Mmm, this is your best meal yet Chi!" Goku mumbled around mouthfuls of food. It was a bright sunny day and Chi-Chi had made a feast, even by his standards. He glanced up at her to see her blushing fiercely and smiled. He liked it when her face turned red like that.

Goku took another large bite of his roast and then reached for the platter of biscuits before realizing they were no longer there.

"Hm?"

He scanned the many dishes for his target, only to watch in horror as they began to vanish one by one. Goku scrambled to gather what he could but his hand passed through every plate he touched until even the blanket he'd been sitting on had disappeared leaving him in a dark and empty space.

"Chi-Chi!" he called, hoping she could explain what was happening, but Chi-Chi wasn't where he left her. "Chi-Chi?" Goku spun around in a circle but she was nowhere in sight.

Oh! He snapped his fingers, knowing just how to find her, and searched for her ki. She couldn't have gotten far.

There!

Chi-Chi was close.

Goku began racing towards her, confident that she could tell him what in the world was going on, when he felt her ki start to rapidly decline. Something was wrong! He picked up his pace only to slam to a halt a moment later when he spotted her broken body lying lifeless on the floor.

"CHI-CHI!"

He was kneeling by her side before he could blink, cradling her carefully to his chest.

"Chi-Chi! Chi-Chi!" he cried, feeling her lifeless body grow colder. "Chi-Chi don't worry, I'll fix this! You'll see." With the Nimbus and Bulma's radar, he could gather the dragon balls in a day, easy. He brushed Chi-Chi's hair away from her face and pressed his nose against her dark locks, hoping to catch her scent but it was gone, just like Chi-Chi. Goku swallowed, fighting back tears. He would fix this, he swore he would fix this.

"What will you fix?"

Xuan Wu!

Goku's head snapped up only to feel Chi-Chi's weight disappear from his arms. He growled and spun around to face the god. "Where is she? Give her back."

"My how you mortals tend to fixate. She is fine, I assure you."

"Why should I believe you?" Goku demanded. It was because of Xuan Wu that Chi-Chi was dead.

Xuan Wu merely smiled. "Why would I lie?"

Because he hurt Chi-Chi? But even Goku could acknowledge that the god had a point. Still, that didn't explain why Xuan Wu was here.

"What do you want?"

"Merely to pose a question." Xuan Wu mused, stroking his beard. "Something I do of every challenger. I am curious as to why you choose to partake in these trials. Your companion's goals were clear but you have surpassed every being on Earth," He raised a brow curiously. "What could you hope to gain by undertaking this journey and becoming stronger?"

"What's wrong with wantin' to get stronger?" Goku questioned, but Xuan Wu was not one to be sidetracked.

"I asked you first."

Goku shifted uncomfortably. He'd been asked this question before and yet never had he felt so uneasy about it. He knew this was a test, it was always a test, but never had he feared failing until now. Would Chi-Chi still let him tag along if Xuan Wu didn't like his answer? He wasn't sure, but even if he knew the answer to that, he knew it wouldn't change his response to Xuan Wu.

"I like pushin' myself. I wanna beat my own limits."

"Is that all? You are sure?"

Goku nodded, clenching his fists at his sides.

"A warrior's answer," Xuan Wu nodded, looking pleased for the first time since Goku had met him, before turning sharp eyes his way. "Although I wonder if that would still be true if you had not lost your grandfather so tragically."

"Grandpa?" Goku blinked. "How do you know my Grandpa?"

"How do I know anything?" asked a smiling Xuan Wu, annoying Goku.

What kind of answer was that? He would have pushed for more but one second Xuan Wu was there and then the next he was gone as suddenly as he had appeared.

Goku looked around the dark and empty space wondering what he should do next. He couldn't stay there. Wherever he was, it was too quiet. Maybe it was because Xuan Wu mentioned his Grandpa but the silence reminded him of the bad days. The ones right after he'd lost Grandpa.

He really wished Grandpa was here right now. He would know what to do. Would know how to break this silence. Grandpa always knew how to make things better.

