Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z or any other character in this fic. Every character belongs to Toei and Akira Toriyama except for OCs. The only thing I take credit for is the plot.

Chapter 1

It was a cool, breezy night in Mount Paozu. Despite how dark it was, there were still wild animals moving everywhere and the birds were asleep in their nests. The sound of a flowing river could also be heard, breaking the still silence in the air. Given how calm the atmosphere at Mount Paozu was, one could easily say that everything is well. But the truth is, everything was in shambles as a once happy family was about to break apart.

ChiChi slapped Goku across the cheek. She had tears streaming down her face and one could see that her eyes were red and puffy. The Ox Princess looked at her Saiyan husband who was clutching his now red cheek with anger and sadness written all over her face.

Goku looked at his wife with nothing but complete shock on his face. The full blooded Saiyan opened his mouth to speak but his pissed off wife beat him to it.

"I can't take this anymore Goku! You're always running off to train and leaving me here all alone worried sick about my babies... always putting them in danger. I always worry that you won't come back alive!"

"But ChiChi-"

"My children should be getting an education, not fighting SPACE ALIENS! All I want is for us to have a normal life! Is that so hard to ask for?"

Gohan and Goten sat down on the stairs, watching the confrontation between their parents unfold before their very eyes. Gohan wanted to get up and intervene, but something was seemingly telling him to stay where he was.

"Gohan? Mommy and Daddy are fighting again. It doesn't seem to be normal."

"...Yeah Goten. I know. I'm sure things will be okay. You know how Mom is about wanting us to study and not train." Gohan said in an effort to cheer up his younger brother.

Goten simply nodded his head, not really knowing what to say at the moment to ease his own worries about the current situation at hand.

The older half Saiyan could sense that his brother was scared as he placed an arm around Goten to comfort him.

"Everything's going to be fine Goten."

"I hope so."

Deep down, Gohan wasn't sure if things were going to be okay. Goku and ChiChi were arguing... but this didn't seem like one of their normal arguments. If he were being honest with himself, Gohan had a very bad feeling about this in the pit of his stomach. The half Saiyan was worried about both of his parents. Especially his father.

"Studying is more important than SAVING THE EARTH! I don't give a damn if the earth is in danger as long as Gohan and Goten stay in this house and study! When will you realize that!?"

That comment hit Goku hard. He remembered ChiChi saying something like this back when he tried to convince her to let Gohan train with him and Piccolo to be ready for the Androids. The full blooded Saiyan stood frozen in his spot. And then suddenly he felt a surge of anger flow through him rapidly. ChiChi never seemed to realize what was at stake and it pissed him off to no end. What kind of person would say that studying was more important than the fate of the Earth? Didn't she realize what could happen if the Earth is destroyed and every living being was wiped away from existence?

Goku's face contorted into a scowl and then it turned into rage. But regardless of how angry he was, he had to keep his cool as he didn't want to do something that he would end up regretting later.

ChiChi was about to talk again when she noticed the change in her husband's demeanor. She slowly stepped back as she looked at her Saiyan husband, who looked really pissed off. He was absolutely livid. And this was the first time that he had ever been angry with his wife.

"That's what you think huh? That studying is more important than the fate of the Earth? I don't think you realize that if the Earth is destroyed then neither Gohan or Goten would have an education. I want us to have a normal life, but if there's a threat to Earth again we have to be ready for it. If it wasn't for all that training we did, who knows what could have happened to the Earth. What could have happened against Cell, Buu, the Androids, Frieza and any other villain we've faced off against!" Goku shouted. The Saiyan Father was struggling to keep his emotions in check and he was slowly beginning to feel his rage consume him as he listened to his wife's insults.

ChiChi was shocked by her husband's angry outburst. But nonetheless she wasn't going to let him win this argument. After all, she had always been the dominant one in this household and she was going to make sure that things remained that way.

"Don't try and make yourself look like the innocent one here. All you know is how to fight. You're a terrible influence on our two boys and you don't even support me in trying to get our children to study. You weren't even there for the first seven years of Goten's life as you chose to stay in the otherworld. Well, guess what Goku? I'm not going to allow my children to grow up to become stupid, idiotic, worthless and good for nothing karate bums like their FATHER!"

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Goku's face was red as the anger within him was starting to come out. How dare she! After everything that he had done in protecting this planet, the citizens and lastly her, Gohan and Goten, this was how he was getting repaid? By being insulted? Goku could handle these kind of insults from Vegeta, Bulma and probably anyone else but to hear his own wife say that in front of him? Now that was a slap to the face.

