Warnings: slavery, abuse, rape, mpregs, kawaiiness, LEMON, angst...

Rating: NC17

Disclaimers: I do not own DBZ. I receive no monetary profit from all the work I put into these flights of fancy. That is not to say I receive NO profits from them, just none tangible. Sage is mine, The Lady Herself and Mijuku belong to my tsuin, Dasia.

For my belovedest tsuin...*mushy smooches*

Also dedicated to Princess Emeraude, because she reviews each and every chapter. *smiles* Thank you Princess…*bows respectfully*

And to my Dragon Mummy…there…happy now??? *smirks*

With exclusive thanks to my dedicated beta’er bakayaro onna…my devoted danglemate, tail swingin’ partner and sounding board!!! *feeds her lemony goodness* Cause I LOVE her so much!!!

Restraints and Liberations

Chapter 12

Home

By Talon

Sage fussed with the hem of his tunic, tail lashing in agitation. He knew his nervousness was apparent all over his scent and self, but he couldn’t seem to tone it down. They had entered orbit an hour ago and were just waiting for clearance to land in the spaceport. He knew it was a delicate operation because they were transporting gel, but it didn’t make waiting any easier.

Not that he wanted to actually be home...but…Sage sighed. He did want to be home, at the same time he wanted to take back off with Turles, where he would be safe. But he wanted to be back with his parents and brothers. He wanted to be back where he was born, in the palace, with familiar sights and scents, where he belonged. But...he also just wanted to stay on this small ship with Turles...forever.

He decided it was the in-between-ness that was making him nervous. He was neither here nor there and it was driving him crazy, just about as crazy as his clothes. Though they fit perfectly and were comfortable, they may as well have been made out of razors and salt water for all the discomfort they were causing him. He slipped his hand back up under his tunic and scratched again at the irritated scars, not making one whit of impact on the itching driving him crazy.

In between communication with the port authorities and the buyers for his shipment of gel, Turles watched Sage pace, scratch and hiss his way though nervousness, annoyance, and finally settle on apprehension. Unfortunately, he couldn’t spare enough of his concentration to soothe the ruffled prince. Docking procedures were tricky and protocol had to be followed to the letter because of the instability of the gel. However, he did notice the child looked magnificent.

. Sage was wearing a silky scarlet tunic, richly embroidered with metallic gold thread in stunning, eye-catching patterns. It had a low, rounded collar and came down to about mid-thigh on him, with slits on the sides going up to his hips. Turles had found it while packing up what they planned to take off ship with them and had insisted Sage wear it to meet his family. Sage had put up a fight about it but in the end had given in. A pair of soft, black pants which seemed to be made out of a very light-weight, slightly iridescent leather and his black boots completed the outfit. His color was high, indicating his nervousness, and his tail, still looking a bit ragged at the base was in an uproar, cutting the air, curling around his waist, uncurling, thrashing and showing all signs of fear, excitement, impatience and nervousness. A sensor beeped and Turles merely commented while turning to deal with it, “Calm down, chibi, you’re going to mess up your pretty clothes and then what will you do?” Turles grinned at the growl Sage threw his way. That he reacted so instinctively to Turles’ ribbing was a sign of how distracted the child was from his own problems. It gave him no end of pleasure to witness Sage being so…primal and un-cowed with him. Turles relished it, some instinct warning him it wouldn’t last long.

“Sage, get that port side thruster, will you? It’s not firing correctly and they won’t let us dock until it’s fixed.” Turles watched out of the corner of his eye as Sage corrected the errant thruster, his demeanor relaxing as he concentrated on his task. It gave Turles a clear path to make the final adjustments before beginning the docking procedure. Once the small ship was in the control of the port pulse beams, Turles sighed, stretched and looked back at Sage. He had left the thruster controls and gone back to sit at the table, though he didn’t stay put. Restless, he paced to the bunk, flung himself down, stayed still for a few minutes, then got back up and rummaged through the luggage they had put together to take off the ship with them. After fussing with the bags for a moment or two, he paced back to the table, but didn’t remain seated for more than a few seconds.

