Upon a Rough Sea
Chapter One
The salty spray of the sea frothed from the waves to pepper the deck of the Oni Maru, the fiercest pirating vessel to sail the Asiatic coast. A mish-mashed crew from dozens of different ports lined the railing grappling hooks at the ready awaiting their captain's command. A tawny, exotic beauty stepped forward on the command deck like a golden lioness with a black mane. A simple slip of dark red silk crawled up her spine and split at the back of her neck to recklessly drape over the once shy woman's breasts. As much as her clothing left nothing of her gender to the imagination anymore it also revealed the nearly engraved lines of discipline and power of her physique. The captain cut an imposing figure to be sure. A rippling sword arm raised silently commanding readiness as keen brown eyes waited until the timing and positioning were just right. The former soldier could feel the weapon reaching out to her, stoking a fire of rage and bloodlust within the pirate. Her men knew well by now what it meant when the captain's eyes red glowed like that. "Now!" As she sliced the air Captain Jade's crew let loose their grapples simultaneously. "Heave to, men! Our treasure awaits!" The forceful captain climbed the rigging fearlessly as her men pulled the two ships together. As soon as their hulls kissed Captain Jade used the momentum of the impact to her advantage as she leaped and flipped impressively over to the other ship. The lower ranking navy men were so stunned by her entrance and that terrifying gaze that the swift Asian beauty was able to dispatch three before the officers could react. At the last moment, the woman once known as Mulan used the third body as a human shield. Once the bullets were expended she leaped from behind the limited cover to cut a bloody swath through the officers as they were reloading. The fourth officer drew his sword instead. It managed to buy him a few more seconds of life, but no more.
The pirate smiled as the blade slid home, to the hilt. She could feel the joy in her sword as it drank deeply of the corrupted blood. The blade glowed the same red as her eyes, the two joined as one in that moment-a moment that was shattered by the sound of a pistol cocking at her temple. Captain Jade glared up at the cocky bastard that had gotten the drop on her. A subtly stealthy move behind her attacker returned the wicked grin to the pirate's face. The expression bled the bluster right out of the junior officer. The bastard didn't have time to puzzle on it. Confusion barely had a chance to dawn when her first mate's blade pierced his throat running it through from side to side. "I trust my timing is still on, Cap'n," he offered along with his hand in his usual roguish charm. Accepting the hand Jade sprang to her feet praising, "Impeccable as always, Mr. Scarlet."
With the bloodlust ebbing the captain took a moment to catch her breath and survey her surroundings. "How fare we, Mr. Scarlet? Status report." The dark-haired cockney thief eyed his friend sideways. He knew full well she'd made it out for herself by looking, but he enjoyed mocking these little military rituals with her. "Well sir, while you took out the whole bridge single-handed we mopped up the decks as you can see. Smitty and Pierce are bringing up everything from the hold. And captain's quarters are untouched as ordered." Jade clapped her companion on the shoulder. "Great job, Will. I'm going to start poking through his desk. Do me a favor, keep an eye on the rest of these dogs and poke through the survivors. If you find any living officers or anything else interesting bring them to me." Powerful legs clad in dark brown leather carried her boldly to the other captain's quarters. As a once more dark gaze took in the lack of opulence, the pirate chuckled hands resting on the brown leather waist cincher that held her sword belt. This was definitely a military man's quarters. It reminded Mulan of younger days when she herself bought into the myths of duty and honor. It didn't take long for her to learn that they were nothing more than chains of blind faith that those in power used on fools.
Jade had gone over the papers scattered across the table several times and was sure there was something missing. Just as her temper threatened to flare Will burst in with his usual perfect timing trailing a squirming raven-haired figure along as he went. With a brusque heave, he shoved his captive at the desk. The edge folded the young man in half over the surface. Piercing blue eyes gazed up from under dark befuddled brows. "Lookee lookee what I found," Will announced yanking back on the young officer's ponytail. "Ain't he a beaut'?" A wicked smile curved full pink lips. "Well he's not my taste but there is a certain charm," the captain purred dangerously. A sickly sadistic, putrid yellow colored glaze glowed over her eyes for a brief moment. "I know how you like a man in uniform," Will teased playfully. "Flayed?" Jade's retort had the two pirates in stitches. The young officer, on the other hand, squirmed nervously. "Look, I'm barely an officer. I'm just a page, a nobody," their prisoner argued. "I swear!" Keen brown eyes pinioned her prisoner. "What is your name, soldier," the feared captain demanded.
