Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Taming ❯ From the beginning ( Prologue )

The Taming

Chapter One

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of its characters. *cries*

Warning! This story contains shounen-ai and will probably advance into Yaoi in later chapters! If you find this offensive in anyway or are under the age of 18 then please read no further!

Special thanks go to Bardockgurl for beta-ing this for me.

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The soft red light of Vegeta-sei gleams from the starkness of white marble. This morning I will revel in the design of my bedchamber because it exudes an air that is so befitting of my title. Dramatic and similarly strong, it is offset with an elegance and grace as becoming as it is captivating. There is little here that separates indoors from out. There are no barriers other than the columns, which draw an imaginary line from bedchamber to veranda. Even though we are in the heart of my planets winter cycle, there is nothing more to worry about than the smallest of cool breezes as it drifts in through the open structure and blows gently over my heated face.

There can be very few times in my life that I have ever been this at peace within myself. There is nothing in the vicinity that could possibly scold me into anything other than calm right now and the slight stirring and deep toned breathing that reverberates next to me, only seems to add weight to the peculiar daze that has me so totally subdued.

"Mmmm Vegeta Sama!" It mumbles in the throes of some cotton filled dream.

I look down at the creature that dares to share my bed on this glorious morning and am surprised to realise that I share no antipathy towards it… I correct myself… him.

It is an unusual sensation indeed… this… well…I cannot precisely define what the emotion is? I have the distinct impression I struggle to place it merely because it is an emotion. Someone of a weaker stature might call it compassion, feeling, perhaps even companionableness. Of course, the third-class would prefer me to call it love, but I scorn the sentiment - even though (as much as I have tried) I cannot scorn him.

We have been through so much together. I'm guessing it must be something more substantial than I can give either thought or voice to that has dragged us this close. The musing of a mind as in turmoil as mine ought to be more poignant I guess, but I do not need so much concentration anymore because for the first time in decades, I know what it is to have peace. I'm enjoying the way my mind is slipping so easily from thought to thought. It is surprising how wonderful confusion can be, especially when I have spent the majority of my life dwelling on its darker aspects.

Well here I am anyway, trying to place exactly what it is that defines this moment, but I guess it is hard for you to sympathize when you are wondering what tale is to be told? I bet you're curious to know what could possibly combine the prince and his pauper so well? How exactly did the third class warrior Kakarrot end up to be privileged enough to share a bed with his prince - soon to be crowned king? Well, come with my thoughts onto a small journey through events that could break, but which ultimately only secured the will of one man.

The trouble is - where to start?

I guess nothing can be recounted before the very beginning, and for that I have to take you back five years - to the first time I ever met with the creature known as Kakarrot. At the time though I am guessing he was less than thrilled to meet his prince, as is anyone who is unfortunate enough to end up directly in my path. I think this may be a hard story for me to tell, because I am still unsure what changes have been implemented by it. Perhaps I will tell you it as a series of events, a stab of continuation, in the haze I now see it though. I am no narrator, but I speak as I find, which is at the moment a riddle of confliction.

The first thing I can remember about that day was the weather. There was unsettling damp in the air, which advanced into a sensation just short of drizzle. I have never felt so much water, not even during the large storms in the year of the great flood. Grey mist surrounded us in great swathes and clung to everything it touched. Not even in the swamps of Al'ejah had I encountered such odd conditions.

It was the first day I spent on that miserable planet, although I had been orbiting it for several weeks. E'arth had been the Saiyan pronunciation, but it wasn't until much later that I found out the inhabitants actually called it Earth. Such a peculiar name - its Saiyaningo translation being 'life.' The meaning wasn't lost to me that day. In fact, I remember finding it strangely ironic that I was there in such a capacity.

The light of my ki made such imaginative patterns across the sky as I walked the few steps across the planets surface to reach the creatures lined up for my approval. Most of them had been stripped to the waist to give me a hint as to strength in their body definition. (At that time, build and guile were the only clues I had to go on. It was too risky to use a scouter.) Mud splattered the majority, mixing with the sweat of their manual labour to form murky rivulets that covered each in curious configurations.

"This is ridiculous!" Emphasis was added to my words, and I surveyed the offerings before me. "You honestly expect me to believe that this is the best this planet has to offer?"

"Your majesty. We have scoured all corners of this planet and have selected the highest acclaimed fighters on its surface for your approval. If you would like… I… I…"

In the deliverance of a withering glare, the soldier chose silence rather than death.

With temperance gained, and the correct atmosphere for my studies, I looked at each warrior (the term was only just shy of ludicrous) with greater precision. As I passed most met my eye, the terror my visage inflicted foremost in every one, but one… well one, no matter how many times I past it, just would not give itself to me.

"You!" I demanded. "Look at me."

