Before we begin, I have to give my sincerest thanks to Kaeli-san, Sylv-chan, Rebecca-san and Yasai-san for pre-reading for me. They have really helped to get rid of some of the glitches that bug fic writing. Thank you everyone.

::   :: Means that the conversation has moved to telepathy.

The Present: Chikyuu - Year 789

"I never claimed to be," she said sweetly, rising into the air and gathering in her ki the way her Ojiichan had shown her. A brilliant yellow flame aura surrounded her and she could feel her hair rising, her short locks standing on end and forming into sharp peaks. She'd spent several hours looking in a mirror one day and she knew they looked like her Ojiichan's. Her pupils contracted and her irises changed becoming turquoise. She loved this, it made her feel so alive but she couldn't forget why she was doing this.

She looked down at the Evil Doer in front of her. His faceless minions had vanished, scared off by her power. He was sitting on his rump, staring up at her in disbelief.

"B... b... bakana!" he managed to stammer, backing away.

"I warned you, Evil Doer," she said relentlessly. She hovered closer, maintaining the distance between them.

But he wasn't listening to her. He'd managed to get his feet under him and was making a run for it. Why do they always try this? She wasn't going to let them escape but she could be persuaded to mercy if they put up a decent fight. "You cannot escape me, Evil Doer," she cried, rising higher into the air and pursuing. As she flew she brought her hands before her and created a brilliant ki ball. It had a slight green tint to it but that was okay. Ojiichan had explained that every body's personal color was slightly different. Her's just happened to be green. His was red and her Otousan's was white. It was time to end this.

She dropped down in front of him. With a horrified expression the Evil Doer pulled up and stumbled backwards. She held the ki ball in front of her with both hands and looked over at him, remembering all the evil he had inflicted upon the world. "Now," her aura blazed brighter as she prepared to release her ki. "For all the evil you have committed feel the wrath of Super Saiyajin Son Pan!" She let the ki ball fly...

"Pan!"

Ara..? Evil doers do not call my name.

"Pan-chan!..."

It was coming from above her.

"Pan-chan!"

Pan found herself looking into her Obaasan's black eyes. She wasn't really angry. Pan could tell that immediately. She knew her Obaasan's moods but there was a certain amount of vexation there. "Obaasan?" Pan questioned tentatively, when Chichi remained silent, obviously awaiting answer from her.
 
Chichi sighed. It was always difficult to keep Pan's attention on these days. She'd spent the past two weeks counting down to it. "Pan-chan, we'll finish up after you complete this last exercise. Then you can help me prepare lunch."

"Yosha!" Pan cried happily. She looked down at the exercise her obaasan had indicated. Partial differentials with two dependants. She'd learnt these last week. This was only revision. Pan pulled open her math’s notebook. Both Obaasan and Otousan insisted she keep all her subjects separate. She didn't really understand why she just couldn't complete the math in her language book but it was a small thing for her to change books. And it kept them happy.

She put the date up the top and carefully copied out the first question. She hated it when she made a mistake. Her daydream was completely forgotten. Once these were finished, she would be able to help with lunch and then her Ojiichan would be there and she could go training this afternoon. She just had to finish these equations.

Chichi looked on approvingly. She had already put away most of the books from this mornings lessons. When Pan-chan finished the revision exercise, they could pack the last few books away and begin to prepare lunch. Goku-san was always hungry when he returned. You'd almost think he didn't eat for the six months he spent with Uub's people.

A soft smile played around Chichi's lips. He was returning today. She had six whole months before he left again. And she intended to use them.

"Obaasan!" Pan broke through her reverie. She was holding up her notebook and in two columns running neatly down the page were worked figures. Some explanatory notes occasionally accompanied them. "Obaasan, I've finished..."

Chichi looked down and took the notebook from her outstretched hands. "Okay Pan-chan, while I check them, why don't you put away your text books? Then we'll go get lunch ready."

"Hai!" Pan chimed happily as she turned back towards her desk.

Chichi looked down at the figures. They were as neat as always and Pan-chan's working was logical and the methods were straight forward and clearly portrayed. Chichi smiled involuntarily as she came to the end of the math. Pan-chan had drawn in a little happy face. Chichi finished her checking just as Pan finished tidying her work area.

"Very good, Pan-chan! You completed them all without making a mistake." Chichi closed the notebook and put it away.

Pan smiled happily. "Can we go and make lunch now?"

