Chapter 6
After a day of rest, Momo was up again on her feet and ready to explore.
They had left the village after dining with them as they were invited. Some of their men and wished to spar with some of Toshiro's group, so he let those who volunteered go ahead with it. Renji, Ikaku and Yumichika took up the challenge. Momo was surprised that the feminine looking Yumichika would actually want to fight – actually he was just roped into it because of Ikaku. They gave many thanks and returned to the ship where Momo was immediately sent to the captain's quarters for better rest and told to stay put. The rest of the men started surveying the path Shinji had drawn up with Kisuke to get to the other islands. They had covered a great deal already and found the bridges leading to the other islands as well.
Momo got onto deck and started looking around for Captain Toshiro to get some work on the diary done. When she didn't find him, she went to his quarters and knocked.
"Enter."
Momo stepped into the sunlit room full of books, maps and shelves. She sometimes wondered if it was a library instead of a bedroom. Momo asked for an update on things and Toshiro shared his current pool of information.
"According to the diary, vast amount of treasures from the ship and a couple of others washed ashore with him. They gathered the treasure and hid it before thieves could gets hold of it. They were planning to retrieve it after reporting to the kingdom, but it didn't go as planned. The exact location is tricky, though it appears t' be a cave."
"Caves are no good for a large group to travel in. The air is stale down there and you would suffocate after some time unless there is some air circulation because of another opening", Momo mused.
"We'll have to make do. This treasure will relieve the burdens of many if given out. It's not like we could spend it all on our own."
Toshiro's hands flipped through the pages of the diary as if trying to see if he skipped something.
"Then I'll take over the translation again."
"Be my guest."
Momo and Toshiro swapped places and Toshiro left the room. She went over how far Toshiro got with his decoding and continued where he left off. There wasn't much left but some final clues could be hidden in the last few pages.
A couple of hours passed and Momo could finally put her pen down. The translation was completed.
[Let's just check one more time.]
Momo skimmed through the pages when the inner lining of the diary cover came off.
[Uh… Did I handle it too roughly?]
Momo picked up the paper that fell to the floor. It was full of handwriting in the common language.
"The curse on the crown is true. Anyone who is not of royal blood will meet his demise upon touching the crown with bare skin. Three of our group of five have met their untimely end already because they didn't believe the rumours and touched it. I do not know how much more time the last two of us have left after doing the same. I pray for our safe departure to the kingdom and for the tribesmen who helped and died. May they rest in peace."
Momo frowned at the ominous message.
"You are searching for the 'cursed crown'?", the grandmother shook her head in uneasiness.
"What do you mean by 'cursed crown'?", Momo was intrigued.
Though the name gave a sense of foreboding, Momo felt it was necessary to know.
"Though since you are descendants it should be okay but don't let the others touch it."
[Grandmother refused to talk any further than that. It seems that it was a taboo topic among the tribe.]
Momo sighed.
[Should I tell this to Toshiro? But he seemed to be pretty bent on getting it. Making the citizens' lives easier. With the King's frail health the country's situation is not improving too well.]
Knock, knock, knock!
"Enter!"
Yoruichi's face popped in.
"Momo, the Cap'ns calling fer ya. We're setting off to find the cave soon."
"I shall be there in a minute."
Yoruichi closed the door and Momo quickly scooped out the papers and diary and stuffed them in a small bag. She took her weapons and exited the room.
#####
Finding the pathThe group of pirates had travelled for a while through the underbrush and the tropical trees. It was quite humid between the vast amounts of plants and made the cloths and bodies damp.
[It's somewhat difficult to breathe as well.]
"How far?", Toshiro asked Shinji who walked in front.
"Almost there", Shinji replied and after a few steps they the undergrowth gave way to a small clearing.
Right in the middle of view was the cave opening yawning at them. The trail of people stepped out of the jungle and crowded around the entrance. Nothing but darkness greeted them.
"According to the diary, there should be a straight path that gets narrower and then suddenly forks off into two directions. We need to take the right path since the left seems to have traps installed in them – though I wonder if they will still be functioning after such a long time", Momo asserted.
"What comes next?", Toshiro urged her to continue.
"Next is a small underground cavern that has five paths branching off. There is a rift in the middle and a bridge connects to the other side. The second one from the right is the correct one. The others will loop or have traps. Afterwards it the path goes down and there should be another underground cavern. That's where the treasure is located."
"Then let's set off", Toshiro declared.
While Momo was speaking, everyone else had started preparing already. They were a group of six about to enter the cave. Momo, Toshiro, Shinji, Yoruichi, Renji and Shuhei would enter while Hanataro, Chad, Ikaku and Yumichika would stay behind for any emergencies.
