Burning Sea

Burning Sea

hato-chiisai

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh.

YAIO WARNING Ryou/Bakura, Yami/Yugi, Malik/Marik, Seto/Otogi, Joey/Tristan, Mai/Ishizu, Mikado/Ahmose

Chapter 13

The Other Captains

The rain soaked the long raven hair as the owner stood between two large torches, watching the huge black ship slide into the port. The men on the docks caught the ropes tossed by the men on the ship, everyone calling out greetings to one another over the storm. Not a single soul was dry, and not a single soul cared. The gang plank was raised to the ship, and men swarmed on board, running down to the hold to unload the stolen cargo, dodging between the tired men as they disembarked from the boat, their arms full of things from the hold. They all greeted each other eagerly, hugging here and there as good friends were reunited.

The pale boy with the long black hair twitched. Normally, he would be among those men, unloading the ship. He was always in the middle of all of the action, but the sling one arm rested in and the bandages on the other arm prevented him this time. His eyes searched the crowd of noisy men for three men in particular. Suddenly, his turquoise eyes caught a blur of motion and he looked up to the bow, smiling as a man swung off of the bow of the boat and landed on the deck before him. The boy smiled.

“Welcome home, Yami.” He said, reaching out to embrace the captain carefully with his bandaged arm. Yami embraced the boy gently, well aware of his wounds.

“Glad to be back, Mikado. How are the injuries?”

“Healing. Thanks to Ahmose, there shouldn’t be any scarring.”

“Wonderful. Where IS Ahmose? I need him, urgently.”

“He’s somewhere about. He was fussing over your room, making sure that it was clean and warm for you. Not to mention dry.” Mikado said, grinning, but Yami did not grin back.

“I need him, now.” He said.


“What’s wrong?” Another voice said, and what appeared to be Mikado’s twin emerged from the shadows, dangerous golden eyes glowing.

“Someone is severely ill.” Yami said.

“Marik or Bakura?” Mikado asked.

“Neither.” Yami said and turned back to the ship, waving his arm. Four silhouettes waved back, and then disappeared. “This way.” Yami said, getting nearer to the ship. “Remember the three prisoners I told you about?”

“Yes.” Ahmose and Mikado said in unison.

“Do they really look just like you?” Mikado asked, eagerly. Yami nodded.

“Bakura’s look-a-like is in bad shape. He stayed out in the storm all night last night, and he’s come down with a horrible fever.”

“He’s the one with the injured hands, correct?” Ahmose asked, in his usual icy tone.

“Yes.” Yami said, and looked up. A small cargo net was lowered over the edge of the ship with a body in it, and it was lowered to Yami’s level by ropes on each corner, as the gang plank was still swarming with men. Mikado’s eyes widened and Ahmose’s narrowed at the sight of the youth in the net. Ryou trembled and shivered despite the blanket he was wrapped in, as the rain fell gently onto his face. Yami reached into the net and lifted Ryou into his arms. The net was quickly pulled back up, and then lowered again, this time with two figures. When the net stopped, Yugi and Malik climbed out, and the net was brought back up. Marik and Bakura left the ship the same way Yami had; swinging off on ropes.

“What are we waiting for?!” Bakura demanded. “Let’s get him out of the rain!” And he took Ryou and headed towards the fortress built into the cliff side. Yami turned and searched the crowd.

“MAKO!” He called, and the man ran up.

“Aye, sir?”

“Forget unloading the ship. I need some hot soup for Ryou in, oh, one hour.”

“One hour. Right sir.” Mako said, and ran off. Yami, Mikado, Ahmose, Marik, Malik and Yugi followed Bakura up into the cliffs. After several climbs up stone carved stairs, Bakura entered a room filled with beds, and laid Ryou down on one. Ryou coughed, and rolled onto his side, curling up into a little ball. Ahmose immediately knelt and pried Ryou out of that position and had him lie flat on his back. He removed the damp blanket from Ryou and felt his forehead. The boy was burning up, yet shivering violently. He picked Ryou up, and moved him to the bed closest to the empty fireplace.


