Chapter 11: The Cowardly Lion
"Well, well, well" Yamcha stood and began to circle the captives. "Now this is a pleasant surprise. You little fugitives should merit quite a sum in award money."
"Excuse me sir" Goku spoke up "I just got free and I really don't want to be here so would be so kind as to let me and my friends go?"
Gohan and Dorothy shook their in silence as the thief king laughed in the face of their naive friend. "It really doesn't matter what you want does it? What matters is the pleasure of our new queen and how she's going to award us. Take them away, Kal."
"Yes sir" Gohan noted resentment in the thief's voice as they were led toward a large storage tent. He muttered to himself as he made sure the prisoners were secure "Yes sir, no sir, I'll be happy to do all the work while you take the credit sir! Sometimes he really gets under my skin!"
He stormed out without a backwards glance and the travelers were alone. "Well this day certainly de-railed" Gohan joked.
"Where is Toto?" 16 wanted to know "He is not here?"
"He ran away when we were ambushed" Dorothy answered "I hope he's alright."
"As do I."
They fell into silence and could feel the agonizing passage of time. The sun had already set leaving the prisoners in total darkness. Gohan tried in vain to squirm into a more comfortable position but he was wedged very tightly between Goku and 16.
Goku complained "I'm hungry. You think they'd at least feed us something."
Dorothy said "Well prisoners aren't usually treated with all that much respect, Goku."
"That's just mean."
16 cut Dorothy off before she could respond; "I sense something living nearby. I believe it is Toto."
Immediately the tent was filled with barks and the groups was jostled slightly as the dog jumped into his owner's lap.
"Oh Toto, you found us!"
Toto barked excitedly and licked Dorothy's face. "I'm glad to see you too but you need to be quiet or we'll get in more trouble."
As if on cue, the light from a lantern appeared at the tent flap. Yamcha stepped inside and said "What is going on here?"
He received his answer in the form of a growling dog stepping into the lamplight. Gohan was surprised to see Yamcha's face go white. "Where did he come from?"
"He's my dog and you better be nice to him because he can get mighty protective of me."
"Well just keep him quiet so we can sleep."
"Can we have some food" Goku asked "Or even better, a bathroom break?"
The king of the Dark Lions flinched and Gohan saw his eyes move over Goku's and 16's strong, toned muscles. He recovered quickly and said "Just so you can escape, no sir."
"Are you afraid of us?" the young half-Sayian asked.
"What! You insult me with your question boy!"
16 said "Judging from your increased heart rate coupled with other biological tale-tell signs, you are indeed afraid."
Yamcha displayed surprise at 16's knowledge and Toto stopped growling. He seemed to be regarding the man before him with pleasant curiosity. Dorothy, who was facing away from this scene, craned her neck around Goku the best she could so that all were watching as the little dog decided to nuzzle against Yamcha's leg. He stepped back in surprise but Toto simply barked happily and stepped forward.
"Toto is usually an excellent judge of character" Dorothy noted "I suppose Yamcha can't be all bad."
"I don't know about that" Gohan responded "He is planning to sell us to the Wicked Witch of the West."
"That's right I am!" he announced with a tad more force than was necessary. "I'm going to bed and if you keep me or my men awake with your silly noise, the consequences will be severe."
He stormed out of the tent and Toto returned to Dorothy's lap. "Of course he could be wrong this time."
"I do not like this" said 16 "Perhaps it would have been better to stay in the woods."
"I don't think so" Goku responded "At least I'm glad I came."
"In spite of us being captured and sold to the most evil woman in Oz?"
"Yep. If I hadn't met Gohan and Dorothy, I'd still be a miserable slave. I'm glad that I met my wonderful friends and had at least a few days of happiness."
"That does not make much sense and yet I agree. Being with people who like me and understand me has been very brief yet very pleasant."
"Yes it has" Gohan agreed "I'm just sad that we got the two of you into this mess."
Dorothy agreed but Goku said "Haven't I just said I don't mind. I'm sure everything will turn out alright in the end."
Nobody was quite as optimistic as he was but their spirits rose. Dorothy yawned "I'm really sleepy. We might as well rest."
Goku said "You said it; I sure could use some sleep."
"I do not require sleep but I will remain quiet for your benefit."
Outside the tent, Yamcha was absolutely amazed that these people could remain so calm and optimistic in the face of peril. There friendship seemed to be the source of their incredible strength.
A voice broke him out of his thoughts "Lord Yamcha are you alright?"
"Oh Kal; of course I'm alright. Why wouldn't I be?"
"You seemed deep in thought. Are the prisoners bothering you?"
"Not at all."
"That's good. I'll leave you to get some rest; we have a big day tomorrow."
Yamcha shuddered as Kal walked away. He didn't entirely trust his second in command but knew the ruthless criminal could be vicious when crossed. He cast one last glance back at the prisoners tent before heading to his own deep in thought.
