DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or Dragon Ball GT. This is a fan fiction, based off the show, but twisted to fit the plot of my own evil genius. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! *cough*

Why Can't We? The conclusion of the Rikku/Goku Universe. It's been 7 years since Gohan and Vegeta defeated Cell, and 7 years since Rikku's demise had been finalized. She's lived in other world with King Kai, training and making new friends. However, the comforts of death couldn't take away the homesickness and she gets a longing to see her home once again. Meanwhile on Earth things have progressed and the Z fighters prepare themselves for the upcoming Tournament not expecting that their 7 years of peace is about to uprooted.

Author's Note: Chapter 25 and the next few chapter following are going to be a bit cramped because I'll be pushing the story ahead keeping to Rikku's and Vegeta's POV. Just to give you warning! On with the FIC!

Chapter 27: Hard work pays off

Twenty five hours was a long time when stretched out to doing only one activity. No sleep, no food, just plain hard work. Gohan had just about had it. He had stood watching the old man dance around him for five hours, and then when he finally thought he had caught a break when the Elder Kai plopped down in front of him, he was told they would be sitting for twenty more hours to do high adaption meditation.

He could understand the meditation, if it wasn't for the fact that during those twenty hours Elder Kai was either asleep, or goofing off with his stupid comics! Things were going bad down on Earth, he could tell from the way his mother was reacting...

He had heard some laughter, polite conversation, and gasps of horror, and it twisted his stomach not being able to figure out what was going on. He felt Buu's power grow and twist into something completely inhumane and it scared him to know his loved ones were all still down there fighting for their lives.

"Excuse me sir, time should be up." Gohan's voice took on an irritated tone. "We've been sitting here for over twenty hours."

"Oh yes, I think you're right." Old Kai said in a sort of "oh I forgot," tone. "Amazing that it's not. Ooh you must be super, super strong."

"I'm tired of your games Kai!" Gohan sprung to his feet his energy exploding up and around him like fire that fueled his anger. It flared, sprouted and shot up to the sky like a whirlwind. "Do you have any idea how much time we've wasted how," he trailed off. "It worked." He looked at his hands and up at the sky where the clouds had formed rings from the brief channel of energy. "Forgive me!" Gohan was quick to apologize.

"Sit down youngster. We're not through yet."

"I'm sorry to have doubted you."

At the small distance Rikku had watched in pure amazement. She had never sensed anything like that. Gohan's energy had been like a bolt of lightning, it came fast and hard shocking their eyes with a brilliant light and a flow of energy that was the engraved golden flair that was her son's strength. "Incredible." She was breathless and so proud. The work those two had done was drawl and tireless, and yet it seemed to work. They weren't done yet. If that was just a taste, Rikku couldn't wait for the full course meal.

Hours continued to pass. Elder Kai produced a wide crystal orb that gave them an almost TV view of the action so Rikku could keep an eye on Trunks and Goten. She saw with horror of the vision that Buu had become. Her heart ached as she watched with horror when Buu emerged from the warp of time and devoured her friends that had been waiting patiently for Buu's demise. Piccolo and Gotenks (the boys fused form) were still trapped in the hyperbolic time chamber.

She glanced back at Gohan and Elder Kai feeling the pull of haste tugging at them. This was taking too long. The longer they took the more pointless the struggle seemed to be. Rikku let out a breath of relief to see Gotenks and Piccolo emerge from the hole in space they had created, and even more so to see them in Super Saiyan 3 mode. "Wow! My god I can't believe it!"

"Look at their appearance, is that from fusion?"

"Partly, but it looks like they've also reached Super Saiyan 3."

"Super Saiyan 3, you mean that transformation you showed Gohan before?"

"Yes, I can do it as well, but my gosh, these boys have reached a level of power I wasn't able to touch until my adulthood. I'm so proud!"

