Yo guys! Early 5 minute update!
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What calm composure Sabo held immediately shifted to alarm the moment Koala unsheathed her sword and brandished it defensively in one fluid movement as she stepped in between Izo and himself.
And before he could diffuse the situation, Koala took a step back, guarding Sabo. "Who are you?" she asked, voice clipped.
Sabo's alarm quickly turned to fear for his friend, and he raised his hands placatingly and as slowly and cautiously as he could, he moved out from behind Koala. She had moved to block his path, but Sabo shook his head and soon it was he who was standing in between the two.
"Izo, this is Koala, my friend. I know how bad this looks but I swear I didn't tell her where the castle was. She is a hunter but trust me when I say she won't hurt anyone." He vouched and made to push down the tip of Koala's sword, but Koala didn't budge, she was refusing to take her eyes away from Izo.
"I'll make my own decisions, Sabo-kun." She said in a voice he had long ago learned not to cross.
However, Sabo didn't back down and instead balked at the name she used, it was what she called him when she was angry, and an angry Koala was never a good thing. If the confrontation sparked into a fight, then everything that could possibly go wrong would go wrong, and Sabo would be damned if he was forced to choose between the two.
"Please Koala, stop it. If you have ever had any trust in me, now would be the best time to demonstrate it," Sabo pleaded quietly, and maybe it was his words, or the tone of his voice that convinced Koala to reluctantly look away from Izo long enough to look at Sabo, giving him a second to explain. "Yes, she's a vampire, but she's also my closest friend here, you don't have to fight her, I promise she won't hurt us."
Koala's eyes widened disbelievingly and Sabo honestly couldn't blame her, had he been in her position he knew he would be as much if not more on the defensive as she was. But at that minute, Sabo needed her to trust him.
Koala looked from Sabo and back to Izo. "But she's one of the ones who tortured you Sabo. You might be quick to forgive and forget but I'm not."
Behind him, Izo spoke up once more, her soft voice giving nothing away and making it all that much harder for Sabo to discern what Izo may be thinking. "I mean neither you nor Sabo any harm I assure you. Thus aiming a sword in my general direction is not necessary."
Koala remained silent, gauging Izo's words and Sabo knew that the tensions was not going anywhere anytime soon. His mind raced with possible ways that he could rectify the situation and assure Koala that it was okay, while simultaneously getting through to Izo that he had not brought Koala here, and that she meant to harm to her and the rest of the coven despite her status as a hunter.
"Would you like to see the flowers bloom?" Izo asked then surprising Sabo as he turned so that he could see her better, "We haven't much time until they bloom under the full moon and I can't very well let Sabo's efforts at gardening go to waste by not letting him see the fruits of his labors. Besides you must be exhausted" she said with a pleasant smile on her features.
When Koala made no move to reply, Izo nodded once, "I understand your distrust dear, and believe I'm not saying forgive and forget; I'm asking for a stalemate and cease fire for the time being. If you are Sabo's friend, no harm will come to you while under a roof so long as you follow one simple rule. Lay a hand on our family and I cannot guarantee your or his safety."
"And how do I know you'll honor the agreement?" Koala asked, not letting her guard down nor looking at Sabo, who kept bouncing his sight from Izo to Koala.
"Because I have no reason to dishonor it. You are free to believe what you wish child, but when on our grounds blood is repaid in blood and heavens knows we are already in serious debt. I understand the mistrust you feel and the anger that is directed at us, what happened to Sabo is something we are not proud of and will try to make up for the rest of our lives, but believe me when I say nothing of that caliber will ever ensue again." Izo spoke softly to Koala, but Sabo could feel her eyes on him, those words meant for him just as much as they were meant for his friend.
And then in a much more chipper tone, Izo added, "Now I really must insist we head back to the garden before the moonflowers bloom, you can either join me or attend to the woods, though I would not recommend it should a guard or wild raccoon pass by, those little things are really quite ferocious."
