3370 words
4/8/17
The clamoring of voices was what woke him. The hushed worried whispers mixed with the sound of multiple people walking about and doing who knew what made his head pulse in pain. Green eyes opened as his head lolled to the side to see the blurred images of walking about the ship. He tried to bring his hands to his eyes to rub the blur away but found them tied, rather tightly, behind him. Struggling more he found himself tied to the main mast with a rope across his chest, along with a few of his shipmates.
"Thank God, you're awake, Suzaku," he looked over to see a fairly beaten Gino tied a man away, "I was worried when you didn't wake up. You had a nasty gash on your side."
With a few blinks of his green eyes, he was eventually able to see the worried look on his blonde friend's face. Gino wasn't the only one worried, however, the rest of the remaining crew seemed to talk amongst themselves watching the pirates warily as they worked around the ship.
He focused back on his companion and asked, "Have you heard anything?"
The usual cheerful face was grim, "Talks of throwing us overboard or marooning, from the crew. Nothing from the captain yet. Most of the crew that didn't come onto this ship were left on Clovis' ship but it was slowly sinking by the time they emptied the cargo."
"What about the others and Bartley? There are only eight of us here," Suzaku frowned at the heartlessness of the pirates. Their crew hadn't been a large one for a navy ship but their mission did not call for a large crew. It was merely Prince Clovis using the royal navy as a mean of protection for his valuables to be delivered to him in Japan. There was only fifty of them and thirty were likely to have drowned. That left twelve unaccounted crew members.
"They mostly likely died when we were attacked," his face was somber.
Suzaku was going to say something else but the sole of someone's boot had pressed itself into the side of his face and against the wood pole.
"What are you Brits talking about?" Suzaku remembered that voice. It had been the one that had addressed Bartley besides the captain.
"Hey, I'm talking to you, ya filthy Brit," he grounded his heel into Suzaku's cheek, "Ya not trying to escape, are ya?"
"Stop it! We weren't doing any of that, you stinking pirate. We were only discussing our missing comrades!" Gino yelled, drawing the attention of the pirate.
The man seemed as if he was going to retort but was interrupted by another familiar voice, this one more feminine, "Tamaki, Captain Zero instructed us not to cause further harm to the prisoners."
Suzaku moved his eyes to see her standing tall with her hands on her hips and her red spiked hair blowing in the sea air. She looked hard, with those cold blue eyes, at the man who currently had his foot about to crush Suzaku's jaw.
The man, now known as Tamaki, only snorted, "I doubt Zero would mind a few Britannians getting what they deserved."
"Are you so sure about that Tamaki," a voice said and the one known as Tamaki removed his foot from Suzaku's face just in time for him to see the man step out from behind the red haired woman. "If I remember correctly, you said something similar, about me not minding, when you used our funds at brothels."
The fabric on the man's face crinkled as Suzaku assumed he smiled. He didn't like the man's mask or the large obnoxiously extravagant hat; it obscured the other's face. All he could see was the deep purple iris of his right eye.
"Look Zero, they're only prisoners and we'll most likely just toss them overboard anyway, along with that useless captain stuck down in the brig," the Tamaki fellow said.
"That matter is still undecided. They can still be ransomed or sold for a good price. That choice is not up to you, but to me and the others," Zero said firmly.
Suzaku's eyes narrowed as theY were referred to as prisoners and talked about as if they weren't human. His eyes never left the captain as the man reprimanded the other. Suzaku couldn't possibly doubt that they would do those things. They needed a way out, but there was no way while they were tied up nor would it matter, so far out to sea.
"I'm afraid your transgression cannot be ignored, Tamaki," The man took out his gun and pointed it at the Tamaki fellow, "We, have rules on this ship."
Suzaku's eyes widened at what the pirate was doing to his own subordinate. Death was too much just for roughing up Suzaku's face. What the pirate captain did next surprised him even more.