"Hai. We'll prepare lunch now," Chichi confirmed for her. "Goku-san and Uub-kun will be back soon and I have never known your Ojiichan not to be hungry!" Chichi looked fondly down at her grand daughter.

"Wai, Ojiichan!" Pan squealed happily, leaping towards the door.

"Pan-chan!" Chichi snapped. "No flying in the house!"

Pan turned puppy eyes back towards her Obaasan but she didn't try to argue. The 'No flying in the house' rule was not something Chichi would open to discussion. "Hai," she replied, lowering her feet to the floor. "I know, no flying in the house," she confirmed the rule.

"Good. Let's go get lunch ready," Chichi said, her expression softening as she held out her hand to Pan before leading her out the door, down to the kitchen.

"Pan-chan, could you stir the rice?" Chichi gave the instruction, as she began cutting what seemed like a mountain of apples. Her kitchen, as it always did when she was cooking for her boys, looked like an explosion had gone off and had randomly distributed food stuffs everywhere. But there was order in the seemingly endless clutter and but they time the meal was prepared, the clutter would have arranged itself into dish after delicious dish.

"Obaasan, I think it's nearly done," Pan reported from where she was carefully turning the ladle in an enormous pot.

Chichi nodded. "Right on time. Could you turn it off and put the lid on the pot? After that, I'll show you how to make my extra special apple pie. It's going to be tonight’s dessert!"

"Wai!" Pan joyously completed her tasks before she sliddled up to Chichi for her lesson. Apple Pie was one of her favorite foods and nobody, absolutely nobody could make one which topped her Obaasan's.

Chichi had just finished laying the last pastry crust on the final pie when she heard, or rather felt them arrive. She placed the last pie on the bench, next to the others. She'd learnt early that with Goku-san one pie was never enough, but you could only make a pie so big before it would not cook properly. So she had gotten used to making at least five pies at once. She looked over to where Pan was setting the table. The child was a blur. She too had felt their arrival and was hurrying to complete her task before she greeted them. She knew better than to leave a task half completed.

"Pan-chan, you may complete that when they are washing up," Chichi said as she wiped her hands on her apron.

Pan stopped literally in mid dash. Her face lit up with excitement. "Honto ne?"

"Aa," Chichi smiled at her youthful exuberance. "But only because this is a special day," she cautioned but it lacked the usual authoritative tone.

Goku and Uub landed lightly in the clearing outside Goku's house. As they did, the house door burst open and a small figure leapt from the shadows within. It touched the ground once before it skimmed over the ground with a slight upward trajectory which ended with a solid impact on Goku's chest.

"Ojiichan! Ojiichan! Ojiichan!" The joyous squeals filled the air.

"Oof! Pan-chan!" Goku smiled happily as the girl swarmed over him. She eventually came to sit as still as any ten-year-old can sit still, supported by his arms. From there she waved over at Uub in greeting.

Uub watched on with an amused expression. It was always like this when they came back to Goku-san's house. Pan was so full of energy and she never tired of her Ojiichan. He looked over at Chichi. She'd followed Pan out of the house at a more sedate pace. The apron that was tied around her waist was slightly dirty with the marks of cooking. Goku-sensei's sharp nose could probably tell exactly what but she looked as she always had, at least to him although her temples might have been touched with a little more gray.

She smiled tolerantly at Goku and Pan and although she only said "Goku-san," she had greeted her husband fully. It was all in her eyes. And in his Uub amended after a quick glance at his sensei. The slightly pained look was gone replaced by one of content. Chichi's eyes were similar, Uub could see as she bore down on him.

"Uub-kun!" Chichi said by way of greeting. "You've grown so much!" She gave him a quick embrace before pulling back to examine him.

"Chichi-san, I haven't really!" he protested. It was almost their ritual although it sometimes grated on him when he had grown. Stating the obvious was something he felt was not necessary. This time though, he hadn't grown that much and her words were more of a greeting.

"You have," she insisted. "You've grown at least 10 centimetres (4 inches)." Her scrutiny, although friendly was still intense. Chichi was just like that. "It's good to see you again," she added as she turned back towards the house.

Uub smiled again as he followed. Greetings and good-byes were not big things in the Son household because they were never really apart. There was something comforting about that and it gave them a feeling of serenity that Uub had yet to find in others. As they entered the house Goku put Pan back down. His years of marriage had given him wisdom enough so that he did not make a move for lunch but the pies on the bench were surely not lunch and were tempting...

