Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt
Chapter Sixty: Hayato?
Mai pov
"Hayato? What in the world have you done with him? He's your guardian not your corpse." I heard my mother ask as I huffed out, placing the stranger on the ground, (Inside of the Treehouse, after carrying him in on my back.). I glance up, to see my mother staring at me, with a piercing sight.
"What does it look like Mama?" I hissed under my breath, wiping the sweat out of my forehead. I bend down on my knees, placing my hands on top of my knees.
"Your mother is right... What in the world are you done to him?" Poppy walked down the stairs, holding a pillow close to her chest. I glance up and smirk at her.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty," I told her. Poppy rolled her eyes at me, coming closer. I turned my gaze back at the sleeping person.
"Caught me a huge fish," I told her with enthusiastic voice. Poppy placed her hand on my shoulder, shaking her head in disappointment.
"Poor guy. So this is why you wanted me to stay. Papa will be very mad at me if he knew that I stay over here." She tells me. I stood, turning to face her.
"You're like a little sister to me and I needed you to look after my house. Just in case Alack or Isac comes to ruin it. Until I find some way to protect it, there's no guarantee. Leaving this place unattended means a death trap especially with those creatures." I told her.
Turning to face the stranger once again. Snapping my fingers, I made my fire in a circle around my finger, going towards him. Less than a minute, I made a handcuff made of fire, but being careful to not burn his skin.
"Still so awesome to see that. I wish I can do that, I don't get it, why it doesn't burn the person?" Poppy asks, but my mother comes up to us, staring at her.
"Hayato can if she dares to… She had many years of practice. Please, my daughter, release him. I told you to bring him, not hurt him. Poor thing is bleeding." My mother touches the top of my head, making me shivered. I turned to face her.
"Mama! He brought her back. I can't forget that. Remember what she did to us?" I shivered from the memories. My mother frowns deeply, as a sudden pain passes her eyes.
"I know, rather having Poppy stay, let her go back. I'll make sure that I'll get her there safely." My mother suggested, I felt insecure about that.
"What about Isac and Alack? They can…" but my mother shook her head, moving at my side, and place her hand on my shoulder.
"They can't do anything to me, I'm already dead." Her words pierce right to my heart. Gulping, Poppy steps next to me and bows at my mother.
"Thank you, Ayame." She whispers. My mother smiles kindly at her and disappears. I gave a hug to Poppy.
"Please be careful. I'll meet you in a few weeks. Since that woman is back…" Poppy looks at me with teary eyes.
"Take care and attend to his wound." she shrugs. I nodded, watching her leave.
"Poor kid. She has been living on this island longer than I. We still don't get how come she hasn't aged at all? Her father… Wonder if he will marry Ester?" I thought out loud, only to hear a loud painful moan. I turned my gaze to my now constant prisoner.
He opens his eyes, noticing that his eyes are in a daze. He has black hair, long, but not as long as a girl, braided in the back. His bangs are short. His eyes are blue-green which is an odd color.
Strong features, and tan. I felt my face heat up from the sudden memory of him on top of me not long ago. Shaking my head, I bend, while he started to struggle against his cuffs hands.
"What the hell?" he spoke in Japanese, noticing how deep his voice is. My heart started to race for a reason. He groans in pain.
Mama, are you sure he's my guardian? I had never been so close to a man before. So this is strange.
I licked my lips and turned my eyes as cold as possible.
"Keep struggling, I'll make it tighter." I threaten him. He stops his struggling, and glances up at me, with a strange look as our eyes lock.
My heart began to race as he kept staring at me. I suddenly felt shy under his gaze.
"Well, I always dreamt to be handcuffed by a woman, but fire? That's a new kink to the twist." He cockily said as I cross my arms.
"Are you this rubbish, when you see girls?" I accuse. He groans, sitting up, placing his joined hands on his wound.
"Only to the ones I am attracted to... I won't question this, but why didn't you finish me off?" he asks. I felt my cheek warm up at his words, but shrug it off.
"Why did you bring that thing to my island?" I question him, bending to his side. The pirate lifted his gaze, as he stares into my eyes once again a bit confused by my words.
"Coldest eyes, I have ever met." He whispers.
Since my parents died, I had to learn to survive by myself. Meaning do not get attached to things. Not falling in love, my last twenty-nine years, has been my motto.
Survive the island. Poppy has only been the closest person to the family. My mother only comes when Isac nor Alack is not around. The creatures, those darn things. I hate them so much.
"Answer me.." I snap my fingers, making the fire around his wrist flare up more. He smirks at me, as I stood up using my powers.
I lift him using the fire, connected to me. He seems to impress with my powers.
"Answer me this first?" he suddenly asks. Without emotion, I pinned him against the wall causing him to wince as he looks at me a bit startled.
"Why should I answer you? If you haven't noticed. You're in no condition to talk." I hissed at him.
The pirate smirks, even more, moving his head, so he can bend a little.
"I can assure you this, I know I won't die in your hands... I just wanted to know, have I met you before?" he suddenly asks me. I rolled my eyes at him.
"No! I would have remembered if we ever have met." was my answer.
Then again, something in him feels oddly familiar to me as though my heartfelt warmth.
Since I laid my eyes on him, yesterday morning. Is like, my soul felt full once again.
"Strange. I feel like I have seen you before. Either way.." he paused, as he gave me a crooked smile, making him look more devilish. I tilt my head, feeling my cheeks turning a little warm.
What's wrong with me?
"Can't resist me? Huh love?" he suddenly asks. I grunted, folding my arm, and place it on his lower collar bone, pinning him more.
"Stop with the crap. If you value your life, why the hell you brought that woman here?"
"If I tell you? Then what?" He challenged, licking his lips, noticing that his warm eyes seem to pierce right through me. I become colder.
