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

I thought for sure that people would review it if it was in the normal story part of the site...but oh well! I'm good with it either way, as long as it's read!

What will happen with Van and Kenshin next?

Enjoy!

Van lay on the deck, having been assigned with Sano for the night watch. "Sanosuke, there are so many stars in the sky, and the moon is so large. Is it always like this at sea?"

"Yeah, all the time. You can see everything, but the only thing you should be concerned about finding is Polaris, the North Star. Every sailor knows where he's going if he finds where it is in the sky. Kenshin taught me where to locate it, when I was new to being a sailor."

"Sanosuke…how valuable are Demon Gems?"

"Why? Have you heard about them?"

"Yes. I heard that they're the most valuable gems around, because they're rare."

"Yeah, it's true, because not many demons are crying these days. I heard it was because they're losing their emotions. Some keep their emotions, but not many, because of all the tragedies happening at sea. Kenshin is one of those few."

"The captain is a demon?"

"Yeah, he is, that's why we're one of the most-feared pirate ships on the seas. He knows how to deal with everything on the sea, in the air and on the land. No one on the ship would fight him because of his constant good luck and speed in his swordsmanship. He learned it from an old master back at home, when he was still young. That was before…'it' happened."

" 'It'?" Van questioned, sitting up and looking at the rooster-haired first mate.

"Sorry, I'm one of the only ones Kenshin's trusted to tell what 'it' is. He may just tell you someday, behind one of the locked doors of the ship. He locks them tight and never lets anyone in, because of 'it'."

"Oh, do you know the value of Demon Gems?"

"Yeah, back home, just a tiny one could give you enough to have a comfortable living for at least ten years. Some of the huge ones…you could probably buy off a country. The rarest things there are, along with Hell's Steel."

"Hell's Steel?"

"Demons make it, usually with jewelry, so it's hard to find any in large amounts. If you could get your hands on even an ounce of that stuff, you'd be set for life."

"What's it like?"

"Black, shiny, lighter than a feather and stronger than any metal made by us humans. If enough was found to make some armor, that person would be invincible in a fight, even against demons."

Van considered this. So it was likely that the anklet was made of Hell's Steel, set with Demon Gems. He had something valuable indeed, so he had to heed the mermaid's warning, since she'd given it to him as a gift, and getting it stolen wouldn't be a good thank you. Yet he didn't have anything to give her back, save his companionship, and he supposed that she didn't mind that.

"So if I was to come across something like that, I would be richer than almost anyone on this ship?"

"You would be the richest man on the ship, Van. Not even Kenshin has something that valuable, that's one of the reasons why he's after this mermaid you saw. She's supposed to have a trove full of Demon Gems, along with precious metals and jewels."

"Oh…so is that all he wants?"

"That, the luck and the prospect of the most beautiful creature in the seas as his bride. As I said before, if I wasn't married, I would be competing with Kenshin for her."

"So the captain's never found a girl he's liked?"

Sano just grinned. "Sorry, that's a secret that I must keep, Van. Now stay lively, or else you might get snatched again by the mermaid."

Van nodded and got up, pacing about the deck so it would seem like he was watching while he digested this new information, not that it mattered much to him. Who cared about luck when he had fate on his side, and he was a king, so riches meant nothing to him. All he wanted was the mermaid herself, but only if she wished to be his companion and perhaps, queen, if he was able to go back to Gaea after this.

Okay, who do you think should have the mermaid? Van or Kenshin? I just want your opinion on this, to see who everyone's rooting for!

Please review!