Fan Fiction ❯ Through the Eyes of Sapphire ❯ The Unknown Crystal and A Pirate's Life ( Chapter 5 )

Yo ho! Yo ho! I pirate's life for me!!!! lol!!!! Hehe, okay, on with the story…

 

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“[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:7-8a

 

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Midori walked along the deck of the ship talking to, who they found out was, the first mate. His name was Takomaru. Aoi walked steps behind Midori, listening to their conversation.

 

“So where is this ship headed?” Midori asked.

 

“Right now we're on out way out to an island, some crazy kids paid big money to go there. It supposedly holds one of the seven legendary crystals or something like that.”

 

“Really? Which one?”

 

“They don't know. But it's supposed to be a nice place, so we're taking a lot of people out from the city on a vacation type thing.”

 

“Did they say anything about which crystal it might be?” Midori asked impatiently.

 

“Uh - no. Why? You're not looking for them too are you?”

 

“Just one, the Time Crystal. You heard of it?”

 

“Yeah, who hasn't? Everyone and their dog is looking for that one. Can you imagine!?! Traveling through time! That would be an adventure!” Takomaru exclaimed.

 

“I can't even begin to…”

 

For a moment, no one said anything. Midori looked out over the ocean. It was amazing how far you could look and still see nothing. Now, it was late in the day. They had been locked up for a good twelve hours. The sun was near the horizon and the sky was a bright mix of orange, pink, and purple. Aoi smiled and took in the beauty. She never got to see things like this at home. Then Takomaru broke the silence.

 

“Well, I suppose you and Motohashi-san would like a place to stay while your on board with us.”

 

“Um…yeah. How much will it cost?”

 

Takomaru laughed, “Nothing of course! It's not your fault you ended up out here! Your passage will be free of charge!”

 

“Really?” Midori asked, excitedly.

 

“Yeah! The captain has reserved you a suite on level B.”

 

“Alright!” Midori exclaimed. He didn't really know what level B was, or how nice the room would be, but it was a suite! All to himself! Maybe being stuck in the past wouldn't be so bad for a while.

 

“I can deal with this!” Midori thought.

 

Takomaru found a couple of the ship servants and told Midori and Aoi to follow them. They went down three flights of stairs until a sign that read “Level B” labeled their stop. The servants led them down several hallways to a door marked “B340.” One of the servants unlocked and opened the door. Midori walked in to see a small room lined with bookshelves on two parallel walls with a queen size bed in the middle with nightstands on either side. A small desk sat against the wall next to a small closet door. A small porthole window filled the room with what was left of the sunlight outside. Around the room, three small candles were lit. Overall, there wasn't that much space, but it was nice for a room on a pirate ship.

 

“If this is a suite, I'd hate to see the regular rooms,” Midori thought to himself.

 

Aoi stepped in and admired the beauty. Midori ran and collapsed on the bed. It was the first time in two days he'd laid on one.

 

“You hope you find it to your liking,” one of the servants said.

 

Midori didn't reply. They bowed and left, shutting the door behind them. Midori looked up to see Aoi still standing in his room.

 

“Hey!” He jumped up and ran to the door, swinging it open. He yelled to the servants that were walking away, “What about the girl! She ain't stayin' in here, is she!?!”

 

“The captain said you two were together.”

 

“He ordered us to find you the nicest couple suite.”

 

“HUH?!?!” Midori's jaw hit the floor, “We -well, where else could we stay?”

 

“All the single rooms are taken. The people on board all paid for their rooms - and there's a lot of them.”

 

“There are a few prison cells left,” one said, half jokingly.

 

“I almost wanna accept,” Midori mumbled.

 

“Well then, we'll be on our way,” the other said as they turned around to leave.

 

“No! Wait!!!” Midori pleaded, but they were already gone.

