Here it is, the final chapter of the story. So short, yet so sweet. Thank you all for your reviews, favorites, and follows. I am truly grateful to everyone who has commented. I hope the conclusion is everything you hoped for.

Now, to the finale.

Chapter 8: One's Worth

Goku rubbed his forehead as he finished changing the last pipe under the sink. With this, the plumbing issues should be resolved for the time being.

Chi-Chi wasn't kidding about a lot of work that needed to be done. The house had become quite rundown in his absent. If he knew this would happen, he would have taught Gohan how to do fixed things. Or at least done more work by the Cell Games so the house would be in prime condition when he died.

Thankfully, the plumbing wasn't as bad as the roof and he finished faster than he expected. He was also able to work more efficiently since he simply felt better this morning, both physically and mentally.

After several days of rest, he no longer felt worn out in the morning and he didn't feel the need to take a nap. He still wasn't in peak condition, but he was getting there. And, after being forced to laugh for a prolong amount of time yesterday, he felt happier. It was kinda surprising that his happy buzzed from that tickle fight was still with him, but he wasn't going to complain. He wondered if that was why Gohan enjoyed them so much when he was little.

He dismissed the thought as he finished his task in the kitchen. He then went to put the worn and broken pipes he pulled into the recycling bin. As he stepped outside, he saw Chi-Chi doing laundry.

"Goku, are you finished already?" Chi-Chi asked.

She sounded unusually chipper. Well, more than unusual since Chi-Chi has been very happy since his return.

He nodded. "Yeah. The sink should work fine now."

She smiled. "Oh thank goodness. I was so sick of that thing dipping and the mold that was developing under there. I tried to get dad to fixed it, but he's all thumbs when it comes to these kind of things."

Goku chuckled. Ox-King was quite graceful giving his giant size, but even he found delicate tasks to be difficult. "Do you need anything else done?"

Chi-Chi shook her head. "No, I'm fine for now." She paused. "Actually, I need you to go away for a couple of hours."

He tilted his head. "Why?"

"I have something I need to do and you'll only get in the way," Chi-Chi said with some heat.

Goku rubbed the back of his head, utterly lost.

Chi-Chi was rarely secretive. She actually kinda of sucked at keeping anything hidden since she wore her emotions on her sleeve. She was hiding something, but what? As much as he wrecked his mind, he couldn't think of anything. Given her good mood all this time, she couldn't be mad at him.

Chi-Chi seemed to read his thoughts and her face softened. "No, I'm not mad at you. I just need to do something before Gohan gets home from school."

Goku nodded, not quite believing her. "Okay."

In cases like theses, it was best to just go along. Otherwise, she really would be mad at him.

She grabbed a handful of laundry and started to head towards the house. "Can you stay away until a little after four? It's very important."

"No problem," Goku answered. "I can do some training in the mountains."

"Okay then. Take care and don't hurt himself," Chi-Chi said.

Goku smiled and he took off. As he flew towards one of his favorite training areas, his mind wondered to what Chi-Chi could be up to.

The few times she sent him away, when she wasn't outraged, it was usually to do cleaning like waxing the floor or dusting. He was also told to get lost when one of Gohan's tutors came over. Other times, she was cooking a huge meal and she didn't want him sneaking food.

He drooled at the last part.

Chi-Chi has been cooking a lot lately, but she still hadn't fully adjusted to cooking for three Saiyans. He's been trying to curve his eating habits, since Gohan and Goten needed the food more than him. They were both growing boys after all. It was so hard, though, since Chi-Chi's cooking was so delicious.

Gohan, being the observing young man that he was, quickly noticed this and refused to take his full share of food. Which naturally led to Chi-Chi discovering that she wasn't cooking enough. Leading to her becoming sad and upset that she wasn't providing for her family.

He stopped drooling.

He loved to eat and he loved his wife's food, but not at the cost of making Chi-Chi unhappy. He tried to assure her it was no big deal, but his stomach strongly disagreed, always growling after only a few hours after a meal.

Usually, he could go up to five hours before beginning to feel hungry. That's, of course, if he ate a big enough meal. Now, he started to feel hunger pains in just two to three, which frustrated Chi-Chi. Didn't help that he became visibly weaker and tired when hungry, despite his best attempt to hide it. That was also part of the reason why he was sleeping more.

She was getting better, though. Last night, she made enough to make his satisfied, but that wasn't enough for her. She wanted to fill him like she did before.

He chuckled to himself.

Chi-Chi could be too good to him at times. Most people who got to know him and his appetite stopped trying to fill his belly after the first attempt. Bulma, who had far more money and resources than Chi-Chi, complained about feeding Vegeta and that was before Trunks was old enough to eat solids. He could only imagined what she was saying now. Vegeta tried to act reserved, but he could easily eat as much as him.

He looked down and saw the place where he wanted to train. It was a valley right next to a waterfall. When Piccolo stayed with them during those three years before the androids, he would often come here to meditate. Piccolo seemed to have a thing for waterfalls. He half expected to see his one time enemy floating near the water, trying to ignore him.

Instead, he was the only one there. He couldn't help being slightly disappointed.

Mr. Popo casually mentioned that Piccolo have lived on the Lookout since Denda took over as Guardian of the Earth. He was helping to mentor Denda in his role as guardian, making sure he didn't make the same mistakes he made when he was Kami.

He shook his head at this.

It was still hard for him to wrap his head around Piccolo and Kami now being the same person. In many ways, the Piccolo he had come to know and respect didn't exist anymore. The Piccolo that existed now was much softer, kinder, and more protective of the Earth. Traits he undoubtedly got from Kami.

Then again, that wasn't really Piccolo. He called himself Piccolo, rejecting the name he tried to give, but it wasn't him. Well, not completely. He was the Namekian that came to Earth all those years ago. He was neither Kami nor Piccolo. It was kinda confusion. When he talked to Piccolo, there were times he swore that he was talking to Kami.

