Moonlight
Vinas was looking disgustingly pleased with himself, Radittsu thought as he ushered Zha'haabron into the medcentre. The Feeodoreean was almost doing what the Saiyan assumed was his species' version of grinning, which was completely unheard of.
The king slid carefully onto a diagnostic couch and sagged, breathing an almost silent sigh of relief. This hosting was proving even more tiring than Ra'vahn and Za'rayne's - and he was bigger. Scans had shown that one of the twins was unusually large, and for a while Vinas had worried that the smaller of the two might not be receiving enough protein, but Radittsu had been able to confirm there was nothing wrong with the brat. Absolutely nothing at all. In fact, he showed signs of being a lot stronger than his larger sibling...
The big Saiyan eyed the biotech for a moment as Vinas laid the scanner across the zn'hre's swollen abdomen, wondering if he'd mention of his own accord whatever it was he was so pleased about. Vinas watched the monitor for a moment or two, then regarded the king.
"All is proceeding well, your Majesty. I believe we can confirm the date of birth as being within two days either side of FullMoon."
Radittsu groaned silently, remembering last FullMoon. Zha'haabron would need to return to R'ren'nkh'ia for the births, again - but at least he would have his bondmate with him. The big Saiyan was heartily relieved he'd been on Vejiitasei at last FullMoon: Zha'haabron couldn't argue with him about missing the season this time. But Vinas was still speaking.
"I'll speak with Zh'leet - it would be beneficial to increase the concentration of the nutritive mix. Other than that, all that is required is rest."
Zha'haabron nodded. Vinas turned to the Saiyan.
"I believe that you would like to be the first to know, Radittsu-sama. We have now isolated and synthesised the hormone that causes the metamorphosis into your 'king monkey' form."
There was a brief silence, then the Saiyan frowned.
"So?"
Vinas' eyes closed briefly as he mentally took a breath and counted to six, then tried very hard to keep the sarcastic intonation out of his voice.
"This means, Radittsu-sama, that your people will no longer be forced to return to Vejiitasei at least every other FullMoon. Further, you will be able to... 'go ouzaru' even where there is no moon."
The Saiyan's eyes widened.
"And it really works?"
"We believe so. We require further testing, of course. We are hoping to do so after the season."
Radittsu nodded pensively. If it worked, it would make the Saiya-jin so much more powerful... And being released from the need to return home would make life much easier for those serving offworld... He grinned.
"How's it work?"
Vinas eyed him for a moment, then launched into a complex description full of technical and biochemical terms that Radittsu couldn't even pronounce, let alone understand. He waved his hands.
"I mean, what effect does it have?"
Vinas stopped in mid flow and thought for a moment.
"The drug allows you to control the transformation. It will provide you with the necessary chemical release without you needing to transform, if that is what is required, or conversely allow you to transform even when there is no moonlight. In other words, you can visit mooned worlds - including Vejiitasei - without transforming, and transform at will when on unmooned worlds."
Radittsu gazed at his bondmate, slowly beginning to understand what it would mean to them, to Hijau, to Zorun, to all Saiyans with alien partners. To have control, to no longer be at the mercy of the moon... to have the luxury of choice... The change would be dramatic - and much welcomed.
"When can I try it?"
Vinas shook his head.
"No, Radittsu-sama - you will not be one of the volunteers. We need to be absolutely certain it is safe before allowing any of the Elite to try it."
The Saiyan growled, reluctantly admitting the wisdom of the plan. Zha'haabron reached for his hand.
**But later, zk'aida, think of the advantages...**
**... the advantages, zkai'da.** Ti'aasaan grinned up into his bondmate's face. Zorun sighed in agreement and nestled him a little more closely, keeping a wary eye on Zo'rien. The hostling was still small - smaller even than Ti'vien, his sibling born three hundred and three days after Zorun's return - and probably always would be, but he was slowly gaining strength, and ki, and was a bright, alert and intelligent child. He adored his sire, and had grown into a close, loving friendship with Ti'nesia - not too surprising as far as the zn'hre were concerned, since they were machii, though the Saiyans were a little taken aback. But Zorun didn't seem to mind - in fact, he didn't seem to mind Mahrayne being close to the family, these days...
