Chapter 2: Banished

A/N: I know there's limited interest in this fan-fic but it's one of the few that I enjoy at the moment. Side barring other things I just want to write this right now until I can't.

Chi-Chi landed back on the balcony and judging by everyone's surprise and reaction she knew that she appeared quite flustered. Showing up red faced and shaking wasn't how they usually saw her, nor did she come back in fifteen minutes.

"Momma!" Gohan cried, not sensing the distress in his mother scampering towards her with all due haste. Icarus cried out in protest and followed after him like a dog. "Hi Momma!" Gohan said as he hadn't quite gotten her attention he normally did as she hadn't looked down, but as he tugged on the short black training shorts he saw her eyes snap down to him.

He has to know? He probably knows, but I won't let him see, Gohan is my baby! My child. Goku is not going to ruin him or take him from me! Her mind told her as she pictured a hundred different reasons why Goku had come back. There was no way he'd just happened upon her, no that wasn't possible! She couldn't accept that.

I won't let him take him!

She scooped him up into her arms and without speaking another word fled inside the palace hurriedly, the tiny Icarus squawked in protest and trundled inside after Gohan. Gyu-Mao and Kenyo both looked at each other concerned. "That was… odd wasn't it, Dad?" Kenyo said, folding over his newspaper and setting it on the table. He'd never seen Chi-Chi act like that before. She handled giving birth to her son with a tail better than what had just happened right now. She was always so confident and headstrong he couldn't imagine what would make her… distressed? "

"Indeed son," Gyu-Mao remarked. "Something got her flustered." But he couldn't put his finger on what that would be. It's not like Chi-Chi had planned on meeting anyone today or going someplace. "You should go and find her. Might be one of those things you can help her through, if not let me know and I'll have a word with her once she calms down. But maybe giving her a little space and letting her come talk to us will be better. I know she has her moments and just needs a bit of quiet."

Kenyo looked around for a minute making sure that Chi-Chi wasn't in ear shot. "Well she did just start her cycle this week, so it-"

"Enough son, you could've just said it was her time. I only need so many mental images." The older man said, waving his hand in protest of the conversation.

Her husband laughed, "Ah sorry, but yeah it might be one of those 'girl' things so I'll give it a bit then talk with her. She's a strong woman. I know she won't appreciate me of all people trying to be the strong one of the relationship."

Kenyo, dear I love you but please. You don't-' Lifting up a tree the size of a small car from the ground with one hand. 'Need to be worrying about me, I can handle myself I promise you.' Before dropping it right back in the ground.

It was those memories of her that told him that the woman he loved could handle everything. Single motherhood didn't scare her and he'd never even seen someone so physically imposing beside the Ox-King. If anyone could deal with personal problems it was her, but he'd be sure to go check in on her.

"Yes my daughter's pride has only grown over the past years. But maybe I'll just have the maids knock and see if she needs anything." Ox-King rang a bell at the table where Alice appeared in the doorway that Chi-Chi had just used.

"Yes, my King?" She said, her eyes flicking backwards, she saw the way Chi-Chi had sped past her before being summoned. The veteran maid could guess what this was in regards too.

"Would you go and check up on Chi-Chi?" Gyu Mao asked, "I don't know what happened but please just make sure she's alright."

"Of course, I saw her just a moment ago did something happen?" Her own concern evident in her voice as she heard the faint slam of a door.

"I'm not sure, but I'd like you to check as she didn't wish to speak with us about what might be troubling her."

She bowed her head, "I'll do so immediately."

"Thank you Alice." He said, bidding her to leave with a wave of his hand, she abruptly turned around and headed for where Chi-Chi had likely gone imagining something substantial had occurred to upset her. She had been just fine not more than twenty minutes ago. 'What could've happened?' She wondered in her mind as she made her way down the hallway.

As Alice vanished into the castle Gyu-Mao saw a new form approaching from the air, his old martial arts senses kicking in as there was an aura coming towards him. One that was quite strong but he couldn't tell exactly who it was.

