The rising suns rays shimmered over the cliff side shinning and dancing along the beads of dew that collected around the small patches of grass as well as the unnatural oak tree that Marco leaned against. He slowly blinked awake and looked around slowly coming to his sense. As he looked and regained his composure he could feel a slight heft across his chest. He looked down ad held his arms out in surprise.

There laid the quiet and peaceful Marine wrapped in his shirt using it as a blanket and his chest as a pillow. Even though he was sure with her talents she could just make a blanket of vines or something useless like that.

Yet she chose his shirt. He furrowed his eyebrows. Not only did she chose his shirt but she was still here sleeping on him. This was a first, he thought that she would have been back on the beach with her men by now but instead she was here. He took a second to feel his heart flutter before dismissing the feelings he felt as heartburn from not eating.

He knew that wasn't likely but was more then willing to agree to that conclusion.

Still when he looked down at her hair to see her brown roots shine with the suns beams he thought of a relaxing beach. Not one with injured marines strewn across it shores.

But one just like this where he could hold her for as long as he wanted. Or how she wrapped herself as best as she could around him trying to make her tall and muscular stature small reminded him of his own room back on his ship, just the feeling of comfort she brings him wrapped around him and gave him this feeling of flying. Which is something he knew, and enjoyed. But this was different.

Of course, as if she read his very thoughts her honey brown eyes opened lazily at first before going wide as she tried to get up.

Only to let out a yelp and collapse back on his stomach this time taking his kidneys with her. They now both doubled over in pain as Marco looked across to her laughing. "At least this time you didn't use Haki-yoi."

She groaned and moved to lay flat on the grass as Marco crawled over her to cross his legs and look down at her. "Shut up, you can take it." She smiled before moving to gingerly stretch out her arms before winching again.

"Looks like you can't-yoi." He tilted his head and motioned to help her up before she stuck out her hand to wave him off.

"No, No, I need to do it." She groaned moving to turn herself over with sharp gasps.

Marco placed his head on his hand with an amused smile. "You really are to stubborn for your own good-yoi."

She gave him a playful glare before scoffing as her body was stuck on her hands and knees and her hair loosely fell from her shoulders. "Ha, you anit seen nothin yet birdy boy." She smiled before pushing herself up to sit back on her legs before an instant face of pain appeared as she immediately pushed herself to sit back but only cried out more as she did so with her left wrist.

Till finally she collapsed on her back taking deep breaths as Marco slowly clapped. "You're right, I have not seen anything like that-yoi." He teased before standing up and walking over to her holding out his hand.

Domino smiled and held out her right hand for him to grab. "See I told you didn't I?" She cheered grabbing Marcos hand when suddenly pulling him down towards her. He quickly caught himself landing beside her with an 'omph'.

He glanced at her regaining his senses as he covered his face. It was important she did not see the surprise or else. "I won!" She giggled before moving so her eyes looked at him and she quickly moved to sit up. Clearly demonstrating that what happened before was an act.

Or was it?

Marco let out a defeated laugh and eyed her as she carefully moved her left leg so it was positioned outwards. "Next time you wash ashore Marine, remind me to skip you-yoi." He goaded.

Domino put her bandaged hand across her chest. "Why doctor, you can't do that! I'm to much fun!" She cheered smiling as Marco rolled his eyes. Not giving her the time of day to respond.

However he noticed her staring had increased and it seemed every time he looked over she was leaning closer and closer with wider eyes. He tried to look away and not at her straining face but he lost covering up his face with his arm. "No no I should definitely skip you-yoi." He agreed to himself to feel a light tugging on his arm.

Carefully and slowly he watched as Domino handed him his shirt all balled up and wrinkled. He let a small vein pop out of his head at how wrinkled and dirty it was in just the night they had. "I ruined your shirt!" She called out with a smile.

He shrugged "I hated that one anyway-yoi."

Domino smiled and shrugged herself before gingerly moving to tie it around her bandaged waist. "Hey service and a shirt. Who said pirates were so terrible?" She smiled to see Marco open his eyes.

