"I'm sorry Boss, it looks like we'll be out this round."

Hm? Chi-Chi paused in the middle of changing bedsheets and looked over her shoulder to the open door across the hall.

"Better the one than finding yourself out permanently," replied a gruff voice.

"What he means to say is, we're just happy neither of you were killed," said another, this one a woman. Chi-Chi turned back to her task, determined to give them some privacy even if she couldn't help overhear what they had to say.

"How you got to her before that damn dino could take the bite…"

"Hun, let's not focus on that now, hmm? They need their rest and we need to decide if we're gonna postpone this year's expedition."

"You can't!" shouted a fourth voice so suddenly that Chi-Chi jumped and had to press a hand to calm her racing heart. "You know the townsfolk have come to depend on it. And if you did, it'll just mean me and Ran got hurt for nothin."

Depend on what? Without thinking Chi-Chi moved towards the door and began straightening the shelves nearby.

"She's got a point, love."

"It's too dangerous without Ran and Rin. I always thought we were pushin' it before but now it'll be impossible."

"So we'll hire some help."

"Who in their right mind would go through Dino Pass?"

Dino Pass? Wasn't that east of here?

"Madam's gotta point Boss," chimed in the first voice, who Chi-Chi guessed was Ran.

"Well it's not impossible! We do it every year, surely we can find someone!"

Chi-Chi tapped her fingers against the furniture for a moment before pulling off her apron and marching across the hall. "Excuse me," she murmured, knocking gently on the door. "I couldn't help but overhear…."

o0o

"Why do you seek to get stronger?"

"Goku, my boy, never look at the full moon."

"I can't marry you. Not when you didn't even know what ya promised."

"I don't suppose you'd consider returning once you've finished your trip? For more than just room and board of course."

"Would it still be true if you had not lost your grandfather so tragically?"

…

Goku awoke from his nap with a start, feeling disoriented as he was jostled from side to side. It wasn't until his eyes landed on Chi-Chi sitting in front of him and he'd inhaled her familiar scent that he recalled where he was.

"Have a good nap?" Chi-Chi asked, sensing he was awake.

"Mhm." As good as he could with that Xuan Wu haunting him the past four days. He didn't know why his questions bothered him or why it was dragging up other bad thoughts. It had never done so before.

"Only you could fall asleep while ridin' a dinosaur," Chi-Chi huffed, shaking her head, although she was smiling as she did so.

"Aw, let him rest," Jet called from off to their right. He was a short muscular man with an easy grin that reminded Goku of Yamcha but one who was more carefree. "There won't be time for it once those beasts start noticing us."

"Like the strongest man in the world needs to rest," laughed a similar looking dark haired man to their left. Jaki was just as easy going as his cousin and the two were often joking over something or other.

Goku chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck feeling a bit shy. "Everyone needs to sleep."

"And he's humble too!" joked an older woman, pulling up from the rear with one of the wagons. "Jet and Jaki, you fellas could learn a thing or two from him."

"Aw, Bulba, ya know ya love us," Jaki grinned.

Goku smiled, happy to be around such a boisterous group. There were the cousins, Jet and Jaki—both fighters that had promised Goku a match at some point—and then Bulba, her husband Char-ri and their young son Bu-fri, who had been ecstatic when he learned Goku had won the recent tournament. There was also Veno, who acted as the group's doctor, and her niece Pika who was around his and Chi-Chi's age. Both were friendly although Pika seemed more interested in chatting with Chi-Chi or the last member of the group, Kabu. The tall woman had nodded hello when they were introduced and gone right back to working but that was okay. It kind of reminded him of his friend Tien.

Together they were all traveling their way through Dino Pass, to collect some sort of special flower that only grew in that region. He and Chi-Chi had been hired on as extra muscle after a pair of siblings, Ran and Rin, had been injured while trying to round up enough dinosaurs calm enough to ride across the pass. Apparently the smaller dinosaurs were better to ride than noisy vehicles or pack animals—Char-ri liked to refer to them as prey instead of pack—because those tended to attract the more vicious breed of dinosaurs. The kind that could squash them for being underfoot. Unfortunately for the siblings, even the calmer breeds could be dangerous until properly muzzled.