She got prouder as the battle continued on the outside. The Super Saiyan three fused boys and the mutant Buu battled fiercely against each other. Rikku felt dizzy watching them, their powers, their techniques; she hadn't seen such fierceness since her Frieza days. Her little Goten was giving it all he had. Could she have any more pride? Could she feel any more love for this little boy?

Gohan looked over his shoulder at his mother and Supreme Kai. She was making an awful lot of ruckus. The fight must be getting good. He knew he had to keep focused but damn it he wanted to see the action! His gaze lingered back to the Old Kai whose eyes were focused on his comic book. The hands he held out shook as he laughed and giggled maniacally. He knew the training was working, but come on couldn't the Kai have some dignity? After all, his mother was sacrificing a kiss for all this.

Gohan really hoped Vegeta wouldn't find out about this deal. He knew how possessive the man was for his mother. If word got out, no level of Hell would stop Vegeta from beating old Kai to a pulp.


~elsewhere~

Mr. Satan, once proud savior of the world and champion to all now stood at the edge of his rocker. He and Bee (the dog he had adopted) wandered aimlessly from city to city finding nothing but wreckage and death in their wake.

How had things gotten so bad? When he had set out on his mission to "kill" Majin Buu he hadn't expected to find such a great friend. Buu (in his fat stage) was just like a little kid, and had been looking for a friend and a reason of being. The man who had controlled him had taught him death and destruction was his purpose, and Mr. Satan had managed to convince him otherwise. Things looked great. They found Bee, brought him to health, and lived together in that cute little house Majin Buu had built himself. He had become savior once again, and it was for real. This time just by being himself.

He'd give up his fame, his fortune, and his lofty lifestyle to have his friend back. "Oh Videl," he called to his daughter sniffling. "Wherever you are, I hope you stay safe from that tyrant that took my best friend."


The battle had continued for what seemed like hours, even though it was only fifteen minutes. Gotenks' fusion was beginning to run its course. Just when it looked like Gohan wouldn't need to fight at all the Super Saiyan 3 transformation died down to regular fusion.

Rikku watched and choked on her saliva. "Oh no, not now!" She jumped to her feet and rushed up the hill a bit. "You guys better hurry up! Gotenks' fusion doesn't look like it's going to last much longer!"

"I don't know how much longer we need." Gohan had the same grief stricken look his mother did. They exchanged wary stares to the Elder Kai who shooed them off.

"Oh its fine, he can go. It should have been finished a while ago."

"WHAT?" Rikku shouted. "A while ago!"

"Exactly how long has my training been complete?"

"Oh about ten, fifteen minutes."

"I've been sitting here for fifteen minutes doing nothing!"

"Stay focused," Elder Kai told him. "Channel that anger into your power."

Rikku bit her lip glancing back at the ball, God she hoped this worked. She heard Gohan murmuring and then suddenly began to scream. The hairs on her body trickled and she tensed turning back and gasped. The ground trembled as Gohan powered up .As it had before the power swelled and shot out with thunderous explosion. The grass around Gohan's feet kicked up and peeled away like the skin of a potato. The wind kicked up around her face and she felt herself being surrounded by her son's incredible power. It was like surfing on Nirvana.

The power died down and Gohan looked at his hands feeling the sparks of power singe at his fingertips. He smiled over at his mom. "Are you checking this out!"

"I sure am!" Rikku laughed happily. "I'm so proud of you, Gohan!"

"Perfect," Kibito spoke now "Gohan has exceeded all of his previous limitations."

"I know. He's stronger than he ever was as a super Saiyan, but gosh just look at him. He looks like he hasn't changed a bit!"

"We should leave here immediately. Gotenks can only stall Majin Buu for a short while."

"No, not we, Gohan must make his journey to Earth alone. You going with will only distract him and impede on his concentration. I shall take the boy myself and then return here."

Reluctantly Supreme Kai agreed. Rikku walked up behind Gohan staring up at her tall handsome boy with such love and admiration. "Do your best Gohan. I can't tell you how much I wish I could go with you."

