Videl was preparing dinner for her daughter Pan. The champion's daughter was happy that was all she had to prepare; she had seen the size of Gohan's snacks. Fortunately, Pan did not have her father's appetite, or his intelligence; or his patience; nor his peaceful approach to life. No wonder Gohan kept saying, "She's your kid." whenever Pan had a tantrum.

    That held two meanings. The obvious one was that Pan not only looked like Videl, but acted like her too. She was a fighter and a good one at that for someone her age. Videl feared that when Pan grew up, she would be stronger than her. The fact that Gohan asked her "So she's a grown up now?" did not encourage her. But, 'She's your kid' also meant that Gohan had little or no time for his daughter. He loved her very much; he would give his life for her. But Gohan was now working for Capsule Corporation. And Bulma gave him a very hard assignment, one that he had been working on for the past two years: designs for a spaceship. Bulma gave him four years to have a working vehicle ready. Videl thought that Bulma was crazy. Gohan did not. When she asked where he could begin, he said he had been on some. The thought he was crazy and that he worked so hard at it (his job not being crazy) meant that Videl had to watch over Pan.

    There were some exceptions. Sometimes when there was a crime in progress, Videl would ask Gohan to watch over her for a while. She knew that he had given up being Great Saiyanman. He knew she did not need his help anymore. So there would be times Gohan actually took care of his girl.

    Unless he was at a critical point in his designs, which only happened once.  And that was today. Fortunately Bulma herself saved Videl from trouble. Maron was going to watch over Bra for the day. If she wanted, Pan could come over. Maron did not mind.

    But now the day was done. If everything went well, Maron would be ringing the doorbell any minute now with Pan by her side. The doorbell did ring, but when Videl opened the door, she saw a very fatigued Goten carrying Pan in his arms. Her eyes were closed. Before she could ask, Goten answered.

   "She's alright." He whispered, "She's just asleep." The fear in Videl's eyes was replaced by confusion.

   "What did she do?"

   "I'll explain after she's in bed." Videl accepted this. They went up to her room. Videl pulled the covers of the bed back while Goten placed the girl in the bed. After kissing her goodnight, Videl left the room, closing the door. Goten had gone ahead and was waiting for her in the den. She repeated her question and Goten explained that she wanted to train with them. When Videl heard that she ended up training with Vegita, her jaw dropped.

   "Vegita looked after her?" she asked in stunned amazement.

   "Yeah, that surprised us too." Goten replied, "So while Trunks and I were training in Vegita's gravity chamber, he was showing your kid some moves." Videl could not believe what she was hearing. She thought it very funny. She looked at Goten and saw he was feeling the same thing.

   "Your brother is not going to like this." She said after a pause.

   "I think he'll just laugh and go make fun of Vegita afterwards." Goten said. They laughed.

   "Well," Goten said when their laughter died, "I'm going home to have a heart attack." He waved and left.

   "That's pretty high." Ubuu commented, craning his neck. He was looking at Karine's Tower, a building with many pictures of animals, people and events carved into its wood. And there were a lot of those because it rose high into the air. Goku never calculated the distance but he guessed it to be at least ten miles high.

   "We'll be stopping at its base for the night." Goku said. "Tomorrow is the home stretch. I want to be at my house by lunch."

   "Hungry are we?"

   "Very."

   "Then let's get going." Ubuu ran ahead. Goku quickly followed. A minute and fifteen miles later, they reached the base of Karin's tower. There were several tepees set up around the base. When Ubuu saw them, he stopped. He had never seen tepees before.

    A young girl came out of one. When she saw Ubuu, she raced back in. Seconds later, a tall, broad, muscular man came out. He had small red lines painted under his eyes. His hair was long and black. He carried a spear.

   "You are on sacred ground." He said, "Leave here at once." Ubuu started to say something.

   "Relax pal," Goku interrupted, "The boy's with me." He stepped out from the trees.

   "And who are you?"

   "Name's Goku. I'm a friend of Upa and his father."

   "Goku?" the man said. "The demon-killer."
   "Umm…yeah I guess I am a demon-killer."

