So, yeah… I guess I forgot to mention, I meant your favorite character out of my story… oh well.
This chapter is dedicated to:
Ponysteph15:
Thanks! You're very sweet.
Twadrummer: yeah, this chapter reunited, I promise. Oh, and sorry to disappoint, but the Link/Katrina relationship is more sibling like than anything.
Angelwingz21: ah, no worries, hun, I've been there and done that, so I know how it goes. And why not work a bit on your own story, I quite enjoy it so far, and I'm wondering what is going to happen next.
BookWorm1211: wow, um, apology accepted… and thanks.
Sarah-K-O-M: thanks hun, you keep reviewing. .
Captain Ella Raven: don't you just love "doing homework"? -.o
Drink-Up-Me-Hearties-Yo-Ho: toffee pie? Can't say I've ever had it.
AKAfreadandgeorge: you know what? As I'm writing this I am talking to you on AIM!
AKAFredandGeorge: to tell you the truth hun, I'm not sure how to respond to that review…
LittleCountryDragon: You're the only one who likes the bad guy, hmmm…
Windpoetry: wow, you are the only one to answer my question. I wonder, how many people really read the before/ after bits that I put on my chapters.
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HuntressKatrina stood at the railing watching the island come closer. It had started out as a speck on the horizon, but then it had grown and she could now pick out individual trees beyond the expanse of the golden strip of beach. The black ship, the one she had seen from the deck of Toussaint's ship, was anchored a little way off shore and she could see what she assumed was some of the crew milling about the beach.
"My uncle's ship, the Black Pearl." Kipp said coming up beside her and leaning back against the railing, crossing his ankles, arms folded in front of him.
"She's beautiful." Katrina said in admiration.
"Don't let uncle Jack hear you say that," his eyes twinkled with amusement "or you'll never get him to stop singing the glories of her. Though I must agree, she is beautiful." He said softly, still not looking at the ship.
Startled, Katrina swung her eyes to meet his.
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Hiding a smirk at her startled expression, exactly the effect he wanted, Kipp turned to look at the beach. "I've sent some men to the beach with a sail cloth awning. It can get rather warm if you're in the sun too long. I'll tack you ashore as soon as they have it set up."
"Thank you." Katrina was grateful for his thoughtfulness.
Kipp nodded and pushed himself away from the railing, moving to instruct his men on what they needed for the ship repairs.
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Sera stood at the railing with scarcely concealed excitement, watching all the activity of sailors loading and unloading rowboats, going to and from the beach. Seeing Gibbs swing over the side of the ship after dropping off a load of empty barrels for water on the beach, Sera ran up to him, dodging pirates and supplies on the way.
"Gan'pa Gibb?" she asked, tugging on the edge of his vest.
"Aye lass?" Gibbs said, squatting down so he was eye level with her.
"See Kitty today?"
"Aye, lass, that ye will." I hope. Gibbs added to himself.
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"Ready to go, Kitten?" Katrina spun around to face the young captain.
"W-what did you just-"
"I asked if you were ready to go." He interrupted her with an innocent look. "The sailcloth awning is set up." he added, gallantly extending his hand to help her over the railing so she could climb down the rope ladder to the waiting skiff below.
Deciding to let it drop, Katrina nodded her thanks and took his hand to steady herself, but was surprised when her hand was jerked and turned over.
"Where did you get this?" Kipp whispered hoarsely.
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Startled, Katrina looked at the man holding her right hand, then followed his gaze to her hand. The ring. She had forgotten about it. It was still turned inward, the ruby slightly smudged with blood from when she had slapped Toussaint. She curled her fingers, covering the fiery gem.
"L-London." Katrina faltered under his intense gaze. And gently pulled at her hand, but he didn't let it go.
"How did you come across it?" Kipp gently smoothed her fingers back, lightly touching the precious stone.
"I found it… may I have my hand back?" Katrina tugged at her hand again.
"May I see it?" Kipp asked after releasing her hand.
Katrina bit her bottom lip and twisted the ring about her finger, studying Kipp's face.