There were also odd moments where he felt like he was talking to a complete stranger. But that happened long before Piccolo and Kami remerged. It actually happened on Namek where Piccolo's energy felt so different that he thought he was a different person. There were also a subtle changes in his personality. Nothing major, but he seemed more….noble and at ease.

Perhaps he was putting too much thought in it. Gohan, who knew Piccolo better than anyone, saw no difference in the man. To him, Piccolo was Piccolo. Maybe it was difficult for him because he knew both Piccolo and Kami, so the slips in personality stuck out more.

He sighed as he landed. In either case, he wished Piccolo were here and not just because he wanted a sparring partner to loosen him up.

Piccolo wasn't the talkative type and he didn't care to hear about other people's issues. Gohan was the only one who could communicate to Piccolo on a personal level. And Piccolo certainly wouldn't want to hear his woes and worries.

Not that he blamed him. He was like that too. He didn't care to know people's issues, although his friends, especially Krillin and Bulma, often used him to unload all their current issues. He didn't mind Krillin, but he didn't want to know the details of Bulma's life.

Piccolo, however, did have his own way of knowing when someone was in emotional turmoil. During the first year of training for the androids, Piccolo insisted that he do a series of long and tedious meditation exercises before and after training. This confused him at first, but he realized in time that Piccolo was trying to help him.

After returning home, he wasn't entirely mentally well. When he realized that Frieza had returned and was heading towards Earth, he nearly went into a blind rage. He knew what that monster was planning and he was going to put an end to him, as painfully as possible. But before he could make his move to take down the tyrant, someone else had killed Frieza.

He was thankful to Trunks for taking care of Frieza and protecting his family and friends, but a part of him still felt cheated. Frieza was his pray and Trunks took that from him. He was the one who was supposed to end Frieza. But, he had his chance and he blew it. Complaining about the lost opportunity then was both stupid and petty.

But he felt it was a lost opportunity to release all the pent up anger and hatred he still had towards the man. He wanted to unleashed hell on Frieza and humiliated him again. He wanted to give in to the rage of the Super Saiyan and show Frieza a nightmare before he died.

And it scared him.

He thought he had conquered those feelings, but they returned in full forced that day. If Trunks didn't come, he could have been a danger to everyone if he lost control.

He didn't have the chance to resolve those feelings since he had to mentally prepare himself for a new battle against an opponent who was worse than Frieza.

Despite his attempts to bury those feelings, Piccolo must have sensed it. That's why he was so insistence on those meditation exercises. It helped him to relax and cleared his thoughts.

He never thanked Piccolo for that. Without acknowledging his problem, he did his best to help him. He also did it in a way that didn't alert Gohan. That was when he started to see Piccolo as a true friend and not just a comrade.

Goku landed by the waterfall and took several deep breaths.

Slowly, he did a series training exercises he learned throughout his life and afterlife. He went through each form carefully, making sure the position of his body and flow of movements were sync perfectly.

He felt himself relaxed as the flow of his energy pulsed through him and he listened to the steady beat of the waterfall.

In this zone, he was in complete control. There was no worries, no doubts, no evil. Just the flow of his body and the calmness around him.

In Otherworld, he remembered doing these types of exercises for days. It was easy since he didn't need to eat or drink and time seemed to just flew by. He didn't even know three days had past until King Kai told him. There was even a betting pool among the other dead warriors about how long he would go. Apparently, Olibu won the bet.

He doubted he could go that long now. One, he was alive now and had certain needs that had to be fulfill. The most obvious being bathroom breaks. And, he didn't want to go that long. Chi-Chi would kill him if he disappeared for days just to train.

He did that once when they were first married. To him, it was just another training day. He lost track of time and didn't return home until two days later. No big deal. When he lived here as a child he would be away from the house for a week or more. Back then; he had no one waiting for him.

That changed once he was married and Chi-Chi was pissed.

She gave him an earful about how worried she was and how she was closed to calling the police to report him missing. Her screams were so loud that he was certain that the entire mountain heard her and his ears rung for days.

Her outburst baffled him at the time. No one cared if he went missing for a day or two. He went months to years without seeing his friends without any issue.

After Chi-Chi stopped making his ears bleed, she explained more carefully why she was mad. As a married couple, it wasn't good for him to just wonder off without saying anything and not coming back. He had to come home everyday and if he wanted to leave longer, he had to tell her.

He didn't completely understand at the time since marriage to him still meant a type of roommate who you now and again mated with. He didn't even really considered Chi-Chi a friend either since he hardly knew her.

It wasn't until Gohan was born that he understood, at least partly, why Chi-Chi freaked out. She must have been deathly afraid that he would leave her with the baby for days without noticed. After taking care of Gohan a few times by himself, he understood why that would make someone upset.

Years later, he truly understood what made Chi-Chi upset. She wasn't afraid that he would leave her and not come back. She was afraid that he would leave, get hurt somehow, and die without her knowing a thing. A notion that would have been ridiculous, if it didn't actually happened. She went over a day without knowing that he had been killed and Gohan was kidnapped.

He was greatly annoyed that his friends kept Chi-Chi in the dark for that long. It would've been easier to just tell her the truth from the start instead of forcing her to go a day wondering what happened to her family. He didn't want to imagine how scared she was. That also explained why Chi-Chi was so cold towards him after his revival and why she wouldn't let Gohan out of sight. Something like that would traumatize anyone, especially someone as sensitive as Chi-Chi.

Hopefully, he wouldn't be disappearing again anytime soon. He had every intention of staying, but he knew that life was unpredictable. A day of peace could easily become a day of terror and lost. A lesson that Raditz taught and Buu reinforced. He could live another twenty years or died tomorrow. Life was just fickle.

