A/N: I don't own DBZ and I don't pretend to. This story is AU so that gives me free range and characters are OOC (out of character). Be warned spelling and grammar mistakes will be found. ALWAYS! Warning, Yaoi, male/male coupling. If you are homophobe then don't read. No-one is making you. Rated R
Royal Delivery
Chapter 33
Ursus and Artimis materialized in front of Mirai's bedroom window. "Mirai, shhh… What's going on?" As he approached the bed he noticed the Prince's ki bonds; eyebrow raised slightly. "Uumm…Is this some kind of kinky fantasy of yours or something …because I can go." Ursus said with questionable look.
Mirai eyes narrowed on his friend as he pulled at the bond. "Don't be stupid! And keep your voice down and get me out of here!"
Ursus waved his anger off. "Yes- yes your royal pain in the ass." He looked over at the open door wishing it was shut. The teen looked over his shoulder to the wizard behind them who was being very still; listening out for any one that might catch them. Mirai looked at him curiously. "Hey that's why we are here." He pointed to the old man. "Artimis is going to take us to his place."
"Why?" The Prince growled he wanted to find Gohan.
"Tell you later. We will have to be back before dawn. Before the King wakes." Ursus went to undo the bond on Mirai wrists. He didn't know where to start he motioned for Artimis to help.
"We had better be back before they do or all hell will break loose." Mirai stated as the old man placed his hand over the band and with a quiet snap it opened. "That's cool." The Prince smiled as he looked at his free hand. "That's the stuff… now quick free me from the rest."
~~~
"Collis!" The sound of Commander Ramose's voice, Collis' father, echoed in the ancient garden. The teen cadet, on hearing his name, growled into Gohan's ear. "Prince please excuse me. Forgive my father's untimely arrival." It came in bitter tones as Collis pulled away looking down at the shirtless boy looking up at him a little worried and fearful. "There will be a chance later … for this." Collis stretched out his hand and help the boy up to his feet and then reached down and picked up his discarded top.
"Here…lets go."
Gohan just nodded and pulled his top over his head. When he did this his eyes reopened to a kiss on the cheek. "Later then." Collis purred as he bowed for the Prince to leave first.
Gohan could see through the canopy of dark green leaves swaying in the breeze. Commander Ramose was standing with two of his father's royal guards. They must have been searching for him. As the Prince approached they saluted, Collis father called his son over to him. "Excuse me Prince Gohan I need a word with my son." Gohan nodded and watched as the teen left with his father. He could hear Collis talking gruffly to his father in some heated argument.
When they had gone Gohan looked at the two guards standing in front of him. "I'm fine you can go. I don't need any babysitters to escort me to my room. I'm a big boy now."
"Highness we have our instructions from the King to keep a close eye on you. Twice now you have managed to elude us of your whereabouts."
"I know. I'm sorry. But I just got my freedom and now I have you guys on my back." Gohan protested. In a way he was secretly pleased in one way that they had come when they did. He was uncomfortable with Collis in a big way and it was a feeling that was growing. No matter how much he tried to push this feeling away it would re-surface telling him this was big mistake; one that he would regret for the rest of his life and never left his conscious.
The two towering guards his father had assigned him where two of his finest warriors. Ones that qualified for the King's son ones the King himself felt assured in knowing they where on guard in case something might happen Gohan had no visible ki still. Vegeta and Goku didn't want him to be lost again or hurt and they would never know until it was perhaps too late. This and many other reasons the King had them chaperone him for his stay away. They were to report back on anything that seems out of place or if the Prince is unhappy in anyway. "Highness if we went against the King …"
"I know, I know. I wouldn't want you to do that. Just lighten up! Like now. All I'm going to do is go to bed." Gohan looked at them with a slight frown.
"Highness." The guard raised one knowing eyebrow at the boy. They have been fooled before when the Prince had taken off before. They found him sparring with Collis.
"I promise that's all I do." Gohan stated, feeling in someway a prisoner again.
"We will be nearby if you need to call us." The older guard nodded with a warm tone. They didn't mind this assignment. The young Prince was a bit of a mystery and no-one has gotten close enough to know him. He, and his younger comrade, were finding there was more to this boy. He was crafty, quick and smart.
"Well won't I feel safe." Gohan snapped angry with himself more than anyone else. It was his fault he felt trapped leading Collis like this.
"That's our job." The older guard was warming to the boy. He could see the teen was anxious about something. He was wondering whether he should push for more information and report this back to the King.
"Sorry."
"Highness is there something troubling you?" The guard pushed cautiously.
