Lonely Hearts (open)

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Kenshi sighed as he leaned upon the railing of the ship known as the 'Red Siren' which was owned by his older brother Rui. The boat had been taken from the Takiri's after Rui was removed from the pirate family but now the two of them were back as pirates with a growing crew but a even bigger appetite for money. Kenshi knew that it was time to sell themselves more to the Lords of the Han so the pirates move from Lu Jiang to Hui Ji to seek out anyone who wished their service.

Kenshi glanced to his left and noticed the young boy pirate known as Kouji, a young noble they had acquired one day at the harbour. He sighed as Kouji approached him and stood next to him whilst lightly leaning against his arm. "Kouji stop that, I'm not interested." Kenshi growled knowing that Kouji was going to flirt with him.

Kouji stood up straight and glowered at Kenshi. "Your brother is bisexual and yet you have no interest in either males or females? Are you sure you two are related at all?" Kouji questioned, teasing Kenshi about it. The older man pushed Kouji away and didn't reply. Kouji rolled his eyes and approached Kenshi again. "Why aren't you interested in me?" The boy inquired but got a death glare as a reply. Kouji sighed and strolled away from Kenshi and headed down onto the docks to walk around the markets and crowds of sailors.

It wasn't long until he caught up with Captain Rui so he swiftly joined his master. "Your brother is rather dull." Kouji spoke but Rui merely laughed out loud and ruffled the boy's hair. "That's because he doesn't like you. Anyway, help me advertise our services to the Han." Rui replied as he found an empty crate and dragged it out into the middle of the street and stood on top of it.

"Come all you people of the Han!
I wish to offer my services to defeat the Yellow Turban scum.
Don't be afraid to talk to me and my crew,
we have reasonable prices to suit both me and you!
My name is Rui of the Takiri family,
the captain of the Red Siren ship.
I desire a land of peace that I'm willing to take up arms in this coming war.
Now, who shall be my master?"

Rui called out in a loud and convincing voice. Kouji looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to the advertisement of service.

[kaihime]

Kaihime had arrived in Hui Ji after a long, eventful trip. She had seen many places so far but this city was definately different. A strong naval trade city, Hui Ji was a strong trade city. Kaihime turned a corner of the streets and found herself gazing upon quite the ship. Not many cities you see ships in Kaihime thought to herself. She watched as two men exit the ship and enter into the street.....well at least from the distance she was standing from the they appeared to be both men. One stood upon a crate and yelled to the masses while the other watched on.

"Come all you people of the Han!
I wish to offer my services to defeat the Yellow Turban scum.
Don't be afraid to talk to me and my crew,
we have reasonable prices to suit both me and you!
My name is Rui of the Takiri family,
the captain of the Red Siren ship.
I desire a land of peace that I'm willing to take up arms in this coming war.
Now, who shall be my master?"

Kaihime approached the men further as she thought about the speech he had given. If there was one thing she knew it was that she agreed with his statement of taking down the Yellow Turbans. Kaihime hadn't regained much of her memory but she had regained of her hatred towards the Yellow Tubans. She had also been thinking about finding another lord, after all she was yet to remember where her alliegances were previously.

"Excuse me, do you really plan on aiding the han to defeat the yellow turbans?" Kaihime asked the man straight out.

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui heard a soft female voice and he slowly turned round to face the woman. Rui smiled at her and grinned in a confident manner. "Yes, I aim to return the service to the Han for giving me this city. I too also suffer from the effects of the Yellow Turbans who still plague the trading business for the merchants, farmers and the people who desperately require the food." Rui stepped down from the box and offered his hand out to Kaihime as part of an introduction.

"I am Rui Takiri, at your service." He spoke as he removed his hat and bowed to the young female. Kouji bitterly watched as Rui took interest in the girl, the situation did not sit well with the jealous Kouji.

[kaihime]

((Equals thoughts ))

Kaihime noticed the stare that she was receiving from the young man with Rui Takiri, What's with the stare? Reaching out and taking the offered hand Kaihime smiled to the man. She looked him in the eyes and nodded once. "Well then if that's the case i don't suppose you could use an extra hand?" Kaihime had thought hard about wich lord to join but none of the larger well known leaders appealed to her. If this man truly was going to oppose the yellow turbans then he would indeed be fit for her to serve. After all now she wouldn't have to deal with all the unnecessary elements she would have had to in a larger force.

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui chuckled and smiled tenderly, it had been a very long time since he had spoken to a female but manners would never die. Even pirates could be gentlemen as he shook her hand carefully in a delicate manner. "The Red Siren is always open to those willing to join us." Rui replied making it clear that Kaihime was free to join him if she wished. He was a well known pirate in Jiang Dong but he wasn't a blood thirsty ruler who only wished to take land out of greed.

Rui told tall for the people and only took Hui Ji because the people were suffering. Rui failed to see that Kouji was growing jealous behind them but then again a guest came first. "If you don't mind me asking but what is your name?" Rui kindly asked, he wished to place a name to the beautiful face.

[kaihime]

Kaihime smiled as she was was told she could the crew if she pleased. "Kaihime Minori, i heard your name from your speech. Mr Takiri right? Thank you for allowing me to aid you, i will do my best" Kaihime turned her gaze to Rui's companion. She offered her hand out to him and smiled, after all he was now going to be her new comrade. She could tell he was less than impressed with her for some reason.

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui beamed a bright smile and nodded. "It is a pleasure to have you aboard then Lady Minori. I hope you enjoy yourself upon the ship and feel free to approach me if you wish for anything." Rui spoke before he stepped back to allow Kouji closer. He didn't really know why Kouji was putting on a sour face but it was no excuse not to say hello.