"Have I given any reason for you to not trust me?"
Katrina smiled mischievously "You haven't given any reason to earn that trust." She shot back. But her smile faded when she caught the ardent look on his face. Wordlessly, she slipped the ring off and handed to him.
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Kipp gently took the ring and turned it over in his hands, almost mesmerized. He studied it from different angles, even reading the inscription on the inside, one that he could quote from memory. "To match my burning passion for you, my heart." He rubbed the dried blood off of the ruby, watching it sparkle in the sunlight.
Shaking his head as if waking from a daydream, "André?" he called to one of his men. "Take miss Katrina to the beach, will you? I need to talk to my dear uncle."
"Oui captain." The crew member responded. "This way please, mademoiselle."
Shooting Kipp a confused look, Katrina climbed down the rope and into the boat, unconsciously swaying with the small craft so that she stayed upright. The jolt of the boat hitting the shallow sand at shore nearly jolted Katrina from her seat, but she caught herself with the edge of the boat. The men rowing had jumped into the water and had the boat pulled up onto the beach before Katrina could blink.
"Mademoiselle?" André held out his hand to assist Katrina out of the craft. Katrina gave a small smile and accepted the hand, carefully exiting the boat, and stumbling once she was on the sand. André caught her, laughing. "Do not worry Mademoiselle Katrina, you are just used to your sea legs, but you will remember how to walk on land in less than an hour."
Katrina nodded blushing when the other men from the boat joined their crew member in laughter. But let out a cry of joy when she heard a sheik and saw a slightly damp little figure running down the shore line towards her.
"Sera!"
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"Kitty!" the little girl exclaimed as they neared the beach and pointed to a figure on the beach surrounded by laughing men. Gibbs looked, the only thing setting her apart was the long blond braid hanging down her back.
Understanding dawned. Not a cat then. Gibbs decided. Watching the little girl jump into the couple inch deep water and rush towards the girl who let out a happy cry.
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Katrina swung Sera up into her arms, holding her close and placing a kiss on her forehead. "Oh, precious, I missed you so much." She pulled back to look the little girl in the eyes. "Are you alright?" Sera nodded, a large smile plastered on her face.
"Look funny." Sera told Katrina.
Katrina stood up and spread out her arms, looking down at herself. "I thought so too." Katrina winked and took Sera's hand, leading her to the canopy of sailcloth, there was even some spread on the sand so they had somewhere to sit. Katrina sat down cross legged and Sera snuggled up close to her side.
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"JACK!"
Jack's head swung around to look at his nephew. "Aye, lad?" He didn't seem concerned about Kipp's dangerous tone of voice, though he didn't bother to correct him.
"Why didn't you mention that you had lost it in London."
"Terribly sorry. Didn't know I had."
"Then how do you explain this?" Kipp held up the ring.
"Why lad, ye found it." Jack said with a grin.
"Off someone that said they got it in London." Kipp added.
"Who?" Jack inquired, slightly intrigued.
"Why don't you come with me to the beach and meet her." Kipp invited, placing the ring in his pocket.
Her? Jack thought, following his nephew down the side of the ship to one of the boats. This could be interesting.
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"Hello, Kitten."
Katrina's head popped up about to retort when she noticed that the young captain had someone else with him, someone she thought she recognized.
"This is my uncle-"
"Captain Jack Sparrow!" Katrina finished for him, realization setting in.
Jack grinned widely and gave a mocking bow with a flourish. "Nice to see you again, Lady Spitfire."
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I couldn't help but think "one ring to find them one ring to bind them one ring to rule them all." Or however it goes at the part where Kipp read the ring. Man, I'm a dork.
poll results:
favorite female character:
Sera- 5
Katrina- 1
Favorite male character:
Link- 5
Kipp- 1
Edmond- 1
(someone had a tie b/tw Kipp and Link, so I just counted both votes as one, instead of a half)
Reviews are as good as Banana Boogie Ice Cream!
Quote:
"It's called a lance, hello?"
no George, you aren't allowed to win this one, sorry hun.