Savage Kill: thanks for your review. Ah, well the marriage was the farthest thing from her mind, since she was only a child when she ran away. In this chapter it's mostly filler, but also a little back story and her thoughts on why she did, what she did. Aiko is part of a five hundred year old monarchy, but is not a princess. If she fails to carry out her responsibilities, as being part of that monarchy, it could be very detrimental to the way of the people, and how the island is controlled.
To all my lovely readers out there, I'm sorry for updating so late. Enjoy!
Futility
Feet quickly bustled over the hard, thick wood, on deck. The current and strong winds, guiding the ship, was on their side- pushing them faster than they had anticipated. Laughter bellowed throughout the deck below, and the scent of jasmine tea, filled the room. Smiles where both present on their faces- one ecstatic and raging, the other minute, and carefully calculated, hiding behind the newspaper.
"Just a few more days Haru. The plan to wait for her to turn up on Kensei still remains, huh?" The gruff man, who was for once wearing a coat over his shoulders, asked.
The more collected of the two, sipped his tea, to hide his growing smile. Their journey would finally be over, no more bullshit searching high and low, over treacherous seas. The pay would be excellent, and their Baron would stop worrying.
"...yes just a few days. Everything is falling into place so very nicely. It's almost scary."
"Fucking great! I'm done with this sailing shit right now, not nearly as much fun with you, as it is with my crew."
"That crew of drunk misfits? Hardly."
Kasmir folded his arms across his chest, leaning against the wall across his counterpart. He wore a crooked, sly, smile.
"Hey, We're obviously good at what we do. No matter how much the crew enjoys a good drink."
"Well settle down, I'm trying to read the paper."
"Fine. But I'm the one who gets to capture her remember?"
"You'll probably attempt to hurt her, or even scare her."
"It's not like I'll beat her to a pulp. I'm just saying, we have to be cautious because we don't know everything that has been going on in her life since she was a child."
"We know enough...and as dangerous as she is said to be, I don't think using brute force, like you so want to do, would work. Although she may be considered a 'threat', we all know deep down, she won't fight unless provoked."
"Fuck it! Fine! I'll come up with the best fucking plan ever."
Haruto rolled his eyes, flipping through the noir pages of the paper, before shooing the larger man out of his room.
•*•
The pattering, soft, sound of hail echoed through the quiet halls of the Heart Pirates' submarine. It was early in the morning, and for some reason or another, Aiko found herself awake. Awake and wanting coffee, even after only getting a few choice hours of sleep. At least the captain on the vessel, was kind enough to sleep in clothes- black shirt, black pants and a good foot away from her. It was a wonder he slept at all- considering the heavy bags under his eyes; some doctor.
The cold metal stung her feet through her socks, as she positioned herself to get out of bed. The chill shot through her body like lightening, as she scrambled to reach for her coat.
'Fucking hell! Why is there no heat?!' She screamed in her head, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. Undoubtably now on a mission to find out why it was so god dammed cold. The metal door made a surly creak, as she pushed it open slipping out into the hall. Cursing again, that she could probably see her breath if there was any less, 'warmth'. She could still hear the soft patters of hail echoing- it was quite melodic in a way.
Maybe, she could just borrow the kitchen, it's not like she had been told she wasn't allowed to use it. But actually finding it, would prove to be more of a struggle. She slid past the halls, turning down one corner, down another hall, the snores of the crew on board fading into the small distance. A soft clank behind a door alerted her, which was soon followed by more soft clatters, and the smell of coffee.
The scent of freshly brewing black coffee, tantalized her senses, as she quickly tip-toed towards the infatuating scent. The door to what she assumed would be the mess hall, judging by her findings, was open just a smidgen- a soft stream of light pouring out of the crack, between door and hinge. She had a feeling of nostalgia wash over her, causing a small smile to tug at the corners of her mouth. It was like being a child all over again, peeking through doors, sneaking around for adventures. But this adventure only had one primary goal: a heated beverage.
Her bright eyes fell upon a man of very large stature, overly muscular, with a wild animal look to him, but the aura around him, didn't seem all too threatening. Slowly, she pushed her way through the entrance, and walked up next to him.
