Disclaimer, in case it wasn't obvious. I don't own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or really any other property. Thank you.

The Long Road

Chapter 19: The Good Times

Trying his best wasn't working. It felt like never worked when it came to anything involving Gohan. He'd tried his best to save him as a child and failed. As a teenager, his son came back and he tried to help him, arguably he'd failed at that as well. Then he tried to bond with him, that failed. Finally, he tried desperately to bring him home to try and start again... And he'd failed at that as well.

When Gohan asked him in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber why he smiled, he'd answered because he could always try harder. Right now, years after the battle over South City with his 'brother' Turles, Goku couldn't think of how he could try harder. Since the day of the Saiyan's death, there had been a permanent divide between him and his son. The worst part about it was he'd tried so hard to reach Gohan, even ignoring a warning from his son that he'd be killed if he tried to see him. It was a failure that was hard to live with.

It skewed the view of the world his grandpa had taught him all those years ago. Never give up, and try your best until you succeed. It'd been over fifteen years now, and he'd tried so hard but he failed to succeed. It wasn't something he ever thought of in that way before until recently. It made life harder. For some reason when he woke up in the morning it was like there was a big rock on his chest, stopping him from getting up.

When Gohan had been with them, there were days he thought that his son had come home, and then there were days where he was afraid that what had been his son had died a long time ago. The worst thing in the world was the day that his son proved that he was still there, that he was still a good, feeling, living person. That was the day when he killed Turles. He knew through what Vegeta had told him why Gohan had done it. It was incredible to see his son rise above everything to meet a challenge none of them could have hoped to stop.

But the very feels that Gohan tapped into, destroyed him after the battle. It'd been something he'd thought of often, especially recently. That monster who killed all those people, who would have killed everyone else, had been more important to Gohan then anyone in his life up until that point. Gohan had told him as much himself when he tried to get his son to come home the first time.

And ever since then it'd just been another failure to launch, or another failure all together whenever anything involving his eldest son came up. The worst part of all of it was how Chi had taken it however. The son they'd waited for, that his wife had waited for, for so long came back to them a broken mess. Then, just when it seemed like they may be getting him back, he left them and never wanted to return. Of course she took it poorly, who wouldn't? Goku hadn't understood at first just how badly she did take it.

Often, he wished time would just fix their problems now, because it was getting hard to keep up with it, to keep trying.

Then there were the other problems now rearing their heads in their lives. Goten constantly felt neglected, or at odds with what Gohan had been. Both Chi-Chi and he knew it, and they were trying their best to let Goten know he was their son and that Gohan couldn't somehow change that. But it was clear their younger son still bore the wounds they may have caused by focusing so hard on trying to help Gohan. Goten's birthday was coming up in a week, and of course he and Chi-Chi had talked about it. The entire day was going to be dedicated to Goten as much as they could. There wasn't much they could do for gifts however.

Because their bigger problem, no longer looming on the horizon but increasingly becoming the reality, was their dwindling money reserves. The money Goku had won at the end of the World Martial Arts tournament against Piccolo had really been what they'd sustained themselves on all these years. They bought their house outright, they paid all their bills, and they bought their food with it. They had a meagre income from collecting things off their property of course, and selling the left overs of what they grew. Sadly, it just wasn't enough.

Property taxes had recently risen, and there was apparently certifications needed for the amount of food they grew on their property, as ridiculous as that sounded to Goku. But, for over twenty years that money had held out. Now that it was getting close to crisis, he and Chi-Chi had to look into what they could do for work. It was just another thing, to add to their problems. The fact that a new World Martial Arts Tournament was coming up meant that they'd have a good chance to be back in the green very shortly. Of course Goku knew that his odds of winning any such tournament were good.

They'd allowed Mister Satan to take the credit for the Cell Games, but at the end of the day he'd need to keep a roof over his family's head, which meant that he couldn't really let Hercule win. No one else he knew would be really interested in entertaining the tournament who could threaten his chances of winning right now, which was a real shame because he always looked forward to a challenge. But for now that was probably for the best.

