Dalliance

Chapter One

-Treasure Hunt-

"I think we need a new map." A man said as his steely grey eyes scanned the tattered and torn sheet of paper. He was tall, with white and black spiky hair beneath his black captain's hat. He had on a loose white tunic, the top cut low to show off some of his chest. His sword was tied to his waist with a red sash, his shirttails tucked into his tight black pants. His black boots came up just below his knees, the excess folding over a bit. Over his shirt he had on a loose brown leather coat, the tails hanging down to his knees.

He looked out over the sea, checking the area, before returning his gaze to the map in his hands. The sound of heels clicking on the wooden deck could be heard, before a woman with equally white hair was next to him. The white shirt she had on was low cut, its sleeves long and falling off her shoulders. A black leather corset tied around her midsection, pushing her large breasts up to reveal a lot of cleavage. Her black pants were also tight, tucking into her black-heeled boots.

"It is looking pretty shoddy. What do you think Hideaki?" she asked, looking up at the brunette steering the ship. "Should we get a new map the next time we hit land?"

"I suppose we could." He shrugged, blowing some of his bangs from his fuchsia colored eyes. He had on some black pants that tucked into his leather boots and a loose, white long sleeved shirt. "Though…I don't think we will be seeing anything soon, I can smell a storm brewing."

"How do you know those things?" the woman asked, sniffing the air. "It smells the same to me."

He shrugged. "I just have very good senses."

The captain nodded. "And that is why he is my first mate." He smiled, walking up until he was next to his friend. "Do you know around the time the storm will hit?"

Hideaki closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "We still have a few hours. We can make good time."

"Excellent."

"Kai, did the soothsayer tell you anything that would help us find the one who knows of the Treasure's location?" she asked, walking up the steps and stopping next to her cousin.

He shook his head. "Just that she is the most beautiful creature of the sea." He sighed. "Whatever that means."

Hideaki let out a soft sigh. "Do note the 'of the sea' in that phrase. So obviously it's not some princess of a coastal city…or…maybe a fisherman's daughter?"

"But that doesn't seem important enough." Kai frowned.

The woman shrugged. "Maybe that's why it is a fisherman's daughter." She said. "It's the least likely place a person would look."

"Still…" Hideaki glanced off. "I feel as though it might be more important than some lowly woman."

"Well you're the one who suggested it Hideaki." The white haired female crossed her arms.

Kai sighed. "Either way, we can always ask around the next time we port. Maybe talk to a few fishermen to see what they know of the area."

Hideaki nodded, focusing back on his task. They continued to sail for the rest of the day, nothing exciting really happening until the storm hit. The crew rushed around the ship, tying things down and folding in the sails to save as much of the vessel that they could. The sky was grey and the sea was raging, the waves tossing the ship back and forth as the rain fell and the lightning struck. "Keep her steady!" Kai shouted to Hideaki from his spot up on the mast. He was trying to tie down the sail, because he didn't want to risk any of his crew on such a task. "Hikari! Bring in the riggings!"

"What the hell does it look like I'm doing!" she yelled up at him, and he was sure she was glaring as well.

The brunette had his rain coat on and was latched onto the wheel, his knuckles white from how hard he was holding onto the wood. The waves crashed against the wood, tossing them around as if it were a child playing with a toy in the tub. "Kai!" Hideaki yelled. "The waves are getting bigger! I'm losing my grip! Tie yourself down or something! Fast!" he tried to yell over the sound of the roaring winds. Unfortunately, his voice was carried off and the next thrash sent everyone flying into crates and walls.

Hideaki hit the railing as the ship tossed and turned without someone to control it. Hikari landed against him, letting out a harsh breath as the wind was knocked out of her. "Sorry!" she told him, placing her hands on his back to push herself off of him. "Kai! Tie yourself down now!" she shouted, looking back up to the mast. When she didn't see him she stumbled over to the railing. "Kai!" she shrieked, looking around for her cousin. "Hideaki! Do you see Kai?" she asked him.

"I can't really look Hikari!" he snapped back, since he was at the wheel trying to steady them.

"I think we lost him!" she said. "Kai!" she looked around, still unable to find him. But her luck would remain that way, as the storm continued to rage well into the night.

Kai frowned as bright light pierced through his eyelids, rousing him from unconsciousness with a groan. He couldn't remember a thing from last night. The last thing that came to mind was Hideaki telling him to secure himself to the ship, before a huge wave crashed into them and he went flying. Suddenly the light was gone, and his eyes snapped open to see what was over him. And he was met with the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Hovering right above his face was a woman, her long ebony locks flowing around her, and her bright jade eyes looking over his face curiously as she gently stroked his cheek. "Am I in heaven?" he asked softly.

