It was always like this during rainy days. It's not that he could complain about it; the weeping skies is only one of the earth's proof that it's alive.

The tall, brooding figure continued its way towards a deserted dock. The captain said that this was the supposed meeting place, but where were they? There was no sign of the ship, not even one of the members of the crew. Looking around, the man absently ran his fingers through his long, messy blond hair. He breathed a calming breath, wondering what had caused the ship's delay this time.

The pittering sound of the rain continued, keeping the man company who was now growling a little with impatience. He couldn't contain his annoyance in waiting anymore and he could only bash his headpiece-covered face in his palms with frustration. It was totally out of character for him, but whatever. He needed to douse the annoyance clawing in his chest and he had to do it now.

Slow, unsure footsteps, though no matter how faint they were, reached his ears. The blond straightened up, fists clenching for a few seconds in preparation for what was to come. Man or woman, whoever the person might be... If they attacked, they would all just meet their end in his hands.

"Killer."

The masked man turned around to acknowledge the speaker with a scowl hidden by the object covering his face. The corners of his lips twisted upwards in a dangerous grin as he fully faced the newcomer. "What took you all so long this time?" he asked, voice tinged with annoyance he didn't even bother hide. The newcomer only blinked, beckoning the blond to follow.

Killer, as the blond was now named, studied the much taller male walking in front of him. Blue, shaggy hair now drenched in the rain much like his. Thorn tattoos on the man's shoulders, arms and neck. The blond looked away and placed his hands in his pockets. After spending an almost half an hour walk, the two reached the other side of the inhabited island the captain chose to dock the ship. Killer stopped on his tracks just before his companion stepped on deck.

"Heat," he drawled, eyes narrowed as he looked at the man with curiosity that never showed. "You seem to be not telling me something." Killer had picked up on it; the unsure footsteps his crewmate produced earlier. Heat looked back at him, face expressionless. The man, however, seemed to hesitate for a few seconds before finally deciding to talk.

"Captain came back with someone he said he found on the nearest island," the man said, pointing at the said island located roughly five kilometers away from where they were. Killer raised an eyebrow. How could his captain bring someone back in the ship with him? "A woman," Heat continued.

A woman?

Quite a surprise.

But it could be a lie, a some sort of sick joke about the captain, perhaps.

The blond shook his head with what seemed to be disappointment then boarded the ship. He didn't waste any time acknowledging every crewmate he passed by, he headed towards the captain's room immediately. Without even bothering to knock on the door to make his presence known, he wrenched it open only to find that his captain wasn't there.

"Captain Kid's in the infirmary," came Heat's voice from behind. Killer could only utter a curse under his breath at the man for informing him at such a delayed time. Storming down the hallway, the blond reached the room where his captain was, only to confirm that his stitched-up companion wasn't lying.

Leaning against the wall just a few steps away from the bed was Eustass "Captain" Kid, wearing the usual smirk on his painted lips. His dark red eyes were locked on an inert form on the mattress, the person's long black hair the very first thing Killer noticed. The blond stepped in quietly, tearing his gaze off of the unconscious person to look at his captain.

He couldn't quite make out the woman's features for the darkness of the room shadowed her face completely. Her slightly thin arms were bloodstained, her hands being fully coated with the already-dry crimson liquid. Killer could see her chest heaving up and down rather quickly, a sure sign that she was having difficulties in breathing. A puncture in the lungs, perhaps? The woman looked pretty banged up, but the blond couldn't make out the full extent of her injuries. He could only see cuts and bruises on her pale arms. Suddenly, a thought came to him. How did this woman end up in Kid's hands? Killer could only guess but for now, he ought to have the possible thoughts run in his head for further analysis.

"So... Heat wasn't lying," he stated plainly though coldly enough for his captain to perceive. Kid looked at the blond, smirk transforming into a grin. The redhead pulled himself away from the wall then walked nearer to the bed, eyes settling once more on the figure lying on it. Killer, however, remained where he was.

"Of course he wasn't." Kid answered with amusement. "Why? `Thought this was just some goddamn joke they're trying to pull?"

Killer clenched his fists and let them relax seconds later. He eyed his captain rather skeptically, the thought of Kid bringing a woman with him confusing and slightly angering him more than ever. The blond raised an eyebrow once more then turned back to walk out of the room.

"Captain or not, you better explain this to me later," he said coldly as he stepped out. Glancing back, he grimaced at his captain although the latter won't be able to see it. "...once you're done... staring, I guess."

Dark red eyes darted from the woman on the bed to the blond. Kid smirked evilly.

"One day, Killer. One day you'll find yourself staring, too."