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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.

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Stranded

Frost’s cool hands closed around Vegeta’s arms, ready to drag or carry him away from the now-vacant docking hatch. But to his surprise Vegeta wheeled around, shoving him backward and kicking him hard in the chest to force him backward a few feet. “Do you think your sedatives can get anywhere near what I have to fight when I’m in heat? Please. You’re going to have to do better than that.”

Frost’s surprise turned into a chuckle, then a delighted laugh. “Well then. Allow me to do better. You may be able to fight my poison enough to stay conscious, but it’s clear you’re not unaffected; you can’t see very well, can you? In addition, I happen to know how tired you must be. You’re only a month or so away from delivering, I’m told. Even if you were as fed and rested as you need to be, the energy drain must be nearly unbearable… especially after your little display to free those children.”

Vegeta scowled. Frost was right. He’d drawn on Goku’s energy to free the girls but his own body had kept trying to hijack it, wanting to use it to bolster the children he carried. Fighting to direct the energy to his own purposes had been a further tiring struggle.

“I’ll have those girls caught, you know. And whether it’s those two or any number of replacements I can bring, I know what you’re willing to risk to keep others from harm. An irritating way to assure your obedience - and certainly not my preference - but effective.” Frost’s head cocked to the side as Vegeta blinked slowly, stumbling in place. He’d kept Vegeta talking long enough, and now he had his opening. “Feeling a little dizzy?”

Vegeta shook his head, trying to clear his vision and in that split second Frost moved. Suddenly Frost was behind him, a choking forearm tightening around his throat and he couldn’t breathe. He felt Goku’s anger but heard no words… probably to keep from distracting him.

Vegeta made a lightning-fast decision, pragmatic and emotionless. //I’m all right, Kakarot. Don’t come unless he tries anything while I’m out. I want Sava.//

He was too light-headed to feel anything after that; his message would have to be enough. Vegeta turned his attention to Frost, clawing against the iron grip at his throat but dizziness faded inescapably to black, Freeza’s scent filling his nostrils, Frost’s almost kind words ghosting across his ear.

“Such nobility, exhausting yourself for the sake of those children. How could anyone doubt you a true Saiyan king?”

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Consciousness returned to Vegeta more slowly than it had abandoned him. The first things he felt were warmth and softness, wholly different from the cold metal room they’d kept him in before. ‘My head… Something isn’t right,’ he thought absently.

Though his head ached and swam Vegeta opened his eyes, squinting and blinking a few times to adjust to the light of the room.

“Have a good rest?”

Frost’s voice had him shooting up in bed, ignoring his aching head.

“This room is more to your liking, I’m sure,” Frost said, gesturing to the well-appointed bedroom. “I had the heat raised, and this bed is for my personal use when I’m here. Comfortable, isn’t it?”

Confusion dominated Vegeta’s thoughts but he returned Frost’s steady gaze as he stood at the foot of the bed. The knowing smile on those purple lips fueled Vegeta’s anger, helping to clear some of the fog from his mind.

As his mind began to clear, that strange sensation of something being very wrong exploded and on instinct Vegeta reached out for his mate’s steadying presence… only to find that presence distant, muffled in a way that left him bereft of something vital.

‘What the-’ //Kakarot…?//

He waited for a response that should have been instantaneous. A sick feeling began to spread through him as he tried again, throwing the force of his panic into his call.

//Kakarot, fucking answer me! Kakarot!!//

Frost watched in contemplative silence, gratified to see his captive’s growing agitation. He was pale, breathing too hard and fast with cold sweat beading his brow.

“What the fuck have you done to me?” Vegeta gasped out.

“So it’s true,” Frost murmured, eyeing him curiously. “My partner on Sadla believed you had far stronger mental abilities than your… more native brethren. Personally, I thought he was misguided at best, but it seems he was correct. You’ve been communicating with someone all along haven’t you? Over such a distance… quite astonishing.”

Vegeta’s eyes met Frost’s again, his gaze hardening into pure hatred as he struggled to regain his composure. ‘He’s there, Kakarot is right fucking there… why the hell can’t I reach him?!’

