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

III

The crew shared confused looks before following after the witch and Prince, eyes glancing over the piles of books and vials towering high against the walls, barely an inch of space left available. As they ventured further into the cabin however, the space cleared into a traditional living space, a glowing fire lighting up the hearth nicely and casting warmth upon the seats and cushions in the room. There was a room to their left that released more of the green smoke, and on the other side Tobio was sitting at a form of dining table with a stunned expression.

The blond witch hastened around the room, muttering spells that chucked the crockery scattering the sides into the hanging cupboards. They slowly took the seats scattered around the room, Atsumu silently asking if his love was okay when he made eye-contact with Kageyama. But the Prince simply looked bewildered, wondering why he was being singled out. It seemed that he didn't have to wait long.

"Kageyama Tobio, it is about time you showed up here, Your Highness." 

Turning around in his seat, Tobio watched a slightly older woman, maybe the same age as Atsumu, join them from the garden around the cabin. She had long black hair and horn-rimmed glasses resting upon her nose, her eyes observing him with an air of wisdom and grace. With a gentle greeting to Inarizaki, she took the seat opposite the Prince at the table, thanking the blond witch- named Yachi- with a smile as a cup of green tea was placed in front of her, the same soon in front of Tobio.

"You know me?" the Prince asked, taking in the humble clothing of the witch opposite him, clashing the bright jewels around her neck and wrists.

"Indeed I do. My name is Kiyoko, I was friends with your mother."

Smash!

The cup that Tobio had dared to pick up in his hands fell to the floor, ceramic smashing upon the wooden floors. His eyes widened with complete shock, gaze shaking as her comment rang in his head on repeat.

"My... my mother? You knew her?" he asked, voice barely louder than a whisper; the crew could hear pain laced in his words.

"She was a frequent visitor at our old establishment. Yes, we resided in your kingdom long ago. She told me all sorts of stories about you." She remained calm and composed, even as Yachi rushed about cleaning up the broken cup. "And what a life you have begun to lead."

"You- she- my- what?"

With a light but not mocking laugh, Kiyoko began to explain her relationship with his mother.

"I was born as a mortal, a human the same as yourself, but was gifted with magic upon reaching womanhood. Your mother had recently begun courting your father, their families preparing their marriage in haste. I was just beginning my magical training when your parents visited our establishment for the first time, looking for a potion that would grant them luck in their future. My mother gave them a potion that would gift them happiness, love, prosperity, and children."

"But my father hates magic. He banned everyone from..." Tobio's eyes narrowed with realisation. "He forced you out, alongside the other magic folk, didn't he."

"Indeed. Your parents married and the kingdoms indeed prospered, you and your sister grew strong and healthy and there was peace throughout the land. But, gradually, your father became cold and harsh; it worsened by your mother's death. He wanted total power, and feared those with magic would overpower him and take his crown. My parents," Kiyoko paused as she maintained her composure, "were caught in the crossfire and killed, Yachi and I were both searching for a new home and decided to settle here away from humanity, lest the same thing happen again."

"I... I'm so sorry. My father's cruelty is no stranger to me."

"I know of your suffering young one, and I know what you seek. The Ocean's Heart is the most powerful treasure in existence, a legend no longer. I can tell you what I know, but it comes at a price. Do you wish to know?"

Tobio looked over to the rest of the crew who had been listening to their conversation with rapt attention. They gave him nods of encouragement to ask what they needed to know, Atsumu's strong and assuring gaze reaching his.

"Tell me, please."

"You already know the key to finding the treasure, it is within your grasp. And yet, a great betrayal may bring your hunt to an end. The advice I give you is this: every action has more than one meaning, and never, ever tamper with magic you do not understand."

The Prince nodded as he went over the great witch's words in his mind. A fresh cup of tea was placed in front of him, and he went to thank Yachi but was surprised when she jumped away upon their eyes meeting. Was she just nervous? Or was she scared, scared of him? The idea made his stomach churn and he hastily returned to the tea, taking a sip and letting the warm water rush through him. If she was clairvoyant then maybe she could see his future, and judging by her reaction it wasn't a positive sight.

"Young one." Kiyoko called out to him, gaining the crew's attention. "There is more to you than meets the eye, more to you than you may ever know. When the time comes, everything will fall into place. Until then..." 

The crew wanted to know what else she knew about their future, their adventure, and any hardships they would face. And betrayal? From who, when? But their desire for knowledge was cut short when they followed her gaze to their little one, who was looking into his cup with a frown, a groan eliciting from him before his eyes fluttered shut and his body slumped sideways. Luckily Suna was near enough to catch him before he crashed onto the floor, the chair he was sitting on falling onto its back with a crash.

"What did you do?!" Atsumu yelled, hastening over to his lover and seeing his pale skin and hearing his shaky breaths.

"Freeing him. As I said, there is more to him than meets the eye, and that cannot be discovered unless he is freed."

"Free from what?!" Suna asked, holding Tobio closer against his chest, Atsumu checking his pulse.

"Don't worry!" Yachi yelped from behind Kiyoko. "This is for the best and he's completely fine!"

"He's unconscious!"

Even though the crew were lost, confused, worried and mad, the elder witch remained entirely calm, slowly rising from her chair and joining the Captain kneeling on the ground. With a ring-speckled hand she rested her palm against Tobio's chest, and immediately his breaths slowed and the shaking stopped. He was a little warmer than normal, but now it seemed as if he was simply sleeping. 

"He will wake in two days."

"Two days! What have you given him?" Atsumu pressed, grabbing the cup and seeing nothing but regular tea.

"I cannot share magical secrets. You simply have to trust his path, Captain Miya."

What they hoped to be a simple visit to the witches, and maybe a nice chat before leaving, turned out to be a haunting visit that led to them leaving the cabin as fast as they could. Although they knew Tobio would be fine, and that the witches truly had no evil intentions, it was hard to not worry and want to leave the old wooden cabin with billowing green smoke at the sight of the Prince so unresponsive. 

Suna continued to carry Kageyama back through the shrubbery, the return journey not seeming as long as the twins traversed through the jungle, taking a direct route by chopping through any dense shrubbery in their way. Once the yellow sands met their eyes they felt relief that they could return to their ship and leave.

Atsumu was clearly agitated, stuck between confused and frustrated as he gazed upon his sleeping lover in Suna's arms, the mixed emotions giving him vigour in rowing their small boat back to their ship. As their feet landed on the deck, the Captain wasted no time in heading over to the wheel whilst Kita and Osamu hauled up the anchor with Aran. Ren headed over to the Captain's quarters with Suna, pulling open the door for the cat-eyed male to walk through, gently resting the Prince on the bed and checking for any signs of discomfort.