Hey I'm already back!
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"Close your mouth. This isn't your first time seeing a ship."
I do what Seto tells me, but I apparently lost my blinking ability since stepping out of the carriage and unto the docks. I've seen it before from afar. It's hard to miss since I can see a good share of the port from my balcony. But this is the first time I see it up close and it is gigantic. Fifty meter long four-decker with three masts and a lineup of fifty canons on each side, the Blue Eyes is even more magnificent that I thought. Most of all, it's on this ship that I'm returning. I was so excited that I barely slept last night and I can't even feel the exhaustion now. I'm far too happy.
"Don't just stand there gawking like that," says Seto, "We're embarking."
"Yes, sorry."
I follow Seto down the docks. He's impeccably dressed as usual. He could be mistaken for an navy officer with his golden-buttoned long black coat and hat. I remember Moki's face when he learned that I was going as him and saw me wearing his clothes. To my dismay, they fit me perfectly. Maria was shocked too and she spent half an hour braiding my hair so that it wouldn't get too tangled under the head scarf. She also insisted that I bind my chest just in case and I didn't argue. This is the price I've agreed to pay. I intend to follow up on my end of the bargain.
"The hat, Yugi," mutters Seto, glancing at me.
It's hot so I've been carrying my tricorn by hand but again, I do what he says. Around us, sailors are hurrying, carrying and rolling last minute supplies onto the ship. As we approach the embarking spot, a bearded man in his late forties, as professionally dressed as Seto, approaches us.
"Baron Kaiba," he welcomes, saluting. "Pleasure seeing you again, my Lord."
"Captain Leichter," replies the young noble with a sign of the head. "Where are we on schedule?"
"We'll need twenty more minutes for the men to get ready. Then we'll be ready to depart whenever you wish, my Lord."
"Good." He steps to the side to bring the attention to me. "This is my younger brother. He'll be coming with us."
"Ah, yes. Young Lord Mokuba." The man leans towards me and addresses me as he would a twelve year old. "I hear it's your first time out to sea. What is your first impression of Blue Eyes, young Lord?"
"I think it's amazing!" I reply with the enthusiasm I assume Moki would have. "There are so many canons and the masts are gigantic!"
"She's a beauty, ain't she? Worth everything your brother paid to have her made," says the Captain, looking up. He's clearly proud of his ship. "I assure you, she'll make your first journey one to remember. Prepare to be surprised."
"Aye, Captain!" I say, saluting him.
He laughs before saluting Seto again and heading back on the ship. The latter gives me an unreadable look and I tense up.
"Too much?" I ask.
"Too good. For a moment, I really thought you were Mokuba. It's unsettling."
This is the closest I'll get to a compliment, so I smile. I follow him onto the upper deck of the ship. The moving yet stable ground under my feet feels so familiar. How I wish Seto would let me be barefoot to feel the movement of the water. And take off the waistcoat so I can breath in the ocean scent. And the tricorn and the head scarf, so the wind would play with my hair. I fight the urge to ask and look around. It's so spacious, it's amazing to think that something so big could float. A strange feeling of undeserved pride comes over me and I smile, thinking of the first conquerers of the sea. Somehow, I know that without them, mankind would never have made this magnificent boat.
"Mokuba," calls out Seto from afar and it takes a moment to realize that he is calling me. "Come on."
I glance one more time at the water before following him into our quarters under the poop deck where are stuff are waiting for us. I'm surprised it's this fancy. It appears to be a living merged with an office and a bedroom. There's one large bed in a corner, a working desk in the other, a large table in the middle and a red leather armchair. In another corner, there's also a mirror and a sink to wash up. The curtains, carpets and tapestry are all of the finest making. Comfort certainly won't be an issue. Then I find myself processing the fact that there's a single bed.
"Um, Seto?" I call out as I feel my cheeks slightly heating up.
"Relax," he says, without even turning around to look at me as he looks through a file at his desk. "you take the bed. I'll sleep in the armchair."
"But you're still exhausted from your last mission," I insist. "You should take it. Besides, I'm half your size, that armchair is practically a bed for me."
"Don't argue with me," he nearly snaps. "Besides, I nap more than I actually sleep on missions."
I give up. I am never going to win this. I feel sorry for him; I can't imagine anything better than sleeping on the sea. He's never proclaimed an outright distaste for sailing, so I think it might be the work and not the sailing itself that keeps him awake.
"Can you tell me where we're going this time?" I ask, to change the subject.
"We're heading south to Kingtown with two more escort ships. We'll arrive there early tomorrow morning," he explaines while looking through more papers. "From there, we'll escort a transporter up north to Welligton on Guanava Island. The whole journey should take about six days if we don't have any delays."
