Welcome and thank you once again. This is a simple notice, I get my new computer tomorrow (hopefully). I will continue to work on the story using my laptop but since I have been busy I have not been able to do more than one chapter a day. So finally I'm caught up. This means posts will happen to be roughly every 2 days until I can get some chapters saved up. Once that happens, we can resume posting every day then. Hope you all have a great day and please feel free to leave any comments in the review section!
Katie was, to say the least, astounded by every big and little detail. The cobble stone streets were so lively with people and the marines often hanging around corners to both assist and rest up from their duties. It was serene. She wished Luffy and Ace were around to share the moment but alas, the female knew deep down how much they had their hearts set on becoming pirates. If she remembered correctly, Ace was going to set sail in a year.
The slow calm walk, allowed her to reminisce. Ace and Luffy were both taller than she. Katie only reached the youngest brother's shoulder, much to the teen's delight. Ace, on the other hand, was much taller. Placing her just at his chest level. Often teased as her boyfriend by the bandits at his house whenever she would stop by and visit. It had been four weeks ago and she could still remember the warm aromas of the jungle wafting off his skin once she informed them she was leaving. Causing her to chuckle. They really did spend to much time in the jungle together...
Once she told Ace, he practically threw a fit saying they weren't going to be able to be friends if she was going to live on Marineford. He demanded she be his cook in his new pirate crew so they could stay together as a family. Now that she thought about it, he was a bit childish but Ace was who Ace was and there was no changing it. Even grandpa couldn't beat him enough to change his mind.
A heart felt smile touched her lips. In the end, after a long-heated verbal battle, some silence, and four dozen cookies..., the two reconciled before she boarded the ferry to the passenger ship. Which just happened to arrive a week after her initial announcement. Ace, reluctantly, finally gave her his blessing. Despite her being older, he sort of treated her like the younger sister. She could still feel his arms around her and his breath on her cheek as he held her tightly. He proceeded to rub the top of her head as he made her promise if anyone ever treated her wrong, she'd tell him first.
Luffy rushed in shortly after; coiling his arms and legs around her and Ace in his own fashion of a hug. He then knocked the two over in a short tussle. The three of them rolled around on the ground to the amusement of the village.
Luffy promised he'd be pirate king and understood she had her own dream. He surprisingly supported her but now that she thought about it, it was probably because all the left-over muffins, cookies, and pastries he and Ace got to eat during her time training with Makino at Partys Bar.
The two then vowed that if push came to shove, she'd have a home among their nakama. They were aware of her secret and never shunned her for it. Not once did they mock her for it either. Not even Dadan and her own family. To deepen the bond, the old woman had become like a second mother to her. Her own had been seriously ill and Makino had taken up the mantle in helping with her care but when the brunette started training with the boys, Garp introduced her to the large bandit and her crew.
The recollection of Luffy and Ace escaping grandpa while barking at Dadan to have raised them better, surfaced. Katie couldn't hold it in and began laughing almost hysterically as she could recall grandpa and the two bounding through the house at full speed. Her beaming smile was heartwarming. Everyone in the street paused to look at her which caused a slap of reality, bringing the bubbly female back to where she was.
"You alright-dara", Bastille asked in a jovial tone. He was rather happy to see a young woman holding her own ribs while trying to contain herself. The comical sight brought him a little joy.
Katie had to set down her green duffel bag and take a moment to breathe. Delicate fingers wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. A heavy sigh quickly followed as the granddaughter stretched. "This is such a wonderful and peaceful city... Brings back some very good memories from my own village. I was just feeling a little homesick... that's all", she answered waving off any concern he may have had.
The vice-admiral let out a deep echoing laughter himself. "How long has it been for you-dara?" His question came forth once he quieted down some and the two began their stroll towards the upper tiers of the island once more.
"I'm a little embarrassed to say but only three weeks. It had been four weeks since I announced to everyone I was going to stay in Marineford to help support grandpa." She paused to sigh. "I asked the both of them if it would be ok if I stayed here to pursue my dreams and oddly they jumped at the sheer thought. So, six weeks ago I started my paperwork and three weeks ago finally gathered everything I needed. Grandpa oversaw the process so I didn't miss anything and before I knew it, I saw this place come into view today."
"Don't be embarrassed-dara. Just means you realized how much you were loved back home. I get home sick after only a week of being away though I don't let it interfere with my duties", he added. "Where are you from-dara?"
Before Katie could answer, a familiar thunderous voice echoed from above. She was merely on the second tier while the resonating declaration forced her to gaze upward. "Foosha Village", the strong dignified tone answered. Oceanic blue hues widened once she saw her grandfather standing in his majestic gold and white uniform with a breast full of decorated medals. Tall and commanding, Sengoku stood above them on the flatter part of the steps. Just at the joint where the two levels met forming a platform for the entry to the next tier.
His eyes narrowed on her tiny frame which was now almost in tears. He was doing his best not to crack a smile and leap for joy. Seeing her before him after being away for so long, made his heart swell painfully. Then he noticed Katie's cheeks puff as she turned bright red. The young woman was swaying back and forth as if she was so frustrated that she could barely contain herself while holding her breath.
"Ehhh! What's wrong?!" That was the straw that broke his back. The stoic man was ready to leap to her and swoop her up. The fleet-admiral wanted nothing more than to comfort his one and only granddaughter. He was almost about to when she blurted out what had been bothering her.
"Grandpa…", Katie whined while out stretching her arm and pointing at him. "You're in your uniform and under rule eighty-two, on page forty-three in the handbook you sent… Says I can't hug you!" Her hands and arms flailed as if she were drowning in water. "A marine mustn't display public affection while in uniform for it reflects his/her authority and undermining codes of conduct will not be tolerated."
