Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Principles know no Love ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

I have up to that part never mentioned the leader´s name, but somehow, everyone thinks it´s Vegeta. Why is that so?! Gah, and I still haven´t mentioned it…I just can´t seem to get to the point…

Well and as always- "Enjoy!"

Chapter 4

The first shot made him jump, just like the second did. Shouts got loud, ranging through previous silence. There was a big turmoil going on outside his office; a general confusion. With the third shot he started only slightly.

Kakarott let his gaze wander to the dusty window, looking out, starring intently at the scenes that were playing out before his very eyes, separated from the outside world only by a thin layer of glass. His fingers closed around the metallic butt of his revolver, clasping it thightly at his side.

He shut his eyes abruptly, squeezing, opening them again, his look roaming back to the window.

"If you want us to catch these troublemakers for you, I demand you don´t interfere!"

He could make out figures through the dirty pane. Some were running around hectically, others were falling down to the sandy ground, ceasing to move.

"We have our very own … methods!"

-echoing laughter-

Kakarott suddenly caught sight of a person clad in deepest black, passing his field of vision. His eyes narrowed, he stood up.

Fast steps brought the sheriff to his office door. Reaching out with one large hand, he opened it a crack. Peering through it, he detected the male he had seen only seconds before. His eyes widened in realization- the leader.

Without a second thought he escaped the isolation of his office, hunting after the other male. His `victim´ was fast, moving under the cover of shadows, created by some old buildings. Occasionally he just vanished behind one of them, leaving Kakarott to frown and pick up his track again. The cowboy led him to a secluded place- a sort of lane. His steps got slower, causing Kakarott to lower his pace as well. They both came to a stop simultaneously.

Kakarott felt for his revolver warily.Before he could catch a hold of it´s butt, however, the other male abruptly spun around, pointing the barrel of his own Colt at the sheriff´s head- right between his eyes.

Kakarott swallowed hard, his hands lifting, palms facing his captor in a non-threatening gesture.

"Please, don´t be stupid." His voice was quavering faintly. "It´s senseless anyway, we´ve already captured all of your gang members while we are speaking. It´s only just you now and there is no way you are going to escape the arm of law and justice. Give up already."

Kakarott informed him, trying to sound demanding despite the fact that a weapon was directed at him.

"The arm of law and justice? Ow, how poetic. I wonder if your previous profession was that of a writer."

The leader chuckled in amusement. Kakarott merely pressed his lips together tightly, his eyes fixed on the Colt.

"Ah, don´t worry, I´m not going to kill you…" He looked at the sheriff.

"…yet."

The leader stepped up to the other male , warning him to dare making a wrong move. Urging him on to step forward, he led Kakarott to a stable, partly hidden behind old, shabby buildings.

"Come on, think about it, what help can I possibly be to you. I´m only in your way." Kakarott tried once again, turning big, pleading eyes towards the darker male. "Just let me go, okay?" The leader frowned, grabbing the sheriff´s arm roughly and pulling him into to stable.

"Ouch, let go of me!" Lifting his eyebrow in a derogatory fashion, he shook his head in oblivious displeasure.

"So that you can run to your little firing squad and tell them where I am?!" He gave a curt, harsh laugh, occupying himself with freeing an already fully saddled stallion from its restricting stall.

"Nah, sorry, but I don´t like getting shot!"

"Nobody said you would be. You´ve just to---" The leader chuckled, staring at Kakarott strangely.

"But it sure looked like it, all of my gang members lying around there and don´t try telling me that all these weapons are only decoration." He led the horse out of the stable, still pointing his Colt at the other´s head.

"And if you intend to cause me any trouble I´m gonna make you a nice, little whole," He reached out with one hand, tapping a finger lightly against Kakarott´s forhead. "right there."

He watched as the other´s eyes widened considerable, his own features twisting to something vaguely resembling amusement.

"Come on now, I don´t have all day!"

Kakarott´s shoulders slumped in defeat as he mounted the brown-spotted horse, feeling the barrel of a weapon press into his back as the other climbed up behind him. Taking hold of the reins with his free hand, the leader led the horse forward, away from the stable.

