I stood proudly on the deck of the Phoenix. The salty sea air caressed my face and played with my long blue-black hair that was tied in a high ponytail. My red top showed off my stomach as well as the scar that I earned while learning to use my wakizashis. My brown pants hugged my legs all the way down into my black pirate boots. My black pirate coat was perfectly tailored to my curvy frame.

On special occasions, I would put on Hirota's red coat. I didn't want it getting wrecked, so I didn't wear it all the time.

I couldn't help but smile as my lavender eyes watched the men bring us into Tanbarun. I'd been away for too long. It was nice to be back in my home country. Once we were docked, I left my place at the wheel and helped the men secure the ship properly.

Just because I was talented sixteen-year-old captain, it didn't mean I could get away with not helping. Once everything was secured, I let the men leave all at once. This was the only place that was safe enough to do that. Even after two years, Prince Raj had kept his welcome open to us.

I took off my coat and flopped it into the trunk that held my clothes. Then, I grabbed a large gray cloak and put it on.

"Captain, are you sure it's a good idea letting all the men go ashore at once?" Thane asked as he entered.

"Of course. I'm sure you can keep an eye on things on your own." I smirked.

"Yeah, I guess… Wait! What?!"

I grabbed my satchel which contained a compass, containers for herbs, the 'miracle cream', other medical supplies, a set of lockpicks, and some rations.

"Where are you going?" Thane's voice was almost in a panic.

"I have to get some herbs for the 'miracle cream'. Some of the herbs are more bountiful here. Plus this is my home country, I know it like the back of my hand."

"That's good. We don't' need you getting lost… again."

"Hey! That only happened twice!"

"Still, take care of yourself out there. Just because Prince Raj has extended a welcome to us, it doesn't mean everyone feels the same way."

"I know."

Thane and I walked up on deck.

"I shouldn't be gone too long, as long as the shop has everything I need. If it doesn't then I'll have to go searching."

"When should I start worrying about you?"

"If I'm not back by this time tomorrow."

"Understood."

I arrived at the shop and presented my list of items that I needed.

The herbalist gathered everything except for one thing.

"Sorry, I'm missing the last ingredient on your list. It's used in lots of different medicines so I have a hard time keeping it stocked."

"Alright, I guess I'll just have to go find it myself. Thank you." I turned to leave.

"Be careful, Miss. There is a group of unsavory looking people who just came into port. I'd hate for them to try anything."

I couldn't help but smirk. I knew he was talking about my men. I kept my back to him as I waved. "Thanks for the heads up."

I bounded through the trees in the forest and scanned the ground for the herb I needed. It was difficult herb to find this time of year, but I wasn't going to go back without it. As I leapt from tree to tree, memories popped up in my mind.

~I ignored him and kept running. My heart was pounding and I was going so fast I felt like I was going to trip over my own feet. I needed to get away. I needed to find one of my crew mates. I pushed myself harder and I tried to go faster. That turned out to be a bad idea. My foot slipped on the edge of a roof and I started to fall to the ground head first.

"Damn it!" I heard the man call out behind me.

I closed my eyes and prepared to crash hard onto the unforgiving cobblestone street below but it never came. I opened my eyes slowly and saw that I was still two stories above the ground. There was a firm hand on my right ankle.~

~As soon as the men stepped into the light, I knew what group they were from… the Dark Phantoms.

I didn't let myself freeze. I took off full speed into the forest. Maybe I could lose them in there. I quickly leapt up into a tree and started jumping from tree to tree. It was just like being on the roofs. It was faster and I had a better chance of losing them.

I looked behind me to see if they were still following and sure enough they were hot on my tail. I tried to pick up my pace but then I landed on a branch that was a little too small and I went plummeting to the ground.

I did my best to land properly, but I still ended up twisting my ankle and pain shot through me, causing me to cry out.~

I'd gotten much better since then. I'd developed an eye for the good branches and had better balance.

The sun was almost completely gone behind the mountains but I continued to scan the area until I finally found what I was looking for. I landed expertly on the ground and gathered what I needed. I made sure to leave some so that it would flourish when the time came.

I was just about to get going again when…

"No! MOM!"

My own memories flashed forward at the sound of the woman's cry.

~As I walked home, I noticed a lot of people were running. Panic overtook me and I ran too. When I came in sight of my house, I saw it was being devoured by fire. I searched frantically for my parents.

