Hello everyone, here in another one shot. This is a missing scene
This is how Ace and San met
This was a request from PirateDragons121
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Ace walked out into the training area at Amegakure, Daisuke having told him Azuruko wanted to see him. The fourteen year old wondered why Azuruko wanted to see him outside. If the man wanted to speak to him, this was done inside in the meeting room mostly, maybe in one of their rooms, but that was rare. The only reason he could think Azuruko wanted to see him outside, was either to train, which he found unlikely as they had some hours ago, or because he had something to show him, which was more plausible. Especially since the man had been gone for a few hours to help Trevor with something.
When he got outside, Ace saw Azuruko speaking to Trevor. Ace walked up to them and and looked at Azuruko when the two halted in their conversation. ¨Daisuke said you wanted to speak to me?¨Azuruko gave a nod, ¨I did. We could be in use of your powers to help someone get home.¨ Ace blinked as he tilted his head a small bit, ¨Help who?¨ It was rare for them to help people home, they were usually left to get themselves home. Azuruko gave a nod, turning and motioning to his left. ¨We need to help this little guy home.¨
Ace looked to where he was motioning and blinked when he saw a dog, a big white dog.
Ace gave a small frown as he looked at it more, before he looked at Azuruko. ¨What is that? It looks like a wardog, but not quite.¨ The man gave a smile, ¨You got a good eye. It's not a wardog, but a wolf. He was kidnapped from his home, Trevor got him and we're taking him back. But we can't get to his island fast on our own. With your and Dust's help, it will be much easier.¨ Ace gave a slow nod. He wasn't the best as using Dust to travel with others with him, but he was getting better at it. ¨I can try. But Dust is busy right now, he's delivering information.¨ Azuruko gave a nod, ¨That's fine. We can do it later today, hopefully before dark.¨ Ace nodded. It was still early and Dust would be away for some hours.
As Azuruko went back to speaking to Trevor, Ace walked up to the wolf, wanting to look at it closer as it was a real pretty wolf. It looked young and was still big, around Ace's size. Ace wondered how big the wolf would get. The wolf was lying down, head between his legs, looking at him as he approached. When Ace was close, he crouched down a bit, the wolf really was beautiful. He noticed the wolf's ear going back on his head, continuing to look at him. Ace slowly moved his hand to pet it, wanting to see how the fur felt. He heard a small growl, the lip moving and showing off some teeth. ¨Bunny!¨
Aa he heard Trevor small yelling and turned to look at him, the wolf let out a loud growl as it latched onto his hand, biting down hard and not letting go.
Ace gave a small sound and flinch, not expecting to be bitten. He looked back at the wolf, seeing it glaring at him and still snarling and growling at him, not letting go of his bleeding hand. Ace heard Azuruko give a sigh behind him, ¨I forgot to tell he wasn't fond of people.¨ Ace gave a nod, he got that much, and he should have realised the wolf wasn't friendly from the way he had his ears back and given a small growl. He heard some movement behind him from Azuruko and Trevor walking up to him.
As they walked closer, the wolf bit more down, growling louder.
The two behind him stopped, seeing the wolf biting more and growling, looking at them. Ace tilted his head. The wolf wasn't unfriendly, well it was, but not only that, the wolf was scared.
Ace did his best to give a smile, even though his hand hurt, and looked at the wolf calmly. ¨Hey, think you could let go of my hand? It kind of hurts a bit. And then we can try again?¨ The wolf let out a growl at him speaking, biting even more down. Ace kept the smile and calm demeanor. Ace slowly moved his other hand to the wolf's head. ¨Oi, Bunny! I don't thi-.¨ Trevor was cut off by Azuruko shushing him. Trevor speaking made the wolf growl, but looked back at him when his other hand slowly came closer to him, growling and biting more. ¨Hey now, it's okay. It's okay to be scared.¨ He said in a calm voice as his other hand moved to the wolf's head and petting it carefully.
The wolf growled for a second more, biting down. Ace kept calm and had a smile as he continued to pet the wolf, moving to carefully pet his ears. The wolf slowly stopped growling, looking at him. It didn't open his mouth though, keeping his jaw tight on his hand. ¨It's fine, but you don't need to be scared here.¨ Ace continued to carefully pet the wolf, trying to not think of the pain in his hand.
