pairings: AxelxRoxas

disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot

Omg! whats this! It's about pirates! lol. I've been wanting to do one about pirates for awhile now lol and I finally got around to sitting down and writting out the first chapter. So here it is!

.:A Chance At Life:.

Blood smeared and bruised he huddled into himself, screams of pain and anger echoed in his ears. A small shaking blonde boy about 17 or so sat in a corner whishing for his life to end, whishing he wasn't there. The heavy smell of alcohol and sick made him dizzy. His mind fuzying from the beating he had just received. Maybe from blood loss or just willing himself to, he fell unconscious.

Morning came all to quickly for him. The blonde woke to a chill going through his body and opened his eyes slowly. The floor beneath him was cold and hard, but it felt good against his pounding headache. His breathing came quietly and he looked around, hoping to the gods on high the man he feared wasn't near. With a considerable effort he stood up, whimpering in pain and agony. Cuts throbbed and bruises burned, all reminding him of the night before. His father had gotten drunk again and once more beaten him with slurred words and angry fists.

Breathing shallow his chest tightened in pain and he stumbled forward to escape from the main room of the small one floor house. As quietly as he could he walked to his bedroom, a pitiful thing in itself. The bed, a mass of hay with a sheet drawn on top. His clothes stuffed messily into a trunk and a small box that held the things he loved lay next to it.

Trembling as he lowered himself down he dragged the trunk over. Flipping the lock open he lifted the wooden top to reveal his clothes. Taking a breath he reached down and pulled his shirt off. Blood stained with sweat and sick he threw it to the side so he could wash it later. With even more care he removed his trousers. They too were thrown to the side to be washed. Shivering slightly he looked down at his pale body. Viciously red cuts and purple bruises stared back at him. He could see scars from past beatings and put a hand to his face. He hissed in pain as he touched his cheek and sighed. It would take days for the fresh injuries to heal and he was still recuperating from the beating he had received not more then three days before.

Reaching in he pulled a white shirt out, the sleeves themselves were large, leaving room for movement. Buttoning it quickly for he was starting to get cold he reached back in to pull out pants and stockings. Dreary in color his pants were a dark brown and the stockings a dull grey. He didn't care though, clothes were clothes. After pulling the socks on he dug around for a moment and pulled out some shoes. Dark in color a buckle on the top held them snuggled around his feet. He shut the trunk and pushed it back into place. With another hiss of pain he stood. He wasn't sure where his mother or father were inside the house, he just wanted to get away for the moment. Walking quietly from his room and out the door he was gone, at least for awhile.

In no time at all he was across the cobblestone streets and across the block and into the local clinic. He walked in as an older woman was leaving. The wooden door creaked closed behind him and he looked over to see a woman standing by an island in the middle of the front room. Her brown hair tied back by an elegant pink piece of cloth.

"Roxas" she smiled, but it faded. "Your face" she noted with worry.

"Its alright, Aerith, its nothing" he lied. She gave him a stern look and shook her head.

"Well get over here you little heathen and let me treat you" she said with a sigh.

Roxas gave a sheepish smile and walked over as Aerith called for her assistant to take care of the front. A girl emerged from a back door with brown hair and green eyes.

"Mornin Olette" he greeted and she smiled.

He followed Aerith to one of the back rooms and she ordered him to show her where else he was hurt. Doing as instructed he pulled his shirt off and she gave a sad sigh. It wasn't long till she was rubbing a salve on his fresh wounds. The cooling medicince sent a chill down the boys spine but it felt good.

"It was you father again was it not?" she asked.

He hesitated but nodded quietly. He had been coming to the clinic since his younger days and befriend the woman easily. But the time they spent together she eventually learned his father beat him and took pity, treating him for free.

"How can I repay you this time?" he asked quietly pulling his shirt on as she shut a small tin of the medicine.

"Well, you'll just have to work for me today for free" she stated.

Roxas smiled "Alright, just don't keep me too late" he laughed.

The boy was soon standing next to Olette at the table in the main room sorting imported pills and vials of what looked like blood to him. But it wasn't long till the door opened and they looked over to see who had entered. A boy dressed similarly to him walked over, but he recognized the boy from his days when he used to go to school.

"Morning Hayner" Olette greeted with a giddy smile. She had fancied the boy for a long time.

"Morning Olette, Morning Roxas"

"Mornin" he replied and went back to what he was doing.