And one day, he may just feel the need to travel again. After his adventures as a child, he didn't feel right staying in one place for too long anymore, even these mountains. Although he enjoyed and valued his first years with Gohan and Chi-Chi, some of the best years of his life, he found himself wanting by the time Raditz came.

His life had become complacent. Although he still trained, he had stopped growing. It was the same slumped he was in when Bulma found him all those years ago. Back then, he didn't realized how limited his life was, so his lack of growth didn't bother.

He missed seeing the world and fighting strong beings like Piccolo. He even mused several times finding Piccolo and challenging just so he could ease the urged to fight. He could fight his friends, but they couldn't challenge him the way Piccolo could. He had outgrown them and wanted, needed a challenged.

Chi-Chi seemed to sense his growing discomfort, which was why she suggested that he go to the reunion at Master Roshi's.

He was grateful, but he knew that wouldn't be enough. When he returned from the reunion, he had hoped to convince Chi-Chi to travel the world with him. Chi-Chi and Gohan would see the Earth and get to experience how he viewed things. It wouldn't be long, maybe a year or two. More than enough time for Gohan to be back for preschool and have some real world experience.

It would be a hard sell. Chi-Chi wasn't the traveling or adventurous type. She saw going to West City as a big deal. She also was extremely protective of Gohan. Almost all of Gohan's early phobias were caused by Chi-Chi fussing. But he was sure that he could convince her, if for the education experience for Gohan. There were many things that had to be experience, not read about.

Raditz's destroyed those plans. It was also a lesson of being careful of what you wished for. He wanted adventure, excitement, and to fight dangerous and powerful foes, he got it. He got his fill.

Lesson learned. He would never take peace for granted again. He now trained not only for his personal benefit and enjoyment, but to keep an incident like Raditz from happening again.

Raditz bested him so thoroughly because he allowed himself to sit still and grow comfortable in peace. It was the same trap that everyone; saved for Vegeta, fall into in these seven years. If he had kept growing, things may have been different that day.

But he couldn't complain. A lot of terrible things happened because of Raditz, but his arrival opened the entire universe to him with wonders and frights that were beyond his imagination. In many ways, he was indebted to his brother.

With that said, he would loved to travel the world again. Not now. Right now he just wanted to be with his family and settle down for a while. But someday, he wanted to travel the world and hopefully take Chi-Chi with him. Their sons could come too if they wanted. He knew Goten would. He inherited his adventurous spirit. Gohan may be too busy with school and Videl to come.

He opened his eyes when the call of nature hit him. Another thing he didn't miss being dead.

Once he finished his business, he looked up towards the sun and saw that it was least past four. Somehow, he trained for over six hours without noticing anything. Where did the time go?

He flexed his arms and he realized that despite the constant exercised that he wasn't really tired. He wasn't even a little sore. The last time he trained this long while he was alive, he was sore and all over. Now, there was nothing.

He was in much better shaped than he thought, which made him smile. To think that he had gotten to the point where training for several hours without stopping barely left him breathing hard. It was nothing like seven years ago. Then again, he got tired more easily after his sickness. He would have to ramp up his training if he wanted to become stronger.

Once he finished observing himself, he felt his cloths and realized that they were slightly damped. He may have to change clothes, but he didn't think he needed to bathe. He would jump into a river, but that would just make Chi-Chi complained since she didn't count that as a bath.

Sighing, he took to the air.

It didn't take long for him to reach the house and he was thankfully dry by the time he arrived. He forgot he could air dry.

His happiness that he wasn't coming home as a sweaty mess was downplayed as he realized that there was no one there to greet him. Gohan should be home by now and Goten should be back from Trunks. He didn't feel their energy either.

He landed and sensed around, checking for any signs of danger. Everything appeared normal. But something wasn't right. It was far too quiet.

He sniffed the air and got a whiffed of the aroma of food. A lot of food. Chi-Chi must have cooked a feast.

His mouth watered and his stomach growled.

So, that's why she sent him away. She was cooking up a storm. In that case...

He walked through the door, ready to eat.

"SURPRISE!"

Goku nearly jumped. In front of him stood his friends. How they all managed to cram into his house, he wasn't sure.

Krillin laughed as he held his daughter in his arms. "Dang, we got him good. I thought for sure he would noticed us."

"He wouldn't. He was distracted by the smell of food," Chi-Chi spoke lightly. She was standing near the kitchen.

Oh, that's dirty. She purposely made the food standout so he wouldn't pay attention to the scents of his friends. And he fell right for it. They also suppressed their energy, which was why he felt nothing.

Well played.

Bulma walked right up to him and hit his chest. "You should have seen your face. I think I've never seen you so surprised."

Goku looked at his long time friend. "Why are you here?"

As far as he remembered it wasn't his birthday. Well, technically speaking, he didn't have a birthday. No one knew when he was born and his grandpa never celebrated birthdays. He didn't even know people celebrated the day of their birth until Master Roshi threw a small birthday party for Krillin.

Since he didn't have a special day, his friends made one for him. The day Bulma found him was chosen. It was fitting. It was the day that his life changed forever.

But that day past already. So why was they celebrating. A belated birthday?

Bulma laughed. "You idiot. We're celebrating your return."

He tilted his head. "But didn't I do that when I got home?"

Yamcha walked beside him and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. "Yeah, but that was among your family. We want to celebrate too, you know."

Bulma smiled. "I wanted to throw you something at Capsule Corp, but Chi-Chi called me first with her plans."

Goku was shocked to hear this. "Chi-Chi?"

Bulma nodded. "It was all her idea. She called us about two days ago and we made plans."

Goku looked to his wife who was smiling at him.

