Part 28 Sparring with Sage

The clearing was just up ahead,  but he couldn’t see Vegeta.  Usually if Vegeta beat him there, he could be seen standing in the middle of the large clearing, arms folded, scowl on his face ready to berate Goku for making him wait.

Goku wrinkled his brow in concentration as he felt for the other Saiyjin’s ki, and stopped as he abruptly got a whiff of Vegeta.  He landed behind the seated man, and was about to greet him, when a squeal distracted him from what he was going to say.

“Nani?” he said disbelievingly.  “You brought….”

“I’m sorry Kakkarott, I swear I had no choice in the matter…” Vegeta was interrupted as Kakkarott swooped down on the pair and scooped Sage up in his arms.  Sage shrieked in delight as Goku tossed him high in the air, then caught him and nuzzled his neck affectionately.  Sage wrapped his tail around the younger Saiyjin’s neck and purred.

“Have you forgiven me for leaving, then little chukra?” asked Goku, unconsciously speaking in Saiyjino.  Beside him, Vegeta blinked in surprise.

Sage patted Goku’s face with small hands and said decisively, “Baka!!!!”

Goku’s eyes bugged.  “What did you just say?”

Vegeta coughed in a not so subtle attempt to hide a laugh.

“Baka,” repeated Sage, flinging his arms around Goku’s neck.  “Baka, Baka, more Baka,” he chanted.

Goku glared at his prince.  “Is this your doing?”

“Indirectly, I’ll admit.  It’s also why I had to bring him.  When I told him I was going to spar with you, his face lit up, and he said his first “Baka.”  I tried to leave him with his grandmother, but he went all pitiful on me and cried for “More Baka, Tou’tan.”

Goku smirked.  “The mighty Prince of Saiyjins, brought to his knees by a tiny baby,” he teased.

“Watch it baka,” Vegeta smirked himself.  “Wait till he turns those chibi eyes on you and see how well YOU fare.”

“Wait, so now Sage says two words?”

“Three.  More, Baka and,” there was an undeniable note of pride in Vegeta’s voice, “Tou’tan.”

“Wow…so much for mama and dada,” remarked Goku.

“Mama and dada are for pathetic human babies,” snorted Vegeta.  “Sage is a Saiyjin Prince.  Such pitiful utterances are beneath him.”

Goku laughed.  “Oh dry up Vegeta,” he advised.  “Hey, what are we going to do with him while we spar?”

Vegeta frowned.  “I don’t know.  I’ve been trying to think of a way to restrain him without hurting him.  He might stay put if I tell him to, but I don’t want to rely on his obedience; and that won’t stop something else from trying to get him.”

Goku thought, chewing his lower lip while he gently stroked Sage’s tail.  “So, we not only need a way to contain him, but a way to protect him from anything big enough to hurt him…..hn.”  Goku drew his eyebrows together…”Ki rings,” he said slowly.

“Nani?”

Goku ignored him, still thinking it out.  “We use ki rings to restrain…what if we..” he paused and set Sage down on the ground.  He walked a little ways away, and held his hands out, concentrating.  Ki slowly began to glow in his hands, growing, it formed a large semi-circle; Goku hurled it into the ground, points down and began forming another one.  Catching on, Vegeta joined him, and in a short amount of time, they had formed a large, for lack of a better word, playpen out of ki rings.  The semi-circles overlapped, forming a criss-crossed grid that would keep intruders out and Sage in, without harming the chibi.  They had made it about five feet in height, knowing something of Sage’s climbing abilities.  The ki rings wouldn’t hurt Sage at all, but they would deter any predators that came nosing around for a tender morsel of baby demi-Saiyjin.

Vegeta put Sage in the ki-pen, along with the training glove Sage seemed to be enjoying, a stuffed bear he was somewhat attached to and a couple of other small toys that made annoying noises that seemed to be a lot of fun.

“Now you need to stay put brat,” Vegeta told his son.  “Kakkarott and I are going to spar, but we won’t be far away.  You should always be able to see us, and I assume you will holler if you need something.”  He smirked and ruffled his son’s hair.

“Right,” he said, turning to Goku.  “Let’s set down some ground rules.”

Goku nodded.

“First, no ki blasts,” said Vegeta somewhat regretfully.  “Second, no Super Saiyjin.  And we have to stay in this area.  I don’t think knowing if Sage needs us is going to be a problem, but I would rather be on the safe side.”

