NEED

The more I read the old chapters…the more I realize how much I love you all for loving it because it was absolute garbage. XD Thanks for the support, seriously.

Chapter Five

Micha was bored. Adrian still hadn't told her about his past, but he was more and more interested in learning how to use a sword.

Warrick had picked up a trail and was pursuing it valiantly, while the crew worked hard keeping the ship together as they pressed forward after the scent.

The day was a dark one as Micha approached Adrian while he leaned against his mop.

"Hey," she said with a smirk. "In a learning mood?"

Adrian glanced up at her and raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry?"

Micha pulled a sword from behind her back and passed it to him. "Take a break. You have to learn something new. Gotta keep that brain of your stimulated or you'll rot away in old age."
Adrian chuckled, amused at her joke. She was the only one who poked fun at his age, being that she was also the youngest person on the ship at eighteen.

"Alright, then. Teach me how to use this, then, miss."

"Are you right or left handed?" she asked, leaving her own sword at her hip.

Adrian shrugged. "Left, I suppose." Micha nodded, sighing. "Darn. Well, we'll have to work together at this, then. Hold it with your left hand, with your thumb and index finger forming a 'v' when you have the hilt in your hand."

Adrian did as he was told and swung the sword around a bit.

"See how much leverage it gives you? Gives you room to screw up…and it's not hard on your wrists."

"Who taught you?" he asked, raising his eyebrow at her. For a kid, she knew a bit about swords that he was certain she didn't just recently learn about. She smiled secretively. "That's not for common knowledge just yet. Now pay attention."

She showed him a few of her own moves with her sword and had him copy her. "Good! Now, try and block my attack."

For the next half an hour, Micha taught Adrian how to properly wield his sword and use it to defend himself from her oncoming attacks.

He learned quickly, and she was pleased that she'd taught him so well.

"Maybe in a few days after some practice you can take on one of the guys," she suggested, earning a laugh from Adrian. "Doubtful, but I'll keep it in mind, miss."

"Good. Same time tomorrow, then," she said with a wink and walked off, leaving Adrian in the company of his mop.

--

John Silver surveyed the black abyss with sadness in his heart. He'd made a few stops, and had no luck. One tip had sent him to Kinapis, but the men at the dock had told him that the pirate ship had fled shortly before Silver's crew had arrived there.

Despite the fact that it angered him, Silver's heart was filled with hope. At least he was close. This had to mean something. They were catching up.

--

It was dark when Adrian found Micha on the bow of the ship, watching the skies for any sign of other ships that might be captained by a large cyborg.

"Hey," he greeted her. She turned to him with a half-smile and returned her gaze to the sky.

"What are you looking for?" he asked. She shrugged. "Something…"

"Or someone?" he asked, a glint of suggestion in his eyes.

"My grandfather, Adrian. He's somewhere out there and we're on this voyage to find him."

Adrian was stunned for a moment, not expecting that answer.

"Is he a pirate?"

"That he is. The best pirate that ever was."

Adrian narrowed his eyes. "You don't seem the type to come from a pirate family."

She shrugged and turned to him. "I don't. Silver's not my actual grandpa. I call him that, though, because he might as well be."

"Silver? John Silver?"

"You've heard of him?"

"I don't know who hasn't," Adrian replied, crossing his arms. From the shadows, Reiyll watched in fascination. What was this? Suddenly their cabin boy thought he could make moves on Micha? Micha had clearly been interested in him, as far as he was able to tell…or as far as only his eyes could see.

Perhaps she wasn't, but who cared if she wasn't. He said she was, and that was all that mattered. Adrian had no right to her.

"Well, we're looking for him…despite the fact that he's still running from the law."

"Why'd he leave?"

"He needed adventure. You know how pirates are. They don't stay chained down for long," she explained, turning her eyes back to the sky. "My parents died awhile ago…now I don't have anyone left besides my grandma."

"No siblings?" Adrian asked. She shrugged. "I have a brother, but I don't know where he is either."

"That sucks," he replied quietly. "I wished I'd had a brother."

"Only child, eh?" she questioned with a smile. "I didn't even know I had a brother until I was older anyway."

"Oh?" Adrian asked. Micha nodded. "Another story for another time. I'm beat…I'm going to bed." As she turned to walk away, she stopped and smiled back at Adrian. "Oh…by the way," she started. Adrian raised his eyebrows in question.

"You're dueling with Reiyll tomorrow. Hope you've been practicing."

"What?" he asked, generally shocked. She hadn't informed him of this!

"I have money riding on you. Don't disappoint me."

She walked away, leaving Adrian steamed on the bow.

--