Piracy

Morning Arrival

Chapter 11

Lacus yawed as she sat up from her bed. The warmth from the sun that was pouring threw the window was nice and inviting. She wanted to stayed curled up in bed a little while longer but she was still excited from last night and she would barley sit still.

Blushing at the memory Lacus raised a finger to her lips, thought it was accidental it still counted as a real kiss. She giggled as she remembered that at first Kira was almost as equally shocked if his blush meant anything, though he was able to get over it a lot faster than she was able to.

Standing up she went and put on her dress which had been cleaned last night by a friendly maid of the inn. Running her hands down her sides to get out a wrinkle, Lacus slowly made her way to her window.

Smiling brightly she watched as she saw little children playing in the streets and even some where on the beach splashing in the water from where she could see. Several faces she also recognized from the Archangel crew. Dearka was walking with the same girl from the night before, the girl giggling with her hand placed over her mouth every now and then. Apparently Dearka was a charmer.

Still gazing out the window, her once bright and happy smile soon disappeared in a heart beat. A frown maimed her features as she saw a certain captain down below talking to a certain red-head. Kira and Meyrin where standing by a local apple cart and Meyrin was clung to Kira arm loosely. The girl didn't look clingy though, more like what a normal couple would look like taking a walk together, but that just seemed to make the whole situation worse for Lacus. Kira was looking between annoyed and angry, but from the way she saw Meyrin seem to warm up to him it was obvious that he wasn't speaking in a harsh tone towards the re-head.

Turning her gaze away Lacus felt jealousy well up inside her. She didn't hold any malice towards Meyrin but like any woman she didn't like seeing the man she fancied talking to another woman. Calming herself down Lacus fought the erg to either scream or cry. Not bothering to make her bed like she would normally do she felt her room and headed down towards the street.

Meanwhile in a certain blonde was just starting to awaken.

"Argh." Cagalli whined as she sat up in her bed holding her head with both her hands.

The blonde squinted in annoyance as the morning light seemed to stab her brain with each and every single ray. "What happened last night?" Cagalli asked herself as she tried to clear her thoughts.

While engrossed in her own thoughts she felt the lump next to her start to stir.

Wait?

A lump?

Since when did her bed have a lump?

Cagalli turned to glare at the 'lump' that was covered by the white sheets of her bed. Lifting her left hand Cagalli grasped the fabric in-between her fingers in a strong grip and tore them off the offending 'lump'.

"AH!" Cagalli screamed not caring that it soundly so girly and weak.

Her bed lump turned out to be nothing more than Athrun; in nothing but his pants as his shirt and undershirt had been removed. The only thing that was left hide his chest was a small necklace that was made of a thick black cord with a reddish stone in the shape of a tear drop, that did nothing to hide anything. His back was turned to her so that he was on his side facing away from her.

Athrun shot up though at the high pitched scream holding his poor ears in bewilderment. "Cagalli what the hell was that for?" Athrun asked as he stared at the blonde who was still in her cloths from the night before.

Nostrils flaring Cagalli hissed. "Athrun! What the hell are you doing in my bed! With nothing but a pair of pants, and why can't a remember any-…" events of last night seemed to reappear with new force.

Cagalli could remember everything almost perfectly. She had too much to drink, she kissed Athrun, Kira almost killed Athrun when he caught them, and then Athrun had brought her up to her room and…NO…oh dear God and everything holy NO!

Staring at Athrun like she was about to cry Cagalli blurted the first thing that came to her mind. "OH MY GOD WE HAD SEX!"

Athrun felt his jaw drop and heart almost explode in side his chest. WHAT! He felt like dieing right here and now. Not only from the embarrassment- which in turn caused his face to turn ten shades of red- but also from what would happen if he didn't straighten this out.

"Cagalli…" Athrun tried but the blonde just started rambling again.

"Oh God, oh God, what if I'm pregnant? What will I do?" Cagalli shouted pulling at her hair strands.

Athrun stuttered he REALLY needed to straighten this out. "Cagalli we didn't…."

"My brother is going to kill us…NO…correction he is going to kill YOU! He can't find out we'll make something up." Cagalli said pointing at Athrun while she tried to think of an excuse.

Athrun was really frightened at that thought. Oh, God what if Cagalli told Kira that he and she had sex, even if it wasn't true that wouldn't stop Kira from slowly cutting off his wrists with his cutlass.

"Cagalli listen to me! We didn't…."

Suddenly Cagalli turned to look at him again but this time full of anger. "You moron how could you do that to me! I was drunk! If you were going to rape me then at least wait till I'm sober, then I can properly think of a way to rip your inners out!"

