Takes place after the end of DBZ. [Cover photo: credits to the owner]
"Hey, Chichi! I'm back!" Goku's voice echoed through the house, brimming with excitement as he materialized inside. It had been a year and a half since he left with Uub, and his heart raced with anticipation to see his family and friends again. The thought of his wife's cooking made his stomach growl in delight. He was certain his return would bring a smile to Chichi's face.
But it didn't.
Chichi stood frozen, clutching a basket of laundry, her eyes wide with shock. The man who had disappeared over a year ago to train some boy now stood before her, grinning as if nothing had changed. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
"Hi, hon!" Goku's smile stretched wider, oblivious to the storm brewing within Chichi. Her hand twitched involuntarily, a fleeting urge to wipe away his grin.
"I can smell something from the kitchen. I bet you already cooked. I'm starving!" Goku's words were casual, but they struck a chord in Chichi's heart. He seemed untouched by the passage of time, while Chichi had endured his absence.
Her silence spoke volumes as she stared at him, her eyes hard and unyielding. Without a word, she turned away, the weight of his departure still fresh in her mind.
Goku's confusion grew; he expected hugs and tears, not this unsettling silence. But his attention shifted quickly as he saw her setting the table for him, her movements deliberate and quiet.
Without a word, Chichi laid out a feast, the food intended for Goten's return, and for Gohan, who had requested his favorite dishes. She had long stopped expecting Goku to walk through the door, resigning herself to his absence six months after he left. She finished setting the table and gestured for him to sit, her eyes never meeting his.
Goku, oblivious to the storm brewing inside her, sat down and began to eat with gusto. Chichi picked up her laundry basket and left the room, her steps heavy with unspoken words. She didn't glance back, didn't acknowledge him.
The silence between them was louder than any words could have been. Goku's initial excitement quickly gave way to confusion and discomfort. His wife's cold reception gnawed at him, and the once-appealing feast lost its charm. He continued to eat, each bite a hollow reminder of the warmth he had anticipated but found lacking.
After finishing, he meticulously cleaned up, knowing Chichi's disdain for disorder. As he put away the last dish, the door creaked open, and Chichi walked in with an empty basket. He assumed she had just finished hanging the laundry.
"Chichi, the food was great! Your cooking really is the best!" Goku said, his voice laced with a hopeful cheer, attempting to pierce through her silence. She gave him a fleeting, almost imperceptible nod, her face a mask of indifference, and headed towards their bedroom.
Goku's unease grew. The deliberate silence from Chichi was like a heavy fog settling over the house. Determined to understand, he followed her to their bedroom, a place that had been devoid of him for over a year. He glanced around and noticed something was missing from the cabinet, but his curiosity was overshadowed by the pressing need to address the tension with his wife.
"Chichi, is something wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with genuine concern. She paused, glancing at him over her shoulder, and then shrugged, a dismissive gesture that spoke volumes. She dropped the basket near the closet and turned to leave the room again. As she passed him, Goku couldn't hold back any longer. Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch hesitant but filled with urgency.
"Chichi, why are you ignoring me?" he asked softly, his eyes searching hers for any hint of emotion. Chichi stopped, her body tensing under his touch. She slowly turned to face him, her eyes locking onto his with a mix of hurt and simmering anger.
"You really don't understand, do you, Goku?" she whispered, her voice trembling with restrained emotion. "You left us. You left me. And now you come back and expect everything to be the same? As if you never left?"
Her words pierced through him, the weight of her resentment crashing down like a tidal wave. For the first time, Goku felt the full impact of his absence. The guilt and realization of the pain he had caused her were almost too much to bear.
"Chichi, I..." he began, but the words caught in his throat. He wanted to make things right, but the path forward was unclear. Before he could continue, Chichi pulled away, her shoulders stiff with unspoken hurt. She turned and left the room, leaving Goku standing there, grappling with the chasm that had formed between them.
As he stood in the quiet, Goku's eyes wandered back to their room. It was then he noticed what was missing on top of their shared cabinet: their framed wedding photo. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. All this time, he had always expected her to understand, to be the rock he could return to.
During the seven years he was dead, that photo had remained on display, a symbol of her unwavering love and hope. But now, it was gone, and its absence spoke louder than any words. He walked over to the cabinet, running his fingers over the empty space where the photo had once stood.
