Ch. 32

For the next five minutes, after denying the men the chance to check on Prabir's wound, I smiled absentmindedly at Prabir's face. It was the first time it was innocent, free of the secrets, guilt, and superiority that it usually held. Finally, it was truly handsome, despite the small trickle of blood that was now on the floor beneath his head. It was not life threatening, and so I sang in my head the mysterious song I remembered only from my past. It had a happy tune, and I felt sure it was a nursery rhyme of some kind. Unable to hum the tune to others, knowing not the words to write down, it seemed it would always be a mystery as to its origins. Indeed, its very purpose within my head.

Finally, looking confused and anxious, Maitreya hurried in. He noticed me first, and the confusion on his face grew as he saw my grinning face. I watched his eyes carefully, and I smiled wider and moved to the side as his eyes darted to Prabir's legs, which were the only part of him visible behind the table and myself. The room had gone silent, and Maitreya stared with glazed eyes as he bit the inside of his lip. I saw the small indent and the pain in his eyes, for he had noticed the blood beneath his lovers head. I felt a twinge of guilt, but it was necessary, after all, it had been he who had chosen not to trust in me. I would have understood, but he had just sat back and let it happen. I do not care if he was in an awkward position because of Prabir, I was his friend first. I had thought I was his best friend.

Suddenly, Maitreya whipped his gaze to glare at me, and he was snarling like a wounded dog. "It was you, wasn't it?" He accused, "You were outside the door, you heard, and you did this on purpose! As punishment! Didn't you?" He attacked me verbally, but I was prepared, I knew it was inevitable. Maitreya ran on feelings, not his head. I simply nodded, just a little more, and I would not have to break my commitment to Prabir. It would disintegrate on its own, without just a little prodding. The nod was enough, and the small string of sanity left after seeing his lover injured, the small string that kept Maitreya in place snapped. He lunged forward and yanked me up by the front of my shirt, bringing my face a mere inch from his, my toes barely on the ground. He was panting menacingly, and seemed close to punching my nose through the back of my head.

The crew was ready to attack, scrambling towards us. Captain led them, reaching for his sword. I raised my hands quickly, surely. I knew what I was doing; they just needed to trust me a little longer I could handle things, I could save myself!

Captain froze, and the crew followed suit, gazing at Captain for guidance. I knew no one was fine with cutting down a friend, and I knew they were more than uneasy with this situation. It was tense, heavy atmosphere, and it only added to the intensity of the situation. In this atmosphere, Maitreya had ceased being angry, he was now a threat.

"You had no right." His voice shook, as did his body, and my feet left the ground entirely. My eyes widened, I had no right? Was he daft? I had every right! "You had no right!" he screamed, glaring daggers at me. His gaze fell to Prabir, and they softened. It was astounding how different it was when, a moment later, his hardened gaze pierced me. "Why would you physically harm him? What if he dies?" His grip tightened, "Selfish bitch."

My mouth dropped open in shock. Maitreya had just…How dare he? He was not going to die! I would never kill someone he loved. This was not working, I had planned for Maitreya to revel the blackmailing, and it had been going well…I was done with this tactic. It had gone too far.

With my right hand I pointed my fingers together like the head of a snake, and in a swift movement, I lifted my hand above his arm, down through them, and under his right. It broke his grip, and I grabbed his wrist, twisting his arm behind his back. I braced his left shoulder, yanked his arm, and shoved him too the ground. He grunted in pain, but I did not care.

I was done.

I was done being the puppet. I was done being lead around. I was through being a part of someone else's plan. I wanted my life back. I wanted to go back to when I was confident in everything I did. When I knew how things worked, and I could fix all the kinks if they did not.

I wanted my mom back. I wanted to be myself again, without feeling as though I needed to become more womanly. I wanted Henry to love me for me. I wanted mom to be there to cry at my wedding, and my child's birth. I wanted Captain to call me daughter, and give me away at my wedding, to Henry. I wanted Maitreya to regret his choice, to trust me. I did not want to be used. I wanted things back to the way they were!

I wanted my life back in my hands!

Without realizing it, I had strayed from the topic at hand. Every misery I had been put through since the league began, they all crashed over me. It was the worst time for it to happen, and before I could stop it, the pressure within me burst through my eyes and tears poured down my cheeks, dripping off my chin and landing on Maitreya's hair.

His squirming stopped, which was good, considering I had begun to shake. For tense moments, all was silent. It seemed as though everyone had ceased even to breath. Then, a whisper, which was barely even that:

"Maitreya?"

Maitreya's head jerked, and with joy in his voice he called, "Prabir!" Then struggled to get up. Prabir was squinting, sitting up slowly as he clutched his head. Maitreya squirmed, and I yanked his arm to stop him. He gave a sharp gasp of pain, and Prabir's eyes shot open. "Marina! Are you crazy? Let him go! If you don't I'll-"

I yanked Maitreya's arm again, and this time he whimpered, which instantly silenced Prabir. The table's had turned, and I was in control. It was cruel, but I had no choice, this was the only way now.

"M-Marina."

Maitreya was trying to look at me, his eyes turned toward me as much as he could get it.

"Marina, let me up."

I glared at him, and squeezed his wrist. He winced.

"Please Marina!" His voice had softened, "I'm not afraid of sharks."

His words struck me so badly I relaxed the grip I had on his wrist, and he took advantage of it. He pulled his arm down out of its painful position, and pushed himself up. I slid off his back in shock and stared up at him with wide eyes. What was he~?

He gave a sad smile, and his gaze fell between Prabir and I. He turned to Captain, who was watching the scene perplexed, and bowed until the top half of his body was level with the ground. Then he rose and stared Captain in the eyes, while Captain raised a brow at his behavior.