There was still chaos going on all around them. Nobody seemed to hear the neighing of a horse, nor did they notice the stallion that was hurridly galloping away from the scene, carrying to figures on its back.

Only one head turned after the retreating forms, eyes scrunched up in consideration, before they opened wide, comprehending.

****

"Could you please take the Colt away, it´s already beginning to hurt my back." Kakarott complained,shifting slightly his position to create some distance between them. The arm, going around his waist to hold the reins, however, prevented his plan from being realized. Sighing loudly when the man behind him didn´t move, he kept his stare to the ground, his eyes glazing over in deep thought.

"What´s your name?" He asked unexpectedly.

The leader blinked, concentrating on the male sitting infront of him.

"Why? Don´t believe by socializing with me you´re going to be out of this mess!" His voice was gruff, his countenance one of persistent calmness.

Kakarott rolled his eyes in exasperation, twisting his head to be able to look at the other man´s face.

"I just wanted to be friendly and besides, what shoud I call you, huh? I don´t think you´d want me to address you as `the kidnapper´ or `bank robber´ or something like that!"

The leader lifted an eyebrow, his features twisting to something akin to mockery. "How about you do not `address´ me at all, hm?!" He shook his head, returning his attention to their surroundings once again, obviously dismissing the curious sheriff.

Kakarott frowned, setting his jaw and peering down at his `companion´.

"I don´t get it, what exactly is your problem? It´s just a stupid name!" His voice was laced with anger, his dark orbs locked onto another pair; equally black and sparkling.

"Only a damn name, yeah. That´s precisely what I meant, so stop making a fuss about it."

The leader pressed his Colt more firmly into the other´s back, intimating for him to turn back around.

Kakarott complied though evident anger was merring his features.

They rode on for a while, neither speaking, neither looking at the other.

Suddenly the stallion stopped.

The sheriff titled his head to the side, waiting and finally looking back at the leader.

He wrinkled his brows in confusion when he caught the look of intense concentration on the other´s face.

"What´s wrong. Did we lose our way, mister nameless?" A lopsided smirk curved his lips. The leader did not even acknowledge him, instead he jumped down and knelt down onto the sandy ground, his Colt never leaving the sheriff´s form.

He pressed his ear against the ground, remaining in that position for a moment. Kakarott eyed him in bewilderment, scratching the side of his head and clearing his throat.

"Hey, I was speaking to you. Do you think by ignoring me you could---"

His mouth twisting into a sneer, the kneeling man stood up at once, straightening and striding back to the awaiting horse.

"I was listening to your little friends. Not very guarded though, every idiot in that area must have heard them from the noise they are making."

He shook his head in contempt.

"I haven´t heard them!" Kakarott protested, earning himself a disparaging snort given from the other male.

"And they aren´t my friends. I don´t even know them." He justified himself, turning his face away and to the other side, sulking.

"Bounty hunters then." The leader spit out in a derogatory way, another snort forcing itsself from his throat.

He mounted the stallion one again, driving it into a fast gallop.

Kakarott had to hold on to its mane to prevent a painful collision with the ground.

The sheriff breathed a sigh of relief when they had to stop, the reason a wide river that seemed to mock them with its mere presence. The leader jumped down onto the hard ground, put two fingers to his lips and emitted a shrill whistle. The sound was swiftly carried through the air, Kakarott turning his head to see an old, gaunt male scrambling towards them.

The stranger lifted his hat and gave a nod towards them both in courteous greeting.

"How´s it goin´, hm?" He grinned, yellowish teeth exposed towards a nauseate audience.

"Everything fine I hope?!" The man babbled on, obvious to the deathly glare he was receiving from the darker cowboy.

The leader rolled his eyes, fixing the gnome with his burning stare. "Just fine. But it would be even better if you could ferry us over." He looked at the stranger, pointing to an object in the water. "You do own that ferry, don´t you?"

