Chapter Text
"Attention, listeners!" The static voice of the radio broadcaster broke through the quiet song that had been playing on the small radio. "Android Seventeen and Eighteen have just been spotted north of Juju Island! All those on the island, please do not engage the Androids and seek immediate shelter! I repeat: Androids Seventeen and Eighteen have just been -"
Chi-Chi wiped her soapy hands on her apron before turning off the radio off. She let out a sigh; she couldn't even listen to music without hearing something about those dreadful Androids. Every day, it was something, and every day the Androids seemed to be getting worse and worse. Their world had turned into a living hell in a matter of two years.
When the Androids first broke free from the evil Dr. Gero's lab, the Z-Fighter's had done their best to protect the earth and the people that lived there. Unfortunately, they did not survive the initial attack, and Chi-Chi's Goku was one of the first to go because of a nasty heart virus. Now the world was in a continuous nightmare that no one could wake it from.
Carefully, Chi-Chi placed the small radio on the kitchen windowsill and finished up a few dishes in the sink. She liked to keep herself busy with housework because it took her mind off the horrors going on in the world. It kept her mind from missing Goku. It had been two years, and she still mourned for him. She didn't think she would ever stop.
CRACK!
Chi-Chi froze as a sudden streak of lightning flashed outside of the window, followed by a big boom of thunder. The lights on the house flickered for a moment, and her heart raced as an eerie feeling drifted through the air. She could feel the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. Someone was in the house with her - she could sense them.
With her breath held, Chi-Chi slowly reached over and grabbed a thick skillet hiding in one of the drawers. She gripped the handle tightly and felt the weight of the base. Whoever was inside the home with her was approaching, and Chi-Chi had a horrid thought that the Androids somehow managed to get from JuJu Island, which was past South City, all the way to the East District. She swallowed hard; at least Gohan wasn't there. He was currently scouting the woods for some firewood.
Sensing the presence right behind her, Chi-Chi yelled and raised her skillet to hit whoever it was that dared to enter her home. The skillet was caught easily, and Chi-Chi choked on her scream as her eyes met familiar black irises. Her hand fell from the skillet as her mouth dropped. Tears instantly burned her eyes as she looked at the love of her life.
It couldn't be him. There was no way that the one standing in front of her was Goku - her Goku! But he looked just like him! From his crazy black hair, wide dark eyes, pointed nose, trademark grin, and broad shoulders. It looked like her Goku, but there was a golden glow around him, a reminder that he wasn't there to stay.
"Chi," he called softly.
Chi-Chi shuddered as her hands flew to her mouth to hush her sob. He even sounded like Goku.
"Chi -" he sat the skillet down on the counter behind her. "It's me," his hands - large, warm, and familiar - grabbed her shoulders. "It's me, Chi-Chi."
"How?" The word could barely leave her mouth.
"In the Other World, a grand tournament was held," Goku's hands ran down her arms, and she shivered. They grabbed her hands and held them between his own. "King Kai trained me for it, and I trained very hard. I won the tournament, and because I won, I was allowed back for three days."
"Three days?" Chi-Chi's voice was hoarse as her throat tightened. That wasn't enough time for anything.
Goku squeezed her hands. "Three days," he repeated.
Chi-Chi's chest squeezed painfully tight. Three days wasn't nearly enough time for her. Her lip trembled, and she could feel the tears falling from her cheeks.
"Oh, Chi," Goku embraced her tightly. "I've missed you so much. I wish I could stay forever," he whispered her wish.
Chi-Chi sobbed as she clutched the back of his gi. She missed him too. She had missed him with every fiber of her being.
The front door banged open, and Chi-Chi gasped in surprise. Gohan! Of course, he would feel Goku and come running back as hard as he could.
"Daddy!"
They pulled apart to see Gohan standing at the entrance of the kitchen. Tears were rolling down his face as his shoulders shook. Chi-Chi's heart felt heavy as she watched her little boy. He was just barely twelve, but he had the responsibility of being a man who wanted to save the world.
"Gohan," Goku called to him as he held out an arm.
