A/N: Doing something a little different here. This story doesn't have a set pairing because I'd like you, the reader, to play a part in this decision. The OC, Coracias, will interact w/ multiple canon characters here & I'd like you all to tell me what pairing you like best & would like to see become official.

The setting of this story is at the new world marine headquarters & it takes place during the time skip. At this time Buggy & Law are both Shichibukai & Akainu (Sakazuki) is the Fleet Admiral.

Footsteps echoed in the massive hallway, the heels to Law's boots clacked against the tile as he made his way through the winding corridors of the marine base. He did not like being here, more so because it was the headquarters for the whole damn organization but still he was here. He had to maintain his appearance of being a loyal government dog, for however long it took he would play this patient game till he got what he wanted. Behind him a pattering sound caught his attention and he knew that damn stubborn girl was following him again, he turned around abruptly and caught sight of her just as she hid behind a pillar. "Come out, I know you're there." He said with a sigh.

The girl peeked out, the nice man had a stern look on his face again. She inched away from her hiding spot, fidgeting with the hem of her short kimono in nervousness.

"I told you to stay on the sub." He said in a bland tone as he waved her over.

Seeing him calling her over put a wide smile on her face and she ran to him happily, she knew she wasn't supposed to follow him in here but she hated being cooped up in that submarine and this place was so big and clean. She didn't remember seeing anything like it before.

As she ran up to him he lifted the end of his katana and gave her a solid tap to the top of her head. "Baka." What was she doing looking happy like that when she knows she's in trouble. "You're not supposed to be here; this is a meeting for the Warlords." He scolded her with a frown. "Go back to the sub."

She pouted a bit and brought up her hands, fingers moving and forming into hand signs to say 'I'm sorry'…

"Stop." He interrupted her. "I don't know sign language; I keep telling you to use your notepad." He pointed to the pad hanging on her hip with a pencil dangling from a string, the girl wasn't deaf but for some reason she wouldn't talk. He had taken her on as a patient when he found her stowed away on his sub but so far he had no real answers as to what her ailment was or why the hell she was on his ship. He had run every test he could think of but there is no medical reason for her not to speak, he could only assume she chose not to and when he asked why she had gotten on board she simply replied with 'I was lost'… the thought of that whole ordeal still gave him a headache. To be honest he really knew nothing about her, even her age. He called her a girl but she looked to be at least his age if not older... but she acted like such a damn child! It was aggravating to no end.

She frowned a little and did as she was told, scratching her words down with a little pout. She hated using this to communicate because it took too long, in her opinion. 'Liar, I taught you words'

"Well, I don't feel like trying to have a broken conversation with you." It was true, he did know some sign language but not nearly enough to hold a proper conversation. Perhaps while he was here he'd take advantage of the marine resources and search their library for books on the subject but that could be done after this meeting. "Now go back."

'I can't, I'll get lost. Just let me go with.' She replied with a pleading look.

He gave a groan and rubbed the bridge of his nose, he didn't doubt that she would get lost. He had never met someone with a worse sense of direction than this girl, she could lose her way even if she had a map with detailed instructions. "Fine, whatever. You'll just have to wait outside." He turned back around and continued his walk to the meeting room, he just hoped it would get over soon and with any luck at all that man would not show up.

She smiled again and skipped forward till she could walk beside him, taking his hand in hers happily.

He tried to shake her off, he hated when she did this. She was such a touchy feely person and it drove him nuts.

"Gyahahahaha! Don't you two look cute." A mocking voice came up from behind them.

Law let out a few mumbled curses as he kept shaking his arm to get the girl detached, he turned slightly and glared at the joke of a Shichibukai. "I'm surprised to see you're already here Buggy-ya, shouldn't you be hiding under a rock somewhere?"

The girl released the nice man's arm and hid behind him as the other person walked up, she didn't like his face. Not at all.

Buggy gave a growl at that, this kid was creepy and didn't have many fans. The way he became a Warlord by collecting all those hearts still gave him the willies, still he put on a big grin. He didn't want this little brat thinking he was scared of him. "How flashy of you to bring your little pet to our meeting." He walked past the two laughing loudly, which was meant to hide the fact that he wanted to get away from this kid as soon as possible.

