Goku awoke the next morning with an exaggerated yawn and entirely in the nude. It wasn't the first time he'd slept bare, but it was the first he'd done so with Chi-Chi in his arms. Remembering the reason for his state of undress, he snuggled closer to her and breathed in her smoky scent.

Chi-Chi.

Her delicate hand had felt so good on his throbbing cock. And that feeling of release that seemed to drown out his other senses? He wanted to feel it many more times than the twice he had last night but he also didn't want to be the only one who felt good. He wanted to make Chi-Chi feel good too.

He nuzzled his nose against her ear, unable to help himself.

She had said 'next time' but could 'next time' be this morning? There was only one way to find out.

Goku slid his hand up her stomach to cup one breast, kneading it carefully, and pressed kisses to the side of her neck. He sucked and nibbled her gently in that way he'd already learned Chi-Chi liked, relishing the small noises she began to make, the increase in breath, the low little moans and a gasp, that indicated she was awake.

"Goku…"

"Mhm?"

She turned to wrap her arms around him but then stiffened when she touched bare skin.

"Goku!" Chi-Chi gasped, pushing him away. "You're naked!"

And that…that thing!…it was already worked up and demanding attention!

Attention that she had given it last night.

Chi-Chi flared bright red and then flipped herself around as she buried her face in her hands. Had she really been so bold last night? What on earth had gotten in to her?!

Well not Goku at least, though not for a lack of trying.

Chi-Chi groaned at her wayward thoughts but froze when that very same man wrapped his arm around her and pulled her back flush against his chest, the tip of his penis innocently nestled along the curve of her butt.

"Put that thing away," she groaned, swatting his hip and making Goku chuckle.

By 'thing' he figured she meant his dick that was currently swollen and rubbing against her round bottom but it wasn't like he could control the thing. He hadn't even noticed it had hardened in the first place!

But that wasn't important right now.

"Hey it's okay, ya saw it last night remember?" he pressed little kisses against her shoulder, making his way towards her neck. "I don't mind. In fact I liked it."

"I'm sure you did," she grumbled, feeling like her face was on fire. She took a deep sigh, hoping to calm herself.

Goodness she was being ridiculous! After all, it had been her decision to engage in such actions, so she needed to get over her embarrassment before Goku somehow got the idea that she was ashamed of what they'd done.

Because she wasn't.

How could she be? He was the man she loved and was going to marry, if anything it made her proud. Proud of how she managed to please him…to make him go all weak and flushed in her arms…

Chi-Chi swallowed, realizing she better put a break on such thoughts just as Goku grabbed a breast with one hand and used his other to grab her hip and press his swollen rod into her backside with a groan.

Goku knew Chi-Chi was still feeling shy but he couldn't help it! Chi-Chi's scent was doing that thing again. Where it deepened and got all mouthwatery. It was hard enough holding back as it was but when it did that…

He rocked his hips forward again, unable to help himself, and licked the shell of Chi-Chi's ear.

"Goku…"

The way she whispered his name sent a thrill of pleasure up his spine but it was the hitch in her breath as his hand trailed down her strong thigh and his fingers hooked inside those little sleep shorts she was wearing that got him really going.

"Chi-Chi," he murmured, nuzzling her ear. "It's your turn now."

"Right…" Chi-Chi nodded, not caring at all so long as he continued what he was doing. Why would she? It was her turn now.

Wait.

"H-Hold on a second Goku!" She rolled around and pressed her hands to his chest. "We can't do this now!"

"Sure we can! Don't ya wanna feel good?" he palmed her breast in one large hand and leaned down to nibble her ear making Chi-Chi giggle.

"Stop that! It tickles! B-Besides we can't!"

She wasn't ready yet! And they had to…to…to…what did they have to do again?

Goku slipped his tongue into her mouth and Chi-Chi lost all train of thought only able to focus on the taste of his lips and the rough feel of his hand against her back as he lifted her up to tug on her shorts.

"Hey lovebirds!"

