Here we go! This one is a little longer than other chapter so hope you enjoy! Xx Happy reading! ;)

Chapter 8 - Side Effects

It had been 6 weeks since Bulma found out chichi had cancer. But she kept her word and told no one. Not even Vegeta! Chichi was grateful for Bulma's support, she had been helping 18 and krillin with taking chichi to the hospital for her treatment, doing the food shop for her and buying enough in case the boys turned up wanting food. She knew what that was like so she knew exactly how much to buy. But thanks to Piccolo keeping his word, he was taking them out training most days when they had free time from either work or school, and they would spend 2-3 days training hard. Piccolo had been telling them to always keep up with their training in case something were to happen, this kept them distracted and not worrying over her, and when they didn't worry, they didn't have to know anything. Chichi was grateful Piccolo was keeping the boys busy, it was easier when they weren't around to see her in the state she currently was in.

This morning Bulma was over at Chichi's and was holding her hair up as chichi threw up in the toilet. The chemo therapy was seriously taking its toll on her now. Brutally.

'Uhhhh….. I feel like death' Chichi groaned holding her head up as Bulma stroked her back, to soothe her.

'Here drink this smoothie. One of the doctors said it would help you feel less nauseous, its full of herbs and minerals or something' Bulma said as chichi sipped her dark green drink as Bulma sighed

'What?' chichi asked

'I'm just… thinking about the time I told you I was pregnant with trunks' she said as chichi smiled

'Yeah… you were freaking out, because you had cheated on Yamcha'

'I knew Vegeta was right for me, I just didn't have the heart to tell Yamcha. But when he did find out…'

'He Wasn't happy. But you did as he asked, you gave him space and he forgave you. and he's still one of us.'

'Yeah. But I was thinking more of the trimesters of my pregnancy, you came over and as I was sick, you were there to soothe me when Vegeta wasn't.'

'Well I couldn't just leave you, I know how hard it is to carry a baby that's not 100% human' chichi chuckled as bulma nodded

'My point is…. You were there for me. And I'm grateful you were, that's why I want to be there for you now' Bulma smiled as chichi took her hand softly

'You are here for me. You've been a god-send since you found out. And I can't thank you enough' chichi said as bulma smiled

'But I still think what your doing is wrong! Keeping it to yourself'

'Bulma…..' Chichi groaned

'ok I won't pretend I understand what you're going through, but what good will it do to keep this to yourself? It's one thing for a handful of us to know but your family not knowing?! I hate it!'

'They can't know about this! I won't let them!'

'But why? Because you want to protect them? From what exactly? Because I know your family, they will want to be there for you!'

'What if I don't want them to! What if I don't want them to see me like this!? This is just as much about protecting myself then them!' chichi yelled

'What does that mean?' Bulma asked as she felt there was more to that. Chichi left the bathroom and sat at the edge of her bed and sighed

'You wouldn't understand'

'Wouldn't I? Your forgetting, I have a sayien family too' Bulma said as chichi looked up at her. She had a point. Maybe she would understand

'Its just….' She was about to explain when she heard her front door open and voices coming in

'MOM! HEY MOM!' Goten and Gohan called out as the girls gasped. Bulma helped chichi put on her make up so she looked healthier and brighter. Helped her put on her dress and made take her pain relief meds and down her smoothie and headed down stairs, she greets her sons with a big smile.

'Hey boys! I wasn't expecting you today!' she said giving each of them a hug!

'Yeah well we just thought we haven't seen you and thought we'd come and spend the day with you, Piccolo has been keeping us busy with some training and was about to it again today but I stopped him, he ended up babysitting Pan while Videl was away with Eresa for the day. So Goten and I thought that maybe we could all go for a walk or maybe a picnic by the waterfall. Whatever you want?' Gohan smiled

'Yeah Mom! Come on it'll be fun! Look I even finished all my homework so we can spend time with without you worrying about it so we can have today to relax!' Goten showed her his completed homework as chichi softly smiled. She knew she hadn't spent as much time with her boys since beginning treatment but she had her reasons. However, she was in the need to feel like a mother again and spend time with her children and feel normal, everything being as it was before cancer.

'I think that sounds lovely. A picnic does sound wonderful, what did I do to deserve you two?' she smiled as she said those word….. someone else appeared before them!

'HEY GUYS!' He waved

'DAD!' Gohan and Goten ran to hug their father as chichi felt her chest tighten!

Goku was home!