Standing in a suit outside of the kitchen, Goku found his thoughts wondering back to the world of right now. Chi-Chi was getting ready because they had to go meet with a town official about paying their house taxes in instalments until the tournament happened. The tough sell was going to be convincing them that they were good for the rest of it after the tournament. The word Goku would find otherwise, that was real, honest work, involving helping out with local farmers and things of that nature. Unfortunately, super powered or not, that didn't pay very well at the moment.

Walking out of their room a minute later, her purse slung over her shoulder, she looked at Goku seriously.

"Remember what we talked about, you've got a big job coming up in June, and that's why we're doing it this way, alright?" Chi-Chi said seriously.

"Right," Goku responded.

"And if they ask what that job is?" Chi-Chi stressed.

"Oh uhm... I think we said I was going to..." Goku did his best to recall, but faltered almost immediately out of the gate.

"You are going to say that you are getting a job in West City with Capsule Corporation. Remember Bulma said she'd cover for you if anyone called," Chi-Chi sounded exasperated at this point. "Please remember Goku, it's incredibly important."

That was right. Asking Bulma for financial aid wasn't where they were yet, of course. But asking her to help them out with a small white lie wasn't the same thing as asking for money. It was so incredibly awkward for them to be in this situation. But they'd find a way through of course. It was in this case their own fault, they'd left this too long.

Checking his pocket for the car keys, Goku pulled them up with an unfamiliar jingle of noise. It was hard to understand why Chi-Chi wanted to drive when he could just take them there in a second. But, she was his wife, and it was how she wanted to get there, so they'd take the car.

At least they'd arranged for Goten to train with Piccolo today while they were out doing this.

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When the car door shut behind her, Chi-Chi breathed in. This was humiliating. It was completely humiliating because they were going to have to lie to just try and hold things together for a little while until the tournament. Unexpected expenses, and just irresponsibility lead to this.

Thank god they didn't have to go to Bulma herself for a loan. If they could get by this and get to the tournament, then everything would be fine. At least everything involving their financial problems. They would still have all the other problems. It wasn't something she liked to think about, but the thoughts often assailed her at the worst times. Right now would have been one of those times. If she'd been a better mother and wife she would have kept better track of what the local township was looking to implement, and how it affected her family's finances. Of course Goku didn't blame her, because Goku didn't blame her for anything.

There was always the nagging, fearful fault that everything that had gone wrong was her fault. If she'd forced Gohan to stay home the day Goku wanted to take him to Master Roshi's, she wouldn't have lost her oldest son. If she'd been a better mother when he came back, maybe he'd not have left as soon as he could have. Or at the very least he would call, or write, or visit, or anything. It wouldn't be so hard to deal with Goten without always internally referencing what she did wrong with Gohan. A panicked moment seized her as they approached the office door.

How could she talk to these people if she couldn't even control her own household? From her family members, to her own actions, to their money. Everything felt like it was her fault and it was all trying to drown her at once. What would happen if they found out they were lying and intended to use money from a tournament, of which there was no guarantee Goku would win, to pay back their backed payments? Her entire plan would come undone in a second if Goku said the wrong thing, or they looked too deeply into it.

What are we going to do then?

Chi-Chi had stopped walking, her body froze as she began to panic, almost openly. It wasn't until something gripped her hand that she snapped out of it. Her eyes turned towards Goku, standing there with the smile he always put on for everyone. Even though it wasn't always perfect, she loved her husband for his seemingly endless kindness and understanding. No matter the problem, even if he couldn't fix it, he would always try. He knew what was running through her head, everything about how he was smiling told her that. A second later, she tightened her own hand's grip around his. A smile slowly graced her own lips as she reinforced her own resolve.

"Ready?" Goku asked.

