Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Idomu ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 10 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: Macha

Disclaimer: I don't own DB/Z/GT or any of the characters found in this fic. They are the property of TOEI ANIMATION in Japan and FUNimation in the U.S.A. I am not making any profit from this.

Rating - NC-17

Warnings - INCEST. And although I don't know that it is so much a warning for this group as it is an encouragement…Yaoi (M/M, M/M/M). Followed by, ice, fire, voyeurism, body modification, bonding, tails, S & M, slave/master, character death, lemons, limes, random Japanese terms, A/U, wishes. (And I apologize for any other warnings I have forgotten!)

Pairings - (stepping out on a limb here folks) Lemons: Prince Vegeta/Kakarott/Gohan, K/Gh, PV/K, Radditz/Gh, V/Gh, V/G.

A/N: THANKS FOR STICKING WITH ME HOSHI!

Idomu - Chapter 9

Bardock scratched the back of his head with one hand while pulling the stylus down from his ear on the opposite side. He leaned over the plans on the workbench and started writing out formulas long hand…. Something in the design still wasn't working.

His attention was diverted from the task and he pressed the intercom switch on the floor, “We'll have two extras for dinner tonight,” he informed the head cook as he finally felt his sons, Gohan, and whom he assumed was the prince begin to meander in his direction. He smirked as he took his foot from the switch. “Thought you were going to get away with a few hours didn't you, kid?” he spoke quietly to himself as he looked back down at the capsule plans, and stopped, staring.

He turned the stylus over so he could go back through the calculations he had written out, especially the ones that had appeared while he was distracted, and snorted, “Fucking SIX not EIGHT!” he laughed as he threw the stylus down to the paper work and covered his face with his hands, sitting back on the stool. Two measly sides and angles where what had been stopping them from finishing this! “Oh, Gohan, you are going to kick yourself when I tell you! `Honeycomb' indeed! It's more like a `net'.”

The scientist stood from the stool and pressed the floor switch again, “Do we have any honeycomb?” he asked.

There was a brief moment before someone responded, “Yes sir. Anything special you want tonight?”

“Just add simple biscuits, the whole honeycomb, and some spread to the fair. I have a point to prove,” he chuckled as he took his foot off the switch and headed for the main house. With this out of the way, he could afford the time to get presentable to meet his youngest's intended.

~o0o~

Radditz chuckled at Gohan's reaction when Vegeta and Kakarott finally caught up to them. Prince Vegeta's armor was going to need repair, and well…there wasn't much left to their clothing either. “Told you, they'd look like mongrels,” he mock whispered.

Kakarott threw his wadded up shirt at his brother, “Tease all you like. Just proves you are jealous.”

Radditz caught the article before he hit him in the face, and then grimaced, handing it back, “Yeah…keep this to yourself, will you? That's just disgusting,” he said wrinkling his nose. At least his brother had the decency to blush.

Vegeta shrugged and took the garment from his commander's hand, “I certainly don't mind it,” he said, grinning wickedly.

“Well, he's not your brother,” Radditz said starting back for his father's place.

Gohan shook his head as he finally figured out what was going on. That material smelled heavily of Kakarott….

“He seems quiet,” Kakarott said to Vegeta, nodding towards Gohan's back.

Vegeta nodded, but had to depend on Kakarott's assessment of the slave turned trainer; he had little to go on as to what the sayian was like without his leash.

The second sun was bidding the land goodnight as the four finally touched ground outside of Bardock's holdings. The mountains silhouetted black met sky so red it seemed to bleed, orange clouds fanning out in a simile of flames.

Bardock stood at the top of the stairs that led from the lower level to his main house, watching the four youngsters hassle each other as they made their way up. He smiled contentedly before he was spotted, watching as Radditz reached an arm around Gohan's shoulders, and the kid did not try to evade it. `Finally,' he thought to himself in relief.

Kakarott stepped to the front of the group as he spotted his father, reaching a hand back for one of Vegeta's, “Prince Vegeta, this is my father, Bardock,” Bardock bowed slightly from his waist, “Father, this is Prince Vegeta, my intended,” he smiled.

Vegeta reached a hand forward to shake one of Bardock's, “Well, I know where Kakarott gets his good looks now,” he smiled roguishly, “Too bad you couldn't have passed some of that off to my commander,” he joked.

Bardock grinned back, “Then you would have had to make the decision which brother to choose. Couldn't very well put my prince in that situation,” he said responding in like humor.

Radditz growled at them, “It's the hair…”

“I like the hair,” Gohan piped up and then blushed as everyone snickered at him, except Radditz who hugged him closer, kissing the top of his head.

“Well, dinner is ready, but it doesn't look like any of you are,” Bardock said before turning to lead the rest of the way back up to the main house, “Get cleaned up and then join me in the dinning hall please,” he requested as he let his sons take the lead once inside. He was having a difficult time not accosting Gohan immediately. He was so excited about the break through in the capsule project!