"Jones, ma'am. Killian Jones, at your service." Face twisted with a snarl Jade choked the officer with the strap of his satchel. A hard yank sent the prisoner's head crashing into the solid oak desktop. "People in MY service don't lie to me, Jones!" With a sharp jerk on the other end of the strap, the captain took the satchel and emptied the contents over the maps and charts littering the desk. "Oh yeah, that right pisses her off," Will tsked reproachfully. "An' you're already far from her favorite, mate," the first mate taunted leaning intimidatingly over the prisoner's back. Jones squirmed beneath the pressure. The sudden stiffening behind him startled Killian to stillness. "But don't worry love. I like you just fine," the man above verified the sailor's fears with a wicked gleam in his eye. Poking through the bags scattered former contents the captain grinned triumphantly. "Well, well. He is starting to grow on me," Jade informed them.
"See, things are lookin' up," the first mate encouraged the beautiful trembling young man. "These are exactly the pieces I was missing." Jade began to pack up the papers for travel when she ordered in an offhand fashion, "Check him to make sure he's not hiding anything else." Will leered at his captive. Killian gulped hard both thrilled and terrified by the concept of the handsome rogue putting hands on him. Noticing the interchange with no small amount of amusement the captain added, "Search him thoroughly."
"Aye aye, Cap'n!" Will straightened his posture to salute his beloved leader. With a fistful of Killian's vest, Will pulled him up yanking the junior officer hard against his own firm body. "Looks like my lucky day," Scarlet whispered in a husky tone. Anticipation rippled through the sailor even as he looked to the captain's eyes, pleading for rescue. The exotic beauty leaned back in the chair casually propping her boots up on the desk to enjoy the show. Will hissed with restrained desire as he ripped the pretty little waistcoat apart and tore it from the bewildered body before him. Killian was too stunned to respond. Would this rough man truly violate him? Would a woman captain allow it? The young officer's mind played out how this scenario would work on a naval vessel should he and the captain's positions be reversed. Suddenly Jones wasn't confident of his chances. When his shirt flew across the room to the orange lustful glow of the captain's gaze panic began to set in. "Wait! Wait. I don't have anything else. I swear," Killian pleaded. The captain eyed him mercilessly. "That remains to be seen." With a hand gesture, Jade urged her first mate to continue. She did ever so enjoy these intimidation tactics. It was their favorite game of chicken. How far could they go without violating her strict rules of consent? With a wicked chuckle, Mr. Scarlet pulled the nicely proportioned topless fella against his own hard form with a smile. Strong hands roamed the prisoner's torso as the captain taunted in a falsely soothing tone, "No worries now, pretty boy. It's not as bad as all that. You might even like it." Killian's heart raced as those hot hands found the waistband of his trousers. In an instant, the material was gone leaving the throbbing evidence of his true interest for all to see. The captain's grin was wickedly seductive and yet aloof, as though she were removed from the situation.
A loud rapping at the door startled them all from their lust induced haze. Killian cupped his groin shyly as a mountainous dark-skinned man covered in scars with eerie crystalline blue eyes came through the door. Jade cursed vehemently as she sprang to her feet. "Sorry to disturb you, captain, but we have a situation out here," the stoic scarred man apologized. With an aggravated growl she gathered up the papers from the desk shoving them haphazardly into the satchel that now adorned her own shoulder. As she stormed from the room Jade barked roughly, "Carry on, Mr. Scarlet!"
