Chapter 1

The ship, En Soi, rocked gently with the waves of the ocean waters, deceptively innocent. The captain was hidden in the cabin, sighing as he traced his finger over the line he made on the map to their destination. He closed his eyes, wishing that Takumi, the former captain and his lover, were there. He knew that he had to accomplish Takumi's goal of finding that treasure though, because he was almost certain that the captain's murderer would be on their tail again soon. And if there was anything that he wanted as much as having his lover back again, it was to get revenge on that bastard. He sighed to himself and stood up, leaving his cabin to look around the deck at his crew. "How close are we now?" He called out, hoping that someone could provide a helpful answer.

"You need to relax, Satsuki." Hakuei, his first mate, said, as he walked up to the captain. "Ever since you took over Takumi's place, you've been a wreck." Satsuki nodded, ducking his blonde head as he stared at the deck.

"I'm not meant to do this." He said, softly. Hakuei was one of the few people that knew what he was and still accepted him.

"We've all made our sacrifices for our captain." Hakuei pointed out, motioning to his eyepatch covering the right eye, which he had lost when trying to protect Takumi. "Takumi trusted you to be able to do this, so you should accept it as your fate." Satsuki knew Hakuei was right, but he still didn't feel completely comfortable with the situation.

Kyo sighed, taking off his glasses and looking up from his mess of maps on the little table. "We're close, look." He pointed to the right, where land could already been seen on the horizon. "One hour and we should reach the land...and the ladies." He smiled and shook his head to himself when several catcalls and dirty jokes about the famous brothel where yelled about the ship. "You have a eager crew here captain."

A small snort sounded from Satsuki as he glared at the crew. "Remember, we're not only here for fun! We have a mission and we must keep that in mind."

Nao laughed, going walking quickly from one side of the ship to the other, avoiding the hungry hands reaching for the cake he was carrying with practiced ease. "We do know that captain. But everyone needs some fun too!"

"You need fun more than all of us, Satsuki. Just because you don't like women...Doesn't mean you can't find someone to help you relax." Hakuei joked, smirking at the blonde. Satsuki frowned and walked away from the first mate to lean on the rail of the boat, sighing. He wouldn't be able to find pleasure in any whore, he still missed Takumi too much.

"Cake!" Hiroto exclaimed, following Nao like a shadow. "Who is that for? Huh, Nao?"

Nao smiled, holding it above Hiroto's head. "It's for everyone. You can have a piece as soon as I arrange the table, Hiropon." He looked around, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I've made a little one for me, you and Reita. It's the poor thing birthday and no one seems to care." The cook frowned, looking at the skinny blonde who was cleaning the floor, receiving a slap on the head for no reason at all at every five minutes.
Hiroto nodded and snuck over to Reita, taking the mop from the slave with the strange noseband. He always teased him, but the slave was even less appreciated than him. "Happy birthday, Reita." Hiroto whispered, smiling at the abused blonde and patting him on the back. "I'll take care of your work for today, ok?"

Reita smiled, getting up and speaking very lowly. "Thank you, Hiroto. It's nice to know someone cares." He looked around carefully, trying to not stare anyone in the eyes or they could be offended. "I'll wash and lay down a little bit, I've been having a nasty back pain lately. But please, tell me if you get into trouble for doing my job."

"It was my job before we got you." Answered Hiroto, beginning to resume cleaning the deck. "Be careful with your back."

Satsuki watched the exchange between his cabin boy and the slave they had taken captive from another ship. He was proud of the little brunette for helping others out. The captain moved over to Hiroto and ruffled his hair affectionately, his silent sign of approval.

Hiroto grinned at the little action, quickly finishing up the job with renewed vigor. Having nothing better to do for the rest of the hour, Satsuki moved behind Kyo to look over his shoulder at the maps.

Kyo sighed, a smile gracing his face when he felt someone near his back. He didn't even have to look to know who it was. The cartographer took his glasses off one more time and looked at Satsuki over his shoulder. "Do you really have to do this?"

An embarrassed blush formed on Satsuki's cheeks and he took a step back. "Well...Do you really know what you are doing?" He asked, hoping to distract himself from his nervousness and stress. "You may be able to guide us to a well known place, but you may not be able to decode the fragments of the maps that Takumi left us."