The cave opening was only big enough for three people to enter together and as Momo had said, the tunnel only narrowed down further inside. At the fork they turned right and eventually arrived at the small underground cavern. The ceiling was only two meters high.
"There's only four entrances", Yoruichi commented as she stepped up behind Momo and peered over her shoulder.
"The first o' the right is buried in rubble", Shinji pointed out.
Meanwhile Yoruichi wandered over to the hanging bridge and inspected it. Her hands travelled along its materials, structures and fastenings.
"The rope will hold us", she turned to the group and said, "Bu the water underneath's unexpected. I thought that it was supposed t' be a rift?"
"Who cares, at least the water will catch us if we fall", the red head of the group replied.
[What Renji says is right. Why is there water? Did it change over time?]
The group carefully crossed the two metre long bridge. The rift filled with water was wide enough that most wouldn't be able to jump over it.
[Ugh… I don't like the creaking sounds this bridge is making.
They took the first entrance on the right. The way sloped downwards. The walls were wet and slippery.
"Watch your step!", Toshiro called out from the front.
The tunnel was barely large enough for two people to pass through side-by-side, however it widened as they further went in. Though it was dark, the torches lit the path.
"I think I see a light in front", Momo informed.
She spotted something glowing straight ahead and it became bigger the nearer they got.
The exit was large enough for five to go through simultaneously. It opened into a cavern larger than the one before. Piled in the middle of the place were a treasure chest and several bags of gold with its contents spilling out. Gold and silver plates and cups were piled together with swords and gems. All this stuff was surrounding a tall rock that appeared like a pedestal. Upon it was what the goal of the whole journey was.
The Grand Crimson Lotus
Shuhei walked over to it. He reached out his had to touch it.
"Don't let the others touch it."
"Wait!"
The helmsman turned around in confusion. Momo had cried out in panic and her mind was rushed to find an excuse.
"Hm?"
"Don't touch it yet. You might set off a trap."
The stretched hand was pulled back very quickly and he retreated. Momo carefully prodded her way forward to the crown. She found an inscription on the rock.
"There's something written here", she called out to the others,
"Beware to touch the crown with skin
A reminder of the deadly curse that rests within
Doth royal blood flow through your veins?
Then take it back to the origin's place."
"That sounds very ominous Cap'n", Yoruichi grimaced.
Shuhei, who was beside her, shuddered.
"I feel glad I didn't touch it."
"Let me see", Toshiro walked up to the inscription.
"I gets the feeling that the stains on the rock are blood. Aren't they kinda reddish?", Renji was feeling Goosebumps.
"Don't be a wimp", Shuhei snickered.
"Says the right one", Renji scoffed.
"Will you shut yer mouths ye brainless chickens!", Toshiro yelled in anger.
The two men immediately shut up.
"All the text say's that the crown can only be touched by descendants of the royal household", Toshiro concluded.
"So, what do we do?", Momo prodded.
"Obviously take it."
"But the curse–"
"Who would believe in a curse like that? The diary didn't mention any o' it."
[How do I say this without mentioning the diary entry I found?]
Momo's voice was getting agitated and Toshiro started to frown.
"Even if it didn't they could have known and been cautious about it. It was probably common sense to them."
"They probably just wrote this t' scare people off."
"But what if it is true? It would put us in serious danger."
"Get off me back with your suspicions."
Toshiro was getting irritated and tried to touch the crown but Momo intervened and pulled him back.
"Don't be crazy! There's plenty of other gold here lying around! Just leave the crown."
"Why should I? Tis the damn thing we came for."
Toshiro flicked Momo's hand away from his wrist. Anger seeped into his words but Momo didn't back down.
"The old lady said it, didn't she – that we're descendants of them."
"Why do you simply believe those words, now that you need it, when you denied it right before?!"
"Such a curse is trifling. You've got to take a risk in such things."
"I don't believe you! You are hiding something – something that gives you confidence that you can touch it. And I'm not letting you touch it until you tell me!"
[What am I doing? Why did I say that? This is the perfect opportunity to find out whether he is the real deal or not – so why do I feel so afraid?]
Toshiro fell silent at the outburst. His face turned stern and his voice turned hard.
"What actually gives you the right to say this?"
Toshiro slowly spun around and started walking towards Momo.
"What actually do you hide that gives you authority like that?"
Toshiro stopped in front of her and leaned forward.
"Who are you?"
Momo averted her eyes from the pressure and took one step back in intimidation.
"Take it", she relented and shut her eyes, "I can't watch it."
Toshiro swivelled around and marched towards the crown and swiped it from the pile of gold.
"See. Nothing happened", Toshiro said triumphantly.
"I'm not gonna praise you, so don't bother", Momo dejectedly answered.
