((( Welcome back gentle readers :) Sorry it took so long. My schedule has been crazy. Please forgive any errors as I have no beta and little to no time for editing myself. I am certainly open to volunteers. And as always feedback is greatly appreciated-whether it keeps me motivated or just makes me better. Thanks again for your time and interest. And now, on with the adventure! )))
Upon a Rough Sea
Chapter Five
The sun hid behind thick dark clouds as rough waves rocked the Oni Maru. Fat drops of rain rudely awakened the captain. A light peppering quickly grew into a downpour. Ruby squealed rising from atop her exotic lover. With a miserable groan, Jade stood covering the feisty maiden's body with her own as she ushered the disgruntled beauty towards her cabin. The door slammed open bouncing against the wall as the ladies rushed in on the startled lovers occupying the captain's bed. "Whuz goin' on," Wil barked at the sudden intrusion. "Your time is up," the captain grumbled shaking the water from her hair like a beast. "The sky is falling out there," Red groused shivering as she stood at the foot of the bed wretchedly drenched. Both men's eyebrows rose at the sheet of rain pouring in the door.
Before any could think to close it the portal was occupied by a massive ebony man. "Captain, the rigging has been secured and all hatches closed," Smitty dutifully informed his leader. "Good work. Now come in and close that damn door," Jade barked. The mountainous scarred man did as he was told. Tawny skin prickled and tightened under the saturated silken strands striped over her torso. Teeth chattering and shivering wildly the soaked leader set about putting a fire together immediately. With arms wrapped tightly around herself, the feisty wench stayed close to her lover hoping that the flames cooperated quickly. While the others were distracted by the hearth seemed a perfect time for the men tangled in the sheets to surreptitiously slip into their hastily discarded clothing.
The fireplace obeyed quickly roaring to life. Jade took a moment to absorb the warmth letting it breathe life back into her bones before turning a sour determined look upon her gathered cohorts. "Well, I suppose this is the perfect weather for a dark tale. Everyone make yourself comfortable," the captain ordered with a nod towards the table. Each shuffled hesitantly towards a chair. Cold, wet and miserable Ruby was not awake enough yet to recall what was so ominous. "You still mean to go through with it, then," Wil asked settling his doublet over broad shoulders as he slid into a chair. "I do," the captain stated in no uncertain terms as she unlocked a chest on the mantel to retrieve a tattered scroll. Insistent brown eyes locked with eerie crystalline orbs adding just as determinedly, "You too, Smitty. You deserve to hear this." At the command, the out of sorts quartermaster settled his hulking frame silently in a chair.
"So what is so dreadfully somber about this secret you've been harboring," Killian asked hoping to lighten the mood as he casually draped a lanky frame across the armrests in a rather cavalier recline. "All in due time, Mr. Jones," Jade assured him as she purposefully approached the table to stand before the gathered heart of her crew. A deep breath gathered courage and air for the tale. The obvious distress tugged at Ruby's heartstrings. An elegant hand stealthily slipped into a dangling copper palm in silent support. The kindness warmed the captain's heart. A gentle squeeze communicated her appreciation as she continued. "However we'll start off easy. Once upon a time, there was a humble girl named Mulan. She loved her country. She loved her family. And it was love for both as well as duty and honor that sent her to war." A look of recognition crossed the faces of the newest recruits but it was Killian that gave it voice first, "The girl war hero! Yes, I've heard of her. She saved her whole country if I'm not mistaken."
"They used to sing songs of her in the tavern," Ruby added emerald eyes sparkling as they looked up at her dashing lover in an all new light. "What they don't sing about is what happened after," the captain continued her tale. "You see this dangerous man, Shan Yu, threatened everything she knew but the cost of his defeat was higher than I ever could have imagined." With that change in pronouns, the story turned more personal and the rakish captain's features became more fragile as though a reflection of that once innocent girl had seeped through the façade. "It wasn't until I was able to turn his own sword upon him that I finally defeated the unkillable barbarian. When I presented his sword to the emperor He urged me to keep it. I thought it was an honor for my deed. Little did I know the crafty old man had darker intentions."
