Why Can't I

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Chapter 26: Sweet Reunions

Mr. Popo, care taker of Kami's look out and Kami's most trusted associate, swept the tiles humming happily to himself. Rikku would be near the Tournament halls by now. He had been thoroughly happy with her progress over the last three years. When they had first met she had been naïve, a little hot headed, but a very coherent little girl. She made her wants known and listened carefully to everything taught to her. Kami himself had been very pleased with Korin's choice of warrior and expected her to be of great help in the fireworks that were soon to commence.

When Rikku arrived she had been thoroughly shocked by the presences abound. Not only did Kami look like Piccolo but she found out that Piccolo had been born by the evil in Kami's heart. What more was the reason why Kami was still alive was Piccolo had bore himself a son before his death. An heir to hold his name and continue his evil duties and regain his throne as King of this world. Rikku was all too anxious to battle him again. A love of fighting the child had, but she held an innocent love for it. She held no blood thirst or murderous intentions swirling in her mind but a pure love of a challenge and avengement for the death's of her friends.

Which brought Kami to his second task. Recreating the dragon balls was an easy enough task. With them the skies went dark and Rikku's friends had been revived as well as all those murdered by Kami's dark half Piccolo. With the weight lifted from Rikku's mind and heart she took on Kami's training with anxious feet and fisted hands.

Three years had passed since then. Three years of hard work, three years of bloody wounds, three years of tearful tasks, all in preparation for the day of the World Martial Arts Tournament. Here would Rikku's ultimate task take place. Piccolo's son would take part and it would be up to Rikku to defeat him.

"I do hope everything goes well. Kami's never been so secretive about a plan to me." Popo sighed continuing his sweeping. For the first time in years Kami had stepped away from the lookout to keep a close eye on Rikku at the tournament. However he had a bad feeling that Kami had more than just a watchful eye in mind.

Papaya island was as beautiful and busy body as ever. The tournament committee all in a bustle trying to sign everyone in despite the stormy conditions outside. Master Roshi and Launch waited by the gate anxiously awaiting their friends and pupil's arrivals. Roshi, Krillen, and Chiaotsu had all been revived immediately after the Dragon Balls had been restored. Needless to say they had all been grateful and had wished to thank Rikku. However since the day she had suddenly appeared and disappeared with her power pole no one had heard a word from her.

They all suspected she was with Kami. All were in anxious wonder about the figure and what he or she looked like, was like, and whatnot. Tien, Chiaotsu, and Krillen had all left immediately afterwards venturing out into the great unknown for training. They weren't about to let Rikku take the title without all the fight they had in their bodies. "Let's hope they didn't forget. I didn't have the chance to remind them." Roshi spoke looking around and watching for the Taxi doors.

One by one the taxis came in but no sign until a pair of familiar faces pulled up and opened an umbrella. "Oolong! Puar!"

"Master Roshi it's great to see you." Puar spoke happily circling around Oolong's head.

"You as well. You look well fed Oolong. I think your ears have grown a bit."

As the words left his mouth Roshi fixated his eyes on the long pair of legs exiting behind them and he grinned widely. Bulma smiled big and greeted Launch with a spurge of girl talk.

"Have the boys arrived yet?"

"Not yet I'm afraid."

"Well what do you think of my new dress?" She said twirling a little. The violet blue dress snug her hips and breasts beautiful and she had dashed on make up and jewelry just for the occasion.

"It certainly fits in all the right places." Roshi laughed revoltingly and Bulma socked him in the face.

"Hand's off, Roshi!"

"OW! Ooh Strong as ever I see."

"You haven't changed a bit old man." Bulma snidely put and stood next to Launch to avoid being touched by Roshi's hands.

"Oh, by the way did you know what happened to Yamcha?"

"He returned to West City for a short while but then left soon after." Oolong explained.

"He left on a train all by himself." Puar whimpered having wished to go with him. Bulma looked agitated at being reminded of the fact Yamcha had taken off without a word to her.

"I see, Yamcha too huh. So did Krillen and the others. They haven't come back since."

"I wonder why." Oolong questioned. Roshi knew exact reason.

