Hello! Sorry but I work for another 7 to 12 days starting tonight. That's the bad news but the good news is... you guys get to decide a few things.
Well I have come to a slight problem. If you haven't noticed this story isn't small. Its not going to end any time soon but I have points where I want to turn the story. There is also times the story feels mundane because small things happen, there is a reason for it so it's not something I can personally skim over. This makes for large sections to be read and I am also trying to juggle that. I want to keep things easy to read and follow. With this chapter it would be good to snap into another section or "season" of the story but I don't want to break it if it is unnecessary. This is where you guys come in. As my beloved audience, what are your opinions? Should I break into another section and keep it smaller as to not to intimidate newcomers OR should I leave it in one large section but keep the flow going?
Anyways... Please leave your comments or send me a PM. All up too you. I will read them through the week but won't respond to anything until I'm done with my work.
P.S. If you are wondering why I'm flipping between Vergo-san and Vergo, its because of how she views him verses him just merely in thought. I know I wrote this chapter in a bit of a hurry and not sure if it was clear or not.
Katie blinked with practically a question mark appearing over her head. She was clueless to why there was a World Government's agent standing over her and why there was one clearly upset Vergo-san. The brunette made her way to her feet as the men exchanged words before the curly haired official disappeared into the storm. The young woman whistled. "I don't know what just happened but thanks… I think…", her brows furrowed but the female gave a warm smile as the marine turned in her direction.
"He's a vile creature trying to prey on you while you had your guard down… I simply had been walking by when I saw something to investigate. No need to thank me", Vergo explained. His mask being held up as the kind gentleman that he wanted everyone to believe him to be. The marine had to admit, this part was easy. Even under his young master, the officer wouldn't allow another to violate a woman as there were even standards he held. Another reason Doffy chose him to infiltrate the marines as several members of his family would have let things play out instead of interfering.
"Are you ok", he further questioned. A gloved hand slowly reached out and gingerly patted the top of the younger woman's head. A gesture of assurance.
"I'm fine", she chuckled. "But you have a dango on your cheek. Let me get that for you", Katie offered but was simply stopped when the man touched the stuck food item and removed it himself. Embarrassed, Vergo-san cleared his throat before tossing it away.
"If you don't need anything else… I'll", the marine officer stopped his sentence as he watched Katie's expression change to something he couldn't put a finger on. The brunette's nose had wrinkled upward leaving him to question as to why. The man adjusted his dark sunglasses. "There seems to be something clearly bothering you", the raven haired vice-admiral voiced with a touch of concern lacing his words.
"Well… It's probably nothing but some self-deluded ideas but I can't clear my head. That's why I was bouncing around until it started to rain. I took refuge here. And… if you got some time and an ear I can borrow…", the brunette nervously asked. Katie had even begun to fidget with her fingers. Strumming the pads together while unable to let her blue hues gaze up into the dark glasses perched on the man's nose.
Vergo raised his hand. "It's quite alright. I wasn't looking forward being in this weather anyways. Tell me what's bothering you…"
The young woman barreled into the much taller man. Her hug would barely be felt due to the size difference but the vice-admiral responded anyways by rubbing the top of her head gingerly once more. Oddly there were quite a few similarities between her and Baby-5. Both were too trusting and easily manipulated by men like himself. This was almost too easy, the officer thought quietly.
It didn't take long for the two to sit down side by side under the broken roof which shielded them from the storm. Katie had stated her concerns to Vergo-san who listened quite intently. He discovered then that his instincts were correct. The young woman wasn't a brainless twit but just overly gullible. The officer would have to keep himself in check if he was going to stick around a little. As she had proved once more, she not only a keen sense of smell but a profound awareness of her situation. Leading him to believe the interrogation wasn't a fluke.
The officer found no fault in what Garp's granddaughter had said. He'd been around too long to know there were no such thing as a coincidence. Someone was pulling strings and he had a feeling he knew why. It was pretty obvious from his point of view. After all, the brunette was the granddaughter, officially and unofficially, of two of the most influential men in the marines.
Honestly, Vergo expected more. Though it recently came to light she even existed, there should have been a flood of people trying to capitalize on her position. Royalty would be no exception and indeed see her as a proposition. Strategically they should be trying to get a solid foot hold in the marines. This world Katie had stepped into wasn't a safe one. With her trusting nature, it was only a matter of time before she would get hurt. Effortlessly he could use it to his advantage and earn everyone's trust.
"You should be more careful. If what you say is true, the real person behind it all has yet been discovered and that leaves you out in the open." There was a brief pause as he looked down at her. If the situation between them were different, he'd see no issue getting to know her a bit better. Katie was easy on the eyes with a stellar pair of legs. Her personality didn't lack and she was smart. Unfortunately, fate was cruel; he was who he was and served Doffy diligently. It was best to keep things platonic. He'd be able to use his sister's story to get close to her and report everything back to Doflamingo without raising suspicion.
The brunette stretched. "That felt good to get everything off my mind", she added. "Your right though. I should be more careful but I don't know how and honestly, don't want too. It would mean I'd have to stop trusting people so openly and if you ask me that's what cowards do. I refuse to be like that. The bravest people I know are the most undoubting individuals. Take my grandpa Garp for example."