“Well,” Frost continued, a pleasant smile curling his lips. “There will be no more secret communication for you. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to share the identity of your partner?” At Vegeta’s refusal to answer Frost chuckled. “I didn’t think so. Not that it really matters anyway. For the rest of your life, you’ll be receiving regular injections to keep your mind isolated. From now on, you will be quite alone. There will be no collusion, no help, and no hope of rescue. That is your new reality.”

Frost’s words sank in with devastating impact. His bond with Goku was intact, undamaged and yet he couldn’t hear his mate’s thoughts, could barely feel his support, his warmth… or his love. The last time anything like this had happened, when Goku had unintentionally blocked him out of his mind Vegeta had almost ceased to function…

He pulled himself out of his cycle of panicked thoughts with difficulty. ‘I told Kakarot I could handle Frost so I’m damned well going to handle him. It’s only a few days. Just a few days of letting this prick chip away at me and the future of the Saiyan race and both our Universes will be better. Besides, once this is all over with I can twist Frost’s obnoxious head off and ram it up his ass.’

“I don’t see how you’ve changed my situation. I still have no reason to cooperate with you, and your gum-flapping little flunkies have already told me that my new owner wants me compliant.” Frost’s expression briefly betrayed his displeasure and Vegeta smirked. “Without someone as strong as you around eventually I’ll find a way to kill everyone between me and escape. Then I’m free, my owner is dead and you’ve got a stink on you that’s gonna cost you some big money when you go to sell your merchandise in the future.”

Frost’s scowl deepened. “You’re correct, of course. But I believe you’re forgetting the most important thing here. What of your children?”

“What about them,” Vegeta snarled. “The longer I stay a captive, the more children I’ll be forced to bring into this shit life, that’s been made perfectly clear to me-”

“Not necessarily. I can offer you a better deal. If you behave yourself, do as you’re told and perform properly I can promise you that any children to whom you give birth will not end up like you. There are other highly profitable and less… traumatic slave markets. Your children can end up in one of them, and I can see to it.”

“Drop the hammer,” Vegeta said blankly. “You’re boring me.”

Frost huffed, his irritation plain. “My goodness, you’d try the patience of a saint!”

“On a regular basis,” Vegeta retorted. “Get to the point, asshole.”

“My point is that I have the power to make your childrens’ lives easier, or… I can ensure that they end up as whimpering wretches, spreading their legs for some of the most depraved minds this little universe of mine has to offer, just like their poor father.” Vegeta’s heart pounded as Frost reached over to a nearby table to pick up that hated, black metal collar along with two wrist cuffs to match. He tossed them onto the bed next to Vegeta, waiting. “Your life, or your childrens’ lives. You choose.”

The bands weren’t the decorative, gleaming gold of Freeza’s tastes, but they served the same purpose.

Humiliation. Powerlessness.

“Put it on and this will be a less painful experience for you, Prince Vegeta. It’s time you learned your place.”

He’d refused to do it then, and he wanted to refuse to do it now regardless of the consequences…

But the consequences now that he was both pregnant and King involved more than just his own pain and his own pride. Refusal would alert Frost’s quick mind that something more was going on, and by cutting off his access to Goku, Frost had effectively destroyed any other options he might have had.

‘This isn’t real,’ he repeated to himself, reaching out to the bands as if they might immolate him on a touch. ‘Yasai is tracking Sava’s ship. Even if Kakarot can’t hear me he’ll come when Sava gets here. Just fucking play along. It means nothing.’

By his own hand each snug band locked in place with a click, a single beep signaling their activation and it proved to be too much, bringing too many terrible memories to the front of his mind in a rush that smothered him. With a strangled moan Vegeta clawed at the collar trying to rip it off, and his desperation and rage generated enough energy for him to begin powering up to Super Saiyan.

But just as suddenly as the fit of rage had taken him, it drained out of him leaving him slumped and gasping for breath. “Wh- what the hell-”

“I wouldn’t try that again if I were you. Those cuffs aren’t decorative; they’ll drain you if you get too feisty… call it an insurance policy,” Frost said with that same amused smile on his face and in his voice. “I’ve left you some clean clothes in the bathroom. Have a bath, change, and await me in bed. I’ll allow you some privacy for now, but I’ll return in an hour with a meal for you.”

Without another word or a backward glance Frost left the room, expecting that his orders would be followed.

