Goku stared at Annin in confusion. What could he do to gain a chance to speak with Chi-Chi? Annin did have a good point that he had gotten more chances than most people ever did. Finally, he sighed and gave his answer. "Look Annin, I don't know how to convince you to let me see Chi-Chi. You're right that I've gotten a lot more chances than most people ever do. But, I still need to see Chi-Chi if I'm ever going to come to terms with her death and be able to take Kami's position. Is there anything I can do for you to prove myself worthy of this opportunity?"

Annin closed her eyes for a few seconds to think and when she opened them there was a slightly devious gleam in her eyes. She then held out her right hand with three fingers raised. "Alright Goku, if you want to see Chi-Chi than you must complete three tests for me. Fail any of these tests and you've got to leave this mountain never to return. Pass and I'll let you see Chi-Chi. With these challenges your strength, skill, and resolve will be tested to the limit. Do you accept my tests Goku?"

Goku nodded his head. "I accept your tests Annin. I'm ready to start as soon as you are."

The guardian goddess smiled at Goku's enthusiasm. "Okay, we can begin immediately. First up is the test of strength. To pass you need to lift the cauldron out of the furnace. Be warned that my cauldron weighs over a hundred tons Goku and I'm not allowing you to use that transformation that I've heard you have to aid you in this task."

Nodding his head, Goku immediately flew up above the massive furnace and flew just below the cauldron's handle. Goku quickly put his hand to the bottom the handle and started to push up. At first, it seemed like Goku's efforts were in vain as the cauldron refused to budge. This prompted Annin to smirk thinking that she had Goku beat.

However, Annin's smirk vanished when Goku's ki aura started to flare and the cauldron began to shake. Then, ever so slowly, Annin watched in shock as the cauldron rose out of the furnace. The goddess's eyes were wide with surprise as she murmured, "Unbelievable. No one except for grandfather Yemma and I have ever been able to lift the cauldron!"

Quickly hiding her surprise, Annin brought her hands around her mouth and called out to Goku. "You've passed the first test Goku! Just place the cauldron back where it was so that my noodles don't get ruined." Goku nodded his head and gently set the cauldron down.

Once the cauldron was in place, Goku flew back to Annin. He gave her his typical grin and said, "That was fun. Will all of your tests be as challenging as that?"

Annin chuckled and replied, "Oh no Goku, each challenge only gets harder. The test of strength was rather strait forward even though I didn't believe you would succeed. Your next challenge is a test of skill. To pass, you must beat me in a spar with both of us using weapons. You will not be allowed you use your ki in any way, but you may choose the weapon of your choice. Victory is determined by whoever can force the other to yield."

Goku nodded his head and then asked, "Can I have a staff? The only weapon I'm use to fighting with is my grandfather's staff."

There was a small puff of smoke and then Goku found himself holding a masterfully created bo staff. Goku heard the sound of another poof of smoke and saw that Annin had a naginata lightly resting in her hands. Both Goku and Annin respectfully bowed to each other and then began to fight. Annin opened up with a downward thrust which Goku promptly blocked with his staff. Goku imminently twisted and tried to slide his staff through his hands in order to hit Annin in the face with the end of his staff. In response, the goddess bent her head and simultaneously yanked her hands so that the non-bladed end of her weapons was rushing towards Goku.

Quick as lighting, Goku brought his foot up and blocked Annin's low blow with his knee. Goku leapt away putting about two feet of distance between him and his opponent. He kept moving going into a spin and then extended his staff for to hit Annin's legs. She jumped over Goku's staff and then slashed at his head. Goku's well trained instincts allowed him to duck quickly enough so Annin only cut the very top of his hair. Still in motion, Goku shifted his staff to one hand and then twilled it around to attack Annin's side from the opposite angle. This time the goddess brought her naginata to her side to block the incoming blow.

Back and forth the two fought like they were in a dance. When one slashed the other swerved. When one thrust for a sold hit the other blocked the intended blow. This was a contest of skill between two masters that it looked like artwork. Even after three years, Goku didn't lose an inch of his bojutsu mastery.