Spiraling through the air Goku saw the huge castle, the one that had been saved after putting out the flames around Fire Mountain. 'Man it's been so long since I've been here. Things really look great! I guess the Ox-King has been doing a lot better with so many people in the village down below too!' He could see at least fifty or sixty houses with people and other ones that looked like shops and businesses.

He didn't remember everything looking like this before, but he chalked it up to it being so long since he'd been here. Feeling out for the power that he believed was Chi-Chi he located another strong person before that. "Hey down there!" He called out having two men on the balcony shift their heads up at him.

Directing Nimbus downwards so that he just stopped above the ledge. Sitting just beyond the edge of the railing Goku offered a wave/salute with his two fingers from his head. "Hey there Ox-King! I know it's been awhile but-"

"Son Goku?!" He shouted, the instant recognition of the boy who had become an adult was immediate. No one looked like him, no one could ever have that kind of hair. The only thing that had changed with the boy had been his height. But looking at him now, he felt a vein throb and his hand clenched into a fist in his lap. If he had his axe next to him he'd jump up and begin attempting to lop his head off- But he didn't do that anymore.

Kenyo looked at the strange man, he'd never seen him before. 'Some old friend?' He wondered, the name didn't sound familiar to him at all. 'Chi-Chi never mentioned him, but could he be why she's so upset? Would be strange that he'd pop up after Chi-Chi just blitzed inside?' He looked to his father in-law and saw the obvious anger on his face. Knowing this was one of the better moments for him to just… figure things out than jumping headlong into a conversation.

Oblivious to the other two men's reaction, though surprised at the tone that Gyu-Mao had with him, Goku just laughed like he normally did and scratched the back of his head. "Eh, yeah I know it's been a few years." There was some tension here but he guessed it was because he just dropped by unexpectedly. His friends never seemed to like him doing that. Unless they were in trouble then they were all for it.

"I'll say it has." He growled, a low reverberating sound came out from Gyu-Mao. Releasing a heavy breath through his nose like a bull the former brutal king was trying to slowly count back from ten. Let the boy explain himself, I can't just lop his head off like I want to for what he did to Chi-Chi. Calm down Ox-King calm down… you know Master Roshi wouldn't appreciate you acting this way.' He was doing everything rational to keep his anger in check. But the man who had run out on his daughter after promising to marry her, getting her pregnant, and then not doing a damn thing to come back and check up on either of them! That was really stressing his calming mechanisms, he could forgive maybe one of those faults… but he was going to need a damn good excuse!

The bizarre silence continued for a minute but Gyu-Mao needed to have this chat with Goku. As a father, and grandfather, he needed some serious answers. "Kenyo, I'll need a few minutes in private." He didn't look towards his son-in-law as he spoke.

"Are you sure? You seem a little tense." Kenyo remarked wanting to understand this as well but knowing that there might be more than he even wanted to know going on if it was upsetting his wife and father so much.

Releasing a pent up breath, he closed his eyes and nodded, "Yes I am sure," His tone dropped to a more calm plea." Please just give me ten minutes."

Kenyo didn't respond. He politely nodded his head, standing up from his seat. Tucking it back in he made his way to the door. Pausing just one last time to look at the new arrival then his father-in-law. He wasn't sure about leaving him alone but it was his King and his Dad. He can handle himself. Not wanting to waste more time he made his way towards where his wife and son might be located and make sure they were doing alright.

Giving Kenyo a minute to depart, Gyu-Mao turned his chair completely and crossed his arms over his chest. He was going to give the son of Gohan one chance to explain himself and one chance only. He also wasn't going to be forgiving if it was a bad one either. But he had to at least hear him out, "Alright, tell me why you're here, Son Goku?"

