Four more months passed. Desti and I checked our bank accounts every day, despite being told that it only changed every month. We just finished our daily trip, and now, we were sitting on a retaining wall looking out over the ocean.

"Desti, do you ever think about living on a ship?"

"Not really, why? Do you?"

"Yeah… every time a ship comes into port, the people on them are always smiling. Do you think living on a ship would be better than here?"

"I don't know. I'm happy as long as I'm with mom."

I sighed. "I think I would love to live on a ship, that way, I could wake up to the sea every morning."

"The way you talk about it, it does sound like it might be nice."

"Of course it would be! I could finally have some real adventures! If I ever get the chance, you should come with me!"

"I don't think I could do that. I'd miss mom too much. Wouldn't you miss her?"

"Duh! I would come back to visit! Besides, if I got on a ship, I could get someone to teach me how to use a sword. I haven't given up on being the best swordswoman ever!"

"Will you show me your skills when you're a pro?"

"Obviously! You'll be the first I'm going to show. You're my best friend after all."

"And you're mine."

About two months later, I was staying at Desti's again. The rain was coming down hard as we ate our dinner. Drops fell from the roof into buckets and pots below. I poked at my food. Of course it would rain on my birthday.

Auntie had spent a little extra money and made me a cake. I know I'm supposed to be happy on my birthday, but all I felt was pain in my heart.

~"Hi Niala! Ready to come over and have some cake? Mom made it special!"

"You bet, Katsumi! Your mom makes the best cake!"

Niala quickly told her mother that she was coming over and we raced all the way back to my house. I won, of course. I was always the fastest runner, even out of the boys. We barged into the house and quickly sat down at the table.~

"Is everything alright, Katsumi?" Auntie asked me.

"No…"

"What's wrong?" Her voice was kind.

Tears started falling down my face. "Mom and dad… they died on my birthday…" I started bawling. It just wasn't the same without them.

"Oh my… I didn't know. We don't have to celebrate if you don't want to."

"B-But you made a cake…"

"We can eat it tomorrow."

"Okay…"

That night, I curled up into a ball. The tears hadn't stopped since dinner. Desti climbed into the bed and pulled me into his arms. He didn't say anything as usual. I cried myself to sleep.

The next night it was dry and I had to sleep outside again. I had a hard time sleeping, which was no surprise. My nightmares had been worse. I didn't want to sleep.

Finally, I decided to get up and go for a walk. I wandered the docks and eyed the ships that were in port. I could stow away on one, but that wouldn't end well. I hopped up on a half wall and walked along it.

When I reached the end of the wall, I leapt down and saw a ship pulling into port. I was curious. Ships don't usually dock at night. I hid in the shadows and waited for it dock. Once it did, a nicely dressed man walked off the ship and started heading into town.

He didn't look like a noble, but he looked better dressed then most people. He must have some money. I tailed him as he weaved through the streets. I quickly and silently made my way to him and stretched out my hand to pick his pockets.

Suddenly! He grabbed my hand firmly, making me jump.

"Nothing there but trouble, kid." His voice was harsh.

I froze. What was he going to do with me? Auntie had said that the next time we got caught they might not be nice. Was he one of the mean people she was talking about?

He looked like he was angry, so I turned my face away and braced myself for whatever he was going to do.

"You're one of the youngest I've seen. How old are you?" His voice was a little softer now.

"I-I-I…" I was too scared to speak.

He released my hand and got down to my level. I saw his face was kinder and his dark eyes met my lavender ones.

"Don't be afraid. I'm not gonna hurt ya."

"I-I just turned six… my parents died when I was five…" The tears started falling from my eyes.

"Shite… fate hasn't been kind to you, has it?" He gently dried my tears. "I'll let you in on a secret. My wife died while she was still pregnant with our first child."

I sniffled. "Is-Is the baby okay?"

"No, the baby was still too little."

"I-I'm sorry that happened…" I didn't know what else to say. I was kind of relieved that someone else knew how I felt.

"So am I…" He paused for a moment. "How would you like to come with me? I've got plenty of food and I can teach you how to survive."

I felt hope start to fill my heart. I didn't think anyone, aside from Desti and Auntie cared about what happened to me. I also saw him come off of a ship, which meant that I could live on a ship! I wanted it to be true. I wanted so badly to live on a ship!

"Yes! I would like that more than anything!"

A smile crossed his face. "Alright then, there's just one thing we need to take care of."

"What's that?"

