Hi everyone! I'm sorry that this chapter took a little longer to get out than expected, but it's finally done! I hope it doesn't disappoint! We're getting close to the end here, folks, as sad as it makes me.

Also, I have recently discovered the fun of making "aesthetic" posts! It's pretty much just collages you put together to represent certain characters or stories, and it's GREAT for drawing inspiration for writing! I made a collage for six OT characters (Yumi, Odd, Aelita, Ulrich, William, and Theo), and you can check them out on my deviantart account! My username is xxxTDIAngelxxx. Let me know what you think!

A special thank you to everyone who has messaged me encouragements or questions or opinions pertaining to the story! It really does make my day everytime I see a message from you guys!

I hope to have the next chapter out around Christmas (fingers crossed)!

Happy writing!

Sarah~xTAx

X

Yumi sat crumbled on the old wood, a half empty pint in her hand. The hold smelled like musk and manure; Yumi concentrated all her angry energy into a glare which she sent toward the caged bovines occupying her ship. The creatures stared off vacantly, chewing on dry grass as flies collected around their stench. Of all the cargo for the Executive to provide, why must it be livestock?

The hold was dark except for the glow of the moon coming from the porthole. She had returned early from their mission and wanted to be alone with her thoughts. Normally, Yumi did not consider herself as the emotional type. She had been taught at a young age by her royal father to stand up straight and exude confidence. Emotions were for closed doors and rarely did those doors ever close. Seeing Odd and Aelita in the alley, however, sent so many emotions through her: confusion, anger, sadness, jealousy. It was all too overwhelming. She attempted to suppress these feelings boiling inside of her, but she could feel them seeping from her skin, tugging and pulling at her from all directions, demanding to be released.

She found herself in the hold, hoping the rum would help to push these feelings deeper and deeper into her gut. It had worked for a while, but as she emptied her first bottle, she felt the emotions slowly rise back up her throat.

First came the confusion. Where had these feelings come from? Sure, she had seen the two of them around each other quite frequently, but she never saw Odd attempt to charm her like he did whenever the young pair would visit taverns with their father. She never saw them touch or kiss or say anything to one another that they wouldn't have saidto anyone else.

Then the anger began to set in. It wasn't that Odd and Aelita were together. Sure, this complicated the dynamic of her crew and their situation, but if everything Odd said in the alley was true, then he genuinely loved the princess. Yumi couldn't bring herself to be mad at him for finding happiness. She was more so angry at herself: hurt by the fact that he felt the need to keep it from her. Was she so irrational and angry that her own brother couldn't bring himself to share such happy news with her?

Then came the overwhelming, overpowering force of sadness. Throughout her life, Yumi has watched loved ones die, friends become distant, but she had always seen Odd as a constant force in her life. No matter what she did or what the world would become, they would be there for each other. Now, she could physically feel the space between them, like they didn't even breathe the same air. He was slipping further, further away, and she couldn't reach him. She felt alone, for if Odd would not be by her side, who would?

Finally, jealousy creeped its way into her chest. It wasn't until she saw the way they kissed, the way his fingers dance in her hair, did she yearn for the same sort of affection. She had never had a man yearn for her as Odd did for Aelita, and she wanted so desperately to know what it would feel like to have a man's lips on hers, to feel his chest beneath her fingers.

She remembered the dream she had in the tavern, when Ulrich kissed her on the plank over the sea. She took another swig of rum, trying to wash down this new emotion that was churning in her stomach. It was pointless to dwell on something that was never meant to be. Sure, she and Ulrich had developed a friendship, against all odds, but he would never see her in a romantic way. She was the captain of a pirate ship and he was a soldier in the French navy; the bridge that crossed their paths should have been soaked with blood. But she could not deny a force that pushed her in his direction, wanting to be close to him, to touch him. She shook her head and took another swig. There were too many problems floating in her head, and if she didn't suppress them soon, they were likely to drown her.

She heard the footsteps like an echo, too distant to concern herself with. When Ulrich appeared in her vision, it almost startled her. Her senses were fuzzy. Her skin felt like static and her head was in a pulling current. Everything seemed so far away, like she was watching the scene from outside the walls of the ship, floating somewhere above the sea, suspended between the Earth and beyond.

Ulrich eyed her suspiciously, a dim lantern in his hand, casting a soft orange glow in the once dark hull. "I've been looking for you. I was worried when you didn't return with the others."

Yumi waved away his concern, "I found my way just fine."

"I can see that." He approached her to get a better look, "you put away that whole pint on your own?" he asked.

She nodded. "And that one as well," she gestured to an empty glass bottle that had rolled toward the other side of the hold.

"I take it the meeting didn't go as expected?" he placed the lantern at her feet and took a seat on the ground next to her.