Goku was a bit confused, there was a lot of hostile waves in Gyu-Mao's ki that was making even him feel uncomfortable. It wasn't at all what he experienced when his friends got upset with him over something. There really seemed to be something wrong with how he was looking at him and Goku didn't like it. "Is something wrong?"

The King leaned forward slightly, "Should there be?"

"I guess you're like Chi-Chi." He said watching the other man's face shift slightly confused. "Like my daughter?" Goku nodded. "There's something wrong and I'm guessing it might be from when I left several years ago." Seeing the subtle shift in Gyu-Mao's face as he talked told him that he was probably on the right track. "I can guess that's why. I know I promised I would be back, but I just sort of lost track of things."

"That's putting it mildly, Son Goku. Do you have any idea what you did to my daughter?" He asked not hiding his contempt of the man in front of him. "I thought Gohan, of all people would've taught you how to be a proper young man and not do what you did to my beloved little girl."

So it does have to do with Chi-Chi, I guess they are both upset that I left. "I know I left, but I had to."

"Tell me why? Why did YOU-" He almost rose up from his chair, his own personal anger boiling over, but he stopped himself. 'Give him a chance, give him a chance.' Despite all his desire to rise up and throttle him he put himself back down in his seat, but his finger tapped in an impatient fidget against his knee.

"You left her after having your way with her in my own home, in her own bed…" He shook his head, "As a man can you tell me why you did that to my daughter. Tell me it wasn't some personal notch on your belt, that my daughter's virginity is some tale you laud to other men about, that she isn't one of many women you've taken."

It was Goku's turn to be silent. Looking at the Ox-King he got a better idea of why he was angry. But what is he talking about? I never touched Chi-Chi… but I don't really remember that night very well. Chi-Chi was just so excited that night and we stayed out and watched the stars. But, then I woke up and then Piccolo showed up.

Bringing a hand to his head Goku pushed into his memories trying to find what it was that they had done. He had some flashbacks but nothing that held any real water as he wasn't sure if it was actually him remembering or his imagination.

"Gyu-Mao. I can see that you aren't really happy with me." There was a twinge of annoyance in the older man's face that Goku caught, "But I promise." Holding up his hand in the air, "I never meant to hurt Chi-Chi, I just… I get caught up in things and everyone just needs my help and I'm forgetful of the small things." Lowering his hand Goku bowed his head. "I'm not the smartest person out there and I do act without thinking, but I swear on my Grandpa that I didn't mean to ever do you or Chi-Chi harm."

The Ox-King looked hard at the boy, though he did feel that throttling him was still appropriate. He'd be in line to recall that he hadn't always been the gentle father he'd tried being. Hell, he knew that there were heads rolling because of his own past. 'The boy is being genuine. I've never known him to be one for acting or putting on a show.' His recollection that Goku had craved food more than money was obvious upon meeting him, and before this he had to remind himself that Gohan's son had never done anything to hurt his daughter and had only acted out of self defense and even went so far as to help him when his castle was engulfed in flames, even after fighting him.

Taking a deep calming breath, he gave Goku a long hard look over. "You really swear that to me, Goku? Truly, that you would forsake your Grandfather if you're lying to me?"

"I swear." Returning the gaze to the Ox-King with several more moments of silence as one struggled with the duties of a father, but on the other he recalled that the man before him wasn't just defined by a single night.

"Alright… I forgive those transgressions but I need an explanation." He relaxed, dropping his arms and gesturing to the chair across from him. "Sit down Goku and let's talk." Slipping from the cloud Goku took a position on the other side of the table. "Tell me everything, Goku, since you left. I may let my feelings over what happened slide. But that doesn't mean I absolve you of leaving my daughter like you did. Had you returned within a month or two I could understand, but it's been almost three years and not once did you attempt anything. That alone would make me toss you from my Kingdom forever… but I know that the man who killed Piccolo, defeated his son twice deserves a chance to explain himself."

