Chi-Chi's morning routine began with brushing her teeth and getting dressed. She had always been an early-riser, though Goten usually wasn't far behind. The small boy was often kept entertained by helping his mother with breakfast.
Gohan, on the other hand, frequently annoyed Chi-Chi by sleeping in and avoiding the morning meal. Those days breakfast frequently ended with a heated argument between Chi-Chi and her eldest.
On that particular morning Chi-Chi was not in the mood for Gohan's laziness. The night's emotional turmoil had gradually turned from sadness to bitterness. That morning while she tied her hair back to keep it from getting in the food, Chi-Chi had been struck by a revelation: Son Goku was selfish. He was nothing but an arrogant, bull-headed man who never thought of the consequences before he acted. If he had been any different, he wouldn't have insisted on staying dead.
Chi-Chi frowned and began stirring some ingredients for a pancake mix. She couldn't believe how stupid she had been. She wasn't some silly little weakling who couldn't take care of herself. She was strong and resilient, like the two children she had raised by herself.
"Mama?"
She was satisfied with her life; she didn't need some selfish man to complete her.
"Mama?"
Chi-Chi turned towards the voice, and in the process of doing so, dropped the bowl of pancake mix on the floor.
"Look what you made me do!" she yelled, her face turning red. "We're having cereal instead!"
"I'm sorry," an ashamed Goten shuffled forward and meant to pick up the bowl that had dropped to help his mother, but she snatched it away from him.
"I can do it!" she snapped. "I can do it, just-just go get your brother!" And with that, Chi-Chi grabbed a rag and focused all of her attention on the splattered pancake mix. After several, long seconds Goten left to wake Gohan. Chi-Chi was shaking as she cleaned the rest of the mix.
It isn't his fault, she thought, her anger dissolving under sudden guilt.
It isn't his fault I got angry. It isn't his fault that any of this happened.
Chi-Chi was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she nearly jumped out of her skin when someone pounded on the front door. She could hear something crashing around in the bedroom, suggesting that Gohan was getting up.
Chi-Chi opened the door, revealing a green-faced Piccolo. Of course, as a Namekin, he was always green, but it was always a bit startling to Chi-Chi.
"Is Gohan ready for our training?" he asked.
Chi-Chi's eyes narrowed.
"I don't remember inviting you," she said, placing a hand on her hip.
Piccolo said nothing, only looked at her.
"You can't take him out now, it's breakfast!" she said. To her embarrasement her voice cracked.
"Yo, Piccolo!" Gohan's voice chirped from behind her. Chi-Chi turned and shook her fist at him.
"So you won't wake up for me, but when Piccolo shows up you're suddenly a morning person!"
"Mom-" Gohan began. Chi-Chi cut him off with a snarl.
"Go eat your cereal."
Piccolo chose that moment to walk past her into the house. He looked around the kitchen for a while before grabbing his own bowl from the cupboard and filling it with the cereal that was now on the table. Thrilled at this early-morning change of pace, Goten sat next to Piccolo and chose the same cereal and began filling his own bowl with milk.
Chi-Chi was beside herself. Where was her frying pan?
"I don't remember saying you could have any of my food!"
"I need the milk next, Goten," Piccolo said, paying no heed to the furious woman behind him. Her sudden outbursts of anger were no surprise to him, and in fact, he would have been more concerned if she hadn't greeted him in a similar way.
"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Chi-Chi pointed at the door and Goten seemed to shrink in his chair from her outburst.
It isn't his fault, Chi-Chi thought. It isn't anyone's fault. Her hand fell to her sides in defeat.
"Mom, are you okay?" Gohan was looking at her with his dark eyes. Chi-Chi looked at him and her heart softened. She loved him-loved them both-so much.
They don't deserve this. I don't deserve sons like them.
"Mom?" Gohan sounded...almost concerned. He hadn't spoken to her like that for so long. Her heart broke. Why was she so angry all the time? Why couldn't she express her feelings like a normal woman?
Avoiding her son's gaze, Chi-Chi brought her hands together.
"You can go out with Piccolo today, Gohan," she said. "Be home in time for supper, and don't deface the earth too much, okay?"
Piccolo had stood up and was looking at her. She could feel his cold gaze boring into her. Gohan pumped his fist in the air.
"Woo! Let's go, Piccolo!" he cried, jumping up and running out of the house. "Thanks, Mom!"
Piccolo gave her one last look before following the boy. As he was crossing the threshold, Chi-Chi called after him.
"Piccolo?"
He stopped and turned back, listening. His gaze seemed softer for some reason. Chi-Chi wrung her hands together.
"I-I'm sorry," she said.
I'm sorry for wanting to hit you with a frying pan. I''m sorry I don't always let Gohan train with you as much as I should. I'm sorry I yelled at Goten without apologizing.
No wonder Gohan hadn't said goodbye.