Upon a Rough Sea

Chapter Four

As the Oni Maru sliced through the waves taking to the relative safety of the sea, Jade charged up the stairs to the command deck eyes glowing blood red with rage. The instant the captain was within reach powerful legs began to wail on the prone man's stomach screaming, "You! Stupid! Son of a bitch! You move against me?!" Killian groaned with each strike his pale face quickly growing as red as his attacker's eyes. "Wait! He's wounded," Will pleaded shouting at the top of his lungs. The arrow protruding from their betrayer's shoulder had not escaped the captain's notice. "I know," the furious leader growled dangerously as the influence of her demonic sword eagerly amplified her ire coloring it with a healthy dose of cruelty under the guise of righteous anger. Mulan crouched to loom over her prey fisting her hand around that convenient ponytail to snarl in his face, "You will NOT keep my prize from me!" A rough tug collided that devious head with the deck so hard that stars burst behind crystal blue eyes causing his head to swim. With the ship removed from immediate danger Will rushed to hover over his lover with his hands raised protectively begging his best friend, "Please, he saved mah life. At least give 'im a chance ta explain."

Jade's body was a bundle of coiled rage and barely restrained violence as she openly snarled at the pirate foolish enough to get between her and the target of her fury. Ruby closed quickly behind to soothingly stroke her lover's quivering arms, "Darling please, I know he's a pile of reeking shit, but let's hear him out first. If he doesn't have a good excuse you can always kill him in a minute. What's the harm?" The captain's jaw pulsed wildly as barely restrained violence radiated from her deadly gaze. Just then a strained voice arose from the pitiful creature, "I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I swear it on my life." A wiry, predatory form pounced snatching a stubbled jaw, forcing the traitor to meet her withering gaze. "Your life is EXACTLY what one more lie will cost you," the tawny lioness warned in no uncertain terms.

A rough cough shook through the agonized sailor causing him to spit up a bit of blood on the deck. Concern pinched Will's rugged features as he knelt next to his lover stroking that glossy black hair. "Why'd ya do it, ya daft fool," the first mate asked baffled by the pretty boy's behavior. Killian rolled onto his back to ease the pressure on the arrow in his shoulder even though it left him completely at the mercy of a group of pirates that had every reason to want his blood. Gathering his breath the now paler sailor confessed, "I only wanted you to give up on the fleece, that's all. I had no way to know there would be cannibals on the wrong island. I just wanted you to believe it was the right one, I swear. I meant you no harm." The glow of red in the captain's eyes faded to her normal brown, cold and hard, as they fixed her prisoner brooking no insolence with a single insistent word, "Why?" Shaky uneven breaths rattled through a bleeding chest as the battered sailor confessed, "Because I was afraid of what you would do with it. All that power unchecked, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing. It wouldn't be honorable." The rage bled from the proud exotic features leaving a wounded stoicism in its wake.

Much to the shock of all surrounded Ruby pushed passed her lover seething with rage to grip the arrow and twist. "Honorable?! Honorable is keeping your word! Honorable is giving those who've spared your life the benefit of a doubt if not your trust!" All those nearest to the agonized sailor were too stunned to interrupt as the beauty's eyes flashed an unearthly silver. White teeth turned into razor-sharp rows as Red twisted the shaft once more and spat upon the wounded creature screaming into pain twisted features, "I trusted you! I asked you to give us a chance, but no! Better to put all our lives in danger, sentence us to death for what we MIGHT do! You're a coward and worse!"

Shocked at the behavior Jade scooped up her lover pulling her off of the injured sailor. The captain looked over and caught the eye of loyal, stalwart Smitty ordering, "Take him to quarters!" The raggedly scarred ebony mountain of a man scooped up the prisoner in question easily as he replied, "Aye aye, captain." Their ragtag band relocated to the captain's quarters with Jade still carrying her squirming bundle. Shutting the door behind herself with a kick Jade set her feisty lover down demanding, "What was that?!" Ruby's chest heaved with rage that eerie silver sheen still over her eyes as she growled, "No one threatens my woman!" The preternatural color of fierce eyes and those sharp teeth were almost as shocking as the usually kind and playful woman's actions. The captain cradled her lover's flushed cheeks soothing, "It's alright. We're safe now."

