"Can't this piece of junk go any faster?" Sora whined flipping her bang leaning her arms over the side of the ship. The early morning air had been dry for hours and she couldn't relax being exposed to the humid weather. She was already starting to missed the cool state of art air conditioned Baratie.
Kuina sighed heavily, "Stop complaining curly brows, we'll get there when we get there." She stated folding her arms. Kuina couldn't help grind her teeth at the lady cook's complaints. She had actually started to miss Edward's idiotic antics over her curly browned cousin's whining.
"Wanna say that to my face moss hair!" Sora shouted raising her fist at the samurai. She had used that nickname since they were kids playing adventures in their parents backyards; somehow it always bothered the green haired woman to no end.
"What'd you call me?!"
"You heard me!"
"Say it again Sora, I dare you!"
"Moss-head, moss-head, moss-head!"
Edward pushed his hat above his eyes with a vein accompanying his forehead. The pair of bickering women woke him up an hour ago and hadn't stopped their squabbling. "Will you two shut up! It was all last night and now this morning, cut it out already." Edward groaned leaning his arms over the side of the boat. "It's too damn hot out here for that." The navigator let his tongue dangle out the side of his mouth extenuating the degree of heat.
"Jeez what's his problem?" Sora asked leaning over to Kuina who in turned shrugged. They were too caught up in their beef to notice they bothered the navigator to the point he was seriously contemplating about jumping overboard.
"I never know what that idiot thinks unless he's talking about navigation." She said leaning back on the side of the boat. Throughout the time they traveled together Edward's moments of seriousness were few and far between. For the most part he was the most carefree person he'd ever met which infuriated the samurai to no end.
Sora turned her attention to the overheated navigator who began fanning himself with his hat furiously. The cook was intent to test the man's navigational knowledge off the bat. She couldn't help become curious how he'd been able to guide their ship so effortlessly. She knew nothing about navigating, to her it seemed like they were sailing in random directions with no clear destination in mind.
"Say Edward, how much longer until we reach our destination?" Sora asked catching his gaze.
Edward always enjoyed chopping it up about navigation, a wide grin came over his features. "If the current keeps up and the wind persists for the next couple of hours we'll be there just after sundown." Edward exclaimed placing his hat over his eyes. His grin grew wider seeing the impressed lady chef smile in satisfaction at his answer.
"Wow he really is a remarkable navigator." Sora said mostly to herself. Despite not being with the group for that long she could already tell his navigational skills were uncanny for someone his age. He managed to keep them on course all through the night despite having a low maintenance vessel.
"Only reason why I'm with him in the first place." Kuina stated earnestly earning a giggle from Sora. It was half the truth, she was forced to travel with him because of her father's wishes otherwise she would've went at it alone despite not knowing a damn thing about piloting a ship.
"Are you sure about that Kuina? I mean you two were alone for nearly two days, you didn't do anything naughty did you?" Sora asked whispering close to the samurai's face making sure Edward couldn't hear her hushed voice.
Kuina's cheeks grew warm. "Shut up curly brows its not like that, I'd never date an idiot like him." She said through gritted teeth. Sora had hit a sensitive nerve.
"Who said anything about dating, I asked if you—" Sora chuckled seeing Kuina's expression. "Never mind, you're much too shy for that." She teased.
"Shut up, Im not shy at all." Kuina argued folding her arms. She wasn't lying, the swordsman spoke her mind freely if she had something to say, however she inherited her father's quiet humility; never speaking without a reason to.
Sora rolled her eyes. "Sure you aren't, it's why all the boys gave me attention rather than you over the years." The chef chuckled louder running her hands through her light brown hair making sure a strand of hair wasn't out of place.
Kuina grew a shade of red reminiscing about the times during their teenage years when boys would shower Sora with attention. Despite all being chased off by her father it didn't stop the young woman from bragging about it. Kuina grew self conscious that very few guys took an interest in her, not like she cared much but it didn't help seeing all of them swoon over Sora.