With that Izo turned and headed back, picking her way through the forest in a much more graceful and near silent way that confirmed Sabo's earlier suspicions, she had meant for them to hear her, but what had she heard?
"C'mon Koala," Sabo urged, his eye silently pleading with her. "Please trust me, if she wanted to hurt either you or me don't you think she would have done it already?"
Koala didn't move or say anything for a solid minute, her eyes flickered between the Sabo and Izo's retreating figure before she softened marginally. And after a clear mental debate, Koala lowered her sword, though she refused to sheath it. Sabo took that as a good sign nonetheless and smiled in relief. "Thank you, Koala."
Gently Sabo took her hand and lead Koala out of the forest, doing his best to follow Izo's path that lead back to the garden.
"Before all of this, Izo and I were planting these special kind of flowers that only bloom at night, they're called Moonflowers," Sabo explained on his way back, offering Koala a reassuring squeeze to her hand. "There are others too, flowers that only bloom at night I mean, I think you'll like them," he added and once they were back at the garden, Sabo presented the garden to her.
From the look Sabo was receiving from Koala, it was pretty obvious she was still unhappy about the entire situation, but Sabo knew that the easiest way to calm Koala was to show her that there was nothing to be worried about. And with that in mind, Sabo resolved to act as he normally would around her.
"They're beautiful aren't they?" Sabo asked giving Koala a smile, one that assured her that she was safe, amongst friends and that things would be fine.
"Well I gotta say Izzy, Blondie's right those moonflowers really are beautiful, a truly wonderful addition. Now, who wants some brownies?" Thatch asked so suddenly at their that not only did he make Izo jump slightly at the intrusion but Sabo and Koala as well. How had the vampire done that?
And it was then that the scent of chocolate hit Sabo, his mouth watering at the simple prospect of tasting one. He had to swallow back the building drool and mentally cursed his luck for almost giving himself away, though externally Sabo kept his body language cool and collected.
However, before he could explain to Koala who their new friend was, she had already switched into an offensive stance bringing the sword up with betrayal flashing through her eyes and again she placed herself between Sabo and the new threat.
But Sabo was there to place a calming hand on her shoulder once more, doing his absolute best in keeping his voice relaxed, calm and completely normal. He leaned in to Koala with a soft whisper, "Don't worry, Koala, that's just Thatch, shitty chef extraordinaire."
Sabo watched as Koala assessed the situation, she could see through him, she had always had that uncanny way of hers. Koala never failed to notice little things about Sabo, and at times he suspected that she knew him better than he knew himself after all their shared years together. There was no doubt in Sabo's mind that she could sense more than see the slight anxiety hidden behind his words.
Sabo was trying immensely hard not to give her reason to attack, he was silently urging her to trust him and believe that he was doing the right thing. What seemed like an eternity later, Koala slowly lowered her sword once more, still making a point of not sheathing it. "Nice to meet you, Thatch," she spoke cautiously.
That in turn made Thatch pout briefly, though it was more aimed at Izo rather than at Sabo and Koala "I can't believe it Iz, you're hosting secret flower watching parties that include pointy swords and I wasn't invited? I mean I can expect this sort of complete and utter betrayal from Blondie, but Izo I thought you and I were tight." Thatch shook his head in disbelief and mock disappointment before he bit down on one of his brownies, the outburst only warranting him a fond roll of Izo's eyes.
"I asked if you wanted to join us earlier and you said you had a mountain of fudge to conquer so I left you to that, remember?" She reminded him gently whilst taking an offered brownie wrapped in a blanket, a show that Thatch was ever mindful of Izo's hobbies.
Izo smiled thankfully and bit into the chocolate pastry humming at the taste. "Truly wonderful Thatch, thank you."