Gohan sobbed and ran over to them. He squeezed himself in between them like he had done when he was younger and cried. Years ago, before Goku had died and the Androids attacked, Chi-Chi had thought that Gohan would always be safe between them. Chi-Chi only wished she could have kept Gohan away from the cruel world a bit longer.
Three days wouldn't be what Chi-Chi needed to make up for lost time with Goku. She knew she would never get that time back, but for the next three days, he would be there, and the world would seem a little perfect again.
Bulma listened to Trunks chattering as she worked on an engine to an old car. Capsule Corp didn't produce many cars nowadays; it was nearly impossible since the Androids had burned down almost every factory just for fun. Bulma still grew mad when she thought of it. Her father's life work had been destroyed in a matter of minutes, and to make it so much worse, her parents had perished in one of the first fires.
Bulma cleared her throat to stop herself from crying. She didn't like to cry in front of Trunks when it came to the Androids. She wanted to show him her brave face so he would always know that they hadn't won.
"Mom, look!" Her three-year-old said.
Bulma glanced up from the engine and smiled at Trunks. He had a kids' tool set in front of him as he worked on some toy cars.
"Look, I made it go fast!" He said as he pushed a car and zoomed across the floor.
"That's amazing!" Bulma beamed at him as she ruffled his lavender hair.
Trunks smiled at her adoringly, and Bulma felt her chest squeezing. She had never thought of herself as a motherly type, but that had been before Trunks arrived. Now, he was her world, and she couldn't imagine a day without him.
But the world is what scared Bulma. All the heroes that once protected it were gone, and two evil Androids ran wild to terrorize whoever they wanted.
After the burning of Capsule Corp, Bulma had packed up most of her belongings and fled Brief Manor with Trunks. She knew the spot would be an easy target for the Androids, and she didn't want to risk losing her son, not when she had already lost too much.
"Mom," Trunks called her attention.
"Yes?" She smiled at him. "Are you fixing more cars?"
He smiled and shook his head. "Ding-dong!" Trunks grinned.
Bulma knitted her eyebrows together just before the doorbell went off. She gasped in surprise as she stood up. Only a few people knew of her hideaway, and she rushed to the intercom.
"Who is it?" Bulma asked.
"It's Chi-Chi," a familiar voice sounded through the small box.
Bulma sighed and pressed a button to unlock the doors. "Come in!"
Trunks went back to tinkering with his toys, and Bulma washed her hands as she heard Chi-Chi come in. "Hi, Trunks," she heard her greeting the boy.
"Hi," he greeted back shyly.
"Hey," Bulma turned around and grinned at Chi-Chi. She furrowed her brows as she looked at her old friend. She looked nervous and a bit jumpy. "Hey," she repeated, "Is everything okay? Is Gohan -" her heart squeezed, and she couldn't finish the sentence.
"He's fine!" Chi-Chi promised as she held up her hands. "Gohan is fine. He's at Brief Manor. I hope that's okay."
Bulma tilted her head, "I guess so. No one is using it, but why is he there?"
Chi-Chi's hands clasped in front of her, and she fiddled with her thumbs nervously. "Um, Goku," she mumbled as her cheeks tinted pink. "Goku is back for just three days. He's training Gohan."
Bulma's eyes widened, and she took a step closer to Chi-Chi. "Did you say Goku was back?" She gasped.
Chi-Chi nodded slowly. "There was a tournament in the Other World, and King Kai trained Goku for it. When he won it, he got to make a wish for anything, and he wished to come home." There was sadness in her voice as she continued, "it'll just be for three days, so he wants to train Gohan the best he can, so he'll be able to protect himself against the Androids at least."
"Come sit down," Bulma led her to the table in the kitchen. She fixed them both some coffee and sat a mug down in front of Chi-Chi. "I want to say I can't believe he's back, but Goku always finds ways to surprise us."
Chi-Chi's lips twitched, "he certainly does. I'm happy that he's back, but at the same time, I feel like it's cruel. When he leaves again, my heart will be ripped out once again." She sniffed and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "I know," she glanced up at Bulma guiltily. "I'm being selfish."
