Well, its been two weeks since my last update, so I hope everyone's excited for this new chapter! I also need to tell you guys something important. You know how I have been repeatedly telling you, my readers, that the chapters of recent have been old chapters from 2009? Well, the first two paragraphs of this chapter are from the same year, but the rest of this chapter...I wrote recently! ^^ AND! This is my FAVORITE chapter! I'm just SO excited that you guys FINALLY get to read it! I know I'm excited for it to finally be out... This means that, for me, things are finally getting somewhere! Yay! This is also the only chapter in both ARAAR and ABATS that have the same title for similar scenes! Hope you're looking forward to it!

Disclaimer:I do not own YYH, any of its characters, or the rights. The only things I own are a few characters, the plot line, and a few other things.

And now, without further delay...

-1 week later

"Hey, Rose! I got something for ya to do!" A burley man called out, having cupped his hand over one side of his mouth so that it echoed a bit and made it more easily heard.

Nozomi, having been on the other side of the ship, tying down one of the masts and making sure it was fastened tightly, concentrated on her work. Over the past week, she had managed to establish a sort of respect out of the other crewmembers. They had tried to humiliate her many times, but each time has failed. Not once did she allow them to see her tears.

This day, however, was a very calm day. The ocean looked like reflective glass on the almost cloudless sky as she was gazing out at the seemingly endless sea. She heard her nickname being called, to which she made no attempt to reply. Her eyes were glued, practically, to the horizon, her expression passive. The man, growing confused, strolled over, waving a hand in front of her face. Not getting any form of reaction from her, he merely shrugged and moved away, deciding to do it himself. Youko, on the other hand, noticed this strange behavior, but didn't do anything either. Instead, he looked around the open sea, not seeing any blemishes on this perfect day. His eyes narrowed, feeling a small gust of wind blow by. Something wasn't right about this day.

He glanced towards the horizon, sensing more than seeing something there. Something was coming…but what, he was unsure. He glanced once more down at the princess, who seemed rooted to the spot. For half a second, he wondered if she knew something was wrong also, but pushed that thought aside, finding it improbable. It was only a matter of time before his suspicions would come to light, he knew it.

"Cap'pin!" Glancing up, Youko's eyes narrowed as he studied the crewman that was situated at the Crow's nest, who was waving frantically down at him with one arm, and pointing towards the horizon with the other. "Cap'pin! We 'ave a problem!"

Suddenly, a large wave crashed into the side of the ship, and before his crewman could say anything, he knew exactly what was wrong. His helmsman held the tiller firmly, glancing briefly at his captain. He too knew what this meant.

"Cap'pin! There be a storm a' cumin'! And by 'e looks o' 'em clouds, a nasty un!"

Cursing under his breath, feeling the wind picking up more, his sharp eyes fixed on the now evidently darker horizon, Youko glared around at the ship. He only had a small amount of time to prepare for the coming storm. As another wave made contact with the side of the ship, Youko gave a brief order to his helmsman to keep her steady, before jumping over the railing and soon began shouting orders.

"Take anything of value down below decks! We don't want it getting lost in this storm! As for the rest, strap it down!" He looked up at the crew that was up with the mast, making their way towards the ropes. "Secure the sails!" He called up, the harsher wind carrying his voice up to them. With silent nods, they quickly went to work as the first drops of stinging cold rain began to fall from the now dark heavens as the sun finished setting. "Yomi!" Youko paused, his frigid and narrow eyes focusing on his first mate, who had been strapping down a few barrels. His head immediately snapped up at the tone of his captain, knowing that tone all too well. His captain was in his more serious form, and any wrong doings now would get him, or anyone else killed. Quickly finishing, he hurried over, stumbling as a stronger wave smashed into the side of the ship, sending shivers through the entirety of the ship. "Yomi, I need you to get life lines on everyone as soon as possible. We don't want another 'accident'." Youko spoke, his voice cold, but firm.