   "It is said that should the demon-killer return, he and any of his friends shall be welcomed. You may approach. I shall tell Tiwa of your arrival." The man left them heading towards a tepee closer to the base of the tower. Meanwhile, the other natives decided to come out and see the demon-killer. Most of them stared at him in awe. They whispered amongst each other as Goku walked towards Tiwa's house.

    Ubuu lagged behind, amazed to see how these people revered Goku. He had no idea that his master had such a widespread reputation. As he looked on, he felt a tugging at his shirt. He turned and saw the little girl who had spotted them when they arrived.

   "What is your name?" she asked.

   "Ubuu."

   "Are you a demon-killer too?" Ubuu smiled.

   "No."

   "Then why are you with him?" Ubuu followed the girl's gaze. An old yet healthy looking man was hugging Goku. Both were happy to see the other again.

   "He told me I was going to be a demon-killer when he was gone." Ubuu said finally.

    He continued to stare at Goku. The old man was pointing up at Karine Tower. Goku's eyes followed in that direction. The Ubuu noticed the concern on his master's face. The boy blinked. And his master was gone.

    It took all of them a few seconds to realize that Goku had disappeared. They wondered where he could have gone. Ubuu got over the shock quickly. He looked up and saw Goku. He was flying straight up. He was alone. No, not alone. There was someone else in the air, coming down. When Goku was close to the other, he stopped. The person fell into his arms. Goku continued to go up. Ubuu soon lost sight of him.

   "You were able to see him?" a voice asked. Ubuu jumped. The old man had noticed the boy was looking up and approached him without a sound.

   "Yes," Ubuu reply, pretending he had not been startled, "He caught someone who was falling. I cannot see them anymore."

   "Ah," the old man said with relief, "Now I understand. Upa had no more strength and fell. Goku saw this and saved him yet again."

   "Again?" Ubuu asked. The old man chuckled.

   "Yes," he said, reminiscing, "Goku first came to this sanctuary when he was twelve. The Red Ribbon army wanted a dragonball. They took my son and threatened to kill him. But Goku arrived, looking for the dragonball as well, but saved my son."

   "Wow." Ubuu whispered. Then a thought struck him, "Why do you Goku a demon-killer?"

   "Three years after Goku came here, a demon by the name of Piccolo was released upon this world. It took Goku two tries, both of them nearly killing him, but in the end he prevailed. He saved the world that day."

   "So that's why you called me that." Goku said. He was still a hundred feet up but his acute hearing picked every word as if Tiwa and Ubuu were next to him. He continued to descend alone.

   "Where is Upa?" Tiwa asked.

   "Training with master Karine," Goku replied, "He won't be down for a long time."

   "It is a shame then." Tiwa said, "For he shall miss the feast." Goku's attention riveted on the old man.

   "Feast?"

   "What kind of feast?" Vegita asked over the phone.

   "One fit for a king." Gohan replied from the other end. Vegita leaned on the counter, thinking about Gohan's generous offer. He suddenly grew suspicious.

   "What's this about?" he asked.

   "It's a reunion party before the tournament." Gohan replied. Vegita paused again. Then it hit him.

   "You going to thank me in front of everyone for…baby-sitting your brat aren't you?"

   "The thought crossed my mind." Gohan said, keeping his laughter in check.

   "Forget it then!"

   "My mom and Videl are cooking." Vegita growled. Though he never said it, they were the best cooks.

   "And we can get you those little chocolate-chip cookies from Felix and Norton that you like." Gohan said in a teasing voice.

   "Will you stop that!" he yelled. Some of the dishes vibrated.

    He loved those cookies.

    Vegita was furious now. Never before had he been handed such a difficult decision. On the one hand, there was delicious food as well as the ridicule of the pathetic creatures that were to attend. On the other hand were no mocking and no eating. It was as if he had to decide to fight either Frieza or Buu. One would bring him pleasure, but no honor. The other would kill him but he would be honored.

    And the worst part of it all was that he knew he would not be able to threaten the others. Not because of Kakkarot. Not because of Trunks. Not even because of Bulma. Vegita could not attack these people because something inside him was restraining him. He never understood what it was or when it came about, but he just did not feel like killing or being violent anymore. Which is why it was no surprise to him when he told Gohan he would be there. And it angered the prince when Gohan replied without a hint of surprise. The boy knew too.