here's an new chapter i think its my longest one so does that make up for how long it took? (^_^" )

i own nothing!

In the dream Serena was drowning. She was in an endless sea of darkness with a black sky, and she was getting tired. The sea was thick and hot on her body making her arms and legs feel like lead, but when she thought she could take no more and would surely drown underneath the black liquid a boat appeared. The boat was shabby and looked like it wouldn't last another moment on the water but behind the boat she could see a blue sky. On the prow reaching out for her hand with his onyx black eyes and hair was Gohan. Before she could reach for his hand another boat appeared. This boat was luxurious and on the prow also reaching for her hand was Darien, but the sky behind him crackled with lightning and she could feel a harsh cold wind blowing. They were both so close, all she had to do was reach her hand to either side and she would reach one but before she could decide they both withdrew their hand. The two men seem to notice each other for the first time and they were throwing shouts at one other. Then they were at each other's throats. They didn't seem to see Serena any more while they battled each other on their boats. As much as she screamed no one heard. She screamed and screamed until finally the sea over took her body silencing her.

Serena woke up panting in a cold sweat clawing at the air. Her table clock read quarter to five which was a good time to get up, to not have another nightmare. After getting dressed she took off through the window, but instead of going down she headed up to the roof avoiding the randomly placed cameras. This was her spot to come when she wanted to be alone, under the moon she could think straighter. The air tonight was cold but it kept her awake, eventually though her thoughts caught up with her sending her mind into frenzy. "I could just run away," she mumbled to herself. "I can leave this stuff behind. If I plan it all right Beryl might leave my family alone and they can stop worrying so much about me." She remembered the first time she ran away and how she almost fainted, but now her health was fine and no one would come looking for her if she planned it perfectly. "Why does life have to be so hard?" She sighed falling on her back facing the stars. This is when she saw the man upside down his back turned to her staring at the moon.

"Back home we didn't have a moon like this, this one is breathtaking."

"Dad?" Serena said sitting up to see clearly. The figure turned around fully showing Vegeta in his casual attire.

"Your mother thinks something's the matter with you with you will all the moping you've been doing lately."

"I'm fine." Serena replied turning away from him. Vegeta walked over and sat next to her facing the stars. Even though he was her dad, she always felt awkward talking to him about her problems.

"I'm not going to ask you what's wrong because I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the boy, but I will listen." Serena thought for a moment before replying. She didn't think she would ever have this type of talk with her father.

"It's not just him dad, he's only part of the problem. I'm still being hunted."

"Nobody Serena, will ever hurt you. Why do you think I spend so much time training? I rather die than watch anyone touch you, any of us would." Somehow that didn't make her feel any better. Actually the thought of her family in danger for her sake made her feel sick to her stomach. "It will get better Serena I promise." Vegeta did something than that was totally unexpected then, he reached over and pulled Serena in for a hug. After the general surprise settled Serena leaned into her father's strong chest.

"What if it doesn't?" her words were muffled and she thought at first she didn't hear her, but the she felt him chuckle and he kissed the top of her head.

"Than we'll do what we always do, and wing it."

BERYL'S LAIR

Everyone was assembled in the laboratory surrounding the tube with the green liquid. Only now instead of there being a blob inside there was a little boy. The boy looked around Trunk's age with short spiky red hair. Although he looked small and weak its vitals proved that it had enough power to even take down Goku at his highest power level. Sailor Mercury stepped forward and inserted the release code and the fluid drained from the tube dropping the boy on all fours. He opened his eyes for the first time and looked around with a cold stare. His eyes were pure black with neon red irises but as he took his first breath they changed to a regular white with soft green.

"He's actually pretty cute." Sailor Venus said stepping forward to take a closer look.

"Yeah he's too cute can he actually get the job done?" Sailor Jupiter stared at the boy who in return stared back.

"He's perfect!" Queen Beryl laughed. "Along with those rust buckets I had fixed up everything is perfect. This boy has a piece of DNA acquired by Mars from every one of those ingrates including the Namekian, along with the same powers you all do. He's indestructible!"

"What's his name?" Venus asked. Beryl seemed to think about this for a while before smiling wickedly.

