Array

Hijau woke suddenly, jerking upright.
      Something wrong…
      He glanced down at Zha'haarak, lying on his side snuggled close, holding a strong golden hand against his flat stomach. He was far too hot…
      The gentle zn'hre whimpered, and Hijau slammed his tail down onto the alarm button Vinas' team had had fitted beside the bed, knowing as he did so it was too late. The tiny scrap of ki that had been within his beloved had faded out.
      Vinas and Gtislin were in their temporary quarters within seconds, medication at the ready, working to bring down the prince's temperature even as they gently cleared away the sticky mess from between his legs. As Zha'haarak slowly cooled down Vinas gazed at Hijau, expression sympathetic.
      "I'm sorry, Captain."
      The Saiyan nodded, cradling his bondmate to him. They had discussed this possibility too, almost expected it after the difficulties the king had had - not that that made dealing with the grief any easier, though it did help them to keep the pain to themselves rather than *broadcasting* it to the rest of the family.
      Zha'haarak's eyes fluttered open, and almost immediately brimmed with tears as his hand went to his belly.
      **Oh… I… I'm sorry, zkai'da…**
      Hijau kissed his forehead.
      *You have nothing to be sorry for, beloved.*
      Zha'haarak swallowed hard, then eyed Vinas.
      "May we try again?"
      The biotech looked up from his ever-present monitor, smiled faintly, and nodded.
      "There is no reason why not. I want you to rest for two days, then we'll check you over, and if all is well we'll make a second attempt." He regarded Hijau. "It would be good if you can both rest. Are you permitted down-time?"
      Kyuri had almost shoved him through the wall in her haste to get him out of the office when he'd told her what they had planned, and growled at him not to come back until Zha'haarak was 'good and fat and blooming with little bratlings' - which was somewhat impertinent, though he couldn't fault her enthusiasm, or affection. Radittsu and Zha'haabron, and more surprisingly Vejiita, had been more than happy to indulge the pair of them, too. He smirked mirthlessly at Vinas.
      "I am."
      The Feeodoreean nodded.
      "Very well. I'll have one of our servitors allocated to you: you must be hungry by now." He inclined his head to Zha'haarak. "How do you feel, your highness?"
      The zn'hre managed a trembling smile.
      "Determined, chief medic."
      Vinas' eyes twinkled.
      "Good. We will do all we can to help."

"Again."
      Kiraz swiped his arm across his forehead to stop the sweat from dripping into his eyes: opposite him, smirking infuriatingly, 'raadiin hovered, watchful, ready to counter his next attack. So far the Saiyan prince hadn't managed to lay a finger on the zn'hre. Though his own bruises would be painful for a day at least.
      Fuck it! 'raadiin shouldn't be stronger! He growled to himself and launched another flurry of blows - only to find himself slammed into the arena wall. Almost howling with frustration, he turned to retaliate, to find Radittsu standing before him, 'raadiin grinning over the trainer's shoulder. The big Saiyan glowered.
      "You aren't reading your opponent!"
      "S'not fair! S'not my fault he's stronger'n me!"
      Radittsu crossed his arms.
      "No, it isn't. But you're just blundering in without thinking - of course he's going to beat you!" He huffed and shoved a hand through his mane. "Right. There are a few special techniques it would be good for you to learn… I could show you myself, though Hijau would be the best person to teach you…" he frowned to himself, then grinned, "…but while he's on down-time I'm allocating Merica to train you."
      The young warriors flinched. They'd heard stories about Merica's style of training… Radittsu smirked.
      "Heh - you'll both have to keep your eyes open." He glanced around the arena: the other sessions were winding down too. Meal time… "Go eat. You're with Kyuri afterwards."
      Kiraz groaned. He really did not enjoy his sessions in the administrative offices…

