"Oh I see it! I see it!"
"Hm?" Goku hopped up next to Chi-Chi and blocked the sun from his eyes. There in the distance stood a grand castle.
"Hey you're right! Race you there!"
He hopped off of Nimbus and took off, startling both Chi-Chi and the fluffy cloud.
"Oh no! That sneaky cheater! C'mon Nimbus, we can't let him get away with this!"
Nimbus reared back like a horse about to charge and then took off, quickly closing the distance between them but Goku was ready.
"You'll have to move faster than that!"
The second Nimbus got within arms reach, he pushed his legs into high gear, leaving the two in a cloud of dust, much to Chi-Chi's displeasure.
"Ooooh! Now he's making me mad! Get him Nimbus!"
Happy to obey, Nimbus burst forward like a rocket, scooping up Goku before he could reach the village walls, and did a loop before shooting towards the castle.
Goku laughed and patted his friend. "I guess I still can't beat you huh?"
Nimbus answered by performing a couple more loops, making both children giggle, and then pulled up to a balcony just outside a large office where the Ox King was currently pacing back and forth as a servant entered the room.
"Any word?" He demanded, wringing his hands. Surely there should have been some sort of ransom note by now! If they hurt one single hair on his precious daughter's head…
The servant inched closer to the door. "I'm afraid not sire, there's been nothing since the initial note."
"GAH! What's TAKIN' them so long?!"
"Sorry Papa! We came as fast as we could!"
"Wha?"
The Ox King whirled around in shock to find Chi-Chi smiling back at him.
"CHI-CHI!"
He swept her up in his giant arms and squeezed, much to his daughter's discomfort.
"Oh my darlin' girl!"
"Papa! I can't breathe!"
"Oh sorry sweetheart," he said, placing her back down only to spot a grinning Goku. "You!" He cried, before sweeping the boy up next. "Ya must have brought her back ta me! How can I ever repay ya?"
Goku wriggled his way out of the Ox King's arms and hopped back down next to Chi-Chi. "Chi-Chi did most of the work. I just lent her Nimbus after she hurt her ankle."
"Nonsense!" The Ox King turned to the servant. "Tell the kitchens ta prepare a feast! The kids hafta be hungry after their adventure."
A feast?! Goku's stomach grumbled hopefully. Well he supposed it wouldn't hurt to accept some sort of reward.
Chi-Chi giggled as she noticed Goku drooling and tugged on his hand. "C'mon, let's get cleaned up while the cooks are busy."
Cleaned up? Goku sniffed his clothes and frowned.
"Oh alright," He pouted. He supposed he could use a bath.
They were half way down a random hall when another thought occurred to him.
"Are we gonna take one together?"
Chi-Chi turned to him curiously. "Take what together?"
"A bath!"
"We can't do that!" She gasped, "We're not married!"
"But we can once we are?" Goku asked, hopeful.
Chi-Chi blushed and fidgeted with her fingers. "I suppose…if that's what you want then we can."
"Great!" Goku grinned. "I can't wait! Being married is gonna be fun!"
Chi-Chi covered her face with her hands, smiling widely. She was so happy that Goku was just as eager to be married as she was! She was gonna make him such a good wife!
But first they had to worry about right now.
She led him to a spare bedroom next to hers, the one that had been intended for younger siblings before her Mama got sick, and showed him the bath.
"Make sure to scrub good and don't forget to soak for a while. The waters here are great for achy muscles."
"Really?" Goku sniffed the water. There was something different about it but he couldn't say what.
"Mhm, if you need me I'll be in my room just down the hall."
"Okay! Thanks Chi."
"You're welcome, dear!" She pressed a kiss to his cheek and then skipped away, leaving a blushing Goku.
"What did she call me?" He stared at the closed door for a minute before shrugging and stripping off his clothes. "Oh well!"
He grabbed the sponge and got it really sudsy and scrubbed himself all over as best he could with his short, little arms. If he still had his tail this would be easy.
"Too bad Grandpa ripped it off," Goku mumbled, dumping the bucket of water over his head before climbing into the tub. His muscles relaxed almost instantly.
"Oh man! This water really is great! Who knew taking a bath could feel so good?!"
Goku smiled and leaned his head back against the tub, enjoying the heat as his eyes grew heavy. Speaking of feeling good, a nap sure sounded good right now…
...
A knock on the door startled him awake and Goku leapt out of the tub, ready to fight, only to realize no one was in the room.
"Goku? Are you almost done in there? I had a servant fetch you a change of cloth—"
Goku flung open the door, revealing Chi-Chi on the other side.
"Goku!" Chi-Chi wailed, shielding her face with the spare clothes. "At least put a towel on!"
"Oh, sorry!"
He forgot girls were picky about being naked.
Goku slammed the door in her face and quickly sought a towel before opening the door again.
"There, that's better! Oh." Goku blinked as he noticed the clothes in her hands. "Are those for me?"
Chi-Chi, who was still too embarrassed to speak, nodded and handed them over.
"Thanks!"
He slipped them on, not bothering to cover up as he did so, much to Chi-Chi's frustration.
"Goku! I hope you're not like this with other girls! Men and women are only supposed to be naked around the person they marry!"
"Really?" Goku scratched his cheek, confused, and then pointed towards her outfit. "But aren't you basically naked wearin' that?"
"What?!"
Chi-Chi looked herself over in alarm. Naked? Her? She'd never questioned it before because the fire made things so hot but Goku was right! She was practically naked!
She slapped her hands against her cheeks in shame. "Oh dear! What have I done?!"
"It's okay Chi-Chi. You can borrow my pants if ya want?"
"No, you need those." Chi-Chi pouted, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm so ashamed, I never even realized! Oh Goku, can you ever forgive me?"
