The Gemini Fox Pirates
Prologue
Name: Esmeralda Hattori Akashio
Gender: Female
Age: 38 - 40
Home: Fox Village, West Blue
Kind: Nine - tailed fox
Description: black hair that fades into silver, green eyes, clan mark on left wrist, fangs, cursed
seal on back of neck, wedding ring, choker
Personality: reserved at first but warms up to you later
Weapons / Abilities: bending (air, earth, fire, shadow, water), high IQ, mind control, Nightbane
(shadow dagger that has the ability to morph into any weapon), fox fire,
illusion
Bounty: 1,000,000,000 beri (earned at age 19)
Bounty name: Demon Queen
Fear: loss of her family, the curse, Fox Clan
Family: Shanks (husband), Kasumi Akashio (daughter), Mizuriki Akashio (daughter), Siroco
Hattori (father, former clan head)
Friends / Allies: Buggy, Strawhat Pirates, Monkey D. Dragon, Whitebeard, Red-hair Pirates,
Aokiji, Dracule Mihawk, Heart Pirates, Monkey D. Garp, Arami, Kaidou, Kidd
Pirates
Age 12 (4 years before Gold Roger's execution)
I remember the day my life turned upside down. It was an average day of being teased by the boys in my West Blue village.
"Girls can't do a man's job. They gotta do the housework."
"Girls are weak. They can't even hold a sword."
"You can't work in the fields. You'll faint from the heat."
It's always like this. I try to help them but they shoo me away. This day, however, they followed me and kept teasing me. When I couldn't take it anymore, I punched one of them in the face. They fought back. Then I changed into my fox form and scared them off. I changed back into my human form and laughed so hard that my stomach started to hurt.
"Hahaha! They're runnin' with their tails between their legs. Hahaha!" I laughed. Then the sky got dark. Or at least I thought so. I look down at the ground and saw a huge shadow then looked up at what looked like a giant.
"Pirates! Pirates are on the island!" I heard in the distance. My eyes grew wide with fear. The monster began to move towards me. I was so scared that I fell to the ground and blocked my eyes with my arm.
"You're an interesting kid. What's your name?" a raspy , but cheery voice asked.
"Huh?" I said as I moved so I could see his face. He had a warm smile and when I looked again I remembered the wanted poster.
"Your name? Dont'cha have one?" he asked.
"I'm ... Esmeralda Hattori. Are you Mr. Gold Roger?" I asked politely. He laughed loudly.
"There's no need for formalities. Just call me whatever you like," he said.
"Okay. But what do you want from me?" I asked. I heard a laugh from behind him. It was a red-haired boy wearing a straw hat. I think he's around my age. I didn't even notice him until now.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"You. You're so clueless," he said, laughing. I got so angry and threw my dagger at him. He blocked it with his sword. Then I realized what I had just done: I had started a war. It may have been between two kids, but it is still a war. I used metal bending and got my dagger back.
"I'm not clueless! Pirates always want something, whether it be treasure or blood! They're just greedy bastards who have no life so they make up for it by getting some money!" I blurted out. This must have made him mad because the next thing I know I'm on the ground with the wind knocked out of me.
"You don't know the first thing about pirates! Why don't you be one and see what it's all about before you go spouting off nonsense!" he yelled. I stared at him, speechless. Then, I got angry again.
"Then explain to me why my mother had to die by the hands of a damn pirate!" I yelled back. I started to cry but still looked at him, waiting for his response. He was about to say something then stopped. He turned to leave when he said, "If it really matters to you that much, go and get revenge. Find him and kick his ass."
Then he left. Roger helped me up.
"Sorry about that. That Shanks doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. But I can tell you one thing: He may not show it, but he sympathizes with you," he said with a big grin. He took me home and we talked on the way.
"Would you like to join my pirate crew? You have some real talent," he said. I thought for a minute.
"I guess he's right. I want to avenge my mother. I'll make sure he feels the wrath of Hell. And that red hair better be a good runner 'cause I'm gonna beat his ass, too," I said with some definitely bold confidence. Roger laughed loudly.
"I'll take that as a yes," he said with a big grin.