Kyo frowned, pointing at the slowly decoded maps on the table. "Don't doubt my work, Takumi would never do it. I can decode these maps, trust me." He smiled pleasantly, pointing to some place behind the captain where Nao was gathering the crew to the big table inside the ship. "Tea?"

It was true, Takumi had told Satsuki to contact Kyo before his death. It was almost as if Takumi knew he was going to die. So he should trust the cartographer too, right? Satsuki shook his head, needing the open air to clear his mind. "I think maybe I just need to stay out here for a while..."

Kyo shook his head too, getting up and stretching a hand out to touch Satsuki's shoulder. "Don't think too much, It's not good for you right now." The hand slid to the other shoulder, arm around the captain's back while he walked them both to the mess around the table. "Come on, the crew will want their captain at the table with them."

Satsuki wished to protest, but Kyo was already taking him to the table. Perhaps Kyo was right. All he wanted to do was be alone, but he tended to think a lot when he was alone. The time would go by faster if spent it with others.

They reached the land in forty minutes, the normal mess of the port quiet in the night. The only people there were some random drunks and some ladies with very unusual dresses. The owner of the brothel was there too, to welcome the En Soi crew. It was a busy night at the house, but she had especially saved some of the preferred girls for this pirates since they paid well.

Rose shifted, playing with the end of his red shirt and adjusting his pants. He was one of the few boys chosen, since one of the guys always seemed so happy to see him... And nobody knew, but he was always happy to see Hakuei too.

"Rose darling..." Hakuei said, once he saw his favorite standing among the few selected ones. He hugged Rose close, kissing the blonde's cheek. "I must ask a favor of you."

Rose smiled, nuzzling Hakuei's neck and kissing the soft skin. "Anything. Tell me..."

"Make our captain look like a girl tomorrow." Hakuei requested, shifting his fingers over Rose's smooth stomach. He had missed the pretty blonde so much.

Rose frowned at the words, but pressed his skin to the rough fingers, eager to feel more of him. "How will I do it? I don't think he wants anything from us or that he wants to look girly." The blonde took Hakuei's hand and started walking inside the brothel, quickly leading them to his room. He liked to do it with the pirate on his own bed, not some decorated, fantasy room like he did with the others. And they could drink with everyone else later, right now he needed some serious kissing.

"I can't explain it now." Hakuei muttered, pushing Rose down on the bed to thoroughly kiss him, moving their lips together in a way that they hadn’t been able to do during the months Hakuei was out at sea.

"Hm... Good." Rose kissed back, sighing in happiness. This was so different from all the other times he had to do it with someone else.

"Did you miss me?" Hakuei questioned as he slowly removed Rose's clothing and kissed the velvety smooth skin beneath. He knew Rose liked it when he took time to appreciate him like this.

Rose smiled, running both hands through Hakuei's hair in appreciation. "Of course I did. There wasn't one day I didn't think about you." The blond sighed in gentle pleasure, tugging very softly on the strands between his fingers.

That little confession made Hakuei smile as he stroked his fingers down the blonde’s newly bared chest, circling his fingers around the perfect little nipples. “You’re beautiful.”

"Hmm... Thank you." Hearing it from Hakuei's mouth sounded different and truthful, so he just smiled and arched on the touch, kissing the pirate's face.

Hakuei hooked his arm around Rose’s waist and rolled them over on the bed so pretty blonde was on top and he could admire him more fully as he once again memorized every bit of the other’s body. “Why don’t you show me how much you missed me, my pretty flower?”

Rose smiled wickedly, using both hands to divest Hakuei of his shirt. "And how exactly I could show you how much I missed you, hmmm?" He kissed the tanned skin, tracing the tattoos with his pink tongue, loving the taste of Hakuei and seasalt.

“Hmm...I’m sure you can come up with something.” Hakuei replied, grinning to himself. “Haven’t you ever thought about what you’d like to do with me when I came back?” His muscles shifted as he sucked in a breath and moaned under the attention of that skillful tongue.

Rose smiled, licking slowly his way down. "Hm... I thought of some things you may like..." With quick, skillful fingers, he undid Hakuei pants and took a hold of his manhood, caressing up and down with lazy strokes and licking the tip.

