Welcome to Gaia! ::

-Day 1-

Breathing labored, Levi plopped down on a roughly quarried rock...squinting at the bottom of his bare little foot. Scratching the burr pressed into his heel until it reluctantly fell away into the dark pebbles below, he got to his feet once more.

It was amazing to see how far he'd come...there, on the distant cliffs, he could see the glimmer of his porch light. The house he shared with Aki seemed so tiny, like a toy on a shelf under a starry ceiling.

Eyes following the path he traveled, Levi realized a bit belatedly that he'd dropped his new plastic spyglass somewhere along the beach. His baggy black pants didn't have much in the way of pockets, so he'd tucked it under one arm on the way out. Aki had put herself to sleep reading him a bed time story...it was a simple matter to slip out from under her arm and make his escape.

It was about time, too. She'd promised they'd go see the harbor soon, but there always seemed to be a complication. Sure enough, it had rained last night as she'd predicted...his guardian had protested about making their way over the wet rocks of the cove. She was so protective. Levi dismissed her worries with a snort, and turned back to the ridge before him. He'd show her...he'd go see the harbor all by himself! Maybe then she'd learn that a little rain never stopped a pirate!!

Planting his hands on the chill surface of the nearest cut boulder, Levi strained to lift his foot up to the next ledge. He ignored the tiny tear of his shirt as the sleeve caught on an edge...it was full of holes anyway, Aki wouldn't notice once more. His second foot joined the first with a wet slap as he finally crested the edge of the piled rock wall, breath curling in warm plumes in the night air as he panted.

"Ahyah! Ahboh!" It was indeed the harbor. The cove rested in the niche of the coast line before him, rimmed with tiny docks and dim lights. Farther down the shore, the lighthouse swelled with luminescence, flooding his squinting eyes with light before sweeping its gaze away once more. Wobbling upon his lofty perch, Levi watched it breathlessly for a few revolutions...he didn't know there was a lighthouse here! It had been hidden by the curve of the inlet from the windows of the Villa. What other secrets did the harbor hold?!

He could barely wait to find out.

Scrabbling down the other side of the rock pile, Levi slid down the face of the misted rocks...wincing as he tumbled to a stop half way down. His knee ached from how many times he'd banged it...crawling was often easier than walking, but his bruises showed the difference.

Trying his best to ignore the discomfort, Levi planted himself on his bottom and pushed off the next rock. If he was going to end up on his butt anyway, why not start there?! "Ooooph!! Ow. Buddy 'ell." Rolling with a crunch in the wet pebbles, he rubbed both knees...wondering if it was mud that made his pants stick to them like that. They hurt!!

Rubbing the unshed tears from his eyes with the back of one dirty hand, Levi pushed up to his feet once more. He wasn't going to cry like a girl over a skinned knee! No way! He was distracted from his injury before too long, however...the steady slap of the waves upon the rocks called to him like a winsome siren.

Glad to be free of the huge rocks, he hurried forward across the pebbled beach...eyes locked on the nearest dock. The damp wood felt like home under his feet, thick planks creaking even under the meager weight of a single boy. Like flattened stairs the dock protruded before him...half a bridge leading to nothing more than the sea. It was better than magic.

Walking slowly, eyes wide at the creak of the dock and the rhythmic sweep of the lighthouse, Levi soaked in every detail of the rich night. Sleepy birds bobbing with the waves clacked their beaks at him as he passed, gazing up at the child upon the dock with glittering black eyes.

"Ay pishinpishin!! Nini lil burds!" Making soothing motions as he passed, trying to encourage the birds back to sleep, Levi finally found himself at the very end of the dock.

The dark sea spread out before him, waves capped with starlit glow. He could no longer see his house, the edge of the cove hid all but the harbor and distant lighthouse. Taking a deep breath, relishing the taste of the cold air, Levi nodded to himself.

It was every bit as good as he'd imagined.

For many minutes, he simply stared...shifting his weight from foot to foot as he watched the gentle swell of the ocean before him. It was enthralling, the endless horizon...in the dark of the night, the young pirate couldn't tell where the sea ended and the sky began. He rather liked that.

