Finally! Next Chapter complete! :)

This one is not as long as the last I'm afraid but hopefully I can get the next chapter done quick. We're going to be getting into some major action here soon! Or so is my plan anyways.

Thanks to everyone who had read, favorited, followed, or reviewed. It means a lot to me! :)

Please enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SOUL EATER

Fourteen

Maka trailed behind as Soul and Black Star headed towards the Captain's cabin to catch one another up. Tsubaki trailed along with her, clearly planning on following. Her wide-eyed friend had hugged her so tightly when they'd boarded the ship Maka had thought she was going to break.

Liz, Kim, Jackie, Ox and Harvar were all there which was relieving. Knowing they'd all made it out of Hael alive was good news. Kim tutted over Maka's arm, insisting she examine the wound but she batted her away letting her know she was fine for now.

They reached the cabin and Soul looked incredibly relieved to be there. He grinned at the sight of his hat perched upon the table. With a happy sigh he placed it lightly on his head and flopped into his chair, boots up on the desk. The picture of comfort.

Black Star flopped into a chair as well across from his friend, Tsubaki perched on a stool nearby while Maka opted to stand and leaned herself up against the wall.

"So. Where to begin?" Soul wondered aloud. Black Star shrugged.

"How about you tell us how on earth you found us for a start." Maka suggested. Tsubaki shook her head.

"It might be best to start before that. That part isn't really at the beginning."

There was a hammering on the door and Soul called out for whoever it was to enter. Liz and Patti burst into the cabin in a clamour. The eldest Thompson sister looked cross that they had almost started the discussion without her presence, Patti didn't appear to be as concerned, smiling widely as she hopped up onto Soul's desk to sit on its edge. Kid had followed his two mates into the room quietly, he gave Maka a soft smile as the crew collaborated in telling their story.

The warning bell went off starting Black Star awake from his nap. He rolled out of his cot to dress hurriedly in the dark before he made his way out on deck to see what was happening.

He threw the door to his cabin open, a worried looking Tsubaki was revealed to be standing behind it, fist raised in mid-knock. "Oh good, you're up," she said, lowering her fist. "You'd best come quickly."

The two hurried out onto the quarter deck, Kid was already there along with Patti. The sun was just going down, burning as it sunk beneath the horizon and reflecting back on the water like a mirror. Kid lowered Soul's spyglass, before their Captain had left he'd handed it to him and told him to use it well until he returned.

Kid's brow was drawn together in concern as the wind ruffled a few stands of his hair. Nearby unfamiliar ships were approaching, for all of them to be heading in their direction at this time of day seemed like more than a coincidence. "What do you wanna do?" Black Star asked as he reached the rail. Kid sighed heavily.

"I don't know," he flattened his hair to his head, a nervous habit. "But we can't stay here." He did not seem pleased about it.

"Cap'n and sissy aren't back yet," Patti pointed out.

"Maka neither," Tsubaki added. Patti shrugged, clearly she didn't set Maka's return to be a priority. Kid shook his head.

"We can't wait for them to come back."

"How can we not?" Tsubaki asked in concern. "We can't just abandon them all. You're Captain is with them." The wind toyed with a few of her raven strands, blowing them into her eyes. Black Star had to fight the urge to brush them away.

"Our Captain is the one that told us to leave at the first sign of trouble." Kid muttered, not seeming to agree with the order, Black Star knew he would follow it all the same. Patti made a rude noise to show what she thought of that plan.

"We'll fight." She said simply. "We can take'em."

"All five of them? Use your head Patti." Kid chided. "Not to mention we're incredibly short on crew, if they get close enough to board we're done for."

Kilik appeared at Black Star's elbow, a frown on his lips. "Whatever we're going to do we need to quit arguing about it and do it now," he gestured out at the water with a frown. Their Master Gunner and temporarily elected leader turned with a nod. Kilik as Master rigger did not wait for more instructions, he turned and started on his work immediately.

"Prepare to make way! All hands!" Kid's voice carried over the deck. Patti pouted but followed what Kid commanded all the same. The small crew that had gathered cleared quickly, Tsubaki lingered at the rail gazing out towards the docks.

Black Star slid up beside her and lightly touched the small of her back in what he hoped came across as a comforting motion. He was no good at these sort of things.

"She'll be fine," he said softly. "She's with the Captain, and Liz too. Not to mention from what I know of her she can take very good care of herself." Tsubaki turned to him with unhappy indigo eyes, the sunset reflected in them creating an eerie effect.

"But if we leave them-" he pressed a finger to her lips to silence her, her eyes grew wide as saucers and a blush crept across her cheeks.

"They'll be okay. Soul will get a message to us and we'll find them. You'll see."

