Chapter 4: Hostage
Warm. It was very warm, that was the word that came to her mind when she woke up. Her face buried in the softness of a feather pillow that smelled sweet and clean. She snuggled deeper into the comfort of the silk sheets that surrounded her small frame. She couldn't believe how absolutely blissful she felt, lying there, fully content to just sleep the day away. Rolling over onto her side, she let her eyes open briefly to see how late she had slept in this morning. Upon opening her eyes however, she did not see the usual sight of her blue curtains and dawn-lit room. No, what she saw made the memories of the night before come flooding back to her, pulling her mind into the reality that was now.
Sitting next to the bed that she occupied, was the woman from last night. The one who had come to her, offering freedom only to swiftly take it back. Rei was her name, if Usagi's fuzzy memory was correct. The woman sat unmoving, her eyes closed, her long dark hair framing her blank face. It was a nice face, Usagi thought. Her features were noble and her skin darker than Usagi's own. There was a strength about her, even when she was sitting so still, so immovable. Staring at the woman's profile, Usagi noticed how the candle light cast a glow about her, adding to the power that she radiated. Her clothes were neat and precise, from her polished boots, her black breeches tucked into their tops, to her white blouse and spotless burgundy vest. A small dark choker adorned her neck; set in the middle was a single ruby, which could be a deep crimson or violet, she could not tell.
Usagi sat up slightly and cast her gaze around the room. The walls were illuminated by the orange glow of two candles, which were burning lowly now. Its decor matched that of the owner. Neat, clean, and just a tad dark. There was a crimson rug stretched across the floor, and a long table took up the far end of the room. It was covered with various documents and navigational tools, at least she assumed that was what some of them were. Usagi was no expert on nautical equipment and seafaring. The sheets in which she was rapped were deep red and very fine indeed. In fact, she spotted many an item of which one would pay a hefty price for. This woman obviously did not spare expense when it came to her personal comfort. The room was very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.
For some reason, Usagi wasn't as afraid or panicky as she had been the night before. It was as if having a good rest straightened out her mind, and allowed her to think clearly for the first time in weeks. Her eyes came to rest, again, on the raven-haired woman, who was now looking at Usagi, her features unreadable. Neither was surprised at the other's attention. Usagi noticed that her eyes were like the stone around her neck; neither crimson nor violet, but beautiful all the same.
"Did you sleep well Princess?" Her smooth alto voice broke the silence of the still room.
Usagi took her time in answering. "As well as any hostage could sleep aboard their enemies' ship...," she lied, "And you?"
The demon in front of her smiled, "I was not sleeping your highness."
"Then what do you call it?"
"I was meditating," she looked straight ahead of her, closing her eyes again, "Listening to my people."
Usagi was confused for a moment, but then she remembered exactly who was sitting next to her. This woman was a goddess as well "Oh," was her small statement.
"I'm not one to ignore them. It's actually quite soothing at times." She opened her eyes to regard Usagi again. "Do you not listen to your own people?"
Usagi hid her embarrassment quite well, for she felt like a child caught not washing her face, or studying her letters like she should. What was this though? Her enemy was calling her on what she should and shouldn't be doing? As a goddess, it was one of her responsibilities to listen to her people's thoughts and prayers. She had always thought that it was her mother's job, and so she had not reasoned that she should start doing it just yet. There was plenty of time in the future for those things.
"Your silence tells me that you do not." She looked disappointed, and for some reason this made Usagi feel small. Then this feeling was soon replaced with anger. Who was this woman to question her?
"It is none of your concern. What would you know anyway? You who have taken me from my home. Taken my freedom! Let me tell you this now. I will not be used as some pawn in your dirty scheme, and I would rather die than be used against my own mother and my people!" Her voice was ragged and forceful.
The brunette's eyes flashed in the candle light, and she stood abruptly from the chair she was sitting in. Usagi did not know whether she was in danger or not, but she certainly scooted away from the edge of the bed, farther away from the woman.
"Good." The word was simple, but held a finality to it. Like something had just been settled between them that Usagi didn't even know existed. What is that supposed to mean?
Usagi wore a confused expression as she asked, "Good? How is that good?"
"You are not my hostage."
"I am...not?"
"No. You are as free as you were when you slept soundly in your bed in Suen." She knelt on the floor in front of Usagi. "I will protect you in every way possible from my father and those who wish you harm. I have made it my duty to do so, for my people and many others depend upon you...and so, I pledge my loyalty and my life to you in hopes that you will help me in my quest to save our lands." She looked up at Usagi, a fire burning in her violet eyes. Violet, that is what they were, she was sure of it now. The emotion in those eyes moved her to want to accept whatever this woman offered, but then she rationalized with herself. This woman is my enemy, why would she want to protect me? This doesn't make any sense...is it a trick?
