Note: Nothing sexual happens in this chapter. Just to clarify.

When Prince Vegeta arrived from his latest mission, he was told briefly that his mate was to be put into an incubator in 14 days' time. There, Kakarotto was to stay until he was of an age that the Prince could claim him fully.

'I'm still not completely sure of what that means, but if Kakarotto is going to leave...' Vegeta looked down over the banister to where his Kakarotto, Raditz and Gine were sparring in the training room below. The infant was eager and hungry for challenge. Even when Raditz would throw him back into the wall or Gine would catch him on the ground, the infant would stand up or signal that he was overtaken. He would stand up if overtaken, smiling and rushing forward again after receiving more advice from his dam or brother.

The Prince leapt over the banister, catching himself on one of the long chains and sliding his way down.

"Jiita!" Kakarotto squealed, running towards his mate and friend. Prince Vegeta welcomed the soft kisses on his cheeks and lips, feeling the warmth of being missed and liked against his mind. He sent the feeling of longing to his small mate and Kakarotto pressed himself more urgently to the Prince, purring. Gine and Raditz stepped forward, laughing as Kakarotto tried to babble about their exploits to the Prince. Prince Vegeta caught a few words, but he saw the infant's memories as well, however vague they were.

"Dam Gine, Raditz, allow me to train with you." It was a small demand, carefully said to sound like a request.

"Of course, small Prince." Gine smiled, bowing deeply. "However, I need to speak with Bardock about something. I'll leave you and Kakarotto with Raditz."

With that, the three boys were left in the room to train. Prince Vegeta asked his small mate to go grab the heaviest weights that he could carry. With the infant distracted, he turned to Raditz.

"Do you know about Kakarotto's fate?"

He received a growl in reply.

"Fourteen days." Raditz frowned at the Prince. "Bardock says it is to keep him safe from other males... including me."

Prince Vegeta balked at that. Raditz only had ever cared for his younger brother, training him and protecting him. When they had gone to Maromasu, Raditz had protected Kakarotto from the primitive weapons there whenever the infant found himself in a tight spot; in his place, annoyingly, but if Prince Vegeta had to leave Kakarotto with one person, he would have Raditz be that person. He could never imagine that Raditz would try to hurt Kakarotto, unless...

"When you say from males, what would other males do?"

"... I forget how young you are, your Highness. Bardock means to keep Kakarotto safe from males that would want to try to mate with him." Raditz turned away, drawing Prince Vegeta to turn his gaze in the same direction. Kakarotto was testing various weights, his tongue sticking out slightly while concentrating on picking up the larger ones before going down to the lighter ones.

"He's mine."

"I know. Others don't know, and forcible mating can be quite damaging. I'm not going to hurt him... I won't let anyone else hurt him." Raditz let out a growl, and Prince Vegeta was stunned at the small sound of possessiveness. He heard an opposing sound escape his own throat, surprising himself.

"Kakarotto is mine!"

"You said I could have him first."

"I didn't know what you meant!" Prince Vegeta, not yet a year old, knew little of mating, but he did know that a mate-bond was precious. He did know that his bond with Kakarotto was one that he wanted to nurture and protect. Kakarotto felt true affection for the Prince, and it was welcome. Raditz felt the same towards him, but the infant son of Bardock was precious. Mating was a precious process, as it results in offspring. Forcible mating... Raditz had just told him something that he knew nothing about.

"I didn't know what you meant."

"Now you do." Raditz stepped closer to the Prince, and the younger Saiya-jin cursed the fact that he was not older. "You and I both care for Kakarotto. I am already to guard you on missions together, and we have been comrades since you began to train. We could make Kakarotto happy for the rest of his life, even..." Raditz knelt down, holding his hand palm upwards. "Even if I'm not mate to either of you."

The Prince looked down at the offered palm. If he placed his hand upon it, he would be agreeing to something strange. He knew, even at this young age, that mating could happen between as many participants as possible, but a mate-bond was only between two, or so he had heard. Bardock and Gine were the first in decades to mate-bond, looking only to each other. He could often see the older brother of Bardock around them, protecting them.

