Life With You

by ElisaJ

A simple promise, blossoms to an unexpected marriage for Goku and ChiChi. How their bond weathers through a life full of adventure, love, tragedy and hope.

36. Chapter 36

Life With You

Part Thirty-Six: Changes

The Spring Festival at Gyu-Mao's castle was different from previous years. Citizens from the village set up booths for food, games, arts and crafts as always but the popular Tilt-A-Whirl, Ferris Wheel and carousels weren't available this year. Gyu-Mao told ChiChi he hadn't put in the requests in time for the suppliers to deliver them for the festival. ChiChi thought that was odd. Festivals were always important to the kingdom and her father worked hard to make it a success.

ChiChi wondered if the tension between them had something to do with her father's misstep. Gyu-Mao came by for his weekly visits but ChiChi spoke when she had to. She didn't ask about the festival except for the date and if he needed Gohan's help. Goku always helped set up the big equipment. Since Goku's passing, Gohan helped. ChiChi thought it was strange her father declined Gohan's help but now she understood why.

Despite that, the villagers, Gohan and Goten still enjoyed themselves. The brothers were visiting the food and game booths. ChiChi knew Goten was getting spoiled with free samples of everything he wanted. The villagers adopted Goten as their son to honor Goku. While the brothers played together, ChiChi spent her time talking to the villagers. One of them was Mr. Lupp's widow. Mr. Lupp died over the winter. ChiChi remembered the kind man as one who helped Goku build their home. Mrs. Lupp was sad about her husband's passing but not lonely as her children always checked on her. She also kept herself active with her friends and though there was a considerable age difference, Mrs. Lupp saw ChiChi as a friend.

"I thought being wives and mothers were what we would have in common, ChiChi. I never thought we would be widows together, too. You're much too young to be a widow."

"Fate has a weird sense of humor, Mrs. Lupp."

"Humor is not the way I would describe it," the older woman said. "Malcolm's passing isn't a surprise. He was almost seventy and spent his life working sunup to sundown on a farm. I expected a little more time but it's a lot more than what you got with Goku. It breaks my heart he died so young saving us."

ChiChi fingered her and Goku's wedding rings on her necklace. "Not everyone is blessed to have a lifetime together."

"That's true. I… uh… heard rumors you had a companion. I thought there would be another wedding."

ChiChi inwardly groaned. She wished her father hadn't spoken about Kenji. "Dad embellished."

"If you don't mind my asking, what happened?" Mrs. Lupp inquired. "You are still a young and beautiful woman with many years left. I think you two would've been a fine match."

"How can you say that?" ChiChi asked. "You didn't know him."

"No, but from what your father described, he sounds like a fine man. He's younger but age doesn't matter these days and after so many older men getting with a young woman, it's about time an older woman gets a younger man."

ChiChi wasn't sure if she should be flattered or insulted. "I'm not that old, Mrs. Lupp. The age difference was only five years."

Mrs. Lupp smiled kindly. She hadn't meant to insult. "I know, dear, but your father was so happy about him. He loved Goku. We all did but a few of us did think you were too young to be faithful forever to Goku. Me, I'm old. I'm barren. My children are grown and have children of their own. I may have another ten years or so left before I can be with Malcolm. You have another forty or fifty years. That's a very long time to be alone."

It was the same argument her father and Bulma said. "I won't be alone," ChiChi tried to assure Mrs. Lupp. "I have my sons."

Mrs. Lupp made a sucking sound through her teeth. "It's not the same, dear, and you know it. But," she patted ChiChi's knee thoughtfully, "at least you put yourself out there. It didn't work with this Kenji fella but there's still time to find someone else."

ChiChi wanted to say, 'I won't be looking for someone else' but felt she would get a lecture on giving up and give another man a chance. "Well, see," ChiChi said to her as she rose from the picnic bench. "I need to check on my sons." She hugged the woman. "Thank you for the chat."

"Come by for tea sometime," Mrs. Lupp invited ChiChi.

With a promise she will, ChiChi bid Mrs. Lupp goodbye. ChiChi waded through the thinning crowd for her sons. Without the bigger attractions, villagers left early instead of hanging on until closing. The only ride available was the swing chair ride. Gohan might be getting too old for that but she hoped he will join her and Goten.

"ChiChi!"

ChiChi turned. Kaifun waved as he approached with his five-year-old son. "Hi, Kaifun."

"I wanted to say hello but I saw you speaking to Mrs. Lupp." He sighed as he adjusted his son on his hip. "It's been a tough winter."

ChiChi agreed. "Mr. Lupp's passing was a shock. I thought I'd see him at the dinner Dad usually host for his friends at his New Year's Eve party but Dad canceled it. That would've been the last time we saw Mr. Lupp seen him before he died."

Concern flickered as Kaifun chewed his lower lip. "I wanted to speak to you about that. Grandma still talks to the staff at your Dad's castle and they're concerned about him."

"Dad?" ChiChi hadn't heard anything. "About what?"

"He's becoming forgetful. I thought it was a coincidence but things are adding up."

"What things?"

"Last fall, my crew did a routine check on the castle. We do this every year. We inspect everything. We found small things; parts of the roof looked worn, the furnaces need tinkering, some appliances need new parts or replacing. Small stuff but when I billed him, he paid me with last year's inspection price. It was cheaper last year."

ChiChi knew about the inspection. It was routine to catch small issues before they become big ones. "Dad is always on top of that but maybe he got the bills mixed. Dad keeps papers of everything."

Kaifun knew that and if it weren't for other incidents, he would keep quiet. "The King corrected it and paid me but this isn't the first time he has been forgetful. The real reason he canceled that New Year's Eve dinner is he let the crew off."

"What?" Now ChiChi something was wrong. "But he always let them off the week before. He does that so he can have dinner with me and my sons."

"Right but this time he got the dates mixed up. The staff did question it but the King insisted they be off and he didn't realize his error until the morning of New Year's Eve. The staff already made plans and the King didn't want them to work when he gave them the day off."

"That is strange." ChiChi pondered this. How could her father make these many mistakes?

"And with this festival….."

"There's more?"

Kaifun nodded. "We don't have the big equipment for this festival because the King forgot to put in the orders in time for them to be delivered. With all these forgetful incidents, people are wondering if our great King is starting to decline."

Decline? Her father? He was getting older. He just turned 60 but that was too young to be declining in ChiChi's eyes. Gyu-Mao was still strong and robust with a hearty body and mind. The way he yelled at her after she ended things with Kaifun told ChiChi her father had a lot of life left in him.

But they haven't talked much since that day. ChiChi decided to change that and learn what is going on with her father.

Gyu-Mao was surprised ChiChi decided she and her sons will stay with him in his castle after the festival instead of going home. Things were still strained and Gyu-Mao hadn't expected ChiChi to stay. After Gohan assisted with the cleanup, he joined the family for dinner and games until it was bedtime. After putting her sons to bed, ChiChi returned to her father. He was pouring himself a drink. His fourth tonight. Her father drank occasionally but when he drank so much before bed, he was worried. Despite what Kaifun said, Gyu-Mao didn't appear he was declining. He shared stories of his youth with Grandpa Gohan so his mind was still sharp. He piggybacked Goten the same way he did Gohan when he was younger. He still appeared strong but something was wrong.

Gyu-Mao addressed ChiChi with a smile before drinking his whiskey. "I'm happy you and the boys are staying tonight. You always stayed but after our argument over Kenji, I didn't think you would. I'm glad you chose to not create gossip by leaving."

"It's too late for that, Dad. It's already going around. Mrs. Lupp questioned me about Kenji." She rubbed her temples. Things ended months ago but she was still being hounded by it. "I wished you didn't say anything. It wasn't serious."

"To you, it wasn't but to me, it was." They may never see eye to eye on Kenji but Gyu-Mao had no regrets about his feelings for the man. He only wished to take back how he blew up at ChiChi over their breakup. "I was happy about you two. I thought you would make it work. I still hope you will. You've forgiven Goku for worse things."

"We won't, Dad." ChiChi wished her Dad would give up on that. "It wouldn't work out."

"You've been so patient and understanding with Goku on so many things. Kenji made one mistake. He's a good man and deserves a second chance."

He wasn't letting this go. "I don't wanna argue with you, Dad. I want you to respect my choice."

"I'll try to," Gyu-Mao finished his drink, "but it doesn't mean I'll like it."

That was better than arguing which was the last thing ChiChi wanted now. "I'm not here to talk about Kenji. I'm here to talk about you. Kaifun told me about your lapses." Gyu-Mao added ice to his glass and poured more whiskey. That was drink number five! "You've been forgetful in payments; you've made changes in the staffs' days off. You forgot to order the equipment we use every year at the festival. I know we haven't talked lately but I do love you, Dad, and if you're sick, I want to help you."

Gyu-Mao consumed half his whiskey and released a heavy sigh. "I didn't know my mistakes were so obvious. Kaifun was always a bit thickheaded but if he noticed and told you, it must be bad."

"You know I will help in any way, Dad. We'll find doctors for you; get you the best medicine."

If only that were the problem. "I don't need a doctor, ChiChi. I'm not sick. I'm going broke."

She went into this thinking her father will tell her he's sick. She spent the evening thinking of ways to aide her father; move back in with him; have him move in with her. Never, never did she think the issues with her father concerning money.

"Broke?" Her fingers covered her shocked mouth. ChiChi knew her father's money wouldn't last forever. It couldn't be feeding a Saiyan for ten years and two half Saiyans for almost fifteen but she didn't expect the money to dry up so soon. She thought she had several years left. "But you still give me money."

"Because I still can but in a few years I won't be able to. That's why I've been trying to cut back and acting forgetful. I don't wanna raise taxes. I shouldn't burden my people with my financial problems." That wasn't true. Gyu-Mao did consider doing that. "I thought I could but it wouldn't be enough."

"How…." ChiChi swallowed; her heart thumped against her chest; her body grew hot with nerves. She forced herself to not faint. "How much is left?"

"If I budget wisely, I can hold on for another two, maybe three years."

Her legs felt so weak ChiChi sat in case she did faint. Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. ChiChi did the math in her mind. Gohan would be in his second or final year of high school when the money runs out. What am I gonna do? How will I care for Gohan and Goten?

"I want to provide for you forever, ChiChi, since Goku can't." Her proud father bowed his head ashamed. He sounded on the verge of tears. "But I won't be able to. I failed you."

Her father's tears brought shame to ChiChi. This is my fault. Oh, Dad. "What about the kingdom?" ChiChi knew her father's dwindled fortune didn't only affect her and her sons. "You sponsor a lot of things for this village. I've been a burden to you when I shouldn't have been."

"You're never a burden, ChiChi. Giving you everything you need makes me happy. I wish I can do it forever."

Forever. That word triggered ChiChi. Her father used that word when he argued with her over her breakup with Kenji. "Oh," ChiChi put a hand over her mouth. It all made sense now. "Is that why you were so angry I ended things with Kenji? That's why you want me to give him another chance. You want to be sure I'm taken care of."

It was as if a heavy burden was released from his shoulders. His quiet nod confirmed it. "Yes. I didn't want you to know this. I'm sorry for being so angry with you but it's my fault I can't provide for you."

"No…." ChiChi refused to let her father blame himself. "It's not your fault. You did more than you should've. It's my and Goku's fault. Oh, Dad," ChiChi went into her father's arms. Her petite frame was swallowed in the big arms of her giant father. "I'm so sorry."

"No, ChiChi. Don't blame yourself."

"We're the ones who got married and had kids. We've been depending on you for years." It wasn't always like that. ChiChi remembered when they took care of themselves. "Nothing's been the same since that reunion. I've been dependent on you because Goku died. When he was in space, I had plans for Goku to go to work so we can stop leaning on you but Goku came home and we leaned on you for three more years. Then he died again and I never stopped taking from you. I've been selfish."

"ChiChi, it's not your or Goku's fault. Goku had to train to save the world."

"But he could've worked a little!" ChiChi argued. "Even on the weekends, Goku could've done something but I let him get away doing nothing again and you're gonna suffer for it. Your kingdom will suffer for it!"

Gyu-Mao patted ChiChi's back. "Oh, don't worry, dear. We'll figure things out and if we can't, it's meant to be that things come to an end."

ChiChi didn't sleep well that night or on the way home. ChiChi contemplated ways to ease her father's financial burden. She thought of selling things in her home but realized she didn't have anything of big value. Money troubles were on her mind while Gohan and Goten were in their rooms studying as she kneaded the bread she will serve with lunch. The TV was on in the background providing some entertainment to her troubled thoughts.

"While some fans were upset with Taitans player Kenji Yamora signing with the Rockets, some have made it a lucrative deal. Autographs from the star player have gone up since winning the championship and signing that mega deal with the Rockets. A jersey with his autograph can sell for 2500 zeni."

ChiChi turned to the TV holding the dough in her flour-covered hands.

"A signed baseball is going for 1250 zeni. A glove will sell for 1500. Many baseball fans will see how much they get when they come to the baseball convention in West City."

"2500 zeni." Kenji showered Gohan and Goten with many baseball gifts. He gave the boys two of each: jerseys, baseballs, gloves, cards, bobbleheads. One signed and one unsigned. It wasn't enough to live comfortably but if she sold everything, she wouldn't have to borrow from her Dad for a few months.

During lunch, ChiChi told her sons of her plans to sell Kenji's gifts to them. Gohan wholeheartedly approved but Goten had a fit!

"But it's mine!" Goten wailed. "Mr. Kenji gave it to me!"

"Sorry, Goten." Gohan placed the Kenji bobblehead in the box with everything the star baseball player gave him and Goten. "Mom wants us to pack everything Kenji gave us."

"But why?" Goten climbed in the chair of Gohan's desk. He reached inside to grab his bobblehead but Gohan pulled the box off the desk. "Nooo!"

Who cares why. They were getting rid of Kenji's stuff. There didn't need to be a why. Goten was on his heels following him into ChiChi's room. "We got them all, Mom." ChiChi sat on the floor going through the box she packed with Kenji's things. Gohan placed the box on the bed. "Want me to throw them all in the trash?"

"NO!" Goten yelled. "They're my toys!" He climbed on the bed. "I want them!"

ChiChi sifted through Gohan's box. "Gohan," ChiChi chided her son. "I told you to get Kenji's baseball gifts to you." She pulled out a toy aircar Kenji bought Goten. It was expensive but it didn't have his signature on it. She couldn't sell this. Goten snatched the toy of out ChiChi's hand. "Goten!"

Goten hugged the toy. "It's mine!"

ChiChi dismissed Goten's behavior. She'll deal with him later. She pulled out a baseball signed by Kenji. "This is what I need, Gohan."

Goten snatched that from ChiChi. "Mine."

"No, it's not, Goten." ChiChi reached for it but Goten jumped off the bed and ran out of the room.

"It's mine!" Goten screamed and ran out.

"Goten!" ChiChi went after him. "You don't need that! You don't even play baseball!" Her yelling drowned out the further she got away from her room.

Gohan inspected ChiChi's box. He knew Kenji bought ChiChi some things but he didn't know it was a box worth like his and Goten's. There were baseball jerseys. One for the regular season and two special ones with patches designed for the playoffs and championship. There were trinkets he got for her when they were at the amusement park in South City. In the corner of the box, a white envelope with ChiChi's name stuck out. He pulled it out and opened it.

Dear ChiChi,

I know you are not expecting this letter but please read this. I wanted to see you several times but I didn't want to surprise or upset you. I am a blunt and direct person. I say what's on my mind. I'm sorry I upset you the last time we talked but I spoke out of anger and frustration. I didn't mean it. You must believe me. I reacted the way I did because I love you.

What was this? Gohan wondered.

…. I'm not Goku and I can't replace him in your heart but I care for you deeply. I care for Gohan and Goten and I want to be a husband for you and a father to them.

Father?! Gohan gripped the letter.

When did Kenji send this? Why did his mother keep it?

"Gohan?"

Gohan turned to see ChiChi standing in the doorway. She held the baseball Goten snatched from her. He waved the letter. "What is this, Mom?"

ChiChi coolly entered the room and took the letter from Gohan. "You don't go through my things, Gohan."

"The box was open," his voice dripped with attitude. "When did Kenji send you this?"

"I got it the day Marron was born." ChiChi folded the letter. "This is what I was reading in the hospital. Yamcha gave me this from Kenji. I didn't say anything about it because the day was about Krillin, 18 and Marron. Are you done interrogating your Momma?"

Some of Gohan's confidence melted when he realized he got an attitude at his mother and lived. "Sorry." He understood his mother's reasons for keeping quiet. It would've ruined Krillin and his family's special day. "You haven't talked to him since you ended it?"

"No, Gohan. I told you. It's over with us."

"Why did he send this letter?"

ChiChi shrugged. "Guess he's hoping for another chance but it's been months so I think he got the message my answer is no."

Gohan accepted that but that didn't explain why she kept it. If he asked, he knew he wouldn't get an answer. So, he spoke on the other issue that bothered him. "Yamcha never should have given it to you. He's Dad's friend."

ChiChi returned the letter to its envelope and dropped it in the box. "Kenji is his friend, too."

Gohan didn't care about that. In his eyes, his Dad was more important. "But he knew Dad longer and Dad saved his life."

"And what does that mean?" Gohan loved his father but this behavior of him defending Goku was unbecoming. "That he should value his friendship with Goku more than Kenji's? Your father didn't keep score and expect his friends to have more loyalty to him than others and he wouldn't want his son doing that. Besides, Yamcha didn't do anything wrong. He gave me a letter addressed to me. Would you want your friends to keep something from you because they didn't like the person sending it?"

"No." Gohan sat on her bed. "But I don't like he wrote you that letter."

ChiChi sat beside Gohan. She put her arm around him. "I know but there's nothing to be angry about."

He knew that. He trusted his mother but he didn't trust Kenji. He kicked ChiChi's box. "Why do you Kenji's stuff?"

ChiChi bent over and pulled out a signed jersey. "I'm gonna sell 'em. There's a baseball convention and I heard his things have some value."

"Why do you wanna sell them?"

"We could always use some extra cash. I shouldn't rely on grandpa all the time." She saw a flicker of worry raise on Gohan's face. He was too smart. "I did make some money working for Kenji. It was nice to have some on my own."

What ChiChi said made some sense and since it meant getting rid of things Kenji gave them, Gohan wasn't going to complain. He was going to make sure Kenji didn't send his mother any more letters.

Kenji's housewarming had wrapped for the night. He lived in Central City a few months but being in a new city and getting ready for the new baseball season delayed him. He had a few friends over from his new team and Yamcha. All were gone now except Yamcha.

When he received a knock on the door, Kenji thought one of his new teammates forgot something. He was surprised to see Gohan standing on the other side. The teen had grown a bit since last fall. He was almost as tall as him.

"Gohan?" The teen was the last person Kenji expected to see. He was the last person Kenji wanted to see. Seeing Gohan made Kenji think of ChiChi. Since she never responded to the letter, he tried to move on. His teammates even introduced women to him. His feelings for ChiChi were still strong so while he didn't want to see Gohan, seeing him gave him hope ChiChi changed her mind or she needed him. "Is your Mom okay? Has she changed her mind?"

The thought of this man still being hopeful of a reconciliation with her mother sickened Gohan. "I've come to make sure you stay away from my Mom. Leave her alone and never visit or write to her again."

So, it wasn't what he hoped. Still, Kenji wanted to laugh. A child was threatening him. Teenage hormones. He was hot-headed and stupid at Gohan's age. His Dad set him straight. Since Gohan didn't have a Dad, Kenji thought he should do what his father won't have a chance to. "You know what, kid. I've been patient with you, but you're pushing it. You're too old to be spanked but that mouth of yours is asking for some physical discipline."

"Are you offering?" It would be beneath Gohan to fight Kenji but having read that letter, Gohan was willing to look away just this once. "Because if it's a fight you want, I'm ready for it but you won't win against me."

"Is that you, Gohan?" Yamcha came to stand beside Kenji. "Why are you here?"

"He's being a smart ass," Kenji caught Yamcha up. "When I was your age, I mouthed off to my Dad. I thought I was stronger than him. We had a lot of heated arguments. I even swung at him and it took him knocking me on my ass with one punch before I came down to Earth. I don't wanna do that to you."

Gohan squeezed his fists. His arms flexed through his sleeveless shirt. "You couldn't even if I let you hit me."

"Whoa!" Yamcha stepped between the two. "I don't know what's going on but you two need to stop it."

But neither looked willing to back down. The child had too much sass and though he loved ChiChi, he couldn't deny she was too soft on him. "He came here threatening me when he should be apologizing. I don't have time for this kid. He needs to go and if it means, I do something, I will."

"Why would I apologize to you?"

"Oh, I don't know," Kenji threw his hands up, "sabotaging your mother's chances of moving on from her dead husband and living a good life; ruining Goten's chances of growing up with a Dad. How about apologizing for ruining the trunk of my car because you had a temper tantrum of a decent guy showing genuine interest to your Mom? How about you apologize for being so selfish of your Mom having a life of her own, you ruin our date and you guilt her so bad into moving on, she's giving up her happiness for you?"

That last remark stung. Gohan knew his behavior wasn't the best while his mother dated Kenji. He did things he regretted. He wished he could take back his behavior when they were in West City. Maybe he did guilt her but Gohan also believed he did the right thing. Their talk brought issues to light his mother didn't acknowledge and opened her eyes a relationship with Kenji wouldn't work.

"No smartass remark this time?" Kenji took some delight in Gohan's silence. "Even Yamcha knows I'm right."

Yamcha shook his head. "Don't pull me into this."

In Gohan's mind, he was already in. He heard what Kenji said and was silent. Some things Gohan admit to being wrong and conceded Kenji was right but did Yamcha agree with all of what Kenji said?