He let out an agitated sigh as he let the clown pass, he wasn't in the mood to deal with him. The doorway to the meeting room was just ahead, he wanted to get this over with and not linger any longer than he had to. Now if he could get this girl to let go that would be novel.

Soon he was standing in front of the door and gave her a final shake which broke her hold, he really debated on using his Op-Op ability to separate her damn arms. "Stay. Here." He said sternly as he pointed to a spot on the floor for her to sit, he noted as she looked at it blankly and turned his back to her. Please just let this damn thing get over with soon.

"What do you mean I have to wait!"

From inside he heard the clown's shrieking little whine and already a headache was forming, this didn't bode well at all. He swung the door in and made his entrance, sure enough… none of the other warlords had arrived yet. Typical.

"Quit your whining."

Law looked up and saw that it was the old marine woman Tsuru and she did not look amused, behind her the brand new Fleet Admiral was standing with his back to everyone. No doubt he was in a foul mood but his reasoning could be something as simple as 'he woke up'. "How much longer till we give up waiting on the others to show?" He asked in a bland tone, it was a miracle the buggy was even around and the only reason he, personally, showed up was because he happened to be close by and wanted to keep up to date on what the marines were planning.

"We will wait." Sakazuki spoke with a grumble. "Until every last warlord is present, even if it takes weeks for you degenerates to obey orders." He turned slightly with another low growl eyeing the freshly appointed Shichibukai. "Or do you need to be reminded of who you work for?"

The younger man gave a scowl. "I'm here, aren't I?"

The old woman arched her brow. "Being here and following orders isn't the same Trafalgar. You know full well you aren't allowed to bring members of your crew here, they are to remain on your ship while you are here at headquarters."

"What?" He followed the woman's gaze and turned to see a certain girl with carmine hair hiding behind him. "What the hell are you doing?!" He yelled at her as he turned around and gave her a glare. "I told you to wait in the hallway!"

"Gyahahaha! Your pet needs better training Law." Buggy gave a challenging grin, now that he was around these officers they'd keep Law from attacking him. "I have a good trainer on my ship, I'm certain Mohji could get her broken in for you in a flashy way. Gyahahahaha!"

Law shot the clown a look of sheer death, he was certainly acting big now that there were others around. "She is not my pet and most certainly not a member of my crew." He grabbed her head and pushed her forward. "She's a patient that doesn't know how to listen, now apologize!" He forced her head down into a bow. He had to make sure he didn't press his luck; she really was causing him trouble.

The girl gave teary eyed pout; she didn't mean to get the nice man in trouble. She signed the words 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry' repeatedly as she bowed her head, she just wanted to see what the room looked like.

"Note. Book." He scolded her again and emphasized each word with a whack to her head from the end of his katana.

Sakazuki watched the girl, she wasn't dressed like one of Law's crew with that short floral pattern kimono she had on but that didn't omit her from being a pirate. She was either bold or stupid to wander in here but the fact that she did so without being noticed was impressive enough. He watched her scribble onto a notebook and hold it up, the words 'Very Sorry, Please forgive' written in large enough script for them all to read it… He'd have her watched, if she wasn't a member of his crew but still some form of pirate then he'd get rid of her here and now to save from future issues. If she was an innocent he'd have her taken away before these pirates could taint another with their corruption.

Tsuru eyed the girl, she seemed almost childish with the way she was acting. "If she needs medical attention then we will care for her, if she is not a pirate than her needs can be handled by us."

"I doubt you all could do anything and I assure you I'm a better doctor than any on staff here." He pulled the girl back behind him. "I found her on an Island that was recently attacked, she lost her memory and can't speak. If you want to be of help then see if you can locate family so I can get rid of her, until then I will continue handling her medical needs." He didn't like the idea of handing her over, no matter how much of a pain in the ass she was. The girl was too trusting and impressionable, he didn't doubt they'd take advantage of her in some form.

