Trapped in an Endless Waltz Ch. 2
(disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or claim it as my own. I am only inspired by the characters and write about them. After all, isn't that what fanfiction is? I write for others to enjoy! So please do!)
(UPDATED: 5/22/09)
Ameline was horror-stricken. She fearfully looked around at the chuckling men, making crude gestures and whistling at her. "What?" she finally gasped out, as words made their way to her tongue.
"Welcome aboard the Uzumaki, my dear Princess Ameline," he repeated again. With his mask gone, Ameline could see his charming blue eyes, but they were glistening devilishly. He had tricked her, and he was proud of the fact.
"This is a pirate ship..." Ameline whispered, reality hitting her hard. Only hours ago, she had been wondering what it would be like to be out at sea. How ironic she was now moving on the water. But she wasn't free.
"Return me to my home at once," Ameline said as calmly and regally as she could, but even she could hear the shakiness in her voice. "I came here on my own accord, and now I wish to return back to port."
The blue-eyed man smiled at her, and she felt sick to her stomach. It wasn't from being on the water; it was the gleam in his eyes and the words he said. "You aren't among royalty and the court anymore, Princess. You are among pirates, thieves, and scoundrels. You will submit to what we say now."
Ameline suddenly jumped forward as she felt rough hands touch her shoulders, someone breathing into her ear. But as she moved, another dark man was there to grab her around the waist, pulling her close. She shrieked, slapping his face and falling backwards. Ameline landed with a hard thud on the wooden floor, and she looked up in horror at the men surrounding her. They were all watching her with lustful eyes.
"Leave her alone!" a commanding voice boomed, and the crowd parted. Her deceiving rescuer was reaching down and grabbed her elbow.
"Don't touch me!" Ameline screamed, hitting him with her free arm. He seemed to be immune to her blows.
He silently led her towards the cabin door in the back of the ship. Ameline knew well enough that this was the captain's quarters. And since this was the Uzumaki, she was about to come face to face with the illusive Chousekino. Ameline could hear the crew mumbling and laughing with each other, no doubt discussing her.
The door opened, and Ameline was relieved to see that the cabin was empty. Perhaps the captain was somewhere on board, attending to some business. Her captor led her to a chair at the wooden table, pulling it out for her. "Sit," he said smoothly, his hand still firmly grasping her arm. He more or less made her sit down because he was holding her, or at least that's what Ameline felt like he had done.
When he let go of her arm, she drew it close to her body, rubbing at the red spot he had left. Ameline looked out the many windows that spread across the back of the cabin, and her heart was heavy at the sight of only water and a never-ending sea of stars. They were now far from land, and any chance of escape was gone.
Her conniving liberator sat down at the head of the table, placing one leg on top of the other on the table. Ameline could see a hole forming in the sole of his right boot, and the left sole was peeling away from the toe. And yet the rest of his outfit was clean and crisp, fooling her to believe he was a member of the court. She watched as he took of his hat, revealing a shimmering head of golden hair. He pulled at the ribbon that tied it back and his wavy hair fell free against his shoulders.
"What are you going to do to me?" Ameline asked nervously, but trying to keep her regal appearance.
He turned his blue eyes to her, a sly grin gracing his lips. "Nothing at the moment."
Ameline couldn't help but feel a wave of fear at his words. 'At the moment'? Did that mean something was going to happen later? "I demand to speak to your captain."
She could tell he was trying not to laugh. "What for? Chousekino isn't into striking bargains. He takes what he needs and gets what he wants. So erase any thoughts of making a deal with Chousekino. It won't happen."
"Then I want to ask him why I have been kidnapped." Ameline grasped her hands together in her lap to stop them from shaking.
"My dear Princess, you weren't kidnapped. Need I remind you that you boarded this ship of your own free will?" He picked up a fruit from a ceramic bowl on the table. Plucking a hidden knife from his boot, he began to peel the skin away. Ameline fought back the disgust of witnessing him using a dirty utensil.
"I did not know that you were pirates. I assumed you were..."
"Now you know what happens when you assume," he interjected. "But now that you are aboard this ship, it is my duty to make sure you stay safe and remain here."
"But what does your captain need me for?"
He plopped his feet back down on the ground, and he was suddenly standing over her, his hands grasping the armrests of her chair. His nose was practically touching her own, and Ameline suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
"Why must women ask so many questions?" he said slowly, his tone ragged. It appeared he was trying his best not to yell at her.
"I'll stop asking questions once you let me talk to your captain," Ameline said defiantly.
He pushed himself off her chair, nearly knocking her and the seat down to the floor. As it thudded back down against the floor in an upright position, Ameline was squeezing the seat tightly so not to fall off.
"Then speak, but stop asking the same questions."
Ameline frowned. "I want to speak to your captain."
"Are you that naïve, Princess?" he said agitatedly. He sat back down in his chair, but his feet remained on the floor this time. He bit into the fruit he had peeled.
"I don't understand," Ameline replied.