Goku didn't know why they couldn't just run—or walk if they lacked the stamina—but he wasn't complaining. With only so many mounts available, he and Chi-Chi had to share. After what happened with Xuan Wu he liked having an excuse to be close to her. Which was weird when he thought about it. It was one thing to enjoy snuggling near her at night. That was the best way to sleep. And if he was being honest, he liked when he had an excuse to cuddle with her during the day too—touching her just made him feel good—but he had never worried over someone not being right next to him before. He hadn't even felt this way about Krillin and Krillin had actually died! Maybe it was because Chi-Chi smelled better. Not that Krillin smelled bad…but there was something about Chi-Chi's scent that Goku couldn't get enough of.

No...Goku shook his head knowing that wasn't it. If he had to choose a real reason…it was because Chi-Chi was his to protect. They were going to be a family and he'd almost lost her before they could make it happen. He'd already lost Grandpa, he wasn't going to lose Chi-Chi too.

So if he stuck around her a little closer and longer than necessary? Well Chi-Chi hadn't complained. And in addition to keeping her safe, he got to enjoy her warm scent and feel her soft skin brush against his all day. There were definitely worse ways to travel.

As much as he was enjoying riding with Chi-Chi though, there was one downside. Traveling with such a large group was really cutting into their training. Goku hoped the dinos were extra tough to make up for it. Still, there was a little time in the evenings and with those heavy items they'd taken from Xuan Wu—according to Chi-Chi, they'd earned 'em—he still managed to get a decent workout in.

Speaking of, he tugged on Chi-Chi's dress to get her attention. "Hey Chi-Chi, you should take this time to meditate. I can hold the reins in the meantime."

"What?" Chi-Chi turned in her seat to stare at him, looking doubtful. "Is that really safe to do on top of an animal?"

"Sure! Just keep it small and work on manipulatin' its shape."

"Alright," she sighed, still not overly fond of the exercise. Chi-Chi turned back around and squeaked as Goku's arms came around her to grab the reins. She hadn't thought about the logistics when she agreed to his suggestion but she could hardly say no now. Although how she was supposed to focus with his muscular arms surrounding her, she had no idea. Chi-Chi squirmed a little in her seat and put her hands out in front of her, doing her best to concentrate and ignore Goku's solid presence.

While Chi-Chi was doing that, Goku did his best to keep their steed steady. Meditating wasn't as easy as it looked and Chi-Chi seemed to have more difficulty than most. While she had no trouble using it to boost her strength—in fact it came naturally to her—she struggled when it came to pushing ki out of her body and Goku couldn't figure out why that was. Was it because Chi-Chi was a girl? He didn't know any other girl fighters to compare her to. Or was that weird second ki—the one that seemed to appear out of nowhere—just a Chi-Chi thing?

Goku's eyes widened as he thought of something else.

Was there a second ki because Chi-Chi was making a baby?!

He immediately set to searching for it, even though he knew it only appeared when Chi-Chi's emotions were strong, and found nothing. So it probably wasn't a baby, he doubted they had the skill to hide ki and…Goku nearly smacked his head. How could he forget? Chi-Chi had said they'd have to have sex first before she could make a baby, so it couldn't be that.

But they would do it some day…after they were married. It probably wouldn't be too long from now. They'd already beaten one of the places and Chi-Chi had said there were only four in total, so that left…he counted on his fingers…one, two, three. Three more places and then they'd get married once they'd finished.

And then they would have sex.

Goku felt his cheeks grow warm. He didn't really care about people seeing him naked or the other way around. Everyone was one or the other right? At least he thought so. No one had said anything to imply otherwise in any case. But the way everyone acted about it made him nervous. Chi-Chi especially liked to cover up more than Bulma or Launch ever did.

Which was a shame.

Maybe it was a bit silly but he liked showing off his own muscles, especially once he finally shot up in height, and Chi-Chi was such an interesting mix of muscles and curves. When she'd passed out after her fight at the waterfall, he'd had a hard time taking his eyes off her! Goku's eyes darted down to her cloth covered legs, wishing he could see them again. Or her shoulders. For some reason he had really liked the slope of her bare shoulders.

Goku shook his head, trying to shove such thoughts aside. He'd see them once they were married. In fact he'd see a whole lot more of her once they were married…which would be weird. And they'd have to touch? Goku tried to imagine him and Chi-Chi doing those things he'd seen in Master Roshi's videos but it was just so foreign to him.

