Here's Chapter 89! Thanks to Diosa de la muerte, Richardc269, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, TheItchyCocoon, SuperSaiyanKnight, Dark Domination, Perfect Carnage, icewolf, The Zelos Wilder, Guest and 15songoku for all the reviews on chapter 88. Also thanks to Guest for the review for chapter 87.
A/N: The reviews are OVER a thousand! Sorry! Just couldn't resist! Hope you enjoy the chapter…..
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
...
A figure stared bitterly at its reflection. Instead of the once handsome teal-skinned visage, bits of metal and cybernetic components almost completely comprised the face that stared back. Their luxurious emerald green hair had regrown and was fashioned into its typical braid but beauty was now a treasured commodity they no longer possessed. Only the dying screams of the one responsible for their devastating loss would grant any peace to the tortured soul that could no longer bear the sight of his own image. Shards of glass flew about as a powerful fist slammed into the mirror...
...
Chi-Chi was busy tenderizing a slice of meat. She rained blow after blow on the raw flesh. The counter practically rang with each impact.
"Chi-Chi, calm yourself! That meat's intended for one of tonight's entrees, it isn't Turles!" Makalo scolded.
"If only it was!" the brunette snarled.
"It wouldn't be as simple as that, trust me," the Namek chuckled.
"Hmmph!" was the reply.
The Ox-King's daughter had been surprised that Artruay's restaurant still ran like clockwork. However, she was actually grateful for the chance to stay busy. It kept her from dwelling on her unruly son and Bulma's uncertain fate.
Somehow everything seemed to run as usual where the planet was concerned. But what if the detestable Saiyan were to die? Chi-Chi shuddered. As much as she wouldn't shed a single tear at his passing it would stand to reason that her life and Bulma's would be cut short by his vengeful crew. If only they had all simply perished in the crash. No, if that had occurred Gohan would have been lost as well. She wondered what his reaction would have been if he were the sole survivor.
"I understand that your son is actually still alive surely that should be welcome news," Makalo pressed.
Chi-Chi sighed deeply," He's not the boy I raised….he's changed…
"All children do grow up," the green alien snorted.
"It's not that! My sweet obedient boy has turned into a scar-faced savage. He actually considers that awful mark as a badge of honor. How barbaric is that? Not to mention he threatened poor Bulma's life if she didn't help that horrid Saiyan. How can he even defend that monster?"
"Chi-Chi, your son is still very young and he's been under Turles's influence for some time now," the Namekian responded.
"I have to make him see that he needs to get away from that…that space ape and return to his mother's nurturing and proper discipline. It's my place to ensure that he will be a decent, responsible and productive member of society."
"Aw wher's tha fun'n that?" Gartoas needled.
"What do YOU want?" Chi-Chi practically spat as she whirled about to face Turles's crewman.
"Ahm inna ah kitchen, whatta ya think Ah be wantin'?" the Kardanagan grumbled.
"You want to help clean up? Wonderful! There's a huge pile of dishes…" Goku's widow started.
"Ah came fer' somethin' ta eat ya annoyin' wench!" Gartoas growled.
"If you think I'm going to cook one thing for….."
"You will kindly provide meals when we request them or you will have outlived your purpose for existence. Have I made myself clear?" the dark green-haired male pirate of Turles's crew declared as he entered the room.
"Yes, you've grown tired of bullying poor Bulma and now you've come to torment me!" Chi-Chi snapped.
"Sir, let us know what you wish us to prepare and when you prefer to take your meals," Makalo spoke up quickly. He bowed at the waist as he did so much to Chi-Chi's consternation.
"Something simple, a stew or soup will do for the noon meal. Your cooperation is most appreciated,"Daiz replied.
"An' don' be thinkin' bout' poisnin' it. Tha brat's gonna be tastin' everythin' firs'!" Gartoas warned.
"Gartoas, shut-up!" the Kabochan ordered as he shoved his bearded companion out of the kitchen.
"WHAT WAS ALL THAT ABOUT?" Chi-Chi demanded when the pirates left the restaurant kitchen.
"Chi-Chi, like it or not Turles and his crew control this planet. I will not sacrifice our lives or those of the citizens of this planet over a few meals," the Namek informed her.
"I suppose I don't have a choice in the matter!" the Earthling female huffed.
