EPILOGUE

She wasn't sure what this feeling was, but maybe it's what people call 'nervousness'. It felt like her stomach was tightening and her knees felt shaky, as if she would just fall over at any minute- but then again that could just be the high heels. She wasn't used to wearing heels, or a dress for that matter. Especially one that was so tight, it showed curves she didn't even realize she had. The thought of him seeing her in this outfit made that nervousness feeling rise up again. It was so unlike her, she was never nervous for anything- but this was different. This was a big deal. This was a date with her best friend.

"Ugh!" Ariel threw her arms up as she marched out into the living room, hating this feeling in her stomach.

"Don't you look nice. I'm not sure if your Dad is gonna like it though- it's a bit provocative."

"Provocative? I didn't mean it to be," Ariel looked at her Mom, wondering if Trunks would think the same thing when he saw her.

"You look good," Keiko said as she sat down on the couch, patting the place next to her.

"Where's Dad?" Ariel asked, sitting down next to her Mom who began fussing with her straight, chest length hair.

"He went out to get groceries."

"You let him go get groceries? By himself?"

"Haha I know I know, but I'm sure it'll be fine. So you excited?"

"Yeah," Ariel leaned back, "But I also feel….something else. It's weird, it's like there's something fluttering around in my stomach."

"Those are your nerves," Keiko poked her sixteen year old daughter's stomach, "I knew you had some, I just didn't know it took a date from Trunks to bring em out."

Ariel sighed, running a finger through her hair before resting her hands in her lap. Trunks would be here soon, considering it took all of two minutes to get from his house to hers. They were neighbors after all, and best friends. Ariel had never once been nervous about seeing Trunks, heck she hadn't been nervous about most things, but now she couldn't deny the butterflies. She had always just seen Trunks as her bestest friend, the strongest person in the world, and someone she could tell anything too. She could spend every single day with him and never get tired of him being around, but she never thought that would mean a date. Maybe I should have seen it coming, she scrunched up her face and began remembering instances where perhaps she could have guessed their relationship would begin changing into something more.

It was hot outside, so hot that instead of playing out there they decided to play inside. One was nine, the other ten and as they sat on the floor in Trunk's room they had gotten into a one sided argument over a simple game of Truth or Dare. They had been playing for a while, when Ariel made the simple comment that she would take any dare because she wasn't afraid.

"So if I dared you to jump off the roof you would!?"

"Yeah!"

"Are you stupid or something? You could hurt yourself or even die if you did that!"

"Oh….well but you wouldn't dare me to do something that would hurt me."

"Okay, so what if I dared you to clean my room."

"I'd do it, cause it's a dare. You'd take any dare too though right?" Ariel's head cocked to the side, not sure why this was so irritating to Trunks.

"No way! Not if I don't wanna do it. I'm not gonna do something just cause a stupid game tells me too."

"Okay."

"Okay!" Trunks was frustrated, because Ariel was not getting it, "That's all you gotta say? You don't agree with me!?"

"Well I do, but I still would take any dare."

"Any dare?

"Yup."

"Fine then. I dare you to kiss me!" Trunk's face turned red as soon as the words left his mouth, but he knew he had nothing to worry about. Ariel wasn't that dumb to kiss him, just because he dared you too, there was no way she would- and just like that his breath hitched in his throat as he felt her lips touch his.

It was soft, and when she came near him he realized how good she smelled. She didn't stay there long though; because once their lips touched she backed away one hand raised to her lips. "That was weird," she mumbled.

"Well yeah," Trunks tried to regain his composure, "Of course it would be. No wonder you thought it was so bad."

"No, I didn't mean bad weird. I meant like…good weird. Maybe not even weird…maybe just good. Do I make any sense?"

Yes she did, Trunks understood exactly what she was saying, but he was too stubborn and embarrassed to get into a conversation about it, "No, I don't, now c'mon," he stood up, giving her his hand to help her up, which she accepted, "Let's go get something to eat."

"Okay!" she kept ahold of his hand, something she always did, and as they walked down the hall it was like nothing happened.

"Hm," Ariel let out a deep breath, one hand resting on her lips, remembering the feeling of her lips on his. The sound of someone knocking on the door made her jump and both her and Keiko simply stared at the door, "Who is it?"

"Probably Trunks."

"He never knocks though, he normally just comes in."

"Well, tonight is different I guess. So are you gonna get it or not?"

"Oh, yeah," Ariel stood up, tugging at her black dress. Her heels clicked on the floor as she moved towards the front door, opening it up to see Trunks.

"Why'd you knock? You always just come in."

