Priorities

Chapter 3: Let's Make Time

[Most italics = Master Roshi thoughts]

"Goku-sa, I'm sorry."

"What for?" The saiyan asked nonchalantly. It wasn't unusual for her to blatantly apologize. Most of the time it was for something trivial. Regardless of the topic, the alien hopped onto the kitchen counter and listened carefully.

"Because I only had time t'make ya this bowl of rice." Just as Goku suspected; trivial. Yet he found it sweet how easily she fussed over him.

"T-that's it?" The man surpressed his laughter at the insignificance.

"Yes. I wish I could've given you more since you just woke up and—"

"Ah, don'tcha worry about it, this is perfect!" He looked so boyish when he donned that simple orange gi and perfect smile. Chichi began to feel giddy with love for him.

"Well if y'really think so I—"

"Chichi," his smile dropped yet the warmth in his eyes continued to radiate. "Thank you."

"Oh, you're welcome." She blushed. Of course. Leave it to my Goku to be so appreciative. Then she watched with anticipation as Goku brought a piece of chicken to his lips. Until he paused suddenly and cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Wait, I want you to have some." It was more of a command than an invitation. Instantly, he grabbed another bowl to divide it. "You've been working real hard lately. Y'need to keep up your strength." A pang of hunger reminded the woman that she hadn't eaten since breakfast. Plus, the portion he offered sure looked tasty. "Besides, I know how y'barely eat when we're—I-I mean when one of us is away."

"Okay, you win but you're only gunna be gone a day right?" The princess mimicked the man's behavior and hopped onto the counter to join her husband in a nice lunch.

"Heh for you a day. For me it's a year." There was a note of sadness in Goku's voice that tugged at Chichi's heart. The ex-fighter could say nothing to soothe him so she simply clasped her hand around his arm and changed the topic. There were many ways to distract Goku but if you really wanted to buy time; talk about fighting. It was something he could talk about for hours in full detail. "You've told me you've been in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber before. What was it like?" At times it could get a little lengthy but the trick worked well. Immediately, the atmosphere became airy and bright while the spark in her sweetheart's eye replenished.

"Well I was trainin' with Mr. Popo for a year so I was about 16 and..."

As Goku told one of his many tales, the couple reverted to their teenaged selves; lively and careless. Laughter and playful teasing echoed throughout the kitchen. Right now, there were no battles to be fought, no fear or soon to be loneliness. The details of their lives simply blurred away while they reminisced old times and happy memories.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, a silent figure began to eavesdrop on their conversation. However it wasn't entirely his fault, nope! First of all, it was his house. Second, Master Roshi had just finished watching one of his favorite programs and all he wanted was a quick snack but the voice of his pupil prevented him from doing so. Before the old man knew it he was thrown amidst the conversation of husband and wife.

"...and after the first few hours I was beggin' t'get out of there!"

"Awh my poor Goku." The princess cooed. "I hope you're ready for round 2. Cause I can't have ya die all alone in a hellish place like that!"

"Don't worry, I'm far more skilled now." Goku boasted.

You'd better be! Came the old man's perversity, I ain't dyin' before I get with one o' them supermodels!