Yo! It's time for another emotional chapter! Enjoy!
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Waiting for the end... for the second time.
My hands padded at the uncomfortable dress I am forced to wear. It wasn't a dress per say. It was a cut halter top that ended at my upper stomach and a mid-thigh high skirt. Izo said I look good in dresses, but this one fits my style more. As always, the main colors of my outfit were red and black.
The best part was that it showed the new tattoo I got, which Izo was fanning over. "You look perfect! Breathtaking! I like the tattoo!" His slim finger traced around it. It has already healed thanks to my regeneration. My eyes couldn't tear off of it. It was a red diamond with the words 'fiery red' inked over it in black. So far, I have a tattoo for all the major events in my life. One from Tiger and another from Whitebeard. This one represents my brother and my family. Along with all the wonderful things they have done for me. My mother's fire, my dad's will, Nako's smile, Kid's determination, and Dagger's protection. All that in one tattoo.
A finger came up to wipe away a tear I didn't know was fleeing. Looking at it reminded me of when Dagger first got it. "I would say don't cry because I need to put makeup on you, but you're going to cry a lot tonight." Izo said, pulling me into a hug.
He placed a soft kiss on my locks and squeezed me tighter. "You can cry Red, it's ok." He whispered. I have never noticed it before, but Izo… he has been slowly becoming an older brother to me. "I can't keep crying though, I have done it enough." I said, swallowing my choke and rubbing my face on the pretty man's kimono. I thought Izo would hiss and yell at me to not rub my snot on his new clothes, but he didn't. "I don't think Marco will agree with that statement. What he has planned will make you sob."
I blinked a few times, "what do you mean? What did Marco do?"
For some reason, my question made Izo burst into a fit of laughter. "You're kidding right? You have no clue what today is?" Only me and Izo were in the room, everyone else said they have to get 'prepared'. A knock on the door caught my attention. Izo let go of me, hid my tattoo, and got the door.
My jaw dropped when I saw my brother. He wore a crimson button up with black dress pants. His large hands rubbed the back of his head nervously as his gaze casted to me. "Why do you look so shocked?" Kid grumbled.
Izo answered the question for me, "she doesn't know what today is." My brother gave me an 'are you stupid' look that made me huff.
He took a step in the room, "it's my birthday." He answered.
"Oh, happy birthday Kiddo! I'm sorry, I must have forgotten!" I grinned.
Izo and Kid slapped their foreheads as if I was the stupidest human alive. Which I was. "Red, we are twins remember?"
It took a few moments, but it finally clicked. "Holy fucking flying fuck today is my birthday!" I said, slapping the sides of my face with my lips parted. Kid and Izo let out a sigh.
How could I forget? Well I know how… a lot of things have happened but damn! Wait! "Wh-at did Marco plan?"
Izo smiled, "you'll see, by the way Kid, do you mind keeping an eye out on a little bet taking place?" Oh god no! Izo can't do this!
Kid gave a satisfied hum, "what's the bet?" Kid is the perfect pair of eyes for Izo because of the birthday rule. On me and Kid's birthday, we are not allowed to leave each other's sides. Last year, I left Wano around the time of my birthday to see him. When I was in Wano, we called the whole day. It is a rule never to be broken. Which means… I can't get near my adorable first commander... this is cruel!
Izo patted my head with a look that showed no pity, "she can't do anything with her commander, only give him a hug."
A choking sound came from me, "only one hug? Izo!" The pretty man kept his eyes on Kid, not even acknowledging my whine. Kid grinned, "I'm up for it."
Of course he is, damn them all.
Me, Izo, and Kid walked to the top deck. The whole ship was a ghost town, not even Pops was there. "When did you guys plan this?" I asked, looking up to Izo.
"Marco planned it all a while ago when Kid first arrived. After you got your Whitebeard mark, he talked to Kid about it, who then talked to Nako and your parents. It has been in motion for a long time."
The answer made my heart melt. He is so cheesy… I love it. My hands gripped the sides of my face as my eyes sparkled in happiness. My lips were being chewed on from anxiety on what was going to happen next. We kept walking until we got to the forest. I could see light illuminating the tallest tree, meaning it was near the tree house.
All the air in my lungs vanished at the sight. Red and white fairy lights were placed around the trees to light up the area. The blanket of black, known as the night sky, only added to the natural beauty of the scene. A bright fire was in the middle, with grilles and blankets thrown around it. It wasn't fancy, it was cozy. A small area was set up, dedicated to drinks. As well as a space for snacks. It was perfect.
I pulled at Kid's sleeve, "this can't be real." I muttered.
