Chapter Text
Lisbon, Portugal
July 4, 1713
Jakurai sat in São Roque Church, his hands clasped in front of him as he silently prayed.
He was going back out to sea soon. His crew had already recuperated, and the day was around the corner. Jakurai should have looked forward to this, he was seeing the world and meeting people the common folk would only dream of meeting. He didn’t, though.
All he felt was dread.
-
“Jakurai, I’ll be fine.” Yotsutsuji attempted to chide him. “I’m healthy, and thanks to you, no one is interested in having me dead.”
“It is a comforting thought,” Jakurai told him. Maybe when he took Yotsutsuji in, attempting to quell the severity of the loss of his parents, the community in Lisbon accepted him as if he were Jakurai’s son. “But a premonition is not so easily shaken. You are in danger.” It worried Jakurai greatly to receive this premonition just before he had to leave once again. He feared what terrible fate might befall Yotsuji in his absence. He looked out the window of their inn to see the outline of the ocean with its docked ships through the rolled glass.
An idea struck him.
“Yotsutsuji.” He turned to the boy. “What if you came with me? I could protect you, then.”
“I’m not sure-” He started, but Jakurai cut him off.
“You’d be able to see the world.” He pressed on. “Learn a good trade in sailing.”
“But my apprenticeship with-”
“You’re only 15, and you’re not betrothed yet. It’s far from too late to change.” He gripped Yotsutsuji
“Well, uh, okay.” Yotsutsuji nodded. “I trust you.”
“Very good.” Jakurai released Yotsutsuji, stepping back and regaining his composure. “We wake tomorrow at dawn.”
-
The next morning, just when the sun started to peak above the horizon, Hifumi and Doppo were already waiting at the dock, Hifumi as chipper as ever and Doppo equally disgruntled and bleary. They had been sailing with Jakurai for the better part of 10 years, now.
“Good morning Hifumi, Doppo. “
“Mornin’ Captain!” Hifumi saluted.
“Stop that,” Doppo smacked his arm. “Treat the Captain with more respect.”
“He knows me though!” Hifumi laughed, shrugging Doppo off of him.
Jakurai smiled. “Things seem to be in order, then.”
“Yessir.” Hifumi looked at Yotsutsuji, who was mostly hiding behind Jakurai. “Is Tsuji coming to see you off?”
“Not quite, he’s tagging along for this voyage.”
“Sweet!” Hifumi grinned at him. “Are we ready, then?”
Jakurai placed his hand on Yotsutsuji next to him. “One can only hope.”