As happy as she was, she was terrified more! Bulma looked to Chichi and grew concerned, she stroked her arm and softly smiled

'Its gonna be fine' she whispered as chichi nodded

'Chichi!' Goku greeted and saw her face, she looked…. Worried. It was strange, there was something about how she looked. She looked like herself but he couldn't put his finger on it. He opened his arms out for her and noticed she didn't hug him 'What's wrong? Are you mad? Your mad aren't you? I meant to come back sooner but I just got so wrapped up in my training I didn't wanna stop! But I'm home now for a while.' He said as she looked at him. She wanted more than anything to tell him about what's happened but she didn't have the heart 'Aren't you glad I'm back?' he asked as she shook out of her thoughts and smiled

'Of course I am Goku! I'm just surprised! I've missed you, I wasn't expecting you back for another few months'

'Yeah well Vegeta and I decided to cut it short, so next time we'll be gone a while longer. Hope that's okay?' he said as he walked over to give her a warm hug.

'Not a problem honey' She smiled at welcomed his warm embrace. She buried her face into his chest and desperately wanted to break down and cry and be comforted but how could she? She had come too far now.

'Hey Dad! We were just gonna go for a picnic by the waterfall today, can you come with us? Pleeeeease?!'

'Yeah we were gonna treat mom to a day out' Gohan added

'Awww I was looking forward to tasting your mom's cooking today' Goku frowned as the boys laughed and chichi smiled. Bulma couldn't help but frown, he and her own husband had been away for months and he's wanting food! God he could be so dense and selfish sometimes!

'Oh well I'll tell you what, why don't we invite everyone here tomorrow for a cook out? I'll cook a lot of food and you can have a huge feast'

'That's a great idea mom!' Gohan cheered

'Yeyyy' Goten agreed

'Sounds like a plan Chi' Goku kissed her cheek as chichi smiled, she turned to Bulma

'What do you think Bulma?'

'I guess that could be fun. But I'll contribute to some cooking too. I'll get 18 to help as well, save you doing all the work'

'Thank you'

'Okay then I guess we're going on a picnic' Goku said as the boys got ready, Bulma and chichi were alone in the kitchen while Goku went to have a shower and get dressed

'You need to tell him chi' Bulma instructed as chichi sighed

'I can't now! He just got back!'

'All the more reason!'

'Bulma I can't have this discussion now. I just can't…..' she was cut off when Goku appeared into the room not wearing a shirt. It made chichi blush, but she quickly removed those thoughts from her mind. Annoyingly.

'Hey babe, I left a bunch of my clothes in the hamper. Could you wash them for me ready for my next training session, that would be great' Goku smiled

'What you can't wash them yourself!?' Bulma frowned as Goku looked at her and chichi gasped

'Well I just…'

'You've been gone for months and your first thoughts are treating your wife like a maid. Well she isn't, she has been ridiculously patient waiting on you to make an appearance and THIS is how you do it!? You've seen her wash your clothes hundreds of times Goku! Why don't you wash them yourself and let your WIFE take it easy!' Bulma lectured the naïve sayien as Goku was speechless, he wasn't expecting such an outburst from his oldest friend.

'I…. I'm sorry… i…..

'Bulma its okay' chichi said

'NO It isn't! You're not his maid!'

'I know! But I don't mind! Goku its fine I will take care of it' chichi softly smiled as Goku looked at her, her eyes looked…. Tired. He couldn't sense it fully but he could defiantly sense something, but it was like she was blocking him out. Was that even possible? But right now, all he felt was guilt over what Bulma had just said

'No chichi its okay, I can wash these clothes. I think I know how' he said and went back upstairs as chichi looked to Bulma

'What was that?' she asked

'Look I'm sorry but you may not wanna tell him but I can't let you run around after these guys when you ought to be resting! You know what the doctor said!'

'Yes I do! I also know I can go about my daily routine if the chemo isn't taking an effect on me!' she argued

'But it is! He's been back for 5 minutes and you're already planning on cooking a giant feast tomorrow! You need to be resting chichi or your gonna make yourself worse!' Bulma argued back as chichi sighed hard and took a deep breath

'Bulma I get your frustrated. But please, PLEASE Just try to stay as calm and normal as possible. For me?' Chichi asked as Bulma sighed and nodded

'Fine! But I hate this'

'I know I'm sorry. I know I'm asking a lot from so many people. You, 18, Krillen, piccolo…..'

'You know we wanna help. But please think about what I said'

'I will' Chichi nodded

…

Bulma had left to greet her own sayien husband back at capsule corp. Chichi and the boys had travelled down to through the forest and arrived at the water fall and set up their picnic. Goten and Goku both were jumping into the water from the cliffs as Gohan and chichi watched on, Chichi was preparing the picnic and enjoying the warm grazes of the sun

'It's a beautiful day' she smiled

'Yeah. I'm glad you wanted to come out mom. Feels like forever since we did this. Just us 4'

'Well Your dad has been gone a while'

'Yeah but I was more concerned about you. you haven't spoken with us much for a few weeks, like you've blocked out the world. Even grandpa said you haven't called. Is everything okay with you?' Gohan asked seriously as chichi gulped.

