Hiya!! I'm back!! And man, that was fast!! Or at least, for someone as slow as me! uu Oh yes, another thing: Thousand thanks to Ryuu Angel for helping me with the Spanish names!!!!! hugs Ryuu and giggles like mad

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Escaflowne


CHAPTER 2 Hatching plans
"Home sweet home."

With a sigh, Allen climbed out of a small boat and stepped onto the wooden gangplank, the boards creaking under his black boots. He grabbed the rope and fastened it to a thick peg, the boat swaying softly in the current. Van man jumped onto the gangplank right then and looked at Allen, running a hand through his hair and allowing a light breeze to caress his heated features.

"What do you want to do, Allen?" he asked, his auburn eyes sparkling from under his black bangs.

Without turning away from the captain, he stretched out his hand and helped Merle out of the boat, the pants she wore a little bit too large for her so that huge folds gathered at the rim of her boots. The cat ears which stuck out of the mop of hair on her head twitched lightly in the afternoon breeze, and a blue and yellow parrot which sat on her shoulder nibbled at them, making her giggle.

"I have some businesses to settle in town," Allen replied and looked across the sea, Van following his gaze.

"Businesses ack," the parrot cooed softly in Merle's ear.

The sun was kissing the ocean at the horizon, flooding the bay with an intense orange light. The water was sparkling and white foam was dancing on the top of the waves, huge ships swaying softly with them. The Black Lady was anchored offshore, her black silhouette a strong contrast to the bright sunlight, the sails and the rigging moving gently with the wind. A mountain range with sharp rocks was growing out of the water right beside the mighty ship, creating the entrance of the natural port.

Yells floated through the air, coming from various ships around them and mixing with the different noises from the town. Van saw that another boat was forcing its way through the water, filled with loud pirates from Allen's ship.

"You and Gaddes will accompany me," the captain continued, finally tearing his gaze away from the sea. "And Merle and Kio will sell this stuff, won't you?" He pointed at a chest, Gaddes and Kio were just about to lift out of the boat. It was filled with the fabrics they had taken from the ship of Cesarian merchants.

"Of course!" Merle exclaimed happily. There was nobody who was able to top her in haggling. She could even palm a blunt and brittle sword off on a sea-dog who was armed to the teeth.

"What kind of businesses, Allen?" Van insisted obstinately, arms crossed in front of his chest and eyes narrowed. He hated it to be clueless but the blue-eyed pirate just laughed.

"You'll see, kid!" he replied with a smile and took off his tricorn, only to put it on Van's stubborn head and draw it deep into his face so that it almost covered his eyes. "Don't be so curious."

Van just snorted and pushed the hat out of his eyes with his index finger, glaring at his captain.

"And Kio," Allen addressed the man whose impressive belly was almost tearing apart his shirt. Two buttons were already amiss. "You keep an eye on our cat-girl here. We all know how fast she can be."

"Hey!" Merle complained, her ears twitching dangerously but Allen stopped her by placing his hand on her head, gently stroking over her silky hair.

"And you make some profit out of the fabrics, okay?!" he said, winking conspiratorially at her and her bright blue eyes lit up. "I count on you."

"Aye!" Merle saluted and grinned, showing her pointed canine teeth.

"Aye aye ack," the parrot echoed, causing a scowl to appear on Allen's features.

Couldn't that damn bird just fly away? It was freely sitting on Merle's shoulder, no string chaining it to the cat-girl but no, it rather remained there – far out of his reach - and kept looking at Allen with these malicious, little eyes. He was pretty sure that if the parrot had had lips, it would have grinned at him insidiously, knowing that he couldn't hurt it as long as it stayed with Merle.

"Well then, let's go!" Allen finally said, breaking the little staring-contest with the bird and motioned for Gaddes and Van to follow him.

Together they entered the pier of Puerto de las Cabezas Caras, the port of the expensive heads.

The town at the coast of the Isla de las Gaviotas was named after the ones who stayed there most of the time; men on whose heads were offered enormous amounts of money. Allen, of course, was by far at the top of the list. And though they would drown in money, no pirate would ever betray another one. It was some kind of unwritten codex and because of that, none of their hunters ever found the port, not even the royal fleet which was searching for them since the beginning of piracy.

Maybe, another reason was that the town couldn't be found on any public map. It had been built by pirates and was protected by pirates. None of them would gave away its position. Plus the island was only one big rock somewhere lost within an endless expanse of water, far away from the trading routes and islands with civilization. It belonged to the Islas Solitarias, the lonely islands, only inhabited by a huge colony of seagulls which gave the island of the pirates its name.

Three ships were anchored at the quay, their dark wooden hulls towering ominously above them. It was dark now, the sun hidden behind the horizon together with the last light of the day. Pulleys clinked and the heavy and wet wood of the ships creaked when they moved from side to side. Men were sitting on boxes at the pier, talking and waiting for their ship to be loaded. Their deep laughter filled the air together with the typical scent of salt and fish.

