A/N: I'm anxious to know what you guys think of this chapter. Is it menacing enough? Please let me know.
Disclaimer: I have disclaimed already, so get over it.
Chapter 6: Attack
"Port, ho!"
Kyoko raised her head from the tallies she was making for her inventory. Whoever was on lookout must have spotted San Juan port. That meant she had about an hour to finish compiling her list. She sighed as she observed what she had written so far on the piece of foolscap.
For Purchase
Food
Groaning, she slammed her head onto the table. She'd been at the task for an hour and that was all she had? Lifting her head back up, she slapped her cheeks to sharpen her focus. 'C'mon you silly goose! Stop thinking about...him and work.'
The 'him' she was refering to was her captain. Ever since yesterday afternoon, his actions and statements were proving quite confusing and distracting for the girl. She was finding it hard to focus as visions of his gentle smile floated in her brain.
"Gah!" She growled, shaking her head. "Think about something, anything else." She stood and began pacing, muttering to herself. "For example, how did he know I was from London, much less around Hyde Park?"
When the captain had brought up the park, Kyoko had panicked a little. She'd denied the association, but after seeing his hang dog expression, she'd allowed a bit of truth to come out. Then that smile...
She drifted a moment with a dopey smile of her own before she violently shook her body back to reality. The real question was how he knew of that connection. Yesterday, she'd accepted his explanation for knowing that information, but today? "I don't think I truly believe that those stones come from that area," she concluded.
After the excitement of nearly losing Corn, she had returned to Kanae, who had apologized profusely for snagging the pouch with her blade and sending it flying. They'd finished their practice bout with it tucked safely in one of Kyoko's pockets.
The evening had continued as usual until the time for her meeting with the captain arrived. She'd approached the cabin and knocked, her stomach in knots and threatening to dislodge its contents. She'd half hoped that he had forgotten the appointment and was somewhere else on the ship. Her hopes had been dashed when he'd called for her to enter. Opening the door, she'd found the captain standing by the bookcase, searching for a volume. Finding it, he'd then turned and welcomed her. Her nerves had calmed as he'd led her to his desk. This was only an assignment after all, not an interrogation.
The next hour or so had been spent going over what the captain had already translated (which wasn't much) and correcting any mistakes (which were many). Captain Tsuruga had surprised Kyoko by accepting her corrections and suggestions for alternate readings with grace. At the end of the session, they'd managed to fix roughly half of what he'd finished.
The captain had then passed her a cup of wine and asked her about her schooling. She'd admitted to knowing Latin, French, German, and a spattering of Greek, as well as history, mathematics, and literature. At the end of the interview, Kyoko had glanced up and found a smile full of genuine warmth directed at her. It had been the same look as that afternoon and once again it left butterflies in her stomach. She'd thrown back the remainder of her wine in an attempt to hide her embarrassment, but it'd only caused her to choke.
The captain had leapt up to pat her on the back, which actually made the situation worse. Coughing and hacking, Kyoko had hastily excused herself and escaped back to the safety of the galley.
"All hands prepare for docking!"
Kyoko startled. That meant only 15 minutes. She looked down in dismay at her list which had grown no longer. "Ack," she squeaked before setting about in a whirlwind of activity to finish her list.
"Damn you, captain," she cursed with no real venom.
O.o.O
An hour later found Kyoko, Mr. Yashiro, Tobacco Tom and Captain Tsuruga wandering the market of San Juan. The seaport was officially known as Puerto Rico de San Juan Bautista, but as that was a mouthful, most referred to the town as San Juan. Protected by military fortifications, the port catered mostly to the Spanish, military and merchants alike, although a few others were able to slip through.
The market was abundant with stalls and stores. It was a festival for the senses. Brilliant splashes of color adorned the shoppers and the stores alike, drawing Kyoko's eyes in every direction. Calls of animals and merchants filled her ears. The scent of spices and cooking food wafted through the air, causing Kyoko's stomach to growl at her. It was rather overwhelming.