In the morning when I wake…

Hm? Goku perked up at the soft voice.

And the sun is coming through…

That almost sounded like…

Oh you fill my lungs with sweetness…

Chi-Chi?

And you fill my head with you…

Goku turned and was shocked to find Chi-Chi sitting in a chair right beside him. When did she get there? And was that really her singing?

Shall I write it in a letter? Shall I try to get it down?

She…she had a really pretty voice…

Oh you fill my head with pieces…of a song I can't get out.

He sighed, taking a seat beside her.

Can I take it to a morning? Where the fields are painted gold…

And the trees are filled with memories…of the feelings never told?

Goku shut his eyes, feeling at peace. Chi-Chi was alive and safe—and singing so sweetly—and he suddenly felt exhausted.

When the evening pulls the sun down and the day is almost through…

Oh, the whole world it is sleeping…but my world is you.

Can I be close to you?

Yes, Goku thought. He'd like that.

.

.

.

Goku opened weary eyes to a dimly lit room just as the sun began to peek in through the window. He rolled his head to the side and spotted Chi-Chi resting halfway between a chair and his bed.

"Chi-Chi…"

He smiled, pleased to see Chi-Chi was safe. Goku looked her over, checking for any injuries but she looked healthy as far as he could tell, aside from the dark circles under her eyes. He didn't know what that was from but he doubted sleeping in a chair would help.

Groaning, he leaned over and gently tugged Chi-Chi up onto the bed, making sure to lift the cover as he did so before tucking them around both of them. Satisfied, he pulled her close and sighed as he took in the scent of smoke and wildflowers.

"That's better…" he muttered, drifting back into a deep sleep.

…

Several hours later Chi-Chi woke, feeling much better rested than she had the past few days. So well rested in fact, that it took a few moments to realize just what was different about this morning. She yawned and stared sleepily at the wall of muscles inches from her face.

Chi-Chi blinked. Muscles? Her eyes snapped up and spotted Goku's handsome face nestled just above her head.

What was she doing in Goku's bed?!

Chi-Chi blushed, feeling the hard planes of his chest pressed close against her. Had she really been so sleep deprived that she'd crawled into a sick man's bed? How shameful!

She squeaked and hastily tried to pull away but Goku's arms were locked tight around her, practically crushing her to his chest. Chi-Chi swallowed and went through her options before deciding to try and slip out by wriggling her way down; but before she could move more than an inch, Goku pulled her back up and squeezed her closer.

"Don't go," he grumbled, his face so close his breath tickled her ear, making Chi-Chi's blush spread from her cheeks to the rest of her body. She had always dreamed of waking up like this in his arms.

Wait.

"GOKU?!"

Chi-Chi sat up abruptly, somehow breaking his hold as she began examining her patient. She checked his temperature and pulse, finding both a little high but much better than they'd been the previous evening, and then she listened to his lungs and was pleased to hear them clear and strong.

"Oh, Goku, you're okay!" she cried, throwing her arms around him.

Goku chuckled beneath her and slowly brought his arms around to hug her back. "Jeez Chi-Chi. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were really worried about me."

"Of course I was worried about you ya dolt!' Chi-Chi growled, pulling away. "It's been three days! If you hadn't woken today they woulda stuck ya with an IV just to make sure you didn't waste away!"

"An IV?" Goku blinked. "What's that?"

"You know, it's those things they stick sick people in hospitals with. So they stay hydrated."

Stick? Goku swallowed, suddenly on edge.

"Y-Ya mean like…like with a…needle?"

"Yeah," Chi-Chi nodded. What else would they use?

"NO! NO WAY!" Goku grabbed Chi-Chi's hands and looked at her with wide and fearful eyes. "Please Chi-Chi, ya gotta stop 'em! I don't wanna get stabbed with a needle! I won't do it! I won't!"

"Goku calm down!"

But Goku couldn't relax, not until he was sure he was safe. One day, after a particularly brutal training session, Master Roshi had taken him to a local clinic, saying he doubted Goku had all his shots up to date after being alone for so long. They must have stabbed him a dozen times with their sharp, prickly needles. Hell, they might as well have come at him with knives! And it was all because they couldn't get it right the first time. It was awful!