"Goku-san!" Chichi said in a knowing tone. "Lunch will be ready only after you wash up. And," she added in a heavy tone. "Stay away from those pies!" Goku paused in mid step. "They're not cooked and you'll be having them for dinner." Goku's face had fallen at the first part, although raw food didn't bother him that much, he knew that Chichi's pies were better after being cooked. But his face had lightened considerably at the second part. He'd just have to put off eating the pies!

Chichi came back around from the table, were she had been helping Pan, and stood in the centre of the kitchen with her arms crossed. She was glaring lightly at Goku. Her expression was once which said, "I know exactly what you're thinking and it's not going to work."

Uub smiled inwardly. Their interaction was playful and was the repeat of actions they'd been through one hundred times before but it was still something they enjoyed, still part of the game they played to say "Ai shiteru" with something more than words. Uub went with the cheerfully crest fallen Goku to wash up as Chichi began bustling around the kitchen finishing off the dishes she'd made for lunch.

"So, Sensei, what's for lunch?" he asked once they were out of earshot. His sensei was never wrong about food.

Goku grinned and began rambling off a long list of foods. "...and those are Apple Pies for dinner!" he finished before he looked up at something. He shook his head and smiled. His posture was questioning for an instant before he relaxed.

Uub extended his senses slightly and then he too felt the tickle. There was a strong ki moving towards them at high speed but it was nothing to worry about. The ki signature was both familiar and friendly.

"Goten," Goku greeted his son as he landed near them. "What are you doing here?" Goten was supposed to be studying in his final year.

"Tousan! Uub!" Goten said with a wave. He tilted his head quizzically. "I always come home for lunch Tousan. I thought you knew that. Kaasan's cooking is the best!"

"Aa," Goku nodded his agreement. After Goten had finished washing his face and hands, Goku turned back towards the house. "Shall we go? Chichi'll be mad if we let her food go cold."

"Itadakimasu!"

Those of saiyajin blood fell on to their food with a vengeance. Chichi and Uub began eating at a more refined pace.

Bite. "This is..." Gulp. "...great..." Chomp. "...Chichi!" Goku complimented his wife between distressingly large bites of food.

"Aa..." Chew. "...great..." Slurp, gulp. "Kaasan." Goten agreed. His eating mirrored his sires.

"That's good," Chichi agreed placidly. She was happy at the compliment and glad that they were enjoying their meal but despite the years she'd lived with this, she still wished they could eat a little bit slower, a little bit neater. She wasn't even half way through her plate but they were both on their third or fourth serving. "Pan-chan," she cautioned. "Remember to chew your food before swallowing."

The warning came a little late as Pan coughed on a bite of food. It wasn't serious because she immediately began eating at a slightly slower pace.

They continued eating for a while before Pan flared, and brought her chopsticks down with quite a bit of force. "Don't eat my food Jichan!" She glared over accusingly at him.

The guilty party looked back at her. His look of innocence was completely ruined by the fact that his arm was extended and his chopsticks were pinned by Pan's. "I wasn't eating your food, Pan-chan." His eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Oh really?"

And the fight was on!

"Pan-chan! Goten! Stop that," Chichi commanded sharply.

The two combatants reluctantly sat back down.

"Gomen Okaasan."

"Gomen Obaasan."

The apologies followed as the two of them glumly looked back down at their plates. It as only then that they both noticed that their respective plates were missing several choice portions of food.

"Otjoiuicshaann!!" The protests got jumbled.

They tried again after a moments pause.

"Tousan!"

"Ojiichan!"

Chomp, gulp. "Nani?" Goku hadn't let a friendly spar interrupt his eating. His eyes glowed mischievously.

"You stole my food!" The protest came in stereo.

"I thought you didn't want it anymore!" Goku replied innocently.

"That's not true!"

"Children!"

"But Kaasan... Obaasan!" They were still in stereo.

"There is still plenty of food," Chichi said as if speaking to children far younger than those she was dealing with. Her tone brooked no argument. She hadn't missed the fact that Goku had stolen their food, she just did not think that such goings on should be conducted at the dinner table. Besides she could deal with Goku alone and in private.

"Hai." They agreed, although neither tone was happy.