Moving his hands underneath his chin he looked over his knuckles at the father of his grandson. "I will listen, but be warned if I don't like what I have to hear you may never, and I mean Never set foot in my kingdom again or I will do everything within my power to see you banished." Stressing the words and how deeply serious he was he cracked his knuckles.

"Was my leaving that bad?" Goku asked, he'd never had anyone talk to him like this. Sure people who were doing bad things said stuff like this to him all the time. But Ox-King was a good person, so was Chi-Chi, why were they so upset? He'd only stayed for a night, what could've happened that made them so furious with him that they'd never want to see him again?

Sighing, Gyu-Mao continued, "Goku you hurt my daughter in more ways than just abandoning her."

"But I didn't mea-"

"I know what you meant-" His voice cutting off his with a snarl. "Calming breaths," He spoke aloud breathing. Closing his eyes and counting backwards he then restarted his conversation. "Goku just because you mean well or do things doesn't mean you don't hurt people and my beloved little Chi-Chi was almost broken by what you did."

"Broken? But… she was so strong, I've never felt anyone so strong before." The woman who fought him in the tournament, who blasted him through trees and was so happy and excited to be with him. 'What did I do?' Now even he was feeling more guilt falling upon his shoulders, now he really wanted to remember what happened that night. Did we get into a fight?

Shaking his head, Goku had always been a bit too naive in Gyu-Mao's mind. He never quite understood his daughter's fixation upon the boy, but he had, had been a good and kind boy in the past. So understanding that he had no idea that he'd just up and abandoned his pregnant daughter. Of course he had no idea that she was pregnant, obviously, but they had done the deed in haste he then ran off just as quickly. That was probably why he wasn't just going to forgive him.

Sitting down had been the right call. Talking with someone like Son Goku revealed that there were some parts of a good man there. Not a great man, because in his mind there could be no one who would abandon a woman whom he promised to marry and then without a word for three years just pop back into her life. He still had questions. "Explain to me what happened after Piccolo was defeated again, why did it take so long for you to finally come back here?"

"Gee, well it's been awhile but I guess I could start from the beginning if that's okay. So many crazy things happened since then." Goku replied, not sure what he would want to know. But Gyu-Mao nodded, "Please Goku tell me what happened."

"Alright…"

So Goku told him everything, that once he had chased after Piccolo which had been a trap. Leading to Bulma and Krillin being taken hostage by Piccolo he had to gather the Dragon Balls for him. The promise of Bulma's head being delivered on a pike and Krillin being sealed away if he didn't wasn't comforting promise but he couldn't outright attack the green demon because his friend's lives were in his hands. So Goku did as he was asked, taking almost a full three months to track down the Dragon Balls. Bulma had escaped and met up with Goku after the fact, Krillin remained behind and the threat of his revival was in jeopardy.

So Goku and Piccolo ended with a massive clash, but during the confrontation a jumbled wish put both Piccolo and Goku into an altered reality. They were stuck together for over a year, as his friends would have to wait to gather them and wish him free. Of course that wasn't a pleasant time for both as they ended up getting into fights constantly. Piccolo was dead set on getting his revenge but also remained trapped as a result of the garbled wish. So the two learned to cooperate, but mostly tolerate one another. This realm was filled with all kinds of monsters and wasn't anything like the Earth they both were familiar with.

A forced truce was established and both parties had to learn to work with the other, and perhaps gain a level of mutual respect as Goku no longer had any desire to kill Piccolo and he had no interest in killing him. After almost a year it was time to be wished out of that mess and so. Goku's friends decided to bring him back, but Goku being the forgiving soul that he was asked for both of them to come back. As leaving Piccolo behind in that other reality wouldn't be fair, after all, they both had gone through the trials and tribulations together and without the other it was doubtful they would've survived.

"Alright that's about a year and a half Goku, so what about the other half?" Ox-King said mildly impressed with Goku's tale, the boy wasn't the kind that embellished anything and was genuine in his accomplishments. He had to be if he was trained by his teacher Master Roshi.

