X-X-X-X
Chapter 11
X-X-X-X
"Sunrise...It's depressing..." I muttered watching the crew get ready to go.
"Heeeyyy!"
"Hm? What an annoying voice..."
"Oiii!"
"...sounds familiar..."
"HEY!"
"Eh?" I turned my head and I pulled myself up onto the railing, hanging on it. "EH?! H-Hakuren...sa-sama?!"
"What is with that afterthought?!"
"What are you doing here?"
"Yesterday, you spoke as if we wouldn't see one another again!"
"Obviously, I'm leaving today."
"Satsuki, who are you speaking with?" Yao came up from behind me and he glanced at Hakuren. "A pest?"
"Hey! You're Satsuki's owner, right?! I'll purchase him, name your price!"
"Tsk."
"Stop." I grabbed Yao's sleeve, stopping his movements. "He's the prince of this country, don't do anything rash."
"The prince?"
"Go, I'll handle it."
"...We depart shortly. Go down and tell him to leave."
"Right."
Yao walked off and I headed for the platform connecting the boat to the dock. Hakuren grinned when he saw me, but I could only frown. Seriously, what is with this boy? You tell him he can't have something then he comes straight to the source to try to buy it?! Idiot, a stupid idiot of a prince. That or he's power hungry.
"So that guy was your owner?" Hakuren asked glancing at Yao who watched us in silence.
"That's Yao, but don't call him my owner. I will never acknowledge him as my superior." I stated turning my gaze away.
"I can't purchase you, then what about stealing you?"
"He'll kill Kaito if I manage to get away."
"Then I'll get him too."
"...Why go so far for someone you just met?"
"You're different. I want you to become one of Hakuyuu's generals when he becomes our emperor. If not that, then I'll take you as my right hand."
"...You're strange."
"That's rude."
"Yeah, very strange. Maa, if I manage to deal with Yao then maybe I'll come back on the way home."
"Just become part of the Kou Empire."
"I'm from Kina, no matter what you say." I was slightly amused with Hakuren's behavior. "Is it okay for me to drop the honorifics, even when we meet again much later in life?"
"It's fine isn't it?"
"I suppose so." I tugged on his sleeve and I gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "Sayonara, Hakuren."
I ran back to the boat and I watched Yao give the signal for the men to pull up the platform the moment I stepped back onto the deck. I turned back and I saw Hakuren standing there before he seemed to break out of his trance. I watched as he ran to the edge of the dock, shouting something to me. I couldn't hear him, but I did give him a small wave before I couldn't see him anymore.
"Did you fall for him?" Yao asked standing beside me.
"Not really. I did owe him for the healing. This trip wouldn't have been very good for me if I was still injured." I said rubbing my shoulder.
"Does it hurt?" Yao placed a hand on my back and I brushed him off. "Satsuki."
"I don't want your concern. I'm going to find Kaito."
"After lunch, the two of you will come to the deck to learn to fight."
"..."
"You can't get out of this."
"...Got it."
"We'll start with hand to hand before moving onto weapons."
"...My family's katana...my knife?"
"You can have that when I think you deserve it."
"...Fine."
"Remember, after lunch."
I walked away, acting as if Yao's men weren't watching my every move. I had nothing against them, they had nothing against me. These weren't the men Yao hired back in Kina, this is his real crew. Not some ragtag group he put together. These men have his actual trust, they put their trust in him. They're loyal to Yao, no matter what. To them, I was merchandise he obtained for his own use. I wasn't to be touched, the same for Kaito...no matter what. They can't harm us without reason. We were safe...so long as we don't do something stupid.
X-X-X-X
"Too slow. What happened to the child who killed my hired hands?" Yao asked after kicking my ass to next month.
"Are you okay, Satsuki?" Kaito asked covered head to toe in bruises.
"I'm fine. Also, do you seriously expect me to win a head on fight?" I asked fixing my hair back into a low ponytail.
"Why not? I liked the courage you showed when you thought you had nothing left."
"...Kaito, get back..."
"Satsuki?"
