Kazumi
I opened my eyes and saw that I saw moving in someone's arm. Last thing I remember was attacking my moth- Harleen and then collapsing. My abdomen was still in pain but I could tell it was patched up. I loom up and see a determined Shanks looking forward. The scowl on his face was intimidating, I've never seen him like this before.
He's usually so jovial and full of engery.
I look forward as well and saw the crew fighting off marines on Shank's ship. I wanted to help but my body felt heavy, as if someone had placed a lead coat on me. I closed my eyes once more, preparing to drift into sleep but Shanks called out for Ignus.
"Ignus, take her. I'll handle things out here," Shanks said but for some reason, before he could pass me to Ignus, I held fast to him. My body just moved on its own. I wanted to speak to him, to look at him, but I only had the strength to hold onto him.
"Kazumi," he said softly before pulling me off of him.
"I'm counting on you, Ignus." I opened my eyes slightly and saw him walking away, power dripping with every step.
"Shanks," I said but my voice was too weak to reach his ear. I closed my eyes and let sleep finally hit me.
Shanks
Before we left the cell areas I managed to patch up her wound as best I could with medical supplies they had but they still required attention. She was in bad shape, sweating and breathing heavily in pain. As I battled the marines, Sakazuki came to mind and I smiled.
"As a father, I realize now. You look at her the same way I looked at Salestien. Don't make me regret giving you my blessing, Shanks. I entrust you with my daughter. There are marines that will be on your ship waiting for you to ambush you. Kizaru might be there and let you go but then again he may not."
I've never been more greatful to Sakazuki. I won't disappoint him or her for that matter. Finally, Kazumi is with us again, and I'll be damned if I let her slip away. I trust that Ignus will take care of her. I know she'll be okay now.
After we finished clearing the ship of marines, we managed to escape the base. Nazami helped us by pulling us away before more men could show up. Not only that, but G-5 soldiers were present as well but were too late, thanks to the Sea King helping us.
Now were were all waiting for a word from Ignus about Kazumi's condition. Benn paced none stop, Yasopp leaned against the wall beside the door, Lucky Roo wasn't eating meat, which was highly out of character for him. The air was thick and tense. Even Nazami waited for an update. After what seemed like days, Ignus showed himself and he wore a grim expression.
Kazumi
I was in a place where there was two spaces, a space of light and a space of darkness. In the white space, my body shoning a bright light as it floated towards the darkness.
What is this? I'm not dead am I? I tried to speak aloud but no sound could be heard. As I floated, memories of my childhood played above me. I saw me and my father training when I was five, then me stuck in the woods when I was ten. My twelfth birthday cut short because of the rain, and me making breakfast for Harleen for her birthday. The last memory I had before going over to the darker place was of a woman I've never seen before. She had the longest blonde hair and soft brown eyes. Her smile was so bright that it warmed my entire body.
"Your the best thing to ever happen to me," She said.
Is this woman my- my thoughts were cut when all the light left and was replaced by the darkness. The only light I had was the light from my body. Suddenly, memories of my past punishments showed and I was no longer floating. Harleen locking me in a dark room for days, my father leaving me alone in the dark forest, memories of the punishments at Grandosa Island, everything. The slanderous words that Harleen spat out floated in the air and I covered my ears to block her but it was no use.
"Those pirates you were with are dead now! Isn't that great?"
"I'm not your mother you filthy woman!"
Stop it!
"Your real mother, Salestien Heartfall, was a filthy pirate. Just after she gave birth to you, Sakazuki killed her, right there while holding you."
Just shut up!
"I really wish that I could have seen it all in person. The look of the life draining from her eyes and the regret of not being able to keep you was something I would relish in."
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
I was sobbing now. A pain shot right to my chest.
Please! Its not true!
"Its true. Everything that she told you was true. Your mother was a pirate and I did kill her." I let out a scream but it couldn't be heard in this void. Everything overwelmed me completely and my mind was about to break. Suddenly I felt a hand on my head that made everything stop. The pain, the voices, my tears, they all stopped.
"What are you doing." I looked up and saw it was Shanks smiling down on me.
"Come on," Benn said from behind him with a smile, "quit being such a brat already."
