A bit of a shorter chapter because man, the last scene was hard to write lol

That'll probably help a bit with the pacing anyway

OnTheTidesOfEvermore: Thanks ^.^ and me personally? Idk, probably eternal health or something becasue health anxiety is the bane of my exiistence

thewittywhy: that is an interesting theory…and yeah…things will probably get better…next chapter

MiharuTousaka: things move forward indeed

dxdragon38: Those would certainly make sense

ArguableReader: I think Uub should still exist, after all, he was a reincarnation of Buu, though in this case, he wouldn't be split between him and Innocent Buu. Though I've had to postpone my GT rewatch due to having to watch Super first, so I can't quite plan any specifics that far ahead yet, though I do have some ideas for what it'd be if we get that far
And yeah, Pan won't exist. That doesn't mean there won't be a child, but I won't say anything specific other than the child technically exists in the franchise in a non canon sense

School sucked.

I was already on edge and the persistent glances in the halls weren't helping, and no amount of "they'll forget about it in a week" from the others would make it any less nerve-racking.

I tried to act as normal as possible which really just resulted in me being quiet throughout the day. When questioned I just said I was tired.

Except that turned into two days- then three.

And, there were no noticeable changes yet. Right. Obviously. They'd need time to wear off. It, it was fine. And it would continue to be fine.

Mid-sentence my voice cracked.

If anyone noticed they didn't mention it.

For all I knew it was just because of stress, or some incidental happenstance.

I just wanted to melt into a pile of nonsentient goo to be washed away into a storm drain at that moment.

But it's fine. It's fine I'm fine everything's fine.

I- I- I just-

It's fine.

After tomorrow it's a weekend and I can, figure something out. Probably.

I just-

I don't know.

I'll figure something out.

Probably.

I was glad to finally be able to leave at the end of the day. Erasa was saying something about going out and doing something- and I don't know, I guess it's better than going home and wallowing, but I was just tired and-

"Taking this." something grabbed me by the back of my shirt and I was suddenly being dragged in the exact opposite direction.

"Wha-? Hey!" I twisted and freed myself, and while the dark hair and blue eyes explained why I couldn't sense anything, it sure didn't explain just, why.

"Here you go. We got six more to find," he said, tossing me something. By reflex I caught it-

The six starred dragon ball.

"…what?"

But he was already walking away.

"Hey!" I half-jogged to catch up.

Before I had a chance to question anything, he was already talking, "See I was going to collect them all myself, but then I figured I don't actually know what your exact wish would be. And it'd be pretty weird if I just did so without your input anyway. Also, Goku tends to keep the Four Star and that'd be weird for me to get."

"..but, why?"

"People often have a difficult time doing things on their own and need a push to do so. Also having someone else there would help prevent you from backing out."

He said it so matter-of-factly that it was almost irritating, which felt weird since he was doing an objectively nice thing.

"Have you heard the phrase, 'saying the quiet part out loud?'"

"No. Why?"

He was still walking and I only the. Realized that we had left without me saying bye-

I pulled out my phone and sent Chico a quick text, 'Something came up, sorry.'

I caught up again.

"Ok but I still can't go today, I have school."

"Why?" Only his eyes turned toward me, "you're technically an adult, so why would you go to school?"

"Well, technically I'm an adult either way, because of the time chamber. But on paper I'm 17."

"Funny. I thought I was Seventeen."

I coughed and I will not admit how much I had to restrain a laugh.

"Oh you were on your heels with that one."

"It is a very easy joke."

"Regardless, missing a day or two isn't going to kill you. Just tell them you were sick or something." He waved it off like it was simple. Which sure, I've missed school for less but, I do not have an actual rebuttal.

"So, you in or out?" He asked, twisting on his heels while he still continued to walk. We were almost out of the city by now. He then turned back forward.

I mean, I definitely needed to anyway, and he wasn't technically wrong.

"Ok, well, we know where the four star is so we can just get that one last."