"I'll assure you, your freedom. You are going to tell me. I promise to even help you heal the wound.." I compromised as I glance down at his bleeding shirt from the small stab I gave him.
"I see. Tempting. If I tell you, I get the chance to have you touch me?" he mocked. I felt irritated by this.
"Stop with your crap, tell me." I hissed.
"Fine! She just paid me to get her to this island is all, Pirates honor."
"Why didn't you refuse?" I challenged feeling angry about this.
"Love, haven't you noticed. I'm a bloody pirate. Money is everything to me." Suddenly, he moves his legs, lifting his arms, I have no idea how, place his arms around me, pinning me against his strong chest. His lips are dangerously close to me. My eyes narrow as my heart skip a beat crazily.
"Now... Will you free little old me. Or... Should I kiss you?" he challenges me. My eyes widen, undoing my fire handcuff, I move out of the way, pushing him against the wall.
"I won't let you touch my lips.." The pirate chuckles deeply, rubbing his now free wrist.
"Ah... Virgin you are?" He arched a brow, coming up to me.
"None of your business.." I felt embarrassed, but not the fact that I haven't done anything is the way he placed it. He smirks looking so amused by this.
"So I'm right.. Good, I can be the first man in your life." I shrieked at him.
"Like hell, I won't let no one touch me unless he's the one I love," I told him… He chuckles, moving a step closer to me.
"I have an idea." He whispers so deep and low, causing my body to shiver delightfully.
"Oh? What?"
"Lock me up... I don't have anything to hide or I can make you mine. I did offer.." He cockily told me. I froze on the spot. My heart was racing.
Why is my heart racing? I don't know why, but it doesn't bother me, no it makes me feel strange as though I recognize it?
"Oh, thank you for the offer, as tempted that was, I decline. I will do more than just lock you up. I can assure you that." As I said those words, my body moves by itself, and place my hands on the hems of his pants. My heart was racing as he arched a brow.
I miss you, please. My heart screams at him as he kept staring at me, as I froze at my movements and blinked.
Why? Why am I pleading for someone I just met? Why would I miss him?
The presents of his body close to mine feel right and normal.
"Oh?" Then what are you planning to do?" he asks me breaking my thoughts.
Again, without thinking, I move my hand, and trace my finger up to his chest, feeling his soft, warm skin, do with his half-open shirt, up to his lips. I get on my tiptoes, inches away from his lips. Wanting to kiss him. To unite with him.
Is Mama right? He's my guardian? Why am I acting like this? This is strange.
Somewhere in me, wanted to cry, to hug him. To welcome him back. To hold him, and tell him, how much I miss him, how much I lo… Wait. No, that's bad. I don't know him.
So the first thing that comes out of my mouth, mix with my anger at myself for thinking these foolish things.
"I will finish killing you, for bringing that woman to my home."
Naru Pov
"Oh, I'm so scared," I stated dryly while moving away from her, placing my hands on my wound, now aching badly. The woman snaps her fingers, and with a great surprise, she made a fire barrier on the door, using her fire. I stop, turning to face her.
"Tell me.." she demands while her deep brown eyes become cold with no emotion at all. Not even a blush. This small woman has lots of guts.
"My little witch, can you please let this miserable pirate alone. I'm hurt." I pleaded. The woman moves up to me, and takes a hold of my arm, turning me to face her.
"Tell me.." This time her voice drops as I slump my shoulders.
She's cute, but why are there no emotions in her eyes? This is the first time I encounter someone like her, but why does my heart feels like I know her?
"Why? It won't get me anything in return. So why would I tell a little girl?" I was curious about this.
She grabs my arm, and with great surprise, she uses her power and flips me over, causing me to hit the wooden floor hard. I hiss in pain, as she gets on top of me, with a knife on hand, that she took out from her black pants, and place the tip on my neck causing me to arch my head up.
"I wasn't joking. Tell me you bloody pirate, I don't mind cleaning the blood afterward.." She threatens. I groaned in pain, as she sits on top of my wound.
"I don't know. As I said, she paid me, I took the damn job. Now, can you let me go, or I can take you here, and make you my woman?" I hissed under my breath.
"I don't think you can do anything at the moment, now tell me." she pushed the knife against my skin.
"I didn't ask, nor do I care. I came because of the money. She paid handsomely, no more." I try to make her understand. She lets go of me, and sighs, running her hands through her soft black hair, looking at the door.
I move to rub my neck as I gave her an annoyed and puzzled look.
Wow, that's the first anyone to handle me like that.
"Am I free?" I sarcastically ask her. She turns her gaze, but something in her gaze told me, she had something else in mind.
"You're going to help me.. I'll pay you the double.." she suddenly tells me. I arched a brow, turning to face her.
"First of all, you have the booty? And second, why should I make a business deal with my captor?" I question her as she moves closer to me and takes a hold of my chin causing me to look straight at her. She's a very cute woman, small, round face, long brown hair, and dark brown eyes. She looks very familiar to me though. I never met her I am sure about that.
Then a sudden shiver runs down my spine at her soft touch.
Why am I acting like this?
"Too bad, I was about to sell my body to you..." she surprises me. I felt a bit insulted by that.
I want you to give yourself to me, not sell it. I can't just be that barbaric and take your virginity like that. How I missed you, my witch.
"Would you?" I played along.
"Like hell. Don't belittle me. I will pay you to double. I'll patch you up. You're going to help me, kill that woman."
Well, that's a relief.
"Kill? Do you have an obsession with killing people?" I asked her. She smirks at me, as her bangs cover her eyes.
"I get off it." Was her reply, when she stood. She heads towards some chest, that is on the corner under the window.
"My parents left values here, worth more than ever. Can I ask you a question?" She suddenly asks, as she bends, to open the chest.
"Aren't I, your prisoner?" I mumbled to her, but I doubt she heard me.