Kouji stepped towards Kaihime and he stared at her in a harsh manner before looking down at her extend hand. He sighed and took Kaihime's hand before raising it up and he kissed the back of the hand tenderly in the same manner of a noble gentlemen. "I am Kouji, it is nice to meet you Lady Kaihime Minori." Kouji spoke as he straightened himself up and watched the girl silently.

[kaihime]

Kaihime refrained from yanking her hand away from Kouji as he went to kiss the back of it in a greeting, she still was not used to such a greeting and awkwardness once again took over her. "ahhhh thanks It's nice to meet you too Kouji. PLEASE just call me Kaihime. The whole lady thing is weird" Kaihime smiled her best trying to hide her uncomfortableness at the situation. Gently returning her hand to her side Kaihime looked at the large ship before her. It was quite the beauty, it was then that Kaihime realised she had never been on a ship before; well that she could remember anyway. She returned her gaze to Rui Takiri "is that your ship? it's quite the beauty"

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui nodded in agreement as Kaihime requested to be called 'Kaihime' without the fancy titles being added. "Okay Kaihime, so would you like to come onto the ship for a look around. You still have to meet my brother." Rui spoke as he stared at Kouji to make the boy go away.

Kouji got the message and returned to the ship before Rui and Kaihime. Kouji alerted the crew that a female would be coming on board the ship so they would have to behave during that time. Kouji also told Kenshi that he would have visitors.

Rui gave a low chuckle as Kouji left. "This famous beauty is the Red Siren, she's travelled the seas to foreign countries and witnessed battles of many types. She's becoming an old girl but she still proves to be the best ship I've ever seen. She's never failed me yet." Rui spoke as he took pride in his ship, the Red Siren was his life and he couldn't bare to have the old girl being destroyed or separated from him. Rui gestured for Kaihime to walk first towards the ship.

[kaihime]

Kaihime's first step upon the ship was shaky and unsteady as the ship moved gently upon the sea's surface with the waves. She tried her best to hide it but unfortunately for her the sea was not going to allow her to do so. A larger wave rocked the ship, not violently but to Kaihime's legs that had were as far from sea legs as possible it was a rather unsteadying blow. She stumbled on her feet and readied herself for her rapid meeting with the ship's deck by putting her arms out in front of her.

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui watched Kaihime silently and avoided laughing at her, it wasn't right to take the joke of someone for such a thing. Rui had been through the same position when he was a child but he knew that eventually she would get her sea legs. He gave her a little space as she walked across the wooden deck. "Here's a tip for you, don't think about the ship as being a ship. Picture a flowing field of grass and flowers and pretend you are walking on that instead." Rui suggested, different people had different tricks to adjust to the swaying.

A large man appeared from the far end of the ship and he started to approach Kaihime. He seemed intimidating at first but the aura that surrounded him was peaceful and trusting. His hair flowed in the breeze and he offered a hand to Kaihime. "So you are the new person. Welcome on board then. I am Kenshi Takiri, Rui's younger brother." Kenshi spoke with a tender smile.

[kaihime]

Kaihime thought about what Rui had said but it didn't appear to help her very much. She managed to stand reasonably straight and take the larger man's hand in her own much smaller and feminine hand. "hi, it's nice to meet you too. I'm Kaihime Minori, but just call me Kaihime" She was speaking like someone standing on a shaking board her tone rising and dropping as the ship rocked and she tried to keep her balance. The man's smile seemed tender in contradiction to his physique. "sure is different than the ground" Kaihime stated as she hung onto the ships railing as if the boat were rocking severely in a storm, her hands gripping said railing tightly. "i guess i don't need to tell you this is my first time on a ship"

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Kenshi gave a low chuckle. "It is a pleasure to meet you Kaihime. Maybe we should head into the captain's office so you can sit down and settle down a little. I can see you're having great difficulty keeping your balance so I think maybe being in a secure room may in fact help you." Kenshi suggested as he spoke in a calm and soft tone. He held out his hand again to help support Kaihime for the crossing across the deck to get to the door.

Rui narrowed his eyes at Kenshi seeing that Kenshi was making fast friends. Rui sighed and approached the two thinking that Kenshi's suggestion was probably more helpful for someone's first time. "Okay, shall we go then?" Rui kept up the friendly expression despite being jealous of Kenshi's tender charm. It had been a very long time since a lady had been on the ship.

[kaihime]

Kaihime felt awkward and embarassed taking such help from someone she had only just met but unfortunately if she wanted to get across the deck any time today she would have to. She would make an exception this time and accept aid from Kenshi

"yeah o.k, sure" Kaihime released her death grip upon the ships railing and practically stumbled into the larger man's outreached hand. She knew she must have been holding his hand as if it were her last chance at life but the larger man didn't seem to notice as he lead her across the ships deck.

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Kenshi guided Kaihime across the deck but he took it slowly and was prepared to catch her if she was about to fall over at anytime. Kenshi was that sort of 'gentle giant' type of people and the fact that his grip was soft and wasn't tight was a clear sign of that. Soon enough they reached the door to the captain's cabin. Rui rushed in front to open the door and let Kenshi and Kaihime come inside.

The room was cozy and had a large table in the middle of the room. Shelves and doors were along the walls, the doors leading to bedrooms for the higher ranking officers and the shelves held drinks, glasses and objected from far off lands.

Rui pulled a seat out and offered it for Kaihime to sit upon. "Are you in need of something to eat or drink?" Rui asked as he walked towards the cupboard for glasses and plates. Kenshi took a seat next to Kaihime and asked Rui for some fruit to eat.