The Admiral glared at the boy, defiant brat was going to cause him trouble one day. He knew it. "You'll have to think of a better excuse to keep your lover with you Law, return her to your ship. You and the other warlords will be staying here until everyone has arrived." It was uncharacteristic of that boy to care about others, this 'surgeon of death'… there was no reason to take a stray under his wing like this, if she wasn't a member of his crew then that was the only other explanation.

"Tch!" Law spat in annoyance. "She is not my lover and you're welcome to escort her yourself." He stepped sideways and held out his arm as if to present the girl to them. "She'll just break back in anyways." He added in a 'matter of fact' tone. It was the truth; he didn't know how but this girl could be sneaky as hell. "Where is my room." He didn't currently care what happened right now, he knew if she was taken away then she'll find her way back to him like always. He didn't know how the hell one person could have the worst sense of direction yet be able to find him no matter where he was.

The old woman gave a sigh, stubborn boy. "Akainu, let her stay. I'll handle her care and take responsibility if she causes issues."

Sakazuki looked down to the woman, he didn't doubt she had some reason for volunteering… he let out a grumbling sigh. "Do as you please." He at least trusted her enough that nothing she would do would be against him or the navy. The girl seemed to be a triviality anyways and not worth too much thought. "There will be an officer outside, he will escort you to an area where you Shichibukai can wait for your… colleagues." With that he turned away and lit a cigar, damn pirates were already making this difficult.

The girl shied away and hid behind the nice man… Law, his name was Law. It was the first time she had heard it. Everyone on his ship called him Captain so she never knew what to call him other than 'nice man'. She wished he would be nicer though; she didn't want to go with the old lady but he wasn't stopping them. Did that mean she could trust them?

"Go with them." He eyed the girl that was now cowering behind him, "She'll take care of you." He grabbed the girls arm and shoved her forward then directed his eyes to the old woman. "Return her to me when you get her cleaned up, a change of clothes would be nice."

The girl pouted and grabbed his arm, not wanting to go.

"Let go damn it!" He shook her off with a grumble. "Just go with her, I need some time without you skulking behind me!"

Tsuru walked up and put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Come with me." She seemed clean enough so she at least had the chance to bathe but the clothes were definitely in need of a wash. "What's your name?" Aside from her outfit she appeared to be in good health, well fed and all that. This pirate seemed to take good care of her.

"She doesn't have one." Law answered the old woman as he turned away and gave a glare to the clown as he was stomping past, he just hoped the other warlords would show up so he could leave as soon as possible. He didn't enjoy the thought of having to be here when that man arrived… "She answers to 'girl' so I left it at that." He finished the statement and disappeared out the door.

She reached out and grabbed at the air where he was just standing but he was already gone, her lips formed into a pout. He didn't have to leave so quickly…

"Knock that look off your face." Tsuru scolded the girl. "Have more confidence in yourself, now come along and let's get you respectable." She put a hand on the girl's shoulder and urged her out the door, despite what the boy said she would have the Marine medics look her over. She shot a glance backwards, the Admiral still had his back turned. Seemed like he was done caring about this situation. She led the girl through the halls, there was no denying she was scared. Kept looking around for Law more than likely but there was no way he'd be on this side of the facility; this was where the officer's personal quarters were.

It took them a little bit but they finally reached their destination, Tsuru led her into a large bath house for the female officers. For this entire walk she had remained silent and the girl complacent to follow and obey, she watched her though. This girl had inquisitive eyes and was constantly shifting her attention to everything around them. "Get undressed, there's plenty of bath products for you to use. I'll have an officer bring you a spare uniform to use till your clothes can be washed."

The girl nodded, this was kinda interesting. She never remembered being in such a large bath area before and it smelt so interesting with different kinds of soaps and perfumes wafting in the air. She smiled a little as she untied her obi, the thought of having clean clothes was a wonderful idea as well.

The old woman stood off to the side, speaking to a lady attendant as the girl prepped herself. She wondered about those clothes, they did not seem cheaply made so how did this no name child come to own them? She could have stolen them perhaps but they also appeared to be tailored to the girl's form… a flutter caught her attention. She focused on something falling from the girl's kimono as it became loose, what was that?

