Here's Chapter 6! Thanks to icewolf, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, Panxodakilla, gohanFanfics, Laania and bardockthetruesupersaiyan for all the reviews on chapter 5. Thanks also to bardockthetruesupersaiyan for the additional reviews on chapters 1 thru 4.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of it's characters, Akira Toriyama does!
...
Gohan sat up suddenly and found himself sitting on his bunk in Turles's ship. But how could that be? Hadn't Turles taken him to a strange planet and forced him to look at that awful false moon again? Everything was a blur, he seemed to remember these strange beings running and screaming but wasn't quite sure if it had been one of the nightmares that now constantly plagued his sleep or reality. But then it couldn't have been real, he'd still be on that planet wouldn't he?
It must have just been a dream. Once again his mind had filled with horrid images to disturb his slumber. With a long sigh, the young half-Saiyan lay back down and tried to will himself back to sleep. Eventually, his eyes grew heavy and he drifted back into a troubled sleep.
Gohan was walking a shadowy path through the craggy peaks of Mount Paozu when he saw a familar figure standing just ahead. There was no mistaking the tall muscular green- skinned figure wearing a white cape and a matching turban.
"Mr. Piccolo! It's you! You're okay!" Gohan shouted joyfully.
The son of Goku gasped in horror as Piccolo turned to face him. Red eyes glowed from the eye sockets of the horribly burned Namek. As he backed away, Piccolo bore down on him, his hands balled up into fists" Do I LOOK OKAY? Worthless Saiyan spawn!"
"CHI-CHI TOLD YOU TO STAY HOME!" another voice snarled from behind him.
Tears trickled down the six-year-old's face as a badly wounded Krillin staggered out from the shadows.
"Piccolo was killed by Turles when he got distracted because of you!" the former monk accused.
"That's right! And now the Dragonballs are useless! We can NEVER be wished back! NEVER!" a limping Yamcha hissed. Light shone through a fist-sized hole in the scar-faced warrior's chest.
"It's all YOUR FAULT! It's all YOUR FAULT!" Yamcha, Krillin and Piccolo chorused again and again...
"NNOOOOOOO!" Gohan screamed. " IT WASN'T MY FAULT! IT WASN'T MY FAULT!"
"I'm glad we know it wasn't your fault. WHATEVER "IT" IS!" Turles barked.
The half-Saiyan swallowed hard as he realized his surroundings. He'd awakened the pirate commander and he was probably going to be punished for it.
"S-sorry, M-master Turles! I m-must have had a bad dream. I didn't mean to wake you," Gohan stammered.
"Speak plainly, Brat. Don't stutter!" Turles snapped.
"Yes, Commander!" the child gulped.
"We can't help what we dream, Brat," the dark-skinned Saiyan rumbled as he stepped into the room. The muscular form of the space pirate was clothed only in a undergarment of some black silken material. Several massive scars ran across his chest.
"Find something to occupy yourself until you can go back to sleep," Turles ordered then he turned on his heel and left the room.
A stunned Gohan let out the breath he didn't even realize he was holding. Out in the hall, a watching Daiz did the same.
Unknown to Gohan and Daiz, Turles had been awakened by a dream of his own. He had just stepped out into the hall when he had heard the boy's screams. The pirate commander recalled the dream that had roused him from his sleep.
A very young Turles walked into the room where his father stood. The powerfully built Saiyan gave him a look of utter disdain. From his short spiky hair to the glittering red and gold armor of the Saiyan Royal Guard and polished black boots, Turles's sire was the epitome of a Saiyan elite.
"Third-class! All you could manage was a pitiful third-class ranking!" the elite spat.
"Father, I..." Turles began.
"Silence!" the furious elite warrior snarled."Getting you a second chance to be tested was a favor to me from King Vegeta himself! Thank Kami your mother was lost during the Kenfir mission and she doesn't have to share my shame."
"But Father, I'm training every day as hard as... " the Saiyan youth started.
"Enough! Every male in my family was an ELITE as far back as my ancestors could recall ...WE WERE ALL ELITES! And then YOU disgrace us all!"
"Father...
The royal guardsman held up his hand for silence"Take what you will and get out of my sight! NEVER RETURN HERE AGAIN!"
...
Turles sat in the captain's chair staring out at the cosmos as his ship sailed past a profusion of stars and planets. Gohan appeared and he walked over to a large white book that had been neglected for several days.
