A/n: YAY another chapter :D So this Is focusing on more Vaas because I want to show that he has slightly changed but he's still the charming, sadistic man we have all come to love. The Three girls in this chapter show a softer side to Vaas one you wouldn't expect really, but there is a reason behind it all which will be explained in the next chapter :P

As days went by Vaas put his plan into action, he started off by getting to know the people of his tribe, the warriors mainly, weaving his way in between them, figuring out who he can trust and who he cant. These were not pirates, they all had a code like Vaas, perhaps not as insane and unstable but they were proving more and more each day that they were improving. Today was no different as the group of men, young and old stood around sparing with one another as Vaas observed them, Valentina nestled in the sling he had made as she curled up against his chest sleeping. She'd just been fed and was growing in size, her hair was growing and her eyes had changed to a faint blue hazel colour that was similar to Jasons.

Vaas could recall how Jason had a blue like look; they were a light pale green to be more accurate, not vibrant like Vaas' and not like Citra's which had more of a yellowish green. Valentina was a growing baby and Vaas knew soon he was going to be in trouble when she would start teething. However the good thing was despite being a premature baby she was healthy as Vaas looked down at the baby against his chest and pushed a curl of hair out of her face bringing it back behind her little ear. Up a head he could see Yui training with an older warrior. Yui was brave and young, but reckless as most young boys are, he didn't care about his footing or where his punches where going, he just cared about getting a hit in. With a sigh Vaas made his way over towards the sparing pair and stopped them with a single glare.

"Hands up like this" Vaas said putting his hands up to his jaw. "When Joseph comes in for a punch to the face you bring those arms up and block got it, like this?" Vaas put his hands up to cover his face.

Yui nodded and despite how worn, tired and sweaty he looked he smiled and turned his attention back to Joseph his sparring partner. Taking a step back Vaas observed the boy, he indeed made the changes needed and when he failed and got a good smack to the head he'd curse knowing what he should have done. Yet again this was something that would come in due time. They had openly been training for the max of a week maybe a little less, it wasn't too bad for a start, everyone progresses at their own pace and Vaas wasn't going to push them like his Father had done to him.

In fact that was the key thing here, Vaas made sure that when everyone was sparing they only make a tap, not a full blown punch that could knock you out. He wanted everyone to learn, but not end up passed out on the ground from exhaustion. True he loved making the pirates run, bleed, all that sort of shit but these where warriors and Vaas was slowly growing on the feeling of being their leader, maybe it was the baby, maybe it was the fact he felt a gap in his heart, without Alice he had no purpose. However he had become softer, he would say weaker but he preferred to say wiser. He didn't need them to fear him or make an example of anyone because they already knew just how dangerous he was, and even so they gave respect. Something that very few pirates gave him.

Here there was a system, a hierarchy, he was respected and treated like the tribes leader, and he in return taught them all he knew when it came to fighting. It's all he had to do, to give them a sense and a purpose, a hope so to speak so that they can try to at least avenge their families, to protect their home from an invading force. However time wasn't on their side. Each day the privateers would come, they would kill and that was it. They didn't pillage and rape, they didn't steal or anything like that, they just killed and kidnapped and leaving the bodies to burn under the scorching sun. However what Vaas did have were the Pirates as a distraction. Although Vaas didn't keep in contact with Carlos or Abel, he had heard word that the Pirates where striking back at the Privateers in a fierce force despite their depleting numbers.

It was at least one thing to hold onto to give Vaas a little extra time to train those who he could, yet not everyone was willing to follow him. Most of the younger men that Citra had already swayed followed her, they didn't deify her because they believed their warrior Goddess was the true leader. However the elders, the older warriors knew that it was Vaas whom was to lead, he was the true heir to the throne. Yet sometimes old warriors can't beat young warriors. With a sigh Vaas pinched the bridge of his nose. He'd had enough for one day with these men and trying to train them. They had been out here for a while now and Vaas just really wanted to piss them off and be alone.

"Alright Cock Suckers that's enough! We will resume training tomorrow!" Vaas yelled at the top of his lungs causing Valentina to stir from her sleep.

