hisuiryuu: I'm sure I would've melted too, lol! Akira probably would have melted if she wasn't so desperate for boots! And something is definitely brewing between the two. ;)
•○●○•
• Chapter 11 •
When the front door opens, cool fresh air rushes relentlessly onto my face. The wind blows my blue coat around as I run outwards on the brick pavement, though not too far due to my agreement with Reisi. Closing my eyes, I sigh out loud and tilt my head back to soak in the dying sunlight, stretching my arms out wide in a dramatic welcome. I reopen my eyes and focus my gaze at the sky.
The sky is stained a fiery orange accompanied by a captivating pomegranate pink. Glossy city buildings that aren't far off reflect the sky perfectly just like a mirror. The few trees in the large gated yard rustle carelessly in the wind. I can hear the faint sounds of car horns and engines from the city ahead.
I lower my arm to my sides, inhaling the crisp and clean city air. It smells just how I remembered it to. I feel like I am being reunited with an old friend that I never had. With how refreshing the outside air is to me right now, I realize how much I like the outdoors. My nose twitches, detecting the faint smell of rain.
"Enjoying yourself?" Reisi's deep voice reaches my ears. I look over to see him standing by my side. He is looking at the sky too.
The setting sun shines on his skin, highlighting all his distinctive facial features and making his violet eyes gleam warmly. My eyes flutter as I take a moment to stare at him. Has Reisi always been this… handsome? His eyelashes are actually quite long and his jawline is… perfect. All of his features are perfect. His eyes flicker down to mine, awaiting my answer. My face flushes a light dusting of pink and I quickly revert my eyes back to the sky.
"Yes." I squeak much like a mouse. Hurriedly, I cough into my fist. "Yes." I repeat in my natural voice, correcting myself. "It's very pretty outside."
I glance over to see Reisi still looking at me, a smirk playing at his lips. My face flushes further to my complete annoyance and embarrassment. He had noticed my staring I bet. That smirk says it all. I almost bring my hands over my face.
The rumbling of thunder turns our attention to the storm clouds forming behind Scepter 4's Headquarters to my pleasure. The sound has saved me from being under his gaze from any longer.
"I don't think it's going to stay pretty for long." I comment.
"So it seems."
He turns away from the clouds and begins walking further down the yard. I have to jog catch up to him. My gaze is glued on his feet as I trail behind. Narrowing my eyes in annoyance, I smack the side of my head a couple times. Maybe all that garlic I had earlier is making me have weird thoughts.
I stare at the back of Reisi's head with a frown on my face. There is nothing wrong with thinking someone is attractive though, right? It doesn't necessarily mean anything. I smack the side of my head again. Stop it, brain. I pick up my pace so I fall in step beside him. He glances down at me, probably just to make sure I'm still following him.
I incline my head to the side notably when I see Barbie standing by a large garage that is separate from the main building. There is other Scepter 4 members present. Actually, quite a few of them are.
Barbie is pointing at different trucks, appearing to be giving everyone orders. The Scepter 4 members salute then carry off to do whatever it is that she told them to do. Barbie notices Reisi and me approaching and turns to us.
"Captain." She salutes then reaches in her pocket, pulling out something I can't quite make out. "I have acquired what you've requested." She holds out her hand to him and I blink at the object.
It is matte black and it resembles those workout bracelets I seen on many advertisements posted throughout the city, except this looks slightly different. It seems more hardy and looks futuristic.
"Thank you Ms. Awashima." Reisi takes the item from her and turns to me. I just blink at him. "May I see your hand, Akira?"
"What is that?" I stare at the object cautiously, though I comply and hold out my hand.
"A GPS device." He states, fingers wrapping around my wrist as he skillfully puts the fancy bracelet on.
I stare at his hand before studying the bracelet. There is a smooth touch screen on it. He taps a couple buttons, causing it to release a sound that almost sounds like a lock. The device tightens around my wrist, thankfully not too tight. I'm just glad that it is comfortable unlike those shackles Barbie had me in. The strap on this thing is actually cushioned.
"So now I have to wear a stalking bracelet?" I retort as Reisi lets go of my hand.
"All Scepter 4 members along with Strains are required to have a GPS device." Barbie says. "Plus if you do manage to escape while we are out, we'll easily be able to track you down."
