Chapter 4: Hard times

Shay's arm was healing just fine but looked like it's going to leave a scar. She didn't mind that at all. It was a reminder of her first battle against a real opponent. She is proud of it.

Shay was finally allowed to do things on her own after almost 2 weeks of resting. That was what her family called it at least, but she would describe it as boring. It was like the clock stopped completely along with everything fun. Worse of all everyone was babying her... more than usual.

Shayla was ready to learn her next element, 'Which element: fire or water' she thought. Her mind was quickly made up when she saw a certain blond, "Marco, Marco, Marco help me" she said in a mantra.

Marco rushed over to her and he thought something bad had happened to her, "What's wrong, yoi" panic clear in his eyes. "I want to learn fire," she smiled sweetly. The blond sighed in relief, "Don't scare me like that, you". He was about to walk away when Shay grabbed his arm, "Please Marco" she begged with her puppy eyes.

Marco was one of the many people along with Whitebeard and the rest of the crew to give in to whatever she wanted, "You have to ask pops if it's okay for you to train again" Marco sighed.

"I'll ask him right now," she said before running over to the throne chair, "Daddy! Marco says he is going to teach me fire but only if you say yes. So, please daddy" she used her little trick yet again. "Alright. Have fun and be careful" he said before continuing his drinking.

The girl smiled brightly, "Thank you" she said and ran back to the blond, "Marco, daddy says alright". He blinked a couple of times, quite surprising. He didn't expect the captain to actually agree.

Marco didn't think she was ready to train again and hoped that pops were going to tell her just that, but apparently not.
"Okay…" he said hesitantly before the two went away from the others, "My fire isn't like yours. My fire heals and regenerates" Marco stretched his arm out and showed her his flames.

The same beautiful flames from when Marco flew with her on his back. Her eyes softened, it felt so long ago since she last saw them. "I ate a devil's fruit to get this power. Yours is a gift from your mother. We are opposites in this aspect" he let the flames die out.

"What do you mean, Marco" he didn't sound excited at all to teach her. "Your fire is hot and dangerous. I think we should wait for a little longer" he looked into her eyes with seriousness.

Without saying anything else she walked past him angry, "Wait, Shay. I didn't mean to discourage you, yoi" but she didn't want to hear his excuses. Shayla used her wind to fly up to the crow's nest; if he didn't want to train her, she would just learn by herself.

Shay punched the air and tried to release the fire within her, but nothing. She needed to focus and looked at her small hand. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The girl didn't know how long she'd been there but it felt like forever and when she finally opened her eyes no fire came out of her palms. She didn't know how to start and just stared out to the ocean.

God, was it beautiful.

When the sun was about to set, she climbed down and walked over to the gallery. She was a bit hungry. No one else was there because they probably already ate long ago and sat down by one of the benches.

Soon, she saw Marco coming out of the kitchen with a big plate of food, and her stomach decided to growl. The older man chuckled and laid the plate in front of her, "I don't want it" she pouted and pushed it lightly away from her. Her tummy growl again, "Obviously you do, yoi" and he pushed it back to her.

After 10 seconds of stare competition, she gave up and took the food, "I'll only eat this because I'm hungry. I'm still mad at you" she said before digging in and he sat down next to her. "I'm sorry, little one. I do want to teach you, but fire can be affected based on your emotion, yoi. You can't get moody as always. You have to control yourself" he answered honestly and pushed her shoulder lightly.

"I'm not moody. I can control my emotion" she complained, "How about this. If you can control yourself and not get high on your feeling for a week. I'll train you for real" he encouraged, "What? an entire week!" Shayla screamed in shock, "That's not how you control yourself" he teased, "Okay, okay a week" She agreed.

The next morning came rather quickly, and Shay found it hard to control herself, especially when Marco tried hard to break her. It all started when he came into her room, the sun barely up and he woke her up. Shay was about to scream at whoever it was to get out.

That was until she saw who is sitting on the bed next to her, "Get up, yoi. It's time to help with breakfast" Marco said so happily. "I don't know how," she replied before turning to the other side, "You're going to learn. Now get up" he turned the lights on.

The two walked down to the kitchen and saw chefs had already started, "Oi everyone, Shay is here to help you." She was half-asleep and didn't really know what was going on. Marco sighed before gently hit her head and the sudden pain woke her up, "What are you doing, your bird… I mean Marco".

She had to calm herself down and try not to sound angry, "You are going to learn how to cook so, whenever you are stress or something. Try to make food might help you relax. Good luck" and he left her there.

Shayla had no idea what to do next and looked around hoping someone would guide her. A man came up to her and kneeled, "Hey there Shayla. I'm Noki, would you like to know how we make breakfast here" he said as he stood up and offered her his hand. She looked at it for a second and took it, not having much of a choice.

"Today, we are going to make a lot of omelets, meat, and vegetable. Some bread too. Pancakes for them with a sweet tooth" She didn't really care much and just hummed.

Shayla soon realized something was starting to smell good and she looked at the food Noki with her mouth-watering, "It's that the omelets" he smiled at her and lets her taste some of it, "That's amazing. Show me how to make it".