"Kallen, please untie the man Mr. Shinichirou assaulted," He said while keeping the gun steadily pointed at the man who looked ready to soil himself.
The redhead reluctantly followed her captain's orders and untied Suzaku. The moment he was untied and standing, the pirate placed the gun into his hand and said, "Mr. Shinichirou Tamaki, assaulted you. I believe it is only fair you deal out his punishment."
Suzaku's eyes grew even wider at the captain's words. He wanted Suzaku to kill the man. There was no way he could stoop so low. To kill a person in an equal fight was one thing but to kill an unarmed man whose only crime was bruising his cheek? No, he would not play into the captain's sick game. He looked directly into that dark smirking eye then shot the gun into the air and threw it onto the ship's deck.
"He doesn't deserve to die over something so trivial," Suzaku yelled.
"We pirates live by a strict code of conduct," the captain started but was interrupted by Suzaku.
"You're pirates! If you had any honor or conduct you wouldn't murder and steal. You most certainly would treat your prisoners like human beings and let them have a say in their fate," Suzaku panted.
The captain stared calmly at Suzaku and that same black mask wrinkled as he smiled, "Very well, Tamaki you owe this man your life. It is a debt you will repay. You will also go without supper and remain on board the next time we reach port. Is that understood?"
With a great sigh of relief, the man known as Tamaki nodded. The girl, known as Kallen, also seemed to relax.
"As for you, sir, I believe you have a point," he said causing shock among the other two pirates, "Come with me and we will discuss the fate of your men."
Suzaku was surprised, to say the least, "Wouldn't you rather speak with our captain?"
"That cowardice man? He was all too willing to abandon his own crew. I find you more interesting anyway," the man's eye almost seemed mischievous at that point.
Suzaku only nodded, "If you'll listen then I would be willing to talk."
"Very well, follow me, Mister…"
"Oh! Suzaku Kururugi!"
The man nodded and took an extravagant bow, "And I am the captain of this ship, Zero."
The man stood back up, only slightly taller than Suzaku himself, and motioned to him to follow. The red headed woman followed closely behind, not taking her cold blue stare from Suzaku's back.
Suzaku was quiet as he followed the man to his cabin. It was nicely decorated with a bed to the right and two swords mounted to the wall behind a desk to the left. Next to the desk was a small table with assorted alcohols. The captain gestured to it, asking if he wished for a drink, as he sat behind his desk.
Suzaku, licked his parched lips, "You wouldn't have any water, would you?"
"Kallen, would please fetch Mr. Kururugi some water," he said and she looked as if she would argue but he continued before she could, "and some antiseptic and bandages. Your poison may have run its course but it won't do if the wound becomes infected."
The young woman sighed and gave Suzaku a look of warning before she left. The captain merely chuckled and gestured for Suzaku to sit as he spoke, "Kallen can be protective but does her job well."
Suzaku sat and winced at his wound. He was grateful the pirate was willing to let it be treated. "She is your bodyguard then? I don't know many men to let a woman onto their boat let alone protect them."
"Kallen is quite the fighter as you might know," he pointed to Suzaku's wound and continued, "I see no reason to deny her a place on this ship based on gender alone."
Suzaku nodded in agreement as he watched the other take out some paper and some ink. He dipped the feathered pen into the well and spoke again, "Now enough idle small talk. Negotiating is what we came here to do. What do you want for your crew? You obviously understand I can't just let you go free so what is your offer?"
"With all due respect, Captain, you ransacked our ship and most likely killed our comrades when you left them on a sinking ship."
"And you must understand that human capital is very valuable. If I am a man willing to kill that many people than you have to bring me a more enticing offer. I could certainly care less about what is right and what is wrong, Kururugi," the captain reclined in his chair and folded his hands as he eyed Suzaku sternly.
Suzaku narrowed his eyes into a glare, "These men have done no wrong toward you. You instigated the attack. My crew does not deserve slavery because they wished to help a stranded vessel!" he stood in rage and instantly regretted his decision and took his seat as he clenched his wound.
