The Ninja and the Pirate Ch. 06

06 The Bad Touch Trio
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Are you sure it's okay to leave them like that?" Kiku turned to look at Hokkaido. They had already boarded their own ship and were once more following Sakura at a safe distance.

"Yes, one of two things could happen. The first is that they could be found by another ship, or that they miraculously make it to the closest shore."

"And the second?"

"Neither of those things happens and they all perish," Kiku said with a sigh a he looked at the ocean again. "But I am willing to bet anything option number two isn't going to happen."

"How come you believe that?"

"I have already done this to him once in the past. So I am positive he and his crew are somehow going to get out of it again." Kiku then reached into one of the sleeves of his kimono and took out a gun.

"Where in the world did you get that from?" Hokkaido asked as Kiku studied the gun.

"It's his gun. I forgot all about it until we were a pretty good distance away from them. It was still on the same spot where it landed after I threw it." Kiku lifted the gun and pointed it at the sea. "I've never used one of these things before."

"What are you planning to do with it? We don't have gunpowder or the bullets to make that thing work."

"What else? I am going to keep it. I am sure that he probably has noticed by now that it's missing. This means we better expect him after our trial. I heard this gun is pretty valuable to him."

"You could sell it, or give it to Im Yong Soo. He's the only one that uses those things."

"What's the point of giving it to him? The pirate will still be after our trial so I don't see the purpose of doing that. Besides things might become interesting the next time we meet."

"Wasn't it bad enough that you already confronted him twice? Why do you wish to encounter him for a third?" Kiku remained silent as he lowered the gun and stared at the sea.

"I need to ask him some things. There's something that's been bothering, but due to the fact he keeps on attacking me I haven't had the chance to," he finally replied as he put the gun away. "Are we still going according to schedule?"

"Despite the little setback we had we are still on schedule. We should be reaching the next port in two days time."

"Good, then that means we can go home… in about four months."

"You are excited to see the little one again, no?" Hokkaido asked as he looked at his captain.

"Of course I am! It's been a while since I had time to be with him. I hope he hasn't slacked off in his training since I am not there to keep an eye on him."

"Knowing him he can probably already wield a katana perfectly."

"I kind of doubt it, he is still young. But knowing Yao-nii he probably knows some martial arts already."

"The way you put it its like one was waiting to slack off and the other was waiting to take over for the training!" Hokkaido said as he and Kiku started laughing.

"It does, doesn't it? But now that I think about it I think the only one that's real is option number two."

"Guess you are right. You definitely have worked miracles on that child."

"I know," Kiku said as he looked back at the calm blue sea. "After all, he was a gift from the sea."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Isn't there anyone here that can get themselves untied?"

"I'm trying to, but it's a bit difficult slipping out of these knots," Alfred replied. "Wait up. Let me see if there's anything sharp near me…"

"Hurry up all of you! We don't need anyone to find us in this state!"

"Hey Matthew! Is there anything sharp near you?"

"Ontario, how about you?"

"Negative on that one, sir. But I believe we have been spotted by another ship."

"What makes-" Arthur fell silent as he spotted a familiar looking ship approaching from the East.

"Oh no! Why did it have to be them out of everyone who is in the freaking area?"

"Shit! I can already hear the bird and the frog!" Everyone watched as the other ship pulled up alongside theirs. As soon as the other ship was next to the three figured hopped aboard.

"My, my. How did you get into this predicament, mon ami?"

Stop standing there and untie us you frog!"

"Don't worry the awesome me will help!" Gilbert grinned as he walked over to Arthur and cut the ropes that kept him pinned to the mast.

"So Arturo, mi amigo, ¿Que paso? What happened?" Antonio asked as he freed Alfred.

"The masked captain," that was all the Trio needed to hear in order to understand what happened.

"So you found him?

"It's more like we found each other."

"Did you manage to find out who he was?"

"Nope, Iggy challenged him to a duel, but the other one defeated him and that's the reason you found us tied up… again." Alfred replied as he handed Arthur back his sword. "Sorry Iggy, but I can't find your gun anywhere."

"Damn, that bastard must have taken it."

"Which one? The one father left for you?" Matthew asked as he was helped off the deck by Francis.

"Unfortunately, it's that one."

"At least we know which ship is the correct one," Matthew sighed as he glanced towards the West. "If I remember correctly they headed towards the coast."

"That's like what? Two to three days away?"

"It doesn't matter, now we know the ship we need to look for is the one with the crane…"