- Disclaimer: K-ON characters do not belong to me.
- Warning: Contains explicit content, fantasy violence, futanari, nudity, sexual situations.
DO NOT READ IF YOU DO NOT LIKE
The Pirate
Black was the color she'd seen before she opened her eyes and looked up to an unfamiliar ceiling. Ritsu took a shallow breath through her nose and focused on the wet, dark rocks above her. She remained still and felt the cold, rugged surface on her back. Where was she?
Her body wracked with immeasurable pain sent her stomach curling and her head spinning. What had happened to her? She asked herself and listened to the sound of running water from a distance. A waterfall? She used her peripherals to confirm her thoughts. A concave? She pieced the two together and swallowed hard, relieving her parched throat.
A voice.
She heard the sound of someone singing beside her with the voice of angel. Ritsu closed her eyes and listened to the melody. The song seemed to sooth the pain of her aching soul. She concentrated on the wet warmth from her hand and opened her eyes. There, beside her was a girl with dark, raven hair with half her body submerged in the pool. When the girl finished the song, she began pulling away. But just before she did completely, Ritsu willed all her strength to hold her for a moment.
"You have...a beautiful voice," she said. Her voice sounded so hoarse, so beaten and tired she didn't recognize herself in it. She was still battling the drowsiness of sleep, but that didn't stop her from forming one of her charming grins.
The girl's eyes widened with shock, before quickly turning into fear. Ritsu glanced down and admired her eyes, dark and grey, the color of storm brewing clouds. She felt her head spinning and took a deep breath.
"Please...Stay," she managed before passing out again.
Ritsu kept walking until she was waist-deep into the water. When she reached the end of the shallow shore, she began swimming in light, calm strokes to reach Mio. In the low light, she'd seen the mermaid from afar, strikingly beautiful just as she was when they first met. "Remember me?" she asked with a roguish grin.
Mio began circling Ritsu in the water, checking every inch of her to ensure she was the same pirate she encountered once before. "Of course I do. I saved you."
"Right, thank you for that." Ritsu kicked her feet beneath her to stay afloat.
"What are you doing here Ritsu?"
Together they swam in the pool swimming side by side as quietly as they could. Ritsu closed her eyes and smiled, floating up on her back. "I needed to unwind."
Mio raised an eyebrow skeptically. She knew better than to trust a pirate's words. "And you came all the way here just to do that?"
"Yes. I find this pool to be quite...refreshing."
Mio rolled her eyes and swam underneath Ritsu's floating body. When she appeared on the other end, Ritsu held her breath and dove into the water, catching a quick glimpse of Mio's scales and fins. There were times when she nearly forgot she was conversing with a mermaid and not some exotic exhibitionist. She gasped for air when she resurfaced and slicked her hair back.
"You don't honestly think I believe that, do you?"
"If I said I missed you would you believe me then?" Ritsu smiled and was rewarded with a splash of water in her face. She stuck out her tongue and wiped her eyes. It was entertaining exchanging playful banter with someone as temperamental as Mio. One compliment would send her blushing, while a witty comeback would have her neck tightly wrapped in a head lock.
"You shouldn't say such things," Mio muttered under her breath.
"Don't like it? You should be flattered. It works on all the women," Ritsu finished and shot her a wink.
"Not on me."
"I guess you don't count since you're a mermaid. You must have an immunity to any compliment." Mio splashed her fin in her face. "Ahh, I didn't mean it as an insult!" Ritsu shook her head side to side and blinked a few times to re-orient herself.
"You didn't come here alone," Mio went straight to the point. She stared at Mugi from a distance who was still fast asleep in the concave.
"No...I didn't."
"Who is she?" Mio asked her questions, but her eyes never left Mugi's silhouette.
"A friend," Ritsu said with a kind smile. "A very close friend."
"What were you doing to her?"
Ritsu's smile slipped and her body tensed. "W-What?"
"What. Were. You. Doing. To. Her?" Mio made sure to ask slowly so that Ritsu could better understand her question.
The only sounds that came were the running water from the waterfall, the tropical birds and insects. Ritsu swallowed audibly and felt her face flush. "W-What was I doing to her?" She asked herself just how long Mio had been in the pool. Surely she didn't mean when Mugi and her were having...sex.
"Yes. Now answer my question. What did you do to her?"
"What did you see?" Ritsu asked as she tried to ease the beating of her heart. She could care less if a wild animal had witnessed them. But Mio? Mio was the mermaid who saved her. She didn't intend to have her seeing them engaging in adult activities.
"Don't dodge the question."
"I can't answer if you don't tell me first." Ritsu began making her way back to the shore, but Mio was bent on getting an answer. She pulled up right in front of her and glared. "Tell me first or I won't tell you."
Mio blushed and looked off to the side. She immediately submerged herself into the water and spoke, but the only sounds Ritsu heard were, "glub glub." Bubbles arose and Ritsu raised an eyebrow curiously. Mio came back up and huffed peevishly. Her cheeks flushed and her lips reddened. "I saw you kissing her."
