Meanwhile, Goku had flown to a lake that was a couple miles away from the house.
He was sitting at the edge of the lake, looking into the thick forestation, about everything that went wrong. Everything was fine when he came back…. right? He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't realize Gohan's presence behind him.
"Dad?" he spoke softly
Goku turned around to face his son. "Oh. Hey, Gohan."
Gohan took a seat beside his father on the grass. "Dad, I-" he began
"Your mother told you." Goku said in a statement more than a question.
"Y-yeah. She did." he stammered. Gohan was about to continue but no words came out. He was almost afraid to hear the answer to the question he wanted to ask.
"And?" Goku knew there was something he wanted to say.
Gohan came right out with it. "Dad, why did you lie?"
Goku sighed. "Gohan, you know better than anyone how much your mother dislikes Bulma."
"That doesn't justify lying, Dad. And now mom is threatening to leave." he said with a hint of aggravation.
"I know." he stated with a straight face. Gohan couldn't read his emotions.
"Does that not matter to you?" he took note of his father's lack of empathy.
Goku looked him straight in the eyes. "Of course this matters to me. You of all people should know how much I care about you, your mother, and your brother."
Gohan lowered his voice. "So, you're not going, right? "
Goku sighed and turned his attention back to the lake. "I thinks it's best for me and your mother to get some space."
Gohan's eyes widened in shock for a quick second as he looked at his father with a scowl.
"Isn't your need for space the reason why all of this is happening?" he mumbled
Gohan stood up to leave, but Goku called him. He was still sitting, staring at the lake.
"I know you're upset, Gohan. But you just wouldn't understand. Just know that I would never want you to pick between me and your mother. Understand that none of this is because of you or your brother." he said
"Oh I know, Dad. This one's all you." Gohan thought, then flew off.
After Gohan left, Chichi went back to the kitchen to clean up. She wiped the counters, scrubbed down the floors, and washed the dishes. She then made herself a cup of herbal tea to relax her nerves and joined Goten in the living room to watch some cartoons.
"Hi, sweetheart." she sat on the couch and kissed his cheek, "You mind if I join you?"
He looked up at her. "No, momma."
"What are you watching?" she giggled. She was always happy whenever around her boys.
"Just cartoons." he said munching on some cookies.
Then came the burning question.
"Momma, where's daddy?" he looked up at her with wide, innocent eyes waiting for an answer.
She stumbled on her words. "Uh... he's, um,...well, he went for a walk."
That was the closest thing to the truth she could think of. She didn't know where Goku ran off too, but she wished she did. Goku's little "exits" of anger were affecting their children now. Goten hadn't mastered ki yet, so he couldn't just sense his father.
"Will he be back, soon?"
She ran a hand through his hair, resting her head on top of his.."I hope so, buddy."
The mother and son duo continued watching cartoons and talking for about another half hour. Chichi was about to doze off for a late morning nap when Gohan stormed through the front door.
She turned towards him, "Gohan? What's wrong?"
But instead of receiving an answer, all he did was look at Goten and motion for her to follow him. She gently removed a napping Goten from her lap, placing him on the couch, then made her way towards the kitchen.
"Goh-"
"Dad is leaving." he said pacing back and forth
Chichi shook her head as if she didn't hear him. "What?"
"Dad is leaving, he says that you and him need space." he said frantically.
Wow, she thought. She had the slightest bit of hope that Gohan talking to Goku would make him change his mind. I guess he'll never change.
"That selfish…" she mumbled but stopped herself before she could finish. She didn't want to bad-mouth Goku in front of the kids.
"Okay, okay Gohan. Calm down." she made a calming motion with her hands. He took a seat after a few long seconds, but managed to reel in his emotions.
"I know you didn't eat breakfast." she was moving toward the fridge.
"Breakfast?! How can I think about breakfast at a time like this?" he exclaimed.
"Leave that to me and your father. You're our child, not a mediator. Eat some breakfast." she ordered
His mother had a point. "Oh alright."
She set out some leftovers from this morning. "So, how is school?"
"Uh… great. I'm keeping up with my studies." he stammered diving into some pancakes and sausages.
Chichi quirked her brow "Mhmm, keeping up?"
Gohan rubbed his head and laughed nervously, "Ahead, I meant keeping ahead of my studies."
"Good, that's what I like to hear. Have you made any new friends?"
"Actually, uh.. Yeah." Gohan said with a faint blush staining his cheeks.
His mother took immediate notice. "Are any of these friends girls?"
"Y-y-yyeah, her name is Videl." his cheeks couldn't get any more rouged.
"Oh…" she said knowingly, moving to take a seat beside Gohan. "Do you have a crush on her?"