Someone shouted at them from behind and the two pulled away from the railing to assist in getting the ship underway.

He moved to assist with unfurling the mail sail, hauling on one of the ropes Kilik had indicated needed to be pulled. Kid had lent Little Pete the spyglass and currently the youngest crew member was hanging from the lines and observing their pursuers.

"They're gaining!" he shouted down. Black Star's head snapped to the side, the enemy ships were getting too close.

Kid appeared to his left, assisting with the line. Gunfire cracked out like thunder into air, he glanced over his shoulder and laughed. "Don't let the gunfire phase you mates, she's too far off to land a hit." He flashed a grin at Black Star. "Bloody amateurs."

It took a great deal of effort but soon they were underway, the wind taking the sails and the Demon Scythe doing what she was made to do best. Cannon fire crackled behind them but no blows landed as they smoothly turned the ship and left the harbour.

The plan would be to circle the island and stay out of sight until they received some sort of signal or found a way to get one to the others. It would not be difficult, Black Star had earned his sea legs on a smugglers ship with one of the best. He was not unfamiliar with stealthy sailing.

The back door to the 'Coon Cave' snapped shut behind them and they emerged into an alleyway. Liz frowned. "Where is Maka?" Kim looked concerned, her brows drawn together.

"I-I don't know…perhaps she couldn't get away?" Ox shook his head, arms folded across his chest.

"No, she chose to stay, she was behind me but instead of following she closed the door."

Liz cursed foully and kicked over a stack of crates in her moment of fury. She glanced back only to see Harvar forming a makeshift barricade. She shoved him roughly.

"What are you doing!" she asked in alarm. He appeared unruffled by her sudden aggression.

"Making sure we're not followed."

"What are Soul and Maka going to do?"

"Soul said to-"

"No," Liz snapped. "Leave it." She yanked the board away from the door. "We'll leave like we were told but I will not barricade what might be their only way out."

Silent as they could manage in such a fair sized group they cut their way through the darkened streets of Hael town. Liz's stomach twisted in knots, she had never been so uncomfortable following an order before in her life. She had to trust Soul knew what he was doing but it felt more and more like a bad idea the further she got from what had been their brief hideout.

That Maka had stayed behind felt like a kick in the teeth as well. She should have disregarded his order too. She could have helped. Soul would have been furious but what if her being there had meant the difference between them living or dying? She felt sicker at the thought.

The group huddled in the shadow of a building, hidden in an alleyway. After a hushed though heated conversation they determined they would head out of the town, away from the docks where they would be expected to go. Inland, towards the lush forest that lined the island.

There was a cove, according to Harvar and Ox. A hidden one, further back on the island where smugglers would dock when they came calling. Liz had argued Isaac was a smuggler, he would know of it and likely have it guarded but according to Harvar Lord Hawkhurst had not paid any mind to it as of late. He was not as diligent in his old age.

The walk was long and incredibly tiring, all throughout the night without stopping. As they slipped into the trees Liz caught the sound of someone else moving along as well. She gripped Jackie's arm, her being nearest and pulled her down with a finger to her lips. The others followed suit.

Crouched in the brush she scanned the surrounding area. The sound of others moving noisily through the forest met her ears and her sight was drawn to where the sound was coming from. The tree's parted and an unpleasantly familiar face emerged.

Giriko, he looked incredibly grumpy and a group others followed behind him. They did not interest Liz so much as the two bodies born between them.

Maka and Soul, limp like dolls they were carried along, both battered and bloody. Soul was carried between two men, Maka gathered in the arms of one. The group following Giriko was large. Liz took a mental count and cursed at the large numbers. There was little to no chance they would be able to remove the group and free Maka and Soul.

Neither appeared in good enough shape to make any daring escapes anytime soon either.

Kim met Liz's eyes, her expression showing she'd clearly come to same conclusions as the pirate. "What do we do?" Kim mouthed as the group trudged past them, disappearing further into the trees.

"We follow." Liz breathed, her words softer than a whisper. The others appeared to understand though and so they proceeded, ghosting along behind their enemy.

They reached the cove just as the sun began to rise, hazy purple light lining the horizon as the sky lightened. The cove was not large, big enough for two ships, maybe three if a person wanted to push things. It was tucked away, surrounded by high cliffs overgrown with ivy and numerous other plant life.

There was a path down to the white sandy beach, that lined the cove and down there appeared to be several skiffs all pulled up on shore where they'd been left when this group had arrived. Of course, the source of all these boats was anchored a little ways off shore, the 'Vajra', casting a wide shadow over the beach in the early morning light.

With clenched fists Liz watched them load Maka and Soul into the boats and row their way out to the ship. She kicked a tree in frustration as the ship pulled out of the cove and made its way out onto open water, headed gods knew where.

