A.N. No lemon this time minna. Hope you enjoyed the last one though. This
chapter is all about plot.
Warnings ~ Violence, Yaoi, Lemon, Language, Sexual Assault. Not in every chapter but this is a general warning for the whole fic.
Disclaimer ~ I own nothing at all! Sue and you will receive a bucket of Kobo drool.
SWAN LAKE
Chapter Five
The dawn broke into the sky with a bright glow of promise for prince Kakarot. The young man gazed longingly across the vastness of the land, his dark eyes settling on the shadowy green of forest and black background of mountains near the horizon. He felt his loins tighten with excitement, his entire body tingled in memory of the past evenings activities. Even now he could still feel the ghost of Vegeta's fingers on his burning skin, the faint caress of shy, eager lips against his own. Fluttering lids closed over slightly clouded eyes as he recalled the enchanted prince's face. The look of passion and delight upon those sharp features was enough to coax a low moan from his parted lips, even if it was just a memory.
"Prince Kakarot? Are you awake yet prince? The king wishes to see you soon my young lord." A servant called through the door to him, disrupting his thoughts and pulling him from wonderful daydreams and back into reality. He sighed and headed for the door; he would just have to think about Vegeta later.
The prince bowed his head in respect as he entered the dinning hall and sat near his father. The king smiled proudly at his son. Tall, strong, spirited, and intelligent; the boy had truly grown into a fine young man. The only thing the prince didn't have yet was a suitable wife, but that would change soon. Bardock cleared his throat and gave his eldest son a small grin.
"Good morning my son. I'm sure you have duties to attend to so I shan't keep you long. I did need to inform you of some rather important matters before you go." He watched his son's eyes widen with curiosity. The king took a sip of wine from his jeweled goblet and cast a serious look towards the young prince. "You are now of the age to inherit the throne. However, before you may accept your birthright you must be able to provide the kingdom with an heir. This means that you must have a wife. I know that you have refused to seek out a future queen for yourself, and that is why the council and I have arranged for a ball tomorrow evening." Bardock noticed his son's look of shock and hurried on as the prince began to look angry. "Every young lady of noble birth in the kingdom will attend. You will select a bride from one of those present Kakarot. My decision has been made and I will not hear any back talk from you on the matter!" The king glared at his son with an air of finality that made the fuming prince whirl up from his chair and stalk out of the room in a rage.
Kakarot stormed down the lavishly decorated halls of the castle. The guards looked on in bemusement as the young man slammed the doors of the main entrance to the large inner courtyard behind him. He seethed silently, cursing his duties and his title as he looked for Nappa. His father couldn't do this to him; he wouldn't stand for it!
Nappa glanced up in surprise as he heard the furious swears emitting from his prince's lips. The eldest son of the king was approaching with a scowl on his face the likes of which the bald escort had never seen before. He looked nervously at the second son of Bardock who sat beside him with a look of curious anxiety on his young features. The two of them had been talking about the intriguing longhaired man Nappa and Kakarot had met when waiting for prince Vegeta two evenings ago. Nappa had confessed his admiration for the handsome friend of the enchanted prince, but he was not accustomed to being straight forward with people he found attractive and had been asking Turles' advice on the matter when Kakarot had come raging out of the castle.
"Nappa! Do you know what my father has done? He and those blithering fools who dare to council him! Do you know what they have done to me?" He shouted angrily and balled his fists. His lips curled back in a small snarl of barely suppressed rage. "They have ordered a ball Nappa! A courting ball! I must choose a mate from one of those in attendance, and the worst part is that it is to be held tomorrow night! What am I to do Nappa? I pledged to free Vegeta from his curse, I love him! I cannot marry some twittering princess or spoiled nobleman's daughter! What shall I do?" Kakarot groaned in frustration. He sat beside his young sibling and held his head in his hands. Nappa frowned darkly towards the castle. The council was always pushing the king into quick decisions when it came to his children, especially Fasha. That woman seemed to think she knew best for the young princes, as though she was a surrogate mother to them. The escort snorted. She probably did think that.
