Author's Note: Hello again lovely readers! Wow, I am so happy/excited about the sweet reviews you all wrote. There was so many with the last chapter! Keep them coming, they really help motivate me! I apologize that this story is unbeta'd. I try to do the best I can under circumstances. I hope you all enjoy this, please heed the warnings-
Disclaimer and Warnings: Mentions Mpreg, Heats, violence, swearing, and Alpha Dominated Society!
Timelines and ages are slightly different. Different world from the original DBZ world.
Since I'm making up a lot of terms here I thought I'd drop some definitions.
Suitors:An Alpha who is courting a Omega. During the courting phase they are Suitors, after the pair has mated they are referred to as Mates.
Ranks of the Saiyan Warriors:
Third Class
Second Class
First Class- Also known as Elites
Captains
High Council:The High Council is a level between Captains and the King. They advise the King on troublesome planets and which troops should go to what planets. There are Six Council members total. Generally the position is passed down from generation to generation, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
In This Chapter: Goten trains and gets a surprise visitor.
Alpha Royal
Chapter Five: Trading Secrets
"When are you coming home?"
Goten tensed at the question, his mind quickly tried to come up with a suitable answer. The phone burned against his ear. His grandfather wasn't dumb, the demi-saiyan knew that eventually the retired fighter would realize that Goten had been missing for nearly a week. The best response he could come up with was a weak laugh, "Why? Are you all out of food?"
"Very funny," Bardock chided, "the house has barely been touched, which means you haven't been coming home."
"I've had some late nights," Goten admitted, mentally telling his conscious that it wasn't a lie. His late nights were just full of fighting instead of Omega School.
"Goten tell me the truth," Bardock's voice became of low growl, not threatening, but stern. It was his no nonsense tone and Goten felt his stomach drop to his toes as it rolled over him. "You're seeing a suitor, aren't you?"
"What?" the word bubbled out of Goten's throat before he could think better of it. He couldn't think of any reason why his Grandfather would assume such a ridiculous notion. Laughter rumbled through him, "No. I'm taking Omega Lessons. Really! No self-respecting Alpha would take me the way I am now. "
His grandfather snorted on the opposite end, "Please boy, your father is on the High Council. You could be the ugliest Omega on the planet and Alpha's would be tripping over themselves to get you."
An image of Oorang and Gaupe appeared in Goten's mind, making his stomach clench at the truth of his Grandfather's words. Maybe in the Capital Alpha's would recognize his bloodline and fight to court him, but in Tarble Town the villagers only knew his father was an Elite warrior. Goku kept quiet about his place on the Council, and Goten definitely didn't brag about his father's position. No need to make himself even more of an outcast.
"I don't want them to want me because of who my father is," Goten explained, he glanced up at the mirror hanging on his closet door. His father stared back at him, same spikey hair, same rounded eyes. In the Saiyan Armor he looked even more like Goku's copy. He frowned at the reflection.
I don't want any Alpha, Period.
Bardock sighed, meaning he was ready for another conversation. Things dealing with Goten's Omega life was always an uncomfortable time for him. Most of those talks ended with his Grandfather just shrugging his shoulders and letting Goten make his own decisions. "Fine, but the next time you're with your Suitor…"
"…There is no Suitor." Goten interjected quickly.
"…tell him," Bardock carried on easily, "that your father is expected back in two months,"
Goten's heart leapt into his throat. "Two months," he repeated, "That's sooner than we thought."
"Yes well, you know there has been some trouble in the South Quadrant recently."
Goten nodded at the reminder. That was the reason why his father and brother had deployed to Namek in the first place. Things must be worse than they thought if they were returning early. No doubt to update the King on the quadrant's status.
But two months was too soon. He needed to be out of the Battle Academy by then.
"Just stay out of trouble Goten," Bardock reminded him.
"Sure sure," Goten said softly, a knot of guilt tightened as he lied to the elder. He wished he could tell his grandfather that he was attempting to make the Prince's Crew, that he was decent fighter thanks to Bardock's mentorship, that wearing the saiyan armor felt so right. But he couldn't, none of those things would stop his Grandfather from coming straight to the palace and taking him home. He needed more.