Chichi was shocked by Goku's outburst. And so were Gohan and Goten. The two half Saiyans had never seen a show of frustration on their father's usually relaxed face. However, Gohan was hurt that his mother would have the audacity to say that to his father after everything that he had done. At this moment, Gohan really wanted to step in and defend his father but yet at the same time something was holding him back from doing so. It was something he couldn't explain into words. Goten didn't say anything but rather he chose to sit back and watch this whole situation escalate.

The look on Goku's face was one of anger, hurt and worst of all betrayal. How could the Ox Princess have the heart to say such things to her husband?

Goku was glaring daggers at his wife. He didn't think that he would ever have to do this but it was time. It was time to let out his hidden emotions. It was time to tell ChiChi "his wife," how he has been really feeling throughout their marriage.

He was going to let it all out.

Goku's hands had balled into fists as he looked at his wife with intensified anger. ChiChi's words have pissed him off and it was straight up disrespectful to hear his wife say these things. Back in the past, Goku was the one frightened by his wife's rage. But today was not one of those times.

"For almost the entirety of our marriage, all you ever really did was yell at me or keep Gohan in his room studying. You almost never let him go outside and have fun. Not to mention you made him study high school stuff when he was four years old. He was fu-" Goku was about to say the f word but then he remembered his son Goten was there. He figured Gohan probably knew this but he didn't want to use it while Goten was there. He was just a kid. Goku regained his composure and said, "He was just four years old ChiChi and you made him learn things that a high schooler would learn. You may have wanted Gohan to have an education, but you wanted it so bad that you didn't let him be a kid for once. You didn't let him have a childhood!"

ChiChi opened her mouth to fire back but Goku wasn't in any mood for her bullshit. His own wife was disrespecting him and he wasn't going to stand for it any longer. She was going to hear exactly how he felt.

"Every time Gohan wanted to go outside and play with other kids who were his age, he would sneak outside. Every time Bulma would organize some kind of party and Gohan wanted to go, he would sneak out. Whenever we wanted to do a little bit of training, we'd have to sneak out. Why? Because you were too demanding, always wanting Gohan to study all the time. You barely even gave him any breaks. I may have missed out on the first seven years of Goten's life, but every enemy we've faced so far has been after me! I was afraid of being a target, that's why I stayed in the otherworld for seven years. I tried to make it up to Goten by taking him out fishing or taking him out on camping trips. I love both Gohan and Goten equally! And you have the nerve to tell me I'm a good for nothing karate bum? Tell me something ChiChi. If I'm a good for nothing karate bum, what does that make you? Oh wait. I'll answer that question. A nagging housewife who does nothing but yell all day and destroy our sensitive eardrums!"

ChiChi had a hand on her mouth. But she quickly regained her ground. She didn't think that Goku would ever go against her as she always thought that her husband would obey her without questioning her decisions. It was unlike Goku to be yelling at her like this.

"That makes me a responsible loving mother who only wanted the best for her children Goku! Who's the one who's been cooking your meals for you? Who's the one who does your dirty laundry for you? Who's the one who's been cleaning up after you? All you do is go out and train for Kami knows how long! Open your eyes Goku. You've deluded yourself into believing you have the best intentions for your children when in reality, you really don't." ChiChi angrily sneered at her husband, while ignoring the 'nagging housewife' comment.

"I'll admit that I'm not perfect. I've made a lot of mistakes. More than I can count. But I always try to do what I think is best no matter what you may think. You may have been cooking my meals, you may have been doing my laundry for me, but what else have you done beyond that? You don't seem to appreciate the fact that I fight to save Planet Earth. Every time I return home, what do I get in return? Getting hit with your frying pan or getting kicked out of the house and I have to find a cave somewhere to sleep or stay at Capsule Corp!" Goku was really losing his cool. "I always had the impression that you never actually cared. I held back my true feelings towards you for the sake of Gohan and Goten. I wanted them to believe that things were going to be okay between us. But I guess there's no point in hiding it any longer." At this point, Goku felt like he was going to break down. But he had to stay strong no matter what the outcome was.

Gohan's hands were beginning to shake. Goten's eyes were beginning to tear up as he could pretty much figure out what was going to happen at this point.

"Wow Goku. I didn't think I'd ever have you talk back at me or disrespect me like that. But since it has come to this, I don't think we should be married anymore. Why should I stay married to a pathetic bum who doesn't even support me in trying to get our children to study? Why should I stay married to a pathetic bum who doesn't even care about my views and opinions? Why should I remain married to a pathetic bum who can't even get a job, make money and support the family?"

