"Mum, have you seen Nell? I can't find her anywhere." Akiko asked, concerned as she made her way into Party's bar.
"That damn cat is more trouble than she's worth." A deep, familiar voice boomed across the small seating area, a wide grin spreading across his face. Flinging herself across the room, Akiko jumped into his arms, hanging off of his large shoulders as she laughed.
"Grandpa, what are you doing here?" She asked, unable to contain her excitement as she squeezed him. Her grandpa, retired Marine, Monkey D Garp had been absent for the last six months and she had missed him dearly. Usually he'd visit at least once a month for her training and to chastise her for wanting to sail the seas, no matter how many times she assured him it had nothing to do with becoming a pirate. Still, he had insisted she learn how to defend herself, teaching her swordsman ship, how to fight hand to hand and, on her own she'd developed observation haki too. She let herself swing from him for a moment before giving one final squeeze and dropping to land lightly on her feet.
"I came to see you on your way. Figured I missed the boys leaving day and plus, last grandchild and all that." He answered with a closed eye smile, ruffling her mane of red hair. Garp reached into his pocket then, pulling out what appeared to be a small ball of black fluff. "I believe this is yours. I found her in town terrorising the men that work the fish stall." Akiko rolled her eyes, of course that's were she was. Garp dropped the tiny black cat into his granddaughters hand, making his way to the bar where Makino watched their exchange lovingly.
"Nell, what have I told you? Stay out of town." Akiko told her pet sternly as she set her on the floor gently. The defiant animal, swished her tail in the air as something caught her sharp eye across the room. Her little head bent to rest on her paws as she readied herself to pounce, springing at her pray the tiny cat grew in size, now standing knee height with her owner. Shaking her head, unwilling to be brought down today, Akiko took herself to the bar where her mother and grandpa were exchanging rushed whispers, abruptly stopping once she came to stand beside them.
Makino shot Garp a warning look as he was about to say something. After watching conflicted emotions run riot over his face, Akiko brought her hand down hard in the bar, the sudden slap forcing a squeak from her mother and a loud curse from her grandpa.
"What's going on?" She demanded, eying the pair suspiciously.
"Nothing sweetie." Her mom lied, brushing her thumb gently over her cheek, forehead creased with concern. Garp had turned his attention to the beer he held, eyes burning with the need to speak as he breathed through clenched teeth. Akiko watched, saddened as he struggled with emotions, her mother now busying herself with cleaning as she prepared for the lunch time rush. Her own despair had Akiko plopping herself into a bar stool as she played nervously with her long hair. So much for not being brought down today.
"I'm not him." She said quietly, catching both of the adults attention. She met her mothers eyes, big brown ones just like hers, taking notice of the tears pooled within them. Garp said nothing but his knuckles turned white as he gripped his beer tighter, his eyes squeezed shut.
"Ko…" Makino reached out a comforting hand to rest upon her daughters as Akiko realised she was crying. It wasn't unlike her to cry at all, over the silliest things, but rarely did she allow herself to cry for him. She rarely allowed herself to dwell on the bittersweet memories of the boy who had wiped her little face clean of tears more times than she could count as a child, dropping in and out of her childhood around his own training and preparation to take on the sea. He'd held her sleeping frame on many occasions as she'd insisted she could stay awake with him and Luffy into the night, excitedly grabbing her blankets to set up camp in the bar. Unable to stop her tears now, Akiko let her fingers trace the simple silver chain that hung loosely from her left wrist, the ruby flower charm stirred something in her, smiling weakly as she remembered the day he left.
He'd given her this bracelet the day he'd set sail, assuring the emotional mess of a seven year old that he'd make it back one day and until then she could think of this trinket as him. It would guide her through hard times as he had done. Grinning wide he had fixed it to her tiny wrist and delicately kissed her cheek before ruffling her unkempt red hair in an attempt at comfort, which ultimately failed as she'd thrown herself, all sobs and snot at the teenager refusing to let go. Luffy had eventually managed to pry her from his big brother, cursing her tenacity as she left raw scratches and weeping bite marks over his stretchy skin. Without a word, Ace had abruptly turned away from her, shoulders slumped before hopping onto his boat. That was the last time she saw him.
A sudden weight on her shoulder had Akiko looking through blurry eyes at her grandpa who had come to stand behind her, face grim as he fought to clear his own mind. Sighing, the large man pulled her from the bar stool, crushing her into his chest as he rested his cheek against her head, hand stroking the length of her hair. This was the most in terms of physical affection she had ever received from her grandpa, savoring the rare moment, Akiko let herself sink into him as her tears began to dry. Sniffling she pulled away from him briefly to drag the back if her sleeve over her nose.
"That's not proper." She heard her mother mumble behind her, earning a chuckle from Garp and Akiko.
