Here's Chapter 72! Thanks to Hoshi124, SCStaff, Scimitar X, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, Diosa de la muerte and Dark Domination for all the reviews on chapter 71.

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

…..

Gartoas shook his head as he overheard the excited whispers of the band of obvious cutthroats seated at the bar near him. The burly pirate's eyes had nearly popped out of their sockets when the current bounty on Turles had been announced by the motley group. And to beat it all a price had been put on the little half-blood as well. Ah, what a man could do with both bounties at his disposal…

….

Artruay growled in disgust as he placed a transmission that failed once again. That blasted Saiyan pirate must have changed his communications frequency again! Of course that was one reason Frieza's minions had such difficulty trying to track down the elusive Saiyan. But how was he to lure Turles to his impending doom if he couldn't contact him?

It was beyond frustrating as everything was in place only the ape from Hell was missing. Perhaps Turles would arrive soon since a staggering amount had been offered for his demise. He would need a place to cool his heels until the fervor over the promised reward died down a bit. It galled the reptilian being how that arrogant monkey would appear out of nowhere expecting to enjoy lavish meals and luxurious accommodations as if he were simply entitled to them.

An evil smile crossed the gray reptile's face things were different now it would be worth enduring the Saiyan for a short period of time. The trap would be set and sprung so the universe would finally be free of the plague known as Turles. Surely the vile pirate would pay a visit soon.

…

Zailora gasped in pain with each breath she took in. It was quite apparent that the last blow from Turles had resulted in giving her a few cracked ribs. The pirate hadn't used his full strength or the damage would have been far greater. For her to survive a full-on assault would be highly unlikely. But she knew at the start that Turles employed very harsh training methods. Her eyes narrowed as the Saiyan smirked at her. If he thought she was going to ask to end the brutal training session then he was sadly mistaken. She wouldn't give up so easily after all she was a Kabochan.

Turles found it becoming increasingly difficult to conceal his amusement at the dark green-haired woman's sheer stubbornness. Zailora was clearly exhausted and no doubt in considerable pain but she refused to request that the training session be terminated.

The female pirate ground her teeth in absolute fury as she caught sight of the wicked grin that suddenly lit the Saiyan's face. Was he laughing at her? She balled up her fists in anger and feinted to the left at the dark-skinned warrior's face. His hand closed around her right before she ever lifted her arm. Color suffused her face as she sailed through the air and landed in a most undignified position.

Zailora distinctly heard a chuckle come from the pirate commander. She fought the impulse to rub at her lower back after her abrupt impact with the hard floor.

Gartoas grumbled under his breath as he watched Turles toss Zailora aside like an unwanted toy. He couldn't believe she willingly subjected herself to such torture. Even a simple spar with the Saiyan could result in serious injury. He was personally aware of that fact.

A low level blast streaked just past Zailora's left cheek. She'd pulled back just in time. Slowly struggling to her feet she clutched her left side with her right hand.

"Master Turles, tha gal's not lookin so good," the Kardanagan warned.

Turles phased in next to the Kabochan female. She slumped motionless to the floor. There was no response when the Saiyan called out her name. When he leaned over her a swift kick lashed out at him.

Did she really think he'd fall for something so obvious? He easily evaded her attempt and the battle was on once again.

"Why didn'ya quit whil' ya could?" Gartoas sighed.

Zailora was disgusted with herself she'd only managed to land a few punches and those didn't faze Turles in the least. She could only imagine what the pirate commander must think of her.

Sheer stubbornness and fierce pride were all that were keeping the nobleman's daughter on her feet. Turles respected that pride but the female had a long way to go before she'd be able to survive taking on Zarbon. The Kabochan female dropped to her knees.

"Enough!" Turles growled.

He held out his hand to assist her to rise. Big mistake…..

The surprised Saiyan careened into the far wall without even catching a glimpse of the fist that sent him there. What the….

