CHAPTER TWO:

 

The prince blinked in confusion for several moments, trying to get his mind to adjust to the chaos around him. Had that Ba’an actually thrown a rock at his men? And to make it worse, it looked like the boy had vanished into thin air. With his tail swishing angrily behind him now, he growled in annoyance, wishing that he could just fly after him, but knowing that these were the sacred no-fly zones, that would be impossible to do. Already tired, hungry, and generally moody from their long trip from the east, this was not what he needed right now.

 

“Gradun!” He bellowed out, already leading his steed across the river towards the direction he had seen Kakkarrot run through.

 

“Ahi, my lord?”

 

“I want you to organize the wa’zuai and make sure that they search every nook and cranny of this blasted forest for that l’arun! And when he is found, make sure you bring him to me, got it?!”

 

“Yes, my lord!”

 

And with a loud cry, Prince Vegeta led his chosen fighters back into the gloomy forest.

 

-*-*-*-*-

 

Kakkarrot felt as if his chest was going to burst at any given minute. As if he didn’t have enough problems already. The basket was beginning to weigh a ton on his now aching back, his robes were causing him to slow down and the blasted vines were now trying to strangle him to death again. He couldn’t afford to stop now. He could hear the cries of the outraged wa’zuai, and he was sure that he was going to die if he was caught.

 

~ Tak’na! How much further to these stupid farmlands anyways? ~

 

“Augh!! Ka’tai n’hi!” He cursed aloud as another vine had now twisted around his ankle causing him to fall to the muddy earth and to lose his grip on the sword. The vines were now beginning to wrap around him in earnest, and with a frustrated growl, he struggled to reach his only way out of it.

 

~ Ah! I can’t breathe! Somebody please help me! ~

 

The vines were now completely over him, and Kakkarrot, wishing fervently that he could summon enough of an energy blast to cut his way out, could only wait for his imminent death. The vines were slowly draining away his strength. Feeling his eyes grow heavy with weariness, the sound of running footsteps and someone or something slashing through the thick cords was heard. He was immediately splattered with the ‘blood’ from the vines, and some of the foul-tasting liquid got into his mouth. Spitting it out in disgust, he felt himself pulled up and coming face-to-face with his older ba’rana.

 

“Radditsu!!” he yelled out in joy and over-relief, crushing his older brother in a bear hug. “Am I glad to see you!!”

 

“What is going on here, Kakkarrot? You look like you have been running.” The tall, longhaired Saiyan asked, as he stared at the distressed state of his younger brother.

 

“I will explain all later.” Kakkarrot said, pulling his brother’s arms and leading him back towards the group of hiras and the other Saiyans that were now gawking at the approaching brothers in faint alarm.

 

“What seems to be the problem, Radditsu?” another lanky but well built Saiyan asked, as he walked towards them. “Nakai said he heard horses approaching the site. This wouldn’t have anything to do with your brother now, would it?”

 

“I do not know, Pakaru,” Radditsu said quietly. Turning back to Kakkarrot who was now removing his soiled robes, he asked curtly, “Kakkarrot! Did you cause any trouble…”

 

His words were cut short as the bordering forest suddenly exploded with the presence of about twenty horse-riding Saiyan warriors, all with their weapons drawn out, ready to kill someone or something.

 

The shocked spectators suddenly woke out of their dazed stupor and readied themselves for a fight, each of them withdrawing their own weapons of self-defense. Kakkarrot ran behind his broad brother’s back, now clad in only his inner skin-tight clothing that did nothing but cover from neck to knees, causing him to feel extremely vulnerable.

 

“Give us the sa’an!!” Gradun cried out, as he stalled the movements of his men.

 

“N’ehi!” Radditsu bellowed out, growling low in his throat as he felt Kakkarrot clutch his robe in a death grip. “Who are you? And what do you want with him?!”

 

“He is to be arrested for treason! He dared to speak back to Ha’ji Vegeta, and he will be punished for it!”

 

~ Ha’ji Vegeta?!! ~

 

As if on cue, Vegeta led his horse to the front of his men, a frown of displeasure etched on his face. His sharp eyes took in the group of young Saiyan males and the two females that were now all on their knees. He had heard about the farmlands over the mountains, and he was now seeing it for the first time. He glanced at the well-cultivated lands that grew the most amazing plant life he had ever seen. He guessed that the waters from the K’atun were responsible for the richness of the place. However, his main concern was the boy whom had defied him, and from the look of things, the boy seemed to be hiding behind his brother.

 

“You heard him,” Vegeta said curtly. “Hand over the sa’an, and we will leave you in peace.”

 

“But, my lord…” Radditsu began. “I beg of my lord. What has my brother done? I do not believe he would have done that on purpose, if he had known who you were.”

 

“The prince asked for his basket,” Gradun said haughtily, “And the worthless filth would not give it to him. The insolence!” he finished, spitting out in disgust.

 

“Is this true, Kakkarrot?” Radditsu asked in a lowered tone as he glared at his brother.

 

“I didn’t know who they were. I swear it! If I had known, I would have given it to them. Honest!” Kakkarrot said, hoping that his brother would understand. He hoped he hadn’t ruined his brother’s chances now of ever being an elite wa’zua. “I am sorry, brother,” he said softly, lowering his gaze in apology.

