A/N Oh holy fuck. Wow. Um... Hi there everyone. Long time no see. Bet you all thought I was dead, right? T.T I'm really sorry about how long this took to get up... Things were hectic at school and I was planning on waiting till we got further along in the planning of things for the story, but my RP buddy, Sanzo, never replied. I should really kick her ass in gear for this thing.

Disclaimer: Nope nope nope...


Arc One, Chapter Eleven: Rescue Plans

Ludwig leaned on the rail; he had hardly done anything. He barely slept, ate, or even worked, his mind preoccupied with ideas of how to get Captain Feliciano back, but without knowing where he or the Arcadia were... It left him grasping at straws. There were just too many small islands around and they all looked the same. The Scarlet Maiden was at a big disadvantage not knowing these waters well enough. Lovino was in a similar state, except much more edgy. The slightest thing seemed to be able to set him off, and the only times life on the ship was peaceful were when Antonio was keeping him occupied or comforting him. Currently he had taken up Yong Soo's post, scouting out ahead a bit for anything that seemed out of place or a useful land marker.

Looking out towards the open water, Ludwig just stared. He didn't notice it right away but something was moving from behind the island. The front of a ship began to appear. The German's heart froze and he grit his teeth; it had to be them, it just had to... "LOVINO!" The pirate in question nearly fell out of the crow's nest at the loud shout before glaring.

"It's not them," he called back, coming down anyway. "What the hell do you want, Francis?" Lovino snarled, definitely not in the mood for the blond idiot that was not Arthur in the least. Francis was caught slightly off guard stumbling upon the Scarlet Maiden.

The Frenchman laughed a bit before calling, "Bonjour my dear little Lovino! I do believe I have a few things of yours..." the blond gave a light hearted laugh as the cannon doors opened and the weapons were pushed into position. Lovino glared at him, and if looks could kill, the Francis would be a smoldering pile of ash.

"You've got three seconds to leave me the fuck alone before I sink you," he spat. "Ten seconds after that to get your ass onto an island before I come in after you and skin your pansy ass." The Italian drew his sword, the metal reflecting the feral expression on his face. "Time starts... Now."

Francis's smile faultered as he met Lovino's fearsome gaze. Sliding down to his knees he wrapped his arms around his stomach as he was suddenly assulted with cramps. "I'll hold onto them for now... Make sail for York! We'll restock and maybe bug Arthur while we're there!" he called to his Helmsmen as another of his other sailors helped him to his feet.

"Hold up a sec, bastard. Did you just say Arthur? You know where he is?" Lovino appeared to have calmed some, a faint desperation reflecting behind his eyes to mix with the anger he'd felt before. Stopping half way to his cabin, Francis turned back to Lovino.

"Oui... If you send that adorable Antonio over I'll be more than happy to give him directions," he said with a suggestive smile.

Lovino smirked at him, raising a single hand."Uno... Due... Tre... Quattro... Cinque... Five seconds, bastard. Now talk. I know you don't really care about that ship of yours, but Michelle... She's a different story."

Francis's face stiffened, but although he did care about his fiance but wasn't ready to settle down just yet. He wanted his fun and rather enjoyed his freedom. "Circle around to the eastern side of the islands, you can't miss York. She's the largest population in this chain..."

Lovino surveyed his expression to make sure he wasn't lying before giving a nod. "Grazie. I hate to say it, but I owe you for this. Alright, you heard the man! Let's get going!" There was a collective cheer at his words before Lovino looked back at Francis, grinning devilishly. "By the way... I was lying. I don't hurt women."

"Lovino..." the rival pirate called out before the Maiden went on her way. "Where is Fel... No never mind... But I will hold you to that..." He gave a wave before turning back to his crew, an arm still across his stomach. "Forget York for now... Head south."