With a sigh, he realized that there was a long walk back ahead of him still...almost as long as the ocean was deep. The Villa seemed so far!! He had to be back before Aki woke, Levi knew he'd already pushed his luck by getting so dirty. He'd have quite a bit of explaining to do.

Turning his back to the ocean sadly, gazing down the length of the wide wooden dock, Levi started back the way he'd come. Letting his breath out in a misted curl, began the trek back...running his little hand along the posts of the pier as he passed them. Splinters of wet wood stuck to his fingers, scratched by salt crusted rope...

Rope?

Taking a step back, Levi squinted at the last post he passed. Old rope was coiled carelessly around it, illuminated briefly by the bright sweep of light from across the cove. Rope? But why?

Following the end of it blindly with one hand as his eyes adjusted, settling down on his sore knees, Levi found himself peering over the edge of the dock. There, floating silently in the water, was a boat. A tiny boat. A perfect boat...for a little pirate.

"Ahyah? Heh. Heh heh heh! Ahchip!"

There was even a little wooden ladder!! Scrabbling down it as the lighthouse flooded the dock once more, Levi landed heavily in the old row boat. What luck! Aki would have to wait just a little longer...this was too tempting to pass up!

Hopping up and down, testing his weight in the little boat, Levi chuckled as it rocked back and forth. It didn't take him long to adjust to the motion...his hips rolled easily as he tottered to the opposite side of the tiny vessel. The lighthouse revealed two oars, already in their locks...and a bench with darkness below it that not even the lighthouse could pierce.

Well. A mystery! Bending down, little bottom in the air as he rustled in the space below the bench, Levi stumbled a bit as the craft tugged against its moorings. Grumbling about his bonked head, he promptly forgot about the lurch as his fingers closed over something cold. It was....a bottle!! So enraptured, sitting right where he knelt to examine the pale glass, Levi didn't notice the old rope finally fall loose.

The little boat was free.

Turning the bottle over, sighing in disappointment as nothing but a few drips of sea water trickled out, Levi wiped his hand on his dark pants. There used to be a label, but it was long gone now...all that remained was the sticky glue that had held it on. What good was an empty bottle, though?

The answer dawned on him abruptly. Leaning over the far side, wobbling as the boat rocked dangerously, Levi carefully pushed the bottle down into the cold ocean...chuckling as it burped out the air and sucked in seawater. Holding it up once more, facing the sweep of the light, he smiled at the now full bottle as the lighthouse gleamed through it.

He also realized the dock seemed rather far away.

For a moment, he was disoriented. Why had the dock floated away? Didn't it have a job to do? "Hey! Noh!" The dock wasn't listening. It was attached firmly to the shore. Levi's eyes went wide as it all fell into place. It wasn't the dock leaving...it was HIM!

Still clutching the bottle of seawater, he stared silently as the dock....no, as the boat....drew further away. Should he try to swim back to the rocks? No, Kaimana wasn't with him, and neither was Aki. Aki told him never to go swimming unless someone responsible was nearby. "Ah 'sponsboh." Grumbling defensively to himself, Levi still made no move to leave the little boat. Aki would be furious with him if he came home in wet clothes!

Holding the bottle against his chest, ignoring it as it sloshed, Levi sighed at the docks as they got smaller and smaller. He'd be back soon enough, though....after all, that's what ships did, wasn't it? They took you somewhere, just like a plane, then brought you back!!

He'd just have to go where the row boat wanted to go, first.

Settling down on his bottom, right in the center of the boat, Levi twisted around to look out to sea. It was still very late at night, but the stars were growing dim. Perhaps the sky was growing lighter! It was so hard to tell. Suddenly he realized that the light on the cliff wasn't a star at all...it was his home! He could see it again, he was out of the cove!!

"Aki!! HEY!! AAAAHHHHHKKKKEEEEYYYY!!!!" Waving one arm wildly, ignoring the rocking of the little craft, Levi kept a firm hold on his grimy bottle. Couldn't she see him? The plump floating birds near the distant dock called back to him raucously, but not Aki. Dropping his arm sadly, Levi realized she was probably still asleep. Lazy little elf! All well, she'd probably be mad anyway. He'd tell her all about it once he got back!!

