WARNING! There is mention of attempted rape in the chapter ahead. You can read up until the scene break, and skip to the next if you want to avoid it, but I don't really like reading about that sort of thing myself so it doesn't really go into that much detail, just enough to give you a sense of what's happening. More importantly, it is stopped before anything can happen. While I would prefer to keep this story light and cheerful, they are warriors and many violent things happen, this is a realistic subject matter to me and it plays a part for a couple of reasons that I won't go into here. In any case, I'm sorry if that upsets anyone, please feel free to skip the latter half altogether if that would make you feel more comfortable. WARNING!

The rice was cooking, the vegetables were baking in the oven, timers were set for both and Goku was keeping an eye on the bear meat he'd brought back for their day's meals. That meant she had a few minutes to work on her meditation, an exercise Goku had her doing whenever she had a free moment, in addition to the hour they spent every morning before sparring.

Chi-Chi sighed and dropped into a meditation pose, going through the motions she had quickly become accustomed to while wishing she knew what the hell she was looking for. She knew she was supposed to be finding her ki but it was an elusive thing that seemed more difficult to grasp by the day. Goku had tried to explain what it was but since it was always something that came naturally to him—and clearly wasn't coming naturally to her—his explanation confused her more than clarified what to look for.

'It's kinda hard to describe…but think of it like your life force or energy. Everyone has at least a little, though most tend to be pretty weak.'

'How can you tell how strong a person's ki is?'

'Mmm…Kami always described it as a distortion or sixth sense but I always thought of it like a kind of invisible force. Eventually you'll be able to tell if someone's hiding their true strength, even if ya can't get a measure on it, like a muscle ya can flex.'

'So it's a muscle?'

'Kinda but more flowy. It's that warm center in your body, your soul. Ya tend to lock in on it when your emotions are runnin' high. Try imaginin' how that feels…what you're sensin'…'

She tried to calm her breathing, tried to focus on the air in her lungs going in…and…out…in…and…out. Goku was counting in the background, 950…951…952…953…The trees were rustling from the wind. Waves lapped the shore of a nearby lake. In…and…out…in…and…out. She took inventory of her body, there was a bruise forming on her calf and another on her butt from where she'd fallen when she'd rushed a kick in her earlier spar with Goku before her foot was grounded firmly enough. 976…977…978…

Her fault of course. Goku never touched her, didn't need to. Was clearly leagues above her. Was just toying with her during their spars. No matter how he praised her and told her lies of how she was improving clearly she wasn't improvin' enough! Otherwise she wouldn't still be here, weeks later, still unable to sense this so-called damn ki!

Brrrrrring.

"999…1000!" Goku flipped from his hands to his feet, grinning at the smell of food.

Goku had been able to sense ki as a child! Wasn't she the Ox King's daughter? Hadn't she also been raised in the ways of the Turtle Hermit? She was Mao Chi-Chi! Strongest woman in the world! She would not be made a mockery of!

Goku wiped the sweat from his brow and sniffed the air appreciatively. "Sure smells good Chi-Chi! I'm starvin'! Let's eat!"

"DON"T YA DARE!"

Goku jumped back startled.

"W-Whadda I do?"

"What did ya do? What did ya do? Nothin'! Ya don't have to do anythin'! It all just comes naturally to ya!"

Goku looked at the meat cooking on the spit and back at Chi-Chi.

"Ya mean the food?" Goku's brow furrowed. "Doesn't eatin' come naturally to everyone?"

"I'm not talkin' about food!" Chi-Chi growled. "And wash ya hands! Ya were just doin' push ups in the dirt for goodness sake! They're filthy!"

Goku looked at his hands. They didn't seem filthy.

"Just cause ya can't see anythin' doesn't mean it ain't there!" She snarled, spotting Goku's look.

Goku laughed awkwardly at being so easily read. She sure was good at that. He left to wash his hands per Chi-Chi's rule, not minding in the least. Chi-Chi was funny that way with all her rules but he supposed that was only fair seeing as she listened to him when it came to their training. She hadn't batted an eye when he suggested getting her a set of weighted wrist bands and boots, or a weighted pack for when they ran. It took Krillin five months before his grumbles subsided to something less than a passing comment but Chi never said a word.

He was proud of her.

