With the martial arts tournament and the situation with Buu over Sharpener and Yamcha returned to the desert training grounds without Videl. She'd been grounded by Hercule for leaving home without telling him where she was going. He was surprised at how much it hurt because his own father hadn't really noticed. Hadn't gone looking for him like Hercule had done for Videl. It felt empty without Videl in the house and without his sister around. He missed his sister so much and having Videl out here had distracted him from missing Erasa. The only family member he actually cared about from his biological family. Videl had been family for years and Yamcha had been becoming the father figure he wished his own father had been.

"Videl will be back after her grounding is over. I've already spoken with her father," Yamcha said, patting him on the shoulder before walking over to the kitchen to start making tea.

Sharpener turned away from Videl's spot at the table. "I know she'll be back." Erasa had already told him when they'd spoke on the phone earlier. He was looking forward to his sister coming out to the training ground with Videl when his friend returned. It would only be for one weekend. This lifestyle was not for his sister. She needed to be surrounded by people. He thought that he needed to be surrounded by people like she did. After the solitude of the desert, he didn't need a lot of people. He just needed a few important people in his life. The lots of people had distracted him from the lack of relationship with both of his parents.

"That's not all that's bothering you," Yamcha said after he'd sat made drinks at the table.

"I did terrible at the martial arts tournament," Sharpener sighed heavily taking a seat across from Yamcha. He knew it would be hard but thought he would do a little bit better.

"You did very well. You had good form and you tried your hardest," Yamcha said, looking proud of him! Of his progress.

"But I didn't beat anyone. I couldn't protect Videl or my sister. We all died." Sharpener looked out the window, he felt so useless. All that training hadn't made a difference; he wasn't able to help the two people that mattered the most. If it wasn't for the people that had actually beaten the monster and the Dragon Balls that had brought him back, he'd be spending eternity in the after-life before he got a chance to really live his life. He had hopes and dream and most of those had not been achieved yet.

He wanted to get married, preferably to Videl but at the end of the day, he wanted someone with a solid healthy relationship. There were not many people in his life that were like that. He wanted to be a better father than his own father. He wanted to play baseball professionally and to be able to protect his loved ones.

Yamcha moved to the seat in front of the window so that he was looking Sharpener in the eyes. "I also died. It wasn't just you. It wasn't just me either. It was nearly everyone. I was helpless to do anything to help. I couldn't protect the people that I love and care for. I wasn't able to protect my two students. You have nothing to feel bad about. Majin Buu and his followers, they were out of everyone's league. In those situations, you try your best and know that even if you die, you gave it your all.

"As for the tournament, your first opponent was Krillen. Krillen and I trained together, we're good friends. He's the strongest full human fighter I know. He's a lot stronger than Hercule. He's stronger than me. Maybe I'll catch him again by training you. Krillen, the strongest full human, was not able to protect his loved ones either."

"I still feel terrible," Sharpener said, turning away. "Maybe I should be with Erasa instead of out here."

"If you feel that way tomorrow you can go visit your family. Getting away from everything often helps. Sometimes a break from fighting and training is much needed," Yamcha suggested. "For now we will watch this." Yamcha held up a videotape.

DBZ

Yamcha and Sharpener studied his match extensively. He got so much advice on not only what he did correct and what he could've done better. They were also examining everything other fighters in detail and trying out new moves inspired by the other fighters. He was excited to try out some of the moves of the other fighters and incorporate what worked into his own style. A style that was his own, inspired by his former master Hercule and his new master Yamcha.

"It's still disappointing to know that my hero and former master isn't the person I thought he was." Sharpener commented when they got to Hercule's fights. It was easy to see what he'd been faking and what was real with his fights. Hercule was an excellent fighter in his own right, just not the best of the best as he portrayed. Most of it was a show, an outstanding show. He was a showman who knew how to entertain the crowds. And he felt the fool looking up to this man for so long. That he thought the flashy had been real.

"Hercule is still quite high up there amongst the normal humans. Top five at least. He's not a pushover to be taken lightly. I know you've already realised this, he's not the one who beat Cell."

If you had told Sharpener that a week ago he would not have been surprised to hear that after everything he'd learnt recently. After seeing Majin Buu, he knew then that his former Master didn't have what it took to beat Majin Buu.

"Who did?" Sharpener asked wondering if his master knew. He seemed to know a lot. His bet was on Miss Chi Chi's husband, the one who had defeated Majin Buu.

"A young boy who's half-human. His father comes from an alien race known as the Saiyans. A warrior alien race which is almost extinct. If I can ever get his mother to release her grip from him for a few minutes, I'll have him train with you and Videl. His mother would do Videl a world of good, she's the strongest female that I know. She's probably the strongest human female and would easily beat Hercule."

"If Hercule is top five where does that place her?"

"Three or four. Krillen is one, Tien is two. I don't know if Chi Chi is stronger than me or not. I am not willing to find out, she's terrifying."

