Author: Yay new chapter for Sparks! Hope all of enjoy it! I hope all of my American readers enjoyed a safe Independence Day! I appreciate every one of my readers and I thank all of you for continuing to read my stories! I also made some new pictures of Ai, you can check them out at the links below
earthstar001/art/Dance-Free-753246265
earthstar001/art/Ace-s-hoodie-753247361
earthstar001/art/Irritated-Tease-753247611
earthstar001/art/Spin-753247891
earthstar001/art/Comfort-753248329
earthstar001/art/Second-Division-Commander-753248883
—
" PUT ME DOWN, YOU FRECKLED FACE JACKASS!" Ai snapped as Ace lifted up into his arms as they neared the Moby Dick. She pushed his head back angrily. " I CAN GET UP THERE ON MY OWN!"
" WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP, YOU STUPID WOMAN!" Ace snapped back as he held her awkwardly.
" If you both don't shut up, I'll drop you both in the ocean!" Marco growled.
" SHUT UP, MARCO!" The two of them snapped as a vein throbbed in both their foreheads. Ever since the had set sail from Isla de Flores the two teens had been at each other's throat. Ace had returned early in the morning holding her sleeping form in his arms. The next few days after that had been filled with complete and total awkwardness as they waited for Ai's wounds to heal enough so that they could make the journey back to the fleet.
Ceras had made it a point to avoid both Ai and Ace as Ace also did his best to avoid both girls. The children in the Home were oblivious to what was going on and were constantly trying to push Ace and Ai to spend time together. When it came time for them to leave the teens would start arguing whenever Ai would attempt to help load the boats.
Ace had finally gotten it through to her that he wasn't going to allow her to open her wounds up by doing something stupid. Whether it was load the boats, steering the boat they were on or even getting back onto the deck of the flag ship.
" Have they been arguing this entire time?" Vista called to Marco as the First Commander lifted several heavy crates onto his shoulders.
" You have no idea. My blood pressure has gone up so much throughout this entire trip." Marco grumbled as he lept upwards onto the deck. He felt the vein in his forehead throb even more as he heard the teens still arguing from down below. " WILL YOU BOTH GIVE IT A REST ALREADY!"
" SHUT UP, OLD MAN!" Ace yelled before he jumped onto the deck.
" THIS OLD MAN IS TIRED OF HEARING YOU BRATS ARGUE NONSTOP!" Marco yelled back.
" You would think we'd have a little peace and quiet once in a while." Kato, the ship's doctor grumbled, walking over to where they were. " Well young lady, I was told you were being reckless once again."
" H-Heh, you could say that." Ai said awkward, rubbing the back of her head with her uninjured hand. Ace noticed how nervous she seemed now that the thin man was present.
" DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH OF A PAIN IN THE ASS IT IS TO FIX YOU UP EVERY TIME YOU GET ALL BANGED UP LIKE THIS!" Kato yelled making the blunette cower against Ace. The dark haired teen stared wide eyed at the doctor who had lost his normal calm demeanor. " AND YOU BOY!" He jumped as the doctor turned his fury on him. " YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HELP KEEP HER OUT OF TROUBLE AND LOOK AT THE SHAPE SHE'S IN!"
" I'M NOT HER DAMN BABY SITTER!" Ace snapped back.
" DON'T YELL IN MY EAR, DAMN IT!" Ai yelled angrily.
" WOMAN, I SWEAR I WILL DROP YOU!"
" I'LL DROP YOU BOTH IN THE OCEAN, NOW SHUT UP!" Marco snapped.
" So it looks like Pops plan to send those two off to grow closer together has failed." Vista said helping Thatch up onto the main deck.
" From what Marco told me, Ace stole our baby sister's first kiss." Thatch said.
" HE WHAT?!" Several nearby crewmen gasped in disbelief.
" Yep…and he even called her his wife."
" WHAT!" Another round of gasps came.
