-13- Pirates and a Witch
Billowing high in the air, the black cloth devoured Amu's mind as her gaze seemed forever trapped upon its image. A skull whose right eye was scratched with claw marks and two scythes that intersected with each other below it – a pirate flag. How could I have missed it before, Amu wondered, now allowing her gaze to wander around to take in the ships details that she's missed before. There was an area on the ship on either side that was covered by cloths, her eyes widened realising they were canons.
"Still shocked poor little witch," Nadeshiko taunted, deliberately holding the weapon slightly away from Amu now. Unlike her brother, she enjoyed to torture her victims a little and draw out the killing time. "I really didn't want to do this to you but it's the captain's orders you see."
This isn't real, Amu thought, now looking at a silent Yoru and Ikuto. They're not pirates, they can't be. Ikuto is a good person, there's no way he's a pirate.
"Ready to die…" Nadeshiko's voice hissed causing Amu to act impulsively.
Believing Ikuto and Yoru were good, Amu shoved Nadeshiko away and ran towards them. She outstretched her hands towards the two brothers, closing the distance between them, "Yoru, Ikuto," she shouted, "run…."
Ikuto extended his hands out towards Amu and grabbed hold of her wrists as she approached them. He pulled her roughly into him, his other hand gripping instantly onto her throat, stunning Amu into a hollow state, and making her incapable of thinking.
"Nice catch Captain," Nadeshiko complimented with a smile on her face. She relaxed herself, anticipating the drama about to unfold.
Amu wasn't suffocating yet but with each passing second she felt Ikuto's fingers around her neck tightening and it was beginning to hurt. Though most of her shock had gone by now, confusion tormented Amu, as she stared at Ikuto, who had a perfect poker face. She forced herself to speak, "that woman just called you Captain. Ikuto, who are you?"
"You know the answer already," Ikuto answered, "you just don't want to accept it."
"How can someone like you," Amu began, but struggled to speak as she didn't know what it was she wanted to say. "It's not what it seems, tell me…"
"Lying to you now would be a lot crueller than the truth," Ikuto stated.
"Hey Yoru, tell me you and your brother…you aren't pirates," Amu said a little more desperately now, looking at Yoru.
Meeting Amu's gaze for a few seconds, Yoru immediately looked away and stepped behind his brother, hiding himself from her.
"Yoru," Amu uttered; seeing his reaction, there was a pain slowly growing in her chest. "You and Ikuto can't be…."
"Sorry," Yoru muttered extremely quietly.
"Don't bother Yoru anymore," Ikuto interjected, taking Amu's attention once more, "you should refer to me as Captain Ikuto." Ikuto continued speaking, each of his words snapping Amu to reality, "I'm a pirate and the captain of this crew." He exerted more force into his fingers. "I'm also the one who ordered Nadeshiko to kill you."
At that moment, Amu felt herself switch off. Reality had hit her so hard, she didn't know how to deal with it. One thing was clear to her though, Ikuto's grip was nothing compared to the searing pain in her chest and throbbing heart. She wasn't suffocating from his grip, but from her own painful emotions – this is what betrayal feels like, Amu thought. No, this isn't betrayal, this is what I should've expected. I shouldn't have gotten close to any humans…I…whether pirates or humans, witches will never be accepted by anyone. But Ikuto, Amu stared sadly at him, you were someone I had wanted to... The tight squeezing feeling in her chest continued and tears just fell from her eyes. Err, I'm crying….
Ikuto felt his own heart pound against his chest the moment Amu's tears dropped onto his hand and his body began to shake. Those eyes, that look Ikuto cursed, just like hers… The image of a little girl seemed to merge with Amu and he let out a shocked gasp, uttering at his own painful memory, "Princess…" Ikuto's hand became loose and he let go of Amu.
"Captain," Nadeshiko queered, "perhaps I should finish this useless witch in your stead. She's not worth your time." Nadeshiko slowly tightened her grip on her weapon again.
Amu and Ikuto stood motionless, staring at each other, allowing nothing but uncertainty to surround their wavering hearts. You're a pirate ready to kill me at any moment, Amu thought, as her tears dried up. I want to live though, I need to live. Amu took a step away from Ikuto who didn't move. It seemed he may allow her to run as Amu took another big step away from him, her gaze never leaving his. Her mind was a lot clearer now that she had accepted what Yoru and Ikuto was. A part of her was still in pain but at least, she knew she had to run away, she knew what she had to do. BANG! BANG! BANG! The consecutive blasts from a gun snapped Amu out of her thoughts; immediately her attention was upon the kid Daichi, who had just managed to dodge three extremely close range gunshots to his chest and head. His movements are really agile, Amu noted, her legs moving before she could think. She immediately sprinted towards Daichi just as the man with the gun fired another shot. This time Amu pushed Daichi out the way, taking the kid's hands, she pulled him into a run towards the front of the ship until there was nowhere left to run.
"What are you doing?" a surprised Daichi asked, slapping Amu's hand away from his. "There's nothing a witch like you would want from me."