And he was proud that he would be the one to make her stronger. While it was odd, being the teacher instead of the student, it helped him improve as well, as it gave him a better understanding of his own strengths and limits. On the other hand, he worried he was holding her back and if it wasn't for the fact that he could sense her getting' stronger—even if she had yet to figure out how to unlock her ki—he might have reached out to one of his masters for help.

But he was sure Chi was close. He could feel it.

He hurried and washed his hands and when he returned, he was relieved to see Chi-Chi's temper had cooled and she was now just muling over whatever was going on in her head. Without really acknowledging him, she handed Goku a large platter covered in a mountain of food.

"Thanks Chi!" He grinned, hoping to get her to smile. A smiling Chi-Chi was a happy Chi-Chi, and a happy Chi-Chi meant no distractions while he gobbled up her delicious food!

He shoved a large spoonful of meat, rice and veggies into his mouth and moaned as the flavor hit his taste buds. How did she do it? It was a simple meal and yet somehow Chi always managed to bring out the full potency of flavor! It was heaven! At this point he was pretty sure he'd follow Chi-Chi to the ends of the earth just to keep eating her cooking.

He shoveled in another mouthful and then another and another. He kept shoveling as much as he could, doing his best to eat every last grain as fast as possible without choking like he'd done after the first time she cooked for him where he had been so amazed at the taste, he hadn't been able to pace himself properly. Chi-Chi had had to give him several hard whacks just to free up his airways. After he could breathe, she'd been all over him, pressing a hand to his head or placing her ear against his chest to hear his heart. How she couldn't hear it without being so close he didn't know. With her touching like that, he swore it was as loud as the tournament drums!

Being around Chi-Chi sure was something else. He liked sparring with her, despite being so much stronger. Chi-Chi was sneaky and determined and getting stronger by the day. It would be fun seeing what she comes up with once she finally unlocks her ki.

Living with her wasn't so bad either. She was a bit fussy, especially when it came to being clean but she also wasn't afraid to get dirty. She was temperamental and easily flustered but she was also kind and sweet and when she got angry for no reason she would actually apologize. And she listened to just about everything he had to say. He'd probably talked more these past few weeks than he had in his entire lifetime with his friends.

It was nice. She was nice. If this is what marriage was like, he definitely wanted to keep doing it. He wasn't sure what it was about her that put him so at ease but he liked it. Liked her.

There was just one thing that had been bothering him but he didn't think Chi-Chi was doing it on purpose so he kept his mouth shut and tried to ignore those weird moments where she'd casually touch his hand or arm, and a burst of energy would shoot straight through him, settling in his stomach. He couldn't decide if he liked it or not. It felt good—really good—but it also left him feeling clumsy and slow and not quite in control of himself. It made him want to keep her at a distance. But then she'd smile and he'd find himself moving a little closer. Though Goku was beginning to think he could probably live with being a little clumsy if it meant getting to see her smile. He liked seeing her happy.

He peeked in her direction, hoping to see just that, and noticed Chi-Chi was just pushing her food around.

Huh. That was weird. Chi-Chi was normally done by now.

"Eat up Chi! Ya don't want to be starvin' while we run."

"I know," Chi-Chi sighed. "And I'm sorry 'bout earlier. I'm just gettin' so frustrated with all this meditation!" She stabbed a piece of meat on her chopsticks and brought it to her lips. "I don't know what I'm searchin' for and it feels like I ain't never gonna get the hang of it."

Goku swallowed the last of his food and grinned. "Just cause ya can't see it, doesn't mean it ain't there," he laughed, licking his lips. He scooted closer to Chi-Chi and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know it's hard. I'm sorry I'm not good at explainin' things but it makes ya all the more impressive for bein' so strong without it. Once ya do, you'll catch up to the others in no time."

Chi-Chi raised a brow and smirked in his direction.

"Not you?"

His smile grew wider.

"Heh. Maybe if ya train reaaaaally hard but by then I'll be miles ahead of ya," Goku laughed.

Eyes dancing, Chi-Chi gave an exaggerated "Hmph!" as she pouted, before turning up her nose. "Not if ya keep forgettin' to wash your hands! You'll die from a disease long before that!"

Like her mother.

Chi-Chi paled, suddenly realizing what she'd just said. She'd been joking, a tease for a tease, but the moment the words left her mouth she was reminded how very real of a possibility that was.