Something told Ritsu that wasn't just all she saw. "And..." Mio blinked several times. She seemed to have trouble saying the rest. "I saw you with her as she screamed in pain."
The inside of Ritsu's cheek twitched. Oh, Mugi was in pain alright, but the good kind. Of course, she would never tell Mio that. She scratched the back of her head as though she were guilty. Guilty for bringing Mugi pleasure.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Nothing, it's just...she wasn't in pain," Ritsu said casually.
"Don't think you can fool me." Mio swam so close to Ritsu they were only a hairsbreadth apart. "I know my pain when I hear it."
Ritsu laughed and Mio remained confused. "She wasn't in pain." At least not in any that wasn't consensual, she finished.
"If she wasn't in pain then why on Earth was she screaming?" Mio asked irritably. "You must've done something horrible to her. After all, you pirates have a reputation for being overtly sadistic with your prisoners."
Ritsu bit her bottom lip. Sadistic? There seemed to be no end of Mio's accusations. "She is not my prisoner. But if you were watching all of that than you would be no better than a pervert."
Mio pushed Ritsu's shoulders and they rebounded off each other for a quick second. "I am not a pervert!"
Ritsu sighed and began back stroking. Somehow she'd gotten on Mio's bad side in less than fifteen minutes. That had to be a new record for her. She kept swimming until her head hit Mio's chest. Mermaids. Always the quickest swimmers.
"I'm not letting you leave this pool unless you tell me."
Ritsu closed her eyes. "That's quite alright, I think I enjoy having your bountiful breasts pressing against my head."
Mio fumed with frustration and embarrassment. The last comment had pulled her last string. She placed her hands on Ritsu's shoulders and held her down underwater. Mio released her with only a scant amount of oxygen left in her system. Ritsu coughed and gasped, trying to dispel the water in her lungs. "You nearly drowned me! Are you trying to kill me?"
"No, I was simply trying to teach you a lesson."
"So what'll you do next? Lure me to my death with your angelic voice? Eat me alive?"
Mio's face retorted with disgust. "Mermaids don't eat people, Ritsu. That's just some horrid folktale you humans made up."
"It was worth a shot." Ritsu shrugged. "Oh and I'm not going tell you now that I know you'd drown me the first chance you get. Bloody mermaids!"
"You never intended to tell me in the first place you-you lecherous pirate!"
For the next ten minutes Mio and Ritsu bickered, teased and nearly drowned each other in the pool. They played around as though they'd known each other their entire life. The familiarity was in their words and actions and Ritsu couldn't help but smile as she pushed every one of Mio's buttons on purpose.
"Ritsu?"
Mio and Ritsu froze as they both watched Mugi stepping out of the concave. They hid behind the larger rocks and stayed quiet.
"You're right," Ritsu said. "I didn't just come here for a midnight swim." She hoisted herself up and sat on the rocks, squeezing out the water from her clothes. "I came because my friend wanted to meet you." Ritsu looked back at Mugi who was walking around the pool, fully clothed and well rested.
Mio pressed her chest to the rocks and met the pirate's eyes. Ritsu wasn't her favorite person in the world, but she did trust her.
"Will you stay and meet her?" Ritsu bent down and smiled as gently as she could. The golden glimmer in her eyes brightened with hope, hope that she might have the courage to stay. "For me?" Ritsu brushed Mio's hair away from her face sweetly.
Mio removed Ritsu's hand. She loved the warmth of her body, but there were times when it felt too intoxicating she was afraid she'd ask for more. "Very well. I'll indulge your request, but just this once."
"Thank you." Ritsu quickly kissed her on the cheek and headed off to Mugi. Mio held a hand to her face and felt her heart racing in her chest. She expected Ritsu to be brash with her actions, but a kiss? What madness drove her to kiss her?
"There you are." Mugi ran up to Ritsu and gave her a hug. She pulled away and parted her brown bangs, still wet from her earlier swim. "I was wondering where you went. Tell me you didn't fall over in your sleep?"
Ritsu laughed and smiled. "Do I really move around that much?"
"Yes, you do. And you're terrible when sharing the blankets in our bed. I often have to wrest them off of you to keep myself warm when I sleep."
"Am I not sufficient enough to keep you warm?"
Mugi blushed and caressed the side of Ritsu's face. "You are. But there are times when I much prefer the comfort of my blanket over you."
Ritsu melodramatically placed a hand over her chest. "You spurn me." A tiny smile appeared at the corner of Mugi's full, pink lips. Ritsu brushed their noses against each other and kissed her.
"Stop, Ritsu!" Mugi laughed with delight. "You're getting me wet."
"I don't have a problem with that." Ritsu parted her lips and slipped her tongue inside, dipping into Mugi's mouth. She could feel her damp clothes soaking her lover's shirt. Mugi moaned pleasurably and weaved her nimble fingers into Ritsu's heavily drenched locks. The water dripping on her hair made her appear as the pirate she fell in love with. The same one who had saved her from before. She opened her mouth to say something, but Ritsu bit down on her lip hard, her head hitting hers lightly.
