Chapter 23: Tearing Down A Emotional Wall
Marcus stifled the groaned that threat to emerge from his throat as he slowly opened his eyes staring at an unknown ceiling. Where am I? he thought before slowly remembering where he was being taken. A mountain town that is what I remember last. How long have I been out? A day? A few days or has it been longer? He heard the slight rumbling sound off to his right that drew his attention. Sitting with legs stretched out, arms folded across his chest was Tarlong. It was clear that he was sleeping from the way his head moved as he snored, his hat adjusted that his face was covered.
Marcus fought back the pain as he sat up. Has he been here all this time watching over me? He couldn't help but wonder as he studied his sleeping son who was unaware that his father had awoken. Everything about Tarlong spoke gunslinger, hell even a desperado came to mind and a small chuckle escaped the mako. My son takes after me and doesn't even know it. '
He gritted his teeth as he slid to the edge of the bed he was in before he leaned far enough to give his sleeping son a good smack on the leg. Tarlong snorted as he slowly woke to blink a few times. "Come on son," Marcus said. "Time to wake up."
Tarlong was still not fully awake as he straightened up looking over to the bed. "Dad," he said unsure if he was dreaming soon realized he wasn't. "You're...okay. You're okay!"
"Hell, it will take a lot more to kill me," Marcus said and it was then he took notice to his son's face. Something he had somehow missed. "Your face-," Tarlong was quick to look away. "Son, look at me. Please."
The sawtooth was hesitant in doing so and finally, he looked at his father, removing his hat. The pain and guilt reflected in Marcus' eyes caused Tarlong to shut his eyes. He didn't want to see that, not in the eyes of the man he had finally accepted as his father. Dark grey skin twitched as fingers brush a strand of hair from the scarred side of his face and those same fingers traced the cruel scars that were left from Max's claws.
Tracing those scars affected Marcus as tears pooled up in his eyes spilling down his cheeks. Ignoring the pain that wracked his body as the mako rose from the bed wrapping his arms around Tarlong holding him tight. He did not expect his son to break down but he did. Tarlong cried his heart and soul out, all those years of pain came out. When he just wanted the comfort of the people he had called his mother and father, comfort that was forever lost when Buggy and his pirates killed them. Sobs slowly dwindled then becoming small hiccups as Marcus rubbed the back of his son.
"I didn't mean for you to get hurt," Tarlong's voice was so emotional. "If you died...Garth would have never forgiven me."
"I said it would take a lot more to kill me," Marcus said. "A broken heart was about the only thing that nearly did. This family won't be getting rid me that soon"
"Dad, I'm sorry I was an ass."
"Well, I probably deserved some of that treatment," Marcus said. "I did a very bad job as a father and never thought what my actions would have caused. I guess having Lilly enter my life made me actually realize the mistakes I made."
Tarlong shifted his attention to the slight tremble that he saw in his father's legs and eased him back onto the bed. The sawtooth sat next to him worrying some. "Should I get help?"
Marcus shook his head. "I'm just a little tired," he said. "I'm pushing myself more than I should. Where is my armor?"
Tarlong looked at him before he got up picking up the ruined black barbarian leather armor from the floor. Marcus took it and gave a frustrated sigh. "Damn. That bitch really did a number to this. Does the shield have any damage?"
"Surprising it doesn't have any damage on it," Tarlong said as he moved to a closet where he brought out two weather beaten knapsacks that were very familiar to Marcus. "I went with Skie when she went back to Masta's to get what she needed to tend to your injuries. I found a note Chizzara had left telling me that she found these along with a guitar," he said. "I can't picture you doing that honestly."
Before Marcus would have been upset about anyone touching his belongings but now he felt differently. "I won't say I'm good at it. It was a gift from Lilly and I learned how to play. Seeing her happy was enough for me to continue." He looked at both knapsacks before he moved down to the end of the bed and picked one of them up. "I don't see that old guitar."
