Pairings: Bardock/Azusa…Bardock/Turles
Warnings: Incest (at least in the context of this story), Lemon….umm…and some violence.
Disclaimers: Do not own, so please do not sue…the lyrics to Laetha’s lullaby are courtesy of the group ‘Alkemy’

Winds of Change
CHAPTER TWO:

Today when the summer thrush
Came to sing at Heron’s Nest
I crossed the Bridge Of Dreams.

Laetha watched as the little boy ran around the yard, screaming at the top of his lungs. His long shaggy locks, so much like his father’s, danced after him in the afternoon wind and Laetha smiled as memories of her own son were fondly recalled. The boy screeched to a halt and stood still for several minutes, his arms akimbo, and with a snarl he announced loudly,

“Arghhh!!! I am the greatest warrior elite that ever lived! Hand over your wives and children and money and food!”

Laetha chuckled lightly and with a mock look of horror on her face, she cowered to the floor. In a pleading voice, she begged,

“W’ani, ki’ra wa’zua ! Do not hurt me. Take all the food you like, but please spare my life.”

The young warrior seemed to consider the request for several minutes with a thunderous scowl on his face and then breaking into a sunny grin, he answered lightly,

“All right, w’aru ! I will have all your meals! I am hungry!!”

Laughing out loud, Laetha walked up to her grandson and lifted him up into her strong arms.

“I will just bet you are, Fumiko. Being an elite warrior is very hard work indeed.”

“Ahi, ta’hi ma’un .” Fumiko replied, wrapping his arms around her neck. “Where is my mother?”

“She will be here soon.” Laetha said, staring into the curious onyx eyes.

Stepping into the kitchen, she made the restless boy sit in the chair and placing a very large bowl of well-cooked ni’heru  stew in front of him, she couldn’t help the grin that crossed her face as she watched him dig into the food with a vengeance.

~ He eats just like his father. Radditsu should be very surprised to see how well and strong his son has become. ~

A slight frown crossed her face, as her mind roamed to the earlier queasiness she had felt. It had been so long, but she could have sworn that she had felt Radditsu’s energy again. Her worries had been confirmed when Saida had come in earlier with Fumiko. She had barely been able to contain the excitement in her voice as she too had felt her mate’s ki. In her joy, at the thought of Radditsu coming back home, she had raced back to prepare her house for his arrival, leaving her son in his grandma’s care. Not that Laetha minded. On the contrary, her hours spent with the s’au  was a source of great enjoyment and pleasure for her. Living alone for the past five years was no fun, and Fumiko was always the bright spot in her otherwise lonely days.

Sighing softly, she stared outside the window at the rays of sunlight that splashed across the trees in her garden, creating a wonderful play of shadows and light that never ceased to take her breath away. She missed her men and she wanted to have a family again, even if just for a brief moment.

“I am done, ta’hi ma’un !” Fumiko announced loudly, belching in appreciation.

“Mo’zoi !” Laetha gasped in mock shock, “You eat even faster than the fat man down the road!”

Fumiko laughed heartily and then trying to stifle a yawn, he rubbed his eyes in growing weariness.

“Time to sleep, young warrior.” Laetha said, already beginning to shake her head at the protests about to erupt from his mouth. “Come now and I will sing to you.”

Fumiko grumbled good-naturedly and jumping into his grandmother’s arms, he was led towards the rocking chair by the window. Laetha smoothed away the dark locks from his eyes and smiling gently, she began to rock them both, whispering the words to the lullaby that she had sung to her own sons.

Somewhere in the darkest night
Peace will come, as the spirit flies
As you weave a spell by another name
Snow falls with the summer rain

Then I will come to you my love
With the passing of the days
And I will set you free each time
Your heart is bound in chains
Innocents and wiser men
Will somehow be the same
And you and I
Will take our place in time
We’ll find a way to fly

Far beyond the crystal sea
I can hear all your whispered dreams
And the endless signs of the ones who love
They live on in the stars above.

Find a way to fly…

She stopped slowly, when she noticed the closed lashes and the stuck thumb in the tiny mouth. Removing it gently, she carried the sleeping boy into her sons’ bedroom. Placing him gently on his father’s bed, she tucked the blankets around him.

