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Atavism	By : ctsama Category: Dragon Ball Z > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 9192 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball, Dragonball Z, Dragonball Super, Resurrection 'F', or Battle of Gods or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Stakes

The walk to their opulent suite was a quiet one; even Whis was silent. Gohan’s barely contained agitation was a stark contrast to Goku’s almost cold stillness.

But Vegeta wasn’t fooled into thinking their silence passed for agreement. It was the quiet of an impending storm. There wasn’t even time to admire the spacious and comfortable receiving room; as soon as the heavy doors to it closed behind them Gohan let loose.

“Vegeta, I… I can’t believe you’d even consider this. It’s a terrible idea. It’s crazy!”

“Unfortunately I must agree,” Whis added. “There’s far too much at stake for you to risk yourself this way.”

Vegeta sighed wearily, pinching the bridge of his nose and collapsing onto the nearest couch.

Of course this couldn’t just be easy.

“I am your King! I command, you obey. It’s not that complicated!”

“Like hell it's not. It’s my job to put your well-being first and following your orders goes against that. If that’s not complicated I don’t know what is!”

Vegeta’s anger ratcheted up a notch but Gohan held his ground. He glanced over at the one ally he thought for sure he could count on in this fight, but Goku remained silent. He’d seated himself a little away from the argument, seeming lost in his own thoughts and Gohan decided to leave him to it for the moment.

“Neither one of you are seeing the big picture. I’m too close to making this alliance happen to let you clucking hens ruin this for us all! This couldn’t be more perfect. Every night I find a way to be unguarded… maybe sneak out for a little time away from my ‘keepers.’ I’ll be watched, stalked and eventually captured and taken to whoever is behind this threat, and then we can drag him back here and Yasai will set us up with any and everything we need!”

Gohan wasn’t about to be put off. “This has to wait until you’ve delivered! You’re vulnerable because of the pregnancy, and that’s a fact. If you’re going to be running around alone, making a target of yourself… you aren’t able to fight at full power. Somewhere between here and whoever’s responsible for these kidnappings you’re bound to run into someone of real strength. You’ll be in danger, and not just you.”

“The children,” Whis said quietly. He hadn’t said ‘my children,’ but he might as well have done. For all his protestations of irritation and outright denials that he’d let Whis raise any of his children, Vegeta went out of his way to make sure the babies within him had as strong a bond with Whis as they did with their father and sire. For all his power and wisdom, Vegeta’s plan would reduce him to simply an expectant father helplessly worried for his babies.

This was going to be just as difficult for him as the others.

Vegeta sympathized, but there was too much at stake to hesitate. And as much as he’d preferred living in isolation from others, Vegeta knew how to get what he wanted from people. He knew when to yell, when to issue orders… and when to placate. “I will not allow them to come to harm, you must know that.”

“But why does it have to be now? Why even take the risk?” Gohan pleaded.

“We need our targets to move quickly, to act before they have a chance to be thorough at covering their tracks. If my gut is right, Sava has something to do with this and the fact that he’s never been caught at anything tells me he’s a cautious man. If we give him time to think we might never have proof of any wrongdoing. Letting him find out I’m pregnant with twins does just that. Look, I’m not being careless, and I’m not a fucking sacrifice-in-training. As long as I’m on planet you and Gohan are going to shadow me. Once I’m taken off planet, Transmission gives me all the backup I could possibly need, if I even need it. Does that ease your minds?”

“I… Vegeta, they’re not taking child-bearers for their sewing skills. We’re talking about sexual slavery here. Krillin helped bust a ring like this once and the things they did to their captives… This is dangerous territory, for you… more than anyone.”

Vegeta flushed in a mixture of anger and shame. “If you think my incredible fragility is going to tank this little mission, you don’t know me half as well as you think.”

“It’s not your ability to get the job done that concerns me, damn it! I know you’ll do whatever is necessary to make this work, not that that eases my mind any. It’s just…”

Gohan struggled with what he wanted to say and Vegeta growled at his hesitance. “‘Just’ what? Spit it out!”

