Time passed. Life went on as usual in the Western Capitol and elsewhere. Today was Sunday, and Videl had the day off. She was in a store in the city, looking at the various products the salesman showed her. As the second place winner in the Tenkaichi Boudukai, she also received a reward, and she decided to use the money to buy something for her father.

"How about this one?" The salesman asked her, showing another floating car-wheelchair (ala Prof. X of X-Men). "This is our latest model. It can fly like an air-car as well as run on the ground. It's very easy to operate and equipped with the best safety devices. Here," he showed her. "It also comes with a 5 year guarantee."

Videl inspected the car-wheelchair and decided she liked it. "I'll take it." The salesman smiled brightly as he encapsulated the car-wheelchair and put in inside a box. He handed it to Videl. She paid for it and left. "Goodbye! Thank you and come again," the nice and friendly salesman said as he escorted her to the door.

Videl drove her air-car through the Western Capitol. It was still early in the afternoon, and she had time to kill. "What shall I  do now?" she pondered. Suddenly she thought of Upa. She hadn't seen him much after the incident with the Tsuru brothers. They met once in a while when they both happened to be visiting Supper at the hospital at the same time. But other than that, she hadn't had much opportunity to see him. There was a lot of things she wanted to ask him. He said he lived in Karin Village, with the twins whom he had taken in to train. She hadn't seen them as well since Supper left the hospital. Not that she missed them ...much. "Oh well. What the heck. I'll just go and visit them," she decided.

So Videl flew her car to the direct on of Karin Village. From the sky she could see a collection of wigwams and new farms surrounded by mountains and an evergreen forest. In the middle of the village was a huge stone pillar, much higher than the rest of the buildings. She flew down and landed her car not far from the pillar. Upa was outside his house, sharpening his axe when Videl landed a short distance away. He looked up as she got out of the car, and smiled in recognition when he saw her. "Ah, Ms Videl, how nice of you to come and visit," he said, walking towards her. She smiled too as she shook his hand and handed him the cake she bought from town. "A little something for you and the twins. Just thought I'd drop by and see how they're doing," she said.

"Oh, they're doing fine." Upa said as he led her towards his house. "Their training is going along very well. They're both very talented. I'm sure in a few more years TaoPaiPai won't be a problem for them."

Those two are that good? Videl thought silently as she thought of TaoPaiPai and Tsuru and their mysterious chi techniques. "How about you?" She changed the topic. "How are you doing?" she asked him.

"Hmm? I'm fine," Upa said as he opened the door. "Please come in," he let her walk in. "Make yourself at home," he said and disappeared into the kitchen. Videl nodded. As she settled in her seat, she looked around. The house was tidy, and there wasn't much decoration. On the mantelpiece, she saw an old photograph. She got up to take a closer look. It was that of a younger Upa, his face not yet disfigured, a pretty young woman and a little boy. They looked so happy. It was so contrasting to the constantly grim look on his face now. She turned around when she heard movement from the kitchen.

Upa appeared with some tea and the cake that Videl brought, cut nicely and ready to eat. "I was looking at the photo--" Videl began to say, but at the same time there was a knock on the door. No sooner than they started knocking, the door opened from the outside, revealing Tea and Supper, both of them looking dirty and sweaty. "Upa-sensei, we finished tilling the field," Tea said. The he saw Videl. "Hey, Videl! What are you doing here?" Supper saw her too. She beamed. "Officer Videl! It's so nice to see you again!" She started to walk towards Videl, but Upa stopped her. "Ms. Videl came to see how you're doing. Now go get cleaned up, and  then come here for tea."

"Yes, Upa-sensei!" Supper turned around and went to her room, followed her brother. "They've grown," Videl said, watching them. "Yes, they have," Upa agreed, a tiny smile forming in his lips. Videl turned to look at him. He was still looking at the direction of the twins. She could detect a hint of fondness in his tone, and in his expression.

But it turned to the usual serious one again as he sat down and began serving the tea. Videl joined him at the coffee table. They engaged in some small talk. Soon, Tea and Supper appeared, clean and freshened up. They ate ravenously and talked about their training and their new life in Karin Village.

As the evening wore on, villagers returning from their farms could hear voices and laughter coming from the house of their respected leader, something they haven't heard in a long time.

Chapter 21
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