The Heart of the Astral Line

By: Nightelfcrawler & Amai

Author's note: We're insane

Chapter One: Kidnapped!

The city was one of those that didn't change much... it was quiet, perched on the edge of the great chasm overlooking the broken remains of what had once been the planet long ago... It was built mostly out of tall wooden structures, and a few were attached to the rock face. It was a merchant's village primarily, and had a great history research facility, with many internship programs. One of these programs happened to be the blacksmith's shop, where a young apprentice scurried out the door breathless and panting, his arms full of newly forged weapons which nearly spilled all over the street as he dashed down the boardwalk, dodging between people as he went.

"Damn! I'm gonna miss the ship's departure... and he's gonna dock my pay....!" His forehead was covered in sweat from the hot day, his long purple hair tied back behind him in a thong of leather that threatened to come loose, as his rather loose leather breeches flapped outside the boots. His wrinkled loose shirt threatening to come open at the ties, as he ducked around a pile of crates, and came into sight of the air docks.

Perched on top of some crates sat a young teen, humming a strange outlandish song as she cleaned a very shiny gun, a bright red bandana tied about her head, wrapped many times over her bangs with pieces of blonde hair spiking out from between the material down over her bangs, as if she had put it on in a hurry and didn't care about how she looked. Gold glittering earrings dangled from her ears, her outfit that of a very eccentric sailor, full of clasps and buckles. She paused in her cleaning to peer curiously after the young man who went running past, watching as one of the long weapons fell from his arms and was left behind, her blue eyes glittering interested. "Ohh? What's going on here?" She tapped the heel of her boot on the crate before shoving the gun in her holster and hopping down the massive tower, watching him before bending over and picking up the sword. "Hmnn...."

People had always said he was swift, and caught on to things easily...not that it was helping him at this moment, as he screeched to a halt in front of the large galleon.

"Yer late boy." The sailor, a big fat man with missing teeth growled. "I ain't payin' fer late weapons."

Ah... figures. "I'm sorry sir, my master sends his apologies... there were so many orders to fill....."

"What is da' little rat sayin'? That we' ain't important enough for 'is masta' to fill oua' orda's heh?" The taller, lanky man asked, leaning on his friends shoulder.

"No sir!" he gulped. Crap.. if they didn't pay for these.... "Your weapons are very important to his business. See? They're all complete as ordered."

"I dunno... I think we on'y outt' give da run half da money."

"Yea' I agree.." The man gave the boy a shifty glare, while shuffling through the contents, pausing a bit and frowning, having to count on his fingers. "Oi! Der's one missin'. Wat' u' tryin' to pull on us punk?"

His eyes widened, counting quickly. "Oh...!" Crap I must have dropped one. "Ah! I'm terribly sorry sir!! I'll go back and replace it, free of charge immediately....."

The man snagged him by the ear. "How bout dis' Borus. We take im' wit' us. Givim' more time to do dat'?"

He yelped in pain. Why the ear.... why did everyone grab his ear... it HURT when people did that.... they were not shaped the same most humans were..... "W..what?!"

"We could use a blacksmit'"

Borus smiled and showed all those missing teeth again. "I like that.... we c'uld use a brat 'round ta do that... or trade 'em as a slave."

"Look's like he'd fetch quite a bargain too, wit' dose exotimitic' looks." He licked his lips and threw the boy forward, into the ship. "Gett'in!"

"Yeah, git in dere, whelp!" Borus aimed a good kick at his side. The boy gasped, hitting the deck hard and sitting up, holding his side, looking around panicked. This isn't happening.....

The tall man stepped on, the weapons tucked under his arm and closed the plank after him and Borus, completely missing the blonde girl who was watching all this behind them, holding the missing sword blinkingly.

Borus laughed heartily, and grabbed the boy by the arm, hauling him onto the ship. "C'mon brat.... inter th' hold wid ye..... Ya can keep da store handy'ere"

"W...wait! Please don't do this!!!" He gasped looking wildly around at the toothless men. He'd heard stories of sailors...and none of them pleasant... he hadn't even set FOOT on a ship before!

"Sorry boy. But you got yer self in a mess ya ain't gettin' out off." He stepped up to the helm and turned the airship, the wings furling open as the ship lifted out of the harbor, the crew cackling all the while.

