Hey guys!  Well, here I have another chapter, and I hadn't planned for it to be so long^^;;  it's not as long as the previous one, but it was longer than I was planning to be, well, all the more reading for you! Lol.  As I had promised, I've posted before my birthday! (which is in 10 days!) so I'm glad I made it before the due date^___~  in this chapter you'll meet some new characters, and yes, our lovely Syaoran has come to stay with us!  Lol, although you won't see much of him in this chapter^_^ but at least he's here, ne?  I hope you enjoy it, and the humor too! **~*Thank You*~* socergurl23-thanks^_~ S+S43v3r-hehe, Syaoran is here now, I hope you like it!  and there is a small cliffy…but no worries, I'm so gonna up-date sooner! b r o k e n- lol, I have up-dated before 5 months, and I think the chapter was pretty long, about 6,000 words ;) thanks for the review. Silver Wolf Gurl-thanks! And sexy Syaoran is here! *drool*

DZnsNofLAkeZ-you bet he's here^_~ and I'm glad you liked the story, too!

kawaii-syaoran713-hehe, happy you're enjoying the story, the new chapter is up!

AnonymousT-no, this story is not based on the movie, since when I was plotting this I hadn't seen the movie yet.  But now that I think about, it's similar to the movie in more than one way, so I guess it's kinda based on the movie, just not intentionally. Lol, I laughed when I read your review, because I wasn't planning on having Syaoran the pirate accent! And I agree, it's so not him to have it, but it would definitely be cute :)

ayumi-dono- no, it's not Syaoran, but that could have been a possibility ;) and you never know if James was still unconscious…lol, thanks for reviewing!

Crazy-cherry-*blush* thanks for the review, the new chapter is up!!

yvonne-hehe, sakura has always been cute n_n;; enjoy the new chapter!

sweet-captor-thanks!

lifes mysteries18-oh sush you^^;; at least I got it now, ne? lol, I got the new chapter and it's pretty long…hope ya like it too^___~

Mizu-*blush* thanks! I think it's high time Eriol should sound cool in a fic (and funny too!) thanks for reviewing!

kawaiitenshisakura-*smiles* I got the new chapter up^_~

myREEN n' RAAYneer-that guy is someone you denfinetly do NOT want to be near…lol, I kinda feel bad for sakura now^^;;

Little mouse crystal- welcome, and here I've posted the new chapter, enjoy reading it^_^

Dryl27 Dark-hehe, never thought to see you reviewing! Lol, kinda odd having a friend read your story, ne? haha^_^ I'm glad that you liked the story, even though it's so not like you^^;; I hope you like this chapter as well, and thank you so much for reviewing all chapters, you're the best!

summer lover-you have no idea how I understand you in there, it happened once when I wrote this really long review to one of my friends, and when I clicked the send button on the review, my internet dropped and the review was lost! *sobs* I had to re-write it, and like you said, it wasn't as good as the original one.  But I'm so glad you've written me a review anyway!!! *hugs like mad* You've got be one of the sweetest people I've met on the internet!  *chatting with you on msn was a blast! ;)* And sorry for the awful cliffy, I just felt evil and wanted to torture the readers ^^;;   lol, don't worry about your two questions, it's okay.  Answer 1: the guy knew Sakura was a girl because she wasn't wearing her hat, since I never said she put it on when she left. (you'll understand when you read this chapter, of course) answer 2: Eriol did not think she was a girl, lol, he's quiet dense sometimes^_~ he felt that 'Will' was like his brother, and wanted to protect him, but you'll see when you read this chapter^^ *blush* it's very nice of you to say such things about me, I'm smiling like an idiot here! Lol, and Syaoran has finally come, too long, ne? And your English is really good! I mean, you've only been studying the language for two years, very impressive! And I'm really glad you liked the chapter, and don't you dare call yourself dumb, because you're not! *hugs you again* thanks for the support and nice words.  And also for the questions, since it may be something I slipped and should check on it, and it also tells me you read the chapter! Thank you for everything!! Lol, onto the story now^^;;

Sang H- it's funny that you're the second person to voice a dislike in Syaoran having an accent, which he won't be having in this story, quiet the opposite actually…you'll see what I mean^^;; and I never thought Eriol as Hagrid! *laughs* I cannot imagine Eriol with a beard…LOL…thanks for the interesting review^_~

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*~*Thief of My Heart*~*

***Chapter four-Meeting the Crew***

Sakura's breathe hitched with the hairs on her neck up.  She couldn't think of anything, her mind stopped and she looked out in space.  Her arms went limp and the man had the thought that the boy could be dead. The heavy hand tightened its hold on her shoulder, and with a growl, the man grabbed Sakura around the waist and rammed her body to his.  Sakura gasped at the contact, and the man seemed to gasp as well, but for others reasons, though.

