Man was it hot. Goku wiped the sweat from his brow, wishing he'd done like Chi-Chi and opted for less clothing. Sure the flames didn't seem to burn his skin but that hardly made the heat enjoyable. And the shadows…there was something about the shadows that kept circling him that put him on edge. He tried to ignore them but they were everywhere and only seemed to be creeping closer.
Goku put a hand to his chin as he thought.
If ignoring them wouldn't work, maybe he was supposed to look at them?
He stopped in his tracks and squinted, trying to make heads or tails of the shapeless shadows, but if there was something he was supposed to see there, he didn't know what. It wasn't long though before they started swirling together, forming one great big mass, prompting him to wait and watch until the shadows split in two and formed…people? At least he thought they were people based off their shapes. One of the shadows was bigger and moved at a slow and steady—almost familiar—pace, while the smaller shadow seemed full of energy, bouncing from side to side. It even had a…
"Grandpa! Grandpa!"
Goku's eyes widened, his heart thumping against his chest.
The smaller shadow even had a tail! This…this was him and his Grandpa. It had to be! But he didn't understand. Why would the fire be showing him this? Unless…
Fear gripped his heart as his shadow morphed into a large and terrifying creature.
Could that have been the monster that killed his grandpa?!
"Run Grandpa! Don't let it get you!"
But his grandpa's shadow didn't budge—didn't fight either—just stood his ground, waiting for the beast to act.
"Grandpa!"
Why wouldn't he move?!
The beast roared and brought its foot up.
"Grandpa run!"
The foot came barreling down and Goku tried to catch it, but it passed through him like smoke, flattening his grandpa into nothing.
"NO! GRANDPA!"
He looked around frantically, wondering where his shadow had gone, as if that could make everything better. It didn't matter that none of this was real or that it had happened years ago. He needed answers!
Where was his shadow? Why hadn't he stopped the monster?
But instead of answers, a new shadow appeared. This one slimmer, more shapely.
Goku stiffened.
He knew that shape well. Had watched it move throughout their training sessions, felt its soft form beneath his fingers…
"Why are you showing me this?!"
And where was he? Why was Chi-Chi all alone?
But as soon as Goku thought that, he spotted his shadow, now that of his current size. Goku relaxed, able to breathe easier. This was good. Shadow Goku would protect Chi-Chi.
His relief came too soon however, because just like before his form suddenly morphed into that of a monster—
"NO!"
—and just like before the beast raised its foot and stomped Chi-Chi flat.
"NO! NOT CHI-CHI! CHI-CHI!"
Goku gripped his hair tight, unwilling to believe what he was seeing.
Why hadn't he stopped it?! Why hadn't that shadow Goku stopped it?! He was so much stronger now! He was supposed to be able to stop it!
He didn't even try!
Goku turned away as his tears burned his cheeks before evaporating up in steam. First Grandpa, now Chi-Chi? Why?! Why couldn't he protect them?! He crumpled to the ground and slammed his fist into the dirt as he cried out his rage. Why did the people he loved always end up dead?!
How much stronger did he need to be to protect them?!
His shoulders slumped as a dark thought filled his heart then. Would they…
Goku gulped.
Would they be better off without him? If they had never crossed paths would his Grandpa still be alive?
He flinched as the fire started to sting but his mind was too unsettled to worry about that now.
Grandpa hadn't moved, hadn't run. There was only one reason why he wouldn't that Goku could think of. Grandpa must have been trying to distract it, to keep it away from a sleeping young Goku…and Chi-Chi…Chi-Chi had always been safe on Mt. Frypan. Safe before traveling with him.
If he could just get her to go back and stay there…
Goku coughed and sank further onto the ground.
But he didn't want that.
He didn't want Chi-Chi to leave him. He didn't want to be alone.
He wanted a family. He wanted Chi-Chi.
But…but if being with him put Chi-Chi in danger…
His fingers dug into the soil, his thoughts growing dizzy.
If being with him put Chi-Chi in danger…
He coughed, unable to breathe.
…then he would lea—
"GOKU!"
Goku rolled his head upward, spotting a frantically waving figure running towards him through the flames.
"Chi-Chi…you can't…" It was too dangerous. She needed to leave. "Chi…Chi…run…"
His head dropped as the last of his strength left him. This was it. He wasn't getting out of this one.