"Despite what you think, Gohan, your mother isn't on this planet just to serve you. She is more than a Mom. She is a woman who had a life before you. She had a life before she married your Dad. What do you expect your Mom to do when you and Goten move out and have a family of your own? Will it make you happy she'll be living alone, rotting away in that house and staying loyal to a corpse while you live your life?"

Gohan could take whatever Kenji said to him but not against his parents. "Mom won't be rotting away and she won't be lonely. She'll be happy with our families."

"For visiting but what happens when she goes home?" Kenji probed. "What happens on days you don't visit and she's alone all day with nothing to do? She won't have a husband to have meals with; watch TV with; go on trips. She can have that with me but you won't allow that. As long as she's loyal to your dead father, you don't give a damn about her happiness."

Gohan stepped forward but Yamcha put a hand on his chest to keep him back. "Stop talking about my Mom as if you know what she wants!"

"I know your Mom a lot more than you and probably even your Dad who didn't appreciate her."

"Whoa!" Yamcha whirled to face Kenji. "You're my friend but don't say that about Goku."

But Kenji wouldn't back down. "You said the same thing, Yamcha. He saved us all and I'm grateful but Goku was not a saint."

The ground trembled and a sudden force of wind knocked Yamcha and Kenji back. The wall of Kenji's house caught Yamcha but Kenji was blown back into his home. He flipped off the back of his sofa. Dazed, Kenji rose but a bright light forced Kenji to shield his eyes with his arm. Squinting, he opened one eye at a time to see a blonde-haired, green-eyed Gohan staring at him. He saw this look on Gohan during the Cell Game and thought it was a dye job. How did his hair spontaneously change like this? How did his eyes change? How is he glowing? "What the… what the hell are you?"

"Gohan," Yamcha went to Gohan's side. "Don't do this. Calm down. Let me take you home."

Gohan didn't want to go home. Not yet. He was enjoying putting fear in Kenji. He hadn't felt like this since the Cell Game when he took delight in the scaring Cell. He never thought that feeling would return because it led to his cockiness where his father died but now, he reveled in it.

"Mom didn't tell you about this, did she?" Yamcha pulled Gohan to get him to stop but Gohan pushed Yamcha aside! "She didn't tell you everything about my Dad. He's not an Earthling. He's a Saiyan and I'm one just like him."

Gohan's glowing rattled Kenji. He knew he couldn't put this boy in his place. He was not normal. "What the hell are you talking about? Aliens don't exist."

"They do," Yamcha confirmed. He wanted to grab Gohan again but felt the boy would fling him far away this time. "Goku's one. So is our friend Piccolo. Gohan and Goten are half-human and inherited their Dad's strength. I told you it was Goku and Gohan who defeated Cell."

"Yeah, but not the part Goku wasn't human! Why didn't you?"

"Does it matter?"

It mattered a lot to Kenji. Yamcha was his friend and when he expressed interest in ChiChi, he expected Yamcha to tell him everything he should know. An alien husband was something Kenji didn't think should be omitted. "I should've known. Why didn't ChiChi tell me?"

"It wasn't your business," Gohan told him.

Yamcha twisted things when he told Kenji about ChiChi but he did the same when he shared his breakup with Bulma, too. The world wasn't ready to know about aliens and monsters from out of space, and as much as he considered Kenji a friend, he didn't think he needed to know that from him. "I thought ChiChi would tell you if things got serious."

Kenji huffed. "An alien. No wonder she rejected me."

"It wasn't because of that."

"Your ex dumped you for one of them and he's not a good guy from what you told me. There must be something in their DNA that makes Earth women loyal to guys they should move on from." Aliens! It all made sense now. "Why keep this a secret? Aliens exist and the world should know."

Five years ago Yamcha would've been on board to tell the world of the existence of aliens if only for Goku and Gohan to get the credit they deserve but seeing how the world just blindly follows Mr. Satan, he knew that would've been the wrong decision. "The world believed Mr. Satan killed Cell after he was flung from the ring. They saw the fight between Goku and Cell; half of it against Gohan and still believe Mr. Satan. You believed it until I told you the truth. If the world believes an obvious liar like Mr. Satan, they'll flip knowing aliens exist. Think of what that revelation would do to ChiChi and her sons if the world knew the truth about them."

He was angry but Yamcha knew Kenji understood. They were celebrities; pictures were taken of them all the time and they had legions of fans. The positive attention was good but it also had its downsides and Yamcha knew not even Kenji wanted that to befall ChiChi. She'd have to deal with random strangers showing up at her home; people wanting to interview her; scientists wanting to study Gohan and Goten. Every aspect of her life would be under a microscope.

Feeling Kenji was coming to his side, Yamcha turned to Gohan. He understood the boy's need to defend and protect his mother but it was getting out of hand. The sass and anger wasn't something he witnessed before. He heard of Gohan snapping at ChiChi in the hospital but still didn't expect this. ChiChi wouldn't like his behavior. To keep Gohan in line and make him leave, Yamcha warned, "And I'll keep this from your Mom if you leave now."

Gohan got the message. "I'll leave if you don't pass any more messages from him to my Mom. Mom doesn't want Kenji and if you really are a friend to my Dad, you'll keep Kenji away from my Mom!"

"If I'm really a friend?" That hurt. "Gohan, you know Goku is my friend. I'm one of his oldest friends."

It didn't look like it in Gohan's eyes. "'You said the same thing, Yamcha,'" Gohan repeated Kenji's words. "What did you tell him about my Dad?"

Yamcha stepped away from Gohan. He's seen that glare before from Goku. It never ended well for the receiver of that glare. "Goku's your Dad and you idolize him, Gohan. I admire him, too, but he wasn't perfect. He made mistakes."

"What mistakes?"

Oh, boy. There were several but Yamcha focused on what he thought was Goku's biggest mistake. "He shouldn't have stayed dead. Look at what it did to your family. You were forced to grow up and be the man of the house at nine years old. Goten will never know him and ChiChi…." he sighed. "There are things you won't understand until you have a family of your own. That's all I'll say but I promise, I won't pass any more messages."

"I haven't sent ChiChi another letter. I got the message… months ago."

Gohan disregarded the pain in Kenji's voice but Yamcha sympathized. He knew heartbreak with Bulma. "Kenji's dating again and he hasn't contacted ChiChi, Gohan, so why didyou show up?"

Both men looked at Gohan and waited for an answer that wasn't coming. His mother told him Kenji hadn't contacted her. He didn't listen. He let his temper and protectiveness of his mother get out of hand. If Yamcha tells his mom, what would she do?! He was trying so hard to prove he can take care of the family; that he was mature but made a mistake that would set everything back if his mother knew. She may not trust him again. Gohan couldn't deal with that disappointment.

"I needed to do something," Gohan confessed. "You have no idea what happened after Mom ended things with Kenji. Grandpa got really mad at Mom. They haven't spoken much in months. Bulma didn't like it either. Mom only had me, Goten and 18 supporting her."

Yamcha pitied Gohan and silently cursed Goku. The kid was strong but there was too much pressure put on him.

"I didn't know ChiChi was going through that." Kenji never expected ChiChi to receive backlash from her friends and family. Now he knew, he didn't like it but it made Gohan's lashing out at him understandable. "Your Mom has been getting it from people who should be on her side. You want to defend her but you can't do it to them. Guess I'm an easy target. "

Kenji stepped to Gohan and placed a supporting hand on his shoulder. The glow was intimidating but the kid needed support and understanding. Kenji was finally ready to give that. "We won't see eye to eye on what's best for your Mom, but I understand your need to protect her. I'm not pursuing your Mom anymore so let's forget this happen. Right, Yamcha?"

"Right," Yamcha agreed.

It was a huge relief to know Yamcha wouldn't tell ChiChi what he did. He didn't want to fracture the trust he and his mother were establishing with each other. As for Kenji, Gohan would never approve of him but the man wasn't as bad as he initially thought. He was a good man…. just not right for his Mom.

Goten stared out the window happy and sad at the same time. Today things will be different. Today Gohan will attend high school. ChiChi and Gohan explained to Goten what this day will mean. Goten understood it meant one thing: Big Brother won't be home all day to play with him.

The school was in Hoyt, the same town Gohan went to preschool. Since it was the first day, ChiChi thought the family should send Gohan off to high school together. When ChiChi pulled up to Hoyt High School, Gohan said his goodbyes. Goten waved at Gohan, wishing him a good day of school but deeply missing him. Trunks started Kindergarten last year and visit less. He only saw Trunks twice a month when he was in school. Goten didn't mind since he still had his mother, brother and grandpa but with Gohan going to school, it was one more person who didn't have time for him.

Goten got through Gohan's first day of high school well. He listened to Gohan tell about his day; the teachers and students. Goten got in an hour of playtime with his brother before Gohan did homework for the rest of the evening. It was the same thing the next day and the next. On Saturday, Goten thought he and Gohan would spend time together but ChiChi took him to Grandpa's to give Gohan time to do homework and study. Goten did spend Sunday with Gohan but the day went by too fast. It was Monday and it started all over again.

By the third week, Goten was really unhappy with this. Gohan didn't have time for him. Trunks didn't have time for him. Mom was around but she didn't always have time for him because of all the cooking and cleaning she did. There was one person he could talk to. Daddy.

Goten knew the shrine of incense and flowers on top of her chest was dedicated to his Daddy. He saw his Mom and big brother talk to it a lot. Gohan talked to it the morning of his first day of school.

"Hi, Daddy. I'm Goten. Momma and Big Brother talk to you a lot. They seem happy after they do. I wanna feel happy, too, since I'm sad."

The framed photo of Goku smiled back at Goten. The familiar eyes and smile made Goten nervous. He twiddled his thumbs as he continued. "Big Brother and Trunks are in school. I don't see them a lot anymore. When Big Brother studies, I would play with my toys or do those school workbooks Momma gives me. Big Brother always helped me if Momma couldn't."

Goku's picture smiled back at Goten. Goku couldn't talk back but Goten felt a little better getting his thoughts out. To him, it was as if his Daddy was listening. It encouraged him to continue. "Trunks goes exploring with me in the forest but he says he hates it. He talks about his house is bigger and his Mommy always buys him stuff. He says I don't have enough stuff." Goten shrugged not understanding if he does or not. "I think I do. He talks about a lot of things I don't understand but I like playing with him. Sometimes he gets me in trouble with Momma because he wanna do things Momma tell us not to. I don't like that."

Thinking of ChiChi, brought a smile to Goten's face. Seeing his Daddy's smile, to Goten it looked as if his Daddy was smiling in the photo because of her. "Momma's a lot of fun. She tickles and plays with me. She makes really good food. Big Brother said you were always happy eating Momma's food. I love it, too. Momma teaches me things like how to spell my name. She gives me books I have to work in. I think it's a lot but Big Brother laughs at me. He said Momma gave him a lot more."

"Goten? Goten, where are-" ChiChi opened the door. She smiled seeing Goten in front of the shrine. "There you are." She stepped into the room. "Are you talking to Daddy?"

Goten nodded. "I thought I try since you and Big Brother do it a lot."

"Do you like it?"

Goten nodded again. "Daddy can't talk back but it's nice talking to him."

"Good." ChiChi was happy to hear that. She encouraged Goten to talk to Goku's shrine but Goten never did. Shyness. Confusion. Lack of interest. ChiChi wasn't sure why he wouldn't but didn't push him. She was glad Goten finally made that first step. "With Big Brother in school, we have more times to do things. You're four and I think you're old enough to play a special game. Do you wanna?"

"Sure, Momma!" Goten agreed not knowing what the game entailed. He trusted his Momma. "I love playing games."

"Good. You know that cartoon you love about the kids living on the island: 'Island Mania.' They have to survive outsmart dinosaurs and wild animals, find food, build a fire and home." She lightly poked his belly. "Some are your age."

Goten giggled. "That show is so funny Momma!"

"It is. Big Brother and I thought it would be fun to play that with you. We can play it while Big Brother is in school and Big Brother can play with you on the weekend. We'll even take turns doing the 'Hunt Challenge'."

"Ooo, ooo," Goten jumped up and down excited. "I wanna do the 'Hunt Challenge!' Can I Momma? Please?"

"You will," ChiChi promised him. "You will."

"Goten." ChiChi opened the crumpled paper to show Goten's name was written on it.

"Ooo!" Goten jumped up and down. "My turn. My turn."

"Yup, it's your turn to do the 'Hunt Challenge'." Gohan squatted to Goten's height and patted his younger brother's head. "Do you think you can do it?"

Goten nodded eagerly. "Yeah. I saw you and Momma do it a lot. I'm ready."

"Good because you have to do this alone."

"Alone?" The smile fell from Goten's face. "But I'm always with you and Big Brother, Momma."

Gohan smiled for Goten. He wanted Goten to have confidence in this even if he didn't like it. "We know, but, Goten, you always want to show how strong you are and you can do things to Momma. This is how you do it."

It was true what Big Brother said. Goten often told his Momma he can do things and she said he couldn't. He couldn't back down when given an opportunity to show his independence. "I can do it! Watch me!" With a confident wave, Goten disappeared into the forest.

Gohan and ChiChi waved at Goten. When he was gone, Gohan and ChiChi did what Goten told them to: watch him. High in a tree, Gohan saw Goten gather several broken sticks and return them to an empty cave. On Nimbus, ChiChi watched Goten pull a fish from a lake. Hidden, Gohan watched Goten gather mushrooms and berries.

After gathering materials for the game, Goten returned to Gohan and ChiChi. "I'm finished!" He grabbed ChiChi's hand and pulled her to follow him. Goten led ChiChi and Gohan to a cave. Inside, a small campfire was lit. Next to it, a fish hooked on a stick was being overcooked. Berries, nuts and mushrooms were piled together on a large leaf. ChiChi broke off a piece of the fish and tasted it. Bland and slightly burnt, it was edible. Gohan gathered a handful of berries, nuts and mushrooms.

"Yuck, Momma!" Goten cringed at ChiChi eating the fish. His eyes grew at Gohan chewing the berries. He examined the mushrooms. Ate one and ignored the others. "Big Brother, you didn't tell me you were gonna eat it!"

Gohan ate more berries. "You know it's part of the game." He crouched to Goten's height and opened his hand to reveal the mushrooms. "You didn't pick the poison berries but these mushrooms are poisoned. You can't eat these."

Goten shrugged. "It's all I could find."

"But if it's poisoned, you can't eat them." Gohan poked Goten's tummy. "You'll get sick."

Goten giggled at the light tickling. "Okay but did I win the game?"

Gohan and Goten waited for ChiChi to answer that question. She looked around the cave, the burnt fish, berries, nuts and mushrooms. "You did good, Goten. Very good doing this alone. We'll play this game a few more times so you don't pick poisoned mushrooms and you don't overcook your fish but good job." She embraced her son and kissed his cheek. "I'm very proud of you, Goten."

"Thank you, Momma." Goten blushed at the tender affection of his Momma. This game was fun but he was starving for real food his Momma packed. He had no intention of eating the food he hunted. "But can we eat some real food?"

That night, Goten slept in the tent he shared with Gohan. Gohan read by the campfire and ChiChi knitted under the twinkling stars. After reading the same sentence for the tenth time, Gohan closed his book and gave up. His mind kept drifting to Goten and what he accomplished today.

"Goten's really something," Gohan praised his little brother. "He got everything: the campfire, shelter, food."

"Almost," ChiChi corrected Gohan. "He did pick poisoned mushrooms, but he did do very good."

"Are you gonna worry less now?"

"I'll never stop worrying about you two, but if something happens, I know Goten can take care of himself. He won't be frightened like you were when you were abandoned by Piccolo. I will never forgive myself for that."

His kidnapping will always be a sore spot to ChiChi. His Mom was on better terms with Piccolo but Gohan understood how ChiChi could never forgive Piccolo for what he did. It took raising his younger brother for Gohan to truly understand ChiChi's feelings. Gohan knew he was never the same after that experience. There was good and bad to it all and while he was happy he bonded with Piccolo, he never wanted Goten to go through what he did.

"Mom, what happened wasn't your fault."

"I should've prepared you."

"Mom," Gohan laughed. "I was four. No one should prepare their kid to live alone for six months."

"Your father lived out here for years."

"It's not the same."

To ChiChi, it was. "I should've thought of it. Your father told me stories about the Full Moon Monster not realizing it was him. Because of what happened to your great-grandpa, I should've been prepared just in case."

"Ah, Mom. You're being silly. Stop guilting yourself for what happened. It's not your fault and I'm still here."

Gohan was right and no matter how many times she's told this, she would never shake the guilt. "You were never the same. A lot of your sweet innocence was gone. You grew up too fast. Your father and I never wanted that."

It did feel like a cursed family tradition for his parents and him to experience trauma at a young age but with Goten, it did appear the cycle was broken. "I can't tell you to stop feeling guilty but Goten is spared from what we went through. Goten knows how to hunt and make a home. Soon, he'll be strong enough to fight evil uncles. We only have one, right?" Gohan joked hoping that made his mother happy. "Do you have a secret brother I don't know about?"

ChiChi laughed despite the bad joke. Here, Gohan reminded her of Goku. He tried to think of ways to make her happy. Goku did that so much. "Don't joke about that but since Goten knows how to live off the land, I think it's time he's taught how to defend himself."

Gohan wasn't sure if Goten was ready. He treated what happened today as a game but his Mom was determined for Goten to be prepared, and once her mind was made up, there was no changing it. "I can sit in on Goten's lessons."

"No," ChiChi rejected the offer. "You're going to high school and need to focus on your studies. I'll teach Goten what I know. It'll be years before he's ready to be taught by you."

ChiChi enrolled him in a high school in the small town of Hoyt two months ago. It was the same town Gohan attended preschool before his kidnapping. The teachers and students were nice but Gohan wasn't enthused about high school like ChiChi. He wanted to tell her why but ChiChi was so happy with Gohan attending high school, he didn't have the heart to tell her his true feelings. "I have time to teach Goten, Mom. Homework won't get in the way."

"Oh, yes it will!" With Gyu-Mao's financial crisis, ChiChi wasn't going to let anything interfere with Gohan's education. He needed to focus to get a scholarship. She worried training Goten would take time away from studying Gohan couldn't afford to lose. "You're doing homework every day. You don't have time to teach Goten."

Pfft. If only ChiChi really knew. "Sure, Mom. You're right. I have too much to do."

"Come on, Goten. We don't play much anymore because Mom got me in school. Let's go back." Before he enrolled in school, Trunks visit Goten once a week. Now it was twice a month. Goten only visited Trunks when Gohan visited on Nimbus and that hasn't happened since Spring Break. "These woods are boring and it's hot."

Now in summer break, the boys were back to seeing each other once a week. Trunks wanted to use the time playing his video games. He had a portable one Goten could play with since Goten didn't have a video game console. Trunks would bring his but ChiChi didn't want Trunks bringing video games anymore after he brought over a violent game. Since then, Trunks brought the portable games in secret. Gohan knew about the games but only allowed them to play them in his presence.

"We can't because Big Brother is studying and we can't bother Big Brother when he studies." Goten made a deal with Gohan to only play the games in their room. Gohan was on ChiChi's side but felt the punishment was extreme. It was a good plan until today when Bulma and Trunks dropped by unannounced. Gohan was studying and offered to take a break to watch the boys while Bulma and ChiChi talk but ChiChi told Gohan to continue studying and said the boys can play outside without him. Gohan knew if he argued against ChiChi, she would be suspicious and when ChiChi got suspicious, she got curious and investigative.

Goten understood why they can't play but Trunks didn't. "We can't play because your Mom doesn't want us to play."

Which Goten knew was Trunks' fault. "You brought over the game with the blood and exploding heads." When ChiChi saw that, she let out the loudest blood-curdling scream Goten ever heard. She gave them a lecture about how they were too young for those games and forbade Trunks from bringing anymore games in her house.

"My Mom said your Mom always overreacts." Trunks recalled the conversation he had with his Mom when they left Goten's house that day. "She said your Mom complained about a lot of stuff when Gohan was our age." Trunks didn't care if ChiChi was like this with Gohan. He did care it affected his playtime with Goten. "Your Mom's a wimp and a scaredy-cat. It's just blood and exploding heads. My Mom thought it was funny."

"My Momma's not a wimp," Goten argued. "She's really strong. Big Brother thought the game was violent, too!"

Trunks preferred to pretend Gohan didn't agree with ChiChi. "Gohan's cool because he lets us play games and doesn't tell your Mom, but your Mom's not strong." Trunks wanted to make that clear.

"Yes, she is!" Goten argued.

"How? All she does is cook and clean clothes. You don't have to be strong to do that. My robots can do that."

"Momma trains me and she's really strong. She made me strong! "

"Train?" Trunks knew that word. His Dad did it all the time. "What does she train you? How to cook? Clean?" He pulled the top of his shirt. "Can you clean this?"

Goten's lips formed into a tight frown as his fists clenched. If Trunks weren't his best friend, he'd pop him. "Momma trains me martial arts."

"Martial…" Trunks broke off laughing. "You mean like…." he punched two fists in the air. "Like that? She can't do that stuff."

"Yes, she can and she taught me this!" Goten jumped over fifteen feet onto a high tree branch. He swung his hand across the thick branch and cut it in half. Trunks jumped out of the way to avoid the branch hitting him.

His mouth was open and his eyes were wide as the branch fell down. How did Goten do that? "Your Mom didn't teach you that! It was Gohan!"

Goten jumped down. "No, he didn't! He doesn't teach me because he's studying. Momma taught me how to do that and this." He grabbed Trunks' left arm and tossed him over his shoulder to smack Trunks' back against the ground.

"Oww," Trunks sat up rubbing his head. Goten stood over him smirking. "That was dumb luck," Trunks griped as he stood. If Goten can toss him, he can toss Goten. There was nothing Goten can do he couldn't. Trunks tried to grab Goten's arm to toss him but Goten broke away and sliced his hand on the back of Trunks' neck. Trunks crumpled to his knees.

