House of Vegeta Chronicles

A/U

HOUSE OF VEGETA CHRONICLES 7

The funeral lasted several hours. A processional of endless elites
came to view the body. Vegeta sat on his high throne, giving every
appearance of being distressed. The Ou was surrounded by several
Counsellors and high ranking commanders. The heir ascendant, Prince
Vegeta no Ouji sat directly to his right.

"Father, how do you fare?"

A pause. "I weary of this, Vegeta. I would just as soon retire to my
chambers."

A gloved hand touched his shoulder. "Not much longer. They merely pay
their respects to the Queen."

"Aye, the boy speaks true" Ormon grunted, his grizzled features
pinched. "Friends and foes alike line up."

Nappa steepled his hands together. "Look there, along the
battlements. Her ragged clan sits, wearing finery as if that makes
them super elite."

"It hardly matters, Nappa. Inshei is gone now." Vegeta stated, his
voice having an odd tone.

The prince fell silent. His own feelings about Inshei were confusing,
at best. While she had shown moments of kindness to him over the
years, they were never close. He felt a twinge of regret, nothing
more. And then there was the ongoing animosity between her and his
father...

"Vegeta, what are you thinking?"

"Hn? Only how foolish it was of mother to attempt a purge without
sufficient training and surveillance. The raid on Henyei...was doomed
to failure."

Gomor grunted, glancing at his fellow generals. "Is that Queen Ruda
there? Kami, the woman's older than dirt!!"

Vegeta Ou growled softly. "Ai, the ancient crone."

"She knew your granddam, did she not?"

"Hai, and not young even then! Still she rules her clan with an iron
hand, seeking access to riches undeserved."

"I see her sons there" the Ouji sniffed. "Poorly made, to be certain."

Nappa shook his head in disgust. "You're being kind, prince. That's
the homliest bunch of would be elites I've ever seen!"

Viyad laughed with the others. "Kami, what a wretched crew! Fancy
clothing is no substitute for weak blood!"

"True" the Ou was subdued. "See their tails? Inshei's clan is a
mishmash of elite and ragged blood."

"No longer a concern, milord." the female commander stated. "She had
her good points, true...but we of the coterie know there was no
harmony."

"To say the least." Teybokk piped up, his thin face stern. Good
riddance to bad rubbish. She plotted for the throne!"

The prince was annoyed. "I would remind you to show proper decorum.
This is still a funeral!"

"Adieru." the group said quietly.

****

The Ou finished his speech before the assembly, and the closing of
the casket. Inshei's clan watched with barely hidden hatred.

Nappa pointed. "Vegeta, the harridan seeks audience before the
assembly!"

"What? She dares?!"

It was true. Aged and angry, the withered saiyan stormed the central
dias, past her deceased vii (niece).

The ouji folded his arms. "This should prove amusing."

****

There was a collective gasp from multitudes of saiyans as Ruda
confronted Vegeta from his high throne. Blood red and orange robes
were a perfect complement to her mood. Dark spikes were pleated down
her back in elaborate braids decorated with shells and stones.

"So, Vegetaan! Everything comes full circle, eh?!"

The Ou growled. "Begone, wekka (witch). I'll not deal with you now!"

She shrieked in mad laughter. "You dance on my vii's grave this
day...are you satisfied?!"

Shocked murmurs throughout the great hall.

"Return to your sub class elites, Ruda." Vegeta no Ouji sniffed. "You
make a fool of yourself here, and disrespect the memory of our Queen!"

His statement had the desired effect of shaming her. "Brat! Before
your sire was born did I extract a promise, binding him to my clan!"

"No longer bound." Vegeta Ou snarled. "This is a time of grieving and
regret, crone. Leave, before I lose my temper!!"

Burly guards approached. The old saiyan spat, motioning for her sons.
The homely but well dressed saiyans stood at her side, prepared to
fight.

"BWAHHAHHAAAHHH!!" Nappa bellowed with laughter. "Krukka, what dolts!"

Teybokk snickered. "You've had a long life, Ruda. Perhaps it might
come to an end soon, eh?"

Viyad snuffed from her pipe. "Ai, and join Inshei in sleep. Leave,
wretch! The day's been long, and our Ou suffers enough."

Shouts everywhere, too numerous to count.

"Out with her!"

"It's done with...show respect, woman!"

"I'll have due, in the name of Inshei!!" Ruda thundered, shaking her
fist.

"Father, perhaps it's time to clean out the trash." the ouji snorted.

****

Vegeta Ou growled softly. "Enough of this. Ruda, get out of my palace
while you still can. You've neither the power nor resources to
challenge me. Move!!"

Her sons snarled. Ruda pointed to her family, seated nearby.

"Ai, we'll go...for now. Another time, Vegetaan! This isn't over, I
swear it!"

The Ou snapped his fingers. Imperial guards surrounded her clan, to
the sound of whoops everywhere. Thousands of saiyans applauded when
Ruda and her clan were booted out. The old saiyan shouted above the
din as she was pushed along.

"I'll see you in the streets, hodanna! (sleazeball!) You and that
ovee you roll with! I'll-"

Her voice was drowned out in fury as the guards poked her group with
stun poles. Ruda was not well liked, nor were her people ever truly
accepted among the elites. Cheers rained everywhere as they were
kicked and punched.

