Immortal Together

By: Amalthea AKA Hatti Lee

Started: 2.22.4

Author's notes: Hi! I'm sorry this chapter took a little while to post, but I was having issues with a plot bunny running amuck in my head. I've started a new fic (a slash Labyrinth fic) though, so the bunny's out. Yay! Oh, but now I have two fics to keep updated! No worries. I will try my very best! Hopefully, it won't take so long to post the next chapter, and I promise it will be longer. Sorry!

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z or its characters. So, no suing, okay?

Warnings: This fic contains homosexuality as well as incest. Does that not interest you? Then go no further. Also, this fic is rated R for sexual content , language, and violence. Please do not proceed if you're not of age.

Chapter XVI

Ritsu watched on as the object of her affections sparred with Tekita. A little more than six months had passed and while she flirted at every opportunity, the young prince didn't seem to take notice. Wasn't he supposed to be a seventeen-year-old boy? Didn't teenage boys think of sex and relationships first and foremost? As far as she knew, it was true for the majority of species she'd come across. So what was wrong with Kakarotto? Or more importantly, what was wrong with her?

She thought maybe she possibly loved the boy at this point. They'd grown so close, best friends really, but there were a lot of things left unsaid. For example, Kakarotto moped often that Raditz still avoided him, but never explained why the long-haired warrior would do such a thing. And time and again she'd catch the scent of sex on the young prince, but never once noticed him with another woman. She'd investigated the young slave woman in the mess hall Kakarotto had noticed months ago, but there was nothing there. In fact, the young prince remained in either her, Tekita, Nappa, or Prince Vejita's company at all times. So who the hell he was sleeping with was anyone's guess. She'd contemplated just coming out and asking her questions, but always thought better of it, knowing it would anger the prince, not to mention the rudeness behind asking such personal questions.

Tekita fell to the ground in an explosion of sound, his armor cracking ever-so-slightly. Ritsu whistled, impressed with the boy's moves, "Looks like he got you again." She said, speaking to the fallen warrior.

Tekita pushed himself to his feet, "When does he ever lose?" He said sarcastically as he stretched, popping his jarred neck and back.

Ritsu chuckled. Tekita had taken some time to open up. Still, he remained fairly quiet, he just wasn't that talkative. They all knew him to be a loyal and trustworthy friend though. He talked the most with Kakarotto, the boy capable of bringing out the older warrior's smile.

"True." Ritsu said, watching as the young prince descended, a victorious smile pulling at his lips. Only, he didn't land gracefully as he normally did. The boy plopped to ground, landing right on his bottom, his stomach growling loudly.

"I'm starving! Isn't Papa through yet?" Kakarotto groaned, holding a hand over his stomach.

Ritsu laughed, marveling at one of the strongest warrior's childishness.

"It's already after noon." Tekita said, glancing at the wall clock, "I don't think he'll be finished any time soon. Shall we go to lunch without them?"

Before Kakarotto could answer, Nappa came barging into the room, approaching quickly, "There's been another incident."

Kakarotto's eyes lit up, and he jumped to his feet, "The rebels or whatever? Are they fighting?"

Nappa took hold of the boy, who was already starting for the exit, "Prince Vejita ordered us to wait for him."

"What's going on!" Kakarotto yelled, yanking his arm from Nappa's grasp and turning to face the bulky warrior.

"The prince ordered that a small group of rebels that were captured last week be tortured to gain information. They somehow escaped this morning, killing their torturers. Vejita was trying to keep it quiet, and all but two were caught again. Then one showed up in the throne room, making threats to the royal family. When," Nappa glanced Ritsu's way, she still didn't know, he shook his head and went on. If he didn't spit it out, Kakarotto was going to rush off, "When the traitor threatened your life, the prince killed him."

Kakarotto's eyes went wider still, "Is Papa okay?" The boy was a mass of confusion, but at least he was calm.

Nappa nodded, "Of course."

"No, I mean… I'm sure he's not wounded, but…"

This time, Nappa sighed, "He's shaken up a little, but mostly he's just angry."

