Warning: there will be a part of this story where you may feel like crying.

Just giving a heads up...


I was exhausted after all the work I did. Who knew working on a pirate ship would be this exhausting. Yet no matter how tired I'm, I just can't seem to fall asleep. I now it was late right now as I lay in my hammock, staring at the dark wooden ceiling.

'Maybe some fresh air could be good...'

I let out a small silent sigh at the thought before I started to get out of my hanging bed as quietly as possibly. Theres no way that I'm dumb enough to wake up a room full of pirates in the middle of the night for no good reason. The result of that could be even scarier than the penalty pirates could get.

a.k.a. Getting a public hanging, if not worse.

Once I got my feet to the floor, I went over to put on my boots. I had only had them for about a day or two and their getting to feel a bit more comfortable. I haven't worn boots or shoes since I was about 6. So now they don't feel as weird as yesterday, which by all means is good.

When I got them on, I then made my way to the door of the room. I put my hand onto the door handle and open it just enough for me to slip through. Not knowing that I had actual woke a certain red head up as I closed the door.

I mad my way through the halls to get to the deck. Once I got out from bellow deck, I was welcomed to see an ocean of stars above the ship. I closed the door softly before I went to the front of the boat. After I went up the stairs and turn to the inner railing of the upper level of the craft. I set my back to it, sinking to the floor under me as I watch the stars. I couldn't help than to be amazed by how beautiful the sky is out here. Yet it wasn't the only one that I found enchanting since joining this crew of pirates.

I started to recall yesterday when we were leaving the port...


(yesterday at our departure)

Me and Alfred were sent to raise the sails for our departure. After we finish, the both of us went to the wheel of the ship to report that we're done. Arthur was pleased that we're finished as we start to leave the port behind.

The sun was setting as I went to the rail, taking in the view of the town with the colorful-dimming sky behind it. It was an amazing sight, never seeing anything like it before.

I can hear the clacking of Arther's boots walking up beside me as I watch the port town grow smaller. Hearing a chuckle from the pirate captain next to me, leaning on the rail, asking with a smile, "Luvly, ain't it?"

I nodded in response, thinking that if I spoke then this moment will end.

He ruffled my hair a bit as he pointed out, "Don't worry, there will be others like it. This won't be the last you'll ever see, Andy."

His hand was still on my head as I looked up to him. The stary sky was starting to appear behind him while the glow from the fading light is playing on his features. The sun was making his emerald orbs look more like actually sparkling gems as he smiles at me. The sight was even greater than the sunset around us and the fading town. I was I could remember this moment for a long time.

I gave my captain a bright smile while he let his hand settle on my shoulder, "Okay Cap, I'll look forward to each one that's coming ahead."

He gave me a smile before saying, "That's good to hear." The Cap then left, going off to do some other things around the ship that he needs to do.


Its been more than a day since then, yet I'll be lying if I said it was easy the entire time. I while sit here, I started to reflect that had happened since we set sail.

Yesterday's dinner went and came without a hitch. The Bozo Trio were surprised that I'm a girl. Along with some other crew members on that note, too. It seems that my new look really shows that I'm a girl and not a boy. It was kind of funny seeing each person's reaction to this. It really took some of them off balance though, I will admit.

Afterwards, my and Alfred spoke to each other and played a couple of card games. He did had to teach me one, but he soon regret it when I started beating him like mad. By the time he said he wants to see how I am at poker, Alister told us it was time for us to turn in.

The next morning, I had actually woke up in time for breakfast and it wasn't that bad. After I finished eating, I thought I should help Feli out as I wait for Alfred. It took about a half hour till he finally came in. I also learned that Alfred and morning don't mix well. I think even a boulder would be more active than him at that early in the day.

Once he was awake enough, he then starts to show me parts of the ship and what I would be needing to do. He also told me the code that everyone in the crew uses in case of an emergency.

After he was done, the peppy pirate took me to Arther. When he did, I found out from bushy brow that he will give me pirate fighting lessons. So from now on, I will be having Arther, or at times Alister, teaching me how to use certain weapons.

Once my first lesson was done, the red head gave me an interesting tidbit. It turned out that as I was with the captain, Alfred had threatened everyone. Mainly put, that if anyone hurts me, he'll go after them big time. I blushed so bad once he told me this. I even had to point out to the blond in question that he was acting like an extremely, overprotective, big brother. Though it turned out that Alfred was all right with this, really.

The peppy pirate explained that he always wanted to have a little sibling. So I'm letting him treat me like such, mainly since it sort of reminds me of my past friends. I may never had a sibling, but I did had some friends that I did consider as ones. Mainly just because of how proactive they are of me, they sort of earned that right.

