Disclaimer: I own nothin'! Only the pestering plot chicks and OC's.
WANTED! - In search for a beta for my brain farts/stories :D
Location: East Blue
Coordinates: 17, 4 miles south-west of Dawn Island, borderline of Morgan-Garp territory
Status: investigation of unknown shipwreck
''Vice Admiral Garp! The divers reached the target!'', a young marine Lieutenant informed his captain who was watching the progress from the highest deck of the ship. Descending from his watch post, Garp joined the Officers on the lower levels currently assisting the divers, but not to help them.
No, his eyes were fixed on the monitor that was now showing the dark depths of water under them. The image moved accordingly to the movements of the diver who held a Surveillance Snail in his hand. As objects gradually became sharper in the murky waters, Garp's frown deepened even more. Sand from the bottom of the sea already covered a great portion of the shipwreck and the harsh current of the salty water in this area had done its deed on the weakened wood.
Still, even though most of the wood was unrecognizable, the figurehead was something he spotted in a second. Instructing the divers in the direction, he watched as the object of his observation became larger and larger on the monitor. The state of the shipwreck and especially the figurehead was only proof of the firepower that was used to sink the galley.
'Morgan certainly didn't left anything to Lady Luck…', Garp thought somberly as he observed the end results of a full Marine ship assault – cannons and heavy hand artillery. But even when more than half of the figurehead was missing, he would recognize the peculiar thing anywhere. And so would his men that were the longest with him.
''Vice Admiral! But this is-'', his First Mate stared in utter shock but was cut off by Garp before he could finish the sentence.
''The identity is now confirmed. Lift the boys up and gather the gear. We are leaving.'', Garp commanded calmly with a steady tone, no hint of emotion leaving him. The startled First Mate quickly regained his composure and started barking orders to the crew. With one final glance over his shoulder at the retreating Garp, the First Mate tried to concentrate on the task at hand even as his thoughts swirled elsewhere.
Little did he know that Vice Admiral Garp didn't fare any better right now as he saw the man retreat silently into his quarters.
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Thirty minutes later the recognizable ship of Monkey D. Garp left the inter-territorial border. No trace of their visit was left on the location of the unnamed shipwreck.
Only a small flower coronal could be seen floating on the uneasy water above the remains of a once glorious galley, the only marking to those who's grave the ship became.
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Entering Makino's bar with heavy steps, Garp let himself slump onto one of the few high stools in front of the bar and ordered a Clap of Thunder. Today's discovery lay heavily on his shoulders and right now he needed something strong to keep his mind collected.
Yes, collected. Others might fall under the table from such stiff drinks but Garp used it more than once to clear his mind. After all, what kind of Vice Admiral would he be if he got drunk from a single glass?
Even if Makino noticed Garp's unusual quite behavior she didn't comment on it nor did she start a conversation. She recognized that expression from the few times Garp visited and knew by know that it didn't mean anything good. So the barmaid left the man alone to his thoughts yet lingering close in a form of support, telling him silently that she was there should he want to talk.
Her attention was diverted when an all too familiar little girl entered the bar. Smiling softly, Makino rounded the bar and lifted the girl up on the stool next to Garp, as Rena was trying to climb the high chair in vain. She was still too short.
''What can I get ya lil' lady? The usual?'', Makino teased in a gruff voice, trying to imitate a pirate accent. Rena grinned from ear to ear and seconds later a glass of Beveridge appeared in front of her. Still to short, Rena stood on the stool to be able to drink comfortably and took a delighted sip of her drink.
''The boys are training again?'', the barmaid asked the girl while resting her cheek on her hand, leaning over the counter towards the girl.
Rena of course didn't respond, only stared at Makino. But her brows furrowed and lips tightened in a straight line, which Makino learned to recognized as displeasure. Which meant yes, Ace and Luffy went to train into the depths of Midway Forrest and probably left the girl with Dadan. Which meant that Rena again tracked alone all the way from the Bandit Base to Foosha over Mt. Corvo alone.