He didn't say a word, but he grabbed my long hair in one hand, pulled out a dagger, and cut my hair short.

"You need to pretend to be a boy, at least until you get older."

I fiddled with my short hair. It was weird.

The man stood up. "My name is Hirota. What's yours?"

"Katsumi."

"No good. Your new name is Katsuo."

I gave a nod. If it meant I could be on a ship, I would do almost anything.

"Let's go. You'll sleep on the ship tonight and I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew in the morning."

The next morning, Hirota was true to his word. He stood at the back of the ship that was by the ship's wheel at the top of a set of stairs. I stood beside him and was able to get a good look at him.

His body was big and had lots of muscle. His face was clean shaven and his brown hair was beginning to be speckled with silver hair. His loose red shirt, showed off his chest and his brown pants were a little baggy, but they tucked into his boots nicely. He had a sword at his left side that was attached to a leather belt to hold it in place.

I looked out and saw that we were already out at sea. The wind blew through my hair and gave me a shiver on my neck because it was short now.

"Listen up, you mangy sea dogs!"

Hirota's voice made me jump a little, but it got everyone's attention.

"We have a new lackey with us! His name is Katsuo! We're going to show him the ropes and teach him what it means to survive! If anyone mistreats him, they will answer to me! Understood?!"

"Yes, Captain!" the crew responded in unison.

"Good! Now get back to work!"

He turned his attention to me. "Let's get started."

I was confused. "Started on what, Captain?" I figured since the rest of the people called him that, I should too.

"Already calling me 'Captain'? You're pretty sharp, kid. I'm going to teach you how to use a sword. You can't be a pirate if you don't know how to fight."

Pirate?! I was going to be a pirate?! This was awesome! They were so cool! They could go wherever they wanted! The sea was their home!

He handed me a REAL sword?!

"Captain, aren't I supposed to use a practice sword?"

"Not here. That's a luxury. Here, you learn with the real thing."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. Now, time to focus."

Captain Hirota took the whole day teaching me the basics of how to use a sword. I gave it my all. I was going to be the best pirate I could be! I wasn't going to waste this chance. That night, I was so tired from training that I flopped on the bed and passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.

The next few weeks were gruelling. My whole body ached as I pushed myself to learn how to use a sword. I wasn't strong enough to do much on a ship, so I was put to work scrubbing the deck. When the fighting started, I was hidden below deck because I would just get in the way. I was determined to be better. I wanted to be the best there was and, slowly but surely, I found myself getting stronger and better.

Today was like any other day on the Phoenix. I was on all fours scrubbing the deck when some of the crew came by and watched me. I always hated it when they did that.

One of them spilled some rum onto where I had just scrubbed.

"Hey, pretty boy, you missed a spot."

His buddies snickered.

I went over the spot again. I knew they were being jerks because I was new. I wasn't good at anything else yet.

The same man poured more on a different spot and chuckled. "You missed another spot. Yur cruddy at scrubbing the deck."

I was getting irritated. "Then why don't you do it?"

"Because I do important stuff around here! Yur just scum that the Captain took in as his new pet!"

"I am not!" I shouted as I leapt to my feet. "I'm going to be the best swordsman on the Phoenix! Just wait and see!"

He gave me a light shove and I tumbled backwards, landing on my rear.

"Some swordsman! You can't even keep your balance!"

I stood back up and I couldn't hold my temper any longer. I threw my scrub brush at his head. It hit it's mark and sent him reeling backwards.

"Now who can't keep their balance?"

He did his best to recover. "You scrawny brat! Yur gunna pay for that!" He grabbed me by the shirt and slammed me against the mast, knocking the wind out of me.

Before I could catch my breath, pain shot through the left side of my face causing the right side to hit the mast. I'd never been punched in the face before. It hurt more than the time I tried to out stubborn Auntie.

His fist landed hard on my face again. Tears welled up in my eyes from the pain, but I felt a fire stir inside of me. I could either let him keep hitting me, or I could defend myself. I chose the latter.

Because my feet were off the ground, I quickly brought my foot straight up and caught him in the tender spot between his legs. He cried out in pain as he dropped me. I landed on my feet and he went tumbling to the deck. He curled up and whimpered.

"Serves you right, Thane."

I watched as the captain made his way down the steps from the wheel of the ship.

"Captain…" Thane groaned as he did his best to stand up. "I was just…"

"I saw the whole thing."

"Why didn't you help?" I complained.

