Author's Note: I sort of got it out on time? At least I'm trying...
Character's Included: Portgas D. Ace, Monkey D. Luffy, Sabo, Curly Dadan, Makino, Woop Slap, Monkey D. Garp, Bluejam, Porchemy
No other character(s) mentioned.
Chapter 7
After evading the nobles' many attempts on her life, Pet really needed a vacation. Her underlings reporting in began to comment on her sullen attitude and her continuous sighing. She was even affecting Melia's usual cheery air. Pet was sick... sick of her job. To use hate to describe her feelings would be an understatement.
So Pet was practically pushed out of the Marine Division building and told she could take as long as she wanted off. She only sighed once more, those nobles are getting to me.
They really do make your life awful, huh.
Yep, Pet begins walking the streets with her hands in her pant pockets and her eyes to the floor, wonder how the kids are doing.
You haven't had anytime to go over there for three weeks! ... They're probably dead by now. You should go screw with the nobles to let off some steam... as in making them scream and beg for mercy.
*sigh*
Pet continued trudging through the various districts going from rich and wealthy to dirt poor buildings. Her eyes rarely went up to survey her surroundings. Then she heads through the gate and into Gray Terminal. They kicked her out around afternoon and she's been walking around for a few good hours, the sun is just beginning to go down when she stops in her tracks catching a fresh scent of Ace and Sabo. She looks about her before following her nose as the sun goes down. She comes across a shack laced with the boys' scents. She frowns as her nose recognizes another familiar smell... blood?! Luffy!?
Told ya!
She rushes to the shack and bursts in to find beaten pirates scattered about, she gets a lay of the land and deduces what happened before kicking the head guy who did the dirty work. With her foot on his throat she growls, "What did you do, exactly, to the boys that were here?"
He's choking beneath her foot and blood is trickling across his chin as he gurgles, drowning in it. She releases some pressure before he sputters, "Needed... Info... O-on money..."
A light bulb! Pet narrows her eyes, "Haven't you ever heard finders keepers, losers weepers? I smell their blood in here, even if they are strong enough to do this to you, you shouldn't pick on children." Pet applies more pressure before taking her foot off and turning to face a newcomer, a face she knows quite well, Bluejam. She nods to the beaten men around her, "These your guys?"
Bluejam has his entire face set in stone, as he gazes menacingly at her, the picture of supreme anger and annoyance. Pet is completely nonchalant and she truly does not care whether this guy is supposed to be a big deal... To her he's just a carcass to run her claws through. "I'm going to assume yes. I was just going to take these fuckers in or are you gonna do something to stop me."
Bluejam pulls out a revolver and simply guns Porchemy down. Pet nods still smirking as Bluejam points the gun at her, Pet cocks her head while rising a brow, "You sure you wanna play that game? Let me tell you," a yellow glint passes over her eyes, "I always win."
Bluejam smirks now, "I bet you know where those kids are, so no, I'm not going to kill you... But you're going to wish I did."
Pet snorts and tries to contain her laughter, but she bends over slapping her thigh and covering her mouth in laughter, "You- kehehe really talk big don't yeh?" She straightens, wiping a free tear before the atmosphere in the room changes and suddenly Pet is next to Bluejam a sword to his throat on either side, he'd already be beheaded if the nobles hadn't prohibited her from killing him. She knew he was important to their scheme, but she didn't know his part in it yet, so as far as she was concerned she could always kill him later. She presses the blades harder against his neck when he tries to move to look at her, after she clears her throat, "Here's how it's going to work, oh great Bluejam. You're going to leave those boys alone or I'm going to detach your head from your body, maybe pierce your heart, I could even slice your throat and watch you die, maybe torture a bit if I'm in the mood... Anyways keep your nose clean or expect me to find you and kill you in a hhmmmm colorful way, mind you, red is my favorite."