Once his hand was brownie free, Thatch snapped his fingers and laughed, "Ah that's right! That is how these brownies were made." The chef chuckled and beamed in Koala's direction. "But excuse my manners, it is a pleasure to meet you, I would offer you a proper bow my lady, but gravity and brownies aren't friends you see, would you like one?" Thatch asked offering the tray over.
When Koala made no move to take one of the brownies, Sabo took the initiative and took two of the treats handing one over to Koala and when she didn't bite down on hers, he took the first bite. Koala watched him closely, skeptically looking over to her own brownie until she deemed it safe and took a bite. Koala's eyes widened slightly as she tasted it. "This is actually really good."
Sabo laughed at the genuine surprise laced in her voice and simply winked in her direction before looking over to Thatch lazily.
"Eh, you're getting closer," he shrugged indifferently, taking another brownie from the tray despite his words.
That of course only lead to Thatch pouting again. "I like your friend better," he grumbled and with a large smile he rounded on Koala, "Hey would you rather take his place? We can always use nicer people in our family. Will you be joining us for dinner Miss Koala? Or well not dinner for you, but with our schedule..." Thatch gestured to the moon and then himself. "Nocturnal clock."
"Dinner." Koala looked to Sabo, who only shrugged in response leaving the decision in her hands. He hadn't had many meals with the rest of the family since he's spent most of his time in the room, but from the stories he's heard they could get pretty wild.
"Are you going to stay?" Sabo asked when his usually vocal and opinionated friend remained somber and silent, but he knew that Koala had heard the double meaning behind his question.
"As if I could leave you here," Koala scoffed and cuffed his head for added emphasis. "I don't know how you've lasted this long without me."
Sabo only smiled in response, rubbing his neck sheepishly. And when a table bounced off from the window of a familiar room, he had to wince. Ace had no doubt felt the cuff and was not happy with Koala's show of concern.
Across from Sabo, Izo hummed having noticed the table too, "Miss Koala, if I may, can I ask that you refrain from further displaying affection through rough contact with Sabo? His condition is still being monitored and it would be in his best interest to heal as fast as he can." she smiled pleasantly and glanced briefly at Thatch who rolled his eyes good naturedly.
"Oh, right. Sorry Sab," Koala apologized, and Sabo shrugged it off, steeling himself for payback from Ace for the pain. None immediately came, but Sabo knew just how much Koala's hits could hurt even when you did see them coming. It was still weird to Sabo, trying to take into account what Ace would feel with anything and everything Sabo that was done toto Sabo, but he was learning to be more careful.
"Could we head back inside? It's cold out here." Sabo asked hiding the shiver that went up his spine the moment he removed his scarf and wrapped it around Koala, who looked at him with slight surprise that was soon replaced with a smile, her version of a silent thank you.
Izo's honey eyes looked over the pair and took another brownie with a smile, nodding to Thatch and Sabo afterwards, "But of course, I'm going to run ahead and get cleaned up. Then I'll let Oyaji know of our new guests, please try to not get them lost," she chuckled and went on ahead.
Now alone with Thatch and Koala, Sabo turned to see the vampire smiling from ear to ear. "You just couldn't live without your lady friend could you Blondie? You just had to summon her here and get her up the mountain. Well Kid, trust me I know the feeling of love all too well. Hey, have you heard the story behind the saying of the birds and the bees?"
"Like I would ever date this loser," Koala scoffed at the same time that Sabo gained a slight rosy tint to his cheeks and protested, "I didn't summon her."
"Right," Thatch emphasized and chuckled handing Sabo yet another brownie.
"Whatever, c'mon, let's go inside," Sabo muttered, the sound muffled by the treat in his mouth.
The trio retreated to the castle, both listening as Thatch chatted idly about everything and nothing, greeting his vampire brethren along the way. Everybody they passed in the halls was a vampire, and there was staring coming from both parties. Koala stuck close to Sabo, it was hard for him not to tell that she was on extremely high alert while they walked through the large halls. Sabo could tell how uncomfortably tense she was while surrounded by potential enemies on all sides, and how unhappy she was after having to sheathed her sword before stepping into the house. Sabo had felt the exact same when he started walking around the halls, but eventually Sabo learned to ignore the looks he got whenever he left his room, and now that he had his staff back, Sabo found himself much more confident amongst them. It was nice, knowing that he had a way to protect himself now, even if he didn't strictly need to.
