Disclaimer: see part one.
Note five: I should have mentioned this last week, but unfortunately, I forgot. As you can see though, this is a review special that I'm uploading this week. The response thus far has been pretty pleasant, and I'm glad that you guys haven't started ringing my neck out with how slow this is coming along (note: don't start now either). The story will pick up with part seven, so do not fret. As I said though, here is a waff-y little review special. Enjoy.
Note six: I will not be posting an update next Wednesday. I have other projects here that I want to get back into, and I'll need the week away from this story to do so. It's a one shot or two that I have going right now, and I want to dedicate some time towards them. I won't have anything posted within the next week, but do expect some form of one shot by the end of the year.
We welcome sage back into the pre-reading mix. She had her two updates last week (both marvelous), and I'm glad to have her back on, making sure I don't screw up.
* * *
Parallel and Perpendicular: Simple Nightly Visits
A review special by ShaggyDiz
* * *
Chichi sighed. I don't know what to make of it. I mean; this is a strange dream, like you said. I'm no expert, but I think that a recurring dream like this has some sort of hidden meaning. If you have this one for a couple more nights, or if you get another one similar to this, let me know. Now go to bed.
It was the most logical motherly advice she could have given him. Gohan had just woken up, telling her about a dream that had been plaguing him for the previous three nights. She was shocked, to say the least. I really didn't expect him to tell me about it. He could have just left without making a single utterance!
Okay Mom, Gohan said, getting up and making his way to the stairs. Just as he got there, he paused. He went back to the kitchen, stopping at the entranceway. he asked.
What are you doing up so late anyway? She got wide eyed for a moment, thinking for a moment that she was caught. She hid it nicely though, turning her face down and letting a small smile set on it.
It's a secret, Gohan, Chichi said softly. I'll tell you what it is someday.
Okay Mom. Goodnight. With that, he left the kitchen. Chichi sat at the table, waiting patiently while listening to Gohan ascend the stairs. She finally heard his door close and breathed a sigh of relief.
It's safe, she spoke, making sure to keep her voice down so that her son wouldn't hear her. A few moments passed before a pair of arms wrapped themselves around her.
That was a little close, he spoke from behind her. Does he do this often?
she answered, shaking her head slightly. First time I really did expect him to turn and run.
Well, he is our son, he stated, turning Chichi to face him. She looked up, meeting her husband's eyes. He doesn't know a great many things that he should know.
her voice drifted off, not bothering to continue with her train of thought.
It's not your fault, he said, his voice trying to reassure her.
Don't try and tell me what is and isn't my fault, Chichi said angrily. She stood up, coming face to face with him.
I'm sorry.
I did what I thought was best.
And you're doing it now.
she asked, sarcasm hanging on the word.
He reached out, lifting her chin to meet her gaze. He's starting school in less than two weeks. I would think that he's happy enough with that decision.
Chichi nodded. He is. He likes the prospect of meeting people his age. She smiled softly, stepping up and hugging her husband. He reached around, hugging his hands over her shoulders.
They stood like that for a few minutes, enjoying each other's company over the comfortable silence. Chichi eventually let go of her grasp, stepping away from him.
Hot chocolate? she asked him.
He nodded. I would like that. You know they never heard of that up in Other World.
Really now? she answered curiously, grabbing her cup and a new one. The ingredients for the hot chocolate were still left on the counter from earlier.
Yeah. Especially King Kai I know he drinks coffee, but when I mentioned hot chocolate to him, he said he didn't know! I figured that everyone – coffee drinker or not – would know about hot chocolate! His hands were up in the air, emphasizing his point greatly, though Chichi missed it all. She knew what he was doing though, since he had always acted like that.
He's the adult-sized kid that I've always known him to be.
Hey Chichi?
She looked over her shoulder briefly, addressing him out of the corner of her eye.
Can you write down the recipe for your hot chocolate? I'll try and make it up for everyone up there and – what's so funny?
I'm sorry, she spoke in between laughs. Do you know how to make any sort of food or drink?
Chichi! That hurt! He grabbed his chest in feigned pain, rolling around in his seat for added effect.
I'm serious! she choked out. You've never done any sort of cooking when you were alive, and I doubt you would do any in Other World.
I had to teach myself how to cook actually. Although the cooks still make tons of food, I still manage to take most of it. The other fighters were starting to get really mad at me.
I would figure, Chichi responded, bringing the cups of hot chocolate to the table. She sat down and started blowing the hot air off of it.
