vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv Here's chapter 138! Thanks to The Rocha, Rawrzx3, BannedUserAccount for the reviews for chapter 137. And special thanks to Guest for all the reviews on chapters 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 and 24!
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
...
Chi-Chi sat staring at the bars that surrounded the stark cell that was now her dwelling place. How she wished she could soak her aching muscles in the delightful small but oh so appreciated tub that sat in her cozy quarters aboard Turles's ship.
'Cozy!?' the Ox-king's daughter gave a mournful sigh. She actually missed her tiny abode contained in the dreaded pirate's craft. Even at his worst Turles's culinary demands were not the tremendous workload she now shouldered.
Bulma let out an exasperated sigh of her own as her eyes met the stony glare directed at her by the Ox-princess. Obviously Chi-Chi still blamed her for their current situation.
How was SHE to know everything would go so horribly wrong?
For just a moment Bulma envisioned the utterly devastated face of the Kabochan pirate. She closed her eyes tightly forcing the image from her thoughts. But try as she might guilt suffused her entire being. What if Turles didn't reach Daiz in time? What if the former prince had met his dismal end?
The young genius swiped angrily at the tears that streamed down her cheeks. It wasn't her fault that Daiz had chosen to be a pirate and besides he had the blood of Yamcha on his hands he didn't deserve her sympathy in the least.
...
Gartoas and Daiz were both startled as they heard Turles erupt into laughter. Whatever report the Saiyan commander had just received over his scouter was obviously a source of great amusement to him.
"When er' e's grinnin' like thet e's up ta' some deviltry!" the Kardanagan muttered.
His crewmate nodded in agreement as he took in the evil smile that presently lit the face of Turles.
"Gohan, set your course for Kanish!" the dark-skinned Saiyan ordered.
"Yes, Master Turles! We'll arrive within the hour!" Gohan called out.
Daiz winced at the mention of Kanish. That was the planet where Brentarr Prison was located. He did not relish the notion of having to deal with the sight of Bulma. An gnawing emptiness had replaced the sheer happiness he'd once felt when he was around the Earth-born beauty. No matter what he may or may have not felt for her it was made abundantly clear how little regard she had for him.
'Maybe Gartoas actually has the right idea and he's far wiser than the rest of us, " the once royal mused.
...
"Planet Ardash. Commence with landing sequence?" the flight computer questioned.
Daiz snapped up his head. Why had they arrived at Planet Ardash? Had Turles reconsidered collecting Chi-Chi and Bulma?
"Commence landing," Turles replied.
Gohan guided the ship into an expertly smooth landing.
The Saiyan pirate commander turned to Daiz, " I have a small errand for you to tend to, Daiz. We will continue on to Kanish after your task here is completed."
"Better you than me," Gartos snickered.
"The fuel system needs a complete upgrade. You will take care of that chore...Gartoas!" Turles continued.
A grimace came over the Kardanagan's face at the order. Updating the fuel system was one of the tasks he despised most.
"Better you than me," Daiz chortled.
...
Vegeta smirked as he enjoyed the first decent meal he'd had since escaping from Frieza's ship. As he was avoiding a patrol of the Galactic Police he ducked into a spaceport that seemed to have some incident going on which allowed him to scramble aboard one of the ships docked there. Amazingly the craft was fully stocked with food of a quality he hadn't seen since his days in his father's palace. The Saiyan's first thought was that the ship belonged to a well to do merchant or some off-world noble. But after a bit of exploration the flame-haired prince realized the secret compartments and other unique features it contained proved that instead a sophisticated smuggler/pirate of some sort was the owner...
...
Turles was greatly entertained hearing of the antics of the two Earth females during their stay at Brentarr Prison. It was quite tempting to consider letting them remain there for a bit longer just to see what further mishaps they could manage to get themselves into. And at the moment some of their fellow inmates were intent on seeing to it that more misfortune would befall the hapless former denizens of the planet Earth.
"Hurry up will ya? We're gonna git caught!" Gadela grumbled impatiently.
"Aw simmer down! Prisonkeeper's too busy stuffin' is' face ta' be catchin' us, " Anasay replied.
"Ya keep bein' so loud e'll HEAR yer big yap!" the pink hareling pressed.
"Ah oughta jes' leave and don' evin' bother stealin' nothin!" the orange feline huffed.
"Oh no ya don't! We took tha trouble ta be gettin' in here and we're swipin' somethin'!"
"Alright this is perfect! If this doesn' git that Earth wench in trouble nothin' will!"
...
"What are you so nervous about Chi-Chi? We didn't steal anything so there's nothing for us to worry about, " Bulma whispered to her dark-haired compatriot.
Every occupant's cell in Brentarr Prison was searched carefully for an item that was stolen from the Prisonkeeper's office. Goku's widow kept nervously clasping and unclasping her hands. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that came about as soon as guards ordered them out of the cell and began to go through what little their enclosure contained.
"HERE IT IS!" one of the guards shouted.
A gold medallion with a brilliant red jewel in its center lay in the alien's outstretched appendage. The green octopus-like lifeform grinned in triumph at his find.
"I should have known it would be one of you two!" the Prisonkeeper bellowed.
"But..but.." a stunned Bulma began.
The beetle-being held up his hand, " Don't even start with your excuses!"
Chi-Chi's eyes widened in fury as she noticed the pink hareling and the orange feline nodding their heads while grinning knowingly at each other.
Those two were behind this!
Before anyone realized it the Ox-Princess had both of the two miscreants begging for mercy as she grasped a throat in each hand.
"I've a good mind to send you two to the Salt Mines!" the insectoid official screeched as he observed Chi-Chi's behavior.
The mother of Gohan released the two pleading figures she held but not before dropping them hard to the cold stone floor.
...
"Typical Turles!" Daiz sighed.
They'd come all this way because the epicurean Saiyan fancied a vegetable that was roasted and packed in solution of Rathian herbs and Braier salt. He paid the exorbitant price for the item which the selling merchant packed as if it contained precious gems.
'It ought to be wrapped in jewels as much as it cost!' the Kabochan mused.
He stiffened as he heard feminine laughter. The last thing he wanted was to be having to interact with a woman right now.
As he spun around his eyes went wide in surprise...Markelia!...
"Daiz! How lovely to see you again! " the bubbly Daigoyien exclaimed.
The jaded pirate sucked in his breath as he took in her appearance. Markelia's raven colored hair was piled up in an elegant updo, a few tendrils hung at the sides of her delicate heart-shaped face. Living emeralds flashed above a tiny nose and an impish grin. Her golden skin almost glittered in contrast to the immaculate white gown that just brushed her knees. She was absolutely beautiful!
"I remember when you weren't so tongue tied in my presence, Daiz, " the young female tittered.
Daiz blushed furiously causing Markelia to laugh even harder.
"I'm not making fun of you, Daiz. You are usually so calm and self-assured, " the Daigoyien spoke up quickly.
To his chagrin Turles's second-in-command realized she was right. What had come over him anyway? It felt like his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth.
Markelia waved at her hair, jewelry and clothing, "Just ignore all this fuss, I'm still just Markelia, your friend."
She eyed the motionless former royal a bit timidly, "We are still friends aren't we?"
"Of course we are," Daiz answered.
What was wrong with him? He just couldn't take his eyes off the bewitching creature that stood before him.
'Oh no. I am NOT falling for Markelia now..."
...
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Until the next chapter!
daughterofrisingsun