Why Can't I

I want to thank everyone who's commented on this story. I was very skeptical about doing this considering how long in time I have to cover. So to relieve some suspense here's what you have to look forward to in the near future …

All three DB tournaments

Brief mention of Red Ribbon Army

Rikku's life after the final DB tournament

Character intros of…

King Piccolo/ Junior

Tien Shinhan & Chiaotsu

Kami & Mr. Popo

And much more!

Again if you have any questions, comments, or requests don't hesitate to leave a comment or E mail me! Thanks again for reading!

Chapter 9: Three years later

Vegeta couldn't get the filthy taste out of his mouth. For years he had been kissing the mud on Frieza's boots in order to raise his stature in the vastly growing armada. Now that his saiyan crew was second only to the grand elites Dodoria and Zarbon Vegeta prayed for the day when He would finally be wise enough, powerful enough to finish off them and Frieza for good.

"You know some rumors are starting to spread about that Frieza." Radditz mentioned walking a little behind with Nappa at his side. "About the true reason our home planet exploded. The men are sneering and saying Frieza did it to keep us in line."

"Ha what a load of crock." Nappa laughed. "They're trying to unnerve us that's all."

"Oh you mean you two didn't already know?" Vegeta stopped and turned looking at his two comrades. They were little more than young adults now but full well to handle themselves as they had time and time again even in their adolescence. However Vegeta knew the sentiments the two had for their old planet and wasn't surprised when both nearly dropped to their knees in shock. "The rumors are true. Frieza not only destroyed our planet but killed my father and all those who tried to appose him in an up rise."

"You knew? Yet you still bow to him like a loyal servant!"

"Shut up Nappa, I bow to him in order to keep him close. After all it's safer to have my friends close and my enemies far closer. Frieza is not invincible and one day we three will have the strength to not only beat out his forces but Frieza himself. Then we will be the superior leaders of the universe with every world crumbling at our feet."

"Really? I can't wait for that day."

"Yes neither can I. Now we must prepare ourselves. Our little group isn't completed yet. If you remember Nappa we still have one saiyan unaccounted for."

"My sister, I doubt she will be much help, she is just a female."

"Female or not she is still a saiyan, and she will be the perfect person to bear my children and continue on the saiyan race as it was meant to be. Frieza may have destroyed our homes but he will never destroy our prides!" The two underling saiyan cheered raising their fists in a oath of one day defeating the maleficent tyrant Frieza The talk about her, about mating got Vegeta to thinking of Karat. The third class female sent to Earth. She would now be at the brink of womanhood entering her teenage years where her body would begin to grow long and blossom as a woman should. Oh he wished to see the sight for himself. The sight of a full blooded saiyan woman take shape and become ripe for the picking. He couldn't wait for the day where they would meet face to face.

"Launch! Master Roshi! Krillen! Somebody help there's something happening to my body!" Rikku was in a fit of panic as she bounded down the stairs in nothing but a towel. Master Roshi glanced up and practically fainted at the sight he saw before him. Had it really been three years since Rikku finished her mission of obtaining the Dragon Balls? Had it really been three years that he had taken that young girl into his home and brought her to the bigger island to train under him? My how time has passed.

A dark blue haired beauty rose from across the table the little bald boy sitting directly across with a perfect view of Rikku head to toe began to twitch and blush his whole head going red. Launch, the beauty, was appointed house maid and cook to master Roshi. In order to train under him Rikku had to go out and find a woman to keep the Master company in his old age. Joining in the search had been a young monk pupil from the east, Krillen, her rival and best guy friend. Together they found the illustrious Launch who had a literal split personality. She would be a sweet loving woman one moment then a gun slinging tyrant after a sneeze. It was a weird home but Rikku enjoyed it. With Launch there Rikku had began to learn things other than fighting such as cooking her own meals, counting and math, as well as reading and writing.

"What's the matter Rikku you look pale."

"Launch I'm growing balls. But they're not where they're supposed to be!"

Launch looked confused and pushed Rikku back up the stairs and into her room where they could talk away from prying male eyes. "What do you mean growing balls?"

Rikku opened her towel and touched her chests. The once flat chest had bloomed into soft cushions that pillowed like little air bags. Launch wanted to squeal and laugh at the same time. "Oh Rikku that's normal for girls." Launch blushed a little as she lifted her shirt exposing her breasts. Rikku stared at them for a long time before looking down at hers.

