#hellish fics

“Chocolate chipcookies?” the teen deadpanned, one purple eyebrow arching upwards as he staredinto the box. “You do know I hate those, right?”

Goten jumpedup, face blanching and eyes widening with horror. “What? You’re kidding!Who the hell hates chocolate chip cookies?” he cried incredulously, takingseveral steps back away from his so-called friend.

Trunks simplygave Goten a blank stare in response. “I do,” he said flatly, “I thought youknew that.”

“You never toldme this!” Goten exclaimed, arms thrown up in the air in frustration. “I’veknown you all my life and not once did you ever mention it!” He brought hisarms down, stuffing his hands into his jeans pockets as he pouted. “If I hadknown, I wouldn’t have made you those for Valentine’s Day.”

“Wait,” Trunksbegan, evidentially startled, “you made these? For Valentine’s?”

The other boy nodded sullenly. “Yeah. I…didn’thave any money to really go out and buy you something, and that…was the onlything we already had the ingredients for at home that also had chocolate init.”

Another momentof silence stretched between them.

“You do realizeValentine’s Day is tomorrow, right?”

Goten winced atthe words, shoulders hunching downwards as he moved his gaze towards the floor.Of course. He knew he had been forgetting something! All thatembarrassment, and for what? He didn’t even get the day right!

“These cookiesare brunt, by the way.”

And just likethat, the sadness gave way for frustration. Goten’s hands clenched into fistsin his pockets and he began to grind his teeth unconsciously. “Hey, if youdon’t like them then just give them back!” He was sure his dad would get rid ofthem easily enough – Goku had eaten the entire reject batch and half of theones that were suppose to go to Trunks, after all.

A loud crunchmade Goten look back towards his friend, and he was shocked into standing upstraight and going slack jawed at the sight he was met with. Trunks stoodthere, furiously chewing away, with the box of cookies in one hand and a halfeaten cookie in the other. His face was contorted to a scowl, brows furrowedand mouth frowning as much as it could as he chewed. Goten could do nothing butwatch as his friend ate the cookie, never once saying a word as he took biteafter bite until it was gone.

Trunks let outa loud, overly dramatic gasp once he had finished. “That was awful,” hemuttered, shaking his head as though that would get the taste out of his mouth.He looked over at Goten, who was still gaping at him, and smirked. With quick,even steps, he walked across his room to his dresser, pulling open the topdrawer and grabbing a small box inside. “Here!” he called, tossing the boxtowards the youngest Son boy before moving to sit on his bed.

Goten wasbrought out of his state in a snap, quickly reaching forward to catch the box.He fumbled with it for a second, as Trunks had done only moments beforehand,but quickly got a good hold on the gift. It wasn’t wrapped, as the box ofcookies had been; this box was bearing only an orange ribbon and some tape tokeep the lid secured. Goten sent Trunks a curious glance before tearing thoseaway, eagerly lifting the lid to see what was inside.

He did his bestto stop his face from falling at the sweet within. “White Chocolate?” he asked.

Neither spokefor a moment.

“You don’t likewhite chocolate, do you?” Trunks asked with a heavy sigh, his head dippingdownwards in defeat.

Goten sent him a guilty smile. “Guess we both messedup, huh?” He then quickly moved to sit next to Trunks, balancing the box in hislap while he patted the other teen’s back. When Trunks looked up to give him aweak smile, Goten was quick to eat one of the chocolates he had been given,somehow grinning and cringing at the same time as he did so.

Videl giggledand shook her head. “Like a very handsome dork.” She gave him an overly sweetsmile as he mocked offense, gasping loudly and crossing his arms. “So, who’sthat from?” she asked as she turned back towards the gift she had previouslybeen opening.

“Mom,” Gohananswered simply as he sat down and grabbed the next present. “She made itherself.”

“I didn’t knowChi-Chi could knit,” Videl mused as she tore away the last of the wrappingpaper, “although it makes sense, I’ve seen the materials around your house.”She eagerly lifted the lid off the present, only to freeze as her eyes fell onthe item within.

Gohan snortedas he examined the wine glasses he had received from Yamcha. “What did youthink that stuff was used for? I mean, Goten doesn’t have the patience and I’mway too clumsy…” His voice trailed off as he turned to his wife and saw theshocked look she was giving the gift. “Videl?” He asked as he sprung to hisfeet once again, rushing to his wife’s side. “Is everything alright?”

He came to astop beside her and kneeled down, dark eyes falling on the gift she was staringat. Once again he instantly recognized his mother’s work, the light pinksweater sitting innocently in the white box, a small card resting on top of it.He frowned and turned to Videl, worried as to why such a gift would make herpause. “Videl?”

She jumped athis voice and turned to him, eyes shining with confusion. “She made me onetoo?” she asked before turning back towards the sweater.

“Is that bad?”Gohan asked, bewildered by his wife’s reaction. “I mean, you’re my wife, herdaughter-in-law, it’d only make sense she’d give you something as well for thewedding…”

“It’s pink.”

