Chapter Text
He hated it. He absolutely hated it.
The port of Marseille was as crowded as he remembered it being, which was probably its only redeeming trait. It was easier to blend into the crowd, easier to be lost among the throng of people. The chances of him being recognized were slim at best, but Mikaela didn’t get to where he was today by leaving his life to fate. Every step he made, every smile and stab were thoroughly calculated and planned.
He couldn’t make any mistake. He knew what it would cost him.
Yet here he was, back where it all began. Mikaela was certain that none of his crew could trace his humble beginnings to this very port, but still. The docks, the coils of rope littering the ground, the salty tang of sea salt in the air... it was practically identical to every other port he’d sailed to. But this one got under his skin. It made him nervous.
"Cap'n, be 'tis th' place?”
Mikaela paused and regarded the building, feigning thoughtfulness before nodding curtly and leading his small group through the door. He could have found the place blindfolded, but none of them needed to know that. For all they were aware of, this was one of his first times at the port as well.
How could he forget the Sisken, though? He wished he could. The scar on his thigh wouldn’t let him.
Dressed in civilian clothes with only his eyepatch to draw curious gazes, Mikaela entered the tavern and walked up to the last table to the left without missing a beat. Just where they’d agreed on. Lacus and Rene trailed behind, no doubt eyeing the buxom tavern maids. Mikaela wasn’t worried about any of them recognizing him here- those girls never lasted long in the business. He certainly hadn’t.
The man waiting for him at the table was hard to miss. He stuck out like a sore thumb even in his demure choice of apparel. He didn’t even try hiding his blazing red hair with his hood. The man raised his eyes from the tankard in front of him and offered him a wide grin before lifting the tankard to his lips.
Mikaela sat down on the opposite side of the table and motioned for his crewmen to make themselves scarce. They nodded as seriously as they could, but as their captain, Mikaela could tell how excited they were to rush over to the bar and order themselves a drink.
One would think we don’t have ale onboard, Mikaela thought as he repressed the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he looked the man in front of him up and down.
“A priest? Really? I thought they aren’t permitted t’imbibe, Crowley.”
Crowley shrugged and took another swig.
"You see churchmen sittin' here all the time. I could probably confess on Sunday if it makes you feel any better. The priest I took these from would approve.”
Mikaela raised his brows skeptically. “What happened t’ him?”
Crowley simply smiled.
Mikaela shook his head and reached out, grabbing Crowley’s tankard and taking a sip. It tasted just as it always had.
“What do you want, Crowley? You better not be wastin' my time.”
"So fearsome,” Crowley cooed, unchastened by the dark glare sent his way. He chuckled, relenting as he pulled out a piece of parchment from his pocket.
“Look at these numbers and tell me they aren’t worth your trouble.”
Mikaela took the parchment and studied the list coarsely written on it. Crowley’s handwriting, he’d like to think. The man might be messy and never showed the proper respect Mikaela wanted his reputation to instill, but he was a valuable informant. The items listed on the parchment only served to prove so.
“...did this vessel come from the East Indies?”
Crowley nodded.
That would explain the extoic items that deserved to be written down in a nicer script. Fabrics, jewels, even gold...these were all worth a fortune.
He raised his eyes from the parchment and shot the other man a piercing gaze with his blue eye.
“What’s in it for you?”
“Ten percent is all I require,” Crowley waved his hand dismissively. His expression turned serious. “I’ll collect when the time comes.”
Mikaela nodded. None of this was new to him.
“Where might I find this ship? Where’s it headed?”
“The Opal is currently docked right here, in Marseille. She’s bound to Portsmouth before returning to the Indies.”
A plan already formulating in his mind, Mikaela stood up and exchanged one last look with Crowley before turning to leave. Lacus and Rene immediately followed.
Mikaela had been the captain of the Seraph for over seven years, yet he’d never come across another ship carrying such riches. The prospect of boarding the Opal and stealing all she had made a rare smile play on his lips.
