Chi-Chi's Journey
Part Five: Misunderstandings and Atonements
"Goku?" Chi-Chi called softly. She wasn't sure but the man before her looked to be her husband. Many questions raced through her mind like What was he doing here? How did he find her? She walked to him and touched his face. It felt rugged and tough like the last time she touched it. "Is it really you, Goku?"
Goku nodded. "Yeah, it's me."
A roller coaster of emotions enveloped Chi-Chi. She didn't know if she was going to cry, hug him, or kiss him, so she did the first thing that came to her.
She slapped him. Hard.
The slap didn't cut his skin, but it stung Goku's left cheek. Chi-Chi maybe getting old, but she still had her martial arts about her. He didn't say anything. After hearing Gohan and Bulma yelled at him about what he did to his wife, he felt he deserved that slap. The thunder roared loudly and the rain came down in buckets now rather than light drops. They were both getting soak in the downpour.
Chi-Chi looked up at the hard rain and grimaced. "We better go inside," Chi-Chi said stepping closer to Goku. "I jumped off the hotel balconies and I don't have my key, so we'll have to fly up and go in through my window."
Goku looked at the hotel Chi-Chi was pointing to and how high it was. "You jumped off each floor?" He was surprised.
"I still have some martial arts in me," she said putting an arm around his waist. "Let's go."
Goku put his arm around her and the two flew up the building.
"Right here," Chi-Chi told Goku. Goku landed both of them on the balcony. He followed Chi-Chi inside once she let go of him and closed the balcony door. "I'll get us some towels to—" she was cut off when Goku took her hand and pulled her into a hug.
Chi-Chi tried to break free, but Goku tightened his hold on her. His body glowed and thus his energy was transferred to Chi-Chi. She began to glow as well and felt warm as her rain soaked gown and hair dry and her cool body warmed up. She leaned deeper into his hug, burying her face in his chest. She enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms again and his scent, mixed with rain and sweat. She thought he came from his training with Uub to be slightly sweating, but why was he out of breath? She could hear the rapid beating of his heart and feel his chest heaving up and down.
Still, she missed being here. Here, she always felt safe and at peace. Chi-Chi felt herself completely dry but lingered in Goku's arms a little more, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms again. Remembering where they were and what was going on, Chi-Chi stepped back.
The two just stared at each other. Despite being away from her for over a year, Chi-Chi looked the same to him. She looked as pretty as ever. He especially liked the short gown she wore but there was no time to think about those thoughts now. When he held her, he felt a sign of peace from her. He began to wonder if it was the island doing this to her.
Goku looked the same to Chi-Chi as well. Why would he change? His clothes were even the same from when she last saw him. Typical Goku. He was always happy in the same clothes. It took a yelling Chi-Chi to convince Goku to get rid of his red fighting gi and wear the new outfit she made. At first Goku wasn't sure about the new outfit. He was used to his red, but soon he like the change. He no longer had to wear his blue weighted suit, which was kind of ridiculous now since the shirt and boots were like paper to him after all the years of extensive training he was in.
Chi-Chi noticed Goku was still out of breath. She wondered why. Chi-Chi left to go into the sitting room and brought back a large bottle of water. She gave it to him. "Mind telling me why you are out of breath?"
Goku thanked Chi-Chi for the water and consumed it. "I've been searching the islands for you for the past two days."
Chi-Chi blinked. "You searched every island on the world for me…for the past two days?"
"Yeah. I had to fly to every island and since I can't find your ki because of Shenron, I had to use my nose. Good thing I'm a Saiyan." Goku said as if it was no big deal.
"You didn't stop to rest or eat?" Chi-Chi asked in disbelief.
Goku shook his head. "No. I was too worried about you. I had to find you and explain why I left."
'I've been a fool,' Chi-Chi told herself. "Weren't you hungry? Aren't you hungry now?"
"Well, yeah, but I had to find you first," Goku said and waved the empty bottle. "Can I have some more water?"
