A/N: A great heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has been reading and reviewing! Four hundred and fourteen reviews! You are all beyond awesome! The computer I shared with a student was stolen some time ago so please pardon my delay in updates. When I have Internet access again so I'll update as often as possible.
Here's Chapter 38! Thanks to Dark Dominion, Perfect Carnage, Nimrin Driggen, icewolf, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, Red Chimera, Hoshi124, Ryven flame dancing saiyan, peanutbuttergurl6, Guest, sonicentertainmz, guest, , flubber and humancygrax for all the reviews on chapter 37. Thanks also to humancygrax for the review for chapter 34, HellsMaji for reviewing chapters 4 and 16 and sallyroscoe22 for the review on chapter 4.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
….
Bulma gave up on attempting any restful sleep. Her slumber was plagued with images of the smooth-talking Saiyan. She was also haunted by the memory of running into little Gohan.
Actually Gohan had been taller than she remembered him to be. His childish pudgy form was now replaced by lean rippling muscles. And that awful scar! Bulma hadn't dared to tell ChiChi about it. She could only imagine her reaction.
'How are we EVER going to rescue Gohan from someone like Turles?' Bulma wondered.
…
Turles stood in front of his ship's large observation window staring out into space. Daiz stood back in the shadows. The rest of the crew had turned in some time ago, curiosity prompted the former prince from making his presence known.
Something glittered in the dark-skinned Saiyan's right hand. It was the Arkalazian sapphire! The gem's exact copy had completely fooled Queen Raychalla into believing it to be a priceless treasure. Enraged by the Saiyan pirate's duplicity, the ivory-haired monarch had enlisted the evil Sarhassan, Salsir to bring the wily Turles in to face her wrath. Instead the pirate queen had met her own demise by the serpent-being's schemes.
"You were not meant to be harmed, Raychalla," the pirate whispered.
Daiz gaped in absolute disbelief as the exquisite jewel was crushed into nothing but dust in Turles's fist.
"So you do have a heart after all, you stubborn Saiyan," the dark green –haired pirate crewman sighed.
…..
Gohan couldn't help but notice the somber look on Turles's face as he took over the ship's controls.
"Is something wrong, Master Turles?" he asked with obvious concern.
"Let it go!" Turles growled.
"Yes, Sir!" the little half-Saiyan spoke up quickly.
….
Bulma yawned as she followed her reptilian employer through the strange enormous building on planet Grozdor that served as a financial institution for citizens of the Southeast Sector.
"We'll need to make a sizable withdrawal to finance your latest invention," Artruay insisted.
The blue-haired young scientist stared in fascination as one of the devices that allocated funds to the patrons deposited a hefty amount of currency to a green-skinned pachyderm like being in a scarlet and blue garment.
"What a pleasant surprise!" a strong voice called out.
Bulma groaned audibly as the subject of her recent nightmares glided into view with a smug look on his handsome face. A rather large container was tucked under the Saiyan's right arm. No doubt it was filled with ill-gotten gains from the pirate's various schemes.
"Lord Turles," Artruay sighed.
Turles completely ignored the gray reptile's presence.
"Alas, Bulma dear, You 've caught me rather pressed for time. I'm afraid I won't be able to take you up on the bath you so graciously offered to share at our last meeting," the pirate commander declared.
Bulma could literally feel the red flush of embarrassment color her face.
Artruay gaped in horror at Bulma. Turles continued before the mortified darling of Capsule Corps could even respond.
"But if I delay my departure a bit…. I'm sure we could work in a quick shower!" Turles taunted with an evil smile.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Bulma bellowed in utter humiliation.
She wanted to strangle the arrogant armored figure that was obviously enjoying her discomfort.
"But of course. We should wait until we have the luxury of time to savor the moment. Until later, my Dear," Turles chuckled. He gave a grand sweeping bow before he sauntered away.
"Care to explain yourself, Bulma?" a thoroughly disgusted Artruay pressed.
….
Needling the blue-haired Earth woman had proved to be quite a source of amusement to Turles. He had enjoyed watching the fire blaze in her eyes as she had sputtered in embarrassment. The dark-skinned Saiyan grinned as he recalled the look on Artruay's face. There would be no need to mention the chance meeting to Gohan. His thinly veiled threat to the Earth female had the little half-blood on his best behavior. Turles did wonder about the malicious smile that lit the face of Gartoas as the Saiyan boarded his ship.
"He's up to something." Daiz muttered.
The burly Kardanagan was in far too jovial of a mood. What was he up to?
"Gotta score ta be settlin' wit tha wench!" the bearded pirate snickered.
Daiz didn't like the sound of that…..
…
Zailora entered the cleansing unit and turned on the water. She hummed to herself as the refreshing stream of hot water began to flow. The dark green-haired female reached over and picked up a bottle of hair cleansing solution. A pleasant smelling golden fluid poured into her hair along with something else….
A large hairy blue spider plopped onto her head. It held on tight to her soapy forehead.
Gartoas burst into laughter as a high-pitched feminine scream echoed through the ship.
"Seems she's found muh lil' surprise!" the Kardanagan pirate guffawed.
"YOU! " Zailora screeched.
Daiz found himself fighting to keep a straight face as the furious Kabochan female cursed Gartoas as she dripped water on the bridge floor clothed only in a drying cloth. Turles chose that moment to speak.
"Zailora, We DO appreciate you modeling the latest fashion for us but do DRY yourself and NEXT TIME choose something a little more substantial to display!" Turles remarked with a smirk.
"OOOOHHHH!" Zailora shrieked as she stomped off to her quarters.
All three of the adult males burst into laughter.
"By the way,Gartoas. YOU are cleaning up this floor!" Turles announced.
Suddenly Gartoas wasn't laughing any more. A confused Gohan peeped out of his room. First he had heard a scream then laughter. Now Gartoas was muttering under his breath as he wiped up puddles of water in the bridge area. Shrugging his shoulders, the son of Goku returned to his quarters.
….
Gartoas tossed and turned in his bunk trying to get comfortable. For some reason he had an awful itch on his left side. Now across his chest , even his legs! It felt as if he was going to shred the very skin from his bones. He sat up and suddenly EVERYTHING itched! The Kardanagan roared in outrage as he turned on the lighting in his quarters to discover that his bunk was infested with Kelashian sand fleas!
"Ah, now ya gone an' dun it, Wench!" Gartoas snarled.
…..
Ember danced about on her hind legs as Turles tossed a few small scraps to the Charladon pup.
"See, He can have a gentle nature," Zailora said to Daiz. A slight smile lit her face.
At that very moment, the Saiyan pirate let out a fierce growl that sent the frightened yipping pup racing back to Gohan.
"You were saying?" Daiz quipped as Zailora gave him a sour look.
….
So what did you think? Please let me know! It's a bit short but I wanted to put in something since I haven't been able to update for some time.
daughterofrisingsun