Hello lovelies! Welcome to another Update Sunday! I really hope you enjoy this chapter! :)
Chapter 24
Ashina woke to the sound of the infirmary door closing. She raised partially up, eyes blinking as she adjusted to the light on the room. She spotted Marco carrying a tray as he approached the bed.
"Morning. I brought breakfast in exchange for having to stick you again today. Good news though, I think the monitors can come off today."
Ashina stretched waking up further as Marco came closer. Ace groaned behind her when she moved again, his hand brushing over the curve of her stomach to fall to her thigh as she sat up.
If the monitors could come off that means she could leave the infirmary. She wanted to stay for the safety of her child, but she also wanted freedom. Five days was five too many and she was ready to see the sky and feel the breeze of the wind blowing across the sea and the warmth of the sun. Tenshin and Yukichi came to see her as often as their chores allowed, Mihar brought her books and Deuce came to chat several times. Ace entertained her with plenty of different card and board games, but she was ready to be out of the infirmary.
"Does that mean I might be able to escape this room?"
"Yes," Marco answered on a chuckle. He sat the tray on the cart next to the bed before swiping the clipboard and pen from beside the tray. He checked the monitors, jotting down notes on her chart. "Jora says the bleeding has stopped."
"Yes. She checked my cervix again last night just to be sure," Ashina answered, glancing to Ace who was still snoring beside her. "Flame Boy was a little flustered."
"I can imagine. Not sure I'd be okay with watching another woman stick her hand up my woman's vagina either."
"He didn't have to watch. Jora and I both told him he might want to leave the room, or turn around for a moment."
Marco chuckled. "Then the stubborn fool got what he deserved. I think it's safe to remove the monitors, looks like the little one is healthy and strong. Gave us a good scare, but he's stubborn like his mother and father."
"Doubly stubborn? Better hope not," Ashina remarked.
The blond shrugged, stepping closer as he set the chart down and motioned for her to lean back. "Won't be boring, that's for sure."
Ashina complied and exposed her bare stomach to Marco. "Have you been to Sphinx, Marco?"
He began to gently remove the pads that connected her to the baby monitors. "Yes, I've traveled there many times. I told you before, I joined Pops when I was eight." He wrapped all of the small wires in a neat bundle around his hand and then tucked them in a basket under the monitor screens.
"But on the sea?"
Marco answered as he wheeled the monitors to the corner of the infirmary. "Yes. Visiting Sphinx is the first thing we did and then set sail. It was incredible the first time through. Paradise is alright now, but the islands in the New World still amaze me."
"I've heard Sphinx is outside the touch of the Government," Ashina commented as Marco returned to her bedside, crossing his arms as he leaned against the edge of the bed near her feet.
"It is. It's too poor to pay the tribute, so they do not travel there or protect the island. Pops helps the island how he can. We travel there more frequently than anywhere else in the New World. Do not think of us going there now an inconvenience. Pops is going home to keep you and his grandchild safe. We will sail again in a few months."
"Four is more than a few, and even then, a newborn can't go on the open ocean." Ashina frowned as she looked down at the growing bump of her child. She stroked a hand over the smooth skin.
At the sound of Marco's voice, she raised her head. "Maybe not, but it's okay, Ashina. We will enjoy the break on Sphinx and then when the time is right we will set sail again. Several of the Divisions are remaining on the seas in the smaller ships."
"What?" She was amazed Pops would make a move such as this.
"Pops asked for volunteers, four ships with three Divisions on each. The Second Division will of course land with their Commander. My division is staying as I am both Pop's doctor and yours. Thatch begged to get to stay with Red and Izo's division took the last spot. The others will depart to split among the four ships."
"Pops is going ashore too?"
Marco nodded. "Yes, Pops will stay on Sphinx with us. Old man needs a break, even if he won't admit it."
Ashina snorted. "Will the nurses go ashore?" she asked.
"A few. One will go with each ship to help, sometimes they stick in pairs. They'll get to decide before we split. Jora will come ashore to assist with your labor and to tend to Pops. Your cabin boys are coming too. Eat breakfast. Ace can carry you above deck whenever you're done. Still no more than a few steps of walking for another couple of days. Take it easy, and no training."
