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Prompt 3: Until Next Time

"In loving memory," he read silently, crouching down to sit down next to the tombstone. His fingers traced her engraved name, lingering on it for quite sometime. His eyes glazed over as memories ran through his mind, from the day they met to the last time he saw her.

When they found out she had a strange disease that attacked the heart, Bulma quickly tried to replicate the medicine that healed his own heart virus many years ago. However, it was futile, and her health deteriorated quickly.

Doctors say that she could've been living with the disease for many years, and the symptoms were just now showing as it progressed into its final stages. Goku had never heard her complain about any pain or discomfort, so that confused him.

After that, in less than a month from when she was first diagnosed, Son Chichi had passed.

He remembered it like it was yesterday when Goten was begging her to let them use the Dragonballs to restore her health, and she firmly refused.

"Why waste a wish on little old me? I'm old; all my children and grandchildren are grown up. I've lived a full life. Save the wish for the future. Let me go in peace, please." She had begged them. Even in her sickness, she was still in charge. Reluctantly, Goku and his two sons agreed to her wishes and tried to enjoy her final days with her.

A month wasn't enough with her, and now it had been two years. It was against the laws of the Gods and realms for him to travel from the living world to the otherword, and they no longer allowed him to do so. It wasn't fair, but there was nothing he could do about it. The last time he tried to visit her in other world, King Yemma has delivered him a severe warning that he knew he'd have to pay for when the time came, if he actually DID cross to the world of the dead. It wasn't fair.

If only he hadn't spent so much time away...

Goku had many regrets, and he'd never forgive himself for his shortcomings. He missed Gohan's teenage years, and Goten's childhood. He missed Chichi's second pregnancy, and was heartbroken that she had to go through that alone. It wasn't fair to her, especially since he remembers how hard it was when she was pregnant with Gohan. If he had known, maybe he'd change his mind. He never realized how much he missed out on until he was granted another chance at life. Those seven years could've really made a difference, a huge one. If only he had come back...

Of course, that was in the past, and he couldn't change it now.

But if he could, he would do so in a heartbeat. He just wanted to see his wife, to hug and kiss her, to love her and to touch her. He wanted to show her that he loved her, and tell it to her face. She would've enjoyed that so much. It was always strange to him that three little words had such an effect on her, but as the years progressed throughout their marriage, he could say that he felt the same effects.

Try as he might, he couldn't avoid thinking about their last day together. She had passed peacefully in Gohan's arms as Goku held a crying Videl and Pan in his arms. She used her final breaths to mutter a sweet "I love you all" to the whole family, before smiling and surrendering peacefully to the disease that claimed her life. Goten was off to the side, wiping his tears as Trunks tried to comfort him in the ways he knew how. His friends, out of respect, were in the living room conversing with eachother, but they all went silent once her life energy disappeared. And with her, a large piece of his heart disappeared too.

Goku was numb, and he had been for the past couple years. Was this his punishment for spending months, even years, at a time training? For looking for new challenges across the cosmos day in and day out? For abandoning her and their family for years at a time? Was he the reason that she had never complained about any pain?

Was it his fault?

Goku quickly shook his head, knowing that what the doctor said was true. The disease had attacked her heart, leading to her death. She even told him that she never felt any pain of any sort, and she seemed just as surprised as he was when they found out. If there was one thing Goku knew about his wife, it's that she would never lie to him. He told little white lies to save his ass her and there sometimes, but he knew that she could see through him as well as he could see through her. That's how they worked and balanced. That's why they were the perfect match. And now, that balance is unstable, and Goku has no clue what to do.

Goku could do a lot of things; train for long periods of time, win a eating contest against Vegeta and Majin Buu, and go toe to toe with the God of Destruction. So, why couldn't he save his wife?

Why couldn't she stay a little longer with him?

And why couldn't he get over this guilt and pain aching in his heart?

"I miss you, Chi," he whispered, letting his fingers touch the flowers around her grave. It seems like someone had came over to her grave to pay their respects. A small smile appeared on his face. Their friends did care.

Goku wasn't much of a wisher. He thought he had everything he ever wanted in life: two powerful sons, a powerful rival and powerful masters, great friends, food, and family.

But now he was missing the best part of his life. All he wanted now, was her. How he wished he could change the past, and be there for her more.

He sat there silently, watching the sun set beautifully in the distance. His mind wandered to the times at the beginning of their marriage that he and Chichi would watch the sunset together, laying down in the fields near their home. Sometimes, they had baby Gohan with them, and it was times like those that made him feel at ease.

It took him nearly seventy years and his wife's death to realize that there's more to life than strength. He was getting old, yet physically he was at his peak. Although, he was feeling the effects of age creeping on him, even though he knew that his Saiyan genes would allow him to live on longer than any of his human friends. It was a blessing and a curse.

He slightly shivered as a cold breeze wafted over his form, ruffling the grass around him. The sun had finally set, and the moon was peaking out. He sighed, gazing at the starless sky. The sky was empty, just like him.

There were times he longed to go back to the past, to get another chance with her. He wanted to do everything differently, and give her the life she deserved. The husband she deserved. The love, care, affection, and attention she deserved. She never asked for much from him, but he knew that she wanted more. Yet, she stayed and loved him for all these years, when most times he wasn't even there. Goku wished he could have another chance with her. But, he had already gotten multiple chances at life, and all of this was now in the past.

What could he do now? He was too late.

Goku clenched his fist, looking at the headstone one more time. "I wish you were here with me." Though it seemed selfish on his part, Goku wanted his wife back here, alive and well again. He would do all the right things to keep her happy, and spend time with her. He sometimes regretted training all the time to be the strongest in the universe; but, he knew if he didn't do that, who'd protect the Earth? Who would protect the ones he loved the most? It was his duty, so he had to.

However, that didn't stop him from wishing that the universe's existence should rest on somebody else's shoulders and not his.

Through all of his training and disappearances, Chichi accepted him and appreciated him all the same. She deserved better, yet she chose him. He was no good for her, but she stayed regardless. It was times like these he wondered what he did to deserve her in his life.

She was his angel. And he loved her. Just one more chance, and he'd be happy. She'd be happy. They'd be happy.

He imagined her smiling face in place of her headstone. Eyes shining wide with her long her cascaded down her shoulders, just how he liked it. Her face was full of joy, and no wrinkles and gray hairs were visible. She was perfection, and his other half. "I love you," he whispered, his heart shattering as his vision cleared up, bringing him back to reality.

A shooting star flew through the sky, lighting it up as soon as Goku said those words. He felt his body grow warm, like there was a blanket over his body. Perhaps he was imagining the warmth, but he didn't care about that now. He preferred to imagine it was his beautiful wife hugging him from behind, comforting him in his sadness. After a few moments, he smiled and relished in the feeling. Maybe wishes do come true.

Even if she wasn't there physically as he had hoped, she was there in his heart. He knew that one day, in the future, they would once again be reunited. And that would be for eternity.

"Until next time, Chi."