Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Restraints and Liberations ❯ Conflict ( Chapter 16 )

Warnings: slavery, abuse, rape, mpregs, kawaiiness, LEMON, angst...

Rating: NC17

Disclaimers: I do not own, nor do I receive any profits from my exploitation of the characters of DBZ. Personal satisfaction is NOT technically a profit…right? Sage belongs to me…and you should be grateful the brat isn't YOURS. *grumbles at Sage's who MUST be the center of attention ALL the time* Any alien species you recognize probably don't belong to me, any you DON'T have most likely been birthed in my brain. The Lady Herself and Mijuku, the pregnant brat-whore belong to my ownest tsuin, Cleodasia.

Always for Dasia. Always.

Also dedicated to those venerable Sage worshipers whom he has graced with his seal of approval. *rolls eyes* His words, NOT mine. Otana, Manawolf, and Dark Serapha…*grins and passes around sloppy smooches* Cause I love `em too!!!!!!!

With exclusive and everlasting thanks and love and smooches and hugs and schtuff to my dedicated beta reader/danglemate bakayaro_onna!!! She works so hard on my messed up fics to make them all readable for you all!!!

And yeah, I know it's been quite awhile, but hopefully it's been worth waiting for...so please enjoy:

Restraints and Liberations

Chapter 13

Conflict

By Talon

Sage took a deep breath as he closed the door behind him. He just needed to be…alone for a few minutes, though he knew it wouldn't be long before someone knocked on the door, asking if he was all right. Sighing, he turned the water on and splashed some over his face, running fingers through his hair. He was exhausted. The ordeal in the medical center had gone on far too long in his opinion...not that his opinion mattered that much, it seemed. He couldn't handle the questions, the looks, the instruments beeping and the physician's damned voice and clinical notations. He had tried to bear it, tried to do what his parents wanted him to do. He knew they only wanted to make sure he was all right, but it had been too much, and Turles, from his place by the door had known it. Had tried to stop it. Had been brushed off by his father and by the doctor. And when Sage finally freaked out, and Turles had rushed to calm him down, Turles had been removed from the medical center by Vegeta.

Staring in the mirror, Sage shook his head. The whole palace had to have heard his screaming. But the explosions had gotten the most attention. Delicate medical equipment, diagnostic tools and whatever glass had been in the vicinity, including the computer screens, had exploded as his ki skyrocketed. None of it had made any difference, his father had still had Turles removed and had not allowed him back in. Sage sighed, tears stinging his eyes again. He knew Turles wasn't terribly far away but it hurt not having him close. Turles was safe. His family was safe too, but not the same way. They were...nervous around him. He had shamelessly sobbed and begged his father to bring Turles back but Papa had been quite firm. "You don't need him here, Sage, you are home now. You have us." He had tried to explain to Papa how having Turles close by made him feel, but it had only made Papa more furious. Sage had turned to Sebba, and Sebba's eyes had been soft and kind and understanding, but none of it had brought Turles back.

"You promised," he whispered to his reflection in the mirror. "You promised you'd stay with me, no matter what. Why aren't you here??" He knew he wasn't being fair to Turles-sama. Turles had fought the guards who had taken him away, and Sage knew he hadn't been detained in any sort of prison or anything. In fact, he was still on the grounds. Sebba had taken him aside and explained it to him. He didn't understand, though. He didn't understand why Papa was so angry with Turles...and with him. He had known, and now he had been proven right. Papa did hate him. If he didn't, then WHY had he taken Turles-sama away? Why?? He hadn't done anything wrong. His composure was slipping and he wiped the few tears leaking down his face away.

There was a soft knock at the door, and Gohan poked his head in. "Sorry, oniichan, but are you all right?" Gohan's sharp eyes took in his elder brother's distressed face and how he hastily tried to hide the fact he had been crying.

"I'm fine, Gohan," replied Sage, trying to smile at his little brother. Little indeed. Gohan was as tall as he was, and built along far more sturdy lines. He showed every inclination of being as tall and as powerfully built as Sebba, though he had the distinct look of Vegeta about him. Sage sighed inwardly as he caught sight of Gohan's mangled mane. He remembered how long and thick his baby brother's mane used to be, and even though he knew Gohan had cut his hair off to make Sage feel not so alone, it pained his heart every time he saw it.

Gohan hesitated, then decided to say what was on his mind. He came into the room and closed the door behind him, leaning up against it. "You're upset that Papa had Turles taken away, aren't you, Sage?"

Sage shrugged and sat down, his back against the cabinets under the sink, not really wanting to discuss it with Gohan. His memory of Gohan was of a chibi far too intelligent for his own good, and he was still rather gun shy at how much he had changed.

