Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Normal Friends from Strange Places ❯ The Anniversary ( Chapter 17 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Normal Friends from Strange Places
Chapter 14
By Maria Cline

The sun rose in the East. Chi Chi awoke and stared at the calendar. Goldheart woke up as well and looked at the calendar. He whined softly as he licked Chi Chi's face.

Chi Chi smiled as she gently pet the dog's head. "Oh, Goldheart." She whispered as tears came down her face. She got up and put her hand on the calendar. It was the day she loathed and hated; today was the Anniversary of Goku and Cell's death.

*****

Videl sighed as she got out of bed and walked outside. She ran her hand through her short hair as she focused on her bracelet. A blue hairbrush appeared in her hand and she brushed as she stared at the rising sun. "Is it today?" She moaned as she changed into her training outfit.

She got out her watch and clicked on 'date'. She sighed as she sat down. Today was the day her father became a fraud.

*****

Gohan stretched as he got out of his futon. Trey was lying in the next futon awake with all three eyes staring at him. "Hey, Gohan." Trey said as he got up.

"Hi..." Gohan reached up at his drawer and got out his daily calendar and stared at it. "Today is the Anniversary."

"Yeah. I know." Trey said solemnly as he got up and stared out of the window. "I hate this day."

Gohan rubbed his eyes as tears threatened to roll down his face. "Gohan?" Goten asked as he got out of his futon. "What's wrong?"

"Today..." Gohan whispered, "today is the anniversary of the worst day of my life."

*****

It was unusually quiet as the group gathered for breakfast. Goten looked around to see his family eating in quiet. Even Goldheart was eating in a more solemn manner. He hated this anniversary. Every year, his mom and brother got all sad and weepy-eyed. They get very mad when they heard of some celebration in Hercule's honor. He knew what happened on that day and he hated it, but he wasn't as affected by this day as Gohan and Chi Chi. He just hadn't experienced it the way they did.

"So... how are we going to train today?" Gohan asked softly.

"I don't know. I want to work on my gauntlet." Videl said as she held up her bracelet. "And some flying."

"We can do that." Gohan said as he looked at his mother. Chi Chi was eating slowly and she looked at her son. "Mom?"

"I'll be fine." Chi Chi said as she finished her food and wiped her lips. "I'm going out now. You know where I am going." She got up and left the room.

"Where is she going?" Videl asked Gohan.

"To the same place every year, to Dad's grave." Gohan said as he looked down. "She walks there alone every year and sit at Dad's grave all day. She refuses to have anyone escort her and she will return tonight. It's a tradition for her."

"And what do you and Goten do?" Trey asked and he sipped his juice.

Gohan smiled slightly and said, "We would fish and I would tell stories about Dad. What do you two do on this anniversary?"

"I ignore this day. I pretend it was some other day." Trey replied as he sighed.

"My father and I would go on a parade together and throw a big party." Videl answered as she looked down. "It was our day. Dad would tell me about how he defeated Cell and we would spend the day celebrating." Tears glistened in Videl's eyes. "I used to love this day, but right now I hate it."

Gohan stood up and said, "Why don't you two come with us? We have been training for the past week for Kyuushi and we need a small break. Besides, I'm not in the mood to train."

"Okay." Videl nodded as she finished her food. "We can do that."

"Goldheart?" Goten asked as he looked under the table. "Hey, Goldheart? Where are you, boy?"

"I think he went out." Trey said as he gestured to the open door to show Goldheart following Chi Chi down the path.

"I wonder why he's following her?" Videl wondered, "Doesn't he know that she wants to be alone?"

"Dogs are extremely loyal." Gohan said as he got out a book on dogs. "Goldheart probably sensed Mom's pain and decided to follow her."

"Oh... well... Mommy needs Goldheart more than I do right now. She look so sad." Goten observed.

Gohan put his hand on Goten's head and rubbed it. "You're a good kid, bro."

*****

Chi Chi walked alone down the path like she did every year. Every year, she walked alone to her husband's grave. She didn't know why she did, a part of her wanted Goku to speak to her. She wanted him to see her or let her know that he loved her.

She looked down to see Goldheart following her. "Go away!" Chi Chi snapped, "I don't want your company!"

Goldheart didn't make a sound. Instead, he kept on following her with a determined look in his eyes. Chi Chi ignored the dog, hoping he might give up and leave. A couple miles passed and the dog followed as closely as he did at the beginning at the journey.

"Why are you following me?" Chi Chi asked the dog. "It's dangerous. I can fight, but you... you're a dog."

Goldheart came up and leaned his head against her leg, whining softly.

"But you will follow me anyway. Won't you?"

Goldheart barked and stared up at her.

Chi Chi sighed as she stroked him. "Okay... you can come. We went far on our journey anyway."

*****

Gohan, Goten, Trey, and Videl flew through the air with Gohan in the lead. "This way." Gohan said as he landed at a lake. The water was clear and crisp and there were small flying insects everywhere. "This is it."

"Looks beautiful." Videl said as she got out her capsule case and released a small bench with fishing poles. "I'm ready to fish." She got out her bait. "Where's your bait?"

"Bait?" Gohan asked, confused, "We don't use bait."

"We don't even use fishing poles!" Goten said as he took off his shirt.

"Then... what... do you use? Your bare hands?" Videl asked as Gohan took of his own shirt.

"Yeah!" Goten started to take off his pants.

"Hold it!" Videl ordered as she covered her eyes. "You three are going to fish naked?"

"Put your pants on, Goten." Trey said as he focused on his clothes and it transformed into a pair of swimming shorts.

"Normally, we would." Gohan said as he took off his pants to reveal a pair of swimming trunks. "But, since you're here we won't. I mean... you are a girl after all." Gohan blushed brightly as he held his tail.