"No," Bulma shook her head and placed a hand on top of Chi-Chi's. "I get it. You're still not over his death, and when he leaves, it'll be like you're reliving it all over again."
Chi-Chi sniffed and nodded her head.
Bulma got up and grabbed a few tissues. She watched as Chi-Chi wiped her eyes and calmed herself. Bulma knew that if she were in Chi-Chi's shoes, she would be more confused than upset.
Vegeta was no Goku. He hadn't been Bulma's husband, and truthfully, he had shown Trunks very little interest. What had been between them had been nothing but passion and loneliness. Still, sometimes Bulma wished she could have a chance just to see him again. Sometimes her wish was granted when she looked at Trunks, and she could catch a glimpse of Vegeta in him.
"Chi-Chi," Bulma reached over and patted her friend's hand, "I know things aren't exactly perfect, but you do have a chance to spend three extra days with Goku. It's three days you never thought you'd get. I say make the most of the time you'll have with him."
Chi-Chi sniffed and wiped her eyes with the tissue. "You're right," she nodded. "I'm sorry to barge in here so suddenly and fuss my troubles at you. I just needed to vent."
"It's okay," Bulma promised. "I'm always willing to listen. Ask Trunks; I'm a great listener. Right, Buddy?" She grinned at her son.
Trunks looked up from the car he was playing with and smiled. Bulma's chest grew warm as she smiled back at him. Their world may be hell, but at least she had her boy. That was all that mattered.
★★
Chi-Chi studied her reflection as she brushed out her dark hair. Night had finally fallen, and the boys had returned home a while ago from training in the Gravity Room. Chi-Chi had ordered them to shower and clean up while she made dinner, and now after eating, she was getting ready for the night while the boys cleaned up.
Chi-Chi blinked and leaned forward. She sat her hairbrush down and placed her hand on her cheeks and stretched her skin. She wasn't old by any means, but as she stared at Goku earlier, she couldn't help but think that he seemed timeless. Meanwhile, she continued aging, and the stress of the Androids hadn't helped.
A gentle knock sounded on the door. "Chi?"
"Yes?" She straightened up instantly as her heart began to race.
"Gohan and I finished cleaning the kitchen. I sent him to bed."
"O-okay," Chi-Chi said, "I'll be out in just a minute."
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
Heat rushed over Chi-Chi at the thought of Goku waiting for her. She suddenly thought of their wedding night when she had paced in the bathroom nervously before walking out. She had thought she was the only one nervous, but seeing Goku looking at her shyly had eased her nerves. She let out a small giggle as she remembered how they clumsily explored each other.
Chi-Chi let out a sigh and clapped her hands against her cheeks. She willed herself to show some courage as she opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom. Her smile faded as she spotted Goku on their bed, eyes closed and snoring softly. Of course, he would be tired. He had spent most of the day training Gohan.
Despite feeling a little dejected, Chi-Chi smiled as she shut off the bathroom light. The faint glow of the moon shone through the windows and helped guide her to her bed. Carefully, she slipped under the covers and beside Goku for the first time in two years. Just lying beside him sent a thrill through Chi-Chi.
She turned on her side so she could study him. His dark hair was still as wild as it had been when they were children. Gently she reached up to trace the strong features of his face. His long nose, sharp cheeks, and his lips. She was just about to move her hand away when Goku reached up and caught it.
"Goku-sa," she gasped, "I thought you were asleep."
"I was waiting for you," his voice was the kind of low that sent Chi-Chi's heart racing. He turned on his side so he could face her. His hand let go of hers before he reached over and traced her face as she had done him. She shivered as his thumb ran across her bottom lip.
"I'm sorry I didn't spend much time with you today," Goku apologized.
"It's okay," Chi-Chi whispered. "I know you need to train Gohan, and he's missed you."
"And did you?" Goku asked, his hand now brushing down her bare arm.