"Good morning." Aiko whispered, staring down the glass pot filled with the steamy drink, in front of him.
The enormous man looked down at the, average-sized, woman standing next to him. He didn't say a word- didn't question her; nothing. It was strange, for certain, but when he set down a mug of coffee on the table, she quickly sat down.
"What's your name?" Aiko asked, blowing on the hot, dark, drink.
"Jean Bart, young lady. Captain had informed myself about you, however, he has not informed the rest of the crew. When the time comes, you would be wise not to wake up the Captain. The boys are a damn rowdy bunch, so I'll help you keep them in line."
Aiko cringed as the still boiling liquid, seared her tastebuds. "Will they flip out because some random person is just kinda moseying around their home?"
"Something along the lines of that. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to check on a few things before I start breakfast- unfortunately our actual cook is balls deep in an, alcohol induced, sleep. If you would like to make yourself feel useful, you are free to help."
Cooking wasn't really one of her strong suits- not at all, unless you liked burnt food, like she did. If it wasn't a bloody steak, tea, or a pot of rice, she was completely clueless. She needed books, and even with the guidance from that, her cooking was horrible.
•*•
"Momma! Will you cook me something to eat?" A little hand grabbed onto the soft chiffon fabric of her mothers dress, tugging it slightly.
The woman smiled, kneeling down in front of her. Her blue eyes sparkled, and her black short curls framed her heart shaped face, in a manner that made her look much younger than she was. Her daughter, more the spitting image of her father, except the wavy hair, wrapped her arms around the woman's neck- signaling to pick her up.
"You know, my little Aiko, you will need to learn how to cook your own food someday." She replied, resting the small girl on her hip, to ease the weight off her arms.
"But why? You and poppa, and Yamo can cook."
The woman laughed softly, brushing a stray wave of hair from her child's face- before cupping her cheek warmly.
"We will not always be here for you. Someday, you will have a family of your own, and you will also need to learn these things."
"But I have my own family!"
"Oh? And who is this family you speak of?"
"You, poppa, and, Yamo!"
Aiko's mother laughed again, planting a soft kiss on her hair, before setting her back down on the marble floor.
"Such a silly girl. What I'm saying is, one day you too will have a husband, and your own children. It will be your duty as a wife to help care for them properly. Do you understand that?"
"Like you and daddy?"
Her mother hid the frown that wanted to make it's way to her face. Their relationship was a lot more complicated than that, but she thought it best to just agree. Aiko was too young in her opinion, to know that she was in fact the illegitimate child of the Baron. But the fact that she was still his daughter, even first born child, to his mistress, all he did was dote and love on her. Unlike his first wife, who was unfortunately, unable to bear any children for the family. She was a crude woman, in her opinion; nevertheless she loved her strained family more than anything.
"Momma?" Aiko whispered, waving a hand in front of her mothers' face.
"I'm sorry Aiko, I was lost in thought. But the answer to your question is, yes. Just like myself, and your father. Now, I will make you some lunch, so go find your find your father for your studies."
Aiko huffed, folding her arms across her chest. "Alright.. Thank you!"
•*•
The mug was half empty, and the woman traced her finger along the edge of its rim. Resting her face in the palm of her hand, she leaned against the table with a deep sigh, and a soft smile. Happy memories of the past, passed by like fleeting thoughts in her head. Questions popping up, the more they floated by, like feathers in the wind. How was her mom? Her father? Yamo? Her home? How many years had it been? Too many, that's for sure. All the while it had been so many years, she didn't feel all too torn about it. No doubt in her mind she cared deeply for everything she had when she was young, but to be trapped?
•*•
She let her face fall out of the palm of her hand, slamming her forehead onto the hard table. 'BAM!' Her forehead throbbed a little, but she ignored it, grumbling under hear breath, making her look like some crazy person. Luckily no one was watching- or so she thought.
"Ehhhh?!" A voice exhaled behind her, near the doorway.
With a lazy look, she slid her face along the wood, turning to see who it was. Half a face obscured by black hair, she looked like a demon, with a single ice blue eye, peaking out between her locks.