"I'm glad you noticed." Videl said as she got out her bait. "Don't tell me that you guys are going to jump in and catch the fish by hand."

"What other way is there?" Goten asked. "Let's go!" He jumped into the lake with a great splash.

Gohan jumped in and splashed water on his little brother. Gohan looked up at Videl and asked, "Wanna join us! The water's great!"

Videl shook her head as she got out her pole. "No thanks. I'll just fish this way."

"Your loss." Trey said as he walked into the water.

Videl watched stunned as the three dove underwater. She did want to swim, but swimming with two teenage boys and a little kid, all of them with the muscle to destroy mountains was too weird.

Videl sighed as she took out her pole and walked a good distance away and cast her line.

*****

Chi Chi and Goldheart walked side-by-side. The woman sighed as she glanced down at her dog. "This is the first time anyone was willing to come with me." Chi Chi confessed as she sat down next to the grave and rest. It was there as usual, with fresh flowers and gifts from Goku's friends who still remembered him. Goldheart laid his head on Chi Chi's lap as usual. She stroked his head. "I used to take long walks like this with Goku, he's my late husband. I was young back then and happy to be Goku's wife. Way before I found out he was an alien or any of the crazy stuff that just haunts me now." Chi Chi whispered as she wiped her eyes.

Goldheart whined as he stared up.

"I love Goku. I always will and I'm so proud to have such strong but pure-hearted children. But I guess it's hard for me today. My son will go off again to fight the Angel of Death. The Angel of Death! Why can't my sons grow up without fearing for their lives?" Chi Chi whispered.

Goldheart looked up and licked her hand.

"I guess you don't know either. I wish I had Bardock's ability to see the future, so I could have a good idea on whether or not Gohan and Goten will grow up happy." Chi Chi said as she stroked Goldheart again.

Goldheart sat up and barked once.

"I know... you have faith that Goten and Gohan will grow up happy right?" Chi Chi blinked as she stared at the dog. "Why am I talking to you like this? How can you understand?"

The dog moaned as he laid his head on Chi Chi's lap again.

Chi Chi smiled and said, "Or maybe I just need someone to talk to. Goldheart... that name fits you more and more every day. I know this sounds crazy, but maybe you can understand how I feel... that's why you followed me despite my orders not to. You care for me and my family. Maybe you were meant to come to me. Silly isn't it?"

Goldheart whined as he nuzzled up closer to Chi Chi. Chi Chi stroked Goldheart's fur again.

"Why don't I tell you about Goku? Today is the day he died. He gave his life for this planet..." She looked up and closed her eyes. "You and him would get along great. You two are so forgiving... and loving... but he always leave me... and you just stick by my side."

Goldheart closed his eyes as he remained silent.

"But he loves me... even if he doesn't show it like you do." Chi Chi smiled as she ran her hand through Goldheart's fur. "Maybe you can give him lessons if he ever decides to come back from the dead."

Goldheart barked as he wagged his tail.

"Yes. Goku... we have been through so much..."

*****

Videl watched in astonishment as Gohan held up a huge fish that was over ten feet long. "I got one!" Gohan announced as he flew out and laid it on the ground. "A few more like these and we can have a cookout."

"Look at mine!" Goten exclaimed as he held up his own fish. It was twelve feet long and flapping around. He tossed the fish and it landed next to Gohan's.

"How're you doing, Trey?" Gohan asked as Trey's came out of the water.

"Not too good..." Trey coughed as he rubbed his three eyes. "I don't usually fish with my bare hands."

"Okay, how do you fish?" Videl asked as she looked at her pole.

Trey sneezed and transformed into Trigun. "Like this!" Trigun said as he got out a gun from his black pair of briefs and shot into the water.

Gohan gulped as he stepped back nervously. While he was getting over his fear of guns, the sight of one still makes him want to run.

A huge fish came up and floated on the surface of the water. "That's how I do it." Trigun smirked as he grabbed the fish and dragged it to the edge.

"You three..." Videl shook her head. "You three are odd."

"Why don't you catch one without a pole? Use the gauntlet." Trigun suggested as he smirked.

"I... can't. I can't use one of the most powerful weapons on Earth for... fishing!" Videl exclaimed as she held up her bracelet. "It's not right."

"Think of it as training." Gohan suggested, "I mean... we used our powers to fish. Try to catch a fish with that."

"Bet you can't get a bigger fish than Gohan." Trigun said as he gestured at the gigantic fish.

Videl scowled as she powered up. Her bracelet morphed into a fingerless gauntlet and she formed a huge blue bubble around her body. "We'll see." She said as she floated into the water in her bubble. A few minutes passed and Videl came out with a fourteen-foot fish in a separate bubble. She tossed the fish onto the ground. "There."

"Nice fish." Gohan admired as he looked at his fish. "Now, we can clean them and eat!"

The group quickly cleaned their fish, then gathered up bits of wood and started to cook their fish.

"This... I cheated." Videl muttered as she held her gauntlet as it reverted to a bracelet again.

"You didn't cheat. You were just using what you have to fish." Gohan said as he took his fish. "You gotta have fun with what you have once in a while..." He sighed as he stared out over the lake. "Or you wouldn't want to have your powers."

"Yeah..." Trigun said as he lay back. "Having the power to summon guns at pure will is okay as a power, but if you don't have fun with it, it gets dull. All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy."

"I suppose... it is kinda fun having the power to create whatever I want." Videl said as she held her bracelet. "Is that how you feel about your powers?"

"Yeah." Gohan sighed as he stared up into the sky. "My dad and I would fly through the sky every day just for fun. We would fly among the dinosaurs and race them... Dad said that we need to enjoy life so we can save life the best. He really loved to live."

"Sounds like your father was a good man." Videl said as she lay next to him and stared up into the sky.

