Pacific

By Reiko Narita

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Dragonball Z or any of the characters.

Warnings: YAOI, GokuxVegeta, AU, language, possible OOC

Author's Note: This story takes place a year or so after everyone gets back from Namek and Goku has returned from Yardrat. (Trunks will not be making an appearance to warn about the androids.)

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Chapter Two

FLASHBACK

After four hours of training with his son, Goku and Gohan returned to their small home in the forest, anxious to eat supper. The two of them had left as soon as Gohan returned from school, and went off deep into the mountains, much to the dismay of Chi-Chi. Since Namek, Gohan's natural love for fighting began to surface and looked for chances to train with his father. But he was thrilled when Piccolo began to train with them. Sometimes, they'd stay out until night fall, which didn't sit too well with his mother and she blamed Goku for getting him in the habit.

Chi-Chi, on the other hand, had been cooking all day, trying to prepare enough food to satisfy her family's big appetite. She was grateful that they weren't picky eaters. It didn't matter what she prepared, the boys would eat it. The majority of the food was spread out on the table already while she made one last dish. Suddenly, Gohan came through the door with a large smile.

"We're home," he shouted. She smiled as he walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He was a bit taller now, nearly at the age of 13, but he appeared younger than his actual age. Goku still thought Chi-Chi babied him a little too much, but he never said anything about it, knowing it would just turn into another one of Chi-Chi's yelling fits. (He knew that Gohan had grown up since the events that had taken place a few years ago and was now becoming an accomplished fighter.)

She patted him gently on the head and told him to go take a shower, as he was dirty from training. It was no use to yell at them for being late now, but she made her displeasure clear. He was soon followed by his father, with an equally large grin on his face, happy as usual and just as dirty. He kissed her on the cheek, but was immediately distracted by the smell of the food, simmering on the stove. It appeared to be a tasty looking soup. It smelled of meat and assorted vegetables, with just a hint of delicious smelling spice. Goku couldn't wait to taste it. Training always made him hungry. He took a seat at the table and watched his wife cook, tempted to start eating dinner without her or Gohan.

"Goku, aren't you going to wash up before dinner?"

"Oh. Right." Goku then went to wash his hands in the nearby bathroom and came back to the kitchen in 3 minutes. Chi-Chi was exasperated to say the least. Unlike Gohan, Goku didn't bother to take a whole shower before he ate; his Saiyan appetite controlled his actions and he would not do anything else until he was full. He probably would have done it at some other time, but right now, all he was concerned about was eating. (Often, Goku was like a bottomless pit, almost impossible to fill.)

Chi-Chi sighed quietly to herself, annoyed at the thought that her husband would not take the time to wash himself before eating. From the beginning, she had always tried to teach Gohan to do things that were tidy and neat, about how to be punctual and studious, and never to forget his manners. Sometimes, she didn't even mind if Gohan was a little messy while he was eating. It was obviously something he had acquired from his father and Chi-Chi paid it no mind. However, Goku had grown up alone in the wilds, almost like a feral child, and even though he was later taught the things of normal, everyday life, his old habits showed themselves now and again.

Gohan returned half an hour later, dressed in a more comfortable outfit. Soon, the soup was placed on the table and the two of them began to eat, devouring their food in a most unnatural way. Chi-Chi, knowing that she would have to wash dishes immediately after they began, took the liberty of preparing and eating her own meal earlier in the day. She just sat at the table, watching intently at Goku. She shook her head slightly. It amazed her how fast Goku could eat without choking. She sometimes wondered if he even remembered to breathe.

After an hour had past, there was still an immense pile of silverware and dishes, pots and pans, which needed washing.

"Thanks for making dinner, Chi-Chi. It was great", he said in his usual cheerful voice.

Chi-Chi didn't bother to look at him but she smiled a weak smile in response.

"Okay, Gohan. If you're done with your dinner, go to your room and start studying", his mother said, looking over to him in a commanding style. This was a regular routine in the Son household.

After Gohan went to his room and shut the door, Chi-Chi felt that this was the perfect time to have a long talk with her husband. Mulling it over all day, made her feel on edge, and she was welcome for the opportunity to finally let it out. Goku, still sitting at the table, letting out a much needed belch, sat with his eyes closed, savoring the taste of the beef in the soup, which he decided to eat last. It was so loud that it shook the table a little. Chi-Chi rolled her eyes when she heard him.

"Honestly, Goku…you should really have better manners. It's a bad influence for Gohan".

Goku sat up in his chair, realizing that he had forgotten to use what little etiquette he had.

"Sorry", was all he could say, his eyes cast down shamefully.

After drying the last of the dishes, she put them up and sat in the chair across from Goku. Chi-Chi sat, looking at her husband in an odd fashion. Her eyes were narrowed sharply at Goku, who looked back at her, failing to notice the cold steel-like gaze.

