Yeah, I haven't forgotten this story, but life is such a pain sometimes. I skimmed through the Freiza confrontation because after trying to write it like 5 thousand times I gave up. None of my attempts made me happy so I chose not to force the issue.

Returning to Earth had its share of the climactic and anti climactic for Chiasa. Freiza had made a surprise appearance with his father in tow, but a mysterious warrior had quickly dispatched both members of the Cold regime. His ability to ascend had infuriated Vegeta to the point of calling the boy a liar. Chiasa had been impressed her Wei Tai had not resulted to blows, but the stranger had deescalated the situation fairly easily. Chiasa, however, had been under strict orders to ignore the imposter, which she had done reluctantly. Her natural curiosity had been piqued and she struggled to keep a thousand and one questions silent, the most prominent being: were there more Saiyans where he came from.

Her fascination with Saiyans was difficult to understand. Ever since she had learned of her mixed heritage she had wanted to meet others. Gohan she had known her whole life and he was sometimes more human than most humans. Her father had hit his head as a child and that explained so much. Vegeta…well the Prince was an enigma best left in the unknown. Chiasa knew to dive into a psyche twisted through years of abuse at the hands of Freiza would be mental suicide. She wanted to meet a real, live Saiyan who was not completely warped by odd circumstances.

Even stranger about the boy had been his knowledge of Goku's return. His exact coordinates seemed stalkerish, but they had not known then he was from the future bearing grave news of a pending invasion. Thoughts of the androids were pushed aside, however, in lieu of her father. He had not been pleased to learn his baby girl had accompanied Vegeta on a tour of space. He was even more upset to learn she had been training and fighting. In the next breath he had praised Gohan's efforts and the double standard was more than Chiasa could bear. Her hateful words still rang in her ears and she felt almost guilty when she recalled her father's hurt eyes. She had told her father she hated him and wished he were still dead. Vegeta had laughed, and Chiasa had felt satisfied at the time, but now she just felt rotten. She had flown away with Vegeta, Gohan's recriminations still ringing in her ears. Now she sat outside Dr. Briefs' office listening to the Prince bully the scientist and wondered if she should go home.

Vegeta exited the office, a satisfied look on his face. "We'll have a chamber by tomorrow."

He headed for the room they were using for training and Chiasa followed silently. Her Wei Tai would want to train and her spirit was going north and south. She knew she would never be able to concentrate and did not look forward to the imminent punishment.

They always began with meditation, but the soothing exercise only made her tension worse as the guilt seemed to compound. If Vegeta noticed her unrest he said nothing and made her begin kata to warm up. After her fourth mistake in a very basic form his frustration exploded.

"Go home," he yelled and Chiasa halted her movements, shame filling her body. "Go home and do what you must for when you return it had better be with the same determination you showed before or I will kill you myself and save the androids a job."

He immediately resumed his warm ups effectively dismissing his student. Chiasa watched him for a moment longer and then left. He was right as embarrassing as it was to admit. She needed to settle her issues with her dad as a mature warrior and not a spoiled child. Before leaving Chiasa made sure her Saiyan armor was presentable and re-braided her hair.

The flight home was too short and her stomach was in complicated knots when she landed. It did not seem as if any time had passed; the house was exactly the same. Laundry fluttered on the line and the yellow flowers her mother enjoyed were in full bloom. A warm glow from the lights inside finished the picture perfect setting and Chiasa was loath to disturb it. Taking a very deep breath, Chiasa tried to remind her thumping heart she was a Saiyan warrior in her own right and entered the house.

She noticed immediately a hole on the back wall and wondered what had caused such damage. Usually Gohan and Goku were too even tempered to result in holes in the wall. No that had always been her job. Her trepidation grew anew as the idea that she had caused such rage in her father blossomed. Entering the kitchen Chiasa saw the familiar sight of her mother making dinner. She was heavily swathed in bandages, but Chiasa could not believe her father struck mother. It had to be impossible!

"Momma," Chiasa said hesitantly, her hands fisting at her sides when Chi Chi turned shocked eyes in her daughter's direction. Those dark eyes softened in relief before hardening in suppressed anger.