"So I was right, ye ain't a man, ne? " the man turned her quickly and his eyes widened at his discovery.  Sakura feared what the man meant by the husky whisper and the slip of the hand to her waist, "I've been with a woman far too long to ignore their…scent."

Sakura's eyes shone fear and there wasn't a thing she could do.  She opened her mouth to scream but the man placed his dirty hands on her soft mouth to cover it.  Sakura cursed mentally for being so thick to forget her hat and leave her hair loose.

"Now, now, missy.  Ye wouldn' want no attention, ne?  After all, we are pirates," the man smiled wickedly at Sakura and she suppressed a grimace when she noticed the sharp smell from his breath faming over her face and the rotten teeth flashing at her.  The man's fingers stroked her skin roughly and Sakura felt highly uncomfortable and wanted nothing more but to be away from such a man.

The man was old; most of his hair was white and shone greasily from his ponytail and the large hat he wore.  There was a large scar to the side of his face, and the man's bottom lip had a small slit.  Dark brown eyes flamed with lust and hunger that for a split second Sakura thought he was a starving animal and she was his prey.

For some miracle, Sakura found her voice again, "W-what…are you going to do with me…?"

The man smiled a sinister smile that Sakura regretted the question, "Ye know, I had a long journey to get 'ere, and me was thinkin'…why can't a missy like ye entertain me?  After all, it has been a mighty long time since I've had the pleasure with a woman," the man's hand had suddenly slipped under Sakura's loose shirt and caressed the sensitive skin that caused Sakura to yelp at the action.

Everything happened so fast that Sakura had no idea how it happened.  The second she opened her mouth to scream, the man's lips crashed to hers, and Sakura chocked back the fall of her tears that her first kiss was wasted to a horny old man.  The man's hands started to wander her body and Sakura's hands pounded on the man's surprisingly muscular back and tried to rid his lips from hers.

Do something! Her mind screamed over and over again as Sakura restrained the man's disgusting tongue to enter her mouth.  DO ANYTHING!!  Something inside Sakura's brain flashed, and without a second thought Sakura rammed her knee upwards between the man's legs.  The man gasped as his eyes widened at the sudden pain in his groan.  The hold loosened, and Sakura moved out of his possessive grip.  Sakura panted hard as she saw the man bend over in pain as he cradled his royal jewel.

"Well," said a voice behind Sakura, and her heart stopped with the intake of her breath.  Another one!  Sakura turned to the sound of the voice and she almost trembled at the sight of another pirate as he scratched his head with a surprised look.

"I think you took care of 'em," the pirate said in shock.  Suddenly, his eyes hardened and he moved quickly to the man bent on the floor moaning.  The young man kicked the man on the floor at the rib, causing the man to moan louder and shut his eyes at the sudden ache, "Wha' did I tell ye?? Ye sinful man!  Yer not te touch a captured maiden! Tis' the captain's orders, de ye dare go against it?  Ye have to follow 'em!" the man's knee kicked the older man again and whispered in a low growl, "Ye disgust me te no end."

"I-I'am...sorry…please…forgive me," coughed the old man pathetically on the floor with his hands massaging the bruises.

The young man snarled and seemed to glare at the man on the floor.

Sakura tensed at the scene and didn't know which one to trust anymore.  Even though the younger male seemed to be defending her, he could well be trying to have a go with her too…Sakura's breath was labored and she began to scramble away from both men.  This seemed to call the young man's attention, because he turned his head towards Sakura's and his eyes widened.

"Ye! Don' move, do ye 'ere me?" The man walked to her and Sakura's eyes never left his shadowed face. 

"Stay...a-away…" whispered Sakura with fright.

The man's steps halted, "Yer scared of me, ne?  I won' do any harm te ye, 'k?"

Sakura could have laughed at the question.  Of course, I've almost lost my honor and could be very well killed by your type and you ask me if I'm scared of you!?  Instead, Sakura nodded her head slowly to not provoke the man.

The man laughed at Sakura and she almost had the urge to snap at him, pirate or not, "I don' blame ye, these idiots can be out of order once they take the liquor too far, if ye get wha' I'm sayin'," there was a soft smile at the man's face and Sakura had a haunting feeling he knew what it felt like for her…even though she didn't understand why she could think of such a thing, he's a man!!

