After an entire year I am - optimistically - back! Long story short: moved to a foreign country, started learning a foreign language, and got busy with work and school. I want to try and get back into writing again and I hope you guys can forgive me! :(

Important: Something you guys should know is that before updating any of my stories, I'm planning on rewriting the old chapters. That's right; that means I've rewritten chapters 1-7 of this story (and I think I've added 4-5k words). The plot is still the same for the most part, just fixed my grammar, added some details and changed some minor things. I still do recommend rereading it, even though you may or may not notice the changes!

Anyway, hope you guys are happy I'm continuing this story! :D I've had in my mind for the past year where I want to go with the next four or five chapters so hopefully my updates won't take as long as the last... Heh.


A soft sigh left Haru's lips as he tilted his head backwards to enjoy the hot sun beating down on him from above. The weather was calm today, with very few clouds to obscure the bright blue of the sky and only a soft breeze to accompany the small waves that rocked the pirate ship. The raven-haired teen closed his eyes to savour the moment for a little longer as he used the mop handle currently clutched in his hands to lean forwards slightly and take a moment to relax.

The wounds in his back no longer caused him agony on a daily basis, although his back still held a dull ache to serve as a reminder of his punishment. Thankfully he was healing faster now that he had been able to leave the damp, dank cell he had lived in for more than a week after boarding the pirate's ship. After deciding to join the pirate crew he had been allowed to sleep in the cleaner, albeit still filthy, sleeping quarters with the rest of the crew. More than a week had passed since he swore an oath, although nothing eventful had occurred in that time. The buccaneers had readily accepted him into their ranks as though he had never been a prisoner to begin with.

Ever since he had been released from the belly of the ship, he had come to realize just how far they had sailed since the destruction of his hometown. The waters they currently sailed were no longer recognizable to Haru, far past anywhere he had previously sailed himself. Their voyage into uncharted waters made Haru anxious, but excited all the same.

Life aboard the pirate ship had been easy to get used to. During the night he slept with the rest of the crew and woke in the morning to take care of his chores, most of which consisted of cleaning and organizing supplies. When the day was calm and the rest of the crew weren't required to man the ship, they spent much of their time singing shanties, gambling, or finding other ways to entertain themselves.

The easy going nature of the pirates... frightened Haru.

They acted so normal, so human, and yet he knew firsthand how gung ho they were for violence. He was thankful they had not yet run across another ship or settlement they would deem fit to attack and loot.

Cerulean eyes shifted to look at the imposing doors set beneath the helm of the ship, which led to the captain's cabin. The teen shivered ever so slightly as he remembered the last time he had been brought there. However, since he had joined the pirate crew and been released from the cell, he had not once seen the captain. The last time he had seen the crimson-haired man had been shortly after his flogging. He could still remember how... gentle he had been, the mere thought bringing unease to Haru. He still did not have any idea as to what the pirates planned to do with him; thus far they treated him like they would any other pirate in their ranks, giving no indication as to their plans for him.

Shaking his head to rid himself of such ill thoughts, Haru drew his attention to where the pirate crew were currently congregated on the top deck. Raucous cries of merriment could be heard as they watched the sparring match currently taking place between two pirates, the clang of metal unmistakable.

Haru's curiosity eventually got the best of him and he decided to make his way over to join the mob of pirates that formed a loose circle in the center of the ship, enough room for the two men in the middle of the deck to move without hindrance. The raven-haired teen shimmied between the buccaneers until he was able to navigate his way towards the inner circle, stopping once he was able to clearly see what was happening.

The clash of metal striking metal shrieked in his ears as cutlasses danced through the air, striking each other one blow after another without pause. The two pirates currently fighting in the makeshift ring, sweat dripping down their bodies and clothes pulling taut against their flexing muscles, Haru knew all too well. The first was the red-haired pirate with golden eyes he now knew was called Seijuurou Mikoshiba. He was the ship's boatswain, in charge of the maintenance of the ship and its supplies, as well as responsible for most activities that occurred on deck. He was also the one that often gave Haru his duties for the day.

