What to expect: The Continuing the story of Goku's life as a girl. Rikku (Goku) meets her brother Radditz, Nappa, and the intriguing Saiyan Prince Vegeta. In this installment you will get the story of Rikku's life between the Saiyan Saga and the Cell Saga.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Woot! I'm up to sixty reviews! Yay! Thanks so much for being responsive and keep those opinions coming! I can't satisfy you unless you state your case so don't be shy!

Again sorry about jumping so much in my chapter switches. I wanted to push things along so I wasn't just repeating what happened in the show. After Frieza things will become a little more interesting and freelance. Trust me you don't wanna miss what I have in story.

Why Can't You?

Chapter 29: Trunks, Boy of the Future!

Irritation prickled in Vegeta's spine when he watched Rikku walk off with the mysterious so-called saiyan boy. She had barely looked his way. He had spent over a year searching the universe for her and she hadn't even acknowledged him! How irritating and down right embarassing! Why had he even bothered sticking around?

"Thanks for this Rikku," Trunks said as they landed across the crater and out of ear range.

"No problem, but hey I should be thanking you for beating Frieza." she sighed at the thought of the scaly villain. "I could have finished him, but... I guess I was just fooling myself in thinking he might change."

"Not him. you were supposed to stop him. When he arrived and you weren't around I had to step in. I didn't think you'd make it."

"Yes, he gained two hours on me. I was worried because I knew he was gonna hurt the people here.. i was gonna make a move but then you showed up and I thought better on it."

"Just how were you going to make a move two hours away?" Trunks asked curiosity prickling.

"Well I could have been there in seconds with this new technique I learned."

"Are you serious?"

"Yep, it's called instant transmission."

"I wonder where Rikku got her new outfit." Bulma wondered admiring the costume liek ensemble. It reminded her of a chique version of a circus clown. She had sene similar styles on the runway.

"I wonder what those two are talking about." Gohan spoke. He was anxious for the two to finish their conversation so he and his mother could go home. He hadn't seen her in a year and was looking forward to catching up and learning more of her techniques. After all that he'd been through since the Saiyan's arrival he had felt a more strong connection to his fighting abilities. Little by little he had felt his power growing and now he longed to catch up to his mother and be just as strong as her and Piccolo.

"Now, I got a question for you Rikku," Trunks said. "Can you transform into a Super Saiyan at will?"

"Well, at first I wasn't able to. It happened spontaneously, but now I can control it." She recalled that long time between transmission training where she had spent grueling training session after another finding that link between her and her super saiyan power. It, and the repairs on her ship, were the only things that had kept her away from home.

"Can you show me right now?" He asked, and upon seeing her alarm his eyes narrowed. "Please, Rikku."

unsure of his intentions Rikku gave an uneasy smile and calmed he rbreathing. "Alright." Concentrating she let every muscle in her body relax and her mind snapped the b arrier between her and that golden light. Exploding with power her hair spiked and she transformed.

Across the crater Rikku's friends gasped in admiration of the technique. "Whoa, what's going on your guys? Rikku has blonde hair! How wild!"

"She just transformed into a Super Saiyan!" Gohan explained his heart leaping at the sight. He remembered what it had been like the first timie, the hard wild snap of control and the thunderous power that had released all at once and nearly took his mother past the walls of sanity. Now, his mother was in full control, but just as dangerous to her enemies.

Vegeta watched agitated with himself and with Karat. he could feel her power just vibrating and touch him like blazing flames. It burned him! His pride lost to the thought of her surpassing him in every way possible.

Trunks awed the sight of the female in front of him. Her golden glow was more... vibrant, and exotic than that of the ones he had seen before.

"So, does this satisfy you?" She asked her voice taking a tone that said "if you wanna fight, be prepared."

"Yes," Trunks said after a moment. "Wow how awesome. I had forgotten what it looks like from the outside in."

"So what's next friend?" Her eyes took a mischievous glow.

"Now we'll both be super saiyans." Following suit the air around Trunks crackled and he too began to glow with super saiyan power. The two of them stood eye to eye, like twins, glowing with immeasurable power.

Vegeta didn't know how much more she could take. First Karat, and now the boy! His blood boiled with jealousy, his fists clenched, and snarls escaped his gritted teeth. He heard the praises from the people around him and it only added fuel to his fire. This super saiyan power could be obtained by any saiyan and he was now more than ever determined to taste that pwoer and prove to Karat again that he was superior!

"We're exactly the same." Rikku murmured her gold bangs flickering in her face. Trunks' smile fell.

"Let's find out." with super saiyan speed his sword came out and he swung his sword down stopping inches above Rikku's face. She didn't even blink. Baffled Trunks narrowed his eyes. "Why didn't you try to avoid it?"

