Disclaimer: This belongs solely to green tea with 4 scoops of sugar,
Michelle Branch tunes, and a late oven repairman. Oh, you mean the official
one? Chapter one, mates.
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Chapter 6: The Good and the Bad Side of Luck
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Grabbing her sword, Ana dashed out into the cool night air amidst the surrounding chaos. Her first realization was that the village was burning. Frightened cries and the angry snapping of flames pierced the night air. Ana rushed into the center of the village, her foggy brain recognizing Nyako and Jimoh directing other villagers up to the western hill. Ana sprinted up to the several huts still closed up, flinging each one's entrance open and screaming a warning to rouse them. Mothers with screaming children and men holding weapons with no one to fight swarmed around her.
Ana caught a loud unnatural cackle float through the air and her eyes locked on a figure in a hideous mask. The figure was dressed in long animal hide robes and the mask housed a gaping mouth, bristles of animal hair sticking up all around, and cat-like slit abysmal eyes. Its gender was indistinguishable.
Ana's eyes narrowed and she rushed at the creature, blade posed in front of her. This must be her voodoo witch. Suddenly the witch began to retreat rapidly, and Ana chased it amongst the throngs of people into an abandoned portion of the village. The smoke which engulfed her was blinding so that the huts set ablaze were mere torches of hell.
Coughing, she fumbled her way through the smoke and debris, catching a flash of movement to her right. She turned just in time to glimpse the sorceress dart into a hut, no fire appearing to have attacked it yet. Ana bared her teeth and charged in after it, kicking the heavy wooden door open. She skidded to a halt when she reached the interior, spinning around to search for her prey. Only one high most likely unreachable window and no other rooms...The screech of a cackle pierced her ears and the door swung shut and stuck with a loud bang.
Dropping the sword with a thud, Ana pushed at the door frantically as they pungent smell of fresh smoke filled her nostrils. She craned her neck to see flames skating across the log-supported thatch. Her face twisted with horror, legs kicked viciously at the door.
With a loud crack, a wooden beam crashed down over her head. Ana darted out of the way, flinging herself against the door. She felt one end of the log slab into her right sword hand, trapping her fingers. As this happened she screamed as a sharp searing pain accompanied an unnatural wrenching.
Panting, Ana successfully shoved the blistering wood off of her fingers with her other shoulder. She barely realized the throbbing pain and recognized blearily that several fingers were bent at an aberrant angle at the tips.
She began to yell as the flames built higher and her voice grew hoarse as she drown in the smoke. What a funny way to die for a pirate, on land.
Ironic.
Ana threw all her weight against the door then slumped to a crouching position against it, wishing death to be kind to her. Another small section of thatch settled to the dirt floor, spraying sparks.
Ironic for Jack and his crew as well, she thought wryly, to come all this way to have her dead. And Jack...
Thought the dense for and roar of fire overhead Ana heard a loud crash and squeezed her burning eyes closed, thinking this was the end. Strong fingers gripped her arm and yanked her forcefully from her position, sending her sprawling into the blessedly cool night air.
She landed on something surprisingly soft and coughed several times to clear her lungs. She opened her eyes to find warm coffee ones glaring up at her. A lean filthy finger wagged in her face. "Serves ye right for runnin' into a burnin' building after some frightful creature, missy," Jack Sparrow panted.
Ana rolled off him, scrambling to her feet, "The witch!" she exclaimed, quickly surveying the area. She offered Jack her hand, hauling him to his feet. Filled with new determination, Ana's tired limbs sprinted after the masked creature currently approaching the edge of the dense, dry forest.
"Ana!" Jack hollered after her, watching her go, "Ana, 'aven't we had enough o'the runnin' bit?" Jack heaved a frustrated sigh before muttering curses under his breath, taking off after her and her prey.
After a while, Ana slowed to a jog, picking her way through the thick threes and brush. This was her purpose and she could fulfill it tonight. Hell, she would end it tonight. The bloodshed stops here, she vowed silently. She heard the crash of footsteps behind her and didn't need to turn to know it was Jack Sparrow. Ana halted, doubling over in attempts to catch her breath; finally she raised her head and scanned the dark area.