Goten put both hands on his hips as he proudly declared, "My Momma taught me a lot of things."

Trunks dug his nails in the ground. That hit across his neck hurt. How did Goten get so strong and how come he couldn't toss him? He's older than Goten, and in his mind, that meant he's stronger than him.

Trunks pulled himself to his feet again. He threw a punch but Goten caught it. He swung his other hand but Goten caught that one, too. Grinning, Goten flipped Trunks over his head to faceplant into the dirt. Trunks spat crumbs on dirt out of his mouth. A shadow covered him. Trunks raised his head to see Goten grinning over him.

"Are ya ready to believe my Momma taught me now?"

Three embarrassing attempts and he was ready to concede Goten's telling the truth. "How does your Mom know martial arts?"

"Grandpa taught her and so did my Daddy."

Trunks stood and dusted the dirt off him. "Your dead Dad?"

"Uh-huh. Momma said she and Daddy fought sometimes."

Trunks snorted. "My Mom said your parents fought a lot."

"She did?" Goten was so happy to hear that. "That's why Momma is so strong! "

"Yeah, sure." Trunks rolled his eyes. What an idiot. But if Goten's Mom taught him to be strong then his Dad, who is stronger than Goten's Mom, can teach him to be strong, too. His Dad had to. He was already smarter than Goten. It would be doubly insulting if Goten is stronger than him.

Instead of taking his afternoon nap, Trunks covered his blanket with his pillows. He left his room and quietly walked down the hall to the next floor. Trunks passed this room several times with his mother and grandparents but this was the first time he walked to it alone. All his young mind knew is his Dad spent several hours in here training. One day, he asked his Mom what that meant. One day, she showed him.

Trunks sat on Bulma's lap watching Vegeta spar with himself in the gravity room. Orbs floated around Vegeta firing lasers which Vegeta deftly dodged. Trunks' eyes darted, trying to keep up with Vegeta's movements. He was too fast for his young eyes. What Trunks could see reminded him of a martial arts movie he saw. He saw one with Vegeta who laughed called the fight fake. The moves from the movie weren't so different from the moves Trunks saw his father do. It was intriguing.

"Why does Dad do that?"

"It's who he is." Bulma gently brushed her fingers through Trunks' hair. "Your Dad is the strongest man on Earth. He is a prince."

"A prince?" The only thing Trunks knew about princes was in animated movies he saw with Grandma. They always have to rescue the princess. "Did Dad live in a castle?" At Bulma's nod, Trunks asked, "From where?"

"A faraway land that doesn't exist anymore. In your Dad's land, his people were the greatest fighters in the universe. Gohan and Goten's Dad came from the same place."

"Was he a prince, too?"

"Oh, no," Bulma laughed that off, "but he was special. Not as special as your Dad. Your Dad strongly believes in his heritage of being the greatest warriors. He honors that by training constantly. He's the last Saiyan prince. He honors his people by keeping his heritage alive. It's your heritage, too."

"What's a Saiyan?"

"That's the name of your Dad's people."

Trunks focused on Vegeta bouncing over the room, throwing his fists and legs in the air. He sliced a few floating orbs in half. Trunks absorbed Vegeta performing several flips before forming an energy Ki in his hand and firing it. It circled the room before Vegeta sliced it with his hand. Trunks pointed at the screen. "Can I do that?"

"Of course. You're Vegeta's son." Bulma smiled cryptically. "I know you are very strong. I've seen it. You're going to be as strong as him. Maybe even stronger."

Trunks knew of some of Vegeta's strength. On a nightly basis he heard his mother argue with his Dad on not using so much strength on the machines and robots built for his training. He even witnessed his Dad pick up some heavy equipment for Grandpa. Seeing a sliver of Vegeta's skills as a fighter excited Trunks of what he can do. "I can be stronger than Dad."

"It won't be easy," Bulma told him, "but I know you can do it. You can start by sparring with your Dad."

"How?"

"Make him."

That wasn't an answer. "How do I do that?"

"You have to figure that out, Trunks. Your Dad is prideful. Arrogant and demanding. To get his attention, to get to know him, you have to impress him."

Trunks pushed a step stool to the wall and climbed on it. Raising himself on his toes, Trunks pressed a button by the handle. Sometimes this room was locked from inside making this button useless but today it worked. Trunks jumped down as the door to the gravity room opened. As soon as he stepped in, the door slid closed behind him and Trunks collapsed on the floor. His face was stuck against the red tile like glue. Trunks tried to push himself up but his body wouldn't rise at the invisible weight over him.

He saw the boots of his father walking to the console. A button was pressed and Trunks felt the heavy weight over him lighten. He pushed himself on his feet. Looking up, he saw the strong gaze of his father staring down at him.

"What are you doing here?" Vegeta asked.

Moment of truth and Trunks was very nervous. This is what he wanted but doubt rose in him. What if Dad said no? What if Dad laughs at him?

"I want you to teach me to be strong like you. I wanna know how to fight."

Vegeta didn't say no or laugh but there was a smile on his face as he leaned on the console with one arm and asked, "Why?"

Why? At least it wasn't a rejection. Trunks quickly thought of something to say he hoped will impress his Dad. "I'm your son. I should know. It's my heritage."

"Heritage." Vegeta kept a sharp gaze on Trunks. The boy wasn't dumb but it wasn't in his vocabulary. He was being coached and he had an idea by who. "No."

"No?"

"I won't train you to satisfy your mother. If you want to be trained by me, you have to want it. No one else."

"Mom doesn't know I'm here. I came on my own." Vegeta turned away from him. "It's true. I want this." Vegeta kept walking towards the exit and Trunks saw his chance of being trained by his Dad slipping away. "No!" Trunks ran ahead and jumped in front of the exit door. "You will teach me how to fight! You will teach me to be strong!"

Vegeta crossed his arms. "Get out of my way."

"No!" Trunks swung his right fist at Vegeta. Vegeta raised his leg and swung it over Trunks' head. Trunks threw another punch where Vegeta stepped aside. Trunks jumped at Vegeta who flipped behind Trunks.

Trunks caught air and landed on his face. He heard Vegeta laughing behind him. Trunks quickly jumped to his feet angryily. "It's not funny!" Trunks charged towards him furiously. "I'm your son! You will train me!" Vegeta put his hand on Trunks' head and kept the boy from his body. Trunks swung his arms hitting the air. "I want to be strong like you! I want you to teach me!"

Trunks was too angry to see the smile on Vegeta's face. The fire and determination in the child reminded him of his future counterpart. They were in that room for two months before Trunks had enough of Vegeta ignoring him. He suddenly attacked Vegeta, yelling he won't be ignored, he will be trained by him. He stopped just short of hitting him when Vegeta saw what he wanted to see: fire; determination; a desire to be trained.

He finally saw it in his young son. Took him long enough. Vegeta punched Trunks' stomach. The boy crumpled to his knees. His eyes watered at the pain but he didn't let a tear roll down his cheek.

Vegeta wrapped his hand around Trunks' right wrist and knelt on one knee. "Make a fist." Trunks closed his hand with his thumb under his fingers. Vegeta took out Trunks' thumb and placed it over his middle finger. "You tuck your thumb over your middle finger to make a proper fist. If you punch with your thumb under you're gonna hurt yourself."

Vegeta held his hands up. "Punch my hands." Trunks made fists like Vegeta instructed and punched both hands five times before Vegeta told him to stop. "How does that feel?"

"Good."

"Remember that." Vegeta stood. "Your stance is weak." Vegeta adjusted Trunks' feet and shoulders. "You're right-handed but you're gonna throw strong from both hands. When you throw a punch, it comes from the here," he touched his hands on Trunks' hips and knee, "and not here," he moved his hands to be on Trunks' shoulder. "Got it?" Trunks nodded. "Tomorrow we'll start with the basics. We're gonna build your strength, teach you to throw a proper punch, work on your balance and stance."

"Okay," Trunks smiled at Vegeta. "Thank you."

The look of pure joy and happiness on Trunks' face caused a twist in Vegeta's stomach. No one has ever looked at him like that. The closest was Gohan when they returned to Earth. He thanked Vegeta for coming up with an idea to bring Goku back at the check-in station. Vegeta smacked Gohan's hand away. There was a strange desire to pull Trunks close to him but Vegeta resisted. Saiyans didn't hug. His father never hugged him. Nappa never hugged him. Trunks didn't need it either. Still, he felt he should give the child something. When Gohan looked at Goku with adulation, Goku rubbed Gohan's head. Gohan loved that. He wondered if Trunks would like it.

Vegeta placed his hand on Trunks' head again but rubbed it tenderly. There was that smile again; the same adulation. He barely talked to the child in his six years. This was the longest they spent any time together and Trunks responds in this way. The twist in his stomach tightened and his heartbeat quickened.

The moment was broken when the gravity room door opened. Vegeta snatched his hand away when he saw Bulma at the entrance. Trunks jumped behind Vegeta expecting anger from his mother.

"What's going on here? Trunks, why aren't you napping?"

Vegeta frowned at Trunks hiding behind his leg. He had a lot to teach the boy. He'll protect him… just this once. "You had your turn raising him. He's old enough to be trained by me."

"Really?" Bulma sauntered into the room. She wondered when Vegeta will come around about this. When they argued the night of Krillin and 18's wedding, she thought he would train Trunks then but Vegeta held back. "He's six."

"So? You've been pestering me about it when Trunks was four."

"I did but I changed my mind." She poked Vegeta's chest. "If you want to train Trunks, you have to do something for me first."

He didn't mind what she offered but she didn't have to propose it in front of Trunks. "Fine. Trunks, get out."

"No, stupid!" Bulma slapped his chest. "Not that. You're going shopping with me and Trunks, the amusement park and dinner tonight with no complaints unless you want me to forbid you to train Trunks and you want the gravity room shut down for a week and I shut you down a month."

"A month?" Vegeta folded his arms ready to take Bulma up on that challenge. "Why not go two? Or make it longer. A real challenge."

Bulma turned away well aware she wouldn't be the victor if they had a bet like that. "Come on. Let's go."

Vegeta turned Bulma back to him. His smirk left Bulma rooted to the floor as he said, "Trunks….get out."

Trunks waited for Bulma to speak but she only had her eyes on Vegeta. Following his order, Trunks left the room. Once the door shut after Trunks, Bulma asked. "What's this about?"

"You're extorting my training Trunks. Why?"

"You suddenly want to train him. Why?"

"He's my son. It's time."

If he did this a year or two years ago, Bulma would believe it. Not now. "I can forbid you until you tell me. ChiChi forbade Goku from training Gohan. Don't think I can't with you."

"You're not Kakarrot's wife and I'm not Kakarrot." He touched the top button of her shirt and opened the first one. "But I am open to a compromise."

Bulma slapped his hand away. "No deal."

Vegeta flicked the second button open. "Shopping is for you. The amusement park is for Trunks. The dinner is for me." He pulled a third button. "No shopping. No amusement park. Yes to dinner."

Bulma pushed his hand away. "No shopping. Yes to the amusement park and yes to dinner on your word you won't overdo it with Trunks. You won't beat the hell out of him like Piccolo did Gohan and Trunks stays in school. No one's saving the world here."

Easy compromise. He freed the fourth button. "I'll train him two hours after school and four hours on the weekends." He pushed open her shirt. "Anything else?"

"Reward Trunks with progress. He likes the amusement park. He likes the ice cream shop a mile from here." Her skirt pooled to her ankles and her shirt slid off her shoulders. "We're good at compromising, aren't we?"

Vegeta picked up Bulma and pressed her against a wall. Bulma gasped as her spread legs welcomed Vegeta sliding in her. His hot breath fanned her face as he grunted at their union. The sardonic smirk descended on her lips. "We're the best."

Summer break peacefully came and went. When school resumed, Trunks went back to seeing Goten twice a month. He was happy for each visit but one Fall afternoon, Trunks was extra excited. Two hours every day after school and four hours on the weekends training with Vegeta will pay off today. The soreness; the struggles training in 100 times gravity; the sacrifices of playtime; all will pay off with Goten's defeat. When he arrived at Goten's house, it was Trunks who insisted they play in the forest and not with his video games.

"I've been training with my Dad," Trunks bragged as he stretched. "He's made me really strong."

Goten turned his waist. "Momma made me stronger, too."

"Not as strong as my Dad made me."

"Guess we'll see." Goten turned his body towards Trunks with his arms up defensively. Trunks admired his stance. It was good but his Dad taught him a better pose. "I'm ready, Trunks."

"So am I." Trunks smirked. This fight was his. "Go."

Goten, a bit too trusting, struck first. Trunks dodged and blocked Goten's punches, moving his body to the side, bobbing and weaving and looking for an opening. When he found one, he struck hard, punching Goten's stomach. Goten stumbled back in surprise. This excited Trunks.

"Told you," he gloated. "My Dad made me strong."

"Lucky shot," Goten swung his fist again. Trunks swerve to avoid it but caught a side kick to his left side.

Trunks stumbled. He took his goof at being open with stride. "Easy mistake."

The two resumed blocking and striking each other with fists and kicks and a few leg sweeps. They were evenly matched but Trunks felt he had the advantage. His father was the best fighter and teacher and Goten was trained by his Mom. If Gohan taught him, he would be worried of a defeat but Trunks knew this match was his. When Goten slipped up, Trunks took advantage slipping his arms under Goten's and securing them over Goten's neck in a full nelson hold.

"Ow!" Goten cried.

"It's over. I won." Trunks elevated raising himself and Goten off the ground. "My Dad taught me how to fly. Did your Mom?"

"NO!" Goten pulled his arms, trying to break free but Trunks only tightened his grip.

"Better think twice about getting away from me." Trunks hovered twenty feet over the ground. "That's a long drop, Goten. Give and I'll bring us back down."

"No," Goten refused as he fruitlessly kicked his legs.

"Give!" Trunks applied more pressure on Goten's neck. "I don't want to hurt you, but if I have to drop you to win, I will."

"My Momma-"

"You're a half Saiyan. We heal easily. The drop won't break any bones…. but you'll be sore."

"No!" Goten wiggled his arm and kicked his feet frantically. He had to break free. He wasn't going to let Trunks win. "I refuse…. I won't…." Trunks squeezed tighter, stretching the pain in Goten's neck and his arms. Trunks had him. He was too strong for him but Goten didn't want to give up. Something in him refused to yield; something in him grew and renewed strength.

"Give!" Trunks ordered.

"I…. CAN'T!" Goten screamed as a burst of light exploded from him.

"What the…." Trunks' hands broke away as Goten's hair illuminated in a bright, blonde color. He was so shocked by the change he mistakenly released Goten. "Goten!" Shoot! He hadn't meant to really drop him!

But Goten was fine as he flipped and perfectly landed on his feet. Goten stared at the glow illuminating from his body. Trunks returned to the ground. "What the hell?" He pointed at Goten. "What did you do?"

Goten went to a nearby river to see his reflection. "My hair is like Big Brother's sometimes."

"My Dad, too. I asked him about it and he told me I'll find out when it happens to me when I'm older."

Goten giggled. "I'm younger than you and it happened to me! I feel so much stronger like this." Goten flexed his arms, happy with the tiny muscles popping. "And faster, too!" He turned faster than Trunks can blink and punched him across his face. Trunks soared backwards, off his feet with a giant oak tree catching him. "Wow!" Goten awed at the power behind his punch. "This is so cool!" He waited for Trunks to stand before swinging at him. "Let's keep fighting."

Trunks barely dodged before Goten's fist punched the same three he fell against. The tree cracked at the spot of Goten's punch. Both boys watch the tree fall backwards and crashed on the ground with a loud boom.

"Uh-oh!" Goten covered his hands over his mouth. The fresh surge of strength faded returning Goten's hair back to black. "Hey!" Goten pulled a spike of his hair. "What happened?"

Trunks didn't know but he was glad it did happen. "I don't know but if you can do this, I can, too."

Goten waited for Trunks to change. "Do it."

"I can't!" Trunks snapped. "Not now but I will," he promised. No way he'll let Goten be all blonde and shiny and he can't. "My Dad will teach me and I'll stay all blonde and shiny longer than you."

"Goten!" ChiChi called. "Trunks! It's time to come in! Lunch is ready!"

ChiChi stood on the edge of the forest looking for Goten and Trunks. Five minutes later and they haven't returned. She put her hands next to her lips ready to call them again when she saw them running.

"Had fun?"

"Yeah," both boys answered.

ChiChi examined them. "You don't seem too dirty." She dusted dirt off Trunks' shirt and pants with the back of her hands. When she checked on Goten, she noticed her son sweating. "Goten." ChiChi touched his forehead. "You're so warm. What were you doing?"

"Racing!" Trunks blurted. "From a dinosaur." ChiChi turned to him, not seeing the confusion on Goten's face. "Goten was chased by them and running really fast."

ChiChi checked Trunks' forehead. "And how come you're not warm?"

Trunks sheepishly shrugged. "I was ahead of him."

"Hmm," ChiChi frowned at the boys, thinking. Both held their breath as ChiChi scrutinized them with her sharp eyes before relaxing. "Go eat." Trunks ran ahead but ChiChi grabbed Goten by his collar and held him back. Goten worriedly stared at ChiChi as she felt his forehead again. "You probably overworked yourself. Eat lunch and take a nap when you're done."

Goten grinned. "Okay, Momma!" He ran faster to catch up to Trunks. "Why did you lie to Momma?"

"She doesn't need to know." Besides, Trunks didn't want her to know. "No one can until we figure this out."

ChiChi kept an eye on Goten during lunch. He never got a fever. He never got sick. His Saiyan blood protected him from normal illnesses. After lunch, Trunks and Bulma left and Goten took a nap. ChiChi checked on Goten while he napped. This is what Gohan walked in on when he came home.

"Hi, Mom." Gohan put his bookbag on his desk. "What's wrong with Goten?"

"I don't know. He was playing with Trunks when I called them in. He felt warm. He's cooler now but his temperature is still high. Goten said he doesn't feel sick."

"How would he know? He's never been sick." Gohan put his hand on Goten's forehead. "He is warm. What were he and Trunks doing?"

"Trunks said they were chased by a dinosaur but I think something else is going on."

"Knowing those two, it probably is. I'll check the forest." Gohan went to the usual spot he found Goten and Trunks playing. He didn't see dinosaur tracks but he did see a tree broken in half. He looked for other animal tracks but found none and returned home empty-handed. "I didn't see dinosaur tracks, Mom, but there was a tree broken in half. The tree was old. A few of them are in that area. Maybe it fell when they were playing."

"Maybe," ChiChi threaded her fingers in Goten's hair. "But that doesn't explain Goten's temperature."

Goten's temperature returned to normal around dinner time. He acted the same as always but ChiChi was cautious and sent Goten to bed early. She even skipped Goten's training lessons for the next two days. Goten complained but he used the days to practice turning into a Super Saiyan. He thought to ask Gohan but Trunks warning forced his mouth shut.

Two days after his slight fever, Goten and ChiChi were outside to practice martial arts. "I'm glad to be back out training again. I can't wait to show you how much stronger I am."

"Really?" ChiChi smiled knowingly at him. "We haven't trained in four days but I'm guessing you learned something from Trunks." Goten's eyes spread as if he was caught. "I knew something happened when you two were out here."

"Trunks is getting trained by his Daddy now." With ChiChi guessing, Goten didn't think he had to keep quiet about it. "He's really strong now."

"I see." That definitely changed things. She knew her strengths and weaknesses and knew Vegeta excelled hers. He had an advantage to being a Saiyan and knowing more skills. "Wanna show me what you learned?"

Goten scratched his head. "I tried but I don't know how. Me and Trunks were sparring really hard and he got a hold on me. I was stuck and he carried me in the air."

"He can fly?!" Vegeta didn't waste time. "I'll know you're almost as strong as me but I'll spar as hard as I can." ChiChi settled in her fighter's stance. "No mercy."

Goten was on the defensive as ChiChi attacked him. Her punches, chops and kicks were sharp and precise. Before Trunks' visit, Goten had some difficulty following ChiChi's moves but since his change, ChiChi looked slow and her Ki felt so much lower. Momma's not as strong anymore. If I hit Momma, I could hurt her.

"Come on, Goten." ChiChi swiped at him. "Strike back!" Goten didn't and the more he dodged, the more frustrated ChiChi got. "Don't you do this to me!" ChiChi swung her left leg but Goten jumped to avoid it. "You're not stronger than me yet! Fight back!" When Goten jumped to avoid ChiChi's leg, he left himself open for ChiChi's fist to hit his ribcage.

"Stop playing defensive! You let me hit you! Counter, Goten!" But Goten kept up his defense. He put up his arms blocking ChiChi's punch; her elbow to his face; her leg to his back. ChiChi jumped back and push the flying strands from her perfect bun away from her face.

"Seems I have to get serious for you to strike back. I'm gonna do something Daddy taught me. It's gonna hurt but it's for your own good." ChiChi drew her wrists together. "Ka…..me…."

Uh-oh. Goten knew this trick. Gohan did this once. ChiChi hadn't shownd him how to perform this yet but Goten knew what this technique can do and how much damage it unleashed.

"Ha… me…"

Goten tremored at the ball of energy forming in ChiChi's hands. Her Ki went really high! He didn't want to be hit by that! Instinct struck him again; a need to defend; to not lose. It grew but this time he knew he could control it.

"HA!"

As the bright blue ball of light fired on Goten, his hair shot up and changed to blonde again. He felt stronger, faster and no fear towards the massive energy. Goten ran towards it and punched it like a boxer striking the final blow.

The Kamehameha Wave broke in two, splitting in opposite directions with the aftershock sending ChiChi hurdling against a tree. As her body shook from pain, her eyes were shocked at Goten destroying her wave with a single punch. That wasn't the only thing that shocked her. His appearance. His hair was blonde and his eyes were teal. The intensity of Goten's eyes when he retaliated reminded her of another person….one who has been dead for nearly six years. It shook her to her core.