The young boy in the doorway, could only point and stare- but after a few moments, finally mustered up some words between the nasty throbs of his impending hangover.
"Holy...-!" Before he could even finish his sentence, a large calloused hand covered his mouth.
"Mmmfff..mf!"
Aiko sighed, getting up from her seat, and making her way over to the two men. It looked like the young boy from earlier...
"Hey, kid. Never thought I'd see you so soon. Didn't find any girls to pick up on, eh?" She chuckled softly.
Once the boy had stopped thrashing around, Jean Bart finally released him. Stumbling forward, he looked the woman dead in the eye.
"Why are you on our captain's...ow, ow! Fuck my head.." He groaned, as he gripped the sides of his head tightly, kneeling on the ground.
"I have some business with your captain, that's all. Now keep it down, I've been told that he doesn't like to be disturbed. Seeing as how he has circles, blacker than the pits of hell, under his eyes, I would say he needs as much rest as he can get."
Aiko sat on the floor in front of the boy, while he gulped down the glass of water that had been brought to him.
"...look, I know I probably shouldn't be wandering someone else's place, so early in the morning, but I couldn't sleep. I'm Aiko, by the way." She replied, extending a hand out to him.
Cautiously, he grabbed it, shaking it in the process. "Penguin."
"Ah... Well I guess it's a pleasure. Anyway, I apologize for scaring you."
"What sort of business do you have with our Captain?"
'A bargain...of sorts.'
"I am just helping him, for personal reasons. Nothing more." She could feel her teeth grit through a cheeky smile, as such an almost blatant lie seeped from her lips.
The boys eyes narrowed. His Captain never asked for help from someone, especially not someone he didn't know, unless he had some sort of ulterior use or motive, for said person. He couldn't tell what to make of the woman who introduced herself as, Aiko. Her words didn't necessarily match the smile on her face.
The silence in the room was thick and stale, with a small sigh Aiko ran her hand through her hair and got pulled herself off the ground. Without so much as another word, she grabbed her mug, refilled it, and headed back to Laws room.
•*•
Law was awake, sitting at his desk, finishing off the book he had been reading the night before. Wiping the leftover sleep from his eye, he set the book down, leaning back in his chair.
'A Marine base with treasures? Well that would be something fun, at least while the log pose sets- but the timing would have to be just right in case for some reason we need a quick escape.'
Law loathed to partake in meaningless fights, especially with weaklings. If he could get his way ultimately without a brawl, then even better.
The door of his room creaked open behind him, and the smell of his favorite drink flooded into the room. Law looked over his shoulder, and saw his new guest slinking back in.
"Having fun exploring my ship?"
The woman smiled slightly, bringing the mug to her lips, and shrugged.
"It's much bigger than it looks...but compared to other ships, it's still rather tiny. Why do you keep this place at sub zero temperatures?"
He chuckled under his breath. "Miss Aiko, we are from the North Blue, of course. I prefer cold temperatures, rather than to warm ones."
"I don't know if you've noticed but it's a winter island, and you can hear the hail tapping against the metal of this thing. You'd think someone would have the brains to a least make it a little warmer."
"Do not insult me, Miss Aiko. If it bothers you this much, why don't you go down to the boiler room, and stand there."
"Pass. I thought about that on my way back, and I think I can just use a blanket."
"Then don't complain."
Aiko rolled her eyes. "I was just stating my opinion, and asking a question. Now why the hell are you awake this early? Judging by the unattractive bags under your eyes, you still need more sleep than I do."
Laws eyes narrowed slightly, at her accusation. "I have work that needs to be done. Now if you'd be so kind, be a good girl and stay quiet, or you can leave."
She smirked. "Well breakfast is almost up, just so you know."
•*•
Deciding on the latter, she once again found herself in the galley. The boy, Penguin, had gone back to his room, and all that was left was Jean Bart, and herself. Rice porridge, fruits, and what appeared to be meat, were placed in separate bowls along the counter. Aiko stared listlessly at his back as she watched him finish preparing the morning meal.