Chi-Chi said it was supposed to feel good but it didn't look like they were doing anything special. Then again…Chi-Chi's kisses made him feel good, so it was probably a lot like that…right? He tried to picture Chi-Chi naked and kissing him, her soft skin brushing against his, and suddenly felt very, very uncomfortable. Why did his weiner feel like it was getting stiff?

"Goku!"

Goku looked up in alarm just as Chi-Chi yanked on the reins, stopping them from running into a large rock.

"What are you doing, Goku? I thought you said you'd steer this thing," she huffed, annoyed at how close that was. Chi-Chi looked over her shoulder and was confused to see Goku looking extremely flustered.

"Oh, right," he laughed uneasily, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe you better do it after all. I'm still a little sleepy."

She stared at him a minute longer, making sweat bead down Goku's neck. He knew he was acting suspicious but there was no way he was gonna tell her why. Chi-Chi would kill him! Thankfully after another minute she turned back around, taking the reins, and put them back in motion. Goku wiped his brow, silently thanking Kami Chi-Chi couldn't read minds, and then set to begin meditating. A little mental training would do him some good.

o0o

Chi-Chi stretched her neck back and forth a few times and then worked her limbs, taking particular care of her legs and her stiff back. She wasn't used to riding for hours on end and throwing Goku into the mix just made it worse! She'd been tense the entire time, unable to relax as they rode together, because every step their steed made seemed designed to bring them closer together. How could she relax when she was fully aware of every place their bodies touched?

Sure she'd slept beside him. Had even fallen asleep in his arms once, but it wasn't the same. Not like now. Goku didn't seem bothered though. Goku didn't seem like he thought anything of it at all. She'd been surprised when he'd suggested they ride together, having assumed he'd take Nimbus or run, and now what had seemed like an easy paycheck was nothing but pure torture.

It just wasn't fair.

Chi-Chi glanced over to where Goku was currently getting in some quick exercises, completely oblivious to her frustrations. If only she didn't like him so much. Before she might have been able to dismiss her feelings as maidenly embarrassment. She would have been uncomfortable traveling so close with any man who wasn't her father. But now? She knew it was just because Goku was Goku. No other man had ever made her feel like this.

He was just so sweet and adorable. Sure he could be a little thoughtless at times but he made up for it in other ways, and he was so patient with her even when she didn't deserve it. Comforting her when her worries got out of hand, making her laugh and play in ways she hadn't since she was a child. For so long she'd had to conform to a role for her father and her people, she'd forgotten how to have fun, but being with Goku made her feel like a kid again.

She would miss him when he finally decided to leave…more than miss him…but Chi-Chi knew he would go eventually. She wouldn't fool herself into believing she could keep someone as wonderful as Goku to herself, especially for something as foolish as a childhood promise. At least this time she would have some good memories to hold on to and there would always be the tournament. If she ever wanted to see him again, she was sure she would find him there.

"Goku! Chi-Chi! I wanna show you something," Bulba called, waving them over. She waited until they were next to her to crouch down and point at an ugly looking weed in the ground. "This here, is the medicinal flower."

"Really?" said Chi-Chi as she examined it. "It doesn't look like much."

"That's because they only bloom in darkness," Bulba swung a heavy coat around the plant and gestured for them to join her near the ground. When they peeked through the opening, they could see the ugly bud begin to open, revealing pale, glowing petals that sparkled in the dark.

Chi-Chi and Goku both stared in awe.

"We take the buds to a specialist we know and they're able to turn them into pastes or pills that can heal most health issues like scarring or nerve damage, memory issues, auto-immune diseases, you name it," she tapped the flower, "this can help."

"That's amazing!" Chi-Chi gasped. "But if it's so helpful, why hasn't anyone tried growing it out somewhere less troublesome to gather it?"

"Can't. Haven't found soil anywhere quite as rich in nutrients as the ones here in Dino Pass."

"How'd you ever find it in the first place?" Goku asked. He didn't think dinosaurs were scary but he knew most other folk did. It seemed unlikely they'd go to a place known for them.

Bulba smiled and glanced lovingly over to where her husband was ordering the others around. "It was Char-ri who found it. The women in my family," Bulba shook her head, "they don't tend to make it through pregnancies, so when we found out I was carryin' Bu-fri, he went searching for something that could help. Saved my life, the silly man."