[Now I've got the proof that I've always wanted but why – why do I feel lost?]
#####
DangerMomo sat down on one of the rocks in the cave and waited. Toshiro sent Yoruichi to call the others outside to come and carry the gold. Shinji, Renji and Shuhei took the big treasure chest and took turns to carry while bringing it outside. Soon enough Yoruichi returned with Hanataro, Chad, Ikaku and Yumichika. They also started packing everyting into bags and carried the stuff out. Everything was cleared. Toshiro and Momo also carried a bag each, though Toshiro's was larger and heavier.
They entered the first underground cavern with their bags of treasure. The treasure chest was carried over first, and then the others with the bags went. Yoruichi crossed first, followed by Chad, Yumichika, Hanataro and Ikaku. Momo was next and Toshiro would go last.
Momo carefully treaded onto the bridge. Its structure made it difficult to cross it very quickly unless one tried to run. The wood creaked under the weight.
[Ugh… I really don't like this creaking.]
Just as she thought that, one of the planks broke and Momo's leg slipped through.
"Hyaa!"
"Momo!"
The bridge swayed strongly. Momo grabbed onto the rope when she fell and managed to secure herself just in time. She had long boots on but they were ripped and pierced by the wood.
"Ugh…", Momo groaned.
Toshiro threw his bag of gold to the other side and stepped onto the bridge.
From behind Momo heard Toshiro come over and the bridge wobbled.
"Don't pull out yet", he warned and hocked beside her.
He broke off the wooden splitters and made the hole larger. He slowly lifted Momo's leg out of it and pulled her up. Together they crossed to the other side. Hanataro came over with his small kit. Toshiro took off the shoe and let Hanataro have a look. In the meantime he took a cup from the treasure and used it to fill it with water from the rift. He brought the water to Hanataro to wash and disinfect the wound. Toshiro told the others to go ahead already and wait outside. After the doctor bandaged Momo's lower leg, Toshiro helped her wear her boot loosely. He gave Momo's bag to Hanataro and let her use himself as support. The trio left the cave.
Outside the others were waiting and Toshiro gave them a nod. Everyone stood up and marched into the forest while Shinji led the way back to the ship.
"Thanks", Momo muttered.
Toshiro barely heard the girl and replied with a 'Your welcome'. The rest of the way was mostly shrouded in silence.
#####
Night had fallen and Toshiro couldn't fall asleep. What happened that morning still bothered him. He guessed he needed some fresh air. He exited his quarter and leaned against the railings. He peered over the deck and found someone unexpected. He descended the stairs and walked over to the person sitting and leaning against the railings while looking out at the now dark ocean. He wordlessly sat down beside her.
Momo didn't turn around but knew he was there. She didn't feel the need to talk and just took in the night breeze.
Toshiro grumbled inwardly about what to do. He wanted to say something but didn't know how to start. In the end he just went with his feeling.
"How's your leg?"
"It's fine now. It doesn't hurt anymore."
"Are you sure?"
"It was just a scratch."
"Hmm."
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Why did you act like that?"
Momo didn't answer his question but instead turned around and said with a light tone:
"I never finished my story, did I?"
Toshiro knew that Momo wasn't waiting for an answer and kept silent until she decided to speak and she did. Her voice reminded one of a someone telling children a fairy tale.
"Let me tell you a story of two children.
Long time ago there were two children happily playing together. They played together every day they could and cherished each other a lot. They were very close friends.
One day, as the girl and boy were playing, they strayed off their usual playground too far. Suddenly big mean and scary men appeared and abducted the poor children. They were put into a cage together where other children were being held. They were chained. Other big men came and watched them and the boy and girl saw the other children come and go. Day by day they lived in fear and darkness. They only had each other. They had to do everything they were told to or else they would be punished.
One day another group of men entered the place with weapons and slaughtered the abductors there. They took all the children with them and… separated them."
Momo paused a little before she continued.
"Though the boy and girl begged, the men didn't listen to their request of staying together. And so they promised each other to find one another again. The boy was left with the group and the girl was sold to another. The girl never heard of the boy again."
Momo's light tone hardened as she went further into the story.
"At the place to which the girl was sold, she was subjected to cruel and harsh training. Murder became as easy as cutting butter to her. The only control preventing her from going crazy was the restraint implemented into her by the group so that she could not use her skills against them. Over a year later, the group got busted and the girl was rescued but the boy was never found. Years later the girl – now grown up – received a chance to find the boy again and set out on a journey."
