Prolouge:

The first time the Sirus crew saw Aleksandra was when she smashed a glass bottle over the two drunks heads in the bar. The sharp shards rained down like rain in a thunderstorm whilst the two buffoons fell, splayed down over the counter. The bar fell silent, the soft hum of voice dying as the half-drunk men turned to stare at the fuming woman, who was furiously staring back at them. The defiance in her eyes was vibrant and the bottle neck in her hand had little specks of blood from the scars inflicted by it.

"They were...rude." The barmaid said, calmly throwing the remains of the bottle into the bin underneath the bar. The tone in which she said the words was arrogant, as if that explained everything.

It did. All the regulars knew Aleksandra Seatorn, the barmaid of the seaside bar in Yamato, was a feisty one. The result of a Yamato barmaid and a visiting pirate, Aleks (as she like to be called) was someone who grew up side by side with poverty. As a child, when the regulars were still young men full of false hopes and low paying jobs, she could often be seen working by the side of her mother or beating up older children who dared to make fun of her unusual eyes. Or just beating them up for the younger kids sakes. Her status was soon exalted in the tough streets of Yamato and even the kids who were twice her size knew to steer clear of the mongrel girl with the strange soul eyes and the younger kids who wore her mark.

Now eighteen, Aleks was tougher than ever. Her mother passed away three years ago and with that any trace of compassion from Aleks. Sure, she still helped the younger kids but the little girl from before, with her strong belief in angels and mermaids, was gone. Now determined, she saves up the pittance she earns from her job as the barmaid in hopes of a better future. Far away from here.

But tough as she may be, Aleks was a uptight girl, with strict morals. Kindness was one. Purity was another. From her days in the street she would flinch whenever someone touched her in more intimate places or when they spewed out dirty thing from their equally dirty mouths. And she wasn't afraid to act on her natural instinct to hurt anyone who may pose a danger towards her or those who she held dear.

And that's why no one from Yamato, or indeed anyone with common sense, dared to touch the Barmaid of Yamato.

So everyone in the bar, who saw the event in the bar, all nodded their heads solemnly in agreement to the validation of Aleks's assault and looked away, back to their companions and drink. The bar resumed its hum of drunken slurs and the two unconscious thugs were thrown out into the cold street by the doorman, Bob. The shards that littered the floor like false emeralds were quickly swept up by Aleks and the spilt drink mopped up. No one remembered the event that just transpired and not a trace was left.

The pirates sat in the corner of the bar, downing their fifth -or was it sixth?- round of the pleasant ale. They were the only ones who had not forgotten the debacle, instead watching the barmaid with slight interest as she scurried about serving the customers.

"That was unusual." The tall, languid pirate draped in a coat of rich maroon muttered as he raised his glass. With his boot encased legs propped up on the table and a smirk on his sharp, handsome features, he eluded arrogance and scorn. With his black eyepatch and belt full of pistols and ammunition there was no doubt that he was, in fact, a pirate.

"She... Did she knock them out?!" His companion, a shorter man dressed in a loose white shirt and a rich blue vest exclaimed, his hazel eyes wide as pennies with surprise. Swords hung from his side and long fingers danced over them as he stared at Aleks meandering around the room. "How strong is she?!"

"Well, she's no delicate flower." A third pirate agreed, his shock of ginger hair creating a stark contrast with his pale skin. He looked younger than the other two, at most twenty and at least fifteen. He was looking at Aleks with admiration. "But that feat is admirable nonetheless."

Just then, the bar door slammed opened and the figure of a pirate clad in the traditional red pirates coat and a tricon hat with feather and other accessories hanging off entered the bar. Two other men flanked his sides as the procession stalked into the bar. The low talk of the drunken stopped for a moment, appraising the new arrivals before giving a dismissal shrug and turning back. Spying the three pirates seated in the corner, the procession made the way smoothly over to them before throwing themselves into the wooden chairs scattered around the table.

"I need booze!" sighed the Pirate clothed in red to the others as he got himself comfortable in the hard seat. "I haven't a drop since the ship docked!"

"He's been this way since we went into the market." His companion, a tall man with dusky skin and kind eyes remarked. He shot a small smile at everyone seated, greeting each one individually.

"He was really annoying." The second one agreed, shaking his black bandana clad head in agreement. "We had to cancel buying the fish because of him!"

"So, did anything happen whilst we were away?" Kind-Eyes asked Maroon Coat, tilting his head slightly to the side.

"Nothing much." Maroon - Coat replied nonchalantly, brushing off invisible lint from his shoulder. "Just a girl knocking two men unconscious with a wine bottle."

"What?" Bandana Head asked with surprise in his voice. Disbelief seeped into his face as Maroon - Coat indicated with a nod of his head Aleks. "Her? Those two outside were blown over by her?"

"Booze! I need booze!" Red-Coat groaned again, slumping forwards in his chair. "Booze..."

Kind -Eyes smiled a charming smile as he hailed the nearest barmaid over.

"Please, Miss, drinks for all of us here."

"Yes. Anything else?" Aleks jotted down the things in the notepad hanging down by her side. Looking up, she met six different pairs of eyes staring in wary suspicion at her. Feeling slightly self-conscious, Aleks felt a blush spread across her cheeks as she was intensely studied. Looking down at herself, Aleks checked to see if she was revealing any flesh, or perhaps had a stain on her clothing. No and no. What were they looking at?

"No. Thank you." Kind-Eyes replied, flashing her a small smile. Was he hoping to charm her? No. He had the same look about him as the others. Shuffling awkwardly from foot to foot, Aleks stared back at the odd group of men. What odd clothes they were wearing, colourful and exotic with elaborate details and fancy stitching. Quality material with real -from what Aleks could tell- jewels glinting in the dull bar light. They must not be from around here. Maybe that explained the strange looks they were giving her, with her ragged clothes and rag tag head band. Did all the people dress the way they did from where they were from?

Oh gods.

If they did dress that way everyday, what a rich economy they must be from! How many jobs! New opportunities for her. A escape from here. A chance to clean out old ghosts. Aleks knew the only way to get to Yamato was by ship or boat, depending on your wealth. And judging by the way these strangers dressed, they came on a ship. A big one. And in that instance Aleks made her life changing decision.

"I'll bring your drinks soon." Aleks spat out before quickly escaping into the crowd of customers and barmaids. her heart racing, Aleks knew that only one new ship docked in the port. She was often helping out in the docks for extra money and saw the magnificent ship loom into view. She knew how to gain access on board.

She knew that she will become a stow away and if they find her they could harm her. But in that moment she didn't care. At all. This may be the only opportunity she may ever get to escape from here.

No one noticed the shadowy figure silently sneak on-board The Sirus later that evening.

And no one knew that she would capture the hearts of all six of the pirates.