"I'm not trying to save you to get anything from you," Amu stated clearly, "we're in the same position here. We boarded a pirate ship by accident…"
"What are you doing, helping a human?" Daichi asked more loudly. "Why aren't you running away on your own?"
Amu opened her mouth but no voice would come out. What am I doing, Amu questioned, do I enjoy being a heroine that much? Have I forgotten about Yoru and Ikuto already…I won't be accepted by any humans. This kid is right, I don't know what I'm doing, or why.
Daichi waited for an answer, observing Amu carefully. Even though he didn't know her well, he had a feeling, from watching her actions that she wasn't someone bad. She was more human than a witch.
"That's right," an excited Nadeshiko chuckled as she suddenly appeared from behind Amu, pressing the blade of her Naginata into Amu's flesh, cutting the skin of her neck.
"Ah…" Amu winced from the pain that only increased as Nadeshiko slowly exerted more force into the wound, cutting in deeper with each passing minute. Amu clutched the blade with both her hands now, more blood staining its cold metal as her hands started to bleed under the pressure of the sharp blade.
"Futile," Nadeshiko laughed more, enjoying Amu's struggle. "Say, why don't you try using magic? You'd probably have a better chance than this and you are a witch."
Stop, Daichi wanted to say, but he stopped himself. She's got nothing to do with me and I am already…
"DAICHI, BEHIND YOU," Amu managed to shout, still using all her strength to hold the blade away from her neck.
Sensing the presence behind him after Amu's warning, Daichi once again dodged an attack from Nagihiko, the man who had the exact same looks as Amu's attacker. Unlike before though, Daichi was prepared to prove himself. Taking the unexpected Nagihiko by surprise, Daichi grabbed hold of his hand-gun and Nagihiko let go straight away, biting his lips hard to stop himself from letting out a cry of pain. Daichi too bit his lips hard to stop himself from showing he was affected. Hidden within Daichi's hand, there was a special piece of metal; when it touched the hand-gun it automatically generated a lightning shock through the bodies of both those attached to the object.
That's a magic embedded object, Amu thought, relieved that Daichi was alright as she watched him drop the gun to the floor, unable to take in anymore of the electric shocks.
"Not bad kid," Nagihiko said flexing his hands to show that it was perfectly fine.
"R…run kid…" Amu tried to shout but her strength was no match for Nadeshiko's and the blade was once again touching her skin.
"I quite like you kid, you've got guts just like the captain said," both Nadeshiko and Nagihiko said at the same time.
What? Amu thought, don't tell me, Daichi is…
"We approve of you," the twins said in unison.
"You did well," Nagihiko smiled, "you've passed the test for sure."
"Yeah," Daichi only managed to say, still a little worn from his own trick.
"Welcome to the crew Daichi," Ikuto said, slowly walking towards them with Yoru following behind him.
Again, Amu screamed in her mind, why is it like this all the time? My feelings towards Yoru, Ikuto and even Daichi, they were all real…and yet…I was wrong to get close to humans….
Daichi slowly turned to look at the witch. He knew it was cruel, but what else could he do but tell the truth, "I knew already before leaving town that Ikuto was a pirate. He made me the offer of joining his crew until I find my brother. I've decided when I left Barren town on this ship to accept." Daichi said clearly, "I'm also now a pirate. The only one who needs to run is you."
Nadeshiko let out a laugh, seeing Amu loose her expression and strength.
Amu couldn't say anything, only a cry was let out her mouth as she felt the blade cut into her flesh. Her wound was cutting deeper and deeper, blood gushing out and staining the metal a deep red. She was going to die on this ship. Giving up, Amu closed her eyes, dropping both her hands besides her.
"Be gone witch," Nadeshiko said initially wanting to drive the sharp edge through Amu's neck and end her life but was stopped as Yoru began to grab the weapon from her. "STOP THIS YORU!"
"DON'T KILL HER," Yoru shouted and cried at the same time, his body shaking vigorously, but his grasp on Nadeshiko's weapon was strong as he pulled it away from Amu. "Nade…let her go…please…"
"Yoru, don't be fooled by her, she's a witch," Nadeshiko said, not even attempting to struggle with Yoru.
"AMU'S MY FRIEND," Yoru shouted as loud as he could.
"Yoru," Amu gasped, opening her eyes and looking at the kid.
"Yoru stop this right now," Ikuto ordered.
Yoru turned to look at his brother who had an angry expression upon his face now. His hands on Nadeshiko's weapon loosened, his fear of his brother far stronger than his desire to save a friend. Even though Yoru hated this, he simply couldn't do anything. His brother was the only person he didn't want to oppose. "Sorry," he muttered wiping his tears. Yoru looked at Amu one last time before holding in his tears, running back into the cabin, not wanting to see her being killed.
"Daichi, go and accompany Yoru," Ikuto demanded, "watch him carefully."
"Yes captain," Daichi said, knowing the real reason why Ikuto had sent him after Yoru. Ikuto was being considerate of his feelings, realising that Daichi was uncomfortable with the idea of killing Amu as well. He wouldn't stop his new acquaintances from killing though, already prepared to face such things when he decided to go with Ikuto. Daichi went after Yoru as Ikuto had instructed.
