Upper Class 5/?
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 1:56 pm
Thanks for reading, crew! It?s been almost a year already since I started this fic, so those who have stayed with me on this from the beginning, I LOVE YOU. ^_^ I hope you continue to read, no matter how slowly I update.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.
*~Upper Class~* Part Five
By Gundam Girl
Standing on the starboard side of her ship, looking out at the clear afternoon sea, Dorothy was very pleased with herself. She had been able to conjure up good manners from years and years ago, and had written a decent letter to her cousin. No doubt Luchrezia had been surprised. Dorothy was a rough-necked pirate, wasn?t she? She grinned; the Catalonias had been a shamed branch of the Noins by society, but Dorothy enjoyed it dearly. How often was it that a woman became captain of a highly respected crew?
Not often, and Dorothy was known for being one. They had been sailing for a day now. With the Belladonna being notably smaller than the Ivory Damsel, it was also faster. In a day or two, they would be caught up with Captain Heero Yuy. Aye, she was looking forward to it. The rumor, the legend that Yuy was would be a challenge, which was a thing Dorothy never had been known to turned down.
Milliardo would have set out by now as well, Dorothy mused. But he would undoubtedly be using one of those enormous, painfully slow vessels. Yet between his and Governor Winner?s money, they would remain stocked of fresh water and food and unlike Dorothy or Heero, they would not require stopping at civilized islands or countries for supplies.
The odds were indeed interesting. And Dorothy had no qualms about racing Milliardo Peacecraft, be he distant relative or not. He wasn?t her blood, but his wife was. And it was Luchrezia she was serving. Still, if Peacecraft got to Relena before she did, Dorothy was certain that Milliardo would dissuade his wife against even an attempt salary.
Dorothy just couldn?t have that. Smiling, she closed her eyes and felt the wind against her face. May it blow clean and strong, she thought.
---
?How long have we been sailing?? Milliardo asked his ship captain, Quinze.
?Six hours, Mr. Peacecraft.? Quinze smiled at his employer between thin lips. Baron Milliardo Peacecraft was indeed the best client he had ever had. And Governor Quatre Winner was indeed the richest.
Irritated, Milliardo continued, ?How far away from England are we? You better tell me we have made good distance.?
?I am a Christian man, Baron Peacecraft, and God wishes us all not to lie.? Quinze looked over his helm out to the water-lined horizon. ?Our time is ill. But my navigator believes that, from what the Dover fisherman said, the Ivory Damsel could be heading up the North Sea, possibly to Scotland.?
?Possibly,? Milliardo growled.
?Another scenario is that they intend to sail over the country and go toward the Caribbean, or possibly the United States.? Quinze folded his arms. ?The trouble, sir, is that the Ivory Damsel makes little and brief contact with anyone in countries. They?re said to supply from small islands, which makes it close to impossible to trace their whereabouts. Chances are they were just sailing by Dover and decided to see if the governor had anything of interest to them.?
Joining them, Quatre scowled, an expression that was seldom seen on him usually, but was slowly becoming his only one. ?My butler claims to have seen a pirate in Dover the afternoon Miss Peacecraft arrived. The Ivory Damsel was the only strange ship recorded to be in the harbor that day, though they signed under a different ship name and alias of course. My butler also claims that Miss Peacecraft spoke to the pirate he saw, and my instincts tell me that he, the pirate, was surely a member of the Ivory Damsel.? His frown deepened. ?The crew could not possibly know that the butler, as Miss Peacecraft?s escort, was mine, Mr. Quinze, nor that Miss Peacecraft was staying in my house. How could they have thought to kidnap her in such a short time when it was not yet even public knowledge that she and I were engaged??
?It was most likely a common matter of chance, Governor,? Quinze replied steadily.
?Common?? Quatre seethed. ?It is no more common than it is to see snow in June!?
?Quatre, calm yourself.? Milliardo?s own blood heated with rage, however. ?Are you at least aware of Yuy?s previous actions, Mr. Quinze??
?Yes, sir, of course. All sailors know of Heero Yuy. He plunders sailing ships normally, preferring to keep his work over water, but he now and then takes from a grounded house, as is obvious.?
?So his next task would likely be a proceeding vessel, correct?? queried Quatre.
Quinze nodded, his light blue eyes surveying the weather again. ?It is the higher chance. To my knowledge, there are currently three English ships off dock. In these waters, I would otherwise expect Scottish and French vessels. The Scottish are not to be taken lightly, as they are largely warriors, and the French are cunning. But both are wealthy and either could be threat or benefit to any pirate. My suggestion would be to continue on our current course north. We can continue this speculation once we reach the top of Scotland.?
Nodding, Quatre moved away, down a short set of stairs. Milliardo followed him and both men leaned against the sturdy side of their rented ship, the Epyonis.
?I don?t even care to guess what they intend to do with her, Milliardo,? said Quatre grimly. ?This is the first time in my life I?ve had the misfortune of dealing with piracy.?
?The same is true for me,? Milliardo told him, staring at a fluffy cloud above them. It was still grayish; the rain had not stopped for even two hours yet. ?I never counted on experiencing it. But now?Relena. We could be completely wrong. They could be hiding in France. They could be halfway to America!?
?It is my fault. Damn it, the baron?s sister!? Quatre let out a short, cold chuckle. ?What a fool I was to not have had guard?s posted around my house. Anyone who had a mind to shoot out at you could have somehow gained knowledge of her arrival and have taken her before I even saw her.? Balling up a fist, he bashed it on the smooth wood. ?Blast!?
?You need to stop this before you drive yourself mad,? Milliardo said calmly.