Excitement coursed through her. She'd travelled to several ports of call before, but rarely had she been allowed to look her fill. Usually, she'd had to run errands for her superiors and had no time to browse. Now, she could take her time.
She trailed along with her companions, shopping for the supplies on the list Mr. Yashiro carried. Luckily, the inventory she'd been working on earlier had only been a final checklist. Kyoko had already handed over her main requests.
As she was examining the offerings at a dried goods stall, something caught her attention. She watched as Tom and the captain haggled fiercely with a stall owner down the way. Tom gestured wildly while Captain Tsuruga stood by stoically, a scowl marring his features. Finally, the captain nodded, seeming to agree with what the merchant had said, and handed over a handful of coins, while Tom accepted their goods.
Seeing this exchange brought a question she'd been pondering for a while to mind. Kyoko turned and addressed the first mate, who was standing a few feet away. "Mr. Yashiro?"
The fair-haired man glanced up and sidled over to her, giving the cook his full attention. "Yes, Mr. Mogami?"
"Why is the captain buying that?" She pointed to where the captain had just finished his transaction and was now examining the goods of another stall.
Mr. Yashiro blinked and followed her hand. "Well," he answered after a brief pause. "I presume because he needed it."
Kyoko was confused for a moment before she realized her mistake. "Sorry, no. What I mean is- we're pirates, right?"
The first mate started then darted his eyes around in concern. "Yes," he replied in a whisper. "But we don't want to announce that fact."
"Oh," Kyoko covered her mouth in dismay. "Sorry."
"It's alright. Just be careful." Mr. Yashiro sighed in relief, having found no soldiers or constables within earshot. He returned his attention to the girl. "Why do you ask?"
She looked down at her hands and fiddled with her nails. "It's just that I thought there would be more pillaging and plundering," she admitted cautiously. "Less purchasing."
He chuckled. "And with most crews you would be right. But the Dark Moon is different."
She tilted her head in confusion. "How so?"
"You know Tom's story?" At her nod, he continued. "That's not the only time we've done something similar. We tend to ransack the towns that hold slave markets and the larger plantations. Sometimes, if we catch wind of a slaving ship, we'll take those down. Otherwise, we attack merchant vessels, but only occasionally." He gestured around the market. "Most of these people are just trying to make a living. What's the point in stealing their livelihood?"
"Ah," Kyoko gasped in recognition. "Kind of like Robin Hood!"
"You know," Mr. Yashiro laughed. "I never thought of it like that."
The girl grinned.
"Oi, you two slowpokes!" Tom shouted. "Move yer lazy bones!"
"Ah, the master has spoken," the first mate joked as they rejoined their companions. "If I didn't know better, Mr. Tom, I'd say you were the captain."
"Well, who am I to deny a young man his delusions o'grandeur?" Tom snarked, slapping a hand on Captain Tsuruga's shoulder. "Besides, with his tallness, he makes a bigger target for cannon fire, don't you think, lad?" The old pirate grinned his toothless smile at Kyoko, inviting her to join in.
"I don't know, Tom." She pretended to mull the subject over. "I'd say a better mast than a target."
"Oi, what's with all this cheek?" The captain mock-complained, desperately trying to hide his laughter. "This is beginning to sound dangerously like mutiny. What say you, Mr. Yashiro?"
The first mate shrugged nonchalantly, his lips tugging up at one corner. "If it is, we can toss them in the brig when we return to the ship. For now," he pushed his spectacles up his nose, "we should finish the shopping."
His three companions all snapped to attention and presented crisp salutes. "Aye, sir," they managed more or less in unison.
As Mr. Yashiro turned away, shaking his head at their antics, Tom leaned down to Kyoko and whispered, "Now there goes the real captain."
She giggled and proceeded to follow her captain and crew. As she rushed to catch up, she accidentally knocked against a stranger's arm. "Ah, I'm sorry, please excuse me," she called, only slowing down enough to make sure the gentleman was alright, then was soon on her way.