This was completely unexpected. Chi-Chi simply didn't invite his friends over for anything. Outside of Yamcha and maybe Krillin, she didn't like any of them too much. She found Master Roshi to be a prev and a bad influence on Gohan. She thought Bulma was kind of a spoil brat and a man chaser, also a bad influence. And her issues with Piccolo were very well known.

But everyone was here, including Piccolo, Mr. Satan, Buu, and Videl. Even Tien, Chiaotzu, heck even Denda was here. Those two were so reclusive that he was shocked to see them here more than Piccolo.

"Hey, Kakarot! Are you just going to stand there like an idiot? Hurry up and get this party started so I can eat," a voice ordered impatiently.

Goku looked towards the back of the room and saw Vegeta standing in the shadows, nearly invisible.

Now that was unexpected. Out of everyone, Vegeta was the last person he was expecting. Not only did Chi-Chi invite him, but he came willingly? What alternative universe did he walk into?

"Don't be rude?" Bulma scowled as she walked towards her husband.

Goku laughed. "Sorry, sorry. You all must be crowded. Come on. It will be far more comfortable outside."

Soon, everyone spread out with most of the guests moving outside, while others stood in the house. Chi-Chi sat out a picnic table and set the spread of food down for everyone to eat. The party was in full swing with everyone socializing with one another.

Goku spent most of his time catching up with Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu. He didn't really get the chance to hear about their lives during the tournament. He was the most curious about how Krillin got with 18. Given how shy he was around women and how forcible 18 was, them getting married just didn't make any sense to him.

"Well, it didn't happen overnight. It was kinda gradual thing, you know," Krillin said with a blush.

"So you and 18 been living with Master Roshi. That...has to be interesting," Goku said.

Krillin chuckled. "You don't have to worry about 18. She can handle Master Roshi just fine. And since 18 is pretty, he doesn't charge me rent as long as she's there."

Goku snickered before turning towards Yamcha. "How you been doing? Do you still play baseball?"

"Now and then, usually when I'm low on cash," Yamcha answered. "I enjoy it, but it can be so boring. No challenge at all." He smiled. "But the pay is so good since, especially since I can bribe the coach for more money."

Goku laughed. "I bet. Although, you can always go back to martial arts and be like Mr. Satan."

He shook his head. "No thanks. It's one thing to be a minor baseball star, but being like Mr. Satan would be too much. I mean the stalkers, the hanger-ons, the press. No thanks. I wouldn't mind competing in the tournament again, but it's become too big. And, outside of all of you, it would be more boring than baseball."

Tien nodded. "That's why we didn't want to come. The World Martial Arts Tournament isn't what it used to be. It's a big festival, dedicated to Mr. Satan. It isn't about fighting anymore. Just a circus."

Goku hummed.

He couldn't disagree. Tournament wasn't what it used to be. First they separated the kids from the adults so young brilliant fighters like Goten and Trunks were stuck fighting babies. The elimination round was just them punching a machine, so fighters who were weak, but skilled didn't even have the chance to fight. And the crowds themselves were much more ignorance of martial arts. Flying and them shooting blasts were seen as a trick instead of real martial arts.

It was kinda depression. He used to live for those tournaments. They were the highlight of his life as a child. To earn the title of world's strongest was his dream and the moment he finally won the title was one of the happiest moments of his life.

"Although, I do wish we came. If we did, we could have helped more against Buu," Chiaotzu said.

"I doubt there was anything you could have done. I mean, Piccolo and me got turned to stone by that Dabura guy like a bunch of chumps," Krillin stated.

Tien sighed. "Hate to say it, but he's right. I saw Buu. That guy was a complete monster like nothing we've ever encounter." He shook his head. "One kick. That's all it took to take me out."

"No point wondering about what could have been. It's done now and everything worked out," Goku stated lightly.

He felt like a hypocrite saying that since he spent the last couple of days wondering about what ifs.

"But enough about us. What about you?" Krillin said as he lightly elbowed his chest and gave him a mischievous grin. "When's the wedding?"

Goku blinked. "Wedding?"

"Oh come on. Even you must see it." He pointed over towards Gohan and Videl, who were talking intimately to each other. "Those two are practically engaged."

Yamcha chuckled. "Hard to see little Gohan in love. Man, makes me feel old."

Goku smiled. He was happy that his son had found someone special. He couldn't have found anyone better than Videl. "If they do get married, it'll probably be after they've finished with high school. I don't think Chi-Chi will let them before then."

"Are you kidding? Chi-Chi is probably Videl and Gohan's biggest supporter. She wants him to married her as soon as possible," Yamcha laughed. "I can't blame her, thought. If Gohan marries Videl, he will be set for life given how rich she is."

"Goku, you shouldn't ignore your other guests," Chi-Chi scowled lightly as she walked over to her husband.

Goku smiled as he got up from his chair. "Sorry, guys. Have to go and talked to everyone else."

"Hey, take you time. We got plenty of time to catch up," Krillin said.

Goku spent about an hour greeting and talking to his other friends. He even talked to Vegeta for a bit, who was trying his best to ignore his existence.

According to Vegeta, he was only there because of the food, not to hangout with him. Although that was certainly true, to an extent, Goku could also tell that the older Saiyan was happy to have him back. If for nothing else, he had a training partner again.

Although Vegeta never said as much, he could sense that during their battle that part of the reason why he was so dissatisfied was because he had no bar to surpass. Since Gohan didn't trained, Vegeta became the strongest in the world by default. That didn't sit well with him since he wanted to earn his spot as the greatest. Goku also suspected that was why there was such a big power gap between them, even before Vegeta became a Majin.

While he was dead, he was surrendered by powerful fighters. He had the Grand Kai who made him looked like he was standing still when they first met, Pikkon who rivaled Cell in strength, and many more powerful warriors from across the universe. He had to work long and hard to break his limits and surpassed them.

