A Cat's Instinct
Chapter 16: A Hatred of Weakness
((Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece... only my OC's...))
James yawned, his mouth wide open and his arms stretched out behind his head, in the usual, feline-like manner.
"I think its time for a cat nap..." he thought to himself, as he pondered the positive direction in which his day was going, "Wait... I wonder where Nami is..."
His thoughts drifted slowly to his red-haired girlfriend and he stood up, stretching once more and headed into the galley, hoping to be graced with her presence.
Nami was there, alright; her quill pen in hand and her eyes intently focused on her daunting task at hand.
James, with a stomach filled with sudden butterflies, smiled upon seeing her.
"Hey Nami...." he said, trying his best not to startle her.
Slowly, she looked up with a soft smile lining her lips as she gradually recognized the familiar voice.
"Hi James... would you like to sit down?" she asked, shifting over on the bench she was sitting on and making room for him.
James's smile grew wider and he sat down, putting an arm around her delicate waist.
He looked down at what she was doing and nearly laughed.
"Another map?" he asked, feeling completely amused.
Nami just giggled,
"Of course. I am the 'navigator'." She replied.
James chuckled at the slight sarcasm in her response,
"True..." he said.
He shifted closer to her, and without any thought at all, he pulled her closer and kissed her on the cheek.
Nami and James's faces both flushed with color as they both realized what had happened.... James, suddenly feeling like a pervert, was especially filled with a sudden wave of guilt.
"I-I'm sorry about that..." James stammered nervously, "I-I don't know wh-what got into me..."
Nami watched his nervous antics with an almost sadistic pleasure, but touched his cheek gently.
"Why are you apologizing?" she asked, "I really like you, James."
"You...uh...you d-do?" James asked, blushing even deeper than before.
Nami nodded innocently,
"Yeah. You're not like most men... or pirates for that matter." She said, "I forget that you're a pirate at all, sometimes."
James's face fell faintly.
"Yeah... Keiko tells me that all the time." He said, utterly disappointed in himself.
Nami gave him a sympathetic glance.
"I think that's a good thing, James." She assured, "Most pirates are evil, heartless things, who only look for their own selfish benefit; taking worlds away from others to satisfy their greed..." she said, passionate tears coming to her eyes.
James didn't know how to react, but his thoughts just moved to his father...and he all of a sudden felt extremely awkward.
Without saying another word, he put his arm around her as comfortingly as he could.
"Not all pirates are like that." He said softly, "Look at Luffy, for instance...!"
Little did they know, Keiko watched silently with a tinge of disgust.
"What on earth does she see in that LOSER?" she said, as Mocha gave a 'mew' in reply.
"I don't know either... he thinks he could match up to Captain Kuro... or Zoro... what an idiot..."
She would never admit it, but seeing them together just gave her a bad taste in her mouth and a nauseating feeling in her stomach...especially seeing them act all cozy with each other...
She stormed off, unable to look at them anymore.
"I wonder if Zoro is still sleeping." She thought, carrying the fuzzy, purring cat in her arms.
She prowled up the stairs to where Zoro usually slept, but surprisingly, he was up and gazing out towards the horizon.
Hearing footsteps approach his position, the swordsman turned around quickly... but seeing his fellow crewmember, his instinctive tenseness softened.
"Keiko... I was almost beginning to worry about you. You usually hang around me a lot more." He said, chuckling slightly, "Something must be wrong."
Keiko hesitated visibly.
"Well... it's just...what does Nami see in him?" she asked, "I mean, doesn't she hate pirates and steal from them? What does he possibly have to offer her? He's a wimp, that's way too nice and loses practically every fight he participates in! He's an absolute disgrace to piracy!"
Zoro listened as she ranted, almost as though he were a loyal, older brother who was helping his sister solve one of life's many problems.
"He doesn't even act like a real pirate!" Keiko added.
"Well, you shouldn't count James out for his weaknesses, you know." Zoro pointed out wisely, as his thoughts drifted back to his own past, "After all, everyone has had challenges they had to overcome at one point or another."
"Like what? Zoro, what did you go through?" she inquired wondrously.
Zoro paused, taking a deep breath and then speaking clearly.
"It all goes back to this promise I had made to a young girl... and I'll never forget it..."
He then went on to explain how his rival, the fiery, blue-haired Kuina was the daughter of his sensei who taught him everything about what he knows about swordsmanship. No matter how much he trained and practiced; no matter how many swords he used, he could never defeat her.
