Chapter 6

Sailing Freebooter Home

Rin was leaning against the railing of the port quarterdeck gazing up into the endless night sky. As Sousuke came storming up towards him, he prepared for whatever his second in command was going to tell him. Sousuke leaned against the railing besides him and exhaled loudly, running a hand through his tousled locks.

"Was it good for you at least?" Rin finally asked as he glanced over to his friend. Sousuke chuckled but his smile quickly fell.

"Is he alive? We need him alive." Rin went on before full on turning to Sousuke, who nodded as an answer.

"He didn't say anything new. I said everything under the sun that I could but nothing. I'm sorry, Rin." The captain only shook his head before sighing as well.

"It's alright mate. They are our prisoners now, we'll get answers eventually. Do whatever you wish to Makoto but like I said keep him alive. It's all I ask, aye?"

"Aye, cap'n." Sousuke agreed as he stood tall and leaned against the railing fully. "And what of Makoto's crew, what do you want to with them?"

"We no longer need them, and I don't particularly feel like killing them. Have Kazuki steer us towards home. We'll give Gou the lads then we'll resupply."

"Hmm…what about when we get to land, what will you do?" Rin didn't answer only raising his crimson brow, so his first mate continued.

"Will you leave Haru on the ship or keep him with you?"

"Tch…" Rin huffed as he turned to now stare out into the black sea. "What will you do?"

"I have enough chains that I'm sure that whale scum won't escape. I don't trust taking him into the city." Sousuke mused with a slight smirk. Rin thought over his friends answer for a moment and sighed as he leaned his head back to look at the night sky.

It was best that Makoto stayed on the ship for they wanted people to believe that the captain was now dead. It was different with Haru. Rin trusted his crew but at the same time there were too many things that could happen while they were in port. It wasn't worth the risk.

"I'll take him ashore with us. I don't want him out of my sight, if I can help it."

"Just don't go falling in love with him, cap'n." Sousuke chuckled yet full on laughed as the redhead buccaneer punched his shoulder before storming off. There were barely any lanterns hung among them so the darkness hid Rin's blush well and good.

The pirate captain fled all the way back to his quarters. He opened the door and momentarily froze as his gaze landed on the asleep sea creature. Haru was still huddled in the corner of the room. Rin took a second to gaze at him before turning back through his door. He reached out for a lantern to bring inside his quarters.

He then quietly closed the door and locked it behind him. Sousuke had the only other key and would come retrieve him if he was needed. For now, it was just Rin and the sea creature prison, just as the captain wanted. The redhead maneuvered around his room being quiet as possible. He didn't want to wake Haru quite yet.

His first mate's words rang in his ears, but he ignored them. Those thoughts were forced down to the outskirts of his thoughts. They held some truth to them, though. No, Rin was not one for falling in love at first sight, yet he wasn't blind either. Despite the fascination of being a supernatural being, Haru as a human was no less of a gorgeous sight.

Makoto had done a fine job of keeping his prisoner in top condition. Instead of letting Haru brown and burn, his skin was still pale. As pale and white as a perfect pearl from the depths. As Rin had also found out for himself, the hair of the merman was silky and soft to the touch. That was rare among sailing fold and it made Rin wish to run his fingers through the locks once again. Then there were those eyes.

Those cold cerulean blue eyes held as much mysteries as the seas from which they came. Rin's spine shivered as he thought of that glare from earlier. That look had been deadly and yet Rin wasn't ashamed to admit that it had been sexually hawt as well.

He was besides the still sleeping creature now, crouched in front of him. He bit his lip as he thought back to what he had said to Haru earlier, about "enjoying" him. It wasn't right. If anything was to transpire between them it would at least be with consent.

It was a line he would not cross, even if he was a ruthless pirate.

Rin let out a hiss as his legs began to ache from the weird crouch position. He changed himself around before glancing over to his bed then back to his prisoner. He wouldn't break his rule, but at the same time he was allowed to have fun. He reached out and squeezed Haru's shoulder so to wake him.

Thanks to quick reflexes Rin managed to grab Haru's tied wrist before it had made contact with his own head. Haru had jumped awake and had reacted without thinking so he paled in terror as he came to realize who he had tried to attack. It didn't help that Rin wore a bored expression.

"From what you went through I expected that, so I'll let it slide this time. But not a second, we understand each other?" Rin mused as he still held onto Haru's wrist and made sure their gazes were connected.

Haru didn't respond and turned his gaze away.

"I'll take that as a yes. Now, I'm going to cut your legs free. I dare you to kick me." Rin teased as he pulled a dagger out from his boot. Even though Haru had heard what the captain was going to do he still jumped away. He struggled to get away from the dagger that was cutting the ropes at his ankles. The redhead reached out and held the trembling limp still.

"Stop wiggling, Haru!" Rin barked. Haru had gone still at his name and it was just long enough for the pirate to cut away the binds. Rin smirked at the success before pulling the captured creature to his feet.

He then guided them from one side of his room to another, not without grabbing a pair of irons from his desk. He sat Haru down on the goose feathered bed then secured the irons upon his wrists. Once the irons were on, Rin used the dagger again to cut away the rope, leaving the merman in icy chains instead of flesh burning rope.

Haru touched the left metal ring with his fingertips before letting both of his hands drop to his lap. He still didn't look up at Rin. The captain sighed but his face fell into unease.

"Hey…" He started and Haru didn't react still. Rin could let it go for now, "…listen, I'm not going to…I won't make you do anything with me. I didn't mean what I said earlier, alright?"

The captain was rubbing the back of his neck in slight shyness. He too had been looking away but managed to catch the merman glancing up at him. Rin smiled as their eyes locked for just a moment before Haru returned his gaze to his lap. If the captain could never get Haru to talk to him, at least he could start to read Haru's expressions.

"We're going to our home port, did Makoto ever take or tell you about Samezuka?" Haru had froze at the name. Rin took notice of it and knew that would be his only answer. So Makoto had mentioned the island that all pirates called home.

Samezuka was a pirates' haven if you will. If you weren't a pirate it was a dangerous island filled with drunks and rowdy buccaneers. People who would shoot you if you even looked at them wrong. Then again if you sailed under black colors it was a treasure trove filled with prostitutes, endless supplies, and all the rum a sailor could stomach. What Rin didn't know was why Haru had gone stiff at the mention of the island. Samezuka had been the place Makoto's crew had talked about selling the sea creature before their captain had silenced them.

"Ah, so you know of it, good. When we get there you'll accompany me to shore. I'll be taking Makoto's crew to my sister. Then we're resupplying the ship. If you don't try to escape, we won't have a problem, get the picture?"

There was once again no response, but Rin could see that Haru knew what the captain was getting at.

"Alright then, scoot over."

To be continued...

Note: So I've posted this story to AO3 and started working on this story once again. Whatever I put on Ao3 I promise to add to this story. Thank you all for the support of this story and comments. I wouldn't be doing this without you all. Enjoy the chapter and look forward to more.