The older woman removed the coat and then snipped the head of the flower and then slipped it into her basket. "Since then we've taken to gathering them once a year and bringing them to others in need."

"That's wonderful," Chi-Chi smiled, "Isn't it Goku?"

But Goku wasn't listening any longer.

"Goku?"

"Something's coming," Goku told them, keeping his eyes on the skyline. "A lotta something."

Bulba nodded and stood. "I'll warn the others."

But there wasn't time.

Grandpa had told him once that birds tended to migrate. Goku didn't know if the same could be said for flying dinosaurs but there sure were enough of them dotting the sky that he thought they might. Several swooped down before the nonfighters of the group could get to safety but Goku was ready.

He pulled out his new staff thinking now was a perfect time to get a little training with it. The staff slowed him down some cause of the weight but it was enough to handle this bunch. He leapt and swung his new staff straight down on the dino in front of him and then used the momentum from the blow to throw himself to the side and strike another. Two more appeared behind him but Goku wasn't worried. He dropped down between the two and let them knock each other out.

"HELP!"

Goku spotted Bu-fri running from one of the dinos flying straight for him but there was no way he could make it in time! He was too far!

He reared his arm back, praying he had the strength to hurl his staff across the distance when a translucent sash flew out, wrapping around the beast's snout and snapping it shut just as it went for a bite. Chi-Chi yanked her sash tighter and then spun, slamming the dinosaur into the ground while Veno rushed Bu-fri into a caravan and away from danger.

Goku grinned, admiring Chi-Chi's skill. She sure looked impressive leaping into the air like that. He turned back to his own opponents who were waving white flags as they attempted to flee.

"Not so fast!"

He struck once, twice and then slammed his foot into a third before falling back to the ground and sheathing his staff once he was sure the area was clear.

"Well," Char-ri huffed, looking over the remains that scattered the ground. "I'm sure glad we ran into you two. This will be the easiest gathering we've ever had."

Jet whistled as he joined Char-ri in looking around. "Not bad." He spotted his friend coming towards them, nursing an injured arm. "You alright there Jaki?"

"Never better," Jaki called, wincing slightly as Veno burst out of the caravan, med kit in hand and snapped for him to join her.

"Sit," she ordered, not sparing him a glance as she set up her supplies.

Chi-Chi smiled at Jaki's pout and then turned her attention towards Goku. "You alright?" she asked as she made her way over, making Goku laugh.

"Aw Chi-Chi, you aren't serious are you?"

Before Chi-Chi could demand to know what was so wrong with showing a little concern, Bu-fri burst out of the caravan and hightailed it over to them.

"That was AMAZING!" he raved. "The way you went BAM! And then HIYA! And that kick?!"

Jet smirked and nudged Jaki with his boot. "Remember when he used to gush like that over us?"

"Keep still!" Veno snapped, making both men freeze. They had developed a healthy fear of the doctor early on but Bu-fri only had eyes for Goku.

"You were SO COOL!"

"Aw that was nothin','' Goku grinned. "You shoulda seen the fights at the tournament. Now those were fun!"

"Really?" Bu-fri turned suddenly towards Chi-Chi, looking up at her with wide eyes. "Was he really cool Miss Chi-Chi?"

"Don't ask her," Goku pouted. "She left right after our fight." He hadn't thought about it before now but he really wished she had stayed.

Bu-fri looked like he had never heard of something so horrifying. "Why would you do that?"

Chi-Chi shot Goku an irritated look. He knew very well why she had left after their fight.

"There was nothin' worth stayin' for," she grumbled, sticking her tongue out at Goku who, for once, got the message loud and clear. His shoulders dropped as his pout deepened. Surely she couldn't still feel that way. Wasn't she having as much fun as him?

"Besides, I still watched most of his fights."

Wait, what? Goku blinked. This was news to him.

"Really?" Bu-fri grinned, "And what'd you think?"

Goku turned to watch Chi-Chi carefully, also curious about the answer, but Chi-Chi wasn't going to let him find out so easily. She shrugged and began walking away much to Goku's frustration.

"Hey wait a sec!" He moved to stop her but Chi-Chi playfully evaded his grasp and waved Bu-fri over instead.