"I know, Marco. I'll listen, I promise. I might be stubborn, but my child could be in danger if I don't listen, so I'll take it easy."
Marco smiled. "Good. Yoi!" Marco shouted, raising a foot and kicking Ace hard in the side.
Ace rolled off the edge of the bed and thudded to the ground with a startled cry. He popped up, hair ruffled and eyes scanning the room. Ashina dissolved into giggles as Marco leaned nonchalantly against the bed.
"What the hell was that?" he asked.
"No idea. You just rolled off the bed," Ashina said between laughs.
Ace cut his eyes suspiciously over to Marco. "Why's my side hurt then?"
"Maybe from sleeping in this bed," Marco retorted.
"I can't leave her down here by herself," Ace said, sitting beside Ashina.
"Which is why we're going to eat breakfast, I'm going to shower, and then you're taking me to the deck."
"We're gonna jail break you outta here?" Ace said excitedly.
Marco laughed. "No. She's been given the all clear, yoi. She's still to take it easy."
"Got it," Ace said, eyes still shining with excitement at knowing his woman had the all clear to leave the infirmary.
.
.
.
The hot shower did wonders for the way she felt, both in terms of cleanliness and spirits. Sharing it with Ace, after enjoying breakfast in the infirmary for what she hoped was the last time, was an added bonus.
The warm, sunny day and the breeze blowing gently in her hair made for the perfect return to the topside of the ship. She caught sight of Deuce waving at them and nudged Ace. He pivoted and headed for the blue haired man, Ashina cradled to his chest.
"Heard the Missus's was getting to come topside. Mihar and I set up a chair, we've got an umbrella ready on the rare chance you wanted out of the sun."
"Never," Ashina giggled as Ace set her on her feet next to the chair, hovering just behind her. "But thanks, Deuce. Where is Mihar?"
"He's working on another project," Deuce commented, waving off Mihar's whereabouts. "Need anything?"
"No. Just glad to be topside. Thanks though."
Ashina sat, shifting around to get comfortable on the lounge chair. Looking up at Ace, she saw his attention was caught by the group of guys playing a small kickball game across the deck. She nudged his hip with her fingers.
Ace's head snapped down to gaze at her as he quickly whispered out, "Sorry."
Ashina smiled at him, nudging him again. "Don't be sorry. Go. I'm fine, Ace. I'm not going anywhere. You don't have to stay by my side. Go have fun."
He hesitated, looking back at the guys before looking at her. "You sure?"
"Get out of here, Fire Fist," Jora interrupted, walking up to the pair with a folded lounge chair in her hands. "Besides, it's time for girl talk and you don't have the right bits for that."
Ace shuddered, blushing slightly, which made Jora laugh as she set up her chair next to Ashina's.
"Go, Ace," Ashina urged.
He leaned down with a big grin and kissed her forehead. "Okay. Have fun. Yell if you need me."
Ashina caught his face between her hands and drug him back down for a proper kiss. "Promise, but I'm fine. Go. Love you."
"Love you," he whispered, stealing one more kiss before he was darting off to join the game.
"You're a lucky woman to have a man like him," Jora commented, relaxing back in her chair.
"I know," Ashina replied, glancing over at her raven-haired friend. "Ace is incredible. He's unbelievably kind, but he can be fierce when needed."
"Not to mention he's drop dead gorgeous."
Ashina laughed with Jora. "There is that too." Ashina stroked a hand over her stomach and Jora gave her a fond smile.
"Any more flutters?" Jora asked, slipping the pair of sunglasses perched on her head down to cover her eyes.
"A few. It feels weird to feel him move around, but it's reassuring in a way too."
Jora nodded in agreement. "Nice to know the little guy or girl is doing okay in there. Have you told Ace you can feel movement?"
The little flutters, barely even there sometimes, were just beginning, the first one catching her attention only a few nights ago. Jora knew only because she picked up on the signs Ashina must have given off during one of her exams. Shaking her head, she replied, "No. I didn't want to get him all excited since they aren't strong enough for him to feel yet. Plus, it's kind of nice to have this little special thing."
Jora's smile grew as she studied Ashina. "I can understand that. Pregnancy looks good on you, all toned arms and legs with this little baby bump."
