I did manage to have the next chapter ready before my friend comes to visit, so I thought I might upload it to you guys.
I'm not sure when the next will be up though, but I'm working on it.
I do not own One Piece or the characters. I only Own Dracule Keiko (OC).
Half a year the funeral, Ace told them that he would stay with me, if Shanks allowed it. He couldn't bear seeing the faces of his nakama any longer and he had been alone most of the time, since he woke up. Well he had trained with me, but afterwards he was always alone, like I had been. Marco and the others weren't happy though, but they did let Ace stay and Shanks told it was fine.
So we stayed, while the Whitebeard pirates left. Before they left, Marco gave me a piece of his vivrecard, telling me that I was always welcome to return to him, if Ace ever wanted to come back. I saw the sadness in his eyes and I told him that I would bring Ace back if he wanted to. Marco smiled and said I woul always be his friend, which mad me feel happy.
"I'll need more training to become stronger. You had helped me a lot Keiko and I'm grateful. Would you keep on training me?. I can't go back to the others as I am now. I'm not sure if I ever can go back. I don't know if I can forgive myself for bringing them in danger and for the loss of Pops and the others," he said.
"As I have told you, I'll train you and teach you everything I know. Don't blame yourself Ace. You're their nakama of course they came after you. Hell I was ready to help you, risking m life, only because the marines are stupid and got some real fucked up visions," I said.
"You're the best. I'm happy to be your friend," he smiled at me.
"And I'm happy that I did save that precious ass of yours. I don't know if I would have learned to get friends, if not. And I'm happy that you're my friend," I smiled.
He smiled. "You're like an angel, yet a Devil's child. Kind, but in the next moment cold and dangerous. You fight for your beliefs and hates everyone that goes against those beliefs. I like that," he said.
"So do you want to become stronger? You have shown me that you can, but are you truly ready? It won't be easy," I said.
"I'm ready," he said.
While I trained Ace, Shanks and Benn helped me. Not only in the training of Ace, but also my own. Shanks and I fought each other every time we were on an Island, and afterwards there was a party. At first I thought they were crazy parting like that all the time, but then I noticed how it made the crew relax and more focus. How their body got stronger and more efficient.
"Are you starting to understand what it means to relax?" asked Shanks.
"I do, but I know how to relax," I said.
"You know how to relax when you're at home, but not when you are around friends. If you want to serve a pirate captain, then you need to trust them and relax around them too," said Shanks.
"I know now, but it's not easy to do so," I said a bit grumpy.
"Don't get upset Keiko. I know for sure you'll learn it," he smiled to me.
After some time, Ace started to loosen up and told me everything about how Blackbeard killed Thatch and how Whitebeard and even Marco had told Ace to let him be. But Ace was stubborn and felt responsible, since Blackbeard had been one of division. We were sitting on the deck, sharing a bottle of sake. Shanks and Benn was there too.
"You've been through a lot," I said, as he finished his story.
"I have many scars on my soul. My childhood wasn't easy at all. I might not had become who I am now, if it wasn't for Luffy. At first I hated him. He was a spoiled kid that always cried, but he kept following me. One day he sacrificed his life to protect my secret. He would have been dead, but I saved him. On that day he told me, he would rather die than being alone, because it hurt the most. He relied on me. If I was dead or didn't exist then he would be all alone. For me that change me," Ace gazed up at the dark sky.
"It sounds like Luffy possesses the power to heal ones soul," I said.
"That sounds right. You know how it feels right? Being alone?" he asked.
"Not only that. I was adopted by dad at the age of 12. Before that I lived in an Orphanage," I said and wondered what they would say to my story.
"Really? Adopted? Why would he adopt a young girl?" asked Shanks.
"I felt asleep on my bed. It had been a rough day. First, a kid found it funny to wake me up by throwing a bucket of water at my face, so I had to make my bed first. I was then late at breakfast and on my way to school some kids stole my backpack and threw it into the river. As a result I was late for class and soaked, as so was my homework and books. The teacher forced me to stay in the hallway all day. As I came home, it was my turn to serve dinner. As result there was almost nothing left for me. I went into the living room were some kids were watching this new anime. I've been seeing some episodes and I liked it, but I couldn't stay and watch because I had to make homework. As I felt asleep that night, I wished so badly I could live in this anime world, become stronger, get friends and a family. I wanted a dad so bad. A dad that always would protect me, no matter what. As I woke up I could feel the sand beneath me. I wasn't really awake. Only my mind. Couldn't move or open my eyes. First as I was lying in a big bed I woke completely up. I looked into yellow eyes. I couldn't remember where I've seen those eyes before. He asked me for my name and I told him I didn't want to remember. I told him I was an orphan and then he stated that I now was his daughter and my name should be Dracule Keiko," I said.
I starred at the dark sky. The stars were sparkling and there was new moon tonight, so they were shinning even brighter than ever. Or so it seemed. I sighed a little.
"You fell asleep in your bed to wake up on Hawkeye's beach? And he just decided to adopt you?" Ace looked confused.
"Yes. I was confused and scared. Where I come from, yellow eyes are not an eye color. You can get contacts that are yellow or some other colors, but it's not natural. As dad said his name I knew where I've been seeing those eyes. They belonged to a character in that anime I've been seeing lately. He was just introduced. Somehow my wish that night became true. Do you want to know what the name of the anime was?" I asked.