"There!" she cried, catching a glimpse of color to her right as a piece of fabric disappeared between the trees. The pair, as best they could, sprinted after it. Reaching the spot, Ana looked around and could see nothing, but she was undeterred. "That way," she commanded breathlessly, jogging to her right.
Jack followed her silently. In the moonlight he could barely distinguish his bath or Ana herself among the trees, much less the masked creature. Much more, he glanced around worriedly and hesitated, wondering suddenly if they would be able to make their way back to the village. His heart sank at the realization.
Ana stopped suddenly, her hand on her hips as she attempted to ease the burning cramp plaguing her. Her eyes darted around the surroundings, begging the powers for some pitying flash of movement or quick glimpse of their bounty. Her prayers were unheard.
As second lapsed into minutes, Ana heard Jack shift behind her and take a step forward as a twig snapped. "Ana," Jack said finally, "We won't find it, not tonight."
"We will!" she snarled, rounding on him and angrily closing the distance between them. "This way," she proposed quickly, motioning to her left.
"Listen to yerself," Jack growled, grabbing her forearms, "Ye don't even know how t'get back, do ye? I can barely see ye meself and I doubt ye have much better eyes."
"No!" Ana spat, tugging against him frantically, "I have to go, it's getting away! I have to stop it!"
"Ye listen to me, missy," Jack growled in a very low and even dangerous voice, "Around 'ere, people may hafta obey ye, but not me. As yer captain, I say we're stoppin' here, savvy?"
Her eyes flashed angrily as she dumbly watched him feel his way through the inkiness and begin to collect twigs and sticks. "Jack!" she said obstinately, "Ye may be the captain, but I ain't part of yer crew. Here, I'm in charge. Me! Now I say—"
Jack dropped the armful of wood with a loud clacking noise and stared evenly at her. "Take one bloody moment an' listen to yerself, Miss High an' Mighty Anamaria Santagio! Ye be blind, blind t'see what's goin' on. So smothered by this need to prove yerself that ye don't see what's around ye. Yer people, they don't need no hero, they need a leader: someone approachable, not some sacred doll on a pedestal. 'Ave ye even asked anyone about ye father? 'Ave ye thought just once about the people carin' for ye, here and back in the Caribbean?"
Ana shook her head stubbornly even as he continued to speak, meticulously stacking the twigs and logs into a pyramid. "Ye know," he went on, eyes locked on his simple task, "I bet tonight ye never stopped t'see if yer aunt or yer pretty little friend or that missionary was a'right, now did ye? I never thought I'd associate the word selfish with ye, but—"
That was it. How dare he think that she—? Ana's patience snapped. Completely. She marched over to where Jack had straightened up, raising her uninjured hand, intent on demonstrating to Jack Sparrow the meaning of pain.
As she reached him, however, both of his hands shot out to grab her injured one and wrenched her twisted fingertips back into place with several audible pops.
The color drained from Ana's face and the searing knifing pain in even so little an area shocked her into stunned silence, no sound escaping her. Jack's wide dark eyes filled with an unreadable expression as a choked yelp escaped her as her teeth sank into her lower lip in an attempt for control, glittering eyes crashed closed.
"Damn ye," she finally hissed though clenched teeth. A hurt expression flitted across Jack's face before he was able to remove it. He very gently began to massage the painful area with his finger tips and she stifled a sudden sob as her face crumbled as her good hand shoved uselessly against his shoulder. "Damn ye, damn ye, Sparrow," she forced out, silent tears coursing down her cheeks.
His hands held her firmly in place and he felt her go limp, collapsing against his chest. Jack felt a river of relief begin to wave through him as he watched her careful, obligation-built façade crack with each falling tear. He watched her eyes snap open and replace Anamaria, his Anamaria into the body of this regal, preoccupied African princess.
Ana's eyes fell shut again and she pressed into him, her face fitting perfectly into the niche of his shoulder and Jack finally let himself smile. This was it. This was the opportune moment. Of what, he wasn't sure, but he knew that the wind had finally gusted and caught his waiting sails. He wasn't sure how long the moment would last, but having found it, he realized abruptly that it was what he had been searching for.