"It's not that little anymore." Gone was the small bump between her hips when she admitted to her father she was pregnant, and maybe she wasn't too much bigger, but after years of staring down at a flat stomach, it was strange and exciting to see the roundness of her growing child.
Jora tittered with giggles as she leaned back in her chair. "Just wait, you'll get bigger, but with the way you train, you'll shed any weight right off once you can really fight again."
Ashina sighed. "I hope so, the bigger boobs are kind of nice, but they're so sensitive."
Jora laughed, staring down at her cleavage that was revealed by her skimpy nurse's attire. "Big boobs hurt my back. Be thankful yours aren't so big."
"Think these will stick around?" Ashina asked, looking down at her own chest.
Jora laughed harder, answering once she'd calmed. "Maybe? Each woman varies. Have you thought of names?"
Ashina smiled, remembering the whispered conversation between her and Ace late at night in the infirmary. She rubbed a hand over the roundness of her belly. Sabo. "Ace wants to name him Sabo, if it's a boy of course. Neither one of us have any ideas if it's a girl."
"It will come to you. You don't have to have a name picked out before the baby arrives. It's okay to name them after you've spent a few hours or even days with them. Sabo is nice though. Is there a meaning?"
There was, to Ace and to her, but Ace believed he was honoring his long dead brother when Ashina knew Sabo was very much alive. The name would be a great honor to him still, but she also intended for Sabo to be her child's god father. "Yes. Sabo was Ace's sworn brother when they were children."
"Oh. Was?"
"Sabo was killed when they were younger." The words were bitter on her tongue. Sabo was injured from the attack, his face and much of the left side of his upper torso scarred permanently, but one of her best friends was very much alive.
"That's a shame," Jora said with a frown. "That's a sweet honor for Ace to name his son after his friend, his brother. Sabo is a good name for your little boy. If it happens to be a girl, well… you two will think of something." She reached over and patted Ashina's hand.
"I was worried about having to go ashore, to not be able to sail with the crew, but I think now it will be nice to land. Spend some time not worrying about the trials of the sea."
"Sphinx will be a relaxing change of pace for sure," Jora agreed.
Ashina didn't miss the way Jora watched Thatch as he ran across the deck, Ace close on his heels, trying to steal the ball back from Thatch. "I bet you'll enjoy your time."
Jora's cheeks tinted a soft pink and Ashina grinned as the other woman averted her gaze. "Oh come on. I know you have a thing for Thatch. Pompadour-dude isn't bad. Not my type, but I can appreciate a nice-looking man."
"It's not good to get attached, they're pirates after all. You got lucky with Fire Fist, the boy is enamored by you. He loved you before you ever set foot on this ship."
"No he didn't." There was no way, Ashina thought. Sure, she had felt the igniting of something deeper between them, but love, no. That had come later.
Jora leveled her with a serious expression. "Yes, he did. It's why none of the nurses tried anything. He never paid us any notice, oblivious to anything with tits but you. You, he has eyes for all day, every second. That man has loved you for a long time, I don't know when before you came aboard, but I know he did then. He may not have known it himself, men aren't that clever when it comes to knowing they're in love, but it was there. Thatch… I don't have that with him. We like to fuck sure, and we're good at it, but if another woman catches his eye on a random island, he's not going to turn down a proposition."
"He might. Have you ever told him how you feel?" Ashina asked, frowning.
"Hell no. It's not a good idea to get attached, I said that already, didn't I? I'm one of Pops' nurses. My job is to take care of him, that's my priority, my role here on the ship. I shouldn't fall in love with one of the Commanders."
"Whatever, Jora. I think life's too short not to take chances. What's the worst that could happen?"
"I make a fool of myself and lose the chance to have best fuck I've had in my life again."
Ashina laughed, answering once she had sobered a few moments later. "But what if it turns out you get to have the best fuck of your life for the rest of your life? Why have such little faith in Thatch? Does he sleep with the other nurses?"
"No," Jora said. "Or at least he hasn't for a few years now."
Ashina waved a hand. "See. Points in your favor already."
Jora rolled her eyes. "It's not going to happen, Ashina. Even if I want it to, so I try not to dwell on the fact that it will never be more than sex while I wait impatiently over and over again for the next time that he comes to my bed."
