Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
Chapter Twelve: Always Moving Forward
"Where is she?" Faye muttered in exasperation, lowering the binoculars from her eyes. "She told us she'd be here, and yet all I see are a bunch of knocked out marines."
"Well, at least we know that she was here, and that she's alive." Euro commented from his place at the steering wheel, "If she wasn't, then the marines wouldn't be there, either. We just have to find her, and then get out of here as fast as we can."
Faye let out a sigh, but smiled grudgingly at Euro. "You're right. We should leave the boat somewhere inconspicuous, then check places Jackie would go."
"The restaurant, maybe," Euro suggested, "Or if she's injured, the hospital."
"Let's try the hospital first," Faye decided, "because there're only a few on the whole island in comparison to the many restaurants here."
"Good idea." Euro turned right, following the perimeter of the island as fast as he dared, careful not to bump into any coral along the way.
Faye leaned against the railing, swiping a stray strand of hair from her face. She sighed, fiddling with her bow absentmindedly, before staring at the island as if she could see through it, all the way to where Jackie was. "Let's just hope she's okay."
Euro smirked. "Come on. This is Jackie we're talking about. Of course she'll be fine."
That made Faye quirk her lips a little and nod in agreement. "Yeah…"
Euro turned another right, slowing under a rocky cliff.
"Come on, Jackie! Don't be weak! Push forward!"
Jackie peered through the body of a younger version of herself, staring at the figure before her. She heard her voice come from her body, but somehow, it sounded distant; far away. "I'm trying, Eric! I'm trying!"
The young boy, no older than eleven rolled his eyes and swept his unusual purple hair out of them impatiently. "You can do it, Jackie. I know you can!"
She felt herself purse her lips, before a simple staff came into her vision as she thrust the weapon forward. "I…" Suddenly, her body felt light as she jumped up, and the staff went in an arc towards the nearest tree trunk. She fell to the ground, before standing again and watching as the trunk cracked and shuddered, leaves falling around her. It didn't split in half, but it was pretty close.
She was aware of her face stretching into a wide grin. "I did it!" She looked to Eric expectantly, feeling her eyes go wide.
The purple-haired boy smiled, giving her double thumbs up. "Good job! I knew you could do it!"
"Thanks, Eric!"
Eric.
Eric.
Eric.
"Jackie, can you hear me?"
Rousing from her dream-like state, Jackie stirred, feeling the pull of reality calling to her. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she herself felt incredibly feverish. It took much for Jackie to open her eyes even a sliver. When she did, her vision was hazy as she took in the lone figure looming over her.
"Eric?" her voice was hoarse, and sounded nothing like herself. Her eyes opened wider and she noticed who the person was before he even spoke.
"No… Kyuuga."
A pang of disappointment coursed through her, even though she told herself she should be happy that Kyuuga was there. "I…" her head swam as she attempted to push herself up on her elbows. "Where am I?"
She saw Kyuuga smirk a little; the tiniest quirk to his lips. "Good question. You're in the hospital. You lost quite a bit of blood."
That was when it all came back to her. She groaned aloud, not bothering to muffle the sound as her eyes fluttered shut. "Where's White?"
"I'm sorry?"
Jackie cracked open an eye, taking in the blinding white colour of the clinic disdainfully. "You know… the marine captain I was fighting."
Kyuuga looked thoughtful. "Well, I only remember seeing a bunch of regular marines; no captain."
"He must have left then." Jackie huffed, before regretting the action as it brought on another wave of nausea. "Coward."
"What were you doing fighting them anyway?" Kyuuga asked, taking his glasses off for a moment to wipe them on his shirt.
"Oh. It's a long story. Basically, we got him mad, and he came after us." Jackie surmised. She paused. "Where's Euro and Faye? Have you seen them?"
"No." Kyuuga shook his head.
Jackie pursed her lips, before shrugging – a move that made her wince a second later. "They're probably fine; they can hold their own. But I need to find them and get out of here as soon as possible." She made to get up, but immediately felt light-headed.
"…Idiot, you can't stand yet," Kyuuga's voice penetrated through her foggy mind. She felt a hand on the small of her back, slowly guiding her back into a lying position.
"I'm fine, Kyuuga," Jackie tried to protest, "Or at least, I will be in a few minutes. Just give me a moment."
Kyuuga sighed, raking a hand through his hair. Once Jackie was properly in bed, he spoke. "Before the doctor comes back, I need to… tell you my answer to your proposition."
Instantaneously, like the magic word had been spoken, Jackie stilled all movement and perked up visibly. "Really? So you'll join us?"