It had confused Hijau, and through what remained of their bond Zorun was aware of the Captain's puzzlement. He'd approached Hijau one afternoon, asking to speak with the younger Saiyan. The Captain had eyed him curiously.
*Sit. What is it you want to say?*
But Zorun shook his head.
*Let's fly out to the plain.* He smirked slightly. *You know the place.*
Hijau blinked, then frowned.
*You want me to fuck you?*
Zorun chuckled, but it wasn't a particularly happy sound.
*I hadn't planned it, but since you mention it...*
In a way that was understandable, Hijau thought to himself. Zorun had refused to say exactly what had happened to him in the year and a half he was missing - even, Zha'haarak had said, to Ti'aasaan - although the nightmares that plagued him, and the still-livid scars on his genitals, buttocks and tail, strongly implied repeated and agonising torture. Whatever he'd suffered had gentled him to some extent, superficially at least, but the urge to violence was still there - just a little more deeply buried.
Giving in to it with an old lover would do him good, Hijau thought.
And Zorun apparently agreed.
They were both battered by the time Zorun submitted, allowing Hijau to shove him roughly over the well-remembered boulder and thrust into him, pounding hard and fast, both of them coming within seconds of each other. Slumped over his aijin's broad pale back, panting, Hijau used his tongue to lave the bites he'd inflicted, then gently eased out of the strong body and pulled Zorun down into his arms. To his surprise the larger warrior permitted it, head resting against a golden brown shoulder.
*Want to talk to me now?*
Zorun nodded.
*Be good to talk to someone. I don't want to burden the little 'un...*
*He's tough, he could take it.*
*I know. But he suffered enough while I was gone. Don't want to make that worse.*
*So...?*
Zorun leaned back against the sunswarmed rock, tail wrapping the captain's waist.
*Not sure what was worse, the pain or the humiliation... fucking Warui-jin caught me.*
Hijau shivered, tightening his arm across the guard's shoulder. Zorun bowed his head.
*Yeah, I know you experienced them too. I had them all the way back to Karilun...* His voice tailed off, and he swallowed, his eyes pain-haunted. *Not going to talk about that... They have an institution on one of their member worlds, something like Hanbai. I was sold to one of the slavers.* He closed his eyes. *You can imagine the rest.*
The worst of it was, Hijau could: images, sensations from Zorun's memories were leaking through their bond. They'd used ki restraints, and leased him to anyone who could pay the - admittedly not high - price they asked. Some of the things he'd been forced to do... Hijau gritted his teeth and held him tightly. Zorun drew a deep shuddering breath.
*I lost track of time. If Cendawan hadn't found me... She'd been there for years, they'd picked her up during the Omanir mission. She needed what was left of my strength to get her out: I needed her knowledge of the place to make it work... Still not sure how we succeeded.*
Hijau stroked his white-streaked shaggy mane. Cendawan had returned to Rumput, to rejoin all that was left of her family, her brother Jagung, where she had found a measure of peace looking after the palace children. Her own son - she and Zorun had named him Zetsubo - was with her at the moment, although Zorun had insisted on his spending at least a quarter of his time with the family (for which, Merica had reported, Cendawan was almost pitifully grateful. The maimed, scarred female had been terrified that Zorun would want nothing to do with a son born solely from biological necessity...)
*We stole a cruiser. And Melocoto nearly shot us down before she realised who we were...*
*Nappa's mate rescued you? How ironic.*
*Damn right... but by that time the Ssii'iin had arrived on the scene. Nappa couldn't do anything. So we were handed over. The rest you know.*
Hijau nodded slowly, one hand stroking the big warrior's back.