Turles narrowed his dark eyes, his lips pursed in thought. After a few moments of silence he placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. He smiled slyly at Kakarot, causing the elder prince to become interested and a bit wary of the younger man's thoughts. Turles had never been known as one who easily obeyed the commands of the council nor the king, and he often got into mischief when he was a child. Nevertheless, Kakarot was willing to hear any advice that might help his situation.
"Brother, surely you know I would never suggest you to openly defy father, as the crown heir to the throne you have thousands who look to you as an example. However, father said you must choose a mate from those in attendance, but he didn't say you had to choose one of the ladies present." Turles' smile became an impish grin as he glanced between his brother and Nappa. The bald man blinked a moment, looking entirely perplexed, but Kakarot was wide-eyed in understanding. He arched a brow towards his brother. He knew Turles was very fond of him and was only trying to help him, but still, this was a suggestion based on a mere technicality. Of course his father and the council were well aware that he had always refused to spend time with women so they should have phrased their commands accordingly. He smirked in satisfaction.
"Turles I believe that is a perfect solution. I shall invite Vegeta to the ball, and when he arrives I will announce him as my mate. Father and the council will have no say in the matter because I shall have selected someone who did attend the ball. I may keep my promise to Vegeta this way as well, and then we shall wed and rule the kingdom together." Kakarot stood tall and smirked towards his father's castle. Defiance was gleaming brightly within his obsidian eyes, love and determination burned strongly in his soul, and his every thought was set on uniting himself with the small swan prince. He clasped his brother in a fierce embrace, placed a chaste kiss on his full lips and laughed merrily. "You are truly a God-send Turles! I'm off to find Vegeta now! I must tell him about tonight!" Kakarot waved as he ran towards the stables. Nappa scrambled after him.
"My prince wait! He is not himself at this time! How will you find him?" The escort captured the prince's arm before he could mount his stallion. Kakarot frowned then, his thoughts suddenly darkening as reality pointed out the obvious flaw in his plans, aided by Nappa of course. He had no idea how he would find Vegeta during the day. He sighed despondently, his shoulders slumping with defeat. If he waited till nightfall his father and the council would surely be taking up all his time in preparation for the coming ball.
"Why not tell the prince's long-haired friend of the ball and let him deliver the message to Vegeta?" Turles smirked towards a suddenly flushing Nappa. Kakarot was filled with his former hope and anticipations though, and thinking this yet another wonderful plan, he spurred his steed onward. Nappa rushed over to his own horse and leapt into his saddle. He gave the old nag a vicious crack from his riding crop that set the lazy horse galloping after the young prince. Turles waved to them as they vanished through the gates.
Raditz sighed sullenly as he dusted yet another of the grotesque stone statues within his father's castle. Paragus insisted that his citadel be kept immaculately clean, and Raditz had been the unfortunate person straddled with the task. The young sorcerer stood near the large entry way, facing down the hall as he waved his right hand from side to side, up and down, commanding the feather duster and the broom to clean one object or another in the room and sweep the floor. His left hand was busy controlling the rag and buckets used for polishing the metal and wooden fixtures and furnishings. He was silently grateful his father allowed him to use his power for this or the chore would be impossible to accomplish. At least he was nearly finished with it now, only one other room remained and it was seldom used so there wouldn't be much dirt to clean away.
The longhaired man turned to head into the small sitting room to his left when a rapping at the front doors startled him. He stared in complete bewilderment at the doorknob. Certainly no one was foolish enough to come to this place. Perhaps it was just a weary traveler who had become lost in the woods, or it could be Vegeta. Raditz's brows furrowed as he considered that. He could not fathom why the prince might possibly return before nightfall. Glancing around to make sure his father was not in the area, he stepped quickly to the doors and opened them just enough to see who was standing outside.
"Raditz! Hello again!" Kakarot smiled brightly at the familiar head that poked out from behind the door. Raditz gasped and ran out of the castle, waving his arms frantically at the prince.