"Captain Nemo, I have been blackmailing Marina."

The uproar that overtook the room was monstrous. A usually timid Waman had to be held in place so that he would not harm Maitreya. Prabir let out a gasp like he had been stabbed. Captain raised the other brow, and then both fell into a scowl, "Indeed, and why did you feel the need to do so?"

Maitreya's mouth opened, and then shut. His eye's darted to Prabir before his head lowered. Then, to my surprise, Prabir stood. "Captain Nemo, Maitreya didn't blackmail Marina, I did." Maitreya's head shot to Prabir, "Prabir," he whispered sadly. Prabir no longer looked superior, he looked grim, set. Like he was taking on the devil himself.

He stepped beside Maitreya, and took his hand. Captain's shock grew as Prabir said, "I felt the need to do so, so that I might be able to secure a place in this ship, and perhaps win protection for Maitreya and Myself-"

The crew gasped simultaneously

"I deserve whatever punishment you give me…"

Suddenly, despite the gravity of this situation, everything seemed stupid. They seemed so…dramatic. Why would they give up so easily? Had they given up the fight to be together already? Or were they willing to die together already? This is what Maitreya meant. He was not afraid of the sharks, as I was. To die as shark bait. They wanted to die together.

I stood up behind them. The room had fallen silent as Captain stared at them. I looked at their backs, and couldn't help the small chuckle of disbelief that escaped me. They both shifted, and I raised my hand, shaking my head. I slapped the back of Maitreya's head first, and as he made a noise of pain, I slapped Prabir. He made a similar noise as my hand smarted, and they both turned toward me in confusion. All eyes were on me, and I shook my head again.

What was I doing?

"Sit!" I commanded them, and pointed to a spot on the floor. They blinked at me, and then glanced at each other. Slowly, unsurely, they sat, and I took their place in front of Captain. I could see the confusion in his eyes. Yet as I took my place in front of him, I saw something else, confidence. He believed in me, and I smiled.

"Captain Nemo, the day I became a women, you offered me the contracts of crew members so that I may learn to manage. I declined then, and have done the same every time you have asked me since. Now, I implore you to loan me the contracts of Prabir and Maitreya. I ask you excuse their actions, and let me deal with their punishment... And the punishment of any who dare should start trouble with them."

That was it. I had made my proposition, and now it was up to Captain. He kept his gaze on my eyes for a long time, and I could see the gears turning in his mind. Finally, without a word, he turned and disappeared into the conjoining room. I stayed their, and clenched my hands to fist. If Captain did not agree…

The tension in the room only rose as Captain reentered the room, his hands behind his back in a signature state. I breathed harder as he stood before me, and I looked up at him anxiously. For all I knew, he could be holding a whip behind his back. My breathing became shallow as he regarded me.

Then, without a word, he brought out two rolls of paper and held them out to me.

I took them with shaking hands, and clutched them to my chest. I bowed until I was parallel with the ground, and stayed there as Captain spoke.

"This is your choice, Marina. However, it would be unwise to take it lightly."

I rose and nodded in understanding. He turned to the crew that was in the room, lost in their shock in confusion. "Attention!" Captain demanded, and they finally snapped to it. "All of you find replacements. It is your jobs to spread the word of this transaction. Let it be known should harm come to either of these men," he gestured to where the lovers sat on the floor, "They will deal directly with Marina, who I grant the use of whatever power she wishes. Go!" he ordered, and they scattered.

I smiled up at Captain, and he returned it. Without a thought, I threw my arms around his waist, and hugged him tightly. He returned it, and released me saying, "Go. You have men to take care of now."

I nodded and turned to them as Captain left the room. I glared at them, and they stood quickly, bowing before me. So they were mine now, huh? I shook my head at them when they stood.

"No one had to get married my way," I informed them sullenly, and Prabir blushed while Maitreya looked ashamed. I sighed, for I wanted to lecture at them, but felt it would ruin things. "Continue on normally, this doesn't change your duties." They nodded in their understanding. "Neither of you are to ever bring up this blackmailing again. Understand? I want no one to know the reason you were able to black mail me!" I glared, and they nodded again and I sighed, "Go. Celebrate, or something." I ordered them with a wave of my hand as I began to walk out of the room. I just did not care what they did now; I had something better to do…

* * *

I threw the door to the deck open and charged out. I all but flew to the railing and clutched it, smiling widely. I had done it! I had proven myself, their was no doubt about it. I had saved myself. I had proven myself, and now I had two men of my own crew, though I could hardly vouch for their trustworthiness any longer.

I sighed with a smile. Why bother with negative thoughts? I was free, by my own means, and no longer would I fall prey to being someone I am not. I would not allow it! Suddenly giddy, I pushed off from the rail and twirled around in joy. Free, free, free. What a joy!

I stopped suddenly, for Henry was staring at me with a bemused expression on his face, my pouch in his hand. "You left this in the storage room, Marina…Is everything alright?" I looked at him with a grin, for the news must not have reached him yet, and hurried forward. I took the bag from his hands and let it fall to the ground beside me. He stared at me in shock, for indeed it was the last thing Ishmael had given me. However, it was fine. Everything was fine.

"I did it Henry! I'm not getting married!" I signed in excitement. He stared at my hands in disbelief, then stuttered with a surprised grin to match mine stuttered, "W-what? How?" I shook my head smiling, and threw my arms around his neck in happiness. He wrapped his arms around my waist instantly.

"Congratulations Marina!" He told me with happiness in his voice, and I grinned, burying my face into the hollow between his shoulder and neck.

"Congratulations~"

Side Note:

Finally! The bloody Engagement Arch in over! *Cheers* We'll be back to the main story line next chapter! Thanks for being patient my lovelies~

love,

WWLH