"I found someone that was willing to clean it up and replace the strings," Tarlong said as he placed the other knapsack on the bed. "I'll go check on it."
"After that, I want to go see if that grandson of mine is okay," Marcus said with a nod. "Facing two devil fruit users and beating them...I have to admit I'm impressed."
"There is a little to that story that we need to tell you about."
The mako looked at him in curiosity. "Like what?"
"It's better if we show you," Tarlong said before he left.
What could have happened that I would need to see? Marcus opened the knapsack and gave a small sigh. "Looks like the old wander will be coming back from the dead," he muttered as he pulled out his old hat.
When Tarlong returned with the guitar, he did a double-take the moment he saw his father. Marcus once more wore his mantle cloak along with his old v-neck shirt and his trousers. His hat was tugged down over his eyes. "Chizz says I'm the one who looks like a gunslinger," Tarlong said. "Damn dad, you look like a damn outlaw."
Marcus grinned teeth showing. "Maybe," he reached into the sack pulling out the revolver he won in the old poker game along with its belt holster. "I might now." He saw the slight gleam in Tarlong's good eye as he eyed the revolver and handed it over to him.
Tarlong didn't hesitate in inspecting it. "Damn it's in good shape just needs a really good clean," he said. "Garth will have this old girl cleaned and oiled in no time. Pretty sure we got the bullets for it as well."
"You have an eye for guns I see," Marcus chuckled with amusement. "Downright passionate about it."
"I was always comfortable with a revolver or even a rifle," Tarlong said as he handed the weapon back to his father before he drew his prize gun. "Especially this little lady."
"What the-," Marcus stared at the .44-40 caliber rifle with a ten-inch barrel. "What the heck is that?"
"This is what is called the Mare's Leg," Tarlong was grinning. "Designed to be worn in a large leg holster and used with one hand. Best thing I ever got my hands on and I've taken a few goods for nothing bounties out with her."
"Out of curiosity what does Garth use?"
"You have to see it believe it, but he uses a gas-powered automatic crossbow with a high powered scope."
Marcus shook his head, "You're right. I probably need to see it." He lightly scratched at the underside of his chin thinking quietly. "Have you bothered to eat anything?"
Tarlong rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I really haven't been worried about you more."
Marcus raised an eyebrow at his son's confession. "Come on boy." he rested a hand on the sawtooth's shoulder. "Let's go and eat because this old shark is honestly starved."
~~.~~.~~
Styrker paced like a wild animal in a cage as the two zoan entered with Ryder. The black tiger shark was in a very foul mood as all three kneeled before him. "What is it now?!" Styrker said with eyes narrowed. "I have enough to deal with since Overbite has caused us new problems."
"We found the white one as you instructed," said the male human zoan user.
"Yet I do not see him here and why is that, Zanfar?"
"He escaped us," his sister answered.
Without warning, Stryker kicked Zanfur in the face with such force that he went flying into one of the pillars with a resounding crack. Ryder was at the devil fruit user's side seeing how badly injured he was. "How the hell did he escape the both of you?!" Styrker demanded as he shifted his attention to Nanee. "Explain this to me, female?"
Nanee lifted her head, her eyes meeting the enraged eyes of the tiger. "He only managed to do so because of the guardian," she answered.
"Guardian?" Stryker crouched down before her. "What guardian?"
"One of the ancient guardian sharks," Zanfar said as blood trickled from his nose. "It came to the aid of the one you seek."
Ryder blinked at Zanfar's words. "Are you sure of what you saw, Zanfar?" he asked.
"I have no reason to lie."
"Which one was it," Stryker demanded.
"The sawtooth," Zanfar said. "It took the form of a child and when Nanee went after it, the white one came to the guardian's protection."
"I owe him for that strike he did to me," Nanee hissed with anger.
"He struck you, did he?" Stryker seemed amused.
Nanee glared at the tiger before her and with sudden tenderness, he caressed the female human's cheek. "You have the heart of a killer do you not?"
