Rose of the Sea

[Butterfly_Screams]

Scarlett was taken aback at Ash kissing Char. Jelousy roared up in the pit of her stomach. She resisted the urge to reach through the bars and slash Char with her dagger. If only Ash would respod the same way to her. A rat crossed her path and her jumped back. She hated rats.

She sneered at Char when she talked about their wedding plans. Char was lucky that Scarlett was behind bars. She wished that she didnt look so pathetic. Her hair was matted and her make-up was smeared. Of course Ash wouldnt want to kiss her when she looked so ugly compared to Char.

"Yes Char has the only set of keys. Why do you want to help me. You heard Char, I'm pathetic. Well at least I look the part." Scarlett shrugged. "I can't help you escape anyways. We are on the sea. I only know how to escape from the palace."

Scarlett looked up into Ash's eyes. On the inside she swooned a bit. He was so handsome. Scarlett reached out of the bars towards Ash. Scarlett touched his scar on the side of his face gently. After tracing her fingers along the scar she removed her hand.

Another wind sent shivers down her spine. "Could you please do me a favor Ash? Could you please get me some water and a brush or some warmer clothing? I know it is lot to ask of you but it would mean so much to me if you did." Scarlett blushed and looked at the floor.

[Fira Dragonsclaw]

Ash nodded, "I can do that." He stared at her as she traced his scar. He wanted her to ask where he had gotten it... He longed for her to want to know about his past. It was the first time he had felt that way. He had never even told Jake about that night. Why did he want to tell Scarlett these things? He had no idea.

Ash stood and left. He walked to the room with the throne and knocked on Char's door. A sweet, sing-song "Come in" was heard, and Ash opened the door and walked in.

Char was sitting on her bed, wearing a black camisole and a short, silk skirt was clinging to her legs. Her legs were crossed, and an embroidering hoop on her lap. A tribal heart design, which was black and dark red, was forming on the cloth.

"You like Scarlett?" she asked.

"Yeah, I mean, she's a friend."

"A very...close friend..."

"Not really. I prefer you... You're beautiful, smart, funny..." Ash sat next to her and put a hand on her knee. Char looked at him, setting her embroidery aside. She kissed him gently, and Ash kissed back, wrapping his arms around her. She put her hands on his shoulders and unfolded her legs. She broke the kiss and knelt on the bed, facing Ash.

Ash kissed her, noticing a set of keys on the bedside table. Char kissed back, and Ash slowly reached to the keys. He grabbed them, clenching them in his fist to avoid the noise. He moved his hand back to Char's waist. Char broke the kiss, smiling.

"You know what Char is short for?" Char asked, continuing before Ash could reply, "Charletta."

"Wow... that's beautiful," Ash whispered.

"Thanks," Charletta said, standing. She walked over to the closet and opened it. Ash followed her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Char gave a tiny jump of surprised and turned to face Ash.

Char pulled him inside the closet and pinned her against the wall, allowing fur coats and silk dresses hide them. Ash smiled and kissed her as he snuck clothes from the hangers. He slipped the clothes into a bag behind his back. Char, who was distracted, didn't notice.

"I.." Ash held Char back before continuing, "I should go now..."

Char nodded and let him go. Ash snuck the bag and the keys out of Char's room and and ran to the galley to get a pitcher of water for Scarlett. He went back to the brig and nudged Scarlett with his toe, which was the only part of him he was able to move without dropping anything.

[Butterfly_Screams]

Scarlett looked up at Ash and all of the stuff Ash carried with him. Her eyes lit up and a smile crossed her face.

"Oh my goodness. Thank you so much Ash! I dont know how I could ever repay you!" Scarlett gushed. "You make me so happy I could just kiss you."

Scarlett blushed and looked down at her feet before she remembered that Ash had clean water. She took the water and clothes from Ash so she could get clean.

"Okay, you need to turn around so I can get clean. I would appreciate it a lot." Scarlett watched Ash turn around and then she stripped down to her underwear.

Scarlett cleaned her body with the water making sure she didnt miss any of the dirt, grime and blood over her body. Next, she wiped all of the make-up and dirt from her face. Finally, Scarlett slipped on a every-day dress that was blue-green with a white trim. Her dress looked like the sea itself.

Scarlett finger combed out her hair. Her red hair fell in relaxed curls down to her shoulder blades. She turned around and inspected the back of Ash. She found it to be very attractive.

