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Three Island Treasure ~ Part 3

The movement of the ship woke Levi slowly, choppy lists, and less pull from the wind. They were nearing shore, his gut told him, and a quick glance out the red glass window confirmed his instinct. Rupes Nigra spread out before him, bright and vibrant in the light of the afternoon.

It was just like the picture book. Sprawling coast, dotted with gnarled pink leafed trees spread outward in either direction, the hills of the island covered with tier roofed temples. Hand pulled wagons meandered lazily along steep cobbled paths, and in the distance a heavy bell sounded once, twice, three times in echo.

The walk down the gangplank was a stumble through blinding sun...finally unfiltered through the thick glass of the porthole. As he gazed back at the frill sailed ship, so curiously shaped and decorated, Levi barely had time to get his bearings before a strong and pale hand clamped down on his wrist.

"Oi! Wha-" He stuttered as the Prince hauled him deftly to the side...aiming for a small trail between the unusual trees that the pirate hadn't really seen. Shutting his mouth at a firm look, Levi bumbled behind obediently...twisting only once to look back at the docks.

There were the two lanterns, hanging neatly from the piers. It wasn't just like the book...it was the book! Only,,..the city seemed bigger during the day, and so full of life.

The silence didn't last long. It never did, with Levi. "Where we goin', lass? Iffin y'-"

Jerked short as she spun about, once hand raised, the Black Prince froze him with a bloodchilling glare. Definitely a chick. -"Watch your tongue, pirate, lest I allow my father to cut it from your head as he wished! Never address me as such!"-

Levi tugged his wrist free, holding up both hands in innocence. "Sure, hokay! Jus' stop hittin' meh!" Her face softened slowly as he lowered his hands, trying a tentative and charming grin. "Jus...wanna know what happened. Seems like I been here afore..."

-"You were."- Her voice was curt, impatient, but her eyes stayed upon his. "You really don't remember? You made the rendezvous, we made our deal, and once I flashed you, you...well...-"

Flashed? What was that? And why were her cheeks getting so pink? Ever blunt, Levi asked just that. "Flash? Wha? Whut happened?"

Several long moments passed as she gazed at him. Levi squirmed, but met her eyes. He knew this look. It was the one Aki used when she was trying to tell if he was lying. Finally, the first hint of a smile appeared upon the Princes face, and she pantomimed gripping the bottom of her shirt. -"You know."-

Levi shook his head, eyes wide and more than a touch curious.

A different spark of spirit rose within the Prince, Levi watched it travel over her face like rippling satin. The smile dimpled a touch, and the pirate put one hand against a pink petaled tree. She did look like Mik, but by the Gods, she was cute!

-"You know. Flashed. Like this!" Gracefully, the Prince...Princess, his mind corrected, spininng...slid the hem of her shirt upwards, over an impossibly slim stomach, revealing two perfect, pale, cherry topped-

Breasts! Jubblies! Teeny tiny titties!

His hand slid across the bark, numb, as he reeled.

-"And you passed out..."- She continued, tugging her shirt down as Levi crumpled in unrelenting joy. -"Just like that."-

***

He was never truly unconscious, but his senses didn't return to him until close to an hour later. It was the sight of well rounded hips that snapped him out of his half nude fantasies, eyes focusing on a generous, heart shaped bottom that hovered temptingly close to his face. Blinking, Levi propped himself up on one elbow to have a shameless look.

A woman (no doubt this time!) in heavy robes bent before him, pouring tea into a delicate porcelain cup. As she straightened, long dark hair tumbled back down to her waist, and the pirate gawked.

"I...Isha?!"

At his voice, serving girl turned, and the curtains dividing the room swished. Her lips formed a perfect bow of a smile, eyes slanted with what appeared to be glowing subservient pleasure. It certainly wasn't Isha, but Levi smiled slowly nonetheless. Even the way she held the little tea pot was pretty!