"Promise me Chi-Chi!" he begged. There was no way he'd go through that again!

"Okay, okay, now let go!" she said, struggling to free herself from Goku's desperate grasp. Good grief! Who would have thought the strongest man on the planet was afraid of needles?

Chi-Chi finally managed to pull him off of her but frowned when she realized how panicked Goku still looked.

"Hey," she said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. They'd only have done it if ya hadn't woken up. But ya did, so there's nothin' to worry about."

"You're sure?"

"I swear."

"Oh. Okay then," said Goku, suddenly back to normal.

Chi-Chi nearly fell over due to the abrupt change. She sighed, and shook her head, not sure whether to be frustrated or amused. Well, if he was well enough to throw a fit, he would probably be just fine.

"Why don't I get you somethin' to eat? You must be hungry."

Goku grinned. Even though he was exhausted, he could never say no to food. "Food sounds great, Chi!"

She shook her head in fond exasperation. "Alright, stay here." She instructed, squeezing his shoulder. "I'll be right back."

Chi-Chi had only been gone for a minute when a young boy peeked around the door. Goku blinked and stared at the boy right back.

"Hullo," he said after a moment, raising his hand in greeting. "I'm Goku. Who're you?"

The boy's brows narrowed suspiciously but this seemed to be all the invitation he needed as he came out from behind the door and walked right up to Goku.

"So you're Goku, huh?" he said, eyeing Goku up and down. "You don't look like anything special."

Goku blinked. "Neither do you."

"HEY! I'll have you know that my father runs this place!"

"How does that make you special?"

"Wha?" the boy growled. "Well what do you do mr. bigshot?"

"I'm a martial artist."

"A martial artist huh? My father says martial artists are just a bunch of meatheads who like gettin' punched."

"I dunno about everyone else but I prefer to do the punchin'," Goku grinned.

"Hmph." The boy turned away and stuck up his nose. "I don't know why Miss Chi-Chi wastes her time with you."

Goku frowned, starting to get annoyed. What was this kid's problem?

"I'm back," Chi-Chi called, pushing open the door with her hip as she carried in a tray covered with several bowls. Both Goku and the boy perked up at her entrance. "Oh Oran, what are you doing here?"

"Miss Chi-Chi!" Oran spun away from Goku and ran up to her side. "Papa asked me to ask you to not use any shellfish tonight. A patient just checked in that's allergic."

"Of course, that's no problem at all." She turned to Goku and handed him the tray. "Here ya go, Goku."

"Thanks Chi-Ch…" Goku frowned as he uncovered the bowls to find nothing but broth. "Hey Chi-Chi, where's the rest of it?"

She winced and smiled at him sympathetically, knowing he wasn't going to like what she had to say. "I'm sorry Goku but you've been out for several days. Ya need to ease back onto solids slowly. There are still plenty of noodles in there for you though."

"But Chi-Chiiii…"

"No buts Goku. Maybe this will make you think first before eating strange food," Chi-Chi scolded, not willing to budge on this one.

"Miss Chi-Chi, Miss Chi-Chi," Oran said, tugging on Chi-Chi's sleeve. She turned to him curiously wondering what the young boy wanted.

"Yes Oran?"

"Can you make those turnovers you made last night again? They were the best I've ever had!"

Chi-Chi beamed. "I'd be happy to!"

"Thanks Miss Chi-Chi, you're the best!" Oran threw his arms around Chi-Chi's neck, giving her the strongest hug he could manage and stuck his tongue out at Goku.

"Goku?" Chi-Chi murmured, hearing a strangled noise come from behind her. "Is everything oka—"

Oran jumped and pressed his lips solidly against her cheek. "Thanks again Miss Chi-Chi!" he called as he ran out the door, but not before shooting Goku one last taunting look.

Goku growled, not knowing what annoyed him more, the fact that other people were eating Chi-Chi's delicious cooking and he was stuck with broth or that Oran had kissed Chi-Chi. He knew Chi-Chi had said that cheek kisses were something friends could do but it didn't seem like she did that with anyone else. It was something she only did to him. He liked that. He didn't want to share.

