Chapter 27: I don't own One Piece.
In this chapter we're back with Tashigi. leaving Alabasta.
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Tashigi's Heart: The Lies Behind the Truth
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Sun shining, blue sky, gulls screaming, men in uniform, massive boat.
Everything was looking so perfect today. The people in the town had rejoiced at the arrival of the rain, and were busy fixing up their war-scarred city. They had been so happy to work along-side each other.
Sun shining, blue sky, gulls screaming, men in uniform, massive boat. I continue walking towards them. I could see them, but I couldn't feel anything. I feel empty and sick. Since I had done what my gut had told me and left the strawhats I had a strong sense that I had done the right thing, but right now... I feel like a failure.
Have I been faking my existence? Did I really just let wanted pirates go?
I have noticed how my subordinates have been looking at me when I'm facing the other way, or when my back is turned. I can feel their eyes boring holes into my back, almost telepathically asking me the question 'why' and 'what for' and 'how could she?'
Smoker knows by now. Someone would have told him. Am I going to lose my job for this? Why do I feel so exhausted?
"Welcome Back Sergeant Major!" oh well, nice to see a familiar face. Wait was that...
"Sure has been a while Tashigi." I could recognize that pink hair anywhere.
"Hina." I paused in my walk to the ship, "It is good to see you again if you'll excuse me. I'm a little tired and I'm going to get some rest." I looked up the gangplank and sitting at the top smoking, was none other than Smoker himself. What a surprise.
"We're back Captain Smoker did you get my report."
"Sure did. Thanks for your work."here it comes... " I heard about what happened with the Strawhats." I had my head down. I couldn't meet his eyes. I just couldn't let him see how disappointed I was.
"I'm sorry sir. I helped the pirates. We also had an opportunity to capture them, but I let it slip away. It's all my fault. My actions were shameful I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" "Stop it. Didn't you just follow your sense of Justice like I told you too."
"No that's not it."
"Sergeant Major."
"It's just that I didn't have any other choice." Here goes...
"I was charged with bringing Crocodile in, but I wasn't strong enough. When Strawhat Luffy … all I could do was point him in the right direction. I was also no match for Nico Robin. I was too weak."
"I get it, you thought you were strong enough to beat up Crocodile, but you weren't so the Strawhat kid it himself. The Strawhats know what you have to do in order to survive in this sea either step up or you die. You did what you could, but it wasn't enough."
"Luckily you're still alive. Learn from this experience." He added and nodded understandingly.
"With your permission sir, I'm going to get some rest. If you'll excuse me." I walked passed him onto the deck.
"Tashigi, don't cry about it." Damn it! How did he see? Was it really that obvious? Why was he saying this infront of everyone?
He carried on, "Do what the Strawhats did, and step up your game and become stronger."
"Sir! Yes, Sir!"
My tears, wouldn't stop rolling down my face. I walked away to my room, and used a fresh towel from the cabinet to rub my face dry.
What is wrong with me?! Why am I crying again? I am just embarrassing myself. Why!
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"I just wish that the rest of you had the same kind of guts that she has. Al-right get those prisoners loaded on the ship."
"Sir. yes sir!"
"Captain, HQ on the Transponder snail for you sir."
"This is marine head-quarters calling, meet with Captain Smoker please."
"Smoker here."
"Congratulations on subduing sir Crocodile the Strawhat Captain. As a result the top officials of the world government have awarded that you and Sergeant Major Tashigi be given medals for your efforts."
"For subduing? No wait, hold on a minute we aren't the ones that took down Crocodile. It was the Strawhats. Did anyone even bother to read the report!"
"Further more as thanks for your gallantry it has also been decided that each of you will be promoted by one rank."
"HEY! I TOLD YOU! FOR THE UMTEEMTH TIME IT WASN'T US! Me and Tashigi weren't the ones that stopped Crocodile and Baroque Works. IT WAS THE DAMN STRAWHAT PIRATES! "
Hina turned around to interfere with the conversation.
"Stop it Smoker. It's no use, it is obvious at this point that the government is going to cover this entire thing up. Think of the scandal if what really happened got out. Alabasta was almost destroyed and it wasn't saved by the royal government but by a band of wanted pirates."
"..and of course we expect both of you to attend the awards ceremony where your medals will be..."
"LIKE HELL WE WILL!" Smoker interrupted, for the sixth time.
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"LIKE HELL WE WILL!" Smoker's voice penetrated the cloth barrier that I had wrapped around my head.
"Smoker!" I heard Hina yelling, "Don't be dumb! Except it. If you disobey the …. you could get court-martialed."
"Better that than live a lie!" I heard him yell back at her, "We didn't take down Crocodile. My subordinates in tears because we couldn't." He must be talking to the transponder Snail again.
As I lay on my bed the feeling of absolute exhaustion came upon me. I had been on my feet for days now and I still couldn't seem to find rest of any kind. I smiled, what with all of Smoker's yelling outside it would be a surprise if anyone could fall asleep in such racket.
"Hey you! Could you pass on a personal message from me to the old geezers at HQ?" Captain Smoker continued his rant.
"Don't do it Smoker!" Hina's frantic voice called out.
"Tell them I said 'GO TO HELL!'" he yelled down the snail phone and hung it up.
I couldn't help but smile at his outburst If there was anyone I could always rely on it was Smoker, well, when it came to telling the flat truth to those that needed to hear it.
I'm at home at last, on the sea. Time to get off this Island and back to HQ. I was looking forward to it.
I felt so calm when I was in a Marine environment. Everything look so similar. I was at home wherever I went because it all look like something I had seen before. I rolled over on my bed and looked at the ceiling. Well, maybe tonight I'll get a good night's rest. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to relax. What was done, is done. I can't change it.
Thank you Captain, for believing in me.
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Wow! It's been so long since I updated. But I swear it is only because I have a lot going on at Uni, okay there isn't anything else...
I'm going to try and condense things a little bit more, because I think I'm taking to long. However I can't make any promises. Oh, well. Please bare with it, I'm not going to change my mind... and if you want me to hurry up. Well send me a PM that says,
HURRY UP WITH THE NEXT CHAPTER!
It sounds weird, but I like it when people give me challenges, and ideas.