"Your Imperial Highness!"
"Yes, what is it?" Yao asked as he looked from a map he and Kaoru had been studying.
"I have come to inform you that the Tenshi has been fully stocked and she is ready to set out when you order it."
"Good tell my crew to make sure everything is there for we are leaving tomorrow."
"Of course." The person quickly bowed and left in order to hand out the orders to Ling and the others.
"Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you Sensei?" Kaoru asked as he looked up at Yao who was concentrating on the map of the sea.
"I am certain of it, Kaoru. I need you to stay here and keep things running while I am gone." Before Kaoru could reply they both could hear commotion happening in the courtyard outside the palace. Both of them looked at each other before standing up to see what they commotion was about.
"What's going on here?" Yao demanded as he and Kaoru stepped into the courtyard.
"Nii-sama! I have returned!" Yao and Kaoru stared in surprise at the person mounted on top of a chestnut mare. The person was smiling at them as he lowered himself from the mare. Both of them noticed that he looked weary and tired as if he had not had enough rest on his journey over to the palace.
"Kiseki-kun!" Kaoru exclaimed as he ran over to and hugged Peter. "Are you alright? Where's Kiku-nii? What-?"
"Kaoru!" Kaoru turned as Yao joined them. "Let's give Kiseki-kun time to recover from his journey. Then you can question him to your heart's content."
"Of course! Come Kiseki." Kaoru said as he led Peter off. Yao ordered for the mare to be taken to the stables and for someone to look after her before heading back to his maps that he had in his study.
APH
"Now that you are rested enough, tell me what happened?" Kaoru demanded after Yao had asked for Peter to be led to his study for the interrogation.
"I am not entirely sure. Kiku-nii was taking me to see the entire Western lands when we were unexpectedly attacked by another pirate ship."
"You were attacked? Then how did you get away?"
"Kiku-nii took me to one of the lifeboats aboard the Mary Celeste and he handed me some stuff before casting me out into the sea.
"Tell me Kiseki, why did Kiku take the Mary Celeste?" Both Peter and Kaoru turned around and looked at Yao, who had calmly interrupted them.
"There was no other ship available, or at least that's what he said."
"'No other ship available?'" Yao calmly asked.
"If there was any other ship available at that time I am not sure."
"Was there anyone else that knew about the expedition you two were heading on?"
"No, or at least I am not sure. He might have told someone, or at least he said he had."
"So you are not sure whether Kiku was telling the truth?"
"At that time yes, right now… no."
"And why are you not sure."
"Because you are asking me a lot of questions that wouldn't have needed to be asked if he had told me the truth."
"Of that you are right." Kaoru said as he looked back at Peter. "The Mary Celeste wasn't the only ship available when you two disappeared, and I know for a fact that he never told either Sensei or I or anyone for that matter that you two were going somewhere. Now that I mention it… where were you two heading off to?"
"The Western Lands." Peter calmly replied. "He told me he was going to take me over there after he returned."
"Then why didn't he tell any of us?"
"I don't know…"
"So much mystery is in the air." Yao said with a sigh as he stood up, walked over to them, and hugged Peter. "But I am so glad the sea returned you to us."
"Kaoru-san told me that you found the Mary Celeste with no one onboard."
"We did. The ship was in a bit of a mess, but she has been repaired."
"How come it took you so long to return?" Kaoru asked as Yao let go of Peter.
"The sea took me to an island, and I had to stay there for a while so that I could get any supplies that I needed for the trip back home. Then once I had the route using the stars I made my way over. But I miscalculated and I ended up drifting further south than what I should have. I realized that once I reached the mainland. From there I walked until I came across the village of Oita."
"You ended up that far south?" Kaoru asked in surprise.
"Yes. Anyway the people allowed me to spend the night there and they gave me the mare that I used to make the rest of the trip faster."
"I'll think of something to give them for their generosity." Yao said as he returned to his desk. "In the meantime I have to make sure everything is in order before I leave."
"You are leaving?" Peter asked as he looked at Yao.
"Yes Kiseki, I am. The Tenshi has been fully stocked and I am leaving tomorrow morning."
"Can I come with you Yao-san?"
"You still need to rest from your journey."
"I can rest on the ship! Onegai Yao-san! Let me come with you!"
"You might as well sensei." Kaoru said smiling. "He is going to stalk you to the ship if you don't."
"Aiyaa! You two are against me!" Both of them started laughing as Yao shook his head at them. "Alright Kiseki you may come along with me."
"What about Kaoru-san."
"I am staying, but I shall accompany you to the port to see you off."
"Have the others left already?"
"Yes, they left weeks ago."
"You two might as well get some rest. It is a long journey to the ports."
"Hai!"
"You might as well get some sleep as well sensei." Kaoru said as he stopped at the doorway.
"Don't worry I will."
"Good night."
"Good night." Yao watched as Kaoru closed the door and he heard both of them walking back towards their rooms before he gave a sigh and returned to the maps he had been studying.
How much does Kiseki know? I could tell he wasn't telling me the complete truth about their reason for leaving. I'll just have to wait for him to lower his guard in order to make sure he tells me everything that I need to know…
Author's Note:
Yay! New Chapter!
This chapter reveals that the first section in chapter one belonged to Kiseki.
The people of the east know that Yao has a Westener as a younger brother. That plus the clothes he was wearing and the amulet he held (one that Yao had given him) helped clarify that for them.
Will try to update this story and the others soon!