*You were missed.*
*I know. And I missed Zo'rien's birth...*
Hijau glanced sideways at the bowed shaggy head.
*And Ti'nesia's.*
*His too.*
The captain paused for a moment, then sighed.
*Does it bother you?*
*That Ti'nesia's Tia-chan and 'rayne's? No. Not any more.* He shifted slightly to look into the captain's deep green eyes. *Aijin, after everything we've been through, I don't have the energy to be angry any more. I was dead to you all: 'rayne and Kel affirmed their claim. I have Tia-chan, and the family, and the brats. No-one could ask for more. Let it be.*
Pirum stretched and yawned widely, grinning at 'sel. The zn'hre straightened up and rubbed at his neck, loosing the clasp that held his long, vivid green hair back and running long slender fingers through the heavy silky mass.
"I think that's enough for today."
Pirum heartily agreed. This latest project - a refinement to the new 'moondrug' - was exhausting, if extremely satisfying... She inclined her head, smiling, as 'sel's expression went blank for a moment. That probably meant Kiraz was *calling*... 'sel smiled at her.
"Our Saiyan wonders if we'd like to join him in the Alien Quarter for a meal. It seems Ry and 'raadiin want a little time to themselves this evening..."
The Hassinan nodded enthusiastically. The eateries in the Quarter were rapidly becoming fabled as each proprietor vied to outdo all the rest: a meal there was a gastronomic marvel.
"Do we have time to get changed?"
'sel raised a fine eyebrow, but nodded. Although he found the Hassinan... obsession with clothes and decoration puzzling, he'd lived with Pirum for long enough to know how much she enjoyed it...
"We probably have time for a bath and a little fun, too. Kiraz won't be off-duty for another hour."
Pirum licked her lips, warmth growing in her groin.
"Come on then!" She grabbed for the zn'hre's hand and tugged, pulling him off-balance as he removed his lab coat to reveal the brief white silky bodysuit underneath. 'sel laughed as he steadied himself.
"I'm sure our Saiyan won't mind waiting... joining in, I mean. Whichever eatery we choose is bound to be overjoyed at playing host to princes, there'll be no problem in getting a table."
"Yes, fine, good, now can we get home? I want to fuck you..."
A bemused smile on his face, 'sel scooped the Hassinan up in his arms and flew her back to their suite...
Kiraz stripped off his armour and bodysuit, growling at the entwined figures on the sleeping platform.
"Fuckin' great. Started without me again..."
He slid onto the platform, and rammed into 'sel without warning: the zn'hre gasped as he was shoved forward more deeply into the Hassinan - then whimpered as Kiraz, evil grin on his face, wrapped the base of the zn'hre's inkei with his tail, the tip caressing 'sel's nub... The zn'hre came, his head flung back, Pirum's nails digging into his shoulders as she also climaxed...
Kiraz smirked, pulling out of 'sel and thrusting back in, tail tip arousing the zn'hre again and one hand sliding under his cool body to fondle Pirum's nipple. As the Hassinan squeaked and pushed upwards against his hand, Kiraz tugged at 'sel's shoulder, indicating they should twist to lie on their sides - far less tiring and more... versatile than their current position...
Pirum wrapped her legs around the zn'hre's waist, her hand reaching down and around to cup the Saiyan's balls as his tail wrapped her waist and teased her nub. One strong hand slid down 'sel's body to rub and pinch at his nub, the other played with her nipple: Kiraz bit back a yelp as 'sel's cool slender hands teased his tail. Gritting his teeth so as not to come too soon, the Saiyan pounded into the slim blue body in front of him, grinning as his thrusts gave added impetus to 'sel's thrusts into Pirum's body...
When they came it was together, shaking and gasping and collapsing together in a sprawled, panting heap. Pirum sighed happily.
"Do we have time for one more?"
Kiraz glowered at her over 'sel's pale blue shoulder.
