.Inconsolable.

Chapter 1: Life Goes On


Since the day he died she prided herself on being strong and holding her head high and she always wore a smile on her face. Even though it had been almost seven years, a large part of her just couldn't move on. No matter how many times he died or left her for his adventures, he would always return to her. Always. This time however, it was different. He wouldn't be coming back; he was gone for the last time.

She wiped a lonely tear from her cheek and took in a deep breath as she prepared the table for breakfast. Her two children entered the room moments later, both of them the exact replica of their father.

Goten, her youngest only seven years old. He was born after Goku died, the son he never got to meet. He was a handsome little boy, so curious and smart and very strong. Chichi found herself training the boy some days, just like Goku use to with Gohan. She felt it was the right thing to do. It was respect to Goku.

Goten grinned at his mother as she ruffled his head gently, an affectionate motion which was usually something Goku would do, not her. She found this the case in the last few years. She found herself doing things Goku would normally do, and sometimes this comforted her.

She let her eyes glance at her eldest, Gohan. He had probably taken it the worst out of them all. He blamed himself constantly for the death of his father. At one point his obsession with it made him so ill he was in bed for weeks. He looked so much older now, yet only 18. He wasn't the same anymore, the humour and the happiness was lost years ago, his innocence also, at such a young age. He would often put on a front for his little brother and for his new girlfriend Videl, but Chichi could see straight through it and it killed her every time.

That's when the new man of the house walked into the kitchen to join them. Tai...the new man. It made her so guilty and disrespectful towards Goku but it just seemed the logical thing to do. Her children needed stability and she couldn't do it alone, not again. Her children needed a father, they needed to escape the past in some way and just live a normal life, especially Gohan.

She met Tai at Gohan's school; he was a teacher there, a wealthy one at that. He had a job, he loved the kids and he loved her too and that's all she wanted. A good life for her children. No more pain, loss or unhappiness. She wanted to move on from that and that's what happened. Life goes on no matter what and she went with it for the sake of her children who she loved with every inch of her heart.

The breakfast was served and she joined the small family at the table.

"Momma, can I go see Trunks after breakfast please?" Goten asked with his mouthful. Chichi rolled her eyes. No matter how many times she told him off for eating with his mouth full, he still did, just like his father.

"I thought we were going to do some fishing today?" Tai asked the boy as he slowly ate, his plate hardly filled with food. Chichi sighed inwardly. He definitely had an appetite the complete opposite to Goku. Even after all these years she still hadn't accommodated to it.

Goten made an awkward face, "But I wanted to see Trunks" he said quietly. Tai looked a little bothered and continued to eat, giving no response to the little boy. He always did that. Silence to Goten was punishment and Goten would give in to him in the end.

Breakfast was finished and Goten left with Tai to go fishing. Gohan was in his room doing homework and Chichi knocked his half open door, a small smile on her face.

"How is it going honey?" she asked. Gohan nodded, meaning it was alright. Her smile faded as she entered his room.

"Gohan, please, talk to me" she almost begged.

"I have nothing to say" he replied as he continued to write.

"Please Gohan; you never talk to me anymore. I feel like I don't know my own son" she desperately told him. Gohan suddenly got angry and closed his book and reached for his jacket.

"Mom, I have nothing to say to you. I just want to be left alone, why is that so hard to understand?" he almost shouted as he packed his book into his bag.

"Where are you going?" she questioned as he walked past her.

"Videl's" he mumbled as he made his way down the stairs. She closed her eyes, frowning in anger and sadness and she sat on his bed. She re-opened her eyes and stared at his desk...empty, apart from a single picture frame. She didn't know whether to smile or cry every time she saw it. It was an old photo of Goku and Gohan. Gohan was only about 4 years old, his father holding him outside their family home. She reached forward and grasped it to take a closer look, her one hand gently touching the photo as if it was sacred.

"Oh Goku. He misses you so much. I wish you were here, I don't know what to do anymore" she whispered into the air.

And that was how it always was. Since the day Goku died. Gohan had transformed into something Chichi couldn't control and she always used to have control. She was so true in saying she didn't know him anymore, but how she could blame him? He lost his father and he wouldn't accept it. How else was he supposed to act? Live a lie like her? Pretend like everything is ok when it's not?

But life goes on, right?


A few weeks later Gohan found himself landing at Kame House once again. A place he hadn't been in a long time. He smiled, a sense of relief hitting him as he made his way to the door. He knocked it gently and like always the old hermit opened it, his shades on, a magazine in his hand.

"Gohan" Roshi said in awe, "Come on in my boy, it's great to see you" he said letting the boy in.

"Thanks Master Roshi"

Gohan walked into the main room and smiled some more. There was his very close friend and his father's best friend, Krillin with his now wife, 18.

"Krillin" he said happily as he hugged him, "It's so good to see you, I'm sorry I haven't visited. Guess I just been a little preoccupied"

"It's ok Gohan, no need to explain. Had my hands full with the little tyke anyway" he replied with a laugh.

