Chapter 10
That night, after everybody had gone to bed, Maka practiced on the mast. She climbed the net, trying to climb faster and walking on the branches of the masts. She knew whenever she could be forced up in the net or up the masts, and when the moment came, she needs to be prepared. It could be a pirate, a storm, the crew, who knew. All she knew was she was at a disadvantage to be the only one in the crew who wasn't experienced with the masts.
It wasn't like she would be sleeping much. Sleeping on a cold hard floor didn't grand her much sleep anyway. It was good she could use her hours awake doing something useful and meaningful.
As they sailed toward their destination, her Captain never left his nest. The crew acted as that night had never happened when they saw their Captain crumble and stared at them with fear. Nobody talked about it, but Maka couldn't forget about it. He feared her, he feared his own crew, but why?
Maka shook off the thought. It was no use thinking about it.
"Land ho!" Ox shouted from the top of the main mast, Royal Thunder seemed to be missing. That parrot had trouble keeping track on them.
Black*Star nodded and turned on the steering wheel. "Lass, you go and announce it to the Captain."
"Okay." Maka carefully leaned the handle of her mop against the wooden bucket. Maybe she could confront her Captain now. As much as she disliked his cruel ways, he was only cruel to cover up his fear, and that fear could easily be eliminated by kindness. There was hope for him. She never thought she would think that about a person like her Captain.
She headed for her Captain's nest. Respectfully she knocked on his door, earning an "enter". Twisting the doorknob, the door swung open and she entered. "Captain."
His hands ran through his white hair exhaustedly. His head snapped up and wrinkled his nose when his eyes settled on her. "Close the door."
She closed the door as he wished. He looked like a mess. His hair was knotted and his eyes were tired, under them cladded heavy dark bags. Maybe she wasn't the only one awake during the night.
"Sprog." He sighed and his hand got stuck in his messy hair. "What's it now?"
"We're close to our destination." She neared his desk he was seated behind. On his desk was the cloth with the unreadable language of the mermaids. "Do you think the witch will be able to translate it?"
He removed his hand from his hair and rested it beside the clue. "If she can't, then I've a backup plan."
"You do?"
He snorted. "Don't act shocked. I always have a backup." He closed his eyes and exhaled. "Sorry."
Wait.
"What?" Her mouth hung ajar. The second apology she'd mystically gotten from her Captain. What was going on?
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. Just got a lot on my mind." He rested his chin on his palm as he gazed at her tiredly from across the desk.
She couldn't believe this. Was he really, sincerely apologizing? How come she always saw this side of him when she was alone with him, but as soon as others were involved, she ended up with a gun aimed at her head?
"You know," she might as well make the most of it when her Captain was calm and civil, "if something is on your mind, you got people to talk to. You're not alone."
Her Captain visibly swallowed hard and his fingertips dug into his jaw. Silence hung heavy between them. "It's not easy." He paused. "Look, Sprog, it's Captain business. Not something I can share."
She wasn't buying it. His eyes avoided hers and stared at the clue.
"You don't need to tell me anything right now. I'm just here to tell you land was sighted." She turned on her heel and headed for the d―
"Wait."
She turned around to the sound of a chair being pushed and found her Captain standing up. "I appreciate it." He stared deep into her eyes with his powerful ones. "The offer. It's nice to know even after I pointed a gun toward you head, you offer your time to listen to me. It means something knowing I'm not hated by everyone."
Maka cocked her eyebrow and took a step closer to her Captain. What was he thinking? He might be rough around the edges, but hate was a very strong word. "If you're implying the crew hates you, you're entirely wrong. I bet they feel the same as me, simply wishing for you to show more compassion and respect toward them. If you do so, the crew would stand up for you just like they did for me."
His hand tightened and he fisted the cloth in his hand.
"Whatever illusion you have created to make you think the crew hates you, you're wrong. If they truly hated you, they would've left this ship as soon as land was in sight." She smiled toward her Captain and clasped her hands in front of her. "You haven't done anything that truly would earn their hatred." She turned on her heel and exited her Captain's nest.
Outside the breeze brushed her exposed cheeks and she pulled at her hat. The sun gazed down at her and warmed her body. She was about to return to her cleaning duties when she found Tsubaki moping the floor with her tools.
Tsubaki noticed Maka and she smiled wide. "Hi Maka. I thought you could use a break. You've worked really hard this morning."
She couldn't help but return her smile. Tsubaki was too kind for her own good, although she did understand her. With no sailing experience, she couldn't help much which left her with nothing to do except check on her medical kit and familiarize herself with the medical kit Shibusen provided her. Most of the days, she ended up helping Maka by grabbing a scrub and a bucket and scrubbed the deck. Sometimes she took over completely, which meant Maka could join in and help with the sails. She was steadily learning when to pull and when to release the ropes thanks to Kilik's help.