Kyuuga shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Why not? I want to find All Blue, and I can't do it cooped up here in East Blue. If I come with you, I can have a chance at fulfilling my dream." His glasses glinted. "Besides, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for me."
Jackie nodded slowly, a grin stretching her face. Then, a flash of something caught her eye. "What's that?" she pointed to the picture poking out of Kyuuga's travel bag.
Kyuuga followed her finger, taking the picture out. "Oh, that's Argus and I. He's the old man who took me in when I…" he hesitated, watching Jackie's expression carefully. "When I got kicked out by my okāsan, because I ate a – a Devil Fruit."
Jackie's eyes went wide. "Devil Fruit?"
Kyuuga closed his eyes, nodding. There went his chance to go find All Blue. But if he was honest with himself, he couldn't hide his secret for much longer.
"That is so – cool!"
His eyes flew open.
Jackie's mouth was agape and her eyes were sparkling. "Wow! You're the first one in our crew who possesses the Fruit of the Sea! I can't wait until Euro and Faye find out about this!" to top it all off, she beamed at the older man.
Kyuuga stood stock still, taking in her reaction. Finally, he blinked and looked away. "You're okay with that?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Jackie looked confused. "Well, I guess you would feel that way because your mom kicked you out, but remember," She tapped the side of her head with a pointer finger, "I'm a pirate; I've seen a few other Devil Fruit's before. Like White, for example. Or that Kagemine guy… Anyway, it's really nothing abnormal." She looked a little relieved. "Was that all? The only reason you wouldn't join?"
Kyuuga shrugged, recovering quickly. "Partly. I also didn't want to join just any other crew."
Jackie smiled, before gesturing back to the picture still in his hand. "So, who's that? Argus, right?"
Kyuuga nodded, pushing his glasses up with the back of his fingers. "Hn. After I accidentally ate the fruit and when my mom kicked me out, Argus found me drifting off in sea, starving and dehydrated. He took me in, saved my life, and trained me to be the chef I am today." He shrugged. "He died a few years ago due to old age; I've long since accepted it though, because at least he got to live life until the very last moment."
Jackie nodded wisely. "Not many people actually get the privilege to these days." She paused. "Okay. I feel better now." Then she sat up in bed.
"Wait, I really don't think you should…" Kyuuga trailed off when Jackie smiled at him.
"See? I'm fine. A little dizzy, but fine. We have no time to waste!" she peeled back the blankets from her person, grimacing at the plain hospital gown that adorned her body. "But first things first, let's get me some change of clothes."
Kyuuga sighed. "Troublesome."
Coutori Isabella steeled up her nerve, reaching up to tap the male of the duo on the shoulder. She regretted her choice almost as soon as she performed the action.
Quick as lightning, Takayoshi Euro's hand had reached up to hers and twisted, hard. Another second passed and his monstrous weapon was dangerously close to her neck, tiny silver spikes protruding from under the white bandages.
"Wait…" she managed to gasp out.
"It's Coutori, from the cooking contest." She vaguely heard the pink-haired one – Faye – comment suspiciously.
She began to shake her head, then thought better of it and merely attempted to send the blue-haired one desperate don't kill me signals. "I… your captain… and… Kyuuga…"
A moment later, the pressure left her wrist and the weapon retreated from her neck. She sighed in relief, rubbing her wrist to relive the pain.
"What did you say? Something about Jackie?" Euro demanded of her.
She nodded, grimacing. "I know where your captain is. I overheard a few marines talking about capturing her and Kyuuga before their captain regained consciousness."
She saw the two share a secretive glance, before the first mate spoke again. "How can we know you're not luring us to the enemy? I mean, you tricked Kyuuga once, you could do it again."
Isabella shook her head. "No. That was for the money; I have nothing personal against you all. I felt I owe it to you, anyhow." She admitted.
Another glance exchanged between the two. Then, "Fine. Take us to her."
"– and he has a Devil Fruit!" Jackie exploded, looking like the last part was what she had wanted to share all this time.
Euro and Faye exchanged an amused look. They were right; Jackie was fine. Kyuuga cleared his throat uncomfortably, fixing his glasses by habit.
"What fruit?" Faye asked curiously.
"The Impact Impact Fruit," Kyuuga said, "I can let out bursts of power from any part of my body, but the power comes from my own energy. It depletes fast. Also, I don't use my hands because –"
"A cook's hands are most important." Isabella added in, before retreating in embarrassed silence when all heads turned to look at her.