True, he was lost in the African forest with a voodoo enchantress wanting to steal their souls. It was true that Ana was most likely about to wrap her pretty fingers around his throat. It was true that this was one adventure that could be far from over, and it was very possible that some wild animal could be scouting them out for its midnight meal even now.
Jack cracked his eyes open in the moonlight and glanced over Ana's dark head into the abyss. Then again, maybe not. But it was true he knew now that Ana was with him. Things were how they should be.
"I'm sorry," he finally muttered into her neck, "But I figured it would be better if ye weren't expectin' it."
Ana craned her neck to look up at him. She sniffed once and wiped her eyes, her hand coming away streaked with red paint. She stared at it for a moment then stared up at him with red-rimmed eyes, "I really 'ave been selfish, aye?"
Jack wiped one of the crystal tear tracks from her cheek. He would likely never tell her, but as much as it bruised his heart to see Ana upset, he thought she looked beautiful. Looking at her now, her over-bright eyes were swollen, the skin around them colored in pink patches, and her lips seemed too dark in her pale face. Jack sighed, knowing that seeing her like this just made him want to—
Jack's train of thought was interrupted by Ana's promptings and finally responded, "No, love. I just think ye'ave been a little confused in yer priorities. But now," he smirked and reluctantly released her to kneel and draw his flint to light the fire, "Ana the pirate is back."
"Jack," Ana said sharply, scooping some dry leaves into a pile and watching Jack strike the flint onto them, "I can't leave, not now."
Jack blew carefully on the tiny sparks and watched proudly as they blossomed and fed hungrily on the leaves and twigs, nibbling on the larger logs. "We'll see," was his only quiet reply. He shrugged out of his wool spun jacket and silently dropped it into her lap. "Yer not dressed for the occasion, love," he told her, propping his head against a fallen log and crossing his arms across his chest, his eyes fluttering closed.
"Just because ye fixed me fingers don't give ye the right to call me 'love,'" Ana retorted, pulling it on. She cradled her injured hand across her stomach and curled up a few feet away from him on a bed of leaves. Not opening his eyes, Jack snorted doubtfully. Ana sighed and closed her eyes, succumbing to the exhausted realm of sleep.
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"Ana, wake up."
Ana forced her protesting eyelids open against the streaking light of morning. She blinked several times to clear her blurry vision, her gaze resting on Jack's wide eyes from where he stood several feet away. She shifted as to prop herself up by her good hand and clamber to her feet, "Jack, what--?"
"Don't move," he hissed, looking above and beyond her.
Ana heard a heavy snuffling behind her and felt her heart clench with fear. Very slowly and carefully Ana rolled over to face the wild beast, her fingers inching for the dagger at her thigh. She finally found herself gazing into a pair of wide, inquisitive dark eyes belonging to a rather large, hairy grey animal.
"Jack, it's a monkey."
"Ana, git over here!" Jack ground out through his clenched teeth as he glared at the curious primate apprehensively, fingers fumbling for his pistol stuck at his waist.
Ana dropped back to the hard earth and lectured herself on the wisdom of using her dagger on her companion, blearily rubbing her eyes. The woman found herself conflicted whether to laugh at the stupidity of it or throw something at he pirate for disturbing her rest, "Let me say this again," she said slowly, pushing herself into a sitting position, "It's a monkey."
"And a bloody big bugger!" Jack yelled, obviously upset at her nonchalance. Her life was at risk here! He inched closer to Ana and held out his hand desperately for her to take it, "Look at 'im, he's vicious."
The creature nibbled on piece of wood, holding out its chubby hand to offer it to Ana with a charming smile.
She raised an eyebrow at Jack. "Can't trust them," Jack burst out, suddenly hauling Ana to her feet and shoving her behind him in one fluid motion, "They could turn on ye at any minute," he insisted.
The monkey shoved his fingers up his nostrils and loudly smacked his lips together.
Jack jumped a foot in the air and leapt in front of Anamaria, thrusting his pistol out in front of him, "I'm warning ye, mate, stay right there, ye!"
Ana wrestling the gun out of Jack's hands, slapping him halfheartedly on the arm. "Jack," she exclaimed, "the bugger's terrified an' not to'mention harmless!" She pointed at the primate, crouching with his hands thrown over his head, writhing on the ground.
