Chapter 5: Jumping Ships
Haruka looked away with a growl. “This isn’t fair.”
Isabella smiled. “This is as fair as it gets.”
IXH
It took two days into the journey, but something finally happened. It started simply, with one of the sailors sending up a flare just after sunset. As the flaming object arced into the night air, Isabella looked at the sailor curiously. “What was that for?”
“Jus’ part of a deal, lass,” Captain Tyne said as he walked up beside them with his thumbs tucked into his belt. “There’re some pirates ‘round here we pay protection to, th’ flare lets ‘em know ta let us through.”
“Oh, I see. Thank you.” Despite Isabella’s understanding, Haruka didn’t buy that for a second. It was just plausible enough for someone to accept, but a signal for a deal like that would be too easy to replicate without paying. Deals with pirates always used special flags or sounds.
She became even more suspicious when Tyne suggested with a smile, “Why don’t you ladies retire? We’ll ‘andle the ship and let y’know if anythin’ comes up.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right, I’m already tired,” Isabella replied. He bid them goodnight as Haruka followed the blue-haired knight belowdecks.
“Bella…”
“Yes, it does look bad, doesn’t it?” Isabella shut the door after they entered the room, biting her lip. “Well we certainly can’t sleep. Fortunately all I’ve done is sit or stand around all day.” She put a hand on her hip. “Honestly, I never thought about how little there would be to do on a ship and how much pent-up energy I’d have.”
Haruka shrugged. “Lots to do. Learn ship, work out, survive night…”
Isabella smirked. “I guess we’ll get energy out tonight. Are you looking forward to it, Ruki?”
“Unsure.”
“I do wonder who they were signaling.” She moved over to the bed and began rearranging the blankets and pillows, stuffing clothing under them. “I won’t be able to fight in my armor on this ship. Too dangerous,” she stated as she put her armor on the bed as well.
Haruka nodded as she passed her their pack. “Be careful. Watch your back.”
“Backstabbing types, huh?” Isabella finished and backed away, tilting her head and studying the bed that appeared to have two bodies in it. “That doesn’t surprise me.” She left the room as Haruka turned out the room’s lantern before following her.
“Cowardly, dirty.”
“That’s nothing new,” Isabella said with a smile as she pulled the door closed after them, sliding her iron sword into her belt beside the other’s scabbard.
Haruka examined the supply room across from theirs, nodding as she picked a spot and sat down in the dark, folding her arms. “Many people dirty. No honor, no discipline.”
Isabella sat beside her, giving her a smile. “Just the opposite of you. Although, you were planning on killing a politician when we met…”
Haruka sighed, looking away from her. “Assassin. Different.”
“Oh, really? You’ve never attacked someone from behind, or while they slept, or while unarmed or helpless?”
“I…” Haruka frowned. “Different,” she reiterated.
“So,” Isabella said with a sly smile, “What you’re saying is, if these pirates were being paid to stab us in the back, then they wouldn’t be honorless savages.”
“Not professional.”
“Oh, so the difference is they’re amateur murderers?”
Haruka looked at her. “…Yes.”
“Mmm.” Isabella nodded. “Yes, I see how big a difference that is.”
Haruka frowned. “Judging?”
Isabella raised an eyebrow. “You really think I can judge someone for killing? I’m just questioning your judgment of others for doing the same things you do.”
“It’s a job.”
“You would’ve killed me while doing your job had we not met the night before.” Haruka tried to disagree, but she knew Bella was right. Still, she had no idea what to say. Isabella laid a hand on her knee. “Honestly, I’m not trying to make you feel bad. What you do is nothing like what I did. I’m just saying it’s a little weird how you feel about actions so close to yours.”
Haruka sighed. “It’s… Feels different. Make choices, get pay, devote life to… perfection. Train, study, learn, practice, work… Effort.” She waved a hand to indicate the rest of the ship. “Predators. Pick on weak, run from strong. Stab in back out of fear, not caution.”
“You killed that man who was one of you, just like you,” Isabella pointed out softly.