"Momma!" Goten wailed running to ChiChi. "I'm sorry, Momma! I didn't mean to hurt you!"

ChiChi gazed at her frantic and crying son. The blonde hair; the teal eyes. ChiChi's heart pounded wildly against her chest. No, she told herself. It can't be. ChiChi gripped his shoulders; her eyes went up and down over Goten. "You're…. a Super Saiyan."

"A Super Saiyan?"

"How did you do this?" She shook him. "What did you do?!"

Goten shrugged. "I don't know. It just happened. Your Kamewave was coming at me. I reacted. It's like with Trunks. He kept telling me to give up and I wouldn't and it happened."

"Instinct," ChiChi whispered. "Goku said the same thing but you shouldn't be able to do this. You're too young! How can you be a Super Saiyan at five years old?!"

Goten shrugged again. "I don't know."

"Can Trunks turn into a Super Saiyan, too?"

"No, but he says he's gonna!"

"Trunks can't do it but you can. How? Vegeta's training must be tough. So how can Trunks not do it and you…" she suddenly gasped. Her hands covered her mouth and her eyes stretch to their limits as it dawned on her. "No," she shook her head. "No. It can't…. oh my go-" She rubbed her hands back over her face and through her hair where her hands settled on the back of her neck.

"Momma?" Goten poked ChiChi. "Momma? What's wrong?"

ChiChi couldn't answer as her mind drifted to six years ago.

Lips trailed her face and neck and strong hands caressed up and down her body. "Ahh." ChiChi wasn't expecting this type of good morning from Goku. She woke and lied in bed watching the sunrise with the heat of her husband's chest against her back. She moved to get up and start breakfast but that strong Saiyan pulled her back in bed.

Since coming out of the Room of Spirit in Time and kicking Gohan out of the house, Goku has been very attentive and loving to her. ChiChi felt the need stemmed from Goku's too close brush with death by that virus. It scared her, too. When he awakened, he left to train again. It was two days to her but it was a year for him. Since then, he had been eager to make up. ChiChi welcomed it but had concerns.

"Goku…" ChiChi whispered between Goku's kisses. She pressed her hand against his chest, telling Goku to stop. "Are you sure it's safe to do this with you as a Super Saiyan?"

"Why not?" Goku's hand squeezed her thigh. "Is it painful to you?"

"No…. I mean, I'm still getting used to it. It feels good."

"If it feels good to you and it feels good to me, what's wrong?"

"There could be side effects." ChiChi worried as Goku settled himself between her legs. She could feel his hard tip press against her entrance. "Doing something that feels good doesn't mean it can't have bad effects. People smoke because it feels good to them but it can cause them to get really sick if they smoke too much. Ahh!" ChiChi clutched Goku's sides as he pushed into her.

Goku smiled over her. The muscles on his chest flexed as he moved in and out of her. "What kind of side effects can we have when it feels this good?"

A five-year-old Super Saiyan.

Her innocent five-year-old side effect stared at her worriedly. Poor innocent child. "Oh," ChiChi groaned, "you're a punk like your Daddy and Gohan."

"Punk?" Goten repeated. "Is that a good thing?"

ChiChi didn't answer as she thought of Goten's behavior from a couple of days ago. "That's what happened to you. That's why your body felt so warm. It was a reaction to being a Super Saiyan. Your young body isn't used to it."

"What's a Super Saiyan?"

"Something you shouldn't do until you're older."

"Trunks' Daddy said the same thing."

"Trunks can change, too?"

"No, but he wants to."

ChiChi exhaled relieved. "That's one less punk we have to deal with."

"What's a punk, Momma?"

"Goten," ChiChi gripped Goten's shoulders. "You are not to change into a Super Saiyan again."

Never again? But he was starting to control it. "But, Momma….."

"I mean it! No more Super Saiyan!"

Goten jumped. When ChiChi yelled, he listened. "Okay." I guess I made a mistake telling Momma. "I didn't mean to make you mad."

"Oh," ChiChi drew Goten into her arms. "You didn't make me mad. You did something you're not ready for."

"When will I be ready?"

Never in ChiChi's mind. "Let's not think about that now. Let's go home."

As they walked home, ChiChi debated if there should be anymore lessons. When they returned home, she knew there will be. Goten surpassed her but there were things he still had to learn before she turns him over to Gohan. She kept an eye on Goten the rest of the afternoon. She even had him take another nap. Gohan walked in on ChiChi taking Goten's temperature again.

"Hi, Mom." Gohan noticed ChiChi checking Goten's temperature. "Is Goten sick again?"

"No," ChiChi removed her hand from Goten's forehead. "We had a lesson and I wanted to be cautious but Goten's just fine. He's.. perfectly normal." For a Super Saiyan.

"….. and two pounds of natto beans." ChiChi wrote down the final food on her list. She handed it and the money to Gohan.

Gohan pocket the list and money. "I'll be back as soon I can, Mom. I want to skin that boar so you can cook it tonight."

While ChiChi went on to finish lunch, Bulma watched Gohan leave. From the kitchen window, she saw him talk to Goten and Trunks before jumping on Nimbus and flying off. "I'm starting to feel old. I can't believe Gohan's fifteen. He's so tall and his voice has finally settled. He definitely grew up to be cute like his Dad."

ChiChi lightly tapped Bulma's forehead with a carrot. "You had Yamcha and now you have Vegeta. Stay away from my son."

"Ha. Ha." Bulma feigned a laugh. "There's been so many changes in the years. Gohan and Trunks are in school." She looked over at 18 playing flashcards with Marron. "Marron's walking and talking. Goten's…." She glanced out the window. Goten chased a butterfly. "He's not in school but he's growing."

"Goten has the same correspondence lessons I gave Gohan though I don't give him as much as I gave Gohan."

Bulma had a feeling as to why. "Because he's not smart like Gohan?"

ChiChi brushed off the insinuation as she arranged lunch on the serving tray. "Goten's smart but he's not like Gohan. Gohan seemed so advance as a child I thought he was a prodigy so I encouraged it. I didn't know part of his advanced development is due to him being half Saiyan but Gohan loves learning. He's a sponge and takes more initiative in learning things."

"That's definitely not Goten." Bulma checked on her son and Goten. She saw Trunks chasing Goten into the forest again. "Trunks isn't a country boy but he does like being out here with Goten. What are those two doing when they run off into the forest?"

ChiChi placed a tray of sandwiches, crackers and dip and fruit salad in small bowls on the kitchen table. "They are probably exploring." ChiChi went to the refrigerator for the iced tea. "Or playing with the animals."

"You mean get chased by dinosaurs." Bulma sat across from 18 who settled Marron in her seat. She remembered what happened last time with Trunks returning with dirty, torn clothes. Goten had splotches of dirt but he wasn't dirty like Trunks.

"Goten loves playing with them. Most of them are harmless."

"Except the one that chased them." Bulma grabbed an empty plate and added food from the lunch tray. "I'm surprised at you, ChiChi."

ChiChi sat down. "For what?"

"You let Goten run around, get chased by dinosaurs when you coddled Gohan. He was afraid of his shadow when I met him."

"Gohan was four."

"And Goten's five."

"What's your point?" 18 filled Marron's plate with sliced fruit, crackers and homemade hummus spread. As one who was protective of ChiChi, it sounded like criticism towards her friend and 18 wouldn't stand for it.

"You weren't around but ChiChi was overprotective of Gohan. It's weird to see her loosen up." Bulma chewed her sandwich. "Now I'm a Mom, I understand ChiChi protesting over Gohan fighting but she always had Gohan's head in the books. She's not like that with Goten. He's always playing and going into the forest by himself."

ChiChi dropped a heaping spoonful of spread on her crackers. "Gohan played when his lessons were done. He went into the forest a lot looking for Goku. I don't worry too much about Goten because he's not skittish like Gohan was. I'm learning to relax and find a good balance between school and play with Goten."

"And make him a mini Goku," Bulma teased with a wink as she bit into her sandwich again. "This is really good, ChiChi."

"Wait." ChiChi wasn't letting Bulma carry on without explaining herself. "A mini Goku?"

"Goten is." Bulma was very matter of fact about it. "There's nothing wrong with that. It was tough losing Goku and we all found ways to cope."

18 shrugged cluelessly where Bulma was going with this where ChiChi had an idea but didn't like it. "You think I'm making Goten a mini Goku because I've eased back on his lessons?"

"And you style Goten's hair like Goku's."

"I don't-" 18 was completely lost. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Full blood Saiyan's hair doesn't change from birth. Half Saiyan's hair grows and ChiChi kept Goten's hairstyle like Goku's. Goku's death was harder on ChiChi more than anyone."

18 mouthed 'Wow' while ChiChi stared at Bulma stunned. Seconds ticked as ChiChi took in what Bulma implied. She exhaled and squeezed the bridge of her nose. "Bulma, you keep Trunks' hairstyle the same as his future counterpart. Are you coping?"

18 stifled a laugh while Marron fed herself a grape. "No," Bulma stammered flustered. "It's just a style and it's not the same. My Trunks and the other are the same person."

"Physically," ChiChi agreed. "Not in personality. The other Trunks was well-mannered and mature."

"My Trunks is well-mannered!"

"Is he?" 18 questioned as she fed Marron a sliced kiwi. "I didn't know it's well-mannered to ask if a child has a nose."

ChiChi dropped her napkin. She looked at Bulma unaware this happened. "He didn't."

"Last year, Bulma brought some clothes for Marron. Trunks asked where's her nose and how does she smell. He even waved a cookie under where her nose should be."

Bulma knew it sounded bad but she defended her son. "Oh, come on! Trunks is a kid and they don't have a filter."

"Gohan and Goten never said that to Marron."

It was almost a gloat from ChiChi and that irritated Bulma. "This isn't about that!"

"You're right." 18 scooped a cracker on the dip. Marron licked her lips anticipating the food. "This is about you accusing ChiChi of making her son a copy of her dead husband because of their hairstyle when you're doing the same with Trunks and his future counterpart."

"I-" As much as she hated to admit it, they were right. Bulma crossed her arms at the women. "I hate when you double team me like this." And yet, she couldn't be mad because 18 and ChiChi were right. She could say and do whatever she wanted and no one said anything except Vegeta. It was kind of nice there were others who didn't let her get away with everything. Just as long as they didn't do it all the time. She wanted honesty but even she had her limits. "But I haven't changed Trunks' hairstyle either." She shrugged realizing how foolish she sounded accusing ChiChi of something she's doing. "Maybe I was projecting because I sometimes wish Trunks did act like his future self."

"Trunks is only six." ChiChi tried to lift Bulma's spirits. "Maybe he'll grow into that mature young man."

"One can hope but with me and Vegeta raising him," Bulma ruefully laugh, "I'm not sure. Trunks does admire Gohan so maybe with his influence there's hope." Bulma turned to 18. "And I'm sorry about Trunks. He shouldn't have said that about Marron."

"Actually, it might have been a good thing. At Marron's next checkup, I asked Dr. Barkley about it. She wondered about it, too, and has been keeping a record of Marron's progress since birth."

"Yup," ChiChi remembered the reports the doctor kept on Goku and Gohan. "That's Dr. Barkley."

"She showed me x-rays on Marron's first year and recently with the second and noticed a difference around the structure of her nose. There is a change. She has to keep monitoring but she believes Marron's nose will grow out. Krillin was really happy to hear that. He's hung up on that and her height." She cut Marron's sandwich in quarters and gave her a piece. "I'm hung up on important things."

Bulma was curious. "What things?"

"One of these days, I have to tell Marron the truth about me and her uncle; how we are artificial humans and may live forever…..how I really met her Daddy."

Those talks were a worry for ChiChi, too. She will have them with Goten one day. "Marron's only two. I'm sure you'll find the right words to say when it's time."

"That living forever talk can wait until Marron's grown." Bulma refilled her fruit cup. "She doesn't need to know the other stuff."

"Krillin and I met because of Cell and Marron will find out about the Cell in the schoolbooks." 18 didn't want her daughter to know but she knew the consequences were worse if she didn't tell her. "I want her to know the truth."

"Tell Marron you and Krillin met at the mall after the Cell Game. It's not a lie."

"It's not the full truth either."

"She's right, Bulma." ChiChi supported this. "It's not pretty but Marron should know. Gohan knows everything. Goten knows Goku died saving us but he doesn't know Cell killed him. When he's older, I will tell him."

"Goten doesn't need to know that and Gohan was in the middle of everything. If you could've prevented Gohan from knowing he's half Saiyan, Raditz, the Saiyan race and Freeza, you would."

"Maybe but I would've been wrong like you were wrong keeping the truth from Goku he could turn into a giant ape."

"We were protecting him!"

"That protection could've cost me and Gohan our lives if Raditz never came."

"And that's why I want to tell Marron. ChiChi's experience with you keeping things from her is why Marron needs to know."

"No, no," Bulma shook her hands and head, refusing to accept this. "No one needs to know anything. If you tell your kids, Trunks will find out. He doesn't need to know what type of man Vegeta was. They are finally spending time together. They are training together and Trunks is so happy. Vegeta is, too. The truth may ruin it."

ChiChi understood Bulma's reluctance. There were more black marks over him than anyone but she knew it would be bad if Trunks doesn't know. "What if Vegeta tells him his past?"

"Vegeta won't do that." Bulma was certain of that. "He left it up to me to tell Trunks about him and I told Trunks his Daddy was a prince of a faraway land that no longer exists. It's not a lie."

Half-truth. ChiChi almost rolled her eyes. Bulma was too good with that. "But it's not the full truth."

"It's all Trunks needs to know. Vegeta has put his evil past behind him. He's not that man anymore. He's focused on his life with me and Trunks. Telling Goten what Vegeta used to be will hurt Trunks. Why would you wanna do that? He's an innocent boy."

"Bulma, I understand you want to protect Trunks from knowing the awful things Vegeta did, but remember what happened when you kept the truth from Goku turning into a giant ape. You thought you were protecting Goku but he found out anyway—by Vegeta when he was a terrible person. I was in the hospital when Goku told me everything. Don't do that to Trunks," ChiChi pleaded. "If you don't want to tell, have Vegeta do it. He can make Trunks understand."

Bulma stood. She wasn't going to listen to this. "He's my son and I'll do what I want! He doesn't need to know. Vegeta's past doesn't need to be brought up when he's put it behind him! If you were me, you would do the same thing." Bulma stormed out and slammed the door. Bulma could be heard yelling for Trunks to come back so they can go home.

"Wow," 18 said again. "Is it me or does someone not named Trunks has an issue with knowing the truth and wants to forget about it?"

ChiChi was glad 18 said it and not her.

Gohan sat outside the principal's office nervously. He didn't know what he did wrong. School was going well for him. He excelled in his homework and tests. He got an A for each assignment. He felt proud for being ahead. All the lessons he's had, Gohan already covered that in his correspondence lessons when he homeschooled with ChiChi. To keep himself from being bored, Gohan studied the next chapters in all his classes. His teachers praised his work ethic so he didn't understand when his homeroom teacher suggested a meeting with the principal and his mother. From her tone, Gohan didn't get the impression it was a good thing.

As if on cue, ChiChi and Goten entered the waiting room. ChiChi spoke to the secretary and took a seat next to Gohan. "Mom, what's going on?" Gohan whispered.

"I don't know." ChiChi was equally confused. "I got a call from the school that I need to speak to your principal and teacher. What happened?"

"Mrs. Son? Gohan?" The principal stood in the doorway. Mother and son rose and entered the principal office.

In the office, was Gohan's homeroom teacher, Mrs. Shaw. There were two other seats in front of Principal Daly's desk. ChiChi sat in one with Goten on her lap and Gohan took the seat next to her. "I want to begin this meeting letting you know Gohan didn't do anything wrong. He's a bright, young man. He's very well-mannered, courteous to his classmates and teachers. He's an excellent student. He gets As on his homework, his tests and is always ahead."

ChiChi was very pleased to hear that. When she asked about school, Gohan always gave her one-word answers. "Gohan is very smart and I always encourage him to be ahead."

"Gohan's in the library every day doing his homework. He borrows a book and returns it in two days."

That sounded like her Gohan. "Gohan's a fast reader. He can read a five-hundred-page book in a day."

Her praise did more harm than good as Principal Daly's frowned. "I've studied Gohan's standardized test scores. I've talked with him about what he wants to do and I've concluded it will be wrong of us to keep Gohan in our school. He's too advanced and he's not being challenged. Gohan has a fascinating mind that needs to be nurtured and stimulated. Gohan won't get that here. In this community, most of the kids here are going to be teachers, farmers or work in the local shops so our education is limited."

"I concur with Principal Daly," Mrs. Shaw spoke. "I spoke with Gohan's other teachers and he's always two or three lessons ahead of everyone. We tried to get Gohan to focus on the current lessons but he gets bored so we've no choice but to encourage him to study ahead."

Even with his one-word answers of his day, ChiChi assumed Gohan was fond of school. He never shared any of what his teacher and principal were telling her. "Is this true, Gohan?"

Gohan lowered his head ashamed and fearing he might get a scolding. "Yes, but I don't disturb anyone."

"No. You isolate yourself from everyone." Mrs. Shaw saw it and felt it wasn't good for Gohan. "During recess where other kids are engaging in sports, you go to the library. After what happened the first week, I understand but-"

"First week?" ChiChi interrupted. "What happened the first week?"

Mrs. Shaw was as surprised as ChiChi. She thought she knew. The embarrassed blush on Gohan's face told her he didn't tell anyone. "He tried soccer. He kicked the ball so hard he put a hole in the goal. Gohan excels in track and swim but he finishes his races so far ahead of everyone it's not a real competition. We can't have him on our teams. It wouldn't be fair competition."

Gohan kept his head down; afraid to look at ChiChi. "Gohan's father was very athletic. He has natural talent and shouldn't be excluded from competition because of that."

"But would it be fair if Gohan plays with other students in a competitive way when we all know he will win every time?" Principal Daly questioned. "It may hurt the morale of the students who are trying their hardest to win."

ChiChi knew they were right about Gohan's athleticism. At her father's village, Gohan's skills were embraced but they knew Gohan defeated Cell. In Hoyt, where everyone thought Cell was defeated by Mr. Satan, they didn't know and might eventually resent Gohan. "So," ChiChi shifted the topic, "if this school isn't adequate for Gohan, what do you think we should do?"

"I've researched nearby schools but there are none in districts around Mount Paozu that will give Gohan what he needs. Gohan will have to attend school outside the district. Hopefully, it won't be too expensive."

"Expensive? You want me to send Gohan to a private school where I have to pay?"

"No. Gohan can go to a public school where his educational needs are met. Each district provides free education to students living in the district. Wherever Gohan goes, he will be outside the district and will have to pay."

ChiChi schooled her expression to not show worry. Aware of her father's finances, ChiChi knew she had to be cautious about spending too much. "Gohan's very smart. I expect Gohan to attend college on a scholarship. Are scholarships provided for students attending high schools outside the districts?"

"There are exceptions; a discount in the tuition if the entrance scores are acceptable but no free ride," Principal Daly dashed ChiChi's hopes. "If you're looking for something free, you can always move to the school district."

"We don't need to do that," Gohan blurted to everyone's surprise. He quietly listened to his mother, teacher and principal speak on the future of his education but the idea of moving to achieve that forced Gohan to voice his opinion. "We have a home and if it's too far for Mom to drive me, I can fly. We have money to afford school. My Grandpa's-"

"Gohan!" ChiChi tried to hush her son.

"Mom, we don't need to move!"

Gohan's outburst shocked Mrs. Shaw and Mr. Daly. They never heard him raise his voice before but moving touched a nerve. "Instead of uprooting Gohan to a new school immediately, I suggest returning Gohan home for another year. It'll also give you time to properly research the best school for Gohan. Maybe you won't have to move."

"I'm okay with that," Gohan agreed to the idea.

Of course he was. It meant not discussing the idea of moving which Gohan still had a problem with. Five years ago, ChiChi understood. Goku's death was still fresh but it's been five years. She thought he softened on that idea. Maybe I shouldn't have given in to him.

"Momma," Goten cock his head up at ChiChi, "does this means Gohan doesn't have to leave the house anymore?"

"Looks like it." Not that she had a choice in the matter. The school couldn't provide Gohan with what he needed. Returning him to homeschool was the best option until she found the right school. "Gohan, we'll let you say goodbye to your friends and wait for you in the truck."

"I don't have any friends. I mean," he explained catching the worry in ChiChi's eyes, "I talked to some of the kids but we weren't friends. Not like Piccolo and Krillin."

And that was another problem. ChiChi didn't mind them but they were tied to Goku. ChiChi wanted Gohan to find his own friends. "I see. I still think you should say goodbye to your classmates and teachers in case they wonder why they won't see you anymore."

"I do have to clear my locker," Gohan admitted. "Guess I can do that." He bowed before his teacher and principal, thank them for the opportunity and left.

ChiChi bowed before the teacher and principal. She thanked them for educating Gohan as best they could while internally worrying about how she can provide Gohan with the education he deserves.

"….. and when Capsule Corp upgraded all their computers, we donated the previous models to schools instead of throwing them away. It's a great tax write off and I saved one for your family, ChiChi. A computer will help Gohan with his studies. He can get a lot of research done on the Internet instead of the library. It'll put him on the same playing field as other high school kids. They all have computers."

A computer was something ChiChi wanted to give Gohan for his birthday but with her Dad draining funds, ChiChi held off on making expensive purchases. Gohan dropped hints on how a computer will help him and it would be beneficial for the entire family. ChiChi pretended to not get his hints and now wondered if Gohan said something to Bulma during his recent visit to see Trunks.

"Wow," Goten awed at Gohan's fingers tapping the keys and words appearing on the screen. He pointed at his name being typed. "That's my name. How do you put it on the screen, Big Brother?"