However, the match was quickly shifting to Annin's favor much to Goku's dismay. There wasn't any problem with his skill; it was on par with Annin's even if she had more refinement in her style. The problem lay in Annin's handicap for Goku. He had been using ki to augment his muscles for so long that he was facing a double strain. On the one side ki was agitated being bottled up so tightly and on the other hand his muscles were aching from the lack of usual support. If Goku didn't do something soon he was going to lose.

Goku shifted to a more defensive stance as he waited for an opening. Annin's face had a mischievous smirk as she thought she had Goku on the run. That arrogant assumption caused Annin to make the tinniest of mistakes. She twisted her wrist just a fraction more than she should have moving the blade of her naginata farther away from Goku's body. This was all the opening Goku needed.

As fast as just his muscles would allow, Goku reached out and grabbed Annin's blade. The tips of his fingers started to bleed, but the saiyan ignored the pain and thrust with his other fist holding his bo staff level with Annin's throat. Less than a second latter, Goku tripped the goddess forcing her to the ground. The fall knocked the naginata out of her grip allowing Goku to bring use both hands in pressing his staff against her throat.

Annin tried to dislodge Goku. However, he was sitting on her stomach and pressing the staff against her throat making it hard to breath. Even the divine have problems with a lack of oxygen. Finally, Annin started pounding the ground with the palm of her right hand. She then hoarsely whispered, "Give. I give."

Goku got off of Annin and offered her a hand up. "Sorry about that Annin, but I was running out of options. You really had me on the run."

The Goddess's face was red, partially from embarrassment and partially from the lack of oxygen, as she accepted the offered hand. Once Annin was up, she quickly straightened out her outfit. Now presentable, she smiled at Goku. "There's no need to apologize Goku. You took advantage of an opening like any fighter would and completed the test of skill. Are you ready for the next test?"

Goku started stretching and grined at the goddess. "You bet Annin. So what will this next test be? Is it a race of some sort?"

In spite of her usual control, Annin burst out laughing. She clutched her ribs trying to regain control. "Sorry Goku, but that's just so funny!" Finally Annin was able to calm down and then she explained the final test. "The test of resolve is just that, a test to see just how strongly you want to see your friend's spirit and what you'll endure to achieve this. Thus, for your test you have to undergo a three day fast."

The saiyan's face widened in horror. Goku immediately yelled out, "Fasting?"

Annin nodded her head. "That's correct Goku. As of this moment, you must not eat even a single grain of rice for three days. Have as much water as you wish, but no food of any sort. If you truly wish to speak to Chi-Chi, than you must endure both the pain of hunger and the temptation to eat as you will be required to sit with me when I have my meals. Should your resolved be great enough to complete this test, then I will deem you worthy of meeting with Chi-Chi."

As if in protest, Goku's stomach let out an angry sounding growl. Goku held his stomach with one hand and looked very nervous. He then muttered, "Why couldn't it have been something easy like doing repair work on the furnace?"

Mount Five Elements shook as an unearthly rumble rocked its core. Some of the rocks around the edges of Mount Five Elements had stress cracks from the rumbling. For almost a minute the mountain shook until finally the rumbling subsided. Inside the mountain, Annin took a quick look around to make sure that mini-earthquake had stopped and then pulled the earplugs out of her ear. The goddess mournfully looked at her broken chinaware. "Memo to me, never ever have a Saiyan fast again! It's only been too days and already Goku's stomach is tearing apart my beautiful home. That man's resolve better break soon or I'll need to find a new home!"

Annin sighed and then walked out to where Goku was meditating. The goddess took a quick glance at Goku's face and then diverted her eyes. Even with his eyes closed, Goku's face conveyed a feeling of utter agony. Part of Annin twinge at what she had to do, but it was the terms of the test. "It's dinner time."

Goku opened his eyes and winced in pain. He put a hand against the wall and used it to help himself stand up. The saiyan took a few wobbly steps towards the dinning room and started to fall to the ground. Annin rushed forward and quickly caught Goku before he could hit the ground. For a few seconds Annin simply held Goku in her arms wondering at his resolve. The moment ended when Goku chuckled. "Thanks for the hand Annin."

The lightest tint of red appeared on Annin's checks. "It's no problem Goku. I'll help you walk to the dinning room." After all, she thought to herself, there wasn't in the rules of her test that said she couldn't help him out like this. Both goddess and saiyan soon reached the dinning room where a simple meal had been set up. Goku quickly sat down in his spot and Annin placed a plate in front of him that would make anyone's mouth water. Annin quickly sat down opposite of Goku and got her own portion.

