Chapter Sixteen
Koshu-sho imoto! [1]

"F is for friends who do stuff together!"
- Spongebob

"This is it!" Ritsu said, raising a glass to the crew who had gathered to throw a small party for the newest crew member. "We've truly started on our journey now!"

"Now that we're on our way," Shiro said, raising his mug of hot chocolate. "I'm gonna be the World's Greatest Chef!"

"The Ultimate Swordsman." Takashi said, copying him. The silver embedded into the pomel of his swords glinted in the bright light, illuminating them.

"I'm gonna find the meaning of True Strength!" Mitskuni cried, raising his own glass. A fire burned in his eyes, something the Wildfire pirates would come to be known for.

"To seek Absolute Freedom!" Tamaki shouted. Ha happy yet goofy grin lit up his features. Kyouya looked at him, his lips twitching as if he wanted to smile or smirk, but he held it in.

"To search for the Real Cure for Sickness," He said quietly, raising his mug slightly.

"To return Hikaru to normal so we can build the Ship of Dreams!" Kaoru called, Hikaru yowling his agreement beside him. The sun flashed on their hair/fur, making it spark like live flames.

"To become a great pirate and show my mother what I've become," Haruhi said solemnly, a slight breeze blowing back her long hair, which was tucked beneath her red bandanna.

"To become the Pirate Emperor!" Ritsu shouted, downing his drink. Everyone followed with exstatic whoops and catcalls.

"Yo-hohoho!" Tamaki sang loudly, starting the party properly. Kaoru and Mitskuni joined in, laughing. Ritsu grinned and glanced at Haruhi, who had a soft smile on her face. After a moment, she joined in, her soft tone blending in behind the boys'. Seeing this, Shiro joined in as well, Ritsu following suit. Eventually, Takashi and Kyouya gave in, adding their deep voices to the music.

Tamaki slung and arm around Karou's shoulders, Hikaru resting on his brother's head, yowling along with them. They raised their glasses and marched around the deck, singing at the top of their lungs.

The next morning, everyone was splayed out on deck, having collapsed from the previous night's party.

"Going to deliver Bink's sake!" Tamaki sang softly, dazed by the bright light and lack of sleep. "We are pirates! Sailing through the sea! The waves are our pillows! The ship our roost! Flying the proud skull! On our flags and our sails!" He yawned and rolled over, continuing to sing to himself. Hikaru walked over to him, poking his cheek with a curious paw. What the heck was wrong with him?

"Help!" Ritsu cracked open and eyes, squinting in the bright sunlight. "Help!" He pushed himself up with a groan, swaying slightly as he moved to the railing.

"What, the hell?" he asked, staring at the three boys floating by in a barrel. Ristu sighed. "I gotta stop saving all these people." He grumbled as he grabbed a rope, tossing it to them.

"Thank you," one of them said, obviously the group's leader. A camera hung from his neck, New World Times, stamped onto it in big bold letters. His brown hair stuck to his head, falling into his grey eyes and obstructing his vision. "We thought we were going to die."

"You're from the New World?" Mitskuni asked with wide-eyes. Ritsu jumped. Hadn't he just been asleep? And on the other side of the ship? "What's it like there?" The leader swelled up, like a peacock and raised his head proudly.

"Of course we're from the New World!" he bragged, grinning cockily. "We're photographers for the New World Times, the greatest newspaper in the world! As for what it's like, well, it's a lot more modern from the other half of the world."

"What do you mean, other half of the world?" the small blond asked, brown eyes wide.

"Didn't you know," Haruhi asked, walking towards them, "that the world it split into two halves?" Everyone except for the captain and the new arrivals stared at her.

"Explain, please." Kyouya said, taking a seat by the main mast. Haruhi leaned against the rail, looking at the curious faces (well, not Takashi's -_-) of her crewmates. An amused smile on her face, she launched into a speech.

"Well, by now you probably know how islands are formed, right? An undersea volcano erupts and slowly begins to build an island. Well, at the dead center of the world, there's a place called the Line of Lava. There, a string of large and very active volcanos reside. It started out as just a single island, but eventually became a giant barrier that seperated the world.

"One side is called the New World, a place full of advancement and technology. It's known for it's fashion and ships. People who live their feel that time is of the essence and that they should do everything they can to make the seas easier and safer to travel. Instead of sails and compasses, New World ships use motors and computers to get where they need to.

"Also, their laws about how men and women should dress are quite lenient. I've seen travelers from there, women who came into my family's bar, who wore skirts that came up to their knees and higher, and they said that the place was a paradise for anyone who wanted freedom." Tamaki's eyes lit up. Oh yes, he was definetaly going there now. "Where we live now is called the Olden World. Here, people are more concerned with tradition than moving forward. Here, it's all about what's proper and lawful. That's why there are so many pirates around. Pirates are considered villans here and heroes in the New World, because we stand up for what we believe in." She ended her speech, still smiling.