"Why are yours so much bigger than mine?"

"You're still growing. Don't worry I'm sure you'll bloom bigger in no time. Oh but we're gonna have to do something about your wardrobe. I'm sure that suit you've been training in has become far too tight the rate you've been growing."

Rikku felt her cheeks getting hot as if she had just stepped out of a hot bath. She had been feeling so weird lately. She was definitely a lot hungrier than usual, although Krillen and Launch insisted not a thing had changed about that. She was kind of grumpy too… She remembered competing with Krillen to move a giant boulder. He had been muttering to her that she couldn't possibly move it if he couldn't. This caused her to yell at him and she moved the rock a good foot. That was the other thing… her power. She felt so much stronger when using her emotions.

Rikku found herself scratching the spot where her tail had once been. She remembered waking up with it gone after being taken prisoner by that short crabby Pilaf guy. The castle that he called home had been the last location of the final seventh dragon ball. Pilaf hadn't been willing to give it up so he trapped Bulma, Oolong, herself, and Yamcha, who had joined them when their Dragon balls had gotten stolen. Oolong and Puar managed to escape and interfere Pilaf's wish. She wondered what Oolong had been thinking when he asked for comfortable underwear.

Pilaf wasn't happy either, he trapped them all into a large room with a glass ceiling which would eventually reflect the sunlight and cause them all to fry… The last thing she remembered about that night was looking up at the moon that was bright, full and pretty, then waking up with no tail and no clothes. Yamcha said she had fallen asleep and a monster had come and destroyed the castle allowing them to escape.

Yamcha turned out to be a decent guy. He and Bulma were dating now which made Bulma happy since she now had a boyfriend. They both returned to the city along with Oolong and Puar. She wondered if she would ever see them again.

"What are you thinking so hard about Rikku?"

"Hmm?" Rikku looked up at launch and then blushed laughing a little. "Oh nothing just thinking about my friends."

"Oh you mean Bulma and the others? Maybe you'll see them at the tournament. You did say that Yamcha was a great fighter."

"He is, he was one of the strongest guys I'd ever met. Do you really think I'll see them at the World Martial Arts Tournament." Launch giggled and nodded. Launch was such an optimistic woman always happy and content with who she was, even if she sneezed and when gun crazy.

The World Martial Arts Tournament… She was tingly with excitement over it. It would be the first time she would compete against fighters for actual fun. Master Roshi said it was a chance for herself and Krillen to test our skills against the best of the best. Krillen, she knew, was just as excited as she was.

What a silly little guy he was. They were the same height, close in age, and both had a love of fighting and Martial Arts. She remembered the day he had come to Turtle Island. He had traveled on foot most of the way and boat for the rest. He had looked funny jumping in the air and landing on his head in the sand. His face had been flushed with embarrassment and shock when he found out they would be partners in the turtle school. He often gave her a hard time about her sex but Rikku never took it to heart… until recently that is.

"Hey Rikku," Krillen approached her after she had changed and come down stairs. "Are you okay? Was there something really wrong with you?"

"Oh no I just overreacted. Launch says all girls experience this kind of thing."

"Oh uh," his little bead shaped eyes wander her body up and down and his head goes red. "I see. Well that's good, this means you'll be ready to roll for the tournament next week."

"Yeah you bet!" She holds up her fist and Krillen met it with a sign of their friendship. "Nothing's going to take me down."

"Don't get your hopes up Rikku." Master Roshi Approached them his cane at his side. He tapped the end to the floor twice in a motion to get their full attention. "Remember that the purpose of this tournament is to test your skills. You are not to do anything reckless. No cheating, no cheap tricks, and no over exerting yourself. That line of thinking can easily get you killed in battles like this."

"Yes sir Master Roshi!" Both kids lined up like soldiers awaiting their orders for the day.

"Now, you've finished breakfast, it's time for both of you two start on your afternoon training. Remember to work hard kids and I will see you for lunch!"

"Yes sir!"

~One Week Later~

It's here! It's finally here! Rikku was practically bouncing out of her skin as they got ready to leave. Launch made some final adjustments to Krillen's suit commenting on his dashing looks. Master Roshi adjusted his tie humming to himself. Krillen twitched glancing over at her every now and then probably just as anxious to get going. The sudden increase of strength made Rikku's confidence shoot through the roof. She could jump sky high, move boulders with ease, and sprint faster than lightning. She was ready!

