Another day, another update! This is something that's been in my head since I started writing my last story. And I would really like to thank SereStarOfGaea for speaking to me about some of the themes in this chapter. She really inspired me to go through with typing this one! ^^ This is the longest chapter I've published so far, so I'm also excited about that! I hope you guys enjoy! ^^


It was only 10 in the morning, and the sun still seemed to be rising in the sky when the yellow helicopter descended upon the grassy terrain that made up Chi-Chi's property. The sound of the helicoptor's blades whipping through the air was enough to alert Chi-Chi that her guests had arrived, and before the Briefs family had unbuckled their seat belts she was already standing at the door and waving.

"Hi!" Bulma called when she popped her head out of the 'copter door and began to walk towards the round hut, toting Trunks in her arms as she went.

"Well, would you look at little Trunks!" Chi-Chi replied with a smile.

Bulma and Chi-Chi hadn't necessarily been the closest of friends. In some ways, they had very similar personalities - they were both smart, strong women, who made their opinions known and weren't known to back down from confrontation. It was for these same reasons, though, that the two women had butted heads on numerous occasions in their lifetimes. However, it was also because of this that there had always been a common respect for one another. Bulma, who had been busy with her own affairs, hadn't really hadn't spoken to Chi-Chi much in the time that had passed since Goku's death. She'd thought of her often, though, and seeing her now was something she felt was long overdue.

Chi-Chi was wearing a large button-up sweater over the typical dress that she sported, which was unusual enough. But there was a sadness in her eyes that she wasn't successful in hiding, even when she smiled. Her deep black hair, though it was in the same bun that she always wore on her head, looked much more messy than Bulma had ever seen. There were faint dark circles forming under her eyes, and the lines upon her face made her look much too old for her age. This was a look that instantly reminded Bulma of her own anguish that she'd experienced when her and Vegeta's relationship had been at its worst, and she instantly found herself embracing her best friend's wife in a heartfelt hug. Little Trunks' eyes widened in surprise as he was squeezed between both of the women's bosoms as a result. Chi-Chi seemed to sink into Bulma's hug, as if it were something she'd been craving for an incredibly long time. Before Bulma had a chance to say anything there was a loud slamming noise, and the two women looked up to see Vegeta, who had finally taken the time to step out from the helicoptor's door.

"Oh," Chi-Chi breathed, obviously not enthused about seeing the saiyan standing before her. "He insisted on joining me," Bulma whispered back. Chi-Chi watched silently, hesitant to express her true feelings about the saiyan being there. She gave a weak smile in Vegeta's direction, unsure how to explain that she'd wanted to only speak with Bulma... alone. The Bluehead understood fully though, having been fluent in the language of girl-code, so she turned and waved to her ex-lover. "Just chill out here for a bit, okay?! We need to go take care of something inside!"

Vegeta nodded in their direction with a grunt that they couldn't hear, and he crossed his arms. "Would you like something to drink?!" Chi-Chi called out, always one to make her guests feel welcome - even if they weren't. This time Vegeta shook his head, his arms still crossed. It was then that Bulma shrugged, and the two made their way inside, leaving him alone in the wilderness.


The small hut was what Chi-Chi and Gohan referred to as "home", and it certainly felt like one. It was much more cramped than Bulma was used to with her own house, but it was cozy and warm nonetheless. The two women sat across from each other on the couch, with little Trunks crawling around on the floor below them. They sipped at their tea, partaking in small talk, but there was the awkward air of impending news. Chi-Chi could tell that Bulma was waiting to learn what she'd been invited over for, and finally she decided to get it over with.

After a few moments of hesitation, Chi-Chi stood to remove the large sweater she'd been wearing. She turned her back to Bulma, carefully placing the cloth on the couch. It would only be another moment before Bulma understood what she'd been going through... The blackheaded widow closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath of anticipation. It was then that she turned to reveal her front, and as she'd expected, she heard Bluehair take in a loud gasp.

