Bună Ziua! Today's greeting is Romanian! And also in today's chapter, I'll be hinting a little more at the plot twist.

However! I'd like to make one final big decision in this story. I'll tell you more at the end to stop me from ranting here but I'd just like to draw your attention to it first. With that out of the way...

Tanoshimi!

Chapter 9: Making the wrong assumptions

Rash decisions are made, and friends are lost

For a few moments, Hero was silent. Arthur didn't even think that was possible for one like him. But apparently it was and Arthur was beginning to feel himself give in to the pressure of the awkward silence. He had to say something. He just had to.

"So, what exactly are you doing here Hero?" Arthur asked.

"Oh well, I was just..." Hero began.

The Captain raised a large, all-knowing eyebrow. "Oh? Were you perhaps worried about me?"

"No! Dude, why would I ever worry about you?" Hero yelled.

"Oh do be quiet will you?" Arthur sighed, clutching his head in his one hand.

"Oops, sorry Captain..." Hero whispered.

Although, Hero couldn't help but wonder if that pained sorrowful look upon Arthur's dark face was actually due to hurt from his comment before and not because of the noise.

"It's alright." He muttered, sitting up in the bed. "Why don't you come and sit by me?"

Arthur patted the empty side of the bad next to him with his healthy hand and then proceeded to start making himself comfortable in a sat up position. Reluctantly, Hero went to sit himself on the bed, his feet firm on the floor, facing away from Arthur and his back slouched casually.

"Uh, thanks... Captain." Hero mumbled.

"You do know you saved my life... Don't you?" Arthur frowned. "You don't really need to call me Captain. And I was pretty sure we were on a first name basis."

"...Yeah..." Hero whispered.

But Hero knew that deep down, that wasn't true. Arthur called him Hero- not his real name. Hero was a nickname Arthur had created out of mockery at first. Yet Arthur had been kind and hadn't tried to force his name out. He had respected his privacy and carried on with their friendship- thinking it was completely normal.

"You know you didn't sound awfully keen when you spoke just then. Nothing like your usual self." Arthur pointed out.

Hero stayed silent. It was almost scary for Arthur.

"...Hero?"

"Alfred."

"Huh?"

'Hero' let out a long sigh and turned around to face Arthur.

"My name's Alfred."

It was so sudden- Arthur didn't really know how to react. Hero was...Alfred? That was his real name?

"A... Al... Fred?" Arthur whispered.

"Yeah, Alfred. Not Hero. I just thought you should know that." Alfred muttered.

"Well thank you He- I mean, Alfred." Arthur smiled.

"Hey you can call me Hero if ya want!" Alfred laughed. "In fact I like the sound of it! After all, I am the hero so it's only fitting!"

"I think I'll just call you Alfred. After all, I don't see much point in using your nickname now that I know your real name. I will call you Alfred and it will be our little secret if you want."

"Aww..." Alfred whined. "But I was beginning to like Hero..."

"Tell you what, I'll let you call me whatever you want- though not Eyebrows or any variation of that please because it almost sounds as if you're trying to mock me then."

"Okay, not Eyebrows. I gotcha. Hmmm..."

Alfred began to think for a bit. What could he call Arthur? Up until then, he had been perfectly content with calling the Captain something nasty or just Arthur. What would he call him now?

But Alfred didn't need to think long. In fact, the new name came to him within a few short moments.

"Artie!" Alfred declared.

"A-Artie?" Arthur stuttered in disbelief.

"Yup. And no objections 'cuz you said I could call ya what I want!" Alfred grinned.

"I guess..." Arthur muttered.

"Then Artie it is!" Alfred beamed.

Slowly Alfred's wide grin became a small, happy smile and his eyelids began to droop as his head slowly fell to the pillow next to Arthur's.

"Artie..." He whispered.

Within just a few seconds, he was asleep. Alfred couldn't help but give him a sympathetic smile as he watched Alfred's sleeping form: his peaceful angelic expression, his slightly open mouth and (this probably being the sweetest part) his slow steady breathing- his chest puffing out and falling in an almost endless cycle.

"Looks like someone's sleepy." Arthur smirked. "But then again you would be. You've fought bravely today and you even saved my life. You've done well He-" And then he stopped himself, correcting himself with a smile.

"Alfred..."

Arthur reached out and stroked his dirty blond hair, running a finger across his cheek and to his lips.

"Sleep well poppet." He whispered.

Then he lowered himself back into the bed and rolled over- being careful on his nasty wounds. He lifted the oil lamp on his bedside table, ready to rid the room of light and drift off to sleep.

"Goodnight, and sweet dreams Alfred..." He smiled.

Then he blew out the flickering flame and he too shut his eyes, drifting off almost instantly.

Three years ago...

"He's in there." Matthew whispered. "I'll be out here if you need anything sir."

"Merci Matthieu, and you know... You do not 'ave to call me sir. Just Francis is fine." Explained the Frenchman.

"Okay then Francis..." Matthew nodded.

Then Francis gave a small nod of agreement before stepping into the room and locking the door behind him. Once inside, he took a moment to observe his surroundings.