He scoffed at her. "I would have thought royalty was smarter. Do I have to spell it out for you, Princess? I am Chousekino, the captain of this ship."
Ameline felt completely flustered. She could feel the blood rush to her cheeks with embarrassment. "But you're so..."
"Dashing?" he interrupted. "Handsome? Cunning? Irresistible?"
Ameline furrowed her eyebrows. "I was going to say 'young,' but now I see you are arrogant and conceited."
She flinched as his hand suddenly slung towards her, stopping just inches from her quickly paled cheeks. "I will kindly remind you to watch your sarcasm, Princess. Next time I will not resist putting you in your place." His fingers brushed against her skin, and she cringed away from him, even though she was trapped in her seat by his presence.
"Well, Captain Chousekino," Ameline said, trying hard not to say it with malice, "what is it you want with me? I barely have any pull in the palace. You would have been better off kidnapping my brothers if it's a ransom you are after."
Chousekino moved away, but did not return to his seat this time. He was digging through a chest full of papers, reacting triumphantly as he pulled out a tattered map. "I do not wish for a ransom, Princess."
"My name is Princess Ameline Cornelia Saphile. I would request that you say my full name."
He looked at her as if she had just told him to stand on his head and jump off the plank. "Why in Poseidon's name would I use such a long name? You're on my ship, I'll call you whatever I like, Princess."
"Princess Ameline," she replied firmly.
Chousekino watched her for a silent moment before he grinned cunningly. "I was told you were reserved and behaved. I guess I was misinformed. You will prove to be a handful, Ami."
"Ami?" Ameline questioned, her hands gripping the skirt of her dress tightly. She did not want to show her fear when she was successfully putting up a brave front.
"That's what I will call you," Chousekino nodded, turning back to his ragged document. "I can't go about saying such a long name. I'm the only one on board with the most syllables in my name. It keeps it easier for the crew." Ameline heard the mocking tone in his voice as he sat back down in his chair. "Have you ever heard of the Isle of Caduceus?"
"A mythical land where the Roman god Mercury blessed the planet," Ameline replied matter-of-factly.
"Very good, Ami. I see that you haven't wasted your time roaming the gardens."
"I happen to be quite versed in the old literature," she quickly remarked, holding her chin up proudly.
But Chousekino didn't seem to be impressed. He had a look that hinted he knew something she did not. "I doubt you have heard of the stone Mercury left behind?"
"A stone made from the magical water he sprinkled on the surface? It doesn't exist. It's only a fairy tale told to children to put them to sleep." She eyed him critically. "Don't tell me you still believe in bed time stories?"
It happened all so fast. She saw his blue eyes draw closer, then felt the stinging pain of his hand against her face. The tears were already welling up in her watery eyes as she clasped her hand over her cheek.
"I warned you to watch your sarcasm," Chousekino said, sitting back down. "I'm glad to hear you know about the Mercury stone, but there is no need to mock me."
"There is no need to strike a woman," Ameline hissed, fighting back the sobs. She had never been hit before, and the reality of the pain was all too overwhelming.
"Perhaps that will teach you to hold your tongue in the presence of men. It would be wise of you to remember that, since you are the only female on board. My men will not take kindly to disrespect." Chousekino bit into his browning fruit, seemingly unaffected by his action. "Women should be seen and not heard. Just like children."
Ameline couldn't believe how her day was turning out. First a feeble attempt at suicide, then a grim engagement announcement. And just when she thought someone understood how she felt, Ameline only found him to be deceiving her, and was just like the rest of the men around her.
A knock on the door drew both their attentions. Chousekino looked over, and Ameline dropped her gaze into her lap, her hand still covering her sore cheek. "Come in," Chousekino called.
She heard footsteps and felt someone very tall pass by her. Ameline could sense his eyes on her, but they quickly turned away. He appeared by Chousekino's side. His hair was a large contrast to the captain's: short and black, tousled every which way. He stood above Chousekino, almost able to see over his captain's head if he so wished to.
"We're awaiting your coordinates, Cap'n," the man said, avoiding eye contact with Ameline. It seemed he was just as curious to her presence on the ship as she was.
"All right, then, Ni," Chousekino replied, folding his ragged map into his chest pocket. "Keep an eye on her, she's a wily one. Don't let her leave my cabin and don't let none of the men in here. We can't have her spoiled before hand." He bowed mockingly to Ameline, a coy grin aimed at her. "Sleep well, Ami."
As the door shut, Ameline couldn't resist the urge. She turned around in her seat and looked at the closed door, her hands squeezing the armrests. "Princess Ameline!" she glowered, although she knew he wouldn't hear her. Perhaps it was best: she couldn't take another mark on her cheek.
Ni, no doubt Chousekino's first mate, was standing by the seat his captain had previously been sitting in. His watchful dark eyes were glued to Ameline, and she tried to find something else to look at. But the eerie silence was driving a nail into the coffin she feared she would end up in.
"What are you looking at?" Ameline said silently, making sure to watch her tone. No doubt this pirate wouldn't resist striking her if she spoke rudely.