She sheathes her katana and brushes past him shoving her shoulder against his, only when he raises his gun once more does she kick it out and deal him a good left hook to cheek blinking as he blows away from the force. A heap of rubble falls atop him while his men have their guns pointed on her as well. One fake out sends their arms up in the air and she stalks out.
Back in Gray Terminal, she weaves about the trash heading into the forest before changing into her favorite spirit form, her wolf spirit form. She strides through the forest like nothing and within ten minutes is nearing Dadan's house. She changes into her human form still running and with a great leap she's inside through the window landing on the bottom of the sill, silent as a feather. She smiles to herself, after she sees the three boys sleeping on the ground together. She steps in and leans back contented. She falls into a light sleep and awakens when Dadan enters the room in the morning commenting on the new addition and the bandages.
A very comical occurrence to Pet, but she keeps a straight face before emerging from her corner and saying, "I'm sure it'll be fine." Dadan starts at the sight of her and asks how long she's been there and where has she been?!
Pet replies, her calm gaze still on the trio, "I was busy with being a Marine and I've been here since eehhhh a little after midnight." She turns back to Dadan with a polite smile and the two women walk out to begin chores. The boys soon awaken later and rush to the forest after calling to Dadan about Bluejam, but they suddenly come to an abrupt halt at the sight of Pet and run over all with smiles and greetings and questions. Pet sweat drops at their behavior, but accepts their warmth and mirth. She greets them all in return and answers any questions before they begin pulling her with them to play fight... They call it training, but Pet sees it for what it is. It's more for the purpose of fun she thinks than getting stronger.
Dadan shakes her head at the scene of the boys dragging her off, of course, if Pet didn't want to go she could easily take them, but this was part of her assignment to staying on the island.
She watched the boys' fights with Ace and Sabo coming off in a tie, but then Ace challenges Pet to a fight. Pet smirks, "You sure about that chibi?'
She stands and positions herself to face him, she waits for him to come to her and he does charge in to punch her, but she easily redirects it to the side with one hand and as his own force is used against him he lands with an "oof" on the ground beside her. She walks next to him before turning and awaiting him to come back in a fit of rage, but his attempt is made with the same result. The next time he comes she lets it connect, but his punch is weak to her, in response he smirks before he looks up to her still calm face and watches as she sighs, "Sorry kid, you're not ready to take me on yet." Ace seems extremely angry at this development.
Pet looks at the other two watching and asks, "You guys want to try your luck?" No answer. "I thought not."
Later, the boys insist Pet go with them into town because Ace wants to show them something in High Town, which Pet does not believe is a good idea, but she's ignored when she voices her fears and they go anyway. They are walking through Edge Town with the boys disguised as one man towing a crocodile they killed while Pet stands back and lets them deal with it, she figured it'd be good training for them. Plus, they would have told her to back off if she stepped in. The four are stopped by some bandits looking for a fight and when they notice Pet's Marine coat they seem enraged and get in her face with a knife to her throat, she smiles widely, but inside, I'm sorry the world is so fucked up, that too many people are criminals in it... All because of the government and my ancestor's who couldn't win the war.
Pet twists the man's hand behind himself throwing him and dealing a nice kick to his face to knock him out for a few days, and she was even kind enough to give him a comfy place to rest, what with the wall he burst through. The boys finished their fight and stood gaping at the wall now torn down in a nearby building. Pet turns to them after admiring her own work and, to the boys, she orders, "Back in the disguise boys."
They comply and follow Ace's instructions before coming to a food place in High Town Pet recognizes. She also recognizes that she can't afford this place, none of them can... Well, except for Sabo, if he were to use his Noble money, Pet's sure. So they head inside and get in after Sabo shows the insignia of his family, Pet raises a brow, but then he offers a lie to explain how they got in.
