Kinfolk
"Do I have to?"
Leteetza scowled.
"Yes you do! It's your mei, Radittsu."
"And my damned brother will be there!"
"You haven't seen him in… how long? Nearly a year?"
He growled something that sounded suspiciously like "not fucking long enough" then grimaced as the little female tweaked his tail, hard.
"Don't bother arguing. You're coming with me. To guard the brats if nothing else."
And with that he couldn't argue…
Radittsu glowered at his brother - then his eyes widened as he *focussed*…
"Ototo?"
Kakarotto smirked ruefully and nodded.
"Heh, yeah…" His hand went to the back of his head in that half-embarrassed half-shy gesture that had been his habit as a child. Radittsu frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.
"So what happened?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
The elder brother snorted.
"How can you not know!? For fuck's sake 'rotto, you've gone from third class to Elite! That's just not possible."
"Well obviously it is, because it's happened!"
"Have you told 'tousan?"
The spiky head shook reluctantly.
"Why not?"
"Because…" Kakarotto chewed his lip, then eyed his brother. "Look, can we go somewhere else to talk about this?"
Radittsu glanced through into the bedroom, where Tamata was feeding the new brat, Kome (a surprising break with tradition, that, but Tamata had liked the sound of it and Kakarotto had no objections…) and talking with Leteetza, 'jiita and 'dittsu happily wrestling on the floor at the females' feet. They all seemed happy enough…
Leteetza flashed him a grin.
*Go on. We have plenty to talk about.* Her eyes twinkled. *Including you two…*
He blinked, then grinned.
*Won't be long.*
She raised an eyebrow.
*Don't hurry back on my account. I'll call the palace for an escort if need be, but Tamata says Baadakku's visiting later, and I'm sure he'd be happy to see me back safely.* She *growled*. *Like I need it…*
He smirked.
*Vejiita-sama doesn't want you placing his heir in any danger. Do what he wants, koi.*
She sighed and nodded and turned her attention back to Tamata and the baby. Kome was quite adorable, her heavy knee-length ebony mane showing her kinship with her uncle. Leteetza grinned as a strong little tail wrapped around her wrist.
"Heh, elite ki."
Tamata nodded, expression troubled.
"I know."
"Why does it worry you?"
"Because… because it simply shouldn't happen…"
Radittsu was thinking exactly the same thing. Out over the plain two pale golden ki trails streaked for the distant mountains, Kakarotto easily keeping pace with his brother.
He had to admit, it had come as a shock to them all when Kakarotto had been born with such a low ki: with Elite parents it should have been impossible. Nevertheless the brat had developed other skills at an early age: he'd been able to fly well before he could walk, and was fighting brats twice his size by the time he was a year and a half.
Radittsu frowned. Come to think of it, his little brother hadn't done too badly for himself, even with third-class ki. OK, he hadn't been able to follow in the family tradition and join the Guard - at least, he hadn't until now - but he'd done all right for himself. He'd survived, which was almost a miracle for a third-class warrior on the kinds of campaigns he'd experienced.
And now? Well, the coming 'chat' was obviously long overdue…
Five hundred light years from Vejiitasei the sleek, streamlined, beautiful starship coasted effortlessly through the vacuum. Onboard, the Hyoujin diplomatic delegation had been carefully reviewing what they knew of the Saiyan-jin.
The task of researching the species had fallen to Zaheen Shan-Ikar-Chen of the Hyou, esteemed xenologist, seconded to the team at the last moment when her counterpart - Razamandi Barfani-Neeg-Chen - had pleaded for and been granted compassionate leave to attend upon a sick relative. And Zaheen wasn't happy about it.
Hyou-go was a complex and ancient tongue, replete with subtle cadence and tonal nuance - and rich in curses, most of which Zaheen had uttered in the last three days. And now she glared at her screen and chittered briefly, unconsciously, with annoyance. For this she had to put her research into the Pleohrmashlisilardai on hold? To come nearly two thousand light years to act as… as… cultural analyst to a planet of uncultured, uncivilised savages?
Taaqat, the Raionu delegation leader, eyed her somewhat superciliously - adding to the xenologist's irritation.
"There is a problem, Mmeer Zaheen?"
Other than that I shouldn't even be here? "Indeed no, Mmeer Taaqat."