Annin quietly ate her dinner and watched as Goku refused to touch the food even though his hands obviously wanted to grab something to eat. Twice the saiyan's stomach demanded attention each time louder than then last. In all honestly, Goku's stomach was growling at such a constant rate that you could almost set your watch to it.

Finally, Annin's curiosity and aggravation got to be too much for her and she threw her chop sticks on the table. "Okay Goku, you need to start talking. What the hell is so important about Chi-Chi that you're willing to put yourself through this crap just to talk with her? Was she your lover or something?"

Goku rocked back slightly as if he had been punched. He soon closed his eyes and collected his thoughts. "Chi-Chi and I weren't lovers; though I will admit that she was very attractive and she did have at least a crush on me. She's one of my friends."

Annin blinked her eyes and looked completely confused. "That makes no sense what so ever Goku. You admit that you two were attracted to each other, but you claim that the two of you weren't in a relationship and that this is simply because you're her friend. I've seen and heard about friends going through quite a lot for each other, but this is well beyond what even strong friendships will lead someone to do."

Goku shrugged and gently grabbed the glass of water. After taking a quick swallow he tried to dispel Annin's confusion. "Maybe that's true among humans, but not so among Saiyans."

The goddess's curiosity got the better of her. She took a sip of wine and thought for a second. Annin set her goblet down and asked, "Why would a Saiyan do more for a friend than for a lover?"

To Annin's surprise, Goku looked a bit flustered as he prepared to answer her. "Unlike humans, saiyans don't have a major drive towards romance. Culturally, things like romantic love didn't really have a place on Vegeta. Humans place a great emphasis on both romantic love and families. That's not how saiyans do things. With saiyans a female would go into a one month heat every four years, a little more than three years using Earth's calendar. Any interested males would have to prove their strength to the female; usually by fighting other suitors. The resulting child would go to which ever parent was deemed stronger for those in the same class or with the parent whose class reflected the child's birth strength. On rare occasions, a female would seek out the same male again and again. But, even in these cases the two would only be together long enough to sire a child unless they were in the same band. I guess a continuing mate pair in the same band would be similar to what human's see as a married couple. However, I think what Roshi once described as 'friends with benefits' might possibly be a better description."

"Saiyans instead placed great emphasis on their friends. A saiyan's friends are incredibly important; their people you can count on to have your back in trouble. One's friends were the ones to train a saiyan and help him or her reach their potential. Older members of a band usually pass along useful techniques and experience while other members of a band are sparing partners. They are the only ones a saiyan can trust with conviction to have a friendly sparing match and not use an opportunity to kill you. It's expected that all members of the band would act to help a member if that person was in trouble. Before contact with other races, children would stay with the band of their parent until first maturity and than usually left to either join other bands or form their own. The children weren't forced out and many tended to stay with their sire bands, but most left to make their own mark away from their parent's reputation."

Annin mulled over what Goku had told her and then nodded her head. "I think I'm beginning to understand why your here Goku. You consider Chi-Chi to be a friend, part of your band am I correct?" She got a quick nod from Goku and then continued once his stomach quieted down. "So, your main reason for needing to seek out Chi-Chi is the fact that you feel you've failed to help her in preventing her death. This is about you feeling that you've betrayed your band as much as it about the loss of a dear friend."

Goku solemnly nodded his head. "I suppose so. Chi-Chi's death has caused me to be so confused that I can't sort these things out on my own. Thanks for helping me put my situation in perspective Annin."

"Don't mention it Goku. Sometimes it helps to have someone else look at our problems because we're so close to them that we can't see what's happening. However, I would like to know one thing Goku. If Chi-Chi hadn't died the second time, how would you see the two of you developing?"

The Saiyan folded his hands behind his head and glanced off at the ceiling. "Well, I suppose that if Chi-Chi were still alive where we'd be would depend on her. Back when we first met I agreed to marry her thinking that it was a food dish. Silly assumption I know, but in my own defense I had been raising myself for five years at that time with no education except what my grandfather taught me in order to live off the land. Misunderstanding aside, I made the agreement and was planning on fulfilling it if Chi-Chi still wanted to continue with the marriage once I explained what I was to her. The ship that brought me to Earth might have taught me everything about Saiyan culture, but I still understand and appreciate things about human culture."