"Who said you can keep it-yoi?" He asked her to see her playful face cause his own smile. "Well if you hate it then why would you keep it?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"I'll keep it because it's mine-yoi." He called before lunging for the shirt only missing as she pulled it back. Marco kept reaching however forcing Domino to lay flat to avoid his body ramming into hers. He quickly moved his eyes from the waving feather patterned shirt and held out his arms so he was directly above her.

He smirked. "I thought on your back would be the last position you'd be in-yoi?"

Domino 'tcked' and rolled her eyes "Well if I wasn't injured it would be. But things change I s'ppose." She giggled before moving so her head was directly under his. Their eyes locking.

"So, can I kiss you now as thanks or do I wait till later?" She asked him before he quickly pulled his lips to hers.

Once again it was like a fire was kindled between the both of them before Marco quickly pulled away. Domino took in a sharp breath. "That's just a down payment." She teased as Marco nodded moving to stand up holding his hand out for hers.

"Trust me Marine, I intend to collect-yoi." He smiled while pulling her up. His arms went to hold her back as she struggled to stand on one leg leaning on him lightly before holding out her hand. To balance herself.

She gave him a happy smile before Marco nodded to himself and kept his arm under her. They hadn't made her a pair of makeshift crutches because really, she shouldn't be walking at all. Let alone using crutches. But given the fact that she was handling the pain, as well as, no one could stop her otherwise he allowed himself to be her crutch. For now.

"You can't, I'm hurt." She hummed as she happily hopped along the pace Marco had set. He looked over to see her hair bounce with her motions and shook his head in amusement. "You know you are doing more damage to yourself like that then you would if you walked-yoi?" He asked her as she sighed and began to walk normally just with a very visible limp.

Marco watched as she parted from him and continued to walk only to hear a light whimper as she did so. He rolled his eyes and walked behind her scooping her up, holding her to his chest.

He looked down at her triumphed smile and realized what it was she had done. "I lost.." He groaned as she nodded and threw her hands around his neck smiling. "Oh birdy, I know I said not to make this carrying thing a thing. But, it's kind of nice." She smiled and then did a small nod of her head as if she was dancing. "I wonder if I can get carried everywhere by you~" She smiled only to see Marco glance at her before scoffing moving to let go when she held up her right hand "No, no, no, you can't drop me I would surely die from this height." She teased making a motion between were she was and the ground.

Marco narrowed his eyes and 'tcked' she was right, no matter how much he thought about dropping her if he did it would cause worse injuries. He sighed instead moving to set her down at the sandy beaches. Marines meandering around and waiting eagerly as a ship appeared in sight.

Domino groaned as he helped her balance herself before she put weight on her left leg trying to stand straight.

"If you put anymore weight on your leg you will fall over-yoi." He stated matter of fact as Domino nodded holding her arms out trying to balance herself as a collective round of cheers began to rise from the Marines standing. If he wasn't focusing on Domino turn around to show him she had did the very thing he told her not to he would have noticed Adaline briskly walking towards the two hands on her hips. Thatch no where in sight.

"I need to stand on my own." Dominos stern and cold voice started.

Marco raised an eyebrow as if asking a silent question before holding up his arms "If you say so-yoi."

Domino nodded as Adaline was now almost on top of them. "I do, I do say so." She responded. Marco took in a deep breath in annoyance as Adaline appeared before the two. Her red hair freshly washed and smile on her face.

Domino gave a questioning look at her appearance before Adaline tapped her on the shoulder "Domino, it's Kuzan, he'll be here in 20." She spoke and then eyed Marco "Say your goodbyes while you can." Before walking off. She didn't have time to see Domino point at her with confusion and then turn slightly to watch her walk away in surprise.

"Did, she, take a bath?" She asked shocked that Adaline would betray her like that. It was an unspoken rule they should be filthy together.

Marco shrugged "If she slept with Thatch then it's possible. We have running water on the ship-yoi." He stated before Domino went wide eyed and stomped her left leg before gasping in pain.

"You have that! Why didn't you share?" She asked completely unfazed that she was now staring at Marcos teasing smile.

"We already allowed you on the island, that's good enough-yoi." He teased. Domino took in a deep breath and ran her right hand through her hair.

"Right, right, Brutes. The lot of you." She mumbled before turning around only to have Marco reach for her arm and pull her towards him. His eyes locked on her own. He watched as surprise and then want washed over them and smiled.