The smile that came to her face was breathtaking and then she laughed, blessing his ears with the joyous noise. "No, you're not dead." She said sweetly, brushing his hair from his face before running her fingers through it.

"But you're still an angel, right?" he asked, enjoying her caress.

"Nope." She giggled.

His brow furrowed. "Then how am I alive?"

"I saved you." the woman said simply. "You were sinking to the bottom of the ocean, so I took you and brought you here. You live on land, right?" she asked curiously, looking over his body. "After all, you have these things." She said, resting her hand on his thigh.

Kai jumped slightly, and he sat up, causing her to move back a bit. "You mean legs?" he asked, glancing at where hers should be. But instead all he saw was a beautiful silvery tail, the scales fading into smooth ivory skin when it reached her hips. "Oh my God," he gasped, meeting her gaze. "You're a mermaid?"

"Mhm." She nodded, lifting her hand and cupping her cheek as she blushed. "You were going to drown so I saved you. You were so cute, even under water. Then you wouldn't wake up, so I stayed to make sure you were alright." she explained.

He smiled at her. "Thank you." he said, reaching out and taking her hand in his. "If there's anything I can do to repay you…" he looked over her form, slightly disappointed that her hair was concealing her chest from his gaze. "You're the most beautiful creature I've ever seen."

"Really?" she perked up, her blush darkening. "Thank you! I have been told I am the most beautiful of my kind, even more so than our princess. But she had ugly red hair that I think looks likes tomato sauce." She snickered, making a face.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Izayoi." She smiled sweetly. "What's your name?"

"Kai." He told her, holding her hand in both of his now. "Izayoi, how can I pay you back for saving my life? I owe you one, and I always pay back my debts."

She blinked, staring at him in awe. "Pay me back?" she repeated him, unable to stop the smile from appearing on her face once more. "Like anything? You will do anything?"

He shrugged, thinking it over. "Yeah, pretty much." he said. "Why? What is it that you want?"

"Will you kiss me?" she leaned towards him, her face only centimeters from his as her free hand rested on the sand so she could keep her balance.

Kai's eyes widened. "Really? You want me to kiss you?"

Izayoi leaned back, looking ashamed. "I'm sorry, is that asking too much? I know it's a lot, but I've never been kissed before and you're…" her blush darkened. "You're really cute."

He shook his head. "Of course not. It's every sailor's dream to kiss a mermaid." He smiled, releasing her hand and cupping her cheek as he leaned towards her. "I would be honored to have your first kiss." He murmured, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

She giggled, leaning towards him, her jade depths searching his grey eyes. "Okay, I'm ready." She breathed out, feeling his lips touch her own. He added more pressure, enjoying the feeling of her lips.

"Open your mouth." He murmured, slipping his tongue in when she complied and massaging her tongue with his own, making their moment more heated. She kissed him back with everything she had, letting their tongues tangle with one another. She lifted her free hand, holding his face to hers. Something between them began to tingle, a faint glow coming from their joined mouths.

"Izayoi!" they both heard and instantly the dark haired mermaid pulled away from him, staring out at the water with wide and terrified eyes.

"Kanamé?" she gasped.

Kai blinked. "Who's Kanamé?" he asked, leaning over to see who else was there.

There in the waves was a dark haired man who looked nearly identical to the woman beside him. Izayoi sighed and looked back at Kai. "He's my brother. I'm sorry I must go." She leaned over and stole another kiss from him, before giving him a sheepish smile. "Try and be safe my sweet sailor, and maybe I can see you again if you're ever near Starfish Reef."

"Wait…" he reached out and held her hand. "Why do you have to go?"

"Well…um, cause'…we're not supposed to be away from home that long." She waved off the matter. "Sorry but I have to go." She moved towards the waves, pulling herself into the deep water until she was beside the dark haired male. They started talking to one another before Izayoi waved to him and they disappeared into the water.

Kei let out a sigh as he continued to stare at the water. She was so beautiful, and a mermaid at that. He gasped, rising to his feet quickly. As a mermaid, Izayoi was a creature of the sea. That meant that she was the one he needed to find in order to figure out where the treasure was. And the only place to find her was the place called Starfish Reef. The only problem was that he had no ship, no crew, and no way to find Hideaki and Hikari without either.

"Hey!" he heard someone call from down the beach. He turned to see a brunette woman hastily making her way over to him, the action a bit difficult due to her fancy dress, a clear sign that she was a woman of wealth. She stopped before him, panting slightly. It was then that he noticed she had deep aqua eyes, and very delicate features. "Are you alright? I heard a commotion from the garden," she pointed back to a large castle on a small cliff by the ocean. "And when I saw you from down the beach I grew concerned." She said, taking in his dirty appearance. Then she looked around, growing confused. "What happened to the people you were with? I heard more than one voice."