"I have the medicine for you mother Hayner" she informed dusting her hands off and disappearing to the back rooms again.

The two waited in a slightly awkward silence. It had been quiet awhile since he had seen the other blonde. Roxas had been taken quiet early from school by his father to get a job and work for money. They weren't an overly poor family, just on a tight budget when it came down to it.

Olette appeared carrying a small pouch "Tell your mother to mix it into tea. Once in the morning and once at night" she instructed. Hayner gave a nod and took the bag, giving a wave he left and they were drawn back into silence.

The rest of the boys day consisted of patients coming in to receive midicine and a severe case of a scrapped knee that he took care of. Olette of course letting him take control of wiping the blood away and bandaging it. He didn't care, he was rather good at wrapping wounds now. But as night came around Aerith came from the back, holding something in her hands as Roxas was about to leave.

"Roxas" she called gently.

He looked back and stopped "Yes?" he asked.

"Hold out your hands" she instructed. With little worry he held them out, wondering just what she was doing.

She placed her hands over his "You know this can be a home away from home" she whispered.

He nodded and felt something cold and hard fall into his hands "Becareful Roxas" and before he could saying anything she pushed him out and locked the door.

Looking down he opened his hands to see five shinning coins glittering in his hands under the moonlight. His chest tightened and he resisted the urge to cry. He thought of Aerith as his second mother and as such he didn't want to trouble her with paying him. But even if, she did it anyway. And even if, he took it.

Returning home was another case though. He found his mother sitting in front of the fire, starring into it as a black pot was heated over it. Cooking whatever contents were inside. He saw no sign of his father and he walked over.

"Mother"he called softly walking over. Digging into his pocket.

He stood beside her "Mother, I earned some money today, I want you to have it" he whispered holding out four coins. A gentle smile was on her lips and she opened her mouth to say something. When suddenly they were gone. Vanished underneath a hand that Roxas knew all too well.

"Where'd you steal this from?" a voice growled and the grip grew tighter till it was painful.

"I didn't steal it, I earned it!" Roxas said glaring up at the man. "And I'm giving it to mother"

The mans eyes narrowed "You don't get a say in who gets the money" he said loudly.

"Let go! It's mine, I'll do with it as I please!" Roxas shouted and he could feel his stomach churn when his fathers eyes glinted with anger.

The man raised his hand and with force brought it across the blondes face. His mother screamed and he cried out, tears burning behind his eyes as his knees buckled from the shock.

"Give them to me you good for nothing little shit" he growled and tightened his grip futher if possible.

Roxas sobbed in pain letting the coins from inside his hand release into his father. He fell to his knees crying. Holding his hand and wrist close to his body he glanced over at his mother. She didn't move, didn't say anything. He didn't know why, be it for fear or something else but he only cried harder.

"Stop crying! What're you, a girl!" the man growled and with anger in his actions gripped the boys wrist once more and dragged him to stand up.

"AH! Stop it!" Roxas cried, pain searing into his left wrist, already strained from before. Tear trailed down his cheeks and wished for death right there.

"Oh shut up!" his father yelled and with a heave threw the by against the nearest wall.

Roxas yelped, pain shooting into his spine and chest. Eyes bleary he looked over to his mother. She didn't say anything, and turned to watch the fire again. His lips tried to form her name but all that came out was another strangled cry as he slid to the floor. His father walking out of the house. With little resistance unconsciousness swarmed over his mind and he blacked out.

The blonde woke not to just a voice, but someone screaming. Shots being fired and loud booms that were easily distinguished as canons. His eye lashes fluttered for a moment before he saw that he was alone. The fire was out, his mothers chair empty. Struggling t sit up he pushed with his right hands, his left throbbed still. The screams continued but it wasn't till he stumbled out into the darkened street did he realize what was happening. Women were running, men fighting with swords and gunfire echoed around. They were under attack!

'Oh god,they're pirates!' he thought.

He didn't know what to do and the first thing that popped into his head he put into action. Run. His legs moved and he ran past the house, away from the slaughtering around him. He dashed into an alleyway and kept running. He didn't know where but he just kept going. Whether for fear or to just take his chances for getting away from that awful house he kept running. Avoiding brawls, crying people and bodies that lay motionless on the ground he dashed into the night. Afraid for his life most of all.

