Chapter Text
Haruka strode confidently into the small receiving chamber. A grand piano sat in one corner, a vase of brightly colored flowers resting atop the closed lid. A settee and various chairs were arranged nearby presumably for impromptu concerts. A fireplace that would comfortably fit Haruka standing upright was fitted into one wall. Above it, a portrait of Aeka in full formal dress, complete with a small circlet settled on her head. Below, Funaho stared up at the portrait, a pensive musing lining her cultured features.
"Your Majesty?" Haruka spoke softly, seeking to not startle the regal woman as she entered the large room.
"Ahh...Captain. It is pleasing that you arrived so quickly. Do have a rest." Haruka bowed slightly, dipping her head respectfully as she reclined in one of the chairs near the fireplace.
"It is my pleasure, Your Highness. How may Tsuki be of assistance to the Royal House of Jurai?" Funaho smiled slightly at Haruka's directness, a quality that was more often than not to be found lacking in courtiers and court popinjays.
"I have taken the liberty of sending a message to Queen Serenity. She has graciously allowed that should you and your crew accept the responsibility for a...favor for Jurai, that you shall have the full support of both the Tsuki and the Juraian navies." Haruka nodded slightly.
"I am more than willing, but I must present the situation to my crew to allow any who disagree to depart."
Funaho looked up at the portrait of Aeka once more, her face a smooth mask. "We were informed yesterday that Princess Sasami has gone missing. We have reason to believe that the person or persons responsible is also responsible for the five women and girls who have been reported missing in the last fortnight." Haruka inhaled sharply, a growing anger furrowing her brow.
"Any similarities in those who have gone missing?"
"They were all taken in the early morning hours, and from the same area of the city, with the exception of the Princess, who was walking in a nearby park yesterday morning." Funaho turned, facing Haruka as she spoke quietly. "I must have my daughter back."
Haruka stood, her back lined with tension. "I can assure you that I and my crew will do all we can to capture the blackguards who stole them away." She smiled mirthlessly. "Some have complained at not having anyone to fight." Funaho smiled slightly. "Have you any further information?"
Funaho dipped her head. "They left the day you arrived, in a swift black ship. The ship sent after them lost them within scant hours." She sighed deeply. "I have no ships which are speedy enough to catch this ship. However, the Ojiro-washi surely is capable."
"Ojiro-washi and her crew will do all we can to secure the safe return of Princess Sasami and the others."
Funaho smiled slightly, a bit of tension releasing from around her eyes. "I am certain." She extended a hand to Haruka, who bowed and kissed the back of her hand. "Thank you, Captain."
Haruka smiled grimly. "In light of this, I must gather my crew and leave posthaste. Do we know the last known heading of the ship?"
"I shall arrange for a transport to escort you back to your ship. A full report will be awaiting you." Funaho laid a slim hand on Haruka's forearm. "Do not worry Aeka with this news, please."
Haruka nodded. "Indeed. It would not do to worry her. When we find Princess Sasami, is it agreeable for us to continue on to Tsuki and to return both of your daughters when the negotiations are finished?"
"Of course. All I ask is that you send a message assuring me of her safety."
Haruka smiled gently at the Queen. "At the earliest convenience, I swear it."
---
Kanna strapped herself into the seat of the transport, whistling idly. They would be leaving in a few minutes for the port with Ojiro-washi. A faster transport had already been dispatched to alert the crew to their return so they could leave as soon as they arrived back at the ship. As soon as she was settled, she cast a lazy glance around the transport. Next to her, Reni had strapped herself in and was waiting calmly, staring straight ahead.
Across from them were Princess Aeka and Ryoko, strapped in next to each other. Aeka kept glancing at Ryoko, who was strangely calm. Cradled in Aeka's arms was a large bunch of purple hyacinth arranged around a single red rose. The flowers had been awaiting her on her seat when they arrived, a simple card with her name indicating for whom they were intended.
