Lost boy
Published: 29.07.2021
Wordcount: 8170
Not betaed.
...
...
Chapter 3: Pirates
Run run Lost Boy, they say to me
Away from all of reality
Neverland is home to lost boys like me
And Lost Boys like me are free
Ruth B. Lost boy
...
...
Days faded into weeks, until the weeks faded away and he long ago stopped keeping track of the passage of time. Time on the island followed no structure, rather just pursued its own whims. Sometimes the sun wouldn't go down for several sleep schedules, and sometimes they'd forgotten what each other looked like when only the moons kept them company.
He could have been there a week, or a month, or a year, he didn't know neither did he care. He spent his days playing with the other Lost Boys or hunting with the Indians. They chased each other across the jungle, the sun-bleached beaches and dared across the snow filled mountain. Where it was never properly cold, yet it could still snow if someone asked the clouds nicely enough. Sometimes the snow would taste of cotton candy, and other times you would find rocks and yellow snow when the pixies felt particularly mischievous.
Most of the time however, he would spend with Kaito. Despite having explored the island a million times, they always stumbled over something new and exciting. Sometimes Shinichi wondered if Neverland changed itself simply to amaze the occupants. There was after all no map of the island, he had asked the natives but they only shrugged at him, and his own attempts of making one had been disregarded pretty quickly when the landscape didn't seem to match from day to day. Regardless of this, they never got lost, and they always knew the way home.
Kaito had attempted to teach him how to fly in one of his first days, but he found himself unable to get a grip on it. He could float successfully, everyone could, but it seemed only Kaito had the ability to properly fly. Even the other lost boys had given up and instead cheered from the comfort of the ground.
Shinichi had also given up, after his attempt of flying almost dropped him into a volcano. He didn't want to remember that particularly event. It still shook him when he thought about it. It wasn't much of an issue however, cause Kaito would gladly carry him if he ever felt the need of the rushing of air through his hair.
He was alone this afternoon, choosing to explore the east side of the island. He enjoyed the vast jungle, made him feel like an explorer as every time he went through he discovered something new, but never the same thing. Just the other day he had found a field of rose bushes in a clearing. The petals where white with red spots that reminded him of the scene from Alice in Wonderland where she had caught the guards painting the roses.
He idly wondered if Neverland changed depending on the inhabitants' imaginations. It was an interesting thought. He had brought some of the flowers back to Kaito and they had attempted to plant some of them, however the day after they were gone, and they found hove prints in the soil. A unicorn must have wandered in from the forest and eaten them sometime during the night.
Shinichi and Kaito had attempted to find the rosebushes again, but after two days of searching they gave up. However that did not stop Shinichi from idly attempting to as he ventured into the jungle again. This day, Kaito had declined to join him as he had some important business on the other side of the island.
He followed the trunk of a fallen tree. The ground gave out into a sixty degree drop, and as he climbed on top of the dead tree, he could see down to the ocean two hundred feet away. The azure blue sparkled like diamonds in the direct sunlight.
Something caught his attention in the corner of his eyes. And he saw the glimmer of light before the chimes of bell reached his ears. He turned around and smiled softly.
"Hi Aoko."
The outline of light around her small form glittered in greeting as she flew around his head, and he couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. Today she seemed particularly cheerful and inviting. He had learned from the others that pixies had a very particular trait. Their bodies were so small it was difficult for them to have more than one emotion at a time.
"I thought you went with Kaito this morning," he asked as he watch her land on his shoulder. This close, he could see her facial features. She made a face at him and pointed her thumb downwards.
"It's that boring, huh," he hummed. "I'm glad I declined the invitation."
She opened her mouth to reply, but all he could hear was chimes. However he didn't have to know what she said to be able to guess her words.
"I know, I do tend to be the smart one," he grinned at her, and she smiled shily back. "Maybe we should get back and start on dinner. The boys will be hungry once they get back, I bet."
She looked like she agreed with the sentiment, and he was about to jump down from the fallen tree when he spotted something brown floating in the water.
He paused in surprise as he squinted closer. Now that he had noticed it, he realized he was looking at a ship. It looked to be a galleon, maybe a forty gunners. Something like that must be quick, he thought. Perhaps running as much as twelve knots under a full sail. He was about to wonder why there would be a ship out here, as the only transportation off the island was flying, when he noticed the black and white flag on the mast.
"Is that a pirate ship?"
Adrenaline pumped through him at the realization. He had heard the other boys mention pirates once or twice, but he hadn't seen any evidence of them so far. He had started to think it was just exaggeration. However with the landscape constantly changing, there must be hidden places on the island for pirates. Or perhaps there were other islands out there.