He blinked,dread and regret churning in his gut. “Yeah? Is that..? I mean, you said youwanted to wear the color more…” Did he mess up the gift? He hadn’t even beenmarried for a week and already–

Videl’s browfurrowed as she turned back towards him. “You knew she’d make this for me?”

“Well, no, Ididn’t know she’d be making a sweater,” he nervously admitted as he leaned backaway from his wife, hands raised in an effort to keep her pacified. “I hadaccidentally walked in on her making my gift and she had asked if there was acolor you’d prefer and it just sort of slipped and… Do you like it?”

She stared hardat him for a moment or two before sighing, a soft smile spreading across herface as she turned back towards the sweater and gingerly picked it up. “Yes,Gohan, of course I like it!” She ran her fingers across the material beforepulling it over her head. “I just… I didn’t expect something handmade, isall!” Her voice was muffled as she struggled to properly put on the sweater,arms flailing in the air momentarily before finding the sleeves. Gohan chuckledat the sight and quickly went about helping her get situated. When the sweater waspulled down and her face was in view again, he was unsurprised to see herglaring at him.

“You were theone who put it on weird,” was his only defense, which made her lightly smackhis arm.

Videl lookeddown at the sweater, taking in the perfect fit of the pink clothing. “I don’tthink I’ve ever had someone make me anything before. It’s usually justbought.” She shrugged before turning back to Gohan, eyes shining as she beamedup at him. “We’ll have to make sure to give your mom something special as a thanks!”

“No, I don’tthink that’s necessary,” he casually countered, subtly leaning in closertowards Videl. “I mean, I’m pretty sure that me marrying rich is the best thingshe could’ve asked for.” He gave her a teasing grin at her scowl, one of hisarms sneaking around her to pull her close.

“You’re luckyyou’re cute,” she grumbled, “otherwise you’d still be a broke country bumpkin.”

“Now that’s just mean.” But he was grinning widely ashe closed the gap between them.

Krillin sighedas he followed his wife towards the next section of clothing, lazily pushingthe cart through the narrow pathways while looking down at his cell phone. “I’mpretty sure he wouldn’t be sending me these pictures if he thought you’d beable to see them.” He cringed as his phone buzzed with a new message. A quickswipe across the screen and soon the short fighter found himself looking at apicture of his daughter being precariously balanced on her uncle’s knees, herface showing nothing but joy as her arms stretched out to graze the cloudsaround her.

“My brother maybe reckless,” 18 began as she sorted through a stack of jeans, “but he’s notstupid. He knows that whatever he shows you would eventually come back to me.Or, at least, he should.” She smirked as she finally found the size she hadbeen searching for and quickly tossed the jeans into the cart. Her eyeslingered on her husband, who was staring hard at his phone with his eyebrowsfurrowed, and she made the last second decision to snatch it from his grasp.She ignored his indignant “Hey!” as she quickly scrolled through the variouspictures. “What is he doing?”

Krillin huffedand crossed his arms, resting them on the cart’s handle as he leaned forward.“Apparently Marron asked him to take her flying. Uncle 17 knows all the cooltricks.” He rolled his eyes, his heavy sarcastic tone bringing out a smallsmile on his wife’s lips.

The smilequickly gave way for a frown as her eyes fell on the most recent picture. Shecocked an eyebrow as another message came in, containing a photo of Marrondangling high above a skyscraper, laughing and smiling brightly, with 17’s facepeaking in on the left side of the picture, a devious smirk on his face. “Heshould know that I’ll see these, and that if anything happens to Marron I’llkill him,” she grunted as she closed the picture and tossed the phone back toKrillin, who caught it with ease. “Why is he sending them?”

Her husbandshrugged as he reopened the app to look at the most recent text. “To get a riseout of me, probably. Maybe you as well.” With a sigh, Krillin shut the app andpocketed his phone, meeting 18’s gaze briefly before the two of them began tomaneuver to a different section of the store. “Honestly, the fact that he knowsyou’ll kill him is why I’m not too concerned. Plus, the way he spoils her, Idoubt he’d let anything happen to our little girl.”

18 gave aslight hum in agreement as she wandered through the isles. “True. I have littledoubt that 17 would protect Marron… But that doesn’t mean that I agree withwhat he’s doing.” She ran a hand through a rack of shirts before suddenlyspinning around to face Krillin again, a somewhat sinister smirk lighting herfeatures as she leaned over the cart in order to be eyelevel with her husband.“We should get him back.”

He stared ather for a moment, a blank look on his face as he processed her words. “Get himback?” he repeated, bemused, before grinning wildly and laughing a little. “Imean, sure! I’m for it. But…how?”

18 frowned,pushing herself away from the basket with a huff. “I don’t know how yet,” shegrumbled as she went back to looking at the nearby shirts. “But I’ll think ofsomething. Trust me.”

