*thoughts to self*
~flashbacks~
Words with emphasis(bold and italic)
CHAPTER 1: Move to Capsule Corp.?
(A short while after the Cell Games)
Gohan had just gotten back home from the Lookout and was now standing outside his mountain home and tried to decide the best way to break the news to his no doubt already distraught mother. He stood staring at the doorknob for what felt like hours, that was until the door suddenly swung open and his hysterical mother wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
"Oh my poor little boy!" She screamed as she subconsciously tightened her grip, much to Gohan's protest. "I was just so worried about you, you're not too hurt are you?" She continued rambling on hysterically.
"Mom…need…to…breathe." Gohan said trying to loosen his mother's iron grip without hurting her.
Chi Chi released Gohan and began to look around. "Where on Earth is your father?! I need to give him a piece of my mind, making my baby go out fight that terrible monster, the nerve!" Chi Chi yelled throwing her hands on her waist tapping her foot. "Well?" she asked looking at Gohan waiting for an answer.
"Well you see he..." Gohan was now rubbing his sweaty hands in a nervous fashion, "He…He's…He's gone." Gohan managed to whisper as he lowered his glance to the ground.
It took Chi Chi a few minutes for Gohan's words to register. "What?!" she screeched hoping she hadn't heard right.
"He died when Cell tried to self-destruct and he also said he doesn't want to be wished back to life, that it would be safer for the Earth if he stayed dead." Gohan continued his voice shaking slightly, doing his best to hold back the tears and stay strong for his mother.
Chi Chi sank down to her knees as silent tears began to stream down her face. "But why? I still need him." was all she could say before breaking down completely.
Gohan walked over and began to comfort his mother, holding her as she cried into his shoulder. He knew this would be hard for her to take but he couldn't and would probably never get used to seeing his mother cry like this, or at all for that matter and it tore him up inside having to watch her in such a state. After a few moments and calming her down a bit Gohan, with the help of his grandfather helped his mother up and led her into the house and proceed to attempt three of them.
It had been a three days since Cell had been defeated and Gohan and the rest of the Z fighters were at Capsule Corp. celebrating and were also there seeing Trunks off before he went off back to the future for the last time.
Gohan, Trunks and Vegeta were sitting at the table in the dinning room scarfing down the food that Chi Chi and Mrs. Briefs had made for them while Krillin, Yamcha, Tien and the others were telling jokes and talking about anything and everything, mainly their past adventure with Goku, while Bulma and Chi Chi were in the living area relaxing and sipping some tea to try and calm their nerves.
"So how are you holding up Chi Chi?" Bulma asked looking over at Chi Chi.
"I'm actually doing better than I thought I would." Chi Chi responded. "I mean after all its nowhere near as bad as when Goku died the first time around and had no idea where he or Gohan were and then to be suddenly told by Krillin a few days later that Goku had died and Gohan had been taken away by Piccolo to train for the battle with Vegeta. But comparing now to then, it isn't so bad." She added with a sigh. "Though this time Goku is gone for good and it will be just Gohan with me."
Bulma let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, I guess that's true." Bulma and Chi Chi began to take a walk down memory lane as they reminisce about all the fun times they had with Goku.
Gohan, Vegeta and Trunks had just finished off the last scraps of food off the table and were now sitting back and letting it settle. Vegeta glanced at Gohan. "Your mother's ki is off." he said slightly annoyed.
This caught both Trunks and Gohan off guard. "What do you mean father? Wouldn't it be expected that her Ki would fluctuate with Goku's death?" Trunks said before glancing over at Gohan. "I'm sorry, it slipped."
"Don't worry Trunks, my father is happy where he is. He's probably fighting some otherworld fighter or eating as we speak" Gohan stated with a forced smile and a small chuckle at the highly probably accuracy. "And to answer your question Vegeta, yes, I did notice. It's nothing to worry yourself with, she's just…" He paused hesitantly for a moment, "…pregnant." Gohan said as quietly as he could as put his chopsticks down glancing over at his mother.
"I was simply making an observation. I don't give two damns about your harpy mother." Vegeta scoffed.
"So you at least give a give one." Gohan said smartly as he ran off to go watch baby Trunks and avoid Vegeta's who was now fairly miffed at Gohan's comment, even if it was half true.
Of course most everyone already could tell since most of they could sense the second ki coming from Chi Chi and she had told Bulma over the phone and had her do a test to confirm it. "Chi Chi.." Bulma said looking down at her cup of tea then back to Chi Chi, "… I want you and Gohan to come here and live with me."
