My friend who is visiting as a headache and is now resting a little, so I decided to give you the next chapter I just has finished. I'm not sure when I'll be able to finish the next chapter, because tomorrow my holidays are over and i have to gat back to work, but I'll promise I'll do my best.
I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.
I do not own One Piece or the character. I only own Dracule Keiko.
We were on an Island. There were lot of cliffs and deep abysses. It was just a perfect uneven terrain to train on and right now Ace was chasing me. I jumped around, using my instincts and Haki to run away from him. I could sense his present and jumped up, as he threw some fire towards me. I laughed at him and made a counterattack. He dodged it, but got out of balance and felt on the rock he was standing on. He stayed down, panting and gasping.
"I'm worn out. One day Keiko, I swear, you're going to kill me," he hissed.
I sat beside him and smiled. "You've got a lot stronger. You almost got me," I said impressed.
"Only almost," he mumbled.
"Don't be so harsh on yourself Ace. You're really good and can use Haki. All three of them. You're not perfect or strong in those, but it needs training and experience. It doesn't all come at once, you know," I said.
"I know Keiko. It is just annoying that a younger person, even a woman, is stronger and better than me. It hurts my pride a little. I want to protect you and not have it the other way around," he said, looking at me.
"You are protecting me Ace. There is many ways of protecting those you care for," I said with a smile.
"You know exactly what I mean," he said and sat up.
He was so stubborn and hardheaded. I just smiled and then I hugged him.
"I know and someday you'll be stronger than me. Ace you almost got me. Which means that you are almost as strong and good as I. Be patient," I whispered in his ear, before releasing him again.
"Yeah you're right. Seems like your training of me, keeps you from getting stronger," he said embarrassed.
"Not really. I do get stronger, but in another way. Don't feel down because of that Ace. I like train with you," I said.
Ace smiled and lay down again. The sun was going down and the sky had a yellow-orange-red color. It was beautiful and amazing. I closed my eyes and listened to the world around me. I could hear Ace breathing, animals below us, birds above us and some footsteps. I concentrated and opened my eyes. Shanks smiled at us.
"Tired?" he asked.
"Yes," said Ace.
"A little," I said.
"Dinner is almost ready," Shanks said.
Ace jumped up and run towards the camp. I shook my head. Whenever food was mentioned he would be the first to the table. I wonder if he has another passion at all. I stood up and walked with Shanks in silence at first.
"Does he progress?" he asked.
"Yes. I can't teach him anything more, but he still needs to grow stronger and be less hardheaded," I said.
"How about you? Do you feel progress on your own?" he asked.
"I surely do. Not only are my fighting skills more effective, but also stronger. And I'm happy, though I really miss dad and I want to go on my own adventures. Being with you is alright, but I still don't feel that comfortable being on a big ship with so many people and it takes time to adjust and adapt to it. Especially since it's my first adventure on my own," I said.
"I know. Don't worry Keiko. One day you won't even think about being with so many people," he said.
I smiled and we walked the rest of the way in peaceful silence. Shanks knew how to cheer me up and make me feel comfortable. Well not only Shanks, but also Benn and Ace. They are my good friends, but I really want a woman to talk to. Somehow I miss having a close friend, whom I can talk about love and stuff like that with.
We were sailing again. Shanks didn't said to where, but we had left the New World and was now on the first half on Grand Line. He had told that he had something to do in this era and wanted Ace, Benn and me to come along. So the four of us were now sailing in a small boat. I wonder where we are going and why Ace and I are with them.
"I guess we will arrive early in the morning, so get a good night rest. Benn will bring us there, unless a storm or something else would be in our way tonight," said Shanks.
I yawned and stretched my body. It had been a long day and even though it was a small boat, where I hardly had any private life, except for the bathroom, I had been able to do some work out and use geppo to train some skills. Ace had tried to keep up and he was really close to bring me down. So I threw myself on the bed, mumbling good night and felt asleep.
The next morning I walked out from the cabin, still tired, but I was use to that. The first thing I saw was fog and then an Island. I couldn't believe my eyes. This was … No way. What were we doing here? I gazed a Shanks, who only stood there with a big warm grin on his face.
"Recognize it?" Shanks teased.
"What are we doing here?" I asked confused, excited and harmed.
"I need to talk to him and he refuses to come to me, so I have to come to him," said Shanks calmly.
"Where are we?" asked Ace confused.
"This is Kuraigana Island, my home. I lived here from the age of 12," I said.
"You lived here? I hope this is just a day with bad weather," he said, looking at the gloomy fog.
