The next day, Piccolo was comfortably seated in his home, his eyes glued to the small TV screen in front of him. His usual stoic demeanor was completely gone as he was engrossed in the unfolding drama of the soap opera playing on the screen. The characters were in the middle of an emotional love triangle, and Piccolo was deeply invested. He leaned forward, hanging on every word as the lead character confessed her love to the man who had been clueless the entire series.
"Finally," Piccolo muttered under his breath, completely absorbed. But just as the climactic moment hit, he heard a familiar voice call out from outside.
"Hey, Piccolo! You home?" It was Goku.
Piccolo's eyes widened, and he nearly jumped out of his chair. He scrambled for the remote, fumbling with it before finally turning off the TV. The screen went black just as the character on screen was about to reply. He stood up quickly, adjusting his cape and turban to look as composed as possible despite feeling completely thrown off.
Piccolo opened the door to find Goku standing outside, looking as casual as ever. "Goku," Piccolo said, sounding a little surprised. "Didn't expect to see you so soon. I thought it was gonna take you a while to sort out all those 'problems' with your family."
Goku scratched the back of his head, his usual carefree grin in place, though his eyes showed a bit more weight behind them. "Yeah, I'm still working on it," Goku replied. "But I've made some progress—at least with Gohan."
Piccolo raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story. "Progress? Gohan's calmed down already?"
Goku nodded. "Yeah, Gohan's at home with Videl, and Chi-Chi's staying over there too. She... uh, she needs time to process everything."
Piccolo's eyes narrowed. He wasn't one to pry too much, but Goku wasn't exactly giving him the whole picture. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Process everything?" he repeated, a skeptical tone in his voice. "What do you mean by that?"
Before Goku could respond, the sound of soft cries reached Piccolo's sensitive ears. He blinked and looked past Goku, his eyes landing on an unexpected sight. Behind Goku, Caulifla and Kale stood together, each holding a baby wrapped in blankets. Piccolo stared at the two infants, both with small, unmistakable Saiyan tails poking out from their blankets.
Piccolo's sharp eyes flicked back to Goku, and his expression became even more suspicious. "Goku," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm, "why are Caulifla and Kale here? And why... are there two babies with them?"
Goku chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head as if he were about to explain something totally normal. "Oh, right! This is the 'development' I was talking about," he said, still grinning like this was just another day. "Piccolo, meet my kids! These are mine and Caulifla's babies."
Piccolo's jaw dropped slightly, but he quickly recovered, his usual composed self struggling to understand what he just heard. He blinked a few times as if processing the sheer impossibility of what Goku had just said. "Your... kids? Goku, it's been, what, a few days since you left? How is this even possible?"
Goku motioned to the twins, Caulifla holding the boy and Kale holding the girl. "Yeah, it's kinda crazy," he admitted. "But you see when Caulifla and Kale went into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to train, they ended up in there for months. Caulifla didn't even realize she was pregnant until... well until she was ready to give birth."
Piccolo raised a hand to his forehead, rubbing his temples as he tried to make sense of it all. "Only you, Goku... only you would end up in a situation like this." He shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea of Goku suddenly having twin Saiyan children. "So, let me get this straight. Caulifla was pregnant, and you didn't know... until she came out of the Time Chamber?"
"Pretty much!" Goku replied as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Piccolo let out a heavy sigh, looking at the babies again. "Does Chi-Chi know about this?" he asked, already guessing the answer.
Goku nodded, but his grin faltered slightly. "Yeah... that's why she's staying at Gohan's house. She needed time to process everything, you know?"
Piccolo frowned. "I bet she did. Goku, you... really got yourself into something here."
Goku shifted awkwardly on his feet. "I didn't mean for it to get this complicated, Piccolo. But now I've got to figure out how to make it work. I mean, I've got two more kids now, and Caulifla... well, she's in my life, and... it's just a lot, you know?"
Piccolo eyed the two Saiyan babies once again, their tiny tails twitching slightly as they rested in Caulifla and Kale's arms. "And you think you're just going to... explain all this to Goten too, huh?"
Goku's expression grew more sheepish. "Yeah, I still have to figure out how to tell him... It's not easy."
Piccolo sighed again, glancing between the group. He was trying to process all of this, but in the back of his mind, part of him just couldn't believe the sheer absurdity of the situation. He had known Goku for years and had been through countless battles and conflicts with him, but this was on another level entirely.
Finally, Piccolo unfolded his arms and gave Goku a long look. "You've got a real mess on your hands this time, Goku. And from the sound of it, it's far from over."
Goku nodded, his carefree expression sobering slightly. "I know. But, I think... I think I'm starting to figure it out. With Caulifla, I mean. I know how I feel about her now."
Piccolo raised an eyebrow, his suspicion returning. "And you're sure about that? No more confusion?"
Goku grinned again, this time with a little more confidence. "Yeah, I'm sure."
Piccolo watched him for a moment longer, then shook his head in disbelief. "Well, I hope you're ready for whatever comes next. This situation isn't going to get any easier."
Caulifla, who had been standing quietly with the baby in her arms, finally spoke up. "Look, I know this is complicated," she said, looking at Goku and Piccolo, "but we'll make it work. I'm not backing down from this."
Piccolo gave her a long look, seeing the determination in her eyes. He nodded slightly, though he still couldn't quite believe everything that was happening. "You better be ready too, Caulifla. This world isn't exactly... simple."
