The shower always seemed to be his refuge from the world. The hot steam would cloud around him and fog the views and judgments that were often imposed on him. His hair stuck to his back as the water cleansed it down into a straightened mane. He gazed into the steaming water, not blinking, not flinching. It never seemed to bother him at all. It was a few days since his defeat...and 500 times normal gravity seemed that much more maddening to him. He usually didn't strain too much, but here he was, in the shower after quitting again. Never say die...lately he had been saying the entire eulogy. And so there he would stay for hours on end , no words, no singing, no yelling at Bulma for walking in to use the bathroom while he was in there....just silence. Bulma found herself in the bathroom once more, staring at the occupied shower as her husband didn't draw back despite her presence.

"Vegeta?"

Nothing still. The reality of it all was he didn't want to move, he didn't have much reason to. So she continued because she felt compelled to. She could see his pain, his grief; it was on his sleeve for a change instead of being buried deep beneath the surface and for that reason she began to take off her clothes. She kicked her pants to the side hastily, pulling her top off next. She stood still watching for a response, and still got nothing. It was then she unhooked her bra, and slid her panties down, kicking them gently off her foot onto the pile of clothing she just made. In her bare state, Bulma steadily paced towards the shower, and he still didn't move. She slid the door to the side stepping into the shower behind him. Bulma continued to just stare with sympathetic eyes at him before finally wrapping her arms around him from behind, gently kissing his back with a stray tear.

"You aren't alone Vegeta..."

His eyes only wondered back to her as she snuggled her head into his back. He then returned his original state, it was then he truly knew that she was there for the long haul as his true companion.

******

Trunks sat in Algebra II doodling in his book, yawning in boredom. He hated being so smart. Not that having everyone look at him like a god wasn't cool, but it put him in a bunch of classes with boring teachers that had no flavor or style. He looked across to Goten, he was scribbling notes attentively without a hitch of indifference. Goten was pretty smart too, Chi-Chi was more relaxed on the studies with him than she was with Gohan...but he still had to study! So here he was taking a high level class with him. Too bad he wasn't as smart as Trunks, then he wouldn't need to study as much, and it'd be natural. Right, too bad. Trunks looked back down at his pad. He had drawn a picture of his dad standing on every imaginable bad guy, From Cell to his rendition of the monstrous Frieza.. He smiled with pride thinking about his powerful pa and with that he looked to the ceiling watching the roof in the auditorium style class room. He had just turn 13 and already he felt like he was wasting his life sitting around in this place all day, not to mention as good a looking guy as he was, he could be running around picking up girls. It was even easier when his mother kept him with the latest fashions and shoes. They shopped allot, and even though Bra was only 5 going on 6, and she was developing a fashion sense of her own. Vegeta stayed pretty nice too, wearing suits and GQ type outfits to places-well he'd stay in his room in the house if he had the chance, but Bulma would drag him places with her on her quest to find him a job-but his dad was a pretty neatly dressed guy...well on the other hand, he wore what Bulma went out and bought for him. Trunks leaned his head back down turning it to face Goten, whom was looking back at Trunks with a large sweat drop. He looked down a row to the recently transferred into class Amber, she was doing much of the same, along with the guy next to her, and so on with the entire class. Trunks finally turned to the front of the class. The teacher stood tapping his foot impatiently causing Trunks to look back at Goten with a shrug.

"....What did I do?...."

"....You were thinking out loud again...."

Trunks blushed a little before shooting up, with a humble bow.

"Sorry. Mr. Jackson!"

"Trunks....am I boring you son?"

"No sir."

"Then try and act like it boy. Now as I was saying the interval variable x is..."

The white haired man turned scribbling more notes on the chalk board. Trunks sighed again as he sat back down. He looked back at Amber who giggled at him sweetly turning back to her work. Trunks gave a simple smile. In the end it was a small sacrifice. His pride to impress Amber...what would his father think of such a thing? He quickly turned back to his note with the repetition of the phrase "pink shirts" silently to himself.

******

The bell rang signaling for the end of day and as usual, Goten waited for Trunks by the door. They would fly back to Goten's for lunch and a little sparring, then Trunks would head back to West City for a light study and be with his family for the rest of the day.

"Come on Trunks! I'm starving man."

"Yeah yeah calm down, I'm coming okay?"

Trunks walked beside Goten down the long hallway towards the elevator. They're lockers were placed together on the 3rd floor. It seemed as if Trunks and Goten did everything together, they even called each other cousins, but that's besides the point. The two stopped when they finally reached their lockers. Trunks flipped the combination opening his locker first.

"Hey Trunks you gonna go to the carnival this weekend?"

Trunks pulled out his book bag placing it on the floor unzipping it.

"Naw, I think I'll pass."

"Hm, why?"

"Well...I uh...got nothing to wear."

