Piracy

Chapter 3

Ahoy Captain Kira

Brig

Lacus woke up with a terrible headache. Her vision was slightly blurry and she wanted nothing more to slip back into unconsciousness. Of course the part of her mind that was actually awake urged her to wake up and take control of the situation and find answers to her subconscious questions. Where was she? What happened?

Sitting up with some difficulty she held her head with her hand. She found herself lying on a not to comfortable cot in a small room that at a closer look she realized was some sort of cell. The iron black bars sent chills down her spine. The rest of the cell was made of wood. She felt herself being slightly rocked from side to side, the motion causing her stomach to do little flips.

Covering her mouth with her hand to try and suppress the sudden wave of nausea Lacus shut her eyes and leaned her head against the wall. After she was sure that she wouldn't throw up she tried to remember what had happened.

Then it hit her. Like a tone of bricks. Her father was dead, the village was raided and burned, and she had blacked out.

She felt tears come to her eyes as she remembered that her father was dead, killed by pirates.

"Oh, come now, wipe those tears away." She heard a voice call out to her.

She looked up and gasped. Blue hair and emerald eyes, it was the man she had seen before she blacked out. He was dressed in a simple black dress shirt that seemed to be slightly too big and narrow trousers, with a cutlass strapped to his belt.

"Who are you?" Lacus fought to keep her voice strong; even though she managed not to stutter in fear her voice was quiet and sounded weak.

The pirate smiled at her almost kindly and shook his head. "That's not important."

Lacus frowned sudden anger coming over her. He had kidnapped her taken her to some strange place and yet he had the nerve to deny her his identity!

Laughing slightly at the rebellion in the girls eyes Athrun unlocked the door and stepped into the small cell. Picking Lacus up by the arm forcing her to stand he smiled at her. "All your questions will be answered if the Captain sees fit."

Lacus didn't want to meet the captain. This man scared her enough, now she was to meet a man that held authority over him. She could only imagine how cruel and short-tempered he must be. She shook her head slightly she really shouldn't let all those childhood stories of pirates get to her head. However when one hears them all their life it's hard not to start believing that they were true.

Literally dragging the blue eyed girl out of the cell Athrun stopped only to retrieve something from a room. "Wait here and don't even think about running." Athrun warned and entered the small room leaving the door open.

Lacus stood rooted to the ground. She watched as the blue haired man shuffled around looking for something. She turned her gaze from his back to the long hallway. It was lit by oil lambs and a small amount of light could be seen peering down from the crack of a doorway at the top of a very large stairway.

Taking on last look she saw the pirate placing a piece of paper into the pocket of his shirt. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes.

It was now or never. She had no idea where she was but she would be damned if she was going to let herself remain here. She reopened her eyes and didn't bother to look back to see if he was close to her. Taking off in a sprint she ran towards the stairs.

She could hear pirate curing loudly behind her as he took off running. Fear gave her the adrenaline she needed to sprint up the stairs the foot steps of the buccaneer close behind her. She was blinded for a second as she left the sight of the oil lamps light but it was soon renewed; she pushed the wooden door open and rushed out to what she thought was freedom.

Captain Quarters

Kira strapped his cutlass to his belt and headed over to a desk that was placed to the side of his room. He did a quick check over of the riches they had required and the share written on paper that was to be given to every crew member once they arrived at their destination.

Folding the papers and placing them into a little metal box with a lock and key. After he heard the familiar "click" of the lock; angry shouts and cursing could be heard from outside. Placing the key that was attached to a golden chain around his neck Kira then grabbed his jacket. It was bit fancier than the clothes he wore during the raid but still casual enough for work and fighting.

Holding the hilt of his cutlass Kira opened his cabin doors and walked out.

Deck

Lacus rushed out to what she thought was freedom but was shocked and horrified to see that she was on some sort of ship. There was no where to run but she wasn't thinking about that now as her legs moved on their own; not about to allow the pirate that was behind her to catch up enough to grab her.

She ran until he had her cornered at the edge of the bow (front of the ship). Lacus turned around to face the pirate panting hard from running and the adrenaline rush. She locked her blue gaze with emerald and waited to see what he would do next.

