Fae POV

After my shower I laid on Katakuri’s bed reading the red old book Katakuri recommend to me.

It was about an assassin who fell in love with a young beautiful woman he was suppose to kill. He kidnapped her, tortured her, humiliated her. He did everything he could to break her but nothing he did broke her will.

She hated him with a passion but over time she fell in love with her captor and she began to enjoy his presence. I never read anything like this before. It was disturbing but I couldn’t put the book down. I got to a part I didn’t understand. ‘He kissed her passionately and made sweet love to her body.’ What does that mean? I should ask Katakuri, he may know what that means.

“Captain! I can see the island, sir!” I heard someone yell up on the deck. I wanted to finish reading to see what happened at the end but I wanted to see the land more. I closed the book and ran up to where everyone else was.

I couldn’t help but stare at awe at the island. It was so beautiful. I leaned over the ship eagerly trying to get a better look.

“Whoa, there. If you lean any closer you’ll fall into the water.” Katakuri said wrapping his arm around my waist pulling me up into his chest. I could hear the voices of the people. The island was loud and lively.

I squirmed in his arms when the ship anchored at the docks. Katakuri chuckled behind his scarf. “Katakuri,” I whined giving him puppy dog eyes and puckering out my bottom lip.

He stared down at me warmly. “Remember what I told you Fae.” Katakuri warned. “Yes, if I see people in uniforms with marine on it stay away and if they have a white coat that says justice in the back to be very wary.” I said lazily repeating what Katakuri told me earlier.

“And?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

“And to always stay near you, know matter what.” I said smiling eagerly at him. “Can we please go now?” I begged wanting to jump up and down with excitement. He chuckled again and nodded his head.

Once we exited the ship I practically ran to all the stands in the streets leaving Katakuri behind.

The town had so much laughter and joy. My eyes couldn’t settle on one thing and I didn’t know where to begin. There was just to much to see and not enough time to look at everything. “You, young lady. How would you like a fresh juicy apple?” An old man asked me kindly.

“Oh, I would love one but, I’m sorry I don’t have any money on me.” I stated sadly.

“Oh, that’s okay my dear. This one’s on the house.” He said smiling softly at me handing me the apple.

“Thank you, mister!” I smiled brightly back at him. He blushed and a bunch of other men circle around with hearts in their eyes.

“Miss! You must wear this! It’s also on the house!” One guy yelled shoving a beautiful yellow scarf in my face.

“No, try this! It’s the best on the island!” Another guy shouted with a bright green pear shoving the other guy away.

“No! Take this!” Another strange man protected.

“No! This!” There voices kept getting louder and louder.

I couldn’t move an inch because they kept getting closer and closer to me. “No, I’m sorry I can’t expect this. No please, I can’t expect any of these things.” I said smiling awkwardly trying to get away from them.

“Mommy? Who is that pretty lady and why are all those men surrounding her?” A little boy pointed his finger at me. “Honey, it’s not nice to point.” She grabbed her sons arm and dragged him away in fear when she spotted Katakuri.

All the men surrounding me stop shouting turning their heads slowly towards a very angry Katakuri. A dark purple aura was withdrawing out of his body. It didn’t take long for all of them to run away in fear back to there stands leaving me and Katakuri in the street alone.

All the town’s people kept there distance when they noticed Katakuri. I sighed, with relief when I could finally breathe but I knew Katakuri was mad at me by the way he was staring at me. He glared down at me but it wasn’t a scary glare more like ‘I was worried’ kinda glare. “I’m sorry, I guess I got carried away.” I chuckled lightly rubbing the back of my head. He had his arms crossed still looking beyond pissed.

I cast my eyes down and rubbed my neck, “I’m-I’m sorry.” I said more sincerely.

His eyes slowly soften, “just stay close to me from now on. Okay?” He said gently but firmly at the same time. I nodded my head and grabbed his hand. We walked down the town street that grew quiet and people seemed to whisper and shy away from us.

“Katakuri?”

“Mm?” He didn’t look at me but his eyes were hard and he seemed cold and distant, almost as if he put on a mask.

“Why are people avoiding us?” I asked curiously.

“Because. . They are scared of me.” He said unemotionally.

“Why? You are not doing anything to them.” I said honestly and confused by their rude behavior. I couldn’t see his face but I knew he was smiling. “Fae, remember I am a pirate and that’s all they need to know to stand clear from me. . Why? Does it bother you?” He asked trying to act like he didn’t care but I knew it bothered him.

