Chapter 8: Towards A Future

A/N: Bit delayed but I haven't forgotten. Let's jump right back into it.

"Okay, you all set to go Chi-Chi?" Goku was sitting atop his new Nimbus, having gotten well enough to fly a greater distance he had gone to Korin's tower and gotten a new friend and as luck would have it… Senzu Beans!

It had been another two or three days, three days of awkwardness. But calmer family bonding, Goku and Chi-Chi spoke better. Gohan played more and enjoyed the company of his mother and father together. Not seperate like it was mostly before, it was nice. He got to see Chi-Chi smile more and more, she started appearing to be happy, and the two of them were speaking like they had been before he had left.

Goku started feeling some shame in himself since he had left Chi-Chi alone to have his son. It started clicking in his head why she was upset with him. Gohan while easy to handle sometimes, did require someone's attention. He liked exploring, roughhousing, swimming, running, jumping, punching, kicking, throwing… the list was very long and tiring when Gohan wasn't being instructed by his mom.

Chi-Chi was tired, and it was probably why she was living with her dad and that other guy. I should've come back sooner. But I promise I'll make it up to her.

It was why he was speeding back home to share in his bounty. He had been given five of them, immediately he'd eaten one himself and felt a rush of power that hadn't occurred in such a long time. Then leaving only four more, Goku had raced back on Nimbus, eager to surprise Gohan and Chi-Chi.

Ignoring talking to any of his friends on the way back, his priority right now was his family. Chi-Chi and Gohan needed him, they had lost everything and with her recovery still taking time he needed to get back to them first.

Yet it wasn't just that, he wanted to see her surprise when he told her that he was going to heal them. They wouldn't have to see a doctor or anyone. A sense of pride came from the fact he was looking out for them. Perhaps a bit of redemption too, he'd failed to kill the moon monster but was going to undo the damage done to them.

"The monster though, it's still out there. It can still hurt Chi-Chi and Gohan again just like how it killed Grandpa, I have to stay with them because I know the monster will be back." His own voice filled with that deep conviction, much like how he had been training with himself those years before Goku was certain he'd be ready the next time.

I also hope Chi-Chi will be there too, together I know we can stop it! I just know it! He told himself, riding up on the edges of the golden cloud that continued its direct line for his home away from home.

[***]

Chi-Chi was outside, tending to frying up some fresh potatoes, fish, and celery. She had found a farm not to far from where they were staying. Filling a small brown bag with food Chi-Chi turned back home that morning to begin cooking breakfast.

Goku had taken off this morning to go get Nimbus back. Ideally taking them out of here… But then that also left Chi-Chi with another inevitable outcome heading towards her. "What do I do with us?" A month ago she wouldn't have believed it possible, Goku, her, and Gohan all living together. And happily, that was the part that was probably the most upsetting to her and it was precisely because Goku filled into a role he had never been before.

The caring husband, even if he didn't know it. The doting father despite never working with her son not once before. Then becoming the charming man who had captured her heart, spending his time once he had accomplished the tasks she had asked of him, but then came back and wanted to be with her.

Before it wasn't about being with her, she had to drag him along for the ride. Goku seemed skeptical when being proposed about marrying her, Goku always seemed more concerned about his stomach than their would-be future together. Yet ever since then Goku's entire focus had been the opposite. Sure food was a priority, but Goku's focus had been on getting that food for them.

She sighed into the skillet that she was cooking before adding the salt and pepper. Dashing in just the right amounts before stirring them in with a metal spatula.

As she fixed her food Chi-Chi diced up some more celery and grabbed an onion. Peeling off a skin with her knife freehand. She lifted up her one leg and swung her bottom foot forwards as a small orange ball shot out from the woods and caught her foot, the spongy material catching at the right angle and bounced back into the air arcing over the trees.

The sounds of childish screams flooded the air as Gohan and his partner in crime Icarus trampled through the foliage. The two were playing knock the ball around, when it stopped, well that was depending on breakfast. Chi-Chi's senses were still tracking them as small trees were being toppled. Occasionally catching a glimpse of Gohan as he jumped up into the thick branches and swinging himself like a monkey through their leaves as Icarus jumped and used his smaller wings to keep chasing, beating them furiously as a way of maintaining balance between them.