The man started to move towards Sakura, and she would scoot backwards.  The mans sighed loudly and looked at Sakura's direction, or she thought he was, the blasted hat that was covering his face hid his expression to Sakura, "Will ye stop movin'? I won' hurt ye, ye know? Otherwise I would have gone on top of ye a long time ago.  Besides," said the man with a soft laugh, "yer definitely not my type."

For some crazy reason, Sakura was slightly offended that the man would confess she was not pretty enough to attract, and dare insult her! Honestly! He was just as bad as the rest!  Sakura grabbed the old man's hat and placed it at her head, which she had taken when it had fallen from his head after his attack, and gulped when the man crouched down in front of her and for Sakura's annoyance the man's face was still shadowed.

"Look," the man breathed irritably, "we won' do anything te ye, got it?  Just come with me and tis' all right."

Sakura shook her head with the haunting vision of him dragging her to a dark room and…Sakura's closed her eyes and didn't want to think the rest.

"Don' make me do something I don' want to..." groaned the man.

"I'll…I'll scream if you dare come close!" Sakura pointed her index finger to the man's face.

The man laughed at Sakura's serious face and her hollow threat, "Ye really think that's supposed te impress me?"  He said with a smirk.

Sakura opened her mouth and before she knew it, the man scooped her out of the ground and threw her over his shoulder like a shack of flower.  All her breathe to scream gushed out of her with her hand clutching her hat to convey her gender.  Sakura growled at her stupidity to be tricked by a pirate and started pounding on the man's back, "Let me go, you horrible man!"

The man only laughed and continued on, "Yer quiet the feisty one, ne?"

Sakura's eyes hardened and she began to kick and pound on the man, "Leave me alone!!"

The man sighed irritably, "Will ye stop that?  Tis' very childish of ye to act this way, yer a woman!"  Sakura stopped her pounding for a second, but continued again with a new kind of anger.

"Ye, tis' Li!" cried a man not so far away and Sakura tensed at her realization that she has been taken to the crowd of lustful pirates and she couldn't possibly hide now since they have seen her, not to mention they knew would soon all find out who she truly was.  Sakura began to pound harder and she didn't care anymore, the man deserved it.  It seemed the feeling was not mutal, for the man growled angrily and shifted Sakura on his back that almost caused Sakura to slip from his grasp.

Sakura screamed when the man suddenly thrust her to the ground.  Sakura looked up at him with hard eyes as she massaged her sore rear.  The man smirked, showing his white teeth, "Sorry, but ye asked for it."

Sakura scolded the man and clutched her coat closer to her body.

"William!" cried a relived voice from behind her.

Sakura's heartbeat increased when she recognized the voice of peculiar friend, "Eriol!" she said with the twist of her body to see Eriol tied at his hands and feet, crawling to Sakura's direction like a caterpillar.

"Are you alright?" asked Eriol once he was close enough to speak at a normal tone to Sakura.

"Fine," said Sakura and gasped when she saw a red stain at the side of his ribs, where Eriol clutched tightly to prevent more blood flowing, "What happened??"

"Tis' nothing," said Eriol as he clutched tighter when Sakura tried to look at it.

"Let me see," demanded Sakura worriedly.

"No, I'm really fine…oh!" wined Eriol when Sakura pressed her hand on top of his own.

"And this comes from the man who claimed was never scratched during a battle?" inquired Sakura a little irritated by his large ego.

Eriol laughed forcedly with a grimace on his lips, "Don' worry 'bout me, Will.  I'm fine, I'll make it."

"Sure you are," snorted Sakura, "And I'm the Qu—erm…King of England."

Eriol grunted.

"Yer really an idiot, aren' ye?" asked the pirate to Eriol, who swung his legs lazily as he sat on top of a barrel.

Eriol's eyes hardened, "What are ye sayin'?"

The pirate hopped from the barrel with a laugh as he strode towards Sakura, "Yer very thick te think tis' young lady was a boy." 

Eriol's face paled, "What?"

The pirate sighed exasperatedly at the man's stupidity and placed his hand on his forehead and muttered something like 'Idiot'.  The pirate stepped behind Sakura and grabbed the hat out of her head, causing her hair to flow behind her back.

Eriol's jaw slacked open, and his eyes bulged out.

The pirate looked smug at his expression.

Eriol only started at Sakura,  "That…would explain a lot…," Then he scooted closer, "Ye know, I thought ye were a lil' bend, ye know…with that thing with the huggin' and actin' like a girl at some points…but now I'm relieved I won' have te worry 'bout ye jumpin' on me or something like that."