More moans left Hakuei’s throat as he ran his fingers through Rose’s pretty hair, curling his fingers in it. He was already completely aroused, wanting Rose more than anything.

Rose frowned and lead one of his hands down to adjust his uncomfortable pants. He sucked once on the head of the member in front of him and kissed his way up with quick needy kisses. "Enough, I need it now." The blonde tried to undo his pants, but it looked harder then ever.

Hakuei slid Rose's pants off for him, kissing his way along the other's neck. He then slid a few fingers to his lover's lips, needing him to wet them for him.

Rose did eagerly, running his tongue around the fingers in his mouth and sucking the digits ligthly. After some seconds, he pulled on Hakuei's wrist, taking the fingers out of his mouth, and lead it down, breathing hard. "Inside..."

He didn't have to say it twice because Hakuei slid his fingers into Rose in an instant, working them inside the younger one to get him stretched and ready quickly. Neither of them had the patience to wait much longer.

Rose felt his whole body shudder, thrusting his hips against the fingers inside him. After the first time Hakuei touched his sweet spot, the blonde grasped the pirate's wrist, halting his movements. "Enough..." His voice was breathy and needy, the incredible jolt of pleasure still making his body tremble.

There was no way to say no to that, so Hakuei removed his fingers and kissed Rose's shoulder as he slid into the ready and waiting hole. The tightness and heat that surrounded his arousal pulled moans of Rose's name from his throat, the only name he remembered of any of the prostitutes they met in their various journeys. Because Rose was special.

Rose moaned loudly, sitting on Hakuei's lap and savoring the sensation. He was used to the feeling, but when he was with the pirate, everything seemed a hundred times more intense. But this wasn't enough. With the other clients, he was in control all the time, even when he played the super-submissive partner. He always knew what they wanted... Right now he wanted to give up that control, this was special and he couldn't feel like a whore. With a gentle tug on Hakuei's arm and a butterfly kiss on his cheek, he sighed and spoke. "I want you on top this time, ok? Come on..." One more tug to the right arm of the pirate was everything he did. He could explain later, when the pleasure wasn't clouding his mind.
At the other's request, Hakuei sat up and pushed Rose down on his back before leaning over his lover. "Anything you want." He said, before thrusting within him, taking hold of Rose's hand to gently squeeze it with every amazing second that they were together.

Rose sighed softly in pleasure, relaxing his body and accepting Hakuei. This was so much more then sex, it almost scared him. He liked the slow, deep pace, liked to run his hands over the sweaty, tattooed back and liked even more to hear the grunts and deep breaths of his lover. "Feels good..."

Hakuei smiled and nuzzled Rose's neck affectionately as they kept the leisurely pace. They both wanted it to last, since it was so rare that they got the chance to be together. He lifted their interlocked hands, kissing Rose's delicate fingertips. It was so clear that Rose meant something to him.

Rose smiled, using his free hand to caress Hakuei's face. The blonde sighed, sliding the hand to his lover's neck and finally to his back, digging his nails playfully in the tanned skin. He rolled his hips very slowly against the one thrusting on him, moaning at a particular angle. "Harder, my love..."

Hakuei nodded against Rose's neck, pulling out almost all the way before slamming back in, picking up speed a bit now. His control was slipping some as he was desperate to get more of this feeling. "God, Rose..."

Rose shuddered, closing his eyes and hugging Hakuei close to him. He tried to relax, to control the spasms running through his body and making his nerves on fire, but the pleasure kept escalating to new, higher levels.

"Come for me." Hakuei urged, breathlessly as he slid his hand between them to wrap it around Rose's hardened length. He was nearing that beautiful end as well, only holding on until his lover reached his release.

Rose let out a harsh breath and did just that, almost silent if not for a whimper or two. This was the real him, he liked unhurried, calm sex. Screaming and rolling his eyes at every touch was just stupid, even if it turned the guys on. "Mmm... God." He whispered, throwing his head back when a new wave of pleasure assaulted him, his orgasm much more intense when was not just a mechanical reaction of his body to the disgusting client's touch.

Hakuei groaned as his own climax rushed up, brought on by the stunning sight of Rose in his completion of pleasure and the resulting tightening of his body around his cock. Hakuei held his lover close, their lips meeting once more, tenderly.