Goten looked at Trunks from around his locker door with an unbelieving eyebrow raised. He looked at Trunks from head to toe. He was wearing a brand new baby blue valure jumpsuit, a new chain and matching shoes, Goten however, wasn't close to being as pricey as his Sayain counter part, but hey at least he wasn't coming to school in a potato sack.

"Nothing to wear Trunks...?"

"Y..yeah."

Goten shook his head as he slung his book bag over his shoulder.

"Come on man! Hey why don't you double with me Trunks!? Michelle wants me to go with her so I am! You can bring Amber!"

Trunks reddened up slightly looking to the side trying to be tough.

"Ahem...uh...w...why would I do that?"

"So it can be fun! It's only a carnival Trunks."

"Yeah like she'd ever want to go anywhere with freak of nature like me?"

"Why don't you ask me and find out?"

"Cause you'd say no?"

"No I wouldn't."

"Yes you wou...."

Trunks and Goten both stared at each other with wide eyes before snapping their head back in the direction of Trunks. There she stood, armed with a smile and closed eyes. Trunks and Goten looked at each other for a second before turning to face her again.

"How long you been there Amber?"

"Right before I heard you ask Trunks about the carnival. And I'd love to go with you Trunks, I'll meet you there at 5!"

Amber kissed Trunks cheek before running off with a wave and a giggle. Trunks rubbed his cheek stupefied with a blush, Goten only buried his head in his palm.

"Oh Trunks, stop being a dork..."

******

"Carnival huh? Why do you wish to partake in such foolishness?"

"Vegeta, it's not foolish, it's fun."

Bulma said as she sat a huge plate in front of Vegeta coming to Trunks defense.

"Fun you say? Pha! I see it as a bunch of rickety carriages riding around on rusted tracks with sticky foods and annoying sideshow freaks!"

"What about the clowns?"

"Especially clowns! I wish I could just blast them all..."

"Vegeta why do you always have to blast everything?"

Bulma spoke with an annoyed pitch, slapping a hand on her waist as Vegeta slammed his fist on the dinner table hard preparing to answer his wife's question. Bra laughed as her spaghetti jumped up off the plate and right back down on it again from her fathers...excited response.

"Because dammit....it's the only way to do things right."

"But dad, my friends are going."

Vegeta raised an eyebrow looking at Bulma leaning over with a whisper.

"The boy has friends other than Kakarot's children?"

"Yes Vegeta quite a few actually..."

"What for?!"

"Vegeta not everyone likes to train all day and blow things up."

Vegeta laughed coolly with a demonic smirk.

"Then you haven't lived woman."

"Gawd Vegeta."

"What?"

"Hey yo I'm still over here waiting you know?"

The two stopped their whispering to look at their son. He glared at them both, playing in his food with his fork.

"So you guys gonna let me go or what?"

Vegeta gazed at his son firmly.

"No."

Bulma popped Vegeta in the arm again.

"Vegeta! Of course you can honey."

Trunks jumped from his seat clutching his fist with excitement.

"Ah! You guys mean it?!"

Bulma looked over at Vegeta with a hard look. Vegeta knew that look, it was one of those do as I say or else looks. So he crossed his arms looking in the opposite direction.

"I suppose..."

"OH thanks guys! You're the greatest! I'm gonna go call Goten!"

He ran kissing them both on the cheek before rushing up stairs while Vegeta instantly began to rub it off. Bulma smiled.

"See was that so hard?"

"I guess. It matters not to me, I won't be there."

"Well I thought it'd be nice if we went as a couple."

"WHAT!?"

Vegeta slammed his hand on the table again. Bra once more laughed at her food shooting up off the table and back onto her plate. She returned to eating her food with a smile.

"Oh don't be such a party pooper it'll be romantic."

"Once more you and that...thing?"

"Romance?"

"Yes! Whatever happened to just mating and getting it over with?"

She smiled at him.

"That's part of it Vegeta, but a woman likes to be romanced from time to time."

Vegeta shoveled a large bite of food into his mouth.

"I let you have your way is that not good enough woman?"

"But Goku romances Chi-Chi."

"He does, does he...."

Bulma gave Vegeta a sly look.

"Yes he does...quite well at that. Gives her foot massages and everything. She even says he can go for hours on end too..."

Vegeta stopped eating his dinner and returned his gaze to Bulma who quickly changed to a look so honest Gabriel would look like one of the devil's own.

"Woman, we go to the fair! Then I shall pitch woo 10 times better than Kakarot!"

Vegeta continued to eat his food as Bulma looked to the notorious 5th wall with the V and a grin.

******

"Now who rules?!!!"

Hercule Satan stood holding his championship belt high in a sign of victory. Despite not defeating Buu he was still incredibly loved by the public as being the greatest "human" fighter ever, and they still think he was the one who defeated Cell. It was part of his new slogan. 1 for 2, now who rules?! The crowd would pump there fist and chant his name without a hitch, playing into his hand like pigeons on feed.