If he did this well, he would finally make a name for himself. The Opal might just be what he’d always wanted- a chance to prove how fearsome he could be.
Mikaela Shindo will be a name to revere among all pirates to sail the seven seas.
~o~o~
“Yuu-nii, look! It’s the ship we’ll be boarding on soon!” His younger brother exclaimed excitedly as the smaller male peered out from the window of the coach. It was apparent from where Yuu sat that Yoichi was excited for their first voyage at sea. It wasn’t everyday that the two youngest sons from the Ichinose family would venture outside, much less travel to another land with their father’s permission.
Yuu smiled gently at him, closing the book he was reading to take a peek.
Buildings from taverns to townhouses rushed past them, people in hats and corsets strolled under the sun. The coach turned left, dust flying after it as the scenery changed to glittering blues of the seas, ships in every shape and size lining the docks.
Yuu felt his heart beating a bit faster in excitement. He could already smell the sea salt as he closed his eyes and breathed in the cool afternoon air. God, he couldn’t wait to start sailing off.
And make my father proud.
“Hey, Yoichi, think we’ll be able to see some sea monsters?” Yuu grinned down at his brother who gazed up at him with wide lime-green eyes.
“They really exist?”
“Only one way to find out.” He chuckled, slinging an arm around the shorter male and holding him close. They both suddenly jolted as the coach came to a halt. Yuu glanced outside and saw that they’ve reached the port of Marseille.
Blood rushing through his veins, Yuu jumped out of the vehicle before the coachman could open the door for him, pulling Yoichi along with a yell, “Come on! Those ships over there are huge!”
His eyes sparkled as he struggle to crane his head up, taking in the whole view. White huge sails hung high on towering masts, length as wide as three houses and it was so massive Yuu was awestruck. He watched as sailors hollered over other crew members to load the cargo, pulling on thick ropes that rolled in boxes or rose sails up high.
“Young masters, wait! Your luggages!”
Yuu turned and had to hold back a chuckle as he watched the man struggle to carry three boxes at the same time, waddling over to them. They waited until all their stuff were put on board a great looking white ship docked to the right.
It was even bigger than the rest and Yuu silently wondered how something as great as this could float and sail across the seven seas. He heard one of the cabin boys calling it Opal as Yuu and Yoichi finally walked (or more like ran) up the steps onto it, it's shiny white hull gleaming under the sun.
The boat rocked under their feet with every step they took and Yuu grinned at his brother, still hardly believing that they were about to set sail.
Yoichi leaned against the edge of the railings, waving farewell to the coachmen who seemed to almost be weeping, their handkerchieves raised in the air.
Yuu copied his actions with much more enthusiasm. “I wonder how long it’ll take us to reach Portsmouth. Father doesn't want us being out too long.”
Yoichi shrugged his shoulders, turning to him. “Father didn't really want us to go in the first place but you persistently asked for it.”
“Well, of course!" Yuu huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "How can I be of any use to him if I can't carry my own weight in this business?”
An understanding look seemed to cross his brother's face as he glanced down at his hands, still smiling. “You know you don't really have to, Yuu-nii. Father loves you just as much as he loves the rest of us.”
Shaking his head, Yuu turned to his brother with a melancholic expression. “It's different. I just have to do this, Yoichi. I want to make up for everything he's done for me.”
Yoichi was about to say something when a horn blasted through the air.
“We’re setting off, boys! Bring up the plank and roll down the sails!” The captain in the upper deck yelled, his hand on the wheel and the other holding his huge hat in place.
There was a huge clang as the anchor was raised and the ropes on the docks loosened to allow the ship to swim on its own. Strong winds helped to push them off the right course. And before Yuu knew it, the land where he grew up on became smaller and smaller until it was a little speck in the horizon.
“Young masters.”
Yuu turned away from the sight of the ocean to greet a smiling cabin boy before them.
