My Sailor Man
By: Reall-Goodchild
Chapter One: An Adventure Waiting to Happen
The small seaside town was teaming with life. The Sally Anne had returned from a particularly long expedition that day and a celebration had been planned. There was music and dancing and drinking and laughter. Merchants had taken advantage of the occasion and set up some booths full of goods to buy.
One girl sat away from the crowd, on a bench in front of a small cliff leading to the beach. Ayame was looking out at the ocean, holding a locket she had received for her 16th birthday. It had been her mothers and it contained a picture of her parents. She merely sat on the bench stiffly, ignoring the world thinking about anything and everything that crossed her mind. Her hair was up in its usual fashion, her eyes adorned in a light pink eye shadow. She was wearing pink dress and pink high heels.
She was no longer a 13-year-old girl. She was now a 19-year-old young woman who spent her days in the clouds. Everyone in town knew of her wandering mind. She was always daydreaming, but no one knew what she would dream about. Not even her grandfather. She told no one, no matter how much they asked.
A young man stood beside her. "Is this seat taken?" He asked, gesturing to the empty space on the bench. She didn't answer. "Excuse me?" He cleared his throat, trying to break the girl out of her trance, but he could tell by the blank look in her eyes that she was gone. He sighed and sat down beside her anyways. He looked out at the horizon. "Ayame?" He said looking at her after a good 2 minutes of complete silence.
Finally, Ayame snapped out of her trance and turned her attention to the man beside her. Instantly straightened up her already stiff posture and a blush formed on her cheeks. "K-Kouga! W-when did you get here?" She stuttered, trying to hide her blush.
Kouga chuckled at her flustered state. That was the usual response he got from her. "How long have I been sitting here?" He repeated her question. "Oh, about 5 minutes now."
She blushed harder, turning her head trying to hide the fact. "Oh" She said quietly.
"I came to see if you were ok, you seen a little distant." He said, his voice sounding only mildly concerned. "You haven't even come over and said hello to any of the sailors yet."
"I don't like large crowds that much," She explained in a timid voice.
"Well, if you'd rather be alone, I can..." He started.
"No, no, it's ok," She said, shaking her head and smiling. "I enjoy your company."
There was a long comfortable silence between the two as they sat watching the sunset in the ocean. "So how was it?" She asked finally.
"How was what?" He inquired.
"The voyage." She stated, giving him a small smile.
"Oh that! It was all right. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Pretty routine." He said with a shrug.
"That's good," She nodded turning back to water. "I guess."
"What's that tone for?" He asked, cracking a smile at the hint of disappointment in her voice.
"Don't you ever wish that something exciting would happen on one of your expeditions?" She asked. "You know some whirlwind adventure that would be told for years and years. That you could tell your children and they could tell their children and their children's, children."
Kouga shrugged. "Sometimes." He said, thinking about it. "But then again that would involve unnecessary risk."
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Ayame stated, knowingly.
"You truly are a dreamer Ayame." He chuckled.
"Is that a bad thing?" She asked, looking a little hurt.
"Not always," He reassured her. "But sometimes its good to live in the real world." He stood up and began to walk back to the celebration.
"Wait! What's that supposed to mean?" She called after him.
"Never mind." He called back.
She watched him over her shoulder for a minute as her joined a group od his friends, all dressed in identical white sailor uniforms. She turned back to the ocean view after a a few seconds. 5 minutes passed before she slowly stood. Taking one last look and the still lively celebration, she turned to head home but walked right into someone. She backed away, apologizing to the person. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw who it was.
"Good evening, Miss Ayame." The man said to her. His hair was long, black and untamed, his eyes a devilish red. He like most of the other men, was wearing a white sailors uniform.
"Naraku," She said in a voice akin to hatred.
Naraku held out a hand to her. "Care to join me for a dance?" He asked.
Ayame turned her face in disgust from the hand. "No thank you, I was just-" She was cut off as he grabbed her hand practically dragging her towards the crowd of people dancing. "Let go of me!" She whined, struggling to free herself from his grasp but to no avail.
