Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime.
Damn! So many reviews! o-o Well, so many reviews came in that I was inspired to do another chapters with seven complete pages worth of words! (I have to think my loyal fans somehow, don't I? ;D) Grated it's a slow chapter that just introduces Shizuru to the ship,but some very interesting things happen... sorta.
Wow. No page brake throughout the whole chapter either. o-o
roflroflrofl: (anon.) And wings they shall gets! And here's an update. XD
krugern: Well, it's maybe not how you imagined it. XD;; But I hope it's still to your liking. (Heads up, I've only answered one of your thoughts so far. XP Sorry.)
Swarm012: Well, she has her reasons. No good ones, but she has her reasons. XP Then agian, Nao wouldn't be Nao if she did it out of the 'good of her heart'
Kitajima: (anon.) XD;; I don't think I'm the "best", but thank you very much for the compliment! (I've seen much better Naos posted in the fanfics; people who capture her character better than me. XP)
"We have to turn the ship around!" Natsuki said after a minute or two of desperately trying to figure things out.
"Yeah, because no one would see a freight liner pull up, drop off an unconscious woman and find it completely inconspicuous," Nao frowned at Kuga's irrational thinking. "And besides, to woman said that if I didn't take her, she'd tell everyone that we came. I was caught," Nao shrugged.
"Wait, she wanted to come?"
"So those ears really aren't for decoration?" Nao gasped in mock astonishment.
Natsuki ignored her First Mate's sarcastic words, "And since when the hell do you start keeping promises?"
Nao smirked, "Since I started getting profit off of them." She moved her fingers together in the 'money' symbol. She then looked down to the sleeping form, "You know, we could probably sell her off to someone. With her beauty, I bet we'd score a huge mound of cash!"
"Of course I'm not going to sell her! That's inhuman!" Natsuki reprimanded, "How could you even suggest something like that?"
"Easy. I use words."
The Captain's temper was raising once again as she clinched her fist, "We'll just have to talk to her and convince her to get off at the next stop we go to." She turned towards the base of the bridge, watching Mikoto lounge about near the 'loot,' "Mikoto!" She called out.
"Yes, Captain?" She jumped to her feet in seconds and pulled her hand to her head, saluting enthusiastically.
Natsuki smiled a little at the scene, "Carry all of the items we've gathered, except for the woman, into the hold. Make sure to place them near the bow."
"Okay!" Mikoto dashed off to do her assigned job.
"When are we going to sell the items we stole?" Nao grinned, rubbing her hands together, thinking about all the jewelry and priceless items and how much it would all sell for.
"We're not selling them," Natsuki said flatly.
"WHAT?!" Nao yelled, "You mean I risked my ass in that castle to get priceless treasure and that woman and we aren't even selling any?!"
"Quiet, Nao!" Mai said as she got back from the hold, helping Mikoto with her chore, "They'll hear you."
"Screw you!" She yelled back before stomping off to her cabin.
Natsuki sighed as she watched her First Mate storm off, "How'd I know that was going to happen…" She trailed off. Natsuki shook her head before walking over to the two-way communication line that connected the deck to the bridge. She leaned down and spoke into it, "Midori! I trust you looked at the maps before we set out?"
"'Course! What do you think of am? Unreliable?" She asked with a cocky grin, even though no one could see it from the room she was in.
No comment.
Midori frowned when no response came back through the line, "Yeah, what is it?"
"About how long until we hit another island port?" The Captain asked.
"You're in luck, the Duchy of Fuuka is close to the Kingdom of Windbloom so a half a day should do it!"
Kuga frowned before turning back to the Skies, hooking her hands behind her, "I wonder how long until they realize their gold and jewels are missing?" She asked aloud. Her frown furrowed at another thought, I wonder how long until they realize their daughter is missing… She thought grimly. She then turned to the sleeping girl, "Honestly, who the hell wants to be captured?"
Kuga watched as Mikoto appeared in and out of the scene, jumping up and down, in and out of the hold with items, landing with cat-like reflexes and above-human strength. She then looked back to the small, fading image of Fuuka's castle behind them. I really did it, didn't I?
