Oh, man! In the last chapter, I forgot to offer a cookie to see who could guess whom the new evil was, even though it was pretty obvious, considering the timeline. Soooo… Anyway, yes, Vegeta never got his wish. ^_^; Poor Veggie-kun.
Vegeta: ::Crosses arms and looks away::
Goku: ::Bowing, sweatdropping:: I'm sorry, so sorry. ^^;;
Sadako: It was better this way, Vegeta. I honestly didn't know what you'd wish for in the story, exactly, so…
Vegeta: ::Surprised, and then yells:: WOMAN, ARE YOU BLIND?! ANYTHING WOULD'VE BEEN FINE! WORLD DOMINATION, THE MOST POWERFUL BEING EVER, ETERNAL LIFE! ANYTHING!!! BUT NO… THAT BAKA KAKAROT HAD TO RUIN IT, WHO I'M STILL GOING TO DESTROY BY THE WAY!!
Chi-Chi: Really? ::Glares in her fighting stance, with the legendary Frying Pan of Pain in one hand::
Vegeta: O_O; ::Runs::
Sadako: ::Sweatdrops and smoothes hair::
Bulma: Hmm… What's Chi-Chi's secret?
Goku: I dunno, but what about that cookie?
Buu: Teehee
Sadako: On with the story. u_u;
Learning to Love You
Chapter Fourteen: Prophecy Fulfilled
It was a crisp, November morning at Mt. Paozu where the Son family resides. Colorful fall leaves scattered the ground, letting everyone know they were near fall's end. Curly smoke rose from the chimney of a small capsule house, and the doorbell just rang right now.
Chi-Chi answered the front door, seeing that Yamcha, Kuririn, Vegeta, and Piccolo were standing there. "G'morning, Chi-Chi," Kuririn greeted, smiling. "Hey guys," Chi-Chi greeted everyone back slowly, noting the solemn looks on their faces.
"Where's Goku?" Yamcha asked.
Chi-Chi gestured toward the back door. "He's out with Gohan and Goten in the backyard. Why?"
"Thank you," Vegeta said and began to walk in the house toward the backyard, with the others following behind him. Kuririn turned around to answer Chi-Chi's question. He wore the same solemn face as the others.
"We've got training to do."
***
Everyone had trained all morning, and while the others were eating their own lunches outside, Goku, Gohan, and Goten went inside at the smell of Chi-Chi's cooking. As they got ready to eat, Chi-Chi served them some food, and then herself.
As she sat down with her family to eat, Chi-Chi studied Goku and her boys from under her eyelashes. What was with the big deal with training all of a sudden? And why was everyone so cheerful? This wasn't making any sense to Chi-Chi, and she worried if they were keeping something from her.
The boys' conversation only seemed like murmurs to her as she thought and thought. This was way too suspicious. Yesterday, they were behaving just like a normal family. And now today Goku gets serious about training and drags Gohan and Goten into it.
"Mommy?"
Chi-Chi looked up, at first not responding to her youngest son's call. "Hm?" Goten's face expressed his concern. "You're not eating much. You seem down. Are you okay?"
Chi-Chi nodded slowly, and she felt Gohan's concerned eyes on her as well. "I'm fine. It's nothing."
"Okay," Goten said, and resumed eating and talking with Gohan and Goku.
Pretending to appear fine was one thing, but worrying was a completely different thing, and now Chi-Chi was worried. She glanced at Goku. Usually they would talk about everything, and Goku would tell Chi-Chi when something like this was going to happen.
But now he hasn't said anything...
Next, Chi-Chi looked at Gohan. He used to be so intent on studying, but that was before Videl came. There was nothing wrong in finding someone to love, but she wasn't ready to give away her eldest child just yet... And then there was something else. Gohan also put studying as a later priority and started training vigorously with Goku, just like when he was little.
Chi-Chi really began to wonder now, and she lastly fixed her eyes on Goten.
Her youngest son, her most precious gift... And he wanted to train too. He had always liked it, but he didn't even question the intent of this tough training. There had to be some reason that they were pushing themselves so hard, right?
But Goten didn't even ask...
After lunch, Goku stayed to help Chi-Chi clean up. There were more piles of dishes than usual, and Goku didn't feel like upsetting his wife by leaving his big stack of plates too.
He was confused now, though. Usually, Chi-Chi would thank him for helping her out in anything. Maybe not a kiss or something, but usually a 'thank you'. Goku had figured she had told Goten she was okay so Goten's concentration wouldn't be ruined in his training.
Soon the last clean dish was put in the dishwasher to dry, and Goku dried his hands, walking away.
"Goku?" Chi-Chi asked softly.
Goku turned back, tilting his head. He saw Chi-Chi beckon him to come, and he obeyed, curious as to what she wanted. Chi-Chi touched Goku's arm gently, and Goku looked at her, seeing the worry in her eyes.
"Kuririn and the others came over this morning to see you," she said. "Kuririn said that you all had training to do. What's going on?"