The second was the infamous black-haired pirate that gave Haru shivers whenever they ran across one another. He was Sousuke Yamazaki, the quartermaster, which meant besides the captain, he was the one in charge. Haru spent much of his time avoiding the brute of a man, and so far has been successful in his endeavours.

Looking at him now, Haru remembered vividly why he feared the large man so much.

Bronze skin glistened with sweat, but even with his swift movements and powerful swings of his sword-wielding arm, Sousuke's face showed very little strain. His lips were drawn into an almost arrogant sneer, turquoise eyes harsh and glittering with triumph as he continued his offensive attacks on Seijuurou, whose face couldn't quite mask the pain he must have been feeling in his arm each time he was forced to block one of the quartermaster's blows.

The match ended quicker than expected.

The black-haired pirate's cutlass ricocheted backwards after another successful block on Seijuurou's behalf, only to make a comeback by swinging in an uppercut towards the redhead's thigh. He responded by swinging his arm downwards to block the incoming attack, only realizing too late he had left his entire front open. A heavy boot slammed into his stomach as the boatswain was punted backwards by his sparring partner, the pirates hooting and jeering as they parted to let their fellow pirate fall ungracefully on his back atop the deck. An angry curse left his lips and he tried to get back on his feet, only to stop when the tip of Sousuke's cutlass entered his vision, pointed directly at his face.

"Will ye beg me t' give quarter?" the quartermaster smirked, the pirate audience responding by letting out a roar of taunts towards the loser.

The red-haired buccaneer let out a shallow huff of laughter, his free hand lifting to comb his sweaty bangs out of his eyes before extending his arm upwards.

"Aye, now help me up ye bilge rat," he huffed, a smile playing at his lips as golden eyes glittered mischievously. Sousuke made a show of contemplating whether he should help his comrade up or not, before he finally sheathed his sword into his belt and grabbed the hand of his pirate kin, helping to hoist him back to his feet. Some of the pirates began to exchange money at the outcome of the battle, while others began to call out to find who would participate in the next challenge.

Haru couldn't help but feel unnerved at their version of fun. His eyes turned downwards as he made to make his way out of the circle of pirates and flee from the deck. It seemed so easy for them to find entertainment in fighting one another with swords; swords that they could use to kill other humans when their intentions turned deadly. The mere thought of it unwillingly brought unpleasant memories back to Haru's mind, and a wrenching feeling in the pit of his stomach made him feel as though he was going to be sick.

"Nanase!"

The teen stopped in his tracks, heart thudding in his chest when he recognized that voice. Slowly he turned his head back the way he had come, the pirate crew staring at him as they parted to reveal the quartermaster standing in all his glory, his turquoise eyes staring Haru down like a predator would its prey.

"What say ye? Care for a bout?" he purred with a silky voice, tone light as though issuing a friendly spar to a fellow pirate. However, Haru was able to read the dark undertones. It was a threat; a challenge to his new position aboard the pirate crew. The bronzed man's head tipped upwards as a mocking sneer graced his features, muscular arms crossing upon his chest as he stared his prey down.

Haru couldn't help but feel a tremor of fear run down his spine. He had never held a sword before in his life, let alone fight with one - but at the same time he knew he couldn't just blatantly turn the challenge down. He swallowed nervously, waiting a few seconds for his fear to die before he turned his entire body to face Sousuke. A facade of fake nonchalance was quickly issued onto his stoic face as he returned the quartermaster's challenging stare, teeth grinding together to help him keep his composure.

"I'd rather not," Haru replied, watching as Sousuke's smirk quickly faded into a malevolent glower.

"Ye cowardly swab, that's what will see ye to Davy Jones," he growled before suddenly smiling once more, leaning forwards slightly with eyes narrowing into slits. "Fear not laddie, yer death by me hand shall not come this day." His cold words penetrated Haru's body and chilled him to the bone when he realized it would be quite easy for the pirate to kill him at any time. Regardless of whether the captain wanted him or not, he knew he would never be truly safe on board the pirate ship, and refusing the quartermaster's challenge now could be dangerous for him in the long run.