Ana scooted closer to the animal despite Jack's protests, scooping a large fig from the ground to hand him. Jack watched uneasily and indignantly as the grey monkey snatched it greedily, sticking out his tongue at Jack. "Ana, did ye see--!" he yelled, pointing to the now innocent looking monkey inspecting his prize.
"Let's go, Jack," Ana rolled her eyes and tugged at the pirate's sleeve, dropping his gun back into his hands, "We 'afta find the village, genius."
Jack trudged after her, shooting hostile glances over his shoulder continually. "Bloody monkey," he growled.
Around midday, Ana's stomach began to growl loudly and she sighed, stopping their trek and looking around din frustration. "Damn," she muttered, shooting a deadly glance at a twittering bird. She narrowed her eyes and tapped her foot impatiently.
"Don't ye have in any food in that bodice? Or Rum?" Jack complained, stumbling over himself as he craned his neck to stare up at the cotton clouds in the blue sky. "No," he sighed, a mischievous smirk skipping across his face as he glanced at her to gauge her reaction, "I suppose it ain't big enough for that." She thankfully ignored him, and while preoccupied Jack tripped over a large rock and nearly fell headfirst into a large crevice situated between two large boulders. Leaving the pirate woman to puzzle out their position, he cautiously crept inside.
Glancing inside, Jack looked up at the massive smooth sides, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. Sprawling, intricate carvings graced the stone walls. Jack traced them in awe with his gentle fingertips. It seemed to be a story of sorts, seeming to show a person tending a herd, a lion approaching the herd, and the person driving off the lion with what appeared to be a necklace. Jack frowned thoughtfully, finally opening his mouth and calling loudly for Anamaria.
"Jack what—"Anamaria flew around the corner, thinking he had hurt himself and when she saw him standing before her, quite alright, her expression turned to anger. However, when Jack gestured grandly to the carvings, instead of the expected surprise or wonder, her face lit up and she laughed at the pure luck of it all. Jack watched her reaction, his brow creasing in confusion. "I know this place," she burst out, running her hands lovingly over the carvings, "I know how t'get back from here."
"Lead the way, Miss Malika," Jack grinned, motioning towards the entrance.
"It isn't too far," Ana explained, eagerly picking her way through the forest, her spirits raised in such a fashion that the title didn't throw her, "I just a bit west from this place."
"What is it?" Jack asked.
Ana shook her head, the smile fading a bit from her face. "I'm not really sure. It's a story of sorts, one of the legends of the ancient kinds. The cave itself is used sometimes for shelter at night durin' a storm when the herds are out grazin'."
"Ah," Jack murmured, and the pair fell silent.
"Jack," Ana asked finally, "How did ye find me?"
Jack smirked and his gold teeth winked in the midday sun, "I asked."
Ana huffed and rolled her eyes. She jumped cautiously over a log, ignoring the hand he had offered her chivalrously. "Fine, then why did ye find me?"
He strode ahead of her, his eyes fixed on his path ahead. "Seems to me," he drawled, "That the Pearl's short a first mate."
"Gibbs?" Ana questioned sharply, drawing even with him.
Jack waved his hands expressively, "Gibbs is a good sailor, love, but he ain't one for the...night rendez-vous, savvy?"
Ana opened her mouth ready with a sharp retort when Jack stretched his hand out in front of them. She turned and saw the village stretched before her and she let out a whoop of joy, turning to Jack with a grin. The expression crumbled as she saw his concerned and puzzled expression fixed on the village, and she switched her gaze back to it.
Jack finally broke the heavy silence, gripping Ana's arm tightly, letting out a long breath. "Ana, no one's there."
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ooooooooh, cliffie! Pardon for covering a kind of a long sequence of events in one chapter, but it just seemed to roll, mes amies. Ye can't mess with the fates an' muses, ye hear?
Reviewers! To my faithful reviewers, I love you. If you haven't reviewed (and yes, I have noticed they've been slacking off lately) I hate to be the one who begs for reviews, but if you don't then I just don't know what you the reader need/want and what I can improve on! It's simple really. I want you. I need you. Oh, baby. Oh, baby. (10 things I hate about you)
Ta!