Krillin chuckled and nodded. “Oh believe me, I trustyou. You’re the best at revenge schemes.” He then let out a loud groan as hisphone buzzed again.

“You can put medown now,” his new wife (what an odd term) murmured into his neck betweengiggles, her breath brushing against his skin sending shivers down his spine.He nodded and did just that, gently lowering her to the ground and removing hisarm from under her knees. The other arm remained wrapped around her shoulders,keeping her steady as she fought against the rather poofy dress to standsteady. She sent a grateful smile his way before walking out of his grasp andlooking around the main room. “Oh, Papa did a good job! This house is justlovely, if a bit bare.”

Goku tore hisgaze away from Chi-Chi and looked around the room – while it wasn’t the largesthouse he had ever seen, it was certainly bigger than anything he had ever livedin. The living room itself, fully equipped with a couch, a table, a few lamps,and a television, was far more spacious than the hut he stayed in with hisgrandfather (he made a mental note to visit that in the morning, since it wasso close by. He missed that little house), and probably contained as much roomas the bottom floor of Kame House.

“We’llpersonalize it soon enough!” Chi-Chi chirped as she dashed around the room.“We’ll get pictures and other decorative things to mark our lives together.Oh!” She rushed towards a blank wall and held her arms out parallel to it.“This would be perfect to hang up pictures of the kids!” Her head then snappedtowards the kitchen and she was off again, chattering away excitedly.

It was likewhen he had agreed to marry her at the tournament all over again.

Goku stayedbehind in the living room and simply took in the area, unsure how he shouldreact to everything. He had to admit he was excited to live with someone again– some of the best moments of his life were when he shared a living space withsomeone. Back with Grandpa, traveling with Bulma and Oolong, training underMaster Roshi at Kame House with Krillin and Launch… He had been told by hisfriends that having a wife would be different than all those experiences, whichjudging by what little of married life he’d seen so far, he wasn’t sure howhe’d handle it. It was all unknown territory and that didn’t sit too well withhim. But Chi-Chi was nice, he enjoyed her company, so it couldn’t be all bad,right?

When Chi-Chisuddenly was in front of him, face twisted in concern and asking him if he wasokay, he was startled but smiled nonetheless. “Yeah, I’m alright,” he answeredbefore turning his attention back to the room around him. “So, we’re going tolive here?”

“Yes. This isour house!”

He blinked afew times before turning back to her, bemused. “I’ve never really owned a housebefore.”

Chi-Chi smiledand shrugged. “Well, neither have I. But I’m sure we can figure it out.”

“So, why are weadding another room?” Goku called out curiously as he hammered away on theroof. They had added many expansions to the small domed home since moving in,but he had been under the impression that they had finished by that point.

Chi-Chi sat inthe grass not too far away, watching him work with critical eyes. “I told you!We need a room for the baby.” He paused in his work to look over to her, eyeslanding specifically on her round stomach.

Baby.

He still hadtrouble wrapping his head around the concept.

Even so, hisheart leapt whenever he thought about it, or felt the baby’s ki, or even whenhe simply touched his wife’s ever-growing belly. He had never considered beinga father before Chi-Chi excitedly told him she was pregnant months beforehand.Sure, she had always talked about kids, but he had figured they would wait acouple years. Still, it was exciting, if somewhat daunting.

He hopped offthe roof and walked towards his wife, sitting down next to her to take a break.One hand instinctively fell onto her midsection and he smiled brightly when hefelt movement beneath his palm. “Why can’t the baby stay in our room?” heasked, genuinely curious. They had shared a room after all, and he had alwaysshared one with Grandpa when he was younger.

Chi-Chi placeda hand on top of his and leaned against his body, head moving to rest on hischest. “Well, they probably will early on. But as they get older it’d be bestif they have their own space. Besides,” she laughed a bit, “it’d probably getcrowded in there after a while.”

That was fair.Their room might’ve been big enough for two people, but three would probablyhave been a bit much. He rested his chin on the top of her head and wrapped hisother arm around her shoulders, content to sit a little while longer. Theextension to the house was almost done, anyway.

He looked atthe building and smiled. Their house.

A drop of watersmacked against his head, and Goku paused in his push-ups to look up towardsthe source. Another droplet fell and hit his forehead, which wrinkled as hefrowned at the ceiling. That wasn’t supposed to happen.

“Chi!” hecalled out, voice loud enough to ring over the sound of Gohan’s music as he didhomework and the clatter of kitchenware as his wife prepared supper. “Looks likewe have another leak!” Darn, looks like tomorrow would be spent fixing it upinstead of training.

Chi-Chi’s headpoked through the doorway, an almost empty silence filling the house at thepause of her cooking. “What was that, dear?” she asked sweetly as the rest ofher followed in to stand in the living room.

Goku pointed uptowards the ceiling. “Leak,” he stated simply, and he had to hold back hislaugh as he watched her face slowly shift from kind and smiley to greatannoyance.