"What year is it?" she suddenly asks me. I frowned, looking down at the floor.
"So the rumors are true, there's no time here is it?"
"No, no time. I know, I was born in the early eighty-something, mother can't remember, and I can't read. So, what year is your time?" I frowned, standing up, holding into my wound.
"1929," I told her. She froze, turning to face me.
"Wait? How is that possible?" I shrug at her.
"Don't know... I don't know." I told her. The girl frowns, shaking her head.
"Mama and Papa were stranded here a year before I was born. There's a war that was started or ending. I can't remember much. So, mama was young, when you were sailing along with that woman you brought back."
She frowns, turning her gaze. I arched a brow.
"Who's your parents?" I asked her.
"Their name is Ayame and John. They died twenty-something years ago when I was only six years old." I can tell a little hint of sadness in her voice.
'I know that feeling. Alone, and with no family.'
"So you're alone here?"
"No. I have Poppy and my mother.." I arched a brow, as she turns, and hold the peace of cloth at hand.
"Lift your shirt. Luckily I only scraped it," She tells me. I lift my shirt, as she came next to me, and using her fire, she flames the cloth, and press it on my wound. I hiss in pain.
"Isn't my aiming good?" she cozily smiled, but with no warmth behind her eyes.
"I thought you said your mother…"
"None of your business… So you accept my proposal?" She kept messing with my wound avoiding my words.
I glance out the fire barrier.
"Your body is enough payment. I can assure you that." My eyes grew, feeling her rub my wound hard.
"Oi, that hurts."
"Good, stop complaining like a baby, and be serious." She demands.
"I'm not complaining, I'll accept," I told her. After she wraps my wound. I stood up, stretching my legs. She moves away, to go upstairs.
"I'll pay you half, and the other half after the job is finish." Nodding at her, I watch her go up. I glance around the treehouse.
It felt familiar to me, as though I was back home, that my heart began to ache. I walked up to the window and run my fingers through the wood.
"Miss me? I did." I mumbled under my breath feeling home once again.
I smiled gently as I heard the woman steps behind me.
"Ready? Can your body handle it?" she asks. I turned, smiling at her. Moving my hand, for a reason, her cold brown eyes, seem alluring to me. Her puffy red cheeks, seem soft and warm. I automatically move my hand and move to run my fingers through her soft black hair.
"My body can handle anything, I'm a hot-blooded young man after all," I smirked, yet my heart started to beat hard, and a sudden warmth passes through me. She suddenly blushes a little causing me to smile at her shyness.
So she's not as cold, a wall is all she places. How much I missed her.
I move closer, as our eyes connect, as this painful ache to hold her in my arms pulses in my veins.
"Alice!" I whispered moving my hand to cup her cheek. The girl frowns, flinching back.
"Alice? No, my name is Hayato, don't get me confused from one of your err, lovers." She hissed, turning to shake her head. I look down at my hand, still feeling her warm cheek.
'Alice? Who's that?' I thought, looking back at Hayato.
"Ah... Right... Forgot to introduce myself, since we have been through so much in such little time. Name is Shibuya... Just Shibuya." I told her. Moving next to her.
She drops the barrier and goes down the stairs.
"Just Shibuya, thought would be Bloody Pirate." She said a bit sarcastically noticing a sword on her waist.
"Nice." I rolled my eyes at her, as we made it to the bottom, she turns to me and throws me something. I was a bit startled by her sudden action, but I manage to snatch it with my right hand before it landed on the ground.
"It's my mother's necklace, it should cost a lot since is made of pure gold. Papa gave it to her, for her birthday. Used to be my grandmother. At least what Mama told me." I glance down at it, to see a heart shape necklace. I frowned, lifting the chain.
"You sure, you want to give something like this to pity old me?" I stated as I examined the golden necklace. I watch it shine as it twirls around as I arched a brow.
Why does this look familiar to me?
Hayato turns her head to look at me and nods, but something in her eyes seems to tell me another story.
"Yes, it's all yours." she simply said as I threw the chain up and I snatched it back and place it on my breast pocket.
Moving about we began to hike. Watching the morning sunshine above us.
"She didn't say where exactly, but we were heading for a mountain," I told her, after ten minutes of silence.
"Mountain?" she stops her steps to look down on the ground. She looks deep in her thoughts, so I continued to walk past her.
"No! She wouldn't?" she finally snaps, jogging up to me. I stop, turning to face her.
"What?"
"The creatures live in the mountains,"
"What are those creatures? I keep hearing about?" I questioned. Hayato seems to hesitate but clears her throat.
"Since there's no reason to hide it. The creatures are the first producers on this island. They are inherent to mother nature they were guardians they use to be peaceful things. Since humans started to habit this island the sins and ungodly things they became tainted, to the point of no return thus cursing this island. You must avoid them. They mess with your head and that's how they get you. They place you at a point of no return. There's no way to get rid of them at all." She concludes. I cross my arms.
"So they were pure one time until sin overcame this island?"
"Yes, especially when the woman in the mirror stole their powers. Legend has it that in this island becomes so impure that time stood still and there's a guardian every couple of centuries.
"Yes. Especially when, the woman in the mirror stole their powers. Legend has it, that this island becomes so impure, that time stood still, and there was a guardian a beast as you want to say. Not sure how he died, but he married a woman. I can't remember much of the story. Then again, strange, that every time I remember. I tend to forget." She admits. Now turning towards our right. I notice, from the corner of my eyes, that she kept her hand on the sword.
A guardian that married a woman? Seriously, that sounds familiar to me, not sure why.
"How did you learn to fight? I have never seen a woman with those skills, at least not ladylike." she turns to give me a piercing offended look as I wave my hands at her.
"I mean it out of the most pu're respect, I found that sexy and to be proud of," I simply told her. She suddenly smirks, shaking her head.