"Such as?"
"Storms, onboard incidents, sickness outbreak…"
"What about pirates?"
"The reason we're escorting transport ships is to keep the scum away."
True, it was a silly question. The Kaiba transport security business has never lost a cargo since Seto came up with the protection strategies when he was fourteen. Even then he was helping his father. He's not yet twenty and he already rules the business with an iron fist. I don't think he will ever cease to amaze me. Still, I'm glad he confirmed how confident he was about it.
"Will we pass anywhere near Shayee?" I ask, hesitantly.
The island has the same name as the people who lived there. It's unclear which was named first. Seto puts down his papers before turning to me.
"It's south-west of our final destination and quite a bit off course. If we're on schedule, then I'll allow a detour."
I smile at him. "Thank you again, Seto. I'll never say it enough."
He stares back at me with that same blank look I've never been able to read. Then he moves towards the window and kneels down to open his trunk. After looking through it, he pulls out a small dagger in a leather sheath. He takes it out and shows it to me, flipping it in his agile hand. It's apparent that it's brand new. The blade is thin but in the right hands, I'm certain it could make a useful tool or a deadly weapon, depending on the need. He steps closer and hands it to me. I admire the freshly sharpened blade.
"I was going to give it to Mokuba when he turned fourteen, but I still have time to make him another one."
"You're giving it to me? Why?"
"Ready for anything," he states, reciting the family motto.
"Wouldn't you rather give me an actual sword, then? You have been training me for six years…"
"This is far less conspicuous. I don't expect anything to happen, but you never know. Keep it with you at all times. If you want to thank me, then keep yourself out of trouble."
Even for him, I find it a little extreme. But I say nothing and put the blade back in it's sheath before placing it my waistcoat's inner pocket. If it helps calm him down a bit, then I don't mind keeping it. The one thing I do have more trouble with than expected is sleeping in the same room as him. It'll take some getting used to. I'm sure that after six days, I won't even think about it anymore. Hopefully.
"I have to speak with the Captain. You stay here until we depart. If you must go out, then make sure to stay on the upper decks at least until we reach open waters."
"Aye, big brother," I reply in my Mokuba voice.
"Stop that," he growls before heading towards the door.
He closes the door behind him and I take this opportunity to take off my tricorn and headscarf. I once stated that shoes were my curse. Second to that are hairdos. Maria braided my hair into a crown around my head so tightly that it hurts when I take out the pins and ties. After a few minutes of wrestling with my thick mane, I finally let it loose and along with a satisfied breath.
'Sorry for ruining your work, Maria.'
I lay down on my back on the bed to fully enjoy the freedom of my hair. This is unreal. I'm finally going back. I may not get to go to the island this time, but if this mission goes well, I'm sure Seto will let me come with him again. A thousand questions swarm my mind. Why were the Shayee the first sea conquerors? Why is my hair like this? How many were we back on that small island? I know the sea has something for me. Something I can learn. Something to help me rest a little. And I can't wait to find it. I take another deep breath before getting back up. I tie my hair in a simple ponytail before stuffing it under my headscarf. I make my way out after grabbing my tricorn. On the deck, some sailors are working the ropes or in small groups talking to each other. The ones that catch my eye though, are the men working on the masts, getting the sails attached and ready. They seem to be walking on the wooden posts with the balance of cats. Oh, how I wish I could be in the crow's nest for the departure.
'I'd only hinder the sailors,' I think, to reason myself. 'And Seto would kill me.'
Suddenly, the sound of a strident whistle makes me and all the people around look up at the quarter deck where Captain Leichter is.
"Attention, men!" he shouts with a booming voice, making sure the entire crew hear's him. "Prepare for departure! We raise the anchor in three minutes!"
The instant the captain gave the order, everyone started moving. To each his job, wether it's casting off the ropes, securing the canons, making sure the sails were properly fastened or making sure no merchandise is out of place. Everyone is moving accordingly to how the Blue Eyes demands it.
"Amazing," I mutter.
"Hey! Out of the way, boy!" snaps a sailor passing buy, seemingly bringing another piece of merchandise to the lower decks.
I don't even have time to apologize that he's already gone. I move to a corner where I'm not in anyone's way and I can observe. The captain blows in his whistle again. And suddenly, the Blue Eyes moves. I don't know why but I close my eyes. Feeling myself be taken away with the boat is an unbelievably familiar feeling. A little bitter as well, but mostly is confirms that I need to go out there.