"Well at least he is taking this in stride." Chi-Chi remained stirring up the mix of vegetables while rotating the spicket holding the extra large fish. Grabbing some more powder Chi-Chi tapped a sauce pain with a brush before adding the flavoring to the fish and then drizzling a bit of the oil into the pan.

Chi-Chi could practically taste the stir fry almost. Grabbing a sauce spoon she swirled up some of the broth and a few vegetables. Blowing them off Chi-Chi took a bite, chewing thoroughly she nodded. "Good but a little more salt." She said before adding another pinch, "Should've been a chef." Chi-Chi joked with herself as she set down the serving spoon and punched the orange ball coming back in her direction.

"Five minutes!" She yelled out to him, "Okay, Momma!" Her son replied in kind, despite not being seen. His voice bounced around the woods.

Keeping to her task, Chi-Chi almost missed the form diving down from the clouds. Landing with a clap on the ground, Goku, had reappeared. A beaming smile on his face, he reached into his brown bag and pulled out a small bean. "I got us some senzu beans, Chi-Chi!" Extending the small offering to her, Chi-Chi let it fall into her hand.

Her eyes studied it, recalling what Goku's friends had given him at the tournament, they had fixed the hole in Goku's chest and had restored his vitality. "Where did you get this?" She asked, but Goku just laughed.

"I stopped by and saw Korrin, he had some and I already took one so I have three more. One for Gohan and two in case we need them later." His eyes looked at Chi-Chi expectantly for something. "Once you eat it, you'll be good as new!"

While she doubted she'd be good as new, she knew it could heal her still lingering injuries. Which was good enough for her, "Thank you, Goku." And she saw his expression brightened even more. He likes being thanked.

She popped it into her mouth. Chewing it several times before swallowing. "Hmm, well maybe-" Then it slammed through her. Chi-Chi's arms bulged, her legs swelled up, neck flexing, and her entire back popped. "Feel better?" Goku asked knowingly, a grin on his face as his hands were behind his back.

Better? She felt like a new woman! All of her aches and pains were gone, her muscles felt stronger than ever, she even felt bigger even if marginally. "That was… wow, thank you, Goku, that was amazing."

"Aww, you're welcome Chi-Chi." He then slid up next to her and kissed her cheek. For some reason Chi-Chi turned really red when he kissed her face, he hadn't been able to kiss her on the lips but when he did kiss her hands, or cheek she got extra flustered.

"Oh, you stop!" Blushing like a schoolgirl she tried pushing him away, but Goku wasn't deterred. He brought his hands around her hips and tried to sneak in another kiss. But she attempted to block him. "No Goku, we have to have breakfast ready." But damn if she didn't want him to leave another peck on her cheek… or on her lips.

But why am I stopping him? Was it loyalty to Kenyo? She couldn't find that exact answer, but Goku's playfulness wasn't ending.

"But you like it." He teased, trying to sneak in another smooch but she turned her head, "Come on Chi-Chi, don't be so mean!" His voice sounded offended, but there was that childish playfulness coming right out. Kissing her made her happy, she liked having attention. So attention he would give.

"What's gotten into you?" Twisting her head, Goku's lips found her neck, "Ahhha, Goku… s-stop!" She said laughing as his lips began to nibble at the side of her neck.

"Nothing's gotten into me, just wanted to hear you laugh." Goku said, pulling back as Chi-Chi twisted back around, trying her best to look angry at him but it was hard when you just spent several moments laughing because he had learned where she was ticklish.

A smile still lingered on her face though she tried to pull it into a frown, I give up. "Alright fine, you got me laughing. So what is the plan now?"

"Well we can give one to Gohan next, but I think he's okay that we can just hold an extra one incase we need it. But we can probably head to Bulma and talk with her about loaning us the radar, then it shouldn't take more than a week or two to get the dragon balls." Goku told her, counting the steps with his fingers. "Sound good?"

Nodding her head in agreement, "Yeah that should be fine."