"MOM!" Gohan's whole face turned a crimson red
Chichi giggled. "What? Did you ask her out?"
"Well, I was going to ask to go out tonight with her and a group of friends, but…"
"You should go, it's the weekend and you've been working hard. I'm sure you'll get some studying done before you go."
Gohan nearly fell over. Was he hearing correctly? "Mom, a-aare you sure? With you and dad-"
Chichi put her hand up, "Under "normal" circumstances, I probably wouldn't allow you to go, but now more than ever I need you to be happy, so go. Be a kid." she looked straight in the eyes. "Our problems are not your problems."
Gohan smiled, "Uh sure, alright Mom, thanks."
"No problem, sweetie. I just want you to be happy." she smiled back
Hours later, it was mid-afternoon and Chichi was currently standing in line at the grocery store. She had brought Goten along since she wanted Gohan to get his studying done & Goku still hadn't come home.
Honestly, his behavior is pathetic, she thought. He should take resp-
" Ma'am." the cashier called getting Chichi's attention. "Your groceries. Could you place them on the conveyor belt?" she asked politely.
"Oh..uh, yes. Sorry. Goten, help me please"
"Sure, momma."
The cashier flashed a quick smile before realizing how much food Chichi was buying. Her eyes almost popped out of her sockets, but Chichi was already too deep in thought to realize. Normally, she would frown at the cashier, giving he or she a piece of her mind, but her current situation was weighing heavy on her mind.
Is it my fault? Did I do something wrong? Was it right to give him an ultimatum? And what about the kids? They need their father. Am I wrong for feeling this way? Am I wrong for doing something about it?
Beep. Beep. Beep…. the register sang as the cashier rung item after item.
What am I thinking? Of course I'm right. I didn't do anything wrong. It's his fault. All his fault. The only mistake I made was believing that he would change his irresponsible, selfish ways.
"Ma'am"
I should have made this decision a looong time ago, all Goku has done is hold me back as his little housemaid. It's time for me too live my life without constantly worrying about whether he'll come back. If he gets to do what he wants, than I can too, and anybody who doesn't like it, can stick it where the sun-
"Ma'am"
"WHAAT?!" she screeched
The grocery store went quiet. Uncomfortably quiet.
The cashier girl looked stunned. Goten was staring up at his mother with wide eyes, although he was used to her outbursts. The other customers stared her down for a minute before Chichi's icy glare turned them away. Clearing her throat, she turned back to the cashier, calmly.
In a low tone, she asked, "How much?"
"Uhh, 2-235.76$" the cashier looked a bit uncomfortable and Chichi felt horrible. She tried not to think about it, but that didn't make it any better. Time was ticking by and sometime tomorrow Goku was gonna leave. Again. And that was her reality.
"Here, keep the change." she offered the cashier a sad smile, gathered her groceries, and left the store with Goten in tow.
By the time Chichi got home, it was early evening and she was exhausted, to say the least. Looking after a hyperactive, five year old and going store to store to get all that her family needed, making sure that it was enough to last at least two weeks was excruciatingly tiresome. All in all, today was a long day and it was far from over, especially with having to cook dinner.
"Gohan! I'm home!" she yelled, bombarding through the front door with as many groceries as she could carry. Gohan came downstairs, dressed to go.
"Hey, mom. Let me help you with those."
"Oh, no I'm fine. Just grab the rest from the car before you go."
"Yeah, sure."
Chichi once again found herself in the kitchen. She placed the groceries on the counter and began putting them into their proper places. Gohan came in a minute later with the rest of the groceries.
"Thank you, sweetheart. I got it from here" she called from the fridge.
"Are you sure? I can stay a little while longer." he sounded concerned.
Chichi looked up at him and smiled. "Gohan. I'm fine. Go enjoy yourself. I trust you'll be back by curfew?"
He smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, of course."
"So go. Go have fun" she made a "shooing" motion with her hands leading him to the front door.
Gohan chuckled, "Alright, mom. I'm off. See you, later." and he flew off
Chichi closed the front door. She leaned against it and shut her eyes, blowing a raspberry. Well, dinner isn't going to make itself, she thought.
About an hour and a half later, Chichi had finished preparing an array of dishes. Actually looking at her handiwork, she realized that she might have gone a little overboard. After all, it was going to be just her and Goten at dinner tonight.
Chichi called toward the living room,"Goten! Wash up! Dinner's ready!" she shook her head with a quiet laugh when she heard him eagerly make his way up the stairs. She was in the midst of setting the table when she head the front door open and close.
