Aomine fiddled with the handle of his sword as he stood near the gangplank as it was readjusted so it was secure. Momoi had changed out of her normal trousers and loose shirt into a form fitting dress that flared if she spun on her heels. Aomine had wrapped a deep blue bandana around her head that even covered her ears, save for the golden hoops she wore for special occasions. A meeting with the King of Pirates was one of these moments.
"What do you think he wants to talk about?" Momoi asked as Wakamatsu checked the gangplank again. Aomine didn't reply but he held his hand up for Momoi to take, helping her down the slope. The sound of both of their boots hitting against the wood garnered attention, although their dress should have done the same. Aomine wanted to get in and out of meeting with Akashi as soon as possible, but when he saw a raven haired man with a shit eating grin heading their way, he knew there was little chance of that happening. He was tempted to walk back up to deck and shut himself away in his cabin but Momoi's hand moved to his elbows, her fingers gripping tight to the fabric of his jacket and giving him a look that promised if he left her alone she would not be pleased in the slightest.
"Momoi-San! Aomine!"
"Good afternoon Takao," Momoi smiled happily. Takao stopped just in front of them, his grin widening and Aomine knew exactly why. He was waiting for Cookie to make an appearance so they could go drinking. Too bad Aomine had ordered her to stay on the ship during this trip, not that she had argued too much. Although she had demanded that Aomine get them some new supplies because she was sick of trying to make meals out of everything pickled.
"Cookie isn't playing this trip," Aomine grumbled, leading Momoi along the pier. He could hear Takao whine his objections as he fell into step beside Aomine. He promised they wouldn't get into trouble this time and if they did he would just let Cookie shank the guy instead of trying to talk him down. He promised they wouldn't spend so much gold in the tavern and Takao promised he wouldn't let his money get stolen, although Aomine couldn't have cared less about that considering Takao wasn't part of his ship. Takao didn't relent until Aomine's hand went to his sword, resulting in Takao quickly changing the subject to how nice and strong the wind was and how strange it was that Murasakibara's ship, Devil's Fruit, wasn't in port and yet the Captain and his first mate were. Aomine couldn't care less, but knowing Himuro the ship was probably out sailing and the two had come in with a few sailors on a longboat.
The Bay of Miracles wasn't a place that anyone would just stroll into. Leaving a ship unattended completely was probably one of the stupidest ideas one could think and leaving the safety of ones ship didn't mean one would return. Long turned into ruin since it's glory days as the main port for trade, the Bay of Miracles is filled with the bilge rats of the worlds. Beggars, thieves, cut throats and mercenaries found a home within the grimy, derelict streets, although if they did not watch their backs their fronts would be slain. If there was one place that made Aomine's skin crawl and his fingers twitch ever presently over the handle of his blade, it would be the place Akashi called home.
That being said about the bay in general, the residence of Akashi Seijuro was not one to miss. He had built an empire from within his home, his crew working as his own personal body guards and his iron fist spread through the waters he controlled and then some. It had been three years since Akashi last left the bay, three years since his beloved ship had carried him upon her deck, exploring the seas and carrying him as far away from the place he called home. Three years since Akashi Seijuro was last seen in his scarlet cloak, dyed from the blood of his enemies, behind the helm. Three years, and still there were none willing to stand against the King of Pirates.
Aomine did not particularly like being under Akashi's demands, answering to every beck and call, having to notion that he was a superior when he was blood and bone like everyone else. Yet Aomine always answered Akashi's calls, just like the others who were given the title of Pirate King. Aomine could have snorted, thinking to his fellow comrades who were so 'fearsome'. Kise Ryouta, the golden haired Captain of the Jasper who was more under his first mates command than the other way round. Midorima Shintarou, the stoic and grumpy Captain of the Emerald Maiden, more tsundere than frightening. Murasakibara, the towering Captain of the Devil's Fruit whose idea of treasure came from sugar canes and bee hives. Then there was - Aomine stopped himself, wincing away from thinking about their seventh captain. He did not want to think about that wondering through these streets.