He imagined Raditz being around them both, and Prince Vegeta found himself comfortable with the idea. He could imagine them taking care of small infants, the three of them.

"Can... Can there be three in a mate-bond?"

Raditz' jaw dropped down in shock, but he quickly closed his mouth again.

"I... I haven't heard of such a thing, my Prince."

"You care for Kakarotto," the younger Saiya-jin affirmed. "You care for me, too, don't you? As a friend, I care for you and Kakarotto is my mate."

"Ditsu! Jiita!" The smallest boy approached them both, Raditz still upon his knees. Kakarotto showed off the weight that he could carry, one of two stones' weight. He set it down, pouting.

"Why mad?"

"No, Kakarotto," Prince Vegeta cooed to the infant. "I'm just talking to Raditz about something important."

Raditz was about to speak again, to further explain to the infant, but he was silent when he felt the small hand of the Prince in his own.

"We haven't heard of it, but let's try it, Raditz."

Kakarotto didn't understand all that happened, but he did know that blood was delicious. It was something ingrained in them, inside of his mind.

"Go ahead, Kakarotto."

He knew that the taste of this person's blood would bind them together forever, as he had when he drank Vegeta's blood.

"Mmm..."

"That's right. You're doing well."

And he knew that it felt good - safe and affectionate - when they kissed, so he knew that this person's blood would be good. He didn't mind when he felt sharp fangs, fangs like his own, pierce his small arm, drinking blood from there. When Kakarotto had his fill of the other boy's blood, he smiled at the warm feeling against his mind. It was nice, warm, and safe.

"Raditz..."

"Let your brother drink, Kakarotto," he heard Vegeta chide lightly. "You'll be even closer now when he's done."

'Closer to Raditz?'

The thought made the infant purr, especially as he saw Vegeta and Raditz bit each other.

They'd all be closer to each other now.

Bardock found the three boys resting in the Prince's room, blood across their mouths and their scents intermingling. So the Prince found Raditz acceptable to include him in their mate-bond?

"Bardock," Kakarotto crooned, reaching to his sire with innocent longing. The man sighed, looking down at the other two boys while his younger yawned and began to fall asleep against him.

"What you two have done, without Kakarotto knowing or not, will lead to him suffering."

"We're going to keep him safe," the Prince insisted, the blood on his lips caught on an eager tongue. "Like this, if we're apart and Kakarotto is with one of us or with you or Gine, he'll always be safe."

Bardock watched with trepidation in his chest as the Prince petted his older son. There was a caring there, one that the Prince shared with Kakarotto... the one that Bardock did trust.

The Prince stared as Bardock set his younger son down again on the bed, the infant mumbling to Vegeta about sleep and stories.

"You have until tomorrow."

There was no protest from either Prince Vegeta nor Raditz. They knew that the King would agree no matter what had been decided before. This was all for Kakarotto and the lineage of the Yasai house.

"Story?"

Raditz hummed and thought to himself. He began to tell an older story, one that told of the first mating between Damu and Seyen.

There was blood and wanting and beauty...

In old days, before the Elite, Upper, and Lower Classes existed, there was Seyen. A male, he pursued all his desires. There were none that could surpass his strength, and he was called the Beast, for his blood lust far outclassed that of others of his race. The Saiya-jin looked upon him as their Alpha, but they remained separate from him.

One day, the only daughter of the Moon Princesses, Damu came upon the world, seeing the Saiya-jin. She fell fascinated by the Saiya-jin, wondering how they survived with tooth and nail and battle. For one who had all, Damu did not know such things and she wished to know, using her golden glow to welcome those to her, and to invite others to speak.

She found herself taking journeys for knowledge upon the world, which gained the attention of Seyen. He looked at her, never seeing her face. He chose her then, to bear him offspring. She was weak and could not oppose him otherwise. Still, there was the innate curiosity of learning of new creatures, so Seyen observed her from afar. He saw her dance, heard her sing, and he saw her learn to fight, to draw blood as a Saiya-jin would. She held a beauty, covered in blood, that made his desire all the more strong.