“Light a fire.” He ordered, and Marik hurried to do so. Ahmose rubbed Ryou’s hair dry with a cloth, then had Bakura hold Ryou in a sitting position as he removed the bandages around Ryou’s waist. He looked over the welts carefully, Mikado inspecting them as well over his shoulder.

“Get some water.” Mikado said, and Yami ran off to do so. He returned with a bowl of water and a clean cloth, and Ahmose began cleaning the wounds around Ryou’s body. He then re-bandaged them, and repeated the process with Ryou’s arm and hands, then tucked the boy into bed. It was then that Mako entered, carrying a bowl of soup. He handed it to Yami, and left silently. Ahmose and Bakura pulled Ryou into a sitting position again, and propped him against the head of the bed. Bakura reached out and stroked Ryou’s cheek, while Mikado handed Ahmose a vile of powder, which the taller boy sprinkled into the soup.

“Ryou? Can you hear me? Wake up.” Bakura said softly, and slowly, Ryou’s eyes opened. “Ryou, this is Ahmose. He’s going to take care of you, all right? You need to eat this soup now. Can you do that?” Ryou blinked and slowly nodded. The group stood around as Bakura fed Ryou the soup, very slowly. Ryou didn’t even finish half before he fell asleep again, so they tucked him in and left him alone. Ahmose looked around at the group.

“Go change into something dry. All of you.” He said. “Mikado, I’ll help you.” Mikado nodded his thanks, as his injuries prevented him from changing clothes himself, and they all left the room. They returned soon enough in dry clothes, as Mako came in, once again bearing soup, this time in a lager bowl, and carrying some smaller bowls for everyone to eat from. Now in dry clothes, they all sat down for lunch.

“Ahmose, Mikado.” Yami said. “This is Yugi, and Malik. Yugi, Malik, this is Mikado and Ahmose, the captains of the Shadow Ghoul.” Everyone exchanged greetings. “We captured them off of the Lady of Faith.” Yami told Ahmose and Mikado, then frowned. “You said that the Relinquished helped you in the battle with the Spanish ship?”

“Yes.” Ahmose said.

“Pegasus is back?”

“I am.” A voice said from the door, and a tall man with long silvery hair and a patch over his left eye entered, limping slightly. Yami, Marik and Bakura stood briefly, as Pegasus entered and sat down between Ahmose and Marik. “I just finished taking inventory of what you brought in. A fruitful voyage, Yami, I congratulate you.” Yami nodded.

“Thank you. And how was your voyage? Where did you go again?”

“Well, you stayed in the Mediterranean, correct?”

“We did.”


“I sailed north, up to the British Islands, and in towards St. Petersburg. Hit Copenhagen on the way.” (AN: No idea if these cities existed back then. I’m wingin’ it here, kay?)

“Was it worth your trip?”

“It was. I sail south next, to Africa.”

“A good idea. Try the Canary Islands, as well. I plan to head to the east Mediterranean next time. Try and hit Constantinople.” (AN: Today, that’s Istanbul)

“Risky, Yami.”

“But well worth it, my friend. We may hit Greece as well. And I want to hit Rome before the year ends.” Yami said. Yugi and Malik listened to all of this in fascination.

“If it is alright with you.....” Ahmose said, after a moment. “When Mikado heals, I would like to take a trip myself.”

“Of course.” Yami said. AIt’s been far too long since you have been out to sea. But who can stay?” Ahmose smirked.

“We have some people working on the Spanish ship.” Mikado said, smiling. “We find a captain and a crew for her, and we could soon have three ships out on voyages instead of just two.”

“Hmm... Looks like we’re starting our own fleet.” Yami said, smiling. “Marik? Bakura? Would either of you like to captain her?”

“No. I’d rather stay with you.” Bakura said.

