Disclaimer: I own nothing from Inuyasha, and nothing from PotC. That includes Sesshoumaru and Johnny Depp/Captain Jack Sparrow, unfortunately. (Damn…that's depressing…but I still have my paintings and doodles…which you can see at my site 'Dark Gardens') :P Yes. Advertising. Oh the joys of it. Less intrusive than those damn popups though, I must say. Or the advertising roachhost suddenly plastered all over MY site…grrrr.
Chapter (3): Let's 'Borrow' That One!
Elisabeth looked out over the prow of the ship, singing softly into the errant breeze.
"…We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot. Drink up me 'earties yo ho! We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot. Drink up me 'earties yo ho! Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me. We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack. Drink up-"
Gibbs startled her, placing his hand on her shoulder and whispering forcefully "Quiet, missy! Cursed pirates sail these waters. You don't want to bring them down on us, now, do ya now?" Elisabeth blinked once in surprise and looked at Norrington as he added his bit to the conversation.
"Mr. Gibbs, that will do!"
"She was singing about pirates! Bad luck to be singing about pirates with us mired in this unnatural fog. Mark my words!"
"Consider them marked. On your way."
Gibbs went, muttering as he left. "Aye, Lieutenant. It's bad luck to have a woman on board, too… even a miniature one." He sighed, and took a steadying pull from his hip flask.
"I think it'd be rather exciting to meet a pirate." Elisabeth was quite sure that, according to Gibbs, everything was bad luck. Probably climbing the rigging in bloomers would be too…or stealing his water-bottle… She smiled at the prospect of meeting one of these highly romanticized pirates. It would be terribly exiting, she was sure!
Norrington set her straight. He believed pirates to be utter scoundrels "Think again, Miss Swann. Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag or wears a pirate brand gets what he deserves – a short drop and a sudden stop." He looked down, amused by Elisabeth's naivety. Pirates were to be taken seriously.
Elisabeth looked confused, and glanced down at Gibbs to see if he knew what Norrington was talking about. Gibbs mimed a hanging, and Elisabeth gasped in horror. The poor pirates!
Governor Swann hurried over, and said in a slightly breathless voice "Lieutenant Norrington, I appreciate your fervor, but I'm…concerned about the effect this subject will have upon my daughter."
"My apologies, Governor Swann" Norrington tuned and left.
"Actually, I find it all fascinating." Piped up Elisabeth, still finding the whole concept of piracy a wonderful, romantic idea.
"Yes. That's what concerns me." A hint of worried stress colored his voice. The governor tuned and left as well, and Elisabeth went back to staring out over the water, silently this time. She saw a parasol and leaned over farther, wondering where it came from, then spotted a piece of wreckage with a boy on it in the water
"Look! A boy! There's a boy in the water!"
"Man overboard! Man the ropes. Fetch a Hook! Haul him aboard!" The boy was hauled over the side, and laid out on deck.
"He's still breathing!"
Gibbs leaned out over the side, and spotted the burning ship, the flickering lights of flames dancing on the water and on the charred remains of a ship "Mary, Mother of God!"
"What happened here?" "It's most likely the powder magazine. Merchant vessels run heavily armed." "A lot of good it did them. Everyone's thinking it. I'm just saying it. Pirates."
"There's no proof of that. It was probably an accident." Governor Swann answered in a sharp voice. He did not need a panic.
"Rouse the Captain immediately! Heave to and take in sail. Launch the boats!" Norrington marched off, headed for the cutters There might be more survivors…
"Elizabeth, I want you to accompany the boy. He'll be in your charge. The governor turned away to follow. Elisabeth nodded and walked over to the unconscious boy.
Elisabeth looked down at the boy, reaching out her hand curiously.
She gasped as a skinny hand suddenly grabbed her wrist. "Its ok! My name is Elisabeth Swann."
"W-W-Will Turner."
