Chapter 3

Xan

When the boat arrived, like always I was amazed by the sheer awesomeness of it. Painted to look like a boat-shaped block of ice, it was one of those speedboats with an enclosed cabin. Its' four internal engines ensured it to get it to Russia in only slightly less time than a commercial flight, no wait or tickets needed.

"Yo!" Greeted Pryce Omar, Death Scythe of Antarctica. "So, where we headed? Someplace warm?"

"Well, not exactly," I said with a smile, still on the docks. "Permission to come aboard?"

"Yes...," he said, deflated. "Our heading?"

"North-Northeast."

"Oh damn! England, then?" He said, confused.

"No, but a little farther. To Russia."

"Why? I've been confined to cold for so long! Why can't I go somewhere warm?"

"Wake up, Pryce! I can drive the boat for a while, and, while we're on the equator, why don't you take a small vacation."

"Really?" He wondered, relieved. "Would you do that for me?"

"Why not? We just have to leave right now!"

With that, I started the climb up to the ship's wheel. However, the instant I reached the controls, a familiar voice startled me.

"Where do you think you're going without me?" Shinobu asked, starting to board the boat.

"Whoa, miss," Pryce started to say, "but you can't-"

"Let her on," I said, resolved. "If she won't leave, she can come."
"You're so casual about it!" She yelled. "Do you-" And immediately stopped at the signal I made about Pryce to her.

"Well, lover's quarrels otherwise, I think it's time we left port."

At sea, 10.1North, 3.2 West

"So," Shinobu whispered, while Pryce was sleeping in the sun, "he doesn't know anything about our running from the DWMA?"

"Why would he? He can't pick up signals in the Antarctic, so he has no direct communication with Shinigami-sama, let alone the Academy. As far as he knows, I'm just traveling for a while," I explained.

"Wait, so he doesn't even know you left the Academy before?"

"Hell, I met him before Anna. He probably thinks that you've been my partner from the start."

"Wow. He must be a master of combat to be by himself with no backup at the South Pole."

"Actually," I whispered extra quietly, "he's just the least capable. Other than this boat, he's got nothin'."

Shinobu fought to hold back a laugh, as we drove on.

"Do you think that they'll beat us there?"

"Of course. But they don't have the resources that I have."

"Like what?" She asked flatly.

"Well, there's you, and the fact that I called a meeting in one of the fanciest hotels in Moscow with the informant using the editor's name helps, too."