InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Pirates of the Sengoku Jidai ❯ Enter the Pirate ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I do not own either Inuyasha or Pirates of the Caribbean. I think I am the first to put them together, however.

Chapter Three

EXT. PORT IMPERIAL-HARBOR-DAY

((The skeletal remains of four pirates, still clad in buccaneer rags, hang from impromptu gallows erected on a rocky promontory. From a fifth gallows hangs a sign bearing the inscription PIRATES, YE BE WARNED. The top of a billowing sail passes regally past the grisly sight. On the landward side, apparently high in the rigging, stands CAPTAIN MIROKU SUZUME, his wild black hair billowing in the wind. A purple cloth is wrapped around his right hand, and he has a devilish twinkle in his eye. The term `swashbuckling rogue' was invented specifically for him. As he passes the gallows, he momentarily assumes a reverent stance. But something on deck catches his eye, so he leaps from the rigging. The camera pans out, and we see that his ship is no imposing three-master, but rather a fishing boat. A single-sailed fishing boat. A leaky, single-sailed fishing boat. He grabs a pail and desperately starts to bail water. Gripping the tiller, he steers the boat towards the Port Imperial docks.))

EXT. PORT IMPERIAL-DOCKS-DAY

((Captain Miroku is perched atop the rigging as his leaky vessel comes into the docks. When it touches the pier, the rigging is exactly even with it. Miroku steps off and watches as it sinks beneath the waves. The HARBORMASTER spots him and strides over.))
Harbormaster: You there! It's four yen to dock your boat!

((Miroku glances at the little bit of mast still sticking out of the water.))

Miroku: What boat?

Harbormaster: Rules are rules. And I'll need to know your name.

Miroku: Tell you what; I'll make it ten yen, and you forget about the name.

((He slips the money into the harbormaster's hand. The official brightens considerably.))

Harbormaster: Welcome to Port Imperial, John Doe.

((Miroku gives him a half-salute with one hand and picks his pocket with the other. As the harbormaster walks away, unsuspecting, Miroku turns his attentions farther down the dock, to the Imperial Navy landings. Two ships in particular catch his eye; one the HMS Midoriko, the other the HMS Kirara. The Kirara is a small, sleek vessel with rail guns and a mortar. He swaggers towards the landing with a cocky grin.))

EXT. FORT GOSHINBOKU-DAY

((With choreographed precision, Governor Higurashi removes the ceremonial sword from the presentation case, held by a Navy officer. He holds it out to soon-to-be-Commodore Kouga, who draws it from the scabbard. He flourishes it expertly, as though fighting an invisible foe, then snaps the blade up in front of his face. The governor steps forward and pins a medal to now-Commodore Kouga's jacket. The commodore nods to Governor Higurashi, to the assembled officers, and finally to the audience. Another flourish and the blade is returned to its scabbard. There is a brief silence. And then, the audience are on their feet, applauding for all they're worth. Kagome, however, is uncomfortable. She claps, winces, and discreetly tries to readjust her corset. She resumes clapping trying to hide her discomfort.))

EXT. PORT IMPERIAL-NAVY DOCK-DAY

((Two sailors are on sentry duty. They are a pair of wolf Youkai named GINTA and HAKKAKU. They wear heavy skin uniforms, and look so much alike that they are probably brothers. The heat has prompted them to take advantage of the shade offered by the dock. When Miroku saunters up, they clumsily grab their guns and hats and rush to cut him off.))

Ginta: This dock is off-limits to civilians!

Miroku: Very interesting. If I see any, I'll be sure to let you know.

((He tries to move around them and head for the Kirara, but the two block his passage. A strain of music drifts down from Fort Goshinboku. Miroku looks up, then back at Ginta and Hakkaku.))

Miroku: Some sort of fancy to-do up at the fort, eh?

((Hakkaku nods stupidly.))

Miroku: Tell me, how is it that two such fine, upstanding Imperial officers such as yourselves did not receive an invitation?

