Ok! A couple of side notes for everyone. First of all sorry! I am so late on this. I have been utterly busy and it's 0137 in the morning. I'm just now finishing this. Which brings me to side note #2. I haven't done much grammar checking this chapter. Forgive me if there are sentences missing and such. Tell me in the comments if you guys spot any.
Now to my next agenda... Comments. Yes I do read them. I appreciate the time you take to ask your questions or leave your thoughts. I will however not indulge in questions that lead to spoilers. Sorry. I work at a slightly slower pace at times and the build up in this story requires, just that. At least in my mind.
With all that out of the way. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and have a great... day, night, evening, morning...
After some good conversation and many chocolaty biscotti, Sengoku had to say good-bye. It was at the end of the day and he had many things to wrap up. Reluctantly the protective grandfather left his granddaughter in the company of Aokiji but it wasn't something he would think too hard on. The man was an outstanding admiral, plus he and Garp had already warned her about asking for help. Dark copper orbs watched as the fleet-admiral patted Katie's head before disappearing up the stairs.
The long-haired brunette let out a heavy sigh just as she took a sip. By now Kuzan had relaxed with his legs stretched out and his back pressed against one of the support beams that jetted upward where an extension used to be. For a long moment, he remained quiet. His intention wasn't to be awkward but just enjoy the simple sounds of seagulls in the distance, the cadence calls of marines in training, and the chatter of people in the streets below them. Katie seemed to be on the same page with her eyes casted down. A soft smile touching her lips.
"Man…", he stretched. "This is the life", the man added before taking in another hearty gulp of his drink. His words earned a nod from her before striking him with a warm gaze. The admiral's breath caught compelling the man to shiver; that took him by surprise. After regaining his composure and pride, it made him chuckle. It was the realization of just how odd this situation was. Not since his early years in the military had he'd even thought of investing in the opposite sex. Now here he was with one that could literally choose any man on the island yet she was having a coffee with him. He didn't know whether to count this as his lucky day or not.
Kuzan watched Katie's nose twitched as she looked up at the clear, darkening sky as the sun was almost fully set. "It's going to rain", she clearly spoke while holding out her hand with the palm facing upward. Normally most people would have laughed at the idea of a person saying it was going to rain on such a clear evening but Aokiji had been on the sea for far more years than he'd like to count. He could feel the drop in the air pressure. All the signs were there as well. The tiny thin cloud floating above appeared too grey in color, the birds flying higher than normal, and the slight moist feeling in the air.
Disgruntled, the man dropped his head in defeat. "Not a good thing", she questioned before taking another long sip of her warm coffee.
"I have inspections in the morning", Kuzan answered while letting out a groan.
"Well that's not too bad", she added; only to receive an 'oh really' gaze with his brow raised. "Or… maybe it is", the young woman probed nervously.
"I'd rather not…", the admiral dryly stated before finishing his cup and standing. He watched Katie set her cup down and stand to bid him farewell. She really had to make an effort to look up at him but most women did, he thought. After a handing the mug back to her, he turned on his heels to pluck the navel coat from the nail. "Where are you staying", the curly haired man inquired while draping the article over his forearm.
"In the building behind you", she pointed out casually while cupping the large black mug in her delicate fingers. Now it was time for Aokiji's expression to grow blank. Crossing his arms, a shadow had over casted his eyes. Her two grandfathers really went out of their way to not spoil her. The place was utterly unsuitable for anyone to stay. Especially with the bad weather rolling in. "Ah...", the brunette expressed nervously.
"I have a better idea…", he spoke up. The admiral's head was beginning to hurt both figuratively and literally. This was beginning to be more trouble than it was worth. Causing him to rub the back of his head gingerly before crossing his long arms, once more.
"Eh…? W…wait... What?" Katie was confused. She had an odd feeling he was going to offer for her to stay with him or with someone he knew. It was the only two logical reasons to bring up his so called 'better idea'.
An exasperated sigh followed as he continued to stand his ground. His features remained over shadowed before he cleared the air. "There's a place you can stay", he added. Watching her brows furrow and the concerned appearance twist into her character made the admiral realize how it sounded.
"Wait! Not like that! I…", he stammered with his eyes returning to their normal gaze. "I mean there's a place for family members to stay. It's not used much and it's on the edge of the training grounds so you'll hear the guys early in the morning...", Kuzan was quick to explain.
"Hm", the brunette hummed. "I don't know. My grandpa told me to not to bother anyone. Especially three people in particular. He specifically told me if I had any problems to go to him or if he wasn't around, go to certain people he knew.
She was cautious and with good reason, the overly tall officer thought. After all, a favor for her could put either Sengoku or Garp in debt. Luckily for the little woman, he wasn't like that plus he had his own agenda. She was an enigma. Katie could approach men like him without a hesitating and even Bastille had kind things to say about her. Smoker had praised her physical ability, earlier and that man simply didn't pass out compliments. He needed to know more about her. But what struck a chord with him was she had pointed out the number three. Aokiji wondered if she was told to avoid the admirals and if that was true, then why was she having coffee with him?
