Disclaimer: I do not own POTC. If I did, I would see Orlando Bloom, and would spend all my time looking at him and not writing.

For the record, I hate rummage sales, especially working on them in 90 degree weather for a few days.

Oops, sorry about Norrington's name…but thanks for correcting me! Noorington looks funnier I guess…

Chapter 6: Smoke Approach

Captain Jack Sparrow had spent more than half of his life on the sea. He was captain of the greatest ship to sail the Caribbean with a loyal crew. Better still, he was the most respected pirates anyone had ever heard of. Where most pirates wouldn't hesitate to kill, he never killed without a great need. Now wasn't a time to kill, it was more like play time. But Norrington just kept blowing holes into his ship.

The commodore didn't seem to agree. Especially when Jack called an innocent comment to Norrington. Eunuch wasn't that big of an insult. Will had taken it pretty well all those years ago, and little Jack had proven him wrong.

Behind him, Jack caught Natie in the corner of his eye.

"Hey!" he called, quickly running over to her. "What are you--"

"The Burning Death is approaching on the port side!" Natie said, then ran back into the cabin, not waiting for Jack to respond. He ran up the deck, looking into the darkness. Yes, he could make out a ship, and behind it was a thick trail of smoke. Just as he had feared.

Jack grabbed the wheel, wiping the rain from his face, he had to get the Pearl away before it became part of a ship sandwich. Enemies on either side, rather than bread. As it was, they were barely holding out against Norrington as it was. The Pearl started pulling out smoothly, and the crew noticed. Immediately, Gibbs and Will came up the stairs to face him.

"What are you doing, Captain?" Gibbs demanded. Will gave Jack a questioning look.

"Look behind the rudder," Jack simply replied. The two followed his instructions, searching the sea.

"I don't see anything," Will said.

"That's the point. A ship, called the Burning Death is approaching." Gibbs stern face softened with fear. He recovered quickly, helping Jack call out orders to the crew.

"The Burning Death, what is it? Other than an unpleasant thought." Will asked, not sure if he wanted the answer. The look on Jack's face didn't ease his uncertainty.

"It is an evil pirate ship. They show no mercy," Natie explained to Jack in a matter-of-fact tone. "Years ago, there was a mutiny that resulted in the ship burning. The fire caught both factions of the crew as well. It is said that as he burned, the rightful captain cursed the whole crew to Hell, oh, don't flinch, I just said hell. Like the Black Pearl, all those years ago, it is supposed to be crewed by the damned. I used to think that it was a made up story, but now I doubt it. I mean, the burned ship is real enough. I'm surprised you even saw it."

"What do you mean? I saw the light--"

"The ship was burned. Have you ever seen burned wood?" Jack shook his head vigorously. Natie walked across the cabin, and pulled something from a hidden alcove. She tossed it to him and he caught it deftly. At first glance it looked like any piece of driftwood, but then he saw that it was pitch black. He could hardly see the wood's grain.

"Is this from that ship?" Jack asked.

"No, I had it when Jack found me. It was part of the ship I sailed on, before it was destroyed." This comment lead into a strange silence.

"I'm sorry," Jack muttered.

"Don't," Natie said angrily. "Unless you are or were a member of the Burning Death's crew, then you have nothing to be sorry for."

"Wait, that was the ship that orphaned you?" Jack asked quickly. He immediately regretted it, as Natie had another angry outburst.

"Yes, that is the ship that killed off my family, happy now?" She stalked away haughtily, sitting across from him and glaring. After a few moments, she gave up. "I'm sorry. It isn't a fun topic to talk about. Anyway, I know firsthand what these pirates can do."

"But don't pirates leave each other alone? Like in the Code--" But again Jack was interrupted.

"Some pirates are just evil. Barbossa's crew, they raided ships, trying to break the curse upon them. The Death's crew, they simply pillage and plunder. At least, there doesn't seem to be a purpose, other than to kill or be killed." She chuckled. "Actually, I don't think that they can be killed."

"How is that possible? Undead pirates? It's not possible," Jack tried to say with as much conviction as he could muster.

"So the story your daddy told you back in Port Royal was just for kicks and playing with your head?" Natie stared at him, and the two were silent for a few moments. For the first time, Jack realized that the ship was rocking steadily in the storm, and that they were moving. He looked out the window to try and see where the Burning Death was. Instead, he saw as a cannon came crashing into the window. Trying to cover his eyes from shards of glass and splintered wood, he didn't see the ropes thrown through the new hole. Both he and Natie saw the burly pirate climbing through though.

With shock, he realized that the Death had pulled against the Pearl, and it's hull rested against the rudder of the Pearl. The ship was truly as black as night. The whole time he hadn't even realized it's presence. Beside him, Natie drew her sword.

"About bloody time I got some action," she murmured. "This should be fun."

Jack drew his sword as well. If it came down to it, he would see if these pirates were truly undead. As more pirates crawled through the cavity, Jack noticed that each had a bandana tied around his face.

"He he, the great Jack Sparrow leaves his great defenders," One of the pirates guffawed.

"We're not afraid of your ugly face," Natie called back, trying to keep them at bay with banter. It seemed that what she said wasn't the best thing. The biggest brute of the bunch crossed the room in a single stride, and grabbed Natie by her collar. She swung her sword at him, but he simply held her out, and his arm was long enough to keep her sword several inches from his body.

"I'll show you an ugly face," he said in deep, gravely tones. With that, he pulled his bandana off, and Natie stifled a scream. Large portions of his face were practically missing, and there were terrible burns everywhere. His skin was white where the burns were worst. Jack felt as if he would be sick, but instead lashed out with his sword. Another pirate caught him.

"Look how cute they are. I think the captain will want to meet 'em," a female voice said. Jack struggled, trying to escape the grasp of his captor. Surely his parents would come bursting in? Captain Jack, one of the pirates, someone?

His captor loosened his grip, and Jack couldn't feel where one of his hands was. In the flickering light, he saw a hand grasping onto a bowl full of apples on the table. Then, Jack saw nothing, feeling only the bowl come crashing down on his head. He vaguely felt himself being tied and dragged, but he fell into total darkness, unable to stay awake.

I'm to evil for my cat, to evil for my cat. I love my clifies!