Thaddaeus and I boarded the ship and the crew cheered after they saw me. I looked at them confused and they explained to me their worries and concerns about me leaving Labyrinth. I felt touched by their gestures even though I thought they were being overly melodramatic.

"I did say it was just for ONE day," I told them while we were eating dinner.

Elgo responded, "Yes, but Captain Jeu is really a great captain and I heard his crew is equally skilled."

Urdel agreed, "From what I heard, they are weapon experts. All of his crew were former assassins and masters of their own style of fighting -- be it martial arts and armaments."

"Mm.. several men who wanted to resort to piracy even those that just wanted adventure, sought to join his crew but they won't just let anyone join in," Zaki added.

Fifer looked at me, "And he offered you a spot in his crew."

I looked at Jacob. For the first time, he was eating quietly. He did not look at me even once from the time I got back on the ship.

"But I think we have the best crew!" I purposely said it louder to see how Jacob would react but he did not even look up.

Lowen beamed at me, "That we do!"

"I won't leave Labyrinth," I declared and eyed Jacob again. Nothing! No response. As a matter of fact, he finished eating his dinner and walked out. He did not give me even a single glance.

Paco and Neville grinned at each other knowingly. Paco then looked at me. "Finish your food, dear," he said as he leaned a bit closer so it is only me that could hear.

"Is Jacob alright?" I asked with the same softness of the voice so only he could hear.

But Neville heard it so he responded and whispered, "No, he is not. He had been like that ever since he lost the game."

Paco smiled, "Don't worry yourself too much. He should be fine in the morning. You came back unscathed after all."

But that was not true, because Jacob came in the kitchen once more and announced. "Be prepared to sail in the morning. We are leaving Shenz!" His voice was obviously angry. Then, he left right away after slamming the door. HE STILL DID NOT LOOK AT ME!

The rest of the crew and I looked at each other in silence for a while. Each of us was contemplating on why Jacob was furious.

Sandlot was the first one to break the silence and slapped Zaki and Urdel behind their heads, "Why do you have to praise Captain Jeu and his crew in front of him, huh?" he said and eyed them scoldingly.

"We were just making a comment. It's not like we were saying that Captain Jeu was better. We all know Captain Jacob is the best," Zaki explained.

Gondro's eyes lit up, "Have you ever wondered who would win if Captain Jacob and Captain Jeu become serious?"

Elgo chuckled, "The former assassin of Hapones versus the former unrivaled captain of Beckforth. That would be an exciting duel to watch."

"True. The chess game this morning was already impressive. Much more if it was really with the sword," Urdel reacted which got another back-head slap from Sandlot.

Thaddaeus spoke, "I don't think Captain Jacob was upset about that though."

Neville chuckled, "You are right about that, Thaddaeus." Paco nodded as well.

"Why was he upset then?" I asked curiously.

All the pirates looked at me with disbelieving eyes. "Tsk.. tsk.. tsk.. tsk," Lowen said while shaking his head. They all laughed after but did not give me any explanation.

*****

True to his word, when morning came even though it was foggy, we anchored up. Jacob still has not looked at me nor talked to me. He was at the wheel wearing a very serious expression as he commanded his crew.

"All hands on deck! Man the sails! Be prepared for anything!" Jacob ordered. We all followed. No one dared to disobey him this time. Not that they do anyways, but still.

I thought our sail would be peaceful aside from Jacob's angry silence. But as we exited Repahook's territory, we were immediately bombarded with cannons! Labyrinth rocked violently. I quickly held onto something to get my balance.

"Northeastern at the left, Captain!" Elgo cried out immediately.

"Fire at them with ALL that we have!" Jacob commanded.

We were ambushed! Although we were prepared, we were still caught in surprise! Northeastern used the fog as an advantage and hid their presence from us. Not to mention that, Jacob obviously was not working to his utmost capability because something was bothering him.

Nonetheless, we followed his orders. Thaddaeus skillfully maneuvered the sails with the help of Puma, Wabi, Laurel, Tibet and Fifer. Sandlot, Urdel, Zaki, and Thom fired the cannons. Lowen, Gondro, Paco, Neville, and I fired at the navy ship. I must say that we were struggling to outgain Northeastern. The latter was just a bit faster!