Sakura blushed heavily at Eriol's confession that he thought she was gay!

The pirate sighed, "Yer worse than I expected.  Ye had no idea?"

Eriol's eyes snapped back to the pirate's form, and his eyes hardened, "How would I—how did you know?!"

"Because I'm a woman, you daft man!" cried the pirate as she pulled the hat out from her head and long silky black hair flew from the bun that was neatly tucked inside the hat.

Eriol stared at the smirking woman, "And that doesn't explain anything…"

The woman snapped her eyes hard at Eriol and glared at him with her red piercing eyes, "You insolent male! If you must know, many find me quiet attractive!"

Eriol's eyes blinked, and than he looked at the woman in horror, "And I lost to a woman??"

The woman smirked again, with glowing eyes as she placed her hand at her hip, "Men are weak creatures, and they are utterly pathetic.  They loose themselves whenever at the presence of a woman, and can' live without one to warm their beds!  It disgusts me te think ye, or all men, claim to be smarter, and stronger than women!"

Eriol blushed in shame with his teeth grinding, "How dare you accuse me of these things!"

"Ah, ah, ah! Don' ye think 'bout takin' that tone with me, mister," grinned the woman with a singing voice, "As far as I know, yer under my rule."

Eriol grunted with his arms crossed over his chest and grumbled under his breath.

"What was that?" mocked the woman with clear pleasure at torturing Eriol.

"Nothing," growled Eriol.

"Good," smiled the woman with the flick of her hand to wisp her hair back.  The woman faced Sakura again, and flashed her a bright smile, "Sorry 'bout that, didn' mean te scare ye," winked the woman.

Sakura blushed and looked at her hands, "I thought…"

The woman laughed, "Darlin', I know what ye were thinkin'.  It was written across yer face!  Don' worry, tis' all right."

Sakura looked up relieved, and smiled back reluctantly, "I had no idea there were female pirates."

The woman looked bewildered at Sakura, "No female pirates?? Have you gone mad?? Of course there are!  We are great terrors of the sea, frightenin' males across the land we come to.  We fight with incredible strength," the woman moved as if she was fighting with her sword and exaggerated her moves, "The knowledge beyond anyone else," the woman looked as if she was reading a book with elegance, "And of course, no one can resist our charm," winked the woman at Sakura knowingly that made her flush.

"Meiling, you're scaring the poor maiden with your rubbish talk," said an annoyed voice.

The woman, who Sakura discovered was named Meiling, turned to the voice with a pout, "Ah! Syaoran, yer no fun! You'll get wrinkles before you get white hair with that glare yer givin' me!" Said Meiling in a sweet voice.

A young man, not so far away looked at Meiling with a hard glare with his brown eyes.  Sakura looked at him in curiosity.  He wore tight beige pants that made Sakura blush lightly as she noticed his well-built legs with muscles with           a white shirt that had a large cut that showed Sakura a nice chest.  There was a bulky belt strapped around his waist, hanging down on one side where his gleaming sword shone with the sun hitting on it.  A navy blue coat lay draped over his shoulders, with golden threads woven at the sleeves and golden buttons at the cuffs from the collar to the end of the coat. 

The man's face was square and cleanly shaved, unlike many pirates that Sakura had seen.  An earring at his right ear swung from side to side and Sakura noticed a small emerald stone was caged inside.  The man had thick lips set at a hard stance and a straight nose adored the man's face.  His eyes, piercing like the woman named Meiling, looked at the woman with annoyance through large copper brown bangs covering his view.  The man wore a ridiculously enormous hat, tiled sideways with a large fluffy white feather sticking out, hiding the rest of his hair.

Sakura blinked, not even realizing that she had been staring.  The man named Syaoran, who was now looking at her with that same look on his face, was staring right back at her.  Sakura quickly snapped her eyes to the floor, blushing despite herself.

"And stop speaking with that ridiculous accent, you know how much I hate it," sneered Syaoran with distaste in his tone.

"And that's why I love this accent so much, my dear cousin!" laughed Meiling with mischievous eyes twinkling at Syaoran who grunted in reply.

Syaoran ignored Meiling and focused once again to Sakura, who regretted the attention immediately. Syaoran paced slowly towards her, with every click of his boots, Sakura's heart thumped louder inside her head.  Suddenly, Syaoran stopped, and caste a sideways glance at Meiling, "Who is she?"

