Three Rivers of Remembrance

Chapter Ten

Days slowly passed.

Gohan had enlisted the help of every one of Earth's fighters, trying to find some proof that Rhyne was not dead. Or, even proof that she was.

But they found nothing.

Not even Tekoa.

Piccolo, Rideria and Rikola remained at the Lookout; making plans to use the Dragonballs to bring Rhyne back home where she was so desperately needed.

"Since the Dragonballs were used just two days before Rhyne's death, it will be one year from that day until they are active." Kami said. "Then, we will have to find them and make the wish before the one year anniversary, or it will be beyond the Dragon's power."

"What about the Namek Dragonballs?" Rideria asked. "Can't we use them?"

"It would take several months to travel to Namek on a ship, and it would have to be perfect timing in order to use them as well." Kami advised. "Either way, it will be close."

"I'm not leaving this planet until I find Tekoa." Piccolo said. "Not until my hands have squeezed the life out of him."

"Perhaps the boy didn't do it." Kami pointed out. "Perhaps it was an accident. We must not assume anything."

Piccolo didn't want to hear any of Kami's do-good attitude. "I felt their ki's together…fighting…then, found Rhyne's blood in the very spot. I do not need any more proof."

Kami did not want to argue. He knew Piccolo's pain was overwhelming and right now there was so much to do.

For the next two months, the mood at the Lookout was solemn. Gohan visited every day, hoping to hear some news of Rhyne, but found nothing. He continued to talk about her as if she were alive, even thought he could not feel her ki anywhere.

Finally, Rikola's condition could not be hidden any longer. Piccolo announced that the marriage needed to take place now, instead of waiting for Rhyne's return.

"Father, I do not want to get married without my youngest sister here with me." Rikola begged.

Piccolo knew how painful this had all been, and in Rikola's condition her emotional state was irrational and often times unbearable. "You must think of your unborn child." Piccolo said. "It has a right to come into this world with its parents wed. It is not right to put it off. Rhyne would not want you to do that."

Rikola shook her head. "But, she's missing everything….the wedding..and she won't be here for the birth either…it's so unfair. I need her!"

He put an arm around his daughter. "We all do. But right now, that baby needs you to think rationally."

Rikola knew he was telling the truth. "Alright. I'll go get Gowan and we can proceed with the ceremony."

"Not today." Piccolo said. "Tomorrow…at sunset."

Rikola nodded. "Alright. Tomorrow.

He watched his daughter walk away, her shoulder sluggish. Here it was her wedding. The whole reason they had come to Earth, and she was now dreading it. He made up his mind that for at least one day, Rikola would feel the happiness and joy she once had.

First, he went to Kami and explained his plan. The Guardian was ecstatic and agreed that it was a wonderful plan.

Next, of all places, he went to ChiChi. "There will be a wedding tomorrow at sunset." He told her in the doorway. "I am asking for your help. I do not know about weddings, and under the circumstances, I want this to be as special as possible."

ChiChi was shocked at Piccolo's concern, but touched at his love for his girls. "Leave it to me." She said. "Even in Rikola's current condition, I can throw a dress together. I'll call Bulma and we'll get some flowers and a tux….."

"That's all fine." Piccolo said. "Just tell me if you need me to do anything, other than be there."

Understanding that Piccolo was a duck out of water in such situations, ChiChi smiled. "I'll handle everything. You get her away about two hours before sunset. Bring her here, and I'll fit the dress for her. Meanwhile, Bulma can handle the rest."

"Fine." Piccolo said, turning to leave.

"Wait." ChiChi said. "I just want to say…thank you…for letting me be a part of this."

Piccolo nodded, feeling no reply was necessary. He flew away, feeling the first flicker of happiness he had felt in months.

Immediately, ChiChi was on the phone with Bulma. They contacted a dress shop and florist, all of which was taken care of by Bulma's credit accounts. "Nothing is too good….especially now." Bulma had said. "Make sure that Krillin and the others know about this." She reminded. "Everyone needs to be there for Piccolo and those precious girls!"

"Well, with a bunch of Saiyans and fighters, we'll need food." ChiChi said.

"I'll have it covered!" Bulma said excitedly.

Gohan knew what arrangements were being made. Yet, he was sad. His first quarter of college was set to start in three weeks, but he didn't have the heart to go. How could he leave, go into the city every day, some two hundred miles from his home, not knowing where Rhyne was? How could anyone expect him to study, concentrate, make good grades when he longed to hold Rhyne in his arms and make their plans of a wedding? Of a future together.

"Son?" Goku asked. "I thought I would find you here." He said. Goku knew that Gohan spent more time than he should in the clearing in which Rhyne had apparently died. "It's not good for you to be here….not alone anyway."

"I'm fine dad." Gohan said. "I just feel….closer to her here."

"They say that a person's spirit sometimes lingers in the place of death." Goku said, putting an arm on Gohan's shoulder.

"I just don't feel like she's dead. True, I can't feel her ki, or sense her at all." Gohan noted. "But, in my heart and in my mind, she's alive….and she needs me."

"In just a few months, she'll be back." Goku reminded. "As soon as the Dragonballs are active again."

Gohan nodded. "I guess."

"Come on. I heard there's gonna be a wedding tomorrow." Goku smiled. "I bet Bulma makes sure there is lots of food!"

Gohan half smiled, knowing how hard his father was trying to cheer him up. "Ok…food is good." Gohan said. "Let's make sure they add plenty of chocolate cake, ok?"

"You got it!" Goku said happily. "And lots of ice cream! Mint chocolate chip!"

"Only the good stuff!" Gohan continued. It felt kinda good to smile, especially with his dad.

The day of Rikola's wedding was beautiful. Winter was approaching, but the air was still warm enough, and the weather was perfect.

The previous night, Gowan and his best man, Kaizer, went to Capsule Corporation, per a request from Bulma. "The groom cannot see the bride the day of the wedding!" She had screamed.

At three in the afternoon, Piccolo escorted his two daughters to ChiChi's house. There he waited, very impatiently outside, while inside, lace and silk was flying. A beautiful white wedding dress was bought for Rikola, which pretty much hid her growing condition. It only required one adjustment and it was ready. "I've never worn a dress before." Rikola remarked.

"Then, it is only fitting that your first one should be a wedding dress!" ChiChi said happily! Then she turned to Rideria. "And this is for you!" The older Namekian girl was in shock as ChiChi held up a second wedding dress.

"What do you mean?" Rideria asked. "I don't understand!"

"Your father decided you had waited long enough." ChiChi said. "He made it perfectly clear that today was going to be a double wedding!"

Rideria held her wedding dress, feeling the crinkling of the silk and lace. "I don't know what to say…."

"Well, assuming you still want to marry that tall, dark and handsome Namek, you'd better say yes." Rikola said. "Come on! We've got to hurry!"

Across the way, Gohan and Goku were struggling into their tuxes as was Kaizer and Gowan. "I can't believe I have to wear a monkey suit in order to get the grub at this shindig." Goku said, trying to find a comfortable way to wear a tie.

"It's not so bad." Kaizer said. "I've never worn anything like this, but for a few hours, it won't be so bad." None of them had any idea that today was Kaizer's wedding day as well.

Once all the men were done, they headed to the Lookout. "It's four-thirty! Let's go!" Goku said. "I can't wait to get my hands on some food!"

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