The creature really was a pathetic sight. A long black forelock of hair was squashed under the damp and mud of the surrounding vista. It hung over the visage, and relinquished its watery burden over the face. Two dark orbs looked up to me through the mess.

I think my lips turned slightly as I studied. Oh yes! The creature was trying to hide something all right. I could see it in the concentration protracted into that stare. The trouble was at that point I could not quite fathom what it was. "What is this creatures identification?" I hoped a name might lend some direction.

"Prisoner 6295A3." The soldier could pass for an automaton. "Species - Human. Cultural designation… Yamcha."

"Yamcha." The name sounded odd on my tongue. I chuckled under it. "Yamcha."

I moved closer and the creature tried to crawl back as I approached. A futile effort of defiance it was. His hands were tied with scaream binds and not even I could escape if they were secured around my mine. There was perhaps, now I remember it, a rush of energy that surrounded its outline, but it did nothing but increase my derision. The poor thing had no idea why it couldn't escape.

"You should feel honoured." I continued. "You have gained the attention of the Royal palace of Vegeta-sei. You will live… for now. You are the only one here worth salvaging. Perhaps you might do well for me, but I doubt it. I have the feeling you will be poor sport in the end."

Still laughing, I turned away.

"Goku will make you pay for what you are doing."

The words were little more than a veiled whisper, and perhaps for its own species, hard to decipher. They were not however, lost on me. My interest was attained.

"Will Goku indeed?" The thought intrigued me. "Soldier do we have anything on a creature with that designation?"

"Yes sir! It is the special capture of section forty-two."

My eyes closed in complacency, "Ah yes, so it is. An interesting read its profile proved to be. I can see why this creature would look to it for support. Too bad it has already been subdued."

There was a gasp.

"There, there. Don't worry Yamcha its not like it's the end of the world. At least… not yet."

"Your kind have killed my best friend, my girl friend, even Kami is gone and without him… without him…" His body sagged with a look of despair I could bathe in. "You've destroyed so much life, and so much that was beautiful. You will pay for your crimes."

The poor delusional being! Did he really think such words would belittle me into conscience? "How terribly rude of me." I plied the sarcasm in thick layers. "But then I guess a different entity might actually give a shit."

Not liking the captive's mouth any more than its feeble fighting ability, I kicked a divot of dirt in its face.

"Take me to this Goku. I still have yet to decide its fate."

"What about these workers?"

I grabbed a handful of fabric and slung the creature known as Yamcha into the soldier's arms. "Take this one to the holding cells."

"And the others?"

My nose swept up in contempt, "The others I have no use for… dispose of them."

Disparagingly I walked away, wiping clean my now muddy gloves. Ugh! I couldn't believe I'd actually touched the creature. Who knew what kind of diseases it could be carrying!

Not long was spared before my order was carried out. There was an assortment of ki fire behind me and explosions demolished the ground I had stood on only moments ago. I did not turn to face the light show. Even when the smoke and debris flew past me in great plumes of devastated smoke, I carried on my course, not even having to bother to flare my ki to protect myself. Besides I prefer to be able to breathe in the sent of chaos. There is something incredibly addictive about the faint toxicity of freshly expelled ki.

"This way sire!"

I was lead not too far away from my space ship. On the outside, my destination appeared to be nothing more than a sandbag-lined bunker. Its flimsy metal structure, however only told half the story. It's concrete tunnels, burrowed vast distances into the natural bedrock. According to my guide, its original purpose had been to store grain of some description, but for the present, it served well as a temporary penal complex. It now accommodated the more volatile prisoners.

With a guard on either side, I made my way impressively through the locked double doors. Large bolts were drawn clumsily across to allow for my arrival and I was met by a handful of armed guards. They saluted to me once and I was quickly escorted through the differing sections (each with ki suppressing units,) until I came to the very end division.

A familiar figure rose to meet me.

"Your majesty!" It barked in surprise, falling to one knee.

"There is no need for formalities Bardock!" I sermonized turning to look into the five-foot square cell. Even though I was so close, the lack of lighting made it hard for me to tell anything of its resident. "What do you make of it? Is it the one we were searching for?"

"Undoubtedly. Look at him."

I squinted in the darkness, but could easily make out the crown of spikes that jutted from its head at unnatural angles. The resemblance was striking. "Its mission was not carried out… have we established why?"

"No. He is far too high on cantoir herbs to know anything right now."

"You used cantoir on it?" I couldn't keep the astonishment from my voice. "Was that really necessary?"

"Not really, but short of killing him, it was apparently the only option. It seems he would go down fighting or not at all."

"Just as any pure Saiyan should…" I countered with a grin, "but what of its fighting power?"

