Chapter 10

As she opened the door, it slammed shut, locking and barring itself with the metal laying around the room. She turned, exasperated. "Look, I won't tell you anymore than I have!" He just looked at her steadily from across the room. His stares were doing weird things to her insides. It didn't help that she was already exhausted from the mental and physical strain of her battles. "Just open the dang door and let me go to sleep! You never think about the feelings others do you?" she asked heatedly. "The crew is afraid of you, and every village you dock in ends up in shambles! If someone even thinks about insulting or laughing at your dream to become Pirate King you kill them and everyone in the vicinity! Don't you have any self control at all?" She stood there panting, glaring at the shadowy figure across the room, grimly satisfied she was able to get all she wanted to say out. She turned and started to pry off the metal on the door, grumbling about inconsiderate men who don't know anything.

She felt movement from across the room and twisted immediately, landing in a fighters crouch. She watched him warily as he walked over to her, slowly, his face still hidden in shadow. His hands had dropped to his sides, flexing, drawing her attention to the metal around the room. Nothing was moving… until she felt her wrists vibrate. She looked down at her arms with a very, very bad feeling. She struggled to get the metal off, pulling for all she was worth. He just kept coming, slowly and surely. She glared at him. "You pig headed jerk of a man! What the heck do you think you're doing?" She grimaced and shot vines out of her arm to pin him to the wall and get him to let her go. He dodged, faster than she could see, and was suddenly right in front of her. She backed up hastily, bumping into the wall behind her.

It was then that she could see his face, and at the look she saw, even Deaths Shadow's stomach lurched. Was it fear or anticipation? Or a little of both… she didn't get the chance to finish that absurd thought (since neither were acceptable when it came to this man) as he leaned in slowly, his body towering over her, his warmth and scent washing over her. She shivered, confused, as he leaned into her ever so slowly, watching her eyes until his head was next to hers, his mouth next to her ear. His voice dripped with anger as he whispered, "I have killed people for less than what you have said. However, you are too valuable to kill, so I will have to think of a different punishment." As he spoke, hypnotizing her with his words, she felt thin metal pieces from the door wrap around her ankles and a small one hovering close to her waist. "STOP!" she yelled, unable to handle the feeling of being restricted against her will. "I don't understand you, you crazy metal man! I HATE restraints, keep them away from me!" She glared at him, rage slamming into him like a solid wall, but he could see the old fear appearing in her eyes again.

He grinned, a malicious, self satisfied grin as she began to struggle harder and harder against the metal that he controlled. She opened her mouth to scream at him again, her eyes full of fury and a tinge of red. He swooped down, sealing her mouth with his own. She struggled, not wanting to repeat the experience of this again. This time she bit him as she got an arm free. She reached for the dagger on his chest, only to have her hand be intercepted by his. His hand, almost twice as big as hers, engulfed her fingers and intertwined them with his. Then he yanked her arm up and slammed it into the wall above her head. She gasped as the skin on her knuckles split, shocked at this new development and unprepared for the pain. He grinned against her mouth, very much enjoying controlling his strange, powerful, interesting, unpredictable crew mate. He slipped his tongue inside her mouth, forcing her to respond to him. She snarled soundlessly and bit his tongue, determined to escape. She didn't understand her feelings for him. She hated how controlling and rude he was. But he was all she had, and there was something about him that kept drawing her to him. She tasted his blood in her mouth with surprise. She didn't think she had bit him that hard. She felt him abruptly move back, his hand on his mouth. In his surprise he had loosened the metal around her ankles and the one next to her waist fell away entirely. She took initiative to wriggle away, almost making it before his grip on her left arm became vise like and he yanked her backwards, twisting her arm so she was still facing forward, her back flush up against his chest. She was strongly disliked this venerable position, and was doing every acrobatic stunt she could pull to escape. She felt his arm that wasn't breaking her arm snake around her waist, pulling her tighter to him, so close she couldn't breathe.

