House of Vegeta

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A/U

HOUSE OF VEGETA pt. 22: Another Chibi! More Chaos

Madness.

Glerunn shook his head. Ruba entered his private chambers with news
that would rock the castle.

"Be certain you tell the truth here, woman!!"

Ruba nearly laughed. "You serve the house as I do, Glerunn. Spare me
your bluster. After many years of indescretions, surely you aren't
surprised!"

The grizzled physician sighed. "No. Where is the cub?"

"Secured safely in the catacombs of the castle. She's being attended
to by Kashe and Juttak."

Glerunn let out a stream of curses. "I had hoped things would
stabilize, at least for a while. But now..."

"Aye, 'tis impossible. Another chibi presents a special problem."

"Has the child been tested?"

Ruba looked about secretively, her bejewelled wrists clanking. "Ai,
the baby has royal blood. Determining the father will be difficult,
though. You know why."

Glerunn was grim, reaching for a drink. "Hai. Damn these royals!!
They think with their cocks."

"How will we know the father?"

Glerunn paused, thinking. "Bring the chibi up to me. The Ou must be
informed of this immediately."

"What do you plan?"

"More tests, to narrow the list of suspects."

Ruba grabbed a drink from the tray. "There's enough..."

"Ai, but first things first."

"How do you think the Ou will react?"

A pause. "I dread thinking about it."

****

The aforementioned King was annoyed at being summoned from a social
dinner. Glerunn's secrecy piqued his curiosity as much as it angered
him. He took a helipod across the province home.

_Odd...why would the royal physician site an emergency? I sense no
illness among my own._

Mind awhirl with questions, he stared out the viewglass in
distraction.

****

Bardock likewise was perplexed at being called from active
assignment. He was leading a small contingent of spies near the
transit routes of Frieza's supply sector. A transmission from the
castle was received aboard ship.

"What bullshit...I don't have time to run back to the castle on a
whim!!"

The nervous junior officer bowed slightly. "But commander...the
message is being cited as code red from the castle."

Bardock lifted an eyebrow. "Code red? What the frack is going on,
anyway?! Are they under attack at home?"

"The message doesn't go into detail. It's merely sited as a medical
emergency."

The handsome commander frowned. _Medical? The cubs are fine, what's
this about?_

"All right, we'll never solve the mystery here. Set course for Saiya
immediately, Odakk."

"As you command."

****

Vegeta no Ouji, Kakarot, and Raditz waited impatiently in a sealed
off conference area.

"What the hell were we summoned here for?" Kakarot demanded. "This is
ridiculous...I have students to train!"

Vegeta folded his arms, annoyed as he sat at a polished table. "Hai,
and I attended an important meeting."

Raditz was sullen. "I was detained from maneuvers for this silliness.
We've been sitting here for nearly an hour. If we don't get an
explanation in the next few minutes, I'm leaving!"

"Agreed." Vegeta answered, looking around. "Some emergency!"

Silent feet entered the room as a familiar physician entered.

Kakarot turned. "Glerunn! What's this about?"

The grizzled saiyan was grim. "All your questions will be answered
shortly. We but await the Ou and Regent Bardock."

The young men stared at each other. "Whatever for?" Vegeta wanted to
know. "Why the secrecy?"

"I can't reveal the purpose until they arrive, prince. Please be
patient."

"Patient!!" Raditz thundered. "We've been sitting here like idiots
for an hour."

"A bit longer, hotheaded yandu (duke)."

Radtiz stared, unaccustomed to his rarely used title. "Must be
serious."

"It is. More than I can say without-"

"Without what?" a familiar voice countered suddenly. Everyone turned
as Bardock entered, irritation clearly reflected in his expression.

They all gave greeting as he nodded, seating himself at the
table. "Does anyone know what this is about?"

"No, it's Glerunn's show." Kakarot answered. "We await the Ou."

Bardock blinked in surprise. "He was summoned too?"

Glerunn coughed nervously. "A bit of patience, Regent Bardock. Once
King Vegeta arrives, we can begin."

"Begin what, physician? Do you know I was called from a prime mission
for this bullshit?"