Makalo was silent for a moment then he asked Chi-Chi a question that irritated her.
"I suppose you heard about what happened to Kqarsayla?"
"You mean Turles's spy?" C hi-Chi snapped.
"She's no longer with us….when she heard about Turles's accident, her heart gave out. Kqarsayla was well into her twilight years," the Namekian stated.
"Oh! I didn't wish that to happen! But you know Turles couldn't care less!" the ebony-haired female mused.
"Actually Turles chose to reward her ten years of loyalty by freeing her home planet," Makalo declared.
….
"Please stop being stubborn and eat something, Commander," Zailora implored a defiant Turles.
"I SAID I didn't care for anything!" the Saiyan snarled.
"And I SUPPOSE there's a Kquedera hog in here that's been growling the last half-hour!" the Kabochan female shot back.
"WOMAN….!"
Before Turles could let a verbal barb fly his stomach rumbled loudly as if on cue.
"Traitor!" he hissed at his own body.
"HERE! Try this!" Zailora stuffed a eating utensil containing a sample of food into the pirate's mouth before he could protest.
Tender succulent meat in a delicious broth caused Turles to instantly devour the contents of the utensil that had been literally been forced upon him.
"Perhaps a bit of that would be acceptable," the Saiyan grumbled.
The dark green-haired female gave a sigh of relief when she was able to get Turles to consume most of the contents of the bowl she held before he demanded that she stop.
Within seconds of eating the dark-skinned Saiyan succumbed to slumber once more.
Gartoas had silently observed Zailora doing her best to coax their commander into consuming his first meal in two days. It was scarcely normal for a Saiyan to have so little interest in food and he slept far too much.
"E's not doin' well, Ah be knowin' fer sure," the burly pirate mused.
"No, he isn't. He needs surgery but even Dr. Mazzim can't get it through his thick skull," Zailora said dejectedly.
….
Bulma stared in surprise as she entered the room that the mantis-being, Dr. Mazzim, had claimed as his "office" for the moment. The alien medic was employing movements that she had seen used by Goku and the other Z-fighters. Was he some kind of otherworldly martial artist? She coughed softly to catch his attention.
"Ah, Miss Bulma! You'll have to excuse me. I find it quite annoying to have my time unoccupied by some useful task. Is there any change in Turles's condition?"
"He seems to be getting progressively weaker," the blue-haired scientist gulped.
"Without surgery to stop the bleeding inside his skull, Turles will survive only a few days at best," Dr. Mazzim stated.
Bulma shivered at the alien medic's remark. If Turles died…..no doubt she and Chi-Chi would pay with their own lives. Would Gohan allow that happen? She wondered about that now. The little demi-Saiyan hadn't behaved at all like the son of Goku. It seemed that Turles had truly corrupted the innocent child.
"I thought when I explained his predicament it would insure his cooperation but that Saiyan is being obstinate. Hopefully his crew can change his mind before it's too late."
…
Bulma felt a small stab of guilt as she observed a grief-stricken Gohan's reaction to the condition Turles was currently in.
"I-I'm s-sorry, Master Turles! I g-guess I shouldn't h-have worried about Ember so much!" Gohan sobbed.
"You were not to be blame for the crash, Gohan. You simply protected that which had meaning to you….so did I," the Saiyan responded.
Bulma listened and watched in disbelief as Turles shakily ruffled the youngster's hair. Tears were rolling down the child's face as he looked down at the pirate who lay still before him.
"Don't snivel, boy. You're a Saiyan."
The blue-haired young female rolled her eyes. Now that sounded like Turles. Gohan stood up straight with his little shoulders back. He fought to dry his tears, but he was failing miserably. The little half-blood bolted from the room.
"Have you come to gloat, Bulma dear?" Turles goaded.
"How do you even know I'm in this room?" Bulma demanded.
"It's quite easy for a Saiyan to discern the scents of different individuals. However you would deserve my sincere condolences if your scent resembled that of Gartos," the pirate snickered.
"Why couldn't you just die in the crash?" the former heiress muttered under her breath.
"I knew you'd miss me," Turles teased.
"I HATE YOU!" Bulma screeched.
"Ah, you're making me blush," the Saiyan pressed.
The young scientist stomped toward the exit.
"Aren't you going to fluff my pillow and massage my feet before you leave?" Turles called out.