So then I decided that if I taught myself to cook, I can make extra food just for myself and let the other fighters have their fills. It took me a little while, but I can cook some mean rice and chicken. He took a sip – forgetting instantly that it was – and started waving his hand over his burning tongue. Muffled Hot! Hot! were heard from his side of the table.
That's good. So when you come back, you can actually help with cooking this time, right? she asked, and almost regretted saying it. Her husband stopped blowing air on his tongue, looking at Chichi with a longing face.
are you ever going to come back to me to stay this time with me and the boys?
I don't know Chichi. I'm really enjoying it up there, and despite what the guys say we've all gotten used to each other. We're all friends.
And what about me? How can you forget about me?
I'm not! he shouted, a little too loudly for comfort. He sat back in his seat, looking straight into Chichi's eyes. Do you understand how hard it is for me to leave you every single time I come back here? It becomes so much harder for me to go back there because I'm always leaving you crying here.
Then why not stay this time? she asked hopefully. It was unfortunate that she already knew the answer.
I can't. The rules are very strict up there. I'm breaking them every time I come here too. He stood up, walking over to Chichi and placing his hands on her shoulders. I will come back someday for good.
You say that every time, she said, sniffing. A single tear fell down from her eye. He reached out with his thumb, wiping the single streak away.
I know. I'll find a way though, and when I do, we'll live together until the day we both die, and then we can both go up to Other World together. He pulled her into his chest, stroking her hair lightly with one of his hands. I promise. He held her for an indeterminable amount of time, listening to her sob away – soaking his gi top in the process – until it ended softly. He pulled her away from him, looking down and seeing her sleeping, her head drooping down on his shoulder.
She's exhausted herself, he said quietly. Carefully, he swung his arm under her legs, picking her up and holding her to his chest. He quietly made his way through the living room to the stairs, making his way up them before heading into her room. He left the bedroom light off, using the hallway light as his guide.
He placed her on the bed, pulling the covers up around her to keep her warm. Chichi moved around the bed slightly before finding a comfortable spot to stay on.
Always doing that, he whispered, coming on a memory of her doing that exact movement many years before. He bent down, kissing her forehead briefly before walking away. Looking at her one last time, he smiled, though it was a mixture of him being happy in general and a sad smile for the state that he was putting her in.
It was a year after he died against Cell in which he started visiting her. He had kept silent watch over her in between then, watching her slowly rebuild her life without him. She had managed to survive though, giving birth to his second son and coming out of a depression that she was in.
Ten months after his death, he had managed to find a way to get back to the living world. There was a dimensional tear, somewhere high above the Grand Kai's planet, which allowed passage to the living world. Using King Kai as an alibi, he set up meetings with Baba, and through her, he found his way back to Earth. His visits were short, and at times, inconsistent, as it would be nearly three weeks before he could return at one point.
He eventually solidified his Other World routine, and with that, his visits to Chichi came twice a week, on Monday nights and Thursday nights. It was like this for the last four and a half years, and he had found a new happiness in these short visits, learning about things that he never set the time to do before.
But now a new dilemma was presented before him: how to permanently come back to the living world. He had promised to Chichi to come back, but he had to find a way, and save for the Namekian Dragon Balls, he had no other way of finding a way back, except taking someone else's life. He wouldn't go so low as to do that, because then his next visit to Other World would quite possibly send him to hell, without his body. Besides, he had set up a deal with King Yema to allow Chichi to keep her body – and her youth – when she made her final crossing. It took two years to get it done, but he had been successful in the end.
For now though, he would have to wait. There were no miracles of life given to people, in Other World or the living world, unless a person wishes to go back and be born into a new body. Patience was his ultimate virtue, and his unlikely enemy.
I'll see you on Monday, he said to her sleeping form, closing the door behind him. He looked down the hall, smiling slightly at the door at the end of it.
we'll all be one family again. With that, he held his fingers to his head and disappeared, traveling across space and dimensions, ending up back over Snake Way with Baba.
* * *
Ten days later
he whispered, hoping to catch her attention from wherever she was. He slowly crept his way towards the kitchen, following the only light source available to him on the first floor. Peeking in, he saw Chichi sleeping – somewhat oddly – on the kitchen table. She looked comfortable enough though, which was a good thing in general.
I guess I should wake her up, he muttered. He stepped into the kitchen, ready to wake her up when he suddenly heard a creak coming from the stairs. He froze, seeing a shadow move into the kitchen light.
he whispered harshly. He quickly jumped backward, landing in the living room and hiding himself in the darkness. He waited silently, keeping track of where Gohan was.
he heard his son say. He cringed.