“Calm down, chibi,” said Turles, his voice deliberately lazy. “You’re going to tie that newly healed tail of yours in a knot if you don’t relax a bit.”

“I CAN’T!!!” Sage all but screamed. “I can feel them...on the outside. The closer we get, the more I feel of them, all sort of PUSHING on the outside of my head!! I don’t want them in there yet, Turles-sama...I’m not ready!!” Sage’s voice was panicked and his scent was frantic. “I don’t know what to DO!!” Small hands clutched at cobalt-shot onyx strands as Sage pulled his head down. “Make them STOP,” he moaned his voice desperate. “I don’t want them to see…please...”

Turles couldn’t have refused that whispered plea even if he had wanted to. He didn’t really know what to do, but followed his instincts and gathered the distraught boy in his arms, purring and pulling his head into his chest. “Shh...I’m here, Sage, it’s all right. They don’t mean to hurt you, this is natural and normal. Shh...it’s okay, chibi. Just try and relax.” And to Turles’ surprise, Sage did relax, noticeably, against his body. He could feel their bond, pulsating, protecting Sage from the unwanted invasion of his family. Turles could tell it wasn’t deliberate, just normal, instinctive reaching out for their pack member who had been lost to them for so long. Sage just wasn’t ready for that degree of intimacy with anyone yet.

“Better now?” asked Turles after a few moments of silence.

“Yeah,” replied Sage softly. “Better.”

“It will be okay, Sage,” said Turles. “It will.”

Sage’s voice was quiet. “Only if you’re with me, Turles-sama.”

“I will be, chibi. I promise.”

“Okay…I’m okay now,” said Sage suddenly, pulling away and going to the view port to watch Vegeta-sei coming closer and closer.

Turles could feel the conflict within Sage. The prince within him had never been so close to the surface and so strong, and Sage was doing his damndest to keep that mindset close to him, remembering all he could of protocol, procedure, scents, sights, his siblings, his parents...anything to keep Vegeta no Ouji up, and Sage the slave buried as deep as he could. Turles watched him, fascinated at the determination and single mindedness Sage was displaying. He had known the boy had it in him, but seeing it for really the first time was amazing.

Sage was fighting an internal war within himself, and he was afraid he was losing. At first, it seemed he had a good, tight hold on his prince-self, as he termed it. The closer Vegeta-sei got, the stronger his memories of his former life seemed to be. Sage had grabbed on to those, holding them tight and examining them closely, looking for strength he knew he’d need. He didn’t want his parents or his siblings to see what he had become. He didn’t want them to know. Now that the reunion was an inescapable reality, he had turned his focus, concentrating with all he had to do this and do it right. But he was slipping. The closer the space port came, the closer they got to docking, the more frightened his slave-self became. The more he longed for the familiar, easy mindset of his slavery, for the protection his Master afforded him. For he still, in the deepest, most carefully guarded part of his mind, thought of Turles as his Master. He liked the feeling it gave him, and from time to time, he’d stare at it in a sort of wonder. His Master, HIS Master, who cared for him, and treated him so well, who healed his wounds and protected him. His own Master. And with that, he lost it.

Turles wasn’t paying all that much attention to Sage, as he was in communication with the landers at the space port, but he felt it when Sage lost his grip on his prince persona. Even if he hadn’t, the sobbing gasp, and muted thud as Sage fell to his knees, his forehead pressed up against the bulkhead would have been difficult to miss.

Flicking off the com, Turles turned halfway in his seat, calling out, “Sage, chukra, are you all right?” There was no answer, and just as he was about to get up to see to the boy, an alarm went off, jerking his attention back to the console. It turned out to be nothing a few flicks of his fingers on the keypad couldn’t fix, but it was enough to distract him, and keep him there, as the landers helped him complete the gentle docking in his secluded section of the spaceport.

Turles already knew what he’d find when he pushed himself out of his chair, and wasn’t surprised to find Sage unconscious in the main area of the ship. He knelt beside the child, checking his pulse, his breathing, already knowing the boy was fine, he had just fainted. Turles frowned, trying to rouse him, but having no success. Cool water didn’t work, shaking him and slapping him lightly didn’t work, not even nudging along their bond worked.