That was the day I became a pirate. I had many adventures on Roger's ship. I started to get along with Shanks and another boy named Buggy. He was a strange kid with blue hair and a big red clown nose. In all, he looked like a clown. He fought with daggers and Shanks fought with his sword. I could use a multitude of weapons but I normally used my bending. I became known as the head weaponsmith because I made my own weapons and some for the always asked for more daggers because his creations always broke. We had all grown quite close.
Age 16
Then, all of our happiness ended. It was the day of Roger's execution. Only Shanks, Buggy, and I attended it. No one else wanted to go because it was too emotional and they didn't want to watch their captain die. As I watched him head towards his death, I sang a song of good-byes from the crew. It was like a code or a theme song. We all knew what it meant.
"The king and his men stole the queen from her bed,
And bound her in her bones.
The seas be ours, and by the powers,
Where we will, we'll roam.
Yo ho, all hands,
Hoist the colors high.
Heave, ho, thieves and beggars,
Never shall we die."
It was only for an instant but he looked me in the eye and shed a single tear. Shanks and Buggy dragged me into the back alley.
"What the hell did you do that for?! Are you trying to get us caught?!" Shanks asked.
"Don't you think that what we're doing right now is a little suspicious? And anyways, I was relaying a message," I said.
"Message?" they both asked. I froze and listened with my fox ears. I figured that Roger had made it to the execution platform.
"Come on! We're going to miss the execution," I said in a hurried fashion.
"You didn't answer the question! And who gets excited about an execution?!" they both said angrily. I opened a shadow portal and pushed them into it as I calmly strolled into it.
After the execution, we gathered in the alley.
"I think it's time we go our separate ways," I said.
"Huh? Why?" they asked.
"We came together because of Gold Roger but now we're a crew without a captain. Besides, we still have our own dreams," I explained. Then we left without looking or saying goodbye but we all knew that the other was crying and wished good luck to everyone.
Age 19
I have been looking for the man who killed my mother but obviously he is hard to find. I only know his name: Roronoa Kouga. Lately, I've been staying in Water 7, the city of water. I met Tom's workers again. They're a bit reckless sometimes but overall they're good friends. They remind me of the Roger crew. They make me feel at home. One day, I heard word that pirates were coming into harbor. This was a normal occurrence here in Water 7. Then they said there was a man with a scar on his left eye. My eyes widened. Now that I think about it, Roronoa has a scar on his left eye, I thought. I ran to the harbor. On the dock was the man with the scar ... and red hair! We caught each other's eye. My eyes widened with surprise.
"Shanks!" I called out with a smile.
"Hattori!" he called back with his signature grin. We charged at each other and clashed swords. A greeting.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" he said.
"A lot has happened in 3 years," I said with a smirk.
"Really? 'Cause you haven't changed at all," he said.
"Really? You didn't notice the ring on my finger?" I said.
"What?!" he exclaimed, holding up my hand to verify what I said. Then he realized, "You damn fox! You tricked me!"
"I can't help it. It's fox nature to be a genius!" I said with a laugh.
"Somehow, I feel like that's an insult," he sulked. We went to the local bar and talked about the 3 years we were separated.
"So what are you doing here? Do you have a crew, too?" he asked.
"No. I'm flying solo," I explained.
"Why don't you join my crew then?" he suggested.
"I don't know. I don't want to get you involved in my battles," I said.
"Don't worry about it. My men are capable of defending themselves," he said with a smirk.
"Then it seems you've met some good men," I said, getting up to leave.
"You really haven't changed," he said. I stopped.
"What makes you say that?" I asked, not even bothering to turn back around to look at him.
"You've always been independent ... alone. You've been sitting in a corner of a dark room too long. It's time you see the light again," he said. I started to get mad and left. I went to my special hangout on a tall building. Shanks is waiting for me with a bottle of sake.
"What the —?! How did you —?!" I yelled in surprise.
"It seems I know you too well. You've always had a thing for heights," he said with a smile.
"Stalker," I muttered under my breath.
"I am not a stalker!" he yelled, flustered.
"Keep tellin' yourself that," I said.
"Want a drink?" he asked.
"Don't change the subject!" I exclaimed.
"You really should join my crew. It'll be almost like —" he said, then stopped.
