Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Heavy Bond ❯ Part 9 ( Chapter 9 )

 

Lebeat5, JuSt-An_OuTcAsT, Serena1985, newdkidt, marevil, mel1988, Vegeta_whirl_girl, thank you for your nice reviews!

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ characters. I'm not making any profit.

Warnings: Yaoi (male x male). Kakarott x Vegeta.

Note: `Misuu' is my invented word for a male that had born a child.

 

Heavy Bond

 

by chayron (lttomb@yahoo.com), beta-read by Redmarshin

 

Part 9

 

“Well, how did you sleep?” Vegeta brushed over Kakarott's head to smooth the spiky hair. He sighed as Kakarott just proceeded with the staring at the white ceiling. At least Kakarott wasn't crying. Or maybe it was even worse; he wasn't very sure about it.

 

“Want to go to the bathroom?” he asked. He checked the bed under Kakarott. It was dry. The doctor wasn't very sure about that, he said that if Kakarott weren't able to go to the bathroom on his own, they would need to get a catheter or depends. Kakarott was already attached to I.V., and he didn't want Kakarott to be attached to any of more tubes.

 

Vegeta's head turned at the scratching sound at one of the door that was leading further into his chambers. He sighed as the door suddenly opened and a black huge catlike creature slid in though it. The prince glared at the animal.

 

“I told you to stay in.”

 

The creature let out a sound that was very similar to a snicker and slowly padded through the room, closer to the bed where the prince and Kakarott were settled in.

 

“Bad dathi.” Vegeta glared at the creature again. He moved to sit in the bed.

 

The dathi snickered again. The creature approached the bed then turned to the side where Kakarott was lying. The dathi watched the unmoving body curiously then stood up on its hind feet and leaned on the bed with its forefeet. The dathi's snout was almost touching Kakarott while the creature stared at the passive Saiyan in fascination.

 

“Dammit, Juoda! Go away from the bed!” Vegeta looked around for something to throw at his pet. He had gotten this dathi female as a valuable present from one of high-ranked politicians. Dathi species were very rare, close to extinction. Though, at the time when he had gotten this cub, he wanted to simply drown it. The king told him that it would be a very disrespectful move. So, the dathi stayed and grew, and grew until reached its full height and became a very annoying pain in the ass. But he had to agree that now he knew why dathis were so valued - they were creatures with an intellect of a fifteen-year-old Saiyan and if raised from the very cub, could be a good friend and a loyal comrade. They were fast, clever and deadly. Juoda had proven this to him countless times.

 

Vegeta had finally fished his boot from under the bed and threw it at Juoda. The dathi dodged the boot easily and proceeded to ignore him. She lowered her head to Kakarott's shoulder where the prince's claim-mark still was visible. The dathi sniffed it then even licked. She raised her head and continued to stare at Kakarott's face.

 

“That's it!” Vegeta growled, being set into a fit after seeing Juoda licking his claim-mark on Kakarott's shoulder. “Off the bed! NOW!” He suddenly faltered after seeing Kakarott blink several times at the dathi's muzzle. Then Kakarott blinked once again and Kakarott's eyes slowly concentrated on Juoda's face.

 

Vegeta was surprised to hear a soft purr coming out of the dathi's throat. In those all seven years he had the animal, he had never heard it purr. Juoda never purred - it hissed, it bit, it scratched, it killed. It never purred.

 

“Kakarott?” Vegeta called softly. He frowned as Kakarott didn't react to him. But Kakarott was staring at the dathi that was softly purring and staring back at Kakarott. Well, he had heard about some animals' healing abilities, but that was just ridiculous… How did the damn animal know…?

 

“Okay, you,” Vegeta pointed at Juoda that snickered again, “stay there. I'll get a doctor.” He threw the covers away and jumped out off the bed. He grabbed his boot and, bobbing up and down, while getting it on, reached another one that was tossed to the other side of the bed. After getting it on he bolted out of the room.

 

After several minutes he was back with the doctor who now was staying in the castle in one of the rooms. He let the doctor go with his usual procedures and went to take a shower. After fifteen minutes Vegeta was back and inquired about his mate's health.

 

“It's a very good sign,” the doctor said after pulling Kakarott's shirt back over his chest. “He's already reacting to sights and sounds. It should take less time to recover. And your Highness should keep that animal around him. He does react to its purring.”

 

“To the purring?” Vegeta looked at Juoda in confusion, while drying his wet hair. “I didn't notice.”

 

“His pupils widen. I think it probably works on him…whatever way it works, it at least makes him react.” The doctor turned to Vegeta. “Did he go to sleep on his own or your Highness had to give him the pills?”

