Fight
"Right, you two. We have a new recruit joining us today. I want you to keep an eye on him while he finds his feet."
'raadiin and Kiraz looked up from their mid-morning meal, eyeing Retasu warily. They'd had a couple of… disagreements with the big, solid and very short-tempered special squad member since their induction, and hadn't enjoyed the resultant reckoning. Their personal status made no difference: until they could beat him in combat they were to do as they were told, when they were told…
To be fair, the big officer didn't hold grudges, and didn't treat them any differently to any of the other young recruits. The pair had just been so used to being the strongest of their siblings, and treated with a flattering deference as became their status as princes by those outside the family, that it had come as something of a shock to be treated as just another couple of elite trainees.
They both stood and saluted their superior officer, hearts sinking. What was he going to saddle them with? He smirked, one eyebrow quirking.
"His father's been training him, up at the family estate on Kitaa. He'll be arriving after the mid day meal: I'll expect you in my office then."
Kiraz nodded, then frowned.
"Sir? Why us?"
Retasu smirked.
"Because you know the family."
They glanced at each other.
"We do?"
"His name is Ry. He's the young brother of the King's Guard."
Kiraz stared after Retasu as the guard inclined his head, turned on his heel and left the messhall, then sat back down to resume his meal, eyeing 'raadiin curiously, waiting to see how his friend reacted to the order. It was sometimes difficult to know just what 'raadiin would do - and the young zn'hre warrior was really very fond of Zorun, despite the circumstances of their first meeting, and had been deeply angry and upset with Mahrayne and Kelapa. That his host was now in this strange… relationship… with the big Saiyan had left him feeling confused - heh, had left them all confused! - and Zorun was often in the suite now Kinu and 'jau were bondmates, still hesitant about his position in the family. And now they were to mentor Zorun's brother? It was all a little troubling…
'raadiin glowered at his half-eaten meal for a moment or two, then scowled at the young Saiyan.
"Fuck this. P'rhaps we can put him off, get him to ask for someone else to babysit him."
Kiraz swallowed and inclined his head.
"He might be all right. Zorun is."
"Yeah, but Nappa isn't."
"That's different."
'raadiin snorted and pushed his plate away, his appetite gone.
"I'm going back to train. Coming?"
Sighing, Kiraz snatched a last couple of mouthfuls and followed his sparring partner to the training arena. Great. His hebi was in a mood. This did not bode well…
Ry looked like a child version of Zorun, Kiraz thought to himself as they saluted each other in the proper manner. Same eyes, same mane… He was nearly five years older than the princes, and quite a bit taller than Kiraz, though since 'raadiin had put on a growth spurt just recently the height difference between the zn'hre and the newcomer was less noticeable. 'raadiin regarded the new recruit with hostile eyes: Ry didn't seem to notice, eyes wide and fixed on the zn'hre's face. The Saiyan prince blinked - then smirked to himself. The new recruit's scent had just changed, and Kiraz had seen that reaction to the lizard prince before…
"Kiraz and Zha'raadiin sleep in the zn'hre barracks. You will stay with them until further notice. They will be happy -" the officer's hard stare at 'raadiin advised him that he would be happy or Retasu would know the reason why not "- to answer any questions you might have. You'll accompany them to afternoon classes today: tomorrow morning Raditts'-san will handle your assessment. Dismissed."
Ry followed the princes out of the Guard's office, silent until they were outside the building, then grinned broadly at 'raadiin.
"Heh, s'good to be here! What's the food like?"
He accompanied the question with a light tug on 'raadiin's plaits - not a wise move. A second later he shook his head dazedly and pulled himself from the wall where the zn'hre's lightning-fast throw had landed him, rubbing at scraped and bruised skin.
"What the…" his voice tailed off as he stared at 'raadiin: the zn'hre was hissing, balanced in a battle-stance, hands glowing as he gathered ki.
"You will keep your fucking hands to yourself."
Ry gaped, blinking, then nodded quickly. 'raadiin glowered at him for a few more seconds, then rose and stalked off to the teaching block. Ry stared after him, then frowned at Kiraz.
"What's the matter with him?"
Kiraz smirked.
