Murasa was roused from her usual nightmare by someone incessantly pounding on the door. She sluggishly opened it, only to see a distressed Giorno mid-knock.
"Don't you know what time it is? What do you need?" she said sleepily.
"I'm sorry to intrude, Captain, but... Jonathan is in critical condition. As soon as we got to our rooms, he slumped over and passed out. He's in bed now, but he's got a startlingly high fever and his heart is beating extremely fast. We're worried about him, and Josuke is out of commission for the next 3 days or so while his own injuries heal." he said.
"Something's wrong with Jonathan!?"
"Yes, but we're unsure as to what."
"...Take me to him."
Giorno gently took her hand, leading her into the belly of the ship. The dim lamps lining the way cast enormous shadows on the walls. They reminded Murasa of her childhood, her time spent slinking around the house, a candlestick held aloft. Her reminiscing was cut short, however, as they came upon their destination. And sure enough, there Jonathan was, the thin blanket pulled up to his neck, and beads of sweat dripping down his face. He seemed to be in a lot of pain.
"The fever's gone down somewhat, but his heartbeat is still accelerated, and his breathing is really shallow." said Johnny.
Murasa pressed a hand to her temples, and let out a huge sigh. This, as usual, was her fault.
"Has Jonathan been exposed to smoke before?"
"I think so...? His childhood home burned down a long time ago, but I don't know if he was caught up in it." said Joseph.
"If that's the case, then he's inhaled too much smoke. The only thing we can do is take him to the top deck and hope for the best."
"What do you mean, 'hope for the best'?! This is my great grandfather's life on the line!" shouted Shizuka.
"I know you're upset, Shizuka, but-"
Shizuka grabbed Murasa by the lapels, her eyes glistening with furious tears. Her easygoing, carefree demeanor was gone, and in its place was the passion of a dying star.
"My great grandfather is one of the few people I care deeply about. If you're going to be this indifferent about it, then maybe I should go."
And with that, she stormed off, leaving the air still and stagnant. Murasa's cheeks flushed. That was not supposed to happen.
"We've gotta get him some fresh air. I'll meet you all outside." she said, sliding awkwardly out of the room.
She followed the sounds of an angry child, and eventually found Shizuka sitting on the base of the prow of the Palanquin, her knees drawn to her chest. Her face was red and blotchy, and she was sniffling up a storm.
"Go away. I'm really not in the mood."
Murasa ignored this, sitting almost directly next to her. She took off her hat, and clutched it in one hand to prevent herself from putting it on the girl's head.
"I... I know you're kinda miffed at me, and I just wanted to apologize for being such a... Pardon my French, but I was acting like a huge ass back there, and it wasn't fair to you."
To her surprise, Shizuka leaned onto Murasa's shoulder, grasping at the cloth so tight that it threatened to tear at the seams. She had the overwhelming smell of cinnamon.
"Jonathan is... One of the few people I'd lay my life on the line for. He's the person my father reveres the most, and he's taught me mostly everything I know. I'm even his namesake, surname wise. His kindness means a lot to me, y'know?" she said, whisper quiet.
Murasa stayed silent, not wanting to detract from her feelings with an anecdote of her own. Shizuka continued, her voice hoarse and scratchy.
"If he d-died... I... I wouldn't be able to bear it. T-things wouldn't be the same without him."
She drew the girl into a tight hug, trying not to cry herself. Murasa knew this feeling all too well. Dedicating your life to someone definitely isn't easy, and when that person's mortality comes into question, it can shake even the sturdiest person to their core.
"He won't die." Murasa whispered, gently running her fingers through silky, jet-black locks. "I can promise you that."
And she began to hum, an old tune that her parents used to get her to sleep. It was something they created when she was born, almost predicting her love for the sea.
'It was all in your eyes, darling.' is what her father would tell her time and time again. 'That's why we called it "Captain ———". You were destined for the sea from the start.'
She considered it a theme of sorts, as it always came to her mind one way or another. Eventually, she had replaced her real name's place in the title with her alias, making it Captain Murasa. It was one of the few bittersweet memories that had stuck with her when she became a funa yuurei. She heard snoring after a while, and looked down to see Shizuka's head in her lap, her chest rising and falling. Murasa gave her a mellow smile. She was a child, after all. She heard voices calling her name, and looked to see the other Joestars, waiting for her. She waved them over, not wanting to disturb Shizuka. Jolyne was the only one that came, as the others were wary of being that close to the edge of the ship.
"Jonathan's doing much better. You've got a good eye, Captain."
"I wouldn't say that. It was just a hunch."
"It was a damn good one, then." she said with a grin. "Oh, and we wanted to apologize for Shizuka's behavior. We've never-"
"It's okay. We worked it out, and I think she'll be happy to hear that her great grandfather is okay." Murasa interjected.
"I see. You must be tired. Want me to take her?"
"Nah, she's good. I don't mind sitting here for a while, so she won't wake up."
Jolyne gave a hum of contentment, and left the duo to their own devices. Murasa placed her hat on the youth's head, shielding her eyes from the rising dawn's light. Having nothing else to do, she continued to hum quietly, keeping time by swinging her feet.