"Poppy and I use to practice a lot, with her father. He used to be a fighter when he was young. He's like a father to me." her voice turns tender at the mention of him.
"Let me guess, he let you borrow the sword?"
"No, he gave it to me. Such a sweet old man."
"Who is Poppy?"
"Poppy was born in the outside world, she and her father became stranded on this island many years ago."
"Oh! Then what about Ester?" She froze at the mention, turning her cold gaze at me.
"She is a woman, that I hate. I forbid her to ever come back. Now, she's back, thanks to you."
I rubbed the back of my neck.
"Is not like I can read your mind eh, my lady? Tell little old me, what did she do?" I asked her. Hayato sighs and slumps her shoulders.
"She did something, unforgivable. Let's continue, we have lots to hike." and with that, the whole trip, with no words, felt annoying, to my liking.
Mai Pov
Traveling with Shibuya is a strange experience, not sure why, but don't hate it at all.
I look up at the night sky watching some night creatures fly by heading for their nest. I lay in my bareback, just floating in the waters, taking my midnight bath. Shibuya is back in the camp cooking our dinner.
Is Ester going to make a deal with the creatures or with the ghosts?
Those thoughts run through my mind as I wave my hands, feeling the soft waters.
"This is very unnerving as it is. I wish I knew what she's up to." I thought out loud as I run my wet hands through my face.
Shaking my head, I turned my body, and sink down to wash my body, but my mind now flipped back to Shibuya, he's a character, to be honest. After three days, he's not boring and always has to say something to annoy me. Yet, I can't help to enjoy his deep voice, or how his blue-green eyes look at me. I know this is crazy, but it makes my body feel all strange. I never felt this way before, this is the first time I ever spend with a male that is my age. Poppy's father has a fatherly look and that's all. Is it normal like that?
I rose myself up from the surface of the water to breath out and went up to the edge, to place my arms out, and then place my head down, to look blankly at nothing.
I don't know what to do to interact with him, but... He's built differently from me, that's for sure and I do enjoy his company, it feels like my heart is whole once again.
A sudden noise catches my ears. I turned, swimming towards the edge of the water, and grasp a rock on my right.
"Whoever you are, show yourself," I shout, grasping the rock rather hard.
I frowned, getting out of the water, nothing is heard behind the trees.
"Well, a wild animal, so that means, my bath is over." I frowned, heading to get my clothes, that is near the trees. Getting dressed, I sat down, wrapping my arm around my knees.
"Please God, don't let Ester reach her destination. I can't let her see the creatures." I prayed, closing my eyes wishing with all my heart.
...
...
..
Upon returning back to camp, Shibuya sits in front of the fire, watching the rabbit meat cook. I lick my mouth, as my stomach growled as I can smell the aroma reaching my nostrils.
"It will be ready in a few. I'll go and bathe, before supper." Shibuya stood, dusting his pants. He turns and heads towards the stream. I move up, and sat down, rotating the meat since is punctured by a long stick. I turned back to see him blending with the trees, disappearing from my sight.
What's wrong with him? I actually want to chat with him.
I frowned turning back and hunched my body down.
"What's wrong?" I heard behind me. I shrug, looking at the fire in a blank matter.
"Nothing, Mama. Are you sure he's the one?" I asked her for the millionth time. I felt her move to my side and sits next to me.
"First of all, Poppy made it safely to her papa, and secondly yes. I'm sure he's the one, trust me in this Hayato, I wouldn't stray you on the wrong path. He's your guardian, I can guarantee you." She assures me. I nodded, turning to face her.
"We haven't talked since we started our hike if so, just small talks. Can he really help me get rid of the creatures and Ester?" I asked.
"I'm sure, he is just a spitting image of his past, poor thing. He isn't the one to defeat Alac or Isac. Not in that body." She tells me with a sad tone. I arched a brow, to turn to look at her, as my heart began to hurt not sure why.
"What do you mean?"
"He doesn't have lots to live. I sense death upon him, about a year or so."her words were a knife into my heart.
"What?"
"He won't make it to his mid-thirties. I can assure you that." I turned my gaze back to the fire.
"Oh no, but he's my guardian, how can he die? He is still so young," I felt my eyes water up, not sure why my heart hurts so much by this.
"Cause, he's not the one my daughter. How do I explain this. Shibuya is the guardian, he's the same soul as the first guardian, there's no doubt in that, but he's not the one that will break the curse or you. He has to protect you yes, as it unbreakable bond. Yet, Shibuya has one duty, and that's all. Now that you're in love with him, it will bring you great pains. I'm sorry, but I won't be against this you have my blessings, as you can see life is short to all of us."
I felt her run her hands down my back trying to comfort me.
I shivered from her cold touch. I drop my gaze, feeling my throat knotting, as I rub my chest.
Not again, I'm going to lose him again?
"W... who said, I'll fall in love with him?" I nervously and tightly said as I cross my arms trying to not show my emotions.
My mother giggled, placing her chin on top of my shoulder like a child, and blinks. I turn to look at her and licked my lips.
"Falling in love, is natural Hayato. It's a great experience. Treasure it completely, It's a blessing from God. I am just worried about you, that you may be too cold-hearted to accept it. Shibuya is your soulmate and I assure you, he's a good man and very loyal. I told you before, he's the original owner of the treehouse. When Sasuke died his soul escaped the island and went to the real world. Thus, having Shibuya, as well, the same with the girl. She came into me, when we conceived you, that beautiful night. I became pregnant, soon after, I became your fathers. I love your father, with all my heart even after death. I don't want you to suffer, but there's no way to stop it. I need you to do me a favor though." My mother stated while she wraps her arms around me. I pat her side, as I ignored my shivers.
"What?"
"When you return... Make Shibuya write something for me As well, love him dearly, make him happy for his last days on earth, can you do that for me?"she asks.
I move to look at her eyes and nodded at her.
