Epilogue

(Three years later)

"Takeda-sensei."

"What is it, Shinta?" growled Ken, not bothering to look up from his work. "I asked not to be disturbed."

"There's someone here to see you, sensei."

Takeda looked up from the piece he was working on and scowled. "I wasn't aware I had any appointments today."

"The gentleman outside doesn't have an appointment, sir."

Ken snorted. "Well, tell him to make one and come back later. You know the rules."

Shinta paused. "I really think you should see this particular customer, sir."

Ken looked up and narrowed his eyes, studying his apprentice closely. The boy had grown remarkably in these past few years and was becoming more and more confident with his skill with each passing day. Recognizing the expression on the boy's face and sighing, Ken gave in.

"Who is it?" he asked as he slowly eased himself out of his chair.

"It's someone important, sensei."

Ken sighed tiredly and took off his glasses, rubbing at his eyes. "It always is, Shinta. You know, I think I'm getting too old for this."

"I don't know what you're talking about, sensei," Shinta replied politely.

Takeda walked to the front of his shop and saw an eerily familiar-looking young man standing in the middle of the room. He was tall and leanly muscular, with chiseled features, tan skin, intensely bright blue eyes, and the most remarkable hair Takeda had ever seen. Takeda was a traditionalist – he was strongly opposed to men who wore their hair long – but despite the fact that the stranger's lavender locks fell down to his shoulders, it was a look that, strangely, Ken thought suited him.

Upon the jeweler's entry into the room, the stranger smiled and bowed politely.

"It's an honor to meet you, Takeda-san," he said smoothly. "I apologize for inconveniencing you. My name is Trunks Briefs."

Ken may not have followed the happenings of the world very closely, but even he recognized that last name.

"You'll be Bulma Brief's boy, eh?" he extrapolated aloud. "I haven't seen her since I commissioned a pair of earrings for her what, a little over ten years ago? How is she?"

"My mother is well, Takeda-san, thank you for asking."

Ken caught himself studying his impromptu visitor's face closely. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen him before. "Are you sure we haven't met before? You look awfully familiar, young man."

Trunks smiled. "I have never met you before today, Takeda-san, but I have heard many good things about you from people who have been very pleased with your work."

Ken shrugged. "So what can I do for you, boy?"

"I came to ask if you would be willing to commission a piece for me, Takeda-san."

Takeda frowned. "I'd be more than happy to help you, but I can't be sure that I'll have the time. I'm very busy at the moment with other commissions, and you're here without an appointment on top of that."

Trunks smiled sheepishly. "I apologize for that, Takeda-san. To be honest, I was going to go to another jeweler for the piece I have in mind, but I made a last-minute decision to come here instead, at my father's insistence."

Ken raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And who is your father?"

Trunks blinked, then looked over at Shinta, who shook his head. He ran a hand through his hair and thought quickly. He hadn't expected this.

"My father is Prince Vejita, Takeda-san," he finally said simply.

Ken was floored.

Suddenly he knew exactly where he had seen Trunks' features before. "No wonder!" he exclaimed aloud. "You're the spitting image of your sire!"

Trunks smiled sheepishly again and tried not to laugh. Behind Takeda, Shinta had slapped a hand to his forehead in disbelief.

"Thank you, Takeda-san," he managed.

"Well that changes everything, young ouji-sama," Ken continued. "I would be honored to commission any piece you request of me."

Trunks blinked. "So you'll be able to do it?"

"Of course!" was Takeda's reply. "I wouldn't dream of turning away the son of Vejita-oujisama. Speaking of which," the old man said suddenly, "do you know what he's done with the necklace I commissioned for him a few years ago? He never did tell me what it was for, or where he'd gotten that remarkable stone from."

Trunks smiled. "He gave the necklace to me, Takeda-san, and I gave it to someone else several years ago. But I can assure you that the person I entrusted it to is taking very good care of it."

The old jeweler nodded, then clapped his hands together and rubbed them enthusiastically. "Well then, young master. Shall we get down to business? What sort of piece did you have in mind for today?"

Trunks thought for a moment.

"How much do you know about engagement rings?"

Author's Note: Holy freaking shit. I can't believe I'm finally done! This story has been in the making for so long that quite honestly, there was a time I thought I'd never finish it.

I'm going to say now that this will most likely be the last time I ever delve in this fandom. DB/Z/GT has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but I think I've exhausted the possibilities with Stargazing. With that said, I think I'll definitely continue to write and post here . If any of you are interested in Bleach or Avatar: the Last Airbender, feel free to drop by my profile and check out the many one-shots I've posted there. (Yes, I'm shamelessly plugging my other fics, but I only get to do this end-of-story A/N thing once, so forgive me.)

As always, thank you to all of those who have read my story, reviewed, and given me encouragement. It's been quite a ride. Thank you for sticking with me this far.

D.S.

5/20/08

Disclaimer: Any and all characters belonging to Dragonball/Z/GT are the legal property of Toriyama Akira and/or FUNimation.