"The meeting went fine; she had no clear answers, but the princess had a decent idea of who might know the whereabouts of my mother. It shouldn't be hard to locate him at port."

"Then what's with the drinking in the dark by yourself?" his voice showed concern, but there was a hint of a chuckle to his deep voice, and Yumi suddenly wondered what sort of sight she must be.

"What happened to your neck?" Yumi asked, desperate to change the subject. She eyed him suspiciously, or at least she attempted to: her eyelids were heavy, and her irises were glazed over. There was a thin line on the side of his neck and dried blood on the collar of his shirt.

"Don't avoid the question," he said sternly. Yumi wasn't use to receiving orders, let alone by Ulrich, but she couldn't help, especially in her state, but to listen.

"I can tell you, but you're not going to like it," Yumi warned.

"Try me," he replied.

Yumi took a deep inhale. Just thinking the words left a weird metallic taste in her mouth. "It appears that Odd and Aelita have become... cordial unbeknownst to me."

Ulrich's eyebrows furrowed. "Cordial? You mean..." Yumi met his bewildered eyes with a knowing look of her own. Without any further words, Ulrich snatched the bottle from Yumi's hand, nearly emptying the rest of the contents in one swig. Just when she thought he was about to say something, he brought the pint back to his lips, draining the rest of the brown liquid down his gullet. "Do you have any more?"

Yumi nodded across the hold, "under the burlap, behind the cage."

He returned with two bottles, sitting the dusty glass between them. "I'll give you pirates credit: a man will never go thirsty on this ship." The two clinked bottles in a sort of pitiful toast before indulging in the bitter, brown liquid.

The two sat in comfortable silence for several moments, each alone to their thoughts. "Part of me is appalled, but the other part is not that surprised," Ulrich finally said.

"How so?"

"Well, for one, they're together all of the time. They seem to share the same sense of mischief. Not to mention she's the only female other than his sister within an ocean's distance."

"I just can't believe he wouldn't tell me," Yumi said softly, twirling the bottle in her hand. The space around her had become extremely dizzying, and she knew that if she continued to drink, she would likely become ill. Why aren't these feelings going away?

"To be fair, you have kept your fair share of secrets from him as well recently." Yumi gave him a glare so fierce that his spine shuddered.

"Those secrets were to protect him," Yumi said, staring intently at the pint in her lap. "His secret was to protect himself from me."

The pain in her voice was something Ulrich had never heard leave her lips. Before he could control the urge, he reached across her lap and took her hand. Yumi froze momentarily, staring at his tanned hand atop her own pale fingers. She turned her hand in his, lacing her thin fingers between his, both callused from lives spent working.

"You're not alone in your feelings, Yumi. I, too, feel betrayed that Aelita didn't confide in me. I've been by her side since we were kids. We used to share everything with each other. However, as much as we wish otherwise, we can't protect them from everything. They have to make their own decisions."

Yumi felt tears threatening her eyes and turned her face toward the shadows cast by the flame. "I know you are right, but I just can't help but to think that I am now alone." The words fell from her mouth like rain from the sky.

Ulrich's fingers around hers became tighter, urging her to meet his eyes. "You're never alone." The ship around her was blurry and distant, but he was clear: all sharp edges and dark, attentive eyes. The stubble on his chin framed his frown, and again she was reimagining the dream of his lips on hers.

She leaned in close, not sure what was happening, simply letting her body move on its own. Ulrich's eyes never left hers as he began to lean in, ever so slightly. Yumi's eyes began to drift close, but her advance was halted when she felt his forehead pressed against hers. She could feel his breath on her cheek, but he was no longer leaning toward her. "Yumi," he whispered so low that she almost wondered if he had spoken at all. "Not here, not like this."

She couldn't help but breathe in the scent of him: musk and salt and the bite of rum on his breath. She felt her eyes begin to drift shut again, and this time they didn't open.

X

The sun shined through the port hole unforgiving of Ulrich, who recoiled when he attempted to open his eyes. His head was pounding, and his body felt heavy as he attempted again to open his bloodshot eyes. He was in the hold of the cell, as was evident by the stench radiating from the cattle and the heavy heat that came from the breezeless room. As his eyes began to focus, he saw empty glass bottles around his feet and a lantern burning its last bit of wax. He attempted to move but felt a weight against his side. He turned to see raven hair at his shoulder, and it was then that he registered the fingers of his right hand interlocked with the captain's by his side. He remembered the night clearly, but he had thought it was a dream. After all, there's no way that Yumi would have tried to kiss him, right?

She began to stir, and Ulrich quickly released her fingers. She attempted to open her eyes, but the blinding rays from the sun caused her to wince. She lifted herself from Ulrich and held her head in her hands. "Please tell me last night was a dream?"

"Afraid not, captain."