At the pause in her tale, Captain Jade released her lover's hand to demonstratively draw the cursed sword. For a moment smoke seemed to flicker in its reflection like a living thing. Suddenly yellow slitted eyes flashed from within that smoke startling the gathered crew. All recoiled in shock and horror save those most familiar with it-Mulan and Wil. "You see this blade is cursed. Unknown lifetimes ago a demon was slain with it and remains trapped inside. It bestows power upon its wielder but at a terrible cost. The demon demands to be fed sin and vice in return for its gifts, taking delight in corrupting its wielder. The punishment for denying this begins with an overwhelming pain and ends with the demon consuming the bearer's soul and taking over their body to be reborn anew. The emperor knew this and meant to escape the cost by letting that burden fall to me. I had no idea. The first time I used the sword a lust overtook me that ruined my deepest friendships leaving me confused and frightened. When I went to the emperor for aid he revealed to me the true nature of the sword of Shan Yu. First war tried to take my father, then it took my innocence in every way imaginable and now my country, my emperor demanded I sacrifice my honor for his glory-to become his living weapon."
Smitty's jaw tightened crystalline eyes broiling with rage. Killian looked pale and ill as though he may vomit from the horror and betrayal of it all. Ruby reached out to place a comforting hand on her lover's arm hoping to provide some solace from the pain of the past. "I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do," the kind-hearted maiden offered. The haunted look upon the captain's features softened to gaze upon treasured features with a gentle smile. "But you have," Mulan informed her sheathing the dreaded sword. "The delicious sins we have enjoyed keep the demon at bay. It would not be an exaggeration to say that your passion has saved my soul." With that gentle statement, the pirate leaned over cradling a flush cheek to place a tender kiss upon plush lips. Ruby sighed wistfully into the embrace giving herself over to it wholeheartedly.
Hazel orbs soften over a sentiment smile to see his often tormented best friend so blissful under the influence of the feisty young girl. Loyal Smitty tried not to look directly at the private gesture but was gladdened by his captain's joy. A cheeky grin curved Killian's lips at the sweet scene before interrupting, "Not to dampen your lovely moment, but however did you come to be here if you were to be your emperor's instrument?" A dark gaze withered the pale young sailor as the captain straightened replying, "You assume I was. You see I decided if the emperor was going to sell my soul for his own gain I would refuse him that trophy. If the price was my honor, dignity, and pride I would be the only one to gain from it. I fled the country denying him his prize. I would not be used for his amusement and left to suffer the humiliation of the cost by his whim."
A gesture of disgust tossed the scroll upon the table. As it unraveled her portrait surrounded by Chinese characters was clear. "He was furious and placed a price on my head hoping to have his trinket one way or the other. That is why my true name can never be spoken outside of this room." The gathered crew nodded their understanding and acceptance. Wil searched each of their expressions carefully for the slightest sign of disloyalty. The first mate was comforted to see none as he had hoped not to have to slash any of the throats in his current company. Dark brows lifted over sapphire eyes as Killian admitted, "Well that certainly explains your conflicted feelings about honor and your distaste for corrupt figureheads. However, I don't understand what that has to do with the sail."
The new recruit's ability to see through to the heart of the matter charmed the captain bringing a smile to her face. That focus could come in handy in the times ahead. She decided to reward her newest asset with the truth. "The land you were to travel to is a magical island. Your king wanted you to retrieve a mystical poison from it. What I desire is a way to free me of the sword without the cost of my soul or my life-which would also put the weapon in the hands of someone considerable less scrupulous than I, I imagine." Killian's eyes bulged at the thought. The sailor had witnessed firsthand the violence and cruelty that overcame the once honorable warrior when influenced by the blade. The idea of someone less reputable wielding it was a terrifying thought indeed.