"They grew up. Following RIkku's example they set out on their own to find new strength."

"Balloon! My balloon!" Bulma turned to see a little girl down the sidewalk chasing after her balloon as it drifted with the wind and landed in a tree. She jumped and jumped unable to reach and began to whimper. Bulma, being a softy towards children, walked over and handed the girl her unbrella.

"Don't worry I'll get it for you." The rain dripped down on Bulma's face as she stretched trying to reach the balloon. The little girl whimpering beside her making her struggle for it harder. "Darn, I, I can't reach it. Oolong you give it a try!"

"Why me, if you can't reach it what makes you think I can?"

"Can't you transform into a ladder or something?" Bulma slid down putting her hands on her hips.

"Aw it's raining."

"Wait a minute." Master Roshi interjected. "It's simple, I'll give you a boost and you grab the balloon." No one spoke. All of them freaked out from the idea. "Yes, no, maybe."

Bulma glared. "Yeah right."

Behind her a figure jumped up grabbing the balloon. "Hey guys." The husky feminine voice caught the attention of the group. Everyone whirled to the source to see a young voluptuous teenager her face hidden underneath the hood of an umbrella. While they discussed amongst each other to find out who she was they all took a good long look of her appearance. She wore a pair of black uniform pants and fighting boots. The blue uniform top that was paired with it sagged on her but she had tightened it at the bust and had slid the sleeves up exposing her long beautiful arms. Those arms held the perfect amount of muscle and where paired with soft hands. She wore her nails short, no acrylics, no polish. On her wrists were blue wrist guards and strapped to her back was a small pack with an orange pole. From what Bulma could make of her face the woman wore no make up and was just a few inches shorter than her.

"Here you are Bulma." The woman passed the yellow balloon off to Bulma catching her off guard.

"Wha- how do you know who I am?"

The woman smiled. "Master Roshi, I'm pleased to see you again." Lifting her umbrella the woman revealed her soft angelic face. Her deep black eyes full of innocence and a little mystery. "All of you are looking well."

Master Roshi put away his puzzled expression to ogle. "Well hello there cutie. I don't know where I've met you but I sure am glad." He yelped when Bulma smacked him on the head.

"Can it Roshi, obviously you know this girl somewhere."

The girl gave a puzzled look and scratched the turban adorning her head. "Where are Krillen and the others? Haven't they arrived yet?"

Suddenly it hit her. Bulma gasped. "You can't be."

Launch was next to get it. "No way!"

Master Roshi recovering from his hit jolted. "Ah Rikku!" As soon as he said the name Puar and Oolong screamed in surprise.

"Of course it's me. Who else would I be?" she paused glancing at the sky. "Ah the rain is letting up. Perhaps we'll see the sun today after all."

Oolong looked puzzled examining the girl again from head to toe. "Hey are you really Rikku? You've gotten… well…" he paused suddenly grinning. "bigger." He eyed her breasts full shaped underneath the gi. This earned a disapproving look from both Puar and Bulma. Rikku however remained her cheerful self and simply grinned scratching the top of her turban again.

"Stop it, perhaps you don't recognize me because of this thing on my head. I'll take it off so I'll look a little more like me."

Rikku's hands stripped the turban from her head. She hummed a little as she did so letting the weight of it loosen and fall. She flipped her head back and ran a hand through her full head of long spiky hair that hadn't changed since her younger years. All around her she heard the gasps and it made her giggle. "Now do you recognize me? Who else but me has hair like this?"

Bulma still stunned got closer looking her up and down. Rikku too took the time to admire her. Bulma gave the girl back the balloon and then looked up just in time to find Rikku's face right up to hers.

"Funny I remember you being a lot taller."

"And, you used to be much shorter."

Rikku cocked her hip running a hand through her hair. "Yeah I guess I have grown since you last saw me.

"You sure have," Oolong and Puar said in sync.

"You can't blame us for not recognizing you right away." Launch added. Her face went a little lovey remembering Rikku growing up at Kame house. She had always wondered what kind of woman Rikku would turn out to be.