"Sure," Chi-Chi said taking the empty bottle. She left the room and went to the sitting room and picked up the phone. "Yes, is the kitchen still open? It is? I'd like to make an order. You might want to send some extra men up here. It's going to be a big order." Chi-Chi gave her long order. Afterwards, she went back to the bedroom where Goku was and gave him another bottle of water. "Here, drink some more."
Goku took the bottle and just looked at her a little too much. Chi-Chi feeling exposed even under her husband's eyes put on her chiffon kimono. The garment didn't cover her legs since it was as short as her gown but it was able to cover her arms and her breasts, which were being exposed.
"You're hungry, aren't you?" Chi-Chi asked.
"A little," he said and then there was a loud rumbling noise. It sounded like an earthquake. Chi-Chi grabbed hold onto a chair to balance herself against the loud noise. He gave Chi-Chi a sheepish smile. "Sorry."
"I take it that your little earthquake stomach is saying that you are really hungry. I ordered some food for you. It'll be a while before it's ready. Why don't you take a bath, get rid of the musk and sweat on you?"
Goku smelled himself and looked at Chi-Chi with innocent eyes. "I don't smell that bad, do I?"
For the first time since Goku's arrival, Chi-Chi smiled. She could never resist Goku when he acted so innocent. "You've smelled better. Now go in there and take a shower," she said pointing to the door.
"Okay," Goku said and went inside. Goku turned on the shower, waited for the water to be just right, took off his clothes and got in the shower. Chi-Chi's behavior was strange to Goku. He expected her to yell, scream at him angrily. Well, she did slap him hard, that showed she was angry with him, but after that, she had been nothing but calm around him. He wondered if Chi-Chi being nice to him was her softening him up before the blow.
Chi-Chi sat on the sofa in the sitting room wondering about her behavior as well. It was amazing at how he affected her. Just that simple act of Goku looking for her and she had forgiven him. That's how Goku was. He could do the simplest thing and she would forgive him no matter how angry she was at him because it showed her that he actually cared for her and he was truly sorry for what he did to make her angry.
Twenty minutes later, Goku emerged from the bathroom in a hotel robe. Being a suite she was in, they had both female and male robes. He found Chi-Chi in the living room and sat beside her. "I cleaned up."
"You took your time," Chi-Chi said. It was like him. He would take his time to shower. He would sit in the barrel for an hour just soaking in the water. It was a miracle he didn't come out looking like a raisin. The time in there was good. It stalled the talking that awaited them.
The doorbell knock and Chi-Chi went to the door. When she opened it, she saw three men with a cart loaded with food. Chi-Chi stepped aside and let the men come in.
"Wow, you guys are going to eat all this. I thought a group of people were up here," a worker commented to Chi-Chi.
Chi-Chi gave each young man a tip. "Yes, well, this isn't for me. It's for my husband."
All three men blinked and then looked at Goku on the couch. "You're kidding me," a worker said.
"No, my husband can eat a lot," Chi-Chi told them. "Thank you. Good night."
The young men just nodded after they got their tips and left. Chi-Chi closed the door and looked at Goku. "Go eat. I'll wait for you in the bedroom."
"But…"
"No, buts, Goku. You're going to eat and then we'll talk. I won't talk to you with your earthquake sounding stomach going off every five minutes."
"All right," Goku said quietly.
Chi-Chi left Goku to his eating. She sat on the bed, waiting for Goku's return and running over her mind what she wanted to say to him. There was so much to get out, so much to say. She had forgiven him for his leaving but there was that frustration about his departure she had to get out.
Ten minutes later, the bedroom door open and Chi-Chi looked up as she saw Goku standing at the doorway. After all this time, it still amazed her at how fast he could eat. Goku looked as if he was waiting for her to give the okay for him to come it.
"Come in, Goku."
Goku walked in and sat down on the bed beside her. "So, tell me, Goku—how did you know I was on the island? How did you found me?"
"I tried talking to Gohan and Bulma, but they wouldn't tell me. Goten calmly told me you made him promised not to tell me. Vegeta told me you were on the island. He didn't know which one, but I knew where to start."
"I see," Chi-Chi said.
