Yay! One more chapter to finish up editing and proof reading. It'll be posted a bit later tonight on the AO3 account for obvious reasons. Tomorrow will resume regular updates if I'm not called out to work again. I'm really sorry you guys had to wait but 5 chapters in one day I hope makes up for it.
Take care and have a great day!
Lucci would let Katelyn go for now. He had to sit on this idea until he could come up with a plan. Not to mention his shoulder was out of commission for a bit. To his annoyance, the old bastard wasn't a lightweight as Rob previously assumed he was. Sure, he was a hero but the man was in his mid-seventies! The raven-haired agent would have loved to see the monster in his prime. It also explained where the little brunette got her strength. They must have been actually related somehow; rather than just by adoption as written in the report.
Dark orbs watched the man proceed to free his granddaughter by grabbing the chain she dangled from and with a mere squeeze, the iron snapped. Katie landed on her feet. Garp knelt before her and with another strong grip, broke the chain that she was confined with. In a flash, his coat of justice was wrapped around her like a blanket. Without a word or laugh, the old man plucked her from her feet and carried her like he would a child. The long-haired brunette was cradled over his forearm like a cushioned seat before sitting back down in front of Aokiji who remained eyeing the two the entire time.
The admiral pinched the bridge of his nose. If the two agents wanted to argue that Garp interfered with their investigation, they could but somehow he doubted they would. Now with the heated stare the dark-haired gentleman was giving Katie. It was a twisted version but the same expression the officer himself had a few times. The experience allowed Kuzan to spot the lust in the other's eyes. The marine wasn't happy to discover a member of the World Government's agents had taken such a strong fondness for someone he had deemed his.
"Katie… are you going to be alright", Garp asked feeling his granddaughter squeeze her arms around his neck tightly.
"Yeah…", she breathed. "Just tired. I want doughnuts, a shower, and a bed. In that order", the young woman answered in a dry tone.
A weighty pat to the back assured her she was safe. "Ok", the old man hummed softly before grabbing a delicious pastry once the marine seaman showed up with everything ordered. The two other marines followed in suit. The three of them formed a semi-large circle while sitting on the hard stone surface of the floor. A thermos of coffee had been cracked open and poured while Katie found a carton of chocolate milk in her hand.
"Grandpa Sengoku sent this", she faintly smiled before opening it. "I can smell his favorite cracker snack."
Garp let out a burst of laughter before popping two more pastries into his mouth. Aokiji felt better but not completely assured that nothing would happen. Honestly, he wanted to take her home until his fleet-admiral sorted this all out. For now, he remained quiet. Vergo was as silent as ever without making too much of a fuss. If the admiral assumed correctly, his officer seemed to enjoy helping out. The higher-ranking official wasn't sure if the marine enjoyed assisting in general or if he was doing it because he got to beat on some government officials. Either way, the curly haired man was grateful that he was there when he was.
After doughnuts, the young woman wormed her way down to stand on her own. The crack of her back when she stretched forced Kuzan's hairs on his neck to stand up. Even Vergo had to arch a brow. The sound didn't seem healthy to him. Garp laughed as he did the same. By then the other vice-admiral grimaced while the marine official rubbed his temples. "I'm getting the idea where Katie gets her personality…", the curly haired marine bemoaned.
The four began to chatter among themselves while the other two sought medical attention for their injuries. Shortly after a marine messenger dressed in blue and white, rushed in to hand the admiral an enclosed white envelope from the top of headquarters. The officer appeared confused at first but read the contents after opening it up.
In writing, Katie had been cleared of all charges and was free to go. Kane was dismissed for abuse of power and now being sought for investigation for attempted murder of one Laurel M. Katelyn. Sakai Kane is presumed dangerous and the use of deadly force is authorized if he resists any attempts of his arrest. Aokiji felt his shoulders relax. It was over. In only took them two hours and in that time if Vergo hadn't been there, things could have gone very wrong. They got lucky.
"Are you going to join the man hunt", the admiral asked as he rose to his feet. Copper orbs followed the grey haired vice-admiral as he joined the following.
"You bet. I know Katie won't want to go back to the hospital so can one of you make sure she gets home safely? Maybe stick around until I get a good punch in on that bastard Kane?" Garp shoved his hands in his pockets.
Aokiji chuckled. "Sure. She's my neighbor anyways. Plus, they just finished the repairs so it's ready for her to return at any time." Garp waved good bye without saying a word.
"I'll be taking my leave now", the other marine stated with a click of his heels but abruptly interrupted by a little woman.
"Oh Vergo-san! Thank you for your help. I'm sure I wouldn't be having this conversation if it wasn't for you." To the vice-admiral's surprise, she bowed. The woman lowered her head in absolute show of respect! His lower jaw slightly gaped open before the man shuddered. In his defense, the officer wasn't used to civilians acknowledging his accomplishments except by his immediate family which made his job deceiving the marines that much easier. The taller gentleman cleared his throat as blood rushed to his cheeks.
"N…No need to thank me. It's always an honor to fulfill my duty", he retorted while unsure how to react.
