The Marine's Roger

by Sully7072

All Ann knew was to survive that was his final order, an order she would follow to her grave to survive in this new world of piracy that her father left behind even if it meant working for the enemy...

20. The World's Continuation

Quietly, both brother and sister sit side to side simply staring at who knows what, words not needed between both brother and sister simply silently enjoying one another's company until…

"You know I didn't like him at first if that's any consolation." Casually, Ann throws in taking Ace aback.

"…Eh?" Ace perks up at her words which makes her smirks slightly.

"You think I'd run into the arms of a man that abandoned our mother for the sea?" Smirking, Ann asks amused at Ace, his hues widening when hearing her words while she thinks back to that murky memory…

I recall that day we played together by the sea

Just you and me

Still that scent of ocean seems to fade each passing day

It slips away

So I sing an old familiar song, I hope you know the one

I will sing to call you back to me

Quietly, the young girl opens the door to her home, her brow furrowing from her mother's voice, singing softly looking out at the window while her hues narrow noting the open letter by her side scowling at it she turns her back to her happy mother, shaking her head at her fool of a mother, waiting on hand and foot for some stranger to supposedly grace them with his presence, please as if the young Ann needed someone that shallow in her life…

I need you to hear it, need you to believe in

Something out there beyond the open sea, out in the starlight

I need you to hear it, need you to believe it

There's a wind stirring my wings that is always beckoning

Calling me above into the open sky

"…Again…? So annoying…" Ann mutters brow furrowed perched upon the bark of the tree, the wind bristling brushing through her short pink pigtails as she has one hand splayed upon the bark of the tree while peering through the bush of green glaring at the pirate flag of a smiling skull with a blonde moustache. Honestly why had he have to come here? He always was such a headache…the young girl could already feel one surface as her grip tightens around her book, ignoring the layers of plentiful plasters coiled around her fingertips, one even over her nose. Still if she kept her head low, she could avoid him, he wouldn't be here long he never was…

Quietly, the young girl sits perched upon the bark legs over the bark swinging them back and forth as she quietly reads to herself, turning the page in a world of her own, the bush of the tree branches being a cover for her hiding her away from the outside world…or so she thought. Hissing, she grimaces from the familiar sharp sting of a jagged rock thrown her way watching sadistically, scarlet stained rock come crashing down to the grass ground below.

"I found it! I found the monster!" Merrily, a child calls out as her hues of ice-cold brown narrow at the group of children below smirking up at the girl, grip tightening around her book.

"Don't cause trouble today…" Her mother's words ring in her head eyeing the clothing below, expensive from what she gathered as she brushes the crimson current come gushing out of the side of her tense temple trying to not stain said clothes.

"Not today guys…" Tiredly, the young girl tries to tell them jumping down trying to reason with the kids playing their game but she soon gasps from the sudden snatch of her hair tugging at her hair horrifying her making her hiss harshly.

"I've got the monster! I've got the monster!" Merrily, one of the children cheer tugging at her hair hissing harshly from it, the tears threatening to fall from said sting.

"O-Oi let go!" The cross child that was Ann angrily yells as her head is forced to the side scowling.

"Monster!" Another voice hollers as a tomato is thrown her way making the girl gasp as to the children's shock she cranes her head avoiding said throw from staining said clothes.

"Let go!" She scowls trying to escape ignoring the hands tugging at her hair trying to blink back the tears trying to escape.

"What's with your hair it's so unnatural!" A girl giggles tugging at her hair.

"Those freckles are weird to you look like you have a disease!" Another voice throws in laughing at her.

"No wonder your dad left you and mother! Freaks!" Cackling one of the kids push the young girl to the ground as said girl growls glaring down at the grass ground below before shakily standing from her head being thrown into the ground below, ignoring the crimson currents gushing down of her stained hair and tense temple, tense, gritting grinding her teeth tense as before the kids knew it…

"Argh! The monster attacked us!" Wailing, the children cry as the smiling girl watches them run off battered beaten, limply fleeing frightened from the smiling young Ann.

"That's right! I'm the monster now get outta here!" The young girl forces a smile screaming at the terrified children.

"She's so creepy!" Crying, another child cries.

"That's right that's what I am. I'm creepy super creepy!" Cross, the girl glares yelling at the terrified children watching them run off and as soon as they are out of sight does she sigh, her harsh yelling making her grimace, holding her throat tense, attentively even feeling her fingertips fidget around her hoarse throat feeling the sharp sting from it all as she couldn't help but falter once alone. Ann's fingertips fleetingly touch her cheeks brow furrowing from the freckled comment…

"…We're not sick." Softly, she whispers weakly while poking said freckles furrowing her brow by the comment ignoring the sharp sting to her chest as she sighs picking up her book, dusting it off. She the turns to look down at her attire, she seemed fine, there didn't seen any torn threads thank goodness for that she sighed, she knew her mother had worked hard on making these clothes from fabrics expensive from what she assumed at how long she spent on said clothes…

Quietly, the long-haired woman tends to the patchwork in her lap, carefully threading fine fabrics together while rocking the chair back and forth in a calm momentum of her own however her normal peaceful time is interrupted by the impatient tapping of a heel. Her hues look up from her work towards the man on the other side of the table acting almost like a schoolgirl or a boy before Christmas tapping his leg up and down anxiously as well as tapping the top of the table with his forefinger, sneaking glances towards the window waiting

"…She'll be here." Amused, Rouge smiles softly serenely at the captain's impatience sensing his anxiety at the thought of seeing his little one.

"She's taking her time." Tense, Roger worriedly whispers watching out from the window noting the setting sun.

"She likes to wander off sometimes." Smiling, Rouge returns to her work while trying to assure her husband of sorts, she knew how her daughter was, she was her father's daughter after all, a child of a pirate could only stay on a island for so long…

"Hmm…maybe I should go look for her." Roger arises from his seat suddenly stopping himself from the rough cough coming out of him worrying Rouge.

"Just be patient." Pained, Rouge stands from her seat sauntering over to her husband's side softly setting him down, shyly wiping the crimson currents coming out of his mouth swiftly staining his palm after trying to cover it as just then…

"Captain!" Shanks suddenly rushes into the room, Buggy by his side.

"Hm?" Humming, he turns towards the two before jolting jumping out of his seat smiling when seeing the stone faced pink haired girl slowly but surely make her way back to the house, her hues narrowing at the group loitering around…

"Ann! Look at how much you've grown don't you look lovely!" Merrily, Roger warmly welcomes her home, happily stretching his arms out to her, crouching down to happily hug his little girl but…

"…" Said girl doesn't even bat an eye to him simply brushing past him, simply stoically staring ahead, book under her arm as she blanks the future king of pirates out.

"What happened to you?" Rouge furrows her brow concern clear in her tentative tone towards her child noting the bruises and scarlet stains swiftly brushing them aside as she crouches down to try to tend to her child however said child has different ideas.

"Nothing." Aloofly, Ann brushes the woman off brushing past her heading inside.

"Ann…" Rouge furrows her brow at her little child not batting an eye to the baffled crew gawking gaping at the frigid frozen form of their captain clearly dejected, rejected by his own child, a bush of shrubbery blowing past the frozen stone statue of Roger smiling, still stone crouched down having expected her to leap into his arms but…

"Hey where are you going?" Roger swiftly snaps out of his thoughts from Rouge's words when watching his child walk past him again, not even batting an eye as she hoists the bag over her shoulder simply stoically staring ahead.

"Ann answers your mother!" Roger calls out as said girl stops in her tracks taking the captain aback almost hopeful he was about to receive some singe of a respect with an answer however…

"…What's it to do with you?" Icily, the pink haired girl glares glowers at her father frowning as Roger could feel the imaginary arrow impaled into his side from his little girl's cold curt words.

"H-Huh?!" He blurts out holding his chest where the imaginary arrow had hit.

"Stingy old man…" Muttering, the girl glares glowers at him.

"P-Princess…!" Pained, Roger tries to reach out to her however…

"I ain't a princess I don't even know you!" Angry, Ann yells berates the stranger before her.

"Rouggge!" Roger bursts into tears turning to his so-called wife for comfort.

"So loud…" Tiredly, she watches on brow furrowed annoyed at the sheer sight of the man holding his wife by her waist while she pats his head, she rolls her eyes exasperated enraged at the sheer sight of the man, of the nerve of him before heading off…

Quietly, the young girl wanders through the market, watching on as people go about their day, a strange habit she had picked up on as she wandered around. Her hues stay on a trio of three a man and a wife holding the hand of two young children, a girl and boy, tourists she assumed as they act as a family should she assumed.

"What's for dinner tonight?" Eagerly, the little boy asks.

"Well what do you want?" The mother asks.

"Rice omelette!" Smiling, the boy bellows.

"Well we'll need to buy plenty of rice!" The father throws in.

"But we had that last night!" Annoyed, the girl whines.

"You can choose what we can have tomorrow." Tenderly, the father pats the little girl's head.

"Ookaay." The girl sighs waving her father's hand in hers about as Ann couldn't help but watch on…Ann couldn't help but feel the sharp sting of envy hit her when seeing the smiling children acting so happy around their father and mother, her grip tightening around the book when watching them head off on their own…

"P-Please I may not be able to pay this time but next month I can…" The young girl soon stops in her tracks turning towards the alleyway at the commotion.

"You said that last time." The brute cracks his knuckles as Ann's hues narrow at the familiar face.

"J-Just leave her alone!" Anxiously, Shanks stands before the group, blade in hand.

"O-Oi Shanks captain said not to get into trouble…!" Tense, Buggy tries to stop the shaking Shanks.

"S-Stay back!" Shanks points said blade unaware of the mildly intrigued Ann softly setting her book to the side.

"Aw is the little brat trying to act tough?" Tauntingly, the brute smirks down at the scowling Shanks.