Gohan sighed quietly. He had sort of known what to expect when Sage came home especially after the discussions his parents had had with all three of them…had known how frightened his brother would be, how…different to his memory, but it was harder than he had expected. Sage seemed…smaller than his memory, both in size and demeanor. He hesitated again, before broaching the subject once more "I don't think Papa understands," he began. Neither do I, he thought to himself, but that's beside the point. "But Mama does, and I'm sure he'll let you see Turles. He is family and he saved you and…" his voice trailed off at the soft sniffle from his older brother. "I…sorry, Sage…I didn't mean to upset you…"

Sage's voice was quiet. "You didn't. I just…Turles-sama spent most of the trip trying to convince me Papa wouldn't hate me, that he'd understand. And I almost believed him. But I was right all along. I shouldn't have come back. This…" and he gestured around, "This isn't my home anymore. I shouldn't be here. I've no business here."

Gohan approached carefully and sat down beside him. "Papa...Papa never stopped looking for you, Sage. Never ever. He never gave up. He wanted you back more than anything. He doesn't hate you, I know that. He's just doing what he thinks is best for you. But...maybe it's not." Gohan reached out and grasped Sage's hand. "I know it's hard, but you've only been back less than a day. Give Papa…and yourself a chance."

Sage sighed. "When did you grow up so much, Gohan," he asked softly, brushing a tangled lock of midnight from his sibling's eyes.

Gohan smiled, though his smile was slightly sad. "Guess it happened while you were away. I'm to be Named next year, you know," he couldn't help boasting a bit.

"Yes, I remember." He couldn't suppress his shudder of fear at the prospect of his brother's Naming, after all, his Naming had sparked off the end of his life as he had known it. He reassured himself sternly it could not possibly happen again, not to Gohan, and he would make CERTAIN it did not.

Gohan stood and tugged at Sage's hand. "Come back out to the family, niichan...talk to Papa. I bet he'll understand."

Sage let himself be pulled up and out of the bathroom. It was easier to go along than to resist after all, and wasn't that what he was good for?

~*~*~*~

Turles paced back and forth in his chambers. His cousin had promised to contact him once he had gotten Vegeta to calm down, but it wasn't good enough. He didn't like being away from Sage like this and had fought tooth and claw to get back to him, knowing the child was likely to be a danger, not only to everybody else but to himself as well. But the guards were elite level and there wasn't really much he could do against them. And even now, trickling through the bond, he could feel Sage's desperate sadness and aloneness. Confirming his father did indeed hate him. Turles tried as best he could to comfort the boy through the bond, but as it was yet mostly unformed, he had little clue as to how effective he was being at this distance.

He needed to get back to Sage. Sage was all that mattered right now. If Vegeta wasn't careful he was going to undo all the progress the boy had made the past few weeks. Granted, it wasn't much, but he still was a far cry from the slave he had rescued initially. Sage was fragile. Vegeta knew this, and yet, his own stubbornness and pig-headed jealousy was enough to put his child in danger, and he didn't even see it.

Frustrated, Turles stormed to the door and opened it, only to be greeted by guards. Scowling, he slammed the door shut and stomped over to the window, glaring out at the court yard. Ironically, his chambers were the type reserved for honored guests in the palace. They were much more opulent than he was accustomed to, though it did little to ease his temper. What good was luxury when his prince was in danger? Not mortal danger...no, not with his family, but spiritual, emotional danger.

*~*~*~*~*~

"I said no, and I meant no, Sage. That is the end of this discussion," said Vegeta firmly. It broke his heart to know how he was hurting his eldest child, but he sternly reminded himself it was for the boy's own good in the long run. He was puzzled though, as Sage's head bowed in acceptance, even though his scent screamed his defiant fear and misery. Sage...didn't submit like that...if he believed something, whether he was right or wrong, he ALWAYS fought. But...he wasn't. No…Vegeta frowned. He couldn't fight. He watched as Sage made his way miserably to the futon and sat down, his head in his hands for a few moments before curling into a ball in the corner of the couch. Vegeta had a moment of indecision at that pitiful sight...was he…wrong for forbidding to release Turles, for disallowing his son to even visit him right now? He glanced at his mate whose eyes were soft, watching their child, then hardened as they turned to meet his. Maybe…maybe….no. Sage was weakened right now...but he would be stronger for this in the end. Vegeta was certain.

"I will not change my mind," he informed his mate quietly. "You know I am correct in this."

Kakkarott was silent for a few minutes before turning away. "No...I don't believe I do, Vegeta."