"Sid, release the anchor." Black*Star hollered, earning a "aye, aye" from Sid and he headed toward the front of the ship.
Maka cocked her eyebrow and gazed at the blue-haired moron. They were far away from land, so why were they stopping?
"Black*Star." She caught his attention. "We're still far from land."
"'know. The witch doesn't like visitors so she hasn't used her hokus pokus magic to create a dock. We'll have to row to the shore."
As on cue, the door to her Captain's nest opened and out he came. His hair was no longer the unusual white mess she'd witnessed inside of his hideaway. His bangs shadowed his tired eyes and his hands were shoved deep into his pockets. On his back were two swords in their holders. He was already armed with his own sword at his hip, was the mission so dangerous he had to have two spares?
"Avast ye!" Instantly everybody's eyes were on him. Tsubaki stopped her cleaning and Ox quickly slid down from the mast and climbed down the net. Captain Eater waited for everybody to gather in front of him before he started talking. "Okay everyone, we're going to visit the witch Kim. I want Sprog, Tsubaki, Kilik an' Black*Star with me, the rest of ye, I want ye to guard the ship."
Maka caught Ox's jaw hanging wide before he closed it, wrinkling his nose in annoyance.
Captain Eater turned to the sister pair and to Kid. "If any sail's sighted, I want ye to signal us. If a ship with Jolly Roger's sighted, fire away. Kid, I trust ye to make the right decisions."
Kid bowed his head slightly. "Roger."
"Everybody got it?"
"Aye aye Captain!" Everybody said in unison.
"Good. Now return to yer tasks. The rest comes with me to the boat." He turned on his heel and everybody was about to scatter when Captain spoke once again. "One more thing, from now on, I want all of ye to call me Captain Soul." He didn't turn to face his crew as he spoke. When he finished he continued to walk toward the stairway up toward the rear end of the ship.
Maka's jaw hung wide open. She couldn't quite believe what she'd heard. He'd actually taken her advice and asked the crew to call him a more informal name. He'd taken her advice. It was a sign. He longed for change and he was ready for it. He was taking small steps, but they were steps to truly earning his crews respect and support. She'd truly made an impact on him for him to take charge and change.
Black*Star had his arm around Tsubaki as they followed the Captain.
"Are ye okay?"
Maka fluttered her eye and snapped her head toward the left, finding Kilik gazing at her.
"Oh! Yeah! I'm a bit surprised Captain Eat— Soul said that."
"Yeah, it's not like him." Kilik took a step toward the stairway and nodded his head toward it, indicating for her to follow the others. She followed him and went up the stairway with Kilik in front. "I think something is changing him. He's been acting… different."
Maka wanted to ask him more about this change of his. She hadn't noticed any change in her Captain until now. Has she been that oblivious, or was it simply because Kilik had worked longer with their Captain and truly knew how he acted?
They joined up with the others. Capain Soul ordered them to get into the boat. When everybody were settled within the boat, her Captain seated beside her, Black*Star lowered the boat slowly into the water. Kilik unhooked the ropes from the boat and took charge of the rowing. It was a good distance to the shore and through the whole ride, she'd to witness Black*Star being all over Tsubaki. Her stomach turned with disgust by the view. To think he could use her like that was atrocious!
Instead, she stared of at the island they headed toward. Beautiful tropical island she's only seen sketches of from Stein's adventures. The leaves of the exotic trees were greener than grass and the sand was a perfect pale beige. In the distance she could see grey high mountains. The view was like nothing she'd seen before. It was like it was ripped from a dream. Nothing as beautiful as the island could exist. It couldn't be real.
Fifteen minutes later, Kilik jumped into the water and pulled the boat as far as he could on the shore before Black*Star tossed the anchor into. Maka jumped out of the boat and landed on wet sand. Instantly she moved to dryer sand and kneeled down, cupping the sand in her hand. Soft. Unbearable soft and so fine. The sand caressed her fingers as it ran out of her hand.
"Tsubaki an' Sprog, don't be deceived." Maka faced her Captain who stood closer to her than she'd thought. "This island may be beautiful, but it contains a lot of danger."
"Danger?" Tsubaki spoke up. "What kind of danger?"
"Because of the witch!" Black*Star yelled in an attempt at gaining back Tsubaki's attention. He was like a greedy baby screaming for his mother's attention.
"Black*Star's correct. The witch performs experiments on the environment an' animals. Plenty of creatures an' flora's mutated an' may appear harmless, but they're actually very deadly. Be on yer guard." Captain Soul drew his sword and had it ready as if one of the creators would pounce on him.
Black*Star wasn't far behind pulling his two daggers from his belt that ran diagonally across his chest. He handed one of the daggers to Tsubaki and smiled gently. She returned his smile and accepted it. "I hope ye won't have to use it, but ye never know."