What she didn't see was the slow, creeping smile on the man's face. What she didn't hear was his low chuckle and a soft "très intéressant'. And what she didn't know was that she had been noticed by a very dangerous man.
O.o.O
The afternoon was going well, or at least Kyoko thought so. So far they had managed to retrieve almost all the goods she had noted down and at fair prices as well, thanks to Mr. Yashiro's freezing stare and Tom's haggling prowess. Now she was examining the chickens she had proposed they keep on board.
She was alone at the chicken stall, as her three companions were arranging for the delivery of their purchases. In all honesty, since she would be the one caring for the birds, Kyoko felt it would be better if she was the one to choose them.
It was a surprisingly difficult decision, shifting through the crates of birds, trying to find the best. She had already chosen five of the six chickens she wanted and was looking for the last one.
"Have you made your decision, boy?" The chicken seller, a doughy looking Hispanic woman, asked in heavily accented English.
"Just a moment longer," Kyoko said. Suddenly she saw a flash of white in the corner of her eye. Turning toward the cage, she came upon a beautiful white hen with a vivid crimson crest and wattle. The surrounding birds were mottled brown, so she stood out distinctively. Her eyes were bright and locked intelligently onto Kyoko's own.
"That one," she told the merchant.
"You sure?" The lady clucked, much like her charges, as she extracted the cage. "That one has an attitude. Almost like she was human."
Kyoko smiled. "I like her." She took the final cage from the vendor and reached for the money pouch on her sword belt. "I think I'll call her Beau."
Having settled the payment, she began searching for one of her companions to help carry the crates. She finally spotted them at the far end of the street and noticed that they appeared to be on their way back to her. She waved her arm enthusiastically over her head and received an answering wave from Tom.
"Bonjour, ma petite."
A cold, oily voice sounded from behind her, causing a shiver to crawl up her spine. Setting down Beau's cage, the girl turned to face the speaker, one hand casually resting on her dagger's hilt. The man was the same one she had crashed into earlier that day. Before, she had barely taken notice of his appearance, but now she finally got a good look at him.
The first thought that came to mind was that he must be exceedingly hot in all the black he was wearing. A heavy black coat with thick silver embroidery along the edges and cuffs covered a black brocade waistcoat with silver buttons. Black breeches ended at his knee and black stockings continued down to his black, silver buckled shoes. Even his shirt and frothy lace collar were black. The occasionally flash of silver rings on his fingers winked at her.
He wore a black tricorn hat trimmed in silver atop his own silvery locks. Even though his hair was of that color, he had a surprisingly youthful face, handsome with dark grey eyes narrowed in sardonic humor, a mocking smile on his lips.
There was something about this man that raised her hackles and made her want to run to where her captain and friends were. But Kyoko wasn't one to run from a challenge, so she bowed politely and managed a soft smile. "Pardon, sir," she said in flawless French. "I bumped into you earlier. Please allow me to apologize."
The gentleman smirked before replying, "Such a dark aura for one so young."
"What do you mean?" She asked, confused at this stranger's attitude.
"There is something about you that calls to me," he continued, raising an elegant hand. He began slowly ghosting it over her head and down her face as his eyes bore directly into hers. "Perhaps it was the mother who abandoned you." Kyoko gasped in shock, but the man was moving on. "Or maybe the false prince who ridiculed you." His hand was passing over her shoulders and neck. "Or it could be the dark hero who you think will rescue you."
"But I think," he was now staring at her chest and reaching one long slender finger towards the vee of her shirt. "It is this trinket from a long dead fairy that interests me the most." With that sinister statement, his fingertip made contact with the fabric of her shirt. Or, perhaps more accurately, with the pouch beneath her shirt.
