A Reflection Of Sorts

A/N: This story is a what if situation had Goku not decided to remain dead after his defeat with Cell. But come home to his family and lead a normal life.

All of Goku's training, his time and preparation, the goal to push himself to his limits that had well… literally killed him to save his friends and family. All of it had succeeded.

His son had ascended, and became even stronger than him.

He couldn't have been more proud.

The earth raised saiyan had his eyes closed and his head raised, the cool breeze of the world's air running over his forearms. He was alive, standing in the spot alone in the barren wasteland that was once the Cell Games Arena. The peaceful quiet of where he'd fought with everything he had. He could hardly notice the similarties between where the games had taken place and now. He was still lightheaded from his resurrection, but standing here in the spot where his young son had destroyed Cell and just wondered how everything had worked out.

His belief in his son had nearly cost him but in the end his faith and trust in his son had been redeemed. He knew that he might have been strong enough to beat Cell on his own even though he had tried with his instant transmission attack. Of course now thinking back it had been wrong to give Cell a senzu bean and then put his son through the brutal fight that it was. If he hadn't however, his son would've never unlocked his true potential.

Of course, things hadn't gone according to his plan after being blow up thinking that would've been the end of cell only to watch him regenerate and stronger than ever, but he still remained on the battle's edge beside his son encouraging him and pushing him to the limit.

His heart had swelled with pride as he watched the deathblow be cast by his son, the biggest Kamehameha ever! His son was amazing truly.

Goku let his hands relax his eyes opening slightly as he just fell backwards laughing. Everything was over! His son had done it! All that time spent together in the hyperbolic time chamber that had been worth every grueling moment. They had focused hard and it was just amazing how well they had truly bonded, their lives while of course consumed by training, they'd never been able to just be a father and son for a while. They struck up quite a few conversations, those of course not regarding his studies as much as his dear wife would've preferred. His belief in his son from watching him grown up, being the little boy that shattered Raditz's armor, to standing face to face with not only Vegeta but also Frieza. It had been awe inspiring to realize that his son would be the one to do what he couldn't.

It was up until the last three months when it had come to him that things began to rapidly progress.

Goku had finally controlled the super-saiyan strength at a near permanent level along with Gohan. Of course they had to stop when going to sleep and when exhaustion overtook them did they lose that blonde hair. The two had sparred against each other which had broken down to where he had lost sight of his son as not just another opponent. His son had struck him hard and he reacted like a fighter and had kicked him. Kicked him so hard that he worried he may have injured his son. Both of them were barely able to stand when he had said enough. He had barely managed to start walking away to go to bed until it happened. He watched his son stand up smirking and say let's keep going! It shocked and amazed him and it was from that day forward they trained like that.

That had become routine, and Gohan never once really understood why. I guess deep down, he just expected his dad to do the impossible.

But that wasn't to be, Goku had seen his son's rapid improvement., Still, it had taken him years of experience to know that his son still had issues. Goku had to hold nothing back, but his son did the same, they both fought like warriors except Goku made it his goal to show him his faults and errors in his technique. He hammered them in literally sometimes with his fists and it never made him happy he had to make sure his son was ready. Of course there were a few times his son taught his dad a few things, and it just made his father surer of himself that he was making the right choice by believing that his son could take care of things.

Like a true father and son, they shared a bond – one even greater than Goku realized with saiyan blood in their veins they were a team, a family that would be there for each other.

It wasn't until Goku saw the bulging Cell swelling to enormous size that he realized that he hadn't prepared his son correctly. He had taught him how to fight but not how to use it. His clarity was that it was not his son's mistake but his own. It was just like how he had given Frieza a second chance only to be nearly stabbed in the back years ago on Namek. Only this was exponentially worse, which his mistake would cost him his life but now the entire world was going to be undone in front of his eyes. Of course he had come to a quick realization about it as he watched his son beat the ground realizing he had failed everyone. His instincts as a father blew over his own regard for safety and placed his fingers to his forehead.

Though as the dust had settled now, all of that regret had become pride. Now that was the only thing that Goku felt, it was a profound feeling over just what his son had achieved. The small boy who once was frightened of bugs and turtles in his youth had become the world's greatest hero. It was such an amazing feat and he now had the opportunity to pass his title to him.

