Pairings : Somewhat Radditsu/Saida
Warnings: Mild rape scene…
Disclaimers: Do not own, so please do not sue.

Winds of Change
CHAPTER THREE:

Radditsu landed a few miles off the outskirts of Tarun. He tightened the cloak around himself and tried to stop his thudding heart from beating too fast. He was trembling with unsurpassed fear. He couldn’t understand it. There was something different about his beloved town.

~ There is something different about me. ~

Shaking his head to get rid of the negative thoughts, he began his slow journey into the main city. Careful to cover his head with the hood of his robes, he eyed the few loitering unsuspecting townspeople with trepidation. Za’ani ! He was acting like a criminal in his own town and why shouldn’t he? After all he was the main reason for the chaos and destruction. It had been his big mouth that had gotten them all in trouble and he couldn’t blame them in the least for not trusting any outside intruders.

“Hey…could you spare a poor, hungry Saiyan something to eat?”

He spun around in shock and stared at the man that had tugged him. He took in the dishelved, dirty looking creature before him and cringed inwardly. The beggar reeked and not in a good way at all. He watched as nearly rotten canines flashed at him in a leery grin and as grimy hands were stuck up close to his face again.

“Are you deaf or something?” The man asked, emitting a foul breath from his mouth that nearly made the wa’zua  throw up what little he had had for breakfast. “Won’t you spare me some food or money?”

“I…I… am sorry.”  Radditsu said hastily, trying hard to detach himself away from the clutches of the now persistent beggar. “I do not have anything on me.”

“Liar!” The man said gruffly, now trying to reach into Radditsu’s robes. “You have something! All you strangers have something! Now give me something to…Ack!!”

The sharp crack of a neck snapping was the only thing that jolted Radditsu out of his stupor. For a few moments he had blanked out at the man’s persistent tirade and now he watched with dawning horror as he now held the limp body of the beggar within his grasp. Dropping the body in haste, he darted worried eyes around to see if anyone had noticed the encounter. Luckily, this was an almost deserted part of town and he could sense no ones ki around at the moment. Shoving the body into some of the nearby bushes, he dusted himself off and began to head towards the town again. The sooner he got back home the better.

~*~*~*~*~

“Is pa’un  really coming today?”

“Yes, Fumiko. Your papa is going to be coming down that road any minute now.” Saida replied with barely concealed excitement, although there was now a slight tinge of worry in her voice.

She had sensed Radditsu’s ki fluctuate up and down and this had caused her a great deal of concern. The years of separation might have dulled her ability to sense his feelings, but she had clearly felt the fear and then the cold blankness that had enveloped her mate’s being. That cold blank feeling was what scared her the most. It was an emptiness that chilled her and she wasn’t really sure she was ready to face that kind of a reception from him.

~ I wonder what is going on with him? ~ She thought miserably, idly watching Fumiko play with his newfound pet out of the corner of her eye. A slight movement made her spin around, her heart pounding painfully, before settling down to a slow steady beat as she noticed that it was only her mother-in-law.

“He is here.” She said needlessly, her gaze turning back to the long winding road.

“Ahi,  Radditsu is here.” Laetha replied calmly, her gaze also pinned on the road.

Saida noticed that she had not called him ‘my son’ or ‘my boy’, like she usually did. In fact, Laetha had not given him any terms of endearment ever since his ki had been felt. It was like she was not fully accepting of the fact that her son was finally coming home. It was as if she were speaking of meeting a stranger for the first time. This did more to unsettle the poor woman and she had to tighten her hands on her robes to control her faint trembling.

Something was clearly wrong.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Makaru fired one more blast and satisfied at the results, he began to pick up the chopped pieces of firewood for his mother. Seeing Makaru now, one could barely recognize the plump, Saiyan boy of just five years ago. The heavy-set boy had dedicated those years to training himself. Losing both of his friends in one day had been too much for him, but instead of going into a depression and losing himself in insanity, he had made up his mind to train. He knew that Kayla had passed away after the attacks and that Kakkarrot had gone up to train with the Wise Ones (he had begged and pleaded with Laetha to part with the information), and so Makaru had decided to exert himself beyond his limits.

The end result had surprised even himself. He could not believe the change and the difference in him. Losing the weight, working on his muscle strength, he was now able to wear his skintight inner wear without blushing like a young girl in love. He had allowed his hair to grow out and it was now always kept in a ponytail (which was pretty hard to do, considering that his hair tended to spike out in all directions). Oh, he was still a good inch or so shorter than the others, but he was no longer rebuffed by suitors. Come to think of it, he had a date with a fine looking female in a couple of….

~ Ja’ri ? Did I just see what I thought I just saw? ~

So caught up in his thoughts, he had barely given his surroundings a glance and now he stood stock still as he noticed the cloaked figure walking rapidly away from him.