 

Vegeta nodded, watching Juoda trying to get into Kakarott's bed. “On his own.” As much as he didn't like the dathi in bed and as he used to always chase it away and this time his hands burned to give it several good slaps over that dark fur with the wet towel that he had in his hands, this time however he didn't say a word. He saw that after the dathi finally was in the bed, she curled up at Kakarott's side, loudly yawned and seemed to simply fall asleep.

 

“Good. I'll send someone too look after him and to watch over changes. He also will need simple care - to be changed and bathed.”

 

“That I can do on my own,” Vegeta nodded. He snorted as the doctor's brow rose at him. “I do have a little brother, don't I?”

 

The doctor didn't say anything to that. “And I should say that, though they don't react, most of catatonic people hear what's said around them. And your Highness shouldn't be very surprised if he suddenly decides to get up and go somewhere. It happens. He might not react to anything, but he might want to go for a simple walk. In that case simply remove the I.V. device from his flesh and let him go where he wants.”

 

“And if I took him for a walk like that? Would it harm him?” Vegeta inquired.

 

“No,” the doctor shook his head. “As long as he doesn't refuse to go, turn hysterical or fight, a walk would be a very good thing. Fresh air and peace.”

 

Vegeta nodded. “I will take him out to the garden, there are several benches and the weather is nice today.”

 

The doctor didn't show that he was surprised. He nodded. “Yes, it would be a very good thing to do. And your Highness should take that animal with him.”

 

XXXXX

 

He wasn't sure if a shower was such a good idea after all. Kakarott seemed not to like the idea much - Kakarott was stepping away from the stream. Each time Kakarott did that, he was threatening to trip over the rim of the shower stall and he had to keep Kakarott from falling. Maybe Kakarott preferred baths…

 

“Shh…” Vegeta ran his hand over Kakarott's bare side, trying to calm his mate down. “It's only water.” He tried to bring Kakarott closer to the stream.

 

Kakarott whimpered and then suddenly Vegeta felt himself flying.

 

“Fuck!” Vegeta hissed, trying to regain his bearings after sliding down the wall. He held his bursting head. He had to get to his feet fast - there was a sound of the bathroom door crashing.

 

“Juoda!” Vegeta yelled. But there was no answer. The thought about a naked Kakarott running down the castle was not the one he liked.

 

Vegeta finally got to his feet and staggered after his mate. But after entering the room and giving it a quick glace, he leaned on the bathroom's door frame that was flung out of its hinges. He crossed his arms. “I guess, I'll have to prepare a bath for you,” he sighed at a naked Kakarott who was sitting next to the door that was leading outside. Juoda was settled on Kakarott's lap and was purring loudly.

 

“Watch over him,” the prince indicated Kakarott with his head for Juoda. “You will get a chicken for a good job, no, three,” he went closer to pat the dathi on her head. “Goddamit!” he yelped as the dathi bit him. “You ungrateful creature! No dinner at all!!” he yelled. The dathi smirked. Vegeta could swear the animal did! Vegeta gave last glare and turned back to the bathroom.

 

After several minutes the bath was ready and Vegeta had all Kakarott's clothes prepared a bit farther from the bath. Just in case Kakarott went hysterics again.

 

“Come here,” Vegeta carefully lifted Kakarott's limp body into his arms. “The bath is nice and warm,” stood up, bringing his mate up with him. “Stay here,” he ordered the dathi who wanted to follow them into the bathroom. The huge black cat glared at him, but stopped following them. She snickered and went back to the front door.

 

Vegeta lowered Kakarott tentatively into the warm water but this time the younger Saiyan didn't protest. Then Vegeta placed Kakarott into the bath, making him lean at the end of the bathtub.

 

“I'll wash your hair first,” Vegeta said. He knew Kakarott didn't care what he was going to do, but after the doctor said that his mate probably was able to hear him, he wanted him to hear his voice. “The shampoo might sting your eyes. It would be better if you closed them.” He sighed as Kakarott proceeded to stare at the opposite wall where the white cupboard with the colorful shampoo and shower-gel bottles were hanging. He then shifted his mate lower, making him almost lie in the water, keeping only Kakarott's head over the water. He wet Kakarott's hair then took the first bottle of shampoo he managed to reach and shampooed the younger Saiyan's hair.

 

After washing the shampoo out of Kakarott's hair he washed Kakarott thoroughly with a sponge.

