Bonjour! Ah sorry about the lack of updates once more but again, this is my side project, and also it is nearing the end of my school year and tests and exams are beginning to take over. After I've finished uploading this, I've got to get to German and Chemistry revision...

Tanoshimu!

Chapter 5: Determination of 'Hero'

'I'll never be a pirate!'

Out at sea...

"Great. Just great."

He chucked the apple core straight into the ocean lazily and leaned back in his small emergency vessel. Since his close escape from the harbour, the young man had sailed himself in a large amount of directions... All getting himself completely lost in the end and stranded out in the middle of the ocean. It wasn't his smartest move, but could one such as him be expected to be so smart in that situation?

"That was my last apple. Wonder how long it'll be 'till someone saves me? I'm starvin'..." He sighed.

But, as he looked out to the sea which he had thrown the remains of his third and final apple into, a thought dawned upon him. A thought that made him stare up at the vast endless sky in a sad, melancholy disposition. As he did this, he slowly rephrased his question.

"Wonder how long it'll be 'till I die...?" He whispered.

The thought of something like that chilled him to the bone, but it was something he'd probably have to come to terms with soon. So, lying back and closing his eyes, he began to drift off to sleep- curled up slightly in dreams of heroes. And even though he had aspired and tried to be a hero all his life, he found himself desperately wishing someone would be his hero now.

And help wasn't as far as it seemed.

Later...

Captain Arthur Kirkland's ship...

"Mr Kirkland sir?" Ivan called.

The bold captain approached his new crew member sceptically- after all he was originally from another crew. Storming in with his mighty red sea cape swishing at his sides, he turned to the overly happy Russian- wondering why he had summoned him.

"Glad to see you showing respect Braginsky. What did you call me for anyway?" Arthur mumbled.

"Fufufu... Just Ivan is fine sir, and also..." Ivan giggled childishly.

Ivan pointed out to the ocean with a happy smile and Arthur didn't waste any time in shooting the Russian a quick glare before looking in the direction he was pointing.

"When did anyone tell you that you could give the o-"

But then Arthur's voice trailed off as he stared at what Ivan was pointing to. There in the midst of the calm rocking waves was a single wooden boat, and in that a young man probably in his late teens. His hair was dirty blond, and Arthur could just about make out the tranquil, almost angelic look on his sweet face as he lay there with his eyes closed and mouth very slightly open.

"Is that...?" Arthur whispered.

"Another human? Da." Ivan smiled.

Arthur looked Ivan up and down with a very slight scowl darkening his face.

"What do you mean 'another'? I really hope you aren't referring to yourself. That would be almost worrying." Arthur grumbled.

"Fufufu... Captain Kirkland, you make the funniest jokes." Ivan chuckled.

"Anyway back to him." Arthur muttered. "He's dead right?"

"Nyet. He's still breathing, so the boy is just asleep." Ivan explained. "So, shall we bring him in?"

"Hmmm..." Arthur hummed.

It was true that Arthur needed more men to help on the ship and to fight the nasty Captain Ludwig but this kid was a random stranger, so taking him on board may not be the best move to make. But... As Arthur stared more and more at the boy, he felt himself weakening, like that boy should be allowed on the ship. After all, he didn't look evil or malicious, and Arthur certainly felt no suspicion while staring at him.

"Bring him on board." Arthur commanded.

"Da, I will go prepare the crew right now." Ivan grinned.

Ivan left but Arthur didn't move. He simply folded his arms and rested himself on the edge of the ship, still looking at the abandoned boy as he tilted his head to the side in curiosity.

"All hands on deck!" Matthew called at the top of his voice, which not surprisingly, wasn't very loud.

"Quoi? What's going on Matthieu?" Francis asked.

"Well... There's a boy stranded out at sea, and Captain Kirkland has instructed us to help him..." Matthew whispered.

"Oh, I see..." Francis muttered.

Arthur helping people seemed a little out of character to the Frenchman. After all, he had known him a long time and he wasn't a particularly friendly pirate captain. Perhaps the boy had something of value? Or maybe a hidden ability that Arthur could sense? Still none of these solutions seemed right to Francis, and the question continued to plague him even as he helped the other men haul the young boy aboard.

Later...

"Mmf..."

The young boy's moan was short, but it took him longer than that to properly wake up. His eyes slowly opened, but then shut again. Once more this process was repeated, until his observer got bored that was.

"Aye, fer pete's sake, hurry up an' wake up or I'll have ye walk the plank before ye can say 'Davy Jones' locker'." The voice snapped.

Naturally, the harsh speech and rough accent made him wake up immediately. He soon discovered that he was lying in a bed- making him shoot up immediately in panic. The blankets were comfy and the bed was both wide and well made. The walls were made of chipped wood and around the room were maps and books- even a few rum bottles which were most likely empty.

And, sitting at his side, was a hunched over man with a large red hat and fluffy feathers. Draped around his shoulders were a bright red coat and underneath that, a white slightly tainted shirt with a pretty ruffled collar and black scruffy trousers. His eyebrows were strangely thick, his eyes were vividly green and his smile looked genuine- with a hint of sly smugness about it. He was, unmistakeably, a pirate.

