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: I'm going to use numbers for the androids for their Japan pronunciations are a pain to write out and I've gotten lazy as of late. Things will change in "Why Can't We?" when I only have 18 to worry about.
Why Can't You?
Chapter 36: Trunks' Secret, Rikku's condition
The waiting was driving her insane! She couldn't handle it anymore! Gohan was flipping out and she had resorted to smacking him a good one, something she swore she would never do in her life. It hurt, but it was for the better. She couldn't let Gohan get into danger.
Piccolo was down for the count, and Cell had managed to absorb Android 17. Things were looking grim. Things got even worse when Tien went into the fray and proceeded to protect 16 and 18 by blasting Cell with his Tri-Beam Cannon over and over keeping him at bay. However, the Tri Beam cannon was draining his life force and he wouldn't be able to hold out much longer.
"I can't take it anymore. I won't let them die!" Rikku glanced at Gohan. "Stay here!" She put her fingers to her head, and transmission herself to the battlefield right at Tien's collapsed body. She stared at Cell, and she saw the recollection in his eyes.
"Ah, Rikku, at last we finally meet." The scorpion like creature she had seen in her dreams had evolved growing more muscular and, in her opinion, uglier.
"Why don't you back off, and leave my friend alone?" She felt no fear in her body. Her power spiked from the hints of anger she tried to conceal. His stare was fixated and a little puzzled.
"Funny, you seem different then what I imagined. I think it's your energy. It's quite fascinating."
"Yeah right," She glanced back at Tien and growled a little under her breath. "You don't know how much I would like to teach you a lesson right about now." She grit her teeth. "I need one more day, and then I'll finish you Cell! I'll make you pay!"
"Heh, I don't think you're in any condition to teach me a lesson." Cell said licking his lips in a taunt. "However, I've always wondered what it would be like to face the legendary Rikku. Your power, and capabilities have always been envied and admired by your peers after all."
Rikku ignored his banter and turned her gaze for a moment. Sensing movement along the rocky shores she narrowed her gaze on the waves. She smiled in relief at the sight of Piccolo clinging to the edge. Good, he was alive. She knelt down and picked up Tien and zipped over to Piccolo kneeling by him and pulling him out of the water. "Don't worry guys. I've got you. Let's go get you some sensu beans."
"No Rikku," She heard Cell speak again. "We will fight right now." he launched and she gasped putting her fingers to her head she concentrated and just as Cell's fist would have plowed into her face they disappear and reappear at Kami's Lookout.
"Mom!" Gohan rushed forward and knelt by Piccolo. "Are they alive?"
"Yes son," She fell onto her butt her heart acing at the close call. "That was too close."
After some healing Piccolo and Tien were back up to speed and they gave Rikku the play by play of what had transpired. "So it is as I sensed. Android 17 has been absorbed. Now, he'll be looking for 18. I hope they manage to stay hidden long enough for…" she growled and stomped her foot. "Damn it Vegeta! Hurry it up!"
"Rikku," Popo called. "The year is up. I believe they're about to exit."
"Finally," Rikku sighed and jogged ahead of the group. Tien watched her his mind whirling on what Cell had said. "You're energy, it's fascinating…. You're in no condition to teach me a lesson" What did Cell mean by that?
Not wanting to think anymore on the subject he jogged to catch up to Rikku. The door was wide open and Trunks walked out looking ragged and fierce in power and approach.
"Hey guys, what's happening?"
"Welcome back, Trunks." Rikku greeted. He looked at her and she frowned seeing a deep sadness in his eyes. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"No, well, not really. Listen, Rikku, I have to talk to you about something. Something important." Before Rikku could speak Vegeta walked out and stood behind him.
"Excuse me, boy, but I believe I have first dibs on the woman." Trunks reluctantly backed off and Vegeta wrapped his arms around Rikku kissing her. He tasted of sweat, and smelled like hard work. She could sense his massive power change but was quickly diverted to more important things, like his build. The spandex suit had rips and tears and she could feel the muscle and power of his body. It made her want to swoon.
"Nice to see you too, Vegeta."
"Trust me, that's justa taste of what's to come." He pulled back and looked at the crowd around them. He smirked at their gob smacked expressions and laughed. "What's the matter? Haven't you seen two people kiss before?"
"Vegeta," Rikku muttered her face bright red. "I never pegged you as the kind of man for public displays of affection."
"I'm not, but I make this a special case."