Uub continued to eat. He wasn't ignoring the little fight between Goten and Pan but he wasn't giving it much thought. It was usual for them. He was more concerned about guarding his meal. By general consensus Chichi's food was off limits and usually he wasn't a target but they had just arrived back and it was possible his meal could become a target. Well, even if it was, Chichi had prepared plenty of food. She always prepared plenty of food. The first time he'd seen her cook, she had prepared a feast that could have feed his entire village. And that was just to say she was sorry, although most of the women of the village thought it was her husband who should be apologizing.

It had been about a year since the Tenkaichi Budokai. His village was recovering well. The money Goku-sensei had received from Satan-san had been used to buy food and seed. Goku-sensei had helped fix the houses and at planting time..! He didn't do it the conventional way but he was the fastest field plougher his people had ever seen. Although they didn't really believe it when he said he used to do it for training. Whoever heard of barehanded ploughing as a training technique? It didn't matter though. The whole village's planting had been done in record time. They'd been waiting to harvest when Chichi-san had come to the village.

"GOKU-SAN!" he could still hear her voice.

"Goku-san!" Chichi stormed into the centre of the village and stood there, glaring at anyone who dared to meet her eyes. And that wasn't many of the villages. Most of them had taken one look at her and had sought the most secure hiding place they could find. She had truly looked a sight to behold. Her hair was pulled back into a bun although a few softening wisps were allowed to escape confinement. She wore a white bandana around her forehead, which bore in red the kanji 'aku.' It was a fair warning to anyone who crossed her path. Her normal dress had been replaced by one of the same cut but of a mottled combat green. Her black pants were similarly replaced, although the greens were of a darker hue. Her boots were shiny black and a tightly laced combat type. A knife hilt protruded from each one. She was holding a machine gun and several spare clips were thrust through her belt. A hand gun was also at her waist. A bazooka, a personal missile launcher and a katana were strapped on her back criss crossing each other. And she was draped with a spare ribbon of bullets.

She fired a couple of shots into the air and again stood there, eyes snapping, daring anyone to face her wrath. "I know he's here," she began again, in a slightly more reasonable tone of voice. "There is no point in hiding him since he cannot hide from me. I merely wish to see him. So where is Goku-san?"

In the silence that pervaded the village you could hear the wind rolling the individual grains of sand over the ground.

Chichi's eyes flashed. It was amazing to see their black depths go red for an instant. Her face took on a very angry but slightly resigned expression. "Where..." Ratatatata. "Is." Ratatatatata. "Son." Ratatatatatata. "GOKU-SAN?" Ratatatatatatatata. She punctuated each word with a burst of gunfire.

Goku chose that instant to materialize in front of her. He removed his fingers from his forehead and gave her a little wave, "Yo Chichi," he said, his voice completely innocent as he smiled at her.

"Kyaaaa!" Chichi shrieked, throwing her arms up and sending the gun flying in surprise. She did manage to remain conscious. "Goku-san!" she gasped, after she had recovered somewhat, although she was still breathless.

Goku was standing there just watching her with that sweet smile adorning his features. His expression became one of quiet concern mixed with confusion when after several minutes nothing had happened. "Chi..." he began again but was drowned out by Chichi's wail as she launched herself towards him.

"Goku-san!" she cried, latching her arms around his neck.

Goku's expression was one of shock. This was not a reaction he was expecting from his wife. Gently, he always had to be gentle, he reached up and placed his hands on her shoulders, pushing her away slightly so that he could look at her face. "Chichi..." he prompted, looking down at her tear streaked face. "Daijoubou ka?" He looked down at her with concern but even through the gun oil he noted that she smelt good.

"Goku-san!" Chichi sniffed before her tears evaporated and her eyes hardened again. "Goku-san no BAKA!"  She brought her hands around to pound, rather ineffectually on his chest.

"Chichi..?" Goku still didn't have the slightest idea what was going on. "What's wrong?"

"Goku-san," Chichi began almost reasonably.

Goku felt a tinge of alarm almost immediately at her voice. She always started out in a reasonable tone but she never finished up in that same tone. He took a quick look around, unless he did something quickly then the village would no longer be safe.

"Chichi, gomen," he interrupted her as he gripped her arms gently and teleported them away to a safer locale so that she could finish her tirade. They landed in the middle of the field outside their house. There wasn't a ki signature there but it was a place that he was familiar with and there was a strong residual aura he could lock on to.

Just in time.

"Goku-san no baka! 'What's wrong?' That's all you've got to say for yourself after two years."