Meiling gave a sheepish smile, "I didn't ask her yet, cousin."

Syaoran once again grunted, and turned around again to Sakura with an icy tone, "Who are you?"

Sakura shook with fright and it seemed as if Syaoran would engulf her with his eyes, giving her no way of escape.

"Who are you?" asked Syaoran again impatiently, and kneeled before Sakura that made her gasp as wild amber eyes stared straight at her emerald ones.

"Sa…sa…" Sakura mumbled helplessly with her hands trembling and couldn't look at Syaoran anymore, but couldn't avoid his eyes.

Suddenly, Syaoran gripped her arms in a tight hold and spat angrily, "Answer me!"

Sakura held back her breath, and shut her eyes closed with her lips pressed to a thin line.  She opened her eyes again, and looked with unfocused eyes at Syaoran, who seemed a blurry round head with two eyes.  Sakura shut her eyes again with the dizzy feeling and light headed.  If it weren't for Syaoran gripping her, she would have most likely fallen.  The sounds around her seemed to have gone away, and only the beating of her heart seemed to be proof she had not gone deaf.  Sakura looked at Syaoran again, and saw his angry eyes looking at her as if she was his prey, and than, everything turned to black.

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Slowly, two emerald eyes opened with a blank mind.  Sakura looked at the wooden ceiling in front of her, and wondered how she gotten herself under a cosy blanket and a soft pillow.  Sakura had no idea where she was, or if it was spring or winter, and for a second her name was even unknown to her.  Sakura groaned as she felt the painful throb on her forehead, and placed her hand over it, tempting to make the pain go away.

"So yer finally awake," said a calm voice beside Sakura.

Sakura jumped when she noticed there was someone else in the room, and grabbed the blankets closer to her.  Sakura snapped her eyes to the intruder, and found herself looking into violet eyes curiously staring back.  Before her, stood a young pirate, Sakura presumed, and wore the same outfit as all pirates did.  The typical heavy boots, the large shirt with a vest loosely hugging their figure with the tight pants, the bulging belt that gleamed in the light, and of course, the outrageous hat which made Sakura wonder why they wore it in the first place.  The pirate was sitting casually with his arms crossed at the chest on a chair beside Sakura, which made Sakura wonder why she hadn't noticed him before since he was so close.

Than all of a sudden, everything came back to her.  The pirates invading the ship, her meeting with the cocky sailor Eriol, her not so good encounter with the first pirate—Sakura shivered at this—the pirate that turned out to be a female, and the cold pirate that demanded her name.  Sakura blinked her eyes at the pirate in front of her, and than it dawned to her that she wasn't wearing her male outfit, not at all.  She was wearing a very thin layer of a cotton nightgown, which had a long V cut that made Sakura blush at the thought of people actually wearing such a thing.  Sakura's eyes enlarged at the realisation, "You disgraceful man! How dare you change a lady!!" Sakura screamed as she tugged the covers to her face, and throwing a pillow to the pirate's direction.

The pirate ducked the hurling pillow with ease, and only laughed at Sakura's fuming face, "Meiling warned me that yer quiet a temper."

"Temper? Temper??" Sakura shrieked at the pirate in bewilderment, "Undressing a lady is quiet a good reason for my reaction!"  Sakura grabbed the next pillow to throw, but found none, which made her scream angrily.

The pirate suppressed his laugh with a grin, and with sparkly eyes, he said, "Does it comfort you that I'm no man?"

Sakura stopped berating for a second to ponder on the matter, and with flaming cheeks she asked, "You-you're not?"

The pirate flashed Sakura a wide grin, and with mock humor she took out her hat and bowed down with her hat in front of her waist, as midnight black hair with a gleam of purple tumbled forward, "Tomoyo at yer service."

Sakura looked at the new girl with her eyes wide and her mouth agape.  Than, she shut her mouth angrily and said annoyed, "Well, you could have made yourself known to be a woman."

Tomoyo laughed, "And where ye so kind te give me time?"

Sakura kept silent at this, but than continued, "Why in heaven's name must you and that other woman wear clothing of men…and sound like men?"

Tomoyo sighed loudly and shook her head, "Ye better ask Meiling, she'll answer better than me, 'cause she's the one that came with the idea, really."

Sakura nodded in understanding and averted her eyes to the room around her.  There was a window next to her, and she must either have slept very little, or too much, for the sun was high in the air shinning its brilliant rays into the room.  Sakura cleared her throat to call the attention of the pirate, "Dare me ask, how long have I been asleep?"