“Agreed,” said Goku.  “We should stop after…say an hour and check on the chibi, if he hasn’t demanded our attentions by then.”

Vegeta nodded.  “All right then, let’s get started.”

Sage giggled, enjoying the gentle humming of his father’s and Baka’s ki’s in the rings surrounding him as the two adults took off into the air, to begin sparring directly above the ki-pen.

An hour later, Kakkarott was definitely getting the better of the fight.  Vegeta was having difficulty in abiding by the rules they had set to protect his cub; visibly forcing down at least two transformations.  They both paused in midair, breathless and bloody, and agreed to take a break and check on the chibi.

Floating gently down to the ground, Vegeta noticed that it was very quiet.  He peeked into the ki-pen and smiled in paternal delight.  A stark naked Sage was sleeping soundly on his back, head cushioned on his father’s discarded training glove, clothes scattered everywhere, diaper missing completely it seemed.  Ah…there it was…it had been flung outside the ki-pen. Its apparently sodden state had made it an effective projectile.  A faint purr reached Vegeta’s ears as his son suckled intently on his thumb, finger rubbing his tail tip gently over his tiny nose.

“Oh, that is so kawaii,” whispered a gentle voice beside him.  Vegeta glanced over at Kakkarott, who was gazing down on the sleeping baby with that tender look on his face again.  “Dang, it makes me want to take a nap, Vegeta,” chuckled Goku.

He flopped down on the grass beside the ki-pen, and concentrating briefly, he waved a hand and dissolved his part of the creation.  Following suit, Vegeta did the same, and sat down on the other side of his chibi.  A cool breeze ruffled the grass and the leaves in the nearby trees.  Before he had a chance to react, Kakkarott had pulled off his orange gi top and tucked it securely around Sage.  The baby snuggled, one hand tightly fisting the fabric as he rolled on to his stomach and sighed in his sleep; content.

Goku looked out over the clearing, knees drawn up to his chest, tail and arms wrapped tightly around them as he thought about his own family.  If he concentrated, he could almost feel Gohan, he was sparing intently with Piccolo; Goten was having a tree climbing contest with Trunks.  Chichi….he felt nothing from her.  He frowned; surely he should be able to feel something from his wife.  But there was nothing.  He sighed.  He was probably imagining it anyway.  His mind flickered briefly, unbidden to his other family.  The parent’s he had never known, that had sent him away as a baby to purge the Earth.  Radditz, his brother.  It had been a very long time since Goku had thought about the heavily maned Saiyjin.  The memory had always brought anger and pain to the surface of his mind.  But today, he felt only regret.  Regret that he had been forced to aid in killing his brother, his only link to his past.  He knew the confrontation could have not ended differently, but he seemed to understand a little better now where Radditz had been coming from.

Vegeta looked over at the taller Saiyjin.  He was scowling, and emotions flickered across his face, mirrored by the movements of his tail.

“What are you thinking, Kakkarott?”

The Earth-raised Saiyjin’s reply surprised him.

“I was thinking that I really regret killing my brother.”

Vegeta raised an eyebrow.  “Indeed?”

“Yeah.”  Goku didn’t look at Vegeta.  “Before recently, I was always angry, and hurt at what he put me and Gohan through.  But…it’s like I understand better now.”

“Hn.”  Vegeta regarded him intently.  “Your tail Kakkarott.”

Goku looked at him in surprise.  “Does it really make that much of a difference Vegeta?”

“Of course, baka.  You realize now that Radditz never had any intention of harming you or your son.  He must have felt terribly betrayed when he met you after all those years.”

“Nani?  HE felt betrayed?”

Vegeta snorted.  “Think about it Kakkarott, he expected to land on a planet purged of all life, to see the brother he had loved, to reconnect with the bond the two of you shared as brothers.  Instead he found a tailless would-be-human who rejected his offer that should have peaked any Saiyjin’s interest, rejected his past, and most of all, rejected him.”

Goku stared at Vegeta.  “I never thought…it never occurred to me…you knew Radditz, didn’t you?”

Vegeta locked eyes with Kakkarott.  “I knew him very well Kakkarott.”

“Tell me about him….please Vegeta?”

“Very well Kakkarott,” said Vegeta easily, stretching his arms above his head.  “What is it you wish to know?”