"Sure, but what is anime?" Benn asked.
"Anime is another word for cartoons from a country called Japan. Something that is drawn for the purpose to show in a television. Like the video mushi, just recorded and drawn. The title was One Piece," I said.
Ace, Benn and Shanks looked shocked. I couldn't blame them though. It was hard for me to believe too. That my wish that night came true. I was scared and happy at the same time. But I got the protective dad I wished for. And I got stronger and now I got friends. I only needed to find my place and dream.
"You say that we are drawn characters? Does that means we are fiction?" Ace asked.
"Where I came from, yes. I … I don't know how it is possible and I don't want to think about it," I said.
"He adopted you because you were at his beach… He could just have brought you to an orphanage," Benn stated.
"He could, but he didn't. I asked him once why he didn't do it. He never told me why, but I somehow suspect that he wanted to have a child, but not a woman," I said.
"Even though you still got your father, your scars haven't healed," said Shanks.
"No. Some scars won't heal completely. Dad knows how I was treated, but as you know, he's not good at those kind of stuff, so I closed it in my heart," I said and looked down.
Silence felt upon us. I couldn't look into their eyes. This was so hard to tell, so hard to think of and it hurt. If they now turned their back on me, I had misjudged them and then I would leave. I felt Ace grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently and then someone in front of me. A hand stroke me gently on my cheeks, which were wet from tears.
"Keiko... Look at me," said Shanks in a soft voice.
I looked up. His eyes were warm and gently. I could see compassion and worry. Tears were still falling down and I couldn't stop them. I didn't want to either. This was a huge step for me. To tell someone about my past and feelings. Even to show my tears and sadness.
"The blame is not on your father, nor you. That was just to cruel and I am glad it happened in another world. Or else I had to go to that Orphanage and teach those adults some proper manner, even though I'm the pirate. How can you treat a child like that? Children needs love and to know they are protected. You trust your dad, because he earned that trust, but he doesn't know how to teach you to trust others. He only planted the seed, by learning you how to read people. It's up to you and us to show you that what you read is right and that you can rely on us. Keiko we are your friends and we don't run from you or point fingers at you," said Shanks.
"It's okay to show that you have feelings. To be vulnerable is also fine, as long as you stand true to yourself and those feelings. We can all have bad days where we are down, but true strength lies in coming up again. Sometimes alone and sometimes with the help of friends," said Benn.
"I was scared on the day Luffy was kidnapped. Scared he might die. I see him as a son and I was scared that the sea monster would kill us both, before I could reach him. I told that to Benn and I cried. I'm not embarrassed having those feelings. It ended good and I've moved on. I can't imagine how you must be feeling, but trust me Keiko. One day you'll be happy and free," said Shanks.
"I know how you feel. That kind of loneliness. Not to be allowed to be alive. Not to be wanted at all. You heard it yourself. I do not have the right to live because of my father. As kid I tried to find out what people thought about a child of Roger and none, nobody at all, was thrilled by that thought. Only Pops didn't care who my father was. Because I'm not him," said Ace.
He was still holding my hand and I looked at him. "I hate this society. Telling who is worthy of living and who isn't. I may think so because of my past, but I know for sure that dad doesn't like their way of thinking either. That's why I want to be a pirate. I don't want to be associated with those who decides who shall live and who not. Yes, I do believe you shall be punished for your crimes, but only for the crime you commit yourself and not what your family did," I said.
Ace smiled to me and then he hugged me. I feel much better know than ever before and I returned the hug. I looked at Shanks and he smiled. Even Benn smiled with warm and passionate eyes. Silence felt upon us for a short time, but it felt great.
"So how do you feel now Keiko?" asked Benn curious.
"I feel much better. Well, I feel loved and not alone anymore. I feel safe," I said.
"You seemed to be complete relaxed too. And your eyes shines in a other way now. If your father would see you now, he'll properly would take you with him and locked you up. You look prettier than ever," said Shanks with a smirk.
My eyes widened and I blushed a little. Oh god. If I was to fall in love one day, dad would properly show up and kick his ass. If he didn't have the guts to stand up against dad, dad would never accept my love. Never. And I knew I was beautiful, so boys would properly be chasing me. Especially if I now are prettier due to my new found confidence.
"You can't say something like that to her, captain. Hawkeye wouldn't do that. He'll properly test every man who wants to be with her," said Benn.
I just smiled and rolled my eyes a little. How the hell did this turn into a conversation about me dating in the future? Ace laughed and Shanks too.
"Looks like we've gone a bit to far here. Don't worry Keiko. I think you can handle the young men in the future. After all you're a strong and smart woman. Your father would properly just lean back and watch you turning those not worthy down," said Shanks.
"I sure would. Well, Ace are you ready for another training lesson?" I asked, eager to do something else than talking about the past and dating.
Ace and Keiko are getting closer to each other and is now trusting each other fully. Keiko is still learning how to socialize, but that is something that takes time. Now she has someone around her own age and some other adults than her dad that she trust. Will she be able to rely on her self and her feelings? Will she fall in love? Can she be truly free?
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