At long last here is the ACTUAL chapter 96 that had to be put in as Chapter 97 in order for past reviewers to review. Thanks to DarkDomination, Simgr101, Richardc269 and Ryo-chan wolfgirl who read and reviewed chapter 95. Thank you to Saria19 for the review on Chapter 88.
A/N: A BIG heartfelt thanks to those who commented on the mini "Chapter 96". Thank you -Heseltine, Perfect Carnage, Zaliz-101, SuperSaiyanKnight, PetrusMagnus, TheItchyCocoon, Uub The God Of Destruction and the Crimson Alchemist. The comments and well wishes were greatly appreciated!
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
...
Gohan glared down at the floor as he was informed by Turles that the Saiyan had know for some time that his mother had been alive. He was torn with anger and confusion .
"I wanted you to embrace your Saiyan heritage without outside interference. I should have trusted you. You have more than earned that right," Turles stated quietly.
A long sigh came from the notorious pirate, he bowed his head before continuing to speak ," I...I would not fault you if you chose to remain here when I decide to leave this place I'm sure you have...have much to discuss with your...with the dark-haired Earth woman."
The Saiyan stopped for a moment, he seemed to struggle with his next words, "We have come a long way from our initial meeting son of Kakarot...I...I...I've allowed myself to grow quite fond of you despite the fact that I resented that I was honor-bound to take your sire's role after his life ended as a Saiyan's should. Y-You're of great worth to me so I will abide by whatever choice...It will be your decision."
Gohan was standing with his mouth agape hardly believing that the words he heard came from Turles himself. Someone else was listening. Chi-Chi was just outside the door with her right hand covering her mouth. The Ox-King's daughter was quite taken aback by the pirate commander's admission. Maybe there was a heart buried somewhere deep, deep inside the horrid ape she had learned to hate with every fiber of her being.
"Gohan, if you were my own I could not be more pleased with the true Saiyan you have become. Were it possible that Kakarot could see you somehow I'm sure he would know why," Turles continued. His voice sounded strained and the Saiyan pirate's shoulders slumped as he staggered forward.
Chi-Chi bit her lip in confusion. Why on earth would her Goku be proud of what Turles had turned their son into?
Gohan swallowed hard when the hardened pirate reached out and squeezed his small but muscled shoulder. He longed to respond but knew Turles would not approve. Zailora took the Saiyan's hand and gave the young demi-Saiyan a wink and a smile before she led the sightless pirate from the room. Goku's widow scurried away before the she-pirate noticed her presence.
...
Somewhere in Otherworld...
Krillin scratched his head and stared curiously at Goku as a mysterious smile lit the pure-hearted Saiyan's face.
'WHAT could he POSSIBLY be smiling about?' the former monk thought.
...
"Are you all right, Commander?" Zailora asked worriedly as she directed Turles to his present quarters. The pitiful excuse for a bed certainly wasn't the sumptuous source of repose that Turles was accustomed to. For a moment the Saiyan warrior didn't speak. The Kabochan female's brow knit with concern as she looked over him.
Zailora stroked his right cheek gently,"Master Turles, are you feeling ill?"
To her amazement, the onyx-eyed warrior buried his face in her hair and wrapped both arms around her.
"I haven't treated you as well as I should," Turles whispered into her ear. "Of all my treasures you are the most precious."
The nobleman's daughter was speechless as he faced her. Drawing a ragged breath, the dark-skinned Saiyan continued,"You're a gift I don't deserve in the least. One of your smiles is worth a dozen worlds and it's the thing I miss the most..."
Suddenly the pirate commander snarled and pulled away, "THIS is what I've been reduced to? A sniveling wretch that weeps on the shoulder of another?"
"There you go again! Every time you manage a shred of decency or kindness you act like you've had a portion of your soul snatched away!" Zailora snapped.
"If there were a soul in that dark empty recess I possess." Turles said flatly.
"I think you need to get over yourself. Is that a pity party I hear going on over there?" the she-pirate sneered.
"YOU DARE to..." Turles bared his fangs threateningly. His hands balled up into fists and his tail lashed about.
"OOOOHHH! I think you're ACTUALLY trying to frighten me!" Zailora taunted.
"You're going to pay for your insolence, Woman," the Saiyan rumbled dangerously.
"That might be fun," the she-pirate tittered.
