Vengeance pt 2

Lutra woke from sleep to see her bondmate hunched tensely over the communit, palm pressed to the monitor. She scowled irritably. He must be talking to Ry…
      The tenshi shut her eyes and forced down her irritation. A'lestrel was missing his hostlings' sire but trying not to let it show, when he was around her at least. Seeing her hab'lan suffering in any way made Lutra feel wretched, and in this case, mean-spirited. It didn't help that her feelings were… confused where the big Saiyan was concerned. On the one hand, she still liked Ry, would even go so far to say she was fond of him but on the other... Lutra couldn't help perceiving the warrior as a rival and the need to challenge him for her Zasshu was sometimes perilously close to the surface.
      A'lestrel turned, and she caught a brief glimpse of desolation in his eyes before he smiled at her.
      *Zk'aida - you rested well?*
      Lutra forced a bright smile onto her face – she was not going to add to her hab'lan's troubles.
       *Very well, thank you.* Her stomach growled and 'lestrel smirked, prowling over to the sleeping platform.
       *Zh'leet's on her way.*
      The Zasshu settled himself gracefully beside her, reaching over to caress the prominent bulge of her abdomen. Lutra's heart contracted in almost painful joy at the happiness and delight on her bondmate's face as he sensed the tiny spark of life she carried within. A'lestrel did love her, did love their child, and that was worth any amount of aggravation. The tenshi silently renewed her pledge to be all that she could for her hab'lan, even though it was never going to be all that he needed...
      He cuddled into her side, tail wrapped firmly around her waist, and sighed disconsolately.
      *They've found no trace of 'raadiin.*
      She bit her lip, hugging him tightly.
      *I'm sorry, hab'lan…*
      He nuzzled her neck, kissing his claim mark.
      *It's… worrying. Over and above the fact that it's 'raadiin who's missing - 'raadiin, one of the strongest of the zn'hre - maazi thought he'd… 'tagged' all those who objected to his rule. Kept them under observation so they couldn't do any harm.*
      *And it's definitely one of your own people who've done this?*
      He frowned.
      *We don't know who else it could be, zk'aida. We know of no aliens on R'ren'nkh'ia - and the possibility of him being attacked by one of the native animals is just… ludicrous. No, we think it must be a rebel group. Though how they've managed to stay hidden for so long is quite beyond our understanding.*
      She kissed him gently - then pushed herself upright as Zh'leet entered, huge platter in her hands and beaming grin on her face.
      "I expect you to eat it all…"
      Lutra beamed at the brood - then dived into the food, distantly a little annoyed that her need for sustenance overrode every other consideration right now. She knew 'lestrel was worried - about 'raadiin, about Ry, about the whole situation - but she needed to eat, to build her reserves…
      Knowing that 'lestrel knew and accepted that helped enormously.
      He stroked her hair.
      *Zk'aida, I need to spend some time at HQ today. Will you be all right while I'm gone? Shall I have Ti'aasaan stay with you?*
      Lutra smiled. The little zn'hre had volunteered to… provide the protein influx her bondmate needed daily, while Ry was offworld. It was as close to an ideal solution as she could envisage: Ti'aasaan was loving, affectionate, considerate, and had a wicked sense of humour. She simply couldn't see him as a threat or rival, he was… just… Ti'aasaan… She nodded.
      *Thank you, hab'lan…* She laid her hand over his abdomen. *I love you.*
      He cupped her cheek in his hand and kissed her gently.
      *Heart of my heart… *Call* if you need me.*
      She nodded happily. He stroked her face, then smiled as the little zn'hre stuck his head around the door, grinning.
      "Zyelenyi is shouting for you. You'd better get a move on…"

Ry was completely frustrated. He'd been on R'ren'nkh'ia for eight anxious days - eight miserable days without 'lestrel - and so far there had been no sign of the missing prince. His missing prince.
      As soon as they'd arrived he and Kiraz, accompanied by a troop of Ye'vena's strongest warriors, had hunted to the south, cursing the hot breeze that had sprung up. If there were any tracks, the shifting sand would soon obliterate them…
      Ry had caught sight of a disturbance on the desert floor, a flurry of mixed transport tracks - two vehicles, it appeared. Kiraz had agreed, and for an hour they'd raced across the desert, following the faint markings.
      And then they'd reached an area of rock and scumbled boulders, and the tracks had vanished. They'd scoured the far side of the scree, desperately hunting in all directions, but by then the sand had rolled in, covering anything there might have been to see.
      The two Saiyans had ki-blasted several outcrops in their thwarted anger before flying back in the face of the ever-increasing wind. One of the rare but vicious R'ren'nkh'ian sandstorms was brewing, and they had to get back to the enclave before it hit…
      Gh'heegonan listened to them, frowning, then had them indicate on the holographic imager where they'd found the tracks and the route they'd followed, nodding gravely as Ry pointed.
      "That route leads to the Zni'iinith Ranges. An area of rocky gorges, bluffs and outcrops, full of caves and tunnels. It would take the next best thing to eternity to search it, even if 'raadiin was there, and if he had been captured, his captors could play hide and seek with us until we all died of old age."
      "We could blast the entire area - level everything."
      Ry glowered at Kiraz.
      "And 'raadiin with it, baka!"
      "We don't know he's there."
      Snarling, Ry slouched into a seat, discouraged and angry.
      *Aijin, please… just let me know you're still alive…*