"Did you really wish a Spirit Bomb to be dropped on me?" Goku asked incredulously.
Guilt flashed across Chi-Chi's face. "Yes. I'm sorry Goku. I was just so upset with you leaving me again that I wanted you to pay. It didn't hurt too bad, did it?"
"Nah, it stung. It's kind of funny when you look back it. The Spirit Bomb was chasing me like you with a frying pan," he said trying to joke and lighten the mood, but it didn't work.
He saw Chi-Chi was still frowning and looking guilty. His hand touched her face, stroking it softly. "Don't be sad. I'm fine. The itching and diarrhea wasn't that bad." She smiled. "That's better. I sense a calmness about you. The others told me you've been happy since you left."
"I have been happy."
'Happy because you got away from the pain I caused you,' he thought with a frown. 'I know what I have to do.'
Chi-Chi leaned her face into Goku's hand as it gently stroked her face. She was happy to be with Goku again. She wanted to tell him, tell him that she loved him, and tell him about her thoughts tonight. Chi-Chi gave a surprised gasp as Goku kissed her passionately. Chi-Chi was blown away from the kiss. She felt so much love in it. Now, she felt foolish for doubting his love for her but they still had to talk and not kiss, but it felt so good kissing him that Chi-Chi couldn't pull away. She remembered him suddenly kissing her like that when he returned from Yardrat and after beating Majin Buu.
Goku slowly pulled away and saw Chi-Chi was breathing as heavy as he. Now was the time to do it. When he was looking for her, he wrestled with this decision, but seeing Chi-Chi happy now confirmed it was what he had to do. "I think we should end our marriage."
Chi-Chi felt her heart drop. A divorce. He kissed her like that and he wanted a divorce? What was the kiss for, to soften the blow? Angry, Chi-Chi shoved Goku away.
"You want to leave me?!"
"It would make you happier," Goku said now wondering why Chi-Chi was so upset. He thought this was what she wanted.
Chi-Chi punched Goku. The blow caught him so off guard that he rolled over and fell off the bed. She went around the other side and grabbed Goku by the top of his robe. "No, it wouldn't make me happier! It would make me feel horrible! What, you found some young, island woman that you prefer over me?! Who is she?! I'll kick her—"
"Whoa!" Goku said putting his hands on Chi-Chi's. "Island woman? No, I just thought that since you seem so happy without me that you'd want to leave me."
Chi-Chi released Goku and let him drop to the floor with a thud. She sat back down on the bed not even looking at him. "I'll be horrible without you, Goku. I don't want a divorce. I want to stay married to you."
Goku got up and sat beside her. "I'm sorry for leaving but you have to understand that I had to." Chi-Chi scoffed. "I wasn't planning to leave. I wouldn't have left if I didn't have to. You must understand that," he said looking into her eyes.
"Yeah, right. You've been expecting this fight ever since you defeated Buu. Piccolo heard you talking to Vegeta when you guys were deciding who would fight whom. He mention about the request you made to King Yemma about bringing Buu back as a good person. So, don't say you weren't planning to leave Goku because I know you were!"
Goku saw tears falling from Chi-Chi's eyes and brushed them off with the pad of his thumb. Chi-Chi sniffed as she continued to cry. "I was hurt when you left the way you did. It was like you didn't care about me to give a proper goodbye. I never felt so horrible in my life, not even when Cell took you away from me.
"To hear Piccolo say that you were very happy and hadn't been this happy in a long time made me feel even worse. I felt that I didn't make you happy and you were glad to leave me. A whole year passed and you haven't even called, written a letter, done anything to contact us. I felt so horrible and I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get away.
"And I did to this island. I was so angry with you for not contacting me that I didn't want to hear from you even if you did decide to come back. I had a lot of time to think here as well as relax. But, no matter how far I am from home, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I tried but I failed. I met a friend here who helped me understand your actions some. I forgive you for leaving. I know you wouldn't do if you didn't have a choice. I still don't like the way you left and I would probably never understand why."