"Please stop he's but a child!" The nurse pleads but…

"Alright then pay up!" The man suddenly snatches the woman up by her throat.

"She's pregnant!" Pained, the doctor exclaims.

"Guess she'll have to pay double next month!" Merrily, the man cackles reeling his fist back but before more could be done…

"So annoying…" The group perk up at the single sigh as next they knew…

"H-Huh? ARGH!" The sharp scream of the brute being thrown into the wall echoes as the woman is caught by the doctor, the group gawking at the battered broke beaten male becoming one with the wall while the pink haired girl simply sighs.

"T-Thank you Ann!" The doctor beams brightly at the bored blonde.

"They were being annoying that's all…" Aloofly, she reaches out to her book taking hold of it.

"A-Ann! Tch Samson will hear about this!" Tense, the man whimpers weakly.

"…I'm sure." Snippily, Ann watches the grown man flee frightened as Ann leaves the flabbergasted group to it or so she had hoped…

"Hey!" A loud voice calls out to Ann attempting to read her book while walking but…

"…" Silently, she continues on ahead unaware of a certain blonde watching on from a barstool smiling at the blushing bartender.

"Heeeey!" Smiling, Shanks waves at her however she doesn't even bat an eye to it continuing on ahead until…

"Hey you…" Her hues narrow at the voice turning toward the grown woman.

"Hm?" Humming, she turns to the woman.

"My kids told me about you, beating them up for no reason just cause you're the child of scum doesn't mean you can bully people, don't go anywhere near my kids…freak!" Furious, the woman yells at the bored blonde baffling the blue haired and redhaired boys watching on.

"…" Silently, she stares.

"Well say something!" Scowling, the woman demands from the girl simply staring up at her.

"You're boring." Bluntly, she deadpans.

"…Excuse you? Oi where are you going?" Mad, the woman yells as the girl brushes past her heading off.

"You deaf? I said you're boring me. So I'm leaving." Bluntly, the young Ann deadpans stating the fact firmly flabbergasting the older woman.

"B-Boring? You little br-huh?" Growling, the woman raises her hand to the bored blonde but before more could be done.

"I think that's enough of that." The young girl's browns widen when noting the hand swiftly stopping the woman's hand, her hues gazing up at the tall, towering blonde before her.

"H-Huh?" Both Ann and the woman turn to the voice.

"Rayleigh!" Relieved, Shanks smiles seeing said blonde.

"I said I think that's enough don't you think?" The swordsman smiles friendly at the woman while the woman gawks gapes at being caught. Ann on the other hand simply stares…

"That monster hit my kids!" Angrily, the wrathful woman points to the bored Ann glancing to the side.

"…Is this true?" Ann jolts up at the sudden spotlight on her.

"…" Silently, she stares surprised someone was even giving her the chance to speak.

"See her silence speaks volumes now don't butt into things that don't concern you!" The woman frees her grip from the man but…

"I'm afraid if it concerns my captain it concerns me." Rayleigh admits as Ann's hues narrow while both befuddled boys watch on lost by his words.

"C-Captain?" Confused, Buggy and Shanks share a look lost.

"I suggest you leave." Rayleigh advises.

"Tch just keep away from my kids you brat!" Scowling, she yells at the bored Ann before storming off.

"…" Silently, Ann stares at the fleeting figure beofre sparing a glance at the blonde by her side.

"Well that was certainly an introduction I take it you're Ann." Amused, the man smiles softly at the bored blonde.

"…What's it to you?" Annoyed, Ann blurts out, her hues narrowing.

"My, my someone ahs quite the attitude…where do you think you're going?" Rayleigh raises a brow by the girl simply turning on her heel heading off.

"None of your business." Briskly, she snaps simply staring ahead however…

"You think you can avoid your father until he leaves again?" Amused, Rayleigh chuckles making the girl stops in her steps scowling at the man.

"It's what I always do when it comes. Hasn't failed me yet." Simply, she shrugs staring the fact firmly, why get to know someone who'll just leave her again? It was pointless, stupid even to entertain some stranger…

"I'm afraid it isn't going to be as simple as that this time." Smiling, Rayleigh places his hand on her shoulder as she eyes it.

"Huh? H-Hey let me go! Let me go!" But before Ann could really stop said male, she screeches shocked by being picked up thrown over the shoulder of the smiling swordsman thrashing flailing about attempting to flee but it's a futile attempt as she is forcibly taken home, a blue haired buggy and smiling Shanks following after her…

"So Ann how have you been?" Beaming, Roger asks as Rouge sets the plates down while the grumbling girl glares at the ass on the other side of the table tense from the ropes wrapped around her holding her, keeping her at bay.

"…" Silently said tied up child simply glares glowers at the man taking her hostage.

"Ann." Rouge furrows her brow down at her daughter, a still silence of a stare down occurring between both mother and daughter until…she sighs.

"…Been better." Briskly, she sneers scowling at her loss, glaring to the side.

"Yeah heh honestly I'm so excited to get to know you!" Earnestly, Roger admits to the furrowed frown of Ann.

"You know this is technically kidnapping." Ann deadpans but…

"Nonsense I'm your father I can't kidnap my own kid." Chuckling, Roger argues as Ann's hues narrow.

"….I feel as if you can. Quite easily." Ann hints however Rouge's stern look swiftly shuts her up.

"Rouge told me bits and pieces but it feels as if I never really got to know you even with those letters you sent." Smiling, Roger continues on oblivious to the firm frown of Ann and Rouge's stern stare towards her stubborn daughter wiggling in her confines crossly glaring at the two.

"…What letters?" Astonished, Ann ponders perplexed.

"You know these letters." Smiling, Roger reveals said letters in a rather fancy box befuddling Ann to see such care towards them.

"…That's not my writing." Ann eyes the paper below brow furrowed.

"…Eh?" Lost, Roger looks up towards Rouge glancing to the side as the penny soon drops.

"I remember mom mentioning it from time to time one time she strapped me to a chair like this to do so…" Ann gestures to her current situation unaware of the mortified Roger.

"What happened then?" Roger pries shaken.

"Oh I ate the paper." Casually, Ann answers alarming him.

"…You ate the paper?!" Perturbed, he gawks at the confused Ann.

"I was getting hungry she wasn't going to give me dinner until I did the stupid thing." Tense, Ann attempts to defend herself.

"…That so…so tell me what's your favourite colour?" Pained, Roger asks anguished at the news that the letters he had received year on end were forged…

"…a question on colour is a subjective answer you're not really going to get an accurate answer from such and generalised question." Ann deadpans alarming Roger.

"…I-Is tht right? Rouge when was this kid so smart?!" Seriously, he asks her whispering it to her while she sits between both of them, calmly enjoying her dinner.

"…She likes books she was even offered a placement at another island." Rouge reveals.

"Really? What happened?" Roger queries intrigued.

"They refused to teach the child of a single mother." Deadpanned, Ann answers.

"O-Oh…um tell you what how about I tell you some tales of my adventure?" Roger offers.

"The adventure you abandoned my mother for?" Frowning, Ann asks as said captain flinches, freezes from her words while feeling the sharp sting of another imaginary arrow impale into his side.

"Ann!" Rouge furrows her brow at her daughter while her husband holds his side smiling still despite it all.

"Just saying how it is." Unapologetic, Ann looks to the side huffing.

"Uh…it's not as simple as that." Tense, Roger smiles strained attempting to explain himself however…

"Seems simple enough guy has fun planting a cabbage with a girl but doesn't realize unlike most of the seedlings this cabbage isn't going down like the rest and so leaves the cabbage with the mother." Ann curtly cuts Roger off blinking baffled by her reasoning as Rouge smiles softly at the inkling of childlike innocence, she may be smart but she was still a child after all.

"The…cabbage?" Confused, Roger looks towards Rouge for an answer only to see said woman's soft serene smile from her daughter's words.

"Please I may be a kid but I know how that works, the whole stork bird thing ain't gonna work on me they deliver the news not babies." Boastfully, Ann arrogantly exclaims, a smug smirk upon her lips acting as if she were on some sort of throne as both parents share a look, a small smirk upon both their lips at her innocence.

"Uh…right. Say Ann want to hear a joke?" Roger offers leaning forward on the table.

"…Not really." Ann swiftly shuts down but…

"Did you know, singing in the shower is fun until you get soap in your mouth. Then it's a soap opera!" Merrily, Roger reveals chuckling as Ann simply stares.

"…" Silently, she stares attempting to process said joke.

"Well?" Roger's chuckle continues as Rouge simply smiles at said joke, Ann on the other hand however…

"…Why would you put soap in your mouth? That's disgusting." Deadpanned, Ann asks lost quirking her head to the side.

"That's not I mean you get soap in your mouth it's an accident." Roger tries to explain the joke but…

"…How do you accidentally put soap in your mouth?" Mystifed, Ann furrows her brow baffled.

"Uh well…I know how about this?" Smiling, he takes out from his pocket some shining gems, glistening gleaming red rubies and all sorts of gleaming gems.

"…Am I meant to be impressed?" Ann eyes the glistening gems.

"I think girls liked jewels…" Meekly, Roger bows his head.

"Not all girls are the same and you think material worth would equate all those years of abandonment…?" Ann asks as she quirks her head to the side seeing said male squirm sweating bullets much to her silently amusement.

"W-Well…not exactly. But you can buy all sorts of clothes, in my ship there's even a tiara you could have!" Happily, he smiles.

"I don't need a taira or any of that crap…I'm fine with the clothes my mother gives me." Ann rejects brow furrowed.

"T-That so….I know what would you do if you could make the rules at home! Let me guess make ice cream something to eat everyday!" Roger swiftly changes the topic.

"…No I'd get sick of it." Ann furrows her brow at his assumption.

"O-Oh right." Roger reels back sweat sliding down his tense temple at his daughter.