Pet positions herself by the window and watches the town bustling below. The kids continue ordering many bowls of ramen and the lady kindly hands one to Pet, who takes it with a nod of thanks and gets to eating and occasionally fending off the ravenous little boys when they finish theirs. Pet sighs at their antics after she finishes and watches the poor waitress lady constantly have to come back to give them more and then officially they discover the children. In response, the kids bolt while Pet stays and tells the owner to calm down while he shouts obscenities at her and threatens to tell her higher ups, but Pet, holding up her hands to calm the man down, sighs once more and states very calmly with icy precision, "I am the higher up and I'm trying to tell you who you can bill for this."
The man calms still fuming and crosses his arms while waiting for her answer while she smirks and spouts off the name of her biggest contender among the nobles. The owner nods familiar with the name and goes to complete the transaction while Pet asserts, "Now if you'll excuse me I have some boys to catch up with." And with that she jumps out the window and follows their scent. She hops onto the buildings' roofs and runs across those, it's faster what with the bustling streets and all. She catches up in no time and flips over landing on her powerful legs and reducing her speed immensely to stay with her charges. They notice her running with them, suddenly, and Luffy asks, "Eeeehhh, How did you get there?"
Pet, surprisingly sounds as though this running business were merely a walk in the park, replies, "I'm fast." She keeps pace with the boys when they finally make their way through Gray Terminal and back into the safety of the forest. She remains standing, while Luffy and the others continue to pant and get their heartbeat back down to normal levels. Pet can hear them clear as day. Thus, Ace asks Sabo about the man who called out to him and who he is. Pet raises a brow and turns her gaze upon Sabo who passes her a glance before looking at his two friends, at first, he doesn't want to say, but the boys gang up on him and he agrees, but he looks at Pet and claims, "You might take me back if you find out about me."
Pet shakes her head, "No, I've known Sabo, now tell your friends, they deserve to know too." Sabo's eyes widen slightly while Ace and Luffy look between the two and Sabo recounts his sad childhood. Pet takes a seat to listen and when he's finished of course Ace and Luffy don't care about it. Pet looks on as the boys make their pact to be free pirates when they're older and Luffy to be pirate king which earns a smile from their Marine friend. Later on, Sabo brings up the issue of Pet's knowledge of his past, "How did you know about me?"
Pet taps her nose, "I could smell it." She chuckles as Sabo narrows his eyes at her, in disbelief, while Ace and Luffy stop bickering for a moment to listen in.
Sabo says, "Seriously."
Pet smiles wide, "Yeah. I think I've come in contact with your dad before and the scent between family tends to be similar in a lot of ways. It was mostly the scent than your clothes or manner." Pet nods to herself while her onlookers remain skeptical.
Luffy chimes in, "You must have a really strong nose!"
Ace asks, "How does that happen? Did you train it? Were you born with it?"
Pet laughs outright, "No, I have a Devil fruit." That statement completely grabs her audience of children and they prod her for answers while Ace states sassily, "That doesn't seem like a very cool power."
Pet continues smiling, "That's not the only power, it comes with a whole package deal. I ate the Moon-Moon Fruit it's commonly mistaken for a Zoan type but it's actually Paramecia, the moon brings out my... sort of like a spirit animal... It's all about the beast that's hidden within me and brings it out, it changes my body... specially when the moon is out. It's almost like magic." The boys nod their heads together and in unison, "I see, I see."
(A/N: Now to explain fully; The energy of the moon is heightened within Pet and creates a separate being that characterizes a personality hidden inside her and it makes it corporeal, sort of. It gives it conscience. The shape it takes for Pet is a wolf, a black one that changes depending on her uses for it and her needs, almost like a Zoan, but it's the personality within that's being expressed not just some animal, making it more of a Paramecia. More powers of this fruit will be shown later on in the story. Thank you)
Pet face palms while shaking her head. So instead of explaining, she smiles and faster than the eye can see she's in the air shifting and lands back as her wolf spirit form. The boys jump away while Pet shakes her massive body and her yellow eyes stare into the hearts of the young boys, Luffy recovers first commenting on how awesome her power is, while Ace recognizes her wolf form with a twitch of wonder. Sabo merely begins smiling wide.