?I am mad!? Quatre exclaimed, loudly now. ?I?m bloody insane, Milliardo! They took her! They took her from me! And I did nothing, absolutely nothing to stop them as they came, grabbed her, and went.?
?We will regain her,? the baron assured him fiercely. ?I will kill myself before I let Relena stay in the hands of pirates such as the Ivory Damsel?s.?
?I shall do so before you,? Quatre countered. Swiveling on his heel, he called over his shoulder: ?I?m going to see if this hell of a ship won?t go any faster.?
Milliardo sighed, and lifted his hand to run his fingers through the length of his pale hair. This wrong is grave. What could Heero Yuy possibly want with Relena? Would they not have ransomed her by now?
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the only thing his wife always insisted he keep with him at all time?a dark red rosary. And, knowing nothing else to do, he prayed.
---
Relena closed her eyes to shield them from the glare of the sun, but she did not turn away. It was the first time in the two days she had been on this ship that the sun had shone, sparkling over the water. She sat in a small chair beside the window now, as she had done whenever she had not been sleeping. None of the crew had prompted her to come out but for once, when the woman named Hilde had cheerfully suggested she come up on deck to see the ocean. Relena had politely told her that she could see it very well from where she was sitting. Catherine had silently been bringing her meals on a tray, of which Relena only ate small portions. The idea of becoming a slave had quelled much of her basic need for food, and depression was slowly setting in. She also figured that she looked ? and smelled ? atrocious. But that fit with the pirate atmosphere, didn?t it?
Captain Yuy had not come to her. She had not seen him since the scene in the kitchen the morning before. Relena didn?t know where he was sleeping, but the room had been left to her, at least as long as he wished it. A small part of her wondered what specifically he had planned for her; how long she would be on this ship, who she would be sold to, what she would have to go through.
Slowly, Relena opened her eyes. Semi-restless, she stood gracefully from her chair and roamed casually about the chamber. She had not really explored the area, had merely surveyed it with her eyes. Without any hurry, she walked to the dresser she had noticed the first time she had come in here. She glanced quickly in the mirror and winced. Her hair was matted; her face was paler than usual, and there was some crust in the inner corners of her eyes. Reaching into the small washing basin on top of the dresser, Relena grabbed the cloth and quickly washed her face. Her cheeks were now pinker from the chill of the water, but her hair? Sliding open the top drawer, she hunted for a comb.
What she found was a shaving blade. The sunlight crossed the metal, and it winked at her welcomingly. In half-wonder, Relena lifted it, testing its weight. How odd, she thought absently, that such a small, light object could be so deadly. That it could cause the death of a person if a someone slipped in its use.
Or, she amended, intended such a thing.
The blade was sharp; Relena could see that just by looking at it. Here, she mused, was the weapon she had so longed for when she had first met Yuy. It would not take much pressure. The slightest of touches would slide through flesh as though it were butter.
As she held the object in one hand, Relena inspected her fingers; they were small, soft, and elegant. Such fingers would do tedious work, when she was a slave, and would probably do it poorly. The fault of that, if it was a fault, was in her upbringing. Would she be whipped, she wondered, as the dark-skinned folk in the United States were whipped?
That would be worse, she mused, then death. Not seeing her brother again would be worse. Never being happy again? Next to that, Relena found she would prefer death.
Holding the shaving knife up, Relena saw it was more brilliant than ever now, landing a strip of light across her clear blue eyes. Turning her other hand palm-up, Relena closed her eyes. She sent the point of the knife flying downward to her wrist.
The felt something warm and liquid against her neck, but did not feel the pain she had expected. Confused, Relena?s eyes shot open and stared into the dark blue ones of Heero Yuy.
Heero?s glare was blackening as the blade dropped from Relena?s slack grip and clattered to the wood floor beneath them. Blood continued to slip from the wound on Heero?s palm as Relena?s lower lip trembled and she stepped away from him and collapsed onto the bed.
?Heero,? she breathed, eyes wide. She was too shocked to realize she had used his first name.
His eyes did not leave hers as she stared at him. ?Did you think it would be beneficial for you to slice through your hand??
Relena?s tongue was floored to the bottom of her mouth, and could only emit short, low noises of distress. ?Why,? she whispered when she remembered what words were, ?why would you??
She had terrified him, Heero thought. Standing in the doorway, watching her point a knife at herself with obvious intent to harm, Heero had sprung without a second thought and took the blow for her. Now, he had absolutely no idea as to why he had. And his hand was throbbing wickedly.
?God,? she murmured, seeing the crimson puddle of the floor grow. Hastily, she ripped the biggest piece of cloth she could from her dress. Rising on shaking ankles, she wrapped the makeshift bandage around his hand. ?You may need stitches.?
?I?ll not.? Fascinated, he momentarily forgot the pain as her cool fingers touched him. ?I still want to know why you sought to detach your arm.?
Her eyes bolted to his, her light-colored brows lowered slightly. Heero swallowed, effected in a way he did not wish to be. ?If one down not have an arm, how can she be of use to a slave-master??
Heero?s own brows drew together severely. Disgusted with himself for not having the courage to come see her sooner, he wrenched away from her. ?With only one arm,? he told her lowly, ?she will have all the more trouble resisting any unwanted advances.?
Relena?s breath caught in her throat, and she turned away from him, hating the tears that involuntarily came to her eyes. ?I see.?
He inwardly cursed. ?Anyway, my lady.? He cleared his throat. ?What I came to tell you, before you gave me the trouble of stopping your foolish action, is that we will not be taking you to Singapore.?
