Chapter 10 – The Suna Suna Clan Reunites
The caravan slowed when dawn broke, making frequent stops as the heat grew more oppressive. Other travelers took advantage of the breaks to sleep, but Vivi, Kohza, and Eric couldn't. They were too busy wondering what news was awaiting them in Nanohana.
Because of the delays, they reached the city in the late afternoon. Vivi was amazed. Nanohana had gone from almost total ruin to booming prosperity in a span of months. The markets were filled with traders from the Grandline and from Ermalu, the city across the river that was slowly returning to its former green self. Eric was from Ermalu and was happy to answer any of Vivi's questions about its recovery.
They finally came to a tavern called Coral Ruddy. Vivi tied Eyelash to the hitching post outside.
There was a 'closed' sign in the window. "Are we early?" she asked.
"No. Someone will be here." Kohza exchanged a look with Eric. "Someone like Okame's dad."
"He doesn't like us." Eric grinned ruefully. "He thinks we're a bad influence on his daughter."
"Him and every other parent in Alabasta," Kohza muttered.
"Here goes nothing." Eric straightened his hat and rapped loudly.
"Can't you read? It says we're closed!" A young woman threw the door open and glared at them. Recognition dawned and she grinned. "Leader? Eric too! You're early!" She gave them both big hugs. "Come in. Take advantage of the finest lodgings in the area."
Eric and Kohza hung back in the doorway. Okame blew a raspberry at them for their reluctance, then took them both by the hand and pulled them into the cool interior of the tavern. "Scaredy-cats. The parents are visiting relatives; I'm in charge. But you haven't introduced me to your friend yet."
"You've met before," Eric said with a smile.
"You cheered her on a few times. Against me, I might add," Kohza said.
Vivi pulled back the hood of her robe. Okame's mouth open and shut like a fish out of water. "Vivi! What are you – why are – how did – " She laughed out loud, then embraced her childhood friend tightly. "It's so good to see you again, Vivi!"
Okame stuck out her tongue at Kohza. "And of course I cheered Vivi on – us women have to stick together. The boys would screw everything up if we weren't around. Now shake the sand out of your shoes and take a seat. I'll have the copper bath full in a jiff and – "
Kohza shook his head. "This isn't a social visit. What was so urgent that I had to come to Nanohana?"
"Kebi wouldn't say until everyone was together." She shrugged, but Vivi could see that the other girl was hurt.
"Am I late?" someone called from the back. Okame's face lit up and Vivi began to understand.
"Hail, hail, the gang's all here," Kebi said as he entered the main room. Okame squealed and threw her arms around his neck. Vivi didn't need to understand anymore; it was pretty obvious.
"Not in front of everyone. Sheesh. Women," Kebi admonished, turning a mottled shade of red. Then he saw Vivi. "What in the! What are you doing here?"
There was another round of outbursts, hugs, and laughter. When everything settled Okame said, "You must be parched. What would you like?"
They went to the kitchen to talk instead of staying in the main dining room. Okame didn't want anyone to think that the tavern was open.
Once everyone had their refreshments, Kebi began. "Tahi wants to share information with us."
Eric's lip curled in distate and Okame snorted derisively. "You talked to him?" she asked.
Kohza held up his hand. "Let him finish."
"Tahi approached me," Kebi said in his defense. "You know how much love we have for each other, so that means this is important."
"Did he say what this is about?" Vivi asked.
"He said that the revolution wasn't over. When I asked for details, he clammed up and told me to get a hold of you immediately." Kebi looked at Kohza. "He made me swear I wouldn't contact you directly. That's why I went through Eric and that's why I had you come the long way. Whatever this is about, it's got Tahi rattled."
"Nothing rattles Tahi," Kohza reflected blackly. He had hoped to have this cleared up by now, but he was still as much in the dark as he'd been when he'd left Yuba. "When do we meet him?"
"I said we could meet with him tomorrow – at three at the Scorpion."
