-16- Maid

Stares, stares and more stares with the occasional snickers accompanied by grimaces. Amu clenched her fists tightly, deliberately looking up into the sky to avoid any eye contact with the others. Bear with it Amu, she repeated in her mind to calm herself, bear with this….do not react, just don't react….

After having survived Ikuto's little threats, Amu was forced to wear quite an exquisite, no, very eye catching, over frilly, puffy, lacy and draggy ancient maid uniform which Ikuto just happened to pull out of nowhere. She had attempted to argue her way out of wearing such a unique uniform but Ikuto insisted, and she didn't have much choice in the matter. Even so, she still couldn't help but pity herself for wearing such a masterpiece of pride degradation.

"So, I've made a very painful decision and Amu is now the official maid aboard my ship," Ikuto finished announcing to his crew. He let out a sigh to express how unfortunate the circumstances were.

Amu turned her head towards Ikuto giving him a full-on glare. What painful decision? Amu wanted to scream at him, you were the one who forced me to be a maid…stop acting like you're the victim….

Standing in a semi-circle before their captain and Amu on the deck, the crew studied the newly established maid. Both Kairi and Nagihiko had their usual uninterested look despite their constant focus on the unique outfit. Daichi and Yoru on the other hand had much difficulty suppressing their giggles, trying hard to put on a serious face. Nadeshiko just had sparkles in her eyes.

"A maid is perhaps needed," Kairi said. "But this kind of maid..."

"I thought maids were supposed to look more…." Nagihiko began but stopped as he became focussed on the outfit again.

"Attractive?" Daichi finished for his senior. "In a way, it is, I mean…"

"She looks like a worn out granny," Yoru spurted out with laughter. "She looks ridiculous."

"Agreed," Daichi and Nagihiko both said, nodding their heads to Yoru's comment.

Amu twitched unable to hold in her agitation. She turned to Yoru about to defend herself when Nadeshiko spoke up in excitement.

"What are you all going on about?" Nadeshiko questioned, her eyes still sparkling as she looked at Amu. "Isn't she perfect? Just look at her. Now she's not just a typical witch but an ancient maid witch. You don't get granny-maid like witches often these days. I wonder if she'll make an even better specimen."

"Sis, I don't think she's any different on the inside," Nagihiko whispered into Nadeshiko's ears.

"Well a maid ought to look like a maid," Kairi said, still trying to come to terms with the sight before him. "I suppose it'll get easier on the eyes as time passes."

"I doubt it," Daichi uttered.

Yoru clasped a hand over his mouth to hold in another chuckle.

This is…Amu thought in agitation, listening to all of them comment on her new look. This is completely…

"A…AHAHAHAHAHA….."

Everyone turned to look at Ikuto now as his laughter got louder and louder. Nadeshiko and Nagihiko exchanged curious nudges to one another whilst the rest simply watched, a little stunned at the way Ikuto was laughing.

Amu just snapped. "THAT'S IT," she shouted grabbing onto Ikuto's collar, now shaking him violently. "STOP LAUGHING. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT. YOU MADE ME WEAR THIS. YOU….GIVE ME BACK MY DIGNITY."

Despite Amu's constant protests and shouts, Ikuto couldn't stop himself form laughing. It took him several minutes to calm down. He hadn't been this amused in ages. Plus, he had already been courteous enough to stop himself from bursting into laughter from the very moment she first wore the outfit. He looked at Amu once more and laughed again.

"Seriously enough with this already," Amu kept protesting, "it's not even that funny."

Having calmed down at last, Ikuto freed himself from Amu, keeping her a distance away from him. He straightened his jacket, "since I was so merciful to allow you to be a maid, you should make yourself useful. Providing your master with adequate entertainment is also part of a maid's job you know?"

"I swear that's not a part of the job description," Amu stated. She pointed at her outfit, "this kind of clowns wear will get in my way. If you really want me to work, give me something to wear that's less for the purpose of your entertainment."

"This is a pirate ship you know," Ikuto pointed out, "it's not like we stock maid uniforms. This is the only one we had. You look good in it too."

There was laughter from the crew again and Amu shot Ikuto another sharp glare in protest.

Ikuto sighed, "Look, I don't have standards on how you dress as long as you vaguely resemble a maid. Do something about it with your magic if you're this bothered." He gave Amu a push in the direction of the ship's galley, "hurry up and get to work. I'm thirsty, make me some tea and bring it to my room. Afterwards, go and clean the storage rooms. Then go and make dinner."