Haruka looked at her. “Tried to kill you. Killed him first.”
“Would you have let him go if he had decided to leave?”
“Yes.”
“What about after he attacked me?”
“…Quiet. Someone coming.”
“Haruka-“
“Shh.”
Isabella went quiet, but Haruka could tell from her look that the subject wasn’t dropped for good. They watched from the darkness as Captain Tyne led two hooded men into the hallway. “Right in here,” he said quietly as he gestured to the door. “Now if you’ll just give me my payment-“
“You will receive it after she is on our ship,” one of the men replied. The captain went quiet and the two men opened the door and moved into the room as silent as the wind. They each moved to either side of the bed, raising their hands over it. Faint lines of light began to appear in the air, lowering to the bed and suddenly forming chains over the figures there, tightening rapidly and firmly.
There was a second of surprise and another of understanding before the two women shot from the supply room and into the cabin. Before the men could react Haruka’s hand caught one’s head and shoved it into the wall, splintering the wood. Isabella’s sheathed sword caught the other at the base of the head, dropping him like a sack to the bed.
Captain Tyne had taken off up the stairs and Haruka went after him, anger lighting her green eyes. “Ruki, wait!” Isabella followed her, already fearing what was about to happen.
Haruka burst out onto the deck where Tyne was shouting orders. She growled as she set her sights on him and he and another sailor lifted pistols. Having a lot of experience in this land, Haruka knew exactly what they were and leapt to the side as the two fired.
Being relatively new to this part of the world and pretty much all advanced technology, Isabella did not. The shots hit her in the shoulder and stomach as she emerged behind Haruka, bringing a shocked expression to her face as she wondered just what had hit her. She stumbled back a few steps and hit the wall, looking down at the two bleeding holes in confusion.
Haruka did not react well to that. She stared with widened eyes at Isabella, but three seconds later her eyes narrowed and a low rumble escaped her lips. Tyne tossed the pistol and drew his saber but Haruka’s fist reached him first, shattering his jaw. She slammed her other fist into his stomach and then swept his feet from under him, sending him to the deck.
The other sailor attempted to grab her and she slapped his hand away, then his neck, then shoved him back. A Death Mark appeared on both spots and he cried out in pain as his hands exploded, but he could make no sound when his throat followed. Haruka ignored the blood that sprayed her mask as she stomped twice, shattering both of Tyne’s knees. The man screamed in pain but this was his fault; Haruka caught his wrist and slammed her palm into his elbow, breaking it as well.
The enraged monk then lifted the man up by his last good limb. “Stop! I beg ya… I’ve got loot I’ll share, an’ the ride’ll be free, an’ I’ll-“ Haruka tossed him over the railing and watched as he hit the water. He had one good limb to swim with; she bet that gave him a few minutes to an hour to live. She had bigger things to worry about, though, because his crew was still up and moving.
Isabella looked up, finding Haruka with confused eyes. All she knew was that she’d been hit with some sort of weapon. Two sailors came towards her with sabers to finish the job and Haruka began running, but Isabella pushed herself off the wall and shook her head. “Others behind you,” she shouted, “get the others!”
With clenched teeth Isabella stepped forward and gave a shout of frustration as she swept her sheathed blade up in a diagonal arc and stumbled forward. Both sailors grinned at each other and backed out of the way of the swipe, but it had been a ruse; Isabella moved like lightning and thrust the end of the scabbard into the stomach of one as her hand shot to the throat of the other. She slammed the second one to the deck and spun on the doubled-over one, striking his back with the sword and dropping him. A stomp of her foot silenced the one on the ground and she rolled her bullet-pierced shoulder as she strode purposefully towards another three nervous pirates.
Haruka blinked. If Isabella was tougher than she’d given her credit for, that was just good news. She had to remind herself who Bella used to be, apparently; her condition definitely made the monk judge her differently. Watching her was another mistake, though, as she realized as soon as a bullet hit her shoulder. Haruka let it feed her anger and turned on her three attackers, making a dash for them.
