Hello everyone! This week will be uploads every other day. I apologize for the waits, just getting things ready for this coming spring. It's tedious work but it needs to be done. I hope you all can understand. Please feel free to drop comments like always. Have a great week and even better day!
The younger admiral returned to a sight he thought he'd never see. Kizaru revealing a smile that the marine rarely ever saw. It appeared the older officer was actually enjoying Katie's company. The petite brunette was slumped over the edge of the round kitchen table. She had placed her hands to settle on the bigger man's hand as he gingerly rubbed the back of her head as her forehead pressed against the wood.
The curly haired officer found it strange that he didn't feel the same as when Sakazuki had put his hands on her. It felt different. Kuzan paused a moment to figure out what was so different from that time and this moment as he watched from outside through his own kitchen window. Both men were colleagues and both were the same rank as himself. So what was the defining line? What was so different?
The puzzle continued as he observed more and more quietly from his place just outside. A thin brow arched. His search in the far reaches of his mind hadn't revealed any answers, just more questions. The feeling of jealousy was nowhere near his heart like it was in the hospital. Was it from the pseudo sex and the sensation of getting closer to her? The man shook his head.
"I'm thinking too much on this", he admitted before going in. The shift in temperature caused a slight shiver. He went from the slightly cooler air to warmer. Marineford was known for its warmer days happening nearly all year around but when the seasons change on the islands around them, the air pressure drops and rain follows. Now was that time of year.
Inside the was a sight Kuzan would love to see more often. Katie lifted her head to reveal a genuine heartfelt expression. Her grin was full and one he learned that was often shown for Garp or Sengoku explicitly. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lip as he couldn't help the swelling feeling of enjoyment.
Copper orbs watched her trot over to him before padding away with the bag of items he had put together for her. The bag was large and made of black canvas fabric. He found it near the duffel bag and assumed it was meant to carry food items since it held the aroma of cookies. The younger admiral took his seat, tearing his eyes away from the petite brunette who was all grins and placing them firmly on his colleague in yellow.
Much to both the marines' surprise, the young woman began climbing on the counters without using her feet to find a bowl for the fruit. Kuzan had to get up and help Katie around but not without teasing her first. "You know if you had only grown a little taller, you wouldn't have such a hard time."
"Hush", she demanded before being called "shorty" in retaliation. "I'm not short! It's not my fault you're a half giant. How tall are you anyways?"
Katie began cutting up the fruit masterfully while she listened to Kuzan as he returned to his seat. The kitchen banter wasn't lost on Kizaru either. The man could remember when Angie and he had the same little chats. The moment brought a delightful smirk to his embedded smile.
"I'm two-ninety eight. Kizaru here is three hundred and two, while Akainu is three hundred and six", Aokiji answered with a chuckle.
"Then you have grandpa Garp who is two-eighty seven and grandpa Sengoku who is two-seventy eight", the young woman breathed heavily. "Alright! I'm …am short! Fine, you win", she flailed in a playful fashion. "…Geez, I bet the marines have a minimum height requirement to join. Must be taller than two hundred centimeters to join or be as tall or if not taller than a basketball net."
Katelyn's statement was followed by a few chuckles. "It's ok… You can still tell people you're still growing", Kuzan continued to taunt. He was actually enjoying the light exchange of words. Over the two weeks, before the incident, they had shared a few moments like this. He found the light-hearted nature quite refreshing from his day to day activities.
"Still growing? You kidding? I'm perfect in height! Keep talking and stand next to me. I'll show you like I showed Grandpa Garp what my onee-chan taught me." A wide grin grew as she began separating the cut fruit and placing the bits in the clear glasses placed before her. Katie was a little curious to as why Kuzan grabbed so many glasses but she evenly spread them across three, making a much smaller mix for herself.
The younger admiral arched a brow. "You think you can get me with an elbow? Think again", he stated with a smirk still riding on his thin lips. He stretched before making his way to the bedroom.
"Elbow? Huh?" It took her a moment to realize the man meant a cheap shot to the groin. "Oh! No way! Are you kidding?! I have two brothers who would beat my ass if I took such a cheap shot on a guy. Seriously… What kind of person do you think I am", the younger brunette questioned.
The older admiral laughed. "~Did your mother teach your siblings~", he inquired slyly.
"Hm", she questioned before the young woman shook her head. "Let me make something clear. Mom just had R and me. The others are from the village but we're all raised together. Grandpa Garp makes us all feel like we're his without even a question. We even trained under him when he'd visit and we all got to spend our special time with him. There wasn't a single one of us he favored more than the other. To answer your question yes; mom taught Makino how to defend herself since she works in a bar and in turn she taught me how to use it as well", the smaller brunette grinned mischievously. "I mean after all, it's where I took up mixology." Katie explained as she opened the bottle of wine after dusting it off.
Both officers blinked despite Kuzan over hearing the conversation from his bedroom as the door was left open. Borsalino wasn't at all surprised. He knew Angie would do something like that and Garp was self-explanatory. If it was a small village or island, then any child in need would be under their care. Background, inheritance, none of that would matter to the smaller woman's mother.