'What do you mean? Everything is fine! I've just been so busy with chores and things. You know the life a housewife is never easy' she chuckled but Gohan knew she was lying. She never lied to him! What was going on?

'Mom…..are you…..?'

'Oh Man I am starving!' Goku came over to sit with them both as Goten continued to swim.

'GOHAN! Come Play!' He called out

'In A sec!' He answered

'Oh go play with your brother, we can talk later' Chichi smiled as Gohan sighed and nodded. Leaving Goku and chichi alone. Chichi began setting up the picnic food as Goku watched her, Chichi noticed his stare and looked to him

'What?' she smiled

'You' he answered

'What about me?'

'Can't a man just stare at his wife because he missed her?'

'I suppose, but its only been a few months. We've done years without eachother'

'And I regret being away for so long. But I'm back now for a while so you don't have to worry about me going anywhere okay?' Goku smiled as Chichi smiled but inside she was concerned. What if he found about her treatment? The cancer? The thought was unbearable. Achingly unbearable.

'Mom is the picnic ready?' Goten said as and Gohan came to sit down

'All ready. Help yourselves boys' She smiled as they tucked in, chichi only took a small amount of food. She was having a hard time keeping her food down without feeling nauseous and the last thing she needed was to raise the boys' suspicions. She ate little bites of her food and tried to pay attention to their conversations but one of her migraines returned and her head was feeling dizzy.

'So Piccolo has been taking you out training? Man! He must be feeling pent up since I haven't been around'

'I think he misses having a training partner around, I admit, I haven't been keeping it up since being married and raising a baby. But I do miss training with him, brings back the days before The sayiens showed up.'

'Yeah, and he's been taking me out too, its been great! I feel like piccolo can show me a lot more!'

'That's great son, but make sure you make time for homework and stuff, I know how much that means to your mom, right Chichi?' Goku asked as he saw chichi staring into space, not paying attention to the conversation 'Uhhh…chichi?' he gently placed his hand on her shoulder as she snapped out of it.

'Huh?' she gasped

'Did you hear what we were talking about?' Goku asked as she looked at her family and nervously laughed

'Oh I'm sorry, I guess I lost my train of thought there.' She said

'You also barely touched your food mom' Gohan pointed out as she looked at the plate, it made her nauseous.

'I'm not that hungry' she said and placed it down and lay back, enjoying the warmth of the sun above her, Goku and the boys continued to talk among themselves about training and stuff as she closed her eyes and felt relaxed and calm.

'The weather feels nice' Goku smiled looking up at the sky and all the fuzzy clouds.

'Yeah it really does' She sighed For the first time in weeks. She felt nothing was wrong, she was here with her family and she was happy. Like how it was supposed to be, she could feel herself dozing off into a dream, until…

'Momma!' Goten yelled out as she snapped out of her trance, looking at her youngest son

'Goten?' she gasped

'Are you okay?!' he asked panicked

'Yes of course! Why are you asking sweetie?'

'Because Your nose is bleeding!' He pointed at her

'My Wha…?' she questioned as she wiped under her nose and saw blood! This was a side effect of her treatment. She panicked and sat back up as the blood flowed out.

'Damn it!' she muttered under her breath

'Mom are you okay!?' Gohan asked, now worried about his mother

'Here honey, some tissues' Goku offered her tissues as she wiped the blood away but it kept coming

'Oh for Dende's Sake!' she huffed feeling it flow

'That's weird. You've never had nosebleeds before' Goku said

'Yeah! Mom are you sure your feeling alright?' Gohan asked

'Its okay honey, nosebleeds happen all the time, its probably because of the cold weather we've been having' she laughed nervously as Gohan frowned

'But its 35 degrees out here!' he said

'Well it's been a cold 35 degrees'

'Mom…..'

'Look it's just a nosebleed okay?! I'll be fine!' She snapped as Gohan frowned, he was getting annoyed at her snaps. He was only trying to help!

'Mom…..!' Gohan was about to snap at her when he was held back by his shoulder, he looked back at Goku who shook his head, advising to not test her patience.

