The crew had joined us, yawning and slowly waking up, just as the sunrise was beginning to fade. It had been a lovely sunrise, as far as I was concerned -- but Sarah was shaking her head and telling anyone that listened that red sunrises were bad luck.

"You're off yer rocker!" Jonathan had told her.

"Yer drunk!" She'd responded. Marcee had snickered and nodded her support.

Back to the present. I'd taken the helm some time ago, wanting to feel the waves beneath my feet, and the wind in my hair. Cass joined me a few minutes later.

"Are we really going to sail in circles, waiting?" She asked.

"That's my plan." I said. "Something's bound to happen. Something always happens, when I'm involved," I grumbled, "Jack's cursed me to have odd luck trailing me my entire life."

"Odd luck?"

"Well, it isn't bad luck," I answered sagely, smirking. "It only throws us off the set course a bit, love. What's wrong with that?"

"I will quote you later," She laughed.

"Captain!" The called drifted from the crow's nest.

I squinted up at it, nearly blinding by the sun. It was weird to me that the sun shined just as bright over the Pacific as the Caribbean. In my opinion, the blinding glow belonged to the Caribbean only. "What is it, Jeremy?"

"I see the Shinigami!"

My heart leaped, and I handed the wheel off to Cass, scrambling across the deck and to the bow. I could just see a red blot on the horizon. "I knew it," I whispered. "Cass!" I yelled, spinning and waving to her. "We're aiming for her! I want to have a chat with him!"

She tipped her hat, a hat I think she must have stole from Sarah, and spun the wheel with an excited smile. I turned back to face the horizon.

"I want answers, sir!" I said into the wind, pointing a finger at the Shinigami. "And you are going to give them!"

After a moment of consideration, I zipped back towards the deck. "Hey! Hey, you all!" They stopped in their work to look at me. "Arm yourselves. Just your cutlasses, and maybe a pistol. Nothing excessive -- I'm looking at you, Nina! Thank you, back to work!"

Then I scooted below deck. "Maria! What's shaking?"

She jumped slightly at my voice, turning and glaring with her silvery eyes. "Really, Jacqueline?"

"Really!" I grinned.

She sighed after a moment, and slowly her face relaxed. Her voice regained its usual unexpected sultry tone. "How can I help you?"

I ruffled her sheen of brown hair, ruining the flawless appearance. "I need you to find a pistol. We're meeting with a fellow captain and I don't trust him to empty a chamber pot."

She giggled at my words; she suddenly appeared her age. She was only fourteen. "Alright. I'll protect the lower decks for you, Jacqueline."

I smiled. "Thanks, love. See ya later!" I waved and zipped back on deck.

We were a lot closer to the Shinigami than we had been minutes ago. I jittered slightly, wiggling and letting out a dignified squeak. That red ship could hold all the secrets to my parents' deaths.

This was like a book -- I grinned, bouncing on my heels.

"Hey!" I grabbed Nina as she raced by and glared at her. "Put up the flag!"

"Which flag?" She shrieked, struggling to get away. She hadn't listened -- under her clothes I could see she wore a belt of pistols, and three swords.

"The white one," I said. "And...our colors."

I continued darting about the ship, hyper and impatient, as we drew closer to the Shinigami. I grabbed Cass' arm and jabbered to her in French when they let their white flag climb up the mast, signalling we could Parlay.

It only took a bit longer until we pulled up alongside the Shinigami, and I was yelling across the open gap to Sutcliff's first mate.

The first mate of the Shinigami was tan and a shock of bleached blond hair hung in his eyes. He'd introduced himself as Ron, and winked. "Captain Sutcliff's busy," He grinned at me, "And he isn't eager to see you of all people."

My eye twitched. Who wouldn't want to meet with me? I didn't understand. "Why don't you find the wanker," I snapped, "And tell him that Jacqueline Angelica Mari Elizabeth fucking Sparrow is here to see him now!"

He blanched, likely at the flashing of my caramel eyes. "Oi, William," He said, grabbing the sleeve of an Asian pirate as he walked by. William's green eyes slowly slid to glare at Ron. "Get the captain, would you?"

"Fine," William said in a bored voice, turning on his heel. "But only because she --" He acknowlegded me with a sharp nod, "-- reminds me of my mother."

I nearly choked on laughter, leaning into Eric before controlling myself. "Oh, I like him." I said.

"He is amusing." Eric nodded. Cass, who I'd asked to accompany me as well as Eric, nodded her agreement. She was unusually quiet under the stares of the Shinigami's crew.

William returned a a moment later with Sutcliffe in tow. "Captain Sparrow!" The redhead called across the gap. "How lovely to see you again." He flashed me his dangerous grin.

