Chapter 14: The Run

The two brawny Saiyans ran noiselessly through the forest. Clad in black, they slid like indistinct shadows through the sparse undergrowth.

While a small part of Kakarrot wondered what the heck he was doing; running through the forest in the middle of the night like this, for no rhyme or reason, the rest of him was feeling too alive, too exhilarated to care. Did it matter? All that mattered now was the feel of the hard ground beneath his softly booted feet, the wind whistling through his hair, the pounding of his pulse…

The normally gentle Earth-raised Saiyan felt … Wild. Feral. Free. An urge to break forth in maniacal laughter bubbled forth within him. His nostrils flared, taking in the earthy scents of the loamy forest floor beneath him, the sweet fragrance of the nocturnal blooming flowers and the musky sweat of the Saiyan beside him, so familiar yet somehow different. His other senses seem unnaturally heightened as well. Colors and objects stood out in sharper relief. His sensitive ears cocked at the slightest rustle. It was like being high on some enhancement drug. And the knowledge that they were being pursued set his nerves and skin tingling yet further.

Kakarotto shot his companion an understanding look. Their eyes caught, and the two shared a grin of pure enjoyment. He inclined his head to the right, and soundlessly, the two veered off in yet another direction. As they passed by a clump of bushes that he recognised, the more experienced Saiyan grabbed a handful of the fragrant leaves and crushed them, sprinkling the bits over themselves. He repeated the procedure whenever they encountered a different aromatic plant, changing direction after each time. Quickly, his older counterpart caught on as well.

Vegeta smirked wolfishly. His nose twitched slightly. He could pick up their prey's scents easily. They would catch them soon enough. They became momentarily confused when the familiar scents were suddenly masked by a sharp, spicy odor until Vejita pointed to the crushed fragments littering the dim forest floor. Snickering lightly, the two now followed the new scent, keeping an eye out for subtle clues like fresh sap from broken foliage or disturbed vegetation.

But that was not what the Hunt was all about. It was not about getting caught or not getting caught. It was about running free and letting oneself go. That was why Hunts were done on foot; if one really wanted not to get caught, one would either fly, or hide. No, the Run was the thing. It was a game, a challenge, a test of skill. The result was not as important as the participation.

The lithe Royals flitted through the shadows soundlessly. And when it came down to skill in this arena, none could beat them. Not the Earth-raised Saiyans. They were running and dominating Moon Runs back on Vegetasei even before those two were born, their slight forms a distinct advantage.

Nostrils flared simultaneously as a familiar scent wafted on the cool night breeze. Attempts to mask natural scents would work best…if one were not continuously sweating. Their eyes caught the other for a spilt second, even as savage grins lifted their lips. Giving a nod, the two leapt up into the dense foliage of the trees in perfect synchrony.

The hair prickling on the back of their necks was the pursued pair's only warning before a pair of smirking hunters brought them to the ground. There was a slight scuffle as the four rolled around on the forest floor, but the hunters had the advantage of surprise.

Kakarotto looked up lustfully at his mate as she sat astride him, smirking triumphantly. "Now that you've caught me, what are you going to do with me?"

Vejita purred, wriggling her bottom over his burgeoning erection naughtily. When his hands came up to grip her hips, she batted them away with a smirk. "Stop that… I'm the hunter tonight, koi." Crouching down, she breathed huskily. "Don't. Move." Her tongue darted out to lick his lips teasingly.


Vegeta looked down at his prize, enjoying the heady rush of dominance. No, not yet… He hadn't fully won his prize; there was still the Fight.

Kakarrot stared at the ouji as he leaned forward, his hands pinned above his head, leaving him feeling open and defenseless. He licked his lips nervously, not in fear but almost in anticipatory excitement. Vegeta seemed different tonight. More intense, more intent (on what?)… More sensual… His attention was distracted momentarily by the ouji's flicking auburn tail. He watched wide-eyed as Vegeta leaned forward slowly, an almost mischievous smirk on his normally harsh visage.

Vegeta was enjoying himself tremendously – he hadn't had this much fun in years! And the scared-rabbit-in-headlights look on Kakarrot's face! He gave a deep, sexy chuckle as he brushed his lips lightly against the other's, which parted almost immediately. Vejita was right; he does want me after all. Vegeta purred in satisfaction as his tail came up to wrap around the fallen warrior's corded throat.

Kakarrot gave a small shudder as he tilted his head up to press his mouth more firmly against the ouji's. The tip of thick, furry tail that coiled around his neck tickled his cheek teasingly, releasing sweet, musky ambrosial scent that drove him crazy. Suddenly, he yelped in shock when the prince nipped him hard on his lower lip, the sharp pain clearing the haze of desire that clouded his thoughts.

Vegeta continued purring as he sucked on the rich, hot blood of his soon-to-be mate. Delicious. Finally he raised his head to look at the confused Saiyan.

"Vegeta?"

"Kakarrot…" His name rolled off the ouji's tongue smoothly. "Bring us to that place where we first fought…"

Kakarrot blinked in surprise but did as his prince ordered.

Vejita paused in their frenzied necking and raised her head in surprise when she felt the other two ki's disappear. Her mate gave a frustrated growl and reached up to pull her head back to his lips again.

"Wait! They're gone!" She wriggled back, disentangling herself.

"So?!" Kakarotto whined as his arms reached down to grasp her curvy hips firmly. He bucked his groin against her thigh meaningfully. "Who cares?"

"Kakarotto!" Vejita swatted his arms away and concentrated on the other two Saiyans' ki. "I want to see what happens!" The two promptly reappeared in a barren dessert, still entwined in an intimate tangle of limbs and tails. However, the pair of fighting Saiyans nearby soon diverted Kakarotto's attention, and he sat up abruptly.

Any Saiyan would enjoy a good fight, and for a brief moment, the brawny Saiyan warred with himself. Vejita or the fight? He grinned as he moved to a more comfortable seated position and pulled the petite female onto his lap, his large muscular arms draping snugly around her small waist.

"FIGHT! FIGHT!" He punctuated his enthusiastic shouts with an ear-splitting howl.

Normally, Vejita might have sneered at his juvenile behavior, but the combination of moonbeams and the Run had set her blood pumping and adrenaline flowing. She leaned back against the broad chest of her mate, comfortably encircled by his warm arms and grinned savagely.

Let the show begin.