AN: Okay... very, very, very, very sorry to those of you that read the first draft of this story. But I was not at all happy with it. I rushed through it and I gave you all crap because of it. GOMEN!

So here is the first chapter again, but it has been completely rewritten, I don't think there's much of the first story left. I hope, hope, hope this version will be better for you.

There will be a companion fic that follows along the same events, but centering on other characters. I think there will be two other companion fics, but not sure yet. I think I might be taking on too much responsibility there.

Please enjoy the new version, and again, I'm sorry if you read the old one.

Disclaimer: Don't own it. Just in love with it.

Kaizoku Sentai: Gokaiger

Black and Blue - Part I

Joe didn't return to the Gokai Galleon after the last battle with the Zangyack. He couldn't. He didn't want to have to deal with his comrades. Gai, that overly enthusiastic Earthling, would more than likely want to celebrate their victory. But Joe didn't feel like celebrating, he felt like killing someone. And that someone was Marvelous. He knew that his emotions were the problem. It was why he kept his distance from his teammates, even Marvelous. Especially Marvelous. Marvelous was the only member of the crew that knew almost everything about his past, including a certain person that Joe loved more than anyone, the only person that Joe could ever say that he loved.

Marvelous was the reason she left. He knew it. Gamina was beautiful, smart, and a more than capable fighter. She was the only one that he could honestly say was an even match with him. They could partner up against an enemy, and their technique was so in sync with one another it was almost like a dance. He enjoyed it more than anything he thought possible when they fought alongside each other. He loved Gamina more than anyone he thought possible. And Marvelous hated it.

There was a point in time that the only thing that kept the two of them from killing each other was their mutual hatred for the Zangyack. It took time before Marvelous completely trusted him, but there was one part of his life that Marvelous never trusted him with. His sister, Gamina. That was one thing Marvelous had made clear was off limits. But even Marvelous couldn't argue how well they fought together. Joe couldn't help but fall for her after all the time they spent together, between training and fighting, and the long treks between worlds.

Then one day, she was gone. And Marvelous never once mentioned her again. And any inquiry Joe made was just brushed off. He KNEW Marvelous sent her away. And Joe never forgave him for it. If Luka hadn't come along shortly after, they probably would have ended up killing each other. And it wasn't until Ahim joined them that they started finding other outlets for their anger. And neither girl knew the reason for their hostility. And Hakase… well, Hakase might understand, as a man, but Joe wouldn't count on it. He didn't want him knowing about it anyway. The same went for Gai. Although the guy probably knew, by now.

During the last battle, Marvelous and Joe had been separated from the group. For some reason, Basco had lured them away from the battle. In one way, it made sense, they did hold the highest bounties out of the pirates and Basco never passed up an opportunity to hurt Marvelous in one way or another. But instead of the usual trash talk, his taunts included Gamina's name. It seemed he underestimated just how much of an influence that particular bait would have, though. Joe prayed that none of the trash coming out of the Basco's mouth held any truth. Gamina was too strong a person to let anyone, much less this scum, do the things he was saying he'd done to her. But Joe had been so angry with Marvelous for sending her away, putting her in a position for something to happen to her, old wounds had been reopened…

It was Gai that had pulled them apart. As annoying as the guy can be, he actually does a pretty good job at helping the others to level out so things can get done. Basco had disappeared as the others arrived, bringing the Zangyack they'd been fighting with them. Though Marvelous' and Joe's attentions weren't entirely on the battle, they achieved a small victory.

But the battle was far from over. Joe knew that if he went back to the Galleon, he'd kill Marvelous. Joe knew Marvelous had probably just been an overprotective brother trying to keep his little sister from harm. And he knew he wasn't exactly the safest person to be around, but Joe would have never let Gamina come to harm. And he knew Marvelous was just as affected by the bastard's taunts as he was. Killing Marvelous wasn't an option. He was Joe's captain, and his closest friend. He needed to steer clear of the Galleon until he could get his anger under control. That and he really didn't want to have to deal with questions from Gai. And he hoped the guy had enough sense to stay away from Marvelous for the time being, as well. He knew Ahim and Hakase would keep their distance. Luka was unpredictable, but she'd at least be tactful in her questioning.

Joe suddenly felt sorry for leaving Marvelous to deal with that alone. But he was in no frame of mind to help his captain. And he'd be damned if he let his crewmates know the fight between him and Marvelous had been over a girl.

But that's how much Gamina had meant to him… That's how much she STILL meant to him… And damn it if Basco didn't know that by now. It was clear his intent had been to coax Marvelous into a duel blinded by rage, and Joe knew with the particular bait he was using, Marvelous could have easily made a fatal mistake. But the bastard had been enjoying his surprise. Joe was disgusted with himself as much as anything, for letting himself become such a spectacle.

He sighed as he leaned back on the park bench, watching people, especially couples, stroll through the park, hand in hand, arms embracing each other. It reminded him of silent nights in the crow's nest, when he'd be keeping watch, when Gamina would wake from one nightmare or another, and sought him out for comfort. They never spoke, Joe never knew what nightmares were about. She didn't want to talk. All she wanted was to be held until she could go back to sleep.