Losing sight of the clifftop Villa as he yawned, Levi sucked in a huge breath of air. He loved the smell of the air, and the sound of the waves against the wooden boat, it was all...so...soothing....

Before too long, the little pirate was curled up happily, sound asleep in the belly of the tiny boat...enjoying the best sleep he could ever remember having.

-Day 2-

Bright. Too bright. Grumbling as he rolled over, hammock swaying, Levi grabbed his pillow and pulled it over his head...sitting up with a shriek as cool water splashed down upon him instead.

"Buddy 'ell!" Spluttering as he scrabbled to his feet, Levi tumbled down just as swiftly...the bottle he'd upended upon himself rolling heavily in the bottom of the boat.

Boat.

Water.

Lots of water.

Dousing forgotten, Levi pushed up to his feet once more...hips swaying as he turned in a full circle. That's right, he'd fallen asleep in the boat! But why hadn't the boat taken him back yet!?

"Home. Goh."

It didn't seem to be listening. Sighing, Levi peered off in a random direction...eyes straining for any sight of...anything. His stomach tightened, hair standing on end as he held a steady gaze. Nothing. Nothing nothing nothing.

It wasn't a bad feeling at all.

Grinning at the distantly wheeling seagulls, Levi took a breath...releasing it in a shout so loud that the birds floating upon the waves took noisily to wing.

"AHYAAAAAH!!!"

As far as he could see, blue and white. A surreal and endless depth of azure, capped and clouded by purest white. His eyes flicked to the sun, grin illuminated by the same dazzling light that danced upon the glittering waves.

It felt as though he was finally awake.

The sun crept slowly overhead...angling the same direction the boat seemed to be drifting. It was as though the wide and empty world around him had cleared his mind...Levi remembered that he could see the setting sun from his bedroom window. He was headed away from home, then...not towards it.

He didn't question the knowledge. It seemed only natural. Nor did he lament his fate...the boat would take him back, eventually. It's what boats did! Perhaps he could help it along, though...he was starting to get hungry, and Levi was pretty sure there were no sandwiches on the boat.

Levi tackled one of the oars...struggling to pull it against the waters weight. It wasn't easy, but he was up for a challenge...grunting and growling as he twisted the paddle in oarlock. It took him over an hour to realize it was no use...the boat would only go where the boat wanted to go!!

Flopping back into the boat, Levi's spirits were a bit dampened...perhaps it was because his tummy hurt. He was hungry, and dreadfully thirsty. If he was home, he'd be having lunch with Aki on the balcony. His mouth watered at the thought of bacon sandwiches, even if he did have to pick off the lettuce she kept putting on it.

Grabbing the bottle from the belly of the little row boat, Levi lifted it to his lips...but not a single drop fell. It had all been spilled when he had woken up! Chewing his dry lip, thinking about this for a moment, Levi finally brightened. He didn't need that water, he was surrounded by water!

"Ahmine! Haha!!"

Leaving over the edge of the boat, wobbling as it rocked dangerously, Levi pushed the old glass bottle half way under the water...chuckling as it gulped up water. Well, it wasn't as good as a sandwich, but at least it was something!!

Still standing, he tipped the bottle to his lips...chugging as it ran in twin streams down either side of his face. It took several seconds before he realized the water was salty...and several more sips after that to realize it wouldn't stay down.

"Ugh! Bah!"

Grabbing the side of the boat, Levi dropped the bottle once more as he wretched...the sea water coming right back up. The bottle rolled against his feet, once again spilling its contents into the little ship.

Coughing in between bouts, Levi emptied his stomach...tears springing to his eyes. This was horrible!! Worse than that one time he'd drinken out of the pond!! Couging up the last of the sea water, Levi sank to the bottom of the boat and held his stomach with both hands.

Not good.

The tummy ache didn't go away, even as the sun trekked farther across the sky. Lifting his head wearily, Levi squinted at the distant seagulls...mustering his voice for a hoarse yell.

"Goh! Ah Gyuh! GOH!!"