'raadiin *heard* the anguished call. It broke through the pain, a bright light within him as the third va'ha'da of the hour pounded into his fettered, suffering body.
      *RRRYYYY!*
      But the scream echoed endlessly in his own mind, trapped there by the narcotic mix, and he dimly felt tears roll down his drawn face as the va'ha'da thrust one last time and came, pulling out sharply to leave him spreadeagled and bleeding on the rack. Laughing, the big lizard eased his barbed hemipenes back into their pouch and sauntered out of the chamber.
      'raadiin closed his eyes, quiet sobs wracking his thin frame, distantly surprised his body still contained enough water to produce tears, and waited for his keeper to arrive to drag him back to his pallet.
      Ry was here. Ry was searching for him…
      He didn't want to be found.
      Did he?
      He *reached* inwards, to the loathed, unwanted hostlings - parasites - growing within him. His refusal to eat, his attempt to starve himself to death, wasn't affecting them - heh, let's face it, they were getting all the protein they needed with enough left over to keep him alive, his body absorbing the excess to try to fulfil his own needs. Something Vinas would have been fascinated to know… He whimpered quietly. His mind was wandering, trying to distract him from the awful, unceasing pain.
      This must have been what it was like for papa… no, terrible as papa's life had been, his sire wouldn't let anyone else near him… this must have been what it was like for the first Zha'zhasaan, captured and degraded and raped over and over again, proud member of a proud race violated and tortured, forced to host again and again until eventually it had killed him.
      This should not be happening. Papa had suffered, Rad-chan had suffered, so that no other zn'hre should have to suffer this way.
      He had been so trusting, not believing anyone could ever wish him harm… he shifted slightly, crying out as something inside stabbed at him, at his hip - a splinter of bone, perhaps, from where one of them had gripped so tightly he'd cracked the hipbone… his chitsu was raw, gashed from the continual abuse, some of the wounds so deep they'd probably never heal properly. Even if he was left in peace to heal, which wasn't going to happen.
      His hair…
      They'd cut off his hair. Ry had loved his hair, right from the beginning, loved playing with it, wrapping it around himself when they made love, stroking and combing it, plaiting it, cherishing it… He closed his eyes, weeping. With everything else it was stupid to cry over something so… useless…
      He felt movement at his feet, the cuffs being undone and opened with a measure of care, so as not to have the barbs cause any further harm. That meant the dull grey shr'en'an had come to take him back. The smaller lizard never spoke, but was marginally less brutal than the rest, fucking 'raadiin more gently, quickly, when it was his turn. Now he swiftly unlocked the wrist cuffs and faceplate and caught 'raadiin as he slid helplessly from the metal frame. Pulling one thin, weak arm over his brawny shoulders, the lizard wrapped his own solid arm around the skinny waist and half-carried the zn'hre back to his pallet, fettering him securely then dropping to sit beside the semi-conscious prince.
      "You must drink. I won't force you to eat, but you must drink. It will only make things more painful for you if you do not, and will not hasten the death you seek."
      Dull, half-closed golden eyes blinked uncomprehendingly up at the lizard - who slid an arm under 'raadiin's back, pulled him slightly upright and held a beaker of cool water to cracked lips.
      And 'raadiin drank, gratefully, the tears trickling down his face. The shr'en'an nodded sadly, his voice the quietest murmur.
      "I am sorry they caught you. I can't do anything to help you, but I want you to know that."
      'raadiin nodded wearily, wincing as a wave of pain and weakness flowed through him. It really didn't make any difference, to him anyway. The lizard lowered him to the pallet again.
      "Rest. Rest while you can."
      As the shr'en'an loped away the zn'hre curled up as much as he could - realising that the lizard had left him without the bridle for once. He flexed his swollen, torn tongue, licking along his lips, trying to ease the stiffness in his jaw. Someone would come to administer the next dose of the drug mix in an hour or so; no doubt they'd put the bridle back on him. Best make the most of it while he could…
      He fell asleep weeping, glad no one was there to see him even as the hollow despair, the hopelessness, the awful sense of loss filled his mind.