"He was the best. He could be all happy and cheerful most of the time, but when things get hard and the world is in danger, Dad would get this look in his eye and get very serious. He wouldn't quit until the danger was over. Then he would get all happy again. I don't know how he does it; I wish I could do that."

"You seem to be able to do that yourself." Trigun observed. "You can live too."

"I guess." Gohan grinned.

"You love to play!" Goten gushed as he poked at the fish. "Is it done yet?"

Gohan looked at the fish and said, "Almost..."

"Great..." Goten looked up at the sky. "Look at the pretty clouds. Do you think that Daddy is watching us from the Next Dimension?"

"Of course." Gohan said as he put his hands behind his head, "I bet he's watching us right now from wherever he is. Why do you ask?"

Goten shrugged and said, "I don't know. I just felt that Daddy is watching us somehow... do you think that he would like me? If we ever meet?"

Gohan grinned as he rubbed Goten's head vigorously. "Of course! You two would get along great! You're very strong, you take good care of Goldheart, and you have a good heart. Dad would love you."

"Do you think Goku forgave me for nearly killing him?" Trigun wondered as he sat against a tree staring at the lake. While he didn't have a problem with injuring bad guys, he nearly killed an innocent man with a rifle after Goku told him or his alter ego that he would work to get his father back.

"Of course! He forgave Vegita and Piccolo for nearly killing him. Besides, you were only four." Gohan said as he sighed, "Although sometimes I wonder if my dad forgave me for what I did with Cell."

"Of course he would. If he can forgive Vegita, Piccolo, and me, he can certainly forgive his own son!" Trigun remarked. "Gohan, you're an okay guy but sometimes you are too hard on yourself! Just relax and go on a date with Videl. You can't die a virgin."

"Huh?!" Gohan and Videl exclaimed as they sat up and stared at the gun totter.

"We are only so young." Trigun sighed, "Look, you two have the hots for each other. Go on a date. Have fun..." He grinned evilly, "And go to a hotel room."

"We're only seventeen!" Videl and Gohan screamed at once. "Besides, I'm not interested in going on a date with him/her!" The two stared at each other and asked, "How did you do that? Stop doing that!"

"See?" Trigun asked, "You two are weird. Most teenagers would be thinking of ways to get into bed with each other. You are different."

"What is he talking about?" Goten asked confused.

"Nothing!" Gohan said as he glared at Trigun. "Look, can you please lay off the gutter talk? Goten would get the wrong idea."

"Okay... okay... it's just that in a few weeks, we'll be fighting the Angel of Death herself and we gotta be ready in case..." Trigun trailed off as he took a deep breath. "You know."

"Yeah." Videl looked down. "I wish I had the same relationship with my father as you guys. Your fathers were at least honest with you. Mine... lied to me and kept me away from my mother."

"It will change." Gohan said as he put an arm around Videl's shoulders. "I mean Trey and Trigun forgave Tien. You can forgive Hercule."

Videl snarled as she glared at him. "He lied to me about how the world worked! He made me bully Trey for years! He made me believe that he's the most powerful warrior in the world!" Tears came down her face. "I don't know what to do."

"You can go to your Mom." Goten suggested, "You can fly now. It should be easy for you!"

"Yeah!" Gohan agreed, "You can go and see your Mom! It's not that far away. And you can talk to her about what you found out."

"I don't know. It's been over three years since I even talked to her." Videl confessed as she crossed her arms. "She sends me care boxes every month and presents every birthday and Christmas but that was it. It would be uncomfortable."

"No time like the present." Trigun said as he got up. "Take it from me, it's worth it. I love my Moms, no matter how crazy they are."

"Do you think I can really go there?" Videl wondered as she looked down.

"We can come with you." Gohan said, "At least to let your Mom know that what your Dad says is false."

"Will you?" Videl gazed up into Gohan's dark eyes.

"Yeah. I'll go with you." Gohan said as he smiled at her.

"Can I come too?" Goten asked.

"Sure! We need to keep an eye on you anyway!" Gohan said and then looked at Trigun. "Wanna come too?"

"A winter wonderland... okay. Let me change first." Trigun said as he got out a box of pepper and inhaled it.

In a sneeze and a poof of smoke, Trey appeared. "I'm ready."

"We better get into some warm clothes. It's cold where my mom lives." Videl said as she got out a capsule.

*****

Today was a hard day for Piccolo. He hated this day since Goku, a man he could call his 'friend', died and Gohan didn't get the credit for killing Cell. True, he didn't want the attention, but it was just the basic thought that some idiot would say that he destroyed Cell and get away with it. **Most Humans are idiots.** Piccolo thought as he went through the forest and finally went up to Goku's gravesite.

Sitting next to the grave was Chi Chi with Goldheart resting his head on Chi Chi's lap. The woman looked so content somehow as she stroked Goldheart's head. Piccolo almost smiled at the sight. Goku is back as Goldheart and comforting his wife. Then he saw the haunted look in Goku's bright green eyes. His heart tugged as he thought about the Saiyan turned dog not being able to do half the things he couldn't do before. He couldn't even talk or let his family know who he was. The poor guy probably didn't have much say in what he could eat. Piccolo watched the two from his hiding spot and decided to get out and see how he can help.

Chi Chi looked up as Piccolo came out of the woods. "Hello, Piccolo."

"Chi Chi." Piccolo nodded and then looked at the dog. "Goldheart."

Goldheart rose his head, barked once and then lay his head back onto Chi Chi's lap.

"Are you checking to see how I am, as usual?" Chi Chi asked as she kept on stroking Goldheart's fur. She wasn't surprised at Piccolo's visit. Every year, Piccolo would come to check to see that she was all right. He wouldn't say anything only one question.

"Yes, are you okay?" Piccolo asked as he looked at the two.

"I'm fine." Chi Chi whispered.

Goldheart let out a moan as he gazed up at Piccolo with sad eyes.

