Here's Chapter 35! Thanks to Gohandominates, mskiki1219, , icewolf, aFanAddict, Red Chimera, Hoshi 124 and Ryo-chan wolfgirl for all the reviews on chapter34.
A/N: Over 350 reviews! THANKS EVERYONE!
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
…
Bulma felt shivers go up and down her spine as the dark-skinned Saiyan leisurely took his time gliding his lips across the back of her right hand. A wicked smile lit the handsome alien's face as he noticed her reaction to his brazen behavior. Artruay grimaced. Inwardly he was regretting bringing Bulma with him and putting her in the pirate's clutches.
"It seems you're taking a chill, my dear," Turles said huskily.
He removed the pristine white cape from his shoulders and quickly placed it around her before she could even protest. His arm encircled her waist.
"Come sit with us by the fire and warm yourself," he was guiding her to a magnificent pink fireplace where several seats were placed around it.
"Lord Turles, I must insist…"Artruay began.
"On greeting your fellow associates? But of course! We'll keep your lovely charge company for you. After all the ceremonies won't begin for some time," Turles declared with a dismissive wave of his hand.
The gray reptile couldn't help but grit his teeth in anger at the Saiyan's audacity.
"It's all right, Artruay I'll be fine," Bulma said even though she was actually rather uneasy about the situation.
"There, you see? Now attend to your business, Artruay," Turles insisted with a trace of amusement in his voice.
"I assure you I'll return shortly, Bulma," Artruay told her.
"DO take your time," the Saiyan snickered.
The 'we' turned out to be two of Turles's crew members. One of them was a pale- skinned humanoid male in blue and black armor with dark green hair that was cropped short except for a long ponytail that reached just past his muscular shoulders. He wore pair of thin silver earrings that glittered in the light. As Bulma approached he rose to his feet.
"My name is Daiz, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance," he said with a gracious bow before returning to his chair.
"Hello, my name is Bulma. It's nice to meet you," the darling of Capsule Corps said nervously.
A female that could pass for Daiz's twin sat across from him. Her dark green hair was long as well but was done up in a braid that hung to the middle of her back. Bulma was startled by the malevolent gaze the green and gold armored female gave her as Turles escorted her to a seat. When the Saiyan sat directly beside the former heiress, the emerald-haired woman's face darkened. The azure-haired scientist would have to be blind to miss the utter hatred that emanated from the other female.
"I believe an introduction is in order," the pirate commander growled.
"I am Zailora!" the dark green-haired female huffed.
"I do not tolerate rudeness. You are quite aware of that Zailora," Turles warned.
"I'm Zailora. It's an absolute pleasure to meet you!" Zailora snapped.
The dark-skinned Saiyan gave her a stern look.
"Pleased to meet you, Zailora," Bulma said brightly trying to sound friendly.
She was rewarded with a sour look from Zailora.
Bulma was quite uncomfortable as she wondered what she could have possibly done to incur Zailora's anger.
...
"Did HE have to be invited?" a purple bovine-faced creature complained as he gestured toward Turles.
The green insectoid being standing beside him shrugged his shoulders before he gave a response.
"Kerdis, King Gardas felt it to be a precautionary measure. If the Saiyan were to feel slighted and become offended then the result could be disastrous for us all."
"Our king has been reduced to nothing but a figurehead, Moncur," the purple bovine snapped bitterly.
"Perhaps but our planet is under Turles's control. Every breath we draw is at his whim. I'd rather endure his presence for a short time than see the destruction of Terzia if we anger him," Mocur declared.
"I suppose. But it doesn't mean that I have to like him being here," Kerdis mumbled stubbornly.
With a collective sigh, the two servants returned to their respective duties.
…
Bulma took another sip of the delicious wine Turles had ordered some time ago. She was certainly grateful that the long tedious marriage ceremony had been completed. While she had looked forward to observing the wedding, she had no idea that the nuptials would take over two hours! To their credit, Daiz and Turles had kept her from dozing off with their input on the services. However, she had felt it quite rude that they made a continuous habit of making the bride the butt of numerous jokes.
Even if the bride wasn't….wasn't traditionally attractive such comments were surely in bad taste! Bulma had stubbornly refused to answer when Daiz had asked her if she could count the amount of chins the bride possessed. Though she herself had gasped when the rotund pink-skinned daughter of King Gardas lumbered into the festively decorated room dressed in a yellow gown made of brocade and satin that was strewn with a generous amount of topaz stones.
The nearest creature she could compare the bride's facial structure to would have been that of a pink giraffe with a short neck. There was no wedding cake to be had but a veritable feast was served at the wedding's conclusion.