"I would however make the rule of no waste of space absentee fathers who can't take responsibility for their actions are allowed in the house as a rule." Rudely, Ann offers making Roger reels back in his seat sweat sliding down even more from her words while Ann simply stares ahead unfazed and Rouge simply sighs.

"T-That so…heh you really are smart for a kid your age what sorta books do you like reading?" Roger compliments her.

"I don't know just books I guess." Aloofly, Ann shrugs.

"Just books? Oh I know Noland the liar you read that right? That's a children's book!" Roger offers only to see Ann's firm flat frown.

"You mean the book based on propaganda spread by a corrupt king…" Ann exclaims taking Roger aback once more.

"HOW THE HECK DOES THIS KID KNOW THAT!?" Tense, Roger frowns at the unfazed Rouge.

"…It's pretty obvious if you actually read it." Rouge joins in.

"That's not what I'm asking, how the heck does she know what propaganda is?" Roger furrows her brow befuddled.

"Hearing what she does about you and other pirates piqued her interest, she visits the library every day besides the doctor said she was quite the genius." Rouge shrugs stating the fact.

"Can I go now?" Ann sighs softly turning to her mother.

"W-Wait we barely even spoken." Roger argues but…

"And I've barely eaten but guess who's not complaining." Curtly, Ann shoots back gesutirng to her tied up form frowning at her meal below.

"Heh…O-Oi!" Roger calls out shocked seeing said child gnaw away at the rope with her teeth managing to free herself before downing the meal in one go.

"Thanks for the food Mom." Lazily, she waves off the woman munching on her meal.

"O-Oi! Ann!" Roger calls out shooting up from his seat but…

"Night mom" Ann hollers as Roger attempts to follow her however he is met by the swift slam of the door dejecting the rejected Roger alone pouting as Rouge begins cleaning gently patting his back, attempting to comfort him through this trial as Ann heads to bed…

"Don't let it get to you, Ann's always been like this with everyone." Rouge reassures the pouting Roger bowing his head ashamed anguished almost at the reality of the situation of his relationship with his first born, with his daughter, daughters were meant to be daddy's little girl, he had expected her to rush into his arms, her fussing over him as he would fuss over her as father and daughters would do…not this.

"I can't believe you did that with the letters." Roger whines pouting, he had kept those letters close clutched to his heart on those lonesome days that not even the liquor could help he would search through those letters, his heart aching at the thought of his little girl and Rouge, some days if the pain was too much he'd read those letters…

"You were so looking forward to those letters…" Rouge sighs softly sadly, she had tried to get Ann to write but all she would get in return would be a blank piece of paper or a piece of paper with the bright bold letter of die on it.

"…She really didn't want to write." Roger sighs sadly at the fact of the matter as much as it pained him to admit it.

"…Ann is stubborn she is her father's daughter." Rouge smiles softly at Roger placing her hand on his shoulder squeezing his shoulder trying to assure him however…

"Hmm…" Roger furrows his brow by the sad fact of the matter, if she really was as stubborn as he was…

"You have the whole day with her." Rouge saps Roger out of his thoughts turning towards the optimistic outlook.

"You're right!" Roger stands smiling at the thought he had the perfect plan, he had treasure, girls like sparkling shining gems, with that he could spend the rest of the day with her have a proper catch up! Yes it was the perfect plan!

"Where are you going?" Rouge raises a brow befuddled by Roger's joy.

"To wake her up of corset hr earlier she wakes the more time we can spend together Ann!" Animatedly, Roger rushes into her room beaming brightly at the bundle in bed, hearing the squawk of seagulls, feeling the brisk breeze of the open window while looking around the room, Roger had been in prior simply staring wanting to see the person his little bundle had become before meeting her, he eyes the bookshelf upon bookshelf of books noting a fair few on exploration, illustrations novels even far too old for someone of the predicted reading level…

"Hm?" Humming, he turns back to the desk by the bedside seeing the numerous sketches surprising him when seeing the wanted poster peering out of the cupboard, his hues softening seeing his wanted poster and attempted sketches at him…hidden away.

"Ann it's time to get up sweethea-Aargh!" Roger smiles turning to the bed but soon screams seeing instead of a baby bundle a prim plum pillow and football…

"Ann welcome back…" Bemused, the tall towering big man with green hair in dreadlocks held by a glistening gold band beams brightly at the young girl entering the shack of sorts scowling.

"Hmph." Huffing, she tosses the stack of beli onto the table.

"I see you took your cut." Chuckling, he looks over at the money many men older than her eyeing the girl taking her seat.

"I took what was mine." Simply, she states crossing her arms over her chest.

"Heh as cocky as ever. Just as you took Nelson's cut…" Cheekily, one of his men remark as she simply leans back in her seat eyeing the bloodied battered beaten body her shoes lay perched on.

"You wanted him out." Simply, she shrugs stating the fact, he had been laying low acting as if he were still a part of the gang despite the debt hanging heavily over him.

"He had been avoiding me thanks for you leading him to me." Pleased, Noland smirks smugly at her.

"I just did my job." Simply, she shrugs stating the fact firmly.

"You know I heard quite the belli bounty is on this island." Smirking, the bandit leader takes out a familiar wanted poster, her hues narrowing at it.

"Yeah this guy has quite the bounty…" Bemused, another one of his lackeys agree.

"I can lead them to you." Smirking, she offers.

"Hm?" Humming, the group of men turn to the little girl.

"I'm telling you I can lead them to you…for a price." Pointedly, she warns him.

"That so?" Smirking, he leans in the glinting gems of knock off pearls littered around his fingertips acting as rings.

"For a price." Pointedly, she snaps back leaning forward firmly glaring at the bemused bandit leader.

"Alright let's see you do this then kid." Smirking, Noland leans back eager to see what she's capable of.

Quietly, Ann turns the page of the book splayed out on the table, quietly keeping to herself, enjoying her book enjoying the quietness of the library enjoying the still silence of it all when…

"Ann! Hey Ann!" Ann furrows her brow by the loud voice turning towards the window blinking baffled by the familiar red haired boy with a familiar straw hat smiling at the baffled blonde befuddled how he was even able to reach such heights. Her curiosity gets the best of her closing the book and approaching the window while ignoring the pointed glares and sharp shushes set their way while she opens the window furrowing her brow by the struggling blue haired boy below trying desperately to handle the struggling Shanks smiling at her.

"This is a library!" Severely, she snaps harshly hissing at the pair.

"…So?" Shanks raises a brow befuddled by Ann's cold curt glare.

"So you don't talk in a library!" She leans over glaring directly at Shanks.

"Well we're not technically in one now are we?" Smirking, Shanks points out.

"…We-EEEK!?" Ann opens her mouth to correct him only to screech startled by the hands firmly grasping hold of her shoulders swiftly flipping her out of the window.

"See?" Smiling, Shanks exclaims unfazed by her sharp scream as she and the boys come crashing down, her on top of both boys with Shanks smiling up at her tipping his hat to the angry Ann and blue faced Buggy.

"I hate you both…so much." Miserably, Buggy whimpers weakly.

"You're not the only one." Annoyed, Ann grumbles glaring down at the two.

"You don't mean that!" Shanks smiles.

"What do you even want?" Baffled, Ann demands done.

"For you to apologize to captain!" Cross, Buggy points to Ann her hue twitching tense.

"What was that ball boy?" Ann's hues narrow at him.

"What did you call me?" Mad, Buggy growls glaring at Ann.

"Oh you're dumb as well as deaf then?" Ann remarks.

"You…!" Buggy snarls seething his ruby red nose burning brightly.

"Hey let's not fight we're like siblings!" Smiling, Shanks steps in intervening.

"…Excuse you?" Ann's hues narrow.

"O-Oi Shanks!" Buggy hisses harshly at Ann.

"Yeah, we're siblings, Roger raised me from a treasure chest!" Cheerily, Shanks smiles.

"…a treasure chest?" Confused, Ann's hues narrow.

"Yep!" Shanks smiles.

"I thought babies were formed from cabbages." Confused, Ann argues.

"Huh? It's obviously stalks." Buggy scoffs smirking smugly.

"Whose stupid enough to think that?" Ann scoffs.

"It's stalks!" Shouting, Buggy growls slamming his tense temple into Ann's head.

"Cabbages!" Ann slams her head back into his.

"Stalks!" Screeching, Buggy bangs his head into Ann's.

"Cabbages!" Cross, Ann barks back bashing her head into his.

"Treasure chest!" Shanks steps in between both of them.

"You clearly weren't bron from one moron!" Mad, both Buggy and Ann angrily yell at Shanks.

"It doesn't matter what matters is we should stick together!" Shanks smiles taking both of their hands.

"So…You're telling me why that old man ditched his real kid to play pirate while he was fathering two other kids that weren't even his." Annoyed, Ann scowls at the hand on hers.

"U-Uh…weelll…" Buggy begins nervously however…

"Yeah!" Shanks smiles oblivious to the tense twitching hue of Ann.

"Shanks!" Scared, Buggy hisses harshly at Shanks scared at said severity of the glare.

"…" Silently, Ann slides her hand out of Shanks.

"H-Hey where are you going?" Shanks calls out to the girl turning on her heel heading off.

"…" Silently, she continues on moving ahead.

"Ann! Hey Ann!" Smiling Shanks tries to follow after her.

"Shanks!" Scowling, Buggy calls out trying to stop Shanks tugging him back but the redhead remains resolved in following after her towards a forest of sorts…

"Let's become friends! Are you going somewhere?!" Smiling, Shanks clutches his straw hat smiling.

"…" Silently, Ann finally stops at the top of the hill bringing a bright broad beam to Shanks' face however Buggy doesn't share such a smile. He feels his heart drop, his blood turn ice cold frozen from the sheer severity of such a sharp scowl sent his way, but before Buggy could speak. She stares down at the boys below before kicking the tall, towering tree by her side, breaking it in two as it comes tumbling down towards the two of them.