"Chi-Chi? What's wrong?"

"I…"

Chi-Chi hesitated. She'd never had to talk about her mother's death before. Everyone in her father's kingdom already knew and sheltered as she was, she'd never really met anyone else outside of their influence.

Except for Goku.

Goku, who was staring at her with such concern and clearly clueless as to why her mood had changed so quickly once again. The last time he'd asked, she'd brushed him off, avoiding the topic. But maybe that wasn't being fair to him. He'd been putting in so much effort just to try to honor his promise to marry her, the least she could do was be open with him. Even if she didn't think things would work out with Goku in the long run, Chi-Chi knew she would still consider him a friend.

"Come here Goku," she ordered, pulling out the napkin she'd tucked off to one side. Goku did as he was bid and she quickly wiped his face, cleaning it of any sauce or rice that had been sticking to it despite his gigglish attempts to pull away.

"I'm sorry," Chi-Chi said as she worked. "I know I've been all over the place. It's just…my mother died from a disease. A horrible one at that. The doctor said it was often caused by comin' into contact with someone with poor hygiene. Papa thought the most likely source was our chefs. He…he killed them all in a fit of rage after Mama's death. It was horrible. He was horrible. He really did some awful things." Chi-Chi blushed and pulled away now that she was finished making him presentable. It was embarrassing to admit her father's failings, even if it was a sign of the goodness of their people's hearts that they were able to forgive him for his actions.

"It was years before you found us and caused Papa to mend his ways." She placed the napkin aside and reached out to squeeze Goku's hand, sending that familiar rush of energy running through him. "You don't know how grateful I am to you for that."

Grateful enough for another kiss?

Goku blinked, startled by this random thought. Where had that even come from? He shoved the thought, and the curious feelings it stirred, aside and focused on what Chi-Chi was saying.

So a disease had killed her mother. That explained a lot. The few weeks he'd spent with Chi-Chi had shown her to be quite picky when it came to cleanliness. Demanding baths and teeth brushing every day. Cleaning up before every meal. Making sure the floors and make-shift kitchen was spotless before calling it a night. He didn't really mind it, Grandpa had always kept a clean home and the baths were nice on his sore muscles, but it was nice to understand the reason behind it all.

"I'm afraid it's left me rather paranoid," she huffed and scooped some food into her mouth, swallowing before she spoke again. "I first started cooking because I could never trust anyone else. Everyone thinks I'm silly and that my concerns aren't real but I can't help it!"

Goku knew exactly what that was like! "No one ever believes me either but I've seen proof!"

"Proof?" Chi-Chi blinked, food halfway to her mouth. "Proof of what?"

"Uh…" Goku hesitated. Even with her confession, experience told him that she wouldn't believe him but a gentle touch against his hand gave him the reassurance he needed.

Goku shot her a grateful smile.

"My Grandpa," he said after a moment, "used to tell me stories about a giant monster that came out if you looked at the full moon. I never saw it but there were signs. Our home was crushed twice for one. Trees were always knocked over or split in half and there were always trails of dead animals smashed into giant footprints. It has to be the size of giant Piccolo but I've never seen it."

"WHAT?!" Chi-Chi cried, dropping her half eaten bowl on the ground. "Goku, are you serious? Just from looking at the moon?"

"The full moon," he nodded.

"B-But…? How terrifying!" she shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself.

Goku's eyes widened as he realized that not only did she believe him, she was trembling! He hadn't meant to frighten her! He immediately scooted close enough that their thighs touched, and put his arm around her shoulders like Grandpa used to do for him.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. It only comes out if you look at a full moon. Your safe Chi-Chi, I won't let anything happen to ya."

Chi-Chi smiled up at him sweetly, touched despite how foolish she now felt. "Thank you, Goku…I guess I let my imagination get the best of me," she sighed, certain that Goku had to think she was a coward. She started to drop her head into her hands in embarrassment when something else came to mind.

"But Goku…I've looked at the full moon plenty of times and it's never come out. Maybe it only lives near your home. Where was that again?"

"Wha…?"

Goku gasped. Could that be true? He tried to think back to the last time he'd seen signs of the monster but could only think of the worst one. The one that had resulted in his Grandpa's death.

