So, I updated a little later than usual.

Reason being? Well, I have a new puppy, however, that's no the main reason. You see, my sister had her baby (6 weeks premature, unfortunately) and I was kinda in and out of hospital in a panicked state. But the fear is over and the baby is healthy! And I love my squishy very much (yes, I nicknamed my niece squishy-because, quite frankly, she is squishy). Her birth name, however, is Lorelei.

But moving onto another note, which has literally got me bouncing in my seat to announce.

Ruler of dragons has made me the most perfect, most beautiful art piece for my fanfic and I honestly cant get over how wonderfully done it is, as well as the fact this is the very first one I've ever received. I couldn't stop smiling when I saw it. Like, ohmygoditssoperfectimightcry! I really, really cannot thank you enough for it.

If anyone is wondering, I set it as the cover image for this fanfic but unfortunately it doesn't show all of it. But nonetheless, I'm in love with it. Bah! Thank you!

ALSO! I big, huge thank you to those amazing few who reviewed, faved and followed. I just wanna hug you all!

Anyway, I'm sorry if there is any spelling errors and such, I tried my best to weed out anything that may be a bit off. I'll probably come back to check again later.

Enjoy!

-Chapter 4-

One week passed.

Each day dragging on, every minute just as unbearable as the last. It was pure, unadulterated torture.

The saiyan man sulked, his head dipping down into the cool water he'd found himself in. A river, deep in the forest he strained to destroy. It brushed across his heated shoulders as he sunk lower down until only the upper half of his head was left.

With eyes half lidded, he gazed out, looking at nothing in particular.

It felt like he had been there a very long time. With only a week of wandering alone, he contemplated leaving everything completely. Perhaps living on one of the Kai planets would be better for everyone, including himself. If he was there, then no one would have to nag him, he wouldn't let anyone down anymore.

It was a powerful thought. His whole body twitched to act.

After all, Chi-Chi was always mad at him. She would be happy he's gone. Goten would grow up with a good education and follow in his brothers footsteps and perhaps even join in becoming part of the joint CEO of Capsule Corp along with Bulma and Gohan. Anything could happen. Especially if Trunks was involved. Goten and Trunks are as thick as thieves, anything Bulma's son does, Goten is sure to follow.

Goku suppressed a sigh.

That also left the thought of what if Goten decided to follow in Goku's footsteps. That wouldn't be good. Chi-Chi would throw a hissy fit and beat the boy black and blue until he spewed numbers.

He wondered, for a moment, what would it be like if Goku was more 'articulate'-as his wife would put it-and actually showed intelligence instead of acting like a brainless brute. Though, he didn't see it that way. Goku, in his own way, was highly intelligent. But being smart doesn't mean you have to flaunt it, right? He just liked the simple way he lived. It was fun and it was exciting, however, not so much anymore.

He was depressed. And anxious. Not to mention how fearful he was.

That was probably the reason he refused to resurface over the passing week. Feeling ashamed didn't weigh as much as his deep rooted fear of his wife. Chi-Chi is going to flip, or, already has flipped and maybe she was already halfway through searching for him just to beat the living daylights out of him. Goku wouldn't stop her ether. He deserved it.

But, that wasn't the case. He could sense her, despite their time apart. Chi-Chi hadn't once shifted to form a search party. Probably because she knew Goku could handle himself... and because she didn't want to see his face most likely.

He didn't blame her.

It was all his fault. He allowed things to get out of hand. He allowed himself to be near that brightly colored woman. He even allowed himself to think all those horrible things about his wife. He had thought about killing her after Chi-Chi's last rant and after he cooled down, he regretted those thoughts.

The only thing he didn't regret, was allowing himself to watch the yellow woman. Though, he refused to admit it. Noah had a surprisingly calming effect on the saiyan, even if all he could do was look at her from a distance. After all, she had no idea he even existed.

Goku twitched.

Even more reason to leave.

He couldn't put the strain on his family. All that would accomplish is sending his wife into an early grave with the amount of stress that would compact. It was selfish to even consider it. But then again, Goku as of recently, had been very selfish.

He sighed loudly and gaze up at the canopy. The trees that cloaked the lake blew gently in the soft breeze while he carefully began to rub the dirty and grime from his body. It didn't particularly surprise him how much filth one person could create in one week. Though, sleeping on the forest ground was certainly the best way to do it. Dirt practically became a second skin-despite the ground being awfully uncomfortable.

Moreover, it did cause an impact on his clothing and he had already gracelessly disposed of his top, that left him with slightly torn and filthy trousers to accommodate his nakedness. It didn't bother him. Goku saw clothes as a restriction and quite liked the idea of wandering around naked.

He did it a lot when he was a child, before Chi-Chi became an influence on what to do and what not to do.

For only a brief time in the forest alone, he felt a sense of freedom when he wasn't thinking of all the problems that had piled together.

Of course, that didn't last long.

"Father."