He needed to be apart of the Prince's crew.
"I'll see you around," Bardock's voice continued, growing soft in its fondness for his grandchild.
Goten licked his lips as the phone disconnected. He placed the small device on his bedside table and quickly shucked off his boots and armor. The shower and its warm water called out to him, but he was already sitting down on his bed and leaving it would take too much effort.
With an exhausted sigh Goten told himself the shower could wait to the next morning. His brain was too tired after the news about his father and his body was drained from the long day of training. He pushed all other concerns to the side and focused on the one thing that was his priority.
Beating the Prince at his own game.
If he could pass the challenge, a spot on Prince Trunks' crew was assured. Then he could get off the planet. Then he could truly prove himself.
The thought made him smile and his body swayed to the left before flopping onto his small bed. The mattress was soft, softer than his one at home. Whoever bought the furniture for the rooms obviously knew that after a hard day of working their muscles, the Elites needed some comfort for their body.
It was late, he got out of the gravity chamber later than everyone else. In an attempt to avoid another run in with Squral, and then he owed his Grandfather a call. Sleep pressed down on him, making his eyelids heavy and his lungs already adapting to long slow breaths.
Bits of black hair fell into his eyes as he drifted off. Another hair cut was well past due, but the thought of adjusting himself to look like a clone of his father again made Goten snort. There was so much he needed to do, but that… that could wait a while.
Trunks wasn't at breakfast the next morning.
Goten had been hoping for a fresh chance to convince his Highness to give him the hint. As innocently as possible, he asked the table, "So..where is the Prince?"
The looks of the other two saiyan's said they knew exactly what he was up to.
Beet shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as he stuff a bagel into his mouth, "Who knows. Sometimes he can't make breakfast, he is the Prince you know."
Leta snickered softly into her hand. "Goten," she said with a broad grin, "You don't have to call him The Prince."
"Or your Highness," Beet added as an afterhtought, "He hates that."
"Just call him Trunks."
A low noise of disapproval escaped Axal, Goten spared the older saiyan a look. His lips were pulled down into their usual scowl, "Do not instill bad habits onto the boy. He isn't part of this crew yet."
"Oh yeah, I forgot." Leta hummed, but her smile still stayed in place.
"So Goten," Beet jumped in eager for a change in subject, "I heard you punched Leta into the wall yesterday. Nice job squirt!"
Goten looked sheepish at the reminder and the blatant nickname. It seemed Beet was trying out a variety to see which one he liked best. At least Squirt was a step up from New Guy.
Leta laughed, "He sure did. How was the rest of your time training in the chamber Goten?"
"Fine, I'm pretty sore." The table chuckled, all three looked like they knew his pain.
Surprisingly, Axal spoke up next. "How long did you train?"
"Oh…" Goten mental count the hours he spent with Leta, then by himself, before and after lunch. "I think about ten hours."
"Ten hours!" Leta exclaimed the spoon she had been holding hit the table. All eyes focused on Goten, who felt himself sink into his chair under their stares. Both Leta and Beet looked surprised, Axal's black eyes managed to hide his disbelief better than the others.
"That's… um…" Beet started, "…a pretty intense first day."
"What level of gravity did you train on?" Leta asked.
"Well after you left I raised it to 70x, I stayed at that the rest of the day." Goten answered, "I think I'll raise it again today."
"Geez, 70x's," Beet hissed through his teeth before giving Leta a quick look, "four more levels and he'll match us."
"I told you he was stronger than he looks." Leta said, as she grasped onto Goten's shoulders. She gave a firm squeeze, her smile was stretched wide.
It took Goten a moment to realize what the look on their faces was.
Pride.
He'd seen the look so sparsely in his lifetime, and now these people who weren't even his crewmates yet were gracing him with it.
They're not your Crew, a small voice said in the back of his mind. It sounded just shocked as he felt. They're your friends.
Somewhere between trying to beat him up on his first day, and treating him like some nuisance, they were beginning to accept him.
