Unwanted Mating

Author's note: I know that this part is short but I felt that it was all that was needed. Yes, it's a little anti-climactic but it isn't the main focus of the story...with that said...please read and review!

Part Twenty-Two: Heartache All Around

The room had gotten strangely warm and Raditz had become drowsy. As he fades off into sleep, his last coherent thought is that he was probably just drugged. Waking up, he's pretty sure he had as he finds himself with Braiden on a bed in a strange room. "Ah, you're awake," a feminine voice murmurs.

He turns. "Wh-where am I?"

"You're safe. Someone should be here to collect you and Braiden shortly."

"Just us?"

"Yes, the male who brought you was very specific...oh and he said to give THIS to you."

Slowly, feeling a sense of dread settle over him, he opens it.

Raditz.

As you've no doubt noticed...your father isn't there. Bardock has made the decision to remain here with Turles...his mate. Yes, you read that right. Apparently my captain has decided to settle the way he feels about your father by trapping him with him...permanently. I may not agree with my captain's actions but I cannot control his actions. In the end, your father will NOT let him threaten the people he cares about which is, as we both know, normal for Bardock. Please make sure that Tora gets the note Bardock left for him as I am sure he is trying to keep him out of harm's way. Your father wishes also that you know he loves you , Kakarot, and Braiden and is saddened at the thought of not being able to be with you.

A Friend

Horror and rage fill Raditz as he reads the note. Obviously he wasn't the only one who was going to suffer for no good reason. 'You sonofabitch!' he thinks, 'Somehow, I am going to make you pay for this!'No one did this to the people he cared about most. NO ONE. Somehow, he was going to go and find his father and bring him home no matter WHAT he had to do.

"Sir?" the woman's voice makes him look up, "They're here."

Raditz nods his head and is soon joined by Tora and Broly. "Hey," he says softly, "I was wondering when you guys would show up."

"Are you and Braiden alright?" Tora asks.

"We're fine," Raditz says, "but...I can't say the same about my father."

"He's still with Turles?"

"Worse...according to a Saiyan there...he's mated to Turles," he says before pulling out a note, "This was left for you."

Tora slowly takes the piece of paper feeling like someone had just hit him hard and fast. Slowly, he opens the missive.

Tora,

I wish...I wish things didn't have to be this way I hope you know but I see no other alternative. He gave me no choice and I know that you would come after me if you could and that would only end up with your death...so I am asking you, for your sake and because you will be the only one I ever truly love, to just let things be. It is not what I want for myself and I know you know this to be the truth of the matter...but we both know who would win between you and Turles and I would rather have you alive then dead. I need you to look after Raditz, Kakarot, and Braiden for me. Please, Tora. They need you still.

All my love,

'Dock

Fury fills him followed closely by a despair so deep it was nearly crippling. His fist clenches and he struggles to swallow the enraged scream that wanted to escape. "Tora..."

"Don't, 'Ditz," he whispers harshly, "Please, son, just DON'T."

He understood well enough that now was NOT the time to try and talk to him. "Okay," he manages before looking at Broly, "Let's just get home then." As they walk, he can only imagine the pain going through the older Saiyan. 'This can't be how it ends,' he thinks, 'It just CAN'T be."

*****POV Change*******

"Why am I not surprised?" Turles's voice makes Bardock inwardly flinch but he shows none of that staring out the window into the emptiness of space.

"I wasn't going to let him have to endure YOU," Bardock replies simply, "He has a mate on Vegeta-sei."

"Yes, because I can see that he's happy."

"He's about as happy as I am."

"Sad, isn't it?"

"Look, what do you want?" he demands, "I am NOT in the mood for an interrogation from you. If you want to be angry go right ahead and hurt me but don't ask stupid questions you already know the answers to."

Turles tsks. "Temper, temper, 'Dock. You should show a little more restraint in that regards. I'm not above letting my crew play with you if you disobey me."

Revulsion fills Bardock but again, he doesn't show this. "Then do it if it pleases you, Turles." If the male wanted to be a monster, Bardock was hardly going to fight with him about it. He'd already lost everything that mattered to him.

"My goodness, you certainly have lost some of your spunk this morning."

"You already won, Turles. What more do you want?"

The male laughs. "Absolutely nothing."

Bardock is grateful to hear the door slide closed and presses his forehead against the window the cool suface hitting his hot skin. "Tora..." he whispers brokenly as tears fall.