"Well it seems as though the prodigal child has finally deigned to return. What, did Vegeta stop feeding you? Had enough of his abuse? Well, little missy don't think you can waltz back in here after running away to space for Kami knows how many months. You are in big trouble! You are grounded for a very long time so you can just change out of that ridiculous costume and get started on all the schoolwork you missed!"

Chiasa carefully controlled her temper as her mother screamed knowing if she yelled now it would make everything so much worse. She wanted to train and fight, but wanted to do this with her family's approval. It was this thought she kept in the forefront of her mind as she turned and went upstairs.

Her room was the same; even the bed was still unmade. Chiasa removed her armor, gloves, and boots and laid them reverently on the bed. She kept her body suit on having learned earlier her regular clothes no longer fit. A report she had not finished was waiting on the desk and she sat, her dark eyes perusing the childish scrawl. This life seemed so far away and Chiasa did not know how to pick it up again. She felt so much older then her mere 7 years, but did not know how to explain this to her narrow minded mother and goofy father. Looking out the window she saw her father and Gohan approaching the house. They were laughing despite their evident exhaustion and pain lanced Chiasa's heart. Goku did not seem the least bit upset at her cruel words from earlier. Did she matter so little? Had the hurt been just a show?

Tears filled and overflowed spilling onto her cheeks. Angrily dashing them away, Chiasa opened a book to finish her report. Maybe if she could show she was serious about schooling she could convince them to let her train.

A few hours later Gohan arrived with a tray of food and a frown. Chiasa did not expect a warm welcome from her twin. He had been angrier than Goku at her outburst. Glancing at the rice and broth made her stomach growl. It looked as though her punishment extended to food and she tried not to think of the feast Mrs. Briefs would be serving. Pushing aside her homework, Chiasa accepted the tray with a quiet thank you.

"How could you?" Gohan asked, a quiet exhaustion making his voice rough.

"He didn't seem all that bothered," Chiasa said simply. "When I saw you both laughing on your way home."

She heard Gohan's teeth grind and there was anger when he spoke again. "Dad's convinced himself you didn't mean it and that all the excitement of the afternoon had made you tired. I know the truth, though. I know you meant every word."

Too upset to argue Chiasa said nothing. When Gohan's mind was set it would take a force of nature to change it. Once he realized Chiasa was not going to take the bait he left nearly slamming the door behind him. Eating slowly to savor each bite she reevaluated her decision to stay and wondered if Vegeta would come looking for her when she did not return.

The weeks at home passed slowly for Chiasa as she watched her father and Gohan depart every morning with Piccolo. After assisting Chi Chi with chores she was escorted to her room to begin her studies. Despite her best efforts little was getting done. After months of constant physical activity, the monotony of study was slowly driving her insane. Every morning she hoped to feel Vegeta's familiar ki moving in towards her home to rescue her, but she had long since figured Vegeta thought she was content. The proud Prince, no matter how much he liked her, would never stoop to ask her to return.

So she remained in her stagnant life as precious days slipped away. Her mother was still frosty towards her and Chiasa was still eating in her room so she never saw Goku. He had not even tried to see her and though it hurt, Chiasa took the pain as her due. She had certainly done her share of hurting.

That evening Chi Chi fetched her daughter for dinner. Chiasa hid her joy, solemnly following her mother and taking her seat quietly. Gohan ignored her, but Goku smiled and Chiasa felt warmth suffuse her heart. Maybe tonight would be a good time to ask. She waited until her father had sated the edge of his hunger before popping the question.

"May I train with you and Gohan?"

The absolute silence that greeted the question chilled Chiasa and she regretted opening her mouth. She should have asked when Chi Chi was not around especially as her mother exploded a few seconds later.

"What!?! How dare you ask that after everything you put this family through? No, absolutely not, the answer is no!"

"Gohan's allowed to train," Chiasa protested.

"That's because Gohan doesn't run away for months at a time! He asks permission before flitting away to space with a mass murderer! You will never train again, by Kami; I will have a child grow up to have a future!"

Bursting into tears Chi Chi continued her hysterics. Chiasa did not blink an eye and looked at her father who began eating again.

"Dad?" Chiasa asked softly.

He paused, guilt flitting across his features. "Listen to your mother, Chiasa."

Betrayed again by the one person who should have understood, Chiasa schooled her face into a blank screen, refusing to throw a tantrum. Saiyan warriors did not throw tantrums or fits when they did not get their way.