The wind blew quietly after Momo finished. Toshiro didn't say anything and neither did she. Suddenly Momo stood up and rigidly rotated to face Toshiro. She then knelt down on one knee, took the unsheathed sword to lay it in front of her and kept her head bowed. She flinched a little at the pain but ignored it. However Toshiro saw it and objected:
"Hey, your leg–"
"Your Highness", she cut him off, "Your humble servant seeks this of thee. Please return to the palace as the rightful heir to the throne – as Prince Toshiro H. Hyorinmaru. The crown is the proof. Say the word and this humble servant shall do as you wish."
Momo heard laughter upon the end of her speech and looked up. Toshiro was laughing – pretty hard at that.
"You–pft–you", Toshiro tried to get his words out in between his laughs, "you– What are you doing?"
He laughed loudly again without bothering to think whether the others would be woken up.
Momo frowned.
"I do not see the funniness of my actions, Your Highness", Momo answered with a straight face.
"How could I not laugh? You're acting all weird and being extremely formal – and stop it with the highness stuff – it's not you."
Momo bowed her head again.
"As you wish Your Highness, but if I may ask – how do you know who I am?"
Toshiro's laughter stopped. He saw Momo's serious face had not changed at all.
"You… are being serious?"
"I am perfectly serious Prince."
Toshiro stared at Momo's face and his eyes narrowed before saying:
"I refuse."
Momo's eyes widened a little. As she stood up she said:
"Forgive me for my insolence Prince, but–"
Momo's demeanour changed with the next words.
"–do you know how long I have searched for you Shiro?"
Toshiro noticed the way Momo said his nickname was different from how she usually said it. It was pronounced with a sense of longing and certainty, as if the name had finally found its owner.
"I've finally found you! Why? Why won't you come with me?! It's a life better than the one you have now! Your crew won't be punished but instead set free with rewards to boot. You can change the country that you said was making life hard! So why…?"
Tears streamed down Momo's face as her last words became a whisper. Toshiro stood up and took her into his arms. Momo struggled a little but couldn't put any strength into her arms as she hit his chest. She repeated 'Why?' once more and her hands clutched at his shirt.
"I'm sorry but I can't", was all he whispered as he stroked her hair.
Momo's sobbing became louder as she wailed into his chest and Toshiro tightened his embrace.
#####
"Where to now?", Momo asked.
"To the kingdom", Toshiro replied.
Momo had found herself on the captain's bed once again after she had cried herself to sleep on his chest.
[He must have carried me there.]
It had put her into an irritable mood – not to mention that her left leg occasionally gave her trouble.
"Good. Now that you have gotten your treasure, you don't need me anymore. I will return to my place", Momo announced.
"Why don't you stay here?"
"Are you seriously asking me that or are you just being polite?", Momo scoffed.
"I'm being serious."
Momo sighed and turned to Toshiro.
"After yesterday night, you should be aware of exactly who I am –or do I still need to spell it out for you? I'm grateful that you didn't take me prisoner but I need to return since you didn't want to take up your duties, I will have to take them up."
"What do you mean?"
"Are you kidding me? I mean this is j–"
Momo was stunned.
"You really don't know?"
Toshiro's face was blank.
Momo shook her head in frustration.
"I am Momo H. Tobiume, next-in-line to the throne and about to be announced Crown Princess after the rumours of you being the prince have been deemed false by me."
Toshiro was dumbfounded.
"You are who? No, no, no – wait. Let me get this together. You are that Hina The little Hina with whom I played together?"
Now it was Momo's turn to be dumbfounded.
"You mean you didn't know? After I told you the whole story yesterday? Are you an idiot or what?"
Toshiro shook his head.
"You're getting this wrong. You couldn't know, but my memory from the past is somewhat hazy especially from the kidnapping case. After we separated, I got into an accident where I hit my head pretty hard. I got amnesia for a while before my memories returned in fragmented. I don't even remember the promise you talked about."
Momo's mouth hung open in disbelief. It opened and closed a couple of times.
"A-are you serious?", Momo struggled to get the words out.
Momo's fuse blew.
"No way!", she shouted, "What have I been wasting the best years of my life for?! I am such an idiot for falling for you! I can't believe it!"
Momo stormed off to her room after that and left behind a frozen Toshiro.
"Cap'n, ye really messed that up."
It was Yoruichi who came up to him from behind, having watched the whole scene unlike most of the crew, who only paid attention when their voices grew loud.
Toshiro finally broke out of his daze and slapped his forehead.
"Great", he murmured sarcastically, "You did a great job there Toshiro."
His lips had formed into a thin line.
The rest of the voyage, the two didn't speak to each other – though it was more Momo ignoring Toshiro every time and Toshiro finally giving up.
At the port of destination, they parted ways. Momo didn't take anything with her except for the things she had with her before she boarded the ship. A couple of days later, announcements of the upcoming ceremony for the crown princess were posted in all over the country.