Ok this is what I have come up with so far… I have been brain dead ever since classes started back up for me…so please be patient as I think about these stories…the chapters may be shorter due to brain deadness… enjoy.

Kyaputen Rai to Kuro Larka No Kaizoku (Captain Rai and the Pirates of the Black Larka)

It had been a few weeks since the whole bar incident and unlike those back in Yushi, the commotion dies down and no one questioned it further. Today starts another day and I find myself waking up as usual with a pile of men clinging to me. With a free hand I rub my eye Thomas moves under the covers and ends up hitting Nathan below at my feet.

"Damn it!" he sits up holding the side of his face, "…Thomas…" although he's slightly angry he doesn't do anything but lay back down clinging to my legs again. Feeling like I want to be lazy today I shift laying on my side seeing Christopher's sleeping face before closing my eyes again. The next thing I know something wet, cold and slightly loud touches my ear,

"Mgh!" realizing that it one of the wolves that are my friends I pull the cover over my head so they can't do it again. Although I soon learn I shouldn't have done that. One thing I've come to learn from being the master of the pack of the Sirius crew is that in a lot of ways they act like dogs. In this case they crave attention from me the instant they're awake. They make their way under the covers and instantly start attacking me, licking my face and just being…well wild dogs seeking attention. Soon I have no choice but to sit up. Stretching I let off a big yawn.

"Why do you guys do that? It never fails, every time I sleep in later than you guys you do this."

"Good morning Miss Reisaki!" Acting like a cute pup Thomas lays on my lap so that I have a chance to rub his belly. Instead I reach back and scratch behind his ear which I've learned is his weak spot: his leg always kicks involuntarily when I scratch just right. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Eduardo shake his head. Once Thomas moves out of the way Morgan lunges for the free spot resting his head on my chest. I've come to learn that even though it's more wolf like Morgan is a bit more…promiscuous. He tries to be subtle about it being a wolf but he does things to get close to certain areas whether he's teasing or not. He's a rather curious wolf. Even though I have this in mind, I still pet him with a smile on the top of his head then move his head with a knowing smile curving over my lips,

"Nice try…" he gives a wolf smile showing all his teeth. Looking at the clock I notice the time to be pretty late. I stretch one last time before fighting the urge to stay in bed. Although to be honest I feel a bit light headed I ignore the feeling and get up. I start my usual routine for the day: I go about doing some chores and they follow me around and help here and there. Setting the plate of seed out for the birds they give me a few complaints about being late but scatter when Nathan comes to sit next to me. After telling him he really shouldn't do that and him telling me he doesn't care, I go about other things I think that should be done. Every so often one of my muscles feels a bit achy and I have to wait for my head to stop spinning but some how manage to keep going. Although I don't think I can fool them; even though he startles me a bit Christopher walks over to me and places a hand on my forehead.

"Reisaki you feel a bit warm."

"…I'm fine." I try to say with a smile but it only makes him more suspicious. His eyes narrow a bit as he continues to stare at me. "W-what?"

He smiles laughing slightly,

"You're not very good at lying, at least not to us."

"You think we haven't been noticed you've been pretty quiet today?" Eduardo asks rather rudely. Although I've gotten used to his smug remarks.

"Alright so I haven't been feeling very well today…" I say giving into the pressure. "But I'm fine; there's no need to worry." I try smiling again but it doesn't really do anything. I was going to go out and buy them some clothes today…I wanted it to be a surprise. But I can't do that if I'm stuck at home.

They don't seem to want to put up with it as a human Morgan picks me up and carries me back into my bead room and sets me on the bed.

"H-hey…"

"It's your turn to stay."

"What?"

"You tell us to stay here when you go to the village; so now we're telling you to stay in bed." What? What kind of logic is that…? The only reason I tell them to stay here when I go to the village is to keep them out of trouble. I don't want the villagers coming after them again.

"…That doesn't really make any sense." I say trying to stand but soon the wolves gang up on me forcing me to stay in bed. I can't help but laugh, "Alright, alright, you win." There's a bang on the door making us all look in the direction of the door. The knocking comes again and the others let off a growl, "What is it?" I whisper.

"It's the pirates from before." Morgan says.

"What? But I thought they left by now; I haven't seen them in a while." Morgan changes back into a wolf as I continue to stay in bed. They bang on the door again making it sound as though they will break the door down. It only makes the others more agitated growling even more. I don't think they know I'm here… but what are they here for?

I can feel the bug I caught getting worse and I lay down hiding under the covers.

"They'll eventually have to go away…" I mumble. The bed rocks as one of the wolves jumps on the bed. They only bang louder proving me wrong. Feeling a wave of exhaustion hit me I sit up and start heading for the door. Shivering slightly I can tell right away that I have a fever and I grab a blanket. Heading out to the front and stand in front of the door noticing three people standing there on the other side. One I can tell is the captain from the group.

