Sorry for making everyone wait, but I have other stories to update as well, mostly just one, but it comes first, seeing as I've had it longer and it has more readers. You never know, this one might pass it up...anyway...

Someone wanted to know what a port is...it's like, not sure how to explain this, but in the story Roxas said they would be making port soon..or something like that, Idk if I used the term right but whatever...it means that they will be docking soon in a port, like maybe Port Royal or some other place....

They are going to be on land..there we go...

Also, a bit of a heads up...

Some of Roxas' original back story will be involved, such as he is a key bearer and he collects hearts and such...how that works in this fic...well read and find out. Tehe XD

- Same with Sora, and heartless...and yeah...just piratize it and put it all on earth or something back in like the 1700/1800's

Anyway, again, sorry for the wait, but I've been busy.. On with the fic.

Namine's P.O.V.

Just as I was finishing up, about to meet with Roxas, Xigbar stopped me. I turned to look at him, surprised to see him holding out a sheathed sword and buckle. He handed it too me and I took it graciously.

"For me?" I asked, just to make sure.

"Yeah, you proved you can handle them pretty well, er...what's you're name again?" He asked and I panicked for a moment.

"It's Namine." I said, not able to think of a fake name soon enough. I hoped that either Xigbar was either one of the pirates in the know or just slow. "But please, call me Nami for short. I don't like my first name, it get's me confused with other people far too much." I lied and the pirate smiled.

"Alrighty, Nami then. Well, take care of it, please don't lose it they don't grow on trees." He smiled. "Oh, and you'd better go meet up with Roxas, he gets impatient."

"I know." I sighed and then hurried off, leaving the pirates and heading up to the top deck where Roxas' cabin awaited. I knocked on the door when I got there, fastening the sword around my waist while I waited for a reply, and then opened the door when Roxas said I could come in. He was sitting at his table, staring blankly at a map with different figurines of ships and solders, looking bored.

"What do you need?" I asked, though I wasn't really sure why I sounded like I wanted to leave already. Honestly, there wasn't anywhere else to be. Sure, I could train, but you can only stand to be around those pirates for so long...

"Lunch, if you don't mind eating with me." He said and I smiled. I sort of enjoyed his company, that is, when he wasn't being irritating.

"I guess not." I said, though it sounded a bit shy, something I thought I'd grown out of. The truth, I use to be extremely shy and quiet, sometimes I still am, but lately I've been getting over that. It was mostly after my mother died, but the little time I've spent on this ship has hardened me up as well, though I'm not totally cured.

I fixed a small plate, mostly just fruit, and started eating, not looking up from my plate.

"It's all fresh, so you don't need to pick around." He said, observing how slow I was eating. I grinned.

"You ever think I just might not be that hungry." I countered, and I was telling the truth. I was weird that way... He looked a bit startled, though he hid it well.

"I suppose." He said lazily. "How much can I trust you?" He asked, the question took me by surprise. Did it matter? I was a prisoner.

"...why?" I asked, not sure what to tell him.

"Because starting tomorrow we are going to be taking a few port days, for shopping and stretching our legs out and stuff." He replied, though it didn't really answer all of my question, but before I could say anything else he continued. "And usually, the whole crew is allowed off. I think it would look strange if only you stayed aboard, wouldn't it?"

"I suppose..." I said slowly, he had more to say, I could tell.

"That it would look strange or that I can trust you not to run off?" He asked.

"Both." I said, looking him in his eye. What was he not telling me? He sighed.

"There's one more thing." He began, I knew it.

"Lovely." I muttered sarcastically, he rolled his eyes and ignored me.

"Anyway, see, Xemnas ordered me to keep you on this ship. However, seeing as that would be very suspicious I've decided to just look that bit over." He said, grinning. "Plus, I'm feeling nice today." He joked, I frowned.

"I thought you didn't disobey him. Ever." I retorted, he grinned.

"Usually, no. But, seeing as I'm sure he would get angry if you were discovered and I can't exactly get in touch with him..." He dropped the conversation when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." He sighed.