"That better not have been your suggestion." Okame glowered at Kebi.
"What's wrong with the Scorpion?" Vivi asked immediately. She was just barely keeping up with the conversation. She hadn't had to think on her feet like this since the pirates had left.
"It's a harem," Kebi explained.
"A most conducive spot for rebellious business," Eric said earnestly, without a trace of a grin. "A brilliant idea on Leader's part."
Vivi looked at Kohza quizzically. He really wished that they weren't having this conversation. He clarified. "It's a place that rents rooms out by the hour and doesn't ask questions."
"But a harem?" Vivi was incredulous. "It doesn't seem like the Clan at all."
"Exactly!" Kebi said proudly. "No one was going to look for us there!"
Vivi decided that it made sense. In a really strange way.
"I'm going to have to dress like a dancing girl again, aren't I?" Okame grumbled.
"It's the only way they'll let you in," Kebi countered. He turned to Vivi. "The place isn't that wild. I checked."
"Yes, thank you for that information," Eric said shortly.
"Look, Okame asked me to check – "
"Don't blame it on me!" the accused retorted.
Kohza changed the subject quickly. "We're free until tomorrow."
"That means the little lady gets to cook us dinner," Kebi declared – and promptly got punched in the arm. Vivi couldn't help herself and laughed.
Kebi rubbed his bicep and glared at Vivi. "Is beating up guys your hobby too?"
"Not 'too'. You mean 'still,'" Eric teased. "She's got years of experience. Right, Vivi?"
The bantering continued while Okame fixed dinner. Kebi helped her and Eric brought their bags in. Vivi set the table. Kohza grumpily did as he was told - which was absolutely nothing.
"Our fearless leader has to look fearless tomorrow and not like something the cat dragged in," Okame scolded.
When dinner was prepared, they took their places and started eating. They all complimented Okame on her cooking. Then the girl turned to Vivi.
"I've been dying to ask you a question." Okame said. "Where were you?"
Vivi froze.
"We were worried," Kebi added. "No one would tell us anything."
"Yeah, what were you up to? What was your 'big adventure'?" Eric wondered.
Kohza put his silverware down and waited for her answer.
They looked at her expectantly and Vivi felt her cheeks flush. She hadn't been put on the spot like this at all. At the palace everyone kept a proper distance, but here she wasn't a princess, she was Vivi, just Vivi again. And she liked that very much.
But Igaram had made it very clear what could happen to her friends – to her even – if she told anyone where she had been, who she'd been with, and what she had done. She had to be discreet. Careless words to the wrong person could set the Marines after her friends again or cast the reputation of kingdom into disarray. A princess collaborating with pirates; a king harboring them in his palace? The world government would come down on them very hard for that if they ever found out.
But more importantly, what would the Clan think of her if they knew she'd been working for Crocodile? His words to her still echoed in her head.
[What do you think about that, Miss Wednesday? The plan you helped set up is now in motion…]
The silence grew more awkward.
"I…I was…" Her voice caught in her throat and she felt the tears coming. She wanted to tell them everything. She really did.
Okame stood up quickly. "I think we all have some catching up to do. Kebi, why don't you fill everyone in on what we've been up to? I'll grab a bottle of wine. Compliments of my father."
Kebi snorted and muttered, "That's a first. Your dad's such a skin-flint - "
"What was that about my dad?" Okame asked sweetly.
"Nothing, darling," Kebi said quickly. "Yeah. So about Nanohana…"
Vivi hastily wiped her eyes, grateful that they were giving her a way out. But Kohza's gaze was still on her, asking questions she couldn't answer. She wondered how much he only suspected and if he could ever look at her the same way if he knew the whole truth.
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A/N: Okame and Kebi are drawn directly from One Piece: Blue. Kebi was the one wearing the kerchief/goggle combo, and Okame is in the front of the crowd when Kohza orders everyone to attack Alubana.
There's no mention in Blue that Kebi and Okame are a couple; that's my fiction.