I do not own One Piece.


"Navigation says that we will reach the next island in about a week," Ace informs me casually as we, once again, sit against the wall, staring out at the sea. I glance over at him, before letting out a sigh.

"I'll introduce myself to him tomorrow then. When I inform him that I'll be getting off at the next island." I reply reluctantly, not really wanting to tell Whitebeard anything, but not willing to break my word.

"I'm sure he will remember you right away," he encourages with a smile. I let out a light laugh, shaking my head slightly.

"I don't know if I want him to or not…I'm honestly afraid of his reaction." I admit, before letting out a sigh. "But I guess we'll find out tomorrow." I say, standing up and heading to bed.

The next morning, I woke up a bundle of nerves. I had no idea how to start the conversation that needed to take place today. I hadn't said a word to Whitebeard, and kept as far away from him as possible, since I yelled at him a few weeks ago. Letting out a sigh, I open the door to the room I had been staying in and making my way to the railing. I stare out at the sea, until I am broken out of my thoughts by Ace coming to a stop beside me, holding out a plate. I smile at him, thanking him softly, sitting against the wall, Ace taking a sit next to me.

We sit in silence a few minutes, me slowly eating the plate Ace had brought for me. When I finish the meal, I set the plate aside, resting my arms on my bent knees. "How did you do it Ace?" I ask softly causing him to turn and face me, "how did you talk to him?…when you decided to join him, after you tried to kill him so much?" he lets out a soft laugh, turning his head back to face the sea, a small smile on his face.

"I just walked up to him one evening and started talking," he replies, smiling fondly.

"Wasn't it awkward though?" I ask, turning my attention to him as he lets out another laugh.

"It was really awkward. He didn't seem very fazed. But the whole time I was scared to death. I was expecting him to hit me or say that he had changed his mind about wanting me as a son," he admits. I let out a sigh, staring up.

"I guess that is what I'll do then," I decide, nodding my head. I look over as Ace grabs my, now empty, plate and stands up.

"Might as well get it over with. Most people are still eating, so there shouldn't be too many people around Pops," he informs with a smile, walking away. I watch him disappear around the corner, before standing up and making my way towards the front of the ship. Even though Ace had told me, I was still shocked at how few people were around. I glance over at Whitebeard, and slowly make my way closer. I stop right next to his chair, no longer looking towards him. I stare pointedly ahead, fidgeting slightly.

"I'll…I'll be getting off the ship at the next island….I won't bother you anymore," I say nervously, still not looking at Whitebeard.

"I would tell you to stay and become a member of my crew. But I know you wouldn't…so, can I have your name at least?" he asks, glancing over at me.

"Marie," I answer before walking away.

The week passed by quickly. I didn't avoid Whitebeard like I had before but I didn't really actively talk to him either. He never realized who I was, well he never mentioned it at least. But I guess it is better this way. The island was getting closer and closer, we should be there by the end of the day, according to Ace at least, I had no idea.

"Are you going to talk to him once more before you leave?" Ace asks, watching as I packed all of my belongings back in the bag I had brought with me.

"No. There is no point, is there?" I reply, before standing up straight. "But I realized that you were right. This whole week, I found myself hoping that he would realize who I was and actually care. I was hoping that he would pull me into a hug and tell me that he cared about me. That everything grandpa had said was a lie. That he didn't attack my village, that he sought revenge against the people that did…That he looked, hoping at least one of us had survived. But that was just foolish of me. Just a foolish dream that I thought had died long ago." I confess, fully aware of the tears streaming down my face. I see him hesitate slightly, obviously not really sure what to do.

"Marie…" he whispers taking a step towards me. I take a step back, smile through the tears and shaking my head.

"Thank you, Ace. I'm…glad I met you," I say, going around him and walking out on the deck, bag slung over my shoulder. I take a seat, close to the front of the ship and watch as we get closer to the island. I feel tears continue to run down my cheeks and the closer we get, the more nervous I feel. To be completely honest, I don't want to leave the ship. I want to stay here and wait for him to remember…but I know that it will hurt less this way.