"I'm watching over you, Will." Will fainted again, and she noticed the chain under his shirt. She took it and examined the gold medallion on the end.
Her eyes grew round. "You're a p-pirate!" She gasped, and hid it behind her back as Norrington's footsteps approached.
"Has he said anything?"
"His name is William Turner. That's all I found out." Elisabeth fidgeted under his inquiring stare.
"Take him below."
Elisabeth went to the prow of the ship, and carefully took out the medallion to examine it. She lowered the gold, seeing a ghostly black ship come into focus behind it, flying the Jolly Roger.
She gasped, and closed her eyes tightly, as though to block out the sight and therefore the reality of the black vessel. Pirates!
Elizabeth woke from the dream with a start, blinking in the early sun. She got up and crossed the floor to the dresser, taking the medallion from her dream out of her bureau drawer. On a whim, she put it on, looking at her reflection in a mirror. At the knock on the door she whirled around, tossing a robe around her shoulders and tucking the necklace away in her shift.
"Elizabeth? Are you all right? Are you decent?" Governor Swann asked from the other side of the door. He was not going to walk in unless she said she was dressed.
"Yes, yes!"
"Still abed at this hour?" The governor opened the curtains and the window. "It's a beautiful day. I have a gift for you." He pulled out a box, which Elisabeth opened. It was a dress, heavy with embroidery.
"Oh, it's beautiful!"
"Isn't it?"
"May I inquire as to the occasion?" Elisabeth narrowed her eyes, sure he was up to something. She just didn't know what.
"Does a father need an occasion to dote upon his daughter? Go on." He shooed the two maids at his elbow forwards, and they began unpacking the dress for wear. "Actually, I, um…I had hoped you might wear it for the ceremony today."
"The ceremony?" Oh…right…that ceremony. Oh great…just bloody great…
"Captain Norrington's promotion ceremony." She couldn't have forgotten it! He had plans for that ceremony!
"I knew it!" Elisabeth poked her head around the corner, looking irritated. Him and his matchmaking…
"Commodore Norrington, as he's about to become!" The governor corrected her sternly as the maids laced up the corset for the dress. Elisabeth gasped as it cut into her middle. "A fine gentleman, don't you think? He fancies you, you know. Elizabeth? How's it coming?"
"It's…difficult to say." Elisabeth managed to get out, struggling to breathe. Who invented corsets? She'd like to stuff them into one right about now…
"I'm told it's the latest fashion in London."
"Well, women in London must've learned not to breathe." Retorted Elisabeth. He should try wearing it if he liked the stupid thing so much!
A servant appeared at the door. "Milord, you have a visitor."
"Ah, Mr. Turner, good to see you again!"
"Good day, sir. I have your order. " Will opened the case and took out the sword nestled in the fabric inside. Governor Swann took the sword and unsheathed it.
Will watched the governor examining his work. "The blade is folded steel. That's gold filigree laid into the handle. If I may?" He took the sword back and balanced it on two finders. "Perfectly balanced. The tang is nearly the full width of the blade." He flipped the sword and presented it gracefully to the Governor.
Governor Swann took the sword back and smiled "Impressive. Very impressive. Ah, now, Commodore Norrington is going to be very pleased with this. Do pass my compliments on to your Master. Hmm?"
Will paused for a moment. So he still thought his master made the swords? "I shall. A craftsman is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated." Even if it wasn't praise for him, Will, it was still good to hear the sword was well received…
Governor Swann turned as he heard footsteps on the stairs. "Oh, Elizabeth, you look absolutely stunning.
Elizabeth hurried down the stairs, holding up the hem of her dress. "Will! It's so good to see you. I had a dream about you last night."
Will shifted his weight nervously. "About me?"
"Yes, well, is that entirely proper for you to…?"
Elizabeth ran right over the top of her father, continuing on. "About the day we met, do you remember?'
"How could I forget, Miss Swann?" Will smiled slightly at the memory.
"Will, how many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth?" she asked, with a faint pleading in her voice.