"I have just one final question Goku. What would you have done if Chi-Chi hadn't wanted to continue with the marriage promise?"

Silence reigned for a few minutes as Goku pondered the question. Finally he sighed and answered Annin. "It would all depend on why Chi-Chi wouldn't go through with her promise in this make believe situation. If it was just that she thought we shouldn't be accountable to a childhood promise, than I'd be fine with things. However, if it was because she couldn't deal with being married to an alien than things between us wouldn't be so great. I'd get over it, but I wouldn't have considered her to be such a good friend anymore. But, that's all what-if and there isn't much point in considering that."

Finally, Goku finished his fast the following day much to his and Annin's relief. Annin had prepared a feast for Goku to show her amazement at his willpower. This also kept Goku out of the way while she made some critical repairs to the furnace. A starving saiyan's stomach was an incredibly powerful sonic weapon.

Once Goku had quelled the beast pretending to be his stomach, Annin led him into a steamy cavern. Annin looked at Goku and smiled. "This is the Chamber of Reckoning. In here you can meet with Chi-Chi and talk. Only I and Chi-Chi's watcher will be here and we won't say anything that's spoken of in this chamber. The magic of this chamber prevents the watcher and I from saying anything about what will happen in here. Do you have any questions before Chi-Chi is brought in?"

Goku nodded his head. "I've just got one Annin. What's this watcher that you're talking about?"

Annin folded her arms and sighed. "Chi-Chi was a suicide and thus was sent to Hell. She might only be a sprite because she would have gone to Heaven if she hadn't killed herself, but the fact that she's a dammed soul remains. No dammed soul except for members of the hell guard is allowed outside of Hell without supervision." Annin waited a few seconds to see if Goku had any more questions. Since he didn't, the goddess clapped her hands together and turned to face the steamy end of the chamber. "Bring Chi-Chi forward if you please guard."

Thanks to his ears, Goku heard someone approach from within the steam before he could a shadowy figure. Soon enough a saiyan about half a head shorter than Goku with flame like brown hair and a goatee walked into view. Next to him was a floating cloud that was hard to distinguish with the steam. The guard put his right arm across his chest in solute and bowed to Annin. "Your highness, I have brought the soul you requested."

Annin nodded her head. "Thank you Vegeta." Annin then walked towards the cloud and held her hands over it. The goddess's hands started to glow as she spoke. "Take the shape of your body in life, oh damned soul, and so it will be while your spirit stays in this chamber." The sprite glowed and then quickly grew until Chi-Chi's old form appeared with a halo over her head.

Involuntarily taking a step forward, Goku stared at his departed friend and whispered, "Chi-Chi? Is that really you?"

The Ox Princess turned to look at Goku and her eyes quickly moistened with unshed tears. "Goku, did you really come all this way to see me?" As soon as Goku nodded his head Chi-Chi ran towards him. Just before Chi-Chi reached Goku, she fell to her knees and began to cry at his feet. Chi-Chi kept on sobbing, "I'm sorry Goku", over and over again while tears freely fell.

Goku looked completely confused at what Chi-Chi was doing. He slowly got down on his knees to look Chi-Chi in face. "Chi-Chi, why are you apologizing?"

Chi-Chi slowly looked up into Goku's eyes and flinched. "I felt all the pain you and everyone else experienced because of my death. I never wanted to hurt anyone."

"But Chi-Chi, we all care about you. Why wouldn't we be hurt by losing you? I wasn't able to even consider giving King Piccolo any mercy because you died the first time under his orders. Why didn't you talk to someone? We would have helped you."

Chi-Chi spectral form started shaking in terror. "I couldn't talk about it Goku. I barely was able to write it out in my journal. You don't know just how terrible Limbo is Goku. Only the darkest pits in hell compare to that place. I just wanted the memories to end. Every night I went to sleep I felt like I was back in Limbo. Every day I put on a strong face and pretended that everything was alright since I thought that's what my father was doing. It wasn't until I was judged that I learned everyone else had their memories erased."

