A/N: I don't own DBZ. This story is AU…Characters are OOC. Warning: m/m coupling, also swearing the list goes on and on… If you don't like it, don't read! Rated R.
"A Saiyanjin Lullaby"
Chapter 28
"Now, Vegeta settle down." Goku said holding up his arms trying to calm down the furious prince and trying to prevent Vegeta from sending another fireball at the one way mirror, at his ex.
"MOVE! You heard what she called ME!" He barked frustrated, glaring up at the mirror, a mirror that didn't shatter with his last attack.
"Yeah…but I'm sure she didn't mean it!"
"Oh YES I did!" Bulma voice boomed over the intercom. Goku's head dropped with a sigh. She wasn't helping matters. It was becoming impossible between the insults they were now shooting at each other. He didn't remember having a work out like this in years.
"I'll be back in a second." She said over the intercom, which only resulted in a growl from Vegeta. "I've gotta check on a few things. Don't have a hernia Vegeta. I'll be right back."
"Why I'll…" Vegeta went to curse and fly up to the mirror when Goku placed his right palm on the prince's chest, stopping him. Vegeta's eyes snapped to the earth Sayain's hand, eyes burning. Keeping the prince calm was becoming no easy task.
Goku knew what was wrong he felt it too. In the Gravity room for some strange reason it was blocking out their senses. It was unnatural for them, like loosing a part of limb, like losing a leg. Their thread, link to others was gone. A common bond that tied them to one and another was ki, energy, a life force that was an extension of them selves. With humans it was barely visible but still there and with those that were more powerful, like the Z team, it was more noticeable and varied with each of their strength. But with Sayains it went further. The bond between them and a child or Mate was tied by a powerful thread of communication like a form of telepathy. It is what binds them and without it was suffocating, unsettling.
He hadn't noticed at first but then when he got a little worried about Goten and had tried to scan for him he found out he couldn't. Then he thought he would try and materialise out of there, but he couldn't get a lock on anything outside the GR. Something was dreadful wrong the more he become aware of it. It was like they were isolated from the rest of the world.
It was then in his puzzlement that he realised why all those times it never bothered him to be separated from his son. It was never a big deal because he always had that thread to call upon. He remembered numerous times searching out for Gohan through that same parental thread. It was a thread that linked him with his son. He would reach out, no matter where he was, and quietly tug at it. He would be pleasantly rewarded with his son's unconscious tug back, calming any fears a parent might have about their child. It had become second nature to him. Like for all Saiyans, you don't miss it until it gone.
He noticed the longer he was without that connection the uncomfortable feeling would escalate becoming unbearable. He could see in Vegeta's eyes that he was suffering without that same thread. He would be feeling the loss of his and Gohan's bond more than Trunks since he had been concentrating on him, worrying about him ever since he went away and being so close to the birth.
Goku also knew that Bulma never let Vegeta feed his ki to Trunks and knew this hurt the prince, that he could never completely share that bond he could have had. Goku knew he was fortunate that Chichi and he were more on speaking terms back in the beginning and he had unknowingly feed Gohan. Back then his heritage was still a mystery, but it put a smile on his face that he got away with it. A smile broadened on his face when he recalled how greedy Gohan was, he would soak up his ki like a sponge. He remembered mentioning this to Vegeta once when he was trying to find out about his heritage. The Sayain prince said blankly that he could have easily over fed him. They both agreed that would explain the boy's overly dependent need for his father. To this day Vegeta complained that Gohan couldn't bare the idea of losing his father. Goku argued that he didn't care. He always liked having his son follow him around. He remembered bitterly about what caused a spark of jealousy when he first arrived and found that Vegeta and Gohan had bonded. He was jealous about how close his son was to the prince.
But now here they where trapped behind thick walls without that familiar thread that linked them to their loved ones. It was frighting, maddening. His eyes darkened in thought. Whatever the metal was that surrounded them was preventing their mental powers from breaking through. He could see a Saiyan turning mad quite easily if put into solitarily confinement for long periods of time. He knew from hints of Vegeta's life with the lizard tyrant Frieza and that he had been put into similar isolation countless times trying to break the prince into submissions; something that didn't come natural to the princes of Saiyans. He had heard from Bulma, and even his son, that on occasions Vegeta would wake up from nightmares but refused to talk about it, preferring to lock away his demons that haunted him. Goku could hardly know what it was like for Vegeta, but the more he learned about the prince's past, the more respect he felt for the prince.
Looking into Vegeta's eyes now he could see they were so hot with anger and frustration. Goku could feel the heat and the pain from them. "Just give it a rest for now. I promise if she doesn't…"
"GUYS!" Bulma's voice came over so full of worry it got both warriors' undivided attention. They both looked up and faced the one way mirror even though they couldn't see her they knew something wasn't right. She had just run back with her cell phone in her hand
"It's Gohan…" As soon as the words left her lips Vegeta who body tensed. Goku hand dropped from the prince chest his eyes were glued to the one-way mirror. "I have Videl on the cell…" Vegeta's whole body turned his shoulders straightened eyes darkened immediately coming alert waiting for the words. They could hear her whisper away from the mike, obviously talking to Videl. "OHMY…" Vegeta was straining his ears. "Guys? There being a terribly accident and Gohan trapped and they think…"
As she spoke her words echoed though him so lifeless 'terribly accident… he's in labour.' Nothing was firmly setting in. He dully felt Goku hands tug on his arm.
