Zero Kiryu

Katie led me back outside where I was surprised to find Yuuki helping one of the crewmembers cleaning the deck. I was expecting her to be tied to the mast like Katie ordered. Katie seemed to be having similar thoughts.

"I thought I told you to tie her up, Marlo," She said.

"She said she would help if I left her untied. We're already shorthanded as it is, Katie," Marlo said.

"He's right Katie, if she wants to help I reckon you can let her."

A man with gray hair and sideburns had joined the conversation. His voice was kind, and he seemed like he was the ship, lets just say, wise man.

"Thank you Mr. Gibbs," said Marlo.

Katie made a huffing noise and stalked off. I watched her disappear among the crew.

"I made her mad didn't I," said Yuuki. I turned to her. She had pulled her hair away from her face with a headband that she had found and she had tied her jacket around her waist.

"It's not your fault," said Gibbs," she's just not used to having her orders ignored." He tossed me a sword.

"Isn't it a little unwise to give a prisoner a weapon?" I asked.

"Perhaps, but where we're going you're going to need it, trust me," Gibbs replied.

"Where are we going sir?" asked Yuuki.

"Tortuga, to recruit more workers, to meet with various people, etcetera. The Captain left me in charge of you too. To make sure you don't run off."

"Yeah, why wouldn't we do that?" I said sarcastically.

Yuuki Cross

Zero had disappeared with Gibbs about an hour ago. Gibbs had given Marlo strict orders to not let me leave his sight. As it turns out Marlo was very kind, despite his intimidating appearance. He taught me how to clean the cannons, helped me do the jobs the still annoyed Katie threw at me, and he even snuck me rations at lunch despite Katie's strict orders. While we were hiding in barracks a question came up in my mind.

"Marlo?" I asked.

"Yes?" he was halfway through an orange. He had brown eyes, and a buzz cut. His arm was covered in tattoos but he seemed nice.

"Why did you become a pirate?" I asked.

At my words Marlo's eyes turned sad and he turned away.

"My family is poor. I couldn't land a job to take care of my wife and she left me. After that…" he trailed off.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it I understand," I said. I looked out of a nearby porthole.

I understand completely, Marlo, I thought.

Zero Kiryu

When Katie picked up the sword I knew I was in trouble.

I was still carrying the sword I had been giving and I was practicing with Gibbs when she showed up. My master had taught me how to use a sword as part of my training but I was trying to look like a novice, just in case I got branded as a threat.

"Hey you!"

I turned to see Katie standing nearby, her eyes boring into me like bullets.

"I have a name," I said.

"Whatever," she said. She grabbed a sword from one of the other men. Apparently this was a common occurrence because everyone started immediately backing away. I put myself into a fighting stance and we circled each other, looking for a chance to strike.

Katie struck first and I blocked it easily. We started a kind of dance that was forcing to do more complex maneuvers to hold her off. She was strong but she was light on her feet. There were several times where I could have struck and ended this whole thing, but I was avoiding going on offense. I was afraid that if I cut her I might lose myself. It seemed like a bad idea to let these people know the truth about me.

Katie struck out and without thinking I grabbed her wrist with one hand, knocking her sword aside. We stood there, our faces inches apart. I could feel her heartbeat in her chest and I was filled with a sudden hunger. My vision went red and I pushed her away. I couldn't think straight.

Then a small, familiar hand clasped mine and dragged me away. I could hear the crew murmuring around us but they were background noise. A door opened and suddenly we were surrounded in darkness. Yuuki turned to me and pulled her hair away from her neck. She didn't need to say anything, I understood.

As the taste of her blood filled my mouth someone shouted in the distance.

I apologize for taking so long to update. I'll do my best to post chapter 3 as soon as I can. Thank you for the reviews! :)

~~~ZeroLuver567~~~