A look of surprise crossed his face for a moment, and then uneasiness was clear to see. Goku frowned slightly, and then he shook his head. "I'll explain tonight," he told Chi-Chi. "But I really have to get back now, okay?"
Chi-Chi nodded and let Goku go, partly relieved that Goku said he would explain. However, she had a feeling she wasn't going to like this. She had seen his expression. Whatever was coming couldn't be good...
***
Later in the afternoon, the doorbell rang again. Like before, Chi-Chi was the one to answer the door. "Oh, hey Bulma, Trunks. What brings you guys over here?"
"Hi, Chi-Chi," Bulma and Trunks said in unison, and then Bulma placed a hand on her son's shoulder.
"Trunks and I were just doing a few things, and then I was reminded that Vegeta was over here and that he demanded that Trunks train with him and Goten," Bulma explained. "Is that alright with you?"
Chi-Chi nodded, and stepped aside so Bulma and Trunks could come in. "They're out back, Trunks," Chi-Chi said to him. Trunks nodded, gazing steadily outside. When he didn't move, Chi-Chi tried to see what Trunks was staring at.
Before she could speak, Trunks looked up at her and smiled a bit. "Don't worry about me. I have no hard feelings for Gohan. Not anymore. Thanks for letting me train here."
When Trunks walked away, Chi-Chi smiled, glad to know that Trunks had recovered. She didn't want anyone else to feel bitter towards Gohan. When she glanced at Bulma, she noticed the sour look on her face, and she frowned.
"What?" she said, trying to get a hint.
Bulma shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just a little angry that Vegeta just goes out there and trains instead of spending time with me. He just came back from the dead yesterday after two years. One night isn't going to make up for it..."
Chi-Chi was silenced, catching the drift that Bulma still felt bitter towards Gohan. She knew. Bulma had been separated from her husband for two years as a result of Vegeta's sacrifice.
But Chi-Chi said nothing as she gazed out the window, watching everyone train happily outside. They were happy to fight and spar. It was still puzzling though... The world around Chi-Chi seemed to fade gradually as she was lost in staring at her family outside.
Goku's words and his expressions echoed through her head, and the sense that something was really wrong would come to her.
She had been gazing for so long, that she was startled when Bulma asked her a question. "What?"
Bulma looked at her. "What's wrong? You look concerned."
Chi-Chi sighed, shaking her head slowly. "I just don't understand the deal with training suddenly. All this started yesterday. Didn't you feel that something was up when Vegeta just wanted to train? Well, he's always training I think, but doesn't it puzzle you at least a little bit?"
Bulma blinked. "Huh? Um, not really. I expected him and Trunks to train, and the others too. Didn't Goku tell you?"
"No, he didn't," Chi-Chi said, irritated. Now she really felt like everyone knew 'the secret' except her.
"Oh," said Bulma. "Well, it's not a big deal I think… Vegeta said that there was going to be-"
Chi-Chi held up a hand that silenced Bulma. "No, it's okay. I'll find out from Goku tonight."
"Okay," Bulma said, and then looked at her wristwatch. "Oh, I've gotta go. I'll pick up Trunks around 5, okay? So don't worry about giving him some dinner."
"All right," Chi-Chi said, and opened the front door for Bulma. "See ya…"
Once Bulma left and Chi-Chi closed the door, she wondered if not hearing Bulma out was the right thing. Why did she know and not her? Vegeta didn't seem to be the one to explain or talk to his wife about things very often.
But Chi-Chi expected Goku to at least. But he didn't, and now she was not only worried, but irritated as well. She will just have to wait until tonight…
***
Soon it was near five o'clock and Bulma had just called Chi-Chi letting her know she was on her way to pick Trunks up. Chi-Chi stopped by the kitchen before heading to the backyard.
She walked around some warriors meditating, others sparring, and finally made her way to where Trunks was, trying to beat Goten in a push-ups contest. Goku was the judge.
"Trunks?"
The lavender-haired boy was startled upon hearing his name, and his arms gave in to collapsing. His face smashed into the grass and Goten cheered beside him. "I win!"
Trunks picked himself up and looked at Chi-Chi, exasperated.
"Oh man! You ruined my concentration! But what is it?"
Chi-Chi smiled. "Sorry. Your mom's coming to get you in about five minutes so you should get ready to go. Here, I brought you a drink and snack. I thought you could use a little refreshment before you go home."
"Wow, thanks," Trunks said, taking the water bottle and pack of crackers. Goten whimpered cutely beside him. "What about me, Mommy?"
Chi-Chi patted Goten's head. "Ok, I'll get you some too."
"Thanks!"
"Hey, what about me?" Goku asked. Chi-Chi turned around, giving Goku a look. "Just kidding," he said, waving his hands in defense. But Chi-Chi smiled. "I'll get you some too."
It was a little after six-thirty by the time everyone had gone home and dinner was eaten. After the kitchen was cleaned up, Chi-Chi grimaced and then plugged her nose. "Oh, guys," she said to her husband and sons. "All that training must've made you sweat buckets, I can tell. Go take a bath."