At least Chi-Chi would be safe without him.
"Goku!"
Strong, slender arms slipped beneath him and heaved him upward, cradling him against a soft form as Chi-Chi took off running in a direction known only to her. Goku struggled to open his eyes but managed after a second, enough to take in the sweat dripping down her skin and the way her brows knitted in concentration as her radiant eyes stared straight ahead. She moved with ease, not weighed down by him at all.
"Heh."
The laughter escaped him before he could stop it and soon he was giggling up a storm, but he couldn't help it! It was just too funny! Goku shook his head in amusement as they burst out the other side of the flames and into the cool, crisp air, smiling wide despite his near brush with death.
Chi-Chi smiled back, relieved but also more than a little confused. It only made his smile grow.
"Goku?"
She lowered him to the ground carefully, but before she could pull back, he jerked her down to his level and kissed her, drinking in the sweet, salty taste of her lips.
His friends were right. He really was dumb. Chi-Chi was strong. Maybe not as strong as him, but definitely strong. He was foolish to think he needed to leave.
Goku pulled away and smiled at her, taking in every detail of her disheveled state, and Chi-Chi couldn't help but flush under the intensity of his gaze.
"G-Goku?" She gulped, pressing a hand to his face. "Are you okay?"
He sighed and leaned into her touch. "Yeah."
"Are you s—mph!"
Chi-Chi flailed as Goku kissed her again, not knowing what had gotten into him. This wasn't the time or place! And yet…
She sighed and threw herself into the kiss, feeling his soft, fluffy hair and the broad expanse of his back, more than a little relieved to have him safe in her arms.
For a minute there she had fea…
"Ah. I see you are occupied."
Both Goku and Chi-Chi jumped apart, ready to take on this newest threat, but paused when they spotted a wild looking man with hair from his head and face reaching all the way down past his feet.
"Hello," the man greeted.
Goku put an arm in front of Chi-Chi and whispered not so discreetly, "Chi-Chi, I think that giant hairball is talking to us."
"Ah."
The wild man stuck an arm out of the mass of hair and rubbed the back of his head. "I apologize for my appearance, it has been awhile since I have had access to a blade. Would either of you perhaps have one?"
o0o
"Hmm, it looks like we'll need to stock up on supplies before we leave these islands," Chi-Chi said aloud to Goku, who was busy chowing down on a few dishes she had whipped up while she finished making a soup.
If Goku had an average man's stomach then she wouldn't worry but average was the last word she would ever use to describe him, meaning their supplies were good for a day at most. She stirred the pot a little, wishing there was fresh meat to be had but grateful that there was at least enough to help Goku recover his strength, and took a small taste.
Delicious!
Pleased, Chi-Chi spooned a helping into a bowl just as the wild man stepped out of their capsule home with a clean face and neat hair, wearing a set of Goku's spare clothing.
"Ah! I feel revived!" He beamed, bowing to the both of them. "Thank you for the use of your luxurious facilities! To think the world has advanced so!"
A stomach growled loudly then but when Chi-Chi looked to Goku he could only shake his head. It wasn't him.
"Ahahaha," laughed the man, looking sheepish. "My what a lovely aroma…"
…
"You two are heaven sent," the man cried as he slurped up his remaining noodles. He placed his bowl down and offered another deep bow. "Thank you so, so much!"
"Er…you're welcome…uh…what was your name again?" Chi-Chi asked, making the man gasp.
"Oh! Where are my manners? I apologize, it has been so long since I have spoken to others. My name is Xu Xian."
This time it was Chi-Chi's turn to gasp.
"Xu Xian!"
Both Goku and Xu Xian turned to her startled.
"The lady knows me?"
Chi-Chi blushed, realizing she'd failed to explain herself as well.
"I'm sorry. I believe I know someone who knew you? Knows you?" What was the proper tense for someone you last saw over a hundred years ago? She shook her head, deciding it didn't matter. "Do you know Bai Suzhen?"
Xu Xian blinked, before tears sprang to his eyes. "You know my lady?"
Chi-Chi nodded.
"She's just on the other side. She told us how to cross the fire."
"Then…then she lives." Xu Xian ran a heavy hand over his face. "That is so good to hear, thank you. I feared she perished in the fire when she never joined me on this side."