Bulma uttered a few choice expletives as she left the room with the Saiyan's laughter ringing in her ears.
…
A droplet of moisture fell on Turles's left arm followed by another. He instantly picked up the familiar scent of the Kabochan female. Her damp cheek pressed against his.
"Woman, why are you crying?"
"I-I don't want to lose you. Doctor Mazzim has informed us that without the surgery you'll..you'll die," Zailora answered.
"Cease your blubbering. I refuse to allow someone to poke about in my head," Turles snorted.
"If you don't care about me then what's to become of Gohan? Who's to teach him what it is to be a Saiyan when you're no longer here? He needs you!"
A low growl was the only reply.
Suddenly a groan came from the Saiyan. His eyes were closed and his jaw was clenched.
"The headaches are getting worse, aren't they?" the nobleman's daughter asked.
She pressed her hands against the sides of the pirate commander's head and began to massage his temples. Turles made a strangled sound and then a soft purr rumbled from his chest as the pain subsided.
"Soon I won't be able to make the pain end any more. Blood will begin to seep from your ears and your eyes and then you'll choke on your own life's blood. Hardly a death suitable for a Saiyan but it's what you've decided…"
"Damn it! Schedule the surgery then!" Turles roared.
Zailora fairly skipped down the hall to where Dr. Mazzim had taken up residence.
"And just what has put that lovely smile on your face? You've been quite despondent of late, Zailora," the mantis-being remarked.
The dark green-haired female dared not speak above a whisper. Dr. Mazzim was absolutely flabbergasted at her answer.
"YOU TOLD TURLES WHAT?"
An evil smirk lit the she-pirate's face.
"It got the desired result didn't it?"
"You have spent TOO much time around that Saiyan!" the medic scolded.
…
Bulma bristled in absolute fury as Turles informed her that she would be responsible for building the replacement for his ship. She wanted to slap the smug look right off of the face of the female pirate that stood at Turles's bedside.
"You will begin construction immediately after I give you the specifications," the Saiyan warned.
"Is there anything else?" the young genius asked through her clenched teeth.
"Yes, about that sponge-bath you promised me…"
"I DID NO SUCH THING!" Bulma shrieked as she tore out of the room…
….
A hooded figure chuckled evilly as he listened to the transmission that came over his communication device.
"Well if the rrrumorsss are correct. Then nnoooww would be the time to ssssttrike!"
…
"Mom?"
Chi-Chi turned around as she heard Gohan's voice.
The Ox-King's daughter couldn't help but notice her son's tear-streaked face. Maybe he was here to make amends and to ask forgiveness for his earlier behavior.
Gohan studied his reflection mirrored in his highly polished boot tops.
"Well? I'm waiting Gohan. We're wasting precious time. You're horribly behind in your studies by now."
"Mom, I came to try to get you to understand about Turles…."
"I know all I need to about that monster!" Chi-Chi spat.
"You don't get it! Turles has taught me so much! He's been like a father…"
"DON'T COMPARE THAT BEAST TO YOUR FATHER! HE'S NOTHING LIKE YOUR FATHER!" Chi-Chi bellowed.
"You're right! HE'S BEEN THERE FOR ME MORE THAN DAD EVER WAS!" Gohan shot back.
"HOW DARE YOU?" Chi-Chi's hand connected with Gohan's left cheek in a loud slap.
She gasped as she realized what she had done. But Gohan simply refused to see reason.
The little demi-Saiyan threw up his hands "I'm done! I've tried to make you understand. But you'll never see past what YOU want!"
"GOHAN WAIT!"
But Gohan was already racing from the room…..
….
Gartoas shook his head as he walked into the room and found Turles asleep once more. He raised an eyebrow but kept silent as he noticed that Zailora was seated on the side of Turles's bed. The Saiyan's head was nestled in her lap.
"Ow'd ya run inta tha talkin' insect?" the Kardanagan asked.
"Dr. Mazzim? That's a long story," Zailora answered.
"Git ta tellin' it! Ah got nothin' ta do but list'en," Gartoas grumbled.
"Very well, where's Daiz?"
"E's bin' sneakin' off somewheres," the bearded pirate informed her.
"Dr. Mazzim wasn't a medic when I first met him….."
…..
Coming up next: Zailora's Story!
Until the next chapter!
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