He stopped near the centre of the dance floor and pulled her close to him with one arm while the other held her hand upwards in the traditional pose. "Now, now, no need to fight." He purred, showing not sign of effort against her struggles.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"Oi Kouga!" A tall man with short black hair called out to his comrade. Kouga moved to his friend who was smirking. "It looks like Naraku is moving in on your territory..." The man sniggered, pointing at Naraku and Ayame dancing in the crowd.
He growl subconsciously. "What do you mean my territory?" He asked.
The black haired man raised and eyebrow. "It's not a secret about you and Ayame, everyone knows you two have feelings for each other." The man stated simply.
"What!?" Kouga snapped. "I-I do not!"
His friend gave him a flat look. "Sure you don't." He rolled his eyes before walking away to talk to a group of young ladies.
Kouga huffed, closing his eyes in annoyance. "I don't." Slowly one eye snake open, watching Ayame struggle against the 26-year-old man. He let out an annoyed sigh and marched over to the dancing 'couple'. He placed a hand on Naraku's shoulder, turning him to face him.
"Can I help you, Ookami?" Naraku said, his arm slipping from Ayame who watched in surprise.
Kouga swiftly brought his closed fist across Naraku's cheek, sending the dazed man backwards from the force of the punch. Ayame gasped, as did a few others, while the drunken older sailors let out cheers. Naraku was a popular man to say the least.
Naraku pushed Himself up, spitting out some blood and wiping his chin. He glared and the young sailor who had hit him. Just as quick as Kouga had punched him, Naraku punched Kouga in the stomach. The two began to fight, both getting significantly bruised and bloodied up before a few sober sailors pulled them apart.
"This isn't over!" Naraku declared before storming off.
Kouga looked up after him. He had been brought to the ground to stop him from continuing the fight. He had a black eye and his hair had been pulled out of his ponytail. His lip was swollen and cut as well. Everyone gawked at the injured man for a minute before Ayame's grandfather came over with a first aid kit. "Ayame, take this and clean the boy up." He commanded, handing her the kit.
Ayame blinked at Kouga before nodding and rushing to his side. She grabbed his arm as he got up and pulled him up the hill to her house.
She led him a couch in the den and sat him down. "Stay here." She said before rushing out of the room. She appeared back in a second holding a bowl full of water and a cloth. She placed the bowl on the table and sat down beside the Kouga. She leaned over, taking the cloth and dipping it into the water. "This might hurt," She warned before dabbing the gash on his swollen lip. Kouga winced as she slowly washed the wound.
They were silent as she tended to him. Once she finished, she placed the cloth back in the bowl and sat back, looking at him quizzically.
"What?" He asked, his patience thin.
"Why?" She asked, blinking at him.
"Why what?"
"Why did you attack him?" She repeated.
Kouga shrugged. "I dunno."
"Was it because he was forcing me to dance with him?" She asked timidly.
"Maybe..." Kouga replied uncomfortably.
She nodded, remaining silent for a minute. "Kouga?" She whispered.
"Hm?" He answered lazily.
"Thank you."
"Forget it," He said standing up. "Thanks for cleaning me up." With that he left the house, heading back down to party.
Ayame watched him walk down the road through the window. "Don't mention it," She whispered quietly, before cleaning up.
The next morning, nearly 10 am, Kouga along with several other sailors were unloading the boat. Kouga stood up after placing a box on the ground and wiped sweat from his brow. As he did so he noticed the figure of a young woman with red hair walk past the docks on her way to town. He watched her pass, oblivious to his friend watching him in amusement.
"That's right Kouga." The man said chuckling as he clapped a hand on Kouga's shoulder. "You don't have any feelings for her what so ever."
Kouga glared at his friend out of the corner of his eye. "Shut up, Riku!" He said pushing Riku's hand off his shoulder.
"Don't worry I won't tell anyone..." Riku joked heading back into the ship.