Pet's throat rumbles as she chuckles and Luffy climbs atop her broad shoulders smiling and clutching her fur before commanding, "Onward!" Pet plays along and begins moving forward, she doesn't falter or stop when Ace and Sabo hop on, their own childish impulses getting the better of them. Pet makes sure they're holding on when she stops and they complain before bursting forth with a tremendous amount of power and speed, the shift doesn't affect her, but her riders feel as though they forgot their stomachs ten miles behind. She weaves through the trees with such grace that disturbs nothing, scenting the air as she goes and avoiding any dangerous obstacles she knows the boys will want to take on. They regained their wits and are currently having the time of their young lives watching every thing go by so fast, yet slow at the same time, as if Pet is sharing her power with them. After some time, Pet changes it up a bit and hops from trunk to trunk gaining altitude with each before running from branch to branch. The branches have no time to register if they will break under their combined weight, she's just that fast.
Finally, she grins as her target location comes in sight. The boys don't realize, but they're about to head for the ravine one has cross to get to Gray Terminal from Dadan's. When they do, they don't fret, but urge Pet forward and she jumps down from the branches onto the forest floor absorbing the force in her toned legs and running before taking that leap across the ravine. The river, so far below, flows under them and she soon lets her paws brush across the ground of the other side and slows to a trot.
The boys are whooping atop her and exclaiming many things such as: "Aaawwweesssooommmeee!" "WOW!" "That was so cool!" "I could get used to this!"
Pet shakes her head to loosen up a bit while continuing now at a walk. At some point, the children begin begging for her to run again before Sabo gets an idea and they whisper to each other thinking Pet can't hear, but she practically has super hearing in this form.
"You know wolves hunt right?"
"I like where this is headed."
"She's a Wolf!? I thought she was a big Dog!"
Sabo and Ace both shush Luffy, and Sabo continues, "I want to see her hunt."
Ace smirks, "Yeah."
Pet sighs internally, I could do with some hunting.
You just want to kill and make the blood flow. Take a life.
Is there any other reason to hunt? We'll drink the blood and eat the meat so as not to waste anything, but we can at least enjoy it while we do it.
That sounds... pretty reasonable.
So, when Sabo brings up his request, with the backing of his friends, Pet nods her head in agreement. She licks her chops in agitation and her claws dig into the ground as she walks. She scents the area and follows the trail silently, the only noise comes from the passengers on her back. She spots her prey, a big ram strangely having saber-tooth teeth and the markings of a zebra with hooves. She shrugs off the wonder as it most definitely counts as food. She gets into hunter's crouch keeping low, even though the beast is twice her size, which is saying something because she's very large.
Stiffening completely, the energy builds in her legs before pouncing with claws extended onto the mammal's back and absorbing the shock to keep her younger riders safe. She jumps from its back with it beneath her as she gains on its head and it faces her with wild eyes, as it determines an animalistic fight response, but she's ready for it. She slides down the bark of a nearby tree to slow her fall before she witnesses its head coming in to crush her. She maneuvers her back to the side while pushing off and letting it ram into the massive trunk. Then she rushes in, toppling it on it's side and digging/dragging her razor claws across it's neck and letting it fall as it experiences death. She howls due to instinct, the wolf's way is to honor the dead and celebrate the battle's victory.
Inwardly, she chuckles as Luffy, Ace, and Sabo begin to howl with her in their celebration and they hop off, talking excitedly over one another. She sits back on her haunches looking down at them in amusement, she changes back with a smile. They're still talking all at once and she waits while barely paying attention to their statements. She clears her throat finally as the sun is beginning to go down, they stop and she tells them, "We should be getting back. I'll carry our prey home." The boys nod in agreement while still smiling, even Ace has that twinkle in his eyes. She picks up the food, easily, only using one hand and they begin the walk home.