"Can we take one in the barrel outside?" Goten asked.
"I don't care as long as you get clean," Chi-Chi answered.
After they took their baths, Chi-Chi patched up a few wounds Goten and Gohan claimed to be pain-free and sent them to bed. As she put the first-aid kit away, Chi-Chi felt Goku's arm come around her shoulder.
"I'll clean up tomorrow. Let's go to sleep now," he told her. Chi-Chi agreed, grateful.
As she and Goku walked down the hallway leading to their bedroom, Chi-Chi looked up at Goku to see if he would talk about the deal with training. But he only smiled and tilted his head. "Hm?"
Chi-Chi smiled weakly, and she could tell that Goku's smile was fake too. That only made her worry some more.
***
Chi-Chi waited for Goku in the bed and glanced at him brushing his teeth, humming. He inspected his teeth in the mirror afterwards and saw Chi-Chi look at him in the mirror. "I see you too," he said.
Once Goku slid under the bed sheets, Chi-Chi asked him, "Are you ready to tell me what's going on with the training?"
"Huh? Well…" Goku trailed off. He turned toward Chi-Chi and held out his arms for her. Chi-Chi raised an eyebrow. "What? I thought you were going to tell me."
"Just c'mere for a sec."
Chi-Chi smiled warmly, liking whatever Goku had in mind. She lay on top of him as he requested, and felt his arms wrap around her protectively. She laid her head down and made tiny circles on his bare chest with her fingers. "What're you thinking of?" she asked softly.
"Nothing," Goku answered. "I just like holding you."
He was avoiding her question…
Chi-Chi lifted her head up to see Goku, but she frowned at the look on his face. "Goku? What's wrong?"
Goku placed his hands on Chi-Chi's back and began to rub gently. "I really don't want to tell you, but I don't want to lie to you." Chi-Chi tried not to tense. Why did she get the feeling she wasn't going to like what Goku was going to tell her?
"It's okay," she said, relentless.
Goku sighed. "It's not fair, but I'm going to have to leave you again, Chi-Chi."
Chi-Chi broke from her husband's grasp and looked at him, her eyes full of shock, surprise, and pain. "What?! No! You just came back home! You just came back to the boys… To me. You can't leave, Goku."
Chi-Chi's attempts to sustain herself were weakened greatly. Was this some curse? Who would try to take her Goku away? He finally came home, and was slowly healing her broken heart. This was unforgivable… No, she wouldn't allow him to leave.
Yet, why did it seem Goku was going to end up doing the right thing again?
Chi-Chi cried softly against Goku's chest. "Please don't leave me again," she whispered. "You can't go…"
Goku hated these kinds of moments. Why did someone have to screw things up just when it got good? He hated seeing his wife crying again, because of him. It wasn't fair. Now that it was time to compensate, fate wouldn't allow that either.
Goku let Chi-Chi cry, but he rubbed her back soothingly as he whispered to her.
"Chi-Chi, I don't want to leave as much as you don't want me to go. I'm finally where I belong again—with you, and the boys. But I knew that this was going to happen. Remember when I told you Gohan and I were leaving to revive Vegeta? You wanted to stay home and help Goten with his schoolwork."
Chi-Chi nodded, remembering.
Goku continued, "Well, Shenlong made a prophecy that in three months since then, a new evil is going to come for world domination. He'll even destroy parts of it to get the Z warriors' attention."
He resumed his gentle strokes on Chi-Chi's back.
"You know I have to fight. And I'm not diving for it because I love fighting. I do.
But I realize being a husband and a father means I have to stay at home too."
Chi-Chi's grip on him tightened. "Then why don't you?"
Goku kissed her hair. "You know the answer to that. But I have to start training again tomorrow, and the boys too. This evil is stronger than anything we've ever faced. Stronger than Freiza and Cell…. I know it's not fair, Chi-Chi, and I know you're anxious and scared. I can feel your heartbeat against my chest.
"But please, let's forget about the enemy and focus on each other. I'll try to come home everyday after training and spend as much time as I can with you."
Chi-Chi closed her eyes in regret. Why did this evil have to come now? At all? And why is it always Goku? How could anyone hate such a sweet and noble man? Oh, Goku… Here I am, hoping you'd come back, and you did, but now I have to let you go again.
Chi-Chi got off Goku and kissed him softly. "Will you make love to me? This is how I want to remember you when you leave."
Goku nodded. I may leave you to fight, but I'll never leave your heart and mind. And I'll never leave you alone, even if Gohan and Goten are with me. I know you'll be a great mother again. Take care of yourself and my gift.
Owari
A/N:
1) Owari translates to The End. Yes, this is the end… No sequels, no chapter fifteen, nothing. I hate it too. This fanfic was so much fun to write and I always hate endings as much as I write them. Thanks for the reviews you guys! This was my first successful fanfic and I am happy!!
2) See, Majin Buu, you bad boy! Grr… ruining Goku and Chi-Chi's play time. Goku the sneak, getting Chi-Chi pregnant again. ^_^
He senses the scent.