"..."
I remember a story about a character my friend really liked. He had potential at assassination. She said her favorite scene was where he had a real knife...how he calmly walked towards his opponent with a smile as if nothing was wrong...and succeeded. I can do it, right? Do I have the potential to kill a man...? I'm not an assassin...but...but...I don't want to fail. I want to prove him wrong. I thought standing up on shaking legs.
"You're ready? Come at me then." Yao said still amused with my defiance.
"...Yes, I'm ready." I said my heart practically beating out of my chest.
I'm not afraid, no, the opposite. I'm excited. I slowly eased myself out of my stance and into a regular standing position. I began to smile, to the surprise of everyone watching. It wasn't one of malice, but an innocent one. I calmly walked towards Yao as if I wasn't about to kill the man. Yao was thrown off guard as I was almost toe to toe with him...and that costed him dearly. In the instant his guard was down, I tried to jab my elbow into his gut...but he was quicker, grabbing my elbow before it made contact.
"Not bad. Not a hint of killing intent, you acted completely natural." Yao said with a wide smile.
"That kid...she almost got him..."
"I didn't think...she acted so naturally..."
"A natural born killer."
"You were good." Yao pushed me away and I rubbed my elbow, he put too much pressure when grabbing me. "It won't work if your opponent knew what is coming or your opponent is much stronger than yourself. If you had a knife in hand and you were against a stranger, you would have won, hands down."
"It didn't work, I didn't get to hit you."
"As I said, a stronger opponent." I snorted at that. "You passed for today. Go get some rest, we'll continue in three days."
"Thanks so very much." Note the sarcasm. "Kaito, let's go."
"Y...Yes."
Kaito glanced at Yao who was rubbing the hand he used to catch my elbow. I was so close and it pissed me off that I had failed. Kaito and I entered our shared room and I sat on the pile of pillows, a frown on my face. Next time I do it, I won't fail. If I can kill Yao and his men...we would be free. We can go home...but I'm much too weak right now.
X-X-X-X
"Kaito, if you and I are going to fight beside one another...then you have to get used to fighting against me!" I stared at the cowering snake boy in exasperation. "I won't get angry if you hit me. Besides, you did a lot worse when we first met." I pointed out.
"B-But...!" Kaito cried holding his head after I hit him.
"Would you rather I get beaten by Yao again?" I questioned resting my hands on my hips.
"I won't let him touch you again, Satsuki." Kaito said giving me a sharp stare.
"Then stand up and fight. Geez, this is the only time we're allowed on the deck, make use of it!" I stated getting into relaxed stance.
"Alright..."
"Now, from the top."
Kaito lunged at me and I can see the faults in his movements. I learned only the basics of kendo with my family, but I knew enough about martial arts from watching my father spar with my elder brothers. I also knew quite a bit from memories of my past life, but I wasn't sure how to make use of my knowledge or what I had observed.
"Your movements are too wide, Kaito. It makes it easier to get close then deal a finishing blow." I stated lightly hitting his side.
"How do I not make my movements so wide then?" Kaito asked pulling away.
"I don't know..."
"Then what do we do...?"
"I know a lot about fighting from watching my father and brothers spar, but I never actually learned martial arts from them. The most I can do is mimic what I saw."
"Then...Why don't we do that?"
"Hm...It won't be good...For now, let's just try to focus on getting stronger."
"Un!"
Kaito and I fought one another. I took advantage of his openings while he took advantage of his larger frame. More than once did I find myself being thrown around, to the point I managed to figure out ways to cushion my fall and lessen the damage caused. Kaito was more damaged than I am, considering he was holding back while I wasn't. Still, I doubt my hits hurt compared to his...he's really strong and his kicks and punches hurt! Yao watched us with a sharp gaze and I seriously hoped there will come a time where I can finally punch him in the face!
"Your time on the deck is over, go back down to your rooms." Yao said grabbing Kaito by the back of his collar.
"Don't you dare hurt him, Yao." I said glaring at him.