"Really? The first thing you're gonna do is ask me why I knocked?" he moved past her, stepping into the light so Ariel could get a good look at him. He looked handsome, in a nice suit, but as she stared at him she realized he didn't really look like himself. And she didn't really look like herself either.

"Well just cause you don't normally knock," Ariel tried to explain as she leaned back against the open door, feeling the air from outside move across her body.

"How handsome does my godson look?" Keiko sat up straight, getting ready to get up and give him a hug.

"Ha, thanks Keiko.

"So where you two going on your date?"

"Date!? Who said it was a date!?"

"Ariel did."

Trunks turned to look at Ariel, not sure why she had to be blunt about stuff, "What? You asked me if I wanted to go to dinner. I said 'I always go over for dinner'. You said 'a fancy dinner'. I said 'like a date'. And you said 'yeah, sure, whatever'."

"You remember all that?"

"Well yeah, I remember most of our conversations," she noticed how Trunks looked away, as if having enough of this little talk, "I won't call it a date if you don't want me too."

"No it's fine," he mumbled and Ariel smiled to herself.

"Well Mom we're gonna go! Tell Dad I'll be back later."

"Be safe you too."

"We will," Ariel assured before instinctively grabbing Trunks' hand and pulling him out of the house and shutting the door simultaneously.

Keiko stayed seated on the couch, leaning back as she brought her legs up onto the couch. Ariel had gone out numerous times before, whether it be out with just Trunks or over to the Briefs, but this time was different. This time her little girl was going out on a date. The date was with Trunks though, which made her feel better and she couldn't help but smile. She remembered those days, and Keiko could only hope that her daughter would find her happy ending sooner than Keiko did.

She stayed sitting there until she heard the door click and get pushed open. Her eyes just saw bags of groceries; so many bags that Keiko feared all that food wouldn't fit in the fridge. But Goku had the tendency to do this when he went out for groceries- buy way more than they needed. Keiko thought that after eight years of living together he would learn to cut back, but he didn't and it just made Keiko love him more.

"Did Ariel leave already?" Goku asked as he placed all the groceries down on the counter.

"Yup," Keiko got up and shut the front door, "So looks like we are alone for the evening."

"What's that mean?" Goku momentarily left the groceries to go and give his wife a kiss, noticing how cute she looked. She was wearing black leggings and a light blue loose t-shirt. Her black hair hit her shoulders and little wrinkles sat around her eyes. When she smiled more wrinkles showed up, and two weeks ago she found a single grey hair and immediately pulled it out. She was forty two years old now, and still the most beautiful thing Goku had ever seen.

"Hm, I dunno," Keiko went past her husband and began trying to stuff all the food into the refrigerator, "We could play cards."

"Yeah! That sounds fun!"

"Haha I knew you'd say that."

"Well it's what we always do."

"And since we play it so much you'd think Ariel would be better at it."

"Yeah…she does always lose," it became silent as the two parents thought of their daughter, "She's growing up so fast."

"Tell me about it," Keiko looked up to see a wall full of pictures.

There, framed were pictures documenting her whole life. Pictures of her, Krillin, and Goku as kids. Pictures of her and Bulma, her and baby Trunks, pictures of her pregnant with Ariel. All these pictures surrounding one, one picture. It was of her and Goku kissing at their wedding, and stuck in one corner of the frame was the photo strip from the Tournament and on the other corner was Goku's matching strip.

"But I'm happy," she sighed as she went back to putting food in cabinets and the refrigerator.

"Me too," he whispered as he went up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, startling her because she didn't notice him there. He kissed the back of her neck, causing her to tense up even more.

"I love you," she turned her head to meet his lips, and there they stayed until Goku pulled away- a confused look on his face.

"Trunks better not kiss Ariel. I mean she is way too young for that."

"That's what you're thinking about?" Keiko laughed, "And if he did what would you do?"

Silence. "Well…uhhh…I dunno. Man this father thing is hard," Goku laughed as he scratched the back of his head, "I mean I never had to worry about this stuff with Gohan. I always figured he could take care of himself if need be, but with Ariel it's different."

"She's a tough one though, you just feel this way cause she's your little girl."

"Yeah, I still remember when she would climb up in my lap for story time. Now she's so big, all grown up basically."

"Time sure does fly," Keiko mused as she remembered those days when Ariel was just a little girl. Back when it was just the two of them, mother and daughter and then Goku came back.

It was a surprise, considering he was only supposed to be back for one day, but when Buu showed up things got complicated. Keiko never really knew the whole story, considering Goku begged her to just stay at home and not worry about it. She did stay at home, but she also worried. In the end the news came that Goku could stay, that he wasn't dead anymore. Keiko got so happy she fainted. Luckily Goku caught her before she hit the ground, but Ariel went through a whole thirty seconds of thinking her mom had died. Trunks told Ariel to not be stupid and that Keiko had just fainted, which did soothe Ariel's panic.