Kale, who had been silent the entire time, nodded quietly in agreement. "We're ready for it," she said softly, looking down at the baby in her arms.
Piccolo sighed one last time, folding his arms again as he looked between them. "Alright then. I hope you're all ready for the ride. Because this... this is going to be one hell of a challenge."
Goku smiled at his friend. "Thanks, Piccolo. I knew I could count on you."
Piccolo gave him a dry look. "Yeah, well, next time... maybe don't surprise me with two babies and another relationship disaster."
Goku chuckled awkwardly. "I'll... keep that in mind."
An awkward silence hung in the air after Piccolo's blunt comment, and Goku, Caulifla, and Kale were still standing on his doorstep, unsure of what to say next. Piccolo's piercing gaze lingered on Goku, then shifted to Caulifla and Kale, who were holding the two tiny Saiyan babies, their tails swaying gently in the cool air. It was clear that these were Goku's and Caulifla's children.
Piccolo's eyebrow twitched slightly as he realized the situation was more complicated than he initially thought. Kale, of course, was present simply to support her sister, but even she looked a bit out of her element.
"So," Piccolo began, crossing his arms tightly over his chest. "What exactly are you all doing here? And why are *you* still standing on my doorstep, Goku?"
Goku chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah, well... We were kind of hoping we could crash here for a bit."
Piccolo's eyes narrowed further. "Crash here? As in, stay here? With two newborns?"
Goku nodded sheepishly. "Yeah... And, uh, we could really use your help with the babies." He gestured to the two infants, who were starting to stir and whimper in Caulifla's and Kale's arms.
Piccolo's jaw nearly dropped, but then he sighed, already knowing where this was going. "Let me guess. Neither of you have any idea what you're doing."
Caulifla, who normally radiated confidence and strength, glanced down at the baby in her arms and shrugged, a sheepish look crossing her face. "I've never had kids before, obviously. I didn't even realize I was pregnant until... well, until it was too late," she muttered, clearly embarrassed.
Kale, ever the supportive sister, nodded along. "We just thought maybe you could help, Piccolo. You know, since you're... good with Pan and all."
Piccolo stared at the group, utterly dumbfounded. "Goku," he began, rubbing his temples in frustration, "you've raised *two* kids. Don't tell me you don't know what to do."
Goku gave an awkward laugh. "Well, Chi-Chi was the one who really handled that stuff. I helped, but, uh... I'm still not great with babies. Especially two at once."
Before Piccolo could respond, the babies started crying—loudly. The sound echoed through the area, and both Caulifla and Kale looked increasingly panicked. Caulifla bounced her son gently in her arms, trying to calm him, while Kale mimicked her movements with the baby girl, but their efforts only made the twins cry louder.
"Uh, what do we do?" Caulifla asked, looking at Goku, who had an equally clueless expression.
"Maybe they're just tired?" Goku suggested weakly.
Piccolo groaned, stepping forward. "Move aside," he muttered. He gently took the baby girl from Kale, cradling her securely in his arms. His movements were fluid and calm, starkly contrasting the awkward handling of Goku and Caulifla. With practiced ease, he rocked the baby back and forth, supporting her head and body in a way that immediately soothed her.
Within moments, the baby girl's cries quieted, her tiny body relaxing in Piccolo's arms. He turned to Caulifla, who was still struggling to calm the other twin.
"Here," Piccolo said. "You're holding him wrong. Support his head more."
Caulifla, flustered, adjusted her grip as Piccolo instructed, and the baby boy's cries also began to quiet, though he was still fidgeting. She glanced over at Piccolo with wide eyes, impressed but also embarrassed. "I've... never done this before. It's weird. I thought having a baby would be like, y'know, just another challenge, but... it's so different."
Piccolo sighed. "That's because they're not warriors. They're newborns. They need security, comfort, and most of all, food."
"Food?" Caulifla echoed, her brow furrowing. "They just ate a couple of hours ago at Capsule Corp."
Piccolo glanced at her and then shook his head. "That was hours ago. Newborns need to eat frequently, especially when they're this young. They'll cry if they're hungry."
Goku, hearing this, looked at Piccolo with an almost relieved expression. "Oh, so we just need to feed them again! Great. Got any food from when you took care of Pan?"
Piccolo sighed again, but this time, there was a hint of patience in his tone. "Not this time, Goku." He looked directly at Caulifla, his voice firm but matter-of-fact. "You need to breastfeed them. It's what's best for newborns."
Caulifla's face immediately turned a bright shade of red. She stared at Piccolo, her usual bravado crumbling in the face of this deeply personal task. "Wha—breastfeed? Now? In front of... everyone?"
Piccolo gave her a flat look. "It's not like you have much of a choice. That's what they need."
Kale, standing beside her sister, gently placed a hand on Caulifla's arm. "You've done it before at the hospital, right?" she asked softly, trying to comfort her sister. You'll be fine."
Caulifla shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the baby in her arms, whose fussing had resumed. "Yeah, but that was in the hospital. And... it was weird. I'm still not used to it."
Piccolo raised an eyebrow. "You'll get used to it. Trust me. You need to feed them."
Caulifla bit her lip, clearly still embarrassed, but after a moment, she sighed and gave a small nod. "Fine, fine. I'll... try."