Having enough of this cycle Athrun grabbed Cagalli by the head with his hands and held her still while forcing her to meet his gaze. "Listen to me Cagalli." He hissed. "We DID NOT have sex last night! You fell asleep from all the rum and I stayed to make sure you didn't wake up during the night and do something stupid!"

Cagalli seemed stunned but then looked at him with disbelief. "You're not lying just so I don't kill you? Are you?"

"I'm not." Athrun said firmly. Cagalli still seemed none believing but she soon relaxed.

"Alright fine but I may still kill you anyways just for scaring me like that." Cagalli warned.

Deciding to be mean Athrun placed a hand on his heart and spoke with an over dramatic voice. "My dear, would you really kill the father of your first child!" Athrun asked and looked almost deeply hurt. This only resulted in him getting a good smack in the face with a pillow.

"You JERK!" Cagalli screamed at him.

Athrun laughed but then became serious. "Cagalli you know I wouldn't do that to you. I'm not that much of scallywag to de-rate a woman like that."

Cagalli sighed. "I know I guess I just panicked when I saw you with barely any clothes on." Cagalli said looking away blushing. "Which reminds me put on a shirt will ya?"

Also blushing Athrun reached over to the floor and picked up his short that he had thrown there the night before then he put his shirt back on. "You can look now."

Cagalli stared at him for moment before talking again. "Why was your shirt off in the first place?"

Athrun only grinned sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head. "It was hot last night."

Again Cagalli hit him with her pillow. "I'm SO sure."

Laughing lightly Athrun looked at the wall in front of them for a moment. "You don't really remember then, do you?"

Cagalli stared at the blue haired boy in confusion. "Remember what? Oh, God I didn't start singing did I?" Cagalli asked wearily she was a terrible singer and she knew it, she just hoped that if she did start singing that the crew would know better to keep their big mouths shut.

Chuckling Athrun looked at her. "Unfortunately yes you did start singing but you're lucky, you only started when I brought you upstairs to the room, though I wouldn't be surprised if someone else heard you."

"Shut up." Cagalli grumbled her face flushing slightly in annoyance.

"Anyways that's not what I was talking about." Athrun said and took a deep breath before continuing. He was still a little hesitant but he decided that it was better now than later and took the plunge. "Listen Cagalli last night you, you told me that you l-liked me." Athrun said watching the girls' facial expression carefully.

Cagalli only stared at Athrun confused before blushing. "I-I-I did what?"

Athrun blushed and took another deep breath. "I don't know if it was just the rum talking but I….I want you to know that I feel the same. You passed out before I could tell you properly." Athrun looked away his face burning.

Staring at her hands Cagalli really didn't know how to act. Should she admit the truth or try to hide it by yelling at him?

Making her decision Cagalli looked back up at Athrun and turned his head towards her by placing her small hand under his chin.

Athrun gulped slightly not knowing what to expect. Knowing Cagalli though he would most likely get slapped. While she placed her hands under his chin Athrun relished in the slight touch between skins against skin. Cagallis hand felt a bit rough from calluses from ropes and weapons as was the skin on his face as he hadn't shaved yet.

SLAP!

Athrun groaned that would most defiantly leave a red mark.

Cagalli still had the hand she had slapped with him raised as if she was about to hit him again but she soon lowered it. Tears pricked at her eyes but she didn't let them fall.

The blonde fell into Athrun chest and started hitting it with her fist not very hard though. "You jerk! It took you long enough! Do you have any idea how long I have been waiting to hear that!" Cagalli sobbed.

Athrun who was still stunned wrapped his arms tightly around the sobbing girl. "I'm sorry Cagalli, please don't cry."

SLAP!

"OW!" Athrun cried as he placed a hand on the same cheek that had already been hit. Looking down slightly his calm emerald eyes met fiery amber.

"I'm NOT crying!" Cagallis shouted and raised her hand to hit him again but Athrun caught it before it could come in contact with his face.

"Stop it Cagalli." Athrun said sternly.

Cagalli only gaped at him confused.

"If this is going to work you're going to have to leave my face alone. If you HAVE to hit me, I think my arm with suffice." Athrun said looking very serious.

Cagalli glared before smirking. "You just want to keep yourself pretty for me."

It was Athruns turn to glare. "I'm not pretty, I'm handsome."

Cagalli only scuffed. "Yeah right, you and that brother of mine could pass off as a better lady than me."

Athrun giggled.

"It's true but I may be giving Kira too much credit." Cagalli said rolling her eyes.