Smiling adoringly up at her grandpa, Akiko wrapped her arms around him once more only to have him lift her by her shoulders and place her a few feet away. The heaviness of the situation was quite obviously becoming too much for the old timer but that was okay. She'd take what she could get. Hands on his hips, Garp drew in a long breath that he held before blowing out quickly.
"Go. Finish packing, girl. You're leaving in a few hours and I've got you a gift." He told her gesturing towards the door that lead upstairs. Akiko clicked her tongue, beckoning her troublesome cat who was currently having some kind of altercation with the blinds, back kegs curled over her head as she batted at the draw string.
"Stop crying, girl and get going." Garp huffed as he heaved his granddaughter off of him. Akiko nodded, momentarily brave as she sniffed back her tears and puffed out her chest. Her mother pressed her forehead against Akiko's, red and green ribbons swirled around them as the wind stirred their hair. A quick kiss on her cheek, Makino drew back, handing her daughter an envelope and a faded photo. Akiko curiously inspected the portrait in her hand, her father staring back at her, his own red hair fanned out around him as he hoisted a jug of beer in the air, surrounded by a smiling crew. Akiko jammed the photo into her pocket, rushing to leave as her emotions threatened to get the better of her for the third time today, and all before lunch.
She boarded her brand new boat, gifted by her grandpa, with Nell tucked into the crook of her neck, purring lightly. As the wood of the deck creaked beneath her weight Akiko drew in a long breath, welcoming the sweet smell of the sea, allowing the swaying ship to settle her restless mind. It wasn't a big ship particularly, but it had a small indoor cabin kitted out with a kitchen and below deck was just enough room to sleep one and an ever changing cat.
Akiko stood at the stern of her shiny new ship, taking in the crowd of townspeople that had turned up to wave her off, the boldness she'd found earlier quickly dissipating as tears erupted from her big brown eyes. Through unforgiving sobs she raised the anchor, before taking one last glance at her home, lip still quivering as Garp howled at her from the dock.
"Remember what I said girl. If you dare fly a Jolly Roger from that ship I'll confiscate it." Her grandpa warned. Akiko nodded firmly and turned her back on them, striding towards the helm that would steer her into a new tomorrow.
The moon was hung high in the night sky, casting a silver hue across the steady waves, a beacon to all at sea. Stars scattered sporadically, suspended in an invisible web of darkness as Ko sat on the railing of her ship that she had yet to name. Nell's eyes darts anxiously around them, her body wrapped around her owners protectively. Any normal feline would typically be terrified of water but, for this unruly cat it posed a significant threat, being a devil fruit consumer did that to a person – or cat.
The mischievous black cat had stolen it from a dodgy man on the market – or so Ko had assumed – and gained the ability to change her size at will. The red headed girl of only fourteen at the time had all but choked on her breakfast as her kitten smashed through the kitchen door, leaving behind a leopard sized hole. That had taken some explaining.
Taking comfort in her fluffy companion, Ko removed herself from the railing and sank back into Nell, ready for sleep to take her as she pulled her thick blanket to her neck. She didn't much want to sleep below deck tonight. She knew it was safer for her and for Nell but the thought od being down there on her own, darkness enclosing on her as she took her first steps out into the world made her shudder. 'no,' she though, rolling into her side. 'I'm fine where I am.'
No sooner had the sleepy thought echoed in her mind, Ko was jolted upright by a loud thud coming from the port side if the small ship. Quickly snatching up her katana, the sleepy girl scrambled to her feet, a hissing Nell followed as she ran towards the sound. Maybe not the best course of action considering she was new to the water and had minimal fighting experience. Even though she had trained Ko had never wielded a sword to do serious damage.
"Who's there?" she shouted over the railing, not getting quite close enough to take a look herself. Nothing. A minute or so passed as Ko stood silently, sleepy and confused before a quiet call caught her attention. It was so quiet that if Nell hadn't snapped her head up, she probably would have missed it.
"Please… help" A feeble voice could be heard, barely above the lapping of the waves. Peering over hesitantly, Ko audibly gasped as her eyes found a man, bleeding profusely slumped over a plank of broken wood.
"Nell, grow." Ko commended and her pet – begrudgingly – obliged, taking on the biggest form of herself that she could without breaking the boat. Ko threw the cats tail overboard, close enough for the man to take hold - if he had the strength – but being mindful of the sea water so as not to hinder Nell's ability. The man shakily raised a bloodied hand, grabbing at the black fur as Nell growled furiously in response to the pain. Successful in his attempt, Ko gave the large cat a quick nod and she pulled him onboard before sauntering off, unbothered. Not really knowing what to do, Ko ran haphazardly into the cabin to search the box of limited medical supplies her mother had given her.
"Bandages, antiseptic cream… needle and thread?" She was unsure about the last items but took them anyway, rushing back to the dying man on her deck.