 

He turned around, heading back into the room. Aoi had curled up on the bed; she already looked asleep. Midori turned to the closet with a heavy sigh. He opened it and dug through it, looking for sleeping bag or something. He found a hammock. He started to hang it up between the two bookcases, mumbling curses under his breath. Once the hammock was secure, he jumped up and laid down in it. He tossed and turned several times, trying to get comfortable. Glancing over at the huge bed Aoi had all to herself, he groaned,

 

“Man! My life stinks!!!”

 

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Aoi opened her eyes to the sunlight pouring in from the small window. She blinked and looked all around. Midori was still asleep in the hammock across the room, which made her feel a little guilty. She sat up and slid out of the bed. In the closet, she found lots of clothes, and changed into a long cotton skirt, a white shirt, and a jacket. She also slipped on more comfortable shoes. She neatly hung her school uniform in place of the clothes she had borrowed and slid her loafers inside the closet under it.

 

Leaving Midori asleep, she left her room to explore the ship. Not to mention her stomach was growling, for she hadn't eaten since she left Mine's house the previous morning. Perhaps finding the kitchen would be her first quest. Finding a map of the ship was not too hard; there was one around practically every corner, but reading the map became quite the challenge. For a long time, she stood just trying to figure out where on the map she was. Once she found that, she began looking for the kitchen.

 

“Hello,” came a voice from behind her.

 

Aoi spun around, quite startled, and found herself face to face with a complete stranger. He was a young abadoo, about her age, and he was dressed like a pirate.

 

“You seem a little lost. Could I help you out?”

 

Aoi stared at him for a second. She opened her mouth to answer, but…what if she did and it got back to Midori? What would he do? What would people do if they thought she was mute and she was talking? She was about to signal to him that she couldn't talk…

 

“I'm sorry if I startled you. I just wanted to help you out.”

 

No. She couldn't lie to him; he was so nice.

 

“Yes,” she said shyly, “I'm am a little lost.”

 

“Where are you trying to get to? I'll take you there. I know this ship like the back of my hand!”

 

“The kitchen,” Aoi replied, “I'm looking for something to eat.”

 

“Why, surly, miss!” he smiled, extending his elbow so to escort her arm in arm. She returned his smile and gave him her arm.

 

Within a few minutes, they had arrived in a large dining room. It was filled with people, most of them finishing, for it was quite late in the morning. The boy took Aoi through the buffet and they got some food, then found a table and took a seat.

 

“My name is Ryoku. May I ask you yours?”

 

“He's so polite.” “Yes. My name is Aoi.”

 

“Ah - just like your eyes.”

 

Aoi nodded.

 

“Were you one of the ones they rescued from the pirate ship yesterday?”

 

“Hai.”

 

“I'm glad to see you are safe. Wasn't there another?”

 

“Um…yeah.”

 

“They're alright, too, I suppose?”

 

“Do you mean physically or mentally?”

 

“So, Aoi…” he said, leaning back in his chair, “What are you going to do while you're here? I mean, now that you're stuck on this ship.”

 

“I'm not sure,” she replied. “My friend and I…well…the guy who was rescued with me…we're looking for the Time Crystal.”

 

“The what..!?!?”

 

“Well…” she sighed. How should she explain this??? Should she? “You know…oh, never mind.”

 

“The Time Crystal is the one crystal everyone seeks after. Getting your hands on it will be nearly impossible.”

 

“Yeah…” Aoi felt disappointment come over her. She knew it would be hard, but impossible?

 

“I'm sorry!” Ryoku exclaimed, “did I say something I shouldn't have?”

 

“Oh, no. It's okay. I just…it's okay.”

 

For a few minutes, they sat and ate without a word. Before long, Aoi was done eating. She looked at their plates, both empty. She was kind of sad, hoping that this boy wouldn't leave. She really liked being able to talk to someone, and he was so nice to her.

 

“Hey, Aoi?”

 

“Yes?”

“Do you wanna go on deck and keep talking? I'd be honored.”

 

Aoi smiled. “Sure!”

 

They got up from the table and walked up to the main deck. The sky outside was clear. The breeze was a cool, but the sunrays warmed the air. It was a beautiful day.

