Progress
"May I speak to you?"
Hijau, who had just finished stripping ready to bathe, paused and gazed enquiringly at Zh'leet. The brood was frowning slightly.
"I want the Ssii'irin to see Vinas."
"Why? He seems to be all right - the twins are making a big difference."
The brood nodded.
"But overall, he has not improved. In fact, if anything his condition has worsened. Tane and Dari are needing to spend more and more time every day to get the pain down to a bearable level. There's something wrong, I'm sure of it."
Hijau's brows drew together. The family had learned to trust in Zh'leet's instincts long ago.
"Will you speak to Vinas? I want Zha'haarak seen as soon as possible."
The ko'ish'n smirked.
"I already have. He will see the Ssii'irin first thing in the morning."
Minutes later, relaxing in the bath with Zha'haarak in his lap, Hijau considered the ko'ish'n's words. She did have a point: the prince was in constant pain right now. They'd all assumed it was because of the weather, but the gentle zn'hre was suffering badly, even with the twins' treatment; at the moment he couldn't even walk the length of the suite without collapsing, his face pale and drawn. It had even begun to affect their sex life…
**Zk'vissin?**
Zha'haarak had swivelled carefully and was running thin, graceful fingers through his mane. He smiled and brushed a kiss across soft lips.
*I want you to go and see Vinas.*
**Why?**
*We think - well, Zh'leet thinks, and I agree with her - that there might be something else wrong with your hip. Over and above the injuries we're aware of, I mean.*
The prince lowered his eyes: Hijau frowned and placed his fingers under the delicate chin, raising his head.
*What is it?*
Zha'haarak hesitated, then sighed.
**I had wondered that myself, zkai'da**
*Then why didn't you say anything?*
**I… I did not wish to alarm you…**
The captain scowled.
*Beloved, will you please tell me if something's worrying you? I'm far more alarmed by you keeping things like this to yourself.*
Zha'haarak flinched, and Hijau pulled him close.
*I'm not angry. But I want you to promise to tell me in future. Understand?*
The prince nodded, and the Saiyan kissed his forehead.
*Good. Now I'm supposed to be at a staff meeting most of tomorrow, but I'll delegate. Kyuri…*
Zha'haarak was shaking his head.
**No, zk'vissin. Jagung can accompany me**
*I'd rather be there myself.*
**If there are any problems I will *call* you. I will not have you take time from your official duties for something as routine as a medical checkup for me**
Hijau frowned, but for once acquiesced. The meeting was an important one in light of the forthcoming Omanir conflict, and he really should not miss it - or indeed any of the upcoming conferences. He sighed.
*You'll let me know immediately if there's a problem?*
**If needs be. Otherwise I'll tell you everything at the evening meal**
*Very well…*
*Mmmmm...*
Merica had arrived home early from his shift to find Jagung napping - and promptly grabbed the dancer around the waist, shoved him face-first over the desk in their common room and proceeded to fuck him mercilessly until he screamed and came, his tail lashing at his bondmate's back and buttocks… Now they lay together in the small bathing pool, Merica suckling at his claim mark as his lover quivered and fondled his tail. The newly appointed Royal Guard nuzzled his mate's neck.
*Happy?*
Jagung sighed.
*Oh yes…*
Being personal guard to the gentle zn'hre suited him perfectly - so far, anyway. Although he hadn't actually been called on to do very much, yet. But when he wasn't guarding Zha'haarak, he formed part of the family's own Guard - with Merica as his commanding officer. He had no problems at all with that…
Merica was happy too. When Hijau had first 'offered' him the post he'd been almost insulted, seeing it as a kind of babysitting job. Until the captain had pointed out that it involved making sure all the family - including the King's Companion, the Saiyan heirs, the King, the prince, Ti'aasaan and all the hybrids (including Mahrayne's brat once it was born) - was safe at all times, something that was getting harder and harder to do as the brats grew and developed and demanded a measure of independence. If he'd thought Nappa had a tough job co-ordinating the offworld military (Hijau had said with a wry smirk) just wait until he had to try to keep tabs on that little lot…
It was a challenge. And Merica could choose his own Guardsmen - from the Elite Guard and the onworld R'ren'nkh'ian warriors - to form the new squad (except for Jagung, of course, his post was secure). Merica had frowned and asked why Radittsu didn't have the post, nodding understandingly when Hijau had listed all the other responsibilities the big Saiyan had - and eagerly accepting the post.