"Well somehow the wish allowed these monsters to infect people and we had to go and stop them as they were on Earth. That was actually pretty easy, because Piccolo could detect who it was along with Kami. That took a few more months to get through." It was weird seeing Kami and Piccolo working together, but to his friends seeing him willing to forgive the same guy who blew a hole through his chest was also unexpected.

It was a crazy time, fighting down monsters disguised as people. Saving the world again for who knows how many times. Kami once again offered Goku the position as the planet's overseer but still he turned him down. Not wanting to be confined to the Lookout, in his mind, it was far too boring.

"Alright, then what?"

Goku looked down after that, he knew telling him that hopefully would've been enough. But Ox-King wanted to know what else had transpired, which he would probably be ashamed to admit. "Goku?" His stern voice catching Goku's attention back to him.

"After that… nothing."

"Nothing?" Gyu-Mao didn't understand.

"Well that was it, there wasn't anything crazy to fight. So I just went back to adventuring, it had been awhile so I kind of forgot about what happened after so long."

Leaning forward Gyu-Mao did feel some anger return but he wasn't going to act on it. "So, you forgot about my daughter then?"

He slightly tipped his head, the Ox-King released a frustrated grunt and rubbed his face. "That upsets me Goku, if you had still been involved and come back after all of that I might be more forgiving, but you took another six plus months to finally return here, and it wasn't even because of her was it?"

There was a silence, the younger man had nothing to say to that. What could he say?

"Son Goku…" The Ox-King's voice reverberated as he stood up from his chair. Reigning in his anger he brought out the voice of a leader, patriarch, and most of all a father. "While I forgive you for what you did. Acting not out of some mild personal interest for this planet I do not wish you any harm and I nor anyone else will ever seek to do you harm from this kingdom. However," His voice became harsher as he placed his hand on the table the other pointing a finger directly at the younger man. "I hereby demand that you leave this kingdom and never return."

"What?" He was taken aback, "Why can't-"

"Because you still hurt my most precious little girl. She was devastated and still reels from what happened, until she decides to speak with you. Of her own free will, not by me or anyone else. Then I may allow you back, but I will not now, or ever let you near my little girl or my grandson for what you've done."

"Grandson?" What is he talking about, I didn't do anything to hurt Chi-Chi, I told him the truth. So why can't I even talk to her? "Gyu-Mao, please could I-"

"Absolutely not-!" He shouted him down vehemently. "Son Goku please," He pointed his finger away from the kingdom. "Leave my home and do not bother my family again."

Goku shook his head, "I don't understand, I know I forgot but I didn't-"

"Leave, you are no longer welcome here." Ox-King said turning his back on him and walking towards the balcony doors. "If you remain I will get my axe and I will not stop until you are gone, one way or another." His glare and voice left little doubt to even Goku that he was dead serious.

Not wanting to start a fight over nothing, Goku did what he was asked and jumped on his cloud. Floating some distance away from the location until finally Gyu-Mao closed the doors and headed inside satisfied that he was far enough away. Goku… he needed to think, but more importantly he needed to talk to Chi-Chi. If she was really that hurt he had to apologize.

But wait, Gyu-Mao said he had a grandson? Boys don't have kids… so did Chi-Chi get a kid, is that why they won't let me near her? His face smoothed out into a determined look. I will talk with her… but not right now.

In the other wing of the castle Chi-Chi was sitting with Gohan in her lap, the small boy playing with a toy while resting against his mother. Often wanting to spend more time with her than anyone else his objections were minute except when Icarus came crawling over for attention.

Yet Chi-Chi wasn't speaking, her husband was in a chair across from her. "I'm not going to pressure you Chi-Chi, I know it was hard. You've never wanted to speak of it and I don't ever want you to think that I will make you. But I know that you're not yourself, you are hurting because of what this man did to you I believe. So if you want to talk I'll listen, I won't judge you and I won't ever blame you for what happened. I love you and our son, I don't care if I'm not his biological dad. I only want to be in your life because of what you mean to me."