Borus slapped an iron cuff on him with a long chain attached and linked it to the main mast. "Ere ya go hang tight mate!!! Hahahahahrr."

The poor boy watched miserably, as the ship began to depart, and he sank down onto the deck, hugging his knees to him tightly, feeling his stomach swell....a ship...he'd never left the TOWN before....he didn't remember a thing how he'd gotten there, all he knew was the town and his master blacksmith.... he was just a kid... barely 15....how could he live through this...? The ship swiveled and turned, disappearing amongst the nebula the town fed off of, the crew going off into their duties as normal.

Back behind on the docks, the blonde girl frowned, watching the ship disappear with an unhappy look. She set the sword at her hip, clicking her tongue a bit as she turned, heading back towards her own ship. "Remington!"

A very built man in a black sailor's shirt, flopping open at the front revealing very tan shoulders beneath, leaned over the rail, a red sash tied to his belt and black pants tightly tucked into matching boots, a leather strap tied around his forehead, and a sword to his waist, several daggers clearly strapped to his boot and upper arm as well. "Aye?"

She smiled up at him, snagging the rope that dangled from the side of the ship, any pulled herself up, landing on the deck with a bit of a thunk of the heavy metal heeled boots. "We're pulling out."

"Already ma'm?" He leaned on the edge of the rigging peering at her curiously, golden earrings glinting brightly in his ear in the sunlight.

"Yes. We have some rats to catch." She stepped up to the mast, snagging the beautifully carved wheel as sailors ran about untying ropes and such, before she turned the ship up and out. "And a sword to return."

He raised an eyebrow, glancing at the sword in her hand but shrugged and turned around barking orders. "SET THE RIGGIN'. ALL HANDS ON DECK."

The men instantly began pouring out, making good the rigging, and without much ado, the ship began to pull away from the docks, sales fluttering open and unfolding into the wide skies beyond. The sails were dappled by that familiar hexagon pattern that caught the astral wind which whipped about the universe, pulling the ship up and around, speeding with absolutely no problem after the 'rats' ship.

The ship, while small, was faster than most... and so First Mate Yuan leaned next to the Captain across the helm and peered at her. "So… out for some fun today is that it? Or is there a reason you're 'returning' the sword."

She gave him a playful smile. "Both. One, that ship has a very fine blacksmith on it, against his will, who made this beautiful sword, and two, I hate men with missing teeth."

He laughed out loud at that, his voice booming over the ship and he saluted her. "Reason enough!"

- - - - - - - - - -

"Uh..." Borus scratched his ass, watching the horizon. "Um boss...? There's a ship foll'n us."

"Eh?" The captain chewed on some tobacco squinting past his patch. "Well put sum speed on then boys. We'll loose em."

"Um... they're gainin..."

Hope flared within the apprentice, shackled to the mast. A ship? Maybe it was the imperial fleet...? Did that mean he'd be saved, or imprisoned like the rest of them when caught... or were they pirates, ready to blow the ship out of the skies.

The tall man squinted up at the nebula, across to where the ship was, and watched as a tiny golden speck dropped off of the craft, two golden expansions, almost looking like a dragonfly from this distance, the same texture as the sails on both their ships, snapping out and growing larger very fast, not to mention the ship was coming at them at nearly the same speed. "Umn Captain..."

"What? Don't tell me we havn los' em yet?" He growled. "Brin' ou de cannons then!"

The man nodded, yelping as he tripped over the fat one, Borus, and headed for the cannons, giving the young boy a rueful look, like it was all his fault.

The boy just pulled back more against the mast, throwing nervous looks at the men who glared at him. Bad luck omen, they were muttering... best kill him now....

The communicator fizzled a bit as the blonde captain looked back at her ship, spreading the dragonfly wings out to catch a bit of the astral wave and spiral above the victim ship, landing easily on the rail and hopping down, leaning against it as she propped the sword on her knee, and winked back at the ship as if Yuan could see her.

"Take coverrrr!" The captain bellowed, right before the whole rear of the ship exploded in debris, taking out the wheel, and the rear cannon.

She quickly skittered across the deck when no one was looking, the wings disabling and curling up harmlessly as she kneeled down in front of the boy, grinning as she offered the sword. "Loose something?"