 

“Come here,” Vegeta lifted Kakarott out of the bath. He put Kakarott to his feet then grabbed a towel from the cupboard and began to dry Kakarott. “I'll leave you for awhile a bit later to get something to eat. I think I'll call Korinto to watch over you. Juoda is only a stupid animal after all.”

 

Vegeta finished drying Kakarott, wrapped the towel around Kakarott's midsection and guided him back into the room. He seated Kakarott on the bed and began to dress him. Vegeta frowned as there was a knock at the door. He covered Kakarott's naked body with a sheet.

 

“Yes?” Vegeta loudly asked.

 

“I want to see my son,” Bardock declared at the other side of the door.

 

“Sure,” Vegeta rolled his eyes. “Let him in,” he ordered to the guards who were standing outside the door. He saw Juoda move away from the entrance.

 

Bardock nodded in greeting to Vegeta after entering. Then Bardock's eyes shifted to Kakarott. He took Kakarott's appearance in: Kakarott's hair was wet and were clinging to Kakarott's forehead and shoulders, his skin was still a little damp. He couldn't see what was behind the cover.

 

“I just gave him a bath,” Vegeta glared at Bardock. He then saw Bardock's eyes leave his crotch and concentrate back on Kakarott. “Dammit, Bardock,” Vegeta snorted. As if he was some pervert!

 

“I heard he's better.” Bardock approached the bed. He brushed the wet hair away from Kakarott's forehead. After Kakarott didn't react to him, he sat next to his son, on the other side of the bed than Vegeta was.

 

“Well, he's partly reacting to the sights and sounds,” Vegeta took the cover away to continue dressing Kakarott. “Only partly. And he almost bashed my skull in when I tried to bring him to the shower.”

 

Bardock frowned. “He's aggressive?”

 

“No,” Vegeta shook his head, putting Kakarott's left arm carefully through the shirt sleeve. “I think he just doesn't like showers or something. He didn't protest a bit about the bathtub.”

 

“He loves showers,” Bardock frowned. “Used to take them all the time.”

 

Vegeta shrugged while occupied with the buttons on Kakarott's shirt. “Don't know then. He just wouldn't go.”

 

Bardock watched the prince finish buttoning Kakarott's shirt. Vegeta then brushed over Kakarott's slightly damp hair with the towel several times. Vegeta smoothed the shirt and then looked around for more clothes and stuff. He brought them to the bed.

 

“You should go now,” Vegeta said not turning to Bardock. He shifted Kakarott lower on the mattress.

 

Bardock's eyes rose from a package that Vegeta put on the bed. Bardock nodded. “Yes.” He rose from the bed.

 

“I'll call you after I changed him,” Vegeta nodded. “I'll take him out to the garden, though first I want to get something to eat. Will you watch over him, or should I call one of his guards?”

 

Bardock nodded. “I'll watch.” He turned around and left the room.

 

XXXXX

 

Velari almost launched himself at Bardock as soon as he saw him entering the dining room.

 

“How is Kakarott?” Velari attached himself to the older man. Velari wasn't even allowed to enter the wing where his brother's chambers were. Vegeta didn't leave any orders for the guards, but he knew how Vegeta would react; Vegeta himself told what was awaiting him if he ever approached Kakarott. Now, when his brother finally accepted the bond and his mate, he knew his life might become endangered even if he gave Kakarott a wrong look.

 

“He partly reacts to the sight and sound,” Bardock repeated the information Vegeta told him.

 

“Really?” An elated Velari rushed after Bardock who went to his seat at the table. “Did he say anything?” He quickly moved his chair to Bardock's and sat next to him, waiting for the information eagerly.

 

Bardock shook his head. “No.”

 

Velari frowned. “He's going to be alright,” Velari said more to himself than to Bardock. He nodded to himself again.

 

“What have you been fighting over with your brother? I mean the real reason?” Bardock suddenly asked. He wanted to use any opportunity while Velari's father and brother weren't present.

 

Velari whitened. He shook his head, his long hair cascading around his shoulders. “Nothing.”

 

“Velari, I'm no fool,” Bardock's voice was firm. He turned to the young prince. “You do know something. Nobody is able to explain why Kakarott went into shock, but you do know something. And Vegeta knows.” Though, it's useless to ask him, Bardock added in his head.

 

“I…” Velari muttered shaking his head. “I…can't…”

 

“Velari,” Bardock, growled, startling the younger male. Bardock then was stupefied to see something transparent fall down on Velari's lap.

 

“Excuse me.” Velari jumped from his seat, not turning his face to Bardock. He almost ran away from the dining room.