“Sleep well, my little Fumiko and may the gods of Vegetasei watch over you.” She whispered, before giving him a kiss and leaving the room.

-*-*-*-*-*-

Saida gathered her she’olai  and picked up her speed as she raced back to her mother-in-law’s house. She was so excited, she could barely think straight. Radditsu was coming home! She could hardly believe it.

She had woken up that morning with her usual daily routine in mind…doing the basic house chores, going to visit with her in-law, and taking Fumiko for his training. Other than that, she was left to brood about the loss of her mate. She had woken up to that and then she had felt the energy surge. It had been faint and she had chided herself on it, believing it to be just another figment of her imagination. But as she had gone about getting Fumiko ready for the day, the feeling had grown stronger, till it had become a slow burn in her brain. There was no other way to describe it. Her mate was either close by or was finally coming home.

For five long years, she had waited for his return. He had not sent her a word and why should he, after all the East weren’t exactly on speaking terms with the main city of Vegeta and she doubted that her messages would have been relayed to the Ba’an warrior. But all that was on the wayside now, Radditsu was finally going to get a chance to see his son. She hoped he would approve of the way she had raised him. He was going to be a strong Saiyan when he grew up, that much was certain.

“Ta’hi ma’un! Ta’hi ma’un !!” she screamed excitedly, as she burst into the compound.

“Keep your voice down, Saida.” Laetha scolded gently, as she stepped out of the house, an amused smile etched on her face. “Fumiko is still asleep.”

“E lli g’aru , Laetha.” She apologized, still smiling. “It is just that I cannot believe that Radditsu is finally coming home.”

Clasping her hands together, she began to dance around the yard, laughing and singing, unable to keep it to herself any longer. Laetha grinned at the display, remembering how she had rejoiced as well on the day Bardock had decided to return home from the rebellion.

~ The rebellion… ~

A frown crossed her face again. Would Radditsu be welcomed back with open arms now? He was now a member of the King’s forces and the fires of revenge still burned brightly within the hearts of the Ba’an . If Radditsu showed up, who knows what might happen to him. Staring in growing worry at the dancing female, she decided that she had best keep her thoughts to herself. She did not want to ruin Saida’s happiness. It was the least she deserved. And plastering a smile on her face, she joined Saida’s song, both of them never noticing the dying sunset in the horizon as time flew by.

-*-*-*-*-

Bardock groaned as Azusa began to kiss around his thighs again. He bit his lip to stop the scream that was about to burst out of his mouth as Azusa engulfed his throbbing length. Arching off the ground, he shut his eyes in delirium as a wonderful kaleidoscope of colors flashed behind his darkened vision. With a sharp buck, he exploded his essence into the warmth before him, trembling with the pleasant effects of his orgasm.

Both panting harshly for breath, frantic kisses were exchanged as Bardock straddled the other man. Staring deeply into the eyes of the Saiyan he would have gladly died for, he thrust into the already slick heat with a low grunt, shutting his eyes again as he felt Azusa’s inner walls caress his swollen flesh. Strong legs wrapped around his waist aiding his thrusting motions as they both rode each other feverishly, both of them trying hard not to scream for fear of disturbing the other sleeping warriors in the surrounding caverns.

With sweat and heat running off their bronzed skins, Bardock slammed into his mate one last time, causing both of them to widen their eyes and cover each other’s mouths to stop their screams as he exploded into the writhing body beneath him. Collapsing limply against each other, both rebels struggled to get their breaths back.

“Za’ani, nu ra’hi . You wear me out with each passing day.” Azusa muttered weakly, as he trailed kisses down the sweaty neck before him.

Bardock chuckled lightly, as he withdrew from the handsome fighter. Laying unto his back, he pulled the willingly body next to him and sighed deeply as he stared widely at the stony ceilings of the cave.

“You sigh, nu ra’hi . I feel your heart is heavy.”

“Ahi . I feel that something is not right.” Bardock replied, his handsome face twisting into a worried frown.

Azusa sat up and stared at the frowning visage, a puzzled look on his own face.

