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 16: WMAT: Rikku's Trim and Preliminary Round
Rikku was nearly fearless. She had battled monsters, demons, and all variety of villains alike but when it came to the world of understanding women she trembled at some of the things they did. Right now she cowered in the corner of the hotel room looking at Bulma and Launch with wide pleading eyes. "What are you gonna do with those? I didn't do anything wrong did I Bulma?"
"Oh relax Rikku it's just a little trim." Bulma snapped the scissors twice. "I noticed last tournament you had problems with your hair so I'm going to give you a hair cut that will accentuate your beauty and make it easier for you to fight."
"But I like my hair Bulma!" Rikku covered her head with her arms. "Just because you need to change your hairstyle every day doesn't mean I want to!"
Bulma's forehead crinkled making her growl. "I don't NEED to I like changing my hairstyle! Changing your appearance is just another way to get people to notice you. It would do you some good to get some change in your life. I bet you lived with the same hairdo all your life. All fifteen years of it!"
"Grandpa says I have really nice hair and that I should take care of it not chop it all off!"
"Oh relax.. I'm not gonna cut it all off just layer it so you can have some bangs and less split ends. Living out in the wild did major damage to your hair so I wanna fix it."
"Damage? My hair is hurt?" Rikku's eyes go wide and she whimpered. Bulma took this moment to strike.
"That's right and we're going to help it now come on let's wash your hair and I'll snip the ends off. I promise you won't feel a thing.
"Well…" Rikku paused looking up at Launch who gave her a sweet motherly smile of assurance. "Okay but if it screams or anything like that you have to stop ok?"
Bulma and Launch exchanged gleeful smiles with each other before taking Rikku into the bathroom. The bath was relaxing and Rikku had grown to love the hot water against her tense muscles. She didn't mind TOO much when Bulma lathered her skin with slimy stuff that smelled like roses or then she brushed her hair out like her grandfather had used to. However when the hair started falling she cringed and shut her eyes tightly. "Tell me when it's over!"
Krillen, Yamcha, and the others all paced outside the arena waiting on the women. "How long does it take to cut some hair?"
"With Rikku's bushy locks it could take all day. They should have done it last night or something so we wouldn't have to wait." Oolong complained looking around at the other fighters.
"Sorry we're late!" All heads turned to see Bulma, Launch, and Rikku running up. Rikku hid under Launch's jacket refusing to lift it.
"What happened? Don't tell me you cut too much off! OW!" Oolong held his head grunting when Bulma smacked her fist down.
"I did no such thing. She's just being shy. Come on Rikku you can't fight with that over your head."
"I don't mind the hair cut it looks nice but…" When Rikku removed the jacket Krillen's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets. She didn't look like any fighter. Bulma had a way with scissors Rikku's bangs brushed off to one side with a feminine sweep. The rest had been smoothed out and put into a ponytail that ran down to her neck in spiky curls instead of the deadly bush it had once been. Bulma hadn't stopped with her hair though. Taking an influence from Ram Fan's appearance Bulma had dusted Rikku's eyes with a smooth brown that made her stare smoky and brought out the brown highlights from the black pools of her eyes.
"What have you done to her? She looks… She looks like…"
"A girl, and a very pretty one."
"Bulma…" Rikku's face flushed as she takes her uniform form master Roshi whose hands weren't quite so steady. Was this really the girl he had taken in? The one who had been like a daughter to him? "Was this really necessary Bulma? What if the guys make fun of me?"
"They'll be too distracted about how beautiful you look to even fight you."
"Well that's not fair. Take it off me."
"No I spent two hours to make you beautiful now you leave it on!"
With a heavy sigh Rikku nodded then quickly dressed into her uniform smiling as she looked at her old colors. "I missed this old uniform. It feels so good to be back in orange again!"
"Looks good on you Rikku." Yamcha complimented. "So does the make over. Nice job Bulma, she'll be the hit of the tournament. Pretty and powerful that's a deadly combination."
"Why thank you." Bulma kissed Yamcha's cheek making him blush. He ignored Oolong's quick kiss up comment and pulled the stumbling Krillen and blushing Rikku into the preliminary building. "Good luck you guys! Give it everything you got!"
Rikku's embarrassment and Krillen's attraction were quickly overlooked once they saw the inside. There were twice as many fighters from last time and it was great to see some of the familiar faces who had participated last year. Jackie Chun amongst of them greeted them with a kooky smile and a pat on the back. Numbers were pulled and by sheer coincidence all were put in different brackets same as last.