Sabo joined in the idle chit chat with Thatch as they walked, doing his best to help Koala in keeping her mind off of what was currently happening. Sabo could tell that Koala appreciated the effort, but the relief she radiated when they stopped in front of a door to Sabo's room was palpable.
He didn't apologize for the mess, Koala very well knew what she would most likely see in Sabo's roof after their many years of knowing one another. And Sabo was pleased that his borrowed room was at least similar to the one he had back home, light blues and grays, and tidy for the most part save for the dozen books that littered every flat surface.
Sabo immediately moved to the bed, clearing it of five or so books before sitting down with relief and motioned for Koala to do the same. His side burned with trying to keep up with Thatch and Koala on the stairs, he knew Ace would be less than happy about it, but Sabo couldn't be bothered to care at the moment. He was just happy Koala was here, despite all the problems she would inevitably cause. It'd been so long since he'd been around someone that actually knew him, he was excited.
Ace rubbed at the back of his head with a soft huff as he stalked down the halls, his quick strides leading him to the door of one of his least favorite person in the castle.
"What is wrong with you? Going around making people hit your head of all places, just because you have a thick skull doesn't mean everyone else does, jackass." Ace asked as he pounded on the door to Sabo's room.
Three knocks was all he needed before he forced the door open, "Seriously who did you piss off that bad that they just had to-" Ace's words froze on his tongue as his eyes landed on a very unfamiliar person sitting on Sabo's bed.
Ace's eyebrows knitted together in confusion just before the scent hit him. He had gotten used to the scent of human in every room especially the one Sabo was occupying but the scent that invaded his senses was... off. And it took him no time to put two and two together to know that this was the scent of the other person, another human. The pulsing around Ace's eyes was an instant reflex as he studied the new person, watching her every move. Ace's body then shifted to the side, blocking the door to any escape attempts.
"And just what is that doing here?" He questioned, never once moving his eyes from the equally tense human.
Sabo groaned, as he let his his head fall into his hands for a moment while he cursed his luck. Of course the one time Ace decided to visit his room was the time another hunter had somehow come to the castle. They had just started to build something that could possibly one day be called trust, but now that was all going to go down the drain.
"I could ask the same of you," Koala replied cooly before Sabo could intervene. She had jumped to her feet the moment the first forceful knock had landed on the door and now she stood with one hand casually resting on the sword at her hip, posture deceptively relaxed.
"Ace, this is Koala, she's my friend." Sabo stressed as he too got to his feet despite the protests his body gave. "And before you start accusing me, no I did not tell her where to find the castle, so kill that thought now."
Ace, however, completely disregarded Sabo's words and instead looked over to the unknown human, a smirk already on his lips as he identified her as a hunter as well. She had to be, no other sane human would be so daring or stupid to scale up a mountain known to have vampires by the locals, and much enter a castle full of vampires. "Go on, pull the sword out. I fucking dare you." he goaded stepping farther into the room.
"I don't care if you told her where to find us or not, she has no business being here." Ace added rolling a shoulder and hearing the telltale sign of a pop.
It was one thing to tolerate one hunter but two of them and humans no less, it was more than Ace could handle at the moment. How the Hell had she even gotten through the entire castle without it raising a huge red flag. That would be a question for later though, and the guards on duty would have some explaining to do.
"So what's it going to be, human?" Ace hissed daring her to make the first move.