Hirota turned his attention to me. "I wanted to see how you'd handle the situation and I'd say you handled it well." He glared back at Thane. "I warned you not to mistreat him."

"Yes sir." Thane took a deep breath. "I'm ready for the lashes."

"I should beat you, but I think the pain in your groin is enough this time. He got you good."

"Thank you, Captain."

"This is your only warning. You hit him again and I'll personally see that you get what's coming to you."

"Yes, Captain."

The captain went back to what he was doing and Thane locked his deep golden eyes with my lavender ones. I didn't dare back down. I had defended myself and let him know that I couldn't be pushed around so easily.

Thane ran his hand through his auburn hair. "Just so you know, Katsuo, kicking another man like that is fighting dirty. Next time we fight, fight like a man."

Before I could respond, Thane walked away without another word. My eyes followed him.

I let out a huff. Being on a ship was nothing like what I thought it was going to be, but I did get to see the ocean every morning. I only hoped that the crew would learn to accept me. Then again, they thought I was a boy. What was going to happen when I was revealed as a girl? I'd been here long enough to know that everyone thought that women were bad luck on a ship.

"Hey! Pretty boy!"

I was brought back to reality from my thoughts. Thane was glaring at me.

"What?!" I called back with sass.

"Stop staring at me and get back to work!"

"Yeah, I know!"

I retrieved my scrub brush and went back to work.

As the next two years went by, I got better and better at using a sword. Captain Hirota bought a long sword for me to use. He explained that we can steal anything we want or need, except our swords. He believed that stealing a sword was bad luck.

I didn't mind the long sword, but it felt awkward and I still had to use two hands. My stance was good and I didn't fall over anymore, but my speed and power were seriously lacking.

"Kat!" The captain's voice boomed.

"Yes, sir?" I stood up from scrubbing the deck and faced him.

"Once we pull into Obral, you're coming with me ashore. We're going to find you a proper sword. One you can wield more easily."

"Really?!" I was overflowing with excitement.

"Yes. Now tone down the enthusiasm and get back to work."

"Aye, aye, Captain!"

The next day, we docked in Obral. My eyes went wide with wonder. The docks were so busy and there were so many different types of people.

The captain held onto my hand tightly and practically dragged me through the crowd. I felt like my arm was going to get pulled off. Finally, we arrived at a market stall that sold all sorts of swords. I only recognized two of the swords. Thankfully, all the swords had labels.

I glanced over all the different types of swords until my gaze fell on one labeled 'wakizashi'.

"I want to see this one please." I told the shopkeeper.

"Nice choice, young man!" The shopkeeper pulled it out from behind the case, pulled it from its sheath, and presented it to me. "Wakizashis are among the most lightweight of swords. They give you the ability to move quickly and they are also…"

I grazed my thumb across the blade to check its sharpness. However, even with the normal amount of pressure I usually applied, I still cut my thumb. I was shocked when blood dripped onto the blade.

"...very sharp," the shopkeeper groaned.

"I didn't even press that hard!"

"The people who forge wakizashis are from here, in Obral. They pride themselves on sharp blades."

I tore off a small piece of my shirt and wrapped it around my thumb. Then I felt the weight of the sword. I liked it. It felt perfect for me, but I felt like something was missing.

"Captain, can I get two?" I asked.

"Two? What in the name of Poseidon do you want two for?"

"You're always telling me never to let my enemy disarm me. If I have two swords, it becomes a lot less likely. And holding only one feels weird."

The shopkeeper spoke up again, "If you're serious about this, then I'm going to tell you right now that you can't block direct hits. If you do, you'll break your blades."

"How am I supposed to fight if I can't block?!"

"You deflect."

I stood there and thought for a moment. They were nice and light, but having to deflect instead of blocking, that was going to be hard. Was it really worth it? Chances are, I would end up breaking my blades a few times before getting the hang of them.

"What do you say, Kat? Do you still want the wakizashis?" Hirota asked me.

"You could also use daggers or rapiers if you want something else that's still lightweight. And they aren't as expensive to replace if you break a blade."

"No. I want the wakizashis!" I was determined now. If I was going to be the best swordswoman in the world, I was going to stand out. I didn't want to avoid something just because it was going to be hard to learn.

"Are you sure?" The captain questioned.

"Yes!"

"Alright then."

He handed the merchant the correct amount for two wakizashis.

"You're the first dual wielder I've seen. I hope it works out for you." The shopkeeper remarked as Hirota and I started walking away with my new swords in hand.

I was overjoyed. Now, I was one step closer to being the best.