Stunned, Vegeta watched his mate walk away and turned his gaze back to their child. This was for his benefit…wasn't it?

Dinner was…tense. Seated in between his Sebba and Gohan, across from Vegeta, he could not eat. Despite, or perhaps because of the encouragement from all sides, his plate of food remained virtually untouched, though he managed to push it around enough to dispel some of the worst pressure. Mama's tail around his was soothing and about half way through the meal he closed his eyes and leaned against him, shutting everything else out, comforted by Mama's warmth and scent and physical presence. He must have fallen asleep, because when he next opened his eyes, it was dark, and his brothers were on either side of him, Gohan on the outside, the twins still struggling for the position next to him.

"Tora, we flipped for it, I got higher, I get to sleep by him…you KNOW I do," hissed `ten, struggling with his twin.

Normally fair to a fault, Tora replied in a heated whisper, "I'm older, so I get to say whether or not you get to."

Gohan's sleepy voice cut through the argument. "Good job, brats, you woke him up. Happy now? You okay, niichan?" He frowned in the darkness as Sage jumped away from his hand, shivering. "Sorry…didn' mean to startle you…it's okay…you been sleepin' a long time…Papa was worried."

Sage rubbed his eyes. Oh…right…he was home…things were different…this wasn't the servants quarters, the slave house, or the master's bedroom. He realized with a pang it also wasn't Turles' bunk.

The twins stopped tussling, `ten looking over curiously. "Huh...you sure sleep a lot, Sage...you sick `r somethin'? OWW!!"

Tora drew his hand back from smacking his twin on the top of his head. "Baka...you KNOW he was sick. An' he's tired. He needs his rest, so quit fightin' about who gets to sleep next to him and move. I'm sleepin' next to him. I'm th' oldest."

Before another fight could start, Sage slipped out from under the covers and off the mattress, leaned up against the bookcase at the head of the bed as a wave of dizziness overtook him for a moment, waving off Gohan's exclamation of concern. "I'm all right, Go-chan...just...I need the bathroom." And pattering carefully he made his way across the spacious room to the bathroom and shut the door firmly behind him.

Gods...waking up like that had been frightening, but achingly normal and familiar. He hadn't really wanted to leave the warm, comfortably smelly nest, but he was...pained. He knew he wasn't going to be able to get back to sleep. He needed his Master. That was all there was to it. He had to find him. He couldn't sleep like this, in this place...he was a slave. He needed permission. He needed to know if his master needed him, or…he needed to be safe. Here...this wasn't safe. Not any longer. It was good, and quiet and warm, but not safe. He managed to use the bathroom and keep up the pretense as he climbed up on the stool in front of the sink and examined himself in the mirror. He still looked like himself...too small, too thin...and lost. He washed his face slowly with warm water and stared at his dripping façade. "What are you doing here?" he whispered to the boy in the mirror. "You're supposed to be with your Master. Your family..." he lowered his head. "They don't understand. I love them...I want to stay with them...but I need him. I need Turles-sama. I need him."

Gohan knocked on the door softly. "You need any help, niichan?"

Sage wiped his face hastily. "No...I'm all right." He climbed off the stool and padded to the door, opening it slowly. "I'm all right, Go-chan," he repeated.

Gohan was quiet for a few minutes. "You never used to lie to me, niichan…I wish you wouldn't lie to me now. You c'n tell me, you know...'m not a baby like th' twins are...and," he paused for a moment. "I c'n feel in the bond, you know. Not a lot...but you're unhappy. I thought you'd be happy to be home, but you aren't. Is it because of Papa? `Cause if it is..." He stopped as Sage interrupted him.

"I didn't lie to you, Go-chan. I'm all right. And...Papa's only doing what he thinks is best for me." His silent, traitor's voice whispered that Papa hated him, Papa didn't want him anymore, but he couldn't bring himself to voice it, not...not when he was alone like this. It would be too much like admitting it and making it realer than real. "I...you know I'm not well then, not if you can feel in the bond, even a little bit. I…I think I need to take a walk," he finished lamely.

Gohan processed this, watching and scenting his elder brother carefully. Well, he wasn't lying, but he wasn't…being entirely truthful either, but about what he couldn't tell. And...the trickle from the bond was so slow and weak, he wasn't really sure if it was his own doubts and worry leaking into his perceptions or not. "You're not supposed to leave the quarters at night, niichan," he informed Sage at last. "None of us are."