Memories flooded back—of their wedding day, of the life they had built together, and of the moments he had missed while chasing his own pursuits. The weight of his absence and her silent suffering became painfully clear. Goku sank down onto the bed, his mind racing. How had he let things come to this? He had always been so sure of her understanding, her forgiveness. But he had taken her for granted, and now he was paying the price.
He heard the faint rustling of Chichi's movements in the hallway, her presence a constant reminder of the distance between them. Determined not to let this go unresolved, he rose to his feet and followed her.
"Chichi," he called out, his voice softer, more earnest. He found her in the kitchen, busying herself with mundane tasks. She didn't look up.
"Chichi, I need to talk to you," he said, stepping closer.
She paused, her hands trembling slightly before she resumed her task. "What is there to talk about, Goku...? You made your choices." Her voice was barely above a whisper, devoid of the fiery passion that usually colored their arguments.
Little did anyone realize, Goku found her feistiness and temper endearing, a spark that kept their bond alive in ways only a Saiyan could understand. Vegeta might have appreciated that dynamic, too, but now, in this moment, she didn't give him that familiar fire. Instead, she was cold, an icy detachment that cut deeper than any angry outburst ever could. It was worse. Much worse.
"I know," Goku said, his voice cracking with remorse. "I made a mistake. I thought... I thought you'd always be here, waiting. I didn't realize how much I was hurting you."
Chichi turned to face him, her eyes a storm of sadness and anger. "It's not that simple, Goku. You can't just disappear and expect everything to be the same when you come back." Chichi looked at him with the saddest expression he had ever seen. "It was easier to accept that you left when you were dead. But this time... It was so painful to know that you were still alive, but you chose to leave..."
He nodded, swallowing hard, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Chi... bu you do understand why I do what I do, right? Far better than anyone, Chichi. I-I..."
"And I do. I do understand you," she interrupted, her voice a blend of calm and bitterness. "I understand your urge to fight and be stronger. I understand how important that is to you. The world, even the universe, depends on you. I get it, Goku. I understand why you always leave and why you come back whenever you want." She paused, taking a deep breath. "That's why I always made sure you had food to eat. That was the first thing you said, right? Always with extra servings, enough for you whenever you decide to come home."
Her calm tone cut deeper than any shout could. "And don't worry, I'll wash those clothes you're wearing and repair them just in time for your next departure."
"Chichi, please don't be like that..."
"I'll draw you a hot bath later to ease your sore muscles. I'll cook a feast for dinner to satisfy your Saiyan appetite..."
"Hon... please stop that."
"And if you really want to, we can be intimate. I'll make sure to rest a little so I can handle that. No worries, I never assumed you might be satisfying your needs elsewhere. You were never like that... besides, that's one of my duties as your wife."
Goku winced, the implication hitting hard. He had never been attracted to any other woman but his wife. Their loyalty and faithfulness were unshaken. He would never cheat on her.
"You would never cheat on me," she continued, and he nodded eagerly.
"You barely remember me until you feel the urge."
"What?" Goku's annoyance flared at her insinuation.
Chichi ignored him. "...then the next morning you can leave."
Goku stared at her, stunned. How did it come to this?
"No need to wake me up to say goodbye. You can just get up and leave like you always do. Anyway, you never gave me that courtesy."
"What are you saying, Chichi?"
Chichi glared at him. "You say goodbye to your friends, to Vegeta, Piccolo, or Krillin at most, more often than to me. You do it to your sons and to Pan, so I've got no problem with that. But I am always the last one—that is if you even remember."
Goku felt a profound ache at her words, realizing she perceived him as viewing her solely as a vessel for procreation and caretaking, a glorified housekeeper and cook who would tend to his basic needs before he departed again.
"Stop it, Chichi!" Goku almost growled, his voice raising before he could stop himself. "Chichi, it's not like that. You know that. It was never like that—"
"I used to think that too," Chichi cut him off, her voice cold and unyielding. "I always believed that you came back for more than just remembering you had a family. But now..." She trailed off, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Goku stepped forward, reaching out to her, but she took a step back. "Please, Chichi. You have to understand. You always did, right? I love you. I love our family. I just—"
"Just what, Goku?" she snapped, her composure breaking. "Just need to save the world? Just need to get stronger? And what about us? What about me? Where do we fit into all of that?" Her voice rose not out of annoyance or anger, but from a place of deep, aching pain. "You left us—me! For good! What kind of man only visits his wife and kids?! Even Vegeta, raised as a Saiyan, found a way to embrace family life more than you!" Chichi's voice quivered with emotion, her frustration pouring out in words she never meant to use as a weapon, but rather as a desperate plea.