"Nope. Don't give me that crap", Katie waved off. "It's always nice to get a thank you and be noticed! I have a semi-large family back home. I personally know how good it feels to be recognized after everyone overlooks you." Her beaming smile was rather addicting, the man thought.
"Let's go", Kuzan stated impatiently before raising his knuckle and giving her a strong thump on the top of the head. The hollowed sound caused even Vergo to flinch.
"Ouch! Jerk", Katelyn snapped. Both hands clasping over the knot he had left on the top of her head. "What was that for", she asked in a barking tone. Her back arched back in her slight flailing which allowed the white fabric encasing her to begin to open and slip off. The vice-admiral standing nearby swiftly used his grip to close it while turning his head to give the young woman some dignity.
"For leaving the hospital", Aokiji annoyingly chastised before noticing what Vergo was doing. Heat rushed to the admiral's cheeks. It was time to leave, the higher ranking officer thought. With her appearance, her lack of clothing, the man only knew one solution to get her home safely with her self-respect intact. The officer lowered himself to his knee and offered up his back to her.
"You don't have to do that", she pointed out.
"You're wearing a coat of justice that is much too big for you. What do you think people will say after seeing you drag it through the dirt?" Kuzan's words were not lost on her.
"That I'm naked", the young woman blatantly stated while she slipped herself over his palms. Masculine hands cupped around her rear and behind her thighs. The brunette didn't think much of it since her grandfathers had carried her in similar ways but Aokiji's discipline was again tested. He wanted to squeeze with his fingers just to feel the curve of her heart-shaped bottom. The longing to do such a thing was so strong, it traveled to his loins. He had to slow his breathing and regain control.
Kuzan and Katie began their journey back to the residents' quarters where the two had made their homes. He had been there for years while she was his new neighbor. Most saw it that way. Vergo also did. To him, the duo acted more like old friends than lovers which left plenty of opportunity for him to use the situation to his advantage but he didn't follow. Instead finding the man responsible for the mess was top priority. If he could find Kane, he could use the opportunity to get closer to Katelyn which put him closer to the fleet-admiral.
Once they arrived home, Kuzan began taking her to her own door but Katie lowered herself between his shoulder blades. "What's wrong", he asked out of concern. The admiral was desperately fighting a shiver that had tried to break free. Her supple breasts were molding over the fabric of his clothes. The hairs on the back of his neck were beginning to stand up once more.
"Well… I was stabbed in there. Kind of gives me the heebie-jeebies", the brunette nervously admitted.
"I tell you what. I'll go with you and you grab your clothes. Use my shower and stay at my place but just for today", the man added.
"Deal. I'll make dinner at your place as well. That way we can enjoy a cup of coffee and some dessert afterwards." Kuzan felt her squirm as he used the spare key she gave him when they first met, to unlock the door but to his surprise it was left unlocked. His brows furrowed. Now the officer knew he had locked it last after they had finished the repairs. He always assumed she was lying to cover up her mistake but in this case, the marine was growing concerned. The admiral tried to count how many times he scolded her for it and wondered how many of those times had he been wrong.
The two entered and Katie wiggled off Aokiji's back. "Turn around please", she asked which prompted the officer to turn towards the wall. Without her knowledge, the marine stole a peek at her nude form after she hung her grandfather's jacket up on the back of the wooden chair. The brief glimpses of flesh he laid eyes on revealed bruising where the chain links had pinched. Guilt washed over him. Why? He couldn't explain it. It was strange, alienating even, to the admiral.
The marine promptly followed her. Everything felt unsettling. Even the home he stood in. Of course the crews replaced the floors, the walls, the paint… It had all been brand new. Same colors but simply replaced. The air didn't feel any different though. Maybe that's what it was? Kuzan just knew he didn't like it. The room didn't hold the same feel as it did before.
The naval officer found Katie with a large dark green towel wrapped securely around her as she gathered some of her belongings. Without a word, a strong arm dipped down and hoisted her bag over his shoulder. He walked out leaving one brunette confused this time. Swiftly the little woman tagged along only to be led to the entry of his place. "Use everything here. I know I said just for today but I change my mind. You're staying if you want. My couch is big enough to fit me so I know it'll be big enough for you."
Kuzan set down her belongings and paused to unbutton his vest after slipping off his own marine coat. He draped it over the familiar island in the kitchen. Katie realized this had been the first time she had been in his home. The officer was organized, well kept, but it lacked a lot. No pictures, no drapes, just plain white curtains that came with the place. The tall man had one couch in the center of the living-room. It was dark blue and issued by the marines. Simple, would be a good word to describe her surroundings.
"Everything is practically the same layout except on opposite sides. Your bedroom is on the left while mine is on the right. The bathroom is also slightly bigger though it may not look like it. It's also why it's on the left", he further explained as he sat to take off his shoes. "Take a shower, relax a bit, just leave enough hot water for me." The young woman wondered off towards the bathroom but not without muttering a "thank you", which his ears had heard.
The marine could see she was on her last legs. The stress was finally breaking the young woman. She needed a breather. Aokiji just hoped he could help Katie become as comfortable as possible. He knew from experience what it was like to feel alone after the world shattered around him. He didn't wish that on his worst enemy let alone a woman who wasn't mentally prepared.