"She had her reasons for not following but how have you survived all this time?"
With no animals to hunt and crops not able to withstand the heat generated by the flames, Chi-Chi couldn't understand how he could have lasted as long as he did.
"The waters here have special properties that keep one in peak condition. No matter how many years pass or how little sustenance one gets," Xu Xian explained, gesturing to the small stream behind him. "When my lady failed to join me I began to doubt and feared that I had either led her to her death or that perhaps her heart was no longer mine. With such dark thoughts in my heart, I knew I would fail to pass through the flames a second time, so I have remained here ever since."
He looked toward the wall of fire with hopeful trepidation, making Chi-Chi smile. "But you say she is just on the other side?"
"She is. You should go to her. If you still want to, that is."
"I do. I truly wish for nothing else but…" Xu Xian's smile faltered momentarily before brightening again. "I think that I shall wait a little longer. You have come to face Zhuque's challenge have you not?"
"Sure have!" Goku grinned, smiling at Chi-Chi warmly.
Xu Xian smiled at the pair and nodded. "Yes, I think the two of you shall succeed where I and others have not. I will stay here until your successful return. Then we can go together, yes?"
"Of course," Chi-Chi agreed, understanding that he probably needed some time to adjust to this news. "If you want to wait for us then I guess we'd better get a move on. Ready Goku?"
"Sure am!"
He hopped to his feet and looked around.
"Er, but where do we go?"
Chi-Chi glanced around too but aside from the wall of fire and the volcano at their back, there was no other landscape that might serve as an entrance of any kind.
"Do you not have the crystals?" Xu Xian questioned.
"We do." Goku pulled out the capsule and tossed it open, revealing a large container of paint. "The lady told us to grind it all up. Said it would help light the way."
Xu Xian smiled at this reference to his lady. "Yes, that was the right thing to do. The crystals in paint form cannot only light the darkness but it can create doors. Spread it across the surface of the volcano and you will gain entrance to Zhuque's den."
"Really?"
Goku took a towel Chi-Chi offered him and dipped it into the paint, spreading it across the rock face like Xu Xian instructed. The paint shimmered at first and then disappeared altogether, leaving only an opening to a long, dark cave.
"Woah! This stuff really works! Thanks." He turned to Chi-Chi. "C'mon Chi, let's go!"
"Right!"
Goku and Chi-Chi bade Xu Xian goodbye and then stepped into the tunnel, with Goku taking the lead, brushing paint along the walls periodically as they went. They didn't know how far they'd have to go, so he didn't want to use too much at once, but it didn't seem like they'd have much trouble finding their way back as the tunnel never veered off in any direction.
They walked for ten minutes with no change before Chi-Chi slowed to a stop.
"What's up Chi?"
"Don't you think we should have turned by now? We've been walking in a straight line this whole time. Maybe we need to make a new entrance?"
"You mean like how we got in?"
"Mhm," Chi-Chi nodded.
"Ain't that risky?" Goku eyed the paint, judging how much they had. It was a lot but not enough to traverse the entire volcano. Still…Chi-Chi had a point. "Maybe I can…"
He placed the paint and towel aside and pressed his ear to the ground, trying to hear something that might give him a clue of which direction to take. There was something, a slight rumble…
His gaze zeroed in on the lone pebble quivering in front of his face until his body began to shake with it. It wasn't just him though, the entire volcano was moving!
"G-Goku!" Chi-Chi cried, falling forward as he struggled to stand. But the force was too much and in the end he fell too, only managing to cushion Chi-Chi's head with his hand as they were tossed angrily about.
"What's ha-happppen-ning?!"
"Hold on Chi—" The shaking suddenly stopped. "—Chi?"
Goku and Chi-Chi stayed where they were, bracing for another round, but after a minute passed without the rumbles returning, rose cautiously to their feet.
Volcanoes must just quake from time to time Chi-Chi decided, trying to act more at ease than she felt. She picked up the paint, amazed and relieved the lid had stayed sh—
The rumbling returned with a vengeance, shaking the very foundations all around them.
Everything happened very quickly after that. Chi-Chi—still holding the paint—was tossed into the air as Goku tried to catch her and missed. Both slammed into the ceiling, knocking the paint from Chi-Chi's hand which crashed to the floor and splattered everywhere, including under Chi-Chi, where it shimmered for less than a second before an entrance opened up and she promptly fell through.