"I do not understand what you are proposing." Usagi tried to say calmly.
"Yes, it will be hard to explain, and even harder for you to accept, but you are the only one who can help us. You are the High Queen's daughter, the only one who can control them again." Her gaze was steady on Usagi. "You have the power within you."
Usagi shook her head. "Who arethey? Who do you want me to control?"
"Those whom my ancestors were given responsibility for so long ago. The ones who are causing so much trouble throughout the Kingdoms." Rei nodded at the look of shock on Usagi's face. "They have been set free, and now roam the lands under the control of a new hand. One that has strayed from its rightful path; it is my father's. He is the one who had you captured and brought to the King in Enlil. It's because he knows that you hold the power."
"Impossible." Usagi said, looking down at the silk sheets in front of her. That is not possible.
"Do not come to conclusions so fast, Highness. There is still much that needs explained."
Usagi looked up at her to protest that there was no need to explain, that it just couldn't happen, but was interrupted by a loud pounding on the door of the room. Rei's head jerked around as she strode quickly to the door and pulled it slightly ajar. "What!" she snapped.
A man's voice came from beyond the door. Usagi leaned forward a bit so that she could catch what he was saying. "Cap'n, Mam, it's Lady Minako, she sent me with much haste to fetch you. Got into a real spat with that woman you's told us to lock up in one of the spare rooms. There's a mighty fuss goin' on right now, and I reckon she can't handle that lass on her own. You'd do good to hurry down there right away."
Rei nodded at the man and sent him away. "Damn that woman, I warned her too." She sighed in exasperation and looked back over her shoulder at Usagi, who was now sitting up on the bed.
"Who is he talking about? You did not...you could not have brought Makoto aboard..."
Rei frowned, "That is none of your concern, Highness. She is a mortal who has become of some value to our plan, and it will do you no good to worry about her."
"I will worry for her! She saved me where you did not. I would never have made it to the docks if it were not for her, and you know it."
Rei's eyes flared with anger as her fists clenched and unclenched. "Excuse me if I had thought you competent enough to make it on your own. I was not aware that the future ruler of our Kingdoms was so weak. No wonder we're all falling apart." She turned on her heal to leave. Then stopped short of the door to lift two swords from a rack on the wall. Usagi's eyes widened at this, as she watched Rei strap them to her sides, leaving one unsheathed in her right hand.
"You are not going to hurt her, are you? Please do not hurt her!"
Rei didn't turn around to answer as she opened the door. "I can't make any promises," came her voice, through gritted teeth. Then she was gone, the door closing with a slam behind her.
Usagi sat in stunned silence as the minutes ticked by. She couldn't let anything happen to Makoto. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if the woman was hurt. Throwing the sheets off of herself, she bolted from the bed, yanking the door open and running out into the narrow hall.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Minako cringed when the man's head crashed into the solid wall. Ouch, that had to hurt. She wasn't exactly proud of herself and the situation that she had gotten into here. The brunette was making short work of the two men that she'd brought with her to buy some time until Rei arrived. The next man lunged at Makoto with a dagger. She pushed forward, dodging it and grabbing his arm just at the wrist. There was a pause in the action as she pulled him close, looking into his eyes. Minako jumped forward to help, but was too late as the sickening sound of bone snapping filled the hall. She felt sick. The tall woman had just broke his wrist with one hand, while swiftly unarming him with the other. Minako wasn't about to stick around to see if the woman was any good with a dagger, and almost stumbled over her feet as she turned to run.
She cried out in pain as her head was yanked backward suddenly by her hair. A strong arm encircled her waste and held her tightly while the feel of cold steel pressed against her throat. She stopped struggling at that. "And where might you be going?" came the voice next to her ear.
Shit, shit, shit. This isn't good. Well, technically it doesn't matter, but Rei said not to reveal my identity...and it's still gonna hurt if she cuts me dammit! Minako wasn't really sure what to do in this situation. She could try to get away, in the process possibly getting her throat cut which would be quite painful, though not very lethal in her case. After all, she was immortal.
"Now...now, I wanna see who's in charge," Makoto's voice didn't hold the same malice from a few minutes ago. It seemed tame and almost unsure. "So, where are they?"
"They're right here," said a firm voice in front of them.
Looking up with a smile, Minako saw Rei step into the hall and walk towards them. "Finally. What took you so long?"
Rei scowled at Minako. "You're such an idiot. I should've left you down here to get chopped up by this maniac. Didn't I warn you to be careful"
"You're so mean Rei."
