Here's Chapter 29! Thanks to MohammadAlzo, Ali, astartes88, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, Red Chimera, Ryven flame dancing Saiyan, icewolf, Hoshi124 and gohan90 for all the reviews on chapter 28. Thanks also to Super Vegetarott for the review on chapter 1.

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!

A/N: Lost Mom a year ago on 4/14. I didn't realize how hard that day would hit me. Writing has kept me from getting TOO down in the dumps. Two-hundred and ninety-eight reviews! THANKS EVERYONE!

…

The ancient purple toad-being gasped in surprise as he looked up from his counter only to gaze into the cold onyx eyes of Turles. He had not even heard the Saiyan warrior enter his shop.

"I believe you have something for me ,Tarkalease," the Saiyan pirate declared.

"Yes! Yes! My greatest work of all! Master Turles will be quite pleased with old Tarkalease!" the wizened toad insisted.

"We shall see," the dark-skinned Saiyan growled.

Tarkalease rummaged through a drawer and lifted out a small white cloth covered bundle. Toothless gums grinned as he placed the bundle into the Saiyan's hands.

A wicked smirk lit the pirate commander's face as he removed the scrap of cloth and examined the object beneath it.

"Well done, Tarkalease ! I suppose I can allow your decrepit old carcass to exist for a few more years. I won't destroy this world…. for now," Turles taunted.

"Always a pleasure to serve you, Lord Turles!" the wizened elderly creature exclaimed timidly.

…

Gartoas shook his head as he watched Gohan go through a series of drills Turles had ordered him to practice.

"Tha brat's getting' stronger by tha day. What's gonna happen ifn' he surpasses Turles?" the burly pirate huffed.

"That's why Turles has to keep him in line. Poor kid wants approval so badly it's more effective than punishment," Daiz mused.

"Hmmph! He's stuck with Turles! Where else is he going to go, hmmm?" Zailora snapped.

"Ya don't seem ta mind bein' at 'is beck an' call yerself!" the Kardanagan growled.

"It's called doing my job, you Big Ape!" the Kabochan female shot back.

"Knock it off, you two!" Daiz barked.

'Can't get those two in the same room without them going at it!' the dark green-haired pirate thought to himself.

Zailora snorted and stomped out of the training room. She was still wearing the short pale green dress and Daiz had to admit he didn't mind the view at her departure.

"Yer wastin' yer time. Wench has 'er eye on Turles. Ah'd stake muh beard on it!" Gartoas muttered.

"Really? You could use a shave!" Daiz snickered.

Surely his crewmate was mistaken the former prince pondered. He was mistaken. Wasn't he?

….

"What ARE you blathering about Salsir?'" Raychalla sighed in exasperation.

"I'm quite certain that I can lure Turles here with the proper bait," the serpent-being hissed.

"And just what do you plan on "baiting" him with?" the ivory-haired queen demanded.

"I am referring to her Majesty!" Salsir announced as he leered at the pirate monarch.

"I did NOT say that I was going to…."

"I NEVER SAID YOU HAD A CHOICE!" the Sarhassan declared with a hellish smile.

'What have I gotten myself into?' Raychalla wondered as she glared at the laughing snake-ling.

…

Daiz wondered about the Kardanagan pirate's comment earlier that day, Zailora sat glaring daggers at the pretty serving girl that openly flirted with Turles during the noon meal the crew shared.

Long lavender hair hung to the female's slim scantily-clad emerald-hued waist. Her bright pink garment was cut low in the front and barely covered the essentials below.

"Is tha green-eyed monster nippin' at ya?" Gartoas teased.

Zailora waited until the bearded pirate shoveled in a mouthful of food when she gave him a quick jab to the ribs with her elbow. Sucking air in on the impact, Gartoas began to cough violently. It took several seconds for the massive crewman to clear his lungs.

"We are here to consume our meal NOT to inhale it, Gartoas!" Turles scolded.

The Kabochan female merely smirked at the glowering Gartoas.

"And you're supposed to be the kid at this table," Daiz whispered, getting a giggle from Gohan.

…

Artruay tried to comfort an inconsolable Chi-Chi. Tears trickled down the slender brunette's cheeks. An occasional sob was audible now and then.

"Chi-Chi, My Dear. Are you sure the boy with Turles was truly your son?" the gray reptile questioned.

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? OF COURSE I'M SURE!" Chi-Chi screamed.

"If it will help at all, the boy seemed well-cared for. He didn't appear to lack for nourishment. Not to mention he was very well dressed. Such apparel is quite expensive," Artruay offered.

"That MONSTER has my baby and you're worried about WHAT HE WAS WEARING?" the irate daughter of the Ox-King screeched.

"CHI-CHI! Artruay was only trying to help!" Bulma cut in quickly.

"I know. I'm so sorry, Artruay," the widow of Goku said softly.

"It's quite all right, Chi-Chi. I know this isn't easy for you," her employer affirmed.

….

"Marpas, You put the word out that the queen of Quarshrim is now my prisoner?" Salsir eagerly asked the massive blue reptilian bounty hunter.

"Yes, Salsir. Turles sent his reply," Marpas said nervously.

"I suppose he will be arriving soon?" the Sarhassan went on. His red eyes glittered with excitement.

Marpas swallowed hard "H-He s-sent word…"

"Out with it, you imbecile!" Salsir snarled.

"Turles sent word that he…..THAT HE COULDN'T CARE LESS!"

"WHAT?" Raychalla fumed.

Salsir was outraged. Then he chuckled softly.

"Treacherous ape! I know Turles has something planned," the serpentine life-form mused.

"WE'LL BE READY FOR HIM!"

….

Turles entered his ship walking slowly and apparently gasping for air. The left side of his armor of crushed as if a giant fist had slammed into it. Gartoas and Daiz gaped in disbelief. Gohan followed the Saiyan with his head hanging low.

"M-Master Turles, I didn't mean…"

"Quiet, Brat! No need to apologize for my carelessness!" Turles growled out.

"Commander, What…." Daiz began.

"I just need the tank for a few moments!" Turles wheezed.

At that moment, Zailora appeared," WHAT IN KAMI'S NAME?"

"NOT A WORD, WOMAN!" the Saiyan pirate barked.

"FINE! I'll keep your little secret but you need to get in that tank immediately… Commander!" she added quickly.

"YES, MOTHER!" Turles quipped.

Zailora's face flushed and she stormed from the room.

'As if MY mother EVER showed any concern' the dark-skinned Saiyan thought to himself.

Gartoas and Daiz turned to Gohan.

"I'm NOT allowed to talk about it!" the youngster announced as he shuffled past leaving the two bewildered pirates in his wake.

…

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