"Yes, thank you," Chi-Chi responded weakly.

A few seconds later, the two of them entered the modest office, taking their seats and waiting for their appointment.

Everything will be fine.

Chi-Chi tried to reassure herself, but the truth was she didn't know.

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West City:

It'd been years since he'd last seen the old building looking like it was in good condition. Things were still on the mend back home. Still, it'd been the first time he'd been back here in a long time. The last thing he remembered doing was giving his goodbyes after they'd managed to deal with Bojack. Just like Tien had always told him, Goku's power had been absolutely incredible. It was even greater then when they'd battled Cell. Just when everything was on the line, Goku pulled through, just like Tien had always told him he would.

The androids had caused unprecedented destruction to Earth's industrial infrastructure, which meant even though it'd been a decade since he'd returned to his own time-line. Standing outside the Capsule Corporation building was the now 27 year old Trunks.

The Future was his home, of course, it couldn't not be. But it'd been so many years since he'd last seen this world. This was a second home to him, and it'd been too long since he'd decided to check on everyone. His mom even told him to take the vacation for a few months and unwind. Everything back home was always so frantic and chaotic amongst the massive rebuilding projects that were happening. Of course even though they were a shadow of their former selves, the Capsule Corporation was a major element in that reconstruction.

There was so much to ask, Hell, there was so much to be nervous about. The last time he was here, Goku had a son, here on Earth, something Tien had told him never happened in their time-line. Goku surviving lead to the birth of another Saiyan. When he first came back here and faced Frieza, he knew exactly what to expect. By the time he came back last time, he had no idea what to expect anymore. Taking cautious steps towards the building ahead of him, Trunks couldn't help but wonder what he ended up like.

I guess I'll gurgle a lot less then the last time I saw me.

It was only when he reached the front door, he stopped in place as a ten year old mirror of himself stared back at him. It was weird, even stranger then he expected. Someone else being you, but not being you. What would he say? This was the part he'd most wanted to avoid in coming back here. This version of himself undoubtedly had everything he never had. But he looked like a good kid all the same. A smile couldn't help but break out across his face as he approached the door.

"I'd introduce myself, but I guess you know who I am," the Elder Trunks said lightly.

"This is so weird," the younger of the two responded.

The two stood awkwardly for a moment, before the Future Trunks finally spoke up.

"Do you know where Vegeta and Bulma are?"

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"Will you stop being such a jerk, just for once?" Bulma sighed, sounding as if she was reaching the end of any semblance of patience she still had.

The Prince of All Saiyans was currently floating in the middle of the gravity room, his aura blazing around him as he honed his body yet further. There was another dispute with the woman, who was now carrying their daughter Bulla. The young, blue haired infant just looked up at him with her blue eyes. He was being a 'jerk' because he was busy preparing himself for the tournament. In one hundred days, there was going to be a world martial arts tournament. When that occurred, he knew now that Kakarot would be making an appearance. The last four years of training had been intense for him, straining and pushing his body as far as he could in order to not only surpass that fool Kakarot, but the treacherous Planet Trade Commander who was his biological offspring.

It'd been months ago that he surpassed the strength of the one known as Turles. Every moment of training for over three years had been to surpass that milestone. Now that he'd achieved his new found power, matching the man who brutalized him so quickly, his next milestone was that rotten commander, the betrayer, Gohan. Despite giving the boy the courage to face Turles, Vegeta knew full well that Gohan had betrayed not only them, but the man he betrayed them for. To say that Vegeta trusted him would have been a gross violation of truth.

It was unlikely that Gohan or anyone of any real importance would enter the tournament other then Kakarot. Even the Namek was no longer a real challenge for him anymore. It was all Kakarot, or the traitor, and he would have one of them cornered into finally fighting him in the World Martial Arts Tournament. Kakarot was the one he truly desired to defeat of the two of them, because he had been the unconquerable mountain he'd faced for years. At every chance Kakarot had outdone him. This time it would be his turn to taste victory. From Frieza to Bojack, Kakarot had stolen his victories from him. Things would finally change.