Tomoyo laughed again with her soothing voice, such a sound was bound to be music in Sakura's opinion, "Ye were quiet the sleeper, if ye ask me.  Ye were out from yesterday morning, ye know, when Meiling brought ye and such, till now. It must be around the time for lunch, if I'm not mistaken.  Don' worry, I'm sure ye have been through quiet an adventure, lady."

Sakura sighed loudly, "Please, I hate that title, just call me Sakura.  Please forgive me, but earlier I was quiet…occupied with other matters, and I don't recall your name?"

Tomoyo waved the matter off with her hand and grinned, "'Tis all right, Sakura.  I would have done the same thing if I were ye, poor thing," cooed Tomoyo as she paused to pat Sakura's head, "me name is Tomoyo, and 'tis a pleasure to meet ye."

"Likewise," nodded Sakura.

"Yer sure?" laughed Tomoyo as their first encounter sipped through Sakura's head.

Sakura blushed and grinned, "The later encounter is what I was referring to."

"Umm," smiled Tomoyo as she crossed her arms over her chest, which was now visible even with the loose shirt as Sakura was more observant.

"Excuse me for my rudeness, but how many of you are female?" asked Sakura curiously.

Tomoyo snapped her eyes at Sakura and looked blank for a moment, but than answered with a wide grin, "'Tis only me and that lunatic called Meiling."

"Who are you calling a lunatic, Idiot?" asked a booming voice from behind Tomoyo.

Tomoyo whirled around in her chair and was met with playful eyes glaring at hers.  Tomoyo pouted with her bottom lip sticking out, "You called me an idiot? How could you, Meiling?  And I thought we were friends!"

"Ah, you'll get over it, don't worry," winked Meiling as she patted Tomoyo's head in the same manner Tomoyo had done to Sakura.

"Hey!  Yer not using yer accent!" gasped Tomoyo as if the matter was of life and death.

Meiling grunted at this, "It's all Syaoran's fault.  The bloody fool won't let me use my accent along with better usage of words—can you believe that? —and much less curse, but you dare not say I did!"

Tomoyo snickered at this, "I'll bet he'll make ye dress like a girly too!"

Meiling groaned, "Please, I hope Syaoran isn't that evil.  But I swear, sometimes it's as if I never left home!"

Sakura blinked confusedly at the two women laughing at each other, not knowing what to say.  She began to fidget her fingers with the blanket, completely uncertain in what to do.

As if on cue, the crazy woman called Meiling faced Sakura and flashed her a wide grin, "So, sleeping Beauty is finally awake, aren't you, love?"

Sakura opened her mouth but was interrupted by Meiling, "Of course you are.  Now, it's a bright day, with a glorious sun outside and might I remind you it's well past time for a young lady like yourself to be all tucked in at this time?" said Meiling in such a tone that reminded Sakura of a mother scolding her child.

"Meiling," said Tomoyo as the light of reason, "let the poor girl breath.  She's been through enough, and God knows what happened to her these past days.  A lil' sleep won' hurt anyone."

"I agree, but when you have an annoying lad for a cousin who constantly asks if she is awake, you would agree too," sighed Meiling.

Tomoyo nodded in agreement and for a pause, there was silence, and Sakura could have sworn she heard a flap of a wing.

Suddenly, Sakura noticed the slight weight on her shoulder, and when she turned her head to the pressure, her eyes widened, "Ah!" two black round eyes stared back at her curiously, "Get him off!"

The two women focused on Sakura once more, and as they noticed what was disturbing her, Meiling smiled pleasantly and walked towards Sakura, "Oh! You've found my dear Joey!"

Sakura squeaked and shook her shoulders to fend the creature away from her shoulder, "Get him off, I say!"

Meiling laughed as she made a whistling sound, and not so long after, Sakura felt the relief wash over her as whatever was on her shoulder flew to Meiling.  Sakura's eyes widened in realization as she recognized the creature, "A parrot?"

Meiling nodded as she cooed the creature now sitting on her own shoulder, "I don't know why you were scared of such an adorable creature as Joey, here.  He wouldn't hurt a fly for the life of him!  Much less a pretty girl like you," winked Meiling, "but everyone has their own fears.  Like Tomoyo here, she's still afraid of the dark, can you believe that?"

"Hey!" protested Tomoyo, "I only fear it on some occasions, mind you."

"Sure you do, that's when there's a candle inside your room," said Meiling with a smirk.

Tomoyo grumbled under her breathe and crossed her arms over her chest.

