arm. He died. ChiChi vowed to not let this happen to her Gohan.

“Gohan!” ChiChi called from the window. Gohan stopped sparring on the beach. Immediately, Gohan flew to the window.

“Is it Dad?” Gohan climbed in the window much to ChiChi’s chagrin. She didn’t want her son picking up his father’s bad habits.

“Dad’s fine. I want to talk to you. Next time there’s a Cell sighting, I want you to go.”

“But,” Gohan protested. “I have to stay here and protect you and Dad in case the Artificial Humans come here.”

“We’ve been lucky hiding your Dad so far. Let’s hope it continues.” ChiChi rest a hand on Gohan’s shoulder. “Besides, you want to go. You want to find Cell and stop him from killing these people, don’t you?”

Gohan nodded. “I do. He could be anywhere, Mom. Grandpa’s village could be next. He’ll kill Grandpa, Mr. Aki and his family. I don’t want them to die. I wanna stop him.”

ChiChi’s heart swelled with pride. Gohan was no longer that shy, timid child. He didn’t fight like his father but he had so much of his father in him. “Then you should go. But you promise me, you’ll be careful. If you encounter Cell, you listen to Piccolo. If he, Krillin, Tien or Yamcha want you to escape and leave them, you do it.”

“I will,” Gohan promised. “Thanks, Mom.”

Later than day, ChiChi wished Gohan to be safe as he left with everyone to hunt for Cell.

****

It’s over. I’m alive.

Those were Goku’s first thoughts when he opened his eyes and saw the ceiling above him. He remembered sleeping in this room when he lived with Master Roshi as a child.

I beat the heart virus. I’m cured.

The pains. The nightmares. It was over. He was alive! Goku was still in disbelief. That heart virus crippled him. He thought he was gonna die. In another timeline, he did.

I can’t believe I survived.

Goku was alone. He could’ve sworn he felt ChiChi’s presence. Her presence was the one he felt most over these horrible days. He felt the cool towels ChiChi laid on his forehead during his fever; heard ChiChi’s soothing words; felt her arms around him as he screamed through his nightmares; felt her sweet lips on his forehead and lips every morning and night.

Where was she now?

Slowly, Goku sat up. He beat that heart virus but he was still drained physically. He wasn’t starving but he was hungry. He shouldn’t get up right now. He should stay in bed for a few more days but he couldn’t.

There was a new threat out there. It was stronger than the Artificial Humans. He could hear his friends talking over him, begging he get well so he could defeat this new threat. Goku shook his head. Would it hurt if his friends wished him well or weren’t so eager to put him back on the battlefield? From what he pieced together, Vegeta, Trunks, Piccolo and Tien got their ass kicked by the Artificial Humans. What chance did he have if they were defeated so easily?

He couldn’t be upset with ChiChi for scolding them.

Goku gingerly stood. He took a couple steps, wobbled and grabbed the windowsill to balance himself. Immobile in bed for three days without real food left him weak. He was aware ChiChi gave him something so he stayed hydrated and nourished but his body needed real food and water.

Goku smiled at the afternoon sun, at the water washing up on the beach. It was a beautiful sight to see. He cheated death many times. He would laugh it off and not think much of it but this time he felt different. It really hit him how close he came to it all being over and the unfinished business he was leaving behind.

Slowly, he climbed out the window, jumped and landed on the sandy beach. His legs wobbled but he maintained his balance. He was rusty but his mind was focused. There was a new threat and he had a plan to do it. Goku knew he will be sacrificing his body but Goku knew he had to do it.

For Gohan and ChiChi, he will do it.

Part Twenty-Nine: Family Ties

AN: Since DBZ began, there has always been tension between ChiChi and Krillin, Master Roshi and Bulma which started at Goku’s first death. Krillin had a change of feelings I think since Namek but Master Roshi and Bulma still had issues towards ChiChi and that didn’t change until the Cell arc.

When Future Trunks arrived at Goku’s house, Krillin had to tell him who ChiChi is. This implies Trunks never knew about ChiChi which is a mystery. If the Future Trunks movie is accurate, ChiChi was still alive before Gohan was killed so Trunks should’ve known her. Unlike in the Boo Arc where ChiChi and Goku’s friends were friendlier, it doesn’t seem fences were mended between them in Trunks’ timeline as ChiChi was shown on the outside.

In Dragonball manga, Yamcha wanted to get married.

