Dark was shocked to silence as he looked over the blue haired boy before him. His mouth quavered for a long moment before he finally managed to shut it. He swallowed and began, "Satoshi…"
"Yes, that's right. You didn't forget, did you?" Daisuke asked, making his way to his feet and brushing himself off.
"But…"
"I told you if you'd just listened to Krad…" Daisuke began, reaching out a hand to help the older male to his feet.
Dark took it, muttering a curse under his breath. "Aw, Shit," he managed, shaking his head. "Just…shut up, for now. We'll talk about it later."
"You'll apologize?" The redhead asked hopefully.
"I don't know."
From the sidelines, Satoshi cleared his throat. "Daisuke," he said simply.
The boy called looked over. "What is it?"
"You forget something. I can't stay out here for long…"
"I thought you were coming with us," Daisuke said, raising a brow.
"Not if your ship is gone," Satoshi pointed out.
Dark stood up, now, crossing his arms. "Wait. What?"
Two sets of eyes fell on him. "Oh. We didn't tell you…Sorry, Dark," Daisuke began.
"We have to hurry or they're going to take over your ship. We have to leave port now."
"Who's going to take my ship?" Dark asked, frowning.
"Hiwatari. He wants your ship," Satoshi said, looking over the disheveled captain. "He's leaving at dawn with it; the crew's already on their way to your vessel."
Dark paled, almost. "What?"
Satoshi's blue eyes narrowed. "You heard me. If you want to get out of this safe and alive, you have to get back to your ship and leave, now."
Dark scrambled to his feet. "This is some kind of joke, right?"
Satoshi wordlessly answered Dark's question, by simply cocking his head to the side.
"Why didn't you say something sooner?" Dark asked, frantically. The two boys merely gave an apologetic glance, and Dark swore again. "Hurry up," He spat, turning on his heels as he started back towards the West Port.
--
Kei looked around, and raised a dark eyebrow. "Hold on, men," he said slowly, glancing from face to face. "Where is Satoshi?"
Silence fell across the men as they looked around, blatant confusion written upon their faces. It was obvious to the dark haired captain that the boy was not among their numbers. He swore silently. "Where is he?" He tried again.
Silence was upon him as before. No one moved as Kei gave a deep scowl, a growl rumbling in his throat.
Someone chanced to speak out, "Sir? Do we look for him?"
Kei shook his head violently. "No. We will, but not now. He can't be far; The Black Wings is our first priority…"
A weak murmur spread throughout the heavily armed men as Kei added, "Hurry up. We've got only an hour or so before the patrol starts…we should avoid the guard. I can talk us out of any situation, but I'd really prefer not to handle such an ordeal."
A small chorus of 'Yes Sir' rang out before the group silenced again, and continued creeping through the dark alleyways of Azumano's lower class streets.
--
There was a soft knock on the door to the Krad's room, and he looked lazily over to the door as it swung open. Emiko looked down at the door questioningly as it swung in front of her. She narrowed her eyes in slight confusion, allowing her almost orbs to creep to the pallid face of the blonde.
"Dark never locked it," he said simply in response to her unspoken question.
"Right. Why didn't you…?" She hesitated, stepping into the room.
"Leave? Where would I have gone if I had? I decided to just wait until they bring back Satoshi, and then Dark'll understand."
"They? What do you mean bring Satoshi back?" The woman asked, closing the door behind her and anxiously making her way next to where Krad sat, cross-legged on his bed.
"Why are you here, Emiko?" Krad asked, suddenly, raising a brow.
"I was worried…I don't think Dark thinks before he acts. Were you trying to run away?"
"I would have left earlier if that was the case. The door has been unlocked for quite some time, you know…"
The woman sighed heavily. "You're right. Oh, that's such a relief," she said, shaking her head. "I didn't think you were trying to leave us…I just need to hear you say that. What were you doing?"
The blonde shrugged. "I saw my ship. I couldn't think of anything except for getting Satoshi away from Kei that I thought I…I suppose I lost my wits and just…"
"I understand. Daisuke went to get him? Satoshi?"
"And Dark ran after him."