Sage paused at that. He'd have to break rules in order to get to his Master. But, he reasoned, no one had specifically told HIM he wasn't to leave their quarters at night, and his slave conditioning overrode any instructions he might get from a younger sibling. "It's all right, Go-chan," he said, patting the other's shoulder a bit awkwardly. "I won't go far. And...if anyone asks, you can tell them you told me I wasn't supposed to go so you don't get in trouble, all right?"

Gohan looked horrified. "I wouldn't do THAT!!!" he protested hotly. "Give you up to save my own tail fur? Sage..." He looked earnestly into his older brother's face. "We stick together…always. You taught me that. Family, blood, kin...we always stick together, no matter what. I don't think you should leave. But...I won't stop you, an' I won't tell on you." Peeking into the sleeping room, he noted the twins had fallen asleep finally, in their accustomed tangle of sheets and limbs. "'ten an' Tora are sleepin'," he reported. "'f you're gonna go take a walk, now would be the time to do it." He made a secret gesture with his tail, and broke out into a broad grin as Sage smiled and answered with the proper secret tail slash. "You remembered," he whispered.

Smiling at his brother, Sage said quietly, "Yeah…just now. Thanks, Gohan. I'll...I'll see you later, all right?" Ruffling his brother's mane as a farewell, Sage slowly exited the bathroom, then slipped out into the long, dark corridors of the palace of the House of Vegeta.

~*~*~*~*~

Turles woke with a start, not certain at first what had stirred in the back of his mind. Sage. He's near. Looking around the darkened quarters, the shadows of the moon giving everything an eerie cast, he shoved the covers back from his body and padded to the door, pausing as he heard voices on the other side. A pleading, tearful voice, not yet reached maturity, apologetic, authoritative voices, firm, but kind and respectful. Running his fingers through his mane he pressed the door release. "Sage...chibi, what's wrong?" He made no motions of surprise when the child launched himself into his arms. Turles' eyes warned the door guards, who promptly called Vegeta-sama on their scouters. He made a single, rude tail gesture, then brought Sage into his "holding cell" as he had begun to refer to it as.

Taking a seat in a large, luxurious chair he cuddled the distraught child to him, purring and petting him until the cub's choked cries began to calm. "There now…" Wiping stray tears from the boy's face. "Now what's all this about?" His heart turned over in his chest as Sage sobbed out his misery and pain, how much he missed him and needed him.

"They're all so nice and warm and they smell right…but they're not YOU," wailed Sage. "I begged Papa to let me at least see you, but he wouldn't let me, but…I NEEDED to," he sobbed, clutching at Turles' shirt. "I…I'm sorry if I've displeased you, Mas…Turles-sama…but…but…" His voice trailed off as Turles pulled him back into a hug and shushed him.

"Sage, we've been over this, I'm not Turles-sama to you…no..." he interrupted as Sage attempted to protest. "I don't want to hear right now about how I'm your master. Not right now. That's not the issue, chibi. Honestly, it isn't. What you're feeling is bond separation. Remember we talked about our bond?" At Sage's hesitant nod he continued. "It may have been a poor decision on your father's part to keep us apart as he has. But it is not a decision we have the power to second guess. However...I will not make you leave. I don't want you to leave, chibi. I want to be able to make you feel safe." He purred comfortingly and stroked back shocks of damp blue-streaked onyx from Sage's brow. "Whatever else may happen to you, little one, you can always come to me. Understand?"

Sage nodded, calmed a great deal by his Master's voice and presence, sighed loudly. "I...thank..." Jumping as the door was opened again, Sage cowered against Turles as his father stalked into the room.

"Vegeta. Return to your room at ONCE." Vegeta no Ouji's voice was calm, but even the calmness could not iron out the shaking fury laced all through it.

"Papa," Sage started, his voice little more than a squeak, but he was silenced as Turles' arms tightened around him, and another voice broke the tenseness in the darkened quarters.

"Vegeta." Bardock's voice was composed as he rested one hand on his bond-son's shoulder. Kakkarott came up behind his father, looking slightly out of breath. "Vegeta," said Bardock again. "Son, we need to talk."

To be continued...

Mijuku-muse: *snoring cutely*

Sage-muse: *sprawled across his muse-partner, hair adorably sleep mussed*

Talon: *waiting patiently*

Muses: *still sleeping*

Talon: *quietly gets the hose and turns it on them*

Muses: *scream, sputter, swear and wail*

Talon: That's better. Now…plug my fic!!! Do your jobs!!!

Mijuku-muse: *sniffling, then delighted* Look!!! My gauze goes transparent when it's wet!!!

Sage-muse: *growling under his breath about lazy writers, eyeing Mijuku-muse with interest*

Talon: *sighs and gives up* Um…review please?