It takes a while for the ship to move out of the harbor and I take the opportunity to look at Domino. More specifically, at the Kaiba mansion at the top of the hill. Though I've never really felt like I belonged here, I like the port town. I like the people here. It may not be my home, but it's a place dear to me. Finally, the Blue Eyes leaves the harbor and we enter the open sea. The water extends all around the ship and again, I lose my blinking ability. It glitters like a diamond with the sun reflecting on it and the salt can almost be tasted in the air as the wind blows.
'This is what I remember.'
I open my eyes again and realize how much quieter it's gotten. Most of the sailors were probably resting or working in the lower decks and only a few remained up here. I look up again to see if someone occupies the crow's nest but my eyes land on something else. On the main top of the mainmast, a cat is casually walking. I blink to make sure I'm not dreaming. No, there is indeed a cat. The animal digs its claws into the giant wooden post and lets itself slide down until it's back down on the main deck. I crouch down and call out to him. Surprisingly, he comes to me right away. Usually cats are a lot more suspicious when you call them. He seems happy to have someone pay attention to him and licks my hand like a puppy.
"You're a strange one, aren't you? How did you sneak onboard? We won't be back for a while you know."
"Don't ye worry your head, lad. This fella's right where he's gotta be."
In front of me is a tanned man almost as tall as Seto only much more muscular. He is bare-foot, wearing classic sailor clothes and carrying a folded rope on his shoulder. He smiles at me before grabbing the cat by the fur.
"Meet Rex. He's a full fledged member of the crew. Seems to like ye, hey. That's a good sign. Means ye won't bring bad luck with ye."
"Oh, that's good. Is he the ship's mascot?" I ask.
"Oh he's more than that, lad. He's the one who keeps those bloody rats outta the food storage. At least that's what he's supposed to do. But this rascal thinks he's a bird. Always gotta go get him up there."
The fact that they've given him a dog's name only adds to how peculiar this cat is. The tall man puts the cat on his shoulders before extends his free hand towards me.
"Name's Maiko," he introduced. "Carpenter of the Bleu Eyes, at yer service. Please to meet ye."
I shake his hand smiling at the sympathetic giant. "Mokuba Kaiba. Likewise."
"That's right. The Captain told us the baron was bringing his lil' brother. First time on a ship, lad?"
"Aye, Sir." It's not a complete lie since I have no memories of the last time.
"None of that, lad. Call me Maiko. How d'ye like to see the lower decks? It's pretty quiet right now, so it's yer best chance."
"Can I really? I wouldn't want to trouble you."
"Aye. Follow me. It's not trouble, since I've got to bring the rascal back to the food storage."
"Thank you, Mr Maiko."
It's a little embarrassing, thinking that I'm just as excited as the twelve-year old would be at visiting the majestic ship. But since I'm posing, I might as well enjoy it as much as I could so I follow Maiko down to the lower decks.
The day has gone by much faster than I expected. Thanks to Maiko, I now can name every part of the ship and have a basic understanding of hierarchy onboard. Everything is quiet now that the sun has gone down. Aside from the few sailors still keeping watch on the upper decks, everyone else is sleeping. I myself start feeling the exhaustion from the day. But I can't help but look at the sky. The stars are so much more brilliant when you're out at sea. Maybe because of the lack of light. The nearly full moon shines brightly enough to make the islands in the distance visible. Sitting on the edge of the Bleu Eyes, I impatiently swing my legs above the water.
'If only time would go faster…'
"Are you trying to fall in?" says a voice behind me and before I can turn around, a hand grabs the back of my shirt to pull me back inside the ship. I find myself face to face with a glaring Seto.
"I can't keep my eye on you round the clock, so avoid doing stupid things like that. Have you no clue how hard it is to fish out someone in the night?"
The water is calm but I keep from making that comment. "How was your day? I barely saw you."
"Busy."
He leans on the edge and rubs his face with one hand. Clearly he doesn't want to elaborate and he's tired.
"You should go to sleep," I say.
"I'll go after you're changed and in bed," he replies. "What are you still doing here?"
"I was looking at the stars. You never told me how much more gorgeous the sky was from the sea."
"My work doesn't usually involve star gazing, Yugi. And avoid that sort of statement when you're supposed to be acting like a boy."
"It's fine, there's no one around."
He snorts but keeps his eyes on the water. He doesn't appear to be looking at anything in particular. Just lost in thought.
"You're going to be disappointed, you know," he states after a moment. "There's nothing left."
Seto is a smart man. Much smarter than anyone else I've ever encountered. Because of that intelligence, his predictions and calculations are unparalleled, wether applied to the domain of business or not. Anyone would come to the same conclusion as him. No one really knew what happened that night. Only that pirates attacked and massacred everyone. If the Kaiba hadn't been spending their vacation in a nearby port town, Seto would've never found me in time. But I can't help that feeling that there is still something left. The one thing that keeps me connected to my ancestors. Before I can answer, however, the baron straightens up and looks at me straight in the eyes.