"Hey! Stay back you!" Makoto took several steps back, and Rei stopped walking, keeping her sword lowered in front of her. Minako could feel Makoto's heavy breathing against her back and it almost felt as if she were shaking. "I don't want to hurt anybody else, but I will if I have to."
"You are in no position to threaten me." Rei gave her a sharp look.
Makoto's grip tightened around Minako. "I will not be chained again," she said forcefully. Minako was sure that the brunette was shaking now, she could feel the tremors as if they were her own.
"You will not be! Never!" Another voice entered the hall, and Rei shot around quickly to intercept her.
"What are you doing here? Go back right now!"
"You did not tell me to stay put, and I have been informed that I am not a hostage, so I do not see the problem." Usagi was standing very close to Rei, looking up at her, then she noticed the two beyond her. Her eyes went wide at the sight of them. "Makoto, what are you doing?"
"You, I remember you. Princess." Makoto's grip loosened on Minako slightly, just enough for her to know that she had a chance. She took that chance, bringing her elbow to meet Makoto's stomach with as much force as she could muster. The dagger dropped from her hand and she hunched over, releasing Minako. The blonde was pulled hastily away from Makoto by Rei, who pushed her over to where Usagi stood.
Rei moved forward towards Makoto, who was hunched over and leaning against the wall cursing in what seemed to be another language. Rei let the her sword come into Makoto's view. "That wasn't a very smart move. How far do you think you would have gotten exactly? I will not tolerate this kind of behavior."
"If you hurt her..." Usagi's voice was quiet, and Minako looked over at her and saw tears streaming down her face. "If you hurt her, I will not help you. I will not cooperate with you in any way. I will do nothing but merely take up space aboard this ship." She said it so strongly and with such determination that Rei turned to her with a look that told Minako that Makoto was not going to be harmed. Usagi was crying again, and clearly Rei was going to do anything she could to make her stop. Lowing her sword she turned away from Makoto.
"I will not chain you for now. You will, however, work aboard this ship. Become part of the crew for the duration of our voyage and harm no one else. You're behavior will determine whether you are to be chained again or not though. One false move and I will have you back in that room in no time." She looked over at the two blonds, "And she is still a hostage." Her tone broached no argument.
Makoto was sitting on the floor now, still holding her stomach with one hand. Usagi stepped past Rei and went to her. "Hey, don't go near her."
"Do not tell me what to do." Usagi countered.
"I'm the captain dammit!"
"I don't think she cares Rei," Minako was grinning as she watched Usagi bend down to look at Makoto. The two men who had been fighting Makoto were now helping each other down the hall. At Rei's command they were to go to the infirmary.
"Are you alright?" Usagi asked Makoto, in her sweetest voice. "You really did ask for that you know. It is never good to go pointing daggers at people."
"Well if some people wouldn't go around chaining people up then we wouldn't have a problem now would we?" she said sarcastically, glaring at Rei. "And yes, I'm fine, it'll take more than that to hurt me," she gave Usagi a feral grin, which the girl giggled at. Minako frowned as her stomach turned, and she looked over at Rei, who was gripping her sword rather tightly.
"I am truly sorry that I have gotten you mixed up in all this mess. Honestly, I will make it up to you somehow." Usagi bowed slightly to Makoto causing her to raise one eyebrow and throw a smirk in Rei's direction.
The sound of Rei's sword being slid loudly into her scabbard made pretty much all of the hall's occupants jump. She came up behind Usagi and pulled her up from the floor with one hand. "Goddesses do not bow to mortals. I want you to stay away from her. She's dangerous." Rei shot Makoto a withering look.
Usagi began protesting, Rei pulling her effortlessly down the hall as she went. "You will not tell me who I can and cannot speak with."
"I can and will tell you what I want. As long as I'm captain, you will do as I say because you're my responsibility now."
"I can take care of myself."
"Oh, you've sure proven that..." Rei was almost out of the hall, "If you fear for her safety so much, Highness, then you will stay away from her." It was a warning, as it was meant to be. If Usagi crossed Rei in any way, then it would fall on Makoto's head, not her's. "She's turning out to be of some use already." She looked back down the hall at Makoto, who was now standing. "It seems that we're short one oarsman now, as his arm is going to be out of commission for quite a while," she pushed Usagi out of the hall ahead of her, "But it looks like we've already found a replacement. Funny, if our wind hadn't been stolen, you wouldn't need to row. A bit ironic, isn't it, friend of my enemy. " And with that, the two were gone, Usagi's muffled protests fading away quickly.
