Happy Update Sunday lovelies! I hope you enjoy this next bit. :)
Chapter 33
It had been three days since Ashina learned of Ace's execution. Three days of conservations. Three days of talking through ideas with Sabo. Three days too many of talk without action, and Ashina found herself in the training room. Sweat dripped from her nose and ran down her neck as she threw a string of punches before delivering a final, roundhouse kick to the dummy. She lost track of how long she had been down here, punching, kicking, fighting. She called it training, but really she was just letting off steam, all of her pent up worry and anger and fear.
"Feel sorry for that poor fellow."
At the sound of the voice, her punch fell short and she turned around to see the intruder. Thatch stood near one of other dummy targets.
"Rumor around town is your plotting to go crash Ace's execution even though Pops ordered you not to go anywhere," Thatch said, his voice was neither angry, nor did it have the same upbeat tone it normally carried.
Ashina was honest as she responded, "I have to, Thatch. Everything in my soul is telling me to go. I trust my partner, I trust Sabo with my life, and I have to try. Ace would try for me."
Thatch rolled his eyes. "That's because he's the reckless one." He paused then and let out a deep sigh. "But I would do it for Jora, so I understand your feelings. I get where your heart is, but what about Bo? What if this fails and you don't come back?"
"I can't think like that," she answered, shaking her head. "I have to believe we'll both be coming back for him. Until then I'm trusting you with him, Thatch."
Thatch tossed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a hug. He pulled a face at her sweaty skin. "You need a shower, Red," he teased, then sobered. "Be careful, Red, but kick ass if you have to. I've got Bo."
"Bo?"
"Yeah, I've nicknamed your kid. It's too confusing with two Sabos. There's your Sabo and then the original Sabo and no one knows who talking about who half the time until a distinction is made, or something about dirty diapers, but… little man's earned himself a nickname. Bo."
"Bo," Ashina repeated. "I don't hate it. Don't corrupt my baby, Thatch."
He just chuckled and tugged her closer, hugging her a little tighter. "I'm not gonna be able to talk you out of this, am I?"
"No."
"Didn't think so. Pops is going to skin both our hides for this you know." They shared a chuckle before Thatch pulled back and looked down at her, hands holding gently to her shoulders. "Just be smart about this, Red. Be the Revolutionary, not the Pirate."
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"How are we going to get there?" Ashina asked the room. Her circle of friends surrounded her as she paced the floor of the library again. She felt caged, she needed to be in action, moving, doing something, anything, to get to Ace.
"Karasu can get us into Marineford and make it out without getting involved," Sabo said, breaking the silence.
Ashina shook her head and continued to pace. "He can't get here to get us and then back to Marineford in time, Sabo. We'll be too late."
"Not if he meets you nearby," Deuce chimed in. "We could sail the Maiden."
"It's too dangerous." Ashina whirled around to face him. "You can't sail into Marineford."
"We'll never get close enough to be caught. We'll sail away, just like this Karasu fellow is going to fly away. He's going to drop the two of you in the middle of a war, and I'm going to help you get there. Ace is going to fucking set me on fire…" Deuce took a deep breath. "But I'm still going to do it, because if this was reverse we'd be doing it and more for you."
Ashina blinked away the sudden tears and nodded, turning to look at Sabo. They gazed at each other for a moment, a silent discussion from facial twitches alone that they'd perfected over the years. She finally spoke again after a few minutes. "We'll have Karasu meet us near the calm belt. Deuce and the Spades can sail the Maiden away to safer waters while we get Ace and get the hell out."
"How the hell will you get out?" Thatch chimed in, uncrossing his legs to lean forward and rest his elbows on his knees. "Once you have Ace, how are you going to get out? Swim? Ace will sink like an anchor if the seakings don't swallow you whole."
"We'll take a transponder to keep in contact," Sabo answered when Ashina hesitated. "We'll find a way out, maybe Karasu can stay nearby, maybe not. But we'll find a way, without having to swim. We'll make contact for pick up and the Maiden can come take us home."
"It's as foolproof as we're going to get with so many unknowns," Deuce added, looking to Thatch to see his response.
Thatch hummed. "Ace might kill you, but Pops is going to do me in for this one, Red. Come back, bring Ace back with you, but don't let him set Deuce on fire until you get back here. I wanna see that shit."
Thatch's teasing made Ashina chuckle and she nodded, smiling at Deuce's frown, "Of course, you have to have some sort of reward for taking care of my baby for me."
"Gonna have that boy in the kitchen. Youngest chef in the world," Thatch said with a wide grin.