She saw it falling, reaching out the girl tried to catch it and ended up juggling it a few times instead before she grasped on to it completely. She breathed a sigh of relief as she held it to her chest, this little thing was the only treasure she had…

"What is that?" Tsuru eyed the thing in the girl's hand, she dove and clutched at it like it was desperately important. It must have been hidden inside her obi but what how important could something so small be to fear losing it that badly?

The girl gave a start; the old lady saw it. Her treasure. With a frown she took a deep breath, it would be ok. She wouldn't take her treasure… she wouldn't. With hesitancy she held it out for the woman to look at, Law had her go with this woman so she could trust her… right?

She arched a brow as she stepped closer to the girl, the thing in her hands was small and in what looked like a thin plastic case to keep it from being damaged but still light enough to not be a burden while being kept hidden. What could possibly be so important… A picture? The old woman made a 'hmm' sound as she inspected the photograph, it didn't seem terribly old… "May I?" She asked as she held out her hand.

The girl shied away a little and took up her notebook with a worried expression. 'You'll be careful? It's special.' In truth it was all she really had that meant anything to her.

"Of course." Tsuru reassured the girl, it took a moment more of the girl staring at her with pleading eyes before she finally handed it over. Upon inspection she could see that the girl was in the photo… but not alone. Beside her stood a taller woman, older and with glasses… The physical traits between the two could been they are related but what really struck her was the other woman looked to be wearing a type of Marine outfit. "Who is this?"

She shrugged at the question, she often wondered herself but no matter how hard she tried she could not remember who that woman was. It must have been someone special because she was smiling so brightly in the photo and the woman was holding her hand affectionately… Whoever it was must have cared for her…

The woman turned the picture over, there was a paper backing that moved slightly as the picture shifted… perhaps… she opened the protective cover and slid out the picture. Just as she thought. "There's writing on the back."

The girl's eyes got wide and she moved to the woman's side to peer over her shoulder in curiosity.

"You never thought to look at the back?"

She shook her head; it had always been with her just as it was. Wrapped in that plastic and stuck in her Obi… She remembered the day clearly, the day she woke up that is. She was in a town that was burning, blood running from her head… mindlessly her hand went to the scar on her temple that was hidden in her hair now… the nice man, Law… He said that blow was most likely what stole her memory. She found that picture when she undressed, if she had it hidden then it had to be important but she just couldn't remember why or who that other woman was in the photo. She just knew that it had to mean that she was missed by someone… didn't it?

The handwriting was elegant and carefully scripted onto the back of the photo with a date… it, apparently, was three years old… "Coracias Kuren, age 23… Kite Kuren, age 32…" She read it out loud as she turned the photo back over, it was apparent that this girl was not older than the woman in the picture so… "Your name is Coracias."

The girl blinked as she took the photo back, she stared at the words… the name. It felt… right to be called that name. Coracias… Coracias… She smiled, a large grin that stretched from ear to ear. This was her name… and to think, it was with her and waiting to be discovered this entire time. She clapped her hands and jumped up and down to express her excitement, this was truly an amazing day! Coming to this base was the best thing she could have ever done!

Tsuru smirked a little, what a feeling that must be. To rediscover your own name. "Coracias, will you loan me that picture for a little while?"

She stopped jumping about when that question registered, she held the photo to her chest protectively for a moment before taking up her notebook. 'Will you take care of it?'

"Of course. I'll return it when I bring you back your clothes." That would give her enough time to do what she needed to with it.

Coracias sighed a little, it should be alright… She scribbled onto her notebook then held up her pinky to the old woman, her other hand holding up the note that read 'Promise.'

The woman frowned, she did not want to partake it something so childish but it couldn't be helped. "Very well." She wrapped her own wrinkled pinky around the other to reassure her. "I promise to return it to you."

The girl gave an approving nod and handed the picture back with a smile.

Tsuru took it and returned the photo to the plastic case, without the backing though. "Go on into the bath, the attendants will see to your needs here, after you are cleaned they will take you to the infirmary to get checked up… then, you can go back to Trafalgar if you wish." She did not like the idea of this girl being roomed with him but considering they had been traveling together up until now it was safe to assume their relationship, if any, would have been established long before today.