It was late in the evening. Goten was surprised when he looked at the clock to see it was past dinner time. Hours flew by in the gravity chamber, lunch only felt like moments ago. Of course, that was only until his stomach gave a loud gurgle, begging him to take a break and fill it. A tired smile spread across Goten's lips as he walked to a small sack that sat at the edge of the room.
He would fill his stomach but there was no time for trip to the Chow Hall.
In the sack was two apples, a mushed sandwich and a large canister of rice. It wasn't the proper dinner, but it would keep his appetite at bay until the day was over. The intense gravity of the room had caused the apples and sandwich to become soft, Goten grimaced as the fruit's juice slid down his hand and covered his mouth, he could already feel his strength returning.
One apple was demolished in two bites; the sandwich was gone in less than a second. Goten was just about to dig into his second bright red apple when a familiar beep echoed in the room. He looked up just in time to see the door slide open.
Considering the time of day he expected either Leta or Beet to check up on him. Instead shockingly bright purple hair entered the room, Prince Trunks' eyes scanned the area quickly before he found Goten sitting in the corner. His lips quirked up in amusement at the sight. Goten gawked before he realized how he must look- hunkered on the ground, an apple in one hand while crumbs surrounded him.
The younger saiyan offered an unsure smile, "Oh… Your Highness… er, Trunks. I wasn't expecting you."
"I wasn't expecting to find you here either," Trunks admitted as he strolled over to him. The gravity had been increased to 100x normal, yet it hardly seemed to affect the Prince. When he stood just a few inches away from Goten, his bright blue eyes took in the apple in Goten's hand. "Skipping dinner?"
Goten laughed, "I decided to bring dinner with me." When he noticed the Prince's gaze not leaving the apple he offered it up, "do you want some."
Tunks' lips thinned into an unreadable expression before he gently plucked the apple from Goten's hand. The Prince closed his eyes and dug into the apple, letting out a noisy hum of pleasure as he took his second bite. Goten couldn't help but laugh when he apple was gone just as fast as the first. "Looks like I'm not the only one who skipped dinner."
"I was heading over there when I noticed only one of the gravity chamber's still had a light on." Trunks answered easily, "What are you doing all the way down the hall anyway. You're practically next to the royal quarters."
Reaching for the bowl of rice next, Goten couldn't help but pause at the news. He had no idea where the royal quarters were, but suddenly Leta's pick of the chamber all the way down the hall didn't seem so random. He tried to sound nonchalant as he opened the rice tin, "I didn't want to be so close to the others training."
"Afraid they'd gang up on you again?" Trunks asked with a knowing smirk.
Goten laughed off the jab, "Shut up."
Steam rose as soon as the lid came off. The rice was still warm, and the seasoning on it made a mouthwatering aroma. At the same time both Goten and Trunks let out their own happy sigh. He didn't pick up any spare chopsticks, so Goten simply set the bowl between the two of them and scooped up a small handful of rice. The Prince looked queasy as he watched.
"Is that how you eat at home?" Trunks asked, his mouth turned down in disgust but his eyes didn't leave the other saiyan as Goten shoveled the food into his mouth.
"No, but I only have one pair of chopsticks," Goten answered "If you want them, you can have them. But then I guarantee I'll eat faster with my hands then you can with the chopsticks."
The scowl eased away into a pout as Trunks reached forward and took a handful of food. Goten beamed as he took the first mouthful and then reached for a second. Their hands gazed each other as they both started to eat. It reminded Goten of the first meal they'd had together. How Trunks had brought him a tray of food. Now he was returning the favor, but his Omega instincts couldn't help but buzz. They were practically screaming at him for offering an Alphan food- such a intimate gesture was only reserved for mates.
We're just two Alphas, He told those raging thoughts sternly, two Alphas having a meal.
The only resposne that echoed back was his grandfather's nagging question, "You're meeting with a Suitor, aren't you?"
"So how long have you been in here?" asked Trunks, his gaze was looking at Goten again, this time taking in the bits of torn clothing and the sweat slick skin.
Goten shrugged, "Since lunch." He spared a peek at the royal saiyan, hoping to see some form of surprise, or at least recognition for the hard work. The Prince's face didn't budge an inch at the news. "And where were you this morning?"