"Chi-Chi! You're right!" The only other incidents that he could recall as suspicious were when he was with his friends and surely they would have told him if the monster had come. "The monster must live on Mt. Paozu!" If only Grandpa had known! "I ain't never seen any sign of it since I've left."

"And before that?"

"Not since Grandpa's death."

"Wait. What?!"

"Oh," Goku laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "Did I not mention that part?"

Chi-Chi stared at him, wide eyed, wondering how he could speak so nonchalantly about such a thing. Except…the longer she stared at him, the more she started to realize how his smile didn't quite reach his eyes and his shoulders were no longer firmly squared back but slightly slouched. Maybe this did bother him more than he was willing to let on.

"Oh Goku," Chi-Chi mumbled, throwing her arms around him and startling him in the process. She pulled back before he could respond, not wanting to make things too awkward for him, and gave his knee a gentle squeeze instead, feeling relieved when he placed his hand over hers.

"I'm so sorry Goku. That's a horrible thing to go through alone." To see his precious grandfather…no she couldn't even think of it! Chi-Chi squeezed his knee again but he was still clearly uncomfortable, so she decided to steer the conversation away from his Grandpa Gohan. "Though I do envy you in a way. When Mama passed, I wanted nothing more than to be alone whenever I could, which was pretty much never."

Goku turned curiously.

"Yeah?"

"Mhm, I was seven when Mama passed and the ladies of the castle thought I was old enough to grieve like a lady." She huffed, showing what she thought of that. "They constantly kept me under supervision doing menial tasks until my father started lashing out, only for him to turn around and never let me out of his sight. That day you found me was the first time I'd been truly alone for more than a handful of hours in years."

"That does sound pretty awful," Goku grimaced. He didn't even want to imagine it, it sounded so bad. "Ya know, I was also seven when Grandpa passed. At least I think so. That's a little weird right?"

"Really? That is weird," Chi-Chi agreed, frowning. "Wait. When did you meet Bulma?"

He shrugged, not entirely sure. He hadn't been good at counting then. "I think I was around twelve?"

Goku quickly counted backwards in his head and was shocked to learn five years had passed between his Grandpa's death and meeting Bulma. But maybe it shouldn't be so surprising. The first few years had been especially tough just trying to survive, particularly in the colder months. It got easier later on though, after he got used to being on his own. He even preferred it somewhat, but even he needed someone to talk to now and then. Bulma had come and shown him a whole new world. A chance to make friends and new experiences, and now he was even getting a chance to earn a family again.

First Bulma and now Chi-Chi. The women in his life sure were something.

He looked back towards one of those women now and was surprised to see her staring up at him, dark eyes sparkling and a pretty smile on her face. Goku swallowed, suddenly feeling his mouth go dry.

"You're amazing ya know? Nobody else could have gone through half the things you did and gone on to do such amazing things. You're the most impressive man I've ever met."

"Heh."

Goku scratched the back of his head and looked away, his cheeks burning. Those funny feelings were back again, stronger than ever. He glanced down at his feet with a small smile. He liked it, he decided. He wasn't sure what it meant but he liked it. And he liked that it was Chi-Chi who was making him feel this way.

"I didn't do anything much, really."

"That's not true and ya know it," Chi-Chi growled, giving him a playful shove. "I bet your grandpa will be very proud when you meet him again."

"But I already have!"

"What?"

"Yeah!" Goku grinned, bouncing slightly in his seat. "At Fortune Teller Baba's place! She brought him back for the day as the fifth opponent!" His smile softened as he recalled that surprise meeting. "It was so good to see him again."

"I bet," Chi-Chi smiled. "Maybe that means I'll get to meet my Mama again some day. I'm sure she would have liked you."

"Yeah? Well if she was anything like you, I'd probably like her too."

Chi-Chi blushed and the two traded shy smiles, both feeling oddly at peace despite the heavy topic. It was nice to talk to someone who could relate.

Goku eventually looked away first, growing flustered under her warm gaze.

"C'mon," Chi-Chi murmured, bumping into his side to get his attention. "Let's clean up and get going."

"Sure," Goku smiled, rising to his feet, and then paused. "Thanks for believin' me Chi-Chi."

"Why wouldn't I?" She questioned, turning a puzzled look on him. "Piccolo grew into a giant during your match and my home was up in flames for years until you came and blew it all away. A monster coming out at the full moon is hardly a stretch."