And the pair were blissfully happy in their new quarters. The peace and privacy! The comfort! And best of all, no Nappa…
The Commander-in-Chief had made their lives a misery after that abortive rape attempt. He hadn't actually physically hurt them (although Jagung had been uneasily aware of the lust in his scent every time they were close: despite Melocoto's warning he still feared for his safety) but he'd made sure they worked differing shifts, and on the most unpleasant duties and patrols. The palace, in contrast, was a paradise.
*I have to take the prince to the med labs tomorrow.*
*Hn. Something's wrong?*
*That's what I'm taking him there to find out.*
Merica grinned.
*You like him, don't you?*
*I don't really know him yet. But he's very shy and very sweet - somehow makes you want to look after him, make sure no harm comes to him.*
*Heh. Don't get too involved!*
Merica winced as Jagung bit a dark golden nipple.
*Credit me with some sense! Hijau would rip my tail off!*
*Not if the lizard approached you first.*
*Ah - that would be different. In that case, you'd rip my tail off!*
Merica teased the long, slender limb.
*Nah. I like your tail too much for that.*
*You saying you wouldn't mind?*
*No, I'm not saying that. Of course I'd fuckin' mind!* Merica frowned suspiciously into the lovely wide grey-green eyes. *Why? Has he shown any interest?*
Jagung shook his head.
*Not Zha'haarak, no.*
*Who then?*
*Ti'aasaan…*
Hijau had arranged for Jagung to spend some time with the prince, so they could get to know each other a little, and accordingly the guard had sat at Zha'haarak's side while the twins were working on his hip. The gentle zn'hre was nervous to start with, until Hijau had suggested Jagung take the lead and try telling the prince stories about his time in the military - funny stories, preferably. Jagung had done so, delightedly watching the prince's expression change from fearful anxiety to warm enjoyment, and from then on the relationship, though hardly informal, had become easier and more relaxed.
But Jagung was very aware of Ti'aasaan. The little zn'hre found him fascinating, following the guard with big golden eyes, his scent aroused. It was worrying. Kelapa had already warned him about the zn'hre's appetite.
What made it worse was that Jagung found the zn'hre - all of them - completely entrancing. For the first time since Merica had claimed him he found himself seriously tempted…
He'd hidden it from Merica until now, determinedly forcing himself not to respond - but he'd known he couldn't do that forever.
*Ti'aasaan?* Merica's *voice* rumbled dangerously, and Jagung wrapped slender arms around the strong neck.
*Calm down. He hasn't said or done anything - yet - but he's certainly interested. But I understand he's like that with everyone new.*
*He can't have you.* Merica *growled*, holding his bondmate painfully tightly.
*I wasn't suggesting he could.* Jagung squirmed until Merica slackened his hold a little. The larger Saiyan scowled.
*But you like the idea, don't you?*
Jagung sighed.
*I find it - intriguing.*
Merica gripped the rich, red-gold mane and stared into his lover's beautiful eyes.
*No.*
The ex-teaser lay silently for a moment, then,
*And if I was ordered…?*
Merica was silent, considering it. He'd have to have words with Hijau.
Jagung buried long, elegant fingers in his shaggy dark mane, pulled his head close and kissed him, soft full lips and clever tongue persuading his bondmate to forget the matter for now as his slim, creamy-golden body melded itself to his lover's larger frame.
Jagung watched as the biotech settled Zha'haarak onto the bed-shaped lower half of some kind of scanning device, then lowered the upper part until it rested snugly over his hips and thighs. The machine hummed quietly as Vinas palmed a control: moments later an image appeared on the large screen in front of them.
The Feeodoreean nodded grimly.
"Well your highness, there's the problem."
Even Jagung, who had no medical training whatsoever, could see what was wrong. Instead of smooth straight bone, the prince's ischium and femur were covered with twisted bony knobs and nodules, some even growing over the artificial femur head and into the socket. The Saiyan winced, and his respect for the gentle zn'hre shot up several notches. Zha'haarak never complained - but that had to hurt like hell…
As usual, Vinas got straight to the point.
"We're going to have to remove them. Not only are they stretching and distorting the nerves in the area, and interfering with muscular function, but if left unchecked there's a real risk they'll render the joint completely useless."
Zha'haarak swallowed nervously.
"Does that mean another operation?"
Vinas gazed down at him, his expression softening minutely, and Jagung smiled. It seemed that everyone had a soft spot for the gentle zn'hre.
"I'm sorry, your highness. If we'd caught this earlier we might have been able to use ultrasonics to break up the bony masses. As it is, we're going to have to remove them surgically. And as soon as possible." He glanced at Gh'veen, who inclined his head in agreement. "This afternoon would be ideal."
Jagung stepped forward as the prince paled, his expression panicked.
