Chapter 2: Introducing Jadu, the bandit
It took him a few months, but Leon managed to build a quite decent ship. It was his first time building something larger than sailboat so he was proud of his accomplishment. When Akura started gathering supplies for their trip the reality of the situation started to settle in for him. They were going to sail the open sea and for the first time leave their home. While Akura was excited about the prospect of adventure, he was wary of the unknown.
Their first stop in journey was the city of Ladrones which was at four times bigger than their hometown island, Chikano but it was also far more dangerous. It was famously known as the kingdom of bandits. It used to be a great kingdom before poverty hit the common people and forcing them to a life of crime. Leon had no doubt they would have robbed them blind if they were so scared of their appearances, however, he was still on edge. The way some of them eyed the ship, worried him. He feared if the ship was left unguarded they would dismantle it and sell it as scraps.
" Let's split up. I will explore the city and buy supplies. You guard the ship then we can switch over tomorrow." Akura joyfully suggested.
"…that isn't such a good idea." He wasn't really worried about her safety. Despite her childish tendencies, Akura was an adequate fighter. Perks of growing up in the wild he supposes. She was also inexperience when it came to dealing with strangers. He feared one of the town's criminals might trick her in doing unsavoury things.
" It is going to be fine. We can even get a new member to our crew." She desperately wanted to have a new friend. As much as she loved Leon, he was more of an older brother or even a father figure than a friend sometimes. She wanted someone closer to her age to interact with. No one in their hometown dared to approach not only because of her nonhuman appearance but also in fear of Leon. " And besides I am the captain what I say goes." If she wanted to be a captain she needed to take charge and make important decisions.
He wanted to object, but one look at her stubborn face and he knew it was a lost cause. There was nothing he can do to change her mind. " Fine. Just be careful and don't give anyone besides the shop keeper your money." Maybe it would be a better idea if he gets the supplies? Then again, he couldn't look after her forever. She needed to grow up.
With an overeager smile, Akura started exploring the city. The city of Ladrones was a beautiful city despite its reputation. The city was busy and cheerful at first glance, however even Akura could feel the hidden malice in the city. She was used to being avoided or feared so being treated as a pray by a human was a surprising change. It strangely excited her.
" OI, can I help you, angel?" A sleazy looking man throws his arm around her shoulder. Akura's first instinct was to throw him to the ground and break his arm, however, his friendly gesture caught off guard. Beside Leon, no one casually approached her like that before.
" Angel?" That was the last word anyone would use to describe her. Her horns fell off last spring which had been a sudden shock to the teen. Leon assured that she might grow them like a human with their baby teeth. When they started growing back she was thrilled however they were still small enough that you can't see him under her thick hair. Her wings, on the other hand, start growing new feathers, however, the incident in her childhood left scars that prevent her from moving them at all. The tail was usually hidden beneath her skirt so she looked more like the general description of the creature called Angel.
"Oh yes, can you tell me where I can buy food and supplies for a ship?" She casually ducked down and spin away from his grip.
" Sure, But don't you want to do something more fun?" His previously friendly smile turned more predatory.
" Fun? Can I bring a friend then?" If they were going to have fun she wanted Leon to join in.
" Of course. If she is pretty as you then it would more fun."
Akura busted out laughing. Leon? Pretty? That was one a hilarious joke. " Not pretty. I would say dashingly handsome would suit him better." She couldn't wait to tell Leon about that it would annoy him to no end. Her unusual reaction shocked him from a moment. Him? he thought your friend was another girl.
" No, he is a man, alright. A handsome man." She tried to control her chuckling, but the whole situation was so amusing she couldn't help herself.
The man seemed frustrated and tried to hold her when a firm grip on his arm stopped him. A well-dressed man with a cheerful grin stood between the two of them. " Now now, that isn't the way to treat a lady."
" Jadu. What the hell are you doing?!" Why was that bastard interfering with his job? He was so close to getting that girl to the slave trader.
Jadu smile only grew. " I am saving the pretty lady of course for such a sleazy man." The man wanted to argue, but everyone town knew about Jadu's quick draw. Starting a fight with the city's number one marksman, he would end up with a few extra holes. Fine, the girl wasn't worth risking his head. He grumbled and left the two teens alone.
Jadu turned around to face the damsel in distress to find she already left. It was quite the surprise for a gunslinger who was used to wooing women with his charming smile alone. He was also known as Ladrones's number one womanizer after all.
The winged girl piqued his interest, so he started looking for her. It didn't take him long to find her, her unusual appearance drew people attention and all he had to do was follow people murmuring about an angel looking women.
" So there you are. Did that sleazy man scare that much?"
Akura was surprised to find that guy found her so easily. " what? No." She was pretty sure that man hasn't exercised a day in his life. She could easily knock him out with one kick. " He didn't seem keen on having my friend join on the fun." She had no idea what type of fun he spoke of and she was curious, however, she would never leave Leon out of it. That grumpy guy needed some fun too.
Jadu laughed at her naivety. " I am not sure you would have liked his kind of fun." How can someone understand that sleazy bag intention?! They were are clear as day.
" …. I thought so. He seemed too weak to keep up with me." He probably wouldn't last much in a game of a tag.
" Oh, and might I ask who can?" with great amusement Jadu asked
" Leon…sometimes. But I can always outrun every time. He isn't good at the whole tag thing." His speed something to be desired in such games.