"If I hadn't left with Vegeta would you have trained me?"

"No!" Chi Chi yelled, recovering from her tears. "You will grow up to be a lady, Chiasa! I am not budging on this so just forget about your completely insane trip with that…that killer and focus on your studies!"

She knew as far as her mother was concerned, the subject was closed, but Chiasa was not willing to give up on this. Her strategy would just have to change. Gohan was actually giving her a sympathetic look, but she ignored him. Her twin was officially in the enemy camp and, even if he was inclined to side with her, would have little to no pull with Chi Chi. Goku was really her only hope and she hoped that her hateful words had not burned that bridge.

The rest of dinner was stiff with silent anger and Gohan and Goku escaped as soon as they were able. Chiasa was forced to help her mother clear the table and do dishes as Gohan had to work on his studies. Yet another sharp difference between the twins was her brother's ability to wiggle out of any sort of responsibility. She knew he did not do it intentionally, but it still hurt that he was the favored child. There were times these days that Chiasa wished she had never been born, or that she had a different family.

"I know you're angry with me, Chiasa," Chi Chi said in a relatively calm voice. "But someday you will thank me for this. There is no future in fighting, do you understand? Look at us, living in near poverty because your father can't find a decent job. I don't want that for you and Gohan. If there wasn't some 'big threat' he would not be training either."

"I could help, Momma," Chiasa said firmly, but respectfully as she dried bowls. "I've learned so much and I want to help."

Sighing Chi Chi put down her wet cloth and hugged her daughter tightly. "I know you think you could, honey, but I don't think I could handle it if something happened to both you and Gohan! You two are my life and I love you too much to risk you."

"But you'll risk Gohan?" Tears welled in her eyes and Chi Chi gently wiped them away with her apron.

"Believe me I did not give in without a fight," her mother said dryly. "Your father accidently tossed me through the wall. It seems like a double standard, Chiasa, and it probably is, but Gohan's a boy and he's stronger. He's had more training than you and, well, your father doesn't want to train you."

Chi Chi's face was laced with guilt as she admitted this and shock shook Chiasa to the core. "He doesn't?"

Her mother was silent and closed her eyes tightly. Her face was strained with tension and guilt, but also something that looked strangely like sympathy. "No, honey, he doesn't, but he didn't know how to tell you so I played the bad guy. Well, I'm tired of you hating me so there it is, out in the open for you."

"I don't hate you, Momma, I was just so angry!"

"Well, it is okay to be angry, but I don't want you to hate your father either. You can be angry with him, but never ever hate. Gohan told me what you said that day he returned."

Nodding sadly, Chiasa did not even try to deny or excuse it. With quiet dignity that drove straight to Chi Chi's heart her daughter whispered, "He left us, Momma. He abandoned us twice, once through no fault of his own, and secondly because he felt his training was more important. He left you alone, to struggle all by yourself and I'll never forgive him for that."

"Oh, my baby," Chi Chi hugged her again, tears coursing down her face. "Sometimes I forget what an old soul you are and I blame myself for that. I think I made you grow up too fast, study too hard, but I only want what's best for you. Your father does too, which is part of the reason why he won't train you. You're his baby girl and he wants you to keep that innocence. Someday, when you have kids of your own, you'll understand."

Mother and daughter were silent as they hugged each other and cried silent tears of healing. Despite her rebellious nature, Chiasa did not like to fight with her parents, especially her mother. Some of her best memories involved the smiling woman who had birthed her and she missed those simple, happy times. Wiping away her tears, Chiasa kissed her mom's cheek.

"Momma?"

"Yes, baby?"

Sadly, Chiasa touched her mother's damp cheek with one hand. "I think someday soon I'm going to make a decision you won't like, but please don't be too angry with me."

"I'll try, honey," Chi Chi promised and then wiped away her own tears. "Well, now that we've both cried enough to water my garden let's get these dishes finished. They won't wash themselves, unfortunately."

The next few days were happier than they had been in a long time in the Son household. Chiasa spent the mornings studying and the afternoons helping her mother outside in the garden or playing. The relief at being outside and doing something physical had greatly increased her productivity in the mornings. It was not training, but it was better than nothing so she did not complain. Her relationship with her mother strengthened and seemed almost normal again. It had been with great surprise that she learned her mother had once been a warrior.