"At least once more, Miss Swann, as always."
"There. See? At least the boy has a sense of propriety. Now, we really must be going." He handed a parasol to Elisabeth. "There you are."
Elizabeth turned to Will. "Good day, Mr. Turner." She turned to leave, summoned towards the carriage, disappointed. Miss Swann indeed…
"Good day… " Will followed behind Elizabeth and the Governor. He watched them get into the carriage from the doorway, and saw Elisabeth glancing back at him. "…Elizabeth."
"First things first, we're going to need a new ship." Jack gave Kagome a hard look "Let's go pick one out, shall we? Then later on when we commandeer it, we'll know which one we want."
The group headed down the beach to where the navy had their boats docked. There was an impressive number of ships, some of them larger than any other boat Inuyasha had seen before. There was one particularly large one called the Dauntless, a British man-o-war, and obviously the prize jewel of the navy. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at all the human sailors crowding the docks some ways away. It looked like a kicked anthill over there.
Jack looked at a smaller ship named the Interceptor and grinned. She looked perfect. Fast, light, and just the right size.
"You think you can occupy the guards long enough for me to inspect that one? It looks like a good ship, but I'd like to take a closer look before making any permanent decisions."
Kagome looked incredulously at him. He sounded like he was going shopping! She shook her head, and laughed. It did make sense, but it just seemed so…brazen. But if it worked…
"Sure. No problem." She looked at the guards and then at Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. "I think we can make a distraction, can't we?" No doubt all they'd have to do was walk by and the guards would be wondering who the crazy people in mismatched clothing were…
Inuyasha shifted Kagome's weight on his back and walked down to the guards. She had managed to persuade him that a piggyback ride would be a good way to distract people. He hadn't really minded giving her one, at any rate. He rather liked carrying her around…
Sesshoumaru followed behind, face not showing what he thought of the whole affair. Privately, he felt his brother was acting like the clown he was…
Inuyasha walked up to the guards, who watched him and Kagome openly before even noticing Sesshoumaru behind them. They stared at the trio in fascination, trying to decide what they were, completely missing Jack as he slipped around to the deck of Interceptor.
One of the guards finally caught himself, remembering why he was on duty. "This dock is off limits to civilians."
"Really? I didn't know that. Did you know that?" Kagome grinned, and attempted to look innocent. Sesshoumaru almost rolled his eyes. She did not look innocent at all…
"No, I didn't. I don't care though." Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders, and put Kagome down, hand on his sword. If these people in red started making a fuss about them being here…
"Somehow I thought you'd say that. Sesshoumaru?" Kagome smiled cheerfully from the docks, fairly brimming over with excitement and high spirits.
Sesshoumaru shrugged. If they tried to get him to move, they would just end up less a few arms. Other than that, all was well. Inuyasha tried to move onto the dock, but Murtogg blocked him. Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome whispered to let her do the talking, and began again.
"Oh…spoilsport. We just wanted to have a self guided tour!"
"Self guided tour?" What? The soldiers looked at each other, not sure what was going on.
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. They didn't know what that was happening, but he didn't either…and that was a problem.
"Yes! You guys are missing out on a huge business in tourism by not letting us though! You should put out pamphlets and have a booth that says 'Boat tour starts here'!"
"But…we need to make sure this dock stays off limits to civilians…"
"But we're not civilians, we're tourists! Surely you can let a few tourists go look at the fastest boat in the navy? The Dauntless looks so interesting!" There, that ought to confuse them no end…
"Oh, the Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough, but there's no ship as can match the Interceptor for speed." Tourist?
What was a bloody tourist? Was it some sort of official…? Mullroy's eyes took in the ragged appearance of the trio facing him, and scrapped that idea. They were most definitely not British officials, and not other countries ought to have any personal her in an official capacity. So what were they?