"I don't care about that stuff anyway, I just want the title of the world's strongest swordsman." Kuina stated calming herself down, she refused to let her friend bait her on any longer.
"Talking like Kuina is exactly how you'll end up single in life." Sora said smirking toward the swordsman.
"Shut it curly brows I don't see you with anyone!"
Sora scoffed at her nickname and the insults hurled by her longtime friend. "At least I won't be forever alone!"
The two shot electricity towards one another with their respective glares.
"Hey." Edward called breaking them from their bickering and gaining the pair's attention.
"Sora there's something I've been meaning to ask you since we left the Baratie." Edward stated as Sora sent a smirk toward Kuina who rolled her eyes.
"Of course Edward-san, I would love to be your girl—" Sora sang with heart eyes before being abruptly interrupted by the navigator.
"Huh? What the hell are you blabbing on about? I need to ask you where your father came from; Charlotte Linlin, your grandmother wouldn't kidnap some ordinary cook from the North Blue, even if he worked under the Pirate King. Plus your mom is a former princess of Totto Land she wouldn't be arranged with a chef formerly from the Baratie, so just who in the hell is his family?" Edward asked glaring directly at Sora. The captain didn't tolerate secrets, especially if in the future it could endanger his crew even if Big Mom was dead.
Sora shared a look with Kuina becoming serious before sighing softly, she couldn't hide it from her navigator and captain. Also she wanted their friendship to start from truth not on a lie.
"Vinsmoke doesn't sound familiar to you does it?"
"No should it?" Edward questioned folding his arms.
Sora's eye twitched from his smart-ass arrogance. "Then have you heard of Germa 66?" She asked returning his glare.
Edward furrowed his brows before widening his eyes slightly. "You mean the infamous assassination Warmongers?" He inquired his jaw hung slightly agape from connecting the dots in his head.
"No way, that's a ruthless mythical army that destroyed nations overnight in their sleep back in the day; the one with the clone army while standing at the forefront of technological warfare." Edward exclaimed palming his forehead from the shock, he was feeling nauseous all of a sudden.
"That's the Vinsmokes for ya, although I'm not very close to them except for my aunt Reiju." Sora said with a fondness to her tone remembering her pink haired aunt.
"Shit and I thought you being a Charlotte was bad enough. You do realize you share some of the two most feared bloodlines in the world right?" Edward questioned raising both his brows toward his newly acquired chef.
"Of course I know that fool! I have to live everyday not being able to see them," she said intensely before calming, "even if I really want to."
"I know what you mean." Edward spoke catching her attention. "Its alright you don't have owe me an explanation, I just wanted the truth." Edward placed his hat back over his eyes willing to leave her be. Now that he truly knew where his other crew mate's origins it gave him solace.
Sora smirked widely turning to face the swordsman who sharpened her swords in quiet contemplation. "Now I know why our dads wanted us to travel with him, he may not show it but he cares a lot and is an good honest person; trust me I've been around my share of bad boys and he's not one of em." She said earning a glance from the samurai before she went back to sharpening her swords.
"Hey Sora you're a chef aren't you?" Edward called with a smirk pushing his hat up to meet her eyes.
"Of course I'm one of the best. I was named to the all world cooking team last year idiot." Sora said turning her nose up at him playfully and crossing her arms.
"Alright then get moving and make some meat! A lot it, captain's orders!" He shouted with glee tossing his bag of assorted meat at her.
Sora caught the bag as her eye widened. She glanced over at Kuina who was already smirking at her. "Go on ms. world class chef, you heard the captain." She said with a hidden smile before going back to her task.
"COME ON SORA MEEEAAAT!" Edward yelled as she pulled out the necessary items to make a small portable grill.
"Shut up already I heard shitty captain!"
"Hurry up!" He whined seeing the slow process take place.
"Tell me to hurry up one more time and your not getting any!"
Edward palmed his forehead with both his hands impatiently shouting as a vein grew on the cook's forehead from frustration.