Why can't I just go out there and see him?
I guess she overworked herself, Gohan said from the kitchen, chuckling lightly as he did.
It took every ounce of his will power to not go into the kitchen and take hold of his son. As much as he wanted to talk to him and become part of his life again, he knew he couldn't. He was already pushing things with Chichi. Adding someone else into the fold wasn't good, even if it was his older son.
He missed the scraping of the chair on the floor, but he didn't miss the light being turned out. Slowly, he turned back into the kitchen, seeing Gohan carrying Chichi up the stairs. He kept a steady eye on him, watching as he stopped to stare down at the sleeping woman. He couldn't hear much of what he said, but he did hear the last thing his son said.
It'll be nice to see him again
I'm right here Gohan
Gohan resumed walking, taking his mom the rest of the way upstairs. Meanwhile, he stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for his son to return to his room. The door was closed, and Gohan walked by a moment later, reentering his room and closing his door.
He teleported into his wife's room; coming up next to the bed. Even in the darkness, he could still see Chichi's sleeping form.
I'm sorry I missed you tonight, he whispered. He kissed her softly on her forehead before reaching into his gi, pulling out a folded piece of paper. Looking around, he found a pencil on one of the bureaus. He clicked on the light furthest from the bed and wrote a small note on an empty part of the sheet. Satisfied with his penmanship, he went back over to the bed, placing the note on the nightstand, with her name facing her. It would be the first thing she saw when she awoke the next morning.
I'll see you on Thursday, Goku said with a smile, touching his fingers to his head, disappearing into the night.
* * *
Chichi awoke from her deep slumber, tossing around some before coming to the alarm clock. Six o'clock I have to get more sleep. She sat up, stretching and yawning as she did. As she stood up though, she looked back over to her nightstand. What's this? she asked in confusion, reaching over to pick up a piece of paper with her name on it. Down in the corner, she found a small, quickly written note.
Sorry I missed you last night Baba held me up. I'll see you on Thursday though, I promise – Goku
She sighed. Can't blame him I guess it's always been the type of life he's lived. Chichi opened the paper, looking over its contents briefly. She blinked a few times before smiling.
Goku has some nice friends up there, she said, setting the paper face down on her bed, making sure to find a safe place for it after her shower.
As she was in the shower, a slight wind came through the open window, flipping the paper over so that the contents were face up. On it, there were various thanks and signatures, all there for one reason:
Chichi's hot chocolate.
Fin.
* * *
Note five: I should have mentioned this last week, but unfortunately, I forgot. As you can see though, this is a review special that I'm uploading this week. The response thus far has been pretty pleasant, and I'm glad that you guys haven't started ringing my neck out with how slow this is coming along (note: don't start now either). The story will pick up with part seven, so do not fret. As I said though, here is a waff-y little review special. Enjoy.
Note six: I will not be posting an update next Wednesday. I have other projects here that I want to get back into, and I'll need the week away from this story to do so. It's a one shot or two that I have going right now, and I want to dedicate some time towards them. I won't have anything posted within the next week, but do expect some form of one shot by the end of the year.
We welcome sage back into the pre-reading mix. She had her two updates last week (both marvelous), and I'm glad to have her back on, making sure I don't screw up.
Parallel and Perpendicular: Simple Nightly Visits
A review special by ShaggyDiz
* * *
It was the most logical motherly advice she could have given him. Gohan had just woken up, telling her about a dream that had been plaguing him for the previous three nights. She was shocked, to say the least. I really didn't expect him to tell me about it. He could have just left without making a single utterance!
Okay Mom, Gohan said, getting up and making his way to the stairs. Just as he got there, he paused. He went back to the kitchen, stopping at the entranceway. he asked.
What are you doing up so late anyway? She got wide eyed for a moment, thinking for a moment that she was caught. She hid it nicely though, turning her face down and letting a small smile set on it.
It's a secret, Gohan, Chichi said softly. I'll tell you what it is someday.
Okay Mom. Goodnight. With that, he left the kitchen. Chichi sat at the table, waiting patiently while listening to Gohan ascend the stairs. She finally heard his door close and breathed a sigh of relief.
It's safe, she spoke, making sure to keep her voice down so that her son wouldn't hear her. A few moments passed before a pair of arms wrapped themselves around her.
That was a little close, he spoke from behind her. Does he do this often?
she answered, shaking her head slightly. First time I really did expect him to turn and run.