With a heavy heart, Vegeta realized they would have to be. Whis’ warning about Frost’s methods had been without fault. In his own devious way, he was far more dangerous than Freeza had been.

____________________________________________________________________________________________
Goku and Yasai chatted amiably as they passed the guards and heavy gate that protected the child-bearer’s compound. The regular visits helped to keep up the pretense that Vegeta was staying there, explaining his disappearance from palace life. And right now it was just the distraction Goku needed from his own nervousness.

As soon as the two of them entered the large, shared courtyard a slender figure draped in flowing scarlet trousers and matching vest came to greet them. The gold embroidery on his clothing was beautiful enough to get Goku’s attention, almost certainly hand-stitched by one of Rampa’s many, many lovelorn admirers. His short, spiked hair and narrow eyes had bred true in his son, as had his compassionate nature.

Goku smiled, as always happy to see him. As the de-facto speaker for Sadla’s child-bearing males he had the clout to silence any tongues that might otherwise have wagged, spilling the secret that Vegeta wasn’t there, and Goku was grateful for his help.

As much as he looked forward to these meetings where he learned a little more about child-bearers, the ever-present sparkle of mischief in Rampa’s eye made him a little nervous. ‘It would be nice if he’d stop hitting on me…’

“Goku! A pleasure as always!” he exclaimed, hugging him and taking his arm, ignoring Yasai completely. “Come, I’ve had a few treats made for you, things you might not have had in that fru-fru palace. Speaking of which, Yasai, I suppose you may come as well.”

Yasai rolled his eyes, throwing a full measure of sarcasm into his words. “Thank you, oh kind and wise King. Oh, wait. I’m the King.”

“Not within these walls you’re not. I reign here… and I claim spoils as I see fit!” Rampa laughed, dragging a conflicted Goku along with him, not waiting on Yasai, who followed behind them, grumbling all the way.

“Why do you guys fight all the time?” Goku whispered. “When you came to the council meeting a while back you two worked so well together, I thought you liked each other.”

“That’s funny coming from you,” Rampa whispered back. “You and Vegeta argue all the time; Vegeta speaks of your battles with almost romantic detail!” Goku smiled, blushing a little and Rampa nudged him in the ribs. “Turn around. Look at Yasai.”

Goku did so to see the king grinning as they entered Rampa’s rooms. “See? We Saiyans are the same in any universe, we fight because it’s just what we like to do.”

Rampa finally released Goku’s arm to continue his verbal sparring with Yasai and he watched their good-natured argument for a moment, smiling to himself. These were the most powerful Saiyans on the planet, and they both counted him as a close, trusted friend. He remembered all the harshly-worded encouragement Vegeta had given him - telling him to just be himself - finally seeing his mate’s wisdom. ‘Maybe I’m not a total disappointment of a Consort after all.’

When it looked like their heated discussion about how child-bearers might fit into everyday life outside the compound wouldn’t come to a quick conclusion Goku interrupted, clearing his throat loudly to get their attention.

“I didn’t want to say anything until I knew we wouldn’t be overheard, but something weird happened a couple of hours ago. Since you guys know how bonds work way better than we do I figured you might be able to help. Vegeta went… I guess ‘fuzzy’ would be a good word for it. I can still hear him, still sense him just fine but things aren’t as sharp as they usually are. He was drugged and I thought it was some kind of tranquilizer but I felt him getting another injection after he was knocked out.”

Rampa and Yasai shared a nervous look that set Goku’s nerves more on edge than they already were. It was Rampa who gravely answered him. “Nothing should inhibit your ability to communicate with your mate, especially a child-bearer since our mental abilities are so much stronger than the rest of our people. It must be those injections, though… I don’t see how. There’s no known substance that can inhibit a bond.”

“Is he being hurt?” Yasai asked, his bushy brows knotted in concern.

“No,” Goku answered, jaw clenching. “But you have to know that if they touch him this is over. I know what’s at stake Yasai, but I won’t let him be raped.”

“You’ll get no argument from me. I’ve only loved one person in my life and I fear I couldn’t save him from such a fate. For such a thing to happen to you two,” Yasai stopped, shaking his head and Rampa reached out, squeezing his hand in support. “It would be devastating to you both. It must not be allowed to happen.”