All drew swords, providing a defense she couldn’t easily get through. Always an opportunist with a belief in being proactive, she punched two small holes in the deck and ripped out a small board. With a dark smile she slapped a hand on the board before tossing it at them. Having no idea what she was doing they simply dodged the lightly-thrown plank with confusion.
When it exploded behind them it caught them by surprise and threw them off-balance, and Haruka was in their faces to capitalize. Her fist found one pirate’s throat, collapsing his windpipe and sending him to the deck struggling for air. She spun and caught another’s face with her heel, feeling herself getting into the rhythm of combat.
Isabella stalked towards the three pirates facing her. She didn’t notice as her grey eyes darkened a shade, but they did, and each took a step back. “Backing away from a fight? That option’s over,” Isabella said, launching herself at the one in the middle. The other two dodged to either side and the remaining one met her blade, fending her off with a quick defense. Bella felt the other two closing in on her flanks and she steadied her feet as the pirate before her locked their blades together.
Bella glanced over her shoulder as the other two swung. She flipped her grip on her sword and shoved the first pirate’s sword up. She slid her left foot behind her and spun left, striking both blades of the other two and knocking their points up as well. She then flipped her sword back in her grip and ducked low, spinning a second time and taking out the legs of all three, sending them to the deck.
Haruka stood between two pirates and caught both blades on her bracers. She flicked her wrists up and then shot out both hands, catching the hands of both pirates where they gripped their sabers. She shoved the hilts of the swords into the stomachs of the men, doubling them over. She then grabbed the throats of both and lifted them bodily into the air before slamming them back to the deck.
The monk then looked over at Isabella, smiling to see she’d won as well. Still, something seemed wrong… Where had the two hooded men come from? Then she spotted the other ship tied to the side of theirs, a black one that looked very familiar just like the clothing of the two men had. She looked back to Isabella and her eyes widened; Bella was checking the two strange gunshot wounds she’d received, the ones she didn’t understand.
She didn’t notice the assassin behind her. Haruka tried to shout a warning but her voice cut out. Not now, now of all times! Haruka took off running and Isabella looked at her, tilting her head. “Ruki…?” Shock registered on her face a second later and a blade extended from her stomach, one of the fallen pirate’s sabers. The assassin caught the woman from behind, moving a blade to her throat.
Haruka was unable to do anything as glowing bands of gold enveloped her, snapping her wrists and feet together, then her legs together and her arms to her waist. She fell but a hand caught the back of her shirt, lifting her up. She knew the bands on her well; they suppressed all chakra, leaving her unable to do anything but watch. The man holding her was a Black Sun she recognized, as was the woman who had stabbed – and was now holding hostage – Isabella.
Two more Black Sun assassins landed on either side of Haruka, and she could see more on the ship, but they were all masked. The man holding Haruka had short spiked black hair with bangs on either side of her face. “Jace…” Haruka muttered in a tone sharing her extreme dislike for the man. She turned her attention on the woman, glaring and growling out her words. “Irene… Let her go…”
The blonde woman pulled the blade from Isabella, drawing a gasp from her. She tilted her head, pulling Isabella closer and pressing the other blade against her neck more tightly. “That sounds like a bad idea, dear Haruka. For some reason you care about her, so she’s our… motivation, let’s say.”
Jace hauled Haruka to her feet. “We’ll leave her alone. She’ll probably survive,” he said in a low, calm voice. “Irene avoided her vitals. But in exchange you’re coming with us.”
Haruka shook with rage but hung her head, having no argument. “…fine.”
“Ruki,” Isabella said softly, “Don’t go with them-“
“I’d be quiet if I were you,” Irene said casually as she cut her off by pressing the blade hard enough to draw a bit of blood.
Jace and the two others moved back to their ship and the two masked monks began to untie it as Haruka looked at Isabella. “No choice…”
“They’ll kill you!”
