It’s only love that keeps us hanging on
Until the battle in our hearts is won
On the day of reckoning…
 
Fall of the Stars
CHAPTER ONE:

 
Her breath rushed out in panicked gasps as she scuttled around the modest home. How time flies. How things had changed. The house that had once been a warm haven for her family was nothing more than a cold reminder of the harshness and bitterness of life itself. The walls seemed to cave in on her, causing her to feel more claustrophobic. It was late evening and the sun’s dying rays did nothing to hide the grayness and coldness of the once bustling rooms. No longer would she have to listen to her sons’ usual squabbles. No longer would she hear her mate’s hearty laughter. No longer would she have a good meal with her men around her. No longer would she wait on the porch in the evenings, knowing that they would eventually
come down that long winding road, smiles and warm embraces only for her.
 
~ No more…never again…all is lost and taken away from me. ~

 

She ignored her prized treasures and instead sort for things that meant a whole lot more. An extra she’olai  and one for little Fumiko, a blanket for warmth, some bare personal items. Nothing too fancy. She didn’t know how long she would be gone or if she would ever return. Swallowing tightly, she stared at the doors that lead into her sons’ room. It seemed like forever, but it was only two nights ago that her baby boy had returned. She had had visions of them spending the rest of their days together.
 

~ Hmph…me and my wishful thinking. Fate has oh so much more for us. ~

 

With hands that trembled, she reached for the brass knob, and feeling her stomach flood with butterflies that refused to leave, she slowly opened up the door.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Nappa could not believe what was happening to him. How could this be happening to the most feared General in all of Vegetasei (in his opinion)? He bellowed his frustrations and rage to the world as he took in the sight of the panting but barely hurt Saiyan before him. The young man was either a wizard or an amazing athlete. Either way, someone was going to pay for making him look like a fool.

 

“You should thank your lucky stars that I am not in a very bad mood today, or you would be sniveling on this floor like a baby!!”

 

Makaru snorted and spat out in derision. “Just admit it, you overgrown l’arun! I am way too fast for you. You are lucky I am not at my best, or you would be dead in a heartbeat!”

 

“You ka’tai !!!”

 

Makaru scarcely had the time to move before he felt the painful blow to the side of his head.

 

~ Stupid! Losing your concentration like that! ~

 

He stumbled and raised a hand to his injured head. Bringing it to his face, his lips twisted into a cold sneer that made the older Saiyan a bit worried. Makaru tasted the blood on his fingers and wiped his hands across his mouth.

 

“You made me bleed. Not a very good idea.”

 

And with a loud yell, he leaped above the General’s head and with all his might, he delivered a swift kick to the baldhead, watching in satisfaction as the sound of a bone cracking and the splatter of blood were heard and seen. Landing lithely to his feet, he braced himself, watching as Nappa staggered and subsequently fell to the floor in a heap.

 

“Had enough old man? Or do you need some more?!” He couldn’t understand where this strength was coming from. Perhaps it was watching his mother die in front of him, or the eerie feeling that someone much stronger than he was helping him, he could not tell. But whatever it was, he loved it.

 

~ Makaru! ~

 

His eyes widened in disbelief at the voice that rang out in his head. He stood stock still, not wanting to believe it.

 

~ Ta’hi…ta’hi …Bar…Bardock? ~

 

~ Listen to me, Makaru. There is something you must do. It is very important. ~

 

~ Ahi , I am listening. ~

 

Nappa groaned and shook his head rapidly. The bastard had cracked his skull. Someone was going to die today or he wasn’t Nappa sa’un ni  Radanu!

 

~ Ja’ri ? Why is he standing like a dummy? ~

 

The General blinked at the sight of the motionless figure in front of him. It looked like Makaru was in a state of paralysis. His face had gone slack, his entire being in a trancelike state. This was too perfect. Nappa sniggered to himself. Perhaps the young man had that rare disease thing that made people fall asleep standing up…he couldn’t quite place the name at the moment, but that was of no consequence. This was the chance he was waiting for! Snickering to himself in satisfaction, he began to form a ki blast in the palm of his hands.