“No. People shouldn’t judge you based on what they heard about you. It’s not fair. They don’t even know you.” I said feeling annoyed but sad at the same time.

Maybe Leon was right. People are cruel and judgmental. Katakuri stopped in his tracks, “Fae, these people have the right to fear me. I have done unspeakable things. Unforgivable things. Things that would make you turn tale and run from me in fear.” He whisper with intensity staring into my eyes. I shook my head, “you had your reasons for the things you did but. .” I grabbed his hand rubbing my cheek against his palm.

“Even if you did unspeakable things in the past for no reason. I forgive you and I still care for you, know matter what you did.” I smiled happily up at him.

He gave me such a tender look with those beautiful crimson eyes of his but he blinked the tenderness out of his eyes and cleared his throat, “Come, let me fulfill my promise.” He said holding my hand pulling me into a clothing store.

Shopping for clothes was more fun then I imagine it would be. I got to try on so many clothes and Katakuri seemed to enjoy watching me play dress up. The facial expressions he’d make were super cute and funny. When his face was pink, he like the outfit. When his face was red, he really liked the outfit and when his nose started bleeding he loved the outfit.

After the seventh store I was getting tired and Katakuri’s arms were full of bags and boxes. He wouldn’t let me help carry any of them, no matter how much I begged to let me help him. We walked past a small dessert shop that smelt so delicious.

I could feel my mouth watering and my stomach gave away how hungry I was by growling. I felt my cheeks heat up and I could feel it getting hotter by the second when Katakuri started laughing at me. I felt so embarrassed. “Don’t laugh!” I pouted. That only seemed to make him laugh harder but he stopped laughing when he notice a small crowd of people stopping to stare at him.

I guess because they didn’t think it was possible for a pirate to sound so human. Okay it’s official people are rude and judgmental creatures. Maybe growing up isolated was the best thing Leon has ever done for me. I could have easily turned out like these small minded people. “Fae, go sit down in that restaurant and order what ever you want. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

“Where are you going? I can go with you.” I said smiling nervously. I don’t want to be left alone. He looked at me in awe. “I’m just going to take all this back to the ship.” He said gesturing to all the things he bought me today.

“It’ll be alright. I’ll only be gone for a few minutes.” He said reassuring me. I nodded my head hesitantly walking to the restaurant. I couldn’t help but stop at the door way turning my head to see if he was still standing there and he was. He shooed me to go inside. I was scared but he did say he would only be gone for a few minutes. Nothing will go wrong within just a few minutes. . right?

~A ship not to far from the island Fae was on.~

“Admiral, sir. We will reach the island in a few minutes.” A young marine saluted at the door but he got no answer.

“Admiral?” still no answer. The young marine opened the door to find the office chair empty with his cost draped over the chair.

“Not again. The Admiral must already be on the island and he forgot his coat again.”

~Back on the island in the small restaurant Fae was in.~

I hovered over the large glass case that had a dozen different types of desserts in it. They all looked so delicious. I didn’t know what I wanted but Katakuri did say I could order whatever I want. I don’t know where I should start though.

“Having a hard time figuring out what you want?” A deep voice asked me pulling me out of my thoughts.

I made eye contact with a handsome man with crystal blue eyes and bright blonde hair that fell into his handsome pale face. He had on a purple button up collared shirt with black pants and dark brown boots.

He was very handsome. “Uh, yeah, I can’t decide what I should pick first.” I said laughing lightly. Katakuri told me not to talk to strangers but I didn’t want to be rude.

“Well, if you don’t mind me suggesting. I recommend this one.” He said pointing to a delicious fluffy pink pastry. I felt my eyes sparkle with excitement. “It looks really delicious! Does it taste as good as it looks?” I asked smiling with my eyes closed.

When I opened my eyes he was staring at my face with interest or maybe curiosity.

I titled my head to the side, “is something wrong?”

“No, I just can’t take my eyes off your beautiful face.” He sounded serious when he said those words I hear very often but never take to seriously.

“Thank you, I guess.” I said already losing interest in this conversation.

He laughed almost as if he was amused by my behavior, “you almost seem like you don’t like to be called beautiful.”

“No, I just don’t like people defying me as beautiful. You don’t know if I’m beautiful, I could really be ugly on the inside.” I said dully wrapping my arm around myself.

Beautiful. . I hate the way people use that word.