The boys occasionally start up their statements of admiration and Pet smiles wholeheartedly at the children behaving, well, like children. They reach Dadan's house late and the boys go inside while Pet helps cook the meat. Dinner arrives a little later, but Pet leans on the door frame as the feeding frenzy begins, a small smile etched on her face. She's shocked when they start throwing food her way and telling her to eat, Pet frowns slightly before the boys and Dadan scold her for being rude in not accepting their hospitality. Pet looks away, suddenly feeling heavy, before beginning to eat and the onlookers smile. Unbeknownst to everyone, a small tear falls down Pet's cheek...
After she gets over her emotions and buries them once more, she walks into the fray and joins the frenzy. After some time the food becomes more for entertainment than hunger as there is so much of it around. The boys throw bones with meat on them at Pet so she can catch them in her wolf form. The sound from her jaws snapping together results in an oddly thrilling chomp sound. Each bounce is more agile with a new acrobatic move to add flair to her catching the food. The boys tire out and Pet's furry body welcomes them as she lays down. They curl up around her, as well as atop her. If she were a cat, she'd be purring. Pet rises carefully while the boys in their sleepy states cling to her like burrs and she heads up to their room and lies down, jostling nothing in her grace.
She awakens by the boys pulling her now human arms to try to wake her up. She opens her eyes to Luffy and Sabo tugging her up, a quick sweep of the vicinity shows that Ace is not present. She stands and the boys fall to the floor with "oof"s. She smiles down at them before pulling them up. She changed back to human in her sleep, apparently. After getting her bearings, Sabo grabs her attention with "Let's go Pet!" They lead her out of the house and running towards the forest with Luffy slightly behind. Pet doesn't help him so he'll push himself to grow strong. They head not very far into the forest before slowing to a walk and Pet raises a brow at the small crate in a very small sandy clearing with trees on all sides. There awaits Ace and... a bottle of sake? Ace is smiling triumphantly and orders Pet and his friends to gather around. All the boys stand while Pet sits so she's more at their level. Ace begins pouring the drinks into red sake cups, there are four.
He wears a wide smile and Pet has one quirked eyebrow to show her interest. It raises when he says, "I got this from Dadan's supply... It is said that when pirates share sake that they become brothers, but in Pet's case, sister..." Pet is handed hers and she stares at the liquid her voice caught in her throat. My heart hurts.
Just accept their gift.
They don't even think of it as a gift...
They all toast and Pet halts before the boys drink theirs and she downs hers before looking at the cup once more. Ace smiles, "From this day forward we're brothers... and sister." Pet smiles before putting the cup down and standing to her full height towering over her new... brothers. I barely know what it is to have brothers?
Forget about your previous family, I say you rewrite your definition and base it on these boys. They're doing it right!
I suppose so... Ugh! I need to think, this is so unexpected.
Pet shakes her head as the boys try to pull her along once more, before she stops completely and tells them, "I'll catch up with you guys alright?" Before they can answer, she's gone. She walks about the forest for a while before finding herself in the clearing of the small crate and red sake cups, she picks hers up just memorizing the shape and color and then looking at the others in all their detail. She sighs before heading to Dadan with the glass bottle and putting it back where she assumes Ace found it. Then she heads out once more, Dadan and the other bandits witnessed her change in demeanor and got the message to leave her in peace.
What am I expected to do as a sister?
Do I have to draw you a picture or something?
Maybe? This means responsibility right? As the older... sibling...
Oh, now she's gettin it. Basically, don't do what your brothers did. So watch over them, teach them, give them attention and above all... Protect Them.
Pet stops in her tracks as she realizes, I never want them to get hurt.
So what are you going to do about it?
A challenge clear and simple that burns through Pet's core and the fire envelopes her completely traveling through her veins, winding and twisting forming into a molten lava, her resolve, I will kill anyone who dares threaten them and make them pay tenfold... They will follow their dreams and I'll be watching not over their shoulder, but from afar always ready to step in to help them. Now that I have family to truly protect their will be none who can face me and LIVE. Pet begins her maniacal laughter, her eyes glinting yellow and her fangs a pearly white.
