Chapter 12: Almost there

The marine ship was soon arriving in Marine ford. She had been hiding for months on different ships when she decided to finally show herself. Shayla was now working alongside the rest of the newbies. To them, she was a rookie that was just too lazy to do anything on board. They ordered her around without knowing how truly dangerous she was.

When they finally arrived they entered HQ in a perfect line after their superior. Shay had no idea what to do and just followed the other. Apparently, it was wrong, and she soon got scolded by the leading rear-admiral, what was his name again, Doberhand? No, that didn't sound right. His attitude towards her pissed her off and she could barely hold herself back, "Yes, sir!" she spat.

The group went inside, and the officers were starting to whispering among each other, "there he is, the marine hero Vice-admiral Garp." Her heart had never beaten so faster. It was a nightmare and she had completely forgotten about him.

If he found her, she would be forced to be a marine and the thought made her sick. As if she would take orders from them. Shay stepped aside and let the other get in front of her. When the last one had passed and there was no cover, she jumped into the water to hide from him and swam away.

She resurfaced on another port and saw more marines training, talking, and eating. That was a waste of dedication, to be ordered around by someone with more experience and to protect the scums of the world, yet still ignoring people that really needed them. Shayla didn't think she could last that long even if she did join.

She tried to avoid Garp as much as possible, he would for sure recognize her. Shay was deep in her thought when she accidentally walked into the pirate or shichibukai lounge. They all looked at her confused. It would be too weird to just get out again and stood by the wall next to some other marines.

Shay saw a Fishman, that must be Jinbei the knight of the sea. What a cool name. He was here to represent his people from the deep sea. She knew from experience that some fishmen hated humans and Jinbei, being here was a new beginning for them all.

Suddenly two officers started to fight and a tall blond man laughed while moving his fingers as if was controlling them. She could see something reflecting by the light and realized that he was actually controlling them. What a cool ability.

They were serving food to the pirates and Shay was captivated by the smell. She stood next to one of them and started to eat as much as she could, "your manners are quite bad for a marine" someone laughed.

She saw the same tall man with a pink feather, "and I think it's stupid to let a pirate govern a country" she answered while eating, "you an interesting female soldier" he was still smiling like a madman. Shayla looked around before getting close to him, "I'm a pirate and these marines are just too stupid to realize that" she whispered and the man just smirked like a devil before laughing, "I was right you're an interesting girl."

When she was done she noticed something black at the side of her eye. It was a big sword and she looked closer at it, "wow. What a beautiful blade" she admired up close. The man just sat there with his hat over his eyes and legs up on the table clearly ignoring her.

Its black color truly was amazing, and Shay tried to touch it when the man suddenly looked at her with intimidating eyes, "Don't touch it marine girl" and she was now more focused on his eyes.

"You must be the one they call hawk-eyes, I can now see why. You're the strongest swordsman in the world" she had almost stars in her eyes. Shay wondered if he could win against Oden.

"Oi, girl. What are you doing over there" an old marine officer asked, "I was told to report the pirates' arrival" she quick lied. "Oh, and who gave you that order" he looked suspicious at her.

There wasn't any name that came to her mind, "I did" a voice said behind her and she turned around to see Garp. "I see, you did Vice-admiral" the officer spoke before giving a fake smile. "Since you're here I'll just go" she quickly stated and had to run. Shay clearly couldn't just walk out the door and looked around to see a big window.

The girl took a chance and ran over, ready to jump down but the Navy Hero held her at the back by her uniform, "Where do you think you're going brat" he said menacing, "I just want to test my bravery and jump down from here" she said while sweating.

The older man wasn't buying it at all and just took her over his shoulder, "No, let me go old man. I just want to get out of here quick" she tried holding on to the door. but with this old man's strength, he pulled a piece of the wall along with her. Everybody was looking at them like crazy people which they were.

The old man carried her to his office to talk, "what are you doing here, Shayla?" he asked impatient. "What gramps, is that how to speak to your beloved granddaughter," she questioned half-offended. Garp looked unimpressed, "Fine. I'm going to the New World and had hoped a marine ship was going there too."

"Ýou are going back to Whitebeard" it wasn't a question, "I am" she stated simply. It wasn't a surprise for the old man and it was like he expected it to happen one day. "Here I thought that you would follow in your mother's footsteps" he sighed and leaned back.

His sudden statement took her off guard, "you knew my mother" she asked, "yeah, she was a reckless marine that refused to listen to her superiors. You could say that she was free-spirited" he laughed at the memory. "One day she just quit without any explanation except she was pregnant. I tried to convince her to stay but her mind was already made up." That's so her mom once she decided something there was no way to change it.