"Hush! He will hear you if you speak so loudly!" The sorcerer glared at the sheepishly smiling prince. There was a sudden crash and a muted splash that resounded from just within the entryway. Kakarot and Nappa looked puzzled as Raditz slapped a hand over his face and groaned. Now he was going to have a larger mess to clean up. Taking a breath to calm himself, he looked at the two visitors with a slightly worried, slightly annoyed expression. "Why have you two come here? You know Vegeta does not return till the setting of the sun. It is dangerous for us all if you remain here any longer prince. Return to your home, please." Raditz licked his lips nervously. The longer the prince and his escort stayed, the more likely it became that his father would see them. He knew exactly what would happen then and he did not wish to see such things happen. Kakarot seemed to sense his distress and decided to be brief.
"Raditz, we only came to ask you if you would deliver a message to Vegeta for me. You see I made an oath to him last evening, and I intend to keep my word. However my father and his council have forced me to attend a ball tomorrow night and select a mate from those present." The prince clenched his fists in outraged anger. He inhaled a calming breath before looking into the young sorcerer's eyes pleadingly. "I cannot choose anyone to be my mate though, I have already found the one I wish to spend eternity with. I love Vegeta, and I will have none but him. Please Raditz, tell him to come to the ball. There I shall announce to my father, the guests, and the entire court that he is my chosen mate, and then I shall keep my promise to him. I will free him from his curse." He took hold of the wide-eyed man's right hand in a firm grip. His dark eyes searching the coal orbs of the silent figure.
Raditz could hardly believe what he was hearing. He stared hard into the deep pools of bright ebony before him. Kakarot's eyes were wide and filled with unbridled emotions. He could clearly see the purity of his passion, the ferocity of his determination and courage, and the anxiety mingled with his anticipating hope. Raditz glanced to the side to see the firmly set features of the escort looking back at him silently. Nappa's eyes were encouraging him to trust what he saw in the prince. He could see the loving pride the older man held for the crowned heir. It was enough to sway him the rest of the way on his decision. He gave a quick nod to the prince then quietly pushed both of the visitors towards the road.
"I shall inform Vegeta about everything Kakarot, now you must leave, and never return here until you are ready to free the prince." He smiled a little as the prince turned and headed back towards the horses near the forest. The escort was still looking at him and standing at the bottom of the porch. Raditz blinked in bemusement. He could have sworn he saw the man wink at him. He leaned back towards the doors as Nappa approached him. The bald escort bowed politely and took one of Raditz's hands in his larger palm.
"You are more than welcome to attend the ball as well, my lovely enchanter." Nappa's voice rumbled softly as he smiled at the sorcerer. Raditz was shocked dumb. He gaped at the escort who stood grinning down at him. A faint blush crept across his cheeks as the tall man turned and joined his prince at the horses. The two rode off into the forest and vanished behind the sylvan curtain in a flurry of pounding hooves and whipping manes.
Kakarot cast a wry grin at his escort as they rode past the lake and down the small path through the forest. He couldn't help chuckling at the smug grin of satisfaction on the other's face.
"I take it you received a pleasing reaction from Raditz?" He raised his brows at the bald man and grinned. Nappa laughed amusedly. He had indeed received a pleasing reaction from the longhaired beauty. He cast a nearly shy smile at the prince.
"Perhaps you shan't be the only one wedding soon my prince." His shy smile faltered into a sly smirk that had Kakarot bursting with laughter as they rode out of the woods.
As the two had ridden off Raditz had turned and gone back into the castle. He shut the doors quietly, shaking the blush from his face as he tried not to think about the tall escort's charming smile and twinkling ebon eyes. He especially tried not to think of the strong, warm hand that had fit so snugly around his own. No, he should not think of that at this time. He needed to finish cleaning and inform Vegeta of the ball, and then he could spend all day tomorrow fantasizing about the handsome escort. A soft snicker quirked his lips into a brief grin at that thought. Perhaps he would accompany the prince to the ball.
"A ball Raditz? You and Vegeta are invited but I am not? I do not believe that this is fair now, do you my son?" There was a cold undertone to the mildly annoyed sound of his father's voice, a lurking maliciousness that chilled the young sorcerer to his very core. The smile he had died suddenly into a look of fear as he gazed up at his seething father.
A. N. I could write more here but this is a nice little cliffhanger don't you agree? So you'll have some things to wonder about while I write the next part. Will Raditz get to tell Vegeta about the ball at all? How much of the conversation did Paragus actually hear? You'll find out when I write the next chapter! See you then minna.