He rumbled into her ear, the anger in his voice giving her shivers, "You will pay for making me bleed!" and he sunk his teeth into her neck. She bit her lip, refusing to scream out and give him the satisfaction of hearing her pain. His hand was over her mouth anyways, blocking off any noise that did escape. His hands began to run over her body as he held her in place with his teeth. She couldn't move without making him bite down harder, pain shooting down her side. She couldn't think straight with all the emotions flooding her body. His hands pulled at her clothes, trailing fire over her skin. She had never felt this kind of thing before. There were so many conflicting messages going through her that all she could do was let them go. She didn't understand how his hands could be so rough yet gentle and his mouth so unforgiving and exhilarating. He was such a conflicting person! No one had ever dared touch her like this, being afraid of her; what she could do, and what would happen to those who got to close. She didn't know what to do! His hands reached her left arm, and ripped off her sleeve. She moved, protesting under his hand. He only clenched his teeth and held onto her harder as he held her arm out by the metal wrist guard with his power. He started to trace the vines as they went around her arm. He was too close! She could feel every part of him through her thin shirt material, and the way his arm was stretched out over hers made her feel… almost… protected? Like she could melt into his arms and she wouldn't hurt him. She watched his hand trace every thorn, every part of the vine, starting at her palm, moving up to her shoulder. She shivered as his palm moved to her shoulder blade, then over her neck to her collar bone, where his hand spanned her entire neck. She was straining with her arm, not liking how it stuck out, venerable and out of place. He chuckled against her hair. She started, just now really noticing that he had taken his teeth out of her neck. He started to lick her wound, making her jump and squeak in surprise. She felt his dark lips grinning against her neck. His ministrations became rougher, his tongue dragging across the bleeding marks. She whimpered, a strange feeling she couldn't get rid of in the pit of her stomach that contrasted and yet complemented the pain in her neck.

He realized before she did when her struggles became less marked, and he could sense her fascination with what he was doing to her arm. He could definitely tell she didn't like this position of weakness, where she could see him at all. She also didn't like her arm being held out against her will. He twisted the arm behind her back viciously, making her gasp, before taking that arm and slamming it against the wall. He brought her other arm back and clamped it to her side with his arm. She struggled, unable to get her mind together for a proper counter attack. He grinned. This is what he had been counting on; that she would be so overwhelmed and surprised and confused that he would be able to be in complete control. He particularly enjoyed her attempts at struggling, being the sadistic man he was. She was definitely keeping him on his toes! He had really enjoyed the way her skin felt against his rough hands, the way if felt like fire was coming out of her skin to meet his, and the way the thorns on her arm had been a little cooler and smoother than the rest of her skin. So he called on his power to hold her arm up on the wall (he really liked that he had put metal on her wrists. That had been a good call) and let his free hand wander up and down her body. She shivered wherever he touched, jerking and twisting trying to get away. Especially when he came close to her chest or lower stomach… he smirked and brought his hand up her side, caressing the side of her breasts, just above her bra line. She moved so quick he almost lost his grip on her waist, twisting her spine in ways he didn't know a spine could bend. She started growling, turning towards him with a snarl on her lips and revenge in her eyes. He swiftly turned her around and threw her on his shoulder, a decision reached. He strode a few steps to his bed and threw her against the head board, stunning her for a second. He let his cloak fall to the floor and stared at her. She looked so flustered and angry… he licked the blood still on his lips and grinned in anticipation, his face full of power and his body dominating the room.

Burakkuson couldn't help but look at his body and his angled, savagely attractive face. He was dangerously beautiful, full of power and grace. She knew that. It didn't necessarily mean anything. Every time she looked at him, she was somehow reminded of the powerful, deadly tigers that even she had but rarely encountered. But she couldn't seem to think straight around him, and he was drawing rings of fire around her body. It didn't feel bad like the other times she had been held in metal restraints. He was enjoying himself immensely, much to her annoyance, but a small part of her thought it felt good too. But the bed… was another matter entirely.

She didn't stay stunned as long as he thought she would. She disappeared, reappearing just as her fist started flying towards the only window in the room. He threw out his hand and softly called, "Repel." She jerked to a stop, her arms slowly pulling her back. She snarled, twisting like a… like a cat, he thought. He flicked his hand, and she flew back to the headboard. This time, he didn't stand and admire his handiwork. As he strode around the bed he flicked his hands again and both her arms went up above her head. She was starting to look panicked, using her legs as the lethal weapons they were to deter him from getting closer. He summoned two thick ankle bracelets, effectively sealing them against her skin. She screamed in rage, not wanting any more of his abhorrent metal on her skin. She already felt a lack of control, she didn't need any more. She lunged at him, only to be met with his hand roughly pulling her face up to his, crushing her protest under his hot lips. She gasped at the passion she felt from him, different from the curious lust of earlier. He promptly took full control of her mouth, teasing her tongue with his. She refused to respond even though her legs were shaking. He growled and bit her lip until she winced. He pulled back, still griping her chin. She looked up at him defiantly, refusing to give in to his actions. He smirked, looking her over, stroking her long, wild, curly hair. She pulled her head back and struck like a cobra, biting his ear until he bit hers, making her gasp and him chuckle as their blood dripped down each of their lips.