"I don't have feelings for her!" He yelled at Riku's receiting form. Kouga sighed, following his comrade.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Ayame stopped when she heard Kouga yell and turned to see whom he was yelling at. She watched him enter the ship. Shaking her head she continued walking into town. She passed the town square where the party had been the night before. People who had volunteered were cleaning up. On woman stopped and smiled at her, calling her over. "Hey Ayame!" She called.
Ayame smiled at her friend. "Hello Kagome." She said walking towards the raven-haired girl with brown eyes.
"I heard about what happened last night," Kagome said with a sly smile.
"Heard about what?" Ayame asked confused.
"Kouga and Naraku fighting over you." Kagome giggled.
"Oh that..." Ayame said blushing.
"I told you Kouga liked you," Kagome said cheerfully.
Ayame glanced back towards the docks. "I don't know... I think he just did it because he saw me struggling to get away from Naraku and took pity on me."
"Oh Ayame, your so pessimistic." Kagome brushed off the comment. "If he was just taking pity on you than he would have just asked you to dance to get you away from Naraku, not go up and punch the guy like he did."
"I dunno... I still don't think he likes me in that way." Ayame said, scratching the back of her head.
Kagome shook her head at her friend. "Oh Ayame, you're hopeless." Ayame shrugged. "Anyways, Me and Sango are planning to go to Haku's Pub tonight, would you like to come?"
"Sure!" Ayame said happily. "It's been a long time since the three of us had a get together. I hardly see you anymore."
"Well than, I'll see you tonight." Kagome said turning back to her work.
"See you," Ayame waved heading to the market to pick up some meat for that nights dinner.
Ayame stepped into the house, soaking wet. Her purple sundress sticking to her uncomfortably and beginning to go see through. It had suddenly begun to pour on her way home. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to warm herself up. She placed the bag down on the first step and headed up the stairs to bedroom to dry off and change.
As she reached the top she turned to the left only to see Kouga there, coming out of the washroom. The two stopped dead.
"K-Kouga w-w-what are you d-doing here?" She sputtered her usual greeting.
Kouga opened his mouth to respond but closed it turning away blushing after seeing her almost see through dress clinging to her body.
Ayame looked down at herself and gasped, wrapping her arms around herself to hide her body. "Excuse me," She squeaked rushing past him and into her bedroom. Once inside, she removed the drenched dress, grabbed a towel and quickly dried herself, the blush still on her cheeks. Once dry enough, she opened her closet and took out a yellow dress and slipped it on.
She then exited her room and headed back down the stairs, picking up the meat before heading into the kitchen. She entered the kitchen placing the meat on the counter. She noticeably blushed as she saw Kouga speaking to her grandfather.
"Ah, Ayame, I hope you didn't get too wet out there." Her grandfather commented, looking out the window to see the miserable weather. Kouga blushed, looking away.
"Uh... No, not to bad." She lied, pulling out the meat.
"Now, Kouga I guess you're wondering why I asked you here." The old man said, turning his focus back to the young man in front of him, who nodded. Ayame listened, but showed no signs of doing so. "I want your opinion on this next 'mission' if you will."
"Mission?" Kouga asked raising an eyebrow. "You make it sound like some sort of dangerous adventure."
"Well, it could be." The old man continued. "I planning on sending you back to Black Rock, but I've heard rumours..."
"Rumours?" Kouga asked curiously.
"Yes, it's been said that there are pirates in the area," The old man said. "No one knows why, but I want to find out."
"So you'll be sending us there to talk to the pirates?" Kouga stated, sounding less than convinced.
"No," Ayame's grandfather chuckled. "You'll first see if there are in fact pirates, than find out by any means possible why they are there."
"I see," Kouga nodded, though he sounded even less convinced than before.
"Ayame," The old man called out suddenly to his granddaughter.
Ayame jumped hearing her name and turned around quickly. "Y-yes grandfather?"
"What do you think?" He asked.
"About what?" Ayame said, trying to cover up the fact that she had been listening in on the whole conversation.
"Don't give me that, I know you were listening," The old man said with a pleasant smile.
Ayame blushed. "Well, I hate to say this but..." She trailed off.
"But what?" Kouga interjected
"But it sounds a little out there... even to me." She said, shifting uncomfortably under the two men's gaze.