When everyone waited for Goku to arrive after Trunks killed King Cold and Freeza, Bulma told Krillin what Vegeta has been doing in the past year. She was obviously intrigued and keeping tabs of his whereabouts but three years later when asked Vegeta’s whereabouts, Bulma angrily refutes not knowing and says they’re not living together. It does imply Bulma and Vegeta’s beginnings were a fling that soured and Vegeta was not living at Bulma’s home for a while. He probably left to be alone to concentrate on the fight. Obviously this changes as Vegeta does move back in and he and Bulma do work to build a relationship.

The heart virus was poorly explained. The anime and manga had various versions of how it was administered. In the anime Yamcha and ChiChi poured the medicine into Goku’s mouth but Yamcha in a different scene dropped the medicine in Goku’s mouth from his hand. There’s another scene showing the medicine is liquid and not a solid form so I took liberties for it to make sense.

Trunks said Goku will get well in 10 days and the dubbed badly implies it was 10 days when it was actually three.

#Goku #ChiChi #Gohan #Life With You #Part Twenty-Eight #Son Family #fanfiction #Gochi #Dragon Ball Z #dragonball

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dramallamadingdang · 6 years

Text

The longest reply post in the history of ever.

These go back, like, two weeks, because I am a very bad llama. An I should probably break this up into multiple posts, but I don’t wanna go through and select replies again. So...apologies to those for whom the “Read More” cuts don’t work?

These be for @getmygameon, @alicenorthernlights-blog, @eulaliasims, @penig, @tamtam-go92, @didilysims, @taylors-simblr, @mortia, @delicatesoul88, @twofingerswhiskey, annnnnnnd @immerso-sims...

getmygameon replied to your photo “Owen, running in terror from Olivia. …..Well, OK, really he was...”

Small miracles, dear. Small miracles ;) *pats*

Yeah. :) I’m actually surprised Owen made it to graduation. He didn’t have great chances of going to class/finals, according to my rules -- which is why he often ended up on probation -- but eventually his Fortune aspiration kicked in and worked in his favor. He rolled up wants to go to class because of it, and rolled wants override the manual rolls I do to decide that.

alicenorthernlights-blog replied to your post “I woke up this evening in one of those little dream-induced panicky...”

Hyperactive shield volcanoes. The scaries thing I can think about Hawaii.

I dunno...Hyperactive volcanoes aren’t bad. They are constantly letting off steam, quite literally, so they just kind of constantly belch instead of going, “Oh, hey, I think I’ll catastrophically explode this week.” I worry about the quiet ones. Like, the last time I was in Naples/Capri and visiting Pompeii/Herculaneum, Vesuvius -- which is overdue for explosion -- was all grumbly and belching smoke. Creepy! Or there’s all those up in the Cascades here in the States that are kinda overdue to explode. And then there’s Yellowstone, which is practically underneath me. If that thing ever goes, we all gonna die. :)

To me, the scariest thing about Hawai’i is...the cost of living. Yowza. Which, now that I think about it, might have factored into the dream. Cost of living at possible destinations is definitely a factor when it comes to emigration planning. :) Hawai’i would be a terrible option in that regard even if it wasn’t part of the US. :)

eulaliasims replied to your photoset “Oriana toddlerated into a crisp untextured white tux, some cheekbones...”

I love the combo of pure white tuxedo and enormous (for a toddler) bun. Oriana's got a real Look.

Ohgodohgod, 90s flashback to that Roxette song! :D

When my son -- who’s now a big, bad Army Ranger who’s killed people -- was around kindergarten age, that was his favorite song, and he sang it (with all the wrong words) while doing this hysterically-amusing dance to it. Which of course I recorded to keep as blackmail material. So now it’s like, “Behave, or your unit commander -- or, worse, your unit in general -- gets a copy of this, bucko.”

*ahem* But yes, she is totally fabulous! And Maxis fails at tuxedos.

penig replied to your photo “Amelia is Unthrilled about potty training. But at least she...”

Nobody's thrilled about pottytraining. Can't blame her for that.

But she’s a Family Sim! She’s supposed to love this stuff! She’s supposed to be so proud of her little precious darling using the potty! She’s supposed to be glowing with maternal contentedness that she gets to stand there and watch her kid poop!

