I managed to have the next chapter ready for you before New Year, so here you go.
Thanks to Yumi sawamura for the last two reviews, which gave me some ideas.
So please leave a review, because it inspires me.
I do not own One Piece or the characters. I only own Dracule Keiko (OC).
After a day the newspaper wrote that Ace had been badly wounded and had lost lot of blood. He might be dead of his injuries, had a medical person stated. So the world thought he was dead. I was also mentioned, but only by my first name. I was an assassin that was paid to help out, but I had twisted the contract, so I could do as I pleased. Well, that was somehow true. Therefor I got a bounty of 85.000.000 Beri. I shook my head and sighed, while Shanks just laughed.
"I can't believe it. That's one hell of bounty for a first timer. Congrats," he said with a smile, while he showed Benn the flyer.
"It doesn't matter right now. I wonder what it will happen when they find out that Ace is pretty much alive," I said worried.
"You do think too much Keiko, but your thoughts about that I understand. Ace is far from strong enough to keep out of trouble and he might end up dead. He needs training," said Marco.
"And some self-control. I might be able to help him with that," I said.
"Oi, we can do it by ourselves," said Marco.
"I know you can do it, but he would not allow you to do so. He feels guilty and down and he might leave after the funeral or something like that. I see it in his eyes," I said.
"What? Did he say something to you?" asked Marco.
"He doesn't need to say anything. I can see it too. You amazes me Keiko. It takes years of training to see thing like that, while you use Conquers Haki," said Shanks.
"Dad taught me to see details and read the signs that the body gives away, before we found out that I possess Conquers Haki, so as my control over my Conquers Haki grew I could see much more," I said.
"That makes sense," said Shanks.
"So if he really leaves us, would you go with him?" asked Marco.
"I will. I know dad want me to stay here, but I don't want Ace to be alone," I said.
"Stay until Ace leaves and then go with him, if he wants you along. That is if he wants to leave. I'll tell your dad," said Shanks.
I nodded and went towards the helm. Benn would teach me to navigate and other stuff too. I somehow got a feeling that it wouldn't bet the only lessons I got here, but I didn't know what and it made me feel uneasy. Why didn't they just tell me what was going on and what I had to learn, instead of just letting in the dark? I looked over the ship. Men were doing their chores, but they were also in a good mood. How could they be in such a good mood, when the world was going to be much more dangerous and insecure place to live in? Especially on the sea. Marco had told me Whitebeard's last word and this was going to bring more pirates to the sea. I know that the Red Hair pirates are strong, but still. They weren't bad pirates, so how could they not be concerned about this?
Benn and I went to dinner. Marco and Ace sat at the table with Shanks and Yasopp. I took a plate, filled it with food and was going to seat for myself, as Shanks made me sit with them. Even Marco and Ace was in better mood, still there was some sadness in their eyes.
"What's with you? How can you look so serious and concerned?" asked Shanks.
"How can't you?" I grumped back, while attend to eat.
"Jeez. Your dad sure have giving me a hard task. Why in hell didn't he do something about this years ago?" Shanks sighed.
I looked confused at him. "What do you mean?" I asked.
"Never mind. Just enjoy the freedom at sea," he said.
"No. Tell me," I said firmly.
"Do you think I just would tell a smart girl as you what you need to learn?" he teased me.
I gave him a grim look and turned to my food. I was not in mood to enjoy myself right now. Not that I didn't like to be at the sea, but there was too many people around and Shanks was a pain, playing I-know-you-better-than-you-do. I finished my plate, but Shanks wouldn't let me go.
"So Keiko, tell me what's wrong," he said in a concerned voice.
"Wrong? Nothing. Just let me be alone," I said.
"Not going to happen," he smirked.
"Then be alert," I said.
"Are you threatening me?" he asked surprise.
I gave him a dark and cold look. "Just a warning to stay out of my business," I said.
Before he could say or do anything else I walked away. I wanted to be alone. There were too many people and many of them I do not know. I didn't like it here and dad had told Shanks to watch out for me and he did. He wouldn't let me go before I had learned what he had to teach me. Well, I somehow hoped that Ace will leave soon. Shanks did say I could go with him when he does. So I was at the helm with Benn or at the crowns nest with Yasopp. Shanks made me have dinner with him and his officers, Marco and Ace and he had this annoying smirk on his face constant. He didn't tell me what I had to learn at all.
"We're going to follow Shanks for a while until we are ready to stay on our own feet," said Ace to me the day before the funeral.
"So you're not leaving?" I asked.
"Not yet. I don't know what to do. Marco told me that you think I would leave them and you're right. I don't feel I got the right to be with them. He said you would like to stay with me. Why?" he asked.