They were birds, and Gyre was a bird, so they could go get Gyre, right!? Surely his friend would help him!! The birds didn't seem to be listening though...they just continued to grow smaller as the boat carried him ever onward. Worry began to tug at the edges of his mind...what was he supposed to do about his tummy ache without Aki?! Wasn't she supposed to be here!?

Curling up in a little ball, sweating in pain under the high sun, Levi fell fitfully asleep.

...it was everything he imagined it would be, a huge pale crescent pointing crookedly inland. Pointing, he knew, to his path. Twisting one last time to peer at the distant ship, Shane imagined he could see the Captain waving...a tear in his eye for the brave pirate boy...



Levi's eyes opened slowly, the dream fading as he forced himself to sit. His throat felt like fire...he wanted nothing more than water to put it out. Even the sea water was tempting, but he remembered what happened last time. Rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hand, just like Aki used to when she woke up, Levi yawned and took a look around.

The sun was sinking low to the horizon...the birds had all gone home for the night. Or so he figured...they were no where to be seen! There was only a little speck, with a bright light...

A ship!!

Levi pushed to his feet, wobbling as he stared at it. It was so far away, but it had to be a ship!! Waving with both arms, he hollered excitedly.

"Ahboht!! Hey!! Ah here!! HEY!!"

Carrying on until the speck vanished, Levi sighed. He was alone once again...half the sky stained with sunset, and the other half with stars. Wispy clouds gathered overhead, but no rain fell. Looked like he wouldn't be drinking rain, then.

Grabbing an oar once more, Levi ignored the vibrant sunset and set to the task at hand. He had to get the boat to where ever it was going, or he might not ever wake up to see home again!! His stomach cramped painfully at the thought, but the young pirate ignored it....still holding back tears. Being at sea was great...but missing dinner wasn't.

Struggling with the oars, first one, then the other, Levi tried his best to paddle until sleep overtook him. The sunset faded into night...leaving the boy adrift in his tiny craft, swathed in starlit darkness.

-Day 3-

Levi woke slowly, staring down at the sloshing waves. His eyes felt dry, and his tummy felt broken...his hand curled slowly into a fist as he yawned. Where had the boat gone? Was he floating?

"Ugh. Ouch." Mumbling to himself, Levi barely recognized his own voice...it sounded harsh and tired. Pushing himself back, the boy realized the boat was still there...he'd fallen asleep draped over the side.

Wiping the salt crust from his eyes and scrubbing at his mouth with the back of his hand, he tried to get enough wet in his mouth to lick his lips. A futile effort. Slumbing down on one of the benches, the child stared at the endless blue around him. If he was going to go back to sleep, at least he could enjoy the view first!!

Turning in a slow circle, wobbling as vertigo tugged at him, Levi shuffled to peer in every direction. It was all so calm, this endless azure...sinking into it wouldn't be so bad!! Yawning again, Levi settled down into the bottom of the boat, next to the bottle. It was time to sleep again, even though he had just woken. Didn't have strength to do much else! Perhaps this time...he wouldn't wake up.

-bump-

Jolting back up, Levi grabbed the side of the rocking boat...heart pounding. What had bumped him?! Was it a sea monter, come to gobble him up?! Spinning to peer off across the ocean in every direction, Levi had almost completed his turn when he saw it. There. It was there! It was...huge! It was....

...and island?!

-bump-

Once again the little rowboat knocked up against the rocks, sending him stumbling. Frantically, he looked to the sky...but the sun was in the same place he remembered it. He'd just looked! How had an island snuck up on him so easily!?

"Buddy 'ell!" Croaking in amazement, Levi staggered for the side of the little boat...slipping out over one side. His foot touched the slick rock gingerly, as though he half expected to pass right through it. What if this was a dream!? What if he'd wake to find himself slipping into the ocean, no island in sight?!

The sound of running water made his mind up swiftly. Hopping out of the boat, bottle in hand, Levi grabbed the scrap of rope still attached to the prow...glancing about for a...

What? What was he looking for? Peering down at the rope in his hands, Levi blinked several times. It was hard to think straight, he was so tired, and so thirsty. Perhaps he shouldn't think to much about it, and just do what seemed right!

