Tales of the Jagan Chapter 2: Welcome Aboard!, a yu yu hakusho fanfic

Tales of the Jagan

Chapter 2

Welcome Aboard

Hiei

I heard a scream behind me. Just a normal scream, there shouldn't be anything wrong with that but I knew the person which the voice belonged. I whipped around to see Botan staring in horror as a building above her came collapsing down. My eyes widened. In seconds the falling debris would crush her body. Botan was going to die.

I didn't even think about what I was doing. My feet just started moving on their own, and in my fastest speed might I add. I suppose my honor code kicked in. Yes, I know how ridiculous it must sound. A pirate, with an honor code? Well, it's not much of one, but when some slip of a girl goes out of her way to help a stranger from a group of potentially dangerous thugs, I can't just let her gut smushed by debris.

Not to brag, but I really was quite a fast demon, which Botan should be thankful for, because that trait is about to save her life. I was rushing so fast that the normal human or demon eye would not be able to catch it. I was able to go faster than the speed of sound, impressive huh?

My arms grabbed the paralyzed girl's waist and drug her away from the impending danger from above. Anyone watching would not have seen me pick up the blue-headed girl, and would have thought she'd be lying underneath with her body mangled and broken.

I stopped a few feet away, close but far enough to be safe from the rubble, smirking when I heard it hit the dirt road behind us. The girl was still quivering in my arms, probably traumatized. Well, I couldn't help that; I didn't cause the house to collapse on her. Or…maybe I did, considering I was one of the four people who decided to raid this village in the first place…

"Hiei?" The girl whispered, recognizing my face.

"Botan, right? Long time no see," I said casually, waiting for her to pull out of my arms, but she seemed reluctant to do so.

"Th-thank you for saving my life," she whispered, sagging into my arms further. I raised an eyebrow but didn't press the matter or pull away. I noticed her eyes were a beautiful blend of pink and purple, a shade I had never seen before, but reminded me of the color of a dusk sky.

"What's happening?" The innocent girl asked.

"This town is being raided by pirates, those of the Jagan," I enlightened, not denying the truth. Her eyes widened in fear. I grinned in return.

"Heard of them, have you?" I asked.

"Who hasn't," she muttered, "But why have they come here? This is a small, poor town! The people here are defenseless, we've done nothing to deserve this nor have anything of value to them!"

"That's not exactly true, they are searching for the Treasure of Mortar, and a piece is said to be located here," I said, wondering if I could use the girl to find the missing treasure piece.

"I've certainly never heard of it!"

"Hmm, seems as if I'll be off then," I said dismissively. I'd have to search for it myself.

"What?" She asked, not understanding.

"Perhaps you haven't realized it, in your endearing naivety, but I'm one of the pirates aboard the Jagan, and I can't leave without that piece. It'd be in your best interest to let me go, the sooner I have the piece, the sooner I can leave, which lessens the number of casualties of your townspeople."

"You're a pirate?" she wondered and I was surprised I didn't see anger in her eyes.

"Yes."

She yanked herself out of my grip, and once I found her struggling I released her without hesitation, which she wasn't expecting, which ended up on her landing on her bottom in front of me. As she fell, I heard a clink as something fell out of a pocket in her dress. Interested I turned to see what fell out.

My eyes widened considerably. There it was, shining an indigo blue, a perfect spherical gem, one of the many countess pieces of the Treasure of Mortar. I laughed mentally at the irony. This little girl had had it the entire time. How strange fate can prove to me. I bent down to grab it but she gasped and snatched it before I could.

I glared at her.

"Give it to me."

She glared back.

"No! Please don't take it! It was my mother's, the only thing I have left to remember her by!"

Botan's eyes glistened with unshed tears and I could see the gem meant a lot to her, perhaps as much as it meant to me.

Botan

This was the end. I knew it. Seconds from now I would be crushed by falling wood engulfed in flames and my life would be over. Visions of my life flashed before my eyes, of my mother, the Timons, Sayaka, Saramien, all of the townspeople. Well mom, it seems I'll be joining you sooner than expected. I couldn't move and resigned myself to my fate.

Unexpectedly, as my eyes were closed so I would not have to see my own death, I felt warm arms encircle my waist, pulling me to safety. I heard the crash behind me and didn't feel the impact upon my body. Surprised, I looked up into familiar crimson eyes that I had seen for the first time only an hour ago.

I lost myself in his gaze, really anyone would find themselves sucked into them. His eyes weren't the only thing beautiful about him, his whole face was handsome, probably the handsomest I've ever seen, not that I've seen many males my age in this small town anyway, but from the way my body was squashed against his, I figured the rest of his body was muscular and fit, chances are physically fit, too.

