A day late, but I don't feel too bad cuz this one is extra long. I think it makes up for the last one a little bit.

Progress

It had been six days since his departure, with no word back. She was seriously beginning to worry.

Hannyabal had reached the ship, and the communications officer had agreed to pass along the message. But if he had done as he claimed, then Reed would know that someone had tried to kill his sister, and would have outright tackled the first dendenmushi he saw.

All subsequent attempts to reach the ship had failed. It wasn't unheard of for vessels on the open water to lose communication, and their own information gathering suggested Reed wasn't a target, but she wasn't an easy woman to appease.

He should nearly be to his destination by now. Hopefully he'd try to reach her then.

Admittedly she'd been caught up in her own troubles lately; Arlong's questions had not subsided, and whenever she failed to supply him with a suitable answer, he'd proceed to antagonize her. Not that the things he said were wrong necessarily, like how she'd never measure up to him in a fair fight, or that she was hiding on the other side of doors and walls because she was frightened- though she'd never admitted it, she knew it was true. He was more powerful than her, and given the opportunity he wouldn't hesitate to crush her. It was simply fact, and it infuriated her.

She took pride in her strength and station, and all the work she put in to getting where she was. It struck her as unfair that someone else could dwarf her own capabilities, and then go off and do horrible things. What was the point in that?

She'd gone to Hannyabal, who's advice had been to simply let it go. She tried. She tried it before he'd suggested it. But he didn't have to face that stupid, blue fish on a daily basis. She'd been vulnerable; he could have killed her, and there would have been nothing she could have done to stop him. Every time she saw him, it was a reminder of weakness. Every time she faced him, she felt powerless and small.

She could never let him know it.

The island was visible in the evening, and it was dark out by the time they docked.

"She's a short-fin mako shark mermaid, and the proprietor of the Mermaid Cafe. She's also a... fortune... teller... and she's rather large. I don't know if he means she's fat, or tall, or what. Her name is Shyarly, so if all else fails just ask around for her."

A big, shark/mermaid fortune-teller waitress. That should stand out, right? But the first thing he noticed upon his arrival was that when it came to seafolk, everyone stood out. The second thing he noticed was that most fishmen towered over him, and many were giving him long glances as they passed.

Fortunately, the Mermaid Cafe was a readily visible building the moment he stepped onto the road. It was easy enough to make his way into the building; he tried walking in but a young mermaid stopped him. "I'm sorry, sir, but we're closing."

"I'm here on official business with the World Government; I need to speak to the owner." He puffed out his chest ever-so-slightly, trying to look as impressive as he sounded.

"May I see identification?" she asked sweetly, completely deflating him. They were certainly a cautious bunch. He rummaged through his pockets for his wallet, and pulled out a wrinkled government ID card; his face had a huge line running through it and the young lady had to hold it up alongside his own face in order to see the resemblance. She handed the card back to him and beckoned for him to follow.

"Madam Shyarly...? I've brought the visitor."

The visitor? Oh, right. Fortune teller. That was damned creepy.

"Ah, yes. The man from the government. How may I be of service?"

Madam Shyarly didn't look like the average mermaid; her tail resembled something akin to a whale or... well, a shark. Her short, dark hair reminded him a little of his sister, except that he could easily picture three of Rhia fitting in the space of this woman. Rhia's description hadn't been wrong, but... well, hell, he wasn't expecting her to be that big.

"Madam," he inclined his head, hoping to appear as respectful as possible. After all, if she wanted to the woman could eat him. "You are the sister of the pirate Arlong, correct?"

Shyarly frowned. She'd seen this man seeking her out, but when she tried to see further there was simply nothing there. That didn't happen unless there was something she wasn't meant to see. The fact that this might involve her brother was... unsettling. "I am."

"Well, ma'am, your brother is currently residing in Impel Down. He's been allowed a visitor, and he's asking for you."

She stiffened. Of all the- he runs off for twenty years chasing danger, comes to visit her twice – twice! - in all that time, and now that his derelict past has finally caught up with him, she's just supposed to drop everything and- and- oh, she could just... murder something!

Reed took a step back, a little worried. Her face had made a progression of emotions, the primary and most persistent one being the utmost fury. He wasn't sure what he said to set her off, but he was thankful that he was on dry land and could probably outrun her. Maybe.