...OK, OK, so in game-reality Family Sims are THE WORST at actually raising and interacting with their kids as opposed to just making/birthing them. (I’m tellin’ ya: Pleasure Sims are THE BEST parents...and Owen has a Pleasure secondary.) But, you know, they’re supposed to like this stuff. Ideally. Or at least theoretically.

tamtam-go92 replied to your photoset “Owen is, of course, excited to have another baby to cuddle, now that...”

Love how oriana's Shirt matches owen's skin.

HAH! It does, doesn’t it?

Which reminds me that I need to get baby clothes working in my game again. Since I dumped all my custom clothing and just defaulted most of the Maxis stuff, I’m back to diaper-clad babies...

didilysims replied to your post “So sad about the deaths �� Why don't you use Comfort soup? What are...”

Wait, are *you* saying you caused this plague?? MURDERER!!!! (I'm kidding...sort of. ;) )

MEA CULPA! I AM A PIXEL MURDERER! :D

Although, I didn’t deliberately start the sickness in this household. Sage came home from work with it. So it’s all the game’s fault.

taylors-simblr replied to your post “So sad about the deaths �� Why don't you use Comfort soup? What are...”

I’m very similar to this. I get super attached to my sims, but I still don’t coddle them. I do allow them to plead to the reaper otherwise I’d lose a lot more sims and I only have a small population. I just get very sad when my sims die, have a break from playing, them get over it. I always have the clones of them to play with anyway

I imagine it’s hard when Sims to whom you’re attached die. I mean, there are players who avoid it entirely, never allowing Sims to age past adult (or to age at all) and who use mods to make things non-deadly because they’re so attached. I confess that I don’t understand the mindset, myself, especially because you can make clones of them or resurrect them at will or whatever, but it does exist and is valid and all that.

But yeah, if you have or allow only a playable population, you don’t really need population control. :) I’m more of a “let ‘em breed freely, then cull the herd when necessary” sort of player, though.

mortia replied to your post “So sad about the deaths �� Why don't you use Comfort soup? What are...”

I like this. I also use the Realistic Sickness mod but I DO get attached to my pixel people and find myself coddling the hell out of them the second they even start to sniffle. I need to stop doing that and just let life play out once in a while.

I can understand, intellectually, the desire to coddle. I don’t really feel it myself because I don’t “attach” to pixel people, but I understand that other people do. There are times when I’ve felt a need to coddle that have nothing to do with attachment, though. Like, if I really wanted a particular Sim to breed because of unique facial features or the recessive genes they have and stuff like that. And I think I have coddled a few of those at times, over the years. But generally, I’m of the opinion that it makes no sense to use Real Sickness if you’re going to coddle because it just makes the coddling more drawn-out and frustrating. :) Then again, I suppose I can see where you might want to coddle your faves -- or, say, those in higher classes who might have access to some sort of dubious “medicine,” in a medieval game -- and let everyone else die as they will.

penig replied to your post “But alas: It was not to be.”

What?! Nooooo!

YEEEEEES! :) Well, OK, kind of “no” because child ghosts are wacky in that they just teleport around instead of float because they don’t have the proper animations. (Which is dumb. I mean, they made it possible for children to die -- as opposed to the immortal babies/toddlers -- so you’d think they’d’ve given child ghosts the proper floating animations, but noooooooo!) So, I kinda wish she’d croaked after her teen age-up, but...such is my game.

didilysims replied to your photo “Yeah, that hike was definitely not a good idea. :( I’m bummed. :( Sage...”

Sickness is not to be taken lightly. You should know this!!!

Yeah, yeah, bad llama! BAD! NO PEAR 4 ME!

(One of our llamas goes absolutely insane for pears. She adores them, has since she was weaned. If she sees that you have one, she will follow you around and stick her head over your shoulder and poke you with her muzzle and give you little hums and long-lashed puppy-dog eyes until you give it to her. Only for pears, though. Other fruit she can take or leave, but she’s a total pear whore. And you can’t even trick her with pears that are oddly-colored or oddly-shaped. Like Asian pears, which are apple-shaped. She knows the difference between an apple and an Asian pear. Llamas -- camelids in general, but especially llamas -- are kind of scary-smart that way. I wish they could tutor the super-stupid horses. Seriously, if horses hadn’t been domesticated, I don’t think they’d still exist. They’re great big idiots constantly looking for new and interesting ways to die. Deer are geniuses compared to them. Sure, they’re loyal as all hell, and very trainable, and I love them to death, but...Dumb to the core, all of them.)

didilysims replied to your photo “Meanwhile, Gwendolyn exists and got gave herself a promotion! We’ll...”