Taking a few moments to gather up some of their belongings Chi-Chi then paused as she stood in the doorway of their shanty home. Bracing her hand on the frame she just looked inside her eyes drifting off into a long blank stare.

'Is this it?' Perhaps a part of her wanted to stay like this, but the more logical side of her. The part that she had often reasoned with and talked with herself for a long time did not agree with it. As much as it had been welcomed, or even appreciated. Chi-Chi looked at a lot of things differently, from outright hating the man weeks ago to now being comfortable sleeping just feet from him. Having his hands touch her again, kissing her, although not like before. Soft playful teasing kisses, the kind that she gave to her own son he returned to her.

Apprehension was probably the best way to put her mind in a measure of perspective. Their relationship, their bonding, and her new life in general since then had been flipped upside down. Her rock had become Goku, his face in the morning. His compliments, and conversations had become the highpoints of her day. Leaving this place only spoke of the possibility of him actually leaving her again.

'Would he leave us again? Then again, how will I go back to normal after this? Can I just pretend like it never happened when I know that in my heart I still love that man.' Rational or irrational, blind trust or logical answers? All bets were off when it had come to Goku in her life, appearing, disappearing, and being the most unexpected person to whom she had ever met.

In some way at the end of this adventure she was going to end up hurting herself, her family, and someone she cared deeply for. Only who she hurt was left up entirely to her.

Goku remained off to the side as she packed up, his eyes following Gohan as he played around with his pet dinosaur. His eyes drifted back towards Chi-Chi realizing that she had just completely stopped. Looking into the house they had shared together with their son. There was a lot of tension in her expression. The way her legs were no longer loose but tense, her fingers curled around the frame, and her expression was no longer calm but angry and upset. He must've been staring too hard because her eyes turned towards him. The face shifted quickly, "Sorry I was just thinking. Just give me a moment." She then stepped inside leaving Goku back with similar feelings in his own stomach, it was like when she got upset with him about possibly up and leaving her again.

'I won't leave you Chi-Chi, not like last time.' He spoke to her mentally though she could not hear him, he approached the doorway. Chi-Chi turned to him, her eyes speaking more than her lips ever could…

If there were a set of words that he could say to assuage her fears he would say them, but there wasn't anything that came to his mind that told him the proper answer. Chi-Chi wasn't over what had happened between them, so much so Goku believed it would take a long time for her to truly forgive him. Seeing how much effort she put into caring for Gohan. Getting him studying - which he didn't enjoy growing up with his own grandpa and with Roshi - curtailing his temper and crying where as he would give in to his son.

Watching in some respects how his friends had tried to help him grow up, but it was being imparted upon a smaller version of himself and while he hadn't spent the same amount of time around his new family. There was something internal, almost instinctual that required him to be there for them and to make sure that both of them were happy. Whether he could equate that to getting a little older, or just how his life had gone in the past three years, he wasn't exactly sure.

The family gathered up on Nimbus, the earlier interactions put behind them. Chi-Chi sat in Goku's lap, Gohan doing the same in his mother's and Icarus currently held in Gohan's hands. Apparently leaving him behind was off the table as Chi-Chi wasn't going to try to handle dealing with that aspect of her son bawling over not being able to bring his best friend.

Since, well, his entire village of people who looked after him were dead, there was probably little in the way of children that would be understanding of her unique son and his above average physical strength and intelligence.

At Goku's behest he pointed towards the sky and the family took off, Gohan elated at the prospect of flight just cheered in delight, his mother leaning back into Goku's chest and just closing her eyes, her own arms around her son's stomach. Goku looked forward but rested both of his hands on Chi-Chi's hips. His fingers not squeezing her too tightly, but neither was he letting her go.

[***]

'Remind me to put a bell or a GPS on him…' Bulma looked up in surprise as Goku stopped just twenty feet from her. Resting atop Nimbus, "Damn cloud still probably hates me I'll bet." Relenting Bulma was apparently not going to be getting her day off. While normally she'd be more, or well within her right to bitch someone up and down the street for intruding upon her.