"Happy birthday twin sis." His hand came down to pat my head. He pressed a kiss on my forehead, something he doesn't do often. I did the same, though I had to go on my tip toes for it. "Look who's here." My younger brother spun me around to look in front.
My favorite blonde had his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face as he walked towards me. "Do you like it, yoi?" All I could do was make a choking sound, while struggling not to drag him back into his room. Izo saw my struggle and chuckled, "she loves it, but she made a bet saying she can't last without touching you the whole day. Only one hug." The pretty man held up his finger and waved it in the air.
Marco pursed his lips, "of course, yoi." His eyes then looked at me, "can I have that hug then?"
When Marco tried to step closer, I jumped back, "W-e can't!" I said in a high-pitched tone. Marco raised a brow at my behavior, "do you not like the party, yoi? I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but It was going to be a surprise." A slight pout formed on Marco's full lips, cracking my resolve on not touching him and his beautiful body. "N-o! No! It's amazing! I love it… but if I hug you…" I trailed off. I hope Marco will get the hint. If I touch him, there is no way I will be letting go.
"Oh, I get it. That's ok then, I'll be touching you enough for the three days, yoi." Marco's smile did not help my flaring cheeks.
"Le-ts go." I grabbed onto Kid and we walked around the area. Both of us got hugs, kisses, from almost everyone.
"You guys ready for the first game?" Shanks beamed.
"Yeah!" The pirates cheered. Me and Kid sat down in the middle of everyone, "what is it?"
Benn grinned, "we are going to name a scenario, you have to guess if Kid, or Red had done it."
Kid leaned close to my ear, "I already don't like this game." I sighed and nodded in agreement.
"Whoever gets it wrong must drink!" Yasopp cheered, already drunk.
The first round started with my mother, "one of the twins… had a blankie and slept with it till they were ten."
Kid froze from the statement, which Killer caught. "Don't tell me the captain of the Kid Pirates still needs a blankie." He chuckled with his hand over his mouth.
I nodded, "yep!"
My younger twin growled at me, "don't even start Dem Dem."
The rounds continued, me and Kid getting more embarrassed each time. Soon enough, the game ended. When it did, Ace, Luffy, and Sabo came up to me. "Happy birthday, Dem Dem." They all said in unison. Luffy grabbed me into a hug and Sabo and Ace pecked both my cheeks. Which, my mother secretly took a picture of. "Thank you."
The four of us started to chat. Luffy told me about how he is leaving tomorrow to go train with Rayleigh. I smiled at the fact my uncle was on his way here. He would be here in an hour. Sabo and the revolutionaries that stayed will also be leaving tomorrow. I will miss the two, but I know I will see them again. When Luffy becomes King of the Pirates and when Sabo overthrows the government.
Music started to play, and drunk people started to dance. "Why don't you go dance with Koala." I hummed to Sabo, nudging his shoulder. The blonde rolled his eyes and got up to do so. He ignored the cheers coming from Ace and me and danced with the female revolutionary. Luffy chuckled, "Sabo looks so awkward."
Ace and I nodded in agreement.
Luffy ended up going to my father and his crew to talk, leaving me with Ace. I laid my head on the freckled brunette's shoulder, "do you think I was a good sister?" Ace looked down at me and smiled, "you still are." He pecked my cheek again and made me stand up. His hand grabbed mine as he twirled me to the dance floor. Me and Ace used to dance together as kids, my mother said it is an important skill to know.
"I'm surprised you aren't dancing with Marco." He said with a cheeky grin.
A snort left me, "I can't, Izo made a bet with me saying I can't last without touching him. I only get a hug. Yamato, Kiku and Thatch did it too!" Ace chuckled at my pout.
Ace wasn't the only one I ended up dancing with. Law, Killer, and my father all took me around the area until I ended up with Kid. "You ok?" I asked my younger brother. He was behind me and Kid, leaning against the main tree in the forest. "Have you talked to Dagger's kids. They are like…us." Nako said in a somber voice. Me and Kid nodded. The eldest one, Shin, he is the most like Dagger. It is almost unreal.
Taka is nice as well, I got to know all them when I was stuck in bed for a few days. "Come on guys? How would Dagger feel if we kept crying about him?" I tried to reason, though the tears forming in my eyes weren't listening. "By the way." My hands pulled off the scarf around my waist. Izo put it there to hide the tattoo. When both my brothers saw it, they grinned. "I see we all had the same idea then." Nako pulled up his shirt and so did Kid.