Minako stood for a moment, looking after them. Rei could be very strict when she needed to, but Minako didn't see why she was being so to such an extent with Makoto. Did Rei feel threatened by Makoto in some way?
Behind her, Makoto coughed, "So, Haruka stopped the wind?"
Minako turned so that they were facing each other. "Yeah. That's what's got Rei so worked up. She usually isn't so cranky and demanding." Makoto was leaning against the wall and rubbing her wrist with one hand. Minako was glad to see that she wasn't holding her stomach anymore. "Something wrong with your wrist?"
At this Makoto looked down as if she just realized what she'd been doing. "Nah, just a habit." She stopped rubbing her wrist and looked back at Minako. "Anyway, let me make sure that I've got this straight okay."
"What's that?"
"You guys took me from my home and everything I had in life. You brought me aboard a ship, against my will, and chained me up. Now I'm to work aboard said ship, again, against my will. Oh, and all this is just so I can be used as a hostage against my best and just about only friend." She gave Minako a hard look. "I'm not too happy with this set up."
"I can see why..." Minako couldn't help but feel guilty. It annoyed her that this woman was so blunt about the facts. To tell the truth, she'd never had to deal with a hostage before, and she wondered if Rei had ever had this experience either. "But this is just how it is. There's no going back on any of this for any of us. You do know who Rei is, right?"
"The queen of all assholes."
Minako shook her head. "She is Lady Rei Enyo of the Kingdom of Bellona. She is a Goddess."
The first emotion Minako saw flit across Makoto's face was one of surprise, which turned to confusion, and swiftly into anger. "Damn her! If she wants to fight with Haruka then why doesn't she do it fairly, rather than slink around using hostages and whatnot?"
Again, Minako shook her head. "You don't seem to get it. Rei isn't in this to get at Lady Anu in any way. She just doesn't want any interference from her. This is bigger than you could imagine. Lady Suen should never have been brought to Enlil, and you should never have helped her." She shrugged, "But fate stepped in I guess, and there's nothing we can do to change what has been done. I've probably told you more than Rei would have liked, but I think it's better if you know the situation that you're in."
Makoto pushed away from the wall. "Be good and I won't get hurt, right?"
"That's pretty much it."
"It won't work you know."
"What won't work?"
"Haruka will come after you no matter what you threaten her with. She has a duty to fulfill, and if the orders come from her father, then nothing will stop her. There are things that you and your Captain don't understand, nor will you ever. Things that you won't even think to question until it's too late."
Tilting her head, Minako watched Makoto as she talked. There was something about her that got Minako's attention. It was like she was normal now. Like this was the 'normal' Makoto talking to her. Her face was free of the harshness that it had contained minutes before, and there was strength and control in her composure. She let her eyes linger on the brunette's face. Minako admitted that Makoto was a beautiful woman, and coming from Minako, that was quite a compliment. Minako was, after all, Goddess of Love and Beauty. Lady Ishtar, heir to the throne of Assur, and Makoto was not allowed to know this little bit of information.
Being a Goddess gave Minako immortality, and here she was admiring a mortal. Minako made herself stop that train of thought, and focused on the fact that Makoto was not a regular mortal. There was just something about her that intrigued Minako, that was all. There had to be some reason Lady Anu held some value in this mortal.
Makoto crossed her arms, "I don't have anything to loose, Haruka though, she's got a whole Kingdom. Her people depend on her, so why would she risk all that just for me?"
Minako knitted her brows together and gave Makoto a small smile, "What makes you say that? Don't you value friendship? If your bond is strong enough, then I don't see why Lady Anu wouldn't try to save you."
"My life is short, and I'd die much sooner than her to begin with. It would only make the inevitable come sooner. I would die for her, but she doesn't need to do the same for me, not with so much to loose. I've already served my purpose, and all that was left to do was live out the rest of my life on Enlil." She looked annoyed.
"You just decided that? To just live the rest of your life in that Shipyard?"
"Yes. The things that I did...well...I don't deserve any more than this. It is my decision to make, just as it is your to be on this ship, living out your own short life. Your Captain, Lady Suen, and Haruka will outlive us both. Who knows what they'll be doing years from now, when we're all gone. We'll be memories in their past. They may even forget us one day. We're here for but a little while, and in that time, we can affect their lives only so much."
A sadness descended on Minako when Makoto was finished talking. Will I forget this woman in the future? I haven't been alive long enough to think so. Is a short life so insignificant? Rei always said not to make close friends with mortals...
"Hey, but some of us are lucky. You won't be forgotten so easily, I'm sure of that." She must have seen Minako's sad expression.
Minako looked up in confusion, "Why do you say that?"