 

~ Just one blow to the stomach should do it…nice and easy. ~

 

“Say goodbye, boy! You had your chance and you blew it!” And with a maniacal burst of laughter, he let fly the beam towards Makaru.

 

As if trigged by some unseen informant, the ‘supposed’ trancelike figure, was suddenly enclosed in a shield that successfully bounced the blast, right back towards its sender. Nappa had only a moment to marvel at the wondrous effect, before he was thrown back and through the walls of the house, eventually landing within the hollow confines of the deep well that was situated beside the home.

 

Several seconds later, Makaru shook himself out of his stupor and stared in blank confusion at the destruction in front of him.

 

~ Hmm… I wonder what happened to that bald Saiyan? ~

 

Shrugging the situation off, his confused visage was quickly turned into a frown of concentration. He remembered his instructions, and he knew that he had to leave right now. Walking over to his dead mother’s body, he solemnly covered it with her favorite blanket. Bowing his head in reverence for several more seconds, he got up and reached for his she’olah. Fixing his trusty sword within its sheath, he attached it to his inner robes.

 

He stepped out of the gaping hole and listened idly to the screams and blasts that filled the late evening air and pursing his lips in determination, he rose slowly into the air and headed towards his destination.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Fumiko was an obedient boy. At least, that was what his grandmother and mother had said.

 

~ Ma’un …where is ma’un ? ~

 

He had been quiet. Just like grandma had told him to be. He had not moved from his position on his favorite chair, ever since ta’hi ma’un had told him not to. He had been a good little boy…and he was slowly beginning to lose it.

 

He could see them.

 

Them. With the big ugly uniforms. Them. With the sharp swords and evil grins. Them. They were coming for his grandma. And they were going to take her away. And they would take him away too. Just like they took his mother away.

 

He gripped his small hands tightly and stared down the long hallway he had last seen Laetha walk through. Beads of sweat danced off his young furrowed brow. He bit his lower lip as his glance alternated between the front door and the hallway.

 

~ What do I do? They are coming. ~

 

The loud footsteps were coming closer. How many were there? He couldn’t tell. Only shadows filtered through. They were close now…too close…

 

“Ta’hi ma’un …” he whispered hoarsely, small onyx eyes widening in growing fear. “Where are you?”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

It smelled musty and old. Decaying. The usually active room was…lifeless. Watery eyes took in childhood memories, pictures of the two brothers in each other’s arms, grinning stupidly at the camera, pictures with both boys with their mates/brides to be, the family portrait. She lifted the picture off its perch on the side table and wiped at the light film of dust on it. In this particular picture, she and Bardock were dressed in their finest wear and had been sitting in ornate looking chairs…Kakkarrot and Radditsu had stood behind them, each in his own finer attire, identical grins of happiness on their faces.

 

A drop of clear liquid splashed onto the glass causing her to start in fear, before laughing softly at her ridiculous behavior. It was just tears. And she had shed a lot of those recently. She dropped the picture back in its position and finally noticed the discarded robe on the floor. Picking it up gently, she brought the thick cloth to her face and inhaled the unique scent that was Kakkarrot. He never was one for tidiness.

 

~Leaving his robe here on the floor…honestly. ~

 

 Her thoughts were quickly cut off as she noticed the sheath on the bed. Her mouth suddenly went dry as she noticed the designs on it.

 

~ The Sword of Za’ani ! In Kakkarrot’s possession? How… ~

 

“Aaaaaaargh!!!” She fell to the floor as the blasts rang beside her house. Grabbing a hold onto one of the bedposts, she tried to rise to her feet. A thin trail of blood slowly trickled into her eyes, and she groaned as the pain soon followed.

 

“Fumiko…” she whispered softly.

 

“Ta’hi ma’un! Ta’hi ma’un!!”