Seeing that all the interfering pests were gone, Nadeshiko immediately took action, swinging her Naginata at Amu again. This time too, her blood-seeking blade didn't reach its target. Nadeshiko stared, stunned at the actions of her own captain, who grabbed the weapon and held it still, inches before it slashed into the witch's flesh.
"I've changed my mind. Both of you go and manage the ship, make sure we're heading to our next destination," Ikuto ordered.
"Understood captain," both Nagihiko and Nadeshiko said.
Nagihiko had to hold onto his sister's hand and drag her away as she seemed reluctant to do so.
"Damn that Yoru," Nadeshiko complained, once they were a good distance away from Ikuto and Amu, "he ruined the mood and moment."
"Relax sister," Nagihiko comforted, "isn't it already enough that our captain is back?"
"It's rare to come across a witch that is alive when the captain is around," Nadeshiko continued to complain, "I was hoping to use her as a specimen."
"Don't be so loud," Nagihiko warned, "you'll get a chance for sure."
The twins threw each other a smile before starting navigation work.
Blood still running rapidly out her wound, Amu started to breathe heavily and she finally dropped to the floor, having no more strength left in her. She looked at Ikuto who still had the same poker expression upon his face as he stared back at her. If you're going to kill me then do it, Amu thought, no longer able to speak anymore, I was the one who chose to believe you… Her vision began to blur but her senses remained and she felt her body lifted from the floor. She was in his arms, being carried off to somewhere by Ikuto. She closed her eyes allowing herself to rest, strangely comfortable to be held by her to be murderer. Something soft covered her back and Amu weakly opened her eyes, to make out she was now on a bed, in quite a spacious room – the Captain's cabin perhaps.
"Magic really is something terrible isn't it?" Ikuto asked, sitting on the bed next to her. He touched the deep cut in her neck, sending an awful pain through her body but she had no strength to utter a sound out. "If you weren't a witch, you'd be dead already from this much blood loss. But the magic in your body is stopping you from losing your senses and it's dragging out your dying time."
"You stopped…her from…delivering the final blow…." Amu struggled to speak, "just to see…me suffer more…"
Ikuto's hand traced down her neck to her chest, hooking a part of her bloodied dress tightly with his fingers. "I changed my mind, I think I'll keep you alive for a little longer," Ikuto said ripping the dress from Amu's body, revealing her naked chest.
"STOP…AHH…" Amu screamed, her body so weak she couldn't move at all. Tears ran down her face just like blood was still running from her wound. "Don't look….stop….please…."
Ikuto's fingers brushed over Amu's soft skin and ignoring her plea, he leaned in, his tongue savouring her flesh. He licked his way upwards, until his lips were upon her wound and he tasted her blood mercilessly.
Why…why are you doing this to me….Amu cried unable to stop Ikuto as he embraced her body close to his. Mixed in with the pain as Ikuto's tongue continued to ravish her wound, a strange pleasure slowly took over until her body became numb and incapable of any senses but his touch; until she finally closed her eyes and drifted into unconsciousness.
"You've finally settled down," Ikuto whispered, pulling away from Amu. He stared at her neck and with his fingers stroked the soft, flawless white skin. The deep cut on Amu's neck had sealed up and no blood could be seen anymore. "Why am I keeping you alive?" he asked staring at an unconscious Amu who he held in his arms. The more Ikuto questioned his decision and actions, the more annoyed he became of himself. He laid Amu onto his bed and walked over to his desk, gulping down some water to cool himself down. That's right, Ikuto finally convinced himself, I'm only letting her live because she saved my life once. I'm just returning the favour. I've not gone soft and… He returned to Amu's side and proceeded to undress her. Ikuto searched through her clothes carefully before throwing them onto the floor in agitation. He looked at her, where is it? Clover's locket….
Inside a big city, a messenger ran frantically down the crowded streets, dispersing a bunch of newspapers. "BIG NEWS, BIG NEWS…" the messenger and journalist of a well-known tabloid shouted as he threw more papers into the air, "there's been a disturbance in the Kingdom of Northster…."
A cloaked man picked up one of the newspapers on the floor and stared at the picture of the kingdom and its queen on the front page. The Kingdom of Northster, he thought, staring longingly at the photo. "Queen Midori," he whispered apologetically, "please hold out a little longer…I promise I will find your missing daughter." Having no more interest in the story, the man dropped the paper back onto the floor, walking past many others who were reading the news for pure entertainment. "Princess…where are you?" He took out a picture of a little girl wearing a small tiara on her head. His attention was so focussed on the photo that he didn't notice he was about to walk into someone. Bumping into the young woman, the cloaked man immediately apologised.
"It's alright," the young woman said, picking up the photo for the man. Her hands froze though as the man took the photo back, apologised once more and left.
"Dia," the young woman's friend called out.
Dia turned to look at her friend, "your back."
"What's wrong Dia?" she asked, "You look shocked."
"It's nothing," Dia assured, changing the topic and urging for them to move on. Dia couldn't help but glance around searching for that man again. The little girl in that photo, Dia breathed, it resembled her so much….I wonder how she's doing now…please let us meet at the Magic Duello….