Sakura bit her lip to keep the comment she was still afraid of ghosts, something she was never able to overcome.  And it especially didn't work with the help of her dear brother Touya.  Blast him, thought Sakura with a scold as she recalled the time he ventured inside her room with a blanket over himself and made haunting noises when she was only four.

"So," said Meiling as she turned back to Sakura, "how are you feeling, um…what is you're name, love?"

Before Sakura could answer, the parrot, Joey, said in a loud voice, "Joey wants a biscuit, arrgh!"

Meiling laughed at this and took something out from one of her many pockets, "Sorry, love, I must have forgotten to feed this lot," she said as she placed a biscuit in front of the furry little thing with a short yellow beak that soon was munching on the biscuits with its beady little eyes focused on Sakura.  The bird bobbed his head as he swallowed the rest of the biscuit, and flapped his wings with his beak wide open in protest for more food.  Meiling laughed, "Oh, you cheeky little fellow," soon the parrot was gobbling the rest of his second biscuit and than made an ear piercing approval of his lunch before flying to Sakura's shoulder.

"He likes you," laughed Meiling as Sakura looked annoyed at the bird who was trying to tug at her hair.

"Yes, but he must learn to keep his beak to himself," scoffed Sakura as she moved her hair from Joey before he could snatch it with his greedy beak.

"Sorry, forgot to tell you, Joey is completely fascinated with hair.  He was chasing after Tomoyo for the first week, but once she started wearing a hat, he started to ignore her," explained Meiling with a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "I was quiet certain there were going to be wedding bells for those two."

"Oh, do shut up," said Tomoyo playfully, "it's been bad enough with the heartache he has caused me.  You mustn't reawaken it once more," finished Tomoyo dramatically.

"I agree," nodded Meiling and added teasingly to Sakura, "he's got his eyes on you now."

Joey paused on his attempt to pluck a few strands of Sakura's hair, and turned to Meiling and made an approving cackle with the bob of his head.  All three girls laughed at this, "But really," continued Meiling as she addressed to Sakura, "you have lovely hair, love.  No wonder Joey here is dying to snatch some for himself."

Sakura blushed at the compliment, "Thank you."

Meiling grinned and whistled, causing Joey to flap his wings and land on Meiling's shoulder once more.

"Meiling," a low voice rang from behind Meiling, causing everyone to notice a composed Syaoran standing at the doorway.

"Honestly," sighed Tomoyo exasperatedly, "everyone is just sneaking up on people today!"

Syaoran glanced menacingly at Tomoyo for a moment, but continued, "Tomoyo, you're needed at the deck for matters with the crew."

Tomoyo nodded her head and flashed everyone a smile before leaving.

After Tomoyo made her exit, Syaoran walked into the room and straight to Meiling, and tugged on her arm to follow him out, "follow me."

Syaoran dragged Meiling outside the room, and she crossed her arms with a scowl on her face.

"Now," said Meiling to Syaoran with seeping sarcasm, "what brings you to this part of the ship, oh mighty and powerful Syaoran of the seven seas?"

Syaoran glared openly at Meiling, "Stop acting like a fool and be serious for once.  And if you're still sore with me for prohibiting you to use that nerve racking dialogue as you refer to the English language, it was for your own good."

Meiling sighed deeply, "You sound just like my mother."

Syaoran grunted under his breath as his brows were set in a frown, "Did you talk to her?"

Meiling blinked, "Who?"

Syaoran sighed loudly, "The girl, you idiot."

"Oh," Meiling blushed, "I didn't have time—"

Syaoran sighed once again and placed his hand in front of his face, "Can't you ever follow my orders correctly?"

"Not if you don't reward me," winked Meiling, which caused Syaoran to glare once more.

"Have you at least acknowledged her name?" asked Syaoran irritated.

"Uh…" Meiling paused for a moment, "I was almost there if it wasn't for Joey, here," Meiling shot a glare to her blue bird set on her shoulder who blinked confusedly back, but than Meiling softened her face, "nah, I can't be mad at you love, only at this awful prat."

Syaoran grunted, "I think I'll do it myself."  And with that, the brash young man waltzed inside the room causing Sakura to blush furiously at the sight of him and remembered her state of dress, or undress, which caused her to squeak at the penetrating glare he sent her and automatically pulled the sheets around her neck.

Syaoran stood with his glare fixed on Sakura and said in a low voice, "Tell me your name."

Sakura once again was trapped with his gaze, and was completely vulnerable and speechless, obviously causing Syaoran to be more irritated than before.

