Why Can't You (Book 2)

Fight for the Earth!

Today was the day. Every second of everyday had been spent preparing him physically and mentally for this one battle. Today would decide if it would be enough... and Vegeta was stoked. The moment his second trip had ended he had spend the rest of his time on and off the gravity machine. He pushed his body, muscles, and mind to their limits, and had let himself indulge in one single night with the woman who had stolen more than his sanity.

Karat, he mentally cursed her. Why did he think of her now more than ever? Was it because this might be the end? Would he fail and end up in other world separated by the boundaries of good and evil? He hated to think so. So long as they lived he wouldn't let her go. She was his, and no one would take her away from him. Not Cell, not her friends, and not even the Eternal Dragon himself would stop him from having what was his.

"You look fired up already, Vegeta." Bulma commented walking into his room with a wriggling Trunks. Vegeta glanced at the babe with a slight scowl then up at the woman.

"What do you want?" Vegeta asked sliding his boots into place then reached for his gloves.

"I just wanted to wish you good luck." Bulma said bouncing the baby as he fussed. "Trunks already left to meet the others." She bit her lip and bowed her head. "Listen, Vegeta, I know a lot of things have happened." She watched as he slid on glove on and tugged it in place. "I know how you feel about, Rikku." His hand froze in place and her fully turned his back on her. "Just know, that in spite of everything, I still care about you. I don't want you to get hurt."

He remained silent for a moment. Hell, he wanted to shove her away and head off to battle without so much as a goodbye. However, her voice tugged on his insides and he grunted in frustration. What kind of hold did this human have on him? "I doubt Karat will let me get a single punch in. So I doubt you have anything to worry about."

That made Bulma smile. He knew Rikku all too well. "That's true. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself." She looked down at the baby in her arms. "The boy from the future was a man who had lived without his father's influence. I'd kinda like to think that you could have a good influence on both your sons. I'd like you to live so I can find out."

With a smirk he turned around and placed a hand atop the head of his first born son. "I have a request then." The words were like salt on his tongue and he tried to keep his face from scrunching. "This one may be my eldest, but he's only half saiyan. His brother is a full blooded saiyan." He crossed his arms and fully scowled. "If anything happens to me I want you to make sure he doesn't fall behind. I will not recognize a son who let's things like being only half blood stop him from reaching his goal."

Bulma looked shocked for a moment. Was this Vegeta trying to be close to his son? "Okay..." she smiled. "Yeah, I promise." She gently punched his shoulder. "Get on out of here... Prince Vegeta."

It was a day for hope, and a day for long stretched out see-you-laters. Rikku refused to use the word "good-bye," for it was too final. She wanted to believe she would see everyone after this was all over. Gohan was already at the lookout with Dende and Krillen and Rikku got ready to leave by kissing Goten all over his face making him giggle. "Mmm I miss you already." She hand him to Chichi and tickled her son. "You be good." She glances up at Chichi. "Try not to give Chichi too much grief."

"Oh, nonsense Rikku," Chichi bounced Goten as he reached out for his mother. "He won't be any trouble at all."

"True, he's such a good boy." She ran a finger down his cheek. Goten took the finger into his mouth nursing on it like a bottle. "I promise, little Goten, I'm going to make sure the rest of your life will be at peace. Cell won't destroy so long as I'm alive and breathing."