Without thinking, Relena whirled around, too surprised to try to hide her tears again. Heero clenched his uninjured fist at the shine of them on her lashes. ?You won?t??
?Aye. I have discussed it with my crew, and we have agreed to go to Mexico. There, we will see just how dearly the governor and baron wish for your return.?
Temper rising, Relena spoke too soon to see the strange expression on the captain?s face. ?They will come for me. They will make you pay for kidnapping me.?
?That,? Heero said, forcing himself to smirk when all he wanted to do was frown, ?could be. But I?m thinking the only paying that will take place is the amount I receive from your lover.?
Relena?s cheeks burned, and she was too embarrassed to detect the cold that had entered his voice. ?He is not my lover.?
?You are marrying him.?
?That hardly means I love him!? she exclaimed, then gasped, lifting a hand to rest on her chest. ?I mean,? she continued hurriedly, ?that I??
He had to work harder to keep his expression light. ?If you figure out what you really mean to say, let me know. You?re baffled state intrigues me.? He turned on his heel and went for the door.
?Captain Yuy.?
Heero paused but did not turn around. ?My lady?? He didn?t think he could manage to smirk again.
Relena folded her hands together. ?May I come up to the deck later??
Heero shrugged his shoulders, more to relieve the tension that had been building up continuously ever since he had stepped into the room. ?The only person keeping you in here,? he said, ?is you.?
Relena watched him leave, then sat back down on the bed again. Heero Yuy, she thought, turning her head to look out the window again. He was a pirate. She placed her fingers against her neck, and a droplet of his blood came off on her thumb.
He was a pirate who would hurt himself to help a woman he had taken hostage. But, Relena wondered, wasn?t he just a man as well? Milliardo had told her once that those who stole and lied were no more men than she could ever be. She was still sure that Milliardo would do the same as Heero Yuy had for her just now, appreciated or not.
Dear God. Pressing a hand tightly against the flesh over her heart, she leaned against once of the tall bedposts. If she kept thinking this way, she thought in attempt to lighten her heard, she might turn her favor to the pirates? side.
Relena?s frown stayed on her lips. She thought of Sally?s kind smile, Hilde?s nice words, Duo?s obvious gentleness, Trowa?s subtle politeness, and Wufei?s?well, Wufei. None of them seemed like bad people. They just?liked to steal?
Relena?s head met the wood of the bedpost as well. All of them would be hung within an hour if they were ever caught on English or American soil. And they were going to Mexico, a place closed enough to the U.S. to present threat.
It?didn?t matter, Relena told herself, trying hard to believe it. She did not care for these people. They had kidnapped her! Taken her from her familiar life?her fianc?e?whom she had been very fond of upon first speaking with him. Quatre was a man she could trust, who would protect her. If the situation had not held him at a disadvantage, she was certain?
Relena looked up as Heero marched into the room again. Bending over, he picked up the shaving knife she had dropped. ?This stays not,? he declared gruffly and marched out again, leaving Relena baffled by the abrupt encounter.
---
Luchrezia had Agatha balanced against her chest by sitting the child partially on her pregnant stomach. Needing to move around, she waved away the maid who would normally answer the door when it was knocked upon and opened it herself.
She was both surprised and not to see Duke Treize Khushrenada and his wife on her doorstep. She had known both of them since her younger years, and they were, like Milliardo and Lu, proof that an arranged marriage could turn out happily. They were also frequent visitors at the baron?s home.
?Treize,? she murmured, and the dashing aristocrat grinned, taking off his navy blue top hat.
?Lu, how wonderful to see you! And little Aggy.? Expression remaining, Treize held his arms out to Agatha. Agatha cuddled closer to her mother?s body. Luchrezia laughed but couldn?t yet manage to freely make the sound.
?My daughter knows better than to attend to rogues like you, Treize. Please come in.? She stepped back so the couple could enter. ?Should I send for drinks??
?Do not trouble yourself, Luchrezia,? Anne fussed politely as they all entered the quaint parlor Lu had sat in with her husband just the previous day. ?We?ll not be here long.?
Treize folded his long body down to the low sofa as Lu chose the loveseat. ?Where is Milliardo? And I know Quatre was to be here as well.?
?They both went this morning.?
?Went?? further inquired Anne, her auburn hair catching complimentary rays of sun through the window.
?Out,? continued Lu. ?Out on a ship of their own, to hunt the Ivory Damsel.? She would, of course, be wise and not mention Dorothy?s own partake in the chase. ?Both my husband and the governor refused to sit still and depend on the navy.?
Treize nodded slowly. ?That is probably a wise decision. But would not the navy be the safer option for them??
Noin bounced Agatha lightly on her knee. ?Safety for himself, Duke, has never been Milliardo?s first thought when something involves Relena.?
?I see. Of course, I remember that now. The last time I was in this house, that baby was still in your stomach and my friend would not stop speaking of his sister, even when she was in the room.? Treize smiled and stood up. ?If you hear from him, you will certainly inform us, won?t you??
?I shall, naturally,? Luchrezia said as her guests both bowed. ?Where will you be staying while you are here, and how long??
?We are staying in the inn two blocks down, and we shall remain in London as long as it takes for Relena to either be returned or her death confirmed.? Treize worked to gentle his voice when the baroness winced. Anne spoke for him.
?But of course, we expect the former.?
?Of?course.? Lu set Agatha against her hip and scooted forward on the loveseat.
?No need to stand, we?ll see ourselves out.? Treize returned his hat to his head with the same grin. ?Rest easy, my dear. Your second child depends on it.?
?Goodbye, Luchrezia,? Anne called gaily.
