"What the hell do you think you're doing, Fire Fist?" Briar growled out with her arms over her chest as she stared at the man standing in front of her. She tried her best to stay calm, but there was so much you could do in this type of situation. As well there were only a couple limited options she could choose from if things were to go south. Out of the past week she has been aboard this ship, she has not once interacted with Ace, except when she noticed him sending her murderous glares. If looks could kill she would pretty much be dead by this point.
The only thing she knew was that she had no chance of lasting in a fight against him, both in physical combat and in using their Devil Fruit abilities. She was pretty sure he was capable of snapping her body in two with ease. After all, he was the Second Division Commander for a reason. Besides, even if she did try to fight him, everyone on the ship would automatically assume she was the one who attacked him. It wasn't like anyone would believe her if she claimed it was in self-defense.
She also knew the man wasn't all that bad looking, even going to the point of saying he was attractive. Not like she would ever say that to his face or to anyone for that matter. With his beautiful silver eyes and his muscular body. She actually wouldn't mind if he pressed his body up against hers- And that is not the time to be thinking things like that, focus Briar, she scolded herself in her head.
"I should be the one asking you that." Ace growled back as he glared at her. "You may have everyone fooled but you haven't fooled me."
Briar's arms fell to her sides as she blinked, trying to figure out what he meant by that. "What are you talking about? I'm not trying to fool anyone, Commander."
Ace apparently didn't like her response as his shoulders ignited on fire, causing Briar to flinch. Even though a part of her wanted to reach out and touch his flames with her own. "Cut the crap. We both know the Marine's don't dish out $1000, 000, 000 bounties for setting fire to a regular Marine base. They also don't give out an 'Only Alive' for a Marine traitor either."
Briar slowly nodded her head as she was finally starting to understand what he was talking about. It obviously seemed he still believed that the Marines didn't give out the whole story of why such a high bounty was placed on her head. Her Devil Fruit abilities were kept a secret even from other Marines for a reason. The higher ups were paranoid that if the news got out about her abilities it would cause other people such as pirates or the Revolutionary Army to kidnap her and use her abilities for their own gain. Either that or he believed she was still with the Marines, which would make her a spy. Which she wasn't.
"How would you know how high a bounty they give out for setting a Marine base on fire?"
"Easy I-If you're trying to distract me it ain't gonna work."
It was worth a shot. Though she was hoping he would be stupid enough for it to work. "Well that's exactly what happened. I honestly don't know what else you want me to tell you, Commander." She ran her hand through her hair, trying to keep herself calm. It wouldn't do her any good if she attacked the Commander. Even though she really, really wanted to.
"I want you to tell me the truth." Ace growled as he walked towards her. Briar backed up until her back hit the wall.
"That is the Damn truth. Ask the Marines yourself if you don't believe me." She snapped, glaring at Ace. Ace was close to her enough so that she could feel the heat radiating off his body. "Now, I'm going to ask you to back up."
"Not until you tell me why you're really here?"
Unaware of her actions, Briar leashed out an increasingly cold air from her body, causing the room's temperature to drop rapidly. While Ace was distracted by the sudden cold, she ran like her life depended on it out of the room. Why did all the attractive ones have to be complete assholes?
It was now dinner time on the Moby Dick and as per usual, Briar was sitting by herself at one of the numerous tables. The room was way too loud for her liking but she did her best to tune the noises out. She supposed it was only natural that a crew this large would be loud. She took a bite out of her seaking steak. The food was the only thing she looked forward to on this ship. It was definitely better than what they served at the Marine base. A member belonging to the sixth division sat down in front of her with a devious look on his face. As she recalled his name was Eric and he was the one who targeted Briar the most. Oh god, what the hell did this guy want now? Why couldn't she just eat her food in peace?
"Hey Marine, are you by any chance a devil fruit user?" He asked. What gave him that idea? Oh god what if she accidentally revealed her abilities?
"No." Briar lied as she gripped her fork tightly. She couldn't afford for her abilities to be revealed.
Eric leaned forward with a smirk as he rested his elbows on the table. While she leaned back a bit. The guy was way too close for the girl's liking. Did these pirates ever learn what personal space was? "Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, I'm pretty sure I would have remembered if I ate a Devil Fruit." What was the purpose of asking her all these questions? Besides, what did it matter to him if she did eat a Devil Fruit? It wasn't any of this guy's business.