"I see." Piccolo went up and pet Goldheart on the head. "Look, if you wanna talk, just say so."

"I'm fine." Chi Chi said as she smiled at him.

Goldheart got up, licked Chi Chi's cheek, and walked into the woods.

"Goldheart!" Chi Chi exclaimed as she got up. "What got into him?"

"I think... he needs to use the little doggie room." Piccolo said as he smirked. **This will be easier than I thought.** "I'll go and follow him... make sure he's okay."

"Okay..." Chi Chi reached into her bag and got out a small plastic bag. "Here... just in case he... well... you get it."

Piccolo paled slightly as he accepted the bag. "Okay."

The Namekian walked into the woods and followed Goku's Ki. "Goldheart!" Piccolo boomed as he looked around. "Where are you, boy?" He blinked and thought, **I can't believe I'm starting to talk to Goku like he's a real dog.** He shook his head and decided to try to avoid treating Goku like a dog while they are alone. He owes the former Saiyan that much dignity.

Goku came up and barked. He tilted his head toward the woods.

"Okay, let's go." Piccolo followed the dog. They walked for several yards and Piccolo carefully reached with his Ki and his hearing to hear no one. "Goku, it's safe."

Goku stopped and gazed up at him wagging his tail.

Piccolo knelt down and said, "You do know that I came to see you right?"

Goku barked as he nodded. Then, he looked down and whimpered. He knew that Piccolo can't read his mind or understand a word he's saying. The best he could do was bark and gesture and it was hard to gesture with no arms.

"Yeah, I guess that we can't talk like this. That's why I borrowed something from Bulma." Piccolo reached into his cape and got out a collar with a metallic box on it. "Here, let me put this on you." Goku remained still as Piccolo buckled the collar on him. His tail wagged wildly though in hope that he can finally say what was on his mind.

"There. That should do it." Piccolo said as he pushed a button and stepped back. "Try to say something."

Goku looked around and said, "Can you understand me?" He blinked and grinned. "I can talk!" He exclaimed in joy as he ran around in a circle testing out his new 'voice'. It was so hard for him to believe that someone would understand him verbally.

"Animal translator. Bulma invented it." Piccolo explained as he smiled slightly at the look of joy on Goku's face.

"Wow... Bulma's a genius." Goku commented as he wagged his tail. "Thanks! I'd lick you right now... if it weren't for the fact you don't want it."

Piccolo patted Goku on the head and then saw his hand on his head. He withdrew it immediately and said, "Sorry."

"That's cool... I kinda like it." Goku sat down next to a tree and said, "So... what do you want to talk about?"

"Just... want to know how you feel." Piccolo said as he crossed his legs and sat down. "How do you feel about being a pet for your own family?"

Goku sighed as he looked down and his tail stopped wagging. "I don't know... I love playing with Goten and it was great to be with my family again... but I miss being me. I can't fly or talk without this... I can't even open doors with knobs. And every time Gohan or Chi Chi or anyone else would say how much they miss me, I just want to yell that I'm here. I can't, all I can do is put my head on their knees and comfort them." Goku looked down as he lay down on his paws. Then, he looked back up and added, "That and Chi Chi won't let me eat normal food... dog food is okay but I'd rather have steak or fish... hmmm... fish..."

Piccolo blinked and chuckled at the talk. "Goku... you will never change, will you?"

"I think I changed a little... I mean I am a dog after all." Goku observed.

"True... look, I don't know when I can use this translator again so... anything that's on your mind, tell me now." Piccolo said as he crossed his arms.

"Okay..." Goku nodded as he looked up. "I'm not worried about Gohan and the others. I've met Kyuushi while I was dead. She was the one who helped turned me into a dog. She was very professional and has an ego that rival's Vegita's, but, she's not evil. She's loyal to Kaioshin and I don't think she would do anything without his say so."

"I see... that makes sense... do you have any idea on why she would attack Satan City with her supervillainesses?"

"No... not really. It's a test... that much I'm certain. From what I can understand and heard from the others... Kyuushi is training Gohan, Videl, and Trey for something by making the training sessions look like battles." Goku figured as he got up and paced back and forth.

"Makes sense... Gohan, Trey, and especially Videl have grown much stronger as a result of those battles with the supervillainesses. But why would an Angel of Death train three mortals?"

"I'm afraid that she needs help with a greater force." Goku said as he looked up at Piccolo. "It could have something to do with the missing Saiyans. I don't know why she is focusing on Gohan, Videl, and Trey but she must have a good reason."

"Do you know how the Saiyans got abducted?"

"No... I didn't even know the Saiyans were taken until I overheard. I feel guilty for not being there for them. I know the Saiyans are mostly evil but... I'm still... or was... a Saiyan. Bardock... Dad... really took the information hard and I know that if the Humans vanish on me... I'd react the same way. I hope he can find them." Goku said as he looked down. "I'm not worried about Gohan's battle with Kyuushi, I'm worried about the next battle... I wish I could be there for him. I mean as Goku the warrior not Goldheart the pet."

Piccolo nodded as he put his hand on Goku's head. "Hey... the others know that you still care for them... and as Goldheart, you make people happy... especially Chi Chi... she really likes you as Goldheart."

"I just wish I can tell her that I love her." Goku whispered as he scratched himself. "I don't tell her I love her enough times before I died." He said as he lay down. "I can't even hug her now or let her know how much I do think about her."

"You can tell her now. You can talk thanks to Bulma's invention." Piccolo said as he tapped on Goku's collar.

"I know... but Kaioshin forbid me to let anyone else know that I'm me." Goku sighed, "I can't disobey the God of the Universe and his Angel of Death. Besides, there's a special spell on me that prevents people from linking Goldheart with Goku. I think you're immune since you were once Kami and Demon King Piccolo."