With a nod, Yomi immediately went to work, gathering rope from all corners of the ship to tie to the main mast, as well as to the others. Once he had all of the crew tied down, including himself, he noticed that there seemed to be something wrong. He had two ropes left, and he had done count. He knew that one of them was for the captain himself, for the helmsman already had one. But, who was the other one for. Scanning the drenched deck of the lurching ship, his sharp eye caught the sight of long light brown hair, and knew immediately who it was. Rushing over, grasping the main mast as he slipped as yet another savage wave hit the side of their vessel, he managed to make it over to her.

"Rose!"

Hearing her name, she turned slightly to look at him, blinking slowly. She seemed out of it, but after a few seconds, her glazed vision returned to normal, replaced with a concerned look.

"Yomi!"

"Rose! You shouldn't be out here! Get below deck, where it's safer!" he shouted over the wind, his concern showing on his face.

Youko watched this from his perch, his cold eyes narrowing even more, his fox ears just barely managing to hear the conversation over the fierce wind that picked lustfully at the sails, as if trying to tear holes in it.

Nozomi merely studied him, seeing him concerned for her safety. She glanced briefly at Youko, around the ship, and then back at him.

"I'll be fine! You need to worry more about the cargo! These waves are getting stronger by the feel of it!" Another wave crashed into the side of the ship, almost knocking her over. Yomi quickly grabbed her and pressed her against him, grasping the railing tightly to steady the both of them. That must have been how she had kept herself steady… She had been holding onto the railing with both hands, instead of just one… With his mind whirling, knowing that if anything happened to her, his captain would have his head, he gritted his teeth. He wanted to protect her, but she was definitely going to be staying above decks. How he hated stubborn people. As the wave passed and the ship lurched again, Yomi quickly released her and tied the life line securely to her waist, glancing briefly up into her eyes.

"Are you sure about this?"

She nodded, gripping the railing with both hands once more. "I'll be fine! Go! You're needed elsewhere!"

Keeping eye contact for just a few more seconds, he nodded once and left her be at the head of the ship, off to continue his business. Nozomi, in the mean time, watched him go for a few more seconds, glanced briefly at Youko once more, her light brown locks whipping around her savagely, before she turned once more to face the storm. Youko watched this silently, of course. There was nothing he could say or do for that matter. She had decided that she would remain on deck. For what purpose, he did not know. Perhaps she felt safer above deck than below deck? Internally shaking his head, he focused his concentration on what needed to be done. Another much larger wave crashed into the ship, causing the helmsman to be knocked from the tiller and sprawled onto the floor, causing it to spin out of control. However, due to Youkos' quick reflexes, he stepped up to it and stopped the tiller, turning the wheel and reclaiming control of his ship.

"No storm will get the best of my ship…" he growled, his hard muscles visible through his wet and form fitting shirt, his silvery locks plastered against his skin.

As the storm seemed to be progressively getting worse, the crew became more and more active in keeping everything in order, but at the same time, being careful to not be knocked over. However, even as the lightning flashed across the sky, and the wind howled in their ears, there was nothing they could do except wait out the storm. Nozomi, on the other hand, still remained, seemingly motionless, at the front of the ship. No one had bothered to go over there, figuring this was her first storm and she wanted to experience it, or something else that was stupid. She, on the other hand, remained still, ignoring everything around her, including the random shouts of 'Get inside!'. Her eyes were focused dead ahead, staring out into the raging storm. Suddenly her eyes widened, her mouth slowly opening in horror. She quickly turned and began running across the deck, waving her arms frantically to get the Captain's attention.

"Youko! Youko!" her words were lost to the wind, however, as she desperately tried to get his attention.

Youko, having keen eyes, noticed her immediate movement, but didn't pay her much mind at first. However, as he progressively became aware that something was definitely moving across the deck, he quickly checked to see what it was, and seeing that it was her, who looked relatively frantic, he leaned forward slightly. By now, Nozomi had managed to make her way over to the stairs that led up to the helm, grasping desperately at the railings as wave after wave slammed at either side of the ship. Practically dragging herself up the stairs, she stumbled as yet another wave crashed against them, but thankfully, Youko quickly grabbed her with his left arm, steadying her.