'fallon was cuddled into Ry. The Saiyan held the weeping mass of misery, sympathetic to the little zn'hre's pain and fear, but at the same time annoyed with him. 'raadiin needed help, not tears. And yet they could do nothing until this storm had blown itself out.
      It was eerie, sitting safely here in the sound chamber under the silent chimes, watching the sand batter against the enclave's repulsor fields, a far more effective protection than any physical barrier. He glanced up as 'haabron appeared at the top of the spiral stair, lovely face sombre, and settled himself beside the Saiyan, one hand gently stroking his sire-sib's hair.
      "Thank you for coming. And for trying."
      "Don't give up on us yet, Ssii'irin'shi. I know he's alive." Please, by all the powers that be, make it so…
      'haabron touched his face gently.
      "I believe it. And I have faith that of anyone, you can find him. But…" he glanced towards the windowspace "… time is passing, and the chances of finding him whole grow more remote."
      Ry grimaced.
      "I know that! If this fucking storm would just die…"
      "I am sorry, Ry-san."
      The Saiyan groaned.
      "'haabron, please don't. I can't cope with apologies right now. I just want to kill whatever has hurt him."
      Beautiful solemn golden eyes regarded him for a moment, then,
      "'fallon, your hostlings need you."
      Obediently, the little prince sniffled, hugged thanks to Ry for his kindness, then squirmed out of his lap and made his way back to his own quarters. 'haabron twisted to take Ry's unresisting hand.
      "You have bonded with my sibling, haven't you."
      Ry shoved a hand through his mane.
      "'haabron, it's such a fucking mess. I'm… sire to 'lestrel's hostlings. Lutra's not happy about that, not really - though she's being so good about the whole thing… And 'raadiin…" He closed his eyes. "He's… we've… he's… always been there. We fit. Not completely or perfectly, but…" He eyed the prince, eyes desolate. "I can't bear the thought of life without him. Without either of them."
      He rubbed a hand across his face, shoulders slumping.
      "What does that make me?"
      'haabron smiled gently, stroking his face.
      "Compassionate, Ry. And deeply loving. There is no law that says you can only love one being. Or that you cannot share that passion equally with those that you love. You are a vital part of 'lestrel's life, and 'raadiin's life. Neither of them begrudge the other. That is not the way our minds work."
      Ry's head came up to frown into the heir's gentle gaze. 'haabron leaned forward to kiss his cheek.
      "It is not a contest, Ry. It has never been a contest. The joy of sharing - love, pain, achievement, exaltation, sorrow… it enriches us, makes us what we are. There is no jealousy, no greed - there is no room for them within us."
      Ry swallowed and bit his lip, forcing back tears.
      "I will find him, highness. I will bring him back. We will be whole."

The va'ha'da wrenched off the cuffs, watching as 'raadiin fell painfully to the floor, then grabbed one thin wrist and dragged the semi-conscious zn'hre back to his pallet, patting his cheek after securing him, leering down into eyes that looked too big for the gaunt face. He reached for the syringe, ready prepared on a ledge a short distance away, injecting the contents roughly into the prince's neck.
      "I'll have you again, later, little whore."
      'raadiin whimpered and flinched away from the massive lizard. He'd thought, dimly, that he'd experienced everything they could render when it came to pain. He'd been wrong.
      As the lizard sauntered away, 'raadiin curled in on himself as far as he could, shivering, wanting nothing more than to die, now, before anything worse happened…

The storm was easing. Ry and Kiraz had assembled a team ready to leave as soon as it was feasible. Not entirely sure where in the Zni'iinith they were going to look, but determined that they'd search until there was no hope left…
      The prince frowned at the warrior.
      "Any idea at all where we should start?"
      Ry shoved a hand through his mane, a gesture of defeated exasperation. No, he had no idea. But he'd promised, and he'd fucking keep his promise if it killed him…
      "Let's fly out to…"
      Sheer despair, and pain unlike any he'd even imagined... Ry grabbed at his head, dropping to his knees, somehow managing to stay focussed enough to *fix* on the location.
      He became aware of Kiraz' hand biting into his shoulder.
      "What the fuck…?"
      Ry's voice was hoarse.
      "Found him… hurt… we have to get him…"
      Kiraz dragged his friend to his feet, holding him while he swayed and fought to regain his balance.
      "How!?"
      Ry eyed him, eyelids flickering.
      "Drugs… got last dose… wrong…"
      The Saiyan grinned, then scowled towards the exit.
      "Still nasty out there…"
      "Then fuckin' use ki to keep the sand off!" Ry gripped the prince's shoulders, nails biting into the skin. "We don't get him right now he's going to die."

