A New Beginning

Chapter 9

"Don't worry, Gohan. Mommy's going to be okay."

Goku held Gohan in his arms, comforting the little boy as he was worried about his mother. "Mommy," Gohan whimpered.

Goku was quick to bring Chi-Chi inside Ox King's castle where doctors in the village were able to treat her. He felt so guilty what had happened and blamed himself over and over. This incident reminded Goku of the time when he released Gohan's stroller and Gohan flew through a tree when he was only five months old. After that incident, Chi-Chi warned Goku there would be more trouble if he wasn't more careful and now her words were true as Chi-Chi was being treated for injuries he felt he caused. What made the situation even worst was Gohan seeing the injuries in Chi-Chi's back. He didn't understand everything, but he knew his mother was hurt. Goku hoped he didn't traumatize Gohan.

A doctor stepped out of the room Chi-Chi was in and Goku stood up to meet the doctor's gaze. "How's Chi-Chi?"

"We were able to remove the wood wedged in Chi-Chi's back, stop the bleeding and close the wound. She also has a small concussion. She's sleeping but you can go see here."

"Will she be all right?" Ox King asked.

The doctor smiled. "Of course. I predict with rest and proper healing, Chi-Chi will be just fine."

"You and Gohan go in now, Goku," Ox King offered. "I'll see Chi-Chi after you."

Goku thanked Ox King and went inside. He sat in the chair by her bed. Chi-Chi had a bandaged wrapped around her head for the concussion, but other than that, Chi-Chi looked as if she was sleeping.

"Momma," Gohan called for his mother. "Momma, wake up," Gohan begged.

Chi-Chi heard Gohan's voice and slowly awakened a few minutes later. Her vision was a bit blurry but as it cleared, she saw Goku and Gohan looking relieved. "Hi," Chi-Chi said weakly. "Gohan, you're okay." She looked at Goku. "What happened? The last thing I remember is us going down a hill, Goku."

"We crashed in a tree, you got a concussion and a piece of the tree was wedge in your back. The doctor said you will make a full recovery, but you will need some rest until your injuries are healed. Chi-Chi, I'm so sorry," Goku apologized. "It's my fault. If I had-"

"Goku-"

But Chi-Chi was cut off with Goku's apology. "It's my fault. I should've been more careful. You could've died because of me. You said once if I wasn't careful, something bad would happen and it did. I hurt you. I feel so horrible right now."

"Goku," she never heard him sound this way before or heard the guilt in his voice. It was breaking her heart, especially the way he was looking and the heavy remorse on his face. "It was an accident."

"I know, but I still feel bad about it. I'm really, really sorry."

Chi-Chi smiled. She was so touched by his honesty and how much he really cared for her otherwise he wouldn't sound so guilty. "I know, Goku. I know."

Chi-Chi laid on her stomach as she helped Gohan put his puzzle together. It was a 12-piece puzzle of a worm and its pieces had numbers one through twelve on it. So far, Gohan had six of the pieces together.

Chi-Chi reached for the seventh piece. "Seven," Chi-Chi repeated to Gohan. "Say it."

Gohan stared at the piece and the number. He took the piece out of his mother's hand. "Seven."

"Good. Now put the piece on the puzzle board."

Gohan fiddle with the piece on the puzzle board. At first, he put the piece where the ninth piece goes but the second time he put it in the seven spot.