“This isn’t good,” muttered Turles to himself. “C’mon, chibi, wake up!!!” But there was no response from Sage. The reality of his homecoming had proven to be too much for the child. Turles sighed. What now? he wondered.

~*~*~*

Outside, five people watched anxiously as the sleek, silver and blue ship made a flawless dock, and waited for the hatch to open. After a few minutes, Tora tugged on Sebba’s hand. “Mama, where are they?”

Kakkarott smiled down at the elder of the twins. “They’re in the ship, danabei, they don’t just jump out the second it lands, not with a gel shipment, anyway.”

“Oh.” Tora appeared to think on that for a few minutes. “But it seems like they’re takin’ an awful long time to come out...”

“That’s only because we’re waiting for them,” replied Kakkarott, his own eyes on the hatch, willing it to open, for Sage to walk down the few steps to the platform they waited on. Below them, workers scurried to prepare the transport for the raw gel, and Vegeta’s sharp eyes noticed the cargo hatches had not yet been unlocked and opened.

“What is taking them so long,” he growled under his breath at his mate. “I can’t connect with Sage, have you been able to?”

Also quietly, Kakkarott replied, “No, and not for lack of trying, either. I wonder if he’s okay...”

Vegeta growled again, louder this time. “If that hatch doesn’t open in the next five seconds, I’m going to...” but his threat went unvoiced as Gohan’s excitedly called out, “Look, the cargo hatches have opened!!!” The twins crowded to the railing, poking small heads between the bars to get a closer look, Kakkarott calling after them, “’ten, TORA, you’re going to get stuck AGAIN!!!” Vegeta, despite his anxiousness about his eldest son, couldn’t contain his chuckle as Goten did indeed get his spiky head caught inbetween the bars, and he howled in pain and frustration at his inability to get out.

It took Kakkarott a few minutes to get ‘ten sorted out, and none of them noticed the main hatch opening. Gohan was the first to notice the unlocking door, and squealed happily, causing both his parents heads to whip about, both coming to rest on the aperture at the same time. As a unit, the family held their breath, then puzzled when no one appeared, one by one, they let it out.

“Papa, why aren’t they coming out?” queried Gohan.

“I don’t know.” Vegeta’s voice was puzzled.

“I hear footsteps,” chirped ‘ten, who had the best ears in the family, and sure enough, a few seconds later the rest of them could hear the single set of footsteps as well.

“Just one?” murmured Kakkarott, worried.

Vegeta didn’t answer, his tail squeezing so hard around his waist it would bruise later, the tails of the three children whipping around in a frenzy of excitement.

~*~*~

Turles paused just before the opened hatch, his arms full of the scarlet clad ouji. “Chibi, you’d better hope your parents don’t blast me on sight when they see you like this,” he whispered to the unconscious boy. He didn’t really think they would, but with the temper of the Bloody Prince, nothing was ever certain. “Well, here goes,” he breathed, and stepped out into the light of the docking bay, pausing for a moment to let his eyes get used to the light, and his body get used to the natural gravity of the planet before starting carefully down the steps.

~*~*~

There was a collective gasp as Turles came into view, a bright red bundle in his arms. A moment passed before everyone realized just what and who the bundle was, and Vegeta’s growl was audible throughout the section and to the two on either side of them. Kakkarott hushed him with a gentle hand on his shoulder as they watched their son approach in the arms of the one who had saved him. The twins were literally bouncing up and down in their excitement, and Gohan was fairly trembling. “He’s here, he’s here,” was all he could babble. If the boys noticed Sage was unconscious, they gave no indication, observed Kakkarott. But maybe that was because to them it wasn’t as important as Sage being here, FINALLY. His cousin was walking steadily towards them, his eyes going back and forth from his armful to the group waiting for them and back again. Kakkarott frowned. There was something...something...his eyes widened. They had bonded. A quick feel towards Vegeta confirmed he hadn’t yet noticed. Bonded. Turles had bonded with his baby. Kakkarott was angry for a split-second, then it faded. He knew as well as anyone, you couldn’t force a bond. And this bond was as yet unformed, as there as no clear indication what sort of bond it was. Deep, loving and affectionate, but no clue as to whether it was a strictly family bond, or something else entirely. Kakkarott swallowed. This was going to complicate matters...and when Vegeta found out...but his musings were stopped as Turles halted a few feet in front of them.

