Here's chapter 44! Thanks to aoj95, Perfect Carnage, Scimitar Prime, Dark Domination, SSJ2 Silven, Hoshi124, Nimarin Driggen, icewolf and Ryo-chan wolfgirl for all the reviews on chapter 43.
A/N: The reviews continue to climb! THANKS SO MUCH!
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
...
Gohan fired a ki blast at the very last possible second as the huge boar-like creature charged. A high-pitched squeal rent the air as the animal's bristly black form collapsed in the snow. Turles had driven the beast out of its den to the waiting demi-Saiyan.
Mere seconds later, Daiz and Gartoas burst into the clearing closely followed by Zailora. They had heard the dying zeldin boar's outcry.
"Thought somethin' amiss might be goin on, Commander," Gartoas spoke up as he looked away quickly.
"Simply procuring the evening meal," Turles said.
Daiz grimaced and stared down at the snow beneath his boots. He stole a swift glance at Zailora and just caught her turning her head from the sight before her.
Turles and Gohan stood nonchalantly eating a large portion each of the boar's bloody heart. After licking the blood from his fingers, the Saiyan pirate effortlessly swung the carcass up onto his right shoulder. He then began to stride forward in the direction of his ship. Gohan was at his heels.
"Ah HATE when e' does that!" Gartoas swore.
"That heart was STILL beating!" Zailora gasped with a shudder of revulsion.
'Not so appealing NOW is he?' Daiz thought smugly.
Zailora needed to know that the dark-skinned pirate had habits that weren't quite so charming.
…
By the time Turles had a fire going to his satisfaction Gohan had completed the grisly work of butchering the boar.
Daiz shook his head in disbelief the boy had learned to make a blade with his ki. The youngster could work almost as fast as Turles. An approving nod from the elder Saiyan caused Gohan to break out in a grin.
The savory scent of roasting meat soon wafted through the air. Zailora looked horrified. As the former prince followed her gaze he saw Gohan hand Turles a pinkish something. An organ of some sort he would guess. Turles ripped it in half. The Kabochan male's stomach clenched as Turles shared the grotesque morsel with the little half-blood. As they licked the yellow fluid that dripped from their fingers, Daiz could hear little noises coming from Zailora as she covered her mouth and looked away.
'Just keep it up, Turles! ' Daiz smirked.
The more the Saiyan's behavior disgusted Zailora the better for him.
Turles had been more than pleased with Gohan's work. It had been no easy task to butcher the enormous boar carcass yet the boy had worked efficiently and with no complaint. The seven-year-old had quickly mastered the manipulation of his ki into the form of a blade.
"You've learned well. The boar was prepared perfectly," the Saiyan pirate declared.
"I had a great teacher….Commander," the youth added quickly.
Turles narrowed his eyes. Was the brat stooping to flattery?
It didn't seem to be so, Gohan wasn't waiting for his reaction. The little demi-Saiyan was sniffing the air with his eyes closed. His small stomach rumbled.
Turles chuckled softly and gave a brief pat to the child's right shoulder. Gohan's eyes flew open. Did he just imagine what Turles had just done?
He wasn't the only one startled by the Saiyan's action.
"Did ya see, Daiz?" Gartoas choked out.
"Yeah, I sure did," Daiz affirmed. For once he didn't have a wisecrack in response.
Turles was suddenly beside himself. What in the seven moons of Kilatia had possessed him to act in such a manner? A long ragged sigh came from the pirate commander. What he would have given to have the slightest sign of affection or encouragement from those responsible for his existence…
…
(Flashback)
The little three-year-old studied the highly polished tops of his small boots. He could almost feel the heated gaze the Saiyan female in royal blue and gold armor was giving him. Her long spiky black hair fell to the small of her back. High sculpted cheekbones accented her face. Turles's mother was well aware of her beauty. As the proud female elite turned her back on Turles she stood with her arms folded over her ample chest with her nose in the air.