Only Seventeen's eyes drifted towards me.

"Look, not that it's my business or decision or anything, but I think you should do that one first. You're going to have to explain where you are for- however long this is going to take- anyway. And wouldn't it be easier to just get it out of the way first?"

"…"

I mean, he wasn't wrong. And it'd probably be weirder to explain after we've collected all the dragon balls.

"It's still your choice either way. That just seems more practical." He shrugged.

"I, guess," I conceded.

"You know, technically you don't have to tell them what it's for. The dragon gives you two wishes now, doesn't it? You can just wish for everyone to think that's how it's always been."

That's, true. But it felt, weird. And manipulative. And I'd still know, so it'd be weird to pretend it was never different.

I said as much and Seventeen shrugged, "Just a thought."

But we were out of the city by now which meant for the most part we were free to fly off without being noticed.

So we did. The flight there was mostly silent. Seventeen was hard to read sometimes, especially since I still didn't know why he was doing this.

As we got close, Seventeen elected to stay far enough off that he wouldn't be noticed.

Which left me to enter the house. And talk to them by myself.

The fact that he pointed it out made me quite aware that him being there waiting would keep me from delaying, as well as the fact that that was purposeful.

So, I went in.

Except, I had no idea what to say. Beyond a basic greeting standard of getting home I just- didn't know how to start.

Goku was here- probably taking a break to eat- so that was good. And Goten wasn't here- probably at Capsule Corp- so that was- I don't know. Good? Bad? I don't know.

Might make it easier at least. Or not. I don't know.

Before starting anything, I went to grab the quite empty bottle. For if I needed, context, or something. I don't know.

Then I walked back out and said something along the lines of needing to talk.

Except, once I finally did, and the three of us had sat and now they were expecting me to speak, I found I couldn't.

I didn't know what to say, and it was suddenly very difficult to open my mouth and even when I did manage it my tongue refused to cooperate.

I couldn't more than glance towards either of them and my gaze traveled just about anywhere else. It fell on the Dragon Ball more often than not.

Eventually, Goku caught that and followed my gaze.

"Do, you want the Dragon Ball?" He asked.

I blinked, before nodding, "I- yeah." That was a good enough starting point than any.

Though I was half sure that Goku was just about to get up to grab it before Chichi asked why.

Which lead me back to square one of having to explain.

"I- ok um, ok. So, you know how, I've been, kinda, off? For a few days?"

"Yes, the Buu situation was hard on everyone, it's understandable that you'd be upset," Chichi reasoned.

"That's not- well. That was part of it. But it's not the whole thing. So, uhm, a couple days ago, I ran out of something, kinda important? It's-" I placed the bottle on the table as I tried to think about how to properly explain-

"What is that?!" Chichi demanded, immediately reaching over to grab the bottle. The example bed it, looking for a label but of course, there was none to be found. "Are these drugs? Have you been taking drugs?!"

"What? No! It's-" I cut off with a noise of frustration, "it's from the future I- Trunks gave it to me!"

"Future?" Goku questioned.

I placed my palms against my eyes, trying to regain my thought process again. Which was difficult when I didn't have much of one in the first place-

"Oh. That's why Raditz was upset."

"Huh?" I looked up, blinking at Goku. At just the, random comment. When was he even upset? He's just seemed like, Raditz. I don't see what-

"Right before we went in the time chamber, remember? When the woman from the future died. I get it now." He said it so simply, as if it was something normal to point out.

I blinked at him, barely comprehending, hands still raised from their former position.

"Goku. What are you talking about?" Chichi questioned.

Goku glanced at me before answering.

"Raditz was super upset when Cell killed her, but never explained why. It never really made sense y'know? He didn't care much when people died, especially back then, and it's not like those two got all that close. And, I didn't really think of it back then, but the way her power spiked before that, it was like a Super Sayain. Which, there aren't many Sayains left, y'know?"