Kakarotto shook his head, pacing a little, "No. I'm sure he's scared. When's he coming here? What's he doing now?"

"He's dealing with the situation. Remember, there's still one more they haven't captured. He ordered me here to keep an eye on you. We're to wait for him in your quarters."

"Right, right…" Kakarotto said, lost in thought. Well, if his father wanted him to wait in their room, he'd wait in their room. Without a word, he started out the training hall and down the corridor that lead to his destination. Nappa followed close behind, as did Ritsu and Tekita. They passed a group of soldiers on their way, the warriors looking to each of their faces before hurrying on. Kakarotto suspected they were looking for the missing traitor. The fact that they were wearing heavy armor was frightening him a bit. He didn't like fighting, not for real. He didn't like to think of people dying.

He stopped before he and his father's door, "You're waiting with me?"

Nappa nodded, wishing the young prince had stopped before his false door. Ritsu was already eyeing them strangely.

"And us, Sire?" Tekita asked, ever the obedient soldier.

"Just stay in your rooms. Don't let anyone in or anything. When this is over, when Papa comes, I'll let you know. Okay?" Kakarotto said, suddenly worried for his friends. Where was Raditz?

"Yes, Sire." Ritsu and Tekita answered, turning to enter their own rooms.

………………………………...

Frustrated as ever, Raditz was having trouble finding sleep. He understood now why his fellow soldiers were so upset. The king had surely lost his marbles. Since his returned, he discovered that all kinds of anti-cruelty laws had been enforced. No more killing. Raditz understood the law to be morally correct, but when had the Saiya-jin ever been moral? They were a species that had thrived on killing and strength and power since before anyone could remember. There were even laws against killing slaves!

And the economy… Though it was prospering, it was unlike anyone had ever heard of. The king was forming a system in which the people my live off the planet, the land, their skills, as opposed to purging missions. In fact, there hadn't been a purging mission in some time. He'd checked with the Missions Hall, there wasn't one scheduled for another month! It seemed that the king was trying to make Planet Vejita into something they'd always considered themselves superior to before. Why the sudden change of heart? Was the king becoming a sentimental old man? And why the hell was Prince Vejita standing by doing nothing?

Everyone agreed that the prince would make a better king. It was obvious, especially with his new position, that he was stronger and more ruthless than his father. But then… Prince Vejita was head over heels for his own son. Perhaps he was weak as well. He publicly supported the king.

Raditz sat up as a storm of footsteps passed. What the hell was going on? He decided to check it out, he wasn't getting any sleep anyway. Peering outside, he watched a group of about six soldiers turn the corner, leaving his sight. Something was definitely going on judging by their armor. He was still trying to decide whether he wanted to investigate further when he noticed movement out of the corner of eye. Someone in the shadows?

"Who's there?" He asked, keeping his voice low.

A man stepped forward, sweat upon his brow, "Mind letting me in?" The guy asked, nervous as hell. No doubt he was the one the soldiers had been after. It wouldn't do to aid a criminal, but Raditz was curious. Besides, the guy didn't look all that dangerous. He was shorter and small than he was with shoulder-length, auburn hair.

The tension flooded out of the stranger once the door was closed, "Thank you so much. You wouldn't believe what's going on."

Raditz remained standing near the door, watching the guy pace, "How about you start with your name?"

"Right, right… My name's Gento. And you're Raditz, right? First class? You used to be in with the royal family, right?"

Raditz didn't bother answering, "So how come they're after you?"

Gento sighed, "That rebel party they caught…"

"You're one of them?"

The guy nodded, "Yeah, well, they were torturing us for information when we escaped. They got all the others, the prince even killed my friend. I've got to get out of the palace."

"And you think I'm going to help you?"

Gento smiled crookedly, "You're hiding me in your room, aren't you?"

"Maybe I'm planning on taking you in myself, get on the prince's good side." Raditz said, watching the guy squirm for a minute.

"You can't possibly agree with what they're doing. Are you on the prince's bad side, is that why you want to get back on his good side? Maybe you should join us. We already have another candidate for king."