Chi Chi was nearly spit out her tea at Bulma's statement, "But Gohan and I are doing just fine, we have more than enough space to…"
"Yes, but with that baby on the way you're going to need more than just space. You're need moral support among other womanly things. Besides it will alleviate some pressure and stress off of Gohan trying to balance training, studying, helping watch over you and the child."
"But what about Vegeta?" Chi Chi asked slightly worried about the Saiyan prince.
"Oh don't worry about him. He wouldn't dare do anything that might compromise his gravity room or food." Bulma said slyly glancing over to Vegeta who wore his usual scowl. "Now I'm not trying to say that you aren't a good mother, but Gohan really needs to be able to do more than stay cooped up inside and study, after all he is part Saiyan and he should be allowed to train, not only that but he's intellect rivals even mine and he's not even a teenager yet, of course that's thanks to your teaching him at such an early age. Not to mention that Goku gave Gohan tha mantle of Earth protector and not letting Gohan fulfill Goku's last request is something I know you don't want to do. But he could use the change of scenery as could you, besides if you move here Gohan will be able to make friends his own age around the city."
Chi Chi hesitated at Bulma's request. She had noticed that Gohan was constantly worrying over her wellbeing and she had pushed him to study far more than she should have, but that was to keep him away from danger. She just couldn't live with herself if Gohan had gotten severely injured or was killed, she only acted the way she did because it was the only way she knew how. She didn't want Gohan to have to fight in in life or death fights but he still ended up doing it, which only further proved he was his fathers son and it worried her since she had seen first hand how the fights for the world could go during the fight between Goku and Piccolo during the 23rd World Martial arts Tournament. Though him making friends his own age would be a plus. "I have to think about it and I want Gohan's opinion on this matter as well since it's just as much as my decision as it is his." She said as she glanced over at Gohan who was standing over Trunks crib making faces. She just wanted to be sure this is what was best for her little boy.
Back at the Son residence Chi Chi had just finished making dinner for her and Gohan while the boy studied diligently in his room.
"Gohan! Dinners ready!" She called out as she set down the last plate on the table that held enough food an entire army.
"I'll be right there!" Gohan called back over his shoulder as he put his pencil down. He took one last glance at his doodle he had made; it was of him and Goku laying down on a grassy hill with a lake in the distance and clear skies. He let out a sigh before getting up out of his chair and headed to the dining room where he sat down and began to chow down on his food at a rapid yet polite manner.
Chi Chi watched her son as he ate his food and smiled as he finished the last plate, he reminded her of Goku, with more manners of course. "Gohan…" she started as Gohan was about to get out of his chair.
"Oh right, thank you for the food, mother." He said with a smile. "Oh, mother I was wondering? Did Bulma talk to you about moving into Capsule Corp with her?" he asked.
"Actually yes, she did, I told her I wanted your opinion on the matter, after all it affects you as much as it affects me." Chi Chi responded.
Gohan chuckled, "Really? That's funny I said the same thing Though I think it would be a good idea, and trunks will be get a playmate out of it." His face turned a bit more serious as he took in a deep breath, "I was also hoping that you would let me follow in father's footsteps and allow me to train. He told me at the Lookout that he wanted me to become the next protector of the Earth and I want to be able to make him proud." He said looking at Chi Chi with a fire in his eyes. "I will still study but it training and protecting the Earth would be my main focus." He added in an attempt to compromise.
Chi Chi sighed, she knew this was coming; it was just a matter of time since it was apart of who he was. She could see how determined Gohan was about the matter which only further reminded her of Goku but remained silent for several minutes which was making the boy nervous.
"I… I guess you have my blessing." She said hesitantly, she really didn't like the idea of her baby boy having to be the one who would end up being the one who would fight to save the Earth but her she felt that if Goku wanted Gohan to take over his role, she should let him as one final way to carry on her husbands legacy. She watched as Gohan jumped up in joy before he ran over and gave her a a bear hug, thanking her the entire time. "However, I expect you to keep your end of the deal that you will still try to and keep up on your studies." She added with a small sad smile while Gohan was still hugging her.
"So, what is your opinion about moving to Capsule Corp.?" he asked with a large grin as put his mother down and took a few steps back so he could look ChiChi in the eye.
"I think it's a good idea, we could use the change of scenery." She said as she looked around the house, "Besides, we can always come back here anytime we want." She said smiling at Gohan.