"And my plan actually worked! We didn't get caught. (Of course, the security was kind of lax.) We were able to steal without being seen. (Well, more like we disguised ourselves to fit in with a maids to have better access to the rooms.) We made it back to the ship in one piece. (Okay, that I have no justification for. I think the guards were all in the castle.) And the only thing that went wrong is that woman!" Natsuki glared at the said woman, pointing at the soundly sleeping figure on her ship's deck.
The Captain scowled thoughtfully, "I wonder if we can drop her off in some alley somewhere? No, then she'd probably get robbed or something. And robbing is a bad thing." Didn't we just rob? Aren't you contradicting yourself? "Shut up guilty conscience!"
"It's a sad day when our Captain starts to talk to herself." Midori chimed in, startling the noirette.
"You weren't supposed to be listening!" Natsuki glared up to the Navigator, trying to peer through the window and find her navigator from her position.
Midori just shrugged, "Hey, it's one of the few things out where that was interesting. It's not my fault you forgot to close the communication line."
Natsuki grumbled, closing the line and glaring at the horn-like mouthpiece. She shook her head before the woman caught her eye once more. A particularly chilly breeze went by, causing the heavily coated Captain to shiver a bit. She looked down to se the brunette was wear less-than-fitting clothes for a trip through the Skies. "… Better get her to a bed." Kuga walked toward the stolen girl and slid an arm under her back and her other arm under the girl's legs. She tried to lift, but immediately stopped, "Okay…" Natsuki took in a deep breath, "It's all in the legs!" She growled out, using her legs to lift and not her back, "Whoo! I'm up!… Now, can I move?" She took one step, "I'm on a roll!" She said as she awkwardly moved through the main door and down the living quarters.
Slowly but surely, she started to tire out, "God, I need to work out more," She said breathlessly as her walking -stomping- got slower. She collapsed right in front of her destination: The Surgeon's Office. She leaned over the person, panting and sweating from exertion, "Okay, from now, I lay off on the excess mayo."
"Mm…" Red eyes fluttered open to an intense breathing sound with something looming over her. "…?" She blinked, trying to clear her blurry vision.
The figure looked down at her with questioning green eyes.
"… Ara."
Natsuki blinked, looking down and noticing their position, "Uh, uh- I can explain!" She panicked. Goddess, this must look wrong!
"I would surely hope Pervert-san could explain. After all, she is the one leaning over me, panting," The brunette said, looking up at Natsuki expectantly.
Natsuki glared at the girl under her, "Excuse me? I'm not a pervert."
"Then please explain our situation," Although the tone was pleasant to the ears, there seemed to be an underlined warning in the nicely dressed girl's words.
"I was just tired from trying to pick y— …" Natsuki stopped before she made herself look like a wimp, "Er, from stuff… Yeah."
The girl's frown furrowed slightly, "What kind of stuff?"
"You're know, stuff-stuff. Just stuff!"
"What is 'stuff'?" The girl under Natsuki drawled, not looking the least bit amused.
"Goddess, you're nosey!" The Captain grumbled, as she leaned back. She sat down on her behind and watched the girl lean up, never taking her scarlet eyes away from Kuga's figure. "Fine! I was trying to carry you to the Doc's room to check and see if you were fine and I accidentally dropped you! Happy now?"
"Not really," Shizuru answered honestly.
Natsuki frowned, "Woman!--…" She took a deep breath, "I'm trying to be nice, but you're stretching my patients." She glared at the nobleman's daughter.
"…"
Kuga turned her gaze away, staring harshly at the wooden floor. She inwardly grumbled for a moment or two before looking back, "Your name?" The Captain had willed the anger aside so she could speak levelly.
The brunette tilted her head to the side slightly. "Pardon?"
"What's your name?" The noirette repeated.
"And why would I so freely give my name to someone I don't even know?" The other asked, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.
Natsuki let out a long sigh, suddenly feeling weary, "Please just answer the question."
"… Shizuru Fujino."
The Captain offered a tired smile, "Ah, nice to meet you, Miss- wait, Fujino?" She blinked, scowling, looking more alert.
"Yes?" Fujino replied, bewildered by the sudden change in attitude.