Kuina couldn't help smile widely to herself at the three of them already acting like a family. They couldn't stand each other but at the end of the day they cared greatly for one another. It reminded her of the stories her father used to tell her about his straw hat crew back in the day.
The trio sat closer together when their lunch was finally ready. They laughed at one another's stories from the past. Nothing gave the captain more joy then seeing his crew mates enjoying themselves ang showing their true selves. One crucial thing he learned over the years in the Navy was fear or intimidation would never win respect like showing humility and kindness could. His dad Coby had been the nicest man in the Navy instilling in him from a young age to treat everyone with a kind sensibility to make them open up more. Besides his mom would kill him if were to treat a woman with anything but respect, he gulped imagining her rage—he missed his parents dearly.
"You should've seen the look on her face Edward," Sora said wiping tears from her eyes breaking the man from his train of thoughts.
"What happened?" He asked chuckling seeing the laughing face of Sora and the embarrassment of Kuina.
"When we went on our first dates as a double duo when we younger, she totally barfed on her date when he tried to kiss her." Sora bellowed hunching over starting to hiccup from trying to hold her laughs in.
Edward's eyes watered as he doubled over kicking his feet in the air. "N-no way, you must've been so nervous!" The captain clutched his full stomach feeling it cramp from the laughter.
"Food cramps..." He wheezed clutching his side tightly. He really had to cool, his karma was really bad.
"Serves you right for laughing at me you bastard." Kuina stated folding her arms. Edward glanced up to see a slight hurt look across her features even as she tried to hide it with her long green locks.
"If it makes," Edward groaned loudly sitting up straight to look her in eyes, "you feel any better I've never been on a date before, so you've done more than I have." He said scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
Sora laughed even louder than she had before; the big bad son of the late pirate king and queen never been asked or asked out. Kuina blinked a few times at her captain to make sure she heard him right.
"Why is that?" Kuina asked out of curiosity. She assumed by the way he confidently carried himself he had many girlfriends before or at least dated around. It made sense now, why she felt Edward's nervousness when he first put his arms around her shoulders.
Edward lifted his hat off his head fully revealing his spiky raven hair with an orange tint on the tips of the curls. He scratched his cheek with a finger, "Growing up in the Navy there wasn't time for any of that. From the moment I joined up I never had any sort of freedom; the higher-ups constantly sent me on missions with older cadets expecting me to lead. I only focused on getting stronger, becoming a better navigator and leader. Going on a date was the last thing on my mind." Edward exclaimed turning to face away from the both of them.
Sora was trying to hold in her laugh from his story while Kuina furrowed her brows trying to comprehend the information she just received. "You're telling me the son of the Navy Fleet Admiral has never been asked out?" She rolled her eyes at how impossibly ridiculous that sounded.
"I have but I was always too busy with my studies and training constantly striving to be the best navigator and fighter. Like I said, there really wasn't a time for it." He repeated starting to grow a little uncomfortable with Sora's prying.
Sora's eyes sparked with curiosity. "Have you even kissed a woman before?" She asked with a devilish grin.
"No." He said flatly after a moment of contemplation.
Kuina and Sora's eyes widened in surprise. If the chef hadn't laughed hard before now she was on her back crying tears of laughter. Edward's gaze went from Sora to meet Kuina. The samurai had the exact opposite reaction. She just stared at him not even bothering to blink. He tore his eyes away from hers, she was probably laughing on the inside.
"But you do like girls right?" The chef teased with a smirk leaning back against the ship.
"Yeah of course I do." Edward spoke ruffling his hair before placing his hat back on his head.
"Are you asexual then?" She asked earning a frown from the captain, that had frustrated him.
"I'm not asexual." He growled growing tried of her teasing he grabbed his bag before settling on his side of the ship. "Wake me up when we get there." He added not bothering to look at either of them.
"Yeesh, sensitive much," Sora snickered sarcastically, "looks like I was wrong Kuina, you'll find someone before he will." She said with a yawn laying down to nap.