"Oi, potato. C'mere for a sec." Lovino called a bit later, heading towards Feliciano's room where they wouldn't be disturbed. The Italian had refused to enter the room ever since the younger Vargas was taken, hating to see no sign of there ever having been someone living there for so long. "You too, Antonio. We need to make a plan." The two crew members in question moved in silence. No one had dared enter the younger brother's room since the incident. Once inside Ludwig looked around to see everything still where he left it from his last cleaning. It made him sick to his stomach. Even the usually happy-go-lucky Antonio had been rather somber, but did his best to put a smile on, not just for the crew morale, but for Lovino's support as well. Right now Lovino needed him more than ever.

Said brunette sat on the bed, running his fingers over the sheets. "It smells like him in here, doesn't it?" he whispered quietly before clearing his throat. "A-anyway, like I said, we need a plan. We can't just go barging in there and expect them to hand Feli over. He'll have given them a hard time, but not that hard."

"Si Lovi... But we know hardly anything of the area or where they could be keeping him..." Antonio said softly as he leaned against the wall near the head of the bed. "Even if we snuck in to break him out, we wouldn't know where to go... We need someone to scout the town first... Find places they could be holding him other than on the Arcadia... I cou-"

"I'll go," Ludwig interrupted, making both Mediterraneans look at him. "From vat I understand you've encounterd this Arthur before... They would probably recognize anyone you send... Yong Soo, Antonio, Piero... I'd have the best chance to go and look around without raising suspicion..." He walked over to a portrait and straightened it out, it having tilted from the rocking of the ship. "Just give me a few days... If I can't get him out on mein own... I'll come back and we can plan from there..."

Antonio looked at Ludwig; the man did have a point. Being the new guy he'd be the least likely to be recognized as a member of the Scarlet Maiden. "What do you think, Lovi?"

Lovino didn't respond for a few moments, thinking the idea over. "I think... He's right. Anyone else brows wouldn't recognize I don't trust enough. N-not that I trust you, so don't get any weird ideas or anything!" the Italian hastily added. "It's just... You want Feli back as much as I do."

"Ja, I know..." Ludwig smirked as he walked over to the table and leaned on the edge. The German was getting used to Lovino's tantrums and his denial-acceptance thing. "Next question is how do I get to the town? It's not like you can just sail up and drop me off..."

Toni smiled. "We can use one of the long boats~ Drop you off at night. Shouldn't be hard to sneak around since there's no or very little moon."

Ludwig gave a nod. "I'll meet you back at the drop off point at the end of five nights with Feliciano..." he said optimistically.

Lovino hummed in agreement, eyes surveying the room once more. "This's... The longest we've ever been apart..." he confessed sadly before his eyes hardened. "I have half a mind to slaughter every single person on that ship... You'd better bring him back bastard; I'm counting on you."

And so the wheels were put into motion. Ludwig packed his bag with a few things, including a change of clothes for Feliciano; Lord knows he'd need them. It felt like an eternity till night fell and even longer till he got into the boat and was lowered into the water.


Ludwig, Antonio, Lovino, and the men rowing were all silent. Each knew this had to happen without fail if they wanted Feliciano back. Piero and Yong Soo watched the long boat vanish in the darkness from the rail.

"Right here should be good..." Antonio instructed the men towards a rock formation. Once the fore of the boat hit the bank, two of them jumpped out and pulled it up onto land a bit as Ludwig got out. Lovino stood up as well, leaving the boat for a moment to hand Ludwig a sack of coins.

"For food and a place to stay," he explained. "Remember your promise, dammit." The Italian returned to the boat after that, laying his head on Antonio's shoulder. He looked so weak... With a pained smile Antonio placed a kiss on the top of Lovino's head.

"Tomorrow night is your first night..." the Spaniard said so everyone would be clear on the timing. "We'll be waiting here on the fifth night... Good luck Ludwig and take care..."

Looking at the bag of coin and then to the boat Ludwig gave a small nod. "Ja... we'll see you then..." With that he turned and started heading towards the town he could see in the distance.


Short chapter is short. Dx I really am sorry about how long this took everyone... Since summer is now here I should have more time to crank out chapters like PCHOOOO! (For those of you that get this, fist bump.) Chapter updates might even be more than one per week/day. I dunno.

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