Immortal Together

By: Amalthea AKA Hatti Lee

Started: 2.22.4

Author's notes: Sorry again for such slow updating. Seems I'm averaging about a chapter a month. Can't be helped. I'm working a lot these days, and going to school, and working out daily, and preparing for my annual anime convention, and going out late at night… Sigh. Why do I try to do so much? Shrugs. Oh well. ANYWAY… This one's not as long as I'd wanted, but I hope you guys enjoy anyway. Be sure to review and let me know.

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 XVIII

Raditz was among the first to arrive at the next gathering. There were too many now for the small shop, but they made do. A young slave girl shivered with fear as she wandered amongst them, offering beverages. By and by, everyone showed up, the slave girl told to leave.

"So, Raditz, you seemed more determined this time." Gento said, patting the taller warrior on the shoulder.

Raditz pulled away from the man's touch, "Yeah."

Draigon, having overheard, spoke up, "What changed your mind?"

Sighing, Raditz rubbed the back of his neck. He'd been planning to tell them, but now he just felt awkward, "I spoke to the young prince."

"What the hell did you tell him?" A man called out.

Draigon lifted a hand to silence the others.

Raditz sighed again, "I didn't want to believe this was the only choice. I agree with you, the king is too soft now, his new laws are ridiculous. And Kakarotto will never be leader material."

"The damn kid is like a woman I hear!" Called another voice from the crowd followed by laughter.

Raditz had to fight the urge to glare at the fool, "But Prince Vejita… He's always had it in him to be king."

This statement was met with all around agreement, "But," Raditz went on, "He too has become weak these days. His position now is just a show of force to discourage any rebellious activity. He's all for the king's plans."

"Yes, but should we assassinate the king, everything would fall into place, no?" Gento said, obviously confused as to where the long-haired warrior was going with this.

"Right, and even he must see that Kakarotto's not a suitable heir. Surely he'll have another son." Said another man from the group.

Raditz shook his head, "Even if you were to kill the king, Vejita would still try to uphold the very same plans and ideas. And he won't be having any more children."

All around confusion. It was Draigon who spoke up, "Are you so sure? What has driven the prince to become this way?"

"It's Kakarotto's influence. He's become a different man since the young prince's birth."

Draigon almost laughed, "We all know Prince Vejita has a strong attachment for his son, but really, who would take advice from his own son on ruling a planet? Come Raditz, you're being too hasty. I believe Vejita still has it in him to be the king we all want him to be."

"You don't understand," Raditz muttered, feeling simply awful deep down inside for what he was about to reveal, "He's not merely attached to Kakarotto. They… They're lovers, a pair."

"What?" Gento asked, mouth open, eyes wide, much like the others.

"What are you saying?" Draigon asked, disbelieving.

Raditz nodded, "It's true. They've been unnaturally close since the boy's birth. Vejita finally took the boy as his mate some three years ago. It's this big secret."

Draigon flopped down in his chair, "Love? What kind of warrior has our prince become? And with his own son?"

"So that's what you mean about him not having any more children." Gento said, speaking to himself.

"I spoke to Kakarotto, persuading him to end this thing, hoping Vejita would return to himself, but… He refused. I've been forbidden from the palace."

Draigon shook his head, "It would have been no use anyway. It's too late. Vejita wouldn't have become the prince we remember. Now that I think about it, he is much different."

"So what are we going to do then?" A man asked from Draigon's left.

"We'll have to be rid of the entire House of Vejita." Was the leader's answer.

"You… You're not talking assassination anymore. This is rebellion, for real." The man replied, seeming a bit frightened.

"And what other choice do we have? I will not live in a society of weaklings. It's insanity to give such weaklings 'rights.' The Saiya-jin way has always been the strong survive. That's what makes us such a powerful race."

