Taking of a Heart [Shikanoin Heizou x Criminal Reader]

The Crux

"Someone get the Captain!"

"Who's this?"

"Hey! wake up!"

As your ears rang from the urgency in the voices around you, your legs throbbed with exhaustion, and a piercing headache threatened to overwhelm your senses. The aftermath of your daring escape had taken its toll, and the sea's relentless motion stirred a deep sense of nausea within you.

"Who's this?" the voice repeated, urging you to wake from your stupor.

With great effort, you forced your tired eyes open, your vision still blurry as you surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings. The ship's exterior loomed before you, a cacophony of unfamiliar faces and hasty movements.

Your mind raced to gather your bearings, knowing that the moment of revelation was imminent. The consequences of your actions loomed like storm clouds, and you braced yourself for the impending reckoning.

As the blurry haze began to subside, you tried to make sense of the situation. The ship's crew stood over you, their expressions a mix of confusion and suspicion. The ship's captain had been summoned, and you couldn't escape the inescapable truth – your daring escape had been discovered.

"Easy now... be careful," a tall brown-haired woman spoke softly, pushing through the small crowd. She knelt down beside you.

Her striking appearance caught your attention, with her left eye concealed by a vibrant red eyepatch, and her other eye an intriguing combination of ruby and gold hues. Her presence exuded strength, yet her touch felt surprisingly gentle as her hands cupped your face, examining you with concern.

Despite the gravity of the situation, there was an air of reassurance in her demeanor. Her touch didn't carry the anger or hostility you might have expected, bringing you a sense of relief amid the tumultuous circumstances.

In this enigmatic woman's presence, you found yourself momentarily drawn from the burden of consequences, and an unexpected glimmer of hope began to emerge. As she continued to tend to you, you sensed an unspoken understanding between you, a shared experience of defiance against the odds.

Who she was and why she chose to help you remained a mystery, but for now, her presence offered a respite from the turmoil, and her firm yet caring touch provided a comforting anchor in the stormy seas of uncertainty.

Amidst the turmoil, she became your sole focus, her presence a beacon of comfort amidst the pain that coursed through you. The world around you faded into insignificance as you found solace in her caring touch and her mesmerizing eyes.

The agony within you rendered you speechless, and all you could manage was a soft hum in response. Your voice, usually quick and artful, felt constrained by the turmoil raging inside. Yet, even without words, you hoped your hum conveyed the gratitude and trust you placed in her.

"Can you stand?" she asked, rising to her feet and extending her hand towards you.

Without hesitation, you reached out and grasped her hand, allowing her to pull you up from the floor. Your legs trembled with exhaustion as you struggled to regain your balance.

"It looks like overexhaustion," a white-haired crewmate observed in a gentle tone, his hair billowing in the sea breeze. You couldn't tell if it was a trick of the light, but there seemed to be a faint red streak within his white locks.

He gave a faint smile.

Your gaze remained fixed on the brown-haired woman, her concern a comforting balm amidst the storm of emotions swirling within you. "C'mon, let's get you somewhere to rest," she smiled warmly, her reassuring words encouraging you to follow her lead.

With unsteady steps, you clung to her for support, your legs still protesting from the exhaustion. As she walked along the ship's deck, the white-haired boy, seemingly her companion, followed closely behind. He snuck peaks at your condition. 

The rest of the crew looked on with curiosity, their eyes tracing your movements with intrigue. It was evident that your presence on board had sparked their interest, yet there was an air of understanding and respect among them, recognizing the unspoken bond between their crewmates and the enigmatic stranger you had become.

With each step, you felt a growing sense of trust in this woman who had offered you refuge. You gazed up at her, grateful for her kindness and the glimmer of hope she had brought. 

She led you through the ship's narrow passages, arriving at a secluded space that seemed to serve as a communal sleeping area for the crew. It was a tucked-away corner, hidden from the bustling activities on the main deck, offering a sense of privacy and tranquility.

As you entered the room, you were greeted by the soft glow of lanterns that illuminated the cozy nook. Hammocks and neatly arranged beds lined the walls, each offering a sanctuary for weary souls seeking solace amidst the turbulent journey.

The crew had created a refuge within the confines of the ship, a space where they could find respite from the demands of their adventurous voyage. Here, amidst the gentle sway of the sea and the soft creaking of the ship, a sense of camaraderie thrived, binding the crew together as they shared the trials and triumphs of their voyage.

The woman motioned for you to settle into one of the beds, and you gratefully complied. Nestled within the embrace of the bed, you felt a cocoon of comfort envelop you, easing the tension in your tired muscles and mind.

As you settled onto the soft bed, you couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected comfort of the crewmembers room. Surrounded by multiple other beds and hammocks, the space exuded a sense of camaraderie and belonging. Despite being aboard a ship, the room was surprisingly clean and adorned with touches of beauty that reflected the crew's care for their living quarters.

The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the room, casting a warm ambiance that added to the sense of serenity. Trinkets and mementos adorned shelves, offering glimpses into the lives of those who called this ship home. It was a place that carried the echoes of countless stories, and you felt privileged to have been woven into its tapestry.

Still in a daze, you gazed back at the brown-haired woman, your mind still reeling from the events that had unfolded.

"You're quite out of it, aren't you?" she sighed softly, kneeling down beside you once more to observe your condition.

Her concern touched you, but you struggled to find the words to explain what had brought you to this state. Your mind remained foggy, and the impact of your daring escape still reverberated within you.

"What happened to you..." she mumbled, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and empathy as she rose to her feet.

With a gentle hum, she turned her attention to the white-haired boy, who had been by her side all along. "Kazuha, go and grab Yinxing, will you?" she asked.

Kazuha nodded in understanding and left the room, leaving you alone with the woman once more.

As she settled next to you, her sigh held a mix of intrigue and amusement, pondering how you managed to find your way onto their ship.

"I wonder how you even got on..." she mused, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Her warmth and caring nature enveloped you, offering a sense of reassurance even in the face of the unknown. "Get some rest, okay?" she said, affectionately ruffling your hair before rising to her feet and leaving the room.

Her words echoed in your mind as she departed.

Get some rest.

You were tired... it wouldn't hurt if you just took a little rest.

In the cocoon of this ship, surrounded by the lullaby of the ocean's embrace, you finally allowed yourself to succumb to the call of sleep. Dreams and destiny intertwined, as the ship sailed onward into the mysterious horizon. With the soft creaking of the ship and the gentle sway of the sea, lying in the comfort of the bed, surrounded by the camaraderie of the crew, you felt a sense of security and belonging that you hadn't experienced in a long time.