"Are you even listening to me Vegeta? I just wanted you to look after Bulla for once! My parents are out, and I have an appointment with investors on the other side of town. Please, for once could you just help out around here?" the woman almost begged.

It irritated him, because despite the girl being his. Vegeta had no ability to care for an infant. That was a woman's job, not a warrior's.

"The girl isn't like Trunks, she can't survive in this environment. I cannot care for her," Vegeta responded, before throwing several fists at an imaginary opponent.

"I know she can't survive in the gravity room you jackass, I'm asking you to leave the gravity room and take care of her for an hour. Why does everything have to be like pulling teeth with you?"

The woman was insufferable. At times it felt like he couldn't live without her, and at other times it felt like she was a suffocating force that he couldn't bare to be around one second more. The child in her arms was the result of the former. The fact that he felt like he was about to go on a rampage was the result of the latter.

"Woman, I am busy. Have Trunks care for the child while you are gone. It's only an hour, I'm sure he'll be fine. After all, you'll be providing him with valuable training I'm sure for when he's an adult on this backwards, gentle world."

The angry huff she gave him in response caused him to smirk.

"I can't believe you Vegeta. Fine, I'll go get your son to do your job," Bulma shot back. "And you're sleeping on the couch tonight."

That was hardly a punishment, given that he was training for the tournament. He would be avoiding sleep at all costs, and sexual activities were certainly out of the question. Vegeta could afford no distractions while he prepared himself for this.

"Shut the door, would you?"

"Jerk!"

The doors closed behind her. They were automated of course, but if they weren't, he of course knew she would have slammed the doors shut.

Finally, I can train in peace.

Looking ahead with determined Super Saiyan eyes, Vegeta braced himself.

Kakarot, I will beat you.

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"I can't believe him!" Bulma's voice echoed. "Trunks? Trunks honey? Mommy and Bulla need a favour."

The voice rang through the halls.

Bulla?

Turning his head to his younger self, Trunks couldn't help but look questioningly at the youth. Of course, his younger self looked very solemn already, his features bleak. Something was clearly distressing him under the surface.

"What's wrong?" Trunks asked his younger self.

"Dad isn't helping mom take care of Bulla again, which means when she goes out she's going to pass it on to me."

"Whose Bulla?" the elder of the two asked, just as Bulma rounded the corner.

"There you are T...Trunks?"

The surprised look on Bulma's face said it all. Trunks smiled in response, waving.

"Hey, how're you mom?"

What he couldn't believe was that she was holding a little girl in her arms. Clearly it was her daughter, and it was likely Vegeta's daughter. Which meant it was his sister. Quietly, Trunks felt himself almost fall into a pit in his own mind trying to wrap his brain around the concept.

Because he came back in time, and thus saved his father, in this world he had a little sister. Looking back up at Bulma, who was now smiling proudly as she kept hold of the little girl, his mother didn't answer the question with words.

"This is Bulla, by the way."

Right there was the ripple effect, staring him in the face.

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Mount Paozu: Municipal Office

Chi-Chi sat, eagerly looking at Mister Pen, who was scribbling away on several forms. They'd just went over everything with him, there wasn't anything more to do. The entire time she felt like she was going to die whenever Goku was asked a question, but for once he managed to respond exactly as they'd needed to. It was a wave of relief on her shoulders. Now all he needed to do was finish his paperwork, and they could get back to some semblance of normality.

"You know, I've been doing this for over twenty years," Pen remarked, scribbling on his notes still, his eyes looked up at them several times before shifting back down to the page. "But they've been changing a lot of the rules ever since our neighbours, Satan City, started to get bigger and bigger. It's a lot harder to make exceptions."