"Please! You have to let me go in and get my wife!" I heard my dad shouting.

"DAD!" I called at the top of my lungs, but he didn't respond.

I tried to make my way to him but no one moved for me. I forced my way through the crowd anyway I could. Just as I broke through, I saw my dad dart into the fire.

"DADDY!" Tears burst forth from my eyes and I tried to run after him. A strong arm stopped me. "DAD!" I collapsed as the pain in my chest only grew to the point that I thought I was going to die. My whole body shook and the tears just wouldn't stop. "Mom… Dad…" They couldn't be gone… They just couldn't be… ~

I leapt back up into the trees and sped as fast as I could towards the cry. Maybe, just maybe, I can get there in time. No one deserves to lose their parent. Please, let me get there in time! I desperately scanned the ground, searching for anything that would indicate a battle.

Finally! I saw it! Red hair. It was practically screaming at me. I quickly landed on the ground and saw a devastating chest wound on the woman leaning against the tree. It didn't look like she'd made it.

"Shite! I'm too late!"

Just then, the red-haired woman took a wheezy breath. I didn't have time to be shocked. I knelt down beside her and took out the things I would need.

"Sorry, but I'm going to have to get personal here." I tore open her top and generously applied the 'miracle cream'. Once that was done I bandaged her up properly and helped her sit up. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Please work, this has to work.

I watched her intently and it wasn't long before she started to move and her eyes tried to flutter open.

"M-M-My dau...ghter…"

"Please, don't try to talk. You've been badly wounded."

"Miko… find…"

Obviously, she was worried about 'Miko'. "Is Miko your daughter?"

The redhead gave a slight nod.

That must have been who I heard cry out. It was safe to say that Miko thought her mother was dead. I needed to tell her that her mom was okay. However, I needed more than just a name. Never mind the fact that Miko could be in danger from the same people that tried to kill the redhead.

"What does she look like?"

"P-Pink… hair…"

I should be able to find that easy enough. "I'll find her, I give you my word. Stay here and don't try to move."

She gave a slight nod and I took off into the trees again. I had no idea if I was even going in the right direction. She could be anywhere in this forest. She could already be dead, but there was the off chance that she wasn't. I needed to find her and tell her, her mother was going to live.

After several minutes of searching, I finally saw the pink hair. It stuck out like a sore thumb. I perched myself in a tree and surveyed the scene. Several men were laying on the ground bleeding. They would die of blood loss instead of the actual wound. I had to admit, the pink haired girl had some skill. It was as if she just wanted to only incapacitate them and she knew exactly where to strike.

I watched as she began to tremble and fear was permanent on her face. Now was the time to face her. Her adrenaline was beginning to subside, so the chances of a coherent attack were less likely. I leapt to the ground.

The fear on her face grew. She grabbed her sword and sloppily swung it at me. I easily blocked it with my forearm, since there wasn't the normal power behind it. I always wore armor on my forearms ever since I fought against the Black Phantom. It caught me off guard when he blocked my sword with his hand, so I found a way to do essentially the same thing. No one ever expects you to block a strike with your body.

I studied the girl's face. Her turquoise eyes were full of fear. There was no way she was older than me.

"Take it easy, Miko. Your mother sent me to find you."

"My Mother died. What kind of idiot, do you take me for?!." Miko trembled. I saw the tears welled up in Miko's eyes.

I didn't blame her for not believing me. If I'd seen someone stabbed like that, I wouldn't have thought it was possible to live through it either.

"She is alive, Miko, but she wouldn't have been if I hadn't shown up."

"Prove it!"

"She's got the red hair right? She had a stab wound in her chest."

"She's alive? You saved her? Thank you, I am in your debt." Her tone was kind.

Miko placed her blood stained sword back in its sheath. Even though the odd girl was good with a sword, she didn't seem to be used to real combat.

"What's your name?" She demanded with a newfound authority.

Why the sudden change in tone? I knew better than to answer that kind of a demand.

~"Where are my wakizashis?!" I demanded.

"All in good time my dear." The man sat in a chair facing the bed. "Why don't you tell me where you're from?"

"I'm from the Phoenix. We just pulled into port a few days ago. Can I please have my swords back? The captain will be missing me."

"What's your name, sweetheart?" He was ignoring my question.

"Kat. What's yours?"

"What's a girl like you doing on a pirate ship?"