Nako's was an ocean blue and Kid's was a fierce orange. "Looks like we all did." All three of us turned around and saw my mother and father showing off the tattoo. Kid's was on his chest, Nako's was on his stomach. My mother's was in her ankle, and my father's was also on his chest. My dad's was black and my mother was a dark green. "We all did." I said in a low tone. I can't believe he is gone… well I mean I still can't. But none of us can. I wonder if there is anyone else out there, anyone else that was close to my brother.
A ruffle from the bushes caught my attention, though I could already smell who it was. "Hey Izo." The pretty man hurried to me with a satisfied look. I raised a brow at his expression and looked toward the paper in his hand. He held it up to give me a better look. When I saw it, my eyes went wide, "what the hell?!"
'Devil Red, commander zero of the Whitebeard pirates. Bounty is…'
"550 million berries! The hell! Why?!" My hands gripped my paper and my eyes adjusted to the picture. It was me holding my scythe behind my back and grinning. My horns and tail were exposed, I looked like a devil. My blood-soaked eyes didn't help. "What do they mean by commander zero?" Kid asked.
Izo shrugged, "that's what they are calling her now. Commander Zero, the ultimate weapon of the Whitebeard crew."
"By ultimate, do they mean laziest." Nako commented with a chuckle.
"No. They think we only use her on special occasions. When in reality she is just too lazy to move without complaining." Izo answered with a sigh.
"Hey!-" My shout cut off by Sabo grabbing my hand. "Come Red, we have to get you to the main part." What? Sabo continued to drag me until we got to the center of the party. There, everyone was surrounded in a circle. Sabo pulled me next to Ace and Luffy to sit. We were sitting next to Whitebeard and Shanks.
For some reason, there was a drum set and two guitars in the center. What are they doing? My eyes left the stage and fell onto Marco. He was sitting next to Izo and Thatch, grinning like his life depended on it. His expression made my body relax, but only for a little. Kid, Nako, Law and Killer went into the center of the circle.
My jaw dropped when I saw Kid holding a microphone. The others grabbed some type of instrument. No way… none of them love me this much. Kid let out a sigh and put his lips to the device, "I hate all you for making me do this." He started, getting a laugh from everyone. "This song goes to two people, one would be my annoying, clumsy, stupid, irritating-"
"We get it!" Killer shouted from the drum set. Kidd let out a snort, "twin sister… and to my older brother, Dagger. This song means so much to our family, which means..." Kid trailed off to take a deep breath. His eyes fogged with tears. "Which means it's Dagger's song too." Nako finished.
Kid nodded, "And since it's our family's song, Red, you got to come up here too." My brother didn't have to ask twice. I stood up and walked towards Kid and Nako with shimmering orbs. I hugged both as Law handed me a microphone. "I love you." I tapped my lips on my brothers.
I turned back and let out a sigh. Nako started by flicking his fingers against the strings of his guitar. I recognized the song immediately. All four of us would sing this all around the bar, hell, Ace, Luffy and Sabo know it by heart as well. That gave me an idea…
This is not the end
This is not the beginning
Just a voice like a riot
Rocking every revision
I walked towards the three brothers with a smile as Kid started to sing. Luffy bounced up before I could even stick out my hand. Ace and Sabo looked at my hand with skeptical expressions. Soon enough, they gave in and gripped it. I pulled them up with a grin.
But you listen to the tone
And the violent rhythm
And though the words sound steady
Something empty's within 'em
Luffy and Kid were sharing a microphone. Well, you can call it sharing. Kid pushed Luffy's face out of the way, but Luffy only did the same. Sabo and Ace danced with me since it still wasn't my turn to sing. My mother handed the two boys a microphone and they began to sing the song as well.
We say, "yeah"
Fists flying up in the air
Like we're holding onto something
That's invisible there
'Cause we're living at the mercy of
The pain and the fear
Until we tell it, forget it
Let it all disappear
Everyone cheered when Ace and Sabo joined in. Both leaned on me as they pumped their fists into the air. Being as goofy as always. They used to come into the bar and dance on the tables with us. Dagger drilled this song straight into our brains.
Waiting for the end to come
Wishing I had strength to stand
This is not what I had planned
It's out of my control
My part was slower. I walked away from Ace and Sabo and went to Yamato, Kiku, and Tama. They also knew the song by heart. They looked at me with smiles and cheers. I could tell they were worried about my mental state.
flying at the speed of light
Thoughts were spinning in my head
So many things were left unsaid
It's hard to let you go
The three of them started to hum to the lyrics. Tama swayed her head to each word. I used to sing this to her when she had trouble sleeping. Everyone who has heard my voice has said I sound like an angel; I get it from my mother. But I never cared for it.