"What will you do once you see it?" he asks.
The thought that there isn't anything is just unfathomable for me.
"That… can't be. I know there's something."
"No you don't. You're just getting your hopes up. It's only going to hurt that much more when you realize it."
His bluntness is something I'm used to. My belief is solely based on a gut feeling. Nonetheless, I believe it and I find pointless to argue with him. He understands that quickly.
"No matter the case, when you finally come to your senses, you know who to come to."
I pause a moment before smiling. "Aren't you tired of me yet? I've been imposing on your family for twelve years already. Do you plan on doing it until I marry off?"
"You're my ward. When you marry off is for me to decide, and until then, you're under my care," he spits back, unamused by my comment. "Would you just go to bed so I can?"
"Aye, Sir."
I return to our quarters. While changing into my nightgown, I sense that bitter feeling pinch my heart. It's the fear that Seto may be right. No. There is something. There has to. I'm about to get into bed, but pause. Then, I grab one of the covers and roll myself into a tight cocoon on the armchair. As predicted, the leather is comfortable. There are meaner ways to get back at him for irritating me, but I at least know this will annoy him.
"Hurry up men, we leave in fifteen minutes!"
The words aren't clear to me but Captain Leichter's booming voice followed by the strident whistle sound brings me out of my sleep and I rise up so fast my head spins. The sun is already high in the sky and Seto is already gone. We must've arrived in Kingtown hours ago!
'How long was I sleeping for?'
Jumping off the armchair, I quickly wash my face and get dressed. Headscarf secured, I grab my hat and rush out. Just like yesterday, the sailors are moving quickly. I spot Mr Maiko fixing an attach on the main mast.
"Mr Maiko!" I call out. "Good morning. Have you seen my brother?"
"Top of the morning to ye, lad! Yeah, I see him on the docks."
"Thank you!"
I get off the Bleu Eyes and find Seto speaking with someone who seems to be another captain, judging from how he's dressed. Next to them is a gigantic ship, three times the size of Bleu Eyes. It takes a few moments for me to take in all of it. Painted in black letters on its side, it says Golden Whale. That must be the merchant ship we're escorting. And I thought Blue Eyes was big. Sailing on this must be incredible.
My admiration distracts me so that I realize too late that I'm too close to the edge. My foot slips and I start falling, gasping in surprise. But then a hand closes on my wrist and pulls me back on the docks and I slam face first into someone's chest. I look up and find myself staring into beautiful ruby colored eyes.
"Careful there. Don't you know it's bad luck to fall in before ships about to depart?"
The one who saved me is young man with tanned skin, about Seto's age, carrying a heavy sac above his shoulder with his free hand. He wears a white shirt and brown breeches, like most of the sailors of the Blue Eyes. His hair is hidden under a red Monmouth cap. But there's something about these eyes…
"Lost your tongue?" he asks, smiling as he lets go of me.
"Um, no, sorry," I say taking a step back. "Thank you."
He salutes with a slight bow of the head, before heading towards the Golden Whale. I watch him as he boards, until Seto calls me, snapping me out of my daze. I jog to join him and the captain of the carrier.
"Would you look who's finally awake?" says Seto, when I approach.
"Good morning to you too. How was the bed?"
He ignores my question, grabs my hat from my hands and puts it on my head. "Go back. We're leaving in ten minutes."
"Already?" I say, disappointed. "I really wanted to visit the merchant ship."
"If I may, Lord Kaiba," said the man who was most certainly the captain of the Golden Whale. "We have one more stop in another hour, don't we? Your brother could make the trip with us there and return to the Blue Eyes while we pick up the rest of the merchandise."
The young baron doesn't reply and eyes me with a suspicious glare, waiting for me to say something.
"You will literally be escorting me," I say.
The point is to protect the merchant ship. And to be frank, I am not a twelve year old. I can watch myself. What's the worst that could happen? Finally, after a long moment of staring back and forth at each other, he sighs.
"Fine. Don't hinder the crew and no whining when I take you back. Agreed?"
I present him a hand, like Moki would, and we shake on it. Captain Leichter whistles again and Seto checks his pocket watch. He throws me one last look before heading back towards the Bleu Eyes. The Golden Whale's captain introduces himself as Frank Nezbitt, as we head towards the upper deck.
"I've been working for the Kaiba family for over twenty years," he explains. "Do you intend to get in the business as well, young Lord?"