The sky had been covered by a thick overcast, the rolling in clouds bringing in a darker tone and low off rumbles but no rain. It seemed sort of an omen to Bulma, but she was never one for superstitions like the weather. As a woman of science she would need a bit more than that.

Can't very well say much for someone I owe my life to, on more than one occasion now can I?' She didn't believe she'd ever have the heart to turn down the guy who was practically her little brother at times.

But today it seemed she was going to be introduced to some new friends apparently. Her blue eyes watched as a young woman, looking much more like a hardened fighter than some girl in need of saving and a little boy who was looking around holding a small pink dinosaur. She couldn't wait to hear this story because it had to be good. "What brings you out to my neck of the woods, Goku?" Her voice calling out as the orange gi wearing fighter just looked to her and waved.

Gohan cocked his head slightly, though remaining by his mother's side, not sure of what to make of this entirely new place. The large dome, all of the flying cars, and so many people and smells. It wasn't like any place he had ever been before.

Chi-Chi took note of Bulma, though unfamiliar with Goku's friends. She did at least recognize Bulma Briefs, though she appeared far more provocative on her first introduction which made her initially question if that really was her or not. But who was she to judge that bunny outfit to what she had been wearing when she had met Goku.

Goku came over to his old friend, giving her a short hug. "Hey Bulma, I need a favor." He said not beating around the bush.

"Figured it wasn't a social call, never with you." She sighed, but she did smile, leave it up to her old pal to come running to her when he needed help. "How have you been though, haven't seen you in a few months?"

Goku brushed off her comment, "Got beat up by the moon monster and have been living with my family for the past couple weeks until I was good enough to fly and get some senzu beans."

'Family? Okay, whoa-!' She looked past Goku and saw the other girl, she looked awfully familiar to her. 'Maybe he means like… they are like his family now?' She decided to play it off as a joke, giving a fake laugh. "Oh what did you have a kid while we were gone, Goku?"

"Wow was it that obvious?" Goku said his eyes a bit wide that Bulma had guessed it. But his friend really was smart, well smarter than him anyway.

She blinked once, twice, looked to Goku, looked to Chi-Chi, and then her eyes fell down upon a small boy who… "Oh my god. Goku, when did you go and start a family?!" She was almost shouting, "When did this happen and why did you not tell me! I mean sheesh Goku, I woulda thrown one hell of a baby shower if I knew that someone was going to give birth to your first kid. Why didn't you tell me?!" Perhaps being offended wasn't the best, but she was genuinely ticked that Goku had a friggin baby and he didn't even tell her? 'Ask me for favors but don't drop the hint that you are starting a family, sheesh Goku!'

"Uhh well it's complicated you see-"

"Bulma, isn't it?" Chi-Chi said, interjecting. Putting a hand on Goku's chest telling him silently that she would explain their present situation better than he could.

"Yeah," she almost sized the other woman up, a good looking raven-haired woman. I swear I know her. "Have we met?" Wondering just who could have the patience to deal with Goku's antics, not that she hadn't pondered the idea of marrying the cute dolt but had backed off seeing just how crazy Goku's adventures were, she didn't need the added stress. But if I did have Goku's kids they be friggin adorable.

Chi-Chi tossed her hair back slightly, arrogantly, "Yes, at the 23rd tournament. I was the one who fought Goku and I'm the current mother of Goku's errant child, and before you ask he didn't know about my son until but a month ago."

She paused, gave a slight nod to Chi-Chi picturing her now though she had changed a little from the last time he saw her then promptly smacked Goku upside the head. "What the hell is wrong with you!"

The blow was too fast even for him to see coming, "Oww, Bulma, what was that for?" Grabbing his cheek taking a step back as Bulma looked ready to keep swinging on him.

"You knocked some girl up, you jerk! I can't believe you'd be that irresponsible, of all the things you've pulled Goku!" Her hands were on her hips as she leaned towards him aggressively, wanting to throttle him but since he was aware her chance had probably passed. She looked to Chi-Chi, "I'm so sorry for the earlier greeting, but I guess that there's a story to all of this?"