"You're-you're" Bulma breathed, covering her mouth in surprise. "How far along are you? You're already showing!"

Chi-Chi opened her eyes and looked down at her stomach, placing a careful hand over her little baby bump. It was still quite small, but so was Chi-Chi. The bump protruded out enough from her thin frame that it was unmistakable. "I'm probably about eight weeks along. I think I've known ever since the day Goku died." It was with this that her lip began to tremble, and tears began to well at her eyes. "I could just feel it, you know? As soon as I knew Goku died, there was something inside me saying that Goku wasn't truly gone - there was a part of him left in me..." The tears were streaming down her face now.

This had to have been the saddest thing that Bulma had ever heard, and she quickly realized that she was crying too. The two women embraced each another once more, sobbing in unison over the common grief for the man they both missed so much. "But when did it happen?" Bulma asked - she knew it was a stupid question, but she felt compelled to know. She was still in shock at the situation, never having imagined that Goku had a new baby he'd never get to meet.

"During the 10 days before the Cell Games." Chi-Chi replied sadly. "Those days we spent together were the sweetest we'd ever had. I've been so mad and grateful at the same time - it's almost as if he knew he wouldn't be coming back. He left me with one last part of him, but now I'm all alone to raise two children! I can hardly afford to live right now as it is! This baby was his last gift to me, but sometimes it feel more like a slap in the face." Chi-Chi wiped the tears from her eyes and backed away, turning to put her sweater back on.

"We can hardly afford to feed ourselves - and I'm still worried about Gohan's college tuition!" She continued. She was making her way into the kitchen, which really wasn't far from the couches they'd been sitting in. Her voice was rising, and Bulma could tell she was growing increasingly mad. It was obvious that as much as she missed her husband, she had some pent up resentment about her current situation. Chi-Chi pulled a chopping board out of a cabinet and began to cut up a carrot. "Did he not think about us when he did this?!" She gasped, her knife slamming into the vegetable at top speed. It was enough to make Bulma nervous, as she watched the blade grow dangerously close to her friend's fingers with each motion. Chi-Chi finished chopping with no incident and scooped the carrot into her hands, walking over to pot of boiling water that had been left on the stove.

"Sure, he gets to have the time of his life in the afterworld, while I'm left behind with two mouths to feed and hardly any income!" The widow was nearly yelling now as she dropped the vegetables into the pot of stew that she was working on, grunting under her breath with each second. Bulma sat and listened, letting her friend vent as much as she needed to. Chi-Chi was emotional from her pregnancy and had valid worries. Bulma could really understand where her friend was coming from, and she decided that she was going to do all she could for her in this time of need. If that meant lending an open ear so Chi-Chi could rant, then so be it. "It's just not fair!" The widow was hissing, throwing a lid on the pot and slamming a cabinet shut over her head. A moment later she was back in a state of sobs, hiding her face in her hands as she wailed "Oh, I just miss him so much!"

Bulma got up and made to comfort her friend, but before she had the chance the two women were startled by a loud crash outside. The two jumped and turned, staring into the direction that the explosion had come from.

"Gohan?!" Chi-Chi croaked.

Bulma was just as worried, gulping down her shock. "Vegeta?!"


After the two women had disappeared into the house with Trunks, Vegeta made his way to a nearby tree and leaned against it, relaxing under the shade. So this was Kakarot's home, he noted. Vegeta had to admit that he was impressed - it wasn't nearly as luxurious as he preferred, but he admired how secluded and close to nature it was. He could hear the sound of running water and recognized that a river was flowing nearby, and he thought for a moment of how many benefits could come from living in such wilderness. Kakarot had good taste in property, he could give him that...

It was then that he heard the sound of footsteps approaching him through the grass. The saiyan lazily cocked one eye open to see what it was.

