Morning came too soon for Chi-Chi's liking. Especially when her alarm clock was a hungry Gohan and a stinky diaper. Goku apparently didn't like it either, given the sleepy way he whined and tried to pull her away from their son. She honestly couldn't blame him for that, considering how more sensitive his nose was compared to hers. Still, it was more of a struggle than she thought it should be for her to wiggle out of his grasp to take care of their son. It took petting his hair a bit for him to relax enough to let her go completely.
Gohan all the while didn't make a sound much louder than a soft whimper. It probably wasn't a good thing how quiet he was with his distress, when she was nearby at least. Even if it was convenient enough that they didn't disturb the other people sleeping in the room. Quietly she gathered the things she'd need to change him and crept downstairs.
Unlike yesterday she was the first one up, though that didn't surprise her at all. Babies didn't care about how much sleep others had gotten, she was just glad Gohan was already sleeping through the night, not that that had really affected her sleep cycle.
She wanted to go upstairs before she started breast feeding Gohan as she'd heard far too many stories of master Roshi to feel comfortable doing it in the area he was in. However before then she decided to make up some more bottles for him now since she was already downstairs.
Chi-Chi hadn't expected Goku to meet her at the stairs, nor had she expected him to look so frightened. As soon as he saw her, Chi-Chi was pulled into a tight desperate hug. Despite that, he was careful enough of Gohan that their son didn't complain.
"You weren't there," he muttered softly into her ear. "I woke up and you weren't there."
As much as she wanted to hug him back, her hands were full. All she could do was kiss his neck. "I'm here. I'm sorry you had to wake up without me, but I'm here now."
He nodded and let out a shaky breath before pulling away. He smiled brightly and scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, yesterday felt kind of like a dream, I didn't even think to sense for your ki." He gave a light laugh, as if to banish the fear he must have felt when he'd woken up without her, but Chi-Chi could see how tight his smile and shoulders were. "That was kind of silly of me, wasn't it?"
She kissed him again. "It's not silly at all," she left another kiss along his jaw, "and I'm sorry for scaring you."
This time he kissed her lips. "Forgiven. You're heading back upstairs, right? Can I carry you?"
She half wanted to refuse because she could walk just fine. However, there was still some tension left in his shoulders so she smiled and nodded. Despite her reassurances he was still a little shaken up from that scare. If carrying her was what it took to reassure him that she was real and she wasn't going anywhere without him? Well, her pride wasn't worth his peace of mind.
Considering how much brighter his smile became when he had her in his arms, Chi-Chi had absolutely made the right decision.
On the way up the stairs, he started cooing and chirping at Gohan, but their son was more interested in the prospect of food than he was in his father. Chi-Chi wasn't at all surprised at that. Neither was Goku though he played it up, whining and pouting at her while their son fed.
Conscious of the other people sleeping in the room the two of them talked quietly, mostly about the things Goku did while she was gone. It wasn't much, not compared to the kind of stuff he'd done when he was younger. Goku had quietly admitted that he hadn't felt like having adventures while she'd been gone. The most shocking this was when he stated he'd turned down a fight because he thought he was close to finding her. He hadn't been, but considering how much he loved fighting, that was tantamount to him shouting his undying love for her to the world.
Unfortunately it didn't take very long for Yamcha to get up, unintentionally ruining their quiet family moment. Granted, clearly he wasn't a morning person if the way he shuffled past them without a word was any indication. But all the same, Chi-Chi was glad she'd finished breastfeeding Gohan. She and Goku were also able to exchange a few more kisses before his fellow turtle student returned.
Despite the fact that she was done breastfeeding Gohan and all covered up, when Yamcha returned he took one look at her before quickly turning away with a red face. Looking back, he'd avoided looking at her for nearly the entirety of yesterday. After he'd gone back down, presumably to make breakfast, she gave her husband a questioning look.
"Did I do something? Your friend won't look at me."
He just responded with a chuckle. "Yeah, Yamcha's kind of weird like that. Don't worry, he did the same for Bulma when they first met and he still does that for Launch too."
"Hmm," it sounded weird, but if Goku thought it was normal than it probably was. "Alright. Think we should join him downstairs? I don't want to wake up Bulma or Puar.'
Goku shrugged, "Bulma's a pretty heavy sleeper, but we can go down if you want."
Chi-Chi gave him a small kiss. "I'd like that," then she handed Gohan to his father. Like with yesterday morning, he was fine with that and Goku chirped at him happily which Gohan responded to. The sight made her smile. "Maybe I'll help make breakfast," she mused as they made their way downstairs.
Goku perked up at that. "That sounds great, it's been too long since I've had your cooking."
It was shockingly easy to get back into the routine of cooking for her husband. Yamcha was grateful for the help as well. Though he was good at it, apparently he disliked cooking. It wasn't long before the smells of food woke up everyone else.
Much to her annoyance, her father kicked her out of the kitchen as soon as he was awake enough to take over making the meal. Goku just chuckled at that and made a point of eating all of the stuff she'd managed to cook.
It did mean that she wasn't the last to sit down and eat, though she did end up being the last to finish her meal. Chi-Chi liked to think she'd managed to eat a little more than she had managed yesterday, though it didn't really look like it. Still she lingered over her meal, perhaps unnecessarily, but in all honesty she wanted to put off the moment Goku would leave for as long as possible.
