Note: I'm so sorry for a delay. I wrote few more scenarios for this chapter, which is why it's longer and I hope you'll like it! Thank you for the reviews/comments, they're always appreciated and welcomed and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm not entirely sure when the next update will be, but don't worry, I have around 12 chapters written, going onto 13th slowly, so yeah. Thank you again for reading and feedback. -BlueThief
Arina was sitting on a small bench in crow's nest at the last mast on Moby Dick. She had her legs against her chest and head tilted to the side. Quiet hums were heard coming from her when she heard someone whistling. She quieted down and listened to it getting louder and closer.
"Hey, Thatch, doctor said not to stretch yourself!"
Arina almost jumped when Thatch was so close.
"I can't lay in bed anymore! I need air!" Thatch opposed and opened the doors into the nest. "And don't worry, I'll be back in infirmary before night." He laughed and closed the doors, his eyes focusing on Arina. "Yo," He grinned.
Her dark eyes narrowed and Thatch frowned. "Two days passed, Thatch. And doctor didn't even let you leave the infirmary."
"But Ari-chan, it's so boring laying there and listening to nurses. Do you have any idea how boring it is when no one visits you?" He faked hurt and placed a hand over his chest. Arina raised an eyebrow before she began chuckling. Thatch smiled widely and walked to her side to sit down. "Here…" He murmured as he reached under his shirt and brought out an apple. "I couldn't bring more from the kitchen or they'd know something's up."
"They already do, since you're not in infirmary." She shook with head and leaned chin on top of her knees. "On top of that, I know how it's like to be in hospital to no one visiting you." Taking the apple, she watched its redness, losing herself in thoughts.
Thatch frowned. "You were in hospital?" he asked and looked over her arms for anything, but found nothing. There were few bruises on her wrists, but they were almost invisible. "W-why?"
"Some health problems, but I'm okay now." Arina smiled and took a bite. "Man this is sweet." She murmured, her eyes sparkling and Thatch laughed. "I never thought food would be so damn good in this world…" she added under her breath.
"Huh?" The Commander looked at her.
"Nothing." She shook with head. "How are you though?" She turned to him. "I heard doctor saying you should be in bed for a week, two if you manage to somehow slip through their fingers."
Thatch snorted and crossed his arms. "Like that wound could kill me."
"It could have." She didn't back down and Thatch startled at seriousness that he heard in her voice. "What if you died? What do you think would happen?"
Thatch remained quiet for a moment, his thoughts on the crew, wondering what could happen. "I…" He began, but he didn't know what to say. "They'd be pissed." He murmured and narrowed his eyebrows.
Arina watched him before she took another bite of apple. She heard distant voices of nurses running on the deck and few members calling for Thatch. "They're searching for you." She said instead and stood on her feet. Taking slow steps to the windows, she looked down, seeing Marco looking around. His expression was troubled as he looked to Vista and Namur, telling them something.
"Hey, Ari-chan," Thatch walked to her side. Arina looked at him. "Come to the dining hall tomorrow evening. I'll make you something." He smiled.
"I'm fine, Thatch." She returned the smile. "I'll sneak some fruit if I find some. You better take care of your health and then we'll talk about food."
Thatch sighed, massaging his temples. "Seriously, get some food. Or I'll ask Marco to bring me for two people—"
"I doubt doctor will allow."
"Do you have to be so pessimistic?" He put hands on his waist and glared at Arina. "Why are you even hiding from them either way?" he murmured.
"Because they think I stabbed you." Was her simple reply.
"They—why do I bother?" Thatch raised his arms and sighed. "This is getting ridiculous. I told them it was Teach and they're still…" Arina laughed. "Don't laugh, young lady. You're also partly to blame." He pointed at her. Raising an eyebrow, Arina slowly ate the apple. "You could have approached Marco and tell him the truth. Sure he might take you to Pops before, but he'd listen …"
Arina's eyebrow rose higher.