"Oww," Ritsu stepped back and massaged the back of her head. She looked back at the pile of rocks and lost track of time. Mio had hit her with a pebble while they were busy kissing.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, just forgot something important." Ritsu thumbed Mugi's bottom lip and wiped the blood away. "Come with me." She twined their hands together and led her through the rocks until they reached the end by the pool.
There in the light waded a mermaid as beautiful as Ritsu had described. She had dark hair as black as night and eyes as fierce and grey as a stormy sky. From a distance Mugi did nothing but admire her from afar with a smile. The mermaid regarded her with her eyes warily. She seemed to be studying her back cautiously, deciding to choose whether or not to trust this new human.
"Oh Ritsu, she's beautiful." Mugi took a hesitant step forward. The mermaid stayed put, glancing between Ritsu and her friend. When Mugi was only a foot away from her,
Mio looked deep into her eyes, the color as calm and blue as the open ocean. Her hair was as pale and blonde like the beaches and sandy shores she'd seen. There was no arguing Ritsu's friend was just as beautiful as any mermaid she knew.
"Might I have your name?" Mugi asked and crouched down to the mermaid's level.
"Mio. And yours?" She rested her elbows on the rock and looked up, thoroughly intrigued by this new stranger.
"Tsumugi."
Ritsu crossed her arms and watched their exchange from afar. She watched them converse for a few minutes and sat down by the rocks away from her friends. Would she agree to what she'd ask of Mio next? She fished out a small box from her pocket which held an intricately made clock with several orbs circling the top. She closed it quickly and looked up at the sky. She hoped she would.
The Governor's Daughter
Tsumugi descended from the carriage and looked back at the gate. Other than the usual guard that stood by to keep them safe, no one else was there. The girl she saw staring back at her was gone. Tsumugi stood for a moment until one of her housemaids came to her side.
"Milady, are you alright?"
Tsumugi smiled and turned around. "Yes, just needed some air. Thank you Sumire." She entered her home and ascended the stairs hurriedly.
"Supper will be ready soon." The girl with equally pale blonde hair stopped short at the foot of the stairs and looked up at Tsumugi worriedly. "I'm sure your father and mother would want you to join them."
Tsumugi nodded solemnly and walked through the empty, quiet hall. Her smile faded as she turned the knob and entered her expansive, luxurious bedroom. She pressed a hand to her chest and walked over to the partition, hastily removing the dress and corset her father had given her this morning. Usually she would've asked Sumire to help her out of it, but there were times when she preferred to undo it on her own, even if she had to struggle.
And she did, for a few minutes until she successfully unwound the ties from the back and dropped it on the ground.
Tsumugi took a moment to breathe properly. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. Lately the corsets have been becoming a problem for her. Did women really have to modify themselves with such cruel devices to be accepted in society? She bent down and took the corset in her hands. She'd been wearing them for as long as she could remember. Those were part of the standards, her mother had told her. Women of her class had to look desirable and respectable, especially since propriety demanded that of them.
Tsumugi walked over to her bed and slumped onto it in the most ungraceful of ways. She had everything in her hands; a large home, nice dresses, money enough to feed a country. And yet none of that brought her the happiness she thought it would. With her father as the Governor she never had to work for anything in her life. Everything was served to her on a silver platter.
She buried her head into the pillows and closed her eyes. Tsumugi contemplated what she had done with her life; she played the piano very well, took private lessons in proper etiquette everyday, and would remain in the mansion until she would wed someone of equivalent status.
But was that all her life had to offer her? Was that all it would be?
Tsumugi fisted the silk sheets into her fingers. She played by the rules, did everything her parents had told her obediently. But what? At the age of nearly twenty one she'd done nothing noteworthy, nothing that could satisfy the loneliness of her heart and soul. She couldn't bare to think that her life was just painted black and white, to live, marry, and have children who would be born into the same old money.
Tsumugi closed her eyes. She was trapped here in this home, like a bird in a cage, so she did the only thing that helped her forget who she was and where she was.
She slept.
An hour or a day later, Tsumugi awoke in the dark. She glanced around trying to get her bearings. She didn't bother lighting the candle beside her. Wearing only a white cotton nightgown, she pushed off the bed and looked down at the foot of her door. There was no light in the hallway, she slept through the night skipping dinner from her parents for the second time this week.
No matter, she wasn't hungry anyways. She hadn't been lately. Tsumugi opened the door that led to her balcony overlooking the ocean and watched the ships docked on the port. Tsumugi often conversed with Sumire about her fascination with their freewheeling world.
"I think it would be rather exciting to meet a pirate," Tsumugi said as she lay in the bathtub with Sumire by her side.
"A pirate?" Sumire and Tsumugi shared a smile. The younger girl shook her head and scrubbed her master's arms with the sponge in her hand. "I think it'd be downright frightening to meet one in person."
"Frightening? Why would you say that?"
Sumire moved over and began scrubbing Tsumugi's back. "You've heard the stories of what they do. They pillage and plunder until there's nothing left to conquer."
"I wouldn't say all pirates are as heartless as those in the tales we've heard," Tsumugi said dreamily and felt the sun kiss her face from the windowpane.