" And then he tried to hook up with another woman while Ai was recovering just three rooms away."
" HE WHAT?" The crew turned to glare at the freckled teen who paled instantly.
" But then the girl turned him down and made him come to his senses. Made him realize that he cares deeply for our sweet baby sister!"
" AAAAAW!" A collected sigh passed through the group at the Fourth Commander's words.
" I'm going to kill him." Ace said, his eyebrow twitching as Thatch continued his story.
" I'll help." Ai said her eyebrow twitching in annoyance as well.
—
" I see, so the slavers have been dealt with." Whitebeard said calmly as Marco gave his Captain a full debrief of the events that had occurred.
" Yes sir, all were executed for their crimes as well as the groups leader."
" Which was?"
" Dragon Ikkan." Marco said causing the elderly man to look at him in shock.
" Dragon?"
" Yes…she was Dragon D. Malikai's daughter-in-law. As well as…" Marco paused hesitantly before he continued. " As well as Alduin's sister-in-law."
" ALDUIN!" Whitebeard gasped, jumping to his feet suddenly. " Did she say anything about him? Where has he been th-"
" Father…Alduin died twelve years ago." Marco said quietly noticing the confusion and then realization that flashed through the elderly man's eyes.
" How?"
" The slavers had apparently visited the island before, kidnapping several of its inhabitants because of their unique features. They were sent there under the orders of Dragon Ikkan. Because of her Alduin was killed."
" Did she order his arrest?"
" No…he was killed when they tried to take his daughter away."
" Alduin had a child? Were you able to locate the girl?" Whitebeard asked quickly.
" Father, Ai is Alduin's daughter." Marco said to the old man's surprise.
" What?"
" Do you remember the girl who stowed away on the ship in order to find him?"
" The timid blue haired girl with the stutter?"
" Correct, her name was Elia. They married and later had Ai." Marco explained. " Apparently there was a woman named Ikkan who was the fiancee that he had run from. She was jealous of Ai's mother and poisoned her while she was still pregnant with her." The First Commander paused as he saw his Captain's fists clenched tightly.
" Go on." The elderly man said, his voice eerily calm.
" Ai's mother passed away shortly after giving birth to her. Alduin hid Ai's existence from everyone for fear for her life. The woman found out Ai was alive and ordered the slavers to capture her and sell her. Alduin attempted to save her and was killed." Marco noticed Whitebeard's fists trembled as he closed his eyes, attempting to hide his tears. " I found where Alduin was buried."
" Does Ai know?"
" She wasn't aware of who Alduin was or that he was her father. She only remembered that he loved her and tried to save her. She blamed herself for his death as well."
" Where is she now?"
" In the medical bay. Kato ordered her there the minute we returned. She was to fearful of his wrath to argue with him."
" Good."
—
" Why you need to put yourself in danger is beyond me!" Kato snapped causing Ai to flinch fearfully. " Do you realize how much of a pain in the ass it is to fix you whenever you get like this? How many gray hairs I have now because of you?"
" I'm sorry." Ai mumbled glancing down at the newly made cast on her left arm.
" You had better be." Kato said lighting a cigarette angrily. The doctor went to gather supplies as the ship's nurses ran around to set up for any upcoming traumas.
" Kato-san." The doctor paused in his task to look at the small blunette.
" What?"
" Did you know Alduin?"
" The former Second Division Commander?" Kato said curiously. " Yes, I just started as the ships doctor when he arrived as a new member here."
" What was he like?"
" Stubborn. Arrogant. Pain in the ass." Kato said calmly taking a long drag from his cigarette. " Kept me busy with all his injuries…real pain in my ass."
" Oh…" Ai said quietly.
" He was also loyal to a fault. He would refuse to leave a companion behind. Brave and strong too. He definitely cared about his crewmates."
" Really?"
" Yep. Almost got himself killed a few times." Kato sighed. " I did some of my best surgeries on that man."