In came a young looking man with fire read hair and teardrop tattoos. "Interrupting?" He asked. Roxas waved it off, shaking his head.

"No, what do you need, Axel?" He asked, the name rang a bell. I remembered from earlier that Roxas said Axel was his navigator, or something like that. It was early; I can't be expected to remember something like that.

"Land." He answered simply.

"Already?" Roxas asked and Axel nodded. "Any heartless? Guards?"

"Nope." Axel grinned. "So far, we're off radar."

"Explain?" I asked, Axel chuckled and left the cabin. I stared after him, curious. He seemed so...carefree?

"Don't mind him, he rathers being outside." He said, I hid my irritation. Was he intentionally ignoring me or did he just have that short of an attention span?

"What about the heartless?" I asked, trying to get to the point. I shuddered as I remembered what I'd learned from my tutors and what I'd experienced myself. They were what killed my mother. Not directly I suppose, but they caused a fire and she was trapped inside. She suffocated before anyone could get to her.

"Not much about them. They tend to be attracted to this boat for some odd reason, and well, we're pirates...we're always on the lookout for suspicious guards." He answered, his cocky grin returned.

"Great, just what I need." I said, picking at my food once again. "More trouble with heartless." I muttered, but Roxas heard me. He looked up, his grin fading, actually looking somewhat concerned.

"Don't worry about them. If any do happen to get on my ship, they won't get to you." He said seriously. I looked at him, confused. Was he saying this because I was worth keeping alive, or was it just because Xemnas would give him a hard time if I got myself killed? I decided it didn't matter. What did I care? He was just a pirate after all.

But still...with those small words, I couldn't help but be warmed by them, even if only by a little. No matter how hard I tried. I was falling for the pirate.

I'm an idiot.

Roxas' P.O.V.

I watched Namine leave from my cabin, though I couldn't help but fell sadness. The truth, I didn't want her to go. She was actually good company, once you got her talking. And her temper, even if it was inconvenient, was hilarious at times.

Stop! The voice inside my head commanded. She's making you soft!

I knew it was wrong, getting close to the captive, though being friends shouldn't cause harm, right? I could only hope.

I sighed and brought my feet back on top of the old table. I should probably get a new one, one of these days I probably will, but what's the point? It will just rot out like the last one. Sometimes I have to wonder the same thing for myself. Is being a pirate worth it?

Of course it is! You get to do whatever you want, live free! The voice told me, but only part of me was convinced. The other side, the side I hardly showed, longed for something else.

Namine's P.O.V.

I had a dream that night.

I woke up back on my ship, along with Sora and Kairi, like nothing had ever happened. I ran up to them, hugging them tightly, ignoring the confused looks upon their faces.

"N-" Kairi began, but I just squeezed my cousin tighter. I was back. "Namine?" She asked after I let go.

"I'm just so happy to be back." I said, tears welling in my eyes. Sora and Kairi traded glances, wondering what was going on.

"Back from where?" Kairi asked. I looked at her, confused, had I really gone anywhere?

"I was kidnapped. The pirates, they...and...." I said, trying to explain it to them, but stopping when I saw the blank looks on their faces. They had no idea what I was talking about.

"I think you just had a bad dream, Namine." Sora said, trying to convince me of what I knew wasn't true.

"No, it wasn't a dream. Roxas..he-" I began, before being interrupted by Kairi.

"Roxas? Who's Roxas?" She asked. I stared at her, horrified. Surely, I hadn't imagined this whole thing...

Suddenly, I was outside, the wind whipping my hair around my delicate face. I ran to the rails and leaned over, searching...

Then, I spotted it, the ship that housed Roxas...and it was leaving...further...and further...and..no!

"No! Roxas!" I yelled. "Roxas, come back! You can't just leave!" I screamed into wind, which was now blowing harder...and harder...

'That jerk.' I thought...

I rolled over, pulling the blanket along with me, hardly registering that I was awake. The ship rocked harshly and I tumbled over even more, right off the mattress. "Axel." I cursed.