“Well, for starters I guess, what was he like?”

“Hn…Radditz was a first class warrior, first class with the potential to become elite.  Like you Kakkarott, his potential was not readily apparent to everyone.  I recognized it however, and had him made a member of my personal guard at an early age.  Radditz was intense, fiercely loyal and fiercely Saiyjin.  I was proud to have him fighting beside me.  He was very fond of you as well.  I remember the day you were born; he came into the barracks with a picture of himself holding you.  Very unusual that was.  Most Saiyjins don’t have much to do with siblings, at least not until they are old enough to fight. I remember he insisted that they had made a mistake assessing your power level; that he knew you weren’t third class.  Hn….he was right all along.  He was highly intelligent, something he got from your father, Bardock.”

“You knew my father too?” Goku interrupted excitedly.

“Of course I did, don’t interrupt Kakkarott, or I’ll stop talking.”

Goku closed his mouth, and Vegeta continued.

Goku listened, fascinated at the information the Saiyjin prince was imparting to him.  How Radditz had earned his place in the Royal Guard, his fighting style, favorite attacks, his efficiency as a planet purger, his sexual prowess…

“WHAT?”

Vegeta smirked.  “Your brother was….gifted.  I can say with complete certainty that if you had taken him up on his offer to join us, he would have had you in bed with him by the end of the first week.

Kakkarott looked appalled.  “But…but…but he’s my brother,” he stammered.

Vegeta snorted.  “Baka, you really must get a handle on your human hang-ups.  Otherwise you are going to miss out on life’s greatest pleasures.  I would have thought that Gohan’s heat would have taught you the futility of the so-called morals you were raised with.  How close did he actually come to fucking you?”

Goku blushed violently.  “You knew about that?”

“Of course.  I was watching.  I nearly rescued you; luckily Piccolo stepped in before things got out of hand.  There was another reason I didn’t want you helping Gohan with his heat besides the fact that you were obviously uncomfortable with it.”

“Nani?  Why?”

“Even though Gohan didn’t have the necessary equipment to conceive and carry a pregnancy, YOU do.   We have no idea what your cycle is like; it is entirely possible that Gohan’s heat would have triggered your own and sent the both of you into a mating rut.”

Goku paled as he digested what the prince was telling him.  “You mean, I could have gotten pregnant with my own grandchild?” he squeaked.

Vegeta nodded in affirmation.  “But enough about that, it didn’t happen, and we can take steps to insure that it doesn’t happen next time.  My point Kakkarott is still the same.  You need to let go of your human upbringing.  You aren’t human; you are Saiyjin.”  He smirked.  “And I’ll tell you this as well….you would have enjoyed your brother’s attentions.”  He lay back on the grass and stretched luxuriously.  “I did.  He was very, VERY talented.”

Goku stared at Vegeta in disbelief.  When he spoke next, his voice held the barest trace of a growl.  “You slept with Radditz?”

Vegeta hadn’t missed the growl in Kakkarott’s voice.  “What’s the matter Kakkarott…jealous of big brother now?”  His voice was light, teasing.

Goku blinked.  Jealous?  Of COURSE he was jealous, he…he….he…oh for fuck’s sake, he couldn’t tell Vegeta that.  He regained some control and replied, “No, not jealous Vegeta, just….curious.  Since you seem to be so anxious to tell me that is.”

Vegeta looked at him through half-lidded eyes, purring at the memory.  “Radditz was fifteen when you were born; ten years older than I was.  I was off planet when my first heat struck…I was seventeen….Radditz helped me.  Taught me quite a bit as well.  He knew I would have problems….” Vegeta’s voice trailed off as he realized that he was getting into territory that he did NOT want to share with Kakkarott.  “Enough,” he growled.  “Are we going to spar some more, or what?”

Goku stared at the ouji, wondering what had caused his abrupt shift of mood.  The prince felt tense, and there was a flicker of suppressed…was it fear? in those deep onyx eyes.  He was saved from answering as a faint yawn caught both their attentions.  Sage was waking up.

Goku watched in amazement as the prince underwent another sudden change in mood.  Vegeta smiled and lifted the orange clad chibi with an, “Oi, little chukra, you’ve decided to be a nudist, ne?