"Mr. Satan! Mr. Satan! Mr. Satan!"

"Thank you my loyal fans! I, Mr. Satan would like to welcome you to the West City Carnival in glorious celebration of...me! HAHA! What do you think of that?!"

"Mr. Satan! Mr. Satan! Mr. Satan!"

Videl watched with Gohan as her father interviewed a gang of reporters. Mr. Satan tossed his hand up in victory again shouting his slogan.

"I'm 1 for 2, now who rules?!?!"

The crowd cheered responding again.

"Mr. Satan! Mr. Satan! Mr. Satan!"

Gohan laughed as he looked over at his girlfriend with a smile.

"Well at least he's a good showman."

Videl rolled her eyes slapping her hands on her hips.

"That's about all he is."

"Oh give him some slack Videl."

"I don't get it Gohan, if I were you I'd be mad."

"What for? I didn't do it for the glory Videl, I did it cause I wanted to help."

"He really did it cause it's in his blood."

The two looked back at Vegeta as he walked up with Bulma and Trunks.

"Mom can I..."

Bulma nodded as Trunks ran off into the carnival grounds, blowing between Videl and Gohan.

"Bye Videl! Bye Gohan!"

Gohan waved at the streaking Sayain.

"Bye Trunks...hey Bulma where's Bra?"

"Back with 18 and Krillin, they're baby sitting so me and Vegeta can hang out."

Videl re-concentrated on Vegeta, continuing the conversation.

"What do you mean his blood?"

"Yes Videl, it is in his Sayain blood. Battle courses through his veins probably more so than the memories of you two after prom."

Vegeta winked at them with an evil smirk and a suggestive chuckle. Videl and Gohan blushed wildly. It was then that Videl hit Gohan hard in the stomach and walked off.

"Creep, that was suppose to be our secret!"

Bulma looked at Vegeta shocked as Gohan chased after her holding his gut trying to explain. Bulma smiled.

"Vegeta...what did they do after prom, did they...?"

Vegeta gave Bulma a devilish grin.

"Yes...they went to Red Lobster."

"Then?"

Bulma circled her hands wanting to get to the juicy part. Vegeta only shrugged.

"Then what? That's all Kakarot told me."

"You think that's a big deal?!"

"I remember thoroughly the last time we went there. It's one of my fondest memories."

Bulma's gossipy gaze dropped to one of disappointment as Vegeta walked forward with his hands in his pocket. He stopped looking back at Bulma.

"Woman! You said you wanted to come here now let's get moving."

Bulma sighed sulking in after Vegeta.

******

"Hey Trunks!?!"

Goten stood waving while leaning against a trash can with Michelle sitting eating an ice cream cone on top of it. Michelle was a pretty little lady Goten's age. She had short brown hair with hazel eyes. She wore just some simple jeans and a T-shirt. Goten was dressed similarly except he had on an orange hooded sweat shirt. Trunks frowned slightly he felt over dressed in his designer jean outfit but shrugged it off as he went over to his friends.

"Hey Trunks, look what Goten got me, ain't he sweet?"

Goten smiled as she kissed him on the cheek. They laughed as if it were a game, didn't they feel the pressure of puberty at all!!!? Trunks simply smiled shaking his head. They were both so carefree, it was if they were prefect for each other. Speaking of perfection "Hey have you guys seen Amber?"

"Yeah she was around here earlier, but my dad got her."

"Your dad!?!?"

"Yep, she wanted you to win her a bear, but you weren't here, so dad went to get her one."

The three looked over as Goku gave a lighthearted smile and next to him was a big purple bear with a pair of boots next walking underneath it.

"Hey Trunks."

"Umm...hi."

Goku laughed as he could see the jealousy on young Trunks face as his date pulled in with a over grown stuffed animal that he wanted to win her..

"Don't worry Trunks, she's too pretty for a guy like me."

"Thank you Mr. Goku."

Goku laughed rubbing her on her head.

"No just call me Goku! I'm not that old. Goten just let me and your mother know when your ready to go home okay?"

"What if I can't find you?"

"Well um just raise your ki and I'll come get you in a flash! Have fun!"

Goku turned to walk off again waving to the group of teens and pre-teens. Trunks looked at Amber. Her taste was similar to his with designer jeans and matching tank top. They sat looking at each other silently for a moment as if they were admiring the moment. Goten quickly snapped the silence grabbing Amber and Trunks.

"Hey come on let's go!"

They agreed and followed on.

******

Vegeta and Bulma watched as the performers juggled flaming sticks and swallowed knives. Bulma was in awe with the rest of the crowd with their act as they flipped high in the sky on the tight rope without a net. Vegeta shook his head.