"It isn't bullshit, Bardock. I have news that will affect all your
lives."

"What!!"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "He's said this repeatedly. I wish father
would get here, so we can put an end to this nonsense."

"He is here." The Ou strode in majestically. Everyone abruptly stood.

"Sit, all of you. The formality is unecessary here, since it appears
to involve family only. Now why are we summoned, Glerunn?"

"Please be seated with the others, o King. I have shocking news."

Vegeta Ou looked at the others as he sat. "And that news is?"

A deep breath. "A chibi was left on the castle grounds this morning."

"So what?!! Do you realize I could have you whipped for disrupting-"

Glerunn glared defiantly, eyes blazing. "A chibi from your line,
Vegeta!! She was left in the garden today."

Stunned silence. Finally the Ou found his voice.

"How, Glerunn? This is..." he couldn't finish.

The physician paced the conference room. "The cub has tested positive
for blood type and ki wavelength."

Vegeta no Ouji swallowed quietly. "You said 'she'."

"Ai, 'tis a girl chibi."

Bardock was grim. "How old!!"

Glerunn appeared uncomfortable. "Nearly seven months. The child is
healthy and solid."

Kakarot exploded. "You mean to tell me someone just left a baby at
the castle? Who?!"

"We have no idea. Presumably the mother could be tracked down, but
there are more immediate concerns." he looked to his Ou.

The king was redfaced. "Go, Glerunn. I have much to say here, not for
your ears."

The ouji was subdued. "Perhaps we should view the cub-"

"All in good time." The Ou snapped. "Glerunn...go!!"

The physician bowed. "As you command. Should I have the child brought
up?"

"Wait fifteen minutes. Now go."

Glerunn glided out quickly. Vegeta Ou stood slowly to his full
height, ki crackling a blue flame around his powerful form. He
glanced briefly at Bardock.

"Don't even think it, Vegeta."

The Ou shook his head quickly. He glared at the others.

"Someone had better start talking!!"

Vegeta, Kakarot and Raditz stared at each other in shock and
suspicion. The ouji spoke first.

"Don't look at me...perhaps Kakarot cheated!!"

"Speak for yourself, Vegeta!" Kakarot shot back. "I could say the
same thing!"

"Liar!! I knew something happened during the last jungle run!"

"Ask Raditz...leave me out of this!!"

"Bullshit." the maned saiyan countered. "You two are the ones-"

"ENOUGH" the Ou roared, silencing them all.

Raditz flashed sharp teeth. "Don't you realize what this means? Did
you hear what Glerunn said? The baby is of the Vegeta line!" he
glared at his father.

Bardock glared back. "Your point, Raditz?"

"No more games, father."

"That's enough, Radittszu." the Ou growled his full name. Startled,
the younger saiyans paused.

"Wild accusations get us nowhere here. The child has tested positive
for my blood line."

Kakarot had a strange expression. "Well then, it's cut and dried
right? Either you or Vegeta must be the father."

The ouji eyed his mate coldly. "You dare?"

"That's all crap and you know it, Kakarot!" Raditz pointed at the
king. "Something else is going on."

The Ou suddenly appeared uncomfortable. "I have no idea what you
mean, boy."

"Why are _all_ of us here? Father included!" he glanced at a suddenly
quiet Bardock.

"Ai, I'm fed UP with secrets!!" the ouji sprung to his feet. "I have
two cubs, not three! I don't care about Glerunn's tests, or some
foolishly deluded female who can't handle motherhood."

Kakarot eyed his father hard. "I'm more concerned with what Glerunn
knows."

"Stop looking at me, Kakarot." Bardock warned.

"We can't be at each other's throats." the Ou stated. "This matter
WILL be resolved."

"How, father?" Vegeta rounded again. "The baby exists...what do you
suggest here?"

They stopped at a sound. Glerunn reappeared with a small bundle. A
hush fell over the saiyans.

"I waited for the duration, my Ou. Here is the baby." Glerunn set the
bundle on a small pallet over the conference table.