Piccolo nodded approvingly, stepping back and giving her space. Goku, who had been awkwardly standing by the whole time, scratched the back of his head. "I, uh, I'll give you some privacy," he said, laughing nervously as he stepped toward the door.
Kale watched her sister with concern, but Caulifla shot her a look, silently asking for some space. "You too, Kale," she muttered.
Kale blinked in surprise but quickly nodded. "Oh, right! Sorry!" She followed Goku toward the door, leaving Piccolo and Caulifla alone with the babies.
Once they were gone, Caulifla sat down on the couch, still feeling awkward and exposed. She adjusted the blanket over the baby in her arms and nervously prepared herself. Piccolo, standing nearby but respectfully looking away, offered a few more pointers.
"Make sure they're comfortable," he said quietly. "You'll get the hang of it soon enough."
Caulifla nodded, grateful for his help, even if this experience was uncomfortable for her. She shifted again, finding the right position, and after a few moments, the baby in her arms began to nurse.
It was still a strange feeling for Caulifla—something so personal and delicate, completely different from anything she'd ever experienced as a warrior. But as the baby settled, she felt a sense of peace that made her forget her initial discomfort.
After a while, Goku peeked his head back in through the door, his usual grin back in place. "Everything good in here?" he asked.
Caulifla rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at his cluelessness. "Yeah, everything's fine. Thanks for asking."
Piccolo, meanwhile, was standing by with his arms crossed, watching the whole process with a strange mix of patience and exasperation. "You're going to have to get used to this," he said. "Both of you. Parenting's not a one-and-done thing."
Goku laughed, nodding. "Yeah, I guess so."
As Caulifla continued to feed her baby, she glanced over at Goku. Despite everything that had happened—the whirlwind of emotions, the unexpected pregnancy, the chaos of becoming parents—she felt a strange sense of calm. Goku, for all his obliviousness, was by her side, and somehow, that made her feel like they could handle whatever came next.
Piccolo watched the two of them, his stern expression softening just a bit. "Well," he said quietly, "if you need more help, you know where to find me. Just... don't expect me to do everything for you."
Goku grinned at him, his typical carefree attitude shining through. "Don't worry, Piccolo. We'll figure it out. Thanks for everything."
Piccolo gave a small nod, his eyes briefly flicking to the babies resting peacefully in Caulifla's arms. "You'd better."
Gohan sat at the kitchen table, his hands folded together, staring blankly at the surface. His mind raced with the whirlwind of events that had unfolded over the past few days. Across from him, Videl sat with Pan on her lap, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. She had just finished putting Pan to bed when Gohan explained what had happened. Now, as the weight of the situation settled in, she could tell he was deeply troubled.
"So, let me get this straight," Videl said, trying to process everything Gohan had just shared. "Your dad... already has two kids with this Saiyan woman from Universe 6? And it all happened... how?"
Gohan sighed, rubbing his temples as he tried to find the right words. "Yeah... it's complicated," he said, his voice heavy. "Apparently, Caulifla and Kale were training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, and during that time, Caulifla was pregnant and didn't even realize it until she was ready to give birth."
Videl blinked in disbelief. "And now your dad has twins. Just like that."
Gohan nodded. "Just like that," he echoed. "It's all so... fast. I mean, we're Saiyans, but even by our standards, this whole thing is insane."
Videl shifted in her seat, glancing toward the closed door where Chi-Chi was resting in the guest room. "And your mom... how is she handling all of this?"
Gohan's face grew more somber. "Not well," he admitted. "She's devastated. She was already struggling after they separated, but now this? Finding out that Dad already has two kids with someone else? It's just too much for her to process."
Videl reached across the table, placing her hand gently on Gohan's. "I can't even imagine how hard this must be for her... and for you."
Gohan let out a long breath, his eyes downcast. "I've been trying to be there for her, but... I don't know how to help. Every time I talk to her, it feels like nothing I say can make this better. And I'm... I'm still angry at Dad too. He's always been so clueless about things like this, but this? This is on a whole different level."
Videl nodded in understanding, her thumb tracing small circles on the back of his hand. "It's a tough situation for everyone, especially your mom. But she'll need time, Gohan. It's not something she can just get over overnight."
Gohan looked up at her, his eyes reflecting the inner turmoil he felt. "I know... I just wish there was more I could do. It's hard seeing her like this, knowing how much pain she's in. I've never seen her this broken before."
Videl's gaze softened. "She'll get through it," she reassured him. "Chi-Chi's strong, even if it doesn't seem like it right now. But it'll take time for her to accept everything. And for you... well, maybe it's just about being there when she needs you, even if there aren't any magic words to fix it."
Gohan nodded, appreciating Videl's support. "You're right," he said quietly. "But it's not just about helping Mom. I also have to figure out how to break this news to Goten."
Videl's eyes widened slightly. "Goten doesn't know yet?"
Gohan shook his head. "No... he's still in the dark about everything. And honestly, I don't know how he's going to take it. He's young, and this... this is a lot to take in, even for an adult."
Videl bit her lip, her mind racing through possible scenarios. "You're right. This is going to be tough for Goten, especially since he looks up to your dad so much. He's always idolized Goku, so finding out about all of this... it's going to hit him hard."