"Yes," Chi-Chi breathed, "of course I did. With you gone, there's a piece of me missing," she told him. "I've missed you so much, Goku-sa," she grabbed the front of the white tank he was wearing, "and I'm so scared of being selfish with you while you're back because I don't know if I can be strong again when you have to leave."
"You will," he told her confidently, "because you're my Chi. You'll be strong for Gohan, just like you always are." He leaned over and peppered kisses across her forehead. He kissed her eyelids, her nose, and her cheeks. He hovered over her lips as he said, "you are the strongest person I know, Chi, and I am so sorry that I have to leave you again. Gohan might have my days since I have to train him, so there will be some hope in this world, but my nights are for you."
Chi-Chi didn't know which one of them pulled in first, but before she knew it, they were kissing. Goku's hands roamed over her, and it was drastically different than it had been when they were newlyweds. There was no awkwardness or insecurity with his movements. He knew exactly where to touch her, and Chi-Chi sighed into him.
Goku, of course, was right, as he usually was. His days might be spent with Gohan, but his nights would be for her.
"Trunks, slow down!" Bulma chuckled as she fought to keep up with her energetic three-year-old.
It had been almost a month since Goku returned to the Other World. Bulma had talked to Chi-Chi frequently over the phone to keep up with her and see how things were going, and when Chi-Chi had told her she was feeling under the weather, Bulma had decided to bring her friend some soup. Trunks had been too eager to come. He was always excited to see Gohan since they occasionally played together.
"Hey!" Gohan opened the front door for them with a wide smile.
"Hey!" Bulma ruffled his hair affectionately. She couldn't believe how much he had grown since she first met him. Sometimes she still saw him as the timid five-year-old he had been.
"Han!" Trunks flew into the older boy's arms.
"Hey, Trunks!" Gohan laughed as he caught the boy. "How have you been?"
"Okay," Trunks shrugged. "I keep hearing a hum in my mind," he said.
"What?" Bulma turned to look at her son in confusion. "This is the first time I've heard about this. What do you mean by a hum in your mind?"
"It's a hum, like how the icebox hums sometimes, but not as loud," Trunks explained.
Bulma furrowed her brows. Maybe Trunks had some ringing in his ear. She would need to call the doctor and schedule an appointment to get his ears checked if he was hearing a ringing and thinking it was hum of some sort.
"Sometimes it's really quiet, but it's really loud here!" Trunks added.
"Hm?" Chi-Chi walked into the living room. "Hi," she greeted Bulma with a smile.
Bulma returned with a smile, "Hey."
Trunks let out a yell, his hands clamped over his ears as a cringe came across his face. "It's loud!"
Gohan, who was still holding Trunks, looked at Bulma worriedly. She picked Trunks up and held him with one arm as she soothed his hair.
"What's going on?" Chi-Chi asked worriedly. "Do you need me to get him anything?"
"Trunks said he's been hearing a hum in his ears, and it's loud here," Gohan said.
"I think he might be getting an earache," Bulma said with a worried frown. Saiyans weren't prone to getting sick, but that didn't mean they couldn't. Goku was proof of that. "Sorry, I didn't know until now."
"It's okay," Chi-Chi assured her. "I might have some ear drops in the cabinet."
"What ear is hurting, Trunks?" Bulma asked. "Where's the noise coming from?"
Trunks released his ears and glanced at Chi-Chi before pointing to her stomach. "It's coming from there."
Bulma's eyes widened with surprised shock. Gohan let out an audible gasp as Chi-Chi clasped her hands in front of her stomach nervously.
"Mom," Gohan gasped. "Are you - are you pregnant?"
"I am," she nodded slowly. "I had only found out a few days ago, and I was trying to find the right time to tell everyone. It looks like Trunks beat me to it," she glanced at the boy who was still in Bulma's arms. He was staring at her stomach in concentration. "Trunks, can you feel the baby in my stomach?"
Trunks glanced up and looked at Chi-Chi. "I can hear her in my mind," he said. "She was really loud, but I asked her to be quiet, so she did."
"H-Her?" Chi-Chi choked out. "Is it a girl? You know?" Her dark eyes were full of the same confusion Bulma felt.