"Is that how you thank us-yoi?" He asked her tilting her head as she let out her own smile but rolled her eyes.

"Please what else can I do?" She asked him trying to pull away before he held her tighter. He didn't know why he suddenly couldn't let go. However he didn't nor did he want to. She looked down at where he held her arm and looked back towards his wanting stare, growing angry.

Quickly they both locked eyes a silent battle between the two. Dominos a more stern questioning glance while Marco knew she knew what he was saying. But They both know whoever pulled away first would be loser. But neither did, they stood there locked in place searching themselves for the next words.

Domino smirked "You already kissed me once? Why not again? Scared of a few Marines?" She asked him as he looked up realizing that her men now eyed the two curiously. He let go of her and scoffed.

Even though he was upset and wanted her more he couldn't help but smile. It was as if every time he looked at her he wanted to rush to her side, this was unfair and he hated it. But oddly enough it was comforting knowing that she felt the same.

"It'll take a few more then that to scare me-yoi." He stated trying to hide the smile he had when he looked at her defiant eyes.

Once seeing his smile Domino cracked her own and moved to lean on him to give him one last goodbye but, only then she noticed she put weight on her bad leg and fell forward taking un expecting Marco with her.

They both hit the ground with a jarring 'omph' and a cloud of sand. However Marcos arms forced themselves around Dominos waist and looked at her as she looked at him before giving a light laughter before he threw his head back and laughed as well.

He tried to hold on to whatever anger he could conjure up but one look at her and it had vanished he couldn't hold on to it like he needed to. Domino felt the same way and shook her head burying her head in his neck as he held her staring at the blue skies and surprised faces that looked at them from above.

"I told you, you would fall-yoi." He laughed looking across to her. Domino took in a deep breath before letting it out in annoyance. "You did this on purpose didn't you? Planed to goad me with you (She motioned to his body) then boom wrap me up in your arms." She grumbled pulling up as Marco shook his head a smile on his face.

"No."

Domino gave him a light smile before Adaline quickly rushed over mumbling and yelling to hurry up. However whatever she said he ignored it. He only focused on Domino giving him a half salute and called "Thank you Marco, you have my gratitude. You and Whitebeard." She smiled before Adaline quickly wrapped her arm around Domino and helped her towards the beach.

Marco quickly stood up and called out "Pops-yoi." He shouted towards her with a smile. Domino stopped before turning around and waving "Make sure you have plenty of blankets." She called out. Marco nodded suddenly having an urge to run and grab her once more when large oak trees began to spring up around the beach.

He watched as they appeared one after the other pushing the Marines and the over looking pirates apart for the last time. He leaned against the tree watching her hold out her arm and call out orders with a smile.

Thatch ran up and called out to him as the trees began to thicken and add a new layer. "Hey Marco! Lets go, Pops says we can give them a real chase." He laughed "But if you ask me I already got the angels heart I know it!" He smiled before Marco nodded.

"I'll go pick up the tent-yoi." He stated tearing his eyes away from the gorgeous marine.

He looked over the blank sandy wide open area that once held a cot and a poker table now bare. He sighed and kicked the sand at the small bit of blood Domino had spit up yesterday. He moved his foot to walk away when he noticed a leather-bound book sticking spine up in the sand. As if the others had moved it off without a care. But Marco remembered the importance of this book.

Quickly he picked it up blowing the sand off and tapping it in his hands looking towards the beach. After what happened yesterday there was no way she would just leave it behind. Quickly he jogged towards the beach to see her crew boarding a wide and heavily armed ship a towering Aokij leaning over her as if interrogating her.

He stayed silent and watched before someone called him away. Marco looked back towards the person who called his name and back to the two Marines on the beach and let out a growl before turning away. He'd get it back to her a different day.

"I'm not asking if that's what you'd do Kuzan, I'm telling you am I within my rights to do it?" Domino asked harshly. She gingerly stood on her right leg and arms crossed. She didn't dare look at the taller man. She knew what she was planning and didn't need anyone to talk her out of it. Especially the man who looked at her with his long sleeve suit and v neck shirt clashing with his eye mask around his curly hair.