"By typing. I can even show you how."

"Would you?"

As Gohan taught Goten how to type, ChiChi and Bulma stepped outside. Bulma pulled out a cigarette from her gold cigarette case. They haven't talked since that lunch. Gohan brought Goten with him to visit Trunks but Bulma coming here with the computer ChiChi saw as a peace offering.

"Thank you for the computer and printer, Bulma," ChiChi told Bulma as she lit up her cigarette. "Did Gohan tell you he wanted a computer?"

"No, but Gohan always uses the computer when he visits. I asked him why you never got him one since he's really good with it but he thought you weren't interested. He said you told him he can find whatever he needs in books at the library."

She said that but ChiChi didn't mean it. She wasn't in tune with technology like Bulma but ChiChi knew enough to understand computers were changing the world and how beneficial they were. She couldn't afford one.

"You might not think computers are a big deal, ChiChi, but Gohan will need this for high school and college. It can help you, too." Bulma sucked the white stick and exhaled white puffs of smoke. "You can save a lot of time researching schools for Gohan on the computer instead of going to a library."

"I'll do that… once Gohan teaches me how those search engines work but thank you again. It's a generous gift."

Bulma blew smoke away from ChiChi. "I didn't do all this to show how generous I am. I kinda wanna apologize for how I acted at lunch a few weeks ago."

"Bulma, I know from experience secrets always come out. It's not good keeping them despite having the best intentions."

"I know." Bulma inhaled again. "We screwed it up with you and Goku but in this case, there's no point in Goten and Trunks knowing. There are no new enemies or unknown family coming to expose anything. Everything is peaceful now and bringing up the past will just bring up bad memories. I don't want that for Vegeta. He's been through enough."

ChiChi felt she was getting to the root of the problem. "He told you about his past."

Bulma smoked her cigarette until it was a nub. She dropped the bud on the grass and snuffed out the smoke with her shoe. "He hasn't. I tried but Vegeta's still closes off by his past. I stop prying and he seems less grumpy so I know bringing it up again will bring up things about himself he wants to forget. He wants to move on and if not talking about it makes him happy, I'll do that."

ChiChi sympathized but didn't agree with Bulma's decision. Her own experience with secrets always drove her to know the truth.

"You know," Bulma pulled out a new cigarette to light, "I love that arrogant idiot."

"Vegeta?"

Bulma smirked. "Who else?" She inhaled smoke from the fresh cigarette. "It's unconventional how we got together. A fling resulting in a pregnancy he ran from. I should've had nothing to do with him after that and not saving us when Dr. Gero tried to kill me and baby Trunks but I couldn't let go. Something in me wouldn't."

ChiChi knew that feeling. She felt it with Goku. "Love will do that to you."

"Love and something else." Bulma sighed. "I broke up with Yamcha several times; most times because I overreacted but with Vegeta, I can't let go no matter what he does. He'll anger me, isolate me but then he does things that show he wants a relationship. It's small stuff and it's enough for me to show he's trying. If Yamcha did that, it wouldn't be enough but with Vegeta, it is. I've never felt this way before, ChiChi." She smoked again. "Was it the same for you and Goku?"

Completely. "Yeah." ChiChi looked upward thinking of Goku and thinking he's smiling down at her with his innocent grin. "There were things Goku did I wouldn't put up with anyone else but that smile…. those looks Goku gave me and no one else… that Saiyan masculinity." She could close her eyes and picture herself with Goku in happier times; picture him kissing her; holding her as they slept; above her sweating, rubbing his slick body against hers as he moved in and out of her. The image brought heat to her cheeks. "Once you get a Saiyan in you, it gets in your blood and ruins you for anyone else."

"That dick is powerful," Bulma agreed. Like ChiChi, her mind was elsewhere. "And the way Vegeta uses it." She sucked her cigarette hard pretending it was her mouth on his dick. She slowly exhaled smoke from her lips. "If Goku was the same way, no wonder you couldn't move on with Kenji."

Mentioning Kenji was like cold water being dumped on her. She didn't know if she should be thankful or angry right now. "Saiyans," ChiChi mused.

"Yeah…. Saiyans." Bulma was still in her fantasy. She suddenly dropped her half-finished cigarette and rubbed it out. "I gotta go home! There's something I gotta do! Bye, ChiChi!" Bulma sprinted to her airship and flew off so fast, it left no doubt what she was rushing home to do.

Laughs and shrieks were heard from Goten as he cannonballed in the pool at Gyu-Mao's castle with his grandpa cheering him on. It was early spring and not hot enough for a regular dip in the pool but Goten couldn't resist swimming in his Grandpa's pool whenever the weather permitted. After being cooped at home during a long and cold winter, ChiChi felt Goten deserved to enjoy the outdoors now the seasons were changing.

"Where's Gohan?" Gyu-Mao climbed his large body out of the pool. He dried himself with his thick towel that was as big as a bedsheet. Dry, he dropped the soggy towel by the pool's edge and joined ChiChi at the patio where the staff arrived with lunch. He grabbed his robe off his chair. "I thought I was having lunch with both my grandsons."

"Gohan has to study for entrance exams into Orange Star High School."

Gyu-Mao tied the belt of his robe. "It's almost April, ChiChi. I thought entrance exams were in February."

"They are but Bulma gave us a computer. It's helped me research schools for Gohan. I've studied several and I think Orange Star High is the best for Gohan that's closest to Mount Paozu. I filled out an out of district form. It was very detailed and inquiring of personal information and why Gohan should attend. It took them six weeks before they got back to me. I think they would've rejected my application if Bulma didn't talk to the Superintendent and Principal. Capsule Corporation donated computers to the school. She cashed in on a favor. They will accept Gohan if he passes the exams."

"Ah," Gyu-Mao settled in his chair. "Where's that school?"

"Satan City. About 500 miles from here."

Gyu-Mao whistled. "That's pretty far. Why wasn't the school in Hoyt good enough? He did very good there."

Too good. "Gohan's too advanced for that school. The principal felt they will be holding Gohan back. Gohan's expressed interest in sciences for his career. The high school in Hoyt doesn't have a good science program but Orange Star in Satan City does."

Gyu-Mao rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "I know the schooling in our village stops at 16. Anyone wanting more education go to other towns. It's still within the district issue so no one has to pay."

ChiChi knew where her father was going with this. "Satan City is outside the district. It's a public school but I still have to pay a fee for Gohan to attend."

"Can't Bulma cover that?" Gyu-Mao reached into his cooler for a can of chilled beer. "She talked them into allowing Gohan to take those tests."

"I can't, Dad, or she'll know about our money problems. I want to keep that in the family. I don't want handouts or pitying from them." ChiChi sighed. "You know they will say something if they know we're going broke."

"I don't think they will." Gyu-Mao had a different viewpoint. "Before Goku died, I would agree but they've all changed since then."

That was true but ChiChi didn't want the pitying looks or slip of the tongue someone will make. "The only way to avoid paying a fee is moving to Satan City but I can't do that."

"Because of Gohan's refusal to move?" Gyu-Mao guessed. "I can talk to him."

ChiChi wished that were the problem. "It's more money to move all of us, Dad. On Mount Paozu, the only money I need is for food, clothes and basic essentials. If I move to Satan City, I'll need to pay for rent, electric and water bills on top of food, and I'll definitely need to get a job."

Gyu-Mao crushed his empty can of beer and reached for another. It would be more expensive to move so Gohan can attend school for free. It will be a dip in his money but his grandson needed this. "How much will you have to pay Orange Star High School?"

"5,000 zeni… a year."

The unopened can of beer crushed in Gyu-Mao's hand. Suds of alcohol dripped on his hand and the table. "Gohan has two more years of high school. ChiChi, that's ten thousand zeni!"

"I know. I know." ChiChi was shocked at the fee when she researched the school. She casually mentioned it to Bulma but she was unmoved by the number. She thought it was cheap and talked of how much her college tuition tripled that.

"ChiChi, you know the treasures are dwindling. I'm stretching as much as I can."

And she was doing her part asking only what she needed. Selling Kenji's gifts saved her from borrowing from her Dad for a few months. "I know but this is really important for Gohan's future. He needs to get into this school. It's a lot of money but I've been thinking of ways to make my own money. If I can make this work, I can start paying you back next year."

"You don't have to pay me back for anything. I want to pay for Gohan's schooling but it will put me in a big hole." Gyu-Mao didn't have his financial books in front of him but he knew what paying 20,000 zeni would do. "I'm gonna run out of money in the middle of Gohan's senior year."

It was a big problem but as ChiChi stated, she had a plan. "When I visited Mrs. Lupp, I saw all her land and it got me thinking about all the land on Mount Paozu. I can farm so much there and sell the food at the market and use some for myself in my own business."

"Business?"

ChiChi heard the trepidation in her father's voice but she needed only to convince him. It was a good plan she thought. "I won't be able to get things started until this summer but I want to start a catering business. I've got years of large cooking experience for my husband and sons. I can do parties of 20, 50 or even 100 easily."

Gyu-Mao bristled at the idea of his daughter working but when his money runs out, ChiChi will need to do something. "Starting a business won't be easy, ChiChi. Who will you cater to? How will these people find out about you?"

"Bulma told me Capsule Corporation hosting events. I can cook for them. Catering for Capsule Corporations will introduce me to clients and give me more work. Yamcha's pretty famous, too. If he hosts a party, it can introduce me to other people."

"But won't they ask you why you suddenly want to work?"

ChiChi had an answer for that, too. "I'll tell them I need to prepare for my future. Gohan's almost on his own and before I know it, Goten will be, too. In fact, I think I will enroll Goten in school next year. I think it'll do him good to be around other kids besides Trunks and I'll need something when they are gone. Farming and catering will keep me busy."

It was a very ambitious plan and Gyu-Mao felt ChiChi was putting too much on herself. Farming is a lot of work. Starting up a business is a lot of work. Doing both at the same time would be insane. ChiChi'll need large equipment for the farm; a new vehicle to carry the food she'll cater; special equipment to keep the food hot or cold as she travel hundreds of miles from her home to places like West City for her business. It was too much and Gyu-Mao worried ChiChi will burn herself out.

"Forget about the fee to send Gohan to Orange Star. Keep homeschooling him. If he's overqualified to attend school in Hoyt, he can be overqualified to attend school at Orange Star."

ChiChi read up on Orange Star. She knew all her homeschooling will never over qualify Gohan. "I asked Gohan what field of study he wants to focus on. He keeps fluctuating on what his profession will be but he knows wants to study in the science field. No amount of my homeschool will prepare him for that. Orange Star has an excellent science program. Gohan has so much potential, Dad. He needs to be around people who will broaden his worldview. He needs to be around people who know him more than just being Goku's son. He needs his own circle of friends, too. He can't do that if he's only around me, our village and Goku's friends all the time."

Once again, Gyu-Mao conceded his daughter had a point but there was a downside to this plan. "This also means Gohan has to hide who he is. If you want Gohan around the city folks, Gohan can't be himself. He had trouble at Hoyt High School with his skills."

It was an unfortunate price since ChiChi never wanted Gohan to hide who he is. "Maybe if that idiot Mr. Satan didn't dismiss flying and Ki, it wouldn't be an impossible concept. Goku did all of that in the tournaments. Now people think it was special effects and light shows."

"Yeah," Gyu-Mao hated what Mr. Satan created with his lies. The whole world was deluded into thinking that conman was a hero. "He has made a mess of things but not everyone believes him. Some of the former fighters like Giran and King Chappa questioned it but without any evidence, they haven't come forward. They want to expose him."

"How do you know this?" Her father never entered those tournaments, and as far as she knew, never had contact with the names he mentioned.

"Master Roshi told me. Some time ago, he and Tien were invited to a meeting between former winners and competitors of the Tenkaichi Budokai. Only Master Roshi went. Some of the former fighters think Mr. Satan is bringing dishonor to the sport of martial arts and exploiting it for his financial gain."

ChiChi snorted. "They are just now realizing this?"

"There hasn't been a tournament since the one he won before the Cell Game. Some of the former fighters think it was rigged for Mr. Satan to win and he's preventing another one in fear of being exposed by a real fighter."

Mr. Satan. Just hearing his name pissed off ChiChi. Seven years and her feelings towards the con artist haven't changed. "With the way he stole credit of the Cell Game and made money off it, I don't put anything past him. I didn't even know there was another tournament until those days before the Cell Game where he was all over the TV proclaiming he will beat Cell."

"A lot of people didn't know, ChiChi. Former fighters like Giran and King Chappa didn't learn of it until after it was over."

ChiChi sipped her tea puzzled. "How? There hasn't been one since Goku and Piccolo's fight ten years before. Its return must've been all over the news and magazines."

"It wasn't," Gyu-Mao corrected ChiChi. "Normally, news spread in dojos and local TV but it wasn't based on Giran and King Chappa's research. They learned only a few dojos and wrestling arenas knew of it."

"Wrestling arenas?" ChiChi's turned her nose up. "Aren't those wrestling matches choreographed?"

"Some are and Mr. Satan's background is wrestling. The rumors are he talked the tournament chairman into bringing it back and financed most of it."

"Financed?" ChiChi gripped the handle of her teacup so tightly it almost cracked. "You're telling me he bought his championship?!"

"Not exactly but he set it up where he had a strong chance of winning. All the dojos and arenas who received a flyer of the tournament were places where Mr. Satan trained at or visited."

The pieces were coming together. "So he knew his competition."

Gyu-Mao confirmed with a nod. "He even talked the chairmen into creating a junior division for his kid."

"Let me guess. He won."

"Actually, she did. Never got her name. King Chappa didn't consider it important but there were fifty participants in this tournament."

"Fifty? That's less than the one I entered. So, he rigged it where competitors he knew he could beat enter the tournament and those who could defeat him couldn't?" ChiChi slammed her cup down so hard, it cracked and tea spilled on the table. "And the Cell Game perfectly comes along where he capitalizes on my Goku's sacrifice and Gohan's hard work! That rotten scum! If I ever meet him face to face, I will kick his ass!"

Gyu-Mao put a finger to his lips. He glanced over at Goten swimming. He hadn't noticed his mother's outburst. "Others share your anger. They didn't need Master Roshi to confirm Goku died at the Cell Game. They already knew but unless you come forward about the Cell Game, nothing can be done. You're the only one who can expose him, ChiChi."

That harsh truth zapped some of ChiChi's anger. "If I didn't have Gohan and Goten to protect, I would do it. It just makes me so angry he's getting away with his lies and no one knows the truth. They blindly believe him, Dad!"

"It doesn't reflect good on the world how they believed Mr. Satan without proof but that's human nature. Karma will come back on Mr. Satan," Gyu-Mao promised.

ChiChi wiped away the mess she created. "I would love to have front row seats to that. We could definitely use some of the money Mr. Satan is making off Goku and Gohan."

Gyu-Mao sighed glumly. A sliver of Mr. Satan's money would solve all their problems. "I know."

"There's another reason I wanted to talk to you," ChiChi shifted the topic. "I thought about Gohan and how he will marry soon and start a family."

"Soon? He's so young."

ChiChi nearly laughed at the irony. "Dad, you were trying to marry me off to potential suitors when I was his age."

"That was different. You're a girl and girls in our village usually marry at your age and you were hung up on Goku. I worry he wouldn't return. Besides, your dreams were of being a wife and mother."

"I wanted to do more but you kept reminding me girls my age finish school at 16 and wait to marry. Only the boys left to further their education." It was an old-fashioned idea that was changing in recent years. "I'm glad some of the girls in this village are leaving to pursue more education, too."

That last remark stung Gyu-Mao. He hadn't an idea ChiChi longed for more education for herself. He also conceded he was too focused on his dreams for ChiChi to care. "I expected you to be Queen of this village. The only education you needed was from me but you and Goku left."

Years later and ChiChi's decision was still a sore spot. Being a ruler wasn't what ChiChi wanted at the time. She had dreams of going to school but it was stunted by her father where he instilled in her to be a wife and mother. Being away with Goku gave her a sense of freedom she never felt she would've gotten if she stayed but now she felt differently.

"One day I'll be an empty nester. Gohan and Goten will have families and I'll be alone like you. Mount Paozu is beautiful but it can be very empty when you're there alone. I don't know how Goku survived all those years by himself. I barely coped being there when Goku was dead and Gohan was kidnapped but I've spent this last year thinking about everything: my life; yours; how much you sacrifice so I can have my dream and the responsibilities I ran from when I married Goku. I think I'm ready to accept them."

"ChiChi?" Gyu-Mao needed ChiChi to say it. He didn't want to get his hopes up. "What are you saying?"

"I want to rule this village as Queen when you are gone."

"ChiChi." Gyu-Mao pushed down the excitement threatening to burst. "Are you sure? You didn't want this for years."

"I was barely 18, young in love and wanted to focus on me and my husband. I wasn't ready for the responsibility of ruling a village. I didn't think I could do it but after my experiences with Goku, our sons, I am now. I needed to go through all I have to know I can be Queen."

No one experienced the pain and hardship ChiChi has. Gyu-Mao wished ChiChi hadn't but if this was the outcome of all of ChiChi's suffering, it was a wonderful blessing in disguise. "Does this mean you'll move back into the castle?"

"Yes, but not now." ChiChi thought of Gohan. "When Gohan goes to college, I'll move. Until then, I'll catch up on your current duties and with my farming or catering, I can begin to bring money into the kingdom."

This joyous decision brought tears to Gyu-Mao's eyes. He had given up hope of this day happening. "We must celebrate this. We'll have a party and special ceremony to acknowledge the return of your title. It will be an investiture."

An investiture? ChiChi imagined the parade and celebrations tied to one and knowing her father, he'll go big on the celebrations. "Your money is running out. The investiture will be costly."

"Expensive but worth it and we'll budget wisely. You need this, ChiChi. You deserve this. This is a special moment for you and our kingdom. You can't say no to this if you want to rule one day."

ChiChi could say no but she knew her father would fight her on this until she changes her mind. "Okay, but let's keep it as a small celebration."

Gohan was very happy ChiChi and Goten left to give him time to study alone. He loved his younger brother but he was a distraction and Gohan was nervous about these exams. He researched Orange Star High School. It was more advanced than the high school in Hoyt and the science programs were the best in the region; only second to the schools in West City.

He finished studying an hour early and used that time to surprise ChiChi with dinner. ChiChi had the fish and wild boar seasoned and prepared before she left. Gohan got the grill outside ready for the fish and cooked the boar in the oven while he prepared side dishes of steamed vegetables, rice and bread.

"How's Grandpa?" Gohan asked his stunned mother and happy brother when they returned home.

"Good but you didn't have to do this."

Gohan neatly chopped the vegetables for the steamer. "I finished my studies. I wanted to do this."

ChiChi opened the oven door to check the boar. She baste it again before closing the oven door. She went to Gohan, took the knife out of his hand and brushed him aside so she can finish chopping the vegetables. It was her way of letting Gohan know she appreciated this but she will take over.

"Grandpa is good. We had a nice talk." She hesitated to mention the big news but she knew she only had a short window to tell him before Goten blabbed it. "There will be a ceremony at Grandpa's castle next Saturday."

"Ceremony?" Gohan tried to think of what's coming up. "I know we have the Spring Festival coming up. Hopefully, Grandpa remembers to order the rides in time but there's no special ceremony tied to it."

"No, this has nothing to do with the festival." ChiChi wanted to cancel the Spring Festival because of the cost of the investiture but her father wanted both. She had no idea how they will pay for both without eroding the money even faster. "I will have an investiture."

"Investiture?" Gohan wasn't familiar with that word.

"Momma's gonna be a Princess again!" Goten blurted.

"Princess?" Gohan took the news with mild shock. "What's Goten talking about?"

ChiChi was impressed Goten held out as long as he did. "It's a ceremony that will formally acknowledge me as Princess."

"But I thought you gave that up when you married Dad."

"I didn't want the title then but I want it now. I want to be princess again and when my father dies, I will be Queen." ChiChi saw the concern and confusion on Gohan's face. She imagined a million thoughts racing in his mind. "It's time, Gohan. You're going to high school. Soon you'll go to college, marry and have a family of your own. Same with Goten. With you two gone, there won't be anything for me to do. When I gave up my title, I was so young and not ready for the responsibility of my father's kingdom. After being a wife, a mother….and a widow twice…. I've grown up a lot. Grandpa won't live forever, Gohan, and his kingdom needs assurance of what the future will be."

Gohan understood that but he didn't think it meant his mother's future should be tied to Grandpa's kingdom. "But won't this mean you'll leave home? This house? Dad's house?"

Just as she suspected, Gohan still had a hard time with her leaving Mount Paozu. "You will leave, too, Gohan. So will Goten. What do you expect me to do all day when you're both gone?"

What happens on days you don't visit and she's alone all day with nothing to do?

Kenji said something similar nearly two years ago. Gohan mostly dismissed it never expecting that day will come sooner than he thought.

"Grandpa's kingdom is small," ChiChi continued, "but there are people there I've known all my life. You and Goten will give me grandchildren to play with and spoil like I have for Grandpa, but like him, I will need to keep myself occupied."

She said all the right words but Gohan still didn't like it. "It'll be strange not having you here. This is home. Dad built this place with Grandpa. It shouldn't be abandoned."

"It won't be abandoned. It could be a vacation home for your families. It'll need some work done though." ChiChi's been on the roof. She replaced patches on the roof so it wouldn't leak but the roof was old. With a few more years of wear and tear or a really bad storm, it will have to be replaced. She didn't dare have Aki check it. He will tell her she needed a new roof. He'll notice the other things, too, like the loose tiles in both bathrooms and chipping paint. She meant to repaint both bathrooms but hadn't found the time.

Gohan knew of some repairs needed in the bathroom. The hallway needed another paint job. A couple of the boards of wood from the living room floor needed replacing. ChiChi hid them with a rug but Gohan knew about it. "I can help," Gohan offered. "I can read some home improvement books."