Vegeta didn't have that. It was very much a reversal of before they met. Back then; he was the one who stood still from being on the peaceful Earth, while Vegeta fought in space against many powerful foes and had a being like Frieza who was the bar to surpassed.

Now, they both stood on equal ground. Vegeta may have finally accepted his strength, but he still saw the drive in the man to become stronger. If he relaxed for even a moment, Vegeta would surpass him. He wasn't going to allow that.

After finishing his relatively brief conversation with Vegeta, he felt someone hugged him from behind.

"Thank you for bringing him back to me," Bulma whispered into his back. Her voice sounded thick, almost like she was trying not to cry.

Goku turned towards his oldest friend. "Why are you thanking me? It's because of me that he went off the deep end to begin with."

Bulma shook her head and lowered her eyes. "No. He did that to himself." She sighed as she hugged his arm, using him for support. "After you died, he was an utter mess. He completely lost the will to fight and moped around the house. For a long time, I was afraid he would leave Earth since he had nothing to anchor him here anymore. You were the reason why he stayed. Without you, he would have gone into space and never returned."

Goku was surprised to hear this. He didn't know Vegeta of all people lost his drive. He couldn't even mentally pictured Vegeta not training. It was like imagining Gohan not studying.

"Slowly, he started to get back to his normal self, but he wasn't the same," Bulma said. She had a small smile. "In some ways, he was better. He acknowledged Trunks as his son and spent time with him. He even trained him a little. But I could also tell that he was also very sad. He trained, but had no one to surpass anymore. Gohan threw himself into his studies and Goten was too young. He lost a kindred spirit when you passed." She looked right into Goku's eyes. "He may pretend to hate you, but you really are the closest thing that man has to a best friend."

Goku remained silence as he listened to Bulma.

"When he heard that you were returning for a day, I have never seen him so alive. It was like the Vegeta of old again. I thought after he settles his beef with you that he would finally find peace." Bulma laughed humorlessly. "Instead, he chose to become a monster again and kill those innocent people."

"Vegeta wasn't in his right mind," Goku quickly countered.

She shook her head. "You don't need to protect him. He told me everything. He willingly gave himself to that wizard, Babidi. And...he willingly killed those people to provoke you to fight."

"Bulma..." Goku started.

"He wanted to surpass you so much that he gave his soul, his convictions, and his life with Trunks and me away," she spoke softly, cutting Goku off. "When I saw him at the tournament...he was just like he was before. That evil prince who mercilessly murdered people. The monster who oversaw the murdered of our friends. That's when I decided. Even if there was a chance to wish him back, I wouldn't take it."

Goku's eyes widen in horror.

"I love Vegeta. The gods know how much I love that arrogant, selfish man, but I couldn't have him murdering innocent people and breaking Trunks' heart by seeing him like that," Bulma said, squeezing his arm. "That was why I was happy to hear that he died sacrificing himself to save us. I could at least tell Trunks that his father died a noble death. That he didn't die as that monster."

Goku lowered his eyes.

He couldn't, didn't want to, imagine the pain Bulma suffered over those terrible couple of days. To lose her husband was bad enough. To lose him because of a self-inflicted choice must have caused her unimaginable agony.

At the time he fought Vegeta and he learned the truth, he wanted to beat him to a pulp. He was giving the gift of a wife, a child, and a second chance at life and he threw it all away like it meant nothing. He betrayed his wife and son all because he couldn't stand being second to him. He almost wanted to go Super Saiyan 3 to punished him for. To rubbed in Vegeta's face that he did it all for nothing.

But his anger didn't last long. Instead, he simply pitied Vegeta, which was probably worse for the proud Saiyan prince. As angry as he was at Vegeta, he just couldn't stay mad at someone he saw as pathetic. It was the same reason why he showed pity on Frieza.

"But he was given a second chance," Bulma suddenly spoke up. "He had the chance to redo his mistakes and you helped him. If it wasn't for you being there and forcing him to acknowledge his better angel, then Vegeta would have been lost in Hell."

Goku rubbed the back of his head. "I think you're giving me too much credit."

She shook her head. "No. It was him acknowledging that you were the better warrior that finally set him free. He can finally let go of the past and his selflessness when fighting Buu was what allowed him to be revived by the Namekian dragon. And you saved him again by refusing to throw the Spirit Bomb when Majin Buu pinned him," Bulma stated. "If you didn't come, if you didn't force him to confront his demons, than Vegeta wouldn't be the man he is now. He'd still be that bitter person always chasing your ghost. For that, I will always be thankful."

He wasn't sure what to say to that. He blamed himself for indirectly causing Vegeta to give himself over to Babidi. Yeah, it was Vegeta's choice, but it would have never had happened if he didn't return.

Now, seeing things from Bulma's perspective, it made things a little better. Vegeta no longer resented his family for making him 'soft' and he was able to give Vegeta some form of closure. And perhaps, most of all, Vegeta's soul may be saved in the long run.

Even if Vegeta never sold himself, he was still most likely going to Hell when he died. Vegeta had done too many bad things to be allowed into Heaven and he doubted he would be giving a special pardon like Piccolo to train. The best Vegeta could asked for was to be reborn, in which he would forever lose his memories of his previous life.

Now, if Vegeta actively chose to work off his bad karma, he could get a pardon and be like Piccolo when he first died. He could even put in a special request for him. After helping to kill Majin Buu and his number of other good deeds, the Otherworld owed him a favor or two.

In any case, it was best not to think about that now. Hopefully, Vegeta's final judgment wouldn't be happening for many more years and he wanted to enjoy life before thinking anymore about the afterlife.

"Think nothing of it, Bulma," Goku said with a huge smile. "I'm happy to have Vegeta back too. It would be too quiet if I didn't have my rival around."