He must remember to ask Kaito next time they spoke, if there were other places they could visit.
He could feel Aoko move on his shoulder, and a moment later she poke his chin aggressively. He was about to look at her when the rustling of footsteps moving through the jungle snapped him to attention. This time the excitement was replaces by uncertainty – surely where there was a pirate ship, there must be a crew. He dropped to the ground silently and made sure not to step on anything as he moved across the underbrush. He climbed on top of some stones and hid behind a bush.
He was just in time to hide, as suddenly he could hear voices drift towards him.
"This feels like a fool's errand. We are never going to find it on our own."
"Don't let the captain here you speak like that," a second voice replied. "You know this is too important to give up."
"Doesn't make this seem like a good idea regardless," grumbled the first voice.
Shinichi could hear them coming closer, and he ducked his head further down. He prayed pirates didn't have super-hearing that could pick up on the quick thumping of his heart. Aoko glowed softer, but he couldn't take the chance that anyone could see the light through the bushes.
"I'm so sorry about this," he mouthed to her, as he plucked her from his shoulder and stuffed her into a pocket. He immediately felt her move around and heard angry but muffled sounds of bells. He hushed her as gently as he could. "I'll let you out when I can, I promise. Please stay still."
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Oh," there was an interruption as the movements stopped. "Captain, we didn't see you there."
The voices were now so clear, that Shinichi lifted his head a little to peak through the bushes he was hiding in. He could see two figures standing by the fallen log. The first figure had blond hair and stood tall with a straight back. Despite having walked in a jungle for who knows how long, he seemed pristine and without any dirt. He wore a long, light-brown trench coat and a red tie, a white blouse and a blue bandana around his neck.
"How's the search going?" grumbled the other figure. He was clad in black and red. A black leather jacket with red trims and golden buttons, his shirt was a deep crimson. On his head he wore a black tricorn hat, with golden rims and a large red feather. A beard a little longer than a stubble framed his face.
However what drew Shinichi's eyes were the glint of metal on his left hand. In fact, it wasn't a hand at all, instead it was a silver hook. The fingers on his flesh-hand were filled with jewelled rings.
"Nothing yet," the blond man replied smoothly.
"Not like we are expecting anything," someone muttered from out of view. Close enough that Shinichi could hear him but not see. He ducked back down. Hoping no one looked in his direction.
"We will keep searching until sundown," the captain replied, seemingly not hearing the mutinous words of the other pirate.
"Aye, aye captain," they replied in unison.
The air was filled with movement again, and Shinichi prayed they walked away. He backed away from the stones he had been perched on, feeling his arms shaking a little from the effort of standing still in an awkward position for so long. His feet brushes against something, and he froze as he looked back. Just by the toes of his feet was a little rabbit peering at him curiously.
"Wouldn't it be easier to get around if we had a guide?" someone spoke from the clearing. The voice he recognized as the blond pirate.
The captain sighed loudly, "you know just as well as I do, that the shadow guards them closely. We wont be able to get near the Lost Boys, Neverland will make sure of that."
Shinichi lifted a finger against his lip, praying that the rabbit would understand the gesture and not move. A drop of sweat slithered down his forehead.
"I hate this place."
The pirate with the hook gave a deep chuckle, "you and me both, first mate."
Shinichi shifted his feet slightly, and suddenly a rock moved underneath him. It hit the ground with a soft thump, but it was enough to spook the rabbit. It immediately jumped into the underbrush, ruffling the leaves as he did.
"What was that?"
Shinichi didn't have time to react as the bush above him was moved aside. For a second, he was frozen to his spot as he turned around slowly to catch the eye of the pirate captain staring back at him. They both where equally surprised, before a hook shoot through the bush in attempt to grab him.
He managed to duck away just in time, he rolled down the little platform, and was on his feet as he hurried in the direction the rabbit had gone.
"Was that a lost boy?"
"After him," roared the captain. "Catch him."
Shinichi didn't wait around for them to do so as he ran as quickly as he could. Having spent a while – days, weeks? – on the island, he had raised his stamina. He knew the jungle well, and he didn't slow down as he jumped over fallen logs and ducked under vines. For the first few minutes he could hear the sound of pursuit, growling from angry men and once or twice he could have sworn he could feel their breath down the nape of his spine.
However soon he could no longer hear them, however he kept running, not slowing down until the jungle faded away to an open valley. Now, in front of him was only large oak trees. He turned back to stare into the jungle, but he couldn't hear anything nor see any movements. Still, his body was thrumming with adrenaline and the need to flight.
When nothing jumped on him immediately, he reached out to open his pocket. Instantly a rather vexed pixie buzzed at him. The usual yellow glow was tinted with orange. She floated in front of him with arms crossed.