"True... you'll think of something. You're not as dumb as anyone else thinks." Piccolo complimented.

"I know... I've been trying to think of a way to give her a sign that I still love her. And I got it. But, I need your help." Goku said seriously.

"Okay, what do you need?"

*****

"Brrr! It's cold up here!" Goten shivered as he rubbed his body and flew behind the other warriors. Videl was dressed in winter clothes that she had in storage. Trey, Gohan, and Goten normally don't wear heavy coats and hats and so they had to summon their own clothes.

"So, Videl, where are we going?" Gohan finally asked as he flew next to Videl.

"It's called Jingle Town." Videl said as she strained her eyes. "It's a small village in the North. Most people have a hard time going there and back. So they survive on their own."

The group flew on and finally arrived a small cluster of buildings. "Is that it?" Gohan asked as they landed onto the snow.

"Yeah." Videl said as she held herself for warmth. Snow flew around them as they walked toward the village. "I'm nervous. I mean... this is... the first time in... I don't know what to say to her for so long."

They walked down the street and saw a cozy looking house surrounded by snowmen. "Just say what's in your heart." Gohan suggested as Videl went up to the door. "At least say 'hi'."

"Okay, but can you at least come with me. I need some support." Videl asked as she stared at the door.

"We're behind you all the way." Gohan said as he patted Videl's shoulder.

"All of us." Trey said as he stood beside Videl.

"Can we go in? It's cold out here." Goten said as he tugged on Videl's coat.

"Okay." Videl knocked on the door. The four waited as the door opened.

"Who's there?" A woman said as she opened the door. She was as tall as Videl with bright red hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a white sweater and blue jeans. "Videl?" She whispered.

"Hi... Mom." Videl whispered as she smiled weakly.

Suno sighed in relief as she came up and hugged her. "I was so worried about you." She confessed as she released her. "You've grown."

"I know." Videl smiled hesitantly.

"Come in." Suno said as she opened the door. "And bring your friends in. It must be freezing outside."

"Yeah." Videl's heart pounded in her chest as she and her friends went inside. **Calm down. You faced supervillainesses that can fly and you had tea with god himself. How can you be so nervous about seeing your own mother?**

Suno looked up at Gohan and gasped. She recognized Goku's bright brown eyes and cheerful smile. "Goku?! Is that you?"

Gohan looked around and grinned. "No..." He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm Gohan, Goku's my dad. The little guy down there is my younger bro, Goten."

"Hi!" Goten waved.

"Ah... you two look just like him." Suno observed, "Here, let me take your coats." She looked over at Trey. "And who is he?"

"I'm Trey Troi... one of Videl's classmates." Trey introduced himself as he bowed.

"Well... why don't we sit down and have some hot chocolate? You must be freezing." Suno said as she put her hand on Videl's cheek.

"I'm fine." Videl insisted as she took off her coat and hat.

"Hello? Suno, who was that?" A huge man asked as he came into the living room. He was huge with a square shaped head and a scar on his forehead. He had a pair of bolts at the side of his neck and he was wearing a pink apron over his brown suit. What stood out most about him was the fact that he wasn't generating any Ki. He blinked and looked at Gohan and Goten. "You... are you two related to Goku?"

"He's my dad." Gohan said as he stared at the man. He couldn't sense anything from the man. It was as if he wasn't there. "I know this will sound rude, but are you an android?"

"Yes." The man nodded, "I am Android Eight, but everyone calls me 'Eighter'."

"Uncle Eighter!" Videl exclaimed as she came up and hugged him.

"Videl?" Eighter whispered as he hugged back. "Little Videl! You've grown up so much!" The huge man wiped away a tear and said, "I was worried that something bad happened to you!"

"No... that's just a rumor my father started when I ran off to train on my own." Videl explained as she took off her coat. "Can we sit down? This will take a while."

"Of course." Suno nodded, "Eighter, can you get some hot chocolate for us? And I think I have some cookies in the oven."

"Okay, Suno." Eighter said as he looked at the group. He smiled at Gohan and Goten. "I would like to know you two better. Your father saved my life."

He lumbered into the kitchen and Gohan and the others looked at Videl. "'Uncle Eighter'?" Gohan said as he smirked. "I didn't know you have an android for a uncle."

"I knew him all my life." Videl explained as she blushed. "I knew he was an android but that didn't matter to me that much. He helped raised me and I call him Uncle Eighter."

"You are not so different from us." Trey commented as he patted her on the shoulder.

"Excuse me?" Goten asked Suno as he took off his hat and coat. "How did you know my daddy?"

"He saved the village from the Red Ribbon Army." Suno answered confused, "Didn't he tell you?"

Goten shook his head. "No, he died before I got born."

"What?!" Suno exclaimed. A crash came from the kitchen and Eighter came out.

"What did he say? Goku's dead?!" Eighter said, stunned as he shook.

"Yes, he died seven years ago." Gohan explained as he bowed his head. "In the Cell Games. He sacrificed his life to save the world."

"I'm so sorry." Suno whispered, "Let's sit down and you can tell us what happened and we can tell you how Goku saved us."

"That would be good." Gohan nodded as he fought the urge to cry.

The group sat down around the table and Eighter poured hot chocolate into the mugs. The android sat down and held his own hot chocolate.

"So... Videl, what happened to you? Why did you ran away?" Suno asked as she sipped her hot chocolate.

Videl sighed as she looked down. "I... all my life, I thought that Dad was the strongest, most powerful man in the world. I was so proud of him when he won the World's Tournament..." Tears came to her eyes. "And I was so proud of him when he 'defeated' Cell... I was one of the happiest girls in the world... but then I found out he lied. He didn't save the world. He barely saved himself. His father," Videl pointed to Gohan, "died to save the world... and MY FATHER TOOK ALL THE DAMN CREDIT! No one even knew Goku died to save the world. It was as if no one cared about the truth!" Videl shook all over as she banged the table. The mugs tilted over and Trey lifted the mugs up telekinetically.

