I wouldn't call this a real update as far as the continuity of the story is concerned. This, at the time of its writing, was written on a typewriter. A bonafied antique complete with no keys for the number 1 or the exclamation mark. I love it. I really should have used those thirty minutes to finish up the other two chapters of Bound for the month.

Technically we haven't even met the Captain yet—even though it's more or less blatantly obvious who he is—but this story is in desperate need of an update so I hope this will tide you over as I attempt to get the next chapter finished this month. As my beta is currently in China this one is unedited. Chances are all future updates will be unedited when they are initially posted until next next summer. I will post the edited version once I receive it back from her.

I can almost safely say, though, that the next chapter is pratically halfway written. Of course, when I say that I mean that I am finally wrapping up the 7+ pages of flashbacks. I have no idea what's going to happen in the meat of the story. ^^;;

WANTED

Captain of the Sharingan

Chapter 1.5

A Reprieve

It was very unusual, whenever the Sharingan was docked at one of the safe port cities, for the Captain to be found anywhere but at a local brothel enjoying in the pleasurable company that the city had to offer. Tonight, however, was one of those rare nights when he found himself walking back to his ship before the moon had yet to fully rise. The night air was crisp, unusually cool for this time of year, but sweet. It helped to ease the foul mood that he suddenly found himself in.

Initially he hadn't been certain as to the reason for his agitation. After all, this particular port was as close to home as any of his crew would ever have. The people here were fiercly protective of the Sharingan, her Captain (especially her Captain), her crew and had never suffered the presence of the Navy for long. As a rule, the Navy avoided the small island outside of their routine yearly inspections. This place was more of a home to him then his birth place had ever been so it had been so difficult for him to comprehend when they had entered the tavern that occasionally doubled as a brothel and an information hive that he felt as if something unpleasant was crawling along his skin. It wasn't until a pleasant faced, pale haired singer took the stage that the tavern's owner reserved for her all-age-appropriate entertainment that the feeling became unbearable. He had rushed away from the tavern and pushed away the scarlet haired woman that had settled herself onto his lap in such a manner for it to be considered rude—even for his standards. It was his second-in-command who had identified it for what it was.

Longing.

There had only ever been one woman that he had called a songstress, and even though the pale haired singer had been a washed out imitation and so very different from the woman (girl?) he had known five years ago it had still been a bitter reminder and more then enough to make an old ache hurt. It was only when he ran into his second-in-command that he realized why the aching void felt so keen.

After all it was on a night like this, when the moon hung full in the sky that he had been forced to leave her.

Normally he would be rather disgusted with himself for having such annoyingly sentimental thoughts. Tonight though, as he made his way up the plank of the Sharingan, he couldn't help but think that maybe annoying was rather fitting as far as she was concerned. After all, he had never met another woman beside her that could worm her way into his thoughts like this and make him yearn for her at the most inopportune moments.

He wanted very badly to take the ship, to tear his crew away from their night of rest, so that he could find her. He hated this weakness, this burning desire to seek her out, to hold her soft form. The Captain's hand clenched into a fist. He wanted to lay his head on her lap as he played with the silky strands of her pink hair as he listened to her sing.

Instead he found himself moving towards the mast and climbing the ropes that lead to the crow's nest. Because this port was a safe harbor for them there was never any real need to keep guards posted. Guards were posted at key points of the island so that it was impossible for any Navy spies to sneak through without any of his allies knowing.

He leaned against the edge of the curved wall that enclosed the crow's nest. For a moment, if he closed his eyes as a light sea breeze touseled his hair he could almost smell the slight scent of cherry blossoms on the wind. In that moment of weakness he allowed himself to fancy that the murmur of sound that was coming from the lit street was her sweet, lilting voice.

So, yeah, that was really short. I hope its enough to tide you over until I can finish Chapter 2. I almost want to say the A/N was nearly as long as the chapter. Gomen.