"Vegeta?" Goku's voice did nothing to mask his own fears. "Gohan needs us?" Goku needed them both to think clearly to get out of this. "Vegeta, Gohan!"
The prince blinked when he had heard his lover name. His whole body came back from the tunnel of disbelief as he felt a surge of anger boil towards the surface before exploding into rage, un-ruling rage pure as the day it was created. "Woman, tell that brat not to leave my mate's side! I'll be there!"
"Vegeta?" Bulma asked questionably.
"Move!" Vegeta barked.
"NO! Wait! Videl says Gohan is not responding. He's trapped under a car and there's a fire….they can't reach him." Her anxiety was rising feeling frantic about not knowing what to do.
"I said…" Vegeta's anger built. Mixed with fear for his lover and their unborn child, it was at breaking point. "MOVE!" The power erupted around him a whirlpool of strength that snapped and cracked. Goku stood beside him drawing on his own power their eyes fixed with one goal in mind - to get to his son.
"Goku?" Bulma eyes turned to her lover. She backed away from the mirror as gold light crackled and wiped in front of her as two Saiyan warriors exploded into gold armour.
Goku's dark eyes snapped to the mirror. "Bulma run… NOW!" Bulma nodded even though they couldn't see her and turned and fled through the door of the office and into the hall of the great Dome building. The place began to shake. She knew the whole place was going to blow soon.
She could feel the raw power vibrate under her feet and in the walls that surrounded her. Vases started to shake with the tremors until falling and smashing underfoot. She could hear the deafening sound of power generating, gathering in waves. The whole place was starting to vibrate and quake. Bulma clutched onto her cell phone. In her wildest dreams she would have never guessed anything like this would have happened. She slipped tripped and nearly fell face first as the tremors grew in strength. Her hand stretched out in front of her trying to prevent her falling further.
Struggling to pull herself up again. Pictures frames slipped from their places on the wall, crashing to the floor around her as she fought her way to the closest exit. The massive building was falling apart around her. It was like no normal earthquake she thought as she braced herself and pushed herself through the door as everything began to cave in behind her. It wasn't safe to be anywhere around here.
"Heaven help us."
….
"Awww man…" Trevor said as he crawled back out from under the tangle wreckage. The Mustang was been compressed crushed by a large thick branch. It looked more like a tree trunk. The front of the car was a tangled mess of red scrap metal while green foliage hid the rear of the car, obstructing their vision of the car boot that imprisoned their friend.
Wearily, Trevor's eyes watched as the smoke pillared from the front of the car with the sound of crackling from the small fire. The smell of burning rubber intoxicating those around it as the wind pushed it. Sharpener was desperately trying to extinguish the lethal flames with a small fire extinguisher they found in the car. Coughing Trevor turned to Ryan and Videl. "It doesn't look good." He said as his knees pressed into the ground. He looked to the side trying to think of a plan to free his friend, and fast.
The shock of seeing bodies that lay lifeless around them was unnerving but they pushed aside the disturbing images while they desperately tried to think. Heather's torn body hung from a branch not far from them sending a shiver to those that looked that way. Derrick and Peggy's lifeless mangled bodies were trapped beneath the tree in the up turned car. Matt's lifeless battered body was crushed with blood splattered over the remains of the shattered windscreen.
"Shit man! What are we going to do!" Sharpener asked for the fifth millionth time, visibly shaken by the scene that surrounded him while he continued his assault on the never dying flames. It resembled a war torn landscape.
"Videl, did Bulma say anything?" Ryan asked trying to catch his breath after wiping the sweat from his brow. He had been trying to wedge open the boot without success.
Videl just finished talking to Bulma on the cell. "Yeah, but it isn't good, apparently they stuck in the GR…"
"Bloody hell could this get any worse?" Trevor asked in disbelief. He sat back on his heels looking over at Ryan then back over his shoulders where his friend laid trapped. They were both at a loss as to what they could do. They had been frantically trying to free him since they got there but all their attempts had ended in failure.
They even tried hauling the heavy branch off, but it became perfectly clear, after all the grunting groaning trying to remove the stubborn obstacle, that it wouldn't budge. Options were running thin and the sun was slowly being shadowed out by the mountain.
Frustrated Ryan stuck his head back under the thick branch and laid flat on stomach so he could peer into the torn metal. It had been peeled back leaving jagged edges. It was difficult to see Gohan through the small opening. It was dark so he turned on the flashlight resulting in a groan from the trapped boy as it shone into his eyes blinding him.
Through the tear they could get a glimpse of Gohan face, dirty and bloody with a deep ragged cut on his cheek and above his eye. He was wedged on his stomach with his arms still tied behind him. His left cheek was pressed hard against the crumpled metal lid of the boot.
It was heart breaking to see but Ryan was determined and put on a brave face. "Hey man, everything will be cool. We're working on a way of getting you out of here." He said trying not to let his fears be known. "Stay with us man, k?"
Gohan struggled into stay conscious in the hot, humid prison. He weakly nodded that he understood but he didn't believe there was any way they could help him now. His eyes squeezed shut as another hot wave stabbed and pulled at his abdomen. A deep throaty cry escaped from behind the tape that covered his mouth. It was become painfully clear that Gohan was not all right. He rolled his head to the ground while his expression pulled, twisting with the pain.
He couldn't see himself escaping this. In his hazy mind he wondered why Vegeta or his father weren't there to rescue him or the child. He became angry and kicked at the metal lashing out his frustration only making matters worse. His eyes sprung open as pain like no other ripped through him. He cursed into the tape with his eyelids slamming shut again. Stressfully sobs choked out as the pain took forever to subside.