"EEEEH!?" Both Buggy and Shanks screech shocked by the tall, towering tree being kicked down by the glaring glowering Ann turning her back to them as the tree tumbles down towards them.

"She's trying to bloody kill us! ARGH! I knew this was a bad idea I told you it was!" Wailing, Buggy yells, tears freely falling from his screaming state Shanks running by his side as the three comes rolling after them while a certain silent swordsman watches on watching the glaring girl watch both boys flee before returning to her walk…

"What happened to you?" Rouge raises a brow befuddled baffled even at the sheer sight of the battered beaten bruised boys before her of both boys heaving huffing limping back over to the house, bruises littered all over their fatigued forms.

"Ask your daughter!" Mad, Buggy roars raising his voice taking the woman aback at Buggy's sharp sob.

"Hm?" Humming, Rouge quirks her head to the side.

"What he means is well…" Shyly, Shanks steps forward attempting to explain however…

"She sent a tree at us!" Buggy wails.

"...Sent?" Rouge quirks her head to the side once again lost.

"She kicked one down." Sighing, Shanks tries to translate Buggy's wail.

"At us! She was going to kill us! She ain't human! I swear she's some sort of monster!" Mortified, Buggy grabs hold of his hat tugging down his beanie horrified at his close call with death.

"Ah…." Rouge exclaims in understanding.

"Buggy!" Shanks hisses harshly at Buggy but Buggy doesn't even bat an eye to it.

"I was so scared I thought I was going to die!" Wailing, Buggy cries the tears freely falling from his close call.

"That sounds like her." Rouge sighs.

"Huh?" Both boys blurt out lost.

"Ann isn't used to being around children her age. She's tried but with her intelligence she tends to be ahead of people doesn't help how blunt she is when people bore her…she can be a tad bit too blunt for people I know my daughter ca be difficult but please give her a chance." Patiently, Rouge crouches down attempting to explain to both boys.

"…Give her a chance? Our chance nearly left to us losing our lives as if we-" Buggy begins but…

"Sure!" Smiling, Shanks steps forward.

"O-Oi Shanks!" Shocked, Buggy says scared almost at it.

"Ann's never had a friend in her life that sounds super lonely." Shanks points out to Buggy.

"That ain't our problem!" Buggy argues.

"She's our captain's daughter and is like a sister to us we have to help her!" Earnestly, Shanks reasons as he soon heads off.

"Oi Shanks!" Buggy wails chasing after the boy…

Quietly, Ann sits leaning against the trunk reading her book in a world of her own when…

"Mind if I join you?" Ann jolts up turning to look up at a familiar blonde before her.

"…Do what you want." Aloofly, Ann shrugs the blonde off.

"He really isn't going to leave without talking to you, you know." The blonde sits down across from her taking out his flask as she scowls at the thought.

"…Why?" Her hues narrow at the blonde sipping his flask.

"Hm?" Humming, he turns to her, why did he come now? Why did he suddenly care now? Sure she recalled him trying to see her trying to find her, he'd normally give up or give her space, so why was now different?

"Why does he want to talk now? He dying or something?" Scowling, Ann blurts out.

"…" Silently, the blonde downs his drink.

"You're kidding me…" Ann whispers weakly shakily stepping back brow furrowed, her heart dropping.

"It's a secret we promised to keep to ourselves." Rayleigh tells her.

"…He…he's really dying…" Ann whimpers weakly, furrowing her brow by it all, a wave of emotions hitting her, dropping her book baffled by it all.

"…" Silently, Rayleigh nods.

"Does…" After a still silence, Ann forces her salvia down, trying to catch her breath brow furrowed trying to understand it all as she tried to find her voice…

"Your mother knows." Rayleigh exclaims.

"How long…? How long has she known?" Seething, Ann angrily demands gritting grinding his teeth together tense furrowing his brow by the strange sense of numbness.

"…I don't know." Rayleigh reveals.

"…So what? He thinks cause he's dying I'll just forgive everything? I'll just pity him and forget everything he put me and mom through!?" Tense, Ann angrily roars kicking her book to the side scowling seething, fury freely flowing through her feeling her blood boil, bubble, burn how was she supposed to act!? How was she supposed to feel!? How was any of this fair!?

"He just wants to you know…" Rayleigh says softly.

"After all this time? You expect me to dance to his tune so easily!? Bullshit! That…that isn't true it isn't…!" Anguished, Ann staggers back brow furrowed fury freely flowing through her.

"Think what you want but you should at the least listen to what he has to say…" Sternly, Rayleigh tells the shaken Ann her legs buckling before freely falling, falling to her knees losing every sensation in her body as Rayleigh leaves her to do it…

"Where is she?" Sighing, Shanks furrows his brow looking around the town trying to find her however he finds no blonde about…

"Shanks just give up she isn't our problem." Aloofly, Buggy sighs furrowing his brow at Shanks. She wasn't there problem.

"She isn't a problem she's just lonely we have to help her!" Earnestly, Shanks reasons.

"We don't have to do anything if she wants to be like that then that's her problem not ours besides imagine what she could do to us if we try something else, she may throw us down a bridge or…or…!" Terrified, Buggy whimpers weakly tugging at his beanie brow furrowed frightened.

"Hey!" The two perk up at the voice turning to the group of children.

"Hm?" Humming, they turn to the smiling kids some their age, some older, mostly younger.

"We heard you were looking for Ann." Amused, a girl steps forward.

"Yeah have you see her?" Hopeful, he asks them.

"We know where she is." A boy steps forward as Buggy hues narrow at them.

"Oi Shanks…" Buggy begins but…

"Could you take us to her?" Shanks smiles oblivious to Buggy's furrowed frown from the glint gleaming in their eyes.

"Sure!" Smiling, the group agree as next Buggy knew he was following Shaks and the group of kids over into the forest of sorts.

"There she is!" One of the kids point to a familiar pink haired girl, Buggy's brow furrows from the darkened expression of Ann not even batting an eye to the book, she tosses it aside angrily agitated even enraged.

"Oi Shanks…" Softly Buggy calls out trying to stop him noting the strange shift but…

"You're right hey A-" Smiling, Shanks leaps out of the bush but soon stops faltering from Ann's still silence not even batting an eye to him, her head in her hands, holding her head, her fingertips combing tugging through her perky pink locks of blonde.

"Ah!" Shanks and Buggy's eyes expand at the sheer sight of the grey blur being thrown the girl's way.

"Huh? Ann!" Alarmed, Shanks gasps seeing scarlet smear descend down a tiny teardrop of scarlet sliding down descending down, staining said shirt below.

"E-Eh?" Said sharp sting snaps out of her thoughts turning towards the source, holding her head, scarlet staining her inner palm.

"Here." Smiling, one of the kids hands Shanks a rock.

"W-What are you doing?" Shanks scowls at the kids.

"What does it look like?" The older one smirks down at Shanks.

"Yeah we're playing monster hunter!" Happily, a younger voice bellows.

"Monster hunter?" Buggy furrows his brow by the title.

"Yeah that girl thinks she's so much better than us she needs to be put down a peg!" The older one glares pointing at the girl shakily staring at her crimson coated hand horrified anxiously looking around.

"Yeah her dad is a criminal she deserves it!" A younger voice throws in.

"The heck!?" Buggy blurts out.

"How can you say that?" Tense, Shanks scowls.

"Hm?" Humming, the kids frown at the two.

"She's done nothing to you!" Shanks scowls.

"Yeah what's wrong with you guys doing this?! Sure she's a bit of a weirdo but throwing stones is just as sick if not worse!" Buggy adds as just then the kids perk up at the feeling of being watched.

"I-It isn't what you think this is…!" Scared, Shanks blurts out dropping the rock as both boys flinch from Ann's ice cold glare but before more could be said…

"Argh!" The trio of kids cry out alongside the other group of kids as they were suddenly snatched up.

"Sh-" Ann curses her fingertips digging deep into the muscular arm holding her.

"Well, well if it isn't pinkie heard you beat some of my men." Musing, Noland smirks smugly pressing his gun to the side of Ann's tense temple sweat sliding down her temple from the gun.

"I did what had to be done!" Annoyed, Ann snaps scowling.

"Taking a cut was needed then…?" The man glares glowers down at Ann.

"We all have to make a living." Aloofly, Ann shrugs.

"As do we. They weren't paying on time its business fees for the protection racket we run you know your mother is quite the beauty maybe we should go by her." Haughty, he leans in as Ann winces when her nose crunches up at the sickening stench of alcohol on his breath as something seemingly flinches freezes from his words.

"Don't touch her!" Ann thrashes trying to escape, trying to let loose, trying to help however as soon as she emits said words, a sudden spike of a wave hits the air as the man holding her, lets loose, dropping the astonished Ann as the now unconscious Buggy and the rest of the kids fall flat to the ground. Stunned Shanks stares at her as next she and Shanks knew…she fell, many of the bodies towering over them, joining them however while she stands strong the others go limp on the ground knocked out unaware of a certain future pirate king shooting out of their seat from the air of haki released.

"Wha…what was that?" Taken aback, Shanks couldn't help but ponder perplexed only to cry out from the sudden foot fiercely hitting him.

"Don't even think about it brat!" Bellowing, Noland pins the squirming Shanks to the ground.

"Ann?" Alarmed, Shanks turns to his only help his hues widening when seeing said girl simply stare stoically down at him, a cold look in his eyes, a small smile crossing her lips, is this…is this what Buggy meant…!?

"It's just business Shanks." Smirking, she places a hand to her hip haughty.

"Ann!" As soon as said words were released, the gun was aimed at the alarmed Roger. He was going to die anyway what was the issue with him dying sooner? Smirking, she reasons to herself watching the gun aimed at him however when said shell shoots out both their eyes expand when he simply cranes his head to the side, dodging it, his hues glaring briefly as Noland shoots shell after shell, Roger unfazed coming closer and close until…

"That's it!" Noland suddenly snatches Ann up by her neck.