“My apologies, I would kneel as is proper, but...” he held out his arms, offering Sage to whichever parent saw fit to take him. “Your son, Sage,” he said simply, forcibly controlling his urge to take the boy and run back to the ship. He knew he had made the right decision when his cousin stepped forward and gently took Sage into his arms. As soon as the boy had been removed from his grasp, Turles dropped to one knee, fist over his heart in the proper gesture of deference to the prince and his Chosen.

“Words can never express the gratitude in our hearts, cousin,” said Kakkarott quietly. “You have returned our son to us. Whatever you wish, whatever we can give you is yours for the asking.”

“What’s the matter with him?” Vegeta’s voice was harsh and angry, with none of the gratitude apparent in every syllable his mate was uttering.

“I am sorry, Ouji-sama, but returning home was too much for the child. He fainted as we began to dock.” He watched as Vegeta carefully ran shaking fingers along Sage’s jagged mane.

“That can’t be true,” snarled Vegeta.

“It is, Prince Vegeta,” said Turles firmly. “He fainted.” He met Vegeta’s glare levelly, not backing down nor averting his eyes. He could almost feel Vegeta’s growl before he heard it. “My son,” the prince began, and Turles couldn’t have reined his tongue in even if he had wished to do so.

“Your son, Ouji-sama, is damaged. Instead of arguing with me, you should be taking him to the medical center to have him completely checked over.”

Kakkarott’s calm voice smoothed over the irate ouji’s temper. “He’s right, Vegeta...he’s so light…as though there’s nearly nothing to him at all.”

“All right then...boys, let’s go. Turles, thank you for your service.” And with that, Vegeta began to stalk off in the direction of the door.

It was now or never, Turles knew, and he addressed Kakkarott. “Please, cousin, let me accompany you? If Sage wakes up and...” his voice trailed off at the look Kakkarott was giving him. It wasn’t an angry look, but a knowledgeable and appraising sort of look, and Turles went suddenly cold.

“I would be very grateful if you would accompany us, cousin. Sage is certain to be disoriented when he awakes, and I know your presence will calm him.”

He knew. He knew about the bond. And that was the only coherent thought that made it through Turles’ mind as the family walked the halls to the medical center.

~*~*~*~

Vegeta was NOT happy. Turles could see and scent that perfectly and clearly from where he stood, leaning up against the wall by the door in an examining room in the medical center. Sage was still unconscious, lying silently on the table while the physician to the royal family hovered over him, checking him out. The three chibis were uncharacteristically quiet as they watched their eldest brother being examined and Kakkarott was paying close attention to what the physician was saying.

“Malnourished, certainly, your highnesses…clear evidence of abuse. If we could disrobe him, I’d be able to tell you more; his clothing is interfering with the scanning devices. He’s thirteen?” The physician’s sharp gaze wavered to Turles before coming back to rest on Vegeta and Kakkarott. Kakkarott’s voice was steady as he replied affirmatively, with the exact date and time of Sage’s birth.

“Ah, yes, I remember...the stubborn little one.” The physician chuckled. “Miniature surprise package he was...well, I can also say his growth has been stunted quite a little bit. Some interesting hormone level readings...”

“What does that mean?” Vegeta’s voice was harsh. The physician looked back at him. “I cannot say for certain yet, ouji-sama...as much as I would like to be able to, I cannot give you all the answers you desire right away.” The old Saiyjin gestured to his assistant. “Get him undressed, we’ll do a complete physical exam and see what we come up with.”