Gohan sighed again, feeling the weight of the responsibility settling on his shoulders. "I'm worried about how he'll react," he admitted. "I mean, how do you even explain something like this? 'Hey Goten, Dad's already got two more kids with someone else, and they were born in record time thanks to some weird space-time thing.' It sounds insane, even to me."
Videl chuckled softly, though her smile was tinged with sympathy. "Yeah, it's not exactly the easiest conversation to have. But Goten's stronger than you think, Gohan. He'll have questions, and he'll be hurt, but he loves your dad. And he loves you. You'll find a way to explain it to him."
Gohan leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment as he processed her words. "I hope so," he said. "I just... I don't want him to lose faith in Dad, you know? He's always been this larger-than-life figure to both of us. And now... now I'm not even sure how to feel about him myself."
Videl leaned in closer, her voice soft. "It's okay to be conflicted, Gohan. You're allowed to be angry and hurt, but you also know that your dad never had bad intentions. He's just... Goku. He's never been great with relationships, but his heart's in the right place."
Gohan opened his eyes and looked at her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You always know what to say, don't you?"
Videl smiled back, her hand still resting on his. "That's what I'm here for."
There was a pause, a moment of silence, as they sat together, thinking about the next steps. Gohan's gaze drifted toward the hallway where his mother was resting. He could hear the soft murmur of Pan's baby monitor, reminding him of his other responsibility as a father.
"Maybe I'll talk to him tomorrow," Gohan said finally. "I'll sit Goten down and explain everything as best I can. He deserves to know the truth."
Videl nodded in agreement. "It's probably for the best. And just remember, you don't have to do this alone. I'm here, and so is Piccolo. We'll get through this together."
Gohan smiled at her, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Thanks, Videl. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Videl leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "You'd figure it out. You always do."
As the evening wore on, Gohan stayed close to Videl, his thoughts still churning, but the weight on his chest felt a little lighter. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with Videl by his side and a plan to talk to Goten, he felt more prepared to face whatever came next.
Tomorrow would be another challenge, but for now, he took comfort in the quiet moments with his family, finding strength in the love surrounding him, even as everything else seemed to spiral out of control.
It was the crack of dawn, and the piercing cries of two newborns suddenly shattered the early morning quiet. Goku, Caulifla, and Kale, who had been sound asleep just moments before, shot up from their makeshift beds in Piccolo's home, wide-eyed and disoriented.
Goku, still half-asleep, rubbed his eyes and yawned. "What's happening? Why are they crying?" he mumbled groggily.
Caulifla, lying on the couch with one of the babies, scrambled to sit up, her hair sticking out in all directions. "What do they want? Why are they so loud?" she asked, clearly just as clueless as Goku.
Kale, ever the anxious one, rushed to Caulifla's side, her face flushed with panic. "Do you think something's wrong? Maybe they're hungry again?"
Piccolo, who had woken up the moment the babies started crying but chose to give them a few moments to handle it themselves, finally sighed and walked into the room. He watched the chaotic scene unfold as the three Saiyans panicked over the crying infants.
Goku was the first to notice something off. He sniffed the air a few times, wrinkling his nose. "Uh, do you guys smell that? Something's... kinda stinky."
Piccolo pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered under his breath, "Of course."
"They need to be changed," Piccolo said aloud, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorway. "They've soiled their diapers."
Caulifla blinked at him, confusion written all over her face. "Changed? Diapers?" she repeated. The concept was completely foreign to her.
Piccolo gave her an exasperated look. "You're telling me you haven't figured that part out yet?"
Caulifla looked down at the baby in her arms, then over at Goku. "Uh... no. I thought they just cry when they're hungry!"
"They cry when they're hungry, tired, uncomfortable, or when they need a diaper change," Piccolo explained, his patience wearing thin. "And right now, they need to be changed."
Kale looked horrified. "You mean we have to...?" she trailed off, her face turning red as she connected the dots.
"Yup," Piccolo said. "It's part of the deal. You better get used to it."
Caulifla stood up, still holding one of the twins, her expression a mix of determination and uncertainty. "Fine. Show me how it's done. I'll figure it out!"
Piccolo nodded, gesturing for her to bring the baby over to the makeshift changing station he had set up with supplies he still had left over from when he used to babysit Pan. Goku stood beside Caulifla, looking just as eager—though not particularly confident.
Piccolo sighed again and grabbed a fresh diaper, showing them the basic steps of changing a baby's diaper. "First, you lay them down on their back like this. Then, you unfasten the dirty diaper, wipe them clean, and replace it with a fresh one. Got it?"
Caulifla narrowed her eyes, trying to focus on the instructions. "Okay, that doesn't sound too hard. Let me try."
She gingerly laid her baby down and began to mimic Piccolo's movements, but the moment she unfastened the diaper, her face twisted in disgust. "Ugh, that's... that's disgusting!" she gagged, holding the dirty diaper at arm's length.
Goku, standing beside her, peeked over her shoulder and winced. "Whoa... that's way worse than I thought."
Piccolo groaned. "You have to deal with it, Caulifla. Just wipe them clean and get it over with."
Caulifla shot him a glare but followed his instructions, albeit clumsily. The baby squirmed in her arms, making the whole process even more difficult. "Hold still!" she muttered under her breath, her frustration growing.