The warriors, about 20 altogether, raised their hands and in unison made a cry into the air as they cheered like true warriors before dispersing and heading back towards the temple. Alone in the thicket of the jungle with only that of Valentina in his arms, Vaas sat down and relaxed under the cool shade of a tree. It was one of those humid days as he whisked away sweat that was beading across his forehead. Maybe it just wasn't how Rook was meant to be, maybe Vaas was born to fail these people, let these Privateers take over, but he'd be damned if he did. The biggest reason why he was training them apart from getting back at Citra was because he wanted to wage war and he couldn't do it alone. The pirates didn't listen to him anymore, he wanted to exact vengeance, unleash his anger upon the Privateers but he couldn't without getting killed. It was going to be hard as he made a sigh like sound out of frustration before he stood up and stretched his arms over his head as he felt Valentina wiggle in her little sling before falling back Asleep.

Then from out of nowhere Vaas heard something coming up from behind him, his eyes quickly trained in on the area where he heard the sound as he turned around and prepared to unsheathe his machete as he glared in towards a thicket of berry bushes. However before he could do or say anything three little heads popped up as the children snickered before coming out of hiding. They slowly approached as Vaas relaxed and stood alert looking down at the little ones confused. One of them looked like she was about five; another about 8 or maybe 10 and the eldest was 12. All three where little girls, they were wearing lose baggy clothes, t-shits twice their size and baggy pants or skirts that had a piece of rope wrapped around their waists to keep them on their hips. The eldest little one had long jet black hair and tan skin, her eyes a dark brown, almost black with her hair done up in a messy ponytail, she wore a yellow shirt and daggy brown shorts that came down to her ankles.

The youngest, she had a red sun-bleached shirt on that had a wrap around the middle as the shirt was so big on her that it was like a dress, her hair was done in little pig tails on either side and she seemed to be the giggliest one of them all. Then of course the one in the middle, she had paler skin then both the others, she had a long shirt on that had been cut at the shoulders and she had a skirt on that just came down to her shines, her dark brown hair had been braided with small little flowers embedded into some parts. All three girls looked up at Vaas with pleading eyes as he cocked his head somewhat confused. He never liked children, they always got in the way of things, always so obnoxious, noisy and they always where coughing or sneezing. Yet these little ones stood before him with none of those traits as the eldest stepped forward.

"Sir…Could you teach us how to fight?" Softly she said in a hushed like tone.

To this sweet young little voice, Vaas knelt down to their eye level as he looked to all three of them, bewildered at their question and reason for being here. It's true Citra didn't approve of females becoming warriors, females belonged on a stone slab with their heart in her hands, or forced into rape chambers for her warriors or forced into having children, all of those sorts of things. Girls where degraded and thought nothing of but baby making machines and pleasures for men. These girls where so young and yet the eldest Vaas knew soon she would either be brought to a warrior as an 'offering' or wed to a man twice her age. Sure Vaas was cruel and twisted but he never liked paedophilia no matter how old the girl was, if she isn't over the age of 18 it's a no go.

These new laws and acts only came about recently from what Vaas could gather, the moment Jason was gone and Citra thought she had won she degraded women and girls even worse than before, so badly that yes there was forced relationships, not all the men wanted to rape them, not all the men wanted to marry them, there are always the odd balls but they only do it because Citra says so. With a heavy heart Vaas looked into their eyes, he didn't know if he saw fear or sorrow but he knew that they wouldn't have come here without good intention. He didn't want this for Valentina either; he didn't want Andres growing up in a world where this was acceptable.

"Ok fine but on one condition?" Vaas said raising a finger as all three girls came in closer. "You don't say a word to Citra ok?" Vaas said a little stern.

They all smiled with happiness, they had probably already thought this over with before coming here as well but Vaas felt the need even more to protect the younger generations. They were the future and Citra was leading them all down a dark path, some of them like Yui who were old enough could tell the difference as a young adult, but children, they were innocent they didn't understand the things going on in their life and so Vaas etched it into his heart that he would protect these girls from all harm.

"Can we bring friends?" The Youngest one said jumping up and down.