"O-Oi this wasn't part of the plan!" Perturbed, Ann hisses harshly.

"Nor was him being a beast!" Noland growls digging the gun further into her head making her hiss.

"Let her go." Roger orders brow furrowed.

"Not happening!" The man steps back brow furrowed fuming the gun shoving further into Ann's head terrifying.

"Let me go!" Ann thrashes trembling terrified.

"Shut it brat!" Suddenly, the young girl heard the crisp click of the gun making her squeak slightly scared, her heart dropping, her body going rigid frozen as next she knew she heard the sharp scream of a blade being impaled into the man making Ann gasp watching scarlet spew out of the man falling flat to the ground as she fell forward before being caught by Roger. Her hues meeting his own.

"You okay?" Softly, he asks as he crouches down looking her over.

"I…" Ann begins but…

"Martin!"

"Sandy!"

"Lily!"

"Conqueror's haki…" Surprised, Ann perks up at the voice before faltering from the voices of perturbed parents rushing over to the knocked-out children clearly out of it.

"…Eh?" Ann looks up at the familiar blonde by her side.

"Rayleigh!" Shanks smiles up at Rayleigh holding Buggy knocked out.

"They're fine! Noland and his men have been beaten!" The doctor beams brightly at the sight of the knocked out older men while checking over the children relieved.

"By that M-Monster! That monster did it again!" Angrily, a familiar woman glares at Ann flinching from it.

"She did the same to my kids a while back too!" Another voice soon joins in, a man glaring at Ann holding his son.

"She's a freak!" Furious, another voice bellows boisterously as Ann flinches from it, as she sees the familiar man hold the boy and girl she had watched prior glare glower at Ann.

"I-I didn't…" Meekly, Ann attempts to argue bowing her head however…

"Stop right there!" Surprised, she soon gasps at the gun aimed at Ann.

"Ann…!" Shanks says scared.

"She's a child!" A doctor gasps as Rayleigh steps in front of Ann astonishing her as he has his hand warningly on his blade brow furrowed.

"She's a freak! An inhuman monster! She needs to be taken care of before she hurts anymore people!" Perturbed, the gun shakes quivers quakes at the young child.

"…That won't be necessary." A hand is placed on top of the gun lowering it, a familiar man beaming brightly at the crowd.

"Captain!" Shanks smiles up at Roger.

"…You…!" Astonished, Ann stares stunned up at Roger.

"You can use conqueror's haki that's an amazing feat Ann for someone so young to manage this I can't wait to see what else you can do with your haki!" Happily, Roger gushes giddily placing his hands on the girl's shoulder smiling brightly at her.

"…Haki?" Ann blurts out lost.

"Let's go Ann we can explain further there." Roger smiles softly down at Ann offering his hand out to her.

"…O-Okay." Shyly, said girl nods her head, slowly sliding her hand into her father's hand, dumbstruck not quite sure what really to say as next she knew she was heading home, her father's hand in hers, heading back home…

"Well all well that ends well." Pleased, Roger beams brightly as the group are taken back to the house, Crocus tending to Roger as Ann is being tended to by Rouge with Shanks by her side standing by Buggy's side having been looked over. Ann couldn't help but eye the implement of the needle being injected into her father's arm, feeling her throat tense tighten up almost as she grimaces winces while watching a part of her unable to not stare seeing the smiling man animatedly talk to Crocus acting as if nothing was wrong why…? How…? How the hell could he act like that? How could she act like nothing was wrong!? Ann eyes her mother tending to both kids before glancing over at Buggy.

"…The hell are you talking about?! I betrayed you…!" Angry, Ann blurts out swiftly shooting out from her seat scowling seething how could they all act as if nothing was wrong?! As if it were all okay!? As if…Roger and Rouge's hues widen when noting the brief twinge of her tone breaking of the tears threatening to fall…

"Hm?" Humming, Roger perks up at her angry glare, her heated hues glaring glowering at the man before her.

"I betrayed you! I set you up! I betrayed all of you!" Agitated, Ann roars raising her voice to her father furiously fiercely storming strutting sauntering over to the man slowly tugging his sleeve down simply staring down at the angry Ann, the tears threatening to freely fall from her hues, her hands quiver quake either side of her, fingertips curling into her inner palm, feeling the sharp sting of curt crescents creating indents within her hand, feeling the shy slither of scarlet stain her inner palm, her hands as white as chalk as her pained brown glassily glare into her father's.

"…Life's too short to allow old grudges to stop you." Roger whispers while Ann's own hues dilate from his words dread hitting her, trying to stop the sharp sob trying to break through from his words bowing her head.

"I could have handled that myself…I didn't need your help I didn't need anyone's help…!" Anguished, Ann seethes snarls scowls at the sheer nerve of the man, did he think by acting as her knight in shining armour everything would be okay? Did he think he could…he could use this excuse of his sickness to make up for the years of neglect!? Of him abandoning them?! Of leaving her mother alone, singing softly yearning for him while he no doubt explored and found other women to entertain himself with…!? That's all pirates ever did, they didn't care about their kids…so long as they found treasure, they were happy…her hues narrow glaring at the smiling Shanks and Buggy ignoring the painful pinch of envy hitting her.

"You were trying to protect Rouge, right?" Surprised, her hues widen when Roger suddenly slides his hands onto her shoulders making her perk up looking up at him to see his soft smile.

"…How…?" Shakily, she whispers looking towards Rouge.

"You think I didn't know?" Rouge sighs a hand on her hip as Ann guilty glances to the side. She thought she kept it secret, she worked for them to keep them from hassling her mother, not to mention the extra money wasn't bad either all she had to do was scare some people that's all…

"We had hoped to take care of these bandits but now that's been said and done…It was very brave of you to do this all on your own, but you know you don't have to do this on your own." Roger reveals smiling softly at the annoyed Ann.

"…Who else was I supposed to turn to? You? Please!" Scoffing, Ann turns her head away agitated.

"…I would have come to help…" Roger reassures Ann.

"I don't need your help, nor do I need you now! I never needed you anyway why would I need you now!? I had it all handled!" Haughtily, she snaps scowling at the man, shrugging him off. She had it all handled, if it got too far, she'd beat them she could do it, she was strong, she had survived up until now with her mother, she could do it.

"…Maybe you don't need me." Roger softly sighs bowing his head astonishing Ann.

"C-Captain!?" Concerned, his crew turn to him.

"But I need you…" Roger reveals astonishing Ann.

"…Eh?" Ann blurts out taken aback at his stern serious voice while Rouge smiles sadly at the knelt form of Roger.

"Join my crew Ann!" Roger proclaims swiftly slamming his hands down on the floor bowing before the baffled girl.

"Captain!" The crew chorus taken aback at his plea.

"…Eh?" Stunned, she takes a stunned step back by his bow baffled by it.

"…Captain." Rayleigh and Gaban's hues soften slightly at Roger bowing before the little girl.

"…Do you have any idea how selfish you're being?" Baffled, Ann angrily squirms scowling seething, she had no clue what to say as she looked from side to side struggling to deal with…this.

"O-Oi!" Gabon scowls at the little girl glaring at the man.

"You're dying aren't you?" Ann blurts out taking the crew aback.

"…" The crew all go silent from her words, watching Rouge silently stares.

"You're dying and you expect me to join a dying captain's crew?" Curtly, Ann's hues narrow at this man's selfishness, to have her join her father's crew while he is on the verge of dying himself…was it to help his guilty conscious perhaps, Ann did not know…

"I expect my daughter to join her father for one final trip." Roger reveals as something seemingly snaps within Ann.

"…Do you hear yourself!? How dare you…how dare you come back into my life acting as if nothing is wrong as if I could let go the years of grief given to my mother, the loneliness she felt…! You expect me to just throw that under the rug!?" Angrily, Ann roars raising her voice snapping sharply seething at Roger, the tears threatening to fall.

"I'm begging you." Roger bows his head further into the ground hitting it.

"…You think I'll leave my mother alone? You think I'll abandon her as you did? No I'm not like you I'll never be like you I don't abandon people I don't leave them alone to wonder what they did wrong!? I'm not like you! You're not my father!" Furious, Ann angrily snaps sharply seething stunned everyone.

"How dare-Eh?" Gaban begins but soon stops seeing Rouge step forward, her hand gently on Ann's back, her watery hues looking up into her mother's.

"Ann, I know you're kind so consider this a dying man's last wish." Rouge reasons to the astonished Ann.

"Mom…" Meekly, Ann whispers guilt gnawing away at her at the thought of leaving her mother alone but…

"It's alright." Softly, she whispers as Ann's hues widen when a familiar book and pencil is given to her. Her hues widening when seeing said pen and book but her mother's simple smile is all she needs to know that it was okay.

"Join my crew Ann allow me the chance to prove myself to you. You needn't see me as your father, but I'd like this final journey of mine to be spent with you." Roger begs beseeches Ann eyeing the man before her as next Ann knew she had boarded their ship joining the Roger pirates…

"EH THE HELL IS THAT PSYCHO DOING ON OUR SHIP!?" Scared, Buggy yells glaring glowering at the back of Ann as she leans over the railing of said ship staring at the woman on her own watching on as the ship leaves with her daughter in tow, watching them off.

"So loud…" Softly, she sighs at the terrifying crying clown behind her having no energy to deal with the sobbing state of a mess that was the fool behind her, silently watching her home slowly become nothing more than an ant as her journey across the sea begins…

"Uta you need to eat your broccoli." Ann furrows her brow by the child seated across from her, Shanks in the middle of the two as the crew enjoy their meal.

"NO!" Uta snaps sharply earning a fair few frightened looks at her outburst.

"…Pardon?" Ann arches a brow, her tone cold curt trying to be patient as a fair few frightened crew members watch on…

"I don't like it, it's ugly!" Uta puffs her cheeks out turning her head away from said meal.