The brunette's distraught appearance and quote caused the fleet-admiral to whip his head back and laugh uncontrollably. He was so amused by her liveliness, the man nearly forgot he was amongst his peers. "Katie dear… It's ok", his voice softened. Sengoku knew she was simply trying to save face but the rule wasn't enforced entirely. Just when it was appropriate too. Moving faster than the vice-admiral had ever seen, the female had launched herself up the stairs and buried herself under white fabric. She was then securely engulfed in strong arms.
Sengoku spun a few quick turns with her nestled close. She was short and light just like she was when she was a child. A proud man with a beaming smile was all her grandfather's colleagues could see. It had been a while since one of the most powerful men had ever appeared so carefree and happy.
Bastille on the other hand, could not remain calm. In disbelief, his gaze continually switched between Katie and Sengoku in shock. He could only bear witness to the bizarre event that had unfolded before him. To the near giant, it was clear who her grandpa was but the famous Buddha wasn't from nor had family in East Blue. Maybe by extension but wondered if the man had kids at all. The high-ranking officer reckoned if he were to think too hard on it, it would ultimately come out complicated.
Sengoku and Katie hugged their hellos but she hadn't forgotten her guest. To Bastille's surprise the young woman turned towards his direction and made another polite bow to show her thanks. Once she was done she stood straight and bowed once more. "First I want to say thank you but most of all I want to apologize. I never caught your name", the brunette reluctantly admitted with her head remaining lowered.
"Hai! I'm guilty as well-dara", he too bowed. The fleet-admiral beamed. His granddaughter was showing respect and receiving it without much of an effort. At her side the higher ranking official also lowered his head as a thank you. His action nearly caused the officer to jump out of his skin.
"Thank you for bringing my Katie home", Sengoku's character had become gentle and devoted in the short time the young woman had appeared. Nothing Bastille was used too while his time in the marines. It was purely terrifying. The tenor in his voice revealed how much the most powerful man in the marines, loved his grandchild. If anyone had any sense, they'd realize the gravity of that thought. Even an admiral wouldn't dare cross those lines. A cold shiver ran down the vice-admiral's spine. He could feel the chill reach deep into his bones and it caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand up.
It was time for the commissioned officer to take his leave. The vice-admiral clicked his heels and saluted. "It was my duty-dara", Bastille stated with confidence before turning and leaving with a quickened gate in his step. Katie tried to stop him briefly to get his name but Sengoku grabbed her shoulder before tugging her along.
"But grandpa… I was rude and didn't introduce myself! This could reflect on you", she uttered in defiance but it only earned a hearty laugh.
"You'll see him around", Sengoku promised before tucking her under his arm and grabbing her duffel after she had retrieved it. "I have something to show you", he spoke in a jovial yet proud tone. At his words, Katie followed without hesitation or protest while leaning into the much larger figure. She was simply thrilled to be with her grandpa.
Further down the steps was another issue. Bastille was physically shivering until he found a large bench to sit on. In and out, he regulated his breathing and calmed his rattled nerves. The giant of a man leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
"Yo", he heard a familiar voice. Bastille gazed upward slightly. He saw admiral Aokiji standing before him in a relaxed manner. His coat slung over his forearm but remained in his normal blue and white attire with his hands in his pockets.
"A…admiral", the vice-admiral stuttered in disbelief. Once he realized who he was speaking to, the man tried to stand on shaky legs but soon regretted it. They had failed him, bringing him to a knee instead.
"Oh my, are you alright", Kuzan asked in concern without moving a muscle. His expression of surprise spoke in larger volume. The tanned officer was genuinely worried about the masked man's wellbeing.
"I…I'm fine-dara", he assured raising a massive hand. "Just a little rattled. That's all-dara."
Kuzan's copper tinted orbs watched the masked marine sit back in his bench. He had never seen Bastille in such a shaken manner. In his mind, something must have happened to agitate the man to this point.
"I'm a little embarrassed-dara. I didn't know I was escorting a tiger's cub. As soon as I realized the implications of my actions, I watched the tiger change its stripes before my very eyes. Its cub completely unaware like all things young and naïve-dara."
The admiral cocked his head to the side. His brows furrowed. "You're going to have to be frank. I don't think I'm catching on", he admitted. Though he had a strong suspicion this had something to do with the sleeping hottie.
"Our fleet-admiral has a granddaughter named Katie…-dara. I think that's what her name was. It was only mentioned once and at the time I was taken back by our commander lowering his own head to thank me for bringing her home. I watched that man become so calm, like the ocean before a devastating tsunami-dara."
"Oh my", Aokiji muttered. "I thought Garp was her grandfather", the man spoke more to himself than to Bastille but the vice-admiral corrected him.
"She did say she had two-dara. She said both were excited to have her here and if that's the case than it would make sense. Especially since she's from Garp's village-dara. The enormous man stood, rubbing the back of his neck but at least found his footing. "Again, I didn't know that she would be such an important person. She seemed pleasant, down to earth even-dara."
The admiral rubbed the back of his head. Unsure if he wanted to pursue this woman. He initially was going to return the tea since he was a coffee type of guy but just getting close to her seemed almost too much trouble. Aokiji released a heavy, exasperated sigh. His shoulders slumped forward causing a slightly hunched appearance.
Kuzan seemed more convinced than ever to not get involved, turned on his heels and continued in the direction he was going. "Thanks", he waved goodbye with his back turned. It wasn't until he reached one of the lower platforms that the smell of coffee filled his nostrils. The warm aroma forced his curiosity into overdrive. It was… alluring… The man had walked this path several times and couldn't remember this a scent so close to headquarters. Everything was on the lower tiers where most resided. This had to be a fluke but his gut feeling had him wondering if this all had to do with the new resident, Katie.