She didn't particularly like Dadan for some reason and after the boys left her with the Mountain Bandits a couple of times Rena had apparently enough and on one occasion walked all the way to Foosha alone. Ace and Luffy all but freaked out when they returned to the Bandit Base and found out that Rena strolled off to somewhere and none of the bandits cared to keep an eye on her, believing she can take care of herself like the boys. And Makino could already predict that by the evening Ace and Luffy would be on the doorstep of her bar, searching frantically for the girl.
''You shouldn't leave like that, you know. You make Ace and Luffy worry a lot.'', Makino inquired. But Rena only turned her head to the side, refusing to look at Makino. The barmaid giggled at the sight – it was clear how displeased Rena was with the boys.
His attention brought from the depths of his thoughts to the outside world by Makino's giggling, Garp glanced over at Makino and then lazily turned his head to see the object of her amusement. And his eyes found the little girl – Rena, he reminded himself – that was found by Luffy on the shore of Grey Terminal. The only survivor from the galley who's identity his men confirmed today.
Her survival raised many questions. Particularly that of her descend and family. And not to mention how on earth she survived not only the shipwreck but two weeks alone on the open sea. He could only speculate about the crew of the ship, but if the letter was any indication, she might be tied to a very old and important acquaintance of his and now without a family. If that turns out to be true then her heritage must be kept secret, for Garp knew that there was a reason behind the destruction of a Noble family and no doubt if word got out that there was a survivor, even a sole child, they would hunt her down.
Watching the child smile at Makino without a care in the world, he couldn't help the gentle smile his lips stretched into – dark thoughts of who, why and on who's orders sunk the ship were pushed aside – and hope prevailed.
For this was what Monkey D. Garp believed in – the right to live and the hope for a future. That was the reason why he joined the marines – to preserve lives and enable those who hoped to live their future.
''Well if it isn't little Miss Rena.'', Garp now turned fully towards the occupant of the stool on his left.
The moment she heard the familiar thunderous voice Rena froze. She didn't notice him until now; or rather she ignored him and anyone else beside Makino. When it came to people, Rena had single-minded tunel vision towards only those she trusted and liked. Anyone else was ignored and treated as if they didn't even exist.
Slowly, ever slowly, she turned her head to face the owner of the voice. Eyes widening, she clutched her glass tightly as she recognized the scary man.
''You are scarring her. Again.'', Makino commented flatly, glaring lazily at Garp with half lidded eyes.
''It's not like I can change how I look ya know.'', Garp grumbled, glaring right back at the barmaid.
The sound of a glass turning and spilling brought their eyes back to Rena. In her fear she attempted to bolt and run, but only succeeded in spilling her drink and nearly falling of the stool she was standing on. Luckily Garp had fast reflexes and caught the girl before she could tumble from the high chair.
Now being in Garp's hands Rena was petrified. She stared at him with impossibly wide eyes, clutching her hands to her chest and coiling in on herself.
''Hey now, it's ok. I'm not going to hurt you.'', Garp said gently, almost whispering. He felt like talking to a frightened animal. And she felt like that too – for the love of God, did this child eat anything at all?! She felt light as a feather in his massive hands!
''You are still a stranger to her. It will take time but she will get used to you.'', Makino said as she went to the front of the bar. The flicker of hurt in Garp's eyes at Rena's reaction didn't go unnoticed by the sharp eyes of the barmaid. She couldn't have known that it wasn't only because Rena was terrified of him, something Garp wanted to see only from his enemies, not those he protected.
Reaching her hands towards the scared child, Garp carefully handed her over to Makino. The instant Rena found herself in Makino's embrace she clutched her hands around the woman's neck and embed her feet around her waist. She held onto her like the last lifeline. Whispering soothing words into her ear, Makino caressed Rena's head and back in comfort.
''I know he is scary, but Garp is a good man. He protects us all from the bad guys.'', Makino said to the girl, giving her a peck on the cheek when she calmed down enough to loosen her embrace. Garp could only watch the motherly exchange – Makino will be a great mother, he knew that for sure. And patient to, which was proved when she took care of Luffy. And God knows the boy can be more than a handful.