Bulma was relieved that Artruay had returned but Turles made sure that she was seated beside him once more for the meal. Yet again the blue-haired beauty had to deal with a look of pure evil from the one known as Zailora. The Saiyan's behavior was entirely different at the feast. His conversation was polite and his table manners were impeccable. Bulma immensely appreciated the fact that Turles took the time to point out foods that she was sure to enjoy as well as to warn her of those she might regret sampling.
Artruay watched dismally as Turles did his best to charm Bulma. Surely she could see what the Saiyan was doing?
The burly figure known as Gartoas had joined them and he sat next to Daiz. He elbowed the former prince and whispered to him," Figgers Turles gets ta sit by ah pretty female."
"I'm sure that the bride probably has a cousin or other relation that would be happy to keep you company," Daiz teased.
Gartoas blanched at that suggestion"Ah guess Ah'll pass!"
…
Gohan sighed with satisfaction as he devoured the last of the contents of the plate before him. No children had been allowed at the ceremony but he hadn't minded in the least. There had been numerous children of various races to play with. The caretakers assigned to look after them had made sure the spacious room the children were corralled in contained plenty of items to keep the youngsters entertained.
An absolutely delicious repast had been provided to suit the palates of the assorted youthful guests as well. When Gohan heard that the marriage ceremony took TWO HOURS he was definitely glad he hadn't been forced to attend it.
…..
Bulma soon found herself forgetting her employer's warning concerning the Saiyan pirate commander. She was actually enjoying his intelligent conversation and to be honest he was quite easy on the eyes. The Earth-raised female had always thought that the adult Goku was quite handsome and the striking Turles was almost a mirror image if not for his darker complexion. But there was an air of sophistication about him that Goku had certainly lacked.
When Turles reached over and brushed back a lock of Bulma's hair that had fallen out of place, he lazily traced his left index finger down her cheek before he removed his hand. She heard a low growl from Zailora who had made a point to sit directly across from her. Bulma tried to avoid looking at her as she was rewarded with a baleful glare every time her gaze locked with that of the dark green-haired female.
Turles casually placed his right arm around the young scientist's shoulders for just a moment. She no longer wore the white cape and couldn't help but feel the intense warmth emanating from the Saiyan's skin. Her eyes widened in fright as Zailora chose to snap a bone in half with her hands at that very second. The pale-skinned female shot her a meaningful look as she did so.
The Kardanagan didn't miss the interaction of the two women.
"Mebbe we'll getta see a catfight inna bit," Gartoas chuckled.
Daiz shook his head ruefully at the bearded pirate. Then he scowled and gave Zailora a light kick in the shin from beneath the elegantly appointed table. He sucked in his breath to keep from crying out as Zailora gave him a kick where every male dreaded to be kicked. She swallowed hard and looked down at her plate as Turles gave her a warning glance.
Bulma suddenly squeaked as something warm and furry wrapped itself around her left calf, it was the Saiyan's tail!
"Oh, DO pardon me, my dear. Sometimes it seems to have a mind of its own," Turles remarked as he released her.
A shudder went through Bulma as the pirate commander gave her a heated gaze.
The wineglass in Zailora's right hand suddenly shattered. Turles ignored her as he rose and escorted Bulma away from the table followed by a frantic Artruay.
"Zailora, I would suggest you get yourself under control before you get yourself in serious trouble," Daiz advised.
"Ya know Master Turles can be ah big flirt," Gartoas added.
"You two just don't understand!" Zailora snapped as she shoved past her fellow crew members.
….
Artruay gnashed his teeth in frustration as he lost sight of Bulma and her Saiyan escort in the crowd that milled about. Did Bulma realize at all the danger she could be in?…
…
Bulma suddenly found that she was completely alone with the Saiyan pirate in an indoor garden composed of lovely pale lavender roses. She breathed in deeply relishing the sweet perfume of the delicate flowers.
"Absolutely beautiful!" she exclaimed as she took in the sight of the floral display.
"You most certainly are!" Turles added causing Bulma to blush at his remark.
Somehow the aquamarine-haired genius was becoming ill at ease with the looks the dark-skinned Saiyan was giving her.
"Look maybe we should…." Bulma began.
"What planet are you from, my dear?" Turles interrupted.
The brainy beauty had been warned by Artruay to not mention Earth as her home planet but she was intent on seeing the Saiyan's reaction.
"I'm from planet Earth!" Bulma announced.
She saw a muscle twitch near the Saiyan's lower jaw but he gave no other visible reaction to her answer. A smirk lit his handsome face when he spoke again.
"So, you hail from the planet 'Earth'? Tell me, what is Earth's climate and vegetation like?" Turles questioned.
Bulma didn't miss the mocking tone of the Saiyan's query but it would prove dangerous to antagonize him. She felt quite certain of that. Still she wasn't going to simply ignore his question.