“Really?” shegroaned as she marched over to where he sat, placing one hand on top of hishead to look up at the roof. “We just fixed up the last one.” She blinked as adrop fell onto her head and then sighed heavily. “Well, I guess I can try toget it fixed tomorrow… Although it isn’t suppose to rain for a while, so itcould probably wait until you get back home….”

He tilted hishead, effectively removing it from Chi-Chi’s grasp. “What? I thought for sureyou’d make me do it firs’ thing.”

She shook herhead and began to walk back towards the kitchen. “Normally, I would. But youhave that reunion thing tomorrow, remember?”

Oh, that’sright! Master Roshi and Krillin were hosting a party over at Kame House. Hiseyes wondered over to Gohan, who had paused in his studies to watch his parentstalk. Goku smiled brightly, excitement coursing through his veins at theprospect of introducing his son to all of his friends – in all honesty, thefeeling he felt beating in his chest wasn’t too dissimilar to that he feltwhenever he wanted to show off a new attack.

Gohan was anamazing kid, his amazing kid, her amazing kid, their amazingson. The pride he felt for the four-year-old was unlike anything he had everfelt before.

Another drophit his head and he quickly moved from that spot. He’d fix that leak in theirceiling as soon as he got back from the reunion.

The howlingwind shook against the faulty wooden walls of the hut, and Goku awoke with agasp at the sound. When the winds continued to blow and rattle the hut, hegroaned loudly and rolled over onto his belly. While he had often slept insimilar conditions in the past, he never particularly enjoyed them – especiallynow when he had been spoiled with nearly four years of a sturdy house andcomfortable bed to sleep in.

It was nightslike that one that made him regret rejecting the wish to take him back to Earth.He missed his home, missed his friends, his wife, his son… Heck, at thatpoint he was even to starting to miss Vegeta, of all people. Just, somethingfamiliar.

Seeing andexperiencing new things was exciting. But after everything that had happened onNamek, he was certain he was done exploring for a while.

He couldn’tleave Yardrat just yet though, not before he learned how to do instanttransmission.

He couldn’t gohome yet, not when his control over that state, that…super saiyan, was shakyat best. He couldn’t risk their safety.

The wind blewharder, and rain began to drip through the ceiling and walls. Goku shivered,quiet grumbles of irritation rumbling in his chest as he pulled his blanketover his head.

As he foughtfor sleep, desperate for some form of rest, he randomly remembered how he nevergot around to fixing the leak on their ceiling.

Each time hecame home after being away for a long time, it somehow managed to look thesame. Returning after dying and then spending a couple years in space? Itlooked exactly the same, if only a little cleaner without him around constantlymaking a mess of things. Returning after spending a year in the time chamber?Well, of course it would look the same, hardly a day had passed for that house.

Returning afterbeing dead for seven years?

The outsidelooked the same, only the area around the home was clearer – trees being cutdown for firewood over the years was beginning to show. He had almosthalf-expected the inside to look exactly the same as well, but given how bigGohan was and the fact that Goten even existed, he really should’ve knownbetter.

It didn’t looktoo different though – furniture had been moved around a bit, and hisbelongings were strangely absent, but overall it was fairly similar to how heremembered it being back before he left for the Cell Games.

Slowly, Gokuwalked through the living room, dark eyes examining the walls that surroundedhim. Laughter of his sons echoed behind him, the boys walking into the houseand instantly rushing to the kitchen. The heavenly aroma of Chi-Chi’s cookingdrifted from that room, tantalizing his senses and causing his stomach topractically howl, but he ignored his hunger for a moment to just take it allin.

He hadn’t stepfoot in that house for seven years, after all.

Slowly, Gokuwalked over to the wall where various pictures hung, recognizing many that hadbeen there before his death. He was unsurprised to see several new ones wereadded in, covering the years he had missed.

Gohan slowly growingolder, Goten’s birth, the boys just playfully milling about random parts of theproperty. It was almost as if an abridged version of their lives played outbefore his eyes, and his heart twisted at the sight.

When Baba hadapproached him about the idea of returning home for a day, he hadn’t realizedjust how long of a gap seven years actually was. When he heard Gohan’s voicefor the first time, he had been startled understandably by how deep it hadgotten, but nothing could’ve prepared him for when he finally saw his eldestson again.

Gohan wastaller than him now.

When did thathappen?

And Goten… Hedidn’t even know Chi-Chi had been pregnant! Likely she didn’t know either, orshe would’ve told him. He frowned as his eyes landed on a picture of hisyoungest son as an infant. He had missed so many important moments of thatboy’s life, moments that he held fond memories of for Gohan. His first words,his first steps, watching him become more and more independent…

“Goku?” Hejumped at his wife’s voice and the feel of her hand on his back. A quick glanceto his right revealed her to be standing next to him, dark eyes – kami, hereyes had changed, she had changed too, and he had missed it – alightwith concern. “Is everything alright?”

He nodded andsmiled, although he couldn’t quite make it feel right. “Yeah, just…looking atthe new pictures.”

