Learning to Love You

Chapter Five: Bitter Truths

Terrible conflicts, unwavering emotions, constant pain… Is there any cure to end the insanity?

"Are you sure this is gonna work?"

Kuririn looked over at Yamcha and grimaced. "He might not want to be wished back." Yamcha raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't he? He has a family to go home to. He's been dead for too long."

Three years had passed, and the Z fighters once again collected the Dragonballs after remaining stone for a year. Yamcha, Kuririn, and a group of others traveled by Bulma's capsules to Namek, where they wished to bring Goku back to life.

"Besides," Yamcha added, setting the Dragonballs out. "There's no way Earth is going to survive an attack without Goku." Kuririn nodded. "I guess you're right. What's our second wish going to be?"

Yamcha seemed thoughtful. "First we'll ask him to revive Goku, and then all the people who died in the Cell Games."

Kuririn agreed, and Yamcha summoned Porunga. He made the wishes and a blinding light shone. Everyone had to cover their eyes as Porunga fulfilled the wishes. When the light dimmed, it was visible that Goku stood in front of everyone.

"Goku, you're back!"

Everyone had crowded around Goku, hugging him and welcoming him back to Earth. They were lost in talking to Goku that they didn't notice the Dragonballs and Porunga disappeared.

Goku managed to make small talk to most of the people, and he made his way through the crowd to the Ox-King.

"Sir!"

Ox-King frowned at how frantic Goku sounded. "Yes, what is it, my boy? What do you need?" Goku looked around again. "Not everyone is here…. Where are Chi-Chi and Gohan?" Ox-King laughed heartily, and Goku was confused.

"You're always jumping and roaring to go, aren't you, boy? Well, your resurrection was supposed to be a surprise for them. They're waiting at the house."

Goku nodded, feeling his heart swell with desire for a reunion with his family. "Thank you, sir. Goodbye everyone!"

Before anyone could ask, Goku placed two fingers on his forehead, focused, and then he was gone.

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Goku almost trembled when he materialized in front of his house. It was overwhelming, but true. He was back and alive. How should he surprise his family? Should he sneak up on them? Knock on the door and wait?

Yes, and then he'd forever remember the look on their faces.

Goku knocked on the door and tried to control his heart and how desperate he was to touch his family. Finally, the front door opened, and Goku almost gasped, almost whispering his wife's name.

She was so beautiful, and she had gotten into shape over the years of his death. Her dark hair was up in its usual bun, but she wore loose, summer clothing. The clothes hugged her curvaceous figure and showed off her toned, yet feminine muscles. He looked into her eyes, and felt his heart swell with desire.

"Chi-Chi," he whispered, coming close. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly. He melted against her and one hand released Chi-Chi's hair out of its bun. The other was stroking her back. Oddly, he felt Chi-Chi resisting.

Suddenly, he heard an angry call.

"Hey! Get away from my mom!"

Goku pulled away from Chi-Chi to see where the voice was coming from, but Chi-Chi slapped him. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand and edged away. "Who the hell are you?"

Goku glanced at Chi-Chi and then looked at who spoke before. "Gohan…"

Gohan rushed to the door and stood in front of his mother. "Get away."

Suddenly, a small figure scrambled to the door. Goku looked down, and his face lit up. "Goten!" Goten titled his head, confused, and he looked up at his mother and brother. "Mommy, Gohan? Who's that man?"

Goku looked down at Goten. "I'm your father, Goten. I'm your Daddy, and I've come home."

Goten shook his head. "No. You can't be my Daddy. He's dead, and he was a bad man."

Goku felt like someone had snatched the very air out of his lungs, as his body went into full shock mode. He fixed his gaze on Chi-Chi. "No… Please don't tell me you told him that about me." Chi-Chi scoffed. "Go away. I don't know you, and you're not welcome here."

Goku felt deep pain in his heart, and he was also angry. Was this some cruel joke?

The door was about to close in his face, but Goku put his foot there. Gohan angrily looked up at him. "Get a clue. Go away. What do you want?"

"To be with my family," Goku firmly said.

Gohan looked Goku up and down. "You've got yourself extremely lost, because you don't belong here. How do you know who my mom and brother were?"

Goku looked him in the eyes. "Because I'm her husband and his father. I'm your father, too, Gohan."

Gohan scoffed. "That's such a lie. Who do you think you are?"

Goku wanted to plead, but it was clear that… He gasped. He didn't know what Gohan's second wish was that day three years ago, but it was slowly coming together. They wanted to forget me! Dear Kami, they wanted to forget me!!