“You or me,” Haruka said sadly. “Might not…”
Jace looked at her. “Your father is very… disappointed. You might get some mercy…”
“But I wouldn’t count on it,” Irene said with a smile. “Betrayal is a very harsh crime, Haruka. You know how he feels about that.”
Haruka growled. “Made my choice.”
“And you will live with it,” Jace stated simply, “or die. We’ll see.”
Haruka looked to Isabella, trying to think of whatever she could say that would mean as much as what she felt, but the words died in her throat. Something was happening to Isabella; those warm grey eyes were cold now, hard and piercing. Isabella spoke in a soft but commanding voice, her eyes boring into Jace. “Let Haruka go. You get one chance.”
Jace shook his head. “We’ve got orders. Sorry.”
Irene pressed the sword closer to Bella’s neck. “What did I tell you about talking?”
Isabella shot her hand up and caught the one that held the blade to her throat. Irene jumped in surprise and jerked the blade across the woman’s throat. At least, that’s what she intended to do, but the blade didn’t move an inch. Isabella’s grip was like iron as she pulled the blade from her throat. She turned around and calmly turned Irene’s wrist. The blond woman struggled against it, beginning to panic, but it meant nothing. Isabella shoved the blade up into her chest up to the hilt before shoving her away to drop to the deck.
Haruka and the other monks watched, surprised for different reasons. Isabella turned back to them and began walking towards the ship as it pulled away. Jace ordered them to get distance as the blue-haired knight stepped up to the edge of her ship. With no hesitation she pulled the grey cloth from her sword, tucked it into her belt, and drew the blade, her eyes never leaving Haruka’s.
An explosion of red flame erupted from Isabella, encasing her. She screamed in a mix of agony and rage, her features darkening as her eyes and hair took on a blood-red hue. She was lifted into the air like before but this time when she came down her appearance and personality were different. Her sword grew and shifted into a wickedly curved two-handed sword of a much greater size. Isabella’s crimson eyes refocused on the departing ship, now a good distance away. She stepped forward and pressed her foot against the corner of the ship, splintering the wood as she launched herself off. To the surprise of everyone on the escaping ship her leap carried her high into the air and she came down straight at them.
Her impact shattered the deck of their ship and sent black wood flying in every direction. Monks yelled in shock but two had the reaction time to rush her. Isabella didn’t even notice her injuries anymore. Surrounded by a cloud of wooden splinters and red flame she tilted her head up and to the side, hard crimson eyes burning into her attackers. They hesitated only a second, but after that second both of them had split at the waist. Only then did they register Isabella’s swing as their blood filled the air and their bodies hit the deck in two halves. Haruka watched with no idea how to react as Isabella turned to meet another, catching his fist in her open hand and crushing the bone in her iron grip. She tossed the man into the water as if he wasn’t worth her attention and looked back over her shoulder at Jace and Haruka.
The Isabella that Haruka knew was nowhere to be seen. She was gone, replaced by the one Haruka had heard only a little about, the one that had earned the title ‘The Golden Butcher’. Another assassin jumped at her from the side and she just swatted him out of the air with her large sword without so much as a glance. Her eyes remained focused on Jace and he met her challenge, moving in a blur. Isabella disappeared in a blur a split second later and the two reappeared in a clash several feet up. Haruka launched herself back as the two slammed back into the deck locked in combat. The ship wouldn’t survive this fight but Haruka was paying little attention to such details.
Isabella was cold and focused with murder in her eyes, a total stranger. She whipped her sword around not to take Jace’s legs from under him but to take his head from his shoulders, an attack he barely dodged. This change was frightening to Haruka. She’d met other people like this, it wasn’t new, but she’d never met anyone like the Isabella she knew, and all she knew was that she wanted her back. This Isabella didn’t look like she’d ever laughed or even smiled, she didn’t look like she even understood the concept of a joke, she didn’t look like she cared about anything or anyone. There was no kindness or generosity or reassurance in her expression, only a cold, burning rage and hatred.