"CHI-CHI!"
Goku lunged and somehow snagged her ankle but the volcano shook again and then they were both sliding down a long and dark winding tunnel that went so deep into the earth that for a moment he swore he felt ice against his skin. It twisted and looped and twisted some more but eventually they reached the end when they tumbled out into a small cave, with two lit torches placed against the far wall.
He groaned and rolled towards Chi-Chi, giving her a shaky once over. She looked ok but she could have hit her head or broken a bone o—
"OW!" Chi-Chi whined, putting her hands to her head before finally opening her eyes to meet Goku's gaze with a cute little pout. "That hurt." She sat up a little unsteadily. "Sorry, I think I spilled all of our paint."
Goku rubbed her head gently and looked around.
"I think we were meant to," he grumbled, noting the torches and the paint container that wasn't quite empty.
There was just enough left…
He picked up the container and splashed what little paint was left on the spot between the torches, watching as it dripped down and shimmered before vanishing the rock face to create an entrance to a large glowing chamber.
.
"Took you long enough."
"Hush. Do you want to drive away our first guests in years?"
"You know that won't happen."
"There's a first time for anything."
"You know those too."
"Hush!"
.
Huh?
Goku held out an arm to keep Chi-Chi behind him and stepped through the entrance into a somehow endless enclosed space with a floor made of lava except for the large stone slab in the center where a person sat on an ornate throne.
.
"Are you this cautious entering everyone's home?"
"You know that he's not."
"Just making conversation. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"You know that's not what I meant."
"I know you know what I know. Does it really matter?"
"You know that too."
.
"Uh," Goku murmured, looking back questioningly to Chi-Chi who also had no clue what was going on. "Are you Zhuque?"
.
"We are."
"We are."
.
"What?"
Goku stared at the figure, confused. Were there two voices coming out of the one person?
.
"My, you do catch on quick."
"I was going to say he was rather slow."
.
The being spread out two large fiery wings but floated towards them, spreading their feathers more for the glamor than for any practical use.
The closer they came though, the more Goku grew confused. They had long hair like Chi-Chi but they were tall like Tien and Yamcha and their clothes were too baggy to make out their shape underneath.
"Are you a guy?"
The god smiled, their face slowly evolving from masculine to feminine and back again, and gestured to their body.
.
"Would you like to check for yourself?"
"He'll only touch one person like that now."
"Such a shame, he is rather handsome."
"I like the girl better."
"You would."
.
The being turned to Chi-Chi, their face blurring faster as they spoke.
.
"Would you like to check for an answer?"
"You know she wouldn't."
"It doesn't hurt to offer."
.
"No thank you," Chi-Chi interrupted, frightened by this confusing display. She inched closer to Goku. "We'd like to be tested if that's okay with you both?"
.
"Oooh, I like her."
"For once we agree!"
"Don't let it go to your head."
"Focus, dear brother. She asked a question."
"Ah, yes. What was that again?"
"You should know, that's your expertise."
"Is there never any room for the present?"
"Not today and not tomorrow either."
.
"I asked if you would test us," Chi-Chi answered, daring to interrupt again. She had a feeling if she didn't they'd never get to it.
.
"Ah. Well perhaps. Is it worth it dear sister?"
"You know how to find out."
"Bah! Coy as ever but come closer children, come closer."
.
Chi-Chi and Goku shared uneasy looks but stepped closer as commanded. Zhuque pressed two hands together, one clearly more masculine than the other but both adorned with fiery sharp nails, and hummed.
.
"Well first we must get you out of those clothes."
"Ooh! I know just the thing!"
.
Zhuque clapped and their paint splattered clothes vanished, replaced with something reminiscent to the outfit Chi-Chi wore in her childhood days with the addition of a long cloth that hung from their waists in front and back and that Goku's chest was entirely bare.
Chi-Chi patted herself down but her sash had disappeared as well.
.
"Never fear, your things will be returned to you in due time."
"And now for the final details."
.
Another clap produced new boots and a solid chain connecting them at the ankle as Zhuque began floating away.
"Hey wait!" Chi-Chi cried, sensing something amiss. "Where are you going? What's this for? What about the challenge?"
Zhuque smiled and morphed into a brilliant phoenix.
.