The windows of their house shook from the force of her voice, even though they were nearly one hundred metres from it.

"Chichi..." Goku tried to begin.

"You wound me Goku-san. I am your wife! You have a responsibility to me. I have never objected to your training. I can hardly object to things you do. I only objected when you took Gohan away from his studies..."

Even the grass and trees were leaning away from her now. Goku just stood there, although even he was shaken by her voice. He was always amazed by how powerful his wife really was when she extended herself. And she had a fine command of language and tone that added to her power.

"But in two years it never occurred to you to come home and visit? I hear nothing from you for years. If you were dead I could understand but this time you were even on the same planet. But you didn't come, you didn't write. I heard nothing. I'm your wife Goku-san. You owe me that much."

Goku looked at Chichi worriedly. She hadn't even paused for breath.

"Well, Goku-san, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Ara? Chichi?" Goku looked surprised. Chichi never gave him a chance to explain himself.

Her eyes narrowed at his response. "Goku-san!"

The stress she placed on his name was so nice. At least, he'd always thought it was. "Chichi," he repeated. "Gomennasai but I couldn't really take Uub away from his parents," he offered up the first explanation that sprang to mind that was likely to placidate her. He know from experience the house was still in danger.

For an instant it seemed to work. Her eyes softened and she almost seemed mollified by his explanation. But then her demeanor changed. "Goku-san! I didn't say anything about Uub-san. I was talking about you! You should have come to see me. I am your wife. I am not someone you can conveniently forget at will! Well Goku-san?"

"I, uh, Chichi," Goku floundered. How could he explain to her that he hadn't forgotten her? That he had never forgotten her, not even through all the years he was dead. How did he explain to her that he thought of her, and Gohan, and Goten, and Pan, and everyone else who formed his family at least once every day?
 
"Goku-san," she looked back up at him, tears once again shining in her eyes. "I know I'm getting older and I'm not as beautiful as I was when I was younger..."

Goku looked at her, his eyes going wide with horror. "Chichi," he cut her off firmly.

"Goku-san?" It was her turn to be confused at his actions. He had never seemed so serious to her before. She had seen him serious, but that was because he was focused on a fight to her, having his seriousness focused on her that had never happened before. And this was a seriousness, the look he saved only for the most dangerous and worthy opponents.

"Chichi. It's not that. We're both getting older and your age has never concerned me. We have spent the years together and I am just as old as you!" He looked at her, his expression uncharacteristically fierce. "Don't ever believe that I do not desire you, Chichi." He paused, his expression becoming softer but uncertain, almost apologetic. "I just didn't know you wanted me to come."

"Goku-san no baka! I have always wanted you near me but," she looked down at the ground. "I didn't like it at first but I know that I can never have all of you. Your attention, your responsibilities are to more than me, they're to the world, to the universe. I've always known that, and I didn't like it at first but I know that it is so and I have accepted that. You wouldn't be Goku if you weren't moved by the larger scale. But you still owe me some!" She looked back up at him. "You owe me time when you are on Earth. You should at least visit!"

"Chichi," Goku smiled down at her, as an idea struck him. It was pure and startling in its simplicity. "I think I can do more than visit! How about Uub and I train here?"

"That's not fair to his parents," she objected.

Goku shook his head slightly, she hadn't grasped his whole plan. "We could alternate. We could spend six months here and then six months in his village."

Chichi smiled back at Goku. It made her look truly beautiful. It was better than her current situation and it was a solution which was fair to all concerned. "Goku-san!" she exclaimed happily. "So why haven't you been doing that now?" she growled at him, her tone changing although her face and posture remained happy.

Goku put one hand behind his head. "Chichi, I only just thought of it," he smiled at her happily.

Chichi laughed at her husband. Despite everything that had happened to him, he was still so innocent, so trusting and so open. And she still loved him so much, even if he had been gone for two years. She looked up at him through eyes half closed in coy suggestion. "I think you owe me a little bit of time now."

He looked back at her with wide eyes. "Oh, sou ka?" Goku looked at her, looking up and down in a significant manner. "I think it's a little difficult through all those weapons." His eyes grew distant for an instant. "I think we need to get back to the village." He again reached out, again taking her by either arm and teleported them back to Uub's village.
 
