The Wanderer

nine: an invitation

Akire just finished washing up when Alexis woke up and started calling out for her. She called out to him from the bathroom and told him to wake Sam up. She closed her eyes and tried assessing her body. All the wounds have healed, although not as fast as she would have liked because she needed blood. 

However, she did not dwell on her injuries or hunger. There were more pressing matters that she needed to think about; some she might have to discuss with Alexis without Sam knowing and others, she might need to just keep to her self for a while. Either way, her life's quest of looking for Atkins had turned into a warbled, complicated mess. 

She sighed. Why did it have to be so complicated? She had a very simple plan: Find Atkins and then do whatever it takes to kill him and then commit suicide. 

Now, she had to deliver a possible Lycan prince to his kingdom. 

It should not be a problem at all not unless you consider the possibility that there are about a hundred strong, unique group of lycans ready to kill any vampire they see. Somehow, Akire did not believe that Sam's people will welcome her into the kingdom even if she was holding hands with their lost prince.

Next, there was the assassin sent by Atkins himself. He was going to be a problem unless Akire takes care of him before they get off the ship. She wanted to end his life while he was locked up but she had to be practical. He was her only solid link to the old vampire. 

All she had to do was figure out what Atkins has offered him and then perhaps, Akire can double the pay or give a more significant incentive! Now, that would be easy enough as well, except for the fact that he was determined to kill her. She felt that he saw her more than just a mission but a challenge as well.

Now, on top of everything else, there was the captain of the ship who spoke of mysteries. Akire groaned as she bunched the captain under the category of "Loony" with Old Alna! 

What was it with destiny? Curses? Fate? Saving the World? She had been wandering for so long, keeping to her self and Haito. How could some people from different parts of the world tell her of her destiny?

"Well, whatever it is- I certainly did not get the memo!" She muttered to herself before pushing the door of the bathroom open. She found Alexis standing just a few feet away.

"Talking to your self, so early in the morning?" He asked, his smile was reflected in his teasing tone.

Akire raised an eyebrow. "It's already almost dinner time, i***t!", she retorted. 

She noticed that Sam was already awake, huddled in the corner of the bunk bed. He was silent and Akire tried to read him through his heartbeat. She was glad that the boy seemed calm enough. Then she heard the rumblings from his stomach before it became audible to its owner. 

"Hey Sam! Are you hungry?" She asked, sitting on the edge of the bed and reaching out for him with her hand. 

She felt him grab her hand and saw through the vibrations that the little boy was nodding his head. Akire smiled. So, the little guy is still not talking with Alex around she thought as she pulled Sam forward.

"You should take a bath first. We have been invited to have dinner at the Captain's cabin." Akire announced to both her companions. She ignored Alexis' gasp and questions of whys and hows, focusing on Sam, who suddenly tensed up. 

"No need to worry, Sammy. I'll protect you and you do not have to say anything to anyone, okay? Besides, when was the last time you two got any decent meals, huh?" She knew her voice sounded too suspiciously bright but she could not help it. 

The dinner invitation was making her nervous. Although Akire had never been afraid of anything anymore once she was turned into a vampire, something about the captain made her feel anxious and a little bit scared. She recalled how the bullets felt and how unflinching the captain was. Everything told her that she should be on guard!

Finally, Sam agreed to take a bath only after he whispered to Akire that he had to do it by himself. He did not want a girl, even if she was blind, to go with him. 

This made Akire smile and somehow, she knew that Sam was slowly worming his way into her unbeating heart. She had to be careful because it was not like her to form ties with people who would eventually leave or be too painful to let go of. 

Akire and Alexis waited to hear the water running before they moved to the farthest area away from the bathroom to talk. Akire quickly recounted last night's events. 

She could feel the wolf inside Alexis growling and seething with anger. Alex might sometimes be a goof ball or a stupid hotshot but he was a fierce fighter and strong lycan. He always took danger seriously especially when it concerned his friends.

"What were you thinking confronting him by your self? You should have told me about the trap you were setting! Guns with vampire killing bullets? A captain who's a bit freaky and scary? Really Akire, how selfish of you to hog all the action!"

Akire wanted to argue but she knew Alex was angry and he had good reason to. Yes, it was none of his business whether she duels with the assassin or not but still, she understood loyalty and friendship. She would have been feeling the same way if it were Alex in her shoes.

"I'm sorry, okay? I needed you to be here to guard Sam. Besides, I can take him." A flash of memory interrupted her. 

She could vividly remember how the tip of his blade was only inches away from her heart. Truth be told, Akire was not sure whether she would have survived that night if it weren't for the shoot out. 

"Never mind what happened okay? You're up to speed now with everything. Let's think about what to do once we are inside the captain's quarters. I'm telling you, Alex. He knows something!”

"How can you be so sure? What if he's just making things up? What if he's connected to Atkins?" Alex asked.