"Almost like what?" I asked.
"Almost like being in Roger's crew again," he finally said.
"Don't make me depressed," I said with a sigh.
"Sometimes the truth is depressing. But you know, you've been too obsessed with this guy. Can't you just forgive and forget?" he asked with a look of concern.
"He killed an innocent person. I will see to it that he pays for what he's done," I said, angrily. Then I realized what I had just said and fell to my knees in shock. I started to cry when Shanks came over and embraced me.
"You didn't mean that, did you?" he whispered in my ear. I shook my head no as I cried.
"We're leaving port in a week. You have until the. To decide what you're going to do. It's good to see you again ... Esmeralda," he whispered again. Then he left without another word. Suddenly I realized something: since when did Shanks start calling me by my first name? And also, how come he's telling to forgive when he was the one who told me to get revenge? Unless ... he was in the same situation as me! Now I can finally begin to understand him. I smiled and laid on the roof to look at the stars.
The next thing I remember is a loud explosion a couple blocks away. I must have fallen asleep up here but I don't remember ever bringing a blanket. Anyways, what was that explosion? I jump down and head towards the explosion of fire. A house was on fire. A mother was in tears, screaming, "Somebody, save my child."
I quickly bend water and break down the door. I run into the building and find a little girl, clinging to a yagara's neck.
"I'm not gonna leave you behind, Phillip," she cried. I ran over to them.
"You need to get out of here now. Your parents are worried about you," I said.
"No! I'm not leaving Phillip," she cried. I heard a loud creak. The building's about to collapse! A burning post above us falls. I catch it and push it aside. Then I put the girl on the yagara and tell it to head for the main waterway. I open up a path for them and start to put out the flames with my waterbending. When the fire is out, I calmly walk out.
"That lady saved me and Phillip from the fire. She touched it, too," the little girl said. There was a big crowd of people looking at me.
"Thank you so much for saving Maki. How can we ever repay you?" the mother asked.
"There's no need to give me anything. I was glad to help," I said. Then I saw him in the crowd: Roronoa Kouga.
"Um, I need to go now," I said, excusing myself from all the attention. I ran through the crowd and into an alley. He was waiting for me.
"What do you want from me?" he asked.
"Why did you kill my mother? We trusted you and this is what you do?" I asked.
"You don't want to know the truth about that night," he said.
"I don't care how disturbing the truth may be. I want to know," I said.
"Fine but don't say I didn't warn you. On that night, I went to see your father to warn him that the World Government planned to attack the village and destroy the fox clan and that they had spies in the village. A bloodbender made me kill your mother. You don't have to believe me but that's the truth," he explained.
"I believe you," I said.
"Wha —?!" he exclaimed, surprised.
"With what I've witnessed in the world, I'm not surprised that the World Government is against us foxes," she said.
"Do you still want revenge?" he asked.
"I forgive you, however I cannot forgive the World Government for deceiving us," I said with a slight snarl.
"I'm afraid this conversation will have to be cut short. You damn foxes should die," a creepy, dark voice said from behind me. I turned around to see a masked man in a suit and tie. He had a gun pointed at my head. Roronoa runs and blocks the shot with his own body. He fell to the ground in pain. I run up and kill the hunter. Then I went back to Roronoa.
"It's too late for me now. You need to leave the island as soon as possible. Your life will be in danger if you don't. Go with Shanks if you need to. Don't ... worry about ... me. One ... more thing," he said, taking off his harimaki, "If you ever ... meet my son, ... give this to him."
"Wait. How do I know who he is?" I asked.
"You'll know. He ... acts just like ... me," he said, breathing his last words. I'm about to cry when I remember his words. I run as fast as I can to my hangout, grab supplies, and head for the docks. I take a boat and leave my life in Water 7 behind.
I decide to look for the son since I have no other life mission to complete. I leave the Grand Line and start in West Blue, my old home. I stay in Ohara for a little while so I can get information. I find out I have a 1,000,000,000 beri bounty on my head. I decide to head towards North Blue so as not to be found out by the government. I'm sitting on a high branch of a tree when I feel a strong presence below me. I don't bother to look down.
