Author's Note: I have been a Dragon Ball fan as long as I can remember, I watched my first episode when I was around five when it was translated in Korean. My favorite character is Trunks (no surprise!) but this fic isn't about him. It's about the stern, scholarly wife of Goku. How does she feel when she is the only one that's visibly aging? This takes place before the GT series and before the tournament when Goku leaves to train Ubuu. I've tried to keep the characters as close as possible to the manga, yet show a deeper side to both Chichi and Goku. Please tell me if I have been successful!

Dragon Ball is the property of Akira Toriyama and countless studios. It does not be long to me, I just happen to adore it!

Faces in the Mirror
by Blue Jeans

Chapter One: A Wrinkle in Time

Wrinkles. The tragedy of age that mar the once smooth flesh. I could seem them clearly in my reflection, around my mouth, my eyes... I sighed and scolded myself mentally, I am old after all. I have a two full grown sons, and one granddaughter. And yet...

my husband walked into our bedroom and I turned my face away from the offending piece of glass to face him. Goku clapped his hands on my shoulders into a soothing massage. I purred and looked up at his handsome, still line less face. Dinner was delicious! Could we have the same thing tomorrow?

Oh, I don't know, I sighed, After all, it's Videl's turn to cook tomorrow. Goku leaned closer and rested his chin lightly on top of my head, looking at our reflection. I groaned, I look old enough to be your mother.

He laughed at this as if I had made a great joke, Of course not! You're my wife! How can you be my mother? With this, he gave me a quick squeeze and went to bed, chuckling softly.

I sighed and reached for my brush. My hair was still long and very thick, but there were obviously streaks of gray that stood out from the solid black. Goku's hair was still black AND still thick, not to mention still sticking up all over the place. So was Vegeta's.

I ran my brush through it before I left my vanity and curled up in the bed. Instinctively, Goku's muscular arms circled around me and he pulled me closer. I kissed his jaw line and cuddled closer as he sighed.

Damn his Saiyajin blood. He still looks so youthful, and because of his consistent training, he is physically fit. Out of everyone I know, only I was the one who hasn't aged well. Years of worry, stress, and countless verbal matches with Goku has left my face looking stern. Because of childbirth, stretch-marks mar my creamy thighs, once so physically fit, now flabby with lack of practice for being dedicated to the home. My breasts were no longer plump and round, but saggy because of breast feeding my boys.

Goku never complained about his wife aging and his eyes had never strayed away from me, but... when I look at him, I can't help but feel I have lived a million lifetimes while he has only lived one. It's silly to say so, while I was at home doing housework and worrying, he was away fighting battles to protect the Earth, as well as flying around space, and even died a few times. But still... I love to be youthful and beautiful for his delight again. Live my youth over, my sons are now men so I don't have to be stressed over them. I would be able to relax and have fun, maybe even train in martial arts again so I can be youthful... maybe even learn how to control my chi and learn how to fly.

If only there was a way to make myself youthful again, I thought to myself as a I began to doze off, Nothing painful like surgery or anything... if only there was a fountain of youth or a genie where I can wish it a way...

My eyes flew open. Wish! I could gather the Dragon Balls and wish for youth! I smiled into the darkness as I began to plan. This time, I vowed, I don't need to nag my husband for taking the boys away from their studies. The beautiful, carefree girl will live in me again.