For whatever inexplicable reason I was struck with a memory so intense I could nearly touch it; I blinked and flew back to the present quickly and shook my head, shaking away the sad thoughts.

I smiled brightly. "Captain Sutcliff! I had something more to discuss with you, so when I saw your ship I was absolutely tickled. Could we speak privately, with my first mate and my friend here?"

His acidic green gaze scanned Eric and Cass briefly before falling on me again. "As you wish," He smiled, eyes glinting with their usual dangerous glimmer.

I hid my unease with a smile and a flamboyant gesture typical of myself.

And Jack, I thought.

"Are you always drunk?" I asked innocently, having finally learned what it actually meant to be drunk earlier upon request.

Jack stopped in his tracks, looking at me with a small smile, as if he couldn't believe what I had just said. "...what?"

I repeated the question.

"It's called a buzz," He insisted, swaying and tapping my head with a ring-adorned finger. I laughed. "And you listen to Adeena too much."

I pushed away the memory, wincing. I was a sap, wasn't I. A big fat lying sap.

A plank was laid between the two ships and I scurried across first, glancing fearfully at the waves. I disliked heights. I wasn't a top man for a reason. Eric and Cass followed me, no doubt laughing at my antics.

"Privately," I reminded Captain Taylor Sutcliffe, giving him a mock stern look.

He laughed. "Insistent, you are. Come along, we'll speak in my cabin."

I let him pass us so we could follow. As he moved out of our view I cast Eric and Cass a strained smile.

"Be alert." I whispered, starting forward. They nodded.

Sutcliffe's cabin was furnished in browns and reds, tastefully decorated with maps and a few extravagant tapestries depicting swirling patterns. I admired it, but preferred my own; simple and rough.

"Make yourself at home," Sutcliffe waved a hand toward the couch and scattered chairs, placing himself in the high backed one similar to mine behind his desk. Unlike my work space his was clean and organized. "I'm eager to hear what you have to say."

I opened my mouth and closed it. I hadn't thought this far.

Cass saved me. "Were you investigating the missing ships from Captain Elizabeth Meyer's fleet as well?"

His green gaze slid to her. "I was," He said, slowly smiling. "I'm afraid I don't know your friend, Jacqueline."

"Oh! Sorry love, it slipped my mind," I grinned, "You've met Eric. This is Cass, a trusted advisor of mine."

Cass flushed and timidly met his intent gaze. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Mutual," He grinned. "So?" He focused back on me.

"Well, I..." I swallowed. "I'm sorry, Taylor, but I think last time we spoke you lied."

He'd been looking at me, but now he was really burning a hole through my forehead. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that, Jacqueline. Whatever gave you that inclination?"

And all of a sudden, his eyes were glowing.

I stood, gasping. He followed, a sly smile forming on his lips. "You're not human," I realized, narrowing my eyes.

Eric shot to his feet, grabbing my arm and tugging me back. Cass did the same with my other.

I growled and jerked away, glaring at them. "I'm not a child," I hissed, letting my own eyes spark a fantastic green. I let my burning gaze fall on Sutcliffe again. "What are you? You're not a Siren..."

"No," He smiled again. I took a step back; his teeth had sharpened into fangs, reminding me of a shark. "I'm not nearly as weak as a Siren."

I hissed. "Fuck you."

"I'm a Shinigami," He said with a smirk, running a hand through his hair. The ribbons came undone, and his long locks of red fell free. "A God of Death. And you, Jacqueline Sparrow," He smiled. My skin crawled. "Are the next on my Death Note."

***

Who watches anime? Anyone?

I SWEAR -- I haven't turned this into an anime. I swear on my dead goldfish.

*remembers I have a dead goldfish* *sobs*

Anyway, yeah, Shinigami is a Japanese thing. Whatever. I'm a culture/anime/manga freak. Get over it, haters.

We're gonna get pretty supernatural real quick, ladies and gents. A lot of Shinigami shit is gonna go down because I started writing and that's what happened.

But to make up for the weird route I took -- we'll be seeing Jack and Adeena in the future, I think? I won't explain how, duh, but would you all like that?

And if it hasn't become obvious YES Eric is the love interest. Do you guys like him and his character? I was unsure because he was an OC and all. This story is full of OCs.

Wanna hear something funny? Originally Sutcliffe was the love interest, lol. Then the plot happened.

I'm really not sure about all this. I haven't gotten an abundance of feedback, like I had on the three other books. What do you guys think of everything? I'd love to know. Hearing nothing allows me to dream up all sorts of situations.

Anyhow, I'll leave ya'll here. Vote and comment, whatever. Love you all! See ya next update!

(Been trying to update once a week-ish. It's kinda difficult for one as lazy as I am)