"I apologise Aoko. But there was no other way. If they had seen you they would have caught me. Caught us. I barely got away as it is," he pleaded to her.
That seemed to have been the right thing to say, as her colour lost the orange glow and she drifted back to land on his shoulder. This time, she embraced his chin in an attempt to show remorse for not listening.
He smiled back softly, "it's alright. I forgive you, it was a pretty tense situation."
He wondered if he should take the long way home, make sure that if he was still being followed his pursuers would never find it. Or if he should spend the evening in the safety of the Indian village. He weighted his options silently, until he made a decision. He would head home, he couldn't wait to tell the story of what happened to the other boys.
For once he had a story of his own, rather than of the fairy tales they loved to hear him tell.
"Let's head home, Aoko. We have quite a story to tell the others."
She chimed in agreement.
…
Home came in the form of an old, large oak tree. There were several hidden entrances that the lost boys used to enter and exit. Shinichi had learned most of them, however sometimes they stumbled over one that hadn't seen before, nor seen after. They led into an underground base. It was cosy and homely, with a large living room, and alcoves where the boys slept.
Today, he could see smoke whisking from the top of the tree, indicating that they had lit the fireplace. Darkness had already set once he returned home: having taken the long way just in case. He would not be responsible for leading the pirates to the house. The tree was called the hangman's tree. At first, Shinichi had protested that it wasn't a particularly good name for a home, but in time he had gotten used to it.
Aoko flew from his shoulder towards the tree, and he waved after her. They would part ways for a little bit, but he was sure he would see her momentarily already talking to Kaito. Pixies had the easiest ways into the hangout.
After watching her disappear through one of the pin-sized holes in the tree, he walked towards his favourite entrance. It was hidden under a mushroom, and was a comfortable slide that took him right to the living room. He pushed the mushroom over – the size of it reached his hip, and it had a deep orange colour with a yellow centre. He didn't hesitate as he jumped into the hole. Even before he hit the bottom, the entrance slid close.
He held his breath as the movement rushed him forward through the dirt and down the slide. Soon, he could see light at the end of the tunnel before he was propelled into the living room. He hit the floor with a somersault, and the movement had him standing up with a large smile.
The expression was met with half a dozen in reply as the other boys cheered at the entrance.
"Shinichi! You are back," Heiji helped him to his feet by clasping his upper arm with his. "And here our fearless leader was starting to get a little antsy."
"I was not," Kaito mock protested. He wasn't wearing his usual hat, as it sat nestled next to him by the table. Aoko sat on his wrist, using him as a comfortable couch.
The living room was spatial. There was a large fireplace in the middle of the room, and a table was set next to it today – it kept being moved around depending on how much space people wanted at the time. A shelf was filled with the odd knick-knacks of broken toys and chewed on play pieces. On his right started the tunnels into the alcoves.
"I only asked where you were once," Kaito continued innocently as he shot a dark glance towards Heiji.
Shinichi smiled soothingly. "I was just running a little late, that's all."
"Did something happen?" Genta asked curiously, from where he and Mitsuhiko peered at them curiously. They were playing some sort of game in the corner of the room, but now they put them aside in favour of looking at the teens.
"Nothing I couldn't handle," his smiled turned toothily as he held up his hands towards them, formed like claws. "I just encountered some pirates is all."
That seemed to have peaked the youngest boys' curiosities as they crowded him in excitement. Interrupting each other with questions in an incomprehensible cacophony.
"Where did you see them?"
"What did they look like?"
"Were they scary?"
"Did you fight them off?"
"I could take them!"
"I saw them in the jungle," Shinichi replied, attempting to answer all their questions. "One of them had a hook for a hand. He swung at me, attempting to catch me. But I dodged him and ran."
He got a cheer of excitement in reply, as he swung his hand in a half circle as he spoke, and they dodged his arm as they laughed. However, they suddenly departed, and the mood turned serious as Kaito had stood from the table, wearing a deep frown. Aoko moved to float next to him.
"Captain Hook is back?"
Shinichi sought Kaito's gaze, and nodded in confirmation. "Is that his name?"
"Yeah," their leader looked troubled. "If they are back, it can't mean anything good."
Shinichi walked towards him, and placed a hand on his arm. Immediately, Kaito's shoulders relaxed into the touch.
"Why haven't you told me about them before?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. "You have all mentioned there were pirates, but I didn't know it was a serious danger."