Swallowing back his fear once more, Haru crossed his arms in front of his chest and matched Sousuke's gaze once more.

"Fine," he hissed, sparing himself a moment to gloat over the flash of surprise that appeared on the pirate's face. "If a fight is what you want, that's what you'll get."

Haru had spent much of his time on the pirate ship swathed in sorrow and pain, but that wasn't who he was at heart. He was no born coward; the tragic events that had happened had simply been too much for him to handle. Normally he was strong, stubborn, and determined, and now that he was no longer shackled by the chains of a prisoner, he was willing to prove to the buccaneers the strength he actually possessed.

Although, accepting a challenge to a duel between him and Samezuka's best swordsman probably wasn't Haru's best decision. He didn't even know how to hold a sword properly, let alone wield one in battle - but he couldn't back out now.

Haru walked towards his opponent through the gap the pirates had created for him, which quickly filled up again once he was through until he was completely surrounded by them. Sousuke crooked an eyebrow at him before nodding towards another pirate, who quickly darted forwards and handed Haru a curved cutlass. The sailor grasped the rough handle in his right hand and experimentally held it out in front of him. It felt foreign and clumsy in his grasp, swinging unevenly as he moved his arm in an arc to get used to the feel.

He could feel someone's gaze burning him and he looked up in time to see the quartermaster grinning at him, almost as if laughing at his incompetence. Not about to be shown up by a pirate, Haru shifted his feet until they were shoulder width apart and held his sword wielding arm up in front of him for defence. In a spur of the moment display of bravery, Haru lifted his free hand and threw Sousuke his best 'come hither' beckon. By the way the man's lidded eyes narrowed even further, he knew he had succeeded in getting on the pirate's nerves.

Unfortunately for Haru, his moment of bold bravery disappeared the moment the buccaneer languidly drew his sword from its sheathe in an exaggerated flourish, lifted it up so the sun would catch on its glistening surface - then licked the blade. The action sent shivers down the teen's spine and he felt his legs quiver slightly.

'What am I doing?' he thought in mild horror as the man began to advance on him.

"Storm ahoy!"

Before they could even begin fighting, a sudden cry from the crow's nest jolted the two fighters from their concentration. The loud cheers and taunts of the pirate crew grew quiet as every man snapped to attention. The fire in Sousuke's eyes died as his turquoise eyes shifted to look past Haru, looking towards the direction they were currently sailing.

That's when everything suddenly changed.

The light from the sun suddenly vanished as thick clouds took over the sky, almost too quick to believe possible. Haru didn't even have time to react when an abnormally large wave suddenly crashed into the ship's bow, sending the sea-born sailor crashing to the deck on unsteady legs. The cutlass he had been holding in his hand bounced off the wooden ground and spiralled away into the moving sea of legs as pirates began rushing to prepare the ship for the approaching storm.

"All hands on-!" Sousuke couldn't even finish his command before a bright flash silhouetted the entire ship, followed immediately by a large boom that seemed to shake the very air they breathed.

Scrambling to his feet, Haru turned around to look at the storm they were heading into just as rain began pouring from the sky, so strong and powerful it felt like millions of needles were piercing his skin. Pirates dashed back and forth as they hurried to lash the ship's cannons even tighter to the gunwalls of the ship, the deadly weapons rocking back and forth with each violent hurl of the ship's movement. Haru's eyes grew wide as a powerful gust of wind caught the ship's sails and violently heaved it sideways. An unlucky pirate was unable to fasten his cannon fast enough, sending its brute force into his chest and pinning him between it and the wall. His pained scream was drowned out by another clash of thunder and lightning.

It didn't take an experienced sailor to know this storm was going to be very violent.


Quartermaster: Second-in-command, however also has the power to overrule the captain's decisions; only in times of war does the captain hold ultimate control

Give quarter: To show mercy

Swab: A disrespectful term for a seaman

Gunwall: Sides of the top deck which act as a railing and have openings for cannons

Thank you everyone for your favourites, reviews, and follows in my absence! It made me happy to know people were still finding and reading this story even when I wasn't actively updating it