“I'll be taking you to your rooms now.”
He and Yoichi were led down rickety steps and inside an expansive room with two beds, red carpeting, and a small chandelier that swayed with the motion of the ship.
“Father surely doesn't waste any expenses.” Yuu gaped. He flopped down on one of the beds and relaxed his body for the first time in awhile. He'd been stressed the whole day yesterday, doing everything he could to please his father.
Closing his eyes, Yuu could use the little break.
Soft footsteps padded around before the mattress dipped as his brother sat on the edge.
“I'll go back up to find our luggages. Looks like they still haven't brought it down yet.”
Yuu nodded his head, feeling a wave of tiredness overcome him as he sank further into the fluffy bedding. Maybe staying up all night to read about his father’s trading business wasn't such a good idea afterall.
A warm hand fondly caressed down the side of his face, brushing strands of hair back.
“Go sleep, brother. I'll be back.”
With a soft shut of the door, it was peacefully quiet, along with the occasional creaks from the floorboards up deck. Yuu rolled up to the pillows and laid on his back, finally letting himself fall into a dreamless sleep.
~o~o~
It hadn’t taken much convincing to get his crew to cooperate. Mikaela knew he walked a thin line between inspiring fear and loyalty, and should the balance be swayed, it wouldn’t matter how strong he was. A group of thirty, able-bodied men could overpower him at any moment. He had no illusions as to how unstable his title of ‘captain’ was- the only reason he was entitled to give orders was because they allowed it. And in turn, he led them well and maintained order.
Now, he would lead them to riches beyond their imagination. If they pulled this off well, there was no reason they couldn’t sail to warmer seas and spend time enjoying themselves with all kind of pleasure money could buy.
The crew was ready. They had yet to raise their flag and according to Mika’s wishes, remained in the guise of simple sailers. Nothing about the Seraph was meant to raise any suspicion as they followed their target at a safe distance. The route from Marseille to Portsmouth was fairly common. The Opal had no reason to wonder at the Seraph’s white sails.
Mikaela sneered as his sword cut through the Opal’s captain. How pathetic.
He’d instructed his men not to damage the vessel to such an extent that its treasure would be harmed in any way, but the rest was up to their mercy, of which he knew they had very little of. Mika’s boots were stained red with the blood that ran freely over the deck. Piercing screams and cries of the Opal’s passengers were swallowed by the ruthless waves.
There was no place for the weak at sea. It was eat, or be eaten. And Mika’s men were hungry.
“Cap’n!”
Mika turned around and watched as Lacus approached him, a manic gleam in his eyes. There was a splatter of blood on his cheek which Mika knew couldn’t belong to him. Lacus’s grin was too wide for someone injured, though he could never tell with that man...
What caught his interest, however, was the woman Lacus dragged behind him. He held a large clump of her fair hair in his hand and there were tears in her eyes as she was forced to closely follow behind.
“Cap’n, I know ye said no captives, but-”
“No exceptions,” Mika cut him off. He gave the woman a brief once-over. She was pretty, but beauty like hers came a dime a dozen. “Do what you will with her now, but she isn’t comin’ with us.”
The girl stopped crying and was looking intently at Mika with what he assumed was hope, but he looked away with disinterest. She’d be dead within the hour.
Lacus, on his part, looked torn.
"But sir-”
"I said no, Welt.”
Lacus sighed and peered down at the woman. “Oh, well. Let’s 'ave some fun while we can.”
Mika pulled out his pocket watch and gave it a brief look as he walked away from what was certain to be an unsavory scene. Not that he minded, per se, but he had more important things to do. They had an hour at most before someone noticed that the Opal didn’t arrive on schedule. Mika and his men had to find as many valuables and carry them over before a search party was dispatched.
Sixty minutes. Sixty minutes to subdue the passengers, rob the ship and burn it down.