?Goodbye,? replied the baroness weakly, brushing her fingers through the white-blond curls on her daughter?s hair. When the door closed, she leaned back and returned Agatha to her lap. ?Sweetie, do you know?? She bent over to press her lips to the soft forehead. ?I miss your father so much already. But Relena?? She bit her lip. ?Let us wait devotedly for your aunt to return, Agatha.?
---
?You were very suave inside, Treize,? Anne told her husband later, feeling smug. They were inside their rented room, the lights burning low.
?And, as always, you play the demure wife with such believability.? Treize tilted his head back so Anne could pull the cravat away from his neck. He then gripped her chin and met her deep, brown eyes. ?I am the only one who knows the true you.?
?That is how I want it. I care not for society. Only for you,? she sighed as his lips fluttered over her skin as he parted the frontal buttons of her gown. ?Treize??
He took her hand and kissed each of her fingers. ?I gave the order today,? he informed her and his shit was peeled away, his muscled rippling involuntarily beneath his wife?s roaming hand. ?They leave in the morning. They should be past Milliardo and Quatre tomorrow evening.?
?Tell me something,? Anne whispered as they half-stumbled onto the bed. ?Why do you want Relena returned so much that you would send the advanced navy after her??
Treize grinned once again, but it was too dim for Anne to detect the wicked gleam in his eyes. ?My friendship with Quatre is dear. What kind of friend would I be if I did not do what I could to return the person he so cares for??
?I was just curious.? Saying so, Anne closed her mouth, only to open it against to Treize?s lips as their passion spiked.
I too am curious, Anne. Treize ran a hand down his wife?s bare hip. Will Relena feel as this good when I finally get her? Hearing Anne moan beneath him, Treize took her swiftly, imagining golden hair and sky-blue eyes and skin as pale as queen?s lace.
I think she will be better.
---
Relena came up onto the deck feeling the best she had since her involuntarily arrival on the Ivory Damsel. She had made good use of the water-filled basin in the captain?s quarters, and was now fully clean, thanks to a sponge bath. Her dress could have used a good washing, but she would be lenient for the time being. At least her body was no longer as oily as it had been.
The night was brilliant. Being able to see it in full view as compared to the small window Relena had watching it from put a smile on her face. Stars dazzled the ebony sky, and the crescent slip of the moon shone magnificently. And beneath it all waved miles and mile of dark green ocean.
She leaned against the side of the ship to watch a silver-scaled fish jump out of the sea and dance briefly in the cold air before diving in once again. A shame, she thought momentarily, to think she had eaten such a beautiful looking creature for lunch.
When she felt a blanket slip over her shoulders, Relena started and nearly crashed backwards into Heero. ?My God!? she exclaimed softly, still half-dazed by the sight of nature all around her.
?God wouldn?t want you to be frozen, I?d think.? He had been standing there for the better half of five minutes, Heero assumed. In her somewhat wrinkled evening gown, which was the color of the sea itself, she had looked like some sort of mermaid siren that had miraculously sprouted legs and come aboard his ship. He would, Heero knew, have foolishly succumbed to her calling were she to give it. ?There?s a treacherous chill to the air. You?d be sick by the morning, and I can?t afford a sick hostage now.?
Relena wrapped herself up in the thick wool, but eyed him warily. ?Have you come to mock me for finally coming out of your bedroom??
Heero smirked. It would be a delight, getting her riled up. But the ocean was too lovely to disturb the peace it brought to him, and instead he shrugged. ?I came to ask how you like the view.?
He hadn?t mocked her, but Relena felt foolish anyway, and her cheeks glowed lightly. ?It is gorgeous,? she admitted, her voice low. ?It is a shame to think this is my first time out at sea.?
Heero?s eyebrows rose. ?That is a shame. A crime, I?d have to say.?
?You have to say everything,? Relena retorted, turning away from him to look at the moon again. When small hairs on her neck stood up, she whirled around, hand lifted ? but Heero caught her wrist mid-assault and wrenched it down to her side, dashing any hope of slapping his grinning face. She stared up at him defiantly, but his smile made her waver. His eyes made her break completely.
He had such eyes that were?effecting. Relena had seen the eyes of several pirates and public London hangings, and none had ever possessed the gaze that Heero Yuy held. She felt her shoulders slack and she stiffened, looking to the side and staring at the nearby mast. ?You also know much about crime.? She wanted nearly to curse, knowing her voice didn?t have half the frost it required to be menacing.
Heero?s brow contracted a bit. ?I do,? he said tolerantly. ?And you have judged me, Miss Peacecraft??
Relena recalled the blood she had scrubbed away from her throat and her fingers tightened on the blanket. Heero noticed her white knuckles and stayed quiet.
?If I have judged you,? she told him softly, ?I do not yet know the verdict. You surprised me today, Heero Yuy.?
?I don?t suppose nobles much like surprises.?
?I care to know what is coming,? Relena confessed. ?With you, I find that I am not possibly able to.? Completely throwing him off guard, she inclined her head respectfully, and he was unable to speak even when she slipped off the blanket and handed it back to him. The fingers he took it with were stiff. His silence fueled Relena?s desire to be away from him even more. Without another word, she moved away to the stairs that led below deck. She gave him a last glance, saw his body framed by the starry night, then disappeared back to his room.
Heero stared at the opening in the wood long after she had gone. When he moved again, his skin was frozen to the touch. Sleeping on the floor in the stove-warmed kitchen would actually be beneficial tonight.
Relena Peacecraft. She was of noble blood and, it seemed, of noble mind. Little be little, she was revealing herself to be more brave a woman than he had initially thought her to be.