"Yah!" Levi switched his brain off, a disturbingly easy thing to do, and looped the short length of rope around the crooked rock. There! It was tied up like the little doggies that people left outside of stores!! Giggling to himself, Levi left the boat behind and ventured unevenly forward.

There wasn't much to be seen. Mist covered the edges of the island like the wrinke of waves against the shore...shrouding it from the ocean's view. The rocks were dark, and greenish...slick from the mist and almost impossible to walk on. Levi bit his lip and kept going, ignoring the ache of his knees as he slipped and bruised them. It was luck that the bottle didn't break against the rocks, clutched as it was. Soon, the ocean rocks gave way to a wet pebble beach...the little rocks a myriad of dark colors.

"Hoh, yah?" Nodding slowly, Levi continued foward...glad to have an easier surface to walk upon. The sound of water haunted him still, but he didn't have the energy to run. The mist began to thin after a few more steps...revealing a sight that took Levi's breath away.

Tall cliffs rose abruptly before him, dotted with clinging ferns and draped with sodden moss. Twisted broadleaf trees huddled against the base of the cliffs, water dripping from tightly closed buds. Suddenly, he found the energy to hurry.

The water was sheeting down the cliff, in tiny streams that wound across the dark rock. Levi plastered his face against one...slurping on the rock as it trickled down into his mouth. He had a nagging sensation, something akin to deja vu...but for the life of him, he couldn't remember doing something as silly as drinking from a cliff! Aki would never allow it! As his tummy began to fill, he realized the stone of the cliffs was green in the right light...a rich jade green, just like his new dagger!!

Sighing sadly as he took another sip, Levi remembered just where his dagger was...resting at home, in his treasure chest. He would have brought it, if he'd known he'd be gone from home for so long...

"Home! Ayah! Ahboht!" As the water filled his tummy, Levi began to think a bit more clearly. The boat had brought him here!! That meant it was ready to go home again!! Laughing as he slurped another sip from the slick rocks, Levi's smile turned to a grin. Home!!

Waddling to the side, tummy sloshing, Levi found a soaking wet hanging of moss...dangling like a curtain from the cliffside. Pushing up against it, he gave himself an impromptu bath...letting the green scrub the smudges and salt from his face and clothes. He was still sleepy, and still hungry, but his tummy was full for now...and that was good enough!! Now all he had to do was get home!

Glancing down at the bottle in his hands, Levi smirked. He could even let Aki know he was coming!! Grabbing a few of the huge purple veined broad leaves, rolling them up tight, Levi stuffed them down into the bottle like a message.

It never occured to him to fill the bottle with water.

Digging up a handful of clay from the base of the cliff, he stuffed that into the bottle as well. Unfortunately, that clogged the neck of the bottle right up...and no matter how he tried, he couldn't shake it back out! All well, the leaves would have to be message enough. Surely Aki would know what they meant! 'Dear Aki, I'm on an island, but I'm coming home! -Levi' Yup, she would know.

Well. His tummy was full, and his bottle ready to send, just like in the old pirate stories. Still, he couldn't get over the odd feeling he had about this place. Perhaps he should come back and visit sometime!! Raising his gaze to the tops of the looming cliffs as he nodded thoughtfully, Levi suddenly froze...squinting up into the mist. Was that...a woman's silhouette?!

- blood splattering upon the rocks - the crunch of wet pebbles - spilled gold and unbound hair - one last plea to the heavens - swirling mist, and sweet sweet air - one kind hand upon his face -

Jolting as though he'd been shocked, Levi shook the flood of images from him. What was going on?! He didn't know this place, he'd never been here before! Why then...why...?

Turning to hurry back to the boat, round little belly sloshing, Levi hopped up onto the rocks in the surf...hurling the bottle as far as he could into the water. It popped back up to the surface swiftly, the clay keeping the sea water out as it bobbed towards the wide ocean.

Still a bit bothered by the memories, Levi struggled back into the boat...unlashing the little rope. How could he remember such things?! He'd never been to the Isle d' Bacalao before!

"B...Bacalao..."

