"Mother!" came Tomoko 's happy voice from the garden. "Come quick!"
I was in the kitchen washing a few pots and pans and I stopped my work immediately when I heard her voice. Running out to the garden I could see my grandson powering up to a super Saiyajin level while Trunks watched him proudly. Kinji had mastered the technique in just days of training. He, just like Gohan would, smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head. He powered down and smiled directly at me.
"Kinji!" Tomoko exclaimed and clapped her hands together. "I am so proud!"
"Excellent Kinji!" I called.
Kinji gave his mother and I a small and proud smile.
"Thanks."
"This calls for a celebration!" Trunks said, ruffling the boy 's hair. Kinji laughed at his father and swiped at his hand.
Tomoko and Trunks bid me farewell while Kinji practiced a few basic karate moves. The boy, who was thirteen, was quick and fast to learn just like his grandfathers and uncle before him had been. I beamed with pride like I would've with my own son.
"I'll see you soon mother," Tomoko said, squeezing my hand. I shook my head.
"I will see you later. Thanks for visiting."
Tomoko drew me into a hug as if expecting that this was the last. She inhaled deeply and pulled away. Her wise, wide eyes were shimmering with tears. I put my hand to her face and brushed away a few strands
"I love you," she said.
"And I you," I returned.
"Grandma," Kinji said, running to me. "Will you tell me the tales of the dragon balls when I visit tomorrow? And Of Grandpa?"
I smiled down at the little boy and hugged him.
"Now that's a story I've wanted to tell you," I whispered into his ear.
"Don't forget," Trunks said, "We're to visit my mother 's grave tomorrow. The New Year starts soon."
I nodded at Trunks and felt a hint of sadness on his tongue. Bulma had died three years before, just like she would have wanted, curled up in her work area with papers scattered. She had been a hero to the last and we buried her next to Vegita overlooking a lonely ocean peak.
"See you!" Trunks, Kinji, and Tomoko called.
My family left me to return to Capsule Corporation and from the window of the air car, I saw Kinji wave. I waved back and watched happily as my family disappeared from my view and into the fading light.
Goodbye, Tomoko…Kinji…Trunks.
Walking towards the garden I picked up one loose rose and taking it by the stem, I began to pluck away at its petals. Its frail skin peeled away from its home and into the air I tossed them. They blanketed me like snow and I knew that the time, finally, had come. What happened next I can't remember, except for falling down….down…down.
I was not at home anymore, nor was I alive. I lay upon a snowy hill, an endless amount of clouds above my head with cherry blossom petals falling into my lap. Instead of shock, I began to smile. I knew what had happened and oddly enough I was relieved.
I got up and looked around. Yet again I was young, my hair lush and dark falling down my back, and for once I had no worries. I put my hands to my face and felt no wrinkles or loose skin. I smiled satisfied and sat down again and in my hand I clasped the falling cherry blossom petals swirling around me. I smelled their perfumed forms with tears streaming down my face. Before Goku 's death I had asked him to wait, but I guessed now that he had forgotten.
"ChiChi."
I looked down and saw before me my love's familiar face smiling up at me, his body dressed in the normal garb he had worn in life, but this time there was something more inviting. Not a memory this time, but in flesh, he came to me. Slowly, anticipating his next move he took my hands in his and kissed me on my mouth. He laid me down and I wrapped my arms around him and we held each other for what seemed like years.
"You waited," I whispered through his touch and caresses. "You kept your promise."
"Ai shiteru, ChiChi-san. Thank you." I could feel both of us choke up, but most of it was me crying into his chest. It seemed as if in Goku 's final hours he had remembered my touch and was returning the favor, but this time he did as his heart wanted him to do.
"It's time to go," he said soothingly and kissed my forehead.
I nodded and wiped my tears on the back of my hand. I turned to look behind me for Trunks, Kinji and Tomoko but I saw nothing. I had expected us to be together. Goku squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.
"We will see our children one day, ChiChi. Don't worry. We will wait."
I turned to him and smiled. No words were needed said.
Goku and I, husband and wife, were once again reunited. Taking my hand in his we descended into eternity, together.
~*~My dearest friend,
If you don't mind
I'd like to join you by your side.
Where we can gaze into the stars
And sit together, now and forever
For it is plain
As any one can seeWe're simply meant to be~*~
Where Tomoko slept in Trunks' arms that night, only the wind rustled her sleeping form. Kinji, though, was up and awake. Sitting on the roof like the old habit his uncle Gohan used to have, he gazed up at the stars looking for a sign of some sort to remind him of his ancestors. From where he sat he thought he saw a shooting star. And life goes on.
The End.