Goku froze, his muscles rippled, ready to pounce at the unexpected sound-or more precisely, the single two syllable word. His mouth suddenly became very dry and he shoved down the urge to flee. He closed his eyes and attempted to calm his shaken nerves.

Goku was more ashamed he hadn't heard the person approach. Though, there was a plausible reason for that. Said person was suppressing their energy.

"Do you have any idea how long it took me to get here? By foot, no less?" annoyance laced with weariness sounded through the voice that Goku refused to acknowledge.

Goku's brow narrowed.

So that was the reason why he hadn't sensed the person approach. They hadn't flown to him. It was actually a good idea, now that Goku thought about it. But at the same time, he was forced into a situation he didn't want to be in.

He didn't want to see or be around anyone at the moment. So, by gradually making their way by foot, he would have no decision in the matter.

Well, damn.

"Do you have any idea how worried Goten and mother are?"

Goku huffed, blearily opening his eyes to peer up at a man leaning heavily against a random tree. Goku blinked, scrutinizing the haggard appearance-or better yet, examining his eldest son for any scuff marks or cuts.

Fortunately, Goku couldn't see any.

However, if there was, he would have hell to pay. After all, Gohan is very proud of his public image and any signs of dirt and filth was a big no. Being overly hygienic had a lot of setbacks and, in Goku's own words, has also made Gohan a little squeamish. He was nothing like the child he had helped nurture. This was Chi-Chi's doing.

Gohan ran a hand through his short hair and adjusted his glasses that framed his face. He didn't take his eyes off Goku.

Through the years Goku noticed a huge difference with Gohan. The more famous he became in the public eye, the less muscle mass he seemed to have. It could only mean Gohan hadn't been keeping up with his training and instead kept his face firmly pressed against a book. But at the same time he had a wife to tend to which would only narrow his free time when he wasn't working.

"I'm sorry." grumbled Goku a moment later.

Gohan huffed, loosening the vibrant red tie around his neck. "I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."

Goku bobbed his head. "You're right."

There was a pregnant pause.

"Well?" states Gohan, crossing his arms in irritation. Goku winced. He reminded him of Chi-Chi when she was upset. Goku simply raised an eyebrow at Gohan-which proved to aggravate him even further. He ran a hand through his hair again and shook his head. "Well, what are you going to do about it? I didn't come out here for no reason, you know."

Goku grimaced.

What could he do? Especially now. He literally abandoned his wife after an argument-thought he has done it before-but this time it felt a lot different. If he went back now, he's sure to get an earful, potentially even a beat down. However, at the same time, he didn't want to deal with that level of stress. He was already feeling bad about it, going back home would give him even more reason to feel anxious.

Perhaps he could bluff his way around his son to get out of the situation. But he quickly shook off the idea. Gohan was a lot more sharper than Goku, he could easily see through a lie.

That only left him with one option.

Tell the truth.

It was obvious Gohan was sent for a reason-he could easily sway another person to do his bidding, especially in the industry he worked in, it only furthered his ability to manipulate for his own gain, or more precisely, to help further the establishment of Capsule Corp. Though, it didn't really need any more recognition. Is was the most well known brands known throughout the globe as well as the most used. Other companies had no chance against it, especially with Gohan on their side.

"I will speak to your mother once she has calmed down, going back home now will only cause more problems." nonchalantly spoke Goku, blinking up at his son.

Gohan frowned. "But you realize, with you being away for so long, that will cause an even bigger problem and we all know what mother is like when yo-"

-"Once she has calmed down, I will return home." Goku repeated again, cleanly cutting off his son.

A heavy sigh escaped Gohan and he pushed himself off the tree he was leaning against. He stepped forward, carefully manoeuvring around the slightly more damper grounds before making it to the river edge. His hands found their way to his hips and he leaned forward in a very Chi-Chi style and he scowled deeply.

"I'm not taking no for an answer." he stated stubbornly "It took me nearly a whole day to find you, which wasn't easy, mind you- just for you to basically tell me you're not returning home until mother calms down? How would you even know if she has or hasn't calmed down? You check in and out whenever you please so how is it-"

Goku held up his hand to cut him off once again, finding a very familiar headache coming on.

Gohan was a lot more like Chi-Chi than he originally thought. Not all in the good way ether. He was just as argumentative as she is. It slightly disturbed Goku.

"I promise, I will return home, just not right now. I have a lot to think about." he sheepishly withdrew his arm from the water to scratch the back of his head, offering a small smile.

Gohan's nose wrinkled, searching Goku's eyes for any sign of deceit. But there was none, Goku meant every word he said. Because inevitably, Goku would have to return, if he liked it or not.

Gohan stood up straight and he folded his arms. "Alright," he bobbed his head "You have two days to get your thoughts together. But if you don't go home, I will come back and I will have reinforcements. Got it?"

Goku nodded slowly, chuckling nervously.

He really didn't like that idea.

But without another word said, Gohan stepped back and ascended into the air, slightly hovering above the river to spare one last glance at his father before taking off in the direction of his home.

Well, at least he still knows how to fly.