"Oh, Dai-Chan, did you hear that? We're the last to arrive," Momoi chattered as Takao walked along side him. Considering he was the first mate for Midorima, Aomine thought he could have dressed a little better than tan trousers and a white cotton shirt. Aomine's eyes sunk down to Takao's feet, noticing his shoes were old leather and close to disrepair. Strange that Midorima would allow him to walk freely without dressing to his best.
"Fantastic, we can go to the inn and hear Kise moaning and groaning like no tomorrow," Aomine muttered sarcastically. Takao let out a laugh, shaking his head as scratched back of his neck.
"Captain Kise was the first to arrive, you've missed out on his midday session," Takao laughed, although it was rather strained. Aomine raised on eyebrow as he saw Momoi's cheeks turn red, her lips pursed as she tried not to laugh. She was the only person who seemed to think Kise and Kasamatsu were, as she put it, cute. Aomine just felt sick every time he saw the Pirate King chatter excitedly and follow his first mate around like a desperate dog.
He tuned both Momoi and Takao out as they walked through the main part of the town. Markets were on either side of the street, their tendors shouting out their wares and how they sold for cheaper than anywhere else. Aomine would have felt a little more comfortable shopping in the bay if there wasn't ruffians either side of each stall, eyeing everyone up. Not a lot of the vendors made their money from willing customers. His gaze was drawn up the street, where the large white Bayside Inn stood. Akashi's crew were the guards to the place and only the Kings were permitted to stay. Further up, upon a large hill that looked over the sea, was Akashi's home.
Aomine always considered the house was larger than necessary, considering Akashi lived alone, and many of the rooms were unused as far as he was aware. The only time the house was filled was when the Pirate Kings visited, as the years drew on they decided to stay at the Bayside Inn. It was as safe as Akashi's own home and just as clean. The meetings between the Pirate Kings were held within those walls however, Akashi had refused to relent on that very important fact. He did not trust the people from the town to leave them be and go about their business. Aomine stretched his gaze to the sun high in the air, wondering why Akashi had called them there all of a sudden for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
Kagami Taiga snuggled his face in deeper against the soft feather pillow, hoping that the foot steps that were coming towards his door would continue past and this would all be toned down to him having a nightmare. Tough luck. The door was thrown open wide and one of his fathers advisers strolled in like he owned the join. Kagami wanted to point out to him that this was in fact Kagami's own house, that his father had left it to him and no one else, but like he would be listened to. No one seemed to care what he had to say, not after the tantrum he threw about getting married.
"It is time to get up, Master Taiga."
"Kagami, I told you to call me Kagami. Only my friends call me Taiga," Kagami muttered as he sat up, still hugging the pillow close to him. He didn't appreciate this old, hook nosed bastard getting so familiar with him, even though Kagami had known him all his life. He wished that he could go back to being in the shadows of his fathers reign instead of being in the light.
"In which case, Master Kagami, your first name will not be used for a while." Kagami scowled, throwing the blanket off him and swinging his legs over the side of the mattress. Normally he would care that his current state of dress was not appropriate for company of any sort but this guy was really pissing him off. In all honesty Kagami didn't even remember his name. They all looked the same to him, old geezers who ran the whole country and only got Kagami's signature when it was needed. "At least you have waken yourself up, which is nice because it is well past noon. Soon you will not be able to afford sleeping in so late."
"Why's that?" Kagami snapped as he strolled over to his wardrobe in bare butted glory. He glanced over his shoulder to see the adviser looked less than impressed with his latest charge, but mentioned nothing on the appearance of the Lord.
"Because when you are married, I shan't presume the lady will be willing to have a lazy ass for a husband. Not to mention once you have children, you will not sleep past dawn."
"I didn't realise that I had to try for children as soon as I was wed," Kagami muttered irritably. The whole marriage in itself was something his father had arranged before his death and Kagami had originally thought that he could worm his way out of the arrangement. Tough chance. He had been watched like a hawk by his father's advisers almost every hour since, he didn't doubt that if he woke in the middle of the night one would be sitting on the chair near his fireplace, watching him in case he tried to make a mad dash for freedom.