"I just like the idea of making you stronger, so you can prove to the marines that you still are alive and stronger than before. So they can fear you even more. I hate the marines," I said.
"Why do I have the feeling there lies more behind it?" he asked.
"It's the only reason you'll hear from me now," I said.
"Alright if you say so. I will train hard," he said.
I smiled. "Do you know what Shanks is trying to do?" I asked.
"Yes. I thought you could see it too? Come on Keiko. If you knew that I would leave, before I told anyone, why can't you see what Shanks is doing?" he teased me.
"Ace… I do not understand his twisted brain," I said irritated.
Ace laughed. He was amused by me and it made me frustrated. What the hell was going on here? Everyone around me knew what Shanks tried to teach me, but me. What did I need to learn? Why did dad even wanted me to learn it, if I couldn't use it? If I didn't get it or could see it, it wasn't important at all. That is my opinion.
Shanks was really showing his good heart here. Whitebeard got a big stone and his Jolly Roger, coat and weapon was raised on it. A smaller stone was standing beside his grave also. It was for all the fallen pirates. I was touched and I could feel the sorrow and sadness around me. I closed my eyes and shut of my alertness. It didn't do me any good right now.
As I open my eyes, Marco and Shanks looked at me with curious eyes. I gazed away and took a deep breathe. I need to be calm and relax or else I would fall from exhausting. Since the war I had been on guard and alert all the time. I didn't feel complete safe, though dad trusted my safety to Shanks. A man he had seen as his rival. A man he never talked to about my existence. Why did dad leave me here?
"I wonder if Taka No Me ever taught you how to relax," said Shanks.
I turned my head to him, but he was already walking towards the ship. What was that about? How to relax? Of course I could relax, but why did Shanks mentioned it now? I didn't feel complete safe, so of course I didn't relaxed. I shook my head and followed him, with Ace by me side. I felt somehow distracted and irritated.
"I'm glad Pops got a great funeral. May he rest in peace, knowing I'm safe and alive. I hope I someday can get my revenge," said Ace sadly.
"I don't know. Maybe," I said.
"You really want to help me get stronger?" he asked.
"Yes. I saw some sleeping potential in you. I'll teach you about Haki and how to use it. And maybe you'll learn how to use your Devil's Fruit ability better. We'll start tomorrow, if you feel ready for it," I said.
Ace nodded. In silence we went to Red Force, since Shanks told us that we would stay on his ship during the time when Marco follows him. I was not happy about that, but since Marco had lost all but one ship, there was not much space left on his ship. And Shanks was still holding on to his promise to dad, which I hated.
After few days I saw how the Whitebeard Pirates cheered up and started to have some good times. I was reading the newspaper and I didn't like what it said. Suddenly a shadow felt over me and I looked up. It was Marco. He was sitting on the railing, which I leaned up against, and he looked at me. His eyes were worrying about something; I couldn't really see what though. I laid the newspaper down, ready to hear him out.
"Your dad loves you," he stated.
I didn't say anything, but looked at him with confusing eyes. What was this about?
"I've never thought that a man like him would feel that way. It's touching and somehow sad that he couldn't teach you everything. That's why he wanted Shanks to teach you," Marco continued.
"Dad taught me all I need to know," I said.
"You really believe that? How come I always see you alone, after you have trained with Ace and you don't seems to relax at all?" he asked.
"I like being alone and I'm relaxed," I said, but I somehow got a feeling I was lying to myself.
"Really? I don't think so," Marco stated.
"It's none of our business," I said grumpy.
"I guess not. How is Ace doing?" he asked, changing the subject.
"He's doing quite well, but he's stubborn," I said.
"He sure is. I'm glad to hear he's doing fine," he said.
"Come tomorrow and see for yourself," I said.
"I'll do that," he said and went off.
Being alone … No I didn't like that, but I didn't feel comfortable being around with all those people. This was why I wanted to be with a small pirate group. So I didn't need to … use too much energy on being alert all the time. I hated this thought, even before I had finished it. Why was I thinking like that anyway? I looked down and took the paper, trying to get my thoughts off that subject, but without results. I wanted to be free, but I wasn't. Dad knew this and he thought Shanks could help me. Thanks to my Conquers Haki and my training with dad, I could tell if someone was lying or not being themselves, but I didn't trust people that were true to themselves. I had problem with trusting people. And I was afraid of opening up. To be vulnerable, but I wanted friends and to trust others.
"Seems like you now understand," said Shanks and sat down beside me.
He handed over a bottle of sake. I took it and drank half of it, before handing it back. He smirked and drank the rest, before planting it on the deck. He didn't say anything further and I sighed.