"The challenge is simple, young one."
"As always, it is to survive."
.
"Survive what?!"
But Zhuque was already soaring away.
Chi-Chi looked around confused as Goku tried to lift his feet one by one but struggled under the weight. "These hafta weigh a ton!"
"What?"
She studied his boots and then her own but when she lifted her foot it came up easily, too easily in fact. They didn't seem to weigh anything at all. It felt odd compared to her usual weighted boots but Chi-Chi wouldn't complain, instead she focused on their surroundings. There didn't seem to be anything dangerous. Nothing that looked like it might attack them. Her gaze traced the path Zhuque had taken, noting the entirely smooth surface up the length of the volcano.
And then something popped.
She turned, searching for the source, but saw nothing but lava.
"Chi-Chi," Goku murmured, studying their surroundings as well. Something was off. The lava…the lava was starting to move. "I think we gotta get out of here Chi."
He tried to fly, but with the weight of his boots, could barely get an inch off the ground.
"Damn! These things are too heavy. Maybe if I try a kamehameha. Get on my back Chi-Chi."
But Chi-Chi thought that was a terrible idea.
"You can't do that! Volcanoes are delicate. You're likely to make it explode before we could even make it out!"
"Well we can't just stay here."
That was true. She didn't doubt Goku was right about the danger but she was also sure a kamehameha would only hasten their doom. She eyed the smooth walls again as she weighed their options. Would they just have to scale them?
"Can you raise your feet at all?" she questioned as the lava started to bubble a little more.
Goku grunted and lifted one leg before letting it slam to the ground. "It's tough but I can manage. Why?"
"Good! Follow me!"
She led him to the wall of the chamber and kicked in two foot holes, around ankle level, before kicking two more a little higher.
"I think we're just gonna have to climb out," Chi-Chi told him once she had finished. "I'll go first and make foot holes for you, so just stay close behind me, alright?"
"No need to worry about that," Goku grinned, rattling the chain that connected them.
Chi-Chi sighed. Leave it to Goku to make a joke at a time like this. Still…it was that light hearted way of his that had charmed her from the beginning.
She smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "C'mon! We better hurry!"
"Right!"
Goku moved behind Chi-Chi, as she started climbing, and looked down, wanting to see the first step, but immediately snapped his head up again. He'd been distracted by everything happening but even the threat of danger couldn't stop him from noticing Chi-Chi's barely concealed butt in front of his face.
"Goku?" Chi-Chi called, tugging against the chain that bound them. "Something wrong?"
"No!"
"Am I going too fast?"
"Nuh-uh," Goku mumbled, unwilling to risk opening his mouth.
Chi-Chi tugged on the chain again.
"Well, then start climbing! Who knows how fast lava rises!"
At this reminder, Goku looked over the ledge to where the lava was now definitely becoming more active if the constant bubbling was any indication, and shook his head, needing to clear it.
"Right, sorry!"
He put his feet in the purchases and started climbing, grunting with every step that he took. It was all he could do to lift his feet high enough but Chi-Chi was good about spacing the footholds close together, allowing him to keep up without too much of a struggle.
Even with Chi-Chi's expert spacing though, the weight of the boots began to take their toll, and it was only when they were about a third of the way up when his foot—the one chained to Chi-Chi—slipped and dropped, yanking Chi-Chi down into his arms with a thud.
He took that moment to rest, keeping her pinned between him and the wall, and pressed a kiss to her sweaty forehead.
"Ready?" he asked after a minute, prompting Chi-Chi to peek down at the lava.
She blinked, realizing that she could no longer see the platform or throne, and felt alarm rush through her. "Uh huh, let's go!"
She readjusted in his arms, taking care not to twist their chain, and then climbed back in position. "Ready?"
"Ready!"
They resumed their climb, moving steadily, though a little more carefully, upward until they were nearly half way when something shot past them and exploded, shooting hot ash in all directions.
"Aah my eyes!" Chi-Chi cried, falling back into Goku's arms.
"Chi-Chi!"
Oh no, oh no, oh no! Goku brushed away what he could but what remained was a melted mess that made his heart twist painfully. "I-It's okay! It's gonna be okay! We just gotta get through this and then I can get you a senzu! I-It'll make everything better, I promise."