Ashina hummed, sad for her friend to be missing that connection from her life like the one she shared with Ace. It was clear Jora loved Thatch, despite what she said, and Ashina wondered if Thatch felt anything in return for her. He must if he didn't sleep around on the ship, maybe not the kind of love her and Ace shared, but there had to be something there. The few escapades on islands she couldn't excuse, but he seemed to favor Jora. Did he not want to admit his feelings? Or maybe it was like Jora said, the hookups were one thing, but a relationship on the seas with a pirate, especially a Whitebeard Commander wasn't easy. It was also rare.
To Ashina's knowledge, only a handful of the crew had wives, many had children scattered across the seas of the world, some resided on Sphinx for protection. None of the Commanders had wives or children. Ashina and Ace's relationship was a first among the Commanders.
"Well," Jora said, changing the subject. "I'm excited for baby snuggles. The last time I got to hold a baby was when I was training to become a nurse."
"Really?"
"Yep, so about twelve years ago… I'll be thirty-two, so… no, thirteen years ago."
"Huh. Thirteen years ago? I was seven. My mother was beginning to teach me observational haki while we played games and worked in our little garden."
"No wonder you're such a good kunoichi, you started when you were just a little girl."
Ashina laughed. "I remember my mother being so mad a few years later when my father gave me my sword as a birthday present. Mama taught me what she knew of course, but sword lessons were rare. Sword fighting is not meant for a kunoichi, she told him, to which he replied, who said she had to be a kunoichi, a pirate can fight however she likes. He loved to get a rise out of her."
"I can see that from Red-Hair," Jora replied. "My mother was a nurse, it's why I wanted to become one. Looks like you followed a bit in both of your parent's footsteps."
Ashina smiled fondly. "I guess I did."
"I bet your child will be just as strong as his or her parents, too."
Ashina smiled in silent agreement. After almost losing her baby, she realized that her and Ace were possibly right, maybe little Sabo had inherited the Will of D from his father. Her baby was a fighter already, determined to enter this world, and Ashina could not wait to meet the little life inside her.
.
.
.
The echoes from above deck were dragging Ace out of his peaceful sleep. Ashina's head bumped his chest as she shifted against him, and he pulled her closer, his hand resting just under her naked breast. They still weren't having any sort of penetrative sex, but that didn't stop her from pleasing him in other ways. He smiled, coming more out of sleep as his mind drifted to thoughts of the night before, his birthday night. Her naked flesh in the moonlight, the feel of her curves under his touch as he traced every inch of her body. The blowjob was unexpected, but she had initiated the passionate kisses that started at his mouth and then trailed down his torso until they wrapped around his cock.
Ace opened his eyes, lifting his hand from her body carefully to scrub it down his face. The last thing he needed was to get a boner at the moment. He wasn't going to risk Ashina's health or the life of his child for sex. The idea of abstinence wasn't pleasant, but he would manage because he needed Ashina and their baby more. His child. He would do anything to keep him or her safe.
There had been lingering hints of uncertainty, feelings of doubt he had been too afraid to voice aloud to Ashina. His worries, his fears. The thoughts of if he was good enough for this role of father and the worst of all, if he wanted to even be a father. Those thoughts were gone, erased from his mind the moment it became a reality that it would all be ripped away from him. Was he ready to become a father? Not really. But who was really ever ready, Ace wondered. The more important question, and the one he had a solid answer to, was did he want to become a father. The answer was easy, effortless. Yes. He wanted this. He wanted to be a father and to see this little life he and Ashina created together. He wanted to see her become a mother. He wanted this with her. He knew he would fight tooth and nail to keep his child safe, because the moment it was all almost taken from him, all Ace wanted to do was fight to keep what was his.
Ashina shifted and let out a soft moan as she tried to snuggle closer to him. Ace bent his head, burying his nose into her wild hair before he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, silently thanking whatever deity listened to wanted pirates for blessing him with the privilege to bring a life into this world. He brushed his fingertips down her shoulder, before sliding his hand down and over the swell of his growing child. Jora said his son or daughter would only get bigger in the remaining months.
