The Prince of Pirates

Chapter two.

Serenity was furious. She had been wearing the same dress for five days! And her hair had begun to get quite greasy and flat.

Endymion had told her that they would be making port soon, and then she'd be able to have a proper bath.

Also, there was no one on the ship to wait on her, so she was stuck trying to pull-out all of the accessories in her hair.

"Are you still at that?" Serenity didn't bother to turn around.

"Yes. It's not exactly easy."

"Well," Endymion started, sitting down in the chair by the door and taking a large bite out of an apple, her apple. "Maybe if you cut your hair, it wouldn't be much of a problem."

"Cut my hair?!"

"Yeah, I mean, look how long it is! It reaches your knees, easily."

"Well, I'll have you know, that my hair is the most prized in the kingdom." She answered haughtily. "And I'm not going to just chop it all off just because a pirate thinks it'll be easier to do so. No, I'll be quite alright."

"Really," Endymion continued, standing and helping pull at a particularly stubborn clip, "It would be much better if you—" He stopped when the sound of ripping resounded through the room. Endymion looked down, his hand was full of white hair.

"Endymion?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Did you just rip out some of my hair?"

"Yes."

* * *

Kunzite headed towards Serenity's room, where he knew Endymion would be.

He was about to knock when he heard muffled sounds coming from the room. Opening the door, he just missed the vase which went sailing over his head.

"You stupid, stupid man! You ripped out my hair!" Serenity screamed throwing the next nearest object, which happened to be a book, at his head – which he easily avoided.

"Calm down, woman! It's just hair, it'll grow back! Now, you have an excuse to cut it."

Kunzite coughed, interrupting the two.

"Captain, we've docked at Mars. Jed is waiting for us at the inn."

"Good, the crew know what to do. Let's go get Jed, then we can set off again. I don't want to be here any longer than three days, do you understand?"

Kunzite nodded and the two were about to leave when Serenity spoke up.

"What about me? Am I allowed off of the ship?" She asked hopefully.

Kunzite looked at Endymion doubtfully and shrugged.

"I suppose it would be alright, but, Endymion, she must be watched at all times." Endymion nodded and sighed.

"Alright, you're allowed to come with us, but you must stay near at all times! If you try to escape, you will be punished, got that?"

"Yes."

"Okay then. This way."

* * *

To anyone passing, they would have seemed like a happy couple. She was smiling at everything she saw, hanging onto his arm. And he was listening intently to every word she said.

But, in reality, it was a different story.

"Endymion, what's that?" Serenity asked curiously.

"A fish-monger."

"Fish-monger?"

"Yes, they sell fish."

"Oh… and what's that?"

"Blacksmith."

"And that?"

"A bazaar…" Seeing her expression, he continued, "They sell things."

"Like what?"

"You don't get out much, do you?"

"Not really. I'm not usually allowed off of the palace grounds."

"That's actually kind of sad."

"Not really. What would I need to leave the palace for? I had everything I needed there, and if I didn't, someone would get it for me. It's you I feel sorry for."

"Me? How come?"

"Well, you're forced to convert to petty crime to get what you want. Now that is sad."

"Huh, and here I was going to buy you a dress. But, after that insult I don't think I will."

"What?! No, Endymion! I'm sorry! I'll be good! Buy me a dress, please!"

"Hmm, tell you what, if you do me a favour, I'll buy you two dresses, deal?"

"Deal!" Serenity squealed. "Now, what do I have to do?" She didn't notice the smirk Endymion was giving her.

"See that bar over there? I need you to put this on, and find a guy named Jed…"

* * *

Serenity could not believe she agreed to this.

Here she was, in a bar, dressed like a serving-wench, and actually having to serve drunken, perverted, sailors. The leers she got were disgusting, and she had actually been pulled onto a couple of their laps and not to mention her butt being pinched four times!

Luckily for her, though, Kunzite was hidden away in a corner to stop anything really bad from happening, but, on the bad side, he was there to keep an eye on her. So escape was out of the question.

She was supposed to find a guy named Jed. He had blonde hair, and blue eyes. Not exactly the best of descriptions, seeing as there were at least five people there who fitted that description.

Tugging at her top, she made her way towards the table with a lone person covered by shadow. Sighing, she set some sort of alcoholic beverage – there were too many types for her to remember - before him.

"Well, aren't you an oddity." The man said, leaning forward, out of the shadow. He had blonde hair and blue eyes.

"What do you mean?" Serenity asked confused.

"You are far too beautiful to be working in such a place. And your moves are graceful. Not only that, you look foreign."

"How so?"

"Your hair is silver, almost white, and your eyes are grey. If I was to venture a guess, I would say you're from farther up north."

"You're right. That's quite amazing, who are you?" Serenity asked suspiciously. He smiled.

"Jadeite. Please, join me." Serenity paused, but sat down anyway.