Ashina rolled her eyes. "Just remember one new food at a time. Only mix what he's already-"
"Already had before in case of a food allergy," Thatch finished for her as he waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Potential allergies and shit. That's what Jora is here for."
"Oh jeez, thanks," the nurse replied. "Don't worry Ashina," Jora said, flicking her eyes away from Thatch to smile at Ashina. "I'll take good care of sweet Sabo."
"Bo," Thatch interjected.
Jora rolled her eyes, but corrected, "I'll take good care of sweet Bo." Then she cut her eyes over to Thatch again. "You know, it's only you that struggles with differentiating the two. Everyone else knows when we're talking about the baby or the man."
"I dunno, Bo is pretty catchy. Good nickname for the little rascal," Sabo stated.
"My baby is not a rascal."
"He's part Ace, isn't he?" Sabo retorted with a grin.
"Oh shut up," Ashina shot back. "He's not even one, he's still a sweet baby. Thatch, don't you corrupt him," she added, pointing a finger at Thatch.
Loud cries came through the little monitor snail and Deuce chuckled. "Speaking of the little rascal."
"Hey now, not you too," Ashina said, grinning, before her expression turned serious. "Deuce, have the Spades begin preparations to the Maiden, necessities only. Sabo?"
"I'll contact Karasu. We can discuss this again after dinner, once I've talked to him. We have some time, Ashina, not a lot, but some. Relax. Cuddle Bo. Spend your time with him. I'll handle the rest."
"No offense, Chief, but I take orders from the Missus only until Commander Ace returns," Deuce said casually, still relaxed in his seat.
Sabo smirked in response, nodding slowly as he stared at the blue-haired man. His gaze turned back to Ashina as he replied. "You've got yourself a good First Mate, Red. We'll talk after dinner then, and handle things together like we used too."
Swiping the monitor off the table, Ashina nodded. "Good. I'm going to get my boy before he throws a bigger tantrum than this little hissy fit."
"I'll come with," Jora said, hopping up and following Ashina out of the library.
The gentlemen remained silent for a long moment. It was Thatch who finally broke the silence. "I know I'm not well enough to fight, not in a war like what Pops will bring to Marineford. I'm not up to par just yet. And I know you've known Ashina longer than I have," he said, meeting Sabo's blue gaze. "But Red is like my sister. I love her like my sister. I'm trusting you to bring her back here. Even if you fail, and I hope you don't. I pray you rescue Ace. But you know just like I do that this is only a chance, and if you lose, I need your word that - no matter what it takes - you're going to bring her back alive."
"Red is like my sister too. You have my word she'll come back to Baltigo."
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Ashina sat on the dock with little Bo in her arms. She wore her cloak, and he was bundled in a small coat and wrapped in a blanket to stave off the cold breeze.
"I love you, sweet boy. Mama has to go for a while. It won't be too long though," she said, holding him up so she could look into his green eyes. Her eyes. They only feature he shared with her, everything else about the little boy was inherited from Ace. "Your daddy's gotten himself into some trouble and Mama has to try to help. I'm going to bring Daddy back, okay, Sabo?"
Her boy cooed, grinning a gummy grin at her. She lifted him, bringing him closer so she could pepper his cheek with kisses. The action also hid her tears from him. Sabo's giggles filled the air as she made loud smooching sounds.
"I love you, my baby. You're going to stay with Aunt Jora and Uncle Thatch and the Revolutionaries while I'm gone. Thatchy will cook you all sorts of yummy, mushy foods, and you'll play with Jora and Koala and Tenshin and Yukichi. Go easy on Dragon, there hasn't been a baby in the Revolution… well, ever. You're the first, sweet boy. They are going to take such good care of you."
"Damn straight," Thatch interrupted, his voice making Ashina look up from where she sat.
Thatch and Jora stood a few feet away, both smiling softly at her. Before she could reply Deuce trotted down the dock.
"We're ready, Missus. Chief is setting the log now."
Ashina nodded. "I'll be there in just a minute."
Deuce hesitated for a second before nodding once and headed back up the gangplank.
Ashina watched him go before rising to her feet, cradling her boy in her arms. He squirmed and wiggled, not appreciating her tight embrace. Pressing her lips to the crown of his head, Ashina inhaled his clean, baby scent and then sighed.
"We'll take really good care of him, Ashina," Jora comforted. "You know we love him."
"I know. I know he can't go with me, but I hate leaving him. We've never been apart."
"I know," Jora said, stepping forward to hug her friend. "It will be okay. Kiss him goodbye and let me have him. You need to get going and rescue your man."
Ashina nodded. "Yeah, you're right." Ashina pressed her lips to Sabo's chubby cheek and closed her eyes, savoring the feel of her baby in her arms for a moment longer. "I love you sweet boy," she whispered once more when she pulled back.