"Gohan, the only books I want you to focus on are your schoolbooks. You need to study really hard to get into a good college."

"I know. I know." Gohan knew of the expectations of him. He was close to his dreams but this news of the family no longer living here hit Gohan hard. "When will you return to Grandpa's castle?"

"When you go to college. You'll want to live on campus."

"And if I wanna stay here?" It was a last-ditch effort to keep everyone in this house but Gohan was willing to try anything.

"I'm still going." Two years was as long as ChiChi would hold out.

"But what if Goten doesn't want to move?"

"I wanna move," Goten disappointed Gohan. "My new room will be so big. So will yours be if you live with us, Big Brother."

Great. No allies. There were things he wanted to say and he couldn't do it in front of Goten. "Goten," Gohan patted Goten's head. "I've been so busy cooking I didn't check on the fish outside. Could you do that for me?"

"I know what that means." Goten grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl as he went towards the door leading outside. "You want to talk to Momma alone."

ChiChi smiled at her precocious child as he left. Her sweet baby knew more than he let on. "Goten isn't as attached to this house as you, Gohan. Goten is such a free spirit like your father. He'll be fine wherever we go."

That was true. Goten wouldn't care if they move. He'll just be happy for everyone to be together. If he knew his Dad, he would feel different but Gohan knew why that wasn't the case. "It's hard to think of no one being here." He remembered fighting ChiChi on moving when she was pregnant with Goten. Then, she gave in. Now she was firm on her decision to leave. Gohan would guilt her if he could but he knew that didn't reflect well on him. It'll be proving Kenji right on what he said to him.

Will it make you happy she'll be living alone, rotting away in that house and staying loyal to a corpse while you happily live your life?

How he hated Kenji was right after all. "Okay," Gohan gave in. These next two years, Gohan will treasure every moment his family has in this home and he'll check on this place from time to time. It won't be forgotten. "How big will this investiture be? I know Grandpa loves to throw a big party."

ChiChi embraced Gohan. She knew how hard this was for him. It made her happy he was being understanding about this. "I convinced him to make it small but they'll be a party. You can invite Piccolo and we'll extend invitations to Bulma's family. Krillin's…." she suddenly groaned. "I don't know about inviting Master Roshi. I don't want him groping any of the women there."

"Bulma and 18 will keep an eye on him." So will he. He understood how important this day will be for his mother and wanted it to go perfectly for her despite his feelings. "Will I have to do anything?"

"Maybe share a dance with me since your father isn't here."

"Promise but if you're going to be officially a princess again does that make me and Goten's princes? Will we have to do this investiture?"

"You and Goten will be princes but it's really up to you if you want to be acknowledged as Prince Gohan or Prince Goten. As for the investiture, there will only be one if you want to rule. I won't force you and Goten. It will be your decision."

"What if none of us wants it?"

ChiChi hoped one of her sons would want to carry the tradition but since she didn't like being forced she couldn't force her sons. "Then I'll appoint the next ruler but hopefully, I won't have to make that decision for a long time."

ChiChi's investiture was on a sunny Saturday. The entire kingdom was in attendance. Those who were not personally invited to witness the ceremony waited outside in the courtyards where ChiChi will step out onto the balcony after the ceremony.

ChiChi peered at the crowd from her window. The last time the crowds gathered around the castle like this was the day of her wedding. Then, ChiChi was excited. Now she was nervous. She stepped away from the window to her full-length mirror to once more check over her appearance. 18 designed the dress combining tradition with modern fashion. She wore a multilayered purple and white hanfu style gown. The upper body garment of her ruqun was layered in shades of purple, lavender, plum and white perfectly matching the lavender and purple of her long outer skirt.

Her face was lightly colored with her cheeks pink, lips red and black eyes accentuated with a ravishing lavender eyeshadow. Her straight, black hair normally held up in a bun, flowed freely down her shoulders and back. ChiChi stared at herself for several moments, mesmerized. ChiChi always had confidence in her looks; always thought of herself as beautiful but looking back at her was a different woman. ChiChi didn't see a mother or widow staring back at her. She didn't see that young girl of 18 ready to marry but a woman with years of wisdom, confidence in leading her people and protecting them.

I can do this.

"Mom?" ChiChi saw the door open behind her and Gohan stepping in. He was dressed sharply in a black suit and tie with a gold coronet crown on his head and a blue sash. As sons of ChiChi, it was part of the royal garb they were required to wear. "They're ready to start." He stared, taken aback by ChiChi's appearance. His mother rarely dressed up or wore makeup. Gohan remembered ChiChi doing it a few times when she had date nights with Goku; even that date with Kenji. Still, it was rare and she looked so different. "You look very pretty, Mom."

"Thank you."

"I saw Grandpa. He looks so different all dressed up in traditional kimono and a crown. I'm so used to Grandpa in shirts and shorts but seeing him and you like this, makes it real what's going on." And it made Gohan regret his words to ChiChi. He was consumed with his feelings, he never considered his mother or his grandpa. Gohan thought he was past that selfish stage. "Did Dad even know about any of this? What you gave up?"

"He knew of some things but not much. I never dwelled into it and he never asked except once."

ChiChi turned the lock on the door and pushed the massive doors opened. "Only Dad and I are allowed in this room." ChiChi grabbed Goku's hand and pulled him inside. "And now you. This is our treasure room."

The room was massive and filled with gold coins, gold bars and jewels with all the colors of the rainbow. There were also jewel-encrusted weapons of swords and axes. Goku picked up a diamond and ruby jeweled battle-ax and swung it a few times. "All of these are treasures inherited and some Dad took to make his fortune grow."

Goku put down the battle-ax. He picked up a jewel encrusted sheath and pulled out a sharp sword and closed it. "Your Dad isn't a bad man anymore, ChiChi. You said he did a lot of good with the treasure."

"I know but it doesn't excuse what he did to get some of it." ChiChi picked up a gold bracelet from a chest of jewelry and slipped it on her wrist. She admired the jewelry on her before removing it returning it to its box and walking off. "Maybe that's why I'm not keen on taking over when Dad dies and I want a life away from royalty. I also don't think I can be responsible for so many people. It's not West City big but the populace here is big to me."

Goku followed ChiChi around the room. "It sounds like a lot of hard work to rule a kingdom."

"It is but if you like it and want to do it, that makes the hard work worth it." ChiChi took Goku to the center of the room where there were two jewel-encrusted crowns in glass cases on blue, crushed velvet. In the center of each crown was a ruby emblem of an ox. Next to them was another glass case with four simpler crowns: two tiaras and two coronet crowns placed on crushed, plum velvet. ChiChi opened the case of the biggest crown and pulled it out. "These are the crowns of Dad's kingdom. They have been in my family for generations. My Dad and Mom wore these when they married. We won't because but I'm curious how it will look on you." ChiChi placed the crown on Goku's head. She giggled and turned to Goku to look at himself in a nearby mirror.

Goku didn't like it. His front bangs poke from under the crown but his side spikes were crushed. Goku removed the crown. "It doesn't look right on my head." He placed the crown on ChiChi's. The crown settled around her forehead. "It doesn't fit you either."

ChiChi removed the crown and placed it back in its cage. "That because it's the King's crown. The Queen crown fits me but this life doesn't." She wrapped her arm around Goku's. "I'll be much happier living in our little home on Mount Paozu as Son ChiChi, wife of Son Goku and not future Queen of this village."

"Me, too," Goku agreed. "I don't wanna be King either."

"So, Dad refused to rule, too?"

"He rejected Kami to be Guardian of Earth. He didn't want responsibility like me." ChiChi laughed. "We had the same mindset then."

Then but not now. It was a worrying thought to think if Dad had lived he wouldn't be for this day. "But you changed your mind. Do you think Dad would've changed his?"

"I don't know." ChiChi left her answer vague instead of being truthful. She wanted to say yes but knowing how Goku chose to stay dead, she thought Goku would stick to his decision. "I guess we don't have to think about that since he isn't here."

Gohan forced a smile but secretly thought that was his Dad's answer. He wouldn't be for this. "I guess so. Well, it's time." Gohan opened the door for ChiChi. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." ChiChi stepped outside to see Goten waiting in the hall. He was dressed in a black suit, tie, a blue sash and coronet crown like Gohan. ChiChi noticed Goten's sash was neat but his crown was crooked. She bent to adjust but Gohan stepped between her and Goten and adjusted Goten's crown.

"Stop fidgeting," Gohan gently scolded Goten. "You can't play with this crown, Goten. It's expensive and delicate."

"It doesn't fit right on my head," Goten complained.

"I know." Gohan secured the crown as best he could. Because Goten was still a small child, the crown fitted loosely on his head. "But you got Dad's wild hairstyle so the hair will keep it in place as long as you don't touch it."

"I'll try," Goten promised.

Gohan rose to his feet and turned to ChiChi who kept a concerned eye on Goten. "This is your day, Mom. This is your time to focus on you being Princess and your future as Queen."

"You approve?" She knew Gohan had his reservations about this, especially since it meant leaving their home on Mount Paozu one day.

Gohan linked his arm around ChiChi's. "I approve."

Gohan escorted ChiChi to the entrance of the throne room. They could hear the processional music through the closed doors. Gohan opened the door partially to signal they were ready. He closed the door and with Goten, took his place behind ChiChi.

The double doors of the throne room opened. On the pomp and circumstance of horns, drums, flutes and piano ChiChi walked in alone with her two sons proudly following her. Other than the ruling King or Queen, other family members were spectators. ChiChi wanted to change that and include her sons to be a part of this ceremony.

In the audience were all of Goku's friends in the first two rows with Piccolo choosing to stand due to his height blocking anyone sitting behind him. Gyu-Mao stood at the altar dressed in a traditional red and blue kimono and his jewel crown with his famed battle-ax at his hip.

When ChiChi reached the altar, she bowed before her father before kneeling. After a nervous breath, ChiChi recited the royal vow. "I, Son ChiChi, daughter of King Gyu-Mao vow to assume my role as Princess of Ryoukeizan. In the absence of our King, I will faithfully serve, protect and govern with the best of my ability to the people in our kingdom for all the days of my life."

Proud tears in his eyes, Gyu-Mao placed a gold tiara on ChiChi's head. "The symbol of sovereignty." He picked up a gold scepter and placed it in ChiChi's hands. "The symbol of rule." Lastly, he placed a crushed plum velvet cape on ChiChi's shoulders. The emblem of the ox secured the cape together.

ChiChi rose to her feet. Gohan and Goten joined Gyu-Mao on the altar and bowed before ChiChi. ChiChi curtseyed her sons with a slight nod before turning to face her audience who immediately rose to their feet and applauded. All stood except for Vegeta who sat with his arms crossed. A smack from Bulma's hand across the back of his next brought Vegeta to his feet. An elbow to his stomach made him applaud. He even forced a smile. The applause and smiles of her sons, her father and guests were all welcoming though ChiChi wished for the presence of one who could not be here.

On the arm of her eldest son, ChiChi was escorted from the throne room to the balcony where the reception of ChiChi as princess was thunderous. The balustrade of the balcony was too high for Goten to look over. He needed the help of his big brother to pick him up and hold him in his arms to see the crowd who gathered to see his mother.

Goten waved at the people. "Are all these people for you, Momma?"

"For us." ChiChi wasn't taking all credit for this. "I'm Princess again but you two are princes. They are celebrating you and the monarchy will continue after Grandpa."

Gohan waved at the crowd unsure of being a Prince. "I'm not sure I want to be call Prince Gohan."

ChiChi expected that from her eldest son. "You were always shy and never liked the attention."

Goten cheerfully waved back. "I wanna be called Prince Goten."

"You can be called King Goten," Gyu-Mao stepped onto the balcony and joined his family. "If Gohan doesn't want to rule after ChiChi, you can."

"Ooo," Goten loved that idea. "Can I, Momma?"

ChiChi laughed as she took Goten out of Gohan's arms. "We have years before we have to talk about that. Be happy you're a prince and you'll continue to be spoiled in the village like always."

After a few more waves, Gyu-Mao, Gohan, Goten and ChiChi returned inside where celebrations continued. ChiChi returned her robe, scepter and Goten's crown to the treasure room alone. She didn't allow Gohan access to the treasure room. If he did, he will know the secret she and Gyu-Mao were keeping from him. She hasn't visited this room in years and was saddened at how this room, which was once filled with gold and treasures, was nearly depleted. Many of the gold coins and bars were gone. Some of the jeweled weapons were missing, too. Though she had reservations at some of the treasures, it was jarring and even sad to see them gone. The emptiness of the room fueled her desire to save this kingdom and continue the traditions of ruling.

Gohan waited for ChiChi outside and escorted her to the ballroom where many guests chatted, ate and danced. With Gohan on her arm, ChiChi spoke with each guest thanking them for coming. Gohan was slightly uncomfortable greeting Aki's family. They were good people but their daughter, Kala, still had a crush on Gohan. The now eleven-year-old's actions to be alone with Gohan were cute to others but frustrating to him.

Gohan kept himself by ChiChi's side to be his mother's escort but also to keep Kala away from him. Her parents helped keep their eager daughter away but not enough for Gohan's liking. Gohan and ChiChi took a break from guests and replenished themselves at the royal table for a meal. Gohan kept an eye on Goten, making sure he didn't spill food on his suit and assisting him when he needed something. He also checked on ChiChi who handled herself better than he expected.

Gohan always saw his Mom as doting, focused on his education and against his Dad when it came to him fighting. Among his Dad's friends his first memories of them together always had his Mom angry at them and distant, but since his Dad's death, they were on friendly terms though there were times his Mom still remained reserved with them. Except with 18. Those two had a special bond of genuine friendship. When around her people, his mother was a different person. She spoke lively and treated everyone as her friend. She was engaged in what they said and gave them her full attention as if she genuinely cared. The feelings were mutual as the people loved her and were kind to him and Goten. The people also showed love to his Dad but his Mom was clearly the favored one.

As happy as ChiChi appeared, Gohan sense loneliness in his mother when she saw couples dancing. Krillin danced with 18. Even Bulma managed to pull Vegeta onto the dancefloor. The Saiyan Prince wore the biggest pissed off scowl on his face. With the wicked gleam in her eyes, Gohan knew Bulma held something over him. It was probably the gravity room and her promise to turn off its power. He heard Bulma share that threat with his Mom. Still, if Bulma can pull Vegeta to the dancefloor, Gohan shouldn't renege on his promise of a dance to his mother. They danced through one song before he stepped aside when Gyu-Mao offered to dance with ChiChi. Goten, not wanting to be left out, asked for a dance before Gohan took over again.

"You're very good," ChiChi praised Gohan as he twirled her. "Our crash course paid off."

Gohan blushed. ChiChi gave him lessons but he also practiced on his own. He would never tell ChiChi he used Goten as a dance partner. He swore his little brother to secrecy with sweets. "I know this day is important to you so I want to be good at it."

"Gohan is a good dancer but it's boring dancing with your family all night." Bulma swayed to them in Vegeta's arms. "Take my dance partner." She pushed Vegeta towards them but he refused to move under Bulma's shoving.

"I don't want to dance with Kakarrot's wife." He resisted Bulma's pushing. "You can't make me."

"Oh, let ChiChi have fun and dance with someone she's not related to." Bulma grabbed Gohan's arm and yanked him from ChiChi. Gohan stumbled forward nearly colliding against Bulma and Vegeta. "While I dance with a young stud."

"Stud?" Gohan stammered as Bulma swayed away from ChiChi and disappear among the other couples.

"Damn woman," Vegeta growled. "Who the hell she—" He jumped feeling ChiChi link her fingers in his hand. "What the hell are you doing?!"

ChiChi put a hand on his shoulder. "Dancing with you since Bulma stole my dance partner. Come on," she gently ordered him. "Let's get it over with or am I too tempting?"

Vegeta raised a suspicious eyebrow at ChiChi. He expected Bulma to say that. Not her. He sniffed but didn't smell any wine from ChiChi's lips. She was sober. There will be hell to pay if he didn't do this he knew. The gravity room may shut down for a month if he didn't comply. He put his arm around her waist and led ChiChi into a dance. "I'm only doing this because Bulma will remove the power of the gravity room." They moved effortlessly across the dancefloor. He knew from ChiChi's face she was impressed at his moves. Bulma gave him lessons but she didn't know he was already skilled at this. He traveled many worlds and didn't spend all his time plundering. He spent time in the company of other royalties. He never expected to be in the company of one on Earth and certainly not this Earthling. "You're a princess? I can't believe it."

"You can dance," ChiChi returned the snark. "I can't believe it." Her lips turned up at Vegeta's rolled eyes. "Not many know and the ones who do wouldn't share this."

"Bulma knew." That didn't surprise him or her decision to keep that quiet. He twisted ChiChi in an underarm turn. "Why haven't you gone by your title?"

"I wanted to marry Goku."

You idiot. "You gave up your title for him? Where's your pride?"

"I didn't give it up for Goku." Vegeta's annoyance at her decision puzzled ChiChi. She didn't think he would care. "My Dad expected us to be King and Queen but I didn't want it."

"Why?" Vegeta spun her again. "Was marrying Kakarrot a way for you to escape your responsibilities?"

He was blunt and callous as usual but ChiChi consented there was some truth in Vegeta's words. "I didn't see it that way but I was 18 and not ready for the responsibility of ruling a kingdom."

ChiChi's words disgusted him. Humans were spoiled creatures. "You should've been proud to be princess like I am proud of being a prince."

ChiChi laughed. She knew all about Vegeta's pride in being a prince. He can keep that deluded vision. "I don't want your perverted idea of being royalty. You like the privilege of being a prince; to have everyone do what you say; fear instead of love you while you look at everyone as if they are beneath you."

If ChiChi was trying to insult him, she failed. "What's wrong with that?"

"Being royalty is more than that. It's being responsible for the lives of many and doing what is best for them. Their needs outweigh yours."

"Fuck that." No one's needs were above his. "Before you say anything, remember that's exactly what you did when you abdicated your title." He smirked at ChiChi's sudden closure of her mouth. "Nothing to say?" He mocked her. "Here's something: 'Yes, Vegeta. You are right.'"

Vegeta felt ChiChi's fingers tightened in his left hand and his shoulder. He saw it in her eyes she wanted to hit him. Not this time. "You want to show violence today of all days in front of your people? Tsk. Tsk." Immediately, he felt ChiChi's grip lighten. As he thought, ChiChi when around her people, acted differently. Not once she displayed the fiery temper he's seen around Goku's friends. "Do you want my advice? From a prince to a princess?"

Vegeta didn't have his usual scowl or arrogant smirk. He appeared genuine as if he really wanted to aid her. "Yes." As a prince, he would have some experience and ChiChi was willing to listen to what he had to say.

"Stop making Gohan study so damn much. He's wasting his potential as a fighter. He's thin and has gotten weaker."

That's his advice. An insult to her son? That smirk of his returned, too. He did this on purpose. He knew she wouldn't violently respond to his harsh words in front of her constituents. The people in her village knew she could get angry but ChiChi never blew up at them as she's done with Goku's friends. "He's still stronger than you."

Five simple words felt like a punch to his gut. As much he's trained over the years, it was insulting Gohan, who hardly trained since the Cell Game, was still ahead of him. "I've closed the gap while Gohan's done nothing but kept his nose in the book because of you. He could be stronger but he's not and that's your fault. I was educated but there's a balance needed for education and being a warrior and Gohan doesn't have that because of your insane need to make him study all the time."

ChiChi swiftly pulled away from Vegeta. He wouldn't care for her sudden brushoff if not for the clear disappointment in her eyes. He expected ChiChi to be angry with him. He didn't care if ChiChi couldn't take blunt criticism but this disenchanted look as if he hurt her was troubling.

"I was a fool to think you understood. You have a better understanding of Goku more than his friends. Piccolo understands… to an extent. How foolish of me to think you weren't like them but you are."

Her vague words irritated him and the look in her eyes…. he didn't like that at all. "What the hell are you talking about?"

ChiChi didn't satisfy him with an answer. She walked away leaving his dark eyes following her petite form until she left the room. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled as he suddenly felt Bulma and Gohan's presence. Bulma was annoyed and her look told him he's sleeping alone unless he fixes this while Gohan was troubled.

"What did you say to my Mom?"

"Geez, Vegeta, can't you behave for one night?" She smacked the back of his head. "You had one job and you couldn't do that, which is not a surprise because Saiyans and work don't mix! Apologize to ChiChi or I will keep that gravity room turned off for two months!"

With Bulma's angry eyes and Gohan's suspicious eyes on him, Vegeta felt double teamed. He didn't need this from them. "Fuck off!" he growled before storming off. "Damn fools," he cursed as he pushed aside anyone in his way as he followed after ChiChi. "Shut down the gravity room for two months….." he muttered. "I'll shut her down for three!"

Following her Ki, Vegeta found ChiChi outside in a well-lit courtyard. Yellow and white lights threaded the trees and branches. The flower garden was a multitude of colors and scents. The scents were irritating but it led him to ChiChi who sat on a granite bench surrounded by these flowers. Feeling she wasn't alone, ChiChi turned to him with that same hurt look. Bulma gave him that look before and it made him uncomfortable and pissed. There was one clear solution on how to deal with it.

"What the hell's your problem?!" ChiChi can scream and slap him and he won't fight back but comparing him to his rival's friends was unforgivable! "Where the hell you get off comparing me to Kakarrot's friends?!"

"When you speak like them, you give me permission to."

Again with the cryptic words. This woman….. "Stop speaking in riddles and tell me what the hell you are talking about!"

"Gohan. I expect Goku's friends to think I forced Gohan to study but not you. You always had a deeper perception of things. When Goku didn't return after we tried to wish him back, you understood. You even helped me by telling me what I needed to hear."