His head came up from its hiding position that he'd curled up in to shield from flying timber and blinked up surprised as a rugged but stunningly pretty girl knelt by him. "M..my sword!"

Leading all the men, Remi slid down onto the deck, boots slamming hard, and sword out in one hand, glowing brightly, gun in the other. The hostage ship retaliated, but with a lot less courage, some just jumping clean out of the ship, initiating the life boat capsules before they plummeted into space.

She yanked out her gun, and snagged the chain. "Stay still or else you're gonna loose a foot." She warned, pulling back the hammer and then firing about three times, grinning in satisfaction when it snapped and fell loose.

He gasped a little, but stared at the broken chain and scrambled to his feet quickly, looking over at her with wide ruby eyes. "T...thanks." His gaze swept the deck as it slowly emptied, those not fighting, or fleeing, surrendering their weapons to the ragtag bunch... His eyes slid back to her, her suspicions tugging. "You're pirates...."

"Righto silver." She flicked the sword she had brought around, letting the sheath fall and hit the ground, and examined the blade. "Great craftsmanship, Mind if I use this?"

He blinked but nodded slowly. Not that he had much choice in the matter.... he wasn't sure if his situation had improved or not...but at least he was in better company.

She went to join the fray, pausing only a moment to look at him and flash a perfectly white smile. "Oh and please...try not to loose any teeth." And with that, she disappeared into the now thinning brawl.

He just stood there, uncertainly hanging back watching the brawl. On one hand, his heart beat with a hidden excitement he'd never felt, on the other he was frightened. His gaze slid to the pile of swords that had been carelessly dumped on the ground a few feet away.

The rats were thinning greatly, some falling in piles of their own putrid mess, others abandoning ship like their namesakes, until all that were left were the corpses and the captain. The blonde girl stepped up to the stinking shivering coward, lifting her bandana a bit with the tip of her gun, a polite movement, before pointing it at him. "Give up or die?"

"Bah! I ain't gon' let a girl like ya dew me in!" He drew his own gun and aimed it right back at her. "Go ahead, whore, fire."

To the side suddenly…"Graargh!" Two of the men, Borus and the other lunged towards where the boy was. "Bloody brat!!! 's all your fault!"

He gasped and turned to run, and tripped on the length of chain that was still tied to the mast where she had broken it for him, and landed hard on the deck, hand finding one of the swords.

The girl gasped and turned, distracted for naught a moment by the boy's plight, her gun lowering, as she turned on one heel in the direction of the young blacksmith. Crap!

"Captain!" Yuan bellowed, alarmed as she drew her attention away, and shoved her hard aside just as the captain fired, and instead of hitting her in the chest, it hit him in the upper arm, as he hissed with pain, whirled on him eyes blazing.

That brought her back to reality, blue eyes glinting angrily as she realized her mistake, and as she hit the deck, she unloaded a full clip into the stinking captain. All that was left of the poor bastard, was a pair of smoldering shoes.... and a gold tooth that clattered to the deck.

"I'll kill ya!!!! You impertinent bastard!!!!" The sailor snarled as he dove towards the helpless boy.

Kathump....kathump.... the sound of his heart pounding in his ears was all that filled his world, as almost by instinct, his hand drew a sword out from the pile beside him as he rolled, and shoved it upwards as the man lunged at him.... and it slammed right into his belly as the startled sailor gasped. "GYAAAAAHHH!"

The poor boy just lay there, half sitting, sword in hand, covered in blood, a little spattered on his cheek as the man slid off the sword to the ground, dead on impact. His eyes were wide, startled, and stunned. He just...killed someone.

The captain then whirled around on her stomach, took careful aim and took out the second man who was attacking the young boy, his head permanently removed from his body. With a growl of anger at her own idiocy, the captain got to her feet, and worriedly turned to her first mate. "Damn it. I'm sorry, are you ok?" She reached out tentative hands for her friends' arm.

"Yeah." He flexed his arm, frowning a bit at the bloody mess. "It missed anything important.." His eyes bore into her. "Namely you. Why did you let that kid distract you like that? You nearly got yourself killed."