Heero smiled. As long as he could, he wished to learn more of her.
------------------------------------------
Review please!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.
*~Upper Class~* Part Five
By Gundam Girl
Standing on the starboard side of her ship, looking out at the clear afternoon sea, Dorothy was very pleased with herself. She had been able to conjure up good manners from years and years ago, and had written a decent letter to her cousin. No doubt Luchrezia had been surprised. Dorothy was a rough-necked pirate, wasn?t she? She grinned; the Catalonias had been a shamed branch of the Noins by society, but Dorothy enjoyed it dearly. How often was it that a woman became captain of a highly respected crew?
Not often, and Dorothy was known for being one. They had been sailing for a day now. With the Belladonna being notably smaller than the Ivory Damsel, it was also faster. In a day or two, they would be caught up with Captain Heero Yuy. Aye, she was looking forward to it. The rumor, the legend that Yuy was would be a challenge, which was a thing Dorothy never had been known to turned down.
Milliardo would have set out by now as well, Dorothy mused. But he would undoubtedly be using one of those enormous, painfully slow vessels. Yet between his and Governor Winner?s money, they would remain stocked of fresh water and food and unlike Dorothy or Heero, they would not require stopping at civilized islands or countries for supplies.
The odds were indeed interesting. And Dorothy had no qualms about racing Milliardo Peacecraft, be he distant relative or not. He wasn?t her blood, but his wife was. And it was Luchrezia she was serving. Still, if Peacecraft got to Relena before she did, Dorothy was certain that Milliardo would dissuade his wife against even an attempt salary.
Dorothy just couldn?t have that. Smiling, she closed her eyes and felt the wind against her face. May it blow clean and strong, she thought.
---
?How long have we been sailing?? Milliardo asked his ship captain, Quinze.
?Six hours, Mr. Peacecraft.? Quinze smiled at his employer between thin lips. Baron Milliardo Peacecraft was indeed the best client he had ever had. And Governor Quatre Winner was indeed the richest.
Irritated, Milliardo continued, ?How far away from England are we? You better tell me we have made good distance.?
?I am a Christian man, Baron Peacecraft, and God wishes us all not to lie.? Quinze looked over his helm out to the water-lined horizon. ?Our time is ill. But my navigator believes that, from what the Dover fisherman said, the Ivory Damsel could be heading up the North Sea, possibly to Scotland.?
?Possibly,? Milliardo growled.
?Another scenario is that they intend to sail over the country and go toward the Caribbean, or possibly the United States.? Quinze folded his arms. ?The trouble, sir, is that the Ivory Damsel makes little and brief contact with anyone in countries. They?re said to supply from small islands, which makes it close to impossible to trace their whereabouts. Chances are they were just sailing by Dover and decided to see if the governor had anything of interest to them.?
Joining them, Quatre scowled, an expression that was seldom seen on him usually, but was slowly becoming his only one. ?My butler claims to have seen a pirate in Dover the afternoon Miss Peacecraft arrived. The Ivory Damsel was the only strange ship recorded to be in the harbor that day, though they signed under a different ship name and alias of course. My butler also claims that Miss Peacecraft spoke to the pirate he saw, and my instincts tell me that he, the pirate, was surely a member of the Ivory Damsel.? His frown deepened. ?The crew could not possibly know that the butler, as Miss Peacecraft?s escort, was mine, Mr. Quinze, nor that Miss Peacecraft was staying in my house. How could they have thought to kidnap her in such a short time when it was not yet even public knowledge that she and I were engaged??
?It was most likely a common matter of chance, Governor,? Quinze replied steadily.
?Common?? Quatre seethed. ?It is no more common than it is to see snow in June!?
?Quatre, calm yourself.? Milliardo?s own blood heated with rage, however. ?Are you at least aware of Yuy?s previous actions, Mr. Quinze??
?Yes, sir, of course. All sailors know of Heero Yuy. He plunders sailing ships normally, preferring to keep his work over water, but he now and then takes from a grounded house, as is obvious.?
?So his next task would likely be a proceeding vessel, correct?? queried Quatre.
Quinze nodded, his light blue eyes surveying the weather again. ?It is the higher chance. To my knowledge, there are currently three English ships off dock. In these waters, I would otherwise expect Scottish and French vessels. The Scottish are not to be taken lightly, as they are largely warriors, and the French are cunning. But both are wealthy and either could be threat or benefit to any pirate. My suggestion would be to continue on our current course north. We can continue this speculation once we reach the top of Scotland.?
Nodding, Quatre moved away, down a short set of stairs. Milliardo followed him and both men leaned against the sturdy side of their rented ship, the Epyonis.
?I don?t even care to guess what they intend to do with her, Milliardo,? said Quatre grimly. ?This is the first time in my life I?ve had the misfortune of dealing with piracy.?
?The same is true for me,? Milliardo told him, staring at a fluffy cloud above them. It was still grayish; the rain had not stopped for even two hours yet. ?I never counted on experiencing it. But now?Relena. We could be completely wrong. They could be hiding in France. They could be halfway to America!?
?It is my fault. Damn it, the baron?s sister!? Quatre let out a short, cold chuckle. ?What a fool I was to not have had guard?s posted around my house. Anyone who had a mind to shoot out at you could have somehow gained knowledge of her arrival and have taken her before I even saw her.? Balling up a fist, he bashed it on the smooth wood. ?Blast!?
?You need to stop this before you drive yourself mad,? Milliardo said calmly.
?I am mad!? Quatre exclaimed, loudly now. ?I?m bloody insane, Milliardo! They took her! They took her from me! And I did nothing, absolutely nothing to stop them as they came, grabbed her, and went.?