"This is ridiculous, that isn't dangerous."

"Sure it is Vegeta, they aren't using a net."

"Psh! If they fall they could just fly to safety."

"Not everyone can fly Vegeta. I can't."

"That is because you are too heavy to fly...those guys are light as 10g's."

Bulma narrowed her eyes at Vegeta.

"That's awful nice of you. Not like you ever complain."

"I do all the time, you must not pay attention."

"I was being sarcastic you loser! Besides it's suppose to be entertaining."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. He didn't see anything impressive about it. It was a bunch of humans in leotards dancing around doing nothing. Not to mention the clowns in his vicinity were starting to annoy him with their mime jokes trying to make him laugh. Vegeta gazed darkly at the clown that made his way up next to Vegeta mimicking his expression. The crowd laughed at the clowns playful antics, cheering for more. Vegeta gaze quickly turned to a smirk, as he looked into the mime's face directly.

"So you want to play with Vegeta...?"

The clown smiled nodding prompting the crowd to give Vegeta some inspiration. Bulma shook her head at the clown motioning for him to run. But he paid it no mind as Vegeta's voice deepened.

"Then let's play..."

Vegeta held his hand out in the clowns face. The clown laughed mirroring Vegeta whilst the crowd clapped with anticipation. Bulma simply slid away from them as Vegeta's hand began to glow. The crowd stopped laughing as the clown watched curiously. Vegeta fired a blast in the clown's face sending him flying into the main ring area. Vegeta quickly followed him landing in the center ring. He clutched his hands tight and began to power up, rocking the carnival tent causing the entire place to crumble. The performers ran for their lives as several of the wild animals got loose and began chasing them. Vegeta stopped powering up, smiling at the chaos around him, sitting down on the ring masters stool.

"This is more like it."

Bulma smacked her self in the forehead as Vegeta waved for her to come down to him. She reluctantly came, dodging civilians and entertainers alike that tried to reach the blocked exits that Vegeta sealed with broken earth during his power up and sat on his lap as they watched the people in the tent run for it from the wild beast set free.

******

The night had been fun as the quadric of teens, were enjoying the games and rides...but for some reason the circus show was closed down. Go fig.

"Let's go on the Monster!"

Michelle grabbed Goten's arm in excitement. Goten was more than willing to nod in agreement. After all he wanted to ride too. Michelle looked back at Trunks and Amber.

"Well?"

Trunks nodded with a smile. Amber however stepped back.

"You guys go without me."

Goten and Michelle shrugged getting ready to run towards the massive roller coaster. Trunks held out his hand stopping them.

"Wait, why not Amber?"

"Trunks, I'm... uh, afraid of roller coasters."

Goten and Michelle shrugged running off again stopping only at the sound of Trunks voice.

"Wait! Come on Amber nothing is going to happen, I promise."

"But...I'm too scared Trunks."

Goten and Michelle for a third time shrugged running off. Trunks intervened yet again.

"Can you guys calm down for two seconds?! jeez! Amber, I'll hold your hand okay?"

"Y...you will?"

"Yeah just hold on tight and that way if something happens I can come save you or something okay?"

"A...alright."

She grabbed his hand with a gentle smile they hurried off to ride the roller coaster.

******

There was nothing but smiles after the ride as Amber conquered her fears of the big bad roller coasters. She turned to Trunks with a whisper.

"Trunks...I always seem to feel safe with you. I want you....to come back to the cave with me right now."

"What?"

"Trunks, that wall, it's always in my dreams, and it has such a strange and scary feel to it. But when I'm with you, everything feels okay. Everything feels right. So I want to go see it, with you..."

Trunks watched as Michelle and Goten continued to laugh and walk in the opposite direct. Trunks then scooped up Amber and jetted for the park. Goten put his hands behind his head laughing with Michelle and a wide grin.

"See Amber! Nothin' to worry about, yep. What do you want to do now guys? Guys?"

They stopped, turning around to see the two were no longer in their presence. Michelle shrugged.

"Maybe they wanted to be alone...they were awful hugged up on the ride?"

"Yeah sissies!"

The two left not paying it a second thought.

******

The duo of Amber and Trunks ended up in the cave again starring at the large wall riddled with ancient scriptures. Trunks watched as she stood behind him with a nod.

"Trunks...let's bust that wall in! I have faith in you."

Trunks nodded turning into a Super Sayain. It was time to explore the cavern deeper.

END OF PART IV

That was long! Anyway keep reading people I hope you are enjoying it so far! Please review!

*Goku*

Hey this is Goku, you won't want to miss the next action packed episode of Dragonball Z! Love seems to be Trunks' mo as he unlocks the mysterious cave's final secret. I don't want to give it away but let's just say Trunks has got to reap what he sow's ! It's punishment to the third degree as evil is reborn on the next Dragonball Z!

Forced Ascension