One day, as she sat alone, he came upon her.

"I know you have followed me," she said with her back turned against him. She set down food, which Seyen took quickly, stuffing it into his mouth and consuming it wholly. "Why?"

"I desire you. I will have you."

Damu nodded slowly. "You are the Beast, they say, who takes without thoughts. You know nothing of me, I nothing of you. Why should I let you have me?"

"I will take you."

Damu shook her head. "Your strength is admirable, but if I give you offspring, will you leave me?"

"I will have you until I am satisfied," Seyen assured. "I will leave you be afterwards."

"I am not temporary." Damu stood, still not facing her challenger. "From the stars, we live forever, small fleeting thing. You will leave me be, upon your death."

And the Goddess fell into the night, leaving the Beast behind.

The Beast ravaged the world below, paying no mind of his race. They were surely possible challengers for him, he thought, and Damu could have any male with her beauty and blood. He set about to destroy the world that he lived upon, furious and strong, ruining the world that his desire cared for. She was the object of his thoughts, the cult of his chest, and for some reason, the fury he felt towards her rattled his core.

This was affection, something the Beast had never known. It only knew killing and taking. He only knew that this Goddess had rejected his desires, and it drove him not into thoughts of fury at being challenged, but it threw him into longing.

As he set fire to the world, Damu came upon him, her eyes cold. Her body launched against his back, sending him into the ground.

"Small fleeting thing, your death or mine." She placed herself in front of his next targets, growling.

Seyen turned towards her, eyes of fire burning-

"And lo, the Beast looked upon the face of beauty. And it stayed its hand from killing. And from that day, it was as one dead," Raditz muttered. "Unmoving, he fell to her beauty, as he had never seen her face until that moment, and he found her fury beautiful. Seyen surrendered to Damu, whose face appeared as the Full Moon does. He transformed into the Oozaru and, losing all thoughts of desires, he became an animal, one who cared for the Goddess in his hands. She pressed her hand to Seyen's head, and for the first time, Seyen was content.

"He carried Damu in his monstrous form, showing her all that he had accumulated, and she was enchanted by the devices and items he held, for he held the curiosity of a newborn within the body of a beast. He courted her, as all males do, and she responded favorably to both forms he held. Under the Blood of Red Moon, they coupled.

"From that day forward, the beast Seyen looked upon the swelling of Damu's belly and and recalled how her protective nature and beauty had kept Seyen from killing her. Her strength became his strength. The infant had a calm heart, unheard of in Saiya-jin. Yet, when he entered battle, seeing the slaughter of his kin, his heart became furious. He became as one dead, his heart stopping itself peaceful beating, and it turned to fury. He fought, tasting blood and ignoring its sweet taste. There was only thought of vengeance and battle and power.

"This was the Super Saiya-jin."

Kakarotto was sound asleep. Vegeta pressed a kiss to the infant's forehead and to Raditz's cheek before nodding off as well.

Raditz sighed, alone in the dark. His mates looked so peaceful.

"Yes... Super Saiya-jin."

January: Age 739

Kakarotto was swimming again, and he couldn't tell how long it was. He had Raditz's upon his brow, Vegeta's taste on his lips, and Gine's tears upon his cheeks.

Bardock left him nothing except promises of greatness.

February: Age 739

Prince Vegeta and Raditz were on another mission from Lord Freeza.

They were scheduled such that they would not return for several months.

Prince Vegeta curled his tail around that of Raditz, offering and aking for comfort.

Raditz complied.

June: Age 739

Returning from another mission, Bardock attempted once more to seek audience with King Vegeta since they had agreed to place Kakarotto in the incubator.

He was only sent on another mission to expand Freeza's empire.

"What is he thinking..?"

November: Age 739

Gine pressed her lips to the incubator.

"Kakarotto, I hope that the Prince and your brother return soon."

April: Age 740

"Bardock, we've been ordered to return to Planet Vegeta!" Bardock turned to one of his comrades, frowning.

"It's begun then."

"Should we go back?" Raditz turned to Prince Vegeta, wondering. "You are the Prince."