It took some minutes, but the wolf carefully opened his mouth and let go of his hand.
Ace gave a smile and carefully took his hand away, the other still petting the wolf. ¨Thank you.¨ Ace noticed he had a slight tremor in his hand as blood dripped down from it. Ace looked behind him and saw Azuruko looking proud at him, Trevor looking more shocked. Ace held his sort of trembling and bleeding hand towards Azuruko, the man carefully crouching down and cleaning it and binding it.
As Azuruko did that, Ace looked back at the wolf, still petting it. ¨You have strong teeth, like claws. I'm going to call you Tsume.¨ Ace gave a smile, ¨Hi Tsume, I'm Ace.¨ Tsume only looked at him, giving a sound. Not a growl, but a sound. Ace took it as a sign he didn't mind the name. Tsume laid his head back down, not minding Ace petting him, Tsume even lifting up his ears, making so Ace could pet behind them. ¨He's cute. I like him.¨ He heard Azuruko give a chuckle. ¨He seems to be okay with you. You really do have a gift with animals.¨ Ace gave a smile. He liked animals. He heard Trevor give a snort. ¨He got that gift from you, Azu. You are just as gifted.¨ Azuruko gave a chuckle. ¨Maybe.¨ Azuruko gave a clap to his hand. ¨There.¨ Ace gave a smile to the man, taking his hand back. ¨Thank you.¨ Azuruko gave a smile back, sitting down and looking at the wolf.
Ace gave a small hum and looked back at the wolf. ¨Can we keep him? He's cute and could be a good partner.¨ Azuruko gave a chuckle. ¨I don't think so, Ace. San will be mad if we do.¨ Ace turned to look at the man. ¨San?¨ Azuruko nodded. ¨San. She is the guardian of the island to the wolves. He, or Tsume, is hers.¨ Ace gave a nod, he understood that. He looked back at Tsume. ¨Then we need to get you home at least. We just need to wait for Dust, my raven.¨ Tsume looked at him, tilting his head a small bit.
Ace gave a smile, petting his head and ears. He liked the wolf, Tsume.
When Dust got back a few hours later, Tsume was even more friendly with Ace. He still sometimes growled and had bitten Ace one time when Ace tried petting his neck, but it was fine. When Dust tried to land on his shoulder, Tsume growled at him, making Dust fly to Azuruko instead, giving a caw at the wolf, ruffling his feathers Ace gave a chuckle. ¨That's Dust. he's going to help get you home, so don't bite him.¨ Tsume just looked at him, before giving a breath as he laid down again. Tsume hadn't moved, still lying in the same spot as before, too afraid to move, but didn't mind him or Azuruko close.
As Ace sat and fed the wolf some meat carefully, Azuruko explained to Dust where he needed to go. It was a long way, an island in the east of the New World, mostly hidden and unknown. Dust gave a caw before he disappeared, going to find the island and help them there. It would take around a couple of hours.
Ace gave a smile as he gave another piece of meat to the wolf. He put the meat on the ground or half tossed it, not wanting to have the wolf eat out of his hand, knowing that could end up in him getting bitten, again. From what Azuruko had said, Tsume was around 6 months old, still a pup. From what Azuruko had said, the wolves from the island had been kidnapped and taken away 7 months ago, meaning Tsume was born away from his island. Ace was glad to know he could bring the wolf back to his family.
After an hour and half, he felt Dust saying he was at the island.
Ace looked at Azuruko. ¨Dust is at the island.¨ Azuruko gave a nod. ¨Let's give Tsume a piece of meat for the travel, so he have something in his mouth as we go.¨ Ace nodded, that sounded like a good idea. He looked at the meat he had and saw they had a half-big rabbit, and gave that to Tsume. Tsume took the rabbit and started working on it. It would take some time, Ace only hoped he managed to keep the rabbit with them as he traveled to the island. Ace carefully moved his hand to Tsume's back, knowing to be careful when animals ate. Especially wolves. Tsume let out a small growl, but stopped when he noticed Ace didn't do anything.
