Divergence
Radittsu stared.
"'Little sister'?"
Hijau grinned at him, nodding. The big Saiyan eyed Vejiita.
"Did you know about this?"
The Saiya-jin-no-Ou glowered.
"Of course I did. You don't think I'd be permitted to take a Companion without them being very thoroughly checked out first, do you?"
Leteetza was fuming.
"And you didn't think to fucking tell me?"
He shrugged.
"You never asked. And the last I heard you weren't interested in finding out who your father was anyway."
She gritted her teeth, acknowledging that he was right, she hadn't been, and turned to Hijau, suddenly seeing him in a completely different light.
Her brother.
It felt nice. Not for any particular reason, just… very, very nice. She beamed at him, feeling slightly awkward, and he hugged her lightly, kissing her cheek.
"Don't worry. We'll get used to the idea."
Radittsu was still staring, obviously having some difficulty with the idea that the King's Companion, his lover and the mother of his first full-blood Saiyan child, was the sister of his other lover, who was himself the bondmate of an alien prince… He shook his head.
"I hope so…"
Ushering Leteetza back to the bed the captain sat on the edge and gazed at the babies, reaching out to stroke Radittsu Junior's mane gently. The infant roused and peered blearily in his direction.
"Hello - nephew."
The big Saiyan smirked, then gently held the baby to his uncle.
"Call him 'dittsu - everyone else will…"
Hijau glanced quickly back at Leteetza, who nodded, then cradled the child in his arms. 'dittsu wrapped a strong black tail around his wrist and giggled up at him, and the captain grinned.
"Heh. Not three hours old and laughing at me! Must be my fate in life." He smirked at Radittsu. "Heavy, too. Takes after you already."
'dittsu yawned - then his face screwed up. Leteetza took him swiftly into her own arms and held him to her breast, sighing.
"Certainly likes his feed, greedy little monster."
Radittsu snorted.
"Means he'll grow up big and strong. Just like me."
Vejiita growled.
"What does size have to do with it?"
The big Saiyan coloured slightly and bowed his head.
"My apologies. Sire."
Leteetza frowned.
"I will not have you two arguing - in their presence, anyway. Is that understood?"
The fathers nodded, in Vejiita's case while gritting his teeth and trying not to snarl, and Leteetza smirked. There was a certain satisfaction in having power over him…
Hijau rose and saluted the males.
"If you'll excuse me, I should get back to the palace."
They all nodded - then the captain impulsively leaned forwards and kissed Leteetza's cheek.
"I'll see you tomorrow - imouto."
Her eyes twinkled as she nodded.
"You'd better - niisan!"
Leteetza's arrival back at the suite the following day was greeted with joy. The children were fascinated by the newborns, Kobis, Kiraz and Buahan gently touching their new half-brother, leaning close and learning both babies' scents, while 'tiisaan, eyes huge, stared from 'dittsu to Radittsu and back, entranced by the similarity between father and son.
Radittsu sat beside the little warrior, his arm around his bondmate, their hostlings in their laps, watching curiously. Zha'haabron was enchanted by the latest additions to the family, especially 'dittsu - which pleased Leteetza no end: it reassured her that the child would always have the High King's favour, which could do him nothing but good in years to come.
She could easily have done without Mahrayne's constant attention, though - although she had to admit the Hassinan was trying not to annoy her. But 'rayne's obvious enthralment with the infant Saiyans would probably ease once her own was born. At any rate, Leteetza hoped so…
Although they tried to get back into the normal routine as soon as possible, things were a little hectic over the next few days, with emotions running fast and high. After three days Jeice was feeling ragged, desperate for some peace. Over and above the children's excitement, Hijau's glow of pleasure, Radittsu's feelings of pride and love (for the whole family, not just his new child) he still had to endure Ti'aasaan's increasing misery, Leteetza's irritation, and conflicting feelings of hope and quiet loss from Zha'haarak, who was still missing 'viirel. And he couldn't work out what was wrong with Kelapa: outwardly calm, inside she felt like a volcano approaching eruption point.