Handing him off to Jora, Ashina quickly wiped her eyes. Thatch didn't wait before pulling her into a strong hug. "Be safe, Red, but don't you worry about little Bo. He's safe with us. I swear, no harm will come to him. We'll protect him with our lives."
Ashina hugged Thatch tighter, her cheek rubbing against his shirt as she nodded her head. "I know," she choked out.
Thatch chuckled. "Never thought I'd see the day when Missus Spade would cry."
"Shut up. This is hard."
Thatch gripped her shoulders and held her away from him. He looked into her eyes, a fond smile playing on his lips. "I know. Go rescue Fire Fist and come back to get us so we can go back to the Moby Dick."
"Okay."
"Oh and remember, if Pop asks, I knew nothing about this."
Ashina rolled her eyes. "Right. Like he'd believe that for one second."
Thatch chuckled with her. "Well, it's worth a shot. Get there and come straight back with Ace, Ashina."
"We will."
Ashina didn't hug Sabo again, but waved goodbye to her sweet boy who flapped both his hands and smiled widely at her. If she pulled him back into her arms she'd never be able to let him go and she had to, because she had to save Ace.
Ashina turned around and didn't look back as she boarded the Maiden. She joined Sabo near the helm and nodded to her partner. He gave the orders to set sail and her crew made fast work.
As they pulled out of the harbor and into the open sea, Sabo tossed an arm over her shoulders. "We've got this, Red. We're going to save him."
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So far they were faring well, only encountering one storm that set them back a few hours due to the high winds. Otherwise they were on course.
What they had not prepared for was the incoming ship. The crew was running around the deck, preparing for the possibilities of an attack, manning cannons and reading their positions. It wasn't until Ashina took the spyglass from Sabo's hands did she give the order that halted all motion of deck.
"Wait! Don't fire that cannon! It's the Red Force! It's Shanks!"
The crew relaxed then and instead of preparing for a fight, began to prepare for the ships to come side by side. A rope was tossed between them when the Red Force drew close enough and they anchored the two ships together. As soon as a board was stretched between the two ships, Shanks and Benn scaled the distance and boarded the Maiden.
"Papa!" Ashina rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"I'm glad to see you, little girl, but you should be on Baltigo, not in the middle of the ocean. Where's Sabo?"
"On Baltigo." Ashina hesitated, unsure if she should tell her father of her plans to rescue Ace, but before she could break it to him carefully, Sabo stepped up and admitted their plans.
"Hi, sir. You may not remember me. I'm Sabo, Chief of Staff now for the RA. We're on our way to Marineford to rescue Ace."
Ashina held her breath as Shanks' eyes widened and waited for the fallout.
"I remember you, haven't changed much in six years. Maybe a bit taller," Shanks said and then fell silent as he studied Ashina.
She was nervous under her father's critical gaze, but didn't shift about like she wanted to, knowing it would give away her anxiousness.
Shanks was unsure of what he had just heard. He knew Ace was set to be executed, and he expected Ashina to fight against Whitebeard's orders, but not to this extreme. She was headed for a war. As a father he didn't want his only child anywhere near the war that was to come in just a few short days, but it was hard to miss the determination in her eyes or her mother's fighter spirit shining inside her. She'd inherited a double dose of stubborn from both of them, and Shanks knew the fight to make her turn around would be an ugly one.
Shanks spoke softly and carefully. "I don't like this, little girl. You're heading straight into a war, with no guarantee of success or that you'll even return. You have a child to think of Ashina."
"Papa, I have to try. I know I have a baby, but it's Ace. I…" she trailed off, voice cracking as she choked back her tears.
Shanks pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head before he spoke again. "I know, Ashina. You're just like your mother, so much determination and strength in those green eyes. I can't hold you back. Trust me, I want to. I want to order you to turn this damn ship around and go straight back to Baltigo, but I won't. Tsuna would understand why you need to go. I know the Rookie loves you, but you know he wouldn't want you to go." It was a low blow to play that card in this moment, but it was Shanks' only hope for getting her to agree to go back to the safety of an island far away from Marineford.
Ashina shook her head. "He would fight for me, and because of that, he can only hope Pops holds me back."
"And Whitebeard isn't here," Sabo chimed in.
Shanks cut his eyes over to the young man. "He's not," Shanks said casually. "But her father is. Be careful, Ashina, use your head."
Ashina hugged her father, a soft grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm the daughter of two yonkos, the marines better fear me. I'm going to save Ace, Papa." Her grin widened as she thought of her little boy, far away and safe with two people she considered family. "Besides, I can't leave little Sabo to your upbringing or Thatch's. You two would be a horrible influence on my boy."