"No this is actually a good day," I smiled.
"You're got to be kidding," said Ace.
"No, but I love it here," I said happy.
"I can't see why though. Why did you bring me along?" asked Ace and looked at Shanks.
"Because of your training," he said.
I smiled and turned my head to my home. It was as I remembered. As we got closer I could feel my heart pound harder. Suddenly I could sense some battle going on. I tried to concentrate and was confused. It seemed to be dad fighting, but I don't know who. I looked at Shanks, who just shook his head lightly and then we jumped a shore, while Benn was securing the boat.
We walked through the gloomy mist and the forest. I didn't need to look around to see where I was going. I know this place too well, so I just showed them the way. At some point we could hear swords clashing against each other. It was near the ruins, so I went over to see who my dad fought against. I wasn't prepared for the shock.
Dad was fighting with his Kogatana against Roronoa Zoro. His Yoru was on his back and he was as graceful as ever. I just stared at the scene before me. Zoro looked like he had been through hell. He had an eye patch on his left eye. I looked at Ace, Benn and Shanks, who also looked stunned.
"It's enough for today Roronoa. I got some unexpected guest," dad said and gazed towards us.
Zoro looked in our directions and his eye was first surprised, then it narrowed. He sheathed his swords and walked towards the castle, or so I thought, but he just turned left. Dad gazed after him, shook his head and walked towards us. Short after Zoro came back, looking confused and then I got it. I giggled and shook my head lightly. Zoro looked angry at me, with his hands on his katanas.
Dad stopped and looked curious at Zoro. Then an evil smile played on his lips. I rolled my eyes, knowing what he was thinking.
"Tomorrow dad," I said and took my arm in his smiling happy.
"If you say so. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Shanks brought me here. I'm surprised as you, when I saw my homeland," I said.
"WHAT?" shouted Zoro, looking at me.
"Is something wrong Roronoa?" I asked.
"Did you just called Hawkeye dad?" he asked.
"Yes … What else shall I call my dad?" I asked.
He looked at me with big confused and wide open eyes and his jaw dropped. I looked at dad and then shook my head. Dad didn't tell Zoro about me at all, but I wasn't surprised at all. I walked over to Zoro and gazed at him.
"Jeez dad what in hell did you do this time? He looks like if he is standing on the edge of death," I said.
Zoro's eye narrowed and his hands slipped down to his katanas. I could feel his anger rise. I looked curious at him, wondering what he wanted to do in his shape. He gazed at me, looking for something, but he didn't find it, since he just walked past me.
"I'm fine," he hissed.
"Whatever. You don't look like it, but you have spirit. Oi Ace do you want to try your luck and fight against some Humandrills?" I asked and looked at Ace.
Zoro's eye followed mine and once again his jaw dropped. I looked at dad, who just stood there with a smirk on his face. Amused by his pupil. I rolled my eyes and started to laugh. Dad's humor could be so dark, but this was actually funny seeing Zoro so confused and shocked.
"Keiko is right. You look like you have been through hell. Like Luffy did as he came to my rescue," said Ace.
"They wrote you were dead," said Zoro.
"They did. And I wonder how Luffy is taking it, since you seemed to believe it. Hawkeye didn't tell you that it was wrong?" said Ace and looked at dad.
"So Akagami why did you come?" asked dad, avoiding Ace's question.
"Let's go to the castle. The young ones can stay here and train," said Shanks.
"No way. I'm going to find out why in hell you dragged me home, just to talk to dad," I said.
"I'll tell you later Keiko, but first I need to talk with your dad. Just us adults," said Shanks.
"Promise," I said.
"I promise," said Shanks.
"Fine, but we'll be there in three hours," I said.
Shanks nodded and then they left. I was really excited to be home, but I couldn't really understand why Shanks brought me here. He could have went on his own or so, but no he wanted me and Ace along as well. I must mean something.
"Are you two going to tell me, what is going on?" asked Zoro and gazed deadly at me.
"What do you want to know? My full name is Dracule Keiko and I kicked some ass in the war and saved Ace. Now we are both travelling with Shanks to get stronger," I said and crossed my arms.
"You saved him? Why would you do so?" Zoro asked.
"Do you know why he was going to be executed?" I asked.
"Because he's an infamous pirate," said Zoro.
"No. Because he is the son of Gold Roger, the deceased Pirate King. Because the government and the marines are scared of his bloodline. Cowards and idiots. I wouldn't have done anything at all, if they only were going to execute him because he's an infamous pirate. Hell I would have helped them, just because they would have paid, but to blame a kid for the sins of his father? I can't agree with that. It's not acceptable at all. I hate that the most," I said, my voice a bit angry.