Seeing Chi-Chi's face, horrified Goku. He never thought she would take his leaving this way. Goku continue to stroke her cheek with his hand and pulled her into a hug. "Then let me help you understand. Uub is very strong and has a lot of potential to be a great warrior. He doesn't have anyone to train him properly but I can do that. When he's through with his training, we can have the real fight we were suppose to have at the tournament."
"You could never resist a challenge," Chi-Chi noted. "Even if it means leaving your wife."
"No," Goku agreed. "I love testing myself and seeing how far I can go in my strength." He cupped her face in his hands. "But you know I'll always come back to you." He brought his head down to press against her forehead. "I always do." He caressed her cheek softly. "I have to do this, Chi-Chi." He paused for a moment trying to form his next words as he spoke in a more serious tone. "There was another reason for my training Uub. He's my replacement."
Chi-Chi looked at her husband with curious eyes. "Replacement?"
Goku took his hands off Chi-Chi and looked away at the storm brewing outside. "I've been looking for one for a long time now." He sighed. "I think I better start at the beginning.
"When the world's in danger, I'm the one everyone turns to for help. I don't mind. I'll do anything to protect the Earth because everyone I love and care for are here. I was ready to protect everyone when the Androids came along. I thought I missed getting sick because it didn't happen in those three years I was training for the Androids, but I did get sick. The Androids wiped us all out and in my dreams, I could hear everyone. 'Goku has to get better. Only he can defeat the Androids and this new terror, Cell.' I even heard you yelling at Master Roshi and the others saying I was sick and all my friends could think about were how soon I could help them."
Chi-Chi chuckled. "Oh, I remember that incident. You were smiling for the first time since you got sick and Master Roshi said that you had that same smile on your face when you get ready to fight someone. What exactly were you smiling about?"
Goku smiled wickedly at Chi-Chi. He looked her over and placed a hand on Chi-Chi's thigh slowly rubbing it up and down. Chi-Chi gasped and blushed as she got the message. "Oh, my."
"Yeah, for the first time in my life, I didn't like that I was the only defender for the planet when things are bleak. I didn't like the fact I was the one everyone looked to for help and safety. What if I had actually died from the virus, then our world would've suffered the same fate as future Trunks' and I didn't want that. So, in my mind as I slept, I started forming a plan on what to do. I've decided it was time for someone else to be the hero. I've decided I would train Gohan and make him stronger than me when we got in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
"I knew you weren't going to like the idea of our 11-year-old son being the world savior from now on so I decided not to tell you and I knew it was for the best."
"But why Gohan?" Chi-Chi asked.
"In Trunks' future, Gohan survived the attack from the Androids before they finally got him ten years later. Plus Gohan's had a hidden power in him ever since he was a child. I thought with enough rage, Gohan would reach his potential.
"Gohan did of course, but he wasn't able to beat Cell until I died. I didn't want to admit it, but a part of me knew I would die since Gohan's anger didn't come out in a blast of rage like when he saw me getting beat up by my brother and Garlic Jr. at his castle. I figured if I die then he would use that rage to beat Cell. Also with me gone, I didn't think any other bad guys would come to the Earth since most of the time they were after me."
Chi-Chi sat there taking it in. In a strange way, it all made sense and she was slowly beginning to understand Goku's actions.
"When Gohan was fighting Dabura, Vegeta told me that Gohan didn't keep up with his training. I was slightly disappointed that he didn't. Then Majin Buu came along. I could've defeated Fat Buu as a Super Saiyan Three, but I wanted Gohan, Goten and Trunks to do it. I was after all dead and it wasn't my fight. It was the living that should defeat the new villain threatening the Earth. They all did their best but it wasn't enough so it was up to me to come back and save the Earth. I did but with the help from everyone on Earth."
"Wait a second," Chi-Chi interrupted. "Wasn't it the energy you and Vegeta loss when you were fighting each other that caused Buu's shell to be hatch? If that's the case, you're still should've fought and not leave it up the our sons and Trunks."
Goku thought for a second. She was right. He smiled at her and laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Chi-Chi sighed and shook her head.