Unnoticed by everyone in the room, Sage was slowly starting to come around. At first the voices were faint and echo-y, but as his other senses came on-board he realized he wasn’t alone with Turles. Not only that, but Turles wasn’t nearly as close to him as he was used to him being. He wasn’t sure what had happened, nor where he was, but he vaguely heard a strange voice saying something about undressing, and when unfamiliar fingers pressed at the fasteners close to the neck of his tunic, he panicked.

There was a collective gasp as Sage’s ki surged violently, his aura distinctly gold as he struggled and screamed; pushing the medical assistant’s hands from his neck. “NOOOOO!!!! HELP….TURLES-SAMA, PLEASE!!!”

Turles moved at that. He pushed people out of his way, unmindful of who they may have been and was at the child’s side in an instant.

“Shhh, chibi, I’m here. You’re all right.” His voice was low and soothing and he stroked the disheveled mane, not caring whether or not he got singed from Sage’s uncontrolled ki-aura.

A whimper. “Where am I? What’s going on?”

“You’re in the medical center, on Vegeta-sei. In the palace. You fainted just before we docked. Your family is here with you. It’s all right. You know I would never let anyone hurt you, chukra, I promised, ne?”

Sage made a small, affirmative sound in his throat. “Sage, turn it down a notch or two, will you? You’re spiking again.” Turles’ calm voice washed over him and he struggled to comply, trying to bring down his ki as he attempted to process his situation. “Take a couple of deep breaths, Sage, and open your eyes, okay?”

“Yes, Turles-sama.” Turles cringed inwardly at Sage’s complacent tone, but it couldn’t be helped. He watched carefully as slightly confused ink-black eyes blinked up at him. “How do you feel?”

“Strange. Kind of…dizzy.”

“Lie still then and let the doctor check you over, all right?”

Sage nodded, replying “Yes, Turles-sa…Yes, Turles.” He obeyed, staying completely still as the grizzled physician slowly approached the exam table again.

“A moment.” Everybody’s head whipped around as Vegeta’s voice cut the air. “I’ll be damned if my son’s first memory of coming home is a fucking medical examination.” Vegeta stalked towards the table, and after a second, Kakkarott followed, flanking their newly returned child on the other side of the platform. Turles respectfully stepped back, away from the reunited family, but stayed in Sage’s line of sight.

Sage trembled slightly, apprehensive, not at all certain of his father’s frame of mind, but his trembling stilled as his Sebba pushed back the unruly fringe from his forehead. “Welcome home, my son.” Vegeta’s voice was throaty as he hesitantly grasped Sage’s hand and Sage was surprised to feel a jolt run through him at the contact. In a heartbeat, something like a supernova burst in his mind and the bonds connecting him to his parents were re-opened fully. The two adult Saiyjins looked at each other, slightly puzzled as liquid welled up in Sage’s eyes and streamed down his face, then as one, knelt on either side of him to embrace him. As they pulled him to a sitting position together, the only sounds were Sage’s sobbing gasps as he was enfolded in a bubble of strength, love and protection. Unseen by the rest of the family, Turles smiled. Sage, he knew, wasn’t crying because he was frightened, or in pain, but simply because he was overwhelmed…and relieved.

He was home.

~*~*~*~*~

to be continued...

Mijuku-muse: *bouncing* Lookit!!! Check out how fast she got the next chapter out!!! Isn’t she WONDERFUL??? *chibi heart eyes* Doesn’t it make you want to REVIEW??

Sage-Muse: *thwacks Miju-muse in the back of the head* Baka…don’t sound so desperate!!!

Mijuku-muse: *pouts*

Sage-muse: If you like what you read, leave a few words of encouragement, thanks…abject worship…*smirks* it’s all good…be thankful she’s not like her twin/fiancée…now THERE’s a feedback whore.

Mijuku-muse: *bouncing* Yeah…she just has US whore for her feedback!!! *doesn’t mind a bit and flips up his skirt at the readers* C’mon…you know you want tooooooooo…*cheeky, sexy wink*

Sage-muse: *sighs*

Talon: *considers hosing the both of them down*