How could you say no to that? She was a ball of energy and the other two were looking to him with big smiles, all Vaas could do was smile back as strange as it was before he stood up and nodded. Of course he would teach them all, yes he wanted revenge but he also came to understand there are two sides to his heart, to kill and to protect. What's a leader if he can't even defend those of his tribe? With a deep breath in Vaas looked to each of the little girls, so full of life and happiness.

"Ok sure why not. This afternoon just before Sundown we will meet at the foot of the tree of our Ancestors ok?" They all smiled and made joyful sounds as they ran off into the jungle.

For some reason Vaas felt happy, he didn't know why, but he just did as he made his way at a slow and steady pace through the jungle. Change was in the air and with it came danger, Citra would become enraged once she finds out but Vaas had to stand his ground. All the women of the tribe where on his side, he didn't have to ask them why, he knew that Citra had been casting them out due to her pure jealousy, the elders as well as the Maidens and older warriors all knew that this wasn't right, they all had his back and he had theirs. It was just a matter of time before Citra split, before she would draw the line between the two and start a fight. Of course she wouldn't risk a war but Vaas knew she also was clever with her words, far more than he is.

~Hours later~

Come afternoon time Vaas had changed Valentina and she had been feed by Tulip, the woman who had lost her baby recently. Tulip wasn't young and she wasn't old either, she was about 30 years old, to most Rakyat she was old and useless, but not always. Tulip was wise, she could have been a witch doctor if she wanted to, but her deceased husband was a cruel and violent man. At least Vaas had someone that knew more about teething, and diaper changing and all that sort of stuff. Tulip was a good mother and she didn't mind taking care of Valentina for Vaas for the next hour or so as he made his way down towards the Courtyard and towards the tree. As he reached the door way that led out towards there he quickly noticed a very enraged Citra.

Vaas gulped down knowing that it was inevitable, the moment he entered the courtyard a young man pointed him out and Citra spun her body around, her eyes fell upon him with a dark glare and her lip twitched showing the faint glimmer of her white teeth. Vaas didn't rush getting to her side as he noticed the parents and children that had gathered around. The Mothers looked protective of their children of course, the elders too. It had caused a lot more of a stir then Vaas had thought as he looked around and sniffed in a large amount of air as he walked up to all of them.

"What is the meaning of this Brother?! Little girls do not need to know how to fight; they need to know only one thing!" Citra yelled in a harsh tone with her hands on her hips.

"So you're telling me you should have never been trained how to fight huh?" Vaas said with wide eyes stretching his arms out making Citra look like a fool.

"It's different, I'm the one that was born to rule, I am their Warrior Goddess!" Citra barked pointing out at no one in particular.

Folding his arms over his large chest and looking his sister up and down Vaas raised a brow and stood back, he looked over the young children and their families as he made a faint pout that was fake and shrugged his shoulders as if to say so what. Thing was this pissed Citra off even more as her upper lip curled and she strolled forth towards Vaas.

"These are my people, I am their Warrior Goddess, not you, you turned your back on them, you lied to them and you still are…" Citra said in a hushed like tone before turning around to the others. "All he wants to do is make you his slaves, he wants to make you his soldiers, he has even gone to the point to train children! CHILDREN! What Mother wants to send her little baby out onto a battlefield to get killed!?" Citra yelled raising her hand up into the air.

Most of them cheered as Vaas stood back and watched them, some of them turned their backs to him, he wasn't a fool he knew how strong Citra was with her words, how she could make an impact on them with the way she walks and talks. Just as Vaas was willing to give up and turn his back and prepare to leave a voice called out. A tiny little voice of a child, he turned and saw the 12 year old girl from earlier stepping forward, her eyes glaring up at Citra.

"I WANT TO FIGHT!" She said in a stern tone yelling in her high pitched voice. "I don't want to have Babies! I want to be like our Ancestors, I want to help, I want to protect!" She continued to protest.

Yet no one expected Citra to slap her as her hand collided with the child's little cheeks sending the poor little girl into shock. It happened in an instance, everyone froze in fear as they looked towards Citra. Their warrior Goddess slowly turned around and looked at Vaas gazing him up and down as he clenched his jaw and fists so tempted to slap Citra as payback. How could she hurt an innocent child for speaking up about how they feel?

"Look what you have done…Brother!" Citra hissed before she walked away leaving the group of children and parents in shock.