Joe had been annoyed at the beginning. That should have been her brother's job, fighting the nightmares. He never understood why Marvelous wasn't the one she went to, but then, Joe had observed that his captain wasn't very good with expressing his emotions, aside from anger, that is. When Marvelous was angry, one knew it, especially the one he was angry with.

Over time, as Joe had a chance to get to know Gamina, it just became routine. Even when he wasn't on watch, wherever he was, she'd find him. And as soon as she was in his arms, her shaking would stop. She'd lay her head against his chest so that she could calm her breathing and heartbeat, to sync with his. He never asked questions, she would have told him when she was ready to tell him. All she wanted was comfort.

And between those nights and their 'dances'… he fell hard for her… It was to the point that he stayed awake on the nights he didn't have watch, just waiting for her to be in his arms. He couldn't sleep until he knew she was there, safe and sound. He didn't care whether or not she returned his feelings. As long as he could be her rock, he was satisfied.

Joe didn't know whether or not to be jealous of the young couples walking by. He wouldn't admit it, except to himself, but he always dreamed of walking hand-in-hand with someone he loved. And he nearly felt like he was living that dream when he was with Gamina. At least, he was closer to it.

Damn Marvelous for smashing that dream. What had Joe done that was so terrible that Marvelous would send Gamina away and pretend she never existed? He'd never touched her in an inappropriate manner. Marvelous knew the nights they spent together, even in his bed, were innocent. Joe had never even kissed her, though God knows he wanted to. Joe knew that line wasn't to be crossed.

Joe sighed again as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. He had stayed away from the Galleon to cool off and here he was, getting pissed off again.

He lowered his hands as screams coming from the other side of the park pulled him out of his thoughts. Damn, these guys didn't take a break, did they…? At least, maybe a good fight would help him blow some steam…

He was off in a run even before he had completely risen from the bench, his saber in hand. But he skidded to a halt when he finally found them. It was just small fries, a group of Gormin attacking a group of school children and their teachers. It was a reminder why he hated the Zangyack so much. Children were innocents in war, they couldn't fight, yet the Zangyack slaughtered them anyway…

He closed his eyes and shook his head to clear his thoughts. He'd already come to terms with that part of his past. He needed to focus on what was in front of him. He knew he'd reflected on his thoughts too long when he opened his eyes.

A child had been separated from the group, cornered by one of the Gormin. The expression on the child's face as he stood up to the attacker would have made Joe proud if he wasn't so afraid for the boy. He saw one of the teachers running towards the boy. The way she skillfully dodged Gormin attempting to stop her gave Joe the feeling she'd done this before. He couldn't see her very well, but there was something vaguely familiar… Her shape, the way she moved, her voice as she called out to the boy… He just couldn't quite place it…

He almost gave a sigh of relief when she wrapped her arms around the boy, pulling him from the Gormin's reach. That is, until he saw the Gormin's club-like weapon coming down. He tried to cry out a warning to her, but he couldn't get it out in time. It came down across her backside just as she handed the boy off to another teacher.

Time almost stopped for a moment as she fell to her hands and knees. Joe knew the attack had to have broken a few ribs or something. What he knew for sure was that he couldn't wait anymore. Gormin were closing in as the woman looked up to the second teacher, screaming at her to run. Joe made his attack, clearing a path so that the child and teacher could escape. By the time he turned his attention back to the first woman, the Gormin had readied another attack.

"Hey!" He called out a warning, but stopped as she rose to her feet, spinning toward the Gormin with some sort of blade in hand, slashing right through the Gormin's weapon like a hot knife through butter. It happened so fast, Joe didn't get a good look at the weapon until her movement stopped. It was a GokaiSaber.

Recognition finally hit him.

"Gamina…" He held his breath as she turned to face him, a small smile on her lips. For a moment, the world around them disappeared. God, she was more beautiful than he remembered her. But there was something not quite right about her smile. He knew she must be in pain after that previous attack, but that wasn't it. It was something in her eyes.

He didn't know when he closed the distance between them, he just knew that one minute, he was several feet away from her, the next, he was mere inches. He wanted to reach out and touch her, make sure this wasn't just some hallucination brought on by his anger. But a part of him didn't know if he should, still unsure of the reason Marvelous had sent her away. But if it was something he did, he had a right to know, right? And if it had anything to do with the filth that Basco had baited Marvelous with earlier… He needed to know for sure…

He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get his question out, her voice pulled them back into reality.

"You remember how to dance, right Joe?" She held her Saber at the ready, turning her back toward him, and that was all the prompt he needed to do the same.

"Of course…" He sighed as he felt her back pressed against his. Things felt as they should be, for the first time since she left. But something was tearing at his insides. This wasn't going to last. He didn't yet know why he had this feeling, but he hoped it wasn't as bad as he felt it was.