It was fresh in ChiChi's mind but Vegeta had to think back on what he said. That was over ten years ago and the memory was blurry. "When I called you pathetic?" Vegeta's lips twitched in a sly smile. "Or when I said Kakarrot is better off without you?"

He was toying with her and she knew it. Some of her own anger melted. "You know I mean the other thing and with some of our talks, I thought you understood Gohan isn't his father. He doesn't fight like him so he wouldn't train like him."

Vegeta's anger cooled as he understood ChiChi's previous riddles. "I don't think Gohan should be like Kakarrot." Even Vegeta knew that wouldn't be ideal. "But he should have some desire to fight. He's a Saiyan. It's in his blood."

"Saiyan blood isn't all Gohan has in him. He has human blood in him, too, and humans aren't fighting hungry maniacs like Saiyans."

"True," Vegeta conceded as he sat beside ChiChi. "You humans are power-hungry. You're liars with no honor. You worship idiots like Gods. You arrogantly think you are alone in the universe and refuse to see the truth standing before you. You're cowards relying on others to save your asses but go ahead and think you're so much better than fighting hungry Saiyans."

"I'm not saying humans are better."

"But you prefer Gohan to shut off his heritage."

"I don't….!" ChiChi whirled to face him. Catching herself, she exhaled and turned away again. She was not going to lose her temper today. "Despite what you and everyone else think, I haven't made Gohan study in years. He does it because he wants to. He trains mainly to keep in shape…. and at his own pace. I haven't interfered."

"Not that you've had a need to," Vegeta muttered. With the Earth at peace, there wasn't a reason for Gohan to put down his studies and get involved in a fight. "It's not enough." He hated how much stronger Gohan was at the Cell Game but it galled Vegeta even more Gohan's power hadn't grown since then. "Kakarrot busted his ass making Gohan as strong as he is. Even if he approves of Gohan's studies, he still will want Gohan to continue his training and not slack off as he has."

Goku said he wouldn't interfere in Gohan's studies anymore but if he lived past Cell, ChiChi knew he would've interfered in some way. She knew how happy Goku was to see Gohan fighting and as happy she is with Gohan's direction in life, she knew Goku would be a little disappointed not seeing Gohan partake in something he loved so much. "Children are allowed to make their own decisions and live their lives against the wishes of their parents. I did but I also came to my father's way of thinking. Let Gohan find his own way. Fighting doesn't interest him as you or Goku but when Gohan's older and gotten to live his life on his own terms, maybe he will develop a desirable interest. Gohan only started fighting because Piccolo forced him."

"That wouldn't have happened if you let Kakarrot do it."

"You're one to talk. Trunks was six when you started training him. Was that forced or did you let him come to that decision on his own?" When Vegeta didn't quickly respond, she got her answer. "Ah ha! See?"

Damn Bulma and her yapping. "So what if he did?"

"That's my point, Vegeta. He came to that decision on his own. Gohan never had that choice. Goku's introduction to fighting came from his Grandpa. It was for fun. Gohan's introduction into fighting came from the need to defend Earth. It wasn't for fun. It was learn or die. All his fights were that way. I don't think Gohan'll be triggered to fight under any other circumstances except maybe to spend time with Goku. Maybe Gohan will change but it's not now."

If what ChiChi theorized was true about Gohan, Vegeta didn't like it at all. It was all wrong. "Not even after seven years of peace?"

"It took me seventeen to come around."

"Fuck," Vegeta cursed. "I hope half Saiyans aren't that slow."

"It's not as if you full-blooded Saiyans are fast learners either. When it comes expressing your emotions, you Saiyans are aggravatingly slow."

His glare had no effect on ChiChi. It made her laugh. "You and Bulma talk too much." ChiChi laughed even louder but it wasn't the only noise in the quiet night. Snapping branches under the pressure of someone's feet alerted Vegeta. It was weak but he felt two unfamiliar Kis. They weren't mobile like the other Ki he felt around them. These two were near and being stationary left Vegeta thinking they were listening in on his private conversation with ChiChi. He stood suddenly.

"Vegeta?" ChiChi caught his serious demeanor as he clenched his fists and stared off into an unlit area. "What's wrong?"

"Come out!" Vegeta ordered in the darkness. "I know you're there. Come out or I'll blast you!"

ChiChi wondered who Vegeta was talking to. This section was closed off but the courtyard did lead to the path exiting the castle. Anyone walking by stayed on the lit path but Vegeta faced the unlit area which made her suspicious. Who was out here?

ChiChi hoped it was someone who got lost and innocently crossed into the dark area but even her suspicions rose when she saw Kaifun and Mrs. Niver come out from the unlit area.

"Kaifun?" ChiChi rose. "Mrs. Niver, what are you doing here?" The old woman was the last person she expected to be here. She wasn't supposed to be here. ChiChi forbade her to be on the grounds of her father's castle years ago. "You're banned from here."

"We know," Kaifun bowed apologetically, "but it's been several years since that ban and your father's invitation opened the castle doors to everyone. We didn't get a personal invite to the party inside the castle but we thought it was okay to stay in the courtyards. The staff allowed us entry here so we assumed the ban wasn't in effect for today."

Angry aura rose from ChiChi. The aura was so powerful Vegeta turned her way. "You invited yourself on a technicality?"

"It has been so many years and Grandma is older," Kaifun pleaded. "She may not live to see you become Queen. I thought it would be nice of her to see the land she helped build one last time."

"If you didn't get an invite, you shouldn't be here."

Mrs. Niver and Kaifun turned to the angry voice of Vegeta. Who was he they wondered. Kaifun had a few inches over Vegeta so he wasn't threatened but he was curious as to who this man was and the conversation he shared with ChiChi. Mrs. Niver was several inches below Vegeta and wasn't intimidated at all.

"Who are you?" the old woman demanded to know.

"Someone invited unlike you."

"This business is between me and ChiChi. Not you." Mrs. Niver looked Vegeta over, scrutinizing him with her old, beady eyes. She pondered his connection to ChiChi. "You seem quite familiar with ChiChi. Are you that Kenji fella I heard about?"

"Hell no!"

"I didn't think so. I heard he was good looking and tall."

"Grandma!" Kaifun could not believe she was at it again.

"He was rude to us." Mrs. Niver saw no wrong in her words. "You act rude you get treated rude back."

"Listen, Old Woman….." Vegeta warned.

Mrs. Niver continued her interrogation. "Are you a suitor?"

"No, Mrs. Niver," ChiChi intervened. From the look on Vegeta's face, he was ready to blow her away. "Vegeta is the partner of a friend of mine. Bulma Briefs."

"Partner. Meaning shacking up without marriage?" Mrs. Niver translated. She looked from ChiChi to Vegeta suspicious now. "If he belongs to someone else, what are you two doing out here alone?"

Kaifun slapped his forehead. He could be heard muttering, "Oh, my God."

"Oh, child. I had such high hopes for you now that you are returning to the crown. I hope you're not degrading yourself by having an affair with this shrimp because that waste of a sperm husband of yours is-"

Kaifun clamp his hands over Mrs. Niver's mouth and pulled her back when he saw the ire on Vegeta's face as he roared, "What the hell did you say?!"

"We're sorry," Kaifun apologized. "Grandma doesn't have a filter. She's harmless." That excuse didn't go over well with Vegeta. "Excuse us." Kaifun dragged his reluctant grandmother away. "Grandma, you can't speak like that."

"I'll speak however I want…." Mrs. Niver's words faded as Kaifun pulled them away.

ChiChi couldn't hear anymore but Vegeta heard the old woman defend her right to speak her mind. Vegeta didn't know who she was. He only knew she better not cross him again. "Who the fuck was that?"

"A woman who has not changed at all." ChiChi shook her head. "She was against my marriage to Goku. She hated him and didn't hold back speaking her mind. The old you would've loved her."

Vegeta looked on at Mrs. Niver disappearing in the crowd of villagers. "I highly doubt it."

ChiChi pulled his arm, turning him away from Mrs. Niver's direction. "We should return before rumors do start. It doesn't take much."

"Fine." Vegeta walked alongside ChiChi. "Just tell Bulma all is well between us so Bulma doesn't shut down the gravity room."

"Sure," ChiChi promised while stifling a laugh. Ten years ago, she couldn't stand being in the same room as any of Goku's friends. They avoided her like the plague and now she was welcomed in their circle; she knew their spouses and kids and they came out to support her on a special day for her; not because she's Goku's wife, Gohan and Goten's mother. It was because she's Son ChiChi. She even considered Vegeta, a man who wanted to kill her husband a friend. Goku was right. They weren't bad once she got to know them.

Vegeta will never deny the deliciousness of the food he eats at home. Everything is fresh and prepared by the robots but he couldn't deny there was something addictive about the food made by Son ChiChi. ChiChi never requested he come to her home. He could count on his hands the number of times he visited. They were always at Bulma's force. For ChiChi to personally call him and request he come meant ChiChi wanted to talk about something serious. It had to involve her sons but when he saw the table of hot food, he knew he was walking into a trap. ChiChi wanted something. He'll hear what she wants. If it's not something he'll agree with, he was leaving.

Vegeta had eaten half the table of food when he finally asked, "Why did you want me to come over?"

"It's Gohan."

He knew it involved one or both of them. "Where is he?" He didn't feel Gohan or Goten's Ki. Only he and ChiChi were in the house.

"Goten's with his grandpa and Gohan's taking entrance exams for high school. He'll pass and start school next week. It's high school." Bulma mentioned something about Gohan going to school but he tuned her out. "He's spent time around children in my father's village. He did attend high school in a small town but it won't be like high school in the city. There are more people, more glamour and attraction there. Gohan's likely to make friends and he might find a girl he'll want to date."

Vegeta's open mouth froze as the tonkatsu touched his lips. His eyes stared into hers. Seconds ticked as he understood what ChiChi wanted. He made his decision. He ate the breaded pork cutlet, cabbage and rice with speed that matched Goku's. When his plate was empty, he wiped his mouth with his napkin and rose. "Hell no!"

"It's not what you think!" Vegeta didn't listen. He kept walking towards the door. "SIT DOWN!"

Vegeta immediately jumped. He froze as he stared at the door. Two steps and he'll be free but if he runs, he'll face an angry Bulma when he got home. If he stays, he'll have to listen to ChiChi talk about…. No. No. He didn't want to even think it.

As Vegeta remained unmoving, ChiChi used this chance to plead with him. "Give me a chance to explain."

Stay or go. Stay or go. He wrestled on what to do when he finally cursed and turned around. He rather deal with ChiChi than Bulma. "Explain."

"Sit down," ChiChi requested. "Please."

With a huff, Vegeta returned to the table. ChiChi pushed another hot plate of tonkatsu to him. Might as well eat some more. A Saiyan never turned down good food.

"Maybe I started off wrong," ChiChi tried again. "Gohan will be starting high school. He'll be around girls. There will be one he'll want to date. I will talk to him on how to treat girls but I want him about to have control over his emotions before he's starts dating. Do you understand?"

Vegeta looked ready to bolt for the door again. "You said you will talk to him. Tell him to control his hormones. Why the hell are you involving me in this?"

"If Gohan was only human, then I can do it on my own, but he's half Saiyan."

Vegeta didn't follow. "So? We have control over ourselves."

"What about when you see a full moon?"

Vegeta pause in midbite. Now he understood. Kakarrot, what the hell did you do? "This is about Kakarrot."

"Yes." ChiChi was relieved Vegeta was finally understanding. This was embarrassing as hell to share but she had to do this to help Gohan. "Goku grew up thinking he's human. He wasn't taught about being a Saiyan. There are things he learned and taught himself. He could help Gohan but he's dead. Goku told me you still had control over yourself when you were a giant ape." Vegeta confirmed with a nod. "Gohan never learned control."

"Has he acted differently when he sees the full moon?"

"No." ChiChi kept an eye on Gohan since he started puberty. "Gohan doesn't see the full moon a lot but when he did, it never affected him. There was one girl from the village to catch his eye. I thought something would happen but Gohan was too young to understand his feelings. When he was in high school in Hoyt, Gohan kept his distance from the girls. This year feels different. Gohan's going to a city school and city girls are bolder. I think one will get his attention. Teenage emotions are strong. If Gohan has these strong feelings under a full moon, he may get wild and not able to control himself."

"Or nothing may happen at all. He is half Saiyan."

"Who defeated Cell by getting angry."

"I see your point. Kakarrot was never a restrictive person. If he looked at the full moon and mated without control…." he smirked at ChiChi. "You impress me with how strong you are."

"This isn't about me. It's about Gohan. I trust he'll control himself to not kill a girl but he's not ready to do those things. Me and Goku were married. Gohan-"

"I get it," Vegeta cut her off. "I'll talk to him."

Really? Just like that? Vegeta was ready to bolt from her and never return but he appeared unusually chill and understanding.

"But I want something in return."

Here we go. ChiChi knew it was foolish to hope Vegeta wouldn't want something. "Fine. I'll cook you a meal."

"That's included in this. I want something else."

"What?" She didn't like how he looked at her. Intense. Wicked. "What do you want?"

"I want a match with Gohan. He's slacked off all these years while I've never stopped training. Kakarrot's not here for me to kick his ass so I'll beat his son's."

"But that's not fair."

"You think it's fair I have to give a Saiyan sex talk to Kakarrot's son?!"

No, but she didn't think this was fair either. "Gohan has school. He doesn't have time for a fight against you and studying for high school."

"Make time if you want my help unless," he smirked, "are you ready to be called Grandma?"

She wanted to slap him. She really did. "He'll need time to prepare. How about the last week of summer break? That's the end of August and it'll give Gohan a month to train for it."

Vegeta thought over ChiChi's terms. "Deal. I'll talk to him when he returns."

"Thank you, Vegeta." ChiChi was truly grateful he will help her out. "But can he get all this training done today?"

Vegeta brushed off ChiChi's concern. "It's just a few steps he can practice on his own. If he has questions after I talk to him, he knows where to find me."

Gohan returned to Mount Paozu feeling very good with himself. He took the entrance exams for Orange Star High School in Satan City. It wasn't as hard as he expected. He was almost late for his test since he stopped a bank robbery. He caught a few bullets, lightly tapped the criminals and tied them up for the police. Bystanders watched him but since he was in his Super Saiyan form, Gohan didn't worry about being identified.

As he neared home, Gohan picked up Vegeta's Ki. He stretched out to feel Bulma and Trunks Ki, but they weren't nearby. He only felt his mother's and Vegeta's Ki. He spotted Vegeta as he descended into his yard. Vegeta's silent glare confirmed he wasn't going to talk to him so Gohan entered his home to find answers.

"Hi, Mom." The wonderful smells of dinner drew Gohan into the kitchen. His mother sitting at the table as if waiting for him left him concerned. "Why is Vegeta here and where's Goten?"

"Goten is with Grandpa. They'll be back in a few hours. Vegeta's here to talk to you but we need to have a conversation first."

Gohan sat down. He was concern now. Vegeta never came here unless forced. "About what?"

"I…." ChiChi stopped when she saw holes in Gohan's shirt. "What happened to your shirt?"

"I stopped a robbery in Satan City before I took my exams. I'm fine," Gohan assured ChiChi. "I was a Super Saiyan. No one knew it was me." That didn't satisfy ChiChi. Gohan thought sharing the tests would make her happy. "The tests were easy. I feel good about them. They told me they'll have the results in three business days. Then I can register, get my uniform and start classes on the 19th."

"That's a week after school officially starts." ChiChi wanted Gohan to start on the first day. "I guess it can't be helped."

"I guess. Soooooo," Gohan wanted to talk about the elephant in the room. "Why is Vegeta here?"

ChiChi wanted to explain why Vegeta was here but she couldn't take her eyes off the holes in Gohan's shirt. "I can't stop you from playing hero anymore I could stop your father but don't take it easy on those criminals. Don't let yourself get shot."

"Mom," Gohan laughed. "The bullets don't hurt me. I can take care of myself against common criminals."

"You're not as strong as you used to be," ChiChi reminded him. "I can't read Ki as well as you and your father but I know you've slacked off on your."

Gohan shrugged. It didn't matter to him. He trained enough to keep in shape. "I'm strong enough to handle any criminal on this planet, Mom." Why did Mom look disappointed? "I thought you were happy and my studies. I'm as strong as I was when I beat Cell."

"We've had this talk years ago and …." She sighed. This was all conflicting. "I want you safe. That's all."

"I promise I will be. Now…." Gohan wanted to talk about Vegeta. "Vegeta."

If Gohan was anxious, ChiChi wondered how Vegeta was feeling. "You'll be attending high school soon. You're gonna be interacting with kids who are different from the group of people you are used to being around."

"You mean like Piccolo, Bulma and Krillin?"

"Them and people from my village who know you're strong."

"Mom, we had this talk. You and Bulma told me I have to be careful and not use my real strength. That's why I turn into a Super Saiyan against the criminals in Satan City. I'll control myself around my classmates," Gohan promised. "It won't be like the experience in Hoyt."

"That's not what I'm talking about. I want you to study hard and pass your classes but I want you to enjoy the social experience of high school. Make friends your age. Join clubs. That looks good on college applications." She exhaled. Getting to the heart of the conversation was tougher than she thought it would be. "I want you to be prepared for everything. Going to Orange Star High, you're gonna be around city girls. They won't be like the girls you see in Grandpa's village or Hoyt High School. They will be bold and forward. They'll want things from you. They may offer things you're not ready and being half Saiyan you may not want to say no when you should." She saw it in Gohan's eyes. They were growing wide and a blush was rising on his cheeks. She had to hurry before she lost him. "Vegeta….."

"Vegeta?!" Gohan jumped to his feet. His heart thumped wildly against his ribcage. "Is that why he's here?!"

Oh, boy. She was losing him. She saw it in his eyes. He was very close to running away and not coming back. "When you go to high school, you're gonna be around a variety of girls. Some will be proper. Some won't. They will use their charm and body to get boys to do things for them and maybe…to them."

"Ugh!" Gohan covered his hands over his eyes. "Mom, you're not talking about sex!"

"That's exactly what I'm talking about." Gohan turned away and went towards the door like Vegeta did. Oh, not this again. "SIT DOWN!" Gohan promptly sat. These Saiyan men. "I wouldn't be a good parent if I didn't talk to you about this. Normally this talk is reserved for the father but he isn't here and if he were, could you trust him to give you this talk?!"

Gohan rubbed the back of his neck. He loved his Dad. He didn't notice it then but there were times his father was absolutely clueless. Could he give him this talk if he were alive? Of course he could! "Why not? Dad knew something otherwise Goten and I wouldn't be here."

"And who do you think taught him?"

A rush of heat flared Gohan's face turning it tomato red. Gohan knew his father was naïve and needed to be taught things but in terms of that he never wondered who taught Dad; not that it was something he thought about.

"This isn't an easy conversation for me to have with you either, Gohan, but I wouldn't be a good parent if I didn't talk to you. You may find someone you want to date in high school. You might have emotions you won't be able to control because you're half Saiyan. I can't help you with that. Vegeta can."

Gohan wished a black hole would open up and swallow him. It was bad enough he had to talk about this with his mother. Now he had to listen to Vegeta, too. Vegeta! The man who tried to kill his father; who sucker-punched him on Namek; who failed to save baby Trunks and Bulma when their lives were in danger was going to talk to him about those feelings. Gohan was nearly 16 and not immune to girls. He felt things and thought things. There were pretty girls on TV and pretty girls in his Grandpa's village but Gohan didn't know how to approach them. He read books, watched movies and TV shows on what boys do but none felt right to him. Also, the girls in his Grandpa's village wanted different things. The ones he thought were pretty were already thinking of marriage and babies while Gohan had dreams of finishing high school and attending college. A girlfriend would be nice but Gohan wasn't ready for a wife.

"He's waiting." ChiChi's voice tore Gohan from his thoughts. "He's as uncomfortable about this as you are. Go," ChiChi encouraged him. "Listen to Vegeta and we'll talk more about this later."

Gohan looked at his mother and then at the door where it led to Vegeta. Gohan had two options. Go out on his own or wait for Vegeta to lose his patience, come to the door and drag him out. With a sigh, Gohan rose and walked out of the house.

On the 13th, Gohan got a call that afternoon from Orange Star High School. He was accepted. On the 14th, Gohan registered for his classes and paid the out-of-district fee to attend. While on the way to a school shop to purchase his school uniforms, Gohan came across a high-speed chase. Curious, Gohan followed the police cars chasing the black sports car. Someone on the passenger side opened the window and fired their gun on the cops.

Police windows were shattered with bullet holes. The cop driving was hit and swerved. The car flipped and would've landed on its roof if Gohan hadn't caught it and gently placed it on the ground. Gohan went after the black car. He jumped and landed on the hood of the car bringing it to a complete stop. The driver and passenger got out and fired rounds of bullets on Gohan. He caught each bullet. When the firing stopped, he dropped the crumbled bullets on the street.

Instead of giving up, the shooters attacked Gohan. A simple kick across their face and chest knocked them on the ground unconscious. Gohan left the scene before the rest of the police caught up with them. Only civilians from the shops saw the Golden Warrior in action and shared their stories to the police, TV reporters and a dark-haired girl with pigtails.

Gohan's first day at Orange Star High School was a special one. Gyu-Mao stayed the night to see Gohan off on his first day of school. ChiChi cooked a big breakfast and lunch for Gohan. The commute was a long one. Satan City was 500 miles from Mount Paozu. From his two trips, it took Gohan at least ninety minutes on Nimbus. With classes starting at 8:30am, Gohan had to leave no later than 7am. ChiChi suggested he leave at 6:30am for his first day since he was starting school a week after everyone else and had to go to the main office and be escorted to his classroom.