"So, you knew this entire time?" she wasn't angry just surprised, "I wasn't sure in the beginning but as you grew up, I saw an undeniable resembles. It wasn't just your powers, but you look and act just like her" she smiled happily.

"Come, I would like to show you something" and lead her to a big wall with pictures of marines, but there was a special one that he wanted her to look at. "It's mama" Shay couldn't believe it. She looked just the same except a little younger.

"I wished I could see her like that" she muttered to herself, "you know, you can join the marines and surpass her, especially if I train you" Garp offered. Her, became a marine? She never considered that, and she didn't want to waste her life catching bad guys and follow orders. Her soul was meat to be free.

"Sorry gramps, but I can't. It's in my blood to be a pirate, to roam the sea freely and wild" she smirked. "Then you leave me no choice" he suddenly got this dark aura and took his fist up ready to punch her. The girl swallowed her spit while her senses were begging her to run away.

"Wait up brat!" He yelled behind her, "as if old man" who was stupid enough to do that. Right at that moment, there was an announcement on the speaker, 'we need marines at dock 4 to the New World all available soldier report for duty.' Just like that hope appeared once again.

Now she only had to lose Garp before sneaking onboard. Shay turned around before firing a fireball at him which he easily punches. She did the same with earth, but the result was the same.

Shay didn't think water would be much and then there was still air left. The girl smirked before releasing a strong wind, and he flew back and through the walls. She took advantage of that change and ran like the wind.

Garp would be back soon if he didn't get distracted by food or something. I see where Luffy got that trade from. Anyways she had to get on that warship before it was too late.

At the docks, the ship was about to leave when Shay heard a sound and saw Rain observing them from a high place ready to jump. "come to me, Rain" ready to catch her. "we have to hurry if we want to get out of her and go to the other side of the world".

Shay jumped into the sea and started to surf over to the ship with her fox on her back. The girl jumped up at the back of the ship and stayed there for some time. How would they get across the Red Line? Pirates normally just sailed through Fishman island, but the island was her father's territory would they dare to do it?

-x-

After a couple of hours, they came to the great wall and everyone suddenly went off the ship. they went over to a lift apparently taking them up to the 'holy land of Mariejoa'. Where the Celestial dragon lives. It was hard for her. Considering that they're the ones responsible for Sabo's death.

They were protected from every angle which made it hard for her to avenge her fallen friend. Even if she managed to find the one, Shay couldn't just kill him/her and expect to just walk out of here alive. Sadly, logic won this time.

Shay had never thought that there was an entire city on top of the Red Line. The castle and everything was just so beautiful, and she would for sure draw it later. Even though she was disguised as a marine right now, it was very rare for a pirate to see this place.

Shay suddenly felt uneasy like that there was something the world government didn't want them to know about. It was like misery and corruption were hunting this place.

"This is the holy land. This is the place the 20 kings that founded the World Government were invited to live. Now even after 800 years, their descendants are still living here, and they are called the celestial dragon. Remember it's our job as marines to protect them with our lives!" Their leading officer said.

Even if Shay weren't a marine there was still no way, she would protect them. Hell, she might use them as a shield. The group continued and soon came to the other end of the Red Line. The girl looked down and there was nothing but the ocean and clouds. She was literally on top of the world.

A man came over and told them that it would take some time for them to get down. They would have to stay here for a day before going down. Shayla refused to say here for that long as she looked down again.

An interesting idea came to her, "we'll prepare a room for you all to stay in. Please this way" the man politely said. Before they could notice her, she sensed that Rain was hiding a little behind her and quickly called her, "Get ready to jump on my back, I'll use the stones to get us down faster".

Shay smiled before taking a free fall down the Red Line. She got tired of it rather quickly and blew wind under to slow them down. Then used the great wall's stone and made them a path down.

After some time, they arrived at a harbor similar to the one that lifted them up to the 'holy land'. There were a lot of marines and the girl tried to hide them, so they wouldn't notice. Shay got her eyes on a small ship and it might be dangerous to sail on this sea with only a girl and a fox, but she had to try.

No one noticed them and she used her water bending to make the ship go much faster. It was like they were surfing which made her realized how much she really missed being this free. Now she was finally back to the New World, back to her home sea. It's been a really long time and Shay was starting to feel it.

Now how was she going to find her father? There was no way of know where he was or would be. It only made her more excited to go back. How would everyone feel about getting her back and how would her father feel?

They were famous pirates, so someone had to know something about them, right? Shay only had to find an island but, there might be a slim chance that's he was there. Yet, there was no island in sight so, how could she find it?