"I can feel your eyes boring into my back, girl."
She smiled. "Oh I'm just observing, that's all."
"You could give me a hand."
"Yeah...I don't think you want me to do that, but if anything I'd like to cook my own food, if that's alright."
"Suit yourself."
Jean Bart walked over to a cabinet, opening it, and pulled out a multitude of silverware, and dishes. Some slightly dirty, some clean, but all needed to be rewashed.
It wasn't long before you could smell burning food throughout the kitchen. Her meat was charred beyond all hell, it looked just like the cast iron pan she had cooked it on. Scraping it off onto a plate, she sighed. A stifled laughter came out from behind her.
"What is that supposed to be? It looks like the bottom of a shoe!" The voice laughed loudly.
That definitely hit a nerve. She spun around, a shot a grave look to the person who laughed at her sub-par culinary skills. The chestnut haired boy from the Marina, and Penguin; both were snickering, in the doorway.
"Shut it. It's not like I'm cooking for you."
"Tha-...hahahaha! th-that's not cooking...it's disintegrating! Holy shit...that's bad!"
"Mister Shachi. Mister Penguin. Why is it I'm finding you two making so much noise, hmm?"
A dark shiver crawled down from their necks, to their backs, as two froze in place. They turned slowly to see their Captain, standing right behind them, with a dead serious look on his face.
"S-sorry, Captain. It was just so funny, that a cute girl can't cook for shit. I mean you would think.." Shachi stopped himself from saying anymore- slowly backing away from the door.
Law let himself into the galley with a bored look in his eyes, and made a straight beeline for the new pot of coffee brewing.
"Oh!? You're done with your book, Law?"
The two boys looked at each other, whispering amongst themselves, with worried looks. No one, EVER, was allowed to address him so informally.
"Ah. Yes. I saw you had coffee, and decided it might be time to grab some myself, before the rest of the crew decides to wake up and drink it all."
'Whaaaat?! No retaliation? What the hell is going on?!' The two mechanics thought, looking back at each other, then between Law and the strange woman- utterly dumbfounded, quietly whispering to each other.
"Well if you don't mind boys, I'm going to take my shitty cooking, and eat in your Captains' quarters while I get ready for the day." She smiled picking up her plate.
Turning to Law, she nodded. "I would also prefer not to ruffle the feathers of the rest of your crew, as it is, pretty early in the morning and I assume you want peace and quiet. Later fellas."
As soon as she disappeared, Shachi and Penguin, approached their Captain. As much as they respected him, and his decisions, it wasn't like he had consulted the rest of the crew on letting some random broad on the ship. The looks on both their faces was one, mixed of confusion, and something similar to worry.
•*•
After a shower, and her charred meal, Aiko grabbed a small satchel packed with a few belongings, and headed towards the deck to get some fresh air. The hail had long since stopped by the time she had made her way out. The sleet wasn't blowing nearly as bad as the day before, and the submarine rocked gently along the cold current of the ocean waves.
The sound of the town was omitted by a soft breeze, in the distance between the lights of the domed buildings, and the shore. Aiko reached into her pocket with a gloved hand, pulling out herself a cigarette. The smoked that emanated from her mouth looked rather beautiful, as it slowly wafted through the cold air. Smiling to herself, she grabbed the railing, and hopped off the Heart Pirates sub, and jumped into the snow along the shore.
Sparkles of glittering white powder, flew into the air as her boots made contact with the ground. A small sliver of light was shining through the seemingly endless clouds above her, it was nice to see the sunshine for once.
"I wonder what Law wants to do with that information I handed him..." She asked herself, quietly under her breath, realizing something bad might potentially follow.
The crunch of the frozen water below her boots was rhythmic in a way, plumes of smoke slowly dispersing behind her with each step. She had no real plan, but she definitely didn't want to get too friendly with her new 'crewmates'.
'Just a little while longer..'
•*•
"Vice Admiral Kokuto! Kokuto!" A group of Marines came frantically running up to the main office on the small Marine base.