Whis took pity on them both, articulating what Gohan couldn’t. “What he’s tactfully trying to avoid saying,” Whis interrupted, “is that sending someone who’s been enslaved, tortured, and raped probably more times than they’ve consented to dismantle a slave trade from the inside out is an impossibly cruel thing to do to a friend. We just… don’t want you to do this.”

The air fairly crackled with Vegeta’s anger. This wasn’t a decision he’d come to lightly, nor was this an easy conversation to have with a room full of the people who had seen him at his absolute weakest. To have them reminding him of things he wanted to bury… regardless of their good intent he didn’t want their skepticism or hesitance, he needed their help. And he doubted his ability to convince them of that.

So Vegeta rose, moving to the one person in the room that had yet to voice his opinion. Goku had retreated into his own thoughts as soon as he realized what Vegeta had planned. His knee-jerk response had of course been one of protection, but something kept him from voicing it or simply putting an end to this crazy plan.

It took him a moment to look up and register Vegeta’s closeness, and his intense stare. “And what do you say?” he asked quietly.

Goku’s eyes darted over to Whis and Gohan, and back to Vegeta. “They… think it’s a bad idea, Vegeta.”

//For some reason I still can’t fathom they care about me. But they don’t understand me the way you do. Yours is the only opinion that matters to me right now. If you have doubts about me I’ll… I’ll wait.//

Goku frowned, not expecting Vegeta to surrender such a big decision to him. It was enough to stop him from demanding or begging that he wait.

It was true, he understood Vegeta more deeply than anyone. Neither Whis nor Gohan had heard what he did, that Vegeta - ever the lone wolf - had promised earlier to let Goku protect him. He’d even factored the help of both of the others present into his plan without being pressed to do so. Goku’s slow smile perplexed the room’s other occupants, but when he swept Vegeta into his arms and into a passionate kiss they knew what the answer would be.

When it finally ended he was ready to weigh in. “It may not be smooth, but it’ll be okay. We’ll do what Vegeta says.”

Gohan’s eyes went wide. “You can’t be serious, Dad! You of all people-”

Goku frowned again, a little anger slipping out. “I of all people know who he is and what he can do. He’s my mate and I trust him. Gohan, he’s your King and you should trust him. And Whis, he’s doing what’s best for all our kids, not just the ones inside him at the moment… you should trust him too, the same way he’s trusting all of us. Vegeta’s going to protect our children, and the future of our race. The three of us… are going to protect him.”

So used to having to fight for what he wanted, Vegeta’s heart soared at having his mate backing him… trusting him. “I will stay connected to you at all times. If you think I’m in danger, act. I swear to you I will not try and stop you.”

“I know, silly,” Goku said with a smile, hand absently curling around the softness of Vegeta’s tail.

It was all a bit much and Vegeta swayed a little. The generous meal earlier had been helpful, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the energy lost in fighting Yasai. Gohan smiled wistfully as Goku steadied him with an arm around his waist. He knew that he would never not want what his father had with Vegeta, but somehow these moments were easier than he thought they’d be.

“Woah, there. Bedtime.”

“The fuck it is!” Vegeta spluttered. “We need to plan this out-”

“Nope. Not until at least tomorrow.” Without waiting for Vegeta’s argument Goku just took over the conversation. “Gohan, get going. Tell Cabba the kids miss him and we’ll meet up as soon as we can. Oh! And see if he can get his parents to meet with us sometime. We need someone we can trust to tell us about relationships and stuff here, and how child-bearers are ‘supposed’ to act, right?”

While Gohan gaped in surprise at his father’s insight Whis very tentatively reached out to Vegeta. I’m sorry, Vegeta. I know I upset you. It wasn’t my intention… this ‘speaking from the heart’ thing seems to bypass tact. That’s not an excuse mind you, I just thought I should explain-

//Whis.//

Yes?

//Shut up. You’re going to be a great father.//

Oh. I… Oh.