Rose used his first deep breath to drop the bomb then. It was the best time, now that they were both calm and relaxed, to tell Hakuei about a idea that had been playing on his mind. "Take me with you on the ship..."

Hakuei sighed as he rolled off Rose and settled beside him, staring up at the ceiling. "No." He answered, even though he wished they never had part. It was too dangerous on a pirate ship and Satsuki wouldn't allow just anyone to hop on board.

Rose sighed again, knowing the answer even before Hakuei spoke. But he knew what he would say to that too and even ruining the perfect moment, he had to do this. "I'll run away, I can't live like this anymore. They will kill me." He looked beside him, eyeing his lover with a slight frown.

Hakuei pulled Rose into his arms, holding him close. "I'll ask the captain to perhaps see if we can take you along for part of the way and drop you off somewhere else, where you can start a new life."

Rose just nodded, but he was set on not letting Hakuei get rid of him that easy. Going away was a beginning, but he only felt really safe when he was beside the pirate. "Tell him I will happily take any job on the ship, as long as I don't have to sleep with anyone besides you."

That caused Hakuei to smile as he ran his fingers through Rose's hair. He wasn't sure how the blonde would adjust to life at sea, but he would certainly enjoy his company. "If anyone else touched you, I'm afraid they'd wake up missing a limb the next morning..."

Rose smiled back, nuzzling Hakuei's neck. He yawned, running a hand down the pirate's chest and getting comfortable half on top of him. "We should join the others downstairs..." They could hear some of the music and laughing outside, even if they were on the private part of the brothel.

"I don't really feel like it. I see them every day. I'm kinda sick of them." Hakuei said, grinning a bit as he snuggled Rose. "Besides, I want to spend some alone time with the one I love before we go on the ship tomorrow and have absolutely no privacy."

Rose was about to tell him he had his own room when he heard "the one I love" part. He smiled, looking up at Hakuei. "You really love me?" The blonde kissed the pirate the best way he could with the silly smile still on his lips, not being able to wipe it away. "Love you too..."

"If I didn't, I wouldn't come back to you every time." Hakuei said, kissing back for a moment. "If it's possible...I want to sleep next to you tonight."

While most of his crew went to have some fun with the prostitutes, Satsuki just wandered off to find a pub so he could drown in the rum.

Kyo sighed, following Satsuki when he saw the captain walking away from the crew. "Where are you going, Satsuki? Stop doing this to yourself."

"I don't want anything to do with them." Satsuki said, nodding his head back towards the brothel.

Kyo followed him, sighing. "Okay, you don't have to sleep with the whores. But at least come and drink with us. It not healthy for you or for the crew to isolate yourself like this." He stretched his right arm and touched one of the captain's hands, trying to stop him without pulling.

Once Kyo touched his hand, Satsuki turned towards him and sighed heavily. He didn’t need all this right now. “It’s hard for me to face them. I don’t feel like I belong without Takumi there...”

Kyo shook his head and this time, pulled him on the direction of the brothel. "Don't be silly. They like and respect you. And even if they don't, it won't get any better with you hiding at every opportunity you have."

Satsuki resisted the pulling, tugging back on the hold Kyo had on him. Why did Kyo care what happened to him anyway? "Why can't you leave me alone?" He asked, breaking free from the cartographer's grip.

Kyo sighed in exasperation, stepping forward and grabbing Satsuki's hand again. "Because I worry about you. Don't be stupid thinking you'll bring him back by drowning yourself in rum alone every time we're in land. At least suffer beside your crew! You're the captain, for God's sake!"

Satsuki’s eyes flashed dangerously as he ripped his hand away from Kyo a second time, scratching the other lightly with his nails. He shoved Kyo up against one of the nearby buildings, his voice low and threatening when he spoke. “I’d kill you if we didn’t need you.”

Kyo groaned, slapping Satsuki's face like he would to a petulant child. "Then do it. Because you obviously don't need me, since you try so hard to not belong to us. The crew is starting to notice you know."

Satsuki touched his cheek and looked at Kyo for a moment before he glared and pinned Kyo to the wall, about to sing into his ear, perhaps to lead him to drown himself by jumping off the dock. He stop after a few mystifying notes though, knowing that he was letting his temper take control of him again.