"Well, if it isn't Esmeralda," a familiar voice said. I was so surprised I fell from my perch. I braced myself for impact but I landed in someone's strong arms. I opened my eyes and see Shanks's face. I slightly blush and hope he doesn't notice.
"Um, you can put me down now," I said, lightly because I'm still embarrassed. He lets me go.
"I saw your bounty. It seems people are really looking for you," he said.
"And why do you say that?" I asked.
"Because yours is the highest bounty of all bounties, Ms. Billion Beri," he explained.
"So, in Shanks dialect, you're jealous," I said with a smirk.
"Well, that and I'm mildly curious as to why yours is so high," he said with a smile.
"I'm not sure either. The only thing I've ever done lately is kill a man," I said plainly.
"You say it like it's nothing. Anyway, could it be catching up with what we did when we were with Roger?" he suggested.
"I don't think so because yours and Buggy's would go up, too," I said.
"True but that doesn't explain the bounty price. Maybe it has something to do with the Fox Clan," he said. I shuddered at the thought. Especially after what Roronoa told me.
"Oh yeah. I heard Roronoa was killed in Water 7. You weren't involved, were you?" he asked with a look of concern.
"A lot happened that night," I said, trying to avoid eye contact.
"So you were involved. What happened?" he asked, sitting down. He motioned for me to sit down with him. I told him everything.
"I see. I'm right, then. About the Fox Clan, that is. What I don't understand is why you're wasting your life, looking for some kid you hardly know anything about. You're more likely to find him when you're not looking for him," he said. I stood up and looked toward the setting sun.
"You want to know why?" I asked, and then looking at him, I said, "Because I made a promise and I never go back on my word."
"I see then," he said, adjusting his strawhat to cover his eyes. He always did this when he had something serious to say. But this time, he said nothing and started to walk away.
"What were you really here for?" I asked. He stopped.
"What?" he asked.
"You came here alone to this island. You knew I was here. What is your real purpose for being here and how did you find me?" I asked as I turned around. He smirked.
"Because I know you, Esmeralda. You're so predictable these days," he said.
"Since when did you start calling me by my first name?" I asked.
"Eh?! Uh, U-Um, W-Well I thought you wouldn't mind. A-After all, we're friends, right?" he said, blushing.
"Shanks, your face is redder than your hair," I said with a laugh.
"Must you really insult my hair?" he asked.
"Well, it's true. Anyway —" I said as I was cut off by a man with a rifle and our wanted posters in his hands.
"A 1,000,000,000 beri and a 700,000,000 beri bounty in one day. How lucky can I possibly get? Hahahahaha!" he laughed. He points his rifle at us. All of a sudden, a floating hand with a dagger attacked the hunter. Shanks and I took the opportunity to escape.
"Must be a family reunion," a voice from behind said. We turn around to see an old friend.
"Buggy?!" we both exclaimed, surprised. The hand and dagger connect to his wrist.
"I still can't get used to that. It looks almost as painful as nails on a chalkboard," I said. We all shuddered at the thought.
"Well, what have you been up to lately?" Shanks asked. Buggy smirked.
"Unlike you, I have a crew of my own," he said.
"Actually, I do have a crew," Shanks replied.
"Oh yeah. Well, where are they?" Buggy asked.
"They're training so we can go to the New World," Shanks explained.
"I see. So then what are you doing here?" Buggy asked.
"Stalking me," I said.
"I'm not stalking you! I'm here because this is my home!" Shanks explained angrily. With that, he stormed off.
"I think we should leave him alone for a little while. If he gets any angrier, he might accidentally sink the island," I suggested.
"He never said for us to leave so we might as well set up camp," Buggy said. Later that night, buggy and his crew set up camp on the east side of the island. I, however, didn't set up camp. I wanted to explore the island. Of the three of us, I hardly know anything about Shanks. I guess it's a way to get to know him better.
I find him, standing in the ruins of a house. I looked around and saw more ruins.
"What happened here?" I wondered. I realized I was saying my thoughts out loud and covered my mouth, wishing I could be invisible at that moment.
"Roger saved me from a Buster Call," Shanks said.