The battles commenced and their first fights were like a breeze one opponent falling right after the other. After Krillen's fight Rikku was thoroughly impressed with how strong Krillen had become in just three years. Some though weren't as impressed as others.
"If you considered that an improvement your expectations must be pretty low!" The voice made Rikku's ears buzz. She looked up and gasped recognizing the face.
"You are.."
"They're pupils of Hermit Crane," Krillen explained. "A rival of Master Roshi's which explains their rudeness."
"It's you! You're the one who hurt Inoshikacho!"
"Ah so we meet again. I didn't recognize you at first with all that gunk on your face. So you too have come to enter the tournament. It's suddenly my lucky day. I won't have to hunt you down to eliminate you now."
"Hey Rikku you know this guy?"
"I did you a favor by not finishing you off in the woods."
"Get lost or get hit" Yamcha criticized immediately going to Rikku's defense. "Your choice."
"By watching your last fight I'm in no way concerned in your future here at the tournament. You had a chance to make a critical blow and you passed it. Big mistake."
"Unlike you I fight to defeat my enemies not murder them. However should we have a battle in the arena Ill be sure to recheck my policy."
The tension between the two made Rikku nervous and she grabbed Yamcha's pant leg. Krillen and the tiny Crane boy too was another foggy tension filling the room. "Guys don't do this."
"Settle down boys. Whatever problem you two are having," Jackie Chun walked up calm and illustrious as ever. "you must ask yourselves if it's worth it. If you continue on you will both be kicked out of the tournament."
"Mind your business old timer!"
"I wouldn't down talk him! That's Jackie Chun he won last years tournament."
"Ha, a tournament you fought in no doubt. If a decrepit old man was too much for you I wouldn't ant to waste my time. Come along Chiaotsu." The tiny figure followed his taller friend but not before turning and pointing at Krillen.
"Baldy!"
"Stop saying that! Stupid midget!"
By even further coincidence was the faces of Hermit Crane's pupils had also been put in different brackets. It gave Rikku a chance to see how they fought against other opponents in case she had to fight them in the quarter finals. Rikku took notice of their names too… Tien and Chiaotsu. Those two would mean trouble.
Tien flourished in his battles nearly killing his first opponent. He was swift his speed immeasurable and impressing all around who was there to watch. Tien soaked it up like a sponge.
When it came time for Rikku to fight everyone gathered. Her friends especially were interested in seeing how much she had accomplished and her enemies wanting to see what she was made of. She stretched, her body fit and fiddle for her match.
Her opponent stepped into the ring tall and fitting in a yellow gi and afro. His face darkly tanned and his smile cool with confidence. "I don't believe it." A fighter whispered. "That's King Chappa isn't it?"
"Oh my, this could be bad!" Jackie Chun murmured to Yamcha and Krillen. "That is indeed King Chappa. He won several tournaments in the past."
"Oh man I've heard of him. He is said to be one of the strongest men on the planet. Rikku doesn't know what she's getting herself into."
Chappa heard the murmured whispers and it made his smile widen. He looked down at Rikku who was happy as a school girl to be standing in the ring with him. "Every year the contestants get younger. Soon I will be fighting infants." He crouched into a position looking at Rikku with determined eyes. "Do not worry I will stop before I kill you."
"He, he thank you." Rikku giggled thinking his comment funny rather than serious. The battle commenced and Rikku launched into attack immediately hitting Chappa. Surprised gasps surrounded them.
"That's a first," Jackie spoke. "King Chappa has never been hit by an opponent before."
"I was mistaken," Chappa admitted looking at Rikku with higher standards. "I am not dealing with an ordinary child."
The next flurry was like a blur to the common eye. Chappa's attacks futile against Rikku's speed and even though he managed to block one punch Chappa wasn't prepared for the five kicks that followed and he fell to his back.
Relief overwhelmed Yamcha and the others as they now felt better about Rikku's chances against Chappa. Chappa barely had time to breathe let along land a punch on Rikku. Even using his deadly eight handed technique left him sprawled on his back. Rikku out witted him in speed skill and strength and soon Chappa was once again on his back and out of the ring.
"Fighter 27 is out! Number 28 advances!"
Rikku gave a shout of happiness and joined Krillen and Yamcha down below. As they celebrated Tien and Chiaotsu observed both a little surprised by her performance.
"She's better than I gave her credit for.. This should be and interesting turn out after all."
First round of preliminaries and everyone has advanced with flying colors. Who will the eight finalists be and what sort of surprises can be found? Find out in the next chapter… "Broken bones and Mercenary Revenge"