"But what about the Titanic? Or the Bluenose? It was the fastest schooner ever!" Kagome's eyes twinkled as she thought about the famous Canadian ship, which hadn't even been built yet. That ought to confuse them even more…
She laughed slightly as she caught the dazed expression on Inuyasha's face. Looked like she had managed to confuse him too…
"Bluenose…? Never heard of it." Mullroy looked at her suspiciously. A schooner…was that some Chinese kind of ship? She looked like she came from around there...he blinked at the guy in red behind her. He had no idea where he, or the woman behind him with the long white hair, were from. They looked too young to be old… "I've heard of one, supposed to be very fast – nigh un-catchable…the Black Pearl."
"Well…then…there's no real ship as can match the Interceptor." His fellow guard looked crossways at him. First the girl started spouting nonsense, and then his friend did too…madness must be catching…
"The Black Pearl is a real ship."
"No, no it's not!"
"Yes, it is. I've seen it!"
"You've seen it?"
"Yes."
"You haven't seen it." That was a lie…
"Yes, I have."
"You've seen a ship with black sails, that's crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that Hell itself spat him back out?"
"Was the captains name Naraku?" Inuyasha grinned, and leaned forwards. He wouldn't have put it past the old spider to be still alive and kicking after all, and coming after the last shard…even if they had killed him.
"It was Barbossa." Who was Naraku? Obviously, a man as evil Barbossa. "No, I haven't seen that."
Kagome blinked in surprise. It was the same man they and Jack were after! Sesshoumaru leaned forwards slightly, interested. If they were after Barbossa, then the sooner they could kill him and be on their way home, the happier he would be.
"But I have seen a ship with black sails. "
"Oh, and no ship that's not crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that Hell itself spat him back out could possibly have black sails, therefore couldn't possibly be any other ship than the Black Pearl. Is that what you're saying?" Mullroy told him sarcastically, looking back towards the Interceptor.
Murtogg nodded. "No."
"Like I said, there's no real ship as can match the Interceptor…" He leaned back against his post, satisfied, before he finally noticed Jack. "Hey! You! Get away from there."
"But he's a tourist too!" Kagome tried desperately to keep their attention on her, but they ignored the threesome and went after the known rule breaker.
"You don't have permission to be aboard there, mate!"
Mate? Why was the man calling Jack mate, even though they'd never seen each other before? Sesshoumaru frowned slightly. Humans had some rather odd customs, didn't they…? Jack must not have heard him, if he was letting the man get away with calling him his mate…if it was him, he'd have been rather peeved right about now…
"I'm sorry, it's just - it's such a pretty boat. Ship!"
"See! Told you we were on a self guided tour of the boats!" Inuyasha rolled his eyes. One day, Kagome really had to tell him about tourism…
Jack winced. This was not a boat…it was a ship!
"What's your name?" Right. He was a bloody tourist…
He was also where he shouldn't be. Namely, on board the ship. Mullroy was very clear on that point, even if nothing else made sense right now.
"Names Smith. Or Smithy, if you like." Jack grinned and leaned against the helm. He was rather pleased with this ship. He'd managed to look at it and test the helm before he was noticed, something he was grateful to his newfound companions for helping him with.
"What's your purpose in Port Royal, Mr. Smith?"
"Yeah. And no lies." A riffle was shaken in Jacks general direction. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at it, and the bayonet attached to the end. It reminded him of the guns he'd seen once before…damn things.
"Well, then, I confess, it is my intention to commandeer one of these ships, pick up a crew in Tortuga, raid, pillage, plunder and otherwise pilfer my weasely black guts out!" Proclaimed Jack proudly, throwing his arms open wide and striking a dramatic pose. Sesshoumaru stared at him, and Kagome and Inuyasha both started to laugh.
"And tourism!" Inuyasha was really starting to get into the spirit of things now. He didn't really know what he was talking about, but then again, neither did the guards.
"Sod the bloody tourists! I said no lies!"