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Chapter 6: The Good and the Bad Side of Luck
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Grabbing her sword, Ana dashed out into the cool night air amidst the surrounding chaos. Her first realization was that the village was burning. Frightened cries and the angry snapping of flames pierced the night air. Ana rushed into the center of the village, her foggy brain recognizing Nyako and Jimoh directing other villagers up to the western hill. Ana sprinted up to the several huts still closed up, flinging each one's entrance open and screaming a warning to rouse them. Mothers with screaming children and men holding weapons with no one to fight swarmed around her.
Ana caught a loud unnatural cackle float through the air and her eyes locked on a figure in a hideous mask. The figure was dressed in long animal hide robes and the mask housed a gaping mouth, bristles of animal hair sticking up all around, and cat-like slit abysmal eyes. Its gender was indistinguishable.
Ana's eyes narrowed and she rushed at the creature, blade posed in front of her. This must be her voodoo witch. Suddenly the witch began to retreat rapidly, and Ana chased it amongst the throngs of people into an abandoned portion of the village. The smoke which engulfed her was blinding so that the huts set ablaze were mere torches of hell.
Coughing, she fumbled her way through the smoke and debris, catching a flash of movement to her right. She turned just in time to glimpse the sorceress dart into a hut, no fire appearing to have attacked it yet. Ana bared her teeth and charged in after it, kicking the heavy wooden door open. She skidded to a halt when she reached the interior, spinning around to search for her prey. Only one high most likely unreachable window and no other rooms...The screech of a cackle pierced her ears and the door swung shut and stuck with a loud bang.
Dropping the sword with a thud, Ana pushed at the door frantically as they pungent smell of fresh smoke filled her nostrils. She craned her neck to see flames skating across the log-supported thatch. Her face twisted with horror, legs kicked viciously at the door.
With a loud crack, a wooden beam crashed down over her head. Ana darted out of the way, flinging herself against the door. She felt one end of the log slab into her right sword hand, trapping her fingers. As this happened she screamed as a sharp searing pain accompanied an unnatural wrenching.
Panting, Ana successfully shoved the blistering wood off of her fingers with her other shoulder. She barely realized the throbbing pain and recognized blearily that several fingers were bent at an aberrant angle at the tips.
She began to yell as the flames built higher and her voice grew hoarse as she drown in the smoke. What a funny way to die for a pirate, on land.
Ironic.
Ana threw all her weight against the door then slumped to a crouching position against it, wishing death to be kind to her. Another small section of thatch settled to the dirt floor, spraying sparks.
Ironic for Jack and his crew as well, she thought wryly, to come all this way to have her dead. And Jack...
Thought the dense for and roar of fire overhead Ana heard a loud crash and squeezed her burning eyes closed, thinking this was the end. Strong fingers gripped her arm and yanked her forcefully from her position, sending her sprawling into the blessedly cool night air.
She landed on something surprisingly soft and coughed several times to clear her lungs. She opened her eyes to find warm coffee ones glaring up at her. A lean filthy finger wagged in her face. "Serves ye right for runnin' into a burnin' building after some frightful creature, missy," Jack Sparrow panted.
Ana rolled off him, scrambling to her feet, "The witch!" she exclaimed, quickly surveying the area. She offered Jack her hand, hauling him to his feet. Filled with new determination, Ana's tired limbs sprinted after the masked creature currently approaching the edge of the dense, dry forest.
"Ana!" Jack hollered after her, watching her go, "Ana, 'aven't we had enough o'the runnin' bit?" Jack heaved a frustrated sigh before muttering curses under his breath, taking off after her and her prey.
After a while, Ana slowed to a jog, picking her way through the thick threes and brush. This was her purpose and she could fulfill it tonight. Hell, she would end it tonight. The bloodshed stops here, she vowed silently. She heard the crash of footsteps behind her and didn't need to turn to know it was Jack Sparrow. Ana halted, doubling over in attempts to catch her breath; finally she raised her head and scanned the dark area.