Adrenaline pumped through his veins as Mika ignored the slaughter and debauchery and climbed down the stairs to the lower deck. His eyes widened at the opulence that greeted him as he set foot in a carpeted corridor.
He heard shouts coming from behind a door on the far left down the hall.
Bingo.
~o~o~
When the first shouts began, Yuu jerked awake.
He nearly tumbled off the side of the bed in his haste to get to his feet as another round of shouts sounded, this time with a few fearful screams mixed in. Yuu blearily glanced up at the ceiling, wondering what the hell was going on.
A foreboding feeling creeped up his gut as Yuu stepped close to the window, peering outside. A huge structure obstructed his view of the ocean and it took his muddled-mind a second to realize that it was, in fact, another ship.
A pirate ship.
There was no mistaking that black flag that soared high above the mast, a gruesome skull painted on it.
Gasping, Yuu pushed away from the window, his heart racing a mile minute. Pirates!? What were pirates doing on a traveling ship? Were they trying to find hidden treasure in this massive boat? Yuu didn't know but he didn't want to stay long to find out.
Pirates were notorious criminals in the sea. Infamous even. Once they've taken a ship, they'll take every treasure inside it then sink it to the bottom of the ocean with the rest of the passengers and crew inside. It was a chilling tale his father recounted to him once in a blue moon when he had enough free time to speak with Yuu.
Father was always busy managing his business but he made time when he could for his family. Yuu always enjoyed it when they’d practice sword fighting with each other or read enchanting books in the study with the rest of his siblings. It made him feel like he had a family.
But now Yuu may never get to experience those small moments again.
Determination renewed, Yuu stalked out of the room and down the hall. He needed to leave. Grab a small boat and paddle to shore. Yoichi could help bring some people on board if need be—
Yoichi!
Yuu suddenly froze. His stomach twisted in terror and horror as he remembered that Yoichi had gone up to get their luggages but never came back down.
If those goddamn pirates attacked Yoichi...
Fury rushed through his veins as Yuu ran for the upper deck. How he could have forgotten for a single moment his own brother? What if Yoichi had needed him while he was asleep? What if he was already...gone by the time Yuu arrived?
Yuu shook his head furiously. No. Yoichi was still alive. He needed to believe that– needed to believe that his little brother was still waiting for him up there, for Yuu to save him.
He was so caught up in his own worry, Yuu ran headfirst into a tall back. Landing painfully on his ass, Yuu looked up and growled at the stationary person before him.
“What are you doing just standing there? There are pirates outside, you know?”
In the back of his mind, Yuu found the man’s attire strange. He wore a long cape that reached past the back of his knees, dirty boots and an odd hat that rested atop blond curls. When the man turned to face him, Yuu’s jaw almost dropped at the sight of the eyepatch he wore.
Suddenly, he was ten times more intimidating up front than when Yuu was yelling at him from his back.
Yuu may have never sailed the seven seas before but he was sure as hell that no self-respecting passenger or sailor ever wore outfits like these. Which could only mean one thing...
Mika didn’t have the opportunity to pursue the shouting from the far end of the hall. It was clumsy of him, but he only heard the hurried footsteps a split moment before a weight pushed against his back and fell over. He turned around and instinctively reached for the pistol at his hip, whipping it out of its holster and aiming it at the heap of limbs on the floor.
He blinked at the sight that greeted his eyes.
A slip of a boy dressed too fine to be a sailor was sprawled on the ground, looking up with an annoyed frown that quickly dissipated the longer Mika looked at him. Now that he studied the boy’s features, he couldn’t help but approve of his expressive green eyes and shapely legs that were unintentionally spread on the floor, granting Mika a nice view. He had to stop himself from whistling appreciatively.
A smirk came unbidden at the boy’s words. How amusing.
Mika didn’t lower his pistol. Instead, he tilted his head and looked the boy up and down meaningfully.
“Oh, I think I got the memo.”