She smiled, herexpression holding something akin to sympathy that made his gut lurch. “I havesome food made in the kitchen, you know. Prepared it for when we thought you’donly be here for a day.” Her hand rubbed small circles into his back, soothinghim. “Goten’s really excited to get to know you more.”

The smile onGoku’s face shifted, becoming more natural. Things might be different, but atleast it all was still there. He turned around and grabbed Chi-Chi’shand, the two of them walking to the kitchen where their boys’ boisterousvoices could be heard.

The house wasquiet as he touched ground, a dozing Goten cradled against his chest. His holdon his son tightened, relief to just be able to hold him again coursing throughhis veins. Goku had thought he wouldn’t have to experience watching his worldexplode and everyone die ever again. If he hadn’t been so arrogant with Frieza,he likely wouldn’t have.

At least theydidn’t remember. That much he was grateful for. Goten was so young and alreadyhad the memory of death ingrained into his brain. He didn’t want his boy tosuffer through that again.

He opened thedoor with ease, finding all the lights turned off, everything completelysilent. Chi-Chi’s ki radiated from their bedroom, steady and healthy and verymuch alive. Goku sighed in relief as he set about preparing Goten forbed. The boy grumbled tiredly when forced from his slumber, but gave no resistanceto the nightly rituals they usually preformed.

“Dad?” Gotenmumbled as Goku ushered him to bed, followed quickly by a large yawn. “Are yougonna tell me what happened?”

“Of course!”Goku reassured as the boy climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to tuck himin. “I’ll tell you it all tomorrow at the banquet.”

“Yaaaaaay.”Once again, the word gave way for a yawn, and Goku found himself smiling fondlyat his son. He reached up and ruffled the boy’s hair, only to get a loud snoreas his response.

“Goodnight,son.”

The walk backto his bedroom seemed to take forever. He did his best to be as quiet aspossible, not wishing to wake Chi-Chi up with his intrusion. Although once hehad entered the room and began to undress, his gi still torn to shreds andcovered with holes (perhaps he could get Piccolo to fix that tomorrow? He quiteliked the new look), he realized that his wife probably had no idea of thebattle or even the fact that he was finally home. A quick glance towards thebed revealed as such – she was lying down at an angle, her head on his pillowwhile her feet were stretched out towards her side of the bed. She always sleptlike that whenever he was gone and she didn’t think he’d be back for a while.

He quietlywalked over and kneeled down by his side of the bed, calloused hand reachingover to gently shake her shoulder. “Chi,” he whispered, voice low, “Chi, wakeup.”

Her eyesfluttered open, and the moment they landed on him she sat up. “Goku! You’rehome?” The smile that stretched across his face at the sound of her voicealmost hurt his cheeks. He nodded, hand moving to cup the side of her face,with her instantly leaning into his touch. “When? Why?” Her eyes wondered downto the new scar on his side, and she reached out to gently touch it. “Whathappened?”

“It’s a longstory,” he muttered before reluctantly moving from her grasp to stand up. “Justgot back from a pretty big battle and I’m kind of tired, so could I –?”

“Wait until themorning?” Chi-Chi finished, voice deadpan. He gave her a guilty look and sheshook her head as she moved over to her side of the bed. “Alright, but I want afull explanation in the morning. Guess I’ll be making breakfast for two.”

Goku sighed ashe climbed into bed, relieved to feel the familiar mattress beneath him. Theones kept on Lord Beerus’s planet were far from comfortable, although he slepteasily enough on those. “Three,” he mumbled as he shuffled under the covers.“Goten’s here.”

“I thought hewas staying the night at Capsule Corp.?”

He wrapped hisarms around her and pulled her close, chin resting on the top of her head.“Changed his mind.” Her arms wrapped around him and he felt her huff againsthis skin.

“I guess thishas to do with the big battle as well?” He hummed his response, eyes alreadydrooping close as exhaustion from the battle crept up on him. “I’m glad you’rehome.”

Goku smiled and pulled her just a bit closer. Aroundhim the walls creaked as the wind blew by, the same and as familiar as it hadbeen when they first moved in all those years ago. “Me too.”

“You’re notbringing that to bed, Goku,” she said, voice flat and stern, her glare daringhim to disobey her. “If you must have cake, eat it downstairs in the kitchen.”

Goku let out aloud groan, his shoulders slumped and his head thrown back slightly. “But Chi,”he whined, louder than probably he should – they had three children sleeping in thehouse who had been a pain to convince to go to bed in the first place. “Thekids are sleeping in the living room. If I ate in the kitchen, I’ll wake ‘emup!”

Well, at leasthe hadn’t completely forgotten about them.

Chi-Chi shookher head and sat up straighter. “No, Goku,” she repeated. “You are anincredibly messy eater and I will not deal with crumbs in the bed!That’s how roaches and other pests end up crawling under the covers while wesleep!” She shuddered at the memories of the few times she had woken up withbugs crawling up her legs. That had been back in their early days of marriageand she had long since learned that lesson.