Athrun only laughed harder. "Awe, you're just jealous because if Kira had blonde hair he would be prettier than you."

Cagalli did not find that funny and growled at him like a tiger ready to pounce.

Raising his hands quickly Athrun admitted surrender. "I'm only kidding; of course I think you're prettier than your twin brother." Athrun said a bit afraid that he had teased her to much.

Snorting and crossing her arms Cagalli pouted before smirking darkly at Athrun. "As a punishment for that comment though you can sleep in your own room tonight."

Athrun only frowned.

With Lacus

Lacus finally made it outside and spotted Kira and Meyrin in the same place they where when she first spotted them. She didn't want to just walk over because that would be rude so Lacus was stuck just standing in the middle of the street not sure on what to do.

"Lacus!"

Looking over Lacus saw Kira motioning for her to come over. His eyes were almost pleading which she found funny, as most captains –epically pirate ones- would never like to show such a weakness.

Walking over Lacus joined the two. "Good morning Meyrin." Lacus said friendly, even if they both were interested in the same man that didn't mean they had to be bitter towards each other.

Meyrin seemed to feel the same way and greeted Lacus with equal friendliness. "I hope you slept well."

Lacus giggled. "I did thank you. So tell me what are you two up to this morning?" Lacus asked looking back and forth between Kira and Meyrin.

"Well I just had to get out of my house. A new girl was brought in and we haven't had a moment of peace since." Meyrin said yawning slightly showing she didn't get much sleep.

"Who is this girl?" Kira asked curious though he had an idea.

Meyrin sighed. "Flay is her name and she claims to be a rich daughter of some Governor or something like that."

Both Kira and Lacus sighed.

"She is awful you would think by this point in time she would realize that she isn't going home, I mean she was just given away to our master. Dearka didn't even bother asking for money he just left her with us." Meyrin explained.

Lacus looked at Meyrin strangely at the word 'Master'. "What do you mean master?" Lacus asked timidly not sure if she should ask such a question.

Meyrin didn't seem to mind though. "I'm a servant for local…erm…house." Meyrin said blushing and looking a bit shameful.

Lacus looked at the girl with confusion and concern while Kira had a look of pity in his eyes. "What do you mean exactly?" Lacus asked with just enough hesitances that showed that Meyrin didn't have to answer if she didn't want to.

Taking a deep breath Meyrin spoke up. "I guess it doesn't matter if I tell you everyone else knows. I work in a whore house."

Lacus gasped and cover her mouth with both hands. "Oh, I shouldn't have asked, I mean I…."

Meyrin shook her head. "No, no you got it all wrong I don't do…well…that…I'm just a maid but it's still filthy to work there no matter what you're doing." Meyrin said looking away.

Kira shook his head and placed a hand on Meyrins shoulder. "Come now, no one thinks that of you. You haven't once sold your body for money so you shouldn't think so lowly of yourself. You're a nun compared to that Meer girl." Kira said with a grimace. He may not like Meyrin the way she wanted him to but she was still a sweet girl even if she couldn't take a hint.

Meyrin laughed slightly. "I guess your right Meer really is bad, but it's not entirely her fault. Many of the girls are forced to do those sorts of things, they never had a choice, and that Flay girl may be one of them, even if she is a pain in the neck she doesn't deserve that." Meyrin said looking a bit better.

Lacus felt a new compassion for Meyrin even if she wasn't a….well…a whore she was still exposed to that. "What about your parents? Or siblings?" Lacus asked.

Meyrin shook her head. "I don't have either. My parents were killed by pirates when I was little and my sister disappeared sometime after. In fact it was Kiras father that invaded our village I think I was 6 at the time and my sister 7. Anyways a few years later I stumbled upon an old thief and he brought me here. It's still not a good life but it's better than what I have. The girls are nice and the master isn't that bad if you get on his good side." Meyrin said casually.

Lacus didn't find anything casual about it she couldn't image such a life but then again she was still getting us to the idea that many of the people she would meet would have their own story to tell and not all had a happy beginning.

Meyrin gave a charming smile in Kira direction before breaking the short silence that had made its self known between the three.

"I have to get going Kira; do you think I could see you later tonight?" Meyrin asked hopeful.

Kira sighed. "No I don't think so, maybe another time." Kira said gently.

Meyrin let her eyes fall to the ground and gave a depressed sigh. "I understand, well I'll see you later, nice speaking with you again Lacus." Meyrin said looking at the girl for the last part, before turning and walking away.