Kyo shook his head, trying to clear the fog that took over his brain, but his body felt like jelly and his eyes were suddenly heavy. He sighed, trying to talk anyway. "Don't you...don't you ever again sing in my ears, you stupid brat."

Satsuki apologized quickly and supported Kyo, beginning to take him back to the ship. “I’m so sorry...I didn’t mean to...”

Kyo shook his head one more time, trying to clear his head and failing again. "Sucker...."

Satsuki frowned as he pulled Kyo up onto the ship, leading him into his captain’s cabin. He put the darker haired man down on his bed, waving his hand in front of his face. “Are you ok?”

Kyo moaned and rubbed his forehead. "I'll be. Just don't do that again, ok?" He sighed, stretching on the bed and looking beside him to the captain. "Calm? Can we be friends now?"

Satsuki nodded slightly, brushing Kyo's hair away from his face almost without noticing that he was doing so. "It doesn't do that all the time...I can relax you with my voice too."

Kyo closed his eyes at the hand running through his hair, sighing. "Really? Then I can ask you to sing for me without being afraid of dying? Please, do so."

Satsuki bent over Kyo and sang into his ear, this time a more soothing melody that was as peaceful as the waves hitting the shore and gentle rocking of the boat. He had only sang to Takumi like this before.

Kyo sighed and felt sleep enveloping him. In seconds, he was in dream land, with only the sea, moon and sea creatures keeping him company.

The song relaxed Satsuki enough that he also fell asleep, curling up beside Kyo and resting his head on the other's shoulder. It was the most peaceful sleep he'd had in a while.

Saga stretched out by the bar, letting his midriff show a little more as he looked over to the table the pirates were all seated at. He smiled to himself as his eyes landed on an adorable brunette trying to hold his friend up who obviously had too much to drink. The adorable smile on his face intrigued Saga, so he walked over and leaned against the edge of the table. "Need any help there?"

Nao shook his head, smiling at his friend and laying him on the lap of three ladies who were loving to pamper the short and cute brunette. "He will be okay now." He turned around, still smiling, and blushed a little at the sight that assaulted him: blonde hair, toned and exposed belly, white skin that shined faintly in the low light.

"So then you'd be free to take a walk with me?" Saga asked, extending his hand towards Nao.

Nao didn't have the habit of taking a prostitute for the night, but this one was just asking for a walk, right? He could take him if he wanted, in the end. It was not a crime. The cook smiled, nodding and taking the hand extended to him.

"May I ask your name?" Saga asked, as soon as he had Nao's hand. He began walking to the door, planning to take Nao out into the night air.

"I'm Nao, I cook for all that guys on the ship. And you? Are you and Rose are the only men here right?"

Saga smiled, at the cook and nodded. "Yes. I'm Saga."

"Hm... Nice to meet you Saga..." Nao kept his eyes on the ground on front of him, not really knowing how to act with the prostitute. He couldn't tenderly kiss and hug him like Hakuei did to Rose because they didn't even know each other. But his good manners refrained him from just kissing the lithe body and pliant mouth and go directly to business, like the rest of the crew.

"You seem...different from the rest." Saga started, not sure if Nao wanted to talk much, but he found silence to be kinda boring unless he could be doing something else to take up the time. Like snuggling that adorable cook and kissing him.

Nao laughed shyly, scratching the back of his head. "Let's just say I actually had a mom who cared if I behaved like a monkey or a human..."

That statement caused Saga to laugh as he took Nao to the edge of the dock outside to overlook the water. The faint lights from the shops along the water left little dancing reflections of light on the waves. "So how did you get mixed up in all this?" Saga asked, sitting down and letting his legs dangle off the side of the dock.
Nao did the same, sitting beside him. "I just did. They needed a cook, I needed money. No sad, dramatic family story. They live on an island some hours away from here, in a good house with my other four brothers and sisters. Pretty normal, boring family."

"Normal is fine." Saga said, sliding his arm around Nao and holding him close. "I've heard a lot of tragic stories, so it's nice to hear something new."

Nao smiled, taking some rocks from the ground and tossing them in the water, making little waves. "It's never boring being around those guys, it's a good life." The cook was a little nervous about the arm around his shoulders, but ignored it for now. Maybe he should just give in... A good night was not going to do any harm.

"It sounds thrilling." Saga admitted. He once had dreams of living out at sea and having adventures. Those dreams had all died with time though, instead he now greeted all those weary sailors into his bed.