Sumire raised an eyebrow. "Those men are savages. Pirates are no better than thieves, Milady."
"Not all pirates would be men, I'm sure of it. There would be some girls brave enough to sail the seven seas."
"Women? What girl would be mad enough to leave home and a life of safety and security?"
"A daring one. A brave, courageous girl." Tsumugi smiled and Sumire stopped scrubbing.
"Honestly Lady Tsumugi, you say the oddest things sometimes." They shared a few laughs that morning as Tsumugi went on to speak about her obsession with piracy.
In the darkness Tsumugi looked down at the ships from afar. She was sure that there were a few women brave enough to sail on uncharted territory. The chances might've been slim, but they certainly weren't impossible.
Tsumugi looked down from her balcony and watched the waves crashing into the mount of the cliff. If there was one thing she loved other than her passion for playing the piano, it was the ocean. All her life Tsumugi had loved the sea. She lived beside it her entire life, looking out from the luxurious view of her home. No other place could bring her such peace, such serenity.
The pleasant sea breeze blew against her face, sending her blonde curls whipping to and fro. She wanted so much more in this life. She wanted the adventure, the thrill and danger that she couldn't have. Tsumugi stepped on top of the balcony and took another glance at the fall. What was she doing? Even she didn't know herself.
She looked back at her room for a very long time. If she died tonight, what would she leave behind?
Nothing. She would leave nothing.
Tsumugi closed her eyes and felt her heart racing faster than ever before. This feeling...it was what she wanted. Before her mind could catch up with her body, she stepped forward and fell deep into the water below.
The Pirate
Ritsu swam as fast as she could to get to where the girl had fallen. But what in the world had caused her to fall? She asked herself that and pushed to move forward. The seas were much rougher during the night, especially when it was a full moon. Ritsu swam hard and fought through it. When she looked up at the mansion, she held her breath and dove where she last saw the girl plummeting to.
She searched around for her in the darkness until she found a large mass of white a few feet away from her. Ritsu propelled herself towards it and caught the girl before she'd fallen too deep. She pulled up and kicked with all her energy until they resurfaced.
The swim back to the port was a perilous one as Ritsu held the girl in her arms and pushed against the current. It took more than she thought it would when they finally reached the docks. She laid the girl on her back who'd been unconscious the entire swim.
Ritsu found a pulse but the girl did not wake, did not breathe. She lowered herself and began resuscitation, first with a few compressions on her chest followed by a breath of air. When the girl's eyes fluttered open, she coughed out the water that had caught in her lungs.
Ritsu took a better look at the girl who was not much older than her. In the carriage earlier she'd seen through the glass window but now, she saw her image before was so shortsighted. Her pale blonde hair was drenched and clung to her face, her eyes as deep and as blue as the endless ocean she sailed. Ritsu glanced down at what she was wearing and swallowed audibly. The girl was wearing nothing else but maybe her underwear and a very thin cotton dress. She stared for a moment at the outline of her breasts and quickly turned away, shedding off her vest to cover the girl with. If she stared any longer things probably would've gotten embarrassing for her.
"Are you alright?"
The girl nodded and closed her eyes for a moment. Ritsu was thinking which question she should ask for first, her name or why she fell. Instead she said, "Welcome back," with a grin.
Welcome back?
Ritsu nearly slapped herself for saying something so strange. The girl was merely unconscious, not dead.
The girl sat upright and Ritsu helped her slowly, carefully. For a few seconds they stared at each other, their faces only and inch or two apart. The girl said nothing as Ritsu studied every part of her face, starting with her unusually thick eyebrows. She didn't find it unattractive though. In fact, she found quite intriguing. Ritsu smiled a mischievous smile. Women with very definitive eyebrows meant one thing.
They had a very strong sex drive.
The girl clutched onto Ritsu's vest over her chest and looked around. She looked at her mansion then to her sodden dress, piecing together what had just happened. "Did you...save me?"
Ritsu's smile turned into a subtle grin. "Aye, I saw you fall from my ship." She turned her head to where her ship, Sakura, stood harbored at the port.
"Your ship? Are you a merchant?"
Ritsu smiled again, but something in the smile told her there might be more to what she'd guessed.
"You don't look like you serve under the British fleet. And you're much too young to commandeer a ship on your own."
Too young? Ritsu raised an eyebrow and released her hand from the girl's sodden back. She had enough experience to be considered a salty sea dog. She laughed in amusement and instantly found this girl to be more interesting than she thought.
"What is your name?"
Ritsu opened her mouth and instantly closed it. She had to choose her words wisely. This girl was no ordinary girl, she might as well be the Governor's daughter for all she knew. "You first, milady."
The girl gave her a hard look but made no complaints. "Tsumugi Kotobuki."
Ritsu mouthed her name to herself. There was no doubt in her mind that this girl was indeed the Governor's daughter. She slicked her hair back and thought about what she last told Yui. They all needed to keep a low profile, especially if they were to make it out of this port alive for the next few days.
"Your name," Tsumugi said and met Ritsu's eyes. "I must have the name of my rescuer." She added the sweetest smile at the end that rendered the brunette speechless.