Kilik drew his sword and so did Maka, both swords ready for an attack. Whatever they might face, she wasn't going to let anyone get hurt. She'll be strong enough to protect everybody.
"We'll go in a line formation. I'll lead an' take the front, Sprog ye're second. Ye'll cover the right side." She nodded. "Then's Tsubaki, ye'll focus on the general surrounding. Kilik, ye focus on the left an' Black*Star, ye'll cover our back."
"Aye aye Captain!" Kilik gave his Captain a salute.
"But it's not fair! I wanted to walk behind Tsu—" before Black*Star had even the slightest chance of finishing his sentence, Maka butted him with the back of her sword.
"Stop being such a creep!" She knew if Black*Star were to walk behind her, he would only stare at her ass. After all, he only saw her as a piece of ass and not as a living human being with emotions other than of lust.
He groaned and rubbed his head. "Fuck off, lass. I didn't even say anything wrong."
"You disrespect the Captain's orders just so you can enjoy the view of Tsubaki's back. That's wrong on so many levels."
"Oh yeah? Like what miss tiny tits?"
Her eyes narrowed into silvers and she punched him square in the face. "They aren't small! They're modest, you pervert!" She covered her chest with her arms. "You're so disgusting and you only see Tsubaki as a—" Quickly he leapt to her and covered her mouth even though his chin must be pounding with pain.
"Don't say another word." He growled lowly in her ear. "Ye keep yer tramp shut."
"Black*Star." Captain Soul growled out and took a step closer them.
"Yo, bro." Kilik placed his hand on the blue-haired pirates shoulder before their Captain could. "It's not the time to start fights. We've got a job to do, okay man? Ye can continue bickering like housewives as soon as we get back on the ship."
Black*Star slowly closed his eyes and inhaled deeply to calm down his raging emotions. "Don't tell her." He muttered before he uncovered her mouth and backed off.
"You okay?" Her Captain stepped beside her and lowered his sword.
She nodded as she stared at Black*Star who wrapped his arm around Tsubaki's waist. He was a cruel man to want to prey on her feelings and use her. Maybe even as cruel as their Captain. She could now see why Captain Soul chose him. He was a predator and took advantage of women' emotions to gain satisfaction. He was just as cruel as their Captain.
"I'm more than fine." Her eyes narrowed as if she targeted the blue-haired man.
"Good. Then let's pay this witch a visit."
He went ahead and she soon followed. Quickly the formation was in place and Captain Soul led them inside of the tropical forest. There was no sort of trail for them to follow. They snaked around trunks of palm trees, cut vines in order to create a pathway and stepped over fallen trees and large boulders. Inside of the forest, she heard noises she'd never heard before, the sound of exotic bird songs and of the moss crinkling under the sole of her boots.
It was a magical place. It was like stepping right into one of her grandma's storybooks, almost like falling down the rabbit hole and uncovering a magical and curious world beyond her imagination. Except this wasn't a dream. This was reality.
The crew moved in silence. The only noise they made was from their steps and when they cut off vines blocking their way. Tsubaki's breath was short and occasionally she would let out a sound of amazement—
A loud hiss filled the air and Maka quickly spun around on her feet, finding a green snake with severed body and green blood on Tsubaki's dagger. The head of the snake hissed loudly at her, revealing long fangs. Maka gasped when the two severed ends suddenly changed, grew and from both of the ends, new heads were formed and hissed threateningly at them.
"Shit!" Kilik cursed and quickly sliced off one of the three heads. "Take out the heads!"
The new generated head leaped toward Tsubaki and Maka quickly sliced it off before it could reach her. Another hiss stole her attention and she discovered the final head of the snake was leaping toward her. There was no time. There was no time for her to attack. She squeezed her eyes shut and prepared for the pain, but it never came. Slowly she cracked her eyes open and saw the final head pierced on Captain Soul's sword.
"Oh Shinigami…" Tsubaki exhaled and placed her hand above her collarbone. "What was that?"
"An experiment of the witch." Captain Soul answered and removed the snake from his sword, dumping it on the ground. "For every time ye sever it, heads're created. The only way to kill them's by striking the head."
"Is anyone hurt?" Maka spoke and looked at her shipmates. Tsubaki game a thumb up and Kilik and Black*Star shook their heads.
"Good. Then let's keep moving. The witch's house isn't far away." Her Captain said. How he could know that was a mystery to her. She had no clue how he could orientate through the forest. She'd a feeling they'd went in circles due to the environment, but then there would be something that proved her wrong.
They continued forward in a slower pace. Captain Soul cut through vines and moved them away so the rest could move safely through. He certainly came across as more careful than he previous was. He made sure no one else had to cut or move any vines.