Kobis had his tail surreptitiously wrapped around his aijin's waist as they listened to the Council debating Alliance policy. They'd been in the council chamber for a couple of hours, and while much of what was being discussed was a little beyond them, they'd nevertheless found it fascinating - if only to see how their papas behaved towards each other! But it was nearly lunchtime, and Kobis was desperately hoping his empty stomach wasn't going to growl…
      Vejiita's eyes flickered to his son, then he rose to his feet as Zha'haabron finished answering Limau's question about R'ren'nkh'ian proficiency in the use of nitorine. The room respectfully quietened: the Saiya-jin-no-Ou inclined his head.
      "We will break for a meal. Re-adjournment in two hours."
      Going by the alacrity with which most of the Council members left the chamber, Kobis hadn't been the only hungry Saiyan in the room. Zha'haabron smiled at the youngsters.
      "Will you accompany me back to the suite? Unless you want a word with them?" He glanced at Vejiita, who shook his head.
      "Now, no. And they are excused any further attendance, today - with your agreement, of course." He inclined his head to the High King, who nodded. "But I want them both to write a resume of what was discussed in the last two hours, along with their own thoughts on the matters under review." He smirked at the crestfallen faces. "You both need training in statecraft. And in the fine old art of listening to what's being said."
      Kobis pouted.
      "But we were listening, papa."
      "So prove it."
      The High King chuckled and ushered the pair from the room, Vejiita prowling at his side. In the corridor they separated, Vejiita to return to his chambers, the zn'hre and Kobis to their own wing and platters piled high with meat.
      The Saiyan prince tucked in eagerly, shovelling food into his mouth as though he hadn't eaten in days. 'haabron giggled.
      "You'll choke…"
      "..o Oi 'on't…"
      Shaking his head the zn'hre turned to his sire, who'd retrieved 'dittsu from Leteetza and was sitting with 'vahn and Z'rayne, eating a little more sedately.
      "Papa, what sort of thing does Vejiita-sama want us to do?"
      "Just as he said, zk'vissin. He wants you to write down what you can remember of what we talked about, and what you think about it. Did you understand it? How might it affect you? The R'ren'nkh'ia-jin? The Saiya-jin? Any other species? Did you agree with what was said, or not - and if not, why?"
      Kobis frowned and swallowed.
      "That sounds hard…"
      Zha'haabron smiled.
      "See what you can do. I'll read it later, and we can discuss what you've written."
      "Can we talk about it? Between ourselves, I mean?"
      "Of course. But I don't want you both to write exactly the same things. Try to write the report from your own feelings, not each other's. Does that make sense?"
      'haabron nodded: Kobis looked uncertain, and the zn'hre kissed his cheek.
      "It would be boring if we both wrote the same thing."
      Kobis eyed Zha'haabron.
      "But what if we both think the same?"
      "That is perfectly acceptable - though we'd want to know your own reasons for thinking that way."
      Kobis still looked a little unsure. 'haabron cuddled into his side.
      "I'll help you if you get stuck." He glanced at his sire. "How long do we have, papa?"
      Zha'haabron inclined his head, considering.
      "I imagine tomorrow morning would be soon enough. The reports don't have to be long, but you do need to include anything that you feel was important - so it might be to your advantage to draft them as soon as possible, while the discussion is still clear in your minds."
      Kobis pouted.
      *I wanted us to have some time to ourselves this afternoon.*
      'haabron nuzzled his neck.
      **We still can. Let's work on these together, get the main part done, then we can take a break…**
      Kobis smirked.
      *That's a good idea.*
      'haabron grinned at his sire.
      "Do you think you could read them later, after evening meal, papa?"
      "Do you think you'll have them written by then?"
      "I think so."
      "Then yes, certainly."

Ti'ani and Le'leen had bundled 'fallon, 'miiron and 'zhasaan, and 'jiisa who'd insisted on going too, into fur bodysuits - Cold Season might be over but it was far from comfortable outside, for zn'hre anyway - gathered their guards, and taken the zn'hre to the forest on the edge of the city.
      The afternoon was cool but bright, sunslight shimmering on the carpet of tiny flowers on the banks of the lake. 'fallon had hissed with delight, hovering above the plants with his nose close to their sweet-scented petals, then flown to a massive fallen tree, where he perched and gazed around himself.
      "It is beautiful here!"
      Le'leen swung 'zhasaan into his arms and joined his machii on the tree, grinning.
      "It is, isn't it?" He nuzzled the nape of 'zhasaan's neck. "Do you like it, zk'vissin?"
      'zhasaan roused himself sufficiently to smile and nod. Ti'ani exchanged an anxious look with his twin: their little dreamer was still troubled, prone to sinking into blank-eyed 'vacant' spells, and easily tearful. It was a real pity, thought the hybrid, that Jeice wasn't here right now. The little hash'shavven would have been able to soothe 'zhasaan's fears…
      But in the meantime they were all coping. To everyone's surprise, 'miiron had proved the most useful: while remaining his usual protective self, he'd taken to treating 'zhasaan as though nothing had happened, and even speaking sharply to his sibling on occasion, which had acted to snap him out of whatever emotional state he was about to enter. It didn't always work, but when it did it made a huge difference to everyone.
      Now 'miiron sat himself on the tree and pulled 'zhasaan into his own arms; just recently the younger zn'hre had grown until he was actually a little taller than his older sibling. He smiled at Ti'ani.
      "If you all want to go hunting, I'll stay here with 'zhasaan."
      The hybrid frowned.
      "Are you sure?"
      "Yes." He gestured around them. "It's lovely here, and very peaceful. And I know you three," he included 'jiisa in his glance, "are itching to hunt. And we have plenty of guards."
      This last was true: after the attack none of the children were allowed to leave the family's wing without at least three warriors each as guards, and since the contingent of zn'hre warriors had arrived from R'ren'nkh'ia one of those had to be zn'hre…