"No. Actually just the wind." A voice suddenly said, breaking the silence and scaring the heck out of me. I bolted up, halfway on the floor, halfway on the mattress and stared angrily at whom I knew the voice belonged to.

"Roxas!" I yelled angrily, though I couldn't help but smile a little. "Stop doing that!"

"Doing what? I was just about to wake you up, thought you might actually like to get off the ship. Bad dream?" He asked, and that took me by surprise. How long had he been in here?

"Yeah, I suppose. How would you know?" I asked, ready to be defensive if needed.

"You just seem restless, that's all. When I walked in you were tossing like crazy." He answered and I sighed.

"Maybe you should have woke me up earlier, then." I responded curtly. He lit the candle next to him yet again and I sighed. The showoff.

"What?" He asked, grinning as wide as ever. I swear he enjoyed this.

"How do you do that?" I asked. "The magic." I specified.

"Lot's of people can use magic." He responded simply, shrugging the question off.

I shook my head, "Not what I mean. I can use magic too, but it isn't nearly as powerful...as concentrated. I mean, I'm just more of a healer...and I have this other thing...but..." I said, not sure how to word it right and also not wanting to give out what else I could do. The things I could do with memories of those that are close to me...

"A healer, eh?' He asked, grabbing my blanket and folding it quickly before tossing it back down on the mattress.

"Yeah, but really, that's about it." I answered, wanting to take the subject off of me. "How did you get yours so...diverse?" I asked, remembering what he did when he took me from my ship.

"Just the way I am I suppose. And I train, but that's about it." He said, and then it was silent for a moment. "We better get going, most of the crew already left." He said.

"Really? It's that late?" I asked, wondering how long I slept. He chuckled.

"No, we just can't wait to get on land." He joked and started walking towards the door. "You coming?" He asked as he turned around, still seeing me standing where I was moments ago, fiddling with my buckle. It refused to listen to me. Why did this sword have to come with a buckle anyway? It just couldn't tie or something?

"Yes, I'm coming...just as soon as I get this-" I said, still struggling with my buckle, getting annoyed. Next thing I knew, Roxas was standing right next to me, pushing my hands away. I blushed.

"The trick with these...you have to twist it before you tug, otherwise it jams up." He explained, showing me how to fasten it. I never stopped blushing; my cheeks were probably burnt scarlet and I prayed that he didn't notice. He backed away just as quickly as he'd come, grinning again. "Come on..." He gestured and I nodded, pretending that nothing ever happened.

The second I stepped foot out my cabin I froze. It was windy! No wonder I was having such bad dreams... such weird dreams. I brought my arms up to my chest and shivered, it was chilly.

Roxas looked at me, something clicking inside his head. "Oh! I forgot, hold on." He said and ran inside his cabin. Moments later he made his way back to me, carrying some sort of dark blue fabric in his hand. "Here, put this on." He demanded.

I took the clothing from him and looked it over, thankful to find out it was a soft, long sleeved, hooded cloak. I put it on quickly, relieved it fit well.

"Thanks." I said and snuggled up in the cloaks warmth. It worked great against the wind.

"Don't mention it, it hides your sword anyway. Most people around here would think it odd for a young woman to be walking around with a sword around her waist." He said and I chuckled softly. Of course, he would find some way to cover up his kindness with a more practical matter.

"Really though." I said, doing the exact opposite of what he was expecting. "Thank you." I told him, looking him directly in the eye. He faltered, the tough boy facade melting away and for a moment I saw a different Roxas, one that I was sure hardly anyone ever saw. He smile, I was sure it was sincere.

"Hey!" A voice called. I looked in the direction I thought it was coming from and saw Axel. He was standing on the gangplank(1) that stretched from the dock to the deck of the boat, waving like mad. "You coming or what?" He teased. Roxas glared at him.

"That impatient..." Roxas muttered and started off towards the gangplank to follow Axel. I followed after him, relieved when my feet actually touched solid, unmoving land. Sort of. We were on a dock; the land was about ten feet away, but still...the feeling was the same.