"Ok I'll start packing up then. Everything should be done in a few minutes." He said eagerly as he zipped out of sight and began to pack.
"I guess I should call Bulma and let her know what's going on." She said to no one in particular. She went over to the phone and proceeded to call Bulma on a reserved line strictly for friends and family.
"Hello Briefs residents Bulma speaking."
"Hey Bulma, it's Chi Chi."
"Oh hey Chi Chi, what's up?"
"Well Gohan and I were talking and we decided to take you up on your offer, Gohan is packing as we speak. He also decided to start training like his father, of course the way he asked I couldn't possibly say no, he was just to much like his father." Chi Chi sighed, though could hear Bulma chuckle.
"Yeah, he's a lot like his father. He's a good kid…" Bulma trailed off and Vegeta could be heard yelling in the background about them moving in.
"Vegeta, they're moving in and that's final...I don't care...besides you might also be getting a sparring partner and a great cook, or would you rather have me cooking your food instead of my mother... last time I checked Gohan was stronger than you...well you should...you do that and you'll be the one having to fix the Gravity Room and you'll be cooking your own food from now on...try me...that's what I thought." Bulma yelled triumphantly, "Sorry about that, Vegeta was being a pain." She apologized, Chi Chi still couldn't understand how the two of them ended up together.
"It's fine. So when should we head over?" Chi Chi changing back to the main topic of their call.
"Oh whenever is fine, I've already got your living quarters all set up." Bulma said causally. "Well more like spare building that we recently renovated into living quarters that was going to be used for guest housing."
Chi Chi chuckled, "I see. Well we will be heading over as soon as Gohan and I finish packing then. We will see you soon."
"Alright, see you in a bit." Bulma replied as both she and Chi Chi hung their phones up.
"Gohan!"
"Yes mother." Gohan answered phasing in front of her, causing her to jump her.
"Gohan, don't do that!" she yelled putting a hand over her heart. "how many times have I told you not super speed int eh house?!"
"Sorry mom." Gohan said sheepishly rubbing the back of his head; a habit he picked up from his father.
Chi Chi sighed, "It's fine, now how is there left to pack?" she asked.
"Um, I kinda just finished packing everything while you were on the phone with Bulma." Gohan replied still rubbing the back of his head and smiling.
"Well where are the boxes?" Chi Chi asked looking around.
"Well you see Bulma gave me several new capsules that were built for moving." Gohan said pulling out several capsules out of his purple GI, each with its own label stating which room it was for.
Chi Chi chuckled slightly, "I guess she already knew our answer before we did."
"Looks that way, she told me that we could have these incase we ever decide to move." Gohan said looking at the capsules and sighed happily. He hadn't felt this happy since him and his father were relaxing during the ten day wait before the Cell games which to him felt like an eternity ago when in fact it had only been a few days ago. "Well shall we go?" Gohan asked looking up at his mother.
Chi Chi sighed as shook her head 'no', "I want to take one more walk around the house before we go. You go on ahead and wait outside for me, will you?" she asked with a sad smile. Gohan nodded as he went outside and sat on a nearby hill as he was met by a familiar purple dragon who had grown to the size of an elephant.
"Hey Icarus!" Gohan greeted his friend as the dragon licked him with his big red tongue. The boy let out a sad sigh as plopped down on the grass. "I probably won't see much anymore boy and I don't think that the city is the place for you. But I'm sure you can visit, and I'll be sure to visit you." Gohan said as the purple dragon let out a sad murmur. "Hey now don't be like that." Gohan said as he grabbed the dragons snout and look his best friend in the eyes, "Ok, fine, I'll see if Bulma will let you stay at Capsule Corp. with her parents pets, as long as you promise not to eat the smaller animal, alright?"" Icarus tackled the boy and began to lick his face as a response.
"Gohan!"
"Well boy, you ready to go?" Gohan asked causing the dragon to barrel towards Chi Chi but stopped short when he remember the last time he tackled Gohan's mother. The dragon bowed it's head and made a few happy murmurs and a purr here and there."I'm going to ask Bulma if Icarus can stay in the garden area, is that alright?" Gohan ask with a questioning look.
Chi Chi eyed the dragon then her son back to the dragon, "I guess, he is part of the family after all."
The two let out a happy cheer as the took to the sky, "Nimbus!" Gohan called out causing the little golden cloud to come zooming by. Chi Chi got on and the cloud quickly followed Gohan and Icarus to Capsule Corp.