"Are you alright?" he shouted, keeping his eyes focused before him, witnessing something that could have come out of a nightmare.

"We need to change course!" She responded, looking up at him desperately.

He glanced at her, confused. "What do you mean? We can't!"

"You have to!" She cried, pointing ahead. "There's a Maelstrom ahead! You HAVE to change course!"

As soon as he heard those words, he knew if he didn't change course soon, they would all be doomed. Nodding silently, glancing curiously at her briefly, he carefully guided her to the railing near him before taking the tiller with both hands once more, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

"Brace!" he shouted, glad that the wind carried his voice this time, as he immediately noticed everyone latch themselves onto something solid.

Once he was sure that they had, and that Nozomi was holding onto the railing tightly herself, he turned the tiller as far right as it would go. Almost immediately, the ship groaned and creaked beneath them as they felt themselves slowing and beginning to turn. However, the speed in which they had been travelling didn't slow too much, as they were caught in a strong current. It was then, and only then, that Youko truly accepted the fact that there really was a maelstrom up ahead, for only they had the current strong enough to keep its death grip on a ship. It was pulling them into the icy depths of the sea, and there was little hope that they would survive. Growling, Youko moved with his ship, willing it to keep going. As the ship reached the right angle, now fully turned to the right, he straightened the tiller, fighting against the waves and the wind, hopefully steering them clear of the possibility of death that lingered above them. As the ship slowly began inching away, Youko's sensitive ears picked up the sound of roaring waves mixing, the crashing of thunder, and the echo of lightning, creating a terrifying sound of death, which created vivid imagery in their minds of a massive monster at the depths of the ocean, gnashing its jagged teeth, waiting to devour their poor souls.

Nozomi glanced fearfully at Youko, her skin pale at the sounds that echoed behind them. Youko gave her a very brief reassuring glare that everything was going to be all right, and slowly, more securely, the ship began inching away from the maelstrom itself, back to where the waves weren't as large, and the wind wasn't as loud. The rain went from piercing rain to a normal one, and the lightning and thunder echoed in the distance. There seemed to be an air of relief as everyone on board began sighing and moving about more, making sure that their life lines were still secure, for the storm may have calmed, but it was not over yet.

"ROGUE WAVE! DEAD AHEAD!" The words echoed eerily, dampening all of their spirits.

At first, no one saw anything. Just the darkness of the ocean. Youko's keen eyes and highly intelligent brain looked up instead of forward, and his heart sank. There, outlined by a lightning flashing across the sky, was the top of the rogue wave. It towered at least a mile above their vessel, and bred thoughts of doubt that nature was definitely trying to kill them that day. As everyone, by now, realized that their end was near, a sudden movement to Youko's right managed to get his attention. It had been Nozomi, who had moved quickly and was currently rushing down the steps, not caring if she was now the center of attention. Her eyes were on the wave, her jaw set.

"Nozomi! There's nothing you can do!" Yomi cried out, then fell deathly silent as he saw her quickly untie her lifeline and run over to the bow, and then quickly stepped onto the bowsprit. Youko watched with a mixture of shock and curiosity in him, wondering what she was possibly going to do in the time of their unfortunate and early demise.

Standing at the very front of the ship, she took a deep breath and slowly released it, placing her right foot before her at the very tip, and her left foot behind her, pressing lightly against one of the mechanisms that held some rope for one of the masts. Raising her arms towards the wave, she seemed to quickly push against something, and then she seemed to buckle noticeably. As everyone watched, they slowly became aware of what exactly it was she was doing, and how the oncoming wave seemed to slow.