"It's complicated," Chi-Chi admitted, "but this is our son." Her hand dipped in a gesture to her little boy, "This is my little genius prodigy, Gohan." She put a hand behind his back and gently pushed him forward.

The small boy still holding onto Icarus looked up and gave a soft but polite 'hi' before directing his gaze back down. The blue-haired heiress could easily see the resemblance, but the little brown furry tail sticking out from Gohan's backside… well that was another warning bell. She looked back up into Chi-Chi's face before offering her a hand. "Bulma." She said, the other woman gave her a nod and shook her hand. "Chi-Chi."

"Well now that we're acquainted how about you follow me inside. I'm sure there's a longer story than what Goku's telling me and I-"

"Bulma, we came here for the dragon radar, the story can wait when we bring it back." Goku interjected.

"What on Earth do you need the radar for?"

Goku looked down, not used to admitting his own failings, but Chi-Chi answered for him. "It's for me, my village, my home, and my family were all killed during this giant monster attack. Though it is painful to admit, even me and Goku weren't a match for it. It crippled me for days, hurt my son, and put Goku down and we didn't even barely manage to slow it down." She bowed her entire upper body, "Please can we have the radar and undo the damage that the monster caused before other people get hurt."

Despite that goal however after they achieved it, where did they go from there? Playing pretend could only go on for so long. It was inevitable. Wasn't it? She forced her thoughts down, her feelings to that were irrelevant, she had to resurrect her village. Saving hundreds of people's lives were more important than her present baby daddy issues with Goku.

Bulma looked to Goku who nodded his head, admitting defeat. "It almost killed Chi-Chi, I barely saved her life. It put me out of commission for over a week, I had to limp along and find Gohan amongst the debris." Putting a hand down on his son's head, "He was lucky to have made it out with as few injuries as he had."

"Wow," It was all she could think to say at the moment. Goku got beat? I never imagined it. "Well alright we can do that. Just give me some time. But I'll have to do a little work on it to make sure it's calibrated right and not going to break when you're using it."

"Great, thanks Bulma." He added with a smile, Goku just knew that Bulma would get it.

"Not a problem, and I'm sorry for what happened to you and for hitting you a moment ago. Although." She bit her bottom lip, was it appropriate? I'm a sucker for gossip and it's not like I don't want to know. "Could you explain you two? I feel like I'm missing something, considering what is going on."

"Okay, but can we eat?"

"Goku we just ate before we flew over here." Chi-Chi sighed, he could work all day and not ask about food, but spend ten minutes talking to the guy and he needed a meal.

"I know, but I never get to have Bulma's cooking that often, besides I think Gohan would like to have some fun and not be stuck listening to all of the boring parent stuff." Goku said with a grin, "Bulma you do still have that giant play room filled with animals right?"

"It's not a playroom it's my mother's sanctuary for all her animals. But fine, I'm sure a-a… how old is he?"

"He's going to be three in a few months."

Wow and he's already talking and walking like a little Goku? Holy crap, must be Chi-Chi's genes running that show. She knew Goku was never the smartest of friends, but his innocence was also a good thing. Although with the revelation of him running out on a woman after knocking them up. That was another line of questioning she'd want explained. "Well follow me inside, let me get some fresh coffee and then I'll get cracking on that radar in a bit."

"See Gohan, you and Icarus can really have some fun here." Goku said patting his son on the back, the little boy's mouth dropping open at the sight of so many animals. From long necked dinosaurs, to roaming dogs, cats, birds, and all other manners of disregarded pets that found shelter in Bunny Brief's animal sanctuary. Each one taken care of remained as they were no longer capable of being returned back to the wild or just didn't want to leave the comfortable estate and their doting owner.

"Now go-" Before he could say 'have fun' the little boy exploded with Icarus behind him, taking a chance to do several zig zags around the large dinosaur munching on a tree before running up its tail and onto its back. The old creature barely turned its gaze back at the small weight being added to it before going back to his meal.

"Heh, just like me." Goku laughed, his son taking off into all manner of directions looking at every single animal, while he did the small pink pet squawked and carried after him.