"Go away, I'm not taking any visitors today." I say flatly.

"Open the door woman before I open it my self."

"You do that, you give my friends plausible reason to attack you and your members… trust me they don't mind doing that and quite frankly neither do I. Now please leave." I turn to head back to bed,

"Riesaki…" my body tenses and I freeze in place. My knees were weak before but now they feel as though they would give out on me. "I hear she can talk to animals; that the animals all like her. That kind of skill could come in handy for me. Know who she is?"

"Never heard of her." Where did he hear about me? I've given people a different name in town…unless did he learn about me in Yushi? "If you have nothing else please leave. I'm not taking visitors today."

"She was last seen on the other side of the forest but with it gone we heard that she came to this side. I thought she might have stayed in the village but no one has heard about her."

"I just said that I haven't either…now please leave."

"Your mutts would know where she is wouldn't they? If they knew who she was right? That would mean you would have met her too."

"As far as I know they haven't wandered off to meet someone else; they've been with me ever since I met them. Which means I don't know any Reisaki. I will ask you one more time to leave; if you don't then I'm afraid that my friends will have to show you out their way. Two of them in particular would like to sink their teeth into you." Nathan and Eduardo both step forward to get a head start at the door. But it turns out to be for nothing. After a few seconds the pirates leave. Still shivering and realizing that I'm getting worse I skulk back into my room without them following me. I change into my pajamas before burring myself in my bed. Again the bed moves as on of the wolves jumps on it. But it's only one this time I don't hear the others come in.

"I've told the others to stand watch at different areas of the house for the night while I guard you." Morgan…? Why is he… I lift the covers off from over my head to meet him face to face. His eyes seem to glow in the faint moonlight and I find myself staring. He seems to be acting more serious than what he usually does and as he lays beside me there's an air of maturity that I hadn't seen before since I met him. His head rests right next to mine still looking at me,

"I won't let them get close to you." I…why not we? With sleep taking hold of me I move as close as I can to Morgan placing a hand on his head, stroking his fur. He rubs his head against my hand, the last thing I remember before falling asleep.

I wake up feeling the arms around me again; I vaguely remember the others coming into the room at a later time and Morgan told them it would be better if they all stayed to protect me. I still feel a little light headed and feeling my forehead my fever hasn't gone away completely. I try sneaking around Christopher when a strong grip pulls me back down with a yelp. "Your turn to stay." I hear Morgan say. I look over and find him staring at me with the same air about him as he had the night before. This Morgan is definitely different from the usual one. "Rest." Is all he says before closing his eyes again. I soon follow after. When I wake up the sun has nearly set and I find the bed empty of both humans and wolves. Feeling a little better and hungry I get up and head for the kitchen. I smile as I find them there.

"Miss Reisaki you're up!"

"Yeah sorry about that; I just caught a little bug but I'm feeling better now." I look back at the door, "Did they come back at all?"

"No, they seem to have bought your story." Eduardo says,

"But it's strange though; how did they find out?"

"My mother or someone in the village most likely Russell."

"What would they want with you though? He said something about your being able to talk to animals."

"I don't really want to know." I say getting started with making something to eat. "Have you all been cooped up in here the whole time I've been in bed?" they stay silent which gives me all the answer I need. I head for the pantry I use to keep meat in for the other carnivores that come by and pull out a big hunk of deer enough for them all. "There you go; next time take care of yourselves too would you?" none of them answer me as the go for the meat. It takes a minute for Thomas to find a place in the huddle before he finds a way in. I grab an apple and make a salad for breakfast and eat quickly. I had hoped to go and buy a few more items for them but I guess what I have in storage should be good enough. While they still attacked the deer I sneak out and head into the storage room and pull out what I had been hiding from them as a surprise.

"Miss Reisaki what are you doing?" the others must have finished their meal because now their standing in the door way.

"Shoo back out in the front room now." I chime.

"What are you up to?"

"You'll see Christopher; now shoo." I move my hand indicating them to go back out into the room as I finish getting what I need. Once I've collected everything, I drag the surprise out into the living room making them all stare at me. "Whew…I didn't think it would be so heavy."

"What is that Miss Resaki?" Thomas comes over to inspect the big leather bag, sniffing it curiously.

"Yeah I don't think I remember that bag." Russell says.

"Well you guys cause quite a disturbance the last time I took- or rather left you here and you ended up in town somehow." Their ears go back,

"Are you still mad about that?"

"No of course not silly but it did get me thinking…you guys are always hanging around here so you must get bored. So I figured why not take you guys with me next time. But it would be weird if six wolves showed up with me so…" I reach into the bag and pull out a shirt, "how bout you all come with me as humans." Their tails all wag in unison before the start charging over. "Eek!" by the time they reach me it turns into another human dog pile.