He had tried two-thousand and one times with no victories, on his part.... but despite the harsh, bitter feelings that go along with losing, they shared the same dream... Both of them wanted to become the Greatest Swordsman that ever lived.
The final time that Kuina had defeated him, she had started to cry, telling Zoro about how her gender would prevent her from ever grasping her dream and making it into a reality. She could never become the greatest, only because she was a woman.
Seeing her tears and hearing her pathetic words, angered Zoro. In less than five seconds, she had insulted years of hard work and training that he had poured into the effort of trying to defeat her.
They had made their vow on that very night, underneath the white moonlight... one of them would become the Greatest... and neither of them would quit until they were truly defeated.
Unfortunately, has fate would have it; Kuina's fiery spirit was quickly snuffed out as she had fallen down the stairs of her father's dojo and died, only a few days after they had recited their vows to one another.
His sensei later explained to Zoro that he was the one that inspired Kuina to train harder... so she could continue to defeat him and with his greatest thanks, he gave Zoro the sword that Kuina used, since looking at it and watching Zoro only caused him pain.
Through unfamiliar tears, Zoro took the sword and told his sensei about the promise he had made to Kuina... that he would become he Greatest Swordsman and fulfill his strong vows to Kuina... the person who had changed his entire life.
"So... through all that weakness... I made myself stronger... and still continue to do so." He said, patting the white sword that sat faithfully at his side.
Keiko's eyes filled with pity and inspiration as he finished.
"But you never defeated her... did you?" she asked, wiping her eyes.
Zoro shook his head almost tiredly.
"No... she beat me up until the end..." he said, "and just because James has many faults doesn't mean that he doesn't have many strengths as well. Nami is good at reading people and she seems to see these strengths in him."
Keiko nodded her head, her entire being absorbing the well-given advice.
"His strengths, huh?" she said, "But what if he has none? He is an idiot after all."
Zoro laughed heartily,
"Even an idiot can have his strengths." Zoro replied.
Keiko nodded again as she looked at Zoro with a new and greater appreciation for his strong spirit.
She threw her arms around him, catching the swordsman off guard.
He paused, but returned the hug stiffly, but as earnestly as he could.
She then let go of him.
"I'll see you later, Zoro.... I have a lot of thinking to do." She said, running off.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
"Mom, did you see it? Didja?"
A young, dark-haired girl pulled eagerly at her mother's baggy, canvas pants.
The skinny woman with her shoulder-length, black hair and worn features looked down in great fondness for the young girl.
"Did I see what, dear?" she asked, picking the girl up in her arms.
The child giggled musically; her young, naive eyes sparkling; completely unaware of the passion-filled struggles of a life on the sea.
"The dolphins, mommy! They're laughing again!" she chirped enthusiastically.
The woman just forced a half-hearted smile,
"No... I'm sorry, honey... I'm afraid I missed them again." She said, sounding exhausted, "Perhaps next time I'll see them."
The girl's face fell, but her expression brightened almost as quickly as the last change.
"Don't worry mommy.... you'll see them next time, just like you always say!" she said.
Footsteps and gasps were suddenly heard, permeating through the rest of the crew.
The Captain, with his slick, dark hair and ornate Captain's jacket walked down the deck of the ship; passing through the crowd of crewmen with a graceful ease.
Lagging behind him was his young apprentice and the lanky first mate.
"Well Captain... you called for us?" the first mate asked; his fear of the Captain made clear in his trembling tone.
Using the palm of his hand to adjust his glasses, the Captain's eyes gleamed and a wolfish smirk crawled across his face... he obviously had something travelling through his mind.
"Why yes, Django... As a matter of fact, I do have a plan for you..." he said, "All of you..."
Django listened intently along with the rest of the crew as the Captain went into great detail of his calculations for their next escapade.
The apprentice however, tried his hardest to pay attention, but his nine-year-old attention span got hold of him and pulled him farther and farther away from the plan's great detail.
Fumbling with his glasses, he looked around and spotted the young girl. He smiled lightly, fixing his glasses that constantly slumped down his small nose.
The young boy was all-too familiar. She often caught glimpses of him around the ship, whether he was doing chores or gathering lessons from the Captain himself.
She, however, never gave the young boy much thought, because he always seemed very clumsy and absolutely useless to the crew... if anyone had the mind to ask her opinion, she would've had him thrown overboard years ago.
She looked in the opposite direction, though she moved closer to her mother's leg, feeling much more secure.
As the Captain finished explaining his next devious action to his mostly, clueless pawns, he looked down at the young boy.