Kenyo knew that this was the hardest topic to ever broach with his wife. She absolutely locked up about what happened, she thought it was some massive black eye to her as a woman and her pride as a mother. Several times he'd even brought it up she told him 'Not now, not ever' before leaving. He just wanted to understand, he wanted to help. Seeing her like this now only made his desire to see her well grow. Because this wasn't her, this was not the beautiful strong woman he'd married. This was a woman wallowing in some forced shame or guilt, one that no one would blame her for. Not him, not her father, and not anyone in the village.

She was their princess, and if she made a mistake it wasn't anything. Her father had done the same, she was human. But most importantly he loved her, but he hated seeing her like this. Tearing herself up and isolating herself.

"Please, just talk to me. I know it has to hurt and no matter what you say. I won't tell anyone, I won't leave you," Sliding closer Kenyo put his hand on his wife's. Her fingers were still holding onto Gohan who was shaking something at the small dinosaur between their feet.

The moment dragged on, and his weariness showed as she did. Nothing.

Remaining motionless, her hand just squeezing his fingers against her son.

Five minutes later, a small crack shown as her eyes teared up. For a moment he saw beyond the dark brown eyes, they showed a vulnerable woman not the rigid amazon that she showed everyone else. "I'm sorry, but. I can't. That night, it changed me and I just want to forget it."

He moved next to her, bringing an arm around her. Close to embracing her, knowing that Chi-Chi didn't like anyone too close to squeezing her intimately. A friendly hug from a friend, her father, or Gohan didn't bother her. She was put off by the idea of an emotional embrace, of which he could assume stemmed from the man showing up.

"Was it him? The man who came here on a golden cloud who did this to you?" As he spoke he could feel the light tensing of her body. "You don't have to tell me." He whispered bringing his hand to her head and drawing her face to his shoulder. "I love you Chi-Chi, and I'm always here for you."

She didn't resist, right now she just wanted some comfort. Letting Gohan slip from her hands as the small boy went to the floor to play with Icarus just a foot away from her, she drew her hands under Kenyo's shoulders and gripped his shirt. Holding onto his clothes with a tight grip as she just breathed in deeply. "I don't want to remember that night, I just want to forget it." She told him quietly against his skin.

"I know," He told her running his hands through her hair, "I know you do. But I also know that you don't want to forgive him. I've heard you talking to yourself sometimes. I know that you want payback for what happened."

There was a small pause, "You shouldn't eavesdrop on me." She told him warningly, "I'd like to keep some things private."

He managed a fake laugh, "You were quite loud about it. I couldn't help but overhear it. Can you at least tell me why you would want revenge? I don't believe I have ever heard you say words like that and mean it."

Chi-Chi wanted to curse at him, but with Gohan playing at her feet she held herself from doing so. "If I tell you a little… will you leave me alone so that I can deal with this myself. This is my problem and my mistake, not you or Dad will be the ones to handle it. This will be my problem and MINE alone." In her mind it was all her fault, she had been the one to think far too naively that everything would work out as she had imagined in her head. But no, of course once she saw him. She lost her cool composure. For all my big talk I still wasn't ready to see him again.

"If you could tell me who he is, there aren't too many people that I'd know that fly around on a golden cloud and look that strong."

Taking another moment to compose herself Chi-Chi drew away from her husband, setting her hands on her knees she looked down at her son who was busy chasing after Icarus in a game of pull the tail.

It did not feel so long ago. But it seemed she wasn't going to ever escape it. "He, that man is the one I fell in love with when I was a little girl. Just at the tender age of twelve, he caught my eye and heart with his innocence and gentle nature." She bit back a laugh as she recalled that first meeting. "I thought he liked me because he patted by crotch when I was a little girl. He said he wanted to know if I was a girl or not." She sighed shaking her head. "I just thought he was being cute, I didn't know he was completely serious. I was just too stupid! Too STUPID!" Her own self loathing coming back for her. "I let a boy who couldn't even tell that I was a girl trick me into thinking he liked me." She looked at him from the corner of her eyes. "You probably think I'm an idiot."

