Ciao! Here we are: chapter 2 of Forgotten, but not gone, the fanfiction prompted by shiro-tsubasa-chan, The Pharaoh, Not a Mike and Cousin-Killer! Today's chapter focuses mainly on Captain Arthur Kirkland (who, in case new people hadn't noticed, is my favourite character!). We'll also be introducing yet a new face to the scene which happens to be the favourite of shiro-tsubasa-chan!

Tanoshimu!

Chapter 1: Captain to all, friend to none

That's Captain Arthur Kirkland to you!

"Right so I'll hide in the kitchen and you'll be on 'cleanup duty'..."

After a long conversation of reasoning and trying to make Feliciano understand, they had finally come to an agreement. Ludwig had been sympathising with him since Feliciano didn't like violence or killing and Feliciano had been panicking and waving his white flag because he didn't want to be hurt.

"Zat's right. Now go hide und take your Bruder vith you." Ludwig instructed.

"Ve~! Aye aye Ludwig!"

Feliciano saluted him, but with the wrong hand. He used his left, which often got on Ludwig's nerves. But he didn't do it on purpose. It wasn't to tease or annoy Ludwig- he just did it because he forgot. Feliciano was a little clumsy and stupid, but Ludwig still kept him, a fact that seemed a little odd to the rest of the crew since Ludwig was a man that had a low tolerance for the weak and useless. To the rest of the crew, weak and useless was practically the definition of Feliciano.

"Hey hey Ludwig?" Feliciano asked.

Ludwig let out a heavy sigh, finding it hard to control the amount of annoyance in his voice and the irritated vein on his forehead. Placing a gloved hand over his face and sighing once more, he asked: "Ja Feliciano?" with his other fist shaking slightly.

"What's cleanup duty?" He asked curiously.

"None of your business." Ludwig growled.

"Ve~ got it! 'Cleanup duty' is none of my business!"

Feliciano's child-like innocence actually brought a small smile to Ludwig's face as he removed his gloved hand. He wasn't shaking and had calmed slightly due to the fact that the Italian hadn't wanted to push any further.

"Correct. Now go hide und varn ze ozers on your way." Ludwig nodded.

"Ve~! I'll be sure to warn Ivan and the others!" Feliciano beamed.

"... Feliciano?" Ludwig asked.

"Yeah Ludwig?"

"Don't get too close to Ivan okay?"

"Sì Ludwig! Anything for you!"

Then the strict blond haired German watched as his peppy Italian friend left the room, all bubbly and cheerful. He obviously had no idea of the plans formulating in Ludwig's head, the ideas that were cropping up and the thoughts flowing through his mind.

Captain Arthur Kirkland's ship...

"Francis! Get out here! I don't care what you're doing, whether you're doing your nails or slurping snails just get out here right now!"

The captain clothed in red was obviously cross. His gloved hands were placed on his hips and his large impressive eyebrows were furrowed in anger. Any observer could see his rage building, and Arthur Kirkland wasn't one to be disobeyed or angered. However, the man locked within his cabin seemed to think he was above it.

"You sound frustrated mon ami, could it be zat you are a little irritated with somezing?" The voice from inside chuckled.

"A little? A little! There's an enemy ship approaching, you're not out here and you think I'm a little irritated? I'm furious!" Arthur yelled.

"Ohonhon... It seems zat furious is a bit of an understatement..."

"Francis Bonnefoy! If you're not out here in three seconds then not only will I chop of that good for nothing head of yours, I'll revoke your cooking privileges!"

In contrast, the first statement seemed more threatening than the second. The second certainly seemed more serious, yet Francis still didn't hesitate to let out a loud yawn. Arthur was fast running out of ideas, but as one dawned on him, he leaned in sneakily and grinned in a maliciously evil sort of way.

"Don't test me Francis. Delay me any longer and your head won't be the only thing I chop off."

Suddenly the door opened to reveal Francis stood up tall with his back completely straight and his hands by his sides. His uniform was immaculate, from his smart blue coat to his tied back golden hair. The idea of having 'something else' chopped off other than his head didn't appeal to him obviously and now he was trying to suck up to his captain, just like any surrender monkey would do.

"That's more like it, Frog." Arthur muttered cockily.

"Oui monsieur."

"Any more of this from you an' I'll make ya walk the plank. Got it?"

"Oui monsieur."

"That's Captain Arthur Kirkland to you."

Then the angry captain stormed off, making a huge uproar with his bold pirate boots against the old wooden floor- reflecting his angry exterior. Francis's posture softened and he let out a huge sigh as he slowly loosened himself from the uptight, obedient position that he had been in before. Making sure his superior couldn't hear, he let out a small whisper to himself.

"You're Captain Arthur Kirkland to everyone." He sighed.

Then he removed his impressive silver blade and inspected it before heading off to follow his captain to what could quite possibly be either his doom or victory. Inwardly, he prayed with all his might that he and the second alternative would be victorious.

"Look who decided to show up. I was beginning to miss the smell of wine and cheese." Arthur grunted.

"Sorry Ar-Captain." Francis apologised.

