Karneval: Voyage to Rimhakka

Voyage to Rimhakka

Author's Note: Once more, to RaeWolf313, thanks so much for your feedback. I'm glad you liked how I incorporated Silver into Yogi's personality. I think I found a way to fit Silver in! It's not Varuga cells, but Yogi's Cradle Cells, only as a means of self defense, hence why he's scary when angry, he just hasn't been pushed to the point of fully turning yet. Currently, Yogi and Gareki are the most complex characters the show has to offer as far as their backgrounds and why their personalities are the way they are. Their backgrounds also make them the perfect pairing for Hurt/Comfort fics. Maybe that's why they're my two favorite characters. Of course, the fact that Yogi is the most beautiful creature in the entire series doesn't hurt either. (Seriously, Hirato needs new glasses: Go to Deviant Art and find Thanh-the-Mousegirl. Find the pciture "Hirato Needs A New Prescription". Yeah, I made that.) Oh, I promise I'm not trying to make Yotaka a complete ass, he's just worried about his adopted brother and Yogi's a convenient scapegoat. Not like they could avoid fighting with each other anyway, right?

Chapter 8: Trust and Respect

The Kuronomei set sail the next morning, which had given Nai and Yogi the night to visit with Yanari and Rissun before they left. Yanari swore Dr. Ikami into secrecy before returning to Lord Lindain's Iron Palace, stating that as a doctor he would be doing his patient harm if he told anyone they had docked.

The second day out to sea, around midday, Yogi sat down on the edge of the bed to administer the medicines Dr. Ikami prescribed. As he finished replacing the bandages, Gareki gave a soft groan of pain. Yogi flinched, it was the first sign of consciousness that the young captain had shown in three days. His eyes slowly trailed up from the bandages to the captain's face. "Gareki?" he called quietly, hoping for a response. Nothing, no response of any sort. He quietly shifted his eyes back to the bandages, wondering if he'd tied them too tight for the raven's comfort.

Suddenly, Gareki's hand seized Yogi's arm, causing the blonde to jerk in surprise. The prince looked back up to find the pirate's eyes were open. "What the hell are you doing?" Gareki groaned.

"I… Uh…" Yogi stammered, "Ow, let go…" Yogi tried to pull his arm away from Gareki's hold, the pirate had squeezed a bit too hard, leaving a light brown bruise on sensitive skin when the prince pulled back. Yogi rubbed his hand over the arm and grumbled. "I was only trying to help," he whimpered.

"I can see that," Gareki scoffed. "That's not what I meant." He tried to sit up.

"Aha…!" Yogi exclaimed. "Be careful! Don't over do it!" he warned, gently catching hold of Gareki's arms. "Dr. Ikami said not to let you out of bed until tomorrow."

"Dr. Ikami?" Gareki raised an eyebrow. "From Vantnam, why was…?" Using Yogi's hands on his arms as support, he pushed himself into an upright position, leaning against the headboard. "WHY was Dr. Ikami here?"

"We docked in Vantnam and brought him to the ship to heal you," Yogi explained.

"Who the hell made that call!?" Gareki growled, realizing the danger going there had posed to the ship and crew.

"I… I did," Yogi admitted.

"You?" Gareki exclaimed. Yogi flinched, he hadn't expected Gareki to be as angry as he sounded.

"It was the closest place to go. You… You were bleeding pretty bad," Yogi reasoned nervously. "I know it was a risk, but I went straight to Yanari and made sure only he and the doctor knew we were there."

Yogi's hand had returned to the bruise on his arm, and he had adverted his eyes from Gareki as he spoke. "Why are you acting so nervous?" Gareki asked, "You haven't done anything wrong."

"No, you're right," Yogi said, "I haven't. I can't explain why, but I was worried when they brought you back injured like you were, so I argued them down and convinced Jiki Vantnam was the better option."

"But something's happened while I was out, to make you feel uncomfortable onboard the ship?" Gareki surmised, judging by Yogi's behavior.

"It's nothing," Yogi insisted, "At least, nothing for you to worry over until you get better." He glanced back at Gareki, with a smile.

"How long did you say the doctor said I had to stay in bed?" Gareki asked.