Barely panting Athrun looked at the pink haired girl in annoyance and amusement. "Didn't I tell you to wait?" He asked with a stern voice. The crew was now gathering not too far behind him to see what would happen next.

Lacus whimpered slightly scared and confused, she just wanted to leave this place. Terrified that he would kill her she lowered her gaze.

"Disobedient wench." Athrun grumbled and took a step towards the girl only to have her take a step back.

Lacus felt her back hit the very edge of the ship and turned around to look at the raging water below. The rough waters promised certain death and she knew that she wouldn't stand a chance against the unforgiving waves of the sea.

"You wouldn't survive more than a minute in those waters and it's a long way down to Davie Jones locker." She heard the blue haired pirate laugh behind her. She cranked her neck to glare at him. Beginning to wonder if it was better to remain aboard a ship full of pirate or to take her chances in the crashing waves below?

"He's right you know." A new voice broke threw the chattering pirates and the splashing water. Lacus turned around as did everyone else to see a brown haired man approaching the bow of the ship.

Lacus couldn't help but stare as he approached. He was very handsome to say the least with short unruly brown hair and large dark amethyst eyes that held both kindness and strength. He was lean but was also muscular; no doubt the effects of a harsh life at sea.

He approached and stood beside the pirate that head been chasing her and also was her capture. He cast a small smirk that was slightly teasing. "It's rude to ogle my dear."

Lacus blushed hard at being caught and turned her eyes away from him. "Who are you?" She mastered to get out without stuttering once she finally returned her gaze to his form.

Bowing in a mocking way the boy spoke. "Why my dear, I am Captain Kira of the Archangel. Please to be of your service."

The crew snickered sensing without trouble the mocking tone in his voice. Lacus only frowned but then gasped loudly. The Archangel! She knew of the ship as did anyone, it was a notorious pirate ship that was highly feared and known for looting, fighting, and concurring ships. Its legendary Captain Kira was just as famous if not more. She was surprised to learn that he was so young, but then again the Archangel and its captain have only been news for two years.

Kira smirked slightly at her reaction. It was similar to that of prisoners and others he had come across in the last two years. Though he had lived at sea all his life he only became in full control of his own ship for about two years, still very impressive for a 16 year old.

Getting a better look at the girl Kira was captivated by her beauty. Long pink hair that was very rare and stunning blue eyes, she was indeed a beauty to behold the type that men fantasized would be on their arms to hold as there own; but Kira was not won by beauty alone. A life at sea had taught him that beauty though temping and pleasurable for the eyes could cost a sailor his life. He couldn't cont the men he knew that had fallen for a lusty maiden only to lose everything.

Stepping towards the girl he smiled kindly. "I see that you and Athrun have met." He said giving a side glance at the blue haired man. Lacus looked at the other as well. So Athrun was his name.

Kira grabbed the terrified girl and pulled her away from the edge. Not about to let her commit suicide, by jumping in the ocean. "Now since I have given you the honor of knowing my name, I believe that it is only proper if you give me yours." Kira said gently but there was a hidden message behind it that Lacus could almost not pick up, but it was there, and it promised punishment.

Feeling rebellion conjure up again Lacus shook her head and attempted to pull her from his grasp failing miserably. "NO! I won't! You pirates killed my father, burned my village, I owe you nothing!" She screamed venting out her frustration and pain.

Kira glared at her, causing her to shiver. She was transfixed in his deadly gaze. She bit her tongue regretting that she spoke to the captain in such away. She could see his eyes darken and harden. The kindness that she saw before almost disappearing from sight. She felt his grip tighten on her upper arm and winced.

Kira regretted what he was about to do but he was the captain and to show weakness to a crew made up of pirates was deadly and could cost a man his leadership. He needed to show that he wouldn't stand for such talk against him.

Throwing the girl forward so the she was in the center of him and the crowd he removed his cutlass from his scabbard and lashed at the girl.

Lacus screamed in utter fright and covered her head with her hands as she waited for the fatal blow to hit her.

It never came….

Looking down she saw her dress tattered and gasped trying desperately to hid herself. Though she wasn't naked as she had her under dress and corset on she was humiliated as she attempted to hide herself. The crew burst out laughing and some shouting out rather mature comments that Lacus blushed furiously at. She felt tears come to her eyes; here she was standing on a ship with a crowd of pirates around her ogling and prying with their eyes.