The two had not said a word to each other as of yet, but Kanna knew that would change soon enough. She could recognize a woman off her guard. If Ryoko pushed a little harder, there might be problems, but the approach she was taking seemed to be working well so far.
Before Kanna could begin to ponder how much teasing she could lead against Ryoko, Haruka strode into the transport. She spoke softly to the pilot for a moment before entering the room proper.
"Princess, you've ridden these transports at half speed before. Is there anything we need to prepare ourselves for?"
Aeka blinked at the sudden attention from the women who surrounded her at Haruka's question. The tall redhead, Kanna, stretched, her firm muscles straining her tunic. Aeka stared for a moment before tearing her gaze away.
"Uh...just stay seated. The beginning of our journey may be somewhat jarring to one's stomach, but deep breaths and calmness help with that." Aeka looked up from her clenched hands, happy to see that Kanna had relaxed against the seat and had tilted her head to the side as she listened intently to Aeka's soft words. Darting her glance around the transport, she was captured by intense golden eyes. Her breath caught in her throat as her heart sped inexplicably.
It was so easy to fall into the depths of those unfathomable golden eyes. Aeka's mind spun as she recalled the soft press of Ryoko's lips against her own, from those many years ago. A sweet eternity of perfection, as their bodies had pressed together, before Ryoko had pulled away.
Maybe it was the ensuing years that had given them distance. Maybe it was that Ryoko had realized she was wrong.
For whatever reason, Aeka could read one emotion clearly on Ryoko's face as she stared hungrily at the Princess.
Raw, primal need.
Then Ryoko blinked and the moment was shattered, the sudden absence of that raw lust as disconcerting as it's unannounced appearance.
Aeka lowered her confused gaze to her clenched hands, mind whirling at the implications. Could it be?
Those many years ago, when she had been drawn in the first time by Ryoko's false platitudes and sheer magnetism, she had been a simple child, blind to ways of the world. In that moment of utter betrayal, she had hardened her heart against any future love, preserving herself from any pain.
And, she realized now, sealing Ryoko into her heart as well. The pain remained, swirling in among this newly rediscovered emotion of intrigued desire.
This did not bode well for her heart. She risked another glance at Ryoko, only to find her staring blankly at the floor, offering Aeka the perfect opportunity to see how the years had changed the woman who had broken her adolescent heart. The gawkiness of her frame had evened into toned strength, the long muscles of her thighs shifting visibly with every movement. Aeka took in those captivating legs out of the corner of her eye, suddenly and desperately wishing she could kneel in supplication and lick a delicate path up those corded muscles...
The full swells of Ryoko's breasts pushed upward, held in place by her crossed arms. Aeka craved the feeling of those beautiful breasts against her cheeks as strong arms held her close. This time, Ryoko wouldn't pull away grinning, thanking Aeka for making it so she won her bet.
That damned bet. Of COURSE Ryoko could kiss twenty willing girls in one day. There could never be doubt of that. The surprising thing was that Aeka hadn't heard of it before that moment. She was usually up on all the palace gossip. She at least knew what was going on around her. But that...that had taken her completely by surprise. Afterward, she had been far too embarrassed at being so easily duped that she never dared ask who else had been suckered in by Ryoko's false earnestness.
The sweet scent of the flowers in her arms drifted to her nostrils, abruptly bringing her back to the present, where Ryoko was again trying her tricks. Nothing could convince Aeka to give Ryoko another chance to break her heart.
Her arms tightened slightly around the flowers as she raised them subtly closer to her nose. The rich fragrance permeated her senses, earthy and refined at the same time.
She would stay strong in the face of this new adversity. She would not give in to Ryoko's base wiles and clumsy wooing.
The steady weight of the flowers cradled close to her heart screamed to her that she was a liar.
---
Ryoko stretched, her back cracking as it slipped back into alignment. There was something about the overwhelming luxury of Jurai that made her cringe and ache. This time, she supposed it could be directly attributed to the lack of support inherent in the Juraian transport's chairs. Nothing but a mass of padding, and not even the body contouring kind. From the protest coming from her back, she'd guess something in the vein of the chickpeas native to the flatlands.