Amu puffed her cheeks, glaring at Ikuto one last time before reluctantly stomped her way to the galley. She let out a long deep breath to calm herself down, holding back her instinct to just curse Ikuto. Bear with this, Amu told herself once more, you're doing this to survive, this is survival…

"Wait up," Yoru called out from behind, running after Amu. He had a very broad smile on his face.

"I'm not in the mood," Amu answered grumpily as they both disappeared into the galley.

"Is this really alright Captain?" Kairi asked as soon as the two was out of sight. "Having a witch on board may not be the safest option."

"Please Kairi, you're overthinking things too much," Nadeshiko said in a mocking manner, "That witch is no threat at all."

"How would you know?"

"We attacked her and almost took her life," Nagihiko stated, "but she never once used any threatening magic against us."

"Captain," Kairi urged, "are you sure this is the best decision?"

"I need her alive and around me until she is of no more use," Ikuto said clearly. "Understood?"

"YES CAPTAIN," the crew answered in unison.

Inside the ship's galley, Yoru watched Amu prepare the tea that Ikuto demanded. He tried not to laugh as Amu kept bad-mouthing his brother with each little gesture she made. Taking the hot kettle from the stove, Amy carefully poured the boiling water into the tea pot. She couldn't help but notice how happy Yoru looked as he perched on a stool, watching her.

"How long are you planning to laugh at me for?" Amu turned and snapped at him.

Yoru just continued to smile at Amu, continuing to move his head from side to side in joy.

"If it's about this silly outfit," Amu began, picking up a pair of scissors, "you won't get to laugh for much longer." She began to cut at the long dress and extra unnecessary frills and laces that only made it bulky. She stopped as the dress was now knee length, just as she wanted. Then with a flick of her fingers and a little bit of magic, Amu managed to transform the outdated granny-looking pyjama's into a normal maid uniform. She smiled triumphantly at Yoru, "now you can't laugh at me anymore." Amu twirled and admired her work in the faint reflection of the window, "I should've done this from the start." Her smile disappeared as she raised an eyebrow towards Yoru, "what, do I still look funny?"

"I'm just happy," Yoru said, a big smile still on his face. He stared at Amu for a little while before he suddenly hugged her and started to sniffle, "I'm glad you're still alive. I'm glad you can stay on the ship."

Amu hugged Yoru back, "thank you Yoru. You tried to save me earlier."

Yoru shook his head, "it's my fault from the very start." He pulled away from Amu and wiped his tears, "I knew how much my brother hated witches and I still asked for your help. I knew it was possible that brother would order for your death. I knew and yet I…ouch!" Yoru looked up at Amu who had just flicked him on the forehead.

"I'm ok now," Amu assured, "I'm alive and will continue to be alive. If we're friends then let's make up and start fresh." Amu held her hand out towards Yoru and waited. It was something unexpected but somehow, she had already developed a strong friendship with this kid. She won't regret having him as her first friend besides Dia.

Yoru gladly took Amu's hand, "yeah, we're friends, always friends." Yoru smiled again, "you know, you're actually my very first friend."

Amu stared at him in confusion, "what about all the others?"

"Well, we're a crew but it doesn't necessary mean we're friends," Yoru muttered, sitting back down on the stool again. "I'm not really treated as part of the crew either. I'm just the Captain's little brother…a baggage."

"No offence but," Amu began, "you're brother and the others are scary. They're strange and…"

"They're not bad people," Yoru defended, "when you get to know them, you'll realise they're not bad people. My brother, he's a good person."

Amu forced a smile and just nodded, realising how much Yoru treasured Ikuto. She could never agree to his statement though. True, Ikuto may do good things from time to time, but he was unpredictable and definitely a dangerous person. Perhaps Yoru's never really seen Ikuto when he's scary, Amu considered, the way he threatened me earlier, he was just monstrous…"AH," Amu suddenly called out.

"What is it?" Yoru asked.

"I forgot the tea," she said, hurriedly grabbing the tray of tea, "see you around Yoru." Amu then quickly ran out the galley to the captain's cabin. When she arrived outside, she knocked.

"Enter," Ikuto answered.

Amu took the tray of tea in, surprised to see Ikuto staring at a map on his desk. He appeared to be working out coordinates. Amu took a quick glance at the map before gently placing his tea to the side. He's trying to work out the safest route to take to the next town, Amu noted, watching as he calculated the coordinates and drew his paths on the map. He's really accurate….he's even taken into account the weather changes….

"I see you've plenty of time to loiter around," Ikuto said not looking up from the map. "I'm assuming my entire ship is so clean that not even a speck of dust could be found."