"Now to get drunk!" She smiles, "I've got to celebrate!" She runs past trees in her human form, surprisingly, but certain specified features appear animalistic. She's not as fast as in her wolf form, but still very fast. She's almost too high on life right now or deluding herself that she is.
Drink after drink, she downs them all just trying to get drunk, she drinks anything she can find with the occasional, You're pushing it!
Stop!
Drink
Why are you doing this to this extent?! This is uncalled for!
Drink, Drink, Drink. Pet smiles with her head against the table, Its all too good to be true! Something bad is going to happen and I'm preparing myself for it.
You don't know that!?
Oh but I do, the way of the world. I've lived in this world long enough to know what to expect. Murphy's Law; What ever can go wrong, will go wrong.
You called me the pessimistic one! Fucking brat! Get over yourself and quit worrying about shit that probably won't happen!
Ya see, Pet arises and pours another drink, with my all seeing eye and super intelligence, I'll be the one to predict what goes on and the likeliness of it all. So shut your fucking mouth! If anyone around this town can come close to predicting the future, it's me cuz I have math and all that shit. Not just any math and shit, but THE SHIT. I've got it all! Pet downs her drink and slams the cup down breaking the glass in her hand, but she's not cut. She merely stares at her hand, I don't know when and I don't know why, but something will take these children from me... my... brothers.
You fucking good for nothing little wimp! Instead of moping about and trying to be rid of your intelligence, you pompous bitch, try actually deciding to do something about it. Never settle for that outcome! What happened to the fire from earlier! We were almost on the same side!
Tch, fuck you! Even I'm not so naive to think that I can prevent anything and everything-
Try...
What?
Don't give up before you've tried. You may not know what will happen, but don't see it as an inevitable outcome... You're making it inevitable if you believe it is, even when you don't know what it is!
I-
A touch to Pet's arm brings her attention down to a concerned face of a child with many freckles and black scraggly hair. She frowns as he starts nonchalantly, "We were worried so we all went searching for you." Pet sighs, "I've been here." Ace surveys the area with a critical eye and Pet looks around as well before sighing at the idea that it's a bar she's in. She stands off the chair and Ace grabs her hand to pull her out into the town. She continues frowning, but barely notices what goes past her in her semi drunken state. She never suffered the unbalance of being drunk, her movements are always graceful even more so during a full moon.
She merely reacts to those around her as they enter the forest and come to what Pet supposes is a rendezvous point for her brothers' little search party. She smiles, subconsciously, before Ace stops and lets go of her hand and responding to Sabo and Luffy's "You found her!" "Awesome!" "Where was she?" Ace smirks despite his worry, "I found her in town... in a bar..." Pet takes a seat up against one of the nearby trees and kicks back, crossing her arms and shutting her eyes. The boys crowd around her before Luffy asks, "Is it time for a nap?"
"It is for me," Pet responds, still with closed eyes.
Sabo asks, "Why were you in a bar?"
"Felt like drinking." Thought you were 'celebrating'? Brat...
Ace and Sabo exchange looks before, as children are capable of doing, letting it go with a shrug and smiles before joining Luffy who curled up with Pet and they all take a nap. Pet awakens first, with the effects of her alcoholism wearing off. Her eyes watch the sleeping forms of her new little brothers breathing and snoring, maybe that sake they drank is effecting them?
Maybe...
Pet looks to the sky and decides they have a few good hours more of daylight before she shifts somewhat sore from her rigid position, although Luffy found his way under one of her arms so she hugs him to her. She smiles lightly before gently waking them all up with ruffled hair. Luffy proves to be the hardest because he's just so comfortable and Ace and Sabo sit up rubbing their eyes and smacking their lips together before looking at Pet and growing wide smiles, "Oh Pet!" Sabo says.
"We were thinking about something and we wanted your opinion!" Ace smiles, as much as he's able for a depressed child.
