Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ, nor do I make any profit from publishing this story.

Summary: Determined to find a mate, Prince Vegeta is disgusted to find all of his suitors tainted. He thinks it hopeless until he meets Kakarrot, a pure-hearted and unreserved Saiyan. Unfortunately for Prince Vegeta, Kakarrot is a third class Saiyan, making a relationship between the two unlawful. Against his better judgment, Vegeta falls in love with Kakarrot, and so their winding tale of love, heartache, and happiness begins.

Pairing: Vegeta/Kakarrot

Warnings: AU/AR, Angst, Death, Lime, Male/Male relationships, Male only society, UST. Also, there are instances of bigotry, murder, rape, torture, and violence.

Note: This story has been discontinued.

Lamb Without Blemish

"And if it is an offering from the flocks, a holocaust of sheep or of goats, he shall offer a male without blemish."

(Leviticus 1:10)

Chapter One

Vegeta stalked away from the throne room and his latest suitor. He stomped down the hallway, his cape popping in the air behind him from his violent exit.

He had finally reached the age in his life where he could pick a mate and start a family, producing an heir for his family's line, but all of his suitors utterly disappointed him. The suitors would smirk and smile at Vegeta, undress him with their eyes, and say whatever they thought would win Vegeta over. He knew the reason for their interest – his crown. The title of prince, future leader of the planet, left many mouths watering.

Slowing his pace, Vegeta switched gears, and his thoughts flowed to his people. The Saiyan race that Vegeta and his father governed had once stood as a highly organized and feared group, but over the past twenty years, the general society had grown vile.

Many citizens indulged in illegal drugs, rampant sex, and underage pornography and prostitution. Posters soliciting sex with minors plastered the walls of many downtown streets.

Prince Vegeta decided that he needed another dose of this reality. He had realized long ago that he could never effectively rule his world without putting himself among his people.

He went to his bedroom chamber and took out his hidden disguise. After cloaking himself, he slipped out the window, flying towards a nearby city in search of its filth.

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Upon landing, Vegeta was hardly noticed. His disguise consisted of dark clothes: a jacket, tank top, pants, and a hat. He looked just like many of the other citizens that flooded the streets after sundown. After adjusting to his surroundings, Vegeta headed towards his usual point of observation.

An old field that had once been a park held a certain tree that Vegeta used for his watches. Nearing the park, Vegeta looked past the crowd for the tree. The thick branches twitched in the breeze, casting leaves in all directions. Vegeta watched the multi-colored leaves swirl towards the ground.

He had been so engrossed with his beloved tree that he forgot to watch his footing. He slammed into the back of a stranger and landed on his backside.

Vegeta cursed himself mentally for this slip. He could not draw attention to himself in any way, for most Saiyans did not need much of an invitation to fight. As he cursed his bad fortune, the creature that he ran into turned around.

"I'm sorry." The tall Saiyan said, extending his hand to help Vegeta up.

"It's alright." Vegeta replied after accepting the help. "It was my fault for not paying attention."

The taller man smiled, placing a hand behind his head. "I wasn't paying attention either. I was actually looking at that old park." He extended his arm towards the park.

Vegeta followed the line of his long arm. He pushed down his budding attraction and added softly. "I was too."

"Wow, what a coincidence. I wanted to go there too. I used to go there as a child, but it has gotten really dangerous lately. Hey! Would you mind if I came with you? I would like to go with someone else so I wouldn't be there by myself." He smiled down at Vegeta.

"Uh… Sure." Vegeta mumbled before turning his head to the side to hide a blush.

"Great! I'm Kakarrot, by the way. What's your name?"

Vegeta turned his head to see Kakarrot's radiant smile. He was momentarily blindsided by the unashamed grin. When he did come to his senses, he nearly blurted out his real name. "Ve…" Vegeta paused, saying the next name that came to mind. "Veggan. My name is Veggan." He felt like an idiot for not coming up with a better name, but it seemed to work.

"It's nice to meet you, Veggan." Kakarrot put out his hand to offer a friendly handshake.

Vegeta readily accepted it, and the two began their walk towards the park. When they arrived Vegeta asked if they could walk towards a particular tree.

"I always sit in this tree and watch people in the streets." He heard himself say to the other man as explanation but could not understand why he would offer up such personal information without ceremony.

"Sure! I love that tree." Kakarrot agreed.

The two were silent until they reached the tree. Vegeta felt like he would betray his secrecy if he spoke anymore. When they reached the tree, it was apparent that Kakarrot was tall enough to reach the first branch without flying, unlike Vegeta.

The larger man easily ascended into the tree. He stood on the second lowest brand with is tail anchored on the branch for support. "Come on, Veggan!"

Vegeta bent his knees and jumped to the first branch. His footing was not secure, and he began slipping. He tried to right himself when a jerk on his tank top brought him upright.

"That was close, Veggan. It hurts to fall out of this tree. Trust me. I know." He grinned, releasing Vegeta's shirt.

"Thanks." Vegeta's cheeks heated. 'How many times has this Saiyan made me blush already?'

"I like to watch the people here." Kakarrot called. "There are so many bad things going on nowadays. Sitting here makes me feel like I am removed from this dark world, even if only for a little while."

He looked down as astonishment captured Vegeta's face. "I'm sorry, Veggan. I just speak my mind. I'm sorry to bore you or make you uncomfortable."

Recovering, Vegeta replied. "It is okay. I understand. I feel the same way. At my home, I can't see the people like this, so I come here. I want to remind myself of the present state of our world. If I am ever to change anything, I need to see what the problems are firsthand."

"You want to change things too?" Kakarrot smiled even wider than he had before. "Wow. I'm glad we met Veggan. My brother thinks I'm crazy. He told me not to concern myself with changing the world. He said I shouldn't worry about that stuff. I should just find a mate and have some kids."

Kakarrot laughed. "I do want those things, but what would be the point in having children to only have them brought up in a world like this?"

"I agree. The streets are littered with ads glorifying the abuse of children, drugs, and unprotected sex. I could not knowingly bring a child into this world as it is now. Things must change first." Vegeta said.

"I don't know where to start, Veggan. Changing the world seems like such an ambiguous task. There isn't a clear cut path for either of us to walk down."

"We will have to etch one out for ourselves, Kakarrot."

"Does this mean we can work together?" Kakarrot swung from his branch to one above Vegeta.

"Well, that is not what I meant, but…" Vegeta wanted to agree but was worried that he may give away his identity if he were to spend too much time with Kakarrot; however, his feelings got the better of him. "Sure, Kakarrot."

"Great!" Kakarrot moved forward to shake Vegeta's hand. When their palms touched, Vegeta's body reacted with an emotion of gratitude, kinship, and something else that he could not quite pin down. He honestly did not want to know what it was.

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The two Saiyans spent the rest of the evening and much of the night in the tree, sitting on branches that were on either side of the tree. They watched people walk up and down the street and remarked on several of them and their not so secret activities.

When the hour drew late, Vegeta thought it best to return home before his father started looking for him. Vegeta turned to look at Kakarrot. "Kakarrot," he called, "I must go."

"Yeah, me too. I guess I just let time slip by me." He said with his hand behind his head.

Both Saiyans gracefully climbed out the tree and landed on the ground. After making plans to meet again in a few days, Vegeta flew away towards the castle.

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TBC