Exhausted they determined they needed to sleep before anything, before they could successfully execute any type of plan they needed to rest. Despite how uncomfortable that sleep would be. The group settled in against the trees or on the ground, wherever was most comfortable. After determining who would take first watch they went to sleep.

"Wake up sleepy head!"

Liz's eyes peeled open painfully, crusted over from sleep and still tired from not enough of it. Through blurred vision her sisters face swam into view. Patti was crouched down over her, arms folded beneath her breasts inadvertently accentuating the already ample chest she had. The elder Thompson sister felt an insane stab of jealously. She lacked for what her sister had and it had always been a bit of a sore spot with her.

"Patti?" Liz croaked out in disbelief, her throat felt raw and sore. She noticed with distaste that her nose was running. She must have caught a cold. Sitting up groggily she wiped her nose on her sleeve having no better option. Patti giggled. "How did you?…" she trailed off questioningly. Patti straightened and offered her a hand up, she took it gratefully, her joints stiff.

"How did we find you?" Patti suggested. Liz nodded, realizing the others were all rising too. Ox who had been on watch was talking with Black Star who was also there by some miracle.

"It was an accident really. We were coming back for you guys, we just didn't expect to find you here. Black Star recalled a cove here from his days smuggling and so we decided it safest to pull in. We were heading into town for a rescue when we stumbled upon you sleepy heads. And the funny-haired one over there." She jerked her thumb in Ox's direction. "He was very rude until he saw Black Star. Apparently they know one another somehow." She chuckled. "And that's that."

Patti swung around to examine the rest of the group. "Where's the Captain? And Maka?"

Liz winced as if she'd been struck. "They aren't here," she said lowly. "They were taken." Patti's gaze sharpened, the dark part of her that always lied beneath her pleasant outer skin flashing through for a moment.

"How?" she asked in a sad little girl tone, the darker part of her gone as quickly as it had come.

"We were attacked. The Captain gave orders for us to leave him. Maka didn't obey. They were both taken and we saw Giriko the bloody bastard, load them onto the Vajra."

"Where did this happen? When?"

"Here. We saw it here. This morning. At least I think this morning I don't know how long I slept." She grimaced, knowing she looked a mess and not feeling happy about it. What she wouldn't give for all the nice things in her trunk on board the Demon Scythe, these clothes were a write off and she wanted desperately to brush through her tangles.

Black Star turned away from Ox with a grim expression. "Well, there is nothing left for us here. We should go."

"Go where?" Liz argued. "We have no idea where they've taken them." Patti frowned.

"We know for certain they aren't here though. So there is no point in staying."

"Not to mention if Isaac hears about us being here still he won't hesitate to punish." Ox added. The others murmured in agreement, proceeding to make their way back to the ship.

Kid greeted them as they boarded. Liz climbed up the pilot ladder and was never so happy to see her Master Gunner as she was in that moment. Introductions were made between the remaining crew and those soon to be joining them. With that out of the way they settled in to make a decision. As expected. A fight ensued.

Kid had been left in charge by Soul, Black Star had trouble accepting this. Their Captain tried to alternate fairly between the two senior crew members but it was difficult as Black Star was not the easiest to deal with when in charge.

"We should return to Dark Port and build a crew," Kid assessed. Black Star scoffed, folding his arms across his chest.

"We should wait until we have the Captain back for that." The Master Carpenter frowned deeply. "He would want a hand in picking the crew."

"I know he trusts our judgement Black Star. Besides, how do you suggest we get the Captain back? We have no idea where they've taken them or even if they'll be alive before they get there." Kid argued, his brow furrowing in annoyance. Black Star's face scrunched up in thought before he lit up with realization.

"They were going to that place Maka was from."

"But you don't know where that is! And you can't be sure. We have to trust they will find a way to get word to us. We have to go somewhere they can be sure to do that. And if we acquire a full crew while waiting that will only help things."

The two stared one another down for a moment, expressions blazing. Black Star broke first surprisingly enough. "You may be right," he sighed. "I just hate this waiting around crap." He tugged a hand through his hair. Kid nodded, a small smile quirking at his lips.

"Lets be off then. Dark Port it is."

With the extra hands this time around they made good time to Dark Port. The wind was in their favour the whole way, as if the gods themselves were hastening their pace. With that and the extra hands this time around they shaved a day off their trip. They arrived in three days time instead of four.

There was no sign of the Vajra in the harbour and the crew was not sure if they should be relieved or distraught about it.

Liz lounged on the deck, sleeves and trouser legs pushed up far as she could as she soaked in the sun. Things seemed to be looking up. She never wanted to run around in the dark and sleep outside again.