Jace had used his specialty, creating a blade of shadow magic over each arm. With these he fended off the large blade that sought his death, but it was only a matter of time. Isabella attacked from one side and then the other, whipping the blade around faster than one of its size should move. The impacts were so forceful that Jace had to brace himself for each of them. Left, right, left, right, left, right, a rhythm was forced as the blade moved back and forth. Jace and Haruka had both seen this tactic before; create a pattern your opponent can recognize, then break the pattern suddenly to surprise them. Jace watched the blade carefully, refusing to fall into the alternating swings. Left, right, left, right… Soon enough it would be left, left, or right, right, but he would see it and take advantage.
Isabella’s crimson eyes gave nothing away as she continued the pattern. Then, suddenly… there it was! The blade struck his left, right, left, and then came back at his left, and Jace shot forward to his right. Isabella’s open left hand met him as he moved straight into it, slamming his chest with an open palm that blasted all air from his lungs. His eyes went wide but the crimson-haired knight didn’t give him a chance. Her foot shattered his right knee and her hand gripped his clothing, yanking him down to his knees. She whipped the blade around and drove it down through his chest, severing sternum, ribs and spine along with everything in between. The sword continued straight through with no resistance until it pierced the deck behind him.
Jace coughed and blood spattered Isabella’s face, but she paid it no heed. She yanked her sword free and kicked him straight off the ship into the ocean. The bands around Haruka disappeared as Jace’s life-force faded, leaving her free. She stood up and stared at Bella with no words. Isabella just grabbed her wrist and took a few steps before launching into the air again. They landed back on their original, now crewless, ship, and Isabella released her, looking back at the empty ship they’d just left. Haruka rubbed her wrist, examining the woman before her with mixed emotions. “Bella…?”
Crimson eyes found her and softened immediately, a hint of familiarity entering them. Isabella touched the point of her blade to its scabbard and sheathed it; Haruka watched as the blade returned to its original size as it entered the scabbard. A pulse of energy washed over her and Isabella’s normal colors returned; soft, dark blue hair and gentle grey eyes. The knight immediately fell to her hands and knees, panting and shaking. Haruka knelt beside her, tentatively setting a hand on her shoulder. “Bella…”
“Don’t,” Bella said as she swatted the hand away. She forced herself back into her feet and stumbled backwards, but caught her balance. She looked at Irene’s body, multiple emotions crossing her face. Haruka watched her worriedly but she shook her head, dropping to her knees again. “I gave them… gave them a warning,” she said.
Haruka moved towards her, kneeling in front of her again. “You killed,” she said as both a statement and a question.
Isabella met her eyes. “I warned them. I told them not to try to take you. I’ve already made the decision, Haruka.” Her arms shook weakly and Haruka caught her before she collapsed. Bella rested her head on Haru’s chest, forcing her breathing to slow down. “I’ve made… my decision,” she reiterated. “I don’t want to kill… But if it’s your life at stake… I’ll slaughter the whole goddamn world.”
The conviction in the knight’s voice frightened Haruka. She realized then that the ruthless warrior from the past wasn’t gone; she was just buried, hidden in Isabella’s other emotions. “Shouldn’t…”
Isabella looked up at her, lightly gripping the edge of her coat. “I don’t know why… No…” She looked down. “That’s a lie… I do know why… But it’s… frightening. Haruka… All I can say is that I’ll kill to protect you. I’ll become that person again if I have to.”
Haruka lifted her chin, making sure she was listening. “I… like you,” she stated firmly.
Isabella smiled softly. “Sorry, Ruki, but like this I wasn’t going to beat them. I had no choice.”
The monk frowned. “Just… stay you.”
“I’ll try.”
“Not good enough.”
“It has to be.” Isabella met her gaze, not backing down. “I told you there are things you’ll have to accept about me. This… This is one. I don’t want to change, Haruka, really I don’t, but this… This isn’t something I can promise. I can’t promise you I’ll just sit back and let someone kill you, how can I do that?”
Haruka looked away with a growl. “This isn’t fair.”
Isabella smiled. “This is as fair as it gets.”
