Page 8 of Behind the Mask

"Leave," Luther said.He followed behind the sailor, closing and locking the door behind him.Turning around, he moved to Kasumi."Going to remove it and eat?"

"Prove to me Minoru is being fed."

Luther smirked."I'm afraid you will have to take my word for it," he said, "because I am not foolish enough to let you see him.He is eating.I am a businessman first and foremost, and it would be poor business to kill the only thing that gets you to cooperate."

Kasumi said nothing.

"Your former master is being cared for.I've not harmed so much as a hair on his head.Remove the mask, eat, else you will have proof most certain that he is in pain."

Grunting, Kasumi gave up.It hardly mattered if this man saw his face; he would be dead as soon as Kasumi learned what was going on.Reaching up, he removed the mask.

"My, my, you are a pretty one.Do you wear the mask to be less distracting?"

Kasumi ignored him and hooked the mask into place on his left arm, then reached for his food, eating as neatly and quickly as the awkward arrangement allowed.He tensed and dropped the spoon as Luther drew close, but did not bother to resist as his wrist was taking in a tight, callused grip.

Hedidprotest when Luther touched his face, jerking from the touch and twisting his hand free, grabbing Luther's face and shoving him back hard.As Luther stumbled, Kasumi snagged his mask and slid it back into place.

Luther grunted as he righted himself."I can see why you need to wear the mask, pretty."

Kasumi glared at him, flexing his still-free hand."The nature of my appearance is not the reason I wear the mask."

"Sure," Luther replied tauntingly.He refastened Kasumi's free arm to the wall."A face as pretty as that, a body just as fine beneath all that dark clothing, it's little wonder they try to keep you covered.Are all shadows as pretty as you?"

"I wouldn't know.I do not know the faces of my brethren."

Luther tugged gently at the mask, frowning when it stayed firmly in place.He let it go with a grimace."I think the mask is a futile effort at disguise.Mask or no mask, I would know your eyes anywhere."

Kasumi said nothing.

Laugh, Luther stood up."I wonder how much trouble you will prove to be when I have to let you go to take a piss."

Lots of trouble, Kasumi vowed silently.

Three

"It truly is a pity we cannot get along," Luther said with a laugh, fingers going once more to the cuts on his face.Kasumi knew it had been stupid to fight once free, but he was tired of sitting idle.

Adding heavy bruising to his injuries would not help him later, but he thought it had been worth it just to put those marks on that smug bastard's face.

He still wanted to know why a lowly pirate Captain was able to match him in terms of skill.It was a source of no small amount of vexation.How?Damn it.

"Shortly you will not be my problem," Luther said."If you managed to survive whatever it is my employer intends, however, I sense I will be seeing you again.I suppose an offer to buy you a drink is out of the question."

Kasumi said nothing.

Luther laughed."It's nothing personal, I keep telling you that.I rather like you, really.All that fire.Usually by this point captives are sobbing and begging, though a few are still attempting to bribe me.You're a refreshing change, and it's obvious you still are concerned for Minoru.It might surprise you how quick people can be to sell out their comrades."

"Whatever happened to the real Luther?"

"I have no idea," Luther replied."We made certain he was detained and that his messages explaining that never reached you, but once you were secured we stopped caring.I'm certain they have figured out by this point that something is amiss, but they will have a devil of a time putting the pieces together—especially since they will be thinking Minoru was the target."He laughed."How is that for a well played game?"

Kasumi did not answer, but a knock at the door prevented any reply he might have given anyway.

"Captain," the first mate said."We're coming up on theDeep Blue.

"Excellent," Luther said."I'm coming.Make certain the men keep a sharp look out."

"Aye, Captain."

---