A loud knock sounded from their door, causing them both to groan as Goku dropped her back on the bed, burying his face into her chest with a muffled, "C'mon!" that made Chi-Chi giggle.

She rubbed his back soothingly as Yamcha knocked again.

"Boat docks in an hour. We're heading up to breakfast. We'll meet you there!"

Right. That's what she'd been forgetting. Checkout time.

Chi-Chi sighed and tapped Goku on the back, signaling for him to get up. "C'mon sweetheart, we should hurry up and go eat."

"M'not hungry."

Which of course meant his stomach chose that time to make itself known—loudly. Goku pulled away with a pout. Why was everyone trying to keep him from having alone time with Chi-Chi? Even his own stomach was betraying him!

"It'll be alright," Chi-Chi laughed, although she too was still feeling a bit worked up.

But that was okay. She knew they'd finally be alone-alone tonight. This temporary breather couldn't have come at a better time! She'd take these next few hours to mentally prepare herself for this evening and then….

Chi-Chi fanned herself off and slipped out of bed.

"C'mon Goku, let's get goin'."

"But what about your turn?"

Goodness, the man had a one track mind! What would he be like when they finally did the deed?

She huffed and looked down her nose at him him where he still laid stark naked across the bed, keeping her eyes steadfastly north of where they most wanted to go.

It wasn't easy.

But she wasn't the princess of Mt. Frypan for nothing!

"My turn?" Chi-Chi demanded. "What makes ya think I want it?"

Goku shot her a knowing smirk, that would have made her blush if she wasn't determined to maintain her composure, but she wouldn't let him break her. He might be stronger than her in every way but she knew she could beat him in this.

She leaned over the mattress and pressed hand to his chest, whispering "I'm serious Goku," before slamming him flat on his back and dragging her nails down his stomach. "My turn? Hmph! You really think I want ya distracted, wonderin' what you'll get to eat next and when, when you should be focused on me?"

"N-No ma'am!" Goku saluted, his cheeks a bright, bright red.

Chi-Chi smiled.

"That's right! Now hop in the shower, soldier! That's an order!" She snapped her fingers and pointed to the bathroom door.

"Ma'am, yes ma'am!"

He scrambled to do as she bid but Chi-Chi yanked him back before he could jump out of bed and gave him a sweet kiss on his cheek before shooing him on his way. Goku smiled wide and kissed her cheek in turn before hopping out of bed—still as naked as the day he was born—and jumped in the shower.

As soon as the bathroom door slammed shut Chi-Chi broke. She dropped back onto the bed, buried her face in her hands and screamed as silently as she could, all while kicking her feet back and forth.

But she couldn't help it!

She just couldn't believe that this was her life! That she was getting to do things she'd never even dreamed of doing with the man who had held her heart all these years.

And that they would do even more tonight!

Goodness!

What would her parents think if they could see her now?

Well, she knew what her dad would think. He'd probably try to murder Goku for touching his baby girl, just like any overprotective dad would. What she really wanted to know though, was what her mother would think. She had been so young when her Mama died, Chi-Chi really didn't know what to believe…but she hoped her mother would be understanding. Maybe even approve? She couldn't imagine her mother furious with anyone, let alone a man willing to go on the journey with her. And it wasn't like they weren't getting married.

Goku had made his feelings on the matter abundantly clear.

Chi-Chi giggled, still unable to believe her good fortune. How far she had come from that day of the Tournament when she was certain she would never find love again, only for Goku to chase her down and refuse to back down just like he did everything in life.

Her dear sweet Goku.

She smiled and sighed, resting her chin on her knees. "Someday Mama, I hope I get to tell you everything you've missed out on. Well…almost everything," Chi-Chi blushed.

Things like this morning and last night would have to be the exceptions.

Feeling silly, she fanned herself off and hopped out of bed, grabbing a spare set of clothes for her and Goku, before packing up their things. Today was the start of the last leg of their journey, she couldn't wait!

o0o

"Man was that tasty!" Goku grinned as they made their way down the ramp with the others. He patted his belly with a happy sigh before nudging Chi-Chi. "But I think I'm ready to work some of it off. How 'bout you?"

