Three weeks had passed since Ko had saved the dying man and allowed him refuge on her small ship. They had hopped from island to island throughout the East Blue and were now, triumphantly sailing smoothly into the South Blue. Triumphantly, because this time one week ago she was sure their journey would come to an untimely end.
Ko wasn't so naïve to assume that her journey wouldn't bring with it treacherous battles, maybe even to the death. However, she wasn't anticipating this to occur less than two weeks into her voyage and she certainly hadn't anticipated how good she would be at it considering her substantial lack of fighting experience.
She wondered idly if she could expect a wanted poster or if she was safe enough to continue as planned, without hassle from the ever-meddling navy and their sanctimonious ideals.
'Garp would die!'
"What are you snickering about?" Whip asked, stepping into the warm evening air as he towel dried his luscious hair that, absolutely made Ko's piss boil, because it was seemingly just perfect with minimal grooming. A towel dry away from being perfectly wavy and enviously sleek.
"Thinking about how much ass we kicked on Haven Island." She snickered again, patting the chair adjacent to her own.
"Ah yes," Whip replied, coming to sit beside her, "your first ass kicking I believe." Nodding, he tilted his glass of water forward to meet her beer bottle, grinning like a fool.
She couldn't deny the fact that she had become fond of Whip over the few short weeks she had known him. He was great. He cooked, he cleaned and that just meant Ko had to do a lot less of those things. Of course, they weren't the only reasons for keeping the blue haired male around. He carried with him an air of unchallenged confidence that eased her new-to-the-sea nerves and her occasional eccentricities. He was kind, annoyingly so sometimes and although dark, his eyes held the unwavering light of sheer benevolence. He reminded her of Ace a lot of the time.
Not right now though, sitting beside her with but a towel flung over his hips, damp hair cascading around his broad shoulders. She couldn't deny that he was somewhat nice to look at. She was only human after all, although, she would never dare tell him that. She wouldn't hear the end of it and she wasn't interested in exploring her attraction any further. Akiko was more than happy to appreciate it when the mood took her instead of feeling obliged to do so consistently as – she assumed – would be required if her if she did explore it.
Whip had taken it upon himself, after their scurry with the navy, to become her First Mate of sorts, much to her dismay and heated protests. She was not a pirate. She had no desire to be a pirate.
Although, she had found herself shamelessly exhilarated, overcome almost, with the thrill of the fight. And she had considered that with no money to her name she would likely have to steal or con her next meal. Also, she had willingly and freely chosen to sail the seas, knowing that her circumstances would eventually change, and piracy would be the only viable option to continue her search for her pirate father.
She wasn't a pirate though.
Sitting silently in her deck chair, Ko let her head lull back and replayed the string of events that led to their victory in her mind. A tight smugness ever present on her face as she soaked up all the sun had to offer in the way of heat, her exposed skin tingling under the harsh lash of its rays.
~
"When had you planned to tell me you're a world renowned pirate? If ever?" Ko hissed through clenched teeth, shoving a news paper roughly into Whip's face. So hard he had stumbled backwards. Akiko was tinkering on the edge of outright rage as she hurled it once more at the man, venomous words so close to the tip of her tongue that she could taste them. He was well aware that her parentage were to remain a secret and she could take no risk in being found out. Inevitability, she knew she would be, but she had hoped not to be compromised quite this quickly.
"You better calm down, kiddo. Lower your voice." He warned, grabbing her elbow, hard enough to bruise she was sure. He dragged her hurriedly into the nearest alley way, scoping out their surroundings as he did so. Much to Ko's dissatisfaction she was denied her tirade by way of his hand slapped firmly over her mouth.
She considered licking it for a moment.
Eyes narrowed, she watched the blue haired man peer carefully around the brick wall she was pressed against, huffing damp breath against his skin as her patience dwindled. Clearly agitated, Whip turned dark eyes on her, daring her to challenge him one more time. Her own eyes reflected perfectly the challenge he offered, never looking away she held his gaze until he released a harsh breath, dragging the hand that wasn't constricting her oxygen flow through his wind tussled hair.
"Look," He said sternly, looking at her once again, "I told you I had a crew. I told you I lost them. Granted I could have been a little more forthcoming with the details but if you keep shouting you're going to doom your own journey and take us both down with it." For a moment she kept her exterior cool, still locked on his tensed features as she considered his words. He was right of course and she knew that. Reluctantly she nodded her agreement and was grateful when he removed the appendage from her mouth.
The atmosphere grew heavy as neither of them dared speak. This was the first time in their short companionship that it had felt even a little strained and Akiko was unsure of how to handle the situation at hand.