"I want to talk with you about something very serious. Gohan has been doing poorly in school lately. The last time his report card came, the only A he had was in P.E. The rest were B's and he had one C. That's not what he typically makes. He's generally a straight A student. I'm worried about him." Goku frowned slightly, hearing this information for the first time.

Usually, Chi-Chi was in charge of school affairs, but Goku realized how important a good education was and always encouraged Gohan to do his absolute best.

"Wow. That's news to me. I'll have a talk with him if you'd like", he said, moving to get out of his chair, however, she stopped him before he left the seat.

"There's no need. I've spoken to him about it already. Besides, what advice would you give? You've never been to school. You don't know one thing about it. Anyway, it seems that if he studied a bit more, I'm sure his grades would improve."

Goku chuckled to himself. Chi-Chi looked at him with a look of sheer graveness.

"What's the matter? The boy studies all day. If he's not eating or training, he's always studying. Chi-Chi, if Gohan studies anymore, I think he'll explode. And by the way, I know more about school than you think I do," he said, playfully sticking out his tongue at her.

Goku's jokes were clearly not amusing his wife. Chi-Chi began drumming her long nails on the table, making a clicking sound.

"This is serious, Goku! I know what's making him do poorly in school. It's all of this training you two are doing. At first, I was okay with it, because there always seemed to be some sort of threat, some alien or monster, trying to take over the world. How did you think I felt, when he went off to Namek with Bulma and Kuririn? I felt helpless. You don't know how glad I was to see that he came back to Earth uninjured." Chi-Chi took a moment to remember that day, when she and Gohan, along with her father, traveled to Muten-Rôshi's. She made sure to pack everything she thought Gohan would need, even though Bulma and Kuririn thought most of the items were pretty much useless and unnecessary. But still, she wanted to be there with him, to make sure he didn't get hurt. She even went so far as to make Dr. Briefs send her to Namek on another spaceship.

"These days, it's been pretty peaceful and I doubt that there will be trouble anytime soon. But now, it seems that you stay out later and later each day, training with that Piccolo, giving Gohan less time to study", said Chi-Chi, beating a fist against the oak table. "Plus, if he studies later, he won't get enough sleep. Next thing you know, he'll be sleeping in class each day."

Goku, no longer in good spirits, folded his brawny arms across his broad chest. He let out a heavy sigh, which was quite audible.

"Chi-Chi, we've been over this and over this and quite frankly, I'm a little tired of hearing it. I told you about the importance of training. No one knows the next time the Earth will come under threat. It's not like it's some yearly thing. Be realistic. An assault could happen anytime, when you least expect it. Both I and Gohan have to be ready, as well as the others. Look, I know how you feel. Do you honestly think I want to see my own son in danger? Of course not! But he's more than capable of fighting along side me and the rest of the group. He's shown that he can. He's not a little kid anymore. He's nearly 13. And besides all of that, Gohan is probably one of the smartest kids in his school and nobody's perfect."

His wife, shocked to actually hear Goku speak in such a way to her, glared at him, as if she were a dog guarding a bone.

"You talk about being realistic? You be realistic. You heard me, Goku. Gohan is going to stop this 'training'. He spends too much time with you and Piccolo. I don't want him to become a delinquent with no future. With an education, Gohan can be somebody, a doctor or a lawyer, someone who will always have work and always have money coming in. I don't even know how I ever let him get mixed up with those weirdo friends of yours. And on top of all that, that monster…that…Vegeta guy; I'm willing to bet he hasn't changed at all. In any case, I don't want Gohan to continue this nonsense. I won't allow it anymore."

Goku was now aggravated and his features showed it. A large vein started to throb on the side of his head and his hands were now drawn into fists. He wasn't too happy about Chi-Chi insulting his friends and a part of him felt that even Vegeta didn't deserve to be judged. But in the end, Goku let it go, trying hard not to lose his temper.

"I'm not going to let him get weak, Chi-Chi. Training is an on going process. If you don't keep it up, you'll become defenseless and vulnerable. We don't train to show off. We train because we have to. I agree that it has been peaceful lately and I'm glad about it, but that's not an excuse to quit training. Evil doesn't go on vacation."

He sat at the table, breathing slowly and rubbing his forehead in frustration.

"He's a fighter, like me. If he is able to defend Earth, he will go along with me, Piccolo, Kuririn, Vegeta, whoever! Do you even care about what happens to this planet! What good is an education when everyone is dead?" he said, standing from his chair.

Chi-Chi, having been a rather good fighter in her teenage days, swatted at Goku, missing his face as he dodged.

"No! I won't let him become like you. You've never had a job and you still don't have one and if it weren't for the tournaments, we would be poor right now!"

Upon hearing this statement, Goku just stared at Chi-Chi. It was true. He didn't have a job and the only means of support they had were his winnings in the yearly tournaments. If it weren't for Chi-Chi, the prize money would have probably been depleted for good. She had the knowledge that he lacked and he had now come to that understanding. Before, he didn't care about what others thought of his past. It was just a part of him, even Bulma knew that and she accepted it. However, Chi-Chi was always trying to change who he was, transform him into something he could never be.