Almost more frightening was how quickly she seemed to calm down. She took a breath and then looked to him, "Very well. I will go to see my brother."

The way she said that, Reed had the impression that whatever she was mad about was still very much present; he'd felt the wrath of a younger sister himself, but his sister wasn't as tall as a house with pointy teeth. If she had been, he'd have died years ago. He honestly didn't envy Arlong.

"Give me the night to make arrangements, and I'll be ready to depart in the morning."

He bent his head again, "Of course."

"Sorry, I don't know what to tell you."

"Nothing?"

"The people here aren't really that eager to talk. I get the feeling that whatever these guys are up to, it's serious."

She'd sent Mikas to the small town of Jarti, a port town on an island not terribly far off from Cocoyashi. A lot people in the area claimed that Nezumi had visited the town about once every three months for the past two years. The selling point for her was when she learned that it was Rider who owned the town's bank. Mikas had been there for a few days already, so she was surprised to hear that he was empty-handed.

"What about the bank's ledger?"

"However they're cleaning their money, they aren't using the bank to do it. There's a lot of money flow, but it's all legit."

"When was the last time Nezumi visited Jarti?"

"About a month ago. You want me to hang out here until he comes back?"

Rhia chewed her lip. "I don't want to make you do all that waiting. We need you here, anyway. Come on back and we'll see if we can't work this from a different angle."

"You're the boss."

She sighed and ended the call. It was her day off, but when you lived at work that didn't mean much. Still, she had some down time, and looking around her room she noticed quite a few things that needed doing.

Her doorknob was still broken, and she still had a mattress with a giant gaping hole in one side. She'd flipped it over so it'd still be of use, but now it was starting to sink down so that her pillow didn't elevate her head. She wasn't picky about most things, but her sleeping habits were something akin to bears; they're fine the way they are, so don't fuck with them.

Time to get something done.

What the hell was she doing? It had been going on repeatedly all day; the same damned muffles and scrapes and bangs and thumps, like she was moving shit around just to piss him off.

The sound was coming primarily through the vent; he hadn't been sure what to think of it at first but now he wished it wasn't there.

His solution was to grab his bedsheet, fold it up, and shove it inside the duct to at least muffle the more obnoxious noises... until he discovered there was something already there.

A book. It was leather-bound, and quite small, and covered in a thick layer of dust. Unable to suppress his curiosity, he pulled it out and flipped it open, taking a seat on his mat.

August 14th

Today, I am the happiest woman alive. I'm so happy, it's prompted me to take up writing; I just feel that I need to write all this down, so at no point in the future will I ever forget this feeling. I just became a mother.

Gordis is beside himself with joy; he has a son. As soon as he took the baby, he tore off running up and down the streets shouting at anyone who'd listen. He got quite a mix of responses, mostly because people were sleeping at the time. I love him dearly, but even I must admit that at times he's not the brightest of men. I hope to write a little every day, and maybe that way I'll be slightly prepared the next time I have a child. Or I'll have a point of reference from which to give advice.

Boring. He skimmed ahead a few pages.

I know I haven't written in a while, but motherhood is just so consuming. I don't have enough hours in the day.

Meh. Was there anything good in here? That woman had to have it hidden for a reason.

Rhia said her first word today! I was so excited I dropped a plate and it shattered. She said "bapi". I don't know what that means but it's probably some other language. She's so smart!

He snorted. Just a fool human deluding herself into believing her life was worth something. He jumped ahead.

September 2nd

We didn't even have time to pack our things; there was just no opportunity. They were coming so fast some didn't even make it out. We were lucky, I guess. Gordis is looking for his brother, but I have a terrible feeling he won't find him.

The children are sleeping. I suppose I should be thankful they're too young to understand, but whenever I look at them I can't help but feel pity. They've had so much taken from them in just a few short hours, and they can't even comprehend the seriousness of it all. I don't know if we'll even survive the night- they may come for us yet.

Why did this happen? Why do they want to kill us?

It started late, after we'd gone to bed. The first explosion hit right across the road; it roared and lit up everything and for a moment I thought it might have been lightning, until it happened again. There were people on the streets screaming about a ship, and then suddenly a marine was at our door telling us we had to go.

Things are less chaotic now. We're hiding in the forest up the mountain. But they know some of us got away; surely they know. I want Gordis to come back. I can't see him anymore. Oh, why? Why? My home, my neighbors, my children- am I to lose everything?