"There!" she cried, catching a glimpse of color to her right as a piece of fabric disappeared between the trees. The pair, as best they could, sprinted after it. Reaching the spot, Ana looked around and could see nothing, but she was undeterred. "That way," she commanded breathlessly, jogging to her right.
Jack followed her silently. In the moonlight he could barely distinguish his bath or Ana herself among the trees, much less the masked creature. Much more, he glanced around worriedly and hesitated, wondering suddenly if they would be able to make their way back to the village. His heart sank at the realization.
Ana stopped suddenly, her hand on her hips as she attempted to ease the burning cramp plaguing her. Her eyes darted around the surroundings, begging the powers for some pitying flash of movement or quick glimpse of their bounty. Her prayers were unheard.
As second lapsed into minutes, Ana heard Jack shift behind her and take a step forward as a twig snapped. "Ana," Jack said finally, "We won't find it, not tonight."
"We will!" she snarled, rounding on him and angrily closing the distance between them. "This way," she proposed quickly, motioning to her left.
"Listen to yerself," Jack growled, grabbing her forearms, "Ye don't even know how t'get back, do ye? I can barely see ye meself and I doubt ye have much better eyes."
"No!" Ana spat, tugging against him frantically, "I have to go, it's getting away! I have to stop it!"
"Ye listen to me, missy," Jack growled in a very low and even dangerous voice, "Around 'ere, people may hafta obey ye, but not me. As yer captain, I say we're stoppin' here, savvy?"
Her eyes flashed angrily as she dumbly watched him feel his way through the inkiness and begin to collect twigs and sticks. "Jack!" she said obstinately, "Ye may be the captain, but I ain't part of yer crew. Here, I'm in charge. Me! Now I say—"
Jack dropped the armful of wood with a loud clacking noise and stared evenly at her. "Take one bloody moment an' listen to yerself, Miss High an' Mighty Anamaria Santagio! Ye be blind, blind t'see what's goin' on. So smothered by this need to prove yerself that ye don't see what's around ye. Yer people, they don't need no hero, they need a leader: someone approachable, not some sacred doll on a pedestal. 'Ave ye even asked anyone about ye father? 'Ave ye thought just once about the people carin' for ye, here and back in the Caribbean?"
Ana shook her head stubbornly even as he continued to speak, meticulously stacking the twigs and logs into a pyramid. "Ye know," he went on, eyes locked on his simple task, "I bet tonight ye never stopped t'see if yer aunt or yer pretty little friend or that missionary was a'right, now did ye? I never thought I'd associate the word selfish with ye, but—"
That was it. How dare he think that she—? Ana's patience snapped. Completely. She marched over to where Jack had straightened up, raising her uninjured hand, intent on demonstrating to Jack Sparrow the meaning of pain.
As she reached him, however, both of his hands shot out to grab her injured one and wrenched her twisted fingertips back into place with several audible pops.
The color drained from Ana's face and the searing knifing pain in even so little an area shocked her into stunned silence, no sound escaping her. Jack's wide dark eyes filled with an unreadable expression as a choked yelp escaped her as her teeth sank into her lower lip in an attempt for control, glittering eyes crashed closed.
"Damn ye," she finally hissed though clenched teeth. A hurt expression flitted across Jack's face before he was able to remove it. He very gently began to massage the painful area with his finger tips and she stifled a sudden sob as her face crumbled as her good hand shoved uselessly against his shoulder. "Damn ye, damn ye, Sparrow," she forced out, silent tears coursing down her cheeks.
His hands held her firmly in place and he felt her go limp, collapsing against his chest. Jack felt a river of relief begin to wave through him as he watched her careful, obligation-built façade crack with each falling tear. He watched her eyes snap open and replace Anamaria, his Anamaria into the body of this regal, preoccupied African princess.
Ana's eyes fell shut again and she pressed into him, her face fitting perfectly into the niche of his shoulder and Jack finally let himself smile. This was it. This was the opportune moment. Of what, he wasn't sure, but he knew that the wind had finally gusted and caught his waiting sails. He wasn't sure how long the moment would last, but having found it, he realized abruptly that it was what he had been searching for.
