CHAPTER FOUR:

Laetha clutched the cloth to her chest and tried to tell her thumping heart that last night’s vision wasn’t really going to happen. Dressed in the traditional cream colored robes as the mother of the groom, she stood beside the windows of her quiet home, staring out at the laughing crowd of people all heading towards the grand celebration that was being held in the Forest of the Higher Grounds. Kakkarrot had long left with his male friends and the females would have to leave later on.

Her hands trembled again and with a soft cry, she fell to the floor, unable to stop the tears that flowed out of her eyes. It was horrible. Too horrible to even think. She was supposed to be happy. Her baby was going to become a full-fledged Saiyan come morn, but yet here she was, weeping with a sorrow that was too painful for her to bear.

~ Ahh…Za’ani …why do you punish us so? Have we not done all that you asked of us? Why? Why tonight? ~

Clasping her hands together, she considered telling her husband about it. She had to tell him. They had to stop the festival before it was too late.

-*-*-*-*-

Bardock frowned. Laetha’s thoughts were really beginning to bother him now. He had not yet seen her and yet he could sense her turbulent emotions.

~ Nu ra’hi . I must speak to you. ~

~ Laetha. What is the matter? You were supposed to be with Kayla and the other females at the tents. They await your presence. ~

~ Ahi , Bardock. I know, but I am afraid to come out. ~

~ N’ai ? For Za’ani’s  sake Laetha! This is supposed to be our son’s big night. How can you do this now? ~

~ I am sorry, my heart. But there are some things that we must sacrifice for our loved ones. ~

~ What do you mean? ~

~ Feel my thoughts, nu ra’hi . Then you will understand. ~

Bardock closed his eyes as he allowed his wife’s vision to flow through him.

~ Oh, no! Oh, no!! Laetha!! ~

~ Ahi , Bardock. Now you see, you must stop the Wise Ones from calling the Mists as soon as possible. ~

~ But how, Laetha! They do not come out until the vows have been taken. We are only two people, Laetha. The entire city is here, there is no way! ~

~ Then we are all doomed, Bardock. We are all doomed. ~

-*-*-*-*-

The delicious smells of roasted ni’heru , ta’pai  and a’kai  filled the warm night air. The sounds of the drums and flutes echoed throughout the mountainside as the people of Tarun, danced in joyous celebration. Little Saiyan children ran around in their finest wear, causing their usual brand of trouble, while the older ones watched on in the flames of the roaring fire, as they recounted their own days of Sai’joun . It was a relatively festive night and for now, no one thought about the rebellion or their sorrows. This was supposed to be a night for love and celebration.

Kakkarrot tightened the heavy black robes around him and drank from the golden cup in front of him. The jeweled head band (which had been passed down from his father to Radditsu and now him) sparkled around his dark locks, giving him an air of almost regal like quality. Smiling at the other nervous males around him, he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on his upcoming hunt. His body tingled with anticipation and he needed the release.

~ Especially after being with the ha’ji …~

He groaned involuntarily as the memories flooded his mind again. He didn’t need this now. He had to keep a clear head for Kayla and yet thoughts of the passionate prince made his entire being spring to attention. He had thought it had all been a really intense dream, but he had seen the blood stains and he had felt the slight pain that still made him wince. Flushing lightly, he buried his face within his wine glass and listened idly to the chitchat around him. He wished his brother were here.

-*-*-*-*-

“Have you seen my son?” Bardock asked frantically, yanking hard at the puzzled man’s clothes.

“Take it easy, Bardock. He probably is in the tent with the others. There is nothing to worry about.”

Bardock gave him a quick smile and with a mad dash, he headed off towards the said area.

“Oh no…” He muttered out softly as the loud horns, signaling the beginning of the vows, were heard. “I am too late!”

-*-*-*-*-

Kakkarrot and the other twenty males stood in line waiting for the arrivals of their mates. Feeling his heart thump faster with each beat of the large drum, he rubbed his hands nervously together. Darting worried eyes around the crowd, he wondered where his father and mother could be. They were supposed to be with the elder Saiyans but he had not seen them yet.

His thoughts about his parents quickly flew out the window as the female and some male brides stepped out of their tents in a long line formation.