Ginta: Well, someone has to make sure this dock stays off limits to civilians.

Miroku: I see…that must be some important boat.

Hakkaku: Ship.

Miroku: Ship. Sorry.

Ginta: Captain Kouga's made his flagship. He's going to use it to hunt down the last dregs of piracy in the seven seas.

Hakkaku: Commodore Kouga.

Ginta: Commodore. Sorry.

Miroku: That's a fine goal, I'm sure. But in my personal opinion as a seaman, that ship over there-

((He indicates the Midoriko))

Miroku: -makes that one a bit superfluous.

Ginta and Hakkaku: What?

Miroku: The big ship-of-the-line makes the Commodore's flagship look like a toy boat.

Ginta: Well, the Midoriko is the power in these waters, true. But there's no ship that can match the Kirara for speed.

((Miroku arches an interested eyebrow.))

Miroku: Is that so? I've heard of one. Supposed to be uncatchable. The Shikon no Tama?

((Ginta laughs derisively.))

Ginta: There's no real ship as can match the Kirara.

Hakkaku: But the Shikon no Tama is a real ship.

Ginta: No, it isn't.

Hakkaku: Yes, it is. I've seen it.

Ginta: Riiight. You mean to tell me that you've seen a ship with black sails, crewed by the damned, and captained by a Youkai so evil that each of the Seven Hells spat him back out in succession?

((There is a pause before Hakkaku's response.))

Hakkaku: Um…no.

Ginta: No.

Hakkaku: But I have seen a ship with black sails.

Ginta: Oh. And no ship that's not crewed by the damned, and not captained by a Youkai so evil that each of the seven hells spat him back out in succession could possibly have black sails, and thus couldn't possibly be any ship besides the Shikon no Tama. Is that what you're saying?

Hakkaku: Um…no.

((Ginta turns back to Miroku with a self-satisfied air.))

Ginta: Like I said, there's no real ship as can match-hey!

((While Ginta and Hakkaku were arguing, Miroku had slipped by them and boarded the Kirara.))

Ginta: You!

((Miroku looks up in `innocent' surprise. Ginta and Hakkaku rush down the gangplank, guns trained on Miroku.))

Ginta: What's your name?

Miroku: Doe. John Doe.

((Ian Fleming sues.))

Ginta: What is your business in Port Imperial, `Mr. Doe?'

Hakkaku: And no lies!

Miroku: None? Very well. I intend to commandeer this vessel, pick up a crew in Tortuga, and loot, pillage, and plunder my black little heart out.

Hakkaku: I said no lies!

Ginta: I think he's telling the truth.

Hakkaku: If he was telling the truth, he wouldn't have told us!

Miroku: Unless, of course, he knew you wouldn't believe the truth if he told it to you.

((The two digest this information until they are thoroughly confused.))

EXT. FORT GOSHINBOKU-DAY

((Kagome fans herself weakly. She is pale, covered in perspiration, and is clearly oblivious to the music and chatter. Commodore Kouga approaches her.))
Kouga: May I have a moment?

((He extends his arm. Kagome links elbows with him, and he leads her away from the party, up to the parapet. There is rather too long of a silence before Kouga bursts out-))

Kouga: You look lovely, Kagome.

((Kagome frowns, unable to focus. Her vision is starting to blur. Kouga mistakes her expression for disapproval.))

Kouga: I apologize for being so…forward, but I must speak my mind.

((He takes a deep breath.))

Kouga: This promotion confirms that I have accomplished the goals I set for myself in my career. But it also throws into sharp relief one goal I have not accomplished. A marriage to a fine woman. You…you have become a fine woman, Kagome.

((Kagome gasps.))

Kagome: I can't breathe!

Kouga: Yes, I'm a bit nervous myself.

((But that isn't what she means. She faints, tumbling off the parapet.))

EXT. PORT IMPERIAL-NAVY DOCKS-DAY

((Miroku pushes Ginta and Hakkaku aside to see Kagome plunge into the waves, narrowly missing the sharp rocks.