Ahead of him was Gohan, who looked rather miserable, as he walked towards the older saiyan. That boy - the one that Kakarot had fathered and sacrificed himself over... Vegeta hadn't seen him in quite some time. Vegeta carried a reluctant respect for this child's strength, and he was interested to see what Gohan was intending to say. Whatever it was going to be, the boy sure looked burdened about it.

After such a large battle Gohan had been exhausted, but he hadn't had a good night of sleep since. His mind was overridden with thoughts of everything he'd seen and everything that occurred, such memories keeping him up as he lay in bed each night. It had always been a biggest fear of his to lose anyone he loved, and it was against his gentle nature to ever destroy or hurt. Even when it came to killing Cell, he'd had a hard time wrapping his mind around the idea of what he'd done. But what affected him the most was that he felt he'd let his Dad down. He'd struggled to unleash his full power before it was too late, and as far as he was concerned it was his fault that Goku had to make the ultimate sacrifice. His father's face was something that wouldn't evade his mind, and it left him in a somber state of survivor's guilt.

Vegeta could see this on him as Gohan approached, and when the boy finally spoke it made his skin begin to curl. "Umm, Mr. Vegeta?" He mumbled, looking up at the saiyan dubiously. The tone he spoke with was too pitiful for someone who'd done something as honorable as defeat a being such as Cell, and it was enough to make Vegeta grit his teeth. "What do you want?"

Gohan had come to expect such a crude response from Vegeta, but it unnerved him nonetheless. "I've been thinking, and I just wanted to say... I just wanted to say..."

The saiyan was growing impatient, and he finally snapped his fingers. "Say what? Spit it out, boy!"

Gohan dropped his face and shrugged. "I just wanted to say thanks for, you know, helping me fight Cell and all. I don't think we would have won if you hadn't hit him with that blast..."

"Of course, boy!" Vegeta threw his head back and let out a grunt. "It's in a warrior's blood to know instinctively when to attack. Don't thank me for something so measly!"

This statement made Gohan's shoulders slump, and he only nodded grimly in response.

"What's with you?" Vegeta growled, scrunching his nose. He was feeling more disgusted with each passing moment that Kakarot's son acted in this way.

"I just feel bad, Mr. Vegeta." Gohan, who was too self-deprecating at that point to care about holding his thoughts back, replied with honesty. "My Dad would still be alive today if it weren't for me-"

This was enough - this was all that the saiyan prince could bear to hear leave Gohan's mouth. There was a dormant jealousy that had been residing within, and he began to grow frustrated with how Kakarot's boy behaved. Gohan had accomplished something that Vegeta had worked 3 damned years to do, and yet had still failed at! This boy had mustered the power to blow that green toad to Hell, something that many had died in effort to accomplish, and this was how he celebrated? He spent his time pitying himself rather than basking in the glory of his success?! The way he was behaving was a waste of triumph, and it was an insult to the saiyan heritage! Vegeta was instantly reminded of how bashful his own son from the future had been, and he suddenly blamed Gohan for this. Hadn't Future Trunks cited Gohan as his mentor? What was wrong with Kakarot's boy to act in this way?! Where was his honor?!

Vegeta quickly shot out, grabbing Gohan by the shirt and lifting him off the ground. "Not another word like that, boy!" He spat, glaring at the child with fury. "Pull yourself together and act like a true saiyan!" Gohan's eyes widened, but otherwise he did nothing to protest Vegeta's actions. "Do you hear me!?" The saiyan prince continued, irritated by how submissive the child was being. "Not another word!"

This did nothing to stir Gohan, and he shook his head sadly, even as Vegeta held him into the air. "Go ahead and hit me, Mr. Vegeta... I deserve it for killing my Dad..."

That was it. Vegeta let out a frustrated yell. "You didn't kill Kakarot, damnit! Your father was an idiot! An idiot!" He gave Gohan a violent jerk for emphasis. The preteen gasped slightly from the force of Vegeta's actions, and he grasped at Vegeta's arm to steady himself, digging his nails into the skin. "Mr. Vegeta..." He grunted slightly, the saiyan prince continuing to hold him in the air.

