Chapter Two: Departure

Family! I have an announcement, I declared as we sat around the table and ate breakfast. Videl dutifully turned to me as the men went on cramming food into their mouths. I waited for a moment. When they still didn't look at me I revved up my lungs, GOKU! GOHAN! GOTEN! LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER! (yes I know I am not Goku's mother, but he acts like a third son at times instead of a father.)

All three of them jumped and looked at me, blinking owlishly. Pan looked up from her booster seat, What is it,

I sighed, Family, I am going to go on a vacation! I need some time away from everything and just relax!

There was silence, then everyone began speaking up at once.

'Kaasan, what do you mean? Gohan sputtered.

'Gaashun, wat aresh youg tawkling abouth? Goten managed to say. His cheeks were stuffed with food and he looked vaguely like the hamster in one of Pan's favorite cartoons.

Chshichsi, ishn't thish a bith shudden? Goku asked. See? Like father, like son.

Videl touched my arm, How will we manage without you?

I smiled at Videl, You can take over. And if the workload is too much, get one of the boys to help you. I glowered at the boys to see if there were any complaints. There were none. Anyway, I need some time away to relax. I never had a vacation other than our family ones and even then I still had to work. I just want to be by myself for a week or two.

Where are you going, Pan asked me.

I pinched her cheeks, I'm not telling!

Gohan jumped, But Kaasan! How will we know if you are all right? How can we check on you?

Gohan, I don't even have a set location myself. I want to travel around a bit, get out of the valley and see the different cities, I sighed. Although I will tell you that I'm going to Bulma's first and visit with her for a day or two.

What are you going to use to travel?

I was hoping your father wouldn't mind lending me our wonderful little cloud, I stared at Goku as he gulped and nodded. And I will be taking the capsules with me as well!

When will you be leaving? asked Goten.

Later today, I told him as everyone jumped again. I want to start my journey as soon as possible!

Around two o'clock, I had a bag full of clothes, capsules all prepared for me and a family holding back their tears. Well, not exactly.

Please be careful, Okasama, Videl said as she hugged me.

Don't look so nervous child! I stroked her cheek, You are going to do just fine managing the house!

Bye bye! Pan lifted her arms to me and I swung her around before setting her into her father's arms.

Be a good girl, dear!

'Kaasan, if you need anything, please call us, Gohan said, looking worried as he held Pan closer. I smiled and stroked the worry lines free from his forehead.

Don't worry so much Gohan, you're going to end up more wrinkled than I be!

Goten muttered. He hated goodbyes, when Goku had to leave to go back to heaven during the Buu disaster, he had cried for two nights straight.

I hugged him fiercely and patted his cheek. Study hard, Goten. Don't give your sister-in-law too much trouble.

I won't, he mumbled, look at his feet.

I turned to look at my husband. He was smiling at me and pulled me close to his barrel like chest. We didn't need words to speak, him and I.

Be careful, his eyes said to me.

I will, I reassured him and smiled.

Goku called the yellow cloud and gave it stern instructions to take good care of me as I hopped on it.

To Capsule Corporation! I shouted as the cloud sped off. I turned, waving goodbye to my family, now little specks on the ground. I turned back and grinned as the wind blew my hair back. Impatiently, I shook it out of it's ponytail and gave a wild whoop of delight as we sped faster and faster to my adventure.