Well when she put it that way…but Goku knew even with all that, his friends would still dismiss it as something he made up. Nah, Chi-Chi was different. She was special.

Goku smiled and kicked dirt on the fire before joining Chi to gather their things.

oOo

They zigzagged through the forest, with Goku in the lead, running at a steady pace. Sometimes he would run ahead, forcing her to move faster in order to match his path, and other times he would run backwards which would have been absolutely infuriating if not for the silly grin that often sprung to his face whenever their eyes met. Right now he seemed content to stay close, so Chi-Chi allowed her mind to drift to her earlier dilemma, trying to access her ki.

Goku made it sound so easy, like knowing the location of a sore muscle or an itch. Unfortunately Chi-Chi had never been good at listening to her body. She often pushed herself past her limits and only realized after she had already injured herself in the process. It was so bad that even Goku was already picking up on her body's cues of when to quit while she tended to believe that she could go for another hour. And they'd only been traveling together a few weeks!

What was it that was so different between her and Goku? Or Krillin or Yamcha for that matter? Well…besides the obvious.

It was hard to compare when she knew so little about them but from Goku's stories they seemed…lazier than Goku, not as hardworking. But even if that were true, they still had to be somewhat dedicated to have gotten as strong as they had and she was hardworking so that couldn't be it.

'...Ya tend to lock in on it when your emotions are runnin' high. Try imaginin' how that feels…what you're sensin'…'

Chi-Chi slowed to a stop.

Her emotions? Was that it? Chi-Chi didn't really know his friends but she supposed she was more emotional than Goku. It was difficult to imagine how she felt at those times…so often she just reacted without any thought. Was there something there she hadn't noticed before? Her ki?

Chi-Chi's head snapped up.

Shoot she'd lost Goku!

That's what she got for getting distracted. Hopefully it wouldn't take Goku too long to notice she'd fallen behind. She slid a foot back, prepared to launch into a sprint, when a muffled noise caught her attention.

"mghmph!"

What was that?

"Hleh sungmpdy!"

Chi-Chi looked around curiously and then headed towards where she'd last heard the noise, hoping to investigate. She shoved several thick branches aside, ignoring how they tried to snag on her clothes, and stepped into a small, empty clearing.

"What's going on?" Goku asked, suddenly appearing beside her, staring curiously at something off to one side. She followed his gaze and settled on two struggling figures hidden just beyond a set of thin trees in the dirt. A large lanky man was holding someone down, one hand pinned above his head and the other being used to pull…

"WHAT THE HELL DO YA THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

SHE'D KILL HIM! UTTERLY RIP HIM APART!

"GET OFFA HER!"

She didn't know if it was the fury in her voice or the sudden surge of energy running through her aura but the man with his pants pulled halfway down jumped off the the young girl clutching tightly at her clothing, and stumbled back, struggling to get to his feet with his pants around his thighs as Chi-Chi moved in for the kill.

One second she was by Goku feeling power flowing through her veins, the next she was looming over the piece of scum, her foot colliding with his ribs before kicking him straight into the nearest tree. She was pleased when she heard the cracks of his bones shattering…but it wasn't enough. She'd make sure he could never attempt such an act again.

She leapt to where he lay sprawled on the ground and swung her foot high before bringing it down in a crushing blow that left the man screaming in agony until he passed out from the pain.

Still not enough. He needed to suffer! Needed to die!

Chi-Chi froze.

What on earth was she thinking? Needed to die? She wasn't an executioner! But she was angry, so very angry, she could barely keep her limbs from shaking, she was so overcome with rage. Rage and a…strange kind of energy just boiling beneath her skin, itching to get out.

But she couldn't.

That would make her no better than her father.

But it was hard. So hard. This…energy? Her ki? It was nearly overpowering. What had Goku said? That it was tied to her emotions? Well her emotions were the strongest they'd ever been. It would be so easy to lose herself in them right now. To lash out at this lowlife piece of trash.

She would relish destroying him.

"Goku," she called. Not taking her eyes off the vermin for a second. She was pleased when she felt the gentle touch on her shoulder.

"I'm here Chi-Chi."

