Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Princess & the Pirate ❯ Contented ( Chapter 3 )

PRINCESS & THE PIRATE

Sora scrubbed the deck casting a worried look at Taichi. It had been two days since she had attempted to escape this ship & still he had met out no punishment. At the table there was much drunken celebrating, for they had a rather worthwhile raid that day. Her eyes drew to Taichi, as did the rest of the crews, for he had stood up. "Today we proved our ship's name, & myself being in a good mood, I shalt allow two of my crew one night with the women, & one night only, for I am a jealous man."

Sora inhaled sharply, stunned. Two? Taichi was not done. "Howe'er, she must touch ye. Thus, the first two men she touches will have her grace yer beds tonight. Sora didn't dare feel relieved. This gave her too much of a way out. Taichi finished with a small grin. "Of course, I cannae be a member of this contest. The first two men she touches, & should she manage not to touch any o' us, I shalt name the men myself." Sora caught Taichi's eye then looked away from the cruel mocking gaze.

The men stirred, most of them leering. The chef leaned out & called for Sora to bring the food out to the table. Grateful for the chance to escape the lustful gazes, Sora fled to the kitchen & took her time bringing the heavy soup pot to the table, ignoring her arms protests. When she leaned over her arm brushed against the head of one of Taichi's more foul crewmen. Twisting her mouth in distaste, Sora tried to ignore the ribald shouts, & dished out soup to the rest of the crew. When she reached Taichi he smiled tauntingly at her.

After a long time, Sora accidentally pushed a man who got too close to her from reflex. Taichi laughed then announced "And we have a second man." Sora, resigned, reviewed the man. He was decidedly preferable to the first, for he bathed. The pair led her off. A long while later, Sora slipped out of one of the men's cabin & into Taichi's. The pirate smirked at her as she glared at him. "Learned yer lesson?" Sora nodded. "I shant attempt anything again that would displease thee."

The man considered her for a long time, then gestured for her to join him on the bed. Sora trembled with exhaustion. She crawled beside him but asked "Can I be relived from my 'duties' to thee this night?" Taichi laughed. "Surely, & perhaps I be considerin' to release ye." Sora sighed & gave up. After a long time Taichi let her alone & she cried from her loneliness as well as her helplessness until she slept.

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Sora groaned again as the closest thing to a doctor Taichi's ship boasted probed her with cold fingers. For the last while she had been receiving symptoms again to the ones caused by pregnancy & with what was done to her aboard this ship the idea was likely. Then again, so was the possibility that she had some sickness. She doubted that Taichi was in any way careful about himself, or clean. The doctor finally let her go, reluctantly, probably taking advantage of his chance to handle his captain's mistress.

Taichi demanded "Well?" The thought of him be concerned about Sora was so ludicrous to her that she dismissed his reaction to worry that his whore would become useless to him within the span of a few months. The doctor turned to him & nodded. "She's with child cap'n. "Bout three months along, I'd say." Taichi made a face but turned, ordering to Sora over his shoulder "Come." She didn't move. After a moment Taichi looked back & said "Do not make me repeat myself."

Sora stood up & slowly went over to him. Taichi turned & continued walking, looking back when he realized Sora was still not following him. He turned back around, made his way over to her & gripped her hard. "Ye may be with child," Taichi hissed vehemently, "But I am still captain o' this ship & if ye disobey me any longer I shall knock ye down do ye understand me?" Sora nodded slowly & Taichi released her. Both left the doctor, who shook his head in amazement.

Six months later Sora's belly had filled out, & every day she feared that Taichi, losing interest in her from her weight, would soon kill her rather than wait for the child's birth. Sighing, the redhead sat down on the bed to rub her aching feet when her waters broke, soaking the front of her skirts. Panicked, Sora started yelling. The room was filled with men instantly, none of which she noticed. Soon enough, although it was like an eternity for Sora, the room filled with a baby's cries.

Taichi picked up the baby & ordered the crew out. Sora stretched out her hands for the child & was delighted when Taichi actually placed it in her arms. "A boy," the redhead murmured, gripping the babe's tiny hand in her own. Taichi gave her another moment before grabbing the infant & placing it on the vestibule, drawing his dagger at the same time. Sora, sensing his intent, struggled to get up before he could do anything, but the child's cries at being grabbed so suddenly were cut off. Stunned, the redhead collapsed back onto the bed. Taichi had just killed her baby.

Grief overcame her & she started crying. Taichi casually threw the dead infant out of the tiny window then turned to the broken thing on the bed. For the first time pity showed in his hazel eyes for Sora. He sat down beside her & reached out in an attempt to comfort her. Sora pulled away, & Taichi gripped her arm. "Listen to me," he ordered. "Do not try my patience. I will leave you be for tonight, but tomorrow all will be as it was before." After this he got up & left, leaving Sora to her grief.

After a while Sora stopped crying & looked around. Taichi's dagger was sticking out of the dresser. She went over to it & examined the blade for a while. It would be such a relief, & surely she deserved an easy escape. Easier then her first one had been at any rate. After a long moment of deciding, Sora put down the dagger. Taichi had shown kindness to her today. Perhaps things would get better. Taichi had shown her once how things could get worse & that was not something she would do to herself again.

Sora returned to the bed & slept. It was dark before the door opened & admitted a rectangle of light along with Taichi. Sora stirred & put her arm over her eyes. Taichi walked over to her. "Get dressed," he said. "And come with me." Sora followed him obediently. The air was salty, & the sky clear. Taichi was silent for a long time, then started to tell her, for the first time, about his past. Sora was sure to listen carefully, not just to avoid Taichi's anger, but because she wanted to know.

"I was born in a plain village. I had a sister named Hikari. Everyone loved her. My family never went hungry, but we couldn't afford to give away either. Everything was happy, until one day, my village was attacked by pirates. They killed & raped, until only I, & the men who surround you now, were left. We were able-bodied & strong, so they took us for their slaves. Eventually we mutinied & took control of this ship, but no one talks about that. For many of us, the pain is still there."

"It merely lies dormant, & there is not a man on this ship who bring it to life by mentioning it. It's the god we fear most." Sora said nothing for a moment then asked "Where in this life of yours do I fit?" Taichi regarded her & answered her "Yer just like Hikari. Maybe one day I'll even admit to lovin' ye a bit." Sora bit her lip. "Will you give me one night of pretending, for now?" Taichi considered (She wants him to make love to her, not rape her) & nodded the affirmative. Back to the cabin they went.

*9 months later* Sora grasped the pillow hard as the baby forced its way out of her. The room filled with wails & the sound of men in heavy boots leaving. The birth had been easier then before, meaning Sora had the strength to look up at Taichi, who was regarding the newborn with something akin to awe. She sat up & Taichi handed it to her. "A girl this time, then," Sora sighed, then held her close & glared at Taichi. "I'll not allow you to kill this one." Taichi sighed. "She's safe." Sora's jaw dropped. She had not expected Taichi to give in so easily.

"She looks so much like Hikari, in all but her looks," He explained. Sora puzzled this strange statement over for a minute then gave up & examined her daughter more closely. She had her red hair, & Taichi's brown eyes. The colours of autumn. "Autumn," Sora said, then looked at Taichi "I want to call her Autumn." Taichi agreed, but an idea had occurred to Sora. "Autumn Hikari." A smile flitted across Taichi's face. "It's perfect." Autumn light, Sora thought briefly. Autumn Hikari Yagami. The new mother smiled & began nursing her daughter.

Okay, I lied. I couldn't help making Taichi a little bit romantic.