I'm astonished at how enthusiastically this idea was embraced by you guys. Hopefully, I can write enough chapters for it to be a full fic later.

Incidentally, people will notice Minato/Jack mentioning his compass. I went back and edited Chapter 1 (in my original Word document) that Tia Dalma, instead of giving him a necklace, gave him the compass back. He hasn't used it yet: he's kept it more out of sentimental value. However, it will come into play later in the story.

YO-HO, YO-HO, AN ASHIKABI'S LIFE FOR ME...

CHAPTER 2:

FANBOY AND WIND WOMAN

After I was actually given an explanation by Kazehana, I contemplated things for a moment. Now Tia Dalma's obscure warning made sense, given that 'Sekirei' was Japanese for 'Wagtail'. "So, let me get this straight. You're an alien from outer space with superpowers, and by snogging me, you've initiated a magical bond between us that basically means marriage by your terms. Oh, and I've got to participate in some city-wide battle royale for some unknown prize, headed by MBI. Have I got the pertinent details down?"

Kazehana nodded. "You're taking this well," she noted, as I swaggered (well, more staggered) over to the minibar.

"The way I see it, I've either drunk too much, or too little. I am going to assume the latter and remedy that forthwith." I scowled when I noticed a distinct lack of rum in the minibar, and I knew there was at least one bottle there. "Oh, why is the rum always gone?"

Silently, Kazehana indicated an empty bottle just above me on a shelf. "Ah, that's why," I said in realisation.

"You act very like the character you write," Kazehana observed, raising an eyebrow.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" I slurred slightly.

"Hmm…I don't know," she said with a flirtatious smile. But when a TV nearby flickered into life, she scowled. "Oh, no."

"What?" I looked around for the remote, and found it was still near the bed, nowhere near us.

But before I could rectify this, I heard a loud, plummy voice, boom out, "AVAST ME HEARTIES! SHIVER ME TIMBERS! YO HO HO, AND A BOTTLE OF RUM!"

I stared at the screen. And stared. And stared. A man was on the screen, in cosplay as me in my former life, except he didn't have any facial hair or braids, just glasses and a shock of white hair. I noticed Kazehana turning away in annoyance. Then, I said the only sane and reasonable thing that came to mind. "…What."

"Ah! It's a pleasure to see you at last, Minato Sahashi, aka Jack Teague, elusive author of the Jack Sparrow books! I have to say, big fan. Love those books. I'd buy the film rights, but Disney's trying to outbid me," the man said.

I blinked, trying to place him. He looked familiar. Had I threatened him before? No, that was Will Turner, and I had recognised him because of his father. I snapped my fingers in recognition. "Hiroto Minaka!" I said. "Head of MBI and would-be mad scientist! Huh. Now I know I have drunken too much. Why the hell can you talk to me via a TV?"

"Because there's a nano-camera implanted in all MBI-brand TVs!" Minaka said. "Anyway, I've called to discuss the particulars of the Sekirei Plan!"

"Thanks but no thanks, mate. The lovely Kazehana already told me."

"Oh? Well, the thing is, you need to keep it a secret, or else MBI will come to get you! So, no naughty tongue-wagging. Oh, and you can't leave the city, otherwise…WE UNLEASH THE KRAKEN!"

I blinked at his hamminess, before turning to Kazehana, who said, "Actually, they fire death beams from satellites."

"Bugger," I muttered, with considerable understatement. At least you could see the Kraken coming, most of the time.

"That's right! But, well, I'm sure you won't mind!" Minaka crowed. "You get to compete in a game, a grand game that will usher in a new age of the gods!" He then cackled. Did he spend time actually practising a mad scientist's laugh? He had it down pat.

"Anyway, I hope you enjoy yourself with your Ashikabi, Number 03!" Minaka said. "You get a nice consolation prize, at least, Kazehana!"

Kazehana looked tempted to unleash her powers on the TV (which she had already told me involved wind and blasts of air…and not of the kind that comes from one's fundament), and I realised what Minaka meant. "You're his ex? My condolences."

"Yeah. Minaka, just stop this already. I'll explain everything else, okay?"

Minaka pouted. "Fine, fine, spoil my fun, why don't you? Oh, and could you come along to MBI HQ later, Minato? Only, I have the first editions of the books, and I really want them signed."

"As long as it's not in blood, fine. Anything for a fan," I drawled.

"Oh believe me, I wouldn't dare stain my precious collectables with blood! Number 104, though, might be another matter. Anyway, HOIST THE MAINSAIL, AND CAST OFF, YE LANDLUBBERS!" And with that, the TV cut off.

"Huh. That just happened," I muttered. "Now, umm, Kazehana…" I blinked. "Wait, do you have a last name? Or a first name?"

"Just Kazehana."

"Good to know. Now, I hope you're not disappointed, but I believe I'm going to go to bed shortly. Hopefully, when I wake up, I'll be better able to tell how much of this was a figment of my inebriated imagination. Do you mind?"