"Alright Ash you can turn around now." She walked to the bars of her cage. "So how do I look? Did I miss any dirt on my face or anything?" Scarlett smiled at Ash.

[Princessa_de_la_Heartless]

Ash smiled slyly. "You missed a spot," he said, "Let me get it for you." With that, Ash pulled her face to his, kissing her and licking her lips. He pulled away and unlocked the cell, opening the door and letting her out. "Freedom suits you, you know?" he asked.

He led Scarlett to the deck, and Char was waiting for him.

"You stole from me." She accused.

"Listen, Char, I can explain..." Ash started. He was cut off by her hand as she slapped him. His head snapped to the side from the force, and she was glaring at him as if she wanted to tear his head off when he looked back at her.

"I could get you in trouble for stealing... twenty lashes. I could also get you in trouble for helping her escape...."

"That'd be thirty lashes," Ash's father finished.

"H-hello, father," Ash said.

"Spare me the act, son."

"Father, Scarlett wasn't meant to be locked up like this!" He shouted, "Can she at least have free roam over the ship. If she tries to escape, I'll take full responsibility."

"You'd better," His father replied, ignoring Char's glare.

[Butterfly_Screams]

Scarlett tensed in surprise at the feel of Ash's lips on hers. After the shock finally wore off she relaxed into the kiss, relishing in how perfectly their lips fit together. Scarlett had never been kissed before but it was the best experience of her life. Before she knew it the kiss was over leaving Scarlett wanting more.

Scarlett followed him up the stairs blinking from the light and her nose filling with the pungent aroma of the sea. Scarlett saw Char walk up to Ash and slap him across the face.

Scarlett wished that she was in the castle and she could order this girl to be killed or better yet she could kill Char with her bare hands. Scarlett's hands clemched in anger and she restrained herself from stabbing this girl, yet she was the prisoner and was once again weak.

Scarlett turned to look at the man who looked like Ash turn and face the two of them. She flinched subconsciously at the sight of how violent the man could become. She was aware that Ash was about to get lashes for helping her out and that she might also be in more trouble for escaping.

Then the conversation took an unexpected turn of events and suddenly she became Ash's charge. Scarlett became furious and felt betrayed at the same time. Tears stung the back of her eyes. Scarlett ran away from the group of pirates and ran onto the deck of the ship. Thie salty air whipped her face and her hair flew in her face.

She walked quickly to the railing of the ship and let out a long sigh. Tears started to stream down her face against her own volition.

"I thought I was going to be free. I thought this boy was going to help me escape my gilded cage. Yet I was foolish and he has only led me to become a prisoner on a ship where I could be killed at any moment."

[Fira Dragonsclaw]

Ash sighed and walked to the railing. He stood near her, gripping the railing and leaning over it. He heard her as she muttered about freedom, and he felt his heart shatter. She should've stabbed him, since that would've hurt less.

"You're not the only one who's a prisoner here," he said, continuing before Scarlett could comment, "I don't want to be here. My mother would never have let him come for me, so he killed her. Well, he didn't kill her, she shot herself. But only because dying that way was easier than starving. She was left on an island with no food, no fresh water, a pistol with one shot, a sword, and the clothes she wore."

Ash didn't want Scarlett to show him pity. That was the last thing he wanted. He turned away from her and walked to the Captain's quarters. His father caught his shoulder.

"Where ye be headin', Scar?" He demanded.

[Princessa_de_la_Heartless]

"Nowhere, father," Ash replied, "Did you need me for something?"

"Yes," the captain replied, "There's an enemy ship off the starboard bow. We need a raiding party to board the ship. We don't want to destroy the ship, so we won't use cannons unless we have to. I want you and Jake to lead the party, and the women are to be put in the brig for their safety."

"No!" Ash yelled, "There is no way I'll allow Scarlett to be put in the brig again!"

"Would you rather she be shot?" the captain yelled back.

"She'll go with the raiding party!" Ash blurted.

"May I remind you that the princess is not allowed to leave the ship?" Char stated.

"I'll make sure she doesn't escape," Ash promised.

"And if she does," Ash's father drew a small knife and slashed at the scar on his face. Ash's head snapped to the side, and blood trickled down, the new cut branching off from the scar, "It'll be worse." Ash nodded, and Char smiled cruelly.

