Burning Sea

Burning Sea

hato-chiisai

Disclaimer: No own. Piss off.

YAOI WARNING

Chapter 14

The Pirate Island

Ryou moaned and slowly opened his eyes as he felt someone messing with his injured hands. He turned and looked at the long raven hair framing the pale face. The boy looked familiar.

“A-ahmose? “ Ryou asked, as the name suddenly appeared in his mind. The boy looked up and smiled.

“No, but close.” He said, gently and cheerfully. “I’m Mikado. Pleased to meet you, Ryou.” He shook Ryou’s hand gently and Ryou noticed the bandages and sling that encased his arms.

“You’re hurt.”

“I’m fine. You and I are both healing well.” He said, as he inspected Ryou’s hands and arm. He looked back up at Ryou and put a hand on his face. “And your fever is gone. That’s good. Bakura will be very happy when he wakes up.”

“Bakura?”

“Shhh....” Mikado said with a smile and pointed to the bed next to Ryou, where Bakura was sound asleep. “He hasn’t left your side. You’ve been delirious for the past four days. Ahmose worked very hard to keep you alive. Now that the fever has broken, he’s resting.” Mikado pointed to a bed on the other side of the room where a body lay under the sheets. ABut Ahmose still won’t leave you. He has a very strict sense of duty. But now that the fever has broken, I can handle you and he can rest. He’s hardly slept at all the last few days.” Ryou frowned and thought back and he came up with a few blurry images of a pale face, long black hair and intense golden eyes hovering above him. It had to have been Ahmose, for the boy called Mikado had cool sea green eyes. Mikado smiled warmly.

“If you feel like it, you should be taken outside. Fresh air is good, and we’ll leave your bandages off when you go. The wounds need air as well. I may join you for awhile. The weather has been beautiful since the storm. But anyway, are you hungry?”

“Uh, yes, a little.” Ryou said, shyly, though he found Mikado’s talkative nature and gentle words to be quite soothing.

“Muffleduff........” They both turned when Bakura mumbled something and snorted in his sleep. They both realized what was going to happen a moment before it did.

>THUMP!<

“OW!! What the Hell?!?!?” Bakura’s head appeared from over the side of the bed that he had fallen from. He looked around. “What are your orders, captain?” He blurted, groggily. “Ow!” He yelped, as he was hit in the head by a shoe.

“Shut up!” Ahmose snarled, and went back to sleep. Ryou looked at Mikado who was giggling hysterically.

“Good morning Bakura.” Mikado said, and Bakura looked at him.

“Ryou! You’re awake!!”

“His fever has broken.” Mikado said, as Bakura rushed over. Ahmose grumbled and sat up, then came over as well when he saw Ryou was awake.

“How do you feel?” Ahmose asked, feeling Ryou’s forehead.

“...... Okay, I guess.” Ryou said.

“You hungry?” Mikado asked, and Ryou smiled and nodded. AI’ll see about getting you something to eat. Ahmose, we should let his wounds air out. And he should, too.” Ahmose nodded and stood.

“And so should you. Why don’t you both go outside today?”

“Sure.” Mikado said with a nod. Ahmose smiled.

“I’ll have a place for you two set up outside and have some lunch sent your way.” He said, and left the room. Mikado frowned.

“Oh yeah?” He shouted after Ahmose. “And when are YOU gonna rest?!?” Bakura snickered at Mikado.

“Lead the way, Mika.” He said, and earned himself a glare from the shorter boy.

“Oh, shut up. I can’t get Ahmose to stop calling me that, I don’t need you starting too.” He snapped, and stalked out of the room. “You coming?!” He shouted over his shoulder. Bakura grinned and picked up Ryou, blankets and all, and followed him. Ryou flushed slightly as he leaned against Bakura’s chest.

“It’s not my fault that you don’t like your nicknames.” Bakura teased Mikado, who growled.

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t give me nicknames at all.” The boy said.

“Well, Mikado is a bit of a mouthful.” Bakura said.

“No more than Bakura is!!!” Mikado snapped as they went out the door and onto a rock ledge in the cliff that had been made a balcony. Ryou’s eyes widened.

“Ohh......” He gasped, and the arguing pair looked at him.

“Huh?” Bakura said.

“It’s beautiful!” Ryou gasped, looking at the view. Mikado smiled and looked himself.

“It is.” He said. There was scuffling noise in the hall, and then Otogi emerged, dragging a cot behind him. He set it up in the shade and Bakura lay Ryou down on it after they had piled up pillows so Ryou could sit up. Jono came into view dragging what looked like a recliner and Mikado flopped down into it, grinning at Ryou. Ahmose appeared then, followed by Yami and Marik.

