Here's chapter 60! Thanks to Scimitar X, Diosa de la muerte, Simgr101, icewolf, Masenko56, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, humancygrax, Dark Domiation, Dragon1157 and Hoshi124 for all the reviews on chapter 59.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to the memory of my young niece who lost her battle with Diabetes early yesterday morning.
...
Turles walked to the entrance of the dining hall and stopped short. A great portrait hung on the right side of the entrance. Once again he was forced to take in the sight of the pirate queen's image.
The monarch was more mature in this portrait but still very much a vision. Raychalla wore a radiant smile and a diamond studded silver crown on her snowy tresses. A cape of ermine hung about her shoulders, the exquisite gown she wore was a deep sapphire blue.
"Blasted female's lible' ta be poppin' up o'er half tha bloomin' palace!" Gartoas whispered.
"It was HER palace, moron!" Daiz shot back.
With a deep sigh, the dark-skinned Saiyan strode into the dining hall. A great oak table was set with a feast capable of feeding an army but only four chairs were placed before it. Gohan's mouth watered at the sight and heavenly smell of the smorgasbord set out before them. Great goblets of crystal and finely wrought silver tableware with plates of fine porcelain decorated with mythical beasts were set in front of each seat at the table.
A short wizened being in a white robe with gold trim was busy directing the servants to their duties. He reminded Gohan of a turtle that was missing his shell. The squat creature rushed over and bowed low before the pirate commander.
"Lord Turles, It has been sometime since you have visited us. I bid you and your crew most welcome please consume your fill and let us know immediately if there is anything you require."
"That will be all, Arquiris" Turles said flatly.
Arquiris bowed once more and backed away. He set right back to instructing the servants.
When the group took their seats, Gohan wasted no time in seizing a healthy sample of everything he could manage to fit on his plate. Zailora raised an eyebrow at the portions the little demi-Saiyan piled on his plate but she kept silent.
Gartoas made sure he got an ample supply of the appetizing spread on his own plate.
"Best be eatin' afore' tha brat inhales it all" the Kardanagan warned a chuckling Daiz.
The seven-year-old was going for his third heaping plateful when he stole a look over at Turles. Gohan was immediately concerned as the dark-skinned Saiyan was staring down at his still untouched plate. It was highly unusual for Turles to be ignoring food. He was morosely eyeing his empty plate and consuming nothing.
Arquiris sent two servants from the dining hall. In a few moments they returned with an enormous tray, which they placed before the pirate commander. As soon as the scent of the meat it contained reached Turles he immediately began to devour it. Gohan couldn't help but grin as the Saiyan began to reach for other items as well.
The turtle-being made as if to depart when Turles called out to him.
"Zesharya deer, Arquiris? You remembered after so long?" the Saiyan questioned.
"Yes, your favorite. Her majesty insisted that a herd be raised here for just that purpose" Arquiris answered.
A half smile crossed Turles's face. Then he looked away "You are dismissed, Arquiris."
With another low bow, the small reptilian exited the room.
Eventually there wasn't so much as a crumb left to be eaten by Turles and his crew. The servants appeared and quickly cleared away the immense pile of plates, bowls, goblets and tableware.
Arquiris entered the room and offered to show them to their quarters for the night. Turles silently walked out of the Hall leaving his crew behind.
"He's heading for the courtyard" the turtle-being sighed.
Zailora gasped at the sheer opulence of the room she was given. The center of the room was dominated by a bed carved from rare polished Garithean oak. Accenting the pale-colored wood was a coverlet of icy blue silk and several plump pillows covered in white damask. A veil of filmy white and blue panels surrounded the bed. Mother of pearl tiles covered the floor. Long flowing drapes of pale blue hung at the windows which were exquisite panes of stained glass. Each depicted an exotic bird.
The room's cleansing unit contained a great sunken tub of pink marble that was large enough to sleep in. Zailora spun around as she heard the door behind her open. Daiz whistled as he entered the room.
"This makes my father's palace seem like it was a mere hovel."
"I seriously doubt that. By the way is your room not so nice?" the Kabochan female teased.
The dark-green haired male chuckled "It's a study in black and gray marble, very elegant but I didn't get a tub like that!"
Daiz wrapped his arms around her "I have a suggestion concerning that tub and…"
"Do you think Turles is okay?" Zailora interrupted.
"Seriously? I'm trying to make a romantic suggestion and you're worried about Turles?" the former prince huffed.
"I can't help it. He looked so miserable when he saw that portrait and.."
Daiz silenced her with a finger pressed to her lips "Turles has to come to grips with the fact that Raychalla no longer exists. He made his choices and now he has to live with them."
"That seems so harsh" Zailora replied.
"This is Turles we're talking about, he'll survive and I say enough about him…" the once royal whispered as he pulled her into a passionate kiss…..
…..
Gartoas snorted with disgust as he entered the elegant room of emerald green he had been given.
"Pompous royals!" he muttered as he flopped onto the richly appointed bed fully clothed and promptly dozed off.
...
Gohan walked about the huge room he had been assigned. The bed was made of glossy black Arkiran wood. A red and gold spread covered it. Shiny red and gold tiles glittered on the floor. Great drapes of red with gold trim covered clear crystal windows. A squeal of delight came from the little half-blood when he caught sight of three beautifully bound books stacked beside the bed.
After perusing the books for a few moments, Gohan soon discovered a large tub made of polished black marble. The drying cloths were red as was the small plush cloth that was placed before the tub. When the young demi-Saiyan figured out how to fill the enormous tub, he spent quite a bit of time lazily swimming about.