I looked at my surroundings, a little upset that I couldn't recognize where I was, but still gaped at the beauty of the small, seaside town. I should have known he wouldn't take us somewhere too populated or busy, I would be recognized and he wouldn't like that.

It was funny, at this point I wasn't sure if I wanted myself to be recognized either...it was like...I was in on all this, like I wasn't doing it against my will.

I shook my head...I shouldn't be thinking like this.

"So, where are we?" I asked, gazing at the scenery and the tall buildings in the distance.

"Twilight town."

"Odd name." I told him, wondering why you would name a town that.

"Not really. Twilight is the busiest and longest time of the day around here." Roxas answered. He must have been here before. I nodded.

"Where are we going?" I asked Roxas, keeping close to him as we weaved our way through the town's people and small shops.

"Depends on the time." He answered and I sighed. He chuckled and then said, "Right now we are going with Axel to get some fresh food, and then we can just look around..." He trailed off. "If you want to that is, we could always go back on this ship." He teased.

"No!" I said, a little to quickly. I missed land; I wasn't about to give it up just yet. Axel and Roxas laughed, mostly at me. The nerve of those two... I sighed. Today was going to be a long day...and according to the position of the sun, it wasn't even noon yet.

After following Axel, and after having him get us lost, we were finally able to purchase some fresh meat, fruit and vegetables. Loading it back onto the ship, however, took some help from the people that sold it to us along with a few members of the crew, though it was mostly Lexaus, a pirate who had extremely large muscles but hardly said a word. Where did Roxas find people like this?

When we were finally done I exhaled deeply, glad to get that over with. It was a little past noon - strangely already twilight - and I was getting tired of following Axel around. He might be a good navigator when it came to the sea, but on land he might as well of been blindfolded.

"Tired?" Roxas asked, seeing how I was relaxing over the railing of the ship, enjoying the breeze -the wind had finally died down enough to be comfortable- and then sun while I waited for him to be done with whatever he was doing in his cabin.

"You wish." I said lazily, not opening my eyes. I listened intently to the birds and waves off in the distance, along with Roxas' footsteps as he walked over and leaned on the rail right beside me.

"Nice day." He said simply, conversationally. I nodded. I felt sleepy; it was just that kind of weather.

"Mhmmm." I mumbled and Roxas chuckled.

"Come on, before the princess falls asleep." He said teasingly. I looked up, curious.

"Where?" I asked him.

"Forgot already?" He joked. "I told you we could go walk around if you wanted, just do whatever." He said, seeming almost shy. I was surprised, even still, that he was asking my opinion.

"Alright." I smiled and followed him off the ship. "Where to?" I asked.

"Wherever you want..." He said...did he just sound...nervous? I grinned.

Roxas' P.O.V.

I couldn't believe I was doing this, giving her control of the day. But, I wanted to make her happy.

It was stupid, reckless, but part of me just didn't care...and right now, that part was winning.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! The sane side of me screamed in my head. I shrugged it off...it was what I did after all; ignore logic. Things were more fun that way.

"Come on." I said, showing Namine to where all the shops and stuff were. She was a girl, and a princess so I figured we could start here. I was surprised when she seemed bored after about the first fifteen minuets of looking at the various, exotic jewelry and clothing for sale. Or, was she just faking to get on my nerves? I could never tell with her.

After a while we started drifting away from the shops and more towards the social part of the town, I suppose it could be considered a type of park, though it was mostly just stone paved paths between the smaller town and the larger one a few miles away.

"I wonder what that's about?" She asked me, clinging a little closer to my side as she looked ahead. There was a large crowd gathering, a few voices were raised. It sounded like an arguement, or maybe an advertisement. It was hard these days to tell between the two. We inched a little closer, just so that we could hear what was going on.

"....fireworks! Monthly firework display, tonight at sunset!..." This was all I heard before Namine jerked me around to face her, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Can we go?" She nearly begged. I couldn't help but grin at her expression.