He tilted his head looking as two marines in tattered clothes walked with a third trapped in between the two his head down. "Ah...I believe so. But if you're wrong.." He started before Domino nodded.

"I'm not." She stated coldly and with anger in her voice. She had to be angry, she had to show that this would never happen again. She had to prove that she wasn't the forgiving person she had become. She hated who she was when she was a slave, but she refused to become so forgiving that people walked over her. She needed respect and to show what happens when she didn't get it. So that anyone who dared hurt her men would pay. But most importantly she needed to prove to herself she wouldn't just kill someone and be no better then a pirate.

Kuzan looked at her with curious eyes as she stared towards the ocean her eyes hollow and face stern. He leaned down to look at a white and blue shirt wrapped around her waist before eyeing her one more time. Internally sighing. "He may just join up with the pirates if you do this." He yawned expecting her eyes to change or shift. Instead she shrugged and looked up at him a single tear falling down her cheeks before her smile grew into a vicious grin.

"Then he'll be their floor mat. Not mine." She stated harshly before turning around and nodding towards the two marines who held the tied man between them.

"Hey guys go on ahead I'll take it from here." She smiled softly her left leg lightly being put on the ground and her face unchanging.

The two men looked at each other before they looked at a dirty Kato. His eyes had bags under and his uniform, in prefect condition, dirty with sand.

Domino was right she trusted where Adaline put him on the farthest side of the shore roped off from anyone. However as she looked at the men with stern but worn out brown eyes and his pitiful figure before him she knew she was also right about what she first said.

She wanted to kill him. She felt the pains in her body grow and force her to twist her right wrist before she stopped feeling Kuzan take a step forward before he stopped with the vines.

"Kato," She spoke sternly looking down at the man as he now stood taller a sad frown on his face. "Yes warrant officer?" He asked with confidence.

She tilted her head, "You got what you want." She stated sternly looking back at Kuzan and then at him. "What is that?" He asked his voice horse from dehydration.

Domino smirked "I am no longer your captain." She stated tilting her head as he looked at Kuzan who gave a subtle nod before turning around to walk off. This was more then Kuzan wanted to be awake for. He was aware of how unforgiving Domino could be, he had worked with her before yet he still rather have a nap then watch her.

"Seriously? I'm captain?" He called. Domino gave a 'tck' and a light nod watching as Kato's worn out face warped into a joyous smile before he took a step forward and felt a sharp pain shatter his foot bringing him to his knees.

Suddenly he looked down to see a sharp jagged and bloody flower changing colors growing from a now gaping hole in his foot. He looked down with pain and shock before looking up at an unchanging Domino.

"No, You lost that with the men who lost their lives." She stated sternly before looking at the mans shocked face before quickly pulled her eyes away. He now began to take in sharp breathes and kneel he looked up grimacing in pain.

Domino still didn't look at him any longer then a few glances, she couldn't, instead she focused on the eyes that watched her through the new forest she made. She twisted her left wrist painfully, to decay some of the trees in the background creating larger this much of her devil fruit would cause her to lose control of her emotions again. So she rather have a few onlookers then the pure intoxicating insanity.

"You..Ah..You can't do this. You can't kill a fellow Marine." He called out. His voice a mixture of cockiness and pain.

Domino tried so hard not to look at him she bit her lip and felt the blood enter her mouth as she finally asked "But you're no marine are you? You're a coward. A weasel. Someone who my salvers would of loved play with." She stated sternly to his surprise.

He gasped trying to pull at the plant that now grew larger enveloping his leg as he threw himself back in pain. "You Bitch! You are no captain, They, they wont let you get away with this!" He shouted holding his foot and trying to pull it free when the roots began to grow from his wound and back into the patch of dirt mixed with sand.

She had brought a small handful of dirt from her night with Marco and dropped it where she stood. His foot still stuck as the roots continued to move between the ground as if a needle did when it pulled thread through fabric wrapping his foot towards the ground.

"You're right. I am no longer your captain, You are no longer a marine." She stated sternly her voice washing away his confidence as he grabbed a handful of sand waiting for his moment.

"Then, I'm a civilian please!" He yelled calling eyes from the trees to watch the scene. Domino let out a sadistic smirk at her new audience. "You are not innocent, either." She stated finally breaking her stare at the tree line to his wide eyes. "So what do I do with you?" She growled her smile growing as if she was losing all control.