"The captain found me. Now can I please have my swords? I need to go."

The man stood up out of his chair and put his hand around my throat. "You're not going anywhere!"

I struggled to breathe.

"You and your ship have caused too many problems for the Dark Phantoms! If I can eliminate even one of you, it will be worth it!"

I knew I needed to get out of here. If I didn't I was going to die!~

I wasn't going to put myself in that kind of a situation ever again. I placed my hands on my hips. If she wanted to know my name just for the sake of knowing it, then she should have no problem asking nicely.

"I don't tell just anyone my name. However, I might give it, if you ask nicely, Pinkette."

"Will you please tell me your name?"

"Much better. I'm Kat."

"You need to come with me, Kat, my Father will require your presence."

"What? Why?"

I didn't like the sound of that. Just because the Dark Phantoms were less of a threat now that they had a coward in charge, it didn't mean they forgot about what the Phoenix and her crew did. I wasn't going anywhere without a reason.

"So he can thank you properly."

"No thanks. I just did what was necessary."

"You saved my mother. Please, allow my father and I to thank you properly."

"How long is something like that going to take?" (removed: Woah!)

"However long it takes."

"Sorry, I can't do that." I needed to get back to the Phoenix. I didn't have time to stick around and play the knight in shining armor.

"Why not?"

"It's called life, Pinkette. I don't know what yours is like, but mine has some serious responsibilities."

"I insist you meet with him! I want a chance to repay you for helping my Mother."

I let out a groan. It was clear she wasn't letting this go. I was just going to have to take my chances. If it came down to it, I could fight my way out since I still had my wakizashis strapped to my back.

"Fine! But we're making a stop first." I headed to the port where my ship was with Miko following me.

"Where are we going?"

"My ship."

"You have a ship?!" Miko mused with excitement.

"Oi! Tone down the enthusiasm. And yes I have a ship."

"Let's go! What are we waiting for Kitty Kat!"

"Don't call me that." Her new nickname for me was not something I was fond of.

"Whatever you say...Kitty Kat." She smirked.

I rolled my eyes as we continued to walk. Obviously, this was something she wasn't going to let die. It was starting to become apparent that she wasn't associated with the Dark Phantoms.

Miko was surprisingly silent. For someone who had shown a lot of enthusiasm for ships, I expected to be bombarded with questions. Finally, we reached the Phoenix.

"Thane! Get yer arse up here!"

Seconds later he appeared.

"Yes, Kat?"

"I've found myself in a situation. I need you to take over for a while. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but you guys just need to leave on schedule. Here's the stuff we needed. The recipe is in the captain's quarters in the second drawer." Handed Thane the ingredients out of my bag.

"Aye aye, Captain."

I turned back to Miko. "Now, we can go."

As we walked, Miko again was surprisingly silent. Eventually, we arrived back at the spot where the redhead was still leaning against the tree.

"Miss! You're alright! Thank goodness! If you had been hurt, then the Master would have had my hide for sure!" A black haired and golden eyed man flustered.

"Miko... thank... g-ood-ness." Came the wheezing voice of the redhead.

"Mother!" Miko ran to her mother and knelt down beside her. "Please stay with us… please…" she sobbed.

I couldn't blame her one bit. Her mother cheated death. Anyone would fall apart when they first saw the parent they thought was dead. I was glad I happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Just then, a large group of men rode up on horseback. They looked like the Lions Of The Mountain that were famous in Tanbarun. One of them had a black horse that wasn't being ridden. I figured it belonged to Pinkette and the redhead.

"A little late with the army there, Grandpa," I sassed as I approached him.

A man with auburn hair and a stern face dismounted his horse and looked at the scene.

"Did you save Shirayuki?"

"You mean the redhead? Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not heartless!" I felt my defenses go up. I hated when people questioned my motives. I didn't think he knew I was a pirate, but still…

"Then I guess I'm in your debt."

"I hate to break up the party, but we should really get the Mrs. back home. " Obi insisted.

"We'll see you to the border."

I followed behind Miko on a horse that I had been given by the Lions of the Mountain and I was becoming uncomfortable with how close to Clarines we were getting. Surely the auburn haired man didn't mean this border, did he? There wasn't enough time for me to ask questions. Redhead needed medical treatment so there was no wasting time. It didn't take long and my question was answered. We were now committed to riding towards the Clarines border. It will take us into the territory that hates people like me.