He was aware, also, of a certain unfamiliar tension in Ti'ani and Le'leen. It was past time he talked to the hybrids, and with the start of the Omanir Campaign drawing ever closer it was likely (he thought, with a cynicism new to him) that the Saiya-jin-no-Ou would want to press 'his' hash'shavven into service as advisor - and quite probably warrior - as soon as possible in the coming conflict: he couldn't tell how much more time he might have for such things.
Ti'aasaan had been anxious.
"You think there might be something wrong?"
Jeice hastened to reassure him - the little zn'hre had enough to worry about.
"I am sure not. But they are, in effect, a new species. I imagine they're feeling a little - confused, but keeping it to themselves, not wanting to cause you any concern."
Ti'aasaan bit his lip.
"But I should really talk to them…"
"But sometimes it's easier if it's a friend, rather than a parent. I will be sure to let you know what they say."
The little zn'hre sighed, and Jeice pulled him into a hug.
"Be assured, if I can help you in any way I will do so…"
"Thank you. But not yet." Ti'aasaan whispered, swallowing a sob, allowing himself the consoling warmth of the hash'shavven's arms for a moment, then pulling back. "When will you speak with them?"
"After the noon meal."
Ti'ani and Le'leen were uneasy over the meal, glancing at Jeice frequently as if they knew what he had planned. Leteetza was puzzled, and drew the hash'shavven to one side.
"What's going on?"
He grinned.
"Nothing to worry about. I just want to speak with your children. Ti'aasaan knows and has agreed."
She glanced uncertainly at the hybrids' sire, who nodded, then turned back to Jeice. She knew there was something - un-Saiyan - about the twins, had known it for a long time, but hadn't wanted to acknowledge it.
"You'll let me know what happens, what they say?"
He hugged her gently.
"Of course I will!"
"Very well…"
Jeice had gathered up the hybrids and taken them - discreetly trailed by their shr'en'an guard - down to a secluded part of the palace grounds, a mossy hollow with a pool to one side. As they seated themselves, watching the hash'shavven with some trepidation, Jeice smiled disarmingly and spread his arms wide, keeping his voice low and soft.
"Please, don't be alarmed, you're not in any trouble, or danger… I just wanted us to talk a little - and get out of the suite, too. I don't know about you two, but sometimes I need my own space for a while."
Le'leen grinned and relaxed. Ti'ani smiled, but didn't. Jeice chuckled.
"It can be a little hectic, can't it?"
Le'leen nodded.
"Heh. Must be bad for you, sometimes."
"It is. And you?"
"Yeah. All those thoughts! The Saiyans I mean, not the R'ren'nkh'ians. Though they can be very *noisy* too, on occasion."
Jeice inclined his head, forcing down the sudden flare of disquiet the words caused.
"You can *hear* them all?"
"Yeah. All the fucking time."
Ti'ani glared at his sibling.
"Language!"
Le'leen scowled, slapping the other hybrid with his tail.
"Oh piss off, 'ani. You're no fuckin' angel." He turned back to Jeice, who'd watched the exchange with wide eyes and dropped jaw: the hash'shavven shook himself and inclined his head, frowning.
"Want to talk about it?"
Yes, they wanted to talk. And once they'd started, they couldn't stop…
Jeice listened as they took it in turns, finishing each other's sentences, to describe how they could *hear* everyone, regardless of species, with whom they came into contact - and not just the polite surface level of thought, either - sometimes they could go deep, far deeper than either of them wanted. And although they could *mute* their sensitivity, it took an enormous amount of effort, and wasn't always successful anyway, especially when they were tired.
And that wasn't all they could do…
At that point they switched to mindspeak.
*We can also do something… not sure what to call it. Kind of a mind blast, I guess. Like a ki-blast, but we use our minds.* Le'leen frowned, looking around for something to demonstrate what he meant. Ti'ani touched his arm and pointed.
*Up there.*
High above them was a bird, a small common glider by the looks of it. Le'leen nodded.