A bolt of lightning shot through her body, galvanizing her into action. Without a second thought and quick as a whip, she drew her dagger and placed the point somewhere lower than the Frenchman's chest. "Sir," she said in her iciest tone, "I ask that you remove your hand from my person. Immediately." She pressed the dagger point deeper, enough to make her threat real. "Else you might lose something...important."
"Very well, ma petite." He raised his arms slowly into a surrender gesture. "But I should warn you."
Kyoko backed a step away not lowering her weapon. "Warn me of what?" She asked, already wary of this stranger's tricks.
Fast as a viper, the Frenchman grabbed her extended wrist and wrenched her around so her back was to his chest and her own dagger to her throat. The man paused after the violence of the motion and gently wrapped his other arm around her waist like a lover. She shuddered when he pressed his face into her hair and inhaled. Kyoko struggled, only to earn herself a shallow cut above her collarbone.
Having drunk his fill of her scent, the stranger whispered softly, "I will be coming for you, ma petite. Soon." Kyoko trembled at the threat lacing his words.
"Release my cook, Reino.'
The Frenchman pulled away from her neck, though he kept his arms wrapped around her body, and peered over his shoulder. "Ah, Capitaine Tsuruga. What a pleasure to make your acquaintance again. It has been too long," he responded in softly accented English. "I was just delivering a message to your fascinating charge here."
"I said, release him." The captain's voice had taken on a dark tone, one that promised pain and lots of it. But all Kyoko could hear was her salvation. She struggled to see behind her, to glimpse his face, but the Frenchman's grip was too strong.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Reino turned both of them around to face the new threat. Captain Tsuruga, Mr. Yashiro, and Tom all had their swords or pistols drawn and pointed at the Frenchman. The captain's expression was stone cold, but Kyoko could sense the thunderstorm looming behind his dark green eyes. His anger was palpable and she knew that this was the infamous gentleman pirate who terrorized the Caribbean.
When his hard gaze flicked to her, she could swear that she saw his expression soften. "Are you alright, Kyok- Kyo?" He asked, returning that gimlet stare back to Kyoko's captor.
"A-aye." The word caught in her throat. "Aye, sir." The second time came out strong with no noticeable tremor.
"Good. Mr. Tom?" The old pirate grunted at his captain, his pistol never wavering. "Be so good as to fetch the constables."
"Now, now, Ren," the Frenchman interrupted. "Surely there's no need for that. You know I abhor violence and pain."
Captain Tsuruga scoffed. "You have a strange way of showing it, Reino. Now, I'll ask again: Release him!"
"It seems the good captain does not realize your true identity, ma petite." Reino spoke to Kyoko. "Shall we tell him?"
Weary to the bone of this hostage situation, Kyoko pulled a move she and Kanae had been working on. Raising her leg as far as she could, she crashed her heel onto the Frenchman's toes with all her strength. She was rewarded with a squeal of pain and her immediate release.
She stumbled forward and landed in the arms of her captain. She huddled there, listening to his heartbeat as her own slowed. She finally felt calm enough to pay attention to the world outside of Captain Tsuruga's embrace. The first thing that registered was his concerned voice asking her a question. "Are you alright, Kyo? He didn't hurt you, did he?"
She shook her head numbly. "No, I'm just a little shaken up, but otherwise fine."
The captain pushed her back and stared into her face, searching for something. Obviously he found it, because he released a heavy sigh and smiled grimly. Then he noticed the scratch on her neck. "Not hurt, huh?" He began examining the cut.
Kyoko shivered at the warmth coming from his fingers brushing her skin. "It's just a scratch, sir."
"Yes, well," the captain groused, finished with his examination. "We'd best get you back to the ship anyway." He then spun her and began shepherding her towards the docks.
"But what about Tom and Mr. Yashiro?" Kyoko had finally glanced around and noticed that the two other men were no longer there.
"It's fine," the captain grunted, still pushing her on her way. "They went chasing after Reino. They'll meet us back at the ship."
They had gotten a further twenty feet when Kyoko realized something else.