Aokiji returned with a black t-shirt on. It was plain with nothing on the fabric. It did however, compliment the raven color of his curly locks and his olive tanned skin; in addition, went well with his dark grey track pants. The man was more than pleased to have his drink placed in his palm before he sat down.
Kizaru arched a brow as Katie placed his drink before him with a spoon. The beverage was deep maroon in color with swirling fruit on the bottom as it settled. The aroma was sweet, yet fruity. The chill added by the ice she gathered from Kuzan's freezer was perfect as the admiral in yellow and green sipped it.
"~…Oh… this is nice~", Borsalino smacked his lips together. The tantalizing drink was sweetened by the wine, while the brandy and lemon juice cut the sweetness down. To add to the mix of flavors, the fruit gave it a fulfilling taste doing away with the after bite of the alcohol.
"This is actually alcoholic", Kuzan pondered briefly. He eyed it after taking a long sip. "This is dangerous", the officer added before taking another gulp.
"I made four… I was wondering if you're expecting company", Katie inquired while sipping her own.
"Unfortunately", Aokiji answered with a drop of his head and a gruff tone.
The other marine chuckled. "~Sakazuki and he don't get along, yet they do. Now dear… You were going to explain what happened nine years ago~", the officer reminded in a friendly fashion while enjoying the warm tantalizing sensation of his beverage. It was strong but tasty. He could indulge in another since it was better in quality and taste than what he's had so far in Marineford, including the more expensive drinks.
The young woman nodded before sucking in an uneven breath of air. Her lungs felt as if they had tightened. To wash down Katie's anxiety, the glass filled with the fruity alcoholic drink was placed to her lips and nursed. The warmth traveled to the pit of her stomach before spreading to the female's limbs.
"Alright. I still don't feel completely comfortable but if it'll help find that bastard…", the young female groaned slightly before rubbing the top of her own head out of slight frustration. "I guess we'll be here for a while", the brunette bemoaned before sitting up.
During Katie's explanation, Kuzan blinked. He finally remembered she had already told him all this. The man cursed himself for not really paying that much attention though he wasn't completely in the right mindset. Was the officer really ever around her? It was his turn to sigh but he kept his lips sealed. There were details the petite female omitted in her first explanation, like the disciplinary squads of kids who were pitiless under Sakai's teaching. Honestly, the curly haired admiral recognized the names and really saw they didn't accomplish much outside their program. The reasoning was clear now. What Kane taught would never be accepted in the marines as a whole.
To both officers' surprise, retired lieutenant commander had a sister and ran things in a similar fashion. Hiromi was already under investigation and Borsalino personally was leading the inquiry. The tall athletic man pondered if the woman had gotten wind of Katelyn's arrival and sought retribution. It was a strong possible lead into who might have been behind the attacks since he knew there was no way she could have done it herself. With enough pressure, the woman might start singing.
Just as the older admiral was about to get up and leave, the noise of Aokiji's door filled the brief pause in the room. Borsalino needed a stiffer drink then what Katie had offered. The bile in his throat needed to be washed down as the disgusted feeling in his stomach grew. In that particular moment, all the marine could think about was killing Kane for harming Angela's daughter, Katelyn. A young woman who carried the name he wanted to give his first child. In his vision, Kizaru failed her mother once, he won't do it again.
Midnight orbs and copper visions glanced upward to see Sakazuki making his way in. He always thought it odd that Borsalino would knock but that fool would think the world is his and go anywhere he wished. Some days it didn't pay to work with him. There were many things Kuzan would like to have said but kept his lips sealed since Katie would merely get in the way and he couldn't afford her getting hurt again.
The air became heavy upon the newcomer's entrance but Katelyn chuckled. It was easy for her to simply brush it off considering she knew a family feud when she saw one. Blue orbs gazed up and smiled before slipping out of her chair. The young woman proceeded to pull the wooden furniture further away from the table and left her spot to grab his glass.
The marine was silent for a bit. His own dark eyes followed the shorter female around. The situation called for her to be close but next to the home that had housed the event that nearly took her life was a bit ill thought out on Kuzan's part; the taller admiral believed before taken the seat the brunette had offered. Another moment that astonished him was the drink put down. For a man who took his career quite serious, drinking was the furthest thing from his mind; but after reading the investigative report done nine years ago, it was quite the welcoming sight. The officer wasn't too keen on fruity fluffy alcoholic beverages but it would make for a good start, Sakazuki dreadfully thought.
A defined scowling expression etched deep into the lines of the admiral in red's face. Borsalino caught on to Akainu's ill temperament right off the cuff. The older officer worried that Kuzan was going to spout his typical ramblings and the larger admiral was going to instinctively bite back. The two mixed like oil and water. A great pair in a fight but on a personal note, they truly didn't get along. It wasn't something Katelyn needed to see or possibly be put between but to his and Kuzan's relief, the brunette wished the three a good night. It was late and they seemed to have important things to discuss.