Three weeks had passed since the accident and Ashina was beginning her seventh month of pregnancy. They were also set to arrive at Sphinx later in the afternoon. Baby and mother were healthy according to Marco's checkups, but Ace refused to let her walk very far on her own. He would gladly take her smartass quips and eye rolls whenever he lifted her to carry her somewhere if it meant his child was safer. Ashina, despite the quips and eye rolls, didn't stop him and didn't fight him. Instead she often sat waiting expectantly for him to lift her into his arms and carry her off somewhere. Ace didn't mind.
Sliding his hand across the swell of her stomach again, he held it there, hoping he could feel the movement she described to him. The flutters, the tumbles, the little kicks that only she could feel. The ones she'd secretly been feeling for a little over two weeks. He didn't begrudge her that special moment between mother and child, but he wasn't going to lie either... Ace was a bit jealous. He wanted to feel his child move under his touch, to feel those movements to reassure him the life they created was still thriving, still growing.
"Come on baby," Ace whispered. "You can do it. Uncle Marco says you can hear us if we talk to you now. Can you hear daddy? Huh? Can you kick? Let daddy feel one kick." Ace waited a moment, but there was no movement under his hand except the steady rise and fall of Ashina's breathing. He shifted slightly, scooting down so his face was closer to the bump. Leaning partly over her, Ace pressed a kiss beside her navel and whispered, "Come on, little Sabo, just one kick for dad."
Ace wasn't sure at first if he actually felt it. Positive his mind was playing cruel tricks on him. Then it happened again and Ace knew it wasn't a mind trick. A smile stretched across his face and he dropped another kiss to Ashina's soft skin. "There you are, little Sabo, I knew you could kick for daddy."
The next movement, one which Ace felt push against his palm, woke Ashina. She stirred, moaning softly, before her eyes fluttered open. She caught sight of Ace hovering over her and smiled lazily. "What are you doing?"
"Talking to Sabo."
"Huh? Are you why he's moving so much?"
"He kicked for daddy! I felt it!"
Ashina smiled at his infectious grin and excited eyes. "Really?"
Ace nodded, his grin stretching impossibly wider. "Yes." Ace bent his head to drop another kiss to her belly, the wavy strands of his hair tickling her bare skin.
Reaching out a hand, Ashina brushed her fingers through the unruly locks. "You need a haircut."
Ace chuckled, peppering kisses to her skin as he crawled up her body to press a final kiss to her mouth. "I do, huh?"
"Yes. You look rather... unruly."
Ace grinned. "I'm a pirate."
Ashina giggled. "Well, you're a pirate who needs a haircut."
Ace huffed playfully. "Yes, mother."
Ashina smacked his shoulder, scowling at him, but she couldn't keep the playful smirk off her lips.
"Missus?" Ace corrected with a grin.
"Better."
Ace pressed a kiss to her forehead and then flopped beside her onto his back, jostling her with the movement. She shifted to press herself against his side and an arm wrapped around her shoulders.
"What do you think little Sabo will call you? Mom? Mama? Mommy?"
"Little Sabo, huh?"
"Yeah. The baby is totally a boy. He responded to that name this morning."
Ashina hummed, smiling against Ace's warm skin. "Well, I guess he'll call me whatever comes out. Most babies babble first so it will probably just be ma and da sounds at first."
"Da?"
"Yeah, you know, for daddy."
Ashina giggled as Ace's eyes lit up. "Which do you think he'll say first?"
"So sure it's a he now are you?" she teased. "Either way, talking won't be for a while. New babies just sleep, eat, and poop."
Ace scrunched up his nose making Ashina laugh. "Oh come on, Flame Boy, don't tell me the idea of dirty diapers is going to put you off now."
"I mean not really... but I'm not looking forward to that part."
Ashina giggled again, shifting so she could press a kiss to his jaw. "Me neither."
.
.
.
The sea was calm as they sailed closer to the island of Sphinx. The white-gray mountain loomed above the clouds, jutting out of the middle of the island. Ashina was glad Sphinx was a spring island, despite it being in the winter months, the climate around the island was cool, but not cold and without a flurry of snow in sight. The clear, bright day made it easy to see the waterfall that ran down half the length of the mountain.
"How do we get onto the island? Do you have to scale the rockface?" Ashina asked, eyes still studying the island as they drew closer. The waves of the ocean lapped at the steep, stone sides of the island. Coniferous trees and thick plant life covered the island floor and speckled the lower parts of the jagged mountain.