Warnings ~ Violence, Yaoi, Lemon, Language, Sexual Assault. Not in every chapter but this is a general warning for the whole fic.
Disclaimer ~ I own nothing at all! Sue and you will receive a bucket of Kobo drool.
SWAN LAKE
Chapter Five
The dawn broke into the sky with a bright glow of promise for prince Kakarot. The young man gazed longingly across the vastness of the land, his dark eyes settling on the shadowy green of forest and black background of mountains near the horizon. He felt his loins tighten with excitement, his entire body tingled in memory of the past evenings activities. Even now he could still feel the ghost of Vegeta's fingers on his burning skin, the faint caress of shy, eager lips against his own. Fluttering lids closed over slightly clouded eyes as he recalled the enchanted prince's face. The look of passion and delight upon those sharp features was enough to coax a low moan from his parted lips, even if it was just a memory.
"Prince Kakarot? Are you awake yet prince? The king wishes to see you soon my young lord." A servant called through the door to him, disrupting his thoughts and pulling him from wonderful daydreams and back into reality. He sighed and headed for the door; he would just have to think about Vegeta later.
The prince bowed his head in respect as he entered the dinning hall and sat near his father. The king smiled proudly at his son. Tall, strong, spirited, and intelligent; the boy had truly grown into a fine young man. The only thing the prince didn't have yet was a suitable wife, but that would change soon. Bardock cleared his throat and gave his eldest son a small grin.
"Good morning my son. I'm sure you have duties to attend to so I shan't keep you long. I did need to inform you of some rather important matters before you go." He watched his son's eyes widen with curiosity. The king took a sip of wine from his jeweled goblet and cast a serious look towards the young prince. "You are now of the age to inherit the throne. However, before you may accept your birthright you must be able to provide the kingdom with an heir. This means that you must have a wife. I know that you have refused to seek out a future queen for yourself, and that is why the council and I have arranged for a ball tomorrow evening." Bardock noticed his son's look of shock and hurried on as the prince began to look angry. "Every young lady of noble birth in the kingdom will attend. You will select a bride from one of those present Kakarot. My decision has been made and I will not hear any back talk from you on the matter!" The king glared at his son with an air of finality that made the fuming prince whirl up from his chair and stalk out of the room in a rage.
Kakarot stormed down the lavishly decorated halls of the castle. The guards looked on in bemusement as the young man slammed the doors of the main entrance to the large inner courtyard behind him. He seethed silently, cursing his duties and his title as he looked for Nappa. His father couldn't do this to him; he wouldn't stand for it!
Nappa glanced up in surprise as he heard the furious swears emitting from his prince's lips. The eldest son of the king was approaching with a scowl on his face the likes of which the bald escort had never seen before. He looked nervously at the second son of Bardock who sat beside him with a look of curious anxiety on his young features. The two of them had been talking about the intriguing longhaired man Nappa and Kakarot had met when waiting for prince Vegeta two evenings ago. Nappa had confessed his admiration for the handsome friend of the enchanted prince, but he was not accustomed to being straight forward with people he found attractive and had been asking Turles' advice on the matter when Kakarot had come raging out of the castle.
"Nappa! Do you know what my father has done? He and those blithering fools who dare to council him! Do you know what they have done to me?" He shouted angrily and balled his fists. His lips curled back in a small snarl of barely suppressed rage. "They have ordered a ball Nappa! A courting ball! I must choose a mate from one of those in attendance, and the worst part is that it is to be held tomorrow night! What am I to do Nappa? I pledged to free Vegeta from his curse, I love him! I cannot marry some twittering princess or spoiled nobleman's daughter! What shall I do?" Kakarot groaned in frustration. He sat beside his young sibling and held his head in his hands. Nappa frowned darkly towards the castle. The council was always pushing the king into quick decisions when it came to his children, especially Fasha. That woman seemed to think she knew best for the young princes, as though she was a surrogate mother to them. The escort snorted. She probably did think that.