Ryan looked on anxiously. He edged closer and rolled onto his side. He threaded his free hand through. The jagged edges stung as it sliced at his arm. Wincing he stretched out to his friend forcing himself to get closer. His shoulder was wedged hard up against the metal, preventing him from getting closer to his friend.
"Buddy, hang in there pleeeease." He pleaded. The tips of his fingers stretched to reach their target and touched Gohan's shoulder. Gohan's eyes blinked a few times, before opening and looking up at him. His dark eyes pleaded back at Ryan for help. "Hang in there, buddy. Hang in there. " Ryan whispered. Closing his eyes, a disheartened Gohan nodded feeling some small security from the presence of his friend and his touch; no matter how slight it was.
Sharpener angrily chucked the empty bottle to the side. Videl had been helping with soot and dirt now covering their faces, arms and clothes as they fought to keep the fire at bay. There were fewer flames than before, but it wouldn't take much for them to spark up again. "I'm going back up and see if the others have flagged down any help yet." Sharpener explained, frustrated at how long it was taking. Videl nodded wiping her brow, watching as he sprinted away from the car.
Before he could leave Trevor called out, "YO!…I coming with you!"
Trevor stood up with a serious expression. "We need more light down here. It won't be long before it gets dark." He turned to Ryan who had poked his head out from under the car. "Man, I'll see if we can't get some help."
Ryan nodded and turned and relayed it back to Gohan who was no longer listening as his jaw clenched with another wave of pain. Ryan turned and called out to his friends. "Hurry willya! I don't know if he can take much more of this." Ryan begged. Trevor and Sharpener both nodded their understanding and took off back through the trees. Time seemed to be passing slowly when in fact it had only been just little over few minutes. Videl wiped her face on her t-shirt and she jumped when the cell in her pocket began to ring.
Flipping it open a voice said. "Videl…"
"Bulma what's happening?"
"Don't worry. The boys are working on way to be there." Videl could hear a lot of static. It sounded like she was in war zone. Bulma was shouting over the other noises in the back ground.
Puzzled Videl asked. "Is everything alright there?"
It took a while before Bulma replied with a nervous laugh. "Ooh everything just peachy …" She said sarcastically using Gohan's phrase. Videl thought she heard small explosions in the background. "Look Videl I've called authorities and an ambulance is heading your way. I don't know how long it will take, but I have an idea the boys will be there before then."
"Thank you Bulma. We tried to get though but it kept going back to your number."
"It's okay that's how I design it. Gohan knew that…Look tell me is he's conscious?"
"Barely."
"Well can you give him the cell…"
"It won't work his mouth gagged and we can't reach him…" Videl stopped and frowned she felt chill run up her spine. She turned around only to receive a fist hard across her face and she slammed hard against the car getting Ryan's attention. He rolled onto his back and wiggled himself out when a powerful hand gripped his leg and yanked him the rest of the way. He yelled with the sudden movement and the pain that shot through his leg.
He opened his eyes just briefly to see cloaked figure with dark predator eyes locked onto him. "Who…" He managed to say before he saw the fist come down and everything went blank.
Both Sharpener and Trevor stopped in their tracks when they heard Ryan yell. They turned back down the steep slop they were half way up. "Ryan?" Trevor asked Sharpener. The blonde shrugged his shoulders and they made their way back down to see what was wrong.
The sound of metal been torn away like nothing more than paper echoed through the trees. The boy's hearts were pounding against their chest as they struggled with the loose stones beneath them.
Hidden by the thick foliage the stranger bent down over Gohan, kneeling beside the boy whose eyes flickered open. "I'm no threat to you little warrior." He said as he bent over the boy removing his binding and removing the thick tape from his mouth. With eyes of steel that held no emotion, he carefully looked over the boys injures. Gohan blinked trying to see through the confusion and pain. His eyes sting burned with the muck and toxic fumes from his prison.
"Who?" he asked
Without a word he was carefully lifted out of his cell. The stranger's eyes shifted to one point in the sky in the east before turning back down to the boy in his arms. "It's time to go." and with that Gohan was lifted into the air with the familiar power and strength he had become accustomed to. Wincing Gohan closed his eyes and bit on his bottom lip. His insides felt like they were on fire. He immediately felt the strong arms holding him. He melted into the man's broad chest as the pain subsided. Exhausted, he closed his heavy eyelids praying for it to all go away.
As they took to the sky, Gohan clung to the man again whenever he felt the twinge of pain beginning to tear through him. His saviour's grip would tighten protectively and his voice held a soft command, a confidence that Gohan found himself lacking at that moment. He needed reassurance that everything was going to be okay. The man was providing that with his words of comfort and just by holding him, but the fear of what lay head wouldn't go away. With each burning wave it climbed to new heights.
Off in the distance two specks were rocketing at an alarming rate towards the sleepy town of Hammonton. A blaze of brilliant gold streaked through the even sky like a powerful comet crashing towards earth.
"Don't worry little Kyariaa. I'll take good care of you."
…
Trevor and Sharpener came to skidding stop. They watched in disbelief as they saw Gohan ascend into the sky right before shotted off away in the arms of some stranger.
"Trev…"
Trevor turned from the sky to see what Sharpener was on about. There, in the fading light was Videl moaning and rubbing her bruised cheek as she struggled to sit up. Ryan was doing something simular behind the car, but before they could even take a step. Down from the heavens descended two distinct figures, warriors in brilliant gold.