Thatch parted his lips to say more, but stopped. He sighed, having a hunch she could be even more stubborn than Ace. Despite knowing her for two days, she managed to get under his skin. If he was asked how, he wouldn't be sure how to answer. The moment he saw her in infirmary with blood on her clothes, looking ever so tired and defeated, and Stefan following behind, he remembered someone whispering soft words in his ear when he was barely conscious, lying on the floor in his room. And for some reason, he was calm. Her presence and words made him feel safe.
"... hide for a while more." Arina's voice brought Thatch from his thoughts.
Shaking with head, Thatch looked at her. "I'm honestly surprised you weren't found yet." he chuckled and scratched the side of his cheek. "If that's what you wish, I won't change your thoughts." He smiled when he saw her shoulders relax. "But I want you to come every evening, every day, to the dining hall and I'll give you food." He said and quickly added: "No arguing and you can sleep in my room."
Arina pursued her lips into thin line before she let out a sigh. "Sometimes I wonder who's more stubborn…"
"What was that?" Thatch smiled softly.
"Nothing!" She chirped and looked away with cheeks dark as Thatch burst into fits of laughter, but held for his side, pain spreading.
"For the love of!" He cursed, moaning in pain.
Arina chuckled and shook with head. "Go back to infirmary before nurses behead me."
-:-
"I hope you have a good reason for being in kitchen, Thatch."
Thatch almost jumped in the air when he heard deep voice from behind. His eyes were wide as he turned around only to find his captain standing not too far from him. He felt his heart pace up, colour drain from his face and feel very tempted to run. Never in his life had he imagined that one day he would hide even from Whitebeard.
"N-n-n-nothing!" He claimed and tsk-ed with tongue, realizing he just made a mistake. "I mean-I mean, I'm m-making lunch. Yeah! I'm making l-lunch, why? Shouldn't I?"
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow. "Thatch," The chef felt a chill run down his spine at the tone. "It's night. And as far as I know, you trust your cooks enough to let them handle food the whole ship."
Thatch's chest tightened. He could see pain flash in Whitebeard's eyes. He wasn't even sure why he lied. It was the first thing that came to his mind. Just as he parted his lips, he felt another presence. And he wasn't the only one. Whitebeard's eyes widened and he turned to the side only to see a young woman standing beside. His blood ran cold when he met with eyes dark and almost emotionless. There was sadness in them, but also understanding.
"It's you." Whitebeard murmured and looked at Thatch, who spoke: "Ari-chan what are you doing here? Didn't you say you'll come later?"
Arina glanced at Whitebeard before she smiled. "I'm hungry." Was her simple reply.
Whitebeard was confused. "Aren't you the one, who found Thatch?" he asked.
Humming, Arina shrugged. Thatch shot her a glare and she rolled with eyes. "You're being dramatic, Thatch. I respect Whitebeard and I wouldn't do anything to endanger you or anyone on this ship." She turned to Whitebeard and smiled softly. "I found Thatch."
"How? How come no one can find you?"
Arina looked to the side, wondering how she should explain. "I don't want to be found yet. It's a bit amusing though." she chuckled, completely ignoring the first question. "It's funny how Marco twitches at every unusual sound." There was amusement in her gaze that made Thatch snort, but groan in pain.
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow once more. He wanted to say something, but Arina's head snapped to doors, with voices growing louder, her expression unreadable. Before any of them could say a word, less alone make a move, Arina was gone from their sights and tired Marco was on the doorway with angry nurse and doctor on his back. He frowned when he saw Thatch by the counter with pan in his hand and Whitebeard looking ever so confused.
"Commander Thatch!" Doctor called. "I know you miss cooking, but for the love All Blue would it kill you to stay in bed for one whole day?" He hissed and stomped over to Whitebeard's side.
"Yes." He answered ever so seriously that made the doctor blink few times, open and close his mouth, and compose himself to realize what just happened. Whitebeard sweatdropped while Marco let out a sigh. He should have expected this.
"It's okay," Whitebeard spoke.