"Well, "she shook her head. "Never mind. I'm glad you're back. Things have gotten worse sine you guys have been gone."
"yes," Popo continued. "You two have trained for the full year. I've never seen anyone last that long."
"We could have come out a lot sooner," Trunks explained. "Father wasn't willing to leave until he was sure he did all he could do. He insisted we stay for the full year even though it only took him a few months to-"
"Quiet!" Vegeta interrupted glaring at his son. "Our training is not to be discussed."
"Well, I guess the rest you'll find out."
"Right," She laughed. Didn't that just figure? Same ole' Vegeta. "Now that's aside, Trunks what were you wanting to talk to me about?"
Trunks hesitated and he pulled Rikku to the side to talk despite the angry glare he was receiving. "Sorry it's one of those secrets yah know."
"I understand, but what is it? Was there something-"
"Listen Rikku, I want to apologize."
"Huh?" She looked confused. "For what?"
"When I first came to you I had promised myself I would only tell you the necessary things in order to get you to believe me. I told you I was Vegeta's son in order to gain your trust." Rikku blinked as she saw the struggle of emotions behind Trunks' eyes. "I didn't mean for it to affect your relationship with my father."
"Oh Trunks," She smiled. "You don't need to-"
"No, please, I have to get this out." He struggled to find words for a minute. "I told you that, but I kept even more important information from you. For starters I'm not Vegeta's only son."
Rikku's eyes widened. "Huh? He has more?"
"Yes, actually," He reached into his pocket grateful that his training hadn't managed to damage the picture. "It's better if I show you." He handed the picture to her. Rikku took a good look. She smiled when she recognized the aged and smiling Bulma, and a younger version of Trunks. Holding his shoulder was a tall man in a orange and red gi that was similar to the one she wore now, and a smaller, younger boy with black hair, eyes, and a cocky grin on his face. The look of the boy was pure Vegeta. "That's your brother… who's the man in the middle?"
"That's Gohan."
"He's so big and handsome."
"Yes, but do you understand? The boy, my brother, he's your son as well."
She nearly dropped it. Her hands shaking as she clenched the photo and stared into the face of the black haired boy. It was true that the smirk was Vegeta's but there was a playful gleam in his eyes that reminded her of Gohan, and his hairstyle was a mess of spikes. Her son… and Vegeta's. They had had a child together. "How? I thought I died."
"You did. Remember, you were supposed to get the virus around the time I was born. You were pregnant at the time, and you fought through the pain of your disease while delivering him. You died shortly afterwards."
Tears fell down her cheeks and she held her mouth. "I don't understand."
"I don't know, but I'm guessing since you didn't know of the Androids or about me you saw no reason to distance yourself from father. Mom knew and it didn't bother her because she knew My father was in love with you."
Her fault, she realized and sobbed suddenly. She had distanced herself from Vegeta because she didn't want to interfere in Bulma and Vegeta's affair. She thought he wanted Bulma, but it hadn't been true. He wanted her. He had wanted her all along.
"Mom?" Gohan walked up and Trunks hung his head in shame. "Trunks, what's going on?"
"What the hell did you do to my woman, boy?" seething Vegeta walked up grabbing Trunks by the front of his shirt. "What did you tell her?"
"No!" dropping the picture she pushed Vegeta off and laid her head on his chest. "Leave him along Vegeta. It's alright. He was trying to help."
Gohan looked confused. The picture she had dropped at his feet and he picked it up and gasped. "Hey, isn't that Bulma… and you.. And… who are these guys?" Rikku gasped and reached for the photo but Vegeta snatched it up before she could grab it. He stared long into it and growled.
"You've been hiding the truth from us."
"Father, please, I didn't mean to-"
"Explain yourself! Why would you hide this?"
"I didn't want to interfere more than I already had! I didn't mean for it to turn out like this. My mother said that you guys had only had sex once and right afterwards Rikku got pregnant, then she got sick and-"
"One time…" Rikku gasped and slid a hand over her stomach. Trunks stopped his trembling to look at her and his eyes widened. Vegeta followed his gaze and he dropped his grip on Trunks.
"Karat, come here." When she didn't move Vegeta stomped over pushing Gohan out of the way to grip her arm. He pulled her close and slid his hand over her belly. It was small and barely unnoticeable but it was there nonetheless. "It is true."
Rikku was flustered, dazed, and a little overwhelmed. She was pregnant. She was pregnant with Vegeta's son. "I don't believe it."