"I don't know. It's possible. But, how come he was willing to kill the assassin? I'm not even sure if he knows about Sam. But I know one thing- he should not have any more leverage on us. The guns and the goons are enough. If we allow him to add another, then I fear, it's either we swim towards land right now or we're done for!" Akire mumbled.

Alex had a grim look on his face. Akire felt his heart beating wildly but then it slowed down and somehow, she could picture her friend's face. It was determined and with resolve. 

"Then, we'll not give him anything. We'll play his game of hospitality. Let's stick to your story of finding Atkins. I'm your friend and Sam's - I-I dunno.. We don't look alike in any way, so I can't pass him off as a brother or relative."

"Can he be a member of your pack? Like, you're relocating and stuff?"

"What? A pack of two?" Alex retorted, shifting over to the bed and rummaging in his duffel bag. He produced two shirts. He mentioned to Akire that Sam might look swallowed by his shirt but it was better than the same filthy, tell-tale clothes he was wearing. 

"Packs can separate, right? I mean, you can say that Sam is a son of a member of one of your packs and you're just delivering him to them. Maybe you were meant to train him or I don't know- You're the wolf here... think of something!" Akire replied.

Alexis stopped for a moment to think. He sighed. "Hmm, the idea of him being a pack member's kid might work. We can say that I'm meeting his parents somewhere in the south." 

He murmured after a while. "If he asks where in the South, I'll just tell him it's none of his business. If he insists, I bite."

Akire huffed. "Yeah, he probably doesn't have silver bullets - oh wait! Platinum coated bullets, he has! Are you retarded? You'll be dead before you can even shift!" She snapped.

"It's almost the full moon, Akire. The closer the moon gets to that cycle, the stronger I become. I can be quicker than any bullet and stronger than most supernaturals. I can handle it."

"I'll probably save your sorry ass in the end." She muttered. Before Alexis could protest, the door of the bathroom opened and Akire put her finger to her lips. 

"Akire, the little guy should know some of our story in case he gets questioned." Alex whispered. "Here Sam, change shirts. Really little guy, you don't have to be afraid of me. I'm your friend." 

Akire waited for Sam to move but the boy just stood there, clutching the door knob, staring mutely at Alexis and the hanging shirt. With a smirk and a sigh, she grabbed the clothes and proceeded towards the boy.

"Sammy, listen-" Akire began as she tugged his shirt, which the boy put back on his wet body. She got it off him and used it to towel off the boy's hair. "I need you to do something for me. Is that okay?"

Sam nodded. He slipped his small arms into the sleeves and let Akire tug Alexis' shirt down his head. The shirt stopped a couple of inches below his knee and the sleeves were up to his elbows. 

Akire asked Alex to rip the handles of Sam's little bag, which no longer contained anything since Akire let Alex carry the scrolls for a while. Soon, she was tying the straps around Sam's waist creating a tunic for the little boy.

"Now, Sam. I need you to be brave and be silent when we have dinner, okay? I remember you talking to Old Alna. I know you have courage because you talked to a witch! But, right now, it is very important that you do not say anything about your mother or father or who you are and where you are from, is it clear?"

"Why?" The boy had leaned forward and whispered in Akire's ear.

"Because the captain- well, we don't know him. The people in this ship, they are all strangers. I don't want anybody finding out about you. We, Alex and I, can protect you but you also have to protect yourself. I know you can do it. You're a strong little prince, Sam, right?" She explained.

"Okay." He whispered back. 

A loud knock interrupted them. Alexis quickly stood up and went to the door. Akire also got up and shoved Sam behind her back after she grabbed her sword from the corner. 

She gripped it tightly, prepared for a fight. But when Alexis opened the door, it was only two messengers telling them that the captain was expecting them in his cabin now.

Akire could hear the loud beating of Alexis' heart. She herself suddenly felt insecure and unprepared. She nodded to her friend as soon as he said. "Well, we must not keep the captain waiting, right?"

"This way."

The captain's quarters was a bit huge but Akire noted that it was modestly decorated. She had been aboard different ships and in some of them, she and Haito were usually invited to dine with the vessel's captain. Compared to most of the ships, this one's the simplest.

This made Akire curious about who this man really was. He acted and talked like somebody who was arrogant enough and she got the vibe that he was one of those men who were proud and boastful- not because it was for show or conceit, but because they had the right to be so. 

Yet, from what she pictured through the vibrations, there was not much to be in awe of inside the room. She relaxed a bit when Alex offered her one of the seats surrounding the dining table that was good for five people. 

She felt the little boy grab her hand and she squeezed back, giving him a nervous smile. Akire hated being unable to tell what's going to happen next. The years of being blind have made her a step or two ahead of movements made by everything and everyone around her but still, mind games were not really her cup of tea. 

She suddenly wished the captain would show himself so that she could get it over with. She would find out who he was, what he wanted and what he knew- then, she would do her best to make a swift kill if the need arises.

Of course, she would need Alex to create a diversion if she wanted to succeed without killing herself.