"You're the absolute LOWEST in your class! I swear if I hadn't been fully aware during your birth I'd accuse the birthing center of giving me the wrong child. How can you possibly rank so pitifully?"
"Mother, I…." the very young Turles began.
"ENOUGH! I refuse to listen to any more of your excuses!"
The long haired female flashed her onyx eyes in anger," I'm going on the Gandir mission. I'll be leaving within the hour."
"B-But you just got back!" Turles protested.
"SO? Do you think I want to be here with YOU?. I AM AN ELITE! YOU DISGUST ME!"
Turles fought back tears as the Saiyan woman turned her back and walked away. It was the last time he saw his mother…..
(End of Flashback)
Turles frowned as he saw Gohan making a very large ball of snow. If the brat threw THAT at him there was going to be hell to pay.. The boy fashioned another ball albeit a bit smaller in size. Then yet another smaller still. He stacked the three balls and made a ridiculous face on the uppermost ball.
"What is THAT?' Zailora asked.
"It's a snowman! Dad and I used to make them all the time," Gohan smiled.
Turles tensed at the word 'Dad'. It was another Earth word it referred to the male parent.
Father. Like he'd really even had one. Long buried memories surfaced in the Saiyan' thoughts….
(Flashback)
"Get out of my sight! NEVER RETURN HERE AGAIN!" were his sire's final words to him. The five –year-old Turles forlornly walked over to the Saiyan barracks. A tall spiky-haired scar-faced warrior in green and black armor greeted him.
"Name's Bardock. What are you doing out here Brat?"
"I…I have nowhere else to go," the little dark-skinned Saiyan said glumly.
Bardock sighed. He knew exactly who the brat belonged to. So the pompous royal guard had finally discarded his only son.
"C'mon, Brat. I'll show you where you'll be staying from now on," he scar-faced Saiyan offered.
He looked over the boy.
"I guess you'll have to go get your things."
"I'm WEARING everything!" Turles snorted.
Bardock swallowed hard. Even he hadn't thought the boy's sire would be THAT harsh.
"Let's go then, Brat."
A muscular young Saiyan with hair to his knees growled as Turles entered the room.
"Don't tell me THAT is going to be staying here!"
"Shut up Raditz! You're not exactly elite material yourself!"Bardock called out.
The boy glared at his father but said nothing.
(End of Flashback)
…..
Gohan laughed as Ember greedily devoured the scraps of the boar he fed her. She sniffed around making sure he hadn't kept any from her. The Charladon pup leaned into him as he scratched her ears. He smirked as he recalled a surprising sight three days before hand. As he stepped out from his quarters, Gohan spied Turles scratching the young pup behind the ears. The seven-year-old had a suspicion that Turles was fond of Ember and he had seen the proof of it.
…
Zailora watched as the skies of planet Yaros turned a fiery red as its single sun began to dip beyond the horizon. Daiz stepped up behind her.
"We should be out of here by noon tomorrow at the latest," the dark green-haired male informed her.
"Good! It's so cold here!" the Kabochan female remarked.
"You're cold? I simply won't allow you to be cold while I'm around," Daiz whispered as his arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her against his chest.
"Seriously Daiz!" Zailora laughed.
She shivered as the former prince's lips grazed the nape of her neck and the tip of his tongue traced the outline of her ear.
"This just won't do! You're STILL cold!" Daiz exclaimed.
Zailora felt her breath catch in her throat as he swiftly turned her about and pulled her into his arms. Her eyes went wide at the searing kiss he bestowed on her. Kami help her, she was much warmer now!
….
"Bulma, dear I thought I made myself clear on the requirements for the invention I invested in,' Artruay said flatly.
"I THOUGHT it was to make ships run more efficiently NOT to disable them!" Bulma snapped.
"Do you wish for you and ChiChi to be able to remain here?" the gray reptile huffed.