Standing frozen as the name passed his lips, Levi's eyes went wide. He knew the name! He knew where he was!! A sweet breeze passed him, carrying the scent of plums and papaya. Tummy grumbling, Levi relaxed a bit...shaking his head. Too long at sea, and no food. He-

"ACK!! Ahblubblubblub!!"

Levi backed over the side and splashed into the water in sheer shock, bobbing hurriedly back to the surface to grab the side of the rowboat. When he'd turned, he'd seen...! Glancing both ways, dripping wet, Levi searched for the woman. She'd been right there, in his boat!! The image of her sitting crosslegged, long dark hair framing an inviting face...

Where did she go!?

Heart pounding, he climbled back into the boat...huddling and shivering miserably. Was it a ghost?! No, the ghosts in Aki's stories were always see through, like mist! She'd been there, clear as day!!

And just like the island, her name was on the tip of his tongue.

The scent sweet fruit was fading. Grabbing the oars, Levi did his best to wrestle them against the waves...pushing away from the mist shrouded island. His heart was still pounding...only when he passed his own bottle, bobbing safely in the waves did it slow.

Soon, he was out at sea, and feeling brave enough to take one last look back. He was half afraid he'd see that dark eyed girl again, with that smile of hers...but instead, he saw only open ocean. No island. No mist. Just water and sky, as far as he could see.

Slumping down in the center of the craft, arms wrapped around his soggy legs, Levi stared at a single spot of the seat before him. Maybe none of it had happened! Maybe he was finally too hungry, and too thirsty, and needed to go back to sleep. His tummy still felt full of sweet water though...a mystery he tried to ignore. Curling up on his side, head spinning, Levi squished his eyes shut and tried to dream of home.

Despite his efforts, all he dreamed about were pretty island girls and baskets and baskets of ripe sweet fruit. Well. Could be worse!

-Day 4-

Staring up at the sky, Levi yawned...slowly realizing he was awake. Odd, he didn't recall falling asleep. Certainly didn't feel like it...he was so very tired. His stomach felt empty again, the water hadn't held him over long...

Water. The island!!

Pushing up to his knees, the young pirate stared over the edge of the little boat, blinking at the empty sea around him. Had it just been a dream? Sinking back to sit on his bottom, Levi sighed. Maybe this was a dream...

Leaning to the side, trailing one hand over the edge, Levi dabbled in the cool water. If Kaimana was here, he'd sure like to go for a swim. They'd be splashing and diving, swimming after the bright fishies! There, around the edge of the coral...was that a treasure chest?!

Levi jerked awake as the boat rocked suddenly. Snatching his hand out of the water, Levi panted as he jolted backwards...eyes locked on the dark shapes in the water around him. Another dream!? It had to be!!

A dream that showed no signs of ending.

Narrowing his eyes as the boat rocked once more, a sleek fin cutting the water, Levi's hands curled into tiny fists. He was getting tired of being out here, all alone...no food, no water...not even his dagger!! Taking a breath, he bellowed as loud as his scratchy lungs would allow.

"GOWAY!! GOWAY AHSHAKS!!! AH GETTU!!"

Panting, sunbrowned cheeks flushed, Levi kept glaring as the shadows began to rise to the surface. Bright black eyes, smooth snouts, and curious chittering greeted him...the boat rocking again as a second dolphin bumped it.

Staring in amazement, Levi could only shake his head. Dolphins?! These weren't sharks at all! Sinking back into the belly of the little boat, Levi rested his head on his knees. No food, no water...not even any excitement.

He began to doze off once more as he stared at the clouds on the horizon...big, fluffy clouds that reminded him of sails...

**

The boat rocked steadily, listing to one side, then the other. Levi opened his eyes slowly, staring at the inside of the little row boat. The sun was still high, but he was more tired that he could remember being. His skin felt dry and too warm, his arms and legs felt far heavier than he could lift.

"Buddy duffins." He tried to mutter, but his throat felt swollen...eyes sliding shut once more, Levi tried to ignore the passage of their play.