Kazumi. Kazumi. Kazumi.
The red haired pirates all called out to me and the darkness slowly broke. Shanks held out his hand to me but I was hesitant to take it.
"Why are you so afraid," He asked, "I'm here aren't I?"
Those words shattered the darkness around us and a blue sky replaced it. I took his hand and he immediately pulled me into a kiss. When I opened my eyes, however, I realized that Shanks was kissing me for real.
I was shocked at first but kissed him back. He tried pulling away but I grabbed him by the shirt and kept him in place. When we did finally separate we just stared at each other.
"That was amazing," He said placing his forehead against mine.
"Why," I asked him softly.
"Huh?" I punched him in the head before speaking my mind.
"Why the hell did you come? Do you not realize that you could have died!"
"Kazumi-"
"Not only did you risk your life but everyone else as well!"
"Kazumi let me-"
"And why the hell did Nazami tat me out! That wasn't-" Shanks cut me off with a tantalizing kiss that left me breathless.
"Now that I've got you attention." I folded my arms and looked into his eyes.
"We went after you because your our comrade now. I'd do this for any of my men, even though you're very special."
"Special?"
"I don't go around kissing my crew, now do I?" I turned away with a sly smile and he backed away a bit.
"Well you could have before I came and all ya know. Could have been on your spare time."
"What? Hey." I laughted but instantly regretted it when pain shot through my adbomen. I looked and saw it was wrapped up perfectly before flashes of memories came to me. Sadness washed over me as it dawned on me that I'll never be able to see my real mother and I've carelessly given Harleen her title. I felt so guilty for it, even though I know its not my fault.
"Kazumi?"
"Yes?"
"I'm going to go tell Ignus that your awake." I nodded in understanding then Shanks kissed my forehead.
"Stop being so hard on yourself. There's no way you could have known the truth."
"I know that but still..."
"No buts, Lady Heartfall wouldn't blame you at all."
"Did you know her? My mother?"
"Not personally. She'd always be in the news papers, though. She was a forced to be reckoned with."
"She was that powerful?"
"Lets just say if she were still active then the New World wouldn't have to have Teach as an emperor."
"I see."
Shanks turned to leave, giving me time to think on the information of my mother.
What did he mean by they wouldn't have Teach as an emperor? Did he mean that she would have taken his place or something else entirely?
The door opened and Ignus walked in with latex gloves on instead of his black ones.
"Kazumi, how are you feeling," he asked as he approached me.
"I'm fine," he sent me a hard look and I shrank into the bed and pouted.
"It hurts a lot."
"Don't lie about this stuff," he scowled, "honestly, your a bigger pain than Benn."
"Don't compare me to him," I yelled out but instantly regretted it when pain shot through me, "besides, I'm still mad at him, at all of you."
"We figured you would be, but you have to understand you're one of us now. How you left us is something we wouldn't just let go."
"What if things went differently? You all could have gotten hurt."
"We know that and it didn't matter, it never will. We'd do the same for any crewmember."
"Whatever."
"Kazumi, about your injury, there is more about it that I need to to tell you." He looked at me with a grim expression and I felt a dark pit beginning to form. The next words he uttered sent me to a dark space in my head.
I'd been in the crows nest since I was given the news. Everyone tried to talk to me but I just sent them away, even Benn and Shanks. I didn't want to see anyone but I couldn't dream of facing Shanks now; not with the news I'd received. I just stood there while petting Nazami's head and thinking. I couldn't eat anything, I couldn't talk to anyone, the only one that could come close enough to me was Ignus and that was just to check my injuries. Yasopp left food for me in case I changed my mind but I didn't want it at all. All I could do way replay Ignus' words repeatedly. I asked him not to tell anyone and he promised not to.
Down below I heard them whispering about who would try to get me to talk but no one could agree because everyone want to talk to me.
"Nazami, your the second biggest jerk of all, you know that?" She made a sound of disappointment and I chuckled.
"It's fine, though. I understand why you did it." She made a happy sound at this and soon my thoughts started to pool over to her.
"Nazami, have you ever dreamed of making your own family?" She nodded and I smiled as best I could but the tears were making it hard.