"I think he's telling the truth." Mullroy stared hard at Jack before glancing back at the two people laughing at his expense. Ruddy liars…today was going to be one of those days…
"If he were telling the truth, he wouldn't have told us!" That made no sense!
"Unless, of course, he knew you wouldn't believe the truth even if he told it to you." Jack added, smiling innocently.
Murtogg threw up his hands in defeat. "I give up!"
"Oh, good!"
Elisabeth stood to the side, watching the ceremony drag on. She fanned herself, wincing slightly as the slight movement shot needles of pain along her constricted middle. Stupid ceremony, and a wretched way to dress. She was never going to wear a corset again!
Finally the pompous speeches dragged to a halt, and the party began. Elisabeth retreated to the shadows, but Norrington cornered her. "May I have a moment?"
She nodded, cursing him. Why he had to find her so soon…she could have managed to hide somewhere…
"Um, you look lovely, Elizabeth. I, uh, apologize if I seem forward, but I… must speak my mind. This promotion throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved…a marriage to a fine woman. You have become a fine woman, Elizabeth " He stared out over the battlements, desperately trying to say something that wouldn't come out sounding stupid. His hands started getting clammy.
Elizabeth leaned heavily against the stone wall, wincing as the corset pulled when she tried to take a breath. Was her vision supposed to narrow down into black tunnels like that…? "I can't breathe."
She gasped, eyes wide open and seeing nothing but blackness…she had the oddest sensation of falling…
Norrington ground on, oblivious. "Yes, I… I'm a bit nervous myself. "
Kagome folded her arms and listened incredulously to Jack, who was weaving lies and exaggeration expertly together to create an interesting, if obviously untrue, story. He had managed to completely distract the guards with his outrageously tale tales.
" …and then they made me their chief!" Jack gestured wildly with his arms, nearly hitting Inuyasha on the nose. Inuyasha glared at him, and Kagome clapped as he finished with a flourish.
A splash rang out across the white noise of the docks, and Inuyasha looked over, confused. Where had it come from?
Jack rushed to the side. It was a girl! He glanced at Sesshoumaru and, with a perfectly straight face, asked, "Going to go for a swim again?"
Sesshoumaru gave him a look. If glares could kill, Jack would have died a hundred thousand painful deaths...
Jack sighed. Apparently, Sesshoumaru wasn't volunteering. "Will you be saving her then?" he asked Mullroy.
"I can't swim!"
Jack glanced at Murtogg who stared guiltily back at him. "Pride of the King's Navy you are. "
He stripped off his belt, and handed Kagome his things. "Do not lose these." With that, Jack dove in.
Something rippled on the water. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha frowned as a single wave sped off into the distance. "What was that?"
Kagome frowned as her miko senses felt… something…she watched as the ripples spread outwards, and the wind picked up. What did that mean? There wasn't a Shikon shard here, or she'd have known. And that did not feel like a shard. It was older, darker.
They hurried over to the docks, where Jack was floundering in to shore with a woman in tow. When he reached the docks he Elisabeth's dead weight off to Murtogg gratefully, and then pulled himself out of the ocean.
"I got her! She's not breathing!" Murtogg looked around wildly.
"…What about CPR? Let me see her." Kagome knew a few medical basics, since she'd taken quite a few fist aid courses since going time hopping on a regular basis. She started to move forwards, but Jack beat her to it.
"Move!" Jack looked exasperated with the panicked soldiers, and simply bent down and cut off the woman's corset. Elizabeth immediately spat out water and gasped for breath.
"Never would've thought of that…"
Inuyasha had to agree with that one. The things women wore, some days…Kagome was almost as bad! There was that one time when there was a snowstorm, and she didn't have anything to wear but her rather…short…skirt.
Of course, he wasn't protesting how high it went, usually…neither had Miroku, some days…
Maybe the monk had been a bad influence…
Jack looked up. "Clearly you've never been to Singapore." He caught sight of the medallion, and snatched it up. "Where did you get that?"
