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This chapter has a bit of romance and fluff so enjoy

Just remember: I do not own One Piece - that is property of Eiichiro Oda

Chapter 25: Unpleasantries

Being taken back to the small branch of the rebel army of Alabasta was an interesting experience but seeing and hearing nothing of value made Andrea unnerved. If these people were fighting the government, surely they would have good reason or at least a motivating factor but it was dead silent within the camp. Andrea headed for the very broody man who she assumed was the leader.

-Drum Kingdom-

Dalton was staring down the wanted poster given to him and listened to the story of Luffy's brother wanting to meet him. While relieved that the message did not require being delivered due to the crew heading for Alabasta anyway, Dalton felt something was odd and missing.

Heading into Wapol's former castle, he watched the hustle and bustle when another wanted poster drifted down to him but this one was not one issued by the World Government or the Marines.

-On the Going Merry-

The party was going strong and Usopp still was plagued by the intense urge to inform Luffy's older sister about the recent events. Yet being the coward he was, tried to subtly persuade Luffy to call her only to be told, "Wait til morning. She hates being drunk dialed."

Raising a fuzzy eyebrow at the confusion, Chopper asked about Luffy's sister and received a wide grin in return. He began to regale the crew with how she always watched out for him and his brothers but his favorite thing about her was her talent with cooking. Sighing at the predictability of her captain, Nami walked into her cabin for a minute and reached for a letter that was waiting in Drum Kingdom with her name on it. When it was handed to her by Dalton, she was surprised but he was surprisingly quiet about it and only mentioned that it was given to him by a cool demeanored man and he was trusted to ensure its safe receipt.

Glancing through the letter which acknowledged the information received and counting carefully the Beri included within, she pocketed the change and returned to the party where Usopp was about to make a toast to their new doctor.

-The Next Day-

Crocodile listened carefully to Robin's report of the incident in Drum Kingdom with a contemplative look on his face. Losing that Andy woman had proved to be a thorn in his side but the fact that her younger brother was going to practically walk into his grasp, he could easily use the excuse of him being a Shichibukai to execute his plans in their entirety. Robin shook her raven locks with amusement at her partner's plans and could not help but throw a monkey wrench into his plans. "We're missing a few lower ranked agents. It's possible that Andy-san may have taken some out."

Scowling at the svelte woman, he turned away and looked outside. That Marine just needed to slip up at the opportune moment and then she would be his prize.

And Crocodile was used to getting what he wants.

-Meanwhile-

Andrea plopped on the sandy ground in annoyance. The leader, who she found out was named Kohza, was a short tempered man who did not approve of her blatant attempts to get close to him. Fed up with the man, she decided this would require desperate measures. She disliked what she would have to do but she had a mission and out of these rebellious warriors, he was the one who most likely possessed information she needed.

Dressed in a pair of capri pants that hugged her legs tightly and a low cut tank top, she approached him with a seductive smirk. Hearing wolf whistles, she tilted her head towards him and motioned towards a tent. To her annoyance, Kohza sighed but he walked with her to the tent. Stomach clenching in discomfort, she clinged onto his arm tightly and giggled softly. When they were out of sight of the troops however, Kohza pushed her off him and she landed none-too-softly onto his bed roll. Surprised at his attitude, she could not help but snap, "What the fuck?"

Raising a thin eyebrow, he sat across from her but had put a distance between them. "Your body and words may be flirty but I just had to look in your eyes to know you were hating every minute of flirting with me so I must wonder why you would do such a thing. It's obvious from your body language that you care about someone."

Tears gathered in the brunette's eyes but she refused to shed them. Damn I screwed up hard. But he's right… I tried to think of Sakazuki but now I just feel, "Guilty," she mumbled softly as she looked into the man's eyes. "I really care about him a lot but this felt like the only way."

Interest passed the man's face in curiosity. "Only way for what?"

A surge of strength passed over her eyes as she stared down the man strongly. "I must find out what's going on in this country."

Scoffing at her, he crossed his arms. "Our king did several unforgiveable things."

Raising a thin eyebrow, she smirked remembering something. "You know it might not have been him." Kohza's face hardened at the implication. "There is a Devil Fruit that allows one to imitate another person. I know from experience," she dug through her bag really quick before pulling out her poster and pointing specifically to her face. "I do NOT smirk like this."

-Flashback-

Andrea had pretended to be completely unconscious when Crocodile took her rather roughly to her room to be contained. She had a difficult time in calming her heart rate to simulate unconsciousness but she must have done fine but a rather flamboyant voice and overenthusiastic touching of her face almost made her wince or retaliate.

"Good Mr. 2. Your powers will be useful with the more faces you acquire." Andrea scrunched her brow in confusion at the words as the two men left her room.

-End Flashback-

Kohza glanced at the paper and back at her. "So… I could take you in and claim a reward that could be put towards the troops."

Eyes widening, Andrea's heart dropped at her stupidity. Unwrapping her right palm's bandage, she was pleased that it had healed at least a little bit because she knew she would definitely need to use it now. Placing her hand on the ground, a rush of sand surrounded her and while Kohza was trying to protect his eyes, she dashed out of the tent and out of the camp before anyone would think to chase her. After all, they had seen her attempt to seduce their leader and would only assume he had gotten too fresh with her.

After putting quite the distance between her and the camp, Andrea rested near a small oasis. Guilt about what transpired earlier still clenched her tightly and she felt compelled to reach out to someone but she knew only one person could help her. Making up her mind, she dialed her favorite Admiral and was pleased to hear his gruff, sleepy greeting. "It's rather late. I hope this is important."

"Hey Sakazuki-kun. It's been a while," she spoke softly into the Baby Den Den Mushi. Hearing him move around in the background made her smile as she heard a chair scrape the floor. "I miss you."

The tough man's eyes widened in surprise at her statement. Did she really just call me to tell me that? "I miss you too. I hope your mission is doing well." He did not realize it but he had a rather soft smile on his face and his voice reflected it as Andrea felt his smile.

"A couple complications but," Andrea hesitated for a minute as she was fearful of what his reaction could be. "I dislike the idea of flirting with anyone but you!"

Laughing loudly and the seeming randomness of the statement, he knew what she was talking about. Being a Marine and to some extent, an agent of the World Government, meant that at times, you had to resort to unpleasant methods. "I understand my Andrea-chan." She grinned widely and even giggled at his proclamation. "The idea of men being near you boils my blood but we have a duty. Therefore the sooner you finish, the sooner you are back with me where you belong. I await you and I know you'll make me and your family proud."

Heartened at his statements, she glanced at her palm almost expecting it to be bleeding heavily but was surprised to see only a couple small trickles of blood. "I'm sorry I bugged you during my mission but I had to hear you again. Thanks for listening to me fret Sakazuki-kun."

"Just sleep well," he mumbled as he was unsure of how to end the call. It had been too long since he had last been in the dating scene. Then he froze as thoughts bombarded him. We are dating right? Close enough I suppose… Am I her only boyfriend…? Wait is that an appropriate way to think of us? We can't be lovers since we haven't slept together in that way yet. The stream of thoughts ceased as he heard her kiss the receiver and hang up. Hanging up his own Den Den Mushi, he smiled as a new thought took root in his mind. Her being mine is enough for me.