He stood there with his hands crossed over his chest and leaning against the doorframe. All he saw in his son was himself and it made every moment he'd spent with him worth it, thinking about how he'd be able to train him in the future, make him bigger, stronger, faster than even himself. One day the tournament may start up again and I'll see my own son win it. Goku had already risen to that challenge, but he would want his son to do the same, but that would be another discussion to have with Chi-Chi.

One of many he was sure, because he had begun picking up on small things. She was no longer mad at him, irritated at times sure, but she wasn't looking out to punish him or anything like that. No Chi-Chi was getting worried because of conflict.

The same type I had when I approached Gyu-Mao about seeing Chi-Chi again, knowing that they didn't have the same experiences that he did with her. Relating to Bulma's reaction to when he had told her that he had a child with Chi-Chi and immediately was whacked upside the head. Even if Chi-Chi forgave me, not everyone else would.

Not that he cared what he and Chi-Chi were, he just wanted to be with them. In a strange way he liked them more than his usual friends and he wasn't equating that to just the time spent with them. Because in more ways than one they are more like me, Gohan just fills me with memories of Grandpa. All of the fun I had when I learned from him, I want to share those same thoughts with him. The exception of all of that being the moon monster that had taken his first family member and nearly the other two in a single unexpected night.

Leaving Goku with Chi-Chi, who he found unique, there was nothing she asked of him - well not after the fact - before it was just getting married and his usual lack of focus which had become more glaring over time showing its face.

Goku could also feel that this was some sort of challenge, or chance to improve himself as a person, sure it may not involve fighting or combat training. But this was another way for him to start growing, since he'd spent that year with Piccolo alone in that other universe he wanted to experience more.

Surely this will be a great new experience.

He remained longer than he probably should have but he enjoyed seeing Gohan horsing around, or fooling around as Chi-Chi often put it. A strange smile on his face, he just kept himself there not willing to break from the scenery in front of him.

On the other side of the compound was Chi-Chi and Bulma, the blue-haired woman not going quite for the dragon radar like she promised. She needed some serious answers, and acting more like a big sister she had some questions for Chi-Chi.

Namely; what happened?

Bulma sat on one of the leather seats decorating one of several living rooms, Chi-Chi sitting across from her, hands resting in her lap taking the woman's questions without too many complaints. Learning from the horse's mouth so to speak that Goku and Chi-Chi had a one night stand wasn't unexpected, the manner in which it happened and its results were another.

Never would have ever pegged Goku for that kind of behavior. But I guess I don't really see him as some type of sex crazed lover or even intrested in anything like that given how gentle he is when around us. Chi-Chi seemed like a hardy woman, and given that she and Goku had gone at it hard and neither broke was another example of how strong she had to be to keep herself together. Considering the heartache the poor girl had gone through it was remarkable to see her acting like the princess she was.

"Then this monster… could you describe it?" Wanting to broach the topic gently.

Chi-Chi grabbed some of the snacks set out and calmly took a bite of a tin vanilla wafer before starting. "It was massive, easily forty or fifty feet tall, maybe ten or twenty tons of pure muscle and power. It was just a mess of brown fur, a long snout, and big glowing red eyes. Its breath was like fire and no matter how many times I dropped it, it took it and came back for more." Her fingers popped the thin crisp in half, tossing another into her mouth as she continued. "I felt my ribs ready to spear my lungs, my body was beyond crippled in that moment, I was just ready to embrace death until I lost consciousness. I can barely remember what happened, I just remember falling and then… pain, so much pain, but Gohan was there by my side and then all of that didn't matter so much anymore after I thought I lost him."

'Oh no… I know what that monster is but… was that monster?' "Say… Chi-Chi you've never seen that monster before the night Goku appeared right?" 'Goku… he transformed again, but how?'

The other woman nodded, "I didn't believe Goku's wild stories when I should have, he's never lied about anything." Misunderstanding was another.

"Yeah… well that monster," 'Think Bulma think, what do you say? I'm sure Goku didn't try and kill her, but considering the beating both of them took. Wouldn't it make sense? Goku was almost beaten by Roshi in the 21st tournament when like that, and now Chi-Chi who went toe to toe with Goku twice nearly got killed. I mean it would make sense that it was him stomping around.' "You've never seen it before, when Gohan's been around right? You do know that it has a history with Goku?"