Exceptions? What was he talking about? They'd done business with the village for years. How many times did Goku scare off a local monster coming out of the woods? How many times did they show up at local festivals and make enough food for everyone, including Goku? They were active members of the little community that lived on the mountain. They'd diligently paid their taxes for decades, and now, only now, did this happen? There was no way he could just tell them they owed all the taxes in a lump sum.

"I'm afraid policy is now very clear, and we can't make exceptions. I'm sure the two of you will be able to sort something out," Mr. Pen said. "So, in two weeks we'll need a single payment for your property taxes for last year. I'll be sure to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork."

The air in the room went stale and dead within seconds. So that was it. The cold unforgiving response, tacked on with a reassurance she wasn't reassured by at all. So where would they go? They'd have to sell the car, that was now definite. Next they'd have a year at most to figure out what they were going to do with the house. The house they'd lived in the entire time they were married. The place where they'd had their first two children, the place where they'd raised one of four years, and the other for ten. Everything was beginning to feel faint. She felt herself almost getting hot for a moment and the world began to fade.

It was as if she blinked, and suddenly she was on the floor. The chair she'd been sitting on was over her legs, and she felt her husband's hands on her shoulders. He was talking, but the words were inaudible echoes. Blinking several times, she finally heard his voice breaking through the silence.

"Chi-Chi? Look at me Chi-Chi. Okay good, are you okay?" Goku asked, his innocent eyes blinking several times at her.

"No," she whispered back, before feeling something churn in her stomach.

Shifting to try and sit up, she felt herself becoming almost dizzy again. It was then she felt Goku pull her into the air by her back and legs, hoisting her into his arms.

"Can we go home?" she whispered.

The look on her husband's face said no.

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This was quite possibly the worst day he'd ever had. For once, Goku couldn't just smile and shrug it all off. It wasn't just the money anymore. In the car next to him, Chi-Chi's eyes were glazed over as she stared out the window, her head to the side. It wasn't just about money anymore, or the house. It was now about the future. Because now Goku had to live with the idea that his entire family was going to be dependent on the kindness of their friends the Briefs, at least for a little while. It was painful to admit that he'd failed to provide enough for his family for them to cope with everything that was now happening.

As soon as they got home, he'd have to call Bulma, but not before he got Chi-Chi to bed. After everything that happened today, he didn't even know what he was going to do to help Chi-Chi through all this. They'd certainly gone to the doctor after she blacked out, there was no way he'd just take her home after how she fell. The doctor explained it could have been a lot of things, stress, hypertension, potentially a heart issue, blood sugar, or an array of other medical issues. They took a urine test and a blood test, but the results of the urine test were brought back to them almost immediately from the hospital.

"Well Mrs. Son, it looks like you're currently pregnant."

It was something they'd played with the idea of over four years ago, before Gohan came home. It was almost a final admission that their son wasn't coming home. But then he did, and they stopped trying. It wasn't as if they'd tried since, and they were both getting older. He, including his time in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, was just over forty, and Chi-Chi was just about to turn forty. This was the worst time this could possibly happen.

Everything was uncertain for them right now. How were they going to raise Goten, let alone another kid during all this? Somewhere life had gone extremely wrong. Right now Chi-Chi wouldn't even say a word and it was causing his heart to crack. Often he found himself taking his eyes off the road for brief moments, looking over to check on her.

"Don't worry about it Chi. Everything's going to be fine," Goku finally told his wife. "We'll get this all sorted out. I'll call Bulma when we get home, alright?"

Bulma had been his friend longer then anyone, and it was the worst feeling in the world knowing he'd have to impose on her. Soon everyone would know, including Vegeta, but it didn't matter. In a little while, this would get sorted out, and things would get back to normal. For now it was just about getting through until the World Martial Art's tournament.

When they finally got home, Goku saw the lights on inside. Goten was back already, and he was willing to bet Piccolo was still with him. If he'd learned anything, it was that he could always rely on Piccolo. Even when things seemed impossible, his green skinned friend always came through for them. He even jeopardized his own friendship to his son Gohan for him.