"Great. I guess that makes sense." I mutter, examining the accessory.
The are a couple buttons along the side of it. I press one and a map appears on the screen. A blue dot begins flashing, showing me my current location.
"Fantastic… Well as long as I am not the only one who has to be stalked, it's all good." I say, crossing my arms. Barbie and Reisi are going to be in for a surprise when I manage to get this thing off. Haha.
"Lieutenant, everything is ready." A young man with dark green hair and dark eyes makes himself known. His messy hair covers his right eye.
"Thank you Akiyama. We will move out at the Captain's orders." Barbie replies, looking back at Reisi.
"We will leave now." Reisi says, walking into the large garage.
Akiyama salutes, glancing at my attire before walking off. I smirk to myself. He's probably wondering why I am wearing his Captain's trench coat and boots. This should be interesting. I stroll inside the garage, then halt. Where did Reisi go? My eyes dart around the garage. There are so many metal trucks and Scepter 4 people.
So many Pirates...
"Darn, darn, darn…" I whisper under my breath fearfully. My panicked face suddenly turns into a scowl. "Well how am I supposed to stay close to you if you go off and leave me?" I gripe, sauntering around, wiggling my way through the many bodies of Pirates.
"Don't know any of you…" I comment, seeing many unfamiliar faces. My eyes lock onto a familiar mess of brown hair. I run forward and latch myself on Hidaka's back as he is stepping into a truck. "Avast, me hearty!"
Hidaka stumbles forward and we both fall into a heap inside the truck. He grunts and curses as I land on top of him. He cushioned my fall.
"What the hell, Akira?!" He yells. I ignore his glare and grip his arm.
"This is urgent! I lost the Captain of ye' Pirate Crew! If I don't find him quick I'll probably never see the light of another day!"
"Well I can't help you if you are on top of me! And please, cut it out with the Pirate slang!" He pleads and I roll off of him. He stands up, face obviously irritated as he brushes his uniform off. I stand up as well, also brushing myself off.
"Isn't she the prisoner who escaped twice in the same day?" A new voice speaks. I look over to see a man with chin-length brown hair and brown eyes. His face is unamused as he looks at me.
"Ye' be right." I nod, confirming his question quite proudly.
"Akira." Hidaka's glare intensifies. With a dramatic sigh, I wave him off.
"Alright, sorry. It's just you're so quick to anger it's kind of funny." I say.
Hidaka pinches the bridge of his nose, taking in calming breaths. I peek out of the truck to see Scepter 4 members flooding into different trucks. I gulp. Where is that Pirate King?
"Akira! Aren't you supposed to be with the Captain?" Dōmyōji asks in surprise as he enters the fancy truck along with another member.
The other guy has long black hair tied back partially in a bun with grey eyes. He looks kind of intimidating. I almost cower away from him.
"Yes!" I answer in exasperation. "I lost him and I'm sure he is furious right now! He probably thinks I ran back to the city."
I flex my fingers nervously, thinking what an outraged Reisi would look like. He would probably be surrounded in an angry Blue Aura, setting everything in blue flames around him while his glasses would flash dangerously. I think about how he easily flipped me over when I tried to attack him and how he dispelled my invisibility. Cold sweat drips down the side of my face as I grow even more nervous at the thought of an angry Reisi stomping towards me. A hand places itself on my shoulder and I look up to see Dōmyōji.
"Hey calm down. I don't know what you're thinking but our Captain rarely loses his temper. I think if you just stay with us you'll be fine." He says calmly.
"Are you sure?" I ask, my nervously pounding heart returning to normal speed.
"You shouldn't worry. This is the usual truck the Captain rides in so he should be showing up soon." The guy with the chin-length hair says.
"Yeah, Benzai is right. Just hang tight here." Dōmyōji smiles and I sigh in relief, feeling a little better. I run my fingers through my hair then blink when I notice my stalker bracelet. Dōmyōji notices it too and laughs. "I'm pretty sure he knows you're here anyway."
"Maybe…" I whisper.
I almost forgot about this thing already. I almost can't even feel it wrapped around my wrist. I press down on a random button. What do these buttons do? One says mic, one says audio, and another one says call. Can you make phone calls on this thing? Well whatever. It doesn't really matter. I plan on breaking this thing off soon.