"Geez, you would think you've never seen fireworks before." I joked, and her expression changed, she frowned.

"I haven't." She told me, and I could hardly believe it. How is it that a princess, especially one of England, had never seen a firework display before?

"Well then. I guess we don't have a choice." I told her and she practically burst, unable to hold in her excitement.

Only about an hour left...I thought Idly as Namine and I sat at a table outside of an inn, eating the best desert known to man. Sea salt ice-cream.

I wasn't as surprised this time when she told me she never tasted it before in her life. You should have seen her face on that first bite...

"Roxas?" She asked softly, finishing the last bit of the desert. I looked up, carful not to let what I had left drip all over the place. It did have a habit of sometimes melting a lot quicker than you could eat it...

"Yeah?" I asked, trying to lick what was dripping before it got on my hand, unsuccessful. She giggled. I couldn't help but smile.

She waited a little while before asking, "Why are you doing this?" The question took me off guard.

"Does it matter?" I asked, sort of annoyed. Why did she have to ask this again...I couldn't just do something nice without being asked all these questions?

"Yes..." She said softly.

"Why?"

"...because...I just want to know if you're doing this because you have to...or because.." She trailed off, seeming distracted by something.

"What?" I encouraged, I hated when people did that, left things hanging.

"...Because you want to." She finished and I softened. Did she really have to ask? I smiled.

"I want to." I told her truthfully. "But, if we want to go and see those fireworks, we might want to leave. It's not that far of a walk, but we want to get a good spot, right?" I asked and she nodded, seeming content, deep in thought.

It was times like these that I wished I could read peoples' minds. To bad stuff like that never happens in real life...I sighed.

We got up and I tipped the innkeeper before leading Namine away from the inn and towards the place where the firework display was being held. It was getting dark, and though I didn't tell her, I hated being around this area when the sun was going down. Too many bars...and too many idiots that found their way into the bars.

Dealing with idiots is one thing...but dealing with drunk idiots is a whole other story. I wanted to get away from here as soon as possible....

CLUNK!

I turned around, startled by the sudden sound. I was letting myself get to caught up in my thoughts, not focusing on what I should be focused on, the surroundings.

"You heard that?" I asked, turning to face Namine... she wasn't there. I panicked. "Namine!" I asked a little louder, searching. I scanned the crowd, trying to figure out where we were. In the rush to get out of the area I forgot to pay attention to where I was going. I looked up...oh no..

The sign above my head read: Sea Side Tavern: Free Drink's First Night.

I ran through the arch, ignoring the looks I was getting because of my age. I had to find Namine. I pushed through the crowd, trying to find a table, anything to stand on.... Then, I spotted someone in a blue cloak being whisked away, deeper into the crowd...Namine.

"Namine!" I yelled, loud enough so she could hear me. She turned her head, a horrified expression on her face.

"Rox-" She began, but her words were cut off as she was jerked around in the other direction by some stranger, causing her to trip over a chair. She stumbled and fell harshly on her knees; it had to hurt...my anger flared. She stayed down and I rushed over to her, looking her over. She seemed all right, just a little shaken up, tears were forming in her eyes, though she blinked them back. I looked for the idiot that hurt her.

The stranger that had been dragging her behind him earlier came forward, confused as to why she was on the ground. "..'ou c'min" He asked, though his voiced was slurred. It was clear that he had a bit too much to drink. Either way, there was no excuse.

He reached down to pick her up by her arm, but I pulled out my sword, it's steel gleaming even in the dull light, and stepped between her and the drunk.

"Stay away from her." I commanded, my voice dark, dangerous, daring him to approach me.

He looked me over, still confused, staring at my sword. " s'ys who?" He asked, seeming to get his speech back a little. He looked me over before steeping forward, a little to confident.

"Isn't it obvious?" I asked sarcastically, my voice almost a growl. The man looked stunned, his brain seeming to have trouble processing what I'd said. I turned around and reached down, offering Namine my hand. She reached for it, though she stopped suddenly, her eyes growing wide.