"Good, at least one of us can have that. My opportunities for that are gone." A sob formed in my throat and I layed my head on Nazami's snout and cried while pouring everything out to her.
"I knew everything was to good to be true. Escaping from Grandosa, my dad letting us go, there is always a sick price to pay for something so good." Kazumi whined a bit and tried to nudge me.
"When you get your family protect them. Have a big one for me okay?"
"You make it sound like your dying."
I glared at Benn and saw both him and Shanks was up here with Yasopp.
"Go shove it you old gorilla!"
"Old? I ain't that old you brat!"
"Oh yeah, I bet you get cronic back pains and your knees ache at random moments."
"Why you little-"
"Geez, could you both not fight for once."
"Butt out long nose," both Benn and I said simultaneously. We glared at each other once more only this time Yasopp glared as well.
"Long nose? You guys are just too terrible. Both of you act like an old married couple." Me and Benn both stood over a now scared Yasopp and had on our scariest faces.
"You think I'd marry this old fart?"
"You think I'd marry this shrimpy brat?"
We punched Yasopp together and turned away from him like children shunning another kid at a playground.
"I'm sorry," Yasopp said in pain. I was going to reply but Shanks snatched me into his arm and I blushed when I saw how flustered and jealous he looked. A sly smile played on my lips and I decided to tease him.
"Hey Benn, I think the captain here is jealous." Benn instantly caught of and decided to take part.
"Your right, he does look like his feathers had been ruffled up a bit."
"Kazumi..." the tone of Shank's voice sent shivers down my spin but I continued.
"Maybe we can get married back in my home town, Benn. It would be beautiful there this time of year." Shank's grip on my hip tightened possessively but we didn't stop.
"The honey moon can be somewhere in the east blue." I tried not to laugh so I placed a hand over my mouth to stop myself.
"Uh, guys, I think you guys need to stop now," Yasopp said with a shaky voice. I looked at Shank's and saw what scared Yasopp so badly. Before I could fully blink, Shanks took me from the crow's nest and dragged me back to my room. I saw the smirk on everyone's face as I fussed and struggled to stand up on my feet. When we were inside my room, Shanks closed the door and locked it before pinning me to the wall and kissing me hard. When he pulled away I was speechless.
"Don't ever tease me like that," he said roughly before kissing me again. I wanted to drown in that kiss but knew I couldn't. If Shanks knew about my problem he'd probably not want me. I pushed him away from me but kept my hands on his chest to keep him away.
"Stop, I need to tell you something." I paused and grabbed onto his shirt to keep my hands from shaking so much.
"You- you may not look at me the same afterwards, either. Maybe even kick me to the side but whatever." He was about the say something but I put my face in his chest to hid my tears.
"Shanks, when Harleen stabbed me, she..." I couldn't form the words at all. A lump formed in my throat, keeping the words at bay.
Shanks wrapped an arm around me and placed his hand on my head.
"I already know." I looked at Shanks with wide eyes and saw his serious face.
"You know?"
"Me, Yasopp and Benn overheard you talking to Nazami."
"So you know that... that I can't have children? You know and still want to be with me?"
"Of course I do. Kazumi in the short time I've known you I've fallen for you. Your beautiful, smart, and independent, not to mention that you can fight almost as good as me."
"Hey, I can kick your ass whenever you red bastard!"
"All that said, I can live without having a child. Sure its tragic but I won't love you any less." My world stopped when he said those words.
He...he loves me? I look up at the red haired pirate tears threatening to fall.
I smiled at him genuinely, feeling happiness swallow me whole as I hugged him.
"You Red Bastard," I said, my voice quivering, "why do you always know the right words to say?"
"Well, I am courting the admiral's daughter. I can't just say anyting now can I." I chuckled and held him tighter, not wanting to let go.
"Hey Shanks," I spoke after a moment of silence.
"Yes?"
"I... umm," I grew nervous for some reason. I felt like a girl confessing to her crush in high school.
"Shanks I... I love you too." He chuckled and lifted my chin so I'd meet his eyes.
"Yeah, I know that." He kissed me again, only this one was more gentle and passionate. Shanks is the light that will always bright me from the darkness. For as long as I can, I'll stay by his side, unwavering and ground standing.