Kato watched on with fear his hands trembling as his leg throbbed in pain. "Blow you up from the inside? Like you did to my ship? Film it and sabotage you? Or just kill you?" She asked holding out her hand to Kuzan who now leaned forward.

Kato looked between the two and watched as Domino moved her eyes from Kato to see the lazy Kuzan shake his head and quickly took the time throwing his arm in a last ditch effort to release the sand in his hand.

Domino sighed unflinching and held up her hand to everyone's surprise as small buds began to grow from the sand around her and instantly speared the man to the sand. Small droplets of blood ran from the stems staining the beach. However, she was very careful to not kill him. Instead she twisted her wrist and watched as it wrapped around him and sealed him to the sand. He looked on in shock as her eyes snapped on him.

"What I've done and what I will do, means nothing if I can't share that with my men." She stated leaning in to the writhing and wriggling man. "I can no longer give you the benefit of the doubt, just be grateful that I'm letting you live." She waved then frowned leaning closer so she was face to face with him. "We both know it's more the you deserve." spitting out the last part.

She looked at the man who stared at her in awe and looked down at the bleeding hole in his foot and scoffed turning around towards the Marine ship with eyes watching in awe as well. She lightly limped away and held out her arm for Kuzan to hold before Kato picked up his head.

"You monster! You can't do this! You'll pay for this you bitch!" He shouted across the beach. The voice was loud enough to reach the pirates on the ships. Marco looked up and rushed towards the beach hearing yelling was not something he wanted to hear.

Domino pulled away from Kuzan who tried to hold her tighter. She began to laugh a crazy hysterical one and snapped her head back. "You think this is me being a monster?" She asked approaching the terrified marine as Kuzan called "That's enough."

Domino threw her hand dismissing him. "You're damn right I'm a monster. But guess what even I wouldn't sacrifice innocent men for my own spineless wants. You, you have no authority to call me a monster you're not even good enough to be a worm in the ground." She stated the vines twisting and causing the man to scream in pain.

"Oh, don't cry you'll live. But if I so much as hear a whimper come out of your weasel mouth I'll bury you so deep you, your worms wont even find you." She growled before Kuzan put his hand on her shoulder the icy touch sending a shiver down her spine.

"I think it's time you cooled off." He stated his voice dangerously stern. Domino took in a deep breath and nodded twisting her right hand to cause the man to scream once more before they began to decay and catch with the wind.

Kuzan watched as Domino walked towards the boarding ramp her head tilting slightly before she shook her head. He could tell she was fighting herself and it hurt to watch but he understood. He looked back at the tiny man before him and sighed pointing at the wound in his foot.

"I would get that taken care of." He spoke before turning around and waving the ship off. "Alright lets go!" He called walking off.

As soon as Domino walked on the ship she was met with wide and shaded eyes. She didn't dare reach out to say sorry or look at them with sympathy instead she covered her mouth and fell to her knees her left leg buckling first. She took in deep breaths trying not to let them see how tightly she shut her eyes.

Adaline walked over to her sit beside her patting her leg. The men may not know why she was so upset and may even look at her differently but Adaline knew. She wasn't sad, no, Domino never truly cries from sadness. This was tears of anger. Adaline could feel Domino practically seething as she tried to hold her breath to stop from crying. Domino had lost herself in the anger and she was regretting it. But what else was she to do?

Adaline took in a deep breath and looked up at the men who watched the sandy shore disappear and a large white ship appear from the horizon. She looked at Domino who moved to lean herself against the railing of the deck as Kuzan moved to lay down on the deck his eyes already covered with his mask.

"I guess they found us?" He asked idly trying to get comfortable.

Domino nodded and looked down at the tied t-shirt around her waist and rolled it in to a ball and pulling it close. "It was only a matter of time." She stated before pushing herself up with a pained smile and leaned on the railing. Adaline holding on to her as she did so.

"You got this? I think I tore some stitches." She hummed walking towards the door that led below. Deck Kuzan waved his hand lightly in the air. "Nah, I don't have the energy to fight." He sighed before giving the signal to run away.

Domino nodded taking one last look at her tired and charred men with soft eyes before letting Adaline lead her below deck.