"Videl, you didn't know." Gohan comforted, "I mean... I didn't want the credit anyway."

"But he _lied_ to me! He lied to his own daughter about how the world was saved!" Videl screamed as her bracelet glowed brightly. "He lied to me about how flying and blasting were tricks and that anyone who uses them aren't real fighters. He lied to me about how strong he was. He lied to me about HOW THE WORLD WORKS!" Tears stream down her face as she put her head onto the table. "And... now he lied about how I was captured and brainwashed so I will be forced back to him."

"Let it out..." Suno said as she gently rubbed Videl's back. "Just let it out."

"I won't go back. I'll never go back!" Videl vowed as she sniffed.

"You gotta talk to him. He's your dad." Gohan urged, "I mean... I know you have every reason to hate him but you can't just shut him out of your life. If I had a chance to talk to my dad again, I'd take it. Your dad's still alive. Mine's... not."

Videl stared at him. Gohan was right. Hercule was still her father and she still love him. And she may not get a chance to tell him how she felt after the Kyuushi battle. "I don't know. I just need to think."

"Mrs. Satan, how did Daddy save your village?" Goten piped up.

"Actually, I changed my last name back to my maiden name. My name is Suno White." Suno explained, "But, you can call me 'Suno'." She sipped her hot chocolate, "Videl, may I tell your friends?"

Videl nodded silently. She didn't want to think any more about how her father was a fake. This day was painful enough as it is.

"Okay." Suno got up and picked up a framed picture. "It all started one day when I was doing some exploring when I found a little boy frozen stiff wearing nothing but a vest and a pair of pants. He was still alive but I had to drag him back home and defrost him. The poor boy had never seen snow before." She held up the picture to show a little boy who was a mirror image of Goten.

"Whoa... he looks just like me!" Goten exclaimed as he held the picture.

Suno and Eighter smiled at the boy. "You two could've passed yourself off as twins." Suno said as Goten gave her back the picture. "Yes... anyway, the Village Mayor was captured and held by the Red Ribbon Army. Goku, grateful for the help, offered to get him back. He ventured alone to Muscle Tower and fought off the entire Red Ribbon Army."

"That is where he met me." Eighter offered as he came up. "You see... I was created by the Red Ribbon Army to be a monstrous killer, but I hated violence. In fact, I couldn't hurt a fly, let alone kill a boy. Goku rescued me and gave me the courage I needed to stand up for myself against my creator. Goku and I saved the mayor and came back here. The villagers gave me a home and I have stayed here ever since. I owe Goku my life. I only wish he was here so I can thank him personally."

Goten, Gohan, and Trey looked at the android in wonder. They had heard of many stories about how Goku saved the world but none of them had heard of Jingle Town and Muscle Tower. "Whoa cool..." Gohan muttered, "Do you by any chance know an Android Eighteen and Seventeen?"

Eighter pondered and nodded slightly. "I think so... I heard of a project that turns normal humans into super-powerful cyborgs. But I thought it was just a rumor."

"No... they are real. I know Eighteen and Seventeen personally." Gohan said as he grinned, "You should meet them! Especially, Eighteen, she has a daughter."

"Hey! That means that Eighteen and Seventeen are your little brother and sister!" Goten figured out. "You gotta meet them."

"Maybe I will." Eighter blushed at the thought of having a little brother and sister to call his family. "Thanks."

"No problem. It's kinda cool to meet someone new who knows my dad and is aware of how much good he did." Gohan said as he frowned slightly. "Sorry you can't meet Dad again. He grew up so much from a kid."

"Gohan, I know this will sound difficult but how did your father die in the Cell Games? And where was he? I didn't see him on the television." Suno asked as she grabbed Gohan's hand.

Gohan stood up and wondered how much should he tell. He didn't want to reveal his secrets to the world but this was Videl's mother and 'uncle'. They both knew about his father and how strong he was. "Well... okay. But this has to be kept a secret." Gohan said as he looked around.

"Your secret is safe with us." Suno whispered, "Tell us."

"Please." Eighter asked.

"Okay... first of all... Dad isn't... Human." Gohan said hesitantly trying to think of the right words. "He was an alien from outer space from a far away planet called 'Vegita'. He was sent as a baby, so he didn't know his alien origins until he was much older. The Saiyans, that's the name of his species, were powerful warriors until they were wiped out by a evil super-powerful alien." He took a deep breath and observed Suno and Eighter. They were both interested and yet not surprised.

"I knew Goku was more than Human." Suno confessed as she smiled. "After all... normal Humans don't have monkey tails."

"Goku is still Human to me... after all... he didn't mind the fact I was an android." Eighter reminisced.

"Yeah..." Gohan unwrapped his tail and rewrapped it. "Anyway... so there were only a handful of Saiyans left. I am half Saiyan and half Human, like Goten."

"Okay." Suno said as she absorbed the information.

"Anyway... Saiyans have this... transformation. It makes them very strong and it changes their appearance. We call it the 'Super Saiyan' transformation." Gohan stepped into the middle of the room and powered up. His eyes turned emerald green and his hair became golden.

"The Golden Warriors." Suno realized, "GOKU WAS A GOLDEN WARRIOR!"

"Yeah." Gohan relaxed and reverted to normal, "Dad and I fought in the Cell Games as the Golden Warriors." He sat down and continued. "I was only eleven at the time and it was hard... Cell put up a great fight and we were hurt. Cell threatened to destroy the planet by self-destructing. Dad had the ability to teleport and..." Gohan stopped as tears started to trickle down his face. "he grabbed Cell and... vanished."

"Gohan... I'm sorry." Eighter said as he wept. "It must have been hard for you as a little boy to see your father go like that."

