This is my first fanfic based on DBZ so please be gentle.

Disclaimer: Anyway, I don't own anything to do with Dragonball Z. The amazing Akria Toriyama does. I only own the plot and my own characters.

A/N: For fans of this story, I've changed the names of some of my characters to closer to the theme of vegetable puns. Also the end is shortened.

Bardock's Story

Chapter 1: No son of mine

The doors to the medical centre slammed opened as a saiyan commander marched in to the building.

"Get out of my way!" He ordered loudly, "A proud father coming through."

Commander Aikon was a mid-class saiyan on his way to meet his first born offspring. There were already high hopes for this one. Aikon was sure that this first child would either be of the same ranking or higher than himself. His mate, Matrika, had finished giving birth about an hour ago now so the baby had had time to be checked over and ranked. He was very shocked when she announced she was pregnant all those months ago. He had never thought about his legacy until she told him that news. If she had never got pregnant, who would carry on his name and honour? But now there was someone who could.

After a few minutes of walking, Aikon came to the room he had been told to go to find his mate. He opened the door to find Matrika sat on her bed. She was an elegant looking woman. She had long straight black hair and onyx eyes. Her skin was flawless with a subtle olive tone and her tail was always so glossy and soft. She normally looked very well presented but, right now, she looked exhausted. Her hair was a little out of place and her eyes looked heavy but behind the tiredness, there was contentment. Then Aikon saw it. The blue bundle tucked in Matrika's arms. The dreamy look in her eyes was the giveaway. A series of gurgles intrigued Aikon closer. Matrika finally looked up and smiled at her mate.

"Well," She teased, "Come and say hi."

The commander was taken back by his mate's happiness. She was quite emotional for a saiyan. While most saiyans refused to show their true feelings, covering them up by being selfish and mean, Matrika was more than willing to say how she felt. But this was her appeal. Anyway, Aikon stepped closer until he finally saw the baby. It was a boy. He already had a mass of unruly jet black hair and deep onyx eyes. His brown furry tail was out of his blanket and wrapped around his mother's wrist and his little fists gripped to the blanket securely.

"He is magnificent!" Aikon stated.

Without even asking, he took his new son from Matrika and held him up to look at the baby more closely. The blanket fell away from the baby's body to the floor. Matrika watched anxiously as Aikon scanned the little saiyan. She was worried about her mate being unintentionally rough with the child.

The little saiyan boy stared at his father, wondering who this man was. Aikon was heavily built, had thick, spiky hair, a beard and moustache and charcoal black eyes. He wore red and black shouldered armour with matching boots and arm shields and a green scouter. This gave Aikon an intimidating look. The little boy found this scary too. But instead of crying, he started kicking out at Aikon's face. Matrika was quick to jump up and take her son back.

"Whoa," Aikon exclaimed, excitedly, "He's a feisty one, isn't he?"

At that moment, one of the doctors, Plenthor, walked in with the results of the baby's power level and ranking.

"Well, it's good to see the three of you getting on well." He smiled.

"Yes," Matrika sighed, "Almost."

The baby had tucked himself closer to his mother's body and was glaring at his father.

"Do we have a name?"

"I have just the one," Matrika smiled, "Bardock."

The little baby looked up at his mother with wide curious eyes. Then he started laughing. On hearing the laugh, Matrika lifted him in front of her and smiled.

"Do you like that, Bardock? Do you?"

The boy loved it. Matrika smiled and started tickling Bardock's toes with her tail. The baby started laughing louder.

"So what is Bardock's level and ranking, Plenthor?" Aikon asked.

Plenthor suddenly took a serious expression. He didn't want to give the results. Normally he didn't care but little Bardock had a grown on him. There was something to this child. But if his father knew the results, his fate would be unsure.

"Well… It's seven." He said slowly.

"Seven Hundred," Aikon grinned, "A pleasant…"

"No, sir, seven. Lower than eight but higher than six."

There was silence. Matrika stopped playing with Bardock to look at her mate's expression. He was stunned. His eyes were wide and his body was stiff. Matrika had feeling she knew what was wrong. Aikon had been boasting about their baby being of a high level. She held Bardock closer. Aikon's face was taking a furious turn.

"This means that little Bardock will be ranked as a low level soldier, Commander."

Aikon's eyes narrowed as the anger grew inside of him. He had been planning a rigorous training regime for his son to make him the strongest saiyan on the planet. Now he couldn't believe that he had considered wasting his time on this kid.

"If it's any consolation, sir, Bardock is a feisty little baby and there's plenty of potential to become very strong."

"He's still our son, Aikon," Matrika said softly, "No matter how strong he is."

Suddenly, Aikon turned to his mate. Matrika was shocked at the anger on her mate's face. She was horrified. His eyes focused on his son. Bardock was now fast asleep and snuggled against his mother's body.

"You might as well drown it!" He growled, "It's useless to us."

This really upset Matrika. She was already completely in love with Bardock. The moment she laid eyes on him, she was taken by him and any previous saiyan violence she had in her was gone. He was everything to her.

"Stop this, Aikon!" She snapped, "I can't believe you'd be reacting like this! Killing your own son? What happened to those plans you had? They can still happen."

"You stupid woman! I wouldn't waste my time on any saiyan with a power level like that. As for 'my son', that is disgraceful. My son is a low class scum."

Matrika was close to crying. She just couldn't let Aikon treat Bardock like this. But she knew just how to get her way.

"Well it's tough. You can't have me without Bardock."

Aikon went to argue but stopped. No matter what happened, he couldn't let Matrika go. She was a beautiful woman, the perfect trophy for any respected saiyan warrior. If she left him, she would be open to others. He'd rather she be dead than be on the arm of another warrior. So reluctantly, he backed down. He gave Bardock one quick glare than stormed out.

Relieved, Matrika plopped on to the bed and sighed heavily. Bardock didn't realise the stress he was causing to his mother already. He was still snuggled up against her. His tail was firmly wrapped around the arm that was supporting him. Matrika looked down at her son's sleeping face. She lifted him closer to her face and kissed his forehead then gently stroked that brilliant mass of hair.

"Don't you worry Bardock," She whispered, "I'll love you matter what happens."

The little baby and his young mother were unaware of the rollercoaster ride that would be their lives, together and apart.

Hope you like this so far. Any reviews are welcome.