“Well, I like your honesty and your right I don’t know you but I stand by what I said, your beautiful.” I looked into his blue eyes and I could see he truly meant it.

I couldn’t help but blush brushing some of my hair behind my ear. “Thank you but if you don’t mind, could you stop saying that word.” I said looking down at my feet taping my shoes together.

“What word?” He asked teasingly.

I rolled my eyes, “you know what word I’m talking about.” I whispered pouting a little.

He chuckled, “Okay fine. I’ll use gorgeous instead.” He said mockingly. Again I rolled my eyes but he manage to get a smile out of me.

“So, I never seen you around here before, uh-I’m sorry, I never caught your name.”

“Fae, m-my name is Fae and I’m just visiting for the day.” I said a little nervous. My eyes were wandering around fast when I realized I was a little to comfortable around this guy. I could feel a strong power radiating out of his body, something I should have notice right away but didn’t.

He’s dangerous.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be talking to you.” I said nervously.

He grab my hand in his and brought his lips to the top of my hand ignoring the words I just said to him. “It’s very nice to meet you Fae. I’m Theo.” He said smoothly with his lips still lingering on my hand.

I yanked my hand away in a hurry still feeling the warmth of his lips on my hand. I toke a few steps away from him. This guy was a complete stranger. He shouldn’t be kissing me even if it was just a simple kiss on my hand.

“Y-you shouldn’t d-do that.” I tried to sound brave but it came out soft and stuttering which only made his lip curl up into a smirk.

“I’m sorry dear, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. It’s just where I’m from that is the way we properly introduce ourselves to women.” He said bowing gracefully. He reminds me of a prince or something between that line. I giggle to myself but I stop laughing when I realized I was rude to him a minute ago.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know that was a custom around here.” I said feeling ashamed that I over reacted. “Oh, it’s not a custom here. Like you, I’m just visiting and I’m glad I did because I got to meet you.” He said flirtatious making me blush.

He filled the gap I created between us lifting his hand towards my face brushing my cheek with the back of his fingers.

The next thing I knew I was being forcefully yanked back slamming into a hard chest. I gasped from the impact looking up to see Katakuri breathing heavily as if he just got done running all the way here. He was practically fuming pulling me even closer to his chest protectively.

It felt like two very powerful energies were bouncing off each other when Katakuri and Theo glared at one another. I didn’t know what was going on but I knew it was something bad from the way Katakuri’s body was in a defensive stance.

“Katakuri? What’s wrong?” I asked curiously looking up at him worried. He didn’t take his eyes off of Theo when he answer me. “This man is an Admiral, he’s dangerous.” Katakuri whispered to me.

Theo chuckled lightly without a hint of fear. “I could say the same thing about you.” He said calmly not taking his eyes of me which only infuriated Katakuri more. I could hear a low growl escape from behind his scarf. “What do you want?” Katakuri asked in a threatening voice.

“Don’t worry. I’m not looking for a fight.” Theo said giving us a charming smile.

“I wasn’t going to hurt her. I was just having a friendly conversation with her.” Theo said staring up at Katakuri but I could detect an ominous look lurking behind those pretty crystal blue eyes of his. He caught me staring at him and the evil lurking in his eyes vanished.

“We are leaving the island now.” Katakuri said impersonal still holding me in his arms. I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or to Theo but I nodded my head anyways.

“It was nice meeting you, Theo.” I said kindly and he smiled at me but it only outraged Katakuri. He growled dangerously letting us both know he disapproved of us talking to each other.

I placed my hand on his chest, “Katakuri.” I whispered his name softly. He seemed to have calm down when he heard the sound of my voice. He started walking to the exit of the door still holding me in one of his arms.

“Katakuri.” He stopped in his tracks when he heard Theo say his name.

“I don’t know who this woman is to you but I advise you to tell her she beautiful everyday or someone else will.” He said almost as if it was a warning. Katakuri shot him an icy glare that would have made anyone else piss themselves but Theo didn't so much as flinsh, if anything he seemed. . amused.

Katakuri stormed out of restaurant. I never seen him behave like this before, it was as if he was worried or maybe even scared of Theo in some way.

I looked over Katakuri’s shoulder to see Theo waving lightly at me with a bright smile. His lips were moving and I’m not a lip reader but I could have sworn his lips read. ‘I’ll see you soon.’

What did Theo mean by that? And why does Katakuri not like Theo? This must be what Leon meant when he would say ‘It’s a man thing. You wouldn’t understand.’ And he was right, I don’t understand.