A/N: SO SORRY for the LONG wait! NO INTERNET for months! I'm stuck once AGAIN with borrowing a computer on limited time but I'll update as often as I can!

Here's Chapter 33! Thanks to Ryo-chan wolfgirl, Gohandominates, mskiki 1219, Red Chimera, Hoshi 124, firelifeblizzard, Ali,icewolf, Person 345, humancygrax, FrostyMasenko, Guest and aFanAddict for all the reviews on chapter32! Thanks also to aFanAddict for the additional reviews on chapters 3 and 16! Thanks to fairus for the review on chapter 1 and to Guest for the review on chapter 29.

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

…..

Gohan rubbed his eyes. Surely he had to be dreaming. He hadn't just opened his eyes to see Turles smiling at him had he? The dark-skinned Saiyan reached Gohan's bedside in two strides.

"You have honored your Saiyan blood this day, Gohan. A blood we now truly share…" Turles began.

The yellow feline medic suddenly appeared and interrupted Turles.

"Lord Turles, I request a moment of your time."

"Of course!" the Saiyan pirate commander snapped seemingly annoyed.

Still, he followed the head medic out of the room. Zailora walked up and gave the little half-Saiyan an affectionate hug.

"Where am I?" Gohan asked.

"You're at the Mertosian healing station," the Kabochan female informed him.

"What was Turles talking about?" the confused youth questioned.

Zailora pursed her lips for a moment before she gave a reply," Turles gave some of his blood to save your life."

"WOW!" Gohan uttered in amazement. A wide grin appeared on his face.

"Don't read too much into it, Gohan," the dark green-haired woman warned.

The seven-year-old yawned "Is it okay if I go back to sleep?"

Zailora gave his head a pat," You certainly may."

Gartoas and Daiz stood back watching the exchange. The burly Kardanagan shook his head and turned to Daiz.

"Ya know what's ta be comin', aye, Daiz?" Gartoas muttered.

"Yep," Daiz sighed.

"What are you two blathering about?" Zailora wanted to know.

"Turles'll be claimin' tha brat as is' own. Boy's got no idea what es' in fer," the bearded pirate said glumly.

…..

Gohan stared at his reflection pensively. He looked so different. A long scar went from his left temple, over his left eyelid and trailed down to his cheek. Salsir's cruel claws had marked the young demi-Saiyan. The little half-blood traced the scar with the index finger of his left hand.

"You wear a reminder of a battle you survived. It is a testament to your strength and courage. Do not be ashamed of it," Turles declared as he came up behind the youth.

"So it doesn't look awful, Commander?" Gohan pressed.

"You look like A Saiyan warrior, Gohan," the Saiyan full-blood stated.

Gohan beamed at the Saiyan pirate's reply. Gartoas gave Daiz a knowing look. Zailora observed Turles and Gohan's interaction silently.

A tall elderly green reptilian being entered the room. His deep purple robe and proud demeanor made him appear to be a figure of some importance.

The wizened reptile bowed low before Turles and spoke with a gravelly voice," Lord Turles, I bring news from planet Quarshrim."

"I am NOT your 'lord', Ashiryaz. I also have no interest in Raychalla's affairs. Inform your queen that I am no longer a playing piece in her little games," Turles said coldly.

Zailora smirked and Daiz gave her a look of pure annoyance. He knew Zailora despised the ivory-haired monarch but did she have to be so obvious about it?

Ashiryaz gave a long sigh before he replied," I fear our late queen will no longer play any 'games'."

Gartoas and Daiz snapped their heads up. Zailora looked guilty for a moment. Turles's stance seemed to waver for a split second. The former Kabochan prince could have sworn that he saw a stricken look in the Saiyan's eyes before they returned to emotionless once more.

"Late queen?" Turles repeated.

"Yes, Lord Turles. Our beloved ruler met with great misfortune as she attempted to depart this planet. An immediate investigation revealed that her ship had been intentionally disabled," the Quarshrimian emissary answered.

"Salsir!" the Saiyan pirate commander growled.

