House of Vegeta Highlights

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Kakarot is having parental pains.

HOUSE OF VEGETA HIGHLIGHTS 13 The Mind's Eye

The next few weeks on Vegetaseii were tense. Conflicting reports of sighted enemy ships in the solar system were discounted, then recounted. Commanders of every rank met in war councils, sharing bizarre information of advancing then retreating armadas of light ships. Confusion was at an all time high. Rumors of surgically altered moles proved true. Several of Frieza's agents were being held incommunicado, and some were tortured for information. The parliament wanted answers. The Ou wanted a vacation. And no one was happy.

****

Kakarot wasn't particularly happy either, for entirely different reasons. He stood in front of a full length mirror, frowning at his appearance. Silken robes curved over his bulky middle.

"Shit!"

The ouji sat up in bed. "Get back over here, Kakarot."

"Vegeta, look at me. I'm a fucking fat ball!"

A snicker. "Simpleton. You're having triplets. What did you expect?"

The wild one rubbed his eyes. "I can't sleep. The chibis are moving too much."

Vegeta motioned to his mate. "Come here, I said. I want you to try a relaxation technique."

With a snort Kakarot complied, walking slowly to bed. Vegeta edged alongside.

"Now take my hands and focus."

"On what?"

"The chibis. Haven't you asked them to sleep?"

Kakarot glanced down at himself. "No. Besides, I figured they wouldn't listen."

The prince shook his head. "The first thing you must do is center your ki. Relax, project calm and rest. The chibis will respond by instinct."

Kakarot clutched himself at a spasm. "But Vegeta, they're kicking-"

"Calm yourself, dammit!" the prince bellowed. "Now look at me and settle your katra."

Dark eyes met equally deep orbs. Kakarot breathed heavily, concentrating. He touched minds with his mate.

The ouji nodded in satisfaction. /Good, now here we go. Little ones!/

///we!///

/Vegeta, they respond faster now!/

/They are closer to term, and stronger./

///others here. see we?///

/Yes, little ones. But you must rest now./

///want move.///

/You can, but only a little./

///move more.///

"Hn." the ouji frowned. Kakarot stared in confusion.

"Vegeta, I don't like the sound of that-"

"Quiet. This is no time to panic, Kakarot. It should still be another three weeks-"

"Maybe we should consult with Glerunn."

Vegeta patted the round midsection. "He warned the cubs would be early."

Kakarot edged to a more comfortable sitting position. "But why? Could it be stress related?"

"Maybe, but you were born premature yourself. It increases the likelihood that you will deliver early. Still, there's no point in speculation right now. You must be calm."

The wild saiyan growled. "Easier said than done. I'm really tired."

"No doubt. Now under the covers I say." the prince pulled his cranky mate close before rolling him over. Deft hands quickly covered Kakarot in furs and blankets.

Kakarot snuggled in, eyes closing briefly. "Hn, at least that's warmer." he started sniffing.

"What are you smelling this time?" an annoyed ouji sidled alongside.

"Oh, nothing in particular. I love fresh linen, especially with you rolled inside."

"Skank. Think of something else! You're in no condition to do anything."

A pause. Kakarot stared down at their ornate footboard. "I can't even see my feet. It's pathetic."

"You haven't seen them in weeks. This is news?!"

"No, but-"

"And don't ask for more pickled snake tails, either. Glerunn said no spicy food!"

"It's hard to believe that ancient relic has four cubs."

"A saiyan always finds time." Vegeta looked around their quiet chamber. A plush pallet layered in velvet set beneath low candlelight. Nuru and Tezar dozed away, their small throats snoring in sleep. Wisps of dark hair poked over blankets.

"Hn." The ouji nodded in satisfaction. "They're sleeping soundly."

"I'll take your word for it, since I can't see them."

"You can hear them, Kakarot. Stop being a pain."

A snarl. "I'm not! Did Zorbii check for drafts in the chamber? I don't want the chibis to catch a cold."

Vegeta folded his arms and sat against the headboard. "For the millionth time, there isn't any draft. Will you stop imagining things?"

Kakarot peeped up. "I wouldn't mind a pickled snake tail."

"Am I talking to myself? What did I just say about hot food?"

"Fine!" the wild saiyan sat up also.

Vegeta attempted to push him down again. "Try to get some rest."

Kakarot shook his head. "It's too quiet."

"Hn." the ouji picked up a remote on the nightstand. "Well, let's see what's on. Maybe a movie will distract you."

Kakarot nuzzled, nipping his ear. "How about my prince?"

The ouji couldn't help but smile as he changed stations. "You're an utter fool. Now be still!"

"Wait, leave that on."

"This? I should have known." The ouji paused at a political forum show. Talking heads were discussing the war with Frieza.

Kakarot instantly relaxed. "That's better. I always like keeping up to date on all the opinions."

The ouji leaned against him as they watched, nonplussed. "Yes, 'Eye on the Blade' is pretty hard hitting and intense. The host was a senator from Lergis about thirty years ago."

"Hn, he seems fairly young. Why isn't he in active office now?"

"Remember the Reubon scandal?"

"Oh! Saddarka, no wonder."

Vegeta grinned at the screen. "Still, it's amazing how politicians always seem to overcome the improbable. The ratings on his show are top 15."

Kakarot cuddled again. He angled his view to see Nuru and Tezar.

"They look cold, Vegeta. I think-"

"They aren't cold. Now watch the program!" the ouji showed his teeth.

"You know how much noise they make whenever they're sick-"

"Not nearly as much noise as you're making now."

A melodious sound interrupted further conversation. It was the royal intercomm.