Chi-Chi giggled but before she could agree, Bulma stepped forward, catching her eye.

"Chi-Chi, can I have a word with you first?"

After yesterday, Chi-Chi didn't think she'd ever want to speak to Bulma alone again but there was something in the other woman's gaze that made her agree. The two moved off a few feet and she waited to hear what Bulma had to say.

And waited…and waited.

In fact, she waited so long that Chi-Chi decided she'd had enough and turned to go before Bulma finally blurted out, "I knew him first!"

Chi-Chi's head snapped back around, stunned.

"Excuse me?"

"That's not what I—look, I'm sorry, okay?" Bulma muttered, looking like she'd rather be anywhere but there at the moment. "I'm not used to sharing and I guess I got a little insecure when you showed up out of the blue."

"Sharing? Goku's not a toy, Bulma."

"I know that!" She huffed, crossing her arms as she turned away. "Ugh, what would you know anyways? You're a princess! Everyone probably loves you."

"I'm also the Ox-King's daughter," Chi-Chi stated dryly. If Bulma was under the impression that she lived some sort of charmed life, then she was sorely mistaken.

Her tone must have gotten something across though because Bulma turned to face her again with an inscrutable expression.

"I guess I never thought of it like that. Huh." She chewed on her bottom lip, realizing Chi-Chi's father was probably more intimidating than even her dad to anyone either girl could hope to call a friend. Bulma stewed on this for a moment longer before adding in a more sincere tone. "I guess I've been acting like a real brat, huh?"

"You can say that again."

"Hey!"

Bulma spun, ready to take the other woman down, martial artist or no, but upon spotting the wavering smile on Chi-Chi's lips felt herself smiling back instead.

"I guess I deserved that." She stuck out a hand, "Friends?"

Friends?

Chi-Chi stared at the extended hand before her. Did she really want to be friends with Bulma?

Her gaze darted up to Bulma's, noting the hint of wariness in her light blue eyes. What had Yamcha said? That Bulma's first real friend was Goku?

Looks like they had more in common than she thought.

Chi-Chi sighed, a wry smile on her lips as she knocked the offered hand aside.

"Hey! Wh—oof!"

"Friends hug," she told Bulma, embracing her lightly.

Bulma relaxed after a moment and carefully brought up her arms in return. "Is this what having a female friend is like? It definitely smells a lot better."

"I'd certainly hope so," Chi-Chi grimaced, knowing how much Goku could sweat from a day of sparring and running. A room with all Goku's male friends, all who equally prided themselves for being martial artists, probably made the space reek of B.O.

The two women spotted each other's matching expression and burst into a fit of giggles, much to their men's amusement.

"I'm glad those two made up," Yamcha said turning away. "Especially if you and Chi-Chi ever get hitched."

"We will," Goku told him determined. He knew it was just a matter of time.

"I bet. After last night she's probably eager to settle down, 'ey?"

Settle down? Goku frowned. If anything she kept working him up.

"I guess so?"

Sensing his friend's confusion Yamcha waved the subject off. "Don't worry about it bud." He should have known Goku would miss the hint. "So when do you plan on asking her?"

"Soon. There's something I gotta do first."

Yamcha nodded, feeling a rush of pride at his friend. He really was all grown up now. "Well, you better invite us to the wedding. Krillin and I will throw you a bachelor party that'll put anyone else's to shame."

"What's a bachelor party?"

"It's a—"

"It's a party," Chi-Chi interrupted, "that the groom's friends throw for him before he gets married, to do all the fun things he likes like eating and sparring."

"That sounds great!" Goku grinned, while Yamcha frowned beside him.

"What about the str—"

Bulma stepped up beside Chi-Chi, scowling at Yamcha. "You better not be about to finish that sentence how I think you are, Yamcha."

"Oh c'mon babe! It's a bachelor party!"