She looked a bit disappointed as I staggered towards the bed, but nodded. "Good to know," I slurred, before I collapsed. I was snoring before I hit the mattress.

Now, I'm no stranger to the dubious delights of hangovers. So, even in this life, I managed to shake off the aftereffects of my drinking fairly quickly, save for a rather persistent headache. And then, I realised I was in something of a predicament. I was still in my trousers and a rumpled shirt. Kazehana, however, most evidently was not. That is, she was naked, and curled up next to me, her arms clasping over my own, and trapping it between her very bountiful breasts.

Well, nature called, as did a paracetamol capsule. So I managed to free myself with a slight effort (removing one's self from bed discreetly was a skill I had picked up from hard experience), and snuck into the bathroom. After relieving myself and then getting the headache capsule, I felt a little better already. So, part of the surreal memories I had from yesterday were real. I had woken up in bed next to Kazehana.

As I gargled some water from the sink, I tried to take stock. I would have sneered at the possibility of aliens, but to tell the truth, the memories of my past life were far stranger. I had fought the undead, including my own treacherous crew and the ghosts of Salazar and his crew, I had faced down Davy Jones, Calypso, and Blackbeard, and I've held artifacts in my hands the like of which the world hasn't seen before or since. I still had one even now, my old compass. More for sentiment than anything else, really.

Compared to that, super-powered alien women who bonded to you through a kiss wasn't that hard to swallow. I just wanted to make sure.

Oh, and speak of the devil and she's at your shoulder. Draping her arms over my shoulders, and pressing those very large breasts into my back. "Ahoy there, captain," she purred in a very lascivious manner. "A fair wind has just blown your way."

"Flurgen," I said. Probably the only coherent noise I could make.

"Is that nautical slang?"

"No, just a general incoherent noise," I said, a little muzzily. "Excuse me, can I kiss you again?"

Her smile widened. Oh, that would make Cutler Beckett orgasm, that smile, and he's practically a eunuch. Well, he was rather literally after he branded me(1).

Gah. Focus. I swivelled around, and kissed her. Once more, I tasted that lovely mouth of hers. Only this time, I felt the faint tang of sea salt mixed in. Thank goodness I gargled out my mouth in the sink, or goodness knew what she would be tasting. And yep, ethereal wings of light appeared, sprouting from her back. After we finished, I frowned. "So, not drunken hallucinations?"

She snorted. "I don't think you've drunk enough to have those." She turned on her heel, presenting her back to me, and gently pulled her hair out of the way. It took me a second to realise she wanted to show something other than her callipygian rear. Namely, a brand between her shoulders, an emblem showing a bird in flight over a taijitu or yin-yang symbol.

"Nice tattoo. Did you get drunk when you got that one?" That had happened to me in my past life more times than I cared to remember. In fact, the bird in flight reminded me of the one I had of a sparrow on my arm, something I got not so long ago in this life.

"Yes, as I got it last night when you Winged me," Kazehana said with a laugh. "This is our symbol of having been Winged. It's also our weak point."

"Good to know. Now, why have you got numbers. I mean, that seems like something out of The Prisoner, right?" On her confused look, I explained, hastily, "Weird British show about a man imprisoned in a remote village, the guard dog was a weather balloon, strange shit happens…"

"Clearly. I am Number 03. There are 108 Sekirei, though one, I believe, is dead. I don't know the exact circumstances. To my knowledge, they have been released all over the city. That being said, there's a few you should look out for."

"How about we discuss this over a working breakfast?" I asked. "After a shower?"

"For two?" she purred. And, hoo boy, my libido kicked into overdrive then…

Showering was, I had to admit, very pleasant. No full-on sex, but quite a bit of cleaning and mutual pleasure. Stayed in there for the best part of half an hour, before dressing and calling room service.

After it was brought in, and we started eating, Kazehana said, "So, first things first. Single Numbers like myself are, generally, the most powerful Sekirei. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. Of those Single Numbers, one is dead, another is on the run, and yet another is, according to rumour, has become a 'Scrapped Number'. In other words, thanks to her fool of an adjuster, she had self-Winged."

"Adjuster?"

"MBI scientists adjusted our physiology so that we can interact with humans without harming them. Not unless we actually consciously wish to," Kazehana said. "As for self-Winging…well, it prevents them from being Winged, ever. It's like being lobotomised. Being unable to fall in love, ever again."

Well, that did sound rather cruel. "Can you tell me any other details?"

She nodded. "I can't tell you about Number 01 for various reasons. Number 02, Matsu, is one of the few brain-type Sekirei. That means her powers are not with physical force or elemental ability, but with her mind. She can interface with technology and computer systems. She's also, frankly, a bit of a pervert. She's the one who's on the lam."

"On the lamb? Is she like lonely sailors on merchant ships with livestock(2)?"