"I'm sorry, I'll get back to work," Amu apologised heading out the room when she paused for a moment. Hang on, she thought, why am I apologising, why am I being so serious in being a maid… She turned to look at Ikuto who was still focussed on his map. I'm not a maid damn Ikuto, Amu thought taking the opportunity to pull a face at Ikuto before leaving.

Is she stupid, Ikuto wondered, looking at where Amu was stood only moments ago, I totally saw that, you'll be punished later.

Despite Amu's extreme unwillingness, she found herself heading towards the storage room with a bucket full of cleaning tools. "Why am I actually being a maid?" Amu questioned herself. Am I really that afraid of Ikuto or…well, there isn't anything else I can do…. She entered the storage room and frowned, staring at the thick layers of dust over crates of what seemed like a mix of cannons and other unidentifiable stuff. There were a lot of cobwebs accompanying the dust too. This is going to be fun, Amu sighed starting her work. As she wiped off the dust, an idea struck her. Amu closed the door shut, making sure no one was around the storage room. With a finger she started to draw an outline of the ship in the dust, chanting a spell as she did. She then dropped a small bead into the storage room, marking her position. "Show me," Amu demanded and the bead started to roll through the ship. Show me the best escape route, Amu kept thinking as she watched the bead travel. Her eyes widened in shock though as the bead came to a stop and shattered, never leaving the outline of the ship for even a moment. "Did my magic fail again?" Amu gasped picking up a shattered piece of the bead. "Does this mean, I can't escape from this ship?"

Tap. Tap. Tap. Hearing the sudden footsteps outside, Amu quickly wiped away the dusts and cleared the bead, leaving no trace that she had used magic.

The door swung open with a soft bang, "so you were in here."

Amu stood up, cautious as she faced Nadeshiko; someone she least expected would come to find her. The friendly smile Nadeshiko displayed was also worrying.

"Don't be so tense. I only came to offer you a tour of the ship. We're crewmates now, so we should start bonding right?" Nadeshiko said rather too sweetly for comfort. "I thought us girls should get to know each other."

"I'm fine," Amu said, "I've got work to do. I don't need a tour either."

"You must really think badly of me," Nadeshiko sighed taking a few steps into the room. "I was only cruel to you on the captain's orders. You understand don't you?" Nadeshiko put on a pleading expression, "I didn't have much choice. I apologise for my previous conduct towards you. Won't you forgive me?"

Amu stared at Nadeshiko, being careful not to let her guard down against this woman. "That doesn't really matter right now."

"Then you won't reject my offer," Nadeshiko said happily. She skipped towards Amu and took hold of her hands, "let's get along. We're going to spend a lot of time with each other on this ship after all."

Amu wanted to snatch her hand away from Nadeshiko's but she couldn't risk angering her. Unable to shake off the suddenly, over-friendly Nadeshiko, Amu just nodded and followed her. Amu was rather surprised at how serious Nadeshiko was. She actually took Amu on a proper tour around the ship, pointing out what was where and how things operated. Ikuto's ship was actually bigger than Amu first imagined. It was simply impressive and if Amu hadn't taken this tour, she would no doubt get lost.

"Well, that's pretty much it," Nadeshiko finished, leaning against the edge on the deck. "What do you think? This ship is so much more than it seems."

"Yeah," Amu replied, making sure she didn't say more than she had to. No matter how friendly Nadeshiko now acted towards her, it was impossible to not be cautious of someone who wanted to kill you just awhile before.

"Now all that's left to tell you is the crew," Nadeshiko continued, "you've met all of them. Which two do you want to know about the most?"

"What?" Amu questioned, a little taken back by Nadeshiko's sudden question.

Nadeshiko's friendly smile turned into a scheming smirk, "You now know the basic layout of this ship and I'll tell you the weakness of two people in this crew. With this information, it should be enough for you to escape."

Amu couldn't help but let out a gasp. She remained silent, uncertain of Nadeshiko's motives.

"Aren't you the slightest curious in why the Captain kept you alive and made you his maid?" Nadeshiko began, "but I assume, what you're most interested in is how to escape."

"Not particularly," Amu lied, speculating that Nadeshiko was probably testing her.

Nadeshiko deliberately lowered her voice despite there wasn't anyone near them, "I'm serious in trying to help you escape. You don't want to be a maid for the rest of your life do you? I bet there are other, much better things you need to do with your life."

"You being serious," Amu questioned without hesitation, "going against your own captain to help a witch you barely even know? That is something, not even idiots would do."

"Oh I'm not an idiot," Nadeshiko assured, "you're the one who will be the idiot."

