Something moved beside him. What was it? He couldn't see anything- was it too dark? Or did his eyes refuse to open?

The thing had made its way to his other side- it was fast.

His eyes opened at last. Weak rays of light were barely visible.

He felt the water wash over his eyes..

Water?

His limbs felt heavy. His arms and legs drifted oddly, pointing in the opposite direction to the pull of gravity.

Gravity was still at work though. His body lay at an odd angle- which way was up?- It tugged on his spine and bowed his back, drawing him deeper and deeper.

There was no air.

Ah.

He was drowning.

I'm... dying.

What happened to the ship? And where is everyone?

I hope they're OK. At the very least..

What a lonely death.

I can't breathe. I can't move. I never imagined my death would be so.. helpless?

The crew will do well without me.

..They must.

Ennoshita has my blessing to succeed me as captain.

Alas, may the Seven Seas forever be your bounteous domain. May you travel far. Discover endless wonders. Onwards and yonder.. Fare thee well, Karasuno.

..Let us meet again...in another life.

It has been...

my honour...

...To be your Captain.

..

Something moved.

Something moved in the distance. Sugawara had been finding it difficult to sleep- the Sea was troubled. So, he had swum aimlessly for what now felt like hours- what was time to Someone Of The Sea, so late at night? There were particular species of plant, coral, clams and other coelenterates that glowed spectacular fluorescent colours in the dark of you swam down deep enough, so Suga had done just that- hoping, but not really expecting to find something pretty to gift to Kiyoko and Yachi.

He saw something glint in the dark waters. Whatever it was was sinking in a leisurely manner, and had managed to reflect the little light there was, ever so briefly.

"What could that be- shiny enough to reflect, yet not sitting in the mouth of a clam, or embedded in the sand?"

"It gives me the sense of something lost."

He swam closer.

A chain- a necklace of some sort with a tiny replica of a sword- double-edged with a slightly curved blade- a broadsword. Violent.

Pirate.

"But what's it doing here? I wonder if it's important. Perhaps the owner dropped it overboard by accident. Or deliberately."

"Oh, so many possibilities- there could be amazing stories behind it! Of adventure, mystery, bloodshed and thievery- maybe remorse and regret or even romance!"

Ever the dreamer, as his mind began to wander, he carelessly began to sink the same way the necklace had, chain in hand, thinking of the stories that could accompany the necklace's journey.

The little light there was began to dim as he descended. Something rose to the side of his face. A... hat? It was a pirate's hat. He turned swiftly, looking southwards- a body. The necklace probably belongs to him.

Morbid curiosity drew him closer to the body. I hope he's not dead. Else I'll probably be sick. Even though I can't physically be sick.

He swam alongside the body as he questioned and doubted himself.

What's a human doing so close to the hidden cove? What's more, why is he all the way down here- doesn't he know humans can't breathe water?

Don't be stupid- he probably... Hit his head and lost consciousness. I should help.

It's a human, they're all stupid. They're violent too. You've experienced that first hand, don't ever forget. Just leave it to die. It probably won't be missed.

Well, he probably is a pirate. And pirates are violent. But maybe he has a family. Maybe he's different.

And what's the likelihood of that?

...

Precisely- turn around and go home. It's probably dead anyway.

He can probably still be helped. I should help.

No, you should go home.

... But.. I should at least try.

And if he tries to hurt you? Or manages to kill you at the worst? What then? No one will know!

Well that's the end of any dalliance with humans on my part either way.

A few bubbles escaped the man's lips- he's not dead yet! But he will be soon.

Mind made up, Sugawara took the prone form by one of its hands and swam to the surface at a safe but quick speed- even as a creature of the sea, he had gotten dizzy from ascending too quickly- he didn't want to imagine what the change of pressure would do to a human.

I just hope I can save him in time.