Ace watched as the girl's eyes flashed at the challenge. But Sabo had to step in and physically stop her from drawing her sword out out by placing a hand over hers. Once Sabo knew that she wouldn't be doing anything idiotic, he moved to stand in front of her, blocking her from attacking Ace. "Koala stop, please. We can't fight in here, or anywhere. If you hurt him, the others will come. You can't possibly hope to win against everybody in this castle, so please sit down," he urged.
"Have you gone insane? Can you not see his eyes?" Koala pressed from behind him, not doing a thing about disguising the bewildered disbelief in her tone, but Sabo held firm and unmoving.
"No and yes, trust me Koala, now's not the time for fighting. We're the outsiders here, not him. No matter how much of a prick he may be." Sabo stated and looked to Ace then, his voice taking on a more steely tone. "And you, stop provoking her, Thatch and Izo both already know she's here. Do you think Izo would allow somebody dangerous inside the castle, would Thatch?"
For a long moment Ace faced off against the pair and reluctantly he shoved his hands into his pockets, though his brow furrowed all the same. Both Thatch and Izo know about their new little visitor and another hunter no less, was the entire coven going insane?
"I'm still watching you." Ace muttered forcing his fangs away and deliberately biting down on his tongue before they retracted completely, in retribution for the earlier disruption.
"And that's for earlier, jerk. I had to start from the beginning thanks to you." Ace grumbled thinking back to his ruined work.
Sabo gave Ace an unimpressed look as pain spiked his tongue, but he'd been expecting it. He was just relieved that Ace had simmered down enough to put his fangs away.
"How'd you find the place anyway, don't look much like a tracker, more like a weasel, evasive and twitchy." Ace noted not keeping his eyes off of her movements and certainly not keeping his comments to himself.
"Good, that means I'm doing it right," Koala brushed off the comment easily, never one to get offended by other's opinions. "I followed your little birdy to the camp, and after that there was nowhere else to go but up."
Ace grunted, internally cursing Phoenix for being a lazy bird and allowing himself to get tracked down or rather up the mountain.
"Oh look you've all met! That's great!" Thatch's voice startled Ace as the man laughed and swung his arm around Ace's shoulder. "You know Acey, Sabo tells me that this is the girl he has been missing all this time, and I mean can you blame him? Like I mean no offense Miss, but man is Sabo dating out of his league! Am I right?
"Cuz, honestly I have to know what he did to even convince her to consider the thought of saying yes, I mean sure the kid is ok looking at best, and his personality could use some improvement, but I dunno I think she can do much better don't you?"
Ace snorted, "Like I care what she or he dates."
"Really you don't care? Not even a smidge?" Thatch asked gently rocking Ace who by that point was starting to loosen his hold on his anger and calmed by Thatch's joking demeanor, though a small bubble of… offness rose in his gut the longer he let the topic of Sabo and his new friend continue. "No I don't care, there you happy?"
Thatch shrugged good naturedly, "Unconvinced more than anything, but c'mon the food's ready and if you guys continue to debate Sabo's questionable stance with the pretty lady then Luffy won't leave anything for us on the table." Thatch urged and started to herd Ace out of the door, only to turn his head back and wiggle his eyebrows in the direction of Sabo and Koala. "I even asked Izo to save you two seats right next to each other so you won't have to leave one another's sides ever again."
"Oi! Speak for yourself, pompadour man," Sabo protested once he was able to find his voice and pushed away the sudden sensation of heat that rose up his neck and colored his cheek.
Koala, on the other hand, let out a snort of amusement at her friend's expense and Sabo smacked her arm indignantly. "We are not dating," he insisted, looking to Koala for backup.
Koala only smirked though, going through the motions of giving him a once over. "Well..."
Sabo in his exasperation, punched her shoulder and a grin broke out on her face making her relent. "Alright alright, yeah we're not dating, but I have disagree with you saying he looks 'okay'," she hedged, dodging yet another punch from Sabo with a laugh.
