The first thing that the noticed is that his island was no where to be seen in any direction. Only ocean.

Rei's wrists felt like they where being torn apart slowly as he wriggled them around. Hopefully it would be worth it when he managed to get them free from the tight ropes that bind them. It didn't help that they where tied behind him either. Bryan was tied on the opposite side of the thick mast so there was no hope of him helping.

And some comfort from Bryan would be nice right now.

The thick ropes that wrapped around his chest and the mast hurt his chest as he gave a breath in or out. His rib cage was sore and ached painfully in a slow throbbing that much resembled his heart's beating.

Not even his legs where given freedom, they where tightly bound around the shin as well.

He was totally immobile, and it only caused the vile flavor in his mouth to increase (or so he imagined). The stupid cloth gag tasted like salt and decay.

As a deck hand walked past, Rei shot his bound legs out tripping up his footing. He fell flat on the wooden deck and yowled in pain.

Rei snickered and swore he could hear Bryan chuckle softly as well. If this was the one small way he could keep himself sane, he would take it. He was sure that if he didn't lash out against his captors in some way he would just become a mind numbed slave with no will.

The tripped deck hand stood up quickly and backhanded Rei across the face hard, making his cheap ring smack across his face painfully.

Rei felt his head smacked to the side by the brute force, and his face stung violently. He felt a particular stinging on his cheek as well, and a slow trickle of warmth down his face told him why.

"Ya bilge-sucking land dog!" The man growled at him, smacking him hard again across the face in his fury.

Rei's eyes narrowed although he could feel himself want to cry out in pain. He was going to be defiant as ever, no matter how much this thug hit him. It didn't matter, even if it did hurt.

The thug was angered by the mere prisoner's defiance and grabbed him roughly by the hair, yanking his head up. "I'll beat ya until ya beg for the plank!" He growled menacingly in his ear, even though he could hear the faint angry protests of Bryan who had heard the smack.

Rei struggled as best he could until suddenly, the thug let go and took a few steps back, although his rank breath was still surrounding Rei.. His eyes had gone wide and he seemed… afraid. His hands shook and color drained from his face.

Rei turned his head back to face behind him (which was painful due to his position) to see what had spooked the bastard.

It was Kai, the captain that had knocked him out! He looked prideful and even menacing as he stood there with a hand on his cutlass (1). "Mr.Densid," He began coolly, taking a proud step closer, looking bored even, "just what exactly are you doing to the prisoners?"

The thug, named Densid, took a shaky breath then regained his composure, hastily patting off some black powder from his trousers. "Was beatin' him for disrespectin' me and knockin' me down cap'n sir."

"And being a powder monkey (2) you have this authority?" Kai asked coldly with his eyes narrowing into a menacing stare. Kai took a step forward so he was mere inches away from the thug's chest and suddenly grabbed him by the collar tightly, threatening to choke him, "You will not touch my prisoners again Mr. Densid," He spat out the name with little respect and the crew chuckled quietly, "unless I so order it. Otherwise, you are wasting the energy that is needed to keep the guns in form. And may I remind you that the guns are you're only reason and saving grace for being on my ship."

Rei was relieved that the thug was off him, and it made him have a bad taste in his mouth to know that it was the captain who had 'saved' him – even if it was only for asserting his authority over his crew. Rei smiled as he remembered an old saying on the islands:

A captain is only the leader of a shaky democracy – and in the end, how hard is it to throw a man overboard?

Densid nodded hastily, the words of his true rank seemed to humble him. He took a few steps backwards before walking off briskly to the other side of the ship where he sat behind a large cannon.

Kai's attention turned to Rei, "Now don't get the wrong idea," He began, idly looking at the small trickle of blood on Rei's cheek, "You are lower than that powder monkey." His eyes narrowed, and he sneered, "I just can't let them think for themselves too much or they'll get cocky."

Rei looked at the captain straight in the eyes and wished that the horrid rag was not in his mouth so he could give that bastard a piece of his mind. But Rei's luck seemed to be thin for the past few days, and when it rains, it pours.

"I suppose you want to know why we," Kai paused and stroked his chin, "recruited you with such short notice." He paced a little, walking past Bryan and eyeing him warily, like he was assessing any possible threats. Kai could tell that the taller and older looking of the two would kill him within the instant he was released. "First, you both seem able bodied." Kai nudged Bryan's firm and sculpted chest with his boot for emphasis which caused Bryan to try and lash out in a fit of rage. Kai stepped back, "And second we need to get away with the fleet and with a crew of seven it would be impossible to use a craft such as my Fire Phoenix."

Rei spat out a retort, but the rag muffled him.

Kai raised an eyebrow and stepped over, and pulled down the gag with his left hand, right still on his cutlass. "Come again?"