To be sure, though, she definitely had a weakness for sumptuous luxury; luxury with proper ergonomic support. This mindless, needless indulgence of pointless frippery that bombarded the senses made her ache for the clean elegance of home. She closed her eyes briefly, the fleeting, welcome image of the ergchair that awaited her, sitting right opposite the viewscreen, remote operator waiting for her bidding.
As much as any place could be home, the little loft in Serenitas was it. Washu had always kept them on the move, from the time Ryoko was a child. She was never quite certain if her mother was running from something or in search of something. From a young age, she'd learned how to divert questions about herself, sometimes with lies, sometimes with misdirection. It was amazing how much a person would supply if given the barest hints. By now, the hiding of their identities was so second nature that she couldn't remember who she was supposed to actually be, under the subterfuge. She'd been Ryoko for the entirety of her life, and didn't care to find out what drove Washu to the constant life of flitting around. This new position with Haruka's crew was as permanent as any she'd taken on before; three guaranteed voyages with the crew, with an option to stay on longer if they wished it. They had the option to leave after every voyage, provided they served their Captain with warning. Should they decide to desert without warning, no overt action would be taken. However, should they ever try to board any ship as either crew or passenger, the skin on the back of their hand would be branded with the melatat of a large T - a symbol of traitorous nature.
Ryoko had considered the punishment as simplistic when she first heard it. The next moment, she realized the simple genius of it. A lifetime of shame and humiliation from one indelible mark, unable to be altered due to it's bond with the traitor's system.
With Haruka, as with any privateer, letters of marque ensured that they always had full support from the government of Tsuki. The fiercest warriors the sea had ever known ensured that their oceanic supremacy was unmatched. With the pride of shipbuilders everywhere as her flagship and the best shipyard in the known world as their home port, it was no wonder that Tsuki was the uncontested sea power.
It was certainly a far cry from blind theft in the backwoods when Washu had moved them to the foothills of the Pyrenaeus Ridge. Rumors of Haruka had not reached them yet when Ryoko had stopped a small carriage. Minagi and Washu were in parts unknown, doing gods knew what, so they had not the pleasure of nearly shitting themselves at the first glimpse of Tenou Haruka, the Queen's Sword.
The bright flash of Haruka's white blond hair was the only warning. It seemed that she flowed from the carriage, her broad shoulders stretching the cloth of her fitted shirt. A tanned leather vest hung open from her long frame, ending just at the broad swordbelt that bisected her waist. The glint of the sun on the well worn pommel of her sword almost distracted Ryoko from staring openly at the long, lean line of Haruka's legs, lovingly encased in tightly fitting black pants that ended in high boots.
Ryoko had stared for a long moment, unable to form words. She finally moved when she realized that those boots were now directly in front of her.
Her hand immediately went to her hip, where her own sword was kept. As her fingers brushed the pommel, the cold point of Haruka's sword met her throat.
"So you've been the one causing all the ruckus." Haruka smiled slowly, her eyes chillingly calm. "Pleased to meet you."
"L-likewise, I'm sure." Ryoko swallowed with difficulty. She'd been in worse scrapes than this. As the point of Haruka's sword dug into the tender flesh of her neck, she was hard pressed to think of one.
"I'd like you to join me." Haruka flipped her sword back into it's sheath. "We have much to discuss." Haruka reached over and grasped Ryoko by the scruff of her collar. "Come now! The daylight is wasting."
Ryoko found herself shoved bodily into an empty carriage, joined quickly by Haruka. The tall woman stretched out her legs and knocked on the ceiling for the driver to continue before settling in and staring at Ryoko for long moments. The thief fidgeted in her seat, shifting under the weight of Haruka's stare.
"So you're...Ryoko is it? I've heard much about you."