Weeks Later
I was on Nazami's back as she floated on the water. Slowly swimming around the ship. My injuries were nearly healed now so Ingus let me do this, as long at I don't get wet. My first week back on the ship Shanks threw nightly parties saying it's because I came back with them. Even though I keep getting scowled for it I cleaned when everyone went to sleep, being careful not to reopen my wounds. They even tried locking me in the room after everything ended but I stole the key from a drunk Lucky Roo and managed to get out.
Shanks makes me sleep with him now, in the captain's quarters. When I saw my treasure again I couldn't help but hug it and apologize to it for forgetting all about it, earning a look from Shanks. I was even able to send it to the kids, Shanks made Rockstar send it with a message in my writing. Shiroshira sent me a message back, telling me that she'd kick my ass because they thought I'd gotten into trouble. She told me that the kids would be fine and the treasure was too much, as usual. It would last them a while though so I knew she'd use it anyways.
Benn has been teaching me how to properly use my haki. He's annoyimg but a good teacher more of less. Lucky Roo lost a bet to me so he's my slave for a whole two months. He thought he could beat me in a race. I arm wrestled with everyone and won until I got to stupid Benn. No one is letting me live it down though.
"Nazami, hold on a second." She stops and looked at me, waiting for me to talk.
"I want to take a nap, I'll swim with you later." I jumped onto the ship and then went to the dragon's head at the front of the ship and crawled inside the mouth. It was just enough for me to lay in comfortablely. My legs stuck out though so I used Shank's coat wrap around them and hide them from the sun. I closed my eyes and let the waves lul me to sleep.
Third Person
Some time after Kazumi went to sleep, Shanks decided to wake up from his drunken slumber and saw Kazumi wasn't with him. He sighed and got up to go look for her. Once on deck, he saw everyone carrying on as usual.
Shanks
"Hey, you slept in later than usual," Benn said walking towards me.
"If your looking for your girl, she's out with Nazami," Yasopp said.
"Thanks," I told him and went to go find the girls. I found Nazami but Kazumi wasn't with her.
"Hey Nazami, where'd Kazumi go?"
The sea beast looked at me with confusion before doing her charades thing.
"She went for a nap?" She nodded and I patted her snout. "Thanks." The first place I looked was back in her old room. She usually goes in there to find quiet from the rowdy crewmembers. When I saw she wasn't there I looked on every crows nest we had. I still couldn't find her. Just as I got ready to go below deck, canon fire sounded and a canon ball landed too close to the ship, causing the boat to nearly capsize.
"Marines!" I looked around until I spotted five war ships sailing towards us, they're canons firing too close for my comfort.
"Look alive people," I said, "warships are heading this way from the west, all hands prepare to take off."
"Aye!" Everyone went into action to leave but I was still looking for Kazumi.
"Benn," I called out to him, "you and Yasopp come with me." I went below deck and they were behind me.
"Everything okay?"
"Kazumi is missing, and those warships are here." They put the rest together themselves.
"She's not with Nazami?"
"No, Nazami said she was taking a nap."
"She's probably in one of the crows nests," Benn said.
"I checked."
"Man this is troublesome," Yasopp said scratching his head.
"In any case, I'm sure she's still on the ship somewhere," Benn stated, "me and Yasopp will find her, you have to guide the ship."
"But-"
"Shanks, go. The brat is still on board somewhere sleeping." I sighed in defeat and went on deck to help get away from the marines.
We got a good ways away from the marines, thanks to Nazami, but no one could find Kazumi anywhere. Everyone was helping out woth the search but no one could find her.
"Where could she be?"
"She's not in the kitchen this time."
"You guys don't think..." it grew quiet then. The same thought traveling through everyone's minds.
"Come on, guys," I spoke, "she wouldn't do that to us. There has to be somewhere we haven't checked yet.
We all turned to look at Nazami when she made a small howl. She looked at the front of the ship so I followed her gaze and saw my coat hanging from the mouth of the ships dragon head. I stood and the others followed as I walked over to it. Nazami stood in front of it and pointed inside with her tail. I jumped onto the figure head and looked inside to see Kazumi sleeping soundly, despite the commotion that happened with the marines.