''How about we go shopping? And you can pick something for yourself.'', the barmaid coaxed the girl out of her fear and held her now on one hip. Rena stared and nodded after a moment which brought a smile on Makino's face. With Rena still in her hands, Makino walked behind the counter and into the hallway in the back of the bar.
/Nori, can you watch the bar for couple of hours, please? I need to restock on food and other stuff for tomorrow./, Garp heard her yell into the kitchen,
/… /
/Ok, just give me the list./, after that she was back in the front. Garp didn't hear what the other barmaid said, but Makino soon appeared with a rather large looking list.
''And you are coming with us, mister.'', she said to Garp mater-of-factly, already on her way out.
''Wait. What?'', the man was confused.
''I will need help with the bags?'', the barmaid asked as if it was the most obvious thing, pointedly waving the shopping list in her hand.
''Girl, I ain't your haulier.'', was the annoyed reply.
''The boys aren't here and there's no one else to help me, Vice Admiral.'', Makino played the 'damsel in distress' act perfectly.
Garp's eye twitched.
Ooooh, that woman liked to play dirty.
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Strolling between the many booths in the tumult that was the Foosha market, Garp observed the contents and people with only mild interest. Stopping now and then to chat with a passerby who recognized him, the trio's progress through the mass of people was slow.
Saying his goodbyes to the man he just now conversed with, Garp turned around only to realize that neither Makino nor Rena war anywhere near him. Frowning, he let his eyes wander over the many people buzzing around, trying to remember Makino's plan of route for shopping. He just headed in a general direction where he supposed Makino could be, already carrying one full bag of groceries. Spotting a familiar head wimple and a mop of azure hair in the woman's arms, he headed towards the duo.
But Garp stopped when the sounds of familiar children's toys caught his attention. Observing the contents of the booth with a critical eye, he already made a decision and bought the item that caught his attention in the first place.
''Which one do you like?'', he heard Makino ask the girl in her arms as they observed a lineup of exotic looking fruits. Tucked safely against Makino's side and arms around her shoulders, Rena scrutinized the fruits in front of them before pointing at one.
''You sure? That one looks far tastier.'', Makino hummed in thought, comparing the two fruits – the greenish orange one Rena picked and the vivid red that caught Makino's eye.
''Just take both and be done with it.'', Garp grumbled as he finally walked up to the woman. Shrugging with a 'why not' look, Makino followed the advice and bought both fruits. In the corner of his eye Garp could see Rena glancing at him now and then but every time she noticed he saw her she would quickly avert her gaze. Grinning, he took the toy he bought earlier and showed it to Rena over Makino's back.
''I thought you might want a companion that's not as wild as my boys.'', Garp grinned at the baffled girl that flinched away the moment Garp came closer to her. Shaking the doll, it made a resonant sound as the small bells on its arms and feet moved. It was a simple toy – softly stitched and stuffed, the only hard thing on it the bells, with brown wool hair, blue button eyes and matching 'straw-hat' as well dress. Looking at the object with suspicion and then at Garp, Rena slackened her grip on Makino's shoulders and carefully took the doll.
With a knowing look Makino giggled at Garp who only gave her a halfhearted glare.
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Making their way towards the docks now, Rena scrunched her nose as the reeking smell of fish and other seafood reached them. While the Fish market was far less crowded than the town market, there was still a certain amount of people buzzing around, mainly seaman and fishermen. While Makino didn't seem fazed by the occasional suspicious looking man, Garp on the other hand stuck closer to the girls. His presence alone was enough to keep the scum away but he didn't want to leave anything to luck.
''Wait here with Garp a moment, ok? I'll just go in and buy some fish.'', Makino instructed as she lowered the little girl on the ground beside Garp, the doll ringing as the bells moved. She already noticed that Rena was a little pale in the face, clearly not used to the heavy smells of the fish market and wanted to spare her from the odor of this particular shop. Despite the unbearable smell, Rena wasn't pleased that Makino left her alone with Garp but obeyed silently nonetheless.