'Maybe wash your face in the lake' Goten took her hand and guided her to the lake, leaving Goku and Gohan to talk

'She didn't have to snap at me!' Gohan huffed

'I'm sure she didn't mean it son, it's only a nosebleed. Your mom has handled much worse in the past, but she's a fighter'

'That's not just it dad, Mom has been acting so weird the last few weeks. I don't like it! She hasn't seen us, or barley spoken to us. And I can sense something…odd about her, like a difference in her ki. Can's you sense it?' Gohan asked as Goku focused on his Wife's ki, there was something odd hiding there but again she was blocking him out, it was like trying to open the door but someone else was pushing it back on the other side, and it was remarkable because he couldn't break through. It was really strange.

'Huh….. that's odd. Maybe I'll talk to her tonight' Goku suggested

….

Later that night. Gohan and Goten spent the night at the Son's Home, Goten felt happy to be back in his own room while Gohan also crashed in his own room, it was like being a teenager again being back here with his parents and brother.

Meanwhile, Chichi had gotten dressed in the bathroom and gently brushed her hair, loosing strands of her hair in the process. The more chemo she received, the more hair she was loosing. But not enough for anyone to notice the change. Chichi put on some foundation to make her skin glow and fresh so her husband couldn't see her real frail figure and smiled at her result. She then suddenly felt light headed and lost her stance for a moment and held herself up using the sink, she panted for breath and groaned. She wasn't well. Bulma was right, she needed to rest, she was tired and weak. She frowned at herself in the mirror.

'Rrragh No! Get it together Chichi! You're better than this!' she huffed to herself, she'd be dammed if Goku and the boys would find out. She headed to the bedroom and saw Goku lying there waiting for her. She then climbed into bed and yawned. She was about to fall asleep when Goku wrapped an arm around her to pull her into an embrace.

'I've missed you' He whispered and kissed her neck as chichi gasped. No! They couldn't!

'Ummm…. Not tonight sweetie, I'm tired' she said and moved out of his embrace and scooted away as he was confused, she never refused him before. Unless she was angry.

'Are you mad at me?' he asked

'What? No of course not!' She answered

'Its because I've been gone for a few months right?' He asked

'No honey…'

'Or is it because I asked you about food and clothes earlier isn't it?'

'Of course not Goku, you know I don't mind doing those things for you'

'But the way Bulma said it to me, I just couldn't help but think she was angry about something else…. like she wanted to say more' Goku said as chichi looked nervous. She knew Bulma was annoyed she couldn't say anything to Goku. So the only thing she could do was snap. Chichi hated keeping this secret from her own husband but what could she do? Tell the truth?! No! She turned Goku to face her and softly kissed him

'Your reading too much into it. Don't worry. Tomorrow she'll be fine and we'll have a nice day okay?' she smiled as he nodded, chichi lay in the bed as Goku spoke out again.

'Chichi…. Is everything okay?' he asked as she turned to him

'What do you mean?'

'Well….. I can't help but feel there's something different about you, and when you had the nosebleed it was like…. I don't know you were hiding something?' Goku said as chichi gulped and felt her heart pound. She couldn't tell Goku about her cancer! She couldn't!

'Honey, everything is fine! Nosebleeds do happen, its normal, nothing to be concerned about' She said as he looked at her

'You're sure everything's okay?'

'Everything is perfect now that you are home' she lied as he nodded.

But for the first time ever….

He didn't believe her.

But he didn't want to push her, if it was important, he knew she'd tell him, at least he thought so. Chichi lay back down as Goku did.

'Can we at least cuddle?' he asked as she softly chuckled and smiled

'Sure' She scooted over to cuddle with him and rested her head on his hard chest, his hand stroked along her back. For the first time in weeks. She felt safe.

…

The next day arrived and chichi woke worse than any other day, from having to cope with the exhaustion, the stress and anxiety of anyone finding out, She still found strength to get up early, paint her face to look healthy and begin making all the delicious food ready for the feast. She made a delicious breakfast for her boys and barley touched hers in the process. The boys talked amongst themselves as Goku talked about his time training on beerus's world and said how much fun it was to keep surpassing his limits. Chichi was barley listening to him as she felt her eyes grow heavy and her head feeling so dizzy, she was seeing double!

'You not hungry mom?' Goten asked as Chichi looked up at her son, she softly smiled and shook her head.

'I'm saving my appetite for later honey' she said as she got up, she found it hard to hold herself up, she leaned on the counter, facing away from the boys and saw her hands trembling! She was tired, weak and scared….but she wasn't gonna let it get the best of her, not today!

…

Eventually the afternoon came and the gang all gathered for the cook out. 18 And Krillin arrived having brought some food themselves as instructed by Bulma, Krillin Caught up with Goku as 18 chatted with chichi on the side

'You haven't told him?'

