Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball or any of its variants
A/N: This is literally my first story I've ever written for this site, so it might not be the best. This story was inspired by both Gogirl (an author who wrote the original "A Simple Wish") and wthtonibelle (another author who read "A Simple Wish" but wasn't satisfied with the story so she decided to make a new plot out of the original premises, but didn't end up writing it, so here we are now). I actually waited for wthtonibelle to actually start to write the story, but like all people my patience has worn thin and here we are, writing "A Simple Wish: Rethought" as it is so accurately named. If you haven't already read ASW the original version, then please go ahead do so, I assure you it is a good story. This may also be similar but has major different plot points.
Chapter 1: Forgotten Birthday?
This isn't how it should be, Chi-Chi thought sadly. Today was supposed to be the day our family got together and celebrated my birthday, our first birthday celebration with all 4 of us and they all ended up missing it. On my birthday as well.
What was supposed to be a bustling and happy evening at the Son Residence ended up being one of the quietest days ever since the defeat of the terror known as Maijin Buu 2 months ago. Those 2 months however, were filled with joy and a sense of wholeness at finally having a father and husband in the household. With Goku's return, Goten was overjoyed at finally being able to spend time with the father he never knew. Gohan got to finally meet his father again after 7 years, he may not have been one that was easily excitable, especially once he turned into a teen and the hormonal changes started occurring, but she has never seen Gohan smile this much in the 7 years of Goku's absence, ever, and she... words couldn't describe how happy and ecstatic she was knowing that her husband, her Goku, was finally back for good and they could be a family again, with their newest addition of Goten as well. It just couldn't get any better than this...
Well, that's what she thought before today happened. Instead of celebrating her 37th birthday with her family of 4 inside her warm and cosy home. She found herself walking aimlessly around the nearby forest, contemplating on if her family even appreciated her in the slightest, the fact that all 3 of them missed arguably the most important day of her life didn't help ease the pain she felt in her heart. Rather conveniently, Goten had left the house ever since breakfast and didn't even bother to say when he'd come back, Gohan had left before lunch on a day-date with Videl and Goku had just up and left her right after dinner without even saying where he was going or when he'd come back. The worst part wasn't that they all left, it was the fact that they all knew it was birthday today and still decided to leave her alone.
Heh, like father like son they always say, Chi-Chi thought humourlessly. Ugh, how many times have they left me in my lifetime? Am I really that insufferable that they all just decided to leave me on my birthday of all days?! How could they? Was this their idea of getting back at me for all the times I nagged and screamed at them? Was this their way of saying 'we don't need you anymore'?
As she walked further and further into the forest, these thoughts ceased to stop infecting her mind, if anything, they developed from mere fantasies that could never be true to full-blown theories which had evidence backing them up. All of this further upsetting her mood and attitude. The cool November breeze of Mt. Paozu paled in comparison to her depressing cold-heart on the verge of depression due to the fact her family didn't need her anymore.
Did they ever need me in the first place? Was I just their temporary personal maid and chef? Maybe they're better off without me, all I really do is shout at Goku and force my sons to study. Maybe these past 2 months they were all putting up a front for me while Goku tried to find a better wife and step-mother. At that thought Chi-Chi felt tears start to stream down her face at a rapid rate, never had she been this depressed in her entire life, not when Goku and Gohan were gone for a whole year after the Raditz incident, mainly because she knew Goku would come back eventually, not when Goku had stayed on Yardrat for a year to learn Instant Transmission (although she hated to admit, it did prove its usefulness time and time again, and also proved to give her mini-heart attacks whenever he'd appear right in front of her) and not even when Goku chose to stay dead for 7 years at a time, the only things that kept her sane back then were her sons Gohan and the surprise of Goten, which ended up being a painful blessing from Goku.
But this, the idea that her husband and sons didn't need, no, didn't want her anymore pained her more than any amount of time spent dead and away from her could, the fact that this idea could also be true just added fuel to the fire of depression that started to manifest itself inside her heart and soul.