"I am a hunter and dislike it when I am denied my prey."
"Such frustration must be difficult to deal with," Stryker said leaning forward some with a sick twisted smile. "You live for the hunt and thirst for the blood of your enemies as well as your prey am I not right?"
Any female would have realized too late that Stryker was playing his dangerous game, but Nanee was different and this even the tiger shark saw. He saw the same cruel heart that he had and that made him want her. He wondered how much fun she would be in bed even if she wasn't willing to do so. "Ryder, take your leave," he said glancing up to his brother. "Take that other fool with you as well."
"What of Nanee?" Ryder said.
"Did you not hear?" Nanee said as she rose to her feet. "You both were told to leave."
Much to the shock of Ryder and her brother, the female zoan user walked past Stryker straight to his chambers. She looked back at Stryker giving him a look that indeed pleased him. Finally, one who is very willing to please me. he thought as he followed.
Ryder guided Zanfar away. "Your sister is just about as mad as my brother," he muttered.
Zanfar was looking back at the room. "She wants him to choose her as his mate," the zoan user confessed. "She may get her wish."
Ryder stopped suddenly as he recalled what his brother spoke of. "Overbite is proving more harder to control it seems," he said as he rubbed his chin. "This may be in our favor."
Zanfar looked at him. "In our favor? What do you mean?"
Ryder looked at him. "This is what I want you to do."
~~.~~.~~
Tarlong and Marcus had gone to the tavern which was almost empty of patrons. The mako spotted Riptide who was sitting with Skie at a table that way in the back and it was a little more secluded. Both father and son walked up to the table. "Is this a private dinner or is family permitted to join?" Marcus asked.
Riptide looked up and he was on his feet hugging his grandfather. "Sofu!"
"Good to see you as well," Marcus said, hugging his grandson.
Once seated Riptide signal for the tavern owner to come over so food could be ordered and once done so they could relax and talk. "So I have been told there was more to your tale about facing those two devil fruit users," Marcus said. "So what must be shown to me?"
Riptide looked at Skie who rested her hand on his. "Marcus, do you know anything about the guardian sharks?" Skie asked.
"The legendary protectors of the island?" Marcus said. "Lilly had told me something about them. Why?"
"I have one of them," Riptide said.
"Have one of them? What do you mean by that?"
Riptide sighed before he rose from his seat reaching behind the chair where he had his Kiribachi. "Sofu, let's go outside." He looked at Skie and Tarlong. "We shouldn't be too long."
Outside of the Tavern...
Riptide led his grandfather to the meadow where he had trained during the day. The cloudless night sky was illuminated by the full moon making it perfect for what the hybrid needed to do. "I do not know what form Saw will take." He said before he shifted his attention to his blade. "Saw, can you come out?"
Marcus hoped his grandson was not losing it when he took notice of the blade which was starting to glow. Bright white energy swirled from it, rising into the air and took the form of a saw shark. The mako eyes went wide as the guardian circled around them before taking the form of the little sawtooth child.
"Sofu this is Saw," Riptide said.
The sight of the guardian who took the form of a child affected Marcus. He did not see the guardian he saw Arlong when he was that age and he heard the cries of his son again. Daddy! Daddy, please don't go! DADDY! The mako cried out as he dropped to his knees clutching to the sides of his head.
"Sofu!" Riptide was at his grandfather's side. "What is it? What's wrong?" He took a hold of his grandfather's shoulders only to realize that Marcus' whole body was shaking uncontrollably. What could have happened? All he did was see Saw and...no! What have I done? He turned to Saw, "Please I need you to return-"
"No!"
The white sawtooth hybrid shifted his attention back to Marcus who lifted his head and was staring at Saw, who was so confused that she kept looking from Riptide to him. "Sofu, I didn't think that-"
Marcus shook his head. "How could you have known what I did to your father?" he said tears running down his cheeks as he stared at Saw.