The man Kokuto, had locked himself in the room for a few days, deliberating on the whereabouts of some renegade bandits that had been terrorizing the islanders on the Far East side. They liked to hide out in the mountains and the snowstorms- like ghosts. He grit his teeth, his eyes were bloodshot, and his mind needed rest. The loud banging on his door, only further angered the man.
"P-please...sir! Let us in, it's very important!"
What in the fuck, could be so important as to bother him while he's formulating a plan to kill the group of people terrorizing the towns, and killing off his soldiers?
A tiny woman, older, with a small monocle resting in front of her left eye, approached the group of raving Marines. The clicks of her heels, on the marble floor, echoed over their ranting- causing them to halt in place and turn to address her.
Their eyes widened, as they got back into their haphazard formation, saluting sharply out of respect for their senior.
The older woman's name was Kasha, but even in her current position, she preferred to be referred to as, Lady Kasha, a bit of a narcissistic, prude she was. The gold buttons on her black blouse, sparkled in the light, with beautiful contrast compared to her pearly white coat resting in her shoulders. The ironed creases in her black slacks, never wavered in with her movement- and her polished heels, sung in the halls as if she demanded the ultimate authority and respect.
"You boys need to learn your place. Vice Admiral Kokuto is quite busy. Now if there is something so urgent, that you must bother him, then speak calmly to me, and I will pass on the report."
"We apologize sincerely, Captain...I mean Lady Kasha. It's just that we heard that one of the Supernova crews has docked on this island!"
The look in her eye behind the monocle, darkened. Where had their surveillance been? Why had they not be informed about this sooner?
"How long ago did they arrive?" She ground out.
"A-about nearly 37 hours ago..."
Damn these rookies. She cursed to whatever god of hell she could, at their incompetence. But by judging whose subordinates they were, she could only blame him.
"Where is Vice Admiral Aron? Your superior? Is his lazy ass daydreaming in his quarters on your ship again?! I swear...!"
"We...aren't sure." A few of the Marines in the group spoke out cautiously.
"No..I saw him yesterday.." Six sets of eyes darted at the boy who finally spoke out.
"Yesterday? So you're implying you haven't seen him since?"
"N-no...ma'am.. I apologize, I haven't."
Kasha let out a long, harsh, sigh. Before turning to the young boy, who was stammering out of fear and embarrassment.
"And where exactly, did you see him? What was he doing?"
The boy looked down, thinking carefully about his answer. Lady Kasha only growing more impatient, by the second. She was going to knock this boy out, and their superior, if he wasn't going to give her any valid information.
"Spit it out boy!"
"Okay...! Okay.. I saw him in town, while I was at the bookstore. He was talking to one of the girls on the island. I didn't want to interfere, because it looked like they were going on a date or something..."
"That son of a bitch! I going to pummel his lazy, skirt-chasing ass! If he thinks he can just ignore his duties... Hell I don't even know how he got his job, with the rate he runs things...!"
"Lady Kasha! Don't speak ill of our-!" They began to retort, until a familiar chartreuse eyed man came up.
The room went quiet- the echoing of yells, slowly disappeared. The small group of rookie Marines, stood tall, saluting to a figure that just made his appearance behind the older woman.
The cheeky grinned young man, placed a gloved hand on the raving woman's shoulder. With a small grimace, she ripped herself out of the light grip, making the young man behind her, put his hands up defensively, and take a step back. As petite as Kasha was, she was a temperamental, and feisty woman- not someone you wanted to tick off.
"Lady Kasha, I'm sorry for my absence. But as my faithful subordinate, so clearly stated, I was on a date. I don't simply go around 'chasing tail', I'm not that kind of disrespectful man. One night stands, are not my thing."
She angrily fixed her slipping monocle, with a huff, folding her arms, and shot him a death glare.
"Well as Vice Admiral, you need to take your job much more seriously! I am ashamed, for whoever taught you that slacking off was okay."
Aron grinned childishly. "Never bad mouth the woman who taught me almost everything I know." His voice, was harsh, but he still kept his grin.
"I'm going to have a stern talk with that woman. She obviously is nothing more than a slacker, like you. Give me your Den Den Mushi."