"You mean the same Fujino from tonight's ball? The same Fujino that's going to get married in a week? The same Fujino that's suppose to be with her fiancé at this point in time?"
"The very one," Shizuru said, slowly becoming amused.
Natsuki's face twisted into one of alarm, "Shit!" She cursed aloud, the severity of the situation finally revealing itself.
"Ara, it must be true what I've heard: that all sailors curse freely. Even the young female ones," The brunette smiled, mirth shining brightly in her eyes.
"You're going back!" The captain almost yelled in frustration.
Crimson eyes immediately darkened, "I am not."
"Yes you are."
"No, I'm not."
Natsuki got up and walked over to the defiant girl, bringing her hand down and wrapping it around Shizuru's shoulder, yanking her up, "Yes you are —" Shizuru's arm slipped out of Natsuki's grasp because the Captain's hand was still slightly damp. They both tumbled to the ground with Natsuki falling on top of Fujino once more.
They both groaned as they started to lean up. Who better than Nao to open the door and see Natsuki bending over Shizuru, "Wow… That doesn't look compromising in the least."
"Nao!" Natsuki gasped.
"Oh, it's that girl who kidnapped me. Thank you," Shizuru smiled politely, inclining her head for a second or two.
Nao raised an eyebrow, "Okay, never thought I'd hear those words in the same breath."
"Speaking of words,—" The brunette started, but was cut off by Natsuki's hand.
The last person I need to know about my loose tongue is Nao… Kuga looked up to Nao, "Why were you in the Doc's room anyway?"
"Counseling, because someone wouldn't let me sell anything we stole!"
"It's illegal!"
"So is stealing in the first place, you moron!"
Natsuki naturally winched at this, "…"
Shizuru frowned slightly, staring at the arm connected to the hand still covering her mouth. She finally removed the hand, "Could you get off please?"
"Oh!" The gunslinger flushed lightly from embarrassment and quickly scrambled to get up, "Sorry." She offered her hand down to help the brunette up, pulling when a hand was placed in hers.
Shizuru got up and started to brush herself off. That's when she noticed something, "Would you happen to have a change a clothes?" It was silly to walk around in a ball gown.
Nao raised an eyebrow, "We might happen to have one, yes." She said in a mock 'cultured' accent. "Maybe the drunkard has a spare set of clothes."
Natsuki looked to Nao, "Could you get one?"
"Why?"
"Because it's an order."
"Since when do people listen to dogs?" The First Mate asked.
"Now."
"Yes, that's my name," Yuuki gave a sly smirk.
"Not your name! Now as in the time, now!" Natsuki growled.
"Okay, okay, don't get your leash in a knot, I'm going." Nao started to leisurely walk toward the deck.
"Goddess, I hate that woman…" Natsuki growled.
"Then why is she still a part of your crew?" A heavily accented voice came from behind the noirette.
"Hm?" Natsuki turned around, "You mean Nao? Well, it wouldn't really be this crew without Nao, it'd be a hell of a lot duller. In fact, it wouldn't be this crew if any of my mates left. We're kinda like family and Duran is our home."
"'Duran'."
"The ship. The ship's name is Duran."
"Oh." Ships have names? "Well, if her name is Nao and the ship's name is Duran, then what is yours?"
Natsuki raised both eyebrows in surprise, "Mine?"
"Well, there's no one else around," Scarlet orbs darted down the lit hallway before landing back on the Captain, amusement showing as she smiled.
"That's called being a smart-ass," Natsuki pointed out.
"Well, you have to have wit in the place I grew up or else you're used like an old tool," Fujino replied, her tone still pleasant.
"…" Natsuki just stared on awkwardly, unable to reply to that.
Shizuru sighed gently, realizing she had unintentionally said something to upset the black haired girl. "I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable," She gave an apologetic smile.
"It's fine." Kuga visibly relaxed, "I'm Captain Natsuki Kuga."
"Well, thank you for taking me onboard, Captain Natsuki."
"Oi," Natsuki scowled, "Since when have we been on a first-name basis?"
"Since just now. You may call me Shizuru if you wish," A small, sly smile wormed its way onto her features.