Kaito barked out in laughter, however Shinichi had the distinct feeling it was all an act. "Don't be foolish, Shinichi. We can handle the pirates. We are the Lost Boys, the terror of pirates," the boys cheered in reply, "I personally had Hook lose his hand in the battle against the great crocodile. I'm sure he would love another taste if the pirates try anything. I know you are new Shinichi, but there is nothing to fear from them. Believe in me: the lost boys and I will protect you."
Shinichi squished his arm affectionately before dropping his hand. "Of course, I didn't doubt you for a moment. I don't doubt any of you. We got this easily," he grinned to placate the others. He sat down by the table on right side of Kaito. "Now, I want some food, and then I'll tell you all about my adventure today."
It didn't take long before he had a plate in front of him, and he started telling his story. Embellished of course. All through the story however, he felt the heavy gaze of Kaito resting on his shoulder blade. Once they had had their fill, and started to drift towards the alcoves yawning. The eldest sat by the table.
Shinichi turned to Kaito. "Are you sure everything is alright? I didn't know the pirates was a problem."
He didn't want to meet his gaze, as he picked on his tunica. "Nothing that none of you should worry about. I have everything under control. Have a little faith in me."
"You don't have to that," he tried to meet his eyes. "You have me and Heiji to help you out –"
"For sure," Heiji chimed in.
" – you are not alone in this. We want to make sure Neverland is safe for everyone. No stinking pirate is going to ruin the good thing we have here."
This time, Kaito did look up, with a tint of red on his cheek. "Thank you. I – I keep forgetting that sometimes."
"We might look at you like a leader," Heijji continued, "and the younger boys adore you. Even though we believe in you with all our heart, doesn't mean you are alone in this. You got me and Shinichi looking out for the youngsters too. You look after us, and we look after you. That's how family work after all."
This time it was Shinichi's time to look away, feeling a warmth spread on the inside. It had been a long time since he had properly had a family. He liked the feeling. They didn't have such tender moments so often, and he cleared his voice a little.
"How about some goat ball tomorrow?" he suggested, and immediately the two teen's attentions perked up. "We can ask the Indians if they are up for it. Winner has to make dinner."
They grinned in agreement, and they stuck their heads together planning their strategy. The tender moment was over and forgotten, however that didn't mean that they didn't care about each other. It was nice to be a part of a family where everyone cared for each other, he thought with affection.
…
The sun had set only a few minutes prior. The temperature lowered a little, and the noises in the forest switched to the night-time chirping of crickets. Shinichi was exploring the highlands today, the forest fading away into a grass plateau. During the day, the grass would glitter like emeralds under the sun. A sea of gently waving grass. At night, the same view turned a deep purple. Now glittering like obsidians from the light of the moon.
Walking through the grass, the dew clung to his toes and clothing. The length reached his thigh. It had been a few days since he had spotted the pirates by the shore. The day after, he, Kaito, Heiji and the Indian princess had gone to the spot, however the ship was long gone. They found some evidence of the pirates in the jungle from where they had walked through the mud. They were easily distinguished by their large, booted footprints.
Neither the lost boys nor the native Indians wore leather boots. Mostly either light footwear or nothing at all.
Looking up, Shinichi gazed at the star sky. He would never get tired of the view. The stars were brighter than what he remembered from his old life. They were also different colours, some pink, yellow, green, blue, purple and others were shaped different. It gave a magical atmosphere over the night sky. It never got properly dark, even at night. A perpetual twilight.
He couldn't remember much about his old life, or rather, he never really thought about it. He didn't have to. His family was here after all, in Neverland. With Kaito and the lost boys. He adored them all. The native Indians as well. The few times he tried to think about it, the old memories of before just floated away replaced by all the fun he had here on the island.
Something moved in the grass in the corner of his eyes, and he tightened slightly. His hand automatically wandered to the little knife he had fastened on his belt. He held his breath in anticipation – it was most likely just a bunny, but one could never be too careful. The movement had stopped as though it could sense it was being watched.
He waited in silence, not making any sudden move, as he counted the time passing by the sound of his heartbeat. Suddenly, something large bounced from the grass towards him. He only had a fraction of a second to decide his action, and he rolled with the body that slammed itself into him. He grabbing the sides and rolled them over the grass until he was on top. Knife already ready biting into the throat of his assailant.
He breathed out softly to calm his pulse, but only then did he realize he recognized the face underneath him. Indigo eyes, darken by the night, stared up at him with a sly smile hidden underneath a lock of wild hair.
"Kaito," Shinichi groused as he withdrew the knife and placed it back on the sheet on his belt. "You scared me. Don't do that."
"I'm sorry," Kaito shifted underneath him, and Shinichi climbed off him so he could sit up. "I just wanted to surprise you."
