Why Can't You (Book 2)

Rikku's Arrival; Vegeta's Alliance

The green planet sparkled like an emerald in Rikku's view. The sigh of it made her smile and she could already feel the sparkle of life forms in her midst. "What great timing." She had just mastered 100 times normal gravity and the regular gravity made her feel like she was floating in the air. "Make way Planet Namek, because I'm coming in for a landing!"

Vegeta snarled down at Bulma and Krillen as they cowered back against the cavern. "Did you really think you could get away with that ball?" Vegeta laughed cocking his hip to the side. The sight of the trembling Earthlings was gave him a sense of pride he found exhilarating.

"Please, don't hurt us." Bulma whimpered staring up at the man. What Vegeta lacked in intimidating size he made up with his bad vibe and heart trembling scowl.

"I won't hurt you. Just so long as I get what I want. Hand over the dragon ball!"

"Tell us where Rikku is, and I'll happily oblige!"

Vegeta laughed. "I could take it from you anyway. However, since I'm feeling hospitable, Karat, your precious Rikku, is on a distant planet quite a ways away. Even if you could get to her it wouldn't be long before I found you and took her again. Especially since immortality is about to be mine!"

So, Krillen deduced, he didn't know. Vegeta had no idea Rikku had escaped and was heading their way. "Fine." Krillen held it out to him. "Take it."

There was a foul taste in his mouth from handing over the ball he had sworn to protect. Guru, the old and kind Namek, had entrusted the ball to him. However, despite how dirty and pathetic he felt handing it over, Krillen knew it was for the best. Gohan was on his way to them now with another dragon ball. With Rikku approaching close it was only a matter of time before they would get the upper hand again.

"Much obliged baldy. Now then..." Vegeta stopped mid phrase and his eyes widened. "No!"

He looked to the sky and a sickening tremble vibrated in his stomach. "She couldn't have..."

"Rikku!" Krillen shouted sensing what Vegeta sensed. The power had grown but he recognized it immediately. Rikku's power had always had this shine, like a glitter of hope. It nearly brought him to tears.

Gohan stopped in mid flight as he too felt the power. His smile went from easy to a bright happy grin. "She's here! Mom's here!"

Vegeta grunted and clenched his fist looking back to the baldy. "Darn it I don't have time to deal with her. Explain! I know you have something to do with this since you're not all that surprised she's arriving."

"We have nothing to do with it Vegeta. Rikku got out on her own and has been training all the way here. The only reason we know is because she let us know she was on her way."

"Damn that woman. She's becoming more troublesome then she's worth!" Vegeta took off sensing the direction Rikku's ki was landing. In all his frustration he had forgotten the dragon ball. Krillen was right behind but he stopped and looked to Bulma. " Take the dragon ball and find another place to hide just in case. Gohan and I will come looking once we've finished the problem."

Though Bulma hated the idea of being alone she knew the situation was in good hands. She gave a sigh then a nod watching as Krillen took off after Vegeta. "Be careful."

Rikku looked over the vast area of green that was her landing spot. She could smell the fresh water that splashed against the wide chasms of water and the refreshing scent of the thin grass ground. "Mmm wow it's more like Earth than I thought." she felt out the energies. It took her little effort to find the great sources of power. The biggest one was way off into the distance resting quietly, the others were clustered, two of them heading straight for her from the north and a third from the east. Rikku let out a soft laugh recognizing the three signals immediately. Vegeta's energy had increased there was no mistaking that but she recognized the signature. His aura always had a deep feeling of pride and darkness. Rikku didn't want to admit that it did give her a little sense of... excitement.