 

With an exasperated sigh, Radditsu turned back to the prince and bowing in respect, he said,

 

“A thousand apologies to my lord. You may have all the contents of the basket if you wish. Although we would like to extend an invitation for you and your fighters to feast with us tonight. We are going for a hunt, and then we will have a proper feast…fit for a prince!” He bit his lip, silently hoping that the prince would accept the invitation. This was his chance to prove his worth in front of him, and Za’ani knows that he might never get this chance again.

 

“Fine. We accept your invitation,” Vegeta said wearily, already feeling the weight of his exhaustion take over him. “Gradun. We camp here for the night,” he added, noticing the already setting sun on the horizon.

 

“Ahi, my lord,” Gradun said quietly, a tone of displeasure in his voice. He had hoped that they would have at least punished the l’arun. ~ He is getting too soft. His father would not be pleased. ~ And turning over to the other wa’zuai, he issued out the commands.

 

-*-*-*-*-

 

“Can I come with you?”

 

“No, Kakkarrot. How many times do I have to tell you? You are not a member of the Pa’hi yet. When you are, you can come hunt with us.”

 

Kakkarrot pouted brusquely as he watched his brother pick up his hunting gear from his hira. He would have to wait for one more year to become an official Pa’hi member, and to Kakkarrot, that seemed like forever. Sinking to the floor gracelessly, he drew his knees up his chest and buried his face within them, beginning to rock back and forth. A low humming sound began, and Radditsu, who was about to head out, frowned in growing irritation.

 

“Cut that out, Kakkarrot! Stop acting like a s’au and help the females get the place ready for the feast.”

 

“I am not helping the females!!” Kakkarrot snapped in anger. “I am not a weakling!”

 

“Grrr…then stop acting like one!” Radditsu yelled back, his tail snapping angrily behind him. “Tak’na! I don’t know why pa’un sent you here. You can be such a pain sometimes.”

 

Kakkarrot bit his lower lip, trying hard to ignore the pain that went through him at his brother’s words. He watched as Radditsu made his way to his laughing friends and then disappear into the other side of K’elean. Brushing away a stray tear that had made its way down his face, Kakkarrot turned his head away; only to look straight into twin obsidian eyes that had been staring at him for Za’ani knows how long.

 

Feeling his face burn with embarrassment at having the prince see him in such a weak state, he jumped to his feet and made his way to the opposite end of the clearing that had been set out for the events of the evening.

 

-*-*-*-*-

 

Vegeta had seen and heard the exchange between the brothers from his position at the opposite end of the rough semi-circle of hiras. He had felt a small twinge of jealously and sadness. He wished he could have had someone to call a brother or even a sister. But he was the only child of the royal bloodline of Vegeta, and growing up being the center of attention from childbirth was no easy task. He was supposed to be perfect in everything. He could have no flaws. He couldn’t even act his age. He was only twenty-two, but yet he acted like a fifty-year-old.

 

Sighing wearily, he unclasped his cape and armor, allowing one of his fighters to take them away from him. Pulling off his gloves with his teeth, he stared idly at the hustle and bustle of the commoners around him. According to one of them, the Ra’un was to take place that evening, and he knew that he was going to have to make his decision on who was to join the elite fighting forces. Za’ani knows how much they needed more of them. The rebellion in the east was picking up again, and to top it all, they still had to contend with the tyrant, Frieza, who still sought to control their planet. ~ Za’ani…I hate my life. ~

 

“My lord…”

 

“Yes, Gradun…” Vegeta answered wearily, closing his eyes and leaning against the wall of the hira behind him. He honestly did not want to listen to the l’arun’s whining and complaining voice again.

 

“My lord, if I may speak frankly,” Gradun began, sensing the prince’s passive state. “I do not believe it is right for us to be here with these…these…the Ba’an. It is beneath us, my lord.”

 

“Gradun?”

 

“Yes, my lord.”

 

“Get away from me, before you become a permanent fixture on this soil,” Vegeta said calmly, never once opening his eyes.

 

Gradun grit his teeth and smiling wanly, he said stiltedly, “Ahi, my lord. I will leave you in peace.”

 

-*-*-*-*-

 

Kakkarrot walked around the females, swaying his tail in flirtatious little spins. Grinning wickedly, he wrapped the dark brown appendage around a strong neck and purring lightly, he drawled,

 

“Ahi, Saida. You will make a fine mate for my brother.”

 

“Ha’tun, Kakkarrot. You are such a ka’tai,” the beautiful, longhaired female said, laughing in suppressed happiness. “Go pick on someone your own age.”

 

“Why, who else is here?” Kakkarrot queried, twisting his handsome features into a look of pained suffering. “Everyone is too old for me. I am so lonely.”

 

The women laughed in glee, when suddenly the other spoke up, a mischievous tone in her voice.

 

“Why, Saida. I think we can pair up Kakkarrot with our prince, ne? After all, he is the most eligible bachelor in the land. I am sure he will make a perfect mate for you.”

 

Kakkarrot felt his face heat up and using his tail, he tried to swat the giggling women. Glancing sideways, he stole a look at the still figure of the ha’ji in question and shrugging lightly, he turned back to the females.

 

“N’ehi.” Kakkarrot said lightly. “We are Ba’an, and we do not mix with royalty.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Translations:

Tak’na – dammit / curses

Ba’rana – brother

N’ehi – no

Pa’hi – a hunting group of male saiyans, where one has to be at least eighteen years of age.

S’au – baby / little one

Ha’ji - prince