Here's Chapter 95! Thanks to Gohanforever, Dark Domination, Darkfire Kitten, 15songoku, Perfect Carnage, The ItchyCocoon, SuperSaiyanKnight, molotovsarsonist, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, Patachu, The Zelos Wilder, Diosa de la muerte and Caedus Vitiate for all the reviews on chapter 94.
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
….
Daiz was already aware that Turles had made significant progress in his recovery. He simply preferred not to elaborate on how he came about that knowledge. The dark green-haired pirate walked along with Dr. Mazzim as the mantis-being droned on about the success of the Saiyan's surgery. He dutifully nodded his head occasionally as if he were really absorbing every word.
"Seriously, Daiz!" the green medic snapped.
"WHAT?" Daiz grumbled.
"You were NOT listeninng to a word I said," the alien physician complained.
"Yes, I was," the Kabochan insisted irritably.
"Indeed? I just asked you if you would enjoy consuming rotten Kirlis worm larvae and you were perfectly agreeable to the idea," Dr. Mazzim informed him.
"Sounds totally appetizing but I think I'll pass after all," the former royal said with a look of disgust.
"Point proven."
Mazzim grinned as Daiz gave him a sour look.
Suddenly the four-armed healer stopped in his tracks with a look of shock and utter disbelief. The fine hairs stood up on his neck when Daiz took in the sight before them. It was impossible!
Gohan chattered merrily and practically bounced down the hall as Gartoas strolled beside him. There was no logical way for the Kardanagan to be alive…it didn't make any sense! He himself had removed the slain pirate's corpse from the medical ward….
"We saw you die! HOW THE HELL ARE YOU HERE?" Daiz shouted.
"Ah don' know, Daiz. Ah unnerstand Turles be havin' somethin' ta do wi' it," Gartoas sighed.
"Now that does make sense," Turles's second-in-command growled.
"Are you saying that Turles has the ability to bring the dead back to life? That's ludicrous, scientifically impossible!" Dr. Mazzim protested.
"YAY! Turles brought Gartoas back!" Gohan cheered.
"That may not be a good thing, Gohan," Daiz warned.
"Why not?" the demi-Saiyan wanted to know.
The incredulous doctor pulled a small instrument from his waist and pointed it in the bearded pirate's direction. His already enormous compound eyes seemed to bulge.
"The readings are insisting that you're truly alive but how can it be? I examined you thoroughly to see if there was any possible chance of survival…you were deceased! I MUST find out how Turles managed…."
"I think we ALL need to pay Turles a visit," Daiz sighed.
…
To his immense relief Daiz found Zailora and Turles seated in the room that served as the main laboratory. It was right beside the small lab the blue-haired Earth woman utilized.
"Master Turles!" Gohan squealed in delight. He gave the she-pirate a confused look but quickly turned his attention back to Turles. The Saiyan pirate cleared his throat.
"It's good to see you doing well, Commander," the youngster stated as he realized Turles wouldn't approve of an emotional display.
Turles gave a curt nod. Gohan knew not to expect more.
"I see Gartoas has joined us," the obsidian-eyed warrior affirmed.
"Ah thought ya said e' stll couldn' see," the former thief whispered to Daiz.
"I don't need to rely on sight to know you're here, Gartoas," Turles stated.
The burly pirate managed to look offended. Gohan stifled a giggle. Zailora smirked and rolled her eyes. Even Daiz had to bite back a grin.
"Master Turles, we'd all like to know how it's possible that Gartoas is here," the Kabochan male pirate declared.
"It was the fruit," Zailora blurted out.
"Wait, the fruit from the Tree of Might? Commander, there wasn't any more fruit. It was destroyed along with our ship. And even if some had remained how could it.."
"The juice from the fruit was capable of restoring life," Turles interrupted.
"I had a tiny bit of the fruit, it was just enough, " Zailora said softly.
"Ya used tha demon fruit," Gartoas huffed.
Gohan listened to the conversation with his eyes wide. Had the Tree's fruit been like the dragon balls? He felt a twinge of sadness as the fabled orbs came to mind. There would be no more dragon balls. Suddenly a myriad of long forgotten memories converged on the Earth-raised child. His life and adventures on his home world seemed like faint vestiges of a dream.
"I-I need some air," the little half-blood mumbled as he quickly left the room.
"What is all this about fruit? I've never even heard of a Tree of Might. And what do you mean by 'demon fruit' ?" Dr. Mazzim cut in.
"Zailora, if you would," Turles instructed.
"C'mon, this is going to take a while to tell," Zailora said while walking to the room's exit.