"Do you have all that information?" he asked, as though he were talking to a scribe.
The boy nodded quickly, but dumbly... he didn't actually have all the information, but he didn't want his father to be disappointed.
The Captain merely smiled and looked back at his shaky first mate.
"Well, get to work, all of you!" Kuro snarled, "There's work to be done, and you all know the price of failure..."
Whimpers were heard throughout the crowd... even the young girl felt a shiver go through her mother's body and she looked up curiously.
"Django...you better not break your damn promise..." she heard her mother whisper, almost inaudibly, as she turned her attentions back to the young girl once again.
"Don't worry, Keiko... I won't let anything happen to you, dear..." she said, a hint of tension flowing through her voice.
Young Keiko nodded, though she wasn't sure of anything her mother's words meant.
Several months at sea had passed and the Black Cat Pirates reached yet another small island and another small village that was unaware of the oncoming jeopardy that they were being plunged into.
The crew themselves had been through a shortage of supplies, and all of them were hungry and desperate. Fights constantly broke out and man men turned to murder as a way to calm the burning strain that was being placed on them.
Kuro, especially, began to feel the weight of his duties come over his shoulders.
He had ordered that each crewmember get a certain amount of rations...which included almost everyone.
The young apprentice, sheltered from all of the hardships, leaned over the side of the ship, looking out at the tree-filled island and the small buildings that were placed amongst them, like flecks of dust.
The Captain walked up next to the boy, peering out at the target island himself.
"James... one day... this kind of life will all be yours." He said, "If you so choose, that is..."
Keiko watched from behind one of the empty barrels, eavesdropping on their conversation, though the rumbling of her stomach made her pause and hold her breath, for fear of being discovered.
She wasn't as hungry as the other crewmen... thanks to her mother that is...
James looked up at his Captain and nodded.
"Yes da-... I mean, Captain." He answered, quickly fixing his error with great embarrassment, lining his young features.
The Captain huffed with an amusement rarely shown in the presences of his crew.
"My young apprentice... you're hesitating again..." he said, in the reminding tone of a collegiate professor.
The boy's narrow face fell and he pushed his glasses up his face in a feeble attempt to hide his shame.
The Captain put a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Don't forget, James... that you're my son..." he whispered.
Keiko didn't hear what the Captain had said, but, being the young girl she was, quickly lost interest in what she was watching.
As she started to leave, Django ran up to the Captain who instantly returned to his usual, treacherous aura.
"What is it now, Django?" He asked, looking irritated, "Another brawl?"
Django shook his head,
"C-Captain... she collapsed...please help her..." he panted, leaning on his skinny knees.
Kuro was confused, but hid it, using his years of experience.
"What are you blabbering about now?" Kuro demanded, "Or rather, who?"
"Faya... she's sick again..." Django said, "Please... we have to get her help on the island..."
Kuro's expression became almost furious.
"And throw off my plan?!" he snarled, "You must have lost your mind!"
Django cowered at the Captain's anger, but taking one glance at James... he grew slightly determined... but not too determined.
"Please Captain... as your friend..." Django pleaded desperately, "I never ask you for anything..."
Kuro sighed feeling defeated.
"Alright... where is she?" he asked.
The three went off, as Keiko paused. The girl knew that they were talking about her mother.
She felt her stomach instantly drop and she ran after them.
"What's wrong with my mom?!" she growled, as she nearly tripped at the feet of the Captain, tears shining in her eyes.
They all looked back at her and Django suddenly looked concerned.
"Keiko..."
"What happened to my mom?" the girl demanded again.
Kuro ignored her and turned to Django.
"Now... where is she?" he asked, "I don't have all day."
"Y-yes, Captain..." Django said.
He glanced back only once, motioning to the young girl.
"Come on, Keiko..." he said gently.
The girl nodded and ran to catch up with him.
Django led them down into the hold, where Keiko's mother lay, her hands trembling and she gasped for every breath she took.
"We're here, Faya..." Django said, going over to her bedside, almost hesitantly.
She moved her head weakly, forcing a smirk.
"You damned idiot..." she answered, "Why did you come here? Especially with our dear Captain in tow?"
"He knows that you haven't been eating your rations..." he said, as Kuro watched stiffly... it had been a series of events he'd seen all too many times before.
Keiko rushed over to her mother's side, tears pouring down her young face. She'd never seen her mother in such a state.... so weak... it almost put a bad taste in her mouth.
"Mommy, why? Why don't you get up?" she asked, tugging at her mother's torn shirt sleeve.