"Oh Goku, don't pout. If you can handle this, I'll bring you something better for dinner."

The mention of food snapped Goku out of his thoughts.

"Promise?" he begged, looking to Chi-Chi with the most pitiful expression he could manage. It had always worked on nice Launch.

Chi-Chi, while not immune to his efforts, found it silly that he even had to ask. "Of course."

"Maybe even sooner?" Goku tried.

"Maybe," she agreed.

"Maybe even—"

Chi-Chi pressed a finger into his cheek. "Don't push your luck," she warned but that just made Goku want to try even more.

He opened his mouth to say something else only for Chi-Chi to shove a spoonful of broth into it, forcing Goku to eat instead. Chi-Chi smirked at having won the battle but Goku was too busy enjoying what little food there was to fight back. He'd concede this round.

"Knock, knock."

Both Chi-Chi and Goku looked up to find a friendly looking man in a white coat holding a clipboard standing by the door. "A little birdie told me someone finally woke up." He smiled warmly at Chi-Chi and then glanced over at Goku. "How are you feeling?"

Goku stared at the man blankly for a moment before realizing the doctor was talking to him. "Oh, I'm okay."

"Hmm, well you certainly look better than what you did," the doctor said. He moved over to sit by Goku and then pressed his stethoscope against Goku's chest. "Take a deep breath, please."

Goku did as requested and then repeated the action several times until the doctor was satisfied.

"Any aches or pains? Any fever?"

Goku shook his head no and the doctor asked several more things, all receiving the same answer.

"Well, I'd still like to keep you through all of tomorrow, just to be on the safe side, but I see no reason why you shouldn't be free to leave after that."

"Oh that's wonderful!" Chi-Chi beamed, "Thank you Doctor Sictrus."

"I should be the one thanking you," the doctor smiled. "I admit to being disappointed in having to let you go so soon. My entire staff is already in love with you."

Chi-Chi blushed. All she'd done was clean up around the place, as well as cook a few meals, but it was nice to be appreciated. "Oh, I didn't do anything much, besides it was the least I could do to repay you for allowing us to stay here."

"Miss Chi-Chi! Miss Chi-Chi!" cried two young kids running into the room and barreling into Chi-Chi. "Oran said you were gonna make turnovers again, is it true?"

"Yes I am."

"Can mine be apple?"

"I want pumpkin! No, cherry! No, blueberry!"

Chi-Chi thought for a moment. Making two flavors wouldn't be that difficult but she was sure the other kids would want a say as well. She patted both Leema and Laimu on the head and turned them back towards the door. "Why don't you both go talk it over with Oran and Yuza and pick two flavors you can all agree on, 'kay?"

"Okay!"

The kids each gave her a quick hug and then ran off just as quickly as they'd arrived, making Chi-Chi chuckle.

"You know the kids are really going to miss you when you're gone," Doctor Sictrus murmured, taking Chi-Chi's hand in his. "I don't suppose you'd consider returning once you've finished your trip? For more than just room and board of course."

Embarrassed, Chi-Chi pulled her hand away to wave him off. She really hadn't done anything to warrant such an offer. "That's really very kind of you but once we're done I need to return home."

Doctor Sictrus smiled sadly, having expected such an answer. "Your father is lucky to have such a devoted daughter. And you as well," he said, turning towards Goku who had been watching their interaction in silence. "When she wasn't helping around the clinic she was taking care of you. So I hope you can appreciate your friend's efforts." With that said, he took his leave, needing to check in on his other patients.

Goku watched the doctor leave and frowned. There was something about that guy he didn't like. His gaze drifted from the door back to Chi-Chi, who was tidying up the room. She was smiling to herself, clearly still pleased by the man's offer. If it made her so happy, why did she say no? Then again…Chi-Chi had come to the tournament because she had originally wanted to marry him but she'd turned him down as well.