"Three days, so until tomorrow. But he said you have to avoid anything strenuous for at least two weeks," Yogi answered.

"Who's got the helm?" Gareki continued to inquire.

"Your first mate Yotaka," Yogi replied.

"Well, that would account for some of your nervousness," Gareki thought, knowing how Yotaka had often spoke ill of the royals of Rimhakka, since he didn't understand the situation fully. He sighed. "Look, I don't need a babysitter, alright?" He looked Yogi right in the face. "Don't think me ungrateful for what you've done, but there's no point in you staying in here all day long for the next two weeks. Your family has always been meant for the sunlight, it's not good for you to stay hidden away in here for too long. Go out on deck and enjoy yourself. My crew may be rough and tumble on most accounts, but don't let them antagonize you. Come and go as you please." Yogi gave a quiet nod. He wasn't going to argue with Gareki, but he still wasn't sure mingling with the crew was a good idea. "Trust and respect aren't given freely out here, your highness," Gareki smirked, "You have to earn them, and I'm sure my crew will look for any way possible to test if you're worthy of both. Though you may be unaware they're doing so. Out on the open sea, your birthright means nothing when you're staring death in the face. They won't like you just because they're told they're supposed to."

Yogi dug his fingers into the sheets at those words. "So, then, why do you?" he asked quietly.

"Huh?" Gareki hadn't expected that question.

Yogi stood quietly, the look on his face was melancholy as he looked back at Gareki. "You didn't have to rush out there and rescue my sisters and myself. I understand you like to get in Palnedo's way, but that's no reason to do what you did. Neither of us owed the other any favors. Outside of that one week when we were children, we're complete strangers. Yet, for some reason, you did rescue us. You believe you can trust my sisters enough to leave them with your family, and you clearly believe you can trust me enough to keep me onboard, allowing me to roam the ship freely. I don't know what you want, Gareki," his hands wrapped tight around one of the bed post, his nails almost digging into the varnished wood, his head resting against it, "But if the safety of your crew is all you were concerned about when you brought me on the ship, then you would have turned a blind eye when those men attacked the carriage." He sighed and looked away, "And I don't need you and your crew to keep reminding me that my father's crown is the only reason anyone on the mainland bothers to give me the time of day."

Yogi didn't wait for a reply. He simply turned and quietly left the room. Everyone on deck stopped and looked in his direction when they heard the door to the Captain's Quarters open and shut. Within the blink of an eye, Yotaka was in front of him. "What are you doing out here?" Yotaka asked.

Yogi refused to make eye contact, he wasn't in the mood for any of them at the moment. "I came up for some fresh air," he answered.

"How's Captain Gareki doing?" Ranji asked; he, Nai, Shishi, and Jiki all suddenly at Yotaka's side.

"He just woke up, and I would imagine he's pretty hungry," Yogi answered, flatly.

"I'll go and…" Ranji started.

"No," Yotaka said, "His majesty volunteered to keep an eye on Gareki until he's better, so let him take care of it." Yogi flinched and finally looked Yotaka in the face. Yotaka smirked, taking notice that his words had struck a nerve that was clearly already agitated. The first mate pushed the prince against the wall and leaned in close. "I realize Gareki has his reasons for keeping you so close. I neither know nor care what those reasons are, but I know he has them," Yotaka whispered, "However if you wish to remain on this ship while I'm in command, then you're going to earn your keep."

"And if I were to say I don't?" Yogi asked, curiously, almost boldly. "What then? Throw me in the brig and sell me to the next slave ship you run across? Maroon me on some island off the coast of Satanika and leave me a gun with a single bullet?"

"You think I would let you off that easy?" Yotaka laughed. "I'd simply throw you over the side, or Keelhaul you one."

"Or eat you and use your bones to pick his teeth," Jiki mumbled.

"Sod off," Yotaka growled, looking at Jiki.

"Eh…?" Yogi turned his eyes back to Yotaka. "I see… Those wings… You're part Varuga, aren't you?"

"What of it?" Yotaka asked, his hands on his hips, his wings stretched out to show their full span.