Amu remained silent so Nadeshiko continued, "If you give up and allow the Captain to decide your fate, you're a fool. If you gamble and take my help to escape, you're also an idiot, because you will never truly know whether you can trust me. However, without my help, you can never escape."

"Don't be so certain," Amu snapped, not liking how Nadeshiko was toying with her.

"Think it over," Nadeshiko urged, "I'm your best bet, your quickest and easiest way off this ship."

"No thanks," Amu rejected, "if its information, I can gather that myself with time."

"Exactly how much time are you willing to spend then?" Nadeshiko questioned, "Trying to find out our weaknesses isn't as easy as you think. All members of this crew are strong. You'll find yourself needing my help. Plus, I'm worried of just how much time you do have. If the Captain changes his mind about you, it's over." Nadeshiko gave Amu a light pat on the back, "seriously think it over." Nadeshiko smiled once more before leaving Amu alone.

Amu watched Nadeshiko disappear back below deck. "I won't come to you for help," Amu said out loud. "Whatever game you're playing, I won't be a part of it." But I will escape here, using my own methods, Amu thought as she headed back towards the galley, seeing that night was fast approaching and she had to cook dinner. Despite Yoru's attempts to convince her to join the rest of the crew for dinner, Amu decided to eat alone in the galley. Nadeshiko had given her a great headache in the afternoon and now she found herself having way too much to consider and think about. Is it really impossible to escape without Nadeshiko's help? Amu kept questioning, remembering the results of her magic test. She's right about me needing information though, especially on Ikuto. Whatever he is, he can't be completely human. Amu closed her eyes, allowing herself to immerse within her thoughts. The layout of this ship….Yoru and Daichi are the youngest, they're human. Nagihiko used a gun against Daichi, a shooter. Nadeshiko uses blades. They're twins and have odd personalities. Kairi can change into a bird – a shape shifter perhaps. He also appears to be the calmest of the lot, a logical thinker. Amu took in a few deep breaths, the main problem is Ikuto. He can heal wounds as he drinks blood. But he's not a witch or any ordinary magic user. Also those chains are…. "Could he be…?" Amu uttered, still deep in thought, "One of the extinct forms…vampire?" Amu let out a sigh, this is impossible. Nadeshiko was right, I'm only speculating here. I know too little, I know nothing….at this rate, can I really escape….

There was a sharp prickly feeling on Amu's cheeks and she opened her eyes, returning to reality from her thoughts. She immediately touched her cheeks where she felt the cold pricks but nothing was there and standing quite a good distance away from her was Kairi Sanjo. Did he do something to me? Amu wondered, but her cheeks felt fine and nothing appeared to be wrong with her. Kairi had his usual uninterested poker face on, so Amu couldn't tell.

"Is there something you want?" Amu asked directly.

"I hope you're not scheming anything," Kairi said, eyeing Amu carefully. "It's in your interest to give up and allow your fate to play out according to our Captain's wishes. Futile resistance will only waste both yours and our time."

"Is there something you want from me," Amu repeated, calmly taking in Kairi's advice.

"The Captain wants you to go to his room right now," Kairi said. "Don't make him wait."

Amu frowned, making her way to find Ikuto as Kairi told her to. Before she had the chance to knock though, the door swung open. That timing is a little….

"Hurry up and get in," Ikuto ordered.

Amu entered Ikuto's room, closing the door behind her. "What do you want to order me to do now?"

"I'm tired and want to rest early," Ikuto said stretching his arms as he made his way to the bed. "Hurry up and get to bed as well."

"WHAT?" Amu shouted, now looking quizzically at him. "You said get to bed…you mean…NO!" Amu moved as far away from Ikuto and the bed as possible, sticking her back to the door, ready to run out at any moment if he tried anything funny. "I am not going to sleep with you or on that bed or…or….or….just NO. I'm not sleeping here tonight. Even if I'm…a maid I'm not that kind of maid. I'm the other kind."

"Then where are you going to sleep tonight?" Ikuto questioned.

Amu blinked, trying to think. "Err, well…I'll work that out later but just anywhere but here."

A smile appeared on Ikuto's face as he deliberately closed the distance between them. Slamming one hand against the door, he held up Amu's chin with his other, now practically leaning over her. He whispered teasingly into her ear, "I would be troubled not knowing where you were at night. So stay with me Amu, not just for tonight, but every night."

Amu felt shivers running through her body as she tried to push Ikuto away from her. He just wouldn't budge and she couldn't open the door with him in the way. She was trapped.