Raven strands flew free on the breeze as Jade charged forward. Numerous raised voices overlapped one another leaking from the huddled circle of men before her. As the intrepid captain shoved her way towards the nexus wild mahogany waves rose up in the center. From her vantage point behind the curiosity, the pirate could make out slim shoulders and an hourglass frame. The wild beauty shouted over the crowd, "Goods like these don't come cheap! I will discuss my price with the captain." The woman once known as Mulan floated like a ghost through her men as they shouted back. Some thought that they could afford her while others shouted in defense of the captain. A few specifically stated that she wasn't worth Jade's time. Interesting, but she would decide for herself. The next time the young woman spoke the captain caught sight of the saber that kept her men at bay. "I want to see the captain!" The former soldier slid within inches of the woman's spine to firmly invite, "Then turn around." As the wench spun to face her, the exotic beauty's mere nearness trapped the other woman's sword arm between them. Green eyes flashed in shock before darkening with lust. A black brow quirked curiously as the captain took in the flush in apple cheeks, plush red lips hanging invitingly agape, as well as the ripe body brushing against her own with each breath. Jade casually plucked the weapon from limp fingers taunting the brassy beauty, "I believe you wanted to discuss rates." An impressive chest heaved at the suggestion. Green orbs devoured the leather and silk-clad exotic beauty of the seas. "You're the captain," was the best the shocked femme could muster. With a cocky smirk, Jade took a half step back and held her hands out silently encouraging her crew to respond for her. Their shouts of allegiance gave her great joy and pride. Charmed by the bravado as well as that body and all that the loosely draped silk top failed to hide, the pale beauty strutted over with hungry eyes. "I do offer discounts," she purred suggestively. Brown eyes sparkled at the opportunity, delighted that her gender made no effect on the offer of services. Pale arms curled around tawny shoulders to much uproarious feedback. "Name's Ruby, but my friends call me Red." Strong arms encircled the wench pulling their bodies together once more. A soft gasp tickled full pink lips that curved in reply. "They call me Captain Jade, but I might have a few other names for you to use," the pirate purred in a husky tone that prickled pale flesh. Ruby whimpered and bit her lip. "Gods! You are hitting all my discounts, lady!" With the confession ruby lips descended vigorously. Jade fought back with a tongue as deft as her sword. In no time Ruby conceded gasping for air, weak in the knees.
The pirate hadn't been this excited in a very long time, but she wouldn't allow a distraction, no matter how delicious, for long. Once a new course was plotted she could really play with her new toy. "Shall we discuss terms over dinner?" Green eyes glittered up from under inky lashes. "In your quarters?" The smile that sprang to the pirate's face radiated delight. "Of course." Feeling fairly confident Jade leaned in and pressed a light kiss where neck meets shoulder. Red shuddered softly at the electric kiss. "Smitty, see Miss Ruby to my quarters and see that she is comfortable," Jade ordered. The tall ebony man with piercing eyes proudly stepped forward to do his captain's bidding. Smitty's loyalty and virtue were beyond reproach. Now that the girl was safely seen to the captain could turn her attention to the papers that the royal navy didn't want her to find.
The focused leader had spent hours with the maddening documents. They were encoded to avoid interception. Some parts were even in ancient languages. The captain had been forced to draw upon the power of her demon sword to slice through the subterfuge and see the truth beneath. The struggle was taxing. For the last 20 minutes a migraine had begun to build behind the bold beauty's eyes. With the puzzle finally complete the image that emerged only heated the spike in her temple. Rage at the corrupt government broiled within. Pinching the bridge of her nose Jade closed her eyes and let her head hang loose propped up by elbows on the table. She did not relish breaking the news to Will and hopefully his new friend. If Mr. Jones was unaware of what he had been protecting she had a wealth of empathy for the poor bastard. If he was aware of this outrage and complacent in it, they would redefine pain together.