Even though I had almost died seconds ago, I felt safe in his arms. The situation hit my like a bucket of ice cold water. It was then I noticed I was trembling, and I sagged further into his embrace, sinking into the comfort he provided. I noticed his odd look, and can only imagine how confused he must be. Under normal circumstances, I would probably be blushing, but my fear prevented me from feeling embarrassed at my actions.

I recognized the boy as the one I had helped earlier.

"Hiei?"

He replied casually, probably waiting for me to pull away, but I couldn't comply. Not when he was the only thing preventing me from having an emotional breakdown right there.

"Th-thank you for saving me," I stuttered. He did not say anything in return so I continued.

"What's happening?"

He explained how pirates were raiding the village. How could this be happening? This village was too small; we had nothing of value to offer. What could they want? And the Jagan! Only the most known pirate ship of them all! The Jagan was like royalty of the pirates, the most feared and respected. They certainly didn't attack or plunder without purpose, but what could their reasoning have been? I saw Hiei smirk, but it didn't register in my mind why.

"Heard of them have you?"

"Who hasn't? Why have they come here? This is a small, poor town! The people here are defenseless, we've done nothing to deserve this nor have anything of value to them!" I exclaimed remorsefully, no it wasn't fair. This village had always been quiet and peaceful, always keeping to itself; hardly ever causing problems besides the thugs that came out at night.

"That's not exactly true, they are searching for the Treasure of Mortar, and a piece is said to be located here."

"I've certainly never heard of it!"

Having lived here most of my life, I think I would have known if some mystical treasure piece lied here. So my entire hometown was being destroyed because of some misleading factor? It couldn't be true! But I certainly would have known if something that could attract the Jagan of all things remained here, wouldn't I?

"Hmm, seems as if I'll be off then."

"What?"

Was he stupid? He could be killed if he went back in there! No doubt he was brave, as he saved my life, but I wasn't about to let my savior go back in there and lose his life.

As if I wasn't already traumatized enough, this had to happen. My savior was a pirate responsible for the fate of my town? Then, why did he care if I was about to die anyway?

"You're a pirate?" I griped out, the only thing I could come back with.

"Yes." His answer stabbed through me like knives and I almost wished the debris had crippled me.

I yanked myself out of his grip, no longer feeling safe with his revelations. He let me go, which I should have expected but didn't. I landed ungracefully, losing my balance, landing painfully on my butt. I noticed too late, that during my fall, my mother's precious gem had fallen out of my dress, in clear view of my rescuer-pirate, I reminded myself. I winced as he looked to see the object.

I saw his eyes widen and his arm reach of for it, but I was faster. I grabbed in and clutched it in my palm, hiding it from view but the damage was done, my prized possession had been seen. I knew he must want it, I was probably very valuable, but it meant so much more to me than money. It could have been a spec of dirt that my mother had given to me-I would still have protected it as dearly. I couldn't let it be taken from me, not after all the trouble I went to keeping it a secret all these years!

He glared at me.

"Give it to me."

I glared back.

"No! Please don't take it! It was my mother's, the only thing I have left to remember her by!" I begged, trying my best to plead my way out of this. I was practically crying now, though I wouldn't let them fall just yet, trying to remain strong.

Loud screams that were presumably close from the volume of the noise distracted both of us momentarily and diverted our attention to another scene.

All of the townspeople were huddled together in the center of the burning town, scared out of their wits, but alive. The pirates surrounded them, their weapons out threateningly, forming a circle around them. I wondered why they weren't attacking, not that I wanted them to, but it was not characteristic behavior from what I have heard of pirates.

I noticed Sayaka and the Timons among them and felt instantly relieved that they were ok. Trisha had her arms protectively around Sayaka and Ender stood tall, trying to look unafraid for all three.

Hiei

Screams made me lose my concentration and I sensed the girl was distracted as well. My eyes looked upon an odd sight.

The villagers were surrounded by my crew that spread out in a circle shape to keep them locked in, their weapons out. I was surprised they were not already dead; it wasn't like my partners to show mercy.

The only explanation is that the people did not resist and did not have any means to defend themselves with. It was a small town, so it wouldn't be improbable that they didn't have a militia to protect them. If the people were cooperative, it could prove favorable to keep them alive, just to find out where the treasure piece was; too bad I had already found it.

The girl was noticeably relieved that her family and friends were not dead and I could see a tiny spark of happiness in her eyes.

I growled at myself, engaged in an internal battle. I knew leaving without the treasure piece was not an option. Even if I did let her keep it and walked away, Toguro would surely come after it sooner or later and the creep would kill her for sure. Either that or take her on board for a fate worse than death…

No, I thought looking at her, a girl like her did not deserve such a fate and Toguro wasn't getting another piece that they had gotten to first. No damn way. Then again, it was clear how important the item was to her. Perhaps she'd even die before giving it to him, but I doubted she would risk the lives of her friends and family along with her own.