He thought of all the times when he had faced menacing tyrants. Even as a boy, he faced a whole army and came out on top. But in recent years, he still had to come to terms with the fact that he wasn't a human. He remembered meeting up with his older brother, only to find out that they were both aliens, aliens whose livelihood was to kill. It was a lot for him to take in all at once. But he did what he had to do, to save his son. So, he died. For the first time in his life, he died, fighting against his own blood. His friends were sad to see him go, but knowing they could wish him back gave them new hope. He came back a new Goku, with new-found power and new-found skill, all thanks to Kaio-sama.

What about his friends? They suffered too. He had to make sure they didn't die in vain. He faced off with Vegeta and won. Soon, it came time for him to travel to Namek, not knowing what he would be facing, but he continued to train all the while. Goku ran into Freeza and experienced first hand how powerful the tyrant was. Losing his best friend was bad enough, but he would not allow Freeza to take the life of his only son. With a new violent rage, a rage that he had never experience in his entire life, he ascended into a new form. He became the being that Vegeta had always talked about. He was a Super Saiyan. And, not only did he defeat Freeza, but he also was able to escape death, when Namek was ready to explode. All these memories swirled around and around in his mind.

Although Goku was not a cocky person, he felt that he was being taken for granted. Had not all of his achievements been a sign that his training and skill was worthy of some respect? His wife did not even give him the smallest amount of praise.

"What do you want from me, Chi-Chi", he asked in a low voice, frustrated with her attitude.

Chi-Chi's head hung low and she shook it slowly. She then lifted her head to give her husband an icy look.

"I want you out of here, that's what I want. I want a divorce. You do nothing for this family. Your sheer presence hinders Gohan. Sometimes I think you'd rather eat and fight your whole life than be successful. There is more to life than training."

Goku's eyes went wide but the rest of his countenance remained the same.

"You want a divorce?" he asked, his voice not changing its tone. He knew well what this term meant.

Chi-Chi nodded. "You are correct. I don't want you here anymore."

Goku, feeling something weighty in his chest, looked in the direction of Gohan's room. There was a long silence that lasted about 2 minutes.

"Have you even considered Gohan's thoughts and feelings?" he inquired, his voice slightly shaky.

The woman glanced in the direction of her son's room and replied. "Yes. I have. However, I know what's best for him. He may hate me now, but he'll thank me later. I know he will."

Then Goku did something quite unexpected. Instead of becoming angry or acting out violently, he headed towards their bedroom, looked through his closet and pulled out a large brown leather suitcase (which appeared to be quite rundown) and unzipped it, having a little difficulty as he rushed. Next, he went to the bureau and grabbed every item that was his.

That's when he glanced at their wedding picture. In the back of his mind, something told him to take it. He didn't know why. Perhaps it was because he loved her and he wanted to remember the happiness of their wedding day. Though usually optimistic, it was hard for him to feel anything but pain at that time. Yet, he hoped and had faith that somehow they would end up back together. And so he took it and set it at the bottom of the suitcase. Then he went back into the closet and grabbed every scrap of clothing and every item that belonged to him and simply stuffed them into the suitcase, not taking anytime to fold them or arrange them in a way so that everything fit properly. Goku went into the bathroom and took his remaining possessions and tossed them in randomly. Looking back into the closet, he found some of his gis and put them into the suitcase as well. This in turn, made the bag quite tricky to zip again. However, he managed it. Goku then walked back into the den, opened the door to the coat closet, took out a khaki trench coat (one of the coats that Chi-Chi bought for him a long time ago), and closed the door.

Chi-Chi just stared. It was a reaction that she did not expect, yet it had the effect she was hoping for. She did not want to fight with Goku, because she knew that in the end, she would lose. But she also knew that no matter how upset he got, it wasn't in his nature to attack someone weaker, above all her.

Walking casually towards the door that led outside, he looked toward Gohan's room again, then back at Chi-Chi.

"Just tell him that…I'm going away for awhile. Don't give any lame excuses and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't lie. And, if you decide to tell him the truth, don't make me out to be the bad guy. Remember, you are the one who has to explain to him why I'm not going to be around anymore. If you won't do anything else for me, you can at least do that. It's up to you."

Chi-Chi said nothing. She folded her arms, just staring and remaining silent.

With that, he walked out of the house, not knowing where he would go. He didn't care in the least where he would end up. He knew he could manage something, but at that time, the only thing he wanted to do was think. He thought of the times when he and Gohan played, when they swam in the nearby lake and when they went fishing, even the times when they did nothing but napped quietly in grass, side by side. They were happy together. (Goku couldn't even remember ever having an argument with Gohan.) But that was all just a memory now. They were only simple, happy memories of the relationship a father had with his only son. There would be no more playing, swimming, or fishing, only sadness, depression, and a feeling of being lost.