"Jadeite, as in Jed?" She asked curiously. Jadeite frowned.

"Depends, are you asking?"

"Oh, Endymion sent me to look for you."

"Ah, so he's here, is he? The coward couldn't even face me, had to send his latest toy in his place."

Serenity burned, and replied furiously;

"I am not his… his toy as you so crudely put it!" Jadeite laughed, although somewhat bitterly.

"Really, is that so? In that case, I apologise for accusing you so. You know, you're even cuter when you're angry." She turned redder, and scowled. "So, what does Endymion want exactly?"

"To be honest, I don't really know. Perhaps it was to test your mood, it seems you have a grudge against him."

"How perceptive you are. Yes, Endy and I go way back. We're good friends, actually, just not on the best of terms at the moment."

"What did he do?"

"Oh? How do you know he was the one at fault?"

"You're angry at him, not the other way round." She concluded.

"You're right, I suppose, but really, it wasn't his fault, it's just easier to blame him."

"I'm sorry, but I don't follow." A large hand clamped down on her shoulder.

"And that's for the best." Endymion said.

"Well, if it isn't Captain Shields."

"Jed. You seem calm."

"Yes, you have your little decoy to thank for that."

"Really? I was hoping you'd get so riled-up with her that you'd forget all of your anger towards me."

"Oh, so that's why you sent me!" Serenity said angrily.

"Well, you are rather annoying." Serenity stood, fuming, leaving the two to talk alone.

* * *

Serenity sighed happily as she sunk into the bath.

Despite what Endymion had told her earlier, she had tried to sneak out of the pub, but Kunzite had caught her and dragged her back.

She really needed to escape, and within the next few days while they were still on land. First, she needed a map, because she had no idea where she was.

Serenity shivered, the water had gotten cold quickly.

Wrapping herself in a towel, she wrung her hair out, and walked to the window.

It was night now, and the small fishing village was barely lit. Folding her arms across her chest, she scowled, she could somehow climb out of the window, but she was terrible at tying knots, so she'd probably fall.

A knock at the door interrupted her musings, and a woman walked in.

Serenity was stunned, she didn't think she'd seen anyone quite like her, where she came from, everyone had light hair and eyes.

But this woman had pitch black hair, falling to her waist, and smoky-amethyst eyes, opaque creamy skin and blood-red lips.

There was no doubt that this woman was beautiful, in fact, she made Serenity a little self-conscious.

"Milady," She addressed, curtsying, "I was told to give these to you." It was then that Serenity noticed she was carrying two large, flat boxes.

"Oh, thank you, please put them on the bed."

Curiosity took over Serenity, and she asked the woman to unwrap them. Inside there was some tissue paper, before the woman pulled-out some material, which turned out to be a dress.

Laying it out on the bed, the woman went to open the other box, which was a top and a long skirt.

"There is a note in here, Miss." The woman announced, handing Serenity the paper.

In merely said;

As promised, two dresses.

Serenity had to smile, as she looked at the outfits. They were simple, yet elegant.

"Will you require anything else, Miss?" The woman asked, startling Serenity.

"Um, no, thank you. Actually, could you have a glass of hot-water, with lemon, sent up? Oh, and could you have these washed?" She asked, handing over the dress, and all its layers, she had been wearing up till now. "Thank you."

Serenity pulled on the one of the petticoats she had found in the wardrobe, before plaiting her hair and climbing into the bed, she was tired, and she could always figure out her escape-plan tomorrow.

* * *

Serenity stretched as she walked down the stairs, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Ah, you're awake." A voice she recognised as Jadeite's said.

She found him sitting at the table she found him at yesterday, and walked towards him when he motioned towards her.

"Come join me," he insisted, and pushed a plate in-front of her. "Here, I'm sure it's not what you're used to, but it's not bad."

Serenity really didn't care, when it came to food, as long as it was edible, she was happy.

"You slept well, I take it." He continued.

"Yes, fine, thank you."

"I'm sure you're missing home." At her confused look, he continued, "Endymion told me about you're… situation. It must be hard for you, but you shouldn't worry, as soon as he's paid, Endymion will let you go unharmed." He paused. "He's not a bad person, really."

"I suppose." She said reluctantly, chewing thoughtfully. Just then, she saw the woman from yesterday, walking towards another table, where Endymion was sitting. She noticed Jadeite's eyes follow her intently, scowling when she sat next to Endymion and latched onto his arm.

"Oh… I see now." She said, gaining Jadeite's attention. "You like her, but she likes Endymion."

"You really are quite perceptive, aren't you?" He said after a pause. He sighed, "You're right, her name's Rei, she was a priestess 'till about a year ago, when the temple burnt down. So now she works here, as a barmaid. About seven months ago, I came here to pick something up for the Capt' and I spotted her. I guess you could call it love at first sight, but that's putting it a bit too strongly.

