Hello! This is the last of the updated chapters I will now move onto new chapters YAY This chapter is 100% safe from anything limey lemony
Moving out of the away from the sword Arthur dropped the painting's to the ground and reached for his own weapon to deflect the oncoming attack. Shaking his head Arthur sighed, "You are to feisty first thing in the morning." Water droplets from Arthur's hair fell on the swords as he continued to shake his head. "But it was a decent attack I must admit you almost caught me off guard." Twisting his attackers arm the pirate took the sword from Kiku's grasp; he could tell that the Japanese man was still much weaker then before.
He moved his sword from Kiku's neck to the pictures, "You apparently don't care that much about these…" The shorter mans went wide as he began to pull at Arthur again. Those pictures where everything to him and had been for most of his life. They where what made him Kiku and not just another shadow. His identity somehow had become tied to his pictures.
When he was free he lunged for the small pile of papers; he stood silent unable to think of anything to say. He knew he should just rip the pictures and his attachment to them at the same time. But how? Each picture was more then just a painting, they all held memories of a time when his family was closer and things where much more simple. "I… What would it take for me to safely get these back?" Kiku was ashamed he was supposed to kill the pirate not negotiate with him.
"You really want these that bad?" Arthurs expression drew darker, "Bad enough to start a war." He smirked at the smaller man's shocked expression the face was questioning the seriousness of his statement.
Slowly, Painfully Kiku lowered the paintings slightly, "I- I could never make Yao go to war because of my selfishness…" He knew his duties as a prince out weighed and attachments he had to anything. "Nothing is worth a war not even my own life…"
Raising his eyebrows the blond pirate stepped back and smiled again, "Want to test that?" Reaching to his side he pulled out a short knife and brought it up to Kiku's neck. The Japanese man shivered but it seemed to pass quickly, Kiku was at peace with the thought of death. Bringing the knife up Arthur cut a chunk of hair off of the short black mass. Taking the chunk of hair into his hand he smiled again, "Either way my goal is war." Pausing he looked at the drawings then back to Kiku, "Which one of these is your least favorite?"
The question somehow set into a play a bit of foreboding but he resigned to answer the question. Kiku glanced at the pieces of paper and then clenched his eyes quickly he flipped though them until he found one picture that was simply of the throne room and Yao sitting in the fair off throne, "This" Kiku suddenly gasped as the picture was taken and his hand suddenly held a sharp pain. Arthur held out the drawing and let a few splashes of the shorter mans blood fall on it before folding the hair in the painting as well.
"And with the note of you being dead I'm sure your brother will want revenge to say the least and a war will finally be upon us." Pushing Kiku away he gave a bitter grin, "As for the rest of your drawings I will decide what happens to them."
Eye's wide Kiku was speechless for his brother would now believe him dead and there was no way to tell Yao other wise. He watched as Arthur turned his back to him and said, "You are free on this boat there is no where for you to run anyway."
Kiku waited until the door shut behind the pirate to let his tears fall, "I'm sorry Yao I failed…" Guilt swept over him as he let a tear fall from his eye.
The sun was already high when Kiku made his way to the deck of the ship, out of reflex he hid in the shadows and avoided any contact with people.
"Hey Mr. Shadow guy…" The sudden voice behind Kiku made him jump, looking behind him he saw a young boy who was ginning stupidly, "You don't look strong enough to hurt my brother… but that is really amazing! I've been trying for years to do that!" The boy came closer still excited, "I'm Alfred by the way Arthur's little bro and one day I am going to be a hero and save every person who need's saving!"
"Only once you finish cleaning you cabin!" A sharp voice came from farther down the hall as Arthurs situate appeared. Hands crossed he glared down at the boy who was now sticking out his tongue with a, 'I don't have to listen to you' look. After a second however, the boy pushed pass Kiku to listen to Arthurs comanad leaving the other two alone in the hallway.
Sighing Arthur took off his signature pirate hat and ran his hand though his hair, "Annoying brat…" Glancing at Kiku he gave a small smile, "He really is nothing but a nuisance I have no idea why I even picked him up."