"ENOUGH!" Turles roared.
The furious spiky-haired warrior pinned the Kabochan female against the far wall.
"Do you find me amusing now? And stop grinning like some drunken buffoon..."
Turles stopped short and his eyes widened as he realized...
"YOU CAN SEE!" Zailora squealed.
A brilliant smile lit the Saiyan's face as he drank in the sight of the teary-eyed woman he was pressed against.
"Let's see if I can come up with a fitting punishment for your brazen behavior," Turles whispered into her right ear.
She couldn't help but shiver as the Destroyer of Worlds intentionally let his warm breath course over the nape of her neck while his fangs slid across her skin.
The pirate leaned in as if to kiss her but pulled away and lightly nipped the tip of the she-pirate's nose instead. Still trapped by the Saiyan Zailora whimpered as Turles alternated from nibbling at her lower lip to tracing the outer rim of her ears with his tongue. She sighed and sagged against him as he trailed feathery kisses along her throat. The pirate commander smirked as he would claim her lips and steal away swiftly before she could respond in kind...
...
Gartoas gave a whistle of amazement as he gazed at the partially completed spacecraft that Turles had demanded of the blue-haired Earth woman. It served the little minx right to be forced to construct it after destroying their ship. She'd also come close to ending the lives of the Saiyan pirate and his entire crew.
From what he could estimate the new ship would dwarf the one Turles had previously terrorized the known galaxy with. Maybe he'd be pleased enough with the completed ship to allow the woman to live after she completed her task. The Kardanagan hoped they'd be leaving planet Arturay soon. Self-respecting pirates didn't hole up anywhere for too long.
…
"….when I got back to the ship I discovered that Zailora and Turles had gotten…involved so to speak," Daiz said with a weary sigh.
The Kabochan felt practically drained but he'd somehow managed to recount the events that led up to his lost relationship with his female crew-mate.
Taimaz sat for a moment in complete silence before she spoke," Wow! Your commander…..It's a wonder you didn't leave and never look back."
"There's too much history between us all for me to just turn my back on everyone," the former prince muttered.
"You know it's going to take time to heal from something like that," the female barkeep warned.
"I know. It's actually helped to be able to talk about it with someone who isn't directly affected by it. I certainly appreciate you taking the time to listen, Taimaz," Daiz responded.
"Anytime."
The dark green-haired pirate found himself staring into the steel-colored orbs that resembled his own. He was relieved that Zailora didn't come to mind when he took in the sight of the woman that sat before him.
"Taimaz. do you happen to have any plans for this evening?" Daiz asked hopefully…..
…
Dr. Mazzim made a hasty exit from the room that contained his Saiyan patient. He certainly hadn't expected the recovering pirate to have company! The sight of a sleeping Zailora snuggled up to the scourge of the known galaxy was quite unsettling. His already enormous eyes had almost popped out of his skull. He'd suspected something existed between them but not quite to this point. The mantis-being sighed softly. Hopefully his former charge wouldn't have her heart crushed by Turles. Saiyans certainly weren't renown for their warmth and affection.
...
Gartoas made his way to the food preparation area and was disappointed to find that no one was there to prepare him something to eat. The annoyed Kardanagan grew increasingly irritable as he listened to his empty stomach rumble. Chi-Chi had the ill-fated timing to walk into the kitchen just as the massive pirate's belly made an impressively loud protest due to its lack of nourishment.
" 'Bout time Yah dragged yer lazy hide in 'ere, Wench! Be makin' yerself useful an' get 'ta fixin' me somethin' ta eat!" Gartoas barked.
A fuming Chi-Chi folded her arms over her chest and was about to give a scathing retort in response to the pirate's outright rudeness.
"Well? Ya gonna keep starin' at muh good looks 'er get ta cookin'? Hop to it, Woman! Ah ain't got all day!"
Her sour look quickly transformed into a wicked grin as the mother of Gohan whipped up an especially delicious smelling stew. Gartoas eagerly smacked his lips in anticipation. Chi-Chi poured the appetizing concoction into a large bowl.
"Ya gonna gimmie tha food 'er not?" the former thief snorted.
"It's my pleasure to serve you!" the raven-haired female sang out gaily as she dumped the entire bowl of steaming contents onto the howling pirate's head...
...
Until the next chapter...PLEASE read and review!
daughterofrisingsun