Royal Delivery

Chapter 3

At sick bay Goku approached the older man. "How is he Doctor?" The anxious father asked.

"He's healing nicely. He should be ready to be released from the tank any time now." The doctor reassured him.

"Good. He has been in there too long." Goku stated moving closer to his cub still suspended in front of him. Goku looked over his boy's features. A warm smile slips over his face as he soaked in just how handsome and cute his boy really was. A slight frown washed over his face as his sight returned to the small plush brown tail that now looked like nothing had ever happened.

Bip Bip

The machine's alarms sounded indicating that the healing process was completed. The blue goo was drained from the tank, easing the patient back down and into the seat. Gohan was slowly coming to as the Doctor moved up and checked the small royal for any unwanted signs of bad health with the boy's father waits anxiously at his side. "All seems well. He can be cleaned up and released." The old doctor stated to the relief of Goku.

"Gohan. Son wake up, its papa." Gohan's thick wet lashes opened allowing his dark eyes to focus on his smiling father.

"Papa" He whispered.

"Come now. Your father is waiting to see you." Goku purred as reached for his tired cub.

"Is he still angry with us?" Gohan inquired as his papa picked him up. The boy's newly healed tail wrapped affectionately around his papa's arm.

"He has calmed down some. Now let's get you cleaned up and dressed so you can see for yourself." Goku took his son to the next room where a warm bath and clean clothes were waiting for the royal cub.

In the private apartment, Mirai turned back to Turles. "Uncle, I can sense Gohan is out now." Mirai looked up from his drawing to his uncle sitting down on the plush sofa.

"Yes I can sense it too." Turles said looking up from the book he was reading waiting for his twin brother return.

// Chibi // Mirai turned to speak to his brother.

// Mirai where are you// Gohan asked from the bath.

// Home with Uncle Turles. How are you feeling now// Mirai asked turning back to see his uncle give him a knowing look that said he knew what he was doing.

// I'm better now. Papa is bathing me. // Gohan chirped in his mind bond with his brother.

// Has papa said anything about where you are sleeping tonight// Mirai anxiously waited for a reply to the question that he had been fretting on since his father had told them they were to be separated.

// I'll ask // Gohan turned to his father who was busy trying to clean the young cub. "Papa"

"Yes Gohan" Goku said checking that he was attempting to get the sticky goo off.

"Umm where will I be sleeping tonight?" The chibi asked as his papa poured warm water over his back.

Goku smirked to himself. They are already planning "Well that is for your father to decided but I would say in our bed." Goku watched his son shoulders slump forward feeling dejected.

// Chibi// Mirai called keen to know the answer.

// Papa said I'm sleeping with them tonight.// Mirai's blues saddened attracting his uncle's attention.

"What is it Mirai?" Turles moved closer to the cub still sitting on the thick carpet.

"Chibi will be sleeping with papa and father tonight." He said in defeated tone.

"Hey cheer up. It's only for one night." Turles smiled at the miserable feeling cub. He knew it wouldn't be easy to have to sleep on his own. All Saiyan cubs sleep together He was with his two brothers until Raditz, at the age of fifteen, left for the academy. This would be especially difficult with a bond brother.

In the bathroom Gohan was lifted out of the bath by his papa. "Come on, out now. Let's get you dressed." Goku watched as his young cub got dressed and ready to go.

"Where is father?" Gohan asked as the door in front of him opened to allow his papa and him to leave.

"Probably talking with your old sparring teacher." That got the chibi's attention as he looked back at his papa.

"Old…" Said like that meant only one thing. They were getting a replacement.

"Yes your uncle is going to teach you until Nappa returns from his mission." Goku said watching his son eyes widen with the new information.

// Mirai// Gohan called

// What is it chibi// Mira asked

// Papa and father are going to get Uncle Turles to be our sparring teacher until Nappa gets back. // Gohan look up to see his papa glaring at him.

"I hope you haven't told your brother. He's not to tell Turles. He will be upset and I need to talk with him first." Goku explained to his paling son.

"WHAT, I'm no baby sitter." Turles sprung up from where he sat when he heard what the King had planned for him. // Brother this better not be true. Mirai said I'm going to be the cub's new teacher. // Turles growled at his brother through their bond.

"GOHAN" The boy gulped as his papa narrowed his dark eyes down on the boy. Goku looked away while he talked with his twin. // Turles, it will only be for a short time until Nappa returns. //

// And that is supposed to make things better// Turles growled back while Mirai stared curiously at him.

// You should be honoured. It was Vegeta's idea. // Goku tried to calm his brother.

// Oh that makes it so much better. // Turles stood up and paced the living room annoyed that he was to be taken away from his duties only to nurse maid the boys.

// Turles. I will speak to you later. // Goku herded his son into the royal arena where Vegeta had just finished firing the boys' sparring teacher.