Elisabeth stared up at him, still in shock. Her medallion…?
Kagome frowned…there was something about that gold pendant… it was the same as what she had felt before. Was that what she'd sensed?
Norrington rushed up, and pointed his sword at Jack as more guards ringed Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru and Kagome. "On your feet!"
"Hey! We didn't do anything!" Inuyasha glared at the soldiers. Sesshoumaru didn't even do that, but somehow nobody ended up standing close to him.
"Yet..." Norrington muttered under his breath
Governor Swann came right behind him and went straight to Elizabeth without even glancing at the 'prisoners'. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Elisabeth shivered in the cool ocean air, staring at the foursome, who had to be the most interesting persons she had ever seen.
Governor Swann looked up from Elisabeth and saw Murtogg holding Elizabeth 's corset. He looked scandalized. Murtogg swallowed, then guiltily pointed at Jack. Governor Swann glared at Jack. "Shoot him! And them! Shoot them all"
Elizabeth glanced at them in confusion. "Father! Commodore, do you really intend to kill my rescuers?"
Norrington smiled. Some rescuers…they looked like a band of pirates if ever he saw one! "I believe thanks are in order." He offered his hand to shake. Jack hesitated, then took it. Norrington quickly brought his other hand around and pushed up Jacks tattered sleeve, revealing the condemning 'P'. "Had a brush with the East India Trading company, did we, pirate?"
He looked over at the other interlopers, one of them a woman! In pants! "Check them too. The hangman might earn 4…" he saw Inuyasha's bare feet. "… 3 pairs of boots."
Kagome started muttering under her breath, so softly only Inuyasha or Sesshoumaru could have heard her "Don't do anything, just play along …pleasepleasepleasejustgoalongfornow…"
Inuyasha clenched his fits but put up with it, wrinkling his nose.
Kagome made a face and pulled up both sleeves before the men could do it, to show her arms clear of any brand.
Sesshoumaru scowled, planing exactly what he was going to do to Kagome after this was over. Let these dirty humans check him for a 'p' brand…ridiculous!
Kagome looked at him meaningfully, eyes spelling out 'down'. Sesshoumaru glared, but didn't resist too much as the filthy humans checked his arm. Too bad he couldn't pull up his own sleeves.
No thanks to Inuyasha of course… And too bad he couldn't say exactly what he thought of this whole affair…or he'd be 'downed' in front of a whole group of human officials and, worse yet, Inuyasha…
"He's got tattoos, but the others are clean"
Tattoos? Well, weren't they just the brightest humans? Those were marks of rank! He maroon stripes were no mere tattoos!
"Hang him too."
Hang him? What idiots….as though he, Sesshoumaru, would ever permit them to do such a thing…
Norrington scowled. He didn't have enough evidence to hang the woman and the man in red, but they could be thrown in jail for association with a known pirate. Maybe even hung.
"Keep your guns on them, men. Gillette, fetch some irons. The two others we will detain with the pirates." He pushed Jack's sleeve up further, seeing the tattoo of a sparrow in flight. "Well, well… Jack Sparrow, isn't it?"
"Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please." Jack spoke with a hint of pride in his voice. He would always be a captain! Even if he was missing his ship at the moment…
Norrington smiled coldly. "Well, I don't see your ship…Captain."
Jack grimaced, glancing at Kagome. It was her fault Anamaria was going to pound his hide for breaking her boat! "I'm in the market as it were."
"He said he'd come to commandeer one."
Mullroy took Jack's things from Kagome, ginning. He'd known Jack was telling the truth all along! "Told ya he was telling the truth. These are his, sir." He handed Norrington Jack's things. Norrington looked them over disdainfully.
"No additional shots nor powder. A compass that doesn't point north." He unsheathed the sword. "And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of."
Jack smiled. "But you have heard of me." He grimaced as the promised irons appeared, and someone began handcuffing him.