Come to think of it, aside from that time on Kami's Lookout right after Maijin Buu's defeat and the night that followed, her family hadn't really spent an awful lot of time with her, it was mainly her sons catching up with their father, which took most if not all of Goku's time away from her. He was either training or catching up with his friends that he hadn't seen for 7 years or doing the same with his sons. Very rarely in those 2 months had he spent some alone time with her, it was only when they went to bed was when she'd actually have some alone time with her husband, but even then, he'd just say that he was too tired from training or hanging out with his friends. It was as if... he was... neglecting her... on purpose. Surely training and hanging out couldn't tire you out to the point where you can't even have a little chat with your own wife at bedtime. This along with the fact that her sons spent most of their time playing with their dad without her broke her heart even more than it already was.
Maybe I deserve it. Chi-Chi critisized. Maybe I deserve to be neglected for all the bad things I've done to my family, I've nagged my sons to study so much that Goku's friends have began coming up with nicknames for me. I've screamed at my husband so many times many have even started questioning how Goku can even stand my presence let alone our marriage. I inadvertently caused Goku's death in the Cell Games, had I not forced Gohan to keep his nose in the books and let him train more feerly, he may have had the strength to defeat Cell without Goku having to sacrifice himself in the process. It was then that one of the most horrifying thought trains came crashing into Chi-Chi's mind. What if... I was the reason Goku stayed dead for 7 years just so he could get a taste of what life was like before he was forced into this horrible marriage. What if... what if Goten, Gohan and Goku were GLAD I got killed by Maijin Buu? That once they defeated him they'd be nagging and scream-free and that my resurrection was a mistake? NO. They don't hate me THAT much do they? Do they? With this, the tears that were rolling down her face rapidly began to turn into sobs of horror and sadness.
Without thinking twice, Chi-Chi ran as far and as fast as she could away from the direction of what she thought was her 'home'. Little did she know she unknowingly stumbled across Pilaf's gang, who currently, had all 7 dragon balls in their possession and the dragon already summoned, looming its giant figure over the dense forest of Mt Paozu, the skies darkened at Shenron's appearance, but these were minuscule compared to the darkness of Chi-Chi's soul at the moment, which would've made even Dabura cower in fear at the intensity of it.
"Finally, I, Emperor Pilaf, have all 7 dragon balls in my possession and I will finally be able to rule the world, no more random kids with tails are going in and ruining my plans THIS time!" Pilaf laughed maniacally (as maniacally as a child can get).
From the depression and sadness that was in Chi-Chi's heart came anger at the fact that she had failed her family, anger at everything that was herself, anger at all her sins and in her frustration she shouted "I wish I were never born! Then maybe Goku would've lived a better and more fulfilling life!". Still oblivious of the dragon Shenron looming right above her. Unfortunately for her, Shenron heard the 'wish' loud and clear.
"YOUR WISH HAS BEEN GRANTED! YOU HAVE USED UP BOTH WISHES AS THE FIRST WAS ONE REQUIRING IMMENSE POWER!" With this, Shenron disappeared and the dragon balls floated up to the sky and dispersing in 7 different directions, not before turning to stone and leaving a shocked Pilaf as a result of having his plans foiled once again.
Chi-Chi however, just now realizing something very wrong was happening to her as a luminescent white light started shining around her, at the same time, her body was beginning to disappear, much to her horror. Slowly her feet and legs, the her abdomen and torso, then her arms and hands until finally her entire body had disappeared as if she ceased to exist in the first place. This left the already-shocked Pilaf into an unconscious state with his servants quickly following as well.
Before she knew it, Chi-Chi found herself back where her body had magically started to disintergrate from.
What in the world just happened? Why does my head hurt so much? Why did my body just start disappearing like that and why was my body shining like a light bulb? I've never been more confused in my entire life and considering the life I've had, that's saying A LOT. Chi-Chi confusedly thought. Well, nothing a warm cup of tea can't fix. Maybe I was just hallucinating, I should really get some rest then if my hallucinations have my body slowly disintegrating. Hopefully Goku and the boys aren't home yet either, then I can at least get some rest without having to worry too much about the fact that they hate me.
And with that she started the slow trek 'home'.
To be continued...