Marco watched the Marine ship sail away at full speed and heard grumbles as Pops called the order to leave it. Still he stood there watching the ship absently tapping the spine of the leather book to the railing as if debating on delivering it himself.

Thatch walked up behind him first sticking his head out to the right to look over Marcos shoulder, then again to the left till finally he committed himself to throwing himself over his back staying there as Marco tried to pull him off.

"Thatch-yoi." He sneered before Thatch pulled away laughing "Sorry, just you seemed down again," He paused and looked at the book "Oh hey what's that? A keep sake from the Marine?" He asked his eyebrows wiggling as Marco 'tcked' and held it away from the now grabbing Thatch.

"No," He started before a disgruntle Izo walked towards the main deck nodding a bowl of food in his hand and house slippers on his feet "I think it's cute, The whole gift exchange." Izo called before moving to sit down besides pops.

"What gift exchange-yoi?" Marco asked pulling the book away from Thatch this time sending him a glare as Thatch backed away his hands up but a mischievous grin on his face.

Izo nodded and pulled a wooden spoon out of his mouth. "You know, She gave you a rose, you gave her your poster, she gave you the book, you gave her your shirt. It's a thing and I say it is cute. Thatch however, his Marine is giving me a headache." He stated before their eyes darted to a calm and cool Thatch who walked with swagger towards the center that they all gravitated towards.

"You're just upset because she has better hair then you," He called out with a smile as Izo scoffed "Please! Everyone knows red is to flashy and leaves little to be desired." He responded taking another chomp of his food and stabbing his spoon back down nodding his head as he did so, "I just wish you didn't desire her in the god damn kitchen again!" He yelled to everyone's laughter.

Thatch shrugged "What can I say she was hungry I made her some food! It's my job" he called out then smiled "So what she wanted a little extra? Am I supposed to deny her that? Is that really for me to decide?" He asked defending his most noble actions.

Marco rolled his eyes trying not to smile at Thatch's antics as Whitebeard hummed "Poor girl, The marines deprived her of real men so she had to get Thatch instead."

Marco finally let out a light snicker after trying to hold back before he started to laugh smiling as the others did to.

Thatch pointed "Ah! Emotions what glorious day is this!" he hollered before Izo nodded "I agree."

Marco rolled his eyes and ran his fingers over the book debating on if he should open it or not.

Thatch pointed at Marco getting everyone's attention on the distracted blonde. "Look, Look it's mind games." He whispered as Whitebeard nodded leaning in the circle before the group yelled "You're to big!" Before he pulled out laughing.

Thatch waved Whitebeard off narrating Marcos faces. "What am I to do?" He asked mimicking Marcos voice to a t. The crowd watched him in awe as he continued now playing to the crowd he saw. "This is something I don't think she would just leave. Especially after the way she flipped out when it fell." Thatch asked now deciding to take center stage and pace back and forth using hand motions as he did so.

"But, what if she did leave it for me? Then! Why? and should I open it to see if she wrote me anything?!" He now hunched over as everyone leaned in watching his antics. "But what if it's not even that. What! If it's a sick mind game? I know she's a sadist! Hell we all know that one buddy." Thatch broke character to shake of the image of the beach. Marco did not see the whole thing he did. And boy what he wouldn't give to unsee that smile of hers.

He quickly shook his head and went back into character hunching over and putting a hand to his chin. "what if this wasn't even her Diary! What if she was somehow sick of the Marines, which no one can blame her for, they are the Marines! But! BUT! What if it is secret military codes? Maybe even a marine treasure that she wanted only her beloved to find!" He called to his crowd spreading out his arms only to stop when the crowds happy faces turned terrified.

Thatch turned "Wha...(Thwack!)"

"Ow, what the hell!" He called rubbing his injured head.

Marco held the book in his head standing above a whimpering Thatch and twisting it in his hand. "It is a Diary, and it says you're stupid-yoi." He smiled before walking off as Thatch called out "Yeah, well I bet it says you're ugly!"

Before Izo shook his head sadly as Marco walked out of ear shot. "Yeah Thatch seriously doubt that." He sighed before Thatch sat in a humph. "You don't think it actually says that I'm stupid right?" he asked.

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