Chi-Chi finally dared to close her eyes, taking strength from his touch. She felt like every nerve in her body was alive, demanding for action. For vengeance. It was overwhelming in its intensity but Goku's touch was an anchor, a calming presence within the storm.

There were things she needed to do, she couldn't afford to fall apart now.

"Take him away," she begged, "take him somewhere he can never return from, please."

His only answer was a squeeze of her shoulder before stepping forward and slinging the criminal over one shoulder like a sack of vegetables before jumping into the sky. Chi-Chi wasn't sure if he called Nimbus or flew but it didn't matter, there were more important things to worry about right now.

She turned and spotted the young girl, she looked barely older than fourteen, curled up and shivering at the base of a large oak. Her hair was tangled in knots, what had looked like a cute purple dress was torn in several places and she had several long bloody scratches along exposed limbs.

Chi-Chi raised her hands slowly and stepped closer.

"You're safe now. I swear it."

The girl seemed to believe her because she gave a shaky smile and nodded.

"My name's Chi-Chi," she said, stepping closer until she was a couple feet away. She took a knee and was pleased when the girl maintained eye contact with her. "May I have yours?"

"Kasumi."

"You have a beautiful name Kasumi." Chi-Chi smiled, praying that her voice remained even. "Kasumi, can you tell me did he…did he hurt you?"

"N-No," Kasumi stuttered, shaking her head hastily. She wrapped her arms around herself and stared at the ground. "No. He…he tore m-my…" Kasumi whimpered and gestured to what she meant, "B-But…but he didn't…he didn't get that far." She shot Chi-Chi an earnest look as her voice broke with emotion. "You stopped him. How can I…how can I ever repay you? Please," Kasumi begged as the tears began to roll down her cheeks, "Anything I have—"

"All I want is to get ya home safe," Chi-Chi said quickly. "That's thanks enough for me. Alright?"

The young girl nodded, her lips quivering before she let out a wail and threw herself into Chi-Chi's arms.

o0o

Goku turned one way and then the other, trying his best to get comfortable. It was strange, he'd never had any issues falling asleep before but the earlier events and the fact that he'd been separated from Chi-Chi was making it difficult for him to find sleep.

He punched his pillow three times and then threw himself on it, forcefully shutting his eyes tight.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YA THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

"GET OFFA HER!"

Goku opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. Chi-Chi had been so angry, so fierce. He could feel the ki radiating off of her in waves. All because of that man—Yang they'd been told later—hurting that young girl. Goku hadn't known exactly what was happening but the way Chi-Chi had reacted told him it was something serious. He had a feeling it had something to do with things only married people should do…like his pat pat but worse.

Chi-Chi had promised to explain but by the time they'd brought the girl home to her family's inn, explained what had happened and been shuffled up to their rooms after being given dinner in thanks, they hadn't had a moment alone.

And he was beginning to suspect Chi-Chi's hand in it.

He needed to check on her.

It had been subtle but her ki had been flaring erratically ever since he'd returned from getting rid of the bad man. Nimbus had found him a remote island with a smoking volcano. He'd worried briefly what Kami would say to that but then he remembered how upset Chi-Chi had been and the way she pleaded for him to make sure Yang could never return. It stirred his own anger and Goku found he couldn't regret it.

What he regretted now though, was letting himself be separated from Chi-Chi.

He needed to find her.

Goku didn't understand why they'd been separated but he knew he needed to check on her. He could still sense her ki fluctuating violently meaning wherever she was supposed to be resting, she wasn't getting any. Decided, he swung bare feet to the floor and tiptoed to the window, relieved when it lifted without a sound.

"NIMBUS!" he whispered as loud as he dared. Luckily the fluffy cloud heard him and came shooting down at once.

He hopped on, the cool wind ruffling his boxers and tank top, and directed his friend towards Chi-Chi's familiar ki, though it was currently unlike anything he'd come to expect from her.

"Chi-Chi," he called, knocking on the window pane.

He felt a sharp spike in her ki indicating she'd heard him but she didn't answer. Goku frowned. He wasn't about to let that stop him. A little pressure and the window's lock snapped, allowing him to lift it easily and climb inside.

Only to freeze at the sound of her sniffles.

Oh no. Oh nononononono. She was crying. Goku didn't know how to handle women crying!