My hand went up to the pendant that's still under the cloth around my neck. The thought of what they may think of my current new life. Not to mention what my parents say think if they were here right now. They may just think I'm a disappointment to our family. That I shouldn't have been born as-

"Lass, what are you doing up here so late?"

My head snap to the direction of the voice, seeing Arthur coming up the steps to my left with a lit lantern in hand. He has a curious look on his face as he walks over to where I'm sitting. I kept my eyes on him while the pirate sets himself next to me on the floor. Sitting the lantern in front of us, he looks at me with curiosity in his eyes, "Well?"

I looked away from him with a slight pout, looking back at the stars as I spoke, "Just thinking."

For some reason, I thought he has a troubled expression on his face, "Thinking can be a dangerous game. I don't mind lending an ear though."

I look over to him, a bit curious of why he's doing this, asking, "Why do you want to know? I likely doubt that you what to hear some of the things thats on my mind."

Arther looked a bit playfully hurt as he turns to face me, "I'm offended that you may think like that of me. Besides..." He then props his head on a fit as the arm rests on one of the mans knees, a grin forming on his face, "I may or may not have heard that you prayed to be apart of a family again."

I was surprised that he had found out about that. At least until I remembered that I told Feli about it before we left the port yesterday. A small scowl formed on my face as I mumble out ahead of me, "He promise not to tell."

My captain chuckled a like bit before he said, "Don't worry, I find some members of my crew as family more than others. It's not that bad to think of us like that."

I felt a bit more sad once he pointed that out. I moved my hands to hug my knees closer to me, glancing away from the man next to me, saying softly, "You'r right, it's not bad."

He seems to notice that something is bothering me, voicing a concern question out, "Andy, what's wrong?"

I just shrugged my shoulders at him a bit sadly, still not looking at him as I spoke, "Just some stuff that came to mind, that's all. It's nothing import to share."

I could practically feel the unconvinced look in his emerald eyes pointing at me, "Nice try, but if you don't get it off your chest at some point. Well, it will just weigh you down and make you feel worse inside." I looked up to him as my chin rests on my knees, seeing an encouraging smile appear on the bushy-brow blond, "You can tell me what it is, promise."

I just looked at him for a few moments, gaining a trust in him I never really had for others. I'm not even sure if I should say my story, my thoughts, or anything. But there's something about the pirate that made my want to tell him, to trust him.

After a few more moments past, I look back to the sky above us, speaking a bit sadly, "I was thinking of what my parents might do or say if they see me right now. And how my friends before I started living on the street may think of this, as well." I look back to my knees, feeling a bit more sad than how I sound right now, "Not to mention that they all may think that I'm dead, too." I press my mouth into my legs, making my next words a bit muffled, "I just know it."

I started to feel tears burn in my throat, begging me to let them out. But I sully refuse to let that happened. I went for years of not crying about it, not since those few days after my parents' death. I didn't do it since then, so I won't do it now.

I could feel an arm wrap around my back, pulling me a bit easily into a solid form. I can feel Arther's hand rubbing my arm gently, speaking comfortingly soft, "Go on, luv. I'm listening, it's all right, you can tell me. I'm here."

I didn't resist him by instinct or choice as I started my tale, "We were on a trip more farther in land. It happened on one of the days we were gone. Me and my parents were enjoying ourselves when out of nowhere some guys jumped us. I manage to escape and hide in the brush, but my parents weren't as lucky. The people that attacked us back then they... I was hiding near by and I saw them..." I shut my eyes to force the pooling tears back. To forget the images of my parents lifeless eyes looking at me, laying on the bloody ground. One of my hands traveled up to the red cloth that I wear. Feeling the fabric for sort of security, comfort, reassurance, anything just to relax by its touch.

I felt a hand envelop the one touching the fabric, rubbing light circles into the back of it. I open my eyes a bit, hearing a comforting voice, "Go on, don't stop, lass. It's okay."

I gave a small nod, continuing to spoke as I try to hold back the on coming tears, "Once they left, I came out and try to get my parents to move. But the both of them wouldn't respond, no matter what I did. I then realized that nothing will ever work. I didn't really know where I was, other than in the middle of the woods. I stayed with my parents body's for 2 days, thinking that someone may come down the road we went on. No body came. I laid them next to each other, arms around both of them. I told them I'll be with someone to help me bring them back home. I even told them that I love them before I left, looking for a town to get help.

"It took me about a day or two to find a town, I wasn't saw since I didn't have anything to eat or drink. When I first arrived, I wasn't sure what to do. I was scared that I may find the same people that killed them. I was tired from lack of energy and some sleep. I couldn't even remember where I left my parents. I didn't even realize how weak that I was before I fainted. Imagine my surprise to wake up and find myself under the care of a few street kids that lived in that town. They took me under their wing since I was young and new to the streets. While I was there, I even managed to trade the dress that I wore at the time after I cleaned it. It was enough to get me some boy cloths for myself. I had even got my hair cut so it could be easier on me. I didn't need long hair if I won't care to it.