"What?" Gohan snapped. "Why'd you gasp? Did you realize you don't belong here?"

"Mommy, what's going on?" Goten looked up at his worried mother, who was on the phone. She always kept her eyes on Gohan outside, and her hand on Goten's head.

"Mommy's calling the police to get that bad man away from Gohan. Go hide in the closet, Goten. I don't want you to get hurt."

Goten looked up, worried. "I'm scared, Mommy."

Chi-Chi just gestured toward the closet door. "Please, go, Goten. Everything will be okay." At least, I hope. Kami, why does this have to happen? Who IS that man, and what does he want?

Goten scampered into the closet and tried to comfort himself while Chi-Chi was talking to the operator.

Gohan got into a fighting stance, and glared angrily at the mysterious man. "If you don't leave yourself, then I'll help you." Goku was a bit surprised to know Gohan was willing to protect Chi-Chi and Goten at all costs. Why couldn't he let Gohan see he felt the same way? He wanted to be with Chi-Chi and Goten too.

And suddenly, Goku found a way to convince Gohan he was his father. After a few minutes of furious fighting, Goku jumped back and looked at Gohan confidently.

"Gohan," he said, and then turned into a Super Saiyan. "I AM your father."

Gohan froze, wide-eyed. He dropped his arms and gazed at Goku. His mouth fell open, and he wanted to speak, but he was too stunned. Goku looked into his eyes. "I sense your fear, but don't be afraid, Gohan. I would never hurt you, my son."

This piece of evidence seemed almost fully convincing to Gohan. He knew the Saiyans were a rare race, and that he was half Saiyan. But… still, some doubt was present in his heart.

All of a sudden, the sound of police sirens echoed through the area, and many police cars screeched to a halt. The cautious policemen exited the cars, armed. They paced over to Goku and Gohan, but looked up at Chi-Chi and Goten when they stood at the front door of the house.

Chi-Chi gasped when she laid eyes on Goku. He was a Super Saiyan! Gohan was able to undergo this transformation too. She knew it was from somewhere, someone…but it wasn't clear.

"What's the problem?" one police officer asked.

"That bad man was hurting us and being mean to Mommy!" Goten pointed at Goku.

"No," Goku began to protest, but the police officers surrounded him, poking into his back and forehead with their guns. One police officer studied his face, and then he seemed puzzled. He looked at Chi-Chi.

"Ma'am, are you sure this is the dangerous man? This is the same man from the Cell Games. He mysteriously vanished, but this is the same man. He saved the world."

Another police officer nodded. "He was in the newspapers several years ago. He was a fighter in the battlefield against that green jerk monster."

However, Goku wasn't home free.

Another police officer studied Goku's face. "I don't believe that. How can you be absolutely sure this is the same guy from the Cell Games?"

"Let him go," Gohan said carefully. "It appears we've made a mistake. Everything's okay here."

"Gohan!" Chi-Chi shrieked from the front door.

"Your mother doesn't seem to think so, kid," the same cop said.

Gohan shook his head. "Everything's okay. We've mistaken him for someone else. I'm sorry to have taken your time."

When the police left, Chi-Chi yelled at Gohan. "What are you doing?! Do you have any idea what danger you've put us in?!" Gohan walked past Goku and went to his mother. He whispered in her ear. "He turned into a Super Saiyan, Mom. I think that means something. If he keeps saying he's my dad, then let him stay here to prove it. If he acts up, I'll kick his tail. I'm stronger than this guy."

Chi-Chi still seemed hesitant. "Gohan, I…"

Gohan smirked. "Just try it, Mom. Remember, the cops can always come back, and I would have weakened him by the time they arrive."

BR

Chi-Chi sighed. "Fine." She faced Goku. "Hey, golden warrior!"

Goku looked up at Chi-Chi and smiled. "It's me, Goku, your husband." Chi-Chi felt herself twitch with anger. "I'm a widow, so don't even. Answer this question for me. Where are you from? Where do you stay?"

Goku had to resist the urge to run up to her and kiss her, sweep her off her feet and carry her into the bedroom. He wanted be familiar with her again, and make love to her. Of course, that would have to wait. Hopefully not a long time, Goku thought.

"I have nowhere to stay. I guess you can call me a wandering vagrant, but-"

"Well, you can stay here," Chi-Chi interrupted curtly. "But don't you try anything funny. I'm only inviting you to stay because you're lost, and you seem a bit familiar."

At least she told the truth, though it was bitter.

Goku smiled. He was going to make her understand. He was going to show everyone that he had come home for good.

To be continued…

Chapter Six: Confusion and Broken Hearts