Trunks nodded simply.
It was evident that Chi-Chi and Gohan were just as surprised as Bulma were. They knew little to nothing about Saiyan genes or bonding, so if Trunks and the baby had some kind of bond, they were clueless about it.
"Can I see her?" Trunks asked suddenly.
"Trunks," Bulma tightened her hold on him. "Right, the baby is tiny. It won't be able to play with you because of how small it is, but -" she added quickly as she saw Trunks' frown, "but once she stays in Chi-Chi's stomach for a few months, she'll be ready to come out and play with you. She has to grow to be big and healthy, and it can only do that inside Chi-Chi's stomach."
Bulma hoped she explained everything well enough. Trunks was smart, but he was only three. He tilted his head back and forth as he looked at Chi-Chi's stomach. Finally, he said, "okay. Can I play with Han?"
"Sure," Bulma nodded. She sat Trunks down, and he grabbed the older boy's hand with a smile.
Gohan glanced at his mother and then at Bulma. He probably had a million and one questions, but he smiled down at Trunks and led him to the other room.
"So," Bulma said once the boys had left. "Trunks seems determined that the baby is a girl."
Chi-Chi let out a small giggle, "Truthfully, I hope he's right. I've always wanted a little girl," she frowned as she placed a hand on her stomach, "I'm scared."
"You're not alone, Chi-Chi," Bulma told her as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "You have me, Gohan, and Trunks, too."
Chi-Chi smiled softly at that. "Thank you, I mean it."
"Of course," Bulma smiled. "You know, I've been thinking about moving to a bunker off on Nanari Island."
Chi-Chi blinked in surprise. "A bunker on Nanari?"
Bulma nodded, "I've been thinking about it since the Androids showed up, and every day they seem to run wilder. Trunks and I have already moved out of Brief Manor. I just want to raise him somewhere he'll be safe," she said softly. She had had too many nightmares of the Androids finding them, and she was sure Chi-Chi had had several of her own. "You and Gohan and this new baby are more than welcome to come with us. There's a than enough room."
"Okay," Chi-Chi nodded. "If it can keep Gohan and this baby safe, even for a little while, then yes."
Gohan smiled as he watched his little sister toddle after Trunks. Little Pan was barely three years old. Her dark hair pulled up into two ponytails, and her dark eyes shining as she watched seven-year-old Trunks.
"Come on," Trunks told Pan as he held out a hand to her. She took it immediately, and together, they walked through the flowers surrounding the island.
Nanari had been their home for a few years now. It was secluded from any cities or towns, and the Androids had never come as far as the island. Even if they did, Gohan doubted they would have any interest in it since it had an appearance of an ordinary island. No one knew about the bunker under the island except for the ones that lived there.
Pan laughed at something Trunks did, and Gohan's chest grew warm. He could remember the day Pan was born. He had been both excited and nervous at the time. Trunks was already like a little brother to him, but having a little sister would be different, Gohan knew. He would have to protect her, just like he did Trunks, a job he was willing to do. It still scared him sometimes as he watched the two of them. They were so young and innocent. They shouldn't have to live in a bunker and hide from crazy Androids.
"Han!" Pan laughed as she waddled up to him, a wildflower in hand. "You-" she handed it to him.
Gohan smiled brightly as he took the flower from her. "Thank you, Panny."
She beamed before she turned around and pouted. "Un! Un!"
"I'm right here, Panna!" Trunks came out of a nearby bush, holding several flowers. "Look, I found them for you!"
Pan cried in delight as she shuffled back over towards Trunks. The two of them sat down on the soft grass, and Gohan watched as Trunks began to make a crown of flowers for Pan. Gohan knew that the Trunks loved his sister fiercely. He was almost more overprotective of Pan than Gohan was. A small sigh escaped Gohan as he watched them. His little siblings. He promised himself that one day, their world would be at peace. He would get to see them playing in a park or on a beach somewhere, not on a hidden island. Until then, he would watch over them and protect them from Androids or anything else that would harm them.