“Umm... If I may....” Marik said, frowning. “I believe that Mai and Ishizu would make excellent captains. I would suggest Seto, but I know he would refuse. He enjoys sailing with you.”

“Mai and Ishizu....” Yami mused, thinking this over. “Yes. I do like that idea... Marik could you go find them and bring them here?” Marik nodded and stood, leaving the room.

“That reminds me.” Pegasus said. “I have two new hawks. Perfect, no?”

“Wonderful.” Yami said, grinning.

“Their names are Botan and Keiko.” (AN: Sticking to the YuYuHakusho theme for the names of the hawks. Now we got Kurama, Hiei, Botan, Koenma, Keiko, Yukina and Yuusuke! Yay!)

“Very well.” Yami said.


“I’m a bit partial to Keiko, so if the ladies want the ship, they may have Botan.” Pegasus offered, and Yami nodded. “A few chicks, as well. Call them Yuusuke, Yukina and Koenma. They’re trained, just not ready for rough weather flying. I’m too busy with them. Perhaps, since your young captives have no duties as of yet, they can care for them?”

“A good idea.” Yami said. “Bring the chicks to me later. I’ll care for Ryou’s until he is recovered.”

“If he recovers.” Pegasus said, with a frown, and Ahmose scowled.

“He WILL recover. I will see to it personally.” He said. At that moment, Marik returned with the women.


”You wanted us, Yami?” Mai asked. Yami nodded.

“Yes. While we were gone, Ahmose and Pegasus captured a Spanish war ship. She is under renovations as we speak. When she is ready, would you do me the honor of captaining her?” Ishizu and Mai’s eyes widened. “I will sorely miss you from my crew, but I believe you are some of the most capable people on the entire island.”

“We’d be honored!” Mai gasped, after glancing at Ishizu.

“You may name her, if you wish.” Ahmose said. The woman nodded.

“I have a sea hawk for you. I’ll give her to you later.” Pegasus said, and the women looked delighted.

“Once she is sea worthy, would you be so kind as to stay here with her and guard the island for a while? It has been nearly a year and a half since Mikado and Ahmose have gone out to sea.”

“Oh, we would be happy to, Yami! In fact....” Mai’s voice drifted off. Ishizu sighed, and continued.

“We had been taking about asking you to dismiss us from your crew. We have wanted to come back here and stay for a while for quite some time. We need more feminine company than Tea.”

“That would be wonderful. Well, this works out for everyone! Mai, Ishizu, oversee the renovations if you wish.” Yami said, and the women thanked them hastily, and then eagerly ran to see their new ship. Yami then turned and looked at Mikado.

“So, exactly what happened to you in the battle?” He asked, gesturing to the boy’s bandages and sling.


“Oh. Not much. A cannon ball hit the ship near me and I was hit by the flying splinters. A lot of them were pretty big. I looked like a porcupine.” Mikado snickered, and Ahmose scowled.

“It’s not funny. If it weren’t for Koto, you would have been killed.” The man snarled, and Mikado looked down. Ahmose looked at Yami. “Koto is among the dead, Yami. He saved Mikado’s life. Mikado would have had splinters through his head as well if it weren’t for Koto. That Spanish ship was formidable. If it weren’t for Pegasus and the Relinquished, it may not have been a victory.” Yami looked at Pegasus who returned Ahmose’s grateful nod.

“You were injured as well, were you not?” He asked, and Pegasus nodded.

“I got a knife in the leg. Nothing major.” Pegasus said, explaining his limp.

“That’s good. And I’m glad Mikado will be alright.” Yami said, and Mikado smiled and nodded. At that moment, Ryou whimpered and shifted in his sleep. Ahmose looked over at Ryou, and then stood.

“I should stay near him.” He said. “And the rest of you have things to do, so go do them.” And he strode over to Ryou’s bedside. Yami and the others snickered at Ahmose’s authoritative personality and went about their business.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Whee! Chapter 13 done! Hooray! R&R everyone!!!