"No. And damn you for putting a mental image like that into my head," Kazehana scowled. We were talking in English for the moment, for the sake of practise. Many Sekirei were apparently taught English and Chinese alongside Japanese. "Anyway, Number 04, Karasuba…you should avoid. She is bloodthirsty and psychopathic, to say the least, and she's a skilled swordswoman. Number 05 is Mutsu, a swordsman and with an Earth elemental affinity. Number 06 is Homura, with a Fire affinity. Number 07 is Akitsu, the Scrapped Number I mentioned. Number 08 is Yume, the Sekirei I mentioned who perished. Number 09 is Tsukiumi, excellent at using water to attack, but she's a misandrist thanks to her adjuster. Plus, she speaks in an old-fashioned way."

"Hmm. Any others?"

"Not any that spring immediately to mind, as it's been some time since I was at MBI," Kazehana said. "I do know that there's a few Ashikabi who have established territories in the city. Higa and Mikogami are the ones you have to look out for. Mikogami treats the Sekirei Plan like a game, and Sekirei like collectable figurines. But he's more of a spoilt brat more than anything. Izuma Higa is another matter entirely. He's the heir to a company that is one of MBI's rivals, and he's got a chip on his shoulder. I heard he does quite a few dirty deals. He's rather like Cutler Beckett in your novels."

Oh joy, I thought. Another eunuch with a flair for treachery and inhumanity.

"I've also run into the Sekirei of an Ashikabi called Kaoru Seo. He makes it his mission to target Unwinged Sekirei to, supposedly, spare them the horrors of the Sekirei Game. His Sekirei know better than to mess with me now. 11 and 12, the Thunder Twins Hikari and Hibiki. You'll know them if you see dark-haired twins in what looks like BDSM outfits," Kazehana said.

I contemplated that for a moment. Then, to dispel the admittedly attractive image of twin girls in kinky dress, I decided to change the subject. "Well, I think for the time being, I will get some accommodation. This hotel was mostly temporary, and I want something a little more long-term, savvy? My mother recommended a place in the north owned by someone called Miya Asama."

I couldn't miss that startled reaction going across her face, which was odd, as I wasn't exactly intending anything like that. "Did you say Miya Asama?" she asked.

"You know her?"

"I sometimes get some drinks off her. She and I are friends." And judging by the way she said it, she was friends in the same way as I had been friends with the Turners, or Tia Dalma. With the possibility of danger getting involved, along with mutual oars to the noggin.

"Oh, that's right. My mother told me she was the widow of a researcher at MBI. Small world, eh?"

"Very small," Kazehana said.

As we continued to eat our breakfast, a thought occurred to me. "Actually, yesterday, I saw a pair of women on the rooftops. Both dressed in black. One had pink hair, the other had silver hair and wielded massive claws. I thought them cosplayers, but were they Sekirei?"

Kazehana nodded. "I mentioned Karasuba. She is the head of the Discipline Squad. Nominally, that is meant to protect Sekirei, but in truth, they are more Minaka's enforcers. I used to be on the original Discipline Squad, while we were protecting our people from foreign attackers. I do know those Sekirei, as I encountered them once. 104 and 105, Haihane and Benitsubasa. Haihane was the one with the claws. She's a bit lazy and clumsy, but she's lethal. Benitsubasa was the pink-haired one. Good fighter, but bad-tempered. I think she has a complex over her lack of a bust. Anyway, you sure you want to room at Maison Izumo?"

"Sure. Why?"

Kazehana shrugged. "Okay, your funeral. Just remember, Miya is pretty scary…"

It was a few hours later, and I had come with Kazehana to Maison Izumo, a nice little two-storey Japanese house. The door was answered by a rather charming young lady, perhaps in her late twenties, with lavender hair and a pleasant expression on her beautiful features.

Now, call me paranoid, but given what Kazehana said about her, I had to wonder, what could scare a Sekirei? Well, unless she was a very dedicated dyer of hair, maybe she was a Sekirei herself. After all, lavender hair wasn't exactly natural.

Anyway, she said, her smile becoming ever-so-slightly forced upon seeing Kazehana, "Ah, Kazehana. Have you brought someone here?"

"Actually, I was told by a mutual acquaintance that you might have something in the way of decent lodgings in exchange for reasonable remuneration. Savvy?" I asked.

Miya blinked as she processed what I said, before she smiled again. That innocent little smile…yeah, I wasn't buying it for one second. I've seen similar sweet smiles on people just before they tried to slit my throat. "Oh. Well then, my husband did make it a policy not to turn away anyone seeking help," she said.

Of course, it was not long afterwards that that little bit before with the mask happened, and that's where we resume the tale…

CHAPTER 2 ANNOTATIONS:

So, Minato/Jack has encountered Minaka and Miya. Let the chaos begin.

1. I think it's a popular fan theory (and one I subscribe to) that Cutler Beckett, after branding Jack Sparrow, was made into a eunuch or a near-eunuch by Sparrow. So that's what I'm going with here. Beckett is certainly coy about the mark Sparrow left on him.

2. This is a really bad pun I picked up from an instalment of the Final Fantasy webcomic spoof 8-Bit Theater.