"Not that it's any of your business," Trunks said, his voice light and teasing, as he grabbed another handful of rice, "but I had to attend a Council meeting."
"Oh really?" Goten's brows shot up at the news. It wasn't surprising that the Prince had been invited to the meeting, as the future King, he would be expected to go and learn how to deal with different issues that came up and how to deal with the council themselves. Even Gohan had to attend the meetings, preparing for the day when their father would retire and he would take Kakorot's place.
Goahn was always complaining about the meetings. How some of the Council members were too old and too stubborn. How the entire atmosphere was tense and just waiting for a fight to break out. Apparently, one usually did.
After the call with his Grandfather, Goten could guess the meeting had something to do with the issues arising in the Southern Quadrant.
"Counciler Paragus' son Brolly was there," Trunks continued on, the name immediately made Goten straighten up. When he looked at the Prince the other boy's brows were narrowed on him, "He said he ran into you yesterday."
"Er… yeah," Goten answered unsure of where the conversation was going, "We crossed paths."
"Did you cross paths with Squral the other day as well?" Trunks asked, "There is no use in lying to me Goten. Brolly told me what happened."
Goten frowned at the saiyan next to him. "Fine," he said, "I had another run in with the Captain, but I managed to get out of it ok. Don't tell the others. I don't want them to worry."
"Right," the Prince said, for a second Goten was sure the older boy was going to lecture him about lying to one's future crewmates, but instead he let out a low huff. "Beet would probably insist on you spending more time training with him, and Leta would no doubt get herself into another fist fight."
Relief flooded through Goten at the response, "You're not mad?"
"It's no big deal," Trunks shrugged, "We're a crew but sometimes you have to handle things your own way. I noticed Squral didn't intimate you from coming back here." His lip curled up in a smile as he looked at Goten. It was small, but Goten took the compliment for what it was. His heart felt lighter knowing the Prince approved of his actions.
"So… Brolly's on the council?"
A laugh shook the Trunks' body, "Was that your first time meeting him? He doesn't look like much, but apparently the guy is super powerful. I've never seen him fight, but dad seems to think he's hot ish. Personally, I think he's a total creep."
"Why?" Goten's head tilted with the question. Brolly seemed to have good intentions, the man did help him when other's would have simply walked away.
Trunks didn't even pause to give thought to his next words. He breathed in a heavy sigh, as if letting his feelings spill fourth for the first time. "The guy hardly ever talks and when he does it isn't even loud enough that a mouse could hear it, and his eyes… it's like there's no one home. His dad's a total prick too. Guess I can't blame the guy for wanting to space out all the time."
Goten snickered, his mouth full of rice. Soon the Prince joined in on the laughter. "I know what it's like to have a prick for a father." The younger boy admitted, "but I guess I don't have to deal with him like Brolly does."
"No way! Your dad?" Trunks exclaimed as he pawed at the bottom of the bowl, "He's totally cool."
Goten didn't have the heart to tell the Prince the truth about his father. The fact that the man could be two very different people. At the palace, he was an Elite warrior, a member of the King's council, a hero. At home, he was Goku. A man who rarely smiled and barely left his room the few times he was returned home.
"Brolly was asking about you though," Trunks continued, as if the whole conversation had been a weird one to have. "He thought it was strange that he hadn't ever heard of Kakorot's second son before."
"Like I've been telling everyone," Goten said, "my dad didn't want to talk about me very much." His voice dipped in disappointment as he said those words. He hoped the Prince didn't notice.
"Yeah, I know." Trunks hummed, still in thought, "the question is why didn't he? I mean you're a good fighter, nothing like Gohan but still decent. Yet even my father didn't know…"
Something about the tone sent a shiver down Goten's spine. He looked up, eyes wide and heart pounding as he took in the considerate look on Trunks' face. Then the Prince said the words, the ones that felt like being dumped in a frozen pound. "But I've heard of you."
His heart stopped. Goten felt his entire body clench, desperately urging the organ to keep the blood pumping to the rest of the body. Talking was a strain but he managed, not with stammering, "You...You have?"
Trunks nodded, "Gohan told me about you."