"I'm getting tired, let's go to bed," Ikuto continued to whisper, enjoying Amu's tortured expression and panicked looks.

"No, honestly, anything but that….I….IF YOU TOUCH ME I'LL KILL MYSELF…no first I'll kill you then I'll…argh…" Amu desperately shouted, although she didn't even know what she was saying anymore. The strange sensations she was feeling from the breaths blown into her ear was making her mind go blank.

Ikuto ignored Amu's protest and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her away from the door. "Don't be shy, it's not the first time you've slept in my room. Make yourself comfortable."

"Seriously, I'll curse you so stop, please," Amu shouted as loudly as she can, still unable to break free from Ikuto.

"You're getting so excited," Ikuto teased, "maybe I should kiss you to calm you down."

Seeing Ikuto lean towards her, Amu clasped both her hands over her face. She heard him chuckle and the next thing she knew, she felt her bottom hit something. "Ouch," Amu sounded as she moved her hands away to rub her bottom.

"This is where you'll be sleeping," Ikuto said.

Amu looked around her. She was sitting on a laid out mattress in quite a small space, with pillows at one end and doors to the side. Looking behind Ikuto, she noticed she was still inside his room, so this little space she was in was, most likely, "the closet." Amu looked up at Ikuto, feeling mocked, "I'm going to sleep in your wardrobe?"

"Is there a problem?" Ikuto asked sternly. His previous teasing attitude had completely disappeared. "I have standards when it comes to women so don't worry, I never intended to touch you the way you imagined I would."

"You were messing with me again."

"Payback for pulling a face at me this afternoon," Ikuto stated, pulling the same face Amu made at him before.

Amu gulped, never expecting herself to be caught.

"I don't trust you," Ikuto said clearly, "I know you want to escape and I can't risk you attempting that at night when we're resting. The best way to keep an eye on you is to have you near me."

"That doesn't mean I have to sleep inside your wardrobe," Amu complained, "I'm not an object."

"I can't stand the thought of sharing my room with a witch."

"So you put me in the wardrobe, close the doors and won't have to see me," Amu finished for him. "How does that change the fact that I'm in your room?"

"If you're not satisfied with my wardrobe then you can be get in my bed, but whatever I do to you on it is something you have no right to complain about," Ikuto said, "wardrobe or bed?"

"Wardrobe," Amu shouted, pulling the doors closed herself and retreating into her dark little space. I hate him, she decided, he's the worst person I've ever met in my life.

It was now the 10th time Amu had tried counting sheep but it was harder than she thought to sleep inside a wardrobe. It kind of felt like she was sleeping inside a larger coffin. She was also beginning to feel a little stuffy inside the small space. Amu pressed her ears against the door and listened. It was silent. Ikuto is probably already asleep, Amu thought slowly pushing open the door, trying to make as little noise as possible. The fresh air she felt on her face was so nice she took in deep breaths of it. Quietly, Amu stepped out the wardrobe and stretched her arms and legs in the gently moon-lit room. She stared at Ikuto who really was fast asleep, comfortably on his big bed. Die in your sleep, Amu hoped, turning away from him. She took in a few more deep breaths of fresh air. "This is," Amu whispered, a cold sensation welling inside her body. "There's magic here, on this ship. I can sense it from the air," Amu uttered, looking around to search for the source. Where is it coming from? This magic gives me a bad feeling. Amu slowly moved towards the place where the magic felt strongest and she stood in front of Ikuto's desk. Her hands reached out to pick up the map. "Impossible," Amu gasped, her hands shaking as she dropped the map back onto the desk. "I didn't know this was real." Panicking now, Amu frantically searched around for something to create fire with. "The lantern," Amu said reaching forwards, but her hands were caught and twisted behind her before she could touch it.

"I knew I couldn't trust you," Ikuto hissed besides Amu, holding her hands firmly behind her.

"IKUTO," Amu gasped, never even noticing that he had woken up.

"I gave you a chance and you threw it away," Ikuto said angrily, "now you can't complain about what I'm going to do to you."

"No, you're wrong, just wait," Amu said.

Ikuto's hand slipped around Amu's neck and immediately she felt something choking her. She couldn't see anything but something was wrapping around her body and she was beginning to feel weak. The chains, Amu realised, no, that's not something I need to worry about right now...

"Please Ikuto, just listen to me, I wasn't trying to escape," Amu called out desperately, "we're in danger."

Ikuto stopped and released Amu. "What are you talking about? If this is some kind of trick…"

"Do something before its too late," Amu warned, "this ship, we're already sailing into a trap."