"Do you feel the same way Kouga?" Her grandfather asked the man sitting at the table with him. Kouga nodded hesitantly. "Hm... Well than, I won't make anything final for now, but the option is still there." With that the old man stood up and left, leaving Kouga and Ayame alone.
There was a long silence between the two before Ayame turned and began to prepare lunch. "Will you be joining us for lunch this afternoon?" She asked as she took out various supplies.
"Uh... no, no. I should be getting back to the docks." Kouga said standing up and pushing in his chair. "Have a nice day Ayame."
"Good bye." Ayame waved as he left the room, heading for the front door.
Once she heard the sound of the front door closing, she sighed and sat down at the table, putting her chin in her hands. "I knew you did like me," She said to herself.
"Who are you talking to Ayame?" Her grandfathers gravely voice came from behind her making her jump.
"Grandfather," She exclaimed, getting out of the chair and straitening out her dress. "I was... uh... just getting ready to make lunch."
Her grandfather sighed and placed a hand on her arm. "Ayame, I only want you to be happy." He said with a warm smile. "Please tell me who it is that you were speaking of."
Ayame blushed. "I-I was talking about... uh... um... Never mind, it's nothing." She said, turning back to her cooking.
Her grandfather sighed in defeat and nodded. "Well, I must be getting down to the docks," he said.
"Aren't you staying for lunch?" She asked.
"No, don't worry about me." He said walking over and giving her a peck on the cheek. "I'll be back before supper."
Once again Ayame heard the front door close. She sighed, being alone in the large house. Sometimes she was just so lonely. She was getting to that age where she should find a nice man and get married and have kids, but only one man in the small seaside village caught her eye. And that man was one who she thought did not return her feelings. She abandoned her cooking, not being particularly hungry herself and went up to her bedroom to retrieve a book. She would curl up on the swinging chair on the porch with a nice harlequin romance.
A/N: Ok there's chapter 1! yay! I hope you all like it. It's good and long, as I hope all the chapters will be! So that's all for now. Review Please!!
By: Reall-Goodchild
Chapter One: An Adventure Waiting to Happen
The small seaside town was teaming with life. The Sally Anne had returned from a particularly long expedition that day and a celebration had been planned. There was music and dancing and drinking and laughter. Merchants had taken advantage of the occasion and set up some booths full of goods to buy.
One girl sat away from the crowd, on a bench in front of a small cliff leading to the beach. Ayame was looking out at the ocean, holding a locket she had received for her 16th birthday. It had been her mothers and it contained a picture of her parents. She merely sat on the bench stiffly, ignoring the world thinking about anything and everything that crossed her mind. Her hair was up in its usual fashion, her eyes adorned in a light pink eye shadow. She was wearing pink dress and pink high heels.
She was no longer a 13-year-old girl. She was now a 19-year-old young woman who spent her days in the clouds. Everyone in town knew of her wandering mind. She was always daydreaming, but no one knew what she would dream about. Not even her grandfather. She told no one, no matter how much they asked.
A young man stood beside her. "Is this seat taken?" He asked, gesturing to the empty space on the bench. She didn't answer. "Excuse me?" He cleared his throat, trying to break the girl out of her trance, but he could tell by the blank look in her eyes that she was gone. He sighed and sat down beside her anyways. He looked out at the horizon. "Ayame?" He said looking at her after a good 2 minutes of complete silence.
Finally, Ayame snapped out of her trance and turned her attention to the man beside her. Instantly straightened up her already stiff posture and a blush formed on her cheeks. "K-Kouga! W-when did you get here?" She stuttered, trying to hide her blush.
Kouga chuckled at her flustered state. That was the usual response he got from her. "How long have I been sitting here?" He repeated her question. "Oh, about 5 minutes now."
She blushed harder, turning her head trying to hide the fact. "Oh" She said quietly.
"I came to see if you were ok, you seen a little distant." He said, his voice sounding only mildly concerned. "You haven't even come over and said hello to any of the sailors yet."
"I don't like large crowds that much," She explained in a timid voice.
