When everything cleared no one could see Ace or Blackbeard. Zari made her way back to the village with the villagers. She searched high and low amongst the rubble, asking villagers to keep a look out for the fire user. Zari looked and waited for any sign of Ace for three days and nights, but all she could find was his hat. She screamed herself hoarse and was tired from the physical exertion and keeping up with their baggage. Her eyes were irritated from crying.
"I can't wait here forever. There's no shelter or anything proper for a pregnant woman." Zari said adjusting her swords on her back. Ace's hat gave her a little shade, and her bag was worn over her swords. Ace's bag slung over her shoulder. She stopped and sat down on a large piece of wood and rolled up her 3/4 quarter sleeves. "I guess the only thing I can do is find my captain. No matter how much it pains me to leave - I have to think of my little one. Ace will find me there. I have to find Luffy and warn him just in case." Zari said as she cautiously stood up. "I'll keep these safe for you, my love." She said softly as she looked over the rubble and battle-scarred land. Zari then managed to barter passage on a ship to a few islands out. The island was a pirate port for sure.
Zari was staying completely weary of the other pirates though she felt certain that even pirates wouldn't attack a pregnant woman. However, this thought could merely be wishful thinking. She didn't think that any of the pirates were safe enough attempt to ask to barter passage. As she looked around she thought she saw a familiar silhouette. Zari followed the person casually until she was at least half sure. However by then, she was awfully tired.
"You, sir, please wait," Zari panted and leaned against the wall of a building. The guy she called out to was thin with curly, nappy hair and wore a thick band around his forehead. He stopped and looked back at her a little confused.
"Who me?" He asked and took a few steps towards her. Zari nodded still catching her breath. "Look lady, I don't know you, and it's not mine."
"I know that! I'm no wench!" Zari said taking in one more deep breath. "You - you're Usopp's father aren't you?" She asked standing up straight.
"Yes, you know my son?" Yasopp asked with excitement.
"Yes, I'm Zari, we are part of the same nakama. however, I've taken hiatus for a little while now." Zari said with a weary smile. "You're part of Red-haired Shanks' crew correct?" Yasopp nodded with a grin.
"I'll take to you to meet him but you have to tell me about my son on the way." Yasopp said with the same grin as his son. Zari told Yasopp about his son's marksmanship and his awesome talent for making a variety of things. He led her to a more secluded part of the island. Zari saw a galleon ahead on the coast. In the shade of the trees, there was a large group of men making merry. Yasopp led her through all the men, and they all looked their way as they passed. They stopped at the center of the crowd.
"A pregnant woman, Yasopp? That's not what I sent you into town for." Shanks said with a laugh.
"She knows my son," Yasopp said proudly and happily. Shanks' interest immediately increased. "This is Captain Shanks. Lucky Roo and Ben Beckman." Yasopp introduced the top crewmates.
"I'm honored to meet you. I ve heard a lot from my captain." Zari said with another weary smile.
"Your Captain?" Lucky said then chopped down on some meat. Zari took her left sleeve and revealed the mugiwara symbol tattoo she had on her arm.
"Luffy! How's he doing?" Shanks asked happily and the others laughed.
"Luffy's great, at least last I saw him. He's completely out there, but he's doing awesome." She said lowly.
"Take a seat," Ben told her and Shanks nodded.
"Thank you," Zari said and began taking off her gear. She sat down and sat her hat on her bags, When Shanks saw the hat, and he became ridged. Zari saw his expression and knew what was on his mind. "He did it - he fought Teach." She said trying not to cry.
"What happened?" Shanks asked with lethal seriousness. His fists were clenched so tight and his eyes like enraged sea kings.
"We found Teach and his crew on Banaro Island and they fought. He told me to get away before he even confronted Teach. Teach has eaten a devil fruit, something about darkness. It looked like there was some type of force - like magnetism or gravity. I looked for him for days, but I could only find his hat. I wanted to stay longer, but for the child's sake, I had to leave. All the buildings were destroyed by the battle. No food, shelter, or clean drinking water is not good and lord knows I don't want anything to happen to my child." Zari cried lowly as she held her stomach. They were all solemn. "I didn't find him, so I can only hope he's alright. I feel certain he is, but there's a nagging doubt coming and going like the tide." She said rubbing her tears away.
"It's Ace's child, isn't it?" Shanks asked solemnly and she nodded.
"And I regret nothing," she said smiling wearily.
"And you shouldn't," Beckman said with a grin. "He's a good man."
"Here! Here!" Lucky cheered happily. "Have you eaten?" Zari shook her head.
"Hey Rockstar, go get fresh water and a hot meal for the lady!" Shanks shouted and threw him a bag of coins.
"I couldn't possibly! " Zari said immediately.
"I've known Ace since he was a kid when our base was fuchia village, even though I dealt with Luffy more. I tried to convince Whitebeard to stop Ace's pursuit of Blackbeard, but he said he never ordered Ace to go after him - Ace chose the path himself. Nothing will stop him, I'm afraid, just merely stall him. Still you are important to him and nakama of Luffy; if anything happened to you or that little one, everyone would be so sad." Shanks said seriously yet sincerely.
"I'm sorry to be such trouble. Thank you for your kindness." Zari said with a bow of the head. Then she looked out to sea, beyond their ship. "Ace is M.I.A, and Blackbeard is after Luffy. I have to warn him."
Disclaimer:
I ran the battle at Banaro Island, well it's crucial in my plot. Plus it's the whole reason I started this fanfic forever ago. It's not one the exact same timeline because I only recently did the math for figure all of One piece before the break is in a span of one year. Of course that won't work out for my fic so time is hardly consequence. I had Zari meet the Red-haired pirates because in my written out version, Zari and Luffy meet unlikely soon. I felt I had to put a little more space between the bigger points.
Hope you all like it and keep R&R please. LexLuthorlovesme