"Then I guess the reason they call you the 'White Flame' is because of your ice cold personality." He laughed loudly as he sat with his back straight. The people in the room began to laugh at what Eric said.
Briar slammed her palm on the table as she stood up with a frown, appetite long gone, as everyone's eyes fell upon her, all curious about what she was going to do. She looked everyone in the eyes as she shouted, "Before anyone asks me again. No, I have never eaten a Devil Fruit in my entire life, nor will I ever eat one. Only fools would ever eat those cursed Fruits. But I guess I'm surrounded by fools anyways. The captain of this ship being the biggest fool of them all!"
The entire room fell silent, you couldn't even hear a single pin drop. Seeing no other reason to remain there, Briar left, hoping the fresh air would help her calm down. The silence in the room didn't last very long before everyone resumed what they were doing prior. Marco frowned as he watched Eric run out of the room, not having a good feeling about it.
Outside, Briar stood, leaning over the ship's railing. She sighed peacefully, as she admired the stars shining in the dark sky. She was glad there was no one on night watch for the moment. It was just her and the silence. Five minutes passed when Eric stormed outside, ruining her peace and quiet. Why couldn't they just leave her alone?
"Who do you think you are? Talking about Oyaji and the Commanders like that." Eric shouted at her.
Briar turned around to face him with a groan. "I can say whatever I want. And for the record I only insulted three of them. After all, only three of the commanders have Devil Fruits."
"You're lucky Marine that Oyaji even let you stay on this ship." Eric's face turned red as his nostrils flared.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I should be grateful to the captain for sparing my pitiful life or whatever." She rolled her eyes with a snort, turning her back to him. Hoping he would give up and leave her alone. Eric apparently didn't get the hint as he roughly grabbed her shoulder causing Briar to punch him square in the jaw. Eric stumbled a couple steps backwards as he rubbed his jaw, wincing.
"You bitch!" Eric grabbed her by her shirt. "If the decision was up to me I would've dragged you back to the Marines and taken your bounty for myself."
That was the final breaking point. Those few words caused something in Briar to fully snap. She could no longer hold herself back. Consequences be damned. In that moment she couldn't bring herself to care about what would come next. Eric aimed a punch to her face but Briar turned her head to the side, dodging and kicked him in the groin. As soon as Eric let her go, she punched him straight in the face. Briar heard a crack as blood poured out of his nose and punched him again for good measure. And again, and again, and again until she was sitting on top of him. She was so hyped up on adrenaline she didn't hear the Commanders arrive.
It all happened way too fast. One minute she was on top of Eric, the next a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her off of him. She scratched the person's arms and kicked her legs, trying to get free. While Ace and Thatch rushed over to Eric, helping him sit up. Eric's white shirt was stained with blood as his entire face was bloody and bruised. There was shouting but she couldn't hear what words were being said.
"Oi Marco, where's the nearest Marine base?" Eric asked with a sneer.
"I'll kill you!" Briar screamed as she thrashed even more in what she could only guess was Marco's arms.
"Haruta, Thatch, Ace get Eric inside and bring him to the infirmary." Marco ordered.
Thatch, Ace, and Haruta nodded their heads as they dragged Eric inside. As soon as the four left, Marco slammed the still squirming girl onto the deck, he had placed a sandaled-foot on her back as he restrained her hands with his hands.
"Calm down." He growled lowly. The girl still squirmed around, trying to push him off her. "Calm down, yoi." He said a little louder.
After a couple minutes, the girl stopped struggling as she just laid there still, breathing heavily. Marco got up and pulled Briar up to her feet. He squeezed her shoulder harshly. "I want you to go to your room and stay there for the rest of the night, yoi." He ordered sternly. She nodded her head, not meeting his gaze. Without saying another word Briar ran back inside the ship.
Marco sighed heavily as sipped from his alcohol-filled mug. He stood in the kitchen with his back leaning against the counter while Ace, Thatch, Haruta, Izou and Kingdew sat down at the table. Each having a drink of their own.
"What exactly happened?" Izou asked with parted lips and furrowed brows. "Eric was only outside for a few minutes and came back with a broken nose and bruised face."
"Almost didn't recognize the guy if it wasn't for his clothes and hair." Kingdew snorted as he pulled the mug to his lips.