Vegeta edged close to his father. "Do but say the word."

The Ou glared at the spectacle below. "Ne, not at this time."

Gomor shook his square head. "Aye, bad politics on the day of a
funeral. We'll make a plan, eh?"

The king nodded. "At the proper time."

****

Hours later Vegeta Ou found the privacy he craved. He wandered
aimlessly about the upper chambers, barely speaking to servants or
guests.

_Enough...I need solitude._

His mind was awhirl with immediate plans.

****

The Ouji had spent the remainder of the evening thanking various
guests for their attendance. Eventually he sought quiet as well.

_This day has been long...I'm exhausted. At least the servants will
clean up._

A potent, spicy scent tickled his nose. It was familiar and warm to
him, as familiar as the ki he sensed. With a knowing smile the prince
glided down a short access corridor, rarely used.

He stepped into a plush chamber, heavily decorated with brocaded
velvet and animal furs. The sight that greeted him was no surprise.

Bardock lay gloriously nude, wrapped in velvet like some pagan god.
The dark warrior held a glass of wine from a nearby decanter. Bronzed
flesh made a sharp contrast against red fabric. A thick tail waved
carelessy.

The prince stepped up, glancing over at the small viewscreen. "I see
you've been following the ceremony."

The handsome saiyan smirked, sipping his drink. "True...it became
quite entertaining."

Vegeta sat at the edge of the bed. "Ruda and her clan will be a
problem now."

Bardock glanced at the screen again. "All problems have solutions,
prince."

"Your area of expertise, I know."

Another sly smile. "Particularly for those I care about. How are you
feeling?"

The prince shrugged. "Edgy...exhausted. Sad, in a strange way."

A thick coil brushed his arm. "She was your mother, desde (chibi).
Regardless of the situation, that much was true."

"I never knew if she really loved me."

Dark eyes burned into him. "As much as she was capable, I suppose.
She wanted a natural cub with your father."

The prince returned the intense gaze with meaning. "Impossible for
me...my blood beats elsewhere."

Bardock looked away uncomfortably. "It was quite a processional." he
changed the subject.

Vegeta continued to stare. "Yes...it was..."

There was an awkward silence. Finally, Bardock put down his glass and
embraced the royal prince. Vegeta didn't pull away, small tremors
rippling his body.

"Easy, prince."

"I..." the dark head nuzzled the older saiyan, breathing his scent.
Strong hands soothed his back.

"What's wrong with me?" the voice was muffled.

"Nothing. Passion is a strange thing, Vegeta...it tends to disrupt
the best laid plans."

"But I wasn't close to her..."

"You were still around Inshei a long time, and by throne she was your
mother. Her hatred of your father poisoned her after a time."

Vegeta pulled away slowly. "Thank you." his eyes were bright.

Bardock stroked the thick flame of hair affectionately. "Any time. I
admit fault in all of this, Vegeta. And your father's no angel. Maybe
the two of us drove her to madness."

"She always felt inadequate, I know."

"A saiyan can't mate without love." Bardock responded carelessly.
Vegeta stared again.

"And you?"

"Me?"

"You married that ragtail, Celipe..."

"I loved her, once."

A sharp look. "But it wasn't the same."

"Vegeta-"

A gloved finger traced the corded throat, lightly touching a faint
scar near the collarbone.

"I know, Bardock. All of it."

Slow smile. "You're most perceptive, prince."

"I need to talk to you...at some other time. When I'm not so
confused."

"You disapprove?"

A pause. "It's not for me to say who father chooses as his mate."

"That isn't an answer."

The ouji rubbed muscled arms. "No, I have no objections. It seems
right somehow, like you fit."

Bardock stroked his hair again. "Adieru, royal prince."

Deep eyes sparked with an odd fire now. "I'll take my leave now. It's
been an exhausting evening."

"Rest well, prince."

A nod. Vegeta glided across the room, pausing as he turned one last
time.

"Congratulations...father."

Bardock could only stutter in shock as the smiling prince slipped out.

****

The king stepped through the other side, between velvet curtain. He
stared at the spot where his son exited.

"Vegeta!" Bardock hissed.

The Ou looked at him. "Hai, koi...you waited?"

"Of course. Did you hear?!"

The king plopped next to his mate. "Ai, I suppressed my ki. He was
giving approval, Bardock-"

"No, it wasn't courtesy! He senses it, I could feel it in his mind!"

Vegeta Ou licked his lips. "You look delicious."

"Hentai. This is serious, I tell you-"

Lips were silenced in a sticky kiss. /I know, but not now. I need
you./

Bardock closed his eyes in bliss. /Hn, all to myself now.../

The lovers pulled out of their liplock and embraced. Bardock quickly
stripped his king bare, rolling him into bed. Two statues of bronzed
perfection stretched against each other, coiling tails.

"At last, Bardock...this chapter is closed." the Ou purred in bliss.

The dark mop nuzzled. "True. There remains but one small detail."

"I want them to disappear."

Bardock rolled on top of his mate. "Done."

THE END