Three More Days

By: Mikami

ChiChi looked across the jet black waters of the ocean. The waves ebbed at her feet, lapping at her sandaled toes. The moonlight illuminated the beach, and the water reflected its silver streaks. The air was warm, thus the icy waters were welcoming. ChiChi retreated to her husband's side and smiled.

"Do you like it?" Goku swept a hand through his unruly dark hair.

"Yes," ChiChi replied, "It's so calm and beautiful here." She stepped out of her sandals and waded in the cold water. Even the sand was cold, and it felt good under her tired toes.

Goku paused to admire his wife. She had long, jet black hair that was usually tied up in a tight bun on the back of her head with only her bangs and a few wisps of hair freed from confinement. She wore a thin, pale silver dress that clung to her small frame only by a small lace on her back. ChiChi turned around and faced him. "Come on in, Goku, the water's great!"

He grinned and waded into the cold water. Playfully, he seized ChiChi and carried her out to where the water reached his waist. Unfortunately, the water reached ChiChi's neck, and she had to remember to hold her breath every time a new wave floated in her direction. She looked at the smirk on Goku's face and immediately pushed him under water. She swam the opposite direction.

She hid mostly under the shady water, and stifled a laugh as Goku looked for her in the darkness. He eventually found her hiding behind him and ran to catch up with her. She stood, where the water reached her waist, and looked at Goku.

Goku looked back at ChiChi and couldn't help but blush. As ChiChi looked down upon herself, she realized that her dress was soaked, and clung to her body. A drop of sweat fell down her cheek, and she turned away, instantly ashamed.

Goku walked up behind her, and put a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

ChiChi turned around quickly and slapped Goku.

Goku lowered his eyes for a minute, and then suppressed the urge to rub his burning cheek. Instead he kissed ChiChi and scooped her up into his strong arms. He took her over to the shore, where the small waves would lap gently at their feet.

Taken by surprise, ChiChi had to admit that Goku was a good kisser. Instead of slapping him again, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Soon, the thin dress was gone.

ChiChi lay on the beach, curled up with her head on Goku's chest. The wind had cooled some, and now chilled her body. As she shivered, Goku laid a protective arm around ChiChi. She kissed him gently under his chin, and sighed contentedly. Her hair, no longer in its bun, fell against Goku's chest, tickling him every time ChiChi moved her head. She turned her head up to look at the sky. The sun was rising, casting a radiant glow around the beach. She lowered her head, and began to cry.

"ChiChi, What's wrong?" Goku asked, concerned.

ChiChi looked up, with tears running down her face. "I've only got two more days with you. Then you'll be gone again."

ChiChi was referring to her wish to be with Goku for three days. An anonymous source had delivered all of the Dragon Balls to ChiChi and she wished to be with Goku. She had planned it to be the equivalent of the honeymoon they never had. And it would soon be over.

Goku wrapped ChiChi up in his arms. He pushed her ebony hair behind her ear and looked into her eyes. She let another tear trickle down her cheek, and wrapped her arms around Goku. She defiantly held back the rest of the tears that threatened to spill over.

Goku raised himself up on his elbows, and turned his head toward the sky. "What is it?" ChiChi asked.

"It's not safe here anymore," Goku said quietly.

"Why not?" ChiChi asked, matching his silence, but with a worried look on her face. She instinctively grabbed her dress, and slipped it on.

"I feel something... I can't explain it. But there may be somewhere safe..."

With that, Goku scooped her up into his protective, muscular arms and lifted into the air. He headed toward the sunrise, and ChiChi looked down at the now crystal blue waters. She felt safe in his grip, but she wrapped her arms tightly around him nonetheless.

By nightfall, they were at another island, and Goku collapsed on the beach. ChiChi took up massaging his sore muscles, and asked if it was safe.

Goku half-smiled and said, "Yeah, we'll be safe here."

ChiChi stood up without a word, and walked inland. Goku followed her into what appeared to be a dense jungle.

ChiChi closed her eyes, and found the slight trickle of running water. She followed the sound, and found herself at a pond, next to a roaring waterfall. Goku looked at her, obviously impressed. She quietly slipped into the water, and swam toward the waterfall. "Aren't you coming?" She asked playfully.

She ducked underneath the foaming waters, and emerged at the mouth of a small cave. She looked out at the waterfall and called to Goku. Before she knew it, he was at her side, dripping wet, yet glowing with youth.

That night, they slept in the cave.

ChiChi woke up in the morning, and Goku greeted her with a kiss. She smiled up at him. "What do you have planned for today?" She asked.

"Um... Nothing," Goku scratched his head.

"Can we go back home then?" ChiChi asked. She didn't want to return to her house, but she selflessly wanted Gohan and Goten to see their father before he was gone again.

Goku agreed and they journeyed back to their home. ChiChi cried most of the way, and Goku was determined to see her smile again before he'd be gone. "Hey ChiChi," he started.

"Yes?"

He sighed, and couldn't remember what he was going to say. This would be a long journey, he resolved.

Finally, the two arrived at their home. ChiChi called for Goten, and he came running to see his father. ChiChi watched their reunion from the background, and let her tears fall freely down her face. Goku noticed, and gently brushed them away. "Don't cry, ChiChi."

"I can't help it. Do you know how hard it is to be a single parent? I don't know if I'll be able to continue it much longer, Goku. I'll miss you so much..."

Goku embraced her tightly and carried her to bed. He tucked her under her covers and stared at her for a while.

When ChiChi woke up in the morning, Goku was gone. A note was on his pillow, however. As she read it, another barrage of tears cascaded down her face.