Red's breathing began to slow. Her teeth were blunt once more, the silver fading from her eyes as she replied evenly, "It's not alright." Raven brows bobbed acquiescing to the truth of the words, "Well yes, it's not alright, but it will be. Just calm down, darling." Jade's worry bled the last of the anger out of the feisty vixen. With a simple nod and a demure cast down look, Ruby deferred to her lover's wishes. With that settled the captain took a breath before crossing to the injured man now settled on her bed. Will sat at his lover's side wiping away the spittle with the cuff of his doublet. A wordless tap of her first mate's shoulder was all the command needed for him to clear the way. "Hold him steady," she instructed Smitty. The mammoth man did as ordered holding the pale man firmly on his side. Impartial brown eyes held terrified baby blues assuring the devious sailor, "Believe it or not this gives me no pleasure." With that, the former soldier shoved the arrow through. Will averted his eyes from his lover's pain as Killian screamed in naked agony.

The captain and quartermaster moved in coordination with Smitty snapping off the arrowhead so that Jade could safely pull the shaft clear. Killian whimpered pitifully his body slumping in the wake of the brutal first aid. Smitty set about cleansing the wound. As the initial sting of the alcohol began to fade Jade loomed over the misguided military man to inform him in an even tone, "You know what I appreciate and detest most about you?" A frail blue gaze peered up in timid curiosity as the intimidating exotic beauty continued, "You remind me of me when I was young and stupid, possessed by duty and honor." The predatory beauty spat the last few words as though they left a foul taste in her mouth.

Will shoved away from the spot of wall he had been leaning against as an icy dread knotted his gut. Jade could hear her friend's protective reaction, but continued cautiously regardless, "That is why you live. That is why I will pay the demon's cost to heal you. And that is why tomorrow morning after you've rested and have a clear head, I will tell you exactly why I need that sail." At those words, the rakish pirate could hold his tongue no longer. "Do ya really think thaz' tha best idea, especially considerin' wha' jus' 'appened," the first mate urged as his pulse hammered in his ears. Kind brown eyes cast a tender knowing gaze over her shoulder towards her best friend as Mulan stated simply, "You know the truth is the only thing that will stop him. If we want him to trust us we're going to have to trust him. It's the only way unless of course, you want him dead."

The rugged pirate's jaw clenched and unclenched torn between loyalty and desire. Guarded, wounded hazel eyes alighted on his lover urging, "You betta' naught make me regret this, yeah?" Curious blue eyes shifted from the captain to the first mate and back uncertain of his fate or what this confidence may cost him. With a hard swallow, Killian offered what reassurance he could, "I'll do mah best." That answer seemed to please the unpredictable exotic beauty as a soft smile warmed her features. A gentle hand lay upon his thigh as Jade offered hopefully, "If your honor is true, I'm sure you will not let me down." That statement was even more confusing than the last to the battered sailor.

"Now lie back," the captain commanded drawing her sword. With a shaky swallow and no other choices, Killian did as instructed. Rippling thighs surrounded his waist and pinned pale arms beneath the toned captain's weight. Ruby followed the scene curiously even as a worry of what this cost might be knotted her stomach. Emerald eyes searched the other faces in the room to get a read on this danger. Will's worry seemed mostly for his lover and this mysterious secret. Smitty seemed his usual undaunted self. Red tried to silence her worry while she held her tongue. Jade carefully placed the flat of the blade across Killian's shoulders. Sword and wielder began to glow a soft blue as the wound knit itself back together. The pale sailor groaned face reddening at the pain of the rapidly rebuilding muscle and tissue. It was not unlike a thousand Charlie horses all at once, but when the glow faded so too did the pain.

Killian lay panting trying to gather his breath completely exhausted by the experience. The procedure seemed to drain the captain as well as she stumbled dizzily in dismounting him. Best friend and lover both rushed to her aid. Will got there first cradling her tenderly. Hazel eyes gazed down in worry as the first mate brushed an errant strand of hair back from cherished features urging, "Are you sure about this?" A crooked half grin curved slightly delirious features as the captain replied saucily, "Sure is for old, boring people. We're pirates, remember?" Mulan punctuated the statement with a playful, adoring pat on her best friend's rugged cheek. A soft chuckle rattled through the rakish pirate as he released his more steadily standing friend. "Right."

Now that her best friend was somewhat consoled the captain took a few shaky steps into the waiting arms of her ever-surprising lover. Jade leaned heavily on the concerned beauty as she instructed, "You two take the room tonight. I'll need you strong and ready tomorrow." Will's brow arched as he eyed her unsteady form asking, "You sure abou' tha'?" A wolfish grin was tossed in his direction as she shared a still for the moment secret joke with her best friend, "I have other ways." The cryptic statement was punctuated by a sharp sudden spank of the voluptuous beauty's derriere. A high pitched squeak leaked from the blushing beauty as she jerked a bit from the impact. Warm laughter shook a bronze chest easing the tension in the room. The men could not help but smile, even reserved Smitty. Their delight only deepened the flush in apple cheeks.