Goku and Vegeta's sharp eyes found Gohan's jeep parked in the clearing not far from the edge of the rock face. They could see an old man hop in an old car and drive away down the mountain while a teen girl looked on anxiously over the torn metal barrier. In unison their dark eyes turned and locked onto the damage that trailed into the trees. Their eyes fixed dilated on upturned car and strewn bodies.
Battle mode they descended with emotions locked. The smell of death, toxic smoke filtered to them. Their eyes stayed fixed on the car looking for signs of the boy. When there wasn't and their feet touched down their eyes sprung to the teens standing there. Goku turned to help the other two struggling to their feet.
"Where is he!" Vegeta demanded. His eyes fixed a demanding locked onto both Trevor and Sharpener who backed away remember their last personally encounter with the prince. Trevor didn't waste any time spilling out their story to the prince.
Goku had moved over to help Videl checked for anymore injures. When, he reached over to help Ryan back onto his feet. His eyes focused on not the boy but the overall look of the area. He stood stretching back as sharp eyes analysing. It was clear that the large branch had fallen and had pinned the car upside down. His eyes were fixed on the torn metal of the car. He knew that this had not occurred from the accident but afterwards. He knew the teens were not strong enough to do this. He also noticed something else. Goku knelt down beside where the tail light and quarter panel of the car had been completely peeled back. His eyes narrowed as his fingers glided over the torn metal thinking, investigating. His eyes fixed on something and he reached out and lifted a few short strips of old hemp rope that was covered in blood.
His eyes narrowed demanding as they looked towards the sky when he heard the boy mention a stranger. He stood up and listened to the panicked teens all talking at once, each delivering their own versions of what had happened until Vegeta's voice boomed.
"ENOUGH!" He ordered.
Vegeta turned to Goku who stepped up to him holding out the rope. The prince's dark eyes locked on it before reaching for it. He looked at it with emotions under wraps until his fingers curled around it crushing it in his bare hands. It was the boy's blood he saw, and they both knew that. Their attention returned to the sky. "He's out there somewhere…"
Their eyes might have been fixed skyward but it was their ability to sense ki that they were focusing on to locate the boy. Like a thunder bolt out of nowhere they rocketed up above the trees without warning startling the teens as they watched them disappear.
In the eerie quiet that was left behind Sharpener asked. "Do you think they know where he is?"
"I don't know, but let's get the hell OUT of here!" Trevor said rushing over to help Ryan who was limping his way to them.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Sharpener said as he jumped to help him with Ryan. They made their way back painfully at a slow pace with Videl in tow leaving the haunting images, the ghosts behind for the authorities.
The hunt was on…
…
Vegeta and Goku flew beside each other in the dark of the night sky leaving the tragedy and chaos behind them as the hunt began. Nothing else mattered. Their minds were totally focused on one goal – finding Gohan and finding him now.
Both Saiyanjin warriors were on guard. Their senses were totally stretched spanning across the vast land around them, above and below them, stretched to their limits tracking down the stranger that had dared to kidnap one of their own.
Expressions were fixed, locked in a mask, a mask that only a warrior going into battle could wear. Eyes narrowed sharp, filled with ice, searching hunting. Whoever had taken Gohan didn't want to be found. They both pushed themselves knowing that it was of paramount importance that they find the boy tonight.
Vegeta's fears were eating at him from inside. The guilt and anger of letting the boy from his sight was more than he could take. He tried to push his fears aside and turn it into anger and use it to find his mate before something unforgivable happened that would surely take him over the edge. If he was to lose him and their unborn child then, whoever took his mate from him will surely die, and in the most painful way he could think of.
Goku wasn't feeling much better. He final got a chance to make things right with his son and someone took him. The rage was building pushing him. He wasn't going to give up until he had his boy safely back. And whoever did this had better be prepared to fight, no holding back. The earth Saiyan suddenly spotted something.
"Down there?"
Vegeta's head snapped in the direction. The other warrior was rocketing towards a large grove of tress that looked like they had been struck by something large and hard. The prince angled his body and took off after the taller Saiyan. Their curiosity was peaking with something shimmering between the tress.
There was caution in their stance as they came into view of a spacecraft they hadn't seen before and had ploughed into the earth, destroying everything in its path when it did. On alert, they steadily approached the oval mass of metal. There was no door no window to be seen. There was no sign of life either, but they knew it didn't get there on its own and, with the disappearance of Gohan and the stranger's arrival, their maths was good and they knew now they had their first real clue. But where was the boy?
"I've never seen a ship like this?" Vegeta snarled as his hand glided along it. "It's cold." He turned his head his eyes scanning for anything else, another sign, another clue. "Where is he?" He hissed anxiously.
Goku eyed the ship walking around it hoping for entry point. Nothing. "He's not here."
Vegeta turned to him frowning. "How do you know?"
"Whoever it was is isn't a fool. They wouldn't bring him here. It would be suicide. The ship is obviously damaged. Why else would it be here, out in the open. No. He's got Gohan somewhere else, somewhere not too far away I'd guess."
"But where? I can't get a lock on the boy." The panic in the prince's voice didn't go unnoticed by Goku.
"You're not getting any lock on him at all?"
"Not for the last ten to fifteen minutes. I was getting a faint pulse of consciousness, but now it's blocked?" Vegeta growled frustrated. Goku frowned and look back at the ship a thought came to him.
"He's got some devise that can cloak his whereabouts, something he took from the ship maybe?"
"Possible."
"It makes sense. Why else haven't we being able to pick up on Gohan's ki?"
