Curse of the Zodiac Serpent

Ayako’s hand gripped the top of the mop stick. One of the crew had discreetly followed her down below deck. This had been exactly what Dimitri had warned her about.

“Come little kitten, where are you?”

She could attack first, her fists doing all the work, aiming for the stomach or head could make quick work of him. But there’s no telling if one blow would work and then more could come to join in. If she got caught hurting a crew mate who knows what they would do? Her other option was pressure points, it was dark enough in here to attempt to sneak up on the man. The downside was like all the others on board this ship she couldn’t sense their presence, she was blind. She could knock him out with the broom. That would be the best course of action, say he bumped his head on a low beam below deck...

No, none of that would work. It was all too risky, above all else the imperial family must stay safe. She just needed to slip by him and wait him out someplace safe, maybe the little room she had been given? She doubted she could make it up the stairs with the mop and bucket in hand without being noticed.

Holding the mop to her chest she inched herself toward the sliver of light that was coming down from the upper decks, her only beacon in the dark storage under the stairs.

“Here, kitty kitty.”

Men, only ever interested in one thing, it sicked her. Her back was pressed against the wooden wall as she moved along the inside of the small storage area, she prayed he wouldn’t notice her. She was careful with her foot placement as she tiptoed closer to her escape.

She could see the little bits of dull light coming down between the narrow steps, she was so close.

The floorboards creaked beneath her weight, she forced herself not to cuss aloud.

“Trying to get away little one?” a chuckle sounded way too close for her liking.

Her position compromised she ran for the closest door, the pirate’s footsteps pounded the ground loudly behind her. She darted inside the door and slammed it shut jamming the broom sideways through the handle so the pirate couldn’t follow.

When the door was pushed slightly ajar she added her weight to the other side forcing it closed. He’d give up soon, right? She wouldn’t be stuck down here with this maniac, right?

The door was rammed forcefully from the other side.

She ground her teeth together, was there no other way, would she have to take this fool down? Retrieving the hairpin from her bodice, the only weapon she had, she held it at the ready, the other hand on the broom that was barely keeping the door closed.

As she was about to remove the wooden stick and leap into action to take matters into her own hands. A hand clasped her wrist. Her body stiffened as she was yanked to the side.

“There better be a good reason you’re disturbing me again!” Kenji removed the broom and opened the door slightly to peek out at his subordinate. His voice was heavily coated in grogginess.

“Ah Captain, sorry. It’s just... I saw a rat run into your room and wanted to get it before it caused any problems.”

“A rat?” He questioned dryly.

“Yes Captain. I can come in and remove it for you?” The pirate offered.

“No need, not like a little mouse could hurt me. Now beat it.”

Ayako heard the scurrying of feet and the man finally left, she visibly relaxed. Though the position they were in was anything but relaxing.

“Care to remove the pointed pin from my never regions?” He asked looking down at her hand.

Kenji had moved her out of the way slightly to open the door without her being in sight, but now his body was pressed tightly against hers stopping her from moving. On reflex, she had taken precautions and aimed the hairpin for the man’s weakest spot. His hand was still clasped around her other wrist which was now pinned to the door behind her form. When he spoke she could feel the breath leaving his lips and caressing her neckline.

“Release me and I’ll think about it.” She responded turning her head slightly away, the long strands of hair that framed his face were starting to tickle her cheek.

He raised his hands in surrender and cautiously stepped back, allowing her to breathe more freely. She tossed the pin so it landed in her hand with the sharper side pointing towards herself before replacing it within her bodice again.

“You didn’t rat me out.”

He huffed at her and turned to head back to his rather nice-looking bed. “And what? Have you de-ball one of my men, I don’t think so.”

She stifled a laugh. When he jolted his head back around to glare at her she bit down on her bottom lip and straightened her posture.

“Defient little thing.” He muttered.

“I’m not little!”

He raised a brow at her. “I told you to stay below deck, you’re safest in your room.”

If it was one thing she hated it was being looked down upon. She’d worked hard to be where so was and she wasn’t about to let a pirate belittle her. “In a room where the lock can be picked with ease, you expect me to sleep soundly in there!?”

Kenji turned his head away for a moment as though trying to think. Not waiting for him to respond she strode forward and sat herself down on his surprisingly soft bed. “They won’t look for me in here.”

The Captain lent a knee on the bed, his form towering over her. His hand snaked around the back of her neck, grabbing a fist full of hair. With a light tug, she took a sharp intake of air as her head was angled up, his own face only inches from her.

“And what makes you think you’re safe from me?” His voice was a deep husk, it sent a shiver down her spine. An unexpected sensation mixed with exhilaration she hadn’t realized she could feel.