"Then might we hear your synopsis?"
"Certainly." She glanced around the table: Khiyal, the technical analyst and the closest thing she had to a friend on this mission, twitched her tail in a sympathetically encouraging manner. Zaheen blinked slowly.
"Memeer, I will be brief. As you all know, the Saiya-jin are primates, in form and basic movement similar to ourselves, and possessing tails. And there our similarities end. They have no science or technology of their own: they use that devised by other species, principally the Tsufuru-jin, who were the original inhabitants of the planet and bequeathed to their successors their limited - by our standards - technology."
Khiyal frowned.
"And yet they are space faring, and have managed to build a respectable empire in a short space of time…?"
Zaheen nodded.
"It cannot be denied they are a powerful species, proud, aggressive and combative. Many of the Saiya-jin Empire member worlds approached them first, requesting membership as a way to protect themselves from their enemies."
Dhar was contemptuously sceptical.
"If they have no technology, how are they able to protect their members? With weapons stolen from other races, I suppose."
Zaheen hesitated. The big Torai, she freely admitted if only to herself, frightened her, and wasn't going to like what she said next.
"They don't use weapons. At least, not physical ones."
Dhar fixed her with an accusatory stare.
"Continue."
"They have the ability to draw on inner energy - which they call ki - and shape it into a powerful destructive force."
There was a startled silence. Khiyal leaned forwards, eyes wide.
"You mean like…?"
Zaheen nodded. Dhar growled quietly to herself.
"Then we must be wary of these... monkeys…"
"Indeed." Taaqat was thoughtful. "They could prove very powerful allies…" She was pensive for a moment, then regarded Zaheen. "What else have you discovered?"
"They are…" she grimaced "patriarchal - although since their males outnumber their females that is perhaps not so surprising."
"And how are their females treated?"
"As best I can tell - and please understand that cultural information is a little hard to find - they are treated quite well. The Saiya-jin, male and female, respect strength - and ki - and there is equality between the sexes, in their warrior caste at least."
That raised a ripple of interest.
"They have castes?"
Zaheen frowned.
"Of a sort. Social class depends on ki - the stronger the ki, the higher the individual in the caste system. The king - the Saiya-jin-no-Ou - is the strongest person on their world. Apparently ki is no respecter of gender, and high-ki females are equal to their male counterparts and treated accordingly."
Dhar was growling continuously.
"That's disgusting! How can males be treated as equal to females…?"
Zaheen sighed silently. Council had insisted on all three Hyoujin septs being represented in the mission, hence Dhar's inclusion, and it had to be admitted that she was exceptionally good at all aspects of security - as she should be, it was her job - but in common with a lot of military Torai she could be infuriatingly narrow-minded…
"We must remember, Mmeer Dhar, that they are primitives, barbarians. We can't expect them to have our enlightened viewpoint."
Dhar rumbled to herself a few times then subsided. Taaqat inclined her head.
"So we will be dealing exclusively with males?"
"In the main, yes."
The Raionu sighed.
"Then we had best resign ourselves to the fact. What else can you tell us? Generally speaking."
"They have no arts of their own."
Taiz, the linguist, groaned quietly. Zaheen grinned at her.
"And Saiya-go is an astonishingly simplistic language. The monkeys don't even use their tails for anything more sophisticated than communicating basic emotion, and even that is instinctive!"
A ripple of amusement around the table - except for Dhar, who growled again, her own tail eloquent of derision. Taaqat smiled.
"I don't think this delegation will have too many problems…"
Zaheen raised a long, clawed hand.
"May I urge us all, Memeer, to be mindful of Saiya-jin aggressiveness? Although we can assume, since the Empire comprises so many disparate members and races, that the monkeys are comfortable with dealing with aliens, nevertheless we do not wish to insult them."
"Thank you, Mmeer Zaheen," Taaqat's tail evinced faint annoyance, "I'm sure we will all remember that. Is there anything specific we should be wary of? Do they have any deities we should avoid offending? Anything of that nature?"
"Not that I have been able to discover."
"That's something, I suppose… What about the Saiya-jin partner - R'ren'nkh'ia? Anything we should know about them?"
Zaheen shrugged.