Van's auburn eyes wandered around, scanning across the pier and finally rested on Gaddes' dark figure, walking beside Allen in front of him. The tall man pointed up to the stern of one of the ships at the quay and the captain grinned lightly when he read the name; Northern Star.

The lanterns along their way flooded the street with a dim, yellowish light, the flames protected by glass. The noises of the town hovered in the air, shouts and laughter echoing into the nightsky. Little stones crunched under their boots when they entered the main street and their hands went instinctively to the hilts of their swords.

Not that pirates liked to kill each other but it was dark and most of the customers in the taverns had already drunken past their be-nice-limit. Needless to say that it was easy to pick a quarrel. Better be careful than dead.

"Where are we going?" Van asked and looked around, his muscles tensing when his gaze rested on a man who was running with his tongue along the blade of his dagger. His bald head reflected the light of the lanterns.

"We'll meet someone at The Hung Pirate," Allen answered and his eyes restlessly scanned the place.

Different shops were hemming the street between all the taverns, ranging from weapon stores to groceries. Orange sparks filled the air around an old forge and a noisy pack of monkeys was stealing bananas from a stand outside a store, the owner chasing them loudly across the street. The dark silhouettes of palm trees were visible against the dark-blue sky, their pinnate fronds moving softly in the evening breeze while they grazed the roof-tops of the wooden houses.

A bashed nameplate showed the three pirates the way to their tavern, a loud crowd standing in front of it.

Gaddes pushed the door open and the noises and different scents hit them like a mighty wave. It was extremely loud in the tavern, men yelling across the huge room and trying to drown each others voices. A few heads turned around when they entered the tavern, their owners watching them, interested.

The room was stuffed with tables, pirates who were playing cards and were discussing loudly sitting on rotten chairs around them. Thick, wooden pillars supported the ceiling and worn-out stairs led up to a gallery, doors which belonged to the guest rooms hemming it. The bar was situated at the other end of the room, a crowd gathering in front of it and the strong scent of rum impregnating the stuffy air.

The three men fought their way through the full tavern, using their elbows not only once. Van suddenly backed away when an old man stumbled against him, looking at him with dull blue eyes and in the light of the torch behind him, Van could see the deep wrinkles in his face.

"Your eyes, young man," he slurred and showed the remains of his yellow-stained teeth, making Van think he would suffocate for the man was breathing a thick rum-cloud in his face. If he came close to a torch, he would catch fire, that was for sure. "Only demons have such eyes. Red like the blood they shed."

Van tightened the grip around the hilt of his sword, his eyes widening. The old man took another step in his direction, pointing with a skinny finger at him. But before he could reach Van's chest, a strong hand grasped the man's thin wrist and shoved him away, waking Van from his daze.

"I'm sure, he's not a demon and I would suggest you leave him alone." Allen's voice was dangerously low and he drew the tricorn deeper into Van's face. "Come, Van. Don't listen to him. He's totally drunk."

With a last glance at the old man, Van turned away and followed Allen and Gaddes through the crowd and past the stairs, one thought nagging at the back of his mind; drunks and children always told the truth.

"Look what the flood washed ashore," an amused voice suddenly said from behind and made the three pirates turn around.

On the staircase which led down from a gallery stood a young woman, not older than Van. Her beautiful face was framed by shoulder-long, deep-brown hair which curled lightly at the ends and was tamed by a red bandana, her rosy lips turned into a mischievous smile and her bright brown eyes dancing with laughter. Leathery strings covered her slim wrists and two silver rings sparkled at her fingers, her upper torso wrapped in a white blouse without sleeves and a thick black belt stressing her slim waist. Her long legs stuck in a pair of green and tight-fitting pants which vanished in black boots, a long sword attached to her side.

She was the youngest captain sailing the ocean, the ship with crew inherited from her father. She was the only female captain sailing the ocean and her reputation was similar to Allen's; crafty but always polite. She was Allen's biggest rival and the only woman on this entire planet who ever dared to turn him down; Anne Flint, captain of the Northern Star.

"Schezar, Gaddes," she greeted with a nod, not able to hide the grin, and her eyes sparkled when she added, "Van."

The young woman was rewarded with a nod and a slight blush that Van wasn't able to stop from spreading over his cheeks. It glowed from out of the shadows of his hat but he refused to turn away and hide it. She already knew.

"My captain Anne," Allen said, surprised, and bowed deeply, his eyes never leaving her form. "It's been a long time! What brings you here?"

"I could ask ye the same," she replied bluntly, descending the steps and the sword in the striking red sheath swayed back and forth with her elegant movements. "They raised the amount o' money offered fer yer head. S'pose some poor merchants crossed yer way again?"

"Maybe," the blond-haired captain answered and Van saw the grin tug at his lips. "Jealous?"