"It was." Gohan straightened himself up.

"And is that how Cell was defeated?" Suno asked as she watched Videl and Gohan start to break down.

"I wish." Gohan said as he shook. "He came back. He could self-regenerate from a single cell. It was up to me to save the world. My arm was broken and I was tired, but I fought on... and my father's spirit helped me... and we defeated Cell in a single blast." Gohan collapsed onto the table and wept.

Videl rose her head and gently massaged Gohan's shoulders. "I'm sorry."

"I'm okay." Gohan sat back up and wiped his eyes.

Trey and Goten were silent as they bowed their heads. "Your father was a brave man." Trey confessed.

"I wish I could see my Daddy!" Goten wailed as Gohan held him.

"You should be proud." Eighter said as he smiled slightly. "We heard there was a superhero by the name of 'Saiyanman', is that you?"

"Yeah... I'm Saiyanman." Gohan smiled, "And Trey's Trigun."

"Yup." Trey nodded.

"Videl helped out a lot in Satan City." Gohan said as he gestured at Videl, "She even helped stop the recent supervillainess attacks."

"I only wanted to make up for what my father did." Videl muttered.

"Why don't you tell me what happened to you? I need to know." Suno said as Eighter got up and brought back a tray of cookies.

"Okay." Videl took a cookie and started, "It all began when Gohan first came to school... I thought he was a nerd, I was wrong..."

*****

Piccolo sighed as he stared at a sleeping Chi Chi. It was a simple telepathic trick to induce people into a deep sleep. "Okay, it's done." Piccolo said as he looked at Goku. "I will link your mind with Chi Chi's, it will work while you two are asleep but when either one wakes up..."

"I understand. Thank you." Goku said as he stared at his wife. "Piccolo, I need you to do something for me... this will sound crazy but I don't want you to use the translator on me ever again."

"Huh?" Piccolo said stunned as he nearly fell over. "But, without the translator, you can't talk. How can you communicate without it?"

"I don't know... but I just can't use it again." Goku explained, "Kyuushi and Kaioshin went through a lot to keep my transformation a secret. They must have a good reason and this translator might ruin things for them. Besides, it's too tempting. This is my punishment and the translator is a means for escape. I can't take it. I'm only using it once for Chi Chi's sake." Goku stared up at Piccolo. "Please, just understand, take off the collar and don't use it on me again."

Piccolo sighed as he knelt down. "Okay... I won't use the translator again. But if you do want it, let me know."

"I won't but thanks." Goku vowed, "You're... you were like a brother to me. Thank you for letting me talk for one time."

"Heh... yeah... well... you're a good friend. Sorry about nearly killing you back there at the Tournament."

"That's okay. You were only five. You had no idea what you were doing." Goku rose his paw. "Shake?"

Piccolo sighed as he accepted the paw. **I can't believe I'm doing this.** "Shake." He released the paw and gently removed the collar. He put it back into his cape and said, "I'll keep it around just in case you need it."

Goku nodded and then gazed at Chi Chi. He lay down next to his wife and closed his eyes.

"Sweet dreams, Goku." Piccolo said softly as he gently stroked Goku's head. He let himself smile and flew up and away.

*****

Chi Chi slowly opened her eyes to see she was back home in her futon. "How did I get here?" She wondered as she stood up.

"Hello, Chi Chi." Goku said as he came into the room and gazed warmly at her. He was dressed in his orange gi with the blue shirt. There was no halo over his head for some strange reason, but she didn't care.

Chi Chi nearly lost her breath as she looked up into Goku's warm brown eyes. "Goku?" She whispered as she ran up and hugged him. "Oh Goku... you finally came."

Goku smiled as he wrapped his arms around her after what felt like an eternity. "I'm sorry it took me so long to see you... I really am."

Tears came down Chi Chi's cheeks as she held on. "No... don't be... I was so worried about you. I heard about the Saiyans being abducted and then Kyuushi, that Angel of Death, challenging Gohan and the others..."

Goku released her and gently wiped her tears with his fingers. "It's okay... I'm fine. I just can't see you or contact you for a while after this."

"Why?" Chi Chi asked as she glared at Goku. "Why can't you talk to me after this dream?"

Goku looked away with pain in his eyes. "I wish I could tell you, but I can't. I really... really... can't." Goku sat down and held his head.

Chi Chi's heart nearly broke as she came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. "I understand." She said as she wept. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. You have to have a good reason for this."

"I do." Goku said as he stood up and held her. "I do have a reason for coming back in this dream. I love you. I always will. Every day I think about you and wish I had come back. I am very proud of you for holding up for Gohan and Goten. It takes a lot of courage and strength to raise two boys on your own. I just wish I had raised them with you. Gohan and Goten are growing up great."

Chi Chi's jaw dropped. "You... you know about Goten?"

"I ah... found out recently from King Kai." Goku grinned. "Goten's a great boy... he's strong..." He grimaced slightly as he rubbed his neck, "very strong, has a good heart... and treats his dog great!" He noticed Chi Chi's confused look. "I've been keeping an eye out on you guys lately."

"Oh..." Chi Chi blinked as she smiled. "Then, you know about Kyuushi and the supervillainesses?"

"Yes... and I know that Gohan and his friends can handle them. Gohan's a strong man now and he's not alone. He'll be fine, even without me." Goku said as he gently caressed Chi Chi's back.

"I know... I just wish you were with him. Gohan's only seventeen... he and Videl haven't even had a chance to get married yet! I don't want to lose him." Chi Chi whispered.

"You won't. Gohan's a strong man... both in body and spirit, he will survive." Goku explained as he smiled sadly.

"I want him to live, not just survive." Chi Chi said, "Gohan has been beating himself over the head for what he did. I forgave him, but he can't forgive himself."