"Soon after, though, Endymion came along, and Rei fell in love with him. And that's what caused a rift between us. So, like I said earlier, it's not his fault, but I guess you can say I don't want to blame her."

Serenity was silent for a moment, to let him brood.

"You shouldn't get so worked-up about it. She's beautiful, yes, but it sounds as if she's fickle, and that's never a good trait in a woman. You'll find someone else to love, I'm sure."

Jadeite smiled, "You're right. Well, how about you?"

"Me!?" She asked, blushing.

"Yeah, you. Why not? You're beautiful, more so than Rei, even, charming, and I can't get over how cute you are when you blush."

"Well, I'm flattered and everything, but I'm engaged."

"Engaged? Shame." He said, smiling, Serenity now only realizing he was playing with her. "To who then?"

"Prince Diamond." She murmured.

"Diamond?! That slimy rat? Surely you could do better."

"What's wrong with Diamond? He's the richest man in the country!"

"Do you love him?" Jadeite asked suddenly, surprising Serenity.

"It's a good match." She answered.

"Yes. But do you love him?" He persisted.

"It doesn't matter whether I do or not, and it's not really any of your business." She said haughtily.

"Ah, I see." Jadeite smirked, "I'm sorry for intruding, you're right, it wasn't right for me to pry."

"That's alright. I more-or-less did the same thing." She mumbled.

"Hmm… what about Endymion?" Jadeite asked curiously.

"What about him?" Serenity asked cautiously.

"You two seem to be getting along pretty well, huh?"

"I suppose…"

"And he's probably just as wealthy as Diamond, and far better looking too. Just look at him! Raven locks, deep, greyish-blue eyes, tanned-skin, rippling muscles…"

"Why, Jadeite, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you liked him." She teased.

He laughed, "No, not in that way. I'm just relaying how a… friend of mine described him. But, seriously, he's much more charming than Diamond, surely?"

"I suppose, but I don't see how that matters… unless you're trying to get me to distract him, so you can have Rei all to yourself."

"Hmm, the thought never occurred to me, I was merely trying to get two friends of mine together."

"You consider me a friend?" Serenity asked, curiously.

"Yes… is that a problem?"

"No! Not at all, it's just… I've never really had a friend…"

Jadeite looked shock, as if she'd slapped him.

"Never?" She shook her head, "Well, in that case, I feel privileged to be your first!"

Serenity beamed.

"You know, you don't talk like a pirate, or even a common-person, where are you from?"

"I'm not some royal that's run away from home or anything as cliché as that, I'm just some well-off merchant's son who was sent to boarding school for awhile. I guess I just don't pick-up local accents that well, is all."

"Hey, you two have been talking for quite a while." A new voice pitched in, they looked-up to see Rei and Endymion.

"Yes, we've discovered we have a bond that cannot be ignored, and so Serenity has agreed to drop her old fiancé and marry me instead." Jadeite enthused, reaching over the table and easily dragging the much-smaller girl into his lap, causing her to splutter.

Rei scowled darkly, unnoticed by all except Serenity.

"Really?" Endymion asked slowly.

"Yes, we think a spring wedding will be nice, isn't that so, darling?" Jadeite purred to Serenity.

"Umm…"

"Yes, spring is such a nice season, it's warm, but not overly so. Say, Endy, maybe we can have the ceremony on your ship?"

"Jed, can I talk to you a minute, alone." Endymion asked darkly.

"Sure thing! See you later, dear, go play with Rei, and try not to miss me too much!" Jadeite said, kissing Serenity soundly on the lips – much to everyone's surprise - before letting her up.

Dazed, Serenity managed a small. "Umm, yeah…" before she was dragged-off by Rei.

* * *

"So, Jed seems quite taken with you." Rei said, almost bitterly, when they had left the pub.

Serenity's brow furrowed, noticing her tone, and decided to humour Jadeite.

"I suppose, he's rather charming isn't he?"

"You can't marry him!" Rei insisted suddenly.

"Oh, and why's that?" She asked suspiciously.

"You're a Princess, an engaged one at that. Besides, he's a sailor, and would never settle down in one place, it wouldn't work out between you!"

"Shouldn't that be for me to decide?" Serenity continued.

"I doubt he loves you, you've known each other for, what, two days?"

"Hmm, he told me differently not a few minutes ago, and besides, haven't you ever heard of love at first sight?" Serenity smirked as she saw Rei burn-up.

"I wonder… do you have feelings for him?"

Rei stopped walking, and turned to face her.

"Before you came along, he was courting me."

"Ah, I see… you're just upset that you've lost an admirer, that's rather vain of you. I admit, I fall into the self-centred category, but I don't get so upset over such small matters. Besides, aren't you Endymion's mistress or something?"

Rei's fists clenched and she actually stomped her foot.