"A bachelor party for Goku!"

"Which means it'll be his last chance to—"

"NO STRIPPERS!" Bulma and Chi-Chi snapped before both turning away in a huff.

Strippers? Goku didn't know what that was but it didn't sound like fun. It sounded like work. If both Chi-Chi and Bulma thought it was bad, then he was better off staying away from it.

"Eating and sparring sounds like more fun to me anyways," Goku smiled, tugging on Chi-Chi's hand. He smiled wider when he caught her eye, earning a smile in return, before looking back to his friends. "It's time Chi-Chi and I got going. So long guys!"

They said one last round of goodbyes and then Goku and Chi-Chi took off, a lightness in both their feet and their hearts.

o0o

Sagojo rubbed his aching head, cursing the day he had ever laid eyes on that Niulang. Why had he agreed to this foolish operation? Now, not only was his body battered and bruised, he would be lucky to survive to the end of the day!

Who knew that slip of a woman and her cohorts could land such debilitating blows without even being aware they faced an opponent?!

First his drink had been intercepted by the gluttonous one, then he himself had been blocked from reaching the girl by the scarred man. With the direct approach out, Sagojo had tried to sneak up behind the girl instead, shimmying his way along the side rail, in hopes that he could grab her and fall back into the waters where he could vanish her away.

And he would have succeeded! But then the scarred man was knocked overboard, taking Sagojo with him!

It had taken him longer than he cared to admit to recover after having the wind knocked out of him but then the gluttonous one had foolishly brought the girl down to the waters and Sagojo knew that this was his moment. All he had to do was sink his claws into her ankle and then he could spirit her away before even the one holding her could stop him.

He had stretched out his fingers, his talons mere centimeters away from sinking into the woman's flesh…

And then she had jumped, her heel catching his jaw, knocking him out cold.

After the girl struck him, Sagojo knew this mission was a lost cause. His life would be forfeit either way, but at least if he abandoned his task now, there was a chance he could make it to the safety of his sanctuary where not even Niulang's orb would be able to find him.

It was his only hope.

Alas, he could not have predicted that at that very moment Niulang was watching him through his crystal orb with a sinister smile.

As if he would allow a kappa to perform the most crucial task he needed to reunite with Zhinu unsupervised. They were the worst sort of filth. Entirely willing to renege on a deal if it suited them better.

Well this was one kappa who would soon learn there were consequences to going back on one's word.

Niulang focused in on his soon to be victim and uttered three simple words:

"Qad yahriquk alma!"

The kappa glowed almost indiscernibly, making Niulang smirk in satisfaction. Water dwellers like Sagojo needed to be in constant contact with a water source, such as a river or lake, or else slowly suffocate to death unless they were lucky enough to stumble upon something with their dying breath.

Well now the kappa would have to make a choice. To either suffocate on land or endure the mental torture of his flesh burning every time he touched a drop of water. Either way the kappa would not last long.

Niulang sighed, a weariness taking over him. If only others did not force him to act so. He waved a hand over the orb, directing it to show him the girl.

She and her lover were somewhere tropical still, although they moved with alarming speed across the landscape. He shrunk their image to better see the scenery and then once more to see where they were heading. At the rate they were going…he wagered they would be hitting that desert land soon and…oh…that was not just any desert.

They were heading directly for the desert without end.

Niulang smiled. In such a godforsaken land, they would be lucky to last a week, let alone ever escape it without a guide. He pulled out a spell book, running his fingers down each page until he found what he was searching for.

"Well then, I suppose I should help them out."

o0o

"Oh man!" Goku huffed, coming to a stop. They had been running across sand for the last hour now, with the sun beating down their necks, and he needed a break…or at least something to drink.

He wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to Chi-Chi. "It sure is hot. Whaddya say we stop for lunch? I'm hungry."

"Sounds good to me," she sighed, fanning herself off.