Goku struggled to find the words, his heart pounding.
Chichi let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, right... You always knew that I was always here, waiting, hoping that this time it would be different. That this time you'd stay. But it never is, is it? You always thought I'd understand. Yes, you're right. I do understand, but you never thought about how much it would hurt me."
Her words cut deeper than any battle wound. Goku felt a helplessness he rarely experienced, a sense of failure he couldn't shake.
Silence fell between them, thick and suffocating. Goku stood there, feeling the weight of his choices, the pain they had caused.
The silence was broken when Chichi sighed, exasperated. "There's no use, really... this is ridiculous."
Goku stared at her, waiting.
"There's no use telling you this because..." she sighed long and resigned, "because I'd still love you, you would still leave, and I'd be left behind waiting, again. Then you'll get hungry and remember how I cook, come home, and we'll do it all over again."
Chichi felt her knees weaken as she reached for the nearest chair and sat dejectedly. "I'm so tired..."
"Chichi..." Goku tried to reach for her, but it felt like there was a wall between them, a wall he hadn't seen before until he heard her tell him how much she was hurting.
Chichi looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of love and despair. "Goku, I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this. I'm getting older... it hasn't been your problem, and probably not in a long time. But I am. It's a fact. I'm not sure I can do it again and again. But I know you would still choose fighting and getting stronger."
Goku felt a lump in his throat. He had faced countless enemies, but nothing had prepared him for this. "I never wanted to choose between you and my duty."
"... And I never made you. I insisted you do things like provide for our family, but I never asked you to choose."
Goku suddenly realized. She never did. She yelled at him, telling him to do things, but she never told him to choose and never ever threatened him that she would leave him all the time he chose training over spending time with his family.
Chichi said softly. "Because every time you leave, you are already choosing. And every time you come back, you expect everything to be the same. It's not fair, Goku. You see...? You were right to say I understand you more than anyone. Because I do. But I hope you see that understanding doesn't make it any less painful to step back, be left behind, and accept everything you do."
She covered her face and sobbed. "It's not fair to me, and it's not fair to our family."
Goku sank to his knees, feeling the weight of her words. "I'm sorry, Chichi. I don't know how to make this right."
Chichi reached out and touched his face, her fingers gentle but firm. "I don't know either... maybe just remember us enough time that it wouldn't take you long to visit." She still hated the fact that he only visited.
Goku nodded, "I'll try, Chichi. I promise I'll try." Chichi gave him a small, sad smile. "That's all I can ask for, Goku. Just... try."
And he did.
Goku stayed for a good two weeks, spending most of his time with his wife, children, and granddaughter. They laughed, shared meals, and relished the moments of togetherness. But then, he left again.
For the next year, he visited every three to four months. Each time, he brought stories of his training with Uub, his excitement palpable. Chichi would listen, smiling, though she knew deep down it meant longer gaps between his visits. And she was right.
After one particularly enthusiastic account of Uub's progress, Goku's next visit came nine months later, prompted only because Uub's family wanted to spend some time together. During that visit, Chichi felt a gnawing sense of foreboding. She knew it would be a long time before she saw him again. But she didn't voice her fears; she was just happy to have him home, even briefly.
As months stretched into years, her heart ached with the growing distance, but she always understood him.
Five years passed since the tournament when Goku had left to train Uub. It had been two years since his last visit. Chichi lay on her deathbed, her body weakened from years of enduring the life she had chosen.
Despite the best efforts of her sons, Gohan and Goten, no senzu beans could cure her. She was dying naturally, and the toll it took was evident. Neither the power of the Dragon Balls nor the strength of her sons could save her now, not even all the treasures her father had left. Chichi looked around the hospital room, filled with the scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of machines.
Gohan and Goten stood by her side, their faces etched with worry and sorrow.
"Mom," Gohan said softly, his voice breaking, "is there anything we can do for you?"
Chichi smiled weakly, her eyes filled with love and pride for her sons. "You've done more than enough, my boys. I'm so proud of you both."