~ Kayla…Za’ani ! You are perfection. ~

And truly she was. The long silk heavy robe flowed down her sensuous curves highlighted by the sparkling crystal belt that was latched around her waist. Her long black tresses, decorated with the wild sweet smelling f’uari , were finally let down and it spilled around the beautiful face that had a small smile on it at the moment. She was like a goddess and to Kakkarrot, everyone and everything else paled in comparison. Stretching out his hands, he took the warm ones of his childhood friend and staring deep into each other’s eyes, they began to repeat the vows that they had memorized by heart.

By the light of this moon,
On the Mists of Sai’joun,
I take you as my mate.
For to love another is to forsake.
For all eternity, we will be,
For no thing can ever break us apart.

And leaning towards each other, they kissed softly, allowing the cheers of the crowd to wash over their heads as the fireworks rocketed off into the night sky.

Kakkarrot and Kayla grinned stupidly at each other, each of them relishing this long awaited moment. Leaning down again, Kakkarrot whispered into the perfect shaped ear,

“I can’t wait to hunt you, my angel. When I am through with you tonight, you will beg for morn to never come.”

“Hn. You should talk, you big oaf.” Kayla said lightly, wrapping her tail happily around his thigh.

The loud sounds of the horn silenced the bustling crowd again and in a collective movement, all eyes turned towards the mountains where the Wise Ones were gathered.

Kakkarrot gripped Kayla’s hands tightly against his as they both held their breaths. This was it.

The three Wise Ones, the oldest of all Saiyans in the land, raised their hands to the night sky and with voices as calm as the sea, they began to summon the great Mists of the Sai’joun . Every one held their breaths, as the sky seemed to rumble. A grayish white cloud began to gather above their heads and within moments, the entire area began to lose any sense of orientation. Parents began shooing their children into their homes or any other tents they could find, while others fled away from the thickening fog. Kakkarrot could barely see the female in front of him now and shaking his head, he began to discard his robes.

“Kayla? Can you hear me?!” He shouted loudly.

“I am still standing beside you, Kakkarrot!” Kayla replied, already beginning to tie up her hair into it’s usual tight braids. “Hopefully we would be able to see the moon, or the chances of us going oozaruu are slim to none, ne Kakkarrot?”

“Ahi …”

~ Kakkarrot! ~

~ Huh? Father? What is it? ~

~ You must take Kayla into a tent immediately! Tell the others that too! ~

~ But what is the problem? I can barely see my own foot and yet you expect me to tell them to stop now?! ~

~ Listen to me! There is something bad out there. I cannot tell what it is yet, but I am greatly troubled. You must get inside now! ~

~ Father! Kayla must be gone by now! I…~

~ THEN FIND HER BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!! ~

Clutching his aching head at the loud command, he grumbled and placing his hands in front of him, he blindly made his way around the clearing. He bumped into another Saiyan and mumbling an apology, he tried to focus his energy and mind into finding his friend. Stumbling around and cursing with each bump, his ears finally picked up the scream.

~ Ja’ri ? What was that?! ~

Squinting his eyes, he could barely make out the bright flash of something red. ~ Fire?! ~ More screams permeated the night air and by this time, Kakkarrot was officially in a state of panic. Something was going on in the city and whatever it was; it was heading down here pretty fast.

“Kayla!!!” He screamed out, as he quickened his steps. “Kayla!! Where are you?!!”

~ Za’ani ! She will not answer, because she will think it’s just a trick. Tak’na !! ~

“Kayla!! Answer me!! We have to get out of here fast!!”

More screams and loud cries as well as flashes of energy blasts filled his sensitive ears. He didn’t need to be a scientist to know that they were being attacked again.

~ Why would they want to attack us tonight? Za’ani ! The ka’taii ! They seek to destroy us at our most vulnerable! ~

Snarling softly, he increased his efforts. “Kayla!!”

From the rustle of the leaves on his feet, he figured he had entered the forest portion by now. ~ This is not good. ~ Stretching out his senses, he tried to speak to his parents.

~ Ma’un? Ma’un ? Can you hear me? ~ Silence.