"It's not okay!" Doctor moaned in frustration. "He barely laid in bed for one whole day. It's only third day but for goodness sake he's cooking! Every hour we have to change his bandages, if we managed to find him, because his wounds open from climbing up to crow's nest and now cooking and straining his arms and hands." He turned to the chef. "That's it, I've decided." He pointed at him. "We're tying you to bed and keeping an eye on you for one week!"
"What!?" Thatch's eyes widened. "You can't do that!" he opposed and looked at Whitebeard. "Pops!" He pleaded with eyes.
"Speaking of which," Doctor's eyes glinted and he turned to the captain. Whitebeard nervously smiled. "We're confiscating all sake on this ship until further notice. No one, and I mean no one, is allowed to drink for next three days."
"Now that's just ridiculous." Thatch huffed and crossed his arms.
"Couldn't agree more…" Marco murmured under his breath, but narrowed his eyebrows when he saw nurse looking his way with eyebrow raised. "I didn't say or knew anything." he raised his arms in defeat before she could respond with a remark that could make his work double.
-:-
Marco felt troubled. He knew Thatch was hiding something, but he couldn't point out exactly what. The chef spent hours in the kitchen long after dinner, laughed and joked. Every time he went into dining hall, he almost stopped in front of doors, turned around and walked away. There was something that prevented him from going in if he wasn't focused on it.
It didn't help that pirates began talking of a woman appearing in the middle of the night and sneaking around the ship. Marco in the beginning thought it was just another prank of Ace and Thatch, but he soon found it was quite real.
"Namur?" Marco looked at the fishman, who stood between doors that led into dining hall.
With a startle, Namur looked at First Commander. "Marco…" He called, but quickly looked back in front, hearing ruckus.
Marco narrowed his eyebrows and walked to his side. "What's going on?" he asked and frowned seeing opened fridge, but no one in sight. "What the…" he murmured and walked inside, ignoring Namur's call. Marco looked around, trying to see the intruder, but he couldn't see anyone except maroon coloured hair. He took a step forward, head moving until dark eyes stared into his.
Just one blink and she was gone.
"What the hell?" Namur stopped by Marco's side. "I didn't think ghost stories were real."
"Neither have I." Marco admitted and suppressed a chill that threatened to run down his spine. "It's New World after all…" he added and looked around one more time. There were sounds of shuffling before he heard a bark and growling that made both Marco and Namur turn around.
Stefan stood on the doorway, growling at them, ready to attack.
"Stefan?" Marco called in confusion. "It's okay," He raised his hands and Stefan quieted down. It passed a moment until Stefan was standing still and staring at each of their movement with his dark eyes.
"Since when did he turn aggressive?" Namur spoke and took a careful step forward.
Stefan's eyes were immediately on him.
"I don't know." Marco admitted. "It's not like him."
"Ever since Thatch got stabbed, he changed." Namur said.
So I'm not the only one who has seen the change. Marco thought and left the dining hall with Namur by his side and Stefan on their backs. The First Commander felt odd being followed by their dog and watched on for every tiny move they were making. He had no idea what the reason was, but he was tempted to find out.
-:-
Walking towards infirmary has never felt so long and so unsatisfying. A frown was seen on Marco's face when he came to a stop in front of doors where Ace stood. The young man had a troubled expression on.
"Ace?" Marco called, waking the latter from his thoughts. "What's wrong?" he asked and stopped by his side.
Ace turned to him, his expression turning into confusion. "I…I don't know what I wanted—where I wanted to go."
Marco narrowed his eyebrows. "You're in front of infirmary. Thatch?"
"Oh…" Ace blinked, his expression now free of any emotions. "Right. I wanted to check on Thatch." He laughed and opened the doors. "Thatch!" His grin was wide and Marco smiled, shaking with head as he walked inside. He immediately felt another presence in the room, but it wasn't of the nurses or doctor. Someone else was in the room.
Seeing the focus wasn't on any of them, Thatch spoke up: "I'm finally getting discharged tomorrow!" a wide smile stretched over his lips.
"You've only been here less than a week." Ace frowned.
"Excuse me, but I've been here for far too long." Thatch responded with a huff.