Bardock didn't have to wait long. The four who showed up at his doorstep were eager to fill their bellies. He soon had all four of them in clean clothes and wet hair keeping him company at the dinning table.

Vegeta ate in silence as he enjoyed the atmosphere Kakarott's family provided over the meal. Dinner with his father and various other people of office was never this animated! He laughed at things he truly thought were funny, stuck up for himself when harassed, and didn't worry if he was going to step on someone's proverbial foot. He happily twined tails with Kakarott's as father and son gained up on his commander about some long standing family argument…

Gohan smiled as he ate, busy taking in everything going on around him. Vegeta was certainly letting his hair down…figuratively at least. He hadn't required one person to call him by title since the dinner had begun...come to think of it, even before that.

And the demi-sayian was certainly enjoying himself also. It had been a while since he and Kakarott had actually sat at the table and ate, rather than have something brought down to them between sparring bouts and tank times. He felt a slight pang of jealousy as he watched Vegeta's tail reach for Kakarott's, and the two of them played the sayian equivalent of `footsie'.

Radditz noticed the change in Gohan's demeanor almost immediately, but it took him a moment to note the cause. He smiled sadly as he wrapped his tail around one of the legs of Gohan's chair, and pulled him closer, kissing his cheek and chuckling at the kid's squeal of shock.

Gohan blushed as everyone's eyes turned towards them. Kakarott elbowed Vegeta lightly in the ribs, “Not at the table you two,” Bardock interrupted, “I have some serious stuff to discuss before I let the four of you go for the evening,” he was a bit concerned as both Radditz and Vegeta's light mood changed at his words, “And I guess I am not the only one…”

Vegeta shook his head, “No,” he sighed, “But you start with yours first.”

Bardock shoved his plate away, and reached for the honeycomb, “Well, mine is a bit of good news,” he said as he passed the bowl to Gohan, “I finally figured out what we were calculating incorrectly for the capsule project,” he said as the young man took the bowl from him, “You said `honeycomb', right?”

Gohan looked at the substance in the bowl, “Yes, but this has eight sides….”

Bardock nodded, “Precisely. The design we needed to be working on needs to be six….”

“Wait…this is what you thought I was talking about when I said honeycomb?” Gohan asked as he poked a spoon at the wax and honey in the bowl.

“Of course…” Bardock started.

“Oh…well, that explains a lot,” Gohan said, “See, where I come from, the bees make six sided combs, not eight,” he said, scratching his head before lifting his face back up to the rest of the group, and smiling, “No wonder we weren't getting any where…What?” he asked. Bardock and Radditz were looking at him….

“You haven't told them?” Vegeta asked, taking the bowl from his hands as Kakarott shifted uncomfortably.

“I-I guess not…” Gohan whispered. Trying to remember who knew what was finally catching up with him.

“Told us what boy?” Bardock asked nothing more than curious.

“I-I'm not from Vegeta-sei,” he said, turning to look at Radditz apologetically as he felt Radditz shift from his side ever so slightly, “It didn't seem to matter…”

“Well, it doesn't really, except for little communication problems like this one,” Bardock pointed out.

“Is this what you were speaking of when you mentioned something about my not being able to trust you?” Radditz asked quietly.

Gohan sighed and closed his eyes as he nodded his head, “Yes, partially.”

“Calm down, Radditz,” Vegeta ordered, “The half breed didn't…”

“You're not full sayian?” now the commander's voice rose incredulously. The boy had looked and smelled sayian enough, except for the missing tail.

“No,” Gohan whispered, cringing when he heard Radditz stand and move away from him.

“Commander.” “Radditz!” Both Vegeta and Bardock spoke at the same time. Bardock continued, “We have more to discuss than just the capsule project. You will stay here. Deal with your idiotic prejudice after.”

Radditz growled as he pulled his chair back out, and sat a ways from Gohan. He wasn't prejudice…not like his father was thinking. He'd been on too many missions off planet to continue to believe planet stranded sayians' outdated beliefs about blood purity and race integrity. The information Gohan was a cause of such a union proved those beliefs to be faulty, but it was still a shock: you didn't get the kind of power the kid wielded from an `unholy' union. “Get on with it,” he said a bit gruffly; slightly embarrassed from his initial outburst, but his irritation persisted: he didn't like surprises.

Vegeta cleared his throat, “I guess I'll go with my news next,” he sighed, “It seems my father has found out the gravity simulator is functional, and he wants it brought to the capital.”

Bardock shrugged, “I think Kakarott is done training with it…” he looked to Gohan who nodded, “So, he can have it…” he stopped as Vegeta shook his head.

“My father also wants you with it,” Vegeta grimaced as he informed them.

Bardock frowned, “I have too much going on here to leave. We have what,” again he looked at Gohan, “Two weeks?”

Gohan frowned, “Give or take….”

“Two weeks for what?” Vegeta asked warily.