Reaching over, Goku placed his hand on Chi-Chi's shoulder.

"Chi? Are you okay?"

There was no response at first. She wasn't looking at him. Her head was still tilted and looking out the window, and it was starting to rain outside. Blood pumped through his veins more quickly as his own worries began to overtake him.

Please just say something Chi.

"No," she responded dismally.

Soft crying slowly began from the other seat. Goku couldn't express with words how much he wanted to make this better. There was no apology he could summon to apologize for years of mistakes. For all the mistakes involving Gohan, for all the mistakes with their money, and now for where they were. It wasn't Chi-Chi's fault, it had to be his. Inside though, Goku knew she was shouldering it all. Chi-Chi always liked to think she made the world turn, and she made everything work for everyone. Now everything wasn't working. Everything was falling apart at the seams and neither of them could get on top of it.

"I can't do this," she finally choked. "I'm a terrible mother. My own children want to run away from me and I can't even keep a roof over their heads without help."

Cuts dragged across Goku's heart as he heard his wife. It wasn't true at all, she was the best mother. The words weren't fair to her. Normally, he'd just crack a smile and push his way through it all. Today he couldn't. Instead he pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her.

"That's not true Chi, don't worry, we'll deal with this. Goten loves you very much, and Gohan cares about you more then anyone. Don't blame yourself for all this. None of this is your fault," Goku couldn't help but feel his own voice cracking. "No one could ask for anyone better. Besides, you're a great cook too. I think that's probably more important then anything else."

With those words, Goku kissed his wife's hair before resting his head against hers. In his arms he just felt her breathing and laying laxly against him.

"Come on, let's get inside. We'll put Goten to bed and then we'll get some sleep. We'll look at everything we have to do tomorrow, okay?"

A numb nod came from Chi-Chi, before her hands moved up and carefully grasped his. It was everything he had not to break down himself. Chi-Chi didn't deserve to have to go through all this. He'd been such a hopeful, blind fool for so long, and now it was all coming back on him. What had served him seemingly so well for so long, was just more and more disappointment now. Today, he couldn't jsut smile.

Opening his own door a second later, he closed it behind him before walking over to the passenger side. The rain was coming down hard, causing cold beads of water to begin to take residence in his hair and on his scalp. The look of blank despair Chi-Chi gave him when he stood there in the rain, the door left open for her, tore him apart even more. She looked utterly defeated.

"I want... I want it to be like it used to be," she finally whispered, tears still welled in her eyes.

"I know Chi, but there is nothing we can do about that right now. I'm not going to leave you in the car all night, come on, let's go inside. Uhm... I'll make you your favourite cup of co-co?"

If he thought it'd help, he'd get on his hands and knees and beg her to come inside. Right now he just looked into sorrow laden eyes and frowned sadly, his own face twisting to one of remorse. They'd dealt with too much for too long. They both knew it. It'd all gone wrong with Gohan over sixteen years ago, and it never really fixed itself. Now it was just... it was a disaster, and he couldn't snap his fingers and make it better.

Leaning down, Goku scooped Chi-Chi into his arms from the car. She gave no resistance at all, hanging in his arms like a limp doll. Walking briskly towards the house, the rain now having drenched him from standing in it too long, Goku looked down at his wife.

"I love you Chi-Chi."

She needed to hear that right now. The fact he loved her was why he was going to call Bulma for help even.

"I want Gohan to come home," she mumbled.

It was Goku's turn to let his eyes water as he smiled finally, and sadly to her. Gohan wasn't coming home. It was just a pipe dream he'd held onto for too long. He'd come to realize that he'd really lost his son, and all he could do was hope he made the right decision. It was so hard to finally admit to himself, but it was true. And he knew he couldn't tell Chi-Chi that Gohan wouldn't be coming back.