The occasion of their arrival had been a cause of some celebration. Zha'haabron had met the shuttle at the spaceport, while the children had been at lessons: they arrived back for the midmorning meal to find the king in conversation with an unfamiliar zn'hre.
      The hostlings had stared. The newcomer was big, a little bit bigger even than their Ssii'iin, and had rich, deep blue skin, shoulder-length blue-green hair and golden-green eyes. And he was striking - not as beautiful as the king, but certainly eye-catching in a bold, assertive way.
      He introduced himself as Fa'saayen.
      Ti'aasaan and Zha'haarak exchanged a startled, delighted glance, then the little zn'hre grabbed the warrior's hand.
      "Ti'zheenan's mate!"
      Fa'saayen's eyes had widened, then his face fell.
      "I could have been."
      Ti'aasaan frowned.
      "But… Why aren't you with him? What happened?"
      The warrior gazed at the little zn'hre for a moment, then shook his head.
      "I don’t know what happened to Ti'zheenan. I can only assume he died."
      There was a startled silence, then -
      "But he's living at the royal enclave. With your three sirelings."
      Fa'saayen stared at them, disbelievingly. Zha'haarak frowned.
      "Where have you come from? How did you not know?"
      "I… I was at Shi'aand's enclave… I was injured… I didn't learn about the liberation until long afterwards… he's alive? I didn't know! " He beamed, eyes bright, and bowed his head to Zha'haabron. "My Ssii'iin, may I use your comm unit? I must speak to him…"
      Zha'haarak raised a warning hand.
      "A moment, please…"
      Mastering his impatience with some difficulty, Fa'saayen inclined his head. Zha'haarak gestured to Ti'aasaan, who explained Ti'zheenan's story to the zn'hre warrior…
      At the end of the account Fa'saayen was frowning.
      "He's taken up with a Saiyan?"
      Ti'aasaan nodded.
      "Suguri - commander of the Guard on R'ren'nkh'ia. Ti'zheenan tells me that he is happy, that Suguri is an affectionate mate and loving… 'father'. And the hostlings seem happy and well-adjusted…"
      His voice tailed off at the expression on Fa'saayen's face: this was obviously not what the warrior wanted to hear. Zha'haabron laid a hand gently on his shoulder.
      "He believed you dead, skria'shiin. And Suguri approached him, offering protection, comfort…"
      Zha'haarak nodded.
      "He has missed you, Fa'saayen. He said himself he would have been content to remain with you."
      The warrior nodded reluctantly, then gazed at the king.
      "May I contact him, my Ssii'iin?"
      Zha'haabron frowned, considering. It would be unfair to say no - but Fa'saayen was exhibiting a very un-zn'hre-like possessiveness. It would also be unfair to Ti'zheenan not to give him advance warning… The king inclined his head.
      "I will speak to him first. After the children have left for the second half of their morning lessons."

It was morning at the royal enclave. Ti'zheenan's hostlings, along with a handful of other zn'hre young, were in the classroom there, sharing lessons with the family's children from the spacious chamber at the end of the corridor. Suguri was on duty: Ti'zheenan answered the call, beaming delightedly and gracefully bowing his head at the sight of his Ssii'iin.
      And Zha'haabron's heart sank. The enflamed scar of a Saiyan claim mark was darkly clear against the distant zn'hre's slim neck…
       Ti'zheenan had paled at the news, slender hands rising to cover his throat.
      "He… he is there?"
      Zha'haabron nodded.
      "Do you wish to speak to him?"
      The delicate zn'hre had chewed at his lip for a moment, then sighed.
      "I must. Yes, please, my Ssii'iin."
      The king beckoned Fa'saayen to the comm link, then ushered everyone else in the suite - Ti'aasaan, Zha'haarak and the babies - to the sleeping platform to give the pair a little privacy. Ti'aasaan gazed apprehensively at his Ssii'iin.
      "Do you think they'll be all right?"
      Zha'haabron was anxious himself - though comforted a little by the fact neither showed any signs of bonding, either to each other or anyone else. He sighed.
      "Much depends on how Fa'saayen feels about sharing Ti'zheenan with Suguri."
      Some minutes later Fa'saayen peered tentatively around the screen and half-smiled at Ti'aasaan.
      "He'd like to speak to you for a moment - if you don't mind."
      The little zn'hre slid from the platform and hurried to the comm link, smiling grimly as he heard the warrior zn'hre ask Zha'haabron what claiming meant…
      Ti'zheenan looked terrified, his palm flat against the screen. As Ti'aasaan placed his own against the monitor, the distant zn'hre bit back a sob.
      "Ti' zvi'ch, what am I going to do?"