It was taking all of her willpower to not ogle at his body and stare into his golden, feral eyes. She wanted to stroke his hair so, so badly and run her fingers through it, to touch his face and feel his chest under her hands. But she had her pride, and in the small, logical part of her brain, she was convincing herself it was just the situation she was in that was making her think this way. That as soon as she escaped she wouldn't feel like this anymore. Her willpower was slowly chipping away however, and when his cloak fell away from his body she felt her eyes nearly pop out of her head. But she wasn't his toy. She was her own person, and would not make it easy for him. Even if he was the most beautiful human she had ever seen.

He felt her grudgingly admire his physique, and in return, he blatantly appreciated hers, even mostly clothed as it was. He had kept on the sleeve and most of her shirt, just ripping the left sleeve. He ran his hands over her flat, smooth stomach, letting one trail all the way up between her breasts, at which she growled and snapped at him, almost pulling out of her ankle restraints. His hand caught the back of her neck and forced her head up, catching her snarling mouth with his, as his other hand roamed down her back and over her well muscled rear. She jerked away from his hand only to bump into his body. She froze at her mistake, and he had to catch his breath at the desire that swept through his body. He slowly looked at her, letting her see what she had done. His hand came back up, roughly going up her side before grabbing her waist. She squirmed, trying to bite him, but he was in control of her mouth, and she could only squirm as he squeezed her, hard. To his extreme satisfaction, she let out small whimper that she abruptly cut off with a growl. He chuckled against her skin, his hand tracing dark fire down her abdomen. His hand spread across her stomach, a small part of him marveling at the strength he could feel surging just beneath her skin. He almost couldn't believe he had found such a creature as her.

His palm was hot against the taunt skin of her abdomen. She didn't know she could feel like this. She was drowning in dark fire and anger, confused and strange, trying but unable to move, and somehow unwilling to give up where she was. She was a big mass of conflictions, with one side starting to chip at the other. She felt his eyes rake over her, and was glad of what clothes she had on. She stared back at him, not willing to give in. He grinned at her before swooping down to her neck to leave small bite and kiss marks. She had been expecting him to try and kiss her, so she was unprepared for this move. She tried to throw herself against the headboard to shake him loose. He only came with her, pushing her back up against its hard surface. She winced and her head leaned forward, her dark shining hair rippling across his exposed back. She felt him freeze, and she tried to slip out of her restraints again.

He could feel her hair on his back, and it was like nothing he had ever felt before. It was like silken strands of darkness lighting his back on fire, trailing across his whole back and down his side. His eyes widened as he felt her struggling, her hair moving like hot liquid metal against his skin. He snapped up and stared at her panting, angry face, before burying his face into her sweet smelling hair.

She froze, totally still, unsure as to what he was doing. She glanced down at him, shocked at what she saw. His eyes were closed, and slowly opened till they were open halfway. She saw how they were full of passion and, with her quick guess as to this emotion that was so strange on his face, wonder, looking into her blue/black eyes. At this distance he could easily see the purple flecks in her eyes and the green tint to her black hair. She was totally shocked. He was just sitting there, her body pressed up against his, her hair falling over his back and his face buried in her hair. She felt the heat between like a living thing, the tension rising from him the longer he stayed there, eyes closed, smelling her hair and gripping her possessively. He brought his face up to her ear and growled, "You can't escape, not now that I have tasted you. You are mine, forever. You belong to me and no one else." Before she could vehemently protest that she belonged to no one, excuse me and thank you very much, she was a free individual with a plan, he claimed her lips with his and her body with his hands. The fire he was spreading to her was unstoppable, like a magma flow under a sleeping volcano, raging like a forest fire through endless forests.