A cloaked man with a rather large, strange looking dog passed by and the creature growled and barked at Garp. Jumping in fear, Rena shuffled closer to the man, clutching on his pants with her free hand when the dog tried to break loose from his leash. Garp glared sternly at the dog and the man mumbled an apology before he dragged the creature away. Following the strange duo with his sharp eyes, Garp glanced down at Rena once the man vanished behind a stack of crates.
''Wanna have a better view then down there?'', Garp asked carefully as Rena let go of his clothes the moment the senior Marine locked eyes with hers. She just stared at him, her expression unchanging, like always. With a sigh, Garp picked the girl up without a word, ignoring how her whole body froze the moment he laid his hands on her. Carefully, he secured the light child on his shoulders.
''Just hold on so you don't fall off.'', the man chuckled at the miffed child, but she obeyed and gripped at his hair with her free left hand, while he safely held onto her legs that dangled over the front of his shoulders.
''Enjoying the view?'', Makino giggled as she saw Rena perched on Garp's shoulders, the girl clearly watching the going ons in the docks with much interest. A small smile was her answer and Makino couldn't help but laugh at Garp's smug look.
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By the time they walked on the road towards the village it was already sunset. While Rena wasn't so scared of Garp anymore and actually enjoyed her post around his neck, she still preferred Makino's arms and so the barmaid and the Vice Admiral exchanged their cargos. Now laden with many full bags, Garp was a little annoyed with his task. Makino's teasing didn't help much.
Laughing and watching Rena stroll around them, stopping now and then to observe closely something interesting she noticed by the road, they fairly quickly made it to the bar.
Garp didn't even notice how fast the time flew by – he enjoyed the company of the two girls and the normality of something trivial as grocery shopping. The somber thoughts that plagued him when he first arrived on Dawn Island today were for the moment forgotten.
For now, he just focused on the bundle of energy and happiness that was his family.
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''There they are!''
The trio of shoppers was greeted by Luffy who was just about to head down the road and towards the docks. A grumbled, though relieved 'finally!'' was heard from the bar and soon Ace peeked on the street from the doorstep.
''Missed me already?'', Garp teased the boys with a terrible grin. The promise of training was still standing.
''Hell no!'', was the united reply which only made Garp laugh.
''Be nice and help with the bags, boys.'', Makino instructed with a giggle as she entered the bar, Rena trotting after her – and pointedly ignoring the boys. It seemed she was still bearing a grudge because they left her alone all day. Well, not that she was alone, but that wasn't the point.
''And where have you been? Do you have any idea how long we searched for you?!'', Luffy glared at Rena.
''Oi, don't just ignore us you little skunk!'', Ace joined in the glaring, but the girl was unfazed and disappeared into the kitchen in the back of the bar together with Makino.
*THUMP*
*THUMP*
''Ow ow ow ow…'', large bumps now adorned the boy's heads as their grandfather once again used his 'Fist of Love'.
''You two are to learn some responsibility! You found the girl, you bloody take care of her – that doesn't include leaving her alone to wander through the woods!'', Garp roared with a ticked off look.
''What do you care old man! It's not like you are the picture of ideal parenthood!'', Ace glared right back. He always had the need to defy Garp in everything. It was just his nature, not to be bound by anything and bow to no one.
*WHACK*
*WHACK*
''And I don't wanna hear another bad word directed towards her! Understood?!'', Garp dared the boys to talk back as now each sported a double set of bumps.
Grabbing the grocery bags, Ace and Luffy scurried into the kitchen before their grandfather had the chance to add another set to the already existing bumps. Smiling at them, Makino offered them to prepare dinner together and the boys agreed, though they both gave Rena venomous glares, blaming her for the hurting bumps.
Grumbling under his breath about undisciplined boys and the means to discipline them, Garp sat down on his usual spot and ordered beer from Nori, waiting for dinner that he had no doubt would be delicious.