AN: Okay, here it is. Chapter Three. It's about time, huh? Sorry for the wait. I'm trying to get the details figured out a bit more as I go, and it's taking a bit of time. Also, I know that the plot is going slowly… glances at the three existing chapters …VERY slowly. But it'll get better once I know exactly where this is going. Until then, enjoy!

Lady Hikari Yagami curtsied to the man before her, her eyes fixed on his face. She had expected to meet with a man equally as rough looking as his crew, and she was rather shocked to see the young captain clean-shaved, well dressed, and otherwise well groomed. His jacket looked as though it could have been n better condition, but that was only to be expected. It was certainly much cleaner than the captain she had set sail under had kept his. His expression was also significantly more pleasant, though still slightly troubled.

"I should like to thank you, sir," she stated softly, coming up from her bow, "for allowing us to come aboard. Doubtless, it is a cumbersome responsibility, and we shall do our utmost to ensure that we do not become too heavy a burden to you an your crew."

The captain stared at her for a bit, before a slight grin touched his lips and he shook his head. "You'll be no trouble at all, lady. As it is, we would have been forced to return to port soon to restock. I am sure you will find a ship more suited to your status there that can take you to your destination. Until then, lady, I fear I must ask you to make do with what little we have to offer you."

Lady Hikari smiled and swept into a second curtsy. Behind her, she was aware of her companions and escorts also bowing to the young man. Undoubtedly, they were only acting on an instinct to follow her lead. Previously, they had likely been gazing in utter horror at the ship. She herself had only restrained form doing so herself when the captain emerged form his quarters and met them on deck. The vessel was diminutive when compared to anything else any of them had ever boarded, and far less grand. It had probably not been looked after in quite some time. Still, they had a better chance at surviving an ocean voyage on this ship than on the large one they had been rescued from.

"We are most grateful."

Koushiro Izumi attempted a smile tat the man settling in beside him. The captain had, as he had told Mr. Hawkins, moved the women into his quarters and their male companions into the crew's quarters below. He would also be joining them, although he had not yet come down. Koushiro honestly doubted he would actually come down any time. After gaining only four extra bodies, the place already seemed overcrowded. There would be little room for the captain to stake out as his own, and none of the crew had bothered to do so for him. They cared for him well enough, but they had been more concerned with figuring out their new companions.

The man grinned back and tried to ease himself onto the hammock that would serve as his bed until they reached a port. His efforts were in vain, and the rope web flipped him over, dumping him on the floor in an ungraceful heap.

Koushiro chuckled. "Having a little trouble, aren't you?" Reaching over, he hauled the little blonde to his feet, laughing again at his clumsiness. Obviously, the man had not yet accustomed himself to the ship's rolling.

"We had proper beds on the Hyougo," the blonde stated simply as he dusted off his trousers. He was still in shock at the amount of dust that had managed to accumulate in a room that was always occupied by at least a few people. Glancing up at the individual who had helped him to stand again, he was reminded that the people who occupied the room were not the cleanest in the world either. The redhead was clad in what looked like rags. His pants and shirt were almost the same shade of brownish-gray, and his boots were on the edge of falling apart. His hair had likely not been touched with a comb in at least a month, and even his skin was dirty.

The man looked like a street urchin, and the blonde had to suppress a shudder at how he would probably look by the time the ship came to port. Instead, forcing away his repulsion, he extended a hand towards the dirty being with whom he would be forced to live for the next few weeks.

"I am Willis Jackson. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Mr. Jackson. My name is Koushiro Izumi," the redhead replied, shaking his hand with a rather firm grip before turning to his own hammock and climbing in without any effort at tall. Pulling an equally filthy looking blanket up to his chest, he drifted to sleep.

Mr. Jackson stared at the sleeping man for a moment. He thought back to what the ship's captain had said when accepting the group on board. It certainly was the truth, there was little being offered and they would have to learn to manage. Turning away in disgust, he glanced about the rest of the crew's quarters, unconsciously noting that there did not seem to be enough hammocks to suit the amount of crewmembers, much less four extra men and the captain. He was not aware of the brunette descending the ladder behind him.

"Am I correct in assuming that you are unfamiliar whit such a sleeping arrangement?" Mr. Hawkins asked, stepping beside the young escort. He had seen the man's expression as he looked at Koushiro, and it angered him. However, he refused to act upon his emotions. It was nothing new for him to see upper class individuals looking down on their hard working counterparts, and he had long ago taught himself to work around his fury. Caught on the same ship with seven wealthy persons, he would have no choice but to ignore their cold-heartedness.

Mr. Jackson nodded shortly, not sparing the first mate a glance. "I think perhaps remaining on the Hyougo despite its lack of a crew would have been preferable," he mused aloud. Shrugging his shoulders lightly, he spun on is heel and headed towards the ladder, intent on avoiding the crew's quarters -- as well as the crew -- for as long as possible.

AN: There's chapter three. I told you I'd do it, so there! I hope you enjoyed it, despite how short it seemed this time. Sorry. Please review and tell me what you thought. If you have any suggestions, or requests, you could put it in a review or -- for those of you who like privacy -- you can e-mail me. I'd be grateful for any ideas, even if I don't get to use them in this exact fic.

Does Willis have a Japanese name dub? And does he have last name? I don't remember, it's been a while since I saw the movie. If you know, can you tell me so I can change it? Arigato. Oh, and I'm sorry if I offended any Willis fans by making his character the way I did, but I wanted a snob in there somewhere.