"Long story…"
It wasn't until mid afternoon meal that Kiraz finally realised part of the reason for 'raadiin's resentment. Retasu had essentially ordered them to sleep in barracks until further notice - which meant 'raadiin would have to curtail his nightly fuck with 'fallon. The timid little zn'hre was afraid of the barracks - of the warriors in them, at any rate, most of them were three or four times his size - and could only rarely be tempted over, and even then usually only when Kiraz was elsewhere. With two Saiyan males in the small suite it was extremely unlikely he'd venture there. So 'raadiin was sulking.
He left the messhall as soon as he'd finished eating, without a word to his companions. Ry stared after him for a moment, then frowned at Kiraz.
"He'd be a lot prettier if he didn't scowl all the time…"
The prince smirked - and proceeded to explain to the newcomer exactly why the zn'hre was in such a bad mood. Ry's eyes were huge by the time he'd finished.
"But… with his brother?"
Kiraz cocked his head to the side.
"You obviously don't know much about the zn'hre…"
Ry eyed him for a moment, then grinned.
"Nothing at all. But you're going to tell me, aren't you…?"
'raadiin was at his usual place in the lecture room, sprawled negligently at the back, still scowling. Ry and Kiraz took the seats to either side of him (at which he glowered but, mindful of Retasu's orders, did not object) and the class settled down to listen to today's advisor, the va'ha'da Vi'haloken, veteran of the Omani conflict speaking about the war against the Budoushujin - something that was still recent enough to keep the class enthralled. Though Ry found his attention wandering to the creature beside him…
He could have brats as well as make them? He was a sort of female?
Ry tried to imagine what he must look like under that full bodysuit… Slim and muscular, long legs, graceful hands… And he was very pretty, even with that scowl. Lovely golden eyes. And very strong - Ry rubbed the back of his head, which still smarted from its impact with the wall.
Kiraz had said the lizard respected strength. It got him all... stirred up. And that he really did like having his hair stroked and played with, he'd only been joking about the hands… The prince's voice had dropped as he whispered that 'raadiin often hit people he really liked, it was a zn'hre sign of affection…
But 'raadiin didn't like it if you made it too obvious you liked him. You had to be sneaky about it…
Not something that came easily to Ry. But if 'raadiin really did like him… He licked his lips… Kiraz had invited him to take early evening meal with the family tonight. He'd get to meet the rest of them - and see 'raadiin off-duty and relaxed.
Glancing sideways again, watching the zn'hre's long fingers absently toy with a bright green plait, he licked his lips again. He couldn't wait…
*What is it, heshna?*
Ti'ani jumped at Jeice's *voice*, then sighed.
*I'm sorry, Je-chan.*
The hash'shavven sighed and stroked his mane.
*Still suffering?*
The young hybrid nodded. That strange urge he had for his machii still troubled him. Not as much as it did - the training programme Zha'haabron, Radittsu and Jeice had devised for the hybrids required concentration and focus, and helped Ti'ani forget about his feelings for much of the time. And since 'raadiin and Kiraz now spent a large part of their days with the Elite Guard he really only met the young warrior during the evening when the pair returned for a meal. Though even that was hard, seeing 'raadiin cuddled close to 'fallon, and afterwards, fondling each other in the pool before disappearing off to one of the side rooms… It hurt.
But with Jeice's help, he was coping. The fact that Zha'haabron didn't really approve of his sireling's actions helped a little too…
'raadiin and 'fallon had been fucking for about forty days before Zha'haabron found out, and he had not been pleased. The subsequent 'interview' with the pair had left 'fallon in floods of tears and 'raadiin tight-lipped and shaking. As the king dismissed them both, Radittsu wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Wasn't that a little harsh? After all, they seem to be devoted to each other - well, 'fallon's devoted to 'raadiin at any rate. And they're both healthy and unharmed…"
"That is not the point!" Zha'haabron hissed, exasperated. "'fallon is too young to be copulating."
The Saiyan nuzzled his neck.
"But they're both fine - very happy, in fact. And after all, you didn't mind Kobis and 'haabron getting physical…"
Zha'haabron shoved a hand through his hair, glaring at his bondmate.
"That's completely different! They're as good as bonded, and both mature and responsible. I can hardly say the same for 'raadiin and 'fallon!"
Which was true, Radittsu admitted wryly. Then he frowned.
"If you're so against it, why didn't you stop it before it went so far?"
Zha'haabron blinked, then shook his head.
"I didn't know about it."