Vegeta could feel the slight twinge of Gohan's ki beginning to rise, and he knew it was working. "What's wrong, boy? You don't like to hear the truth about your old man?" He continued with a smirk.

"Mr. Vegeta!" This time Gohan was actually raising his voice, his nails digging into the saiyan prince's skin even deeper. "Don't say that about my Dad!"

This caused Vegeta to chuckle. "Or else what? You'll run into your room and cry? Are you going to actually defend him, or are you going to finally admit the truth? Your father was scum. Do you understand!?"

That was too much for Gohan to hear. He let out a yell, and with a single breath his ki had skyrocketed. He continued holding onto Vegeta's arm for leverage as he leaned back, rising his leg to kick at Vegeta's face. The saiyan turned his head to dodge the attack, and then he threw Gohan with all his might. It was with this that a fire formed in Gohan's eyes, and he powered up even more, stopping himself in midair to prevent his body from crashing into the ground. "Don't insult my Dad!" He yelled, charging for Vegeta and throwing a punch at his head, which was dodged successfully. Vegeta let out a laugh and flew a few meters back, landing in a ready pose with his hands up. Gohan did the same, his chest heaving as he fought to control his anger.

"He was an idiot, and he put us all in danger. He gave Cell one of those rejuvenating beans before his battle with you. What kind of father would you attribute that as!? It was irresponsible and stupid!" Vegeta taunted, an eager smirk planted on his face. "It was as if he wanted you to fail, but I think he was too much of a fool to understand!" The saiyan blood coursing through his veins was delighted by the adrenaline, waiting in anticipation for another attack.

"You take that back!" Gohan's hands were balled into fists, and he was snarling now. "Take it back, now!"

Vegeta shook his head, readying himself for how pissed off Gohan was sure to become with his next statement. "He was paying his own debts when he died. It was his own fault, and you know it."

That was the last straw. Gohan let out another primal scream, his hair instantly charging into an electric yellow bolt. "You!" He crowed, racing for the saiyan prince and swinging punches as fast as he could. Vegeta was blocking and dodging each move with a smirk, and when he saw an opening his landed his fist into the adolescent's cheek. The blow was enough to cause a large crackling sound, but it merely made Gohan flinch, the fire in his eyes untamed. "How dare you speak about my father!" He yelled, charging up even more and throwing himself back at Vegeta.

"Give me your best shot, boy, I've seen what you're capable of!" Vegeta was careful to make his tone as condescending as possible, continuing to dodge each one of the boy's moves. It was when Gohan threw a punch to the side of his face that Vegeta blocked, and Gohan took the chance to knee the saiyan in the ribs. Vegeta, who had been taken by surprise, let out a breathless gasp of air, to which Gohan slammed his elbow into his mouth.

"Apologize, Mr. Vegeta!" Gohan hissed, jumping back and giving him some space. Vegeta was breathing heavily now as he wiped the blood away from his lip. He let out yet another chuckle, and spat onto the grass beside him. "Is that all you've got, boy?" He taunted. "Do you feel the storm brewing within? Doesn't it piss you off to know I'm right - does it make you want to just kill me?"

At that moment Gohan wanted nothing more than for Vegeta to stop talking, and he was going be the one to shut his arrogant mouth up! He let out another growl and cupped his palms together, allowing his attack to charge. Vegeta, who was enjoying every moment of this exchange, let out yet another laugh. "That's it, boy, go ahead and try!"

"Shut UP!" Gohan screamed, pushing his hands forward and unleashing his power beam. Vegeta jumped into the air to dodge, and Gohan moved his hands to aim his beam after the saiyan prince. Vegeta weaved through trees, relishing in the exhilaration he felt as he led the energy through his obstacle course. He aimed himself at one tree in specific, flying at it with full speed as Gohan's beam followed shortly behind his trail. It was when Vegeta was only a few hairs away from colliding with the tree that he changed course, and Gohan didn't have enough time to accommodate before his blast shattered into the tree, resulting in it exploding into a large cloud of smoke.