Chi-Chi untucked the capsule necklace she wore that stored all their other capsules and tossed it open, revealing the capsule case where they kept all of their things, including their house and clothes and…

She froze, suddenly recalling the dismal state of their inventory.

Oh no.

Oh no, no, no, no, no…

Chi-Chi started uncapsulating all of their food storage containers with a frenzy, startling Goku.

"Chi-Chi? Everything okay?"

But Chi-Chi didn't answer him, she just darted from one container to the next, muttering under her breath. Goku peeked over her shoulder but could only see a mostly empty bag of flour before she suddenly spun to face him wearing a serious expression.

"Goku…we have a problem. You might wanna sit down."

"O…kay?" Goku took a seat on one of the storage containers and crossed his legs. "What is it Chi-Chi?"

She put her hands on his shoulders, bracing herself—and him—for what she was about to say.

"We're out of food."

Instead of panicking though, Goku just blinked and laughed.

"Oh is that all? I can just hunt us somethin' tasty."

He hopped to his feet and looked to his left and saw only desert for miles. Well that direction was no good. He looked right but there was nothing but sand there too. Goku continued turning round to eye the way they had came—or at least he thought it was the way they had came—but all he could see was golden sand for miles and miles no matter which way he looked.

"Uh…"

He gulped and pulled out his power pole. "H-Hold on a sec. I just gotta, uh…power pole!"

Goku shot upward into the sky but no matter how high he went or which direction he turned all he could see was sand. But that was impossible! They hadn't been traveling in the desert that long. He should still be able to see which way they'd come from!

"NIMBUS!"

He searched the skies for his familiar friend but there wasn't a single cloud, let alone his Nimbus.

He tried again.

"NIMBUS!"

But the little cloud never came.

Goku dropped back to the ground in a panic.

"CHI-CHI! Chi-Chi there's nothin' to hunt!" He cried burying his hands in his hair. Nowhere to fish! Not even a plant he could dig up! "There's nothin' to eat! Nothin' to…to…to…"

His eyes rolled to the back of his head as his knees buckled and he fell forward.

"Goku!"

Chi-Chi caught him in her arms and lowered him to the ground, resting his head in her lap. "Goku? Sweetheart?" She brushed back his bangs as he started to come to. "Goku?"

"Chi…Chi…" He opened his eyes weakly. "Aw Chi-Chi, I just had the worst nightmare," he muttered, wrapping his arms around her as he buried his face into her stomach. "I dreamt we were all outta food! Can ya believe it?"

Chi-Chi cringed.

"Oh dear…Goku, sweetie…that wasn't a dream."

"WHAT?!"

Goku leapt to his feet, his head snapping from side to side, before he started turning every container they owned upside down and shaking them, revealing nothing but crumbs. He even dug through their clothes!

But it wasn't until Goku started patting down his own pockets that he came across anything useful.

"Senzu beans!" he popped one in his mouth and bit down, sighing happily when it seemed to take the edge off his hunger. "It's not as satisfyin' as eatin' real food but it sure beats starvin'. Ya want one?" He handed Chi-Chi a senzu. "Korin said they're supposed to fill a man's belly for ten days but I always found I was hungry again after just one, if even."

That meant a whole one would definitely be too much for her. She handed it back to Goku. "Those sure are handy little things but we should probably save them. We…we don't know how long it'll take us to get outta this place."

And she had a bad feeling that it wouldn't be so easy. Thank goodness they had their capsule house! There wasn't a rock or even a hill that could provide any sort of shade anywhere in squinting distance and with the way the sun was beating down, she was sure they would need it.

While Chi-Chi was thinking about the logistics overall though, Goku's mind was still on food.

He dumped the remaining senzu in his hand, noting there were only three left. He supposed he could always get more from the magic pouch if there were some available but with the way Yajirobe was always snacking on them, there was no guarantee of that.

Oh hey!

Goku snapped his fingers. The magic pouch!

He snatched it up from his belt and shoved his arm in up to his shoulder, thinking of two juicy mangos. When he felt something drop into his hand, he pulled them out and offered one to Chi-Chi.