"Then we separate, and if you find him, signally me!" Vegeta snapped as turned to leave.
"And how do I do that?"
"Raise your damn ki or blow something up! I really don't CARE, but the guy that took Gohan you leave him for me!" He hissed his eyes dark with a deadly undertone to them. He turned and took to the sky again determined more than ever. Vegeta stayed low, just above the tree tops, searching for any little sign he could.
Goku shook his head and took to the sky too, but in the opposite direction, both not letting anything go unnoticed as they stayed low.
…
Not too far, hidden under the canopy of trees, lay a different scene. Tucked away in a dry cave there was a flickering light of a small campfire that made the inhibitor's shadows dance along the rough surface.
One such shadow belonged to a tall figure, a man in his prime, slender but strong. He moved with grace and confidence. His long dark hair was tied back with a simple leather tie. His bright coal coloured eyes shone with intelligence. There was also an air of kindness to them. He was busy crushing, grinding something on the flat surface of a river stone using only the sold end of his blade. Behind him, lying on a makeshift bed made from soft vegetation and covered with a blanket, was the outline of a boy, a teenager struggling. He was twisting, arching his back high as another razor sharp pain slashed through him across his belly. Clutching, pulling at the heavy woven fabric at his side, his heels dug deep into the material as he fought off another attack, an attack from an unseen enemy. An enemy that knows no rules, trapped in a battle with no escape in sight. No relief in reach… His body was being assaulted by wave after wave of pain.
Agonising.
Eyelids slammed shut squeezing tight as his body pivoted and rolled as a deep throated plea - a barrel growl escapes, cries for help. Sweat trails drip off into his thick dark un-kept hair plastered itself against his feverish face – a reflection of the fire- that burned out of control inside him.
His heart pounded hard inside his ribcage as he fought to breathe. Eyelids snapped open wide, panic stricken, seeking desperately for answers to his prayers, prayers for salvation away from the pain. Frightened, they landed on the man as he shifted towards him. Kneeling down at his side softly but firmly he said. "Little warrior drink this."
A hand reached behind Gohan's head and gently cradled, supporting it. Hesitantly, the boy's eyes turned from the man to the cup that was pressed against his parched lips.
"Kyariaa, drink. It will help you."
Gohan eyes looked at him questionable before parting his lips, allowing the liquid pass. It had been so long since he had had anything. Greedily he swallowed at the thick bitter taste. Throat raw from all his pleas it became too much, he began choking and coughing spilling some.
The stranger took the cup from him, raising him in his arms, soothing him, settling him. He returned the boy back as Gohan winced as another wave of pain shot through him. His breathing was hard and chest rising and falling as the man pulled at the already torn shirt. Gohan had no energy to argue as he allowed the garment to be taken from him. He felt the man place his hands over the unborn cub and the familiar warmth that came with one offering ones own ki. Gohan's eyes rolled back behind his closed lids as he felt the cub greedily latch on and lap up everything it could. Psychically and mentally drained, he allowed it all to happen knowing in the back of his mind what it meant and how Vegeta would react. But he didn't care. He had no strength to say no, and even if he did he was grateful. The warmth washed over him erasing most of the pain he relished the comfort it brought; purring even.
"Hmm…thank you."
The stranger turned to look at the peaceful expression on the boy's face and smiled inwards. He knew it wouldn't be long before it would start up again, but he was glad the boy was finding some peace.
Gohan opened his eyes slightly when he felt the man pull away and the warmth died. The unborn cub's movements had settled some. Thankful, he watched as the man reach down and removed his shoes. To tired to move he closed his eyes feeling the man removing his jeans.
With a slight shivering as the cold air rushed over his fevered naked self, a chill spread across him. His eyes became wearily heavy, clouding as he felt the weight of something being placed over him; a blanket maybe.
His eyes fought to stay awake, fighting back the drowsiness that was steadily sweeping over him with the pain now at a comfortable dull ache. Gohan's eyes turned to the man kneeling next to him. Groggily and hoarse he asked weakly.
"Who…are you?"
"A comrade … Don't fear."
Gohan fought to stop his eyes from closing. His mind was quickly becoming cloudy, but his curiosity was building – questions unwilling to rest. Sleepily another question came to mind. The man brushed Gohan's hair from his face with damp cloth. It was cooling refreshing. Gohan found himself reeling in the feel of it in the man's hand.
Sooo good… sooo cool.
Fighting back the sleep that threatened to overpower him any moment, his eyes wearily strained as he watched the man cared for him so gently. "What was that …you gave me?" He asked.
The man smiled seen the boy's curiosity growing. "You should rest. It was nothing more than a natural sedative I made. It can't hurt you or your cub. It will help to settle the cub further. Both of you have been under a lot of stress."
This sparked Gohan's curiosity more. He frowned slightly as his mind cleared. Finding the strength he asked. "You know who I am?"
The man laughed softly. "Yes." He dipped the cloth back into the bowl of water next to him. Gohan saw only kindness. "You're a hybrid, mixed blood." He returned the cool damp cloth wiping away the fever. He saw the boy's interest spark his own features softened even more. "We're like you and I." He confessed. "We are both from Saiyan blood, are we not?" Gohan found himself dully nodding. He was stunned his lip moved but no words could find there way. "Now rest. Don't fight it. The pain will return soon enough."
Accepting his word as fact and unable to fight anymore, he submitted to the darkness that was pulling him in, pulling him into a welcome sleep. But as he drifted into the welcoming arms that sleep could bring, he felt something soft brush against his cheek.