"Still awake, Brat?" Turles sighed.
"Yes, Commander. I thought maybe some reading would help," the son of Goku spoke up quickly. He only received a curt nod.
Settled on the floor with his book, Gohan noticed a familiar scent. Could it be? Due to his Saiyan blood, the boy could discern the distinct aroma of chocolate before Turles even opened the small red foil wrapped package.
Chi-Chi hadn't allowed her son to have candy of any kind. Krillin had secretly given Gohan a candy bar once and the six-year-old had enjoyed every morsel.
Turles smirked as he noticed the boy sniffing the air. He held out a piece of the precious confection. To his surprise, the youngster shook his head negatively.
"No thank you, Master Turles. I can't have any candy. Mom said it would rot my teeth," Gohan declared.
The Saiyan full-blood snorted,"When eaten in moderation with a bit of simple hygiene sweets won't harm your teeth."
A heavenly smell reached Gohan as the pirate waved the chocolate in his direction once more. He cautiously held out his hand and was actually surprised when a large piece of the treat was dropped into it.
...
Daiz appeared in the doorway of Gohan's room and called out to him," Best you be getting up and dressed, Kid. Unless you want to gnaw on your boots for breakfast later."
Gohan leapt out of his bed and began rapidly getting dressed. He wasn't about to miss a meal! No matter what else could be said about Turles, the Saiyan knew the best places to purchase meals. Since he had been taken away by the brooding pirate he'd not had a single meal he didn't relish.
The former Kabochan prince appraised his appearance as Gohan stepped into the hall. He pointed to the half-Saiyan's boots," Better go over those scuffs. You have to be at your best when you step out with Master Turles."
...
Gohan was stuffing his mouth with savory Anara rice and he stole a look at Turles. While the Saiyan consumed enormous amounts of food, he never wolfed it down. Who would think that a pirate partook of his meals with such exemplary table manners?
The black and silver armor the Saiyan wore was buffed to a shine and one could see their reflection in Turles's boots. Not a lock of his spiky black hair was out of place. It was obvious that the pirate commander was particular about his appearance.
Maybe that's why he was treated like royalty at the establishments he frequented. Or was it the huge amount of zeni the Saiyan always had on his person?
Gohan began to fidget in his seat and he whispered something to Daiz. The Kabochan pointed out a door and the six-year-old hurried to the facilities.
As Gohan was making his way back to the table where Turles and Daiz sat. A rotund yellow-skinned reptile stepped right out in front of him. The creature was carrying some sort of beverage which spilled as he slammed into the young half-Saiyan.
"You've ruined my drink, you filthy little ape!" the reptilian being bellowed.
"I-I'm sorry, Sir!" Gohan insisted.
"You're GONNA be sorry! Saiyan scum!" the yellow-skinned lifeform snickered as he seized Gohan by the throat and he began to squeeze...
"Release the boy!" a voice rang out.
The yellow reptile looked up to see the imposing form of Turles standing before him.
"I'm sure we can work out a price so the boy is not harmed," the pirate commander offered.
"HE'S gonna pay the price for disrespecting me!" the reptilian hissed.
The reptile suddenly noticed the furry tail wrapped around Gohan's waist. "Should have taught your offspring some manners!"
"The brat is NOT mine!" Turles growled.
"Then what's it to ya if I END this little monkey?"
"He happens to be part of my crew. NOW LET HIM GO!" the pirate commander barked.
"NO! I'm gonna smother this little piece of Saiyan trash!" the reptile snickered as he choked the struggling youth.
Turles raised his right hand and a smoking pile of ash was all that remained of the offensive reptile.
The Saiyan male reached at his belt and threw a hefty sack of zeni to a scowling owl-like creature "That's for the mess!"
A wide smile appeared on the avian's face and he walked away without a word of complaint. Two servants appeared and quickly removed what remained of the hapless reptile.
"Let's go, Brat!" Turles ordered.
"Yes Commander!" Gohan followed the pirate back to their table.
"Master Turles, Did you mean what you said back there?" the six-year-old asked.
"I always mean what I say, Brat," Turles huffed.
"I'm REALLY a member of the crew? Commander?"Gohan pressed.
The Saiyan looked him in the eye.
"Are you a slave?"
"No, Master Turles,"" the half-Saiyan answered.
"Then you're a member of the crew."
...
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