The other nodded enthusiatstically. "I´m tha ferryman number one in that rotten countryside. You can trust ol´ Tatterton." Again his lips were pulled back, revealing his neglected teeth.

"But it´ll cost you somethin´." He absently stretched his fingers, keeping his countenance casual.

"Ya know, it´s hard to stay the course ´round here. Everbody has ta live." He opened his mouth to add more, but the other beat him to it.

"Of course we understand. I wouldn´t have expected anything less." His expression turned grim for a split second. He handed the man a sufficient payment, shooing him forward to ferry them over. "Come on, hurry up. We haven´t got all day!"

Kakarott climbed down from the horse, his legs wobbly on the hard ground owing to the bumpy ride.

Stepping onto the handmade, partly brittled boat, they crossed the water at a moderate speed. The feryy man chattering on and on while the leader stared concentratedly at the river bank they had just cast off.

His Colt was securely tucked under the soft material of his vest, the barrel still pointing at his hostage.

When they had almost reached the other side, the tramping of hooves got louder, growing nearer.

Kakarott lifted his head, looking into the direction the sound was coming from, hope gleaming in his eyes. From the distance he could make out a group of man, approaching the opposite river bank at a full gallop.

The leader jumped onto to the grass as soon as they docked, indicating to Kakarott to do the same. The ferry man gave the pair a thoughtfull look, his gaze switching back and forth between the group of riders and his two recent passengers. Suddenly he stood straight, forcing a smile to his face.

"I´ve got ta go now, boys. Wish ya a nice day, ne!" He turned around, endeavouring hard to avoid the leader´s scrutinizing look. The said one frowned slightly, making a step forward, his eyes blazing dangerously.

"What will it take that you don´t ferry them over?" His dark eyes betrayed the conversational tone in his voice.

The older male grinned slightly, tapping a finger against his chin in thought. "Don´t believe that I don´t want to help ya. I´ve always been one of the noble sort," He cast a repentant glance at the cowboy. "But I cannot effort to lose money- I have to eat and drink, ya know?! I´m only a poor old man of--" The leader broke off his speech before he would become complitely absorbed in his little tirade.

"Of course, your sole existence is at stake, isn´t it?!" His tone was mocking, his face contorting when he reached into his pocket and pulled out a bundle of money. "There," he said, his eyes piercing. "That should be enough to make up for the… trouble."

The male nodded enthusiastically, greedily grabbing the money and stuffing it into his own pocket.

"I´m goin´to ferry over as slowly as possible, but when I´ve reached the other side I won´t come around to cross them over." He took a cautious step back, hands gripping the bundly protectively.

"But it will be sufficient time for you to get away safely!" he assured the pair, pushing the boat out.

The leader shook his head in frustration, taking hold of the reins and leading the stallion and his hostage to a group of rocks that were stationed near the river.

When they reached their hiding place he slid down the bark of a long, thick trunk, leaning with his back against the bark, the rock formation shielding them from view.

Kakarott eyed him wearily, tying the horse to another tree loosely.

He sat down next to it, using a rock to support his weight.

The leader craned his neck slightly, able to peer through a crevise.

A loud sigh rushed from his throat when he saw the ferry man making his way to the other side in a eager hurry.

"Always been one of the noble sort, huh?!" he echoed quietly, his voice hollow.

His eyes darkened faintly and he took out a couple of cartridges, putting them into his Colt.

Kakarott titled his head to the side, watching the other man questioningly. "What are you doing there?"

The leader looked up, locking eyes with Kakarott. "I am loading my gun- obviously." He stated, lifting an eyebrow. "You usually do that before you try and shoot."

Kakarott growled, a light blush rising to his cheeks. "I know that!"

He scratched the back of his head, opening his mouth again. "But wasn´t it loaden already when you took me hostage?"

"Nope."

The answer was simple, the voice unconcerned. And Kakarott gaped at his captor, his eyes widening, doubling in size.

"You mean you´ve threatened me the whole time with an unloaden gun?!" His facial expression was incredulous, his mouth opening and closing several times.