The Saiyan gaped.
"But… How could you not know? Or at least have some *inkling*…"
The king glared at him.
"I try not to interfere too much in the hostlings' lives - I wish them to be independent and make their own choices - so I keep my *awareness* alert only for distress or danger. And I have been a little preoccupied of late." Which was also quite true, what with the aftermath of the Omanir conflict and Hijau and Zha'haarak's attempts at hosting… He frowned suspiciously at his bondmate. "Did you know what was happening?"
Radittsu shrugged helplessly.
"Well, yes, of course - it was plain from their scent if nothing else."
"Then why did you not SAY something?!"
"Zkai'da, I though you knew - and approved since you didn't say anything!"
Zha'haabron sank his head into his hands.
"… oh gods…"
Radittsu cuddled him, tail around his waist, kissing the side of his neck.
"I'm sorry. If I'd realised, of course I'd have said something…" He sighed, feeling the faint tremors running through the strong body in his arms. "This reminds you of how things used to be, doesn't it?"
Zha'haabron nodded, and the Saiyan held him tightly.
"It isn't, zkai'da. It's nothing at all like that. They chose to do this, they weren't forced in the least. They're happy and well-adjusted…"
"… and far too young…" It was whispered. Radittsu stroked cold, silky emerald hair.
"I know, beloved, I know… Will you separate them?"
There was a long moment's silence.
"… no… There is no point, now. But I must ask you to do something for me."
"Anything, zkai'da."
"You must tell me when 'fallon's scent changes."
Radittsu frowned.
"Changes, how?"
Zha'haabron pulled back to gaze at his bondmate, tears sparkling on his lashes. Radittsu gently kissed them away, and the zn'hre smiled tremulously.
"His scent will change once he reaches hosting maturity - at least, I assume it will. They must stop, then. I will not have 'fallon bear the burden of hosting at such a young age…"
For a moment nightmare images of his own first hosting filled his mind, the pain of his sire inside him, feeling as though he was being ripped in two, the constant pain of carrying the five hostlings within him, the dragging weariness in every muscle of his young body, the pain of the hostlings' removal - and then being drugged and carried back to his sire eleven days later… He forced his mind back to the present before the memories dragged him down. Radittsu was holding him bruisingly tightly.
"Never again, zkai'da. I'll never let anything like that happen to you again - or to the brats. I swear it. And of course I'll keep an eye on 'fallon - on all of them. And I'll tell you next time…"
So, much to Ti'ani's dismay, 'raadiin and 'fallon were allowed to continue their relationship…
Jeice sighed.
*You really should speak to him, Ti-chan. Or to the Ssii'iin…*
The hybrid shook his head.
*I can't. I just can't. I don't want anyone else to know.*
He meant it, too, and Jeice wasn't prepared to interfere.
'fallon flung himself into 'raadiin's arms as the three young warriors entered the suite, twining himself around his young mate. 'raadiin smirked and nuzzled his neck, swinging him down onto his feet and wrapping an arm around his waist. It was left to Kiraz to introduce Ry to the family.
Zorun wasn't there that evening, to Ry's relief - he wouldn't have to be quite so careful of his behaviour without niisan watching. Not that he actually got much of a chance to misbehave, with everything else that was going on.
The family was bewilderingly huge, and lively, and curious about the newcomer - especially when they found out he was Zorun's brother. Kinu, 'jau wrapped in his tail and floating along behind his zkai'da, knelt beside the Saiyan and peered up at him, grinning.
"You look like papa!" He sniffed. "Smell like him too."
'jau scrambled out from the coils of Kinu's tail and squatted, gazing up at the young male with sparkling eyes.
"Pretty!"
Ry blinked at the infant, then jumped slightly as the zn'hre Kiraz had called Ssii'irin Zha'haarak hissed at the pair, who immediately flew back to him and nestled down to eat. Zh'leet handed him a heavily-laden platter and watched him wolf the seared meats with satisfaction. The brood liked healthy appetites.
Ry watched 'raadiin covertly while he ate. The zn'hre was oblivious to the Saiyan's scrutiny - much as Ry was completely unaware of Ti'ani's intense but inconspicuous examination of him - and by the end of the meal was quite entranced. 'raadiin was definitely worth getting to know… well…
The Saiyan was puzzled by the way the zn'hre ignored his guest, however, while lavishing attention on the pretty little lizard draped all over his sprawled body and feeding him pieces of fruit. Kiraz leaned close and whispered,
"It's deliberate. He likes to make you think he's not interested. Likes to be - chased - makes it more exciting. But not here - too many people."
