Why Can't You (Book 2)

Spur of the moment!

Rikku has changed at home, comfortable back in a wifebeated and sweats she stood and listened to a ranting Chichi. She had a feeling Chichi would be upset at her long disappearance, but the fit she was throwing was more about Gohan than anything else. "Why do you think I bought Gohan books and study tapes? I even bought him a learn while you sleep kit so he doesn't fall behind!" Rikku put up her hands in defense when Chichi's fists clenched. "Do you want your only son to grow up to be a muscle bound thug without a brain!"

Rikku glance ddown at Gohan nervously laughing. He pouted at her, and she felt a bit sympathetic. When it came to studies Chichi was a tyrant. She had hired tutors, piled book after book on Gohan's desk, and had now resorted to technology to keep Gohan in study mode. "Chichi I really need him for this fight. It's life or death! Once it's over i don't care if he spends the rest of his life with his nose in the books."

Chichi whimpered, resorting to a new tactic. "I don't have any children of my own you know Rikku. I sacrificed my youth and freedom so I could help you raise your boy! Why can't you understand I want the best for him."

RIkku blinked and sighed. "I didn't know you were so set on it Chichi, but look." she grabebd Gohan around teh shoulders hugging him. "Gohan wants to help us."

Chichi growled and stomped up. "Absolutely not! No way! That's final!"

"Are you saying that his education is more important than the safety of the world?"

"Thats right missy! Nothing is more important than a child's education!"

"Oh come on, Chichi Relax." Rikku went to smack her playfully on the back but instead sent her flying through a wall and out into the yard. "AH! What have I done? I've been in space for so long I didn't realize my own strength."

A few minutes later, Rikku had Chichi bandaged. "Sorry about that Chichi, I guess i'm not used to the gravity yet."

What was Chichi gonna do with these two? She looked at Gohan and then Rikku. The pair of them were too much alike for her to come between them. "Listen Rikku, I'll let Gohan train with you but you need to put some time in for his studies, he needs his education, and I'm going to see that he gets it. Am I making myself clear?"

PIccolo supressed a chuckle when Rikku finished the story. He, Gohan, and Rikku had opted for a break between sparring sessions. Now they sat at the river, Gohan fishin for their lunch and Rikku entertaining Piccolo with stories of home. "That's one battle you're never going to win."

"Yeah I know. i don't blame her, i mean Earth is different... you get choices in your life. What I learned while I was in space was that some don't get the chance. I mean look at Vegeta. He was raised only to fight. He didn't have a choice."

"This is true," Piccolo sniffed at the lemonade Chichi had made for them and wrinkled his nose and put it aside. He'd stick to water. "are you okay with the situation?"

"Situation?" She looked puzzled but at Piccolo's glance she knew exactly what he meant. "Oh, that." He meant the inevitable attraction between Vegeta and Bulma. She remembered the goodbye he had given her after Trunks had left.

~Flashback~

"Listen Karat, don't think that this changes anything."

"What do you mean?" She looked confused. Vegeta had his cold eyes set on hers and tehre were variety of emotions swirling inside them. What was going on inside his head?

"When this is all blown over, we will meet to settle the score."

Score? What score? "Uh... sure."

Grunting his aura flashed brilliantly as he zipped off into the distance leaving her behind. Weird. She thought he would want to train with her... bombared her with more questions... kiss her. She could feel the gap between them stretching and for some reason it brought an ache in her chest. It had already started.