Haru followed Nio, lifting her long nightgown up above her heels. The garment was stained and smelled ripe after being worn for several days. She wondered if she could ask Nio if she could take a bath and a change of clothes later, then realized the position she was in. She doubted hostages could make requests.
As they walked, Haru gawked at her surroundings, trying to memorize it as much as possible for future reference. She ended up scrunching up her brows. Only Tokaku was good at such things, memorizing the layout of a house, ship, anything just by walking around it once. Haru had never tried to do this before herself, relying on Tokaku. She frowned, realizing she should have practiced this herself, but she had never pictured herself in this situation. She had assumed her days would always be quiet and dull without interruption or danger.
They stopped suddenly and Haru ran into Nio. She didn't notice the blonde almost topple over because of her, taking the fall in stride and turning grandiosely, smiling broadly with pursed lips.
"Captain Yuri is waiting for you." She opened the door to the captain's quarters and stepped aside.
Slowly, Haru entered the room, clutching her chest, looking around in the darkness. The only illumination was coming from two candles. One candle was on a desk near the doorway where Haru stood, and the other candle sat on a study table in the center of the room. That candle's soft glow fell on a woman's face. She had an oval face, and Haru could see even in the dim light that her complexion was perfect. There was an air of maturity about her and the corners of her eyes crinkled, showing her age. However, she wore it with grace, and the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes only added to the hooded mischief behind her gaze. Her eyes followed Haru as she approached.
The door closed behind Haru and she jumped, turning back wildly.
"Please, take a seat," Yuri offered.
Haru nodded, heart jumping in her chest. She took the only seat across from Yuri and started to stare again. Now that she was closer to her she noticed something else about the woman: she reminded Haru of her mother. Yuri saw the recognition flash through Haru's eyes.
"Perhaps this is a rather unorthodox reunion, Haru. . . One normally doesn't kidnap their relatives in order to meet. "
Dazed, Haru nodded. Yuri picked up a half-full bottle of wine and poured two glasses. "Your mother never told you you had an aunt, I gather?"
Haru shook her head. "Haru's godparents said Haru had no other family."
"I'm not surprised. Probably for the best that no one knew of your true lineage. That was your mother's wish."
She handed Haru a glass of burgundy red wine. At first she took a tentative sip, but soon forwent proper manners, spurred by stress, and downed the entire glass. Yuri's eyes widened at this and she chuckled. "I see you drink like a pirate."
Haru scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. "It's a lot for Haru to take in."
Yuri poured her another glass. "Then by all means, drink to your heart's content. There is a lot for us to catch up on."
They spent the rest of the night over another bottle of wine, sharing family stories and what they had been up to the past twenty-four years. Yuri told her Haru's mother had relinquished her life as a pirate as soon as she knew she was carrying a baby. She used the riches she had stolen to set up a comfortable life, shucking her tarnished pirate name like dirty laundry and clothing herself in a clean name. She married a man on land to keep suspicion away from her carrying a bastard child.
"I wish I had seen your mother before she passed on," Yuri admitted, lowering her eyes.
"Eh? Why didn't Aunt Yuri see Haru's mom?"
"There is a large bounty on my head. It's too dangerous for me to set foot on land." She gave a half-smile. "That's why I captured you. I couldn't risk going on land and I wasn't sure if you would have agreed to meet me. I also couldn't risk you knowing my whereabouts."
Haru's eyes widened. "When was the last time Aunt Yuri's feet touched dry land?!"
"Twenty six years ago. Three if you count that tiny deserted island. But I haven't been in town for so many years." She chuckled. "I imagine if I could stroll through town without worry about being captured, at this point I wouldn't go. It's dizzying to think of being surrounded by that many strangers. I'm just not used to it anymore."
A few sips of wine later, Haru asked, "Aunt Yuri, were you planning to take Haru back home?"
Yuri set her glass down, as if surprised her niece had asked. "Are you unhappy here? Is it the cell in the kitchen? Don't worry, I have a room prepared for you. We only did that because we weren't sure how you would react when you woke up."
Haru shook her head, fingers knitting into her wrinkled nightgown. "That's not it. . . t's just. Someone is expecting Haru to be home." Her heart quickened. What was she saying - wasn't Tokaku late after all? However, her hope clung to the house on the cliff overlooking the port town. She felt less lonely here on the pirate ship, and was happy to reunite with family, but still her entire being pined for Tokaku. She imagined Tokaku looking everywhere for her, worried. And yet, she hoped Tokaku hadn't come home after she was kidnapped, not wanting to upset her.