"Sure I can! It's not your fault your dad's too poor to buy you any pants."
Chi-Chi frowned. "Poor? But Gok—"
"Is it time to eat yet?" Goku asked, patting his belly. Now that he'd gotten a nap in, his stomach was making itself known.
"Oh of course! Just follow me."
Chi-Chi led him down a set of stairs to the dining area, where the Ox King was already waiting for them, though with the aroma coming through the doors, Goku knew he could have easily found it himself.
"There you two are!" The Ox King smiled, gesturing for them both to join him. "You're just in time for the feast!"
"Oh boy!" Goku grinned. He jumped into his seat and tied a napkin around his neck eagerly, already anticipating the entrees to come as a waiter brought out the first dish.
He was gonna enjoy this.
Who knew the next time he'd get to indulge in such a delicious meal? The servants brought out platters of roasted birds and pigs, noodles and buns and more! He gobbled down turkey legs and ribs and ten prime steaks. It was all so good! And yet somehow having Chi-Chi there, smiling at him, made it better. She made suggestions about which foods to pair together or which dips to try; made sure his cup was always full. It was the best meal he'd had in a long time.
When he had finally eaten all he could eat, Goku collapsed in his seat feeling as round as a melon. Another nap sounded really good about now but if he did that it would probably be too late to leave and he really should get back to training…
Chi-Chi seemed to sense what he was thinking because she smiled a little sadly and got up from the table to speak with one of the waiters who handed her a small box and a backpack.
Goku scratched the back of his head, feeling awkward, and moved to join her as the Ox King muttered something about letting them have a moment alone.
"C'mon, Goku." Chi-Chi said, slipping her hand into his. "I'll walk you out." She opened the doors to another balcony—this place was full of them!—and led him out to the ledge.
"Thanks for the food Chi! It sure was yummy."
"I'm glad you thought so," Chi-Chi smiled. "I promise to train hard and become the bestest cook ever, so that when we're married I can feed you lots of yummy foods."
"Really?!"
That sounded great! Oh but wait a second…
"If you're training for when we get married, is there somethin' I need to do too?"
"Nuh-uh, you just work on gettin' as strong as you can!"
"Yeah? I can do that!" Goku grinned, feeling his heart skip a beat at the warm look Chi-Chi was giving him. They smiled at each other for a minute, neither wanting to be the first to break the moment they were sharing but eventually his curiosity got the best of him. "Hey Chi-Chi whatcha got there?" he asked, pointing at the items in her hands.
"Oh! Silly me, I almost forgot! Here! I had someone wash your things." She explained, handing him the bag with his clothes in it. She then handed him the box and removed the lid, revealing several capsules inside.
"As for this, I know you need to train hard but that doesn't mean you should neglect your health!" She chided, wagging a finger. "So make sure to use this tent and sleeping mat at night okay?" She pointed to the two she meant. "The others are storage capsules that you can stock up on food in case you find yourself in a desert again."
"Wow! Thanks Chi! You're the best!"
He slipped the capsule box into his new bag and strapped it onto his shoulders as Chi-Chi blushed and shuffled her feet. Goku felt like shuffling his own he was so uneager to leave. It was weird. He'd never felt like this before.
But Master Roshi had told him he needed to go out into the world and train. He didn't think he'd approve of him staying with Chi-Chi longer than necessary.
"I guess I should be going, huh?" Goku frowned, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Goku?" Chi-Chi murmured, noting his mood change. "What's the matter?"
"I dunno. I guess I just had fun travelin' together. I'll miss it."
"What?" Chi-Chi blinked, confused, before realization of what he was saying settled upon her. Her cheeks turned a delicate pink as she smiled. "Oh Goku, it's okay. It won't be for long. Once we're all grown up, we can get married and then we'll never have to be apart if we don't want."
"Yeah?"
Goku liked the sound of that. Once they were married, he'd take her on all his adventures. "How many years is that?"
"Five but they'll go quickly."
Five years. He could remember that. Five years and then they would get married.
"Okay."
Somehow having a rough time frame made it easier for him to turn and call for Nimbus. He knew he was supposed to be training but if he didn't use Nimbus now, he might never make it out of this region, and he really did need to train.
Goku hopped on the fluffy cloud and turned to say goodbye but froze at the sight of his friend. She looked so…so…magical with the late sun hitting her face just right. Was this what Master Roshi and the others were always talking about? He wasn't sure but he swore to remember this moment forever.
"Chi-Chi?"
"Yes Goku?"
His gaze darted to her lips.
"Can I kiss you one more time before I go?"
"Oh!" Chi-Chi turned a deep red but she was smiling very wide so Goku knew she was happy. "Yes of course! We're going to be married someday, you don't have to ask."
"Great!"
The thought of future kisses definitely lifted his spirits but his focus remained on the one he wanted now. Goku lowered Nimbus practically to the ground, so that they were eye to eye, before feeling his own cheeks grow so hot it was like he'd stepped into a fire. He gulped, strangely nervous considering this wasn't their first kiss, but swooped in anyways planting his lips firmly on hers. Just like last time his heart began to flutter and his lungs seemed to stop and there was rushing in his ears and Chi-Chi sweet scent in his nose…
When Goku finally pulled away, Chi-Chi looked as flushed as he felt and yet for some reason the sight made him feel strangely pleased. He laughed, unable to help himself, and pecked her one last time on the cheek.
"Bye Chi-Chi!" He grinned, guiding Nimbus into the sky. "I'll see you in five years!"
"Be safe! And don't forget!"
Forget Chi-Chi? No way. In fact, even five years seemed too long. He waved until he lost sight, feeling a warmth in his heart, and made a promise to himself. Win or lose, he'd be seeing her again after the next Tournament.