Maybe it was wrong of Vaas to have thought it was such a good idea as he took a step back looking at them all. Of course it was stupid; he would only put their lives in danger if he continued down this path. Maybe he was just best to leave, to find Alice on his own as he stepped away and turned his back, his head lowered to the ground, he didn't want this for them, and he always and only ever wanted to protect them from the very start, show them what Citra was like even if it meant becoming a martyr. Yet even now he wasn't able to as he made his way back to his quarters and shamelessly entered his room where Tulip sat on the edge of his bedding rocking Valentina in her arms.

Tulip was dressed in a casual skirt and top, her hair pulled back into a messy pony tail. She was happy and smiling looking down at the cheerful baby in her hands until she looked up at Vaas. She stood up straight away torn between fear and concern as she lowered her head in respect and held Valentina out towards him as he slowly took the child into his arms and looked down upon her.

"I heard yelling…" Tulip softly said nervously not game enough to look Vaas in the eyes.

"It was Citra…" Faintly Vaas answered.

When he didn't look at Tulip and the way he spoke made her look up at him in confusion, this was not the Vaas she had heard in stories, the man they all feared. Tulip was a woman who knew when people were hurting and her instincts always told her to help them as best as she could, but she knew that mental pain was the worst to deal with and Vaas wasn't someone she wanted to get heavily involved with despite how attractive he looks. Sure he didn't talk too much with her; he always palmed the baby off to her and went off on hunts or training. In fact when she first came to him about feeding the child she was shit scared but she knew that the baby needed a mother's milk and since their leader wasn't the greatest role model, Tulip stepped into place. Her biggest fear was being raped, but Vaas never hinted towards anything like that, he never looked at her in any sort of way, and the same could be said about other women. Tulip had seen this before, it was the pain of a lover separated from one whom they truly care about, a pain Tulip knew all too well. Yet even so the young Rakyat woman felt drawn to the man, despite everything he has done.

"Is there anything I can do?" Nervously she asked unsure if she should stay or go.

"No…" Vaas said as he turned and looked her in the eyes for once. "Just protect the children ok? Don't let Citra hurt them" That was all he could say or do as he moved past her and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Tulip only nodded before trotting as fast as she could out the door and down the corridor. Even she was doomed as Vaas sighed, nobody was safe around him, not even a single child as Vaas felt the hot steamy tears trickle down his cheeks and yet here in front of him was a baby that looked back up at him as if he was a human being, she moved her mouth about and her little hands brushed against his goatee amused by the strange sensation by it as she made little faint baby sounds. It must have been good to be a baby, so mindless of the pain, the struggle, the stress…Everything.

For hours he sat there like that and within time it had become night, a Maiden was walking around lighting up the hallway fire bowls, she made her trip fast when she got closer to Vaas' quarters, always keeping her eyes forward, never wondering into his room, even for a quick look. As the baby lay silent in his arms, sound asleep, Vaas knew that maybe he should just leave right now. It was night and sure not many would notice him leaving, but the tigers came out more during these times and the dogs and wolves even more. It wasn't safe especially with a child, if Vaas was on his own he wouldn't have had a problem, but now he had to take care of an extra life.

Before he could do or say anything his head snapped forward and his eyes narrowed on Yui who was running up the hallway, his bare feet hitting against the stone floor which echoed throughout the area, behind him was another two warriors that Vaas had been training. They all looked pale as a ghost, breathless as they came trampling into his room trying their best to catch their breaths.

"You…Need…To...Come…To…The….The…" Yui said between heavy breaths.

"Hold on here Amigos." Vaas said standing up all of a sudden coming back to life.

"Its...Its…Lilly…The girl from earlier…The one Citra…slapped…" Yui tried to continue on but struggled to even stand straight.

"You must come quickly…We need you..." One of the others said as Vaas looked over to them.

Without a doubt they looked pale and almost on deaths doorstep as Vaas didn't hesitate to clutch Valentina in his hands holding her close as he looked between all three of his men confused but also in shock. No one ever wanted his help, Citra just wanted him for her Ultimate Warrior, Hoyt just used and abused him, there wasn't anyone in the world that cared, all but Alice…only if she was here.