Eventually he found himself away from the town, away from the screams and fires that blazed in the night. Slowing to a walk he looked around, he was on the docks. It was eerily quiet, his legs throbbed and his heart was still pounding in his chest. He needed somewhere to hide, to wait till it was all over.

With little much but moonlight to dimily show him what was around he made for a barrel just behind him. Lifting the lid he scurried in. He didn't know what was goig to happen but he just wanted to hide. Lowering the lid down he sat, his wrist throbbing once more. Moonlight slipped into a hole near the top. Rubbing gently at the bruised joint he rested his head back, wondering how Aerith was doing. Closing his eyes his thoughts started to wander and then faded into darkness as sleep took hold.

Roxas woke to the unfamiliar feeling of rocking. Voices called around him and loud noises startled him awake. The sound of waves woke him fully and his heart started to pound. 'Where am I?' he thought and suddenly he felt himself being lifted with the barrel.

"What the hell is in this thing?" a gruff voice growled and Roxas could feel his heart skip a beat.

The lid was yanked off and blue eyes met annoyed brown. With a good effort the man tipped the barrel and Roxas cam tumbling out, hissing in pain as he braced himself with both hands. His left flaring into burning agony and he held it close. He groaned and got to his knees, looking around at the faces staring at him and the mast that jutted into the sky, he deduced he was on a ship. And by the looks of things, a pirate ship.

"Captain! We've got a stow away!" the man from before yelled.

"Do we know?" a voice asked amused and Roxas shivered slightly as an ocean wind seemed to go right through him.

Foot steps alerted him to someone moving and he looked to the right to stairs that lead up to where the wheel was being held by another person. The person who had spoke before was walking down the short stairs and Roxas felt his breath hitch at the sight of the ships captain.

Vibrant green eyes met his blue and a smirk crossed the mans lips. Wild red hair poked from underneath a hat and he wondered if that was his true hair color. Tattoos under his eyes moved slightly as he spoke. "What do we have here?" he asked amused.

Roxas didn't say anything but remained quiet, he was on a ship full of pirates, he didn't want to get on their bad side just yet. The man walked before him, moonlight casting ominous shadows upon his face. Bandanas, necklaces and others trinkets adorned his neck. While belts, a gun holster, a sword and other things clung to his waist. His shadow cast over Roxas and the boy drew back.

"What's your name stowaway?" the man asked, his gaze never leaving the boys.

"It's Roxas" he replied.

He didn't respond but studied the boy. A deep purple bruise marred his left cheek (Roxas's right). Looking further down he noticed the hand he held was purple around the wrist. Obvious signs of a rather angry person wrath.

"Roxas is it?"

He nodded stiffly.

"Do you know what happens to stowaways on pirate's ship?" he said, a slightly amused tone in his voice.

"No" he replied, glancing around at the faces of the crew on deck.

"No? Well, why don't you tell'em boys?" he laughed and the others joined in.

"It's to davy jones locker!" a few shouted and others added "Walk the plank!"

Roxas visibly paled and his heart started to pound. 'oh god'

"Thats right" the captain chuckled. "But its obvious you can take a beating-" he trailed of looking at the shadowy clouds against the night sky.

"So I'll give you a choice blondie" he laughed and locked gazes with the boy again. "Take a place on my crew, or walk the plank and be taken by the sharks" he offered.

Grumbles came from the crew. "We don't need anymore"

"He's just a snotty kid"

"Yeah! Wet behind the ears!"

"Make him walk!"

"Slit his throat!"

"Shut up you dogs!" the captain snapped and the crew went silent. The sound of waves breaking against the ships hull made for a night tune.

Roxas gripped his hand a little tighter and looked up at the red haired man. Swallowing hard as he stared into the green orbs. Oddly bright in the night.

"I-" he hesitated, thinking back to everything he left behind.

'I'm sorry Aerith'

"I'll join you" he finished and heard nothing from the crew.

As if to congratulate him a rather wet wave broke across the hull, sending spray coming over the side to drench them. Everyone unfazed but him. He shivered and looked up at the captain. A smirk on his face, be it for amusement or something else he wasn't sure.

"Well, Roxas" he raised his hands, rings glinting in the moonlight. "Welcome, to The Dancing Shadow" he announced and cheers roared up behind him, startling him slightly.

'Now they're happy!' he thought.

The man leaned down slightly "Follow me short one and I'll explain more of your..." he looked for the right words.

"Terms of Servitude"