A darkening of clouds overhead and a roar of thunder brought Goku from his self-absorption. He raised his head up from the ground, blinking for a moment for the first time as he heard the sounds of rain coming. He knew better than to show up at home with wet clothes.

For better or worse, things had happened out this way with his son. He had done everything, passed on all the knowledge he could.

That meant just one thing, his own plans. The earth was saved, for one. He didn't need to keep training as harshly as he had, there was no immediate threat to anyone anymore. Well… there was one! But that could always be postponed he would be sure to let his 'rival' have a few days before addressing the rematch that had been desired. Of course, then it would come to how he could help Chi-Chi with their lives. The pair having made a nice little life for themselves it was very enjoyable although he would be sure to hear it from her when he got back.

Oh boy… Chi-Chi, for a warrior who had died he was still awfully careful around his wife.

But the thought of his loving and beautiful wife. She came more into the picture as well, as great as it was. The two of them had a life together that couldn't be parted, even if he died he'd still be there for her and she would wait for him.

But now what should he do?

He couldn't just avoid the question altogether, she was the one who ran the house, but what would he do? What would she desire next?

Studies with Gohan?

A new addition to the house?

A new… son?

No… it couldn't? Goku wasn't sure himself, from this far away he couldn't tell with certainty. But he could feel something, there had to be another life in her womb.

[***]

Gohan laid down on the floor, just happy because he finally had a moment after being squeezed to death by his mother. She had been an emotional wreck having watched the entire Cell Games via Baba's magic crystal ball.

"I never told you this, but this floor is amazing mom."

"What are you talking about? It's just a floor." Chi-Chi said giving her son a worried glance as he just laid there. "Come over here and sit down, I am going to fix those injuries up."

Gohan forced a smile, "Okay but just give me one minute more-"

"Now don't make me ask twice young man."

"Alright, alright…" Gohan finally conceded his moment had lasted all of ten seconds but they were amazing. Sitting down in the chair beside her Chi-Chi removed her son's tattered clothes. They still reeked from his fight with Cell so she would forgive him this time. She knew they had magic healing beans and powers but she was a mother she was the one would give her son the full bill of health.

"So are you sure your Dad is alive?" Chi-Chi asked, looking over his shoulders.

"Yeah, definitely. We went to Namek to make sure it wasn't a problem, with Dende being the guardian of earth and them kind of owing our dad they let us use the dragonballs to bring him back. Gohan said, his eyes looking to the door next to him. He heard the coming thunderstorm and couldn't' help but wonder where his dad was. They had revived him a while ago since coming home. Everyone had split and went their separate ways.

As for himself, he had come straight home expecting to see his dad already there. He'd only be surprised to see that it was just his mom still up late, dinner set and waiting for them like always. He then fell on the floor and now his mom was eyeing him like he still had been beaten up by Cell.

He also knew never to argue with his mom.

"Oh then if I know your father he's probably laughing at how everything just turned out so well." Chi-Chi told him with a smile as she continued looking over his back, her trained motherly eyes finding the bits that they had of course healed but not taken care of. She grabbed some bandages and ointment in the red medical box next to her.

"Ah, that's good." Gohan said.

"I knew they'd miss something." Chi-Chi said, humming softly as she focused on wiping the area clear. Gohan glanced towards the door hoping to see his dad again. He'd wanted to apologize.

"It's going to start raining bad." He commented.

Chi-Chi sighed a little. "Don't worry about your father. He's just afraid that I'll clobber him when he gets home. Plus dinner is made he'll be back soon enough."

"Yeah I guess you're right."

"Of course I am, I'm your mother."

Gohan chuckled a bit as he held up his arms to let his mom wrap his stomach and back. "I just wanted to say sorry to him though,"

"Why? You won and your dads alive what would you need to apologize for?" She asked curiously.

The guilt was in his voice when he answered, "I'm the reason he died, why we all almost died. I could've killed Cell when he was really weak and it wouldn't have been a problem. But…" He felt his mouth drying up and his eyes close. "I wanted to just make Cell suffer, for everything so I didn't kill him when I had the chance. Then he did some technique that forced himself to blow up and then dad… well dad stepped in and took the blast for everyone."

Chi-Chi stopped mid wrap, her brown eyes widened in complete shock. She blinked almost not believing what she had heard correctly. Finally, she regained her ability to speak.