Well, he is our son, he stated, turning Chichi to face him. She looked up, meeting her husband's eyes. He doesn't know a great many things that he should know.
her voice drifted off, not bothering to continue with her train of thought.
It's not your fault, he said, his voice trying to reassure her.
Don't try and tell me what is and isn't my fault, Chichi said angrily. She stood up, coming face to face with him.
I'm sorry.
I did what I thought was best.
And you're doing it now.
she asked, sarcasm hanging on the word.
He reached out, lifting her chin to meet her gaze. He's starting school in less than two weeks. I would think that he's happy enough with that decision.
Chichi nodded. He is. He likes the prospect of meeting people his age. She smiled softly, stepping up and hugging her husband. He reached around, hugging his hands over her shoulders.
They stood like that for a few minutes, enjoying each other's company over the comfortable silence. Chichi eventually let go of her grasp, stepping away from him.
Hot chocolate? she asked him.
He nodded. I would like that. You know they never heard of that up in Other World.
Really now? she answered curiously, grabbing her cup and a new one. The ingredients for the hot chocolate were still left on the counter from earlier.
Yeah. Especially King Kai I know he drinks coffee, but when I mentioned hot chocolate to him, he said he didn't know! I figured that everyone – coffee drinker or not – would know about hot chocolate! His hands were up in the air, emphasizing his point greatly, though Chichi missed it all. She knew what he was doing though, since he had always acted like that.
He's the adult-sized kid that I've always known him to be.
Hey Chichi?
She looked over her shoulder briefly, addressing him out of the corner of her eye.
Can you write down the recipe for your hot chocolate? I'll try and make it up for everyone up there and – what's so funny?
I'm sorry, she spoke in between laughs. Do you know how to make any sort of food or drink?
Chichi! That hurt! He grabbed his chest in feigned pain, rolling around in his seat for added effect.
I'm serious! she choked out. You've never done any sort of cooking when you were alive, and I doubt you would do any in Other World.
I had to teach myself how to cook actually. Although the cooks still make tons of food, I still manage to take most of it. The other fighters were starting to get really mad at me.
I would figure, Chichi responded, bringing the cups of hot chocolate to the table. She sat down and started blowing the hot air off of it.
So then I decided that if I taught myself to cook, I can make extra food just for myself and let the other fighters have their fills. It took me a little while, but I can cook some mean rice and chicken. He took a sip – forgetting instantly that it was – and started waving his hand over his burning tongue. Muffled Hot! Hot! were heard from his side of the table.
That's good. So when you come back, you can actually help with cooking this time, right? she asked, and almost regretted saying it. Her husband stopped blowing air on his tongue, looking at Chichi with a longing face.
are you ever going to come back to me to stay this time with me and the boys?
I don't know Chichi. I'm really enjoying it up there, and despite what the guys say we've all gotten used to each other. We're all friends.
And what about me? How can you forget about me?
I'm not! he shouted, a little too loudly for comfort. He sat back in his seat, looking straight into Chichi's eyes. Do you understand how hard it is for me to leave you every single time I come back here? It becomes so much harder for me to go back there because I'm always leaving you crying here.
Then why not stay this time? she asked hopefully. It was unfortunate that she already knew the answer.
I can't. The rules are very strict up there. I'm breaking them every time I come here too. He stood up, walking over to Chichi and placing his hands on her shoulders. I will come back someday for good.
You say that every time, she said, sniffing. A single tear fell down from her eye. He reached out with his thumb, wiping the single streak away.
I know. I'll find a way though, and when I do, we'll live together until the day we both die, and then we can both go up to Other World together. He pulled her into his chest, stroking her hair lightly with one of his hands. I promise. He held her for an indeterminable amount of time, listening to her sob away – soaking his gi top in the process – until it ended softly. He pulled her away from him, looking down and seeing her sleeping, her head drooping down on his shoulder.
She's exhausted herself, he said quietly. Carefully, he swung his arm under her legs, picking her up and holding her to his chest. He quietly made his way through the living room to the stairs, making his way up them before heading into her room. He left the bedroom light off, using the hallway light as his guide.
He placed her on the bed, pulling the covers up around her to keep her warm. Chichi moved around the bed slightly before finding a comfortable spot to stay on.
Always doing that, he whispered, coming on a memory of her doing that exact movement many years before. He bent down, kissing her forehead briefly before walking away. Looking at her one last time, he smiled, though it was a mixture of him being happy in general and a sad smile for the state that he was putting her in.
