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The morning after the bearattack was, to say the least, awkward.

It had been tensing since the sullen walk back to town. Kazuyuki led the way and made no effort to josh around with (Y/N), and the pirates had nothing to say either. Ivo offered several times to carry (Y/N) the rest of the hike back, but she refused. The incident still shook the young princess and seeing the demon forms for the first time.

She knew it was wrong of her to become apprehensive of them based solely on looks, but it had finally hit her what they were... demons.

(Y/N) told herself over and over they were nothing to fear, that they were her friends, just that they looked completely different. However, she had only thought of them as men her entire journey with them, realizing they had abilities beyond her comprehension was challenging to wrap her mind around.

Initially, Kazumi wanted to leave Kori the day of the attack, but thick ice had formed around the ship and on the water leading out of Kori. He immediately put the lower crew members to the dangerous work of breaking apart the ice. In the meantime, the pirates and (Y/N) had no choice but to stay another night in Kori.

At the moment, she sat with Koyuki at the kitchen table, helping to slice vegetables for the rabbit stew meant to be prepared later. The pirates were close by but also put to work by Koyuki. (Y/N) could see Leven and Leopoldo arguing back and forth over an ax to chop firewood, or rather Leven yelling at a giggling Leopoldo. Ivo and Kazumi were given the task of skinning the rabbits. Before they left, she heard Ivo joking to Kazumi about how he should not be the one to skin the rabbits or he might find inspiration. She did not understand what he meant by that but either way, she ignored it.

(Y/N) had no clue where Kazuyuki had gone off to, nor did she care to inquire. She sat almost in a daze as she haphazardly chopped potatoes. (Y/N) was doing her best to ignore the images of the carnage of the day before that kept flashing in her mind.

She wondered how the pirates seemed completely normal after witnessing something like the attack, she was on the verge of tears herself.

"You chop like a little princess," Koyuki commented, snapping (Y/N) from her haze.

"Excuse me?" (Y/N)'s heart stopped in her chest, only hearing the word 'princess'.

Koyuki chuckled before using her knife to point to the mishappened and jagged-looking vegetables.

"You cut like a princess," Koyuki repeated. "Like you have never done that in your life."

(Y/N) forced a dry chuckle looking down at her various-sized pieces of potato.

"Yes... I guess I do." She quietly agreed.

Koyuki looked over the troubled expression (Y/N) wore, a pitiful mask if you asked the savage princess.

"You know," Koyuki began. "What happened yesterday, that is a common occurrence in Kori. We live with nature and follow her rules. Everyone who goes on a hunting expedition knows what is in our wilderness and prepares themselves for it. Whether that be hugging your family goodbye or carrying a weapon with you that you are certain you can flawlessly wield."

(Y/N) peeked up to the ink-black-haired princess, thankful Koyuki was attempting to comfort her.

"I... I just have never seen something... something so- so gruesome." (Y/N) fought to find the right words.

To (Y/N)'s surprise, Koyuki chortled and was taken aback and almost offended.

"Is that so surprising?" She grumbled hacking at the potatoes some more.

"Honestly, quite so," Koyuki admitted. "I mean, look who you are traveling with."

(Y/N) furrowed her brows, quickly glancing out the window to the arguing brothers once more.

"I am not sure what you're getting at." (Y/N) looked back to Koyuki hesitantly.

"The Demon Crew of the Scorched Bones," Koyuki said knowingly as if (Y/N) would understand any second.

She did not.

Koyuki sighed out heavily, leaning in closer to whisper.

"The tales of the Scorched Bones are far and wide. Everyone is fearful of those pirate friends of yours. They have burned down entire villages, taken down might naval ships invading their waters." Koyuki whispered. "The rumors of their bloodthirst are what we tell naughty children our defense barricades were built for."

(Y/N)'s brows never unknotted as she listened.

No, she must be mistaken. Kazumi, Ivo, Leven, and Leopoldo are all so sweet, they would not do something like that. They only defend themselves when provoked. I would never think them to be the type to burn down villages.