" Tag?" That girl was so amusing. " I bet I can catch you."
" … Don't think so. I like hunting more. I bet can catch you far easier." How presumptuous of him?! She is the greatest hunter Jignku forest.
" Oh? I would love to be caught by such a pretty lady." He casual kissed the back of her hand which only confused her.
His flirting completely went over her head and she only saw him as someone her age who want to play with her. Wait?! Did that mean she got a new friend? Oh, a new crew member? she gripped the hand holding hers with an enthusiastic grin.
" Jadu." The shift of her mood worried him a little. He only planned to woo the girl and maybe spend the night with her. She looked like a fun hunt, however, at that moment he felt like the pray under her intense stare. No one should have that intensity holding someone hand unless they want to propose.
" Come sail with me." Her word shocked him stiff.
" What?" Sail? What is she talking about?
" Join my crew"
Caught in her pace he could only answer truthfully. "….. wait what do you mean sail with you? Are you a bloody pirate?" Jadu had no love for a pirate like the rest of Ladrones's residence. They were a pain to deal with and they often clashed over treasures.
" Pirate? Not really. I just want to go on an adventure. To go and do what I please. I want to live that life of mine to the fullest and if that makes me pirate, then I will be one." Jadu no idea why those word resonated with him so much. He was born to a thief and a criminal. It was a fate he defied often, but he always failed. He hitchhiked on many ships in an attempt to escape that fate of his, however, he often returned to that stinking city. Akura spoke to a part of him that longed for life exploration. Of a dream to explore the seas and make a mark of his own in this world.
"… alright captain… you got yourself a member. Treat me well, my lovely angel." If this was a chance, he would be a fool to miss it.
She was thrilled to have another member.." Oh Great?!" She didn't expect him to accept so easily. She thought she would have to do something grand to convince him. Jadu was still in his daze.
" Jadu, do you know how to navigate? Leon is good, but he says we will need an expert if want to sail any further."
" Yeah, I worked on a few ships before so I know my way around a map."
" OW, that is amazing." Before she could drag him back to the ship, he stopped in her track. " Is something wrong, Jadu?"
His mind finally cleared after his initial shock subsided. Did he just accept to join a pirate crew? Why did he do that? On look the girl and reality set in. Did he just got seduced? He felt like that. It wasn't the type of seduction he was used to. It was a seduction of his heart. The most dangerous type.
" Nothing, angel…. I was dazzled by your beauty." He deflected his slip up.
" You are funny." To the unexperienced Akura, his flirtation sounded like jokes. Such words couldn't possibly describe the Chikano's devil.
" As long as make a pretty girl as you smile, I would be the palace's jester."
"…. What? I wouldn't want that. You are fine the way you are. I like you that way." For Akura as long as the person didn't shun her, she liked them. She was a simple girl after all.
"… Oh, like me." That came as a shock. He usually has to work hard to get a girl to say these words to him." Are you sure about that, angel? You are in the city of thieves. It is dangerous to be so trusting." Jadu was many things a liar, a conman and a thief, however, he always had a soft spot for women.
" I am not…." She pouted. " But I know I can trust you Jadu." Her honest reply was kinda painful. He wasn't used to such a sincerity. The two of them head back to her ship.
" Leon, I got us a new crew member." Akura introduced Leon to their new navigator and needless to say he wasn't pleased.
" Akura, I told you to be careful…." He sighed in frustration. " so why did you come back with a thief?"
Jadu was a proud thief and didn't appreciate getting mocked." Well, it is your captain's decision as a crew member shouldn't you respect it? Right angel?"
Leon gritted his teeth. " Stay out of it." The giant glared at him and Jadu's arm immediately went to his pistols.
"ma mah, Cut out already." Akura stood between the two of them with an angry pout. " Jadu feels fine to me and I trust him and I know you are worried about him being a thief, but I think it perfect. A thief on a devil's crew is very fitting."
" With that logical, you want to make a crew full of criminals." Leon sighed.
" Well, they were the one who fit right in with a devil and a monster." She replied with a grin.
Jadu could only silently watch as they picker in confusion. He got the obvious monster part. He was used to seeing a disfigured man in the seeder part of the city, however, Leon had them beat.
" What do you mean by the devil?"
Without a word, Leon gripped her hat revealing two small horns. " Our captain is more a devil than an angel, Mr. thief."
Akura grumbled. " Hi, I want to tell him that myself." She used her tail to slap Leon's hand away and take back her hat.
The reveal surprised and amused Jadu. " I wasn't aware that I sold my soul to the sea devil." He gently gripped her hand a kissed it. " Although I am happy to give my soul to someone as pretty as you."
Leon whacked him on the head destroying the mood while Akura laughed as his silliness. " I can't take your soul…. I just have extra limbs than normal humans."
" I see. I could have sworn you possessed an inhuman ability to steal hearts because you certainly stole mine…." Leon was about to whack him again, but Akura stopped him.
" It is fine Leon. He means no harm." Why was her best friend so irritated with Jadu's jokes? She found them hilarious. Leon, on the other hand, didn't trust the womanizer one bit.
"Now that we are three. We can leave someone to protect the ship or the other two gather supplies."
" Yeah, Akura protect the ship. I will get the supplies with our new member." Jadu could feel the giant glare pierce him. That man was terrifyingly protective, and he could understand why. He certainly didn't want to meet the end of that man's axe.