*That'll do. Watch…*
His eyes sparkling briefly, the hostling gazed at the bird - whose head exploded in a welter of blood and brain and bone, the body plummeting to the ground a short distance from where they sat. Jeice paled.
*You… you can just *think* that to happen?*
Le'leen grinned mirthlessly.
*Yeah. Pretty fuckin' impressive, ne?*
*Why haven't you told anyone?*
*'cause Vejiita would want to use us as weapons.*
Jeice blinked, unsure as to what to say. Their insight and intellect was astounding: they were quite right, the Saiya-jin-no-Ou probably would try to use them - although Leteetza would no doubt have something to say about that. Quite a lot of somethings. And Leteetza was not a being to be taken lightly. He shook his head and pulled them both to him, cuddling them reassuringly - and to his delight they both sighed and relaxed in his arms.
*You've carried this burden for far too long. You - we - need to speak to your host and sire. And the Ssii'iin: I'm sure he'll be able to help you learn how to control these abilities.* He frowned. *How have you managed to *keep* them a secret all this time?*
Le'leen smirked.
*Oh, that was easy. We *learned* how to shield from you!*
At Jeice's horrified expression, Ti'ani nuzzled his neck.
*I'm sorry. We didn't mean to *dig*, it just happened. Somehow, you're easier to *read* than the others. And we needed that skill…*
The hash'shavven sighed, then kissed their foreheads.
*I just hope my memories didn't cause you too much distress.*
Ti'ani shuddered.
*They were horrible. You were hurt so much. We don't understand how anyone could hurt someone like you, why they'd want to.* He hesitated, then turned vast, black-rimmed golden eyes to the dancer. *We'd like to make sure no-one ever hurts you again.*
Jeice blinked - then frowned.
*But… you said you don't want Vejiita to use you as weapons.*
Le'leen smirked.
*We don't. Using ourselves as weapons to help the family - that's a different matter.*
Jeice nodded very, very slowly.
*I think perhaps we ought to go and speak with the others…*
Jeice had missed Kelapa's storming out of the suite, though he was very aware of her simmering anguish once she'd returned. At the time, though, he'd been too concerned with supporting and amplifying what the twins were trying to explain to their parents, Radittsu and the king. But the following day Kel had left the suite and hadn't come back…
Kelapa reported to Kyuri at Guard Headquarters. Hijau's second in command frowned.
"What's happened?"
Kel glowered.
"Just need some fucking time to myself. That a problem?"
"No. Your old quarters are free right now. I'll come and see you when I'm off duty."
"But…"
"Don't argue, Guardsman."
Heart sinking, Kelapa saluted smartly and turned to leave. There was still a chance she could escape Kyuri…
"And don't even think about trying to avoid me."
So much for that idea.
Three hours later Kyuri knocked on the door and entered without waiting for an answer.
"Right. I want to know…"
The senior officer paused, frowning, scenting her friend. Under that impassive front Kel was terrified and thoroughly wretched.
Kyuri frowned, then gently touched the guard's cheek.
"You want to tell me what's wrong?"
For long moments the older guard stared at her long-time friend and occasional lover. She'd never told anyone. Ever. If she did, now…
But it had all suddenly become too much. The coming conflict, the family, Leteetza and the babies, Mahrayne so happy in her impending motherhood, Zha'haarak and Hijau's plans for their own hostling, even Zorun's gradual easing up on his hostility - everything had changed, become uncertain. Standing on solid ground, she felt as though her world was spinning dizzily around her. Perhaps it was time to let someone else know.
Scenting Kel's anguish, Kyuri very carefully pulled her close, wryly unsurprised when the tears started.
"It was so long ago," Kel whispered. "Not long after I'd finished training…"
Kel had been so proud of completing her Elite Guard probation, feeling herself vindicated, quashing the faint guilt she still felt at her father's disapproval. She'd wanted to join the offworld military, and to her great delight had been accepted. It was there she'd met Zorun.