 

“Come to me, Fumiko!!” She cried out, already embracing the tiny figure of the now trembling boy within her arms.

 

“OPEN THE DOOR IN THE NAME OF THE KING!!”

 

“Who are those people, grandmother? What do they want?” Fumiko asked in a voice muffled within the confines of Laetha’s robes.

 

She smoothed the long locks and replied softly. “Shssh…they are nobody important…we will leave through the secret way.”

 

“WE WILL NOT ASK AGAIN! OPEN THE DOOR IN THE NAME OF THE KING!!”

 

Laetha cursed them beneath her breath as they continued the incessant pounding on her door. Rising to her feet, she tried to make her way towards the underground tunnel that Bardock had built specifically for moments like these. Spinning around, she immediately froze in shock at the figure in front of her.

 

“Makaru?! How did you…?” she gasped out in disbelief.

 

“No time for that now, Ta’hi ma’un .” Makaru said hastily, already making his way into the bedroom. “We have to leave immediately.”

 

The trio darted anxious eyes as the wa’zuai footsteps were suddenly heard. In a flash, Makaru reached out for Kakkarrot’s sword and…

 

“Grr…where is it?!”

 

“Where is what?” Laetha asked in confusion.

 

“Where is the blueprint?” He answered, all the while tossing and searching desperately for the large parchment.” Bardock said I would find it here.”

 

Laetha could only stare at him in a daze, unable to believe what she was hearing.

 

“Bar…Bardock…how…?”

 

Makaru gave a loud yell of success. “AHI!  I have found it! Come let us go!”

 

And not waiting for Laetha’s round of questions, he grabbed her arm and lead them towards the secret passageway Bardock had described to him. Laetha tried to take one last look at her home, but the only vision she got to see was one of destruction, for just as they passed through the double metal doors, she saw the bright flash of fire burning through her home.

 

~ Like the fires of the valley, so shall we burn…for all eternity. ~

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

The late evening shadows dusted the quiet landscape. The sounds of large birds disturbed the eerie quiet. Nature was at its silent repose, and it was then that the single word was uttered out…

 

“Brother.”

 

Strong arms tightened across the dead body in its possession. He seemed to gather strength from it somehow. He needed it…with desperation.

 

“Have you come to kill me as well?”

 

A tongue flickered out to lick lightly at parched lips, as the question was hurled coldly at him.

 

“Why shouldn’t I?” came the bitter response. “I would be doing everyone a favor, don’t you think?”

 

The longhaired warrior shifted the weight of his dead wife into a more comfortable position and closed his eyes. And speaking in a voice that was as chilly as the morning air, he replied.

 

“As you wish, brother. However, our little spite will have to wait, for you see, I have a little score to settle with a certain kin of ours.”

 

Kakkarrot’s nostrils flared in fury. How dare Radditsu talk like that? How dare he consider it all one big joke?!

 

“How dare you?”

 

Radditsu’s eyes snapped open at the quietly spoken words that were clearly filled with venomenous intent.

 

“How dare you?!” Kakkarrot bellowed. “Have you no honor for the dead?! Have you no honor for our father?! I have him here… in my arms! And all you can think about is some foolish spite with someone else?! I should kill you for your callousness this minute!”

 

Radditsu’s ki flared up as well, his dark eyes beginning to flash with an energy that he had never experienced before. The words that fell out of his lips were filled with so much bitterness and pain, that even Kakkarrot felt them deep within his heart.

 

“You stand there and accuse me of not having any respect for the dead?! What do you know about honor, Kakkarrot? All your life, you have been the favored one! You have been blessed with the strength of the legends. And what have I been left with?! Nothing! Not one single thing! Do you think I did not feel the pain as father was left dying?! Do you not think I went through the anguish of watching my mate die?! You think that you are the only one that has gone through a lot, but I have suffered as well! I have been condemned to the fires of hell and by Za’ani  I will exact my revenge on the one who has
caused all of this and not even you, Kakkarrot, can stand in my way!”