"I will try, but I'm not sure how I feel about him, I don't even know him like that and..."
"Trust me, nothing has changed between you, it's just a continuation of your love story, it's all." My mother assures me.
I nodded, but in doing so, the same strange sound echoed behind me. Sounds like footsteps.
"Mama, that's no animal sounds, it sounds like.."
"The creatures. Go, warn him." with that, I stood up, and rush the stream.
Upon arriving, I found nothing around.
Lifting my hands I turn on my fire and let it began to float next to me, since my fire was my only light besides the moon and the stars, I turned towards the stream.
"What the hell was that? What are they planning?" I thought out loud, only to hear a splash on my right. Turning my gaze, my eyes widen, as my cheeks turn hot. There stood Shibuya butt naked, under the moon, water sparkling all over. He runs his hand is through his hair, and glance at me.
His body is full of scars but well-toned. I felt myself grow so warm as I swallowed hard.
I couldn't move. I kept my eyes up, not daring to continue to roam any further.
Move your body Hayato... Run towards camp.
"Didn't know, you had the guts. Ready to pay?" he smirks, walking up to me without shame. I gulped nervously.
"C.. Creatures.." I pushed out, looking away from him.
"Creatures?" he sighs, and rapidly moves to my side, and what surprises me, when he placed his palm on my eyes and covers them.
"As much as I love a woman to see me naked. This doesn't feel right. Turn around, and head back to camp. I can take care of myself, I ain't no kid anymore." he whispers in a very low tone, causing my body to shiver in delight, as I bite my lower lip.
I can feel his warm wet chest press firmly against my back. Felt very familiar to me, that my heart began to pound hard against my ribs.
Is mama right? Is he Sasuke? And I'm Alice?
Turning around, I was about to head out, but my mother's words echoed my head.
"I'll wait for you," I told him as I stop in my tracks and cross my arms to look down at the ground.
I heard him shuffling in the background.
"Suit yourself." was all he said
About a minute or so, he walks around me and bends to my eye level, but I didn't notice since I was shaking and I had my eyes tightly shut.
Not noticing the soft look he was giving me, with a blush on his cheeks.
I fist my hands, trying to control my heart.
It's like this is normal, as though I have seen him naked before, but it doesn't bother me. I opened my eyes to lock eyes with his beautiful eyes, which glows under the moonlight my breath caught. If my heart wasn't already beating hard, now it's beating like crazy.
Feeling emotional, I finally let a tear roll down as I cup his cheek, causing him to raise a brow.
"Sasuke!" I whispered with longing as this ache pierced through me. Shibuya frowns as he moves his hand to wipe my tear away and I tremble at his soft touch.
"Love, I'm no Sasuke, you're the second person to say that." He interrupts the moment. I move my hand away and cleared my throat, turning around, so he won't see me turn red from embarrassment.
"So you do have emotions," he stated as I wipe my face, I turned to look at him.
"I'm human Pirate, but what do you mean the second person to call you Sasuke?"
He slightly nods, adjusting his caller neck shirt.
"Aye, a spirit called me that. Told me, I was a mere image of him. Feel offended though." Frowning, a strange emotion pass from me.
"Alack?" I guessed.
"That's what he called himself. I think.." he frowns, stopping to look at me.
"Spill it.." was all he said. I blinked, looking up at his eyes, feeling a bit nervous.
"Spill what?" Suddenly he takes a hold of my arm, pinning me against him, my breath caught, as I stare at him with wide eyes.
"You're hiding something, don't ask me how I know, but I can feel it. Since the moment I lay eyes on you, I feel like I have met you before, and it's driving me, damn cra'zy woman,"
"What the hell do you know about me? " I challenge back, trying to push this painful feeling.
"It's enough for three days. You don't like to talk. You're always at your feet, and you hate contact, you have the coldest stare I have ever seen in a woman. Trust me, when I tell you this, you have no se'x appeal." his words seem to hurt me, but I snatch my arm away from him.
"I don't care what you think of me. I don't have to make myself anything, to get approved from no man. I want to get rid of that woman, not trying to flirt with you." That was all I said, reaching camp. I move my hands and turn off the fire beside the one that is following me so we can still see.
"We are heading out, now," I simply order, as Shibuya came up to me and stops me in my tracks, causing me to almost lose my balance, but he acts rapidly and wraps his arm around my waist steadying me.
I place my hands on his arm and look up at him a bit startled.
"I didn't finish nor did you answer my question." he hissed.
"Let go, before I decided to burn you for real." I hissed. He tightens his grip on me, getting closer to me.
"You won't..." he challenged, so I smirked, moving my hand, I snap my finger and flicked a little fire in his hand. He winces but doesn't let go.
"Is that all?"
"A warning, next time, you don't do what I say, I assure you, you won't be using your friend, to touch a woman ever again," I warned him, feeling embarrassed. He smirked even more.
"Then I have to use it before you do it, don't I?" My eyes narrow, as he gets closer to me to kiss me. I pushed him away and turned to head out. He let himself get pushed as he looks a bit annoyed and confused by this.
"You have been warned, you rubbish man."
Naru Pov
I leaned against the tree trunk, sharpening my sword with the knife Daniel gave me nearly a week ago as we sat near a bridge.
It's been another two days since we talk. My eyes roamed towards her, watching Hayato touch the rope of the bridge. My eyes roam her small body, and her soft expression, making my heart turn warm. I have been watching her lately. Seems like my eyes have a mind of their own. I can't seem to get her out of my mind.
I'm mad at her, but I can't seem to be curious, I wonder why is she so cold? I felt baffled and intrigued by her.
Looking back at my sword, missing that she glanced my way.
"We can make it, we need to be fast.." she broke the silence.
I stood up, dusting my pants, and walk up to her. She glances up at me with her cold eyes. Without a word, I started to head for the bridge, walking normally, feeling the wind swaying it, causing me to mentally groan.