"Not if you want a decent meal tonight, snowball!"
The Hassinan pouted with a put-upon sigh.
"Oh, very well! I'll expect you to make it up to me afterwards, though."
Kiraz smirked, his eyes narrowed.
"Oh don't worry - I will." He kissed 'sel's jaw. "Could you make an effort tonight, aijin? Wear something pretty?"
'sel glanced at the Saiyan over his shoulder.
"Why?"
Kiraz offered an exasperated humph.
"Because you're beautiful and I want to show you off."
'sel blinked, then smiled bemusedly.
"Oh. Very well then. Do you have any preference as to attire?"
"Wear the gold. And those earrings and bangles I gave you." He glowered. "Might as well get some use out of them..."
Pirum was glaring at him.
"And don't I matter?"
Kiraz shrugged - but his eyes were gleaming.
"Just wear anything you want..."
It was a safe enough thing to say - Pirum never looked less than delicious whatever she was wearing...
"That was very good." 'sel drained the last of his wine and leaned back in his seat, smiling lazily, eyes half-closed, oblivious to the wide-eyed stares he was attracting in the almost-sheer loose leggings, close-fitting cropped top and beaded sandals he'd slid into at Kiraz' request. His hair was loose, for once, spilling down his back and pooling on the seat. He looked, the Saiyan thought, the heat rising in his groin, absolutely delicious. Beside him, her diaphanous silver-blue robes a cool contrast to the zn'hre's golden attire, Pirum sighed and leaned forward, chin cupped in her hand.
"Can we do this again?"
Kiraz smirked and nodded. He'd heard from 'tiisaan that this eatery with the unpronounceable name specialised in catering to Hassinan, and it appeared that it had lived up to its reputation.
Pirum grinned.
"It was a good choice. Perhaps you do have more than two brain cells to rub together, after all."
'sel raised long elegant hands before Kiraz could splutter a reply.
"Children, please. Let's not spoil a delightful evening by bickering." He jumped as Pirum slid a hand under the table and squeezed his inkei, then smiled at Kiraz, golden eyes smouldering. "Shall we retire? It's still early..."
As FullMoon approached those who were going offworld for the season began to leave. Many of the Hassinan in Vejiitamachi were travelling to Kori: those at the Kamome caves were mostly remaining onworld - the whole area was out of bounds to Saiya-jin during FullMoon, at the Saiya-jin-no-Ou's decree. And the zn'hre were returning to R'ren'nkh'ia, the whole family this time, with their bondmates - although Zha'haabron had insisted that the Saiyans spend at least the three days of FullMoon itself on Vejiitasei. The arrangement suited everyone, more or less, though Radittsu had already made it clear that if his sirelings hadn't been born by then he would be staying on the desert world.
And to the family's joy Jeice had asked to accompany them - though Leteetza suspected there was an ulterior motive for his request. She hadn't forgotten that Zha'haabron's nervous system was now resistant to all known anaesthetics, a fact Vinas had reluctantly confirmed when the King's Companion approached him shortly before their departure.
"No, my lady." He had glowered, frustratedly, angry at his inability to devise something that would work for the High King. "And given the size of the larger hostling this delivery is going to be both protracted and painful, and more difficult than the last. Jeice' assistance will be required. And this time we will be unable to keep the knowledge from Radittsu-sama."
Leteetza nodded: her erstwhile-aijin was going to hold himself responsible for his bondmate's pain. If Jeice could alleviate it at all - which Vinas believed he could more effectively now than last time - matters would be more satisfactory all round...
**Papa is apprehensive**
Kobis looked up from the sleeping platform where he was cuddling Ish'nandra after a highly satisfying love-making session, and frowned at his bondmate: 'haabron was gazing pensively out of their window, one hand absently toying with a lock of his hair.