Norrington looked over at the others. "Take their weapons, men. If they are in league with the pirate, as is most likely, they'll not be needing them soon."
Inuyasha's hands went to his sword hilt. No way were they going to take it from him! He pulled Kagome back and edged back with one hand on his sword hilt, taking up a defensive position. Sesshoumaru just let his one hand drape across his weapons and waited. If the humans were stupid enough to try to take the Taiyoukai's possessions, he would soon show them the consequences. He couldn't imagine even humans were that stupid, but it had been known to happen…
Elizabeth looked horrified. Because these people had rescued her, they were going to go to jail! Two of them would be hanged! She didn't want their deaths on her conscience. "Commodore, I really must protest!" She went over to stand between him and the nearest pirate, who happened to be Jack.
She glanced over at Kagome, surprised to see a woman pirate. She'd dreamed about being the menace of the seas quite a lot when she was younger…
Norrington ignored her. "Carefully, Lieutenant, we don't-" They didn't look like they'd go peacefully, did they?
"Pirate or not this man saved my life!"
Norrington looked back at her. "One good deed is not enough to redeem any man of a lifetime of wickedness."
"Though it seems enough to condemn him." Jack spoke up helpfully from the background. Kagome had to agree with that one…
"Aren't you supposed to say why we're being arrested, Mr.…?" Didn't Britain have some system where you had to be read your rights before being arrested in the 1600's? Or was that another country? She didn't know. She hoped England did have those laws…
"Commodore Norrington. And I don't think I shall." He was a commodore now, and he was going to make sure the whole world remembered it!
As the guard finished with Jacks handcuffs he moved over to Sesshoumaru, who just gave him another look The man faltered. There were limits to every mans courage, and putting irons on Sesshoumaru lay beyond his bounds…
Besides, how to handcuff a one-armed man? He paused in front of Sesshoumaru, frowning. He didn't think he wanted to risk those cold…gold eyes? Who had gold eyes?
"Finally!" Jack grinned, and threw his arms around Elisabeth, taking her hostage. Kagome sighed. Why did he remind her of Miroku just then…?
She flinched as the person with the handcuffs seized her from behind, making this a standoff. Oh great… now they'd really done it… Inuyasha was not going to like this…
Governor Swann panicked, and lost his head "No, don't shoot!"
Inuyasha's face contorted in rage and he halfway unsheathed his sword before reconsidering. He would deal with this threat with his own two hands!
Kagome shot him a warning look. 'Not now' she mouthed at him. 'Wait'
Inuyasha stared at her. What was she thinking? She was being held by a madman with a sword, and Jack had the unknown woman, who must be important, as hostage…and she didn't want to be rescued?
Jack smiled. "I knew you'd warm up to me. Commodore Norrington, my effects, please, and my hat. Commodore! Elizabeth. It is Elizabeth isn't it?"
"It's Miss Swann." Ok…maybe she didn't like pirates as much as she had a few minutes ago…
Jack brushed aside the hostility. He'd had far worse from most of his lady friends at Tortuga and survived despite them. "Miss Swann, if you'd be so kind. Come, come, dear. We don't have all day. Inuyasha probably hates to be kept waiting."
Inuyasha glared, and nodded, not taking his eyes off Kagome and her captor. Kagome sighed.
Elisabeth mashed his grimy hat down on his head, and glared at him.
"Now if you'd be very kind." Elisabeth put on his belt with more force than strictly necessary. Jack smirked over her shoulder at Norrington, who scowled. "Easy on the goods, darling."
Elizabeth's lips twisted. "You're despicable."
"Sticks and stones, love. I saved your life, and you're our ticket to freedom." Jack glanced over at where Inuyasha was glaring with clenched fists at the guard holding onto Kagome. "Let her go at the same time as I release Elisabeth?"