"We would never let anything like that happen," Ruby insisted before turning to the first mate for back up. "Right, Wil?" The cockney pirate grinned ear to ear further enchanted by the captain's paramour. "You've got tha' right, Red. Nothin's gon' 'appen ta the cap'n under our watch," he assured her with gusto. A broad smile overtook sharp features completely charmed by the loyalty of those nearest and dearest to her. "You have my sword and my silence, my captain," Smitty vowed solemnly. That only left Mr. Jones to report out his intent. As gazes turned towards him the formerly unpredictable sailor straightened in his chair to formally offer, "Well in light of the circumstances I believe the sword is currently in the best possible hands. I am truly in your service, my lady. My weapons and wits are yours to command. Let's see about freeing you from this abomination properly, shall we?"
With that final assurance, hope blossomed in the once-jaded captain's heart. "Then we're all in agreement. As soon as the weather lifts we will find our way to the right island, retrieve the sail and head for Pan's Island," Mulan announced. "But until the weather clears I say we pass the time toasting our pact. What say you?" Cheers rang up around the table most notably from Wil who immediately leaped to action retrieving the rum. The companions passed the time in good spirits. The captain and her lover dried much quicker by combined body heat once the dashing woman pulled the voluptuous wench into her lap. Smitty who sipped very lightly at the potent drink laughed at the cheer of his comrades pleasantly shocking most with the harmonious timber of his chuckle. "I didn' know ya could' do it, man," Wil chuckled cheerily. "Really? 'Cause I already charmed one out of him the other day," Ruby sassed with a cocky smile. "Now why doesn' that su'prise me," Killian interjected with a cheeky half grin. "It's true," the quartermaster confirmed her statement with amusing plainness. All shared a laugh as well as another drink at that.
After a few hours, the tempest gave way to calm seas. The mostly steady, at least when they leaned on one another, comrades made their way out onto the deck. With Jade and Killian's minds together they quickly repaired the navigation equipment and adjusted their course. In a matter of hours, the Oni Maru found the appropriate shore that would bring them closest to the mountain where the sail had been hidden away. "This states that we will find the sail in the maw of the beast," Killian informed his associates. Mulan and Wil looked a bit put off by the statement. "Don't worry so much," Mr. Jones offered, "It's probably just some superstitious drabble that will turn out to be a deep cave or well or some dreadful lava pit. I'm willing to bet an excess of rope and cleverness will see us through more or less unscathed."
"By your word, Mr. Jones," the captain stated holding him to his assurances. "After you." With a wave of her hand, Jade bid him lead the way. With a chipper grin, the sobered sailor grabbed his trusty shoulder bag and shoved a generous amount of rope into it as he headed for the longboat. Wil followed close after his lover. As Ruby approached the ladder a firm grip brought her up short. "And where do you think you're going," Mulan asked skeptically. An adorable pout overtook cherubic features as Red pleaded, "Oh come on, you have to let me go. I'm a good shot and I'm great at sniffing out hidden things."
A contemplative look flowed over the pirate's features. "You mean like your steely gaze," the captain inquired. Confusion batted thick lashes as the maiden searched her memory to reply, "Yeah, I guess. It's something I've always been good at, like an instinct." With a reserved sigh the captain relented, "Alright, but be careful and stay close to me." A beaming smile lit Ruby's face as she saucily retorted, "You can pretty much count on that, stud." With a swift peck, the exuberant femme hopped from the railing to climb the ladder down to the longboat into the waiting gentlemanly hands of Mr. Jones. Charmed by her energy Jade chuckled and shook her head. The captain turned her attention to the quartermaster stating, "I leave the ship in your capable hands, Smitty. Take care of the old girl." The stalwart ebony man solemnly vowed, "As though she were my own, captain." Hope blossomed unrepentantly in the exotic beauty's chest as she made her way down with a radiant smile.