The curtails parted, and the Black Prince flowed through like dark fog. With a curt nod, the Prince dismissed the serving girl...eyes fixed on the pirate, who had fixed his eyes on the departing heiney as it swayed.

-"Isha? You're still on about that island girl, hmm?"- The Prince's lips were drawn into a thin line, reminding him all the world of his little sister.

Levi snapped back to reality, as loose as that term was, and gazed up at her displeased expression. "Isha?! Y'know Isha?!"

His interest did nothing to help her mood. -"Know her? No. You're the only one below my"- Her words stopped abruptly, as she obviously altered what she'd been about to say. -"You're the only one from off the island I associate with, and even then, not in public."-

Levi wasn't sure if he should be offended or not, so he ignored it entirely. "Whaddya know 'bout 'er? Is she 'ere?"

The Prince shook her head, putting her hands on her hips. Instantly, Levi was distracted, watching for a moment in silence to see if she'd pull her shirt up again. No such luck. He deflated a bit in disappointment.

-"All I know is that she once saved your life."- Levi knew that to be true. When he was a child, surely it was her that tugged him to shore! The Prince couldn't know about that, though...it had only happened a year or two ago! Had he forgotten something else? -"She saved your life, but I gave you another one."-

Now he was totally lost. "Ya whut? And y're...who?" Obviously puzzled, Levi failed to articulate to any degree...but the Prince seemed to follow well enough.

Pulling herself up to her full height, just a touch taller than the pirate if they'd both been standing, the Black Prince inclined her head. -"I am Yuu, of the Hiraku clan. I am the only prince of the ruling house."-

Instead of being impressed, as anyone else unquestionably would have been, Levi cocked his head in confusion. "Yer...me?"

Her eyes narrowed, the regal posture melting back into annoyance. -"No, Yuu. My name is Yuu."-

"So yer name is....Levi? Whoa." Missing the explanation entirely, Levi gave his head a shake, the rings and beads in his dreads clicking with a distinctive noise. "Small worl'!"

Obviously, her patience was wearing thin. -"No! Yuu!!"- Sighing sharply, seeing that method wasn't getting her anywhere, Yuu Hiraku tried a different technique. Settling down neatly upon her knees, the Prince folded her hands and leaned forward, closer to the pirate, as though proximity would impart understanding. -"Very well. First, pretend my name is Luu. Then"-

"Oh! Luu! S'pretty!" Levi beamed in sudden understanding, blinking as the Prince gave him a shake.

-"NO! No."- Taking a breath, the girl steadied herself, silently reminding herself of a few key points as to the pirate's nature. Levi had never been the brightest lantern in the bunch. -"Just pretend it's Luu, then take away the L, and put a Y in its place. Y. U. U."-

Mouthing it silently a few times, Levi finally glanced up...brows knitting. "Yer name is...Yuu?"

-"Yes!"- She was almost delighted, and Levi was glad to see it. She was so much prettier when she smiled! At his skeptical look, though, she huffed indignantly. -"What?! It's a good name!"-

"Oh yeah?" She nodded curtly, and Levi continued with a shrug. "Whassit mean?"

A slow blush crept over Yuu's cheeks. She was on her knees, hands on the shoulders of a pirate she had snuck into the temple, and as pink as a cherry blossom. -"It means...superior."-

To his credit, Levi managed to hold a straight face, and nodded with sparkling eyes. "Sure thing, doll. Yuu it is."

As the Prince pushed back, disgusted at the both of them, Levi took a moment to look around. Hadn't that curvy serving girl brought tea? Tea meant...food! Eyes alighting upon the platter of treats and cups and bottles, Levi grinned. He was starving!

"So...why m'ere?" It was hard to understand him through the mouthful of apple bun. The pirate swallowed, probably without chewing, and clarified. "Why 'ere, and what the 'ell happened to m'book?"

For a few moments, the Prince watched the pirate silently. She'd regained her composure, and stood stiffly over the feasting lad. Hard questions to answer, both of them, so she gave the only answers she knew.