"His name shall be Malachi." Mercury punched in a few buttons and two people entered the room. The original androids had been re-wired so that they no longer had any memory of who they used to be. They also went through physical changes so that they no longer looked like there old selves. "They will serve as the boy's parents but he is highly capable of taking care of himself, isn't that right Malachi?" The little boy jumped down from the tube cracking the cement where he stood. He turned to the queen and made a fist over his heart bowing low.

"Yes my Queen." His voice was smooth fitting the rest of his body perfectly. He looked like the perfect child. Then Beryl got serious.

"You know your mission?"

"Infiltrate. Destroy."

"Make them suffer. I want them all to beg for death's cold kiss. Especially, the blonde one." She turned to Mercury then. "Take them to the Transport. Before Mercury could press the button sending them away Beryl stopped them "And Malachi while you're there please try to blend in. Show some teeth!" Malachi seemed to think this over for a while before flashing Beryl a beautiful smile. Then they were off.

BACK HOME

"Mom how come Trunks gets to go to school and I'm stuck here?" Serena had been trying to persuade her mother to let her go to the local public school for almost half an hour now but Bulma was being as stubborn as ever. They were both sitting in the kitchen when Serena brought it up again. Bulma sighed into her cup of coffee.

"Trunks goes to school because he needs an elementary school education. You were in your junior year of high school, if you really want an education so badly I can get you a private tutor or teach you myself." Serena picked up an orange and began idly playing with it. As much as she loved her mother she didn't think she could handle her as a teacher.

"So what if I don't want a private tutor, what else am I supposed to do all day?"

"Besides training with your father, I could easily give you some work to do. I would hope you would do something productive on your own." Suddenly Serena had a plan. A brilliantly, risky, stupid, fun plan.

She got up and tossed the orange back into the bowl. "You're absolutely right mom I should be doing something productive as a matter of fact I'll start right now." Bulma stared at Serena with a confused look but eventually let it go.

"Fine go have fun just don't wander off too far."

"Don't worry mom I'll be perfectly safe." She turned around and headed for the door before her mother could see her smile.

Orange Star high school was about a half hour walk away from capsule corp. The building itself was huge and on one side she could see a large amount of students having lunch. There were about three more classes until the end of the day and it was perfect. The only problem Serena could think of was avoiding Gohan but the school was huge and the odds of bumping into him were pretty slim. Getting in was easy enough since there were students coming and going from lunch, she only got a couple of glances when she walked through the doors but no one stopped her. The moment she entered the building she felt like her old self again. She looked at all the cliques and imagined herself sitting amongst the other girls discussing simple things like hair and makeup, then sighed. That type of life would never be hers. Serena walked the halls until she heard the bell ring signaling the end of class. She ducked and weaved through the wave of students until she found a class that interested her. The home economics class was nearly empty when she came in. The teacher was a small blonde lady who looked pretty happy. When she heard Serena walk in she looked up.

"Hi can I help you with something?" Serena smiled.

"Hi My Name is Serena. I usually have gym this period but I hurt my leg so they sent me to this class for the day." Serena could see the teacher believing every word she said.

"Well Serena my name is Mrs. Marx it's a pleasure to have you for the day. We'll be baking a simple funnel cake so there shouldn't be too much hassle." After the rest of the students had sat down Mrs. Marx introduced her to the class and told her to go sit next to an Audrey.

"Hey." The girl said leaning back in her chair.

"Hey." Serena repeated. The girl had long brown hair and a layer of makeup, she seemed to examine every last inch of Serena.

"You're new." It was a statement not a question making Serena feel uncomfortable.

"No." she said avoiding her stare.

"I've never seen you around before. I know everyone who goes here."

"Everyone?"

"Yes everyone. So why haven't I seen you before?" Serena waved off her question, she had other things in mind.

"I tend to stay out of the way around here, but hey do you know a lot about Gohan Son?" Serena could see Audrey's eyes light up at the sound of his name.

"The senior? I know a little. He's a genius and has an amazing body. Almost every girl in the school has been trying to snag him up, but some of them shouldn't even bother." Serena felt weird having some stranger gush about her boyfriend and she didn't miss the way Audrey narrowed at her eyes at her during the last few words.