Goku wasn't faring much better. He had taken the other twin and tried his best to follow Piccolo's instructions, but he was clearly struggling. Every time he tried to secure the new diaper, it slipped out of place, or he put it on backward. "Is this thing supposed to fit like this?" he asked, scratching his head.
"No, Goku, it's backward," Piccolo said, his tone exasperated.
Goku blinked, staring at the diaper in confusion. "Oh... right."
After what felt like an eternity of fumbling, sighing, and exasperated groaning, both babies were finally changed, though not without making a mess in the process. Caulifla and Goku looked exhausted, their faces flushed with embarrassment as they stared down at the now-content twins, who had stopped crying.
Piccolo crossed his arms and smirked. "See? Not so hard, right?"
Caulifla rolled her eyes. "Yeah, not so hard," she muttered sarcastically. "I feel like I just fought an entire battle."
Goku laughed, scratching the back of his head. "At least they're not crying anymore!"
Piccolo shook his head and walked over to a drawer, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen. He scribbled down a long list of items before handing it to Goku. "Here. You and Caulifla need to go out and get these supplies. You'll need more diapers, wipes, formula, clothes, and a bunch of other things."
Goku took the list and stared at it, his brow furrowing as he read through the items. "Uh... what's a pacifier? And what's this... baby monitor thing?"
Caulifla peeked over his shoulder, equally confused. "Do we really need all this stuff? What's with all these... gadgets?"
Piccolo rubbed his temples, clearly trying to hold onto his patience. "Yes, you need all of it. Just go and get the supplies. Trust me, you'll thank me later."
Caulifla looked over at Piccolo, clearly unsure of what half the items on the list even were, but she wasn't about to admit that. "Fine. But where are we supposed to get all of this stuff?"
Piccolo smirked, pulling out a small pouch and tossing it to Goku. "That's some Zeni. Videl gave it to me whenever I needed to buy things while babysitting Pan. You can use it to get everything on the list."
Goku looked inside the pouch, his eyes widening at the amount. "Wow, this is a lot of Zeni!"
"Yeah, well, baby stuff isn't cheap," Piccolo said with a shrug. "So, go out and get what you need. I'll stay here and keep an eye on the twins."
Caulifla raised an eyebrow. "You're gonna babysit them... by yourself?"
Piccolo looked at her pointedly. "I've babysat Pan. I can handle your twins for a few hours."
Goku grinned, clearly relieved. "Thanks, Piccolo! We'll be back soon."
Caulifla still seemed unsure, but she reluctantly handed her baby to Piccolo, who took the twins with ease. Kale, who had been watching the whole exchange quietly, stood by, ready to help but still clearly overwhelmed by everything.
As Goku and Caulifla prepared to head out, they shared one last look at the twins, who were now peacefully resting in Piccolo's care. They both felt a strange mix of relief and anxiety about leaving them behind, but they knew Piccolo was more than capable of handling things while they were gone.
"Come on, Caulifla," Goku gestured for her to follow. "Let's go get this baby stuff!"
With that, the two Saiyans left Piccolo's home and headed out into the world of baby shopping—a task that neither of them felt remotely prepared for but one that they knew they had to tackle head-on.
As they disappeared into the distance, Piccolo sighed and shook his head. "I never thought I'd be running a daycare," he muttered, glancing down at the twins, who were now sound asleep. This is going to be a long day."
The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over Gohan and Videl's home as Gohan walked through the door. The air inside the house felt heavy, almost stifling, as if everyone inside was holding their breath. Chi-Chi had been staying with them for the past few days, ever since she'd learned the truth about Goku and Caulifla. She hadn't said much since her arrival, and Gohan knew she was still struggling to process everything.
As Gohan closed the door quietly behind him, he saw Videl in the living room, gently rocking Pan to sleep. She looked up at him with concern in her eyes, nodding toward the kitchen where Chi-Chi was sitting. Gohan sighed and nodded back, understanding the silent message. It was time to talk to his mother.
He walked into the kitchen, where Chi-Chi sat at the table, staring blankly at a cup of tea in front of her. Her hands were clasped tightly around it, knuckles white, and her eyes were distant. She hadn't even noticed him come in.
"Mom?" Gohan said softly, taking a seat across from her.
Chi-Chi blinked and looked up, her expression dull and tired. "Oh, Gohan… I didn't hear you come in."
Gohan leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "I wanted to check on you. You've been really quiet lately."
Chi-Chi let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping as she shook her head. "What's there to say? I just… I don't even know what to think anymore, Gohan."
Gohan frowned, his heart aching at the sight of his mother so broken. "I know this has been hard on you, Mom. I'm not here to push you to feel any certain way, but I do think it might help if we talked about it."
Chi-Chi's eyes narrowed, her voice tight with frustration. "Talk about what? The fact that your father went off to another universe and had children with someone else? How am I supposed to wrap my head around that, Gohan? How?"
Gohan leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath before responding. "I'm not going to lie, Mom… I've been struggling with it too. Dad's actions… they don't make sense to me either. But I've been trying to make sense of it the best I can."
Chi-Chi's hands tightened around her teacup, her voice trembling as she spoke. "How can you just… deal with it, Gohan? How can you look at him after what he's done?"
"It hasn't been easy," Gohan admitted, his gaze dropping to the table. "I was furious when I found out. I couldn't even look at him for a while. But… after talking with Videl and Piccolo, I realized that staying angry forever isn't going to fix anything. And as much as I hate to admit it, Dad… he didn't know what he was doing."