“It's why you've felt me training so hard,” Kakarott said quietly.

“For Ancestors' sake, someone speak plainly!” Vegeta growled.

“You remember that story I told you about Brolli?” Gohan asked quietly.

Vegeta snorted, “Yes…and if you know what is good for you, you won't go repeating it…”

Gohan shook his head, “It's going to become obvious in a couple of weeks.”

“Why do you say that?” Vegeta asked, concerned.

“Can you follow me in ki search? Like Kakarott can?” Gohan asked.

Vegeta shook his head, “I still don't know how he does that.”

Kakarott smile apologetically, “And I do it instinctually, so I can't describe how to, to someone.”

Gohan sighed, “Then you'll just have to trust us,” he frowned at Radditz' snort, “When I say, Brolli is on his way back.”

“You said my father killed him…” Vegeta started.

“I think the term I used was `attempted,” Gohan clarified, “Your father was not successful.”

Vegeta looked over at Kakarott for confirmation, “You've felt this?”

Kakarott nodded, “Yes. And he's destroying planets on his way back.”

“We can hope he wants to keep Vegeta-sei intact,” Gohan stated, “But I wouldn't make any bets on it. He's never been sane….”

“Again, you speak of things as though you have first hand knowledge of them,” Vegeta pointed out shrewdly.

“And I fear, in trying to tell you the whole of how I know these things, you would find me insane enough not to heed my warnings, your Highness,” Gohan said quietly.

Bardock cleared his throat, “He has trained my son to become legendary, given us the specs for the gravity chamber, the senzu formula and now capsule technology. I've weighed what he's given us against what we might not know, and I trust him,” Bardock spoke, “Sometimes people keep secrets,” he looked over at Kakarott for support, “And sometimes they are kept with the best in mind,” he finished after Kakarott nodded in understanding. Bardock cast a pointed look at his eldest son, who was still radiating irritation.

Vegeta grimaced, “So, without giving away how you may have come upon such knowledge…are the three of us going to be enough to keep Vegeta-sei safe from this sayian,” he looked curiously over at Kakarott as his lover buried his face in his hands with a sigh.

Gohan straightened in his chair, but refused to make eye contact with anyone, “I may not be here,” he confessed quietly. Again Radditz was shocked, and wanted to demand what Gohan meant by `may not be here' but Vegeta intercepted before he could get the words out.

Vegeta looked at Kakarott, “I take it you knew this,” he spoke to Gohan at Kakarott's nod of confirmation, “How long will you be here?”

“If my records are correct….any where from eight to eleven more days….if I am here longer than that, then I won't be leaving,” Gohan said, finally gaining enough courage to look at Radditz. The commander's features were un-discernable, but his tail whipped about in agitation. A sure sign he wasn't taking this newest news well.

“How long before Brolli reaches the planet?” Vegeta asked.

Gohan closed his eyes, shifting his awareness from the planet's surface. He smiled as he felt Kakarott's presence piggy backing with him. He frowned before returning, “If he doesn't get distracted again…two weeks?” he said, looking over at Kakarott.

Who shrugged, “I am still not very good at calculating the distances when they are this great.”

“Telling my father he will have to wait at least two weeks before he can get his hands on the gravity chamber…” Vegeta frowned, “He's threatened to take it by force if I couldn't guarantee it would be back at the capital within a week.”

Bardock frowned, “That doesn't sound like someone who is only interested in the technology,” Radditz shifted slightly when his father verbalized his own thoughts.

Vegeta looked at Radditz, “You said no one else knew of my accession?” he asked.

“No one was in the training room with us when you ascended to the Legendary state, and the surveillance data was destroyed. Unless someone who was in the surveillance room was aware enough of their surroundings to speak up before they were put in a tank…” Radditz said carefully.

“It could be something simple, like my father not wanting the lower classes to have such an advantage in training,” Vegeta said thoughtfully. He smiled at those in the room with him apologetically, “Or, more likely, he could not want those houses that have a true claim to the throne come to have it in their possession. The crown has been in dispute before….”

Bardock grunted, old enough to remember, “With you as a true Legendary? None of them have a chance now…”

“But my father doesn't know that…yet,” Vegeta scratched his chin, “I think I may know of a way to stall him,” he smiled as he suddenly had everyone's earnest interest, “We'll say you are allowing me to train here, before it has to be disassembled for transport,” there were several grins at his words, “But,” he held up a finger, “Someone here gave information back to the crown. You trust all of your employees?” Vegeta asked Bardock.

Bardock frowned, “I trust them…but it doesn't mean they don't talk and gossip. I wouldn't be surprised if the kitchen crew hasn't already started talking about how friendly you are with my son,” Bardock smiled.

Vegeta sighed, “You probably won't like it…but can you get a crew together that knows how to hold their tongues?”

Bardock sat back in his chair, “That's a lot of help to be shooing out the door…”

“But necessary,” Vegeta added.