Oh god. The room spun around him as Goten struggled to find his next words. He had to many questions, all pilling up in his mind without filter. How much did Trunks know? Why would Gohan tell him?
Trunks' bright blue eyes looked away, freeing Goten from their intense stare. "Look, he told me not to tell anyone else and I haven't, and it was a long time ago."
"What did he tell you?" It felt like there was sand in his mouth. The words were heavy and difficult to force out.
Trunks' head shook in a quiet answer, "Nothing that made sense. He said he had a little brother in Tarble Town. When I asked if I could meet you he said no. It was stupid, like I said; it was a long time ago. I was just a kid, and I was really lonely. I looked up to Gohan like my own big brother, and when I found out he already had a sibling… I don't know… I got jealous."
The tension in Goten's body snapped. Relief allowed him to breathe again as he realized Gohan hadn't given away his secret.
Trunks' long fingers threaded themselves in his hair, combing it back in a sign of quiet frustration. "So, when I actually met you, it was really bizarre. I guess I was a little harsher then I should have been, and I'm sorry about that."
Embarrassment raced over Goten's body, it felt strange having royalty apologize to him, and for something he hardly even knew. "It's fine," he said quickly, "Really. I mean, it was pretty rough that first day, but it encouraged me to try even harder."
The reassurance seemed to do the trick. The concerned look on the Prince's face disappeared as he returned to his usual self. His familiar smirk was back in place. "Well that was what I was hoping for," he said, confidence back in his voice. "What's the story with you anyway? I still don't know. Why'd you stay in Tarble Town? Isn't that place in the middle of nowhere?"
"Well that's were our home is." Goten started, trying to find the safest words to tell his story. "Mom wanted to live there but she died when I was really little. Since then my dad preferred being at the palace. When Gohan left to come here, I was the only one left back at home. Someone needed to be there and take care of the house, mom loved it so much after all. I hated it though. It was… lonely. Dad and Gohan wereso busy here I only had my grandfather for company."
He was surprised to notice the Prince was actually listening to him, looking interested and staying quiet throughout the story. Goten carried on, "Finally I got the chance to come here and all I want to do is show my dad that I can be a fighter. He kind of… forgot about me."
"I can understand that," Trunks nodded clearly thinking of an old experience. His blue eyes glazed over with memories and he looked off into the corner of the room. His voice still carried on, sounding strong and sure of itself, "Don't worry Goten I have no doubt that you'll show everyone what a great fighter you are. Your dad included."
The praise felt nice. Goten couldn't help but preen, compliments were so rare and that fact that it came from the Prince- an Alpha – made it all the more sweeter.
Suddenly Trunks was climbing to his feet, his long limbs stretched as he let out a heavy sigh. "Well Goten, thanks for the food, but I should probably get going."
"Wait!" Goten called out, stumbling to his feet as well. Trunks couldn't be leaving so soon, all their talking and he hadn't managed to bring up the upcoming challenge. He still didn't have the hint.
Trunks' brows shot up in interest before he realized what Goten was up to. His face fell in exasperation, "You still fighting for that hint, aren't you?"
"I'm serious," Goten smiled, "My father isn't the only one I want to prove myself to."
An emotion flash across Trunks' face at that. "Will you continue to train just as hard if I give you this hint?"
Goten nodded eagerly.
Trunks cupped his chin in his hand and pretended to be deep in thought. "Well I suppose I could tell you something." He pointed over at the control panel, and Goten's eyes quickly followed. "Here you go Goten, don't relay just on yourself to train. Use the AI's, they're pretty easy to stop, and one of them is programed to look like Freiza. Really gets the blood going."
His heart sank. "That's not a hint. That's just a training tip," Goten accused.
Trunks shrugged his shoulders but his smile was telling. "Maybe it is maybe it isn't," he said as he started for the door. It slid open quietly just before he stepped out, but the purple haired saiyan paused in the door way. His hand placed against the door frame as he called over his shoulder, "but the AI in the real test won't stop until you do one thing. Crush it's scouter, and you'll win the game Goten."
With that simple warning the Prince disappeared. Giving Goten no time to utter a reply.