"Sleep Kyariaa… sleep while you can." The man brushed his fingers against the still feverish skin.
…………………….
Still searching, the two male warriors were become anguished. Tempers were rising for one Saiyanjin prince in particular. Vegeta was reaching, stretching his and Gohan's bond - the one link he had to finding his love. But nothing - something was blocking it for sure and it was killing him. He closed his eyes as he stood in the thick woods scanning. "Koi, where are you?" He whispered.
The desperation was eating at him. He was cursing his stupidity for letting the boy go in the first place and now this. He had hoped the boy would quickly come broad and return to him. But No, not his stubborn mate. No more. He had let the boy get away with too much. He decided he would change all that. That's when he gets his hands on Gohan. He'll show the boy what a Saiyan prince was capable of. Show him who was in charge.
He had been telling himself repeatedly this last hour that he'll never let the boy out of sight again even if that meant brute force, which didn't sound all that bad to the prince. Every time he turns his back something bad always happened. Well not this time, he had had enough of trouble following them both.
Vegeta knew he had never felt this strong about anyone else before. He knew if he ever lost the boy he would never forgive himself. He knew he had to find him and fast. He knew all this but he was not getting closer to knowing where he was. It was driving him over the edge and he needed to be focused. He had no doubt in his mind that Gohan had been kidnapped again. He was maddened enough that he was locked away as his love was being held hostage and caught up in an accident that could have easily taken his and the unborn cub's life if he didn't have Saiyan blood coursing through his veins.
He wanted to be ready if the boy did manage to escape or signal him. Then he would be ready to act. It was tearing him apart being away from him.
…………………
Gohan's eyes snapped open only to slam them shut again. His back arched and his breathing quickened. "Arrrgh." He growled while his fist tightened at the thick material covering him. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't fight it you'll only make it worse. Listen to me, try and relax…." Gohan eyes snapped open. Angrily he glared up at the stranger only causing the man to laugh softly. "Trust me on this, you can do this. Centre yourself just like you would before a battle… focus." Gohan eyes seemed to study him searching for the truth before his lids closed. Doing as the man asked he tried to channel himself like Piccolo and his father had tutored him so many years ago.
It was no easy feat. He searched deep down for that hidden well inside of himself. Searching, reaching until he tapped into the centre of his soul, his foundation. He concentrated blocking out anything else but the pounding of his heartbeat, his breathing and channelling on that inner light that is his Saiyan's strength - his legacy, his birthright from his father.
"Channel on your hidden power. The source is still there. Can you feel it?" Gohan nodded his head weakly as he reached grasped what he longed to feel again. "It never left you Kyariaa. It has only been dormant the cub being feed around it. Focus on that. Bring it forward and use it. It will help you when the time comes." The man's words guided him calming him. Slowly Gohan's breathing quietened. "That's it." The pain subsided to a dull thud again. "You're doing well young warrior."
Gohan's eyes flickered open a small smile of apparition curled upon them. "Thank you." He said softly.
The man eyes softened as a small smile curled on his own lips. "You're welcome young one, but don't thank me yet." He said with a knowing look. Gohan frowned.
"What do you mean? Can't you give me more of that sedative…" The man shook his head sitting back on his haunches with a small smile. He reached for the cloth before wiping the perspiration from the boy's forehead. Carefully, lovingly even, he focused on what he was doing as he explained softly.
"I can't. You are at your first stages Kyariaa. Soon you'll be ready for the birth…" His eyes shifted to Gohan's panic expression and smiled. "Don't alarm yourself…
"Huh?" Gohan grunted in disbelief and panic. How can he not be alarmed?
"I'm here. I can help you." The stranger wiped Gohan's brow gently with a caring expression. The boy was riding on every word, totally focused. "The time will show it's self, but until then we must allow the cub to gain some strength. You need to gain yours too. You both are too weak. It would be too dangerous to rush this." Then the stranger turned back to the bowl as he wet the cloth. He asked with slight frown. "Tell me Kyariaa who is your mate?" The man eyes focused on Gohan and continued to wipe the boy's feverish skin.
"How do you know so much?" Gohan asked. While his eyes studying the man leaning over him.
"What that you are carry cub or you have a mate?" He pointed to small calm mark on the boy's neck and smiled. "There are others, yes? Here on this planet?" He raised a questionable brow. Then returned to what he was doing. "It's not that difficult to work it out. How else could you get a Saiyan mark? Or be with cub?" He laughed. Gohan blinked then frowned.
"You don't sound Saiyan?"
"That because I'm half like you. I'm Saiyan on my mother side. My father was Astral a peaceful race."
"I've never heard of them."
"You wouldn't, they were destroyed like countless others under Frieza's Empire."
"You know about him?" Gohan asked surprised.
The man looked at him and frowned with faraway look set in his eyes. This was the first time Gohan has seen a spark of anger and it sent chill over him. The man seemed lost for a few seconds, deep in thought until he abruptly stood up and turned to the fire. "Yes, I knew him." Then he turned back to Gohan. "I'll be just outside. There a small stream not far away we need more water." He turned to leave, but before he could reach the exit Gohan called out to him.
"What's your name?"
The man turned and smiled. "Kale ."
"Nice to meet you Kale . I'm Gohan."
Kale smiled and bowed slightly. "I won't be long …Go-han. Oh and scream if you need me." The man chuckled mischievously. Gohan narrowed his eyes but couldn't hide his amusement.