Goku almost wanted to fight back. He almost wanted to tell ChiChi that she was making the worst decision of her life, and that things would change. Almost. But to be honest, he felt the same way too. He also wanted this.

"I'm done with trying to pretend that things were going to be okay between us. And you're right. We shouldn't be married anymore. A divorce would be the best option. It's too bad it's come to this, but I believe that Gohan and Goten deserve the very best. I care about them too even though you keep saying otherwise." Goku turned to look at his two sons who were sitting on the stairs with a sad smile on his face and asked, "Hey Gohan, Goten can you two please come over here?"

The two half Saiyans slowly moved to the kitchen area where their two parents were. Goten was in tears and Gohan was trying to console him.

"Mom, Dad please don't do this." Gohan pleaded. He was also trying not to break down in tears like Goten already did. Their parents were separating and this was proving to be the hardest moment in their lives.

"M-Mommy, Daddy please stay together." Goten managed to say through his tears.

"I'm sorry Gohan and Goten but we just can't do this anymore." ChiChi replied with angry tears streaming down her face. "I don't want to live like this anymore."

"I'm sorry you too. Especially you Goten. I missed out on the first seven years of your life. I always thought I was doing what was right for the sake of the earth and for our family, but according to her, I'm nothing more than a... karate bum." Goku had trouble letting those words out. His throat felt heavy. He almost didn't want to talk again for fear that he would also break down in tears.

"You two should go to sleep. We are leaving here tommorow morning." ChiChi said, her voice firm and clear despite her tears.

"B-But I don't wanna go!" Goten wailed loudly. Mount Paozu was his home and his father meant everything to him. Ever since he met him for the first time, he had been the one to put a smile on his face every time he was feeling sad and dejected. Leaving here was going to be extremely painful for him.

Goku didn't know what to do in this moment. He walked over to his youngest son and pulled him into an embrace, listening to his cries. The older Saiyan didn't care that his shirt was getting wet by Goten's tears. He wanted to savour every moment he had left with his sons before ChiChi took them away from him. This was the most painful moment in his life and he was going to have to learn to live with it.

Goten raised his head to look at his father. "Daddy, what's going to happen to you?"

Goku used his thumb as an effort to wipe the tears off his youngest son's face. He tried to give him a smile despite the predicament they all found themselves in.

Taking a deep breath Goku addressed his son. "Don't worry about me Goten. I'll be fine. Just go with your mother. I promise things will be okay. This isn't the last time we're seeing each other. Promise me you'll stay strong."

Goten slowly nodded his head. "I-I will."

Goku smiled at his youngest before slowly placing him down on the ground before he turned to look at his oldest son. This was going to be difficult considering Gohan was the center of the argument.

The two of them looked at each other for a few minutes. Finally Goku spoke but slowly. "Gohan, I know you weren't expecting to hear all that. I knew that your mother was forcing all that studying down your throat. You only did it to please her but deep down, you knew that becoming a scholar wasn't what you really wanted. You should have been able to make your own decisions at your age. But you couldn't because your mother was the one who was doing the decision making for you."

Gohan scratched the back of his head, contemplating his next words. "Yeah... That's kinda true. I did it to please her because I didn't want to get on her bad side. We both know how mom is when we don't do what she wants. I understand why we have to train. To protect the earth. Right now the earth is at peace. We don't even know when another villain is going to attack the earth. We don't even have a choice when it comes to mom. She'll go to any extent to get us to do what she wants. Just like you, I was just too scared to talk back at her."

As soon as ChiChi heard that, her face was bubbling with rage.

"SON GOHAN I AM YOUR MOTHER. I KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU. WHY DO YOU THINK I MADE YOU DO ALL THAT STUDYING? SO YOU CAN BECOME A SMART SCHOLAR AND NOT END UP LIKE A..."

Goten and Gohan had to cover their ears because of how loud their mother's screeching was. It was enough to make one's eardrums go deaf.

"Shut the hell up ChiChi." Goku spoke in a cold, commanding tone. "We've heard enough. You've forced our children to do things they've never wanted to do for their entire life. Have you ever once stopped to ask Gohan and Goten what they wanted to become in the future? Of course not. The idea of Gohan being a scholar has been in your head ever since he was a kid. Ever since he was four years old. You overworked him to the point where he could collapse. And now you're doing the same thing to Goten. Some people never learn a thing. Low and behold, it just so happens that you're one of them."

A red vein appeared on ChiChi's forehead. "HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME!"

