Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or Rurouni Kenshin!

Yay! More is revealed in this part about the Kenshin crew!

Enjoy!

Allen groaned as he woke, rubbing the back of his head. He must've gotten a bruise from whatever hit him. When he took his hand away, an alcoholic smell lingered on his fingers. Hit over the head with a bottle full of booze, that was a new one.

"You'll have one of my crew to thank for that. Misao-dono sometimes is impulsive when protecting Aoshi."

"Who's there?" the long-haired warrior asked, standing and going to the door of his tiny cell. He tried to see through the darkness, but failed, since he was in bright light because of the hole in the ceiling.

But he needn't have bothered, because from the darkness came a short man with red hair tied back in a high ponytail, his eyes a cool amber. And on his left cheek, was the same symbol that had been on the flag. A pair of slashes, like a cross. His face was serene, despite his appearance. A sword was on his belt that looked similar to the style of swords they had on Gaea.

"You're the captain of this vessel?"

"Yes, I am. Battosai-taisho, of the pirate ship Hitokiri. And what might your name be, since I've made an introduction?"

"Schezar Allen, one of Asturia's Knights of Heaven," Allen returned, then narrowed his eyes. "Why did you destroy my ship and my crew with it?"

"We were being cautious. On these waters, if you don't strike first, you could end up dead or prisoner to an enemy you never knew you had." Battosai stepped closer, within striking range. "That's what we have to do to survive. If you hadn't encountered us, you would've been shot down by a demon ship, more than anything else. Would you have preferred that we killed you and your angelic friend, too?"

"Where's Van now? What have you done with him?" Allen demanded, eyes on fire.

Battosai waved a little. "Megumi-dono, our ship's doctor, has him right now. Just hope he's still unconscious."

"Why?"

"Because if he wakes up while she's extracting the bullets that were lodged in his wings, he won't be just in pain, but I wouldn't be surprised if he screams."

As if on cue, Van's voice rang out in a yell of pain. Allen and Battosai winced a little, before the knight spoke. "May I see him? I might be of help holding him down."

Amber eyes considered, before there was a click of a lock. "I will let you roam about most of the ship if you swear your loyalty to me and this ship."

"Why would I have to promise that? You were the one who attacked my airship and sent my crew to their deaths!"

"As I said, that is how things are done here. We shoot first, ask questions later, Schezar Allen-san. If your ship had been a demon ship, then we would've shown less mercy than what we've shown you. We are professional fighters who have seen our fair share of battles with other pirates, the navy of many countries after our heads, and demon ships."

"Then why did you injure Van so much?"

"If we hadn't shot him down, then we wouldn't have been able to capture you both. And I'm curious about him. I never knew a man such as him would be an angel."

"Angel?" Allen remembered that was what Hitomi had called Van when she'd seen his wings. So these "angels" actually existed? Perhaps other Draconians? "What do you mean, you've never known a man such as him would be an angel?"

"From the angels I've encountered, they don't have his coloring or mannerisms. They're usually extremely fair-skinned, have fair hair coloring, and blue or similar-colored eyes. And they're usually polite, whether or not they don't like you. I usually capture those I think are angels, before putting out a ransom. You look and act more like an angel than your companion. Perhaps you are hiding your wings?"

"No, I am not. So you promise not to harm Van anymore?"

"Yes. Are you giving me something to promise so it evens out the deal?"

"Yes, Battosai-taisho. I swear allegiance to you and your ship, though I don't know how well Van will take it. Not well, I suppose."

Battosai nodded. "Thank you for your help, since you did wipe out nearly half of my crew. And you don't have to call me Battosai-taisho, because you're part of the crew now. Only my enemies call me by that name."

Allen stepped out of the cell and shook hands with his new superior. "Then what is your name, Taisho?"

"Kenshin. Himura Kenshin."

There was another loud vocalization and Allen moved to go upstairs, but Kenshin held out an arm to block him. "No one goes ahead of the captain unless in battle, Schezar-san. That is the way we do things here."

"Yes sir."

So, what did you think of this? And I suppose you're all wondering, where's Kaoru? That'll be a mystery for you to find out soon enough!

Please review!