Goten held her hand tightly, tears streaming down his face. "Mom, we need to call Dad. He has to be here."
Chichi shook her head slightly. "Your father... he's always with us, even when he's not here. Don't blame him, Goten. He's doing what he thinks is right."
Gohan clenched his fists, a mix of anger and sadness bubbling inside him. "It's not fair, Mom. You deserve better."
Chichi's gaze softened. "Life isn't always fair, Gohan. But I've had a good life. I've had you two, and that's more than enough."
"But I think Dad should know." Goten insisted. "Hush now, Goten. No, sweetheart. He's enjoying his time right now. I know, and I can feel it. And besides your father and I are bonded for life, he would know when he should."
Her sons, grandchild, and the rest of her family and friends spent time with her at the hospital. As per Chichi's request, nobody reached out to Goku. Even Vegeta and Piccolo, who opted to stay outside the room seemingly anticipating someone's arrival, initially insisted that the idiot should know, eventually respected her wishes. They knew Goku was immersed in training Uub, relishing the opportunity for the battle he had been longing for. Vegeta and Piccolo understood that side of Goku. They had witnessed firsthand how he surpassed every opponent, driven by his Saiyan instincts and relentless pursuit of strength. But they also saw the silent sacrifices of his human wife. Chichi, as loud and strong-willed as she was, always stepped back. Far back, behind everyone and everything, to support her husband. She endured hardships almost alone, accepting him and his Saiyan origins without ever thinking of leaving him. She always had food ready for him when he came back, even if she was an afterthought in his mind.
Both Vegeta and Piccolo knew this unspoken truth. Goku was never called out for treating her as an afterthought because, in his own way, Chichi was his safe place. His home. The very place he would return to when everything was done, when he had fulfilled his desires. He would come home to her. In Chichi's last moments, she still thought about how her husband should just enjoy his time.
As Chichi's condition worsened, the room filled with an overwhelming sense of love and loss. Gohan, Goten, and their friends gathered around her, their faces etched with sorrow. Soon enough, the inevitable happened.
With her sons holding her hands tightly, ensuring she would never feel alone, Chichi slowly closed her eyes and exhaled her final breath.
The hospital room was filled with a profound silence, broken only by the soft sound of weeping from her loved ones. Gohan and Goten leaned over their mother, their hearts heavy with sorrow and yet filled with gratitude for having been by her side in her final moments.
Gohan whispered, his voice trembling, "Mommy, thank you for everything. We love you."
Goten nodded, tears streaming down his face. "We'll miss you, Mommy. Always."
Outside the room, Goku appeared just as Vegeta and Piccolo anticipated, his face etched with grief. Just moments ago, he had been in the middle of training Uub when he suddenly felt it—a sensation like a bond he had known all his life had snapped. A pang of pain shot through him, his stomach churning so fiercely that Uub almost landed a blow straight to his face. It was a feeling reminiscent of a distant memory, akin to the moment he had sensed Chichi in danger from Garlic long ago. But this time, it was different. It felt as though something essential had shattered irreparably forever, leaving him hollow. He had told Uub to call it a day, and with no further explanation, he searched for his wife's ki. It was gone. He then searched for his sons, and that's when he realized they were all together. With his ever reliable instant transmission, he arrived at the hospital as soon as he could, but now, just standing outside Chichi's room, Goku realized he had arrived too late to say goodbye.
The weight of his absence weighed heavily on him, a pang of regret piercing through his grief. Goku stared at the closed door, memories flooding his mind—moments with Chichi, their family, the battles they fought together, and the times he had left them behind for his training. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his choices, the ache of lost opportunities. Vegeta and Piccolo stood silently beside him, offering silent support, understanding the depth of his loss despite their usual stoicism. They had witnessed the bond between Goku and Chichi, understanding that despite their differences, their love was undeniable.
Vegeta broke the silence, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Kakarot, she knew you loved her."
Piccolo nodded solemnly. "She always knew, Son."
Goku swallowed hard, tears welling in his eyes. "I should have been here."
"She understood, Kakarot," Vegeta reassured him, a rare moment of empathy in his voice.
Goku nodded, struggling to find the words. "I just wish... I wish I had more time with her."
Piccolo placed a comforting hand on Goku's shoulder. "Don't be hard on yourself, Goku. She wouldn't want you to dwell on regrets. Remember her for the strength and love she gave you."