Everyone tended to give the Commander's brother a wide berth, not wishing to be brought to Nappa's attention. Everyone but Zorun's friend, Piturun.
The two had been close since childhood, and intimate since their fifteenth year: it was well known that Zorun was the dominant one of the pair. But Piturun seemed perfectly happy with the arrangement.
Kel had liked Piturun. He was unusually soft-spoken and had a great sense of humour. And she found him attractive, with his short black mane and sparkling ebony eyes - which didn't go down at all well with Zorun. Not that Kelapa had any intention of coming between them: even if they hadn't outranked her, they were obviously partners, and she would not interfere.
Unfortunately Nappa had been fully aware of the closeness between Zorun and Piturun - and done his best to keep them apart. No-one could quite work out why: it was assumed that the Commander didn't wish to be accused of favouritism, although he was perfectly happy to favour other members of his force. It had made both Zorun and Piturun unhappy - and Kel had been certain there was something else going on too, something that left Zorun pale and shaking, his scent sour with despair…
The climax had come when Nappa had ordered Kelapa and Piturun to Hamaki - the commanding Saiyans in a squad of twenty assorted species of alien - on a tedious but perfectly straightforward clean-up mission. Only it proved to be less straightforward than anticipated, and took them far longer than expected.
Kel came into heat. Piturun partnered her. And Kel, of course, conceived…
Piturun was desperately apologetic, even though they both knew it wasn't his fault: it was one of the reasons Kel liked the male so much - he was gentle and considerate. He'd promised to care for her if she wanted, not to interfere in her life too much, he knew she didn't want to be claimed, or even have a permanent partner, and he wasn't prepared to leave Zorun - all he asked was that he could see and get to know his brat, train him later, if the child so wished. And she'd been happy to agree…
Then their temporary base had been attacked. They hadn't known it was coming - the enemy seemed to have no ki and no scent (Kyuri frowned, remembering Hijau being attacked all those years ago: the aliens who'd nearly killed him had had no scent or ki signature either…) They'd slaughtered the rest of the squad, then dragged Piturun and Kelapa out onto the frigid surface of the planet.
Kel had watched, horrified and unable to move, as three of the fifteen of them had coldly dislocated Piturun's hips and shoulders, wrenching the limbs around so they were facing backwards, tearing skin and flesh and sinew - then held the guard down as they raped him, one by one, immensely strong hands gouging chunks of flesh from his body… Kel lowered her head, weeping with relief as his softly bright ki-flame finally flickered and died as the tenth alien shoved into his suffering body.
His death didn't stop them, although afterwards they were quicker. Then they turned to Kel…
She could remember, in detail, everything they did to her. Now, years later, she could remember it. She should have died, a broken, bleeding piece of meat on the dry cold surface of that world. Her baby did die, bleeding from her, snuffed out before he had a chance at life and nearly taking her with him. But Zorun had arrived, his Saiyan squad with him, actually as backup to hasten the mission along: there'd been no time to send any kind of distress call, although Kel suspected that Zorun had *known* there was something wrong with his partner. As the medic laboured over her body, she was dimly aware of Zorun cradling Piturun to him, the tears streaming down his face as he howled his grief to the pitiless air…
Kyuri was staring at her, eyes huge, unblinking, a look of disbelieving horror on her face. Kel could feel herself trembling.
"He blamed me. He blamed me for Piturun's death. And he's been so lonely…"
Kyuri's voice was no more than a horrified whisper.
"Oh gods - Kel…"
And the dam broke…
It was dark when Kel finally stopped sobbing, a limp bundle in Kyuri's strong arms. She swallowed as best she could through a throat wept dry and forced swollen eyelids far enough open to peer blearily up into the younger guard's face - a face wet with tears. Kyuri pulled her close.
"I'm so sorry…"
Kel dragged herself wearily upright, pulling what few shreds of self-possession she had left around her.
"Yeah, well… shit happens."
Kyuri slapped her, hard.
"Don't you dare back off!"
Hand clutched to her stinging cheek, Kel gaped at her superior officer. Kyuri glowered at her.