"That gem is a piece of the Treasure of Mortar we are searching for. That item contains magic you know nothing about; it could easily lead to your death. It is best you would just give it up," I tried to reason with her, but as I expected she shook her head no stubbornly.

"See those people down there?" I nodded with my head to signify the people huddled together in the center of the town, "Those people will die if we don't get the stone. Is it worth all their lives?"

I was a merciless question I knew. Low, even for a pirate, but as I said, I would not leave without it. I saw Botan's eyes waver in uncertainty, waging the stone's worth over the lives of the village.

"Under the circumstances, I'll make you a deal. You seem to be very attached to the treasure piece, and I'm not leaving without it. We can compromise that you can keep the gem, if you come along with us on the Jagan," I said. It was the only solution. The girl was innocent, so much so like my sister, and I felt protectiveness surge up within me. The girl had somehow managed to gain my respect with her display of courage earlier. She was an interesting character, and I didn't want to say goodbye to her just yet.

"Go with you on the Jagan?" She stuttered, shocked.

I nodded. I didn't know why I wanted her to go with me so bad, but what I wanted I got, even if I didn't understand the reasoning for it.

"Yes, you could keep the gem as long as you are with us, and the people of this town would be spared of course, as long as we get what we came here for," I said in my most persuasive voice.

"Can you really make than kind of suggestion? The captain of the ship might not want me aboard."

I smirked and bowed mockingly.

"Captain Hiei Jaganshi at your service."

Botan

"Captain Hiei Jaganshi at your service."

It was a tempting offer. I couldn't bear to part with my mother's keepsake or have the villagers be killed on my conscience. By agreeing to his proposal, I could keep my gem and save their lives.

And Hiei was the captain…that man was just full of surprises wasn't he? I was very surprise that he was the captain of the Jagan was so young, probably a little older than me! He bowed, though mocking I couldn't help but think it was a charming gesture. Something about him attracted me, drew me to him for some unexplainable reason…well him saving me and all might have something to do with it.

"Ok…but if I go with you, the gem remains with me right? And all those people down there are spared?" He nodded, smirking at his victory. I sighed. As long as the people were ok, the town could always be rebuilt.

Hiei

Good, I had her. Now all I had to do was fulfill my part of the deal. I mentally communicated with Kurama to tell him I had found the piece of the Treasure of Mortar. I supposedly had a jagan eye in the center of my forehead, but I had never actually seen it. I had inherited it from my father, and unless it is implanted, it remains under my skin. (Yes, in this fic Hiei did NOT have his third eye implanted, it come from his father!)

After successfully reaching Kurama and giving instruction to leave the villagers unharmed and to return to the ship, I also informed him that I would be taking a girl with me. I sensed his curiosity but told him that it was a long story and he would find out once we had set sail.

I tugged on Botan's arm, trying to pick her up and carry her with my enhanced speed to the Jagan but she resisted. I looked at her, confused.

"Don't I need to get my things?" she asked cutely.

"We don't have the time, Botan. Besides, you house and all your things are probably burnt down anyway. I'll get you new things once we get on the ship."

She realized I was right and nodded, but I noticed she saddened at the loss of her house and things. It wouldn't matter; she would have a whole new life now. I soundlessly picked her up, she weighed nothing to me, and ran to the Jagan, my running seeming to be a blur of black, white, blue and purple (Botan's dress).

I stopped in front of the enormous size of the Jagan, my pride and joy. I set her down and she gazed upon what would be her knew home. I could see her eyes raking over every inch of the ship, awed at seeing the world famous phantom ship.

"Welcome aboard the Jagan," I said to the astounded female that tried to memorize every feature of the ship, finally laying eyes on the most feared ship in all the world, and above all else, her new home.

Sorry to everyone, it's been a year since I've updated. I really like where this fic is going, it's even more fun the write than my other fic! I'm not quitting on this or The Will of the Fighter, but I must encourage reviews! I would really like for this fic to become as popular as my other fic, which has just broken 400! The more reviews I get, the more I'll update. I'm not asking you to write a paragraph long report, three words are enough for me, and anything would do! Tell me your ideas, there are so many possibilities with this fic that I might be able to include some things you guys thing of or tell me any negative things you think I have to work on. (Besides updating faster, I know I suck at that already)

Reviewer Responses:

MystiKoorime-Hey thanks for being my first reviewer! Well, now you know what happened to Botan! She's already feeling attracted to Hiei, this fic will probably be more romantic than the Will of the Fighter, so if you want kissing and that stuff, this is for you!

EvenSong-Sara! I successfully rescued Botan, or well, Hiei did anyway! Yeah, you're never online anymore you bugger! Not keeping in touch with your twinnie, the nerve of you! Lol just kidding! But really, I'm missing you lots and want to talk to you more! Speaking of cookies, I made some yesterday from scratch. Talk about yummy.

