Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Dragonball Z or GT except my fanfic and any own characters.

Author's Note: Hi again! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Hope you like it :)

Chapter Three: More than a Practical Joke

"Did you devise another plan to sweep her off her feet then?" Goten asked Trunks.

"Of course," he replied. "Here it comes now," he added watching a guy from one of their classes approach them.

"What do you mean you couldn't find the real spider?" Trunks looked irritated.

"It must've escaped. I do have a rubber spider, though," the guy told him.

"Fine," he sighed, "I'll take it."

Trunks paid the guy and he left.

"You plan to win her over with a rubber spider?" Goten had a puzzled look on his face.

"Not exactly," replied Trunks. "It's just something for the equation."

Goten looked more confused than ever.

"Look. This is what'll happen. She'll see the spider and get scared. Then I'll be there to get rid of it."

"But it's made of rubber."

"She won't know that."

"What if she isn't scared of spiders?"

"Goten," Trunks sounded irritated and folded his arms.

"I just meant… I know she's a girl, but not all girls are afr –"

Trunks started tapping his foot.

"Do you think that will really work?" Goten enquired.

"It's all about position, Goten. You'll see."

"Yeah... You'll be the last thing on her mind."

It was lunch-time but a few of us had been requested to attend a meeting to discuss something about the graduation ceremony. I was running a bit late. I hoped I wasn't the last one there. I knocked on the door. Opening it, I walked in and as I said "Sorry, I'm late," I saw Trunks, sitting on one of the tables. He was the only one in the room.

"Hi," he said quietly.

"Hi," I replied, shutting the door. Then I made my way to one of the tables and pulled up a chair. We sat in silence, waiting for the others to arrive, lost in our own thoughts. I glanced at Trunks, I wanted to say something to him but I couldn't find the words. The last time I saw him was at Capsule Corp. Trunks ended up showing me around the place. We had exchanged indifferent words. I was feeling kind of guilty. He was just trying to be friendly. Wasn't he…? "Trunks, I …"

He looked up at me.

"I just wanted to say –" I stopped suddenly as the door opened.

"Am I late?" It was Goten. I had seen him around the college. We didn't really talk much. I didn't know him very well, but I could've sworn he went to the same school as me when we were younger.

"No," Trunks sighed, "perfect timing as always."

Goten gave Trunks a puzzled look, then he looked at me.

"Hi Nasake," Goten had a grin on his face.

"Hi," I said in turn.

A few more people turned up, but the tutor was nowhere to be seen.

"Hi Trunks," Kira said as she entered the room.

"Hi Kira," Trunks responded.

"Hi Kira," Goten greeted her too.

"Hi," she replied giving Goten a distasteful glance. Then Kira walked over to where Trunks was sitting. As she sat down beside him, she gave me a sharp look.

"I'll be cheering for you Trunks," she clutched his arm, like a dog excited over a bone.

"That's great, Kira."

"Do you want me to show you my routine?" She said moving closer to him.

"Maybe some other time," Trunks told her breaking free from her hold.

Kira's expression was one of frustration. She stood up sulkily. Her lips pouted. Goten mimicked her expression right in front of me. I couldn't help but find it amusing. However when Kira glared at us, Goten stopped pulling faces and I stopped laughing almost immediately. Then she spoke firmly to Trunks "Maybe there won't be a next time," and stormed off.

I couldn't believe it. Kira was the type of girl that every guy dreamed of having on their arm, but Trunks had actually knocked her back.

"That's one big spider," said Trunks.

"Where…?" I asked looking around.

"There," he pointed past me.

"I don't see one," At that moment something fell before me. I looked down ready to scream. However, I just laughed instead.

"You're not scared?" Trunks asked me in a surprised tone.

"Don't worry Trunks, it's not real." It said 'Made in Taiwan'. "Now I know it's not real, it is kind of cute. I wonder who left it here, though."

"That one's definitely real," said Trunks. "It's a tarantula."