Yogi couldn't believe it. Gareki was just in there talking about trust and respect, and yet he'd allowed Tsukumo and Miumarie to be alone with someone who was part Varuga? "CAPTAIN Gareki," his eyes dodged back toward the door as he called Gareki's name, then back to Yotaka and the others, "Certainly does have a motley crew onboard his ship, doesn't he?" Everyone felt a cold chill run through them. There was a hostility in the prince they hadn't seen during the past, nearly a week now, since he'd been brought aboard, but it had been steadily growing within him since they docked in Vantnam, when he and Yanari had been cornered in the galley. Even his eyes looked different as he stared Yotaka down, they were icy cold, effectively hiding the hurt he was feeling. "Half Varuga, Half-Niji, Cross dressers, runaways, and a bunch of orphans," the prince growled, "It's no wonder you all have trouble trusting anyone outside yourselves," he was purposely being loud enough for Gareki to hear him through the wall. "Tell me, have any of you ever tried to earn an honest day's pay, or did you turn to this life style because it was easy?" His eyes scanned the crew, all had fallen silent in complete surprise. "You're 'CAPTAIN' is injured, and you're more worried about antagonizing someone who's come in from a different way of life. Maybe it's time you kids stop playing at pirate and try to find a way to fit into society before one of you gets yourself killed!" he huffed, pushing past Yotaka and heading for the galley.

Yogi didn't make it very far before Yotaka snatched him up by his hair and slammed him into the wall. Yogi let out a startled, pained squeak, he hadn't expected physical retaliation, all he had wanted was to get away from the masses of the crew. He'd never done anything to harm anyone, and yet he could feel everyone of them judging him like he was the one robbing ships and they the innocent bystanders. "Just who the hell do you think you are looking down on us?" Yotaka growled, his fingers still tangled through Yogi's hair. "You don't know the first thing about any of us. We turned to this way of life because it was all that was left for us. Some of us are doing this to support our families because it's better than whoring ourselves out. Not everyone's lucky enough to be born into a lifestyle where everything can be handed to us on a silver platter, you know."

"Yotaka!" Gareki's voice broke through the air. Everyone looked up in surprise. Gareki had heard the whole thing and forced himself out of bed to put a stop to it.

"Gareki?" Yogi was probably the most surprised out of all of them. "You… You really shouldn't be out of bed," the prince said quietly, adverting his eyes.

"Now, that I will agree with him on. What the hell are you doing up?" Yotaka asked.

Gareki deadpanned on Yotaka. "Let him go, this instant!" he ordered. "I will not have you two fighting amongst yourselves onboard this ship, even when it's under your command," he stated firmly. Gareki's eyes turned to the five pirates that had caused trouble with Yogi and Yanari earlier. Nai was more of a tattle tale than others expected of the little Niji as he was able to communicate with Gareki in his sleep as well as while he was awake. "We have enough discontentment on this ship without my officers fighting over petty disagreeances with OUTSIDERS."

Yogi took in a silent gasp. There it was, in a single word, the bitter, ugly, heavy truth of everything, he was an outsider, and no one was willing to let him in. Though, hearing it from Gareki hurt worse than he'd expected. "You heard him," Yogi said, his eyes snapping back to Yotaka, his hand reaching up and grabbing hold of the wrist of the hand tugging his golden locks. "LET GO!" Nyanperowna came running out of hiding, standing between Yogi and the feathered half Varuga, she hissed at Yotaka, her fur standing on end all over.

Yotaka sighed. "Fine!" He let go of the blonde. "But what are you going to do about him? He's more trouble than he's worth, and I warned you not to get involved in the first place."

Yogi turned to Gareki, eyes to the ground. "I'm sorry I've caused such a commotion," he apologized, "I really don't want to be a bother to anyone." He almost felt bad for saying this to Gareki where the rest of his crew could hear. Almost. "Like I said, neither of us owe the other any favors. There was a time, once, where I would have called you friend." Yogi shook his head as he found himself thinking, "And perhaps, in time, I could have found you to be more." He looked Gareki in the eyes, "But, I don't fit in here, and I never will, so I really don't know what it is you want from me. I'm going back." Gareki's jaw dropped, his breath catching. Before he could say a word, Yogi turned away from him. "Yotaka, as per Dr. Ikami's orders, Captain Gareki is supposed to be confined to his bed for the next two weeks. That means that even now, the ship is still under your command, correct?"