Kuina's bangs held over eyes as she couldn't believe what she'd heard. Everything her parents told her about men had been accurate throughout her life. All they'd want were sex and were only interested in their bodies, willing to take and never to give. She believed those very words until hearing her captain confess he'd never been on a date or even shared a kiss. It wasn't like she cared much but she definitely could relate to him in that way—they were more similar then she admitted. He wasn't like all the rest of the men she'd met, despite Sora's loss of respect for his inexperience, her's only grew for the navigator she started her journey with.
'Edward...' she glanced over to see him already snoring away. The sounds of her sleeping crew mates caused her to yawn loudly and slowly close her eyes as sleep overtook her.
—
"What the hell's your problem?!" Edward shouted holding his head with two steaming bumps covering them.
"I told you to wake up several times! We're almost ready to dock you moron!" Kuina exclaimed pointing to the faraway island in the distance.
Edward sat up fully throwing his hat on his head. "Stop doing that!" He growled. "You always wake me up early." The captain didn't appreciate his sleep being disrupted especially when he was dreaming about food. He couldn't help grab his back full of cooked meat beginning to eat rapidly.
Kuina rolled her eyes smacking a sleeping Sora on the forehead a few times. The chef remained unresponsive drooling from her mouth. "Of course I'll cook some more meat Edward saaan..." she sang sleepily. "Since I took off my shirt, maybe you should take off—OOOWWW!" She roared looking up at Kuina who had her steaming fist raised above her.
"What'd you hit me for?"
"You were talking in your sleep love cook."
"What'd you say Marimo?!"
"You heard me!"
The two women growled shooting sparks through their eyes at one another.
"Finally! Some adventure and another island to explore this is gunna be fun huh guys? Shishishi!" Edward said gazing with a wide smile toward the upcoming island.
The two women glanced at Edward before sharing a smile. His enthusiasm toward their adventure reminded them there was an entire world out there ready for them to explore. The three of them rose their arms yelling in blissful joy as their ship docked in the moderately sized harbor.
Landing on the harbor the trio tied the boat up gathering their backpacks before disembarking toward the village. On the far dock parallel to them a group of about thirty pirates all piled into the ship screaming bloody murder. The vessel's sail raised and the ship left the dock in the blink of an eyes.
The three rookies exchanged glances before shrugging off the bizarre incident. Usually pirates would cause a ruckus or attempt loot valuables. By the looks of it they left empty handed and frightened by something.
"Maybe the towns people scared them off." Sora offered.
"I doubt it, an armed group that large and a small town like this would take them only minutes to ransack." Edward said trying to piece together what he witnessed.
"Only one way to find." Kuina added as the trio continued into the heart of town.
A voice stopped them dead in their tracks. "Damn pirates, you should've left with your group."
The trio turned around to face a tall man adorning spiky white hair pointed in a forward direction with dark blue eyes. He wore an all black attire trying to hide as best he could to blend in with the night.
"Friend of yours?" Kuina questioned toward Edward.
"Nope, just another strong opponent I'm ready to take on!" Edward cracked his knuckles before a humming sound from his left broke his concentration.
Sora's heart eyes shot from her sockets as her tongue dangled out her mouth. "H-he's so handsome!" She shouted taking off at the speed of light toward the man.
A sweat drop fell off his brow as he took a slight step back unsure what was happening. Kuina wrapped her arms around Sora's waist preventing her from getting too close.
"Can't you calm your ass down for like five damn minutes! We don't even know if he's an enemy or not!" The samurai shouted holding back her friend.
Edward's grin grew wide as he had the mysterious man's attention once again. "So it was you that kicked those pirates ass a little earlier then. Well in that case, how bout we fight."
"Fine by me." The man entered his fighting stance. "Just answer me this, what are you doing out here at this time of night if you're not with those pirates?"
"Just exploring with my crew mates we're here looking for a shipwright." Edward spoke readying in his stance.
