Dragonball 1/2

Chapter 2: A Fateful Decision

Goku shoved the last morsel of food into his mouth, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. The kitchen buzzed with energy—his energy.

"Son Goku!" Chi-Chi's voice cut through his thoughts. She stood, hands on hips, brow furrowed. "Don't you dare forget about fixing that roof today."

Goku swallowed hard, forcing a grin. "Aw, come on Chi-Chi. I'll get to it later, promise!"

His wife's eyes narrowed. "Later never comes with you. What about Goten's homework? And the firewood needs chopping."

Goku nodded, but his mind raced elsewhere. Vegeta. The spar. His muscles twitched, eager for action.

Chi-Chi's words faded to a distant hum. Blood pounded in his ears. The pull of battle. The thrill of pushing limits.

"Are you even listening?" Chi-Chi's voice snapped him back.

"Yeah, yeah. Roof. Homework. Firewood." Goku's leg bounced restlessly. "I got it."

But he didn't have it. Not really. His Saiyan instincts screamed. Fight. Grow stronger. Protect.

Chi-Chi sighed, a mix of frustration and resignation. "Sometimes I wonder if you care about anything besides fighting."

The words stung. Goku's smile faltered. "That's not true, Chi-Chi. You know that."

He did care. Deeply. About his family, his friends, the Earth. But the call to battle—it consumed him.

Goku's fingers tapped against the table. Vegeta would be waiting. Ready to push him to new heights.

The conflict raged inside him. Stay. Go. Duty. Desire.

His body trembled with pent-up energy. He had to move. Had to fight.

"I'll be back soon," Goku said, already rising from his chair.

Chi-Chi's protests faded as his mind locked onto Vegeta's ki. The world blurred.

The battle awaited.

---

Goku's eyes lit up with earnest enthusiasm. "I promise I'll be back before you know it, Chi-Chi! Just a quick spar with Vegeta, then I'm all yours."

Chi-Chi crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. "That's what you always say, Goku. But 'quick' for you means hours, sometimes days!"

"Not this time," Goku insisted, his voice brimming with sincerity. "I'll be home for dinner, guaranteed!"

Chi-Chi's sigh was heavy with worry. "And what about Goten's science project? You promised to help him."

Goku's smile faltered for a moment. "I... I'll make it up to him. We'll work on it all day tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow," Chi-Chi muttered, shaking her head. "Always tomorrow with you."

Goku's fingers pressed against his forehead, focusing. Vegeta's energy pulsed, a beacon calling to him. The kitchen blurred, colors swirling into a dizzying vortex.

In an instant, rocky terrain materialized beneath his feet. Vegeta stood yards away, arms crossed, a familiar smirk playing on his lips.

"Kakarot," Vegeta acknowledged, his tone a mix of irritation and anticipation. "Took you long enough."

Goku grinned, excitement coursing through him. "Wouldn't miss it for the world, Vegeta."

Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them. Rivals. Allies. Each driving the other to new heights.

Vegeta's smirk widened. "Ready to eat dirt, clown?"

"Bring it on, Your Highness," Goku shot back, dropping into a fighting stance.