Shinichi picked up the hat that had fallen during the tousle and handed it back to him. He noticed the other teen had a speck of dirt on his chin. "You have something on your chin," he reached out to brush it off with his fingertips. "Honestly, I never understood why you insist on only wearing white. But more importantly, how aren't you always dirty?"
Accepting the hat, he stood and held out a hand to help Shinichi to his feet. "Would you believe me if I said pixie dust?"
He rolled his eyes in reply, "that's your answer to everything you cant explain. That and magic. But alright, I'll believe you." Now standing again, he looked around the meadow to see if there were anyone else lurking in the grass. He couldn't see anyone – but he had also not noticed Kaito creeping up on him. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were busy with the natives this evening."
"Oh yeah, no we figured it out. They had noticed some large crocodile prints near their base, but it turned out Heiji had put Genta and Mitsuhiko up to it to scare the princess. He wanted to get back at her for the unicorn scare, but he confessed pretty quickly when Genta gave in after being promised steak for dinner."
Shinichi's lips curled upwards in amusement. "Who needs pirates and a magical island when you have friends like that."
Kaito grinned back, then his smile softened. "I'm really glad you decided to come with me to Neverland."
"I'm glad I came. I can't remember what it was like before this, and I don't want to know either."
They shared a soft expression, Kaito's eyes glittered with contentment. He then cleared his throat and straightened a little. "I came here because I was looking for you. There is something I want to show you. The time should be right."
"What do you mean?" he frowned slightly at the cryptical word.
Kaito shook his head, "it's no fun if I tell you. Come with me, it isn't far." He grabbed Shinichi by the arm and started to drag him across the meadow. He placed a finger on his lip when Shinichi attempted to protest, and he immediately fell quiet. Excitement thrummed through him.
Kaito dragged him to the top of a hill, from there they could watch the meadows. In the far distance they could see the forest, and looming further behind was the tip of the snowy mountains. A soft breeze brushed through their clothing, and Shinichi shivered a little. They stood there in silence for long few minutes, just watching the dip of the grass. After another moment, he could see the shimmering outline of dreamers as the moon bloomed brightly above.
"What are we – " he started to ask, but Kaito hushed him again and he fell silent once more as he looked around with confusion. Why had he been brought here?
He didn't have to wait for much longer. Just as the second moon rose he suddenly saw dancing light appear from the forest. They dimmed and vanished in the tall grass as they danced in and out of view. Soon, smaller lights started to glow frown the ground. Now, the humming of bells reached his ears, and it took a moment longer for him to realize it came from singing pixies. The larger pixies from the forest intermingled with the new, smaller lights. The dreamers started to dance as the pixies swirled around them.
It was beautiful. This dance of the pixies under the full moon. He turned to Kaito to comment, only to realize that he was watching Shinichi and not the meadow. His head was tilted slightly, and he could see the light of the blue moon glittering in the corner of his eyes. He wore a soft expression, and Shinichi wondered slightly what his own feature conveyed – awestricken or something softer?
"What's happening?" he whispered softly, not wanting to disturb the dance.
"It's the birth of new pixies," Kaito replied, with an equally soft tone.
Shinichi looked back at the meadow in surprise. He was watching dozens upon dozens of pixies being born? "How does that work? Are they hatched?"
Laughter brushed against his shoulder blades, and he felt Kaito intermingled their fingers. "Just enjoy the view Shinichi. You don't always have to question everything," his tone was laced with affection.
…
…
"For the love of everything. I don't have to listen to all these mushy things, do I?" Akako interjected him, her expression a little tart. "Get to the point already."
He sat back, pursing his lips a little. "I was only trying to establish our relationship. I might have gotten a little lost in the memories," he confessed.
She watched him silently for a moment, her tea long since cold and forgotten. "What exactly was your relationship with your Peter Pan?"
"We were friends – no more than that, we were a family."
"Doesn't sound very platonic in your description of him," her lips curled slightly in an impish expression.
"Believe what you want," he replied sourly. "He can't love the way adults do in a romantic relationship. Neverland isn't the place for it. It's a magical place for dreaming children that are not capable of understanding such emotions. I didn't either at the time. All I knew was that we enjoyed each other's presence. He liked my imagination and my stories, and I liked the adventures he gave me."
Akako didn't look convinced, simply nodded in thought. "So what's the problem on the island? Who put Kaito in danger? Is it the pirates?"
"Alright, I'll fast forward."
"How did you leave Neverland though? I have never met anyone who have," she continued, sitting up a little straighter. "I thought lost boys never returned, or rather, never wanted to once you forgot where you came from."
"I'm getting to it," he replied with an exasperated voice. "Do you want me to spoil the ending first, or do you want to hear it chronologically?"
She smiled innocently, "no, no. By all means. Do continue."