Jade took mercy on her embarrassed lover shifting the attention with an order, "Come, Smitty, let's give these gentlemen the room." The loyal quartermaster approached offering kindly, "Shall I assist you, captain?" The exotic beauty gave her lover a gentle smile as she praised the woman's hidden skills, "Not necessary. She's got me." Ruby glowed under the confidence in the familiar ability crowing, "That I do." A subtle nod communicated the ebony man's acquiescence to his captain's order. Instead, the large loyal man crossed to hold the door open for the ladies. Once outside a crisp breeze welcomed Jade as she ordered, "Weigh anchor and tuck the ship in for the night, Smitty." With a sharp nod, the quartermaster replied, "Aye aye, captain," and set about fulfilling her orders.

Concerned emerald orbs flowed over proud features paled lighter than their normal copper glow. "Are you sure this is a good idea," Ruby inquired kindly. A warm brown gaze floated up reassuring her lady, "I have a plan." Hope began to rise at those simple words, but the next gave the maiden pause. "But there's something we must discuss first," Jade gently stated as she crossed to settle heavily on the low railing where once the kind lady had comforted her. With a hard swallow against the nervous tightening of her throat, the buxom beauty asked, "What's that?" An inquisitive gaze carefully read porcelain features for their reaction as the captain continued, "What happened back there."

White teeth pinched a plush bottom lip as Ruby replied in a guilty tone, gaze cast down, "You mean my temper." It had been the first time that her fascinating new lover had seen the barmaid's dark side and she worried that the pirate might find it off-putting. A dark brow rose in silent disbelief of the voluptuous creature's seeming ignorance of Jade's purpose. "No, I mean your silver eyes," she clarified in a no-nonsense tone. Red giggled nervously as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Oh, you mean my steely gaze. Yeah, some people find it unnerving, but doesn't everyone have a steely gaze when they're upset," the vixen admitted hoping that it didn't upset her exotic lover.

The woman once known as Mulan took the former maiden's hand giving it a light squeeze insisting on her attention. When emerald eyes met hers once more the captain knew the beauty's ignorance to be true. "Ruby, your eyes turned silver, not some steely gaze, but completely silver like a fish's eye." Plump red lips worked in wordless astonishment against the air. "And your teeth became as razor sharp as a shark's. Did you not know this," the exhausted pirate kindly inquired. "No, I mean… No, that can't be," Ruby denied the truth in a shaky tone. A gentle thumb soothingly stroked back and forth across the back of her lady's hand silently assuring the beauty that this did not affect Jade's feelings for her.

"So you know nothing about how this came to be," the captain carefully prodded. A stubborn chin shook from side to side rejecting the possibility as Ruby corrected her lover, "No, no. Granny said everyone has a steely gaze if they get mad enough. It's nothing." Knowing brown eyes dipped with a sigh. It was obvious to the tactician that this sweet creature's grandmother had kept things from her. Gathering what strength she had left Mulan met emerald eyes assuring her treasure, "It means something, but it changes nothing for me. When you're ready to seek answers you will have my full support."

Even though logic screamed that this stunning creature was mad, perhaps a side effect of the sword's influence, the concern and blind acceptance were deeply touching. A tender smile descended to caress soft pink lips a moment. Cupping a proud cheek Ruby cooed softly, "Thank you." Mulan's smile spread to sparkle in her eyes as she gazed adoringly at the ever-fascinating creature. An elegant thumb stroked back and forth over high cheekbones as the barmaid returned to her previous concern, "But what are we going to do about you? You need real rest."

A mischievous light danced in warm brown eyes as Jade corrected her, "No, I need the strength, energy, and healing that can come with rest." Mahogany brows pinched in confusion. The captain's tone took on a seductively daring tone as she continued, "What's better than sleep?" Apple cheeks flushed at the inference even as plush lips curved impishly answering, "I can think of a number of things." Mulan chuckled warmly as she pulled the buxom beauty closer challenging, "And what's better than sex?" Emerald eyes darkened lustfully as a willful heart pounded in a lightly heaving chest responding, "With you? Nothing I know of."

Tawny arms surrounded that voluptuous form drawing it tight against the captain's body. "So what could possibly be better for me than to pleasure you out here under the stars for the world to see?" Ruby panted raggedly mind and flesh overheated by the mere concept. A hungry brown gaze held tight to deliciously stunned emerald orbs as the captain slowly began to undo the buttons of her lady's waistcoat. Plush lips trembled still not quite certain if this was real. Jade rose to her feet slowly drawing the garment apart as she asked with a quirked brow, "Well?" A timid tongue rolled over dry lips to reply in a breathless whisper, "Yes." With a roll of slim shoulders, the waistcoat fell to the deck. With that enthralling acquiescence, the pirate's kiss tenderly seared plump lips as she brazenly lost herself in her lady's charms.