"Did you talk with the doctor?" Marco raised an eyebrow.
"Of course. He agreed."
Ace and Marco looked at each other. It was highly unlikely for doctor to agree on anything absurd when it came to Thatch.
"I'm serious!" Thatch claimed. "It's almost been two weeks of lying here. I'm sore and tired of bed. I need to cook. I want to cook. Come on, can't you or Pops talk with the doctor?" He turned to Marco.
"If you tell me a good reason, I just might." Marco crossed his arms, daring Thatch with a half smirk.
Thatch flinched and huffed, murmuring under his breath. There was a chuckle and all three of them froze. A curse followed and no sooner did Thatch end up coughing loud. Marco looked around, the presence slowly disappearing if he didn't focus on it. He walked towards closet that was on the other side of the room and reached for the handle when doors opened, revealing a doctor.
Thatch let out a silent sigh, gulping in nervousness. It was too close.
"Oh right." Ace seemed to remember. "I passed your room yesterday and were you by any chance inside?"
It felt like time stopped as doctor shot a glare to Thatch, letting him know to choose his next words very carefully.
"I…" Thatch began and looked everywhere around. It was painfully obvious he was trying to come up with an excuse. "I…I did-didn't, but I as-asked Izo to get—to get me some-something…" He stammered out, smiling nervously.
"Did you now?" Marco raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.
"Wasn't Izo on a mission?" Ace looked ever so confused.
"The last time I checked he was." Marco agreed and watched Thatch's expression that turned paler with smile slowly disappearing from his lips. "Thatch, what's going on?" he asked with a sigh. "You're acting strange; Stefan is acting strange. He's much more aggressive than he ever was towards anyone. And I keep hearing laughter and a female voice and everyone saying they saw a woman on a ship. A ghost."
Thatch laughed and looked away. "Ahaha it's one of my pranks again. I admit." He looked anywhere than at Marco. "I'll stop, don't—don't worry." He turned their way. "I just…I just need to get out of this bed and room. It's killing me!"
Marco turned to doctor, who watched and listened before he let out a sigh. "Fine, alright." He stepped towards bed. "You can leave infirmary, but if I see you stretching and your bandages end up stained again, you're coming back."
"Thank you!" Thatch grinned. "I'll be careful!"
"And Thatch," he called for the Commander. "You're coming back here to change the bandages every evening after dinner. No arguing."
Thatch nodded as he slowly, but with much more excitement, sat up. "God it's such a damn good feeling leaving this room. I felt like dying." He laughed, slightly wincing at the pain, but quickly brushing it aside. "Can't wait to cook again. All these recipes I got are perfect!"
"You have new recipes?" Ace perked up in excitement.
"Of course!" Thatch grinned and held Ace around his neck, leaning on him. "They already look promising and let me tell you," he put his free hand on Ace's chest. "You're all gonna love each and every one of them. I'll make sure of it."
-:-
"For the last time and for the love of Pops, no, there is no ghost and yes, there is a teen on this ship." Thatch felt his eyebrow twitch. "Why do you guys even think she's a ghost? I see her every day." He frowned as Whitebeard laughed at expressions of his sons.
"You see her everyday?" Ace asked.
"Yeah," The chef nodded and rubbed his sides, feeling a slight ache. "She always comes to kitchen late at night to eat." He said like it was most normal thing. "And why do you want to see her? I told you Teach was the one that stabbed me and there you went and accused Arina." He crossed his arms, huffing like an overprotective mother.
"And then you call me mother hen…" Marco murmured under his breath before he perked up after hearing a chuckle.
Everyone else seemed to hear it as well as they started looking around and asking if they were the ones laughing, but Thatch only grinned and spun around, like he knew who that was. Whitebeard also relaxed more, which the Commanders saw and felt, and looked around the deck. Yet no matter how much they looked, they couldn't see anyone, who looked like the teen.