The marine was a little lost for words. He didn't think someone a small as she would be ok with being a target as long as they didn't have to compromise their virtues. A trait that would have some value in this world. She really wasn't like the many women that inhabited Marineford. It was refreshing to see.
The vice-admiral relaxed against the wall a bit more. Katie had grown quiet and with the pour down, it was easier to simply take things one thing at a time. Hunting and catching Kane would grant him massive points with his superiors but watching over Sengoku's adopted granddaughter would land him where he wanted to be. Vergo was also a man who enjoyed his peace and quiet. It was rarely afforded when he was on duty. To add to his relief, she didn't appear to be too chatty instead her eyes were staring blankly at the roof.
"What are you thinking about", his gentle tone inquired. Dark sunglasses were adjusted before he gazed ahead. The missing walls and roof on the other side of the building revealed an amazing view of the bay in the distance.
"My brothers at home… I have a pretty big family and there isn't enough time in the day to tell you about each and every one of them. It seems I'm really starting to miss everyone with everything going on", Katie admitted.
"I can relate. I have a sick sister I see whenever I get the chance", the vice-admiral admitted with a comforting expression. "In fact, you sort of remind me of her. You're bold, honest, and too credulous", he added with a gentle hand reaching and rubbing the top of the brunette's head. "Your size is also in comparison", the man jested.
"Well I'm sorry to hear about your sister and hope she gets better… Next time tell me when you're going to visit her and I'll make something for you to take to her." The female smiled while enjoying the warm touches from the officer. Just as Vergo suspected, Katie didn't hesitate to offer a welcomed hand.
"Sure thing… but I have to warn you, I don't live near Marineford. I'm only here to report what goes on back at my unit in the New World", the man added to see where she would go.
"That's fine. I'll just mail some cookies or something to you", she responded while he nodded in agreement.
The two fell into silence once more. Vergo felt himself slip into a sort of limbo. Not sure if he should stay or take his leave. A part of him didn't want to go. Despite his ulterior motives, this was a rare opportunity to enjoy his time with someone who wasn't a marine. The vice-admiral didn't want to admit it but he started to relax. A brief moment away from his duties felt nice.
Out of the blue, Katelyn leaned back in frustration. "Oh I just realized… Kuzan is going to kill me", she bemoaned before letting a whimper break through her lips.
"Oh… Why", the vice-admiral curiously asked.
"I didn't lock the door", the athletic brunette answered as she plopped her head on Vergo-san's upper arm.
The officer chuckled. "I can't help you there", he confessed.
"Are you two living together", the man continued curiously. He was fishing for information, something that hadn't crossed Katie's mind.
"Yeah… I didn't have a place to really stay other the building we're in. Though it wouldn't have bothered me. Kuzan didn't think it was appropriate for someone to sleep under a leaky roof so he helped me get into the complex next to his. Then everything went down and he ended up making me his roommate." Her answer hinted that there was more and Vergo wanted to know it all.
"Both your grandfathers are ok with this", the vice-admiral questioned with a slight surprise. It was an act to lure her further into the conversation. On a side note, the man felt at odds with himself. There was a guilty pleasure in manipulating the woman into being his friend; especially with someone who was as gentle nature as Katie seemed to be.
"Why wouldn't they", she asked innocently. Her tone had caught Vergo off guard. The man was forced to turn his head. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. The vice-admiral began to rub the startled response away. That particular wide eyed expression the brunette threw in his direction should have been illegal. With a heavy swallow, the marine shook his head to clear the prickling sensations of avidity.
"Oye", a deep voice barked from the shadows of the decaying building. Soon the boards began to scream from the heavy weight as the tall figure made his way across the distance. Katie's eyes snapped to see Kuzan emerge from the darkened structures. A wide grin touched her lips as blue hues lit up.
The admiral was taken back a moment. The irritation he felt when he realized she had left was quickly washed away. Not only was Katie ok, but his little brunette was happy to see him despite knowing her mistake. He was going to have to punish her, Aokiji thought.
"Don't give her any strange ideas", the commanding officer half growled. He didn't want Katelyn to get the idea that it was wrong to be in his home. The curly haired marine knew she'd move back into the other complex or worse, the building they were standing in or what was left of it anyways.
Vergo very quickly stood to his feet. He gathered the jest of it or at least he hoped so. It seemed his commander was quite possessive of the little woman but who could blame him? Behind dark sunglasses, sharp eyes watched Katie bound towards Kuzan who gave her a hard thump on the top of the head with little effort; dropping the female onto the wooden planks below. Although the marine scolded her for not locking his door while she flailed about, it was painfully clear the admiral gave the tiny female favoritism.
Men like himself and his superior were seen as monsters, the vice-admiral thought quietly. Though their ranks had an alluring ring to it, people with common sense stayed away. To have a friend was rare and could make a man see things that weren't there. It was such a dangerous situation and led to an endless list of reasons why not to have such a distraction.
Quickly the vice-admiral took his leave. His thoughts twisted a bit. Vergo pondered just how close he could get to Katie and how would Aokiji react? How would the fleet-admiral's granddaughter respond to himself if he began to show signs of interest? How could the undercover pirate play this into his favor? There were so many questions and he didn't have all the answers. However this decided to play out, the man couldn't shake that wide eyed expression of hers. He had a feeling it was more trouble than it was worth but now that he had seen Kuzan's change of attitude towards the little woman, the officer simply couldn't let that man have what he wanted.