"Do you like him?" she had to ask. Somehow she felt Audrey had a thing for Gohan.

"I would love to date him, but he's… complicated." Serena didn't fail to see the way Audrey smiled with a glazed look in her eye either. "But don't worry Serena with the way you look I bet every other guy will be after you."

Serena didn't talk to Audrey after that, only commenting on small things while they baked their cake. When they were done and Class ended she left in a hurry not wanting to hear more from her. She decided that the best way to blow off some steam would be to head to gym. After "burrowing" a gym outfit which consisted of shorts that were too short and a t-shirt that showed way too much from a random locker, she headed to the gym with everyone else. Unfortunately for her Audrey was there as well.

"Serena! Hey Serena over here!" she reluctantly walked over to the girl not wanting to seem rude to someone she barely knew. There was a group of people around her including a girl with a pink streak in her hair and boy who smiled as she walked over. He was fairly handsome and had a strong build, his blonde hair and green eyes glittered in the light.

"Well hello there beautiful since when are you in our gym class?"

"Just today." She replied looking away. Audrey turned over to a girl on her side.

"So, Serena was asking about Gohan today." The girl's eyes lit up just as much as Audrey's did.

"Ohmygosh isn't he just amazing? I've been trying to talk to him for months now I have the perfect plan to get him. I would love to just figure out what goes on in that big gorgeous brain of his."

"Do you ever think that maybe he won't be interested in anyone here?"

"Aww that's cute you have a crush on him too. Well there are some girls who go around claiming they go out with him but we know there lies." The girl looked over to Audrey and raised her eyebrows.

"Hey we totally have a connection, he gave me a hug once." Audrey stammered defending herself.

"A hug means nothing. Until you've got that sexy beast in your bed you're just like us."

"Why do you want to know about Gohan?" The boy asked. "If you ask me someone as pretty as yourself should go for someone you really know. By the way my name is Charles it's a pleasure to meet you." Charles grabbed her hand and kissed the back wiggling his eyebrows. Serena pulled a smile and yanked her hand away looking back to the girls but they were absorbed with discussing Gohan and different ways of trying to date him, so instead she looked around the gym. It was a big class with one teacher who didn't even seem to realize that there was an extra student. The whistle was blown and all the kids filed outside to the track.

"We're all getting ice cream later come with us." Serena turned and saw Charles walking next to her.

"Sorry I have plans." She walked a little faster. Suddenly she felt a palm lightly touch her butt and Charles walked past her turning back to wink at.

'God if I ever see him again it'll be too soon.' She thought than took a deep breath. 'Low profile.'

"Try to keep up." Audrey said brushing Serena's shoulder flipping her hair. When the whistle was blown they all peeled out of the starting line. Audrey was in front along with the girl with the pink streak, Serena stayed in back to not draw any attention but something inside changed when she saw laughing in front. She ran faster easily passing most of the runners until she was right next to Audrey. When she saw Serena catching up she ran faster. Audrey obviously had some experience running but Serena had more. She decided to run a little faster, not enough to draw any more attention but enough to stay a step ahead. After the five laps required they stopped. Serena had come in first with Audrey right behind her panting and dripping sweat. Besides the sheen of sweat Serena was fine. Nothing could compare to the rigorous training she got at home with her Father.

"Wow you're really fast you should consider joining the track team." Audrey managed between breaths.

"No, I'm not really a fan of track." By the time everyone else had crossed the finish line, they were all buzzing about how fast Serena was going. 'Way to keep a low profile.' She thought.

"Listen," Audrey whispered. "I can tell you'll probably be amazing in the rope climbing but don't be. That girl over there Clarissa holds the record for the fastest, and tends to get a bit iffy about anyone who comes near to beating it." Serena looked over to where she was pointing and saw a rather large girl. She had come in a couple of places behind them and was glaring in their direction. When they were all inside they filed over to the pair of hanging ropes. Serena watched as Clarissa climbed the ropes at a fast pace easily passing her partner. When she got back down she looked over to where she was standing and smirked. When it was Serena's turn she looked over to Audrey who shook her head slightly and gave it her all. Serena climbed the rope as fast as she could and was back down before her partner was at the top. The whole class seemed to be holding their breath until the coach filed through.