-"Your...captain...had caught wind of our meeting. His plan was rather different than ours. Instead of spiriting me away..."- Her voice was low, private, and Levi absently chewed softer so he could make out the delicate words. -"...your crew decided to ransom me back."-

Levi interrupted, waving the bit of seaweed wrapped fish that he held. "Y'wanted t' leave? Why? Yer a Prince!"

Suddenly, the cold composure faded, and the Prince looked for all the world like nothing more than a girl, on the edge of tears. Instantly, he pushed the bite of food into his mouth, taking one of her small hands in his. Don't cry! His eyes begged, since his mouth was full of food.

-"You..."- Her voice was even, despite the pinch at the corners of her eyes. Continuing softly, Yuu shook her head. -"...don't remember anything, do you?"-

More than a bit sad that it was true, Levi shrugged sadly. "Jus' from t'book. But I can unnerstand ye,...that's something, innit it?"

Shrugging in kind, Yuu pushed the moment aside, and continued with her story. -"You met me upon the docks, warned me of their ill intent, and I knew I had no other choice. I shared my secret with you."-

Levi's smile returned at the very thought. Oh, those gentle peachrouged peaks! Those perky pinkkissed handfuls! Those-

Whuffing as he caught an elbow to the ribs, the pirate grinned in helpless apology. She continued without another pause, determined to finish the story before he swooned again. -"It would have gone very poorly for everyone, should your crew have discovered my true identity. You took quite a risk in betraying them-"-

This time, Levi interrupted forcefully. For a moment, he truly felt as though the first mate's actions had been his own. "Wait, betray? Nuu. Nuh uh." Mutiny was out of the question.

Taking this into consideration, Yuu inclined her head. Her face was softer, when she wasn't concentrating, making her look like the tousled haired tomboy she was. -"In...changing the plan, and negotiating without them."-

Levi settled back, grabbing a sticky sweet triangle of pastry from the tray, and nodded. That sounded much better.

-"You explained the matter, quite honestly, to my father himself. I will always admire your courage."- Oh, that smile again. The pirate forgot to chew, and instantly beamed a smile back. Of course he was brave! He had a princess to protect! -"I...asked for mercy on your behalf, and my father agreed to a settlement. In exchange for your respect and silence, he would offer you the honor of our clan. You...signed your name, upon the Endless Scroll, and left with the better half of the bargain."-

Her lips twisted a bit, as though something about saying those words was distasteful. Levi was too dense to realize that she had been the other half. Finishing his bite, chasing it with a gulp of tea, the pirate wrapped his arms around his knees to listen more attentively. This was all part of the story he hadn't read...told to him by the Black Prince herself. He could almost see it unfolding, the long scroll with tangles of crimson ink... But, what was the Endless Scroll?

"Whassat?" Easy enough just to ask.

Yuu sighed, as though she'd told him all of this already. -"The Endless Scroll is...well..."- Making a vague gesture with her hands, Yuu gave a simplified explanation her best shot. -"It's a record of souls, a book of eternity. It is what establishes the lineage of the Emperor, and carries the wisdom of our sages down from generation to generation. It is...the promise of Incarnation."-

Levi boggled, trying to weed through the mystery of his words. "Ah signed it? So..."

-"So, as long as you sign the book once in each life you ascend into, you will never truly die. Your spirit will be called back by the Scroll, and manifest again..."- The Prince was gazing out the window, and had been since he'd spoken. Levi twisted to look in that direction, seeing little more than a young tree in the center of the courtyard. The sapling was lashed with hand woven cords, strips of fluttering paper encircling the trunk like a skirt. -"One way or another. It is not the same, for everyone."-

That was just about clear enough, even if he didn't get why she was staring out the window. "Tha' means...I died?!"

-"We all do."-

"But I...nah. Psh." Pushing away that line of thought, Levi simply shook his head, dismissing the entire possibility. "Yer jussa book. I never died."

Yuu's hands curled into fists at her sides. Levi's eyes widened, and he leaned back upon the cushions in mild surprise. What did he say?!