"I think he said sumpin! Gettim up, we'll see if-"

Since when could dolphins talk? Forcing his eyes open once more, Levi glared upwards...surprised to see a wall of metal and wood. The island?! No...not the island.

As he sank back to sleep, Levi smiled. It was a ship! A real ship!! Too bad he couldn't keep his eyes open to see it.

-Day 5-

Sniffing in his sleep, Levi squished up his face...burrowing deeper into the pillow. The smell only got stronger, a gentle waft of strawberries and plums, almost as gentle as the brush of long hair down his back...

Yelping, he struggled with the blanket, suddenly wide awake. From behind him, he heard a dulcet giggle...but was faced with naught more than a wooden wall as he spun. Heart pounding, Levi froze where he was sitting...legs stretched out in the spacious bed, heart pounding along with his head.

Oh, his head.

Squeezing his eyes shut, Levi sighed...rubbing his forehead with the back of his wrist. Cracking one eye open, the boy realized the scent had faded. The headache, however, had not.

Opening the other eye, still wincing, Levi took a look around. It was a smallish room, compared to the one at home, at least. He could see the ocean out of the little round window beside him...the sea tilting and rocking in a manner that did nothing to help his headache.

Something caught his attention though...aside from the muffled voices outside the narrow door. A plastic bottle of water and a sandwich rested quietly upon the shelf over the bed.

A sandwich.

A real sandwich.

It didn't stand a chance.

Coughing on the slightly stale bread, Levi didn't even pause to pick off the soggy tomatoes. Both cheeks were puffed out like a mouse, his little lips not able to close around the huge mouthful. As he chewed, Levi absently listened to the conversation outside the door...chasing the first half of the sandwich with a swig of water.

"Ah tried! Ah dunno how I can gettim to eat when he sleepin!! I tried to wa-"

A different voice interrupted...a deeper voice, filled with gentle confidence that captured his attention immediately. "Well, you didn't try hard enough, eh? We've gotta get some food into that boy...who knows how long he's been out there!! Now-"

"Dis many."

Holding up one hand, Levi crammed another bite of his sandwich into his mouth. The voices outside paused...picking up again a moment later. "Didju hear dat?!"

"Get the charts out. I'll be there in a minute."

Levi gulped down another sip as the door cracked open. The man peering in was surprisingly young...gray had barely touched his temples. Sandy blond hair and a copper goatee...and evident amusement in his grey blue eyes.

"Dis many, Cap'n."

The Captain raised a brow, stepping into the room. Offering Levi a hand, he shook it solemnly before speaking. "Five days, eh? That's a good bit of time to spend at sea. I'm surprised a mite like you can even count that high."

Levi shrugged, finishing the rest of the sandwich in one big bite. The Captain didn't bother asking how Levi knew his rank...in fact, it never really occured to him. He also didn't know that Levi had no idea he'd been at sea...holding up a whole hand of fingers was simply the easiest response.

"Well, you finish chewing, there, and I'll tell you what's happening. I'm Sean Arlan, and this is my ship, the Near Miss." Chuckling, he planted one hand against the doorframe...anticipating the sudden tilt that came a few seconds later. Levi snorted as water tipped up his nose...coughing as the Captain continued.

"Can't help but wonder where you come from though, eh? Why don't we-"

"Moh food."

"Er, excuse me?"

Levi cleared his throat, setting the bottle down on the empty plate. Offering both to Cap'n Arlan, he nodded encouragingly. "Moh! Now, peas!"

Shaking his head, the Captain chuckled and accepted the plate. At least the kid said please!!

**

Hours later, Levi was still eating...swinging his legs as he munched on some string cheese and stared at the maps spread out before him. Jabbing his finger at the map once more, he left a greasy smudge on the wide sheet of paper. "Dah."

Sean rubbed his temples, shaking his head. "I told you, there's nothing there. No island, that's for sure. Now you sure you came from this harbor?"

Levi shrugged, folding the rest of the stringcheese in half and cramming it into his mouth. He wore one of the captain's shirts, long sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The extra sleeve bagged under his armpit as he pointed again.

"Ayuh. Dah."

