Disclaimer: Don't own the original PotC plot, characters and/or profit. I only own this story plot, my characters, ships, and my insanity. Many thanks.

Deceptions of Heritage- Act One- Chapter Three- A Sense of Danger

Strange new sounds and smells filled the air, the bustling energy adding to the nervousness of the small dog as he restlessly ran up and down the deck, his claws clinking against the wooden flooring. The faint rustling sound of a flag being tossed on the wind drowned in the drone of the dogs barking and the loud shouts coming from the sea-side city. He was slightly uneasy as his brown eyes cautiously scanned the numerous amounts of people milling about the harbor.

Sava raced frantically around the deck- his humans were out there among the throng of merchants, having left him behind for some unknown reason, which made for one unhappy pooch. He had begged and whined and even stood in front of the gangplank refusing to let them pass. But nevertheless, the mean man who walked funny and made strange clanging noises had unceremoniously shooed him out of the way and into the waiting hands of the quartermaster, Gibbs, who less than gently patted his head. With a defiant growl, he nipped at the weathered old man's chapped hands, an act which served its purpose as Gibbs dropped the dog with a curse. Wasting no time, Sava scurried toward the gangplank in hopes of catching his humans, but his escape was quickly cut off and instead he skidded into the railing, a slight yelp breaking the tension on the ship.

Now he paced the deck nervously, his large eyes constantly scanning the docks. He tilted his head back and sniffed the air as only a dog could do, a low growl rumbling in his throat as he continued his pacing. Danger was in the air, he could smell it and while his humans seemed uneasy about something, they weren't exactly fearful enough to stay on the ship, which in Sava's opinion, was the safer place to be. But the man, the one who seemed to be the leader of the humans on the ship, was less than enthused at the dogs antics to keep them from going into the tiny port and had rather hurriedly left the safety of the ship. Now they were out there, walking amongst the danger and he was unable to protect them.

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Jack strode through the town, hands in his pockets as he eyed the somewhat valuable wares laid out across several of the merchant stands. The late morning wind tickled the nape of his neck and for a brief moment, he felt the uneasy feeling of being watched. He stopped in mid-stride and craned his neck back in the direction of the crowded harbor; his dark eyes passed over the Pearl momentarily, content to see his ship still docked and safe before turning his gaze toward another ship docked not far from his. It had been hours since it had docked, only moments following the Pearl's docking, and Jack had yet to see any kind of unusual- or usual for that matter- movement on board the seemingly ghost ship. She had silently drifted into the harbor and docked, and as of yet, not one crew member had emerged. And for a brief moment, the sight had put Jack Sparrow on edge. Were they being followed? He shook his head and changed the direction of his stare, intent on convincing his-self that the other ship was a mere coincidence and that perhaps, the whole crew and it's captain were still dealing with hangovers of a massive proportion due to "over" celebration and rum drinking.

Jack smirked at the thought. Was there even such a thing as "over" celebration and rum drinking? Certainly not, Jack chided himself for such a thought. Celebration and drinking was the cure for a pirates life and too much of either was surely only a good thing. He shrugged at his own reminder, a grin on his face as he continued on his way, his back turning to the odd ship that sat drifting in the bay. He spotted a familiar figure across the way, their attention on a younger person standing beside as they stood gazing at the many wonderful things that stretched across the table before them. Pulling his hat down low, he crossed the small span towards the couple, a whistled tune playing in his ears.

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Turn around Sparrow. Turn around and look at me- see your death in my eyes. And Pray. Pray that your death comes on swift wings. And perhaps if you beg, I shall answer your prayers and offer you a quick but painful demise. Are you scared Sparrow? You should be, for if you are not, then mark my words, you will be. I promise you this. And Sparrow... I always keep my promises.

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Jack quietly peered at the wares strewn across the table top: dolls. Lots and lots of dolls! Some were exquisite and appeared expensive, made from fine resin and porcelain. Glass eyes, rosy cheeks, full lips and finely manicured horse-hair stared back at him. Others were simple, made from rags, lace and buttons. One could definitely tell a child's social status in these parts simply by the dolls in which they carried.

Casting a furtive glance over the dolls once more, he smirked and casually asked, "Find anything that tickles your fancy love?"

Anamaria didn't even turn around as she mumbled a less than nice answer in response. The reply added to Jack's delight at seeing the woman flustered at having to stare at the dolls, her daughter's childish excitement at such wonderful things showing signs of wear on her mother's face. Ana had never been one for toting around dolls.

The pirate captain chuckled and reached across the table, his hand snaking around a porcelain doll in which better to examine it when Ana smacked his arm, a warning look crossing her features as she muttered, "Don't touch that doll unless you're willing to pay it's price Jack. You break it, you buy it."

Jack fumbled for the price tag, his eyes widening as he spotted the cost of a child's trinket. How could a child's toy cost so much! With a strangled noise of disbelief he pulled his hand back and shoved it into a jacket pocket. Presently, he saw his daughter's hand mimic his and reach for a rag-made doll, a wide grin on her chubby face. Ana intercepted the girl's hand and turned to look at her. Her expression clearly stated that the doll was not hers and was not to touch. A frown crossed the girl's face, Ana's own face mirroring the reaction as she shook her head no and clasped her finger's around those of her child's. She started to move on when Jack stopped her, a ringed hand gently resting on her shoulder in a silent command.

Ana glared awkwardly at the man when he asked, "Did you just feel that?"

"Feel what?"

Jack turned in a half circle, his kohl-rimmed eyes scanning the marketplace. His tanned face crinkled, a cautious expression playing on his features as he murmured, "A hand, cold as death."

"What?" Ana questioned, her voice a mere whisper full of uncertainty as she stared back at Jack.

Shifting his weight nervously, he canted his head to the side and scanned his surroundings once more. "I think we should head back to the ship," he instructed, his weathered hand gently guiding Ana in the direction of the docks.

"Jack," Ana protested, her dark eyes narrowing at the pirate captain. "The others aren't even back yet. Do you mean to leave them behind?"

Sparing the woman an exasperated glance he stated, "We need to get back to the ship."

"What's gotten into you?"

Silence was Ana's only answer as Jack stared blankly towards the docks and the Pearl. Without a word, he herded Ana and his daughter through the mass of people, his eyes alert, constantly peering around him as they weaved a path to the ship. They were nearly out of the marketplace when Ana's ears perked with the first sounds of trouble.

From somewhere nearby there was a faint shout followed by the sound of steel striking stone, the noise almost unbearable and causing Ana to cringe. From within the massive crowd there was another shout, closer by this time, and almost immediately followed by the unmistakable sound of a pistol being cocked and fired.

Ana felt herself being propelled forward, a hard blow and a crippling pain flaring in her right side. Her chest suddenly tightened, her lungs feeling as if they had all the air sucked right out of them, or that they were shrinking one. She stumbled, a feeling of dizziness crashing down upon her as she grunted and dropped to her knees.

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Author's Corner: I'm sorry its somewhat short and I know it's been a long time since I updated, but it doesn't mean I've abandoned all hope on this story yet. I intend on finishing it, one way or another, even if it takes me years to complete. Hopefully with the release of the new movie, I'll be able to concentrate a little more in an attempt to finish this saga once and for all. Again, my apologies for such a long update delay.