Might as well swim there.
"Hold on," She said behind me.
I kept my mouth shut, upon reaching the middle, I heard a crack right behind me. My eyes narrow as my heart drops to my stomach, to hear Hayato yelp behind me.
"Ahh!" she screams as I turned around, to see her hanging from the wooden plank. I get down on my stomach and stretch my arm out.
"Hold on to my hand," I yell.
She stretches out her hand, but couldn't make it since our fingers barely touched. Now my heart beating hard against my ribs, I move closer to the edge, to feel the tips of her fingers graze mine.
"Pull yourself.." I order. She does, making my hand closer to her, so I grip her wrist, on doing so, the plank snaps, heading down the river breaking in half as her body hands within my grip.
With all the strength I pull her up and got her over the edge and pulled her towards me. I wrap my arm around her small waist, as she wraps her arms around my shoulders, holding me tight, breathing hard, and trembling from fear. I wrap my arm around her small waist and rub her small back trying to calm her down. Yet, I don't know if it's from the adrenaline rush or what, but having her like this felt right, loving. I can't place it, but something in me grew, to want to hold her and protect her for the rest of my life.
"Are... Are you okay?" I breathed out. She holds me tighter as her small body shook. She slowly turns her head, pressing her cheek against mine, then I move a bit so our eyes locks. She looks so scared and vulnerable causing my heart to squeeze in the strangest way.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you, okay." I assured her, as I move my hand to rub the back of her head. She nods at me, as she lays her head on my shoulder and without a word, I somehow stood, wrapping my arm under her, and lift her up in my arms feeling her legs around my waist, for some odd miracle, I made it out of the bridge itself without falling again as I held her carefully in my arms.
Placing her down, she glances up with wide eyes, for the first time I see a hint of fear.
"Are you alright there my lady?" I asked as she looks up at me and nodded at me and breaths out.
"Thank you," she said to me with the most grateful eyes I had ever seen, as her cheeks turn to a lovely pink. I rub the back of my neck feeling suddenly shy as I face the bridge.
I take it back, she does have sex appeal, I should apologize for being a bit rude last time.
...
...
...
I watch her stare at the edge of the mountain, while I wipe my sweaty forehead due to the intense heat.
"Are we closer?" I asked her, finally breaking the silence.
"Almost there, one more day," she tells me.
Nodding at her, we have begun head up, now feeling my feet bothering me. I glance down, I watch her limp a little, due to the bridge this morning.
She must have twisted it or something.
Without a word, I came up to her, she turns to look at me a bit startled as I place my arm under her leg and small back, then hoist her up in my arms. She gasps in surprise as she looks up at me.
"Sometimes, being treated like a princess doesn't hurt," I somewhat teased her.
Holding her tight, enjoying the feeling of her small warm body against mine.
"I don't want to be treated like a princess, place me down," she complains, as I turned to my right to sit her down on a boulder. Her eyes widen when I bend on one of my knees and take a hold of her leg.
"Oi, Pirate, don't you dare... I..." Ignoring her complaints, I remove her dark worn shoes, and glance down at her foot. Moving my hand, I touch her ankle, making her wince in pain, it felt swollen.
"Looks sprain, you shouldn't put too much weight. Is pride your thing as well?" I asked her. I move my hands down and rip a piece of my bottom shirt. Her eyes widen.
"Is the only thing that keeps me alive, what in the world are you doing silly man?" she asks as she watches in a bit startled way. I move to wrap it around her ankle.
"Well, word of advice Love, it won't keep you alive for too long sometimes, pride comes out as a burden to others," I told her as I tied a knot.
I lift my gaze and my heart jumps once again to see her looking at me with a strange emotion. Her eyes are like caramel very deep and soothing to look at.
Without thinking, I lift myself moving closer to her as she backs up.
I smirked, as she stares at me.
"Well, is my code..." she breathlessly tells me. I move my hand, and place in one of her long strands of hair, and place it behind her ear, only to cup her warm cheek once again.
"Code or not is not healthy... Why do I have a feeling, that I know you from before?" I breathlessly asked her. Her cold eyes scan mine, as she breathed out.
As though we were caught in a spell, our hearts began to beat harder as she inches closer to me, her breathing is a bit unregular.
"Don't know.." she tells me breathless as our lips were dangerously close, barely touching.
"We should continue." She whispers but doesn't move away from me.
"If I told you... That you're the first woman in my life, that has intrigued me, will you believe me?" I suddenly ask her.
"No, remember, I don't have a sex appeal…" I move closer, our breath mingling together.
"True, you don't have it. I wasn't joking about that, but I do apologize for stating that, I know I must have hurt you some way." I told her. She kept looking at me.
"I'm not educated so I don't know what is sex appeals how to play out since you're the first male I ever encounter like this. So I accept your apologies," she stated.
Why am I so thrilled to know that she hasn't been touched by anyone.
"We should continue," I said a bit breathless, as she was half closing her eyes, not sure what she was doing, but I knew, oh my blood boiled to feel her, to feel her lips against mine once again.
I stood up and cleared my throat, as I turned around trying to calm myself down.
Why didn't I felt I should stop myself, this is the first.
"We... we should go," I said as Hayato looks up at me looking a bit regretful.
Mai Pov
My heart is beating like crazy, as I limp behind him, watching his broad back.
His hug, felt as though I was in the safest place in this world. He protected me and he apologized to me.
"Have you traveled all around the world?" I broke the silence. Shibuya turns to look at me and arched his thick brow up.
"Aye, I have my lady, met many interesting people and none so interesting." He admits to me.
"Oh, so is there's cities and such as Mama told me about?" I asked him. He crosses his thick arm and nodded at me.