Before we knew it, Northeastern was completely side by side with us. Both our ships ran out of cannonballs so we resorted to open fire. It was intense! I just finished one round and was reloading my gun while taking cover when I caught a glance of something familiar. It was blurry at first because of the fog. So I focused my eyes and there I saw the familiar red, white, and blue sails coming towards us from the opposite direction!

Pioneer DES positioned herself to the left of Northeastern. The navy ship was now sandwiched in between Labyrinth and Pioneer DES. I saw Jeu smirked.

"FIRE!" I heard Jeu ordered.

Cannons exploded at Northeastern's left while we kept on firing on the right. It was a sight to behold as we saw the once magnificent masts of the naval ship fall. The ship began to wreck. The main deck was blown to debris.

"ABANDON SHIP!!!" Northeastern's captain ordered and the rest of the crew that survived did.

I watched as Northeastern began to sink in the water as the surviving sailors rowed away in their little rowboats. We showed them grace in their loss so we stopped firing. Then, Jacob and Jeu caught each other's eyes.

Jeu tipped his hat, "Everything alright, Jacob?!" he called out.

Jacob stared at him without a smile on his face, "I appreciate your assistance! Next time, it will be our turn to help!"

Jeu smiled at him. "Don't worry about that! Allow us to supply you with cannonballs! Looked like you ran out! There might be more naval ships coming for you!"

Jacob scoffed, "What do you want in return, Jeu?!"

Jeu chuckled. "Nothing but friendship, mate! Besides, Angel already gave me a great time!" he said, then turned to me. "Are you alright, Angel?!"

I smiled at him in response. I was about to say something but Jacob spoke. "Thank you for the cannonballs! We accept your friendship!" I turned to Jacob but he still did not look back.

Pioneer DES adjoined herself to Labyrinth so Jeu's crew could transfer crates of cannonballs to us. When everything was all said and done, Jacob and Jeu formed an alliance. Each ship's crew agreed to become allies. Then, Pioneer DES sailed away and we went the opposite direction.

"That was close," I heard Lowen said before slumping to the deck floor by the gunport.

*****

The day passed by without a word from Jacob. At least not to me. He would talk to his crew but he avoided me at all times. He still would not look at me either. I watched him laugh and joke around with the crew during dinner but he did not spare me even a small tiny glance. It was obvious that he was ignoring me and it bothered me so much. So, I quickly finished my dinner and excused myself.

I went straight to my room and began to tear up. Jacob's actuations hurt me! I was not used to being ignored by him. What did I do so wrong to deserve such silence? I did my nightly hygienic routine and then I tried to sleep. But, I could not! It had been hours but every time I tried to close my eyes, I could see Jacob and I would remember how his silence was hurting me.

Then, around midnight, I heard a knock at my door. I stood up and was about to turn the knob but the door quickly opened and in came Jacob. He shut the door quickly after him. I looked at him confused.

"What ar--" I was about to ask but Jacob grabbed me by the waist and stopped me from talking by planting his lips onto mine. With his other hand, he grabbed the back of my head and tangled his fingers into my hair. He turned us around and I felt my back make contact with the wall. He continued to claim my lips. I tried to push him away but he would not budge.

And then… I felt it. His kiss was wanting! He was desperate as if he needed to do it so he could breathe. And.. the truth, I feel the same way. So before I knew it, my body acted on its own. My arms wrapped around his neck and I closed my eyes so I could feel him more. My lips responded and I felt him smile.

I was lost and carried away by the moment just like a boat adrift in the middle of the sea unsure of the destination, but nonetheless afloat. When he parted my lips and his tongue began to explore, I moaned. It was my first kiss and first kisses were supposed to be chaste but I would not have it any other way.

When we finally stopped, we were both panting. Jacob rested his forehead on mine. Then, my awareness came back and my brain began to process what just happened. I looked at him and blushed.

"You.. you.. that was my first--" I was about to say, but he cut me off.

"Your first kiss?" he smirked, "Then what a lucky pirate I am for stealing it away," he whispered.

I did not know what to say to that so I remained silent. I was too embarrassed by what just happened. Seeing this, Jacob whispered in my ear. "I hate it when another man wants you. It drives me insane. Imagining how your day went with Jeu was such a torture for me. Don't do that again." Then, he let go. "Good night, Darling," he said and left.

I closed my eyes as he walked out my room. I touched my lips and I could still feel the tingling sensation his lips left. I took a deep breath upon realizing that I wanted more. I shook my head. This would be another sleepless night!