I turn my attention away from the bracelet and look around the metal interior of the truck. It is nice and roomy, and you guessed it, it is also fancy. LED lights are on the ceiling and long blue seats are aligned on both sides of the truck. In front of the metal door that leads to the drivers and passengers seats is a large blue chair that faces the back of the truck, with a large metal table in front of it that stretches across the center of the truck. Reisi's seat, I immediately confirm.
"So this is how you guys get around?" I ask, taking a seat next to the grumpy Hidaka on the comfy cushions and making myself comfortable. "Nice."
I cross my legs when Dōmyōji plops down next to me and folds his arms behind his head. Benzai and the intimidating guy sit across from us. Hearing voices outside of the truck, I look to the side to see Barbie, Fushimi, and Reisi stepping inside. I visibly tense when Reisi's eyes meet mine. I can't read them. I don't think. I spring onto my feet and run over to him, jabbing my finger at him.
"You left me! I tried to find you but the more I looked the more all you Pirates began to look alike! But I was told you would show up here eventually so I waited for you! So before you start setting everything up in blue flames you should know you are the one at fault here! I'm innocent!"
My eyes are locked onto his and my jaw tightens nervously at my own words. Or am I the one at fault here? I am the one who lost sight of him. He doesn't have to stay close to me, I have to stay close to him. I feel multiple pair of eyes boring into me, which makes me even more nervous, causing me to squeeze my eyes shut. My hand drops to my side pathetically.
Suddenly, I feel something atop my head which makes my eyes open gradually. Reisi has his hand atop my head and there is a smirk on his face as he peers down at me. His eyes are shining in amusement.
"No need to worry, Akira." He ruffles my hair up like someone would do to a child, making me glare. "I was curious to see how you would react if we were separated."
I scowl and Barbie smiles in amusement.
"Stupid Pirate King. Don't do that." I huff, swatting his hand off the top of my head.
"Just call it a trust exercise."
"A trust exercise?" I repeat, crossing my arms.
"You could've tried to escape, but instead you tried to find me." He says, making my eyes widen. He's right. I could of tried to escape but that didn't even cross my mind. "I can trust you not to run off, right Akira?"
I'm quiet for a moment. Why didn't escape cross my mind? I could've done so easily. I loosen my jaw as I realize he is looking for an honest answer.
"Right…" I whisper, still somewhat lost in my thoughts. "You can trust me."
Reisi, Barbie and Fushimi walk past me, sitting down around the table. I take my seat back in between Hidaka and Dōmyōji, openly looking confused at myself. Dōmyōji smiles at me, nudging me lightly.
"See? He wasn't mad at all. In fact, he seemed maybe a little happy." He whispers to me. I peer into his sincere and friendly eyes and nod with a small smile.
"Yeah, thanks Dōmyōji."
"What are friends for?" He laughs, making me laugh as well. Hidaka leans closer to me whispering in my ear.
"Me hearty."
I gape at his Pirate slang. I thought he hated it. He lets out a laugh at my facial expression and I elbow him.
"See? I know you even you know, you all kinda look like Pirates." I smirk and he rolls his eyes.
I listen lightly as Reisi gives orders to head out to some Soccer Stadium. I glance at both Hidaka and Dōmyōji, my friends. My heart suddenly constricts in my chest. My friends, my very first friends. I raise my hand over my beating heart and I feel the truck rumble to life as it takes off. I can call them my friends, can't I? I do enjoy being around them. I look over at Reisi.
He is in a deep conversation with Barbie and Fushimi. I wonder if I can call Reisi my friend too? Slumping down in my seat, I cross both of my arms over my chest.
Reisi trusts me. I lower my eyelids until all I see is black, recalling the night I first met him, recalling how I felt the most safe I've ever felt being held in his arms, recalling how he saved my life that night. Ever since I woke up in Scepter 4 headquarters, I was convinced that my life has gotten even worse. But is that really true? I have people I can truly and honestly call my friends now. I didn't have that before. The feeling of me being a prisoner is slowly but surely lessening. I find myself smiling a real and genuine smile. Finally, I get to experience one of life's greatest gifts.
Friendship.
Maybe I should eat more garlic, it seems to make me realize things. Or is this special effect of garlic just in my imagination?
And why am I so determined not to lose Reisi's trust?
Edited: 3/13/18