"I will! You CAN count on it!" He watched as his new friend laughed and disappeared around rock face. He laid his head back down again thinking over everything that was said. He felt he could trust this man. One of the things he had been fighting with was whether is would be safe to mention Vegeta to him. He wasn't sure whether he should or not. As much as he trusted him, he didn't know Kale's intentions. He wasn't sure what his feelings would be towards a full blood Saiyanjin prince. And, as much as he wanted his man with him, he wanted to protect Vegeta. Until then it was best to play it safe but deep down he wanted Vegeta and he couldn't understand why he hadn't come for him.
"It's so hot in here." He breathed.
Gohan closed his eyes wearily. The mere mention of water had made him think of how thirsty he really was. His body felt like it was on fire, like he was trapped in a sauna. He was pretty sure he looked it too. He couldn't stop sweating. He licked at his dry parched lips and hoped Kale won't be too long.
…
The man in question, Kale, weaved himself through the thick foliage and vines that hung down from the trees like carpet snakes. He held the container with which to fill with water in for the boy. His mind and eyes were alert, on guard. He had only been on this planet for a few weeks and that was no fault of his own. He had to make an emergency landing - or more like a crash landing. Once he fixes his ship, he planned to leave and return back to travelling the stars again.
His mind was on the boy and the thought of other Saiyans might exist on this planet. That thought was unsettling putting him on guard. He knew for the boy to be Kyariaa he could only be that if he mated with a full blood. So how many full blooded Saiyan lived on this planet they call Earth? It was unnerving. He never really got along with his mother's people when he was a kid. He was too much like his father in personality and beliefs, but his looks and power come from her. He looked around guardedly as he bent down over the clear stream that flowed peacefully past him. The crystal cool water rippled over the different size and smooth pebbles that lay in its path. Kale liked it here. He could meditate all day long if he wasn't fixing his ship.
He remembered the first day he saw the boy along a path off in the woods. He couldn't believe his eyes at first he believed him to be full blood, pure Saiyan and Kyariaa at that. It peaked his interest, not to mention alarmed him. He didn't think the Saiyan had reached this part of the galaxy.
The next day he decided to venture out and see if he could find the boy again, and he did. He watched from a distance as Gohan and another boy with gold hair walked along a track. He overheard bits of their conversation the gold hair boy was complaining about the walk they were doing and Gohan said it wasn't too bad. The other boy was quick to remind Gohan that he was half Saiyan so he couldn't comment.
He remembered Gohan laughing and patting his friend on the shoulder trying to reassure him it did since he was carrying a ton of extra weight patting his raised mound in front of him. They both turned and disappeared up the path out of sight still laughing.
He found himself thinking only of the boy and wondered why he ventured so far from his mate. No rational sound mind partner would have allowed this, surly? Unless he was mentally disturbed and had no rational thoughts of his own or the other possibility was that Gohan had lost his mate in battle.
This thought was not an unpleasant thought. He didn't think he would like to confront a daft Saiyan. The full witted ones were bad enough. All they think of is battle. That was one thing he couldn't understand about them. Why fight? He was sad for the boy if he had lost his mate in battle, but pleased he wouldn't have to fight. What would become of the boy? Did he have family? He found himself becoming more inquisitive over him. It had been a long time since he has come across a half breed that hadn't being slaughtered by Frieza.
When it came to the lizard it was a bitter thought a after taste of vengeance. The one creature he would have gladly killed; a creature that had enslaved him for years and taken and killed his twin brother. Just because it was Kale nature to desire peace, it didn't mean he didn't know how to fight. On the contrary his mother's fighting power would surface when he needed it and he had found this countless times during his travels. Unfortunately his fighting skills were well rehearsed. No, he held no love for the creature. He would gladly shake hands with the being that put an end to Frieza.
And now he had the boy to concern himself with. Like any warrior he could smell death miles away and that was what brought him to the woodland where Gohan was imprisoned. Finding the boy trapped he resisted his first impulse to kill all witness. He acted on his second impulse and knocked them all out instead.
Now he was stuck with the boy. It wasn't an unpleasant thought, but a thought just the same. It won't be long before he will be ready to giving birth and what then? Did he really want to be lumbered with a cub and a boy? He knew he couldn't just leave them here if they had no one. He needed to find out more. Standing up he checked again before he followed the path back to the cave.
He was startled with by a sound and the slightest movement above him. He immediately dropped to his knees. His free hand on the handle of his blade, eyes sharp watching fixed above, listening.
He put the leather strap of the container over his head as he figured out a plan. He was too far away from the cave entrance to make a run. Whatever was above him would spot him before he even made it back and managed to disarm the shield. He needed to get back in there. It wasn't safe leaving the boy alone for any length of time. He could only hope and pray that whatever was above him would go away.
…
Goku stood above the rock face wondering where the hell his son was. It plagued him that they might already be too late and everything would be lost. He couldn't bare the thought of losing something as important as the loss of your own child.
He was about to go and see what he could find further down when his Saiyan senses screamed that something wasn't right. Something near was out of balance, a sound. His battle mode came into play. He went straight onto full guard. He crouched down, eyes sharp, listening.
…
Meanwhile Gohan was trying to calm himself as he bit down hard on his lip. The fever was increasing the dull ache was getting sharper. Stabbing pains cut across his belly and he had tried to call Kale, but nothing.
He tried concentrated and called on his inner strength as Kale had said to do, but the panic he felt swelling inside of him was overriding any rational thoughts. Instead he clutched at his stomach thinking of some how going after Kale himself. Petrified of being alone and not known what to do was pushing the idea further.
