The two lay in bed, silent, contemplating the day's occurrences.
Neither of them said a word. The still of the night mingled well with their silence.
Her glasses lay on the nightstand, still streaked in red, no matter how much she tried to wipe the blood away.
Portgas D. Ace is dead.
Her insides twisted as her uncertainty mixed with fear.
Was this the justice they worked to enforce? Was this the beautiful, peaceful world it created?
Is this the price to be paid?
Sleepless nights. Restless days. Secrets passed through unmarked envelopes and tiny den-den mushis, creating a blanket to cover up the truth.
A pirate rung the Ox Bell to begin the new era. Guns and knives were already being made to end it.
Guilt and fear washed over her as unspoken, unanswered questions rose from the churning pit.
"justice"... "innocence"... "peace"
Whose..?
The man laying beside her shifted. She felt fingers intertwine in her hair. Warm lips brushed her cheek. He mumbled something into her ear in a cracked voice. His hands shook as he drew them away.
"Ne, Tashigi, I need a light."
She heard a drawer open, Smoker struck a match.
the sound of his deep even breaths.. the slight glow from the end of the cigar.. the overpowering smell of smoke...
These things calmed her. They were all she had left.
Would they last the new era?