"Jealous?" the brown-eyed woman echoed and gave a laugh, some heads turning to look at her. "On ye? In yer dreams, Schezar! Why should I want every royal fleet te chase me?"

"Ah, you see that I'm a popular man and women tend to swoon over celebrities," Allen replied with a wink and a smile, causing Anne to roll her expressive eyes.

"Me refusal is naggin' at yer ego, doesn't it?" she said with a grin, attempting to force her way through the crowd to the bar.

"Not in the least," Allen exclaimed, following her and Van and Gaddes just shook their heads. Their captain had turned into an eager bird, performing its mating dance. "It's more like a challenge."

"Allen, didn't you say that we wanted to meet someone here?" Van asked impatiently, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He always felt the urge to beat some sense into Allen when a woman - once again -turned his head. The blue-eyed captain was quite susceptible to it.

Anne turned to look at Van with curiosity glowing in her brown orbs and he felt the heat stream into his face again. "Are ye plannin' somethin', Schezar?" she addressed Allen who was still shamelessly looking at her.

"Nothing important," he replied with a shrug and leaned casually against the wooden pillar beside her. "Minor robberies and blackmailing, the usual. But I think he's right and that we should leave now. Just one thing. I heard that businesses weren't running that well these days."

The young captain snorted and turned away from Van's intense auburn eyes. "Not good is the understatement o' the year! They're controllin' the routes like never b'fore! They even caught Hagard, some days ago!"

"Old Hagard?" the three of them uttered, their eyes wide, making Anne frown and scratch her head.

"Gods, Schezar! Where 'ave ye been?" she asked. "Everyone knows 'bout it! They sank his ship an' killed almost 'alf o' his crew! He'll probably 'ang next week!"

"What?" Allen whispered, shocked. "But how could that happen? Old Hagard was the last one I would have expected to be caught!"

"Everyone said that but it's dangerous now," Anne said quietly, her features hard while she was watching the bar. "This damn black ship is destroyin' everythin'."

Out of the corner of his eye, Van saw Allen tense and a strange look crossed his face. It was one of shock and disbelief and something, Van had never seen on his captain before...fear. "Black ship?" he asked slowly.

"Yeah, ye should inform yerself better, Schezar," she answered, looking him directly in the eye. "It's also destroyin' yer good reputation cause everyone thinks it's ye who's commitin' all these murders. Ye know, there aren't many black ships sailin' the ocean."

"Actually, only mine is left," Allen whispered, more to himself than to the three pirates around him who were suddenly very quiet.

"Yeah, only yer one," Anne broke the silence, glancing at Van who was watching Allen attentively, the torches in the tavern causing soft shadows to dance over his body.

"But even if I think that ye're the biggest asshole on this planet an' that ye would do everythin' te get what ye want, I know that ye would never kill someone out o' pure fun...Yer father respected the codex an' so do ye, Allen. Only a bunch o' demons is able te do somethin' like that."

A faint but honest smile crossed Allen's features when he looked at his rival. "Thank you, Anne," he said but she waved it off, shaking her beautiful head and her skilfully manufactured earrings clinked.

"Don't start like this, Schezar, we're rivals or did ye already forget that?" Her eyes sparkled when she turned away from him in order to yell across the tavern, "Galef! Otar! Drag yer lazy asses 'ere! We're leavin'!"

Two mighty backs rose from the mass of laughing and drinking men at the bar, turning around and forcing their way through the people towards their captain. They were unnaturally tall, their eyes narrowed and their faces full of scars. Their muscular arms were covered with tattoos and Van was sure he needed both of his arms to encircle one of their ones. He took a step backwards when they stomped past him, fearing that they would break all of his bones if they jostled him, even if it was by accident.

"Flint!" a shout from the bar reached them through the veil of noises around them. "Your giants didn't pay for their rum!"

Anne sighed and rummaged through a little bag at her belt, a light clinking sound emitting from it. "Is 'bout time we make haul again," she muttered under her breath and with a final grunt, she closed the bag without taking anything out if it and threw it across the mass of heads towards the bar.

"Farewell fer now, Schezar," she said and walked past Allen, her lips curled into a smile. "Keep a stiff upper lip."

Passing Gaddes and Van, the smile turned into a grin and she winked at him, receiving a glare from these unfathomable eyes of his.


Orange sunlight glimmered over the calm sea, flooding a huge room in an old aristocratic house which was situated on a cliff, overlooking a seaport. The sound of waves crashing against sharp rocks and the soft and already hoarse cries of seagulls filled the salty air, the pale mystic moon and its little child rising over the horizon. Lightening flashed across the dark sky in the distance, a storm romping about over the sea.

A light rustling noise could be heard above the faint roaring of the sea, a curtain which was made of white silk and worked through with golden strings gently dragging over polished wooden ground.