"If ya really wanna know," she told him, putting a hand to her mouth to whisper in the young boy's ear. "He was pretty cool but keep that between us, kay?"

Bu-fri grinned, swearing to secrecy just as his father called him over. "You'll have to tell me all about it later, promise?"

She promised she would, earning a quick hug before Bu-fri ran over to his parents. Chi-Chi smiled and shook her head at the boy's exuberance while Goku took advantage of her distraction to sidle up beside her.

"So you thought I was cool, eh?" Goku grinned, rubbing a finger under his nose. Others might not have been able to hear her praising him but they didn't have his hearing.

Chi-Chi raised one eyebrow his way and then turned away with a huff. "I never said that."

"Wha—sure ya did! I just heard you!"

"Maybe ya should get your hearing checked," she told him, tugging on his ear.

Goku frowned and pulled her hand away, "Admit it. You said I was pretty cool!"

"I said you were pretty foolish."

"Aw Chi-Chi, don't lie," he whined, "Tell the truth."

Chi-Chi just smiled, taking pleasure in teasing him. "Better hurry up Goku," she warned after noticing the group. She pulled her sleeve from his grasp and began walking towards their steed. "It looks like the others are ready to go."

"But Chi-Chiiiii!" She still hadn't admitted the truth!

"Chi-Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiii."

o0o

Goku dropped several of the latest round of dinosaur carcasses next to Chi-Chi and got to work cutting through the joints and tendons while Chi-Chi scaled. It was late enough in the day that they both wanted to prep for dinner and this would just about fill him for the evening.

"What the hell are you gonna do with that?"

Goku blinked and turned to see Char-ri looking genuinely puzzled as he watched them. He glanced down at the meat he was in the middle of cutting up and back to Char-ri, not understanding. What did he think he was gonna do with it?

"You've seen the way he eats," Chi-Chi answered for them, not taking her eyes off her work. "I'm gonna cook it and then he'll eat it."

"But it's a dinosaur!"

Chi-Chi shrugged, having gotten over her own aversion weeks ago. "Tastes like chicken."

o0o

"Woo! That one was tough!" Goku grinned, landing beside Chi-Chi as a large shelled dinosaur with a spiked tail collapsed behind him.

Chi-Chi handed Goku a flask and then made her way over to study his latest kill. Its hide looked a lot like some of the armor her father used to wear before Goku brought Master Roshi to blow out the fire. The shell was pretty tough, even with Goku's strength it had taken longer to kill than the others.

"Hey Boss!" Chi-Chi called, making her way over to Char-ri. Goku joined her, curious about what she was up to. "I think you should take that hide to town and see if you can make some armor out of it."

The man looked over to the hide in question and back at her. "Yeah? I suppose that one was tougher to kill. You think it'll help out next year?"

Chi-Chi nodded. "I do. My father had some made years ago that looks just like it. It's even impervious to heat."

"I remember that!" Goku grinned. "Is that what yours was made of too?" He asked, tugging at her clothes.

Chi-Chi smacked his hands away, wishing he hadn't brought up her foolish fashion choices but luckily Char-ri was too busy considering her suggestion to hear what Goku had said.

"That's not a bad idea," Char-ri said eventually, "but I don't think any of the towns on our route have someone who could work it."

Really? Chi-Chi stared for a moment but then realized it was probably unusual for most villages to have access to an armorer. "Well if ya ever find your way near Mt. Frypan, there's a couple of folk there who know how to work it."

They heard a loud gasp and then Pika, who'd been collecting medicinal flowers, dropped them all on the ground and rushed over to them.

"Did you say Mt. Frypan?" she demanded, grabbing hold of Chi-Chi's hands. "You never said you were from there! Is it true that the Ox-King has a beautiful princess locked away in his castle and that he kills anyone who tries to get near her?!"

"Aw don't get her started on that!" Jet called as he and Jaki walked by.

"Unless it's about that Ox King," Jaki added, "I hear he's a tough son of a bitch. Kills anyone who looks at him."

"Aw he's not so bad," Goku shrugged.

Chi-Chi blushed, wishing her father's reputation wasn't quite so well known. "He hasn't done that in years."

Pika sighed dreamily and pressed a hand to her blushing cheek. "I would give anything to meet her!"