She smiled sheepishly, placing a hand behind her head. "Sorry...I don't know...that was a greenhorn mistake...speaking of which.." She turned, looking over at the violet haired boy. "Are you alright?"

Yuan turned regarding the boy as he held a hand to his wound, eyes studying the scene carefully. The kid's hand was shaking as he slowly dropped the sword, eyes lifting to meet hers. "I...killed him..."

She gave Remington a look that said "that's why" and "I'll make it up to you I swear" before she carefully jumped over the rail down do the deck, and strolled casually up to him, hugging the young boy tightly. "Its ok. It happens to all of us one day." She put a hand on his back nicely and lead him along. "Come on, lets get you where its safe..." She turned to her crew, and put up a hand to draw their attention. "Go ahead you greedy monsters! Loots ripe for the picking… Wounded come back with me."

"Huzzaaahhh!!!!!"

Yuan shook his head, but smiled a bit watching her. "Entirely too softhearted for a pirate...." He chuckled but turned and oversaw the looting while she took care of business.

The boy shivered a little as the female captain led him back towards the side where the other ship was docked, still a bit shaken. He couldn't go home now... even if he'd wanted to... the word would get out... either they would say he died on the ship as a kidnap victim, or fell to pirates in which case he'd not be trusted again..... but.... his eyes lifted to the strange pirate woman beside him. It was frightening, but somehow... she was less fearsome than he expected a pirate to be.

She smiled down at him warmly, as she lead him deep within the ship towards the galley. "The names Rosette, Rosette Christopher. What's yours?"

He blinked a bit. It was such a normal name.... "Um.. It's Chrno... just Chrno. I have no other name...." He flushed a little looking down.

She didn't seemed bothered at all. "Uhn. No bother. We have five Jims here, none of them have last names, so we have to make up nicknames for each of them so we won't get them confused. Unfortunately each one of them likes the nicknames the other has better then their own so they keep changing and stealing them so you can never get it right.."

He blinked but smiled at that and couldn't help but giggle a little. "Really? That must be confusing....."

She grinned sitting him down and cleaning him up with a warm rag she stole from the kitchen, keeping him distracted as she cleaned the blood from his cheek and hands. "Yeah very much so. When ever we need one of them we have to call the lot of them and pick out which one we want. Cottonmouth, Woodeye, Pegleg, Spinsilver and Kettle. At least...that's what it is for this week. I just call them HEY YOU and normally someone responds." She shrugged, wiping his cheek.

He blinked up at her, the words dulling the shock in his mind somewhat, and keeping him occupied from letting it run away with him. She really didn't ACT like a pirate. "A...ah... And..." Wait a minute.... Christopher....? His eyes widened suddenly with recognition.

She grinned sheepishly, noticing his shock. "Horror tales aren't all what they should be eh?"

He blinked up at her, some of the shock fading. "Then... the Dread Pirate Christopher.... that's really you?"

She finished cleaning him off, dropping the rag into the dishwater. "Uhn. Used to be Just Captain Rosette Christopher, Scourge of the Seas. Some news place decided to make it more catchy. Dread Pirate Christopher, strikes fear into your heart doesn't it?"

He nodded slowly at that, but relaxed a little. "I've heard horrible tales.... So...they're not all true?"

"Not all." She sat down next to him, stretching out. "Most are just adapted from the truth, made more wild. As saying, I did NOT bite of the heads of a victim's 72 parrots just because they said that I was a coward." She looked sick.

He blinked then had to giggle a little. "Ahh...that's a relief.... and…I suppose the one about eating bats for breakfast....?"

"Never. Ick." She pulled out and apple and crunched on it. "I have a sweet tooth myself." She watched him curiously, there was something odd about this one.

He blinked at her, watching her curiously. Wow...she really didn't fit the pirate stigma. "Ah.... so...what exactly do you do then....?"

"Raid, plunder, steal." She shrugged, munching a bit. "Occasionally throw parties for birthdays by raiding a city, give the birthday boys half the loot. Fun stuff."

He blinked at that, and looked slightly disturbed. "But it's illegal."

"The laws are meant to be broken, or else they wouldn't put it there." She waved her hand around, she leaned closer to him, studying his eyes. That was it. He was a demon alright, odd that he didn't behave like one...