Once Keiko came too she was prepared to go back to living life the way it was before Goku died. It wasn't until Goku asked if he could live with her that she realized that now things would be different. Goku wasn't going anywhere anymore, and in fact he was all hers. That night, as they lay in bed Keiko decided to commit that moment to memory. That was the first night where Goku wasn't lying in her bed; he was lying in their bed. He would lie there every night from now on, and she would never have to be without him again. She could love him to the full extent; she could be happy and not have to hide her feelings.

They got married a few months later, a small ceremony with only their closest friends. Ariel was the flower girl, and she was beaming the whole day. Finally her Mom and Dad were together, and she would have both of them in her life. The whole thing felt surreal to Keiko, mainly because she never assumed that day would come. She would have been perfectly content living out her life with the knowledge that Goku loved her and that was it. She didn't expect anything from him, but he gave her more than she bargained for. He gave her a family, and a life full of love.

"Mmm," Keiko wrapped her arms around Goku, nuzzling her face into his chest.

"What's the matter?" he asked as he rubbed her back.

"Nothing, I just love you," she laughed as she kissed him once more.

"I love you too," he pulled her in tightly, feeling her body against his and knowing that he loved her more than life itself, and that he always had and always would.

"That was really delicious, thanks again Trunks."

"No problem."

The two teenagers had finished dinner ten minutes ago, and decided that they didn't want to go home yet. Without an idea of what to do the two began aimlessly walking down the street, the sound of Ariel's heels filling any sense of silence. They walked close, something they had always done.

"So," Ariel asked as she took Trunk's hand in hers.

"Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Hold my hand," Trunks' gaze fell down to where their hands were intertwined. Hers looked so small and fragile in his, yet he liked the way her hand in his felt.

"Oh, I dunno," Ariel shrugged, "Want me to stop?"

"Nah it's okay," he averted his gaze, staring straight in front as he felt her squeeze his hand, "Did you have a good time?"

"I always have a good time with you. But I am curious as to why you asked me on a date."

"I didn't ask you on a date."

"Oh," her gaze dropped to the ground, and Trunks let out a groan as he squeezed her hand.

"Fine, I asked you on a date."

"Why?" she stared at him with a doe like gaze, unaware that what she was asking could make Trunks uncomfortable.

"Cause I felt like it."

She used her free hand to poke his shoulder, "Well why did you feel like it?"

"Why do you have to know?"

"Cause, well," Ariel went silent as she bit her bottom lip, and the action in itself caused Trunks to stop walking.

"You nervous or something?"

"No!" she said defensively as she felt a heat rise to her face.

"You're blushing."

"You and I both know I don't blush."

"Well you are," he laughed, "What's up? Why you like this?"

"Let's play truth or dare!"

"Excuse me!?" Trunks was shocked as Ariel changed the subject and began pulling him along.

"Yeah! C'mon it'll be fun!"

"Wait, but where are we going?"

"Our spot," she laughed as she tugged him along.

"There is no way we are walking there, it'll take too long," Trunks rushed forward and picked Ariel up, much to her surprise.

Ariel thought of protesting, wanting to tell Trunks that she could fly by herself. He already knows that though, she thought as the night air gave her goose bumps on her bare arms. She wasn't sure why Trunks decided to carry her, maybe it was because he thought she couldn't keep up. That thought bugged Ariel, considering she was half Saiyan as well and had never let Trunks get too far ahead of her. Yeah she admitted he was stronger, and always would be, but that didn't mean she would just stop training. Her eyes looked up at Trunks' face, words were eager to get out of her mouth but she knew he didn't want to hear it. Instead she focused how it felt as he held her, his strong arms holding her up and if she leaned against his chest she would be able to hear his heartbeat. This is nice, she admitted to herself, allowing herself to move closer to him and wish he would slow down that way she could stay like that longer. They landed a while later, to Ariel's discontent that she would have to move, but at seeing their 'spot' she was cheered up.

It had been their 'spot' since they were kids, and they never told anyone else where it was. It was right outside of the city in a place with tall leafy trees and spanning meadows. Sometime ago this spot hadn't been so secluded, and in fact had been a park or playground of some sort. It wasn't there anymore though, and all that remained was two benches and a tire swing near a lake. When they were kids they would swim in the lake and go fishing, and Trunks would push Ariel on the tire swing. They would pack lunches and spend all afternoon there, and when asked where they were they would answer 'nowhere' and leave it at that.