Ritsu lowered her eyes and contemplated on lying. It would be the best and safest option. And yet she couldn't bring herself to lie to this girl she just met. "Ritsu," she said quietly.
"Thank you, Ritsu." Tsumugi shivered and crossed her arms as the strong winds blew against them. Their sodden clothes had clung to her body by now and if they stayed out for much longer they would both catch a cold.
"I think it's safe to say we both need a change of clothes." Ritsu said and helped Tsumugi up. "Come with me. We'll get you a pair of dry ones."
Tsumugi followed Ritsu on board her ship. She glanced around and trailed behind the brunette as she opened the door to the Captain's quarters. Ritsu looked back for a moment and opened her closet, taking one of the dresses in it. She paused for a minute and ran her fingers over its fabric. With a heavy heart, she parted with the dress and handed it to Tsumugi. "This will have to do." She watched the Governor's daughter take it warily. Her other hand clutched onto Ritsu's vest to protect her chest. "Right, I'll give you a moment to get dressed." Without another word, Ritsu walked out and ascended the helm where she recollected her weapons and frock coat.
Tsumugi slipped out of her drenched nightgown and padded herself dry. The dress she was given was well made and expensive. She could tell by the elaborate craftsmanship on the fabric and seams. Tsumugi wandered around the room for a while, glancing around cautiously until something caught her eye. She looked back at the door then back at the black flag. Tsumugi brought it up and felt her heart flutter.
There in the middle of it was the universal symbol of piracy, a jolly roger.
Ritsu walked in and locked the door discreetly. Tsumugi didn't bother turning around. "You're a pirate?"
"Aye," Ritsu said and cocked back her flinton pistol. She knew it was a risk bringing the Governor's daughter to her quarters. But she couldn't possibly return her without a new change of clothes. For a pirate, she had an awfully weak spot for women. "Now if you would please leave it where it once was and make your way to me."
Tsumugi did as she was told and crossed the room to where her captor was. They locked eyes and Ritsu dropped all hints of friendliness towards the girl she once rescued.
"Are you going to kill me?" She asked nervously as Ritsu had her at point blank.
"I could, now that you know what I am." Tsumugi lowered her eyes, but Ritsu lifted her chin with her pistol carefully.
"Then kill me," Tsumugi said without flinching. "Be done with it."
Ritsu looked confused before she countered with a few words of her own. "In a bit of rush to die tonight, are we? Tell me, did you fall from that height on purpose?"
Tsumugi looked off to the side. She nodded slowly.
"Why?" Tsumugi held her tongue. Ritsu pressed the tip of her pistol against her hollow of her neck, curving it towards the bottom of her jaw. "Tell me why."
"I...I don't want to live anymore." Tsumugi closed her eyes and swallowed.
"Your reason."
"This life isn't what I want. It's not living. I'm nothing but a caged bird held as a prisoner in my own home, bound by endless rules and-"
Ritsu pulled the trigger and Tsumugi flinched. Nothing but the sound of a prompt click resounded in the room. Everything went quiet. She was still alive. Ritsu tucked the pistol into her leather belt and braced her hands against the wall, boxing Tsumugi in.
"None of us get to choose the lives we live." Ritsu brought her mouth to Tsumugi's ear. "And whether we were dealt with a bad hand or not, that's something all of us have to live with."
Tsumugi took a quick breath, a breath that seemed to hover on the tip of her lips.
"You have everything, a home to shelter you, a family to support you. There are others out there who could only dream of the luxury you have, others who have none of that." Ritsu closed her eyes and spoke from her heart. She inched forward until nothing but the fabric of their clothes separated their bodies. A drop of water from Ritsu's hair fell on Tsumugi's bare shoulder. She shuddered and bit her bottom lip.
"And even if you might disagree, you are still living." Ritsu couldn't hold back the bitterness in her words. "Do you know what others would give to spend another day alive?"
Tsumugi glanced up at Ritsu and saw her eyes darken and her skin flush.
"Anything. They would give anything." Ritsu took another step forward until she had Tsumugi's back pressed hard to the wall. She waited for her to protest, to push her away, to say anything to stop her. But she remained obediently silent. As close as they stood she could feel, almost hear, her heart's frantic beating.
She successfully frightened her with her words alone.
"You aren't a prisoner in your home. You only think it is because that's what you've made it to be. As for the rules you abide by..." Ritsu cupped the side of Tsumugi's face and gently forced her to meet her eyes. "Don't you think they are meant to be broken?"
Tsumugi laughed softly, breathlessly. She closed her eyes as Ritsu stroked the arch of her cheekbone with her thumb.
"I'm not going to kill you. I had no intention of harming you in the first place." Ritsu pulled away releasing her from the prison of her arms. "But I hope my words were enough to get through to you."
Tsumugi exhaled uneasily. No one until now had dominated her that way. She was scolded a few times by her parents, but she was never pinned against the wall or spoken to so harshly, truthfully and intimately. "You're letting me go?"
"I've no interest in taking prisoners."
"But I know you're a pirate. Aren't you afraid I'll tell my father?"