He blinked as she leaned closer, his cheeks turning a bit pink. "W..w…w…wha…what?."

She pulled back and smiled. "Nothing. Here, come with me. I'll show you to your room."

"A...a room? So... I'm not your prisoner?" He blinked standing up as she did.

She looked distant for a moment, putting a finger to her lips. "Well you could call it that in some ways, that you cant leave here without my permission, but then again, its not really like you are in JAIL. Think of it as...being drafted."

He blinked and lowered his eyes a little. "Oh….I see." Surprisingly, he didn't sound all that upset....

She patted him lightly on the shoulder and led him to a very nice, small comfortable room, complete with a desk and journal. "I'm in the Captain's quarters, if you need me. And if any of the crew bother you, just shout and I'll be there to kick their ass."

He blinked staring at the room with wide eyes. It was bigger than anything he'd ever had to himself...he'd slept in the attic back at his master's workshop, which was always noisy, and had straw stuffed under burlap for a bed. "Uh...uhn...." He looked a bit overwhelmed as he stepped inside, staring out the porthole, seeing the clouds floating right nearby.

She yawned a bit, turning around on her heel as she scratched under her bandana. "Speaking of kicking ass, we really did today. I better make sure everything's going smoothly. Don't need the fleet catching up to us." She waved one hand at him as she went to leave.

He blinked and sat down lightly on the bed, as she closed the door, and looked around, blinking. Wow... he even had his own washbasin...which he needed... He walked over and splashed the water lightly on his face, watching the dirt from the forge he'd been working in all morning come off in it. He glanced up at the small mirror on the wall, and brushed his bangs back a little wiping the back of his hand on his forehead. "A pirate ship.... who would have known...."

"Hmm....you do realize..." Yuan spoke in a calm voice, munching a pear outside the door as she stepped out. "We have limited space on board."

She nearly jumped out of her skin, the door clicking behind her as she gaped a bit. "Re-Re-Remington!" She looked like a little kid who had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. "Yeah...but there's room for him at least… I wont pick up anyone else!"

He smiled over at her and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That's what you said last time."

She turned pink again, ruffling her eyebrows as she said something low beneath her breath. "Its my ship anyway, I can bring in who I want..."

"Even someone like him?" He asked slowly, voice lowering as not to be overheard. "Surely you can sense something strange about him?"

She locked eyes with him, studying his blue depths. "Yeah. He's a demon." She looked back at the door, her voice no higher then a whisper, "But you saw his reaction when he killed that guy, he doesn't seem to know that he even IS one.."

He glanced back at the door, nodding slightly. "I feel no aura from him either... It's possible either he's just a low-rank one, and has no idea what even he is.... Or it could be something else... in either case, it's dangerous keeping him aboard... are you certain you wish to?"

She smiled and poked him lightly on the chest. "I keep you aboard and your more dangerous then he is." her smile melted into something more serious. "Yeah. I'm going to let him stay."

He smirked at that, and rubbed the back of his head with a boyish grin. "Well there is that.... hah!" He sobered a little though at her second comment sighed, and nodded. "Very well. But keep an eye on him...there's no telling when his nature will come to surface."

She nodded, giving him a squeeze on the shoulder reassuringly. "Two eyes when ever I have them to spare. Promise."

He smiled and then stole a kiss on her cheek, waving a hand over his shoulder and vanished around the corner. "Right then, I'll leave it in your hands then, Captain."

She turned pink and pressed a hand to that cheek, looking down at the ground while grumbling. "Dangerous alright. What type of Pirate Captain am I letting my first mate get away with something like that..." She flushed a bit more, cute as a button, as she went to her cabin for some wine.

-----------------------------

The door to his cabin opened, and the tall blonde mate stepped in, peering down at the boy who sat up from laying on the bed to blink up at him. He grinned down at him. "The Captain would like you to join her for dinner... clean up and go on down there." He tossed a small bag at him.

He caught it, blinking as the door was shut again, and stared at what was contained.... clean, nice clothing. He flushed again, thinking of her as he held up the silk shirt. Wow...nicer things he'd never had before....After cleaning up a little more, so not to soil the clothing, he re-tied his hair and slipped into the outfit, tight brown leather pants, black boots and a cream shirt that fell laced open down the center, he stepped outside. Seeing no guards or anything, he walked down to the most ornate door, and knocked lightly.

