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Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z or its characters.
They belong to Akira Toriyama. Author's Notes: Here it is, the final part of "Don't I
Know You?" Sorry this one runs a bit longer than the other
parts. Does Chi-Chi finally regain her memory? Just read and
enjoy! Don't I Know You? Goku changed from his contemplative look and flashed a smile at
Chi-Chi. "I'm sure glad to see you too! It's a good thing
that you're okay, considering your little..." Chi-Chi rubbed the inconspicuous bump on her head.
"Oh, uh, yeah. That." "I think that I'll give you two some privacy," said
Goten as he backed away from the food table. He bumped into Vegeta and
flashed him a look that he should go too. The Prince quickly complied. "Just to ask a question," started Chi-Chi. "Well, go ahead! That's what I'm here for." Chi-Chi held up their wedding picture. "I look so
happy here, but you look, well... I just can't pin point the look." Goku let out a nervous laugh. "I guess I had a case of
the wedding jitters!" "Oh! That must be it!" Chi-Chi laughed
along with him, until she felt someone tapping on her shoulder. She
turned to face her oldest son, Gohan. "Mom! I want to meet someone... Piccolo!"
He tugged her in the direction of a green man dressed in a turban, purple gi,
and a cape. The next few days felt like a distant and familiar dream to
Chi-Chi. She would start to cook in the kitchen, and her boys would
inhale it all in. Then, with those big cheery smiles, thank her. "At least you haven't lost your cooking skills,
Chi-Chi," commented Goku as he patted his stomach. "Thanks. You know, doing all of this seems so
familiar," replied Chi-Chi. "Of course. You always do this for us." Chi-Chi felt a twinge of discomfort when she heard that day in,
day out, she'd just cook and clean for her husband and sons. But the
feeling quickly passed, like something inside her quickly swallowed it
up. "You know, until you came, I felt some weird connection to
you." "It's the Saiyan bond. Do you know what I'm talking
about?" "My, I mean, your friends told me all about your
heritage. Especially that rude Vegeta fellow. He was quite
helpful." The last sentence was said with sarcasm. Chi-Chi
then smiled. "Everyone feels like that about Vegeta. Just don't let
him know." Goku then returned with his own trademark smile. Another twinge of recognition stirred inside Chi-Chi.
"Oh! I guess I'll pick up these dishes and get them
washed." She tried to get up but was stopped. "Hey, let me get them. You can go take a nap and I'll
wash them for you, okay?" Goku gathered up the dishes and was on
his way to the sink. Chi-Chi, for some unexplained reason, was shocked. She
didn't know if Goku regularly helped her around the house before her amnesia,
but this seemed so surprising. She just nodded her head and made her way to their bedroom.
She flopped on the bed and fell asleep. Goku wiped up his hands and wiped his brow after he finished
washing the dishes. "I really appreciate what Chi-Chi does for me. I can't
believe that I'm such a pig!" He then remembered that Chi-Chi was taking a nap. So he
walked down the hall and tip-toed into their bedroom. Goku sat down on the bed beside his wife's curled up form.
He looked softly at her features: her undone hair, soft breathing, and serene
look. But that look was broken as Chi-Chi's face grimaced in
uncertainty. Just what are you dreaming about? Goku wondered as he looked on. She felt like she was strapped down in a chair and forced to
watch the lost memories of her life. Her dream self couldn't help shed a few tears as she saw her
sorrow when she lost Goku for the first time, he left to train against the
androids, he died the second time, and then when he left to train Uub. Then she let out smiles when she saw the birth of her two sons,
and giggled at her outrageous escapades to retrieve Gohan or Goten from
trouble. Then, the life movie was showing the time that Buu killed
her. It was like in slow motion, the transformation, and then the foot
that came crashing down on her. She woke up abruptly and felt like she was in safe and strong
arms. She looked up to see Goku looking down on her, concerned.
She gave him a tired smile and snuggled up to him. Chi-Chi, for the past few days, she felt the connection to Goku,
and a few feelings. That was another lifetime ago. And the dreams
about her old life, they were always there in her sleep. They felt so
real and evoked so much emotion. But lately, she was beginning to feel old feelings at the
smallest things. For example, she would feel a surge of pride flowed
through her whenever Gohan came to visit, or a bit of suspicion when Trunks
came to pick up Goten. Chi-Chi grabbed her head. What am I going to do?
I'm torn between trying again and going back! "Chi-Chi, are you okay?" It was Goku. She couldn't take it anymore. She broke out sobbing.
"Goku, I'm trying to remember, really I am, but I can't!" She
felt him hold her. "I can remember a few things, but not
everything. Please, can you help me?" He looked down at her. I tried everything to make her
new life better. If I help, I make things worse, and the same thing
goes for if I don't! I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy. "Chi-Chi, there is a way that you can remember
everything." There was a sniffle and a slight pause. Goku
continued, "We can use the dragon balls to wish back your memory.
I think Bulma has them. But, I have to let you know just what you'll
remember. I have to give you this choice. You'll regain memories
lonely nights without me, years of constant worrying, and just the pain of
losing me. Do you want to remember all of those things? I mean we
can start again without having to go through all of that again.
Wouldn't you rather want that?" Chi-Chi listened to what he said and let it sink in.
Something in her was set loose and her face looked like it was flushed with
anger. "Goku, how could you even think such a thing! It
would be lying to me if you knew what I didn't. Would you be happy
knowing that I can't remember our wedding or what we went through to get
married? Or how happy we were the day Gohan was born? I wouldn't
trade the memories, good and bad, for a new life." Goku just stared at his wife in shock. "H-how could
you remember all of those things that you said? If you can remember those,
then..." Chi-Chi caught on to what he said and thought hard about those
things she talked about. They flashed across her mind with perfect
clarity. She smiled as tears ran down her face. "I do
remember! Goku, thank you! I think I'll cook up a storm and call
everyone to celebrate!" "I sure hope you'll remember this momentous occasion!
I know I will!" Chi-Chi gave Goku a stern look. "Sorry, thought that might cheer you up." Both of them let out a little giggle and set off to work. The End Additional Author's Notes: Well, there you all have it, the
end! Sorry if the ending just wasn't what you expected. Oh well,
there you have it, and tell me what you thought! |