"I don't thin-" began Norrington, but was interrupted as Inuyasha gave up on waiting and knocked the guard's hands away. He'd had about enough of this…
Sesshoumaru sighed slightly as the men around him moved towards Inuyasha. His brother really needed to think before he acted…of course, when he did, the world would end…
"Climb on!" Inuyasha stood in front of Kagome, waiting for her to hurry up and get on his back so he could get them both out of here. He didn't care about his brother (he could die…) or Jack, who'd started this mess in the first place. They could take care of themselves.
Jack began to speak again, and the soldiers attention turned to include him "Gentlemen, m'ladies, you will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow and his motley crew of misfits!" As he spoke he backed up and then, suddenly, pushed Elizabeth away and ran. He grabbed a rope and kicked away the restrain just as Inuyasha leaped up and seemed to hang in the air, Kagome holding on for dear life. "Run for it!"
Murtogg, the only one whose attention was not all on Jack, gaped at the hanyou as he disappeared over the roof of a house. How did he do that!
The cannon at the other end of the rope smashed down onto the docks and Sesshoumaru, who was standing in the midst of the chaos, jumped to the end of the docks, barely missing the splash as a soldier tumbled in after the cannon. He was not going to end up covered in saltwater again!
Governor Swann shouted "Now, will you shoot him?" He gestured wildly at Jack and Sesshoumaru.
The soldiers aimed above their heads, where Jack had started to swing wildly from a rope, trying to escape. A few sighted towards Sesshoumaru.
"Open fire!"
Jack's eyes widened as shots rang out below, most directed at him, but some at Sesshoumaru, standing impassively at the end of the pier. Oh shit…he felt like the proverbial fish in the barrel!
"After him!" Two soldiers rushed Sesshoumaru and he knocked them aside with a casual swipe of the arm. They went sprawling into the wreckage of the docks, and splashed into the bay. Murtogg stared again…that was impossible! No one was that strong!
Above, Jack threw his chains around a rope and slid down to the ground. He ran down the bridge and into Port Royal, putting on a burst of speed as gunshots rang out behind him.
Sesshoumaru grimaced slightly, the loud sounds hurting his delicate ears. No, he did not like guns. If anything, these were even louder than the ones at home…he watched the bullets, scornfully noting the woeful lack of aim. He didn't even bother to deflect the bullets with his whip.
"Gillette, Mr. Sparrow and his compatriots have a dawn appointment with the gallows. I would hate for them to miss it."
Norrington watched in shock as Sesshoumaru turned and leisurely wandered off. How could someone with only one arm do that? He'd seen him knock aside two of his best men like nine-pins!
Obviously, he would need to be confined with the pirate… He looked dangerous, with those swords and the ragged, villainous look…not to mention the company he kept…and dammed strong if he could do that with only one arm! He should be declared a public menace!
Soldiers tore down the streets after Jack, running in loose formation. "Search upstairs. Look lively, men!" They were to capture the escaped pirates…and some few unlucky souls were left behind to deal with the remaining pirate.
Sesshoumaru kept walking away from the docks until, just as he was just at the main entrance to town two other soldiers came up behind him, looking rather unhappy with their current lives and circumstances. "You there, halt! We're arresting you until Commodore Norrington has the opportunity to interrogate you!"
Slowly, Sesshoumaru turned around. The two men quailed slightly.
Well, chappy three for you, (Revamped a bit, of course). I think apart from a general clean-up the only thing I majorly changed was the scene at the docks, where the Inu-gang provide a 'distraction' Originally they ended up with Jack's lines…but that didn't really fit. So, much as I love Jacks little speech about civilians…it's not there anymore. Oh well…hope you lot like this just as well.
I realize this ch does incorporate quite a lot of movie dialogue… some people don't like that, but I feel it needs to be there. Sorry for that, but, oh well…
My homepage 'Dark Gardens', contains a large amount of writing, (original and fanfiction), and an art section. Come visit! (FF .net won't allow underscores to be posted in a ch, so you'll have to visit my profile for the link)
Originally posted: Feb 24 2004
Revised: Jan 4 2006
