(A/N: sorry about potential typos or clunky sentences, I didn't go over this one as thoroughly as other ones bc I just wanted to get it out lol)

"You know, if you're nervous or don't feel like you're ready, you don't have to join us during our next raid." Kisa said the next day during training, the two of them currently taking a short break. "You could stay below deck. No one should try to get on to our ship, so you'd be fine." He added. Besides, even if anyone did manage to board the Emerald, they certainly wouldn't last long enough to get to Ritsu.

Ritsu frowned at the suggestion. "Do you not think I'm ready?" He asked. Kisa had never doubted him before, was he starting now? Wasn't the whole point of this to get Ritsu ready for fighting and stealing and general pirate-ing? Was Ritsu suddenly not improving? Was he getting worse? Was this Kisa's way of telling him to buzz off without hurting his feelings?

"I think you'd be perfectly fine, but only if you managed to not freak out." Kisa said. Ritsu was still young, but Kisa had been just as young when he started helping his father with plundering ships, so Kisa was sure that Ritsu would be capable, but only if he didn't get in his own way. Ritsu had a tendency to psyche himself out and Kisa had a feeling it'd be worse in an actual fight. Such a lack of confidence would have detrimental consequences. "Are you confident enough in yourself not to panic when facing a real enemy?" He asked.

Unfortunately, Ritsu had to admit that Kisa had good reason to be worried. "I don't know." He said with a sigh. He and Kisa had continued their 'say-three-things-you-like-about-yourself' part of their lesson to try to improve Ritsu's confidence, but Ritsu didn't think it was helping (yet, he hoped that it eventually would). As Ritsu's confidence was right now he probably wasn't ready for a real fight.

"You should wait until you do know." Kisa reached out to gently pat him on the shoulder. "I don't doubt that you could do it, Richan, but if you doubt it then you'll get hurt."

"Do I have to decide now?" Ritsu asked. He wanted to help, but he also feared getting in the way or getting himself hurt like Kisa suspected he would.

Kisa shook his head. "No. And I won't question your decision either way. If you want to do it I won't stop you and if you feel like you aren't ready I won't make you."

Ritsu nodded, feeling some pressure alleviated from him because of Kisa's words. He knew this option wouldn't be there forever, he'd have to help out one day in order to earn his keep, but for now he was glad he could still just focus on getting better at swordplay.

"But let's keep training as if you are going to join us." Kisa smiled. "There will be no slacking on my ship!"

Unless you're the one slacking, Ritsu thought, trying to hide his amusement as he said, "Yes, Captain."

The colder the days got the more Masamune was reminded of his impending birthday. He'd be turning seventeen and that in itself was not special, rather it was more of a reminder that he only had a year until his song manifested.

Masamune did not know whether to dread or look forward to gaining said ability. In the past it was something he could not stand to think about, but now things were different. He had a goal to work toward, a person he was searching for, and such a talent could possibly be helpful in finding Ritsu.

However, there was the hunger and once he had his song there would be the pressing temptation to use it in ways that currently made him nauseous. Would things be different in a year from now? Would that disgust go away? Would his hunger turn into a monstrous desperation that he would not be able to resist? Would Ritsu ever be able to forgive him if he committed such an act? Would he be able to forgive himself? It was not something he wished to dwell on for too long. There was no point, seeing he could not change it. He would get his song whether he wanted to or not and his will would either break or be maintained. The only thing he could do was hope for the best and remind himself of the parts of humanity he had come to love. That love would have to be enough to stop him from ripping into said humanity with his teeth and talons.

Additionally, this year he would be completely alone. Unless he managed to find Ritsu before December twenty fourth-which he doubted he would due to his naturally negative outlook-for the first time since meeting Ritsu he would spend his birthday alone. He had gotten used to spending birthdays on his own, since most birthdays weren't important milestones for sirens, but after meeting Ritsu it had become another reason to spend time together. It had become another thing for Masamune to actually look forward to. To have that now taken away from him was depressing, to say the least. It made him wish his birthday wouldn't even come.

Maybe the universe would smile upon him and have mercy for once. Perhaps some divine power would decide to gift him with the ship Ritsu was located on as a birthday present, but Masamune sincerely doubted it. He didn't have that kind of luck.

Masamune attempted to steel his nerves. If he couldn't rely on luck, then he'd have to rely on his own determination and fierce focus. Nothing and no one was going to simply hand Ritsu over to him, not like how the fates once had. It was pure coincidence, maybe even destiny that they had met in the first place on that beach. There was no way Masamune would get so lucky twice. He had to put in the work to find Ritsu and he was nothing if not willing to do so.

"I think I'll stay below deck instead of joining you." Ritsu said a few days later, as much as it pained him to do so. Kisa and Hatori were beginning to discuss plans and courses of action with the crew as they were nearing their desired trade route and Ritsu figured he should decide now rather than just before boarding a merchant's ship.