"What…?" I turned round to have a look. There it was on the floor. It was so big. I stared at it, trying to comprehend how it had got there and what I was going to do. The palms of my hands began to feel damp as I thought about the direction the spider would take. Then slowly I started to step backwards, crashing into Trunks. It made a sudden movement. Scared, I grabbed hold of Trunks's arm.

"You don't like spiders, then?" He had an amused look on his face.

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Don't worry, I got it," he reassured me. Then before I could protest he lifted me up on to the table that was behind us. "All right?" he said with a smile. He rubbed my hand gently for a second. Then uneasily, without knowing why, I smiled back at him. When he turned his back to me, I stepped down from the table on the other side. Then I rushed out of room, not waiting to see Trunks deal with the spider.

…

"I told you it would work. She came to me," Trunks had a triumphant smile on his face.

"Well, I still say it was a stroke of luck," affirmed Goten. "I don't know many girls that think tarantulas are cute."

"Um, Goten, did you see where she went?"

"No, but she left in quite a hurry. I think she left this," Goten picked up the piece of paper from the table. Trunks took the paper from Goten and unfolded it. There was her name at the top: 'Nasake Hakumei'.

"What is it?" Goten asked.

"Her timetable," Trunks answered scanning the timetable, "That's perfect."

"Cute one, Nasake," began Kira, "playing along with the whole damsel in distress routine." I turned round to face her.

"Excuse me…?" What on earth was she going on about?

"I don't know why he's going through so much trouble over you. He could've held me in his arms without the spider."

"What are you trying to say, Kira?"

"Come on, Nasake, you're more intelligent than that. Perhaps that's what he sees in you. You're certainly not that pretty, but you are definitely smart. Then again, when have guys ever needed a reason?"

"Kira, I know you're upset," I told her, almost positive that the reason for her annoyance was Trunks's response to her, "but that's no reason to –"

"Nasake," she cut me off mid-sentence, "I know how it may look to you, but I'm only trying to stick up for you."

"I don't understand. Why would you do that? We've nothing in common."

"Guys try and take advantage of us girls, Nasake. If there's nothing else, we girls should stick together against guys at least. "

"You're saying that Trunks arranged the whole thing?"

"You said that yourself."

"That's just ridiculous."

"It's up to you what you believe Nasake. I've done my part," she smiled and went on her way. I didn't know what to believe. Was she telling the truth, or was she just jealous…? Come to think of it Trunks did sound rather surprised when I wasn't scared of the toy spider. It was also true that Kira was mad when Trunks didn't warm up to her. Then when Trunks had realised I was scared of spiders he looked quite pleased with himself. So which was it…? If anyone knew the truth, it would be Trunks. I would just go and ask him.

I waited outside by his car. Surely he'd turn up sooner or later. Time was ticking away and there was still no sign of Trunks. There were however three guys hanging outside the college that I had never seen before. They were looking in my direction. I looked behind me, but there wasn't anyone else around. It would have to keep until tomorrow. Those guys were giving me the creeps. Besides, I had better things to do. I slung my bag over my shoulder and started at a walk. A quick glance backwards I noticed that those guys were coming my way, so I picked up the pace. Turning a corner I stopped for a moment to see if they were still following me. It was quiet. No one approached. I was just imagining things, being paranoid. I sighed in relief and walked back onto the street I had just left. At the moment, I felt someone grab my arm. I turned round to face the stranger, "What do you think you're do –", I didn't finish. It was those guys.

"She's definitely the one," mumbled the guy already holding my arm, clutching it more tightly now.

"Yeah, she's with Trunks," the other guy said grabbing my other arm.

"With Trunks…?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Right you listen here. Tell Trunks I know about his pathetic prank and if he thinks I'm going to fall for this, he's crazy, okay? So you can just let me go."

"Why would we do that?" The third guy asked me.

"Because I know it's all a setup. He got you to kidnap me, and then he'd rescue me right?"

"That's what we're hoping for," he had a crooked grin on his face, "together with the ransom of course."

"Ransom…?"

"Tell us, why would he want to set this up? Has he got the police involved?"