"A saurian race, several different types of lizards able to interbreed, none of them particularly attractive. Skilled in the use of chemicals, and the planet is rich in precious stones and rare metals. Other than that it's a dustball. Nothing to recommend it." She frowned pensively. "There is one anomaly, though. They produce quite beautiful music. Strange for what is, quite frankly, an ugly and brutish species. I'm hoping to be able to archive some recordings while we're on Vejiitasei: it's hard to find anywhere else."
Dhar glared.
"As long as it doesn't conflict with your specified duties."
Zaheen smiled, a little nervously.
"Mmeer Dhar, it is a part of my specified duties!"
Taaqat twitched her tail, and the Torai settled down again. The Raionu turned to Zaheen.
"Are we likely to meet any of the R'ren'nkh'ia-jin, and if so, how should they be treated?"
Zaheen shrugged.
"I suppose there may be some on Vejiitasei. I would suggest we treat them with the same respect we would treat any other sentient. They must have something to recommend them if the Saiya-jin accepted them as allies…"
'selaan sighed and frowned at Pirum.
"Well, the first stage went well. But we really need data on 'haabron and Kobis to complete this phase of the project…"
The young Hassinan scowled.
"I know. And they keep avoiding me…"
The young researchers' project was going well. They'd watched, closely but surreptitiously, the activity on the sleeping platform and in the pool, then asked questions. A lot of questions. And nearly everyone had been obliging. They'd recorded data on the sexual habits of Saiyans - Radittsu and Hijau, and Leteetza, had been most helpful. Bemused, but definitely helpful… - and zn'hre - Ti'aasaan and Zha'haarak had helped out there. Jeice and Keisan had been happily forthcoming on the subject of hash'shavven intimacy, and Pirum knew quite a lot about the Hassinan simply from living in the female quarters (and she'd listened to the talk about the males that had been such a topic of interest amongst the grownups): Mahrayne had answered her questions willingly, although some of them had, Pirum thought, brought her close to tears. So had talking about Hassinan/Saiyan sex, with males and females. But 'rayne was almost-crying a lot these days. Pirum was unhappy for her - but couldn't help thinking that it was partly her own fault…
Zha'haarak had held the hostling close to him as he described, quietly, how his bond with Hi'ijaa had made their physical relationship so very, very special. Ti'aasaan nuzzled both children and told them all about his nights with Jagung and Merica - and Mahrayne, and Leteetza, and Jeice, and Radittsu, and...
They'd even managed to watch 'raadin and 'fallon together, once, though as 'selaan pointed out, asking the pair about what they got up to in private was asking for pain.
But no matter what they did, they hadn't managed to catch 'haabron and Kobis. Those two really loved their privacy…
Radittsu and his younger brother sat in the snow on the highest peak of Yoseiyama, ki keeping the cold at bay, and talked.
They'd never really talked before. Exchanged insults, yes, fought, yes, but talked?
It wasn't easy. For long minutes, to start with, they sat in an awkward silence, gazing out across the land. Finally Radittsu turned to Kakarotto, frowning.
"So what happened?"
The younger warrior's shoulders slumped.
"I really don't know, 'dittsu - not the details, at any rate."
"When did it start? I mean, it must have happened gradually or someone would have noticed?"
"I… I think it was when Tamata got pregnant, the first time."
The bigger Saiyan nodded. Vejiita's ki had taken a leap upwards with every child he'd sired, too - as had his own, though rather less noticeably. Yet it didn't seem to happen with other bloodlines, only those connected to the royal family. Which was interesting, but of no practical help right at this moment.
"And it increased again during the Omani conflict. I was on Budoushu…"
Radittsu winced. He hadn't known that. In fact - let's be honest - he'd paid his brother's life no attention whatsoever over the last twenty years.
"You were injured?"
His brother nodded and pulled down his bodysuit. Three deep, wide, parallel clawslashes furrowed the pale skin of his chest and belly, a near-fatal wound, as Radittsu knew from personal experience. Kakarotto grinned.
"Bet you didn't know you and the squad saved me along with everyone else!"
The big warrior eyed the smaller for moment, then smiled.
"I didn't. But I'm glad."
Kakarotto lowered his eyes - and blushed! Radittsu frowned.
What the fuck…?
Then he scented it. 'rotto was… proud? Proud of him, of his big brother, for doing so well, being so happy and so successful. Proud!