"Alright Master you're the best!"

"You don't have to be so nice to us you know."

"What are you talking about doc? You're gonna make her change her mind."

"I want to try on something; will you pick out something Miss Reisaki?"

"Just a sec you guys before we get carried away." I wiggle out of their grip and stand switching to master of the pack, "Now listen if this is going to work you can't pull the same stunts you did the other day. You have to behave yourselves; don't try anything unless I tell you it's ok. It's not just a trip to have fun, you all have completely forgotten human society. So hopefully this will help out with that a bit." They listen to me intently as I talk, "I'm not saying I don't want you to have fun but…just be a bit more careful with your actions and if your unsure about something just ask me. I can't afford to pay for another bar/inn. Got it?" they nod in unison and I smile, "Ok then, now who's first?"

*Face palm* I shouldn't have asked that… what the hell am I thinking? 3…2…1…

"YEEK!" again they pin me down in a human dog pile arguing among themselves as to who I should dress first and completely forget that I'm on the bottom of said pile. Like I didn't see this coming…

It took me the rest of the morning and into the early afternoon by the time I finish putting their outfits together. It was a bit difficult seeing as how I had them try on various things from traveler's clothes to what we wear here in Yamato. Finally I got it to look right on all of them and stuck with something they probably would have worn back when they were pirates. It's been over one hundred so it should be ok.

"Hold still Thomas; let me fix your collar."

"Sorry."

"Do we really have to wear these? They feel itchy." Eduardo complains first as I expected,

"Yes, Eduardo you have to wear it; you'll get used to it."

"It feels confining…" I hear Nathan mutter,

"Well confining or not you have to wear them if you're going around people." I say finishing Thomas' off, "There you go."

"Thanks Miss Reisaki."

"I don't know why you're all complaining so much; Reisaki went through a lot of trouble to do this for us." Christopher's as kind as ever,

"It's ok Chris; I know it will probably feel weird the first couple of times but hopefully you'll get used to it. Besides, I don't want to force too much on you at once but little by little."

"I'm a bit curious though…" I look at Morgan, "You said we have to wear these around other people, does that include you too?" I glare up at the ceiling feeling my cheeks get hot, "Well…?" I can feel their gazes on me as I try not to look at them.

"Well-um-that is-" I take a breath before retuning my gaze to Morgan who is now closer than before, "Um…well you guys can be yourselves around me…this is…just when you're around people who don't know about the spell and all that." I didn't exactly know how to say it but I wasn't trying to change them, "Around here and me you can be as comfortable as you want." a big hand rests on my head patting it.

"Good for a second I thought that wasn't the case." Now wait just a second,

"Of course I'm not trying to change you guys like that! Morgan that's mean; you guys are my friends! I can't believe that you would think I was trying to change you guys like that; I just thought that you guys would like to see how the world was like now since you haven't for a long time!"

"Whoa captain, I think you stuck a nerve…"

"Miss Reisaki's kind of scary when she gets mad…" I turn away from him folding my arms across my chest; instantly a pair of arms wrap around me.

"I'm sorry Reisaki; I didn't mean anything by that. It was just a joke." He buries his face in my neck apologetically. A joke? Suddenly my anger subsides,

"Bachan and I had to hear things like that from the villagers back in Yushi. So I don't like it when things like that are said about me. Sorry…"

He rubs against my hair like a dog seeking comfort; I sigh and pat him on the head "I think you may be the biggest puppy of all in this group…" there's a terrible bang on the door as a shadow once again stands outside, and it looks familiar.

"Open up woman…it's been more than enough time for you to be with out guests now open up. I knew it it's that same guy from before. Suddenly, Morgan pushes me to the ground and covers me with his own body standing over me as if he was a wolf still. Why is this guy so persistent when it comes to talking to me? The others stay quiet glaring at the door. My muscles tighten as the captain bangs on the door again. "One way or another woman I will talk to you! Make no mistake! My patience are growing thin; I know you know more than you let on and will get the information I want one way or another…! I know you are not who you say you are; If I have to I will make you suffer to get the information I want." soon the shadow leaves and I let go of a breath I had been holding onto for a long time. What the heck does he want from me? ok granted I haven't told the guy who I really am but how could I possibly know that he wants?

"I don't like this." I look up at Morgan still hovering over me, "He's too persistent with you."

"I don't get it. I don't know what he wants from me, even if I did tell him who I was really."

"All the more reason I don't like it; it means he knows something that you aren't aware of." You know he's kind of hot when he gets serious like this… wait what the heck am I thinking?

"I don't think we should stay here any more." Christopher speaks up, "This is turning into a dangerous situation. He's the kind of person who becomes obsessed with something. This is proof enough of that."