"That so? I'm afraid I can't help you there. No pirates are allowed in my town, I'll make you leave by force." He spoke charging toward the captain.
"S-so hot." Sora danced twirling around in heart storm earning a light smack from Kuina. The women couldn't help come back to reality seeing the two men engage in combat up close.
Edward hadn't thrown a strike yet he simply kept his head movement, bobbing and weaving to evade the powerful strikes from his opponent. It was in his nature to study his foe's tactics off the bat to see how they fight before setting in countermeasures. He took a hard fight to the face staggering back slightly.
"Edward!" Sora and Kuina shouted seeing their captain take a clean punch to the jaw.
The navigator smirked under his hat. "That all you got?" He asked glaring up at the white haired man.
"Tch, you're a tough bastard for taking a punch to gauge my strength I'll give you that. But now I'll show you why those pirates ran away." The man's arms became encased in ice causing the trio's eyes to widen.
The man was a devil fruit user. He owned the power of Ice.
"So the Hie Hie no Mi fruit huh?" Edward snorted becoming even more amped up. "This just got interesting."
"I'm going to turn you into a frozen block of ice you arrogant punk." The man said turning his arms into ice. He placed them on the ground sending sharp icicles toward the captain. The ice gathered around Edward attempting to capture and impale him. "It's over you damn pirate."
"Edward you idiot get out of there!" Kuina shouted being held back by Sora.
Edward surrounded his right hand in powerful vibrations before slamming it onto the paved road. Shockwaves and vibrations rumbled throughout the town causing everyone to shift on their feet.
The man's eyes widened seeing his ice creation shatter into fragments like delicate glass. "Impossible, that's the..."
"I have to give it up to you man. Your Ice powers are impressive, especially when suited for combat. But I'm afraid against my Gura Gura no mi, there's no chance of winning—you're helpless." Edward said placing his hands in his pockets.
The white haired man growled knowing the arrogant captain had a point. "I'm not just going to let you terrorize this town, I'm not giving up! Let's end this." He shouted summoning ice around his right fist.
Edward's brows shot up realizing his challenge. "You want it to end that way then? Fine by me." Edward's right fist became engulfed in powerful vibrations creating a white glow.
"Here I come!" The ice man shouted charging for the navigator. Wordlessly the captain followed suit sprinting toward his opponent.
"Are they crazy they'll wreck the town?!" Sora shouted. She knew they couldn't get in the way of the momentum of their attacks unless they had a death wish.
"Edward stop you dumbass!" Kuina yelled angrily at his arrogance. Both of theirs' for that matter, they were selfishly putting lives in danger all over a childish battle and misunderstanding.
Both men reared their fists back ready to strike the other one's face when two arms shot out of the ground in front of them.
"What the f—
"Oh sh—"
The arms' hands balled into fists striking the men in their faces before they could reach one another knocking them flat on their backs.
A woman with dark raven hair stood over the men triumphantly glaring down at them both.
"Mother...?" The Ice man asked weakly before passing out.
Edward tried to lift his throbbing head but ultimately failed as his vision became blurry; the only words he heard from his opponent were mother.
"Aunt Robin!"
"Auntie Robin-Chwaaan!"
Edward groaned hearing his two crew mate's voices. He glanced at his opponent sprawled out on the pavement. The Ice man that was previously his opponent was also his cousin.
"Motherfu—" He said before passing out into oblivion.
—
Edward's head throbbed as he shot from his sleep. "Say that again and I'll fight ya you bastard!" He shouted before turning to his left to see his cousin already sitting up sipping from a teacup.
"You woke up just to pick a fight with me?!" He asked angrily as the two shot up getting into one another's faces.
"I had you beat last night with that last attack!" He shouted.
"No you didn't! I explained to you your powers are useless against mine!"
"You got lucky, next time the fight is mine!"
"You passed out before me so I won!"
The two men growled out one another raising their fists to fight until knocks broke them from their squabbling.
"Saul-saaan!" Sora's voice sang.