ChiChi's hand formed into a fist and she rushed towards Goku to punch him but he simply blocked the punch and bent back her fist to look at her. Next, she began grabbing kitchen utensils from inside drawers and began throwing them at her husband in her fury. Gohan and Goten began moving back to avoid getting hit.

"I hate you Goku. Do you hear me? I HATE YOU!" ChiChi screamed at her soon to be ex husband, who simply blocked the hits, knowing that they wouldn't hurt him at all. As the angry Ox Princess prepared to throw another item at her husband, Goku grabbed her wrist really hard, causing her to scream in agony. He didn't want to hurt ChiChi physically, despite the way things were turning full blooded Saiyan let go of ChiChi's wrist as he looked at his wife with nothing but anger and disappointment written all over his face.

"Was this really your last resort? Throwing items at me? You've overstepped your boundaries this time ChiChi." Goku stared at her with an angry look on his face. "Look at our sons. Just look at them. Do you understand how they're feeling right now? You always used to tell me that I'm setting a bad example for our kids but what you did right now is exactly just that. Setting a bad example."

The Ox Princess turned to look at her two children who had hurt looks on their faces. "Gohan. Goten. Go to sleep now. We're leaving first thing tommorow morning."

Before they left Gohan embraced Goku. "Thank you Dad. You spoke out for me when I was afraid to. You've said exactly what I've been feeling the whole time."

Goku smiled at his son as he let go of the embrace. "You don't have to thank me for anything Gohan."

Goku watched as Gohan and Goten went upstairs to their room, leaving him by himself with his soon to be ex wife. She gave him a look full of hatred.

"I HATE what you've done to us Goku. What you've done to our family!" ChiChi cried. "The only reason why I was ever harsh on you was because I wanted you to support us."

"You were never appreciative of the fact that I was fighting to protect the fucking Earth." Goku spoke, causing ChiChi to gasp at him as she had never heard him use such language before. "At one point you wanted me to stop fighting entirely so I could get a job and support our family. It wasn't that I didn't want to support us, but I'm a Saiyan ChiChi. Fighting is in our blood. That's something you never seemed to understand, even after all the battles I've been in. You used to be a fighter yourself and it motivated you to chase after me until we saw each other again at the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament. But right now, I don't even know who you are anymore. After Gohan was born, your character degressed as you became nothing more than a nagging housewife. During all the times I was gone, I'm willing to bet that you weren't actually worrying about me, but you were rather insulting me behind my back."

"I was a fighter, but I gave it up to provide for you and our children. But you on the other hand, are a good for nothing crazy battle ape with no education. You don't even understand crap unless Bulma were to explain it to you." ChiChi said quietly. Goku was easily able to pick up the hatred in her voice.

Goku wasn't even going to try and convince her even further so he gave her a cold look and said, "Believe what you want. I'm not going to try and convince you otherwise. I'm disgusted to see that the woman who's supposed to be my own wife has this kind of mindset. No matter how many times you try to convince me, I'm never going to give up fighting as it's been a part of me ever since I was a kid. You don't seem to respect that at all." The angry Saiyan placed emphasis on 'My Own Wife' as he now hated to even call her that.

Chichi didn't even look back at her soon to be ex husband as she pushed past him and went to her bedroom... their bedroom.

Goku stood alone by himself in the kitchen, wondering how things had come to this. After the defeat of Kid Buu, Goku thought that things would be back to normal. That he, ChiChi and their sons Gohan and Goten would be a happy family again. But apparently not as she started bitching at him this evening.

Goku waited for a few minutes and decided to go upstairs. Before doing so, the Saiyan turned to look back at the kitchen utensils that ChiChi was throwing at him. He wasn't in the mood to put them back in their appropriate places and just opted for going upstairs. He didn't exactly know why but he just decided to. He soon found himself exploring every area of it. The house that he was living in with his family... he was now going to be living alone in it since he and ChiChi were now going to get divorced.

Goku then stopped at his eldest sons room. After pressing his ear to the door, he could hear snoring and knew that his son was fast asleep.

The full blooded Saiyan soon found himself at Goten's bedroom door. He noticed that the door was slightly ajar and decided to enter. He opened the door noiselessly and quietly stepped inside.

Goku took a seat down on Goten's bed. He took note of his youngest son's tear stained face and felt bad. He knew he missed out on the first seven years of his son's life and tried to make it up to him. Even though Goten didn't show signs of resentment towards him, he should have been there for him. He didn't have a father for the first seven years.

"I'm so sorry son. I hope you can forgive me." Goku quietly whispered."I should have been there for you."