He slowly pulled back, putting his hand on the side of her face. She was panting slightly, glaring up at him, but he only smirked as he stared at her flustered face. "What are you looking at, you-" she started to say, but he put his thumb on her lips and his hand on her lower abdomen. She went silent, staring up at him warily. He grinned, then released his power's hold on her wrists and ankles. She looked at him, then jumped up and booked it for the door. She was stopped at the edge of the bed. She bounced back and flipped over his head, trying for the other side. No go. She turned and glared at him. He just sat there grinning like a tiger after its eaten its fill. "You can move freely on the bed," he smirked, "but you cannot leave. I have created an electromagnetic field specially attuned to your… accessories." At this she snarled and leaped at him, intending to scratch his infuriating eyes out. He caught her wrists and wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling in her arms, and the other encircled the back of her neck. He smirked at her angry face, her body trying to leap out of his arms. He blinked slowly, his grin still on his face. "I know that both of us," he smirked, in his provoking, self satisfied way, "have a lot to do tomorrow, so some sleep would be welcome, at least for me. You are welcome to pout and glare at me from any corner in the bed of your choosing." She snarled, not even deigning to answer him with words. "However," He added, sitting up to face her full on, "You do need to bandage these wounds," he said, gesturing to the scratches and nicks on his body. She just looked at him, thinking that if those scratches needed bandaging both of them would be covered in bandages for the rest of their lives due to their choice of professions. She looked at him skeptically. He grinned and stretched his body to its full length, muscles defined and joints popping. She couldn't believe how good he looked. The way his muscles rippled and his hair rumpled, she just couldn't help but stare. Until he caught her. Then she pretended ignorance, staring off into the distance while keeping him in the corner of her eyes. He settled down with a sigh, then promptly fell asleep, sprawled across the bed.

She sat stiffly, as far from him as she could get. She thought he was faking, since he had told her to bandage his wounds. But after a couple hours even the stoic living weapon had to start to relax. She hadn't seen him move, and his breathing was even. She had not stopped watching him since he fell asleep. This was something she couldn't do during the day. She looked out the window at the stars, looking back to see how the moon lit up his pale face and accented his crimson red hair. She was tired from all the excitement of the day, but she couldn't exactly sleep in the lion's den. But he looked so… serene, sleeping in the moonlight. It was so quiet she thought she could hear the stars twinkling as he breathed. She could see traces of the viciousness that pervaded his face during the day in the shadows the moonlight left. Well, she thought, that is just how he is. He is a vicious brute who cares only for his goals. But maybe…just maybe possibly, there is another side. It may be small, hidden and thrust away from the surface, but maybe it's still there. If nothing else, he has a past, and I want to hear about it, see what made him what he is. Then she snorted softly. Listen to me. Going on about one humans past… there is so much else to do… but she couldn't resist reaching her hand out, slowly and carefully, to brush an errant lock of fire flamed hair from his pale forehead. She meant to pull her hand back, she really did. But for a cruel, crazy pirate, he had such thick, beautiful hair. She slowly leaned closer, scooting on her rear to get a better reach. She tentatively brushed back some more of his hair, before slowly stroking it. It was so smooth, but not unnaturally so. It was soft and alive under her hands, springing back every time she threaded her fingers through it. She let her hand twine through his hair absently, staring out into space. Then she looked down at the angled face beneath her hands. I will protect this man and his dream, she decided. Not only because I owe him, but because… I want to see where he goes, how far he gets and what it takes. Besides, if I stick with him, I am bound to get interesting stories, from him and others. She smiled softly, and ever so lightly, traced the side of his face with her fingertip. When she realized what she was doing she hastily brought her hand back like it had caught on fire. She shook her head at her folly, then yawned. And yawned again. Her eyes were so heavy… she had been tired earlier, but now it was like sleep was imbedding itself into her very being. She slowly sank down, unable to control her body anymore as she fell into a deep sleep, one hand curled up under her cheek, the other still twined lightly in Kidd's hair.

The night was still, the ocean calm as the ship floated on moonlight and ink. Only one pair of eyes were wide awake. Dark gold eyes glinted with amusement at the body curled up next to him, her hand still wrapped in his hair. He smirked, admiring his bite marks that marked her as his. He pulled her into his chest, throwing his arm around her waist casually, putting his arm over hers and twining her fingers in his, both so he could feel her next to him and know the second she woke up and tried to escape. He stroked her silky hair, amazed at the color and texture of it. He grinned, eyes closed, falling into the light sleep that could fool even his first mate. He would never let her live it down that she had played with his hair while he was supposed to be asleep. He chuckled softly at the thought of her reaction. He was content with what he had won… for now.