‘It already has happened,’ Goku thought bitterly for a moment, knowing it was the last thing Vegeta would want either of these two to know about him. But a hand on each of his shoulders, one from Rampa and one from Yasai brought a small smile back to his face.

“I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you. Just know you’re among friends. Whatever Rampa and I can do to help you, we’ll do.”

“Thanks. Both of you.”

Rampa patted his shoulder. “Nonsense. My sweetest boy came back from your universe finally understanding his own strength, something I despaired of ever happening. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll forever be in Vegeta’s and your debt for that miracle. Now. I was thinking, how would you like to stay here? We take the need for privacy more seriously than those nosy palace denizens. Yasai will make up some excuse-”

“I beg your pardon?!” Yasai spluttered, but Rampa ignored him.

“-so you’ll be free to concentrate on monitoring Vegeta until those drugs wear off and things are back to normal.”

“Hey! I am King and I don’t approve of this! I need Goku’s help with the council-”

Rampa’s hand hit his hip, eyes narrowing. “Oh, hush, you old fatuous gasbag! You don’t need poor Goku’s help. You’re just hogging him because he’s the only person besides me who isn’t intimidated by you, and you enjoy his company!”

The king’s mouth worked silently for a moment before he finally smiled ruefully, admitting, “I’d argue with you but I don’t know what the hell ‘fatuous’ means.”

“Good. It’s about time you shut your big mouth. Goku? What do you think about staying here?”

“Well, that would be nice. No offense, Yasai. I wouldn’t be of much use to you in the council anyway while I’m so worried about Vegeta.”

“It’s fine. I’ll admit, it has been a long time since I had a good friend at my side. Maybe I’m enjoying it a bit too much. As much as he annoys me, Rampa’s usually right.”

Rampa raised an eyebrow, mischief sparkling in his eyes again. “You certainly got over your annoyance fifteen years ago,” he said, sauntering off with a swish of his hips that got both Yasai and Goku’s attention. “Make yourselves at home while I go make preparations for you, Goku.”

Goku cleared his throat, looking to Yasai who had a stupid grin plastered to his face. “Fifteen years ago?”

“Yeah. He gave me my sixth child. One of the wildest nights of my life… Turns out annoyance is a serious turn-on!”

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
A lot of snacks and several dirty stories later saw Goku relaxing with Yasai, still waiting on both Rampa’s return and Vegeta’s waking. The latter happened first, filling Goku with relief.

“He’s starting to wake up. Finally! It feels like it’s been forever since he’s checked on me even though it really hasn’t been that long. It’s funny… even though Vegeta’s the one in danger, he’s always kind of… scanning me to see if I’m okay, if I’m handling things here without getting stressed out. He thinks I don’t know when he does it, but it’s like… a warm whisper through my head.”

Yasai sighed on the couch next to him. “It must be nice, being able to feel each other so completely. When I was with Matsu… it was so long ago but I remember every detail with him as if it were new. Even when we managed to sneak away from our responsibilities for a moment alone together we never felt as close to each other as we wanted,” Yasai said wistfully, immediately making Goku feel terrible. The king’s chance to know a bond approaching the one he had with Vegeta had been stolen from him; talking about how wonderful it truly was felt like rubbing his face in what he’d lost.

Yasai suddenly grimaced, smacking Goku in the back of his head. “Ow! What was that for?!”

“Maybe if your head hurts you won’t feel so bad about talking from the heart around me,” Yasai chuckled. “I like hearing about your bond with Vegeta. How is he?”

“His head hurts almost as bad as mine,” Goku mumbled, glaring at the unrepentant king. He closed his eyes to concentrate, sinking his awareness into Vegeta’s… only to find that strange sense of wrongness still there. Worse yet, Vegeta felt it as well. His confusion rolled over Goku in waves, then anger and…

Anxiety.

//Kakarot…?//

I’m here, Vegeta-

//Kakarot, fucking answer me! Kakarot!!//

Vegeta! Vegeta, I’m here!

The wave of panic that followed told Goku all he needed to know. “He can’t… He can’t hear me,” he whispered.

He and Vegeta both sat, in silent shock in two different places. Vegeta managed to pull himself out of his first and Goku followed, realizing that whatever was wrong with Vegeta wasn’t wrong with him. ‘At least I can stay with him, see what’s going on.’