It was a year after he died against Cell in which he started visiting her. He had kept silent watch over her in between then, watching her slowly rebuild her life without him. She had managed to survive though, giving birth to his second son and coming out of a depression that she was in.
Ten months after his death, he had managed to find a way to get back to the living world. There was a dimensional tear, somewhere high above the Grand Kai's planet, which allowed passage to the living world. Using King Kai as an alibi, he set up meetings with Baba, and through her, he found his way back to Earth. His visits were short, and at times, inconsistent, as it would be nearly three weeks before he could return at one point.
He eventually solidified his Other World routine, and with that, his visits to Chichi came twice a week, on Monday nights and Thursday nights. It was like this for the last four and a half years, and he had found a new happiness in these short visits, learning about things that he never set the time to do before.
But now a new dilemma was presented before him: how to permanently come back to the living world. He had promised to Chichi to come back, but he had to find a way, and save for the Namekian Dragon Balls, he had no other way of finding a way back, except taking someone else's life. He wouldn't go so low as to do that, because then his next visit to Other World would quite possibly send him to hell, without his body. Besides, he had set up a deal with King Yema to allow Chichi to keep her body – and her youth – when she made her final crossing. It took two years to get it done, but he had been successful in the end.
For now though, he would have to wait. There were no miracles of life given to people, in Other World or the living world, unless a person wishes to go back and be born into a new body. Patience was his ultimate virtue, and his unlikely enemy.
I'll see you on Monday, he said to her sleeping form, closing the door behind him. He looked down the hall, smiling slightly at the door at the end of it.
we'll all be one family again. With that, he held his fingers to his head and disappeared, traveling across space and dimensions, ending up back over Snake Way with Baba.
Ten days later
he whispered, hoping to catch her attention from wherever she was. He slowly crept his way towards the kitchen, following the only light source available to him on the first floor. Peeking in, he saw Chichi sleeping – somewhat oddly – on the kitchen table. She looked comfortable enough though, which was a good thing in general.
I guess I should wake her up, he muttered. He stepped into the kitchen, ready to wake her up when he suddenly heard a creak coming from the stairs. He froze, seeing a shadow move into the kitchen light.
he whispered harshly. He quickly jumped backward, landing in the living room and hiding himself in the darkness. He waited silently, keeping track of where Gohan was.
he heard his son say. He cringed.
Why can't I just go out there and see him?
I guess she overworked herself, Gohan said from the kitchen, chuckling lightly as he did.
It took every ounce of his will power to not go into the kitchen and take hold of his son. As much as he wanted to talk to him and become part of his life again, he knew he couldn't. He was already pushing things with Chichi. Adding someone else into the fold wasn't good, even if it was his older son.
He missed the scraping of the chair on the floor, but he didn't miss the light being turned out. Slowly, he turned back into the kitchen, seeing Gohan carrying Chichi up the stairs. He kept a steady eye on him, watching as he stopped to stare down at the sleeping woman. He couldn't hear much of what he said, but he did hear the last thing his son said.
It'll be nice to see him again
I'm right here Gohan
Gohan resumed walking, taking his mom the rest of the way upstairs. Meanwhile, he stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for his son to return to his room. The door was closed, and Gohan walked by a moment later, reentering his room and closing his door.
He teleported into his wife's room; coming up next to the bed. Even in the darkness, he could still see Chichi's sleeping form.
I'm sorry I missed you tonight, he whispered. He kissed her softly on her forehead before reaching into his gi, pulling out a folded piece of paper. Looking around, he found a pencil on one of the bureaus. He clicked on the light furthest from the bed and wrote a small note on an empty part of the sheet. Satisfied with his penmanship, he went back over to the bed, placing the note on the nightstand, with her name facing her. It would be the first thing she saw when she awoke the next morning.
I'll see you on Thursday, Goku said with a smile, touching his fingers to his head, disappearing into the night.
Sorry I missed you last night Baba held me up. I'll see you on Thursday though, I promise – Goku
She sighed. Can't blame him I guess it's always been the type of life he's lived. Chichi opened the paper, looking over its contents briefly. She blinked a few times before smiling.
Goku has some nice friends up there, she said, setting the paper face down on her bed, making sure to find a safe place for it after her shower.
As she was in the shower, a slight wind came through the open window, flipping the paper over so that the contents were face up. On it, there were various thanks and signatures, all there for one reason:
Chichi's hot chocolate.
Fin.