The Ou sighed, pulling folds of cloth away. The chibi was beautiful.
Dark spikes were pulled into a little ponytail. Shiny black eyes
peeped alertly.

"She's...lovely." Kakarot observed in wonder. "I just don't
understand how anyone could abandon her."

The baby clucked. Bardock shook his head in resignation, instincts
screaming the truth.

"They must truly be mad." Vegeta agreed, touching the tender face.
The chibi nibbled his finger.

Raditz stared down, feeling a strange warmth. "We have to know, one
way or the other." was all he said.

The Ou picked up the chibi. "Hai, she's solid...a real beauty."

"I must interrupt here." Glerunn spoke suddenly. "The father must be
determined."

"What's the problem? You said tests were already taken." Kakarot was
suspicious.

The physician appeared nervous now. "Blood testing can pose
problems." he faltered.

"Particularly when it's all the same." Raditz murmured. Bardock
glanced at him sideways.

Glerunn gave the Ou a pleading look. "What would you have me do here,
milord?"

Vegeta Ou was glum as he held the baby. "These other tests...what
would be involved?"

"I...would need cell samples from all possible parents..."

The ouji blinked. "Say what?! Which of us do you suspect?"

Glerunn fell to silence. Kakarot exploded, his patience at an end.

"I want the truth, no more bullshit!! No more secrets, no more lies.
I'm tired of suspicions, tired of wondering. Who's chibi is that?!"

Bardock looked striken. The Ou glanced away momentarily, not
answering. "Glerunn...run whatever tests you need."

"But, my Ou-"

The king shook his head. "It doesn't matter anymore. Prepare your
tests and return later. We'll cooperate."

"Wha...ALL of us?!" Vegeta stammered. "Then that can only mean-"

"Oh, Kami" Raditz breathed, holding himself. "I never would have
thought..."

Vegeta Ou sat, cradling the infant. His voice was heavy with
emotion. "Forgive me, all of you."

Kakarot thought he'd pass out. "It's true" he whispered. "All of
it...Vegeta warned me..."

"Sit, luni. Sit and listen."

Kakarot sat numbly, not wanting to believe. Even the ouji could only
gawk at the implications.

Kakarot could only drop to his chair. Bardock spoke, then.

"Vegeta-"

"Useless now, koi. You know it as well as I."

Bardock hung his head slightly. "Ai, they need to know."

"I already know!" the ouji's voice was strained.

Bardock smiled at him gently. "Maybe some. Not all."

Radtiz felt his throat go dry. "All?"

The Ou waved at Glerunn. "Get your equipment and return shortly."

Glerunn nodded solemnly. "I need a cell sampler...it will only take a
few minutes."

"Good. Leave us now."

Glerunn was gone again, relieved. The Ou placed the chibi on the
table. Bright eyes shone as the baby clucked, crawling about. The
adults stared in wonderment.

"You were saying." Raditz stated, on edge.

The Ou sighed again. "What will be said here...doesn't leave this
room."

They all nodded grimly. Vegeta continued.

"How many of you sense this child?"

Nervous eyes glanced about. Bardock folded his arms impatiently.

"Vegeta...we all do. You know this."

The wild one looked to his mate. "I didn't believe you, Vegeta..."

The ouji watched the baby. "No, Kakarot. Something else is wrong
here!"

The Ou nodded. Raditz held out a hand. "Wait...how can we _all_ sense
the cub, unless..." he nearly choked.

Bardock was very still. "The three of you must listen."

"No lies, father!!" Kakarot bellowed.

"No lies. It's time all of you knew the truth."

"Your hand was forced because of this baby!" the ouji shouted. "I
know I'm your other son!!"

Bardock was shocked to silence. "You...knew?" he paled. "When?"

Vegeta looked down. "Long ago, I sensed it. Did you think I
wouldn't?!"

"I'm...Vegeta, forgive me." Bardock stood suddenly, his voice pained.
The Ou cringed.

"Tis my fault as well, chibi. I raised you as prince because you most
nearly resembled me."

The ouji laughed bitterly. "Funny...so I'm prince under a vague
circumstance!"