-"No, you're a book. When you let your blood and signed that scroll, you entrusted part of your soul to it, don't you see? It...I'm...the reason you're here now, you thickheaded pirate!"-

She turned abruptly, stomping for the curtains. Levi called out in desperation, shocked that she had gotten upset so quickly. What had he done?! "But...but I hadda book! Y'were innit, e'erything was innit, up till the docks! Why are th' rest of the pages blank?!"

One hand on the curtains, Yuu turned her head to the side. He could see her profile, sharp and adorned with a ghost of a smile, and his heart skipped a beat as she paused. Her eyes didn't meet his. "Perhaps...if that's true...they are blank because you kept your word. Because you kept my secret. Despite your flaws, you're a good man, Levi Lovekill."-

He was so taken by hearing her utter his full name, with such a tone as that, that Levi didn't even protest her use of the word flaws. Instead, he smiled, filled with growing pride in more than his own fictional actions. If he'd pleased a girl such as Yuu, even just in a story, he wasn't doing too badly.

-"We meet with my father tomorrow. Wear those. The girl...who is not Isha..."- He wondered briefly why she was so particular about that point. -"...will be in to aide you at dawn."-

"Yer father? Why?" The thought of meeting anyone's father filled him with instinctive trepidation, but Levi realized distantly that he wanted her to dally more than he wanted the question answered.

-"Because...tomorrow...you will sign the Endless Scroll for the second time. Guard my secrets well, even before my father. Rest well, Levi."-

He watched her go, curtains falling back into place. Her stride was so sharp, so unlike the sway of the serving girl, yet he was just as entranced. Trying to shake it off, still awkwardly conflicted over her seamless charade, Levi let his gaze fall to the remnants of the platter.

A few yellow patties, two red dumplings, and some rabbit food...as well as a slender bottle and two tiny cups. Pouring an experimental taste, Levi brightened instantly...all quandaries forgotten.

Rice wine! Things were looking up, after all!

Three Island Treasure ~ Part 4

Tumbing waves, and a pitching deck, gentle shivers and- Levi blinked awake, staring up at the woman that hovered over him. A sleepy smile appeared, slowly but surely. It was the lovely serving girl, with the heart shaped heiney!

She held up the folded robes that Yuu had motioned too the night before, waving them with gentle insistence. Rubbing his eyes, Levi nodded, slogging up to his feet. So what if he had to wear a dress...Yuu had to wear pants!

Peeling out of his shirt, Levi scruffled his fingers through his dreads, tossing them back and meeting the girl's look with some puzzlement. Why was she so red? And why was she...

Realizing slowly that perhaps the girl was looking at him, Levi wavered. He grinned. He considered blushing. He puffed up, and grinned again. But he was just a kid...wasn't he? Holding his arms out to the sides, ready for the wave patterned robe, Levi tried to make polite conversation.

"Y'know, iffin yer not busy after-"

On cue, as always, the Black Prince arrived. "-He's not ready? Today, please."- Her tone was surprisingly cold, and the serving girl hustled to comply.

Levi kept his arms out to the sides, and looked Yuu over. She certainly looked like a boy when she tried...the black leather was almost perfectly flat over her chest! In fact, he had to squint to make out even a hint of-

As the temperature in the room dropped, Levi lifted his eyes slowly. The Prince was the picture of freezing rage, hands clenching in pale fists at her sides. Levi's brows came together, and the girl turned him around gently, closing the robe across his chest and nearly around again to the back. If she was so angry, why wasn't she saying anything?

By the time he turned around again, Yuu had regained her composure. The pirate sighed, glad to see it, and dusted his freshly tied garb. "So! How do ah look?"

-"Adequate. Follow me, and don't touch anything."- Stalking back through the curtains, the Black Prince vanished. Levi spared a wink for the bowing girl before he made his way out as well. Hopefully, this would be over soon.