Bulma smiled and let go of his arm. "You better not slack off with your family too much. Vegeta will be gunning for you soon."

"I have no intention of letting him get better than me," Goku laughed.

Bulma chuckled and left to mingle with the rest of the group.

Just as she left, Chi-Chi came up from behind and hugged him. "You know, you're lucky that I'm not the jealous type." He gave her a confused look, which caused her to chuckled. "Most wives wouldn't like their husbands cuddling up with another woman."

"Oh," Goku said rather blankly. "Bulma and me are just friends."

Chi-Chi smiled. "I know, but you two share a special bond. She was the first person you met after your grandfather and your first real friend." She hugged Goku tighter. "You were also her first true friend and her protector. That's something Vegeta or me will never have with you two."

Goku turned around and gently lifted Chi-Chi's chin. "Maybe. But I also don't love Bulma either."

There was that word again. For some reason, he found it easier to say each time.

Chi-Chi was closed to tears. "You really mean it?"

He nodded. "As I said on the Lookout. I love you, Chi-Chi."

She was in tears as she got up on her toes and kissed him. "And I love you, Goku. Till death and beyond."

"Oh, that's so sweet."

Goku and Chi-Chi turned around to see Baba floating behind them on her crystal ball.

"How long you've been there?" Chi-Chi demanded.

"Long enough to see you lovey-dovey moment," Baba teased.

Before Chi-Chi could lie into the older woman, Goku cut her off. "I didn't know Chi-Chi invited you."

"She didn't. Which is very rude, by the way," Baba said, although she didn't sound angry or annoyed. "I came over since I have been sensing an uneasiness from you these last few days."

"You have?" Goku asked in surprised. He didn't know she had that kind of power.

Baba nodded. "I'm not surprised. You've been dead a long time. In fact, you are the first to return to the living world after being dead for so long. Readjusting to your old life can't be easy. Especially since you left with so much guilt. It would drive most people mad."

Goku rubbed his head. "Am I that easy to read?" He was normally so good at keeping his emotions in check. He must be slipping.

Baba stared at him for several seconds. "I normally don't do this, but do you want to hear what would have happened if you didn't come back the day of the tournament?"

"You can see that!?" Chi-Chi exclaimed in shock.

"I can see almost anything from my crystal ball," Baba stated. "The past, the present, and the future."

Goku tilted his head, his curiosity getting the better of him. "What would have happened?"

Baba looked directly into his eyes, unnerving him. "Majin Buu would have awakened. The circumstances of his revival would have been different, but it was destined to happen. Not even the Supreme Kai could have stopped it."

Goku stiffened upon hearing this.

Chi-Chi also wrapped her arms tighter around Goku.

"Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, and the others would have put up a valiant struggle, but in the end they would have failed and the Earth would have been destroyed," Baba went on in a cold, emotionless voice. "From there, Majin Buu would go on to terrorize the universe."

There was a long, uncomfortable silence.

"This happened because Goku wasn't around to stop Buu?" Chi-Chi asked as a chill ran up her spine. The thought that her entire family could have been permanently dead brought her closed to tears.

Baba nodded.

"Baba...you foresaw this?" Goku asked.

Baba sighed. "I usually don't get visions that strongly of the future. Usually only feelings of foreboding. But yes. A month before the tournament, I foresaw Majin Buu's awakening. His revival was such a shift in the future that is was impossible to ignore. Denda may have felt it too, but he couldn't know the true horrors that was about to fall upon the Earth"

Goku's eyes widen in realization. "That...that's around the same time you went to see me. Baba...did you bring me back for a day to fight Buu?"

"I looked into my crystal ball," Baba said. "If I told Gohan and the others what was about to happened, the future wouldn't have changed. There was simply no time for them to become stronger than Majin Buu, even using the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. They would just prolong the inevitable." She floated closer to Goku. "But, when I factored you into the picture, the future changed. There was a chance of Buu being defeated."

"You saw all of this?" Goku asked in disbelief. "Vegeta turning himself over to Babidi, Gohan being taking by the Supreme Kai to train, me teaching the Fusion Dance to Goten and Trunks, Buu becoming Super Buu, everyone being absorbed by Buu and me fusion with Vegeta, Buu returning to normal and destroying the Earth, and me killing Buu with the Spirit Bomb. You saw all of that?"

Baba shook her head. "Of course not. The most likely scenarios I saw was you beating Buu when he was still fat or Gotenks beating him after you taught them the Fusion Dance. There was no way even I could have foreseen Buu splitting in half and turning into that monstrous Super Buu, him absorbing everyone, or him turning into that demon of pure destruction. Even my powers have its limits."

"That does make sense. Since Buu was a being of chaos, he would throw off future events," Goku noted before looking at the old woman. "But why didn't you tell me about Buu?"

"I saw it would make little different, other than making you worry needlessly," Baba answered. "Whether you knew or not, almost everything everything that happened before Buu's awakening would have still happened."

ChiChi folded her arms. "So, even for a fortune teller, you got it wrong."

"Give me a break! The future is always moving! Nothing is set in stone, especially with a being like Buu!" Baba shouted before calming herself. "Still, it worked out for the best. Not only was the bad Majin Buu defeated and we gained a powerful ally with the good Buu, but Goku was restored to us as well. This is much better than anything I could have predicted. I sense a bright future for the Earth."

Goku was taken back by all this information. It was good thing that he returned?

Baba seemed to read his thoughts. "Goku, you misread your purpose. Despite the villains who came after you, it was all a good that those things happened."

"What?" Goku asked in disbelief.

"If you didn't fight the Saiyans and Frieza, those villains would still be terrorizing the universe and countless lives would be lost to this day," Baba explained. "And the androids, although it's unfortunate what happened to Trunks in his time, turned out to be a blessing."