Well, that made sense, Ry thought to himself. Kiraz smirked.
"Why don't you try later, when we get back to barracks? It's more private there."
**You have to sleep in the barracks? But… how long for?**
'raadiin scowled irritably at Ry across the room.
**Dunno. 'Til Retasu-san says we don't have to any more, I guess**
'fallon sighed and kissed the corner of his mouth.
**What are we going to do?**
'raadiin hissed, a mixture of resignation and disgruntlement.
**not much we can do. I have to obey orders**
'fallon sniffled.
**But I'm going to miss you…** It was the equivalent of a *wail*, and 'raadiin pulled the little zn'hre close, cuddling him.
**Gonna miss you too, zk'vissin** He glanced around the room: with the exception of the new recruit (who had, 'raadiin thought, been staring, though he'd quickly averted his eyes) no-one was watching them… **We could make time for a quick fuck now. Kiraz won't mind**
Eyes wide and bright, 'fallon tugged his machii upright and over to 'their' room…
Le'leen frowned at his sibling, a little worried: the anger and misery that *simmered* just under the surface was almost painful.
*Skai'tan?*
Ti'ani hissed under his breath.
*Kusoyaro wants 'raadiin*
Le'leen blinked.
*What? You mean Ry? Don't be stupid*
*I've been watching him. He wants 'raadiin*
Oh, just fucking wonderful… Le'leen sighed and hugged his twin close.
*He won't get him. 'raadiin's only interested in 'fallon*
Ti'ani watched as 'raadiin and 'fallon disappeared into the side room. So, he noticed, rage building in him, did Ry. Seriously alarmed, Le'leen bit his twin's shoulder painfully hard. Ti'ani glared over his shoulder.
*What y'do that for?*
*To distract you. You were losing control, skai'tan*
Ti'ani opened his mouth to deny it - then realised that it was true. He blanched. All that training, all the injunctions never to lose his temper, and the first time someone looked at his 'raadiin the wrong way he could have quite easily burned their brain from the inside out…
He hissed and buried his face in his hands, realising two things simultaneously.
First, he thought of 'raadiin as his.
Secondly - he needed to sort this out, he daren't risk something like this happening again. He'd have to speak to the Ssii'iin.
Tomorrow would be soon enough for that humiliation…
Ry lay in bed, sleepless, cradling his aching jaw.
He'd taken Kiraz' advice. When they arrived back at the small and uncomfortably hot suite they were all to share Ry had watched from under lowered lids as the other two stripped and headed for their communal bathing pool. Kiraz had glanced back at him, grinning.
"You coming?"
Very nearly! thought Ry. Ye gods 'raadiin had a gorgeous body!
Swallowing and hiding his half-erect inkei behind his hands, he'd slid into the warm water as inconspicuously as he could, watching as the zn'hre unplaited his hair, hands unconsciously graceful. Kiraz watched too, and as 'raadiin ran his fingers through the heavy locks to ease out any tangles he grinned.
"Who's going to plait it for you in the morning? You won't have time to get to the palace and get 'fallon to do it…"
'raadiin blinked, then hissed at himself. Fuck it. He'd forgotten. And he couldn't manage the complicated arrangement by himself…
Kiraz nudged Ry under the water. The older Saiyan cleared his throat and ran his own fingers through the silky mass.
"Zha'raadiin-san? I could do it for y…"
A second later he shook his head dazedly from his sprawled position on the other side of the room. The zn'hre was standing upright, the water just covering his groin, hands on hips, hissing furiously.
"I told you to keep your fucking hands to your fucking self!"
He climbed from the pool - quite incidentally giving Ry an intriguing glimpse of his genitals, and stalked into the main room. Kiraz smirked and winked at his fellow Saiyan.
"Oh, you are so fuckin' lucky! He really likes you! You keep going like that - he'll be yours in no time!"
The idea was quite delicious. Though Ry couldn't help wonder, as the pain finally receded enough for him to sleep, if Kiraz was telling him the whole truth…
© 2003 April 22nd Joules Taylor
Snake.
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