Sean pushed the map away, leaning back in his chair. How the hell had the kid gotten this far out in only four or five days? In a rowboat he wasn't strong enough to row! Waving to a lanky red haired lad hanging around the entryway, Sean waved the young man off.

"Go radio in, see if they're missing some bait and a row boat. Now. GO!"

Snapping as the lad simply stared for a few moments, the Captain's tone eventually convinced him to get moving. Levi twisted to watch the lad go, calling back hopefully.

"Ah moh food tuu!! Yah! GOH!"

Rolling the maps up one by one, Sean chuckled and shook his head. Kid had balls, he'd give him that. Now if only he'd tell the truth...

-Day 6-

"Levi..."

Levi bolted out of bed, panting as the smell faded. He could still hear the echo of his name upon sweet lips...the distant voice rich with promise. Scrubbing one hand through his hair, he shoved open the door...men leaping aside as he stalked to the Captain's chambers.

-boom boom boom!-

"Come in, Levi." Yawning, Sean scrubbed one hand through his hair in almost the same fashion Levi had...pushing back from his desk. The door flew open loudly, the tiny boy glaring for all he was worth as he stomped in. "Wayoh ahgurl?"

Not what Sean had expected to hear. "What?!"

"Ahgurl!!" Cupping his hands to his chest in an irritated motion, Levi made his meaning all too clear. "Wayoh?!"

Sean snerked at the motion, staring in disbelief. Soon, he was roaring with laughter...driving Levi's anger down into confusion. "Oh. Oh! Priceless, lad. Do yourself a favor, never do that in front of a woman. Look..." Wiping his eyes, the Captain shook his head...pointing to the men beginning to cluster curiously in the doorway. "We don't have any girls aboard...Ian there is the closest we've got!"

Ian grumbled and shoved away from the crowd as the others laughed, offering the Captain a choice gesture over one shoulder that Levi did his best to commit to memory. Turning his doubtful gave back to the Captain, Sean could only offer the boy a shrug.

"Go look for yourself if you don't believe me, Levi!"

Turning to do just that, Levi paused suddenly...peering suspiciously over one shoulder. "Ah 'Evi?"

"Yeah, I know you're name. We put a call in yesterday, they say they're missing a boy that happens to look just like how. Innit that something? You'll be seeing your mom again tomorrow. How's that?"

Snorting, Levi shrugged, turning to stomp off once more in search of the girl he knew had to be on board. After all, he hadn't just imagined that voice...had he?

At the disinterested gesture, the men laughed again...parting to make way for the young pirate. Sean motioned vaguely for someone to follow the lad, and turned back to his desk, still laughing.

What a character!!

**

Hours later found Levi upon the deck, search forgotten. His stomach was grumbling fiercely, but there was no food to be found. Instead, the Captain put a pole in his hands and told him to 'catch his own lunch.' Grumbling, Levi tried to cast again...almost hooking the red headed lad beside him.

"Naw, it like dis!" Ian pulled his line from the water, recasting a bit farther from the boat. One brow raised, Levi tried again....grinning as his float plunked into the water. He did it!!

His legs were getting tired from all the standing...walking on a ship took a lot more energy than walking on land. Somehow, though, he adapted to it well...hips rolling as he stared out at the tilting sea.

-tug...tug tug-

Levi yelped in surprise...trying to haul the pole backward as it was almost yanked out of his hands. Ian yelped as well...one hand lashing to the side to grab Levi by the collar of his shirt as the boy tipped towards over the railing.

"You lose that boy, and you get to explain it to his mother, Ian." The Captain's voice rang across the deck, humor laced with threat. Planting Levi back on his feet, Ian grumbled...waving Sean to peace.

"Okay, reel it in. Yeah, like that. If it's too hard, I'll give you a hand."

It was hard, but Levi was hungry. Nothing got between a pirate and his catch!! Biting his lip, hauling back as he spooled the line back in, Levi chuckled as Ian helped him haul the fish the last stretch. A small salmon flopped upon the deck, gasping as it suffocated slowly.

Levi couldn't have been more pleased. Fish and onions for lunch, it seemed!!

From across the deck, Captain Arlan paused...resting his elbow upon the mast. Not bad, kid. Not bad...