Kiku's new quarters were located not too far from Kirkland's own chambers; already standing outside the door were the same men who had escorted Kiku to dinner, both of them sporting matching lecherous grins upon seeing Kiku.
"Does the captain require a bit of privacy for tonight?" The taller one asked before snickering.
"Not tonight, Dawkins." Kirkland grinned before pushing Kiku into the room, "I'll be out in a bit." The door shut with a heavy thud and once again Kiku found himself alone with the captain.
"These are your new chambers for the time being, pet. Bed's right there, you've got a desk and chair, there's a bookcase over in the corner, vanity, chest, what have you…"Kiku barely heard the captain as he kept his eyes focused on the Persian rug in front of him. He wanted to die. First he had failed in delivering his sister's dowry and now he was the prisoner to this pirate.
"…and I will make sure you have proper clothes and what have you to wear each day and perhaps I might even allow you to start wearing Western clothes. Kiku, are you listening to me?" Kiku glanced up, pure contempt visible in his eyes, however, it did nothing to deter Kirkland from sweeping his bangs to the side to get a better look at his eyes.
"You have beautiful eyes, Kiku. Quite unlike any that I've seen before. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, now for your meals, you will take them with me in my quarters twice daily. I expect you to be there, dressed in what I have picked out for you, and on time. Lateness will not be tolerated. That goes for tea time as well. We will take tea in your quarters every day, four hours before dinner. I also expect you by my side every morning when I do inspection of the crew. And let me tell you right now, you will not embarrass me in front of my crew. Is that clear?"
"Clear, pirate." Kiku said callously. Kirkland smirked at Kiku's words before grabbing Kiku's face again.
"That's another thing I want to address with you, love. When you are talking to me, you refer to me as 'Captain' or 'Captain Kirkland." Kirkland's breath was hot on his ear, making Kiku shudder at his words. "Even though you may not feel it, you will address me with some measure of respect. I will not have you disrespecting me aboard my own ship, got it?" Kiku gave a small nod, hoping that his compliance would be enough for Kirkland to remove his hand from his face; he was wrong, for Kirkland forcibly turned his face to meet his vibrant green eyes.
"Say it, pet…" Kirkland said huskily, stroking Kiku's cheek with his index finger; Kiku inwardly recoiled at Kirkland's caress. Swallowing hard, the smaller man gave a barely audible "Yes, Captain." Kirkland seemed satisfied, but that didn't stop him from continuing to touch the Asian man.
"Such smooth skin…almost like porcelain…" Kirkland murmured, tracing with his thumb the outline of Kiku's lower lip; Kiku was fighting the urge to pull away from Kirkland, knowing that at this point, it probably wouldn't do any good. Kirkland continued lightly running his thumb across the other man's lips before gently tipping Kiku's face up and kissing him softly. That time Kiku did try and pull away, struggling to get as far away from Kirkland as possible but it was for naught. Kirkland had an iron grip on Kiku's face and his other arm quickly snaked across his waist; his flailing only intensified when he felt Kirkland's slick tongue running across his pinched lips. Dissatisfied with Kiku's lack of enthusiasm during the kiss, Kirkland roughly pulled the other man's lips apart in order to allow his tongue entry so he could explore the wet heat that was Kiku's mouth. Kiku placed his hands on the pirate's shoulder in order to push him off, but that only caused Kirkland to pull Kiku closer to him, tongue probing deeper into his mouth. After what seemed like an eternity (but really only about a minute and a half) Kirkland finally pulled away from the revolted Kiku.
"Yes, I think a kiss will be a wonderful way to start as well as end the day…only instead of standing there like an idiot you will be more active." Kirkland grinned, completely ignoring the look of pure disgust present on Kiku's face. Swallowing his revulsion, Kiku gave a quiet "Yes, captain" in order to placate the Brit.
"Excellent, you're catching on already. Such a quick learner…I bet your brother would be proud." Kiku felt the white-hot fury rising from the pit of his stomach, angry at the Captain for forcing him to become what looked like his whore as well as using his brother to mock him and angry at himself for allowing it to happen too easily. He resolved right then and there that he would not allow Kirkland to break him, no matter how hard the other man tried.
