I do not own One Piece.

Prompt: Furry
Length: 1195
Genre: Friendship, humour

A Furry Visitor

"Shoo! Go away!"

Her hisses, which were accompanied by wild waving of her arms, did nothing to startle the stray animal off. The small grey kitten looked up at her with wide yellow eyes, tail wagging slightly. Tashigi stared down at it in dismay. She could see her Marine base settled on the slope in the distance, the large structure looming over the village nestled below. The kitten had been following her for two hours and was showing no signs of leaving.

"I can't bring you with me," she insisted. "We're not allowed to have pets."

"Meow."

The tiny animal looked at her in what Tashigi swore was a pleading manner. Letting out a resigned sigh, Tashigi bent down and gathered the kitten in her arms, heart melting when it immediately snuggled close.

"Maybe just for one night," she muttered.

She knew immediately this was a bad idea, but the idea of leaving the poor defenseless creature alone greatly unsettled her. When she reached the base she tucked the kitten underneath her sweater and wrapped her arms over the awkward bulge. She walked briskly down the corridors, hoping she could get to her bunk unnoticed.

"Tashigi."

Stilling at the sound of her boss' voice, she immediately snapped into a straight-backed stance. "Captain Smoker," she returned. She turned her body halfway, so that her head was facing Smoker and her stomach was out of his line of sight.

"How was the patrol?"

"Fine," she reported. "There were no incidents."

Smoker regarded her, brow arching at the odd way she carried herself. "Is your neck the only part of your body capable of moving?" he asked.

Tashigi inwardly cursed. Leave it to her to have a superior who didn't miss a beat. "No, sir."

"Meow."

Tashigi hastily launched into a fake coughing fit the second she heard the kitten's impatient noise, managing to drown out the rest. "I'm going to retire to my bunk now," she rasped, raising a hand in a salute. "Have a nice evening."

Without blinking, Smoker inclined his chin and Tashigi wasted no time in rushing down the corridor. Watching her go, the man heaved out a sigh and swivelled on his heel, beginning the trek for the kitchens. He was going to need a drink before he found out what his troublesome partner was up to.

…

Having discovered that the kitten was a male, Tashigi could not help but give him a name. "You're going to have to be very quiet, Smokey," she whispered. The name had left her lips before she really thought about it. The kitten's grey fur reminded her of Smoker's cigars, and the moniker stuck.

After exploring her quarters, the kitten settled on the hardwood floor and let out a particularly loud meow. "I said you're going to have to be quiet," said Tashigi, reaching out to scratch Smokey behind the ears. She noticed how thin he looked, and he was probably starving. Biting down on her bottom lip, Tashigi stood.

"I'll go get you some food. But you can't make a sound!"

She made a quick trip to the dining hall to gather some dinner. Marines were seated at the long benches, chatting and eating from the massive piles of food stacked on their trays. Tashigi grabbed a single plate and filled it with rice balls and tempura. She was back in her room five minutes later, and gawked at what had occurred in her brief absence.

"You naughty cat!" she scolded, staring around at the ripped up papers, scratched desk and torn pillows in horror. In the small amount of time Smokey had caused a whirlwind of destruction, the paper bits and feathers covering her floor like snow and deep gouges on the sides of her oak desk.

Smelling the food, Smokey mewed eagerly and scampered over, pawing at Tashigi's leg. Heaving a weary sigh, Tashigi set the plate down and let the kitten dig in. "I'm going to need a broom," she said wearily.

A sharp knock sounded on her door, causing her to jump and squeak. "Open the door," a familiar, deep voice drawled.

Tashigi flinched. "Can you come back later, Captain Smoker?"

"Tashigi."

With a soft groan she complied, cranking the brass knob and opening the door wide. Smoker crossed his arms over his chest, regarding the seventeen-year-old for a moment before looking past her shoulder. "What is that?"

"A cat."

"Don't get flippant with me. You know what I meant."

"He followed me when I was doing patrol. I couldn't just leave him so I brought him here for a little bit of rest and food. I was going to find a home for him tomorrow."

"Have you forgotten the rule about no pets allowed on base?" asked Smoker dryly.

Tashigi's pale cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and guilt. "No sir. I'm aware of the rule."

Smoker studied the small creature, who had just finished half of the food Tashigi had brought him. He went up to the girl and wound around her legs, mewing gratefully. "One hundred laps," he said at last. "You start tomorrow at dawn."

Initially surprised, Tashigi dissolved into relief at what she considered to be a mild punishment. "Yes, Captain Smoker. Thank you, sir. I won't do it again."

"We'll see," said Smoker dubiously. His partner was a suck for cute creatures, and he wouldn't be surprised if he stumbled upon her harbouring a stray puppy in a month's time. "He can stay with you for the night." When the cat came to nuzzle against his ankle, he idly bent down to rub his ears. "We'll find him a home tomorrow, after you finish your laps."

"Hai." Her bright smile at Smoker's compassion and tolerance faded slightly as she considered something. "How did you know he was here?"

"I didn't." Straightening, he glanced at her with a slight smirk. "I just knew you were up to something."

Perplexed, Tashigi said, "But you didn't ask."

Amusement swelled within Smoker at this observance. She knew as well as he did that if he had asked her outright if she was doing something she wasn't supposed to, she would have told him the truth in a heartbeat. "I figured I would probably need a drink to deal with whatever dumbass stunt you were up to this time."

"Sorry, sir…"

"Ah. Next time, bring the stray to someone in town. They can handle the little furball."

"Yes sir."

"What's his name?"

The way she jolted caught him by surprise, his eyebrows flying to his hairline. She hadn't been expecting him to ask. "What?" she squeaked.

"His name," repeated Smoker, bemused. "I know you've named him by now. What is it?"

The red on her cheeks deepened. "I'd rather not say, sir."

Leaning against the doorframe, Smoker spared a glance for the prowling kitten before settling his gaze back on his clearly embarrassed partner. He did not look away and she held his stare for a moment before reluctantly answering.

"Smokey," she muttered, the red blossoming across her entire face. "I named him Smokey."

There was a beat of silence before Smoker's booming laugh could be heard clear across the base.