"You didn't tell anyone, did you? You let them put you back together again and never said a fucking word."
Kelapa blinked back fresh tears - fuck, where from? - and tried to shrug.
"K'uri… What was I supposed to say? By the time I was conscious and able to talk, things had moved on. Zorun hated me, Nappa was angry because the squad was destroyed - and I'd lost… lost…" she swallowed hard. "I never wanted brats, though I knew I'd have to eventually. But… I… I really liked Piturun. He was so…" she sighed through her tears. "I knew he was Zorun's… partner. I didn't encourage him, honestly I didn't. I loved him as a friend. Just a friend."
Kyuri cradled the grief-ridden female close.
"Kel…"
"I wasn't a replacement for Zorun. I could never be that - never wanted to be that. They were so fucking close… I'm sure they had some sort of bond, even if they never realised it…" She bit her lip, drawing blood. "I heard later Nappa laughed at Zorun. Did - things - to Piturun's body. I don't know how much of what I heard was true… some of it must have been. And it must have hurt Zorun so fucking much… K'uri, Piturun loved Zorun. Really loved him. And felt loved back. I can't blame Zorun for hating me."
"And how did you feel?"
Kelapa froze.
"What…?"
Kyuri ran strong fingers though the red-brown mane.
"All you've talked about is Zorun and Piturun and how they felt. How did you feel?"
"I…" Kel stared at her friend, bewildered. "I never thought about it…"
Kyuri sighed.
"Baka. You do matter, you know." She hugged the warrior tightly. "And you never told anyone, just carried all that pain, all that guilt, all by yourself, for the last twenty two years…" She bit her lip, forcing back her own tears. Oh, Kel...
Kelapa's shoulders drooped.
"I felt… angry. So fucking angry. With failing my command, with those shit-fucking aliens, with Piturun for leaving me, leaving Zorun, with Zorun for blaming me - with myself for losing the baby." She swiped a hand across her face and gazed hopelessly at Kyuri. "I wanted him, y'know. For all that it was an accident, it felt so right. And Piturun was so pleased." She bit back a sob. "I'd almost managed to forget. And then 'rayne accused me of not liking brats because I wanted one of my own - and it all came back."
Kyuri pulled her back into a rough hug.
"And Zorun?"
"He's never forgiven me. I know it wasn't my fault - he knows it wasn't my fault, really - but there's always the belief that if he'd been there instead of me Piturun might be alive. And of course it was Nappa's fault I'd been sent instead, and Zorun hated him too… He never dared to make a friend after that. He just - closed himself off."
"And made you suffer for it."
Kel shook her head.
"No, he didn't. He hated me, but he wasn't vindictive, not like Nappa. Zorun treated me as though I didn't exist - Nappa gave me choice assignments and treated me like some sort of hero. Needless to say, that made everyone else fucking hate me, too…"
"And you never told anyone about the baby?"
"No. No-one."
Kyuri nodded grimly. Zorun would have been devastated if he'd known, felt betrayed by his partner at the same time as knowing that a little part of him could have lived on in his son: Kel's staying quiet was an act of incredible generosity. The whole horrible affair explained much about Kel, too: her preference for females, her distrust of males…
"I need you to promise you'll say nothing."
Kyuri nodded. Of course. This wasn't something that could ever become common knowledge, though she was glad the elder guard had opened up. Just sharing the burden had helped, she could tell - Kel's scent was cleaner, her body less tensed.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Kelapa sighed and closed her eyes.
"You already have. Thank you. Now I'll try to forget it all again."
"You'll return to Mahrayne?"
"Yes. In a little while. I just need… a day or two to recover."
"You want me to stay?"
Kelapa gazed into her friend's eyes, hesitantly.
"I'd love the company. If you don't have anything else planned."
Kyuri smiled and kissed her gently.