Kisa smiled and nodded. "I understand, Richan." He said. Hatori had expressed his own concerns to the Captain in private about Ritsu joining them, along with a few other men, but Kisa had dismissed them, not only because he fully had faith in Ritsu but also due to the fact that in the end it was entirely up to Ritsu. He was a tad disappointed that Ritsu wouldn't be joining them, but he didn't let it show as he was sure this was for the best and he didn't want to influence Ritsu and accidentally change his mind. Besides! There'd be plenty of other opportunities in the future. This wasn't the first merchant's ship they'd be robbing and it certainly wouldn't be the last. They had only just started what was going to be a long journey on the sea for Ritsu. "But! You're not getting out of training." He said. "So, three things you like about yourself!"

Ritsu had started to try to come up with things the night before to say since he had come to expect this, but it was still very difficult for him. "I'm always trying to improve myself, I'm always willing to listen, and I'm a curious person which leads me to insane things like being on a pirate ship." He said with a sheepish laugh.

"That curiosity will probably lead you to a lot more places than just this ship." Kisa smiled. "Which is why I've gotta teach you how to fight! Curiosity doesn't come without its dangers, after all."

Ritsu nodded. "Yes, Captain." He raised his sword and Kisa did the same.

Masamune flew once the sun began to rise, getting an early start like usual. However, it was nearing the afternoon once he spotted not one, but two ships. He flew in closer, none of the humans present noticing him yet as he landed in the crows nest of one of the ships. He looked down and observed curiously. Whatever this was, it definitely wasn't a friendly exchange.

"Now, there doesn't have to be any bloodshed." One particularly young looking man said, holding a sword while smiling. "In fact, it would be much easier if you just handed everything you've got over. Then we'll be on our way and you get to go home to your families with all your limbs." He said.

"Like hell we're just going to hand everything over to you! Your type doesn't scare us none."

"That's unfortunate, I was really hoping we'd be able to see eye...to...eye." The man's words slowed down, noticing the strange shadow being cast on the deck of the ship. Slowly, the man looked up until he was looking directly at Masamune. His eyes widened at the sight of the siren and he stared. Masamune stared back.

The others followed the man's gaze to see what he had got distracted by and as expected there was a hostile reaction. More men drew their weapons and people backed away as much as they could from the mast where the crow's nest sat atop of. Masamune did not attempt to move from the crow's nest. Yet.

"Hello there!" The young man called out with a smile after getting passed his initial shock. "You're here to hunt, yes? I think we could help each other out, if that's the case."

Masamune raised an eyebrow and didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue to see if he'd have anything useful to say.

"You can have the people on this ship, if I can have the items on this ship. I think that's pretty fair, don't you agree boys?" The young man regarded the others who stood by his side. These men did not respond, rather they were watching Masamune closely with their weapons at the ready. The other people-the ones who this man was offering up-were quite vocal in their protests.

Pirates, Masamune thought with a frown. He'd come across a few here and there during his travels and they were always less than pleasant to deal with. "I'm not interested in the people. I'm looking for one person." He corrected, gliding down to land on the deck of the ship.

"And who is that?" The man continued to smile, which Masamune found a bit unnerving, but he tried not to let it show. He moved closer, trying to appear intimidating.

"A boy. His name is Oda Ritsu. And if anyone here knows anything about him I suggest you tell me unless you do not value your life." Masamune said, an edge entering his voice.

The young man sized Masamune up for a moment and took a step forward as well. "And if I did know anything about an Oda, what would be in it for me?"

Masamune gritted his teeth. Pirates were so annoying, so greedy. "What would be in it for you is that I wouldn't kill you and all of your men!"

He took another step forward. "Then why don't you make me?"

Masamune blinked and tried to ignore the rush of deja vu. Ritsu had said something similar to him when they'd first met and Masamune was insistent that he leave. "What?"

"Captain…" Another man who was more serious looking spoke up, sounding unsure.

"Make me tell you about this 'Oda' you're looking for. Or make me jump into the ocean. Sing your little song and make me dance." This 'captain' took another step forward and this time Masamune took a step back, however he let his talons grow.

"Tell me what you know or stop wasting my time!" Masamune shouted.

"You're the one wasting my time. In case you couldn't tell, I'm in the middle of a business transaction." The Captain gave a sickeningly sweet smile before looking up at the sky. "It doesn't seem like you have any friends to help you out either. And as you can see I have plenty of friends. You're not exactly in any position to be making demands." He continued. "Plus, I don't know anything about this 'Oda' you're looking for. So you should fly off before I cut off those wings and sell them for a nice profit. I'm sure a siren's wings would go for a lot."

Masamune couldn't help but to tense up at the threat. He backed up more, but his talons did not recede.

"Well?" The captain raised an eyebrow and watched the siren with impatience. "If we're done here, I'd like to get back to...negotiating with my new friends." His smile returned.