He made to leave when a whimper sounded from across the room and Goku felt it like a stab through his heart. Damn it! He couldn't just leave now that he'd heard that! He steeled himself and then turned, closing the distance between them in two long strides before dropping to his knees in front of her huddled figure.

"Chi-Chi," he whispered, shifting uncomfortably. "Chi-Chi, what's wrong?"

"Go..ku?"

Chi-Chi barely bothered to look up but once she spotted his awkward figure hunched over trying to catch her eye she couldn't contain herself.

"Oh Goku!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms. Goku barely managed to keep them from toppling over.

"Whoa! Wait a sec…!"

"Oh Goku, it was just awful! I can't stop imaginin' how terrified she must've felt! If we'd been a minute later…?!" she bawled.

Goku cautiously wrapped his arms around her shaking figure, hoping it would help calm her. "But we weren't." He pointed out gently, pulling her into his lap. "You stopped him Chi-Chi."

"I've never seen something so horrible!"

Never?

"What about your dad?"

She shook her head. "I knew b-but I didn't see it. He was always careful to keep such things from me…and never…never such a young girl! Never that!"

Chi-Chi's tears started up again as she pressed her face into his shoulder, her hair tickling his neck. Goku gulped and tried not to react. He didn't think she'd appreciate him giggling right then. Carefully he brushed it away. It…it was so soft. He ran his fingers through the silky strands, admiring it for a second, before turning his focus back to the sobbing girl in his arms.

He couldn't understand her tears.

Bad people did bad things. That was just life. At least she'd been able to stop this one.

Goku frowned.

His friends had always called him innocent or naive but he was starting to think Chi-Chi was equally so. He'd grown up away from society but she'd been basically locked up in a castle, separated from the world. Maybe that was why she'd believed him so easily when he talked about the full moon monster or traveled all the way to the tournament just to remind him of his promise. Goku didn't know for sure why she'd done so, but he did know some of that innocence that had brought her back into his life had been spoiled today and he hated it.

If only he'd noticed Chi-Chi had fallen behind sooner, or at least been quicker to detect something was wrong, he could have handled that man before Chi-Chi ever realized what was happening.

Goku squeezed her closer, a silent apology. His own naivety had failed her today. He'd regret that for as long as he lived.

…

It was some time later, when her tears finally subsided. Goku hadn't heard even a sniffle in the last five minutes and he was just starting to wonder if she had fallen asleep, when she finally spoke again.

"Goku?"

"Mm?"

"Do you…do you think we should end this journey now? Before we get any further?"

Goku stiffened at that. Why was she even asking such a thing? He couldn't think of a single reason. Unless she was somehow afraid this incident was a preview of what was to come?

"Why would we stop?"

"Cause…cause it's only meant for purehearted folks," Chi-Chi muttered, her tears starting back up. "And I'm as wicked as they come!"

What nonsense had gotten into her now? Goku didn't want to hear any such ridiculousness. He lifted her from his lap to the bed and then forced her to face him.

"Chi-Chi." He scolded. "Stop that. Ya know you're not wicked. Ya couldn't ride Nimbus if ya were."

"M-Maybe not then," she reasoned, "but now…?"

"Why would you say that?" he demanded, growing frustrated.

"Because I wanted to kill him. I still want to kill him. It's too much Goku. I can't control it!"

Ah. Suddenly he understood everything perfectly.

"Come here Chi-Chi." he said, picking her up and drawing back the covers. He slid her to the far side of the bed and then climbed in beside her before covering them both and pulling her tight against his chest. "That's not you Chi-Chi, that's just your ki messin' with your head. Ya gotta get it under control."

"But I don't know how."

"I'll help."

He stifled a yawn and then sent out his ki, picturing it like a wave, slowly moving back and forth…back and forth…back and forth…those hammocks at Master Roshi's under the shaded palm trees just beyond a the warm sun's reach…back and forth…back…and…forth…wind rustling in his ears, Krillin's and his Master's softly snoring in the background…waves sloshing gently on the beach…back…and…forth…back…and…forth…

The tension in Chi-Chi's body slowly began to relax, her ki, so tightly sprung, eased and dispersed…leaving Chi-Chi nearly drained. Her body went limp against his and Goku smiled at his success. He pulled the covers higher above them before nuzzling her close.

Back…and….forth….back….