There were benefits to being a woman pirate. She didn't have to deal with those infuriating petticoats and corsets. No bulky uncomfortable skirts for her. Not that they didn't look fabulous but sometimes a girl just wanted to lay in the sun without hoity toity snobs judging her for it.

She opened one eye. Jeb swabbing the deck came into her sights and her lips curved up in a small smile. This was yet another benefit to being a pirate. His muscles were positively glistening, curling tattoos roping up his hard flesh. If things weren't seeming so bleak lately and…if he wasn't a complete dunce, she might have gone for him. Tall, dark and handsome- he was certainly appealing to the eye.

The cabin door opened and the raven-haired naval doctor emerged looking a little lost. The elder Thompson sister felt a stab of pity for her. The poor thing had been deeply disturbed about Maka being taken. And now Black Star was gone into town with the others and she had hated being left behind on the ship. Liz hadn't minded, she enjoyed the time to rest.

Tsubaki approached the railing, leaning over on it to gaze out at the harbour. Most of the crew had been gone for hours, trying to recruit and bring in who they could. Only a few of them left behind on the ship.

The odd purple cat that dwelt on their ship hopped up on the railing, her tail swishing from where she perched.

Liz closed her one eye again, reluctant to stop observing Jeb's work but tired of spying. She would not blatantly stare though, no need for him to know she appreciated him in such a way.

The moment both her eyes were closed again there was a shout. Her eyes snapped open as the smell of smoke filled the air. There was a fire, though it didn't appear to be attached to anything…it was in the air. Jeb leapt back, his mop handle clattering onto the deck.

The flame began as a spark in the air and then suddenly it was roaring. Liz leapt from her seat looked frantically for a bucket of water. She dashed over to the mop bucket but before she could put the bizarre flame out it fizzled and with a pop the flame was gone, something dropped out of the cloud of smoke and onto the deck.

She shot Jeb an annoyed look at his uselessness and then stooped to pick up what had fallen. A small rolled up scroll rested on top of a pile of ashes, the remains of the fire that had gone as quickly as it had appeared. She picked up the scroll, cautiously. She was confused, the flame was gone and it had left this behind?

"What is it?" Tsubaki asked, suddenly at her side.

"I don't know." She unrolled it carefully, the parchment was delicate and she didn't want to rip it. Her breath caught as she scanned the words.

"What is it?" Tsubaki asked again.

"Coordinates," Liz replied. "Its the location of the Captain and Maka!" The Doctors brow furrowed.

"How?"

"I haven't the faintest idea-" a shout cut her off.

"Hallooooo!" Both girls turned and went to the rail. There on the docks was Black Star waving up at them, following not very far behind was Kid and Patti along with a crowd of others, some familiar, some not. Apparently that the Demon Scythe was looking for crew had got around fast and apparently it was a very appealing offer.

"May we come aboard Miss Thompson?" Kid called up. Liz's face split into a grin and Tsubaki smiled quietly down at them.

Ah yes, things were certainly looking up now, perhaps she would give Jeb a second look.

"And so we boarded and headed for the coordinates as soon as we could," Kid murmured.

The sound of Patti's swinging legs thumping on the side of Soul's desk echoed loudly into the cabin. For a brief moment nobody spoke then Soul sighed heavily and sat up, resting his chin in his hands.

"Well there isn't much to say for us. We ended up on Asura's ship. He had this alchemist heal us and then dumped us on an island to die." Maka unhitched herself from the wall.

"Wait a minute, what's up with the note? Who sent it? Also, how on earth did it get to the ship in the first place?"

Kid dug into his pocket and retrieved the note, tossing it to Maka who caught it deftly and unravelled it. Soul scowled, annoyed that his crewman had tossed it to Maka and not him. He was the one in charge here.

Her eyes lit up in recognition. "Its signed by Iago!" she exclaimed. Her delight was barely contained. "But how?"

"A fire letter." Soul answered as he leaned back again, putting his feet up on his desk and his hands behind his head. "I've heard of them before. It's a sorcerers trick. Not common here so I'm not surprised Iago was the one to do it."

"Who's Iago?" Patti asked happily.

"The alchemist from Asura's ship, he must have sent it when we were marooned," Maka explained.

"So what now Captain?" Black Star asked from where he sat. Soul glanced at those who'd gathered in the room. All of them were quiet, waiting on his response. This was how it should be.

"To Grigori, mates." He cracked his knuckles. "There's a bloody bastard who's got himself a date with the sharp end of my blade."

More to come much sooner this time I hope!

Exciting stuff is on the way!

Thanks so much for reading darlings! Reviews are always appreciated!

-Song :3