"...Satsuki, I smell a storm." Yao and I both looked at Kaito at that, but his focus is on the distance. "A big storm..." Kaito said his pupils becoming slits.
"I don't approve of lies." Yao stated dropping the snake boy unceremoniously on the ground.
"...No, he's right..." I sniffed the air. "The air is saltier than earlier...and...the birds..." I stared into the distance at the white birds. "...They're gathering..."
"...All hands on deck! Prepare for a storm! You two, go back to your room. Don't bother with any candles, I don't want to risk you idiots burning anything."
"Satsuki...?"
"Let's go, Kaito. It's not safe up here if a storm is coming."
"Okay."
"Come on, we should tie down the crates so they don't fall over and hit us later."
Kaito and I went down below deck to our shared room...well, technically it's Kaito's room since I'm usually forced to share with Yao. Kaito and I tied down the larger crates and I sat down on the pile of pillows that are Kaito's bed. The waves slowly got wilder and wilder to the point Kaito and I were being thrown around the room.
"Why...does it have to be a ship...? I can't walk like this..." I groaned holding onto Kaito for dear life.
"This isn't very fun." Kaito said perfectly fine.
"Kaito...don't you dare let go of me." I said as he held onto a pillar to stop ourselves from being thrown around the room.
"The storm...it's getting worse."
"If we sink, we'll all die..."
"Satsuki..."
"...Come on, let's go..."
Kaito and I headed outside and I was almost blown away by the wind. Ah, crap...this sucks. Maybe we should just let the ship sink after all...is what I would have thought before rushing out with Kaito close behind me. Kaito held onto me with one hand while the other was gripping the edge of the wall to stop ourselves from going flying.
"Which way...which way...?" I looked to the sky and I could see it...a path. "That way..." I said as Kaito got us to the ship's wheel where Yao is.
"I told you brats to get inside! Don't blame me if you get thrown overboard!" Yao shouted at us despite the fact he's struggling with keeping the ship steady.
"Move it 35 degrees south! We have to go south if we want to get out of this storm!" I shouted as Kaito held onto the railing and me.
"I can barely keep the wheel straight! What makes you think I'll listen to you about where we should go?!" Yao asked over the roaring winds.
"Because I won't risk mine or Kaito's life!" Yao looked at me, staring into my eyes. "I'm serious! We have to go in that direction! That's where the eye of the storm is!"
"..." Yao used one hand, undoing the rope around his waist before throwing it in our direction. "Tie yourselves using that! Then get over here!"
"I got it, Satsuki!"
"Hurry up!"
"Okay, we're tied!"
"Get over here!" Kaito struggled to get there and Yao grabbed him by his wrist, pulling him towards the wheel. Kaito held onto the wheel, pulling with Yao as I struggled to stay between Kaito and the wheel. "Which way?"
"Right!"
"Just tell me when to stop, got it."
"Yes."
With some difficulty...we managed to get to the eye of the storm despite the fact the three of us were almost swept off the ship more than once due to the raging waters. I was soaked to the bone, but...I was grateful to know that we would actually survive. I hummed softly and I twisted my hair around to get rid of the water from my hair. Kaito sniffed before sneezing and I tried not to laugh.
"Not bad..." Yao said glancing down at us.
"...Kaito, let's go back inside. You might die if you stay in such wet clothing." I said undoing the rope.
"It's cold...!" Kaito said shivering while hugging himself.
"Yao, for your information...I saved you because I don't want to die." I turned to Yao, my eyes becoming slightly sharper as I stared at him with a slight frown on my face. "I really...hate you." I stated before taking my leave with Kaito in tow.
"I know."
X-X-X-X
Chapter 11
Yay, I updated it~! Satsuki and Yao will never see eye to eye, but they can at least compromise in some ways. Satsuki won't ever do anything that can risk both his and Kaito's life since he knows that there won't be a third chance in life. Even if he is being chained up, Satsuki will merely bide his time to wait for the perfect chance to break the chains that bind him. Nothing to add at this time so that's it for now! Until next time, my dears! Bye-bye~!