"Does it have to be so soon?"
Vinas scowled, raising the upper part of the scanner from the zn'hre's slender body.
"Yes warrior, it does." He glanced back at the prince. "You may as well stay here, your highness. We can double check the procedure, and you'll be on hand if we need any more scans."
The guard gazed down at Zha'haarak, who was trying very hard not to tremble, and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Your highness?"
The prince nodded tremulously.
"It… it must be done. It will make things easier for everyone."
Jagung sighed.
"Do you want me to tell Hijau-san? Is there anything you need from the palace?"
Zha'haarak shook his head.
"No. But… please will you stay with me?"
"Of course. You'll *tell* Hijau?"
Zha'haarak nodded. "And will you reassure him that all is well? That he should not worry? He may not believe me…"
Jagung grinned. Even in the short time he'd been with the family he'd become very aware of the captain's protectiveness towards his bondmate, and of Zha'haarak's reluctance to be a liability.
"They'll break for the mid-day meal: I'll contact him then."
"In that case I will wait until then, as well." The prince sighed. "But I had better let Ti'aasaan know now…"
Ti'aasaan frowned.
**When does Vinas think you'll be able to come back to the suite?**
**I haven't asked him…**
**Can you ask him now? The Ssii'iin will want to know…**
There was *silence* for a moment, then Zha'haarak's *voice* -
**He says right after I recover consciousness after the operation, as long as I don't try to do anything until I've healed** He sighed. **Perhaps I should stay here. I'm going to be a burden again…**
The little zn'hre scowled. It seemed to be impossible to convince the prince that he wasn't an encumbrance…
**Don't be silly. Do you really think Hi'ijaa would let you stay there? Now, do you want me to be there? Or Hi'ijaa?**
**No… Jagung will stay with me. And he'll bring me back. Vinas doesn't seem to think the procedure will take very long**
Very aware of his bondmate's nervousness, the little zn'hre bit his lip.
**It's going to hurt?**
**Of course**
Ti'aasaan winced.
**We'll do what we can to help…**
Jagung waited outside Vinas' lab, fidgeting uneasily, waiting for the operation to be over. He'd gone with Zha'haarak to start with, a little unnerved when the gentle zn'hre had clutched his hand tightly as the medical team had prepared him for surgery. The prince was terrified, his scent sharp with fear and the expectation of pain, and the warrior had tried to soothe him, stroking his hair and murmuring quietly, but it hadn't really helped much. Not that Jagung was surprised, having read Hijau's report of the prince's history: he'd known so much agony in his life...
He'd tried to stay with Zha'haarak - but once the zn'hre was unconscious and Vinas had opened his thigh and hip, peeling back skin and flesh and muscle to reveal the bone underneath thick with the ugly bony protuberances, Jagung had had to leave. He'd felt sick - not at the sight, he'd seen worse in battle - but at the thought of the pain the gentle creature had been suffering…
Leteetza was very happy with the way Peyaru's visit was going. Very happy indeed.
Buahan had been wary at first, testing the young male, trying to annoy him, seeing how far she could push. To everyone's surprise, the young lord proved to be - if not exactly her equal, then at the very least a worthy opponent, polite, respectful, but not entirely allowing her all her own way. And Buahan had, to her own astonishment, actually rather appreciated that! It meant she could respect him, if only because he stood up to her…
They were staying in the royal wing for the duration of the visit - which was both more convenient for those concerned, and less embarrassing for Hijau. They'd all watched, fascinated, when, on a scheduled visit to the family's suite, Netsariin had beamed delightedly and flung herself at the captain, babbling on about how much she'd enjoyed their last 'encounter' and how much she hoped they could repeat it while she was in the capital… Hijau had flushed deeply and firmly set her back on her feet, introducing her, pointedly, to his bondmate, the prince Zha'haarak. It had worked: she'd shut up and bowed respectfully, but Leteetza was determined to find out exactly what all that was about once the visitors had returned to the north.
Now Leteetza - and the Saiya-jin-no-Ou - watched the children from a discreet distance, delighted to see Buahan's cautious approval of her mate-to-be. Vejiita smirked.
*You'll admit I was right? That it was a good choice?*
The female scowled.
*Just luck. You didn't know they'd like each other.*
*You just don't like being wrong…*
Hijau closed the meeting a little early and flew directly to the medical centre, and shortly afterwards, accompanied by Jagung, carefully carried a very groggy Zha'haarak back to the almost deserted suite: knowing the prince would need peace and quiet on his return, Jeice had taken the babies, the older hybrids, 'tiisaan, 'viirel, 'miiron and 'zhasaan down to the playroom for an extended dance session.