Before he could move, a razor sharp blade felt like it was slicing him, tearing him open from inside. With a deafening blood curdling cry that bounced off the walls as he clutched at his stomach and bending over eyes wide. Shock, fear. The pain slashed at him like nothing had ever before. The battle had started and Gohan could feel unconsciousness beckoning him into its dark arms.
In all his wildest imaginations he had no idea it would be like this. That here he would be on the very day that should be happy that he would be screaming, yelling for someone anyone to come and help him.
…
Vegeta eyes snapped around to were he felt overwhelming pull at his and Gohan's bond. Elsewhere Goku's head turned towards a faint sound. Kale's eyes went wide. He could faintly hear the boy through the shield. Unable to stay hidden any longer he shot towards the cave. He scrambled up the path hoping he would be in time. Goku's dark eyes turned towards the movement far below him. There was something disappearing and reappearing through the thick foliage below him.
In a flash he was dropping to the ground running towards the figure. A figure ahead of him ran up along a track. "STOP!"
Like hell I will! Kale thought.
Vegeta was in the air in no time as he heard Goku yelling at someone to stop. It was like an eagle listening out for it prey. His eyes were dark and angry. Had they found the guy that had taken his mate?
Kale, feeling his pursuer in striking distance, ran as fast as he could. BANG! Goku tackled him down to the ground they both rolled down the rock path grunting as the wind was pushed out of them. Kale cursed. "What the HELL!"
He didn't need this he had to get to the boy. Whipping out his knife he crouched slashing his blade in front of Goku. Startled, Goku's eyes went wide with the size of the blade then they shifted to the guy in front of him, eyes narrowed. Was this the guy that had taken Gohan?
"You are messing with the wrong guy!" Kale snarled. Not wanting to waste another minute as he picked up on another ki approaching fast. Before Goku could react, Kale's free hand shot up. A white light flashed directed into Goku eyes, blinding him instantly. Goku fell back stumbling falling onto his knees hissing in pain. Kale didn't waste any more time as he bolted towards the caver sheathing his blade as reached the entrance and disarmed the force field.
As the shield snapped open Gohan's screams could be heard amplified a thousand times off the cave walls. The sound was piercing, paralysing to anyone in hearing distance from the cave. The prince of Saiyans stopped dead in his tracks. "BOY!"
Goku hissed as he wiped the tears from his eyes everything was just a blur. "Gohan?" With eyes burning and stinging, he followed the sound of his boy's cries. Then just as suddenly as it started, it stopped. A deep frown creased his forehead as he made his way back up the path. He scrambled, hands stretched out in front of him as he followed the goat track.
"Baka!" He squinted and looked up as Vegeta dropped from the tops of the tress next to him. "It's started."
"Up there." Goku pointed not before wiping his eyes.
Vegeta noticed. "What happened?"
"He blinded me. I'm fine. He's got Gohan in a cave with force field at its entrance."
"Has he?" Vegeta eyes narrowed dangerously.
…
Kale rushed to Gohan's side. The boy was doubling over on his side clutching at his stomach tears stream down his face. "Help me." Gohan begged. Eyes squinted, pleading.
"Roll on your back!" Kale ordered breathless. He lifted the container of water over his head, dropping it. It lay discarded as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle. Gohan bit hard down on his lip, piercing it. Blood trickled. Kale helped the boy back onto his back. Gohan bent his knees, cradling the pain. His frightened eyes burnt into the older man's concerned eyes. It hurt to move an inch. His body was trembling uncontrollably.
Kale's eyes shifted to the blood on the boy's lip and he turned around his eyes franticly searching for something until they fell onto the pile of sticks. He quickly scrambled over to the pile of wood snapping one in half when his eyes flew up to a thunderous sound. There standing in front of the entrance of the cave were Goku and Vegeta powering up.
Both Saiyanjin were throwing all their power at the force field. Kale eyes narrowed. "Just GREAT!" He snarled sarcastically. That was all he needed. Not wasting any more time he retuned back to Gohan. The boy's eyes were closed and he was muttering something to himself over and over. Kale smiled when he got wind of what the boy was saying.
"Neveragainneveragain…."
"Here bite on this."
Picking up the small bottle again as Gohan bit down hard on the wood. His head fell back unable to support it self. Eyes wide as the assault on his body continued. "Don't move." Gohan closed his eyes petrified of what was to come. His whole body trembling with strength it took to not move.
Kale moved the blanket down to Gohan's hips. In the distant the battling of the force field was defying. Kale was mumbling to himself, cursing. His patents with everything was come to close.
Through all the pain Gohan felt the older man rub something cold as if drawing a line over his skin. Kami THIS it! He thought.
He felt something razor sharp touch his skin in panic he screamed. "GETA!"
TBC…
A/N: Sorry again guys. I hope this was okay and you found it enjoyable to read at least. I know, I know, a twist, but I sorta of gave out tiny clues that something like this might happen - of him lurking around in the background. Plus I like twists as most of you guys know. Couldn't help myself. sigh
The last chapter to the story is being edited and hopeful I will have it back and posted by next week. Cross fingers on that . Thanks to all of you guys for your wonderful support and your incredible patience. Hehehe especially the last bit blushes sorry again. Don't worry though, I get payed back with large guilt trips and my own authors not updating. It's so frustrating and he loves cliff hangers Grrr! Authors! hehehe
Take care and hopefully I'll see you guys soon for the last chapter and hopefully a satisfying ending to "A Saiyanjin Lullaby"