ALlamaInEveryHome would make an excellent username...

It would be! Wish I’d thought of it, when I made this Tumblr. :)

didilysims replied to your photo “Heeeey, Cherry! I totally just knocked up your daughter, man. It was...”

Umm...tell me more about this (harvestable?) peach tree please. :)

‘Tis one of Sun & Moon’s seasonal fruit trees, from this set here. 12/10 would recommend. :)

mortia replied to your photoset “To get everyone’s mind off Sage’s death, Emmy took the girls on an...”

Ooh these are lovely!

didilysims replied to your photoset “To get everyone’s mind off Sage’s death, Emmy took the girls on an...”

This is such a gorgeous lot--and the background too!

It is one of my favorite lots that I’ve built. But it’s also kind of annoying. Since it slopes so much from road to waterline, much of the lot is pretty much unusable. Like, Sims trying to talk to another Sim just do a lot of stomping and yelling because of the slope. I kind of hate that in Sims 2 Sims can’t really interact with each other on anything other than flat ground. (They fixed this for Castaway, which is one of the things I love about that game, but not TS2. WHY??!) It’s one of the reasons why I (usually) build only on flat lots and why I’m (generally) fond of flattening beach lots from road to waterline, too. So...Yeah, that lot is very pretty to look at, but it’s pretty much only usable in the 10-tile-wide strip of flat beach. The rest just generates lots of yelling and stomping. So, it’s also kind of wasted space. :\

penig replied to your photo “Annnnnnd a couple hours later, this happened. *headdesk* I kind of...”

Everyone grieves in their own way?

I suppose one could see it as doing something life-affirming in the aftermath of death. Especially when you’re sick and possibly facing death yourself. Although I gotta say that sex is not high on my to-do list when I’m sick. :) But, to each their own!

eulaliasims replied to your photo “Yeah, that hike was definitely not a good idea. :( I’m bummed. :( Sage...”

Noooo, Sage. :(

I know. I was bummed. :( But, life -- or the game, in this case -- goes on. :)

tamtam-go92 replied to your photo “Stephanie does most of the gardening these days, while her dad’s at...”

What can you even do there?

Fishing, apparently. Which Sims can do pretty much anywhere there’s water, so what’s the point? :)

penig replied to your photo “Sage doesn’t do sitting still very well, and the next day he rolled up...”

This is what happens when you don't lock 'em in their rooms. You could have sent him out by himself, you know.

I could have...but my rule for hikes is that as many people in the household as possible go on them when any household member rolls a want for one and is able to take one. So, obviously toddlers get left behind as well as someone to care for them, and if anyone’s imminently due to go to work/school they don’t go, but everyone else, including pets, goes. Even if they’re sick.

penig replied to your photo “Stephanie does most of the gardening these days, while her dad’s at...”

It has major routing fails and a fishing hole. Also the hydroponic garden for some reason.

Yeah, I’m afraid I’m pretty unimpressed with the hobby lots in general. :\ The only one I ever really use is the Cuisine one, and that just for food contests. I think what I’m eventually going to do, instead of fussing around to make over the hidden hobby lots, is just build all my own “hobby lots,” but just make them regular community lots and then use the Visitor Controller to limit their patronage to Sims for whom the dedicated hobby is their OTH. I think that would make them busier overall, which would be nice. They won’t have the hobby leaders...but if I wanted to, I could make them owned by the game-generated leaders, so they’d still be there...although I don’t know if they’d retain their “leader” functions, since I’d have to make them temporarily playable to buy the lots. It’ll be something to experiment with...one day. :) A large community-lot garden would be nice for Nature Sims to grow/maintain/harvest...although I suppose they’d have to stay on it for a number of days. And it’d be better if gardening was autonomous...And...

Well, anyway! it makes sense to have the hydroponic garden on the Nature lot, I suppose. I guess when the devs were building the lots, they just threw in anything that was related to (or “assigned” to, via the coding) that hobby that existed at the time.

delicatesoul88 replied to your post “So Tumblr decided to unfollow a bunch of people for me. :\”

It does that to me too! All the time! I really wish it wouldn't...