The man before him merely watched him as if he was bored. Suzaku knew that trying to appeal to a pirates morality was pointless but men like Gino did not deserve to be sold off like cattle. Slavery was a horrid practice!
"Your argument is compelling and might work on a better man. Like you must have realized by now, though, I am not that kind of man. Now I do think we can come to some sort of agreement. A way to earn your freedom, Mr. Kururugi."
Suzaku frowned confused and waited for the captain to continue, "We like you lost skilled men. Serve on this ship until we find eight new men, one for each one of you, and you may go free," the man leaned forward as he gave his proposition.
"We aren't pirates and that's still slavery," Suzaku said.
"It is technically indentured servitude, Kururugi. Your crew and you could be set free at the next port if I can find new men there."
Suzaku contemplated the man's offer, "We aren't murderers or thieves, besides how would I know you'd keep your word or that you'd even look for men to replace us. For all we know, you could be saying you're looking and just keep us until we die."
"I could very well do that," he confirmed, "We need men to man the ship and you need freedom, that is my offer."
Suzaku was quiet for a moment as he thought, "We won't participate in any raids or illegal acts."
Zero seemed to become more interested in the conversation, "Now, you are learning to negotiate."
"Also if you do not find crew members within a month we are still to be set free," Suzaku continued.
"I can adhere to your first request. It would not benefit me if one of your men took advantage of the chaos and tried to join the other side. During any raids or battles, you and your men are to stay below deck in the brig. As for your second condition, a month is very short, how about five years," the man countered.
Suzaku glared, "Five months."
The man hummed, "A year, and no lower. If I cannot convince a soul to join in that time you and your men are free."
The captain began writing on the piece of parchment and looked up at Suzaku after a few moments of writing, "Do you have any other requests?"
Suzaku thought. He never thought he would even gain the freedom of his men, ablate delayed freedom, but was there anything else to cover? He looked at the smiling man. There was no way he could trust the man before him.
"I also want no harm brought onto my men by you or anyone else among your crew," he began and watched the captain nod and continued writing again as Suzaku listed off his demands.
When the other was done writing he placed the paper in front of Suzaku and said, "Please read before you make your mark. If you see any error please inform me."
The cursive was smooth and elegant and Suzaku didn't know what he expected from a pirate, but neat and dare he say pretty handwriting was not one of them. Shaking away those thoughts he began to read the contract.
In hopes of reaching an agreement, the Captain of the Black Knights, Captain Zero, and prisoner Kururugi Suzaku have formed a contract. This contract will be upheld by both the Black Knights and Mr. Kururugi's crew. Any infraction by either the Black Knights or Mr. Kururugi's crew will be dealt with in accordance with maritime law. The punishment will be dealt by the captain of the Ship they reside on.
The terms of the contract are as followed: Mr. Kururugi and his eight crew members will earn their freedom by working as part of the Black Knights as indentured servants. Mr. Kururugi and his eight crew members will be set free once adequate replacements are found for each man and himself or they have served on the Black Knight's ship for the duration of a year.
Mr. Kururugi and his crew will promise to stay on the ship and act as part of Captain Zero's crew. Mr. Kururugi's crew will have to carry out the duties handed out to them listed below:
Keep a clean ship.
Help prepare food.
Move cargo when needed.
Help with ship repairs.
Help the crew of the Black Knight where help is needed, such as but not limited to; changing sails, tying ropes, upkeep on cannons, and lifting and lowering of the dinghies.
Mr. Kururugi and his crew shall not:
Steal food, cargo or any personal items from any member of the Black Knights.
Harm or kill a Black Knight.
Go ashore without an official Black Knight to chaperone and prevent escape.
They are not allowed to abandon their duties to the ship until adequate replacements are found or they have worked for the Black Knight for the duration of one year.
