If one was to ask Samuel Beechworth would grudgingly inform you his worst enemy was: Bed Rest. He was an active man by nature, he didn't enjoy being caged up for any reason. So being trapped inside a small house, away from the ocean and his beloved Amaranth was a nightmare for the elder man.

"I'm fine Corvo."

There's annoyance in the boatman's voice as he narrowed his eyes upon the stubborn man across from him. He's lying- if not for the Kurama he'd likely be dead- but Samuel wasn't one to let such a small issues as a child has misguidingly poisoning him keep the Boatman away from his Amaranth any longer then he had already been.

"Samuel," The younger's voice is gentle, "I want to believe you, I really do, and maybe I would have. Had I not just watched you cough up a lung."

A firm look entered those dark eyes as the boatman went to protest. It wasn't a lung, just a couple gallons of blood. He's coughed up worse.

"The only place you are going is the shower to get all that blood off you while I throw these covers into the wash. Then you're going back to bed until I deem you fit enough to actually leave the house. "

"Bu-"

"If you dare argue with me over this, I will wash you myself and chain you to the bed."

For some reason, Samuel finds he feels like a child again, caught under his mother's disapproving stare. His jaw shuts with an audible click before looking away from the other man.

A shower does him some good after all, the hot waters help scrub the blood away and smooth the ache in his bones while granting him time to think. At times, the Royal Protector was like a Mother Hen though usually it was resolved solely for his young Empress and not the boatman. Now Samuel's only problem was how to get away from the Mother Hen and back to his Amaranth without the other noticing?

Slowly blue eyes scan the room before landing on the small window just above the shower. Waste not, want not. He highly doubted he could use the front door after all. Its been a literal lifetime since he's done something like this- actually had the need to- but Samuel finds he easily slips through the small space and lands onto the ground below with a feather light touch. It would seem he still hasn't lost despite not having a need for such skill since the days he ran from Iruka.

The Boatman is smiling as he quickly sprints for the harbor. If he's in Amaranth by time Corvo discovers the trick, the younger will have no solid ground to drag him back.

Their sensors had picked up a subtle spike in Kyuubi charka from Wave.

To be bluntly honest, he doesn't know why he's doing this.

He doesn't know why he bothered to lie but when contacted he told them he looked into the sudden spike only to find the source already missing. He doesn't know why he didn't tell them about the old man with ocean blue eyes and a friendly smile going by the name of Samuel Beechworth.

He doesn't know why he didn't bother reporting them when Samuel, the darker man and the child first showed up immediately after the time frame they had used the ritual.

He wasn't a very good spy, was he?

He could play the part, act the civilian merchant with basic training, but when it came to delivering the goods... Heh, he could never quite fall thorough. Troublesome.

Then again, what else should he expect from anything involving Naruto?

There's a man he doesn't know sitting within the Amaranth with Samuel by time Corvo arrives. It takes everything the Royal Proctor has not to march towards the two talking man and throw the stranger into the ocean but instead he chooses to blink just close enough to hear but not too close to be noticed.

"-Troublesome Old Man."

A laugh leaves the Boatman, his blue eyes sparkling like the waters below.

"Everything's 'Troublesome' to you, Shika."

"Yes, but you're a special type of troublesome, one worthy of its own category. After all not many others run to a boat when they have enough poison in them to kill an army. Who did you manage to piss off that they would be that desperate?"

"No one. My Empress was attempting to play matchmaker." The Boatman's tone was gentle without the least bit of anger or frustration that most man would have shown in his stead, "Though I'm more concerned over who was stupid enough to sell poison to a child is what worries me more."

"You're age must be getting to you, Samuel. There are Shinobi younger then her capable of getting even deadlier poisons these days."

The Boatman hums softly.

"I supposed I've grown unused to it."

He doesn't like the way the other watches his Boatman nor the way he shifts slightly so their knees are touching despite the other spaces he could have placed them.

"So... You dating the 'Dark One'?"

The Boatman chokes, suddenly giving the other his full attention.

"No, Corvo and I are just friends. Nothing more." The Royal Protector can't help but scowl seeing how the stranger; Shika, relaxes slightly, "... Dark One?"

"His eyes," Shika says as though it explains everything, "there's something twisted in them. Dark, vile, disturbed, ev-"

"Shikamaru." The Boatman's tone is harsh, startling the Royal Protector but the other; Shikamaru seems almost used to it.

"I've known you've seen it as well Samuel. Those aren't the eyes of a man but a monster who would happily tear the world asunder."

"Its not like that Shika, Corvo just had some rough times recently. He just needs some time and less judgment from those who don't know him."

Sometimes it almost painful how trusting Samuel is of him, but Corvo's heard enough. He doesn't need this stranger trying to drive in another wedge. He blinks behind the man. Ocean blue eyes instantly lock onto him as the younger tenses in his spot; words dying on the tip of his tongue. The boatman on the other hand just smiles.

"Corvo, we where just talking abut you. Take a seat. "

He's half tempted to do just that but a barely hidden cough from the elder reminds him of why he's really there.

"Samuel, I thought I told you that you weren't leaving the house today."

"I wasn't aware you've suddenly became my mother, Corvo."

"I'm not. I'm your friend and as such I'm well within my righteous reasons to keep you inside until you're properly healed."

Never once does his dark eyes leave the man.

He can't sleep. Its not the first time the Royal Protector has suffered this issue but usually there was a different source: Nightmares, The Outsider, Memories. Yet not this time, this time his insomnia is self inflicted.

The boatman looks peaceful when he sleeps, one hand tucked under his head like a pillow while the other's arm is stretched closer to Corvo thanks to the cuffs around both men's wrist. If one wasn't looking closely, Corvo doubted anyone would notice that the boatman's skin was a shade paler then normal or the slight gleam of sweat on his forehead.

Such a stubborn man.

Still, stubbornness wasn't all that bad. It kept his partners alive when he couldn't bother to and it was likely stubbornness and misplaced faith that kept Samuel from believing that bastard.

But still...

'I've known you've seen it as well'

What exactly did Samuel see when he looked into his eyes?

Though he doesn't want to admit it the Royal Protector jumps when a sudden weight wraps itself firmly around his waist and drags him across the be.

"Go to sleep, Corvo. You're thinking so loud I'm certain the dead can hear you."

Samuel. He's not sure when the boatman woke or how he didn't notice seeing how he was staring intently at the man but despite the firmness of his tone there's an underline warmth to it. He doesn't want to sleep, he need to stay awake least the boatman tries pulling another stunt but the elder is warm and comfortable. The raise and fall of his chest with each steady heartbeat is like a lullaby slowly luring him into the abyss.

As though he could read his mind, a sigh leaves the elder.

"I'll still be here when you wake. Promise. "

'I'm being recalled the day after tomorrow. They're planning to be sending a new squad to infiltrate Wave soon. It'll most likely be followed with another assault so no one notices the switch when its done. The Hokage is certain Naruto is hiding within this village and well... She's not wrong, but I don't think that's a good thing for you'

A soft sigh leaves the boatman as he stares upon the wooden ceiling above the bed. Its was a shame Shikamaru was leaving so soon, but the boatman appreciated his old friend's warning.

'Go to sleep, Samuel. You can plot a way out of this disaster in the morning.'