"I-I-I'm sorry. I-I-I didn't mean to intrude. I-I m-must have gotten lost. Please don't get m—" I said before I was cut off. Shanks embraced me. I started to cry from my fear.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he said sincerely.
"I'm sorry, too. I never thought about what you went through and caused you a lot of pain and suffering. I truly am sorry," I apologized. He let go.
"I accept your apology. And I know you're not one to get lost," he said with a smile. It made me want to melt and I started to blush.
"Well, now that that's over, I should get back to camp. Hehehehehe," I laughed nervously.
"Wait, Esme—" Shanks started. Then, I ran into my shadow portal and disappeared into its oblivion. But where it took me wasn't camp. In fact, I didn't recognize it at all. It was dark and cold. I felt droplets of water, landing on my head. Where am I? I find a stick and light the end with my fox fire. I look around and realize I'm in a cave. I try to look for an exit when I hear rushing water. I follow a small stream until I see an opening. The moonlight flooded into the cave. The stream turned into a loud waterfall. I looked out and I could see the whole island from here. I must be on the lone mountain in the center of the island.
"Nice view, huh?" someone said, "'Cause it'll be your last."
I was grabbed from behind. I managed to let out a scream before they covered my mouth. Then someone punched me in the stomach. The force threw me into the cave wall and knocked me out cold. When I wake up, Shanks's face is really close to mine. I started to blush.
"Stalker!" I screamed as I instinctively punched him in the face. He goes flying but catches himself and lands on the ground.
"What the hell was that for?!" he yelled, covering the side of his face that got hit, "Man, you punch hard for a girl."
"Is that so? If you want, I can punch harder," I said with a smile.
"No. You punch hard enough. Anyways, why'd you do that?" he asked. I started to feel embarrassed.
"I thought you were someone else," I said. Was he the one who saved me or was it someone else? There was an awkward silence for what seemed like an hour but was really a couple of minutes.
"I think we're being watched. Because of recent activity, we've become prime targets for the government. Now that all three of us are here on this island, we may be in more danger than ever before," said a voice coming from the shadows. From deduction, it must be Buggy.
"Then, I say we should leave the island in different directions. And we each leave each other messages if you need to. We'll meet back here at this time," I say as I write 1Y in the dirt. Both nod their agreement. I left the next day. I'm not really sure but I think Shanks was sad I was leaving.
About 1 year later ... (Age 20)
Not too long until we meet again. I'm now in North Blue. I know I'm being followed. I've encountered many bounty hunters and others who want to kill me. I think I've gotten stronger, too. I've met many new allies and have gotten messages from Shanks and Buggy lately. I'm glad they remembered. I travel back to West Blue. When I reach the island, it's very quiet. I decide to go to the cave. They must not be here yet. I stand by the waterfall and look out at the island. It's been a year. I wonder if they've changed at all. I wonder what Shanks thinks of me. He's always hidden his emotions behind that smile of his, but I've started to notice the hints to his true self. He may seem outgoing on the outside, but on the inside, he too is alone and wants to get out of the dark room that he's been locked in for so long. I get bored so I sing to myself:
"Yo ho, all hands,
Hoist the colors high.
Heave ho, thieves and beggars—"
"Never shall we die," a familiar voice sang back. I look behind me. Shanks is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a foot on the wall. He was wearing his signature smile.
"What did you do? Go through puberty a second round? I swear your voice got deeper," I said. Shanks laughed.
"Oh, Esmeralda, I'm so glad you noticed," he said, holding his face as though he was blushing and raising his voice.
"You look like a schoolgirl with a secret crush. Hahaha!" I laughed.
"Imagine if Buggy comes back and has a squeaky, high pitched voice," he said, laughing.
"Maybe he ate a mouse-mouse fruit. At least he'd be able to get out of a mouse trap. The only problem would be that he has two fruits. He'd die the instant he ate the second one," I said.
"Hello, brethren," said Buggy in a squeaky voice as he entered the room (flashily). Shanks and I looked at each other and started to laugh.
"What? What's so funny?" Buggy asked, looking at me, then Shanks, then back at me.
"Nothin'. Just an inside joke," I said, still laughing.
"Anyways, what's been going with you two lately?" Shanks asked.