'Yes, please. Thank you.' She wrote with a smile before she turned away to finish undressing. Perhaps, the nice woman would be able to find the other person in that photo… Kite. That name made her feel warm inside… she just knew that that person had to be special to her… she had to.

With that the woman left the girl to clean up, her footsteps falling lightly as she made her stops here and there. The records office will look through and find if this 'Kite' woman was ever a Marine as her attire suggests as well as make a few copies of this photo; she did not want to keep handing it around or expect the girl to come off it whenever they had an inquiry concerning it. By the time she found her way back to the Fleet Admiral's office she was certain the girl should have been finishing up with the medical team shortly. She gave knock on the door to announce herself before walking in, Akainu was sitting at his desk and she wasn't surprised to see Kizaru reclining in a chair close by.

"Oooooh." Borsalino gave a lazy smile. "Hello there Great Staff Tsuru Neeee."

Sakazuki looked up from the paper he was reading, not expecting to see her again after leading that girl away. "What is it you need Vice Admiral?" He returned his attention to the paper without offering up a greeting, if she had comeback then it could only really mean one thing.

"I wanted to show you something." She held up a copy of the photo for him to see. "I got it from the girl, she had been keeping it hidden and I doubt even Trafalgar has seen it yet." She set the photo down onto his desk and slid it towards him before crossing her arms in front of her.

He eyed the picture with a frown, finally setting down his paper as he lit a cigar. "Who is the other woman? A marine?"

"Not sure." Tsuru answered with a frown. "I have some men checking into it for me and they will contact me if any information is found. So far all we have to go on are the names of the girl and that woman."

Borsalino let curiosity get the better of him and he relocated his seat to the edge of Akainu's desk, taking the photo and eyeing it half-heartedly. "Oooooh what a cute pair of girls, which one is here?" He had heard about Law's little companion but he missed out on it since he showed up late.

"The younger of the two." She replied. "The girl's name is Coracias, family name Kuren. The other woman is named Kite with the same surname. Outside of that there is no other information concerning their identity."

Kizaru gave a little hum as he held his chin. "They must be nobles of some sort." He noted the state of the home the two girls were standing in front of, it was much too nice to belong to an everyday person. "Surely someone is missing her." Both of the girls in the picture seemed healthy, the younger having a large smile on her face as she held the hand to the other. Both of them having large birds perched on them, a pet like that wouldn't be cheap to care for either.

Tsuru shook her head. "She has been sailing with Trafalgar for nearly four weeks, plenty of time for her to be reported missing if she had been abducted. As of now she is nothing more than his patient but I'm going to look into his claims that he found her on an island recently attacked. It could be that she was never reported missing because she is the only survivor."

Sakazuki gave a grunt as he took the photo from the Admiral, eyeing it more carefully than before. Neither of them had a look of being nobles, most were pompous asses that lorded their titles over the common people. That girl's smile seemed to innocent for that… He gave a grumble and set the picture down on his desk. "Don't waste too many resources on her, if she really is what Law claims her to be then we can remove the girl from his care. We don't need to allow him allies that could possibly be connected to nobles.

The old woman gave a nod. "I'm going to get back to her now, I'll keep you informed on if anything is discovered. I have copies of the photo so you can keep that one."

"I have no use for it." He turned away and picked his paper back up.

Borsalino chuckled as he watched the woman leave then picked up the photo. "If you don't want it do you mind if I keep it?"

Sakazuki gave the other man a stern look, what could he possibly want it for.

"Oooooh, what a scary look Sakazuki-kun." He teased as he gave the photo a little wave. "I'm just going to use it so I can remember her face, you know how forgetful I can be sometimes."

"Do as you please." He stated plainly, returning his attention to the paper. He just wanted to get back to a nice quite afternoon, with any luck at all the other warlords would arrive in a timely fashion so the day to day could get back to normal without the added stress from the Shichibukai lurking about.

To Be Continued…

A/N: Alright folks, that's the first day. Coracias will start interacting with her possible paramours more in the following chapters, let me know what you think!