I turned around just in time to stop the drunk from landing a hit on me. Angry, I dropped kicked and tripped him. He fell to the ground in a confused, dazed heap. The action gained unwanted attention, mostly from who I assumed were the drunk's friends; they didn't look too happy. I grinned, ignoring them at first and helped Namine up.

Once she was standing upright again I turned around to face those that were surrounded us, calling my magic. A ball of fire burst from my hand and hovered in front of me, the men backed away quickly, frightened.

"I'll burn anyone that lays a finger on her." I told them threateningly. I grabbed Namine's hand and lead her out of the tavern quickly. We weren't followed.

Namine's P.O.V.

I couldn't tell which freaked me out more. The fact that I was almost kidnapped by drunks, or that Roxas was holding my hand. I blushed, but it faded quickly. I think I was still in shock.

"What happened?" He asked the second we were away from the Tavern. I thought for a moment, not exactly sure myself.

"When we were walking...that man just randomly came out...and...he...then he wouldn't let go." I tried telling him, though I couldn't get the words out right. I glanced back behind us, just making sure that the man wasn't following us. I couldn't help it; I was scared.

Roxas pulled me forward, forcing me to look away. "It's okay." He reassured me. "I won't let them get to you." I calmed down a little, forcing the returning tears back once again. I smiled, though it felt forced. "Are you okay?" He asked me and I nodded.

"I'm fine." I told him, sounding better than I felt. I wasn't any more than bruised, but I still wanted to get as far away from there as I could.

"Why didn't you pull out your sword?" He asked me as we continued walking. He never let go of my hand. I didn't mind. It felt safe.

"I tried." I told him honestly. "But I tripped over a bucket when that man pulled me into the Tavern. I never had my hands free after that." I told him, expecting him to grin, or tease me, though he didn't. Had I messed up that badly?

"At least you're alright." He told me, sounding relieved. "I'm sorry."

That puzzled me and I stopped walking. "For what? I was the one-"

"No." He cut me off, turning around. His eyes were intense. "I wasn't paying attention. I was reckless and I didn't notice when you disappeared. I should have been more careful." He told me, his voice thick with guilt.

"Please, Roxas, don't think that way." I pleased softly. I hated when stuff like this happened. It wasn't his fault. "I'm fine. Let's just forget about it, alright?" I asked and he managed a half grin.

"Alright." He answered, seeming relieved that I wasn't mad at him.

"Besides." I began. "You saved me...if you hadn't come..." I trailed off and he nodded, unsure of what to say.

We walked in silence for a while and I looked down at the ground, noticing our hands again. I started to pull away, figuring that since we were now far away from the tavern he was only holding it for my sake, but he tightened his grip. We stopped again and I looked at him questioningly, surprised when the expression on his face turned serious.

"I'm not loosing you again." His voice was sure, but careful.

I was stunned for a while, the words played with both my emotions and my feelings. They could mean so many different things, what was he thinking?

"Won't the crew notice if we run into them?" I asked, finally finding my voice, noticing that we were getting closer to the ship and the park-like area where the fireworks would go off.

"Does it matter?" He asked, grinning, getting to act more like himself. The Roxas I knew.

I returned the gesture, "I guess not." He chucked and we continued walking, towards the fireworks that were about to go off.

Vocab, lol. (1) a movable plank used as a ramp to board or disembark from a ship or boat. Need this to get on land so you don't have to jump from the railing and hope you make it on land.

HEHE....nothing like a little drama to bring two opposites together...

I'm actually feeling more confident about this chapter, though I still need the readers opinions!!!

THAT MEANS YOU! lol

So...Review!!!

And here's a little hint of what's coming up next...four words... counting 'and'

Fireworks and Pouring Rain

....And if I get reviews I promise to update asap!!! I'm excited XD

That's just the way I write...so, I'm just as surprised as the readers when unexpected and twisted events unfold. XD

Hope you enjoyed it. I know I did. Can't wait to write the next chapter.