“Is it about your son?” he asked. He knew that Bardock had sensed Radditsu’s arrival and he had been a bit baffled at the lukewarm reception that had been displayed.

“Yes.”

“Why would you be worried about him? He poses no threat to us.” Azusa said.

When Bardock did not reply, he raised an eyebrow and said softly.

“Do you think he is no longer on your side?”

“Radditsu has always had a mind of his own.” Bardock replied, a bit sharply. “My sons…have minds of their own. I do not control their destinies in anyway. “

“So…”

“So, Azusa. Whatever happens happens. If the Fates have seen it fit to send my son back to me….then so be it.” Bardock said coldly, turning his back on his friend and pulling the blankets over him.

~ Conversation over. ~ Azusa thought with a sigh, as he covered himself with his blankets as well. ~ I don’t know what troubles you nu ra’hi , but I hope that whatever it is passes you by quick for we need your strength now more than ever. ~

~*~*~*~*~

The scar-faced warrior was far from sleep, though. He was very worried and rightfully so. His ability to see the future and to sense other people’s thoughts and emotions were beginning to take a toll of him. He had had the most disturbing dream last night.

~ Turles. ~

Shuddering subconsciously, he tightened the blankets around him. Turles, his older brother, by just a year, from a mistress of his father’s, had always been a rival from the very first day they had met. His father had finally brought the seven-year-old ka’tai  to the house and to an extremely upset mate.

He could still remember it like it was yesterday. The yells and screams from within the large homestead between his parents had raged on and on, while he had been stuck outside with the darker skinned look-alike.

He had tried to ignore him, insisting on continuing with his fighting techniques, but it seemed like big brother would have none of that. Turles had yanked his tail and had stepped on it, causing him to scream out in pain before he felt the hand clamp over his mouth, and the harsh breath next to his ear.

With his eyes streaming with tears, he had glared at the smirking taller boy in anger.

“So you are my little brother, huh? Well, it looks like I am going to have some fun teaching you some lessons. You can scream all you like…they will never hear you.”

And so for the next ten years, Bardock had become subservient to the older boy. Doing all that he had wished for, whether it was appropriate or not. His mother had never liked Turles and had made no qualms about her dislike for him. All her anger and frustrations had been placed on his head and in turn Bardock received the worse end of it.  But the worst humiliation and pain had come on his fourteenth birthday…the night before Turles disappeared.

~ My Scar… ~

~*~*~*~*~ Flashback ~*~*~*~*~

Bardock took the robes off gently and sank beneath the cool depths of the water. The annual fight with his father had been the most intense that he could ever remember. Every day on his birthday, he and his pa’un  would spar for what would seem to be from dusk till dawn. The rush and lust for blood and battle strong between the two males. It was always worth it. It was a special time for both of them and Bardock always looked forward to it. So absorbed was he in his musings, he never noticed the silent figure that stood watching him on the banks of the lake.

He scrubbed off the dried blood from his skin and ducked his head under water, raising it back out again in a flourish and immediately staring into laughing obsidian eyes.

“ARGH!!” He screamed, staggering backwards in fear, before realizing whom it was. “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?”

Turles laughed sinisterly and without answering, ducked beneath the water himself. Bardock swallowed tightly and began to back out slowly. There was something about that laugh that set his teeth on edge and he suddenly realized that he did not want to spend the rest of the night in this lake with his very naked, very scary looking older brother. Spinning around sharply, he began to stride/run out of the lake, when a hand clasped his ankle and yanked him back into the water.

Sputtering for air, he lashed out wildly, grinning in satisfaction as he felt his fist connect with solid flesh and the accompanying grunt. His victory was short lived, however, as he suddenly found himself wincing in pain, a strong blow having been given to him on his jaw. Feeling his head snap back in pain, he tumbled back into the lake, sinking beneath the depths as the pain washed over him. He wasn’t sure he could take any more beatings today. His father had done more than enough.

“AGGGGHHHH!!”

He was being pulled roughly by his hair now and was slowly being dragged to the banks. Trying to struggle, fruitlessly, he was unceremoniously dumped onto the muddy shore. He grunted in pain as he felt his ribs crack with the kick that had been rendered by strong bare feet. Holding his sides, he spat out the congealed blood that seemed to be stuck at the roof of his mouth. His eyes felt heavy. His breath came out in ragged gasps. He was going to die…and on his birthday too.

