Chapter 9

At lunch, the bar was as rowdy as usual. The whole place reeked of alcohol, and the pirates thrived in it.

I sighed, I had specifically chosen the table without pirates, the shadowy one in the back corner. I still hadn't recovered from getting half drowned, my throat was still dry and scratchy, wrists heavily bandaged and my appetite still hadn't returned.

And yet, I had somehow managed to attract the loudest and craziest members. Redhair had an arm thrown around my shoulder, drunkenly swaying us both to some unknown song he was humming. Yasopp had face-planted into the table opposite them, slurring some story about his little boy. Roo was next to him, also swaying to his captain's tune, joining him in the chorus. Makino stopped by the table, handing out refills and passing Roo his sixth plate stacked with meat. Even one of the other members of the crew- a younger pirate, who looked about 20- was curled up at my side, asleep. I glowered, this was the position I DIDN'T want to be in. My gaze fell onto Benn who was sitting a couple of tables away, sipping calmly at his drink and watching her with an amused look. I sent him a pleading look, which he ignored. Apparently this scene was too funny to interrupt.

Next, I turned my hopes to Makino, who looked like she was about to abandon her, but thankfully she didn't. "Jade, girl, I need to talk to you. Meet me up at the counter."

"But Maaaakino~" The captain slurred, giving her a pout. "You always take my sweet niece away from me. You're always hogging her, it's my turn." He whined, pulling me against him and hugging me possessively. I cringed away from him, all my life I was used to having next to no physical contact with anyone, that habit wasn't about to break anytime soon.

"Captain Shanks." Makino said sternly, making the said man flinch. "You have to the count of three to release Jade." Her voice was sharp and clear. "One... Two..." I felt Redhair begin to tremble next to me. "Thr-"

"FINE." He shouted, shoving me out of his arms. "You can have her for now, but tomorrow she's MINE."

I escaped from the table quickly, not sparing a glance at the sleeping pirate who had been leaning against her as he dropped to the floor. I turned to my trainer, smirking. "ACTUALLY, Mr Redhair, you don't have me for another few days." I didn't bother waiting for him to reply as I followed my saviour back to the counter, glaring at Benn as we passed his table. He sent a wink in reply, the bastard...

"Want a drink?" She asked.

I sighed, rubbing the palm of my hand against my face. "Do I ever."

I slid onto a stool and slouched against the counter as she pushed a mug of sake towards me. I caught it easily. I found myself thinking about the boy she had talked to me about this morning. I tried to picture him in my head, a boy my age with the maturity of a 3 year old. Nope, couldn't picture him. It was hard because I had never met anyone my age before. I frowned, was it normal for kids my age to 'go to your friend's place'? That was a strange concept.

"Thinking about the boy?" I heard Makino ask. I looked up at her, she was at the sink, elbows deep in soapy water. It appears she was washing the dishes.

"Why are you washing dishes in the middle of the day?" I tried to change the topic quickly and subtly but Makino picked up on it immediately.

"I can introduce the two of you, there's no need to be shy." She smiled at me gently, her dark eyes glistening.

I sighed, hadn't I already been through this with her? "I told yo-"

"It doesn't matter that you can't be keeping him company 24/7, you can just chat a little every once and a while at the bar... Just like you do with all your crew mates." She cut me off. "You don't have to tell him anything you don't want to, you don't even have to like him. Just meet him and see how it goes."

I hesitated, really, what was the harm in making a friend? I didn't even know how to make them, although it seemed that I was doing ok so far... I got along with the crew and with Makino. Maybe I could get along with this boy too, even if he was as immature as Redhair and the rest of them. I glanced at Makino to find her staring at me expectantly. I shifted uneasily under her stare.

"Well?" She asked.

"...I'll give it a go." I finally gave in. Makino cheered, and I rolled my eyes in response. "Where has he even been this entire time?" I asked.

Makino giggled, "He is busy on an adventure!" She winked at my blank face.

Adventure...? "Makino," I said slowly. "Exactly how old is this boy?"

"It's too late, you can't back out now." She declared. "But since you asked, he's seven."

I groaned loudly, thumping my head against the counter-top. "Great. Now I'm a babysitter."

"Hey, wait till you meet him before you think like that, you may even enjoy his company." She yanked the plug out of the sink and I silently watched the water swirl graciously down the hole. Maybe. We'll just have to see. "I think he's coming in a bit later on, so just stick around. Have a couple more drinks."

I stared down into my cup. The cold liquid was blending in with its surroundings, in a kind of camouflage. Hmmm, I wasn't quite sure if I was looking forward to this or not. I wasn't excited, but I wasn't dreading it, either. More nervous. Yeah, that's why my stomach was clenching and why my palms were sweating slightly. It's ok, Jade. You've got this.

Night was rapidly approaching and yet, there was no sign of the boy. I bit down on my nail as I stared expectantly at the swing doors, waiting for someone- anyone to come through. But the more I waited, the more disappointed I got, was this kid even coming? No, probably not. This is stupid, did I even agree to do it?

I stood up abruptly. That's it, I was leaving for the night, and maybe he'd be in tomorrow. I yawned and headed towards the swing doors, muttering a farewell to Makino who waved in response. As I passed through the doors someone tore through from the other side, barging through her shoulder. I hissed out an 'excuse you', not bothering to even glance at the person as I continued my exit. I sucked in the cool, night air and begun heading in the direction of the docks. I had spent the rest of my time in the bar fretting over meeting this so-called lonely boy, only to be stood up, I was NOT in the best of moods. Everyone who walked past me on their way home could tell you that. The slight fear on their faces gave everything away, but honestly, who wouldn't be a little put off by walking past a girl with hawk-like yellow eyes looking extremely pissed off just when it was starting to get dark. I glared at them in return for their stares and they cowered away. Yeah, serves them right.