"Yeah, where is she? Bet she's grown now" Gohan said as he sat down with them.

"Sure have! She's almost 4 now!" Krillin said with pride as he looked at his wife.

"Yes, and she's sleeping finally" 18 added. Gohan chuckled a little.

"How time flies" he mused.

"So, Gohan" Roshi began, "what brings you here today?" he asked as he sat down also.

"Just wanted to see you guys and get away from that house" Gohan answered quietly.

"He still there?" Krillin asked? 'Him' being Tai.

"Well he aint going anywhere soon, let's put it that way" Gohan responded in anger. Krillin looked frustrated, Roshi also. None of them liked him, even if he seemed a nice guy. It just wasn't right putting someone else where Goku was supposed to be.

"I hate it" Gohan explained, "I hate waking up every day and seeing him there and...he's talking to Goten like he's his kid and he touches my mom and acts like he owns the place and he expects all this respect, like he deserves to be where he is" Gohan clenched his fists.

"He said to me once, I know I'm not your father but I would like you to treat me like I am! How dare he say that to me! How dare he!" Gohan shouted. Roshi put his hand on the boy's tense shoulder.

"Son, it's hard. Very hard. But you can't live like this; you can't live in all this anger"

"But how can I accept it? How?" he asked for help, his eyes welling up. Roshi sighed.

"I don't know my boy, I couldn't put myself in your shoes and understand your pain...but I feel I have lost a son. He was like my boy, I trained him as a child and watched him grow and I am so proud of the man he became. All I can say is you must let go of the blame" Gohan shook his head

"Gohan, this wasn't your fault. You have to accept that. Goku would want this too"

"But it was my fault! You were there, you saw it! I was cocky and foolish when I should have beat Cell! My father told me to do it and I wouldn't! If I had listened..."

"Goku still could have died" Roshi finished, "How could we know that Cell would have died for good? He was so powerful and even after Goku's Kamehameha blast he still came back" Gohan frowned and stared at the ground.

"Roshi's right...none of us could have known"

"Krillin's got a point Gohan, geesh, even I didn't think I was gonna die, ha-ha!" The four of them raised their heads in shock.

"Goku?" Krillin whispered in shock

"Hey Krillin, long time no speak! How's things going?" a huge smile grew on Krillin's face.

"GOKU? OMG! It's really you?" he shouted to the ceiling.

"Sure is! Who else would be talking to you from other World? With the help of King Kai of course" Goku chirped.

"Yeah, some credit would be nice" King Kai mumbled to Goku.

"Dad?" Gohan whispered softly..."Dad I..."

"It's ok son" Goku spoke gently. Gohan swallowed.

"Why dad? Why do you decide to talk now? Why wouldn't you talk to any of us before?"

"Well" Goku began, "I didn't really get the chance before, but, I have some great news!"

"What is it Goku?" Roshi asked

"Well, in a few weeks time there's going to be a tournament! And well, being as I'm a little bored up here and miss you guys I'm coming back for a whole day!" he said in excitement. Krillin jumped in the air and started dancing with Roshi. Gohan could only stare up at the ceiling.

"You're coming back? For real? How?" he questioned in excitement also!

"I sure am! For real! Baba has nicely agreed to let me visit! I can't wait to see how much you have grown!" Gohan smiled the biggest smile ever and looked at the others who mirrored his expression.

"So, you guys best get training, I wanna be impressed! So let everybody know I'm coming back! And I shall see you at the tournament!" Goku shouted.

"Wait, what time dad?" Gohan asked. There was no answer and Gohan's smile faded.

"Dad?"

"Hey cheer up, your dad's coming back and you can finally see him again. Maybe this is what you need Gohan, to finally face your father once more" Krillin thought as he patted his back. Gohan nodded and smiled.

"You're right Krillin. I'm gonna train hard and see my father again!"

"That's the spirit!" Roshi yelled!

"I can't wait to tell everybody!" Gohan rejoiced as he made for the door, "Krillin? Will you tell Bulma and that for me? I really wanna rush home and spread the news!" Krillin nodded and before he could reply Gohan was gone.

"I haven't seen him like that since that fateful day" Roshi examined.

"There's just one problem" 18 interrupted. Krillin and Roshi looked at her in question.

"There's a problem?" they both said.

"Yeah, there is. Chichi, Tai, remember?"

"Oh...yeah" Krillin mumbled.

"This is going to be hard, I mean, what do we say to him? How do we act?" Roshi wondered.

"We need to tell him the truth" Krillin guessed sadly.

"We do. Goku needs to know that Chichi is married to someone else" 18 added, leaving the three of them to sit in silence.


Oooh was you expecting that? Chichi is married again? Oh yeah! Poor Goku hey! Well, keep your eyes peeled folks for the next instalment! I promise it shall be good! Thanks!