It was a rather dull and murky little room. The bricks were a depressing grey, the walls were damp and dirty and the floor looked grimy, as well as being really gross. Former occupants had carved their names along with tally charts counting the days and various profanities into the decrepit walls. Traces of a suspicious red paint could also be seen every now and then. The room was practically bare apart from all of this though, and its only redeeming feature seemed to be the square yet barred window at the very top of this room.

All in all, Francis saw the place as simply horrible. The idea of having to spend an hour in this hell hole was scary- he could barely even imagine the torture of having to spend a whole day in this room. In fact, he doubted anyone could survive here.

That's when Francis saw him.

He was sat in a slump. His clothes were torn and frayed but Francis could see the dull remains of a formal shirt, a few of his buttons lost and his collar messy. The hems of his posh looking trousers were ripped and his once shiny shoes were clearly falling apart- this was Francis's first sight of him. In fact, he was in a rather pitiful state with his head hanging depressingly low and his hands just hanging over his bent legs, all chained up so that he couldn't escape.

And then he looked up. It was the most memorable moment of their first meeting. His glare was cold and piercing, his eyes were green and narrowed- but, most notably, his eyebrows were amazingly huge.

That was when Francis first met Arthur Kirkland.

"Bonjour!" Francis beamed, raising his hands dramatically.

Another ice cold glare. Francis however was unaffected by his harsh behaviour. So he simply continued.

"My name is Francis Bonnefoy." Francis smiled.

Still nothing was said by the captive. But Francis did not allow himself to be disheartened and so he moved hastily along. The Frenchman's persistence and determination was beginning to annoy the imprisoned man and Francis, despite being aware of this, continued.

"I 'ave only seen your face on wanted posters. A pleasure, Monsieur Kirkland."

Then Francis offered Arthur his hand, implying that he wanted Arthur to shake it. Arthur merely stared at the hand, his expression staying blank as he continued to stare.

"Monsieur Kirkland?" Francis asked.

Then Arthur looked up. His glare seemed to have vanished and his eyes had opened a little wider. In Francis's mind, he looked like a clueless child, and clueless wasn't that far off from the truth.

"Me?" Arthur questioned, tilting his head to the side.

"Well you are Arthur Kirkland, non?" Francis smirked.

"That's what they tell me." He muttered as his head drooped again.

Francis raised an eyebrow: he had not been expecting this. He had been expecting some kind of attempt to escape, or perhaps some unprovoked attack, because that certainly seemed like something this man would do. But nothing of the sort happened. Was this really the same man he was looking for?

"You mean you don't know?" Francis frowned.

This man... Could he be...? Francis thought to himself quietly. He shows the obvious signs of it... If his assumptions were correct then perhaps... Just maybe... This man might be... Innocent?

Then, deciding to take the risk, he held up the two small keys in his hand.

"You see zese?" Francis asked, causing Arthur to nod in reply. "Zey are ze keys to your freedom."

Arthur didn't really look bothered by this however and merely switched his gaze to another random corner of the dark dingy room.

"Zey are planning to 'ang you." Francis whispered. "And I believe zat you do not deserve to 'ang. So, what I am going to do is zis: I will release you from zose chains and I will unlock ze door. You shall zen make your escape. Do you understand?"

"Why are you...?" Arthur began.

"Zat is for me to know." Francis muttered as he crouched down to unlock his chains. "And for you to find out."

Present day

It was the morning after Arthur had discovered Hero's true identity. But of course, none of the other crew members knew this. In fact, it was just another normal Sunday morning for most of the crew.

But Francis however, was not like most of the crew. It was no secret that Francis flirted with the captain on a regular basis. It also wasn't a secret that Arthur had been the victim of Francis's affections ever since they had first met. The secret was that Francis really was in love with Arthur, no matter how much he teased or joked.

And so that was why Francis had gotten up early that morning: to serve Arthur breakfast in bed. This was it. Today was the day. No-one else realised that this particular lazy morning was something special for Francis. Despite the fact that he had been planning this whole thing for a while now.

Yes. Today was the day that Francis would confess. He would admit his true feelings to the pirate Captain.

"Arthu-"

But he had expected nothing like this.

Lying there in Arthur's bed was the infamous Hero who had gained a reputation on the ship as the only man to ever stand up to Captain Kirkland. Arthur had that adorable angelic look on his face that Francis would sometimes get a glimpse of if Arthur fell asleep working and his arms were spread out with Hero curling up into his embrace. Their position resembled that of a young couple, perhaps even a newly married one. But it was most definitely a loving position, one shared by only those with a very special bond.

What had happened last night? Did Arthur know he was there? Had they...

Something suddenly snapped in Francis at that moment. A wave of pain seemed to flood him, and a single thought was all that existed in his mind at that precise moment.

Boom. Cliffhanger. What is Francis going to do? Take note of everything that has happened in this chapter. And I mean everything. Something will be different next chapter.

Anyway! That big decision! I want to be able to decide a side pairing for this story! One involving China (if you have another then please don't hesitate to suggest it) and the last poll I took had 2 votes for NiChu, 3 for RoChu and 3 for me choosing myself. So we'll be taking a final vote! If NiChu wins then so be it, but if RoChu wins, I will add a little bit of implied GiriPan at the very end.

Final votes start... Now!

Sayounara minna-san!

~Neko

(Oh and thank you to MYJEN123, neko-chan and Naruko Uzu for reviewing!)