"Nothing that won't keep…"
The three days with Kyuri had left Kel feeling comforted, relaxed, back on an even flightpath. The memory of the horror was still there, but blunted, hazy now with distance. It had happened, and she had survived, and she now had someone who loved her. That Mahrayne also loved Zorun still made her uneasy, the faint guilty feeling she experienced - after all, this was the second time the pair of them had been caught up in a triangular relationship - was uncomfortable (which, she told herself, was fucking stupid: she'd known Mahrayne first), but she could deal with it. Had to deal with it: Zorun was here to stay.
Leteetza and Ti'aasaan held their sleeping hybrids gently, rocking soothingly: Radittsu had the newest brats and Ra'vahn and Za'rayne snuggled into his mane. The Saiyans - along with Zha'haabron and Jeice - were in one of the side rooms, trying to come to terms with everything they'd learned over the past two hours.
Zha'haabron broke the silence.
"This must remain within the family. No-one else must know - at least until we've had a chance to train the hybrids. All of them." he added, glancing at his hostlings in their sire's arms. Ti'ani and Le'leen's revelations had explained a number of things that had been troubling him about the younger hybrids…
Leteetza nodded.
"Vejiita will want to know."
"Fuck that." growled Radittsu, to Ti'aasaan's obvious relief. "They're nothing to do with him, any of them."
The little warrior frowned.
"He'll have to know some time."
"Undoubtedly. But not yet." Zha'haabron smiled. "They are under my protection as R'ren'nkh'ian citizens."
"They're half-Saiyan."
"Would you rather have them protected and trained in the use of their abilities, or sit here debating the intricacies of nationality?"
She grimaced.
"You have to understand I'm his majesty's Companion, I would be dishonouring my position if I didn't put his side." She grinned wryly. "No matter how half-heartedly!"
Zha'haabron chuckled.
"Indeed."
**Thank you, my Ssii'iin** Ti'aasaan's relief was almost palpable. The king stroked his face.
**I will not have your sirelings used, sweetheart. Nor my own hostlings. Should it become necessary, I will take them back to R'ren'nkh'ia. But we must also take into consideration their own wishes**
"So, where do we go from here?"
Zha'haabron smiled at his bondmate.
"You and I will continue their physical training. And - if Jeice is willing - " the hash'shavven nodded, "he and I will start their... 'mental' training."
"For as long as I can, anyway." Jeice added. "Until I'm needed to advise about my people."
Leteetza frowned.
"But you'll be coming back, won't you? Afterwards I mean."
Jeice frowned.
"Leteetza-sama, the whole point of this conflict is to return Home to the hash'shavven. So that my people can go home."
"… and it's your home too… I'm sorry, Jeice - I just somehow thought you'd always be with us."
He kissed her cheek.
"I always will be, though my body may not…"
Kel returned to the suite, looking and feeling much happier, and for fifteen days everything continued much as normal, although there was an underlying sense of urgency as Zha'haabron and Jeice worked to develop the hybrids' self-control and defensive abilities. Distracted by his concerns for his sirelings, Ti'aasaan insisted Zha'haabron concentrate on them: his own troubles could wait. The new brats almost visibly grew bigger every day, and Leteetza started feeding them tiny pieces of minced meat, delighted when they started trying to help themselves, grabbing handfuls and more often than not missing their mouths (which led to frustrated and angry howls, until Radittsu glared at the pair, at which they quieted - much to their mother's joy.)
And then Kelapa had come back to find Mahrayne with the twins and Jeice…
Leteetza was sympathetic to Mahrayne, but she could fully understand the Guard's reaction - after all, she'd known how deeply Kel was 'bonded' to her lover, even if it wasn't quite what Saiya-jin or R'ren'nkh'ia-jin understood as a bond. She also knew there was nothing she could do about it. They'd either sort it out between them or they wouldn't. And if that meant she had to pick up the pieces - well, it wouldn't be the first time. At least the family were there to help.
Six days after Kelapa had left Mahrayne, the Saiya-jin/R'ren'nkh'ia-jin Alliance went to war with the Omanir for possession of the planet once known as Home.
© 2002 September 5th Joules Taylor
Little sister.
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Big brother.
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