He opened his mouth to continue telling the story, when she spoke anew.
"It's just…" she trailed off.
Shinichi sighed deeply, "yes?" he prompted.
"How much does your book deviate from what exactly happened? Giving that in the book, captain Hook is the adversary. The big bad wolf so to speak."
He lifted an eyebrow at her.
"Okay, fine," she pursed her lips. "I'll be patient."
"Good. We can discuss the difference after I finish telling you the story, if you are still inclined."
Akako seemed placated at that as she sank back into her chair. "Deal, now please. I'm dying to know what happens next."
…
…
Most of the mermaids were unfriendly, especially to the inhabitants of the island. The lost boys and natives both avoided them like the plague – he had heard stories of some being drowned a few times, and after that they had collectively decided to keep away and not to antagonize them any further. The only one they seemed to tolerate was Kaito.
He wasn't exactly sure why, but he had heard rumours that he had saved one of them from captain Hook's fishing net once. Kaito wasn't really interested in talking about it, so he had let it go. Odd though, as usually the leader of their little wayward group didn't hesitate to brag about every one of his feats. Embellished or otherwise.
Shinichi had wondered if the reason he didn't want to talk about it was so that none of the more impressionable boys wouldn't attempt to replicate the feat in an attempt to get an in with the mermaids. He could see Heiji doing just that. No, Kaito wanted them far away from the pirates, had strictly told them all to run and hide if they ever encountered them.
No, when you lived on an island being surrounded by nothing but the clear blue ocean, not pissing off the guardians of the sea was a very good idea. On the off-chance the volcano erupted and sent them all off on rafts on the sea until it cooled down. It would be better off not fearing drowning.
That however, didn't stop Shinichi from enjoying looking at them from the edge of the forest. Half a dozen mermaids were sunbathing on the stones by the beach shore. The scales on their tails glittered like rainbows in the afternoon light. Occasionally they would wave their tails to make the water splash over their back sides.
He recognized two of the mermaids – he had seen them once or twice before. They looked to be around his age physically. One of the mermaids had long, brown hair and an impressive bang shaped her delicate face. The other had short, light brown hair that reached her neck.
Shinichi had been sitting there watching for maybe half an hour – he had originally come to the beach looking for some sea-shell, but that plan had quickly changed once he noticed the mermaids. It was not often he saw them this close to the shore – the others wouldn't believe their own ears once he told them about this. He sat there idly plucking flowers and putting them into a crown. One of the natives had taught him how to make them – however his was nowhere near as beautiful as theirs.
The sound of splashing had his focus snap from the flowers and back to the shore. He stood on shaking legs – he had been sitting in awkward position for far too long he realized. With slight disappointment, he noticed the mermaids were gone. They had probably had enough sunbathing for the day.
He stepped onto the beach. It was a nice little bay, hidden by the edge of the jungle. It cured into a half moon. He followed the sand-beach up to the stones where the mermaids had been just a moment earlier. He looked across the water, however he could not see any sight of them. He wasn't surprised, they were really quick swimmers.
Something glittering in the water caught his attention. He hesitated for a moment, before walking into the water. It reached to his knees before he got to it. In his left hand he still clutched the flower crown. Leaning over he reached into the water to pick it up. Straightening he stared at a scale about the same length as his little finger. It glittered in the many colours of the rainbow.
His breath hitched in his throat – it was beautiful – when he realized it was a mermaid scale. A smile tucked at the corner of his lips in excitement, he now had evidence to show the lost boys when he retold the story of what he had seen. Now they had to believe him.
Something suddenly curled around his wrist, and he froze. In front of him something dark bubbled in the water before a head appeared. It was one of the mermaids from earlier, the one with the short hair. Her eyes were slitted and filled to the brim with distaste.
"I told you Ran," she hissed, "I told you I felt watched. One of them land walkers where spying on us."
In the corner of his eyes, he noticed the second mermaid, the one with the long brown hair had a grip on his wrist. She wasn't looking at him, instant she was curiously smelling the flower crown.
"I – I'm sorry," he stuttered slightly, his stomach dropping and his heart hammering wildly in his chest. Part of him wanted to violently shake the mermaid off and run back to the shore – to safety. But he knew he wouldn't get far. It was a large chance he would be dragged out into the ocean and drowned if he did. "I-I w-was just curious. You are such beautiful creatures and I'd never seen one up close before. I couldn't help myself."
"Don't think flattery will help you, human," the mermaid in front of him hissed, her jaw clenching.
"What are these? They smell wonderfully," the other one interrupted – the one the first one had called Ran.
He hesitated to look away from the first one, but did so to meet the curious gaze of the mermaid who was still clutching his wrist. "They are called flowers," he hesitated.