The gesture produced a smile on her lips. He was cruel and lacked empathy, but watching him care about them to take his time to create safe pathways and inspect the way they took, made her rethink. He wasn't as bad as she'd thought he was. He was certainly not the monster she'd pictured.
Captain Soul cut a vine and gently moved it out of the way. "Look out for the log." He stepped over it and waited in for everybody to climb over it before they continued forward.
"Welcome Captain Soul Eater."
Maka quickly spun on her heel and readied her weapons for an assault when her Captain raised his arm to stop her. "It's alright." Captain Soul spoke with strength. "Jacqueline, I thought ye would meet us sooner."
The woman Captain Soul had called Jacqueline, was beautiful. Long coffee brown hair and matching large eyes. Her modest body cladded in a short dark blue dress, it wasn't made of fine material like her dresses, but it was elegant and simple.
"I see you've brought some new feminine faces." The woman spoke and smiled wide toward Maka and Tsubaki. "I'm Jacqueline, Kim's assistant."
"Hi Jacqueline, I'm Tsubaki."
"And I'm Maka."
"Tsubaki, Maka, I never thought I would ever see female members of Shibusen." Jacqueline nodded toward the direction they'd headed toward. "We should get out of here before the two-headed giraffe hears us."
Maka's eyes fluttered. Had she heard it right? No. It wasn't possible. She had seen a snake grow heads from severed body parts, but a two-headed giraffe, there was no way. She was funny. Like there would ever be a two-headed giraffe.
The crew followed Jacqueline and like Captain Soul said, they weren't far from the witch's home. Walking passed a few tree, Maka witnessed a cute two story house with an even larger building a couple of yards beside it, which was surprisingly larger than the house, both in width and height.
Jacqueline headed toward the larger building and a large crash was heard from within the building. "Damn it! Come back here!" The massive double doors pushed open and out ran a cute pink little piglet in full speed.
"No you're not!" Jacqueline exclaimed and readied herself as the piglet ran toward her. She dived toward the piglet and it quickly dashed the other way, escaping inside of the forest.
Out from the large building an equally pink haired woman came running out. "Did you get it? Where did it go?" The woman's hair was short and her eyes were a very light blue.
"I'm sorry Kim, it disappeared into the forest."
"Not another one!" She ran her hand through her short hair.
"Um, Kim, Captain Soul Eater is here." She gestured with her thumb toward the crew behind her.
The woman, Kim, who Maka assumed was the witch, moved her gaze toward them and cocked her eyebrow as soon as she laid her eyes on her. "Two women? Eater, have you picked up some stranded women? I never thought you would ever―"
"I know, these're Tsubaki an' Maka―" He nodded toward them "― they're in me crew."
"Well I be damned." She neared them with rapid steps, moved passed her assistant and Captain Soul. Quickly she infiltrated Maka's private sphere and gazed at her with analysing eyes. "Hmm." She kneeled down and gazed at her legs. "Your legs are strong." Kim's eyes moved up her body and came to a stop at her large shirt. "You're very tiny. Eater, I hope you're not paying her too much. She's―"
"I am and she's worth every penny." Captain Soul broke her off and caused both the women to snap their gaze toward him.
"You do?"
"You are?"
This was news to her. She hadn't gotten even a bronze coin from him. Wait. Was he implying she wasn't worth anything? It was a possible hypothesis. She wasn't working on his ship for money, she already had money at home. She was only temporary working on his ship. Her place was at Arachnophobia and that was her goal. She was sure now when she worked on Shibusen, she would see them again soon and then, she'll have something for them to gain a spot on the same ship with the Gorgon Trio.
"Yes I am." Captain Soul gazed at Maka and gave a very soft smirk. "Sprog's a very capable woman that surpasses many men in the art of swordplay. She's worth―"
"Hey! She's far from my level! No one can beat a God like me!" Black*Star quickly interjected and stepped in front of their Captain. "She's only an ant in comparison to the godly ME!"
Maka caught Captain Soul's closed eyes in annoyance and an exhale of irritation.
Kim sighed heavily and shook her head. "You still haven't muzzled the idiot? I could always remove his vocal cord for a price and if you're not pleased with the result, I'll give you fifty percent back, but I doubt you would want that."
"Jacqueline." Captain Soul exhaled her name heavily. "Could ye please show Black*Star an' Tsubaki to the garden. Tsubaki's a doctor an' I bet she's interested in some of yer herbs."
"You've a garden?" Tsubaki lit up and clashed her hands. "I would love to see what herbs you have."
Jacqueline quickly glanced at Kim, she nodded toward her and Jacqueline smiled wide. "Yes, come with me. If you find anything useful you're more than welcome to take some." Black*Star wrapped his arm around Tsubaki and as the two followed Jacqueline, Black*Star shot a glare over his shoulder at the witch.
