Title: ARR! (#005)
Author: Red and Blue
Characters/Pairings: Shishido/Ohtori
Word count: 1287
Summary: In which Hyoutei enters the fray. In any universe, Shishido must cut off his hair...
Author's Notes (Blue): Uh, Red had to write the hair-cutting bit because for some inexplicable reason everytime Shishido does it, I start to laugh...

The Emperor of Ice was Atobe's flagship, his pride and joy. Large and luxurious, she was the queen of the seas and Atobe would never dream of using her for actual raids. No, common piracy could be left to the sycophants captaining the other ships in his fleet. The Emperor of Ice was something more – she was the vessel on which Atobe went treasure-hunting, the symbol of his wealth and power. Only the best sailors were worthy of captaining a ship in the fleet she represented.

That was the likely reason for the commotion Atobe found at his docks after issuing his summons to a number of rival ships regarding a grand new idea of his. Shishido Ryou was holding Taki Haginosuke at sword-point, and a crowd of sailors surrounded them.

As Atobe drew nearer, he heard whispers about Shishido's latest escapade.

"Shishido challenged Taki for his captaincy."

"Taki was utterly beaten – just how did Shishido manage to humiliate himself in front of a bunch of no-name pirates?"

"He underestimated the strength of their captain Tachibana," interjected Atobe, fixing a grim look on the hapless man who just spoke. "It would be good for you not to do the same."

"A-Aye, Atobe-sama!"

It was a rather unfortunate affair for Shishido, that whole business with the "no-name pirates" of Fudomine. Fudomine's crew had acquired a minor reputation for rowdiness and violence, but recently there had been a mutiny by the junior pirates, with Tachibana Kippei as their ringleader. That man – who could be considered as being largely responsible for former ship's Shishigaku's success on the seas – was one of the most feared pirates in the region. Needless to say, he transformed Fudomine into a force to be reckoned with. One fine day, it so happened that the ship Shishido was captaining found herself under attack by Tachibana and his capable, dedicated men.

Shishido was quick, and he had a good head for strategy, but his downfall was his arrogance. He assumed that the new Fudomine was even more incompetent. It ended up in his cargo being liberated from him in less than a couple of hours. His unsightly loss resulted in his sacking – Shishido's actions did not reflect well on Atobe and the rest of his fleet.

This new development, however, was intriguing. Atobe had thought Taki more competent than that.

"Taki is dropped from being a captain in my fleet," he announced, gaining everyone's attention as he strode forward. "In exchange, Hiyoshi will take his place." A rather odd character, but not without a great deal of ambition. He will do well.

As expected, Shishido threw a fit. What he didn't see coming was Ohtori Choutarou standing up for his senior.

"Please, Atobe-sama! I'm been sailing for this guy for the past couple of weeks – he's frighteningly capable! I've seen him literally sweat blood handling a ship in a storm on his own…"

"Hn? Perhaps you would like to give up your own ship for him?"

A quiet "Yes" shocked every seaman in the vicinity, Shishido included.

"What are you doing—look, that's not necessary." Shishido took in a deep breath. "Atobe. Please give me a chance. I truly am a different person now." Having said that, he raised his cutlass up to his long mane of hair.

Gasps were heard. "Shishido-san! Isn't that the hair you're so proud of?"

Shishido's blade was ruthless. The beautiful hair that once attracted roving eyes and envy was reduced to a bunch of uneven spikes.

"Enough." Atobe held up a hand. "Do what you want. One more mistake and I'll have you escorted to the end of the earth." Seeing Shishido's nod, the pirate glanced at Ohtori and joined a few more invisible dots in his head. "You can be Ohtori's first mate. Not as prestigious as being captain, but better than washing dishes in the galley, eh?"

"Shishido-san, please hold still!"

"How am I supposed to sit here when you're yanking my hair out rather than cutting it?" Choutarou sighed and tried to be gentle. Really, it wasn't his fault that the scissors was so blunt every cut had to be accompanied by a sharp jerk of his wrist to have any effect. They were in the captain's room on board Choutarou's ship, Argentum, and Choutarou was trying to minimize the damage of the reinstated pirate's impromptu haircut. If Shishido-san had to have short, spiky hair, so be it but it would at least be even short, spiky hair.

"OUCH! Dammit Choutarou, can't you use anything sharper?"

"Your hair's too short to use anything but a scissors, Shishido-san, and this is the only pair I have." Shishido sighed and the feel of silky strands slipping from Choutarou's fingers at the movement sent a shiver down his spine, making him drop the scissors.

As Choutarou hurried to pick it up, Shishido leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. The captain found himself distracted by the smooth plane of his back and the way his shirt stretched taut over it, silhouetting muscle. Unsurprisingly, he missed what was said.

"What?" Usually, Choutarou would have said something politer like "excuse me" but he was a little distracted… Shishido-san had that disturbing effect on him.

"You don't have to act surprised. I'm sure you think I'm an idiot. Cutting off my own hair, making a scene in front of everyone, making enemies with Taki and your previous first mate by my actions… If I'd waited, Atobe probably would have given me a ship again, eventually. But that's not enough. Being in charge of a ship… It's something amazing. And I want to thank you for offering to give up your position to me. I won't let you regret it!"

"Shishido-san…" The fervour in his senior's voice was overwhelming and Ohtori didn't know how to respond. When Shishido displayed such passion, the silver-haired pirate usually let it wash over him, sweep him along with its flow. So he didn't protest as his captain took his hand and pulled him close. He didn't shy away when warm lips traced against his own, even if her was more than a little surprised. However, when the kiss turned rougher and Shishido pulled him into a stumbling walk to the bed, he felt he had to say something, warm fuzzy feelings in the pit of his stomach aside.

"Shishido-san!"

"Yes, Choutarou?" Shishido's voice was an octave lower than usual and Choutarou felt the words vibrating in his chest as much as he heard them. There was a promise in those words and he suddenly wanted very much to find out what it was.

"Please continue." His voice was husky, even in his own ears and Choutarou knew he was blushing. It was all worth it for the smile Shishido gave him, unbridled emotion blazing in his eyes. Shyly Choutarou bent down to kiss—

"Ohtori-senhou! Atobe—Oh!"

Choutarou's first instinct had been to jump away but Shishido clearly wasn't as shy as he was at being out and held on tight. The first mate glowered at the unfortunate seaman. Choutarou, although annoyed at being interrupted, was still polite.

"Yes?"

"Ah… Atobe-sama wants you to take Jirou-san to Port Gray. Um, now."

Choutarou nodded his acknowledgement but the crewman's eyes were drawn to Shishido, who was jerking his head at the door. Taking his cue, the crewman practically shot out of the cabin. He wouldn't dare talk about what he'd just seen for a long time.

As soon as the door was closed, Choutarou found himself in a bruising kiss. "We'll continue later."

The captain wasn't sure he hadn't blushed harder in his entire life. "Shishido-san…"

"Come on, Choutarou! I don't want to get Atobe mad at us!"

"A-Aye!"