The two became good friends quite fast. Noki loved making food and Shay loved eating. it was so perfect. The girl started to actually like being in the kitchen with him and soon ended up helping him every day. Of course not so often in the mornings, but at dinnertimes, she was always ready.

When the week was over Shay had learned to make a small dish with a little help. "Shayla, tonight we are going to celebrate, and we need to make a big feast and cake for everyone," Noki told her. She smiled and was ready for anything. It took a long time and by noon it was all done

"Daddy, this is for you" the little girl came running and gave him a piece of cake. She stood and watched his reaction. Whitebeard loved the idea of his youngest making him something and took a bite of it. "It's really good, Shayla" the captain smiled brightly, "Noki helped me make it since I'm not old enough to do it on my own" she pouted which only made her look cuter. "Can I have some, too?" Vista joked.

"Noki said that everybody was going to eat it after the feast. I can't wait for the other to have some, too" she was excited.

All the food was brought out to the deck and the entire crew enjoying each other's company, "Shay, do you know what we are celebrating today" Nekomamushi asked as he brought the cake out with light on, 7 to be exact, "We are celebrating your birthday. You're are turning 7 by midnight" Whitebeard said as everyone else cheered.

Shay can't believe she'd had totally forgotten it, "My gift to you will be helping you with your fire, yoi" Marco lifted her up, spun her around, and kissing her temple at the end.

This was the best birthday ever and she loved them all for doing this for her, "Come, princess. It's my turn to give you a gift," Whitebeard said and she hurried over to him with a big smile on her face. Then he gave her a box with something inside, "Daddy, I'm not a princess. I'm a pirate" She tried to make a brave face but it only made the pirates laugh.

Shay opened the box and saw some gold thing.

Not knowing what it was she looked at her father, "Open it" he said and she did but she still didn't seem to understand what it was, "It's a compass your mother gave me when I first started this crew. She said to me: 'With this compass as guidance you can enjoy the journey'. The funny part was that compasses don't work in the grand line" He laughed at the memory. God, he loved that woman.

Shayla looks at the thing in a new light and hugged her father, "Thanks daddy. I love it" she was in tears... happy tears. "How about I tell you a story about her later" she nodded liking that very much. The pirates partied through the night or in Shayla's case in till 10 pm before falling asleep on her father's chest.

-x-

The next morning, she woke up by sunrise and could weird enough not sleep, anyone. Shayla was dancing happily around with her compass-neckless around her neck. She had something from both her mother and father. This was her new treasure now.

Most of the crew were not yet awake, but she was so hungry. Shay decided to make something herself, it was a chance for her to prove she wasn't a kid anymore. She was 7 years old now.

It was great at the beginning. Shay cracked some eggs, chopped up some vegetables, a lot of meats cooking and it all in the pan. She didn't know how nor when, but it was soon looked very black and a small fire emerging from the pan. Shay tried to use her wind to pull it out, but it only became bigger and she didn't know what to do.

She thought that maybe she could absorb the fire into her palms. Shay gave it a try and it didn't only not pull it out but made it bigger almost burning her.
If not for big hands pulling her back, "What's all of this, Shay" the man said, and she faced him to see Kingdrew. He took the entire pan into the sink and dropped water over it making sure everything was out.

Noki came in and saw his kitchen somewhat burned, "Are everybody okay?" he asked and sighed when they both nodded, "What happened" Shay felt too ashamed to look into his eyes, "I was hungry and wanted to make my own food" and soon tears fell from her eyes.

That stopped the two men from scolding her further and Kingdrew held her hand and took her to the infirmary. Marco and the nurses panicked when they saw her there in tears, "What's wrong" Marco asked and Kingdrew explained.

Marco went over to her and looked over for any burn marks. He was happy that there was none, "How come you always make trouble for the rest of us. You have to think" He was half-serious, "It's not my fault. I did everything Noki taught me" she was trying to figure where it went wrong.

"Next time wake someone up. Don't do it on your own" Marco said but didn't feel like she was going to listen anyway. Whitebeard came rushing in but relaxed when he found out she was okay.

Goodness, this girl was made them all worried and they hoping that it wasn't something she was going to make a habit of.

P.s. she would.

Later that day, Shay saw Marco, Vista, and Jozu looking at Oden and Toki talk. They were soon blushing. The two looked so happy together. She smiled at walked over to them, "Oi Oden, are you doing to marry Toki?" she asked innocently, "I might" he smirked as he looked at her.

"I want you to be as happy as my mama and daddy" Shayla smiled and got her sketchbook to draw them like that. She'd never seen her parents together, but she could feel it when they spoke about each other. It was with so much love and her eyes soften.
-x-

The week was now over and Shay didn't want to wait anymore. She went over to a certain blond man, "Marco, Marco, Marco train me, please" the older man smiled down at her, "Alright, I've kept you waiting long enough" and she agreed 100%.

The two went out on an open space at the deck, "Fire is power. Feel it within yourself and let it out" Marco took a deep breath and let his phoenix flame out. Yup, still so beautiful.