The others agreed with cheering. Raditz wasn't so sure about all this. Who would become the new king? That alone was going to cause the battle of all battles. However, he didn't want to live in a world of rules and rights and weaklings. And no more missions? No more conquest? It was unthinkable, but were they going about this the right way? Was this little rebellion not a conquest itself? It was confusing, and Raditz couldn't help but feel a bit unsure.

………………………………...

King Vejita was pleased with the progress of his plans, everything was going as he'd hoped. It was difficult for the people to understand, but with time, he was sure they'd see that this was best. Their numbers were already increasing. Farmers on the outskirts of cities were receiving higher demands for products. The planet was beginning to thrive on itself. It was all together pleasing.

Except for one thing. Daily he received reports on small rebel groups captured as well as the growth of larger groups. Today was no different.

He took the slip of paper as it was offered, the soldier scurrying off. Seemed two somewhat large groups had joined forces. This was becoming a problem. He read on, finding that this information had just been gained from a captured rebel.

Surely the traitor was still alive. He intended to find out what his son planned to do about all this. A harsher punishment must be doled out. These rebels had to fear the House of Vejita.

………………………………...

Vejita paced in the adjacent room. What the hell was going on with these people? Sure, there had been rebels since the beginning of all this, since forever. But now there were more, and it was getting worse. How much more fierce could he be? Last week he'd personally tortured a rebel to death! The story had been spread, the traitor's head thrown out in the street. Soldiers were whispering about it everywhere. So why the hell were there more rebels still? Their numbers continued to grow.

He exited the empty cell, heading again for the barred door where the rebel was being held. He threw the door open, not bothering to close it behind him. Several soldiers stood outside, guarding, watching, all fearful. In a rage, he rushed the fool, grabbing him up by his uniform. The man was no longer able to stand on his own.

In the back of his mind he saw Kakarotto crying, clutching a bloody glove. He nearly broke, nearly allowed the expression to overwhelm his rage. Why weren't these people afraid of him?

A commotion outside the door caused him to turn. Vejita smirked, "Sire." He said with a slight bow, dropping the traitor to the filthy floor as he approached his father.

The king glared at the broken, bleeding man, "Why does this continue?" He asked, turning the glare to his son.

Vejita growled, "How the hell should I know? Surely you heard of the last one's fate."

The king nodded, stepping forward, entering the horrid room. It was rock on all sides, the door equipped with technology enabling even the mightiest of Saiya-jin from escaping. The prisoner scuttled away. "I'm glad to see you have the brains enough to be afraid of me at least. Though if I were you, I'd fear my son more. It's his fist that will break you."

The rebel chuckled, a gurgling sound, spitting a mass of blood and saliva before speaking, "I fear death, true, but I could never fear the House of Vejita with all it's weakness."

The king struck the man then, "How dare you! What weakness do you speak of?"

Righting himself, the prisoner spat again, that damned crooked grin returning, "You're soft old king, and your plans are laughable. And must I explain why I do not fear the princes? Though powerful, they are weak."

This fool spoke in riddles, causing the king to laugh out, his booming voice echoing off the walls, "You've lost your mind. I cannot even take offense of your insult!"

"Have I?" The man said, rubbing at his bruised cheek.

The king nodded, "I'm more powerful than you think, and I'm obviously more intelligent than the lot of you. If you'd just open your eyes you'd see that my plans are for the best. And though I'm old, I'm still king! And the princes?" The king laughed again, "Vejita is perhaps stronger than I, and much more ruthless. You speak nonsense."

Now the traitor was laughing, blood sputtering from his near toothless grin, "Then you don't know!" He was croaking, nearly doubling over.

Vejita eyed the fool, curious and a bit nervous, "What are you talking about?" He insisted, approaching and kicking the man in the side. It was a slight blow, but no doubt hurt like hell. The man's ribs were already broken to pieces.

It took him a while to recover, that grin returning once he did so, "I'm talking about your disgusting relationship. What kind of warrior falls in love with another man? Let alone his own son!"