Lacus and Kira watched the red-head turn around a corner when Kira spoke up. "I don't have any feelings towards her, well none in the romantic sense anyway." Kira said still gazing at the spot he had last seen Meyrin. "She is a sweet girl and I can't seem to just tell her to get lost. She doesn't deserve that." Kira said solemnly.

Gazing at Kira, Lacus shook her head. "I understand what your trying to do…but what your doing now is just leading her on, and she don't deserve that either." Lacus said honestly, she would be heartbroken if that happened to her and it was still a possibility as Kira could be doing the same thing to her. "If you really do care for her, even in a strictly friendly manner then you should tell her."

Kira looked at Lacus and smiled at her compassion for others. She and Meyrin did seem a bit tense with each other but he of course was oblivious to the real cause of it. Still he knew that the two girls didn't particularly…like…each other so he felt that this was just another aspect that he liked about the strangely colored haired girl.

"That is very noble of you." Kira said looking at Lacus.

Smiling Lacus pushed back a strand of hair. "Why thank you but I did mean every word of it."

Smiling at the girl Kira nodded. "I know you did..." Taking a step towards the girl Kira wrapped her in a tight embrace that was friendly but held something more in the slightest. "…And don't worry, I'm not just trying to spare your feelings. I meant everything I have said or done." Kira whispered.

Lacus blushed but smiled and returned the embrace, she didn't know why but this villain pirate made her heart flutter and his new proclamation gave her new hope that they may have something ahead of them.

After a short while Kira pulled back and placed a small kiss on the shorter girls' forehead. Lacus blushed as did Kira ever so slightly, unfortunately their moment was broken by someone shouting Kiras name.

"CAPTAIN KIRAAAA!" The voice drawled obviously slightly annoyed.

Snapping his head to the direction from were the voice was coming from Kira glared slightly from having his moment broken with Lacus.

"WHAT?" Kira snarled annoyed.

Mwu was standing no more than 20 feet away with his arms crossed and an amused look on his face. "Sorry to interrupt but there is something that you HAVE to see." Mwu said his stature calm but his voice betraying him as it was filled with excitement.

Curious Kira untangled his embrace with Lacus and headed over towards Mwu with Lacus in tow. "What is it?"

Mwu looked like he was about to answer but before a word left his mouth he glanced at Lacus in an after thought. Not knowing if he should share the information with the girl as well.

Understanding Kira looked at Lacus and gave a smile. "I'll be back in a moment."

Leading Mwu over to an ally not to far from where Lacus was standing he turned to the blonde in question. "So what is it that is so important that you had to interrupt my time with a lovely maiden?" Kira asked a brown eyebrow rose.

Mwu grinned like a fool. "You know Old man Bloom?" Mwu asked.

Kira nodded, the man was well known as one of the most successful pirates ever known. "Of course I do." Kira said wanting to know what Mwu was getting at.

"Well he wants to meet you tonight after sunset. Something about a chest." Mwu said grinning.

Kiras eyes widened. Could it be?

"You don't think?" Kira asked his voice now with almost as much excitement as Mwus.

The older pirate nodded. "This could be the real thing Captain."

Smiling Kira nodded. "I think you may be right. I'll let Athrun and Cagalli know about the meeting. We four are the only ones to be present at that meeting understood." Kira asked warningly. Word spread fast within the Archangel crew and Mwu had one of the biggest mouths.

Giving Kira a mock salute Mwu laughed. "Aye, aye, captain."

Kira laughed as well, his day just got even better.

Yunna's Estate

Yunna rushed outside his estate and smiled widely as he saw the large ship in the distance and the fair sized about of soldiers getting off.

He rushed outside of his homes gates and waited patiently as Rau returned with three soldiers in tow. One was a woman.

"I assume you are this famous woman soldier I have heard so much about.
Yunna said looking the woman from head to toe.

A glare was his response. "There are more women than you think that could fight; they just don't have the opportunity." The young woman said looking Yunna in the eye.

Rau smiled slightly. "Well unfortunately women are not allowed in the military, however we made an exception for you and I'm sure that you will have no problem dealing with this…predicament." Rau said looking at the girl who was dressed in a clean cut red uniform.

Yunna smiled and held out his hand to the younger girl. "Yunna Syrian."

Giving a small smirk the girl took his hand and shook it. "Lunamaria Hawke pleased to meet you."

A/N: Sorry to all who were hoping for a quicker update. I've been so busy the last couple of days.. Anyways hoped you like it. The meeting with Old man Bloom. Will take place in the next chapter and what is this chest all about?

You'll just have to wait and see.

Read and Review please and thank you.