Hijau settled his bondmate carefully with his head in the little zn'hre's lap, and Ti'aasaan stroked the prince's hair, his expression concerned.
"Zvi'ch? How are you?"
The gentle zn'hre gazed up at him blearily.
"Tired. Hurts…"
Ti'aasaan smiled as Zha'haarak slipped into a doze, and glanced at Hijau, who nodded.
"Let him sleep - Vinas says that's the best thing for him right now."
"How did it go?"
"Successfully. Vinas is concerned that they might come back, though."
The little zn'hre winced.
"He might have to go through this again?"
"Well, Vinas says he's going to consult with the G'geckans, see if they can come up with a cure. Otherwise, yes." The captain frowned. "I wish we knew what caused it in the first place. Is it Cendawan's fault?"
'selaan had moved to sit nearby, gazing at the dressing around the prince's thigh and lower body curiously, then cuddling into his host's side.
"What happened, maazi? Why is dadda wrapped up like that?"
"He had to have an operation, zk'viss. To make his hip better."
"What did Vinas do?"
"I don't really know. I expect Zh'leet could tell you." He frowned. "Why do you want to know?"
The hostling inclined his head.
"It's… interesting…"
He turned as Zh'leet came through from the store, a beaker of fruity glop in her hand, and slid off the sleeping platform, heading for the brood…
Ti'aasaan blinked, then shook his head in bemusement. Well, it would keep the hostling out of mischief. He turned back to Zha'haarak, who was shifting uncomfortably in his sleep, then glanced at Hijau.
"The healers?"
The captain nodded and called for Tane and Dari…
By the time Radittsu and Zha'haabron arrived back from their respective afternoon duties, Zha'haarak was awake, pale and weary but much more relaxed than of late. The healers had spent several hours with him, generating a warming ki-haze around his hip, easing the pain of the operation - but over and above that the awful stabbing, grinding torment he'd suffered recently was gone. Zha'haabron smiled, delighted with the improvement. Tane, however, lowered her head, almost cowering, her expression ashamed.
"I'm sorry, your Majesty…"
The king blinked.
"For what?"
"We failed the prince."
He frowned.
"You have done nothing but help his highness. In what way have you failed?"
"We… we didn't notice the - lumps - developing. If we'd realised sooner, it would have saved Zha'haarak-sama a lot of pain - and made the operation unnecessary."
He nodded slowly.
"Maybe. But you are not to blame. You are not medics. And none of us could have known this would happen."
"But…"
He raised his hand, and she quieted.
"You are absolved of any blame. However, if you are able to *sense* the problem, I would ask you to check regularly and let us know if the outgrowths reappear. That way we may be spared a repetition of today's unpleasantness."
Her face brightened.
"We can certainly try to do that, your Majesty!"
He nodded, then smiled.
"Good. Now, I trust you can stay for the evening meal?"
**He's been doing that a lot just recently**
Kobis, engrossed as he'd been in stripping the meat from the bone in his hands, frowned as he glanced at his koi.
*Who's been doing what?*
**'fallon. He's been staying very close to 'raadiin**
The Saiyan glanced over at his brother, sharing a floor cushion with the young zn'hre warrior and squabbling over the seared meat on their platter. 'fallon sat close to his sire-sib, watching and smiling shyly. Kobis frowned.
*I don't see anything different.*
**But I've been watching. And 'fallon's definitely more… attentive to 'raadiin than before**
Kobis shrugged.
*So? 'raadiin's always looked out for him. And 'fallon always runs to 'raadiin any time he's hurt or upset.*
**I know - but this is… different, somehow**
*You think they're partners?*
'haabron grinned.
**Not yet. But I wouldn't be surprised if it came to that!**
The Saiyan prince considered it, wondering how his brother would take to the idea. Kiraz could be very dense in some ways - it was quite likely he hadn't even noticed. After all, Kobis hadn't, and he was considerably quicker on the uptake than his twin.
Come to think of it, he'd been so wrapped up in his own happiness, in 'haabron, he'd really not paid much attention to what was happening with any of their various siblings.
*Do you think Kiraz will mind?*
**Why should he?**
Kobis shrugged.
*I don't know…*
**It's not like they're partners**
Well, that much was true. There'd never been the least hint of anything more than friendship - and friendly rivalry - between the two princes. Kobis certainly hadn't scented anything out of the ordinary!
'raadiin and 'fallon, eh? An odd couple if ever there was one. He'd have to keep an eye on them, himself, see if 'haabron was right…
© 2002 August 7th Joules Taylor