The warm breeze was ruffling the short hair of a young woman, the reflections of the dying sunlight dancing over silky strands of honey-blond hair. Her head was placed on her arms which were crossed under her chin, long eyelashes resting on cream-coloured cheeks. She was kneeling in front of the open window and her slim body was leaning on the window sill, rising and falling with regular breaths.

She stirred and her eyes shot open when a quiet but demanding knock reached her from the door. Emerald orbs reflected the sunlight, an intense green sparkling with the last remains of the day.

The young woman straightened slowly and ran a hand over her face and through her dishevelled hair, trying to chase the tiredness away. Various pieces of clothing were scattered around her on the floor, ranging from petticoats of white and light beige colour over expensive dresses of red and blue with frills which seemed to compete with each other, concerning pomposity, to a dangerous looking corset. The foothills of this 'landscape' reached to her four-poster bed at the other side of the room, long, silky curtains of a dark red cascading from the ceiling, the fabric a labyrinth of folds.

"Come in," she said unenthusiastically, as if knowing that she wouldn't like what was awaiting her.

"Dear, I was just coming to see if --" the soft deep voice trailed off, Gouvernor Kanzaki eyeing the mess in his daughter's room with slight horror.

He was dressed in one of his best clothing. A light blue jacket with golden cufflinks which was slightly waisted, embraced his broad shoulders. The ends of the white shirt he wore underneath stuck out at the sleeves and the fabric swayed softly with his movements. Sparkling golden buttons went down the buttonline together with extraordinary frills and his legs stuck for a half in black breeches and for the other half in white pantyhoses, a silver buckle sparkling at his shoes which were made of the same fabric as was his jacket.

A wig was hiding his own hair (or better to say, the remains of it), long grey locks tumbling down onto his shoulders, giving him the typical look of an aristocrat. It framed his slightly wrinkled face perfectly, his lips pressed into a thin line and his pale brown eyes scanning the room. He finally lost his composure when his gaze fell onto his daughter who stood beside the open window, waiting patiently for him to regain his senses.

"Hitomi, what --?" he started and shook his head, the grey locks swaying from side to side. "I thought you already changed! And you promised me you would stop wearing..." he searched for words, his nose wrinkled in disgust. "That!"

The young woman rolled her eyes. "I just said that I would think about it, I promised nothing," she replied, spreading her arms in protest.

She hated it when her father treated her like a doll, trying to stuff her in some pompous dresses. She liked the clothing, she wore. The simple white blouse with sleeves rolled up to her elbows was perfect for this southern weather; she was always near dying because of heat when she was stuck in such a dress, sweating like mad. She knew why all these ladies were always fanning air into their beautiful faces with some beautiful fans which they were holding in their beautiful hands; it was the only possibility to bear the heat.

And the black breeches, were just practical. Comfortable and plain practical, though she had to admit, not very lady-like. But she had never attached great importance on looking or behaving like a lady. She didn't feel like one either. Plus she tended to step onto the hem of the dresses when running; she felt so trapped in them.

Gouvernor Kanzaki sighed in despair. "What would your mother say if she saw you like that?" he asked, his eyes sad and his shoulders hanging.

Hitomi's intense green eyes flashed. "Keep mother out of that!" she replied angrily. "You don't know what she would have said! Maybe she would have liked that I'm not acting like some spoiled brat!"

A warm smile spread across her father's lips. Oh, how much she resembled her mother right now. He had wanted to yell at her, explain her that a lady didn't dress the way she did but seeing her like this, with her bright green eyes so full of life and stubbornness, all his anger melted away. He knew what his dear wife would have said; she would have loved her daughter even more for it.

"Hitomi, please," her father said softly and closed the wooden door, taking a step into the room and Hitomi crossed her arms in front of her chest.

A seagull flew past the window just then, crying hoarsly and its white feathers glowed in the orange light. The young woman glanced at the bird, watching it soar high into the air and disappear in the distance, a longing look crossing her features.

"Princess Millerna just arrived," Gouvernor Kanzaki continued quietly and suddenly had her full attention. "I beg you to dress properly, at least for her."

"Millerna arrived?" Hitomi replied and her eyes glowed with anticipation.

"Yes, she is --"

A loud squeal interrupted him, followed by intense rumbling and shouts. It sounded as if a bunch of little kids was running up the wooden stairs to her room, the carpet hardly able to muffle the stomping footsteps. A second later, the door behind Gouvernor Kanzaki burst open and a young woman stumbled into the room.

She was holding innumerable layers of different fabrics and frills in her arms, obviously belonging to her pink dress. Curly blond hair framed her beautiful face, porcelain cheeks flushed from running up the stairs. Her bright violet eyes which reminded Hitomi of an exotic orchid were glowing brightly and a huge grin was plastered across her face, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, and for a brief moment Hitomi thought that her corset would burst, surrendering under the pressure.