~ Pa’un? Pa’un ? Answer me!! ~ Nothing.

Gritting his teeth in frustration, he slammed head first into a nearby tree. Cursing himself at his ill luck. He was just about to blast the tree into oblivion, when a hand clamped itself on his shoulder. Jerking around quickly, he threw a punch at the person, listening in dumb shock as whoever it was, neatly dodged it.

“Tak’na , Kakkarrot! It’s me!” Kayla said indignantly.

“Kayla!! Thank Za’ani , I found you!!” Kakkarrot shouted happily, as he crushed her to him in a bear hug.

“You are cracking my ribs, Kakkarrot.” Kayla replied through hitched breath.

“Sorry…but we must get out of here and fast!” Kakkarrot said pulling her arm and leading her to Za’ani  knows where.

“I know. I heard the screams and energy blasts. I didn’t want to answer your calls for fear that they might be around here. So I just followed your voice and your curses and finally found you.” Kayla explained as she tried to run as fast as she could with her robes still on.

“Who do you think is doing this?” Kakkarrot asked, as they raced through the fog.

“I do not know. It could be anyone. But my guess is that the king has finally sought of a way to get rid of us.”

“Ahi …he seeks to attack us at our weakest. The bastard!!”

“I agre…AIIIIIIII!!!” Kayla screamed as an energy blast went off right next to her.

“Tak’na ! They are in here!!” Kakkarrot yelled. “Are you alright?!” He asked frantically.

“A…Ahi …”came the shaky reply, “Just a bit shaken up.”

Gathering up an energy beam in his hands, Kakkarrot fired it towards the direction of the attack on them. Kayla formed her own light beam and using it as a flashlight, she began leading them out of the forest. Another blast was sent right at them again and Kakkarrot growled in his throat as he blocked it away, firing away at will now towards his unseen attacker(s).

“Come on, Kakkarrot!! We must leave now!!” Kayla shouted. “I think I see the way to the underground tents… AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Kakkarrot watched in horror as the sword like energy blast pierced through his best friend’s body, knocking her down to the grassy earth in a sickening thud.

“No…no…Kayla…NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Kakkarrot roared, as his energy level spiked up at an alarming rate, creating a bright flash of gold around his body. Not caring about anything or anyone at the moment, he crawled over to the gasping female, his hands coming in contact with the warm liquid that was clearly blood. Kayla’s blood. Cradling the weakening body to himself, he sobbed helplessly into the sweet smelling hair of his bride, rocking them back and forth as he felt the life drain away from her slowly.

“Kayla…nu ra’hi. Nu kin’tai f’uari. W’ani …do not leave me…”he whispered fervently, leaving light kisses on the now cold body, as he tried desperately to transfer some of his life force into her

“Please…you have to live…please…”.

He suddenly froze as his mind focused in on the presence of someone else next to him. Glaring around, he bared his canines in a deadly growl as total animalistic protectiveness claimed his rational thinking.

“It’s all right, Kakkarrot sa’un ni  Bardock.” The Wise One said in a calm voice, tinged with sadness. “She is gone. You must now take her up to the Sacred Mountains.”

The feral glow in his eyes faded into a dull luster as he nodded dumbly in acceptance. And so, slowly lifting the dead body of his bride, Kakkarrot followed the Old Master into the gloomy mountains of K’elean .

-*-*-*-*-*-

Bardock stared out of the window. His hands tightening on the piece of cloth in his hands. He could still hear the screams and cries of the people. His people. The King’s army had taken them at their weakest and that was inexcusable.

Stealing a glance at his sleeping mate, he shut his eyes and said a soft prayer for Kayla. He had felt the pain of his son shoot through him like a knife and Laetha had nearly passed out with its intensity. There was nothing they could have done. It was all up to fate now.

Creeping up to his wife, he kissed her furrowed brow gently and whispered. “Be strong, nu ra’hi , for I know not how long I will be gone. Be strong for our son, for Saida and for the unborn. I will come back hopefully, but if not…then let it be known that I will always love you. For all eternity.”

Swiveling around and then staring at his stoic features in the mirror, he solemnly began tying the red piece of cloth around his head.

Ahi , the rebel had returned.