"The police…? I don't know… but I think there's been some sort of mistake. I'm not 'with' Trunks. He's just some guy at my college."

"Does he know you?"

"He knows my name."

"That's good enough for us."

"What…?"

"Let's go. Don't let her get away," he instructed the others. "I'll make the call."

"Trunks, hi," began Bura, "there was a message for you."

"From who…?"

"I don't know. He didn't leave a name. I think it was another prank."

"What sort of prank?"

"Well, he said you had to bring him a lot of money, because he's got your girlfriend."

"My girlfriend…?"

"Yeah, I thought it was strange too," she paused and examined her nails. "You don't even know anyone called Nasake."

"Did he say anything else?" Trunks spoke quickly now.

"Not really. Except he did leave an address,"

"What was it?"

"Trunks, what's so important? Mum told you she doesn't want you chasing bogus calls."

"Bura, this is important, please?"

"Relax, I did write it down." She handed him a piece of paper.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it," Bura said looking up, but Trunks had already left.

They received many calls, demanding a ransom. Most of the time they were fake, but Trunks did know someone by that name. If they were holding Nasake then it was because of him. He had to make sure.

Trunks arrived at the address Bura had given him. It was quiet. Doubts started filling Trunks's head. Had Bura taken the address down right? He knew what his sister was like. It didn't take much to distract her. Or then again… maybe he was too late? With that in mind, Trunks quickened his search of the area. He took a look from above. "That energy signal," Trunks muttered to himself. It was strong, but somehow familiar. Trunks made his way down to where he felt the energy signal. "Nasake," Trunks called out as he approached. Suddenly he stopped. She was in another man's arms…

"Trunks?" Mr. Son said looking up.

"Gohan?" That voice, was it really Trunks. I lifted my head gently from against Mr. Son's chest and looked up. It was Trunks. I could feel his eyes on me, but he didn't say a word. Instead he glanced at Mr. Son, his expression full of concern.

"She's okay, Trunks. She's just in shock," Mr. Son told him.

"How did you know about the call?" Trunks fixed his gaze on me once more. I simply stared back at him.

"I didn't," replied Gohan, "I just happened to pass by, and just in time too. Will you take her home?"

"Sure."

"I've got to finish dealing with these guys."

"Nasake," Mr. Son looked at me, "Trunks will take you home, okay?"

I nodded in response and Mr. Son released me gently from his embrace. Trunks lifted his arm from his side, gesturing for me to come closer. I slowly stepped forward. All of a sudden I threw my arms around him.

"Trunks I - I thought it was all a joke, but you wouldn't do that to me Trunks, would you?" I sobbed into his chest. I felt his arms close about me.

"You know each other?" Mr. Son asked.

"From college," Trunks explained. "I'm sorry Nasake," he spoke affectionately, "I'm sorry you had to go through that." I felt Trunks's chest move as he let out a heavy sigh. "Gohan," he paused, "thanks."

"She'll be fine, Trunks."

After I composed myself Trunks asked me what had happened. I told him that I had wanted to ask him something and so I waited by his car. When I recalled everything else that had happened Trunks tried asking me what it was I had wanted to ask him. I told him it didn't matter anymore. It was in the past. Some things should be left in the past, right?

"I was lucky Mr. Son showed up."

"Yeah, lucky," Trunks sounded distant.

"This is it, Trunks," I said stopping in front of my apartment. "Thanks."

"Are you sure you're going to be all right?"

"Of course I will. Home is where you're supposed to feel safe, right?"

"Yeah, I guess. I just thought after what you've been through, you –"

"Trunks…"

"Hmm…?"

"This doesn't change anything."

"I know," he smiled "I'd hate for you to give in so easily."

I smiled back and walked towards the door. Trunks waited while I found my keys and opened the door. Then I waved from the doorway. He waved back. I went inside and shut the door. His jacket! I forgot. I was still wearing it. Trunks had told me to put it on, on the way home. As quick as I could I opened the door and looked out down the street, but there was no sign of him.

Was it okay…?

Thanks again,

Lady Leonhart [12/08/04]