Vegeta turned as he dismissed the ex-teacher and saw his son and mate approach. He looked down at his boy standing there waiting for a tongue lashing. His dark eyes shifted to the young prince's tail that was waving nervously behind him. "How are you feeling boy?"

"I'm better now father." Gohan looked up at his father dark eyes masking their true feelings on the matter.

//Chibi what's wrong// Mirai called feeling his brother's discomfort.

//Father// Gohan knew he didn't have to say any more. Mirai would understand.

Vegeta could feel his cub's discomfort. It hurt that Gohan was scared of him but he was King and he couldn't, by nature, show too much affection even though he wanted to. "You will be sleeping with your papa and me tonight."

"Yes father." Gohan hung his head low as he turned to face his papa who was in a silent conversation with his mate.

// He doesn't hate you. He is upset that's all. They will learn from this and it will be all over. You'll see. // Goku tried to reassure his mate who was washed with hurt at his son's reaction. They were picking up on Mirai's sadness too and that too was weighing heavily on the king.

// I suppose you're right again Kakarrot. I will see you later I have another meeting to be at. I have sent word for Nappa to return. He should be here by the end of the week. You can let Turles know. // "Gohan you can come with me." Vegeta turned to his cub with his dark thick tail unwound from his slim waist to coax the boy over to him.

Gohan's sad eyes looked up at his papa hoping he would call him back. But he could see they both were determined to keep the boys separated. "Yes father" Gohan watched his papa smile before he disappeared, probably back to their private apartment in the heart of the palace. Now he would be stuck listening to a boring meeting with all the head officials out for his father's attention.

Goku opened the front door of the Royal apartment and walked inside. "Hows Mirai?"

"In his room pining for his brother. Are you sure separating them is the right thing?" Turles asked his twin as he collapsed his exhausted body on the sofa beside him.

"We did what was best. They knew better than to go outside the gates. If you didn't come I could have lost them both." Goku said still obviously upset. Turles smiled back at his younger twin.

"Hey they are fine now." Turles reassured him.

"Why did they do that?"

"They want to know if there was any news about their grandpapa. You didn't tell them did you?" Turles asked.

"No I didn't want to upset them. And now look what has happened. I made this happen." Goku frowned.

"It wasn't your fault."

"I don't know. If I had only just told them there was no news they wouldn't have taken off looking for you." Goku raked his figures through his thick black hair with exhaustion.

They are safe now. Don't berate yourself over this. It will do you no good." Watching his brother stress, Turles felt for him. They were a close family and the disappearance of their father and older brother was wearing them all down.

"You're right. I wish our father and Raditz was here. I miss them and so do the chibis."

"I'm planning to go again in two weeks. I have heard from a reliable source that a man who sounds very much like our father was sighted at an auction house. I'm going to check it out."

"Do you think it's dad?" Goku turned to face Turles.

"It sounds like him, but what he is doing at an auction house I have no idea."

"This is the most information we have had in months." Goku smiled with the news.

"Yes that's why I have to go in two weeks. My ship will be repaired and I'll be able to leave."

"You should let us get you a new one."

"No hand outs thank you." Turles growled.

"You're stubborn."

"Yeah well that's me. Nappa had better get back here because I'm gone as soon as it is fixed."

Okay I'll let Vegeta know. You can fill him in on the details this evening" Goku said with renewed enthusiasm in his voice.

Turles nodded. "I agree."

Mirai was curled up on his and Gohan's bed talking with his brother, who was at a meeting with their father with all the head officials. // Chibi what are they doing now//

Gohan looked around the crowded room full of well dressed men. Some powerful warriors, others were heads of state. All had come to talk with the King. // Nothing just yelling and stuff. Father getting angry with a small man.//

Mirai jumped off the bed and looked out the large window that overlooked the palace gardens. // I wish you could come home. //

// Me too. It's boring here. // Gohan fidgeted with boredom as he sat next to his father watching them all talk about stuff he knew nothing about.

Mirai sighed //What's happen now//

// The little man looks like he wants to cry. // Gohan said feeling sorry for the man.

// Dad will have a fit if he did. // Mirai chuckled

// Yeah // Gohan chuckled back.

// Papa's here talking with uncle. // Mirai went over to the door and put his ear up against it trying to listen to the muffled talking emanating from the living room.

// What about// Gohan asked thinking it would have to be more interesting than here.

// I don't know. Probably about grandfather or us. // Mirai thought as he walked back to his bed.

// Is he still angry// Gohan asked nervously

// I don't think so. I don't think so chibi. // Mirai frowned when he felt a wall go down between them both slicing their bond. // Chibi are you Okay// Mirai was getting worried his brother would only do that to stop him from feeling what he was feeling.

Back in the living room Goku got up. "I'll go and check on him." He walked over to the wide corridor leading to his son's room. With his ear to the door he knocked. There was no response. Slowly he opened the door to see Mirai curled up with his brother pillow with deep frown set upon his handsome face. "What's up?"

"Chibi has block me out" Mirai explained.

