It was quiet. The boat sat in silences as most of those aboard sat in their own self-counseling, while a few, having drown their own consciences with the pirates they left behind only looked forward. There was nothing behind them but death, but, Sanji wasn't the only one hoping for something else. He wasn't alone as he sighed heavily as the scenery behind them didn't change. The water yield nothing new, the pirates were dead and their ship was gone.
His fault.
He should have done more.
He didn't even try …not really. He was strong enough that no one could stop him if he chose to disobey … he didn't have to leave them to die.
His fault.
The blonde man would drop his head into his arms as he seem to shrink into himself. The lost of those pirates hit harder than any blow he had known so far. His moral code, he had somehow broken it, and it hurt.
A flash of memory.
A man stood before him with a red mustache and beard …thin, skeletal, and with an completely serious expression. His eyes burn with a fire that his body no longer could accompany. Words spill from his lips, but Sanji couldn't hear it …as he felt that something important was happening.
Something from the past, and then …. his shoulders were shaken roughly.
"Sanji …Sanji, we are …here."
Genji pull him back to reality as he raise his head from their confines in his arms.
They had arrive at Impel down, the ship they had called for help, empty handed and limping badly.
It was a lost, but, upon reaching sight of the shore, they would realize they weren't the only ones to lose. The prison itself look…well it looked like a war had taken place within it's walls and not a simple escape. The efforts of the warden was as clear as the slime that curl and ate through the building and the pier itself. They would have to walk slowly and carefully, and to further imprint caution, they found a body half absorbed in that slime. It sizzled and seems to be dissolving into itself, and if there was any misunderstanding of the lethalness of the slime ….no one had it now.
"What the hell happen?"
One man would comment, and his answer came quickly.
"The Devil broke out of hell."
It was a joke, but, no one laugh. It really looked like that, as everyone thought about how many of the prisoners were on the escaping ship. Not too many, but, it probably contain some really strong ones. Definitely. That was why their ship was now making its way to the bottom of the ocean, and with that thought came the images of those pirates. Not wanting to linger on that long, their Captain had called out his order loudly.
"Well, men, it seems we have a job to do. We are going to help suppress this problem."
Kirito would almost whine with that order.
"It's rude," Another crewmate would tell him," to arrive at someone's doorstep without a gift, and since ours sunk ...we should help out in compensation."
Kirito turns to glares at the speaker, but drops it the moment he realize who he is looking at. The first mate of the ship, Darryl, would almost laugh at that quick change in expressions. There were few men that would dare to question their captains orders with him around, and few that would show their displeasure of it in the face of his positive outlook. It would be the same as going against a strong current …utterly pointless. Thus, the man continued as though he had never seen the look on Kirito's face. His expression cheerful despite everything that had happen as he added to their Captain's commands.
"Besides, its easier to ask for another ship when you have done some work than it is when you are simply begging. I bet they can use all the help they can get with this mess, so, cooks head for the kitchens. It should be after hunger hell, and don't look at me like that ...that is the name of the floors.
Sanji, you are to accompany them as well, keep them safe. I doubt there will be too much trouble considering the mess those pirates had made, but just in case they managed to leave a few surprises behind... I need you to protect them as well as do your duty as a chef on our ship.
Kirito go with them for extra protection, man power, and to help with directions since you have been here before."
That one made everyone look at the man like he was crazy. Those two didn't get along, they hated each other, and to put them both in the same place, on the same job, it was fire and oil. It was crazy, suicidal, and then as if fire and oil wasn't enough, the man would add a smudge of alcohol to the mix.
"But, I am putting Sanji in charge, so follow his commands."
The sound of something grinding together would make those nearest to Kirito jump. The man wasn't happy at all. As Darryl simply moves onto the next group that he was helping to split up, while their Captain looks at them both. The man would never undermine his second in command, and though he had his doubts, he wouldn't step in to fix it. It worked the other way around, with the man relentlessly supporting him. Thus, he kept any form of meddling to a minimal as he walks towards their group and glares at the two men.
"Any trouble from you, Kirito, or you, Sanji, will be dealt with by me."
The threat had a ring of dangerous intention behind it. It was enough, as Kirito would nod his head while Sanji would just look away annoyed. He then walks away to head for the main office. It was only fitting that he went to see the Warden to tell him about their situation, and to find out what was the situation of the prison itself.
Thus, with the work divided …. Sanji's group would set off.
"Asswipe!"
"Cock sucking pansy!"
Though not quietly.
That grouping was probably not his second's best decision. The Captain could only be thankful that he didn't have to travel with them.
Desolation …Chapter 4 completed.