'No! I'm not gonna!' Chichi said as she continued running around the kitchen

'Why not? He'd wanna know!' 18 argued

'I am not having this discussion again and I really wish everyone would just back off! This is my decision!' Chichi huffed as she wobbled and held her head! 18 rushed to her aid and was concerned. She looked incredibly pale and ill.

'Look at Yourself Chichi! You need to be resting! You shouldn't be running around like this!' 18 said concerned but also angrily,

'Please 18….'

'No I'm sorry but this is getting absolutely absurd now! If you are not carful you're gonna put yourself in an early grave if you don't stop and take a break!'

'I'm fine! I need to finish this food okay? If you want, you can help me!' chichi said as they carried the food outside as everyone started tucking into the food. Just as Vegeta, Bulma, trunks and baby Bulla arrived.

'There better be enough food there by the time that oaf scoffs the lot!' the sayien prince huffed

'There will be! You eat just as much as he does!' Bulma said as She went to greet Videl who was holding Baby Pan

'Nice to see you brought Pan's playdate today' Videl smiled

'Well I thought she'd appreciate coming out to a party' Bulma smiled as she placed Bulla in the playpen with Pan

'Well I'm glad you arrived, I've barely spoken with 18 and chichi since I arrived. They've been secretly talking to each other and running around doing all the food. Honestly I don't know where chichi gets all that energy' Videl laughed as Bulma turned to look at Chichi, she could see the frailty on her figure, and her eyes were fighting to stay open. But she still kept going! Bulma turned to look at Goku who was chatting away with Krillin, Tien and Yamcha and she frowned, she had enough now!

'I'll be right back' she said and walked over to 18 and chichi

'Please go take a nap for 30 minutes, I'd say an hour but you'd argue about it!' 18 said

'I don't need a nap!' Chichi argued

'No you need a doctor!' Bulma said as the 2 looked to her 'I know you don't want to hear this anymore then you already have but look at yourself! You are pale, your tired and your weak from the chemo! This is the side effects the doctor warned you about and instructed you to rest! So why aren't you listening to him?! You remember what you were like trying to get Goku to sit still in hospital after his fight with Vegeta!'

'That was different!'

'Yeah, it wasn't half as bad as what you are going through! You are driving us crazy from keeping this from Goku and the boys! They deserve to know! And Krillin and Goku are best friends, you think this is fun for Krillin to keep a secret from his best friend!?' Bulma huffed

'She's right! Its tearing him apart he can't tell him, he didn't wanna come today because he's finding it so hard!' 18 added

'You promised not to say anything! This is my illness, my treatment, my life! I will choose who I tell, it is not your place. And if you both breath a word I will never forgive you!' chichi huffed as she felt her dizziness return

'Chichi please! Talk to Goku!' Bulma insisted

'Bulma Just LEAVE IT!' Chichi yelled

'NO!' Both Bulma and 18 argued

'I'm fine…. I told you….. I'm…. I…..' her eyes blurred, her body heating up and her shortness of breath and her exhaustion. The whole room spun around, the muffled voices of her friends around her, it was too much! She couldn't hold it anymore….

She collapsed!

Bulma and 18 gasped as Goku saw her fall and pass out

'CHICHI!' He ran over to her and for the first time in a long time, he saw how different she looked, her skin was pale, her face showed more facial bone and her power level was…low. 'What happened?!' He asked

'She just keeled over!' Bulma panicked as the others ran over to aid and crowded. 18 interfered as did Krillin

'Guys give her some space' 18 huffed

'She okay?' Yamcha asked as 18 crouched down and checked her pulse

'Her pulse is weak, she didn't rest like I told her to' 18 said

'Why would she need rest?' Goku asked

'Should we take her to hospital? Tell us if there's been a setback' Krillin asked his wife

'A set back to what?'

'It might be worth it, I'll call ahead to Dr Ward' 18 said and dialled the phone

'WILL SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT'S HAPPENING!?' Goku roared, hating the fact he wasn't aware on what was happening, he looked down at his wife and stroked her hair, only to feel a chunk of it fall so easily off her head. Goku gasped at the sight, her skin pale, her hair falling out and her low ki. What was wrong with his wife?

'Goku, She needs a Doctor! Take her to the hospital! We'll meet you there!' 18 instructed as Goku not having received the answers he needed, did as he was told and picked up his wife in his arms and flew to the hospital, holding her tightly in his arms

'Its gonna be okay chi! We're gonna fix you up!' he said, unaware of the true nature of his wife's condition.

There you have it! I shall be back soon! Will Goku find out what's wrong with Chichi? Find out next time! Lots of love and I'll see you soon! xXx

Penelope out ;)