"I met your father again at the Tenkaichi Budokai. He had promised to marry me and he'd forgotten. Your Grandfather had made sure that I was skilled in martial arts, but I was no where near as great as your father."

"Than why don't you like it when we train?"

"It takes away time from your studies and I refuse to let you both completely lose the brains Kami gave you. I love my family very much, but I would feel much better about life if he we had more money to spread around. Goku would not know what to do with a job and I refuse to let my children grow up ignorant of the world."

"I can be a scholar and warrior. I'm always reading about how the ancient warriors said it was wise to expand both the mind and the body. You could train me!"

Her mother had laughed at that, but a few days later she had set aside an hour to train her daughter in the martial arts she had learned as a child. Practicing the old forms again gave Chi Chi an outlet for stress and she wondered why she had ever stopped. Chiasa was a quick study and the mother found new ways to be proud of her daughter. If only Goku could see! Unfortunately, there was a stubborn streak in her husband that was rarely seen and he refused to budge on the training of his daughter. Thus, it was with no great surprise to Chi Chi when, while working in the garden with Chiasa, they had a visitor.

Next to her, Chiasa stiffened and her eyes widened.

"What do you sense? What's wrong?" Chi Chi asked, afraid the androids had come early.

"Prince Vegeta," Chiasa murmured. "I wondered if he would come for me. Well, I guess that's kind of assuming stuff. He could be here to challenge Dad." She was babbling which was not like her and her mother put a soothing hand on her spiky hair. A few minutes later Vegeta landed before them in all his glory.

"Brat! What are you digging in the dirt for?" He was genuinely confused and Chiasa almost giggled at how strange the look on his face was.

"I'm helping my Momma, Wei Tai," Chiasa said respectfully, standing and slamming a fist to her chest.

"Hmph. Foolish work for someone who should be training," he snapped. "Where's Kakarot?"

Chiasa gestured in the general direction her father and Gohan disappeared every day and was not surprised when he blasted away. Giggling now that he was gone she looked down at her still kneeling mother. "See, he's not so bad! Vegeta's gruff, but I think deep down he means well."

"Hmph," Chi Chi said sounding strangely like the departed Prince. "I doubt that will stop him from challenging Kakarot…I mean, Goku."

Laughing at the slip, mother and daughter resumed gardening both wondering what the rest of the afternoon would bring. Chi Chi also prepared herself for her daughter's decision. She knew Chiasa would be leaving, though a part of her still hoped her daughter would say no. Promising to control her temper, for once, and not embarrass her sensitive daughter, Chi Chi chose to savor these last peaceful moments. They were few and far between these days and she refused to take them for granted.

A few hours later the two women were interrupted yet again, but this time by all of the men in their life plus Piccolo. The Namek did not look pleased at having to witness what was sure to be an explosive argument and tried to stay as far away from the arguing Saiyans as he could. Really, he was only here to protect Gohan and he could care less if Vegeta had his head whacked in by Chi Chi's frying pan. At least, that's what he was still trying to convince himself.

"You are even more of an imbecile then I originally thought, Kakorat!" Vegeta had been roaring this over and over for the last several hours and Gohan wondered if he liked the sound of his own voice or just loved insulting Goku. It was probably a mixture of both, but he could be a little more unique in his criticism.

"I don't see why you care, Vegeta," Goku snapped, his usual cheerful voice had long since disappeared. Here now was a man that Gohan had never before seen. He had seen cheerful Goku, loving Goku, angry Goku, and battle Goku. This though, was a cold anger and determination that Gohan was not aware his father possessed. "I thought you would want to take on all the androids by yourself. Training a little girl to help seems somehow beneath you."

Vegeta sucked in a dangerous breath and both Piccolo and Gohan tensed for an explosion. They were shocked when the Prince smirked. "The brat isn't going to be fighting any androids because you are right about one thing: I can handle them fine on my own. However, it's ridiculous for a Saiyan girl to be trained only in the arts of housekeeping." Here his lip curled at his opinion of that. "Granted she is only the spawn of a third class baka, but as we are the last of our people I must make allowances."

"You have no right to her! You won't be making any allowances or anything. You are going to go away…well, that is unless you want to train with me, Gohan, and Piccolo."