~ That ki…it is so familiar. It is almost like that of….~

“Radditsu!!” He screamed out loud in excitement as he dropped his burden and dashed after the figure. “Hey, Radditsu! It’s me, Makaru!!”

For a minute, Makaru thought he would be ignored or that he had made a serious mistake, for the figure kept walking, until it suddenly stopped its movements. Grinning widely, Makaru caught up to him and began talking rapidly, never once giving a thought as to why the older man’s back was still turned away.

“I knew it was you!” The young man enthused. “Oh, you don’t know how good it is to see you again! Everyone has been waiting for you to…”

“Silence!!”

Makaru shut his mouth up with a snap at the curt words. He was a tad bit hurt at the harshness of it and was about to say something, when he suddenly felt himself flying into the air and landing with a painful thud on the road. Wincing, he sat up slowly, wondering what in the world had happened, when he felt himself lifted up and raised slowly to come face to face with eyes that were so familiar, yet so distant. Za’ani , they felt dead.

“Ra…Rad…Radditsu?” Makaru asked softly, his hands desperately trying to reach the small pocketknife that he always kept in his robes.

“Ahi , Makaru.” Radditsu said, a sneer lighting the handsome face. “I see you have changed. Hmm, if I weren’t mated already, I would have gladly taken you for a mate.”

Makaru felt his face heat up with embarrassment at the comment. It was stupid really, Radditsu was like an older brother to him and such words coming out of his mouth was enough to make him…

“How is my brother, Makaru?”

“Could you put me down now?” Makaru bit out coldly. “I would like to answer the question on my own two feet, if you don’t mind.” There was something odd about the older man and it was something he did not like.

Radditsu laughed and without giving the younger Saiyan a chance to think, he shot a ki blast right into his stomach, sending Makaru flying several feet into the air, before landing on solid ground again.

“I think I will have some fun first.” Radditsu said lightly, stalking towards the now cowering Saiyan. “It has been so long since I had some… real …fun.”

And grabbing Makaru by his hair, he delivered a crushing blow to his ribs, causing Makaru to wail out in pain.

“What is this?” Radditsu spat out, irritation filling his voice. “A Saiyan that will not fight? How pathetic!” Another blow was given to the whimpering man in the exact spot, and sneering angrily, Radditsu tossed him aside again.

Makaru landed in a painful heap, clutching his aching ribs and wiping a hand across his bleeding mouth. What in the world was wrong with Radditsu? Why would he want to pick up a fight for no reason at all? Why would he…?

“Argh!”

He leapt out of the way of an energy blast that was clearly directed at him, thankful for his new lithe form. Spinning into the air, Makaru had to dodge his way through another volley of fireballs that were coming towards him at a rapid rate. Gritting his teeth in growing frustration, he raised his hands above his head and with a loud cry; he formed his own ki blast. Using all of his strength, he threw the large ball of light he had formed onto the waiting, mocking Saiyan beneath him, gasping for air as the effort had clearly taken a lot out of him. He allowed a small smile of satisfaction to come onto his face as he watched the ball make a direct hit. Shielding his eyes from the smoke and debris, he was about to descend to the ground again, when the soft taunting voice froze him in his tracks.

“And to think you were my brother’s best friend. Even Kakkarrot was a better shot than that.”

Makaru spun around in fear. He stared at the cold, lifeless eyes in front of him and feeling a well of anger swell up inside of him, he roared back.

“At least Kakkarrot is more of a Saiyan than you ever will!! ARRGGHHHHHHHHH!!!”

And with an anger that he never knew he possessed, Makaru dove head first into the older man’s stomach, listening with satisfaction at the grunt of pain that was emitted. Not waiting for Radditsu to gather his wits about him, he began to pound his fists into the solid flesh before him, not caring if he was doing a really good job or not. Sounds of grunts and gasps gave him more of an incentive and gathering one more energy ki blast in his hands, he fired it towards Radditsu, silently praying that Kakkarrot would forgive him, if it ended up destroying him.

However, the energy beam never quite reached its’ target, for it was quickly knocked away by an enraged and bloody looking Radditsu.

“I am going to kill you…” came the low growl.

And with a speed that took Makaru totally and completely by surprise, he was given a crushing kick into his stomach and an uppercut beneath his jaw that sent his vision into non-existence.

The last thing he remembered before blacking out was a silent plea for Kakkarrot to come back home as quickly as he could.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Laetha tucked in Fumiko within the sheets and sighed wearily. It was now well into the evening and still Radditsu had not shown up. Saida had not moved from her spot beside the front yard and Laetha could see the still figure of the determined young woman.

They had both sensed his energy level spike up again. It was as if he were in a fight of some sort and Saida had voiced her concerns. She had even been willing to go out on a search for him, but Laetha had adamantly refused, saying that Radditsu was going to find his way home sooner or later.