?We will regain her,? the baron assured him fiercely. ?I will kill myself before I let Relena stay in the hands of pirates such as the Ivory Damsel?s.?
?I shall do so before you,? Quatre countered. Swiveling on his heel, he called over his shoulder: ?I?m going to see if this hell of a ship won?t go any faster.?
Milliardo sighed, and lifted his hand to run his fingers through the length of his pale hair. This wrong is grave. What could Heero Yuy possibly want with Relena? Would they not have ransomed her by now?
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the only thing his wife always insisted he keep with him at all time?a dark red rosary. And, knowing nothing else to do, he prayed.
---
Relena closed her eyes to shield them from the glare of the sun, but she did not turn away. It was the first time in the two days she had been on this ship that the sun had shone, sparkling over the water. She sat in a small chair beside the window now, as she had done whenever she had not been sleeping. None of the crew had prompted her to come out but for once, when the woman named Hilde had cheerfully suggested she come up on deck to see the ocean. Relena had politely told her that she could see it very well from where she was sitting. Catherine had silently been bringing her meals on a tray, of which Relena only ate small portions. The idea of becoming a slave had quelled much of her basic need for food, and depression was slowly setting in. She also figured that she looked ? and smelled ? atrocious. But that fit with the pirate atmosphere, didn?t it?
Captain Yuy had not come to her. She had not seen him since the scene in the kitchen the morning before. Relena didn?t know where he was sleeping, but the room had been left to her, at least as long as he wished it. A small part of her wondered what specifically he had planned for her; how long she would be on this ship, who she would be sold to, what she would have to go through.
Slowly, Relena opened her eyes. Semi-restless, she stood gracefully from her chair and roamed casually about the chamber. She had not really explored the area, had merely surveyed it with her eyes. Without any hurry, she walked to the dresser she had noticed the first time she had come in here. She glanced quickly in the mirror and winced. Her hair was matted; her face was paler than usual, and there was some crust in the inner corners of her eyes. Reaching into the small washing basin on top of the dresser, Relena grabbed the cloth and quickly washed her face. Her cheeks were now pinker from the chill of the water, but her hair? Sliding open the top drawer, she hunted for a comb.
What she found was a shaving blade. The sunlight crossed the metal, and it winked at her welcomingly. In half-wonder, Relena lifted it, testing its weight. How odd, she thought absently, that such a small, light object could be so deadly. That it could cause the death of a person if a someone slipped in its use.
Or, she amended, intended such a thing.
The blade was sharp; Relena could see that just by looking at it. Here, she mused, was the weapon she had so longed for when she had first met Yuy. It would not take much pressure. The slightest of touches would slide through flesh as though it were butter.
As she held the object in one hand, Relena inspected her fingers; they were small, soft, and elegant. Such fingers would do tedious work, when she was a slave, and would probably do it poorly. The fault of that, if it was a fault, was in her upbringing. Would she be whipped, she wondered, as the dark-skinned folk in the United States were whipped?
That would be worse, she mused, then death. Not seeing her brother again would be worse. Never being happy again? Next to that, Relena found she would prefer death.
Holding the shaving knife up, Relena saw it was more brilliant than ever now, landing a strip of light across her clear blue eyes. Turning her other hand palm-up, Relena closed her eyes. She sent the point of the knife flying downward to her wrist.
The felt something warm and liquid against her neck, but did not feel the pain she had expected. Confused, Relena?s eyes shot open and stared into the dark blue ones of Heero Yuy.
Heero?s glare was blackening as the blade dropped from Relena?s slack grip and clattered to the wood floor beneath them. Blood continued to slip from the wound on Heero?s palm as Relena?s lower lip trembled and she stepped away from him and collapsed onto the bed.
?Heero,? she breathed, eyes wide. She was too shocked to realize she had used his first name.
His eyes did not leave hers as she stared at him. ?Did you think it would be beneficial for you to slice through your hand??
Relena?s tongue was floored to the bottom of her mouth, and could only emit short, low noises of distress. ?Why,? she whispered when she remembered what words were, ?why would you??
She had terrified him, Heero thought. Standing in the doorway, watching her point a knife at herself with obvious intent to harm, Heero had sprung without a second thought and took the blow for her. Now, he had absolutely no idea as to why he had. And his hand was throbbing wickedly.
?God,? she murmured, seeing the crimson puddle of the floor grow. Hastily, she ripped the biggest piece of cloth she could from her dress. Rising on shaking ankles, she wrapped the makeshift bandage around his hand. ?You may need stitches.?
?I?ll not.? Fascinated, he momentarily forgot the pain as her cool fingers touched him. ?I still want to know why you sought to detach your arm.?
Her eyes bolted to his, her light-colored brows lowered slightly. Heero swallowed, effected in a way he did not wish to be. ?If one down not have an arm, how can she be of use to a slave-master??
Heero?s own brows drew together severely. Disgusted with himself for not having the courage to come see her sooner, he wrenched away from her. ?With only one arm,? he told her lowly, ?she will have all the more trouble resisting any unwanted advances.?
Relena?s breath caught in her throat, and she turned away from him, hating the tears that involuntarily came to her eyes. ?I see.?
He inwardly cursed. ?Anyway, my lady.? He cleared his throat. ?What I came to tell you, before you gave me the trouble of stopping your foolish action, is that we will not be taking you to Singapore.?
Without thinking, Relena whirled around, too surprised to try to hide her tears again. Heero clenched his uninjured fist at the shine of them on her lashes. ?You won?t??