With the others gone brooding hazel eyes landed on the mess of trouble laying in the captain's bed. "And wut am I ta do wit' you," the rugged pirate challenged. Crystal blue eyes danced with an impish leer as the reclined sailor replied raising up onto his elbows, "Well I have a few ideas, but they won't work with you so far away." A firm finger wagged reproachfully as Will warned crossing to his lover's bedside, "Don' you try workin' them pretty boy charms on me. It won' distract me from wut ya done." As much as the first mate was upset with the beautiful man before him, the pirate was more deeply disturbed to have come so close to losing something he was coming so painfully close to needing. Both sensations were unsettling to the ruggedly handsome thief.

"Ya mean savin' yer life," Killian inquired radiating penitent charm. A heavy sigh leaked from the pirate as he settled to sit at his lover's side accusing, "Like the cap'n did yours? And ya know damn well wut I mean." A guilty gaze dipped beneath thick lashes as slender shoulders sagged beneath the weight of his sins. Killian still had no idea what the captain's plans were or if they would truly ease his concerns as promised. Nothing was certain yet except that he had let his lover down. The sight tugged at Will's heartstrings despite his better judgment. "I really am sorry, for whatever it's worth," the pale rakishly handsome young man muttered with a heavy heart. A meaty hand closed around that stubbled chin coaxing those beautiful eyes to meet a slowly softening guarded hazel stare. "This is yur last shot. Ya really can't bollocks this one up," Will pleaded torn between the future he wished for and the fears that held him back.

Hope dawned becomingly over rosy cheeks to dance in crystalline eyes as Killian vowed, "I won't. I swear. I may not know what's goin' on, but I know I've acted a fool and I'd do anythin' ta make it up to ya." Helplessly enchanted by the endearing glow reaching out for his spirit Will drifted closer purring in a husky tone, "I may yet hol' ya to tha'." Firm lips claimed a soft pair with a reserved intensity the very kiss itself mirroring the push and pull warring within the first mate. That all too familiar heat coiled in the sailor's belly as he reached up to cup a weather-worn cheek. The pale beauty of a man lost himself in the embrace caressing those stout lips in gentle reassurance.

Killian could feel his lover's hesitance fade as a mind-blowing tongue claimed his mouth searing every surface with the intensity of the brigand's desire. The sailor's soft moans flowed delectably over Will's tongue daring him for more. The pirate broke the kiss, eyes blazing, to tear the doublet from his shoulders and toss it across the room. The sable haired sailor followed suit yanking his shirt over his head and tossing it aside without a care as he rose up to meet his lover's lips once more. The first mate fisted a hand in that long dark hair greedily pulling the pretty boy deeper into his kiss. The fiery dance fused their mouths as the pale gentleman melted beneath the overwhelming need radiating from the rugged man crawling over him.

Will pressed his lover into the mattress with his own body as he tossed off his ever open waistcoat. Wide calloused hands flowed over pale skin delighting in the remarkably soft feel of the dark curls decorating Killian's chest. A desperate need for air broke the embrace. Heat poured from entrancing hazel orbs lighting a fire within the panting sailor as the rugged pirate purred in a husky tone, "Well you finally got what you wanted." The first mate delighted in the look of confusion in those beautiful blue eyes as he kicked off his boots. Nestling between firm thighs the pirate pressed his need between his lover's legs as he continued, "A night in a sof' bed with a spectacula' lova'."

The pale beauty's moan rattled deep in his chest as his own need surged to life at the hot hard press. A rakish grin curved soft pink lips as Killian agreed, "Lucky me." A meaty hand pressed the sailor tight against the mattress as firm lips languidly traced trails of muscle down a wiry frame. The former junior officer relaxed under the tantalizing pressure relenting to whatever the rugged fellow intended. "Lucky indeed," Will agreed fixing his lover with a wicked stare as he unfastened the beautiful man's breeches. With a rough yank, the brigand pulled the fabric from the object of his desire. "Ye may 'ave yur faults, but I do owe ya a bit a somethin' special for savin' mah life and all." Pink lips trembled with erotic curiosity as the sailor inquired, "And wut might tha' be?"