Kakarott shifted in his seat as an idea struck him, “How about telling them they have a holiday?”

Both Vegeta and Bardock looked at him as though they were very interested that he continue, “New Moon* is in three days….”

Now Bardock grinned, “They have been working awfully hard. I think a holiday is in order.”

“And in order for some of them to get home in time…they should be leaving tomorrow,” Kakarott grinned.

Bardock turned to Gohan, “How much help do you think we will need to finish the capsule project?”

Gohan frowned, “If they are only dedicated to the project? I'd say three others…if they have the same credentials as you.”

Bardock rubbed his hands together; “I think I will be inviting some old friends to gather for our first glimpse of the moon in two years, but I only know of two.”

With the end of the conversation obvious, Radditz stood, “Excuse me,” he said before walking towards the door.

“I'll go talk with him,” Kakarott said to Gohan at his friend's look of concern.

~o0o~~o0o~

“I thought you had given up on this project, Mom,” Trunks said before sneezing as dust rose up from a coverlet he had removed from a piece of equipment.

Bulma sighed…she thought she had put it aside as unnecessary also…but it was the only thing that made sense now, “Gohan's going to need something to focus his energies on when he gets back. I think this is a great project for him to head. He'll be able to recruit help if he wants it, but can work on it solo if he feels the need for seclusion…”

Trunks sighed, “Yeah,” he shook his head, thinking about what his father had very carefully avoided telling him when the prince had sat Goten and him down for `the talk'. If Goten's reaction to the news was anything to base comparison with, then Trunks really didn't wonder why Goku had declined to participate in `the talk.' He shook his head at the memory of his best friend's immature reaction to the news, bringing himself back to the present, “I can finish this Mom. You can get back to the radar project,” he assured his mother.

Bulma put the material she had in her hands into the wheeled cart as she smiled. Her son had grown into a strong, thoughtful young man, “Okay. Thank you sweetie,” she said, patting his shoulder on her way out of the lab.

~o0o~~o0o~

“What's wrong?” Kakarott asked as he caught up to his brother outside.

“Wrong?” Radditz shook his head. “I just need some time to think. That was a lot of information to find out about the person I….”

“The person you what?” Kakarott asked after a few moments and his brother didn't continue.

“Forget it, Kakarott. You heard him yourself; he thinks he's leaving. He told me he couldn't commit to anything, but I didn't understand until he said that,” Radditz said as he started walking towards the cared for borders of his father's holdings.

Kakarott kept pace with him, “So, this has nothing to do with him being a half-breed?” he shrugged when Radditz glanced at him, “You seemed to react poorly about that…”

“And how long have you and his Highness known this anyway?” Radditz asked.

“A couple of months?” Kakarott hazarded a guess, “It's not like I marked it down on a calendar….”

Radditz sighed, “It doesn't matter. I think I was more upset that he had fooled my senses for so long…”

Kakarott smiled, though it was difficult to see it in the dark, “He certainly is pretty enough to over look a few things…”

Radditz growled and mock punched his brother's shoulder; “I don't want to hear about it from you. If, and that's a big if right now, if I decide I want to get to know him better before he goes, I want it to be information I learned on my own. Not second hand stories…”

“Well, don't take too long deciding, Radditz. Eight days isn't a whole lot of time,” Kakarott said, taking his brother's hand and squeezing it.

“Okay...will you get out of here so I can think?” Radditz asked, exasperated. Kakarott dropped his hand and slapped him on the shoulder before heading back to the house. Radditz sat and began picking up pebbles he couldn't see from the ground by feel before tossing them short distances as he tried to think things through.

Hours later, Gohan climbed the stairs to the sleeping rooms. Bardock's enthusiasm was contagious, and he had been working on the capsule project with his grandfather much longer than he had thought.

He glanced sadly at Radditz' door as he passed before moving on to the room that had been assigned him when he first arrived. He sat down in the chair in front of the desk, and slid his journal to him, picking a stylus up from the desk's level surface, and marking another day down on the inside of the back cover. It wasn't the best record…he hadn't thought about marking the days down until after a week he had the journal, and the hours weren't exactly as clear-cut as 24 verses 30. Still he had factored in miscalculation and the time it might take to those on Earth of his time to find the dragon balls.

Six days if he had over estimated…eight if he had underestimated his calculations…and if eleven…he'd be staying here. The first couple of weeks he had been here, he had figured if both wishes had been used, then it could be a year, but then he had to go and rethink that. If it were an Earth year, and then even one day to go searching for the dragon balls…he couldn't count on Shenron.

Gohan sighed as he opened the journal to a couple of worn pages. He laughed at his terrible artistry. Videl on one side, pretty, open eyes gazing at him, and Pan on the other…her tomboyish bandana holding her hair back.

“Who are they?” Gohan dropped the journal in shock, having been too engrossed in his contemplation of his wife and daughter to notice Radditz at his doorway.