A grinning Turles actually had to put out some effort to block the she-pirate's next attacks. But his greater strength and experience won out in the end.

Zailora suddenly found herself pinned against the wall by the powerful Saiyan. She was trapped!

"I believe you've run out of options now," Turles snickered.

Staring into those soulless obsidian eyes Zailora burned with absolute fury. A daring notion came to mind.

"No I haven't."

"Really?" the Saiyan pirate mocked. His face was barely an inch from hers.

The Kabochan female lifted her head and planted a kiss on the lips of the utterly astonished Saiyan. He dropped his hands in complete shock. As soon as she felt free of his grip, Zailora slammed a fist into the bridge of Turles's nose and a swift knee to his groin.

An open-mouthed Gartoas watched as a loudly cursing Saiyan clutched at his nose with blood dripping from his fingers. A fearsome roar came from the former leader of the Crusher Corps, his tail lashed about wildly and pure rage glittered in his eyes.

"Now ya REALLY gone n' done it, Woman!" the burly bearded pirate thought to himself.

Turles was going to end the female's existence for sure. At least poor Daiz wasn't around to be forced to witness it. He might even be seeing her soon in Otherworld.

Zailora held her breath but stood unflinching before the furious renegade Saiyan. To the amazement of his crew, the dark-skinned Saiyan burst into laughter.

"Very Good, Zailora! There's hope for you yet! Get to the tank, Now!"

"Yes, Commander!" the dark green-haired female squeaked when she found her voice. She was certain she'd seen her death in the Saiyan's eyes.

Gartoas shook his head obviously Turles approved of the Kabochan female's rash action. He'd never understand Saiyans!

"Master Turles, when Ah was out on Argathor Ah got right interestin' news," the Kardanagan began.

"And what might that be?" Turles asked in a bored tone.

"Tha reward that's on yer hide's done went up. Nine hundred thousand zeni 's bein' offered."

"Are you considering collecting it?" the Saiyan queried.

"Thought crossed muh mind," Gartoas replied.

"DO let me know when you're prepared to die then," Turles snickered.

"Brat's up fer thirty thousand," the bearded pirate pressed.

"Not bad for a beginner!"

Turles was suddenly concerned for the little half-blood. He allowed the youngster to run a small errand while they were on planet Deramas to refuel. That might have been an unwise decision concerning the circumstances….

….

Gohan looked over his shoulder but saw no one pursuing him. He'd been forced to take out two brawny elephantine beings who tried to seize him just outside of the small shop he'd exited. He hadn't had time for regrets as three more life-forms suddenly chose him as a target. What was going on? He hurriedly made his way back to Turles's ship.

Zailora smiled inwardly as she caught the plainly visible relief on the Saiyan pirate's face as Gohan strode into the bridge area. Stubborn Saiyan wouldn't admit his fondness for the youngster but it was more than apparent.

"Master Turles, something's going on. I was attacked four times while I was out!" Gohan huffed.

"So it begins," Turles muttered.

He looked over at the smirking Kardanagan "Wipe that look off your face and set our course for planet Kaarilor!"

Gartoas chuckled but followed his orders.

"I imagine those who attacked you were intending to collect the reward that's being offered for you," Turles informed the seven-year-old.

"There's a reward out for me?" Gohan shouted.

"Yes, you're a real pirate now. Did you manage to procure the item I sent you for?" the Saiyan questioned.

"Yes, Commander," the demi-Saiyan said as he handed over a small container.

Zailora was startled as Turles pressed something into her right hand. She stared down at the small white container.

"Commander, what is this?" the Kabochan female asked.

"It's for when you can't sleep," Turles replied. He gave no further explanation but turned away and left the bridge area.

'Has Turles heard me crying myself to sleep?' Zailora's face flushed in embarrassment. But then it occurred to her that the Saiyan had extended a rare kindness towards her. She wasn't the only one to notice.

"Woman, ya watch yerself round Turles," Gartoas warned.

…

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