[Is everything alright?] It was Bardock's voice.

Vegeta tapped a small button on a panel. "No. Kakarot's about to drive me crazy."

[Your saba sensed his agitation. Do you need anything?]

"Eventide, father!" the wild one shouted at the intercomm.

Vegeta saw movement in the pallet. "Kakarot, you'll wake the chibis-"

It was too late. Two small heads wobbled up as shiny eyes peeped in sleepy confusion.

"That's done it-"

[Should we come around there?]

"If you would, please." Vegeta glared over at his innocently grinning mate. "I seem to have my hands full."

****

Bardock and the Ou entered the west chambers moments later. Kakarot was talking nonstop and pointing at the screen. At his side, Vegeta scowled with his chin resting in his fists. Nearby, Nuru and Tezar chirped and screeched in no particular order.

"What is all this?" the Ou demanded, shouting to be heard.

"Feel free to take him out of here." the ouji pointed at his mate. "He won't keep still and no one sleeps."

Kakarot growled, rolling to a sitting position. "I resent that, Vegeta. Is it my fault the chibis won't let me rest?"

"Krukka, what got all this started?" an annoyed Bardock picked the babies up. They promptly shrieked in his ear.

The Ou pulled up a chair. "All right, enough. I want an explanation. Why are you up so late?" dark eyes flashed impatiently.

"Nothing, Saba. Just watching the nightly news forums."

A strong hand waved at the screen. "Bah. You have a taste for dry political banter, boy. Rest is important at this stage, Kakarot. You'll both need your strength soon enough." the Ou paused with meaning.

Bardock bounced his chikki to quiet on a nearby couch. "These two are keeping you up?"

"No, these three." Kakarot pointed to his middle. "I'm tired of looking like a slaughterhouse Buldoon."

"What do you expect?" the ouji sparked. "To have a warriors build and walk with a nest?"

Kakarot flared. "Come off it, Vegeta. I didn't bargain for this! Besides, the babies are getting antsy."

"Stop." the Ou insisted. "You're both stressed and acting like cubs."

"I just want to see my damn feet again." Kakarot groused. "Besides, Vegeta won't let me have any pickled snake tails."

Bardock laughed out loud, cradling Nuru and Tezar. "Priceless. I think we'll take these two with us tonight, Vegeta. Let them argue with the other three."

"That's precisely the problem." the Ouji replied, adjusting his robe.

"The little ones are responding more quickly." the Ou surmised, eyeing Kakarot. "Their term is close."

The prince was somewhat surprised. "Ai, how did you know?"

"I heard them indirectly. Their psychic echo bounced in my head a few minutes."

Kakarot thought that over. "So you know they want to move more."

"And they will." the Ou pulled another cover over his youngest. "Be still, Kakarot. It is of utmost importance that you focus and stay calm."

"You're worried for the chibis?"

"No. You're the one who will suffer from the stress. Glerunn says your blood pressure is fluctuating too much."

The wild head tossed in dismay. "I'm trying, but it's difficult. Every time the chibis speak I think its time."

The ouji sniffed. "I guarantee when its time you won't hear anything. Now lie still!" he pushed Kakarot down for the third time.

"So you say."

"I do. Wait and see!"

The king stood again and stretched. "Good. Now remember what I said." he reached over and patted Kakarot's ample middle. "Soon enough, I think. Otherwise you might explode."

Kakarot wasn't amused. "Very funny."

Bardock also stood, dangling a chibi from each arm. "We'll take these in the meantime. Get some rest if you can."

The ouji managed a small smile of gratitude. "Thank you. I don't think the chibis can relax around us anyway."

****

Vegeta dimmed the chamber and turned off the screen. Kakarot appeared to be sleeping, so he adjusted his position to make his mate more comfortable. He snuggled into cozy warmth, propping his head against Kakarot's shoulder.

"Hn."

"Kakarot?" the surprised prince opened his eyes blearily. "I thought you were asleep."

"Just relaxing." a soft sigh.

The prince knew that pause. "All right, what is it?"

Kakarot didn't move. "This is perfect. You feel great."

"Hn."

"It's amazing how good you always smell."

The ouji yawned. "Of course, koi. Do you feel better now?"

Kakarot turned slightly. "Yes, but the chibis are still talking."

"What are they saying this time?"

"The same. They want to move."

The ouji felt his mate carefully. "They're running out of room. I'm not surprised. These last few weeks were fairly predictable."

Kakarot stroked the huge flame of hair. "I just hope I'm in reasonable shape when the war starts."

"Don't worry about that. You'll expend a great deal of energy during the birth anyway. Two to three weeks of accelerated training should have you in top form."

///where others. small like we!///

"Here we go again." Kakarot shook his head.

"Ai, I hear them too. Persistent little monkeys!"

///feel near. small ones, too!///

Vegeta put his ear against Kakarot's middle. "They're shifting around."

Kakarot flinched, growled. "I can feel it. You interpret that last message?"

"If I understand correctly, they're saying its almost time. And that Nuru and Tezar know also."

"Krukka. Everyone knows but me!"

"It isn't strictly up to them. They'll be born when your body is ready." the ouji yawned again, sitting up briefly and tucking his mate in once more. "Go to sleep. There's no point in worrying, and I'm exhausted."

"But-"

"Quiet, I said!" Vegeta dimmed the lamps again, disappearing under blankets. Everything was quiet for about fifteen minutes.

"Vegeta?" Kakarot's voice was small in the dark.

"What is it!!"

"Can I have a peppered herta hoof? Just a small one."

The ouji cried out and buried his head under a pillow.

THE END

Next: HOV Highlights 14: Frieza's true plan