 

“So do you live in Sunflower Hill City?” Ryoku asked.

 

“M-hm. Do you?”

 

“Not me, no. I live out here!”

 

“Here?”

 

“On the ocean! I've been on the water for six years.”

 

“Six?!?!”

 

“Yup, since I was twelve years old. My mother and father both died then, so I came into this life. The life of a pirate!”

 

“I thought this wasn't a pirate ship.”

 

“Well, not all the time, but I've been on other ships, too. I've been pirating and destroying other pirates for years. It's a shame to have to lose the ships in the process.”

 

“The ships?!?! Doesn't he care at all about the people?”

 

“I guess you're not really into all that stuff, are you Aoi?”

 

“No, not really.”

 

“Yeah, sorry to bore you.”

 

“Oh, no! I'm not bored!” Aoi said, “I'm sorry, I just don't talk all that much.”

 

“Yeah, I see. No big deal. But enough about me, what do you like to do?”

 

“Well, I'm usually in school most of the time. That's what I spend most of my time doing.”

 

“School, huh? I went to school a long time ago. Only for a few years, though. Is it that interesting?”

 

“Not really.”

 

Ryoku chuckled. Aoi stopped walking and leaned against the railing of the ship. She looked down over the water. They were so high in that ship, the water looked miles away. Ryoku stopped walking too, and joined Aoi in enjoying the view.

 

“I love this,” he said.

 

“Yes, it's beautiful.”

 

There was a pause.

 

“Say,” Ryoku said, turning to lean his back against the rail. Aoi looked up at him. “Are you coming to the dance tonight?”

 

“Dance? I didn't know there was one.”

 

“Well, you should come. We have a band and drinks, the deck is a dance floor, it's really nice. And it's all under the starry sky. It's really a lot of fun, come a join us.”

 

“I - I'm afraid I don't know how to dance very well.”

 

“No big deal, I can show you. Just come.”

 

“Come where?” came a loud voice from aside.

 

Aoi and Ryoku quickly turned their heads to see Midori walking towards them.

 

Aoi gasped.

 

“What are you doing out here? And who is this?” Midori asked her.

 

She turned away, saying not a word.

 

“Come on, stupid, I asked you a question!” Midori raised his voice a bit.

 

“Hey! Watch it, pal! I don't know who you think you are but…”

 

“Spare me the crap.” He turned to Aoi, “Who is this kid?”

 

Aoi didn't redirect her stare to him, but continued looking away.

 

“Hey, leave her alone, okay? What's your deal? Aoi, who is this guy?”

 

She looked at Ryoku, her eyes filled with fear. “What's he going to do? I hope they don't fight…”

 

“You son of a bh, you scared her speechless!”

 

“Don't tell me what I done, I know good and well what…”

 

“What gives you the right to do something like that!?!?”

 

“I'm not tryin' to pick a fight with you, baka, just get away from her!”

 

“You're the one she's afraid of!”

 

“Don't tell him that…” Aoi thought.

 

“Damn right she is! Come on,” he said, grabbing her arm. He half dragged her away.

 

Ryoku began to follow, filled with anger, but Aoi turned back and looked at him, shaking her head and mouthing the word “no.” He stopped and watched sadly as Midori walked Aoi away, around a corner out of sight.

 

“Jerk,” he mumbled.

 

They turned the corner, and Midori pushed Aoi against the wall. She closed her eyes, preparing to hear him yell at her, yet again.

 

“What do you think you're doing?” he said, “You can't just meet random pirates and make buddy - buddy with them! How do you know he wasn't gonna like, kill you later or something?!!”

 

“He was nicer than you, for starters.”

 

She looked angrily, but sadly away.

 

“Come on!!! Would you freakin' say something! I'm askin' you a question!”

 

For the first time that day, she looked him straight in the eye. He stopped his frustration and returned her gaze. She had no words, but her eyes said it all. He saw no more fear in them…and while he saw sadness, he still saw something else. Still another emotion. He looked harder, but couldn't figure it out. Aoi saw all the hate and anger leave his face.