“Good morning, Ryou.” Yami said, nodding and smiling, and Marik ruffled Ryou’s hair.

“Nice to see you’re feeling better.” Marik said, and Ryou smiled. Bakura hopped up onto the railing of the balcony. They all looked over as Ahmose knelt in front of Mikado and helped his arm out of the sling and began unwinding the bandages on his arms. They slowly came off, revealing numerous cuts and lacerations all up and down the boy’s arms. Yami frowned at the wounds as Ahmose helped Mikado out of his shirt and unwound the bandages on his torso, revealing even more wounds. Marik and Bakura winced at the sight, and Ryou looked horrified. Ahmose looked Mikado over.

“They’re healing nicely. I’d say you’re about ready to get rid of the sling, and in another week you can loose the bandages completely.” Mikado smiled and nodded as Ahmose kissed his cheek, then moved to check on Ryou. He gently unwound the bandages on his hands and arm and looked at the injuries.

“I see that Bakura’s secret salve has worked its wonders yet again.” He said, smiling. “Make a fist for me.” Ryou obeyed, wincing. “We’ll have to work carefully with the scar tissue. If you do so properly, your hands will be just as good as ever. I’ll give you a lotion to put on later. For now, let’s leave the bandages off. Fresh air can do a lot for injuries like this. Now where is Mako with that lunch?!” He demanded, standing.

“Bitch, bitch, bitch….” Mikado said, and winked at Ryou from where he was relaxing. “Don’t you have anything better to do, Ahmose?”

“Well, if you’re going to be like that, I’m sure I can find something to do.” Ahmose snapped.

“Good. Go to bed.”

“Bakura, now that you know Ryou will be fine, there are a few things I could use your help with.” Yami said. Bakura smiled at Ryou, then nodded.

“Sure thing.” He said, and the pair left, followed by everyone else, leaving Mikado and Ryou alone. Mikado grinned at Ryou and relaxed, closing his eyes. Ryou sighed and snuggled down into his blankets to escape the cool winds.

“So...” Mikado said, suddenly. “You and your friends were kidnapped, eh?” Ryou blinked and nodded, silently. “Was the captain really your... Father?” Again Ryou nodded, and sniffed, trying not to cry. “I’m sorry, that was a bit insensitive of me.” Mikado said.

“No, it’s alright. He’s gone and there’s nothing I can do to change it. All I can do is move on. I miss him, but…“

“RYOU!!!” Both boys jumped at Yugi’s squeal as he and Malik raced out and pounced on Ryou, followed by Marik, smiling at the adorable sight of the pile of happy boys.

“I thought you’d like a little reunion.” Marik said, and Ryou smiled at him.

“Thanks.” He said, as he was crushed in Malik’s embrace.

“Oh, hey Mikado.” Yugi said, and Mikado smiled and nodded. “Are you watching Ryou now?”

“Yes.” Mikado said, and Yugi smiled.

“That’s great! He’s really nice, Ryou, you’ll like him!” Yugi said, and Ryou smiled.

“We were really worried, Ryou.” Malik said. “We were so worried that you’d.....”

“... die...” Yugi finished. Ryou smiled and lay back.

“I’m fine. Just a little tired, that’s all.”

“And hungry, or so I’ve been told.” Mako said as he came out carrying two bowls of soup. He gave them to Mikado and Ryou, then smiled at Yugi and Malik.

“Look what we have!” Yugi squealed, showing off his new clothes, and Malik did as well. “Mikado took our measurements and had these made!”

“There’s some for you too, Ryou!” Malik said, grinning. Ryou looked at Mikado, who smiled.

“You needed your own clothes, instead of wearing Bakura’s.” Mikado said. Ryou quirked an eyebrow as Mikado, Malik and Yugi started giggling. Ryou dug into his soup.

“Alright you two.” Marik said, grinning. “Let’s leave the invalids alone.” He smirked at Mikado, who glared. Malik and Yugi whined. “Well, okay…” Marik said, grinning. “I’ll just dive for pearls all by myself….”

“You’re going pearl diving?!” Malik cried, as Marik walked off.

“Wait for us!” Yugi cried, and they both chased after him. Mikado laughed.

“They’ve been begging Marik to take them pearl diving ever since they saw people doing it the first day.” He explained to Ryou, who smiled and shook his head.

“This is really a beautiful place. Are we in the Cliffside?”