Turles narrowed his dark eyes, his lips pursed in thought. After a few moments of silence he placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. He smiled slyly at Kakarot, causing the elder prince to become interested and a bit wary of the younger man's thoughts. Turles had never been known as one who easily obeyed the commands of the council nor the king, and he often got into mischief when he was a child. Nevertheless, Kakarot was willing to hear any advice that might help his situation.
"Brother, surely you know I would never suggest you to openly defy father, as the crown heir to the throne you have thousands who look to you as an example. However, father said you must choose a mate from those in attendance, but he didn't say you had to choose one of the ladies present." Turles' smile became an impish grin as he glanced between his brother and Nappa. The bald man blinked a moment, looking entirely perplexed, but Kakarot was wide-eyed in understanding. He arched a brow towards his brother. He knew Turles was very fond of him and was only trying to help him, but still, this was a suggestion based on a mere technicality. Of course his father and the council were well aware that he had always refused to spend time with women so they should have phrased their commands accordingly. He smirked in satisfaction.
"Turles I believe that is a perfect solution. I shall invite Vegeta to the ball, and when he arrives I will announce him as my mate. Father and the council will have no say in the matter because I shall have selected someone who did attend the ball. I may keep my promise to Vegeta this way as well, and then we shall wed and rule the kingdom together." Kakarot stood tall and smirked towards his father's castle. Defiance was gleaming brightly within his obsidian eyes, love and determination burned strongly in his soul, and his every thought was set on uniting himself with the small swan prince. He clasped his brother in a fierce embrace, placed a chaste kiss on his full lips and laughed merrily. "You are truly a God-send Turles! I'm off to find Vegeta now! I must tell him about tonight!" Kakarot waved as he ran towards the stables. Nappa scrambled after him.
"My prince wait! He is not himself at this time! How will you find him?" The escort captured the prince's arm before he could mount his stallion. Kakarot frowned then, his thoughts suddenly darkening as reality pointed out the obvious flaw in his plans, aided by Nappa of course. He had no idea how he would find Vegeta during the day. He sighed despondently, his shoulders slumping with defeat. If he waited till nightfall his father and the council would surely be taking up all his time in preparation for the coming ball.
"Why not tell the prince's long-haired friend of the ball and let him deliver the message to Vegeta?" Turles smirked towards a suddenly flushing Nappa. Kakarot was filled with his former hope and anticipations though, and thinking this yet another wonderful plan, he spurred his steed onward. Nappa rushed over to his own horse and leapt into his saddle. He gave the old nag a vicious crack from his riding crop that set the lazy horse galloping after the young prince. Turles waved to them as they vanished through the gates.
Raditz sighed sullenly as he dusted yet another of the grotesque stone statues within his father's castle. Paragus insisted that his citadel be kept immaculately clean, and Raditz had been the unfortunate person straddled with the task. The young sorcerer stood near the large entry way, facing down the hall as he waved his right hand from side to side, up and down, commanding the feather duster and the broom to clean one object or another in the room and sweep the floor. His left hand was busy controlling the rag and buckets used for polishing the metal and wooden fixtures and furnishings. He was silently grateful his father allowed him to use his power for this or the chore would be impossible to accomplish. At least he was nearly finished with it now, only one other room remained and it was seldom used so there wouldn't be much dirt to clean away.
The longhaired man turned to head into the small sitting room to his left when a rapping at the front doors startled him. He stared in complete bewilderment at the doorknob. Certainly no one was foolish enough to come to this place. Perhaps it was just a weary traveler who had become lost in the woods, or it could be Vegeta. Raditz's brows furrowed as he considered that. He could not fathom why the prince might possibly return before nightfall. Glancing around to make sure his father was not in the area, he stepped quickly to the doors and opened them just enough to see who was standing outside.
"Raditz! Hello again!" Kakarot smiled brightly at the familiar head that poked out from behind the door. Raditz gasped and ran out of the castle, waving his arms frantically at the prince.