When the door opened, he walked through the front door of their modest home and saw a green figure waiting with his arms crossed.

"Goku," the Namek greeted.

Walking over to the couch, Goku set Chi-Chi down.

"Piccolo, we've had a really tough day today," Goku admitted. "How about we try this whole being friends and hanging out thing tomorrow?"

His friend shifted first.

"Maybe you should talk to Goten first. We trained with Gohan today and-"

Immediately Goku's head turned up, eyes widened with surprise. Within a heartbeat of his own head turning up, Chi-Chi sat up on the couch, looking towards Piccolo as well.

What happened with Gohan?

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It'd been like the world was pulling her down into a darkness she couldn't even acknowledge, until the green skinned man said the words that would have roused her regardless of anything else. Gohan had trained with him, and Goten today? Why? How?

Immediately she pulled herself up from the couch and looked at the Namek sternly. All the pain and disappointment could way, it all pulled back into her as she tried to get control over the overwhelming feeling of anxiety that was affiliated with her eldest son. Piccolo wouldn't have even mentioned it unless...

Goten was hurt? Something had happened? Where was her youngest son?

"Where is Goten?" Chi-Chi immediately demanded.

"In his room," Piccolo responded. "However before-"

Before any further explanation could be given she stormed off, heading towards her youngest son's room. Her feet marched over the ground below her before her hand came to her son's door handle. Twisting it, the door came open.

Sitting there was a bruised and sad looking little boy. Two innocent looking black eyes looked over to her. Inside the two onyx orbs she saw... sadness. What happened? It was everything for her not to just demand to know what was going on, especially after how everything else had gone today. If there was something else now, she didn't know how she'd be able to cope. Behind her, she heard Goku's footsteps, but ignored them as she walked into the room.

"Are you alright? I was worried you were hurt. Did everything go alright today?"

"No," Goten answered quickly. "I... I hate him."

The words that arrived now were so definite, and something she wished she never heard from her son's mouth. There was no reason to hate anyone, especially for a little boy. If she'd been a better parent, maybe he wouldn't hate Gohan. Somewhere in her dreams, she always imagined a world where Gohan looked over Goten. Those dreams were nothing but a mirrored image of the truth.

"Now don't be like that. One day-"

"Gohan will be an older brother? Gohan is... he's..." Goten choked for a moment, looking away angrily as his eyes filled with tears. "He's never going to. But he keeps on hurting everyone and now it's going to be even worse."

Something terrible began to stir inside Chi-Chi at how Goten was talking. What did he mean everything was going to be worse? What did Gohan do? It wasn't fair. Even now her eldest son couldn't keep his life together, he couldn't manage things like a normal person. But it was at the very least understandable given what had happened to him in his life. All that pain had to go somewhere, it had to effect something.

"Why is it going to be even worse?" Chi-Chi asked in almost a whisper, looking at her youngest son as the boy looked away from her, beginning to sob himself. "Goten, it's alright, everything is fine. Why is-"

"It's not fine!" the boy shouted back at her, turning his tear filled eyes at her as if they were deadly weapons. "He's doing something and I don't get it. He hates me, he hates dad, and he never wants to come home. But he's still doing something and I just want... I just want him to go away!"

Looking down a moment later, Goten slipped from his bed before sliding down, reaching under it and pulling out a large, silver case.

"Goten, what's wrong?" Goku asked, walking over to his son, placing his hands on his shoulders and kneeling down. "What's in the case?"

"Money," Goten finally answered. "Gohan... he found out... he found out about... about the bills. I don't know how. I s-swear I didn't tell him. I kept asking him why he was doing it and he... he just handed me the case and t-told me to go home."

Something hot filled Chi-Chi's eyes as she knelt down in front of the case. Trembling fingers moved down, sliding the tabs on the side, causing the lid of the thick case to pop open. As soon as it did, Chi-Chi saw more Zeni then she had in years. There was no way she'd know how much was in there, but it was a small fortune. Where did Gohan get this?