"For sure," I reply, knowing well how the youngest Kaiba feels about the whole thing. "Seto says I have to be fourteen before I can start working for him but just wait and see! I'll be his right hand man in no time."
The captain laughs. "That's the spirit! Seeing young lads like you ready to take on the world is refreshing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must prepare the crew for departure. The main deck is going to be busy but do feel free to visit the lower decks while we leave the harbor."
"Thank you, Captain!"
I salute, keeping my Mokuba persona up, before heading down to the lower decks. The moment I reach the bottom of the wooden stairs, I hear the captain shout orders for departure. He's right, there's barely anyone down there, aside from a few sailors napping. The first lower deck seems to be the sailor's sleeping area, with lots of mattresses on the floor and hammocks hanging from the ceiling. I go down another level and find the gun deck, where all the canons and weapons are kept. A level under that are the kitchen, the carpenter's lodge and infirmary area… All much larger than on the Blue Eyes. Unsurprising, seeing the difference in size. The Blue Eyes is an escort ship while the Golden Whale is a carrier.
"Oh that's right," I whisper to myself. "We must've joined up with the White Wing and the Three Heads."
The triplet battleships are Seto's iron-clad defense against pirates. No rogue ship has ever gotten past them, and none was trying anymore. I've always wanted to see the three at sea together. It must be quite a sight. I'll go after I see the last deck.
"Oi, matey!" calls out a voice. "Is this yours?"
A sailor, a cook judging by the apron around his waste, by the stairs calls out to me, holding up something. I go to him and take a closer look. It's the boomerang Moki lend me yesterday. Did I have that on me? I'm sure I gave it back.
"Thank you, Sir," I say.
"No trouble. I found it in the storage while getting some food. Careful not to loose it again."
The storage room? On the last deck? I'm sure I haven't set foot there yet. No that can't be right. I wait for the sailor to go back to his kitchen to head down. It's divided in two; one side for the merchandise, and another for the food and water for the crew. Walking on my tip toes, I enter the latter and listen carefully until I hear the distinct sound of someone biting into an apple. Impossible. I make my way behind the apple barrels and on the other side, sitting on the ground, munching loudly is a certain black-haired twelve year old.
"Mokuba?!"
He screams when he sees me. "Aaah! Yugi? Gosh, you scared me! I forgot you were dressed like that."
"What in the world are you doing here?" I ask, bewildered. "How are you here?"
Avoiding my eyes and nervously scratching the back of his head, he takes his time answering. "I uh… I followed you and Seto yesterday. I didn't plan on embarking at the last second but… I couldn't help it. I hid in the infirmary."
I can't believe what I'm hearing. "But why are you on the Golden Whale?"
"When we arrived this morning, I snuck out to stretch my legs. When I wanted to get back, Seto was coming out of the Blue Eyes. I couldn't get back without him seeing me. So I got on this one instead."
I crouch down in front of him. "Moki, I'm supposed to be you right now. What would you have done if someone had found you? You'd have been considered a liar and a stowaway. Who knows what they would've done with you?"
His cheeks turned red and he looked down fiddling with his fingers. "I don't know. I saw you two go and I guess I got jealous…I didn't really think it through. When I realized how stupid it was, we'd already left."
Letting out a heavy sigh, I let myself fall on my backside. I can only imagine how Seto is going to react to that. There is no way to hide this. I won't tempt the devil by betraying the trust Seto placed in me.
"Are you angry?" asks the youngest Kaiba.
I'm not really in a position to lecture him, having myself gone behind Seto's back a bunch of times. But I can't encourage this either. "Well, you're here, there's no changing that. I'm not sure what I can tell you but Seto will be furious."
"You're going to tell him?"
"He's going to find out either way when we get back to Domino. Maria and Roland must be scared out of their wits looking for you. Do you really want to spend the next five days hiding in the food storage eating nothing but apples?"
"…"
He doesn't answer and stares at his shoes. He knows it's too late for regrets but he's still a kid, and the idea of getting punished is terrifying. I get back up and extend a hand.
"Come on. We have another hour before we need to tell him. Let's go enjoy the ride at least."
With a hesitant smile he grabs my hand. But the instant I pull him up to his feet, a bell rings loudly incessantly and we can hear hundreds of feet running from the upper decks. There are screams too but they're not clear.
"What's going on?" asks Mokuba.
My heart then freezes in my chest. At that same moment when I remember what Mr Maiko told me about the alarm bell on a ship, the voices become more distinct. And they all scream the same thing.
"Pirates!"
Nothing to worry about huh? Fate just loves screwing Seto Kaiba over. Or maybe that's just me. Anyways, we're finally about to get a little action!
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