"Okay!" once Ariel was out of Trunks arms, and adjusted her dress; she moved towards the lake, "Get ready!" she slid her shoes off, the heels having been irritating her all night. She fell a few inches in stature as she turned around to face Trunks.

"You act like we're gonna spar or something," Trunks huffed as he loosened his tie, "You cold?"

"Oh uh," Ariel took a moment to feel the air around her.

"Just…here," Trunks took off his suit jacket and gave it to her as he stopped directly in front of her.

"Thanks," she smiled, sliding the jacket on and noticing how much it smelt like Trunks, "So you ready to play truth or dare?"

"Sure."

"Okay! So Trunks….truth or dare?"

"Truth," Trunks sighed, his hands in his pockets as he wondered how long she was gonna want to do this.

"Do you like me?"

"What?" he took a step back, trying to maintain calm as he looked at Ariel who looked as if she had just asked what the weather was.

"Did you not hear me?"

"No I did, but I mean you already know, we're uh friends," he looked away, not ready to get into this conversation.

"Best friends. Yeah, but that's not entirely what I meant, I meant-"

"Hey," Trunks cut her off, his cheeks feeling hot, "I answered the question. So now you- truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"You're no fun," he sighed as he thought of something to ask her, but it was difficult seeing how he already knew basically everything about the girl, "Oh," he smirked, "Why were you so nervous earlier?"

"When?"

"When you were blushing."

"Oh," Ariel brought her hands together and clasped them in front of her, "Well you see I was nervous because I was just wondering why you had asked me out to dinner."

"Well why would that make you nervous?"

"Hey! I answered the question," she smirked, using the same excuse Trunks did, "So now your turn. Truth or dare?"

"Ugh, dare."

"Kiss me."

Trunks blinked a few times, wondering if he had misheard Ariel, "Huh?"

"You heard me."

"But why…uhhh….why do you want me to uhh…kiss you?"

"If I pick truth next time then you can ask me that," she smiled, "You don't have to if you don't want to, I just thought it was a good dare. And you once dared me to kiss you, remember?"

Yeah, but we were kids. And you actually did it. Trunks thought as he stared at Ariel, trying to decide if he should go through with it. Ugh why does she have to be so damn cute, he mentally scolded himself. He wanted to kiss her; oh did he want to kiss her. In fact he had wanted to kiss her a thousand times before, but he was afraid of what she would say. He didn't want to scare her, and he didn't want to ruin their friendship. But now he had the opportunity, But what if she doesn't want me to, what if it's just a dare?

"Hm," he noticed Ariel bite her lip, something she didn't do unless something was on her mind, "You don't have to, I can think of a new dare. I mean I don't want to-"

He could feel her tense up when his lips met hers and for an instant he thought he had done something wrong. He was ready to get away from her and apologize, but then he felt her arms wrap around his neck. The way she pulled him in made him jump in surprise, because Ariel had never been a very aggressive person. One kiss turned into two, which turned into three, and kept going until Trunks lost count. When they did separate Trunks expected Ariel to say something- anything.

"Okay! So now it's my turn and I pick dare."

But not that. "Really?" Trunks began feeling agitated, "You kiss me like that and then just decide to continue on with the game?"

"Technically you kissed me."

"Really?" Trunks raised an eyebrow as Ariel let out a laugh.

"Sorry, I just don't really know what to say," her voice became soft as she played with her hands, "I just I think I really like you. Well I don't think, I actually know but it'd be too weird cause I don't think you feel that way about me. And gosh I don't know why but my stomach feels weird."

Silence. Trunks had no idea what to say because he was almost positive he was dreaming. Here he was, listening to his best friend say that she liked him as more than just a friend. She was admitting to him what he had wanted to hear since they were little kids. He had loved her for so long, his whole life in fact and now he knew that there was a chance for them.

"Yeah, well ya know. I like you too," Trunks turned his head, looking away from Ariel but he was able to hear her reaction when she let out a gasp. He then felt the reaction as she attacked him in a hug, her arms wrapping around his waist.

"Haha really?"

"Yeah, it's not like I'd lie to you. Now get off me, you're holdin me too tight."

"For how long have you liked me? Like as more than just a friend?"

"Why do we have to talk about this?"

"Please?" she gave him that doe eyed look of hers which he could never say 'no' too.

"Years."

"Years?"

"Yeah like since we were kids."

"So um," Ariel bit her bottom lip again, "Does this mean I can be your girlfriend?"

"Do you wanna be?"

"Yeah, I really really do."