Pet smirks as she asks, "Well, what is it?"
Sabo jumps in, "We're going to leave Dadan's and make a base in the forest!" Pet frowns for a moment, calculating, before the smile returns after only three seconds, "I think that's a wonderful idea, but why do you want to leave Dadan's? What do you have planned so far?"
Ace cuts in once more, puffing his chest out, "Pirates are the freest people in the world and we can't stay with Dadan because of it."
"And Bluejam could go looking for us there!" Sabo continues, "We were thinking of one spot in the forest to make our base, but you get a say too, you're our sister after all."
Pet looks between the two before deciding, "I'll go with whatever you guys decide. I have to be heading back to work soon anyways, but I'll probably be able to visit more frequently if you wish." The brothers exchange looks before turning to her and nodding. Pet stands grabbing Luffy by the back of his shirt and putting him at her shoulders before shifting to her animal spirit form. Ace and Sabo don't have to be told to get on for a hunt. She decides to let them do the hunting, Luffy wakes up quick atop of her, all to enjoy the ride.
When they get back, Pet carries the alligator one handed while the boys stand on top of their catch. They noticed, after a while going through the forest, being indirectly carried by Pet, well Ace and Sabo noted, She's strong! While all Luffy was thinking was Awesome! Food! He was drooling slightly.
Pet helped with the cooking and cleaned up a bit with Dadan before chowing down with the others and laughing, just having a good time with her family. Pet smiles at Dadan's treatment of the boys, because she understands how she truly cares for them. In the morning, Pet keeps the pace with the children, but she comes back later in the day only to find the mayor of the Windmill Village and that one bartender she saw that one day. They seem surprised to see her and Luffy is excited to see the woman. Pet walks up and gives a nod of acknowledgement to each before introducing herself, "I don't think we've formally met yet, I am Commodore Pet." She finds the woman to be named Makino and the mayor is called Woop Slap. She smiles to each giving their names before they begin asking her questions about why she's there and what not, but she keeps the answers short and vague. "Vice Admiral Garp left me here for some work at the Marine division here."
Makino nods with a polite smile plastered on her face and Pet gets the feeling she's thinking of other things regarding her stationing at this island. Pet works with the family in setting up dinner and listens to Luffy, Ace, and Sabo discussing their future careers as pirates before Pet smiles as Garp's silhouette appears in the door. She smiles up to the point he gives his fist of love, then her smile disappears and she's held back by her inner spirit, No! You idiot! Of all the times to lash out and thirst for blood! You shouldn't thirst for his blood, over some children getting some sense knocked into them!
Pet tries to calm herself down before Garp growls at her, "You're supposed to be making them into Marines!"
Pet's, previously closed, eyes open and she stands face to face with her superior, the air seems to crackle with their clashing energies. Garp holds his gaze for a period before bursting out laughing, What!? He continues laughing until he has to wipe a tear away and then Pet cocks her head. The others copy her movement.
I just openly showed defiance!... And he's laughing now!
Must be your lucky day.
Garp stops laughing as if remembering something he forgot before he begins berating the children and Dadan, while leaving Pet out of the conversation, Pet leans against a wall, as if in a stupor, while the place becomes an even bigger mad house. She's vaguely aware of Makino and Woop Slap leaving. She's shocked out of her daze when Garp orders her to, "Come with me. We're going for a walk."
Pet follows and notices the wreckage of a Garp outburst, she smiles slightly before turning forward and noticing Garp looking behind him, at her, grinning. They walk side by side after Pet catches up and then Garp smiles wide and notes, "You're walking next to me, instead of behind me like usual."
Pet frowns, "Yeah..."
Garp shakes his head, "Being here did you good. Do you know the real reason I wanted you here?"