 

And with a feral growl, he stepped menacingly towards the younger man.

 

“Step aside, brother! I have a mission to accomplish!”

 

Kakkarrot refused to quiver beneath the intense glare. There was still the ‘big brother’ factor, but he held his ground and refused to budge.

 

“You would have to go through me first.” He snarled in retaliation.

 

“Stop being such a fool. I do not wish to fight with you at this time. At least allow me to bury my mate, and then we can fight to your hearts’ content…but only after I have dealt with the one I am seeking for. Now for the last time, STEP ASIDE!!”

 

By this time, both men were within inches of the other, each straining to have the upper hand. After several more minutes of silent battle, Kakkarrot eventually stepped away, wincing inwardly at the snort of victory from Radditsu.

 

“You shouldn’t have allowed him to use you…Radditsu.”

 

The longhaired warrior froze in his steps as the softly spoken words floated towards him. “What did you say?”

 

“I said, ‘you should not have allowed him to use you!” Kakkarrot yelled out in irritation. “You were too weak! You should have stopped him while you had the chance to! I am going to be the one to take care of him, if nothing else, to avenge father’s death!”

 

Radditsu’s hands dug tightly into the decaying skin of his dead mate.

 

~ Weak…his own brother considered him weak. The little fool thinks he can insult me and get away with it? He is sadly mistaken! ~

 

 His entire being throbbed with increased fury and with a primal roar, he dumped the body and spun around to face the ready and waiting Kakkarrot.

 

Yes, Kakkarrot had, by this time, carefully placed his father’s body to the side and now stood ready for a fight with the cause of his own anger. For several seconds, Radditsu could only stare at the crouching figure in a mixture of fear and vehemence. The red-headband that now adorned the younger man’s head, reminded him so much of his father. He could have sworn that the telltale scar had even flashed on Kakkarrot’s face for several seconds. Shaking his head to get rid of the images, he crouched himself and in a gesture of quiet derision, he flicked the tip of his nose with his thumb.

 

“Alright, brother, this time we finally end it here.”

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Bardock had built this underground tunnel during the earlier days of the rebellion. It was supposed to lead straight towards the outer mountains that surrounded the main city, far from any further attacks. The tunnel had been used only once before, and so Laetha was quite familiar with the little twists and turns. Somehow, she had ended up leading them out of the long and winding enclosed space, noticing that her audience were now quite out of breath.

 

“Almost there now.” She encouraged them quietly.

 

Just as they made their way towards the last rocky twist (this was deep within the bowels of the earth and so the walls and floors were not as smooth as they would have liked), Laetha suddenly gasped out in sharp pain, staggering and then placing a
shaky hand across her forehead.

 

“Ta’hi ma’un !”

 

“Ta’hi  Laetha!”

 

Both males rushed to her side and helped her slide to the floor into a sitting position.

 

“Are you alright? Do you need some water? What is it?” came the panicked questions in rapid succession.

Laetha smiled weakly and turned to give reassuring nods to the concerned faces in front of her. “Ahh…I am not as young as I used to be. Perhaps we should rest for a moment, ne?”

 

Makaru frowned. They didn’t have the time to rest. If his instructions were correct, they hardly had any time to do much anymore, but Laetha clearly looked sick and there was nothing he could do but allow her to rest for some time. “Alright, we will stop for a few minutes.”

 

About to turn away, he froze as the warm hands clasped his arm gently. Staring into the sad eyes of the older woman, he swallowed tightly and nodded in understanding. His eyes suddenly widened as he felt the jolt of electricity pass through him. Laetha was doing something to him, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to be in this position. He gasped and shuddered as a flash or vision of some sort appeared for just a brief moment. He could have sworn he saw Kakkarrot and…

 

~ Radditsu… ~

 

He stared in disbelief at the dark eyes before him. Why was this happening to him?