Marco chuckled beside her. "We'll sail around the island, on the east side is a small bay, large enough to hold the Moby Dick. There are stairs carved into the stone that will lead to the ruins of the original town. To get to the current village we'll pass through the waterfall."
"Through it?" she asked.
"Yes. There is a valley inside the mountain, the waterfall is the entrance."
Ashina hummed. "Think Ace will let me hike to the village?"
"Not a chance," Marco said on a chuckle. "Although, with that belly of yours it'll be hard for him to piggy back you too."
Ashina rubbed a hand over stomach, her growing child responding with a kick to her palm. Grinning, she answered, "The baby would kick him in the back of his head. I'd prefer to walk. I'd like to stretch my legs, if only for a little of the way."
"Not up the stairs for sure. You'll get to move about once we get to the valley."
Ashina rolled her eyes. "I feel fine. It's been weeks."
Marco smiled, patting her shoulder as he turned to walk away, "I know, I'm your doctor, yoi, but it's Pops' orders."
Ashina turned, catching sight of Pops in his chair giving orders as the men prepared to dock as they circled to the side of the island. Marco left her side, perching on top of Pop's chair to converse with him. Ashina turned back to the island and smiled to herself, hand rubbing across her belly. They were returning to Pops' homeland because he was worried about her and her child's safety. Whitebeard truly believed his crew was his family, and it was clear he cared for all of his children.
As they rounded the island the opening of the bay came into view. The steep, high cliffs of the shore of the island parted. The opening was just wide enough for the ship to maneuver through. The calm water of the ocean lapped gently at the cliffs and Ashina spotted the stairs cut into the gray stone.
Warmth surrounded her and she leaned back, colliding with Ace's broad chest. "Hi."
"Hi," he breathed next to her ear as his hands slid down her sides to wrap around her bump. "Ready to land? Spend a few months ashore?"
"It will be a nice change. Like a vacation."
"An escape from marines and other pirate crews."
"That too."
"Marco's got several good craftsmen in his division. Pops has assigned them the task of building a few small, private houses, and then a large cabin for the divisions."
"A house?"
"Yeah," Ace said, tilting his head so he could grin at her. "We'll be here a few months. We'll need a roof over our heads, and if not ours, the baby needs a roof."
Ashina smiled and twisted in his arms so that she could wrap her own around his neck, fingers playing with the freshly cut ends of his hair that brushed his cheeks.
"It'll be nice to play house together."
Ace pulled her closer, his eyes catching hers as he brought a hand up to her cheek, fingers stroking her soft skin. "I… the last time I had any sort of house it was the treehouse Sabo, Luffy, and I built on Dawn Island."
"You lived in a tree house?"
Ace grinned. "Yeah. We had Dadan and the bandits house at first but we wanted to be free, to have someplace of our own."
"Secret clubhouse," she teased with a fond smile, wishing she could tell him that she knew all about his adventures in the forests on Dawn Island from Sabo. Sabo loved to tell the stories of his childhood with Ace and Luffy. Once his memories returned it was all he could talk about as he carried around Ace's first bounty poster proudly showing off his brother to anyone who would look and listen.
"Boys only, sorry Missus," he teased her back.
Ashina gave a soft harrumph of displeasure which made Ace chuckle as he leaned down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. One which she dodged, moving away from his embrace. "Oh no. Don't try to butter me up now. No girls allowed Flame Boy. What are you gonna tell your brothers, huh? You totally have girl cooties now. They're gonna kick you outta the club for having a girlfriend, not to mention a baby mama."
Ace's grin widened as he caught her teasing tone. He reached for her, but she playfully dodged him again. "Luffy'll forgive me. It was my first infraction. I have to warn him of the incredible, evil powers of a woman. They do strange things to your cock." Ace caught her, dragging her to his chest to ensnare her with his arms. His lips brushed the shell of her ear. "I won't tell him how amazing it feels to have you, because I don't want to share."
"Did no one ever teach you it's bad manners not to share?"
"Toys, sure. But you're not a toy and you're mine," Ace said, lips caressing her neck.
"Drop anchor!"