"Let's go inside and discuss over some tea." Kim said after the three had left. The others followed inside of the cute house and Kim showed them to the living room were silk furniture decorated it. Kim offered them to take a seat before she disappeared what Maka guessed was to the kitchen.
Maka took a seat on the silk couch which was very familiar to one she had at home. Before Maka had settled on the couch, Captain Soul quickly pushed passed Kilik and stumbled over the leg of the coffee table, taking a seat beside her. The action left Kilik a little baffled before he took a seat beside his Captain.
Only a few moments later, the witch returned with a tray with four cups and a teapot. Kim put it down, poured tea into every cup and handed them to each of them. Maka thanked her and blew on her tea, taking a sip of what proved to be camomile tea.
"Now that will be three bronze coins."
She inhaled in shock and the tea went down the wrong pipe. She coughed. Without hesitation, Captain Soul immediately put down his own cup and grabbed hers, starting to smack her back. She coughed up the tea and breathed heavily, offered a smile toward her Captain. "Thank you."
Was the witch Kim serious? She was seriously going to put a price on her tea. Some hospitality she had. Maka didn't touch the tea.
"Don't worry about it." His hand lingered on her back for a few seconds before he removed it.
"So, I guess you're here for the item or more ointment?" Kim took a sip of her own tea and stared at Captain Soul. "Or perhaps both?"
"Both and more." Captain Soul's hand dived inside of his coat and retrieved the cloth with the language of the mermaids. "I need ye to translate this for me."
Kim took the cloth from his hand and examined the sentences with narrowed eyebrows. "How did you come across this? This is the mermaid's language."
"It's the clue to Oni's treasure."
"I should've known that." She flicked her hair and held out the cloth. "But unfortunately I can't decipher this."
Instead of Captain Soul taking back the cloth, he rolled his eyes and took out leather pouch what Maka guessed was filled with coins. "Could this help ye with this problem?"
"Absolutely!" Kim snatched the bag and smirked wide. "The first part is pretty boring. It's simply saying―"
"I want it word for word Kim. Written on paper."
She rolled her eyes, snapped her fingers and suddenly a notebook was in her hand and a quill. It came out from nowhere! A single snap of her fingers and there came a notebook and a quill. Maka had never before witnessed something like it! The woman before her was truly a witch.
Quickly she scribbled down words on the clean page with her quill. "Okay, the first sentences read as on thy journey dangers thou have faced. Now my treasure thou near. The key to the sea itself hidden in a chest thou may find is only the beginning of eons to come."
Captain Soul listened carefully, scooting closer to the edge of the couch and he leaned over the coffee table. "And what's next?"
"I don't know." Kim let go of the notebook and it floated in the air along with the quill. "The rest is hard to understand."
"Come on Kim!" Kilik exclaimed and slapped his hand on his forehead. "Ye've already gotten yer payment for that! We should've brought Ox with us―"
"Oh no! No, no. No." Kim ran her hand through her hair. "Okay! I'll translate the rest of it!" She snapped her fingers and the quill automatically scribbled down the rest of it on the notebook. She handed the cloth back and as soon as the quill finished writing, it disappeared. Magically the page from the notebook was torn out and it floated softly like a feather and landed in her Captain's outstretched hand. His eyes quickly ran over the last sentences.
"For what thou seek will be the final destination before transformation. In the far off sea awaits what thou seek. Where only mermaids can reach or the souls of Shinigami, thy deadlights will lead the way in the darkness of night." Captain Soul read aloud to the rest to hear.
Maka had read countless of poems with hidden messages written by literature geniuses and she's been able to decipher every single one of them. But this one was far beyond her understanding. She could understand that their journey was coming to an end, the treasure was within their grasp if only they could understand where it laid buried.
"So, only a person killed by the sea, killed by Shinigami can reach 'his place?" Kilik spoke. "If that's so we're pretty much screwed!"
"If you want help with your little riddle." A wide smirk on Kim's face stretched and she leaned over the coffee table. Maka couldn't help but to notice Kim's neckline rid a little lower and allowed a good view of her well-developed cleavage. "I could help you for a small price." Maka wrinkled her nose at Kim winking toward her Captain. Was she actually trying to seduce her Captain? Captain Soul Eater?! Even though he was fearful, he was a man with twisted lust and disgusting―
"No thanks." Kim's eyes widen and she pouted toward Captain Soul "I already know where we're going."
Kim wasn't the only one whose eyes were wide. Maka's eyes widened to the point of them almost leaving their sockets. Her mouth hung ajar and she couldn't help but to stare at her Captain. Had she really― had he really― really… he rejecting her? She had obviously something other in mind with the "small price" and it was written all over her body.
"But I do want to ask ye for a favour."