His smile disappeared into a small snarl at her rude words. "Sorry, but you can't do that."
"And why not Aron?" She sneered back, dropping all honorifics aside.
"She's dead. Went missing in action five years ago."
A slight pang hit Kasha's stomach. "My condolences, sir."
"It's quite alright. I know she's happy and doing well, wherever her fleeting spirit is traveling. That being said, I will take care of the insolence of my subordinates, and write Kokuto a report. Excuse us, Kasha."
He sighed, turning to his men, motioning for them to follow him.
Aron pulled two of his subordinates aside, the ones with the most information on the subject at hand.
"Sir? May I ask a question?"
"Sure thing! What's on your mind?"
The boy fumbled with his necktie for a second before looking his superior officer, dead in the eye.
"Who...who was the woman who taught you everything you know? I'm just curious because I've never heard you use that kind of tone or talk, especially with Lady Kasha. You also don't really speak of the past either.."
Aron smiled fondly, sitting down in a chair.
"She didn't teach me everything, but, she was a great woman, almost like a sister to me. Beautiful in spirit and personality. She had an immense sense of justice, that I still love to uphold as her former subordinate. She used to work under the current Fleet Admiral, actually."
He paused, scratching the stubble on his chin before continuing. "I guess you could say I also worked under him, but I wasn't even on his radar, even when she would bring me with her on missions. To be frank, she was his former 'star' pupil- he actually hand picked her over a man that was assigned to work under him, at the time. That man wasn't very happy at first, but after seeing the borderline death training Sakazuki sent her under, I'm sure he quickly understood, why he was so inferior. I'm also sure if she was in my current position though, she'd probably crack a whip, and put you guys into place- but I'm a little more carefree than she was...well less of a hard ass."
The boys in his company both looked rather perplexed by his answer. To be taught by someone who had been that close to the Fleet Admiral, well that was certainly...unexpected. They knew their Vice Admiral was strong, but to actually be taken under the wing by the star pupil of one of the most brutal and ruthless men in the Marines...that was a completely different story. His story, only inspired them more as well as made them happy to be working under someone who had such privileges.
"...so sir, why is it that we have never heard of this before?"
"So many questions! Oh how this day is going to be fun! Anyway, it's not something I like talking about, because it's a slightly touchy subject. I'm sure you also know, Sakazuki wouldn't say anything about it as well, he's not the type of man to revel in trivial things of the past. So if the questions are done for now, let's get to work."
"Yes sir!" The two young Marines sang out happily.
•*•
"Excuse me...?"
An elderly couple running the small bookstore, turned towards the woman at the counter.
"Yes my dear? Is there something you need help with?"
"Um...yes.. I'd like to use your Den Den Mushi, if that's alright...?"
"Why of course...is it urgent?"
"Yeah..I'd like to say it is. I need to get ahold of a friend, If you don't mind."
"Of corse not my dear! Just make it quick, I'm expecting an order soon, and I'd hate to miss the call."
Sliding the snail over to the girl, bundled in a warm parka, and scarf. Smiling, she reached out her gloved hand, and picked up the receiver.
•*•
'Budda~Budda~Budda~ ...Budda~Budda~Budda~...*click*'
"Hello? Who is this? I'm a busy man." The voice replied in a cold, snarky tone.
Aiko smiled to herself- it had been too long since she had heard such a commanding, and still oddly sultry, voice.
"My dear, how are you?"
Silence. But even in that moment of silence, she could hear the hidden surprise in the person. It had been quite some time, but judging by the situation, it couldn't have been a more fitting time.
"...I see you received my letter."
"I did. Why would someone such as yourself, look out for someone who doesn't mean jack to you anymore?"
"Why, indeed."
She could hear the condescending smirk making it's way onto his face, as he spoke.
"So you knew all along I was alive?"
"It would seem to be that way."
"What do you want?"
"I'm just here to help."
The eyes of the snail she was borrowing, narrowed at his statement.
"With what, exactly?"
"Your personal situation."
"What're you referring to?"
"You'll see soon enough."
"What're you talking about?"