"Oh great." Both of them said in unison before the Saul was crushed in a bear hug by the cook. "Its been so long I hardly recognized your handsome face." Sora grinned hanging onto the ice man tightly.
"Yeah yeah I missed you to Sora." He said with a half chuckle placing a hand on her back.
Saul sweat dropped as he peaked at her face. She held large heart eyes toward him letting blood leak from her nose slightly. Saul scratched the back his head sheepishly before attempting to detach the woman draped in him.
"Just a bit longer Saul-san." She purred laying her head on his chest causing him to shudder nervously.
"Down girl." Kuina shouted bonking the love cook on the head causing to her to release him finally.
Saul smiled seeing the women's usual exchange throwing insulting barbs at one another.
"Nothing ever changes with you two." He said receiving a hug from Kuina.
"Nope we're still those same kids you grew up with—mostly." She said throwing a glance in Edward's direction.
Saul sipped from his teacup, "So, want to tell me how you guys ended up traveling with a former Navy vice captain?" He asked looking in Kuina and Sora's direction.
"Hey! You know me?" Edward asked leaning against the wall while placing his hat upon his head.
Saul turned his attention toward the captain. "As a matter of fact I do, you're the one who's captain brutalized their leader, Longneck."
"Yeah I managed to stop it. It's one of the reasons I left the Navy. How'd you find out about that?" Edward inquired raising his hat to glare at Saul.
"Longneck and his crew came here seeking shelter after the attack. When I attempted to kick them out they explained the situation, even proved it to me by pointing your picture out in the Navy personnel catalog; turns out you were a big deal, supposed to be an admiral in a few months, why give all that up?" Saul asked placing his hands in his pockets. He couldn't understand why someone would leave when being offered such a powerful position, most would kill to be in his spot.
Edward hid his eyes for a few moments before re-emerging them. "I left because I wanted to experience freedom. My whole life has been pre-determined by the higher ups in the world government. I didn't want to be their pawn, I wanted to make my own destiny. So I left, and I managed to meet up with these two."
Saul nodded hearing the man's honest explanation about his current situation that led him to this point. "Now it makes sense. You're the owner of the that Tremor fruit, you would've always been seen as weapon to those Navy bastards. I can't blame you for wanting to do what you think is right." He said before going back to sipping his tea.
"Hey Sora?" Edward inquired pushing off the wall.
"Yes my dear Edward-san." She said pushing off the wall twirling toward him with heart eyes.
"How about you make some breakfast for us, I'm starved!" He grinned placing his hands behind his head.
Edward coughed receiving a kick to the back of the head. "Is that all you think about is your damn stomach?!"
"Pretty much..." He wheezed trying to recover from the blow.
The four turned their attention to the knocking at the door. Nico Robin appeared with a warm smile wearing a simple t-shirt and pink short jean shorts.
"Good morning ladies."
"Hi good morning auntie." Kuina smiled in awe of her her beautiful aunt. She seen photos from back in day of the archeologist. Besides a gray streak in her nearly flawless hair the woman remained beautiful as ever, the samurai couldn't help but feel envious of her beauty.
"Aunt Robin-chawn is so gorgeous!" Sora exclaimed excitedly, twirling around in a circle with hearts fluttering about.
Robin couldn't help giggle at the chef's antics. "Thank you Sora, your so much like your father."
Sora's heart stopped as she felt a sharp pang. She slumped over in a miserable state muttering that she wasn't anything like her embarrassing old man.
"Morning mother," Saul smirked, "I forgot you have a helluva a right hook."
Robin touched her son's cheek lovingly. "I'm sorry about that son, but I couldn't have you wrecking the town; you forget we live here too." She said with a small laugh.
"I know it was reckless mom, sorry. It won't happen again." He said sweetly leaning into his mother's touch. Satisfied she faced the man in the familiar duality-faced hat.
A hand appeared on the wall taking his hat off Edward's head. He took a slight step back seeing the raven haired woman stand in front of him. Something about her gaze told the captain she was dangerous. Even though it surprised him she managed to incapacitate them with one well time strike. Something like that took ultimate precision and timing, he wondered if he could really trust her.