The medic took it as being his cue to leave the room with the she-pirate. But he couldn't help but be curious about what the Saiyan pirate was going to discuss with his crew. When the pair had departed Turles resumed his explanation.
"I'm sure you remember Raisin and Lakasei, Daiz."
"Of course, Master Turles,"Daiz replied.
The Kabochan pirate couldn't have forgotten the two bulbous-headed Beenz brothers if he tried. They had been part of Turles's crew long before he had become a member of it as well.
"Ya really did bring em' back ta life! Ah always thought Amond wuz pullin' muh leg wi' ah drunken tale, Master Turles," Gartoas gasped.
You never mentioned any of this before…" the dark green-haired pirate began.
"There was no need and you never asked," the pirate commander cut in.
…..
Dr. Mazzim listened to Zailora's tale with great interest. She gave a brief but very detailed report of the Tree of Might and the properties of its fruit since she became a member of Turles's crew.
"That is very fascinating and also quite disturbing. I had no idea Turles had such a thing in his possession. It's probably best for the universe that the Tree and its fruit no longer exist," the medic mused.
"I believe we've seen the last of it," Zailora sighed.
"You've got a soft spot for that Saiyan," Dr. Mazzim accused. "Ha! Your eyes literally sparkle whenever he's mentioned."
"Please do not concern yourself with my personal affairs."
"Be careful, Zailora. I don't wish to for you to be hurt, whether it might be from an injury or a shattered heart and spirit," the mantis-being stated as he reached out and squeezed her hand.
…
Chi-Chi glared at the pair of pirates as she resentfully set down an impressive array of plates and heaping bowls of steaming food for them to wolf down. Of course she had to hand deliver his royal Saiyan highness's afternoon meal as well as that of the green-haired hussy that seemed to always be standing beside him. Honestly she was starting to think something was going on with those two… And where was Gohan? It wasn't like him to miss a meal.
Turles's two crewmen waited until the Earth female had left the room before beginning their conversation.
"Rasin and Lakasei were fossilized? That seems hard to believe even after all this," Daiz said shaking his head.
"Ya ever ask Turles WHERE he got tha fruit?" Gartoas challenged.
"Actually I never did. Guess there never was a reason for me to," the Kabochan mused.
"Turles charmed it away from ah demon wench an then' lef' er' high an' dry. Kami help im' ifn' she evr'finds im," the hefty pirate growled.
"Now that definitely sounds like Turles, " Daiz chuckled.
But Daiz wondered, hadn't Turls made enough enemies throughout the cosmos without incurring a she-demon's wrath?
…..
"I'm not sure if Dr. Mazzim completely believed every word of what I told him," Zailora said to Turles as she joined the pirate commander once more inside the main lab.
"It doesn't really matter if he took your words as truth or not," the Saiyan replied dismissively.
The female pirate gave no verbal response. But Turles didn't miss her long sigh.
"It means that much to you that the medic takes your words to heart? Perhaps I have a rival for your attention. I refuse to tolerate it his hours are numbered! " Turles snarled.
"Don't be so preposterous! I simply value his friendship. How could I possibly have any romantic interest in him? We're not even…"
"The same species ?" the former leader of the Crusher Corps finished for her. "In case it's escaped your notice neither are we," the dark-skinned warrior glowered.
"We're close enough!" Zailora shot back.
"Woman, if you uttered such a thing on Vegeta-sei you'd be slaughtered immediately!" Turles snapped.
"Well we're not on Vegeta-sei are we?" the nobleman's daughter snorted angrily.
To the Kabochan female's surprise Turles burst into laughter.
"I suppose I could allow you to exist a bit longer," the Saiyan offered with amusement in his voice.
"Commander you're just all heart aren't you?" Zailora huffed.
"I know, right?" Turles needled the she-pirate.
"You've been toying with me this entire time, haven't you?" the dark green-haired woman accused.
"Perhaps," the onyx-eyed pirate snickered.
"OOOOHH! You're impossible!" Zailora screeched.
…..
Chi-Chi balanced two loaded trays as she made her way to the main lab to bring the meals expected by the black-hearted Saiyan and the lone female member of his crew. It thoroughly annoyed the brunette that the world-ravaging pirate insisted on certain foods that had to be prepared to his specifications. Who did he think he was anyway? A low-life thug who put on airs that's who he really was!
Turles could literally feel the sheer fury of the woman beside him. Her anger felt as if it were radiating off from her in waves. The Saiyan smirked. Lately it was becoming a habit to let a few verbal barbs fly and wait for her reaction .