"No- no I'm fine just too much wine. You go… do whatever you do when I'm not around." He dismissed them. He didn't need them to find out any of this and relaying it back to his dad. It was the last thing he need was the King's wrath coming down on Collis' family's place and bursting through the front doors turning them into splinters; demanding blood and dragging him away like a helpless child.
"Highness." The guards turned to his comrade with same knowing look. They left it at that. They weren't going to push the boy.
Gohan watched them bow and leave. He turned around to the night sky behind him looking up at the massive mountains of Carso. Dark eyes wandered over the ragged edges before turning back to the grey-white stone mansion again: feeling lonely and unsure. A cold chill came up and ruffled his thick black hair that was slowly growing back. Not enough to tie back just yet but long enough to fall over his face with the breeze. He slipped a lock that was blowing in front of his eyes behind his ear before wrapping his arms around himself from the cold. "I had better go inside."
He walked up to the dining room that faced the courtyard and through the two large glass panel doors. He entered in the dimly lit room feeling a chill in the over barren room with the breeze following him through the open door behind him. *I wish I could go home and see Papa, dad and Mirai. This place gives me the creeps.*
Gohan walked through the tall red-wood doors of the dining room into the hall that came out into the black and white tiled foyer with its large sweeping staircase that curled around to meet the main doors. The teen Saiyan's tail tightened around his waist with nervousness.
Only the faint sound of an argument some where off in the distance down one the many halls could be heard. Gohan thought it sounded like Collis' older brother Amos. He had only met him briefly at tea. Collis told him he had returned from an outpost far from Vegeta-sie. He was called back to attend the celebration. Gohan was also told that by the time the royal party is held that the commander's mansion would be filled with distant family and friends.
The Prince walked up the stately stairs, sixteen in all, to reach the first floor. He looked towards his room on the right, three doors from were he stood. Gohan turned to look down the stairwell to the bottom and the foyer before briefly looking up the stairwell to the next floor. "This place is so different from the palace."
He frowned when he felt, for a second, that he was being spied upon. He shook the feeling off as the breeze outside just brushing some branches against the many windows. He moved off down the hall his footfalls muffled by the worn red rug that ran along the full length of the hall.
He stopped at his assigned room. It was smaller than his room back at the palace, but still you could fit a crowd of people in it. There were French windows opposite him. The Prince entered making sure to close the door behind him. Gohan moved over to a four-poster bed that had taken centre place of glory in the room. The French windows opened out on to a small balcony over looking the front of the mansion and driveway that snaked its path through the forest back towards the village off in the distance.
Gohan let his body flop back onto the bed with his legs hanging over the sides. "Well it has been one hell of a day." His eyes roomed over the heavy drapes that curtained the bed. It matched the ones on the window, a brilliant gold.
He forced his body back up and sat toeing off his boots. He had trouble with his left boot and pulled it off with his hands letting it drop on the floor with dull thud next to the other. He stood up and pulled his top off over his head and tossed it to the side. He undid his pants and headed for the small bathroom opposite the bed. "I had better wash."
The Prince reached the small room in half a dozen steps and turned on the taps for the second time that day. Gohan left the bathroom door open as he pulled off his long pants and entered the heat of the spray. Allowing it to work it magic; massaging his aching muscles all over again. His training had been rewarding if nothing else, though the time spent with Collis out in the garden, the guilt, was still weighing heavy with him.
Gohan lathered up the soap and coated his chest and arms in pure white suds gliding over his neck with the massaging spray trailing down his firmly toned torso. He was enjoying the heat of the spray as it relaxed him, taking his worries with it as he closed his eyes as he kept gliding the creamy lather over his body. His eyes sprung open with a sudden sound coming from his room.
Gohan's eyes narrowed to the sound and reached out and snatched a towel and with soap suds still coating over his handsome frame. He wrapped the towel around his slender hips. The Prince left the shower running as he took a wary step towards the door and looked cautiously out.
He was struck hard backwards and stumbled falling back with a smaller boy falling on top of him. He had a thick blue black fringe that nearly covered his face and a huge beaming smile that reached the kid's stormy indigo/navy eyes shining back at him. "Gohan the Saiyan"
"What the …" Gohan eyes grew wider as he took in the figure pressed above him lying on top of him with his hair falling to one side in braid not as heavy as a Saiyan. The kid's bright smile brought a glow over his handsome soft delicate face. Affectionately- keenly the boy bent down and started to kiss him heavily on the lips.
The boy pulled back not losing his generous smile. "Remember me?"
"Oh my gods… it's you! Olios from the auction house." Gohan's shocked expression was being replaced with a smile that matched his friend's.
"Yes you remember." The boy hugged him.