"That's more like it."

Then Arthur dramatically removed his fine cutlass and turned to Francis with a quick smile.

"Ready?" Arthur asked.

"Always Arthur." Francis smiled.

"I'll let you off for that one."

And there they stood, lying in wait like two predators awaiting their prey. What they didn't know was the identity, the skill level and the determination of their so called 'prey'. That would cost them a lot more than they realised. So the two blonds remained in blissful unawareness, patiently awaiting the battle to begin.

Captain Ludwig's ship...

"Ah."

He shot up in bed, though not dramatically so. It was actually surprisingly calm, considering the dream he had just experienced. Then again it was nothing new. The same dream had been entering his sleep every night for the past few weeks and he had began to become attached to them very slightly. In fact, a slightly melancholy feeling swept over him as he realised that he may not be able to dream them anymore soon.

But enough about that. Telling himself it was just a dream and nothing more, he arose from his bed and began to dress. His night clothes consisted of... Well, nothing. Just a long fluffy white scarf. Even in bed, the scarf was done up nice and cosy and he seemed to have no fear of the dangers that could come from sleeping with it on in such a fashion. His pirate attire was pretty much like any other: black, yet accompanied by that long pure white scarf. It seemed an odd accessory, but if you took it off the man then he probably wouldn't look right. Also, he may just kill you.

This pirate had silvery white hair, like snow in winter and his eyes were deep- almost purple. His face always seemed to be brightened with a smile and he had quite a tough build. Slipping into a pair of tough brown pirate boots, he walked outside and onto the deck, smiling up at the sun for blessing them with such a lovely day.

"Ivan. It's good to see zat you are avake." Ludwig mumbled through gritted teeth.

"Dobroye utro Ludwig." Ivan smiled. "So, what is the situation?"

"There's a ship approaching, und ve have been preparing for ven ve come into contact vith it." Ludwig explained.

"I see. It is a good day for killing da?"

"Ja. Sehr gut."

"Oh? I can see the enemy."

This was of course true. The second ship belonging to the enemy was just a short jump away from theirs and stood opposite to them were two blond haired men, one with longer hair tied back into a girlish ponytail and the other with messy blond hair and a red pirate hat placed upon his head. Out of these two men, the slightly feminine looking one with the blue eyes was first to speak.

"Bonjour!" He greeted happily.

He had his arms raised dramatically and a huge happy smile plastered across his face. In fact, his excitement was so dramatic and exaggerated that it actually became slightly believable. Ludwig was having a hard time deciding whether or not he was being serious or just plain sarcastic. After a few moments of complete silence, he tilted his head and lowered his arms.

"Non? I guess we won't get on after all... Ah what a shame..." He sighed.

Now that time was definitely sarcasm and Ludwig quickly became very irritated with the noticeably French sailor. Ivan kept up his happy smile and closed eyes as usual, but Ludwig didn't look as friendly. His brows furrowed and the grip on his cutlass tightened menacingly.

"Who are you?" He growled.

"Well I am ze great Francis Bonnefoy! No doubt you 'ave 'eard of me?"

The arms rose again triumphantly and Ludwig was beginning to enjoy the idea of putting an end to the Frenchman who was obviously in love with himself. Ivan still said nothing, but an indescribable psychotic thought was racing through his mind at that moment, even more violent that Ludwig's. It was at this point however, that Ludwig realised the pirate dressed in red had said nothing so far and so he looked the man up and down suspiciously.

His eyes were a vibrant shade of emerald green, but this fascinating colour was not what stood out to him. Nor was it his untameable mop of golden hair or his menacing toothy grin. It was his eyebrows- his large, thick bushy eyebrows. Honestly, Ludwig had never seen such eyebrows. He didn't even think being able to grow eyebrows like that was humanly possible. With an appearance like that... Could it be...?

"Ah yes, and zis is-" Francis began.

"Captain Arthur Kirkland!" He interrupted, making Francis frown with annoyance. "And I shall be the death of you!"

Captain Arthur Kirkland. Ludwig should have known. He'd often heard of him, tales of the man with the unnatural green eyes, the endless bloodlust and the thick eyebrows that would make even the mightiest of sea monsters cringe (admittedly, the third type of these tales were the most popular). Ludwig had certainly heard of him, but appearance was not what gave away his identity. The same went for Francis too. There was something more, an aura calling out to him- trying to tell him who they were. A signal, a sign, an intuition- just some way of knowing who they were.

But that was just crazy talk... Right?

Yeah Ludwig. Crazy talk. Ludwig's off his rocker! Let's celebrate with a German sparkle party! Though... That might make him worse so let's hold off on that idea for a moment. In the meantime, review and... Well, just whatever you want. Reviews are much appreciated, and extra nice ones make me really happy!

Thanks to Aqua and ShadowEntity for reviewing!

Sayonara minna-san!

~Neko

Along with requesters shiro-tsubasa-chan, The Pharaoh, Not a Mike and Cousin-Killer. Couldn't have done this without you guys, but I could have done without your constant peering at my work... ¬.¬