//Now get out of here and find me a palace guard with good ears and a penchant for gossip. And don’t be late for breakfast.//

Whis’ voice shook a little as he spoke, but he couldn’t help it. “As you command, Lord Vegeta.”

Vegeta’s slow smile was one of intense satisfaction. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________
The rumor mill swirled, and in the last couple of weeks the Universe 7 delegation had quietly fueled it.

King Vegeta’s two companions were the puppet masters behind the figurehead; they had to be. And they were surely behind king’s display of power in the throne room… somehow. Of course his having a mate was just a ruse as well. King Vegeta and his companions all denied it, but if it wasn’t the truth, why then did the King make so many visits to see the other child-bearers in their secure compound while his ‘Consort’ remained at the palace where all the important things happened?

The rumor that King Vegeta was tired of his movements being so closely guarded was an easy one to believe as well.

When Sava pulled Yasai aside, seemingly concerned about all the flying rumors and what they meant for their people Yasai confided in his trusted General, giving him a few carefully chosen bits of information. It was true that Goku was the true King in Universe 7, and that Vegeta was simply along for the ride as a bargaining tool - a ride that he was now seriously regretting. Palace servants frequently overheard the two so-called mates fighting. On one such night, one of those same servants saw Vegeta sneaking out of his rooms in the middle of the night. Yasai then confessed to some relief because ever since then their blistering fights had tapered off.

Then Yasai had taken Sava to a private corner where no one would overhear before trusting Sava with some startling information. Vegeta was with child, and he was carrying twins, no less.

Sava shared a laugh with Yasai about pregnancy and its unpredictable effects on stubborn bearers, but Yasai didn’t miss the sharpness of Sava’s gaze at the new information, or how quickly he dismissed himself from the conversation.

As Sava strode hastily away Gohan stepped out from behind a column, looking at him expectantly. At Yasai’s quick nod Gohan pressed a finger to his forehead and disappeared from his view.

The game was afoot.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
A defenseless - and incredibly foolish - child-bearer moved at a brisk walk, just another reveller in the lively night market throng. It was his third night taking in the sights and sounds during his visit - his escape from the restrictive stodginess of palace life - though few of the vendors or shoppers could describe well what he looked like.

He was cloaked and hooded to hide himself but his scent was unmistakable. Some of the shoppers turned after he’d passed by, trying to follow the fleeting, enticing scent that trailed in his wake.

But the crowd was large, the dry winds gusty and he never lingered, and so no one managed to single him out.

As with the last couple of nights part of him wanted to linger, to enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by his people but he had a part to play.

Vegeta rounded a corner and ducked into an empty alley. He didn’t have to feign fatigue as he gave his stealthy pursuers a chance to catch him. He hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in five days. Vegeta pushed back his concealing robe and untucked his tail to expose his small but visibly swollen belly. The children’s inquisitive minds called to him and he smiled, placing a hand over them.

//There, there little ones. This is just another adventure. You’ll have seen more of them before you’re even born than most humans do in their entire lives.//

They’re gonna be restless like us, I can feel it. I have a feeling we’ll barely ever see them once they’re grown.

//I think you’re right. I also think tonight’s the night. There are more of them following me than usual.//

All right. Gohan, you still have him in sight, right?

Gohan peered over the side of the rooftop on which he perched. *Yeah, I see him. And Vegeta, I recognize the one that was giving them orders. You were right, he works for Sava. I’ve seen them meeting late at night before. Something’s happening… okay. They’re about to make their move. And may I say just one more time that I hate this plan. I haven’t been this nervous since the day I met the girls.*

I’m nervous too.

Vegeta grit his teeth in annoyance. //I’m not having this discussion again. We’re doing this, so deal with it. And you two had better remember that I have to lose this fight. So don’t throw a fucking fit or you’ll screw everything up.//

What about me? I’m perfectly capable of throwing a fucking fit and screwing everything up as well.

//Not you too!//

What? I was feeling left out.

The attack came before Vegeta could explode at his allies. Of the three ways out of the alley they closed on him from two. There were six of them all together, grinning and laughing as he pressed his back against the building behind him and tried to look afraid.