It had to. If they could fix a hole in his chest then surely they could fix her eyes! Chi-Chi whimpered, driving Goku crazy. Why couldn't those bastards just make him fight? What kind of challenge was this?!
But as another rock flew soaring past them, he knew it didn't matter. They were already in the middle, so they needed to finish or die trying.
"C'mon Chi. We're almost there. Ya just gotta keep doing what you were doing and keep ya head down. We just gotta get outta here first."
Goku rubbed her back as Chi-Chi clung to his chest, digging her nails into shoulders.
It hurt! It hurt so much!
She just wanted to curl up into a ball and scream!
But she knew she couldn't.
If she did that she wouldn't be able to continue and if she didn't continue they would die. Maybe if it was just her life she could accept it but Goku was only here because she was the one who had wanted to make the journey in the first place!
She wouldn't be responsible for his death.
Chi-Chi bit down on her tongue, doing her best to distract herself from the burning pain, and shakily got back into place.
"That's my girl. You got this, Chi. You're so unbelievably strong."
Goku kept praising her and giving her little breaks when he could, anything to help keep her going.
Eventually though he couldn't even do that.
The lava was inching closer and closer and he knew they needed to get out of there fast. Unfortunately his strength was fading faster. His legs had basically gone limp and he'd been dragging himself up through arm power alone but at the rate they were going, he knew he wouldn't last.
Looks like it was back to plan B.
"C'mere Chi."
"What?" Chi-Chi paused and slid down when Goku tugged on their chain. "What's going on?"
Goku twisted her around and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Sorry, Chi-Chi. We gotta go now if we're gonna get out of here."
He felt Chi-Chi stiffen.
"You mean?"
"Mhm, hold tight." He was wearing boots but he didn't think that would matter. He focused in on his ki, planning to direct it towards his feet, but there wasn't enough to even create a spark. He was basically running on empty.
Shit, this was bad!
They needed a kamehameha if they were gonna get out of here but he was out of juice and Chi-Chi…well Chi-Chi probably still had enough ki but she didn't know how to control it efficiently enough. But…
…but she could absorb ki…
…and transfer it.
"Chi-Chi! Chi-Chi, I'm gonna get us out of here but first I need ya to do somethin' for me."
"What?" Chi-Chi murmured, trying to keep her nerves at bay. What could he possibly need her to do?
"I know you've been gettin' a handle on absorbin' ki, I need ya to transfer some of that to me."
"WHAT?! No! That could kill you!"
At the very least stun him! She wouldn't risk it!
"I can handle it," he promised.
Goku glanced back down at the steadily rising lava, now only a few meters beneath them. They didn't have time to argue!
"You can do it Chi-Chi. Believe in yourself."
Believe in herself? She couldn't even consistently shoot a ki beam and he wanted her to believe in herself?! Chi-Chi trembled, feeling cold despite the heat. She wasn't so foolish as to believe she was better than what she was.
But…
But Goku was trusting her. So she needed to trust him too.
And really, what choice did she have?
She pressed a shaky hand against the wall and focused. Though her eyes were scarred and burned, she could still see the ki flow all around her, its patterns swirling this way and that. The ki boiling below in particular, was practically blinding in intensity. If she could just siphon off some of that into Goku…
With one hand on the wall and one on his chest, Chi-Chi pressed her forehead to Goku's and began pulling that surplus of ki to her nice and slow…nice…and…
Her fingers tingled as the ki made its way through her but she didn't focus on that. No. She focused on Goku, hearing his heartbeat, feeling the flow of his ki, low at first…but growing little by little…
"That's it, Chi-Chi, a little faster now, I can take it."
She did as instructed, increasing the flow like a water spout, pouring it in him at the same speed she used to take down those zombies but still his ki levels barely seemed to budge.
'How much can he take?' she wondered. All those dishes at meal time…was his ki capacity as big as his stomach?
Feeling a little more confident she relaxed her control even more, letting the ki surge through her, filling Goku slowly but surely.
It was amazing. Goku had never felt so much power. He wished he could stick around and find out how far he could go but one quick glance at the lava—now just an arms length away—and he knew they couldn't wait any longer.
"That's enough Chi, hold tight babe."
Babe? Even in these circumstances Chi-Chi couldn't help but blush as she tightened her grip around Goku's neck.