Kirkland chuckled to himself at the obvious discomfort he was causing Kiku. His defiance was rather endearing and there was something about how expressive those eyes were; he wondered how they looked when his eyes expressed an emotion other than anger or disgust, maybe such as happiness or lust…
Kirkland knew exactly how he was going to break Kiku. And when he did, he was going to make sure it left the other man wanting more. He would only use force if need be and he was going to definitely make sure Kiku enjoyed it. It was never really any fun if only one person was enjoying it. Scourge of the seven seas he was, but even he had his limits. He preferred it when both parties were enjoying themselves, thank you very much.
"Alright Kiku, tomorrow's going to be a long day. Might want to get to bed, love. I would hate for you to be tired at breakfast tomorrow. Good-night, my pet." Kirkland said before leaving the room, allowing the door to shut with a loud thud before locking him in his room for the night.
Alone, Kiku allowed himself to collapse against the large Western-style bed. He was so ashamed at how he allowed himself to be made prisoner by this pirate. He was the prince, the emperor's brother, one of his nation's finest soldiers and now he was being reduced to position of common whore. He did take comfort in knowing that the Sakura was only a day's journey from Siam when they had been ambushed, so within a few days Yong Soo and Mei Mei's fiancé will have raised a fleet to come rescue him. When they did, he would make sure he took his revenge on the captain, though at this rate, it looked like he was going to have a hard time doing it before they rescued him.
Kiku awoke the next morning after an uneasy sleep; with all that had happened to him the previous day coupled with not being used to sleeping in a Western bed had made for a night of hard sleep. He sat up in the bed and noticed that someone had come in earlier and left him fresh clothes. His heart sunk when he saw that it was another one of Mei Mei's kimonos; so they were raiding his only sister's trousseau, the uncouth scum. Reluctantly, he got dressed, blanching when he noticed that it was Mei Mei's favorite: a deep ocean blue with a large white crane on the bottom and a slate-grey obi. It was a little difficult for him to do the obi but after awhile he had it done in a simple knot. Making sure that he had put on everything, he glanced down and noticed a comb decorated with blue and white flowers as well dangling tear-drop shaped crystals. Kiku clenched his fists, first he had to wear his sister's kimono and now he was expected to wear decorations in his hair, like a little girl? Angrily, he snatched the decoration up and placed it in his hair before stomping off to the door. Not a moment too soon before the men outside his room unlocked and opened the door.
"Good morning Mr. Kiku," it was the same men who had escorted him to dinner last night, "don't you look like a right china doll this morning." His companion chuckled before roughly grabbing Kiku by the arm and dragging down the hall.
"Come along Mr. Kiku, we would hate for you to be late." The shorter man chuckled.
"Yeah, especially with you looking as pretty as you do," the taller one leered as they stopped outside of Kirkland's room. Kiku waited for them to open the door, but instead they simply smiled at him.
"He really is a pretty one, isn't he, Dawkins?" The shorter man said, letting his eyes linger on Kiku.
"That he is, Sampson. Such a shame the captain's gonna keep him all to himself." Dawkins said. Kiku blanched, this was truly turning into a hellish experience, first the captain and now these two goons. After a few more seconds of ogling on Dawkins and Sampson's part, Dawkins finally knocked on the door to signal their arrival.
Almost immediately, the heavy door opened to reveal the captain, who seemed to be anticipating Dawkins' knock. He smiled at Kiku before reaching out to grab his hand.
"Ah, Kiku, you look beautiful this morning." Kirkland said, kissing the other man's hand gently. Dawkins and Sampson chortled at Kiku, who was beginning to turn bright red. He glared at the captain, but Kirkland paid him no attention.
"Well, gentlemen, if you'll excuse my lovely companion and me, it's breakfast time. Perhaps you two should head to the galley before inspection, yes?" Kirkland smiled, before pulling Kiku closer to him and wrapping his arms around the other man. If the look Kiku was giving the captain able to kill…
"Aye, captain. Please, enjoy your meal with your little flower, hehe." Dawkins said before he and Sampson dissolved into loud guffaws before leaving. Kirkland nodded before pulling Kiku in the room and shutting the door. Kiku noted that Kirkland still had his arm draped around his waist.
"I hope you don't mind, but breakfast is going to be a bit light today. Cook's seasick again, poor devil." Kirkland said, guiding Kiku over to the table and pulling out his chair, he accepted it with a slight nod before gracefully arranging himself in the chair; Kirkland smiled before taking his own seat.