"Ah, Princess Millerna," Gouvernor Kanzaki said and bowed respectfully, seeing the princess in the doorway.

"Gouvernor," the blond haired woman replied shortly and nodded at him, her sparkling eyes never leaving Hitomi's form and the grin widened even more.

"I apologize for my daughter's appearance," he said, glancing briefly at Hitomi who rolled her eyes in response. "But I'm sure she was just about to change."

Millerna shook her head and her long hair swayed with the motion. "Don't worry, I'm used to that," she replied, finally letting go of her dress and the fabric rustled to the ground, leaving her in pure perfection. "I'll take care of everything. Your daughter will be pretty for dinner."

"Thank you," the gouvernor said in relief and left for the door. "I'll see you at dinner then."

With a nod and a smile, he walked through the door and closed it quietly behind him, leaving the two women in silence. But not for long. Another squeal escaped Millerna's rosy lips and she gathered her dress again, storming towards Hitomi. It was a sheer mystery to Hitomi how this woman could run with that dress without losing her grace!

Slim arms wrapped around her when Millerna literally jumped at her, hugging her tightly and laughing heartily. The joy which seemed to surround the princess like an overwhelming aura was infectious, Hitomi soon joining the giggling and hugged the blond woman back.

"It's been a long time," Hitomi said smiling, Millerna's silky hair tickling over her face.

"It is! It is!" the princess replied and pulled back, looking her friend up and down, laughter dancing in her lilac-coloured eyes. "But you haven't changed a single bit!"

"Neither did you," Hitomi stated with a grin, looking the princess up and down as well. There she was, Millerna Sarah Aston, third princess of Asturia, grinning as if she had just peeked into a man's dressing room. "Still the same pompous princess who looks enviably good in these...things!"

"Missed you, too, 'Tomi," Millerna sighed and ruffled Hitomi's short hair. "Missed you, too."

The sun dove under the horizon while the two women were sitting on Hitomi's bed, talking like they hadn't seen each other for an eternity. Well, in some ways, one year and a half were like an eternity. They didn't even notice that a maid sneaked into the room and ignited all the lamps with a candle. Millerna told Hitomi about the countries she had visited, the men who had asked for her hand what she, of course, had rejected and a lot more, her friend listening patiently. Ever tried to interrupt Millerna? Forget it. That woman was deaf when she was talking.

To Hitomi's great disappointment, Millerna didn't forget what she had promised the gouvernor; namely, forcing his daughter into a dress.

"Oh, come on, Millerna!" Hitomi whined, backing away from the princess who had one hand on her hip and was waving a light green dress with the other one. "You know that I hate these ones!"

"What did they do to you?" Millerna replied uncomprehendingly, a look of pure impatience written across her once calm features.

"Well, they're uncomfortable and totally impractical!" the young woman explained, slightly outraged. She already saw herself stalking through the hallways in the dress, Millerna was holding in her hand, and she didn't like the sight. But maybe if she irritated the princess a bit more, she would wave the hand with the dress harder and the sensitive fabric would simply break...

"Hitomi!" Millerna exclaimed in despair. Actually, the princess was the only one who could compete with Hitomi's stubbornness – and could sometimes even surpass it. "I didn't know you were so oversensitive! It's only for dinner! Even you will survive one or two hours in a dress! Stop being so dramatic!"

"I wouldn't complain if I looked like you in a dress!" Hitomi replied grumpily, crossing her arms in front of her chest again and directed her eyes to the ground.

"Don't be so childish!" Millerna sighed and let her arms drop, giving the green-eyed girl a suspicious look. The lamps were illuminating the room with a dim light, sending lively shadows over the walls.

"I'm not childish!" Hitomi grumbled, without looking up. "It's a fact!"

Millerna rolled her eyes and took a few steps in her direction. "It is not and I'll prove it to you!" She pointed with the dress at Hitomi. "Now put this on or you'll see me in rage for the first and last time in your life!"

Hitomi sighed in surrender when the green dress flew through the air and landed right on top of her head, hiding Millerna's grinning face from her sight.

Another thing she hated on dresses was that one couldn't put them on without help! Not that she was clumsy but she always managed to entangle her legs in the heap of petticoats. Why wasn't one enough? She felt like such a baby, not even able to dress herself, Millerna freeing her legs and pulling her to her feet again. It was always the same with –

"Millerna!" Hitomi suddenly gasped, every bit of air pressed out of her lungs when Millerna pulled violently at the strings of the corset. Was that woman trying to suffocate her or what? "Not that tight!"

"But it has to be!" the princess complained, making Hitomi shake her head hard for there was no air to speak anymore.

The young woman inhaled deeply when Millerna released the strings, cursing the one who had created the corset. It definitely had been a man! She couldn't believe that a woman would want other ones to suffer like that.

"Oh my god, Hitomi!" the princess suddenly squealed and pointed eagerly at the mirror in front of the both of them, making Hitomi jerk out of her thoughts. "Look! You're a girl!"