September 3rd

We had to move again. A boy said he saw one of them coming up the road, and that was enough to send the convoy into full panic. We've settled into a ravine, but I don't like it here. They could easily swoop down on us, and where would we go?

The rumors of rescue persist, but they've died down a lot since we first started hiding. The marine base was taken when they came, and we haven't had contact with the outside world since. It seems like now we're just waiting to die.

September 5th

I don't believe it. I simply can't believe...

We're going to die. We're all going to die. My children. My husband. There's no hope. There's no reason for this. It's senseless hatred; I'm so sick of just waiting for something to happen, I'm ready to run out screaming. Let them know where I am. Let them kill me. Let the madness end.

Everyone else is... if any of them survived, they've gone their own way. If Rhia hadn't been fussing, I would have never heard them. I told Gordis, and he... oh, God. We left them to die. We slipped out before they revealed themselves. Gordis said it was for the children. We couldn't have saved the others; this was the best we could do.

I knew those people. They bought our bread. They served us their mead, waved 'hello' to us in the morning. Now they've been butchered like animals, and we let it happen.

Please, just let me die. Let me rot for what I've done.

September 6th

It's over. I know that now, and I've made peace with it. But I've come this far, and I won't let my children's lives end here.

Gordis is gone. They tracked us in the night, and he told me to take the children and go. I ran from his screams... he sounded so terrified. Reed was silent the whole time I was dragging him along... he's been quiet from the start. I wonder if he even knows the danger.

Gordis... I miss him so much... I'm so afraid. My only source of peace is that I know I'll join him soon. The only thing I have left to fear is that I might fail to save my kids.

I spotted a small dock; I believe it once belonged to a fisherman, but I doubt he's still alive. I see his little boat, though. I'll hide the children in a sack, so they'll look like grain. I'll give them the rest of our food. I'll tell Reed to make it last, and to keep Rhia quiet if she starts to cry. Then I'll set them out on open sea, and hope that someone finds them before they starve or capsize. Then I'll sneak into the town, draw their attention, and take as many of the bastards with me.

I'll take from them what they took from me.

I'm going to leave this journal with the children. It's the only thing I brought from home, and the only thing I have left to give. My only lament is that I won't see them grow. I won't be there to guide them through their lives.

To my children; I know that it's easy to forget who we are when faced with monstrous things. They make us forget that we're people. There are men in this world who will hate you, hate everything you are, and for no good reason. When you find those men in your lives, be wary of them, don't let them win. But love them. Whatever they might hate you for, take it away. Whatever it is they have that they think justifies their actions, disarm it; make them face themselves.

I know I didn't follow my words, but after the things I've seen I simply can't forgive these crimes. Rhia, Reed, I love you. Your father loved you. I'm so sorry you won't get the life you deserve, but I hope someday, you'll be happy. I don't know what kind of people you'll turn out to be, or what kinds of things you'll like to do, or what kind of friends you'll meet. I don't know who will take you in, or if you'll ever know someone to be a mother or a father. But you have each other. You have your lives. You have love. You have hope.

No matter what happens, never lose these things. This is the only advice I will ever give you, so please, keep it close.

Good luck out there.

He read the last line again. Was this really the end? He flipped through the remaining pages – about half of the book – but they were all blank.

The abruptness of the ending left him with a potent feeling of loss, like something had been stolen away from him. The woman was dead, and he didn't know her name. He felt like he should.

The double-tap came at his door and he started, fumbling and dropping the journal between his mat and the wall. He hastily shoved the vent-cover back in place and sat before Rhia emerged from behind the door.

"I know, it's late. I don't want to hear you bitch about it so just don't start."

"What's late?" He seemed honestly confused.

Rhia frowned and pulled a tray off of a cart behind her, "Uh, your dinner."

Oh. "Just put it down somewhere," he said, leaning back and gazing up at the ceiling. Rhia wanted to point out his strange behavior, but whatever it was that was wrong with him, he was at least being docile. She decided not to disturb whatever kind of moment he was having, and left quietly.

Domino gave a hesitant knock on Rhia's door, causing it to swing open. Not really surprising; it was missing a handle.

The Adviser was in her down-clothes, a bandana tied around her head to keep her hair at bay. She was holding a sack, and filling it with... feathers.

"Rhia? Um, your brother's on Hannyabal's dendenmushi. Should I tell him to call back?"