Bardock crushed him in a bear hug. "Never say that! We loved you."

Kakarot swallowed, his throat closing. "So my brother...is my mate
after all. And my children are...are..."

Raditz squeezed his shoulder. "Easy, little brother. Vegeta and I
suspected this for some time."

The Ou couldn't believe it. "How long have you wondered?"

"Many years...father."

The king went white. "Radittszu!!"

The burly saiyan laughed madly. "I'm loving this...a saiyan's
instincts are ever true. What made you think the truth would hide
forever?"

The King appeared defeated. "Perhaps I've been a fool."

"Kakarot and I spent so much time at the castle, in and out over the
years...it made no sense. And I heard whispers from servants."

"I regret that, Raditz. Would that I could claim you and be done with
it, but..."

"Royal pressures. I understand that, unlike my hotheaded sibling
here." he glanced at Kakarot.

"You know nothing, Raditz." the younger saiyan snapped.

Meanwhile Vegeta didn't move, still held by Bardock. Emotions tangled
in mind speech.

/Why...why couldn't you say it?/

/I wanted to, so many times. But we couldn't risk it./

Kakarot was concerned. "Vegeta, are you alright?"

The ouji pulled off slowly, his eyes wet. "Hai, don't be concerned.
Rediscovery is difficult, no?"

The wild one held himself. "I don't know what to think...it's all so
strange."

The Ou moved to embrace him. "My fault, Kakarot...you should have
been told long ago, but circumstances prevented me from revealing
everything."

A tear ran down a dark eye. "And are you telling the truth now?"

Vegeta nodded sadly. "Ai, chibi...I love all my children. It was ever
so."

Tears came then. Kakarot shuddered against the Ou, wracked with sobs.
The baby crooned softly at him.

"The little one tries to comfort you also, Kakarot." the Ou murmured
brokenly in his ear. "Be at peace now."

The ouji found his own emotions breaking again, heaving. Bardock
kissed the proud forehead.

"There is no shame here, I only regret the deception."

Raditz covered his eyes, struggling with his own
feelings. "What...about the baby?"

As if in answer the chibi chirped at him, crawling in his direction.
Startled, Raditz removed hands from a tear stained face.

"What do you, little one?"

Bright eyes shone as the cub cuddled. Astonished, Raditz could only
hold her.

Kakarot gained some measure of control. "Now what...this is insane."

The Ou still held him. "We determine the father."

"What about public scandal?" Vegeta was muffled against Bardock.

Vegeta Ou sighed. "We'll worry about that later. I may issue a
prepared statement to the public."

Kakarot looked at the king closely. "Raditz looks like you...father."

The Ou grinned. "He favors me, aye. Well did I name him."

Raditz nodded slowly with pride. "Lord of Power..."

The prince gained a measure of control, sitting next to his
mate. "There's one thing I don't understand. Raditz was first born..."

"And you wonder why he wasn't named prince? There was too much
danger, Vegeta. My enemies were quite active at the time, and would
use my child against me. And there was the matter of the Queen."

Kakarot wiped his face. "She wouldn't accept your cub."

The Ou shook his head fiercely in memory. "No...she was adamant about
having our own chibis. Agents and spies watched my every move. Add to
that there was no way I could explain a sudden heir with no public
record."

Radtiz was intrigued in spite of himself. "Then, it was more
complicated than we could have imagined."

"Ai, the life of a royal is unlike any other, Raditz. But I swore to
myself that no one would raise you except my mate."

Raditz eyed Bardock in surprise, who only smiled gently.

"You never mated the Queen?!" the prince couldn't believe his ears.

"We had no bond, Vegeta. I never loved or felt passion for her."

"Kami!" Kakarot stared at both parents. "This went on from the
beginning, then?"

The Ou nearly laughed at that. "Indeed, wild one. First one, and then
another. Vegeta came along at the perfect time, and was named royal
heir."

"What about me?"

Bardock was serene. "You were a surprise, Kakarot, and the only cub I
was allowed to name. The circumstances regarding Vegeta strained the
relationship between your saba (birthing parent) and myself."