The poke Millerna received for that comment would definitely leave a dark bruise. Chuckling quietly, she rubbed her ribs and watched Hitomi who was looking at her reflection in the mirror.

A beautiful girl in a light-green dress was staring back at her with wide eyes and flushed cheeks, strands of honey-blond hair falling into her face. The corset embraced her slim waist and the silky green fabric fell almost smoothly down to her feet. A pink gem was sparkling at a fragile chain which lay calmly around her neck, earlier hidden by the blouse.

"I really don't know what commodore Shephard sees in you," Millerna said quietly, placing both of her hands on Hitomi's shoulders and grinned at her in the mirror.

"Maybe he saw me in a dress," she replied, smiling uneasily and turned away.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Millerna asked softly and walked around her, wanting to see her eyes but Hitomi stared obdurately at the ground.

"I don't want to be with him," she whispered and glanced up, meeting Millerna's warm eyes.

"Nobody said you had to," the princess replied and hugged her depressed friend, watching through the still open window the lights of the port dance over the water. "You're not obliged to do anything by going on this journey with him. You know, I always envied you for your father. He would never force you to do something, you don't want to do. This journey is just to get to know the commander, nothing more. And don't forget, I'm also on this ship. If he annoys you in any way, just tell me and I'll show him what real annoyance is!"

"But your father doesn't force you to marry these men either," Hitomi said and pulled back, looking at the princess with narrowed eyes.

"No, he's totally angry," Millerna stated with a lop-sided grin. "He doesn't understand anything, always asking me what I didn't like on this one or why I rejected that one and so on."

Hitomi took a step away from her friend, making the fabric of her dress rustle and looked at Millerna intensely. "You still didn't tell him about Dryden, did you?"

This time, it was Millerna's turn to smile uneasily and look to the ground, avoiding her friend's eyes and allow the silence to engulf them. Hitomi was just about to open her mouth when a shy knock at the door stopped her.

"Dinner is ready, miss Kanzaki," the muffled voice of the maid said from behind the door, making Hitomi groan.

"We're coming!" Millerna answered and turning back to the green-eyed girl, a broad grin spread across her face. "Come on, Tomi," she chirped and her eyes sparkled. "Your fiancé is waiting downstairs."

With a squeal the young woman escaped Hitomi's punch and stormed to the door, her giggling reverberating from the walls. Hitomi chased after her and the noise of their footsteps could be heard everywhere in the house. Nobody would believe them that they were actually eighteen years old. Stopping at the banisters which were hemming the gallery, she watched the princess dash down the stairs as far as her dress was allowing it.

"Hey, Millerna!" Hitomi called, leaning on the banisters and the blond-haired woman glanced up at her. "Thank you."

She saw Millerna's white teeth glow when she grinned up at her. "But this time, I'll win!" she exclaimed and jumped down the last steps, making Hitomi shake her head.


"They're too late," Van snarled and leaned back into a rotten wooden chair, his feet placed onto the table which definitely had seen better days. The hat was drawn deep into his face and shaded his auburn eyes.

"Like every time," Allen shrugged and lifted a mug of rum to his lips.

"Who are we going to meet anyway?" the young man asked impatiently, his eyes scanning the tavern attentively.

People were talking everywhere around them, discussing their last robbery or complaining about their horrible hand. A bottle broke and a yell was audible above all the noises in the tavern, two pirates starting a fight in a corner of the room. They were soon surrounded by a shouting crowd, spurring them on and concluding bets. A broad-shouldered man with a dirty apron around his waist was desperately trying to protect his tables, shoving the pugnacious pirates towards the door. An ordinary evening in The hung Pirate.

"You'll see, kid," Allen answered calmly and nipped at his rum again, making Van snort.

He hated it when Allen called him kid! The captain always acted as if he was completely irresponsible, not able to take care of himself. But he was able to and he could even protect Merle. He had done it for six years before he had met the captain and he could do it again.

"Are you waiting for someone special?" a deep voice suddenly spoke, interrupting Van's thoughts, and he met warm brown eyes in a face full of brown fur when he looked up.

"Ruhm!" Allen greeted and motioned for the wolf-man to sit down. "Was about time you came."

"Had some problems with my crew," Ruhm replied with a scowl and slumped onto a fragile chair, pointing with his huge thumb to the entrance where a pack of wolf-men was mingling with the crowd in the tavern. "Sorry, Allen."

"Nah, it's okay," Allen replied and patted Ruhm on his mighty shoulder. "I really don't want to know what my crew is doing here in town. I just hope I can find them again."

Ruhm grinned and put his huge paws onto the table. "So, one is still missing?" he asked and looked around, a questioning look on his face.

"Yep," Allen answered shortly and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm afraid but I've got to hurt him cause he's making Allen Schezar wait."

