My Precious Cargo ⚔ Volume 2 (An AtsuKage ff) ✔

II

Unfortunately, that night their ship was caught in the middle of a flash storm leaving them rushing around the ship mending sails and emptying buckets of water overboard for the next week. This delay to their journey dampened their spirits, all of them sighing with relief when at last the dismal island came into view.

Surrounded by a grey fog fitting for its name, the island was full of jungle life. Large palms scattered across the sandy shores, thriving despite the lack of sunlight filtering through the hazy clouds. Condensed shrubbery and the cawing of birds met their sights as they docked just offshore, taking small rowboats onto the island itself. Tobio jumped out and his boots sunk a little in the sand, the pale gold dusting the worn leather making them almost sparkle; the Prince could feel the essence of magic humming around him.

Once everyone was onshore they navigated their way through the jungle terrain for several hours, stopping once to hydrate themselves as their throats dried up from the dense air. Their whole journey to visit the witches was tiring and time-consuming, as if an invisible force was trying to prevent them from fulfilling their quest. 

During their short break Kageyama could finally stop and look upon the wildlife around them. Low, swooping vines covered in thick thorns hung over his head, and a multitude of plants of all shapes and sizes curled around his legs. Giant tree trunks were home to nesting creatures, their presence visible in the faint claw marks on the deep brown wood. The air was thick with heat and dry, so dry, that he gratefully accepted a second water bottle from Kita.

"Have you been here only once before?" he asked the older male with two-toned hair.

"Aye, this island isn't easily trackable on a map and the journey isn't one we favour very much. As you can see, this environment isn't really suited to us."

"No, it isn't. I don't think I've ever felt this stifled, the air is so dense. How do the witches survive here?" he mused, guessing they had some sort of potion or spell that enabled them to live in such an isolated space, barren from other humans.

"Apparently they brew some sort of potion from the different fruits around here." Osamu voiced, gesturing to the mass of fruits amongst the greenery. "Don't ask which ones though, they said we'd get poisoned if we tried 'em."

Tobio frowned at this, wondering what other enigmas this island held. He was even more intrigued to meet these witches, wanting to know more about them just as much as he wanted any clue to the location of the Ocean's Heart.

The Ocean's Heart... for some reason, the name sounded familiar to him. He hadn't voiced this thought to anyone in the crew, and he himself thought that he must be mistaking it for something else. But, if he really thought back into the hazy memories of his childhood he could swear that his mother had spoken that name before. Yet he couldn't recall most of his early years, only the dismal years spent trapped in the castle with his father, training and fighting and alone. Stuck. 

He took a deep breath in and out, shaking his head to get rid of those distasteful thoughts. Now that he was with the Inarizaki crew he would never have to go back home again. He was free and on an treasure hunt any pirate would be jealous of, so he should work towards finding the Ocean's Heart with bright vigour.

"Let's keep moving." Atsumu announced, the crew gathering their few belongings as they followed their Captain deeper into the jungle heath.

With the endless shrubbery and little light coming through the overtop trees, none of the crew knew exactly how long they had been wandering for until they found the witches. The island hid an open expanse of land, with clear blue skies and birds flying amongst the clouds. A few grass hills surrounded a large wooden cabin, full of cauldrons and spell-books galore. 

Atsumu joined Kageyama in the middle of the crew, giving him an assuring smile to put any worries he may have had at ease. Really, the witches who lived here were lovely people, and he knew what harm negative stereotypes could do to a person's image. 

"Leave the talking to me, 'kay?" 

"Alright. Oh, I was wondering about something." Tobio stated.

"What is it?"

"Do we need to bring them a gift? Offer them something in return for information? Will we be unfavourable or seem hostile?" 

Chuckling, Atsumu gave a light tug of the Prince's hand to reassure him they didn't have to do anything but be nice to get what they needed to hear. He was surprised when Tobio so confidently held his hand with one of his more gentle smiles, glad that he was open to the witches knowing of their relationship. Well, it wasn't like either of them tried to hide it. Even though most of their affection was behind closed doors, they often held hands or hugged in front of the crew, and when they stopped at ports or other cities for supplies or business, they were protective of each other without stating the obvious. 

Kageyama knew that their relationship wasn't wrong, and in their modern times two people of the same gender in a relationship together was completely normal. But his father was a backwards and cruel man, drilling into his son that he must find a wealthy, preferably royal, female and have sons to carry on their lineage. And so, on his more depressing days, he would often have doubts about their relationship and his own actions, wondering if he was doing the right thing. Yet Atsumu was always there to help him get by if he needed it. 

"We don't need to give them anything. But they do value honesty, and they may even know what we're here to ask before we even say anything."

"Are they clairvoyants?" the Prince asked with curiosity, eyes wide.

"The small one I think."

"I can't wait to meet them."

"Says the introvert." teased the blond.

"Shut up Miya. Just because I'm not as loud or annoying or-"

"Aye aye. I get it, yer can stop now."

"But what if I don't want to?" Kageyama retorted.

"Then yer gonna because I'll-"

"We're here."

Pausing in their teasing, the couple turned to Kita who had announced their arrival at the cabin. And it was true, because the crew stood a the bottom of a set of stairs ascending to a large oak door covered in delicate carvings and glowing silver symbols. Tobio traced the swirling patterns with gleaming blue eyes, excited at the sight of the magical runes; he let go of Atsumu's hand so the Captain could go and knock at the door.

Instead of the door swinging open majestically, the crew were met with a loud crash and bang alongside a high-pitched scream. A window at the side of the house was flung open and a puff of green smoke billowed out of the cabin, slowly dissipating into the fresh air. Hastened footsteps echoed closer and closer to the door until it was hauled open by a young girl. 

She might have been Tobio's age or a little younger, but she was very small indeed. Bright, short blond hair and elfish features were apparent, her wide eyes enlarging at their presence.

"You're here already?! I didn't see you coming for another two hours!" the girl shouted, her voice squeaking as she scanned the large group, all familiar faces from her visions.

She paused before gasping, pushing the pirates out of the way until she stood in front of Tobio who was looking at her with eyes as wide as her own.

"You!" the witch shouted. 

"Hello?" Tobio eyed her warily, a gasp leaving his throat when she grabbed his hand and hauled her into the cabin, almost tripping over the doorway.