"So, the thing I saw with Odd and Aelita actually happened? Everything seems a little fuzzy."

"It appears that way," Ulrich slowly rose to his feet, his bones sore from the long night spent on the floor of the hold. He extended his hand and helped Yumi to her feet. Her stance was unsteady, but she attempted to shake it off. She had drunk nearly twice of what he had, so he could only imagine how she must be feeling. "How are we going to approach them?"

"I truly can't say. To be quite honest, I was hoping to avoid the two until this business in Staphiria was done."

Ulrich nodded, "speaking of, we should probably get our things in order. The ship will be commandeered at port, and given the missing princess, no doubt be searched thoroughly."

"We should arrive by nightfall. Please ensure there's no trace of either of you."

"Yes, captain."

He turned to leave and was surprised when he felt Yumi's fingers close around his wrist. "Ulrich, about last night-"

"Don't worry about it," he cut her off. "We'll talk after we're out of Staphirian waters. Until then, all you need to focus on is finding your mother." Yumi nodded silently, releasing his wrist and following him up the creaky stairs.

X

"Why hello there, sunshines. I wondered what had happened to the two of you," Odd said cheerfully, eating his breakfast alone at the massive table.

"So much for avoiding the situation," Ulrich whispered to Yumi. He glared wordlessly, sending an unpleasant chill down Odd's spine. He shared a glance with Yumi before leaving the room, not sparing Odd another look.

"Does he have a problem with me?" Odd asked defensively, glaring toward the door where Ulrich left.

"I cannot speak for Ulrich." Yumi said. Her arms were folded around her stomach, as if she were trying to keep herself from becoming sick.

"You look like hell, Yumes. Sit down, let me get you some breakfast."

Yumi hesitated, and it was then that Odd realized she had yet to look at him directly. He brushed it off as her suffering from too many ales the previous night and continued to fetch her some bread and a mug of water. He sat the meal across from him and couldn't help but watch as Yumi reluctantly took a seat.

"So, you and Ulrich spent the night in the hold together, huh?" Odd teased, taking a huge bite from his loaf, trying to relieve some tension from the situation.

"Nothing happened," Yumi bit, drinking her water in one go. She took a bite of the bread but seemed disgusted by the taste and pushed it away.

Odd held his hands up defensively, "okay, what gives? You disappear from the mission, then reappear from the belly of the ship hours later with Ulrich looking like someone drug you behind a wagon and smelling like a brew house, and then neither of you wants to look me in the eye? Am I missing something?"

Yumi danced her fingers around the rim of her cup, focusing all her energy on the simple task. "No, it appears I'm the one who has been out of the loop."

Odd stood up in frustration. "And what is that supposed to mean? Damnit, Yumi, look at me!" he shouted.

Yumi suddenly rose from the table, her chair's violent screech reverberating throughout the kitchen. Her eyes lifted to meet his, and the expression in them was something Odd didn't recognize. "How long have you been courting Aelita?"

The tension in Odd's body immediately dissipated; the guilt immediately began churning in his stomach. Yumi's eyes pierced a hole through his soul, and he knew there was no use in hiding anymore. He just wished he had been the one to tell her. "I was going to tell you-"

"When, exactly?"

"I had planned on telling you, I promise. It's just that you've been distant lately, what with you searching for your mom-"

"So, it's my fault?"

"No! Damnit, Yumi, listen-"

"No, you listen," she was nearly shouting. "You're my brother. We're not supposed to keep secrets from each other, and you just left me in the dark!"

"Like how you left me in the dark about your mother being alive? Like how you confided in Ulrich, a man you once despised, instead of your own family!"

"This doesn't seem like much of a family lately," Yumi said solemnly.

The room was silent, each of them hurt by the words of the other. "Captain," Theo entered reluctantly, sensing the tension in the room from down the hall. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think we're being hailed."

All arguments immediately dissolved, and Yumi stormed out of the room with Odd on her tail. "Retrieve Ulrich and Aelita, tell them to get in position."

"Yes, captain," Theo nodded, running ahead to look for the refugees.

Yumi continued walking at a brisk pace toward her room, "I need you to get every crew member to the deck. If they have any weapons, tell them to conceal them or leave them below. Make sure they are aware that they are to remain motionless and speechless for the duration of the exchange."

"Yes, captain," Odd said, all remnants of their sibling argument gone. He ran up the stairs, and Yumi rushed into the room to retrieve her documents. Moments later, Theo entered, followed by Ulrich and Aelita. Her eyes were glassy, as if she had just been crying. Yumi could only imagine that their conversation had gone very similarly to hers and Odd's.

"What is happening?" Aelita sounded panicked.

"We are being hailed. Theo, go help Odd," Yumi barked. She began moving her bed once their privacy was secured.

"Why? Do you think someone has seen me?"

