Chapter 3
RedSnow15
Hello my lovelies! Welcome to another chapter. I know, I know, last chapter was pretty bad, verging on mortifying. So, hopefully, this chapter shall be better. Don't forget to leave a review please. I do so love feedback.
So sorry! I had a mild to medium case of writers block so it took longer than I thought it would. That and I have been busy making a costume for Tokyo in Tulsa. Seven days and I still have to complete it! Goshness, I'm getting anxious just thinking about it.
About the last chapter when I was describing the fish, I do hope I got it right. I don't really know the first thing about it. I don't eat it, I don't cook it, I don't do anything with it. So I apologize if I described it as raw. If I did though, you know, sushi anyone?
I got a review from one of my lovelies that I would just love to respond to:
Undead Artist,
Thank you so, so, so much for your review. I will try to apply these things. Not all at once though. It wouldn't be good if I just changed his entire portrayal the next chapter. (Spoiler) Also, Sabo isn't dead. Sorry if I just like spoiled something for you, but he's not dead. They reintroduce him in Dressrosa. However, I do get what you're saying and thank you, again (end of spoiler). I would absolutely positively love for them to have proper conversations and not just what I've been doing. I suck at dialogue though; however, I will try my hardest to make it decent. In the first chapter at the end when Ace falls asleep in Marco's room was my attempt at a narcolepsy attack. I will make it more obvious next time though. Again, Thank you so much for your review!
Now for the big question. . . When will I bring Whitebeard into the picture? Maybe it's this chapter and maybe it shall be the next one. We shall see.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. All rights belong to Oda. . . That lucky bastard. . .
He sits under one of the staircases on the deck near the back of the ship. People pass by without noticing him, which is a good thing. He doesn't feel like talking to anyone.
It has been a week since he woke up on this ship. A week and a day to be exact, but what does specifics matter? He has made no attempt on Whitebeard's life. Save for that one time three days ago when the man defeated him while he was asleep. However, he would rather not remember that embarrassing moment. Other than that though, nothing.
Some of the rival's crew have come up to talk to him, but for the most part he just ignored them. He has seen his first mate and he actually looked happy. He was talking the other crew as though they were on the same one. Anger had risen up through him when he realized Marco was indeed not lying.
Ace leans back against the wall. His chef is talking to some of Whitebeard's crew. He doesn't wish to go over and talk to him though. It seems like his crew is apart of Whitebeard's. That is why he is currently hiding. If someone starts talking to him then he will feel urged to ask if his crew had indeed joined that man's crew.
He hears someone making their way down the stairs. He knew it is Izo when he passes over because he is the only one, that he has seen, that wears a kimono. A pink one at that. He turns and walks by his hiding place. Ace is covered in shadows except for a part of his legs that are currently stretched out in front of him. Izo doesn't seem to see him and walks past. A few seconds later though his wooden sandals re-appear. His face emerges a moment later when he bends down.
"Will you come out from under there. You look like you're depressed." He orders him. Ace doesn't move though and remains still. "Now don't you go pullin' that stuff with me! Marco and Thatch might be nice to you, but you are in this ship as a guest. I suggest you be nice to your hosts and not piss them off!" Izo snaps before standing up and tapping his foot impatiently. Ace knows that he will stay true to his silent threat. Izo moves back a little when he comes out.
"What do you want?" Ace asks in an annoyed tone once he stands to his full height, still maybe an inch or so shorter than him, that could be because of the sandels though. Izo just rolls his eyes as if his motive is the most obvious thing in the world.
"What I want is to talk."
"About?" He crosses his arms across his chest.
"Anything."
Ace raises an eyebrow. Anything? Did the man want to have an actual conversation with him?
"Like?" Ace couldn't help the curiosity in his voice.
"What did you do before you became a pirate?" The casualty in Izo's tone shocks him a little.
"Nothing important." Izo raises an eyebrow at this.
"Really? Nothing? Nothing at all? I highly doubt you were born fully grown and already a pirate. There must be something." Ace's fingers twitch at the that comment, but he decides to brush it off.
"Nothing you need to know." Izo gives him one last look before shrugging at him.