"Oh my… I get it but don't worry. I have my own reasons for helping out so it wouldn't be a problem." Her retracted body language and clenched jaw made the admiral realize how he had just immoral he sounded once more. Katie had become defensive by flinging her hands in front of her as to deflect any attack. Ultimately placing one coffee mug between her and he. Her large blue eyes darting up and down his form quickly. The petite female's body turned sideways to instinctively make herself smaller, if that was even possible he pondered.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa… No! Not like that either…", he tried to clarify. "Your coffee", the curly haired man pointed in a desperation to correct what he meant. Kuzan rubbed his temples and leaned against the support his coat was hanging from.
"You want a cup of coffee in the morning…", she asked with concern in her tone. As if she nearly didn't believe him. Katie remained in her defensive position but slowly dropped her hands pulling the mug to her chest like a child with a teddy bear to ward off the monster.
He sighed and nodded. The admiral's head hung as if he had been overpowered. "Or whenever it's appropriate for you." To his astonishment, she was quite easy to convince as he watched her shoulders lower and her body turn to face him once more.
Copper orbs gazed into dark blue hues as Aokiji watched her body relax. "It tastes really good. It would be nice to have a treat now and again. At least until you get this place fixed up. I can't help you there but now you won't have to worry about sleeping under a roof that leaks", Kuzan had assured while pointing his thumb over his shoulder to indicate the rotten roof sitting on top. "Now my question about three people you're not to bother… Who might that be", he asked closing his eyes as he listened to her response.
Katie stood almost dumbstruck. "Who else? The three admirals that work under grandpa Sengoku. Let's see there's Admiral Akainu-sensei, Admiral Aokiji-sensei, and Admiral Kizaru-sensei." His brow twitched every time he heard the honorifics attached but he'd still let it go for now. It just annoyed him on how old it made him and the others sound.
"I was informed that Akainu-sensei had zero tolerance for antics and could get angry easily. He was the most dangerous of the three and to be avoided if all possible and if not, give the upmost respect to not earn his ire." Kuzan found himself unable to argue those statements. They were all equally dangerous but to an outsider, Sakazuki would pose more of a threat.
"Then there's Aokiji-sensei, whom I was told to never… ever… disturb. The man may seem aloof but he can get quite serious. Once he's in that mind set, it had been expressed to get out of his way. It was also stated he can change his mind on a whim so I need to be careful of that." The admiral discovered that his reservations were well established. Katie honestly didn't know whom she was speaking too. A tiny smirk developed as he kept his eyes closed. The man wasn't sure quite how to take hearing about himself in not such a great light but he wouldn't stop her just yet. He wanted to know more.
"I was also told about Kizaru-sensei." Her pause led Kuzan to open his eyes and stare at her. For a split moment, the long-haired brunette appeared nervous. He began to become even more curious. "I was warned about his perception haki, ungodly hearing, and his incredible eyesight. There's no other marine like him. He can pick out a weakness just within a few seconds and exploit it. I was warned about his demeanor as well and to do my best not to garner his attention." Her wording and concerns were well placed. Even Aokiji was weary of the other admiral.
"Hmph", he responded by pushing himself off the support he had been leaning on. "Well… That's what I suspected though not quite what I wanted to hear. Which grandpa told you all this?"
Katie blinked before shivering. "Why do you ask", she inquired nervously before taking a few steps back. In the dark regions of her mind, the woman was starting to suspect the curly haired officer in front of her was one of the three admirals. If that was true, then she may have very well had just insulted him. The brunette feared her life was over.
Kuzan bent at the waist, closing the distance between the two. He poked the tip of her nose to show exactly how near he was. Watching her eyes widen was like watching a frightened animal. The officer doubted she could even move. The blue hue of her orbs could swallow him whole; just like the ocean, the color was hypnotizing. "Answer the question…", his deep baritone voice commanded without dropping a hint of frustration or anger. He was merely being clear in his authority, nothing else.
"B...b…b…both", she nervously answered him. Her eyes never leaving his until he stood straight up and let out a heavy laugh. Katie was at a loss. She didn't know what to do.
"Sorry, sorry! I shouldn't tease you like this", the rather large officer admitted in a cheerful manner. "So, what's your thoughts about them", he asked before observing a frustrated brunette grow quiet. Her cheeks swelled as the young woman held her breath and the female robbed the admiral of her blue hues by dropping her gaze.
"I… I don't know... I haven't met them and…", Katie paused to breathe. "All I have heard were warnings from my grandpa but on the ship… The men were pretty content to tell me about at least one of the three."
"Oh… Which one", Kuzan interjected quickly. He watched his company raise a brow in response.
"Nope… Not going to tell unless you can answer my question", she added before cleaning out his cup with a dash of water. Katie had used a large jug filled with the clear liquid prior, just for the coffee. The young woman left it out to wash the cups before putting them back in the bag. The brunette just used the red and white cloth that had come with the biscotti, to dry them.
"I'm Aokiji", the gentleman answered before she could ask as she returned to herspot. If there was a devil fruit to be able to turn oneself into living statue, he could have sworn the young woman had eaten it. Katie appeared traumatized. Her mouth was agape, the young woman's eyes where white, even her breathing had stopped. She was frozen.
Kuzan was taken back by her response to the point he became worried. Waving a sizeable hand in front of her face in hopes to snap her out of it but it didn't seem to work. Though despite this, he had to admit this was an exceptional payback for robbing him of her reaction prior. Genuinely, this was a bit more fun even if it was at her expense and… a bit cruel. But he wasn't big on the smaller details.