"No, we'll ignore the order for now." The Prince threw away the carcass that he had finally finished tearing through the sinew of. "The mission isn't done anyway. We'll go home after, lest Freeza thinks that we cowered out of our mission for a trip home."

Both thought of Kakarotto, still on the planet and waiting for them to return.

"Let's be hasty, but don't be messy, Raditz..." The Prince was nibbling on the barest part of the shell, the meat taken off of it ages ago, it seemed.

"What's wrong?" Raditz asked.

"... Kakarotto."

'We both want to go home.'

The next time that Kakarotto awoke, he was past three months old, about 1030 days. He smelt Gine and Bardock, and for some reason, Bardock threw him into what he could vaguely recall being called a "pod."

"Bardock! Gine!"

He could hear them talking outside, something about death and the scouters. He remembered that Gine had handed him one, one that she talked about "recordings" on, as he had been thrown in the pod.

Kakarotto couldn't really think beyond that. He only knew that he was in a pod and he was screaming and nobody was saying anything. He could only see the blackness of night through the small window as he was carried by Bardock to the other side of the world.

When he was finally set down, Kakarotto hurried to the window and saw his progenitors' faces.

"Kakarotto, can you hear us?"

He nodded eagerly in reply.

"Out?"

"No, small one. We're going to send you somewhere," Bardock explained. "It's a distant place with food and water, but they won't look for you there."

"No… Alone?"

"They'll find all of us if we go together."

Kakarotto hit the glass furiously with his hands, his lungs pained.

"If Bardock is wrong, we'll come to get you as soon as we can!" Gine's tears were evident on her face and Kakarotto wanted to lick them off of her face, just to see her happy again. "We'll tell Raditz, too!"

"Don't look at the full moon, and be wary of the Red Moon." Bardock placed his hands on the glass. For a moment, Kakarotto thought he saw gold and light and his sire holding a small boy without a tail. "You need to live."

Gine placed her hand on the glass. "Take care, Karo."

Kakarotto felt his face grow wet, and his scent was different. It smelt of wanting.

Gas filled the pod, and the securement devices sensed the energy discs in his battle armour, latching onto them to place him in the pod seat. Kakarotto felt so sleepy now.

"Watch out for the Patrol!"

And he was sent off somewhere as he slept.

Somewhere lonely.

When Gine returned to their Family Unit, without her mate, she found guards waiting for her. Acrosian foot-soldiers.

"You will come with us."

"To where?" she growled out.

"To the ship of Lord Freeza. You'll be his guest for a while."

'Bardock... What do you know? What did you see?'

May 740

Bardock saw his descendants. He saw his sons prosper and multiply. He saw them happy and still full of the desire to fight.

He saw Kakarotto and Raditz happy and at peace.

He laughed as the light almost finished him, but he felt the power of the Kanassan almost wane and explode again inside of him.

'If I could go back to before this happened…'

The destruction of Planet Vegeta was transmitted to every pod and every Saiya-jin was haunted by the sounds of every scream on the Planet Vegeta. It stayed with them; it would haunt their dreams.

June 740

Kakarotto cried, howling up to the bright sky. His family unit was gone and he felt lonely.

"Oh… A baby?"

He stopped for a moment, looking up and seeing someone with white whiskers on his face. Desperate for warmth, he reached up and was greeted with a warm embrace. The man's words were hard to pronounce, but he found that he could understand them. He wondered why.

"Little one, what's your name?"

"K... " His throat was so hoarse from crying, he couldn't say his own name. "Ku…" He couldn't say his own name.

"Well… You woke up to this empty clearing here. What do you think about the name 'Goku'?" The man smiled. "Until you can tell me, then. You can call me 'Grandpa'."

As this creature carried him, Kakarotto looked up to the sky. He could not taste Raditz nor Vegeta on his lips.

Notes:

*1 stone: 6.3 kilogrammes
*And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty. And it stayed its hand from killing. And from that day, it was as one dead - From the intro to the 1933 King Kong
* I take liberties with every legend and mythology in the Dragon Ball universe.