"I am not his mistress!"

"No, you just want to be."

Before Serenity could react, Rei's hand flew-out and slapped her, hard, sending her to the floor.

Sitting-up, Serenity touched her lip tenderly, fingers coming away with blood.

She found herself being helped-up by Endymion and Jadeite, both of who were glaring daggers at Rei.

"I'm sure that, no matter what was said, that was uncalled for." Endymion said, holding Serenity lightly, "Jed, calm Rei down, would you?"

He gently led Serenity inside, as she looked back, she saw Jadeite holding Rei and rubbing her back soothingly.

"Hmm, I think that worked out." Endymion looked at her, confused, "Rei likes Jed, she's just unsure of his feelings, I think he's too much of a flirt for her. Oh, you don't like Rei, right?"

"No, not the way Jed does, anyway. Hey, are you alright? You're lip's split." Endymion tilted her head up, and gently rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip.

She blushed and turned her head away.

"It's fine." She mumbled. "Oh, and thank you for the dresses."

"You're welcome. Come on, let's get you cleaned up, you're all dusty." Endymion continued, leading her to her room.

"Oh! You know I'm not really engaged to him, right?"

Endymion laughed.

"Yes, I know."

* * *

Later that day, Serenity's door was opened suddenly, and Jadeite sauntered in.

"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" She asked grumpily.

"He ignored her, and seated himself on the end of her bed.

"Sorry about this morning. I guess I was trying to make Rei jealous."

"Well, it worked, in a way. So, what happened after?"

"Nothing, after you guys left Rei stormed off somewhere, I didn't bother to follow her."

Sighing, Serenity stood, and sat next to Jadeite.

"Don't be so upset! You should have heard the things she was telling me before you came along. Mind you, I'm not sure if she was upset because you were taken, or just your attention. That girl confuses me, when I first met her, she was calm and serene, but it seems she has quite the temper."

"Yeah, she does. Do you want to take a walk with me?"

"Sure, where to?"

"Just to the docks and back, I need to clear my head, and your presence sooths me."

"I'm glad. Let's go." She said, accepting his arm.

* * *

Endymion sighed as he watched the sun set.

He was sitting at the docks, his feet dangling over the boardwalk.

"Endymion?"

He turned to see Rei there, looking bashful.

"Can I join you?" She asked shyly. He nodded, and she sat beside him. "I came to apologise for my behaviour. It was unacceptable."

"That's alright, Rei. I know your temper can get the better of you sometimes, and the Princess has got this habit of being annoying."

"She's quite sharp, smarter than she looks." There was a pause. "Do you like her?"

"What?!"

"I've seen the way you watch her. She's very beautiful."

"I honestly don't know what you're talking about!" He insisted, turning away.

"Oh please, you're blushing! It's alright to admit, I'm not going to tell anyone."

"Well…she is beautiful."

"Uh-huh. Go on…"

"And she's really cute when she blushes."

"And…"

"Why are you so interested? It's not as if it matters, anyway. She's engaged, and as soon as the ransom is paid, she'll be gone. Besides, I've known her for less than a week. "

"Oh, Endymion, you're so stubborn." Rei sighed, and kissed him gently on the corner of his lips, before resting her head on his shoulder. "It's a beautiful sunset."

"Yeah, it is."

"Before you leave, you should watch it with her."

"We'll see."

* * *

Jadeite scowled, gripping Serenity's hand tightly.

They had walked to the docks, only to find Endymion and Rei. They were too far to hear anything, but they could see them clearly.

They saw them kiss.

"Jadeite?" Serenity asked, softly.

"Let's go back." He growled, pulling her away from the scene.

"I'm sure it was nothing…"

"Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?" Jadeite snapped.

"Jadeite, I know you're upset, but that's no reason to take it out on me. I'm just trying to comfort you. The whole thing looked rather platonic to me."

"We must have been watching different things, then. 'Cause I saw them kiss."

"You're over-reacting!"

"No! I'm not! In-fact, tomorrow, I'm going to challenge Endymion, and run him through!"

"You're going to ruin your friendship over a girl?!" Serenity asked incredulously. "Don't be ridiculous! I thought you had more sense than this!"

"Why are you so upset? When he's dead, you'll be able to go back home!"

"I may be selfish, but I don't want someone to die just so I can get away! Jadeite! Just stop for a moment, relax, and think. You don't want to do this, you're just angry, in the morning you'll see things more clearly. Okay?"

He didn't answer, instead, he pulled her to him, and kissed her roughly.

She heard a gasp, and they both broke apart to see the two they were just spying on watching them.

Rei looked upset, Endymion looked angry.

"That was spiteful of you." Serenity hissed at him, before pulling herself free and storming off.

She heard shouting, and she turned back to see Endymion and Jadeite arguing with each other.

She continued walking, assuring herself that it was none of her business.

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