"Whaddya talkin' about?" Goku asked, confused. "You already have."

"What?!"

"What he means," Chi-Chi grinned, clenching her teeth together and squeezing Goku's hand in a death grip, "is that she's just like you and me. Nothing special at all. Stories always exaggerate the details."

"Really? That's too bad," Pika sighed, clearly disappointed. "I guess this is what they mean by never meet your heroes."

"I guess," she agreed. "If you'll excuse us."

Chi-Chi managed to pull Goku a good distance away before he finally dug his heels in.

"Chi-Chi," Goku grumbled, tugging at his hand. She was cutting off his circulation, she was squeezing it so tight. "Chi-Chi, why'd you say that? She was talkin' about you."

"I don't want people to know," she told him, whispering in his ear, "I'm trying to keep a low profile." Goku shivered, suddenly feeling very weird. For some reason Chi-Chi's bare shoulders flashed in his mind. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"Oh, okay." He murmured, rubbing his ear. Goku stepped back, suddenly feeling the need to get away.

"Goku?" Chi-Chi called, noticing how flushed he looked. "You okay?"

"Oh uh…yeah!" Goku mumbled, looking around for an escape. He spotted a small section of trees not too far away. "Just gotta take a leak!"

He took off running, leaving a baffled Chi-Chi staring after him.

o0o

"Aw man, I thought this place was full of vicious dinosaurs," Goku whined after a second day had passed without seeing a single one. "Where'd they all go?"

Char-ri clapped him on the back.

"Somebody scared them all off," he said cheerfully, not bothered in the least to Goku's dissatisfaction.

"Already?" he pouted. Surely he hadn't scared all of them away?

"C'mon Goku," said Chi-Chi, hip checking him. He turned to her curiously as she handed him a large cloth. "Let's see who can find more medicinal flowers."

Goku blinked. "Ya wanna compete?" His blank stare quickly morphed into a smirk, amused that she thought she could beat him. "You really think ya stand a chance?"

Chi-Chi huffed and then shoved him against a nearby caravan with one hand and leaned in so close their foreheads touched.

"Try and keep up," she growled, freezing him to the spot.

It took several long seconds before he was able to calm his racing heart and by then Chi-Chi was already long gone.

"HEY!"

o0o

"Well," said Bulba on the eve after they had officially left Dino Pass. She handed her husband a mug while Pika and Bu-fri ran around giving the others drinks. When everyone had one, they turned their attention back to her. "This has been the most successful haul of medicinal flowers yet. We're sure to make a decent sum but more importantly those needing treatment who can't afford to go to the big cities will be able to cure whatever ailments they have. And we have Goku and Chi-Chi to thank for that." She raised her mug to them, "To Goku and Chi-Chi."

"Goku and Chi-Chi!" they all cheered, raising their glasses and then downing the drinks. Goku wasn't really paying attention, having already been handed a large feast for his efforts, but Chi-Chi was and she couldn't help but flush in embarrassment. It wasn't as if they weren't being paid for their efforts.

Wanting to focus on something besides their praise, Chi-Chi took a cautious sip of her drink. She'd only had wine before at some of her father's state dinners, so she was pleasantly surprised by the spiced drink. She took a larger sip and then another, growing warmer with each gulp.

"Careful there little lady," Jet laughed, "this stuff is strong."

"Strong?" Goku parroted, pulling away from his food to examine the dark looking liquid. He gave it a small sniff that made his nose itch. It certainly smelled strong at least.

"Will this stuff really make ya strong?"

"Let's just say it's got a kick to it," the older man laughed, nudging an amused Jaki in the ribs. Kabu promptly leaned over from where Pika was chatting her up and kicked Jet's leg out from under him, making him tumble in his seat.

"Hey!" Jet cursed, throwing himself back, "What's the big idea?"

Kabu shot him a look but didn't bothering answering, instead choosing to focus on Goku. "What he means is it'll get you drunk fast. You'll want to keep an eye on your friend or she'll end up with a nasty headache in the morning."

Chi-Chi drunk? Goku shifted to face her and saw her happily licking her lips after taking another sip. Would Chi-Chi get drunk? He'd seen Master Roshi and angry Launch do so a couple of times. Even Yamcha had let loose once on their travels and while not as bad as the others, he'd still acted pretty foolish. Alcohol just seemed to bring out the worst in people but he couldn't imagine what a drunk Chi-Chi would be like. Chi-Chi seemed too strict to do something like that.