Gohan's hands shook as he reached to pick it up off of the floor. He shook his head, indicating he didn't want to talk about them, “More secrets?” Radditz confronted, and Gohan stilled. The commander had meant to go to bed, but had seen Gohan's light was on, and the door still open.

Gohan sighed, “M-my wife and daughter,” he said quietly.

Radditz shifted his weight, not understanding the first term, “Like mate?” he asked. If the kid were mated, it might explain a lot as to why Gohan was constantly warring with himself about their attraction to each other.

Gohan nodded, “I guess that's the closest…”

Radditz plucked the journal from Gohan's loose hold, flipping through pages of script he couldn't read before finally finding the pictures, “She doesn't look sayian…” if they weren't mates then….

“It's because she's not, Radditz,” Gohan said, reaching for his journal, “Can I have that back now?” he asked as the larger man pulled it out of his reach.

Radditz frowned, but handed it back. If the kid really wanted to push it, then he could have been a stain on the floor for taking his book, “You didn't seem the type…”

“What type would that be?” Gohan sighed, closing the journal and placing it out of the commander's reach.

“The type that prefers females…” one of Radditz' brows rose as Gohan laughed, “Funny?”

“Four and a half months ago, I would have told you I didn't seem to be the type that `prefers' males,” Gohan said, shaking his head.

“Why? Males understand each other better. Make better companions. Know what will be found pleasing…” Radditz listed, “Females are fun, but they are a mystery. I'd much rather be with a male if it's not for the purpose of breeding….”

Gohan shook his head, “Just…understand that where I come from, the concept is foreign…alien.”

“Before four and a half months ago?” Radditz mind zipped back to Gohan's statement.

“Yes…” Gohan confirmed.

“Wasn't that around winter solstice?” Radditz asked acquiring an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Gohan sighed, “Yes, Radditz, it was,” he said, placing his palms flat on the desktop.

Moments passed by in silence as Radditz let the implications of what Gohan was not saying sink in. The commander couldn't think of a tactful way to ask what he wanted to ask; had the kid not ever been with males before he had been gifted to Vegeta? He already had regrets about buying him as a slave; it was certainly making things more complicated now….

“Since Vegeta and Kakarott are already ascended, we will start your training tomorrow, after the crew has cleared out,” Gohan changed the subject, “And let those two practice ascending until the transformation comes to their aid without hesitation. You should get some rest, Commander. You have a long couple of days a head of you.”

Radditz knew the kid was tactfully telling him to get the fuck out, so he took the opportunity to go back to his room without comment.

~o0o~

“Come on, Radditz. Kakarott had this level down by the second day,” Gohan said as he watched Radditz take a knee, panting hard. They had been stuck at 30 g's for the last two days.

Radditz shook his head, sweat dripping from the tip of his nose to splat against the G.R. floor, “I…don't…know how…he did it….” It wasn't motivation. Radditz knew he had plenty of motivation to show the kid he could do this, to show his brother he wasn't the weaker one….

Gohan let the commander continue to take his breather while he thought. Maybe he was going about training incorrectly? But it had worked for Kakarott….another thought hit him. He had been training Kakarott, a person he knew could ascend…what if it just wasn't in the commander's scope of abilities? He had trained with people, the sayian ones, all his life that didn't seem to have limits, only lack of motivation. But the humans he had trained with, and Piccolo, had all found their maximum years ago. Maybe he had been living with the exceptions of the sayian race all his life? Maybe there was a limit as to what most sayians could do?

He sighed at himself with disgust and turned to the control panel, deactivating the gravity, “I am sorry, Radditz. I have been pushing too hard,” Gohan stated.

Radditz looked up and growled, “Don't treat me like a weakling!” he snarled as his tail whipped out behind him.

Gohan groaned mentally, “Radditz, you are not weak. I could guess that you've made elite yourself if you wanted to issue challenge….” Gohan started.

Radditz spat at the floor, “I don't want to issue challenge,” he hissed as he stood to his full height and started in Gohan's direction.

Gohan backed up until his back hit the wall. He knew he was stronger than this sayian, but the man's height could certainly be intimidating at times. He stayed put as Radditz placed both palms on the wall on either side of his head, “I don't want to issue challenge,” Radditz whispered again, “I want to prove I don't have to be watched over…that I can be strong enough…”

Gohan shuddered as one of his thighs was encircled by the commander's tail. He forced himself to keep eye contact as Radditz seemed to search his eyes for something, “You aren't weak,” Gohan said quietly, hoping what ever it was Radditz was looking for was there. He closed his eyes and leaned his face into the palm that came away from the wall to cup his cheek.

Radditz sighed and bent down to kiss the kid's forehead, “I want to be enough for you…”

“Radditz. Look at me,” Gohan requested, bringing his fingertips up to the commander's chest, “I am not leaving because I think you aren't enough for me…”

“Stay,” Radditz insisted.