Haruka gave a sigh as she looked at her. “Not fair to me, then.”
Bella looked sad as she laid a hand on Haruka’s cheek. “I know.” And I have a feeling, Haruka, that I’ll be the source of many unfair things for you. I hate myself for that… and for my weakness that prevents me from leaving. She sighed, letting her hand fall. “We’re in a pretty bad situation right now, unless two people can sail a ship.”
“Not really. Need help.”
“Well, the pirates I fought are still alive…”
“Bad idea.”
“What’s a better idea?”
“Get help.”
“That’s going to be a little hard, Haruka, being in the middle of the ocean.”
Haruka moved towards the edge of the ship and raised her hands, moving them in a pattern in front of her while speaking softly. As she did so her hands alit with flame, and after several seconds she shoved them forwards, unleashing a fireball that sailed over the water and impacted against the other ship’s mast. The fire took quickly but burned slowly, eating away at the wood and sails. Haruka turned back to Isabella. “Busy waters. Someone should see.”
Isabella watched the fire burn, sending up light and smoke into the night sky. “Well that’s one way to do it, I guess.”
For the next few hours they had little to do. Haruka’s injuries weren’t bad, and Bella’s seemed to have mostly healed already, a byproduct of the transformation, so they weren’t hurried. They sat on the deck eating some of the ship’s stores and looking out for approaching ships. The night was clear and with a gentle breeze, comfortable enough even if they weren’t. Isabella fidgeted with the flask of water in her hand, turning it in her fingers. “We’ve been getting along worse over the last several days, haven’t we?” she said softly. “Because of me.”
Haruka shrugged, taking a bite of bread. “Touchy subjects. Strong emotions.”
“Yeah.” Isabella felt like a fool or a child, immature and irresponsible. “It’s only been twenty years, you know?” Haruka looked at her as she continued, “Twenty years since my emotions came back, and I’m still not used to them. Part of it is that you’re the first person I’ve become close with. I’m getting too comfortable with you too quickly, and that’s just… not good.”
Haruka tilted her head. “Bad thing? How?”
Bella sighed. “I really want a friend… I really do…” She looked away. “I just… It’s really not fair to you.”
“How?”
“I’m just… a lot of trouble, okay?” Tell her. Tell her! “It’s… I just have issues. My emotions are still hard to control and I’m going to be a pain.” Coward. Isabella looked down, knowing she was making a mistake keeping it to herself. She didn’t have the courage to fix it, though, not it could mean Haruka leaving. She was being selfish, so selfish, but she couldn’t bring herself to let go.
Haruka shrugged again. “Whatever. I can take it.”
She had to get away from this conversation, forget about the secrets she was avoiding. Another topic entered her mind, one she was genuinely curious about. “Hey, didn’t that guy say something about your father?”
Haruka sighed. “He’s our problem. Black Sun leader.”
“Oh. You’re… Oh.” Isabella blinked. “I guess that explains why they’re so determined to catch us. Are you… Wait…” She looked at the monk. “You left your parents to come with me, too?”
“Just father.” Haruka looked at Isabella as if judging something. “You shared… I will. Just… Wait…” She folded her legs and rested her arms on her knees, closing her eyes.
Isabella watched her curiously. “What are you doing…?”
“Wait,” Haruka repeated. She tuned out the outside world, focusing her attention inwards. She directed her life energy through her body to her vocal chords and throat, strengthening them. After a full minute she opened her eyes, curious to see if it worked. “This is the first time I’ve tried this, so I’m not sure how well it will work or how long I can do it.” She gave a satisfied smile. “Pretty well so far.”
Isabella stared at her. “You… wait. Are you talking normally? Am I hearing that right? I didn’t know you could do that!”
Haruka smirked. “I couldn’t. I never had reason to talk much until now, and I started working on this the night in the doctor’s house.”
Isabella looked amazed and Haruka laughed as she imagined all the ideas running through her mind. “You did that to talk to me?”
“Two words at a time is… annoying,” Haruka admitted.