"I wouldn't know! I haven't been there for quite some time!" the young scientist shot back boldly.
A cruel smile lit the powerful Saiyan's face "Perhaps we should pay this 'Earth' visit, hmm?"
Turles wasn't so charming any more. All Bulma could do was envision her ruined home world now. She fought to keep tears from welling up in her eyes.
"I didn't mean to cause you distress," Turles pressed.
"I have to go! All I want now is a long soak in a warm tub!" the distraught Bulma declared as she tried to push past the Saiyan.
"That's an excellent suggestion!" Turles purred as his tail snaked out and pulled her against his armored chest.
The blue-haired female was too stunned to move or speak but her face turned scarlet. Her blue eyes went wide in absolute shock as she felt the Saiyan's warm lips brush over hers. Kami help her but the Saiyan knew how to kiss! To her chagrin, Bulma found herself returning Turles's embrace. What the hell was wrong with her?
Turles stepped back and gave an elegant bow before stating," I must be going. Perhaps we'll see you again, Bulma of Earth."
With that the Saiyan turned and left the stunned former heiress gaping at his retreating form.
Pure rage filled the former heiress as she struggled to get her bearings. How DARE he treat her like that and that just dismiss her?
"JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" Bulma screamed.
Turles faced her with a mischievous smirk," I am Turles, formerly of planet Vegeta-sei. I sincerely regret that our time together had to be cut short. Maybe we'll even get around to the bath you suggested when next we meet."
A furious Bulma tore out of the garden with the Saiyan's laughter ringing in her ears.
…..
Gohan tapped his scouter as it suddenly went off. He immediately recognized Daiz's voice.
"Meet us at the main palace entrance, Gohan. We're leaving now!" the Kabochan informed him.
"Okay, Daiz!" the little half-blood responded.
…..
Bulma ran through the palace in a blind panic hoping she would find Artruay and could leave this awful place as soon as possible. She ran right into someone.
The color drained from Bulma's face as she recognized the youthful son of Goku-Gohan!
But how much he had changed! The demi-Saiyan's hair hung past his shoulders. His once pudgy childish form now rippled with muscle under his now deeply tanned skin. A long scar went from his left temple across his eye down to his left cheek. He wore red and gold armor and polished black boots. He resembled a smaller version of Turles!
The azure-haired genius of Capsule Corps was horrified as she realized how easily the pair could be mistaken as father and son. NO! Gohan belonged to Goku and Chi-Chi!
"G-Gohan?" Bulma choked out.
"M-Miss Bulma?" Gohan squeaked in surporise.
"It's great to see you, Miss Bulma! I'm SO glad you're okay after…" the young half-Saiyan began.
"GOHAN! WHERE ARE YOU? " Daiz barked over Gohan's scouter.
"I'll be right there! It's good to see you again, Miss Bulma! I have to go now!" Gohan said cheerily as he sped off to the palace entrance.
"Go? WHAT DO YOU MEAN GO?" Bulma shrieked.
She raced after the son of Goku, but she couldn't reach him. He was too far ahead at the palace entrance. Turles reached down and tousled the boy's hair then snatched him up. He then placed the youngster on his muscular shoulders and had disappeared into the crowd of departing guests.
Tears stung Bulma's eyes as she slumped against a stone pillar for support. She'd been so close!
Artruay appeared in front of her"Bulma! Thank Kami you're all right!"
"Bulma, Dear! You're trembling! Did that Saiyan harm you in any way?" her employer asked.
"I saw him, Artruay! I SAW GOHAN!"
…
Bulma swallowed hard as Chi-Chi greeted her and Artruay as they entered the quarters she shared with Goku's widow.
'Chi-Chi is going to KILL me!' she thought glumly.
"Bulma, what's wrong?' the brunette female questioned.
"You'd better sit down, Chi-Chi" the distressed young scientist advised.
"It's about your son," Artruay said flatly.
Chi-Chi collapsed sobbing into a cushioned chair "Oh, I just KNEW it! MY POOR BABY IS DEAD! THAT HORRIBLE MONSTER MURDERED HIM!"
"No, Chi-Chi! I met Gohan today," Bulma mumbled.
"THAT'S WONDERFUL! Where is he? WHERE IS MY POOR DARLING?" Chi-Chi shouted as she sprang out of her seat.
"He's NOT here," the blue-haired female choked out.
"THEN WHERE IS HE?" Chi-Chi demanded.
"He's still with Turles!" Bulma sobbed.
"WHAT? YOU LEFT HIM? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY LEAVE HIM WITH THAT MONSTER?" Chi-Chi screamed.
She flung herself at Bulma.
"LADIES! LADIES! DO TRY TO SHOW SOME DECORUM HERE!" Artruay shouted in vain…..
…
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