Yotaka nodded. "That's right," he answered, a bit curiously.

"Y-Yogi…?" Gareki said worriedly.

Yogi slowly approached Yotaka. "Since I've come aboard, I've been insulted," his eyes turned to Jiki, "embarrassed," to Ranji, "and harassed to no end," back to Yotaka. He dared not turn his eyes back to Gareki and add molested to the charges. "On top of that, there have been…" His eyes flashed to the five pirates from the galley, "Issues…" He turned his eyes back to Yotaka, "With some members of the crew, who would dare to question your captain's integrity, thinking I've made him too soft. I don't want such accusations to cause a mutiny, the blood would be on my hands, without my so much as lifting a finger. So, I'm going back. I'll give you the choice, put Gareki aboard your faster ship and send him to Karasuna to get him somewhere safe until he's able to take over again, then set course for this ship to drop me off. If you wish to hand me over to Palnedo, then leave me on Rinoll. I understand he has a palace he vacations at there. If you wish to return me to my father, then set sail for Merumerai, I can contact him from there. Then, send my sisters back to Rimhakka." Yogi moved so he could see all six of the crew's officials. "I keep my promises, return my sisters safely to Rimhakka, and regardless of who you turn me over to, I'll speak on your behalf and do what I can to keep you safe. But if they do not return home safe and sound and in one piece, I will hold this entire crew accountable." With that, he turned and stormed off.

"Arrogant son of a…" Yotaka growled. "Jiki, plot our course, we're sailing for Rinoll."

"What!?" Jiki exclaimed.

"Yotaka!?" Gareki growled angrily. "You would drop him directly into Palnedo's lap?"

"You're not the one making decisions right now, Gareki," Yotaka reminded him solemnly. "Rinoll is nothing but ice, we can get as close to the shore as possible, drop him in one of the long boats and head straight back for Karasuna. He may freeze to death before Palnedo finds his royal ass."

"Like hell!" Gareki barked.

"If we go to Merumerai, he's leading us straight to the Merfolk! The whole damned ship will be at risk…" Yotaka glanced over at Ranji. "Well, ALMOST the whole damned ship."

"Hey!?" Ranji pouted.

"You may have command at the moment, but I'm still captain," Gareki reminded him, "He gave you two choices, now I'm giving you two more, Merumerai or Karasuna. There will be no talk of taking the Kuronomei into the waters of Rinoll, EVER. There are ice bergs out there the size of the Kuroi Hitsuji and bigger. I'll take my chances with the Merfolk any day. At least that way, I'll die fighting."

"Why are you so hell bent on keeping him around?" Yotaka asked. Gareki didn't answer, he simply turned and went back to his cabin. Yotaka gave an annoyed click of his tongue. "Fine, what the hell ever! Merumerai is two days West of here anyway!"

Gareki tried to lay back down. None of what had just happened on the deck had been called for. He grumbled to himself and sat back up. "DAMN IT ALL!" he growled. He glanced toward the door. "Maybe I have grown soft," he thought. "If he's made up his mind to leave, I can't let him leave like this."

He forced himself out of the bed and slipped back out on the deck. The rest of the crew was busy tending to their duties, the officers busy plotting the course for Merumerai, no one noticed him coming back outside. Silent movement had been something Gareki had picked up as a thief before obtaining the Kuronomei, even injured, he was able to move stealthily.

Yogi had found a quiet, dark, secluded corner of the ship and plopped down against the wall. He tucked his knees to his chest and laid his chin on top of them. Hearing a soft mew, he looked up to see his faithful kitten running up to him. He gave her a sad smile and reached out for her. "In the end, you're really my only friend, aren't you, Nyanperowna?" he said quietly. The kitten gave a soft mew, pushed the top of her head against the palm of his hand and began to purr as she nuzzled it. Yogi gently scooped her in his arms and cuddled with her.

"So, you've really made your mind up to leave?" Gareki asked, peaking around the corner.

Yogi jerked, looking up to see the young captain leaning against the corner of the wall. The prince frowned and looked away. "You're supposed to be in bed!" he scolded.