“But it’s cute.”
“It’s not going away, so don’t worry. This takes effort.” Haruka leaned back on her hands. “So let’s get to the important part.”
“Oh, right. You mentioned it was just your father that you left?”
Haruka nodded, looking up at the stars. “Mother died when I was young,” she began, getting used to speaking normally. “She was attacked during a raid. Father… took it hard. He made an oath to never be weak again, to always be strong enough to change things, and he included me in it.” She looked at Isabella. “He has a crazed, harsh determination that he forced on me as well. He’s probably angry at my ‘betrayal’ even though I’m sure he’s more upset at losing a promising fighter than a daughter.”
“So, what, he just doesn’t care if you’re happy or not?” Bella frowned. “What’s the point of strength if there’s nothing worth protecting?”
Haruka shrugged. “He stopped caring about those kinds of things the day mother died. I never felt the same way, but it wasn’t until now that I found something important to me.”
Isabella gave a sigh. “I’m sorry you didn’t have a good relationship.” She looked at Haruka. “There really wasn’t anyone you cared about?”
Haruka shook her head. “They’re all more or less like him.” She gave Bella a sideways smile. “I lived around a lot of people I knew, but I was about as lonely as you anyway.”
“It’s funny… I never really thought about that kind of loneliness, but I guess it’s the same kind of thing.” Isabella bit her lip in thought before glaring ahead. “Well, it’s just their loss, then. I’d feel sorry that they didn’t get to really know you if I didn’t think they deserve it.”
The monk chuckled. “It’s okay now, really. I’m a lot happier now.”
Bella smiled. “I can see that.” She looked down at her hands. “I want you to be happy, but I also want you to be alive… How can I balance that?” She met Haruka’s gaze. “I know you don’t want me to change, but I’m weak now, Haruka. I don’t have the power I used to unless I change.”
Haruka looked at her shoes. “We’ll find some way. I know you risk losing me by not using it, but I risk losing you if you use it. That’s even. Either choice seems selfish.”
Isabella looked across the water to the burning ship. “I make a lot of selfish choices. I’ll try not to use it unless I have to, but like I said… I can’t watch them take you away.”
Haruka nodded. “I’ll get stronger, then. I’ll make it so you don’t need to use that to keep me around.”
The knight smiled at her. “That’s really admirable. Maybe if we work together we can take on everything. Haruka and Isabella against the world.”
“I’d prefer ‘Haruka and Isabella going wherever and having fun’, but alright.”
“Well we’ll do that, too! We’re going to beat everyone, we’re going to conquer everything, we’re going to survive every situation, and we’re going to have fun doing it.”
“That’s a pretty tall order. You think we can achieve that?”
Isabella smiled. “When the right two people get together, they can achieve anything.”
Haruka looked out over the ocean. “I guess you’re right. We’ve already achieved help.”
The ship approaching was larger than either the one they were on or the one they’d set fire to. It was a deep black galleon with three masts; the flag was red with a black symbol of waves on it. Haruka nodded at the approaching ship. “That’s the Black Wake. This would only be worse trouble for us if we were on a merchant vessel, but with just the two of us it’s nothing to worry about.”
Isabella looked at her. “It’s more pirates, isn’t it?”
“More than that, it’s the Pirate Queen of the Eastern Seas.”
“…That’s a fancy title.”
“She earned it,” Haruka said, sighing as she released her hold on her energy. She could feel a little pain from all the talking, but it wasn’t as bad as she expected.
The two women watched the ship pull up beside theirs, seeing numerous people lining the side. One woman vaulted up onto the railing and leapt across, landing in front of the two. She appeared to be in her thirties and had black hair in a long ponytail. She wore semi-dirty but expensive clothing that was predominately black; it was obviously sailor wear but far more stylish and less common, composed of a shirt, trousers, coat and boots, with a black tricorne hat with gold lining topping it off.