"Of course I remember. I have never forgotten that day. How could I?" Gohan hugged him back.
Olios lifted himself from Gohan's chest slightly to look at him. The Prince's hair was heavy from the water and was sticking to his face; light suds were slipping down off his strong shoulder. "You're all wet."
Gohan grinned. "Well you got me out of the shower Olios. You'd better let me get up."
The other teen nodded and climbed off. "Okay." His slender form stood just as short in height as the Saiyan Prince. Olios held out his hands and helped the other teen up. Gohan wasn't sure the boy had the strength to help him but he was pleasantly surprised. "It's good to see you again, Gohan the Saiyan. When I found out you where down here I had to come and see you."
"Where do you live Olios?" Gohan reached over and turned off the shower and reach over to grab another towel and rubbed the left over soap off and dried his hair.
"With my master." Olios said casually as he walked ahead of the Prince out of the bathroom as Gohan continued to dry his hair.
As soon as Gohan heard that word he stopped what he was doing. "Master …Oh no Olios."
The other boy turned around with smile that lit his eyes. "Oh no It's all right this one is good to me."
Gohan pointed to the bed. "Tell me everything while I'll get changed." He then went to the walk-in-robe and got his navy grey night pants out. He came out and took the towel from his waist and tossed it on the bed and went to put on his nightwear and tired the waist band.
"So who is this master?" Gohan asked watching the other boy sit on his bed with his legs crossed studying the extravagant room. He was dressed in long tan pants with long sleeve cream pullover that was loose around the neck with three thin tan leather ties untied at the collar. Olios' bright indigo/navy eyes watched as Gohan climbed onto the bed and grabbed a pillow and lay on his side facing the other teen.
"Oh Gohan, you still have your ring. I didn't know, can't they take it off?" Olios pointed to it. The thin silver ring braced tight against Gohan neck. A frown crossed the Prince's face. His eyes lost some of its spark in a past memory of when it was first put on. "Gohan?"
"Yes sorry…what?" Gohan snapped out of his past memory.
"The collar, can't they take it off?" Olios asked again pointing at it carefully. Remembering how it used to hurt Gohan back in their cell at the auction house.
Gohan gave reassuring smile seen the boy looking distress for him. "No, my grandpapa is on his way, he knows how to take it off. He knows all the different types of collar-rings and stuff like that out there. It's his job to know."
"When will he take it off?" He asked generally interested and concerned.
"In about a week." Gohan explained. He was a little afraid but excited too. He couldn't recall not wearing a collar.
"It's going to be hard to get use to. I mean your powers." Olios said touching and holding his friend's hand to get him to look at him since Gohan kept wondering off in thought.
"Powers?" Gohan asked. The teen knew others species that were not Saiyanjin see their extraordinary strength and the use of flight as powers; where the Saiyanjin themselves just saw it as a natural coat of their DNA. Gohan wasn't sure if this is what he meant. Since Olios wasn't Saiyan but another race that the boy couldn't even remember since he was taken when he was very young.
"I know Saiyans can transform…umm, Oozarn I think they call it. I see you were allowed to keep your tail…so you'll be able to change. I have heard a lot of stories of this type of power. I don't know of any other being able to keep their tails when sold." Olios explained. Gohan nodded and smiled. He understood now yes the famous Oozarn feared from across the stars. Destructive creatures when unleashed in battle. The cadets were trained before they left their planet. Long ago, before Saiyans travelled to other stars, a great King destroyed the planet Vegeta-sei's two moons.
The two moons had caused so much carnage among their own kind. It was ruled that there would be strict training for the young after that. It saved their planet and the race as a whole with the new ruling; they only train under supervision at the academy out in the great wastelands far from the Saiyan population. Gohan hadn't ever seen it himself having been taken away when he was young. He was unaware as to what happens when his kind encounter the eerie magic of a full moon.
"Ah Oozarn yes I have never seen it myself but I remember both my papa and father tell me stories about it. You know I nearly had my tail taken off a few times. My first master, Yajuu had broken it so many times; in the first year. I never thought it would mend in the end. But enough about me: what of you? What happened to you after I was sold?"
"I was sold not long after you left and was sent to work in a space port far from here as a pleasure slave for the high paid travellers. There were twelve others. We were like brothers but we all got sick when a ship came from far away. A lot of us that died from that sickness.
"I was taken away by my carer. We each had our own keeper. He smuggled me out and we met with my new master who paid good money for me. He told me he had been looking for me ever since the day of the auction." Olios, was an attractive boy. He had soft features gentle even.
"Who's your new master Olios?" Gohan pushed. He felt close to his old friend. They understood each other in ways others wouldn't be able to.