Mr. Kururugi and his crew must also conform to the Black Knights code of conduct. Which will be reviewed by Mr. Kururugi, whose job it is to inform his crew and to make certain they follow said the code of conduct.
As well Captain Zero and his crew, The Black Knights, must adhere to Mr. Kururugi's demands regarding the safety of his crew:
Mr. Kururugi and his crew shall not be forced to participate in any piracy such as murder, looting, and the taking of a ship.
Mr. Kururugi and his crew are entitled to at least two meals a day. The meals must also be no less than the food the Black Knights are given.
No harm should befall Mr. Kururugi or his crew at the hands of a Black Knights.
Mr. Kururugi and his crew are entitled to adequate medical treatment if any harm is to befall them.
Mr. Kururugi and his crew are entitled to at least six hours of rest a night. They are as well entitled to three breaks a day for the duration of an hour.
Nothing is to be stolen from Mr. Kururugi or his crew.
If any of these provisions are neglected to be enforced than the contract is to become null and void and Mr. Kururugi and his crew to be set free at the next port.
As for former Captain Bartley, he is not subject to these terms and will be ransomed as soon as possible. It is the word of Captain Zero, however, that former Captain Bartley be treated with respect and dignity and that no harm befall him during his stay.
Suzaku read the document twice and signed right under the large flowing letters of Captain Zero. He hoped that he had done the right thing. It was most certainly better than permanent slavery or marooning. The safety of his crew was also guaranteed if this Captain Zero kept his word.
The man before him took the paper and examined Suzaku's signature and nodded approvingly. At that moment, however, a very irritated Kallen entered the cabin.
"Captain, we're running low on medical supplies; are you sure you want to waste them on a prisoner?" she asked setting the water and medical supplies on the table.
"Afraid so. Mr. Kururugi has just agreed to be a part of our crew, within reason of course, for some time. One of the conditions of this agreement, however, was that he and his crew received adequate treatment for any wounds," he began as he placed the contract into a desk drawer, "We will have to stop at port anyways to sell some contraband. While we are there, we'll buy some more medical supplies and rations."
The girl seemed to glare even more at Suzaku and Zero sighed as he stood, "We needed replacements and they will do until I can find some." He walked around his desk and picked up a cloth and the alcohol, which he poured onto the cloth. The captain looked Suzaku into the eye and spoke, "If you won't help his with his wounds Kallen, I will. Lift your shirt, Kururugi."
Suzaku blinked and lifted his shirt, "I can do this myself you know."
He hissed as the other man dabbed the cut with the alcohol. The man only chuckled and said, "I don't doubt it, but these wounds need stitching and if you are flinching in pain while stitching yourself, the stitchwork will be messy and risk of infection will become more likely.."
Kallen sighed her cold eyes never leaving Suzaku's cringing face, "Better you do it, Captain. You are better than me and Rakshata is busy with the others. She's helping the ones more in need of medical supplies and stitching."
Zero chuckled as he threaded a needle, "You are usually so full of fiery passion but can be so frigid sometimes, Kallen."
Suzaku saw the woman blush at her captain's words. It almost distracted him from the other man lighting a match and holding it under the bent needle. When the needle was sterilized he looked at Suzaku as he bit off his back gloves and said, "You need to be still. There is a piece of leather on the desk to bite."
Suzaku nodded and placed the material in his mouth. He bit down instantly as the man started to sew the four slashes shut. It was slow but Suzaku could tell the man had a practiced hand. When he was done, Zero gave Suzaku a shot of rum, that he gladly tossed back, and wrapped his torso with bandages."
"It may not be anywhere on par with Rakshata's stitchwork but it'll do. After a week or so see her, to take the stitches out," he said and returned to his desk, "You may go tell your crew of our agreement. Kallen, please show Mr. Kururugi and his crew to some proper lodging. I will inform the crew in a few moments of our agreement."
The red haired woman nodded and turned to leave. Suzaku winced as he stood to follow and shot the strange man one last glance before exiting with the female pirate.