Eventually it was decided there was nothing much they could do, at least until Fa'saayen returned to R'ren'nkh'ia. Ti'zheenan would speak to Suguri - he had to know, if for no other reason that Fa'saayen insisted on meeting his sirelings in person. The notion of claiming hadn't gone down very well with the warrior, nor was he enamoured of Zha'haabron's vision of zn'hre/Saiyan families…
Personal considerations aside, however, he was an excellent guard, and good with the children. Radittsu had even persuaded him to give a few training sessions on the R'ren'nkh'ian way of combat. And 'raadiin had found a new hero.

Ti'ani stroked 'miiron's hair.
      "You sure you'll be all right?"
      He nodded, nuzzling at 'zhasaan's neck.
      "We'll be fine. Enjoy yourselves!"
      As the hybrids and 'jiisa disappeared into the heart of the forest, 'miiron, 'zhasaan still in his arms, smiled at 'fallon.
      "Will you weave us another tale?"
      The shy zn'hre's eyes sparkled.
      "If you will give me the threads."
      **Is that well with you, little dreamer?**
      'zhasaan nodded. 'miiron delicately *slid* through their sire's *shielding* and sorted through the memories bound beneath, carefully teasing one thread from the bundle and *spinning* it out towards 'fallon. Who closed his eyes, brow furrowed in thought for a moment, then smiled… His *voice* assumed a sweet, musical depth, his hands dancing gracefully in the air.
      **In the days of future-far-away, when 'haabron sits in the High King's chair, there will come Omanir to Vejiitasei, seeking the Emperor's favour…**

Kobis had been pleasantly surprised by how little time it had taken them to finish the assignment, and even more by the fact that he'd actually enjoyed it! 'haabron closed his scriber with a satisfied sigh and beamed at his aijin.
      "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
      Kobis stroked a cool blue cheek with his tail.
      "Wouldn't have been nearly so much fun without you!" He shivered as 'haabron buried long fingers in soft ebony fur, kissing his tail-tip firmly. The zn'hre's golden eyes were warm and loving, his voice soft.
      "Shall we take a break?"
      Kobis was upright and pulling the prince to Jeice's room before he had a chance to draw breath…
      Once inside, Kobis peeled the warm bodysuit from his young lover's body, quickly stripped off his own, then pushed 'haabron down onto the large low bed, straddling his hips and gazing solemnly into his eyes.
      "I want to try something. Trust me?"
      'haabron gave him that smile, the one that always made him feel like he was melting, and nodded. Kobis kissed his throat - then shifted to lie between his legs, face close to the zn'hre's groin as his hands fondled the growing erection. 'haabron sighed contentedly - then gasped as the Saiyan held his hips pressed to the bed and licked quickly, shyly, up the length of his inkei.
      **Aijin!!**
      Grinning, Kobis licked again, more slowly this time, tongue following the curves and grooves of the muscle that gave the zn'hre so much control… such smooth cool skin… he slid the tip of his tongue under the protective fold of skin over the head, teasing as 'haabron whimpered and gripped his mane hard, then - greatly daring - took the whole organ into his mouth…
      Grinning wryly to himself as 'haabron cried out and erupted into his throat, the sweet effervescence tingling on his palate and the back of his tongue as he swallowed, the sensation pulling 'haabron immediately erect again. The zn'hre pushed at his lover's head.
      **P… please… aijin… too sensitive…**
      Gently releasing the cool blue shaft, pressing little kisses to the quivering flesh, his hands slid around to cup the lean buttocks as he kissed his way up to lie on top of the zn'hre.
      *Gods, I love your taste… I love you…*
      Trembling, 'haabron hugged him breathlessly tightly - then forced a hand between their bodies to wrap around both erections as his other hand found the base of Kobis' tail. The Saiyan froze, eyes wide with delight, then collapsed bonelessly as 'haabron teased and stroked his tail, kneading at the shafts in his hand. As Kobis stiffened and they both came, the zn'hre licked along his lover's jaw.
      **I don't care what papa says, I want to feel what it's like to have you inside me**
      Kobis groaned at the thought, instantly erect again, and rolled to lie beside the zn'hre, fingers caressing the swollen nub and soft, cool folds of skin that guarded his love's chitsu… Suckling at 'haabron's neck, before the young zn'hre could stop him he slid a finger inside…
      'haabron grabbed his hand before he could move.
      **Aijin… um…**
      Kobis frowned and tried to pull back, only to wince and freeze as rings of barbs pierced his finger.
      *Ah… Um… can you relax?*
      **I don't know! I've never had to!**
      Kobis swallowed nervously.
      *Please try, koibito. I don't really want to have to call your papa in here to help. Or anyone else for that matter!*
      Biting his lip, 'haabron half-closed his eyes in concentration.
      **I… I'll try…**
      And rather to their amazement he managed to partly retract the barbs. He later put that down to a side effect of the control he'd learned from bell-dancing: at any rate, Kobis was able to ease his finger out with only a few scratches. Deep and painful ones, but they'd heal quickly…
      'haabron gently licked the torn skin, expression woebegone.
      **Oh, I'm so sorry…**
      Kobis smirked and kissed the corner of his mouth.
      *Shall I ask Rad-chan to teach me that 'shifting' thing the grownups do?*
      He'd half meant it as a joke, but 'haabron nodded sombrely.
      **You must, aijin. And I'll ask Ti'aasaan if he knows of anything I can do to make things safer for you**
      Kobis blinked, then took the cool hands in his own.
      *You're serious, aren't you?*
      'haabron smiled again.
      **Aren't you?**
      The Saiyan grinned broadly and crushed the zn'hre to him, nibbling at his neck. Oh yes, he was serious all right!
      *When?*
      **As soon as possible…**