Goku looked completely helpless as he tried to comfort Chi-Chi. At first, Goku tried to give Chi-Chi a hug, but was shocked to see his arms pass through his former fiancée. Completely lost, Goku sighed. "Isn't there anything I can do help you Chi-Chi? Perhaps an offering to ease your time in hell or a message I could pass on for you?"

Annin coughed to get Goku and Chi-Chi's attention. "Goku, offerings shouldn't be made for damned souls. Hell twists the offerings into a new torment for the damned. This is supposed to punish the damned for not meeting the expectations that the living think they did. I'd also advise against passing a message along for Chi-Chi. While it's a noble idea, messages from beyond the grave usually only hurt the living. Chi-Chi will feel that pain as part of her punishment. You'd just be hurting everyone involved Goku."

Goku punched the ground in frustration causing the entire chamber to shake. "Darn it! Why can't I do something to help Chi-Chi? If I or anyone had any knowledge that she would remember her time in Limbo we could have helped her. Are you telling me that Chi-Chi has to spend eternity in hell because her friends didn't have the information they needed to help her!"

Annin held up her hands in a placating manner. "Now Goku, there is a way to help Chi-Chi. Since she's only a sprite instead of a specter or a wraith it is possible for her to leave Hell. Sprites are eligible for reincarnation after they've been dead a decade. Now, since Chi-Chi's a damned soul, there are a few restrictions to her reincarnation option. First, her new parents have to be aware of her status as a damned soul and still accept having her as their child before conception. Second, the prospective parents have to either have known Chi-Chi in life very well or be strong mediums able to get to know her spirit after death. Finally, Chi-Chi has to meet both parents after death at the same time either through a visionary dream or through a medium like this and accept them as her new parents. If these conditions are met, than Chi-Chi can be reincarnated as the couple's child. She can choose wither some or all of her memories of her past life are carried over into her new life. Any memories that are carried over will be suppressed until she's in her teens so that her reincarnation will be mature enough to handle the memories."

Goku and Chi-Chi looked at each other in shock after hearing Annin's news. The saiyan was the first to speak. "You mean that we could get Chi-Chi out of Hell and insure that she never is plagued by her time in Limbo or Hell again?"

Annin nodded her head. "Yes, but remember that she'll be reincarnated and thus not strictly the Chi-Chi you and everyone else knows. Also, don't forget the restrictions I mentioned Goku. Mediums powerful enough to learn about a particular soul in hell are very, very rare and most of those don't want to bring back any damned souls. Your gang of friends is the best bet of finding a couple willing to be her new parents. Since she was closest to you Goku, I'd recommend that you become her new father."

Chi-Chi's eyes widened in shock and then she lowered her gaze to the floor. "Goku," Chi-Chi began obviously having a bit of trouble with what she was about to say. "If you really and truly want this, I wouldn't mind being reincarnated as your child. I always wanted to be your wife when I was alive. But, that dream obviously didn't come true. Having my reincarnation become your daughter definitely isn't like being your wife. Although, I wouldn't mind it since I'd still be with you in a way and I know you'd be a good father."

The Saiyan nodded his head and gave Chi-Chi a smile. "A part of me wished that if I ever had a daughter that she'd be like you Chi-Chi. I can't imagine how I could possibly have a daughter more like you than having you as my daughter. Kami must be laughing on his throne at this situation. He'd probably tell me to be careful about what I wish for."

Everyone in the chamber, including the bored previous King of All Saiyans, had a good chuckle at Goku's expense. Goku folded his arms and looked at the sky. "Okay, we've got half of this situation resolved. Chi-Chi, are there any women you were good friends with who would accept having you as their daughter?"

Chi-Chi blinked her eyes in shock. A tick appeared on her forehead and she tried to smack Goku. "This is my potential future mother you're talking about Goku! How can you be so casual about this?"

Goku got a nervous look on his face. "But Chi-Chi, I'm just trying to help you out! How can I get you reincarnated as my future daughter if I don't know who is qualified to be your mother or not?"