Ace made sure he had a small hold, to be sure he had enough to be able to travel with him, before he look at Azuruko, holding a hand out to him. Azuruko gave a smile as he took it. ¨Take a calm breath and concentrate, concentrate on the two of us.¨ Ace nodded and took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He tried to concentrate on both Azuruko and Tsume, also keeping the rabbit in mind.
After a few seconds, they disappeared.
When they hit solid ground again, Tsume gave a growl, but went back to his rabbit. Ace looked around, seeing they were at a pretty island. There was a lot of forest and even small mountain. The beach they were on was big too. A second later, Tsume lifted his head and moved his ears to the forest, as if listening or hearing something. As Ace looked to the forest, he heard Azuruko give a whistle, whistling the familiar tune he always did. Ace gave him a curious look, which Azuruko only lifted an eyebrow too. A second later, he looked at Tsume when he gave a sound, ears now back at his head, but not looking hostile, looking at the forest.
Ace gave a frown as he looked at the forest, blinking when he saw a large wolf there. This one way larger than he had imagined the wolf would be as a grown up. He noticed another wolf behind it, this one smaller, but still big. Ace gave a look to Azuruko, not sure if they should be here or not. Azuruko just shook his head, having a clam look, making him feel calm. If Azuruko said it was okay, it was okay.
When the big wolf came closer, it moved to its side, and Ace was shocked to see a person on the wolf's back.
It was a woman, not seeming to old, maybe around 20 or so. She had short dark brown hair, markings on her face, a fur cape on her back with a red mask on it, having a tooth necklace and dagger at her waist. She looked like a fighter. Maybe this was San.
The woman frowned at them as she looked at the wolf, before looking at Azuruko. ¨Explain.¨ Ace looked at Azuruko, who still seemed as calm as always. ¨One of my acquaintances found him in a marine base far west yesterday. He thought him to be a special animal and asked me to check. I recognized him as one of your wolves and we came to return him.¨ The woman gave a nod. Ace was sure this was San. The woman, San, jumped down from her wolf, her and her big wolf heading closer to them. Ace noticed Tsume's ears going further down on his head. Ace, still having his hand on Tsume's back, gave a small pet, before moving his hand off him. Tsume slowly stood up and slowly headed closer to the big wolf.
The woman looked at him, having a frown. ¨Who is that?¨ Azuruko gave a nod, moving a hand to his shoulder. ¨This is Ace. He's my charge.¨ Ace gave a nod to the woman. She gave a frown to him, before looking at the two wolves, the big one sniffing at Tsume and looking at him, before looking at San. San looked at him, ¨What made you call him Tsume?¨
Ace blinked, looking at Azuruko. How did she know? Azuruko gave a smile. ¨San can speak to Moro, the big wolf.¨ Ace gave a nod, looking back at San, who was still looking at him. ¨I called him Tsume since he bit me and had sharp teeth, like claws, and I thought Tsume fit. I didn't mean to name him if he has one already.¨ San shook her head lightly. ¨It is fine. I only wondered why that name, it's a good name.¨ Ace gave a nod, glad she liked it.
Ace looked at Tsume, knowing he would stay here while they left. Tsume would be happy here, he would be with his kin. He would miss Tsume. He looked at San when she spoke. ¨Would you liked to stay and meet the others? Tsume likes you.¨ Ace blinked and looked at Azuruko. The man gave a nod, and Ace looked at San, giving a nod. He would like that.
San gave a nod and turned to the woods, giving a sound, sounding to be a half howl of sorts. Not long after, more wolves came from the woods.
Ace couldn't help a smile, seeing so many, around 10 coming from the woods. He was sure Tsume would really like it here. There were even some who were Tsume's size. The wolves went over to Moro and Tsume, looking at Tsume. Tsume did look unsure at times, tail between his legs and ears back, but he soon got friendly with them as they smelled each other. He noticed none of them were close to Moro's size. ¨Why is Moro so much bigger than the others?¨ Ace saw San give him a look, before looking at Azuruko. He noticed Azuruko giving a nod in his peripheral vision.