Vegeta, who was nearly delirious from the exchange, was making his way back to Gohan as the smoke dissipated behind him. Gohan was gasping for breath, exhausted from this duel that he hadn't been prepared for in the slightest.

"Do you feel the power now, boy?" Vegeta taunted, balling his hand into a fist as Gohan watched. "Do you understand?"

Not too much time passed before the door to the hut flew open, with Bulma and Chi-Chi running outside. "What's going on!?" Chi-Chi was crying, before getting a good look at her son. Gohan was still in his super saiyan form, his cheek sporting the hue of a bruise from the punch Vegeta had landed on him. "My baby!" Chi-Chi raced for her son, wrapping her arms around his face and pulling him into a hug. "What happened?!"

Vegeta, who's clothes were much more tattered than he'd realized, wiped another drop of blood away from his mouth. His eyes were still lit up in the ecstasy that came from such a primal battle. Bulma didn't approach him in nearly as manic of a way that Chi-Chi had done to Gohan - she slowly walked up to her ex-lover and put her hands on her hips. Vegeta responded by shooting her a sly grin, and Bulma shook her head. "I can't believe you." It wasn't that she was scolding - she sounded completely unsurprised, yet completely exhausted of the situation.

"It was necessary." Vegeta replied curtly, not caring to explain. Especially not in front of Kakarot's wife, who seemed much less rational than his own woman. He turned back to Gohan, pointing a finger at him and spitting to the ground. "Listen, boy. I can tell you're already growing weak! You haven't been training at all have you? Instead of pitying your circumstance, you'd do better to embrace your natural pride. The next time you feel like apologizing, come see me and I'll take care of you."

"Vegeta!" Bulma shot, but the saiyan prince ignored her. It wasn't in her to understand where he was coming from. She was smart, but she was still only human. She didn't have the saiyan instincts within. She didn't have warrior blood. Gohan, who was back to sporting his naturally black hair, simply stared at Vegeta in disbelief. All he'd intended to do was thank the man for assisting him in Cell's defeat - he hadn't been expecting Vegeta to be such a dick about it, and he certainly hadn't expected to end up in a fight.

"What happened?! What are you talking about!? Sweetie, are you okay?!" Chi-Chi gasped, looking from Vegeta and back to her son. Gohan pulled away from his mother's clutches and simply shook his head, turning and making his way to the house without another word. He now had one more thing in head to think about, and he hated to admit how much better he actually felt. Some of his guilt had evaded him, and he wasn't sure how to feel about that. Vegeta was too much of an asshole to be right.

"Oh, I can't believe you!" Bulma snapped as she watched Gohan sulk away, and this time she really was scolding. She turned to Vegeta, her eyebrows furrowed. "I can't leave you alone for five minutes, can I?! You stay right here, and don't do anything else stupid!" She began to make her way back for the hut, and when she returned she had Trunks in her arms. "Vegeta, get in the helicopter! We're leaving!" Bulma yelled, before softening her tone towards the widow next to her. "Chi-Chi, I am so sorry about everything. I'll call you later - let me make it up to you! I mean it! I'm going to makes up for this!"

Chi-Chi was still in shock from the entire ordeal, and she nodded faintly. "I-I'm sure my baby's alright... He's-he's been through worse..." She stuttered, her hands protectively placed over her stomach. Chi-Chi watched as Bulma led Vegeta back to the copter, hissing at him as they stepped inside the vehicle.

"Well..." The widow breathed. "Aren't they just the... power couple?"


I hope you liked that one! I had a lot of fun with typing it! How are you all doing? Are you celebrating any of the holidays this weekend? What are your plans?

Take care, stay safe, and have fun!

Until next time... ^^