Finally, Jackie broke the tension. "Thanks for bringing Euro and Faye here." She said simply.
Isabella relaxed slowly. "It's… it's no problem." She looked around the busy street, before hesitating. "I should… I should leave now."
Jackie blinked, but before she could say anything, Kyuuga cut in. "You know, you had a fair chance of winning… Even though you cheated in the competition, it was a good one." He shrugged. "Maybe we'll see you around."
Isabella managed a small smile at the words. "Thanks… see you around."
Then she left, disappearing in the crowd before their very eyes. Euro turned to Kyuuga once she was gone, smirking a little. "Well… Welcome abroad."
Kyuuga returned the look. "Thanks."
"Hate to break this moment, but we should get going now, guys," Faye looked around her nervously, keeping an eye out for any flash of white uniform.
Jackie grinned, fixing the cap on her head and turning in the direction where Euro had left the boat. "Alright! Let's go!"
Then, she sped off, seemingly fine.
"You know who we should look for now?"
Jackie looked incredibly serious, sitting cross-legged on the floor of the boat with her hands poised on her lap. Kyuuga was in the miniscule kitchen, still within hearing distance as the door was swung wide open. A toothpick was in his mouth as he easily flipped the pan and the food in it. Euro was steering the boat, and Faye sharpening the new set of arrows she had bought before they'd left.
"Who?" Euro asked for all of them, turning left.
"A navigator," Jackie announced, before pausing. "And a doctor, now that I think about it."
"That's what I've been trying to tell you guys all this time," Euro stressed, looking triumphant as he turned to look at the rest of his crew. "Remember? I always said we needed a navigator." To Kyuuga, he added, "this was before you joined. But I was right, nonetheless."
Faye shot Euro an amused glance, before turning to Jackie. "I think that's a good idea. We want to get to the Grand Line, so it would be best to get one before we do so."
Jackie nodded, eyes brightening at the mention of the Grand Line. "Yeah…" she smiled. "So anyway, what island will we be stopping at next?"
"Hmmm…" Faye studied the map spread out in front of her, pausing in her act of sharpening her arrows. "We should arrive at Marie Island in a few days; of course, I don't know for sure since I'm just the archer, but around then. After that, the shortest route to Logue Town would be to travel to Anaya Island; it's incredibly small though, so we'll have to stock up on supplies at both Marie Island and Logue Town before we attempt to cross over to the Grand Line."
"Sound likes a plan." Jackie grinned.
Kyuuga put the finishing touches to his array of dishes. The aromatic smell wafted out the tiny room and into the air. "Food's ready," Kyuuga announced unnecessarily.
The crew gathered into the small room to bring their plates out onto the main deck, holding steaming plates in their hands. "Mmmm…" Jackie inhaled deeply. "This smells so good."
Euro grinned, leaning against the railing. "Well, guys, enjoy the first cooked meal by our very own chef."
Faye grinned, holding up her glass of water. "To Kyuuga!"
"To Kyuuga!" Jackie and Euro echoed, while the man in question merely rolled his eyes and fixed his glasses. He took a plate for himself, leaning against the railing casually.
Jackie grinned, taking a bite of fried rice. She felt content. Hopefully, they would be acquiring a navigator soon, then a doctor, and a decent ship wouldn't hurt, either.
But for now, life was pretty darn good.
Crew Members
Jackie – 17 years, Captain
Takayoshi Euro – 19 years, First Mate
Faye – 16 years, Markswoman (Archer)
Nakamura Kyuuga – 22 years, Cook
Author's Note
Now, without further ado, review replies from two chapters ago! (Because I forgot to do them)
Oxenstierna D. Yuki Rin Haha, yeah, this is not the last of the Capricorn Pirates! And yeah! I like Kyuuga :)
Vague Eloquence Thanks a ton, I'm really glad you think my writing skills are up to par. Heh-heh. Most reviews are what they like about the chapter, which is totally fine, but I like how you add in stuff about my writing – what I'm trying to improve – as well.
Mareo and Anime Aw shucks, you flatter me too much! Haha, and I'm actually very excited to have Yakan make an appearance! I love the part where she's gonna have a school-girl crush on… well, you know ;)
Yay, next arc, Marie Island! Yippee! On a side note, March break for me is coming up pretty soon. So I'm happy for that; plus, I can hopefully cough up chapters faster! I just have to get through my French test this Thursday… yeah, I'm kind of failing (ish) because French doesn't go well with me… it's my worst subject nooo.
- Posted on Tuesday, March 6th, 2012