There was a thunk from the other side as a dart went into the wood, before the now familiar voice called out. "Come on in, its not locked." She was sitting at the table, feet propped up on the edge, with a nice feast set out for them, with a handful of darts at her left, looking extremely bored.

He opened the door hesitantly, peering in, and blinking a little seeing all the darts on the door, but slid in and closed it lightly behind him, while glancing around at her room. Well... no one could accuse her of being a neat-freak, that was for sure. She sat up, putting her boots down off the table as she grinned at him. "Well that looks a lot better on you I must say."

He flushed cutely, playing with one of the laces with a hand. "Uh...thank you... You've been really generous."

She just smiled, not taking his blush into any consideration and motioned to the table. "Sit down, eat! Steiner'll kill me if I let this all go to waste."

He quickly made his way over to the table, and slipped into the chair across from her, staring at all the food. "T...there's no way all this..." This was enough for five, ten, maybe twenty sailors! Even HE wasn't THAT hungry!

"I'll be helping you, don't worry." She smiled, waving her hands at him. "Go ahead, dig in."

He didn't have to be told twice.... he did just that, eating eagerly, as if he'd never had the chance to gorge like this before, which probably was the case, since he was pretty skinny. Not starved by any means, his master had been a kind old fart, if lazy.... but not rich by any means either. She smiled as she watched him, letting him have the best pick of things before joining in, eating happily as she watched him, studying his motions, taking in his personality by the simple things he did unconsciously, all of it reinforcing her belief that he had no idea that he was a demon.

He had no idea, nor care that she was watching him, and ate as if he'd never eat another meal...and by the time he was done, he was so full, he didn't want to even move from his chair, as he lay there, staring up at the ceiling, admiring the lamp fixture there, and burped lightly. She grinned, looking at the empty table. Damn, she had told Yuan she'd save him some of that pineapple pudding, ah well. "Hey Chrno, how old are you?"

He yawned lazily, sitting up as much as he could with one hand on his full tummy. "Uh... 14 or 15 I think... don't really know."

She didn't think that was really accurate but she played along. "Ah really? Then you're only one or two years younger then me. Wow!"

He blinked up at her curiously. "Oh? You're that young?"

She turned pink a bit, before crossing her arms defensively. "I'm turning 17 this week thank you...that was why we were in your harbor.." She flushed even more brilliantly.

He blinked. "Eh? Why?" He leaned forward curiously. "There's not much to see there...I've lived there my whole life, it's boring."

What was she supposed to say. She was going to raid his little town for the enjoyment of her birthday. "Well, then I guess the tourists were wrong about it being the party capital of this galaxy..." She scratched her head.

He coughed at that and shook his head, giggling a little. "Someone gave you the wrong directions then.... maybe they meant the town next to us...? I've heard that it's a bigger city, filled with strange things."

She blinked at him, a grin coming over her face. "Ah really?" She had promised the crew a day off, this city sounded like a good idea. "Hmm..."

He blinked a bit, eyes widening. "Um." Well...sure why not. "That's what my master always said... he went there to buy his imported ale...."

She stood, clapping him on the back. "Well then Chrno my friend, I think you will be a helpful part of this crew yet." She grinned and moved to the door. "Come on, let's turn this piece of junk around."

He looked up at her then jumped to his feet, grinning a bit. This might be fun. "I'm not sure what I can do...unless you have a forge on ship." He laughed, since it would be ridiculous if one did... a fire forge on a wooden ship, ha!

"The elder would be happy to have you then." She grinned at him, going up top. "ALL HANDS ON DECK!!!!"

"Elder?" He queried running up after her, and gasping a bit at the sight of the clouds and the astral line twisting below them.... no land in sight...wah.

Men began to clamor on deck instantly, at her call, spilling out of the crow's nest, out from the cabin and hammocks everywhere. She waited for all of them to gather, grinning lightly. "As you all know, our little celebration for my 17th birthday was cut short."

The men grumbled a bit and raised their hands. "Haaaaa!!"

"So, we are going to take a pit stop at what Chrno said is a party city central, and you have the entire day off." She said easily, turning the ship as she spoke, "I do expect everyone to be on their BEST behavior.." She smirked a bit.