"Miss Chi Chi is the mother of the person who beat Cell? He's Saiyaman isn't he?" Sharpener assumed. Saiyan human seemed to be where the name came from. And having Miss Chi Chi as a mother made sense. She had impressive form when training with Videl at the lookout.

"Bulma mention he was playing superhero. I think that is what she said his name is. Yes, Chi Chi is his mother," Yamcha said.

"Videl was disappointed that Saiyaman wasn't at the tournament. She will be here in an instant if you manage to get him to train with us. She's been trying to uncover his true identity from the first moment she met him. I'll never measure up to him. I know that Videl likes whoever Saiyaman is more then she will ever like me." Sharpener felt sad knowing that Videl would never like him the way he wanted her to. It hurt. It felt like a part of him was breaking and there was nothing he could do about it.

Yamcha pat him on the shoulder with sympathy. "I know what it's like to love someone who will never love me back the way I want. Don't turn into me. Saiyan Man was in the crowd when we first arrived. He left to deal with the Majin Buu issue. This is probably hard to believe since he's been out playing superhero and considering who both his parents are and who his grandfather is. The kids actually rather shy. It's probably why he came up with the secret identity in the first place.

"I know what it's like not to be able to measure up to someone else. I still love Bulma and will never be able to measure up to Vegeta. Don't make the mistake and waste your dating life pining over one girl, but also don't give up before you've even tried." Yamcha advised him. "It's always about finding the perfect balance between giving up too soon and allowing something to drag on too long. I allowed my relationship with Bulma to drag on too long, we both did. We're good friends now, so I don't regret dating her. I am glad we were able to come out the other end and still be friends. I do regret I never gave anyone else a chance after the second time we broke up."

"Why only the second time? Why not the first time."

"Well I was her first boyfriend, and she was my first girlfriend. We were still getting used to one another. It was a learning curve, the first time we were over before we even began but the second time we'd already been together a long while. I think we knew even back then it would not work out long term."

Sharpener appreciating his master's advice, it was more than he ever got from his father.

"When you know how to sense ki's clearly you'll know how nasty Buu truly was. He was more powerful then Cell," Yamcha told him gravely before lightening up. "You'll probably figure Saiyan Mans identity for yourself when you have better control."

Sharpener paid attention as Yamcha started demonstrating more ki control. It seemed that everything managed to turn into a lesson.

Yamcha demonstrated what one with ki control could achieve. Sharpener had a lot to learn if he was going to be a master of Martial arts.

DBZ

Hercule was so relieved when he finally arrived home. It had been a rough couple of days, the tournament had ended up a nightmare. He had to pay his winnings to the female fighter 18 because she'd thrown her match for him to win. Maybe he should've let her win and become the world champ. Tell everyone that Cell was a long time ago and it was up to the new generation to defend the planet in his place. He couldn't help it, the desire to win. He was a fraud and didn't want everyone knowing he was a fraud. Least of all his daughter.

"Videl, this is Buu and Bee. They will be living with us from now on." Hercule told his daughter nervously. He didn't know how to explain why they were coming to live with them. After all, Buu had been erased from everyone's memory, including his daughters and it was not like him to bring strangers into the house, or animals. He'd never been an animal person.

Videl ran and hugged her dad. "You really did befriend him. Yamcha sensei said that it's because of your help that we're alive now. I didn't believe him at first. You lied about what happened with Cell, it hurt when I realised that you lied to me of all people."

Hercule was glad that Videl didn't hate him, but was nervous about explaining his reasons. They were selfish reasons. "You remember Buu? But I thought that dragon thing was going to erase everyone's memories."

"Except for those who were involved. Sharpener, Erasa and I went with Yamcha sensei, Bulma and 18 to find the Dragon Balls that were used to summon the dragon. I know 18 threw her match, so you won." Videl excitedly filled him in on what she'd been doing since she'd run away from home. "I've learnt so much about martial arts." Videl started to show off her moves. "Our lessons were meant to be flying, and ki control after the tournament was over. Please, can I go back dad? I really want to learn how to fly."

Knowing that Yamcha was a part of the same group that was at the Cell games and that Yamcha was the reason his daughter knew what happened with Majin Buu and from meeting him when Videl was injured, he knew his daughter was in capable hands with her new Martial Arts master. His little girl was growing up and forging her own path like he himself had done at that age. The differencing being his own parents had not been supportive of the path he wanted to forge. He didn't want to become his parents and push his little girl away.

"I give you permission to continue training under Yamcha," Hercule said reluctantly. He didn't tell Videl he'd already spoken to her new sensei. "I can see he's trained you a lot better than I ever could. I think I wanted to protect you too much that I didn't advance your training enough. I held you back, but that wasn't intentional at all. I just didn't want you getting hurt. I still don't want you getting hurt."