She felt someone grab her arm and she looked up to see the captain looking down at her, a mixture of regret and apology in his eyes. "The next time you speak to someone like that it will be your life." He whispered to her. Lacus felt her eyes widened. Was this some sort of lesson? Did he embarrass her to teach her to hold her tongue? If it was she didn't know wither to be grateful or angry. On the one hand he spared her life when he could have killed her and be done with it, but on the other he had taken away her pride and dignity in one swing of his sword.

Still holding her arm Kira walked towards the doors that led down to the brig. He turned to the crew and made an announcement. "Though she is a prisoner, I will not have her traumatized and kill her by jumping into the waters. There for no one is to touch her with out her consent!"

The crew nodded their heads. Kira sighed and dragged Lacus along. He felt bad for doing that but he needed to show to the crew that no one could disrespect him like that and get away with it, but he didn't want to kill her. She didn't deserve that so in order to keep her around she would need to learn her place. He just hoped that the embarrassment she faced would teach her something; also he hoped that she would forgive him for what he did by saving her from the lusty crew who hadn't been with any women or seen one for some time.

With Athrun

Athrun sighed and told the crew to get back to work before Kira returned and cut off their hands for being lazy.

He understood why Kira did it and knew that his old friend would beat himself over it later. Though Kira had lived a harsh life and commanded a brutal bunch of pirates he was still kind at heart.

Athrun even remembered when the thought of Kira becoming a Captain of a ruthless and famous ship was the last thing on anyone's mind. Kira even as a child was kind and gentle. When he and Kira met he was shocked to learn that Kira was a pirate.

Athrun shook his head and cleared his mind of the past. He was about to get to his own work when a blonde came over to him. "Athrun!"

Athrun smiled at the blonde. "Hello Cagalli." Athrun greeted to the women standing in front of him.

At first glance many would assume that it was a boy that Athrun was talking to. As Cagalli was dressed in men's clothing and had two pistols strapped to her waist from her belt, one on either side of her waist, and had her hair tied back.

"What was all the commotion about? I was down checking the supplies and missed it." She questioned.

Athrun sighed. "I brought a woman back from the raid. She escaped and ran up to the deck, Kira asked her for her name and when she disrespected him he cut her dress off." Athrun explained simply.

Cagalli gasped. "He did what?"

Athrun turned to look at the blonde girl. "It was either humiliating her to teach her to watch what she says or kill her." Athrun said dryly.

Cagalli frowned understanding but still finding it harsh. "I guess."

Athrun smiled at her and left to do his own work.

Cagalli couldn't help but feel a little upset. Not because Kira had punished the girl but because Athrun was the one that brought her aboard. She dint know why but it…bothered her.

But why? Was it because it was most likely some woman who wouldn't be able to do anything and only be a burden? Or was it because she didn't like the idea of Athrun with another woman but herself? Cagalli shook the latter thought out of her head. No! It was the first! Yes that's it. She was upset because they would now have some weak being that could contribute nothing to the ship. Certainly not because she harbored and feeling for Athrun. He was nothing but a low sea dog; a crew member, an ally, nothing more.

Content with what she had confirmed Cagalli went to help out with the sails.

Brig (Lacus's cell)

Lacus cried into her hands and looked down at the tattered remains of her dress. She wiped her tears and sighed deeply to calm herself. This was stupid, why was she crying over a stupid dress anyways.

It wasn't like anything would happen to her now that she was in nothing but her underwear. The Captain himself had confirmed her of that before he locked her in her cell. No crew member would touch her without her consent.

Feeling a bit better at the knowledge that she wasn't going to be raped or killed. Lying down on her cot Lacus fell asleep almost instantly.

Perhaps tomorrow she would have the chance to ask questions and get some answers?

A/N: This is what I meant for the out of character ness. You all probably hate me for making Kira such a jerk but he will become our sweet and kind Kira later on I promise. I also gave a BIG spoiler to Athrun and Cagalli, well sense this will be a KiraxLacus fic I won't develop Cagalli and Athrun relationship that well. Sorry to any Cagalli and Athrun fans.

Hopefully the next one will be up soon!

Tootles!