"You! What's your name?" she asked her.

"Serena." She replied wondering what would happen next.

"Well Serena, congratulations! You now hold the record for the rope climbing. That was simply amazing!" The whole gym erupted into a cheer. Serena turned her head to see Clarissa glaring directly at her. Serena had just finished changing into her regular clothes, when she felt a pair of strong hands grab her hair and yank her back onto butt.

"Who the hell do you think you are new kid coming in and doing that?" Serena looked up from where she was sitting to see Clarissa glaring down at her along with a small group that had gathered to watch. She got up and dusted herself off before turning to face the girl.

"Look I don't know what you're yelling about. If you're talking about the record, there meant to be broken."

"You know what else is meant to be broken? Every bone in your damn body! That record was mine!" The girl reached out to grab Serena's arm but she easily avoided it and grabbed her arm instead quickly pinning it behind the girl's back. Clarissa tried to hit her with her other arm but Serena side swept the back of her legs forcing her on her knees.

"Look I don't want to fight you. It's just a stupid record I'm going let go but if you try and hit me again it won't be pretty." Clarissa nodded her head in agreement but after Serena let go and she was up on her feet she lunged towards her with a fist raised. Serena knocked away the fist coming her way and threw a punch of her own. It connected with the girl's stomach knocking the wind out of her and making her double over, while her head was low Serena raised her leg and dropped it hard on top of her skull. Clarissa seemed to stay up for a second before falling face first into the floor. The room was silent until a random girl stepped forward staring at the unconscious girl.

"Do you know what you've done?" she asked in awe.

"I know I'm sorry. I didn't mean for-"

"Don't apologize, it's the best thing that ever happened." All around her the locker room erupted into a cheer and they started to chant Serena's name. 'Yep definitely a low profile.' She sighed. The whole school was abuzz with the locker room incident. Somehow the story had twisted to Clarissa crying and begging before she got knocked out. There was one class left until school ended so Serena slipped into the last class she ever wanted to be in, Math. 'If I'm gonna go through school I've got to take the good and the bad.' She thought as she slipped into the class. The lights were off as the teacher was facing the projection board writing out long equations. She found an empty seat near the back and sat down; if anyone saw her they mistook her for a late student. It was a fairly large class; large enough that one extra student didn't make a difference at all. The teacher asked a question and turned around not even noticing her in the dark room and picked on a student somehwere behind her.

"Yes Mr. Gohan?"

"The original problem for the function notation is F of x equals negative three x squared plus five x plus 2." The teacher beamed at the correct answer and turned back to the board. Serena sank low into her chair. Not only had she stumbled into an advanced math class, she had stumbled into Gohan's advanced math class. She could feel the hairs in the back of her neck stand up, maybe he didn't see her in the dark. Serena stayed low in her chair for half an hour before the bell rang She got up and rushed for the door and thought she had gotten away, when she felt someone grab her wrist she almost screamed.

"Chill it's just me Charles, you okay?" Serena let out a sigh before remembering she didn't like Charles much either.

"Yeah I'm fine I just really have to go." She said trying to free her arm but he held on and moved forward until her back was against a locker.

"I decided that you're coming with us to get that ice cream."

"I have a boyfriend." She stated trying to inch away from him. He used one arm to block the side then the other to stroke her jaw.

"Hmm well I've got a goldfish. Neither thing is important." He leaned in closer almost touching his lips with hers until a hand grabbed the front of his shirt and shoved him back crashing into the wall.

"I believe she said no." Gohan looked from Charles to Serena and back. His eyes were a mix of emotions and none of them were happy. He grabbed her hand and led her out of the building to a bench close by. "Please tell me that really wasn't you I saw walk into my math class." When Serena didn't reply he sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Serena what the hell? I have a hard enough time fitting in without you messing things up!"

"A hard time? You're treated like royalty here, the only hard time you should have is swatting away girls." She mumbled the last part.

"What?" Gohan didn't have time to go on because suddenly the group of girls Serena has seen with Audrey approached them. They looked from the standing Gohan to the sitting Serena.