They arrived back in the same spot they had been standing in before. While they had been gone several villagers had gotten enough courage to some out from their hiding places. They had been confused by the sudden silence. As Chichi and Goku materialized there were several startled "Eep's," especially from those who had been examining her gun.

"Daijoubou," Goku said, smiling at them and giving them a little wave. "Daijoubou," he repeated gently.

Chichi looked down at the ground. Now that she'd had a chance to think about her actions, she was more than a little ashamed. It must have been so frightening to have an unknown, gun totting woman storm into the village. It was a wonder she hadn't been attacked herself. And it wasn't their fault her husband hadn't returned home. She knew Goku well enough to know he would have found enough excuses without needing help. She really had to apologize to them and explain why she had been so upset.

"This is my wife, Son Chichi," Goku was explaining to the small group he had convinced to stay.

"So you're Chichi?" A youngish boy who sported a mohawk said to her, holding out his hand. "Goku-sensei's told me about you."

Chichi looked at the child, no, young man. "You must be Uub-kun," she surmised. She didn't think Goku would be teaching the whole village so there would only be one person who called him 'Goku-sensei.' "What has my husband been saying?" There was a hint of suspicion in her voice, although her tone was playful.

The man-child smiled at her. His teeth were startlingly white against his black skin. "Mostly that you're a great cook."

She laughed. She couldn't help it. It was so much like Goku. She sometimes wondered what would happen if he ever had to choose between a good meal or a good fight. Or would the indecision spilt him in two? It was something she considered on cold nights although perhaps they wouldn't be so cold now. "Oh he did, did he?" she questioned back, before looking up at the growing crowd.

She smiled at them, although her smile was a little sheepish, a little subdued. She looked down at the ground again before she looked back up and gave them all a small bow. "Konnichi wa, minna-san," she said to introduce herself.

They smiled back at her warmly. It appeared their previous timidness was forgotten. "I have to apologize to everyone for my entry. It's not your fault that Goku-san never comes home. That he hasn't come to visit his wife for over two years..."

"Two years!" Several of the women exclaimed. "Ayaa! He hasn't gone home for over two years?" The question came from several directions.

Chichi nodded a bashful affirmative.

Several sets of eyes turned to glare at Goku. Goku was nice but from a woman’s perspective there were some things which couldn't be forgiven. Goku looked back with a confused expression.

"You haven't visited your wife for over two years?" The questions came as a barrage. "Chichi-san," several of the women turned to her. "You shouldn't be apologizing. Your husband should be on his knees thanking Kami-sama for giving him such an understanding wife and he should be begging your forgiveness."

Chichi shook her head slowly. "I must still apologize for my actions. I took my frustrations out on you when I should have saved them for my husband." Goku shuddered at that line. He knew exactly what it meant. "Please," she continued, looking at the sky significantly. The sun was beginning to set in the evening sky. "Allow me to prepare the evening meal for you. It's the least I can do for you to say I'm sorry."

Chichi proceeded to do just that. Since she was cooking for the entire village she allowed herself one or two helpers but apart from that she'd chased everyone away. She had been particularly firm with her husband and his crest fallen reaction had brought smiles from the village women. Goku was well known for his ability to 'taste test' food, although his idea of a sample was usually then entire meal.

It was a fine evening so tables were set up outside and as the meal reached finishing Chichi and her helpers began transferring the dishes out. There would be plenty of food for everyone.

When the village gathered for the meal, most of the villages froze at the sight of the huge amounts of food Chichi had prepared. Goku's reaction was much more carefree and joyous.

"Sugoi Chichi! It smells delicious."

"Chichi-san," the Headman walked up to her, his cane tapping on the ground. "This is a wonderful gesture," he motioned towards the food. "But this is enough to feed our village for a week!" His objection was firm. Wasting food was a crime, her helpers should have told her that.

Chichi looked back at him with slightly worried eyes. She knew what he was concerned about but hadn't they seen Goku-san eat? She glanced over at her husband but he answered her implied question with a shake of his head. ::Sumanu Chichi,:: his voice rang in her head. ::I've been hunting as well.::
 
::Goku-san!:: she mentally sighed. It would be just like her husband not to complain but to provide for himself. He never wanted anyone to worry. She met the Headman's eyes, "It will be okay," she reassured him. "No food will go to waste."

Goku stepped forward. He was obviously anxious to begin the meal. "It will be okay," he confirmed to the Headman. "Nothing will go to waste. I guarantee it."

