Jinchu Shima Kara Dasshutsu part 3(Escape from Jinchu Island)
The lamps are lit as evening begins to come; many people have left the market giving an indication that it should be clear from Rai and his men. Christopher checks to make sure no one is around before turning to me,
"Alright let's go." I grab my bag and other things before following behind him down the stairs. Hoping that the others are ok I take a deep breath to calm my nerves as he opens the door slowly. Peeking out of the door Christopher looks this way and that,
"Good no one is out here." He turns to me and holds out a hand, "Let's get going." as I take his hand my heart starts to pound in my ears as I take his hand. The warmth from his hand reminds me of the warmth from his breath earlier when we were so close. I still can't believe I'm in love with him…I wonder if he even knows what that's like or…wait a minute I can't think of this right now! We're in the middle of escaping from Rai. I can't help but shake my head to help bury my feelings and concentrate on the task at hand. As we exit he slightly tugs on my hand bringing me closer to him, "Don't let go of my hand."
"Ok." although there aren't many people the fact that they could all still be around hiding in the shadows sort of makes me nervous. I can't help but look around in the ally ways and dark places and I start to begin thinking that I'm seeing things. I have to calm down…there's nothing there. Don't panic there's nothing there. Christopher tightens his grip on my hand slightly but I don't look up. Off in the distance I can see the port still filled with ships and I start to relax thinking we're in the clear, when he suddenly pulls me back and into an ally way. He hides us behind a few barrels and gestures for me to be quiet. There's footsteps followed by shadows, and then,
"But sir…we have no idea where they are…they could me miles away by now heading to the other side of the island…"
"I don't care! I want them found by any means! When I find that girl and her pets…!" hearing this Christopher holds me against his chest protectively trying to hide me even more.
"Sir…your ship is gone…along with all of our money. It's all at the bottom of the ocean…"
"What of it?!" Rai snaps sharply,
"The crew has been talking…this whole thing is…is madness. We should be finding a way to rebuild not hunt for some defenseless woman and her pet dogs."
"Madness is it? Is that what you think?"
"W-well yes myself included…ever since you found that girl you've been obsessed with keeping her locked up in that cell. What has she done to earn this; what have any of us done to earn this?" the crewman says seeming to gain courage no longer on the Black Larka, "Some of the men had no where else to go; but most of the crew you took by force threatening their families and loved ones all so that you could obtain their skills."
"Shut your yap you spineless little weakling!"
"That's another thing, calling us names, wounding us if we've done something wrong in your eyes, using threats and fear to control us, killing your very crewmen to set an example for the others the very people you as captain have a responsibility to keep out of harms way your nothing more than just a coward of a man who had nothing and wants everything. And it's clear to see that you will stop at nothing to get what you want!" I still can't believe it even though I'm sitting here listening to the crewman tell him off. I never thought it was possible for anyone to do that to Rai.
"Shut up!"
"No…! I'm done taking your orders…search for that woman if you like but I'm going home. Back to my grandmother…with any luck she may still be alive on her deathbed where I was taken from…" footsteps sound as the crew man walks away. I'm so happy for him I want to applaud him for his nerve but that happiness is short lived when I hear the sound of a sword being unsheathed.
"If you want to see her so badly…why don't you go to her right NOW!" cringing I cling to Christopher as I hear the sound of the crewman being gutted on Rai's sword, "No one leaves unless I say so you spineless little rat…! But don't worry it's been so long since you last saw your granny…I'm sure she's waiting for you where you're going." his body falls with a thud as Rai flings the crewman off his sword, "Tch…no one makes a mockery of me…when I find that girl and those mutts I'm going to make them watch as I cut her to pieces." Christophers grip around me tightens as Rai's footsteps get farther and farther way. Once their gone he relaxes letting go of me; but I still cling to his shirt remembering what the boy just said. He had finally gotten his freedom from under Rai's thumb and he just killed him as if it was nothing…Rai you…you really have no heart! I can feel the tears trailing down my face but I can't seem to stop them. this isn't the time to be crying…I-I have to get up…I have to keep moving…
"I'm sorry; I know we need to get going."But no matter how many times I tell myself that it doesn't work. I know I have to calm down but my tears won't stop. Christopher suddenly holds me close and tightens his grip around me. in some way I can't help but think he's scared as well.
"He's not going to touch you." He says quietly in my ear; his big, warm hand rests on my head as he pets it, smoothing down my hair. "None of them are going to touch you." Sniffing I nod in his arms and start to calm down. Suddenly I blink realizing I'm mesmerized by the sound of his heartbeat and my tears stop on the spot.
"Sorry I'm fine now…that was just…"
"It's ok. Anyone would have been scared after hearing that. But if he has the rest of him men out looking for us then getting to the others is going to be more difficult than it is now." My mind begins to replay the conversation as I remain quiet, "Reisaki?"