What did I do wrong? '
Riptide looked at Saw and he could feel her fear. "You did nothing wrong," he said holding his hand out to her. "How could you think of such a thing?"
He is in pain because of me.
"No, little one." Marcus struggled to calm himself. "You did nothing that caused me pain."
Riptide was wide-eyed as he turned to Marcus. "You heard her?"
"You mean I shouldn't be able to?"
"As far I knew I was the only one who heard her," Riptide said as he looked back at Saw before he sat back on the ground. "She did heal your injuries. Maybe you can because of that."
"Perhaps," Marcus said quietly as he moved that he was sitting on the grass watching Saw who still hadn't moved. "You can come over here there is no need to stay away from your...father."
Father? What is a Father? Saw asked the moment she was sitting on Riptide's lap with his arms around her.
Marcus rubbed his temples finding it difficult to explain the one thing he had failed to be so. Something he had never known himself. "A father is a man who provides and protects his family," he said slowly feeling the quilt of what he had done to his own children. "He should be there for his children. Riptide could be considered a father to you."
Saw was quiet as she looked up Riptide. So Riptide is Daifu?
Riptide blinked at being called father by the guardian and he looked at his grandfather, uncertainty reflecting in his eyes. He never thought his interaction with Saw to be like that and yet she assumed the form of a child. He shifted his attention to Saw and somehow it didn't seem so strange for her to call him that. She was his guardian and honestly, he had started to think of her as a daughter which Hoji would probably not agree with. "If you like to," he said stroking the top of her head. "You can call me Daifu since I look at you as my daughter instead of my guardian."
Then what is Sofu to me?
Riptide couldn't help the grin that he suddenly had. "He would be Hiijiji."
Marcus' jaw drops at being referred to as great-grandfather especially to the guardian. "I can't believe you would call me that," he muttered.
'Sofu, Saw asked what you were to her?" He looked toward the direction of the tavern. "We best get back before Skie and Uncle Tarlong start to worry."
Marcus got to his feet. "You go ahead," he said. "I'll be there in a little bit."
"Sofu, are you okay?"
"I just need some time to collect my thoughts that's all," Marcus said quietly before he walked off.
Pain so much pain. Saw said as they walked the mako walk off.
"He did something he isn't proud of and it still haunts him," Riptide said.
~~.~~.~~
Marcus needed to be alone. He needed to think. He finally stopped walking, lifting his head his eyes on the heavens above. The pain he was feeling was becoming overwhelming, threatening to drown him as he lost it emotionally. He fell to his hands and knees screaming until his throat hurt as painful memories slowly came flooding back.
~~Over Fifty years ago the Fish-man District~~
Marcus had no real desire to look after his five-year-old son, Arlong. Curse that damn woman. he thought bitterly as he walked to the orphanage that was the Fish-man District keeping a firm grip on the boy's hand. Finding me and dumping the boy on me. The ungrateful bitch is what she is.
"Daddy look!" Arlong pointed to the ancient ship that was known as Noah. "A big boat!"
"That is a ship, Arlong." Marcus muttered angrily. "There is a difference."
Arlong cringed. He didn't mean to make his father angry. "I'm sorry daddy," he said. "I'll be good."
Marcus said nothing as they continued on. They soon arrived and the administrators met the pair just outside one of the many buildings. "How old is he?" asked one of the administrators.
"Arlong just turned five," Marcus said.
Arlong was looking from his father to the strangers he was talking to and then back to his father. He became very scared and the moment his father let go of his hand, he went full-blown terror. His father turned and started to walk away. "Come along now, Arlong." one of the administrators said reaching for his hand.
"Daddy!" Arlong ran after his father, his tiny hands grabbing onto one of the legs of his father's trousers. Tears were streaming down his face as he looked up at his father. "Daddy please don't go!"
"Arlong let go."
Poor Arlong was bawling his heart out. He didn't understand why his father didn't want him especially when his mother told him that his father would look after him. "I'll be good Daddy," he sobbed. "I'll be a good boy. I promise I will!"