"It was at a scratch above two-hundred when he was captured, but I think he has the capacity for more. If he is properly trained that is." Bardock looked up to me with a smirk. "You shouldn't expect too much though. He is of third-class blood and still in his late teens."

"Still… two-hundred is disappointing." I pondered, thoughtfully scratching my chin and chanced a wry grin at Bardock "Especially considering its heritage, but I guess, for the moment that is irrelevant. Now tell me. Does Lord Frieza know of its existence yet?"

There was a glint in Bardock's eye. "No."

"Perfect!" The swarm of shadows in the corner shifted slightly under my gaze. "Keep it that way. It will give him an appropriate shock at the next meet. If we can get it tamed in time of course. Do we know anything of its ties on this planet?"

"Fortunately he is too young to be mated. There was only one close friend… Bulma, but it appears she was killed in the first wave of fire across the southern sector. A pity really… she was said to be a genius in her field. Her knowledge might have come in handy."

I gave him nothing more than a tilt of the head. "Too bad… but all is not lost. See what you can find out from the laboratories. I doubt anything created by an E'arthling could be that monumental, but some of the information might prove useful. You will head the science team."

Bardock's feet pulled together as his back straightened. "Yes sir!"

"Good! You're dismissed. I wish to spend some time alone with the subject."

Under the order, my companion turned to leave, but something made him stop before he reached the end of the hall. His body language almost seemed defiant as he turned to face me. "Permission to speak freely your majesty?"

I eyed him curiously for a second. "So long as it keeps within my temper."

"Will I get to train him?"

I think I smiled at his transparency. "Now, now Bardock. You wouldn't be getting sentimental on me would you?"

"No, but if we are to get the best out of the boy we will need him to feel secure in his new life. After all, he is my son. According to my data on this planet, familial ties are very strong."

"And what makes you so sure I will keep it? Perhaps I will blow it to pieces in the same way Frieza will this planet when I am finished."

His eyes opened in barely controlled dismay. "Surely you wouldn't!"

My anger at his invective was only just kept in check. "Don't push me Bardock. If it does not reform then I will have no choice." I calmed my breathing. "But do not doubt your prince. Our race has become too small to play with life as flagrantly as used to be custom. Any decision on its future will be taken under heavy debate with my father and the two remaining heads of state. I cannot change the creature if it does not want to be. If it is still defiant after the first year then we may be forced to take drastic actions."

He closed his eyes and bowed once, respectfully. "I understand. I am honoured that you have bestowed this mission on me Vegeta Sama! I will not forget."

I nodded my agreement. "How long before Frieza arrives?"

"Not for another week, but you need to be gone in the next two days if we are to cover our tracks."

"My first officer gave you the coordinates?"

"Yes!" he agreed, his face morphing into that of my lifelong companion and commander.

"Then I will not chance another meeting. You know what you have to do."

Bardock took a step forward and cupped my face in his hand. Normally I would not allow such close contact from my subordinates, but with the commander, it was very different. "Be smart chibi!" He scolded, and I could feel his heated breath on my face.

I smirked at him as he looked so coldly into my eyes. "Is that concern?"

"Not in this lifetime!"

He moved towards me once more, before turning heel and marching proudly out of the room. Even as he went, I was caught between anger and confusion at the ghost of his lips on mine. He took too much delight in playing with me at times. A licence that I more frequently than not, found hard to tolerate.

I listened to his booted footsteps for a good five minutes as they disappeared through the maze of tunnels. Not until the last of the padding had surrendered my hearing did I chance to look back in the cell before me.

I silently pondered the situation, weighing the risk against my curiosity. Deciding I needed closer scrutiny, I relinquished the shield. The cantoir injection would keep its power and mind muted for a long time yet and I couldn't resist seeing the face that had caused me so much trouble.

As I approached, the figure was hunched. Its fingers were drawing lazy patterns in the dust-covered floor. Not wanting to disturb it more than I had to I crouched down next it. My gloves were dirty enough, so unfurling my tail I used that appendage to join the creature in its strange play.

The action worked as I hoped it would. The son of Bardock turned to face me. I still remember the astonishment I felt as its eyes met with mine. It was like looking at the mirror image of the commander himself. There was one major difference though. Its eyes! There was something, which literally shone in their depths. Something that I confess, unnerved me more than I could imagine, quite simply because I could not place it.

I think it must have sensed my confusion through the drug, because it smiled at me once. Holding my attention captive as it put its fingers to its lips. "Shhhh!" Not having anything else to say it turned away and played as though it had never been disturbed.

For some reason the whole thing didn't set well in my stomach. Angry with myself for my lapse in composure I stood, brushed myself down, and only sparing one backward glance as I re-established the ki cell… I left.

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A/N - This is my first attempt at writing shounen-ai I hope I did ok so far. Please let me know what you think.

*Hugs*

Ember