Piccolo, Popo, and Tien all stood in the background silent. They didn't know what to make of the scenario. Rikku looked like she was about to cry, Vegeta was a little dazed himself but a small smirk was forming at the corner of his lips. Trunks, though shocked, had a small smile forming and Gohan…
"I'm gonna have a brother!" Gohan was ecstatic!
"So that's what Cell meant." Tien spoke up suddenly catching the attention of everyone. "He had told Rikku she was in no condition to fight him. He must have sensed it."
"This is bad," Piccolo put in. "Rikku, under your condition it's not wise for you to go into the chamber. Especially for a whole year."
"I don't have much of a choice." Rikku spoke patting Gohan on the head. "We have to finish this."
"of course you have a choice!" Trunks put in. "It's not safe, for you or the baby. How will you be able to give birth under all those conditions?"
"I'm a saiyan, and so is my child." She kept her hand over the ki she now sensed inside her. "We're a tough breed, isn't that right vegeta?"
"You're not going."
"What?" Rikku said gawking. "What do mean? You're the one who told me that saiyan babies were sometimes born in battle. We're made for this kind of thing Vegeta. I won't even get big until my 6th month."
"Yeah,. Well, I changed my mind. I'm not letting you put my spawn in danger! You will let me handle Cell."
"What if you're not strong enough to handle him alone?"
"How do you expect to help in your condition?"
"I'm taking Gohan aren't I? Together we can-"
"I said no!" He yelled in her face and before she could retort again a plane zoomed overhead and Bulma waved down laughing. The group gathered round her and baby Trunks. After a little freak out over Trunks' new do she explained why she was here.
"I don't have time listening to you rant about hair. What I would like to know is why the hell you are here." Vegeta demanded.
"I know this fight with Cell is going to be difficult so I made you guys some new combat suits." She pulled a capsule from her pocket. "If you stop being a JERK Vegeta, maybe you can have one too."
Rikku smiled and opened the drawers revealing the suits. They were labeled by name and she pulled the packet with her clothes in it.
"Wow, this is so cool. It's like the one I wore on Namek. Remember, mom?"Gohan said slipping his own uniform on.
"I sure do." she tossed the armor and whistled. "These are so light." she slipped the spandex on over her underwear and slipped the armor over her head letting it fit into place. "So this material stretches just like the real stuff, right?"
"Yep, so get as big and buff as you want."
"I don't think that's what she meant." Vegeta snorted. "Don't bother putting that on Karat. You won't need it."
"Vegeta," she glared. "Not now."
"I don't care who's here, and I don't care what they think. You are to stay here and out of that room. So long as you're carrying my spawn you will not be fighting!"
Bulma gasped, and baby Trunks began to wail at his father's loud voice. "What? Spawn?" Rikku groaned and slapped a hand to her forehead. "Rikku, you're pregnant? Since when?"
"I just found out myself. I'm sorry." She gave Bulma a guilty glance. To her surprise Bulma just smiled and ran over squealing.
"Oh my gosh, this is so cool. Our babies will be close in age and everything. I bet you they'll be the best of friends."
"What they'll be is brothers." Piccolo spoke up. "You did hear that it's Vegeta's son."
"Yeah, so?" Bulma said nonchalantly.
"You're… not mad?" Rikku's eyes began to fill.
"Of course not. I've known about you and Vegeta since Trunks was born. Vegeta told me himself." Rikku looked up at Vegeta her eyes wide and teary. "I was a bit down at first, but then I got to thinking that you two are the last saiyans alive. It's only natural for you to have a special connection."
"Oh Bulma." She cried and clung to her. Baby Trunks pushed against her in protest, but Bulma welcomed the hug. She looked over Rikku's shoulder at the dumbfounded boys and mouthed 'Hormones.'
"Ugh, stop your blubbering Karat! I don't have time for this." He turned his back to the women muttering. "Cell is on the move. I'm going to fight and take care of him alone." He glanced back,Rikku standing up and wiping away the tears. "If I hear that you went into the chamber I swear I'll come back and break that door down!" With his mind made up Vegeta shot to the air in search of Cell. After grabbing a couple sensu beans Trunks rushed up after him pausing to look back at Rikku.
"Goten." Was the only thing he said before taking off after his father.
Weee! Told you I would bring Goten in! How's that for a twist? So, will Rikku obey Vegeta's wishes and let him take care of Cell? The only way to find out is to read the next chapter… "Become a Super Saiyan in nine months?"