Frost’s words, the things he demanded infuriated both mates equally. When he produced the control collar and cuffs Goku’s ire shot up. After his experiences with Freeza and Gohan, putting on that collar would be too much for Vegeta to handle alone.

He stood, raised his hand intending to Transmit in advance of Vegeta telling Frost just where he could shove that collar. But the feel of cold metal on Vegeta’s fingertips stopped him in his tracks.

No… Freeza couldn’t make you do this, don’t do it now…

But Frost wasn’t Freeza. He was cool-headed and calculating, able to ruthlessly and efficiently get what he wanted as quickly as possible. Unlike his Universe 7 doppelganger he didn’t enjoy the journey of breaking his targets, he was only interested in results.

One by one the cuffs went on by Vegeta’s own hand, then… the collar. It was no surprise to Goku when Vegeta panicked once the collar snapped into place, but the energy drain from the cuffs was a surprise.

Frost left after asserting his control, leaving a shell-shocked Vegeta alone to follow his orders or face the consequences.

Goku felt Vegeta trying to give the children what reassurance he could. With a disgusted shudder, Vegeta rose, moving to do as he was bid, his thoughts focused on getting through whatever Frost had planned for him.

Devastated, Goku poured his heart into one last cry, but it too went unheard. Vegeta’s thoughts, however, remained on him.

‘I will not have put Kakarot through all this for nothing. I will not fail.’

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rampa’s smile faded as he re-entered the lounge that held his guests. Goku stood completely rigid, sadness and pain radiating off the normally cheerful man. Yasai was just staring at him in concern. “What’s going on?” he asked quietly.

Yasai shook his head. “He said Vegeta can’t hear him and then… Nothing.”

“So. Whoever has Vegeta really did find a way to block us somehow,” Rampa said grimly. “But how? Our minds don’t work the same way as most other species capable of telepathy.”

“I don’t know. But we’re damned sure going to find out.” After a moment’s thought he had an idea. “In the meantime, I’ll have someone go and find Gohan. Maybe he can find out what’s happening without disturbing Goku-”

“No. Leave him out of this!” Goku snapped. He took a deep breath, finally opening his eyes and smiling with only a tiny fraction of his usual brightness. “Sorry. It’s just that… there’s nothing either of us can do right now. Having both of us sitting around worrying won’t help matters. Let my son stay with Cabba where he can do some good. For now I need someplace quiet, and I need to be left alone.”

“Of course, but… I won’t lie to you, Goku. The fact that he can’t hear your voice is… disturbing. Quite frankly, I’m worried. Is this truly worth it? Why must we scatter our people across two universes? Just bring your children, raise them here and have done with it.”

“It isn’t that simple, you don’t understand. What Vegeta wants, in the long run, is bigger than the Saiyan race in our universe. It’s a future he’ll fight for no matter what. If he wants to see this plan through so badly that he’s willing to- to put himself through this then I’m going to keep honoring his wishes, at least until I don’t have a choice… But hopefully it won’t come to that. He can’t hear me but I’m still able to watch over him.”

Rampa sighed, knowing he wouldn’t be able to change Goku’s mind any more than he’d been able to change Vegeta’s. All he or Yasai could do now was help them both where they could. “This way then. The guest room has been prepared, and I’ll see to it the attendants don’t disturb you.”

‘I’m already disturbed enough,’ Goku thought, though he just smiled and thanked Rampa and Yasai both. ‘Dammit, Vegeta… we were supposed to get each other through this. How the hell do we do that now?!’

********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Next: With Whis gone and Goku unable to support him, Vegeta fights Frost’s machinations alone as he pushes the king to the brink. Goku will have to face his own fears in order to pull his mate out of his downward spiral.

Fun with Veggies:
Rampa - Ramps look like small scallions but are taste like a strong leek. They’re delicate, difficult to come by, and at least where I am they sell out fast when they show up because everybody wants them.

Matsu - Komatsuna are leafy greens with a lot of different uses (and are fun to cook with), and are only grown in spring and fall because they can’t tolerate extreme conditions.

Zeo: Thanks as always! I will admit it's fun an interesting to write Whis. He's got so many layers, like an onion. A tall, purple, beautiful and somehow good-smelling onion. Lol!
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Atavism