The Ninja and the Pirate Ch. 13

13 The Storm
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"Behave and try to be a little more talkative with Matthew. I'll be back tonight."

Kiku just ignored Arthur as he snuggled under the bed sheets again. 'Just go away and leave me alone.' Kiku heard him leave and close the door. Making sure the bastard left he carefully reached underneath the mattress and grabbed the small knife he had hidden there. After making sure the door was closed he began trying to open the shackle.

He had been working it for a while when he heard footsteps. Immediately he hid under the covers again clutching the knife in his hand. He recognized Matthew's footsteps by now. He snuggled deeper into the covers and just peeked at Matthew from the small gap he allowed so that he could see what was going on. Matthew put down another tray and then went and closed the window, locking it tightly.

"Do you want some extra blankets? There's a storm coming and it might get cold in here."

'A storm?' Kiku just stared at Matthew for a moment before nodding his head. Matthew just stared at him for a while, since Kiku never replied in any way to any of his questions or requests. He just blinked but went and got the extra blankets and just put them on the bed before leaving. Kiku waited until he left then he sat up and got the food and started eating it.

'She's a good cook,' he thought as he ate. He continued attacking the shackle as he munched on an onigiri. He was forced to hide under the covers (and extra blankets) when Matthew came back for the tray. By now he could hear the rain outside and he ignored whatever Matthew was telling him and just covered himself from head to toe. Eventually Matthew gave up trying to get him to react and left. Immediately he resumed his assault on the shackle.

Click

'I did it. I finally opened it,' he rubbed the skin where the shackle had been before standing up. He went to the door and carefully opened it. After making sure the coast was clear he quickly closed the door behind himself and then he took off in the direction that he knew led to the deck. He had been paying close attention for the past weeks to the sounds that he could hear on the Mary Celeste, and by that info he was able to somewhat create a map to the outside.

He could hear the pouring rain, which meant he had to hurry before the bastard decided to return to his room. He carefully opened the door that led to the deck and peeked out. It was raining, and he could see the rail.

"How did you get out from the room?" Kiku turned to see someone he did recognize, but whose name he didn't know. 'Crap. Who's he? I think he is related to the pirate bastard.'

Alfred looked at Kiku who was blankly staring back at him. Alfred made a move to grab him, but Kiku opened the door and fled outside into the rain. "Grab him! The prisoner is getting away, someone go get Iggy!" Alfred shouted as he took off after Kiku. Some of the crew that was nearby went to attack Kiku who was able to successfully defend himself using the knife in his hand.

"What's going on? And how did you get out?" Alfred turned around to see an annoyed looking Arthur walk over. Kiku stopped in the act of stabbing another person of the crew and stared at Arthur. Then all Kiku did was drop the person and turned to face Arthur.

"What are you doing here?" Arthur asked as he walked over to Kiku, who calmly backed away into the railing.

"Umi… watashi no tomodachi wa hanashimashita. Soshite boku wa kikimashita" As he spoke Kiku stepped onto the rail which caused Arthur to stop walking and stare at him. Kiku calmly grabbed onto one of the ropes that was there and balanced himself upon the wet thin wood underneath him.

"So are you really going to jump, or are you just trying to buy yourself time?" Arthur asked as he took a couple of steps closer to Kiku. Kiku blinked in surprise at Arthur's question, and his eyes narrowed as he glared at Arthur. "Get down from there, and I promise your punishment will not be harsh."

"No"

"Ah, you finally speak. And why not? The ocean is a dangerous place, but more so when there is a storm overhead."

"…" Kiku blinked and stared at Arthur before giving a small chuckle. "Gomen. But I am not afraid of the ocean. She's my tomodachi." Kiku waved a hand at the clouds and the pouring rain. "I have been in more unfortunate circumstances than this."

"And they are?" Arthur asked at the same time he gestured to some of the crew to try to get closer to Kiku.

"Since when…" Kiku fell silent as he looked at something behind Arthur. Blinking he sighed and looked at Arthur. Everyone on the deck was already drenched to the bone and the only ones that did not seem to notice were Arthur and Kiku.

"Gomen… Asa. Demo…" The ship suddenly rocked as it was hit by a wave. Whether Kiku let go or he lost his grip on the rope it was hard to tell. Arthur lunged forward but he was too late. He peered over the rail, along with the part of the crew that had joined him on the deck. The rain made it hard to see anything in the restless ocean. Arthur immediately looked around. Spotting something he shouted, "Get the ship moving! We are heading over there!"

I leave my life in your hands once more… umi-san…