To Chich,

I'm just writing to let you know that I'm not going to be gone forever, I promise. I don't know if you'll understand why I had to do this, but I'm not going to be on Earth forever. It's going to need a new protector when I'm gone, and I think Uub can be that. He's even stronger than Vegeta, Gohan, Goten, and Trunks. He might even be stronger than me once he's trained. The Earth needs someone like him to protect it, and the only way for him to get strong enough to take over when I'm gone is to have me train him. Plus I'm really excited about training him! I can tell already he's going to be a great challenge.

I might visit you sometimes, but I think I should stay with Uub most of the time. I know I left without much of a goodbye, but at least I'm not dead this time, right? I'm not sure where his village is. If I knew I'd tell you so you could come see us if you wanted. I'm guessing you're not very happy with me leaving. You told me how much you hated me going all the time, especially when I chose to stay in Otherworld after Cell killed me. I'm sorry that I have to do this to you again, but please try to understand, Chi. I need to do this. Uub needs me, more than you or Gohan or Goten or even Pan.

You've been great to me these past few years. I think I love you more now than I ever did before. I can't say I like being away from you again, but it's something I have to do. I really want you to know that. I do love you and care about you and the boys, Chi. I'm sorry that I have to leave before Pan's grown up and I wish I could be there when Goten finishes school. I'm so happy that I was able to be with you all when Gohan got married and when Pan was born. I think these past few years were the happiest of my life.

But being dead twice made me realize how short life is. I'm going to die again someday, Chi. I don't know if it'll be sooner or later, but I know it'll happen, and I'm afraid that if it's soon then there won't be anyone strong enough to protect Earth when I'm gone. I thought when Cell killed me that I was helping by staying dead because everything evil up to that point was after me. Buu wasn't, so I guess I can't count on Earth being safe with or without me. But I think Uub can grow even stronger than me, and then I'll know Earth is safe even if I'm not here. That's what I want, Chi. I want you to be safe no matter what. Even if it means leaving you again.

I hate to say it, but I think the choice to leave this time was pretty easy. Gohan's moved out and he has a family of his own now, and Goten doesn't want to train much anymore and I hardly see him anyway because he goes on dates a lot. And, well, I'm not always sure you care if I'm around or not sometimes. We don't talk a lot anymore, and when we do a lot of times you're telling me how much our lives could have been better if I hadn't done the things I did, like staying dead. It hurts when you say things like that, Chi. Don't you see I did it for your own good? I didn't like doing what I did, but I thought it was best. I guess you don't agree. And I don't think you'll agree that I had to leave with Uub. That's part of the reason I left so fast. I didn't want us to argue about it. I hate arguing with you. I hate it when you yell at me and I don't like seeing you hurt. It was easier to leave without much of a goodbye.

I'm sorry it has to be this way. I wish there was a way for me to be with you and train Uub at the same time. But Chi, I promise, as soon as I'm done training him I'll come back home and I'll never, ever leave again no matter what. If you want me back, I guess. I'm guessing you're awful mad at me. I know it's asking a lot for you to forgive me again, but please, Chi, try to understand. I love you and I will come back to you as soon as I can. I just have to make sure the Earth is in good hands first.

I hope to see you again soon. Give my love to Gohan, Videl, Pan, and Goten. Don't be sad about me being gone. I still think of you every day and I miss you.

Goku

Goku stuffed the letter into an envelope and sealed it, rushing out of a small hut to reach the postal worker before he left the village. It didn't say everything he felt, but how could he put his feelings into words? He was excited about training with Uub, but he did want to be with his wife. But in the end, his need for a challenge and a new adventure won out. He felt a little guilty for choosing to live with Uub in his village, knowing he could have used instant transmission to get from home to the boy's village every day. It was easier for him to stay with Uub and not have to confront his wife every morning. He knew she would want him to stay. She would want him to give up training Uub. But he couldn't, and he didn't want to anyway. Uub was the best sparring partner he'd come across in a long time; he was even stronger than Vegeta, or at least he had the potential to be. Shrugging, he illegibly scribbled his home address on the envelope and handed it to the postman that came by Uub's village once a week. He was sure this letter would be delivered. But it wouldn't be because no one could decipher the address he wrote.