"You would have your rescuer hung by the noose?"
Tsumugi shook her head. "No! Of course not."
"Then I trust my secret is safe with you."
"You are...an odd pirate."
"Odd," Ritsu repeated. "Yes, that might be one way to describe me." She took a better look at Tsumugi who was wearing the dress she'd given her. The mere sight of it out of her closet sent a wave of nostalgia. Ritsu smiled sadly and allowed her eyes to scan every inch of Tsumugi. It was a perfect fit.
"I've always wanted to meet a pirate. I didn't think it would be like this."
"Like what?" Ritsu asked and opened the door. They stepped out together onto the deck with the moon still out.
"Riveting," Tsumugi said.
"Quite the word you've chosen."
"It seems fitting." Tsumugi glanced over Ritsu who walked by her side. "I knew there were girls who were brave enough to sail the seven seas. My friend didn't believe me."
Ritsu suppressed a smile as they made their way to Tsumugi's home. When they were almost at the gate Ritsu suddenly stopped. "I can't go any further than here. If they caught me with you at this time of night, they'd assume I kidnapped you."
Tsumugi nodded. "I understand." They stood for a minute and said nothing for a while. "How long will you be staying here?"
"A week at first, but now I might have to reconsider."
"You don't trust me?"
"I don't trust this port. It's heavily occupied with British officers."
Tsumugi pursed her lips. Ritsu was right about that. Every so often a few admirals or commodores would dock by for a few days to converse with her father while the others were her suitors. "Will I see you again?"
A dangerous smile spread across Ritsu's face. "Having a pirate around makes for bad company."
Tsumugi looked her in the eyes and touched the side of her face. "But you aren't like the other pirates. You're...different."
Ritsu lowered Tsumugi's hand slowly. It had been a long time since someone touched her so kindly, so tenderly. "You should get going." She stepped back and receded into the shadows. Ritsu turned around and began walking down the hill. That girl had caused something familiar to stir inside her. She shook her head and brushed it off.
"Wait! Ritsu!" Tsumugi called out and ran back to her. Ritsu stopped and steadied the girl in her arms. Tsumugi kissed her on the cheek and closed her eyes. "Thank you, for saving me and for your words."
Before she could say anything more, the Governor's daughter ran back to her home leaving Ritsu with nothing but the silence of the night.
The entire walk to the town had the pirate's head reeling from the subtle kiss. It shouldn't have affected her, and yet it did. Ritsu turned at the inn but didn't enter. She couldn't think of anything else but the girl, Tsumugi. With a heavy sigh she leaned back against the wall and glanced at the brothel.
She decided to take that drink now.
"Thank you, for saving Ritsu's life." Mugi said as she and Mio talked by the pool. "If you didn't help her...I don't know what I'd do if she didn't come back."
Mio and Mugi watched the brown haired pirate from afar, who had her back pressed against the concave's wall. "Sometimes I wonder why I did what I did. Don't get wrong, I don't regret it. I'm happy she's alive. But me helping her...other mermaids wouldn't dare to do that."
"And yet you did. Why?"
Mio rested her head on her hands. "I don't know. It's difficult to explain." She watched Ritsu from afar. "I was drawn to her."
Mugi smiled. She understood what Mio meant. "I was drawn to her too."
"You were?"
"Yes. I always dreamed of meeting a pirate but when I finally did, I was a bit surprised. My friend told me they were nothing but trouble. However, Ritsu... she's a whole different pirate."
Mio watched Ritsu slowly nodding off. "When I took care of her, I had a feeling she looked familiar. As though I'd seen her before."
"You knew her?"
"I didn't. Well, I wasn't sure. I couldn't be until she finally woke up."
The Mermaid
"Please...Stay," the pirate said before her hand went limp and her eyes closed again.
Mio moved away and stared at the girl who had finally woken up. She didn't expect the song to work, but it did. She sighed with relief and began swimming back. Now that the worst was over, she didn't need anymore reason to stay. Mio looked back at the girl's face, who seemed significantly peaceful now than before.
She stopped and waited, but for what she wasn't sure. Her eyes, she remembered. She wanted to see what the girl's eyes were when she awoke. And in the short time they had, she saw a glimmer of gold and amber. Mio had her answer and tried to piece what this pirate looked like as a whole.
Tentatively, she swam back and studied her very closely. Now she remembered why this pirate looked familiar.
It was a dark, cold night when a few of her mermaid friends decided to venture out past curfew. Much to Mio's reluctance, she accompanied them on their adventure to scout one of the ships temporarily anchored for the night. One by one they surfaced and marveled at its black sails, the jolly roger waving off at the very top of the ship.
"It's a pirate ship," Mio said as the three other girls smiled with excitement.
They watched and waited in the water, realizing that most of the deck had gone quiet. Nobody was up there until the door swung open and a single person stumbled out. Mio and her friends receded into the water, catching the glimpse of the Captain sliding their hand along the wooden railing.
"Who is that?" they whispered amongst each other.