Ace laid his hand on my shoulder and smiled to me. I calmed down and send him a smile back, before looking at Zoro. He looked surprised and I could see some respect in his eye. I wonder what he thinks of me now, knowing who I am and what I stand for.
"They wanted to kill you for that? Pathetic. If only I had been there too," Zoro growled.
"You would only have course more trouble. Luffy did, but somehow, and don't ask me how or why, he gained the respect and support of Whitebeard, so all the Whitebeard pirates and their ally helped him. Even Crocodile helped him. That is some scary power he possesses. I like his spirit and that was also a reason to get involved," I smiled, remembering Luffy's intense eyes and feelings in them.
"He is mostly reckless, but he always survives and get stronger. I'm here so he can rely on me in the future too," said Zoro.
"I see. That's why dad trains you. You pushed your own ambitions away for the sake of Luffy. That must have impressed dad the most. He's just so goodhearted," I smiled.
"Whatever his reason is, one day I'll take his title," Zoro stated.
"Really? Then you first have to defeat me to prove that you're worthy," I teased.
"Fight me," he said.
"Not today. You look horrible. I want to fight you when you're healed, not wounded. That's no fun in it for me, or challenge," I said.
"Are you sure Keiko? If I'm not mistaken Zoro only gets the best out of himself when he's cornered," said Ace.
"I thought I had trained you Ace? You can't see the difference in our levels yet?" I asked.
"She's right. I won't be able to win in this state," said Zoro.
"See. To your right Ace and your left Zoro," I said as I saw the humandrills coming towards us.
They both turned around and made a counterattack. I smiled and dodge the humandrill attacking me. After dad was gone, they had been lurking around and I had raised my ambition high enough not for them to attacking us, while we talked, but now I wanted to get some exorcises, so I lowered m ambition, making them attacking us.
I unsheathed m sword and parried an attack from a humandrill and then I counterattacked. I didn't need to use my full strength or Haki to win over them. I was stronger now and I had beaten them often before leaving home. I was simply testing Ace. So while I easy defeated those Baboons, I watched Ace's fight. He was good and he did not have that many problems. Zoro on the other hand was still wounded and some trouble, but unless he was in great danger, I wouldn't interfere with his fight.
After a while I heard a shrilled voice above me. I looked up and jumped away, as a Baboon thought it could take me down. I simply knocked it down, before seeing the girl floating above us. She had a long dark dress on and pink hair. Around her floated two ghosts.
"Why do you fight those again? Do you not think a bit about me? Who do you think have to patch you up again? Jeez you're such a baka," she shouted towards Zoro.
Then she saw me and Ace and she got pale. Her eyes widened and her jaw felt open. And then she screamed, before floating away. I was surprised by that reaction and gazed at Ace. He had raised his ambition so the Humandrills wasn't attacking again. I shook my head lightly.
"Who was that?" I asked.
"Perona. She lives here too now and your father tolerates her, because she cook, cleans the house and tends my wounds," Zoro said and sheathed his katanas.
"So she's a housekeeper, while dad trains you? He keeps surprising me. Well, this was some good exorcises and I'm kind hungry. So Ace want to see my home?" I asked.
"Sure. Can I see your room?" he asked.
"I'll show around, but I won't show you mine or dad's room," I said.
"Women," Ace teased.
"Yes we are wonderful," I smiled, sheathed my swords and started to walk.
We walked in silence toward the castle. I felt anxious to be home and I loved every single step I took. Walking from the ruins to my home. The first month's dad had carried me, because I had been too exhausted to walk or even unconscious. Later I had been only wounded and then just nothing. The fight with the humadrills was at the very end only to warm up.
We walked in and there, floating around, talking to herself, was Perona. I just walked towards the bathroom downstairs, dragging Zoro with me. I open the drawer and took the first aid kit out. I stated to treat his wounds, even if he complained at first.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked.
"Like hell am I going to let you wander around like this. Just have faith in me," I said.
After I was finished he looked stunned. I rolled my eyes. "Haven't you ever been treated for your wounds?" I asked.
"Chopper did always treat my wounds, after he became our nakama, but then I could barely move. This however doesn't affect my movements that much," he said.
"Your doctor needs to learn how to treat a warrior," I stated.
Ace giggled behind me. I rolled my eyes a little and saw Zoro's surprised face.
"Food," I stated and walked towards the kitchen, ignoring all the arrows painted on the walls.
"Oh finished with training already Keiko?" asked Benn.