"I agree with Doc; we need to relocate." Even Eduardo huh… they're probably right though; that guy is dangerous. We don't even know what he wants. It's probably best if we leave and fast. Besides I don't want anything happening to them either. If this guy does attack the first thing they'll think about is keeping me safe; they could end up getting hurt. Morgan allows me to stand up.

"To morrow we'll head to the moon cave, gather as many moonstones as we can carry. The next day we head for the mountain pass that will take us to Shinju village. It's a small community hidden in a valley surrounded by a mist covered forest. We should be safe there. Does that sound good?" I look at them all and none seem to object, "Come on you guys at least give me an answer." I smile, "This isn't just my call it's yours too."

"What ever you think is best Reisaki." I raise my eyebrows,

"How many times do I have to say it: I'm not really your master I'm your friend. I'm asking you because you guys aren't animals you're human so give me an answer would you?" a hand pets my head and it turns out to be Christopher, "H-hey…!"

"Sorry mistress but we are loyal dogs to you." I wish they would stop saying that…they really should stop. "Sorry if that upsets you."

"It's not that it upsets me so much as the fact that it doesn't upset you."

"What do you mean?"

"You seem to just follow what that charm said, like you're letting it define you guys as just only that when you guys are more than that." I watch as the gears turn in their heads,

"Hadn't thought of it like that before…" I hear Nathan say. "But then again we've been this way for over one hundred years so it never really crossed our minds." I can feel an air of sadness start to fill the room. Me and my big mouth…Bachan did always say I spoke my mind just a bit much.

"Sorry I didn't mean to say something hurtful."

"Why are you apologizing Reisaki?" I can't seem to answer Eduardo. Christopher hugs me gently

"You don't need to apologize about anything; but we like being with you like this."

"Well so long as it doesn't bother you…I guess."

"We are changing actually." I look over at Morgan, "You may not see it like this but we act more human since we've been around you. So subtly we have been acting more than just what that charm told us." The thought sort of eases my mind and I leave it at that with a smile.

After finishing that conversation I have them change back into wolves so that I can take their clothes and pack them away properly promising to take them into the village the first chance we get. They seem content with that answer. The next day as planned we head to the moon cave and fill a rather large bag with moon stones. It takes a couple of hours to do so. Once I take the bag back to the house I decide to go into town to buy some supplies for the trip. Morgan has me take Christopher with me just in case. Thomas being just a curious wolf wants to come along as well so I let him come along with me. Of course once we get into town everyone stares at the two wolves trotting by me but I don't mind seeing as how this is the last time they'll see me to begin with. I try to keep the conversation quiet as we gather what we need.

"Any sign of those other pirates?"

"No nothing yet."

"I don't even smell them…"

"Ok just one more stop then we're home free." I say. It was like I jinxed my self, because when I turned guess who's standing there? I completely froze seeing the mean captain and two of his crew members standing there in front of me. My eyes widen and my heart starts thumping loudly in my ears. His eyes narrow as he stares at me,

"You're a hard woman to get a hold of you know?"

"You've been trying?" I try acting like I haven't noticed.

"Don't play dumb woman; my kindness is about to go out the window." He suddenly grabs hold of my wrist with a force that tells me he's going to kill if he has to, "Now then Misha, if that's your real name, I have a few questions for you that need answering." He's not playing around…his grip is growing too tight; and his eyes look like death. Suddenly Christopher jumps up biting down on the captains wrist as hard as he can and I swear that I can hear the bone break. The captain lets go and we make a run for it.

"After her! Do not let her escape!" he orders the two crew members after me. Trying to hold onto my bags proves to be useless and I end up dropping it all to increase my speed. The two are fast as they manage to keep up with me. Trying to lose them I jump over garbage that I come across in an alleyway; Christopher and Thomas jump over the pile of rubble easily. I run through a crowd of people hoping to lose them but it doesn't work; in fact it does just the opposite. More seem to find me. Suddenly one jumps out in front of me and tries to grab hold of me. Thomas surprises me by jumping on him and giving him a pretty good mauling. After a few seconds he catches up with us. Soon I take some stone stairs that lead to a dark dead end. We duck behind the building as the pirates pass by. Taking the time to catch my breath I can hear them both panting as we listen for any signs of them coming back. I look down at them and they seem to think it's safe…for the moment.

"New plan. We get the others and head for Shinju this afternoon."

"Yeah good plan I like that plan." Thomas is trying to act tough but I can tell he's a bit scared. I kneel down and hug the both of them for reassurance for both sides. Once we make sure the cost is clear we head out again but soon trouble finds us again.

"There she goes!" one spots me and tries to grab me but as soon as he tries I kick him in the balls and send him down. Some how we find the items we left behind pick them up and hightail it back to the forest.