"No, you were a little girl. I won't judge you for that." Kenyo told, her moving his hand over hers to assure her that he was going to support her. He'd done dumb things as a kid himself, and Chi-Chi certainly lived a life far different than anyone he'd ever met.

Chi-Chi didn't respond. "Maybe it was just some childish infatuation, but I thought it was more. That he really did care for me. He helped me and my father without asking for anything in return. Then he said he'd be thinking of me and asked if I would think of him… Oh Kami, what a fool I was."

He gripped her hand tighter not wanting to interrupt, he wanted her to let it out. To no longer let herself be controlled by a past and dictate her future.

"Then just my luck he returned later while I was out picking flowers. Everything was in the little girl fantasy book. I'm out by a lake, the warm spring weather and out of the trees drops the boy I fell for. We get to talking and he then makes the promise that I would be his bride someday…" She shook her head, recalling that once treasured memory with a healthy amount of disdain. All of it had been a lie, a cruel, cruel lie that she told herself. "I actually believed him! I should've known that something was wrong as we then got into a fight right after."

"A fight?" He didn't understand, why would someone promise to marry someone then to get into a fight.

"That was him, his way of doing things was to fight, he loved fighting. Anyone who was strong he wanted to challenge and fight them. It didn't matter who it was, where, when, or why. If they could allow him to have a good fight then he wanted it. Nothing matters more to him than having an incredible fight, even if he ended up nearly dying he would jump right back up and only anticipate the next one. But of course I thought he just liked people who were strong and the best way to get his attention. So I did the only stupid thing I could. I got stronger."

Kenyo looked at her, she caught his wandering gaze and shook her head. "No, not this strong. I was much weaker before hand. I trained for years, learned all kinds of techniques and became strong enough that I thought I would impress him. If not outright defeat him. I was so confident that he'd be impressed with me."

Striding up to him, she had recognized him instantly, his hair. That outfit and mannerisms, all of it told her it was the same boy who she had fallen in love with. Just one look and her heart was swooning, she hoped she would get that same reaction. He'd sweep her off his feet and into his arms, praising how beautiful she'd become and how happy he was to be able to make her his bride after so long!

"But nothing happened, he didn't even remember me, the promise, or anything. I couldn't believe it at all. I wasn't anything special, and what he thought I had asked him was related to food. Food?! Can you believe it, all he ever cared about when he wasn't fighting was filling his bottomless stomach, that the idea of marrying me was me giving him something like cake. I was so upset and then I got my chance to show him up. I was able to fight him and I planned on hurting him, but just like before my hopes were crushed." The force of a punch that he never hit her with. The force of his arm alone was so great that it sent her flying, knocking her backwards into the wall with a thunderous crash of both pain, embarrassment, and disappointment.

She recalled her few crushing defeats at the hands of that man. She turned to her husband, "You probably see me as weak now, letting him beat me so easily. I wasn't even a footnote to him."

"Never, never." His words growing on emphasis. He grabbed both of her hands turning her towards him, she allowed this. "You are not like that. Chi-Chi, you are the strongest woman I have ever met, don't ever doubt yourself and your abilities. You used to train with twenty kilos, now your at one hundred and fifty." He could scarcely imagine her doing it at first, but since he met her he'd only seen her get stronger and stronger. In a way she was practically a superwoman. Clearing trees with her hands and feet, moving at speeds that race cars couldn't match. She could even fly, to him she was everything and more.