“Well, well, well. Look what we found!” one of them laughed.

“If it’s a fun time you’re looking for, we can give it to you.”

Vegeta’s mind raced. He knew this, he’d been here before. He scented his attackers’ arousal but they were far too controlled for the gang of rapists they supposedly were. //They’re just trying to scare me, they have no intention of touching me, I can tell. …They’re leaving me an escape route. Gohan?//

*Take it. Go now. There’s a city gate not far in that direction, I think they’re going to herd you there. How much do you want to bet that it’s coincidentally unmanned?*

Vegeta turned and fled from his would-be assailants. As Gohan thought, they gave chase but stayed well back as long as he didn’t try to veer from the course they chose for him.

His pursuers melted away after he passed into the outskirts of the city near the gate and Vegeta stopped, looking cautiously around. Even though he felt the man’s approach the arms that clamped hard around his chest caused a moment of panic that almost took him. Goku’s soothing presence was all that stopped him from lashing out and ending the ruse.

‘You’re a fucking King now. Focus!’ Vegeta’s self-reprimand calmed him again almost immediately, bringing him once more to the task at hand. He played at struggling as his attacker covered his mouth and hauled him quickly and quietly through the gate and into the darkness where a ship awaited them just outside the city.

Gohan’s heart began to pound as he watched. He wanted nothing more than to go down there and rip Vegeta out of the stranger’s arms. Sure, they had plans on top of plans for numerous contingencies, but… whenever he closed his eyes he saw horrible things happening to Vegeta, things he was always too late to stop. He groaned in pain wishing he could just end this all…

The wildness in him began to swell and swirl, taking advantage of his faltering control. It was difficult enough seeing Vegeta in his father’s arms, seeing this low-class wretch manhandling him was intolerable. In Goku’s absence he acted at Vegeta’s mate. They all accepted this, surely if Goku could see what he was seeing he wouldn’t allow this, surely it was up to him to stop this-

As swiftly as it had ignited, the madness calmed. But it made no sense; he controlled it, but the only thing that calmed it was-

Gohan gasped, still watching Vegeta continuing his struggle with his abductor as though nothing had happened. “How did he feel me…?” Gohan murmured. The question was pushed aside though and he cursed quietly, watching the stranger drag Vegeta kicking and twisting in his arms up the ship’s ramp.

*They’re taking him on board, Dad. I’m going to lose him…*

I’ve got him. And Whis is going to trail the ship. Just… forget going back to business as usual for now. Come back to me, we’ll monitor him from here.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
Vegeta caught a glimpse of a figure in shadow as his abductor dragged him down a hallway. He was hauled to some living quarters and shoved inside before he could get an impression of him though. When he turned he found himself locked inside with his abductor, who slapped a button on the wall and yelled a series of numbers. Vegeta recognized them as the key code to the planet’s automated defenses. Only those of high rank would have access to the code which changed on a daily basis. If his abductors had it, they surely knew the layout of any ships orbiting the planet. There was nothing between them and escape.

“We’re secure down here. Get us the hell out of here now!”

“Confirmed,” came a much more calm response. “Launching.” The ship shook and took off immediately.

“You are in a world of shit,” Vegeta growled. “I am a King! How dare you-”

HIs abductor grinned, rounding on his captive. “You are a child-bearing male Saiyan who is pregnant with twins, and who by all accounts delivers twins every time. What you are is simply ‘wealth untold.’”

“Who the fuck are you?”

“How rude of me. I’m Cela. And what I want from you… oh. The things I want from you, Lovely One.”

Vegeta snarled and fell back a step but now that the danger of being caught at kidnapping had passed he had Cela’s full attention. “You keep away from me.”

“I’m supposed to but… Just a little taste. You won’t tell anyone, I know you won’t. Because if you do, I will beat you until you lose the children inside you. Don’t fight me now; if you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you.”

“Nice?! You just threatened my unborn children you piece of shit!”