"Funny, I haven't heard anything about you."
Haruka laughed. "That's because anyone who could tell you about my deeds is dead."
"Oh."
"Never mind that. You have a companion who travels with you, Washu."
Ryoko leveled her gaze on Haruka, hoping that she didn't give anything away. "I don't know what you're talking about. I work alone."
"Mmm...I'm sure you do. Be that as it may, the Queen would like to converse with Washu at the earliest convenience. Preferably...now." Haruka shifted slightly in her seat, leaning negligently against the side of the carriage.
"Why would the Queen be interested in this Washu person?" Ryoko really hoped Haruka was buying this ruse, but the calm on the tall blond's face told her otherwise.
"Rumor has reached her ears of Washu. I'm sure I don't need to tell you of them. The Queen would be interested in a conversation...to start with." As Haruka spoke, Ryoko smelled the characteristic burning air that always preceded Washu's appearance by a scant moment. She abruptly slid as far to the side as she could before Washu appeared in her lap.
"A conversation, hmmm?" Washu rubbed her chin, the wildness of her hair brushing the roof of the carriage. "I think I like the sound of that." A wild laugh erupted from her, causing the wildlife outside the carriage to flee.
Haruka's smile was genuine as she dipped her head slightly in respect. "Well met, Madam Washu."
"Ohohoh! You do go on liable to make this old lady blush." Washu grinned widely. "Now what's all this about a conversation with the Queen?"
Haruka shifted in her seat, leaning forward slightly. "It seems word has reached my Queen's ear of the World's Greatest Genius. After seeing what you've been able to do with what you're purported to have, I'd have to give that title serious credence."
Washu laughed once more. "Damn straight! World's Greatest Genius, and don't you forget it! Ryoko here is living proof, aren't you, sweet pea?" Washu pinched Ryoko's cheek.
"Ow! Dammit, woman!"
Washu's laugh tore through the forest in a menacing wave, disturbing all that heard it.
---
Haruka frowned deeply as she read the official Jurian report. Six missing, all young women of means, from an affluent, well patrolled area. No witnesses of any sort, no evidence of any wrong doing other than a small cut piece of the women's clothing at each scene. Princess Sasami was the highest ranking and second youngest. A young noblewoman by the name of Iris Chateaubriand was the youngest, a full year younger than the princess. The other three were each landed or entitled and one was both.
Marchioness Kanzaki Sumire was the heir to the Kanzaki fortune and ducal estate, with the pursuant legal stature that went with it. Marchioness Kaioh Michiru had no lands or close family to speak of, according the Jurian report, merely a title and some lands held in trust until she reached her majority. The only similarities she shared with the others was her place of residence, a house in the same district as the others.
The most troubling of these troublesome disappearances was that of the Lady Shinguji Sakura. An accomplished martial artist, the Lady was known to never go anywhere without her weapon, a katana passed down through her family. The location she had been taken from was within shouting distance of the park that the Princess had been taken from, but there had been no evidence of any struggle. A martial artist as formidable as the Lady Sakura was purported to be would never have allowed herself to be carted away willingly. A piece of the Lady's skirt had been found by a patrolman at midday.
Haruka's frown deepened. Each piece of cut clothing was from the clothing they were wearing at the time of their disappearance. Presumably, they had been subdued in some way. The question remained...how?
For that matter, why? Why take these women? They had limited influence right now, but in the future, Marchioness Kanzaki would have an excess. Jurai, as with Tsuki, had a strict non-negotiation tactic for kidnapping, so ransoming the Princess would accomplish nothing. However, just as would have happened in Tsuki, Jurai had immediately sent a covert elite force after them; Haruka and her crew.
These women came from different families. Social strata was just barely wide enough to have allowed them to converse at a party. Given the notations about Marchioness Kanzaki, she would have likely never spoken to anyone other than the Princess, and to her only begrudgingly. Marchioness Kaioh volunteered her time with children. Lady Sakura spent all her free time training. The young Lady Iris was still spending her time in lessons.