“GET UP AND FIGHT ME!” Turles yelled, continuing his kicks incessantly. “COME ON, I HEARD YOU WERE THE STRONGEST IN YOUR PA’HI . COME ON AND FIGHT ME!”

Bardock gasped out a weak ‘no’ and was quickly rewarded with another bone-crushing blow that sent his vision into a black abyss. Now holding his stomach in pain, he tried to crawl away, only to have himself lifted up and staring at the now crazed looking face in front of him.

“You won’t fight me, huh? Fine! See if this will make you fight then.”

Bardock barely had the time to register the weapon that Turles was brandishing in his hand before he felt the most excruciating pain in his life. He couldn’t even scream. The agony so deep, that he nearly passed out completely onto the solid strength of the other male. He could feel the seemingly river of blood that was now gushing out from the wound that had been rendered on his face. It felt like his entire life force was being drained out.

“That should be a quick reminder of whom the leader is around here.” Turles said sneeringly. “I hope you know that this scar will never leave your face again.”

Bardock could only lift his eyes weakly as he took in the weapon. ~ Oh, Za’ani …not the knife of Sa’kai .  How did he get a hold of
it? ~

The knife of Sa’kai  was any wa’zua’s  dream weapon of choice. Only a few of the mysterious blades had been made and no one really had a knowledge of what had happened to them. The legend had it that these knifes had been specifically built for Za’ani’s  special elite, a group of five that had had the strength to destroy entire galaxies at a breath. The knives were well known for their ability to kill without mercy and if scarred by the blade…the wound was never healed.

Turles dumped the limp body onto the muddy earth in disgust, idly licking away the blood that had gathered on his hands. “Hmm…seems like you taste good as well, s’au barana .” Bending down quickly to lay above the motionless figure, he began to lick the red fluid hungrily, growling low in his throat as the rich liquid fueled his body.

Bardock could barely move. His mind and body completely useless now. He could only lie there and listen helplessly as he was being turned into a feast. Just when he thought Turles had had enough, he suddenly felt the warm hands clasp tightly around his penis. Groaning weakly in protest, he tried to buck the heavier boy off, but a low chuckle from above reminded him of how useless it was going to be. Turles stroked and pumped the hardening flesh with increased intensity all the while drinking his fill of the still bleeding cheek. Bardock unwillingly felt himself arch up as the dual sensations of pain and lust mingled in his fogged mind. He could feel the explosion slowly well up within him. Turles was doing something that he had only imagined in his dreams. Unable to hold off any longer, the soft urge of ‘Come for me’ next to his ear sent him spiraling off into a sea of colors. He could barely scream as his thick ejection splattered on both of them, causing him to collapse limply on the floor.

But it seemed like Turles wasn’t done with him yet, for the next thing he knew, his legs were parted roughly and with no warning or a chance for preparation, the clearly swollen and large arousal of his older boy was thrust deeply into his virgin flesh. With the last ounce of strength in him, his already raw throat screamed out in unimaginable agony as his body was used to the lustful fulfillment of the other Saiyan.

His final thoughts as he finally caved in to darkness were how much he wanted to kill his brother.

~*~*~*~*~ Flashback end ~*~*~*~*~

Bardock hadn’t realized that he had been crying until he felt the wetness of the cloth beneath him. Silently hoping that no one else had noticed his state of weakness, he wiped his eyes quickly and twisting around to lay on his back, he stared blankly at the stony ceiling.

He had awoken the next morning in the house of a hermit that had lived nearby. His wounds and bruises already taken care of. The hermit had asked no questions and he had been grateful for that, but when he had asked for a mirror to see his face, he could still remember the hurt, anger, humiliation and bitterness that had flowed through him. There it was…like someone had done a really bad imitation of a cross on his face. He had run his fingers within the grooves, wincing at the pain that was still felt.