EXT. FORT GOSHINBOKU-DAY

((Kouga turns, and sees that Kagome has vanished. He looks over the edge and sees the ripples in the water.))

Kouga: Kagome!

((He throws off his Navy jacket in preparation to dive after her, but a lieutenant named AYAME grabs his arm.))

Ayame: Don't! Think about the rocks! It's a miracle she missed them!

((Kouga looks down and realizes that Ayame is right. He steps down, throws on his jacket, and runs for the docks with all speed.))

EXT. PORT IMPERIAL-NAVY DOCKS-DAY

((Ginta and Hakkaku seem to have entered a state of shock.))
Miroku: Well, aren't you going to save her?

Ginta: I can't swim.

Hakkaku: I only dog paddle.

((William Goldman sues.))

Miroku: Pride of the Imperial Navy, you are.

((He hands Ginta his sword belt, which holds a blade and a pistol.))

Miroku: Do not lose these.

((In a flash, he is over the side of the Kirara, diving beneath the water after Kagome.))

UNDERWATER-DAY

((Kagome is sinking slowly, unconscious. The medallion slips out from her bodice and turns at a snail's pace, until at last the skull is facing up. There is a silent boom, and a massive ripple hurls itself through the ocean.))

EXT. PORT IMPERIAL-NAVY DOCKS-DAY

Hakkaku: What was that?

((And even as he asks, the wind sharply changes directions, blasting the flag flying atop the Kirara so that it wheels around and starts flying in the opposite direction.))

UNDERWARTER-DAY

((The medallion is twisting upwards, as though wishing to escape the drowning Kagome. And then Miroku is there. He grabs her with one arm and struggles towards the surface. But it's much more difficult than it should be. He breaks the surface just long enough to take a breath of air before he is dragged back down. He wheels his head around to look at Kagome, and realizes that the heavy dress is weighting them down. He tears it open and lets it fall into the darkness of the water.)) **A/N: Leave it to Miroku to save a girl by taking off her dress.**

EXT. PORT IMPERIAL-NAVY DOCKS-DAY

((Ginta and Hakkaku haul Miroku and Kagome out of the water, and attempt to resuscitate the unconscious woman. As Ginta tries to push the water from her lungs, Hakkaku places his cheek near her nose and mouth. He immediately panics.))

Hakkaku: She's not breathing! NOT BRRATHING!

((He runs around in circles, screaming his idiotic head off. Miroku sighs and pushes Ginta out of the way.))

Miroku: Move.

((He grabs Ginta's knife and slices open the corset. A brief silence. And then-Kagome's eyes snap open, and she is coughing up water, choking on her first breath.))

Ginta: I never would have thought of that.

Miroku: Clearly you've never been to Singapore.

((Just as he is about to stand, he sees the medallion around Kagome's neck. He catches it up and examines it. His eyes become the size of dinner plates when he sees the skull motif.))

Miroku: Where in the Seven Hells did you get this?

((Before Kagome can answer, a blade is at Miroku's throat. It is Commodore Kouga's ceremonial sword and it is looking particularly sharp as the sun glints off it.))

Kouga: On your feet.

((For the first time, Miroku realizes what this must look like to Kagome's current rescuers. He is standing above a half-naked woman with a knife in his hands. Nor does he look like a respectable citizen. In fact it is fairly doubtful that he has had a bath in the past three days. Governor Higurashi hurries from the crowd and drapes his jacket around Kagome.))

Governor Higurashi: Kagome, are you all right?

((Kagome nods weakly.))

Kagome: I'm fine, Grandpa. Commodore, do you intend to kill my rescuer?

((Kouga blinks, and lowers his sword. He extends his hand to Miroku.))

Kouga: I believe thanks are in order.

((Miroku pauses tentatively before taking the proffered palm. They shake-and then Kouga tightens his grip, pulling Miroku's arm towards him and pulling up his sleeve. A capital `P' has been branded on his wrist. Kouga scowls.))

Kouga: I see you've had a brush with the East China Trading Company-pirate.