Vegeta was fascinated, then. "What circumstances?"

Dark eyes flashed with emotion at his son. "Chibi, I was sent away to
prevent suspicion. Too many were becoming aware of rumors regarding
our relationship, and the Queen herself threatened the throne through
blackmail."

"What!!"

"Ai, so your saba sent me on a mission. I felt your ki spark inside
him, it was so small..."

The ouji nearly cried again. Kakarot held him close. "Easy, koi..."

"I'm fine...you felt me even then, father?"

Bardock nodded, his own voice rough with emotion. "I resented being
sent away, but had no choice. The crown was at stake, and the queen
was positioning herself politically with the elites."

"This is...incredible." Raditz breathed. "So you were mated behind
the queen's back?"

"I suppose you could look at it that way, Raditz." the Ou was
solemn. "But know this, all of you. Mistakes were made, but we never
regretted any of our cubs."

The ouji broached a delicate subject. "But considering the chaos
our...illegitimacy caused, don't you think you should have stopped at
one?"

Bardock glanced over at his Ou, eyes sparkling. "Easier said than
done, chibi. Have you ever heard of love at first sight?"

The prince flushed in memory. "I...understand."

"It's why we ultimately didn't interfere with your relationship with
Kakarot, despite the kinship. Watching you together was like seeing
ourselves again."

Kakarot turned beet red. "Ah...so the two of you started...fast?"

A smirk. "Almost right away. It's a good thing missions kept me away
periodically. You might have had a few more rede (siblings)."

The Ou coughed pointedly.

Raditz grinned. "It seems you get your wildness from father, Kakarot."

Bardock sat again. "I was so young when you were born, Raditz...I had
no idea what to do. When your saba presented you to me, I panicked."

"But why?"

"You'll understand one day. My life was in turmoil, and I was just a
soldier training in the elite corps."

"Shortly after you avenged grandmother and grandfather."

"Hai, I even considered suicide at the time. The corps saved my
sanity, since I was at loose ends. But when I held you for the first
time...the pain of my past went away."

Raditz swallowed. "I...see. I didn't know." he glanced down at the
squirming chibi.

"Put her on the table, Raditz. She wants to move." The Ou pointed.
Raditz lifted the bouncy chibi over the polished surface. Clicking
and clucking, she clambered across the table.

"What about me?" the ouji was entranced now by the past.

"You were the chosen heir, as Vegeta said." Black eyes burned with
fire as Bardock clenched his fists. "Bedattka!!"

"Bardock!" the Ou snapped.

The others stared at the exchange. "Wait, what does this mean?" the
ouji wanted to know.

"I couldn't even hold you, claim you as my son!"

"Bardock, this isn't the time-"

"No, koi? On the contrary, it's the perfect time. You should never
have sent me away!!"

"You've never forgiven me for that-"

"Hell no! Vegeta belonged to me, not that loudmouthed bitch!!"

"Oh Kami" Kakarot breathed. "What have we started here?"

The prince felt a strange warmth bursting his chest. "It seems many
secrets fall this day."

The two elders were going at it like a clash of titans now. The baby
squealed in delight at the noisy argument.

"Damn your royal protocol and secrecy..."

"You had visitation, I never stopped you from seeing Vegeta!"

"Bullshit. You know damn well I couldn't visit openly!"

"Asshole. I am king! Would you have me hurl my heritage away, the
heritage of our children for your pride?!"

"This isn't about pride!!"

Raditz hurled a bolt of ki between them, halting the
argument. "ENOUGH!!"

Stunned, they stared. Radtiz sighed.

"Please...we're here for the present, not the past."

Bardock glowered. "The past shapes the present, Raditz. It's why
we're all here now, and with another chibi" he nodded at the infant.

The Ou dropped in his seat. "He's right. It should never have come to
this...all of you had a right to know before now."

Raditz watched the chibi crawl around. "We know now, that's all that
matters."

Kakarot thought a moment. "These tests Glerunn spoke of...how precise
can they be? If we're all brothers-"

The Ou shrugged wearily. "I have no idea. The medical arena is not my
area of expertise. He'll explain once he returns."

