Life With You

Part 30: Family Ties: Part Two

Goku didn't think an afternoon picnic with his family would lead to him spending the remaining part of his day hunting dragon balls. Yesterday, he wasn't sure it was possible Earth will have dragon balls again but listening to the broadcast of all those soldiers of Earth's army marching to their deaths was the last straw for Goku. He had to do something.

It was a long shot but Goku thought of finding the new planet the Namekians resided on and ask if one of them will want to return to Earth and be the new Kami. The Elder volunteered Dende who befriended Gohan and still talks of Earth after all this time.

After reuniting Dende with Gohan and Krillin, Dende revived the dragon balls. With that task completed, Goku left Kami's Temple and visited Bulma to get the dragon ball radar and hunt for dragon balls.

Six hours later, Goku had five dragon balls. It was fun hunting for dragon balls but also lonely. The last time he hunted for dragon balls was before his death. It felt like a lifetime ago. Gohan was four,

attending preschool and wanted to see Shenron. ChiChi helped him on his hunt. She purchased several maps and hearing his stories of where he found previous dragon balls, helped him narrow down his search.

That weekend he died, the family had plans to search for dragon balls. Goku had to convince ChiChi it will be a fun trip for the family. They could search for the dragon balls now but Goku told Gohan to stay on Kami's Temple until the Cell Games. It would be nice for them to hunt dragon balls together but it wasn't what Goku wanted.

He wanted to be with ChiChi. They haven't spent much time together and Goku knew that was his fault. It would be fun hunting dragon balls with ChiChi. She's never done it but voiced wanting to do it. Now Goku can grant ChiChi her wish.

****

ChiChi wondered what was going on in Goku's mind. Hours ago, the family went on a picnic. Their afternoon plans were cancelled at Goku's sudden departure after they heard the deaths of the world's army by Cell's hands. Before he left, Goku told ChiChi and Gohan to go home. ChiChi was cleaning the picnic dishes and Gohan was reading when Goku returned. He didn't tell ChiChi where he went. He grabbed Gohan and disappeared again.

That was six hours ago. It was evening now. What could they be doing?

"......Considering what happened hours ago, we don't dare go any further," a reporter humbly spoke on TV.

The reporter stood among the remains of the world's army. Behind him were wreckages of jet fighters, tanks and crushed helmets of fallen soldiers. "This army took years to build. Some of the soldiers who lost their lives today served during the crisis of King Piccolo. Military experiences range from first year members to twenty-year veterans. The world's army was the only line of defense against Cell. If they couldn't stop him, who can?"

ChiChi turned off the TV. Goku left because of what happened to those soldiers. In a week, her husband will be fighting that monster. Goku's stronger than the men who died but it didn't ease her worry.

As she sat alone worrying about her husband, Goku appeared before ChiChi.

"Goku, what are....." She noticed he was alone. "Where's Gohan?"

"He's on Kami's Temple. He's spending time with Dende. You remember him, don't you?"

ChiChi met Dende when Gohan returned from Namek and when they visited Capsule Corporation. "Yes, but how do you know him? Gohan said you didn't meet him on Namek."

"I went to the new Namek and brought Dende back to be the new Kami for Earth. He revived the dragon balls and I've been looking for them." Goku pulled out five of the dragon balls from his pockets. "See? We'll be able to bring back everyone Cell killed."