Sorry! I did warn you guys I was busy. I am going to upload this chapter and quickly polish up the next chapter. I had to split this one in half. It was pretty big. Essentially, you get two chapters in one day. First part now. Second one at midnight.
Again, thanks for all the support. It really means a lot.
It had been two weeks since Katie's arrival to Marineford. The little woman had been busy. Once the storm had lifted she acquired the necessary paperwork to begin demolition of the shop. Tashigi had been impressed with her hard-working ethics as well as the training routine the young brunette had implemented. The petty officer even participated with Smoker's approval. The captain was relieved to see his subordinate take her duty seriously.
In the cool mornings, Katie would wake at four-thirty in the morning just to run down to the open beach on the other side of the island. She'd workout using their pull up bars and sand dunes to turtle crawl up after doing one armed pushups. The run was the killer for the marine accompanying her but the two managed. When the women were done, the brunette allow the female swordsman to take a shower first while starting coffee. By six Aokiji would let himself in, steal a cup of coffee, and proceed to eat breakfast with the duo.
During the day, it was hot and long but satisfying. The long-haired female would begin tearing down large chunks of debris from the rotting structure. Even found a nest of hornets that chased her through the streets while Tashigi watched from a distance. After hauling bin after bin of rotted wood and broken glass, Katie would come home to a sleeping Kuzan on her couch. The admiral made this his daily routine as well. The days he worked, the man would simply let himself in and take a long nap. The marine had no shame. In his blue and white clad uniform with a green sleep mask over his eyes, he'd reside in her home as if it were his own. Sometimes the curly haired officer would lift his mask and greet her and other days he'd sleep until dinner was done.
One afternoon, Tashigi was called away and it was just Katie alone. He was in a heavy slumber with his arms resting over his chest. His ankles crossed at the end where his knees hung over the arm. Gingerly the female had laid a thin blue blanket over him. It was immensely small compared to his size, she felt it didn't do the man justice but that's all she had. The brunette had spun away to take a shower.
The female tried to take a step from him until a long arm came out and hooked around her waist, pulling her back. Katie felt her body effortlessly hoisted upward and set on his stomach. To the young woman's surprise, a free hand raised the mask before the marine sat up. He folded the arm behind his head and lazily laid the arm that had lifted her, over her legs. The brunette's protests were ignored while the admiral had asked her about her day. Since then, when the marine was alone with the petite female, Kuzan would reach for her. He'd often drape his limbs over her legs or shoulders, while being close. The tall man asked important questions about her day and if she needed him for anything. Unexpectedly to the officer, she didn't. His friend, in turn, would change it up and wonder how his day went instead.
In the evenings, if Sengoku had time, would drop by. Aokiji never once heard that man laugh so much over the years. It was as if he were another person entirely when the fleet-admiral was around Katie. Many times the vertically challenged female hung off his arms to do pull ups. Other times she gave hugs or climbed on his shoulders like a monkey. They spoke about mundane things over the dinner table while the admiral sat around and enjoyed the company. It really felt pleasant; like a family even with Tashigi there.
The older man treated the petty officer not as a subordinate but more as a friend to his granddaughter. The marine often asked how her progress in training was coming along or how the other units were treating her. He listened closely to her answers and offered advice. Oddly the high ranking officer never once spoke about work.
Over the course of good days and great times, Katie never once forgot about her grandpa Garp. She really wanted to see him. He was one of two reasons she wanted to come to Marineford. Sengoku was special to her and she loved the man just as equally as the vice-admiral but having him missing made the place feel empty. The brunette had so much to tell him. Everything from making new friends with the flower shop owner across from her café, to meeting Zephyr's wife, and forming the unofficial little woman squad.
The next morning was left with not much for the brunette to do. Garp's granddaughter had an inspection scheduled to have the plot looked at. It was essential before she could search for the necessary people to build the café the way she wanted it. Katie knew she wasn't good with carpentry despite her grandpa's claims. The twenty-three year old wanted a professional job done. The female had a budget and was going to adhere to it to see her dream accomplished but the little woman didn't take in account of all the hoops she had to jump through.
The semi-bored Katie came up with a nice idea and had asked Tashigi about it the day prior. The petty officer confirmed that the women behind the greeting desk would often be taken for granted. Many of the officers didn't even acknowledge their existence and often walked right by them. That morning was going to change, the brunette determined.
At seven in the morning as officers began sauntering in with a sluggish step, the long-haired brunette appeared in a fit and flare sundress. It was lavender in color with wide shoulder straps and a v-neckline that allowed some her womanly assets to be revealed. The little woman had a large thick black ribbon tied around the waist line to give her form more figure. A tasteful black sheer scarf wrapped around her thin neck and tied in a bow off to the side. To top off her look, a large black sun hat with a wide brim sat on top of her head. It suited a large matching lavender ribbon that was pulled back in a large bow on the side.