?Aye. I have discussed it with my crew, and we have agreed to go to Mexico. There, we will see just how dearly the governor and baron wish for your return.?
Temper rising, Relena spoke too soon to see the strange expression on the captain?s face. ?They will come for me. They will make you pay for kidnapping me.?
?That,? Heero said, forcing himself to smirk when all he wanted to do was frown, ?could be. But I?m thinking the only paying that will take place is the amount I receive from your lover.?
Relena?s cheeks burned, and she was too embarrassed to detect the cold that had entered his voice. ?He is not my lover.?
?You are marrying him.?
?That hardly means I love him!? she exclaimed, then gasped, lifting a hand to rest on her chest. ?I mean,? she continued hurriedly, ?that I??
He had to work harder to keep his expression light. ?If you figure out what you really mean to say, let me know. You?re baffled state intrigues me.? He turned on his heel and went for the door.
?Captain Yuy.?
Heero paused but did not turn around. ?My lady?? He didn?t think he could manage to smirk again.
Relena folded her hands together. ?May I come up to the deck later??
Heero shrugged his shoulders, more to relieve the tension that had been building up continuously ever since he had stepped into the room. ?The only person keeping you in here,? he said, ?is you.?
Relena watched him leave, then sat back down on the bed again. Heero Yuy, she thought, turning her head to look out the window again. He was a pirate. She placed her fingers against her neck, and a droplet of his blood came off on her thumb.
He was a pirate who would hurt himself to help a woman he had taken hostage. But, Relena wondered, wasn?t he just a man as well? Milliardo had told her once that those who stole and lied were no more men than she could ever be. She was still sure that Milliardo would do the same as Heero Yuy had for her just now, appreciated or not.
Dear God. Pressing a hand tightly against the flesh over her heart, she leaned against once of the tall bedposts. If she kept thinking this way, she thought in attempt to lighten her heard, she might turn her favor to the pirates? side.
Relena?s frown stayed on her lips. She thought of Sally?s kind smile, Hilde?s nice words, Duo?s obvious gentleness, Trowa?s subtle politeness, and Wufei?s?well, Wufei. None of them seemed like bad people. They just?liked to steal?
Relena?s head met the wood of the bedpost as well. All of them would be hung within an hour if they were ever caught on English or American soil. And they were going to Mexico, a place closed enough to the U.S. to present threat.
It?didn?t matter, Relena told herself, trying hard to believe it. She did not care for these people. They had kidnapped her! Taken her from her familiar life?her fianc?e?whom she had been very fond of upon first speaking with him. Quatre was a man she could trust, who would protect her. If the situation had not held him at a disadvantage, she was certain?
Relena looked up as Heero marched into the room again. Bending over, he picked up the shaving knife she had dropped. ?This stays not,? he declared gruffly and marched out again, leaving Relena baffled by the abrupt encounter.
---
Luchrezia had Agatha balanced against her chest by sitting the child partially on her pregnant stomach. Needing to move around, she waved away the maid who would normally answer the door when it was knocked upon and opened it herself.
She was both surprised and not to see Duke Treize Khushrenada and his wife on her doorstep. She had known both of them since her younger years, and they were, like Milliardo and Lu, proof that an arranged marriage could turn out happily. They were also frequent visitors at the baron?s home.
?Treize,? she murmured, and the dashing aristocrat grinned, taking off his navy blue top hat.
?Lu, how wonderful to see you! And little Aggy.? Expression remaining, Treize held his arms out to Agatha. Agatha cuddled closer to her mother?s body. Luchrezia laughed but couldn?t yet manage to freely make the sound.
?My daughter knows better than to attend to rogues like you, Treize. Please come in.? She stepped back so the couple could enter. ?Should I send for drinks??
?Do not trouble yourself, Luchrezia,? Anne fussed politely as they all entered the quaint parlor Lu had sat in with her husband just the previous day. ?We?ll not be here long.?
Treize folded his long body down to the low sofa as Lu chose the loveseat. ?Where is Milliardo? And I know Quatre was to be here as well.?
?They both went this morning.?
?Went?? further inquired Anne, her auburn hair catching complimentary rays of sun through the window.
?Out,? continued Lu. ?Out on a ship of their own, to hunt the Ivory Damsel.? She would, of course, be wise and not mention Dorothy?s own partake in the chase. ?Both my husband and the governor refused to sit still and depend on the navy.?
Treize nodded slowly. ?That is probably a wise decision. But would not the navy be the safer option for them??
Noin bounced Agatha lightly on her knee. ?Safety for himself, Duke, has never been Milliardo?s first thought when something involves Relena.?
?I see. Of course, I remember that now. The last time I was in this house, that baby was still in your stomach and my friend would not stop speaking of his sister, even when she was in the room.? Treize smiled and stood up. ?If you hear from him, you will certainly inform us, won?t you??
?I shall, naturally,? Luchrezia said as her guests both bowed. ?Where will you be staying while you are here, and how long??
?We are staying in the inn two blocks down, and we shall remain in London as long as it takes for Relena to either be returned or her death confirmed.? Treize worked to gentle his voice when the baroness winced. Anne spoke for him.
?But of course, we expect the former.?
?Of?course.? Lu set Agatha against her hip and scooted forward on the loveseat.
?No need to stand, we?ll see ourselves out.? Treize returned his hat to his head with the same grin. ?Rest easy, my dear. Your second child depends on it.?
?Goodbye, Luchrezia,? Anne called gaily.
