Page 13 of Behind the Mask

Reaching up, he touched each one lightly, wishing he understood the odd marks that described each map.They weren't any language he knew, and his knowledge was not insignificant.

"You have your own cabin," Luther said as he entered, laughter in his voice."Let me guess; you don't trust me."

Kasumi didn't bother to answer.

"I wish you would believe me when I said it was nothing personal.You are not a job anymore.I wish we could be comrades."

"You were not the one chained to a wall and told if you did not eat that your master would die."

"Business is business.My first mate…" Luther's mouth tightened."Actually started out as someone hired to killme.Nothing personal is the nature of our business."He strode across and lightly touched the maps Kasumi had been examining."Jun should not have made it personal."He turned away and set down his own bag, bending to stow the contents in various drawers and cabinets.

Kasumi fetched his own bag and quickly sorted through the contents.

"So are you going to share the bed?"Luther asked, moving well out of range as he asked the question.

"When do we leave?"Kasumi asked.

Luther laughed."Soon.I'm about to go see to it now.Don't cause too much trouble while I'm gone."

Kasumi rolled his eyes and followed him outside, staying close to the Captain's quarters so that he was not in the way—but so he could see everything.He ignored the looks and whispers, wishing painfully for his mask.

He couldn't help the way he looked, and he really wished people would stop looking at him.Going back inside was tempting, but he refused to just sit around inside while Luther put them to sea.

So he watched, and endured the looks cast his way.

Until a certain smirking aggravation leaned over the railing of the poop deck to peer down at him."Beautiful, you're distracting the men.Come on up here so they'll be too afraid of me to look at you."

Kasumi clenched his hands into fists.Bastard.Swearing soft curses, he braced himself and then jumped, caught the railing, pulled himself up, and leapt neatly over the edge.Then he punched Luther."If my looks are so problematic,Captain,then I suggest you stop provoking me and take me to my mask."

"Oh, now, I don't think I want you putting it back on," Luther replied, testing his jaw."I think that's the finest right I've ever encountered.For the sake of my jaw, I'll avoid pondering aloud what else that hand is good at."

"You—"

"Captain," the first mate said hastily, looking between them."Any further orders?"

"No, Mr.Raff.Take the helm.I and Lord Kasumi will be in my quarters if you've anything further."

"Yes, Captain."

Luther nodded and stepped away, tossing a smirk at Kasumi."Shall we, my Lord?"

Kasumi followed him in silence."I am going to kill you," he snapped when they were back inside.

"I can't help it," Luther replied."For a shadow you give away a remarkable amount of what you're thinking.Must be a side effect of wearing the mask—you never had to learn to control your expressions."He strode suddenly close, catching Kasumi's chin, holding it tight.Kasumi remained stubbornly still, glaring.

Luther regarded him thoughtfully."Even your eyes.Melted gold, and every thought plain as day.Perhaps it's a good thing you lost that mask."

Kasumi punched him, then kicked him hard in the stomach, moving fast to pin him to the ground."You have no idea what you're talking about, pirate.None."

"I know you're more upset about that mask than your master."

"I will rescue Minoru," Kasumi hissed, furious."I am sworn to protect him and so I shall."

"Would you choose him over that stupid mask?"

Pain lanced through Kasumi."Yes," he managed.

"It would tear you apart though," Luther said, sounding thoughtful, amazed."Why does it matter so much?"If he was upset about being pinned to the deck, he made no show of it—did not even attempt to struggle.

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