“Understand, if…if I could, I would stay here. I've changed a lot in the last few months. Some of those changes…I am not proud of,” Gohan pressed a finger to Radditz' lips when the commander started to speak, “I never thought I would be the type of person to go back on vows I had made. That's the part I am not proud of,” Gohan clarified, “But I also know, I didn't understand all of what I was, when I made those vows. I love my wife, but she's not sayian….”

Radditz gathered Gohan in his arms, resting his chin on the top of the shorter one's head, “I am trying…but I don't understand why you have to go….”

“The choice won't be mine,” Gohan whispered. He pressed his hands against the commander's chest, “We need to continue. If I do go, I want to know that I did my best for you,” Gohan said, walking back towards the controls, “We'll train at 20 g's,” he growled as Radditz began to speak, “You can't move in 30 g's, and it's doing you no good. 20 g's and we'll work on your speed.”

Radditz growled and punched the G.R. wall, knowing he wasn't being asked. He set his stance and nodded his head for Gohan to turn the gravity up once again.

Bardock looked up from the workbench at the sound of the G.R. starting again. He shook his head, and lowered his focus back to the microscope. He smiled as he felt someone sneaking up behind him…knowing whom it was and that she was there because of the ki training Gohan had taught him. He would let her have a bit of fun at his expense.

“You've gotten even nerdier in your old age,” Selypa's voice spoke right into his ear.

Bardock did a wonderful acting job, her warm breath feathering over the shell of his ear helping him shudder at the appropriate moment, “Selypa!” he turned and gathered her up in a bear hug, “Took you long enough to get here!”

Selypa did her best to act offended by the gesture, “Get your hands off me, you lug!”

Bardock laughed and did so, “By yourself?” he asked, acting surprised, even though he could feel her companion up at the main house.

Selypa shook her head, “No, but Toma went to the house. I guess he didn't eat enough for the trip. We flew non-stop,” she added.

Bardock's eyes rounded, “You need to eat too! Go, shoo! I won't show you a damned thing until you've filled that belly of yours!”

Selypa laughed and patted him on the cheek, which Bardock growled at, “Fine…but only because I am hungry. Not `cause you ordered it!” she skipped away before Bardock could form a retort.

~o0o~

Vegeta grinned up at Kakarott, licking his lips in appreciation for Kakarott in his ascended form. Kakarott shook his head, smiling down at the other, “I don't think Gohan's decision to have us training together was very wise.”

“Mmmmm,” Vegeta responded, licking Kakarott's lower lip, “Probably not…”

Kakarott purred, but shifted his weight to his knees, sitting between Vegeta's legs, “We need to be serious about this…”

Vegeta sighed, pulling his legs from around Kakarott so he could sit up, “Hnnn, yeah. It's just so harrrd…” he ducked as Kakarott swung the tip of his tail at his head, “Okay!” he said, bringing his hands up in a mock warding gesture.

Kakarott grinned, and went to all fours, stalking to his prince and licking his nose, “Sorry…can't help it….”

Vegeta rubbed his nose off with the back of his hand, “Okay…this is not working!”

Kakarott smirked, “We could always try to work it out of our system…”

Vegeta chuckled, and shook his head, “Yeah, like the last three times? That's succeeded so well for us,” he said before letting go of his ascension.

Kakarott pouted, but followed suit, “Back to the house?”

Vegeta nodded as he stood, “Yes. We need to trade training partners,” he said, though his response lacked enthusiasm.

Kakarott sighed and rose into the air, Vegeta a breath behind him.

~o0o~

“Okay,” Selypa broke into Bardock's thoughts, “Our tummies are filled, but your kitchen is a mess.”

Bardock chuckled, and turned to them, catching Toma in a hug he hadn't received earlier, “Ah, yes…sent almost everyone home, and no one left has the faintest clue about cooking. How have you been?” he said over Toma's shoulder, and then asked the man directly.

“Pretty damned good,” Toma beamed at his long time friend, “I was excited to hear you had something new up your sleeve, though. Life without challenge is…well, not life!”

Selypa scooted her way between them, “Speaking of which, my stomach has been filled now,” she reported, again, tapping her foot impatiently.

Bardock shook his head and both men laughed at her antics. He tapped the tip of her nose with his fingertip, “Okay. Lets see what we have working before I show you what needs worked on,” he said, taking her hand and wrapping his tail around Toma's wrist as he led them in the direction of the G.R. He turned the monitor on once they were in front of it, “This gadget creates a confined gravity field. It's good for training…” he started to explain.

“Oooh, who's in there with your son?” Selypa asked.

“His name is Gohan, and he his also the genius who has supplied these new things,” Bardock explained while Toma and Selypa tracked the sayians' movements in the machine.

“He's gotten faster,” Toma pointed out. It had been a while since he had seen Bardock's oldest train, but there was marked improvement.

Bardock grunted his agreement, “I hate to say it, but if you think he has improved, you should see Kakarott…speaking of which,” Bardock smiled as he felt his youngest and his intended start back in their direction, “You'll be able to see that soon enough.”