"Here!"

"Oh, thank you!"

Chi-Chi took a small bite and smiled, relieved to have something in her belly. She knew her hunger couldn't compare to Goku's but she still needed to eat too. She quickly devoured the rest, sighing in satisfaction once she was done, and then eyed the little pouch Goku had pulled it from.

"Can you really just pull anything out of that?" She wondered. "Like can ya pull out a house?"

Goku frowned and stretched the little opening as wide as it would go but it remained no bigger than it had previously. "Dunno. Maybe if it was a capsule house?"

"We'll have to experiment," Chi-Chi decided. "But not right now. Help me clean all this up."

They quickly set all their things to right and capsulated everything but her coordinate tracker, determined to get out of the desert as soon as possible, but when she turned the machine on, all she got was static.

"What the…"

She smacked it a couple of times but after a third round with her fist, she'd only managed to get the static to wiggle in little waves….or was it the rumbling doing that?

Wait…rumbling?

Chi-Chi looked to Goku with concern. "Are you hungry already? I thought you said the senzu would keep you a little longer than that?"

Goku shook his head and patted his stomach. "Wasn't me."

If it wasn't him, then where was it coming from?

The pair spun in a circle, searching but utterly clueless of the source of the noise, until Goku spotted something off in the distance kicking up a lot of dirt.

"Huh?"

He squinted and realized whatever it was, it was coming in fast.

Too fast.

Goku grabbed Chi-Chi and flew into the air just as some giant worm burst out of the earth its jaw unhinged displaying all too many sharp teeth as it tried to swallow them whole.

"Yikes!"

"GOKU!" Chi-Chi screeched, clinging to him in terror. "What is that thing?!"

"Dunno but hang on!"

He pushed down on his ki as hard as he could, trying to outfly the giant creature that just kept coming, and only stopped when its teeth clamped shut beneath them and it fell back to the earth. But if either of them hoped for that to be the end of it, they were about to be disappointed because as soon as the worm crashed on the ground, it started wriggling again until it was burrowing its way back beneath the surface.

Chi-Chi trembled in his arms.

"Is it…is it safe to go back down?"

"No way," Goku told her, shaking his head. "Can't ya sense it movin' just beneath the surface?"

"Not without touchin' it, I can't, and I'm not goin' anywhere near that thing!"

"Aw, c'mon. I'm sure ya can sense it, it's easy. Just try," he begged. "It's not like it can get us while we're up here."

"Is this really the time?" Chi-Chi wanted to know, but he didn't stop staring at her with those big puppy dog eyes of his so she closed her eyes and focused.

The first thing that seemed to light up was Goku, no surprise there seeing as she was touching him, but it was odd because the last time she did this he'd been dark, practically empty as she filled him with ki she'd siphoned off from the volcano. Now though, his energy coursed throughout him, rushing about like a tornado, though it centered most at his feet.

Ah. Maybe it was because he was actively using it that made the difference…but did that mean the worm would be lit up too?

She turned her focus to the earth, searching for a mass of swirling energy, and spotted it just barely skimming beneath the surface.

"I can see it!" Chi-Chi smiled, bouncing a little in Goku's arms. "I can see it! And there's…" she frowned, noticing something off about the worm. "There's somethin' strange about it. Something that feels like it doesn't belong."

Something…foreign?

Goku grinned, giving her a squeeze. "Caught that did ya? Yeah, feels like something's controllin' it but I dunno what. Nothin' close by far as I can tell."

"Nuilang?" Chi-Chi guessed.

"Is that his name?" Goku questioned, having already forgotten. It was hard to keep track sometimes if there wasn't a face to go with it. He eyed the ground where he sensed the creature struggling for control and nodded. "It's gotta be him. It's the only thing that makes sense."

Unless there was someone else after them.

He shrugged and returned his gaze to Chi-Chi. "Either way, we gotta deal with it now. Stay here, 'kay?"

"What do you mean 'stay here'?!" Chi-Chi demanded, refusing to let go. "We're in the sky!"

