The Merman and the Prince

Chapter 5

Kuroko's Pov

I tried to stop the tears. When I was a child my mother and father had drilled into me don't cry, fight the tears, don't let them spill over until you are away from prying eyes. I tried so hard but I had taken a life, I had lost the last of my family and as I thought of the last time I had seen my uncle, thinking of the promise to spend a day together I couldn't hold them back any more. My eyes spilled over and the effect was instantaneous. My hair began to shin as the salty tears streamed down my face. I heard gasps from the pirates behind me and turned to meet Akashi's gaze. He showed no surprise at the change in my body and gave a slight nod.

"Now we know why he had you shackled. Grieve not for the life you have taken, you have only avenged your people. What would you like done with the remaining crew?"

I turned to the three slavers who were looking down at the body of their slain captain and up at me their eyes wide with fear. I knelt down to grab the dagger I had dropped before sliding it into my belt and turning away.

"Let the ocean decide their fate."

Walking with as much dignity as I could with my legs chained together I walked back to the group of slaves, noticing with a heavy heart that some of them edged away from me. Maybe it was like that man had said, my kind were beasts.

"Get them on board the emperor and then send this ship to the bottom of the ocean!"

We were lead across the gang plank onto the pirates' ship and set up in a corner of the ship where a shade cloth had been set up. The rest of the now free slaves sat there while I went to the railing and watched as the ship was set ablaze. The remaining slavers were hanging onto planks from the ship and floating away with the waves. I found I didn't care if they lived or died. I had asked the captain to let the sea decide but part of me hoped that my people would find them and exact justice. I had been surprised when he had nodded and left them, still tied up when the ship was set ablaze.

I was left alone as the ship soared across the waves and I settled myself at the front of the ship, my shackled feet hanging over the edge as water splashed upon me, keeping my change alive. Everyone aboard knew my secret and there was something comforting about not having to hide it. I loved the ocean at the same time as I feared it. I didn't know what was going to happen to me. I had no home, no family and I was at the mercy of a group of pirates. The Crimson Emperor was a grand ship. Not a single frayed rope or chipped railing was seen. The deck was polished and clear of clutter and the sails were a deep red. The flag that flew depicted gold and crimson eyes set under a crown. I had heard stories and rumours about the pirates who sailed under that flag. Nobody survived an attack from them. Ships were sunk, gold plundered and the crew murdered. Looking over the crew as I sat there I had to wonder if the stories were true. Yes they had killed most the slavers but then had told us they were taking us to a port to make our way home. Except me. I had no home to return to and my future was shroud in uncertainty. Would the pirates even let me go free knowing what I was?

Akashi's Pov

Night had fallen as I left my cabin, stretching my back out. I had been cooped up inside all day, working out or next move after we dropped the children off and wondering about the small merman. Thinking of him I glanced to the spot at the bow of the ship that he had claimed as his own. Sure enough, there he still sat, legs dangling over the edge as he stared up at the moon. My breath caught in my throat as I looked at him. Beautiful wasn't an adequate word to describe him. His azure hair shone under the moonlight and shiny silver-blue scales scattered along his arms and legs. People usually were disgusted when they thought of scaly merfolk but the look was stunning and the scales didn't fully cover his skin. He looked like a fragile pale doll, his skin like porcelain and his eyes bright on his face. I would have thought him weak had I not seen the look on his face when had killed that slaver.