"Looks like you've already met the new girl Gohan isn't she cute?" The girl with the pink streak looked at Serena and sniffed. "Any ways I wanted to ask you a question, there's a party on Friday and I was wondering if you wanted to come with. It doesn't have to be a date if you don't want it to be." The girl stepped forward slightly standing in what little space there was between the couple.

"So Gohan are you going to introduce us?" Serena asked motioned toward the girl. "Serena this is Jenn." The girl smiled at Serena with a small smirk. "Jenn this is Serena she's-"

"I'm his girlfriend." Serena spat. She saw as Jenn's face took in her words.

"But Gohan I thought you were single. When did you get together with that?" Gohan reached around Jenn and took Serena's hands in his own.

"The that you're referring to is my girlfriend and has been for months now."

` "B,B,But she's not even pretty!" Serena could see the girl's eyes filling up with tears. "We can fix this were basically made for each other we couldn't be any more alike!"

"You're right she's not pretty she's beautiful, and I would watch what you say around her she's a fighter. And as for being alike I really don't think so" He smiled at his beloved who was blushing. Serena could feel all of the girls glares as Gohan bent down for a kiss. Jenn stomped her foot and shrieked running off, her friends close behind. Gohan pulled away when they were gone, the smile dropping from his face.

"What in Kami's name are you doing here Serena?"

"I missed you." she shot reaching up for another kiss but he pulled away.

"Don't tell me that, you've been avoiding me for weeks, what's the real reason?" She sighed "Fine everyone is in school besides me so I came in for a few hours just to remember what it feels like." Gohan looked at her with disbelief then he raised his voice.

"Serena you don't just sneak into school, when your parents find out you're so grounded!" She shoved Gohan away managing to get a couple of feet between them.

"Stop yelling at me!" she shot back. "Do not yell at me about being good. Do you have any idea how it is being home 24/7, do you think I like it here? No I hate it! I hate all of this the hunting, the protecting, I'm grateful but I don't want you guys fighting for me. You get to be normal, and have a life, if I have the oppurtunity to be normal for a few hours I'm going to!" Serena could feel tears escaping the corners of her eyes but she ignored them.

"Serena."Gohan said reaching out for her hand, but she pulled away."Ever since I've been here all you guys have done is protect me. I'm not even allowed to have my own life. I don't want this Gohan."

Hours seem to drag by as the two stood there looking around them but it was only a couple of minutes later that Gohan saw something than that he knew would make her feel better. Before she could protest he lifted her up and brought her over to the bench silencing her with a kiss as he sat her on his lap. Serena wondered what was happening the type of kissing they were doing was rare. There was lip biting and he was holding her close to him like they weren't in a public area. Then she saw what it was, not too far away Audrey's friends had gathered to spy on the couple and now they stood there gaping at a side to Gohan the never saw. Serena smiled and added to the kiss making it hotter until the group left with more tears. When they were gone they stopped kissing but Gohan didn't let go of her.

"Look I know this is hard Serena it's hard for all of us, but we just got you back. You spent years in a different world away from us and will do anything to keep it that way. I know I've been kind of a-"

"Babysitter." Serena interrupted.

"I know I've been kind of a babysitter but I'll stop. I've waited years for you to be mine. As for your father I don't think he'll ever stop so that's your problem." They stayed like that until Serena's body started to get stiff. "Do you want me to walk you home?" Gohan offered. Serena smiled.

"Yes walk me home, and stay for dinner. Plus I think it's hot enough to leave the window open" Gohan smiled and grabbed her hand heading for home. When they got to the house it was loud. Trunks had a friend over and they were both upstairs banging and smashing toys together and adding sound effects making it sound like a war zone.

"Gohan it's nice to see you back here." Bulma grinned giving him a big hug. Vegeta was downstairs as well and nodded as they both walked in.

"It sounds like Armageddon upstairs." Serena said.

"Trunks has a new friend he invited over, and they've been playing all this time." Bulma said shaking her head. Another crash was heard from above. All of a sudden the noise stopped and feet could be heard thundering down the stairs.

"Serena!" Trunks yelled flying into her arms. "I want you to meet my new friend!"

"Hi!" the boy said Flashing Serena a brilliant smile. "My name is Malachi, I love your pretty blonde hair."

i think this chapter screams awesome dont you? the more you review the faster i update ;)