"Alright, I will respect your pricacy. For now. Now you ask me a question." Ace gives him an annoyed look.
"We playing twenty questions or something?" Izo chuckles.
"If you want. Now go on."
Izo sits down on the deck and pats the wood in front of him as an invitation. Ace hesitates but slowly lowers himself. The cross-dresser stretches his legs out in front of him. Ace just crosses his legs. They sit facing each other in silence while he thinks. Ace really doesn't want to know a thing about the man. It's uninteresting in his opinion. However, it would play in his favor to learn more about them.
"What do on this ship?" Yes, he knows it is a lame question, but he had to come up with something fast so it doesn't seem suspicious. Izo doesn't seem to notice.
"Anything that passes time. Except cooking. I do not cook." Ace nods, not really paying attention. He glances in the direction of his cook, only to find that he has dissapeared. "Do you have a family?"
"That's none of your concern." He answers stubbornly and the other man's expression turns into annoyance.
"I answered your question honestly, now you do the same." Despite how much he doesn't like it, Ace knows the man is right. He decides to give him an answer, but not the whole truth.
"Yes."
"See? now that wasn't so hard." He teases cheerfully. Ace just rolls his eyes.
"Oi, Pops wants to see Ace."
Both men look up to were the voice came from. A crew mate of Whitebeards whom he hasn't seen yet hangs over the railing. The man has deep brown hair hanging down to his shoulders and wears simple clothes. Izo nods before standing up and dusting off the nonexistent dust from his kimono. Ace really doesn't want to speak that man. However, when Izo lifts his head to see him still sitting he grabs the shirt collar and pulls him up.
"Hey!" Ace hits the other man's hand away.
"Don't hit me young man. Pops wants to see you so you will see him. Now shoo! He should be near the main mast." He gives Ace a slight push before walking away in the opposite direction.
Ace makes his way languidly toward the destination. He doesnt want to confront him now. He isn't ready. He knows this much. What could be the harm in a simple conversation though? What if Whitebeard tries to attack him? Even though this legendary man's power is only mere rumors to him Ace doesn't doubt that Whitebeard can prove every one of them to be right. And then some.
As he rounds a corner he sees the giant captain sitting down and drinking from a sake bottle. Nurses tell him off for it, but it only makes him laugh. When he sees Ace approach he just continues to drink before setting the now empty bottle next to him.
"Ace." He greets gruffly. The stench of alcohol in his voice is almost overwhelming. Ace's eyes water involuntarily.
"Whitebeard." He doesn't trust himself to say more than that.
"Have you thought about my offer?" He puts his elbows on his knees to be closer to Ace's face.
"No." The answer comes without hesitation.
"And why is that?" His tone sounds genuinely interested. Although the bored look on his face begs to differ.
"Because there is no reason to think about it. I am not joining your damed crew." The last words come out quickly and without thinking. Whitebeard points a long finger toward him.
"You be careful to watch your tongue when you speak about my sons. Just like any father, I do not take kindly to you insulting them."
"I am not afraid of you old man." To his surprise Whitebeard laughs at his response.
"I didn't say you were, but you should know that I can throw you overboard if I wish. I do not believe it would be a difficult task." Ace's brow twitches in anger and his hands curl into fists.
"Are you calling my weak?! I can assure you I'm not!" Fire licks at his knuckles. Whitebeard raises his eyebrow at him and his mouth turns into a small frown.
"Don't burn my ship child. I did not call you weak, you are simply putting words into my mouth. Why must pirates from your generation be so quick tempered?"
"I am not quick tempered! I am not weak! You shouldn't underestimate your enemies, old man. Time hasn't been kind to you. You are the one that has grown weak while every where else pirates have grown stronger. Just because you hold the title of the strongest man in the world doesn't mean it's true! You and your damned crew can go to hell!" He spits the last words out like venom on his tongue.
He turns on is heel and storms away without waiting to hear his reply. He pushes past people blindly. He doesn't notice how his hands are engulfed in red flames. No one tries to stop him, they just move out of the way. If they were to get in his way there is no doubt in Ace's head that they would get burned to a crisp.