"You were too young, you didn't know."

"I did know…"

Chi-Chi was speechless for a few seconds, taking in everything but while she should've been upset she couldn't be everything was fine. She let herself relax and wrap her arms around her son who had begun to tremble.

"You are still a boy. You are my baby boy and you made a mistake." She murmured softly into his head as she felt him begin to cry. She knew something was off when he came in, but she couldn't have confirmed it until now. She hadn't seen that part of the fight but now it made sense. Her son's reaction came as no surprise he felt bad about what he had done. He was in fact blaming himself because he was an elven year old boy trying to do what his dad couldn't. As always though with Goku, he hadn't thought that their son wasn't just like him mentally and the strain and weariness of fighting hadn't been there as it had been with him.

Of course he was always one with suprises, he had put all of their faith on their only child. To be the world's hero and it worked…

Chi-Chi resumed her work after her son calmed down, her mind solely on her husband. She suppressed the urge that was begging to rise in her, that he would be coming home soon so that everything could come back to normal. After all, there was no one else to fight, why wouldn't they just have a normal life if there wasn't anyone to fight?

Of course she didn't want to get her hopes up, the man knew only two things. Training, and eating but of course since the androids and now Cell he had of course learned more about enjoying the time together.

Still. She looked herself towards a window when lightning flashed across the sky, she would just have to wait and be patient that was all there was too it.

[***]

It was a little past eight when Goku finally reached home. It was beginning to pour, and he was completely drenched, but he didn't even notice. He wanted to enjoy himself and flying in the rain had been a simple pleasure of his. That and his new body was catching up with him, he was still sore and hurt all over. He could feel the sting a bit from where he had taken Cell's explosion all over his front. Add in all the emotional highs and lows he'd been through, the lack of sleep from anxiety leading up the Cell games and his.. err hem nightly session with his wife before the games had been quite the toll and it was taking all of his energy to just fly.

All Goku wanted to do was just come home, kiss his wife, eat dinner, hug his son and go to sleep for a few days.

Maybe, a week if Chi would allow it.

Goku landed off foot on the front step of his home. He held against the outside doorframe to steady his balance, then slowly opened the door inside. He'd barely managed a step inside when the light from inside hit him along with a pair of arms.

He yelped as the arms were surprisingly strong, he should've at least expected this.

Squinting, he looked down at the black haired boy hugging his waist like it was unbreakable.

Gohan had taken just a second to see his father before leaping from his seat at the table to catch his father's waist. Not sparring embarrassment, he cried his face red with emotion.

"I'm sorry, dad" He cried his smaller arms almost locking tightly around his waist. "I should've been smarter, I just didn't know any better. It was my fault that you lost your…"

Goku stared at Gohan through his deep hearted confession not really expecting this reaction. All he could really process was that his son was alive and well, of course there was someone else who was as well.

She came over at her own pace ignoring that her son had almost knocked the table over. It was understandable, of course Goku just stood there unable to think no doubt the man wasn't sure what to make of this.

"its fine Gohan," Chi-Chi said in a reassuring voice, placing her hand over his head. "You can calm down."

"But," Gohan said blinking in surprise looking to his mother who was too his side. Goku was still balancing himself and feeling the sting of his old injuries. "It was mine? I mean its-"

"What did I say, young man?" Chi-Chi said in a more demanding ton, she knew he was upset but they had talked about this. No one would be angry or upset with him. Of course her old motherly habbits died hard, she knew her son needed a moment. She sighed briefly. "Your fathers here. It's okay."

"Alright." Gohan said relinquishing his grip on his dad's waist before going back to the table wiping away his tears.

Chi-Chi smiled shaking her head as he walked back over, not wanting to stir up any more emotion she looked to her husband who was soaked but she was just happy to see him again. Deciding it best to just be normal for awhile she just smiled and kissed him on the cheek. He returned her exchange before taking off his shoes.

"Goku."

He blinked and looked up at his wife who was standing there just a foot from him as he removed his boots, not wanting to complerely ruin the clean floor. "Yes Hun?"

Chi-Chi gave him a wink before looking away.

"Dinner is getting cold."

Goku stared at her for a moment, part of him wondering if this was somehow a dream. Finally a huge grin spread over his face.

"Sounds great, Chi-Chi."

R&R

MB