Zailora sat with her arms crossed tightly in front of her as she glanced angrily over at the chuckling Saiyan. How could the man who made her heart race and whose kisses left her breathless one moment make her ready to strangle the life out of him the next? It was absolutely infuriating! How dare he taunt her over the practically lifelong friendship she shared with Dr. Mazzim?
A warm furry tail slipped about her shoulders, the she-pirate shoved it away and rose to her feet. She plopped back into her seat as a powerful arm shot out and encircled her waist. Zailora shivered as the Saiyan's fangs lightly nipped her left ear.
"I did not mean to upset you. Surely you were aware I was teasing."
The Kabochan merely stiffened and gave no reply. An irritable snort was her only response when Turles nuzzled her cheek. Her eyes widened curiously when the dark-skinned pirate traced the outline of her lips with his right index finger.
"I miss your smile," the Saiyan's voice was almost a whisper. His head rested on her shoulder.
Zailora knew his behavior was about as much of an apology as Turles was going to render. She leaned back into his embrace causing a loud purr to rumble from his chest. He met no resistance when he reached down and lifted the woman's chin. They shared several languid kisses….
Gohan burst into the main lab to observe a sight that threatened to make his eyes pop right out of his small skull. TURLES WAS KISSING ZAILORA! The demi-Saiyan let out a squeal of surprise and quickly back-pedaled out of the room… right into Chi-Chi!
"OH NO! GOHAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Chi-Chi wailed as dishes and trays flew from her arms and crashed to the floor.
All her hours of hard work were now littering the floor. Plates and bowls were shattered. Slow roasted meats and carefully prepared vegetables and sauces had been reduced to inedible refuse. Chi-Chi moaned as she looked about taking in the mess. She whirled about in anger to deal with the cause of her misfortune.
Gohan looked aghast as he sat on the stained floor. Meat sauce dripped from his armor and some sort of green vegetable was sticking in his hair.
"I'M SORRY, MOM!" he shouted.
The Ox-King's daughter had her hands on her hips. She was about to deliver a scathing rebuke for her son's actions. Chi-Chi's eyes caught the sorrowful apologetic look on Gohan's face, suddenly she didn't see a pirate delinquent…she saw Gohan…her Gohan! Tears rolled down her cheeks as the slim brunette embraced her only child and felt his small strong arms wrap around her and return her embrace.
"I…I don't understand, G-Gohan. B-But I'm willing to listen," Chi-Chi sniffled.
"That's all I'm asking, Mom," Gohan replied with a bright smile that warmed his mother's heart.
Zailora stood watching the exchange. She called out to Turles," Your meal's going to be a bit late!"
...
Bulma was determined to prove that Chi-Chi must have had a very realistic dream early that morning as there was just no way that the Kardanagan pirate had paid her a visit. Unless of course his ghost had decided to take a morning stroll and that was ridiculous. Scientific minds knew that ghosts simply did not exist.
The blue-haired genius was almost to her lab when a familiar figure rounded the corner. Bulma was too paralyzed with fear to utter a sound. She couldn't think of a single rational explanation for what she beheld. Gartoas shook his head as the aquamarine-tressed female collapsed and fell to the floor.
"Aw, women er' jus' fallin' at muh feet today," Gartoas snickered.
"It's no wonder with that horrendous body odor," Daiz quipped as he came up the hall.
"Still gittin no respect, Ah shoulda stayed dead!" the massive pirate huffed.
"Funny, you smell like you still are!" the Kabochan warrior chortled.
"Aw shut-up!" Gartoas barked.
"Care to try and make me?"
"Ahm not gonna waste muh time, Think Ah'll see how tha ship 's comin' along!" the Kardanagan muttered.
….
Turles's tail waved about as he awaited Gohan's arrival. There were things he had kept from the little half-blood that needed to be gone over. He didn't relish the task ahead. Some things might be difficult for the youngster to deal with. But the child was a Saiyan and Turles expected him to act accordingly...
...
"Still mourning your friend?" a soft voice questioned Daiz.
The dark green-haired pirate looked up from his drink and grinned as he caught sight of the Kabochan female bar-keep.
"Uh no, just a lot on my mind I guess," Daiz answered.
"I know that look. You've got a woman on your mind and it's not me!"
"I really don't wish to discuss…"
"Hey! I was teasing! C'mon, let out your troubles. I'm a good listener," Taimaz coaxed. "It's practically part of my job anyway."
Daiz sighed. Maybe it would be good to speak to someone about the turmoil he felt inside. Taimaz had no ties whatsoever to his crew or Turles. This could be just what he needed….
….
Until the next chapter….
daughterofrisingsun