The baby crawled to him and paused.

"Odd." the ouji commented. The baby turned towards him next.

Kakarot frowned in curiosity. "What's she doing?"

Once again the infant crawled, changing direction once more before
stopping.

Raditz eyed the cub keenly. "Remember, Kakarot? A chibi always knows
it's own."

The infant abruptly turned at his voice next. Bardock chuckled.

"We need the tests as soon as possible...even the baby's confused."

It was true. After hearing Bardock the chibi crawled at him next
before sitting still. The fat tail puffed as she spat in frustration.

"I know the feeling, little one." Bardock grinned.

The ouji made an observation. "She's a little older than Nuru and
Tezar. See how she's capable of sitting?"

"About seven months, I'd say." the Ou agreed. "Her motor skills are
more developed."

****

Glerunn took cell samples from each saiyan. Kakarot grew suspicious
once more.

"Why are father and saba being tested as well?"

"Necessary for accuracy purposes, ouijan." Glerunn stated quickly, as
he scanned his samples.

"I find that hard to believe...unless you think they fathered the
baby as well!!"

A hush fell over the group. The Ou glared at his youngest. "You've
said enough, Kakarot. Now be silent and await the results."

"I still wonder about this. Who's to say we aren't all candidates?"

Bardock snorted. "Hardly. I'm done with that madness, loon...three
cubs is more than enough."

The ouji folded his arms, eyes narrowed. "Not an unreasonable
suspicion, however."

Glerunn lifted his hand. "If you will all please be quiet. I have the
results."

"Get on with it." the Ou commanded.

The physician coughed delicately. "Due to unusual parentage
considerations, a blood test in this instance is all but useless."

"Are you done babbling, Glerunn?" Bardock was impatient now. "We've
covered that ground."

The grizzled saiyan sighed. "Patience, regent Bardock. I will
explain. The chibi has identical dna pattern to you all."

"Can you refine your results?" Raditz wanted to know.

"Fortuneately, yes. Family members share a base dna pattern, but
within that pattern are individual variations."

"The purpose of the cell samples." the ouji surmised.

"True enough, prince. Each individual has their own unique 'imprint'
over their base genetic coding. By matching variations with those of
the cub here, I can give precise probability of parentage."

"Even within the same bloodline?" Kakarot's eyes narrowed. The Ou
went pale.

"Ai, ouijan. It's simply a matter of matching the variations of the
chibi's patterns with everyone here."

"And what are your probabilities?"

The physician paced the room as he read from his
documents. "Beginning with you Bardock, probability of fatherhood is
forty eight percent."

"Hn, nearly a tossup."

"Probability for the Ou, also forty eight percent. Vegeta and Kakarot
seventy six percent..."

Everyone stared at Raditz. The maned saiyan gawked in shock.

"And...me?"

"Probability ninety eight percent. Congratulations, you're a father."

Kakarot crowed. "Well all right!! I'm a ube (uncle)!!"

The ouji looked down. "The celebration might have to wait, koi."

"Why?"

Bardock pointed. "I don't think he can hear you."

It was true. Raditz had passed out cold on the floor.

****

The royal house reconvened in the private chambers, an ornate family
room with sleep beds and a fireplace.

The Ou and Bardock smiled, watching Raditz with his daughter. The
burly saiyan practically glowed, cuddling and purring as the chibi
chirped nonstop, her voice lilting high. Not worried with
formalities, Raditz named the baby Xenna (jewel).

The Ou was mellow, sipping brandy. "Hn, a granddaughter...will he
ever put her down?"

Bardock sat next to him on an overstuffed ottoman, his tail waving
gently. "I knew he would be like this with a cub. She's a beauty, eh?"

"Hai, perfectly formed. Bones always tell in the end."

"True."

Raditz didn't hear them. Sitting on the thickly furred floor, he
kissed and held his new daughter.

"Reo'se du narri, ey makka" (a surprise and joy for me).

Xenna clucked, coiling a fat little tail. She chirped again.

Bardock laughed. "She's singing to you, boy!"