Luckily for Sakura's sake, Meiling came to her rescue.

 "Ah, get out of here, Syaoran! Let me talk to her.  You're frightening the poor girl!  No wonder, really, even Black Beard quivered at the look you gave him," said Meiling as she shoved Syaoran away with the push of her hands.

Syaoran grunted, but did not leave Meiling's side as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Now," said Meiling in a sweet voice to Sakura after she had glared menacingly at Syaoran, "What's your name, love?"

Sakura relaxed a little, and gave a small smile, "My name…is Sakura."  Finished Sakura uncertainly as she glanced at Syaoran quickly.

Meiling looked pleased with her effort, "Sakura?" the girl in front of her nodded, "that's a lovely name."

Syaoran grumbled under his breath.

"What was that, Syaoran dear?" mocked Meiling.

Syaoran responded with his usual grunt and strolled angrily away.

"Really," said Meiling as she turned back to Sakura with a laugh, "as if I can translate those grunts of his.  No wonder he is still single."

Sakura maintained silent with her hands on her lap, looking at them as she played with the hem of her sheet.

"You okay?" asked Meiling with some concern as she noticed Sakura's quietness.

Hearing a voice being addressed to her, Sakura snapped back to the raven haired woman with the cheeky bird peering at her.  Sakura swallowed and contained herself from retorting, "Yes."  Of course, after the chaos I've been through and I'm feeling fine with this?

Meiling peered quizzically at Sakura for a moment, "Do you have something to ask me?"

"Oh," said Sakura as she remembered her previous unanswered question, "actually, I do.  I asked Tomoyo earlier, but she told me it would better suit you than her to answer it."

"Well, go on," encouraged Meiling as her whole devoted attention was fixed on the shy girl with emerald eyes.

"Well," Sakura flushed under her scrutiny, "why do women like you and Tomoyo dress like men and act like them, too?"

Meiling blinked at the unexpected question, but than turned serious and looked sceptically at Sakura for a moment, but than answered, "If you didn't know, men aren't too fond of women working among them, especially pirates.  A woman is in danger among such men, as you must have found out," Sakura swallowed hard at this, "and they don't respect or treat us like we deserve, bloody bastards!  I will never understand such creatures!" Meiling sighed loudly with her hand running over her hair.

Sakura nodded, "So you've always been a pirate?"

Meiling laughed at this, "Me? I only wish," she snorted and peered at Sakura, "You're quiet the curious one, aren't you?"


Sakura blushed and stuttered, "I-I apologies for my rudeness if I've asked something that is improper."

"Proper improper, stop using such confusing words with me, there's only so much a girl can take," sighed Meiling, exasperatedly, "you're just like Syaoran."

Sakura looked shocked at this revelation, and Meiling soon continued, "To tell you the truth, I was in a high class family.  But I simply hated the aristocratic life, don't you?  Mother drove me crazy with her bickering of the proper manner of a lady and politeness and things that I simply and wholly hated.  Those awful dresses that were hard to breath, and make-up, it was bound to drive my insane!  I just wanted to be free and live my life as I pleased, and especially no bloody assigned marriages.  Syaoran was also filthy rich, mind you.  We're cousins, and we grew up together," Meiling paused for a moment, and looked at the window with a far away look, "we are like brother and sister, you know?"

Sakura wasn't so sure if the question was supposed to be answered, but she nodded her head never the less, "Yes."

Suddenly, there was a voice calling Meiling and she looked at Sakura and flashed her a smile, "Well, it seems like duty calls, love.  It was nice chatting with you, and welcome aboard!  You've just made yourself a new member of the crew," Meiling winked at Sakura and trotted out the door, leaving Sakura to think how odd pirates really were.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Well, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter just as much as I had fun writing!  I like Meiling, and I think she deserves to be a good person than from many stories that have her as a bitch^___~ After all, wasn't it Meiling that backed off once Syaoran confessed he loved someone more than her? And wasn't Meiling helping Tomoyo to Sakura confess her love for Syaoran?  She's just overprotective at times, but she rocks^__^ anyway, thanks for sticking to the stories and all your fabulous reviews, they mean so much to me!  *very good source to bash some sense and start writing the next chapter^_~*   And Syaoran has come into the story, which we are all thrilled n_n;; and we also see a little about Meiling and Syaoran's past….and why was Syaoran so curious about Sakura's name…? Umm, some cliffy I've left for you to wait^^;; anyway, leave your thoughts and questions at your reviews, I'll be waiting to read them!

hitomi-chan^-^

7/04/04