The last remaining rays on sunlight were now dipping low behind the hills and valleys of West City. 18 stared out across the painted sky as she sat on the porch swing in front of her home. 17 was out with his gang, leaving the house quiet for once. She inhaled deeply, and closed her eyes. She remembered how when she and 17 had been kids, their mother would sit on this very porch swing, watching as the two children played hide and seek. The memory seemed so long ago. Her life had been very different then. Her parents were loving, affectionate people. They took her and 17 with them everywhere. She remembered their home being filled with laughter. She and 17 had been thick as thieves. They did everything together; in fact, they played every sport on the same team and had always picked the jerseys 17 and 18. The two wore their jerseys so much that pretty soon they were just called by their numbers, 17 and 18. Everyday was the happiest day of her life. These days lasted until she was fourteen, and 17 had been fifteen. The two siblings had been out past their curfew and their parents had gone out looking for them. They were hit by a drunk driver who had run a red light. When 17 and her had finally gotten home the police were there waiting. She had lost her parents that day, and in many ways 17 as well.

"Hello in there! 18!" The voice cut through her thoughts and brought her back to reality. 17 was staring down at her with an amused expression on his face.

"Well, look who decided to come back to Earth. Pack a bag; we've got somewhere to go tomorrow." 17 instructed as he walked past 18 into the house. She sighed and followed her brother inside.

The bag of McDonald's lay empty as the two teens played LIFE.

"You have to stop and get married Goku." ChiChi instructed as he moved the orange car to the chapel.

"Alright, now what."

"Here," ChiChi said, as she handed him a little pink plastic person. "Put your wife in the car."

Goku took the tiny piece and placed it in one of the little holes atop his car with difficulty.

"Sorry ChiChi." Goku said as he dropped his plastic wife again.

"Why are you sorry?"

"Oh, I was saying sorry to my new wife ChiChi for dropping her." Goku smiled as he finally secured his wife in the car.

ChiChi began to blush. Of course, Goku would name his bride ChiChi. The man might not be the brightest crayon in the box sometimes, but he was instinctively, believe it or not, romantic. At least in her eyes.

"Alright Chi it's your turn."

ChiChi pushed her tiny car to the chapel and accepted her tiny blue groom.

"There you go Vegeta." She said, as she secured the piece in her car.

"Hey!" Goku shouted, before throwing a pillow at her.

The game was soon forgotten as the two teens pummeled each other with pillows and McDonald wrappers. The laughter soon died however. ChiChi looked up at her boyfriends now stern expression.

"What's wrong Goku?" She asked.

"ChiChi, you know that I love you right?"

"Of course, and I love you."

"And you trust me, right?"

"Yes." ChiChi responded. She wasn't really sure where this conversation was going, and it left her feeling uneasy.

"Come here." Goku motioned with a crook of his finger.

ChiChi obeyed his command and stopped within an arms length of Goku's impressive figure. He reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders before lightly kissing her on the lips.

"Show me your back." Goku said.

ChiChi felt panic swell within her.

"So, Vegeta." Bulma started.

"What?"

"Wanna go catch a movie or something?"

"I can't." Vegeta replied.

"Why not?"

"You know why. I don't want to leave him."

"Vegeta, I know your worried and all, but you can't stop living your life just because of it." Bulma said as gently as she could.

"What would you know? My father is dying. Don't you get that? How can I leave and enjoy a movie when he is lying up there fighting for his life." Vegeta replied angrily.

"Because just like your dad is fighting for his own life, you have a responsibility to fight for your own. Don't let it pass you by." Bulma cried out.

"Listen woman. My life is no business of yours." Vegeta shouted.

"Oh yeah? Then why did you confide in me?"

Vegeta was silent as he glared at her. His anger was taking over and he struggled to keep it under control. How dare she use that against him? He guessed he had been wrong to trust in the girl.

"Leave Bulma." Vegeta whispered.

Bulma was taken aback by his cold statement. He wanted her to leave?

"Fine." She said as she raced to the door.

At that moment, Goku felt as if he were the one who was beaten. The bright red slashes across ChiChi's beautiful skin made him feel as if someone had punched him in the gut. Lightly he reached out to touch one of the wounds. As he did, he felt ChiChi tense up. He let his hand fall limply at his side. As he did so ChiChi pulled the shirt down, once again concealing her scars from the world. She turned to face her boyfriend with downcast eyes. There was silence between the couple for what felt like an eternity. Finally Goku spoke.

"No more Chi."

She looked up into his onyx eyes.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"No more hiding."

Deep down she knew what he was asking of her. She felt terror grip her. She wasn't one to ask for help. She didn't need someone weeping over her scars. Only a weakling would allow that.

"I don't know what you mean." She lied.

Goku sighed mentally. He expected her to answer that way, even though he knew damn well she knew what he had meant. Somehow, he would have to get her to change her mind. Until then, he guessed, he would half to do the next best thing. Until he could trust that she would come to him, he would make sure nobody came to her. She was going to hate it, but he had no other choice right now.

"Come on Chi, let's get some sleep. We've got to leave early tomorrow." Goku said as he grabbed her hand. He walked them up the stairs to the young girl's bedroom. This wasn't uncommon for the couple. Goku had often spent the night, and while they were not completely innocent in their relationship, they had yet to take their relationship to that particular level. For them it wasn't the physical aspect but the companionship that had them sharing a bed at night. Holding someone they loved close to them as they fell asleep was a pleasure in their often lonely worlds.

Goku wrapped his arms gently around ChiChi's petite frame as he pulled her closer to him. She sighed in pleasure and snuggled deeper into Goku's expansive chest and inhaled his scent. Goku kissed her lightly on the top of her head before closing his eyes. Images of her back flashed across his mind and instinctively he pulled her closer to him.

A/N: I know this is shorter then the other chapters, but I really needed it to end here for the next chapter to flow better. Comments/Questions?!?! I am really thankful for the reviews I have gotten so far. You guys really are the motivation to continue to improve my writings!!