Sooner had gradually become later and still no sign of older son.

~ Makaru? Why would he be fighting with Makaru? ~

~ Ma’un ? ~

Laetha dropped the cloth she had been folding in a jolt as her baby boy’s voice echoed through her mind.

~ Ka…Kakkarrot? Is…is… it really you? ~

~ Ahi, ma’un . I am coming home. ~

Laetha could barely speak. She was so happy that she was unable to stop the tears of joy that began to flow down her cheeks.

~ Why do you cry, mother? ~ Kakkarrot asked, bewilderment in his thoughts.

Laetha wiped away the tears with the heels of her palms and laughing through them, she replied softly,

“Is it so wrong to weep for joy, my son?” ~ I have waited long enough. You must hurry home though; there is trouble in the
horizon. ~

~ Ahi, ma’un . I sensed it as well. Radditsu is with Makaru and I do not think they are having a friendly chitchat. I am on my way there right now. ~

Laetha nodded. ~ Go well, Kakkarrot. Do not do anything rash and I need you back here in one piece. ~

~ Ahi, ma’un . Say hello to Saida for me. ~

~ I will. ~

Laetha felt the link between them close up. ~ I see he has learnt how to do that now too. ~ She thought with a sigh. ~ At this rate, I will never know what is going on with him. ~

“Kakkarrot is back.”

She snapped her head up to stare at the stoic-faced female at the doorway. “Yes, he is.”

Saida nodded and walked calmly to the end of the room. Picking up a heavy shawl, she wrapped it around her shoulders tightly and with a flat voice she continued. “I am going to look for my mate.”

“No, Saida!” Laetha shouted in panic, rushing over and clasping her hands upon the strong shoulders. “You must not go! I sense a great danger and evil in Radditsu. I know you feel it too, so why go ahead?!”

“Because I have to find out what has happened to him!” Saida screamed back, her beautiful face contorted into one of defiance and fear. “I cannot continue to sit here and wait for him! I must find him, so please let me go!”

“NO!” Laetha begged, dashing in front of the female again, effectively blocking her path. “The arrival of the new moon is but a few days away. Our blood will run hot and as you can tell it is already beginning.”

“So that is what it is then?” Saida said tightly, her tail puffed out like a brush. “His blood runs hot and so does mine. I will bring him back home where he belongs. I do not need him running around seeking for others. He belongs to me!!”

And with an angry snarl, she yanked her arms free from the desperate clutches of the older woman.

“I warn you, Saida!” Laetha begged fervently, staring after the disappearing female. “You are only going to make it worse! Come back now!”

~ Forgive me, ta’hi ma’un , but I have to do this. ~ And with a burst of energy, Saida
 flew off towards Radditsu’s ki.

~*~*~*~*~

Kakkarrot tried hard to squash the bubble of fear that was beginning to fill his being. He could sense that Makaru was almost gone. If he didn’t hurry up…

~ Ja’ri ? Saida? What does she think she is doing? Argh! ~

Kakkarrot increased his speed. He had to get there before it became too late.

~*~*~*~*~

The ki was definitely stronger now. So strong in fact, she was practically reeling from its intensity. She noticed her whereabouts with a faint look of disgust on her face. This was the outskirts of Tarun. A place for lowlives and the homeless.

~ What in the world would he be doing here? ~

Landing softly to the earth, she tightened the shawl around her and making sure that her face was well hidden, she strode briskly towards the surrounding woodland area where she had sensed him. She could sense someone else’s ki and that person was clearly either very sick or was about to die.

~ Oh, no! Makaru! ~

Walking faster, she slapped away the hanging vines and branches that kept flying into her face. The shawl now discarded, her hair flew around her face, giving her a wild look of crazed abandon. Gasping for breath, she eventually burst out into a clearing and had to suck a harsh one in, as she took in the sight of the bleeding figure.

~ Za’ani …please do not let him be dead. ~

“Makaru?” she whispered softly, leaning down over the moaning young Saiyan. His face looked liked it had been used as a punching bag. The blood caked on his robes clearly meant that he had been badly beaten and probably left for dead. Whoever had done this was obviously very strong. “Makaru? Can you hear me? Who did this to you?”

She had to lean down to hear the hastily whispered words from the cracked and bleeding lips. “Who did this to you? I can barely hear you.”

“Ra…Ra…” Makaru began saying, before his swollen eyes became filled with panic. He seemed to be looking at something or someone behind her.

“What is the matter? Who do you see…”

“Saida. It has been so long.”

She jumped up and spun around sharply, her hand reaching up to press against her chest in trepidation. For a moment, she could barely make out the face before her (which was odd…I mean she should know what Radditsu looked like, ne?); however, there was something eerily different about the Saiyan before her.