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. If anyone figures out that I'm a pirate, I'm as good as dead. A few more hours at our unrelenting pace and we kept going deeper and deeper into Clarines. I was almost on the verge of praying. Hopefully, this would be quick.

Finally, we arrived at the castle in Wistal, the capital of Clarines. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Why are we at the castle?" I asked suspiciously.

Miko just gave an innocent please-don't-hurt-me look. That's right, she'd better be afraid.

"Master is the Second Prince of Clarines," Obi stated.

"What?! Please tell me joking!" No, no, no, no, no! This was bad! The last thing I wanted was to be here! The Second Prince was going to catch onto me for sure. The man was responsible for the deaths of several pirates.

~"What's so bad about Clarines?" I asked.

"The Second Prince has it in for pirates. Even though Clarines has never been friendly territory for us, six months ago he passed a law that all pirates were to be killed or captured. I bet he's got his whole fleet guarding their waters. If we cross that line, there is no doubt that all of us will be killed."

I froze at the captain's words. "W-What are we going to do?"

Hirota let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't know, Kat. I don't know."~

~I looked where the captain was and saw a Clarines ship coming straight towards us. How did it show up so fast?

I pulled on Akiba's sleeve. "Do you really think this will work?" I felt naked without my wakizashis on my back.

"We're about to find out."

The Clarines ship pulled alongside ours and men quickly poured on with swords drawn. One man, in particular, was dressed better than the others.

"Have your captain step forward!" The well-dressed man demanded. I figured he must be the captain.

Hirota stepped forward.

"State your business!"

"We're mercenaries, sir. We were hired to escort Lord Namikaze and his daughter to Clarines." If the captain was nervous, he didn't show it.

I did my best to stand tall and I forced my hands to stay at their sides.

"Then why aren't you flying a flag? You could be anyone. How do I know this isn't just an act?"

I was starting to get nervous. It didn't seem like the Clarines Captain was buying it. I had to make sure my role was convincing.

I clung to Akiba's arm. "Papa…? A-Are we in trouble?"

That drew the attention of the opposing captain.

Akiba placed his hand on my head. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding."

I pressed into him more.

The Clarines Captain made his way over to me and crouched down. "Where are you from, Lady Namikaze?"

"O-Obral." It was what made the most sense. Since we'd spent a year there, it made it possible for me to try and sell it.

"Well, that explains your slight accent."

I hadn't even noticed it.

"Did your father really hire these men?"

I nodded. "Yes, they saved us from the pirates that were chasing us."

"That's enough, Captain! I won't have you interrogating my daughter any* further! If you have questions, you may direct them towards me!"

The man stood up. "Of course, my lord. Why did you hire mercenaries?"

"Because there were some dangerous men after my family. If I wanted to get away, I needed to hire someone who could help us flee the country. We were going to settle in Tanbarun, but we were cut off from port by pirates. Our only course of action was to continue into Clarines waters."

The Clarines Captain stopped and thought a moment as he studied the ship and its crew.

"Very well. Would you like us to escort you to Tanbarun?"

Akiba looked in the direction that we'd come from. "I don't think that will be necessary now. It appears they've given up pursuit."

"Then I bid you farewell and safe travels."

I was so relieved that he bought it.

Without missing a beat, Captain Hirota turned the ship around and we traveled safely out of Clarines waters.~

The only reason we'd gotten out safely was because we had a plan. This time, I had no plan, no disguise, and no one to back me up.

"Why? You want to back out?" Obi asked me, bringing me back to reality.

"Yup! See ya!" I went to walk away but felt someone grab the back collar of my cloak.

"Not so fast. My Father will want to see you." Miko pulled me back.

Shite! There was no getting out of this.

"Fine! But I'm gone once I'm done talking to him."

The giant doors opened and there he stood, The Second Prince of Clarines. I could feel his eyes drilling into me. I did my best to relax, but how does one relax around the man that can end them with a single word? I forced myself not to tremble. Just like that day on the Phoenix, I had to pretend nothing was wrong. I froze as he made his way to us.

He went straight for Shirayuki. "We need to get you to the medical wing right away." He picked her up bridal style. "Obi! Get Chief Garak! Update her on Shirayuki's condition!"

I watched as he gave Miko a quick look over then he carried Shirayuki away.

"Mitsuhide! Kiki! Take our guest to my office and wait for me there!"