"Yes, Lord Turles. I understand that you are responsible for dispatching that monster. The people of Quarshrim are most grateful that you have avenged her majesty," Ashiryaz said as he bowed again to the Saiyan.

"I am NOT your lord. Now you have delivered your news so be on your way!" Turles snapped.

"But there's more!" the elderly reptile protested.

"Then be done with it!" the dark-skinned Saiyan snarled.

"Well you see Lord Turles, in the event of her death Queen Raychalla had made arrangements to…"

"Get to the point and cease this mindless drivel!" Turles barked.

"She left her entire holdings to YOU!" the frightened messenger spoke up quickly.

"WHAT?" the startled pirate choked out.

Gartoas suddenly began to cough and Zailora couldn't resist giving him a hard swat to his back earning a vicious glare from the Kardanagan.

"M-Master Turles, That means f-fifteen planets!" Daiz stammered.

"Also there are the diamond mines of Kelzara, the mineral rights on Quardim, the…." Ashiryaz continued.

"Why would Raychalla leave everything to me?" Turles demanded.

"Lord Turles, the queen…the queen thought most highly of you despite the…uh..disagreements that would arise between the two of you on occasion," Ashiryaz said flatly.

Turles snorted at that statement. 'Disagreements' was certainly putting it mildly. The confrontations between him and the now deceased monarch had been almost legendary in their ferocity. But he was completely bewildered. Why had Raychalla left everything to him? He gave a ragged sigh as he realized the answer. Foolish woman…

"Quarshrim and all its properties belong to you so you are indeed our lord, Lord Turles," the elderly reptile insisted.

"Ashiryaz , I appoint YOU in charge of any dealings on planet Quarshrim and all its holdings," Turles said wearily.

"Such an honor! Are you sure, my Lord?" Ashiryaz gasped.

"Raychalla always trusted you. I see no reason to do otherwise.I will not be setting foot on Quarshrim again," the Saiyan pirate announced.

"I see. There is much work to be done then, I must be off. Of course I am ever at your disposal, Lord Turles," Ashiryaz sighed.

Turles nodded and turned away. The green reptile knew he had been dismissed and he quickly departed.

"E's gonna be takin' this harder than es' showin' now," Gartoas warned.

"Yep. And he's probably going to be in a mood. We'd best watch our step," Daiz agreed.

"Good riddance if you ask me!" Zailora huffed.

"We didn't ask you!" the Kardanagan bellowed.

"Don't you two start!" Daiz warned.

Gohan kept silent. He hadn't liked the white-haired queen at all even if she was pretty but he couldn't help but feel a little sad. And he somehow felt that Turles did too.

…..

True to Daiz's warning, Turles was nearly impossible to please after he and his crew returned to their ship. For the past three days the smallest thing would set the Saiyan commander off. Daiz and Gartoas had both suffered several particularly vicious training sessions because of Turles's temper. Zailora rushed to the bridge, her face was pale and her eyes seemed to be brimming with tears.

"Now what?" Daiz asked.

Zailora merely sniffled and wouldn't say a word as she took her usual seat. Gartoas shook his head as he walked over to the Kabochan male.

"Seem's tha gal got tha bright idea to try to say a few comfortin' words to Turles. It wasn' pretty. Then Master Turles laid down tha law bout' how he feels bout' her moonin' over im'," Gartoas spoke up.

"SHUT UP!"Zailora snapped.

"Seems like only Gohan's been spared Turles's foul mood," Daiz sighed.

….

Zailora could have sworn she heard someone screaming. It sounded like Gohan! The Kabochan female rushed to the location of where the screams emanated from. The training room! Zailora gasped at the sight of Turles standing over Gohan as the boy thrashed about on the training room floor in obvious pain. His little hands were clasped about his head.

"You're supposed to be a Saiyan, Brat! Pay attention to your orders!" Turles roared.

Shaking his head in disgust, Turles stomped over to the training room door. When he exited the room, Zailora left her hiding place and came back for Gohan. She rushed over to the now trembling boy who still had his hands clapped over his head.

"WHAT WAS TURLES DOING TO YOU?" Zailora demanded.