Bulma's ears buzzed not registering the conversations. She still didn't believe it. "You definitely have Rikku's hairstyle."

Rikku turned her eyes back to Bulma admiring her face having remembered every bit of her body from three years ago. She caught sight of Bulma's ruby red lips and her eyes widen. "Bulma what happened. Why it looks like your lips are bleeding!" RIkku touched her lips but got her hand smacked.

"No it's called lipstick you moron!" Her eyes suddenly widen. "My gosh it really is you! Rikku remind me to give you a makeup lesson when we get back to our rooms.

"Why would I wanna do that. I don't need make up to fight. That make up did little to help me the last tournament after all. Just made everybody give me funny faces."

"Attention!" The caller for the Martial Arts Committee spoke through his loud speaker. "Last call for applications! I repeat last call for applications."

"Rikku you better sign up." ROshi insisted and Rikku smiled.

"Right, have Krillen and the others done so as well?"

"They're not here yet." Roshi could tell Rikku wanted to pout but she kept her cheery smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"Okay, I'll be right back."

As she left all of her friends stared still in utter amazement. "It's so hard to believe."

"I know, who would have thought Rikku would grow up to be so tall and gorgeous. Not even a stitch of make up and she's flawless. I'm so jealous."

"Guess some girls are just born that way Bulma." Oolong said. "She has that natural beauty. All the guys go for it. You better hope Yamcha doesn't try to go for her instead."

A half an hour past and still no sign of the boys. Everyone paced in front of the hall anxious for the boys to arrive. Five minutes before the stand would close and everyone began to frantically think of ideas of how to sign the boys in. Rikku was the only one who looked calm. Her mind closed to the outside noise she tested her training on those around her sensing for energies.

"Hmm. It's time."

Just as the stand was about to close four blurs rush past them their movemenst rushing to the application booth. Everyone celebrated as Tien, Chiaotsu, Yamcha, and Krillen all turned to face them. Yamcha's hair had grown out again and he sported a full poncho coat. Tien and Chiaotsu hadn't changed much in looks especially since they wore the same outfits as they had the previous tournament. However Rikku could sense the energies around them and could tell they had gained incredible strength in three years. Rikku's eyes feasted on Krillen. Her body swarmed with happiness to see her old friend again. He had gotten so tall since she last saw him. The once short stumpy body stretching to a good five feet. She had grown too, Kami said she was at around 5'8" and she towered a little over Krillen. It just made her want to...

"Krillen!" Rikku rushed up pushing through the others to hug Krillen to her chest. The bald man flustered and flailed in her arms confused by the situation. When he pulled away he looked up getting a good look at his assailant and gasped. "R-Rikku?"

She smiled big. "Yeah."

Krillen matched her smile then practically leapt into her arms hugging her tightly. "Oh Rikku! It really is you! I never got a chance to thank you. I heard how King Piccolo's henchmen killed me but you brought me back. You're amazing Rikku! I just don't know how to thank you."

Her heart ached at the memory and her eyes and voice softened. "I'm just happy you're back."

Both Tien and Yamcha looked on at Rikku. Both men completely blown away by her beauty as well as her height change. "That's Rikku? I can hardly believe it!" Yamcha stuttered and Tien whistled low. "She's grown up so much."

"Yes and her power along with it."

"She was powerful last time but now she must be near invincible."

"Indeed, this should be an interesting tournament."

IMPORTANT! A/N: He-he yay I have been dying to do this chapter! Oh BTW for those of you who can draw I'm having a small contest. I would like you to draw Goku as female. You don't have to follow my descriptions to a T but it would be beneficial. You can send it to me via a e mail or post a link in your comments. Either way. The winner will get their name mentioned in the final chapter and can also get a free suggestion on either a new fic, a scene in the following fic "Why Can't You" with Rikku and Vegeta finally meeting. Or… if you have an OC I can include them into the story. If you have the OC please be sure to send me the information of your character so I can get the details down.

ANYWAYZ! So Rikku and the others have grown in both strength and looks but how will they fair in the tournament? And what about Piccolo's heir? What part will he play? Find out in the next chapter… "WMAT: Preliminary Rivals!"