She contemplated inwardly, chewing on her lip. Akiko supposed he had been more than willing to accept her secrecy regarding her family and, what kind of person would she be if she couldn't respect his? Also if what she had read in the paper were true, that the navy presumed him dead, then what additional peril could his presence aboard her ship possibly bring?
'Idiot!' Akiko thought, guilt bubbling horribly within her gut.
"We should head back to the ship. If we're going to sail together we need to trust each other. I don't expect details but I need more to go on. You deserve to know who you're voyaging with too." He didn't reply but motioned to the street beyond the cramped alley way, allowing Akiko to lead him back to her ship.
Wasting no time, she skipped over her snoozing feline and made way for the galley, setting two sake cups on the small table, she filled each of them adequately before knocking them both back, and then re-pouring so that Whip could calm his own nerves should he wish."
Your unease is making me nervous," he continued, sliding into one of the wooden chairs, "just who are these family members of yours?"
"We're going to each ask a question with immediate response. You get to deflect one."
"Like a game?" He enquired slowly, brow cocked."
Who doesn't like games?" When he continued to stare as if she were clinically insane, Akiko felt she should elaborate on her unhinged state. "No one outside of my immediate family, adoptive or biological is aware of my lineage. We have all – well no, my grandpa, mother and hopefully brothers of sorts – have worked hard to keep it that way." Whip seemed to accept that and in raising his drink gave her a reassuring nod that she answered with her own and gestured for him to start.
Akiko could see him mulling over the various possibilities, his brows drawn together as he etched invisible patterns on the tabletop. She wasn't big on patience and for the second time today she was feeling it flee her, leaving behind sour anxiety and frustration that had her restlessly bouncing her knee.
She all but flew from her chair when he finally spoke.
"Where are you from?" She was taken back, initially expecting nothing less than to be thoroughly probed about her relatives.
"Foosha village, East Blue." She told him honestly, returning a question of her own. "How old were you when you set sail?"
"Sixteen."
Soon the questions were tumbling out of them, answers coming just as quickly as they indulged one another's curiosity. Neither had yet deviated from the track of truth, they each still had one question they were able to withhold clarity on.
A few cups of sake in and Akiko was feeling the effects, not quite intoxicated but relaxed enough that, as the mutual interrogation took a somewhat serious turn, she was able to answer with minimal leg bouncing."
Your mother's name?" Whip asked, peering at her through long lashes."
Makino. What was your roll in your crew?"
"Exceptionally skilled fighter and full time stud." He shrugged as if that were obvious at which Akiko rolled her eyes. Smiling around the liquid she was currently sipping. "Who's the marine?"
'Shit!' She stilled for a moment, unsure how to proceed. Though it wasn't officially public knowledge, everyone was quietly aware that back in the day Garp had taken two wanted children into hiding. This would no doubt bring an abundance of additional questions that she didn't want to answer. Cursing herself mentally Akiko tossed back what was left of her drink, welcoming the slow burn as it trickled down her throat, a brief but much needed distraction.
Turning wide chocolate eyes on the male she tried not to blink, willing her tear ducts to sting enough that she could feign tears.
"I have sisters, kid I ain't buying it."
Dramatically, Akiko threw her arms across the table and proceeded to groan into it earning an amused chuckle from Whip. Letting the wooden top cool her now damp forehead she made several unsuccessful attempts to calm herself before speaking again."
Garp." She mumbled petulantly into the mahogany.
Deafening silence.
Silence that, after a moment or two, had Akiko peaking out from the makeshift arm fortress around her head. Over the scrunched material of her jacket she watched Whip intently as an array of emotions took hold of his features.
"Garp." Whip repeated, barely audibly. "The infamous Monkey D Garp?"
"I didn't think it wou – "
"Monkey D Garp is your grandpa so, Monkey D Dragon is…" He let the question trail off, unbelieving eyes settled uncomfortably on her as he worked through this new information and all the connotations it carried.
"No," Akiko offered, "Dragon isn't my father." She felt she should clarify that before Whip had an aneurysm.
"So, you're his adopted granddaughter." He concluded.
Akiko pulled herself back into a sitting position, still watching as Whip tried to turn his muddled questions into coherent sentences. She was painfully aware that he would make the connections sooner rather than later. Given that he had spent ten long years at sea, there wouldn't many names or relationships he was unaware of. The ocean it seemed, didn't keep secrets very well at all, despite the efforts of those involved.
"The pirate king, Monkey D Luffy, he was taken in by Garp too… but your brother died you said." Whips eyes widened substantially as the puzzle that was Akiko snapped into place. Expecting nothing more than utter shock, she was saddened to see his dark eyes clouded over, glistening with unshed tears. She didn't need confirmation, she knew the moment his eyes had flickered briefly to the bracelet she religiously wore.
