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

XIII

No. No, what was he doing? He should be going after him. He should be going after him and bringing him back to them. They were his family, not his father; this was his home, not that prison of gold.

Atsumu watched until the chasing figures disappeared into the darkness, taking a moment before shaking himself from his numbness and starting to formulate a plan. Wiping any tears off of his cheeks, he turned to see his crew rushing here and there, trying to get them as far away from the kingdom as possible.

"Stop!" he called out, demanding their attention. "We're not leaving here without him. That's an order."

The crew all stood still, looking at him for a moment before sharing looks that the Captain struggled to read.

"Thank the sea for that." Osamu stated. "Was beginning to feel like a pile of fish poo."

"I agree, he comes with us or we don't leave." Kita backed him up.

"Aye!" Suna exclaimed. "We kidnapped a Prince once, how hard can it be to do it again?"

"Aye. Gather round, here's the plan..."

After mapping their route and course of action, they redirected the ship to go around the back of the island. There lay a smaller port, rarely used and thus lacking any guards. Making quick work of it too due to the traces of sunlight appearing on the horizon, they spent the time sharpening their weapons until they glistened and gleamed. It was decided that Atsumu would go alone, Osamu following if he hadn't returned by that same evening. 

The plan was for Atsumu to dress commonly, working his way through the streets of the town until he reached the outer castle walls. These were the least guarded so he could easily stop any guards; then, he would take their uniform and infiltrate the castle until he found the Prince. Then they would escape and head back to the ship, leaving in the evening.

It was a simple plan, the Captain could admit, as he took off his cloak and hat, wearing a plain and cleaner shirt that would hide his pirates marks. But it was all they could come up with in such a short amount of time. He just prayed his love wasn't further injured, they didn't have the best medicines to heal him if so. 

"It's time." Kita called out to him, so he left his quarters and went up to his crew.

"Yer better come back with him." Osamu threatened as he handed over his sword, the Captain strapping it around his waist before he bid farewell to his crew.

"Keep an eye on the tide."

Making quick work of climbing off the boat and walking the short forest path to the first town, Atsumu repeated the plan over and over in his mind until it was all he could think about. It was odd walking around like a peasant, not having the pirate appearance made him feel somewhat vulnerable. But he was Miya Atsumu, Captain of Inarizaki's Revenge, he could do anything he put his mind and heart to.

He made his way through the first town, passing blacksmiths and fish markets and beggars on the street. The dirt roads full of carts heading to and from the castle, sending exports of goods to other kingdoms. He wanted to steal a little something for himself, but he pushed down the urge and moved on. The second town was much the same, but there were more businesses such as bakeries and pubs. Keeping his head down in case anybody recognised him he trecked on, soon reaching the third town.

By now the sun was rising clearly, meaning it was around 5 or 6 o'clock latest. People were beginning to emerge on the streets, going about their daily lives ignorant of what their King was doing to the Prince. Or maybe they knew and just didn't care. This thought brought simmering rage into his chest, so much so that he paused in going over the plan in his head.

Travel through town, reach outer wall, steal uniform, get dragged into a house- wait what?!

Two small hands had grabbed his shirt and yanked him into a dark hallway. A front door slamming behind him he immediately pulled back and unsheathed his sword, demanding whoever attacked him to reveal themselves. 

One by one, several oil lamps were lit, revealing a young woman looking at him curiously whilst using the box of matches to light the way.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"Atsumu." the woman spoke. "Atsumu Miya is your name?" 

"Who's asking?" 

Seeming unthreatened by his sword, the woman put the matches to the side before grabbing his shirt and pulling him once again. 

"He thought you might say that."

"He?"

"Come quick. And put that sword away. There is little time."

Before he could get in a word of protest, and go through with his idea of knocking the woman out with the blunt hilt of his sword, they reached a doorway and passed through, revealing a small room decorated only with a bed and a bedside. And on the bed, bandaged and asleep, lay-

"Tobio."

He sheathed his sword as he rushed over to the side of the bed, kneeling down and grasping one of the male's cold hands, looking and seeing traces of pain in his expression.

"He comes here often, after the King has been particularly harsh. I was an old friend of his sister. He came rushing here to hide several hours ago, barely telling me anything except asking for help and telling me that if a man named Atsumu Miya came knocking to send him away to keep him safe."

Hearing this selflessness made him grip Tobio's hand harder, pressing a chaste kiss to his fingers uncaring of the other occupant of the room. 

"You're a pirate?" the woman continued, picking up a cloth and dampening it with cool water before pressing it lightly to the Prince's forehead.

"... Aye."

"A good one?"

"I used to think so."

"He has been with you these past months?"

"Aye."

"You wish to take him with you?"

"If he's willing, aye."

The woman stared, scrutinizing him for a moment before coming to a conclusion and putting the cloth down. 

"I can give you some medicine to take with you. He should wake up soon."

Atsumu watched the woman gather some supplies together when he realised he didn't know her name. But she had helped Tobio and so deserved the respect of a proper address.

"Kaori Suzumeda." 

"Thankyou Kaori."

"It's not a problem, but I am surprised to hear a pirate say thankyou." she teased with a chuckle. "Just take good care of him."

"Aye. I swear."

"Good. There's a backdoor at the end of the hall, leading right down to the sea. I'll keep watching to make sure we have no unwanted visitors: the King is persistent when he wishes."

When she left Atsumu turned back to his love, brushing away the fallen black locks from his eyes and grimacing at the sight of bruises underneath his bandages. 

"I'm so sorry love, for even a single thought against you. You saved us, and I'll repay that debt for the rest of eternity. I swear on the seven seas I'll do all I can to protect yer now and forever."

He sat down on the floor, back against the bed as he let his head fall to the side; hand not loosening its grip on Tobio's once. The exhaustion of the past month caught up to him, and he allowed himself to fall asleep knowing Tobio was truly safe.