"You need the nutrition." Patiently, Ann tells her.

"I want chocolate!" Uta pushes the plate away from her.

"You won't get it if you don't finish your food." Firmly, Ann tells her how it is.

"That's not fair! A diva like me needs all the sweets!" Scowling, Uta stands scowling at the stoic Ann finishing her plate.

"Uta you won't get a lick of chocolate if you don't clean your plate." Pointedly, Ann tells Uta.

"That's not fair!" Fuming, Uta cries cross, crossing her arms over her chest as next the crew knew…

"I have all day…" Ann's hues narrow at the child across from her, still sat at the table now cleaned, the crew members having left with Shanks still sitting in between both women fearful of intervening from the battle before them.

"So do I." Uta smirks smugly at the scowling Ann.

"Don't you think you're going a bit far?" Shanks softly whispers to Ann as he leans into her side.

"Don't you think you're being a soft?" Sternly, she curtly corrects him.

"What do you mean?" Shanks raises a brow befuddled by her words whistling while her hues narrow noting the brown bar behind his back.

"Slide her that chocolate and you can say goodbye to that arm of yours." Agitated, Ann threatens tense.

"Aw come on she's a kid." Shanks sighs at her.

"We are not raising a fussy eater." Ann states the fact firmly furrowing her brow at Shanks.

"But I'm a diva!" Uta slams her hands down upon the table.

"You can keep using that as an excuse Uta!" Ann slams her hand down upon the table standing up from her seat scowling down at the child, a still silence of tight tension falling between both mother and daughter until…

"Here." Swiftly, Shanks slides some chocolate over to her.

"Oi Shanks!" Angrily, Ann glares at Shanks.

"Thanks Shanks you're the best unlike stupid Ann!" Uta pokes her tongue out at Ann before taking off leaving the two to it.

"Thanks you made me out like the bad guy!" Ann huffs standing up from her seat scowling.

"Come on she's just a kid." Shanks sighs.

"Shanks she'll be an adult eventually. She needs to learn, not everything can go her way." Ann advises him however…

"And by then we'll have that sorted." Shanks smiles.

"Urgh…" Done, Ann turns on her heel huffing storming off leaving the room.

"You okay?" Benn asks as he leans against the wall watching the annoyed Ann exhale exhaustion etched into said single sigh.

"There's no winning with those two." Tiredly, she leans against the wall by Benn's side seeking solace with the only reasonable person on said ship.

"You're only doing your best for them." Benn crosses his arms over his chest.

"And yet I have to be the bad guy?" Ann furrows her brow by the thought.

"Someone has to be." Benn shrugs.

"Urgh…" Ann groans head in hands at the role she had been given…

"Why do I feel like this is more though?" Benn furrows his brow at Ann as she sighs, softly taking out a piece of paper.

"This is…" Benn's brow furrows from the wanted poster of a familiar raven haired girl.

"Yeah…" Ann bows her head pained at the thought of the girl, was she well? Was her family treating her well? If she had enough time at the time she would have further investigated the family she was sent to but with Sakazuki…

"Ann we've been over this." Tiredly, Benn furrows his brow down at her.

"I know." Sighing, she bows her head.

"You did all you could for the girl…" Benn reminds her.

"But maybe I could have done more maybe I could…" Anguished, Ann combs her fingertips through her hair tugging at stray strands of pink.

"Filling your head with what ifs won't help anyone." Benn tells her.

"…I know." Ann sighs softly silver smoke spewing out of her lips.

"Come on it's late let's get you inside, you need rest." Benn sighs softly at Ann silently nodding her head, heading in for the night…

Calmly, Ann approaches a familiar railing, feeling the gentle rocking of the boat before her as she eyes the other small boat below her, peering over the railing to see it as she unfurls the wooden rope connecting both boats. Her ears perk up at the soft sound of footsteps approaching.

"Why do you have to go?" Whining, the now older girl huffs, the baby girl once in Ann's arms now stands on her own two feet wearing brown boots, a mustard yellow dress with a long lightly shade of yellow sleeveless shirt underneath with a brow ribbon of sorts to match. She wears a pair of ice blue earphones with rings of a lightly neon blue with Uta on either side, one side of her hair the white covers her purple iris while the red side does not, her hair is now much longer than it was a babe.

"Because I have someone I need to see." Softly, she reminds Uta sighing softly at the persistent girl time and time again ordering her to stay or the dive demanding to come with her speaking off…

"Then why can't I come?" Cross, Uta whines hands on hips slamming her firm foot down upon the ship boarding below.

"It's personal." Ann answers as she furrows her brow at the child not quite sure if Uta could really handle someone like Ace besides it was always risky visiting the constant fear of being hit by the fist of love not to mention the can of worms that would be unleashed if he found her or worse if he found them both. Ann couldn't avoid the shy shudder coursing down her shaking spine by the thought.

"Personal!? Are you going to meet your lover?!" Excitedly, Uta's purple hues glisten gleam at the thought.

"No." Amused, Ann answers shaking her head at the thought.

"Then why can't I come?" Cross, Uta whines waving her arms about as Ann sighs softly at the mess of a child, Shanks spoiling her hadn't been the best decision of out of the two, her often being seen as the bad cop with Shanks coming in as the angel that he pretends to be…

"Uta it's not safe for me to be there for you to go would be more problematic." Pensive, Ann attempts to explain to the child not quite sure if she could explain the complexities of said situation.

"Then why go in the first place?" Perplexed, Uta quirks her head to the side.

"Because someone important to me is there." Ann smiles softly down at Uta.

"And I'm not?" Uta furrows her brow.

"Of course you are but they need me more than you I'll be back soon I promise." Smiling, Ann kneels down, placing her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Hmm…" Humming, the girl bows her head furrowing from her words.

"I'll bring back a present how about that?" Ann sighs as she perches herself upon the railing hoisting her bag over her shoulder in the process.

"Something fit for a diva?" Uta perks up at the thought.

"Something fit for a diva….only if you finish your broccoli!" Smirking, she quickly corrects herself.

"Whaat!?" Uta reels back baffled.

"And don't even think of lying! I'll have someone spy on you." Playfully, Ann threatens, her hues briefly looking over at the bemused Ben nodding his head.

"Ugh fine…" Frowning, she huffs glaring to the side scowling.

"That's my girl." Smiling, Ann assures the little diva tousling her red and white hair before dropping down, heading back to Fuchsia village…

Loudly, the bustling of the local bar echoes throughout as the piano plays while those inside enjoy their respective drinks drunkenly conversing charting with one another as the pink haired woman saunters in, taking a seat at the bar, ignoring the fair few eyes on her.

"Been a while Maki." Merrily, she smiles softly at the bartender brow furrowing from the sight of her.

"Someone was asking about you…" Makino gets to the point pensive.

"About little old me, my, my gramps really is persistent." Playfully, Ann places her hand in her inner palm.

"It wasn't Garp-san." Softly, she whispers to her.

"…It wasn't?" Astonished, Ann does a double take at the news.

"No it was someone with Garp-san he seemed pretty high up though." Tense, Makino tries to warn her concern clear in her tone towards her friend.

"…That so. And how do you know it was me?" Ann asks as she sighs.

"They asked about a woman with pink hair and freckles." Makino recites as Makino pours her drink.

"Course they bloody did. I take you didn't say anything." Ann assumes as she places the money down.

"Of course." Makino hands her drink taking the money in return.

"Aw Maki I always knew I could rely on you." Ann smiles softly at her friend.

"I'm just saying please be careful." Concerned, Makino tells her.

"Aw Maki are you concerned about little old me? I'm touched." Teasingly, she places her hand to her chest.

"Ann…" Anxiously, Makino furrows her brow.

"I'll be fine Maki." Ann assures as she softly sips her drink.

"Hmm…" Makino hums worriedly.

"Hey babe why don't you come over here?" A voice hollers however…

"So how's Ace?" Ann asks as Makino draws her whisky.

"He's been keeping to himself in the forest. I haven't seen him in town." Truthfully, Makino admits as Ann softly swirls said substance of her whisky.

"That so…" Softly, she whispers watching the ice cubes bob up and down frowning from the arm suddenly draped over her shoulder surprising Makino.

"Oi sweetheart did you know your body is 70 percent water." Slurring, said male practically spews his boozed breath in her face.

"…So?" Scowling, she turns to him, her nose wincing from said stench.

"I'm thirsty." Thirsty, he leans in however…

"And I'm done." Dubiously, Ann swiftly slams said drink downing it in one before slamming the back of her elbow into the man's face, scarlet spewing out from the crisp crunch of bone as the boy before her falls flat to the ground, scarlet smearing down as the body hits the cracked crater below, far gone from the world…

"Sorry Maki this should cover it." Ann sighs sadly oblivious to the terrified perturbed people within while Makino has a hand over her mouth from said strike however Ann doesn't bat an eye to it, giving her the money needed before heading out, waving her off as she leaves, heading towards the mountains.

"I've had enough of that Ace too! In my opinion it'd be best if he just went somewhere and died then we could tell Garp it was an accident!" Aggravated, the drunken voice slurs surprising Ann as she enters the log cabin of sorts surprised to even hear such words while feeling her blood turn ice cold at it irritation freely flowing through her.

"And pray tell would you tell me?" Snippily, Ann demands done with the woman before her, crossing her arms over her chest leaning against the side of the door frame eying the woman with long frizzy ginger hair. Dadan is a rather tall and overweight middle-aged woman with long, orange, curly hair and a big, masculine face. She wears a white-collar shirt, a pink beaded necklace, chequered trousers held up with a large belt, and heeled boots.

"E-Eeep!" Said woman screams startled to see the ice cold glare of Ann as many of the bandits fearfully flee from the woman while a pair of hues watch on from the crack of the door, a towel draped over his shoulders staring at the scene playing out…

"You've been drinking too much sake Dadan." Done, Ann approaches the woman taking the sake bottle from the drunken woman.