"You have nothing to apologize for." A female voice spoke, making everyone widen their eyes except Thatch and Whitebeard. The chef's grin only widened if it were possible. "I understand you had mixed feelings, over who stabbed your chef. Which was also the reason why I was hiding. You might have attacked me even if I told you that it wasn't me." She said.
"Oh, come on Ari-chan," Thatch looked up, Marco and Whitebeard following his gaze. Marco's eyes widened when they saw a maroon haired teen sitting on a mast, wearing a shirt that was tied right under her chest, showing her toned stomach, and shorts, but no shoes. One by one, everyone raised their heads and stared at the teen, who was wiggling her legs backwards and forwards. Her hair was tied in a messy bun.
"Yaho," She waved her hand, her smile wide. "Sorry for hiding from you, but I thought I would rather stay in shadows until you guys calm down." She shortly explained and added. "Had no idea that it would end over two weeks, but for you to actually still look around to find me. Before I knew it I was going along with your game." She grinned.
"Who are you?" One of the pirates asked.
"Frye Arina," She answered. "And before you ask if I ate any Devil Fruit or have any magical power, less alone haki, my answer is no. I am nothing but a normal civilian that shouldn't even be here." She said.
"How did you get on the ship?" Marco asked and glanced at Stefan, who was sitting right under the teen, watching the pirates' every move.
"You see, that's where I get lost." Arina hummed and looked at Whitebeard, who rose an eyebrow. "Well it isn't like I have anything against you guys as you're basically my favourite pirate crew, aside from Straw Hats of course." Ace raised an eyebrow. "Firecracker," she grinned.
Ace's eyes widened when he realized it was meant for him. "I'm not firecracker. Get down here." He yelled, pointing at her.
Thatch was laughing and wincing at the same time. Arina chuckled from above before she held for each side and slid down, jumping swiftly and ever so quietly on the deck, making everyone's eyes wide.
Marco narrowed his eyebrows at the elegance. "How come we weren't able to find you?" He asked a question everyone has been wondering.
Arina shrugged. "No idea," She admitted. "I just didn't want to be found." She said and continued. "So I continued to sneak around and hide in places where I thought and knew you wouldn't be able to find me. Thatch and Stefan helped me." She said and squatted down when the said dog approached her.
Everyone quietly gaped at her. She was familiar with Stefan even more than with Whitebeard himself. It confused them.
"You sure gave a scare to my sons and daughters on the ship." Whitebeard spoke, making Arina look up at him and smile.
"It wasn't my intention. I just wanted to be safe and survive." She said and looked back at Stefan, who was now lying on the ground, his tail wiggling around as she scratched his stomach. "Who's a good boy?" She asked and grinned when he barked. "That's right. You're a good boy…"
The pirates stared at her horrified.
"Oh right…" Ace seemed to remember. "You said something about Sabo that night. What did you mean by that?" He asked and he could see Arina flinch.
Arina patted Stefan before she straightened up and looked at Ace. She bit her lower lip, wondering if she should tell him or not. "He's alive." She said, her expression soft, with no sign of mocking.
"What?" He murmured. "He isn't alive…" Ace shook with head. "Sabo's dead…" he said, not believing a word that left his lips, less alone the words that left hers. Others looked confused as they had no idea who Sabo was.
"Sabo is alive." She repeated. "He lost his memories, which is why he doesn't remember you or Luffy." She said without avoiding her gaze. "He's with Revolutionary army."
"Sabo isn't alive!" Ace yelled, his hands in fist, his gaze turning into a glare. "He was on the ship when it exploded by that bastard." He gritted his teeth, remembering Dogra telling him the news like it was yesterday. "He was killed by the damned Tenryūbito ten years ago when he tried to escape."
No one knew what to say. All wore one and same expression. Surprise and shock that turned into anger.
Arina quietly stared at Ace before she let out a quiet sigh. "I'm sorry." She lowered her head. "It was rude of me to talk of Sabo."
"It was." Ace gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning whiter.
His breathing was uneven and she bit her lower lip. I should have waited. I messed it up. "I should leave." She said.
"Won't you eat anything?" Thatch frowned.