At least, he thought so until he heard her hiccup.

"Chi-Chi? You okay?" he asked, lowering the large thigh he'd been gnawing on.

Chi-Chi grinned and took another deep draft of her drink. "Mhm!" she giggled, smiling happily up at him. It was close enough to the look she sometimes gave him that his heart started racing, except he could see that her eyes were slightly glazed, and her whole face was flushed.

"Gokuuuu," she cooed, scooting closer until their sides were pressed tightly together. She walked her fingers up his arm. "Ya have somethin' I want."

"I do?" Goku gulped, feeling suddenly alarmed. Chi-Chi had never touched him like this before and he didn't know how he felt about it until her hand slid down the length of his arm making him shiver. For some reason the way she raked her nails against his skin felt really, really good.

Suddenly those nails were digging into his wrist as she yanked his hand up and took a large bite out of his food.

"HEY!"

Chi-Chi grinned, her cheeks stuffed with meat, making Goku's heart throb uncomfortably. He turned away, covering his face with one hand, and offered her the thigh with the other.

"Ya could have just asked," he grumbled, feeling his own cheeks burning.

Chi-Chi giggled and pulled his arm closer, choosing to let him hold it for her to eat. He enjoyed being messy so it was a win-win! She took several bites while admiring Goku's red cheeks, before her gaze landed on his untouched drink. It was just what she needed! She shoved his hand and the meat away and snatched up his cup, taking a large gulp. Mmmm, so tasty. She smacked her lips in pleasure and then leaned into Goku's side, giggling even more as she nursed the yummy drink.

"Chi-Chi," Goku scolded, placing his food aside to try and pull the cup from her. "Do ya really think you should drink so much of this stuff?"

"I'll be fiiiiiiine," she drawled, slapping his hands away. Chi-Chi took another sip and looked back at his frowning face which only made her giggle more. He was just so cute!

"So cute!" she mumbled, "So, so cute! How'd ya get so cute?"

Goku blinked. "Me?" he asked, pointing to himself. "You think I'm cute?" That was a good thing right?

"That's not what yer supposed to tell a man!" a red faced Jaki laughed, overhearing them. "Men wanna be called handsome!"

"But he is handsome!" Chi-Chi argued. She set her cup aside and practically climbed on top of Goku to scold the man who seemed to think otherwise. "Too handsome! He's so handsome it should be illegal!"

Both Jet and Jaki snickered at this while Kabu shot Goku a pointed look, but Goku was too busy reeling at what he'd just heard. She thought he was handsome! That was the thing Daigo had said women liked, right? He tried to think back but his mind could only focus on one thing.

She thought he was handsome!

"Goku!" Chi-Chi snapped, immediately breaking through his train of thought. She smooshed his face between her hands, forcing him to go cross eyed just to focus on her as she straddled his lap. "Don't listen to them Goku! You're the handsomest…the strongest…the most sweetest guy on the planet! Ya hear me?"

Goku grinned. She thought he was handsome! "Is that all? Not the coolest?"

"Definitely the—hey wait a sec!" Something about this seemed familiar. Chi-Chi narrowed her eyes and tried to pinpoint some memory of why that would be but the alcohol and her growing sleepiness made it like trying to hold water in a sieve. In the end, the effort proved too much and she gave up with just a shrug before collapsing on top of a startled Goku and cuddling into him. "You're comfy."

Goku blushed and slowly lowered his hands to hold her. It was a little awkward having her act this way in front of all these people but most of the group were in their own conversations paying little attention to them, so he supposed it wasn't too bad. He took the opportunity to run his fingers through her silky hair and then poked her cheek, prompting an annoyed "what?"

"Ya didn't say if I was the coolest."

"Yer the coolest," Chi-Chi grumbled, nuzzling her head against his chest and making him grin. "No one cooler."

A few more minutes passed like that, him just holding her, before she spoke again.

"Goku?"

"Hm?"

"I like you."

Goku smiled and pulled her closer. "I like you too Chi."

"Mnn…I really like you," she murmured, making Goku's smile widen.

He pressed his nose against her hair, breathing in her warm scent of smoke and wildflowers. "I really like you too Chi," he whispered.