Marcus gave him a dark angry look. He didn't need this shit. "Will you come and take him away," he growled at the administrators who stood there looking like the damn idiots they were.
Finally one of them did and she had a hell of a time trying to get Arlong to let go of his father's leg. She had a firm grip on his hand as she dragged him away. Arlong was screaming his head off as he watched his father turn his back to them walking away. "DADDY!"
~~.~~.~~
"Arlong I'm sorry," Marcus sobbed. "I'm so sorry that I was such a cold-hearted bastard back then. You only wanted to be with me. You just wanted to have your lousy father in your life."
Tarlong heard his father's cries even before he reached him. Riptide didn't like the idea of Marcus going off and after he told what had happened Tarlong knew it was his duty to check on his father. He never thought he would see Marcus like this, to see the poor man finally having a damn mental breakdown. His own guilt has been eating at him for years. The bearded sawtooth thought sadly. What Arlong only wanted and was denied is what Garth and I did have. Hell, that son of a bitch brother of ours ruined so many lives from scarring and nearly killing Siamon when he was a kid to raping poor Nami. Damn, how is Si going to react once we tell him that Arlong is our brother?
Marcus was still sobbing and talking. "Lilly, I'm sorry. I'm not strong like you always told me I was. I have not since I lost you."
"Bullshit," Tarlong said closing the distance between them. "You have five damn reasons that make you strong. Five damn good reasons that should make you want to keep living"
"Wha-." Marcus looked up at him shocked.
The sawtooth knelt down by him holding up his good hand which was closed. "Five really good reasons that make you the man you are right now," he said raising each finger as he continued on. "Garth, Riptide, Destiny, Long, and me. Toss Nami and Chizz into this mix you have two more reasons."
"How can they even count?" Marcus said his voice strained from all his screaming.
"Chizz wouldn't like seeing you like this and wouldn't hesitate in kicking my ass for letting you do so," Tarlong said. "Nami...she went through more hell than anyone would believe. Arlong murdered her mother in front of her when she was a kid and when she was sixteen...that brother of mine raped her and got her pregnant. Yeah, he doesn't know and it's a good thing he doesn't know about his own kids."
"How do you consider that a good thing?"
Tarlong gave his father a look that sent a chill down the man's spine. "If we ever find him and that is a big if too. If Riptide doesn't kick his ass, I swear I'm gonna kick his ass from one end of the Grand Line and back again just for what he did. Of course, there is a good chance Nami still might do that if not Siamon."
"Siamon?"
Tarlong closed his eyes before he opened them and Marcus saw the pity in his son's mismatched eyes. "The one person I wouldn't hesitate to call a brother. What Arlong did to him is unforgivable."
Marcus felt suddenly sick to his own stomach as he asked. "What did he do?"
"Arlong nearly killed him because he was born with deformed fins." Tarlong's voice became cold. "Siamon was a kid when Arlong and some of his buddies jumped Siamon. They beat him up pretty bad but what Arlong did to him is beyond cruel, it was downright twisted and sick. He cut Siamon's deformed fins off and if it wasn't for Si's siblings finding him, he would have died."
Marcus couldn't believe Arlong could be that cruel but seeing the cold hateful look on his own son's face, he knew it had to be true. Arlong truly had become a monster and knowing that caused him great pain. "He just wanted me to stay," he said, unable to look at Tarlong at that moment. "He just wanted to with his daddy that's all he wanted."
"Dad, you can't change the past," Tarlong said. "There are times I wish I could but shit happens and we have to keep going. Not sure about you, but I'm damn starving and I'm not looking forward to eating a cold meal."
Somehow Marcus managed to find humor in his complaint. "It won't kill you unless-"
Tarlong raised an eyebrow. "Unless what?"