The captain heard boots scuff on the deck behind her but dared not face the sun to see who it might be. When soft fingers began to knead the tension from her neck Jade could've cared less who was responsible, so long as they didn't stop. "Smitty said you looked like you could use a woman's touch," a sweet voice explained. Satisfied with the answer the captain allowed herself to be guided to sit on a nearby low railing. Ruby took the exotic beauty by the shoulders and gently pulled back until that poor aching head was settled against her breasts. Deft fingers moved a bit higher to massage the tension from throbbing temples. It was amazing how like a lioness the cavalier woman looked in the golden glow of the late afternoon sun. A soft moan of relief and delight leaked from full pink lips. The sound sent heat crawling up the kind tart's throat. As the captain's brow unpinched she purred, "You are an angel of mercy." Ruby smiled down at the supple creature reclining peacefully on her ample bosom. "Just a little preview of my true value before we start talking terms," she chuckled playfully. As much as the porcelain beauty enjoyed her little game she knew that the truth would be coming soon one way or another. "You truly are above their pay grade," the pirate assured her wench. Captivating dark pools appeared to caress Ruby's features as a single digit traced an apple cheek appreciatively. "Above them, that is," the captain specified with a leering grin. Mulan had always known that she was different from other girls. Since her curse, she has been significantly more open and aggressive in exploring her desires but never had she experienced such luxury.
The simple stroke brought a glowing smile to porcelain features. "Technically I'm above you at the moment," the saucy maiden purred before placing a light kiss on her captain's forehead. Jade sighed softly at the peace and contentment flowing from plush crimson lips. "And perhaps later this evening as well," she taunted seductively in reply. A flush crept up a pale bosom as Ruby blushed mutely at the heated mental image. A deliciously wicked laugh rattled through the cocky Asian beauty at her achievement. Before the pale maiden could muster a response of any kind the first mate appeared to intrude upon their public interlude. "Workin' 'ard I see," Will chuckled as he approached. Jade turned a reckless half grin on her best friend and the pretty boy trailing behind him bashfully. "Look who's talking." Will wagged a finger defensively at his beloved leader reporting, "I was just following your orders to the letter, cap'n. And what exactly have you been up to whilst I was meticulously slaving away?" On the whole of the ship only he was allowed to speak to her that way. It was one of the several irreverences that made their friendship so special. "I actually worked out what they've been up to while you've been probing him for information," the dashing captain snarked in reply. Her tirade was interrupted by a shameless moan as the voluptuous beauty began to knead the tension from the back of the warrior's neck and shoulders. "Fuck you, I earned this," the cavalier captain practically cooed kicking her feet up on a nearby barrel to really relax into Ruby's hands.
Will burst forward in guffaws, doubling over at the adorable hedonism. After a few slaps on the knee and perhaps a tear or two the first mate managed to gather enough breath to stand an wag a finger at the new girl. "I don't know who the ye are, but I like you! You're a good influence you," he gushed in amusement. A dazzling smile broke out across dimpled cheeks as she happily informed him, "The name's Ruby." With a flick of her wrists, she pops the pirate's neck eliciting a deep groan. "My friends call me Red." Twitching her wrists in reverse she popped Jade's neck in the opposite direction to reset the bones and further loosen the muscles. The guttural sound from the captain was near orgasmic. "Red it is, then," Will purred as he bowed charmed by the new addition. "Now that you've gotten your intel, Mr. Scarlet, where's mine," Jade icily interrupted any further introductions or bonding. As much as she was enjoying what the other woman was doing the pirate didn't want to waste it by tensing up. And if she didn't discern who was standing next to her best friend soon the warrior's guts would start to twist.