"You're childhood mistakes will be catching up with you soon, so when you're in a pinch, I'll be more than willing to help. However, at the current moment, I have a student to train- dammit Perona!"
'Perona?'
"Listen here you cold hearted man, you will tell me what you are talking about...NOW."
"Come now, you knew what kind of man I was from the very beginning. Until realize what I'm speaking of, do not contact me. *click*"
Aiko was slightly irritated, but couldn't be all that surprised, he had never been a man of many words...or many emotions for that matter. She sighed, placing the receiver back on the snail, watching it's eyes droop down further. Well at least she knew what she had thought, of what Aron had told her, was in fact true. As much as she liked the truth, she hated it just as much. Now she knew he wanted something, and it would cost her much more than her life- it would cost her whatever slowly dwindling freedom she had left.
"You look distraught Miss...is everything okay?"
"Yeah, as much as things could be. I'd like to browse your shop for a little while. Thank you."
•*•
"Are you sure you want to do this Captain?"
"Don't ask stupid questions, Toma! Of course he's sure, otherwise he wouldn't have made the plan to begin with." Shachi yelled, hitting his crew mate on the head.
"Ow! What the fuck?!"
"I said don't be stupid!"
"Well I'm just not sure if the source of the information in credible, that's all..jeez."
Penguin, and Shachi looked at one another, back at Toma, then towards their Captain sitting at the table- attempting to enjoy his umpteenth cup of coffee, and the newspaper.
"The source is credible...right, Captain?"
Law looked over the edge of the paper, his eyes were as stormy as ever, but there was that sick hint of intrigue that shone in them once again.
"It would seem that, Miss Aiko, is excellent at collecting information."
The three boys' faces flushed. The hushed gossip amongst a few in the crew, about a strange woman staying in their Captains quarters, was true. But they had thought he had brought on that woman to well...'warm his bed', not for collecting information. Which was quite unusual, at least to them.
"S-so...is she out doing that now for our plan to rob that Vice Admiral?"
"I do not know. Last time was a fluke, but it's working to our advantage greatly. She managed to take the information, without much hassle. But I made a deal with her, if she does what I ask then everything will fall into place. Now if you're done arguing amongst each other. go start those chores I know you all have. We have but another thirty six hours on this island."
•*•
'A Rare, And Frightful Conundrum'
The hard red cover of the tome resting in Aiko's lap, seemed to weigh down heavier and heavier, as she stared at it. How long had it been? An hour, maybe two? She just sat there and looked at it.
It was indeed quite the surprise, to find a book published, and written by her great grandfather. He was a lot like her father- he loved to travel, to sail, to scour the world for things that could potentially help their scientific research- as well as what're adventure came along with it. Although she had never met the man herself, her father would tell her amazing stories of his travels, and his contributions to Providence.
She however, was nothing like the two people she looked up to. She hid, ran, disobeyed the islands customs, for her own selfish purpose. Joining the Marines, was something almost unheard of, from someone born in Providence; they were on neutral ground for a reason. They did not want to meddle in the unstable affairs of the outside world, they did not want to become a territory under pirates or the World Government- and that's the way it had stayed for a good 500 years. But something in her mind told her, that she wasn't like everyone else there, and she needed to leave- to experience what real life is like.
As beautiful, and yet horrifically barbaric, Providences' customs were, those who lived there, unless they had clearance, could not even fathom being able to experience such bliss as she had.
Marines. The World Government. Pirates. Militia. Responsibilities. Wherever she went, she broke the law- broke endless amounts of promises. It was never her intention to be a rebel... But life is too short...right? To be branded by a single lifestyle, was not something she imagined handling. Maybe if she did make it back to the outside world, she could keep at least one of her promises. The one she made with...
A hand pulled out a thin white piece of paper from her pants pocket. It was stationary for a fraction of a second, before veering slightly to the left of her palm...the opposite direction of where she was headed. She frowned, before storing it pack in her pants.
'I won't let them wait another twenty years again...I don't have that kind of time...Marco...'
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Blah...so much filler. Sorry about that...I'm in the middle of a job transfer, and moving crap...again. I promise I'll make the next chapter better. Thanks for reading!