"Um…they were mermaids." He said, deciding not to lie. "I was thrown from my ship during last night's storm, and was saved by one of them."

She blinked. "Mermaids? Really?" she gasped in delight, clapping her hands as she turned towards the sea. "How wonderful! I had always wondered about their existence you know." She smiled, looking back at him. "You, what is your name?"

"It's…Kai." He responded, confused by this odd woman's behavior. "Who are you?"

"Oh, right, I am Princess Vitani, second in line to the throne." She curtsied.

Kai nodded. "I see." He rubbed his chin then, deep in thought. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage. "My Lady, I know we have just met, but could you do me the kindness of giving me a ship? I am on a quest, you see, and have lost my ship and crew."

"Well…I would like to, but you'd have to talk to my father. Come, we shall ask him." she said, turning and walking back in the direction she had come. He followed her, taking in his surroundings as he did so. It seemed the place Izayoi had brought him was one of the coastal cities, and a wealthy one at that, if the size and elegance of the palace was anything to go by.

They walked for a bit, before she led him through a lush garden and down a few hallways, until they reached a set of large double doors made from oak. The two men standing guard bowed to the princess, opening the doors and giving Kai odd looks as they passed. The throne room was massive, a dome in the ceiling to add to the size of the room. It was beautifully decorated, with two thrones at the other end of a long red carpet, two people sitting in them. One was an auburn haired man who was clearly the king, his aquamarine eyes focused on them, while at his side sat a brunette woman with icy blue eyes, a crown similar to her husband's on her head, only it was smaller. Standing on the other side of the king's throne was the prince, who had brown hair and his mother's eyes.

"Daddy!" Vitani sang out, smiling. "Look what I found stranded on our beach! A sailor who needs our help." She said excitedly, stopping before her parents, with Kai behind her.

"Your Majesties." Kai bowed slightly in respect. It wouldn't do to be hung, after all. Not before he found the treasure at least.

"Hello my darling." The king smiled. "So why did you bring this dirty man into my throne room?"

Vitani bounced slightly in her glee. "Daddy, he's seen mermaids." She told him. "They saved him from the depths of the sea." She whispered, almost conspiratorially.

"Mermaids?" he asked, looking skeptical.

The younger man beside him scoffed, crossing his arms. "Mermaids don't exist, sister. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

"Oh, but they do." Kai spoke up, stepping forward. "I was knocked from my ship during the storm last night, and awoke with a mermaid over me." he told the royals. "She saved my life, and as payment, I was asked to kiss her. Which I did."

The queen arched a brow. "Then how to we know this isn't just some fantasy of yours?" she asked. "Many a sea man has come to us boasting of such tales, and all of them false."

"Well, the mermaids are only part of why I asked Her Highness to allow me an audience with you." Kai nodded towards Vitani. "You see, I am in need of a ship and a crew, and was wondering if you would supply me with at least a ship. I am in the middle of a quest, and time is of the essence."

The king arched a brow. "What kind of quest?"

This was where Kai decided to bend the truth. "Well, I am searching for one of the greatest treasures known to man. And in order to find it, I must seek out the woman that saved me."

"You mean the mermaid." The queen said, seeming doubtful.

"Yes."

The auburn haired man leaned forward slightly. "And why should I give you one of my ships? They are the finest in the land, and I do not know if you are trustworthy enough not to return it once your quest is over."

Kai pursed his lips. "I am a man of my word. I swear on my honor that I will bring it back. The crew I can get on my own, but procuring a sea vessel is a difficult process."

"Hm." He leaned back in his throne, seeming to think about it. Vitani clasped her hands together.

"Please Daddy, can't we help him?" she begged. "Think of what we could learn about mermaids if he actually finds them."

The king smirked. "Very well. I shall give you a ship." He said. Kai was about to make a sound of triumph, but his victory was short-lived when the royal spoke up once more. "But," he held up a finger. "I will send with you a crew of my own, with one of my captains, to make sure that you return. And, when you find the treasure, you must bring it back to me so that I can decide what I want to be the share of my kingdom. Those are my conditions."

The white haired pirate grit his teeth, keeping the look of displeasure from his face. "Of course My Lord." He bowed. "I thank you for your kindness."

"Thank me once you've cleaned up. You will depart in the morning." He waved off, now appearing bored. Vitani took his hand in hers, beginning to lead him off to the room he would be staying in before leaving tomorrow. Left alone with the princess, who was bubbling on about how exciting this all was, he smirked. The king may think he has the upper hand now, but Kai would win in the end. All he had to do was find Hideaki and his crew, and take over the king's vessel. And once he'd done that, he could make his way back to Izayoi, the little mermaid that was more valuable to him than she knew.