Masamune wanted to punch that stupid smile off his face. "If you know something and you're not telling me…" He trailed off, glaring harshly at the human.

"I've never met anyone named Oda in my life and you'll just have to take my word for it, seeing that you won't sing and make me tell the truth." The captain said. "Or maybe it's not that you won't, it's that you can't."

Masamune noticed the other humans who were watching the exchange were getting a little braver, beginning to move toward him as well. Their steps were still hesitant, but the fact that they were taking steps at all was not a good sign.

This isn't working, Masamune thought with a slight spike of panic going through him. He had to leave and he had to leave now lest these humans decide to team up to tie him down and try to make some sort of profit off him. The siren took flight before anyone could get within grabbing distance of him, not willing to take that chance seeing as his line of questioning hadn't been getting anywhere anyway.

The captain turned back to the merchants with a cold smile. "Now, where were we?"

"No one is to tell Ritsu about our encounter with the siren, am I understood?" Kisa asked after he and his men had finished loading their ship with stolen goods. "This is a direct order from your Captain and any violation of it will not be tolerated and will be punished." Ritsu was still below deck, waiting anxiously for someone to tell him the results of their most recent plundering.

"Captain." Hatori started with a frown. "This is much bigger than we thought it was. That kid isn't just royalty, but he's got a siren tracking him down."

"No, that siren was looking for an Oda, if you remember correctly." Kisa smiled tensely.

"Do you really think it's a coincidence that a siren is looking for a young boy named Ritsu? And that the Ritsu on our ship happened to befriend a siren in the past?" Hatori asked with his arms crossed.

"I don't want Ritsu hearing about this." Kisa reiterated instead of answering the question. "Besides, that siren was a kid himself. He wasn't capable of doing any damage, if he was then he would have killed me the second I started mouthing off to him. We're fine. As far as that siren knows, we don't know an Oda because we don't, so there's nothing to worry about."

"Then why can't we tell Ritsu?" Hatori asked.

"Because I said so."

"Captain." Hatori frowned.

"Well, it's just like you said. Ritsu befriended a siren in the past, but it obviously didn't end well. I don't want to bring up any bad memories for him." Kisa said.

"And you don't want to freak him out by telling him a siren is hunting him."

"He was looking for an Oda."

"Captain, don't be purposefully ignorant." Hatori said.

Kisa sighed. "What would you gain in telling him? The only thing it would accomplish is frightening him and there's no need for him to be frightened because with a little luck we will never see that siren again." He said. "We don't have an Oda here, we told him that we don't, so he has no reason to return. You'd be scaring Ritsu for nothing. And if that's not a good enough reason for you not to tell Ritsu, or for anyone else for that matter, then the fact that it is an order from your Captain should be enough." With that as the final word, Kisa left to go below deck and speak with Ritsu himself.

Ritsu was pacing, unable to sit and relax. After all, anything could go wrong! The Emerald could get taken over, Hatori could be held hostage, Kisa could get stabbed, the whole ship could sink! Ritsu was seriously starting to reconsider this 'being a pirate' thing. He didn't know if his heart would be able to take all these potential worse case scenarios. However, he let out a breath of relief once Kisa came into sight.

"Everything okay?" Ritsu asked, trying to sound casual, but failed as he was clearly wound up entirely too tight.

Kisa smiled brightly. "Everything is perfect, Richan! We got what we came for and didn't lose any men! An all around win for us."

"And no injuries either?"

"Nope. Those merchants had stupidly not hired any muscle, which made it all the more easier for us to push them around." Kisa said. "They tried to act tough, but it didn't take much to get them to fold."

Ritsu began to regret not joining them as it sounded like it would have been a good first experience for him, but as they say, foresight is twenty-twenty.

"Do you think you'll join us next time?" Kisa asked.

"Maybe." Ritsu said. "I'd really like to. I just hope I'm ready by then."

"You already are ready, Richan." Kisa said.

"But I haven't even beaten you yet!" Ritsu pointed out.

"Yeah, but I'm not just any other enemy." Kisa said with a proud smile, puffing out his chest a bit and putting his hands on his hips. "You can't take on me, but you can definitely take on these other idiots on the ocean."

Ritsu should have found the hubris annoying, but instead he fought back a smile of amusement. "I think I should wait till I can beat you anyway. Just so I can feel extra sure."

"Alright, if you say so, Richan. Though, I don't know how you didn't get totally bored to death down here." Kisa said dramatically.

Ritsu smiled and shrugged. "I managed." He said as if he hadn't been on the verge of panicking the entire time.

"Well, let's go up! I wanna show you what we got!" Kisa said, throwing an arm around his shoulders and leading him toward the upper deck.

Ritsu followed happily, quite curious and excited to see what the pirates had managed to get. He was also glad to know that the encounter had gone over smoothly with no complications.

Yes.

No complications whatsoever.