Weeks passed and Kakarotto had yet to leave their temporary home. In fact, he'd had Vejita arrange for them to stay in another house.
Now they were all seated in the large meeting hall, eating another of Yasashii's wonder meals.
"Does he still refuse to come out?" the elder questioned.
"It's just his instincts, it's normal. Actually, it's good." Vejita said, finishing up his food.
"Sire, have you decided when we're returning?" Nappa questioned, changing the subject, knowing full well that it upset Raditz.
"Within the week."
"So soon?" the elder asked, being polite.
Vejita nodded, rising from his seat, "I better get back. I’m sure they're both starving." He said through a smirk.
"Have you decided on a name yet?" Raditz asked quietly.
"Not yet." Vejita said, lifting the basket filled with food into his arms and exiting the building.
****
"Jita?" Kakarotto said when he heard the front door open.
"It's me." The new king answered, stepping into the large bedroom, where his mate sat, cradling their son in his arms.
"Is he hungry?" Vejita asked, handing the boy a large bowl filled with a nutritious soup Yasashii had been making for the child.
"Very. He reminds me a lot of myself." Kakarotto said, filling the bottle Yasashii had also made, placing it to their son's lips. Within seconds the child was sucking hungrily at the soft nipple, reaching his hands up to grasp at anything.
Vejita watched quietly. Kakarotto was perfect. He fed their son first, waiting until he was completely satisfied before eating. The child hardly ever cried, since anything he could possibly need or want was done before he even thought of it.
"Everyone wants to know what his name is." Vejita said.
"I've been thinkin', but I don't know any good names." Kakarotto said, leaning back. He was wearing the same orange gi Yasashii had given him.
"I was thinking… What about Kabu?" Vejita suggested.
Kakarotto considered the name carefully, "Kabu, Prince of the Saiyajin. I like it," the boy said, looking down at their son, "Kabu-chan." (A/N: It took me forever to think of a good name… This means turnip in Japanese, and I figured his name would have to be something to do with vegetables. So, I hope you like it… I did! ^_^)
Vejita smiled, a real smile, scooting closer, "You know, you haven't been out in weeks."
"No." Kakarotto said simply.
Vejita didn't argue. He didn't like the idea of their son out in the open either. It was too dangerous. In a way though, he was full of pride since Kakarotto allowed no one near except him.
"I decided we'd leave soon. You should build up your strength in case there's trouble."
Kakarotto sighed, "I guess he could use some sun, but I don't want anyone near him."
Vejita was surprised by the warning and narrowed his eyes. Kakarotto clearly realized his mistake when he smiled sheepishly, offering a chaste kiss as an apology.
****
Finally finishing his meal, Kakarotto rose to his feet, slowly and cautiously following his king outside. He squinted at the bright sun and held a hand over Kabu's eyes.
"Stay back." Vejita ordered when Raditz and Nappa began approaching.
"Yes, Sire." Nappa said, stepping back.
"Kakarotto?" Raditz questioned softly, stepping back as well.
The boy ignored the plea though, looking away rather than dealing with it, "Here, Jita, hold him."
Vejita happily took his son in his arms, watching as his mate stepped out in a clearing to begin his usual kata.
"We chose a name," he said, "Kabu."
"It's a good name." Nappa said through a goofy grin, totally unlike himself.
"Enough of the worrying, Raditz. It's only instinct. It means nothing except that he's a wonderful parent." Vejita said through annoyance, noticing the fool's pout.
****
Hours passed and though it was bedtime, it remained bright out, yet Kakarotto was still training. Vejita was sitting on the ground, leaning against their house, looking down at his son, who was making cute little gurgling noises.
Roaring his pain, Kakarotto powered up further, fighting his invisible enemy with pure savagery. Vejita could feel quite the increase in his ki. Many of the Nameks had stopped in their work to watch, a few still remaining rather than turning in. Kabu chose that moment to start fussing before crying.
Instantly, Kakarotto was there, reaching for the child, "What happened?"
"I don't know." Vejita said, annoyed that the boy would think that he would know.
Kakarotto gently began rocking their son in his arms, cooing soft noises, and just as quickly as the baby had begun crying, he stopped.
"Hn. A mother's touch." Vejita said through a smirk, causing his mate to laugh.
"He's just sleepy. It's too bright out here." Kakarotto said as he and Vejita headed into their temporary home.
****
Kakarotto trained every day until it was time to leave. Sparring ruthlessly with his invisible partner from morning until night. Kabu was three weeks old, looking around and gurgling more than ever.