"Ai, father. See how her eyes shine?"

"Hn, pretty."

The Ou glanced around. "Vegeta and Kakarot should be here by now."

Bardock yawned, sleepy from liquor. "They went to get Nuru and Tezar
from the royal nursery."

"I'll be interested to see how the cubs react to each other."

Raditz bounced Xenna on his lap. "You'll have cusi (cousins) to play
with, girl. Would you like that?"

Xenna chirruped once again, kicking stubby legs. Raditz laughed. "I
guess that means yes."

"What means yes?" a familiar voice sounded. Vegeta and Kakarot
entered, Nuru and Tezar in tow.

The Ou put a finger to his lips. "Watch now. Put the cubs on the
floor."

Grinning, the adults complied. The chibis hissed and spat at each
other, tails puffed.

"Not bad for starters." Kakarot approved.

Nuru edged forward first. Xenna crawled at both her cousins head on,
spitting.

The ouji strained to keep from laughing. "She's a fireball!"

"Ai, like a certain loon I remember." Bardock added, amused.

Tezar head butted her, knocking Xenna on her side. Stubby legs kicked
back. Nuru gave a high pitched growl, bulling into Xenna's side. All
three chibis went tumbling over each other in a whirl.

The adults laughed. "I wouldn't put money on this fight!" the Ou
cracked up.

"Hey look, it's breaking up already." Kakarot pointed.

The three cubs suddenly stopped fighting. They chirped and clucked,
clambering over each other. Xenna sat up, purring softly. Nuru and
Tezar curled next to her on both sides. All three hooked their tails
together before drifting off to sleep.

"That's so cute." Kakarot smiled.

The prince nodded. "Hn, it appears as though Xenna has two guardians!"

Raditz beamed at the adorable display. "Hai, she's in good hands."

****

The royal family spent the evening relaxing together, letting recent
events settle. Their chibis proved inseparable, crawling and tumbling
everywhere over thickly furred floors. The adults were nearby,
enjoying a rich feast.

Raditz felt a surge of panic as he gulped his drink. "What am I going
to do? I can't raise a chibi!"

"You can and will." the Ou told him gently.

"But saba, I'm just a soldier. I don't know anything about caring for
a cub!"

Bardock laughed out loud. "This is hilarious...I said those same
words when I held you!!"

Radtiz blinked. "You did?"

"Ai, you wrapped around me like a blanket. I often wondered if your
saba had you to trap me. We weren't mated at the time."

"I most certainly did not." the Ou sniffed indignantly.

"So you say, koi."

The prince was surprised. "I thought you had already mated by then!"

The Ou gave a sly smile. "No. I always get what I want, Vegeta." he
enjoyed seeing Bardock turn red.

"So you tricked father, then?" Raditz wanted to know.

"I knew he wouldn't refuse you, so I wasn't concerned about your
welfare."

"Had you bonded by the time I was born?" the ouji lifted an eyebrow.

"Ai, boy. Contrary to popular belief, I would not have ovees in the
palace."

"But Kakarot and Raditz weren't named prince!"

"It doesn't matter. They are royal in blood, as are you. Official
recognition doesn't change that."

Vegeta snorted. "The word, father, is besdi. Paint it any way you
want, but that's the way it is."

"If I'm besdi, so are you." Kakarot retorted, annoyed. "Being raised
as prince always did make you ass tight, Vegeta."

"Better than being a loon."

"There was no other way to handle the situation." Bardock told them
all. "Forgive us for loving too much!"

Striken, the three sons looked at each other. Raditz nodded in
agreement.

"Kakarot, Vegeta. We've had enough recriminations here. Why not see
the positives? I have a new daughter, and we have our past."

The ouji sighed, stabbing at his food. "I suppose you're right. All
of us were cared for."

Raditz looked to his youngest sibling. "Kakarot?"

"I don't hate the past, Raditz. But I won't lie and say I don't have
concerns."

"This would be about the chibis." The Ou interjected.

"Hai, saba...I'm worried about...defects..."

Bardock glanced nervously at his mate. The Ou shook his head briefly.