Raditz' eyebrows flew high. He never knew things had progressed so far. Was it really necessary to replace the king? He could help but admit that he did find this rebel party interesting. He nodded, and Gento all but grinned.

"Right. I can get you in, let you in on everything, but I got to get out of the palace."

Raditz only nodded, feeling a bit ashamed of himself. What was he getting himself into? Without another word, he turned and opened his door again, prepared to help this criminal escape. What was he getting into?

………………………………...

Every time the soldiers passed outside in the hallway, Kakarotto was up, ear against the door, listening. When the boy wasn't pacing, he was fidgeting, when he wasn't fidgeting, he was making a mess, attempting perhaps to clean, but only succeeding in making a bigger mess.

When the door slid open, Kakarotto was instantly on his feet. He rushed into his father's arms, hugging and kissing the older man, "Are you alright?"

Vejita couldn't help but laugh as he tried to peel his son off, looking up to find Nappa seated on the end of the bed, "Everything's fine."

The familiar sound of footsteps rushing passed out in the hallway caused Kakarotto to still and back off a bit, "You didn't catch him?"

Vejita shook his head, "I'm positive he's somehow escaped. He's not in the palace."

"Then the guards?"

"I have few still looking, just to be safe."

Nappa stood, "Did you learn anything from the others?"

"Not much, just the typical garbage." Vejita said, somewhat irritated.

Nappa stood, "I'll leave you alone then."

The prince nodded, his son calling out a quick goodnight before the bulky warrior left. Vejita then looked about the room, "What happened here?"

Kakarotto shrugged, "I was trying to clean."

"Oh."

The boy sighed as he began undressing for bed, "Did you kill the others?"

Halfway undressed, Vejita looked up, "Of course."

Kakarotto shook his head, moving to climb in bed.

The prince waited a few moments, thinking his son would go on, but the room remained silent. So he finished undressing and turned out the lights. When he got in bed, he moved close to the boy, spooning his taller form, "I had to. They threatened your life."

Kakarotto turned in his lover's arms, looking his father in the eyes, "I just hate thinking that you killed someone, especially if it was for me. It's too sad."

Vejita leaned forward and kissed his son gently on the forehead, "I'm sorry, but I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Taking a deep breath, Kakarotto tried to relax, "I know." He whispered, moving closer, letting the warmth build between their bodies, suggestively rubbing his leg between his father's.

"We can't," Vejita said, stilling the boy's movement, "It's been too soon. If we keep this up, someone's going to suspect something. As it is, Tekita gives me odd looks now and then."

Kakarotto blinked, "He already knows."
"What?" The prince asked, pulling back a bit to look Kakarotto in the eyes.

"Yeah, he's known since he got here."
"And Ritsu?"

The young prince shook his head, "No, she doesn't. Nappa told me I shouldn't tell her."

"Of course you shouldn't. The less people that know, the better. Baka!" Vejita said, gently bopping the boy's head with playful punch. No wonder Tekita had been looking at him so strangely.

Kakarotto laughed, moving close again, clinging to the older man, "I know, I know. That's what Nappa tells me."

"Yes, and you should listen to us now and then. You're too trusting." Vejita said, turning slightly to lie on his back, holding his son to him.

Resting his cheek on his father's chest, Kakarotto managed a nod, "I know."

Vejita kissed the boy's forehead again, "With all this commotion, I have to be up early in the morning."

"Earlier than usual, ya mean." Kakarotto grumbled, already half asleep.

Vejita chuckled, "Hai, so get some sleep."

"Mm-hmm, g'night."

"Goodnight." Vejita answered, thinking still on all the day's happenings, far from sleep. He tried his best not to worry his young lover, but the situation was rather serious. All the captured rebels had been executed immediately. He'd done it in a rage, the threats he'd received from the one fueling his anger. Now the others out there would be enraged to learn of their comrades' deaths. And they would know too, for one had escaped. This could be very bad. He needed to talk to his father. Security had to be tightened.

These thoughts continued to fight off much need sleep until Vejita simply passed out several hours before sunset, his son still held tight in his arms. If anything were to happen to the boy, Kami… He didn't know what he'd do.

To be continued…