Goku titled his head at this.

"If it wasn't for the androids, especially Cell, no one would have been as strong as they are now and would have been killed by Babidi's men. You dying also allowed you to reach an ascended Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan 3 and learned the Fusion Dance, which gave the Earth a fighting chance against Majin Buu," Baba said. "No matter the tragedy, Goku, it all happened for a reason."

Goku was left speechless.

He never saw it that way. Not even once. The Earth suffered greatly because of the Saiyans and they dodged a bullet with Frieza. The fallout with the androids was by far the worse. Their world would have been destroyed without Trunks.

Now, taking in Baba's words, she was right. If they never fought the Saiyans or Frieza, the universe as a whole wouldn't be better off. Frieza would still be expanding his empire while murdering millions and Vegeta would still be an evil jerkass, bent on taking Frieza's place. The thought of that didn't sit well with him.

As for the androids, he still wished they never happened. He wished that the Trunks he came to know and respect could have lived a peaceful life without their terror. That Gohan in that time could have lived a long life instead of being forced to fight before murdered at a young age and forcing his mother to bury him. He almost wanted to cry for the Chi-Chi in that time. She had no family left.

But…..he couldn't deny, if they never came they would have been ill-prepared for Babidi. Dabura alone would have torn them apart, forgot Majin Buu. Well, maybe he could have gotten stronger than Dabura, but definitely not Buu.

Then again, maybe not if his heart was damaged. If it was, he wouldn't have gotten that much stronger than he was during the Cell Games, putting him well below Dabura who was at least as strong as Cell after he came back life. He couldn't even handle Cell before then.

Did Baba know about that? She did say if was him dying that allowed him to become an ascended Super Saiyan. If he had lived after the Cell Games, his growth would have been severely limited. Becoming a Super Saiyan 2 would have been impossible, forget Super Saiyan 3.

In a strange, very twisted way, him attaching all these bad people prepared them for Buu, even if it was just barely.

Perhaps...he wasn't such a curse after all.

Chi-Chi suddenly hugged him. He looked down to see her smiling at him. "See. It's what we've been trying to tell you. You are and never have been a curse on us. You have been nothing but a blessing. An angel sent to us from the heavens."

Goku blushed at that last sentence. He really needed to talk to them about stopping using angelic terms to describe him.

"And, you're more than our protector," Chi-Chi said as she turned Goku towards the ongoing party. They could hear the laughter and talking in the distance. "Look. All the people here are here to celebrate you. Not because you saved them. But because they love you as a friend. That's what you mean to us, Goku."

Goku felt his eyes moisten, but he absolutely refused to cry.

He saw it now. How could he have missed it?

He was so busy wallowing in his own self-doubt and guilt that he blinded himself to the truth and allowed himself to deaf to Gohan's words the other day. His friends and family didn't care about his enemies. About the people who would come for revenge or for the glory of killing the strongest in the universe. None of that mattered to them. Despite knowing the dangers he tended to bring upon them, what they wanted was him. He had value to them outside of being their savior and protector.

He was a father, husband, and a friend above all else.

"That's why you threw this party for me." Goku finally realized.

She nodded and ran a thumb over his cheek. "You needed to see. You needed to see for yourself how much everyone cares for you." She lowered her head. "I think we all took you for granted. Even when you died the first time or was lost in space, we always knew you would come back to us. These last seven years, we all came to realize how much we depended on you. No one was the same after you died."

"I didn't realized," Goku whispered. "Even when I try to act selflessly, I still end up hurting people."

"That's because you only pay attention to the physical side of people and not the emotional side. It's easy for you to see how your actions hurt us physically. But you were never good with emotions," Chi-Chi replied. "You're very thickheaded in that topic."

"That's because emotions are more complicated," Goku stated in a matter of fact voice.

She pulled him closer. "We didn't make it easy. We kept pushing you to protect us without taking your feelings into account. That you were maybe hurt and in pain. That you also may need a shoulder to cry on or someone to talked to."

Goku looked down at her. "Did Gohan tell you this?"

"He told me some things," Chi-Chi said. "And, I want you know, that you can talk to me about anything. Don't ever be afraid to share your feelings with me. And….don't be afraid to cry in front of me either. Don't let all these negative emotions build all inside you anymore. You can let it out. No one can be strong all the time. Not even you."

Goku put his head into his wife's hair, nuzzling her. "It….it's been a long since I talked to anyone like that."

"Then, I think it's well past due. But not right now," she said lightly before she pulled away from him and began to pull him back towards the party. "Come on. You can't neglect your guests."

Goku allowed himself to be pulled before turning towards Baba one last time. "Baba...thank you."

Baba shook her head. "It's us who should be thanking you, Goku."

He smiled and nodded as he went back to the party. Happier and more relieved than he's been in years. It felt like a giant weight had been lifted from his heart. A weight that he's been carrying for so long that he had forgotten what it felt like to be without it. It was liberating.

"And we will be thanking you much more in the future, Goku," Baba said to herself when she was sure Goku was out of earshot. She had a far off expression on her face. "It's unfair for us to ask, especially after all you already gave, but we need you protect this world, this universe, and others a little bit longer. Hopefully by the time you leave this plain forever, you will find a true successor. Until then, Goku, you are our hope."

As Chi-Chi walked Goku back to the party, she suddenly stopped.

Goku took noticed in her sudden change in mood. "What's wrong?"

She remained silence for several seconds before turning towards him. "Goku, I want you to promise me something."

Goku stared at her, afraid of what she was going to asked.

"I'm not going to ask you to never to leave again. I know that's a promise you can never keep. You're too much of a free spirit," Chi-Chi said, reading her fears.

He gave a mental sigh of relief, but his curiosity was raised. What was she going to ask?