Vejita's eyes flew wide, and he didn't hesitate, killing the man seconds later, spinning round and, with a powerful kick, breaking the man's neck. He turned then and blasted the three soldiers standing just outside, a small but powerful ki attack did the trick, right between the eyes. They fell where they stood.

The king turned to look at the bodies, then to his son, a puzzled expression upon his bearded face, "What the…?"

Motionless under his father's gaze, Vejita remained silent, waiting, wondering if his father had heard what the prisoner had said. Surely he had.

The king's eyes went wide then, "It's true?"

Vejita didn't cower, but looked away, gazing at the far wall, eyes somewhat downcast. He didn't want to, but he felt ashamed anyway. He remained silent.

"Kami, you killed them all to silence them?" The king asked, speaking more to himself. He turned to his son, "It's really true? Has this been kept secret?" He waited a moment or two, realizing his son didn't plan on answering, "Answer me!" He shouted, grabbing his son by the shoulders, annoyed when he was unable to shake him. The prince was indeed more powerful than he.

Vejita looked up from beneath his brows, "I will not." He growled out, glaring then at the hands holding him.

The king released his son, realizing physical force was not going to get his questions answered, "This could very well decide the fate of our house! Tell me what the hell you've been doing?"

With a huff of breath, Vejita looked his father in the eyes, annoyed that it was going to be like this. Had he really thought they could keep it secret forever? Angry he hadn't killed the damned traitor earlier, he spoke, "It's true. Kakarotto and I are lovers."

The king's eyes went wide, he took three steps back, his mouth falling open, "You're lying."

Vejita shrugged.
"Don't act like this is nothing! How long has this been going on?" The king was on the verge of rage.

"Some three years I guess, but you know Kakarotto and I have been close since his birth."

"Kami, he's your son! Don't you see how… Disgusting that is?" The king was pacing now, thinking back to all the times he saw his grandson hanging on his son. He'd always thought their relationship was a bit odd. He'd just assumed that Vejita was a doting father, spoiling the young prince. He never guessed…! "This has to end. It's not right, it's just unnatural." He was rambling now, trying to find a solution to this. "If that rebel knew, then they may very well all know."

"Stop it!" Vejita shouted, "I'm not ending anything with Kakarotto. We're together, period."

"Are you insane? This is incest, don't you understand?" The king was simply flabbergasted that his son didn't see how revolting this truly was.

"That doesn't matter."

"It doesn't!" The king all but screamed. "Then what about the fact that he's male? You do realize Kakarotto isn't capable of being king, ever. You've raised him to have a soft, pure heart. He's too innocent. You have to have another son. Planet Vejita must have an heir."

Vejita shook his head, "There will be no other."

"I could kill you!" The king growled in anger, again thinking back to all those times he noticed his grandson staring at his son with those big, feminine eyes. How blind he'd been! "You sicken me. The whole planet will know in days. You may have prevented it from spreading throughout the palace for now, but soon enough, everyone will know. What do you plan to do?"

"I don't know." Vejita grumbled, pressing his eyes shut with the palms of his hands, trying to rid himself of the headache forming there behind them.

"You have to end it. Stop being around one another, deny it." The king insisted, obviously rattled.

"Don't be stupid, father." Vejita hissed, "Everyone in this palace has seen us together, smelled the sex on us. We're lucky no one figured it out sooner. Kami, we rarely leave one another's sight. Denying it's not going to do anything. The damage is done."

The king stared, realizing this to be true, and also realizing something else, "This will be revolt. They see me as unsuitable, and now you, and they never considered Kakarotto. This will be the fall of the House of Vejita."

"Who said we're falling? I'm more than powerful enough to fight these fools." Vejita insisted, anger building in his core, he truly hated these rebels.

"Shit! You've really ruined things!" The king spat, pacing again, "All my plans, all the hard work… Down the drain because of you! And all this time I thought you were different because you were growing more reasonable, but no… You've become weaker. Love!" The king scoffed, shaking his head.

