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

So we continue! Van has been placed as bait, but will he coincide with Kenshin's plan?

Enjoy!

So it was often that Van was left alone for the night watch on deck, as Kenshin lie in wait to snare her. Though Van had no clue as to what the pirate captain would do, he knew that he would have to wish as hard as he could that the outcome would turn in his favor.

As he was doing so one night, he was startled at seeing her walk up beside him. He smiled at seeing her, moving to the side a little so she would have room to lean over the bow. She gazed at the dark water for a moment before turning to him.

"Are you more accustomed to the sea now?"

"A little. Have you been well yourself?"

"Yes, why do you ask about me? Are you not lonely for companionship?"

"I am, but it is polite to not monopolize the conversation. I wish for whoever talks to me voice their opinion as well."

"Ah, I see. What do you like about the sea?"

"It's mysterious and powerful, yet soothing and somehow familiar. How about you? What do you like about it?"

"Everything."

He looked at her expression when she said that. She seemed very fond of the ocean, yet longed for something else.

"Is there something you want more than the sea?"

Her ruby eyes locked on his. "How could you know I want something other than that?"

"Your eyes say much more than you say. You can tell me what you want, I won't share it with anyone else."

Suddenly, the door to the captain's cabin slammed open, Kenshin lunging out, the mermaid's eyes widening, backing up so quickly she knocked Van over the side. He yelled as he hit the water, struggling to stay afloat, though he'd never learned to swim.

"Help me!" he shouted, before sinking beneath the waves.

"Man overboard!" Sano cried, running towards where Van had fallen.

"Belay that!" Kenshin ordered, drawing his sword. "Assist me in catching the mermaid before she escapes!"

"Kenshin! You're just gonna let him drown?!" the rooster-headed man demanded, moving towards the bow again. "What kind of captain are you to abandon one of his crew?!"

The mermaid looked over the side, seeing Van sinking in the water, precious air bubbles coming from his lips as he struggled in vain to surface. She bit her lip, but didn't hesitate. She sent a large wave over the deck of the ship, knocking the two men off their feet while leaping over the side.

Kenshin got up and snarled, "You idiot! Look what you've done! She's run away with Fanel-san to probably eat him!"

"If you'd let me save him from drowning, then I wouldn't have missed the opportunity! All you wanted me to do was help you catch some woman!"

"That woman was the legendary mermaid which would've made us rich enough to retire for the rest of our lives! Your stubbornness made a golden opportunity turn into the probable murder of a boy that was more than just a normal crewman!"

Allen came running up, eyes wide. "I heard something about a man overboard! Who was it?"

Sano turned to him. "Your friend just fell into the ocean. Because of Kenshin here, he's probably drowned."

The blonde-haired swordsman ran to the side and called, "Van! Van, are you out there? VAN!"

Ah, so Van has now been claimed by the sea... Will they search for him? Or will he be lost?

Only the next chapters will tell!

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