"Hush! He will hear you if you speak so loudly!" The sorcerer glared at the sheepishly smiling prince. There was a sudden crash and a muted splash that resounded from just within the entryway. Kakarot and Nappa looked puzzled as Raditz slapped a hand over his face and groaned. Now he was going to have a larger mess to clean up. Taking a breath to calm himself, he looked at the two visitors with a slightly worried, slightly annoyed expression. "Why have you two come here? You know Vegeta does not return till the setting of the sun. It is dangerous for us all if you remain here any longer prince. Return to your home, please." Raditz licked his lips nervously. The longer the prince and his escort stayed, the more likely it became that his father would see them. He knew exactly what would happen then and he did not wish to see such things happen. Kakarot seemed to sense his distress and decided to be brief.
"Raditz, we only came to ask you if you would deliver a message to Vegeta for me. You see I made an oath to him last evening, and I intend to keep my word. However my father and his council have forced me to attend a ball tomorrow night and select a mate from those present." The prince clenched his fists in outraged anger. He inhaled a calming breath before looking into the young sorcerer's eyes pleadingly. "I cannot choose anyone to be my mate though, I have already found the one I wish to spend eternity with. I love Vegeta, and I will have none but him. Please Raditz, tell him to come to the ball. There I shall announce to my father, the guests, and the entire court that he is my chosen mate, and then I shall keep my promise to him. I will free him from his curse." He took hold of the wide-eyed man's right hand in a firm grip. His dark eyes searching the coal orbs of the silent figure.
Raditz could hardly believe what he was hearing. He stared hard into the deep pools of bright ebony before him. Kakarot's eyes were wide and filled with unbridled emotions. He could clearly see the purity of his passion, the ferocity of his determination and courage, and the anxiety mingled with his anticipating hope. Raditz glanced to the side to see the firmly set features of the escort looking back at him silently. Nappa's eyes were encouraging him to trust what he saw in the prince. He could see the loving pride the older man held for the crowned heir. It was enough to sway him the rest of the way on his decision. He gave a quick nod to the prince then quietly pushed both of the visitors towards the road.
"I shall inform Vegeta about everything Kakarot, now you must leave, and never return here until you are ready to free the prince." He smiled a little as the prince turned and headed back towards the horses near the forest. The escort was still looking at him and standing at the bottom of the porch. Raditz blinked in bemusement. He could have sworn he saw the man wink at him. He leaned back towards the doors as Nappa approached him. The bald escort bowed politely and took one of Raditz's hands in his larger palm.
"You are more than welcome to attend the ball as well, my lovely enchanter." Nappa's voice rumbled softly as he smiled at the sorcerer. Raditz was shocked dumb. He gaped at the escort who stood grinning down at him. A faint blush crept across his cheeks as the tall man turned and joined his prince at the horses. The two rode off into the forest and vanished behind the sylvan curtain in a flurry of pounding hooves and whipping manes.
Kakarot cast a wry grin at his escort as they rode past the lake and down the small path through the forest. He couldn't help chuckling at the smug grin of satisfaction on the other's face.
"I take it you received a pleasing reaction from Raditz?" He raised his brows at the bald man and grinned. Nappa laughed amusedly. He had indeed received a pleasing reaction from the longhaired beauty. He cast a nearly shy smile at the prince.
"Perhaps you shan't be the only one wedding soon my prince." His shy smile faltered into a sly smirk that had Kakarot bursting with laughter as they rode out of the woods.
As the two had ridden off Raditz had turned and gone back into the castle. He shut the doors quietly, shaking the blush from his face as he tried not to think about the tall escort's charming smile and twinkling ebon eyes. He especially tried not to think of the strong, warm hand that had fit so snugly around his own. No, he should not think of that at this time. He needed to finish cleaning and inform Vegeta of the ball, and then he could spend all day tomorrow fantasizing about the handsome escort. A soft snicker quirked his lips into a brief grin at that thought. Perhaps he would accompany the prince to the ball.
"A ball Raditz? You and Vegeta are invited but I am not? I do not believe that this is fair now, do you my son?" There was a cold undertone to the mildly annoyed sound of his father's voice, a lurking maliciousness that chilled the young sorcerer to his very core. The smile he had died suddenly into a look of fear as he gazed up at his seething father.
A. N. I could write more here but this is a nice little cliffhanger don't you agree? So you'll have some things to wonder about while I write the next part. Will Raditz get to tell Vegeta about the ball at all? How much of the conversation did Paragus actually hear? You'll find out when I write the next chapter! See you then minna.