 

~ Ta’hi  Laetha…why…why… me? ~

 

~ I am not getting any younger, Makaru, and you are all that I have left. So is young Fumiko. You must take care of him now. ~

 

~ What are you talking about? Why are you doing this to me? ~

 

~ I have given you the power to see, Makaru. Now, you can see all that will happen and what you can do to stop it. I feel too…weak… ~

 

~ Stop it! Please, stop this! You are frightening me! ~

 

Laetha closed her eyes softly as the most beautiful smile Makaru had ever seen crossed across the strong features. “While we were walking down the tunnel, I had a meeting with my mate. Ahi , Bardock and I were walking down the forest hills again and he spoke to me. He told me everything.”

 

“I can see it as clear as day. I know about the hills. You are to take Fumiko there. You are to give Azusa the blueprint. He will know what to do with it. You are now Fumiko’s guardian. You are all he has left. My sons…”

 

Makaru watched as a single tear rolled its way down the slightly grimy cheeks and he had to fight the insane urge to brush it away. He could only hold onto the strong hands and listen.

 

“They have lost all brotherly love for one another, and it aches my heart to see it. In fact…it is killing me…”

 

“Laetha…”

 

“Quiet now, Makaru. You have always been more than a friend to us, especially to Kakkarrot. He needs you now more than ever. Promise me. Promise me on your life that you will never leave him.”
 
“I will stake my life on it, Laetha. I will die for him.”

 

She smiled gently and opened her eyes again, turning them towards the saddened visage of the young boy. “Fumiko…my wonder wa’zua …I am so sorry I will not be able to see you grow up in this life. But I will be watching you from the other side, remember that.”

 

Fumiko could only nod, his hands reaching forward to clasp his grandmother’s face within their warmth. “I will grow up to be the strongest wa’zua  that ever lived, ta’hi ma’un . I won’t let you or ma’un  down.”

 

Laetha kissed the dark locks softly and brushed them away from his face. “I know. Your ta’hi pa’un  says he thinks so too…listen can you hear him?”

 

Makaru could only watch in mute fascination as the young boy’s eyes widened with each passing second. He watched the small grin, which was quickly followed by a small chuckle and a softly spoken ‘Ahi, ta’hi pa’un .’

 

“You must go now, Makaru.” Laetha said suddenly, as she lifted Fumiko away from her. “Leave me here. My time is come.”

 

Makaru was already shaking his head in refusal. “N’ehi , I refuse to leave you here. You must come with us. We are almost there as you said.”

 

“He is waiting for me. Can you not see him?”

 

“See who?” He asked quietly, already knowing what the answer was going to be, but not wanting to believe it just yet. He swallowed the lump that had risen in his throat as he took in the serene look that was now on the older woman’s face.

“Laetha…”

 

“Go, Makaru…I will be fine. I will always be fine from now on. I will always be with you…in spirit. Ha’ku Ra’nan, Makaru.”

 

He was unaware of the tears that had begun to make their way down his cheek. His vision blurred with the intensity of them, and he had to stuff his hand into his mouth to stop the harsh sob that had almost spilled out.  Turning his face away to gather himself, he swiped the tears from his face and stood up abruptly.

 

“Come Fumiko.” He said sagely, grabbing a hold of the young boy’s hands. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”

 

And with a final bow of respect to the woman he had considered a second ‘mother’, he pursed his lips in grim determination and slowly led them both out towards their fates…whatever that might be.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

He winced as the blow struck his jaw again and he leapt out of the way, landing lithely on his feet and quickly dodging again as a volley of energy blasts rocketed past his head.

 

“Hn…and here I thought you were supposed to be one of the legendary super Saiyans.” Radditsu scoffed, as he glared at the panting Kakkarrot before him. “Come on boy, let’s see your real power.”

 

Kakkarrot swiped the trail of blood that trickled out of his mouth. He didn’t know why he was doing this. He wasn’t putting up much of a fight, and he knew that Radditsu was beginning to take notice of it. His intention had been to use as little of his strength as possible. He was after all going to take on a much more dangerous opponent. Let Radditsu have his fun.