"…Sorry I was lost in thought…" I stand still half lost in my thoughts, "Should we go?"
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes…" he takes my hand once again and we walk on.
…
Finally we reach the shipyard and the others are there waiting for us.
"Finally… what the hell took you two so long? We were about to come looking for you." Morgan asks sternly.
"Sorry Captain we had to hide out for a few minutes; we ran into Rai and one of his crew." Christopher answers in his usual calm manner.
"Did he see you?"
"No…but he took his time." He seems to not want to bring up what happened but I don't know about this.
"I see…we already paid off a passenger ship to let us on; we just need to get on. It's heading for Jacobs island along the way."
"Alright come on Reisaki." Christopher gently takes my arm but I don't move causing him to lose his grip. "Reisaki?" the other look at me not moving an inch.
"Hey, can't you hear?" Eduardo says trying to get under my skin.
"We can't leave…" I say quietly
"What?"
"We CAN'T leave; not yet." I say this time with more nerve.
"Are you crazy? In case you forgot, Rai is personally looking for us and has his crew looking as well. We NEED to leave." Morgan says.
"Reisaki…what happened back there it wasn't your fault."
"That's not…why I'm saying this Christopher. Most of Rai's if not all of them I victims just like us; they were forced onto the ship. The only reason they're even looking for us is because they fear Rai."
"And for good reason; he's insane." Nathan interjects.
"Reisaki, I understand where your coming from believe me I know first hand…but there's nothing you can do to help them."
"He killed one of his own crew members Jacob…all because he wanted to go home, to be with his DYING grandmother, for realizing the he was free from under Rai's thumb. He didn't sound any older than me. Rai killed him to keep him quiet so the others wouldn't get any ideas. You yourself know what it's like to take that kind of risk; you're in the middle of it right now. Are you really just going to ignore the fact that they need help?"
"…"
"Before we even consider trying to help the people who held us captive…could you at least tell us how exactly you plan on helping them." Eduardo says arms folded.
"I'm going to talk to them…"
"Absolutely not!" Morgan shouts. "There is no way nor is there any reason for us to! trying to talk to them would only put us all at risk of being caught!"
"Chōwa shita ame ya taiyō no shigoto wa sakura wa yorokonde arawashi, zetsubō to no hi ya ame ga hoka o hōki shita toki··· sakura no namida ni wa shawā…."
"What?"
"It's a saying that rings with a lesson that all the children in Yamato are taught at a young age: when rain and sun work in harmony the sakura stands happily; when sun or rain abandons the other...the sakura's tears shower with despair. When one helps another in need happiness and peace can be achieved…but when the person in need is ignored or neglected that happiness withers and dies and both you and the person in need both suffer."
"You're talking about karma…" Eduardo says coldly.
"No it's a lesson that has to do with character…everyone of Rai's crew needs help but your refusing to help them just because of what they've done. Chances are they don't even want to be on a ship or anything like that."
"I don't know Miss Reisaki…" Thomas speaks up.
"Look I know it's a big risk but if we don't at least show them that Rai doesn't have any more power over them, they're going to be doomed to that fate for the rest of their life."
"Reisaki…you can be stubborn about the most unusual things sometimes and most of them time it doesn't even have to do with you…" Morgan pinches the brim of his nose. It's quiet for a little bit before someone speaks.
"I think she's right…" I look over at Christopher, "we should at least tell them they don't have to listen to Rai any more."
"Seriously?!" Russell looks at him dumbfounded.
"Yes, I am. True it's dangerous but what they don't realize is that they're not on that ship anymore; Rai has no ship, he has no way of going after them any more nor their loved ones, he has no power over them any more. if they realize that they have no reason to come after us or anyone any more…they have their lives back." He stands next to me and pats me on the head, "So if our mistress says we should show them that I will." Oh…of all the times he has to make my heart race, why now?
"That goes double for me…" surprisingly Jacob is the second person to agree with me, "I at least owe them that much since I've become a full blown traitor."
"But what about your daughter…?" I ask
"I've been away for over seven years a few more hours can be spared."
"Well…if Miss Reisaki is going, t-then I am too!" Thomas Raises his hand like a kid in the classroom doing a vote.
"sigh…when it comes to you all my authority goes out the window with these guys…alright I'm in." Morgan yields.
"Why do you have to be so soft hearted?"
"She wouldn't be our mistress if she wasn't, just deal with it Eduardo." His words are a bit harsh but Nathan gives a small smile.
"So long as I get to beat up some of them I'm fine with it." Russell will do just about anything if he can either beat the crap out of something or if he gets meat out of it.
"ok then…I think it's time we really put Rai in his place…for good this time."
"How exactly are we going to do that Reisaki?"
"We'll need to get his crew in one place first…"
Ok well we're getting into the last few chapters here. Thanks very much for your patience; I hope you like it and I'm sorry if this chapter part was a bit corny. Please leave me a review if you liked it. see you in the next chapter ^^