"It's good..." Nao smiled sadly, clearly seeing the dreamy look on Saga's face. Maybe he wasn't all that happy in the brothel like all the prostitutes made it look.

Saga laid his head on Nao's shoulder, sighing and swinging his legs. "I want to see the world."

"Who doesn't?" He laid his head on top of Saga's one, sighing. "It's a good life, but I've never said it's easy. Maybe it's better and less dangerous to just stay here and enjoy life with both feet on the ground."

"But what's the point of living if you aren't enjoying life?" Saga asked, the question slipping out before he could stop it. He knew he wasn't supposed to get so personal with the clients, but he needed someone to tell everything to.

Nao eyes widened and he looked down at the other man. "Then there is no point. You should stop doing this to yourself." He got up, dusting his pants before offering a hand to Saga. "Come on, I need sleep. I'll pay you for the night, but just to hear you talking. You look like you can use a normal, calm night of sleep too."

Saga smiled and shook his head, placing a kiss on Nao's cheek. "No, I earn my money, Nao. I'll walk you back and find someone to pay me for the night. It won't be difficult."

Nao shook his head, smiling a little bit. "I'm a client too, just not the usual one. Are you rejecting me?"

"But I hardly think I deserve your money..." Saga muttered, frowning a bit to himself. He had only talked to Nao for a few minutes.

"It's okay, I don't need all the money I have right now. Come on, It's nice to know someone new after all the months in the sea, seeing the same people everyday. I'm buying the whole night, I'm just not sure I want the normal service." He shrugged and smiled again.

Saga was truly thankful, but he couldn't help teasing Nao a little bit. "Oh, so I'm not good enough for you?" He joked, nudging Nao's side.
"Don't be like that... I just don't like the idea of people paying for something so...sacred. I respect the act more then normal pirates. I'm sorry, I'm used to them, but I don't think I can do it myself." He opened the door to the brothel, holding it open for Saga.

"Thank you for a wonderful night, Nao." Saga commented as he stepped inside. "Good night."

Nao frowned, grasping Saga's wrist gently. "I was thinking you would spend the night with me anyway. Like I said before, It's nice to know someone new... And I barely know anything about you."

"I thought you wanted to sleep." Saga teased, pulling Nao a bit closer. "But if you want the company, I won't refuse."

Nao smiled and intertwined his hand with Saga's, letting the blonde lead the way. "I do, but I liked your company... And since I bought the night, I think I deserve to hear some more."

Saga smirked and brought Nao's hand to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of it. "But what if I can't keep myself off you?"

Nao blushed and looked down, smiling. "Then maybe, just maybe, you can convince me to let you earn your money the old-fashioned way."

They reached Saga's room a bit later and he let Nao inside, moving to sit on his bed in the corner. "But I suppose we can do some talking first."

Nao threw himself on the bed, barely stopping to dispose of his shoes. He stretched and yawned, getting comfortable against the satin sheets. "So, how'd you end up here?"

"I ran away from home." Replied Saga, laying down next to Nao and pulling the cook closer to him.

Nao got comfortable against Saga, yawning again, but interested. "Oh... Sounds bad. What happened?"

Saga held Nao to him, nuzzling his neck as he thought of how to answer. "They were trying to get me to marry a some girl I didn't even know and to take over the family business. I disagreed."

"Rich family? Well, It must have been bad after you ran away. I can only wonder why you're still here after even I realized you don't like your job." He was fighting against sleep now, but the other was just so comfortable, and he missed a warm body beside him, after all those months spent on the sea.

"I didn't know where else to go." Saga admitted, gently running his hands over Nao's back in a soothing manner. He could tell that his company for the night would be sleeping within a few minutes.

"Can you leave now? I heard some nasty things about trying to leave the business." Nao closed his eyes, sighing.

Saga pulled the blankets over Nao to keep him warm, smiling fondly at the cook in his arms. "Probably not..."
Nao nodded, not able to think of anything else with his clouded mind. He was asleep in minutes, tired from being in the ship all that time without proper rest and happy with a body to curl up against.

It wasn't long before Saga let sleep take over too. It had been too long since he had been able to have a body next to his during the night.

E-mail the authors

Prev Chapter | Next Chapter