*He seems fine.*
**Yes. But Le'leen says that 'zhasaan has *peeked*, and the smaller of the hostlings is going to be unusual**
*Unusual how?*
**He doesn't know. But papa caught the future-echo and is now worried. He's trying to hide it - and mostly succeeding - but not from me**
Kobis kissed the drowsing Ish'nandra gently then padded over to stand behind his zkai'da, arms sliding around the slim strong blue body.
*Is he going to be healthy - and whole?*
**'zhasaan thinks the... aberration is going to be mental, rather than physical**
*Then it could be something good. Look at the abilities the other hybrids have developed!*
'haabron nodded.
**I know. And it's silly to worry. But 'zhasaan doesn't usually *peek* - or tell us anything, unless he believes it's significant**
The Saiyan kissed his bondmate's hair.
*Do you want me to stay here? I'm sure I can miss FullMoon this once.*
'haabron shook his head decisively.
**No. I want you to go back with Ry and Kiraz. I won't have you suffer**
*Very well. I'll return with them - no need for me to stay there any longer than the three days.* He sighed. *I'm going to miss you.*
'haabron twisted into his embrace, smiling gently.
**I'll miss you too. But it's only three days, zkai'da. It'll pass before you realise it**
*Mm.* Kobis wasn't so certain. 'haabron kissed him.
**I want you to enjoy yourself. Promise me**
And sighing, the Saiyan prince promised. He never had been able to deny 'haabron anything.
As it happened, Zha'haabron started labour an hour before the ship taking the Saiyans back to Vejiitasei was due to leave: it departed without Radittsu, who planted himself at his bondmate's side and refused to be moved.
The big Saiyan had eyed Jeice with some confusion as the hash'shavven arrived and took his place at the head of the delivery couch, hands resting on the king's hair. He'd been horrified when Vinas had explained the situation to him, and glared furiously at his bondmate.
*When this is over, you and I are going to have a little chat about honesty...*
Zha'haabron gazed up at him, teeth gritted: the hostlings had been twisting themselves into position for birth and not being too careful about what they kicked in the process.
**Please do not make this any more difficult, zkai'da. If pain is the price for us to have our own hostlings, then that is what I will pay**
Growling, Radittsu subsided, wincing as the king gripped his hands to breaking point as Vinas swiftly and carefully cut him open...
Zh'leet took the first hostling, the larger of the two, into her arms, wrapping him in silk and grinning happily: pale golden skin and rich blue mane and tail, and his eyes were blue, the deep blue of Vejiitasei's twilight and speckled with gold.
Then Vinas lifted the second hostling into the world...
The furious hissing *wail* nearly *deafened* the entire enclave: it was probably just as well that Vinas wasn't 'pathic or he'd probably have dropped the hostling. As it was the angry little face that glared up at him was positively alarming. For a moment he didn't know quite what to do - then a gentle pair of hands took the baby from him, and 'leesaan said quietly,
"Perhaps you ought to see to papa. I'll take care of this one for the moment."
By the time the biotech had sealed the incisions he'd had to make in the king's body and checked that all the bleeding had stopped, the elder zn'hre prince had calmed the newborn, although the hostling was still fretful, tugging on a dark green plait as 'leesaan paced with him, rocking him gently. At a gesture from Radittsu 'leesaan carried the infant to his parents, lowering him into the exhausted king's arms. The hostling pouted up at his host, then wrapped a long green tail around his wrist and cuddled close. Zha'haabron chuckled painfully.
"We have a brat prince, I think."
Radittsu, the larger twin held securely in his arms, peered down at the baby hybrid, then grinned.
"Heh. He looks like you."
Zha'haabron stroked the hostling's face.
"He's prettier. And stronger."
The Saiyan frowned, and focussed, then gazed at his bondmate bemusedly.
"That's one way of putting it."
'leesaan smiled. The hostling was already more powerful than any other hybrid had been at birth - not to mention more self-willed, even now.
He may not be a seer, but nevertheless he could foresee interesting times ahead...
© 2004 September 26th Joules Taylor