Mio followed wherever the pirate went leading all the way to the bowsprit. Compared to the other men she'd seen, this pirate was much smaller, leaner but still as menacing as the others onboard the ship. She and her friends stayed by the side, watching closely as the pirate lowered herself below the bowsprit and snuck into the ship's mouth. There the pirate sat and crossed their arms, brown short hair swaying side to side as the sea breeze blew against their face.
Mio dared to move closer to get a better look. Above the right side of the ship had the words engraved Sakura. When she tilted her head up and found the pirate closing their eyes she saw a sight she'd never seen before.
The pirate cried.
The Pirate
Megumi slowly opened her eyes and scrambled in her seat to get her bearings. The quill pen in her hand was nowhere to be found and underneath her chin lay a small handkerchief.
"Good morning," Ritsu called out from the floor.
Megumi straightened herself out and rubbed her eyes. "It's morning?" She looked out the window and saw no trace of sunlight out in the open ocean.
"No, it's evening. I just thought it sounded better to greet you good morning than good evening."
"Ritsu, why are you on the floor?"
"I like the view from down here," Ritsu inserted cheekily.
Megumi crossed her legs protectively. "You really are a lecherous pirate."
"I didn't mean it like that." Ritsu pushed off the floor and leaned by the desk beside Megumi. "I just meant I enjoy watching you sleep."
Megumi raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She looked off to the side and blushed. The map she was currently working on had been taken care of thanks to Ritsu's thoughtfulness. The quill pen was back in place and the handkerchief was placed underneath to protect the delicate piece of parchment. Without another word, Megumi stood up from the chair and crossed the room towards the closet. Ritsu turned over and studied the map, she noticed that a few more lines were added since last time she'd seen it.
Megumi slowly brushed the straps off her shoulders, allowing her dress to fall to the floor like quicksilver. She removed the rest of her undergarments and paused for a second to sum up the courage to face Ritsu. When she did, she walked towards her tentatively, partly unsure what she was doing.
Ritsu turned around and blinked for a moment. Before her stood Megumi completely naked. No panties, no bra...nothing.
"Don't," Megumi began. "Don't say anything."
Ritsu nodded and walked to her. She put her hands on Megumi's hips and brought her mouth down to hers.
As they kissed sweetly, she ran her hands up and down her map maker's sides. She couldn't seem to get enough of her pale pink lips. Megumi pressed her naked body against Ritsu's hips, confirming just how much she really wanted her. She tugged her shirt hard and pulled her closer, until they both collapsed on the bed with Ritsu bridging over her.
"You work too hard," Ritsu said into her ear and while there bit her earlobe. Megumi squirmed and felt one of the brunette's hands running up her inner thigh. She sighed blissfully and spread her legs apart.
"I don't mind."
"Neither do I." Ritsu moved down and kissed the inside of Megumi's ankle. She placed both hands on her legs sliding them upwards before dipping her head and and kissing her inner thigh. Having her heat so close was so intoxicating, so rich, that Ritsu had to stop and clear her head for a second. She took the sheets from the side of the bed and draped it over her head, blanketing Megumi's body from the waist down.
Ritsu opened her legs wide and spread her with her fingertips. She didn't even glance up to make sure Megumi was okay, the sound of her voice trembling was enough assurance. Ritsu ran her tongue up and down. She tasted so sweet, so ridiculously good that she couldn't seem to get enough of her.
Ritsu pushed her tongue into Megumi, sucked lightly on her clit, and pushed her legs open wider. The heat had her in a haze as she breathed down on her and slid two fingers in, crooking them upwards. Megumi seemed to breathe louder, panting hard as as she fisted the bed sheets between her fingers. The other hand came down to Ritsu's head, encouraging her to continue exactly what she'd been doing.
The ship rocked gently as Megumi closed her eyes and arched her back, drawing Ritsu closer. Her inner muscles gripped her fingers hungrily, bringing them deeper inside her. Ritsu exhaled and kissed the center of Megumi's stomach. Having the blanket over her made it difficult to breathe. But the fact that all she could hear were her map maker's moans and cries of pleasure was enough to satisfy her desire.
Megumi breathed, focusing on Ritsu rubbing her clit in tight circles. She opened her mouth and repeatedly uttered her name, some in soft gentle cries, others in loud throaty moans. Her whole body trembled from the inside out as Ritsu crooked her finger inwards, stimulating the knot of her G-spot over and over again. It didn't take long for her to arch again, this time to ride out her orgasm. Her muscles tensed as she came so hard she almost expelled Ritsu's fingers from her vagina.
But Ritsu held herself there as wave after wave of ecstasy surged through Megumi. She crooked her finger again until a second wave came hard on the heels of the first.
"Ritsu!" Megumi cried so hard it had the girl's ear ringing. The flood of sensations coursing throughout her body had her writhing like a cat in heat.
"Just one more," Ritsu said and kissed her stomach. By the time Megumi climaxed for a third time, her head came off the pillows and her hips rippled with contractions so strong they left her breathless. Ritsu pulled her fingers out of her along with the blanket, finally taking a breath of fresh air. She came back up to Megumi and searched her lost, glazed eyes.