Grunting with effort, holding back the sheer monstrosity of the rogue wave, Nozomi kept her arms up, pushing against an invisible force as she attempted to hold the wave back. As it reared up alarmingly before them, now only a few feet from them, the crewmembers slowly lowered their heads, realizing with heavy hearts that they were about to die. This type of wave in particular was the type that all sailors hated, and the reason why so many were lost at sea. There was just no stopping them. After a few moments of their heads being lowered, they slowly looked up, and grew pale. The wave had been in the process of breaking upon them. However, upon further inspection, assisted by looking over the railings and whatnot, they had a surge of happiness as they noticed the wave itself was still moving, but not forward. The water in the wave was the movement they saw, but it remained frozen in place, more of less. Panting softly, Nozomi kept her back straight, her arms still raised upwards. Slowly, very slowly, she began to lower her arms. As she slowly began her downward ascent, the wave, in all of its monstrosity, slowly began to lower as well. Nozomi gritted her teeth, feeling a twinge of pain suddenly begin in her mind. However, she ignored it and continued, knowing that everyone's lives as a whole was more important than some silly pain that decided to start happening just then.

Once the rogue wave was around the size of a medium sized wave, she lowered her arms and stood back up fully, panting heavily. Youko knew immediately what was about to happen as he caught sight of her swaying dangerously at the edge of the bowsprit. Jumping over the railing, his helmsmen immediately taking his place at the tiller, he ran across the deck, trying to get to her. However, a wave crashed into the side of the ship suddenly, causing the princess to get knocked overboard and fall headfirst into the raging waves below. Not waiting a second longer, Youko dove over the railings and into the waters below, looking around frantically for their savior. As the water continued to knock him around, he barely caught sight of light brown tresses disappearing into the darkness below. Swimming down, he soon caught sight of the unconscious young woman. Wrapping a strong left arm around her waist, he began using his right arm to powerfully swim back towards the surface. His lungs felt as if they were on fire, making it harder for him to swim back to the surface. When he thought he couldn't make it without taking a breath, he finally broke the surface, panting heavily. Making sure her head was above the crashing of the waves, he tugged quickly at his life line, holding onto the princess carefully.

As soon as the crew had finished hauling the two of them back on deck, Youko quickly laid the princess down on the deck, placing a head to her chest. Not hearing anything, he growled and began doing cpr, pushing down on her chest three times before placing his lips against hers, trying to give her the breath of life. He repeated this for a few minutes, growling softly as he attempted to revive her. Yomi and the rest of the crew watched silently, expectantly, hoping for the best. Yomi, however, watched with more distain, as he noticed his captain locking lips with someone he himself had his eye on. Keeping that thought locked away, finding it selfish and inappropriate for the time, he concentrated on hoping that she recovered well.

"C'mon, Nozomi. Don't you dare die on me..." Youko growled, placing his lips around hers once more to give her air. As he released her, he softly whispered, "You're stronger than this…" And more loudly, "Wake up!"

Just as he was beginning to push on her chest once more, she began to cough, water coming out of her mouth. Quickly helping her sit up so that she could get more air, she looked up at him, and at them all, smiling briefly.

"You guys…"

Yomi quickly knelt down next to her, taking one of her limp hands in his, not caring for the mild glare he received from his captain.

"Rose… You saved us! I don't know how….but….thank you!" he spoke, knowing that the others felt the same. He kissed her hand, squeezing it gently.

She smiled at him, and at them all. She spoke softly, just barely audible above the wind. "You're….welcome…" she lost consciousness once more, causing a few of the others to cry out in worry.

Yomi felt his heart sink, but was drawn back to reality as his Captain stood with her in his arms, her hand slipping out of his. Turning his back to them, Youko spoke simply, but coldly.

"Head a course for the nearest and safest island."

"But, what about Rose?" Yomi asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took a step forward.

"She needs to rest." He spoke coldly, not bothering to look back at his first mate.

Yomi, feeling anger raising in the pit of his stomach, was about to say something when one of his friends, the one with the red bandana, placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head, silently telling him to let it go. Growling softly, hanging his head, he glared coldly at the back of his captain as he slowly departed, entering his quarters and the door closed behind him.

-And that, my dear readers, is the end of the chapter! I hope you enjoyed it, and look forward to the next chapter 2 weeks from now. Depending on how many reviews I receive, I MAY post sooner, but we shall see. I'm glad you enjoyed this, I had a lot of fun writing it. ^^ See you guys in 2 weeks! (or possibly sooner.) Don't forget to review~