Before he could comprehend her movements she wrapped him in a tight hug earning a silent gasp from the captain. He stood brought his hands above her back for a moment hesitant to return her embrace before finally relenting after a few seconds passed.
"Its good to finally see you Edward." Robin said sniffling with emotion.
Edward remained frozen unsure how to handle the weeping mother he held in his arms. The woman reminded him of his own mom Rebecca, he's had to embrace his her a few times over the years when she woke up having a nightmare about his dad's safety.
"Its good to finally meet you as well, Robin." He said squeezing her a little tighter.
She pulled back to look at the man who resembled her former captain and navigator. Robin hid a gasp seeing Edward's brown eyes that reflected his mother's spirit. Aside from the orange tint on top of his curls, Edward was the reincarnation of the former Pirate King. Robin could feel tears forming out of the corner of her eyes; for nearly twenty years she wondered where and how her friends' son doing. Wishing over the years he spent time with the others like they did with each other. Saul, Kuina and Sora knew one another from childhood at least having some semblance of familiarity. Edward however was an outsider, she could tell by his demeanor he didn't consider her family, it couldn't help break her heart slowly all over again.
"Where are my manners?" She offered with a soft smile. "You all must be hungry, come on I made plenty of food." Robin featured the group to follow her.
"Oi Robin."
The archeologist's eyes widened halting in her tracks hearing his voice. She could've sworn she heard her former captain calling out to her. The other three passed her on their way out the door following Saul into the kitchen.
She shut her eyes tightly recomposing herself before turning toward the young navigator. "Yes my dear?" She asked sweetly.
"Are you the shipwright around here?" He asked with an arched brow earning a giggle from her.
"Heavens no, I know nothing about that. You must be talking about about my husband, Franky." She stated with a certain fondness.
Edward's eyes lit up as well. "That's right him! Can you take me to him, I'm in need a ship badly." He said placing his telltale hat onto it's usual spot.
"Of course, I'll take you to him after we eat—now come along." She said with a smile.
"Robin." He called again causing her to gasp softly again. It reminded her of when his father would turn serious and call her name. The painful memories nearly brought back the tears she fought so hard to keep at bay.
"Yes Edward." She turned around to glance in his direction.
He frowned slightly seeing her gaze. "You're doing the same thing Zoro and Sanji did to me; you keep avoiding my eyes...It makes me feel like you think I'm someone else." Edward spoke placing his gaze downwards before meeting her eyes again. Having met three of the pirate king's former crew mates he received the same reaction from the all.
"I'm sorry Edward...It's just been so long since I've seen them and now seeing you I can't help but see them."
Edward scratched the back of neck sheepishly, he honesty wasn't sure what to say. "I know it's rough and all seeing me after what happened to your friends I get it—"
"They're your parents." She stated abruptly cutting him off.
Edward shook his head in response. "My parents are Fleet Admiral Coby and his wife Rebecca, your friends aren't my parents, just a pair of no-shows." He said coldly placing his hat over his eyes.
Robin looked like she just got struck across the face. Her expression was filled with hurt hearing those words leave his mouth. As much as she wanted to denounce his sentiments and tell him how wrong he was, it was impossible. Technically he'd been right, her former captain and navigator never raised the man that stood before her.
"I'll take you to see Franky to have him construct your ship, but you need to do something for me." She said with a hopeful tone.
"If it has anything to do with beris or meat I might have to decline shishsi." He said offering her his signature grin. Upon seeing this Robin's smile returned.
"You need to know a few things about your creators." She said evenly.
"I'm guessing this isn't up for discussion?"
"No, now come on before the food gets cold." She spoke gesturing him toward to follow her to the kitchen.
Edward sighed trailing after his aunt, this would be a longer day than he previously thought.
A/N: Next- light is shed on Edward's birth parents. Also the crew meet Franky and bargain for a ship.