He winced andnodded, recalling those nights as well. While the prospect of bugs crawlingover him didn’t bother him much (or at least nowhere near as much as it bugged hiswife), her loud shrieks had left his ears ringing for weeks. He looked down atthe cake, deep in thought for a moment, before smiling brightly towardsChi-Chi. “What if we use that plastic cover? Like we do whenever we decide tomix in food with –”

“Do you haveany idea what time it is?” she snapped, interrupting him. “I’m not about to godig that thing out and put it on the bed! It’s too uncomfortable to sleep on.”At his incredulous look, as he always complained whenever she insisted on usingit, she sighed and shook her head. “Besides, it has a hole in it because someonedecided to be rough last time.”

“You wanted meto go blue!”

“That doesn’texcuse the giant hole in the cover! Do you realize how expensive it was?”

Goku let out ahuff of air and grumbled under his breath. He had apologized for it at leastten times since the incident. One idea shot, he looked down at the cake again –red velvet, all freshly baked and homemade, the sweet sugary smell assaultinghis nose. He had been dying for a slice of it since Chi-Chi had started bakingit, but once she had finished the kids decided to get into a huge fight and…

He quicklywalked towards the bed and gently placed the display plate onto the nightstand.Once he was sure that it wouldn’t topple over, he crawled into the bed andmoved in close to his wife, keeping low so that he had to look up at her.“Please, Chi?” he begged, snaking his arms around her midsection. “Prettyplease?”

Chi-Chi glareddown at her husband, well aware of what he was trying to pull. He pushedhimself as close to her as he could, his large arms and chest radiating heatthrough her nightgown as he pressed himself against her. He rested his chinright on top of her cleavage and looked up at her with large, innocent eyes, asmall pout tugging on his lower lip.

Well, if hethought that was going to work, he had another thing coming.

“No.”

“I’ll let youeat half?”

“You know verywell that I can’t. And what would the kids think if the entire cake vanished?”

“Just oneslice?”

“If you onlywanted a slice, why did you bring up the entire cake?”

“Come on, Chi!”

“No!”The finality of her tone was enough to dissuade further arguing. Goku huffedand detangled himself from her, brow furrowed and an immature frown marring hisfeatures. She rolled her eyes at his antics and repositioned herself so she waslying down once again. “Now take that cake back down to the kitchen and go. To.Sleep.” She rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes, determined to get atleast a few hours of rest.

The mattresscreaked and shifted next to her, her husband grumbling as he pushed himself offthe bed. A small tink filled the air as he picked up the display plate, andthen… silence. No footsteps, no floorboard squeaks, no more mumbling. Hereyes cracked open as a sense of foreboding lurched in her gut.

“Hey, Chi-Chi?”

She growled andsat up, turning around to shoot down whatever new argument he had come up with– only to have the entire cake shoved into her face. Her entire form froze ashis loud rambunctious laughter filled the room.

Hands shakingwith barely contained rage slowly reached up and pushed as much of the cake asthey could from her face. She blinked several times in order to clear thefrosting from her vision, and then glared hard at Goku, who was still cacklingby the bed. “I’m going to kill you,” she growled, voice dangerously low.

Goku’s laughter came to an abrupt stop as she lungedoff the bed and tackled him to the ground, globs of cake getting shoved intohis face in the process.

Vegeta stared,baffled by the man’s words. Granted, he did look close to death – old age mayhave taken its sweet time to hit the two of them, but once it did it hit themhard. They were wrinkled and gray and sporting facial hair neither would’veeven dared to attempt back when they were still youthful. Kakarrot’s dumbmustache especially added to his age, although the fool was beyond overjoyedwhen he grew it out.

“I look likeGrandpa!” he had cried, bouncing up and down excitedly. “Maybe now Panwon’t feel too weird calling me that…”

Given she hadno problem about it for over forty years, Vegeta failed to realize why he hadfelt the need to state that.

As he sat therein the quiet forest next to the only other full-blooded saiyan in the universe(his brother was out there somewhere, but given how both Kakarrot and himselfhad lived well past the normal lifespan of a saiyan, Vegeta had little doubtthat Tarble had long since died. Hopefully it was a peaceful one), Vegeta beganto realize that Kakarrot’s ki was fluctuating, fading. He was right.

Soon old agewould claim him. And then Vegeta would truly be alone.

“I guess thatgodly ki is finally running out,” Kakarrot laughed, pushing backwards the lieon the grass. “I did reach it first, I guess it’d make sense that my body wouldgive out first.” He sighed and closed his eyes, smiling blissfully as a breezebrushed by. “I’m actually looking forward to it. I get to see Chi-Chi again;things have been too quiet without her. And then Krillin! Oh man, I wonder ifhe’s training with Grand Kai? Bulma would probably rant and rave about how itwas damn time I showed up.”