A quick trip in the longboat followed by a short trek through the woods brought the company to a cave entrance. The surrounding foliage yielded the raw material for makeshift torches before the group made their way inside. It was slow going at first as the darkness seemed to devour the light their torches cast. Visibility was perhaps 5 feet at best. There was definitely something eerie about it. After 40 minutes of inching their way through the dark, the tunnel opened up into a cavern. They could tell because a lava pool from the far end cast an unsettling glow about the chamber. "Well, I guess you were right about that lava," Jade conceded. Killian grinned in reply happily leading their merry band deeper.
"Wait!" Wil's arm shot out bringing his lover up short. The sudden stop sent a few stray pebbles scuttling forward that suddenly seemed to fall for quite a long drop. With a rough swallow, the sailor looked down at the sudden drop-off. The flickering glow of the lava was not bright enough to light every crack in the floor and this one was a considerably wide one. "Thanks for that," he gratefully offered. "Be careful moving forward," the captain ordered sternly. "We haven't won this yet." As the scoundrels skirted the drop off they noticed by the light of the torches as they approached that the ground seemed to be honeycombed with potentially fatal falls if one weren't cautious.
Throughout the creepy room, Ruby had held tight to her lover's back, but something stirred in her gut near one particularly wide hole. The feisty maiden felt drawn to it in a way beyond comprehension or explanation. She stayed staring down at it hoping to get some inkling of what it was that called to her so. Jade turned noticing the lack of grip on her shoulders. The captain returned to her lover's side curious as to what had entranced the beauty. "Ruby, what is it?"Before she could articulate a response Killian returned interrupting her thoughts eagerly encouraging, "Come on, the lava pit is just ahead. We're almost there." The urging stirred a stubborn refusal in the inscrutable woman. "No," Ruby argued firmly, "It's right here."
The sailor chuckled at the strange flare of obstinacy assuring the charming vixen, "This is just another hole in the ground like every other hole in the ground. The lava is right over there. Come on." A sheen of silver flashed over the wench's eyes a moment giving everyone a bit of pause. "No, I'm telling you it's down there. I don't know how I know, but it is. I'd bet my life on it," Ruby swore. Green eyes flowed from the pale hand on her arm up to meet eager blue eyes. "Yesterday I asked you to give us a chance and you ignored my advice," Red began gently. With a sigh, a penitent gaze met the floor. A tender hand lifted a stubbled chin looking for some sign of the man she had wanted to make her friend within the sailor she wasn't sure she could trust. "Now I'm asking you to trust me."
Pale shoulders sagged in defeat. "Mr. Scarlet, prepare a rope for our descent," the captain ordered sensing that the conflict was conceded. "Aye aye, Cap'n," Wil concurred quickly snagging his lover's satchel to begin securing a solid length of rope to a nearby rock formation. Once the remaining length was kicked down into the inky, seemingly bottomless chasm Killian took the rope from his lover's hands. "I'll scout ahead," the ponytailed sailor with something to prove announced. A remorseful gaze leveled on the instinctive beauty as he continued, "It's the least I can do." A tan, weathered jaw tightened as the first mate advised his lover, "A'right but be careful down the'e." A cheery smile greeted the concern as Killian assured the rakish pirate, "Don't worry. I'll be back in one piece."
With that, the junior officer hopped down into the hole quickly repelling down the side. Keen eyes searched the surrounding walls for any sign of a nook or cranny large enough to accommodate the sail as the torch battled the darkness. After several moments Jade called out worried at the silence, "Status report, Mr. Jones." Killian paused twirling about to make sure he hadn't missed anything in the surrounding area before replying, "Nothing yet but sheer walls and more hole, captain. I've yet to find the bottom." With a nervous swallow, Mulan hollered back, "Keep searching."
"Aye aye!" As much as Killian wanted to put his faith in the somewhat soiled innocent, hope seemed in short supply in this endless black. After a few more steps a shuffling sound caught his attention. Sharp blue eyes searched the darkness striking at it with his torch. When that revealed nothing, the sailor called out on pure instinct, "Hello." Those remaining up top exchanged looks of confusion and concern. "Wha' is it," Wil called out his gut tightening painfully with worry. "I'm not sure," Killian hollered back. The pale skinned beauty of a man could barely finish the thought much less his sentence before a massive tentacle wrapped around his calf and ankle. He screamed as it bore down nearly crushing the bones beneath.