As they stood together, Goku felt a mix of sorrow and gratitude for the woman who had been his anchor, his home. He closed his eyes, silently thanking Chichi for everything she had done for him and their family. Deep down, he vowed to carry her spirit with him, to cherish every moment with his loved ones, and to never take them for granted again. Inside the room, Goku could hear the soft murmur of his family sharing stories of Chichi's strength, love, and occasional exasperation. He knew he needed to join them, to honor her memory, and say his final farewell. A heartfelt farewell he had always forgotten to give her every time.
Taking a deep breath, Goku pushed open the door and stepped inside. So this was how it felt being left and not receive any proper goodbye. He thought. The room was filled with memories and sorrow, yet also with a profound sense of gratitude for the woman who had been the heart of their family.
Gohan and Goten looked up as Goku entered, their eyes red from tears but filled with love and understanding. They immediately rushed to him. Regardless of all the times he had been gone, they always understood him and their mother made sure they did. Growing up, their mother had always upheld their father to them. She may have said things about him choosing to fight, never having an education or job but she always made sure the boys knew their father was a good man.
Goku hugged both his sons. His sons who grew up to be strong, smart and most importantly, good-natured all thanks to his wife.
"We tried to tell you, dad. But she didn't want to." Goten started. Murmuring to his father's side like he did when he was a child.
"She said you should not be disturbed. And that you would know." Gohan continued, just the same way as his brother.
Goku smiled at that. She knew. Her faith in their bond was just as strong from the day they first became one and connected. He playfully ruffled both his sons' hair like they were still children trying not to show how shattered his heart was.
"That's your mother for you, boys. You know how stubborn she gets." Goku chuckled. He looked at her body, her face relieved of all the stress, now lying peacefully.
As the hospital staff respectfully left to give the family some privacy, Gohan and Goten stepped back and made space for their father. Goku approached his wife's bedside, taking her cold, delicate hand in his own. He gazed at her peaceful face, memories flooding his mind—moments of joy, laughter, challenges faced together, and the times he had been absent. Tears welled in his eyes as he gently touched her cheek, whispering words of love and regret.
"Chichi," Goku murmured, his voice trembling, "thank you for waiting for me all these years. You were the strength of our family, the one who held us together. I'm sorry I couldn't be here more, but I promise to cherish every moment we had together. Rest now. Until we meet again, my love." He quietly whispered as he would always do. A whisper so silent only she could hear because it was intended for only her.
As Goku kissed her forehead gently, he felt a sense of peace settle over him. Chichi's love and legacy would live on in their hearts forever.
Chichi had spent most of her lifetime waiting for him, from the moment they first met. No one had told her to wait; it was simply what she did. Despite numerous opportunities to leave him—many of which were justified—she remained steadfast by his side, often single-handedly supporting their family. She found fulfillment in caring for her loved ones, just as Goku found purpose in fighting and protecting them. They were far from perfect: Chichi's love sometimes manifested as overbearing strictness, while Goku's manifested in pushing himself to extremes to ensure their safety.
Now, Chichi's journey had ended. He had liked the fact that Saiyans lived longer, except this very moment—it now meant he would live on without Chichi. It would be his turn to sleep at night knowing she would never be there when he woke up. With a final look, Goku turned to his sons, embracing them tightly. Together, they would carry on, honoring Chichi's memory and continuing to protect each other with the same fierce determination she had shown throughout her life.
And as Goku left the hospital room surrounded by his family, he knew that while Chichi may no longer be physically present, her spirit would always guide them. They would face the future together, strengthened by her love and the lessons she had taught them about resilience, sacrifice, and unconditional love.
Deep in his heart, Goku believed that when his time came, Chichi, his beloved wife and the mother of his children, would be there, waiting for him as she always had been.
Note: DB and DBZ were my childhood. I grew up watching it in the 90s, and I always liked Chichi. I don't know. I have always liked her since then, and I like her with Goku. anyway, I just saw a clip of the last episode where Goku suddenly left his friends and family and thought of this. I never liked that as a kid. it was just terrible for me that he left everyone behind. that's just me. and as an adult, I really felt bad for Chcihi.
So this is just my take on the what ifs, DBZ was still the greatest. characters may be OOC. Sorry, I kept on writing, and I totally forgot about the characters' personalities.