 

Bardock watched Velari collide with his father who just entered the dining room. The king's arms shot forward to grab Velari by his waist and shoulder to prevent him falling back. King Vegeta helped Velari to regain his balance. Stunned, he watched Velari's face then blinked at Velari's back as he pushed past him. He had never seen Velari cry after Velari had turned fourteen.

 

The king turned to Bardock, a questioning look in his eyes.

 

Bardock shrugged. “He didn't like the menu.”

 

XXXXX

 

Vegeta led Kakarott through the door into the hall. Bardock was following them close. Bardock's eyes shortly concentrated on Vegeta's arm that was firmly drawn over Kakarott's waist to keep Kakarott close to him. Then he heard Vegeta whisper something into his son's ear. Bardock didn't like that. Sure, Vegeta was his son's mate and Vegeta swore he wouldn't do any harm to Kakarott, but it didn't feel right. He could see that Vegeta truly cared about Kakarott and he could only guess what brought this change to Vegeta, but as his son didn't answer to any of Vegeta's attention to him, it just felt wrong, all that closeness of the older male's to him.

 

Vegeta led Kakarott outside through the open door. He turned to the garden.

 

“I instructed the guards to vacate the hall and the garden,” Vegeta explained, noticing Bardock's interest.

 

Bardock nodded; indeed there was no need for people to see Kakarott like this. Though, as Vegeta was holding Kakarott pressed to his side, Kakarott's state was hardly noticeable - Vegeta and Kakarott looked like two dears holding hands.

 

Bardock followed Vegeta deeper into the garden. They passed several huge bushes of acacia then turned to a small walk that was leading through the various kinds of bushes and trees until they reached a small clearing that was surrounded by a hedge of red climbing roses. There were several huge jasmine plants and three linden trees. The grass in the clearing was cut and two benches were set in the middle of the clearing, in the shade of the linden trees.

 

“My mother formed this garden,” Vegeta noticed Bardock's surprise at the smallness of the garden. He began leading Kakarott to one of the benches. “That one, which is seen through the dining room windows, is at the opposite side of the castle. I thought Kakarott would prefer this one.”

 

Bardock looked around. “Yes, it's very…” Bardock looked for the right word.

 

“…Cute,” Vegeta finished for him, laughing softly. “I loved to come here as a kid. Velari and I used to play here.”

 

“Kakarott always wanted to have a brother,” Bardock sighed, sitting down on the bench. He watched Vegeta seat Kakarott on the other bench then sit down next to Kakarott.

 

“Well, yes, a child does need a playmate,” Vegeta shrugged, pulling Kakarott close to him, brushing over Kakarott's hair to smooth it as a gust of wind rumpled it. He leaned the younger Saiyan to rest against his chest.

 

“Do you want children?” Bardock suddenly asked. He amiably laughed at Vegeta's facial expression. Yes, it was a bit too soon for Vegeta and Kakarott to think about children. Probably Vegeta haven't even thought about it. Then Vegeta surprised him.

 

Vegeta nodded. “Yes. One day.” He tightly embraced Kakarott from behind and leaned his chin on Kakarott's shoulder, while watching Bardock. He inhaled the scent of the jasmines. He still loved this place. He still was coming here from time to time. Just to sit, to relax. Velari was just born when their mother died, Velari didn't remember her and Velari didn't hold such deep feeling for their mother as he did. He missed her.

 

“What happened to you?”

 

Vegeta slowly exhaled the jasmine filled air then shrugged. “I learned my lesson.”

 

Bardock frowned at him, trying to understand what Vegeta exactly meant. Did he mean he got scared when Kakarott poisoned himself with pills or it was something else, something because of what he was arguing with his brother?

 

“Kakarott is still in heat…” Bardock rather stated not asked, watching Vegeta's tightly wrapped arms around Kakarott's waist and his head on Kakarott's shoulder with closed eyes.

 

Vegeta nodded against Kakarott's neck and shoulder. “Yes, he's.”

 

“It's affecting you.” Bardock leaned back at the back of the bench. He crossed his legs.

 

“Yes.”

 

Bardock watched the two of them for some time. “What have you been arguing with your brother about?”

 

Vegeta's suddenly cold eyes opened at Bardock. “Family business.” They closed again.

 

Bardock frowned. He didn't expect anything else, but still... Though, he noticed an angry shudder pass over Vegeta's body. Probably Vegeta wouldn't have ever let him see that, but with his mate beside him, Vegeta was more receptive and relaxed. More open.

 

“He thinks that you want to kill him,” Bardock said, watching Vegeta's face.

 

Vegeta nuzzled Kakarott's neck. “I was told that he can hear everything what's around him. If not - I'll prove it to him.” His hand slid up Kakarott's waist to stroke his chest then settled back on his waist.