"You too…a devil's child has a devil's luck you two are the children of a devil!" Dadan roars raising her voice grabbing hold of Ann's wrist frighting everyone as Ann arches a brow bored by such a display.

"And you should go to sleep." Sternly, she slaps said hand off her wrist.

"But just think about what's happen if the government found out! What do you think would happen to u-ARGH!" Slurring, said woman continues on oblivious to the tense twitching brow of Ann as she swiftly snatches said woman by the collar.

"It would be nothing compared to what I'd do if you did that to Ace." Angrily, Ann seethes snarls at the drunk.

"Tch you really are the devil's child." Dadan drunkenly sneers.

"And you need to sober up." Swiftly, she slams said woman down on the ground.

"B-Boss!" The bandits by her side rush over to the terrified woman.

"Anyone else have anything else they'd like to share with the class?" Coldly, Ann demands eyeing the bandits littered about the room.

"…" The bandits silently shake their heads.

"Good." Sternly, she turns towards the crack of the door, warm browns meeting stunned pitch black before watching him rush off.

"…" Silently, she sighs following after the boy, hearing the sharp slam of a door making her sigh at the little boy.

"Ace I know you heard." Ann softly sighs sliding down the door she leans upon, her legs curled close to her chest.

"…They're right." Angry, Ace growls, his back to the two, his grip tightening around the towel draped over his shaking shoulders.

"No they're not. Not about you. Now come here." Softly, she calls out as a still silence falls between both of them until feeling the door be pulled as she straightens herself, turning towards the boy, his watery hues meeting her own as he lurches into her arms, no words needing to be said between both children of the pirate king, the soft sniffle of tears being the only thing that breaks between both children of Gol. D. Roger.

Quietly, Ann approaches a familiar dock as per agreed as she spots said ship, silently tying the knot attaching said boat to the other only then to take note of the lack of noise at the ship. Had Uta used her Uta world again? Ann couldn't help but ponder but brushes it off, there would be more snoring to it than this still silence. She supposed they would be in town, that would make sense they did agree to meet here after all. Ann gets off her little boat of sorts, sighing as she kneels down taking out the gift she had gotten for her, she had promised and from what Benn had told her she had been on her best behaviour eating her greens and such.

Silently, she looks around the dock, her hues narrowing noting the marine soldiers scurrying about the place. Her heart dropping when noting the marine ship, shuddering when seeing a familiar dog shaped ship. Swiftly, she places her hand over her hat, bowing her head, keeping her head down, tensing up as she grits grinds her teeth together tense. She had to calm down, she had to just keep her head down and…

"Ann!" Alarmed, Ann jolts up at the voice worriedly watching the giddy girl rush over towards Ann's side startling said woman, her hues darting around the place until taking note of Ben behind her, his hues narrowing noting her worry.

"Hey did you miss me?" Ann smiles softly sitting down warmly welcoming the girl rushing over to her side lunging into her arms as the two hug happily to be back with one another.

"Yeah now where's my present?" Perkily, the girl giddily gushes.

"As impatient as always." Amused, Ann chuckles coyly at the little girl below.

"I'm a diva I'm meant to be!" Boastfully, the girl places her hands on her hips happily.

"You can't always use diva as an excuse you know." Ann sighs softly shaking her head at the done diva.

"She was good." Benn smirks at Ann.

"Alright, now what's the magic word?" Ann smirks down at Uta.

"Pleeeease." Uta draws out reaching out to the amused Ann.

"Alright here." Happily, Ann hands her the small box from her pocket, handing her it.

"Yay! It's so pretty!" Perkily, Uta gushes over the box opening revealing the neon blue band of sorts smiling as she slides it on.

"Why don't you go get some ice cream?" Benn crouches down handing her a coin.

"Okay!" Uta goes off to get the treat taking th coin with her.

"You okay?" Benn asks once the two are alone.

"He's here." Anxiously, Ann whispers weakly, anxiously eyeing the soldiers about the place.

"I know…we saw but we both agreed to meet here." Benn reminds her.

"I know I just…" Ann sighs softly brow furrowing.

"It'll be fine we'll have your back." Benn assures her his hand on her shoulder.

"I…I know thanks Benn." Ann sighs softly smiling.

"Hey we're nakama remember?" Benn smirks slightly at Ann.

"Yeah…thanks Benn I mean it." Ann smiles softly thankful for her friend.

"Three scoops of ice cream this is awesome!" Amazed, Uta gushes over said scoops smiling from ear to ear enjoying it only then to gasp as in a world of her own, her hues widen when while gushing over said sweet treat does she gasp as said ice cream bashes into something smearing into someone's leg making her gasp.

"My ice cream…!" Uta gasps horrified at said sweet treat ruined.

"Sir are you okay?!" One of the marines rush over to the heavy smoker.

"Hey!" Mad, Uta stomps her boot down on the ground below before her hues widen when a gloved hand is placed upon her head, her hues widening when feeling said hand.

"Sorry kid looks like my oats ate your ice cream here go buy yourself five scoops." Smoker hands her a glistening golden coin.

"Thank you…" Uta beams brightly at said coin as the smoking man notes the lack of adults near her.

"Oi kid are you alone?" Alarmed, said male furrows his brow by the lack of parental figures about.

"No I'm here with my mommy." Uta beams brightly up at the man with a cigar crushed between his teeth.

"And where is she?" His hues narrow at the brightly beaming girl.

"Oh I don't know…" Uta furrows her brow befuddled.

"Tell you what how about we look around for her if you spot her just say." Smoker says offering his hand out to her.

"Oh okay!" Smiling, she agrees happily taking his hand gloved in her small hand.

"Where is she!?" Alarmed, the anxious Ann looks around the place.

"We'll find her." Beckman assures Ann as just then…

"Mom!" Ann perks up at the familiar voice.

"Uta there you are!" Ann crouches down as said child lunges into her arms as she picks her up.

"I was so scared!" Sobbing said crying child cries to her.

"Where were you?" Benn furrows his brow at the distraught diva.

"I'm sorry." Sniffling, she whimpers weakly making both Ann and Beckman sigh sharing a look.

"It's fine your saaaaa…." Shocked, Ann looks up, her hues dilating alongside Smoker's stunned pair gawking gaping at each other as a lone cigar comes crashing out of his mortified mouth.

"…Benn take Uta with you." Ann quietly hands Benn over.

"Huh? What about you?" Benn's hues narrow at Ann, her hues remained glued to Smoker slowly reaching for his weapon strapped to his back.

"I'll be fine for you though I suggest to run." Honestly, Ann admits to her friend.

"Eh?" Benn arches a brow befuddled but before more could be said, the sharp slam of said weapon hitting the stone steps below is sure enough the answer as Ann grits her teeth together, ready for the fight ahead or so Ann had thought…

"RUN!" Ann roars raising her voice to the two taking off leaving her alone to deal with Smoker…or so she had hoped…

"Fist of… LOVE!"

"ANN!" Angrily, the roaring roar of a growl echoes throughout the town as Ann rushes through the town, hearing the sharp screams of civilians crying out alarmed at the sheer sight of said pirates as the sound of buildings being beaten one after another echo throughout the town.

"How the hell is he here!?" Shanks screams as the red-haired pirates rush towards their ship ignoring the shots being fired one after another as they easily avoid said shots, those caught in the crossfire are not so lucky…

"…So he's like my grandpa." Uta smiles shyly at the thought oblivious to the chaos caused behind them.

"…I wouldn't call him that." Tense, Ann grimaces glancing to the side sheepishly seeing some shattered glass suddenly spew out of the newly broken window which Ann turns her back to, ignoring the sharp sting as she shields Uta from said strike.

"Oh…why are we running from your grandpa then?" Uta quirks her head to the side disappointed.

"Weeeelll…he isn't the sort to be reasoned with." Ann trails off uneasily as she tries to find some reason for it as just then a sudden shadow clouds over Ann.

"Fisst Offff…" Ann's heart drops at it.

"Crap…! Shanks catch!" Ann snatches Uta from Benn tossing her over to Shanks already ahead of the rest.

"Mom!" Uta cries concern clear in her tone towards the woman who swiftly draws out her blade.

"LOVE!" Said furious fist bashes into the blade before it, sparks spewing out from said collision as the red haired pirates alongside many more marines and civilians are blown back pushed back by the sheer stench of said strikes respectively hitting one another.

"It's okay Uta." Softly, Shanks promises the crying child.

"Ann!" Anguished, Uta screams crying out watching the woman crouching down taking the hit beofre throwing the burly man i white back as he grins giddily at her.

"THE HELL OLD MAN!?" Mad, Ann roars raising her voice to the ass she pushes back, her grip tightening upon her blade baffled by his sharp scowl.

"I COULD ASK THE SAME JOINING RED HAIRED!? WHY'S THAT KID CALLING YOU MOM?!" Mad, Garp growls glaring glowering at the unamused Ann.

"Want to shout that any louder?" Annoyed, Ann's heated hues narrow at Garp.

"You little brat!" Garp growls blowing on his fuming fist.

"Did you need to add haki?" Huffing, Ann grumbles placing her hand on her head, already feeling a headache form from said strike and bump about to resurface just from the murky memory of it all.

"Seems I'll have to knock some sense into you now explain! Who did it?" Garp growls snarling seething down at Ann.

"Huh?" Lost, Ann quirks her head to the side seeing something snap within the old ma, something An had no clue what it was.

"Whose the bastard who won't accept responsibility?!" Roaring, he demands raising his voice to her.

"…Uta ain't mine." Monotone, Ann deadpans.

"She called you mom!" Mad, he accuses angrily pointing at Ann.

"And I call you gramps moron!" Mad, Ann hisses harshly back.

"…Oh." Garp's hues widen when something seemingly clicks as Ann feels her blood boil bubble burn at the sheer nerve of the old man, what was the big deal if she did have a kid!? Why was he attacking her for something like that!?