Goku continued. "Skip ten years later and Gohan has retired from fighting. He settled down, married, got a job. Trunks and Goten don't seem interested in fighting so I couldn't depend on them though I knew if the Earth were threatened they would defend it. Pan has the right attitude but she's too young and has many years of training before her to be Earth's defender. Now here comes Uub. Uub has the strength to defend the planet but he lacks the training. With the right guidance, I'm confident he can be the Earth's savior. I even promised Uub that if something should happen to me, he would take my place as Earth's defender. I'm not going to be around forever. There has to be a new generation ready to defend the Earth once I'm gone."
"I see," Chi-Chi said taking it all in. She understood Goku's action fully now. "Somehow I feel like pounding Goten and Trunks right now for slacking on their training. You didn't have a choice, Goku."
"No, I didn't, but I still think I would have to leave anyway. What if Goten and Trunks were training as much as I hoped? It still doesn't change the fact that Uub has a lot of power and has no one to teach him how to use it right."
Chi-Chi nodded in agreement. Goku had a point there. She felt her heart swell at the admiration and love she had for husband. However, there was something that bugged her. "You're such a noble man. Very naïve, but noble. But couldn't you visit Uub and live with me? Or couldn't you have Uub live with us? I wouldn't mind taking in a kid and help raise him, Goku, as long as you're with me. I wouldn't mind it at all. Or couldn't you visit Uub and train him in the day and come home at night, you know, use Instant Transmission? Would it be too much to do that?"
Goku frowned. He knew what his wife was asking. "Chi-Chi, Uub is the oldest of five kids, his family depends on him as well as his village. I couldn't take him from the people who need him. I don't think his family could bear seeing him live on some other part of the world, gone for several months and years at a time. He's not old enough to make that sacrifice."
"And you think I can take it to see my husband—" she was silenced when Goku placed two fingers on her lips.
"I know what you're going to say. You feel the same for me, but I know you're strong Chi-Chi. I know you can handle me being gone for so long."
Chi-Chi frowned and her shoulders slumped. "You've been gone so long that I'm used to it by now I guess," Chi-Chi said ruefully. "Still, I thought I could try by asking. You just don't know how much I miss you."
"I do," Goku said. "I miss you, too, a lot." He said and kissed her. "Very much." His right hand was stroking her thigh now and moving upward.
Chi-Chi placed a hand on his stopping him. "When you leave, do you even stop to think that you and I might not have as much time together as we think or hope?"
"What do you mean?"
"Look at us, Goku. I'm aging faster than you. We're both the same age, but you haven't age a bit since you've died the second time. Me? I'm starting to get wrinkles, I'm going to get gray hair before I know it, I'm getting aches, I'm slowly losing my strength from my youth. I know Saiyans live longer than humans so I'm going to die before you, Goku, and with you constantly leaving like you do, I'm afraid we won't spend that much time together. I'm afraid I'm going to die alone."
"Oh, don't worry, Chi-Chi. If you die before me, I'll be with you when I die. It won't be long."
Those words didn't comfort her at all. It made Chi-Chi angry. "I thought you would understand but you didn't! Don't you see? When I die, you and I won't be together. I'll be on the planet with all the good people and you'll be on the fighting planet with that Kai. Krillin and Yamcha told me that's where they were when they died and if I know you, you'd want to fight all the new fighters there forgetting your wife once again!"
"No, I won't. I will stay with you if you can't come to me. I'm sure I can do that." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I promise you. We will be together in the Other World and this world."
Chi-Chi couldn't help but smiled. When Goku made a promise, he always go through with it so she knew she could trust him and believe him when he said they will be together in this world and the next. "I believe you, Goku, but I don't want you leaving for long amounts of time anymore. You can't fight all the time. You need to rest. I want you to spend time with our sons and me, especially Goten since he's still growing up. Granted he's 18, but he still needs his father."
"All right. I promise you I won't be gone for long amounts of time anymore." He smiled and planted a kiss on her forehead. "I don't I can stand being away for you long either. It's just that when I'm fighting I kind of forget about time. I love to fight. It's my first love." He tilted her chin upward so her eyes locked with his and she could see the intensity of his feelings for her. "But you're my true love. You're what's important to me. You will always have a special place in my heart that fighting will never replace."