" Uh-huh." Ai said suddenly creeped out by how happy the doctor seemed. " Thanks for that bit of info…"
" You remind me a lot of your father, Ai." Kato said to Ai's surprise.
" W-What?"
" Now that I think of it, you do look and act similar to him." Kato said, a wisp of smoke slipping out as he spoke. " It appears as though you have not only his personality but his nose and cheek bones as well."
" How did you know that he-"
" Please, I'm one of the best doctors in the world. I can easily identify the child of someone I once considered a close friend." Ai felt her face redden at his words. " I figured it out a long time ago but I waited for you to find out on your own."
" He died because of me." Ai said quietly. " The slavers tried to take me and he tried to stop them. He died trying to s-"
WHAP!
Ai blinked in surprise as a hand collided with her head. She blinked up at the doctor who stared at her with contempt in his eyes. " If I ever hear those words come from your mouth ever again I will beat you to within an inch of your life."
" Huh?"
" Your father did not die so that you would hate yourself. He gave his life so that you could live yours." Kato snapped. " Now, if I ever hear you regret living again, I'll toss your skinny ass in the ocean."
" Why is that everyone's go to move?" Ai grumbled as the doctor pulled out his stethoscope, lightly blowing on the bell before placing it over her chest.
" Slow, deep breaths." He said, ignoring her comment. " In and out." After several quiet moments he made several quick notes on his chart.
" Is my arm going to be alright?" Ai asked hesitantly as the physician continued his exam.
" If you rest it for a while and do your physical therapy as directed I don't see why not." Kato said blankly. " Also, not fighting with that fire brained freckled idiot would help out a lot." The machine that was monitoring her vital signs starting beeping chaotically at his words. " Odd," he stated making another note. " Heart rate of 160, respirations in the thirties…you weren't previously showing signs of tachycardia."
" Just stop t-" Ai broke off when the medical bay doors opened suddenly. She blinked in surprise as Whitebeard walked swiftly towards her bed. " Pops?"
" How is she doing?" The Captain asked Kaito.
" Slightly low on fluids, which could be the reason for her elevated heart rate and respirations." Kato said. " With that, she has a brake in her left arm, several minor lacerations and ecchymosis-"
" Simple words, Kato. Not everyone has three PHDs."
" My apologies, Captain." Kato said. " She has several minors cuts and scrapes along with multiple bruises that are in various stages of healing. However it appears that the bullet wound to her right side has been cauterized by someone. That doesn't appear in the report as a treatment by the field medic who initially treated her."
" It would appear her heart rate has spiked again." Whitebeard noted watching the monitor curiously.
" I'm not certain why." Kato said adjusting his glasses. " I'll start up an iv with electrolytes. That should help." Whitebeard waited until the doctor was gone before he sat down on the bed across from the blunette.
" I apologize for not sending more help with you originally."
" It's not you fault, Pops." Ai said awkwardly. " I did say that to large a group would have raised suspicions."
" Ai, from what Marco told me, you almost died."
" But I didn't."
" You are one of my childre, Ai. The thought of any one of you dying rips my heart to pieces."
" I'm sorry." Ai said suddenly feeling guilty about making her father worry. " I wasn't prepared for what happened. Seeing the man who sold me brought back so many emotions that I have been trying to forget for a long time."
" You needed to deal with those things sooner or later, Ai." Whitebeard said. " I'm sorry that you had to confront them in that manner." Ai smiled weakly at his words. " You will also need to confront what happened when your sisters-"
" I'd sooner jump in the ocean then make peace with them." Ai said gripping the sheets on her bed tightly. Her heart rate became elevated once more at the comment.
" We will discuss that later, now about your injuries." The elderly man said dismissing the grumpy look on the girl's face. " You WILL do everything that Kato says to. That included rest and relaxation, letting others assist you with tasks. No being stubborn and trying to do things you know you'll need help with."
" Yes sir." Ai said like a child being scolded.