Yeah, I’ve seen people complaining about Tumblr unfollowing people as long as I’ve had a Tumblr. (Four years, geez!) Honestly, I always kind of suspected that people claimed that it did that in order to “cover up” the fact that they’d unfollowed people deliberately. But then it happened to me! And I didn’t even realize it! I just assumed those people had gone quiet for a while, as people do off and on...until I saw reblogs of posts that I didn’t recall having seen. And then I looked through the blogs I follow and, sure enough, they were no longer there. :\ I knew I didn’t do it, even by accident, because I don’t think I’ve ever unfollowed anyone, even when they announce they’re leaving... just in case they come back like, say, Trapping did. I’ll mute reblogs, sometimes, if they reblog a lot of non-Sims stuff, esp. real-world political/social things that I use Tumblr to escape from for a little while, but I’ll still want to see any original stuff they post. Otherwise I wouldn’t have followed them in the first place.

Anyway, yeah, it’s very, very annoying, and I wish that Tumblr would address whatever’s causing it. But then, Tumblr seems to like to try to control what we see, don’t they? :\ Thank God for Xkit! :D

eulaliasims replied to your post “Replies, yay!”

I love the graying snouts on the dogs too. :) Older doggos are great. Cats too! Kittens are lovely, but older cats are highly underrated. Grumpy old lady cats are the best.

Yeah, I have a huge soft spot for grumpy old lady cats. My own RL grumpy old lady cat passed away rather recently. (She was almost 19 when she got really sick and I decided to have her euthanized, so she had a good long, but always kind of sickly life, probably since she was a very runty runt of the litter.) Once she got past kittenhood, she wasn’t the cuddly kind -- she appreciated being petted and scritched and she would curl up next to you of her own volition, but would never get in a lap or tolerate being picked up or held -- but she was very chatty. She’d sit near me, and we’d have long cat-sound “conversations.” I often imagined that she was bitching to me about all the annoying young ‘uns and all the damn dogs underfoot.

I kinda wish the cats/dogs in game had more varied behaviors like that, but I understand the coding limitations and all. *sigh*

penig replied to your photoset “Samantha, childified. She looks just like Sage, down to the Vulcan...”

Bathtub piracy is one of the most important traits its possible to pass on.

YES IT IS! Bathtub piracy is probably one of those things that annoy a lot of people but that I just love, love, love. :)

penig replied to your photo “Later, the other Emmy GilsCarbo called this Emmy GilsCarbo. :) (The...”

You could start calling Simon's Emmy Em instead.

I could, yes...but I rather like confusing myself. Messing with my brain is so much fun! S’why I appreciate hallucinogens. :)

twofingerswhiskey replied to your post “SO MUCH DEGRASSED, THEY COULD CALL YOU DEGRASSI. okay there's my joke...”

The show is actually super popular, everyone I know has at least heard of it - it's been around for more than two generations, so I mean, yeah :D

Two generations? Really? I thought it was just a 90s thing. But then, I haven’t really watched TV since the early 90s, so there’s that. :) Anyway, I know the name of the show, but I know nothing about it other than that, since I never watched it. Seemed like it was aimed at a demographic that...isn’t me. :) My kids, maybe, but not me.

immerso-sims replied to your photoset “Annnnnd the younger daughter, Samantha. ”

Goopy and Sandy's genes still going strong!

They are! Goopy’s nose seems to override Sandy’s, but Sandy’s lips and jawline seem to override Goopy’s, so it all comes out even.

immerso-sims replied to your photo “Heeeey, Cherry! I totally just knocked up your daughter, man. It was...”

I am laughing way too hard at this :D

Yeah, I think Sam is pretty much the most amusing Sim I’ve had in my game, ever, and he’s not even a playable. And really, I kinda hope he never becomes playable because then he’d probably become all boringly domesticated. It’s just, as an ex-llama-mascot, he’s freakin’ everywhere, and he’s apparently in a sort of eternally-adolescent hormonal overdrive. Don “Lothario” is a total amateur compared to this guy. Some folks will probably dislike him for that (and perhaps will dislike me “glorifying” or approving of his behavior or whatever), but I take this game not-seriously-at-all, and I have never had a Sim who’s made me laugh so much, sometimes in exasperation but also because he just does goofy things. I’ve had ex-llamas in my game before, but they’ve not been nearly so entertaining.

#getmygameon #alicenorthernlights-blog #eulaliasims #penig #tamtam-go92 #didilysims #taylors-simblr #mortia #delicatesoul88 #twofingerswhiskey #immerso-sims #replies

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