Author's Notes: First off, this is not a long update. In fact, I'll even go so far as to tell you it's not even a real chapter. It's a little snack to hold you over until I type up the next real chapter. I felt there was too much emotion in this scene to lump it together with another chapter (yes, more emotion than the Gohan/Videl scene from the last chap.), so I put it in its own special place. Hope you're ready…

Interlude: Goodbye

"Mommy…"

"Gohan…"

"Mommy, I have to go now."

"No…no, don't—you're staying here."

"Mommy, I have to go now…They need me."

"I need you…don't go, baby."

"Mommy, I have to go now…Daddy would let me go. I have to go help. They need me on Namek."

"But—you're too young! How could they take you away when you're so young…stay here."

"Mommy…I'm going now."

"Gohan…"

*****

"I…I have to leave, Mom. I'm going with the Supreme Kai, to fight the monster Piccolo told you about. I'm…I might be gone…for a while…"

It was happening, all over again. Just as soon as she'd gotten him back, he was leaving…just like Goku. Except last time, Goku hadn't come back. He'd said he'd come back, but he hadn't—he'd abandoned her, like Gohan was now.

She tried commanding, pleading, even begging him to stay, not to leave her. But all he did was shake his head sadly and mutter in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Mom…"

Sorry? He was sorry? For what, hurting her? Making her worry? Didn't he even know what he was apologizing for? For killing her—every single time he went away, with Piccolo first, then to Namek, then to face his death in Cell's game…every time, he killed just a little bit more of her already wounded soul.

This…this would crush her. The sorrow of losing yet another boy would suffocate her. Goten would be all she'd have left, and though he'd try and help…no.

He shouldn't have to do this! He was such a gentle little boy…when he was younger…her baby. It had never been his choice to fight, to get stronger, always theirs. Piccolo, Bulma, Krillin…even Goku. Yes, she did blame Goku. If he hadn't left…then Gohan wouldn't be doing the same now.

He'd never gotten to be a normal child—there'd always been something he needed to train for. Some new evil coming to earth to kill them all, an evil on his shoulders the burden had been placed to defeat. Always, always it had fallen to her child to save the world.

Right now she hated her husband. For what his actions had done to their firstborn. It was all his fault Gohan was so strong.

"Have you…" Her voice cracked, "Have you told Videl?"

His eyes snapped to her, then fell away slowly, distressed. "Y—yes…"

"And what did she say?"

"She…was angry. Very angry…and sad…" And yet he still left her, just like he was leaving Chichi.

"How can you…" Her voice was soft and low, enhancing the effect her words had on her son. "How can you see what you've done, all the pain your leaving is causing us, and still go?"

"Mom, I—"

"No! I don't want to lose you, too! You Saiyans…your father…always put everyone else above himself…but what about those who care about you? Have you even thought about how your family feels? How Videl feels?"

"Of course I have!" he snapped, quickly clapping a hand over his mouth, astonished such a tone had come from him. "I have…and that's why I'm leaving…to save everyone."

'That's exactly what Goku said…'  

"…but why does it have to be you…why my son?" 'It's always someone's son,' she answered herself.

He looked upon her fondly, noticing only now how truly old she looked when she was sad, how her shoulders hunched over, bending her spine, and how the pale moonlight slid over the worry lines creasing her face. Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead, breaking the dam of will that had held back Chichi's grief.

He pulled her to his chest, comforting her as she sobbed, grief-stricken, into his gi, saturating it with the sorrow reserved for mothers of soldiers sent off to battle.

"Shh…" he comforted, running a hand through her fine hair. "I will beat it, and I'll come back. I'll come back."

Would he? Chichi knew better than to trust in so vain a hope. Goku had taught her that. It would only hurt that much more when one of the Z fighters bore back his broken and maimed body the next day.

She buried the thought, whispering into his gi, "Don't…don't be Goku. Come back to me…please…"

—END INTERLUDE—

Post-Chapter Notes: *wipes away a tear* Wow…that almost made me cry, and I wrote it! Yes, I think only the love from a mother to her child can top that of husband-wife love. Any thoughts on this oh-so-depressing chapter? You know the drill, click that review button!