"After about a year or so when I joined the streets, a couple of the guys thought it would be good if we go to a port town. They thought it could give us some work to earn money at the harbor or something. Me and several others agreed with the idea, thinking that it might due us some good. We started to either walk or hitchhike till we reached a port town. The very port town that we just left. It took us a little while till we found that house Alister and Alfred found me in. Within about the first 3 years, they all left one way or another. Getting jobs on ships, being picked up by a merchant, or just straight up left, disappeared to who knows where. I was alone, relying on myself for the rest of those years. Hoping that I could see another day, another sunrise, another sunset... Hoping that something good could just happen to me..."

I couldn't hold them back anymore. Years of unshed tears and unspoken memories flooded to the surface of the world around me. Fears and thoughts that not a single soul knows about me are heard. Things that I had kept hidden from everyone. Just everything poured out of me right there. Leaving me all but bare to the world I'm in.

I could feel the arm thats around me held me a bit tighter, almost crushing me up against his chest. He was rubbing my arm, saying comforting worlds, "You're not alone, Andy. Your everything but alone, lass. We're here for you, luv. We won't just leave you behind. You'r safe with us, I promise Andy, that you are without a doubt."

I took in several shaky breaths as I start to cry into his shirt, my hand unknowingly went from the red cloth to the captain's shirt. I start to fully take in his scent. A scent of some sort of tea and salt water being pulled into my lungs. It was having a calming, soothing effecting on me. It didn't take long till a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. Taking my mind to the land of dreams as I'm in the pirate's arms.


(Arther's point)

I continued to hold her till I heard her peaceful breathing. I looked down to see that Andy fell asleep in my arms, gripping onto my tear stained shirt in her sleep. Remembering who told me that she was out hear to begin was. I glance over to the stairs, calling out softly, "I know your still there, brother. You can come up now."

I can hear his boots clacking up the steps, welcoming my older brother in a matter of moments. He saw where I am and approach me as he keeps on eye on the sleeping form. The red head stood next to me, leaning his back agents the side of the ship while he spoke, "I knew the kid went through a lot. I just didn't know she went through that much."

I gave him a nod, a small sad look came to my face, "It may not be the worst we have heard of. Yet it is a lot for someone to go through all that since a young age."

The older looks down to me, saying, "After what I learned of her, I'm surprised that the lass opened as much as she with ya. She seems to be a bit sensitive of the past, and just won't bring it up that easily."

I look up to meet his gaze, "Aye, I understand what you mean. But I think we just comfort and help Andy in some way."

The red head gave me a raised eyebrow, "What do ya mean?"

I let my eyes narrow a smidge at him, "I mean it like I said it, Al. She found comfort in telling her story to me. Some things that it was plainly clear to see that Andy have never told anyone before. She told Feli of a wish, a prayer, for a better life may come her way. To maybe gain back a family she had lost years ago. You even told me of Alfred acting like a big brother to her and that was okay with it. I also remembered a couple nights ago at dinner that you acted a bit like our father did when we were kids. Teaching us how to eat some food properly with silverware. Within the time she met us, Andy grew accustom to us like we're her family in some way. If not that, then she's comfortable with us enough to gain that sort of feel to us."

My brother seems to look at me with wide eyes because of my explanation, "Ya kiddin'?" I shook my head to him before he leaned farther onto the railing with a baffled expression, "To think, I became a farther figure because of this line of work. I didn't think it could happen to me of all people."

I couldn't help the small chuckle from bubbling out of my chest. The thought of how our family tends to pick up those with sad pasts or the like and having them joining the crew. Alfred, Feli, and some other members of the crew had things in common with Andy's pain. Perhaps they could hear each other's stories and maybe Andy could heal from some of these wounds she has. That would be great thing to happen for her after all that. I also hope that I have a good part in it to somehow.

A small sleepy moan caught our attentions, letting things became peaceful once more as Andy fell back asleep. I gained a small smile before looking up to Alister, speaking gently, "Don't mind helping me bring Andy to her hammock in the sleeping quarters?"

He gave me a smile, nodding before coming around to carry her in his arms. We then took her back to the crew's sleeping quarters, making sure we won't wake her up. Once in there, I went to one side of the hammock to hold it steady as Alister puts her in it. When we have Andy settled in, a curious thought came to mind.

I remembered that she had her hand under the red fabric around her neck when I first spotted her there. I didn't think much till now, but I can feel some sort of draw to it. Like my magic is telling me that something is there.

I shook my head with a light grin, closing not to react to what my thoughts want answers to. If and when Andy is ready for whatever it is, we'll be there for her. I then left the room quietly, with hopes that our latest member will feel more in home with us.