Behind the extensive 'U' shaped cherry wood desk, stood three women. A blonde, brunette, and a red head, just like those awful jokes. All three wore matching staff uniforms. It was the typical tight black skirt that reached above the knee with a white blouse under a black vest. They lacked name tags but it was a greeting desk. Names weren't all that important.
Their eyes widened and sparkled as Katie approached with her arms filled with coffee cans. Tashigi, in a red and yellow floral blouse with dark blue capris, carried boxes of pastries they made the night prior. "This is for you. As a thank you, of course." The two women bowed to the three who stood behind the large booth. With excitement, the blonde covered her mouth while the red head waved the two to come behind the counter. The employee opened the door to the break room which was merely a meter away. It was clear the set up was a multi-facilitated space. Most importantly the counter that ran along the small area had a coffee pot. Katie went to work. Before anyone could have had a chance to complain, the aroma of coffee and vanilla filled the entire greeting area.
"I can't believe it", the blonde squealed happily. "Vice-admiral Garp's granddaughter is giving us coffee and sweets", she continued in an excited upbeat tone. It was obvious to Katie, this extension of acknowledgement had made their day.
"It's nice to have someone say thank you", the brunette employee interjected as she adjusted her thick bun.
"Often it feels like everyone just ignores us because we're not marines. Kind of like three decorations to stand around and smile", the red head with a bob cut added in a slighted tone.
Tashigi understood very well where the three were coming from. In many ways she could relate as a female swordsman. Her heart went out to the women. It made her a little happy to be a part of her friend's scheme.
As soon as the smell of Katie's coffee touched the noses of every marine walking by, they began to stop and take notice. Some of the men were even approaching the counter to ask how the three young women were doing. With polite bows, they said their "good mornings" and in return became the subject of flirting. Some greetings were light in nature while others thought it was ok to try and reach over the large desk. The female swordsman had to act as a barrier and going as far as to remind some captains that touching was not permitted. She earned sneers but nothing more until a mousy looking man approached.
By his long white coat and blue shoulder pads with golden fringes, it was clear the man with the whiskers was a captain. His angular face supported a rat like appearance more than a mouse. His white hood over his hat reinforced the idea he was a sort of a rat-man with animal ears perched on top.
Katie had stepped out of the back room with five cups of coffee on a round tray. One for each of the three hosts, Tashigi, and herself. Arrogantly the rat-man of a captain reached over the top and snatched one of the white mugs. A round of "hey" came from each of the women simultaneously.
"Chi chi chi chi", the captain laughed before sipping the hot drink. "Oh… now that's delicious", he smiled devilishly. "You ladies finally figured out how to earn your wages", the marine taunted.
The three hosts appeared pale as they bowed at the waist to greet him. Frowns laced their expression. Tashigi narrowed her gaze behind red rimmed glasses. Nothing disgusted her more than an officer flaunting his rank to steal from others. It was disgraceful.
"Oh… You should be careful giving me that look, little girl. I might take that as insubordination", he threatened the petty officer with a wide disgusting smile.
Katie smelled something familiar and quickly jumped into action. Her arms spread to block the officer's view of Tashigi briefly. Much like a human would do as a shield against a threat. The brunette's behavior was abrupt before she too bowed at the waist. "My deepest apologies…"
"That's more like it", the captain interrupted the smaller woman.
Garp's granddaughter continued as if she never heard the marine standing before her. "I should have done a better job in protecting your coffee… Smoker-sensei." It was a lie but Katie wasn't above devious tactics to punish those that seemed out of reach. Not a habit she was into nor would she advise anyone else to do but it was her way of doling out her own justice.
Tashigi blinked to see one looming Smoker appear behind the other captain. His face was shadowed over except for his two cigars smoldering in the light. The man could be compared to the reaper himself. His blue and white coat with green fur was left open with his jitte strapped to the back. Katie had taken note that even his goggles around his muscular neck seemed eerie. A brown leather gloved hand jetted out with lightning speed and grasped the top of the head of the other captain. Everyone heard the knuckles crack as a death grip engaged.
"Nezumi…", Smoker growled. "Stealing a man's coffee before the day even starts…?! Huh?! You got some damn nerve drinking my coffee", he snapped. The loud gruff tenor of the white-haired marine's voice traveled loudly through the entry of the large building. "Not only that, threaten my petty officer! You have a death wish", the White Hunter hissed.
The other captain flailed and began screaming like a woman. Tears flowed like two water fountains had been turned on. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry", he wailed. "Please don't kill me", the rat-man begged before being dragged off painfully by his head.
"Yo… I'll take care of the trash. Just get another cup ready for me", he ordered in a considerably benign tone towards the women from his standing position in front of the large entry doors. All the women thankfully bowed at the waist as he walked off unhurried with Nezumi being towed away effortlessly.