All above gasped at the sound, but it was Mulan who flew into action. In one fluid motion, she dove into the pit and drew her demonic sword. It blazed as did her eyes, weapon and master lighting the darkness in a fearsome freefall. As she neared the source of the screams the beast squawked and roared at the illumination from a beak-like structure ringed in a spiral of jagged razor-sharp teeth. "Mulan!" The sound of her sweet lover screaming her true name reminded the brazen captain of everything she had to live for. The giant squid-like creature struck out swinging a tentacle at the approaching projectile of a person. Spinning in mid-air the calculated soldier sliced the attacking tentacle and turned to sever the grappling one.
The beast screamed spraying a black substance that burned her skin where it landed. Fire leaped from the demonic sword to surround the soldier in a protective veil carrying her past the monster's defenses. A tight flip brought the full weight of gravity and every bit of force the captain could muster to bear into a single strike right through the beast's eye. It screamed and wailed as they fell together. A mighty jerk pulled the sword free only to be replaced by Mulan's fist as the agonized warrior spun to plant her blade in the sheer rock wall of the chasm.
The brave beauty screamed in anguish as the dying beast writhed around her arm spitting more of its acidic blood to sear her skin away. "Captain!" Killian called out to rescuer for some sign of her fate. As Mulan dangled there between the desperate desire to release her prize in order to end her pain and the stubborn determination to hold to the corpse eating at her flesh a pathetic whimper was the only sound the soldier could muster. The limping sailor followed the sound like a beacon. When the light of the torch found her face tears streamed over the once proud features.
"Are you al…" One look at the meaty excuse for an arm quickly dissolving towards bone and Killian knew the words were useless. "What's happening?!" Ruby's screams of abject terror gave the fearsome warrior the courage to push through the pain and hold to her prize. "Come on, ol' girl! Give us a shout like I got into your good booze," Wil hollered desperate for some sign of his friend's state. Despite the dire circumstances Jade couldn't help but laugh at the frantic call. The echoing sound of it relieved those above as they remembered to breathe once more. With an encouraging smile, the wounded sailor offered his hand to the ravaged captain, "Just grab on. We'll put those lazy gits to work yet."
With a hard swallow, the soldier nodded her agreement. After a breath to gather her strength Mulan swung her grip from sword to the offered hand. Booted feet reached out to retrieve the sword from the rock wall and held tight. "Pull us up and be quick about it! Our captain's a right bloody mess," Killian shouted. Wil and Ruby exchanged panic glances and dove for the rope as one. With strength born of desperation, the two quickly heaved their respective lovers to safety along with the massive toxic corpse attached to the captain's arm.
At the sight of meat and bone Ruby nearly vomited. The distraught beauty held back for fear of infecting the wound as she carefully pried her lover's arm free of the clearly dangerous corpse. "Oh, Gods, Jade," the maiden cried fumbling for how to possibly fix this. Injuries this grave were well beyond the bit of mending that she knew. "Don't touch the black blood," Mulan croaked from a cracked throat. Panicked gazes flowed over the acid seared tawny form searching for some way to assist. Falling back to his failsafe the first mate asked, "What can we do?" The captain pointed down at her boots replying, "My sword, give me my sword."
"Right, sure," Wil cursed looking at the acid blood coated weapon. Ruby sobbed uncontrollably as terror that at the thought of losing this wondrous creature overwhelmed her. She cried into her hands so hard that she didn't even notice the strange lump that fell with her tears. Killian's mind raced for a solution to his new friends' woes. As a thought occurred he ceased cradling his own wounded leg long enough to rip the sleeve from his shirt to offer to his lover, "Here, use this." The first mate accepted it gratefully. "I could just kiss you," the rakish pirate announced as he wrapped the quickly dissolving cloth around the handle. It lasted long enough to place the weapon within the captain's reach however and that was all that mattered. Red gasped as she looked up afraid to breathe as though the slightest movement could shatter this fragile hope. On pure instinct and absent thought, the beauty clutched the lump in her hand. "I'll hold you to that," the pretty boy quipped with a grin delighted as much by the promise as his ability to aid his rescuer.