Crazy nixie- Thank you for your comment! It makes me so happy you like it!

Crimson Colored Cloaked Figure-Well, you figured out what happened! Hopefully it won't take me, as long to tell you what happened next chapter, I'm so sorry for making you wait a year!

Disturbedvixen- Yeah, I love the Hiei/Botan pairing, but I like some Kurama/Botan fics too, I must admit. I hope you do make that Hiei/Botan fic and we can do some friendly competition! Heehee!

Sei-san-Thank you, I've always been interested in pirates and Hiei could definitely make one heck of a pirate, so I thought why not? The Pirates of the Caribbean also played a large part of inspiration for it too.

Anime Lover-Thanks! I'm going to keep you hooked for as long as possible too! Thank you so much for reviewing!

Sherkoni-Hey, I think I've read some of your fics, they're pretty good! Yeah this may seem a little bit like Inuyasha, thanks for understanding! Hopefully this fic will bring more Hiei/Botan supporters right?

Crystal Koneko-Hey you're awesome! You read both of my fics, yay! Don't think I don't notice because I do! Keep up the good work with reviewing and I'll do my best to get the next chapter out soon!

Sumi Yomiitomi-Thank you! This fic will be long, just a warning, and knowing me it'll take a few years to get the whole thing out, but never fear it'll probably have 30+ chapters so you'll still get to read a lot!

DigiQueen-Sinceramon-Yeah they are really cute, I love both of them together! Don't worry I'm sure people love your fic as much as they love mine. I think all of you pretty much hate me for making you wait a year…well, I updated! Heh heh…I'm gonna go now before you peg me with rotten fruit…

Zennou-sakusha- I like the idea of Hiei being a pirate! I think he'd be a good one too! Pirates are such interesting characters, ne?

Nanodapurin-Yay! Is that from Mew Mew Power? I love that show! It's awesome! Heehee, I don't want to die, so I guess I have to update! Here's your chapter, now I get to live! Yay!

SMARTRone-Yay! Thanks for reviewing! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Botan-cute-spiritgirl-Thanks for complimenting my writing style, I know it's a little different, but it's fun to write that way! Different is good!

Kaori-Angel-You're very welcome! Botan's safe and sound, you think Hiei would actually let anything happen to her? Lol, over his dead body!

Robin Autumn-Thanks, here's chapter 2! Thank you for the encouragement and I'm really sorry for not updating in a year!

LivingImpared-I'm glad you like it because if no one did I'd probably quit the fic, and I don't want to do that…so thanks for liking it!

Sekai- I like your enthusiasm! Hiei is an awesome pirate, if he can be a thief, why not a pirate? Thank you for reviewing!

Kitsune Kit-Yup! Go Botan! Go Hiei! Go Botan! Go Hiei! I could do that all day!

Isis-Yes cliffies are mean and evil I agree, but I just couldn't resist! Do you have an account? As you wish, it would be my honor to email you when I get this chapter out. Do you want me to always email you when I get a new chapter out? If you do, it's no problem! Thank you for reviewing.

Amanra-Wow! I'm stunned! Your second favorite author? Why thank you! Now I feel really bad for not updating, by now you probably found someone else's fic that's better than mine! Darn! Heehee, you signed fan! Awww that's sooo cute! I have a fan! Yay! Thank you for reading and liking both my stories, and you can tell me to update anytime you want! I checked your favorite author out and it seems that he/she writes stories about Golden Sun, and I have no clue what that is, so I guess I can't compete with that huh? Heehee!

Tsume-Hiei luver-Oh do you mean Tsume from Wolf's Rain? Tsume's so cool in that show! Thanks for reviewing!

RitSuYue-Don't worry I won't quit this fic! Not with all the support I received! And the new hit feature installed is pretty cool too; it lets me see how many people came to the page even if they didn't review! Ha ha! I hope you liked what happened in this chapter!

Black Wolf Fire-You have a problem with the word nice? That's a bit unusual but I don't like the word cheesy, so I guess I can relate. Thank you so much for supporting my fic!

Darkgarnet-Umm sorry about that! Well here's your chapter! It shouldn't take me that long to get the next chapter out, I promise!

Gab-Yes sir, ma'am! Right away!

Ok, because this is a new fic, I don't really care about the Will of the Fighter so much because it already has a lot of reviews and I know a lot of people have read it, I'm going to try to get at least 10 reviews ok? You guys are so awesome I had twenty-eight for this chapter, and I'd be thrilled if I got twenty-eight again! So I'm aiming for at least 38 reviews, but if I don't get them I'll probably update anyway, I'll probably just be sad, so you guys will have to suffer with shorter chapters! My new form of punishment!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Freesia