Amane looked out at the ocean, her small feet were cold against the wooden floor. Her sister had been crying the past 6 hours, and she would not say why. Malik had asked her to leave the cabin and go outside on the deck. She wandered to the edge of the deck, her small feet bare on the dirty floor. She looked up to her left to see one of the tall men looking down at her from the upper deck. He walked down towards her and she pulled herself into the corner of the ship.
Mariku looked down at the little girl, his annoyance growing as she looking at him in spite.
"What are you doing out of the cellar?"
"My sister is crying because of you, Malik told me to go out"
The pirate raised a brow. "Because of me?"
She nodded in a stubborn manner, her eyes looking into his. "You are all bad people, for making Ryou cry like that" she placed her hands in her small sides, looking like she was scolding him. Mariku sighed annoyed as he crouched in front of her.
"Did she come from the Captains room?" he asked in a calm manner.
Amane nodded. "How did you know?" she looked puzzled. Mariku felt his eyes wander off, not wanting to look the girl in the eyes.
"Lucky guess, you should not be out here, there is a bad storm coming"
"Okay" her voice was unsure, and she looked at him with a suspicious glare.
"Do you want to get something to eat before you go back?" his lilac eyes looked at her patiently.
She was unsure. "I am not allowed to go with strangers" she whispered in a low voice.
"Well..I am Mariku… and you were Amane right?" his eyes held a level of patience that calmed Amane down. She nodded, her bright hair hanging in front of her eyes.
He moved towards the area of the ship which had the kitchens. She followed silently. When she moved down the stairs she heard a lot of the pirates yell loudly and there was a strong smell. She held her nose as she followed the tall pirate silently. She saw some of the men playing cards, and some of them were drinking something she assumed would make them feel funny.
She stopped as she hit his back legs. He looked back down at her and held his index to his mouth. She lifted her index to match his movement as he opened the back door. Behind the door there were massive pots and kettles boiling, and a tall tanned man with black hair that was pulled into a massive pony tail. Amane looked in awe at the messy kitchen, which was overflowing with a smell of spice and meat.
"Ey Mako I got a little one who needs to be fed here"
The tall man stared down at the young kid who was hiding behind the other pirate.
"What, why are you bringing a scrawny child to my kitchen? We gotta fatten her up if she is going to be doing any labor around here"
Amane looked up at him unsure, his large hands grabbed a bowl which was not clean by any means and he took a large ladle which he filled up with stew from one of the pots.
She looked startled as she was given the bowl and Mariku started leading her out again through the crowd of men. She carried the bowl in front of her until they reached the deck again. She followed him up till the same staircase that lead down to where her sister and Malik was. He left her in front of the door and unlocked it. He opened the room to find the young women sitting on the floor. Ryou was staring blankly ahead as Malik washed down her face with a cloth. Blood was running down her head and onto her shoulders from where Akefia had hit her. Malik looked up at the newcomer and was startled to see Amane there as well.
"Amane, I told you to stay outside in the hallway" Malik's voice was scolding but softer than what it could have been.
"I could not listen to Ryou crying" Amane whimpered and Mariku looked down at her.
"She should not wander off like that. If some of the wrong members of the crew see her I can't guarantee she will be safe" he looked at the maid with a serious look.
"Th-thank you for bringing her here…" she said in a soft tone, while picking up the red stained cloths from the floor.
Amane put down her food, and walked over to her sister, who only had a thin blanket around her. She hugged her tight and tears began running down Ryous cheeks.
"I am sorry you are sad, please don't cry" Amane whispered softly, trying to soothe her sister.
Malik looked over at the tall pirate who stood quietly, observing the trio.
"When are you throwing us overboard?" she walked over to him, her large lavender eyes piercing into his.
"It depends on the Captain's orders" he said in a calm voice.
"Have you no shame?" she stood up close to him, her chest poking out. Mariku felt a curiosity at this.
"I am a pirate lady, I don't feel shame - Besides… I should be praised for bringing that girl back here to you. Worse things could happen - it has been known that some pirates cannibalize each other for fun" he stated calmly.
Maliks face turned surprisingly pale. She looked to the two bright haired sisters who were still embracing each other.
"Do you not tire of serving women like that? Helpless without their fortune, and their value of others depending on what they work with and come from?" he said in a calm and calculating voice.
"You don't know them… they are kind people. And they have always treated my family kindly. I went to school thanks to their family. Don't judge them before knowing them. You of all people should understand that" she said in a determined voice.
He raised an eyebrow, smirked and leaned down to her. "You went to school?"
She nodded and looked a bit puzzled, her arms folded in front of her chest. He leaned in further.
"Can you read?" his voice was puzzled, and Malik was caught off guard when he looked truly interested.
"I can.. Yes" her voice was more confident than she had expected
The lillac eyes got slanted then. "Can you teach me? Well… re-teach me. I have not read since I was 10" he looked of for a second then looked back.
Malik thought swiftly. "How do I benefit from that?"
Mariku chuckled. "No need to be hostile" he looked of to the sisters who were still hugging on the floor. Ryou's naked body was shaking.
"I can get you clothes from the loot" he looked at the other and she looked satisfied as she nodded.
"Okay"
An hour later Mariku brought back some different garments. Ryou looked up and nodded gently as he laid down a simple black dress that would cover her body. Malik wore a darker purple and she managed to make one of the adults dress into a smaller version for Amane.
Amane looked up as Mariku walked to the door. "Thank you" she said softly.
Mariku looked back surprised and nodded before leaving the room.
Amane fell asleep soon after sleeping beside her sister. Malik sat beside her, and arm around her body.
"I am sorry Ryou, I wish I could have gone instead of you" her voice was completely calm as she rubbed her shoulder.
"I feel so filthy" Ryou choked but tried to keep her tears as not to wake up Amane.
"You are not, You are beautiful, Kind, Loving" Malik buried her nose in her lady's hair trying to hold back her own choked up voice. An hour later, the door was unlocked again, revealing Mariku.
"The captain is waiting for you" he said calmly.
She got up, her legs moving shakingly. Malik looked at her, eyes glistening as the moonlight hit her pupils.
Mariku send her a look before closing the door behind them with a clang.