"I searched your feelings," his eyes, she thought, had been cautious and calm. Not those of a murderer. "I knew you would stop."

"I see, well I'm not going to stop this time." Trunks said arching his sword back ready to swing again.

"As you wish." Riku held out a finger the glow of her aura surrounding it. When Trunks released a flurry of attacks she blocked only moving her hand and finger. The aura around them flared like a flame and they froze in place Trunks in the air and Rikku standing straight and proper having barely moved a muscle. Trunks backed off, tossed his sword in the air, and powered down.

"That... was awesome. Everything I've heard about you is true. You're incredible." Rikku smiled and powered down herself. She watched as the sword landed perfectly back into it's sheath. What a little show off. He was so cute. "Those saiyan moves had turned Frieza into cold cuts."

"Guess your heart wasn't in it this time. Why the display?"

"I had to feel like I could trust you." Trunks flexed his fingers staring into her eyes. "Sorry about the secrecy. I need your sworn oath that you won't tell a soul about what I'm going to say."

Convinced of his good will Rikku nodded. "I've never had a problem keeping a secret. You have my word."

"Thank you, my name is Trunks. This is going to sound very strange but I'm not from yoru time. I traveled here from 20 years in the future."

"Whoa," her mind reeling she leaned forward ready to listen intently. "From the future? That's awesome!"

"Yes, Vegeta was right. Only he, yourself, and Gohan have saiyan blood." he glanced over the ridge at the Prince of Saiyans. "I got mine from him. He's my father."

She nearly choked. Her first instinct was to scream but she held it in and studied the face of the boy. "Y-You're kidding? Are you certain?"

"Yes," he was a little concerned. Rikku's face had gone pale and her eyes held a bit of... what was it... sadness? "I'm half Saiyan, half Earthling."

"You're serious," She blinked and wavered but refused to faint. She whirled her head back at Vegeta meeting eyes with him. "God, yeah I can see the resemblance." How was it possible? Who was the mother? What was all that talk about being mates and living forever together? Now she was just confused.

Vegeta didn't care for the way she looked back at him. What were they talking about and why did she have that look in her eyes? Was that boy bad mouthing him? Were they making fun of him? So many questions and reasons whirled in his mind and he turned his back on her notw anting to look. Let them make fun, he would soon prove he was not weak, and that he too could be one of them.

When Vegeta turned his back she laughed and put a hand to her face. "Wow, no kidding, Vegeta's gonna be a daddy? Man that's incredible. Who would have thought-"

"Rikku!" Trunks yelled snapping her out of her ramblings. "I didn't come here to tell you that. I have to talk to you about something."

Putting all other things aside she turned back to Trunks and stared him down. His eyes were serious and she knew that the news she was about to receive was something of deadly origin. His voice was grim and his eyes cold as he explained of a new threat. Androids. Two were to appear the morning of May 12th at 10am on an island southwest of South City. They were described as man eaters, and according to Trunks they were to kill every one of her friends except for one... her son Gohan.

It hurt, knowing that she was teh cause of even more damage. The Red Ribbon Army, a terrorist army that she had disposed of as a kid, had reared its ugly head. Dr. Gero was the original master mind and thanks to a careless mistake of letting him live he was taking his revenge on her by creating machines of destruction. The sorrow in Trunks voice as he spoke made her want to cry.

"Making the Tim Machine also cost us many precious lives. So many have suffered at the hands of those beasts!" Trunks fisted his hands trying to hold back his anger but it bubbled. "Darn them! They're just too strong!"

"Wait a second," a thought came to mind. "What happens to me? Do I die in the battle as well?"

"No," Trunks looked up. "You die before it. A few months before the battle you're gonna catch a virus that attacks the heart. You're going to die from it." What was more was a secret that he couldn't let her know. A secret life that she saved at the cost of her own life. Her face now scared and shocked brought up his shoulders. "Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. It's a radical virus. you're going to hear about it soon. Not even a Super Saiyan can beat it."

"What a waste, killed by a stupid virus." She didn't know why, but she was angry. Angry that she wouldn't be able to stop her own fate. "Darn it! I want to fight those androids and you're telling me I won't even get a chance at them?"

Trunks was shocked. He stood before a woman who looked ready to bat even if she went down swinging. "You mean after everything you've heard you still want to fight them? aren't you scared?"

Rikku looked up and shrugged. "Well, yeah, a little. All challenges are scary at first, but if I had a shot, I could maybe make a difference, yah know?" He smiled at her, easing her anger.

"A woman like you probably could. YOu're a true warrior." He complimented. "My mother, and Gohan were right about you Rikku. I really can trust you." He was glad for that. Reaching into his pocket he walked forward and placed a bottle in her hand. "Take this, for your health."