A devilish grin curved undeniable lips before they descended to wrap around the beautiful man's throbbing member. Blue eyes rolled back on a ragged moan as a vigorous tongue tormented the tip before taking him whole. The warm insistent pressure throbbed through the sailor seeming to vibrate through his entire being. Killian's toes curled in his boots as he kicked into the mattress slim hips thrusting upward. That deliciously bobbing head moved with him controlling the depth of the pirate's stroke as he taunted and teased the quivering pretty boy. Nimble fingers held on tight to spiky brown hair as every last muscle in a pale body tightened trembling on a razor's edge before exploding into the stunning pirate. It was not the first time someone had wrapped lips around the former officer, but it was by far the most intense.

A fine sheen of sweat covered that sweetly trembling pale form as Will rose up on his knees stripping his lover's remaining clothes. As he crawled over that temptingly tight body the pirate slipped out of his trousers savoring a leisurely press of their bodies. A cheeky grin greeted his lover's approach as Killian purred, "You're quite good." The first mate returned a cocky smile promising, "I'm jus' getting' started." The two men chuckled as one sharing the same lustful thought. When Will lifted pale knees limber legs rose to surround him welcomingly. It was the first time that they had laid together in comfort in an actual bed. There was none of the urgency or fear of discovery of before, only a sense of belonging that felt more right than either could have imagined.

Will languished in the moment stroking the legs around him appreciatively. With a slow, savoring kiss the rugged thief teasingly trailed the tip of his need through a valley of sensitive flesh. Killian whimpered longingly as he arched up, his body willing and ready. The pirate begrudgingly abandoned the kiss to spit into his hand. Intense hazel orbs pinned a deep blue pair as a meaty hand tenderly lathered the sailor's back bits in saliva to slicken the twitching eager entrance. At the first slow press, the first teasing hint of penetration the sailor gasped gripping his lover's shoulders tightly. Finally being face to face with the roguish charmer Killian was surprised by the tenderness in his lover's eyes and voice as the pirate asked, "Are ya a'right?"

The endearing concern fluttered the pale beauty's heart as he replied breathily, "Neva' betta'." A wolfish half grin tugged at talented lips as the rakishly handsome thief retorted, "Let's see wha' we can' do 'bout tha'." With a slow ardent press of hips Will was true to his word. The more the pirate filled him the more Killian's head reeled with an overwhelming euphoria. The way the pretty boy's head fell back was almost as heavenly as how he clenched around the cockney rogue's throbbing member. The rest of the world seemed to fade away leaving nothing but the delirious pleasure of sliding languidly in and out of that quivering form.

Unable to resist the siren's call of an outstretched taut neck Will rained firm, delicate kisses over its surface as the roll of his hips grew steadily more insistent. Strong, pale arms wrapped around tan shoulders as Killian began to thrust back ravenous for more of the surprisingly tender pirate. Of all of the first mate's many conquests never had he felt this clawing need to nurture and protect. Claiming another man was one thing. It was raw, territorial and primal. These things he understood, but what the thief felt growing in his heart for the beautiful man beneath him was something altogether different.

Bulky chiseled arms wrapped around the pale trembling figure holding the beauty closer as powerful hips thrust faster bucking wildly within. "Oh FUCK, Will yes," Killian cried out in raw shameless wanton need as he rocked back against the thrilling filling he was receiving. Panting raggedly Will leaned his forehead against his lover's lost in the primal nature of his own rhythms. At the end of his restraint, the pirate's back arched to press his deepest as he erupted fiercely within the beautiful man in his arms. His lover's pleasure exploded across Killian's nerves daring him to defy its allure, but the sailor could not, did not wish, to resist. The former young officer's release flooded warmly between their heated bodies as the pirate settled panting against him.

A flood of unfamiliar and unnerving emotions washed over the usually guarded thief. With men it had always been simple. Will thought there was no danger of becoming attached, of risking his heart. As a warm, sentimental gaze settled on sharp features softened by rosy cheeks the pirate knew that that was exactly what was in danger here. Slowly gathering his breath keen blue eyes gently caressed a pinched brow. The look in his lover's troubled eyes pinched Killian's heart painfully. A kind thumb soothingly stroked the physical expression of the rugged charmer's inner turmoil as the pretty boy purred softly, "What is it, luv?"

"You," Will answered plainly. "Yer nothin' but trouble," the rakish pirate accused in a wistful tone of voice. A wide smile sparkled in deep blue eyes as Killian playfully replied, "Tha's wut ya like about me." Caught in the web of his lover's charms the first mate returned the smile teasing impishly, "Tha' und so much more." The former officer's heart skipped a beat as he challenged, "Show me." Rising to the bait the rugged charmer fused their lips once more in a breathtaking embrace.

((( Okay folks, this is my second ever and first in a decade attempt at writing boy slash. Let me know what you think. Reviews are always welcome :) )))