Chapter 12: Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead."
- Benjamin Franklin
...
A couple days later
Nami came down with a cold since they left Little Garden.
It got worst day after day - her fever rose to a startling 97 degrees, and she was hallucinating. From zero to a hundred; from ear lobe fetishes to 'Sanji is my future mistress!' causing the girls to stare at her with narrowed eyes.
The girls took shifts on watching over the redhead: Vivi took mornings and Ayame evenings. It was hectic. Her temperature would flare and diminish within an hour, like the weather in the Grand Line.
The fox had licked Nami's finger in attempt to heal her.
"Sanji, I need some of tangerine tea." Fully clothed for the upcoming cold weather, Ayame came in the kitchen to find him pacing around like a madman, mumbling to himself and waving his hands in front of him. "Sanji?"
The man paused, turning to see the girl standing stiffly by the door - he knew she had a hard time asking favours from others, so he smiled softly. Actually, she had a hard time starting a normal conversation. His worries simmering down as his cute little dear had her arms behind her back. She glanced to the side, looking as nonchalant as possible - although she already does, but more if possible. "Sorry, ma cherie: did you need something?"
She glanced at the floor, showing the well-picked tangerines in front of her and he immediately picked up her intentions. Tangerine tea! He thought thankful for her quick thinking. Sick people should always have a bit of tea! Just like the time Ayame fell seasick during their way to the Grand Line. He could never forget the way he passed by the window to see her smell and sip the tea with a fleeting smile. He nearly embraced her on the spot if that damn window weren't in the way back then! But he would've burst through the walls if it wasn't the Going Merry.
He swooned. "Brilliant idea, Ayame! I'll start the water - meanwhile could you get me three more of those?"
"Sure."
Moments later, Ayame came back to see Sanji digging through his spices and did his magic in the kitchen. Placing the oranges in the basket, she went to sit on the bench and watch Sanji in wonder. He was genuinely passionate about being a chef. Ayame thought about Rikku Senior, who would fuss over Usopp and her whenever they caught a cold, and he'd whip out something hot and fetch Junior to get the water. It was soupy, she remembered but... What was the name of the dish he made? Ayame thought, digging deep into her memories.
Usopp coughed into his sleeve. He caught the flu. I had it too. I looked at Senior with tired eyes. "There, it should be done now." He said. Junior fetched the bowls and poured the white soup. It smelled like seafood. Usopp started crying. I wondered if he was in pain. But I knew better. Of course I knew better. It wasn't the illness. Never the illness. Patting our backs, he said: "Eat. It will make you feel better." I asked: "What is it?" He replied: "Porridge."
Sanji had stopped what he was doing after he heard Ayame talking to herself. It sound like she was pulled back to her past - like she was possessed, but when he heard 'porridge' he knew exactly what he had to do despite the lingering thoughts of worry for Ayame. He had never witness anything like it - he was going to question Usopp about this later.
"Porridge!" The girl burst, waking from her possession, before clearing her throat and said it more quietly. Then she quietly sprinted away realizing she had probably had her 'memory' recited in front of Sanji.
...
"Porridge! Why didn't I think about that?" Vivi sighed in relief, grabbing the dish to the bed table and coaxing Nami to sit up. "Thank you Sanji."
Swooning for a moment, he smiled. "Oh thank Ayame - she remembered about it."
Usopp, who was in the chair across the room, turned to Sanji with wide eyes. "Oh! You mean you witnessed her little trip to memory lane then, huh?"
"And I was meaning to ask you about that." Sanji turned to him with an unlit cigarette in his mouth. "Why does she voice it out-"
"Shh!" He interrupted Sanji with his hands in front of him, looking everywhere for any signs of the girl. "Don't let her hear you - Ayame's really sensitive when it comes it. As for voicing it, she has little control over it."
Vivi turned to them. She had mentioned that she didn't like to remember, maybe this was why? "Is there any way for her not to remember?"
Usopp paused, looking up as he began to tell them. "Ayame possesses a strange memory trip when her feelings gets in the way. It's like a separate entity." He shushed his voice, eyeing everywhere as the three huddled closer. "You can't tell anyone about this, all right?" The two nodded. "I don't know the term for it, but like I said, her memory is extraordinary - it's photographic but more advanced. It can't be controlled when her emotions get too powerful - hence why she's so apathetic. She needs to be apathetic. It is a complete must. Everything is recorded and stored. However, there is two ways for her to counteract it: pain or write it down. Writing it down distracts her from talking and going into a dazed state."
"So...?"
"So that's from what I gather. From observing her, and I'm not a doctor so..."
Sanji flicked his nose. "Moron! Those are complete guesses!"
"But it makes sense!" Usopp huffed, defending himself.
"I'd give anything to remember my mother - but I do understand her situation." Vivi agreed, returning to feed Nami, who was too disoriented to understand the words coming out of their mouths. "She is gifted. She shouldn't see it as a burden."
"I've always told her that." Usopp agreed whole-heartedly.
"Guys! I see an island!" They heard Luffy.
...
Upon entering the island, the pirates were stopped by the locals of the island, armed with firearms and whatnot. Ayame and the pets was ordered to stay inside with Nami while they wait for the locals to accept them to disembark on their island. Then Ayame heard a gunshot, she swung the doors open and saw Vivi fall to the ground; a wound on her left shoulder.
Angered, Luffy turned to the man who shot her and raised his fist, only to be stopped. Astonished, Ayame watched Vivi held back the captain and begged for a doctor.
It's better to threaten the locals, Ayame thought. They have all the time but Nami did not. And it'll be faster than getting their trust. They should know better than to trust an adult, Ayame thought, glaring at the leader. Adults were liars - and she was raised with the orphans to never trust their words.
Again, she was startled by the response the leader made. He put away his weapon and told the pirates to follow him as the locals followed after their leader. Ayame's thoughts were in turmoil, but she knew better. Don't trust adults were hardwired into her skull. He could be leading them into a trap, and she would have no part in it.
Feeling another memory uprising against her will, Ayame pulled on the rubber band that encircled around her wrist and let go. The instant stung provided her some relief. If she had remembered, then she would have to re-live that moment and everyone would know her story.
"Quickly, get Nami!" Vivi ordered Sanji after letting out a sigh of relief. She spotted Ayame. "Let's go, Ayame."
"I'm staying." She said lethargically, eyeing the villagers who threw quick scornful glares at them.
Zoro shrugged at the Straw Hats. There was no need for him to go. What could he do to help anyway? So he picked up his weights and worked out as he kept a close eye at Ayame's glares at the villagers. A small dark fluff darted between his legs and peered up at her with curious eyes, pawing at her.
Tensing up, Ayame gave the little fox a glance before turning away. It mewled at her and begged for attention, before stopping short and peering at the floor with dampened spirits.
The swordsman sighed, whistling the fox over. It's big ears perked up, eyes glimmering at him as he gestured it over. It bustled over and pawed at him, crying, as he crouched down and placed it on his shoulder. No words were spoken between the two.
A/N:
I am omitting Wapol (the "hippo" pirate). I am not denying his existence, but I don't want to explain his story. This is Ayame's characterization!
A reminder: this story is rated M for mentions of mild rape, use of alcohol and drugs.
...
Special thanks for these people for the support!
Princess BlueLadyFly 234, XfreakXninjaX, FROSTDRAGON4875, mulunk90, Roseon16