"What do you mean, what does Gohan have to do with it, or are you saying that monster has a thing for Goku?" Chi-Chi's eyes narrowed as she took the other half of her broken piece and chewed it. Trying to follow just what exactly Bulma was implying.

Holding up her hands, trying to diffuse that she meant that Goku was the direct result, which she could assume was, but she didn't want Chi-Chi hating Goku for something he probably couldn't control. "I mean that thing killed Goku's Grandpa right… and his grandfather died when the full moon was out and Goku barely remembers anything about that I mean there's a lot of times when the full moon is out Goku gets kind of… well, weird or well, weirder."

These questions were being led somewhere, Goku seemed to be involved with this monster. Despite the absurdity of that statement. But Goku acting weird when the full moon is- Just like when Goku, no-no- we're not dredging that up! Closing off that part of her mind. Chi-Chi recalled the night before they were attacked.

"You mean when the monster attacked? Goku was acting strangely, but what does that have to do with it? The night when certain things happened he was a totally different person." Her mind was trying to assemble a puzzle right now, Bulma knew something. "You know something," She was now boring into Bulma's eyes, the coal blackness of her eyes filling the shimmering blue ones that were displaying some panic.

"It's not like I'm trying to hide it, but well, I don't know how to explain it. You see Goku's-"

"I'm what?" His head appearing in the hallway. "Sorry, I heard my name," He said coming around the corner with a smile. "Gohan is actually having a blast and the animals too, so I figured to see what you guys were up to." He came over and took a seat as well, he knew something was going on, he had been hearing Bulma start talking about Grandpa and the moon, that and it somehow involved him being "weird". Granted he did have blackouts and strange flashbacks during full moons but that wasn't his fault.

"Goku, this is, well, it's really hard to explain in fact-"

A heavy crack of thunder almost exploded overtop of them, the arcing bolt streaking downwards and striking Capsule Corp directly with its massive size. However the facility was designed to withstand such things- but it didn't stop the entire place from blacking out momentarily.

Bulma yelped almost jumping as Chi-Chi and Goku barely flinched, the rising hair on their arms being the only signal that they were alarmed in the slightest. Considering what they had been through already in their lives lightning wasn't that terrifying.

"Excuse me, I have to make a quick check of something." She said hastily excusing herself to go take a quick look of the main security panels and see if there was anything tripped or any major alarms.

The lights flickered for a bit before a low rolling hum came over, Bulma recognizing it as a backup generator for the complex. But as she left them alone, the heiress wondered what she could say to them? Would she bring it up to Goku or Chi-Chi? I know that neither are trying to hurt one another, but I can't just let them go around like that and have Goku transform like that again.

As a storm rolled through the area, battering the entire complex with a heavy deluge of summer rain and thunderstorms it left little options for Chi-Chi, Goku, and Gohan to take themselves on their journey.

'Waylaid by a storm? Could I consider it a good or a bad thing?' Chi-Chi wondered later, as the rain still continued to pour down and would for several more hours. Resting in the same living room, on the couch. Stretched on her side, one hand running along her side, mostly over the extremely tuckered out Gohan who was sleeping quietly by his mother. Having played to his full heart's content with all of the Briefs animals which were overdue for an extended nap as well.

Her head laid against the sofa armrest and just remained idle, her mind pondering at the same time where Goku might've gone for awhile. 'Probably looking for food if I had any guess. Not that I'm feeling a bit hungry myself, we haven't eaten since this morning and I don't think Goku is going to waste a senzu bean on something like hunger.'

Taking a moment just close her eyes, Chi-Chi decided to let a little sleep take her as well. Missing the sounds of Goku's footsteps coming around the corner, his hands in his pockets. A bit of a strained look on his face, one that barely lasted as it was replaced by a covering smile or goofy laugh.

Stopping just behind the sofa Goku looked down at his family and thought aloud with a soft voice. "What do I say?"

R&R

Kerghan