 

“Wha - What is he…doing??”

 

Suddenly, he jerked his head away, realizing that they had been gazing into each other's eyes the whole time. With nothing left for either of them to say, Aoi turned and quickly began walking away. He saw her leave, but instead of chasing her down, he just watched her walk away.

 

He leaned up against the wall. Aoi disappeared down a stair well. He thought of her expression, the things he could see in her eyes. It drove him crazy not understanding it. “What emotions did she see in me, I wonder.”

 

Aoi reached the end of the stairs and pulled herself back against the railing. She put her hand on her cheek. The pain in it was nearly gone.

 

“That boy…it wasn't the same one that hit me yesterday. That wasn't the same Midori. Something was different in his eyes. He…he was looking into mine, looking hard. But why?”

 

Aoi pondered what had just happened for a bit longer. It was all so weird. Hey, and why had Midori been so protective of her from Ryoku in the first place??? She dropped and shook her head. Right now, she had more important things to do…like getting ready for that dance tonight! She smiled and made her way back to her room to see what she could find to wear.

 

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Midori wandered around the deck. He watched as other people walked by him, some couples, others pirates. He wondered if they were “authentic” pirates, or just really pathetic sailors with no lives who thought it was fun to look like criminals. He looked out over the water…trying to think of something else besides the look in Aoi's eyes. No matter where he looked, he saw them. It was like the more he was around her, the guiltier he felt. All those years, he had never looked at her. He realized that after bullying her for over eleven years, he knew absolutely nothing about her.

 

“Not that it really matters,” he said, trying to rationalize these weird feelings. “She's just a…well… stupid girl. Yeah.”

 

And that was true in his eyes. Girls, to him, had just been things, objects that had no feelings, objects that were “hot” and made parties extra fun. Until he had been around one as long as he had with Aoi, he never had seen emotions in them. Aoi puzzled him, and he couldn't stand not knowing all the answers.

 

“Idiot girl! Why does she gotta confuse me so bad! BAKA! Man, this is annoying!”

 

Then he remembered that dance that the boy Aoi had been with had mentioned. Good idea! He could show up at that. He he! Them he could find the answers he was looking for.

 

“All I gotta do is wait for tonight.”

 

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Aoi got back to her room and opened the door. She was a bit startled to see, what appeared to be, one of the maids making the bed and cleaning the room. She was also an abadoo, she had short ears like Midori, and was wearing a long, plain dress.

 

“I'm sorry!” the girl said, “I haven't finished cleaning your room yet, but you're welcome to come in if you like!”

 

Aoi nodded and closed the door behind her.

 

“You must be Motohashi. Right? I've heard about you.”

 

“Man!” Aoi thought “I bet she's heard I'm mute, too. That means I can't talk. Grr…I wish Midori hadn't said that!”

 

“So, Motohashi. How was it? I mean, being kidnapped by pirates and everything? I bet you were pretty scared, huh?”

 

Aoi nodded.

 

“Sure wish I had a little adventure in my life. Mine is so boring. My parents have been on the seas since I was born. I've been working on the Hayo Tachikotsu for seven years now, ever since I was eleven. Not that I'm complaining, it's really nice out here, but it's so boring.” There was a pause. “I'm sorry! I never introduced myself, did I? I'm Hitomi.”

 

Aoi got an idea and stepped over the small desk. She found a feather pen and a pad of paper. She wrote “Watashi no namae Aoi desu” (My name is Aoi.)

 

“Oh! Well, hello Aoi! I love your name! It's for your eyes, I bet!”

 

“Yeah…I get that a lot.”

 

For a moment, Hitomi felt kind of awkward, she didn't know what exactly to say to a person she thought couldn't talk back. She thought about how bad Aoi must feel all the time, not being able to talk to anyone. How could she make her feel welcome and appreciated here? Then she got an idea.

 

“Say, have you heard about the dance tonight??”

 

Aoi nodded.