"I don't want to call you Shizuru!" Kuga exclaimed, her temper being provoked to life once more.
"You just did," The twenty-year-old responded, starting to enjoy herself and their little game. (Well, it was a game to her.)
"Stop that! Confusing me and manipulating me and putting words into my mouth!"
"I'm not," Shizuru smiled wickedly, "You're just that easy."
"You—!"
The nobleman's daughter cut Natsuki off before she could yell, placing two fingers gingerly on her the younger girl's lips to effectively silence her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, and I hope to get to know you and your crew better while on this voyage," She smiled sweetly.
"Oh no you don't."
"Hm?" Shizuru drawled, one eyebrow raised slightly.
"We're going to the next island port so you can make your way back," The Captain ordered, "And that's final!"
"Ara," Shizuru smirked, "I don't believe that is what's going to happen."
"It sure as hell will," Natsuki responded, her glare on full force.
"I'm staying." Shizuru said, smiling calmly and staring straight into flaming green eyes.
"Leaving."
"Staying."
"Leaving!"
"Staying.
"LEAVING."
"Staying.
"LEAVING!"
"Staying."
"Would both of you stop arguing?" Youko came out of her room, looking at the two with a deep scowl set in her blue eyes.
"My apologies, madam," Shizuru apologized, inwardly berating herself.
Natsuki frowned, "But it looks like you were enjoying it."
"I was," It was Sagisawa's turn to look amused.
Kuga's left eyebrow twitched.
"And you are?" The ship's doctor looked over to their newcomer, and eyebrow raised in query.
"Shizuru Fujino, pleasure to meet your acquaintance," The younger brunette introduced herself, "I was kidnapped by Nao and I'm now here as part of the crew," She ended with a smile.
Youko's mouth gaped a little as she slowly turned her head to her Captain, questions already at the tip of her tongue.
"For the last time, you're not part of my crew," Natsuki turned to the Surgeon, "And it was all Nao's idea to kidnap her!"
"You rang?" The First Mate opened the door and leaned against the doorframe, smirking, "I brought Princess some clothes."
Shizuru blinked, "'Princess'? I'm not a—"
The redhead's face became grim, "Look, I don't care who you are. I just brought you along so we could have something to sell. I don't wanna get to know you so stay outta me way, you hear?" Nao walked passed a stunned and confused Shizuru, shoving the clothes into her arms as she passed.
Natsuki watched her long-time friend walk into her cabin, wincing as the door slammed shut, "… She's not a very trusting or social person." Natsuki said, trying to explain Yuuki's behavior.
Shizuru smiled weakly, "I… see."
"Anyway, ask around now if you want to learn names because you won't be seeing us ever again once we get to town," Natsuki smirked and started to walk away, only for Midori to burst through the main doorway, "Youko!" Midori had a mischievous smirk on her face.
"Oh Goddess, she's drunk…" Natsuki face-palmed again.
"Youko~" Midori moved to push the surprised doctor against the wall, "You knows what's better then a Youko?" She asked with an alcoholic breath, a drunken, sly grin on her face. "A Youko smothered in chocolate!" Midori then smirked broadly, "MAI!" She called out loudly, "Where'd you leave the chocolate syrup from last night? I need some!"
"Mi-midori! Not now!" Youko hissed as she tried to push off the Second Mate while keeping the other woman's hands from lifting her shirt, "Not now!" She yelled.
Shizuru blinked, her eyes slightly widened at the scene, "Oh my."
"I have the chocolate right he—…" Mai frowned, lowering the bottle she had in her hand, "Oh."
Natsuki frowned, "Don't give it to her."
"Of course I'm not going to give it to her. Last time I did it took five washings to get to chocolate stains out!"
"Not helping!" Sagisawa said, her cheeks flushing at Tokiha's words. Strained, she continued to push the drunken woman away.
Nao slammed her door open, "What the hell is going on out here that's so lou— Oh. Midori's at it again."
"'Again'?" Shizuru asked, pointing to the scene, "So this is normal?" She asked the Captain.
"Unfortunately…" Natsuki looked away. So much for looking professional…
"Question: If Midori is down here, drunk, who's steering?" Nao asked indifferently.