"Righto, Cap'n," the first mate began clapping his hand together as he sat on a barrel near her makeshift footstool. "Well, it seems our boy Killian here is more than a simple page. He 'as a gift for ancient languages. A clever tongue that one." Will's leering smirk raised the color in the new boy's high cheekbones. The captain rolled her eyes letting the comment slide without the respect of acknowledgment. Red, on the other hand, fought to stifle her giggles. "He 'ad been translating some clues as to the whereabouts of their target when he discovered some errors in the translation of its purpose." Mulan's brow quirked with a dangerous curiosity. "So you know what the dreamshade does?" At that point, Mr. Jones stepped forward to speak for himself, "I do and that's why I stole vital clues and evidence to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. I had planned to escape and bring the evidence of the crown's treachery to a journalist friend of mine. A plan your attack interrupted. So now that you know, what will you do with it-with me?" A crooked grin curved the Chinese woman's face. Jade was starting to like this spirited young officer. Finally able to relax she leisurely withdrew her pipe from a hidden pocket as the fresh-faced lad twitched from side to side awaiting news of his fate. "That all depends on you, Mr. Jones," she stately flatly as she took a drag from it. The potent drug eased the pains of body and mind while sating her cursed sword's clawing lust for vice, a pull she was too weak to battle at the moment. "What do you want from me?"
'He's single-minded this one,' the captain thought to herself. "You will lead me and my men to this sail that you intended to use to reach this mystical island of yours," Jade ordered without doubt of obedience. "I could do that," Killian replied keen blue eyes giving away little. Another puff accompanied the statement soothing the captain's once frazzled nerves. Formerly tense shoulders melted under Ruby's touch and the mounting good news. "You do and I will take you to your journalist friend, deal?" the gentleman officer proudly offered his hand to seal their agreement. Smoke curled from the captain's smile as she took his hand firmly in her grip with glazed eyes. The sable haired officer's eyes popped at the intense strength exerted. As he struggled to keep pace Killian noticed a sickly yellow glow to the captain's eyes, the same look of cruelty before but without the focus of restraint. Will straightened seeming to notice, too. Ruby watched the scene with tense curiosity and deep confusion as the first mate stepped in. "Cap'n…" Mr. Scarlet leaned closer slowly hands raised in peace. "You seem to be getting' a bit riled up there." Jade snapped her attention to her best friend. His calm, pleasant nature eased the tension behind her eyes loosening her grip. Blinking the glow away Mulan fought the influence of her demonic sword. Apparently, the blood she had fed it this afternoon was insufficient when compared with how she had taxed it after. Although it was just as likely that it had sensed the weakness from her draining headache and struck out blindly. "Thank you, Mr. Scarlet," she offered in a numb tone releasing the hand.
Killian recoiled a step cradling the hand. A newly dark gaze trained on the potential injury. "Anything broken, Mr. Jones," the captain inquired. With a quick flex, he eagerly soothed her concerns, "Just a touch sore, ma'am. Nothing to worry for." A simple nod acknowledged his status report. Standing a bit unsteadily Jade reached out blindly for Will as he was usually there to aid her, but was surprised when Ruby was the one to restore her balance. "You okay?" Kind green eyes echoed the sentiment. A brave smile and nod were offered to the sweet tart. "Mr. Jones set the course. We are going to retire to my quarters for a bit," she ordered taking Ruby's hand in her own to be clear who her company would be. "Aye, captain," the new recruit replied dutifully. "Our target is a day and a half north-northeast." Will thew a companionable arm around Killian's shoulders. "No sense rushin' back at tha' rate. Might as well take the rest of the night." Mulan chuckled at her best friend's true focus. Of course with Ruby's breasts rubbing against her arm every other breath the captain couldn't fault his logic. Perhaps when her strength returned the tender-hearted whore could help her sate the sword's lust as well as her own. "Truer words were never spoken." With that she took her leave.
Killian's keen gaze followed her departure curiously. "What was that?" Will pointed after their mercurial seeming leader. "Tha'? Oh, tha' was nothin'. You know, I think she likes you." A raven brow quirked incredulously at the first mate. "Oh, yeah! Her demon doesn't get jealous over just anybody," Will informed his newest lover. "Of course if it actually sensed a threat it will only get worse. You might be worth keeping 'round," he announced jovially. Stunned by the slew of odd information Mr. Jones sputtered, "Her demon?!" Mr. Scarlet merely chuckled in response. He knew damn well that he had said enough to earn himself a few lashes despite his favored position. There was no way that the first mate was divulging any more of the captain's secrets no matter how pretty the face or how tight every other delicious part.