"His name is Artimis… he is a great wizard." Gohan bolted upright and grabbed Olios shoulders a deep frown. The boy looked surprised with the sudden movement and concern.
"Artimis is your master! I never knew this. Where do you live?" Gohan asked.
"My master lives high up on the mountain away from his family. We have a home up there. It is very peacefully. He lets me keep pets I have lost of pets he very kind man. Master has been looking for you too." Olios explained. He watched as Gohan sat back on his heels on the bed in disbelief.
"Artimis. I thought I was imagining it… so he was there in the crowd. Does my father the King, know about you?" Gohan asked curiously.
"My master said he used magic to be in two places at once, but no, I don't think your dad knows. I can't say. My master has kept me out of sight and I don't go to the capital that much; not with out my master anyway." Then a small frown came over him. "I'm not supposed to be here. If my master finds out he would be very upset with me. But I couldn't wait. I had to come and see you. Master is very worried about you being here."
"Why? What is he worried about?"
"I'm not sure but I know he doesn't like Ramose. He is Artimis great-great grandson from his only son." The boy explained. Gohan sat listening with interest.
"You're telling me this family are decedents of Artimis." Gohan was shocked his eyes trailed off with the thought. Collis' family was nothing like the old man he thought. How could they be so different?
"Yep they don't get along. Master keeps away if he can but then they call him for favours, family blood and all and he feels obliged. But they do nothing for him but master wouldn't want anything from them.
"He mourns for his eldest, a daughter when she came of age and took a mate without his consent they had big fight and she ran away. He knows nothing of her family."
"Wow I can't see him with family. He so old but then my grandpapa is very old and he had three kids my papa is the youngest of twins."
"It's really good to see you again Gohan the Saiyan I missed you. I remember the morning they came and started kicking me. You went at them to stop them and got a beating in the end. I never forgot that." Olios sat up and put his arms around his friend and hugged him.
"That was a long time ago Olios. Best left in the past, eh." Gohan whispered back to the boy as he returned the hug.
"Not so long go in my memory. It was like yesterday." Olios stated as he pulled away and sat back in front of Gohan.
"Yes I can understand this. It is still so real. The past for me will always be there I think." Gohan said with rush sadness threatening to overcome him.
"Yes and no one quite understands unless they have been through it. Like you and me, we are brothers like I told you that morning we always will be." The boy's face warmed with a smile that lit his eyes. Gohan had taken a bad beating for him and he never forgot that. No one, not even the brothers at the port, ever did this for him. Gohan was the only one that was willing to help another in need.
"Yes we are like brothers. I'm glad you are here. Can you stay longer? Maybe you can sleep here I need someone with me. Please." Gohan didn't want to be left alone. He was lonely and nervous about Collis, all of a sudden, with his regrets.
"Oh Gohan I can only stay for a while. My master doesn't know I'm here. I don't want to leave you especially not here. How about I stay until the morning. Master won't look for me until then."
"Why do you call him master Olios?" Gohan was lost he couldn't see the old man in the same light as his master. It always had bad vibe to it. It didn't match the wizard's manner. He was always nice Gohan thought if not a mystery.
Olios shook his head looking a little lost. "I don't know he asked me to call him Artimis. But I suppose I just got use to calling others who are older than me 'master.' He has given up trying to get me to call him by his name."
"Ah I know what you mean I have caught myself a few times from calling others master. My papa gave me long talk on the flight back here about what I could and couldn't do. He told me how my dad really hates it when I say that word, master…" Gohan put on an exaggerated version of his papa's voice. "You're a Prince so don't say master to no one or your father will go off his head and I'll get an earful." That's what papa said so I have tried." Olios and Gohan laughed with that image; the King's temper was well known.
Both boys settled. They could understand how difficult it was to stop something so driven into them. Gohan went on. "It ends up being instinct to say it. You know what our masters would do to us if we didn't give them the respect they call for. I remember it all to well. I still have nightmares about my masters. I keep thinking it is all a dream, this new freedom, and I'll be pulled away and get a beating."
Olios nodded he knew what he meant. "I know they come to me in dreams. Sometimes I don't have to be asleep to see their faces."
"Same here. Do you want to go to bed now? We can curl up like we did that night. But this time we can talk." Gohan grinned loving the idea of someone just wanting to be with him as a friend and nothing else. He felt like a kid again; the same free feeling of nothing bad happening.
"Yeah and we have warm blankets." Olios said they both crawled over to the top of the large bed. Gohan started to pull away the blankets as Olios took of his boots and climbed in. "Yes and no beatings."