"Shut up! Don't blame things on me. None of this could have been avoided. Kakarotto and I are meant to be together."

"I don't want to hear it!" The king shouted, his voice booming, "It's repulsing!" He started for the exit, turning to look back at his son, "We'll talk more tonight. Meet me in my dining chamber, bring Kakarotto." It was a flat out order, his voice harsh, and with that said, he left in a flourish of his red cape.

Vejita stood still for a moment, trying to calm. Great, just great! The rebels were the first to discover his secret. He'd known from the beginning that it wouldn't be kept from his father forever, but he'd never imagined the enemy would be the first to know. Revolt was all but guaranteed. He looked at the battered corpse of the traitor, staring up at him from the filthy floor. He wished the man were alive so that he might kill him again. Turning to leave, he passed the three bodies of the soldiers, puddles of blood having formed around their heads. He felt guilty for their deaths. Had that really been necessary? Everyone was going to find out anyway. He thought again of Kakarotto clutching the bloody glove, weeping. He thought back to that day long ago when he'd found his son sobbing, trying in vain to scrub the glove clean. It was true. Vejita wasn't the person he used to be. Kakarotto's influence had changed him greatly over the years.

Shaking his head, Vejita left the room, heading towards the stairs at the far end of the tunnel that would lead him up into the palace.

It was about noon, time for lunch. Nappa was waiting for him at the top of the stairs, looking rather worried, "Everything okay?"

Vejita eyed his friend.

Nappa backed up a bit, lifting his hands to show his lack of hostility, "I just heard a lot of yelling. Then the king came storming out."

Sighing, Vejita shook his head, "Let's get Kakarotto and the others. I'll tell you when I tell them."

Kakarotto was in the training hall with Tekita and Ritsu as usual. He and the woman were sparring while Tekita stood on the sidelines, watching. Vejita waited a moment, watching his son fly through the air with such reckless grace. He wanted to join the boy, forget his worries and simply spar until he was too exhausted to think.

Ritsu's touches lingered a bit longer than he liked, but right now he couldn't find it in himself to become jealous as he normally would. She was a silly woman anyway. Melancholy thoughts drifted in then. Vejita wondered if maybe he should end things with his son. Maybe it would have been better if he'd denied these feelings. Would Kakarotto have ended up with a woman like Ritsu?

Kakarotto stopped mid-fight, holding up a hand to pause the match. Ritsu stopped, asking what was wrong. Kakarotto felt the strangest feeling. It was an emotion, sorrow maybe? Mostly regret. His father?

Turning, Kakarotto wasn't surprised to see his father standing in the entrance looking as if the world were ending tomorrow. Nappa was beside him, looking confused and a bit worried. Without a second thought, the young prince hurried over, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Vejita half-smirked, "Maybe not. We need to talk, all of us." He said, looking then to Ritsu and Tekita. "Let's have lunch somewhere more private."

"Your dining chamber?" Nappa asked, wondering if the room were in any condition to eat in? Last he'd heard, it was being used for storage.

Vejita nodded, "That'll do. Come on." He said, speaking the last to his son.

Kakarotto hurried along, wanting to wrap his arms about his father, to comfort his worries. Something was wrong. He could feel it as plain as he could feel the temperature or the air on his sensitive skin. Only this made his heart ache, it was a bit painful. Kami, he was so curious! What was wrong?

The dining room was a bit dusty, and there were quite a few boxes stacked in the corners, but it was still useable. Vejita ordered the slaves to bring their meals there for them, while they went ahead to wait.

It didn't take long. Once seated around the large, square table, the slaves began filing in. One insisted that they should clean the place up, that it'd only take a minute or two, but the prince waved her away, assuring the slave that things were fine as they were, that they needed to be left alone.