"Well, if you'd rather be alone, I can..." He started.
"No, no, it's ok," She said, shaking her head and smiling. "I enjoy your company."
There was a long comfortable silence between the two as they sat watching the sunset in the ocean. "So how was it?" She asked finally.
"How was what?" He inquired.
"The voyage." She stated, giving him a small smile.
"Oh that! It was all right. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Pretty routine." He said with a shrug.
"That's good," She nodded turning back to water. "I guess."
"What's that tone for?" He asked, cracking a smile at the hint of disappointment in her voice.
"Don't you ever wish that something exciting would happen on one of your expeditions?" She asked. "You know some whirlwind adventure that would be told for years and years. That you could tell your children and they could tell their children and their children's, children."
Kouga shrugged. "Sometimes." He said, thinking about it. "But then again that would involve unnecessary risk."
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Ayame stated, knowingly.
"You truly are a dreamer Ayame." He chuckled.
"Is that a bad thing?" She asked, looking a little hurt.
"Not always," He reassured her. "But sometimes its good to live in the real world." He stood up and began to walk back to the celebration.
"Wait! What's that supposed to mean?" She called after him.
"Never mind." He called back.
She watched him over her shoulder for a minute as her joined a group od his friends, all dressed in identical white sailor uniforms. She turned back to the ocean view after a a few seconds. 5 minutes passed before she slowly stood. Taking one last look and the still lively celebration, she turned to head home but walked right into someone. She backed away, apologizing to the person. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw who it was.
"Good evening, Miss Ayame." The man said to her. His hair was long, black and untamed, his eyes a devilish red. He like most of the other men, was wearing a white sailors uniform.
"Naraku," She said in a voice akin to hatred.
Naraku held out a hand to her. "Care to join me for a dance?" He asked.
Ayame turned her face in disgust from the hand. "No thank you, I was just-" She was cut off as he grabbed her hand practically dragging her towards the crowd of people dancing. "Let go of me!" She whined, struggling to free herself from his grasp but to no avail.
He stopped near the centre of the dance floor and pulled her close to him with one arm while the other held her hand upwards in the traditional pose. "Now, now, no need to fight." He purred, showing not sign of effort against her struggles.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"Oi Kouga!" A tall man with short black hair called out to his comrade. Kouga moved to his friend who was smirking. "It looks like Naraku is moving in on your territory..." The man sniggered, pointing at Naraku and Ayame dancing in the crowd.
He growl subconsciously. "What do you mean my territory?" He asked.
The black haired man raised and eyebrow. "It's not a secret about you and Ayame, everyone knows you two have feelings for each other." The man stated simply.
"What!?" Kouga snapped. "I-I do not!"
His friend gave him a flat look. "Sure you don't." He rolled his eyes before walking away to talk to a group of young ladies.
Kouga huffed, closing his eyes in annoyance. "I don't." Slowly one eye snake open, watching Ayame struggle against the 26-year-old man. He let out an annoyed sigh and marched over to the dancing 'couple'. He placed a hand on Naraku's shoulder, turning him to face him.
"Can I help you, Ookami?" Naraku said, his arm slipping from Ayame who watched in surprise.
Kouga swiftly brought his closed fist across Naraku's cheek, sending the dazed man backwards from the force of the punch. Ayame gasped, as did a few others, while the drunken older sailors let out cheers. Naraku was a popular man to say the least.
Naraku pushed Himself up, spitting out some blood and wiping his chin. He glared and the young sailor who had hit him. Just as quick as Kouga had punched him, Naraku punched Kouga in the stomach. The two began to fight, both getting significantly bruised and bloodied up before a few sober sailors pulled them apart.
"This isn't over!" Naraku declared before storming off.
Kouga looked up after him. He had been brought to the ground to stop him from continuing the fight. He had a black eye and his hair had been pulled out of his ponytail. His lip was swollen and cut as well. Everyone gawked at the injured man for a minute before Ayame's grandfather came over with a first aid kit. "Ayame, take this and clean the boy up." He commanded, handing her the kit.