True, he was lost in the African forest with a voodoo enchantress wanting to steal their souls. It was true that Ana was most likely about to wrap her pretty fingers around his throat. It was true that this was one adventure that could be far from over, and it was very possible that some wild animal could be scouting them out for its midnight meal even now.
Jack cracked his eyes open in the moonlight and glanced over Ana's dark head into the abyss. Then again, maybe not. But it was true he knew now that Ana was with him. Things were how they should be.
"I'm sorry," he finally muttered into her neck, "But I figured it would be better if ye weren't expectin' it."
Ana craned her neck to look up at him. She sniffed once and wiped her eyes, her hand coming away streaked with red paint. She stared at it for a moment then stared up at him with red-rimmed eyes, "I really 'ave been selfish, aye?"
Jack wiped one of the crystal tear tracks from her cheek. He would likely never tell her, but as much as it bruised his heart to see Ana upset, he thought she looked beautiful. Looking at her now, her over-bright eyes were swollen, the skin around them colored in pink patches, and her lips seemed too dark in her pale face. Jack sighed, knowing that seeing her like this just made him want to—
Jack's train of thought was interrupted by Ana's promptings and finally responded, "No, love. I just think ye'ave been a little confused in yer priorities. But now," he smirked and reluctantly released her to kneel and draw his flint to light the fire, "Ana the pirate is back."
"Jack," Ana said sharply, scooping some dry leaves into a pile and watching Jack strike the flint onto them, "I can't leave, not now."
Jack blew carefully on the tiny sparks and watched proudly as they blossomed and fed hungrily on the leaves and twigs, nibbling on the larger logs. "We'll see," was his only quiet reply. He shrugged out of his wool spun jacket and silently dropped it into her lap. "Yer not dressed for the occasion, love," he told her, propping his head against a fallen log and crossing his arms across his chest, his eyes fluttering closed.
"Just because ye fixed me fingers don't give ye the right to call me 'love,'" Ana retorted, pulling it on. She cradled her injured hand across her stomach and curled up a few feet away from him on a bed of leaves. Not opening his eyes, Jack snorted doubtfully. Ana sighed and closed her eyes, succumbing to the exhausted realm of sleep.
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"Ana, wake up."
Ana forced her protesting eyelids open against the streaking light of morning. She blinked several times to clear her blurry vision, her gaze resting on Jack's wide eyes from where he stood several feet away. She shifted as to prop herself up by her good hand and clamber to her feet, "Jack, what--?"
"Don't move," he hissed, looking above and beyond her.
Ana heard a heavy snuffling behind her and felt her heart clench with fear. Very slowly and carefully Ana rolled over to face the wild beast, her fingers inching for the dagger at her thigh. She finally found herself gazing into a pair of wide, inquisitive dark eyes belonging to a rather large, hairy grey animal.
"Jack, it's a monkey."
"Ana, git over here!" Jack ground out through his clenched teeth as he glared at the curious primate apprehensively, fingers fumbling for his pistol stuck at his waist.
Ana dropped back to the hard earth and lectured herself on the wisdom of using her dagger on her companion, blearily rubbing her eyes. The woman found herself conflicted whether to laugh at the stupidity of it or throw something at he pirate for disturbing her rest, "Let me say this again," she said slowly, pushing herself into a sitting position, "It's a monkey."
"And a bloody big bugger!" Jack yelled, obviously upset at her nonchalance. Her life was at risk here! He inched closer to Ana and held out his hand desperately for her to take it, "Look at 'im, he's vicious."
The creature nibbled on piece of wood, holding out its chubby hand to offer it to Ana with a charming smile.
She raised an eyebrow at Jack. "Can't trust them," Jack burst out, suddenly hauling Ana to her feet and shoving her behind him in one fluid motion, "They could turn on ye at any minute," he insisted.
The monkey shoved his fingers up his nostrils and loudly smacked his lips together.
Jack jumped a foot in the air and leapt in front of Anamaria, thrusting his pistol out in front of him, "I'm warning ye, mate, stay right there, ye!"
Ana wrestling the gun out of Jack's hands, slapping him halfheartedly on the arm. "Jack," she exclaimed, "the bugger's terrified an' not to'mention harmless!" She pointed at the primate, crouching with his hands thrown over his head, writhing on the ground.