?Goodbye,? replied the baroness weakly, brushing her fingers through the white-blond curls on her daughter?s hair. When the door closed, she leaned back and returned Agatha to her lap. ?Sweetie, do you know?? She bent over to press her lips to the soft forehead. ?I miss your father so much already. But Relena?? She bit her lip. ?Let us wait devotedly for your aunt to return, Agatha.?
---
?You were very suave inside, Treize,? Anne told her husband later, feeling smug. They were inside their rented room, the lights burning low.
?And, as always, you play the demure wife with such believability.? Treize tilted his head back so Anne could pull the cravat away from his neck. He then gripped her chin and met her deep, brown eyes. ?I am the only one who knows the true you.?
?That is how I want it. I care not for society. Only for you,? she sighed as his lips fluttered over her skin as he parted the frontal buttons of her gown. ?Treize??
He took her hand and kissed each of her fingers. ?I gave the order today,? he informed her and his shit was peeled away, his muscled rippling involuntarily beneath his wife?s roaming hand. ?They leave in the morning. They should be past Milliardo and Quatre tomorrow evening.?
?Tell me something,? Anne whispered as they half-stumbled onto the bed. ?Why do you want Relena returned so much that you would send the advanced navy after her??
Treize grinned once again, but it was too dim for Anne to detect the wicked gleam in his eyes. ?My friendship with Quatre is dear. What kind of friend would I be if I did not do what I could to return the person he so cares for??
?I was just curious.? Saying so, Anne closed her mouth, only to open it against to Treize?s lips as their passion spiked.
I too am curious, Anne. Treize ran a hand down his wife?s bare hip. Will Relena feel as this good when I finally get her? Hearing Anne moan beneath him, Treize took her swiftly, imagining golden hair and sky-blue eyes and skin as pale as queen?s lace.
I think she will be better.
---
Relena came up onto the deck feeling the best she had since her involuntarily arrival on the Ivory Damsel. She had made good use of the water-filled basin in the captain?s quarters, and was now fully clean, thanks to a sponge bath. Her dress could have used a good washing, but she would be lenient for the time being. At least her body was no longer as oily as it had been.
The night was brilliant. Being able to see it in full view as compared to the small window Relena had watching it from put a smile on her face. Stars dazzled the ebony sky, and the crescent slip of the moon shone magnificently. And beneath it all waved miles and mile of dark green ocean.
She leaned against the side of the ship to watch a silver-scaled fish jump out of the sea and dance briefly in the cold air before diving in once again. A shame, she thought momentarily, to think she had eaten such a beautiful looking creature for lunch.
When she felt a blanket slip over her shoulders, Relena started and nearly crashed backwards into Heero. ?My God!? she exclaimed softly, still half-dazed by the sight of nature all around her.
?God wouldn?t want you to be frozen, I?d think.? He had been standing there for the better half of five minutes, Heero assumed. In her somewhat wrinkled evening gown, which was the color of the sea itself, she had looked like some sort of mermaid siren that had miraculously sprouted legs and come aboard his ship. He would, Heero knew, have foolishly succumbed to her calling were she to give it. ?There?s a treacherous chill to the air. You?d be sick by the morning, and I can?t afford a sick hostage now.?
Relena wrapped herself up in the thick wool, but eyed him warily. ?Have you come to mock me for finally coming out of your bedroom??
Heero smirked. It would be a delight, getting her riled up. But the ocean was too lovely to disturb the peace it brought to him, and instead he shrugged. ?I came to ask how you like the view.?
He hadn?t mocked her, but Relena felt foolish anyway, and her cheeks glowed lightly. ?It is gorgeous,? she admitted, her voice low. ?It is a shame to think this is my first time out at sea.?
Heero?s eyebrows rose. ?That is a shame. A crime, I?d have to say.?
?You have to say everything,? Relena retorted, turning away from him to look at the moon again. When small hairs on her neck stood up, she whirled around, hand lifted ? but Heero caught her wrist mid-assault and wrenched it down to her side, dashing any hope of slapping his grinning face. She stared up at him defiantly, but his smile made her waver. His eyes made her break completely.
He had such eyes that were?effecting. Relena had seen the eyes of several pirates and public London hangings, and none had ever possessed the gaze that Heero Yuy held. She felt her shoulders slack and she stiffened, looking to the side and staring at the nearby mast. ?You also know much about crime.? She wanted nearly to curse, knowing her voice didn?t have half the frost it required to be menacing.
Heero?s brow contracted a bit. ?I do,? he said tolerantly. ?And you have judged me, Miss Peacecraft??
Relena recalled the blood she had scrubbed away from her throat and her fingers tightened on the blanket. Heero noticed her white knuckles and stayed quiet.
?If I have judged you,? she told him softly, ?I do not yet know the verdict. You surprised me today, Heero Yuy.?
?I don?t suppose nobles much like surprises.?
?I care to know what is coming,? Relena confessed. ?With you, I find that I am not possibly able to.? Completely throwing him off guard, she inclined her head respectfully, and he was unable to speak even when she slipped off the blanket and handed it back to him. The fingers he took it with were stiff. His silence fueled Relena?s desire to be away from him even more. Without another word, she moved away to the stairs that led below deck. She gave him a last glance, saw his body framed by the starry night, then disappeared back to his room.
Heero stared at the opening in the wood long after she had gone. When he moved again, his skin was frozen to the touch. Sleeping on the floor in the stove-warmed kitchen would actually be beneficial tonight.
Relena Peacecraft. She was of noble blood and, it seemed, of noble mind. Little be little, she was revealing herself to be more brave a woman than he had initially thought her to be.
Heero smiled. As long as he could, he wished to learn more of her.
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Review please!
Elyn Yuy