“Radditsu?” she asked softly, feeling herself walking backwards instead of running towards him.

“Ahi , Saida nu ra’hi . I am home.” The deceptively calm voice said. “Why do you run away? Are you not happy to see me again?”

“You…you…you are not Radditsu.” Saida said shakily. Her tail now puffed up in obvious worry and fright, she tried to will herself to stand her ground. “You are not Radditsu!” she shouted out in a much stronger voice. “Where is my mate?!”

For a moment the bleak eyes seemed to shift into one of intense sorrow and Saida could see the former shadow of the Saiyan she had fallen in love with. It seemed like Radditsu was in an inner struggle with someone or something and he was losing pretty badly.

Saida grit her teeth and screamed out again. If this was the only way she could bring out her real mate, then so be it. “Where. Is. My. Mate?! Answer me!!”

Radditsu fell to the floor with a sharp cry and covering his face with his hands, he began to weep bitterly. “I am…so…so…sorry…Saida…”

Raising a tear-streaked face, the lonely eyes of a helpless and lost soul stared back at her. “Please help me.” He whispered softly, stretching out his arms in a gesture that suggested that he needed a hug. “Please help me…I don’t know what is happening to me. Saida…I…I…need you.”

For several minutes, she did not move an inch, her mind debating on whether this was a trick or not.

“Don’t…don’t listen…listen to him…”

She spun around to stare at the slowly rising figure of Makaru. His painfully whispered words resonated deeply in her mind. She was torn in two. Her mate had been possessed by some being and he needed her help. She couldn’t just ignore him.

“Makaru…he needs me…”

“No…it…it…is…a trick…”he gasped out again, spitting out a blood in the process. “He…he…will…kill you. We…we…have….to…to…leave…” And staggering back up to his feet, he tried to walk, but ended up falling to the ground in a painful heap. “He…he…broke my tail…Saida…you have to leave….now!”

“But I…ARRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!”

She felt her head hit the base of the tree trunk with a sickening thud and the sharp pain that suddenly filled her being. Shaking her head to get rid of the fuzziness, she raised her head up and gasped as she stared into the coldest and most ruthless twin orbs of darkness.

“No…please…Radditsu…”

“Too late, my dear. You should have listened to your friend.” And lifting her up, he gave her another blow to her stomach, causing her to gasp out in agony. Landing on the floor again, she grit her now bleeding teeth in anger. How could this be happening? She turned her head to stare into the pleading eyes of Makaru. ‘Leave now’ they begged. ‘Run while you still have the chance.’

“Come on Saida. I know you are stronger than that. Surely you can…OOF!!”

Radditsu found himself on the ground now, his head now ringing with the blow that had been given to him by the vengeful female. She was fast he would give her that. Saida flew up again, although it hurt like hell, and not giving him a chance to get to his feet, she fired a series of ki blasts at him, growling angrily as they either missed their targets or he effectively dodged them. This was getting annoying.

“I will kill you first, Radditsu!” She yelled and as an afterthought. “And I hope our son can forgive me for doing this!”

Radditsu froze. The bleak look dissolving rapidly to be replaced with one of longing and depression. “My…my son…”

Saida, who was floating above him, smirked and nodded. “Yes, Radditsu. Our son. His name is Fumiko and he is going to be as strong as you or even stronger. I thought you would have liked to see him, but I guess I was wrong.”

She waited with abated breath, hoping and praying that this would snap him out of his craziness completely. For a minute, she thought it would work out, but her hopes were quickly dissolved as that dead look filled his visage again.

“Oh, don’t worry, Saida.” Came the lazy drawl. “I will see him in my own due time. Right now, I have some other important issues to deal with. You see, nu ra’hi …it has been so long since I have had a taste of your wonderful body. So why don’t we consummate our marriage, ne?”

“NO!!” She tried to make a fast getaway, but was quickly cut off by the leery faced Saiyan in front of her. Spinning away to try another escape route, her tail was immediately caught in a death grip. Nearly passing out with the pain, she could only collapse limply against her mates’ body as they slowly floated to the ground.

Radditsu began to rip away the robes that covered her, ignoring the useless blows and struggles from her. Turning around to sneer at Makaru, who had been as still as death, watching the events go by him, he spoke mockingly. “Would you like to know what it really feels like to have a female, huh Makaru? Do you want to see what it is really like?! Well, welcome to the show!!”

Makaru had to shut his eyes as Radditsu ruthlessly thrust himself into the unwillingly female beneath him. He couldn’t bear to watch. Tears of anger and frustration leaked out of his eyes as he had to listen to the wails and screams from his best friend and older ‘sister’.

~ H’anan  Radditsu. W’ani, nu ba’rana . Where are you, Kakkarrot? ~