Goku got up and slowly left the room, completely unaware that Goten had heard his words of regret. As soon as his father left the room, Goten opened one eye and said...

"I love you Daddy. I'm not mad at you."

Goku was soon in the living room, sitting on the couch where he decided to sleep for the night. There was absolutely no way he was going to sleep in the same room with ChiChi. His soon to be ex wife.

He got into a comfortable laying position and quietly willed himself to sleep.

The next morning...

Boxes and suitcases were being moved out of several rooms as ChiChi and her sons were moving out of the house. Goku avoided eye contact with ChiChi the whole time that she, Gohan and Goten were moving their things out of the house. He was currently in the living room sitting on the couch and his spiky hair was covering his face.

"That's the last of our stuff." ChiChi said in a firm voice. She seemed to have recovered for the most part, but a part of her was still hurting. "Let's go, you two." The Ox Princess didn't even bother looking at her soon to be ex husband the whole time she was packing her stuff. "I can't wait to leave this crazy battle ape. He's a bad influence on you guys."

Goku heard it and it caused him to clench his fists. He finally turned to look at his soon to be ex wife and said, "No matter what you say ChiChi, I don't believe I'm a bad influence on our sons. I did my very best, no matter what you think of me right now."

ChiChi simply scoffed as she said, "Gohan and Goten. Hurry up! We have to get going!"

"Gohan, let's say goodbye to Daddy first." Goten told his elder brother.

"Of course. I wouldn't leave without doing that."

The two Saiyan hybrids walked over to their father who was sitting in the living room staring at the ceiling. The older Saiyan diverted his attention when he noticed his sons approaching him.

Gohan was the first to speak. "Hey Dad."

Goku looked up at his son, although Gohan could tell that his father was hurting.

Goten rushed into his father's arms, and Goku willingly embraced him.

"So you guys are leaving huh?" Goku asked while holding Goten in his arms.

Gohan looked down on the ground. "Yeah... but we'll try and visit whenever we can."

"I'm really sorry that things got this bad between your mother and I. I've been married to your mother for so long but in the end, I guess things just weren't working out." Goku gave his sons a sad smile as he said this.

Gohan moved closer to his father to hug him. They really were going to miss each other.

"Hey Daddy, were you in my room last night?" Goten asked suddenly.

Goku stiffened. Goten had heard him enter. He thought he was asleep. But he was wrong about that.

"Y-Yeah I was." Goku answered his son with a sad smile as the tears in his eyes were threatening to spill. He didn't want to cry in front of his sons. He wanted to be strong for them.

"I'm not mad at you Daddy. Gohan used to tell me nice stories about you. You're pretty cool. You're not the person mommy says you are." The youngest son said to lighten up the mood.

Goku ruffled his sons hair. "Thanks son. It means a lot to me to hear you say that."

Goku addressed both of his sons in a serious manner. He wanted to make this quick before ChiChi started screaming.

"No matter what happens from this point onwards, I'll always love you both. Never forget that. I'll welcome you two here again with open arms whenever you both decide to come back."

"We won't Dad. You're an important person in our lives." Gohan hugged his father. "Let's go Goten."

After saying their farewells to their father, the two Saiyan hybrids were soon out the door. Before closing the door behind them, Gohan turned to look at his father with a sad smile and hoped that he was going to be okay.

After that Goku could hear the sound of a car leaving. He figured that it must have been the Ox King or some other person who arrived to pick them up.

The full blooded Saiyan looked around the house that he once lived in with his family. Now he was all alone. He was starting to miss the times he had with Gohan and Goten. All the fishing they did, all the camping trips they had been on... Even then they hadn't been spending so much time together because Chichi had been so hell bent on getting Gohan and Goten to study.

And then for the first time in his life, Goku burst into tears. Was this supposed to happen? Was he supposed to lose his family like this? For goodness sake, he was a Saiyan. Saiyans weren't supposed to show such weaknesses as Vegeta once told him. And here he was, all alone. In tears.

Goku always had a way to fix things. But for once, he didn't know how he was going to make it through this predicament. He didn't know how he was going to do this alone.

End of Chapter 1...

Author's Note: I hope you guys liked this chapter. I wanted Goku to have a backbone, stand up for himself and tell ChiChi how he really feels about her but unfortunately, that cost him his marriage. *laughing evilly* There has never been an instance where Goku actually talked back to ChiChi in the canon DBZ series so I was very pleased when I wrote this chapter. But as this story continues, a lot of things will change for Goku. Will it be for the better? Or will it be for the worst?