"Wait! My chickens!" She managed to slip the captain's grip and dashed back to her crates. She barely heard Captain Tsuruga's surprised laughter following her in her hurry.
O.o.O
Upon reaching the Dark Moon, Ren attempted to usher Kyoko to his cabin to take care of her injuries and discuss what had occurred. Unfortunately, his protective instincts were thwarted by her insistence on settling her chickens first. Only after dropping the crates off with a surprised and somewhat dismayed Kanae did she allow him to herd her to the upper deck.
Once in his quarters, Ren sat her down and proceeded to hand her a shot of rum. She looked askance, first at the glass then at him, before she tried to hand it back.
"It'll calm your nerves," he explained, only partially lying. At her incredulous look, he tried begging. "Please, just humor your captain."
That did the trick. She pulled back her hand and began to delicately sip at the tumbler, making a grimace at the taste. He didn't really think she needed it for nerves, because she had handled herself surprisingly well through the whole incident. No, she required it to loosen her tongue a bit. Previous experience with her had taught him that she would be reluctant to burden anyone with her problems and he needed to know what happened in order to take appropriate action.
Watching as she drained the shot, Ren realized how lucky he was to have encountered Kyoko again. The odds of meeting again and in such a fashion were astronomical. It was as if the hand of some capricious god was directing their fates. And yet, was that same god trying to test them by sending that damn Frenchman?
Ren poured her another measure, despite her protests. "You finish that off," he insisted. "I'll fetch the witch hazel for that." He indicated the scratch on her neck. "Don't move."
He went to one of the cupboards the lined his walls and extracted his medical kit. It wasn't much, just a few tinctures and salves that he picked up here and there. He searched through the box until he found the bottle he was looking for. He pulled it out along with a small cloth. He turned back to Kyoko to find she had finished her second shot.
Setting down the bottle and cloth, he poured her one more. "Last one, I promise."
"If I didn't know better, captain, I'd say you were trying to get me drunk," she accused, redness blossoming across her cheeks as she slammed back the final drink.
'Good Lord' he thought, astonished. 'Is she drunk already?'
It seemed so. The girl was rocking back and forth slowly, humming to herself. Apparently his old friend was a light weight when it came to rum.
Ren knelt in front of her and gently pried the cup from her hands and placed it on his desk. "Mr. Mogami, look at me." When she did, hiccuping softly, he reached for the witch hazel. Prying open the bottle, he wet the cloth and turned to dab at the scrap just above her collarbone. She winced and tried to duck her head, but he grasped her chin with his other hand. "You're very lucky, you know," he admitted quietly.
The fear that he could've lost her so easily was still floating beneath the surface of his calm. He finished wiping away the blood and examined the cut. Seeing that it was only a shallow cut and wouldn't even need bandaging, he released a sigh of relief.
He removed his hand from her chin and reached for her hand instead. "Kyo?" He said softly. When she focused her slightly glazed eyes on him, he smiled gently, which she returned rather goofily. "Kyo, I need you to tell me what happened with that man. It may be important."
She frowned, the expression marring her pretty features with a touch of fear. "He didn't say much. Just some creepy things," she slurred lightly.
"Like what?"
Her eyes turned sad and Ren wished he didn't have to press her. "Things about my past, my true identity." She trembled as tears pooled. "Things I haven't told anyone." She sniffled and rubbed the back of her hand against her nose.
Suddenly, she gripped his hand tight. "He said he'd be coming for me soon." The tears began to fall and she tried to stifle a sob in her free hand. Ren's heat broke for her. "Captain, what does he want from me? What did I do to deserve this?"
Her tears were streaming down her face and the sobs were becoming uncontrollable, so Ren did the only thing he could think of. He pulled her forward until her head touched his shoulder and wrapped his long arms around her shaking form. As if she'd been waiting for such an action, her sobs came even harder and she wept out her terror and anxiety.
"Shh, shh," he comforted. "We'll find out what he wants and stop him. I promise."