Chi-Chi's eyes flashed with anger. "That's exactly the problem, Gohan! He never knows what he's doing! He's always so clueless, always running off to train or fight, leaving me to take care of everything. And now this? Now he's gone and had children with someone else?"
Gohan's jaw tightened as he listened, feeling the weight of her words. "I get it, Mom. Believe me, I do. And I'm not asking you to forgive him—at least, not right away. But I don't think Dad set out to hurt you. He didn't plan any of this."
Chi-Chi's voice cracked as she spoke, her tears finally spilling over. "It doesn't matter if he didn't plan it, Gohan. It still happened. I gave my whole life to him, and this is what I get in return?"
Gohan reached across the table, placing his hand over hers. "I know you've given so much, Mom. And you didn't deserve any of this. But I think… I think Dad really does care about you. He just never understood how to show it."
Chi-Chi's lip trembled, and she wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. "I thought he loved me, Gohan. I thought we were a family."
"We are a family, Mom," Gohan said gently. "We still are. But Dad… Dad's always been different. His idea of love was never the same as everyone else's."
Chi-Chi let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "And now he's off with some other woman, having more children. How am I supposed to accept that?"
Gohan sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I'm not asking you to accept it right away. I don't even know if I've accepted it yet. But I think… I think you have to remember that those babies didn't ask for this."
Chi-Chi stared down at the table, her tears still falling as she tried to process his words. "I don't know if I can ever look at those children and not feel… betrayed."
"You don't have to decide that now," Gohan said softly. "Take your time. No one's expecting you to figure it all out overnight."
The kitchen fell into an uncomfortable silence, the only sound being the soft clock ticking on the wall. Gohan watched his mother carefully, his heart heavy with the weight of her pain. He wanted to fix it, to make it all better, but he knew that this was something only time could heal.
Chi-Chi gave a slight nod, her eyes downcast. "I just… I don't understand how everything fell apart so quickly. One moment, I was married to Goku, and now I'm staying at your house, trying to figure out where my life goes from here."
"You don't have to figure it out all at once," Gohan reassured her. "Take it one step at a time. No one expects you to have all the answers right now."
Chi-Chi's lip trembled, and her hands tightened around her cup once more. "It's just… I gave everything to your father. I waited for him when he was gone. I raised you and Goten on my own most of the time, and now… this is where we are?"
Gohan reached out, gently squeezing her hand. "You've always been the strongest person I know, Mom. You didn't deserve any of this, but you're going to get through it. And you're not alone."
Chi-Chi finally met his eyes, her expression a mixture of pain and gratitude. "Thank you, Gohan. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll be okay, Mom. I promise," Gohan said, giving her hand another gentle squeeze. "And no matter what, you've got me, Videl, and Pan. We'll get through this together."
Meanwhile, Goten entered the room quietly, his usual energetic steps more reserved as he walked toward the kitchen. Chi-Chi and Gohan were too deep in conversation to notice him at first, but the moment he stepped into their view, they both fell silent. Gohan exchanged a worried glance with his mother, the tension in the room instantly rising. They hadn't meant for Goten to overhear anything—not yet, at least.
Chi-Chi's heart sank as her younger son stood there, his expression slightly confused but also curious. "Goten…" she began, her voice soft, unsure how to proceed.
Goten tilted his head slightly, his eyes darting between his mother and older brother. "Hey, Mom, Gohan. What's going on? You guys seemed really serious." His voice had that casual tone, but there was an undercurrent of something more—uncertainty, maybe even concern.
Gohan stood up slowly from his chair, trying to gauge how much Goten might have heard. "Goten," he started carefully, "how long have you been standing there?"
Goten shrugged, trying to downplay the situation. "Not too long. I came in when you guys were talking about Dad and… something about kids? I didn't really get all of it, but it sounded important." His eyes were searching for answers, and it was clear he wasn't going to let the topic drop easily.
Chi-Chi and Gohan exchanged another quick glance, this time filled with silent communication. Gohan took a deep breath, knowing the conversation he had been dreading was now inevitable.
"Goten, why don't you sit down?" Gohan gestured to the chair next to him, trying to maintain a calm and steady voice. "We need to talk."
Goten's face shifted, the casual curiosity fading as he sensed the seriousness in his brother's tone. He moved toward the chair, a faint look of worry creasing his brow. "Is something wrong? Is it about Dad?" he asked, his voice quieter now as if bracing for whatever news was about to come.
Gohan sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried to find the right words. "Yeah, it is. It's about Dad. And… something that's happened recently."
Chi-Chi stayed silent, her eyes downcast as Gohan took the lead, knowing it wasn't her place to break this news.
Goten frowned, leaning forward in his chair. "What happened? Is Dad okay?"
Gohan nodded quickly, reassuring his little brother. "Yeah, he's fine. He's not hurt or anything. But… there's something you need to know about him." He paused, looking at Goten's wide, innocent eyes. "Goten… Dad has been spending time with someone else. Someone from another universe."
Goten blinked, his confusion deepening. "Another universe? You mean like Universe 6? He was there a while ago, right?"
Gohan nodded, feeling the weight of every word. "Yeah, exactly. While he was there, he met someone… a Saiyan from Universe 6 named Caulifla."