"Dad," Videl hugged her father again. "I'm never going to forget that you're the first person who trained me. My fighting style will always have a part of you with me. I don't understand why you lied about Cell, I want to understand. You'll always be my dad no matter what. I love you. So I can go back and train with Yamcha?"

"Just not this week, I want to spend time with my baby girl. You're growing up so fast. You need to start going back to school and keep in contact with me alright. I've realised that I haven't spent as much time with you as I should. Oh, and I want you to give up police work. I know that you like it. You can always pick it up again after you graduated high school."

"Do I really have to give up the police work?" Videl asked with a pout that usually Hercule gave it to.

"It's police work or training with Mr Bandit. One or the other Videl. Not both. Your choice," Hercule said firmly. He was admitted about his decision as well. He knew which one his daughter would pick, the option he wanted her to pick in this situation. What he hoped would be the safer option.

Videl smiled. "I know what I'm going to choose."

"Buu train with Videl?" Majin Buu squeezed the entire family into a hug.

DBZ

Sharpener and Yamcha both stopped their training and looked up as a jet copter landed nearby. A grin formed on Sharpeners face as he ran and greeted the female pilot.

"You better not be starting flying lessons without me," Videl shouted before she reached them.

"Wouldn't dream of it babe," Sharpener grinned. Ducking the blow he knew was coming. "So you run away from home again?"

"No, dad gave me permission to keep training with you, one condition. He wants me to teach him how to fly after I've learnt. Is that allowed?

"Go ahead and teach your dad. We've got some hard work ahead of us," Yamcha told his two students.

The teenagers both followed him eager to catch up and learn how to fly.

DBZ

Sharpener walked into school as he felt everyone's energy around him. It almost felt overwhelming having so much energy around him. He froze when he felt a power level much stronger than everyone else coming from the roof. Stronger than anyone else he'd felt clearly before. He ran to the roof, he had to know who it was. It didn't feel like whoever they were was dangerous even though it was strong. Stronger then Master Yamcha.

Arriving on the roof Sharpener saw Gohan sitting on the seat that looked over the sports oval like he was waiting for him. Looking around Sharpener realised the power level was coming from Gohan. His jaw fell open. It had been a while since he'd seen his school friend. A while since he'd last been to school. It was like he was seeing him for the first time because the teenager in from of him looked like Chi Chi who had been training Videl on the lookout. The woman who was crying for a Gohan. Why didn't he make the connection sooner?

"Is Miss Chi Chi your mother?" Sharpener asked after composing himself.

"She is," Gohan replied. "My mother was impressed with Videl on the lookout, thing she's trying to marry me off to her."

"Are you Saiyaman?" Sharpener asked. He had to be because of his power levels where stronger than Master Yamcha's by a lot. Yamcha also said that miss Chi Chi's eldest son was Saiyaman.

"I am, don't tell Videl, I want her to figure it out on her own. I've been leaving my power level increased on purpose to see if she'll work it out. She's not grilling me or giving me the cold shoulder, so she hasn't worked it out yet. She hadn't had as much one on one training as you have. It won't be long till she figures out that I am Saiyaman. She's almost there."

"I won't get as much one on one training for a while. Dad wants me to finish out the school year. He's grounded Erasa and I for lying to him about me being with our mum. Finally figured out I was gone."

"Videl believes she'll be able to unmask Saiyman once she learns how to fly," Gohan said.

"Will she?"

"Only if I let her," Gohan said with a grin that suggested that maybe he'd just let her find out that way. "When Erasa said you were training with Yamcha, I checked to make sure you arrived safely. I knew you would be in safe hands."

"Did you know Videl had followed me?"

"I did," Gohan replied. "I was keeping an eye on her energy levels and checking on her daily to make sure she remained safe. Improvement comes from not just the training but the journey. If she got into real danger, I would have intervened. And before you mention that she crashed, I know. I was watching. I knew she was safe. I'm surprised that Yamcha didn't know I was there. My dad knows this neat trick called instant transmission that he's teaching me now that he's not dead. Once I learn I will be able to get you to and from training. Your dad never has to know that you're still training daily."

"I never thought I would see the day when Brain's encouraged me to break the rules," Sharpener said.

"If my mum didn't insist on me going to school I wouldn't be here. I like learning. I've known most of what we are learning at the moment since I was a little kid."

"Sparing match after school?"

"Sure," Gohan agreed.

"Sharpie, you can't challenge Gohan," Erasa scolded. Her hands on her hips in front of the open door. "Gohan you don't have to accept."

"You can tell her if she promises not to tell Videl," Gohan said. "See you after school for our sparring match." Gohan waved, running down the stairs before Sharpener could respond.

"Tell me what?" Erasa asked.

"How about I tell you after mine and Gohan's sparring match, but only if you promise not to tell Videl we're sparring. I promise I won't hurt him." Sharpener followed Gohan downstairs. He took a seat next to Gohan while Erasa took one next to Videl.