"I don't know how to act around many people. It was easy around Jinbe, Hancock and the others, because dad was there to protect me, but now …," I didn't finished the sentence. I didn't need to. Shanks knew what I meant.
"So you really understand now. Keiko, open your heart. We're not your enemy, but your friends. You don't need to tell us anything about you, but relax, smile and feel free. Don't be on guard, unless you are training Ace, which you do very well," he said.
I looked down. It was easy to say and to tell to do so, but to do it … That was going to be hard and I didn't know how. Dad wasn't a social person, but I wanted to have friends and to talk with others about my private thoughts and stuff. Someone I could trust and rely on. Hancock helped me with woman's stuff and Jinbe did train med, but I couldn't tell them everything, not even dad.
"So that is what I need to learn, before I can be truly free. To really rely on my judgment and feelings. Not just to think about it, but to do it. That was what dad meant you could help me with. Living, not surviving," I said.
"I knew you were smart. Your father told me that he had taught you all he could, but there were still things you needed to learn before you could be free and become a real pirate, so he asked if I could teach you that. I knew what he talked about. I've known your father for a long time now and I'm properly the only one that could call himself a friend of your father," he said.
"I'm ready to take the next step, so dad can see that I've grown," I said.
Shanks smiled. "Then a party is the best way to start it and we can have it there," he smirked and pointed towards the Island we were approaching.
I must say it's easier to say that I want to trust people and let my guard down, to actually do it. We did get to the Island and Shanks told his crew to have a party, for the new era. The Whitebeard Pirates joined in too. I tried to feel free, but I still somehow was on guard. Every time my eyes met Shanks, he smiled and gave me a nod and raised his cup. I raised mine and in silence we toasted. Marco also toasted with me several times and even Benn grinned.
"Sometimes the body needs to feel happiness and freedom. To let go of worries and sorrows. In time like this, I still can feel Pops around me. We can't go around and be serious all the time. We are going to miss the good times if we do so," said Marco and sat beside me.
All around us pirates were sleeping. They had been drinking, singing and dancing for several of hours. I hadn't drunk that much, but I could feel the alcohol in my blood and that my body relaxed. It felt good. I looked up in the sky and closed my eyes.
"Happiness ... I only felt it when dad was around to protect me. When I needed to be protected. I may never learn how to be truly free," I said, remembering my childhood.
"I bet you're wrong. You are just scared of it, because you have a protective father. It's good to have a father that wants to protect you, but you need to learn to live on your own, trusting your own instincts and to trust others. I do not know what kind of childhood you have, but I can see it must had been hard, even before you came to live with your father. You need to learn to trust yourself Keiko. Just let us help you," said Shanks.
"I'm not scared," I said darkly.
"You're in denial. Just trust me on this. Your father does," Shanks smiled.
I turned my head away and closed my eyes. Scared? No I was freaked out. Why did they want to be my friend? I do not understand, but it felt good. I wanted them to be my friends. I wanted to trust them, but I was too proud to admit it to them. I was scared of losing myself, if I let anyone get close to me. I sighed. Why did I think like that, if I truly wanted to be free and trust people? This was going to be a hard and long trip.
"Friendship? I'm not entire sure what that means. Jinbe and Hancock are my friends, but they are not close friends. I like to be around them and talk to them. I see them as good role models," I said.
"You don't have any close friends?" Marco asked.
"Not really. I never had one," I said sadly.
"Not even before living with your father?" asked Shanks.
"None. Believe it or not, but dad saved my soul as I came to live with him. He's the only one I truly feel I can rely on. I'm not sure how far Jinbe and Hancock would go for me, but dad would be there for me if I need him too. He did help me under the war. I want to feel that safe again, when I get some nakama," I said softly.
"Don't close your heart. I would be there too," said Marco.
I smiled a little. "Why?" I asked.
"Because you're my friend. You may not see it yet, but you are a good person with good intentions. Even if you're doing things because you want to it, not to be nice, you're still selfless," he said, while Shanks nodded i agreement.
"I am? Maybe," I said.
I feel much better and I leaned my head on Marco's shoulder. I was tired, so I closed my eyes. It felt so good to know that they like me for my personality, not because of my dad or ability, but because I am who I am. I felt the darkness take over and I welcomed it.
To live an entire childhood with no friends, only be hated by the other children and the adults, does not build social skills and since Mihawk also don't associate that much, Keiko failed to master those skills as a teen as well. She needs to though, if she wants to be on a pirate ship.
Please leave a review.
I wish you all a Happy New Year.
I'm not sure when I can upload the next chapter, since a friend of mine is coming short after New Year and she's staying for a week and I also have to work, so pleas be patient. I work on this story as fast as I can.