" That also means not picking fights with the fire boy." Whitebeard said. " No matter how cute you think he is."
" I DO NOT THINK HE'S CUTE!" Ai yelled quickly, her face reddening, her head becoming suddenly dizzy.
" That's good, because you are to young to have children." Whitebeard said enjoying how flustered she was becoming. " Although, I admit, the two of you would make adorable children."
" CH-CHILDREN!" Ai squeaked.
" GURARARA!" Whitebeard laughed. " Rest easy now, daughter. Those are my orders."
" Y-Yes, sir!"
" I expect you to follow these orders, just as any others."
" Of course."
—
Ace stood hesitantly in-front of the medical bay doors, a small bead of sweat trickled down his cheek. Before he could open the door it swung open to reveal Whitebeard who was laughing uncontrollably. " STUPID OLD MAN!"
The Captain looked down to see Ace staring wide eyed at him, all the color had vanished from it. " Nothing inappropriate, lad. She needs all the rest she can."
" What are you going on about, old man?" Ace gasped his face now flooding red.
" As much as I would like being a great-grandfather, I'd like you to try once she's fully healed."
" I'M NOT TRYING ANYTHING WITH THAT STUPID WOMAN!" Ace yelled understanding what the elderly man was hinting at.
" When the time comes, I'll officiate the ceremony for the both of you."
" EAT SHIT!" Ace yelled, his face now blood red. " THERE'S NO WAY I'D EVER DO THAT WITH HER!"
" GURARARA!"
Ace twitched angrily as he watched Whitebeard walk away, laughing so loud that it made the hallway tremble. " Stupid old man." He growled before opening the door.
WHAM!
" FUCK!" Ace yelled as a cold, metal bedpan collided with his face. " WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?" He yelled as a trickle of blood made its way from his nose.
" IF I'M SO REPELLENT THEN GO AWAY!" Ai yelled, causing the her heart monitor to start beeping rapidly.
" OH SHUT UP, YOU STUPID WOMAN!" Ace yelled back. " CALM THE HELL DOWN, YOUR HEART RATE'S GOING NUTS!"
" NO ONE'S FORCING YOU TO STAY HERE AND LISTEN TO IT, YOU JACKASS!" Ai yelled wincing slightly. " WHY DID YOU EVEN COME BACK HERE?! YOU COULD HAVE JUST STAYED THERE WITH CERAS! YOU CLEARLY LIKED HER! SHE'S NOT SOME STUPID WOMAN THAT NEVER LISTENS TO YOU AFTER ALL! I BET YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN FUCKING HAPPIER THERE! HELL, YOU PROVED THAT YOU LIKED HER WHEN YOU SAID SHE WAS YOUR WIFE AND WHEN YOU…you know…"
Ace froze at her words, cursing inwardly. She really thought he liked Ceras. Ceras was pretty and ladylike but she wasn't the one that frustrated him beyond belief. She wasn't willing to sacrifice her own life for simple villagers or orphaned children. She wasn't the one that challenged him at every turn. She wasn't the one that kept him awake most nights.
The one that who's innocent eyes, loving heart and sweet scent made his blood surge with hunger. " God, you are stupid."
" JUST GO AWAY, YOU JACKASS!" Ai yelled angrily, turning her face away from him.
OH NO! He thought angrily, striding towards her from the across the room. " Oh no you don't!" He said allowed, gripping her chin in his hand, forcing her to look at him. " YOU WILL NOT HIDE YOUR FACE FROM ME!"
" WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK-" Ai froze at the angry look in his black eyes.
" You are a Commander in Whitebeard's fleet! You don't hide your eyes from anyone!" Ace said fiercely. " Especially not someone under your own command! It makes you look weak…and YOU are not weak!" Ace's words shook her to her core.
" Someone under my command?" She said barely more than a whisper.
" I'm staying…" Ace said firmly. " As a member of the Second Division."