“It’s not my fault! You just smell so good…”

Cela lunged for him and in his fury Vegeta almost met his attack in kind. But strangely it was Goku that stopped him. You’re not a fighter, remember? Just dodge him, let him back you into a corner.

Vegeta heeded him, darting out of the way and backing toward a corner, lip curled all the while in indignation - and more than a little betrayal.

Goku responded quickly. I don’t want this, and I’ll come tear his arms off myself before I let him hurt you! I just have a feeling…

That was enough to give Vegeta pause. Those ‘feelings’ of Goku’s were seldom wrong. Cela noticed his hesitation and smiled before rushing him again, and this time he made contact. His prey struggled but he neutralized his quarry easily, throwing him to the floor of the cabin and dropping on top of him.

“I can’t believe my luck. You really are a feisty one, aren’t you? Shh, it’s okay. You’ll get far worse than me once we get where we’re going-”

Vegeta tuned out the man’s words. Cela was… nothing. A pathetic, weak nobody. Even in his current state Vegeta didn’t even need to touch him to kill him. And yet, under his annoyance and outrage was the hated seed of panic.

Just before Goku could change his mind Vegeta heard the door open. Cela yelped as a dark purple hand fell heavy on his shoulder and yanked him backward. His ardor seemed to cool quickly, transitioning into fear as the clearly furious newcomer grasped his throat and squeezed.

“Since when does ‘procure and transport’ mean ‘subdue and rape?’”

“It doesn’t matter,” Cela choked out. “He’s too wild. He’s going to have to be broken before delivery can be made. Why should the prep team have all the fun? As long as the merchandise isn’t damaged it won’t matter if we get him started early. Come on, I would have shared him with you-”

“Share?! I should kill you for this,” the crimson-eyed newcomer hissed. Vegeta’s eyes narrowed at a remarkable flare of power coming from him.

“Wait! If you kill me you won’t be able to meet with my contact!”

The newcomer’s eyes narrowed further as he considered Cela’s words. Clearly it was the truth, but not one he wanted to hear. “You don’t need your balls in order to do your job. And I will relieve you of them if I catch you in his quarters again. Now get out.”

He threw Cela backward, and the flunkie proved he did have intelligence by bolting for the door. The newcomer watched him go with a lip still curled in disgust, but Vegeta’s eyes were glued to him. His senses were all on full alert. The power radiating off his ‘savior’ was incredible. While Cela’s strength was a joke, this one was a real threat. Without thought Vegeta reached for Goku’s steadiness as he demanded, “Nice entrance but I’m not dropping my guard that easily. Who are you?”

He grimaced, coming closer and on instinct Vegeta crossed an arm over his belly. This time his anxiety was more than just an involuntary reaction. For the first time since putting this plan into action, he was in real danger. //Even if you feed me energy I still won’t be able to stop him Kakarot. He’s too strong.//

One way or another you won’t have to, I promise.

To Vegeta’s surprise the same hand that had longed to squeeze the life from Cela reached out now to help him up off the floor. Indignant anger welled up but Goku stopped him from lashing out. Take it. See what happens. I’ll be there in less than a heartbeat if I’m wrong, but I don’t think I am.

Vegeta did so after a moment’s hesitation. He and Goku both took his measure as Vegeta used the leverage to stand. “I’m called Hit. Your time here won’t be long but at least it will be safe. That filth won’t come near you again, I will be watching.”

“Why stop him? From what he said I’m assuming I’m going to be beaten and raped into submission before I’m sold off to be shackled to a bed for the rest of my life anyway.”

An expression of… something that could have been shame passed over Hit’s features as he released Vegeta’s hand. “Perhaps. But it doesn’t have to happen yet. I will bring you a meal soon. Enjoy your freedom while you have it.”

“I never expected such care from a slaver,” Vegeta snarled.

“I’m no slaver,” Hit responded, perhaps a little too quickly, and with a little too much heat. “This is just a contract I inherited; a bad decision made by one of my ancestors out of greed. I’m an assassin by trade. It’s a far cleaner business.”