Breakfast was a rather uninteresting event, Kirkland chattered away about his exploits, Kiku every now and then giving a quiet "Yes, Captain" while trying to concentrate at eating his food. Soon the meal was over and Kiku found himself being pulled to his feet and led out the door.
"Alright, you, it's time for morning inspection. Now, I don't expect you to do anything but look pretty, which should come naturally to you. Don't say anything to anyone unless I tell you to, okay love? And as I stated last night, do not embarrass me in front of my men or you will find yourself in some serious trouble." Kirkland instructed as they headed to the deck.
"Yes, captain." Kiku sighed, trying to ignore Kirkland's hand on the small of his back.
"That's a good pet." Before Kiku could fathom what was happening, for the second time in a span of 24 hours, Kirkland's lips were on his and his arms were slowly wrapping around his slim waist. Kiku wanted to struggle, to fight back and defend himself against this uncouth pirate, but he knew in his heart that in order for him to get out of this alive and take his revenge, he would have to cooperate. He closed his eyes and awkwardly draped his arms on Kirkland's shoulders, trying to make it appear that Kirkland's kiss was having an effect other than extreme disgust on him. Kirkland smiled against Kiku's lips before parting his lips and slipping his tongue through the other man's slack lips. Kiku was desperately fighting the urge to bite him. After a bit, Kirkland pulled away, looking quite satisfied with himself.
"Well, that was a bit better than last night, but you could definitely stand to improve. Tell me, was that your first time being kissed?" Kiku was definitely fighting the urge to blush. Back home, Kiku did not have time to bother with kissing and relationships like his younger brothers. He had a military to run, thank you very much. And besides, he was pretty sure that he had an engagement to some other emperor's daughter in the making thanks to his brother Yao, though now, after being kissed twice, he wasn't so sure how proper it would be now. He studied the floor; desperate to keep the blush off his cheeks, and gave a quiet "Yes Captain." If it was even possible, Kirkland's smirk got bigger.
"So you're inexperienced, eh pet? Don't worry; I'll make sure I change that." He chuckled, grabbing Kiku by the waist and leading him on. They finally made it to the deck where Kirkland's men were gathered, all of them standing in a row by height order. From what Kiku could see, the deck looked as immaculate as a ship could be. With the exception of the two goons that guarded him, the crew seemed to be as disciplined as his own.
"Look sharp, men! We've got ourselves a guest!" Kirkland ordered, pulling Kiku towards him. "Doesn't he look lovely?" Kiku felt his face grow hot as the crew began leering and whistling at him, making crude jokes about him. Kirkland seemed to relish in the obvious discomfort he was feeling.
"Now, now, boys, is that anyway to treat our newest member of the crew? Crude jokes and cat-calling? Especially with someone so…"innocent" as my dear Kiku?" Now Kiku was really mortified, Kirkland was trying to rile him up on purpose. He knew he shouldn't pay the crew's teasing any mind, but it still made him angry. He was a soldier, the brother of Wang Yao the Sun-Emperor, tentatively next in line to the throne, and here he was being ridiculed by thieves and crooks.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Kirkland finally calmed the crew down so they could get on with the inspection. It was not unlike the morning inspections of the Sakura-hime: roll call with everyone present minus one (cook was still feeling sea-sick,) a quick run-down of what needed to be done on the ship, the reporting of any problems (one of the cannons wasn't working, Kirkland said they'd get it looked over at the next port town they came to). It was quite brief, lasting may twenty or so minutes, before Kirkland dismissed the men, all of them saluting the good captain (and giving Kiku many a lecherous grin) before heading back to their duties. Kiku stood on his guard next Kirkland, anticipating the blond man's next move. Kirkland merely smiled down at him before brushing his lips against his forehead. Kiku fought the urge to visibly shrink away.
"Don't let their teasing get to you, love, you're the probably the prettiest thing they've seen in a long while. It's all in good fun." Somehow, Kirkland's words did nothing to reassure him.
Sorry about the delay, its been really hectic on my end lately. This chapter went through several re-writes and I'm still not happy with it orz. Oh well. Thanks to everyone who read/reviewed/faved/alerted/what have you. Please continue to read and review!