Everyone stared at Goku in complete shock and he had the grace to blush. "What? Just think of how much stronger we'd all be!"

Piccolo rubbed his forehead in exasperation and once more questioned how Goku was the savior of not only Earth but the universe.

"What is all the commotion?"

The group of warriors turned to see Chi Chi, sans frying pan, and her little miniature standing in the open doorway. Piccolo had rarely seen Chi Chi and her daughter together and he was struck by how much the little girl resembled her mother despite her Saiyan genes, even down to the narrowed eyes and red face. Gohan said Chiasa was a temperamental little thing and as the little boy was generally even tempered, Piccolo figured all of the anger genes had gone from mother to daughter. Kami he was glad he was asexual.

"Nothing, Chi," Goku said, sheepishly rubbing his neck. "Vegeta was just leaving."

"I was doing no such thing, baka," Vegeta growled, ignoring Goku's suddenly grim face. "Brat, you have had more than enough time with these morons you call family. You will return at once to continue your training."

Chiasa glanced up at her mother and the two exchanged knowing looks. Interesting, Piccolo thought, a claw tapping against his crossed arms. It looked as if the other half of the Son family had their own idea on how to proceed and it was not going to go Goku's way.

Striding forward, Chiasa slammed a fist to her chest in greeting. "Yes, Wei Tai, I am ready, and I thank you for the time you have given me."

Vegeta smirked and his black eyes danced with evil glee. "You won't be thanking me for anything in a few days."

"I forbid this, Chi Chi, what is going on? We decided that Chiasa was not going to train?" Goku turned to his wife and was surprised to see she had disappeared. He looked to his daughter and knelt before her.

"Chiasa, what are you doing? Vegeta is dangerous and I would feel much better if you would stay here. You don't need to fight."

Daughter looked to father with a mix of irritation and resignation. "Father, you of all people should understand my need to battle. I may be a girl, but I am also Saiyan and that call to battle sings in my veins. Prince Vegeta understands that. Mother understands now, too, why can't you?"

Goku violently shook his head, hands gripping her shoulders tightly. "I fight because I have to, Chiasa, not because I want to. I fight only to defend my family. You fight because you find joy in destroying your enemy and that's wrong."

Eyes suddenly hardening, Chiasa wrenched free of her father's grasp. "Do not presume to act as if you know me. If I cannot receive your blessing then I renounce you. I renounce you as my father."

The chilling words settled like bricks between the two and even though sadness and regret rushed through her at the hurt look in Goku's eyes, Chiasa remained firm. She looked over at Vegeta, but his face was inscrutable. He had told her that Saiyan children were able to do this, but it was very rare and done only under extreme duress.

"You can't renounce your family, Chiasa," Gohan said, his voice laced with defeat. "Dad, just…just let her train with us."

Goku had a streak of stubbornness that enabled him to power through battles that would cripple any other person and that emotion enveloped him now. His face became a blank wall and he nodded as he stood. "I have made my choice and so have you."

Without another word, the Saiyan walked inside his home, back ramrod straight. Gohan stared at his twin wondering if he had ever truly known her. Not trusting himself to speak he followed his father. Chiasa took a deep breath, taking the hurt and pain and making it into a tight ball, hiding it deep within where she could no longer feel it.

Piccolo merely watched the proceedings, thinking that perhaps no threat from outside was needed when they had the perfect tool for Goku's destruction in their very midst. Chi Chi rushed from the house, slightly breathless and carrying a bag, which she thrust at her daughter.

"Your armor is there plus some books. I want you to devote time to your studies and Bulma will keep an eye on you."

"I will Momma. Thank you," Chiasa said simply, hugging and kissing her mother. "Please take care of Papa and Gohan for me…I…said some horrible things."

Chi Chi squeezed her daughter tightly and then hurried back inside, not able to watch her leave, perhaps for good. Looking at her Wei Tai who was tapping his foot impatiently, Chiasa gave him a nod. "I am ready."

"Let's go brat and don't think that I won't…"

His voice faded as the two blasted into the sky. Piccolo watched them until their specks disappeared over the horizon. Glancing at the house, he decided to leave the warriors in Chi Chi's capable hands. Despite her harridan attitude, she loved her boys and would know best how to soothe their ruffled feathers.