After Gohan ate a large and hearty breakfast, Gyu-Mao pulled Gohan outside for a talk. "Today's a big day for you, Gohan. Your Dad isn't here but I know he would tell you how proud he is of you. You're going to school in the big city. Your mother worked hard to get you to this point. She made a lot of sacrifices for you. Some days she wasn't your favorite person but she did everything because she loves you."

"I know." Gohan knew of the hard days his mother frustrated him; the times he thought his mother was being unfair and didn't understand. It took these seven years for him to really understand her actions were out of love.

"We paid a lot of money for you to go to school in Satan City. I don't have to tell you how important it is for you to not flunk out."

"I won't," Gohan promised. "I know 10,000 zeni isn't a lot to you, Grandpa, but to me it is and I'll prove the money you spent won't go to waste."

Gyu-Mao patted Gohan's back. "I know you will. You always come through when we need you, but the family is depending on you, Gohan, especially your mother. Don't let her sacrifices be in vain. Get your education but have fun, too. Make some friends." He winked. "Nothing wrong if you get a cute girlfriend. You are 16. Kiss a girl and if she allows, touch a boob and if you want, let her touch you, too."

"Uh…." Gohan laughed nervously. "Um… okay." First his Mom, then Vegeta and now Grandpa. Why me? Why me?!

ChiChi and Goten stepped out of the house. "That's enough talking, Dad. Gohan has to go." ChiChi hugged Gohan. She opened Gohan's satchel and placed a bento box inside. "All your lunch is in here and it's labeled. I even packed snacks for you on the way to school and coming home. Be respectful to your teachers, kind to your classmates but most of all have a great first day."

"I will, Mom."

"And take your Grandpa's advice. He knows what he's talking about."

Gohan's eyebrows went up while Gyu-Mao gave Gohan a thumbs up. "Really?"

"Of course. Grandpa has the best intentions for you." ChiChi hugged him. "I'll see you this afternoon. I can't wait to hear about your first day."

ChiChi stepped away to let Goten jump into Gohan's arms and give him a big hug. "Have a great day at school, Big Brother!"

"I will, Goten." Gohan hugged Goten tightly. He knew how much Goten will miss him. "Help Mom around the house," Gohan whispered. "You have to look out for her while I'm gone."

Gohan put Goten down. With his proud family looking on, Gohan called for Nimbus. He hopped on, waved to his family and flew off for his first day of high school.

An hour into his first day of school and Gohan felt it was a disaster. He arrived in Satan City in time but was delayed with another bank robbery. For the third time, Gohan had to stop crime in this city and he was almost caught by a girl in pigtails. She had a bad attitude demanding to know what happened. Gohan pretended he didn't know and slipped away never expecting to see her again but in the strangest twist saw her less than an hour later as his classmate and discovered she is Videl, the daughter of Mr. Satan.

If that wasn't bad enough Gohan learned Videl was a crime fighter in the city determined to discover the identity of the mysterious Golder Warrior who showed up three times to help the good citizens of Satan City. Videl identified him as the boy at the crime scene and wondered if he was the Golden Warrior.

I spent seven years keeping a low profile on being a Super Saiyan and in one day I'm on the verge of being exposed!

Luckily, his classmates, Erasa and Sharpner didn't think he was the Golden Warrior but Videl wasn't convinced. Gohan hid his face in his book and every time he lowered it and looked to his right Videl was watching him.

She keeps looking at me!

If it wasn't Videl staring at him, his blonde classmate, Erasa, kept asking him questions. She wanted to know if he commuted or rented a home in town and how he commuted. When she learned how far he travelled, Erasa reacted so loudly, the teacher threatened to send Erasa outside. Erasa quieted down….. for about five minutes.

Then her questions started again.

"So what time do you leave? Why are you traveling so far to come to school here?"

She still wants to talk? The teacher was really mad with her. "Um, I leave really early and Orange Star has a really good science program. My Mom thinks it's the best school for me."

"You must be really smart. You got perfect scores on all the tests." Erasa winked at him. "Do you think you can tutor me?"

How does she need a tutor already? School started a week ago. "Uh….." Gohan hid his book over his face. He whispered. "I don't know. I have a long commute and when I get home I have homework."

"You can be my study buddy for the weekend," Erasa offered as she placed her hand on Gohan's thigh. "What do you say?"

"Miss Erasa!" The teacher pointed at Erasa. "Outside! Twenty minutes!"

Erasa rose, smiled at Gohan and walked out. Classes resumed normally once Erasa stepped into the hallway. When she returned, Erasa stayed quiet. Gohan was glad Erasa stopped asking so many questions and kept her hands to herself. She was very nosy, friendly and bold like the girls ChiChi warned him about. She was also touchy like Grandpa some girls will be.

Despite the hectic morning, Gohan liked school so far. The teachers were nice but strict. His mother was strict with lessons so this was comfortable. The way his teacher scolded Erasa for interrupting class reminded Gohan of the early days his mother would scold his father for interrupting his studies.

He missed those days. He missed his father. Seven years. The pain was still there but it didn't hurt as much anymore.

A downside of going to high school was waiting for lunch. His appetite wasn't as big as his father's but he liked to eat when he got hungry. In school, he had to wait until noon and since he hadn't eaten since 6am, that's a long time to a Saiyan.

While some students left class to eat outside, most stayed in and pulled out their single lunch boxes. Gohan pulled out the bento box ChiChi gave him. Inside were labeled capsules. Gohan opened two capsules. After the smoke faded, two yellow picnic baskets rest before Gohan. Gohan opened one and pulled out his lunch.

Erasa got up from her seat and inspected the basket while Sharpner and Videl looked on amazed. "Whoa!" Erasa peeked inside. "Is this your lunch? There're twenty bento boxes here." She noticed the large jug of water. "And a gallon of water?"

"I eat a lot and since I'm far from home, my Mom wanted to make sure I have enough to eat."

"My Mom packs too much, too, but not twenty bento boxes." Erasa noticed the Capsule Corporation brand name on the basket and water jug. Capsule Corp products varied in prices and this one with the refrigerated picnic baskets and chilled water told her this was one of the expensive products. "Wow. Your family must have money to afford this. I saw this brand in the store. It's really expensive."

Gohan looked up from his half-eaten bento box. "It is? I didn't know. My friend gave this to me as a gift."

"A friend?" Erasa wondered what kind of friend Gohan has. "You must be a really good friend to get this."

"With Bulma?" Gohan shrugged. "I guess. She's my Dad's friend but I play with her kid sometimes."

"Bulma?" Erasa gasped. "As in Bulma Briefs, daughter of Dr. Briefs, the CEO and owner of Capsule Corporation?! You're friends with her?!"

Sharpner and Videl got up, approached and inspected his lunch. Sharpner took another capsule from the bento box and opened it. It was another picnic basket. "You're gonna eat all this?"

"Yeah?" Gohan wondered what was wrong. "Is that a problem?"

"I….I….." Erasa stammered. "You're friends with one of the richest people in the world!"

"And you have the stomach of twenty people." Videl filed this along with the other strange things she noticed about Gohan. He might not be the Golden Warrior but there's something weird about this kid.

Again Gohan shrugged. He probably was but he never noticed nor cared. Still, with the way Erasa, Sharpner, Videl and a few other classmates stared at him, Gohan was slowly realizing being normal will be a challenge.

Gym was the last class for the day and Gohan was glad. After this, he'll go home, relax and work on acting normal. Maybe tomorrow he'll blend in and today will be forgotten. After changing clothes, Gohan filed outside with everyone else. Kids disperse to try out the physical activities available. There were baseball, boxing, tennis, soccer, track, and martial arts activities available. Gohan considered going inside and try out swimming when Erasa tugged his arm.

"Hey, Gohan, come play baseball with Videl, Sharpner and me."

Swimming would be safer and less likely for him in showing too much of his strength but his mother did tell him he has to socialize with kids his age, especially ones who don't know about his abilities. Everyone in his Grandpa's village knew what he can do. It was normal but the times Gohan went to the city and didn't associate with his family friends, he realized to the rest of the world he was not normal and he will have to adjust. The last thing he wanted was his ability exposing his family to the rest of the world. He's seen the life of celebrities on TV. It wasn't a life he wanted for himself or his family.

"You any good at baseball?" Sharpner asked.

When Gohan thought of baseball, he thought of Kenji and the awful time his mother dated him. When Yamcha invited them to his first game, Gohan read a book on baseball to prepare himself. That was as far as he got in playing. Yamcha, Kenji and not even Leska could get him to play the sport. When Kenji entered their lives, the sport left a bad taste in his mouth. "I never played but I went to a few games and I know the rules."

"Well, take right field then," Videl suggested.

"Okay." Gohan jogged to right field. I guess Kenji gets the last laugh after all. Several times Kenji tried to show him how to play baseball but Gohan always made an excuse to not learn. But I read enough. I can handle this as long as I control my strength.

Gohan handled it well since he was avoided. Two of the students hit the ball towards left or center field. One of the students struck out. By the time Sharpner came to bat, the bases were loaded. Sharpner pointed his bat towards the stands where a few students watched. "Grand slam! I'm calling it now."

"Ha!" Videl laughed. "I'm gonna strike you out!" Holding the ball tight in her hand, Videl swung her arm and threw it.

Sharpner swung his bat and perfectly connected with the baseball. From his and everyone's view, it was a home run. As Sharpner ran towards first base, Gohan leapt in the air and caught the ball. That was two outs. Still hovering in the air, Gohan saw the runner on third running towards home plate. "Catch!" Gohan yelled and tossed the baseball at the catcher.

The catcher caught the ball but the strength behind the ball knocked the poor teen on his back. Luckily, his left foot still touched home base plate rendering the runner out.

"He's out!" a teen playing empire yelled. "That's three outs!

Meanwhile, everyone including Sharpner, Videl and the gym teacher stared wide-eyed and open mouth as Gohan gently landed. What did I do wrong? I got two players out. "Three outs," Gohan addressed his teacher. "That means we come off the field and get ready to hit the baseball, right?"

"Yeah," the gym teacher drawled. "Did you just jump thirty feet into the air?"

"Thirty?" Oh, crap. Gohan laughed nervously. "No, no, no. I—I'm sure that was an accident!"

"Doesn't look like an accident," the gym teacher was certain. "That was a skilled jump."

"Nah. Just a lucky jump," Gohan shrugged before hurrying off the field. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.

"An accident?" one kid said.

"No way that was an accident. Maybe he's on steroids," another kid suggested.

"Steroids? That bean pole?"

Gohan tugged his baseball cap further down his face to shield himself as he walked off. After a few strange looks, the incident was mostly forgotten as the kids switched places on the field and the game resumed. Gohan sat on the end of the bench mentally scolding himself. Remember Hoyt. Remember what Mom and Bulma said about looking normal.

When it was time for Gohan to come up to bat, he had the perfect solution to make everyone forget about his leap. I'll let the ball hit me. That way, I can't swing and use too much of my strength.

But as Sharpner's fastball hurled towards him, Gohan, at the last second dove on the ground. I can't do that! If I let the ball hit my face, they'll wonder why I am not in pain?

Right now everyone laughed at Gohan and his chicken dive. "Sorry, sorry," Gohan apologized as he stood. "The ball moved too fast and I panicked."

"Forget what I said about steroids," one kid said. "No kid on the juice takes a dive like that."

While his teammates looked at Gohan disgusted, Gohan cheered. This is perfect! They don't think I'm strong anymore. Okay. I'll lightly tap the ball, strikeout and go back on the bench."

Gohan swung his bat back and forth as he warmed up. Don't hit too hard. Don't hit too hard. Gohan repeated. Sharpner threw a curveball, Gohan swung his bat and connected with the ball. As soon as Gohan heard a loud crack, he knew he tapped the ball too hard. The ball soared out of the field and kept going. This left everyone staring at Gohan slack-

jawed and open mouth again. Shoot! That was too much again! Yamcha would catch balls like that but these kids can't do it.

"Don't just stand there!" Videl screamed. "Run! We can't score unless you leave home plate!"

"Sorry!" Gohan ran to each base. All the students stared at him again.

"Oh, yeah," one kid said, "he's definitely on steroids."

After Gohan's homerun, the gym teacher called the game since the final school period was ending soon. Gohan quickly changed clothes and hurried to his locker to get his bookbag. He was ready to go home after a mentally exhausting first day.

"Did your Dad take you to games?" Sharpner leaned against the locker. "You must go to a lot of them to be this good."

"No. A friend of my Dad's is a baseball player and gave my Mom free tickets."

Videl and Erasa listened as they cleaned out their lockers for the day. They wanted to know the story, too, but for different reasons.

"Who is this friend?" Sharpner asked.

"Yamcha. He plays for the Taitans." Again everyone stopped and stared at him. Now what did I do?! "What?"

"Yamcha?!" Sharpner repeated amazed. "The amazing hitter on the Taitans?! That's why you play so good. Now it makes sense! He's always making high jumps to catch balls that should be homeruns!"

Gohan closed his locker, not understanding what's so amazing. "It does?"

"Yamcha is the best baseball player in the world! His homeruns go for miles and he can jump high like you." Erasa elbowed Videl. "He's pretty cute, too. Right, Videl?"

Videl rolled her eyes. Her friend was attracted to almost anything. "He's old! Like 40."

"How does a country hick like you know Yamcha?" Sharpner questioned.

"He's a friend of my Dad's."

"Your Dad knows Bulma Briefs and Yamcha from the Taitans?" Sharpner thought that was really suspicious. "Who's your Dad?"

"Stop being so nosy," Erasa chided him. "Gohan's here to go to school and not talk about his personal life."

Sharpner laughed. "You're one to talk." But Sharpner took the advice. There was time to figure out Gohan later. "So, what sport are you signing up for? Baseball? Boxing?"

"Oh, I don't think I'll sign up for any sports."

"Of course he can't. Gohan lives far away. He doesn't have time for sports." Erasa wrapped an arm around Gohan. "Since you drive, do you mind giving me a ride home? I don't live far away."

Gohan slipped his arm out of Erasa's grasp. "Sorry. My car only seats one."

"A one seat car?" Sharpner's suspicions rose again. "If you have money for an expensive car like that, you can afford an apartment here."

"Nah, I can't." Gohan laughed nervously. "My family's poor."

"Poor?" Videl didn't believe that. "If you're friends with Bulma Briefs and Yamcha, the baseball player, you must have some money."

Gohan shrugged. "Afraid not. I gotta go. It's a long commute home." He waved at his new friends. "See ya, tomorrow!"

"Bye, Gohan!" Erasa waved goodbye as he jogged off. "Such a cutie and access to rich and popular people. I never would've thought that."

"Yeah," Sharpner agreed. "Maybe he can give me some free tickets to a baseball game."

"If I can be his girlfriend, maybe he'll introduce me to Bulma Briefs and I can get some rich, free stuff, too." Erasa squealed at the idea. "What do you think, Videl?" No answer. "Videl?" Erasa looked around. She and Sharpner noticed Videl was gone.

There's something fishy about this boy. Videl hid behind a tree watching Gohan walking away. Jumping thirty feet; getting hit by a baseball with no scars; eating a lunch that can fil twenty people; has connections to rich and famous people. Videl followed after Gohan but kept her distance so she wouldn't be noticed. If he lives so far away, why is he walking and not immediately getting in a car or jet flier? Gohan turned a corner and Videl ran so she wouldn't lose him.

"What the….?" No one was here. He was gone. Gohan wasn't that far ahead of her. How could she lose him? "Where did he go?" Videl ran to the other end of the street. Gohan was nowhere. Videl crossed her arms frustrated. "That Son Gohan is a strange boy….. and he's hiding something. I just know it."

Meanwhile, Gohan stood on top of the building watching Videl. Nimbus hovered beside him ready to take him home. "Oh, boy," Gohan groaned as he hopped on Nimbus. "Being 'normal' will be harder than I thought." As Nimbus carried Gohan away from Satan City, Gohan thought about his predicament. "So, they are calling me the 'Golden Warrior'. I need a better disguise. Maybe Bulma can give me some advice."

Bulma provided a solution to Gohan's problem: a transformative costume to hide his face. While she worked on it, Gohan played with Trunks. He was surprised to learn Trunks was being trained by Vegeta. He remembered his Dad forcing Vegeta to train with Future Trunks in the Room of Spirit and Time. It was good Vegeta was volunteering to train Trunks but it was still surprised he was doing it and even more surprising he didn't know about it. During his few visits here and Bulma and Trunks' visits to Mount Paozu it was never mentioned Trunks was training. Not even Goten told him and Gohan suspected Goten knew.

After two hours, Bulma created the costume for Gohan and put it in a watch. With a push of a red button, a helmet, red cape and green and black suit with white boots and gold trim covered him. Gohan looked himself in the mirror and loved it! The helmet, the cape and colors reminded Gohan of the hero from the anime he used to watch.

"ChiChi told me you were really into some anime after the Cell Game so I took some liberties with the costume. What do you think?"

"I LOVE IT! This is so cool, Bulma!"

Cool? It was the most ridiculous costume Trunks ever saw. He immediately recanted on Bulma making a costume for him. After a few more thank you and a promise to visit, Gohan left West City. It was getting late and he knew his Mom was waiting to learn about his first day of school.

Gohan was so excited about his costume, he changed into it again and flew home. Under his own power, Gohan reached Satan City in less than an hour. He couldn't resist showing off and giving the people of Satan City something to talk about with his official arrival into the city as the new hero against crime.

Below him, Gohan saw a car speeding. It ran a red light and caused cars to swerve. The driver weave between cars so recklessly, it didn't appear to slow down as it neared a crosswalk where a woman walked. She wore music buds in her ears and dark sunglasses over her eyes. She didn't appear to notice the fast car approaching. Gohan swooped down and landed right in front of the woman. His sudden presence caused her to see the speeding car.

"Don't worry, good citizen! I'll protect you!" Gohan crossed his arms and stood in the center of the street. He forced the speeding car to slam the brakes, stopping inches from Gohan.

The driver poke his head out of the window. "Hey, dumbass! What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

"What's the idea driving like that? You almost hit this woman and watch your language," Gohan scolded the driver with the wag of his finger. "There's a lady present."

Pissed, the driver, a skinny blonde in sunglasses, got out of his car and pulled out a knife. The dark-haired passenger of the car got out, too. He had a gun.

"Too bad," the knife welder approached Gohan. "The lady's gonna see the streets covered in your blood."

The man with the gun aimed it at Gohan. "Who are you?"

Crap! I forgot I need a name! Um, let's see. I can't be the Golden Warrior like this. Um, Gohanman? Sonman? No. The Amazing Teen? No. Superheroes usually have a name that's tied to their power.

As the speeders waited and the woman bystander stared, all three realized Gohan didn't have a name.

"Check out this dumbass. Trying to be a wannabe hero and the idiot doesn't have a name." The man with the gun aimed it at Gohan. "I have a name for you: Dumb Fucker."

Gohan pointed at the speeders. He had his name. My reveal is gonna be sooo cool! "I'm the defender of justice: The Great Saiyaman!"

That was awesome! I should've told Bulma to put a video cam in this so I can record my debut. Goten and Mom will love it!

"Great Saiyaman?" the blonde repeated.

"What a nerd!" the dark-haired passenger laughed.

"Someone with that costume obviously never touched a boob!"

Gohan expected the speeders to cower, apologize but instead they laughed. They were laughing at him! They called him lame. They called his costume lame and laughed at him and they implied he never touched a girl in front of the female bystander.

My debut as hero to this city and they laugh at me? How can I fight criminals who laugh at me? How can the good people believe I want to help or know I'm a friend when criminals laugh at me?!

It was embarrassing and it angered Gohan. He would not be laughed at when he's trying to help people. He slammed his foot down, repeatedly. The concrete street cracked into large pieces under the weight of his foot. "Stop laughing! This isn't funny! I worked really hard on that name!"

The speeders stopped laughing. Stamping his feet did that? What would happen if he put his hands on them? They shrank in fear, apologized, returned to their car and slowly drove off.

That's more like it. Gohan flashed the victory sign as they drove off. "I guess they learned their lesson."

"And you've picked up quite a few….. Gohan."

Gohan's entire body froze. The woman he just saved spoke and said his name! Who….? Gohan turned to her.

"It is you, isn't it?" She removed her sunglasses revealing her cinnamon-brown eyes. Gohan recognized the bouncy ebony curls. Instead of down, her curls were pulled up in a high ponytail. Her breasts and hips slightly bigger and wider in her flowy, spring dress. She grew another inch but he towered her and after three years, still recognized her voice.

"Leska?"

Part 37: All About Gohan

AN: Chapter already long so I edited Goku and Krillin and 18 scenes for the next chapter. I always presumed Goten became a Super Saiyan first because Daddy Goku was a Super Saiyan at conception and training ChiChi gave him brought it out. With Trunks, I don't think Vegeta was a Super Saiyan but he was on the verge. What aided Trunks is him training above 100 times gravity at a young age, daily.

Ryoukeizan translates to Pleasant Mountain which was the original name of Mt. Frypan before the fire.

Students can attend school outside their district but it requires extra paperwork, a valid reason, a wait time. I added a fee for story purposes. There's always a weird plot hole around Gohan and his age. Gohan is 16 when he goes to Orange Star High. In Japan high school is three years Grade 10-12 which is between ages 15-17 or 16-18 depending on birthday. School starts in April. If Gohan is born in May and turning 16 he should be a junior. So I assume Gohan is in his second year of high school at 16 but I wrote Gohan going to high school in a small town for a short time in his first year before it not working out. I kind of based that on the idea of a guy I knew. The teacher actually told his Mom to take him out of school. She thought he was too smart for the school and it would be holding him back.

I think Gohan got a rotten deal not having more story explored about his high school life before Goku returns. That will change with the next chapter.

And yes, I have an online stalker because of this story but I prefer to ignore his hateful, sexist and misogynistic jabber because he craves attention and creates multiple alts to whine whenever I block him. I rather focus on the ones who love and understand this story.