"You're wearin' those boots ya got from Zeus right?"

"Zeus? Don't ya mean, Zhuque?"

"Yeah, him," Goku nodded.

"Well yes but—"

"Then ya can test them out now!"

He thrust her out to arm's length and held her there. "C'mon babe, just try it! I won't let ya fall."

Chi-Chi pouted, her cheeks a deep red—whether out of happiness or anger, she didn't know—but nodded to indicate she would try.

How was she supposed to do this again? Just 'think' that they were light and they would be? She tried to imagine wearing two tiny nimbuses for slippers but started panicking when her feet started to rise out from underneath her.

"See! I knew ya could do it," Goku grinned. He adjusted her legs so her feet were back under the rest of her before pressing a kiss to her cheek and flying off. "Be right back!"

"W-Wait a second Gokuuuuuuooooh, oh no!"

Chi-Chi spun her arms as fast she could, trying to keep her balance upright but ended up falling forward and hanging with her feet over her head.

"GOKU!"

At Chi-Chi's shout Goku glanced back her way, but he wasn't the only one who heard her. Quicker than he could blink the monster was bursting out from under the ground and stretching its neck—body?—as far as it could go, almost snapping an upside down Chi-Chi straight out of the air.

It didn't, but only because she'd managed to swing her torso up in the nick of time.

Either way Goku didn't like how close it had gotten but before he could do anything about it, the creature slammed back down to the ground and burrowed under the soil again, no doubt waiting for whoever spoke next.

"GO—"

"JUST A SEC CHI!"

And just as he predicted the worm shot out, jaw snapping wildly, though thankfully the distance between him and Chi-Chi had confused it and it missed them both entirely.

Chi-Chi flinched as the monster crashed back to earth, the miles and miles of sand doing nothing to soften its fall.

"This is impossible!" she growled, swinging herself back up so she could latch onto her legs to keep all the blood from pooling to her head.

Surely this couldn't be how Zhuque had intended her to use these boots?!

There had to be an easier way.

"Maybe if I just imagine one being heavy…"

But as soon as the words left her mouth, her right foot dropped and sent her plunging to the ground.

"I meant light! Light!" Chi-Chi screeched, slowly coming to a halt, as her right foot now felt as light as her left one. She breathed a sigh of relief that it had worked and wobbled to a standing position to watch Goku's battle, praying he'd finish it off soon.

Goku was confident he could. The thing was big but weak, even with that foreign energy coursing through the creature, he knew it would take just one good ki blast.

But first he needed to get it out of the ground.

The thing was sensitive to sound but he figured it was also sensitive to any vibration strong enough to reach it in the belly of the earth. He formed a ki ball and slowly pushed it a little ways from where he sensed the worm was stirring and began charging up.

"Kame…hame…"

The ki ball struck, making a small explosion and as if an explanation mark lit up over the creature's head, he could sense it lurch around to gobble its prey.

Goku smirked. Too bad it was gonna be disappointed.

The worm burst up from the ground, swallowing air, and Goku powered up the last of his attack.

"HA!"

His kamehameha hit it square on but though it was knocked back, he could tell his blast wasn't dealing any damage. He shoved a little more power into it, bearing down on the creature even harder but no matter how much strength he put into his blow, the worm remained unscathed.

Goku cut off his ki, ending the attack, and examined the worm that wriggled around before burrowing back under the earth.

It hadn't even had a scratch!

Which didn't make any sense. He'd been able to sense its weak points all over its entire body.

Unless…

"Looks like I'll have to do this a little differently."

He shot down to the ground with a loud thud and within seconds of his feet hitting the dirt the giant worm surged up and swallowed him whole.

"GOKU!"

Chi-Chi couldn't believe her eyes. The thing had eaten her Goku! And he had just stood there and let it! Just thrown himself into its path and…and…thrown himself into its path?

That couldn't be right, could it?

