A/N: Hello everyone and good news! Just wanted to let you know my health has been fully restored! Ahaha feel 100% better. There is a poll on my profile so I would appreciate it if you casted your vote to help the story move along quicker. Anyway enjoy!
Chapter 9: Li's Past and the Remarkable Connection
An hour had passed and Wong Li stood at the helm of the ship, hands on the wheel, as she carefully steered the ship through the gentle waters of the East Blue. Letting out a low sigh, she tilted her neck backwards, allowing the calm winds brushing against her face to put her at ease. Trying to clear her thoughts, she couldn't quite erase Sophie's question out her mind.
"Oi, Li."
Over to her right, and coming up the stairs, was Sophie. Quickly glancing over her shoulder, Li gave a slight nod, "Hey."
"I see you got your fighting gloves."
"Yeah, picked them up before we left Milestone."
"Nice weather we're having."
"I guess, if you say so."
There was a long, awkward silence after that. Li still guiding the ship quietly, while Sophie stood a few feet off to the side; her chocolate eyes wondering aimlessly as she leaned heavily against the railing.
After several minutes passed, Li couldn't stand it any longer, "What is up with you? Will you stop staring at me like that? I can't concentrate with your eyes digging knives into my back!"
"Sorry, I'm a little curious is all."
"About?"
"You."
"What about me, exactly?"
"Your past."
"Wha…What?"
"I know, I know, I'm in no position to ask, but-"
"It's not that," Li murmured, her voice a little softer than earlier, "It's just that I didn't expect you to ask. Well, not so boldly anyway."
"Oh?"
"It's not something I like looking back on. Guess that's why they call it the past. But I'd rather spare you the sob story of poor Wong Li."
"I'm all ears."
"Very well," Li sighed, her hands still resting on the wheel. Taking in a deep breathe, she inhaled before exhaling sharply, "I grew up in a town called Silverstone Village which was filled with all types of blacksmiths. I lived there with her mother, Ai, and her mother, Shiro, and we all lived at a bar my grandmother owned. In my early years I was taught about weapons, blacksmithing, and fighting by them.
"So you don't have a father?"
"No, not that I ever knew of."
Nodding, Sophie motioned for Li to continue.
"One day, when I was only eleven years old, I found a man in the village who appeared to be severely ill. I helped him back to our bar, and my mother let him stay at the house," Li said softer, her voice becoming hesitant and hollow.
"That was our biggest mistake," Li stated coldly, "He was no ordinary man. A week after we let him stay, I… I was kidnapped. That bastard revealed to us that he name was Snake; the leader of a group of bandits and tricked our town into letting our guard down. Shortly afterwards the bandits attacked our village killing hundreds of innocent citizens, while… while I was forced to-"
"Li, it's alright," Sophie whispered, "If it's too much you don't have-"
"I'm fine, really," Li assured, as she tightened her grip on the wheel, "Anyway my mother saved me in the end, although her life was taken because of it. Before she died I was given Yue, and she instructed me to live."
"So what happened next?"
"Unfortunately the bandits escaped and the remaining people blamed me for everything. Though my grandmother tried to make the villagers understand, I knew I wasn't wanted so-"
"So you left," Sophie concluded, "But I still have one last question."
"What might that be?" Li sarcastically sighed.
"When we reach the next island, are you going to-"
"No," Li said firmly, a small smile appearing across her face, "I've decided to stay. Besides I find your company quite… pleasurable."
"Thanks, and for the record," Sophie added, "I don't blame you for what happened back in your village."
"Well, now," Li smirked, "You'd be the first."
A/N: Well there you go! I found this one to be a little more lengthy but maybe that's just me! Until next time.