... Why was Gohan giving it to them?

Looking up at her youngest son, she felt confused. Why did he hate him for this? This was everything they needed. Her son, alienated and isolated, found out about their burden and just... gave all this money to them. There was no explanation, no anything? Somewhere, her son knew that they needed help. Somewhere he found it in himself to do this. The source of so much of her grief, so much of her worry, and so much of her pain, swept in and saved them. Inside her heart, she knew why. He loved them. Perhaps he'd never say it, perhaps he'd always keep that inside himself, but he did this for them.

Tears finally slipped from her eyes. More then ever she wished Gohan were here right now, just for her to hug him, just to thank him for this gesture of kindness. But he wasn't here. He could give them all of this, but he couldn't come home. Suddenly, there was an emptiness that tainted the elation, relief, and happiness she felt. Somehow this was all hollow.

"Why are you upset with Gohan sweetie?" Chi-Chi finally asked Goten.

"Because," the boy responded. "Even though he's giving us this, he's still hurting you and dad."

Looking over to Goku, she could see the sadness in her husband's face as he too looked at the money. There was relief as well of course, but she knew then that Goten was in his own way, right. The money saved them, but it also reminded them of how their son wasn't here. It reminded them of how their son couldn't even bring this here himself.

It reminded them he was gone.

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A/N: Funnily enough, this is the shortest chapter I've written for this story in a long time. I think Goku is a bit of a weakness for me to write, so I hope I am improving on him a bit. I also hope moving forward I continue to improve on him. But we'll see.

Chapter 20, and Chapter 21, are both much, much larger. :)

Now, just one note. For December I can't promise consistent updates. I left a similar note in my other big story. It's the busiest time of the year for me, so I just can't commit to my normal updates. I hope everyone understands.

Reviewers:

dbzfan the first:Thank you :)

fernandtoussaint: Pan is about 4-5 years old, yes.

Jrik23: I actualy had Goten's involvement at this point kinda planned for a bit, if it seemed rushed I apologize :(

The scenes were designed to kind of develop both. Moving forward, Goten is going to have an increased role throughout the story... just wait to see what happens ;)

Deflow: Chi-Chi will be very hurt by what Gohan's actions.

Fooler: Gohan doesn't have any kids except 1, because at the end of the day the things he was having sex with before have a different origin then his own species. Saiyan origin is even something I want to tackle at some point, and will get explained in The Catalyst, or in my short story I intend to do eventually called Utopia. So yea, Gohan isn't compatible with non-human non-Saiyan species. Nor is anyone else.

Guest1: Don't worry, there is some arrogance on its way out.

RedHunter87: Answered via PM

Eveline: I don't think Goten would fully care at this point in his life what Gohan went through. He could hear about it, but he's never lived it. All Goten has seen is what a shitty person Gohan can be, and all the pain his parents have been through his entire life. :(

Thia: Thanks!

Maesde: Chapter 20 comes in two weeks. 'm excited. I just hope its well recieved.

Reven228: It was 2 weeks.

Tomorrow4eva: I concur with your assessments, all of them. Thank you :)

Ness Frost: Piccolo's bluntness is awesome XD

KaosMoshpit: Gohan's a ruthless bastard. Lol

Guest2: Great :)

Guest:3: Gohan probably deserves to be put on the brink of death.

Low on Inspiration: There is going to be lots of stuff happening moving forward, I really wish I could reveal more but I can't. Chapter 21 however, is extremely important moving forward. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised by what goes down over the next 10 chapters. It's extremely important, and will reach an epic climax before its all over. It'll be very tough to match Chapter 16 however. I really am glad you are enjoying the story so much :)

Sku: So much on my plate, I dunno.

Guest4: It's a laughing face.

Guest5: Well, Chapter 20 answers a lot of thing.