And of course, as always, it wasn't. Over an hour of ceremony followed....incense, little bowls of water, some rather boring chanting, and a spot of meditation that almost turned into a nap. By the time they reached the Lord's chambers, Levi was hiding yawns in the square cut sleeve of his blue and green robe. How did Yuu put up with it?

As they swept into the final chamber, Levi blinked in the dim lighting. Only four lanterns pierced the gloom, one in each corner, and that same thick incense rose in fat curls to either side of the backless throne.

Upon it rested the Lord. Levi knew it was the Lord, cause he was the only other person in the chamber. Following Yuu's actions, as he'd been told to do, Levi knelt silently just inside the closed doors. They didn't seem to be moving for a while, so Levi peeked up through the dreads that had pulled free of the tie.

The Lord was an imposing man with a heavy, square face....eyes nearly shut under the weight of perfectly lined wrinkles. Across his lap was a staff, or a sword, or something of the like...something that gleamed darkly in the dim light. Before him, upon a long ebony table, was a heavy bundle of a scroll. The Endless Scroll! That was interesting for about a minute, before his attention wandered again. Finally, after the pirate feared he could no longer fight another yawn, Yuu spoke.

-"Father. He has returned, to beg of you another line in the Endless Scroll."-

Levi raised a brow, but kept his thoughts to himself for once. He wasn't going to beg....was he?...but he did admire the way Yuu cut straight to the point! Shifting slightly, uncomfortable on the hard wooden floors, Levi froze at a low sound of warning from the Black Prince. Right. No moving.

The stocky old man nodded once, the smallest tilt of his head, and Yuu finally rose. Levi could see relief in her posture, a scattering of scarlet crescents on the girl's palm from where her nails had been biting.

With smoothed, practiced motions, the Prince untied the bindings upon the ancient scroll, and rolled the bulk of it to the side. At a sharp nod, Levi scrabbled to his feet and approached, staring down at the strange writing with wide eyes. It was funny dotty writing, like a bunch of moons and stars had been scattered in dark brushstrokes upon the page. Even though he could understand Yuu, he couldn't read a word of it....except for one signature, just a few dozen lines back.

L e v i L o v e k i l l

"'Ey! Thas me!"

He heard Yuu's breath intake sharply, and only then realized he'd spoken. Glancing at her reflexively, the young pirate was a bit dismayed at her expression. Her pupils were contracted, even in the dim lighting, and tiny beads of sweat glimmered at her temples. She didn't return his glance, staring instead beyond the pirate.

Levi stole a slow look at the Lord, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling. A naked blade lay across his lap, the dark sheath vanished. Levi hadn't heard a thing.

Swallowing, he glanced back at the scroll, literally biting his tongue. Whether this was a book or not, that sword looked sharp. It sure did seem to be his signature, though...written in squirrley red, just like he'd imagined it.

Wait, it was just like he'd imagined it! But this had never been in the book...had it? Boggling, Levi shook his head, absently accepting the slender knife Yuu offered him with shaking hands.

Knife. Knife? And a small pot and quill... Wincing, Levi made a rare correct assumption and figured out (or remembered) exactly what he had to do.

Drawing the blade gingerly across the fold of his left palm, the pirate gritted his teeth. He'd never been particularly fond of pain. Trying hard not to waste a drop, seeing no reason to do it twice, he caught the slight trickle in the tiny glass jar.

It slowed almost immediately, but he still felt vaguely nauseous. Dipping the quill in the ruddy ink, trying to ignore how pale Yuu seemed out of the corner of his eye, Levi lifted the pen awkwardly and lowered the point to the scroll. His name was written vertically before, no reason to do it differently now. Taking a breath, able to hear every scritch of the quill tip in the quiet room, Levi slowly inscribed the letters of his name.

L e v i L o v e k i l l

The blood dried instantly, as soon as it touched the page, and the next thing he knew Yuu was taking the quill and pot from his hands. Was it over? The scroll was wrapped again in a blur, the Lord's blade was sheathed, and suddenly they were backing out of the smoke filled chamber. By the time they'd reached the courtyard, Levi had almost caught his breath.

