Unexpected Fate

Family Night

Unexpected Fate

Chapter 22-Family Night

"Your wife wants me to come over?" Bardock questioned in confusion. It had been a week since the elder Saiya-jin regained his transformation.

"Yeah, Chi-chi wants to get to know you better," Goku replied. "She thinks that I might learn a thing or two about being a better father..."

"Kakarrot..." Bardock hissed. It's true he had accepted his youngest son as of late, but he knew that Saiya-jins and humans were two different species and her preferences of a 'father' may differ.

"Come on, she's offering to cook and let you stay the night," Goku smiled eagerly.

"Kakarrot, this doesn't sound like a good idea," Bardock explained; hesitation clearly showing on his face. "I was there for Radditz from time to time and until Namek; I didn't even acknowledge you in the slightest. I know I'm not the best father role model out there and your wife will be expecting better..."

"That's the reason you're coming over: to prove her that you aren't any better than I am," Goku grinned.

"Eh?" Bardock stared at his son queerly. "Why would you want to subject your mate to that?"

"Because she's expecting too much..." Goku stretched while looking to the darkening sky. The first hints of stars were starting to appear and the cursed warrior had no idea what thoughts were churning in his son's mind at the moment. "She expects me to get a boring and hard-working job in order to bring home money..."

"Money?" Bardock repeated the foreign word in confusion. "What is this 'money' your wife wishes for you to bring home?"

"It's something you earn through a job and end up using on boring things or food..." Goku answered before the chorus of rumbling, hunger-pained empty stomachs echoed between the two.

"You just had to bring up food didn't you?" Bardock rolled his eyes. "Fine, let's get this horrible charade your wife wants to see over with..."

"You won't regret this night dad." Goku eagerly flew off. Bardock followed with a rather uneasy look on his face.

"I think somehow I will regret going with this crazy idea of yours..." Bardock muttered under his breath; knowing he did not need foresight to know how this night was going to end.

________

Grayish smoke billowed out of the chimney when Goku and Bardock landed upon the grassy hill outside of the younger warrior's home. Gohan rushed out of the house and threw himself at his father; almost grateful for the Earth-raised Saiya-jin's return. The younger Saiya-jin gently hugged him while the two seemed to bond easier than Bardock did with his son.

"Gohan! Come back in here and get more of your homework done while we wait for..." Chi-chi yelled while coming out the door and seeing her husband and father-in-law standing there. "Oh, come on in!"

"W-wait!" Bardock felt his daughter-in-law's hands press into his back while he was shoved helplessly towards the door. A snort hiding the laughter marred his son's face and the cursed warrior wondered if his son had set up some sort of trap to ensnare him. If so, he was a fool to come to this house to deal with this without any idea of what to expect.

'Kakarrot, I swear to Infr if I live through this night, I am going to...' Bardock's threatening thoughts fell away when he saw all of the various foods laid out on the table. He felt his mouth beginning to water and moved away from Chi-chi's prodding hands towards the table; almost though he was in a trance. Before he could touch one piece of food and ruin the perfection that was lying before his eyes, a sharp sting was felt in his hand and he turned to see his glaring daughter-in-law interrupt what his stomach ached for.