Did Chi-Chi just have a habit of turning down things she wanted? And if she wanted to stay here, did that mean she didn't want to stay with him anymore? He rubbed his chest, feeling odd. The poison must be messing with him still.

Chi-Chi, meanwhile, had just finished straightening the room and was about to leave to get started on the promised treats when she noticed Goku's sullen expression. It was so unlike his usual behavior that she couldn't help but worry.

"Goku? You okay? Are you feeling feverish again?" She pressed a hand to his forehead to test his temperature but he didn't feel warm.

"No, I'm okay…"

"Are you sure?" Chi-Chi asked, pulling away with a small frown.

Goku nodded. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you sure you don't wanna stay? You seem to really like it here."

"What makes you think that?"

Goku shrugged, moving the spoon around in one of his now empty bowls. "You're all smiley and stuff. And that doctor said everyone loves you."

"Oh I don't know about that," Chi-Chi blushed, shaking her head. "Although the children are very sweet."

"So you don't like it here?"

"Hm? No, I like it…but I think what I enjoy most is being surrounded by so many children. Growing up as an only child I always wanted a big family. Since I'll never have siblings, I wanna have lots of kids instead."

Goku considered this. He thought he could understand. He loved his Grandpa but having more Grandpas around would have made him happy. If she planned to have lots of kids, he wondered what she was waiting for but when he asked, Chi-Chi turned bright red.

"Well it's not like I can just have them on my own. I'd have to get married first."

Oh. Did that mean if they got married her kids would be his family too? Goku couldn't help the small smile that sprung to his lips at the thought. He wondered what they would be like until another thought crossed his mind.

"Does this mean we'd have to get to know them first?"

"What?" Chi-Chi blinked, not understanding. "Why would we have to get to know them first?"

"Well, ya wanted us to get to know each other before we can become family. Isn't this the same thing?" It sounded like the same thing but the way Chi-Chi was staring made him feel like maybe it wasn't.

"Goku…do you not know where children come from?"

Oh. Was this one of those things everyone else seemed to know but him again? He frowned and shook his head no.

"Have ya never seen a pregnant lady before?"

"What's that?"

"Oh dear," Chi-Chi muttered, putting a hand to her face. "Well alright, first off, babies are made in a woman's body. So a pregnant lady is a lady who is currently makin' a baby."

"Really?" Goku looked her over, confused. "Does that mean you can make a baby too?"

"Uh…kind of." Upon seeing Goku looking even more baffled, she added. "I'd need a husband first before I could make a baby."

"Me?" Goku asked, pointing to himself and making Chi-Chi blush yet again.

"If we get married, then yes, they'd be your children too."

His...children?

It was such a wild concept but…did that mean there was something he had to do to help make them? He asked Chi-Chi and watched her turn the deepest shade of red he had ever seen.

"Uh, well…" Where on earth did she start? Chi-Chi sat on the bed and began fiddling with the sheets as she thought. "Do you…do you know what sex is?"

Goku stared at her for a moment, his mind going over everything he had picked up from his childhood. Oddly enough there was a lot…even if he didn't understand any of it. "Kinda…Master Roshi used to watch these videos sometimes when he thought me and Krillin were doing somethin' else. It's what people do when they get naked right? Oh!" He snapped his fingers. "That must be the thing married people do right? Huh…I wonder if all those people were married…"

"R-Right!" Chi-Chi agreed hastily, not wanting Goku to go down that path. "That's right. Sex is the thing married people do, it's a very intimate, private act. Which is why you shouldn't go doin' it with just anyone."

"Is that what that bad man was trying to do with Daigo's daughter?"

"Yes," Chi-Chi scowled. "Which is what makes it so awful. One of the worst things ya can do to another person is force sexual acts without the other person's permission or consent."

"I see." No wonder Chi-Chi had been so upset. But there was something he still didn't understand. "What does this have to do with children?"

"Well, ya have to have sex to make a baby."

"Oh, okay." Well that kinda explained things a little. "So how do we do it?"

Chi-Chi blinked. "What?"

"How do we do it?" Goku repeated.