"I thought ye were a lily-livered buccaneer, or a marooned bilge rat. Either way, I be Captain Arthur Kirkland, an' this mighty vessel be my ship." Arthur explained.

His newly awakened companion did not speak. Why would he want to? He was face to face with a real life pirate-one who thought he was one of them. Of course he didn't want to speak. He didn't even want to look at the evil guy.

"So, what be yer name lad?" He asked.

After a long moment of silence, he spoke. But it was not as familiar as the captain was being, nor was it as happy and excited as he had been in the harbour. He spoke with a hint of venom in his voice- a definite unhappy mood about him.

"Why do you speak like that...?" He mumbled.

"...Well because I be a mighty swashbucklin' pirate!" Arthur's pause was only short and filled with a frown before he responded, but his hesitant speech was definitely present- something which the boy took into account.

"Cut the act sea scum. Ya really think ya can fool me? Nu-uh. I can tell you wanna speak normally deep down, that it's your natural way of speakin'. So drop the filthy pirate talk if you expect to get any reaction out of me."

Arthur paused again and opened his mouth to retort. But, deciding he had been beaten, he shut it again and sighed before taking off his hat and resting it on the floor beside him.

"Is this any better? Would you prefer if I spoke like some poxy British gentleman?" Arthur scowled with gritted teeth.

"Ya can insult British gentlemen all ya like but I can tell you aspire to be one deep down, or at least ya used to."

"Looks like there's no fooling you lad." Arthur sighed. "So, you still didn't tell me your name."

"I don't really think I have to either."

"Listen, if you want to be a part of my ship- you'd better do what you're told."

"And who ever said I wanted to be part of this ship? You're all filthy pirates, every single one of you. Why would I ever wanna join? I'll never be a pirate, an' you wanna know why? Cuz I'm the hero, and you guys are villains. It'll never work: I'll never be one of you."

Arthur couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. Filthy pirates? Villains? The hero? He had no idea what he was talking about but the insults were cutting him deep.

"I don't know what you're playing at but trust me 'Hero' if you go spreadin' that around on this ship then one day you'll end up with a knife in your back- and I won't be the one to fish it out or help you in any way." Arthur growled.

"Who said I needed your help?" The hero smiled.

"Why you-"

Arthur raised a hand to point a finger at him, but the hero slapped him away like an annoying little bug- hitting the captain in the face in the process.

"It's kill or be killed, you should know that yourself- eyebrows." The 'hero' smirked.

"It's captain to you brat." Arthur snapped.

"Right sorry, Captain Eyebrows." The 'hero' mock-saluted, which was lazily done with his left hand.

The captain's eyes widened at the young boy's insolence, but he made no reaction to it. Instead he got up and left the room- shooting back a glare over his shoulder just before he left.

"Don't say I didn't warn you. However with the attitude you're displaying- I won't be surprised if I turn out to be the one stabbing you in the back." Arthur muttered.

"I look forward to it sir!" The boy beamed- putting on a fake, innocent and child-like voice while giving Arthur an eager wave as he left.

The pure cheek the boy displayed was astounding, but what was even better was his bravery. Never before had he met someone like that- someone so peppy and childish while still not getting scared. Francis teased him regularly of course, but Arthur could quickly intimidate him if he wanted. Ivan often agreed with Arthur's ideas and Matthew, being the most silent and ignored crewmate, never had the courage to stand up to Arthur- or even speak for that matter.

Francis approached Arthur immediately after the captain shut the door to his quarters. He was both intrigued and, though only slightly, concerned. The red mark was intensifying on Arthur's face, the place where the boy had slapped him.

"'Ow is 'e?" Francis asked.

"Very much alive." Arthur muttered.

"What shall we do with 'im?" Francis frowned.

"Take him down to the brig. He'll do nicely down there." Arthur smiled.

"Oui captain." Francis nodded.

Arthur turned to walk away but as he did Francis couldn't help but call out to the captain once more before carrying out his orders. One thing was still on his mind, one very important thing...

"Wait! Arthur... Who is 'e?" Francis called.

Arthur turned back with a smug- almost hiding a secret sort of smile. Of course he hadn't been told his name, but Arthur knew full well what they were going to call him.

"He is... Hero. Call him Hero." Arthur smiled.

"'Ero? Is zat really 'is name?" Francis asked.

"Well if you aren't happy with that, then believe me I have much worse things to call him."

"No no, zat is fine."

Then Arthur left but Francis still paused for a few moments before carrying out his orders. The name rang out in Francis's head over and over like the words of a song. Hero... Hero... That boy was Hero...

...Why did the title sound so familiar to Francis?

So we have a name for the boy in the harbour. It seems his name is 'Hero' but what is his real name? Obviously you guys all know he's called Alfred but the other guys don't know that so let's keep it a secret, shall we? ;)

Make sure you review! Honestly the nice reviews I get from this are making me think that maybe I should pay more attention to this and not just treat it as a side project!

Thanks to Lord Kharl and Ashe-Kuro for reviewing!

Sayonara minna-san!

~Neko