"Your husband," Yuri said knowingly, tapping her fingers. "According to my crew, you didn't seem happy with him- or rather- with him abandoning you."
"You're wrong! Tokaku would never abandon Haru. S- I mean- He would never. . ."
"Let me guess: 'He left for his duty'. They all say that." There was bitterness in Yuri's voice and Haru had a sense her aunt had experienced something similar.
"Tokaku is different," Haru said, unwavering.
"You don't have to stay with him just because it was arranged."
"No... It wasn't an arranged marriage. Haru married for love."
Yuri tilted her head, humoring her niece. "Love, huh?"
As she poured another glass, some of the liquid sloshed over the rim of the glass, staining maps and documents a deep purple. "Haru you're still so young. Have you ever thought how bizarre it is that the men can move freely while women are expected to be confined to their house?"
"Isn't Aunt Yuri also confined, if by the sea?" Haru shot back.
Yuri laughed, impressed by her niece's guile comment. "Ah yes! But I chose that, you see?"
"Then. . ." Haru said, balling up her fists, "then if Haru is also confined, didn't Haru choose that for herself?" She stood up. If it weren't for the alcohol she would have stood straight, but she hobbled and fell.
The tension in the air dissolved and they both laughed. Yuri bent down to help Haru up. "You're just as stubborn as your mother. If I forced you to stay I would be no different than them. Just promise me you'll visit."
"Thank you, Aunt Yuri."
"In the meantime, I would love it if you continued cooking our meals." She winked. "I have to say I was expecting a bottle of wine to be my dinner tonight when I found out it was Isuke's turn. . ."
Of course! Haru would love to cook for everyone!"
Yuri patted her head, ruffling up her pigtails. "Yes, but now it's bedtime. I'll have Nio show you your proper quarters."
That night, though it was late, Haru took a bath. Nio couldn't refuse the request since Haru was related to the captain, and complied despite the dark circles under her eyes. The bathwater was murky from previous uses but Haru was grateful for it nonetheless. Later she dressed in a fresh gown that belonged to Nio. On the short blonde, Haru imagined it brushed her toes, but on Haru the hem was four inches above her ankles. Haru blushed. It was the skimpiest thing she had ever slept in, though it was far more modest than what Haru saw Isuke wear. Her face turned redder, imagining again what it would be like to wear something as daring as that.
Weeks passed on the trip back home. Haru cooked all the crew's meals and ate dinner with her aunt at night. She spent most of her time with Nio, but also Chitaru and Hitsugi. Most times Chitaru was busy at the wheel, navigating the ship. Haruki seemed to like being around Haru but didn't do it as much as she wanted to, with Isuke's glares beating down her back.
As for Isuke, Haru didn't see much of the bold woman, who liked to avoid the kitchen and relished in the relief of her duties, thanks to Haru. The few times Haru saw her, she was filing her nails or sleeping on deck. Haru worried that one of these days a giant wave would crash on the deck as Isuke slept, and sweep her clean off the deck.
The days had fallen into a rhythm she grew used to, and when Yuri told her she would be home soon, Haru couldn't help but feel sad. She was happy of course, but there was a tinge of sadness, the same emotion she had felt when she had to part with Tokaku a year ago.
This morning, she sat at the bow of the ship, sea breeze blowing through her hair and water splashing across her neck. She took a deep breath, the salt of the sea permeating over her tongue. She would still smell the sea at home, but not like this. She would miss it.
As she leaned over the bow, staring at the ocean, a ship came into focus. Her eyes widened, thinking it was a military ship. She looked up at Haruki who was perched up high, telescope glued to her right eye. "Haruki!" she called, and pointed to the ship.
Haruki followed her direction, then after a moment's pause dropped the telescope. She grabbed hold of the rope nearby and slid down, shouting, "Oi! Isuke-sama! Wake up!"
Isuke groggily sat up, rolling her eyes, "Isuke was having a good dream. . . you weren't there."
Haruki ran over, shaking her violently, as if that would make her wake up faster, but it only made Isuke dizzy and angrier.
"What?!"
"It's the Chamomile."
It was the first time Haru had seen Isuke in a hurry, running past her.
". . .'Chamomile' . . .?" she asked.
"It's an enemy pirate ship. You should go down to your quarters, Haru." Seeing Haru make no move, Haruki scooped her up. "Now."