The azure-haired young scientist couldn't believe her ears! Artruay had been their benefactor. He'd always seemed so kind and generous.
"Are you threatening us, Artruay?" Bulma asked.
"No! No! Of course not, dear girl! But you must fulfill your obligation to me. I have VERY important people that are depending on the success of this venture. They won't take too kindly to a failure of any kind," her employer warned.
"Artruay, In all good conscience I CAN'T be part of…" the former heiress of Capsule Corps began.
"Bulma! Have you forgotten what happened to your world? " Artruay demanded.
Tears welled up in Bulma's eyes as the horrific memories filled her mind.
"How could I forget? Everyone I've EVER known is GONE! My parents, my friends.. even the man I thought I might marry one day!" Bulma sobbed.
Artruay rose from his seat and gave her left shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"And you know WHO is responsible for the destruction of your planet and all of your loved ones," he gray reptilian being pressed.
"YES I DO!" the now openly weeping female cried out.
"We live with the danger that Turles will turn on us at any given time. Do you have any idea what it's like to exist solely for that monster's amusement? In times of war we must sometimes endure that which completely goes against our very nature. Millions of lives depend on your decision, Bulma. Not only the people of this world but the citizens of every planet that is in Turles's path. You can not only please my…my fellow investors but you can stop that Saiyan pirate's reign of terror once and for all!" Artruay further encouraged her anger.
"B-But he has Gohan!" the blue-haired genius exclaimed.
'I will not lose an alliance with Frieza for a single child! Besides even if he's managed to survive, that evil ape has probably succeeded in corrupting the boy by now' Artruay thought.
"You haven't heard then? What am I saying? Of course you haven't heard! I've been TRYING to think of a way to break the sad news to you…" the reptile sighed and bowed his head.
Bulma felt her stomach lurch. She prayed that her benefactor would not have awful news about Gohan.
"I'm afraid the poor boy no longer exists. I understand he somehow annoyed Turles at an event on planet Garshirin and the savage beast blasted him to oblivion," Artruay said mournfully.
'GOHAN? Gohan was gone now? Poor ChiChi! How was she going to cope with the loss of her only child? Poor Gohan!' Bulma thought.
The woman fell to her knees as the full impact of what had occurred slammed into her.
Anger began to replace sorrow. Sheer hate surged through her entire being.
"I'LL DO IT! LET'S RID THE UNIVERSE OF THAT MONSTER!" the aquamarine-haired beauty snarled.
"Yes, my dear. Do it for Gohan. Avenge that poor innocent child's death!" Artruay declared.
He smiled inwardly, everything was going according to plan…
….
"It's time to plant the Tree of Might once more. Our supply of the fruit dwindles," Turles stated.
"Ya have some place in mind, Master Turles?" Gartoas questioned.
"Indeed, planet Orkinares should suit the needs of the Tree" the Saiyan pirate answered.
"But Commander, Planet Orkinares is in Cooler's domain!" Zailora protested.
"Precisely! I believe we should encourage a little…sibling rivalry in the Cold family," Turles snickered.
'What are you up to now? You sneaky Saiyan!" Daiz thought.
…
Zailora headed to her quarters. She found her way blocked by the Saiyan pirate commander.
"Excuse me, Master Turles."
The dark-skinned Saiyan didn't move.
"Commander, Please. I'm trying to get to my room!" the Kabochan female protested.
"We'll get there. …eventually," Turles purred.
'WHAT?' the startled woman thought.
The Saiyan's tail suddenly snaked around her waist and pulled her full against him.
"C-Commander! D-Daiz is…" Zailora choked out.
"Do you think I care a whit about what Daiz might think?" Turles snarled.
The dark green-haired female gasped inwardly as the Saiyan's mouth suddenly came down on her's…..
…..
Zailora cried out and she sat up looking frantically about her room. She was safe and alone in her own bed. What a dream she just had!
…..
Did you think the dream sequence was real? MUUUHAHA! LOL!
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