Goten's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I remember hearing about her. She fought Dad during the tournament, right? But what does that have to do with anything?"
Gohan swallowed hard, glancing briefly at Chi-Chi before continuing. "It's more than just fighting, Goten. While Dad was there… he and Caulifla got close. Really close. And… well, things between them went further than they should have."
Goten's eyes widened, the realization slowly sinking in. "What do you mean by… further?"
Gohan hesitated, but he knew he had to be honest. "Dad had an affair with Caulifla, Goten. He… he now has kids with her."
For a moment, there was silence. Goten just stared at his brother, blinking as if trying to process the information. His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. It was as if his brain couldn't fully wrap itself around what Gohan was telling him.
"Kids?" Goten finally managed, his voice almost a whisper. "Dad… has kids? With someone else?"
Gohan nodded solemnly. "Yeah… twins. A boy and a girl."
Goten leaned back in his chair, his eyes wide and filled with disbelief. He looked from Gohan to Chi-Chi, his mind racing. "But… how? I don't get it. How could Dad have kids with someone else when he's married to Mom? I mean, isn't that… isn't that wrong?"
Chi-Chi's hand trembled slightly as she looked down at her lap, unable to meet her son's eyes. Gohan reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder as he answered for her. "It is wrong, Goten. And that's why Mom's been staying with us. She's having a hard time with everything… and we all are, to be honest."
Goten sat there, stunned. "But… Dad always seemed like he was happy with Mom. Why would he do something like that?"
Gohan shook his head slowly. "It's complicated. Dad… he doesn't always understand relationships the way we do. But that doesn't mean it's okay, and it doesn't mean that what happened isn't serious."
Goten frowned, clearly struggling to process everything. "So… what happens now? Does that mean Mom and Dad aren't together anymore?"
Chi-Chi's voice cracked slightly as she spoke, finally breaking her silence. "We've decided to separate, Goten," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion. "Your father and I… we need time apart."
Goten's heart dropped. "Separate?"
Chi-Chi shook her head slightly, her eyes glassy with tears. "We haven't decided on anything permanent yet. But for now… yes, we're not going to be living together."
Goten felt a wave of confusion and hurt wash over him. His parents had always been together through all the ups and downs of their lives, but this was something he had never imagined happening to his family. "So… Dad's living with Caulifla now?" he asked, his voice small.
Gohan shook his head. "No, Goten. Dad's not with her like that. He's staying at Piccolo's place for the time being. Caulifla is with him, but it's… complicated. They're still figuring things out too."
Goten leaned forward, burying his face in his hands as he tried to make sense of everything. "I just… I don't get it. Why did this have to happen? Why couldn't Dad just… stay with Mom?"
Gohan reached out and placed a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder. "I wish I had an answer for you, Goten. But sometimes, people make mistakes. Big ones. And right now, we all have to figure out how to move forward."
Chi-Chi wiped at her eyes, trying to regain her composure. "Your father… he didn't mean to hurt us, Goten. He's just… he's always been more focused on fighting and protecting the Earth than on understanding love and relationships."
Goten looked up at his mother, his eyes filled with sadness. "But he's still Dad, right?"
Chi-Chi nodded slowly. "Yes, Goten. He'll always be your father. And I know he still loves you and your brother more than anything."
Goten let out a shaky breath, his emotions swirling in a confusing mix of anger, sadness, and disappointment. "I just… I don't know how to feel about all of this."
Gohan gave his brother's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "You don't have to figure it out all at once, Goten. It's okay to feel upset or confused. We're all still processing it too."
For a while, the room fell silent, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Goten sat there, staring at the floor, his mind still racing. His world had just been turned upside down, and he wasn't sure how to cope with it all.
Finally, Gohan spoke again, his voice gentle. "Do you want to talk to Dad, Goten? I'm sure he'd want to explain things to you himself."
Goten hesitated, unsure of what he wanted. "I don't know… I don't even know what I'd say to him right now."
"That's okay," Gohan reassured him. "You don't have to talk to him until you're ready. But just know that we're here for you, no matter what."
Goten nodded slowly, his expression still distant as he tried to process everything. "Thanks, Gohan… Mom."
Chi-Chi reached out, placing a hand on Goten's cheek. "I'm sorry you had to hear about this like this, sweetie. But we'll get through this together, okay?"
Goten gave a small nod, though the sadness in his eyes was still evident. "Yeah… I guess so."
As the room fell quiet once more, the weight of the situation hung heavy in the air. Gohan watched his younger brother closely, knowing that this was just the beginning of a long and difficult road for their family. But they would face it together—one step at a time.
As Goku and Caulifla flew through the air toward the nearby city, the wind whipped through their hair, the sun casting long shadows over the landscape below. The city skyline loomed in the distance, tall buildings shimmering in the afternoon light. Caulifla's arms were crossed as she flew alongside Goku, her mind wandering though she tried to keep her usual tough exterior intact.
Goku, ever the carefree one, was glancing over at her every now and then with a smile. He seemed excited—maybe more excited than Caulifla expected—for their trip to get baby supplies. As they descended toward the city, they could see people walking on the streets, cars moving along, and the bustling activity of a normal Earth day. But, as soon as Goku and Caulifla landed in front of the huge shopping center, the sight of them flying caused a bit of a stir.