San gave a nod, looking at him. ¨She's a mythical wolf, a guardian of this island.¨ Ace blinked Mythical wolf? He had heard from Azuruko there lived mythical beings around, Ace having met, or seen, another earlier, the guardian of the sea. Ace looked at Moro. ¨She's beautiful. Is that how you can speak to her?¨ San looked at him for a second, before nodding. ¨I was raised here, being a helper and guardian with Moro, chosen for that.¨ Ace gave a nod. That was why she looked like a fighter, she was a guardian and warrior.
They stayed at the island for some time, Ace enjoying to be around the wolves and San. It was a good little break. Azuruko told some on how he and San knew each other, them having met one day Azuruko was checking the area out and went on the island. There had been a fight at first, before San realized he weren't there to injure or take her wolves, making them calm down and speak. This was not long after the attack the first time, which was around 5 years ago, were no wolves were taken, San and Moro defending the island. Azuruko had said San could call him any time if she needed it and he would help, and Ace made the same promise now. He would want to help if he could. San had given a nod and a small thank you and said she would if it was needed, and that he was welcome if he wanted to be on the island, but only him. He was to bring no one without a reason. Ace agreed on that. Understanding she was doing it to protect her wolves.
Azuruko also said that the humming he often did with him at night when he relaxed, or around animals, was something he had learned from San, saying it calmed most animals, made to calm mythicals. Ace had never thought much of the humming, it apparently being a song San sung to calm a mythical beast here, which she was a guardian off with Moro. It was amazing to see how San was respected by the wolves and could speak to Moro. It was an amazing thing to do. San had said she was a bit shocked at seeing how good and calm he was with animals at his young age, how they liked him back. She had given a mention it was the same as Azuruko, who could befriend most animals, being calm and collected.
Ace had given a nod and said it was Azuruko who had thought him, but he still messed a few thing up, like before when Tsume had bitten him since he didn't realize he was scared at first. Ace was still learning, Azuruko trying his best to teach him how to interact with animals, often visiting different islands, mostly visiting Mara where they had a couple of horses they had freed a couple of years ago. Ace really liked horses, having the most experience with them. San told a bit how to interact with wolves and other animals that could be hostile, as well as mentioning bucks and other not-as-hostile ones, but to always be wary. Ace really appreciated it and listened close, wanting to learn. San was a kind person, she only protected her wolves and acted on that.
Ace had been really glad when Azuruko taught him how to howl with the wolves, feeling amazed when they howled with him.
When they needed to leave, having been here for hours, San gave a nod to them. ¨Thank you for bringing Tsume here.¨ They gave a nod, ¨It was nothing.¨ Answered Azuruko. San sent a look at him, before looking at Azuruko. ¨He's a good kid, Azuruko.¨ Azuruko gave a nod, giving a smile as he placed a hand on Ace's shoulder. ¨He is.¨ Ace gave a smile to Azuruko at that. He gave a small chuckle as he looked at San, giving a small bow. ¨Goodbye, San.¨ San gave a goodbye and bow back, Ace also doing it. Ace took that as cue to leave when they had said goodbye and the hand on his shoulder was enough so he could travel with Azuruko. He gave a last look and nod to San, before they disappeared, reappearing on Amegakure.
Later that night, when Ace and Azuruko was relaxing in Azuruko's room, Ace looked at the man. ¨Could you teach me the humming you said San thought you?¨
Azuruko gave a chuckle as he nodded, starting slowly and explaining. Ace carefully tried it out, but couldn't do it as good or right. Azuruko said it would take time.
Ace would make sure to learn it, knowing it calmed animals. He was glad to have met San, she was a good person. He also liked Moro, finding mythicals interesting. Not the devil fruit, but the few who were around. Ace had now met two. Well, not met. He had only seen the water guardian, but it counted in his opinion. It seemed friendly to him, and it looked amazing.
Ace hoped he could meet more mythical animals, they were extraordinary.
And That's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
I know this was late, and I've been a bit preoccupied and rather focused on the main story
As I've said before, San and Moro is from the movie Mononoke, which i recommend seeing. I got Tsume from the anime Wolf's rain, were a wolf is called Tsume, also something i recommend watching
If you have any request for a one shot, don't be afraid to tell. I do need some more request as I have very few to go on now. Either leave it as a review or send a Pm
And if you have the time, I greatly appreciate feedback
If you like these one shots and AoS, please go check out my other fics, which is mostly mental health fics