“Yes. The sea and springs carved some extensive cave systems in the cliff. When Ahmose and Yami found it, they chose this island as their home port, and left a lot of people here with supplies. They kept going out and replenishing the supplies until finally, the cave systems were set up as living space. There are about 300 people living here on this island in these caves.”

“Really?” Ryou gasped, amazed.

“Men, women, children, the lot. It’s practically a new colony! And we’re all happy here. We can support ourselves. We have our own livestock up on top of the cliff, and crops. We can support ourselves just fine, but Yami and Pegasus bring us in luxury goods, such as fine spices and wines, expensive clothes and jewelry and what not.”

“Wow.” Ryou said, as he finished his soup. He put down his spoon and looked at Mikado. “How did you meet Ahmose?” He asked, and Mikado smiled.

“Ahmose had just started pirating, and he came across a slave trading ship. I had been captured, and I was being taken to Italy as a slave. He freed all the slaves and took them onto his ship. Most of them are here now. But our resemblance fascinated him, so he kept me with him. We both just kind of hit it off well, and I chose to stay with him on the Shadow Ghoul. Then we fought Yami in a sea battle and we got tired and called a truce. After we had joined forces, Pegasus joined us. So we had three ships and another currently under construction down in a cavern by the bay. But we just captured another, and Mai and Ishizu are captaining it. They will be staying here to protect the Island. Ahmose and I are finally going out to sea again!” Mikado looked very excited about this, and Ryou smiled.

“You all are very friendly for, well…..”

“Pirates?” Mikado finished for him. “We are people who were cast aside by society; seen as nothing but trouble. So we live the only way they have left us to live. Many pirates are mean, but we are just… people who have no other option. And now, you’re one of us, or so I hope. I like you. And you will learn to like this life. I have lived another life, and I much prefer this one. For the first time, I am happy. I have all I need. I have a home, a family, and a lover. I am never cold at night, nor do I suffer from hunger. All that we need is provided here. I challenge you to find a single place on earth aside from here that so many people are so happy.” Ryou smiled slightly at Mikado, and knew his words were true. He sighed and turned to look at the view again.

The sun was shining in a cloudless sky. The lagoon was the most brilliant aquamarine. The sands at its shores were a bright gleaming white and was surrounded by the emerald green foliage. This place truly was paradise.

Tropical birds flew past the ledge-turned-balcony he lounged on, and not far from the balcony was a small waterfall tricking down the face of the cliff. Ryou sighed and relaxed, when suddenly, a monkey came leaping over the railing of the ledge, chittering excitedly. Ryou watched as the monkey, who was wearing pants, ran over to Mikado.

“What have you got there, Kuwabara.?” (AN: HA!! Still sticking to the YuYu Hakusho theme for non-human characters!! Kuwabara is the monkey!!!) the monkey chattered non-stop, jumping up and down on Mikado’s lap, waving a folded piece of paper around wildly. Mikado snatched it, and the monkey hopped to his shoulder and begn picking through his hair, looking for anything to eat.

“Stop that, you won’t find anything…” Mikado grumbled, and opened the note. He smirked, then grabbed the feather quill stuck in the monkey’s pants and scribbled something, then folded the note and gave it back to the monkey.

“Take this to Jono, Kuwabara.” The monkey chattered and leapt off of the balcony.

“What was that all about?” Ryou asked.

“Jono being stupid again. He locked himself in the store room again.” Mikado said with a grin, and finished his soup.

“Again?”

“Yes. Again. I told him to ask Tris for help, that I was injured and could not aid him.” At that moment, Kuwabara returned and handed a note to Mikado, who opened it, then laughed. “Apparently, Tris is locked in with him.” Ryou giggled and Mikado began scribbling a note back. “Are… you…sure.. you… want.. to…. get… out? One… would.. think.. you’d…. like… being … locked… up…. with …. Tris…..” He folded the note and gave it back, grinning.

“You’re mean.” Ryou giggled, and Mikado nodded.

“Yup.” After a few minutes the monkey returned and Mikado read the note. “Jono says I can bite him.” He said, grinning, then scribbled another note. “Kuwabara, take this to Seto.” The monkey left and Mikado grinned. “Seto will be sure to rub this into their faces.” The boy said, and looked over at Ryou. “You look half dead. Maybe you should take a nap.” Ryou yawned and nodded.

“Maybe I should….” He mumbled, and snuggled down into his blankets, drifting off to sleep.


Next chapter, Ryou gets a tour of the island, and gets new clothes.

Pirate’s Day Off