"My health?" She looked at the purple bottle. What was that for?

"It's an antidote. There's no cure now for that nasty virus but in my time there is." He smiled. "Take this when you get sick and you'll be fine."

"You're kidding! That's awesome!" She looked at it grinning. "It's purple. Is it grape flavored?"

Trunks laughed a little. "No, look I shouldn't be doing this Rikku because it's gonna change history. Some history should change... things are... pretty bad." He lowered his head a moment thinking of his own time. "We're living in fear. No way out, it's terrible, but you can make a difference Rikku. My mother says that you could. Now I believe her."

His mother? She thought of Vegeta. "Your mother knows me? Am I going to meet her? Or do I already know her?"

"Now."

Nervous she thought of the many different women in her life. Chichi? No, Ariel... now, Suno? "Does she live by me or something?"

"She's standing right over there." Unable to contain it she laughed and fell down holding her sides.

"BULMA! Bulma's your mother!" She giggled and rolled on the ground laughing. Oh god it was too funny. Those two... who would have thought?

"That guy just pointed his finger and Karat fell down." Vegeta stated He had given up against his curiosity and had watched intently of Rikku's body movements. She had been rigid and nervously moving throuought her entire conversation then all of a sudden she fell over laughing from the sounds of it.

"Did i just hear my name? I could have sworn Rikku said my name." Bulma tried to walk closer but the crater put a huge barrier between her and listening in. What were they talking about?

A little relieved Rikku stood up and looked back at the group. "Vegeta and Bulma huh?" Surprise took over the hurt that had been in her chest before. "Man, i thought she'd end up marrying Yamcha, but man Vegeta?"

"They don't stay together long." Trunks admits blushing. "it's more of a passion kind of thing. You know how stubborn they are." Rikku laughed in response and the pain eased even more so. "Yamcha and my mother are going to break up. He finds someone else and my mom falls in love with my dad.. of course I'm not sure if he loved my mother."

Trunks thought of his mother now. Bulma had once opened to him that she knew Vegeta didn't love her. He looked ta Rikku now wondering if he did the right thing in telling her about his parents. "I don't remember my dad so it was really great to get a chance to meet him. He's a cranky guy, but he's impressive."

Rikku could do nothing but agree with Trunks' observation.

"I know it's bizarre, but they'll find a way to each other soon." He looked at Rikku pleadingly. "but if they get wind of it, it may not happen." He grasped her hand. They were eye to eye in height and the moment looked a little too intimate for those who didn't know the details of the conversation. "Promise you won't tell them Rikku, or i might not be born." His wide blue eyes convinced her. She couldn't be selfish and stop what should transpire. If Vegeta and Bulma were meant to be.. she would let it happen reguardless of the tightness in her chest.

"I promise, no problem." She smiled gripping his hand back. Trunks returned the easy smile and kissed her hand.

"I should go. My mom is worried sick about me. I have to let her know everything went okay."

Rikku grasped the bottle in her hand. "Yeah, tell her I send my love, and thanks for this."

"Hey, you've helped me in a lot of ways. I should be thanking you."

"Me? How so?"

"Well," he thought of back home and his one hope he clasped onto. "Let's just say that even in my time where there's little to fight for... you gave us the one hope we need to hang on. Take care of yourself."

"You too. you're a brave young man Trunks and now that we've met we'll be in each other's spirits no matter where we go." Flashing a thumbs up Trunks turned away and took off. Rikku sighed watching him leave and pocketed the antidote. The bombard of quetions from her friends left her a bit uneasy, and despite the secrecy Piccolo had heard it all with his Namek hearing and insisted on telling everyone the brunt of what would transpire.

"so that's the gist of it. In three years all of us except for Gohan are supposed to die in a battle. Now that we know. Maybe we can change that."Piccolo gave a concerned look at Rikku. She seemed to be in deep thought over the entire thing. Gohan's hand was clenched in hers and she casually rubbed his head protectively. "Believe what you want to believe. As for me, I want to live, so I'm going to train."

He looked around at the doubting faces and narrowed his eyes." You lot can risk it, but I'm going to be prepared."

Gohan nodded in agreement. A buzzing noise catches his attention and he looked to the sky. "Look there he is!" Rikkua nd the others follow his gaze. Trunks stared down admiring his parents. Riku felt the grip of longing in his eyes. She had to change his future... she wanted to give trunks the love of both his parents and the peace of the planet. For him, she looked down at Gohan and smile, and for her own son... she would train. When Trunks disappeared she held Gohan tight to her chest.

"Gosh mom, do you really believe that he was from the future."

"Yes I do son, Yes I do."

Alright another chapter done! Next up, the Z fighters train for battle and an unexpected twist is yet to come! Can you guess what it is? Keep on reading... "Spur of the moment!"