They were starting the plan after everyone finished eating, after all. Although it was necessary for her safety and peace of mind, the fact that it involved Goku leaving the house, leaving her, made her stomach twist in knots. She forced herself to finish eating. This was for Gohan, for his future safety.
Despite how she lingered, soon enough it was time for them to start the plan. As far as plans went, it was a fairly simple one. Her father and Puar, transformed as her, and a fake bundled up baby would get into his air car and go 'home.' After, when they were sure Chi-Chi's kidnappers were tailing them, Goku and his two male friends would follow. Leaving her and Gohan in the house with just Bulma and master Roshi.
Not to insult the old master, but it didn't feel like nearly enough. Not after spending yesterday feeling safe thanks to Goku's presence. Granted, she didn't think she'd feel as safe without Goku around even if everyone but Goku stayed with her. She could tell Goku was reluctant about that part of the plan as well, given the way he kept cuddling close to her and Gohan. However, he didn't object to it.
It took a couple tries for Puar to get her form exactly right, the first time had been way too short and the second far too skinny, but they and her father were soon setting off for the first stage of the plan. Chi-Chi reluctantly took Gohan back so that Goku could focus on the enemy ki. It didn't take long for the three fighters to nod to each other and say their goodbyes. Well, not for Krillin at least. Yamcha and Bulma were remarkably passionate considering they weren't alone in the room.
Chi-Chi herself couldn't help but give her husband a peck on the cheek. "Stay safe."
She also couldn't stop blushing when he kissed her back, "I'll come back soon, then we can all go home. I promise."
As much as she wanted to kiss him again, she settled for just nodding. Then with one last reassuring smile he and the others left, taking the feeling of safety and security with them.
Because of their plan, Chi-Chi didn't want to risk somehow being spotted, so she could only watch them leave from the door, unlike Bulma and Roshi who'd gone out to the beach to see them off.
With a sigh she went to change Gohan's diaper partially because he needed it, but mostly because it gave her something to do. Then she got a blanket and some toys out for Gohan to play with, setting him up between the couch and the TV so that she wouldn't be isolated from the rest of the house. He hadn't really had time or space to play while they'd been running; nor had they really been able to get very many baby safe toys. Her father, luckily, had brought some with him.
It warmed her heart to see her son so enthusiastically explore a bright plastic ring of keys.
Master Roshi and Bulma had come in while she was setting up Gohan's little play area. The elder man went upstairs, probably to put things back to where they'd been before she'd arrived. Bulma on the other hand settled onto the couch as well, though she was some distance away from her. The other woman looked strangely nervous for some reason.
It wasn't until sometime later, when Gohan had gotten tired of playing and demanded to be held that Bulma started to speak.
"So, uh, looks like Gohan inherited Goku's tail."
She had to smile at that as she picked up and cuddled her son. The tail in question automatically wrapped itself around her arm. "Yeah, I was a little surprised at it; I'd almost forgotten Goku had had a tail. The doctors were shocked too."
"I'll bet," Bulma muttered. "Listen, about that tail, there's something you need to know."
Chi-Chi froze before she could question the other woman and before Bulma could continue. She wasn't sure what set off her instincts, just that she found herself pulling Bulma off the couch and away from the door. The older woman tried to object but a thump and sizzling noise cut her off as the door began to dissolve.
"Shit," the scientist hissed, "that's the only door."
"Windows, the bathroom's in the back and it has windows we can get out of." Almost as if they heard her, the sound of glass shattering cut through the house. Gohan began whimpering.
"Upstairs!"
"No! We'll be trapped."
"Roshi's up there."
"And if they destroy the stairs? We might be able to handle the fall but Gohan can't!" By now she'd pulled Bulma into the corner furthest away from the front door and the bathroom, just in time for a large man to leave the room, cutting them off from the stairs.
He had an acidic green tank strapped to his back and a connected matching gun aimed at them, slapped on the side of both the tank and the gun was that symbol that she'd learned to fear. His smile was crooked and full of too sharp teeth. "Well, well little mouse. Looks like you've finally run out of places to go."
Gohan started crying in earnest when Chi-Chi gave him to Bulma. She may not be in the best condition and she may be out of practice, but she could still fight! Especially if she didn't have to worry about keeping Gohan safe in her arms.
"Wait, that's! You're part of the Red Ribbon Army? But they were destroyed years ago!" Bulma cried out, scooting further back into the corner while cradling Gohan close. "Goku-"
"Diminished, not destroyed little lady. With enough powerful fighters on our side, we can rebuild and reshape the world into the vision our great leader, the late General Red, wanted!" With a twitch and a click his gun started to whine and the tank on his back began bubbling. The weapon was aimed over Chi-Chi's shoulder, at Bulma and Gohan. "Unfortunately for you, we only need her as a hostage."
Without thinking Chi-Chi pushed Bulma to the ground and did her best to shield the other woman and her son with her body. There was an ear splitting crunch and the floor shook as the sound of sizzling once more reached her ears, but the expected burning pain didn't happen.
Risking a glance behind her, Chi-Chi's vision was for the most part blocked by a giant turtle shell partially embedded in the floor. A look to the side showed master Roshi, shelless, standing at the base of the stairs looking livid.
"Get out!" He snarled.