"Training? Oh for me it was just a welcome home warm up," I smiled.
"Shanks and Hawkeye want you to come right to them, when you came back. They are in the living room," Benn said.
"Thanks," I said and walked towards the living room.
I opened the door and then went in. Dad and Shanks were sitting in front of the fire place. I went over to them and sat down. They looked at me with some amusement in their eyes. I wonder what the hell they were thinking, but waited patiently too hear what they wanted to say.
"So you trust Shanks that much?" asked dad.
"I do. Him, Benn and Ace," I said, knowing what dad meant.
"It sure surprises me though," he said.
"They are not like you. I told you because I needed you to know. The reason why I told them is because I wanted them to know," I said.
"I understand. You did indeed teach her a lot, Akagami," said dad.
"You told me too Taka No Me," he said, smiling to me.
"You've grown Keiko. Not only in strength, but also mentally. What is your dream?" asked dad.
"My dream? I want to sail the world, experience adventures and just live without regrets. If I can live like I want to and experience freedom I will be happy," I said.
"Is that all?" dad asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked confused.
"You are quite a beautiful, charming and lovely young woman, Keiko. What about love?" Shanks asked.
My eyes widened and I started to blush, before looking down. "It sure would be nice to find love on my way," I said silently and a bit embarrassed.
"I see. I thought that. How can I feel that you are safe, if you fall in love? I know very well what kind of trouble love can get you into," said dad.
"Say what? Trouble? Come on dad, have some faith in me. I'm still learning how to socialize, so I don't think about to find love right now. I talk about the future. A couple of years from now at least," I said.
"Love doesn't ask if you're ready for it or not. Suddenly it just comes to you and you do stupid stuff. Especially if it is the first time you fall in love," said Shanks.
"Are you two for real? I sure hope to find some good friends before that and if it happens now, I trust you to help me. There will always be a first time for everything and I can't hide from love forever. Beside what do you want me to do? Stay locked in my room and giving up my dreams?" I asked.
"No we just want to warn you," said Shanks.
"Why?" I asked confused.
"Because you're around so many men on a daily basis and you have started to become quite social," said Shanks.
"You brought me here, to talk about that kind of stuff with dad? To warn me that I might fall in love?" I was really confused.
"So that I could tell you that I'll kill those who aren't good enough for you," dad stated.
"I wouldn't let you decide that," I said darkly.
"I know. Shanks wanted to talk about other stuff too. And yes it regarded you," he said, before I could ask what.
"I see. Am I too much to handle or do you simply wanted to tell dad how I'm doing?" I asked.
"You're not trouble at all. I wanted to tell your dad how proud he can be off you. And since we both used our Haki to see how you were doing against the humandrills and how Ace was doing, I must admit you surprise me, how relax you were," Shanks said.
"It's not like I haven't fought them before," I said bored.
"Ace did well too. You sure have trained him good," said dad and I knew this was his way of saying he was proud of me.
"I was impressed by his progress, but I'm glad," I said.
"I wanted to test Ace, so that's why I took him along too and I knew you would be happy to come home for a couple of days. You can train Ace here, knowing every inch of this Island," said Shanks.
"Good idea. Tomorrow I'll fight Zoro and train Ace. You two can do as you please," I said.
I looked towards the door as Ace and Benn went in. I could hear Zoro yelling something and Perona scream something back. I shook my head and turned to dad.
"How exactly can you still be sane being with them?" I asked surprised.
"Just ignore them. They seem to get along well," he said.
"They sure do," I said amused.
Perona was now yelling at dad, telling him how much she hated to be here. There was nothing to do, beside stupid stuff and Zoro was always wounded. Zoro told her that she didn't need to patch him up, when she screamed that if he would die, she would be all alone with my 'insane' dad. I laughed at that and shook my head slightly, looking at Shanks and Ben, which both was amused too. Perona then started to shout at us.
"I won't let you talk to my daughter like that," said dad in a cold and deadly voice.
Perona gazed surprised at him, while I just smile and introduced myself to her. She screamed and then floated away. Zoro looked a bit surprised by dad's words, but dad just started to enjoy the meal Benn had made for us. Ace sat there with a hopeless smirk. It sure was good to be home, even though things were different.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Shanks wanted to talk with Mihawk about something concerning Keiko and Mihawk didn't have time to come to him (he's training Zoro) and since this couldn't wait, Shanks decided to go to Mihawk and bring Keiko along. Just to make sure that Mihawk doesn't kill him for entering his Island :-D.
Please leave a review.
I'll be back as soon as possible, so be patient.