Sage giggled and kicked bare legs.  Vegeta handed the gi top back to Goku, saying in an amused voice, “I’m not sure you will want to wear that home Kakkarott.”

Goku looked at the shirt he held in his hands, a sizeable wet patch covering most of the front of it.  He grinned.  “He can keep it,” he said, handing it back.

Sage crowed, and reached for the shirt.  “Baka,” he shrieked in delight.

“Enough baka, Vegeta,” said his father.  You need to get dressed.  Kakkarott, hand me that diaper bag, will you?”

Sage pouted visibly.  “More tou’tan,” he said mournfully.

“More what Sage,” asked Vegeta, pulling out a green uni-suit and a diaper.  “Hn…try getting out of this one,” he smirked at his chibi.  Sage just looked at him, lower lip sticking out.

“What is it you want?”

Sage tugged on his hand.

Vegeta drew his eyebrows together.  “Nani?” he managed to get out just before Sage sank three sharp little teeth into his wrist.  “Oh…” he gasped slightly.  “You’re hungry.”

“Wow,” remarked Goku.  “He’s getting really good at that. Not bad for having only three of his blood teeth. Look, he’s only spilling a little bit.”

“Hai, don’t waste Tousan’s blood, chibi,” grinned Vegeta.

Sage ignored them both and fed hungrily for a few minutes before letting go with a squeal.  He flashed a bloody grin at the two adoring Saiyjins and clapped his hands.

“Enough stalling Sage, time to get dressed.”  He set the baby down on the grass and turned to pick up the diaper.  When he turned back, Sage was scrambling away from him and making a beeline for Kakkarott.  Vegeta watched that little bare bottom and tail wiggle away from him for a few minutes before exchanging a look with Kakkarott.  The younger Saiyjin grinned at him, and Vegeta tossed him the diaper he was holding.

A brief tussle later, and a scowling Sage was sporting one of his custom-made all-in-one cloth diapers with a pattern of dragon balls on the water-proof outside.  A notch with a Velcro flap to close it with instead of a hole held his tail.  Bulma had decided after their experiments with the disposable diapers that a notch worked better than a hole that you had to thread an extremely wiggly tail through.  Made less of a mess too, thought Vegeta, as he tossed the uni-suit to Kakkarott.

A few minutes later Sage had forgiven both of them and was happily playing with his father’s training glove again.  Goku glanced up at the sky and noting the position of the sun said, “It’s getting late Vegeta, we’d probably better call it a day.”

“Agreed.”  He looked off into the distance; “Trunks is still at your house Kakkarott.  I’ll accompany you.”

“Great,” grinned Goku as he helped gather up Sage’s scattered possessions, including one slightly damp orange gi shirt.

There was another slight conflict when Vegeta started to put the carry-pouch on.  Sage started whining, and said “More Baka, Tou’tan…more Baka,” and holding his arms to Goku.

Vegeta was puzzled for a moment, then realized that Sage wanted to fly with Kakkarott.  He shrugged and handed the carry-pouch to the taller Saiyjin, who took it with a confused look on his face.

“He wants you to carry him,” said Vegeta calmly.  “Put it on baka.”

“You sure you don’t mind, Vegeta?”

Vegeta was surprised.  “Why would I mind Kakkarott?  Sage is very fond of you.  I don’t mind that he wants to fly with you instead of me this time.”  He watched in amusement as Kakkarott struggled with the carry-pouch.  After a few minutes, he took pity on the man and strode over and tied it on securely for him.  He breathed in his spicy scent as he finished, and stood back, slightly dizzy.

Goku for his part had been more than slightly bothered at the ouji’s proximity to him as he adjusted the ties on the pouch.  That unique, heady royal scent of his had his tail twitching out of control.

Vegeta turned away, and picked up Sage with his tail.  He handed the elated chibi to Kakkarott, and watched as he carefully settled Sage into the pouch.  He grabbed the diaper bag, and asked, “Ready Kakkarott?”

Goku grinned at his prince, and stroked the upsweep of hair of his other prince nestled snugly against his chest in the pouch.  “Hai, Vegeta.  Let’s go.”

They took off for the Sons house, Goku wondering what in his memory of Radditz had scared the ouji, Vegeta wondering how on earth he had come so damn close to telling Kakkarott about that aspect of his past, and Sage wondering if everything was going to go back to the way it was supposed to be, with everyone together, always.

To be continued...