"I don't even think a Goddess could forget someone with such beauty. You would make the Lady Ishtar herself jealous." Makoto laughed.
Minako grinned, quite pleased with herself, though she assumed Makoto was referring to her mother, Queen Ishtar, "Now, have you ever seen the Lady Ishtar? Hmm?"
Makoto scratched the back of her head in thought, "Well, no actually, but she's rumored to be the epitome of beauty and perfection." She shrugged. "Then again, beauty is only skin deep and yadda yadda. Or so Ami would say."
Ami? Who's Ami? "Ami? She sounds smart?" Minako said, still smiling.
Makoto was grinning. "Smart? That's an understatement. She's a genius, and knows tons of really neat stuff that I'd never dream of being able to remember– " She stopped herself and her mood seemed to sober a little, the grin dropping away, "But that's none of your business."
"Alright then, you don't have to be so defensive about your lover, sheesh." Minako looked at the rubble on the floor next to her.
Makoto went defensive anyway, "She's not my lover!" Very defensive. "I don't have one, and I don't need one, and I don't want one! If I want company for an evening then I'll have it, but I have no permanent attachments. I can't."
Minako felt relieved after getting that answer out of her, and decided to press on, "Can't?" She smiled, knowing that it was easy to manipulate answers out of Makoto as well as amusing to watch her reactions. "That sounds like a personal problem to me. Do you find it so hard to please others?" She hoped the insult would work.
Makoto looked to be at a loss for words. Then shot back, "I've never had one single complaint from anyone whom I've shared a bed with, and there have been many. That isn't the kind of can't I was talking about.It's my problem, and there's nothing that I can do about it. It just wouldn't be fair to put such a burden on another person." She looked at the floor and stopped talking.
"Burden? What do you mean it wouldn't be fair?" Minako was really curious now.
"Don't." Makoto held one hand up to halt Minako's questions. "I can see that you are very good with your words, and if I let you, you might be able to get more information out of me than I care to give at the moment. So just stop...please."
Minako shrugged again, "Fine, fine, I'll drop it. Not like it affects me either way right?"
"Right."
They were silent for the good part of a minute, then Makoto spoke, "So, you gonna show me to my...oar I guess?"
"We should probably get you acquainted as to where you'll be sleeping and, well, living for the rest of our voyage."
"That sounds like a long time." Makoto broke in as they walked down the hall.
"Yeah, it sure does, doesn't it. Don't worry, though, we won't be on the ship all the time. We've got plenty of stops to make."
Makoto nodded as they turned the corner. They made their way through the ship, Minako pointing things out to Makoto. She showed her most of the ship and made sure she told her the rules. The only difference between Makoto and the crew was that she was to sleep in a separate room and wasn't going to be paid. She was a hostage after all. She took this all in passively and gave Minako no further trouble. When they came to what Minako deemed was the end of their tour it was around mid afternoon. They stood on the top deck, in the center of the ship.
"What's going to happen to Lady Suen?" Makoto asked, out of the blue.
"She's vital to our mission, but that's really not any of your concern."
"I see, your Captain told you not to tell me."
Minako paced a little. "She's your Captain now too, and the sooner you get used to that, the easier life will be on this ship. I will tell you that Lady Suen is perfectly safe with us, and that we mean her no harm. Rei might seem a little mean at times, but she has a good heart. It's her father who's the cruel one."
"I've heard that Lord Enyo isn't the kindest person around. Probably worse than Haruka's father."
"Yep, so, let's get you to work." She said abruptly.
"K," was Makoto's simple response.
Minako led Makoto down below deck, where a good part of the crew were rowing. She found the man who was the relief for the crew member Makoto had put out of commission and filled him in on the new arrangement. He nodded, and with some hesitancy made his way around Makoto and up the stairs. Makoto watched him with some detachment. He must have already heard the story from his mates, and Minako's orders had only confirmed it. She watched Makoto take up the oars immediately and start to row in sync with the rest of the crew.
"It might be hard at first, but you'll get used to it in a couple days. Hopefully Lady Anu will return our wind soon, then we won't need to row anymore." She smiled at the Makoto, while several of the nearby crew members scowled in the brunettes direction, but they didn't dare let her catch them at it.
"Doesn't matter to me either way. I'll do it as long as I have to." She stared straight ahead. Minako watched her for a few moments, admiring the way the muscles in her arms went taut as she pulled the oar back towards her torso. Her frame contained so much power, and it was put on perfect display in her actions as she rowed. Minako found herself wondering exactly how long Makoto could keep going, her mind roaming to other thoughts; about rowing of course...
She shook herself mentally and managed a small, "Okay," before hurrying out of the room and to the top deck.
Continued...