Vegeta winced.He knew his late wife was going to throw a fit that he kept her waiting solong.

But still, hedidn’t understand the feeling that was twisting his heart as Kakarrotso…easily spoke about his upcoming end. Oh sure, he recognized grief andsadness, he had felt it as those he had grown to care for, no matter howreluctantly he did so over years, slowly began to fade away from them. Howeverthe fact that he was feeling it towards Kakarrot, of all people? Sure, the manhad been a great rival over the years, and had been his main source of companyonce all that remained were their children and grandchildren, but…

I guess Ialways expected to go first.

Kakarrot poppedopen an eye and stuck his tongue out at him. “Don’t be sad, you wont be missingme for long.”

And suddenlythat sadness gave way for irritation and Vegeta found himself huffing andturning away, arms crossed. “Shut up!”

Kakarrotlaughed but said nothing more. Silence stretched between the two saiyans. If itweren’t for Kakarrot’s steady breathing and the fact that Vegeta was constantlychecking in on his ki, the prince would’ve been worried that the fool went anddied before he got the chance to say goodbye.

He reallydidn’t want to, though.

“You know,”that irritating voice broke through the silence, and Vegeta found himselfturning to face him, “for many years I wondered if it was a mistake to stopKrillin from killing you. Especially when you let Babidi control you.” What thefuck.

“Kakarrot, Iswear –”

“But then!” hecontinued on, ignoring the princes indignation, “I saw how happy you madeBulma, and then Trunks and Bra, and even Goten and Gohan! You made Bulmahappier than I had ever seen her, and your kids were so convinced that you werethe best father in the world. And Goten called you uncle!” He cackled for aminute or two. “I have to say, I wasn’t expecting that.” He sighed and closedhis eyes, and Vegeta found himself wondering if there was a point to all this.“You were a great rival, too. The only reason I lived so long or am as powerfulas I am is because of you. And ever since Chi-Chi and Krillin and Yamcha andBulma and…everyone died, you…” His eyes remained closed as his voicetrailed off, brow furrowing in concentration. “Well, things weren’t lonely.”

Vegeta gruntedand turned away, arms still stubbornly crossed. Kakarrot let out a low, raspychuckle, which made him growl in response.

“You don’t liketo say that you care,” he continued on, “I know, I have trouble too. But still.Thank you.” He felt the ground shift next to him as Kakarrot stood and began towalk away. “I’m not sure when I’ll go, but it’d be nice if I wasn’t alone.”

“Fool,” Vegetagrunted as he hopped to his feet. “Why sit around and waste away? We’rewarriors!” He was growling and glaring and angry as he stomped after the man.“Let’s die a warrior’s death.” He shifted into a familiar pose, ki flaring toshow he meant business.

Kakarrot gapedat him for a few minutes before smiling brightly. “Sure! Wouldn’t have it anyother way.” He then positioned himself for battle.

Vegeta smirked. “And Goku?” Kakarrot’s eyes widened.“Thank you, as well.” And then he lunged forward.

“It’s coffee,Panny,” he answered with a smile, reaching over to ruffle his daughter’s hair.She giggled and pushed his arm away.

“Papa!” sheshrieked, voice filled with laughter. “Don’t!” He laughed and conceited,pulling his hand away as she asked. Figuring the young girl was content withhis answer, he turned back to his book, hand moving to pick up his mug again.It was only when she spoke up once more that he remembered how a child’scuriosity is not so easily sated. “What’s coffee?”

“It’s agrown-up drink, darling,” Videl’s gentle voice called as she walked into theroom, moving straight towards the coffee machine on the counter. “We drink itso that we can wake up faster.”

Pan tilted herhead and furrowed her brow, inquisitive eyes watching closely as her motherworked the machine. “Why is it a grown-up drink?”

Gohan snortedand closed his book, knowing that this line of questioning was likely to go onfor a while. “Because it’s kind of gross. Little kids tend to not like it much.”

“Which is why!”Videl cut in, sitting down across from her husband with a fresh cup in hand,“Your papa has to add lots of sugar and cream to his.” He pouted and stuck histongue out at her. “You’re only proving my point, sweetie.”

Pan crossed herarms as she thought over her parents’ words. When Videl took a sip of hercoffee, having added nothing to it, her intrigued was once again peeked. “Youdon’t add sugar, Mama?”

“Nope!”

Gohan leaned inclose to their daughter, cupping one hand to whisper into her ear. “Your motheris very tough, she can handle icky things like coffee.”

“Whoa…” Shestared at her mother in awe before smiling widely. “Can I try?”

The youngparents shared a glance, both silently wondering if it would be a good idea.With a slight shrug, Videl decided to slide her mug over to Pan, who eagerlytook it and brought the drink up to her mouth.

Her faceinstantly scrunched up in disgust and she quickly returned the cup. “Gross!”After taking a minute to recover from the bitter taste, using the aid of hercereal and milk to cleanse her palate, she once again looked towards her motherwith complete and absolute amazement. “Wow Mama, you’re really powerful!”