Without warning, Marcus wrapped an arm around Tarlong's neck and gave him a noogie. The sawtooth let loose a mock howl of rage as he tackled the older shark. Hearing a sudden hiss of pain he backed off quickly. "Sorry I didn't mean-"
"It's my own fault," Marcus said sitting slowly up. "These damn injuries are going to keep me on the sidelines and that is something we can not risk especially if there is trouble."
"That's all we've been finding since we came here," Tarlong said as he stood up. He leaned down to help his father up to his feet. "Now we will have a cold meal."
"One cold meal won't kill you," Marcus said as his son grumbled under his breath about how the food tasted when it was cold. "Tarl will you stop your bitching or I'll whoop your ass."
"Ha! I like to see you try."
~~.~~.~~
"Took you two long enough," Skie said the moment both father and son returned to the table. "The owner was kind enough to hold off on your meals until you both returned."
"Good I hate eating my food cold," Tarlong said.
Marcus noticed that his old guitar was sitting by his grandson's chair and he quietly debated if he should try playing something. It had been so long that he wasn't sure if he would even remember. Tarlong had seen that his father was staring at the musical instrument and he gave his father a gentle jab on the arm. "Come on dad," he said. "It won't hurt if you try again."
"Sofu, you play some?" Riptide asked as he handed the guitar to his grandfather.
"I haven't played this since Lilly died. I'm not sure if I even remember how."
"Not likely dad," Tarlong said with a grin. "Go ahead."
Marcus took a breath as he held the precious gift once more and let his fingers strum over the strings before he made the adjusts on the tuning pegs. He tested and adjusted more until he was satisfied. "Anyone have a song in mind?"
Riptide had the only one that came to his mind and it was one he missed hearing. "Sofu, do you Binks Sake?"
"Who doesn't know it," Marcus said.
Soon the familiar tune filled the air as the mako played the old beloved song that Riptide had always heard since he was little. How he missed hearing it and his Uncle Brook singing it as he played on his violin. It was hard not to cry some as such a memory. He missed his uncles so much, especially his Uncle Luffy.
"Rip?"
He wiped the tears from his eyes as Skie gently took a hold of his hand and he gave her a smile. "I'm okay," he said with a smile. "I was just remembering a childhood memory."
"Did Lilly have one she liked to hear you play?" Skie asked politely.
"She did," Marcus replied. He closed his eyes and he almost heard her voice again. Fingers traced over the soundhole and his other hand flowing over the frets. The words came to him so easily again and for the first time since her passing did Marcus sing his heart out.
Feeling my way through the darkness
Guided by a beating heart
I can't tell where the journey will end
But I know where to start
They tell me I'm too young to understand
They say I'm caught up in a dream
Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes
Well that's fine by me
So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost
So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost
I tried carrying the weight of the world
But I only have two hands
I hope I get the chance to travel the world
And I don't have any plans
I wish that I could stay forever this young
Not afraid to close my eyes
Life's a game made for everyone
And love is a prize
So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost
So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost
I didn't know I was lost
I didn't know I was lost
I didn't know I was lost
I didn't know I was lost
"One of these days you are going to get tired of hearing me sing that song," Marcus said
The young woman that sat next to him looked at him before she laid her head against his shoulder. "Why would I get tired of hearing you sing especially when that is my favorite song?"
"What am I going to do with you?" he asked, leaning down some.
"Love me?"
Marcus smiled before he kissed her deeply and passionately. "Have I told you how much I love you?"
Lilly laughed. A laugh that sounded like joyous music to his heart. "Everyday my love."
"Good because I promise to keep telling you that until you are old and grey with age."
"I love you, Marcus," she said as she caressed his cheek.
As the final cords of the song faded into the air Marcus opened his eyes, his vision somewhat blurry from the tears that wanted to fall. I never have stopped loving you, Lilly.
The song Wake Me Up by Avicii felt was the perfect song for Marcus to play and it is my favorite one to listen to when I write. So I'm dedicating this chapter to my fellow writer and best bud, Malchior the Draco. Happy Birthday buddy!