When he finally stops he finds that he has reached the quarter deck. There is no one in sight. Adrenaline still runs through him. He looks down at his hands to see the flames receding into his body. In a burst of anger he slams his fist into the railing. Shards of wood fly around him while some splash into the ocean. The portion of the rail breaks.
His chest heaves with shallow breathes. He flexes his hand, the knuckles red. He wants nothing more than to get off this cursed ship. However, there is nothing in sight other than the blue horizon. The endless ocean usually calms him, but the sight only vexes him now. He can't get off the ship right now unless he wants to drown. Despite beleifs he is not completly irrational. Perhaps there is a smaller ship he could steal. If Whitebeard doesn't kill him first that is.
Glancing behind him he discovers there is still no on ethere. That doesn't mean that they are not hiding though. Leaning against the railing he slides down. Hugging his knees to his chest he buries his head in his arms. Ace can feel his has hat sliding slightly out of place, but he doesn't care to fix it.
Right now he just wants to vanish. Away from this ship and it's people, even away from his crew. He feels alone now more than ever. The feeling doesn't dwell well inside him. Now more than ever he wants to be surronded by people he trusts. Like his brother. . .
The thought of him causes his heart to twist painfully in his chest. What could he be thinking? He normally would send a letter once a week telling Luffy of his recent adventures. He must be worried. What could he possibly thinking of him? Does he think he is dead? Ace hopes not. The thought of his youngest brother being alone in this world scares him. He knows Luffy doesn't like being alone. When they were kids he would follow him around like a lost puppy all because he thought they were friends. And to think he and Sabo nearly killed him.
Despite the current situation Ace smiles at the memory. He has to find a way to make sure that Luffy knows that he isn't dead. He would be breaking his promise to him made all those years ago. He can't die. Not just yet.
Taking a deep breathe he shakes his head. Priorities Ace, priorities. He has to get off this ship to contact him. Just wait a little longer Luffy, just a little longer. . .
When he opens his eyes it's near nightfall. He didn't even realize that he had fallen asleep. The nice breeze rustling his hair confirms the fact that this time no one has moved him.
Raising his head just enough to were he can see he notices several people minding their own business. Not a single person seems to care that he has fallen asleep. He stands, the movement causing his hat to fall back. The cord tightens around his neck as it catches it from falling to the deck. He ignores it though. Resting his head on the railing he can feel the chips in the wood right before it breaks off in sharp shards.
All this pent of anger and frustration has him practically itching to fight. Maybe he is quick tempered, but he won't give him the satisfaction of being right. Whitebeard should just die. His generation is over. It's time for the younger crews to have their turn. Maybe he should help along that transition. That battle-axe may come in handy after all. . .
He doesn't really register what has just happened until his back slaps the water. The major embarrassment of that scene doesn't fully register as he drops the axe out of panic. His arms flail around uselessly while he sinks through the foam. His eyes snap open and he sees the massive ship's hull in the dark ocean. Even though he kicks and tries to swim it has no effect on the water surrounding him. Looking up he sees the surface dancing with mocking light. With life. He can't touch the surface anymore. His lungs start to burn with the lack of oxygen.
Looking below him he sees only black. The sight causes his heart to beat faster. Knowing how foolish the move is he opens his mouth wanting desperately for it to be air, but only getting salty liquid. Drowning shouldn't happen this fast. Maybe its better this way though. For his death to be quick. After all why would anyone try to save him. He attempted to kill their captain. He accepts the black dots consuming his vision. He faintly hears splashing from above. His ears start to hurt from the pressure, but that is the least of his problems at the moment.
Desperation consumes him. This isn't suppose to be how it happened. Not so soon. Not so unceremoniously. Taking another futile attempt at breathing his lungs fill with liquid. The last thing he feels before he loses consciousness is two arms wrapping around his torso.
Please don't talk to me about that last scene. It was rushed, but I just picture devil fruit users drowning faster than those without. Also, before anyone else says it I know this chapter was even worse. That dialogue was just completely awful. I wanted to get it done quickly though so my lovelies don't feel abandoned. Please, for the love of goshness, review! I seriously need to know if it is as bad as I think it is. So until next time.