With no further options at his disposal, and unable to exert himself further, Sabo let out a long suffering sigh and brushed past Thatch in the doorway, leaving Koala behind in the room. She easily caught up to him though, mirth dancing in her eyes. Koala always loved messing with him whenever possible, Sabo had no idea why he'd thought she would make his situation better.
"Ha, two against one!" Thatch cheered following along, "Though I don't buy the whole we're not dating thing, if you think that incredibly unconvincing argument will change my mind you are sorely mistaken my okay looking blonde friend." Thatch grinned making his way down the stairs.
"Hey Thatch, is that your ten layer heartattack I smell burning up?" Ace asked cutting into the conversation he no longer wished to hear and watched in slight amusement as the red haired chef sniffed the air. And though Thatch cursed and dashed the rest of the way down the stairs and out of sight, Ace was still left slightly annoyed.
"You're welcome." Ace grumbled after Thatch was out of earshot and continued on in silence, or at least he would have if he hadn't heard the infamous laugh of a small child followed by, "Yetiiiiiii!"
Ace braced himself against the impact just as Luffy came bounding down the stairs and attached himself to Sabo in the gentlest surprise attack hugs he could. Sabo, though, wasn't as prepared and stumbled for a moment while Ace coughed into his hands hiding the sudden feeling of having the air knocked out of him. Once the initial discomfort left though, Ace and glanced back to notice Luffy climbing onto Sabo's shoulders like the adorable little monkey he was.
"Shishishi. Hey, hey Sabby guess what I did today huh? Wanna guess?" Luffy babbled excitedly and before he could let his brother say anything he continued, "I bathed Stefan with Pineapple today! Shishishi the water was everywhere and Stefan shook like this." Luffy grinned shaking in imitation and laughed, "And Pineapple looked so funny! What do you do today, did you play with Izzy?"
Sabo held onto the child's legs securely, putting a slight bounce in his step as he continued to the kitchen. "Mmhmm, we planted these really cool mystery flowers that only grow at night, and then I found a friend. Luffy this is Koala, my best friend." he introduced, gesturing to her as she walked next to him. And though his focus was on Luffy, he did not fail to see the realization that lit up her eyes. When she opened her mouth Sabo shook his head discreetly though, and Koala didn't press the matter. She gave him a look that said they would be talking about this later though, and Sabo didn't argue.
"Shishishi Sabby you're weird making friends with a bear." Luffy laughed and then looked to Koala, "Yo! My names Luffy, the future king of pirates. Oh hey do Koala's poop too?" he asked his last part turning into the most serious tone that any five year old could muster.
Ace on the other side of the blond hung his head, "Lu, I've told you many times that everyone does that and I'm sure the weasel here is no exception."
"Weasel? I thought she was a bear?" Luffy asked disregarding all but those words.. "She looks more like a bear to me, though." he beamed and leaned into Sabo's head. "Doesn't she look like a bear Sabby? Like a teddy. Hey hey, miss bear lady, can I have your meat?"
Sabo only hummed in response, knowing better than to say anything, not that it would have mattered when he noticed Koala was already grinning at Luffy. She was a sucker for little kids, and Sabo could tell she was already a lost cause with Luffy.
"Sure," she agreed without a second thought, and Sabo groaned while Ace snickered and Luffy cheered.
"You have just made the biggest possible mistake Koala any dinner attendee could make. You don't understand just how much Luffy is capable of eating," Sabo warned but Koala waved off his concern.
"It'll be fine, how much could he possibly eat?" she asked doubtfully. "He's so tiny."
Ace rose a brow but said nothing at that while Sabo shook his head and Luffy laughed, leaving a very confused Koala in their wake.
So they're on a rocky road, Sabo's best friend amd his soulmate are at odds. But how will they deal with it? And just how much of her dinner can Koala eat with her promise?
Let us know your thoughts guys, some of you actually get it on the nose! Though I can't give you any spoilers ;3 tune in next time to find out more.
Thank you for reading, favoriting, following and reviweing! You guys are amazing.