"Yes. Oh and who the hell says I need someone else to raise a kid!? I am perfectly capable of raising a kid! My mother did it as did dad! So can I!" Incensed, Ann roars raising her voice to the mad marine vice admiral angrily glaring glowering down at Ann.

"You little brat! You're doing those sort of things!?" Taken aback, Garp gawks down at her.

"…I'm a pirate and a grown ass adult I can do the hell I want. It has nothing to do with you!" Ann states the fact firmly fuming fury freely flowing through her vicious veins.

"I won't allow it. Not until your married." Garp states the fact firmly.

"Married!? Why do I need to be married!?" Mystifed, Ann demands done.

"So you can be happy!" Garp argues as Ann scowls.

"I'll decide who I'll marry just as I'll decide who I can and can't sleep with!" Agitated, Ann growls glaring up at him.

"You slept with Shanks didn't you!?" Garp accuses as something seemingly snaps within Ann.

"WHAT!? NO GROSS! HE'S LIKE A BROTHER TO ME!" Mortified, Ann screeches shouts scowling, reeling, recoiling back brow furrowed disgust drenched in her tense tone.

"YOU KISSED BUGGY!" Garp points out mortifying Ann.

"HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT!?" Tense, Ann demands.

"Heh how do you think?" Garp smirks smugly at the mortified Ann.

"I swear I'm going to kill Rayleigh…" Ann growls grumbling under her breath brow furrowed curling into a ball swearing it.

"So you did sleep with him!" Garp gasps.

"OF COURSE NOT URGH JUST STOP TALKING!" Tense, Ann screeches at Garp.

"Not until I find out who you-" Garp cracks his knuckles but…

"I am a grown ass woman I can sleep with who the hell I want." Ann snaps scowling.

"No you can't." Garo crosses his arms over his chest.

"Excuse you?" Ann's heated hues twitch tense.

"Ann…!" Garp begins but…

"You heard me!" Ann growls just as a hand is placed on her shoulders.

"We're leaving." Yassop intervenes.

"You wanna die!?" Agitated, Ann growls.

"Do you!?" Garp growls back bashing his head against hers.

"Ann!" Yasopp pulls her back.

"Alright I'm coming bloody hell…" Huffing, she turns on her heated heel.

"GET BACK HERE BRAT!" Garp growls.

"HELL NO! Just so you know the next guy I see I'm gonna sleep with!" Ann smirks smugly as Yasopp simply sighs at his friend's pettiness.

"Don't you do it." Garp growls.

"I'mma do it." Ann smirks smugly as Yasopp inches back.

"Don't you do it!" Garp slams his furious fist into his open palm.

"I'mma…." Smirking, Ann steps back about to leave smirking smugly only the as she the turns to leave does someone step out of the door. Her hues widening when noting the shop door opening by her side seeing the tall towering figure that makes her heart drop.

"Hi." A familiar set of shades stare down at Ann, her blood turning ice cold as next she knew…

"…NOT DO IT NOT DO IT NOT DOO ITT!" Screaming, she screeches fleeing from Aokiji as she heads to the red force with the others taking off…

Quietly, Ann sits upon the railing of the red force feeling the brisk breeze brush through her hair, her nose twitching at the soft salty sea air around her happily tending to the book below her, sketching something under the starry shining sky above. Ann continues on doodling reaching out to the bottle by her side, softly staring down at the bottle in her hand, her hues softening slightly at the wine bottle making her sigh sadly, trying to ignore the mixture of emotions brewing bubbling within her.

"Ann?" Ann jolts up at the voice, her hues widening when her warm browns meet a familiar pair of lilacs.

"Hm? Oh Uta shouldn't you be in bed?" Befuddled, Ann turns towards the little girl wandering over.

"…Couldn't sleep." Smoothly, she replies, hands behind her back.

"Something wrong?" Ann arches a brow at the girl.

"Why did you fight those guys back there?" Befuddled, Uta quirks her head to the side.

"Because they weren't worth it." Ann answers.

"Eh?" Uta blurts out lost.

"Why waste my energy on that when I could be helping my nakama?" Ann argues.

"But…" Uta slams her foot down on the ground glaring lightly at the amused Ann.

"You know music and pirates are inseparable." Ann tells the diva.

"…They are?" Uta perks up joining Ann's side on the railing, on her lap.

"My father…he loved music it was one of my most favourite things me and Shanks did on my father's ship." Sadly, she smiles setting the bottle aside as she wraps her arms around Uta holding her.

"…Really?" Uta whispers in awe looking up at Ann.

"Yes really. Listening to my father sing, listening to you sing listening to the whole crew or heck even joining in sometimes with my friends are arms around one another dancing to the made up beat as family those times I treasured so much, those times made me grateful for music, because it brings people together, it brings nakama together." Truthfully, Ann admits as she holds Uta on her lap looking out at the starry sky above.

"…Nakama…wait you're avoiding my question! I've seen you, you're super strong so why don't you beat those guys up?" Mad, Uta puffs out her cheeks cross at the smirking amused Ann.

"Because it isn't worth my time besides violence doesn't solve everything choosing not to fight can win a fight." Firmly, Ann tells Uta.

"How is that?" Uta ponders perplexed.

"Have you ever noticed how the sea always seems to change one moment it rocks us to sleep the next it tosses up awake? It's sort of like music like the sea it can calm us and like the sea it can anger us it can make us move it can make us cry, it can do all sorts of things." Tentatively, Ann attempts to explain.

"…I don't get it." Uta states frowning.

"Well you can chose to continue singing a song to make you mad or you can switch it up to make you happy when I feel sad or something bothered me I used to come out here on these nights and just let go, look out at the stars and let go." Ann attempts to explain to Uta.

"Let…go?" Uta says softly.

"You still have a lot to learn Uta, the world isn't black and white one day you'll understand and see this shade of grey that the world lives in." Ann attempts to explain but the soft shy yawn is all Ann needs to hear.

"A world…of grey?" Uta furrows her brow befuddled but before she could ask more…she stops herself, noting the sombre smile upon Ann's lips. She eyes the bottle of sherry by her side, holding it by the neck, not touched, it was a special drink of Ann's Uta recalled Shanks sternly telling her never to touch it or go near it. Uta never understood, she seen her drink stuff like that always so what made that bottle so special?

"Hm?" Humming, she looks down at the child clinging to her side.

"Can I hear that song again?" Shyly, Uta asks her on her grip tightens on the trouser leg of Ann.

"Bink's sake?" Ann assumes but…

"The other one." Uta exclaims.

"Ah so you had a nightmare then…" Ann assumes, that song was only really song if it was a rough nut for her.

"Hmm…" Uta looks to the side shyly sheepishly.

"…Hey Uta have I ever told you who taught me that song?" Smiling, she combs her fingertips through the young girl's hair softly sliding down across the side of the ship.

"Hm? I thought you made it up…" Uta assumes as she looks up at her.

"As if I'm talented." Scoffing, she shakes her head amused almost at the thought.

"Tell me!" Uta demands making Ann chuckle coyly.

"My mother." Smiling, she tells Uta.

"…Your mother?" Uta perks up at the mention of her, she never really spoke about her. Shanks said not to ask either…

"That's right she had quite the voice, voice of an angel." Ann smiles sadly leaning back against the wall of the ship smiling sadly string up at the starry sky as the ethereal light of the moon shines shimmers down upon her.

"Why did she make that song?" Shyly, Uta asks Ann.

"For me…and herself I suppose." Solemnly, she smiles.

"What do you mean?" Uta pries perplexed.

"Yeah as a little lullaby to help me get to sleep when I was a babe…some days if the loneliness got to me or my mother over dad being away we'd sing it together." Tenderly, Ann smiles sombrely sadly, a faint hue of glass shimmering shining in her hues at the thought of her mother…

"You would…?" Uta whispers softly staring up at the anguished Ann.

"Yeah…it's always cheer me up on the most sombre of days…so…you wanna hear it?" Smiling, Ann asks her combing her fingertips through the girl's hair leaning into it while lying on her lap.

"Hmm…" Shyly, Uta leans in, soon enough lying on Ann's lap.

"…Alright." Smiling, she places her hand upon the girl's head nuzzling into her side as she begins to sing…

I recall that day we played together by the sea

Just you and me

Still that scent of ocean seems to fade each passing day

It slips away

So I sing an old familiar song, I hope you know the one

I will sing to call you back to me

I need you to hear it, need you to believe in

Something out there beyond the open sea, out in the starlight

I need you to hear it, need you to believe it

There's a wind stirring my wings that is always beckoning

Calling me above into the open sky

I recall a smile, unshakeable and self-assured

Invincible

Now it hides behind the breaking waves upon the shore

Yet I see more

I know every word and every note, I'd never forget it

Because I know it came from you

Tried my best to hear it, trying to believe in

You and me having one final goodbye, I'll see you waving

Trying to believe it, I want to believe it

That your song is now my song, through your voice I'll carry on

And one day we'll fly, you and I in the open sky

I need you to hear it, need you to believe in

Something out there beyond the open sea, out in the starlight

Trying to believe it, I think I believe it

That one day we'll meet again and continue this dreamland

In the gleaming dawn, we'll wake up once again

Trying to believe it, trying to believe in

Something out there beyond the open sea, out in the starlight

Trying to believe it, trying to believe it

That one day we'll meet again and continue this dreamland

In the gleaming dawn, we'll wake up

Once again...

The soft snore makes Ann look down at the little bundle that was Uta curled into Ann's side softly succumbing to the dark depths of her sleep as Ann picks Uta up, taking her to bed…

---

*Sooo...what did you think of this chapter? Kuzan was in it for a bit! What do you think of Roger and Ann? Of Uta and Ann? Of Uta learning that song from Ann? Heck of Garp and Ann? I would love to know your thoughts down below!!*