I know what it takes to move on
(Oh) I know how it feels to lie
(Oh) all I wanna do is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven't got
I stepped away from the three woman and went to the woman next to them. Taka, who was crying with her three kids. Each one having their own connection to the song. I wiped a tear off Shin's eyes and gave him a familiar grin. A grin my brother taught me… and his father taught him.
Sitting in an empty room
Trying to forget the past
This was never meant to last
I wish it wasn't so
My hands caressed the boy's cheek before letting go. Next up was the other commanders. They screamed and cheered when I walked in front of them. Marco moved and was now sitting with Pops and my Dad. I can't believe that stupid pineapple did all this for me. Izo and Thatch were beaming at me the most. There is no doubt in my mind they both had trouble keeping this from me.
I know what it takes to move on
(Oh) I know how it feels to lie
(Oh) all I wanna do is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven't got
Now I was next to the revolutionaries.
I wonder what you're doing up there… brother. Are you up there with Blue? Are both of you looking down on me with smiles on your faces? Do you still hold some guilt…? You better not. I don't want some ghost type shit going on because your spirit didn't rest happily. There is nothing for you to worry about… we are all ok... But you know that. That is why you did what you did. That is why you are my brother Dagger.
Yeah, yeah
What was left when that fire was gone?
I thought it felt right but that right was wrong
All caught up in the eye of the storm
And trying to figure out what it's like moving on
And I don't even know what kind of things I've said
All my brothers sang the next two verses with blissful expressions. To think… all us wouldn't be together if it weren't for Dagger. My feet took me to the last stop. I was in front of my mother, father, Pops… and Marco. I wanted to kiss him so babdly I couldn't stand it.
My mouth kept moving and my mind went dead
So, picking up the pieces, now where to begin?
The hardest part of ending is starting again
Law and Nako came from behind me, shaking their heads and performing their solos. My eyes glued onto Marco as he stood up and took a step closer to me. His sapphire orbs almost made me give everything up.
All I wanna do is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven't got
While singing, my hand went to cup his cheek. My thumb rubbed against the stubble on his chin as I thought about everything. This would be my tenth time thinking about everything but hell, how could I not. All this happened because of one phoenix.
This is not the end
This is not the beginning
Just a voice like a riot
Rocking every revision
But you listen to the tone
The phoenix that became my protector and saved me from myself. Cheesy isn't it? I had a plan, a plan to die and leave everything behind. I was waiting for the end… but someone got to it first.
holding on to what I haven't got
And the violent rhythm
Though the words sound steady
Something empty's within 'em
His eyes flickered onto mine as my soft voice soothed his ears. I could almost feel the triumphant grin Izo was wearing, that is what caused me to freeze. Can I do this? Not the bet but… this? Me and Marco, together. Letting someone else important come into my life only to be taken away from me… no-
Just then, something pushed me closer to Marco. When I turned my head to see who, my lips quivered.
We say, "yeah"
With fists flying up in the air
Like we're holding onto something
That's invisible there
'Cause we're living at the mercy of
I know my mind must have been playing tricks on me because there he was. My older brother. One hand was on his hip while the other floated in the air from his push. He didn't have to talk for me to know what he was thinking. 'Go, go now Red. This is your way… your way is with him.' People may think it is impossible for me to know that. But then again… 'It's a sibling thing.'
The pain and the fear
Until we get it, forget it
Let it all disappear
I gave a nod to the spirit of my brother, I guess it was some freaky ghost shit. My eyes flickered to my lover, glistening in want and love. I need him, and I need him now.
Holding on to what I haven't got
Those were my last words until my lips were pressed against his. Tears streamed down my face as so many emotions pressed into the kiss. Everything from relief to love. His hands wrapped around my waist to pull me closer and my arms went around his neck. The warmth in my chest kept bubbling. I felt as if I was about to explode. Dammit.
More tears came from my eyes. You are it, Marco… you are my way… the reason that I live… the reason I protect. You are the person that I love, and that is something that won't end. I will never lose my way when it comes to you, because no matter how cheesy it sounds. No matter how many times my face flares from the thought. And no matter how many times I stutter or try to run. You will always protect me, you will always care for me, and you will always love me.
And I feel the same for you… I will always feel the same for you… because together we are a Red Phoenix. And nothing… no one… can stop us.
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So cheesy! You have two more chapters left, and yes I have already started on the continuation! I don't want to give out the name yet but... this is a warning for the last chapter! Be prepared!
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