Shanks laughed loudly and then kissed the top of her head. "Go rescue your Rookie, little girl. I've heard whispers of Kaido moving. He plans to slow down Whitebeard, but I'll intercept him and then head for Marineford. Don't linger there, Ashina, if you rescue Ace flee the battlefield. Don't stay and fight."
"We will Papa."
"Good." Shanks grinned at her and added, "Once you rescue the Rookie, I'm going to force him to make an honest woman of you."
"Papa!"
Sabo and the crew around them hooted with laughter and teasing shouts. Shanks laughed for a moment and then turned his eyes to the tall young man standing beside Ashina. "Chief of Staff now, huh? Well, that means you're just under Dragon, right?"
Sabo nodded in reply and Shanks continued. "Good, that means you're in charge of her safety too."
"We all are, sir," Deuce said, stepping forward. "Missus means a lot to this crew. In many ways she's completed it. We'll see to it that she gets to and leaves from Navy Headquarters alive."
Shanks eyed the blue-haired man for a long moment before he nodded. "Good." Shanks said no more and turned to wrap Ashina in one final hug.
His lips pressed to her temple and he pulled back just a tad to whisper in her ear, "I love you, little girl."
Ashina hugged her father tighter. "I love you too," she whispered. "Thank you."
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The cell was cold, dark, and damp. The torches in the hallway gave only the smallest flicker of occasional light, when the guards decided to light one. Ace was slumped against the wall, the chains around his wrist keeping his arms suspended, the sea stone cuffs draining his powers and energy.
It was late at night, but Jinbei knew the young man was awake. He was saddened to see the man in the cell when he was brought in. He was surprised they had placed him in the same cell after his refusal to fight Whitebeard in the impending possible war. After fighting Ace, and then befriending him as a son of Whitebeard, Jinbei grew to respect and genuinely like the young man. Ace's only acknowledgement that Jinbei was near him was a slight tilt of his head and a glance from the corner of his eyes when he was first brought in. Otherwise, Ace remained silent. Jinbei could see now that the boy was lost in his mind, and wondered how he was affected by news of his looming execution.
"What are you thinking about, Ace-san?"
At first Jinbei didn't think he was going to answer. "My son and his mother," Ace said quietly, barely loud enough for Jinbei to hear him.
"Missus Spade," Jinbei spoke just as softly. "Your boy, eh?"
"Yes." The faintest of smiles touched Ace's lips and then it was gone.
"How old is he now?" Jinbei asked, still maintaining their hushed conversation.
Ace flicked his gaze to Jinbei's. "He'll turn one in March, so by now… about nine months."
Jinbei's eyes widened. He knew the infant boy was small when he boarded Whitebeard's ship so many months ago, but he assumed he would be a bit older by now, at least over a year.
Before he could speak, Ace added. "Missus knows I love her, love him. I only hope she doesn't do anything reckless."
Jinbei chuckled. "I thought you were the reckless one of the pair."
Ace grinned, memories of Ashina warming him despite his inability to use his devil fruit. "She's fierce and she thinks about her actions before she strikes, most of the time. Pops would stop her, Marco too."
They were silent for a minute before Jinbei asked softly, "Your boy, does he still look like you?"
Ace nodded. "Has his mom's eyes."
Jinbei hummed. "Bet the Old Man is proud."
Ace was quiet then, a silent acknowledgment with a flick of his eyes. Hanging his head, Ace's thoughts drifted to his son, to Ashina, to his brothers, and to Pops. Thatch… did he survive? Ace wanted to see Ashina, but with his execution pending, he didn't want that to be the last time she saw him. If she did show, Ace would live with no regrets, but he hoped Pops kept her and his son safe, and far away from his execution.
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All Ace could do was walk, led in chains by the guards and the Warden to be placed on a ship. The transport was here. It was too late, even if what Boa Hancock told him was the truth. Luffy, his bold, crazy little brother managed to infiltrate the impenetrable prison, but he would never reach Ace now.
"Warden! Warden!" A voice came through the transponder snail in Magellan's hand, catching Ace's attention. "Straw Hat Luffy is trapped in Level 6."
The warden turned his eyes to Ace. "How unfortunate. Straw Hat made it to Level 6 just after we left. He will soon succumb to the sleeping gas and we will capture him. As a pirate, he'll stay here in this prison. If his first cell wasn't torturous enough for him he can have your now vacant one in Level 6. We'll see to it that your brother regrets coming to rescue you."
