author: FireCracker KLee624820@a...
(Italic copy bordered by_underscore_)
Archive? You'd better.

A/U

House of Vegeta: The Prince pt.3

Vegeta no Ouji stood before a council session in the royal
ampitheatre. He spoke in fierce tones about the feasibility of
attacking Frieza and driving him from their sector.

High ranking commanders and generals listened to his arguements,
offering counter arguements of their own.

The Ou watched his son, impressed. Of all his get, Vegeta was the
only one truly raised as a royal, and thus had hidden knowledge
regarding the history of their people. Though short in stature he was
powerfully built, his every move that of refined grace. Sophisticated
and intelligent, he could sway even the stubbornest of minds.

The prince strutted across the central dias, his blue cloak billowing
behind him. Vegeta Ou stared across at Bardock who listened intently
with the other commanders.

_I was wrong, koi, to send you away..._


"How could you have done this, Vegeta?! I missed the birthing
ceremony!!"

The Ou snorted, turning his back. "I had no choice,
Bardock...suspicion is high and the Queen has given me an ultimatum."

Bardock blinked, looking about the darkened corridors. "Is it safe to
speak here?"

"Hai, safe enough...we're in the lowest recesses of the castle."

Bardock dropped onto a nearby ottoman. "I may never forgive you!!
Damn...I didn't even see him..."

Vegeta held his shoulders. "Listen to me, I've arranged to have the
chibi brought here."

Dark eyes flashed with hope. "Can the carrier be trusted? They'll
surely cause problems if this leaks out-"

The Ou shook his head vigorously. "Am I not still King? I have the
will and resources to make anything happen I wish. Now be still! The
child will be brought here soon enough."

A quiet sigh. "I understand you plan to raise Vegeta as prince."

"He most resembles me in form and coloring...the public would accept
no less, Bardock."

The commander nodded. "Imminently practical, Vegeta."

"How is Raditz?"

"The boy grows like a weed...next year he's attending the junior
academy for ki training. He's uncontrolled, but strong."

"I expected no less, Bardock. I swear by my throne we'll be together
some day!!"

The handsome saiyan smiled slyly. "Hn, you say that after each
baby...then I'm cast aside like the other rabble, eh?"

"You dare speak to me that way?! I've risked throne and reputation
for you!"

Bardock sprung to his feet, embracing his lover. "Abigartu, my
Ou...my words were rash, my heart full of fire...what saiyan lives
that wouldn't claim his own?"

"I acknowledge everything, Bardock. Still, I am King."

Bardock released suddenly in anger. "Shimatta, I hate this. Celipe
rages at me for being gone so much."

"Has she become a problem?"

"Not yet. What about your plan for the Queen?"

Vegeta grinned. "Oh, I'll ply her ego...despite her lineage she has
something of a lame duck status with the elite. And no saiyan wants
to be seen as a coward."

Bardock lifted an eyebrow. "I trust a campaign is coming up?"

"Oh yes, on the quaint little planet of Vixx. I understand there's
quite a bit of unrest there, and many minerals to plunder."

Bardock pulled his chin. "No doubt the best soldiers are all lining
up for the assignment."

"True, this week alone the response has been overwhelming. Nearly one
thousand fighters from second class through elite filed applications."

"No doubt the Queen-"

The Ou motioned him to silence. "Hold. Hear that? Someone
approaches..."

Bardock nodded, tilting his head past heavy curtains. A shifting
sound before quiet feet padded through.

Three saiyans scurried inside bearing the swaddled infant. They were
clearly nervous, glancing about in every direction.

"What the hell is your problem?" Bardock growled. "You've gotten
this far!"

"Hai, commander, but we had to slip past palace guards, and you know
how suspicious they are of everything!"

A stocky female answered next. "Ai, you know their orders are to
inspect all packages...we took the catacombs past the courtyards to
get here!"

"You're Reeba, from the eastern lake village? Your son is going into
training with mine?"

The woman grinned, still jittery. "Yes! But we could be discovered
any minute-" her eyes darted about. The third saiyan spoke next.

"Will we be rewarded for this, o King? The risk-"

Vegeta Ou rolled his eyes at them. "Snivelling fools. You disappoint
me, Querbo. You'll be rewarded well enough...now hand me the infant!"

The jumpy saiyan immediately handed over the chibi.

I'll stand guard and signal" Reeba slipped down the corridor.

"You may as well join her for now" Vegeta pointed. The others
scuttled to follow.

The King snorted, cradling the small one. "Low class scum...they
skirt and run like bugs!"

A pause. "You forget I'm one of those 'low class scums.'" Bardock
retorted.

"You aren't, Bardock. We've gone over this before."

"I can't change how I was raised, Ou. Now let me see the baby."

The king did so. Bardock traced fine features, curious as he stroked
the tiny sweep of reddish black hair.

"Hn, this one definitely looks like you-"

"Now you understand why this is the one to remain here?"

"Hai, the public needs a visible heir. Workable, as long as the Queen
causes no trouble."

Bardock nuzzled the small forehead, feeling a warm glow. The chibi
gummed his hand, clucking.

The dark saiyan tilted his head in thought. "I still see my
cheekbones, but his other features match yours."

The Ou winked. "Aye, I bedded you for your bones."

Bardock blushed. "Hentai...this boy is compact, solid!" he palmed
chunky arms and legs.

"Prince Vegeta" the Ou whispered softly.

Bardock pulled at the small tail, stretching it. "Amazing. Perfection
again!"

"You are stubborn, koi...but the truth is there to see!"

Bardock held the chibi over his head. "Prince Vegeta no Ouji...I can
see it. He holds his head so high!"

The Ou nodded as his lover purred at the infant. Vegeta curled
against Bardock, tucking his head under the square jaw.

The Commander laughed. "Kami, he tries to make me a blanket!"

"Your status allows you freedom of the castle, Bardock. Use it to
your advantage wtih discretion" Vegeta said with meaning.

Dark eyes sparkled. "I will. This one's a beauty...very refined, ne?"

****

Prince Vegeta concluded his arguements on the dias. Lieutenant
General Gormon whispered in the Ou's ear.

"That boy of yours is quite eloquent, Vegeta. Most refined!"

The King nodded with pride, seeing his reflection in Bardock's
eyes. "Refined indeed..."

THE END

Next: House of Vegeta: The Wild Child pt.4