Ti'ani, Le'leen and 'jiisa arrived back in triumph, their (amused and bemused) guard carrying the brace of wild pigs they'd caught. To the zn'hre's delight 'zhasaan looked better for the expedition too, calmer and more relaxed, altogether more alert. 'miiron was obviously very happy…
      Moments later Kiraz and 'raadiin arrived back, all smug smirks. 'fallon beamed and glued himself to his sire-sib's side: 'raadiin kissed his forehead and wrapped an arm across his shoulders, leading him to the bathroom for a quick shower before the evening meal. Kiraz scowled in their direction, then brightened as Pirum and 'selaan came back from their afternoon session with Gtislin, heads together and deep in conversation as they entered the common room. The Saiyan tickled the Hassinan's nose with the tip of his tail, smirking and flicking it out of reach as she tried irritatedly to slap it away.
      "Missed, snowball!"
      She pouted at him - then stuck out her tongue.
      "Go irrigate yourself, you annoying intestinal parasite!"
      He raised an eyebrow.
      "Is that any way to speak to a prince?"
      She snorted.
      "The day you behave like a prince, imbu, is the day I'll treat you like one!"
      He smirked and swatted her backside lightly with his tail as she walked past, sniffing, her nose in the air, refusing to react. He could be so fucking childish sometimes.

That had all been six days ago. Now Hijau and Zha'haarak were back in the suite, allowed home by Vinas since the second attempt at implantation seemed to have been successful - so far at any rate - and buoyed up on the family's love. Leteetza, Zh'leet and Mahrayne had hustled the children through to bed to allow Radittsu and Zha'haabron and Hijau and his bondmate a little time together in the bathing pool: Ti'aasaan was spending the night with Merica and Jagung.
Radittsu nestled his beloved close, Zha'haabron sitting in his lap, the Saiyan's arms wrapped tightly around him as they watched Zha'haarak and Hijau making love, their every movement, caress, kiss redolent of adoration. Zha'haabron sighed silently and nestled back against his bondmate.

**It is wonderful, ne?**
      Radittsu kissed his claim mark, a faint, rapturous shiver rippling through him.
      *Oh yes…*
      The king twisted to brush his lips across his Saiyan's warm jaw.
      **I love you. I wish I could tell you how much…**
      Radittsu's eyes closed, his smile pure contentment.
      *Beloved… I know. Truly, I know…*
      Zha'haabron ran gentle fingers over the beloved face.
      **I would still like to be able to *tell* you…**
      Radittsu nuzzled his neck.
      *One day we may both be able to do so…*

Half a planet away a young lordling paced his chamber, chewing on the end of his tail and unable to sleep for nerves.
Tomorrow Peyaru became part of the royal family. And he was scared shitless…!