Selypa shook her head, not understanding Bardock's strange comment, “So, what else?” she asked, eager to get the tour over so the scientist could hand over assignments on the new project.

“Well, you know how scouters have been failing?” Bardock asked, stepping back towards the workbenches.

“Yeah, most of the planet has been rendered virtually blind…” Toma started.

“Well, the design has been improved to handle the energy intake,” Bardock said, pulling out notes on the scouter adjustments, “It's really very simple; a few silicon resisters here,” he said as he pointed at the schematics.

Selypa leaned in closer to the drawing, “Oh! Clever! But that doesn't explain why they have been failing…”

Bardock chuckled, “Because of Kakarott,” he beamed proudly.

“So, that rumor he has issued Idomu is true?” Toma asked.

“Wow…he's a celebrity…yes, the rumor is true,” Bardock commented and then confirmed.

“And the rumor the king wants the gravity simulator?” Selypa asked knowingly.

Bardock cleared his throat, “Yes, that is true as well. We've managed to stall him…”

“At least for a week,” a new voice spoke into the conversation, and Bardock's guests turned to see Kakarott standing in the doorway with someone they were unfamiliar with, but the family resemblance could not be mistaken.

“Selypa and Toma, I would like to introduce you to my son's intended, Prince Vegeta,” Bardock stated as Kakarott and Vegeta made their way into the building towards them.

Both of his guests bowed at hearing the title.

Selypa hugged Kakarott, “Been a while since I've seen you cub,” she commented.

Toma elbowed Bardock in the ribs, “Intended, huh? Well, I haven't heard that in rumor…”

Vegeta smiled at the news, “Well, at least we've kept that off of my father's scouter for now.”

“As well as something else,” Bardock smirked, but before he could continue, the G.R. wound down, and the door opened.

“Selypa! Toma!” a tired but happy Radditz spotted his father's friends.

“Get your ass over here,” Selypa said with her hands on her hips, her tail waving a happy counter point to her behavior.

Radditz ducked his head as he came over, “Good to see you,” he said as he folded the woman up in his arms. He stuck his tongue out at Toma.

Who flicked his tail in the junior's direction, “Good to see you too,” Toma laughed back at him, “I see you've improved,” he shook his head, “I never thought you'd make it in the army. Undisciplined…”

Radditz growled, “I was a kid, Toma. Give me a break.”

“I would have liked to,” Toma joked back.

Gohan had hesitantly made his way over to the group by now, and Selypa elbowed Radditz, “Going to introduce us? Or be as rude as ever?” her keen eyes did not miss the blush that came across Radditz' cheeks.

“This is Gohan,” Radditz said, letting her go, and reaching a hand back to pull Gohan forward.

Gohan shifted forward. His first reaction to the new comers was shock. The female looked like Videl, and it had stalled his thinking for a moment. “Gohan, this is Selypa and Toma,” Radditz introduced him.

“Hi,” Gohan managed. His mind started functioning again. She was quite a bit taller than Videl, and had a decidedly sayian nose and mouth, as well as her eyes being black….

Selypa covered her mouth with the back of her hand and mock whispered to Toma, “Have a shy one here. Don't scare him off,” she said, taking in his appearance. She noted he did not have a tail immediately.

Gohan blushed as Radditz growled, and the rest of the group laughed. Bardock cleared his throat, “Well, I was going to have Kakarott and his Highness show us why the scouters were failing,” he said, turning to the two with an anticipatory look in his eyes.

Kakarott blushed and Vegeta stood straighter, “Sure…just not in here,” the prince indicated.

Bardock was only too quick to agree, “Yeah, don't need things stirred up in here,” he said, leading the way out of the building. He stopped a good length from the building, but Kakarott and Vegeta continued out a ways more.

Selypa looked to Bardock for answers, “What?”

Bardock waved in the pair's direction, “Watch,” he said, his anticipation enough to get her excited, even if she didn't know what for.

Kakarott and Vegeta grinned at each other before letting out twin yells. One of Toma's eyebrows rose as he watched, not certain what it was he was supposed to be witnessing…

…Until their hair bled blond, and their eyes turned teal, “Holy fucking shit,” Toma gasped.

Bardock laughed, “Yeah.”

Selypa shook her head, “And the scouters couldn't handle the intake,” she breathed, her tail tightening around her waist.

Bardock nodded, “Yes. Which is probably a good thing…”

“Hmmm, something about not wanting the king to know…” Toma guessed shrewdly, “There has always been a reason the legendary has shown up…” he started.

Bardock grew much more serious, “And there is this time as well,” he sighed. When Selypa and Toma looked at him expectantly he sighed again, “It's a long story. I'd like to show you the rest, and do the telling over dinner.”

Selypa grinned, “Okay. I can wait for the tale, but I want to know what else is new!”