Then it was true, everything Hancock had said and the guards. Luffy was here. Ace couldn't get on that transport ship because he needed to get to Luffy. Ace stood frozen even as the guard began to walk again. When one shoved his shoulder, Ace pushed back, igniting a fight even with his hands cuffed. Gaining one of the trident spears gave him a momentary advantage, the muscle memory from his days of wielding a pipe assisting him. He had the upper hand for the briefest of moments, until Magellan stepped in and took control over the situation.
Even as the concrete rushed up to meet his face and Magellan's large hand held him captive, Ace still tried to struggle free. It didn't matter what they did to him, but he needed to save Luffy from the same torture he experienced. He could get to Luffy, save him, tell him to get out of here while he could. Ace was hauled upright and barely given any tome to gain his footing before he was yanked forward by the chains that bound his hands. The guards chuckled as he stumbled and he watched one hack a glob of bloody spit into the floor near his feet. Ace hid his disgust and kept walking until they reached the doors that would lead them outside.
They opened slowly, with a moaning creak, a tell that these doors were rarely opened. Prisoners didn't just leave Impel Down, not unless they were to be executed. Had Roger walked out these same doors? What had he thought when he saw the sun again for the first time in how many months?
Ace didn't fight as he was handed over to the Marine Vice Admiral. He didn't acknowledge the men as they forced him to sit and chained him heavily to the chair in the middle of the deck. He didn't complain about the heat of the sun on his skin as the ship pulled away from the underwater prison.
Instead, Ace prayed his brother would be safe. That somehow, someway, Luffy's infallible energy and will would see him to safety and out of that prison. Ace would never know if Luffy would get free, but he had hope. If anyone could do it, it would be Luffy.
Ace let his mind wander as he tilted his head back, the warm rays hitting his face and making lights dance behind his eyelids. Was Ashina basking in the sun? Was she safe?
Ace knew the answer to that as sure as he was still breathing. She was with Pops, and there she would always be safe. Pops, Marco, Deuce, and the others would never allow harm to come to Ashina or his son. Ace knew that if what Jinbei and the marines believed to be true, and Pops was going to start a war at his execution, Ashina would be far away from there. Pops would never bring her or his grandson near the enemy. Was she on Sphynx? Or had Pops taken her somewhere else?
The Marine in charge spoke, but his words barely registered in Ace's mind. Something about enjoying the sun for the last time.
He wasn't wrong, Ace would enjoy the sun for the last time, as the sun brought some of his best memories to the forefront of his mind. Ashina. She loved the sun, loved the warmth it provided. He would feel the warm rays and forever remember the sight of her on the deck of the Spadille.
He could picture her like it was yesterday, and it was hard to believe two years had passed them by. They wouldn't make it to three. He wouldn't live to see his son turn one. Despite that, Ace knew Ashina would always protect their son, she'd tell him about his father, Ace knew. She'd keep his memory alive for Sabo. This wasn't what he wanted, to leave behind his son the way he'd been left behind, but he couldn't find it in him to be regretful, because Ashina would live, and Sabo would know love, never the hatred Ace felt as a child. That knowledge, that confident understanding that Ashina would forever tell Sabo his father was good and kind, and that he was so, so loved by his father soothed Ace's soul.
Ace could picture her laying on the boards of the Moby Dick, basking in the glow of the sun, little Sabo stretched out beside her and Kotatsu not far away. That image would forever be one of his favorites, second only to that first day on the Spadille when she'd shed her robe and revealed her barely covered figure to the entire crew. He didn't notice her at first, too focused on the map stretched across the makeshift table as Deuce and him discussed travel routes and best courses of action. It was Saber's incessant jabbing with his elbow that finally made Ace snap his head up with a sharp, "What?"
Any further words had died on his tongue as he took in the sight of Ashina's short robe cascading to the ground, revealing the smooth expanse of her back and those long, toned legs. The black bikini barely covered anything, only hiding her most private places from public view and it took all of Ace's willpower to stay rooted in place and not to make a fool of himself by approaching her. He forced his eyes away from her body, memories of Makino explaining respect for women flittering through his mind, and he tried to focus on the map beneath his hands. It barely worked. Countless nights that image had plagued his dreams until they finally stopped dancing around each other and came together as lovers. He thought he'd lost her forever when she departed from the Spadille at Sabaody. Never in his wildest dreams had he believed she'd come back to him. But she had, and she was his as he was hers.
He only wished now he'd been less bull headed, that he'd turned around and looked her in the eyes before he left the Moby. Maybe then he'd have stayed, but he couldn't change the past, and he had to face whatever future awaited him at his execution. Ace would live with no regrets. He could face his death with no regrets because he knew Ashina loved him, and he knew that she knew he loved her. His little family was safe and that was all he needed to know in the end.