"I like them," she continued, ignoring the daggers the first one was sending her. "They smell a lot better than corals. I've seen them growing on the shore before, but I didn't know they smelled so divinely."
The other one grabbed at Shinichi's ankle and pulled. He stumbled forward, only managing to keep upright from Ran's grip on his wrist. He swallowed thickly, wondering how he could possibly get out of this situation. He regretted his curiosity now. He should have run while he had the chance.
"Why do you even care about the surface world, Ran? This human trespassed, we should drown him for his crimes," she hissed at her friend.
"Sonoko," Ran groused. "We can't just drown everything you don't like. He was just curious."
Sonoko pursed her lips, "you like these humans too much."
"He came with Kaito a while back. I saw them flying," Ran continued airily, ignoring the comment.
Immediately, the short haired mermaid dropped her arm as though burned as she backed away. She dipped back into the water until only the top part of her face showed. Her eyes were still hostile, but there was a defeated expression in the lines on her forehead.
Ran turned her attention back to him, not acknowledging her friend's reaction to the news. Shinichi wondered slightly what their backstory with Kaito was. Perhaps they had been the ones he had saved in the past?
"Do the flowers usually come like that?" she continued curiously.
He looked at the crudely made crown. "No, I just twined them together," he flushed in embarrassment, he wished he had paid more attention when he had been taught to make them.
"Why would you do that?" she tilted her head slightly.
"So you can put them on your head. Like a headpiece. Do you –" he hesitated, hoping to not overstep his welcome and that she didn't suddenly change her mind on the whole drowning him bit. "Do you want to try it?"
She looked at him in silence for a few seconds, before she nodded. She slowly let go of his wrist before her hand disappeared back under the surface of the water. With careful movement he placed the flower crown on her head. She reached up to touch the flowers, a smile curling on her lips, and she looked to Sonoko with a growing excitement.
"How do I look?"
The other mermaid stared at her for a moment, before her expression soften. "You look beautiful," she didn't sound happy to having to admit it.
"I agree, they colours fit you," Shinichi commented.
It appeared to be the right thing to say, as Ran's whole expression blossomed as she beamed at them. She suddenly reached into the water for something, grabbed his hand again and placed a shell in his hand. One that glittered in the colours of the rainbow, almost in the same frequency as the mermaid shells.
"Gift for a gift," Ran gave him a shy, but brilliant smile. "You can only find these shells on the bottom of the coral garden. Do you like it?"
"I love it," he flushed slightly. He felt the tension drain from his shoulders, now that he was certain he wouldn't be drowned after all.
"Can we go now," Sonoko groused, glaring between them.
Ran rolled her eyes in the direction of her friend. "Alright Sonoko. I suppose we can." She looked back at the human, "it was nice meeting you. And thank you for the gift. Ignore Sonoko here, she is just grumpy and xenophobic."
Shinichi's lips curled slightly in amusement, he had never thought that other races would be racist against humans, but he supposed it made sense. "Don't worry about it. I'm sorry for staring at you earlier. I didn't realize how offending it was."
"Just don't do it again," Sonoko groused.
"One more thing, before we go," Ran continued. "We saw Hook's ship earlier. I think he was heading back to Neverland. You might want to be careful."
"Oh, thank you. I'll relay the information," he replied in surprise, feeling a little prideful he had befriended the mermaids. He couldn't wait to tell Kaito about this meeting. "My name is Shinichi," he hurried to say as the she turned away from him.
She looked back with a soft grin, "I'm Ran."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise."
"Are you coming?" Sonoko growled.
"Yes, yes. I'm coming."
The two mermaids swam away – the flower crown still around Ran's head. She held a hand on them as she dipped under the sea. He watched them as they floated towards the sea, and with a flip of their tails they disappeared. He backed out of the water, happy once the sole of his feet hit the safety of the sand again. Only then did he let out a calm breath. For a moment there, he thought he wouldn't make it.
He let his shoulder fall as tension drained out of them. He looked back at the shell he had been gifted with a soft expression – he hoped he could meet Ran again, and give her something better than flowers in gratitude next time. He pocketed the scale and the shell and turned around to walk back to the forest. The shadows had grown larger now, and it looked nearly dark. Almost ominously so.
Something prickled against his collar bone as he felt the distinctive feeling of being watched. "Is that you Kaito?" he called out curiously. The other boy had a tendency of attempting to scare him.
He couldn't see any movements from the forest, nor did he get any replies. The only thing he heard was the cawing of a hawk. He frowned slightly, it might just be his imagination, or perhaps a bird or an animal. It wouldn't be the first time. Still, he felt hesitant as his left hand reached for the vial of pixie dust he still had, and his right crept towards the dagger.