A yawning Gohan climbed onto the bed in his room with a book and managed to read a single page before he slumped over it. Soft snores came from the sleeping youth. As he tossed in his sleep, the book fell over the edge of the bed. Gohan awoke as the book hit the floor.
The room was dark except for the light that poured in from the glittering stars that filled the night sky. A familiar figure walked about the courtyard. Gohan recognized Turles immediately as he looked outside. Had the pirate commander been wandering the courtyard all this time? It was still a bit strange for the seven-year-old to be looking out at the stars. Chi-Chi had never allowed him to be awake late in the night.
Gohan suddenly felt overwhelmed with guilt. How long had it been since his mother had entered his thoughts? Even Goku hadn't crossed his mind for some time now. When the youngster looked out again, the realization slammed into him that the creature pacing the courtyard was the very one responsible for the loss of his parents. Not only his immediate family, but his friends as well even his home-planet.
The little half-blood was angry yet confused. He resented the loss of his family and his friends and yet there was something that he felt for the brooding dark-skinned Saiyan. Diaz, Zailora even Gartoas had come to mean a great deal to him. But what was it about Turles?
Gohan slipped out the palace and slowly made his way across the courtyard. The pirate commander picked up on his presence immediately even though his back was turned
"The hour is late. Why aren't you sleeping, Gohan? " Turles questioned.
"I've been thinking too much I guess…Commander" Gohan added quickly.
"Thoughts can certainly keep one awake" the adult Saiyan mused.
When Turles turned to face him, Gohan was stunned to see utter sadness in the Saiyan pirate's expression. The deep onyx eyes showed hints of red. A long sigh came from the half-Saiyan child he had actually considered verbally lashing out at Turles. But after seeing the haunted look in his eyes, Gohan found he was unable to do so.
"Would you be interested in hunting for a few days, Gohan?"
The little demi-Saiyan couldn't believe he'd been given a request not an order.
"Yes, Master Turles!" the excited youngster answered immediately.
"Then get some sleep, we leave at sunrise"
….
Bulma raced to Chi-Chi's room as a high-pitched scream resounded through the hall of the small healing station on planet Grizet.
The young scientist gaped in disbelief at the sight of her friend. Chi-Chi's face, arms and legs were covered with strange deep purple blotches. Itchy purple blotches! Red streaks appeared on the brunette-haired female's skin as she furiously raked her nails across it.
Karvet appeared immediately as Chi-Chi's irate screams echoed down the hall. The purple feline medic clapped his furry hands together.
"You've had an adverse reaction to the antibodies, how wonderful! I MEAN HOW HORRIBLE!" Karvet quickly amended. "I must order more tests immediately!"
The head medic seemed as if he was going to burst with excitement as he exited the room.
"HE'S ENJOYING THIS!" an irate Chi-Chi screeched.
"That certainly seems to be the case" Bulma groaned. They would not be leaving this morning!
….
Gohan sprang out of his bed and dressed quickly. When Turles entered the room he was ready to join the elder Saiyan. A sumptuous morning meal was quickly devoured by the pair. As the first streaks of sunlight danced over the horizon, Gohan and Turles were deep in the great forest of planet Teylazhar. .
Gohan remembered his father taking him fishing the few times Chi-Chi had allowed him to escape his studies. But Goku had never taken him hunting. The youthful half-blood learned to conceal himself and his scent from his prey, to track down the most elusive forest denizens and how to properly prepare a fresh kill of several different species.
Turles spoke gruffly at times but Gohan was pleasantly surprised at the patience the fierce Saiyan had with him. When the noon sun climbed into the sky, the young demi-Saiyan and the full-blood Saiyan were feasting on the fresh warm meat of two wild Krodan antelope. Gohan relished the sweet succulent raw flesh. There was nothing quite like eating it right off of the carcass!
Gohan stepped in a small hole and stumbled. He fell against something that seemed like a large gray ball of paper. Scores of angry Trakalanin bees swarmed out their now damaged nest. Pain shot through him as hundreds of stingers buried themselves into the exposed areas of his body that were not covered by his armor.
Turles seized the boy and sped off into the forest followed by a large swarm of furious stinging insects. A small pond suddenly loomed before them.
"Take a deep breath!" Turles warned.
As soon as Gohan did so, Turles dove into the water and quickly went to the bottom. Just when the son of Goku was certain his lungs would burst, the Saiyan shot to the surface. The swarm had disappeared.
Gohan grit his teeth as Turles began to remove the painful stingers. A smile crossed the pirate's face as the boy made no complaint. When the last of the barbs were removed, Turles pulled something from a pouch at his waist. A cool soothing liquid was being applied to the tiny wounds that dotted the surface of Gohan's face, arms and legs.
Within two hours, the little-half Saiyan was as good as new. He now cautiously stalked a Brelgshan boar. At just the precise moment, Gohan leapt on the enormous porker and snapped its neck. The lifeless creature dropped to the forest floor. With a nod of approval, Turles swung the beast onto his shoulder. Gohan quickly followed him.
…..
Daiz was surprised that Turles had left with the little half-blood without saying a word but he was enjoying Zaiora's company immensely with no annoying interruptions.
"Are you sure we shouldn't search for them? They've been gone for hours" Zailora pressed.
"Turles be wantin' ta spend time wi' tha brat is all!" Gartos snorted.
'What's come over Turles ?" Daiz thought.
….
A very angry Chi-Chi stared at her now grotesquely swollen hands and feet. She was going to murder that purple feline medic when she got a hold of him!...
…..
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