"Ah...did it!" The young pirate marveled out loud, rubbing his thumb across the cut upon his hand. Glancing at Yuu sidelong, smiling at how pretty she looked under the pink leaved trees, Levi gave the Black Prince a nudge. "Hanks, Yuu."

That seemed to take her by surprise. Yuu stopped, and slowly returned his smile. -"You're welcome, Levi. Come on...it's time to take you home."-

Ah, he loved it when she smiled!

"You're up." The familiar voice was accompanied by the arresting scent of lemon cleaner as Mikhael walked into the kitchen, with a bucket and a mop. "Good. Hungry?" He set the bucket down, and flopped into the seat across from Levi, eyeing him with a mixture of concern and...was that a hint of cynicism and irritation? "Hung over. Good. Idiot." He pushed out from the table and moved quietly to the stove, competently settling pans on the stove and reaching for eggs and bacon. It was very clear that he wasn't going to ask where Levi'd been.

He was all too used to this sort of behavior from members of his ersatz family here...Aki...Levi, and he was tired of it.

Growing up indeed. It made Mik more than a bit troubled in more ways than one to see his best friend so grown up and like a man. It bothered him how much he both wanted to hug and tuck hairs like he used to, and also how much he wanted to run away. Grown ups, for the most part, were shifty and untrustworthy. Grown-up Levi, drunk and going on adventures without him, made his heart hurt and his stomach unsettled. Mikhael himself could barely reach the back-burners on the stove without a phone book. He forced himself to clear his throat.

"Sounds interesting." He ignored the question. It was beneath him to dignify that with an answer. Of course he'd missed Levi. Why did the pirate think he felt so foul?

"I...." He faltered as he realized he really didn't know what he wanted to say, then turned back to the plan and flipped bacon, letting the other side color with the eggs. What would he say? He missed easy days by the lake, he missed home, he missed the time he spent with all of them back when he was small and things were easy. This felt too much like being trapped in a cage again for his liking. A cage of solitude. Maybe it was selfish, but he didn't want to tell his own story or make his own legend, or whatever. He just wanted to live, and be happy.

Mik slid the food from the stove onto a plate, then moved to lay it in front of Levi. Leaning over him from behind, he tiptoed and brushed the pirate's hair out of his face so he could steal a soul searching glance. If his mood hadn't been clear before, it was obvious from the flickering glow in his eyes -pushing back his power, a sure sign of irritation- only punctuated by a faint scowl.

"Don't spect you're sorry." He tried a small smile. "Or even t'know what to be sorry for." He turned away to fuss with the toaster and two slices of bread. Pressed down the lever. Then he turned back to the pirate and met him with a tight hug. "But, still your first mate. Always miss you. Stupid."

When the toast popped with a cheerful ding, Mikhael bustled it over to the table, sliding two of the four pieces of bacon, and one of the eggs inside it, before handing it to Levi. Easy eating.

"Cleaning this house." It had gotten so dusty and full of disuse over Aki's journey, plus a few rooms in the back that Mik was sure almost no one had touched in quite some time.

For his own meal, he snatched an apple from a fruit basket on the table, biting into it with a satisfying crunch. After all, it wasn't even really breakfast anymore, but nearing lunch, and he didn't want to spoil his appetite. He wasn't quite a bottomless pit like the pirate. ....Well. He liked to pretend he wasn't. He settled into the chair across from him again. "So. Any pretty girls?" He offered a helpful smile. Levi would appreciate his favorite topic.

"She hasn't been...herself." He frowned. How long had it been? Hadn't Levi known about Aki and the tower and... He shook his head. "Don't you see her?" The thought of the pirate's absence from his guardian troubled him. Frowning concernedly, he almost didn't notice that Levi wasn't wolfing down the food with his normal voracity.

"You 'kay?" It had to be more than a hangover. No drink could keep his pirate from his food. Had he gotten hurt on his adventure? "Should rest..."