Kiku stepped away before he responded, "Picked him up?" He could feel that the pirate held a completely different air the knight before. Putting hat back on the pirate nodded, "Yeah, I found him five years ago as the sole survivor of a village that was taken out by the plague." Arthur closed his eyes and mentally returned to the time, "I felt sorry for the kid and took him in as my brother at first he was cute but now some times I just want to make him walk the plank..." A small laugh from Kiku made him stop his little rant.
Noticing that Arthur stopped talking Kiku reddened and looked away, "I'm sorry I just find it strange that even you have something that can get you worked up."
Arthur's eyes widened at the fact that even after what happened the day before Kiku could laugh. "Are you not royalty….?"
Kiku's expression turned serous, "You know that I am. You used that towards your own stupid goals of war." Turning he faced the other direction, "Why would you even ask?"
Reaching forward Arthur turned Kiku around, "You are not acting like a sheltered rich boy who has just been violated… Why are you so calm? I rule these waters, I can do anything to you. I can make last night happen again and even worse."
Shaking his head the smaller Japanese man's eyes looked right into Arthurs, "If you think being born into the royal family is easy think again. We have the weight of millions placed on our shoulders," Closing his eyes for a moment Kiku paused then spoke words drilled into him since he was small, "I can not be weak and let people like you influence my pride and calm sprit. I can not be broken for the sake of others. My life is not my own it belongs to all of our people." Silently he rolled over his thoughts again 'my life is not my own.'
To Arthur, Kiku seemed to be able to prove wrong some of the theories he had about the royal family of the Eastern Empire. "You must either be foolish or amazing…" Shaking his head the pirate moved ahead of the other man before abruptly stopping, "I almost forgot, my reason for talking to you was to ask if you know how to work on a ship, for every day of work you give me I will return one of those paintings."
Kiku stood silent the stern look he had just had faded slightly, "I will only work for as long as it takes me to get those paintings back..." Following Arthur his face turned to one again full of hope, it made Arthur want to stare, but he withheld that feeling and turned to return to his dueties.
—
In less then an hour later Kiku found himself in different clothes, He had lost his familiar dark outfit for a light and slightly oversized grey top and black pants that hung loosely around his waist. His shoes had been taken and now he had simply wrapped cloth around then to avoid splinters as much as possible. He guessed his lack of shoes was to slow him down if he tried to run. Arthur came and glanced over Kiku nodding, he looked more like a ship worker now, without a greeting he pulled Kiku to follow him before speaking.
"I want you to take the crows nest then just say if you see any ships and the colors... for now we will avoided attacking anyone if that makes you feel better but this is only until I restock got it?" His stride increased as the reached deck and his voice became louder. He was captain and no matter who was on the ship he was in command of them. Once out in open air Kiku carefully followed the pirate closely most likely the men on this ship would be willing to kill him until the captain said differently.
Arthur walked up to the highest deck and ginned as the crew began to trickle around without any need for a command to do so. "Oi men today we can rejoice the dogs from the Eastern Empire will no longer be after us." He paused for the men to cheer and talk quickly, "Shut your traps I an't done yet." He pointed to Kiku who was standing silently at the back, "He is the former leader of those that attacked us, and from today on he will work with the crew but will never be alone." The crowd growled at Kiku who held his ground at the back of the pack, "His name is Kiku, play nice and get your asses back to work."
The crowd dispersed and Kiku was left alone looking up at Arthur, he did have to admit that he had the air of a leader someone who led many. "What do you want me to do…?" Kiku spoke up at last, standing around doing nothing was more nerve racking then being glared down by a ship load of pirates.
"It's Captain on this ship." Arthur said plainly before walking over to Kiku, "Find the kid from earlier and get up to the crow's nest I already explained the rest." He smiled and put his hand on Kiku's shoulder "I hope to see good work from you." He walked away with his long red jacket trailing off in the wind as he began to shout different orders to crew members.
After a long sigh Kiku scanned the visible ship for Alfred, after a moment he quietly and unnoticeably began to make his way through the ship dodging people who crossed his path. After a moment he found the boy asleep on a pile of ropes and extra sails at the far end of the boat. He looked so peaceful and seemed not to have a care in the world. Quickly shaking the boy he raised his voice slightly, "Your brother told me to get you."
Alfred crawled out of the pile rubbing his eyes, "I don wanna get up yet…" A long yawn escaped the youth's mouth before he blinked a couple times, "Oh it's you! Hey, don't let Arthur know I sleeping kay? He will kill me if he finds out…" He stared and then stretched not, "So what do you need?"