"Nothing much. Bounty hunters, pirates, creepy kid with a scalpel and a dead animal. That's about an average day for me," I said.
"Same minus the creepy kid," Buggy said.
"Well, I've been training with Rayleigh for a year. I've mastered Haki now," Shanks said.
"So Silvers is still okay. What a relief!" I sighed.
"Why? Was he in danger or something?" Shanks asked.
"One of the bounty hunters said he planned to collect his bounty. It may be a while before that happens. Anyways, Dragon's made his first appearance into the world. He'll pose a threat to the World Government before you know it," I said.
"He's Monkey D Garp's kid, isn't he?" Buggy asked with panic in his voice.
"Yep, but there's no need to worry about him. Though I'm sure Garp will be mad that his son is starting a revolution against the government. But at least this will be a distraction from us. I don't know how long it'll last, though," I explained.
"In other words, we're safe for now," Buggy said.
"Basically," I replied. I can't seem to shake this feeling that something bad is going to happen.
"Well, we might as well rest here while they're still occupied," Shanks said.
Later that night ...
Buggy and his crew set up camp and Shanks and I decided to stay with them.
"Hey, Shanks! Want to fight for old times' sake?" Buggy asked with a mischievous grin. What is he planning?
"And what's the catch?" Shanks asked.
"The chance to tell her your true feelings without any competition," Buggy said. Shanks's eyes widened and then he smirked.
"You really want her, don't you?" Shanks grinned, "But I'm not going to fight you for someone who doesn't have the same feelings as I do for her."
I left and look around at the ruins as I tried to sort out what just happened. Shanks and Buggy were fighting over a girl. They never told me about her. So who is she? It's someone they both know. Let's see. Someone they both know that is a girl. I froze.
"Could it be ... me?" I asked myself. I laughed. "What could they possibly see in me? Hahaha!"
Wait. They? Buggy's more the one to "flashily" confess in front of everyone while Shanks doesn't want to admit it.
"There's a lot I like about you," someone said behind me. I felt a chill up my spine and turn around to see Shanks, with the strawhat in his hand. This is the first time I've really looked at him. His fiery red hair covers his eyes and his scar seems more visible.
"How did you get that scar?" I asked out of curiosity. Shanks looked up in shock.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," I said.
"Have you heard of a man by the name of Marshall D. Teach?" he asked.
"Blackbeard? Yeah. They say he's a monster," I replied.
"He took me on in a fight and nearly killed me. It was in that fight that I got this," he explained.
"Does it hurt?" I asked.
"Sometimes. Why are you asking me this?" he asked.
"I just want to understand you. You've been keeping to yourself lately and it makes me feel alone," I said, trying to avoid eye contact. Before I knew it, Shanks embraced me. I felt so small compared to him.
"You're not alone anymore. I'll always be there for you. You probably figured it out but ..." Shanks said when he whispered in my ear, "I love you, Esmeralda. I always have but could never bring myself to tell you. And for that, I'm sorry."
He released me and started to leave.
"I should be the one apologizing. I never noticed until now," I said, starting to cry, "The truth is, Shanks, I ... I love you, too."
To my surprise, he came over and kissed me on the lips.
"Awww. You two are perfect for each other," Buggy laughed.
"Damn it, Buggy! You were watching us the whole time?!" Shanks and I screeched.
"Wow, Shanks! Didn't know you had it in ya," Buggy said.
"Buggy! You better have a grave ready, 'cause I'm kickin' your ass into it!" Shanks threatened as he chased Buggy around the island. I couldn't help but laugh. It seems Shanks and Buggy got their fight after all and I finally confessed my true feelings to Shanks.
In the next few days, I joined his crew. A year later, we were married. But that didn't sit well with the Fox Clan and we were being chased by them all the time. I thought we would still be okay until they finally got a hold on us and attacked Shanks in the middle of the night. I decided that it was too dangerous for the Red-Hair Pirates to have any connection to me anymore, let alone for me in my "condition". I left a note on the desk for an unconscious Shanks and walked out on to the deck. I created a shadow portal and looked back at this life before finally disappearing into the darkness. I ended up on a remote island in South Blue. Shanks will understand someday. But this is where the real story begins.