Mentally she deadpanned. Of course he wouldn't reject her. He was just like every male out there. Just like Ox and Kilik going to pubs screwing women and just like Black*Star using Tsubaki for satisfaction.
Kim seemed very enthusiastic. A seductive smile crept on her face and she leaned back in her seat. Her already short skirt riding up her thighs and passed her stocking, showing up creamy skin. "Oh yeah." Her voice dipped and sounded as smooth as honey. "What can I help you with, Captain?"
Maka rolled her eyes. If he was going to be just like every disgusting male on ship Shibusen, she would rather not watch it. She'd enough of disgusting males who jumped at the opportunity to get in between a woman's legs.
"I need air." Maka muttered and stood up from her seat. "Thanks for the tea." She was about to head out when a hand lashed onto her wrist.
"Stay." She looked over her shoulder and saw the hand belonged to her Captain. "This concerns ye."
"It does?" Kim shot up from her seat and her mouth hung wide open.
She wanted to puke. "I don't know what sick things you're into but I'm―"
"Kim, I want ye to give Sprog some clothes."
Her sentence came to a halt. Had she heard that correctly?
"Clothes? What's wrong with what she's wearing now?" She gestured with her hand. "They might not fit her, but it's not like you're actually concerned with how you look."
Captain Soul released her wrist and went around the coffee table. He came in front of Kim and leaned in, shielded his mouth from any ears other than Kim's. He whispered and Kim's eyes widened as she stared at Maka.
It did involve her or her clothes, so why was he shutting her out? She was supposed to be a part of the conversation, wasn't she?
Captain Soul removed his hand and backed away. "Ye think ye're up for it?"
Without even looking at Captain Soul, Kim nodded eagerly and fisted her hand. Fire burned in her icy blue eyes as she stared at Maka. "Hell yes!"
"Good."
Kim snapped her fingers Maka's whole body tingled and her feet left the ground. Her stomach made summersaults as she was floating over the table. "H-hey!" Maka forced out as she was tumbling through the air. "What are you doing? Put me down!"
Kilik snickered at her as she started to float away from the two males, shooting a deadly glare at him. If only glares could kill.
"Don't worry." Kim sounded gleeful as she started to walk away with her still tumbling around in the air, trying to come down to the floor. "You'll soon be down on your feet." Kim led her away. She went through a corridor with Maka still in the air before she opened a door and entered. Inside was a simple bed with blue sheets and a wardrobe.
With a snap of Kim's fingers, the tingling sensation suddenly disappeared and she came crashing down on the ground head first. "Ouch." There was a sharp pain on her shoulder. Slowly she sat up and rubbed it gently. "Next time you decide to use that floating trick of yours, warn me, please."
"No need, now let's do this. I don't have the whole day." With a wave of her hand, the over-sized shirt of her suddenly shrunk to the correct size of her small body.
A blush was dusted onto her cheeks and instantly she crossed her arms over her chest. "H-hey! What are you doing?"
"I'm doing Eater a favour, what does it look like?"
"More like ruining my clothes."
She rolled her eyes and went over to the wardrobe. "You might want to step to the side."
Maka only had time to cock her eyebrow before Kim opened the double doors to the wardrobe. Quickly the wardrobe shot hangers, shelves and clothes out of it. She gasped and threw herself out of the way before it could crush her. Kim started to go through dresses, jackets and shirts as if Maka almost getting crushed by the infinity long shelves the wardrobe had spat out was not a big deal.
"Let's see here…" She murmured as she grabbed a jacket from the hanger, mumbled under her breath before she threw it over her shoulder, grabbing a new one. Quickly a pile was growing on the floor and Maka stood up on her legs.
"What are you even looking for?"
"I never thought I would see the day." Kim completely deflected from answering her question. "That Captain of yours seems to have his eyes on you."
She must have damaged her head when Kim dropped her. There was no way it could be correct. "What?"
"You heard me. Last time he was here he was the same ol' Soul Eater. Quickly getting here, do his business and then leave. Always moody and emo. It was really sad." She wandered closer to the wardrobe and grabbed a jacket from the hanger. "He's a completely different person now. I know something has changed him and I know it's you."
"You've got it all wrong. I haven't―" but she had. Only earlier that day, what she'd tried to get across her whole stay on Shibusen, she asked for change. And he was. He was opening up to her, he showed his true emotions and worked on freeing himself from his own fear. He had changed his name from Captain Eater to Captain Soul. He was opening up to all aboard Shibusen.
"You, Maka, are the true pirate among all of them. You're the one who did the impossible." Kim faced her with the jacket in her hands. "You're the one who's claimed his most hidden and well-protected treasure." Kim came to a stop and rested her index finger above her chest. "His heart."
Her mouth opened and closed, unable to create any coherent words.
