From The Past

Part Two

"I was being a really stupid thirteen year old that day," Mari laughed. "With all that rain I knew I shouldn't be climbing the cliff, but I've never been one to back down from a challenge! The cliff started to crumble under my feet. I seriously thought I was going to die. But the next thing I knew my falling stopped and I was slowly lowered to the ground. When I regained my senses there you were. I didn't have a clue what was going on. But the wind was blowing all around you. It was like you were an angel!"

"And what about her water? How did you come to know of that?" Penguin asked carefully. The rest of the crew sat quietly and sipped their tea that Mari had made for them. They temporarily patched up the holes in the sub just before the rain started pouring down. Once they all were inside, Mari and the kids got them all some towels to dry off with. Mari then made them some tea and started to talk with them about the past while her husband was trying to keep the kids away from the pirates without much luck. They kept slipping into the room. And it didn't help the man much as the Heart Pirates were being so friendly with the kids.

Neo was, of course, sitting right beside Law. She had her bare feet pulled up on the couch and was snuggling into his side. Law, sensing she was slightly uncomfortable with all that was going on at the moment, kept his arm firmly around her. He had his hand resting on her thigh and would occasionally brush his thumb over her jeans.

"The cliff has a waterfall on one side. And with all the rain it over flooded the stream. I guess when the cliff started to crumble it caused a domino effect," Mari replied, running her hand through her blonde hair. "She flung her hand up just before the water came crashing down on us. After all that happened, I asked you to come home with me. With the torn, dirty clothes you were wearing I figured you didn't have a place to stay. You really didn't response to me, but I took your hand and lead you to my home. My family gladly took you in especially since you saved me. A few days later you were gone. You just vanished. Do you remember now?"

"I'm sorry," Neo lightly shook her head. "I don't remember that. Back then…I wasn't really in a great state of mind."

Law tightened his hold on her. She gave him a smile and placed her hand over his to let him know she was okay. Mari nodded her head. "I should say so. You never did speak to anyone at the time. I always wondered what could have happened that would put someone in such a state."

The crew tensed. Mari noticed. "Oh, don't worry. I won't force her to tell me anything. I'm just glad that she's all right and feeling better."

Neo's lips twitched into a small smile. Mari then clapped her hands a few times and stood up. "Well, I think it's time we all turned it."

"Aw, mom, do we have to?" The kids whined.

"We want to stay up longer!"

"And we want to hear more traveling stories from the pirates!"

"Absolutely not!" Mari's husband, Sai, hissed.

Mari laughed. "Sorry, kids, but it's already way past your bedtime. Besides, they're going to be here for a few days at least. You'll have plenty of time to talk to them. Off to bed with you all."

The kids groaned but did as they were told to do with their dad walking them out of the room.

"And that little incident inspired you to build a resort?" Shachi asked.

Mari nodded. "Kinda odd how something like that could produce all of this. But that's not all it produced."

"What do you mean?" Neo asked.

"You haven't noticed?" Mari's eyes beamed. The pirates exchanged confused glances. "None of our kids are blood related. Even to me and Sai."

"You adopted those kids?" Neo asked.

"Yup! They all come from tough backgrounds. I actually never thought about having kids either way. Then after what happened with you, I started to notice how many kids didn't have parents or good parents. I met another young girl when I was about twenty one. She was around the age of nine years old. She had an incurable illness. No one wanted to be around her because they didn't understand her, I guess. But I wanted to help her. So I took her in until her passed away. And here we are."

"That's amazing," Bepo commented. The crew mumbled their agreements.

"I suppose it is," Mari smiled. "I'm sure you all would like to get some sleep now. You have a busy day tomorrow. And, please, feel free to use any of our services. It's all free for you to use. You're family to us now."

"NO THEY'RE NOT!" Sai's voice shrieked from the other room.

"Oh, hush!" Mari hissed as she headed out of the room. The pirates then stood up and made their way to their own assigned rooms.

"Well, that was interesting," Neo said once she and Law were laying in bed.

"Are you feeling okay?" Law asked. He propped up on his arm and brushed his other hand over her arm.

"Yes," Neo turned her head to him and smiled. "I think we're safe here. I'm just kind of surprised that I did something like that. I thought I was to detached from reality to help anyone."

"Maybe it's just in your nature to help someone who's in danger," Law offered. "You acted on instinct."

"I'm glad," Neo smiled. She then lightly gasped.

"What is it?"