A deep laughter escaped Ruhm's throat and he leaned back into his chair, stretching his muscle-packed body and linking his arms behind his head. A smile found its way on his thin lips when his gaze rested on Van who was glaring at them.

"Hey, Van," Ruhm said with a lop-sided smile. "Why so grim?"

"Ruhm, you know quite well that he doesn't need a reason to be grim," Gaddes chuckled but quickly raised his arms in defence when he met Van's flashing eyes. "I was just kidding! Just kidding, Van!"

"I don't know why I accompanied you at all," the young man muttered under his breath and turned away, eyeing the daggers which were sticking in the wooden walls.

"Because you're curious, Van," Allen replied and grinned over the brim of his mug. "May I remind you, you asked me if you could join us."

Van turned around and a look of pure annoyance was written across his tanned features, his eyes glowing bright red. "It's not that I --"

Within the blink of an eye, the expression was gone and Van had leapt out of the chair with a swift movement, making the three pirates at the table raise their brows in surprise. He unsheathed the sword which was hidden in the blue sheath at his waist, his trained body tense like a bow-string and stared at his chair – which was vibrating.

Chair legs scraped over the wooden ground when Allen, Gaddes and Ruhm jumped to their feet, watching Van's chair which was jumping right now, with wide eyes. He held his sword firmly with both of his hands, the smooth blade sparkling in the torch-light, ready to lay down whatever would appear.

The termite-eaten boards bent dangerously and the chair tipped over, dust and little stones coming out of the slits between the wood. Van took a step backwards and it was when the boards splintered open with a cracking noise, a cloud of grey dust bursting out of the hole.

A wave of violent coughs shook Van, conversations dying down and various heads turning around. His eyes widened when the dust faded and he saw what had crawled out of the depths of the earth; a stocky man was standing in the hole, a spade in his claw-like hands. A thin circle of grey hair was surrounding his bald head, a bulky nose with whiskers around it creating the center of his round face and his small brown eyes flickered worriedly around.

"Am I too late?" he asked, revealing his long and glowing white incisors.

"Allen, please tell me that we didn't wait for him!" Van exclaimed, looking at his captain with pleading, maroon eyes and pointing at Moleman with his sword.

"I would say we are complete," the blue-eyed captain replied with a grin and put up the table again which had been thrown over, making Van roll his eyes and drop the sword.

A huge grin spread across Moleman's face when he spotted the captain. "Allen Schezar," he said and climbed out of the hole. "What a pleasure to see --"

"Damn you, Moleman!" a shout interrupted him and turning around, they saw the barkeeper drag someone out of the tavern, shaking his fist. "This time you're gonna pay for the boards!"

Moleman swallowed hard and turned back to Allen, nervously rolling his whiskers between his fingers. "Well, you see that I don't have much time," he began but Allen waved his hand impatiently.

"There's enough time, don't worry," he said firmly and after the men had gathered their chairs again, they sat down around the table. "Did you get the information I asked for?"

It was like an insult. "Of course!" Moleman answered, his chest almost bursting with pride. "If there's one being on this planet who's able to get that information, it's me!"

"Fine," Ruhm interfered and leaned onto the table. "Now that's clear, I'll hopefully get to know why I'm actually here."

"Be patient, Ruhm," Allen replied and placed a hand on the wolf-man's furry arm. "Moleman?"

Van brushed the dust slowly off his arms and shirt, the sword in its sheath again. His eyes were fixed on Moleman, glowing with something between curiosity and wonderment about what the heck Allen did plan again!

His dark brows shot up in surprise when the mole pulled a rolled up map out of his brown bag which obviously seemed to have no bottom at all. With skilled fingers he unrolled the huge sheet of paper and pinned it to the table with two sparkling daggers.

"Hey, they look exactly like my ones," Gaddes stated with evident surprise in his voice, his hands involuntarily going to his belt and his brown eyes widened. "These are mine!"

Without turning away from Moleman, Allen and Ruhm reached up and pushed Gaddes back down onto the chair from which he had risen seconds ago.

"Well," Moleman began and wrinkled his nose, all eyes on him though some didn't look that nice. He was just glad that looks couldn't kill. "She's there, right now."

His short, thick index finger crushed down onto an archipelago, dirt crumbling from his hand on the map. The pirates around him leaned closer and their noses almost touched the map, trying to see where he was pointing at.

"Joya Verde?" Van asked, the words coming over his lips like a melody. "What's there?"

"The green jewel," Allen mused and leaned back into his chair, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "The island is under Gouvernor Kanzaki's charge and belongs to Asturia, so it's no surprise that she's there. But I guess that she isn't going to stay there for too long?"

"Only this night, to be exactly," Moleman replied, his voice a conspiratorial whisper, causing several brows to knit in confusion. "Her ship will leave the port around noon and they'll take the route across the Southern Sea past these forsaken islands," his finger rushed over the yellowed map which showed a gigantic ocean, situated between two huge continents and sprinkled with hundreds of islands, "to Rhodos."

