The Merman and the Prince

Chapter 25

The following day I headed up into the crow's nest, avoiding Akashi and Kagami. I could feel their eyes on my but I didn't meet their gaze. I couldn't. I hadn't slept very well without Akashi by my side but my anger still burned against the two of them. Akashi for forbidding me to heal them and Kagami for agreeing and then doing the bare minimum to help. I didn't know how anyone could care so little. I had walked past the small group of freed slaves on the deck and winced at the sight. They had been cleaned but it had only revealed many more horrible sores and skin flesh and skin sagging off their bones. I had noticed bandages and salve on the wounds but it didn't calm my anger. If Kagami and I combined our healing we could make them all better. Fuming over the two red heads I kept to myself all morning. I had a flask on my hip with water and some beef jerky to keep me going. I didn't want to encounter anyone.

It was after midday when I heard someone clambering up the ropes bellow me. I moved slightly to the side to allow Kise to climb in and sit next to me, our legs dangling over the edge of the basket. He handed me a bag and I opened it up to see some sweets. I popped one in my mouth and hummed with pleasure. It was chocolate with vanilla.

"This is delicious! I didn't know Murasakibara had these!"

"He doesn't, there from Akashicchi."

The sweet clumped in my mouth and I swallowed it with a wince. Seeing my face Kise gripped my hand.

"It's painful to see you two fighting. He is only doing what is best for everyone. He has to think of protecting you, the crew and everyone hiding out on Teiko. He can't just help everyone he meets, he has to balance the dangers as well. His life as our prince and captain is full of problems and responsibilities."

"I know Kise."

I said, cutting him off from his rant. After spending all morning up here my anger had quickly cooled down. My emotions ran hot and cold and thinking back over yesterday's events had left me feeling dismayed on how I had reacted and what I had said.

"But still I should have been able to do something!"

"And you can, just not with your powers. Think about Kurokocchi. The men who are hunting you destroyed your home and slaughtered everyone there simply because they had hidden you."

My heart lurched at the memory and for a moment I was shocked that I had forgotten them. Only a few months had passed since then but it felt like a life time ago.

"Imaging what they would do if they knew where you were right now? We are safe at the moment because all they information they have is of a young blue haired male last seen on a ship with red sails. That path could lead them anywhere and if we are discovered we can hide you or fool them. Not even hunters dare to pick a fight with the Red Emperor without solid proof."

I bowed my head but Kise wasn't finished.

"It is a selfish thing for you to treat Akashicchi with contempt simply because his actions to protect everyone deviate from what you want. You might be his betrothed but he is still the captain, the prince of our people and demands your respect. Even Kagami, a man who has given up his life to be by your side, protecting you and raising you did not deserve to be spoken to as you did."

"I know," I whispered, my face burning with shame and tears shining in my eyes. To have the normally cheerful and silly Kise berating me for my actions was more than I could bear. He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his embrace. I buried my face into his chest and gripped his shirt in my fists as I calmed myself. He soothed my hair and sighed.

"You will have to start looking at the bigger picture Kurokocchi. When you marry Akashicchi you will become our prince as well and our lives and the lives of our people will be in your hands and more importantly, your own life. The captain doesn't do anything without reason and your protection is first on his list of priorities. Just remember that next time you are vexed with him."