The leader snickered. "I can´t help it if you are that stupid."

"How should I´ve known?" Kakarott shouted back in indignation, but the other merely waved it aside uninterestedly.

Kakarott´s lips formed to a pout, his eyebrows drawn down stubbornly.

"It doesn´t matter though. You don´t have the slightest chance anyway. Justice will always prevail against crime!" He held his head high, his eyes sparkling with conviction.

The other only shook his head, snorting contemptuously.

"I´m even sure you really believe that crap."

Kakarott frowned, watching with a triumphant smile when the leader twisted his body halfway, no longer pointing the barrel at him but the cowboys already standing on the ferry.

The sheriff stood up suddenly, jumping at his captor and snatching the gun from his hand.

With the Colt in one hand and standing upright, the upper part of his body no longer hidden by the rocks, he was thoroughly shocked when a bullet swirled past him, missing his head only narrowly. He threw himself to the ground hastily, coming face to face with a metallic barrel, pointing directly at him.

Crouching on the ground he looked straight at the leader´s face, a half-smirk forming on the other man´s lips.

"You didn´t think you could overpower me that easily, did you?! A true cowboy always has a second revolver."

They were only inches apart, both directing their gun at the opposite.

Kakarott swallowed heavily, still his eyes narrowed in a defiant way.

They were torn from their staredown though when another shot rang through the air, the bullet crashing into a rock, little stone-particle flying in every which direction.

Kakarott lifted his head fleetingly, a look of displeasure crossing his countenance.

"Hey, how do they know they aren´t hitting me with all that aimless shooting!"

The leader lifted an eyebrow, his face remaining impassive.

"Easy. They don´t."

Kakarott´s head jerked up, his eyes reflecting his distrust.

"Ha! They won´t shoot at me. After all I´m their boss …sort of."

The leader cocked his head, a short bitten off laugh following that statement.

"And that´s where you are wrong! It doesn´t matter who they are shooting at if at least they hit someone."

Kakarott pressed his lips together, anger rising by the second. "Ah, yeah? And how can you be so sure, huh? After all they are getting paid by me!"

The shorter male locked eyes with the sheriff, scrutinizing him for a moment. "But you have already given them the money, haven´t you?!" It was more of a statement than a question.

Kakarott pursed his lips, avoiding direct eye-contact. "That has nothing to do with--" "Did you already pay them or not? It´s a simple enough question."

Kakarott opened his mouth, his features changing through a varity of emotions. No sound came past his lips though has he gaped at his captor. Titling his head to side, his gaze flickered elsewhere.

The other sighed in exasperation. "I thought so. Now, tell me what reason do they have to show any consideration? They are going to kill me and that was it. If they are accidently hitting their client… well then- oops."

He shook his head once again, standing up and taking the Colt from Kakarott´s hand, startling him out of his stupor.

"No, that´s not true! They will rescue me and you are going into prison and then nobody will attack as anymore and everything will be fine and we will rebuilt the town and it will blossom and many people will move to us and--" A slap to his face interupted his tirade.

"You are being hysterical."

Kakarott fell to the ground, his bottom colliding hard with the earthy ground, making a muffled thudding sound.

He grunted, staring up at his captor with unbelieving eyes. He pushed his lips forward, sulking.

"You do not have a chance! They will get you in the end!"

"Yeah sure!" The leader let loose a small chuckle, aiming with his Colt at the ferry.

He pulled the trigger, a bullet leaving the barrel in breaknecking tempo. Only seconds later the rope that held the ferry was severed, the boat getting carried away with the current and with it the group of cowboys, shouting obscenities at him, some even jumping into the river.

The leader laughed, Kakarott only stared.

****

Yohooooooooo! It´s me again. That was the 4 th chapter so far. Hope you liked it. It´s even longer than any other part. (I wanted to make up for the shortness of chapter 3) ^-^

Please review.

If you want to flame me… well, go ahead. Otherwise criticism is much appreciated as well.

(Or just tell me how you liked it and if I should go on?!)

It really does matter to me!!!!

^-^