"That explains it, then," Emiko said with a small grin. "It's been so quiet around here with the crew gone for the evening…I felt lonely and thought maybe you'd like some company."
Krad frowned. "The crew is gone…?"
"Of course. Dark always lets them do whatever they like when we're in town. He doesn't believe in keeping them cooped up in the ship for so long…"
Emiko frowned as a concerned look appeared on the blonde's face. "Krad? What's the matter…?"
"Who is on this ship? A count of how many men, I mean…"
"There…I don't know. Less than a dozen. Why?"
Krad shook his head. "Emiko…If I know that Kei is here, what do you think the probability of him not knowing the Black Wings is here?"
The woman's eyes narrowed. "You don't think he'd try something, do you?"
"I do…Be on your guard, at least. If anything unusual happens, you have to be ready…"
"What are you expecting?" Emiko asked, swallowing as Krad leaned his back against the wall of his cabin and glanced out of the small glass porthole.
"Anything. He's clever…I don't know what he'll try. You should get on deck…At least then you'll have some extra time if something…happens."
Emiko nodded slowly. "Right…I'll…of course. I'll get all hands on deck to keep a watch out for anything. And for Dark."
Krad nodded again as Emiko stalked towards the door. She paused, "You're coming up, aren't you?"
The blonde gave a meek shrug before rising to his feet. "This time I will."
The woman nodded, opening the door as she waited for the blonde to catch up to her. She looked for a long moment at the ropes that bound his hands behind him. When the blonde followed her gaze, he gave what might have been a forced chuckle. "They're very tight…"
"I'll get them off once we get on deck," the woman promised, ushering Krad upstairs and on deck.
"You have my thanks," Krad said with a curt drop of his head.
A soft breeze blew across deck, and moonlight filtered atop it. Water sloshed against the side of the boat loudly. The scent of salt wafted through the wind, accompanied by a strange acrid stench.
Emiko wrinkled her nose and swatted at the air in front of her. "Ugh, What is that?"
Krad paused as the strange, familiar scent enveloped his smell. "That's…"
The blonde's words were lost when a bright light spread over the deck and a horrid shot rang out through the air. By the time the initial shot was receding, a loud crackling noise had replaced it, as heat had come in the absence of light.
The Black Wings was broken and burning, small explosions still bursting every few seconds. Emiko was blasted backwards and hit the icy water with enough force to knock her breath out. She sank, slowly, unable to comprehend what just occurred. It took all of her might to force herself back to the top of the ocean. She coughed and gasped for air, forcing her eyes open a short moment later. Despite the stinging of the salt water clouding her eyes, she managed to make out the ever-shrinking form of the burning vessel.
Her eyes scanned the ocean surface roughly, and held back a cry when she saw no one. With what strength she had left, the woman swam to a nearby dock and pulled herself up. She lay there, panting, until a chorus of familiar voices chimed gently in here ear.
--
Dark was well ahead of Satoshi and Daisuke when a bright light exploded in front of him. He stopped, stunned, to block his eyes for a moment. "What was that?"
Satoshi ran next to the man, followed by Daisuke. "I have a good idea that that was just your ship."
Dark cast a quick glance and the boy, then took off again, running.
He turned a corner, running quicker than ever now. He froze when his eyes met the red and orange flames consuming the beautiful craft he once sailed. Horror filled his stomach, and his jaw formed the silent word, "No…".
"Dark," Daisuke said, his voice catching in his throat, "Do you think anyone could have…"
"It isn't likely that anyone would have survived," Satoshi said, panting.
"But my mom…"
"Your mother. Towa. My crew. Krad," Dark said brokenly. "We have to go. Maybe someone made it out alive..."
Clouds drifted across the moon, leaving only the reddish-orange light from the burning ship to illuminate the area. The three had searched for no longer than a few moments when Satoshi had noticed a figure moving slowly a number of yards down on the docks. It was Daisuke that reached her first, and Dark that carried her to the best medical facility Azumano had to offer.
--
Yes... This chapter was, more or less…slightly boring you're thinking, right? Well, I might agree, but the next one should be better. Poor Emiko. And Towa. And Krad! Oh, my word. I've killed several people, and you're just going to have to live with it…I'm sorry. I'll update again soon for you.