A slight sizzle tore at the soldier as she gripped her sword. The searing only lasted a moment. In a brilliant flash of blue light, the acid blood evaporated. Tremors racked the captain's form from top to bottom in a full body seizure as muscle reknitted to bone and skin grew back in a slow wave bit by bit. Mulan screamed with wild abandon at the torturous healing. When the light finally dimmed the completely raggedly violated warrior curled in upon herself like an infant whimpering quietly. Finally able to breathe again Ruby cradled her lover tenderly stroking sable strands as she rained grateful kisses over pinched features gushing, "Oh Jade, you're alive! You're alive. Thank the Gods, you're alive."
The trembling warrior clung to her lover and the comfort the beauty offered. Leaning closer Killian soothingly stroked his rescuer's back offering, "I can only imagine how horrible that must have been, but I for one am glad to still have you around, captain." Not only was Mulan weak as a kitten after having so much of her flesh ravaged by acid and the rough raw agony of demonic healing, but in the pit of her gut she could feel the demon gnawing for its price. With ragged hitched breaths Jade rolled onto her back to inform her companions as she retrieved her opium pipe, "The demon calls. We must hurry. Wil, retrieve the sail. I'm guessing the only safe way to avoid the acid is down the throat."
"Aye aye, captain," the first mate rushed to complete the order in a timely fashion. One rough draw steadied the warrior's ragged nerves a bit. Yellow slitted eyes met clear blue apologetically as Mulan addressed her newest crew member, "You're wounded and we need to move fast. This will numb the pain and help appease the demon's hunger a moment." Killian was startled by the change in the captain's eyes but the control in her voice fed his faith that she remained in control. The sailor nodded his consent, "A'right." With a deep inhale from the pipe, the captain grabbed the wounded man by the back of the neck and pulled his lips to hers. His shock was entertaining to the demon and facilitated the transfer of smoke as she breathed it into his mouth.
Killian coughed roughly at the taste of rotten licorice coating his mouth. "Ugh, that's hideous! How can you stan' it," the sailor asked in revulsion. With a cocky grin, the lounging captain took another puff and ordered, "Stand up." The pale sailor gave his superior officer a puzzled look but obeyed none the less. He was startled to find that the pain of his wound did not affect him. He knew it was there, but it did not govern his actions. "A'right then, I suppose we should be movin' on then if…" Before his lover could finish the statement the first mate announced triumphantly, "Got it!" With her body soothed by the potent drug, Mulan leapt to her feet ordering, "Back to the ship then! We have a demon to sate."
A hungry gaze flowed darkly over voluptuous curves sending a shiver through the rising femme. As one mind the group carefully raced through the honeycombed chamber. Once in open daylight, it was a mad sprint to the boat. It was at that point that Killian's limp began to catch up to him. Without missing a step Wil scooped the pale beauty of a man into his arms carrying him the last few dozen feet to the boat. "You're loving this aren't you," Killian taunted. "Every minute of it," the rakish pirate teased with a wink before unceremoniously dropping him into the longboat. The sailor was grateful that his leg didn't hold him back from rowing fiercely in order to make up for his stumbling steps.
As the men rowed Mulan gathered her breath to puff at the pipe in a desperate attempt to keep the demon's influence at bay. A panicked look crossed Wil's face at the sight of those yellow slitted eyes. With nervous worry already tightening her guts, Ruby asked, "What is it?" Hard hazel eyes stayed trained on his best friend as Mr. Scarlet replied, "The las' time she looked like tha' she slaughtered a whole squadron of navy men to sate the demon's bloodlust. I don' think any o' yur naughty bits are gonna be able ta cover this one."
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