"Is he waiting for her there?" the captain of the Black Lady asked and scratched his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Of course," Moleman nodded and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Though her father doesn't know. I don't know why she didn't tell him."

"Allen!" Ruhm almost burst, slamming his hands on the table. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Allen's lips curled into a mischievous smile which almost reached to his ears. "We're gonna kidnap Millerna Sarah Aston," he stated calmly as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"We what?!" the three pirates around him yelled in unison, making some eyes look up from their cards.

"You're attracting a little bit too much publicity for my taste," Allen said casually and emptied his mug of rum with one mighty gulp.

"But Allen!" Ruhm exclaimed desperately, Gaddes and Van watching their captain, speechless. "You can't...it's not...I mean...why?"

"I have my reasons, believe me," the blond captain answered with a cold smile. "But you don't need to know."

"This is a suicide mission!" the wolf-man was staring at Allen with wide eyes, not able to believe what he was going to do. "She's probably protected by a good half of the royal army!"

"And that's why I need your help," Allen replied and pointed at the map. "It's better when we attack with two ships. They'll be totally surprised and intimidated."

"Allen, I don't know if this is such a good --" Ruhm began quietly but trailed off when he met Allen's eyes.

"You owe me, Ruhm," he explained and straightened slowly. "And I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary."

A deep growl was forming in Ruhm's throat but it didn't come over his lips, knowing that there was absolutely no way out. A pirate's word was a pirate's word.

"Fine," he sighed in surrender and a huge grin spread across Allen's face.

"Well then, we have to hurry up, gentlemen," the captain cheered, his voice full of enthusiasm and his bright blue eyes shining. "We can't make a princess wait!"

Van was staring at Allen with pure disbelief written across his features, one thought on his mind.

That man was completely crazy.


Tbc...
Legendary Super Candyce: blushs Thankiez!!!! Lol, obviously, I like Van more than Folken but don't worry, he's in the story, too!!!

snow blossoms: /////// Thank you!!!!!!!!!! I'm glad you liked it!!!

hitomi-chan: cackles I didn't tell you cause you didn't ask :P Pirates are cool, aren't they???? I'm glad I could get you hooked!! And you what?! Never saw Pirates of the Caribbean?? Girl, it's a must!! Johnny Depp + kajal and dreadlocks drools!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!

Ryuu Angel: whistles innocently Liked the chapter? Liked the surprise?? Muahaha!!! I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your alter-ego and put her in the story without asking for permission:P Satisfied with your role?? I mean, you aren't a member of Allen's crew (sorries, couldn't let you sign in cause I would have had my hands full with trying to pry you off of my poor Vannie snickers and hides behind Van's back, sticking her tongue out at Ryuu) but hey, you have your own ship!!! Hehe. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Was a bit worried about that Aye aye hugs you like mad Thanks for your wonderful review!! You made me laugh so hard!!!! Thanks!!!

Avaris Sky: Ah yes, wanted to kick myself for that! I also had this idea of Hitomi smacking Van on the ship but it came to my mind after I had posted the story uu Anyways, I found another way to make her meet the pirates cackles Hope you can forgive me Thanks!!!

Aya-chan: points at chapter There's Hitomi!! Thank you!!

kcarrie: blushs Glad you liked it!! And see, I finished my other story!!! Thanks!!!

CRAZY Dragon: Hallo!!!! So liest man sich wieder!! Freut mich, dass du die story gefunden hast, und dass sie dir gefällt!! Danke!!

Spirit0: blushs like mad Thanks so much!!!!! And you're not into movies?? I admit, I'm addicted

Aeka-himme: Hiya, girl!!! I'm glad you liked it and of course, Van's always hot!! giggles and hugs her beloved Van-plushie Thanks for reviewing and thanks for the advice!! Helped me to clear out my messy mind Hope you'll also update soon!!!

Paige Moonsword: blushs Thankiez!! And no, I'm not mad at you for not working on your story!! Just take your time, I'll wait till then grins and rubs hands

SabineballZ: Hiya!!! Freut mich, dass du es magst Und hah, ich konnte sogar eine Frage beantworten! Hitomi ist kein Pirat!!! Die andere Frage...Harhar!! Musst'e noch warten!!! Danke!!!

little fairy: Glad you like it!!! And yes, go and watch the movie!! Johnny!! licks her fingers

Dragonfirebal713: blushs Thank you!! Well, you see, Tomi's not a pirate but she'll be cool, don't worry

A/N: Guess what? I've nothing to say!! Bwahahaha!! Am I sick?! feels temperature Nope, I'm fine!! Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing this!!! And "Joya Verde" means "Green Jewel" and is the name of an island but I think that was clear, wasn't it?!

Till next chapter,

Dariel