"Now that the three of you know the truth, I want you to access the
archives and trace your ancestral lineage. Vegeta already has
knowledge of this, since he was raised a royal."

Kakarot glanced at his mate. "You mentioned that...and something else
I remember."

The prince folded his arms. "I told you royalty is rife with secrets."

"Would those secrets include family bloodlines?"

"I said that already!"

Dark eyes narrowed keenly. "I see...I also find it odd that both our
parents tested the same from cell samples."

"We didn't!!" Bardock blurted, suddenly uncomfortable.

"Didn't Glerunn say both you and saba had a forty eight percent
chance of fathering Xenna?"

"So what? We're both a generation removed from you, Kakarot. It makes
sense the odds would be longer."

"But why the same?"

Even Raditz stared then. "What the hell are you saying, Kakarot?!"

Bardock growled at his youngest. "How should I know, luni? Do I look
like a genetic expert?"

The wild one smiled slowly. "Just a thought."

The ouji was clearly thinking about that also. "Is there something
else we should know?"

The Ou was annoyed, poking at his plate. "Like what, Vegeta? You
children drive me to distraction with your questions!"

Vegeta glanced back and forth at both parents, gauging the
situation. "Nothing that won't keep. This is a celebration, after
all."

"To answer your question Kakarot, it would be impossible for the
chibis to have genetic disorders...their breeding is too strong."

"Could you explain that?"

"It will be much clearer once you review the archives. There are
certain facts about genetic coding that the general public isn't
aware of."

Kakarot leaned forward, eyes intense. "Such as?"

"The occurance of super saiyans and how they relate to bloodline. I
won't go into detail here."

"Sounds fascinating." Raditz stated.

The prince frowned in thought. "Super saiyans..."

"What are you thinking, Vegeta?"

"Nothing, father. Just remembering something I learned long ago."

****

The chibis were returned to the royal nursery. The adults retired to
their private chambers in the castle.

Their elders couldn't sleep, knowing other secrets lay in wait.
Bardock and his Ou curled together in front of a cozy fire, wrapped
in numerous animal skins. Soft reddish glow danced across bronzed
skin.

"Vegeta, they must know all of it. We can't push this too far."

Lidded eyes fanned gently. "I know, koi...but not now. Frankly, I
don't think our cubs could handle it at this juncture."

Bardock purred softly. "There's a bargain in this, though...we have a
beautiful granddaughter, a princess."

"Ai, but the mother must be found. I don't like loose ends, Bardock.
They tend to choke you at the worst time."

"We'd better hope Xenna isn't the result of jungle run..."

Vegeta stroked blue black spikes. "I know what you're thinking...and
I agree. If that's the case the mother could be most anything, even
ragtail. That would be a disaster."

"Is Xenna truly elite? Despite appearance, her ki doesn't spike like
one."

"Ai, I could sense her relatively weak energy curve. It's a bit early
to panic, but a definite concern. Glerunn will run power ratings on
her next week."

"I felt no kinks in her tail...although the bones are somewhat rough."

"A possible indication of lower blood. But as princess she'll have
the protection of our line. None will dare question her heritage."

Bardock propped himself up on an elbow. "What about the public
relations angle? This won't go well with the elites."

"We'll have to come up with a heartwarming story. Politics."

Bardock snorted. "Tell me about it."

Dark eyes flashed with pain. "Earlier, regarding Vegeta...if there
were any other way, koi-"

Bardok silenced his mate with a kiss. "I know...I never dealt with
the resentment. It just kind of exploded."

The Ou's eyes were liquid. "I never wanted any other...I knew that
together, our children would be magnificent."

Sticky kiss. "And so they are. Everything is complete now, all our
cubs have given us chikki."

The king purred as Bardock nipped his neck. "Hn, it's a good thing my
bearing cycle is over..."

Bardock slid over his lover, lust dancing in dark eyes. "Oh? I say
let's make a few more cubs..."

"Bardock!!"

"Piles of chikki everywhere-"

"FOOL!!"

There was no further discussion as muffled passion danced beneath
animal furs.


THE END