"You know I always eat later." She answered with a smile and turned to Whitebeard. "Thank you for your hospitality. I'll be sure to return it." She lowered her head and before anyone could say or do anything, she climbed back up the mast and disappeared along with her presence.
"There she goes again…" Thatch murmured and shook with head.
"Will she come back?" Izo looked at him.
"She's always around." The chef answered, startling everyone. "She's only hiding, nothing else. She might come around more frequently now that she knows no one will attack her, but who knows." He shrugged. "Even I have no idea what's going on in her head…" he said.
"Since she managed to sneak on our boat, did she tell you from where she is?" Marco spoke up as he kept his attention in the way she disappeared to.
Thatch tapped his chin. "Not really…" he answered. "Then again we didn't talk about that when she came to eat. She was more keen on listening than talking. How much she spoke before is actually surprising." He said.
"Also, what's with her clothes?" Izo spoke once more. "I've never seen those types before. They remind me of Sabaody, but they aren't from there." He said, frown deepening on his face.
"No idea," Thatch shook with head. "But now that I remember she didn't come to kitchen for few days. Thought something happened to her or if someone caught her, but since there was no sign of her or talking, I just let it go and waited. She appeared few days ago…" He said.
"Thatchy don't be so mean." Arina's voice was heard from above. It held teasiness in it.
His head snapped up. "I'm not mean, just answering the questions I have no answers to." He called. "Since you're still here, where do you come from?" He asked, taking the chance.
Whitebeard's eyes fell on her, her expression poker-faced as it soon broke into confusion and worry. "Well…" she murmured and looked to the side, her legs and arms hanging from the small wood that no one could even stand on there. "I guess I could tell you a bit more about me since you let me eat and sleep on the ship. As you already know, my name is Frye Arina. I'm twenty-one-" Ace widened his eyes. "-and I'm from a country far away yet close. And the reason why I was gone for one week is still a mystery to me. You see…" She trailed off and looked at the horizon.
Marco followed her gaze and sighed. "A pirate ship sighted." He called.
"Who is it now?" Thatch groaned in annoyance as they were so close to hear from where Arina was.
Whitebeard didn't lose his focus and sight off the teen, who wiggled her legs like it was nothing; like she wasn't afraid to fall down. "Come down here, Arina." He called as the pirates went on their positions.
"Don't wanna ..." She replied and stuck out her tongue at Thatch, who shot her a glare at simple disobey.
Whitebeard laughed at her cheekiness. "You'll be much safer here than up there."
"Nah," Arina shook with head. "I'll be much safer here than down there." She bit her lower lip and observed the pirates that yelled over each other. "Not to mention, I can't fight, so I'd only get in the way, which I more than surely know you don't want to. I mean...we don't know each other well yet to the point of trusting each other with our lives."
Whitebeard was surprised by her words, but he laughed, knowing she was right. "As you wish." he spoke. "But if you need any help, you can come down any time you want." He smiled.
"Thanks," she replied with a grin and quieted down, watching the fight that was about to start.
And just like that, her presence completely disappeared from the ship. The pirates weren't confused or scared of the thought that something unknown was watching them as now they knew, who it was. Yet despite all of that, they were still anxious as they felt eyes boring into their backs like there was enemy behind. To some it really was, which they were glad, while some were slowly freaking out.
Once the fight was over, Arina was sitting on the small desk watching the nurses tending the bruises the pirates received. She tilted head to the side before she felt new presence by her side. Looking on her right side, she saw Marco standing in half of his phoenix form.
Arina whistled. "Nice…" she murmured and grinned at Marco's confusion. "If you think I complimented your phoenix form or your toned body in general, you're right for both." She thumbed up and winked, Marco shaking with head. "To what do I owe pleasure to see you up here?" She asked with raised eyebrow.
"Keep Ace from leaving after Teach because he'll be caught and executed." Was everything the First Commander said and looked at her.