It was a few minutes before her tears finally slowed and her breathing evened out. He realized that she had fallen asleep. Chuckling lightly, he braced her with one hand and stood slowly. He then scooped the exhausted girl up in his arms and carried her to his bed. Laying her down caused a lock of hair to fall across her eyes. He brushed it back and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. Was it his imagination or did she relax more deeply into sleep?
Shaking his head, Ren left the sleeping girl and went searching for Kotonami. He found her in the galley, staring angrily at the chicken crates. Hearing his approach, she whirled around and demanded, "Captain, what the hell am I supposed to do with these birds? Where's Kyo?
He raised his hands in an attempt to fend off her angry reproach. "She's sleeping in my cabin." At her incredulous look, he added, "She's had a hard day."
Kotonami crossed her arms. "Oh really?" She said sarcastically. "Care to elaborate?"
Ren opened his mouth to do just that when a clatter at the door drew their attention. Yashiro and Tom came rushing into the room, breathing heavily. "Captain, there you are," his first mate gasped.
"Yukihito," he breathed, relieved that they were alright. Not that he had any doubts. "Did you manage to find that bastard?"
Yashiro and Tom both shook their heads. "No, sir. We lost track of him in the square. Even with a wounded foot, he was too quick for us."
Tom growled and smacked a hand down on a nearby table. "Blast the bugger to hell. I hope the lass broke every one of his toes."
Ren blinked in surprise. "You knew?"
The old pirate spat to the side. "That the girl was pretendin' to be a boy? Course, I knew. Knew the first night."
A sudden laugh burst out of Yashiro. "Well, I'll be damned. Tom, you may be the cleverest of us all."
"Whatcha mean 'may be'?" He grinned fiercely at the first mate.
"Ugh," Kotonami growled. "Would someone please tell me what's going on?"
The three men all stopped and shared a look. Yashiro and Tom both gestured for the captain to explain. Ren faced his cabin 'boy' and laid out the situation.
"Ms. Mogami was attacked in the market today by Captain Reino of the Vie Ghoul. He's a French privateer who specializes in collecting bounties."
The young woman stared at the captain in disbelief. "You're kidding?" Ren shook his head and Kotonami scoffed a laugh. "What could she possibly have done to have a bounty placed on her?"
He shrugged. "I don't know, but for whatever reason, it seems that he has set his sights on her. I do know one thing though," he growled. "She is ours and I won't allow anyone to lay a finger on her."
At the sounds of agreement from his crew, Ren felt a lightening sense of relief. "Good. So in accordance with that, Kotonami, I'm going to take over her training, alright?"
The female pirate nodded. "As long as I can join in from time to time."
"Of course." He was glad that she seemed so protective of Kyoko. "Tom?"
The old pirate saluted smartly. "Aye, sir?"
Ren grinned at his eagerness. "Can you teach her how to shoot a pistol?"
"Naturally, sir." Tom was the best shot of any of his crew. "She'll be a crackshot in no time."
"Perfect." Finally he turned to his first mate. "Mr. Yashiro, we need to get under way as soon as possible. Are all the supplies loaded?"
"Yes, sir. They were finishing up when Tom and I arrived."
"Alright, then let's set sail and get the hell out of here."
"Aye, captain." All three crew members responded and scattered to get the ship under way. Ren wouldn't feel comfortable until the port was firmly behind them.
Reino was a dangerous man to have on their tail. He had a reputation for tenacity and always getting his man. Ren knew that the only reason he had escaped capture, regardless of the ridiculous price on his head, was that the eccentric Frenchman refused to come anywhere near him. The only time that he had encountered Reino before today, the crazy bastard had muttered something about bad luck and catastrophe and had slunk off without even trying to capture him.
But if he was chasing Kyoko, Ren would be willing to turn himself over to ensure her freedom. Surely, his price was significantly higher than whatever was on her.
Hopefully, though, it wouldn't come to that.