He blinked. He'd never thought of it that way.
There was no jealousy in his ototo's scent. Kakarotto begrudged him nothing.
Radittsu turned to his brother and hugged him, hard. Kakarotto froze - then tentatively hugged back. Pulling apart, they grinned at each other. Wiping out twenty years of neglect, disparagement and loss in an instant.
Saiyans didn't hold grudges.
"C'mon. I know a decent tavern in the alien quarter. We'll stop there for a while, have a drink while we make plans."
Kakarotto shoved his hand through his mane.
"Uh… like what?"
Radittsu slapped his back, knocking him forwards.
"You're Elite. You should be in the Guard. And I'd like my brother as part of the Royal Guard. If you'd like the job." he added.
"You can do that?"
"Hijau's part of the family. He won't turn down a personal request, and he can't deny you're powerful enough."
Kakarotto chewed his lip.
"Tamata would like it. So would otousan and kaa-chan. And it wouldn't hurt 'nippu or Kome, either." He smiled shyly. "I'd like it too."
"Then I'll see what I can do." Radittsu stretched, then sighed gustily. "Let's get back. We have a lot to organise…"
The Hyoujin craft - the Bright-Leader-Chained-Around-With-Fire - had landed with due ceremony, the delegation had been met by an honour guard of Elite warriors and escorted to the palace, where they'd made themselves (somewhat to their surprise) very comfortable in the extensive suite allocated to them. Manzano had bowed respectfully as he took his leave.
"I trust these quarters will suffice. If you have need of anything, please advise my department. The audience is scheduled for tomorrow morning: I will escort you to the Saiya-jin-no-Ou. I trust this is agreeable?"
Taaqat inclined her head.
"Indeed, sir. We thank you for your welcome and the hospitality of your people."
Zaheen glanced at Khiyal as the diplomat smiled and departed.
"That wasn't so bad."
The technical analyst sighed.
"No. They're really not as unpleasant as I had expected. And," she lowered her eyelids in the Hyoujin equivalent of a blush, "they are a lot less - smelly than I'd anticipated."
Zaheen smiled understandingly. She too had expected the Saiya-jin to have a much coarser, ranker scent, but had been pleasantly surprised to find that they smelled rather… nice… faintly musky, with a hint of sunwarmed fur. They obviously took personal hygiene seriously, which augured well. At least the delegation's nostrils would not suffer while they were onworld.
Dhar prowled around the suite, checking exits and potential security hazards, of which there were disappointingly few. Finally- reluctantly - satisfied, she gave the delegation the all-clear. Taaqat nodded her appreciation.
"I think we should all rest. Tomorrow will, I believe, be a long and interesting day…"
'haabron and Kobis had completely lost track of time.
They'd sneaked out of the suite an hour before first sunsrise, suppressing their ki and hiding from the night guard in the shadows under the balconies, then flown hand in hand and swiftly to a secluded little spot in the palace grounds, hedged around with fragrant shrubs and close to a tiny waterfall. Kobis had spread the heavier fur he'd brought from the palace onto the cool ground, then gently, tenderly, peeled the bodysuit from his young lover's body, enfolding him in a warm ki-shield and kissing the cool blue skin as it was uncovered, fingers trembling, eyes wide and worshipping as starlight and the faintest golden haze of early morning sunslight sparkled over his aijin's skin. He pulled the zn'hre prince into his arms, sighing against his neck.
*Aijin… I love you so much…*
'haabron shivered and hugged the young Saiyan tightly.
**Zkai'din…**
Kobis pulled his zn'hre down to lie on the fur, dragging another over them both then, with tail and tongue and fingers and *voice*, tried to tell his beloved just how much he was loved…
Zha'haabron was as close to annoyed as Hijau had ever had seen him. 'haabron was missing - along with Kobis - and they were due at the reception for the Hyoujin in less than five minutes. Jeice, Leteetza and Radittsu had already left.
"Someone must have some idea of where they could be!"
'tiisaan was unconsciously wringing his hands: the hostling hated it when papa was upset.
"We've tried, papa, truly we have! But they're so good at hiding. And they aren't *answering*."
Arms folded over his chest, scowling, his lips a thin line, the king went to the balcony and *shouted*…
'haabron jerked awake in his aijin's encircling arms - and panicked.