The fact that each alone was a prime target did nothing to help this. Taking all of them, and the Princess, thereby ensuring a response, albeit a covert one...
The timing was too precise. The use of a ship that outpaced the fastest that Jurai could build...it stank, reminiscent of the pickled beet soup that Maria had made once.
Haruka growled and strode from the room. This demanded preparation.
"Kanna! Ryoko! With me!" Haruka's sharp shout carried easily over the decks to where Ryoko stood stiffly with Princess Aeka. The anger brimming in the shout spoke volumes to Ryoko about what would happen if she wasn't in Haruka's quarters posthaste.
"I gotta go."
Aeka sniffed disdainfully. "No doubt to teach you some manners."
Ryoko sighed heavily. "Look, Princess, I'd love to stand here and argue with you for another few hours, but that's my Captain and no spoiled little rich bitch is gonna make me disobey an order." Ryoko cupped Aeka's elbow in her hand and guided her across the deck. "You and I are taking a walk, and you're going to stay in your quarters where I'm leaving you until I can return for you so I can make sure that you stay safe. This is a working ship and you walking around alone means my shipmates have to stop whatever important thing they're doing in order to make sure you don't kill yourself on the mizzenmast or trip over some shot. Watch out for that rope." Ryoko shifted her arm to around Aeka's waist as she guided the princess over loose coils of rope. The gentle dip of Aeka's waist curved delicately under Ryoko's hand. She ignored it and continued speaking. "Repairs to things like that rope or a barrel can be the difference between life and death out here. Keeping the guns ready means we can defend ourselves if anyone tries to attack us, which means you get to sit in here and look pretty."
With that, Ryoko pushed the princess into her room and shut the door firmly behind her. She turned on her heel and strode across the deck purposefully. When she arrived at Haruka's cabin, the captain was pacing, edgy energy infusing each jarring movement. Ryoko swept the cabin visually as the door shut softly behind her.
"Shut the door." Haruka didn't pause in her pacing as she distractedly spoke. Ryoko leaned against the shut door, idly wondering what had driven her captain to such distraction. She glanced over at Kanna, who was watching Haruka and idly chewing on a straw.
Haruka stopped and stared out the window. An imperfection in the center of the glass made the sea appear misshapen. At least the color came through clearly. On the horizon, a low bank of clouds signaled the now distant lands of Jurai.
"We're sailing into an ambush. I want the guns ready by next bell. Make sure everyone has their weapons at hand. Nothing overt. We're not going to let them know that we know. Kanna-" Haruka turned her head and pinned the brawny woman with a clear, commanding look. "Talk to Maria. Watch her back, but don't let on that you are."
Haruka turned completely, leaning her back against the window, her arms crossed over her chest. She stared at the floor for a breath before raising the deep green of her gaze to Ryoko.
"You will guard the Princess with your life. Nothing can happen to her or near her. Motoko will watch your back." Haruka sighed deeply. "This is going to be bad."
"How'dya know, Cap'n?" Kanna's accent had thickened around the straw in her mouth.
"The women. There's not enough in common for it to be because of what they left behind. They don't have anything other than themselves. Ransom isn't even an option. There aren't enough for a credible slaving operation. No..." Haruka frowned. "It has to be us."
"They want us? What the hell? What do we have that would be of any worth to them?" Ryoko looked back and forth between Kanna and Haruka.
Haruka continued frowning at the deck. "The Princess. The ship. Us." She laughed shortly. "If they could succeed in capturing us, they'd have enough for a hell of a profit in slaves, not to mention the price Ojiro-washi would command on the open market."
Ryoko blinked. "Oh. Right. Those things."
Haruka grinned at them. "Yeah, those things. Those things that they're not going to get because we're going to be prepared to totally and completely eviscerate them. Got it?"
Ryoko grinned in return, the beginning anticipation of battle stirring her senses. "Got it."