"…" Natsuki eyes widened, "Oh no…"
"Whee!" Cheerful cries could be heard above deck before the ship started to spin around in circles uncontrollably, making everyone fall from the force.
"Mai!" Natsuki looked to the Cook.
"I'm on it!" The cook steadily got up and made her way to the deck. After a few minutes, the ship finally became steady. The carrot-top came back with Minagi who was rubbing the back of her head, pouting. Everyone else was finally stood up, still shaking a bit, except for Midori who was by now sleeping soundly on the ground.
Youko sighed, looking down at the woman, "I better get her into a bed." She dragged the woman into hers and Midori's shared cabin.
Mikoto tugged on Mai's shirt, "Mai. Food," She smiled, completely recovered from the whack across the back of her head.
Mai sighed, "Soon, Mikoto. Dinner will be soon."
"Aww," Mikoto pouted as she walked into the kitchen, following the Cook.
Nao whistled as she walked over to the two remaining people, "What's that?" The redhead asked, pointing to the snake pendant resting just above Fujino's breasts.
"Oh, it's…!" … This is perfect. "It's simply a necklace I have," She smoothly lied, picking it up. She smiled kindly, holding out the pendent towards Nao, "Would you like to see it?" Being a thief by nature, I'm sure she'll try to take it.
"Awesome!" Nao smirked, "You know, maybe I will take that off your hands!" She smirked wickedly as she reached for the pendent.
"I told you we aren't selling anything!" Natsuki said, trying to yank the pendent away from Nao's greedy hands, but Shizuru's hand was still attached. Uh oh.
Suddenly, the ship started to rock and a harsh wind blew in from nowhere. They hands seemed to be magnetized together while the pendent started to glow a white color. Papers flew everywhere and people struggled to keep standing.
Natsuki's wings were suddenly summoned without her willing them to appear. They were well kept and raven-like; the colors of the features were the same as her hair, ebony. Just then, her unfolded wings started to glow a light blue as the visible winds started to swirl around them. Runes and deep hollow sounds formed before it all just abruptly died.
Everyone's eyes were wide, "… Uh?"
Kuga slowly let go of the pendent, "Um…" The pendent was back to its original two colors, red and green.
"… That was something, wasn't it?" Shizuru cleared her throat as the silence lingered heavily above the three. Not exactly how I planned it, but this is fine.
Natsuki frowned, "Something tells me you know what just happened." The Captain crossed her arms under her chest, her gaze piercing into Fujino.
Red eyes glanced from Yuuki, who still looked bewildered to Kuga's glare, "Yes, an explanation is in order, isn't it?" She said, realizing there was no way out of this situation.
Some things have been answered, some things haven't. It's gets more interesting later. All I know is that in the next chapter, we find out exactly how close Shizuru and Natsuki are connected and we get to see Kuga kick some ass! Rah! X3 We also get a look on the Navy's side and how the castle's handling it all.
Omake:
Nao: HA! I'm the most popular person in the whole fanfic!
Natsuki: You can't be most popular! You aren't even paired up with anyone!
Nao: Shut it up your muzzle and suck it! Four-fifths of the reviews are about me!
Natsuki: This can't be happening! Demon! Give me more lines!
Demon: But you already have whole the lines in the whole chapter.
Natsuki: So?!
Demon: I can't give you any more!
Natsuki: Then give Shizuru more!
Shizuru: Ara, how thoughtful.
Demon: It's called character development. I can't just center it around you two! I need little side-stories and 'build up'.
Natsuki: You center around us in your other stories.
Demon: Yeah, but in this one, I got Mai and Midori and Nao and... I need to expand, damnit! Besides, the story already has you two together and the whole story line and stuff with you two, can't you lay off a little bit?!
Natsuki: -grumbling- Fine...
Nao: Finally. I get more screen time to present the perfection that is me. -smirks-
Demon: I wouldn't go that far.
Nao: -turns to Demon glowering- You say something?
Demon: o-o; No, madam-sir-milady-highness-ness-miss...
Nao: -cocky grin- Good! Now get to working one chapter three!
Demon: T-T Why me?... Why me?... -starts slaving away at her next chapter-