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.

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

NOTICE: I just would like to say that if you're a DBZ fan and you haven't watched the original Dragon Ball yet you SHOULD! It's hysterical and just as adventure packed as DBZ.

Chapter 27: Preliminary Rivals

Rikku stretched out in her bed in nothing but a black t shirt and stretch black pants. Krillen sat on the bed next to her. Despite the awkwardness of their gender difference Rikku had insisted they share a room and catch up. She hadn't seen Krillen since the day he died and she wanted to know about everything that had been going on. Bulma, and Launch shared the room to their right, Yamcha, Puar, and Oolong and Roshi to their left, and then Tien and Chiaotsu across the hall.

"So what was it like training with Kami? I bet it was tough."

"Yeah. It was quite challenging. I tested my strength everyday, and pushed past my limits with every step. It was incredible." She turned to look at him smiling.

"Your strength must have increased a ton after all your travels." She laid on her side acing him the covers of her bed sheet sliding. The sight made Krillen blush. His heart thudded hard in his chest and he quickly covered it with a laugh.

"I'm sure we'll find plenty of tough warriors to battle tomorrow."

Rikku turned on her back her eyes staring at the ceiling as she thought of King Piccolo's son. She didn't know what kind of strength this new version would have but she had to give it her all. Kami and everyone would be counting on her. She wouldn't let anyone die this time.

"Rikku? Hello?" RIkku snapped from her daze and laughed a little.

"Sorry I was thinking. I'm alright. How's the weather outside?" RIkku asked her eyes starting to feel heavy and they drooped. Krillen got from his bed looking out his window. He gave a small sigh and turned back.

"It's raining again." He paused hearing a soft snore from her and it made him chuckle. "Sound asleep." He walked over pulling the covers over her fully. He paused seeing her lips gently pared and blush. He gulped hard and looked around to see if anyone was watching. "A little peck won't hurt." Leaning over he gently brushed his lips to hers and a sudden knock made him jolt and he fell backwards on his rump.

"Hey Krillen," Roshi's voice stained through the door. "Can you give me an extra pillow for Oolong? He won't stop complaining about the hard floor."

Krillen muttered grabbing a pillow from his bed and throwing it in Roshi's face. "Here you are master. Goodnight." He then shut the door and sighed banging hi head once. "I feel stupid now." He reached up touching his lips and then smiling. "It was worth it though."

The following morning dawned a sunny day which gave everyone a bit of relief. Rikku and the others were eager and excited as always about the prospects and new outcomes of the tournament. Not to mention on who would bring the title home.

"Master did you bring my old uniform?"

"No I didn't. That uniform no longer suits you in size or status. You've all surpassed my lessons. What you wear is your own."

Which was fine with her. As everyone dressed for the preliminary rounds Krillen flashed off his new uniform. "Tada what do you think. I knew master Roshi wouldn't let us keep our old ones so I had this one tailor made."

Yamcha pulled off his coat revealing the same uniform in his own size. He chuckled. "Looks like we know the same tailor."

"Me too," Rikku joined in her outfit custom with a black shirt underneath. It was then that Yamcha noticed something off.

"Hey Rikku what happened to your tail?"

"Oh? That? I got rid of it. You see according to Kami it turned out that the moon could be restored if I decided to lose my tail. So that's what I decided to do." She paused ignoring the comments made by Yamcha and Krillen She frowned sensing the foreboding presence. She turned to its source and stared face to face with King Piccolo's son. The two shared a mental conversation, Piccolo smirking at her as if to say "you will die today." A sentence Rikku knew his father had loved to use.

Rikku looked to Tien who was in utter shock of seeing him. Rikku briefly explained the situation and asked for silence on the matter. Tien in turn told Chiaotsu the same. As more fighters gathered in Rikku felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned looking a a young beautiful woman her same height. She adorned a Chinese style dress gi and smiled innocently. Her long black hair tied back with white ribbon and her wrists adorned matching wrist guards.

"Hi Rikku." The voice velvety making the boys behind Rikku fluster and ogle. Rikku however looked puzzled and leaned in.

"Do I know you?"

The girl gasped her eyes tearing and then narrowing in anger. "Why… you.. .BITCH!" She screamed causing Rikku and the others to fall back in shock. The mysterious woman then stomping away without a word.

"What the… What did she do that for? What a strange girl."

"You mean strange as in wonderful. She's so beautiful." Krillen stuttered watching the woman walk away. This tournament was gonna be filled with beautiful women. What was he gonna do if h had to fight her or Rikku?

"What a dream." Yamcha said his face going red. He immediately shook it trying to picture Bulma's face in his mind.

"Oh come on Rikku we're your pals. You can tell us. Is she a friend?"

"I feel bad but for the life of me I can't remember her." She pouts and sighs trying to wrack her brain for an answer. "I really wish I knew."