"The Marine." Haruta answered as his fists clenched.
Izou's and Kingdew's eyes widened as they both went pale. "Are you sure?" Kingdew asked, not believing what he was hearing. "That scrawny looking brat did that to Eric?"
Haruta nodded his head. "The Marine went ballistic and attacked Eric. Had to physically separate her. She has gotta go."
"Haruta." Marco said in a warning tone.
"No, Haruta's right Marco. She has gotta go!" Ace spoke up loudly.
"She was probably provoked. We all know Eric likes to provoke people. It was his own doing, yoi."
"Marco you literally had to physically restrain her. She could've killed Eric. She can't just go around and attack members of the crew because they say something she doesn't like. Besides, she has been a constant nightmare since she arrived!"
"Everyone makes mistakes, yoi."
"Why are you taking the side of a Marine traitor over your own crewmates?" Ace accused as he pointed a finger at Marco.
"I'm not taking anyone's side. I'm just trying to be logical about the situation, yoi." Marco threw his hands up in frustration. He turned his head over to the door to see Briar standing there with tears in her eyes. How long was she standing there for? For a minute he was grateful you couldn't see the doorway from the table as he had a feeling Ace and Haruta would kill her if they saw her right now.
"You've been awfully quiet this entire time, Thatch. What do you make of this situation?" Izo pointed out. Everyone's eyes turned to Thatch who was gripping his mug so hard his knuckles turned white.
"I-I agree with Haruta and Ace. She's already attacked one member who says she won't attack another. What if she does end up killing someone of this crew?" Thatch spoke softly with his head down.
It must've been hard for him as he always tried to look for the best in people, Marco thought to himself. His eyes widened as the temperature dropped drastically to the point everyone except him and Ace were shivering.
"Why did it get cold all of a sudden?" Kingdew asked, rubbing his hands together.
"I bet it's that cold-hearted bitch. It always gets colder when she's around." Ace grumbled, leaning back into his seat with his arms crossed over his chest.
The temperature got even colder than before. Marco looked to Briar and mouthed the words "go", hoping the girl would listen. Briar nodded her head and slowly walked away. Once the girl got farther away, the temperature went back to normal.
"Marco, you've been looking at the door an awful lot." Thatch pointed out, as he took a sip from his beer. "Is someone there?"
Marco shook his head as he directed his head back to the group. "No. There's nothing to worry about, yoi."
Two hours had passed before they decided to call it a night. Marco walked along the hallway with a first aid kit in his hands. He was grateful that he hadn't run into anyone on the ship, not wanting to be asked a billion questions if someone were to see the first aid kit. He opened the door to Briar's room, closing the door behind him. Briar was curled up in a ball on the corner of the bed. She looked at him with a glare.
"Oh great. What do you want? If you're here to lecture me then get out." Briar said in a monotone voice as she pointed to the door. "You know where the door is."
"I'm not here to lecture you, Briar. I just want to hear your side of the story." Marco gestured to the bed with his hand. "May I sit, yoi."
Briar nodded her head. Marco sat down on the bed, laying the first aid kit on his lap as he propped it open. He went to grab her hand but stopped with an eyebrow raised. "I could've sworn your knuckles were bleeding earlier, yoi."
"Maybe you're just imagining things, old man."
Marco placed the kit beside him before turning to look at Briar. "Or maybe you actually do possess a Devil Fruit, yoi."
"I don't have a Devil Fruit." Marco could easily tell she was lying by how her body tensed up and avoided his gaze.
"Okay. Okay. I get it. You don't want to talk about it and you don't have to, yoi."
The two sat in silence before Briar spoke up in a quiet voice, almost a whisper. Marco might have missed it if he didn't have really good hearing. "I didn't mean for that to happen. I tried to get him to leave me alone, tried to ignore him but he brought up how if it was his decision he would take me back to the Marines and then he put his hands on me. I-I just snapped."
"I believe you, yoi."Marco placed his hand gently on Briar's shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. "Eric has always been like that. Always trying to provoke people. I promise that we are not taking you back to the Marines, yoi."
"Why do you call him Oyaji?"
"Because he calls us his sons and daughters, yoi." Marco smiled warmly as he ruffled her hair before he got up to leave the room. "You should get some sleep, yoi. "