The late ox princess stopped in mid rant and bowed her head in apology. "Sorry Goku, you're right." Chi-Chi's face quickly became pensive as she thought about the women she knew. In all honestly, she really didn't have many people she had hung out with while alive. Being a princess, the daughter of a feared ruler, and constant training weren't conducive to having lots of close girl friends. She had a good number of handmaids, but they were friendly associates at best. "Uh Goku, we've got a problem. The only one I can think of who'd likely qualify is Bulma."

Goku cringed when he heard that bit of news. It wasn't that he thought Bulma would make a bad mother. In all honestly he'd thought Bulma would make a wonderful mother after being able to keep him and everyone else in line. Goku's problem wasn't that he found Bulma unattractive. Ever since first puberty his sex drive had been turned on and the saiyan could admit, at least in his mind, that Bulma was incredibly hot. If someone put him to the wall and really pressed on the issue he'd admit that he wouldn't complain about a cross species experimental liaison with his oldest friend.

The problem with Bulma being Chi-Chi's new mom for Goku was a little minor detail: Yamcha. Bulma and Yamcha might not have the most stable of romantic relationships, but they were together; well, at least they were together most of the time. The thought of hurting one friend to help another bothered Goku to no end. "Uh, if Bulma's the only one who can be your mother, then perhaps I might not be the best choice for your new father."

Chi-Chi was confused for a few seconds and then scowled. "And just who do you think should be my hypothetical new father? If you're thinking of that Yamcha fellow than forget it Goku. I know Launch better than I know Yamcha so he's not likely to qualify. Besides, he's not a good boyfriend for Bulma and certainly isn't a top contender in the possible future best dad award."

Annin clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Excuse me, but I think I should point out some problems with your selection process Goku and Chi-Chi. Specifically, you both are forgetting that Chi-Chi has to meet her new parents now that she's dead and accept them as her reincarnation's parents. I took the liberty of doing a cursory examination of your band Goku to find likely candidates. With regards to who is qualified by knowing Chi-Chi, there's Goku, Yamcha, Krillin, Bulma, and one of your handmaidens named Anoa. Launch was disqualified because you don't know both her personalities well enough. Anoa most likely wouldn't make the cut when it comes to the 'willing to accept damned soul being reincarnated as own child' clause of the reincarnation regulations. Krillin probably would accept you, but Bulma wouldn't accept him as the father so he's out."

"This leaves us with Bulma as your future mother and either Goku or Yamcha as your future father. There are some problems with both men becoming your father. Goku's issues are minor since there simply the fact that Bulma is dating someone other than him. This can easily be solved on the Afterlife's end by the two simply having a one night stand. Of course, the result of that opens up a whole new can of worms. On the flip side, Yamcha doesn't have many problems after conception, the problems for him is getting it so that he can meet you to agree. Like Goku, Yamcha's going to have to be put through the wringer in order to meet you only ten times worse since he already died once. Even if I tried to smooth things along, my grandfather's bureaucracy would make everything a killer."

Chi-Chi hung her head in defeat. "Does that mean that I won't be reincarnated and have to spend eternity in Hell?" Her punishment wasn't that bad since she was only a sprite, but even under the best conditions Hell wasn't a place you wanted to spend eternity in.

Annin shook her head. "Oh no, you can still be reincarnated Chi-Chi. I wouldn't even have brought it up in the first place if there wasn't a way to make it work. There are two options that will allow you to be reborn Chi-Chi. The first is that Goku and Bulma come to an agreement on how everything between them regarding your next incarnation will work out before she's conceived. Since Goku will be a god at this point he could act as an intermediary so that you and Bulma can meet in a vision. This isn't possible with Yamcha since in order to connect such a vision to hell he and Bulma will have to be 'one flesh' at the time if you don't mind the old phrase. As for the second option," Annin stopped talking and look very nervous.

Goku walked over to the goddess and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Annin, could you please tell us what the second option is? You've been very helpful to me and Chi-Chi throughout this and I think its safe to say that we want to consider every option you think is possible."

Chi-Chi watched as Annin gulped and fought down her nervousness. The goddess took a deep breath before beginning again. "The second option isn't widely known since it's a rarely used clause in the rules. And by rare, I'm talking maybe once out of ten thousand planed reincarnations like this one which are obviously very rare by themselves. Under this option, if you both agree to it, I will take Bulma's place and become your new mother Chi-Chi."