 

“I don’t think you want to see my real strength, brother. You might not last a minute.”

 

Getting the desired reaction from Radditsu, he watched as the older Saiyan lunged for him at break neck speed, and within seconds he vanished from sight. Radditsu almost collided with a standing mound of earth as he tried to register what had just taken place. Nobody could be that fast. It was impossible. He snarled as he tried to pick up the ki signature of his evasive brother.

 

“Come out, come out, wherever you are. I can smell you like a rotten fish, Kakkarrot. That disgusting stench is sooooo easy to recognize.”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

Radditsu was about to spin around to deliver a punch at the taunting voice behind him, when he found himself in a painful headlock. He grunted and tried to buck off the heavy weight of Kakkarrot on him as the strong arms continued its chokehold on his neck.

 

“I can break it in a second, brother.” Kakkarrot whispered into his ears. “Give up now.”

 

“Never! I would rather die than give in to you, Kakkarrot!”

 

“As you wish…”

 

Radditsu howled or tried to howl as the grip tightened on his neck. He could barely breathe now. His vision was getting blurry, and he struggled, albeit weakly, to release himself. Kakkarrot was going to kill him, and he was powerless to stop it.

 

Finally having enough and deciding that it wasn’t worth it anymore, he tried to make a plea for release, when the energy surge was felt. Both brothers gasped at the jolt of pain that flowed through their beings.

 

With a weak cry, Kakkarrot released his grip on Radditsu, falling to the earth in a heap beside the heaving Saiyan.

 

~ Ma’un… ~

 

Dual obsidian eyes filled with understanding stared at each other as they realized what must have happened. At this moment, both of them could hardly believe their stupidity at what they had tried to do to each other. So intent on getting revenge for the loss of their loved ones, they had failed to realize that the living also needed them, and now one more had left. Their own mother.

 

“Za’ani !” Radditsu finally wailed out in anguish, his eyes beginning to well up with tears. “How much longer can you punish us?”

 

Kakkarrot could not even find the tears to shed. He was all tired out. Worn out, emotionally and mentally. He couldn’t function anymore…it was too much…all in one day…he had lost his parents…

 

“It’s all my fault.” He whispered hoarsely. “I should have been there for her and it’s all my fault. I do not deserve to live anymore.” And moving so quickly that Radditsu barely had the time to realize it, he threw himself in front of the startled Saiyan. “Kill me now, brother. Take my life as well. I no longer have the desire to live anymore.”

 

“Kakkarrot…”

 

“Do it now!!” came the crazed plea. Eyes wild with growing insanity stared in desperation at his older kin.

 

“Have no mercy, do it!”

 

“Yes, Radditsu nu ra’hi , why don’t you do it now?”

 

Both Saiyans snapped their heads around as the slowly drawled words filled with mockery and jest came at them. They could hardly believe it. There, standing in front of them, in all of his glory, was the amused visage of their own kin. The cause of their anguish. The cause of their hate. The reason their family was slowly falling apart. Both brothers barely realized that they had clenched their hands together in a tight fist, as their eyes filled with twin glares of hate.

 

“Well now, is this the kind of reception I receive, from my own nephews? I am so hurt.”

 

“Turles…” Kakkarrot spat out coldly, his fingers now digging bloody grooves into his palms.

 

“Ahi , Kakkarrot. I do not believe we have met, but I am sure that your brother will tell you of how well I have been looking after him, ne?”

 

“You bastard!” Radditsu bellowed out. “You took away the best thing that ever happened to me. I will kill you, you murderous traitor!!”

 

The older Saiyan narrowed his gaze and licked his lips in a leery fashion.

 

“Well then, since it seems like both of you are going to teaching me a lesson in pain soon, I think I will have my fun with you both first. After all, I am yet to explore the pleasures that you have to offer Kakkarrot, and it wouldn’t do to keep you two waiting. So my dear nephews, what will it be? A one on one romp or one big three-way? Take your pick? I have all the time in the world for you two.”