"Wow, did I really write that?" She asked in surprise. "Kinda forgot what else I wrote, but okay…" she murmured. "I can say what I wrote is true." She continued, her gaze focused back on the deck below. "If he leaves, he'll be caught and executed. Now Whitebeard wouldn't let that happen, would he? So the war breaks out. A war that sets the New Age…"
"You're speaking like it has already happened." Marco frowned.
"In alternative universe yes." She admitted like it was the most normal thing. Marco widened his eyes. "A lot of people died. And for what? For Yami Yami no Mi." She spat the name of the Devil Fruit like it was devil itself.
"Are you from the other world?" He asked in quiet voice.
"Hm…" Arina hummed and closely watched Thatch, who was laughing at Ace, who fell flat face on the deck, sleeping. "In a way…" she admitted and felt herself fading away. A small smile graced her lips. "I guess it's my time to go now." She looked at Marco, who stared at her confused before realizing she was fading away. "I'm not a ghost." she laughed and completely disappeared.
Arina felt soft bed where she sat on a desk just a minute ago. Her smile faded as she opened her eyes and looked around the familiar room that was hers. Looking at the clock, on her wall, it passed only thirty minutes even though it passed one full week. With a sigh, she untied her shirt and let it loose around her as she changed from shorts into sweats.
Walking out of her room, she looked into living room, seeing her brother sitting on couch, playing playstation. Looking towards stairs she heard voices and noise in the kitchen, knowing her mother was talking on phone once again.
"Hey Arina, want to play?" Her brother called once he spotted her walking towards bathroom.
"Don't have time." was her simple reply as she opened doors and locked herself inside, but not before hearing: "Party pooper!"
She sat on the tub and leaned her hands on knees, her eyes closed. I am back. Why am I back? She thought to herself and sighed. I messed it up with Sabo… She groaned and messed her hair. How could I mess it up? I could just wait and when he's close enough I could just make them meet each other. I'm such an idiot. She scowled.
Moments later, what felt much longer, Arina stood up and turned around to fill tub with water. She left the bathroom to get her underwear and new clothes before walking back inside. Coming back into bathroom, she undressed and stepped into water, sitting down and sliding under warm water. She closed her eyes, lips turning up in a smile.
Dozing off for a moment, Arina blinked few times when she heard voices outside. With a frown, she stood from tub and wrapped herself in a towel and walked towards doors, opening them. Her eyes met with dark ones, widening seconds later, before they fell down on the man's toned chest and towel wrapped around his waist.
"S-since when…" Ace stuttered, not even sure what to ask as he eyed her from head to toes, noticing the way there were small bruises.
Arina frowned. Weird. I was just at home for half an hour if not more. Isn't it too soon? She blinked before widening her eyes, her cheeks turning dark red at the realization she was naked under towel. "Don't you dare to peek!" She pointed at him and slammed doors right into his face.
"Even if I would you have nothing to show." He retorted back, annoyed she dared to slam doors into his face.
Suddenly the doors opened and she grabbed his hand and pulled him closer, completely ignoring the fact that Haruta was standing behind, staring at them both wide eyed. Ace looked at Arina in confusion before he felt her hands holding his and seconds later they were pressed against something soft.
"Still daring to say I have nothing to show?" She raised an eyebrow.
The freckled teen sputtered out a mumble as he accidentally gave a squeeze, startling the teen in front. Only then did she realize once again, they were both half naked, Haruta standing beside wide-eyed and with Ace's hand on her chest. Her cheeks turned in dark shade of red, Ace pulling his hands away like he just touched fire and turned around.
Arina bit her lower lip and looked away. "Y-you can go and take a b-bath. I was j-just done…" She said and turned around the moment Ace looked at her.
Whatever he wanted to say, it slipped his mind as he stared at the dark spots on her back. It was obvious she was hit by someone and it couldn't have been anyone from the ship or Thatch would know. Not to mention she wasn't around for few days. Ace unconsciously raised his hand and gently touched her back, sending shivers down Arina's spine before she realized what caught his attention. She pulled away and turned around, her face showing nothing but fear, her arms around her like she wanted to cover herself.
"Did someone...hit you?"