Ana scooted closer to the animal despite Jack's protests, scooping a large fig from the ground to hand him. Jack watched uneasily and indignantly as the grey monkey snatched it greedily, sticking out his tongue at Jack. "Ana, did ye see--!" he yelled, pointing to the now innocent looking monkey inspecting his prize.
"Let's go, Jack," Ana rolled her eyes and tugged at the pirate's sleeve, dropping his gun back into his hands, "We 'afta find the village, genius."
Jack trudged after her, shooting hostile glances over his shoulder continually. "Bloody monkey," he growled.
Around midday, Ana's stomach began to growl loudly and she sighed, stopping their trek and looking around din frustration. "Damn," she muttered, shooting a deadly glance at a twittering bird. She narrowed her eyes and tapped her foot impatiently.
"Don't ye have in any food in that bodice? Or Rum?" Jack complained, stumbling over himself as he craned his neck to stare up at the cotton clouds in the blue sky. "No," he sighed, a mischievous smirk skipping across his face as he glanced at her to gauge her reaction, "I suppose it ain't big enough for that." She thankfully ignored him, and while preoccupied Jack tripped over a large rock and nearly fell headfirst into a large crevice situated between two large boulders. Leaving the pirate woman to puzzle out their position, he cautiously crept inside.
Glancing inside, Jack looked up at the massive smooth sides, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. Sprawling, intricate carvings graced the stone walls. Jack traced them in awe with his gentle fingertips. It seemed to be a story of sorts, seeming to show a person tending a herd, a lion approaching the herd, and the person driving off the lion with what appeared to be a necklace. Jack frowned thoughtfully, finally opening his mouth and calling loudly for Anamaria.
"Jack what—"Anamaria flew around the corner, thinking he had hurt himself and when she saw him standing before her, quite alright, her expression turned to anger. However, when Jack gestured grandly to the carvings, instead of the expected surprise or wonder, her face lit up and she laughed at the pure luck of it all. Jack watched her reaction, his brow creasing in confusion. "I know this place," she burst out, running her hands lovingly over the carvings, "I know how t'get back from here."
"Lead the way, Miss Malika," Jack grinned, motioning towards the entrance.
"It isn't too far," Ana explained, eagerly picking her way through the forest, her spirits raised in such a fashion that the title didn't throw her, "I just a bit west from this place."
"What is it?" Jack asked.
Ana shook her head, the smile fading a bit from her face. "I'm not really sure. It's a story of sorts, one of the legends of the ancient kinds. The cave itself is used sometimes for shelter at night durin' a storm when the herds are out grazin'."
"Ah," Jack murmured, and the pair fell silent.
"Jack," Ana asked finally, "How did ye find me?"
Jack smirked and his gold teeth winked in the midday sun, "I asked."
Ana huffed and rolled her eyes. She jumped cautiously over a log, ignoring the hand he had offered her chivalrously. "Fine, then why did ye find me?"
He strode ahead of her, his eyes fixed on his path ahead. "Seems to me," he drawled, "That the Pearl's short a first mate."
"Gibbs?" Ana questioned sharply, drawing even with him.
Jack waved his hands expressively, "Gibbs is a good sailor, love, but he ain't one for the...night rendez-vous, savvy?"
Ana opened her mouth ready with a sharp retort when Jack stretched his hand out in front of them. She turned and saw the village stretched before her and she let out a whoop of joy, turning to Jack with a grin. The expression crumbled as she saw his concerned and puzzled expression fixed on the village, and she switched her gaze back to it.
Jack finally broke the heavy silence, gripping Ana's arm tightly, letting out a long breath. "Ana, no one's there."
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ooooooooh, cliffie! Pardon for covering a kind of a long sequence of events in one chapter, but it just seemed to roll, mes amies. Ye can't mess with the fates an' muses, ye hear?
Reviewers! To my faithful reviewers, I love you. If you haven't reviewed (and yes, I have noticed they've been slacking off lately) I hate to be the one who begs for reviews, but if you don't then I just don't know what you the reader need/want and what I can improve on! It's simple really. I want you. I need you. Oh, baby. Oh, baby. (10 things I hate about you)
Ta!
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