"Truthfully, my father was fearful of what they would have done had he denied their request to come into Kori land, but he did plan on rejecting whatever help they sought out here. That is one reason I was so surprised Kazu was so quick to accept." Koyuki confessed.

(Y/N) nervously chuckled.

"No, no. They are kind and gentle, there is no reason to fear them." (Y/N) politely defended them.

"Maybe, or perhaps they do not want to scare you away from them," Koyuki said playfully, not thinking it was as big of a deal as (Y/N) took it.

Koyuki assumed (Y/N) knew at least a little about the Demon Crew, there is not a soul alive who has not at least heard one rumor about them. However, (Y/N) was sheltered, and truly no such thing that Koyuki just said.

"Rumors, I am sure." (Y/N) dryly laughed. "They would not do anything of the sort."

Koyuki shrugged continuing her task at chopping carrots.

"Well, however you take them to be is what you will believe them to be." Koyuki offered. "But there is no denying you are with the most dangerous men in the nation."

(Y/N) shifted uncomfortably in her chair, taking another look outside to Leopoldo and Leven, the only pirates in view.

They could not- would not do such horrible things. It all has to be just fearmongering. I know them, I have spent months with them, I would know if they were monstrous people. Right?

Koyuki saw (Y/N) seemed more troubled than before, disappointed in herself for making it worse.

"How about you let me finish the vegetables? As much I am sure some would love a disk of potato, I think it'd be best if I finish." Koyuki tried to lighten the mood.

"Oh, no. I could not let you do that, everyone else has a job to do, I wouldn't feel right leaving you with mine." (Y/N) pushed down all the troubling memories and focused on the task at hand.

Before Koyuki could insist further the shuffle of heavy footsteps drew her and (Y/N)'s attention to the entryway.

Kazuyuki stood looking solemn and stoic, with snow-covered boots melting onto the hardwood floor. He wore his usual attire of animal fur and hinds, and his hair tied into a high ponytail.

"Good morning," Koyuki smiled at her brother. "How was it?"

(Y/N) decided to continue on her potatoes, ignoring the man entirely.

"I think it went well, even it was my first time holding a ceremony." Kazuyuki sighed, coming further into the room, setting his leather pack on the end of the table. He stood just a few feet from (Y/N), but she kept her eyes down.

It was then (Y/N) figured where Kazuyuki had disappeared to the funerals. In Kori, they held a quick ceremony of just immediate family and the king, who is to pray aloud for the souls of his lost civilians. Without bodies, the villagers would often bury a lock of the deceased's hair with a seed of their very plant to bloom in spring. It was a very small but meaningful tradition here, and (Y/N) surmised it was the reason Kazuyuki looked so gloomy.

At least he is reacting somewhat normally. (Y/N) thought hacking away at a cube of potato.

"It looks like the crew is working hard to break the ice around the ship, it looks like you will be leaving tomorrow." Kazuyuki directed his attention to (Y/N).

"Fantastic, thank you for letting me know," (Y/N) responded sharply, though joyous she would be leaving soon.

Instead of bickering back as (Y/N) expected him to do, he switched the conversation entirely.

"I would like to speak to you in private."

"Huh?"

"A walk," Kazuyuki echoed. "Let's go."

Kazuyuki did not even allow (Y/N) the chance to deny the request before pulling her up by her arm and hoisting her into one arm, slapping his other hand over her mouth.

(Y/N)'s eyes went wide with anger and confusion as she wormed in his grip. Her thrashing did nothing to even remotely loosen his hold on her.

What does this brute think he is doing? How dare he!?

"Brother!" Koyuki gasped in shock.

The Kori princess looked between (Y/N)'s angrily furrowed brows, to her brother's soft smiling face, not knowing who to help.

"Continue, Ko." Kazuyuki smiled. "I will be back soon."

With that, Kazuyuki was already leaving with (Y/N) in hand, who kicked her legs wildly. The two left a startled Koyuki with nothing to do besides finish (Y/N)'s pitiful potatoes.

I find it hard to catch the small mistakes like descriptive words used to describe the OC when converting it to X Reader. I try to search keywords and make changes but it seems some get past me. Message me!]]