"He will... I'll make sure of that." Goku gasped as start to feel the tugs of reality coming to him. His time was growing short. "Chi Chi, I'm running out of time. I need you to know that I love you and that even if you don't see me or hear me... I'll still be there for you. Remember, anything is possible." Goku wrapped his arms around her as tears ran down his face. "I love you." He picked her up and kissed her.

Chi Chi started to feel her body waking up as Goku's lips pressed against hers. She didn't want it to stop. Goku was kissing her like it was his last.

*****

Chi Chi sat up and looked down to see Goldheart staring at her with his head on her stomach. "Hello, Goldheart." She said as she pet the dog. "Have you been keeping an eye on me while I took my nap?"

Goldheart barked as he wagged his tail.

"Good..." She smiled as she stared over the sky. "I had a wonderful dream. Goku was in it... and he loves me. He's watching us right now and he knows about Goten." She beamed down at Goldheart and he stared back. "He loves me. He still does and I love him." She stood up and said, "I know you can hear me, Goku. I love you too." She looked down at Goldheart, who looked very happy. "Good to see you're happy too, Goldheart. Let's go home. Gohan and the others will be worried about us."

*****

Suno and Eighter stared at Videl as she finished her story. "And so, it turned out that the Angel of Death, Kyuushi, is responsible for the supervillainess attacks and now we are training to fight her in one month." Videl finished.

"Oh my god." Suno whispered, "You have been through so much in the past month! How do you feel?"

"Confused. Betrayed. Yet, strange... kinda warm." Videl replied as she sipped her hot chocolate. "And nervous."

"You get used to it." Gohan said as he looked down. "We have to train to defeat the Angel of Death in battle."

"You can do it." Eighter said optimistically, "All of you are very strong and have good hearts."

"Thanks." Trey said as he nodded. "Gohan, Videl, Goten, we must get going... we have to get back before Chi Chi returns."

"Right." Gohan got up and bowed. "We have to get going. Sorry."

"That's okay... it must be a long trip back to your house." Suno said as she gathered the coats. "Will you at least call us once in a while? I missed you."

"Sure..." Videl wrote on a piece of paper and handed it to Suno. "Here's my new number. You can feel free to call any time."

"Thanks." Suno came up and hugged her. "Be careful fighting that Angel of Death."

"I will." Videl promised.

"And see your father before you go and fight for the world." Suno said, "You have every right to hate him but he's still your father."

"I don't know if I can. I'll try." Videl said as she put on her coat. "Bye, Mom, Uncle Eighter."

"Bye, guys." Gohan said as he shook Eighter's hand. "It's great meeting you! Maybe you can come and visit us some time."

"Maybe." Eighter grinned, "I would like to meet this Android Eighteen and her daughter."

"Bye, Eighter, Ms. Suno!" Goten said as he waved and grinned.

"Goodbye." Trey said as he bowed. The group walked out of the door and flew out into the sky.

Suno and Eighter watched from the ground. Suno sighed as she smiled, "I'm glad Videl is fine. And she has a new boyfriend to boot."

"Which one? Gohan or Trey?" Eighter asked curiously.

"Why Gohan of course! He will make a fine son-in-law. He is so much like his father." Suno blushed as they went inside.

*****

The trip back was much faster than before. Along the way, Gohan and the others took off the bulky clothes and kept them in capsules.

"That was fun!" Goten said as he put away his hat. "I can't wait to tell Goldheart about what happened today!"

"I can't believe that you have an android for an uncle." Gohan said as he flew next to Videl.

"I wasn't fully aware of that!" Videl snapped. "Oh well..." The landed at the house where the thick scent of freshly cooked foods can be smelled from high into the air.

"Cool! Mom's back and she got dinner!" Goten exclaimed when he saw Goldheart sitting at the front door. "Hiya, boy! You won't believe what happened today!" Goten came up and started telling the dog what he did as Gohan, Videl, and Trey went inside chuckling at the sight.

"Mom! We're home!" Gohan proclaimed as he went into the kitchen to see Chi Chi humming happily as she placed the dishes on the table.

Chi Chi looked up to see Gohan, Trey, and Videl standing there. "Gohan! Trey! Videl! You're back just in time for dinner! Where's Goten?"

"He's outside with Goldheart, telling him what he did today." Gohan replied as he gestured toward the outside. "It's so cute! We went through a lot today."

"So did I..." Chi Chi smiled, "I saw your father in a dream while I was taking a nap at his grave. He said that he loves me and our family and that he was watching us. I know that it sounds crazy and it could be just a dream, but it felt so real." Chi Chi beamed as she looked out of the window and into the setting sun. "Goku reached out to me."

"I knew he would." Gohan nodded, "Dad wouldn't let something like death stop him from doing what's right."

"I wonder why Goku communicated by a dream rather than King Kai." Trey wondered.

"I don't know." Gohan muttered, confused, "But, hey! Anything's possible!"

"I fully agree. Right now we are planning to figure out a way to defeat the Angel of Death. I think that if Trey can swap personalities with a sneeze, Gohan can transform into a giant ape, and that I can wield a super-powerful magical gauntlet... who's to say that we can't defeat the Angel of Death?" Videl rationalized as she played with her bracelet. **I can't believe I just said that."

The group blinked at her and Gohan said as he slapped Videl on the back, "Videl... I love your attitude! Yeah! We can do it!"

"Of course." Trey smiled as Videl blushed at Gohan's compliment.

The group gathered at the table and talked about their day. The dinner was brighter than the breakfast. The group talked about their experiences and what they learned. The former fog of sadness had lifted and was replaced by a feeling of hope and renewal. Seven years ago, tragedy fell across the world and a hero fell. Today a girl was reunited with her mother, a pair of sons had learned more about their father, and a woman and a man divided by destiny and a curse were united for a few precious minutes. Today was a good day after all.

To Be Continued...