Chi-Chi couldn't stop the tears that were threatening to fall. "Really?"
He gave her his sincerest look and spoke in his softest voice. "Really. I love you and I have never been as happy than when I'm with you. Well, except when I'm hungry and then it's food," he joked.
Chi-Chi laughed and playfully slapped Goku across his chest. "I love you, too, Goku," Chi-Chi said putting her hand around Goku's neck and kissed him. Goku pulled her closer to him. He felt Chi-Chi moving her lips away from his to his cheek, moving to nibble on his ear and run her fingers through his hair. His fingers moved up her back and stroke the center of her back through her kimono.
Chi-Chi felt her breath quickening. She reached forward and untied the belt around Goku's waist. His robe opened and Chi-Chi pulled it off. "How long were you planning to stay?"
Goku sucked in a breath as Chi-Chi planted kisses on his chest. "A week," his husky breath managed.
Chi-Chi pulled back to look at him. "Make it two."
"Okay," Goku agreed as he kissed her and move to kiss her neck. His hands were busy on removing her kimono and gown.
Chi-Chi helped Goku with discarding her clothes. "How long will it be before I see you again?" Chi-Chi asked as she placed gentle nips on his neck.
Goku wasn't sure. "Six months," he answered returning the pleasure to Chi-Chi by sucking on her neck.
"Make it three," Chi-Chi said moaning enjoying his lips on her.
"All right," he said allowing Chi-Chi to push him down on the bed. She settled on top of him and began kissing him, reconnecting with her husband after a long absence.
To Be Continued
Part Six: Quality Time
AN: Yeah, I ended it where it was getting good. I know GD's gonna strangle me for it because she likes lemons but this is PG-13 and because of that I had to post my Edited version instead of the unedited one. The same goes for the next one, GD. Sorry.
Goten's Guardian Angel: Thanks.
Chanti: He would've been hurting emotionally I agree. Thanks for the review.
Star: Yes, I am mean! LOL! I think in the show ChiChi did understand. Goku could've have explained it when he came to visit or she could've came to the realization on her own. I answered your request and wrote more.
Lady Athena: Yeah, his explanation was long. I hope I didn't bore anyone with it. Hee. Hee. I agree with you—ChiChi is very strong (physically and emotionally) to put up with Goku which is why I think they are meant for each other.
GD: I'm getting to be terrible with these mean cliffhangers. So, did you jump out of your seat for this update? Mushy chapter? I guess it is a little bit.
Ton82: People have so many versions of how the bonding works that I'm not sure if Goku could feel her sadness, not as far as he is, but up close, yeah. I know there is a physical bond like sensing when your mate is in trouble. He sense ChiChi being hurt in 'Dead Zone.'
Dojin: Yes, I'm happy with what I started. Hee. Hee. Yes, I'm evil for leaving it right there, but isn't it fun to leave the readers hanging.
Sorceress Fujin: Thanks.
VC-4eva: Thanks for the review. Better stop thinking about Goku giving you a massage. ChiChi may come after you.
Piper4goten: Cool name. Goku doesn't show it but it's clear that he really loves ChiChi.
Brios201: Was I too rough on Goku? I think I was rather nice to him.
LadyRogue007: To search every island on the planet for your wife, that shows love right there. Goku has his own way of expressing his love for his wife. Hee. Hee.
Gogirl: I couldn't agree with you more on your evidence on Goku loving ChiChi! Oh, yeah they were kissing. I'm not sure I would kiss my guy in front a pervert like Roshi, but if he just woke up from a heart virus and was going to leave again to fight, I'll make the exception. Goten is definite proof. Actually, in the Buu Saga he said, "I've missed YOU, ChiChi." Hee. Hee. No, you weren't hearing things when Goku told Chichi he loved her. I swear, I was not expecting Goku to ever say that out loud on DBZ since it's not that type of show, but I was happy he did.