"Aye, and automobiles, trains, and ships, I should show you how my ship looks like before I leave," he said to me. I rose my gaze as he looks a bit amused.
"Ships? Oh, I know that, Mama use to tell me about those, what are automobiles?" I asked him.
"Err, a contraption that you can drive to take you around the city. Just like a horse." He mentions.
"Oh, will you let me see your ship? Seriously? Why are you being nice to me all of the sudden?" I asked, not noticing that I drop some of my walls down.
"Of course, you need to see more than just the four plain walls of that o'ld treehouse and the island. I don't mind touring you my lady," he said to me. I suddenly felt excited by this as I rub my hands nervously.
"Just don't trick me you know what would happen next if you do," I glance down as he covers his lower part with his hands.
"Eh, I still need to have some children, I get it," he stated as I rose my gaze at him.
"I'm sorry as well for being a bit rude, okay?" I said as I began to walk past him.
If he helped me like that, that means he won't betray me, right? Mama is never wrong, so I give him a chance, plus if he's going to die soon, I might as well give him a chance. Plus, I'm shy to admit, I enjoyed his touch and how caring he was with me.
My heart hurts once again from that thought.
Lost in my thoughts, I move my ankle forgetting it hurts, only to wince a little bringing me back to reality.
Finally reaching an opening, we made camp for the night. My eyes never leaving him when he was not looking.
I should tell him about his death, but I have no heart for it.
"If you keep staring at me, I'm going to think that you are into me," he asks me. I licked my lips as felt my cheeks warm up.
"I was thinking of your wound, how is it?" I asked, now that I thought of it. He looks down at his wound and rose his shirt up.
"It's healing, you didn't do much damage with it, so call me a lucky bastard," he tells me with a chuckle. I turn to look at him as he just smiles at me, his smile which reached his eyes, causing my heart to skip a beat, and a strange warm feeling forming into my stomach.
He has a beautiful smile.
I look down at my hands and I saw tears landing on my hands as this ache began to form in my heart.
I don't want to tell him at all, it's painful.
I was about to wipe my eyes when suddenly I felt his big fingers brushing my tears away. I lift my gaze to see Shibuya looking at me with a worried look.
"I hate seeing a lady cry, what's wrong?" he asks me so tenderly making my heart quiver. I shook my head as I cleared my throat.
"Just frustrated that um, I have to see Ester again," I simply told him. He removes his hand and arched a brow.
"Oh, well then, I do not know what happened, so I won't pretend that I care since is not my business. I'm here because you paid me, but I can offer you is this," he turns to grab something from the small pouch he always carries around his waist, then takes out a silver flask and untwist the lid.
"Drink this," he said as he hands it to me. I took it and drank it only to gag from the test, Shibuya actually chuckles at my disgusted face.
"Sorry my lady, it's rum," he said to me as I lowered the flask down and stare at him.
"Oh, it tastes awful. What is rum?" I asked him like a child.
"An alcohol beverage, there's many out there," he stated.
I move closer to him.
"There's more of these?" I asked him. He nods as he takes the flask and places it down and sits down in front of me.
"Aye, and lots of other foods, many different people of different nationalities. People speak different languages and different dances and such," he said. I was becoming swoop by his words that my eyes soften a little.
"You sure travel a lot, I've only been on this island all my life," I told him. He shrugs as he began to play with the hems of his shirt.
"I had no choice, I became an orphan at a young age and been picked up by pirates. I am not a gentleman either." he sounded a bit sad about that as I stare at him, feeling hurt by this.
"Do you like being a pirate?" I asked him. He shrugs at me, looking back at me.
"Aye, but I do wonder time to time if I could have been someone to be respected."
"Oh, like what?"
"Like a duke or a lawyer, something to be pro'ud of," he said. I gave him a blank look.
"What does that mean? My father used to be a doctor, that I know," I told him.
He stares at me, with a strange look as though I was precious or something. I suddenly hiccupped as my face turns warm.
"What?" I asked him. He shook his head.
"I realized that when we aren't biting our heads o'ff, we can have a civilized conversat'ion, and you are like a child, you're very adorable," he said as my heart skips again.
I had no words as I look away feeling suddenly so shy by his words. He chuckles causing me to look back at him.
"Hey is not fun..." but my breath caught how close he came up to me. He moves his hand and pats the top of my head and gave me a sweet smile catching me by surprise.
He has a beautiful smile, is making my heart go crazy.
"Those are jobs that don't require to steal, but I'm sure being a lawyer I might as well be pirate depending on the clients." Then his voice turns serious as he lowers his hand.
"When you were crying earlier, was it because of something bad?" he suddenly asks me. I was taken aback by his question as his eyes turn deadly serious.
"Bad?"
"Look, I'm not stupid. You can tell me." He said as I look down at my lap.
"Tell me, how do you know?" I asked him while he shrugs at me.
"Don't know, I keep telling you, I feel like I know you from before. Even if you have the coldest expression, for a reason, I feel like I can sense beyond that. Tell me... I hate lies.." I wrap my arms around my knees, placing my chin on top of them. I look up at him not sure how to place it.
"Whatever you tell me, I won't be offended." He guarantees me. I bite my lower lip and sigh.
"You won't make it to your mid-thirties." I simply told him, with my voice cracking. Shibuya just stares at me, progressing my words.
"Oh," he simply said as I rose myself and arched a brow confused by his response.
"Oh? I just told you your life is short, why with the oh?"
"My life has been lonely Hayato. I don't have anyone to return, nor does anyone cares if I live or not. Daniel is the closest thing to family. " My eyes widen.
"Oh, so you really don't have anyone?" He shook his head at my question.
"My thirty years of life have been lonely. I do wish to marry and have a family. Due to my reputation, no woman gets close to me, and I want pleasure, I just go to a pub, but doesn't fill me." he tells me. I cleared my throat, feeling a little uncomfortable.
