1: The Scarlet Beast
Heavy footsteps thudded on the redwood floorboards as the infamous captain marched towards the dungeon. His red coat billowed behind him and the distinct black flame pattern on the vibrant fabric came to life. His crew paused their daily duties as he passed, the wind from his quick pace whipping against their curious faces.
"Captain, Kiba is keeping eye over 'er," a young boy said.
He had several silver piercings on his face, the only hint of his youth was his wrinkle-free skin. The tattoos were less subtle. His sleeveless blue shirt revealed showed thick black lines that were stamped along the length of his arms, and other tattoos inked into his temples. His head was partly shaved and dyed black, but the roots gave away that he was a natural blond. He wore a blue bandana around his neck that a spiral symbol etched on the metal plate on it.
"Captain already knows that, Kawaki."
A slim brunette glared at the younger boy with hazel eyes. What was her name, you might ask? Tenten, whose tongue was sharper than the beloved sword on her belt.
Naruto descended through the trap door, unaffected by the musty odour. The ocean waves rocked the chains, the clanks creating a haunting symphony. Metallic screeches echoed in the dusty darkness.
The woman squinted her eyes at the shaft of light that suddenly poured in. It was more intense that she thought it would be, leaning back into the shadows. Behind the steel bars of her cell, she received her first glimpse of her captor.
The chestnut-haired male leered at her, his sharp canines protruding out. Red symmetrical tattoos marked his cheekbones and he had a patch of stubble on his chin. Hinata felt a chill run down her spine as he continued to stare, unblinking. There was animalistic quality in his eyes that screamed danger.
The pirate's lecherous grin dropped instantly with the arrival of the newcomer. A look of respect overtook her and he stood up straighter. The footsteps of leather boots stopped in front of her. Though the morning light continued to burn her sight, she forced herself to look up. This pirate was much taller that the other. His icy blue eyes seemed to freeze her in place.
It also froze her heart because she recognised his face. How could she not? His face was plastered over every wanted poster in the city, an attractive sum of money for his capture. A sum that doubled in a single month. Hair brighter than polished gold, eyes that sparkled like sapphire jewels every pirate coveted. The infamous whisker-like birthmark on his cheeks should have been the first sign, then perhaps it should have been his signature black headband tied over his forehead. Unlike most captain, he didn't sport a tricorn hat.
Any worry she felt before was nothing compared to the ice-cold dread that engulfed her now. It was him. The most wanted pirate in the world; the notorious captain of the Scarlet Beast.
The very same man who murdered her little sister.
Naruto Uzumaki.
"I don't remember ordering a kidnapping," he commented, "looks like you didn't do a shit job this time, Kiba."
"No Cap'n, I found her last night hiding on the main deck."
"A stowaway? How fortunate."
If she was skilful, she'd be the newest crew member. Kawaki could use help with cleaning the ship. Poor kid stank of crap. If she wasn't ugly, then they could sell her for decent price, which was especially convenient since they were heading to Sage Cove, an exclusive haven for pirates.
Naruto crouched down, inspecting her appearance, brows furrowed in concentration. The woman swiftly shuffled away, her back hitting the chains on the wall. After his quick perusal, he stood up with a satisfactory expression. Even in the murky darkness, Naruto could tell she was a beauty.
"We'll be stopping at the Poison Toad by sunset. She'll fetch a high price, especially if the Slug Queen is there."
"Can I play with her first," Kiba asked, salivating like a dog.
The woman's heart thumped wildly in her chest. She knew that the degenerate wasn't talking about a children's game.
"No," Naruto replied, much to Hinata's relief, "the Slug Queen pays good money for untouched goods. She dropped the price by two-thousand ryo when we sold Ino 'cause you couldn't keep your dick in your pants."
"She was Sai's bitch, not mine," Kiba grumbled, remembering the gorgeous blonde he desperately wished he had spent a night with, only for his the pale ass team-mate to take claim on her. "Doesn't the Slug Queen only take blondes? She might pass with this one."