He ran a finger through it now, realizing that although it had been years since the incident had happened, there was still a dull throb. His parents had asked…everyone had wondered how he could have gotten such a scar. Who would dare use the sacred knives on a fellow Saiyan? The culprit in question, however, had somehow seemed to vanish from sight. He had never been seen again and naturally he wasn’t missed. But now…

~ Za’ani  Turles. I know you are back and this time…~

Bardock snarled, his upper lip curling in a sneer so cruel it would have frightened the toughest of wa’zuai . His hands tightning and nearly ripping the blanket that was within its’ grasp.

~ …this time… I will make you pay with your own blood. ~

~*~*~*~*~*~

The wind whipped mercilessly against the straining body, nearly toppling it off its’ high perch on the mountaintop. Gritting his teeth in concentration, the meditator struggled to maintain his balance. His hair flickered alternately from black to pale gold. His well-muscled body, glistening with sweat increased in size and seemed to glow with an energy that was blinding to the naked eye.

Finally with a loud cry, he exploded in frustration, destroying several nearby mountains and plant life in his burst of anger. He had felt it. His brother was home.

~ Radditsu… ~

“Kakkarrot sa’un ni  Bardock!”

“Ahi . I am coming.” He replied softly, as he flew off his perch to land silently in front of the three old Saiyans. Falling to his knees in respect, he bowed his head and asked. “Is it time yet?”

“Ahi, nu sa’un .” Came the eerie echo of the Wise Ones. “The time has come.”

Kakkarrot nodded in mute respect, his mind racing with eagerness and anticipation. For the past five years, he had trained with them, gradually becoming better in mind and spirit. He was stronger and faster than he had ever been, and he now had the uncanny ability to sense danger no matter how far away it was. This acquired skill couldn’t have come at a better time. His mind had been filled with worry, especially the last few days and his disturbing nightmare of an unseen enemy last night, had been more of an incentive for him to want to go back to his town.

He was jolted out of his reverie as something was shoved into his hands. He looked numbly at the intricately designed sword sheath in his hands. It was made up of pictures that depicted battles that had been fought long ago, each figure done with unimaginable care and detail. It was gold in color and the handle of the sword had the mystical emblem of the great god Za’ani  himself.

With shaky hands, Kakkarrot unsheathed the sword and watched as it sparkled brightly beneath the morning sun. It was heavy and he had to give it a few experimental twirls before he could get used to it.

“Mo’zoi !” he breathed out in complete awe. “Is…is…this for me?”

The Wise Ones nodded in unison. “This is the Great Sword of Za’ani . It is believed to have been the one used by him to destroy the enemies of the north. Whosoever wields the sword must be of pure heart and spirit and you are he, Kakkarrot.”

Kakkarrot frowned as the words sank into him. This was a great responsibility and he was determined to make very good use of it.

“The obstacles you are going to face Kakkarrot will be enormous.” The Old Ones continued. “You are going to be faced with the most difficult decisions in your life and it is going to be up to you to make the right ones. You will lose the ones you love and you will gain respect from your enemies. There is a great darkness before you and you are to be the light that conquers it.”

“Ahi, ta’hi pa’un .” Kakkarrot replied gravely.

“You are done here, Kakkarrot. There is nothing else we can do for you.”

Kakkarrot nodded again and putting the sword back into it’s sheath, he hid it carefully beneath his robes. With a final glance at this home for the past few years, he bowed down again in respect to the Wise Ones, before shouldering his bag. Spinning around, he was just about to take off into the sky, when the voices stopped him again.

“The pain from one who loves sears more than the sharpest of swords.”

 “Ja’ri ?” Kakkarrot asked sharply, turning around to stare at the small smiles on the older Saiyan’s faces.

“You will know when the time comes, Kakkarrot.” Came the enigmatic replies. “Just remember not to allow your heart to impair any judgment that might be deemed necessary. Go well and may the gods be with you.”

And before he could utter another word out, the Wise Ones vanished away from his sight, leaving him all alone.

~ I wonder what they meant by that. ~ He thought ruefully.

Shrugging it off quickly, he powered himself up and with a burst of energy, took off into the sky.

~ Ah, Radditsu, it has been so long. I wonder what you have in store for us, brother. For I have a feeling that it might not be very pretty. ~