 

“Are you going?”

 

She shrugged, knowing Midori probably would be mad at her if she went…not that it was any of his business. But still, she didn't want to do more than necessary to make him angry.

 

“Oh! You should! It's going to be so much fun!”

 

Aoi thought for a moment, sitting on the bed.

 

“I really want to go…but I don't know if I should.”

 

“There are so many boys and the music and dancing is so fun!”

 

“Boys…more like Ryoku? I hope so. I don't want to be a laughing stock anymore.”

 

“I even have a dress you can borrow, if you like.”

 

“That does sound fun…something I haven't had since I got to this era.”

 

“Come on, Aoi. I really want you to have fun while you're stuck on this boat. I know as well as anyone how boring it can be.”

 

Aoi thought a little longer. “Oh…screw how Midori feels! I'm going to have fun tonight!”

 

Aoi smiled and nodded at Hitomi.

 

“Yay! That's great!”

 

Aoi smiled, but still felt like making Midori wasn't the best thing to do. She was still afraid of him, after all.

 

“After I finish cleaning your room, then I'll be finished. I'll take you back to my place and we can get dressed up together!”

 

Hitomi noticed the reservation in Aoi's expression.

 

“Don't worry. I promise you'll have fun.”

 

“Yeah,” Aoi thought, “but have you met Midori?”

 

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Midori had not left the deck yet. It was well past 3 in the afternoon, but he didn't really have anything better to do anyway, so he stayed up and enjoyed the view. After being alone so long, he was surprised to hear someone call out his name. He turned around to see Takomaru walking towards him.

 

“Oi, Midori.”

 

“Oi yourself. Shouldn't you be working?”

 

“Keh-they'll be fine for a few minutes. What are you doing up here alone?”

 

“Where else would I be?”

 

“Well, I figured, with Motohashi.”

 

“Why the hell would I be hangin' out with her?”

 

Takomaru was stunned, “Uh…I dunno. I guess I just figured since you, ya know, came here together, that you'd be, well, together.”

 

“It's not like I was with her cuz I wanted to be.”

 

“Oh, sorry then.”

 

There was a short silence.

 

“So, um…why were you with her then???”

 

“It's a long story. Look, the further we are apart, the better.”

 

“Hm. Did you two have a fight or something?”

 

“What are you, stupid!?!”

 

“Uh!?!?! What? It's not my fault!”

 

“Yeah…sorry. Look, we never got along, okay? I hate her and she hates me. That's how it is.”

 

“Oh…well, sorry to make the mistake.”

 

“You're forgiven.”

 

“So, why were you two together on the beach then if you hate each other so much? I'm sorry, I'm still confused.”

 

“Like I said, it's a long story…we, uh…got chased down there by some kid that went gun happy. Let's just forget about it.”

 

“Sure.”

 

After a few more minutes of not talking, Takomaru broke the silence.

 

“Well, I got to go. We have to prepare for tonight. Are you coming?”

 

“Where?”

 

“Well, it's just this gala thing that the crew puts on for all the passengers. There's free food and music and dancing and stuff. Anyway, you can come if you want.”

 

“Yeah right, like I'd waste my time as something like a dance.”

 

“Just letting you know,” Takomaru said before walking away.

 

Midori turned back to look over the water. “That dance…it must be what her and that guy were talking about earlier. He was probably asking her to go. Idiot. Who'd wanna go with her anyway? Ha! I'd be embarrassed for him.” Midori's thoughts continued, “But…that guy did get her to talk. She talked to him! She's supposed to be mute while we're here! Yeah right…like she could live that long without talking. What baka came up with that dumb idea?!? okay…I guess that was me…but still! Grr…idiot. She's gonna blow our cover, I just know it.”

 

Midori stormed angrily down stairs to get out of the sunlight, still with Aoi on his mind.

 

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Ta da!! Oh boy! The next chapter will be so fun! It should be up soon!

 

Next chapter: Miracles of Ancient Science and the Dance on the Deck