// Gohan // Goku got no response his son has blocked him out too. Worried, he decided he would speak to his mate. Normally he wouldn't bother him in the middle of a meeting but he would be the only one that could see what the problem is. // Geta //

// What? // Vegeta snapped more than he meant to. The meeting was becoming a headache and all he really wanted to do was go to the apartment and be with his

// Gohan has blocked both me and Mirai out // Vegeta frowned and turned to his son sitting next to him. The boy was as close as he knew he would be allowed in public with the one exception. He had a hold of his father's royal red cloak, gripping it like it was his only life line. Vegeta noticed his son was trembling slightly. He followed the boy's line of sight to see him look over near some officials. One being his head of security, talking to another he had never seen.

Vegeta turned back to his son paling face. // Gohan. // Something, has scared him enough to block himself from his family The King growled. "Boy" Still the boy didn't show any sign that he had heard his father. Only when the man he had his eyes on wandered back into the crowd that the wide eyes chibi heard his father. "BOY"

"Father?" Gohan head snapped back to his father and realise he is holding on to his robe. Quickly he released it from his tight grip letting the heavy material drop.

// Boy go outside and wait for me there. The meeting is close to finishing // Vegeta told his son through their parental bond so as not to have others hear the concern in his voice.

// Yes father // Gohan moved away to the large ornately carved doors that lead into his father's private office. Gohan was relieved to be out of that room. The head of security always had that effect on him. He kept his wall up still until he was free from any bad thoughts he didn't want his family to know about. To fill in the time he looked around and picked up a few of the books that covered his father's desk. Bored, Gohan wandered over to the wide door and stood on his tip-toe to reach the handle. Slowly he managed to open the door and wandered out and into the hall.

Gohan peeked around the corner. He could see men talking to each other exiting the main chamber. Some of the men stopped in their conversation when they saw the cub approach wearing his royal colours in a miniature version of both his powerful father's. He was dressed as a prince would be in public. His father wouldn't have it any other way. Gohan looked up at the mountains of tall men now slowly surrounding him. "Prince Gohan?"

Gohan turned around to see a small man smiling down at him with a wooden walking stick. "Yes" Gohan said innocently to the man he recognised as the man who looked like he was going to cry. He had a long grey beard which the boy found fascinating. Very few Saiyans have beards and this man's one was grey. He must be very old the chibi thought.

"I'm honoured to meet you, prince Gohan." The man bowed in respect for his lord's son.

"You are?" Gohan asked

"Of course my sire. Will my lord sit with and old man for a while?"

"Yes" Gohan thought this man was like his grandpapa. Feeling safe with the older man Gohan followed him to a row of chairs far from the others.

"Sit, sit… please." The man urged the young prince to a sit next to him. Gohan did as he was told and sat next to the frail looking old man. This got some attention and a few others just stared at them both. "So tell me about yourself. You look like you will grow into a fine warrior."

"My fathers want me to be." Gohan's trusting soul didn't mind talking to this man. It made him wish his grandpapa was here. He would sit him on his lap and tell him stories of things gone by, mesmerising his grandson with adventures and planets he had yet to visit exciting the boy imagination.

"What about you? Highness what do you want?" This was first for Gohan he never been asked this, he was always told what or who he will be come. The chibi thought about it until he came up with what he thought he would like to do.

"I would like to travel and see new worlds that my grandpapa has spoken of." He beamed with pride at thinking of something for himself without his brother of father to guide him.

"I see. Such a fine spirit reigns in you and for the adventure I see." The man patted the boy's hand getting whispers from others that saw the man touch a royal without permission.

"Can I ask what your name is?" The boy asked with his eyes a shining at his new friend.

"Of course you can. I'm called Artimis" The man poked the boy in the ribs resulting in a giggle from the royal cub. More whispers flooded the grand hall. "Now, with your permission your highness, I have to go."

Gohan jumped up from his seat and helped the old man to his feet with the use of his carved wooden cane. "When will I see you again?"

"You will see me in a few days when the King calls the next meeting." The man beamed at the young cub.

"Where do you live?" Gohan chirps

"I live in the mountains to the east of here." The man pointed.

"Oh" Gohan was hoping he lived closer than the wild mountains of Carso. He had heard of them from his teacher. "Oh well I hope I will see you soon." He beamed

"You will, now go back to your father's chambers and wait for him. You will be safer there." The man urged him. Gohan nodded and headed off turning every so often to look back at the man who was waving good bye. Gohan ran around a corner and poked his head back to see the man. Wow he can move fast for old man slowly he walked back to see where he had gone. Gohan frowned as his eyes searched through the now large crowd for man. "Where did he go?"

"Are you looking for anyone in particular Your Highness." Gohan span around to see two legs in front of him. His nervous dark eyes travelled all the way up until he nearly fell over. Looking down at him was the head of security with his cold eyes looking straight through him sending a chill up the boy spine. Fear washed through his small body as he started to tremble.

"N-no"

TBC…