"Come out if there's anyone there," he yelled louder now, hoping to scare away any animals if that's what was watching him. Immediately, the bushes started to rustle, and a figure stepped out of the jungle. His throat hitches in surprise this time.
It was one of the pirates, the blond one from a few days ago. He held out his arms wide, a small smile tucked at the corner of his lips. "It's just little old me," he breathed out. "I don't mean you any harm."
His fingers curled around his knife as his eyes narrowed, "you're a pirate."
"Well, yes, that's my occupation. Doesn't make me a bad guy. Why don't we have a little chat?"
Shinichi took a step back as the guy took a step forward. His head twitched to the side slightly, very aware that the beach ended only a few feet behind him. The only way to the safety of the shore was to get passed the pirate somehow. Cursed be this half-moon shaped bay.
"I'd rather not, if you don't mind. I'm late for an appointment. My friends are waiting for me," he bluffed.
"I'd love to meet your friends," the pirate's smile sharpened a little.
Shinichi clenched his jaw in frustration. He wasn't sure how he could get away from this situation. The pathway wasn't large enough for him to easily slip past the pirate, and he could attempt to swim but he wasn't the best of swimmers. His fingers brushed against the glass vial, and his eyes darted down to it. His heart hammered faster. He could attempt to fly away – he had never managed to successfully do it before, but this was a dire situation. It was now or never.
Making up his mind, he popped open the lid and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Remember Shinichi, happy thoughts. He lifted the vial above him and tilted it over him. The dust hit him, and he more felt than saw sparkles underneath his eyelids. Immediately he felt the familiar warm tickling spread across his body.
"Hey wait, what are you doing?"
The sound of the pirate's voice sounded faded even though the crunching of boots in the sand indicated that he was approaching. Shinichi did not have the time to focus on that, as he thought about the lost boys and the hangman's tree. He conjured up an image of Kaito with his head tilted towards the moonlight, and a soft smile curling on the edges of his lips. He thought about the sound of his laughter.
The feeling of something brushing against the tip of his shoes, had him opening his eyes again. He looked down to see the blond about thirty centimetres underneath him attempting to grab his ankle. The fake friendliness all but drained away now with a seriously expression and an angry tightening of the skin around his eyes.
"Come back here," he growled as he managed to grab the fabric of his shoe as he jumped.
"I'd rather not, if it's all the same to you," Shinichi kicked off the shoe, and saw the pirate fall over in the sand, one hand clutching the little leathered shoe.
He couldn't help but grin at the sight and he elevated higher from the satisfaction. The blond couldn't grab him now, but Shinichi knew he couldn't stay afloat for so long. Sooner or later the pixie dust would run out. He stared towards the jungle and tried to remember what Kaito had told him. Happy thought would make him float, but flying needed a different driving force.
Closing his eyes again, he breathed deeply. He considered all the feelings that bubbledin his chest. He was scared but confident. He would escape the pirates: and he would return home to his family. He thought about them now, focused on them, and felt only determination. Let himself fill with the feelings. He would move forward, he had to. Nothing would stop him from what he wanted.
The wind brushed across his cheeks like a whisper, and he heard the pirate growl at him. Fluttering his eyelids open again, he noticed he was moving towards the jungle. He topped over until his stomach aligned with the floor. He put one arm above his head and thought about his family again and focused on his determination. He was moving again.
A smile played on his face as thrill shook through him. He was doing it, he was actually flying! He flew across the beach and over the jungle, and turned his head to grin at the pirate that disappeared in the distance. He stopped then, sticking his tongue in the direction. He couldn't wait to tell Kaito that he had finally succeeded!
Just as the thought sank in, something lunged at him from underneath him. Something heavy fell over his shoulders and blinded him. He struggled against the ropes, and realized that he was trapped in a fishnet. Panic shoot through him and he struggled more even as he felt the ropes constricting tighter around him. One arm was now trapped behind him and the other above him.
He couldn't help it, he hyperventilated. His glee and happiness from being able to fly died out, replaced by pure fear. The magic faded and he dropped like a stone.
He barely had the time to scream as he hit the first rows of trees. He tumbled around hitting branch after branch, until everything abruptly stopped as he was jerked upwards. His breath came out quickly, and he shook his head to get the locks of his hair away from his face. He realized he was hanging upside down and the fishnet swung slightly.
A shadow fell upon him, and he looked up, swallowing slowly, knowing exactly what he had to be expecting. Above him stood a figure clad in black and red, with a large, satisfied smile. He looked like the cat that ate the canary.
"I caught you," said captain Hook.