Rei coughed and spat out the foul flavor in his mouth before turning to face the captain again. "I said," Rei scowled, "It was stupid for you to get people that have no idea how to sail then. And," Rei looked around again, "You seemed to sailed away from my home just fine."

Kai looked Rei over quickly and leaned in so his face was close, "You don't seem stupid." He breathed, "Yes, we where able to get away from your island but only at a snails pace. We need more people to achieve the speed we need. You will earn quickly because as soon as you stop pulling your weight, we'll drop you."

Rei blinked, not quite understanding.

Kai smirked a little, a facial expression that he seemed to use often when he was pleased, "It means the plank. And knowing that you are what you are, you have no idea how to swim."

… … … …

Some time later, the powder monkey came back with another man. The one held Bryan down while they untied the rope around the mast and yanked Rei off it.

With his legs still bound, Rei fell to his knees when the powder monkey let go of him. Hissing in pain, Rei fought quickly to untie his legs.

A cool thin tip of a cutlass at his throat made him freeze.

"Eager to leave so soon?" Came the confident voice of Tala, the second mate. He snapped his fingers, "You two, move quick, cuff him."

Rei winced as two shackled where clamped around his wrists which where moved behind his back. "I hate you!" Rei screeched as the powder monkey wound another rope through the binds on his legs and tying that back around the mast.

"It seemed a shame to keep you two apart so long," Tala said while putting a hand on his hip, "and we needed the extra rope." With that, he walked off out of Rei's view followed closely by the two thugs.

Suddenly realizing his new freedom, Rei wriggled his way across the deck to Bryan. Using his teeth, he tugged down the gag that had been wound around Bryan's mouth.

"Bryan -"

Rei was cut off before he could even think be Bryan's hot lips. The kiss wasn't fast or rough, but it definitely had some oomph to it.

Bryan pulled away a moment later and rested his head on Rei's shoulder, "I'm going to kill him Rei." He whispered with his sandpaper voice.

Rei could feel Bryan straining against the thick ropes to try and get closer, desperate for a soothing, familiar contact.

Rei sighed and felt his lower lip tremble as he felt like crying. Why, he wasn't really sure. Maybe it was the fact that his lover had been so deeply affected by the day's proceedings along with the fact that it was likely that he'd never see his home again.

"We'll figure something out." Rei said quietly, nuzzling his face into Bryan's hair even thought it was a bit coarse from him not washing it much.

Bryan nodded slowly before pulling his head back and resting it against the mast. He closed his eyes, deep in thought.

Rei took in a deep breath deciding to rest for a moment. Who knows the next time that he would be able to. He settled himself against Bryan's chest and rested his head on the broad shoulder before him. "I've actually always kinda wanted to be at sea."

Bryan cracked an eye open, "I never have."

"Not once?" Rei asked, smiling a little, "Never wondered why it was forbidden?"

"I try not to question it." Bryan said flatly, but then a small smile turned up the edges of his lips, "But I am happy that you're finding a silver lining in this cloud."

Rei snickered, "Hurricane maybe."

Their brief moment of light joking soon faded as reality sunk back in.

Rei arched his neck so he could see onto the highest deck where the captain was with his second mate. Kai was steering the ship while Tala was talking to him. They where too far away to hear, but it seemed like Tala was just babbling.

Kai suddenly noticed Rei watching.

Rei scuttled back and hid his face in Bryan's chest, ignoring the fact that it made him look pathetic.

Tala was suddenly upon him. He quickly untied Rei and took off the shackles. But before Rei could even think of escaping, he thrust a mop and bucket into his hands. "Get started."

Rei looked at the mop strangely, "I though that you needed us to help you man the ship, not wash it."

"We do." Tala said, getting comfy sitting down on barrel, "But we need to give smiles here," He jutted a finger at Bryan, "some time to cool it before we even think about letting him loose."

Rei put a hand on his hip, "So basically I'm not even a threat to you people?"

Bryan rolled his eyes, "Rei it's not a big deal…" He was used to Rei's antics and random little fits, but the timing of this little spat was just not helping his day get any better.

"No it is Bryan." Rei snapped, he dropped the mop onto the deck and crossed his arms. "I'm not gonna do it."

Tala's expression didn't seem to change, but he whipped out his cutlass and propped the tip against Bryan's chest. Slowly, he dragged it down into a thin red line stretched down his chest.

Bryan snarled and struggled to pull away from the pain.

Rei got the point quickly and he glowered at Tala. He scoffed and picked up that damned mop again. He shot a glance up at the captain who was ever smirking, then set to work.

xXxXxXxXx

1 – A curved sword, like a saber but heavier.

2 – An extremely low ranking pirate who's only real use was to load and supply the ship's cannons with ammunition and powder. They weren't allowed to actually fire said cannon though.