The men all began to cheer. "Yahhh wooooohh!"

She looked at the navigation and waved her hand. "We should be there by nightfall, go ahead and get prepared. Dismissed."

The men began to scurry about, preparing ship for turnaround. Chrno stared around, wide eyed, and peered tentatively over the side and turned a bit green., "Urk.... high."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh breathe, you act like you've never been on a ship before."

He looked up, wide eyed. "I haven't...."

She blinked at him, setting the ship on autopilot before hopping down in front of him, inspecting his eyes again like she had before. Strange creatures these land lovers were...

He kept staring over the edge, and quickly looked back up, blinking as he met her eyes again. "Uh." He rubbed his nose. "Do I have something....?"

She just shook her head, patting his shoulder. "Is there anything you want?"

"Um..." He shook his head a little then hesitated. "Would...it be possible... I know I can't go back and stay but... I'd feel bad leaving my master all alone without telling him I'm ok...."

She smiled at him, completely won over by his adorableness. "Sure."

He brightened at that. "Thank you." He bowed a little. "I really do appreciate it."

She grinned cattishly, and just rumpled his hair. "Stop sucking up."

He blinked up at her another cute blush hitting his cheeks. "S..sucking up?"

"Its not going to get you a bigger room." She spread her hands out childishly, "And I don't have an ego at all so there's nothing to expand!"

He waved his hands quickly. "No! That room is bigger than anything I've had before it's fine! Really! I'm... um... just trying to be ... um...polite." He flushed.

"Your among pirates me matie. There's no thing as polite." Actually, she pulled off the accent pretty good.

He rubbed the back of his neck lightly. "Sorry.... I've never really met any pirates before so..."

She just giggled and hugged him out of nowhere. "Your so cute."

He blinked, blushing more at that. Wow... a girl hugging him.... most of them had always told him to take a hike, he stunk.... She didn't seem to mind though, after all, she was on the Captain of a ship full of large men. B.O. was prominent.

"Ahem....." A polite cough sounded behind them. "The rigging needs adjusting, Captain. Would you like me to go aloft and deal with it?"

She let go of the young boy, blinking up at her first mate before straightening up, smiling. "Ah sure, thanks Yuan. After that, you can do what ever you want to, except work of course."

His eyes twinkled at that. "Really now?"

She gave him a sly look. "Ha ha. Get up and fix that rigging First Mate."

"Aye." He saluted with a jaunty wink, and in a blink was scrambling up the rigging.

"Ah..." Chrno peered up after him. "Is he your brother?"

She looked down at him and flushed deeply. "Ah no. My brother...is a far ways away from here..." She looked up at Remington fondly. "He is a very important friend."

"Ohh." He blinked and looked knowing suddenly. "I see." He smiled cheerfully at her. "I hope you two are happy together then! I wish you the best of---"

thunk She shut him up with a fist to the head, looking utterly embarrassed. "Shaddap, if you say that you're going to make him cocky."

"Ouch!!!" He grabbed his head. "Ah…ah! Sorry!"

She just sighed, looking over at Remington ruefully. The damn handsome bastard… "Go ahead and get some rest, its going to be a long day tomorrow."

"Ok." He said yawning at that. He hadn't realized just how much the days work had taken on him.... he was rather tired. He glanced over at her once again, and smiled warmly. "Thanks again for rescuing me."

She blinked, turning pink in the cheeks. Ah...rescued...that was a new one..."Ah...You're welcome..."

He waved one hand, and then turned and slipped back down the cabin stairs towards his room.

Kathump "Rescuing demons in distress eh?"

She jumped again, pressing a hand to her heart as she turned to glower at him. "Can't you ever show up like a NORMAL man?"

He leaned over her grinning, the broken piece of rope he'd gone up to grab in his hand. "Now what fun would THAT be?"

She just pouted, looking longingly into the nebula dust before turning to face him and eyeing the rope. "Finished?"

He handed it over yawning. "Yup. G'night mon capitan. Get some rest."

She smiled at him, his yawning contagious as she made the cutest sound in the seven seas, before closing her mouth and blinking tiredly. "Ah yes. Rest. That sounds divine.."