"Here." Kim thrusted the red jacket with silver details and Maka instinctively took it. "Now put it on. Let's see how it fits you."
Maka did as she commanded. She slid the hanger out of the jacket and placed it on the bed, putting the jacket on. It was quite large on her, a very good size in her opinion. It would cover her chest and flatten it out now when her shirt wasn't doing the job.
"Just one slight change." She twisted the hand and the red colour melted away from her jacket and turned it into a vibrant green with golden hems and buttons. "There. That's a lot better."
She couldn't help but smile. The jacket was of fine quality fit for a male aristocrat on adventure. She'd seen Stein wear something similar to hers, but it was a lot longer and it was white. It was perfect for maintaining a male look and making it more difficult to identify her as Maka Albarn.
"Kim, it's―"
"I know, I know, I was just teasing him back there. I know when a man is off limits and I respect sisterhood. He's all yours as long as you stay away from my Jackie." She spoke with a knowing smirk on her face, snapping her fingers and the clothes were sucked into the wardrobe and so were the shelves and hangers, slamming the doors shut.
Maka's face heated up and she gazed at her. "You and Jackie? You're…"
"Yeah. Got a problem with it?"
"No! No. I'm just a little… shocked."
"Let me guess, after I made a move on your man, you thought I was straight?"
Maka balled her fists. "He's not my man!" She couldn't believe the words that came out of her mouth. She turned and stormed out of the room. There was no way she was going to trust another witch again. They only sprouted nonsense.
She stormed back toward the living room, finding Jacqueline was back talking to her Captain and Kilik. Kilik held a large bottle of the super ointment that healed wounds in mere hours.
So that's how it was created. From a cunning money-crazy witch.
"Maka." Kilik smirked toward her. "You look badass in that jacket."
Instantly her Captain looked up from the dark wooden box in his hands and into her eyes. His mouth opened as if he was inhaling but then his air was stolen from him. "It suits you."
Her throat ran dry and she pulled her hat lower on her head. "Thanks." She mumbled as she approached them.
"Thanks Jacqueline. When ye manage to create one that can actually take me to me targets, let me know."
"Unfortunately this is as close we've gotten now. Kim is working really hard on developing one that fulfils your desires."
Captain Soul sighed and put the dark brown box in his jacket. "Hopefully next time ye'll actually have one that works." He turned on his heels and started to head toward her. "It's time we start heading back to the ship."
Kilik and Maka followed their Captain out of the witch's house and Maka wasn't even surprised seeing Black*Star and Tsubaki in a lip lock.
Lust only created stupid decisions.
Maka's eyebrow cocked and she cleared her throat loudly. Immediately Tsubaki's eyes widened and she pushed Black*Star away from her, a dark blush spreading on her cheeks. Black*Star was seemingly very bumped out since he kept touching her waist and tugging her toward him.
Captain Soul ran his hand through his hair. "Tsubaki, Black*Star and Kilik, you can go ahead and prepare the boat."
Maka's eyes fluttered and she stared at her Captain bluntly as the three walked away.
"What is it?" Maka asked.
Captain Soul stayed silent as he stared at her, trying to find words. "I bet I can break your swords with mine."
"If this is some perverted j―"
"No, it's not." He pointed toward the new swords on his back. "With these."
Maka crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him bluntly. "What are you even getting at? Why would you want to make a bet?"
"Um…" His hand cupped his neck and massaged it awkwardly. "You know… maybe they are… I don't know… can you just give me your swords and let me show you?"
"I've no clue what you're getting at," Maka grabbed her swords from their holders and held them out.
Soul neared her and he grabbed one of her swords from her grasp. She couldn't help but note his warm fingers as they grabbed the handle of her sword. He backed a couple of steps away as he pulled out a sword from a holder on his back.
He wasn't… he wouldn't…? Or would he?
"Captain…?"
He readied her sword and his other came down on it. Her sword split and the end of it stabbed into the grass.
Maka's mouth hung wide open and she stared in horror at her beloved broken sword. "Why did you do that?" She whispered as her gaze moved up to his red eyes. "Why would you break my sword?!"
"It was a bad sword as I thought." He let go of the handle and it joined its damaged end. "It may look strong with its fancy handle and fancy decoration, but it's useless." He spoke as he put the murder sword in its holder on his back.
She'd ordered the most expensive swords from a very skilled and recognized blacksmith. He'd worked on her swords for weeks and she'd paid a lot for her swords.
"Those swords were very expensive! What am I supposed to fight with now?"
"That's where I come in." He unbuckled the brown leather straps running over his chest and took it off with the two sword holders. "I want you to have them." He held out the belt straps with the two swords.
Her eyes almost bulged out of her sockets as she stared at the swords. "You want me to have them?"