"Can't be sure. It's probably just routine. The Executive warned me that naval security had been increased since your disappearance. I wouldn't doubt if they searched the ship regardless." She tugged at the plank that appeared slightly darker than its surrounding brethren, revealing a narrow cabin. "Do you still have that gun I gave you?"

"Yes, but-"

"Get in the cabin, then." Yumi cut her off. Aelita seemed thrown off by her assertiveness but followed her orders regardless. Yumi approached Ulrich, close enough that she could still smell the hint of rum on his breath. "Are we still in accord with our contingencies?" she whispered.

Ulrich's eyes searched her face, "Yumi, I-"

"Are we in accord or not?" she bit. "The Staphirians are coming, and I don't have time to argue. Are you with me or not?"

Again, he hesitated. He knew that he had agreed to give her up if they were caught, but he wanted nothing more than to protect her, to put her in that cabin with them so she wouldn't be in any danger.

Instead, he merely said, "always."

X

The ship that approached was massive, at least thrice the size of Serious. A wooden bridge was dropped from the Staphirians above, causing a massive thud to reverberate across the deck. An elder man in a powdered wig flanked by four men crossed the sloped path, each adorned with Staphirian naval tunics and branded with various ribbons and metals.

Yumi stood tall at the center of her ship with Odd and William flanking closely behind her. Theo stood near the edge of this ship, adjusting the anchor they were instructed to drop. The rest of her crew stood motionless behind her, most of them dirty from their morning of duties. The fighters were in the front of the mob, while the younger, less experienced crew stayed near the back, nearly out of sight.

The quintet approached sternly, stopping a few feet before Yumi.

"I request to speak to your captain," the elder man declared in a thick Staphirian accent.

Yumi stepped forward, back straight, hands firmly at her side. "I am the captain," her voice was loud and confident.

The man chuckled, not even sparing her a glance. "That's very cute, darling, but I need to talk with the commander of this vessel."

"I can assure you I oversee this ship. I have captained this crew since my father's passing. You will find it so in our manifest."

Odd stepped forward, reaching a stack of parchments to the man next to the powdered wig individual. The younger boy looked over the documents swiftly. "Acting captain of cargo vessel Serious to be Yumi Della-Robbia in accordance with the passing of the previous captain Thomas Della-Robbia on the seventh day of the third month."

The man in the wig looked clearly upset by his mistake. He glared at Yumi, who remained as composed as she had been previously. "Fine, captain," he said the title as if to mock its legitimacy. "How many passengers are on this vessel, and what is your purpose in Staphirian waters?"

"Serious is home to a score of crew members, all male, with myself being the exception. We received a job from a British rancher looking to do business with a Staphirian butcher. Mr. Poliakoff signed our transport voucher to enter port, and we are to meet him just off the docks with his order."

"Which would be?"

"Cattle, sir. Four Angus bulls currently in the hold."

The wigged man nodded to his young associate, who gave him the papers and retreated below to validate her story. The man glanced through the papers flippantly. "Have you heard any news of a young girl who went missing from Stapharia a few months ago?"

Yumi gave a half shrug, "only whispers among the streets. The only truth I know is that the princess hasn't been seen publicly in quite some time. The imaginations of aimless men have conjured some comical theories, but I hold no truth to any of them."

"So, you have seen no sign of Princess Aelita or her guard Ulrich Stern?"

"Truth be told, I wouldn't know them if I had. It's been many harvests since I have found myself in Staphiria. We tend to service more in the East, but the money was too good for this job to pass up. Even if I had seen them, I wouldn't know them from any common folk."

"So, you know no rumors of who has taken her? And if we were to search every corner of this ship, we would not come across any sign of them?"

"That is correct. You are welcome to search any space you want, but I guarantee you to only find dust."

The young man returned from below, "there are four cattle in the hold, like she said. There is also no sign of any other passenger in the ship." Yumi knew he had been gone too long to just check on the cattle situation.

"It seems your story is in order," the officer reached the papers back to Yumi. "How many days are you intended to stay in port?"

"Just a night, perhaps two, if the city is welcoming."

She reached for the papers, but the man kept a tight grip. "Well, if the city is not welcoming, you are welcome to visit my quarters." He winked before releasing his grip on the parchments. Yumi felt a shutter run the length of her spine as he exited to his own ship. As they drew up their bridge and relieved their anchor, she couldn't help but to sigh. Her crew began to relax behind her as the Naval ship began to glide away, further out into the sea.

Odd approached her, nudging her with his shoulder. "You did it, Yumi," he whispered at her shoulder.

Yumi's eyes lifted to the horizon, where a thin strip of land began to materialize. A large mass could be seen protruding from a hillside, spires extending from it that nearly kissed the clouds.

They had made it. They were in Staphiria.