Pet cocks her head and analyzes his statement and question then the conversation beforehand and nodding to herself states, "Yes, I think I do now." Garp barks laughter while motioning her to continue, so she does, "You wanted to humanize me by making me spend time with the children..." Pet pauses as her train of thought carries on its merry way before she states matter-of-fact, "It'll backfire somehow though. Either in your favor or in my favor, maybe even both. That's the way of the world."
Pet finishes solemnly and even Garp grows serious at her prediction and he thinks back to her challenging stance before cracking that D smile, "Maybe, but to me, you're all brats who need to be taught lessons." He laughs boisterously once more while Pet cracks her own smile and laughs slightly.
The two walk for a while through the woods before Pet stops and Garp turns to her cocking a brow, Pet clears her throat before boldly asserting, "I can't make those kids Marines, Vice Admiral Garp. I truly believe that I can't and also... I don't want to. I won't tell them what's so great about being a Marine, they have it in their minds to be pirates. Those are their dreams and I won't corrupt a child's dream."
Pet meets Garp's gaze square on before he turns from her, "I never thought you could or would anyways. Don't worry about it, it's my job to protect them, ultimately. Anything that happens to them falls on me."
Pet frowns before he begins walking anew, but she remains and he waves while moving forward. She looks at the ground before turning back, It's partly my job now too.
He wouldn't understand that.
They look to me as their older sister now, meaning I'm now employed in their protection as well... If anything happens to them, then I share the blame.
I think you would do a better job than he would anyways. After all... You Have Me.
Pet tches as she walks, because you're so great.
I am, I really am.
Pet hops through the window before she finds her brothers waiting up for her. They inform her of their plan to escape because of the Garp encounter and speed up their previous plans of finding another place in the forest to live. Pet sighs and nods before sitting up against the wall just below the window while her younger siblings all fall fast asleep.
Early in the morning, before the sun has come out she opens her eyes to the boys getting up and creeping out while she simply jumps out the window. She follows them as it starts to rain and they all move to take shelter awaiting the rain to cease. When things finally clear up, Sabo comes out with his plans and the boys decide on one of the biggest trees in the forest. Pet helps in gathering things from the Gray Terminal to build their base. Pet enjoys the tree and, using her expertise in all things, she builds a nice tree house for her younger brothers. They share the work, afterwards, Pet gets to look out to the sea from their height before the boys begin a game of pirates and they get Pet to join in asking her to play the Marine so she begins chasing them around, "Pirates! Not on my watch!"
They have fun being chased and Pet easily dodges their blows when they attempt to fight the Marines before she feigns defeat and falls over. The mini pirates proclaim their victory as continuing their freedom to roam the seas and collect treasure. Pet pulls herself up and Luffy asks, "Are there many strong Marines like you and jichan out there?"
Pet smiles, "Yeah there are many ranks of Marines and so far there are only three with the title of Admiral and one who is the Fleet Admiral. They're probably supposed to be the strongest of the Navy Forces. But there are many powerful pirates out there as well." The kids all sit down to listen and boast about how they're going to be the strongest pirates out there when they become pirates. Pet nods, "You'll all be very strong when you're older, definitely." Pet stands as the sun begins its downward trek below the horizon, she sighs, "I have to go back to my mission in town now boys." They all frown and begin whining at her to stay longer, they pull at her arms and she crouches and wraps them all in a hug, "I'll be back soon. I promise." She then stands and waves goodbye as they do before stepping off the ledge of the tree and landing on the forest floor silently.
When she gets back to her division building and inside, Melia rushes her looking flustered, "Commodore! The nobles have called and want a meeting with you!"
Pet takes a step back before reverting to her business-like self and nods, turning to walk out. They haven't asked for a formal meeting since I told them off that first day I was here.
Watch yourself Pet. They're planning something.
No shit, Sherlock, they probably have many plans for me. Plans for payback and their plans in preparing for the Celestial Dragon's arrival.
Author's End Note: There ya go! Beware the next chapter's release date because I still have a lot I need to write for it. Review, Follow, Favorite, it keeps me motivated. Hope ya'll enjoyed ;D