"No beatings. No mean guards. No cruel master." Gohan smiled as he lay down with his friend come under the blankets with him both having the same warm smile.
"We survived, Gohan the Saiyan." Olios grinned as he came up to Gohan's waiting arms.
"Physically I'd say we have. Promise me you won't sneak off without waking me first." Gohan asked nestling his body close to his friend as they cuddled together.
"I promise. I'll be leaving before the sun rises." Olios whispered resting his head on the pillow with Gohan behind him.
"I'm normally a light sleeper but I'm tired so wake me." Gohan explained.
"I will." They both got comfortable Gohan wrapped his tail around Olios protectively. This boy was like his younger brother. They were close even if it was a short time that they were together. They had a lot in common and they felt comfortable being close.
They talked the best part of the night about their past until they both drifted off to sleep in each others arms under the warm covers on the softness of the matters the push pillows. It was so different from the cold hard floors of the cells that they have both had to endure years before.
No there was a brotherly love between them that couldn't be explained. Gohan's arms tightened around the smaller frame of the boy. Olios nestled into the pillow with the warmth of his friend behind him, and there they slept soundly away from the distant argument that was happening downstairs between father and sons.
"Father I know what I'm doing!" Collis snapped. He and his brother were in front of the old man's desk being lectured. Amos was taller and four years older than his younger brother was. He had the same thick black mass of hair; double the muscles and strength from years of been constantly out on missions. But like Collis and their father, Ramose, they all kept a well built frame; handsome in a harsh way.
"Good! I don't want this screwed up because of your hormones before the party! GOT IT! We don't want the Prince giving word to King about what happened here today. You're lucky his father's guards didn't find you!" Commander Ramose voice echoed of his walls of his study.
"Father, can we talk about the party? I can't see why you would let Collis do this he's a child Let me coax the young Prince out of the party. Why trust this to a child!" Amos growled pointed over at his younger brother glaring with envy.
Collis had the same hatred in his voice. "I'm not a child! Father you promised it would be me! He won't go to him freely!"
"Amos, he is right and I have no time for this. Collis has already got the boy's attention." Commander Ramose knew his youngest son had better chance in getting their plan to work.
"When will the rest get here?" Amos asked still not happy with his father decision.
"Soon you don't have to concern yourself with that." Ramose said.
"What of the Prince Mirai. What will happen to him after?" Amos asked.
"The same as the rest of his family…exile if they don't want the boy to die!"
"What if the King refuses, even with the threats? Even with all the manpower behind us the King has many of loyal hands willing to die for their King." Collis enquired. Unlike his family he didn't want to see the Prince Gohan hurt he was growing found of the Prince. He had no such fondness for rest of his family though, but the boy was crawling into his heart. His father noticed this and put it down to just his son hormones. It could be seen as a weakness and his eldest knew this and played on it since their little meeting started.
"Then we kill the boy in front of them and do the same to the Prince Mirai until they hand the crown over before there are more deaths. His lover and mate I don't care but we can't kill the King all the others will back out on the agreement." Commander Ramose stated making it clear to both his sons especially Amos who had no concerns in killing.
"I want to keep the Prince alive." Collis stated with the same firm voice as his father he glared at his brother an added warning was sent to Amos.
"Then you had better keep on your toes little brother." Amos growled with fire set in his eyes.
"Let's just pray the boy's father hands over his throne without a fight. Not that he can do much with him and his mate having the new fancy ki restraints on." Commander Ramose said trying to stop the fight between siblings.
"What of Mirai and the boy?" Amos asked
"Well I'll leave Mirai up to you and the boy will still be too weak to worry about! Hahaha In a week the crown is ours boys!" Commander Ramose chuckled with how well the plan was coming along. Amos was pleased that his father has given him the other Prince. Collis on the other hand was having second thoughts and was eager to go and see the Prince in his room.
TBC…
A/N: The next chapter I'm having problems with one part. I'm thinking of redoing it. I'll try and have it done soon and get to the part where everyone wants; the collar off and all.
I've been writing a lot of first person with my other story. I find it easier and faster to write so it may come across in this story. If it works then OK. My style is changing whether it's good or bad *shrug's shoulders* But I have noticed my other story is changing big time. It's a worry. Anyway I'll get this story back on track. I'm hoping to finish both my stories by Feb. So I had best start typing and make it good to read huh.
Thanks again guys, I appreciate it. Oh, and I have been reading your stories out there dudes and you have great stories, much better than mine and I think that's sooooooo very cool. Just one thing UPDATE!! No pressure though…hehehe ^_~
And another thing *giggles* Happy New Year!!
^_^