((Gasps fill the crowd. In a second, half a dozen guns are trained on Miroku, who drops the knife.))

Kouga: Keep your guns trained on him, men. Lieutenant Ayame, fetch some irons.

((The commodore notices something else. Just above the `P' brand is a tattoo: a small bird, flying past a Kazaana.))

Kouga: Miroku Suzume, is it?

Miroku: Captain Miroku Suzume, if you please.

Kouga: I don't see your ship, Captain.

Hakkaku: He said he had come to commandeer one.

((Ginta slaps Hakkaku upside the head.)
Ginta: I told you he was telling the truth!

((He hands Kouga Miroku's belt.))

Ginta: These are his, sir.

((Kouga pulls out the gun and examines it with critical eye. He scoffs.))

Kouga: No additional shot or powder.

((He removes a compass from a pouch on the belt and flips it open. Again a derisive laugh.))

Kouga: It doesn't bear true.

((Finally, he removes Miroku's sword from its sheath and gives it a few practice swings.))

Kouga: Hmm. I half expected it to be made of wood. To take stock: You have a pistol with only one shot, a compass that doesn't point north, and no ship. You are, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst pirate I have ever heard of.

Miroku: Be that as it may, you have heard of me.

((Lt. Ayame approaches Miroku, shackles in hand. Kagome steps forward, impeding her progress.))

Kagome: Commodore, I must protest! Pirate or not, this man saved my life.

Kouga: A single good deed is not even remotely enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness.

Miroku: It seems to be enough to condemn him.

((Ayame pushes past Kagome and snaps the manacles around Miroku's wrist. She steps back, and Kouga nods to the navy officers, who lower their weapons.))

Miroku: Finally.

((Lightning quick, he has the chain of the shackles around Kagome's neck. Ginta and Hakkaku begin to raise their guns, but Kouga stops them-he does not want them to hit Kagome.))

Miroku: Commodore, my effects, please.

((Kouga hesitates. Miroku pulls the chain tighter.))

Miroku: I don't want to hurt her, Commodore, but you're not leaving me much choice.

((Kouga nods to Ginta, who holds out the sword belt.))

Miroku: Kagome-it is Kagome, right?

Kagome: Miss Higurashi.

((The angry barb bounces right off Miroku.))

Miroku: Very well. If you'd be so kind, Miss Higurashi?

((She takes the belt, and Miroku quickly pulls the pistol from it. He spins her around so she is facing him, belly to belly.))

Miroku: Now, if you'll be very kind?

((She realizes that he wants her to put the belt on him.)) **A/N: There's a first. Normally, Miroku wants girls to take his belt off.**

Kagome: You're dethpicable.

((Daffy Duck sues.))

Miroku: Nothing personal, love. I saved your life, you saved mine. We're square.

((His belt securely around his waist, Miroku spins Kagome back around and begins to back away slowly until he bumps against the cargo gantry.))

Miroku: Ladies and…what's the word I'm looking for?

Hakkaku: Gentlemen?

Miroku: That would be the word-if there were any here. Anyway, whatever you are, you shall always remember this as the day you nearly captured Captain Miroku Suzume.

((And the chain is removed from Kagome's neck. Miroku shoves her into the crowd, distracting the officers long enough to grab a rope and remove the belaying pin. A counterweight drops, and Miroku is lifted up, up, and away to the middle of the gantry. He grabs another rope. Rifles fire and miss. Miroku starts swinging from rope to rope like a nautical Tarzan. Kouga takes careful aim, tracking Miroku's trajectory. Boom. The shot slices through a rope, sending Miroku plummeting towards the ground. As he falls, he snaps the chains of his shackles over a guy line and slides down. The line, too snaps, but Miroku lands on his feet, well out of rifle range. He is soon out of sight. Kouga snarls.))

Kouga: Lt. Ayame, fetch another squad. Search the whole of Port Imperial. Suzume has a date with the gallows tomorrow morning. I'd hate for him to miss it.