Vegeta scoffed, looking around at his relatively comfortable room with almost lavish bedding, plenty of books and other creature comforts. “This isn’t the ship of an assassin any more than it is of a slaver.”

Hit’s expression changed ever so slightly, as though he were reassessing his captive. “I… appropriated the ship for this mission. What you say is unfortunate but true; you have been bought and paid for. This might be your last taste of freedom. I thought you deserved better than chains or a cell for this journey.”

“And what does my life as some rich asshole’s fucktoy buy you? Enough for your own solar system at least.”

“No amount of money could buy this service from me,” Hit spat. “The loss of your honor simply allows my family to keep its own.”

//Kakarot?//

I believe him, I think he’d take you back home if he could. He hates this. Don’t tell him the truth, but be yourself a little more.

Taking Goku’s words to heart, Vegeta squared his shoulders, speaking honestly. “If it didn’t mean the lives of my children I would prefer your skills as a killer to what waits for me on the other end of this journey.”

Hit’s unreadable expression finally cracked ever so slightly, finally showing the remorse Goku had sensed was there. “And I would give you that release if I could. But I must fill my contract, I have as little choice in this as you.”

“What will become of my children? Neither of them is… like me.”

“Then in all likelihood they will be taken from you, then trained and sold as bodyguards. Twins are coveted, so at least you know they won’t be separated. But you will most likely be… bred. Eventually you will produce a child or two who do share your genes, and they will also share your fate. I truly am sorry.”

With that Hit turned and left as fast as he could. I think we should find him again when this is all over. He could be a friend.

//Should I be jealous?//

Goku grimaced, feeling his mate’s stress. No need. Vegeta… I wish I could come hold you.

//…So do I. But I have no doubt that Hit would sense you. Your control over all that extra energy inside you is understandably less than perfect, and Hit is more than he seems. In any case, I seem to be safe enough for now. I need some time to myself. I’ll open back up if there’s trouble.//

Vegeta tried to narrow their contact but Goku fought him, refusing to let it happen. No. I like your skin right where it is, not half-scrubbed off your body. I’m not leaving you.

A battle of wills ensued, but it was a brief one. Vegeta was too tired and agitated to stand up to Goku’s stubbornness. //Fine. Fine! But if you won’t let me scour myself what the hell am I supposed to do? My skin is crawling.//

Strip. It doesn’t have to be all the way. …Okay, now get in bed.

//Now what?//

Lay on your left side… yeah, like that. Can you feel me, curled up against you?

As much as Vegeta hated the idea of Goku experiencing his trauma secondhand, he couldn’t resist opening up just a little more until he truly could feel Goku curled around him from their bed on Sadla, arm outstretched as it was when Vegeta used it as a pillow to rest his own head.

A sigh escaped him. //Yes. Thank you.//

I know you won’t be able to sleep right now, but I want you to as soon as you can. The babies are taking more out of you every day, I can feel it. Once you get wherever they’re taking you they probably won’t feed you that well, right? And I know you won’t be able to sleep at all; your energy levels are going to be in the tank soon. Hit isn’t going to try anything. He’s going to make sure you have enough to eat, and he won’t let Cela near you.//

//…Yeah. This is as good as it’s going to get for a while. Fine. I’ll try, that’s all I can promise.//

Good! Thank you. I’ll help too. For now… you can talk to me until you don’t feel so icky. Tell me a funny story about my brother. You have to have some good ones, right?

//He loved to run his mouth, drink, and then run his mouth some more. Of course I have funny stories. But only because they mostly end in his getting his ass kicked.//

Tell me one.

//Okay. But first I have to show you what a Nausicaan is so you’ll understand just how hammered Raditz was when he decided he wanted to fight it or fuck it.//

************************************************************************************************************************************
Next up: The group struggles to keep Vegeta safe from both his enemies and his own demons as a new player enters and changes the game.

I borrowed Nausicaans from Star Trek (TNG in particular). Seriously, look it up. Raditz must have been completely blind stinking plastered.

Cela: Nothing really interesting here except for the fact that I hate celery with a passion.
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Atavism