I arrived at the Red Force and begun making my way to the food hall, the pirates steering clear of me. Good, they did have some brains then. I slammed the door open and stormed across the room to the kitchen to grab a plate. I was starving, only drinking sake the entire day, probably not a great idea. Maybe I'll be in a better mood when I fill up. I ran the idea through my head. Seemed legit.

After I stocked my plate full of spaghetti, meat balls and salad, I made my way over to the usual spot. The other four were already seated, in the mids of a discussion. All voices but one fell silent as I took my seat. I ignored Benn, Yasopp and Roo's probing stares, twirling my fork before promptly stabbing a meat ball, swiftly lifting it to my mouth, crushing it with my teeth. I knew the three wanted to ask, but I also knew they wouldn't. They wouldn't want to risk unleashing the beast. And they were right to be cautious, because my patience was wearing particularly thin today. Unfortunately for both her and them, one person caught onto their stares, turning and taking in her silent, fuming form.

"Oi," Just about everyone in the entire food hall flinched as their captain spoke. "What's wrong with you? What's with the aura of death?" His deep voice was dead serious.

I clenched my teeth, glaring down intensely as I stabbed another meat ball, unnecessarily hard.

"Nothing." I bit out. "Absolutely... nothing."

I heard Redhair's chair creak, and his breath fanned my face. "You sure? You look like you're about to murder that meat ball..."

I blinked, yes, indeed. I hadn't realised that I had been stabbing it repetitively. I paused in my actions and carefully put the fork down, the room was silent, the crew holding in their breath.
"Fine. I'll take your word for it." The captain said, his voice brightening up. "Besides, it would be best for you to be in your right mind when I say what I'm about to tell you."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Roo desperately shaking his head at his captain, Yasopp looked a couple shades paler and Benn just seemed on edge. I clenched my fork hard, my knuckles going while against the table cloth. What was it that Redhair was going to say that the rest of their friends knew she shouldn't hear now? It had to be bad, but at least if it was something like hard out training I still had 8 days left to mentally prepare myself, and a few chores wouldn't both me; so what was it?

"Well," I heard him begin. "The doctor said that you've been making a swift recovery from your... accident. But, Jade, the thing is..." I heard him take a large gulp of air. "Every day we waste will only counter the effects of your training. So unfortunately we-" my head snapped up. HELL NO.

"No! Redhair, we agreed-"

"UNFORTUNATELY, we are going to have to-" he tried to talk over the top of me but I stabbed my fork into the table, making him pause. The pause was more than long enough for me to speak.

"You are NOT withdrawing my rest days. The doctor said that-"

"He talked to me this morning and he approved the idea that you could resume your training." He cut me off AGAIN, his voice calm and clear.

I stood angrily. "You OWE it to me-"

He stood too, looking down at me. Damn, he was tall. "It's already decided that-"

"STOP INTERRUPTING ME AND LET ME SPEAK DAMNIT-"

"I'm telling you how it is, just listen to me. Your father trusted me to- HEY."

I had turned my back on him, in a fit of fury, and stalked towards the door. I felt a hand clamp down on my shoulder, spinning me around. I stared up at Redhair, absolutely livid. "Get. Your. Hand. Off. Me." I growled lowly.

"I hadn't finished talking." I swear anything I said would just go in one ear and straight out the other.

"Uncle. Unhand me this instant." His grip lessened considerably but his hand remained were it was.

"Jade, training starts tomorrow morning as usual. Be there." That was JUST IT. I saw red. I caught him off guard when I shrieked in his face, shoving him hard and sending him flying back into a table, the Redhair pirates diving in all directions to avoid being crushed by their captain. In a blink I was crouched over the disorientated man, grabbing his loose fitted white tee and raising my fist, pummelling his face. I only got about five good hits in before I was dragged away and held back. I bit and clawed at the hands that kept me from what I wanted.

"Let me go!" I roared, lashing out blindly at who was holding me, my eyes on the infuriating IDIOT as he was helped up.

I heard an 'oof' but was disappointed when I wasn't released.

Faintly, I heard a voice whisper. "She's turned into a wild beast."

Another said, "Yeah, she's a monster. Attacking Shanks like that. Never seen anything of the sorts."

I paused in my efforts to get free, finally starting to calm down. I glanced around, breathing ragged. Everyone was on their feet, staring between me and their captain, mouths agape.
I turned to him and saw that his face was already beginning to bruise. Serves the bastard right.

Upon seeing me calm down and look at something that wasn't their captain, the hands relaxed. I shook them off, staring down Redhair.

"..." He had been helped to his feet and was now standing by himself, maintaining eye contact with me. It looked rather difficult, as half his face was swollen, but he made do. We stared at each other for a long moment. I was the one to break it. I turned and ran away, my stupid uncle calling after me. I left the room full of Redhair pirates behind and just ran. Away from everything. Away from my room. Away from the Red Hawk. Away from my first REAL family. And I kept running. My vision blurred as I ran through the streets. Great, now I had no idea where I was going. Angrily, I tried to wipe the tears from my eyes. No use, they slipped down my face. A weakness for all to see. I growled and sprinted on, taking no notice of the stiffness that began to burn within my muscles. It made it harder to run, but I pushed through. I blindly ran on, not daring to look back.