Crocus said something about Log pose and how they catch an island's magnetic field, then she only needed her Log, and everything would be alright. She opened her back and took it out before looking at it.

It was pointing toward the direction of the sun and the next morning she found land. She didn't even have the energy to find a place to sleep and fell asleep on the ship.

-x-

The girl was woken up by Rain licking her face and Shay just slug her off. The fox continued for some time until Shayla woke up and at some point, she did.

She arrived at a familiar beach and decided to look for something to eat. Shay hurried into a tropical jungle with rich fruits and beautiful creatures. Well, not as beautiful as her partner but a close 2nd place.

The more she walked around the more she felt like she'd been here. The thing that made her remember was the grave of the woman she loved most in the world… her mother's grave.

Never in her life had she imagen even go back, yet here she was. It was like her mother's spirit was calling her to come closer, "hey mama… how's heaven? I'm sorry I've been gone for so long but finally I'm here".

Shay sat down next to the gravestone and leaned against it, "You probably already know this, but I got your powers. I can't believe you never told me. With them, I feel so powerful, yet I wish that you could have been here to teach me how to control them.

Where do they come from and how did our family get these powers without a devil's fruit. I have so many things I want to ask you but can't do that. Mama why did you have to die and leave me behind". She was in tears at this point and had her forearm hiding her eyes.

Rain came up beside her and cuddled against her for support. "I'm sorry. I know I have so many people that love me but no matter how old you get; you'll always need your mother. So, I'll wait mama, for the day that we'll reunite again. It might take some time though, but I want you to wait for me at the gate to heaven" smiling at the thought, but who knows it as well might be true.

"I miss you and don't worry I'll take care of dad for you. I love you" was the last thing she said before standing up and walked inside her old house.

Everything was covered in dust, but it was just as she left it. She blew all the dust out of the house and went inside her old room. All her toys were so small, and her bed was even smaller. It was hard to believe that she at one point could fit in there.

-x-

Shayla had been on Sheba for a day now. She was trying to figure out a way to find her family but so far, she had no idea. She couldn't just travel from island to island. it would take an eternity to find them and that was if she was lucky. Shay had to pinpoint their location or where their next location would be.

She was reading about them in the newspapers, but their location was still unknown. Considering that they were still very famous it was really hard to find them. Shay might just stay on this island and wait for them to one day show up. How long would that take; a month, a year, two years, or maybe even a decade.

Hope was slowly fading away. The two decided to take a walk and soon came to a familiar village. They looked at her weirdly, but she just ignored it and went over to a small shop to buy something.

An old woman was at the counter, "Is that you Shayla? See how much you've grown you look just like your mother" she said, "do I know you granny?" she asked. "You might not remember me, but I still owned this shop when you and your mother used to live here"

Shay just nodded as she laid her things at the counter ready to pay, "no dear this one's on me" the old woman blinked, "thank you, granny" the girl was ready to walk out when " I heard that you went with your pirate father. Is your mother here too?" she asked with wonder.

Didn't this old lady know anything? "My mother died the night the pirates attacked the village" Shay didn't show any emotion while saying that. The woman looked horrified, "I didn't know. I'm so sorry to hear that. I just thought that you and your mother left the island a long time ago". They did but not in the way she thought.

Well, that was the reason they all looked at her, "I need to get back to my father. Have a good day" Shay greeted as she was about to exit when "your father was here not long ago" the old lady stated

"What? How long ago" if it were more than a week ago who knows were, they would be now. "The crew left 2 days ago. They said that they would be on our neighbor island for the next couple of da…ys."

Before the granny could say anything else, Shayla ran out of the shop and climbed a tree. She looked around and saw a distant island on the horizon. Bingo, it has to be it.

Not have the time to think she jumped down and whistling for her fox to come. She ran toward her boat and Rain was right behind her. She used her water bending and force her way through the sea. Nothing could stop her, and she meant absolutely nothing.

The girl couldn't contain her happiness as the island was getting closer and closer. How would she reintroduce herself to them and how would they react. Well, there's no use in wonder as she was about to find out.

Shay soon found a place to dock and walked into the island. She soon not an eye for her father's ship. Her home was not far from where she docked. Shayla looked at Rain, "Do I look good enough to meet my father" she asked her.

Some fisherman passed and looked at her, "you stink girl. Go to the inn over there, get a shower and a good night's sleep. You certainly need it" he said grumpily.

Even though he might be an arrogant old man, stinking worst himself he was right. She needed to be ready before making a dramatic reunion with her crew. 'I'll be there tomorrow dad, I promise' Shay vowed before breaking into an inn near the port close to the Moby Dick.

Tomorrow would be marked on the calendar. It would be the day the true daughter of whitebeard would return home.