"Baby's kicking me," Neo took Law's hand and placed it on her stomach. "I think baby is telling us to go to sleep."

Law chuckled. "You're probably right. It's been a long day. And I can see you are tired."

"I am," Neo mumbled just before Law leaned over and pecked her lips.

"Sleep well, my love."

"You as well," Neo smiled sleepily as her eyelids started to drift close. Law, as always, watched her sleep for a while before laying down himself. He tenderly stroked his love's stomach before letting himself drift off.

…

Over the next couple of days, the crew and the kids-under Sai's protest-got to work on repairing the sub. Neo spend her time divided between spending time with Mari and spending time watching the crew work. Law eventually joined the crew in repairing the crew when he knew for sure that Neo was comfortable with her surroundings. He often checked on her, either himself or sent a crew member to do it.

"Lunch time, everyone!" Mari called out when she, a couple of the older kids and Neo walked over to the sub with sandwiches and drinks in hand. The working group cheered happily and started to set down their tools. Once they had ever laid out, Neo made Law a plate, grabbed him a drink then walked it over to him.

"Thank you, love," Law kissed her temple. The two sat down then.

Neo eyed his sweaty form. "Ya know…I'm kinda glad that storm damaged the sub."

"Because you got to meet Mari again?" Law asked.

"Yeah, that too," Neo ran her eyes over his chest. "And I get to see you shirtless and sweaty. I hardly ever get to see you like this. It's very sexy."

Law swallowed his bite of food and chuckled. He leaned over and nipped her neck with his lips. "Well, I'm glad I made your day. You make mine everyday no matter what you're wearing. Especially when you're wearing nothing."

"Eek!" Neo squealed when he started getting a little too heated. "L-Law! There are kids around!"

"Hm," He hummed while pulling away from her. "Too bad. I'll guess we'll just have to pick this up later then."

Neo cleared her throat and peeked around to see if anyone noticed them. No one did. They all were too hungry and focused on lunch. "So how's the sub coming?"

"Faster than expected," Law replied. "We'll be able to leave the day after tomorrow."

"That soon?" Neo scanned her eyes over the group until they landed on Mari. Law watched Neo from the corner of his eye.

"Are you going to tell her?" He asked after a while of silence.

Neo sighed. "I would like to. She's done so much for us…And for me."

"But?"

"But we've already put her and her family in so much danger by being here. They can deny meeting us easily, but that doesn't mean people will believe them. And then there's me…It might not be a good idea for them to know about me completely. Especially after what happened with Pendulum. Mari and Sai does so much for so many kids."

"If you're sure that's what you want."

Neo nodded. "I don't want to bring any trouble to them. I can't tell them."

…

"Even though I knew you wouldn't be here for long, I'm still sad that you're leaving so soon," Mari laughed sadly. "I really am hopeless."

"I'm sorry," Neo replied. She took Mari's hands. "And I'm sorry I can't tell you about myself completely. It won't be-"

"Don't worry about it," Mari cut her off. She smiled brightly. "It really is fine. I trust you. If you can't tell me, then you can't tell me."

"Thank you," Neo smiled. "Thank you so much for everything you've done."

"Don't go!" The two women turned their heads when the kids cried. A few of them were clinging to Bepo. The poor bear didn't know what to do with the wailing kids. Shachi and Penguin's laughter at their fuzzy crew mate didn't help anything either.

"I'm sorry!" Bepo cried out.

"That's enough, kids! Release him at once!" Sai snapped. "It's time for them to go!"

"But papa! We love them!"

"That doesn't matter! I said release them!" Reluctantly, the kids did as they were told.

"Neo, it's time to go," Law announced. Neo nodded then hugged Mari. More tears and cries were heard from the kids as the Heart Pirates said their goodbyes.

Neo took one last look at the family they were leaving. She summoned her wind and water crystals, keeping them out of sight, and controlled a light breeze to dance around the family standing on the beach while causing small burst of water to rise out of the ocean. Mari smiled with tears in her eyes and waved goodbye. Neo waved and smiled too before following Law into the sub.

Law put his arm around her shoulders. "You okay?"

"Yes," She nodded while rubbing tears from her eyes. "I know I made the right decision, but I'm still sad."

"Maybe we'll see them again someday," Neo smiled lightly. Sudden she found herself being swept off her feet. She gave Law a questioning look. "You being sad won't do at all. So it's time we picked up where we left off the other day."

"Oh! You!" Neo giggled as Law rushed her to their room.