He looked away from her and the sun's rays heated his cheeks to a pretty sunset pink. "Yeah. Your swords were bad and your holders are dangerous. Some pirate could grab your swords like I did."
She remembered the day. It was the second fight she got into. Just before the fight, when she drew her sword, he was quick enough to steal one of hers. It could cause trouble in the future indeed.
"You didn't have to do this."
"I know. But I wanted to. You're helping me, so I wanted to do something in return." He took a step toward her and his hand found hers. "Accept these as a gift from me." He guided her hand toward the leather strap and made her hold it. His hands cupped over hers.
"This is too much. I only gave you advice. I don't need anything."
"But I want you to have these. You deserve them. I want you to take good care of them."
Her heart skipped a beat and her gaze avoided his warm red ones, instead she focused on the fine metal handle. It was simpler than her weapons, but yet so elegant and powerful.
"Thank you…" A smile spread on her face and she returned her attention to him. "I'll keep them safe."
He smiled in return and released his hands from hers. Maka worked the crossed swords on her back and struggled with the straps. Her Captain came to her aid and helped her get her arms through the proper straps and buckled them together, creating an X over her chest.
"Let's re-join the others. They're probably waiting for us."
"Right."
Both of them started to head toward the beach where they'd left the boat. They'd only entered the forest when Captain Soul spoke up once again. "And, about earlier. When I talked about paying you, I'm going to pay you. I promise you."
She'd almost completely forgotten about that. "It's okay. You don't need to pay me."
"But you're working on my ship. You're much more than just a sprog. You're a valuable member of my crew and I want to pay you. Like everybody else, you deserve a salary."
She'd a feeling it wasn't worth fighting him over it. He was going to do as he pleased. If he wanted to pay her, she would accept his money and then sneakily return it inside of his nest. He could use the money more than her. She was fine with how things were.
The comfortable silence was broken by a high pitched scream. She recognized the voice all too well. "Patty!" Maka yelled and started to run.
Captain Soul cursed and quickly followed her.
What was she doing on the island? She was supposed to be on the ship with Sid and Ox! What on earth brought her out on the island?!
Maka searched for signs of damaged surrounding. She knew where broken vines and stomped down plants were, they would lead her to her comrades. For every log she jumped over and every broken vine she slapped out of her way, she was coming closer to Patty.
"What are you doing?!" Liz. It was Liz.
A light broke through the thick leaves and trunks and she saw the white beach. She leapt out of the forest and drew her new swords from their holders.
A vision she'd denied had materialized in front of her. With Patty on it.
"Weee!" Patty cheered as she held one of the two heads of the two-headed giraffe. "Look at me sis!" Her grip on the creature's ears was strong and she steered the beast with strength and knowledge. She was sure Patty had never come across a beast like the giraffe with fangs and eyes as dark as coal, but she was controlling it as if she had.
Liz only rested her hand on her forehead and shook her head slightly. Black*Star didn't seem to be bothered at all and neither did Kilik. The only one that seemed slightly worried was Tsubaki.
"Seems like we were running for no reason." Captain Soul smirked at Patty and returned his sword to its holder.
Captain Soul grabbed Black*Star's attention and quickly his eyes found Maka's. He stared at her sternly before he excused himself and stormed over toward her. "We need to talk." He hooked his arm through hers and dragged her couple of yards away from the group before she even had a chance to protest.
The moment had finally come. Her stomach tightened and she'd a feeling this was only a continuation of what previously happened on the beach.
"Listen." Black*Star released her arm and stared at her. "Ye can't tell Tsu. Ye gotta have me back on this, lassie"
"And what?" She snapped at him, narrowing her eyes into silvers. "Let you use her for your own disgusting needs? Have you ever even thought how Tsubaki might feel about this?"
"Look, I know it's a dick move―"
"It's more than just a 'dick move'. You're using her for your own selfish reasons!" Her voice raised in volume. "Just because you only see her as an object for your pleasure doesn't mean she doesn't have feelings! She loves you and you're fooling her and hurting her by lying to her!" Unwillingly tears rose in her eyes. She couldn't cry. She couldn't cry. She refused to cry. She wasn't going to spill anymore tears over bastard men.
"Shit. Maka, just keep yer voice down. She might―"
"I'm not going to let your disgusting male ways hurt her any longer! You need to tell her the truth! You need to tell her she's only an object for your own selfish desires and you don't love her! She deserves to kn―"
"MAKA!" Black*Star screamed and covered her mouth.
"What…?" Maka turned around and saw Tsubaki yards away, holding her hands over her chest and tears rising in her eyes.
"Tsubaki!" Black*Star yelled and released Maka. "I can explain."
Tears welled in her eyes and she turned her back toward them. Black*Star called out her name and started to run toward her, but the damage was already done.