"I just want you to promise me that no matter what happens or where you go, that you'll try to bring yourself home," she said, making Goku stared at her. "You've proven time and again that you would die for us. But... I want you promise that you will live for us, too."

Goku opened and closed his mouth several times. "How can I promise that? No matter how hard I may evade death, I will die someday. The same as anyone else."

Chi-Chi shook her head. "I know that. But you can fight off death as along as possible. Fight to return to us. That's all I'm asking. I don't want you to ever take your life for granted again. Because if I hear you let yourself die for any reason, I will never forgive you."

Goku winced at those words. He wasn't sure if he could promise that he would never lay down his life again. Some times, such things couldn't be avoided.

But...she was right about him taking his life for granted. All his life, he believed that his life didn't really matter. Even after making friends and building a family, the sense of not really existing remained.

Talking to his family and seeing his friends during this celebration finally showed him how blind he's been. Perhaps he didn't want to see it. It was easier to fight and die when you believed that no tears would be shed over you. He purposely deluded himself.

He gently placed a hand under his wife's chin and made her look into his eyes. "I can't promise you that I will never sacrifice myself again. If the need arise that my life can save all of you, then I will take it."

Chi-Chi looked to be closed to tears.

"But, I promise that I will do everything within my power to always return to you," Goku swore. "No matter the distance or the trials. Whenever I leave, I will always come back as long as I draw breath."

Chi-Chi felt herself tear up and leaned into Goku's hand, savoring his warmth. She gave a small smile as she looked into his warm eyes. "Then, that's good enough." She pulled Goku towards the party and their awaiting friends.

The rest of the day flew by, as stories were told and old friends caught up. It was like the battle of the past never happened. There was only now and the joy of being alive and whole after so long.

Goku smiled as he listened to one of Krillin's stories. Goten sat on his lap with Gohan and Chi-Chi sitting next to him. He looked at the setting sun and enjoyed the cool breeze in his face. For the first time in days, he truly felt like he belonged.

Yes, many things have changed. His friends were different. The world was a little different. Even he was different than he was seven years ago. But that wasn't a bad thing. For some, it was the best thing ever.

He glanced at Vegeta, who sat near Bulma and Trunks, trying to hide a smile forming on his face. He could even see Vegeta holding Bulma's hand. He had never seen him so content.

He then glimpsed at Mr. Satan who laughed and joked with the Ox-King. It was like he was already an old family friend. Buu was near him, eating plate after plate of food, looking almost like an innocent child.

And the things that did matter remained the same. His friends remained as closed as ever and they still looked out for one another. His family remained by his side despite his shortcomings and loved him despite whatever evils he may bring.

He couldn't asked for anything more.

He squeezed his youngest son to his chest and cuddled closed to his wife, who put her head on his shoulder. Gohan also move closer, almost hugging his dad.

Goku closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax. For the first time in days, all was right in the world.

He was alive.

The End

With that, Learning to Live Again is officially concluded. This was a long chapter, but all the plot points I have been building towards needed to be concluded. I always had a problem that manga and anime never really answered if it was a good thing that Goku remained, or if he was right that he brought more trouble then good. It was like, Goku is back, 'yay'! So, I wanted to give a definitive yes, Goku brought far more good than bad. And it was fitting to end with a party, which is a nod to the party filler in Dragon Ball Z. I also couldn't resist given more nods to the first end credits of Dragon Ball Super. I am just a sucker for that last part of it.

And before I forget, the part about Baba foreseeing Majin Buu's arrival was inspired by Lady Thundera's story, His Special Gift. A very good read, especially if you are a Goku and Chi-Chi. Although I find her author's notes annoying given all the digs towards Funimation dub. The story was written during the time when it was very popular to bashed them anything you hated in Dragon Ball, especially when regarding Chi-Chi's personality, which the Japanese anime also exaggerated from the manga.

CGG, thank you for your review. I was worried that the tickling scene went on a little too long, but I thought it was a cute distraction from all the drama.

A big fan, thank you for your review and no problem about your English, I can understand you just fine. Dragon Ball fans in the US are very divided about Goku's parenting skills. From my understanding, the narrative that Goku is a bad or neglectful father is only really seen in the US. Asia countries and most of Europe don't see him this way. In fact, he is seen as a good father who spoils Gohan, too much according to Japan. Also, some fans love to play up the negative traits to any character, which is why Chi-Chi gets the worse of it in fanfics. Although, I find the Piccolo is a better father argument funny since Piccolo does a lot of the same things as Goku. Fans get on Goku for throwing Gohan into the fight with Cell mentally ill-perpared when he's only eleven (nine in the manga), while conveniently forgetting that Piccolo did the exact same thing in the Saiyan Saga. He threw Gohan, who had never been in a live battle before and was pampered for most of his life, into a fight with genocidal aliens when he was only four, yet all is forgiving with him. Piccolo is a father figure, but I wouldn't call him better than Goku. Regardless, Gohan loves them both.

And you right about Toriyama not going into great details about his characters. He likes making jokes and gags, but there is depth there if you look for it, especially in the Cell Saga. As you say, there are small hints, here and there.

Anony, thank you for your review. Part of the reason why I wanted to write this story is because I couldn't find a fic that went into depth about Goku's return after the Buu Saga. Most are one-shots that focused more on fluff (which I do enjoy, btw) or have everyone being angst to the point of being out-of-character, especially Gohan who some people always seem to write as emo, which drives me up the wall. As for the story length, this is actually longer than I thought it would be. When I started, I thought this story will only be five chapters and a little over 30,000 words. So, it has grown more than I expected. But, all things come to end, and I hate when stories go on longer than they should.

With my final author notes, I bid you all farewell. I do have another project in the works, but it won't be out until next year and I can't say when. Hopefully you all will be there to enjoy it.

See you later.