People around them stopped in their tracks, staring in shock. Whispers broke out in the crowd, with some even pointing in awe at the two Saiyans. Caulifla, oblivious to Earth's customs, raised an eyebrow at the attention. "What the heck are they all staring at?" she muttered under her breath.
Goku chuckled and shrugged, used to people being surprised by things like flying. "Eh, they'll get over it," he said casually, waving off the attention. "C'mon, let's head inside. We got a lot of stuff to get, right?"
He pulled out the crumpled list of baby supplies that Piccolo had given them, squinting at it. "Okay… this, that, and… whatever those are." He tilted his head, clearly confused about a few of the items on the list.
Caulifla looked at the list, too, though she was just as clueless. "Why do babies need so much stuff anyway? They're tiny," she scoffed, though there was a hint of nervousness in her voice. She was still getting used to the idea that she was a mother now, and every new thing they needed to do seemed to remind her of just how much responsibility came with it.
Goku grinned and folded the list up, tucking it into his pocket. "Hey, it'll be fun! And it'll give you a chance to see more of Earth stuff. You've only been here a few times, right?"
As they approached the entrance of the shopping center, Goku reached out and grabbed Caulifla's hand without a second thought. He didn't even notice the way her entire face went bright red at the gesture. Her first instinct was to pull away and act like it didn't matter, but something inside her made her hesitate. She glanced down at their joined hands, her heart skipping a beat despite herself.
Caulifla, in her usual tomboyish and tough way, immediately felt the need to cover up her embarrassment. "H-Hey! What're you doing grabbing my hand like that, idiot?" she barked, though her voice was a little softer than usual, almost playful.
Goku looked at her, blinking innocently. "What? We're just going in, right? You don't wanna get lost in a place like this, do ya?"
Caulifla turned her head away quickly, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks as she grumbled under her breath. "Tch… I wasn't gonna get lost," she muttered, though she didn't pull her hand away from his. In fact, a part of her didn't want to.
As they walked into the shopping center, Caulifla couldn't help but sneak a glance at their hands again, feeling oddly warm inside. They hadn't really discussed what they were to each other yet. Were they boyfriend and girlfriend now? Was that even how Saiyans did things? She wasn't exactly the type to think about relationships like that. But then again… they *did* have kids together now, so that had to mean something more, right?
Her heart pounded a little faster as a thought crossed her mind. *Wait… does this mean we're… married? Like, husband and wife?* The thought hit her like a punch to the gut, and her eyes widened. She nearly stopped in her tracks, her face burning with embarrassment. "No way, that's too embarrassing," she whispered to herself, shaking her head vigorously.
Goku glanced at her with that innocent grin of his. "You okay, Caulifla? You're acting kinda funny."
"N-Nothing! I'm fine!" she snapped, her face still bright red as she glared at him. "Just… shut up, and let's get this over with!"
Goku just chuckled, oblivious to her inner turmoil, and they continued walking hand in hand through the bustling aisles of the store. The shopping center was massive, filled with rows of brightly lit shelves, signs, and advertisements for baby products that neither of them had any clue about. As they wandered into the baby section, Goku picked up a small bottle with a weird-looking nozzle on top, turning it over in his hands with a puzzled expression.
"So, uh… what's this thing? Is it for feeding the babies or… cleaning something?" he asked, completely stumped by the object.
Caulifla grabbed the bottle from him, frowning as she studied it. "How should I know? It looks like some kind of weapon or something," she grumbled, though she was just as confused. "Is this really what babies need?"
Goku scratched his head, laughing awkwardly. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's not a weapon. Maybe it's for feeding the babies? I didn't really deal with this kind of stuff with Gohan or Goten."
Caulifla facepalmed. "Great, so we're both clueless."
The two of them continued down the aisle, grabbing random items off the shelves that were on Piccolo's list, still clueless about how to use half of it. As they moved from aisle to aisle, Caulifla kept stealing glances at Goku, trying to figure out what this all meant for them. She was a fighter first. That was all she ever knew. But now, she had a family with Goku. That was something she hadn't expected, and despite herself, she found that she liked the idea. Maybe even a little more than she was willing to admit.
Eventually, after what felt like hours of wandering, they found themselves at the checkout counter with a cart full of baby supplies. As the cashier rang up their items, Goku fumbled through the Zeni Piccolo had given him, scratching his head as he counted the bills.
"I hope this is enough," Goku muttered under his breath, handing over the money.
Caulifla just crossed her arms, leaning against the counter. "I don't know how you Earthlings deal with all this shopping crap," she muttered. "On Sadala, we just take what we need."
Goku laughed. "Yeah, well, it's a little different here."
As they left the store, Caulifla couldn't shake the strange warmth she felt in her chest as she glanced over at Goku. She hated how embarrassed she got around him sometimes, but there was no denying that things had changed between them. Whether or not they had figured out what to call it, they were in this together now, hand in hand. And even though she'd never admit it, Caulifla kind of liked the sound of that.
Hey everyone, thanks for sticking around and reading this chapter! Things are definitely on the more "slice of life" side right now—shopping for baby supplies with Goku and Caulifla is quite the adventure, huh? But even though things seem chill for the moment, there's still that big lingering question: What's the future gonna look like for Goku's family? Chi-Chi, Goten… and now Caulifla and the twins? There's a lot more to come, so stay tuned to see how it all unfolds!
Hope you enjoyed it!