"To make sure that the two lovebirds don't fly off..." Char placed one cuff of a pair of shackles around Ash's wrist, and the other around Scarlett's wrist. "I think you'll find it very hard to swim away like this." Ash glared as Char walked away.

[Fira Dragonsclaw]

Ash blushed furiously. He was not in love with Scarlett, and he hated being accused of it. He nodded to Jake and walked to the rowboat, leading Scarlett along with him. They sat side by side until they reached the edge of the enemy ship. Then they climbed aboard, Ash with some difficulty since he had to pull Scarlett along with him.

The two made it to the deck of the ship and began looking around. Ash found a sword and carried it with him, willing to protect Scarlett at any cost. He walked until a sound made him freeze. He turned on his heel, forcing Scarlett behind him, and saw a pirate. He swung the sword, and the pirate blocked. Ash pulled Scarlett in front of him and used the chain of the shackles to block the blade and pull it from the pirate's hand. He handed the sword to Scarlett and swung his own at the pirate again. He didn't expect this to have any effect, but the pirate's head fell clean off his shoulders, and the point of a blade erupted from his chest. Jake stood behind, smiling wickedly.

"Shall we leave?" He asked.

"Yes, please," Ash replied. Jake picked the lock on Scarlett's shackle and tossed her overboard. The boys followed, and Ash grabbed Scarlett around the waist, pulling her with him as he swam. He shifted her so she was on his back and swam faster. The group broke the surface of the water to breathe, then went under the water again. They didn't stop swimming until they were able to walk, and they walked onto an island.

"Free at last! Thank God, I'm free from the pirates!" Jake yelled. Ash and Jake ran along the beach, racing each other.

[Butterfly_Screams]

Scarlett turned her head at the mention of her nickname. She was shocked when she and Ash shared a nickname. She did not mean to eavesdrop but Ash's father peeked her curiosity. She bristled at the thought that she was going to have to go back to the brig. Scarlett bowed her head in defeat and started to walked towards the brig. She stopped once she realized that Ash was defending her.

She took a few steps towards Ash until her arm brushed his. Scarlett couldn't believe that Ash was sticking up for her and wanted to be with her. All of a sudden, Ash's father lunged towards Ash and scratched his face with a dagger. She gasped and stopped herself from reaching out to him and fixing his wound until they were away from the captain and Char.

Before she could register what Char said her wrist was clamped with Ash's in chains. She screamed inwardly in frustration. She wondered if she would ever be trusted or even treated as a real human being.

Once Char and the captain left Scarlett ripped off a piece of her dress and then cleaned Ash's new wound with the cloth. After wiping it clean she traced his scar with her thumb. Then, she cupped the underside of hi8s chin. "Maybe after the raid you could tell me how you got that scar?" Scarlett wanted to kiss him on the lips but instead she lightly pressed her lips to his scar. "I am very sorry that you are stuck in chains with me but the faster we get this done the faster we can get out of them."

Scarlett then sat in the boat and helped Ash row the boat. Once they reached the side of the other ship Scarlett slipped one of the daggers out of her shoes. "I'm ready. Are you?"

[Princessa_de_la_Heartless]

Ash had secretly been picking the lock of his cuff since it had been put on his wrist. When he got in the boat, he had finally gotten it off. He grinned when Scarlett asked if he was ready.

"Yes, but not to fight," he said, opening the cuff and allowing it to fall from his wrist. He dove into the water, pulling Scarlett with him. He swam under his father's ship, feeling the wood with his fingertips. He came up to breathe an inch from the ship's wall, pressing against it to remain invisible to the crew. He then dove deeper, making sure he wouldn't be caught. He swam as fast and as long as he could, leading Scarlett with him. He stopped when he saw an island and tread water for a while. He looked at Scarlett. "You alright?" he asked.

[Butterfly_Screams]

Scar Turned to him with a look of pure rage on her face. In a harsh tone she wispered "What is the matter with you? Is your brain still fuzzy from your trist with Char?"

Scarlett splashed Ash with water, having to wait until they reached dry land to properly vent her anger at him. After a few minutes she regained her composure. "Well what do you suggest we do now oh smart and wise Ash? We cant go back to your fathers ship without getting killed, and we cant get to the island over there with out becoming spotted and then losing our life! What is the matter with you? Do you want me to die?!"