Ocean Blue

Chapter 51

Keith's eyes shot open in shock, and he immediately saw that the man was not Shiro, despite the similar eyes. It was at that moment that Keith realized they'd been speaking Japanese and not English the whole time. He'd understood because before his ship had been taken by pirates, Shiro had taught him some of the language- and immediately disapproved when Keith used his new skill to insult people without their knowledge.

The old man smiled a little. "You're awake, then. I thought you might be. You've been through quite a lot, I'd say. Wish you could tell me. I'd bet that you've seen a lot in your life.

Like you wouldn't believe, Keith thought grimly. He tried to stagger to his paws, but fell with a weak mrow of pain. His vision danced in front of him again, and the old men set a gentle hand on his head.

"You rest, little one. There's plenty of time to get where you're going later."

Keith closed his eyes, the sleep coming easily and dreamlessly.

Xxx

"Jiji, did he die in the night?!"

Keith opened his eyes at the high, worried voice, and gave a small meow to reassure the girl- Sayuri- that he was alive. She grinned brightly.

"You're good luck," she told him energetically, "Why were you in our garden?"

"Maybe he's here to help you get a suitor," the old man said with a laugh from the corner.

Sayuri wrinkled her nose. "Yuck!"

"Or maybe he's a pirate cat," the old man continued, "Maybe he walked off of a ship so that it would sink. If they stay on a pirate ship, it's good luck for the pirates, you know. But if they get off..."

Keith shivered. Was he the reason that the Castle of Lions had been destroyed? Because he'd walked off of the ship?

"Will he bring us good luck, though, Jiji?"

"I'm sure he will, Sayuri. Go water the plants."

Sayuri bounced out, her feet bare. Keith pushed himself up to his feet, limping across the table and hopping down to the floor, careful not to land on his injured leg.

"You want out, eh? Fresh air?"

There was a scream from Sayuri, and both of them bolted towards the door. The old man ripped open the door and then froze. "Sayuri, don't move. Stay very, very still." He reached for a gun, and Keith peered outside. There was a snake, hissing at Sayuri, coiled up and ready to bite.

Keith bolted across the lawn, intercepting the snake just as it lunged. His jaws closed down on its back, and he shook his head violently, breaking its spine and neck. He dropped the limp creature and nudged it with one paw to make sure it was dead. It was.

"You saved me! You are good luck!"

Sayuri picked him up and squeezed him gently, planting a kiss on the top of his head.

"Thank you. I'm going to call you Fuku. It means luck, you know."

Keith squirmed uncomfortably, and she let him down. Sayuri's grandfather examined the snake, prodding it with the barrel of his gun.

"He got it." His face broke into a grin. "I guess you really are a good-luck-bringing cat."

Keith felt his pride in killing the snake take a blow at those words. He wasn't good luck. Everyone close to him died. He didn't bring good luck- he brought death. His dad. Shiro. Coran. Pidge. Allura. They would've been safe if he'd never arrived in port. If Lance had never pushed his wreckage towards Shiro, none of this would have happened. If he'd died out on the ocean... everyone else would be alive. Haggar never would have been able to find the amulet because the only one who knew the nursery rhyme would have been dead.