Android 16 stood with 18 near Satan city's docks. The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the fjord. The two looked at the house that stood before them.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this? I can do it for you, if you wish."
"No, this is something I need to do. It's my responsibility, not yours," 18 replied.
16 watched her walk to the front door and knock. From inside the house, 18 heard footsteps move towards the door. It opened, showing the woman who lived inside.
When the woman saw who had knocked on her door, a look of surprise came over her face.
"Oh! Y-your Red Ribbon?!" she said.
18 was silent, trying to muster up courage.
"What brings you to my humble home, my Lady?"
18 took a deep breath, then began to speak.
From afar, 16 watched as 18 broke the unfortunate news to the woman, of her husband's untimely death at the hands of the Frieza Force. 18 saw the woman's expression go from a nervous smile, to one of sadness and anger.
"I am very sorry for your loss, ma'am. I...I know what it's like to lose people you care about," said 18, in an attempt to comfort the recently-widowed woman.
The android saw the woman's raised hand, she knew what was going to happen and could have easily stopped it, had she so wished. But 18 let it come.
A loud smack could be heard as the woman slapped 18 across the face. She moved her head with it, minimizing the impact of the woman's hand. But still, it stung. A red mark formed on 18's face.
The woman's eyes were filled with hate.
"What the hell do you know? You's god damn tin can, you don't know about struggle."
The woman tried to prevent the angry tears from coming, and failed.
"You let my husband die. Mr Satan was right...you androids are monsters."
Hearing the commotion, the woman's son came into view, coming up and standing behind her.
"Mama?"
The woman looked at the small child, then back at 18 one last time.
"Get away from my home, tin can. I'm calling the police."
With that, she slammed the door.
16 ran up to 18
"Are you all right 18?"
He began to reach for the door, but she stopped him.
"I'm fine, 16."
"Assault is a crime, that woman could be facing imprisonment. I'll go in there right now and arrest her-"
"No. Her boy has already lost his father, he doesn't need to lose his mother too."
"But-"
"Let it go, 16," said 18, turning away from the house and beginning to walk back to the Red Ribbon.
16, incredulous, looked from 18 to the house, then back again.
"B-but..."
He quickly followed after her.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am. That woman was probably right, anyway."
16 could not think of any response to this, and so, the two continued along to the base for the next few minutes in silence. It wasn't until they were only about a mile from their destination, that he decided to speak again.
"I'm sorry, I knew we would face this kind of hate."
"You are not to blame for any of that. It's my own fault for being so trusting of these things. Perhaps I should simply start making Krillin do the errands."
16 stifled his urge to smile. He wasn't sure if 18 was being serious, or that was some sort of dry humor he just heard.
Later that night at the Red Ribbon base. Standing at her bedroom window, looking over the city, 18 could see the sky. It was partly cloudy that night, glimpses of stars peeking through the small gaps in the clouds. Down below, in the main town area, slept the citizens of Satan City. It was very quiet, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the trees and rustling their leaves.
Holding the newspaper, 18 let her ki flow through her hands, vaporising the newspaper that had only fuelled the android hating fires. As she watched the tiny, tiny ash crystals get carried away by the wind, she reflected on her meeting with the woman. It made 18 uncomfortable to even think about.
18 felt frustrated. She was still left without any answers, only more questions.