“Click!”  Kaida stood on the deck, looking up to the young man who was standing in the crow’s nest.  His head could be seen from the top, his dark hair peeking out when he looked down at her. The breeze wiped it around, but he never seemed to mind.  “Can I join you?”

“Aye, but can you make the climb on your own this time, Ryo? I'd prefer not having to come down just yet.

Kaida rolled her eyes and smirked while climbing up the mass to join him.  Once she had reached the top, she settled in next to him. “You’ve been up here for awhile,” she noted, watching him closely. Click was leaning against the edge, his eyes focusing on the horizon before them.

“It's a brand new adventure out there. I've been stuck close to home for so long. I can't wait to see what it's like.”

She caught a smile from growing on her face and looked out to where his attention was caught.  Off in the distance, she could see the faint outline of Barbados; after years of hearing her uncle talk about it, they had finally made it.  It almost seemed like a dream. One that she didn’t want to wake up from. She glanced back at Click, noticing how much he had changed since they had met in Cape Town.  He had matured a lot in that time; his skin was tanner, his face more defined, and taut muscles framed his body from working long hours on the ship. He looked less like the timid boy she knew and more like a man comfortable with his body; even the scar under his right eye now looked more fitting.  He was oblivious to how handsome he was, never paying any mind to the girls that watched him anytime they stopped in port. He was always so focused on his next adventure, always filled with passion and curiosity.

Kaida turned her gaze away from him, her heart sinking slightly.  She peered down at her flat chest, the tight bandages around her a daily reminder of the secret she couldn’t tell him.  Shaking her head discreetly, she pushed her negative thoughts aside and forced out a soft laugh. “Think you could handle the heat?” she teased.

Click let out a hearty laughed and snatched Ryo’s hat off his head, placing it on his own. “Have you already forgotten I lived in Africa? This heat is a welcome paradise compared to that place.” He stood up and held onto the mast for support while he climbed atop the nests railing. “What do you think we'll see, Ryo? I wonder if the pictures of all those strange animals are real.”

“I hope so.  I could use some excitement,” she sighed and watched him climb above her, cursing herself for not being more subtle.  She cleared her throat, “What’s the first thing you’ll do when we get there?”

Click turned back to Ryo and pushed the hair back from his face with one hand. “That is an excellent question my friend. I’ll probably buy a map of all the islands to start.” He sat down on the railing, hooking one leg through the supports to keep his balance as the ship swayed back and forth. “A map, and perhaps a spyglass, I’ll need to be back on the ship before the turn of the tide of course. Someone has to watch your back, especially if the stories are true about pirates.” A devilish smirk played across Clicks face as he began to think of all the adventures he could have. “Naturally, I hope you’d watch mine as well.”

Kaida grinned up at him, but the mention of pirates was enough to set her on edge.  She knew her uncle was worried about that. While the Caribbean was profitable, it didn’t come without its vices.  She had heard the stories, and while she was somewhere new and exciting, she knew she had to be extra careful. “Of course I’d watch your back,” Kaida said.  “Someone needs to keep you out of trouble.”

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“Staying out of trouble is no fun, no good adventure came without some sort of trouble. That’s why we need to stick together.” Truthfully while he wanted adventure he was himself a little nervous about pirates. The cape had its own set of dangers and even a number of pirates but nothing like the Carribean was supposed to be. It was the only place he knew of where merchant ships traveled with full escorts of armed galleons. He shook the nervousness from his head, “I wonder how long we’ll stay here. It’s more profitable, voyages are shorter, goods from the caribbean are in high demand all throughout these seas. I wonder if this is where I’ll become a captain.” He looked back out to the horizon, this time back towards the open sea.

“I hope we’re here awhile, we’ll need that time if this is where we want to make names for ourselves.”

“Aye, I don’t plan on being a merchant sailor for long.”

“Let’s make a deal, shall we?”  She asked looking up at him with a crooked smile.  

He looked down to Ryo before stepping off the railing and sitting beside him again. “What kind of a deal?”  

“Well… let’s see, neither of us want to be merchant sailors.  So we should make a wager. Who ever becomes a captain of their own crew first, the other has to become his first mate.  What say you?”

Click smiled and his eyes lit up as he held out his hand to Ryo. “I’ll take that wager, says I.”

Kaida took his hand and shook it eagerly.  “Good. I’ll start thinking of names for my future ship, then.”

Click playfully shoved Ryo and placed his hat back on his shaved head before leaning back against the mast. “Already one step ahead of ya. Gotta catch up Ryo, you’ll never become a Captain at this rate.”

“Oh, I’m not worried, I’ve already got some ide-”

“Boys!”  Kaida’s uncle, Nabasu, called up to them, waving his arm to catch their attention.  Kaida and Click poked their heads out to look down at him and he beckoned them down.  Kaida pushed herself ahead of Click and laughed as she climbed back down the mast.

“Yes, uncle?” She asked as Click climbed down to join her on the deck.

“Click, I need you to guide us into port,” he smiled at him.

“Aye aye Captain.” Click rushed off to the wheel, shouting to the men to prepare to stow sails as he did so.  

“Ryo, ready the mooring lines.”

Kaida nodded and turned to follow orders after Click had already left, but her uncle called back to her.  “Ryo,” his tone was softer. Kaida looked at him and he gestured her to come closer and he laid a hand on her shoulder. 

“Are you excited that we’re finally here?” He asked and Kaida nodded eagerly.  “I am too,” he agreed. He glanced over to Click and his expression looked a bit guilty.  She eyed him curiously.

“Uncle?”

“He’s grown a lot since he joined us, hmm?  He’s no longer a boy.” Kaida’s face flushed and she looked down at her feet, too sheepish to look him in the eye.  “... Be careful of your lingering gaze, Kaida,” her uncle whispered. Humiliation rushed over her, but she nodded and looked back to her uncle.  

“Aye, sir,” she said glumbly, giving Click one last glance before turning to fulfil her duties.