"Goodbye, Yasa. Thanks for everything." Kakarotto said just before stepping into the pod he and Vejita shared. All the Nameks had gathered to watch them leave, a few sad to see them go and a few glad. Soon, they were blasting off, heading home.
"Will he be okay if we sleep the whole way?"
"He'll be fine." Vejita said, punching in the coordinates and giving Nappa and Raditz last minute orders.
"What if he wakes up or gets hungry?"
"Surely he'll get hungry staying awake during the entire two… Three months. Stop worrying. It'll be the same for him as it is for us." Vejita said, leaning back in his seat.
"He's gonna grow and be bigger by tha time we get there."
"Probably, Saiyajin grow quickly," Vejita said, poising his finger over the small white button that would all into a peaceful sleep, "Ready?"
Kakarotto slouched down, leaning against his mate, cradling their son in his arms, "Yup."
With that, Vejita pressed the button, and they were asleep.
****
"Wake up Prince Vejita. Entering Planet Vejita's atmosphere in ten…" Came a computerized woman's voice over the intercom.
Vejita slowly opened his eye, looking at his sleeping mate and child. He almost hated having to wake them. Gently, he shook Kakarotto, watching his eyes flutter open.
"Five…"
Kakarotto quickly looked over Kabu, making sure everything was okay, "He's grown."
Vejita smiled, " He's got a pretty big ki for just a little guy. He's going to be strong."
"Atmosphere entrance successful. Landing in Ten…" the computer continued.
Flipping the intercom switch, "Nappa, Raditz."
"Sire?" the two bodyguards answered simultaneously.
"Don't do anything until I'm there." The prince ordered, slipping the switch off rather than waiting for a reply.
"Five… Four… Three…"
"I want you to stay inside until I know what all's happened. If it gets too dangerous we'll just leave." Vejita said, watching as their home planet grew closer and closer.
Kakarotto held Kabu close to his chest, waiting for the rough landing that was coming.
"Two… One…"
****
Stepping out of his ship, Vejita looked around. Nappa and Raditz stood nearby, all of them in awe. The palace was in shambles, but it was obvious someone had been cleaning up, however, there was no one insight.
Reaching a hand inside the space pod, "Come on, Kakarotto, we have to go look around, and I'm not leaving you here."
Nodding, the boy stepped out of the ship, following his mate into the crumbled palace entrance. They walked the long empty corridor leading to the throne room in silence. Voices could be heard coming from within the immense room.
Powering up slightly in preparation for a battle, Vejita turned the corner to be faced with a room filled with Saiyajin. Looking around, he recognized the faces of high-ranking soldiers and top quality purging parties. Their faces all clearly spelled out shock.
"Sire," said a first class warrior, obviously the on in charge, "We all thought you were dead."
"I was forced to flee. I hope things weren't too bad." Vejita said, watching as shocked faces transformed into expressions of relief.
"Actually, they weren't. We all returned from our duties to find little less than half the population dead. I'm sorry, but the king was dead as well, which means-"
"Yes, I am king now. Can I expect loyalty from all of you?"
"Yes, Sire." The room answered as one.
"What of the rebels and survivors?" Vejita said as he walked to the throne… His throne, taking a seat. He motioned for Kakarotto to sit by his side in the smaller throne. Nappa and Raditz stood on either side of them, awaiting orders.
"All of the rebels were executed. Surviving soldiers were divided into two groups: The higher ranking ones at the North Base and he lower ranking ones at the South Base. All other survivors such as slaves and civilians are living temporarily at the North Complex."
"Very god, very good. And what is your name?" Vejita asked. More than impressed with the warrior's work.
"Retasu, First Class, Sire." (A/N: Again, going with the vegetable theme with Saiyajin names… Retasu means lettuce in Japanese.)
"I'm appointing you leader of our now combined army. I want a report from you weekly," Vejita said, rising to his feet, "Let's get all the engineers from the North Complex and begin reconstructing first though. I'm placing you in charge of that. Who are the rest of these men?"
"They're close friends, warriors who've accompanied me on many purging missions." Retasu answered, looking back at the many familiar faces.
"Have them help you with keeping everyone in order."
"Yes, Sire."
"Oh," Vejita said, looking to his mate, "I want you to meet my mate, Kakarotto, Saiyajin Third Class and my son, the Prince, Kabu." The room was in shock yet again. Never had there been a king, royal, or a high-ranking soldier with a same sex mate. However, no one complained, and after a few moments of uncertainty, they began cheering.