**Koi! KOI! I'm late!**
Kobis, sated, languid and weary after a protracted lovemaking session with his beloved, opened one eye and dragged the zn'hre against his warm body.
*Mmmm… late for what?*
**The reception! Papa's just shouted for me…**
*So? My papa shouts all the time!*
**But my papa doesn't, unless he's very, very angry! It *hurts* when he shouts…**
Kobis struggled upright and regarded his koi worriedly.
*Oh shit. Umm, will he punish you?*
**No - but it's horrible when he's angry. Scary**
Kobis was pulling on his bodysuit.
*It was my fault, aijin. I'll speak to the Ssii'iin.*
Squirming into his own clothing, 'haabron sighed.
**Thank you, zkai'din, but I'm as much to blame. It wouldn't have mattered, except for the reception…**
Kobis felt the fur on his tail prickle at the sight of his ajin's sire, and understood what 'haabron had meant by 'scary'. He bit his lip and tried to apologise, but Zha'haabron glowered at the pair of them with a hissed, "We will discuss this later." and pointed his hostling in the direction of the bathroom. Kobis went with him, and five minutes later the zn'hre prince, chastened, still damp, but presentable, joined his sire, and the pair headed for the reception chamber.
The richly appointed room was full, representatives of the major Empire members already in their places awaiting the arrival of the Hyoujin. With the exception of the Alliance partner. Zha'haabron had still not arrived.
The Saiya-jin-no-Ou had not been pleased.
*Can't he keep his brats under control?*
Leteetza sighed.
*Well, Sire, it's partly Kobis' fault…*
Vejiita glared.
*Arrange for them to spend more time in council. They both need to learn some responsibility.*
Leteetza would have responded, but at that moment the Elite honour guard had ushered the Hyoujin delegation into the chamber.
Jeice watched, wide eyed, as the Hyoujin prowled through the chamber to the low dais on which the King, Leteetza, Radittsu (and the King's Companion's latest twins), Zorun and himself waited to greet the aliens.
They were beautiful. They reminded Jeice of the sleek, intelligent hunting cats of his homeworld, but these creatures walked upright, the slight forward inclination of their small strong bodies balanced by long graceful tails stretched behind them. Such long, elegant, supple arms and legs… such poise… such beautifully patterned fur…
Vejiita rose to his feet as the leader - a tawny creature with large turquoise eyes and regal demeanour - stood before him and bowed gracefully from the waist. Her Common eloquent, if slightly nasal, and her voice low with a thrumming undercurrent, Taaqat made formal request, in the presence of the Empire representatives, for Zaisan to join the Empire. Vejiita bowed slightly, and formally accepted her request, placing Zaisan under the protection of the Empire, temporarily, until a permanent treaty could be forged. And the media and recording devices that were now a regular annoyance on such occasions transmitted the news across the member worlds…
The Saiya-jin-no-Ou had apologised to Taaqat afterwards, in passing, that the Alliance partner had not been present to greet them. Taaqat - her tail expressing condescending amusement (as if this was something of any importance!) to her colleagues - had said that was perfectly all right, no doubt they would meet soon, in Council if not before…
And then…
Vejiita gazed past Leteetza, his eyes narrowing.
*Finally!*
He turned back to the Hyoujin, smiling.
"May I present our Ally in the Empire, the High King of R'ren'nkh'ia and his successor, the Prince Zha'haabron."
He gestured to the main doors to the room. Zha'haabron, 'haabron before him, stood at the top of the sweep of steps that led down from the entrance.
There was a moment's stunned silence. Then, as one, the Hyoujin delegation dropped to one knee, their heads bowed. After a long moment Taaqat rose, bowed deeply from the waist before straightening up again, arms spread wide as she faced the startled High King and began to speak.
In perfect zhaneer.
© 2003 February 2nd Joules Taylor
Mmeer - term used to address a female who may be considered, temporarily, of equal rank, even if in the normal course of events she is of a greater or lesser rank than the female speaking. The Hyoujin wish to present a united front to the Saiya-jin, so although Zaheen's skills and knowledge give her a higher rank than Taaqat, for the course of the mission they - in fact all of the delegation - will be considered equals and address each other as Mmeer.
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Memeer - plural of Mmeer.
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