"WHAT?!"

Goku turned to see who was shouting and spotted Bu-fri clutching his head and shouting something at his parents. He wondered what that was about but didn't have to wait long as the boy jumped to his feet and sprinted in their direction.

"Goku! Goku!" Bu-fri shouted, unable to wait until he had crossed the distance. "Goku, I just heard horrible news!"

"What is it?" Goku asked, unable to imagine what could be so horrible that the young boy felt the need to rush over to him.

"They're shutting down the tournament!"

A horrible sinking feeling suddenly gripped Goku's heart. "The tournament?" he repeated numbly.

"The Tenkaichi Budokai!"

"THEY CAN'T!" He jumped to his feet, accidentally throwing Chi-Chi to the ground.

"OW!"

"Oh no! Chi-Chi I'm so sorry!" He crouched down to help her up but was distracted with the need for more information. "What are they shuttin' it down for?" Goku demanded, still halfway on the ground with Chi-Chi.

Unfortunately Bu-fri didn't really know. "Somethin' about the numbers not being what they were and not having enough funding."

Goku couldn't understand. How much could it cost to arrange some fights? Didn't he and the others do it for free? Chi-Chi groaned, bringing his attention back round to her. He had to tell her!

"Chi-Chi, did ya hear? They're shuttin' down the tournament!"

The tournament? Chi-Chi rubbed her head, her thoughts still a little cloudy as she adjusted her legs. What tournament was Goku—oh! There could only be one tournament that Goku would care about but why on earth were they shutting it down? She asked and Bu-fri repeated what he knew. It made sense. Chi-Chi remembered her father telling her the tournament used to take days to go through and that people would camp in the streets because there weren't enough rooms available, but it hadn't been that way when she attended it several weeks ago. It had been surprisingly easy to book a room at the last minute.

So they were shutting it down? But…but that meant any chance of seeing Goku again would go with it! She never even got to see him fight in person! And now she never would!

Tears sprung to her eyes and Chi-Chi knew she was about to embarrass herself by crying but she couldn't help it. "We gotta stop em!"

"Right!" Goku knew she would understand. He jumped to his feet, pulling Chi-Chi up with him, but the second he did Chi-Chi's world seemed to spin and it was all she could do just to keep herself from being sick. "Chi-Chi? You okay?"

"I'll be fine," Chi-Chi told him, "Let's go."

"I don't think so," Veno tsked as she joined them. Kabu had warned her that the drink had been too strong for the new girl, so she'd come over to take a look. After seeing Chi-Chi sway, Veno had to agree. The older woman sat her back down and grabbed the offered bottle from Kabu's hand, uncapping it before passing it on to Chi-Chi. "Drink this, it'll help." Chi-Chi did as instructed while Veno turned to Goku. "She's in no condition to go anywhere right now. You'll have to wait until morning."

Goku couldn't wait that long! He knew the doctor probably knew best but the longer they delayed the less likely they would be able to fix the problem! He grabbed Chi-Chi's shoulders, hoping she would understand. "Chi-Chi, it can't wait. I gotta go!"

Go? He was leaving already? Chi-Chi felt the tears she was trying to hold back swell to the breaking point, forcing her to turn away. It was sooner than she expected but she'd known since the day she'd agreed to travel with him that it wouldn't last. She wouldn't let her tears guilt him into staying.

"You stop 'em Goku," Chi-Chi ordered, leaning on Kabu for support. She was gonna miss him something terribly but if he could stop the tournament from being canceled—and if anyone could it would be him—then at least there'd be some hope for seeing him again some day.

Knowing he didn't have time to waste, Goku called for Nimbus and then turned to say goodbye only to find Chi-Chi staring at the ground. She must be feeling worse than he'd thought.

He looked to the doctor for reassurance. "She'll be okay?"

"She'll be fine," Veno nodded.

Goku nodded back in return, trusting the woman to keep her word, and then hopped on Nimbus and glanced back at Chi-Chi one last time. He wished he could see her face before he left but he couldn't afford to wait any longer and so, sooner than either of them wanted, he was zooming off into the sky.

Chi-Chi felt the woosh and looked up in time to see his strong back disappearing in the distance as the tears she'd been holding back finally broke free. Suddenly she felt a lot more sober.

"Goodbye Goku."