And he did. It was then that the entire village learnt exactly how much Goku was capable of eating. After sating themselves on the beautiful food Chichi had prepared - she was as good a cook, or perhaps even better than Goku had implied - most of the villagers turned to watch in awe as Goku continued to eat. He announced he was full just as he finished the last dish Chichi had prepared.

"Gochisousama," Goku said, and most of the village collapsed. They had never seen anyone eat that much.

Afterwards Chichi even insisted that she wash all the dishes but she did get Goku to help haul and heat enough water for the task. Although her exact lines weren't heard by all the villagers it went something like, "If you are going to teach him ki blasts, you should at least show him the useful applications for them!"

After she had finished cleaning up, a task she seemed to accomplish remarkably quickly, she and Goku approached Uub's parents about periodically moving training grounds. They were remarkably understanding about the whole situation and readily agreed. Goku and Uub would training for six months in his village and then they would train for six months at Goku's house. But they would be available to help Uub's village at planting and harvest time.

Goku liked the arrangement and despite it being his idea he had cheerfully pointed out that it would enable Uub to train in a wider variety of terrain’s. A wider experience in training is always for the best.

"Obaasan!" Pan's voice brought Uub back to the present. "I'm finished. Thank you for the meal." She turned towards her Ojiichan. "May I spar with you and Uub-san this afternoon?" She asked the question politely. She didn't want to get stuck with extra language tuition this afternoon.

Goku looked at Chichi, who just sighed at the question. "You may, Pan-chan," she told her granddaughter. "But your Ojiichan and I are going to discuss your schedule. We can't have you neglecting your studies."

"But Ojiichan..." Pan protested.

"Pan-chan," Goku interrupted her, his voice and face had a slightly stern cast. "You mustn't neglect you studies," he confirmed his wife’s words. "You want to be smart like your Otousan don't you?" he questioned, offering the reward study would eventually being.

"But Ojiichan, I want to be a good fighter too!"

Goku laughed at her expression. It was so wistful. "You will Pan-chan, you will."

Goten also nodded his assurances to Pan. "You're going to be a great fighter." He looked back to his father. "I don't have class this afternoon - and Okaasan, I have done all my homework - would it be okay if I sparred with you guys as well? I need the practice."

Goku nodded. "Sure, today's a light training day!"

"Yosha!" Both Pan and Goten cried as they left the table in an attempt to get ready for the afternoon session.

"Chichi-san, thank you for the meal," Uub said, giving her a small bow of thanks. "Goku-sensei, I'll go get ready to train as well."

"Chotto matte kudasai, Uub-kun," Chichi stopped him. Uub cringed a little at her tone.
 
"Hai, Chichi-san."

"Before you go, please give me your homework so that I can correct it."

"Hai, Chichi-san." Uub passed over a capsule. Ever since Chichi had come to his village he'd been training with Goku-sensei and studying with Chichi-san. And she was at least as hard as Goku-sensei. He could see now where both Gohan and Goten got their good grades. Pan-chan was lucky to be tutored by her. After he handed over the capsule, he bolted. He'd done all the work she'd set but he could wait to hear her point out his mistakes. The bruises Goku-sensei gave him faded quickly compared to the amount of time it took Chichi-san's voice to fade from his ears.

"He learns fast," Goku murmured.

"What was that?" Chichi glared at him.

Goku raised his hands in defense. "Nothing Chichi. Nothing at all." He picked up a stack of dishes and took them to the sink. "Do you want help with these?"

Ka THUMP!

"Chichi?" Goku questioned, turning back to his wife. "Chichi!" The call became more urgent when he saw that she had collapsed. "Chichi," he moved to her side.

"Goku-san," she said groggily, as she opened her eyes. "Di... Did I just hear you offer to help to do the dishes?"

He grinned down at her, helping her to sit. "Sure, Uub's mother has been showing me all the chores she does. She said you'd like it if I helped out sometimes."

Chichi smiled fondly at him. "Well, maybe on another day. You just got back today so I think I can handle it. You go out to practice now. I'll have dinner ready when you get back."

"Okay, Chichi," Goku grinned at her before he too disappeared out the door giving her a small wave.
 

Word/Name Meanings
 
Side Story - Chopstick Wars

Side Story 2 - I Never Want To Hurt You  WARNING - LEMON

Chapter 4: The Invitations Arrive

Author's Rant

Email Me, Jade.

Return to Empire's Heir Index