The preliminaries began and thanks to a little magic on Chiaotsu's part all the friends were placed in separate blocks. Piccolo's son was placed in a separate block entirely giving Rikku the opportunity to watch his fights when convenient on her. Her first match started immediately and she nearly jumped out of her skin to see King Chappa there. As far as she knew the Dragon Balls had only been used to wish back her friends. "Chappa, I thought you were killed by Piccolo's goon."

"A bit of fortune on my part. Rikku I have waited a long time to get back in the ring with you. I can see you have grown into a fine woman. However looks and height alone will not win you this fight. Long before my loss to you I was champion of this tournament. Now I've come to reclaim my title."

Rikku smiled friendlily and bowed to him in respect. He hadn't changed much from what Rikku could see. Chappa, she knew, was exceptional amongst ordinary men. She had to be careful to beat him and leave as much of his pride in tact as possible.

"Fighters begin!"

Chappa channeled his energy and took a stance murmuring a chant under his breath he concentrated on Rikku's polite smile as she stood there completely unguarded on all sides. "Is that your defense? Are you so weak you won't even try?"

Rikku remained silent staying in the same place her arms at her sides and her legs evenly spread. Chappa grunted and circled her picking the precise moment to attack. When he launched Rikku disappeared from his sight. He searched the ring just missing her as Rikku skimmed behind him undetected. "Where are you hiding you coward!"

Rikku chopped his at the nerve of his neck making him grunt and fall over unconscious. "Sorry Chappa." She whispered and stepped out of the ring. Krillen and the others, including Puar and Oolong who had snuck for a bird's eye view, had all watched and awed at the brief show of power under Rikku's belt.

"Incredible. I have a feeling we've only just begun witnessing Rikku's strength."

It would stay that way too. As she had always done so before Rikku skimmed through the first few of her fights with little worry. She kept her eyes on her friend's fights and was pleased in their progress… until.

"CHIAOTSU!"

Tien's voice caught her attention and she saw him rushing to Chiaotsu's block. He had dnot only been defeated but was in dire need of a hospital. The person responsible was someone she never expected to see again.

"No!" Tien screamed. "You're dead!"

"Not quite. Ah and you must be Rikku." Rikku eyed the red mechanical eyes beading down on her.

"Yes. That's right but how do you know my name…" even as she spoke her memory was working and she let out a muffled shout of shock. The man before her she had beaten once before. Many ha thought he was dead. "Mercenary Tao!"

"That's right," he laughed standing tall and flexed. "like my new look?"

"Mercenary Tao was said to have died. How did you survive?" Tien asked cradling the injured Chiaotsu in his arms.

"With lots of zeni there is plenty of life after death. You are looking at the first fully functional cyborg assassin."

Tien was livid. Rikku could feel his aura swirling with hatred for the man in front of him and Rikku knew if it came down to Tien fighting Tao in the ring that Tien wouldn't let Tao escape with any pride intact. She knew Tien would get revenge for Chiaotsu and she knew Tien would do it with a cool quick style.

Chiaotsu was taken to the nearest hospital whilst the preliminaries continued. Eight were left and amongst them were all four friends, Mercenary Tao, the anonymous womanw ho had yelled at Rikku, and the surprisingly lucky Hiro.

"Man this guy is gonna turn the tournament into a comedy. What sort of luck charm is he carrying that's getting him through all these fights?" Krillen commented. Rikku examined Hiro her eyes narrowing in concentration over the comedic clumsy stranger. She felt like she knew him from somewhere. The announcer arrived. He was a friendly face Rikku had grown fond of seeing once every three years. It meant her half way point to the championship round was just three fights away.

The lots were drawn and as Rikku predicted Tien and Mercenary Tao were placed in the first fight. She already knew the outcome of the battle and would be sorely disappointed if Tien let his anger get the better of him from the outcome. However Rikku's main concern was Lady Anonymous whom, luck would have it, she was paired with. She wasn't sure why the girl was so angry but at least now she had the opportunity to find out during their battle.

Rikku looked to the other lots and her eyes widen when Krillen was paired with Junior, Piccolo's son or Piccolo himself however way you looked at it. That left Yamcha with the illustrious Hiro in the fourth and final fight.

Rikku could feel Anonymous' eyes on her back making her cower slightly. She had faced foes far more terrifying however this one girl with her vengeful eyes was making her tremble. Even after beating her she would face Tien Shinhan next and she knew he wouldn't go down quietly and then there was the championship round. If things went as she predicted, that particular battle would be her and Piccolo. "I've got my work cut out for me."

And I've got my work cut out for me! I've been trying really hard to figure out just the right placement for the next few chapters that will lead up to the end. Be looking forward to seeing my reader's reactions to my twists in the plot. Anywayz… So the eight have been chosen and the quarter finals are under way. Who will advance and who will fall? Find out next chapter… "Anonymous friendship, Hiro revealed."