Goku stepped into the kitchen. She side-glanced his way for a split second, but didn't stop her movements… let alone pay him any mind.
"Chi, are you talking to me?" he asked softly.
No response.
"I'm not taking Goten with me."
Chichi momentarily stopped her movements and humphed, "As if you could, and just where were you?" she looked at him, crossing her arms
He leaned against the doorway, "I've been out, thinking."
She humphed again. "That's great, Goku, but you didn't answer my question"
Goku sighed. "I was out-"
"At Capsule Corp.?" she quirked a brow
"Kami, Chichi. What is your problem?" he stood up straight with his hands midway into the air.
"MY problem? THE problem is you." she huffed bitterly
Just then Goten came parading down the stairs, as if Kami himself sent him in order to discontinue their soon-to-be argument.
Goten came crashing into his father's leg. "DADDY!" he yelled cheerily.
Goku genuinely laughed. "Hey, squirt!"
He lifted Goten onto his shoulder, laughing with him, tickling him, catching up.
As Chichi looked on at the scene in front of her, she momentarily forgot their current problems and actually smiled. A genuine smile, thinking Is it worth risking Goten's happiness or Gohan's sanity?
But then reality hit her for what felt like the 1000th time that day, telling her that this was only temporary, he's still the same.
Chichi gave a small smile. "Okay, enough. Time to eat."
Then she turned towards Goku, "Will you be joining us?" she spoke softly
He slightly tensed, not really expecting an invite to his own dinner table. But instead of waiting for an answer, she simply muttered..
"Just...do it for Goten." she then walked away, taking her seat at one end of the table, as Goku sat at the opposite end, with Goten munching away in between them.
Dinner was going quite well. Goten was the life of the party, as expected. He went on and on about things five year olds do, talking about cartoons, dinosaurs, and other kid stuff. He especially was catching his father up on all his recent daily activities. Goku was nodding and acknowledging him here and there, sharing an occasional laugh. Chichi just listened and smiled, responding only when she was spoken to. So, naturally, dinner was going well, that was until….
"Daddy, when do we leave for camp?" Goten asked innocently.
Goku nearly choked on his porkchop, he assumed Goten had forgotten about the whole thing, or at least got the hint that his mother did not want him to go.
Chichi raised a brow, awaiting his answer. Goku coughed to clear his throat.
"Sorry, buddy, but I can't take you with me."
Goten crossed his arms, pouting. "Awww, but why?"
Goku looked sincere. "See, your mom-" he began, whilst taking a quick glance at Chichi who now had both eyebrows raised in anticipation for what he was going to say next. "Your mom doesn't think it will be safe if you went. These guys are really strong and you haven't gotten any real, proper training, yet."
Goten's smile completely faded and Chichi felt terrible, but she still didn't want him to go. She placed a hand on Goten's.
"Oh, I'm sorry sweetheart. Tell you what, how about instead of camp, we have a sleepover at Grandpa's? I know how much you love his castle."
Goku looked at her suspiciously. She can't be…..
Goten instantly perked up. "Really?" his smile was so wide
Chichi laughed, "Really."
Goten jumped out of his seat, cheering. "Oh man, this is going to be so fun! I can't wait"
She giggled at his antics, "Alright, you can go play in the living room while I clean up."
"M'kay, momma. Will you come play with me, daddy?"
Goku ruffled his hair. "Sure buddy, I just have to talk to your mom first. I'll meet you there."
Goten giggled. "M'kay." Then ran off into the living room. Chichi waited patiently for him to begin talking.
Once Goten was completely out of earshot, Goku asked,
"Is that your way of leaving with the boys?" he crossed his arms
"Goku, what are you talking about?" her brows creasing
Goku frowned. "You. Taking Goten for "a sleepover" at Grandpa's?"
Chichi laughed cynically, "Seriously?" She started clearing the table, bring them over to the sink, completely dismissing Goku. He walked up beside her, grabbing her arm.
"Yes, Chichi. I'm being serious." his brows were rooted together, giving her the most serious look ever, so serious it looked uncharacteristic on him.
She yanked her arm back. "Well, what does it matter to you? You made your choice to leave and I'm making mine." she stated fiercely
"You can't just up and take the kids."
"Since when do you care?" she wasn't even looking his way. She knew if she did, she would start crying. Telling her husband that she was leaving, with their kids, was hard. (to say the least)
"Chi-" he began, but Chichi was already over the conversation. She didn't know how much longer she could maintain her composure and not just break down.
"Goten is waiting for you." she said as calmly as she could, looking his way, but not in his eyes.
It took a couple of long seconds, but Goku got the hint. He sighed and walked away but not without saying,
"We'll talk about this later."