Chi-Chi shrugged. "I don't really know, it's not like I've ever done it before."

Right. She needed a husband for that but…he was going to be her husband, so wouldn't it be okay for them to try?

"Well do you wanna?" Goku asked her. "We can figure it out together."

"Goku! I told you I wasn't gonna do those things until I got married!" Chi-Chi snapped. "Besides, I'm not ready to have a baby yet." She needed a husband and a house with actual bedrooms! And maybe a garden and a truck. Goodness knows she couldn't travel with a baby on an airbike.

Goku frowned, having forgotten about the babies. He still didn't understand how she could make one. Was she hiding something like when Tien somehow grew extra arms? He started tugging at her clothes, trying to see just what part of her body was so different from his that she could make a whole baby but Chi-Chi slapped his hands away.

"Stop that!"

"But Chi-Chi, I still don't get it. Where do you make it?"

"A baby?" Chi-Chi asked, making sure that's what Goku was talking about. When he nodded an affirmative she rubbed her stomach. "Right here. Women's bodies will slowly grow as the baby grows."

That…that only made more questions pop in Goku's head.

"But Chi-Chi," he whispered, suddenly very afraid of the answer, "If a baby grows in your belly, how does it get out?"

Nope! Nuh uh. No way. She wasn't gonna do this. Chi-Chi raised a hand to silence him, not willing to continue with the current line of conversation any further. "I think that's enough for now," she told him. "If we get married, I'll explain it to ya then."

"Cause we'll have sex when we get married."

"R-Right," Chi-Chi blushed, feeling like he was strangely hung up on that fact. "And ya have to have sex to make a baby."

"Is that why everyone's so obsessed with sex? Cause they wanna make babies?" Goku tried picturing Master Roshi and then Bulma with a baby and couldn't help but frown. For some reason the image just didn't look right. Not like with Chi-Chi. And Chi-Chi did want children but she wasn't obsessed with sex.

Goku scratched the back of his head, starting to feel a little warm, while Chi-Chi shook her head no.

"That's not why most people do it."

"Then why?"

Chi-Chi shrugged, not really knowing herself. She'd overheard the maids talking about it a few times and it always sounded a little awkward but maybe that was because most of them hadn't been in love with their partners?

"Supposedly it feels really good."

"Really?" Goku moved a little closer, suddenly intrigued. "Why?"

"I don't know," said Chi-Chi, feeling her cheeks go red for the thousandth time that morning. She tried to make some space between them but she could feel the edge of the bed, so it was either stay put or fall off completely. "I told you, I've never done it before."

"Is it like when you kiss me?" he asked, inching a little closer.

"I already told you I don't know," she murmured, looking away. "It's not like I've ever been kissed before either."

"Oran kissed you."

Chi-Chi frowned. "Oran's twelve. It doesn't count."

So…would it count if he kissed her? He moved closer, ready to ask, when a wave of dizziness seemed to hit him all at once. Goku dropped his head onto Chi-Chi's shoulder with a groan.

"G-Goku? Are you alright?"

He shook his head no, leaning heavily on her for support.

"Oh dear," he heard Chi-Chi say as she pressed a hand against his forehead. "You're running a slight fever again. Alright, let's get you settled in bed and then I can bring you some medicine."

With her strength, she was easily able to pick him up with one arm, and used the other to pull the blankets back before laying him down and tucking him in. Chi-Chi then helped him take some medicine and after, brushed back his sweaty bangs to place a cool towel on his forehead. Goku leaned into her touch, unable to remember the last time someone had touched him so gently.

His gesture made Chi-Chi smile, relieved to see he didn't seem too ill. She stood to leave, knowing Goku needed to rest and she had turnovers to make, but before she could go he grabbed her hand.

"Goku?"

"Thanks Chi-Chi," he murmured, rolling his head slightly to look at her. She looked really pretty with her hair falling all around her face and she was smiling in that way again. The one she only ever seemed to share with him.

He sighed as she pressed soft lips to his forehead.

If sex felt even half as nice as Chi-Chi's kisses, he definitely wanted to experience it with her.