Shay took her hands out palms facing up and she too took a deep breath a couple of times. It took some time but a small flame appeared and she smiled. The little girl tried to make it bigger by putting more energy into it.

It was like she was holding a small life in her hands and admiring the orange/yellow colors. Marco came over to her, "That's exactly it, little one. I had a feeling you would learn it quickly, yoi" he patted her head.

Shay played around with the fire and it was amazing. She was naturally learning this element easily.

"Do you think I can make my flames blue too," Shay asked and looked at Marco hopeful, "My flames are the phoenix's healing flame so it's natural blue and golden. As for yours, it's hot" the girl looked disappointed, "But…if you can get it up to 1600 degree Celsius (3000-degree Fahrenheit) with very hot flames it might actually be possible." Marco encouraged with a smile.

Shay trained her powers every day and refused to learn water till her control over her fight techniques over the other elements were almost perfect.

She needed a sparring partner and looked around the deck, "Jozu will you fight me. My powers won't hurt you… yet" she smirked at him and he accepted, "You can't do anything to me" all confident.

Shay went to attack him by using her fire, but it didn't affect him one bit. She tried again and again the result was still the same. It frustrated her that she couldn't even make him move and she used her wind power too, but sadly for her, he was steady as a stone - literally.

Shay took a deep breath, "I have to think of a way" she whispers to herself and went over to her rock, kicked with her wind at Jozu. Finally, something she did made him take a step back to catch it.

Shay cheered, she made him move an inch. Well, actually it was a step which was even better, "I win, Jozu" she was dancing around him before she made her way to the gallery to eat. Man, she was hungry. The youngest on the crew took some food and sat at a table with Nekomamushi, Inuarashi, Oden, and Izo, "Hello samurai" she smiled and made them laugh.

She loved to eat and would like to learn how to make her own food. Stupid Noki banned her from the kitchen for at least a year. Shay pouted at the memory and suddenly remembered something, "Oden, can you teach me how to make your delicious oden" bashing her eyelashes cutely at him.

He didn't know that she was banned, "Hey, weren't you banned from the kitchen" Inuarashi said snitching on her. "I was…not?" she smiled innocently, "Alright, but since you can't enter the kitchen how about we do it on the deck with your fire powers. Are you up for it?" Oden challenged and she gladly accepted.

...

"That's all the ingredients. Now it's your job to use your fire under the big pot until it's boiled" it's kind of training for her, "What? I can't do it for that long. It will take hours", she had a with a face of disbelieve, "I know. Take care," he said before he was gone.

Shayla looked at her small hands and took them under the pot in a small space to heat the food. She knew that this was a way for her to learn patience that she didn't have to begin with. Damn it, Oden this better be worth it.

About an hour went by and whitebeard came over to her, "What are you doing, treasure" he probably already knew the answer, "I wanted to learn how to make oden, but he left me like this" she pouted. "You know, that you can just leave," the captain said, "I know, but I'm not quitting just because things didn't go my way," she said and almost sounding mature. Whitebeard was proud.

"Then I'll keep your company," the captain said and sat next to her, "It's alright daddy. I can do this alone," she said hoping that he would stay anyway. "Don't you want your old man here" the captain teased, "Of course I do" she smiled. "Your mother was like that too: determent and goofy. It was one of her best traits. The reason I loved her."

Shay saw the look in her father's eyes, and she knew he meant it, "Can you tell me a story about Mama" she asked and Whitebeard patted her head, "Of course" Shay moved to face him while still boiling the pot.

"Your mother used to be a marine. A vice-admiral at that. She had this power, but no one knew that it was a family heirloom and she trusted no one with that information." He smiled. "Katarina was always stubborn refusing to be rescued by any man. The day I met her was chaotic and she even tried to arrest me" Shayla smiled at the memory.

She knew her mama used to be a marine, "I saw something in her and she quickly held my heart. It took me years to win her trust and her love, but it was 100 percent worth it." The captain held his daughter closer.

"Then we had you on Sheba and I was there the day you were born. It was your mother's idea to name you Shayla, it means 'majestic and dauntless one with beautiful eyes' which was perfect for you. Katarina has high hopes for you. I couldn't say too long, or the marines would have found me. Your mother didn't want you to live as a pirate at such a young age and decided to stay behind.

You're are the child of a pirate and marine. I love you and you're free to choose whatever world you want" he kissing her hair. Shay's eyes shined at the thought of her mother. It felt long ago since she cried at the memory of her and now, she was smiling brightly, "Thank you, daddy"

Shay looked to the sky and had actually never thought of leaving this ship. Why would her father say that? Didn't he want her here anymore or was it's to give her the option to choose her own way? If so, she loved him even more for it.

Oden was gone for about two hours before returning, "It's done. You can stop now, little one" she forgot that she was doing it and removed her hand, "Okay". Oden gave her the first potion. It was delicious and she ate a lot of it. There's no way she was going to leave this ship ever. She loved these outlaws too much and took her book to draw her happy times.

"We'll arrive at the Red Line soon and then we are going under it to Fishman island," Whitebeard told her and was looking forward to seeing her expression when she saw it. Shay didn't pay much attention to it because she was too busy drawing to know the next adventure of her life.