Kagami reached forward and yanked the doors of his wardrobe open, pulling out a thin, white dressing gown the would cover him well. As he pulled it on he winced, trying to ignore the daggers he felt drilling into his back. To say Kagami had been a rather difficult child, and now a moreso difficult adult, would be an understatement. More often than not he was sneaking out through the once secret passages of the castle, wondering around the town with a pint in one hand and the other resting on the hilt of his dagger (as he grew older it turned into that of a sword) and eventually the handle of his pistol. His nightly adventures didn't go unnoticed by those in the town and one day Kagami even up and disappeared for a whole month shortly after his sixteenth birthday. He travelled all the way up the Northern Coast and hitched a ride on a cargo ship and had eventually found himself in the Bay of Miracles. That was not one of his finer moments, but Kagami had been young and believed the world owed him everything, so when he had been faced off against a rather equally hot blooded, hot headed young pirate, he hadn't thought twice.
Kagami returned home with most of his gold gone, a large bruise on the side of his cheek from where he'd been punched too hard and a splitting headache from enjoying too many pints of ale after the initial fight. That he been three years earlier and since then he hadn't been able to shake out the image of the pirate who had fought him. He had been built like a tree, tall and broad shoulders with arms thick with muscles. His skin was dark and exotic, and his cobalt blue eyes contained the same ferocity as the seas he sailed over. Kagami licked his lips, trying to remember the way the pirates had felt against his, something he had not expected at the time that then set of a catalyst of moments that made Kagami challenge his own thought process. He didn't even know the bastards name, and he had changed so much for Kagami with that one single kiss.
"I hope you do realise, young master, that the process of making a child will entail you actually having sex with the lady." Kagami whipped around as he tied the white sash around his waist, sinking himself into the soft fabric of the dressing gown. His eyes narrowed as he glowered at the adviser, knowing full well what he was getting at. Since returning from the Bay of Miracles, Kagami had seldom been seen in the presence of women, instead opting more towards enjoying his spare time the occasional gentleman. Not that anything sinister had happened certainly, but such activities did send tongues wagging amongst the people.
"I know very well that children come from fucking, you old bastard," Kagami snapped but he couldn't fight his cheeks flaring up from embarassment. It wasn't that he couldn't tell that women were attractive, he knew their beauty both inside and out, but he could never bring himself to actually bed them. Most of the time he was terrified that he might accidentally hurt her in the process, Kagami wasn't entirely a weak man and he knew easily he could break a bone if he so wished. He would never admit it though, never admit that he was frightened of his own strength.
"Yes, I just hope you remember that during the 'fucking', as you so eloquently put it, it is required to be between a man and a lady." Kagami almost reached threw his golden goblet off his bedside table to throw at the old bastard but the adviser quickly excused himself and made himself scarce. Kagami scowled, sitting on his bed and running the fleshy parts of his palms against his face. He didn't want to be married, because other than that adventure when he was sixteen to the Bay of Miracles, he had been hidden away in this stupid town for most of his life. He wanted adventure, to take a boat out and to see the world like there was no tomorrow. To sail into the sunset and not look back, with a crew he could trust and who was like family to him. He didn't want ot be stuck in this house forever, with a woman he could not and would not love, with children that would be born into a lie and a life he did not want. Kagami wanted to run, had always wanted to run, and he just wished he had taken Himuro up on his offer when his sworn brother had done so.
Kagami's heart swelled slightly as he thought to his friend, his only friend. Himuro had run shortly after Kagami had returned. He had been scheduled to marry the lady of some far away land that he would then move to and Himuro had refused. His father had been furious but Himuro didn't care, he came to see Kagami and asked for him to run away with him. To find adventure and their own lives, Himuro had chattered excitedly. Kagami had declined, because he was frightened. Frightened from the prospect of leaving home forever knowing that he would not likely be welcomed home again. Himuro didn't wait around to try and convince him to leave. That was the last Kagami had ever seen of him, and in all truth not a day had gone past in the last three years that he hadn't thought about where Himuro might be, and who he might be now. That's if he was even alive.