"Shhh... Keiko... it'll be alright..." her mother answered.
Django looked at the pair, not knowing what to do, and then glanced at the Captain.
Kuro took several steps forward, his hands clasped tightly behind him.
James silently watched from behind, completely unsure of what was going on.
"Faya... please listen to the Captain... you have to eat." Django pleaded.
"Shut up, Django... I have no desire to listen to you... I need to lose weight anyway." Faya answered stubbornly, waving him off with her hand, though weak as it was, "Stop being a dumb-ass."
Django pulled out his chakram, with full intentions to hypnotize her.
"Dammit, Faya!" he yelled uncharacteristically, "If you won't change your mind, I'll do it for you!"
Faya nearly laughed at the absurdity of the idea.
"You really are a dumbass." She said coolly, "You know I'm not gonna make it... why try it? Stop wasting your damn breath... God knows you need it when you hypnotize yourself, or screw something else up."
Django knew full well that he'd never be able to get to her... he never had been able to, ever since they picked her up at that Red Line port.
He remained silent, not knowing how to react, but only put the chakram back in his pocket... She was still good at stumping him... it almost felt like he was speaking to the Captain at times.
"Besides, what would you have me do?" Faya asked, her tough expressions fading as she laid eyes on Keiko who was sobbing into her mother's arm, "I couldn't let my little girl experience the hunger that we've all been through."
As if Django was lost for an answer before... he was even more lost now.
Keiko continued crying... sure she was upset, but she was mostly ashamed.
She always looked up to her mother... her pride, her strength, even her cat-like mischievousness... but not eating to lose weight and to save her life? That was pure weakness! It deeply sickened her.
Django moved closer, silently thanking Neptune that his heart-shaped glasses concealed his bursting emotions.
"What about your daughter? Our daughter?" he asked, pulling at anything to keep her will to live burning strong.
Faya closed her eyes and her breathing mellowed.
Everyone watched, their throats closing as they gazed upon the "fallen angel" (as they grew to call her over the years).
"Faya, no!" Django called.
"Dammit, Django! I'm not dead, yet!" she snarled, trying to sit up, but failed, "I'm just freakin' resting... geez!"
Django looked around sheepishly, but reached over to hold her hand. She didn't fight the contact, but only fell asleep, her hand tightening around his.
Faya, as predicted, passed away later that night, and everyone knew to leave the first-mate well alone.
Even the usually heartless Captain showed a pinch of compassion for his long-time friend.
Little Keiko, after her mother's body was thrown overboard, went to hide in the hull of the ship where supplies and remains of rations were kept.
A few concerned crewmen descended down into that dark, dank realm and all of them were surprised at what they found.
Keiko sat behind some sake barrels; her eyes completely clear of shed tears.
In her hands was a dagger with a wooden handle... her mother's.
Only the crewmen who saw the young girl could've attested to this, but they had claimed that the girl almost resembled a demon or a cat with her fire-filled eyes and determination to remain strong.
It was on that day that she came to believe that she'd have no tolerance for weakness...never becoming like her mother and making herself stronger every day... and so far, she was nearly as good as her word.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Keiko woke with a start as the first thing she laid on was James standing over her bed with a concerned expression.
"Hey, are you crying?" he asked, looking honestly sincere.
Keiko felt her face and her cheeks were shining with unfamiliar tears.
Out of shock and embarrassment, she instantly kicked him in the face and sent him flying across the room, unexpectedly.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?" he demanded, clutching his, now bloodied, nose.
"You stupid bastard! I'm not crying, I yawned! Don't you know the freakin' difference?!" she snarled angrily, "And don't you know not to sneak up on me?! I could've head a heart attack, you moron!"
James cowered slightly,
"I'm sorry I even asked... I was just worried, I guess..." he muttered, still clutching his face in obvious pain.
He then stood up and left the room, probably off to find Nami and get some decent medical treatment.
Keiko watched him go, and felt a new feeling surge through her... something she couldn't name... and if confused her.
She waved it off however, just thinking that it was slight remorse for kicking him square in the nose, but deeply, she knew that wasn't the case.
A certain idea crossed her mind, and she nearly became violently sick at the very thought.
"What the hell is wrong with me?!" she muttered angrily and, gathering Mocha in her arms, she went to get a few good breaths of fresh sea air... and perhaps to stay away from James for a little while.
She needed a break from his stupidity.
((A/N: I'm sorry I haven't updated.. but I hope you enjoyed it ^^ ))