A/N - So, in case you don't follow "From the Ashes", I wanted to let you know here that I plan to upload a new chapter every Monday. Expect to see it sometime before 8:00 pm MST. As of right now, I'll be alternating between this story and "From the Ashes". So next week, I'll upload to that story, and the week after that, I'll post for this one yada yada yada. I'm still genuinely surprised this story was as popular as it was and I hope to keep you guys entertained. Enjoy!

There was a huge commotion outside one of the houses near the center of the island. As Kenway, Anne, and Gibbs went to investigate, they found Sparrow to be the center of it. They saw a large man throw Sparrow out of the house and into the dust.

"That'll teach ye to fondle me girl!" he shouted.

"I can assure you," Sparrow replied while standing up and brushing himself off, "That this was all just a misunderstanding. We go way back, don't we… um," he stuttered, forgetting her name. The man snorted.

"If I ever catch you near my girl again… I'll tie the noose myself," he threatened while going indoors with his maiden by his side. Finally, the crowd dispersed and Kenway was able to approach him.

"Trouble seems to follow you everywhere you go," he remarked.

"Aye, tis' the life of a pirate," Sparrow replied.

"Right… Mr. Sparrow, I have a—"

"Captain, Captain Sparrow," Jack corrected. Sighing, Kenway corrected himself.

"Captain Sparrow, I have a request."

"Name it then."

"I wish to temporarily join your crew."

"Is that so?" he asked before looking around him and leaning closer, "Why?"

"Those hunters that followed you, they're an enemy I've dealt with before. I wish to offer my services."

"Do I have to pay you?" Jack asked.

"This is a task that needed to be done for a while. Your transportation is all the payment I require. I only ask that if I find anything, I take it for additional compensation."

"In that case, I see no reason why not," Jack answered, "Welcome… to the Black Pearl."

The next week went by quickly. As Sparrow's ship was patched up, Kenway took it upon himself to find answers. Still within the brig of the Black Pearl, Kenway received Jack's permission to interrogate the prisoners. After stepping inside, all eyes were on him. Many stood up and gripped the bars of their cells as they glared.

"I'm looking for the highest-rank!" he called out. They all looked at each other, deciding on whether it was their place to say.

"That would be me," one man spoke up. Kenway looked in his general direction as the man approached the front of his cell. He was an older gentleman with a very unkempt beard.

"I want the name of your captain," Kenway demanded.

"What good is the name of a dead man?" the man asked.

"I'm not here for games."

He chuckled.

"Is that not what pirates do?"

"You'll never get answers that way," called out a man from the stairs leading above. Looking in that general direction. Kenway found Hector Barbosa walking towards them.

"If it's answers ye want, you'll need to be sharp about it," he explained while pulling out a knife. He then held it by the blade and pointed the handle towards the prisoner.

"Go on, take it," he motioned towards the prisoner. The man chuckled.

"You think I'm an idiot?" he asked while looking back at the Barbosa.

"You're smarter than you look, maybe you—" Barbosa began. He was interrupted by the man reaching for the knife. Barbosa pulled his hand back and grabbed the man's wrist with his free hand. He sighed.

"You hunters are all the same," Barbosa commented while sliding his hand into the man's palm, forcing his fingers open. He immediately looked panicked. Barbosa then put the blade to the man's pinky and began to dig into the skin.

"Now… your captain?" he asked slowly.

"Go fuck yerself!" he said through gritted teeth. Barbosa then quickly sliced downwards and through the finger. He cried out in pain as half his pinky fell to the floor, a trail of blood following it. The man then tried pulling his hand back, but Barbosa kept his grip.

"Let's try that again," the pirate spoke slowly, "The name?"

"He told me not to tell anyone," he said, tears welling in his eyes. Barbosa then slashed again, allowing the rest of the finger to fall to the deck, more blood following it. The man then banged on the cell door with his other hand.

"Damn you!"

"The name…" Barbosa repeated before driving his knife into the knuckle of the man's index finger. He slowly pushed farther and farther into the finger.

"Parris," he muttered through gritted teeth, "Henry Parris." Barbosa pulled his knife away and let go of his hand. The man then yanked his hand back and held it close to his chest.

"Where did you meet him?" Kenway asked.

"Port Royal," he scowled, "Said he had an offer we couldn't refuse. All we… had to do… was sink your ship." Barbosa then looked at Kenway.

"You know this man, this… Parris?" he asked.

"No, a pirate rarely knows his enemies," Kenway replied. The two of them backed away from the cell and went back to the top of the deck.

"Thank you for your help."

"It's not thanks I be wanting. Showing him his place was reward enough."

"All the same, because of you, I know where to go."

"Port Royal?" Barbosa laughed, "They'll tear that ship of yers' to sunders!"

"Aye, I'll be needing another way in," Kenway agreed.

"Well, word has it you'll be joining us, and if that be the case, you can ask around port when we reach Tortuga."

"Very well then. Should only take a few more days for the repairs, then we'll set sail I imagine?"

"Aye, the sooner we leave this port, the better," he commented before stepping onto the port. Back at The Jackdaw, Kenway informed Anne of what he learned.

"I guess you were right after all," she commented.

"Aye, and if this involves Port Royal, I have to investigate," he added.

"But why with this lot?"

"It's not his looks that convinced the hunters he was me. It was his actions. He had to have stolen something… something very valuable," he explained. Anne sighed.

"How long will you need?" she asked.

"I'd say seven months. By then I should have everything I need and be back here," he answered.

"Alright then, I suppose we should see to the repairs."

One week later

At long last, the repairs were finished and the last of the supplies were loaded onto the Pearl. The prisoners were all moved into the jail on the island, except for one. Kenway thought the man he had interrogated a week ago could still be useful. Once everything was loaded, the ship left the port and sailed towards its destination, the wind slowing picking up. Kenway sighed as the pirate colony faded from view. He was now officially a part of the Black Pearl.