Ayame blinked at Kouga before nodding and rushing to his side. She grabbed his arm as he got up and pulled him up the hill to her house.
She led him a couch in the den and sat him down. "Stay here." She said before rushing out of the room. She appeared back in a second holding a bowl full of water and a cloth. She placed the bowl on the table and sat down beside the Kouga. She leaned over, taking the cloth and dipping it into the water. "This might hurt," She warned before dabbing the gash on his swollen lip. Kouga winced as she slowly washed the wound.
They were silent as she tended to him. Once she finished, she placed the cloth back in the bowl and sat back, looking at him quizzically.
"What?" He asked, his patience thin.
"Why?" She asked, blinking at him.
"Why what?"
"Why did you attack him?" She repeated.
Kouga shrugged. "I dunno."
"Was it because he was forcing me to dance with him?" She asked timidly.
"Maybe..." Kouga replied uncomfortably.
She nodded, remaining silent for a minute. "Kouga?" She whispered.
"Hm?" He answered lazily.
"Thank you."
"Forget it," He said standing up. "Thanks for cleaning me up." With that he left the house, heading back down to party.
Ayame watched him walk down the road through the window. "Don't mention it," She whispered quietly, before cleaning up.
The next morning, nearly 10 am, Kouga along with several other sailors were unloading the boat. Kouga stood up after placing a box on the ground and wiped sweat from his brow. As he did so he noticed the figure of a young woman with red hair walk past the docks on her way to town. He watched her pass, oblivious to his friend watching him in amusement.
"That's right Kouga." The man said chuckling as he clapped a hand on Kouga's shoulder. "You don't have any feelings for her what so ever."
Kouga glared at his friend out of the corner of his eye. "Shut up, Riku!" He said pushing Riku's hand off his shoulder.
"Don't worry I won't tell anyone..." Riku joked heading back into the ship.
"I don't have feelings for her!" He yelled at Riku's receiting form. Kouga sighed, following his comrade.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Ayame stopped when she heard Kouga yell and turned to see whom he was yelling at. She watched him enter the ship. Shaking her head she continued walking into town. She passed the town square where the party had been the night before. People who had volunteered were cleaning up. On woman stopped and smiled at her, calling her over. "Hey Ayame!" She called.
Ayame smiled at her friend. "Hello Kagome." She said walking towards the raven-haired girl with brown eyes.
"I heard about what happened last night," Kagome said with a sly smile.
"Heard about what?" Ayame asked confused.
"Kouga and Naraku fighting over you." Kagome giggled.
"Oh that..." Ayame said blushing.
"I told you Kouga liked you," Kagome said cheerfully.
Ayame glanced back towards the docks. "I don't know... I think he just did it because he saw me struggling to get away from Naraku and took pity on me."
"Oh Ayame, your so pessimistic." Kagome brushed off the comment. "If he was just taking pity on you than he would have just asked you to dance to get you away from Naraku, not go up and punch the guy like he did."
"I dunno... I still don't think he likes me in that way." Ayame said, scratching the back of her head.
Kagome shook her head at her friend. "Oh Ayame, you're hopeless." Ayame shrugged. "Anyways, Me and Sango are planning to go to Haku's Pub tonight, would you like to come?"
"Sure!" Ayame said happily. "It's been a long time since the three of us had a get together. I hardly see you anymore."
"Well than, I'll see you tonight." Kagome said turning back to her work.
"See you," Ayame waved heading to the market to pick up some meat for that nights dinner.
Ayame stepped into the house, soaking wet. Her purple sundress sticking to her uncomfortably and beginning to go see through. It had suddenly begun to pour on her way home. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to warm herself up. She placed the bag down on the first step and headed up the stairs to bedroom to dry off and change.
As she reached the top she turned to the left only to see Kouga there, coming out of the washroom. The two stopped dead.
"K-Kouga w-w-what are you d-doing here?" She sputtered her usual greeting.
Kouga opened his mouth to respond but closed it turning away blushing after seeing her almost see through dress clinging to her body.