"Master Roshi please hurry up I don't want to be late!"

"Hold your horses there Rikku." He turned holding in the urge to look up Rikku's skirt as she bounced up and down like a kangaroo. The suit Launch had made for her was similar to his and Krillen's but instead of slacks she got a knee length black skirt that flowed. Rikku seemed ignorant of it. Poor Girl didn't know what she was doing to poor Krillen. The poor boy was flustered and beside himself with nerves and the hormones of a pre teen. Ah to be young again!

"Okay, time to get going. Launch take good care of the house while we're gone."

"Will do," Launch giggled waving as they got into the car. "Have a safe trip, and do your best. I'll be listening on the radio!"

"Buh-Bye Launch!" Rikku waved half her body out the window as the drove off leaving turtle house behind them. The plane ride to the island was long and for the first hour Rikku stayed glued to the window unable to take her eyes off the ground below. Krillen stayed quiet beside her answering her questions calmly. He had obviously calmed down from his earlier nervousness.

By the time they reached the island where the tournament was held the sky had already gone dark. Lights shined down on the ground like stars and the ruckus of the city was loud and on going. It all excited Rikku even more. They took taxi to the coliseum the area already bustling with fighters registering and warming up for tomorrow's preliminary matches. While Master Roshi registered them up Rikku heard her name being shouted through the crowd.

Turning around she spotted a familiar looking man smiling big rushing over to her. "Who are you?"

"You don't recognize me? Oh come on, Rikku. Here I'll give you a hint." Bending down in a familiar pose the man shouted out. "Ha! Wolf Fang Fist!"

"Yamcha! Hey… what happened to all your hair?"

"Bulma made me cut it. She says that long hair is out this year."

"Hey Rikku," Krillen muttered pulling her back. "Who's the tall guy?"

"Oh this is Yamcha. He's friends with me. Yamcha I want you to meet my new friend Krillen. We're both being trained by Master Roshi."

As Master Roshi approaches them with their registration papers they are also joined by Bulma who looks surprised to see her. "Wow, Rikku?"

"Bulma! Oolong! Puar! Wow it's great to see you!" Shaking hands with Oolong she smiled big.

"Pretty as ever kid, and I bet just as strong."

The reunion completed Rikku's heart. The happiness inside her wanted to explode from her body. She was so excited to see everyone and even more so to have Yamcha in the tournament with her.

After spending some time with each other they all returned to the hotel for a good night's rest. The following morning the tournament was in full swing. People from all over gathered around enjoying the many venders, games, and exhibits before the big show down would begin that afternoon.

"All fighters who are participating in the preliminary round please come to the main entrance of the preliminary hall."

"Well kids," Roshi spoke looking down at them. "This is as far as I can take you. Now before you go inside I have a present for you. Since you can't fight in those suits I had these custom made just for you." kneeling down Roshi opened up his suitcase and pulled out two orange uniforms and handed them over to his students. "Here you are. Both of these uniforms are signed with the symbol of the Turtle School. Wear it proudly."

Rikku beamed taking the suit and holding it to her chest like a precious Dragon Ball. "Thank you so much Master Roshi!" Quickly changing into them both kids admired each other. Both were exact copies, the bright orange fighting gi symboled over the heart with a black belt on the pants to keep them from falling. On their wrists were matching black guard bands, and adorning their feet were solid flex shoes allowing their feet maximum mobility.

"Look's good Rikku." Oolong commented taking notice of her growing chest. Wow she was growing up. The dirty side of his mind took over making him grin and laugh sinfully.

Bulma too saw how much Rikku had grown up. She couldn't believe that this was the same little girl she had met in her search for the Dragon Balls. She turned to Yamcha hugging him. "Hey do me a favor and keep an eye on her. I know she's tough but who knows how she'll fair against other fighters."

"Ah don't you worry about Rikku Bulma she can well handle herself. Now we better get going. Don't forget to cheer for us."

"Yeah. Put your gut into it."

"I've been training way to hard to lose now. "

Yamcha joined the other two in front of the entrance. Rikku waved to Roshi and the others sprinting inside. Her heart pounded hard as she looked around at the many stages. So many people were already inside and it made her heart beat with excitement. Gongs rang and she turned her attention to the voice that cried into a speakerphone.

"Attention! The World Martial Arts Elimination Round will now begin!"

Stay turned for the next Chapter… "World Martial Arts Tournament!"

REVIEW PLEASE!