Chapter 4:

Chi-Chi hummed quietly to herself outside, trying to ease her mind. With Goten out playing with Trunks somewhere in the woods, she devoted her time to hanging up the laundry, finding some comfort from the gentle wind fanning her face and having something to do.

It had been a few weeks since Goku left, and each night, she had been crying herself to sleep. It was her fault of course, for tricking him into signing divorce papers. But she just couldn't take it anymore.

What kind of life did she have with Goku? For their entire marriage, he spent most of the time away either off on some adventure, dead, or trying to save the world. While she was stuck at home being the best house wife and mother she could be, he got to do whatever he wanted without even caring how she must have felt. Or at least checking in to see if she was okay.

To be honest, she never would've had this perspective if it wasn't for a recent gathering with friends at Turtle Island. She had overheard several of the men talking about Future Trunks' world and how Goku didn't know what a kiss was. The men laughed at Goku's innocence, but Chi-Chi was absolutely mortified. What were they thinking, she wondered. She had a husband who was gone more than he was around, apparently didn't even know what a kiss was even though she had given him so many throughout the years (seriously, what the hell!?), and looking back, he was rarely the first one to show her any affection… Then it came to her.

That Goku probably didn't love her. How could he… maybe he didn't even know what love was. And as soon as this thought was conceived, it just festered in her mind until it lived in her head rent-free.

And to add salt to the wound, he went off to train again. The night he left was definitely the worst. With only herself in the house, she had almost thought she'd die from how hurt she was.

But here she was now, a few weeks later, still standing tall and going about her life. She wasn't just Chi-Chi, former wife of the strongest man alive. She was also Chi-Chi, proud mother of Gohan and Goten, daughter of the Ox-King, the princess of Fire Mountain. She once was, and still is, one of the strongest females on this planet, and while she could be tough as nails, she was deep down a good person. She just had to remember that there was life outside her crumbled marriage. That she would get through this, even though convincing herself to stop loving Goku was the most painful part. And she was probably just kidding herself.

She hung the final shirt up and took a step back, satisfied with her completion. She bent down to gather the laundry materials in the basket, but when she got back up, the cause of her current heartbreak was standing right in front of her.

"Goku!? What are you–"

Goku took her by the shoulders though, his face frantic and worried. "Chi-Chi, tell me it's not true. That our marriage isn't over."

She shrugged herself out of his touch and crossed her arms. It looked like he finally figured it out, but it was already too late. Twenty plus years too late. "It's true Goku. We're not married anymore, and I'm not your wife."

Goku's heart plummeted to his stomach, and he stared openly at her. "But… why?"

Chi-Chi gave him an indelicate snort. Of course he wouldn't know why. And she didn't bother to answer his questions anymore.

"Was it something I said? Did?" Goku continued, determined to get to the bottom of this and fix whatever mess he landed himself in. He didn't want to be divorced. He wanted to stay married to Chi-Chi. Did she not know much he needed her? How much he loved her?

"You're impossible Goku," Chi-Chi spat. She charged past him into the house they once shared, with her former husband following right behind her.

"Chi-Chi, please tell me what I did wrong. I… I don't want to get a divorce," he said with desperation.

"Ha! Your signature on the paper says otherwise. Your lack of presence here for the past three weeks says otherwise. In FACT," she spun around to face him, her anger, hurt, and embarrassment accumulating into one outburst, "Your lack of presence for the LAST 20 YEARS SAYS OTHERWISE."

Goku felt as if a Kamehameha Wave was shot directly at his face. He actually preferred that, compared to the accusation he was hit with now. "What do you mean? You know I had to leave, to protect you and Gohan and Goten."

"OF COURSE. You had to 'protect' us. Gotcha." This made Chi-Chi laugh almost maniacally.

"It's true…" the Saiyan said. "I would never hurt you."

Her laughter stopped and she scrutinized him. "Well you did Goku. You left me all alone for so many months, even years at a time, never stopping to think how I felt with you not around. You hurt me so much, and now I don't think I can ever forgive you."

"I'm so sorry…"

"It's too late for that," Chi-Chi said tiredly. She gripped the edge of the kitchen sink, trying not to look at her once-husband anymore. She couldn't fall for him again, not if she wanted to protect herself. "Just… leave me alone, I have nothing more to say."

"But, Chi-Chi…"

"I said LEAVE. You're good at that AREN'T YOU?" Chi-Chi screamed. This time, she ran past him into their old bedroom, slamming the door shut. She couldn't deal with it anymore. She was just done.

Goku looked at the closed door sadly, his heart breaking from hearing Chi-Chi's muffled sobs. How could he have been so blind? So selfish? His friends were right. He really was an idiot. Because only an idiot would've taken for granted someone as good as his wife. Knowing it wouldn't do any good right now to enter their room and also respecting her wishes, he flew out the house, sorrow in his eyes, not caring where he was going. Only that he wished he was with his mate more than ever.