"H-H w-was t-teaching me to keep my mind closed w-when someone t-tried to get into it. I REALLY tried! But it hurt SO BAD and he got SO angry with me!" Gohan sobbed.

Anger flashed in Zailora's eyes, she'd grown quite fond of Gohan and it made her furious that Turles would treat him in such a way. This had gone far enough!

"Go get cleaned up, Gohan. I'm going to have a word with Master Turles," the dark green-haired female declared.

"NO! PLEASE! I'll be fine! I don't want you to get into trouble!" Gohan protested.

"We can't go on like this, Gohan! Now DO what I've said!" Zailora commanded.

"Y-Yes, Ma'am!" Gohan said shakily.

Zailora gave him a comforting hug and then she went to confront Turles…

…

Turles was shouting something at Daiz when Zailora entered the bridge. The former prince looked miserable and Gartoas stood next to him, his gaze glued to the floor.

"ENOUGH!" Zailora barked.

Turles whirled about, Daiz and Gartoas looked aghast.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Turles said in a dangerous tone.

"I SAID ENOUGH!" Zailora repeated.

"Ifn' ya got somethin' to say ta tha wench ya best be sayin' it fast" Gartoas whispered to Daiz.

The Saiyan commander looked absolutely livid as he strode over to where Zailora stood. But the Kabochan female bravely stood her ground.

"Master Turles, we have obeyed your every order without question regardless of how we might personally feel about it. Our loyalty should NEVER be in question. In return we're being treated most unfairly. If you can't properly execute your duties as a commander then maybe we should cut our losses and just LEAVE!" Zailora snapped.

"You're right, she's dead!"Daiz groaned.

Turles stood glaring at the female pirate. She stared right back at him unflinching.

A smile crossed the Saiyan's face and he chuckled softly.

"You are correct, Zailora. I have behaved unseemly for someone in my position. I will rectify that situation immediately," Turles said flatly.

"Daiz, Gartoas, Ignore my previous order," the Saiyan announced before he left the room.

"What the Hell just happened?" a stunned Daiz asked the equally amazed Kardanagan.

"She's gotta be a witch!" Gartoas insisted.

….

Bulma twirled around looking at her mirrored reflection in pure delight. A strapless gown of shimmering ice-blue clothed the azure-haired beauty. Exquisitely cut deep blue Aarbazan sapphires and diamonds composed a magnificent necklace that hung at her throat. She wore matching glittering teardrop earrings.

"Wasn't it just so generous of Artruay to loan me this wonderful jewelry, Chi-Chi?" Bulma chortled.

Chi-Chi only crossed her arms over her chest and snorted.

"Oh don't be like that, Chi-Chi! You're more than welcome to join us," the former Capsule Corps heiress chided.

"Hmph! I DON'T want to go to some social event for a bunch of ALIENS!" Gokyu's widow snapped.

"You know it wouldn't hurt you to have a little fun," the blue-haired scientist insisted.

"Fun? FUN? Have you forgotten why we're here, Bulma?" the daughter of the Ox-king scoffed.

"No I haven't," Bulma said dejectedly.

Artruay suddenly appeared at that very moment.

"Ah, Bulma, my dear! You look positively stunning! What's this? You're not ready, Chi-Chi. Surely you don't wish to miss the event do you?" the gray reptilian being implored.

"I'm NOT going!" Chi-Chi huffed.

"Now, now, you'd probably enjoy yourself," Artruay encouraged.

"I'LL ENJOY MYSELF WHEN I HAVE MY SON BACK!" the ebony-haired female growled.

"As you wish, Chi-Chi," the alien businessman said politely.

Chi-Chi had made it quite clear some time ago that he was not to address her as 'my dear'as he did Bulma.

"At any rate, we must be going Bulma. Being late is quite frowned upon at these events," Artruay advised.

"Of course, we'll see you later, Chi-Chi," Bulma said cheerily. She merely gained another angry snort from the brunette.

Chi-Chi stared out at the stars when Bulma and her unlikely escort departed the quarters she shared with the young aquamarine-haired scientist.

'Oh, Gohan, where are you? Where has that monster taken you?' she thought as tears rolled down her cheeks.

...

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