His body tensed beneath her and she could feel—no, see—the ki she'd given him rush through him like a tornado, swirling down towards his feet as he chanted.
"Kame…hame…HA!"
Ki burst out from beneath them, blasting the lava, and sending them shooting into the sky as the volcano exploded upward and out, chasing their heels to encapsulate them in a tidal wa—
Just as quickly as the volcano erupted it all rewound and flowed back inside with a burp.
Goku dropped down onto the lip of the volcano, cradling Chi-Chi close in confusion, as a slow clap reached both their ears.
.
"Well done you two."
"You knew they would do it."
"Doesn't mean it wasn't well done."
"As the first to pass, let us congratulate you."
"As well as restore all your things."
.
Zhuque, now back in their human form, clapped, magicking Goku and Chi-Chi back into their original clothes but the boots—minus the chain—remained the same.
.
"Your reward, obviously."
"To train or assist you through your travels."
"Whatever they may be."
.
Goku frowned, confused. "How can heavy boots assist us?"
.
"You may not have need but your companion…"
"She's had trouble with flight in the past, yes?"
"She need only will it to float on clouds."
"Or sink to the bottom of a ravine."
.
These boots would help Chi-Chi fly?
"That's great and all, but can't ya do somethin' about her eyes?" What use was flying if she couldn't see where she was going?
"Yes, please," Chi-Chi begged, still clutching onto Goku as if he were a lifeline. She didn't need to fly. She'd much rather have her sight back.
.
"There's no need to spurn our gift."
"Indeed! You can have both."
.
"How?"
.
"Simply seek the waters at the base of our home."
"They have medicinal properties."
"They can heal your burns or diseases."
"Keep you in the prime of your life."
"Or simply quench your thirst."
.
"Ya hear that Chi?" Goku grinned. She was gonna be okay!
Chi-Chi squeezed Goku close, wanting to cry. "Yes! Oh Goku, please hurry!"
.
"Good luck on your travels, young ones."
"Not that you'll need it."
.
Zhuque chuckled and twisted, morphing back into a brilliant large firebird, and flared out their wings as they shot high in the sky, temporarily disappearing in the sun's blinding light. With a shrill cry they reappeared with a flourish and then flew back into the volcano, leaving a sparkling rainbow in their wake.
The rainbow was beautiful but Goku couldn't appreciate it when Chi-Chi was still hurting. "Alright, Chi. Here we go."
He jumped from rock to rock until he landed heavily at the base and then carried her carefully over to the stream, helping her kneel by the water.
"Do I drink it? Or rub it on my eyes?" Chi-Chi asked but Goku didn't know.
He always ate the senzu beans but he didn't know if this worked the same way.
Chi-Chi shrugged and decided to apply it directly.
She cupped the water in both hands and splashed it over her ruined eyes, rubbing it in with gentle fingers. After a few seconds she could feel a thin layer come off. She splashed a little more, rubbed a little harder and this time, after she removed the gunk, her eyes felt smooth and unmarred. She could even feel her eyelashes. Her eyes fluttered open instinctively, though she squinted at first at the light. Everything was blurry, particularly the figure looming over her, but slowly they began to come into focus revealing Goku's worried face.
Tears sprang to her eyes in relief, though they only made Goku panic.
"Chi-Chi?!"
"Oh Goku!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms. "I was so scared!"
"Hey, hey. It's okay. Everything's alright now," Goku whispered, holding her close and stroking her head.
"This…this wasn't like the other challenges. I felt so helpless!"
"Ya weren't. You were amazing Chi-Chi. We wouldn't have gotten out without you."
But Chi-Chi couldn't agree. "It was all you Goku. If you weren't here…"
Goku frowned. He'd heard such things before but never had they felt more untrue, but Chi-Chi refused to believe it.
"We did it together," he said finally, tilting her head so he could look her in the eyes. "You gave me the strength."
Chi-Chi blushed under the intensity of his gaze but was moved even more by his words. Hadn't that been the very reason she'd started this journey? To be able to support him when it counted?
Goodness she loved this man.
No longer scared, she slipped a hand around his neck and pulled him down for a searing kiss. Together, they would finish this journey and anything else that came their way.
Sorry for the odd spacing guys! I can only do so much and I wanted to keep Zhuque's speech separated, since there were two of them. I hope you enjoyed the chapter!