"Reed?" Rhia dropped the sack. She appeared slightly dumbstruck for a moment, and then shoved her way past the blonde and taking off down the hallway.

"Watch my room for me, I'll owe you!" she called hastily behind her.

She got to her boss's floor in record time, and relief washed all over her face when she saw his snail articulating words though the window. Hannyabal noticed her from his chair and beckoned her in.

"Here she is now," he announced as she entered.

"Rhia?"

The snail's interpretation of Reed was slightly distorted and a little higher than his normal pitch, but there was no doubt it was him. She planted a fist firmly on the table, inadvertently making the Vice Warden jump. "Where the hell have you been? Why haven't you returned our calls?"

"Calls?"

Her boss caught her attention and hoarsely whispered, "He doesn't know yet."

"Know what? What don't I know?"

"Oh, right. It's been so long it seems like old news anymore."

She and Hannyabal took turns explaining about the assassination attempts, and the investigation that followed. Rhia recounted her own exchange with Mikas from just that morning, and then looked to her boss to hear his progress.

"Unfortunately, Rider is smart. He's dodging me; I think he's trying to buy time."

"Have you talked to him at all?" Rhia questioned, and he shook his head.

"Only his secretary, who assures me that her boss has nothing but the utmost respect for the judicial process, and would be very happy to meet with me on one of his free days. I was offered an appointment four months from now."

"Does he think this is a joke?" Reed asked; he'd grown considerably more tense after hearing his sister had almost been killed.

"Remember, it's not an official investigation. All the privilege that we would normally get, including the ability to waltz in wherever we please and speak to whomever we choose, is simply not available. Rider is under no legal obligation to meet with me, and he knows that."

"So, what? We just keep digging until we can implicate him?"

"No way, that'll take too long! He's already sent people to kill you; it's only going to get worse, and he's not just going to wait around for you guys to find proof!"

Rhia finally pulled up a chair. "I guess we could always try to spook him into action. Make him think that whatever he and Nezumi are up to is about to be publicly exposed. We can watch him while he tries to cover his tracks, and wait for him to slip up."

"He's clever. Don't think he'll be fooled so easily."

"He's got a lot to lose; if I thought my game was almost up, I'd panic too."

The siblings waited in silence for Hannyabal's verdict.

"It will be risky. You said Mikas was coming back? I want all three of you together on this; you're not going to spy on a government official without manpower."

Rhia grinned, "You hear that? It'll be like when we were kids."

Reed cackled victoriously, "Let's do it. We'll show that son-of-a-bitch not to screw with us."

Hannyabal couldn't help but laugh with them. He was practically giddy knowing that Reed was okay, and he could tell Rhia felt the same. She laughed so easily; even in normal circumstances, she never laughed like this. It was a release of all the pent-up tension and anxiety that had been building up inside of her since she'd first thought him to be in danger. Now she could relax again. They knew he was safe.

"So when are you coming back?"

"Oh, right. I spoke to Madam Shyarly, and she agreed to leave with me. I'm meeting her on the dock in a few hours. Oh, and you were right, Rhia; she's big! I didn't know they made mermaids that size!"

His sister snorted; tactful as ever.

"It's clear neither of you have heard the tales of Princess Shirahoshi. She's said to rival giants," the Vice Warden interjected. "You should try to see her for yourself, since you're in the city."

"I would, but it's still dark out. I doubt I'll get the chance before I have to leave. I'll need to come back here, though. Maybe for vacation."

"She's a princess, not a zoo exhibit. She's not there for your entertainment, and shame on you for encouraging him," Rhia turned on her boss, who put his hands up defensively.

They descended into playful banter for a good twenty minutes before Hannyabal let out a telling yawn. "Well, kids, it's late. I'm an old man who needs his rest. Say goodnight."

Rhia couldn't help the cheery walk back to her room. She apologized to Domino for leaving her so suddenly, and with nothing to do and no notion of when she'd return. The blonde, being the generous woman she was, simply smiled and offered her happiness that Reed was doing well before taking her leave.

As for Rhia, she still had a handle to install. She hummed happily to herself as she worked, her spirits soaring for the first time in days.

Let me know what you thought of this one. It threw me for a loop a few times there, but when inspiration hit, I finished it in just a few hours! I amaze myself, sometimes...

-Louisia