"You knew him?" She asked quietly, hoping fruitfully that her own eyes wouldn't betray her.
They did.
"Uh, yeah. He… I was there – "
"Don't tell me." She interrupted, cheeks slick with tears. She was eternally grateful for his willingness to do as she asked in that moment. Being aware of his own distress, Akiko reached across the small table that separated them and, without much thought, gently placed her hand over his. A light squeeze tugged Whip's lips ever so slightly, a reassuring smile.
"Ace was… something else. Dragged me out of trouble more times than I'd like to admit." Whip said, fondness clear as his voice took a lighter tone.
Watching her new comrade remember her brother with such unfiltered affection allowed Akiko to smile herself, comforted that he still thought of him as she did, with nothing but the utmost admiration and sincerity.
"So," The man said, sniffing back tears that he hadn't yet shed, "Your other big brother, King of the Pirates huh?"
"The one and only." She replied, using her free hand to messily wipe her face clean of tears and, if truth be told, a little snot.
"You're dad?"
"No," Akiko replied, quickly refilling their cups, "it isn't Gol D Roger either." She added before he could make that assumption.
For a few moments neither of them spoke, both left a little disheartened as the heaviness of their previous conversation thickened around them. Determined to not make this a regular thing, Akiko quickly changed the subject, taking back possession of her hand.
"Whip," she mused, finger mockingly tapping her chin, "is that your real name?"
"No." The man confessed.
"So, what is your re – "
"Never." He scoffed.
Pleased with how their reciprocal telling of themselves had played out thus far, Akiko didn't push him and soon their 'game' was over. Akiko, taking herself off to the shower and Whip venturing back into town in order to sufficiently replenish their supplies. Apparently she burdened the strategically thought out process with her theatrics and unnecessary excitement for weird and wonderful things, Whip had said.
Clicking her tongue, beckoning her currently tiny cat, Akiko sauntered off to the bathroom undressing as she went.
"Can you wait until I'm off the ship to start taking your damn clothes off?" Whip chided through large hands, attempting to blanket her rear from his view.
She said nothing, just waved him off as she rounded the door frame, unintentionally lunging for the faucet as Nell purred around her legs, almost knocking her clean off of her feet. Stepping around the glass screen, Akiko groaned, taking pleasure in the scolding spray of water hammering onto her skin, leaving not an inch untouched as she bowed her head beneath the showers heavy flow. As her forehead came to rest on the white tiled wall, she gasped, the contrast of hot and cold sending a wave of shivers down her spine, raising goosebumps over her limbs. One of life's little luxuries, Akiko took great pleasure in was a shower. It was more often than not where she put her world to rights, her troubles no matter how big or small, her always chaotic mind laid to rest for a short while, washed away with the water.
Mind wondering in the direction of her new friend she thought of all he had told her about himself, complacent smile firmly in place. Born to a small island in The Grand Line he had left at just sixteen, no more than his chain whip in hand and the clothes on his back. He had told her of the harshness of the sea and strangers he encountered before finding his late crew, that one of his sisters had taken to the sea not long after but they had yet to cross paths. Whip had four sisters in total, all younger and, from what she could take from his personality, it went without saying that he was an astounding big brother, eager to love and protect, no regard for the damage done to himself.
Akiko hummed to herself, wondering what that was like, to feel such intense love for another that you would think nothing of sacrificing your very existence in order for the other to live on in your place. Love wasn't lacking in Akiko's life, but she was unsure if she would ever love anybody aside from her mother enough to give into mortality willingly. She deliberated over fabricated scenarios as she finished up in the shower, playing vividly in her mind the kind of woman she knew she'd like to be but was almost certain she wasn't.
Her deliberations came to a swift end as she peered into the large mirror, eyes hideously swollen, reddened around the edges.
'Fantastic,' She thought, snatching up her toothbrush, 'only I could bring myself to damn tears concocting unrealistic stories if heroism.' Towel hugged tightly around her, Akiko continued readying herself for the rest of the day, hoping to do some sight seeing once Whip returned with copious amounts of food that she was inpatient to devour.
Domineering shouts had Akiko abandoning her mundane activities and running for the deck with eagerness that she wasn't proud of but if there was a ruckus going on she wanted to see it. Towel draped lazily over her bare body, she held it close to her chest as she leaned hazardously over the railing, eyes searching for a scuffle.
Her excited expression was quickly redirected to one of aggravated horror, wide eyes falling to Whip who was being pursued by at least twenty Marines, guns drawn and ready to fire at their captains command.