 

“How?”

 

“I'll find a way,” Vegeta answered.

 

“Why didn't you take the dathi with us?”

 

“The bitch is allergic to jasmines,” Vegeta gave a slight chuckle. He purred then against Kakarott's neck before asking, “Tell me, Bardock, what does Kakarott like the most?”

 

Bardock leaned his head at the back of the bench and closed his eyes. “Once he came back very late. I was angry with him and I started scolding him for that. But he just waved that off and hugged me, laughing. He told me that he was in a valley near the Fatica Mountain. And then he had been telling me for about half an hour how he and his friends were racing in the cool, pleasant haze that was stretching over the ground,” he smiled then, still with his eyes closed. “Though, if you want something more material - just give him Hetela made food. He'll love you forever.”

 

“He's easy to please,” Vegeta softly chuckled.

 

Bardock nodded. “Yes, he always was.”

 

Vegeta sighed into Kakarott's shoulder. “Do you think he'll forgive me?”

 

Bardock shrugged. “You are bonded; what Kakarott wouldn't able to do on his own, the bond will finish for him.”

 

Vegeta gave a small hopeful nod. “And how about Kakarott's misuu? I don't know anything about him.” Bardock had been questioning him for long, now he wanted some answers, too. Nobody ever mentioned anything about Kakarott's misuu. Vegeta only knew that he died when Kakarott was young, exactly like it happened with Vegeta and his mother.

 

A painful shadow passed over Bardock's face. “Why do you want to know?”

 

“I'm just interested,” Vegeta's eyes closed. “Was your mate stable?”

 

Bardock choked. Though, yes, Vegeta was right questioning that. It still wasn't clear what happened to Kakarott and why he reacted like that - just closed himself in his world of ignorance. The doctor told that it was only temporary, but why did it happen at all?

 

Bardock shifted on the bench to get more comfortable; it was clear that they weren't going very soon anywhere. “Yes. Kariada had perfect health, until catching Farido Virus.”

 

“Farido Virus?” the prince asked. “Never heard about it.”

 

“It's from the Cialo planet,” Bardock's voice shook a bit. “Kariada must have caught the virus while visiting that damn planet. There was no cure from that illness at the time.

 

“It was a very traumatic experience for Kakarott. He was nine when Kariada died. The illness lasted for six months, driving us all nuts. At first we even didn't know what was happening: Kariada had lost consciousness several times. Just like that, walking down a hall or sitting at the table. Later started seizures. Only after two months it was cleared what happened. And then it became even worse - we knew what it was and we knew that there was no cure for it,” Bardock brushed over his hair as if trying to smooth it. “Kakarott was afraid to leave Kariada's side. He was sure that the moment he'd leave his misuu, Kariada was going to die. We all became so paranoid then…” Bardock sighed.

 

“Kariada was strong. The doctors told that he wouldn't last four moths. Kariada lived six. Though, better he wouldn't have,” Bardock's shoulders sagged. “In the end he was begging me to kill him. I didn't manage, I couldn't,” Bardock shook his head. “But probably I shouldn't have let him endure such torture any longer.

 

“Kakarott was crying, just screaming his head off when Kariada died. I don't think that he ever recovered from that,” Bardock shook his head, again. “None of us did.”

 

Vegeta was silent for some time. He snuggled Kakarott even closer to him. “Where was Kariada from?”

 

“He was one of my bodyguards. Had worked for about five years until I noticed him.” Bardock smiled seeing Vegeta's surprise. “I never paid heed to such bullshit as rank. I liked him, he liked me; there was nothing to think about. We just went with the stream. Never regretted that.”

 

Vegeta nodded. “Yes, you were right.” If only he would have managed to overcome that hostility he felt for Kakarott because of Kakarott's origin… None of this would have happened. “Why didn't you find someone else later?”

 

Bardock gave a sad smile to Vegeta. “And why YOUR father didn't find anyone else? It's not easy to forget one's mate. You know that. You should have heard plenty of stories about it.” Bardock looked at Vegeta who was listening to him carefully. “Though, there is someone. But I never dared confess my feelings.”

 

Vegeta seemed to be very interested and surprised at the same time. “But why? Is he mated?”

 

“No,” Bardock shook his head. “He isn't. He doesn't feel the same for me.”

 

“How do you know?” Vegeta asked. He shifted Kakarott, changing his position a bit, not to let Kakarott's sides get stiff.

 

“I know,” Bardock shrugged. “His head is full of other things.”

 

Vegeta didn't know what to say to that.

 

TBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1