"I know him, I thought I could catch him off guard and get my payback. But he came here and there wasn't any memory of me again. He didn't even know who I was… what point would there be in plotting revenge against anyone who barely remembers you. Then… I just think of him, before all of this, my heart still churns," She lifted her eyes to meet his. "I still love you, I've never had anyone like you in my life. But he, I don't know why I even care about him! I know I should move on, but I don't want to let go of what he did to me. But I know that also keeps me tethered to him, it affects me every single day."

Chi-Chi wanted to be a mother, a caregiver, a homemaker. She had never dreamed of being a fighter first, but her lust for vengeance had changed her deeply and fundamentally. Pushing down her greater desires, and even her own family for something that was totally selfish. And for a man who doesn't even know I exist.

"While I would love for you to be what I want Chi-Chi, that isn't who you are. I see it, you want this and maybe it will heal you or it might not and while I would never want you to be suffering like I see you now. Maybe… Maybe you should just talk that man, forgive him and let go. Then you can be free from what holds you back." She looked away.

"It doesn't have to be today, tomorrow, a week, or a year from now. You'll know when it will be right. I know you, you're just as brilliant as me." He flashed her a smile to which she gave him a small one. "I will stand by you no matter what choice you make." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I'll be here if you need me, today just try and think about what you want and if you don't find that answer. Then tomorrow is another day."

She nodded and he pulled back, "Find me if you need to talk, hun." Kenyo said before leaving, not wanting to intrude too much upon his wife's decision. Because it was hers, it had to be hers in his mind. Or else she might never let what happened go.

After watching him leave she fell back onto the bed her body laying sideways across as she watched her son look towards the door then to her. "Come here Gohan." She said motioning with her finger. The little chubby toddler didn't know why his mom was acting strange but he waddled his way over, going faster was easier than going slower to him. Stopping just at the edge of the bed his finger in his mouth Gohan's free hand touched his mother's hand. Her hand wrapped around his wrist and pulled him upwards and onto her stomach.

Running her hand through his black mane she stared at him, taking in all of the features that made Gohan her little boy, but also reminded so staunchly of him.

"Hi Momma!" Gohan said looking down at her, she smiled. "Hi sweetie." Pulling his fingers from his mouth he settled his hands on the top of her shirt. "Momma sad?" Noticing that her demeanor wasn't what he used to.

"No. I'm not sad Gohan." She told him, softly pinching his cheeks which caused his father's 'memento' to wrap around her wrist.

That furry brown tail. "This thing is more your real father than anything I've ever met. I don't think there will ever be a day I don't have this reminder of yours."

Gohan cocked his head to the side. "Dadda?" He replied. How I wish I could explain this to him. But I don't know if that will ever be the case. "Not dadda, Gohan, the man who made you inside of me. He isn't your daddy or your true father. The man outside is the one who cares more about you and me than the one who gave you that tail." Sliding her hands around his head she pulled his tiny body into her chest. "I don't know what to do Gohan."

Her son didn't object, his hands just gripped her and held her tight. That tightness from him she welcomed, the bond that wasn't broken or changed because of her mistakes. Gohan loved her unconditionally and she loved him as well.

Rubbing his hair Chi-Chi let her eyes drift closed, not even bothering to knock the dirty little dinosaur that climbed up onto the bed to curl beside her. It appeared all of them needed a little break. Her fingers continued to slip through her son's hair causing even his energy to fade as she felt his breathing slow and become a gentle snore. Falling asleep between her breasts, Just like when he was my baby, and the only thing keeping me grounded.

To the point of dozing off herself, the emotional drain just as heavy on her body if not more so than her physical training she put herself through lulled her into a gentle slumber.

Maybe… after… the festival… I'll…- Were her last thoughts as her head fell to the side and she went to sleep.

From a small crack in the door stood Gyu-Mao having bid Kenyo to leave. He saw his little girl and held his hand close to his chest. 'I did the right thing. Son Goku is not worthy of this, he won't hurt you anymore Chi-Chi. I'll see to that. You just rest, I don't need some damn alien ruining my daughter and her family.'

R&R

Kerghan