"I take that as yes," Gareki sighed. He shook his head. "I hurt you?" Yogi didn't answer. Gareki sighed. "I didn't realize it was such a sensitive subject with you."

Yogi hugged the little yellow kitten closer, turning pained violet eyes up toward Gareki. "You have no idea what it's like," he said quietly. "No idea what it's like to grow up spending everyday of your childhood being groomed and molded to be completely 'perfect'. To know that one day the fate of an entire kingdom, whether it remains prosperous or goes into debt, whether it goes to war or stays at peace, whether or not the citizens are provided for will all rest on your shoulders. I always had to wake up at a certain time, be dressed a certain way, by a certain time, if I wasn't at the dining table at a certain time, then I had to wait for the next meal. So many rules and classes. Math, Science, Politics, Etiquette, Fencing, Finances, Horseback Riding, Dancing… There were days I swore I had studied so much that I would just zone out in the middle of walking through the garden and not realize where I was going. Even something as simple as the picnic my sisters and I were on when our carriage was attacked had to be scheduled days in advance. Knowing that at the moment, people only treat me with respect and kindness because my father is the symbol of what I'm going to grow up to be… Being a prince is NOT as glamorous as one would think. I can only hope to be as good a man and fair a ruler as my father, to finally know I earned the right to be treated the way I am. But… It's a lonely position when you're too busy to spend time with anyone else." Yogi sighed, "That's why Yanari rebels against his father, too." Yogi sighed once more and began scratching under Nyanperowna's chin. "I'm sorry I've caused such trouble on your ship. You would have been better to leave me." He gave a quiet, discontented nod. "Yes, I intend to leave."

"If you've made up your mind, then, I can't stop you," Gareki nodded, "They're setting sail for Merumerai. We'll be there in two days, maybe by tomorrow if we get any good winds or currents." He knelt down next to the blonde prince and reached over with his uninjured arm to stroke the head of the royal kitten. He didn't want to let Yogi leave on bad terms, but he couldn't just come out and say so. The corner of his lips curled into a wry little smirk as he turned his eyes back to the prince. "Did you say you took dancing lessons?" he chuckled.

"Yeah," Yogi nodded.

Gareki chuckled, "I always thought you seemed a little too clumsy for dancing."

"Not… Not like your crew does, of course," Yogi explained, rubbing the back of his head. "I mean… I've watched them, they dance so carefree and so gaily. Moves like that, I could use in fencing maybe, but if I were to try and dance like that, I'd land flat on my face. I mean actual ballroom dancing."

Gareki smiled and nodded. "That's what I meant. You seem like the kind of guy who would slip up and step on everybody's toes."

Yogi frowned and started to argue, but he looked into those big blue eyes and realized it, Gareki wasn't trying to antagonize him. He meant it to be playful. Yogi gave a soft chuckle and smiled at the Captain. "Yeah," he nodded, "I use to. I've gotten better at it though."

"Perhaps you could teach me?" Gareki laughed as he stood up.

"You're injured!" Yogi objected, jumping to his feet and setting Nyanperowna on his shoulder.

"When I'm better, then?" Gareki said.

"I'll be gone," Yogi pointed.

"Then, I'll just have to come kidnap you again," Gareki laughed. Yogi smiled and returned the laugh. Gareki leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on Yogi's cheek. "The crew's actually going to miss you when you're gone, you know. Ran, Shishi, Jiki, and Nai were starting to like you at least."

"And you…?" Yogi asked, blushing slightly. He'd found himself becoming fond of the young captain, all over again, which had been why he'd offered to watch over him until he was better. One word from Gareki, and Yogi would have gone on deck, apologized to everyone, and consented to heading straight for Karasuna.

Before Gareki could answer him, however, Yotaka turned the corner. "Gareki, what are you doing out here? Ranji took some food to your cabin and nearly had a heart attack when he saw you weren't there."

"I was making sure my guest hadn't run off and thrown himself overboard," Gareki answered. "Has our course been plotted?"

"We're headed for Merumerai as we speak," Yotaka nodded.

Yogi's eyes sank back to the floorboards of the deck. At least if this was to be the end of it, they were going to leave him where he could contact his father first.