"I know." Gohan stood straight and stared down at his mother. This small powerful woman who had taught him everything about life, love, and honor. He doubted there was another being who could ever take her place in the world.

"I belong here. Make me proud, Gohan." She touched his hands gripping them tight. "I have faith in you." Words tumbled form her lips as she tried to control her tears. There was so much she wanted to tell him. "This is the last time I'll get to see you, before you make your journey into the next world." She saw the disappointment on his face and she shook her head. "You ready? Show him what a true Super Saiyan is made of."

"Y-Yeah!" Hesitated but strong Gohan shouted before engulfing his mother in a tight hug. He memorized everything. Her frame, her voice, even her smell. No matter if he was killed in this battle, or of old age he will always remember his mother exactly the way she was this moment.

He let go running to Kibito's side. "Tell Goten I'm proud of him! I love you both!" Rikku shouted and he nodded before he and Kibito disappeared. Tears fell down her cheeks thinking of her baby boy all grown up. "Goodbye, Gohan."

Elder Kai walked up and cleared his throat. At first his eyes looked serious as he studied her, then he turned goofy grinning. "Now then about my kiss…"


~On Earth~

Gohan landed with Kibito just a few miles away from where he sensed Gotenks and Piccolo and Buu. Kibito turned to leave but Gohan stopped him. "Hey Kibito, I need your help. I wanna change clothes."

Kibito turned at the odd request. "Alright."

"My mother is the greatest warrior I have ever known. I want to wear her colors with pride."

"Ah of course, an honorable request." Recalling Rikku's outfit Kibito fashioned a gi to fit Gohan's form, the same blue shirt with an orange gi. It suited his muscular build and dashing young looks to a T.

"That's the one, thank Kibito." They said their goodbyes. Gohan stood atop the cliff and glared at the horizon ahead. "This is it."


~With Rikku~

With Gohan on his way to battle, and her debt with Kai handled (much to her disgust, who knew the man had wanted a tongue kiss?) Rikku found herself in front of King Yemma's desk.

"Rikku, I wasn't expecting you back so soon."

"I know. I see things have slowed down for you finally. Then again it could be because the population is all dead and done." Rikku said it with disgust and clenched her fists. Yemma sent a look of sympathy her way.

"Yes, but enough of that. What can I do for you Rikku?"

"I need a favor, if you please." Rikku clenched and stretched her fists out swallowing hard as Yemma stared her down. "It's about Vegeta."

"You wish to see him, is that correct?"

Rikku nodded. "Yes, very much so."

Yemma stroked his beard thoughtfully. He had always been more than willing to grant Rikku's every wish. He had millions of people coming in and out of his portal office, but there was no one like Rikku. She was a special case. This wish however required more than a few rules broken. "Very well. Vegeta seems to be the only man down there behaving himself anyway."

Rikku's eyes widened and she laughed. "He's behaving? Well that's new."

"Yes," he holds up a pass card and hands it to her. "Make it quick. After all, your son is fighting a wicked force. Wouldn't want to miss that would you?"

"No sir." She smiled and rushed off down the steps to HFIL. The place hadn't changed since the last time she was here. The surrounding demons and shells of men and monsters lingered around with not much to do but work and suffer. She showed the pass to the head demon who lead her into the cells.

She saw some familiar faces who sneered and stuck their tongues out at her as she passed them. She could feel him now, just a few feet away. Her stomach clenched and the demon guard knocked on the cell door. "Hey Vegeta, you have a visitor."

"Whoever it is, tell them to go away."

"How rude," Rikku said standing in front of the ogre. "Here I came all the way down to see you." The gates crashed open as Vegeta launched himself in her direction. Rikku laughed as she felt Vegeta's arms entangle around her and breathe her in. "Vegeta."

"Karat."

Another chapter up! I'm a little fast today. Hope that wasn't too spotty with details.

Next Chapter: The Talk Chapter