"If Tsunade decides she ain't shit, then there's plenty of other buyers on the market."
"Like Gaara?"
"Nah, that bastard's a monster. He'd break her in a week. Or less."
The dark-haired woman listened to the casual conversation incredulously. Naruto's business-like tone struck a chord in her. How dare they talk as if she was a commodity! As if she was a mere object whose value was based on shallow appearances rather than courage of heart or the wisdom of mind. As if her worth and sole purpose was her ability to pleasure a man and his ego! As if that was all she could possibly offer.
She sprung up, grasping the metal bars tightly, indignation flaring in her grey eyes.
"How dare you speak to me in such an uncouth manner! You will let me out at once! My father will not stand for this insolence!"
"And who's your father," Kiba sneered.
The light revealed graceful features that were obscured by the darkness. Naruto's breath hitched in his throat; she was a beauty indeed. Dark silky hair was styled in a sophisticated up-do, while loose tendrils framed her face. Her complexion was smooth alabaster, radiant and soft. And her wide eyes held an innocence he seldom saw. Small plump lips that formed an angry pout did not make the the least bit threatening. In fact, Naruto thought she looked maddeningly cute.
As his eyes travelled down, his mind quickly retracted that adjective. The corset of her dress pushed up her chest, displayed a more well-endowed bosom than the his last whore. Naruto smirked. He didn't expect a feisty personality wit someone with demure demeanour, but it was enticing. Exciting. Something clicked in his mind as his enraptured gaze connected with her glower.
Grey eyes were a unique trait and there was only one wealthy family known for such distinguishing irises.
"We've struck a gold mine, Kiba," Naruto said, the edge of his mouth twitching in delight. "You're father would love nothing more than to see my neck hang. Isn't that right, princess?"
Recognition flashed belatedly in Kiba's eyes. "Lady Hinata, heiress to the Hyuga empire."
Any shred of conviction Hinata possessed was lost forever. Her plan backfired in the most pathetic fashion. Now they'd keep her as a captive, torturing her for the rest of her life. The idea of walking the plank and plummeting into a watery grave seemed pleasant, but that option no longer existed. Like a puff of smoke, hope whisked away into nothingness.
"We can't treat an important guest like this," Naruto sighed in mock shame, "bring her up and we'll show her a real pirate's welcome."
As Kiba unlocked her cell and pulled her out of her sanctuary, Hinata grabbed the metal bars that she once despised to save her.
"No-no, please!" she cried, shaking her head vigorously.
Her pleas were met with cruel laughter. A cold blade of a dagger scratched her throat, a promise of pain is she refused to comply.
"Cap'n doesn't like to repeat himself. Up now!" Kiba's foul breath barked in her ear and Hinata let go of the metal, a silent tear rolling down her face.
Although the hem of her dress was drenched in dirt, Hinata lifted the skirt above her ankles anyway as a force of habit. The climb was painfully short and Hinata squinted once again as sunlight hit her. Her eyes first glanced up at the cloudless blue sky, then down around the ship. A statue of fox-like creature was molded at the bow of the ship. She had only seen drawing of the famed ship in her father's office, yet she never imagined that she'd witness it with her own eyes, let alone entrapped on it. The wood had a reddish tint to it, alluding to the 'scarlet' in the ship's name.
Around ten pirates were gathered in front of her, all donning different coloured bandannas with metal plates, a spiral symbol etches onto it. They were all barbarians, just as her father had always told her. Undisciplined, uncivilised, nasty brutes. There were cheers and whoops, sneers and guffaws, clatter of swords and a gunshot rang in the air, silencing them all.
"Welcome aboard the Scarlet Beast, princess," Naruto grinned, a sinister glimpse in his cerulean eyes as smoke swirled from his pistol.
Hinata had no one to blame but herself for the awful situation. After all, she was the one who chose to run away.
A/N: This fic is just for fun. I'm currently having a writer's block so the main purpose of this story is to get me back on track with my main stories. If you like Pirates of the Caribbean vibes and a dash of drama, then your in the right place!