"So what, Goku? You think she was just, Gohan, crossdressing?" Chichi asked, incredulous. And I honestly just felt like I was in the back seat of this conversation that I was supposed to be having.

"Well, no. I don't think, that's what I think. I don't really get it, but there are a lot of things I don't really get. I didn't even know the difference between boys and girls when I was a kid! So, I don't see why it wouldn't be even more complicated than I understand. A lot of things are."

"That's not, how this works, Goku."

"Why not? Oh, but I guess this would be pointless if I'm wrong, huh?" Goku looked at me, eyes far too innocent to be called pointed, "am I?"

"I-" didn't want to be there. Wanted to leave. Couldn't leave. That'd be running away. Had to get this done. Had to-

"The bottle," I latched onto the things I was trying to talk about earlier before it derailed so- so- "it- it had something the future Bulma made for me. They- they prevented- no. They paused puberty. So I wouldn't have to- I wouldn't have to deal with this until later. Except later is now. So I- I had to- have to- I-"

At some point I'd stood up, no longer able to sit- or stay still. There was more I was supposed to say, I was sure of it. But I couldn't- couldn't put it into words right. I felt too antsy and- was I shaking? Oh. I was shaking. That- probably wasn't helping. I should, probably calm down, that should, help. But I don't know how-

"Hey-" I recognized the voice as Goku's but didn't look over, I- had to figure out how to-

A moment later I was no longer free to move as I pleased as I was confined by a pair of arms. I felt trapped but safe and I wanted to leave even as I leaned in closer and-

Oh. A hug. That made more sense actually. I think.

But eventually, my breathing slowed- which I hadn't quite realized it was so erratic before-

A moment later Goku stepped away, "Sorry, I'm not really good at this kind of thing," he apologetically smiled.

I just kinda, shrugged. Still unable to look directly at him.

"I still don't really get it, but I think you mean that I was right?"

My shoulders hiked higher even as I nodded.

"Great!" He walked past me. Turning, I saw him grab the Dragon Ball off its stand.

He handed it to me with a smile.

"Goku!" Chichi exclaimed.

"It's ok Chichi, if it doesn't work out Gohan can just gather the dragon balls again next year and undo it."

"I- guess. But what's the wish even supposed to be? What exactly are you doing Gohan?"

But Goku responded before I even got the chance, "Well, the woman from the Future was definitely a woman so it's probably something like that, right?" He looked at me for confirmation.

I just nodded again.

"I- hold on. This is happening too fast. I don't think we should be rushing this-"

"I don't think it's rushing something if Gohan's been feeling like this for years. And if it makes him- or I guess- her, happy, that's all that matters, right?"

"I- suppose…and, you're sure you can undo it if it goes wrong?"

"Of course! If the dragon can make a wish one way, it can surely make it the other way too!" Goku smiled.

"Then…I guess, it'd be ok, to try," Chichi hesitantly decided.

"Great!" Goku turned back to me, "It'll probably take a few days to gather all the dragon balls, even by flying, so make sure you have anything you might need. Oh! And you have the radar, right?"

I nodded, not explaining that it was technically Seventeen that had the radar.

(Or Lapis? I should still get a clarification on that)

I headed back to my room to get some extra things, but once I closed the door I just, sank to the floor and sat against it for a while.

I just felt, entirely drained.

But, it's not like I could sit forever either.

I'm sure it couldn't have been too long, but eventually, I did get back up to gather capsules of stuff.

I wasn't sure if Seventeen had anything planned for if it took more than one day, so I grabbed my old, hopefully still fine, camping stuff. And a couple changes of clothes. Just in case. Uh, food? I had the calorie supplements from Bulma, and hey, I could just use the card Videl gave me for anything else.

Outside of that, I grabbed a few miscellaneous items, but, I guess, that was it.

I was ready to go.

It all felt, so surreal.

But, I left.

Goku was a bit more intuitive than he's probably supposed to be in this chapter, but it's fine. he's just in peak "trying to figure things out" mode