The shout interrupted their moment on the deck, as did Thatch as he approached. "Alright, love birds, break it up. You can canoodle on land, later, in private, so I don't have to gouge out my eyes."
"Oh whatever perv. You know you like to watch," Ashina shot back.
Thatch waggled his eyebrows. "I'm always down but I don't think Ace here is too keen on voyeurism in the bedroom."
"On what?" Ace asked, head popping up from where it rested on her shoulder.
Ashina giggled. "Thatch wants to watch us fuck."
" He WHAT?"
"NO!" Thatch cried, eyes pleading and hands waving desperately in front of him, as Ace's shoulders lit on fire. "I was joking!"
Ace took a step around her and toward the other commander, and Ashina dissolved into giggles. Her cackles made both men stop and turn to look at her.
"Ooo," she breathed, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. "That was great. I don't know whose face was better, yours or Thatch's."
"You kids done goofing off?" Marco asked. "It's time to depart."
"Sure, old man."
"Yoi! I'm not old!"
Ashina gave him a sly smile. "We've has this conversation, my dear, and you're twice my age. That makes you old."
"You just wait until you aren't pregnant anymore," Marco threatened with a teasing grin. "I'll kick your ass in some serious training."
Ashina shrugged. "I'll just hold my baby all the time. Then I'm safe."
Marco rolled his eyes as Thatch chuckled. "Can't beat that logic."
"So how are we going about this?" Ashina asked, looking back at the shore. "Seeing as this," she rubbed her bump. "Prohibits me from piggy backing with this dude." She pointed her thumb at Ace. "And you guys banned me from walking long distances, which is stupid."
Marco grinned, ignoring her quip. "Pops is going to carry you. You're small enough to perch on his shoulder."
"Perch? Who's the bird here again?"
"Today? You." Marco smarted back.
Pops stepped up then and smiled down at her.
"So there's this little problem of the massive height difference. How exactly am I to get up there?" Ashina said, studying Pop's shoulder which sat somewhere around the twenty-one foot mark.
Marco chuckled and waved a hand. "I'll help you up there."
"Uh I think not my good Phoenix. It's not like you have arms and wings. You have one or the other. How exactly will you get me up there?"
Pops knelt on the ground, bending down to one knee and chuckled. "Quit trying to talk your way out of this, Ashina." Pops extended his hand toward her with a smile. "Marco's just here to make sure you don't topple over."
"Goody. Fine let's do this."
She let Pops scoop her up, holding gently around her middle. She tensed as he moved, even though she knew he'd never let her fall. Marco hovered just behind Pop's shoulder, managing to stay awkwardly afloat with one wing while his other kept a hand out for her. She settled onto Pops' shoulder, sitting on the broad expanse of muscle.
"Jeez this is high up here and you aren't even standing."
Ace chuckled. "Never been so tall before, Missus?"
"Shut up. I'm not even that short... just don't compare me to Pops."
"Or Jozu, or Vista, or Blemenco, or Blenheim, me, or…" Marco listed off, trailing off with a chuckle as Ashina shot him a glare over her shoulder.
"You just make sure I stay put while Pops stands up."
As it was, Pops clamped a hand over her legs, helping to hold her in place as he carefully stood to his full height.
"Wow."
"You good?" Marco asked.
"Yeah. Ace looks like a midget but I don't think I'm going anywhere."
"Good. Let's go."
Pops led the way off the ship and up the carved stone stairs to the island floor. The tangle of overgrown plant life would have caused trouble for her, but instead she giggled at Ace and Deuce as they maneuvered through the undergrowth from her perch on Pops' shoulder. Pops' hand stayed on her legs, keeping her stable, as he walked. The commanders and first mates stayed up front next to Pops, Marco flying in his Phoenix form beside them, while the rest of the four divisions trailed behind. Tenshin and Yukichi ran around the group, darting off the path as the chased each other before shooting back out in front of them.
"Marco. Fly ahead and inform the villagers of our arrival," Pops ordered.
"Yoi."
Ashina watched as his powerful wings beat once, propelling him up into the air at incredible speed. He disappeared into the clouds that covered the peak of the mountain.
"Pops?" Ashina asked.
He hummed in reply.
"Marco said this is your home island. Do you still have family here?"