"No girl can come quite as hard as you do," she said with a smile. Her right hand was still glistening with Megumi's arousal, which reached half the length of her forearm.
Megumi blushed as Ritsu knelt between her hips and pulled off her shirt. She moved up to meet her halfway. Her orgasm had taken much of her energy but when she was close to Ritsu, she seemed to gain it back. She pulled down her pants and revealed her hardened member, admiring it with careful eyes before taking it into her hand and stroking it. Ritsu flinched and began panting softly. "God, Megumi..."
Ritsu found herself on her back the next second glancing up at the ceiling. She knew then that the night had just begun.
After a lively and tiring evening, Ritsu crawled from the bed, pulled on her pants, and bent down to retrieve her boots. The girl she'd spent the night with at the brothel, Rosella, lay on her side watching her closely. She'd been no saint and celibate during her travels. And last night was no exception.
Ritsu found her belt on the floor and fastened it around her waist. She had several lovers with the time that passed, but none that brought her the closeness or safety she once shared with the one she truly loved. So while the sex - passionate and rough - had satisfied her physical hunger, her soul demanded and craved so much more.
"What's her name?"
Ritsu tensed for a second. She found her shirt on the floor and quickly tugged it over her head. "Who?"
"The girl in your eyes."
Ritsu sat on the edge of the bed and grinned. "I don't think I'd be able to see very clearly if there was a girl in my eyes."
Rosella covered her body with the bed sheets and raised a hand running it through Ritsu's brown, coarse hair. "Your eyes, they're troubled. And I see a girl in them." She moved closer and searched for an answer to her first question. "What's her name?"
Ritsu lowered her head and sighed. Nothing good would come from answering her question. But this girl she'd slept with had given herself whole and held nothing back. Even she couldn't deny that she owed her equal transparency.
"Megumi."
Rosella said nothing and watched the light in Ritsu's eyes slowly dwindle into darkness. "She was your lover?"
"And my map maker."
"What happened?"
Ritsu smiled solemnly. "I couldn't make a decision. I didn't know what I wanted." She looked down at the three rings around her left hand.
"So she left you."
Ritsu turned the ring in her finger. "I wish she did. It would've been better that way."
"Why?"
"Because the life I lead is a perilous one. I only realized now that it was too late. I should've known, should've pushed her away sooner. But now I know, I can't afford to have anyone close to me anymore." Ritsu gathered herself to stand.
"You know, no man is an island. Nobody can live on their own and you can't push everyone away, not even you."
Ritsu gave a rueful laugh. "Wise words." She took the tricorne on the floor and placed it on her head. "You said you see things."
"And what if I do?"
Ritsu grinned. "Then tell me, what do you see in my eyes now?"
Rosella studied her intently. The darkness in Ritsu's eyes had faded, and now a glimmer of light shone in them. "I see another girl."
"Another girl?"
"Yes."
"Which girl?" Ritsu asked not thoroughly intrigued.
Rosella gave her a wicked grin and patted her side of the face. "I'll tell you the next time we meet."
Ritsu shook her head with a smile and headed for the door, but just before she could leave, Rosella stopped her. "That girl, the one you wished left you. What happened to her?"
Ritsu half turned to make sure she'd answer her question clearly.
"She died."
A/N: So last week I started working on this chapter and was about 25% complete with it when I accidentally deleted it. But I guess it was meant to happen because I think this revised version ended up being much better than the first~
Anyways, I know these last two chapters have not had any Mitsu or Mugitsu action due to the Megumi x Ritsu scenes. And I'm not going to apologize for inserting them in. Before I knew it, I'd created a character and killed her right off the bat. And to me that just didn't seem right, so I did what I could to salvage her. I hope you can all understand where I'm going with this. The flashbacks with Megumi and Ritsu serve more as character development for both of them, proving the fact that the life of a pirate, as Ritsu said, is not an easy one. Now that I think about it, it's opened the possibility that Mio or Mugi could be at an even greater risk if they were to ever pursue a relationship with Ritsu...
Apologies in advance if the story gets a bit confusing what with all the flashbacks and shifts to the present. If any of you have any questions or need me to clear up anything at all I'd be happy to answer them for you.
Replies:
akira626: Ah, thank you! Yes, I try my best to make them as relate-able as possible. It's always a pleasure to know that my stories are reaching out to readers all over the world! The last multi-fic I finished had a reader from France and now I have you from Poland. Wow, this is great. And don't worry, your english is perfect^^
darkmaster: thanks, I'll toast to that!
Kage: A part of me honestly just wants to skip to it, all three of them together...that would certainly be a chapter to remember. Yes, you can bet I plan on uncovering more regarding Ritsu's and Mugi's past. It would be quite intriguing to find out how they came to be together.
kuro-nata:Thanks, it's nice to know that I've fulfilled something that's been on your wishlist. I feel as though I might be one of the few authors who enjoy writing harems for any fandom. Well what can I say, I do enjoy the hint of possible polygamy and messy love triangles.
Eri: Thanks!
Sei: Oh, I try~
Nomaku: Thank you! I hope so as well
Guest: Thanks man