"I wanna go to the New World!" Kaoru, Tamaki, and Mitskuni shouted, each thinking of the things (and women) they would find there.

"It's on our course," Ritsu said, a grin on his face. "But for now, we've got to concentrate on simply getting to the Line of Lava."

"Be careful when you get there," the boy said, bringing the attention back to his little group. "Marines are positioned around most of the entrances. However, there's a couple hidden. If you take us back with you, we could help you."

"That would be great," Ritsu said, holding out a hand. "I'm Ritsu Kasadona, captain of the Wildfire pirates. That's my first mate Haruhi Fujioka. The others are Mitskuni Huninozuka, Takashi Morinozuka, Kyouya Ootori, Tamaki Suoh, Shiro Takaoji and the Hitachiin twins, Hikaru and Kaoru."

"That," the leader said, staring at Hikaru. "Is a cat." The boy-turned-cat bristled, hissing angrily at him before jumping into Kaoru's arms. The red head glared at the reporter and stalked down below deck.

"My apologies," the leader said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "My name is Shin. This is Warudo and Taimuzu. Thank you for saving our lives." All three boys bowed deeply to the young captain, making him look down, embarrased.

Click. Flash!

Ritsu blinked as the light cleared. Shin beamed at him, lowering his camera. Apparently, he had just taken a picture of him.

"That was perfect!" Shin crowed, obviously happy with the way the picture came out. "You look so humble! Not many pirates would save such lowly reporters! You are truly a great person for helping us!"

"What about us?" a dangerous and silky voice asked. Ritsu and the rest of the crew, including the three repoters, blinked and turned around slowly, each surprised by the sudden apperance of the great galleon beside their own ship.

"When did that get there?" they all asked, tipping their heads to the side.

"We've been here for the past five minutes," the voice's owner, a wiry man with snowy white skin said, sweatdropping slightly. Ritsu blinked once more, staring at the speaker. Two red lines went down the center of his black eyes, like two rivers of blood. He wore a long black cloak over a white button up shirt and dark slacks tucked into shiny black boots. If not for the large captain's hat atop his dark head, he could have been mistaken for a strangely face-painted nobleman. However, the obviously pirate captain hat made it clear that he was a pirate and made Ristu drool over the sheer awesomeness of it.

"I want that hat," he whined, waving at it and looking at Haruhi with puppy eyes. She stared at her captain.

"Why are you looking at me?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips. "Anyways, shouldn't you be more concerned about the fact their cannons are aimed at us?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah, sure." he said, waving her off as he continued to oogle the hat. "Whatever you say, Haruhi." The brunette sighed and plucked Ritsu's hat off his head, getting his attention as he yelped.

"Hat!" he shouted, diving after her as she walked towards the cannons. "Hat! Back! NOW!" he spluttered, unable to form a complete sentence due to his panic.

"Load the cannons and be prepared to defend our ship!" Haruhi snapped, making everyone wonder whether Ritsu was actually the captain or not. "Unless you want it to sink to the bottom of the ocean." she added, narrowing her carmel colored eyes. Ritsu made a funny noise, grabbing his hat as he began to bellow orders.

Everyone rushed around them, preparing to fight back. Kyouya walked past Ritsu, glasses flashing.

"Just so you know," he said quietly. "I'll take all of your treasure as a fee if this ship sinks." Ritsu groaned, rushing to the wheel.

"Fire!" the enemy pirate captain shouted.

"FIRE ALL!" Haruhi shrieked, grabbing her dagger as pirates from the other ship began to swing over.

Amoung the blasts of the cannons and gunshots from the new arrivals, a shrill scream could be heard from below decks . . .

"HIKARU! KAORU!"

A/N: Did anyone catch that One Piece reference? Funny thing about the reporters names, together, they mean New World Times (Shin Warudo Taimuzu). Anyways, Happy Holidays everyone!

- MinusOne - thanks for the review! The woman's not from One Piece, she's actually an Ouran character, but she's only shown in two episodes. However, Haruhi frequently mentions her in the series. (hint: she wants to be just like her.)
- Tracey4t - thanks for Favoriting!
- Shinu Mae - thank you! :)

Right, here's something for anyone who wants a part in the story. Only one OC per person please! Maybe two is they come as a pair.

Name (full please, First name first)
Age (between 12-23)
Gender
Race
Description (facial features ex. freckles, scars, eye color, hair ect.)
Personality
Likes/dislikes
Bad guy/Good guy/Neutral
Weapons
Special/Signature Attack

Send them in a PM or they'll be discarded. Thanks!