Ayame looked down at herself and gasped, wrapping her arms around herself to hide her body. "Excuse me," She squeaked rushing past him and into her bedroom. Once inside, she removed the drenched dress, grabbed a towel and quickly dried herself, the blush still on her cheeks. Once dry enough, she opened her closet and took out a yellow dress and slipped it on.
She then exited her room and headed back down the stairs, picking up the meat before heading into the kitchen. She entered the kitchen placing the meat on the counter. She noticeably blushed as she saw Kouga speaking to her grandfather.
"Ah, Ayame, I hope you didn't get too wet out there." Her grandfather commented, looking out the window to see the miserable weather. Kouga blushed, looking away.
"Uh... No, not to bad." She lied, pulling out the meat.
"Now, Kouga I guess you're wondering why I asked you here." The old man said, turning his focus back to the young man in front of him, who nodded. Ayame listened, but showed no signs of doing so. "I want your opinion on this next 'mission' if you will."
"Mission?" Kouga asked raising an eyebrow. "You make it sound like some sort of dangerous adventure."
"Well, it could be." The old man continued. "I planning on sending you back to Black Rock, but I've heard rumours..."
"Rumours?" Kouga asked curiously.
"Yes, it's been said that there are pirates in the area," The old man said. "No one knows why, but I want to find out."
"So you'll be sending us there to talk to the pirates?" Kouga stated, sounding less than convinced.
"No," Ayame's grandfather chuckled. "You'll first see if there are in fact pirates, than find out by any means possible why they are there."
"I see," Kouga nodded, though he sounded even less convinced than before.
"Ayame," The old man called out suddenly to his granddaughter.
Ayame jumped hearing her name and turned around quickly. "Y-yes grandfather?"
"What do you think?" He asked.
"About what?" Ayame said, trying to cover up the fact that she had been listening in on the whole conversation.
"Don't give me that, I know you were listening," The old man said with a pleasant smile.
Ayame blushed. "Well, I hate to say this but..." She trailed off.
"But what?" Kouga interjected
"But it sounds a little out there... even to me." She said, shifting uncomfortably under the two men's gaze.
"Do you feel the same way Kouga?" Her grandfather asked the man sitting at the table with him. Kouga nodded hesitantly. "Hm... Well than, I won't make anything final for now, but the option is still there." With that the old man stood up and left, leaving Kouga and Ayame alone.
There was a long silence between the two before Ayame turned and began to prepare lunch. "Will you be joining us for lunch this afternoon?" She asked as she took out various supplies.
"Uh... no, no. I should be getting back to the docks." Kouga said standing up and pushing in his chair. "Have a nice day Ayame."
"Good bye." Ayame waved as he left the room, heading for the front door.
Once she heard the sound of the front door closing, she sighed and sat down at the table, putting her chin in her hands. "I knew you did like me," She said to herself.
"Who are you talking to Ayame?" Her grandfathers gravely voice came from behind her making her jump.
"Grandfather," She exclaimed, getting out of the chair and straitening out her dress. "I was... uh... just getting ready to make lunch."
Her grandfather sighed and placed a hand on her arm. "Ayame, I only want you to be happy." He said with a warm smile. "Please tell me who it is that you were speaking of."
Ayame blushed. "I-I was talking about... uh... um... Never mind, it's nothing." She said, turning back to her cooking.
Her grandfather sighed in defeat and nodded. "Well, I must be getting down to the docks," he said.
"Aren't you staying for lunch?" She asked.
"No, don't worry about me." He said walking over and giving her a peck on the cheek. "I'll be back before supper."
Once again Ayame heard the front door close. She sighed, being alone in the large house. Sometimes she was just so lonely. She was getting to that age where she should find a nice man and get married and have kids, but only one man in the small seaside village caught her eye. And that man was one who she thought did not return her feelings. She abandoned her cooking, not being particularly hungry herself and went up to her bedroom to retrieve a book. She would curl up on the swinging chair on the porch with a nice harlequin romance.
A/N: Ok there's chapter 1! yay! I hope you all like it. It's good and long, as I hope all the chapters will be! So that's all for now. Review Please!!