Kakarotto could hardly eat, he picked at his food, constantly looking to his right, where his father sat beside him. Ritsu and Tekita sat opposite them, Nappa seated alone at one end.

Vejita finished eating before he spoke, however he'd only managed to eat about half his meal. He noticed his son had done much the same, "Something's happened."

Everyone looked up, and he continued, "The secret's out. My father knows about Kakarotto and I. One of the captured rebels knew everything and said too much. So that means, somehow, they found out before anyone in the palace."

Nappa was shocked, "How?"

Vejita shook his head, "I don't know. But now my father knows. Before long, all of the planet will know."

"Papa…" Kakarotto whispered, reaching forward, placing a hand on his father's arm. He wasn't sure what all this meant for them, he knew it wasn't good, but right now he just wanted his father to stop worrying. He didn't like feeling this pain and sorrow and regret coming from the older man.

"Know what? What are you talking about?" Ritsu asked, confused, eyeing the prince. She'd never seen Vejita behave so strange, he seemed truly upset, saddened.

Nappa sighed, "Vejita and Kakarotto have been lovers for some time. We didn't want to tell you because of your infatuation with Kakarotto."

Ritsu stared wide-eyed, thinking she must have heard wrong. None of them seemed surprised or shocked, surely she hadn't heard correctly.

"What infatuation?" Kakarotto asked, looking to Nappa with a confused expression.

"Baka!" Vejita huffed, "Why the hell do you think I hate it so much when you hang around with her all the time?"

"Oh!" The young prince exclaimed, laughter following, "I didn't know that's why! So, you thought I liked her like that too?"

Vejita didn't say a word, looking away, refusing to voice his doubts and insecurities.

Kakarotto only laughed more, "You know I only care for you like that."

"Wait a damn minute!" Ritsu shouted, rising, slamming her hands down on the tabletop, "You're telling me you're a pair? Mates? For how long now!"

Vejita glared at the woman, "Some three years."

She flopped back in her seat, looking to Tekita, "You knew?"

He only nodded, remaining silent.

"I can't believe this." She said, shaking her head. It was disgusting, unheard of. Father and son? It gave her chills. And Kakarotto was still considered young, even by Saiya-jin standards, to be tied down forever to one person. "Why didn't you tell me in the beginning? Before I loved him."

Kakarotto's eyes went soft, his expression sad, "I didn't know you loved me, Ritsu."

"Well, I do, or did."

Nappa cleared his throat, " We tried to tell as few people as possible. It's a dangerous thing to go about telling complete strangers, and I'm sorry, but that's what you were in the beginning."

She nodded, "You told Tekita." It was a childish thing to say, and she knew it, but she didn't care.

"He's my son, no stranger. Besides, Kakarotto kind spilled the beans before it could even be decided whether he should know or not." Nappa said in his son's defense.

A moment of silence descended. Ritsu sat thinking, positively against this incestuous relationship. She could tell they were all thinking of solutions, trying to make a plan. She didn't want to hear whatever they said. It would put her in a bad position. She'd be tempted to spoil said plans. At this point, she felt compelled to drive the two apart. She'd join the damn rebels if she wasn't so "infatuated" with Kakarotto. But truth be told, she still loved the boy, she couldn't bring him harm. So, without a word, she rose from her seat and exited the room.

Kakarotto looked questioningly to his father.

Vejita shrugged, "It's for the best. Woman can be vindictive. The less she knows, the better."

Nappa and Tekita nodded in agreement.

The young prince shook his head, "I really had no idea she liked me like that."

Vejita smirked, "Shows how pure you are."

Unsure if should be offended or not, Kakarotto chose to stick his tongue out at his father.

Nappa chuckled, amazed at the lovers' ability to jest in such a predicament.

"So," Tekita said seriously, halting all silliness, "What are we going to do then?"

To be continued…

I know this chapter ends kind of… Abruptly, but I couldn't keep going, too tired… Falling asleep on my keyboard. I hope you enjoyed!