…

Chi-Chi honestly wasn't surprised that Goku abruptly left at the World Martial Arts Tournament. After all, he'd been with her for ten years without leaving for longer than a couple days to train in the wilderness or take his sons on a camping trip. They were the ten best years of her life, for she was sure she had her husband back for good after living as a widow for seven years assuming he would be dead forever. Once again fate was on his side and he was returned to her, alive and well, and he stayed with her a long time. But not long enough, in her opinion. Apparently too long in his. He could never settle down and live peacefully, contentedly. No, he was too much of a child inside, always seeking fun somewhere else, wanting to explore the world and train his days away with someone stronger.

She couldn't figure out how he would put some peasant kid above his family. Why would he leave them, again? After he said he wouldn't? For Kami's sake, what about Pan? She dearly loved her grandfather, but now he was gone and she might not see him again until she was a grown woman, if even then. No one – including Goku – knew how long it would take to train Uub to become as strong as Buu had been, maybe stronger. Chi-Chi couldn't help thinking it was better when Goku was dead. At least then she knew where he was. At least then she knew he didn't have much of a choice in leaving her. This was different. He was gone somewhere else on the planet and he'd probably forget to ever visit. He was having the time of his life with some kid he didn't even know while she was left at home to see to it that Goten made it through school. What else was there for her? She had a granddaughter to love and spoil now, but that didn't take the place of having a husband at her side.

Goku was not husband material. He never had been. She had been a foolish girl to think she would marry the man of her dreams and live happily ever after just like a fairy tale princess. She was a princess, all right, but not one from a fairy tale. Not one who married her prince charming. Not one who would ever be happy in life. Because her husband was more interested in training than being with her. He thought the world was more important that her. He didn't care about her happiness. He didn't care that he hurt her feelings by leaving. He never cared that his sons needed him, even if they were grown men. And he didn't care that his granddaughter missed him almost as much as she did.

He couldn't leave and just expect everything to be copacetic. Sure, Goku, go away for another decade and act like it didn't hurt anyone. Pretend you were doing good. Go on thinking your choices don't tear your family apart. Chi-Chi crossed her arms over her chest as she thought about her husband, wanting so badly to tell him what was on her mind. It wouldn't matter if she could because she would never get through to him, never make him understand the consequences of his choices.

For the most part, the middle-aged woman was able to deal with his absence. She'd had plenty of practice. Married 21 years and he was gone for nine of them. Over a third of their married life he was dead. What had changed? All that was different was he was alive. But he was still gone, so what did it matter? Obviously he didn't care that much about being with his family. He didn't care about her needs and wants. Did he ever stop to ask her what she thought of him leaving to train with Uub? Did he ever stop to ask her what her opinion was on any of his decisions? No! He didn't care! He was the most spontaneous and foolish man the world had ever seen. And she was cursed to love him, to be married to him. She may as well have been married to a ghost. At least a ghost would stick around…

"That is it, Goku," she yelled, her screeching voice echoing through the valley. The scenery was serene, with the sun riding low on the horizon, casting a deep red glow over the lush grass spotted with wildflowers. The wind blew softly through the trees, rustling the emerald green leaves. In the distance she heard a bird singing. Peaceful, quiet. The way she wanted her life to be. Maybe it looked like it was on the outside, but inside there was nothing but tumult. Anger, pain, outrage, shock, betrayal, humiliation, loneliness, hate, love.

"I can't take it anymore! You promised –" her voice broke as the lump in her throat grew. "You promised we'd never be apart again. You said when you came back, when you were given a new life… Goku, how could you do this to me? Why did you lie to me? Weren't you happy?"

She had thought he had matured a little since he was revived a second time. She thought he had learned to value his family more after being separated from them for so long. She wanted to believe that he would stay true to his word and never abandon her and their sons again. How desperately she wanted to believe he had changed. But Goku would never change. He would never settle down. He would never learn to put his family above his own whimsical desires. Not Goku. He had no qualms about leaving his wife and children. He didn't care how much his absence hurt them. He didn't care that his wife was growing old alone.

Oh, she knew she would welcome him home when he finally decided to stop playing with Uub. She knew she would make a big celebratory dinner and allow him back into her bed. No matter how much he hurt her, she couldn't stay mad at him. That was the spell he cast over her. She was in love with him, a child at heart, a terrible husband. And she didn't care. She still counted the days until his return.