She wore two belts in a cross formation on her hips, with a pistol tucked into one and a brilliant silver and gold cutlass hanging from the other. She had a lot of earrings and jewelry on her person, mostly gold or silver, some of which had to be worth more than some small ships. She also had various tattoos on her tanned neck and arms, most seeming to tell a story. The woman put a hand on her hip, her blue eyes darting around the ship before focusing on the two women. “Now this’s an interestin’ situation. The Lusty Maiden with a dead or out crew, no sign o’ Tyne, an’ floatin’ next to a burnin’ ship fulla more corpses. I gotta say, I’m a mite curious what’s goin’ on ‘ere.”
Isabella gave a nervous laugh. “Well, you see, Captain Tyne sold us out to some enemies and they all tried to kill us, so…”
The pirate lifted an eyebrow. “So y’killed ‘em all? By yerselves? ‘Cause that’s some mighty impressive work.”
Isabella shrugged, looking at Haruka. “It wasn’t easy…”
“You’re standin’, it was easy enough.” The woman slid one leg back and swept off her hat, bowing to the two. “Captain Freya Black, Pirate Queen o’ the Eastern Seas, at ‘er own service but willin’ ta provide it.”
“Uh…” Isabella looked at Haruka, wondering which name to use.
Haruka nodded. “Haruka Saito, The Hidden Hand,” she responded.
Freya straightened and set her hat back on her head. “Figured as much, been a bit o’ noise about you, m’dear. Nice mask, by th’ way, very mysterious,” she said with a wink.
Isabella nudged the monk. “I told you.” As Haruka rolled her eyes the knight smiled at Freya. “Isabella Enyo.”
“Gotta title?”
Isabella blinked. “I’m sorry?”
Freya folded her arms. “Important people always get a title somewhere,” she stated.
“Oh, well…” Isabella glanced at Haruka. “It’s… Isabella of Two Faces,” she answered.
Freya rubbed her chin. “More mystery. Sounds like you could be fun.” She nodded back to her ship. “You need a ride or you gonna swim?”
Isabella looked at Haruka again, and Haruka smiled. “Trust them,” she stated. “We’re dangerous to have.”
Bella blinked. “How does that mean these pirates are more trustworthy than the others?”
“She must know me,” Freya said with a grin, noticing Haruka’s smirk. The pirate moved closer to Isabella, setting a hand on her shoulder and leaning in conspiratorially. “I like danger, y’see. If it’s dangerous t’take your side, I’m on it ‘til th’ end.”
Isabella didn’t know why, but she wasn’t put off by this woman like she’d been with the other pirates. When Tyne touched her arm it made her tense (and nearly made Haruka throw him off the ship), but when Freya did it, it just felt like a friendly gesture. She smiled, tilting her head. “I think I can understand that. And in our situation, I can definitely appreciate it.”
“Good!” Freya clapped, hopping back to her original spot.
Isabella looked over her shoulder. “Um, some of these men are alive.”
Freya shrugged. “Leave ‘em, they’ll wake up an’ sail to port.”
“If you’re sure,” Isabella said uncertainly.
A plank was lowered to their ship and after grabbing their things they moved across onto the much larger one. Haruka smirked at Isabella. “Not dirty.”
“Okay, I get your point,” Isabella said with a smile of her own.
Freya waved the crew members away, yelling at them to get back to their posts. She led the two belowdecks to a cabin, of which there were many. It was much larger, cleaner and nicer than the one on the other ship, much to the delight of Isabella. Freya leaned against the doorway as they put their stuff in the room. “I’ll let y’get settled, but if yer not tired I’d like t’talk a bit. Would you be willin’ t’meet me in my cabin? I’ll fix ya a drink.”
Isabella looked at Haruka, receiving a nod after which she smiled at Freya. “That would be nice, actually. I’ll just change into clothes without blood on them…”
“Tha’s such a problem,” Freya said with an exasperated sigh. She flashed them a grin before leaving.
Haruka looked at Isabella. “It’s looking up,” she said optimistically.
Isabella smiled. “Maybe we’ve found a bit of good luck, for once.” She was more right than she knew.