"Then, sure," he was trying to be nonchalant about it, but in fact he couldn't contain his smile. Especially when she hugged him again, and without any warning kissed him.

"You just gonna be doing that randomly now?" he asked as they parted, his arms still around her waist as hers were around his neck.

"If you don't want me to I won't."

"I didn't say that."

"Ha you're funny Trunks. You could just be honest with me and say you like it when I kiss you."

"Whatever," he blushed, and she noticed and began giggling before kissing him again.

They stayed standing there, holding each other at their 'spot'. Ariel allowed her head to rest on Trunks' chest. She had always assumed that if this happened it would be weird, but in reality it wasn't weird at all. It felt right, and in fact she wished this had happened sooner. She had always loved Trunks; she just had put it in the back of her mind for so long because she assumed it would never happen. They were best friends, and Ariel wasn't willing to sacrifice that for a crush. It wasn't until Trunks asked her on a date that all those feelings resurfaced, and the hope that they would be more was overwhelming.

She felt him kiss the top of her head, and the action made her stomach flutter. She had no clue what those feelings were, because she had never been one to fall prey to blushing or nervousness. But now she felt the blood rushing to her face and the knots in her stomach. Trunks made her feel different, and she couldn't help but admit that she liked it.

"Hey Trunks," she whispered.

"Yeah?"

"I love you," she said it into his chest, but he still heard it and held her tighter.

"Yeah, I love you too."

As soon as the door clicked open Goku was shaking Keiko awake. "Ariel's home," he whispered and as Keiko groggily rolled over onto her back she listened for the signs that her daughter was back.

"It's late," she muttered, looking at the clock to see it was after midnight. She had never given Ariel a curfew, but it was a relief to know that her daughter was finally home, "Have you been waiting up all night?" she turned to face her husband, who let out a yawn.

"No," he lay on his side, looking at his wife, "I got up a little while ago to get some water, and before I fell back asleep I heard the door open."

"Oh," Keiko sat up and leaned over Goku to get the cup of water. She brought it to her lips, taking a quick sip before setting it back on the night stand.

"Do you think she had fun?" Keiko asked, staying up on her elbow and looking down on Goku.

"I'm sure she did."

"I hope so, first dates are hard."

"What was our first date?" Goku yawned once more, beginning to wake up due to Keiko's wanting to converse with him.

"Hm, good question. I don't know if we ever technically had a first date."

"I think it was when I was eighteen, remember?"

"When you came to the tournament right?"

"Yeah," Goku let out a laugh as a thought ran through his mind, "I remember thinking how beautiful you were. I hadn't seen you in years, and when I did see you I was surprised. You still are the most beautiful thing I've seen."

"Mm," Keiko snuggled into Goku's chest, his arm wrapping around her, "I remember being so nervous around you. I was afraid you'd figure out that something was up, that I liked you."

"I wish I had figured it out then."

"Hey," Keiko placed her chin on Goku's chest, looking up at his face, "We're together now, and that's all that matters."

"Yeah," he smiled, and it gave Keiko butterflies.

"I love you Goku," she placed a kiss on his lips before settling back onto lying on his chest, "It's been a crazy ride," she muttered as a yawn escaped from her lips, "But it's been wonderful."

"Love you Keiko," his voice was soft as he began to drift off to sleep again. Both arms were wrapped around her, and Keiko knew that he wouldn't let go of her all night.

She could hear his breathing, soft and serene as he slept. He was warm and Keiko snuggled in closer, breathing in his scent and instantly feeling calm. As she laid there, her head on his chest she could remember every moment they spent together. Every look, every smile, every laugh- it was clear in her head. It was her whole life and Goku had always been a big part of it. He was her heartbreak, he was her one true love and the road they had travelled together had been one of hardship yet such great joy. And now, as she lay there with her head on his chest and his heartbeat in her ear she knew it was worth it. They had a beautiful daughter who was embarking on her journey to love and happiness. They had a home full of laughs and happiness, and they had friends who had been there for them since the beginning. And they had each other- and they both knew that they always would.

Author's Note: And with that Unspoken is finished. Wow. I'm not sure exactly how I feel about it ending, but I know one thing for sure and that is that this story would not have been the same without all of you readers. Honestly, thank you. Thanks to each and every one of you. I never expected this story to get to where it did, and I have all of you to thank for it. I wish I could have personally thanked each of you, and if any of you wanna talk or ask me to read something or anything don't hesitate to message me. It's been a long ride, but now it's over and I am so very grateful.

Make sure to check out my tumblr for news on brand new stories I will be writing and all sorts of fun stuff. The link to my tumblr can be found on my profile.

Thank you all again, you guys have made writing this story so fun :)