Kiku shook his head, "You really are an interesting person Alfred… Your bother told me to grab you and head up to the crow's nest."
"Man… he ALWAYS puts me up there… well come on uh I never did get your name…" Alfred was already at the net ready to climb up to the basket.
"You can just call me Kiku." Following the smaller boy Kiku climbed the rough rope with surprising balance.
Alfred sat and Kiku stood still chatting and laughing when Arthur passed by, stopping to look for a second as Kiku laughed and looked out to the sea with his piercing dark eyes. The pirate pulled his eyes away from the Japanese man and walked on focused on removing the image from his head remembering the truth of his goals.
It was a hot day and the sun beat down hard on the crow's nest, Alfred had fallen asleep again and Kiku was left looking out at the pure blue water. He wished he could capture this calmness; even from a Pirates boat the sea's remained calm. He let his mind wonder over to the captain who was now keeping him on this ship, he was starting to see there was more to that man then what met the eye. "I guess even Pirates can have a good side…" Shaking his head Kiku thought better of his last thought. He couldn't forget what happened to him already and the fact that he was being used to take advantage of his brother.
The sun kept on getting hotter and Alfred had long ago drunk the water Kiku had brought up and was now beginning to snore at the Japanese mans feet. Dizziness was beginning to hit Kiku but for some reason he remained standing, it may have been the fact that he had been taught to never rest when working. No matter the reason Kiku's body began to give out under the extreme heat, next thing he knew he was falling. During the fall he managed to muster up enough strength to move himself from landing on the boat to the water.
The sound of water slashing drew the attention of those who did not see Kiku fall. "Someone tell der Capin' he will want ta know bout' dis." A gruff man yelled at those who just stood staring at the water ripples; before anyone got two steps Arthur came to see what the hell was going on.
"Why the bloody hell are you skipping work you useless…"
The one who spoke before interrupted Arthur, "The black haired guy fell into the water capin' we don't know what er' to do"
Arthur's green eyes went wide, "That damn royal..." As he spoke he removed his jacket and hat throwing them to the deck. "Out'a my way." Without a seconds hesitation he jumped into the ice cold water searching for Kiku. He spotted the other man his shirt stuck on a hook from the boat. Quickly he detached the Asian and swam back to the surface. Every second that passed seemed much longer and Arthur knew that he himself was feeling the pain of lungs begging for air.
The break to the surface was much more then welcomed and rope thrown to him helped the pirate captain breath a little easier but not everything was all fine a pretty yet. Kiku was limp in his arms he needed to get him on sold ground NOW. Still holding the smaller man he held onto the rope that had been passed down and impatiently waited to land on deck. The second his feet hit the wood he laid Kiku down and without a second thought placed his lips on the others in order to get him breathing. After a moment of mouth to mouth Arthur pulled back to let the man cough up water, the process repeated a few times before Kiku was back to breathing at a stable pace.
Letting out a long sigh Arthur stood up and looked around, "This ere' ant no show; get er' asses back to work!" with exception to the second in command, Tony, the group quickly returned to their stations. Arthur sat down and rested his back on the side of the boat. "This guy…"
"Is he worth all dis?" The second in command leaned on the railing above his captain.
"Use your brain Tony he is the beloved brother of that Yao guy" Arthur stared at the face of Kiku almost saying those to convince himself that what he said was his only motivation for saving the Asian.
"Hnn" With that the second in command began to pick Kiku up, "Well I will take him down to your room Cap'n you wanna talk to em right?"
"Yeah, and Tony you get Alfred awake and give em a good slap once you get back on deck." Arthur sighed again as Tony nodded then walked away with Kiku. Slowly he brought himself to stand up and grab both his coat and hat. He was done with any excitement today if anything big came up Tony could take care of it.
Upon entering his room he saw the Asian man still dripping wet lying on his bed. Slowly he walked over and brushed a few stray back hairs out of the boys face. He was beautiful still holding Kiku's face Arthur bent down and kissed him for a few moments before standing back up and leaving the room.
AN So if you are wondering about Arthurs speech patterns he only talks like a 'pirate' when he is with his men. More will be explained later but he really prefers to talk in proper english.
New Chapter is coming soon so please review