Pleasure? Does he sleep with the girls? Poppy's father told me that men and women do sleep together like lovers, but I don't fully understand it.
"Men." I rolled my eyes… Shibuya continued, as though he didn't hear me.
"Even if, I wanted to sleep with them, I can't... There's always something or someone stopping me. So, like you, I haven't kissed anyone in my life. It like my own being holds me back, is hard to explain. I am waiting for someone." his confession made my eyes widen, turning to face him.
"So... You never kiss anyone?" I gulped, as he shook his head.
"No... I haven't... Like I said before, is like my own soul is waiting for that one person in my life. Laugh if you want.." he tells me. I frowned, looking down at my hands.
Why am I happy to hear that? Why would I laugh at that? I don't get it, but somewhere in me feels relief, that you've been loyal to me.
"Why?"
"Cause, I'm supposed to be a man, but in reality, I am not. I don't have anyone, so I might as well die a virgin." I look back at him as he looks a bit disturbed by his words.
Don't be, please don't be. I waited for you as well, since I can't have anyone but you.
"Being a man doesn't mean, that you have to kiss or bed someone, being a man, means to be caring, trustworthy, not perfect... Be respectful and as well a gentleman and a hard worker with values. You'll find someone to love you, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind that you're a virgin, it has nothing to do with it, and at least she won't have to worry about the others girls you slept with." My heart started to really pound, as he turns to stare at me, watching the fire reflect from his eyes. I bit my lower lip becoming lost in his gaze.
He's so handsome and to be honest, he has a childish look in him.
"Is that so? So you don't care if I'm a virgin?"
"No, I don't care, it makes me at ease. Can you... Can you tell me some of your adventures as a pirate?" I suddenly ask him not noticing the double meaning in his tone. He nods, as a grim smile passes his lips.
"If you put it that way, it makes sense. Aye love... That I could do... Haha," he gives a hardy laugh.
I blinked, confused.
"What's so funny?"
"You do have another face, it's cute, you're an adorable woman, that my lady is the truth." I turned my gaze back, trying to fight off my blush.
"Oi, don't hide.. I'll tell you a story when I was a young lad, and I had to face a terrible bloody thirsty pirate, that tried to rip my skin.." he began. I turned, with wide eyes.
"Really?"
"Yes, really... Have a scar for that story as well. Now, when I was a tender age of twenty, Daniel and I…"
Yet I couldn't help but be mystified by his story, enjoying every bit of it. For the first time in my life, I felt myself capture by someone, which makes me curious about many things. I want to learn more about Shibuya.
I don't know why, but I want to be by his side and hear him talk. I want to be in his arms and protect him, I can't seem to get enough of him, as I discover these new things. He's surely a mystery which I want to discover.
...
...
...
"Hayato!" I heard my mother on my right. I turned to my right and smiled at her.
"Mama, what are you doing here?" I asked her. Shibuya stops in his tracks, and turned, his eyes narrow as he sees my mother's transfigure body floating next to me. He points at her with a shocked face.
"She... She's a ghost," he gapes out as I stare at him.
"Yes, she is, I told you my mama died long ago, but this is Ayame, my mama," I told him. He blinks, then rubs his eyes.
"I... I... wait, why am I shocked? I just saw a shadow riding with a flamed horse, and strange dark creatures." he rubs the back of his neck.
Mama went up to him and smiled at him gently.
"Nice to see you again, Sasuke, or Oliver? Shibuya?" she said to him. Shibuya gave her a strange look.
Oliver? That's a new one. Who is Oliver?
"Sorry ma'am, but I have never met you, but I'm Shibuya," he tells her. My mother gave him a tender smile.
"The Black Lagoon is an interesting island, I can assure you this, I never make a mistake. It's nice to meet this version of you, Oliver, remember it well." My mother told him. I was a bit off by this as Shibuya.
"Mama, what are you doing here? I thought you had things to do," I asked her since the last time I saw her was three days ago, only to tell me to be careful and she was going to do something. I always wonder what she does in the ghost realm. She seems so busy these last couple of months.
"I came to warn you that Ester has reached the mountains, of the other side of the island."
"I don't know the history, but if anything, I didn't know she possessed a threat, so I will help stop her, as well, your daughter paid me enough already," he tells her. Ayame moves closer to Shibuya, and place her hand on his shoulder.
"Is your destiny to come here.. After all, you're my daughter's guardian, you're her soul-mate."There was a quiet moment, Shibuya bows a little.
"Let's go Hayato, sorry, but we have a mission." He tells her a bit hurriedly, moving to head out.
I stare at his back confused by his sudden reaction since he doesn't question it, but I did hear my mother giggle
"What was that reaction about?" I asked her. My mother turns to look at me after she controlled herself.
"He has fallen in love with you my daughter, he has gotten so red. Trust me Hayato, he looks at you with the eyes of a man in love. My precious daughter from the last time we have spoken, I do question you, have you fallen in love with him?"
No, that can't be, right? How can he fall for me? I don't offer anything to him. I...
I stare at my mother, as she gave me a soft expression. Feeling my heart explode, fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.
"Doesn't love take time?" I asked her. She wraps her arms around me, making me shiver, and rubs the back of my head.
"No love is the same Hayato, some love is just meant to be as yours and his. You two have a deep past, so love should just come naturally. Like I told you before, nothing has changed between you two, but just a deeper feeling than before, so do you love him?" she asks again. I held her tighter, as I let fresh tears roll down my cheeks and nodded.
"I think so Mama, I think I'm in love with him, but it hurts because I want to protect him as well."
Thanks for the reviews... No Deleted scene in this one. I think it was quite long and I had fun changing things around with these two characters, Naru's and Mai's past. So Ayame kid is Mai.
Hayato/Alice/Mai, both same souls,
As the same with Sasuke/Shibuya/Naru