I stood in the shadows underneath a bridge near one of the many canals in Singapore. Tai Huang was beside me, speaking softly to a few men behind us. Soa Feng had told us he was expecting company, though he failed to mention what kind. He'd never sent me to greet his guests before, which made me question their motives for visiting Singapore. If they were untrustworthy, why was Soa Feng accepting them at all? It wasn't long before we saw a woman in a small boat heading towards the dock in front of us.
"A call to all, pay heed the squall, and turn your sails toward home," we heard her singing softly. I lifted my eyebrow. What a fool. It was not a song to be sung lightly. In fact, singing it would likely get her killed. I looked toward Tai Huang and saw a devilish grin spread across his face. I felt a little sorry for the girl, but nothing could be done. She only had her ignorance to blame. I cringed at the idea of what the men would do to her. So long as I wanted to keep my own head, I couldn't save her.
She tied her little dingy to the dock and stepped out, continuing the song.
"Yo ho, all together, hoist the colors high. Yo ho," she sang in almost a whisper.
"Thief! And beggar! Never say we die," Tai Huang interrupted as he stepped from the shadows, the two men that were with him following behind. She nearly jumped out of her skin. I couldn't save her, but I certainly wasn't going to help them torture her. I remained hidden, and simply watched. Besides, someone had to actually greet Soa Feng's guests and it was obvious the ignorant, pretty girl was going to have the men distracted.
"A dangerous song to be singing for anyone ignorant of its meaning. Particularly a woman, particularly a woman alone," Tai Huang teased her. He was going to have fun with this one.
"What makes ye think she's alone?" my heart skipped a beat when I heard his voice. One peek around the corner of my hiding spot confirmed I hadn't misheard. There, Hector Barbossa stood on the stairs a little above us. Typical. He always had considered himself to be above it all. As soon as I saw him, I pulled my head back into the shadows.
It had been nearly thirteen years since I'd seen him. He'd actually been the man who taught me to be a pirate. We'd spent a year together, first on his ship, and then after it sank, we mostly stayed in Tortuga. He'd taken me in, gave me a place to sleep, protected me, and taught me how to protect myself. And in return, he'd only wanted one thing from me. I actually hadn't minded it as much as I probably should have.
"You protect her?" Tai Huang spat at him, angry that his game had been interrupted. I focused back on what was happening, my mind snapping away from my memories. Suddenly the girl produced a knife in her hand and grabbed Tai Huang from behind, placing the knife at his neck. I corked an eyebrow.
"What makes you think I need protecting?" she said coyly. I was surprised. I hadn't expected it from her. She had seemed so timid. I couldn't help but smile though, even as she held a knife to my comrade's throat. It was a rare occasion to find other women like myself.
"Your master's expecting us. An unexpected death would cast a slight pall on our meetin'," Barbossa stated. Elizabeth released her grip on Tai Huang with disappointment written on her face. Since these seemed to be the company Soa Feng had been expecting, I was going to have to face my once mentor sooner or later. I stepped out from behind the shadows.
"Would it now?" I teased with a smile as I saw Hector's face go white, "How long has it been, Hector?"
"Ruby?" was all he could manage to stammer.
"It's Sakura now. For the first time, I actually picked out my own name," I told him. My birth name had been Madelyn, but Barbossa had decided it was too lady like a name for a pirate. He'd picked Ruby for me, because of my signature red hair, and said it was much more exotic and suiting. I've had at least five other names since then. Barbossa had composed himself after a moment and smiled at me.
"I'd heard you were dead," he stated flatly.
"I'd heard you were dead too," I countered with a sly grin.
"Recently returned from the grave," he said with a smirk and a wink. Our little banter was interrupted when we heard footsteps. I motioned everyone under the bridge and they immediately followed. British soldiers passed by overhead as we made our way through the passage under the bridge. Tai Huang led the group; I stayed near the middle, with Barbossa and the girl following behind us, speaking softly to each other. I noticed out of the corner of my eye, Hector glancing towards me. It was obvious he wanted to speak to me more, probably wanted to hear all about everything I'd been doing the last thirteen years. But this was not the time or the place for such things. Frankly I don't think Soa Feng would like it one bit if he knew I had a history with Barbossa. Especially since I already got the feeling that my current master didn't trust my former mentor. Or perhaps being a pirate as powerful as Soa Feng came with a certain amount of paranoia. I didn't blame him. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get you.
"…and you to remember your place in the presence of Soa Feng," I overheard Barbossa telling the girl.
"Is he really that terrifying?" she said with disdain. I smirked. She had no idea what Soa Feng was capable of.
"He's much like meself, but absent my merciful nature and sense of fair play," Barbossa jibbed. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Have I said something funny, Rubes?" he asked, apparently hearing my laugh. I slowed my pace and began walking beside him.
"Don't call me that here, Hector," I warned, "I fear its best we not let Soa Feng know exactly how close we once were."
"Well, then perhaps you best call me Captain Barbossa then," he said. I nodded to him. I hadn't even realized I'd used his first name.
"Sorry," I said with a blush. He smiled to me and shook his head.
"I'm Elizabeth, by the way," the girl interrupted our awkward moment and extended her hand out to me. I was glad she had, maybe she'd sensed the uncertainty I had about seeing Hector again.
"You can call me Sakura," I said, shaking her hand, as we approached the entrance to Soa Feng's hideout.