"No. My mother died many years ago, and I had no siblings. The island was ransacked many years ago, when Marco was about your age. We returned and I gave my protection as a powerful, young at the time, pirate. The people of this island deserve to live in peace."
"Are there really Sphinxes here?"
Pops chuckled. "Yes."
"And we're safe? Even with Moby Dick anchored in the bay?"
"Yes. The Marines don't sail here. They won't come close enough to spot the Moby. You and your child are safe here for however long we stay."
Ashina hummed softly. "Hey, Pops?"
"Yes?"
"When the baby comes... do you think you could get word out to my father? I'd like him to know."
Pops grinned and nodded. "We'll make sure Red-Hair knows when he's officially a grandfather, but I get to hold the little brat first."
Ashina laughed with Pops, making Ace look up at them. Ashina waved down at him, still laughing.
"Hey Pops," Ashina said after a few more minutes. "We have a problem."
"What?"
"I have to pee."
.
.
.
One stop behind a tree, where Ace helped to balance her as she did her business, later they were back on track.
Marco swooped in, landing on Pops' other shoulder.
"Thought you'd be further by now."
"Ashina had to stop."
Marco shot a concerned glance her way. "You okay?"
"Fine. Pops makes it sounds like something was wrong. I just had to pee."
Marco wrinkled his nose. "Lovely. The –"
"You're the one who said the baby is sitting on my bladder," Ashina quipped, cutting Marco off.
He rolled his eyes. "Because it's true. What I was going to say Pops, is that the villagers are preparing the house for you."
"Good. Ace and Ashina will stay in it until the additional lodging can be built."
"Pops we can't take your house."
"Don't argue, Ashina, you're pregnant. You'll sleep with a roof over your head. Captain's orders."
Ashina rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Pops. I won't argue but you don't have to coddle the pregnant woman."
"You'll sleep in a bed, with a roof. Not a tent, father's orders then."
Ashina folded her arms over her chest and huffed. She didn't respond, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Pops grunted in response, continuing their journey through the forest. When they reached the waterfall, Marco outstretched a wing to cover her head. The water droplets rolled off his feathers, keeping Ashina dry, as Pops walked straight through the water.
"Oi!" Ace shouted, stopping at the base of the falls.
Thatch chuckled. "They're fine. Come on, we've got to walk through to get to the village."
Ace nodded and followed Thatch through the waterfall. When they reached the other side, it revealed the quaint little village nestled in the rolling hills that were encased by the looming stone walls of the mountain that now surrounded them.
Ace spotted Ashina, Pops, and Marco. The latter who was ruffling out his feathers before returning to his normal state. Ace caught Ashina giggle, but couldn't make out what she said. Judging from Pops' burst of laughter and Marco's playful glare it must have been a bird joke.
Pops knelt down as Ace reached their side. His hands extended up and Ashina slid off Pops' shoulder and into his arms. Her fingers brushed the wet strands of hair from his forehead and she smiled.
"I think Pops and I are the only ones that stayed dry."
"Not the only ones," Jora said, shaking out her umbrella and collapsing it as she and Tanaharu joined them, both completely dry. "Boys don't think ahead enough to bring along an umbrella."
Ashina laughed as her hand slipped down to grasp Ace's. Despite the dampness to his skin he still radiated warmth and she leaned into his arm.
They waited for the rest of the crew members to join them before Pips gave the orders. "We'll make camp here, in this clear area, the barracks will be built over there," Pops pointed to their left. "The other lodging will be built closer to that house."
Ashina followed his finger to the small wooden house that was the closest to them, if not still several yards away. The village houses and buildings were still a good distance down the dirt path, dotting the rolling hills and mixing with the trees and flowers that blossomed in patches of bright colors. Compared to the other houses, the one Pops pointed out was clearly the largest, its size making it obviously built for Pops extreme height.
"Pops are you sure about taking the house?"
Pops gave her a smile but said, "Didn't I tell you not to argue? Marco's crew works fast. The commander's houses will be up in a few days and then they will work on the crew's cabin. Once the first two houses are complete I will occupy mine."
Ashina huffed but didn't continue to argue.
"Come on, Missus," Ace whispered, letting go of her hand to slide his arm around her waist. "Ready to stretch your legs finally? Let's go greet the villagers."