"That's a rather obvious question, milady. It's not every day there's a woman aboard the ship." He smiled at her, and Ameline was slightly relieved that it wasn't a toothless grin, like one of the other pirates who had tried to touch her.
"And why is that?" Ameline asked. If she couldn't get answers from her captor, perhaps she could charm it out of his second in command.
"A pirate ship isn't any right place for a proper lady like yourself to be, now is it?" He winked at her, and Ameline felt slightly uneasy.
"Then why am I here?"
Ni scratched the back of his head, ruffling his hair even more. "Well, I ain't all too sure of that myself. All the Cap'n says is that he needs you to find something."
Ameline furrowed her eyebrows, looking at him curiously. "Find something?" She couldn't imagine what he thought she knew. "If it's stealing from my father, then he's out of luck. I don't know where any of that is. All I can find for him is my petticoats."
Ni's eyes suddenly seemed to glimmer. "I don't think he'd mind if you showed him your petticoats. You'd be wise to keep them away from the rest of the crew, though." His eyes turned away from her, and Ameline turned to see several faces peeking in through the glass window on the door. They scurried away when she saw them. When she turned her head back, Ameline noticed the gleam in Ni's eyes. She wondered if she was safer in the cabin or out there with the crew.
"Where is it we're going?" Ameline asked, trying to obtain her regal composure.
"Don't rightly know, milady," Ni grinned, knowing full well this was not the answer she hoped for. "Only the Cap'n knows. I reckon it's pretty far, and the Cap'n's the only one who knows how to get there."
"So you are willingly traveling to Poseidon knows where by a man who says he knows where he's going?" Ameline, although somewhat naïve about the ways of men, knew full well that they valued their pride.
But Ni wasn't affected like she had wished. He frowned at her, his lower lip disappearing as if he was biting it in frustration. "The Cap'n is a good man, and I trust him with my life. I won't do with hearing anyone talk bad about him." He took a step forward, and Ameline instinctively flinched, throwing her hands up in front of her face.
But the blow didn't come. She peeked through her fingers at Ni, who was still frowning, but looked slightly more sincere. "I don't believe in hitting women, milady." His hand brushed against hers, and she let them fall down into her lap again. Ni kneeled down so that he was eye level with her. Ameline noticed that he had a small scar under his eye, which was almost hidden by his tan complexion. Another one ran across his left cheek. But despite these, his face was rather handsome. Not what Ameline pictured a pirate's to be.
"What's to happen to me?" Ameline asked, her voice now meek.
Ni looked at her with a straight face. "I can't say. I don't rightly know. But this I do: the Cap'n won't let anybody hurt a single hair on your pretty head." At that, he reached out and gently touched one of her curls, his fingers lightly touching her face. She blushed and pulled back, startled at such an affectionate touch.
"You're lucky you're my first mate, Ni. If it was any other man, I'd have their fingers cut off and inserted up their arse."
Ni straightened up quickly, facing his captain. "Of course, Cap'n."
Chousekino approached the back of Ameline's chair, and his arm rested atop it. He looked down at her, smiling devilishly. "Who knew I would have to use such an inquisitive woman?" he asked, directing it at Ni.
Chousekino touched the top of her head and she tried to move away. She heard him chuckle in amusement. "Rest well, Princess. You'll need your strength." He walked past her, tugging at a rope hanging from the wall. The wood lowered, revealing a large bed with red sheets and ragged blankets. "You'll stay in my bed, of course," Chousekino smirked, winking at her. "You may retire, Ni. I'll check on you later."
Ni left, ushering more crewmen away from the door as he shut it. Ameline frowned at Chousekino, who was standing by the bed. "I refuse to share a bed with a man who is not my husband."
Chousekino acted startled, but she could tell he was only toying with her. "Ami, I was not suggesting anything of the sort. You will simply sleep in my bed. Your delicate skin wouldn't require anything less. I'll be sleeping in that hammock over there." He pointed to the nearest corner, which Ameline noticed a netted bed hanging from the ceiling.
"It's not proper for a woman to sleep in the same room as a man if they are unwed."
Chousekino approached her again, his voice low and with that daring tone again he spoke. "We are not in the palace walls anymore, Princess. You are amongst thieves and scoundrels. You should feel relieved that I am offering you my bed to sleep in by yourself. Any other man would have you right now on it despite how much you fight it. Be glad that I show you such generosity, for if you take it for granted, you'll regret it."
That night Ameline couldn't sleep at all. The rocking of the ship was rather upsetting to her stomach, even when she curled up under the tattered quilts on the down mattress. She also was subconsciously bothered by Chousekino's presence. Even though he was sleeping, she feared that if she let her guard down, something terrible would happen to her.
She eventually slipped into an unsteady slumber, in which her dreams were troublesome. Ameline dreamed about a cave, where the walls were shimmering like crystal glass and something was calling to her. Just when she found it, a shadowed man took it from her, and she could only watch in horror as he hovered over her, laughing maniacally.