But if it was…if he had tricked it into swallowing him whole then he had to have a reason. What that reason was, she didn't know, and it was just too hard to think when she'd just watched Goku get eaten alive!

He was still alive wasn't he?

She focused on the creature's ki, the clashing energy she'd sensed before and then noted another, warmer one that spun around in a dizzying effect.

That had to be Goku—it had to!—but what was he—

Before she could even finish the thought, there was a burst of energy followed by an explosion as dirt and worm chunks went flying all around.

Chi-Chi managed to dodge being struck by any large pieces but she wasn't able to avoid the blood and guts completely.

"Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew!" She whined, flailing her arms as she willed her boots to gain a little weight.

She landed as gracefully as she could covered in filth but then she spotted Goku standing proudly with his fists on his hips and she forgot about her disgust completely.

"GOKU!"

Chi-Chi rushed to him and threw herself in his arms.

"You're okay! I was so afraid you'd be worm poop!" She squeezed him tight a second longer and then shoved him away, suddenly furious. "Are you outta your mind?! How could you just let it gobble ya up like that?! You coulda been killed!"

Startled, Goku jumped back and threw his arms in the air, but he just as quickly relaxed and even had the nerve to laugh. "Nah, I had it under control."

"Under control?! It swallowed you whole! What if its insides was as tough as its skin?!" she cried, starting to tear up. "Or it was filled with poisons or other frightening creatures? What if…if it…or you…why…" Chi-Chi frowned, noting the way he was looking at her. "Why are you smiling like that?"

"You love me."

"What?! No!" She balked. "I'm mad at you!"

"Cause you were worried about me," Goku grinned, leaning towards her.

"Of course I was worr—"

"Because you love me."

Chi-Chi flushed, not willing to lie but not wanting to tell him what he clearly wanted to hear, and turned away. "Who would love a reckless fool like you?"

"You would," Goku giggled, slipping his arms around her. "Just like I love the angry woman who yells cause she's worried."

Chi-Chi pouted. "You've yelled before too. Like when ya found out I wasn't a good swimmer."

"You mean couldn't swim at all," he corrected, giving her an annoyed look. "Now that was reckless. At least I had a plan."

"And if that plan failed?"

Goku paused, and for a moment Chi-Chi thought she had won, until he grinned.

"Then I guess I'd just have to tickle it!" he shouted, dancing his fingers along her sides, making her squirm.

"No! Please stop! You win! You win!"

"Toldja!" Goku winked, releasing her.

Smiling, Chi-Chi rolled her eyes at him but her smile quickly morphed into a frown as she realized she was still covered in worm guts. "I need a bath. I guess we're camping here after all."

"Me too," Goku laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "But at least now we've got plenty ta eat!"

"Huh?" Chi-Chi turned to stare at him. "What are ya talkin' about, Goku?"

He gestured to the body parts all around them, making Ch-Chi pale.

"What? You can't be serious Goku."

But Goku didn't see the problem. "Well yeah, why not?"

Meat was meat.

"Why not? WHY not?!" Was he really asking her that? "Because it's a giant worm! I can't eat a worm!" Chi-Chi screeched. "I won't!"

"But Chi-Ch—"

"NO!"

o0o

Niulang cursed, feeling his connection with the creature snap as he watched it explode through his crystal orb. This was turning out more troublesome than he could have predicted.

Was the man really that strong?

He knew Hou Yi had partaken in those foolish challenges in his youth but so had Bai, so he had not believed them to be a true measure of strength.

It seems that had been foolish on his part.

So was believing that Hou Yi's defeat had been all the work of Yue Lao's pet. If the man was capable of taking down that creature, there was no doubt there had been more to Hou Yi's defeat than the fox.

Which meant he needed to rethink the measures it would take to succeed with his plan.

But he was not worried, no.

He had waited too long for this chance to fail now.

Niulang walked over to the fireplace and stroked the portrait of his beloved Zhinu sitting a top the mantle. "Do not worry, my love. We will be reunited soon."

He would destroy heaven and earth if necessary.