'raadiin regained consciousness as they strapped him to the rack again… The big va'ha'da leered down at him.
"Little whore…I've been wondering if I can get you to make those sounds again, like last time…"
As he tore into the prince, faceplate notwithstanding, 'raadiin screamed…

Ry halted in midair, curled into a ball, hands around his head. Kiraz caught him before he fell to the hard-packed sand far below and slapped him, hard.
      "Fuckin' stay focussed! Where is he?"
      Ry unfurled slowly, face tight and eyes hard, pointing.
      "There…"
      Kiraz grinned ferally and raced to follow the blur of speed that was his fellow warrior.

I am dying…
The realisation almost came as a surprise to 'raadiin. After all, it was what he wanted. But along with the realisation came pain. The worst yet. Leaving him breathless, voiceless…
And beyond and behind the pain was something… bright, and gentle and soft and sweet…

Ry screamed at the sight of 'raadiin spreadeagled on the rack, the huge va'ha'da between his thighs, fucking HIS zn'hre, HIS aijin, HIS love…
The lizard exploded in a ki-blast of raw power. As Kiraz directed Ye'vena's force to hunt through the mess of caves, to find the rest of them, Ry landed beside the rack, keening unconsciously, wrenching apart the fetters and lifting the thin, bleeding, suffering blue body into his arms. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he cradled 'raadiin close, nuzzling what was left of his hair - his beautiful hair - and strode from the torture chamber…

"…. hosting… not at all safe…"
      He was… comfortable. Not hurting. Well, not hurting like before, anyway…
      'raadiin very reluctantly forced his eyes open.
      Med centre.
      He was in papa's enclave's med centre…
      And immediately Ry was at his side, eyes wide, forcing himself to be gentle as he grasped a thin cold hand.
      *Aijin…?*
      'raadiin stared up at him - and pulled his hand back, closing huge wounded eyes and turning his face away.
      Ry bit his lip, forced back tears and rested a hand on the short dull green hair.
      *Ssii'irin… Please… it's me, Ry…*
      No response. The Saiyan moved around the bed and knelt at the other side, face close to 'raadiin's, and stroked his cheek.
      *'raadiin…*
      The prince opened pain-clouded eyes. Ry - very tentatively - smiled.
      The zn'hre eyed him - though whether 'raadiin actually saw him or not Ry could never be completely certain.
      "… get them out of me…"
      He'd only just caught the words, 'raadiin's voice had been a hoarse rasp. He twisted to look at the biotech, a tz'een called Zh'hakra, who frowned and moved closer.
      "Highness?"
      'raadiin stared up at the crested head, eyes huge.
      "… get them out of me…"
      Zh'hakra blinked and frowned at Gh'heegonan, standing outside the sterile area around the prince's bed, then returned his gaze to 'raadiin.
      "Highness, it is not our way to destroy life…"
      'raadiin struggled to sit upright, teeth bared and hands reaching for the biotech. Ry, who'd understood none of what had been said, slid quickly onto the bed and wrapped his arms around his zn'hre, hissing soothingly, frightened by the loathing he could *feel*. He glared at Zh'hakra.
      "What?"
      The tz'een shook his heavy head.
      "He wants to have the hostlings removed."
      Ry gazed down at the zn'hre trembling with self-loathing, hands clutching at his abdomen, then back at the biotech.
      "Do it, then."
      Zh'hakra recoiled.
      "But… we do not so!"
      Ry gazed down at his zn'hre, *knowing* exactly how he felt and *feeling* with him. Kissing his neck, the Saiyan settled him back onto the bed and rose, heading for the biotech - who retreated under the angry determination in the warrior's eyes…

Arguing. They were arguing.
'raadiin's vision was fading in and out, but he managed to see that much.
And if they were arguing, they weren't looking at him…

No-one, least of all 'raadiin, could ever work out how he managed it. Desperation, perhaps. Determination, definitely.
Didn't matter.
He slid off the bed and crawled the short distance to the instrument tray. Reaching up, he grabbed a knife - one of the old fashioned razor-metal ones used mostly for trimming overgrown claws, these days. Managed to pull himself to his knees.

Managed to shove the long blade eight times into his belly before anyone noticed…

"'raadiin!!!"
      That was Ry, he thought vaguely. Sorry, aijin… love you, but you have hostlings on the way now… love them…
      Ry was pulling the blade away from him, tears coursing down his face.
      'raadiin slumped sideways, eyes wide, gazing with detached interest at the rapidly enlarging pool of deep blue blood Ry was kneeling in.
      Messy, that…
      The last thing he saw, before everything went fuzzy and died behind his eyes, was Ry's beautiful, horrified face…