Gohan smiled and shook his head. “Told you.”

They sprinted as fast as their legs would possibly allow, their destination a wall of rock before them. An Earth-shuttering crack filled the air, like colliding boulders tumbling down a mountainside. Kakarrot dared to look over his shoulder.

The wall of water had weakened one of the looming, stone pillars. It was now wilting, it’s heavy top speeding to the ground.

Directly over their heads.  

Kakarrot pushed his legs harder. “Faster, faster, FASTER!” he panicked, voice high pitched with fright. He pulled Chi Chi behind him, spotting a cave in the cliff up ahead and pointing.

“There!” he yelled, dread cloaking him, like the shadow now casted over them by the collapsing column. “Go, go, go, go, GO-“  

The two burst into the cliff’s opening, rock instantly slamming against the mountainside behind them and blocking out any light. Chi Chi barely skidded to a halt before she smacked into Kakarrot, her eyes blind and adjusting to the darkness. She had only a second to just breathe for a moment, that is, until frigid water came sloshing into the cave after them.

Kakarrot let in a sharp breath. “Oh no,” he groaned, legs suddenly soaked. His head shook from side to side, his disoriented vision scanning the inner walls of their soon-to-be prison for some sort of escape. “Oh nononono no.”

He and Chi Chi staggered backwards further into the cave. It delved in maybe only ten feet more before dissolving into an upward slant of rock. Desperate to escape the water, they climbed up, elevating themselves as much as possible as the liquid continued to gush in.

Panic seized them both, for the rising water had already reached their midsections. Letting the frying pan clatter to the rock, Kakarrot gasped in a breath and dove into the watery depths.

Meanwhile, Chi Chi snatched up the pan and gripped it by the large end. She then began swinging it recklessly, digging it hard into the surrounding rock, looking for any escape or weakness. Kakarrot surfaced with a loud intake of breath, before quickly diving back in.

Another moment of desperation passed as the two searched for a way out. Kakarrot came back up for air, his brow furrowed deeply with anguish. Chi Chi eyed him anxiously, unnerved by his defeated demeanor.

“There’s no use,” he heaved, still catching his breath from holding it. He scrubbed the water away from his eyes. “I can’t see anything.”

Chi Chi’s breathing began to shudder with fear. His words not enough for her, she dove into the water, hoping to see something he hadn’t.

Firm hands gripped her shoulders and instantly pulled her back up.

“Hey!” Kakarrot urged, his worried eyes scanning her face. He brushed sopping hair from her eyes and tucked it securely behind her ear. “It’s no use,” he implored, torment engulfing him. He shook his head negatively. “It’s pitch black down there.”

Consumed by the emotions raging in her chest, Chi Chi pulled back from him, quivering. Hurt flitted through Kakarrot’s eyes momentarily, but he let his arms drop, giving her space to process their situation.

Then after a beat of silence, Chi Chi let out a sound of anguish, and her shoulders hunched deeply as she began to cry.

“This is all my fault,” she moaned, pressing a hand to her forehead and sniveling. “She was right, I never should have done this…” Like the rising doom in her stomach, water continued to slowly creep up her form.

“I’m so…” she stuttered, letting out a shuddering breath. “I’m so sorry, Kakarrot.” Sobs shook her body again, and her tears fell into the water below.

The thief next to her swallowed heavily. Her sorrow knotted the heart in his chest, and so he moved closer to her, lightening his tone before saying the first thing that came to mind.

“Goku,” he offered, a corner of his lips turning upwards. Confused, Chi Chi sniffed loudly before turning questioning eyes his way.

“What?” she croaked, meeting his gaze. Despite their dire situation, humor gleamed within his dark orbs.

“My real name is Son Goku,” he admonished, his head giving a slightly embarrassed tilt. Then his eyes dropped from hers, and regret seeped into his expression. “I guess…someone might as well know.”

When he looked back up at Chi Chi, she was smiling, her eyes narrowing with mirth. Fear still encompassed her heart, but she couldn’t help but let out a breathy laugh, thankful for his efforts. Forcing herself to feel acceptance, to not dread the water that was nearing her chin, she shrugged in mock casualty.

“I have magic hair that glows when I sing,” she revealed, grabbing a piece of her long, raven locks for emphasis.

Kakarrot’s - Goku’s - eyes instantly furrowed. “What?” he probed in shock, face contorting with bewilderment.  

And then Chi Chi’s eyes shot wide.

“I have…magic hair that glows when I sing!” she recapped, hope bursting in her chest like a cloud of euphoria.

Ignoring Goku’s freshly panicked face, Chi Chi clutched onto a larger section of her hair. Terror mixed with the hope in her chest when the water level slipped past her chin, but she gasped in a breath to sing, her usually angelic voice warped.

“Flower gleam and glow. Let your power shine.”

Chi Chi then broke off the incantation, her and Goku gulping in one last breath of air before the water overtook them.