Bardock shook his head at her enthusiasm, but led the group back to the building. Kakarott and Vegeta let go of their transformations with heavy sighs and followed. They caught up with the group just as Bardock was holding up a syringe, “…this.”

Selypa pursed her lips, “If it works so well, why haven't you used it to regenerate his tail?” she asked, looking pointedly at Gohan.

Bardock stuttered, “I-I…”

Gohan blushed, and Radditz' face took on a lusty gleam, “Hmmm, yes,” he said, turning to Gohan.

Gohan blinked at the group rather flustered by the sudden attention, “I-I haven't had it since I was a kid…” he started.

Selypa shook her head at him, and swiped the syringe from Bardock's hand, “Come on, you still are a kid. What's a sayian without their tail?” she said, making a circling motion with her finger.

Gohan gulped, “Can…can I at least have a little bit of privacy?” he asked. Having his pants pulled down in front of all these people….

Selypa frowned, and was about to comment, when Radditz took the syringe from her, “If someone is going to do this, it will be me,” he said, a bit more possessively than planned.

Selypa held her hands up, “But I want to be present.”

“Why?” Gohan groaned.

Selypa gave him a withering look, “I am a scientist. I want to see it in action.”

Bardock laughed, “Come on guys…we can get something ready to cook outdoors while these two are playing nurse.”

Kakarott and Vegeta grinned at each other while Toma shook his head, turning towards the entry. Gohan waited until the four of them left before looking back at Radditz and Selypa, “You know what you are doing?” he asked nervously.

Radditz frowned, “No…”

Gohan looked at him bug eyed, but Selypa spoke up, “I'll point him in the right direction,” she assured Gohan, “I am a nurse as well as a scientist.”

Gohan turned, sighing as he lowered his pants. He pulled them down just enough for his tail scar to be exposed, and closed his eyes. “Okay, now, you'll want to insert the needle here,” Selypa spoke, and Gohan twitched as her cool fingertip touched his skin.

Radditz lined the needle up, “This is probably going to hurt,” he stated.

Gohan nodded and grit his teeth, “Yeah…just do it, before I lose my nerve,” he screeched as the needle poked through his skin, and then hissed, “Ouch,” he whined as he felt the liquid being injected, causing skin and tissue to expand to accommodate.

Radditz brought the needle away from the skin, and both he and Selypa waited for something to occur. And waited….

“Hmmm,” Selypa mused, “Bardock said something about injuries,” she said, just before she picked a cutter up from the table.

Radditz growled and took the object from Selypa's hand, tempted to stab her with it… “Get the fuck out of here before I kill you,” he hissed. Selypa backed up quickly as her hand was let go.

Radditz gathered Gohan to his lap before the younger could fall the rest of the way to the floor. “She's probably right,” the commander said between clenched teeth.

“R-right about what?” Gohan panted.

“For the formula to take affect, there will have to be an injury of some sort,” Radditz shook his head, “This was a bad idea…”

Gohan grit his teeth and rotated on Radditz lap, “Go ahead.”

“Gohan…I don't think I can…”

“Just do it, Radditz!” Gohan hissed back at him. If the pressure wasn't released, he was going to scream.

Radditz grit his teeth and wiped the cutter as best as he could on his clothing, “I am sorry,” just before he made an incision. He was exceedingly surprised Gohan didn't scream or curse or…and then it made sense; Gohan had blacked out from the pain.

Radditz dropped the cutter to the floor, but resisted the urge to pull Gohan up. Instead he ran his fingers through his hair, “I am sorry,” he repeated, wishing this had been thought through better.

Gohan shifted the tiniest bit, whining before he gasped. Radditz thought he had come to for a moment, but that wasn't the case. The kid was still blacked out…and then a tail just sprouted.

Radditz couldn't think of another way to put it, one moment, just that little sign of discomfort, and the next it was back, smacking him wetly in the arm. He rolled Gohan over gently, cushioning the kid's head in the crook of his elbow as he brushed strands of hair from his forehead, “You in there kid?” he asked quietly.

Gohan purred at the gentle fingers against his face before he was fully aware of his surroundings, “Huh?” he grimaced in remembrance of the pain, but it was only a ghost to his senses.

Radditz levered him up, and kissed his forehead, “It came back,” he said with mixed emotions. He was happy the tail had come back; he just didn't want to have to do anything like it again…ever.

Gohan struggled weakly to sit up. He frowned at his lack of motor skills, “A little help,” he requested.

Radditz chuckled and helped him sit up the rest of the way, before grabbing Gohan's tail gently, and pulling it forward for him to inspect. Gohan grinned, “Wow,” he said, taking the tip of it from the commander's warm hand, “It's going to take some time getting used to it…”

Selypa backed the rest of the way out of the building as things became a little more intimate between the other two.

~o0o~

*A/N - I am going with the eight-year moon cycle for planet Vegeta. In this case, sayians think of `new moon' as the first time it is actually visible after two years of darkness.