"What is it," Lucky Roo asked.
"Kazumi's in here."
"What," they all exclaimed together.
"I knew she was small but jeez!"
"No kiddin'! That's ridiculous!"
I decided to wake her up and pay her back for making us worry, and I knew exactly what to do.
Kazumi
I woke up with a funny sensation on my stomach. I tried to push it away but it persisted, causing me to laugh.
Who the hell is tickling me!
I opened my eyes to see I'm no longer inside the figure head, but I'm on tge deck of the ship surrounded by the crew members as they each tortured me.
"Hahaha- Guys wh-hahahaha- what the he-hahahaha!"
"Oh look, the shrimp is awake," Benn said.
"I don't think she's paid enough," Rockstar said with an evil spark in his eye and a creepy smile. Soon everyone's face mirrored his and they tickled me for about ten more minutes.
After everone was done, I caught my breath and held my sides.
"What the... hell... was that you... you bastards," I panted out.
"You never told us where you were," Shanks said, "so when we went to look for you and couldn't find you we got worried." Suddnely, Benn was behind me and had my head between his fist and twisted them agaist it
"Yeah, that wasn't such a nice thing to do, brat!"
"Ow ow ow! I'm sorry! Id didn't mean it!" Yasopp grabbed my cheek and pulled it, stretching it without mercy.
"Well that relly isn't an apology now is it?" I growled and bit Yasopp's hand and then punched Benn, without letting go of Yasopp.
"Wha, thoo I haf thoo apolajise," I said before letting go of Yasopp's finger and stepping on his head instead.
"All I did was take a nap, you guys act like I went and drowned somewhere accidentally on purpose."
"The marines attacked our ship earlier when you were sleeping," Shanks said, " I don't know how you didn't wake up but we all thought you tried to leave again." I watched all of there faces go grim and they looked away from me. I sighed and kicked Benn in the hip softly but repeatedly.
"You guys are idiots," I said.
"What!" I took a deep breath in before yelling at them.
"How the hell am I supposed to leave the ship? Nazami won't do that again and you guys have no extra boats on board!" They all thought for a second before it dawned on them.
"Oh... Sorry Kazumi," they all said with a sparkling smile.
"Just shut the hell up and feed me," I yelled out.
After dinner, Shanks and I went to the crow's nest and he told me stories about his past with Gol Rogers and his first love, Makino (Because I ship them so flippin hard! Sorry Kazumi...X3). Apparently before me he loved this woman named Makino and they dated until he decided it was time to travel to the Grand Line. She married someone else after that and the rest is history. I was almost jealous of her, almost. She's the one that let him slip away. I turned to kiss him just thinking if how dumb she was to let the emperor get away. The kiss deepened and we both ended up falling over. We laughed and the just stared at each other jnder the stars.
"Kazumi," he said his face turning serious out of no where.
"What is it?"
"Umm," In the moonlight, I could see a small blush on his face, "what's your country like?"
"My country, huh?" Relaxed and Shanks relaxed beside me, staying on his side since there was barely any room.
"Its a very hospitable country. They don't really mind pirates much there, a reason why my dad decided to stay there."
"But we got chased off by marines."
"Yeah, they were getting ready to leave after checking on my and Harleen, my father's orders."
"Wait, so no one called them on us?"
"Nope, what was most likely to happen is one of the soldiers saw your ship." He looked like he had an epiphany right then.
"So, we can go back there?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Harleen will probably stay in Grandosa for a while, shamed because I rearrange her face."
"Speaking of, why didn't you ever use haki before then?"
"What?"
"Your used Adament hardening to hit Harleen. Why did you never use it before?"
"Oh yeah, I guess I forgot I knew how to do that." He deadpans but recovers quickly.
"How do you forget your a Haki user?"
"I don't know, I just did okay?" He chuckled before kissing me once more.
"You have your dense moments, I guess," he said and kissed me deeper so I couldn't retort. I felt happiness swell within me now. I had met a wonderful group of pirates that meant the world to me. In a heartbeat my list of friends expanded more and I fell for the captain of them all. I could finally live freely and happily as I saw fit. I wouldn't trade them for the world.