I have yet to explain why those men are after, yes. In this next chapter hopefully I can portray that in a flashback. But for a quick spoiler, she knows the two men very well- and they are also from the Island of Providence. Also in this chapter you find out her connection to the man known as the Baron. as I mentioned before in the story, Haruto & Kasmir have been sent to retrieve Aiko, by his command. I will be taking a vacation next weekend, so I probably won't be updating during that time. Thanks for reading!
A Thing Of The Past
Aikos' sandals shifted in the dirt, knees bent slightly, before she came at Law. Hands closed, except her pointer and middle fingers on each hand. She focused on her target, aiming for the wrists and shoulders. Hearing Law mutter a word as her fingers jabbed the four areas. Satisfied she smiled at him.
Laws arms were useless, and therefore left him unable to use his Devil Fruit powers. Needless to say, he was anything but happy about being immobilized, by something so simple. Whatever she did, it just made him want to keep her, and lock her away forever, even more.
"What did you do?" He sneered, with slits for eyes- obviously pissed off about the whole situation.
Aiko kept smiling. "Nothing permanent. Now..." She paused, taking a step forward, and standing only a few inches away. Her eyes shifted towards the dock he came from, his crew was bustling around and no one noticed.
"You should head back before your crew gets sight of me chipping into your pride. I am not some trinket to be won, or taken and locked away. Maybe if we see one another again, I'll join you for a bit...but as it stands now, hanging out with pirates would be just as troublesome for me, as it would be for you. Maybe even worse for you." With those final words, Law watched the woman saunter away, and back onto the ship.
'Worse for me? Impossible. She has no bounty, but then again... No. What exactly is this woman into?' he grimaced as he walked somewhat awkwardly over to his submarine.
Haruto and Kasmir had been out day and night searching for her- still nothing.
"Fuck this Haruto. I'm going to the other side of town, and do shit my way." He growled at his partner.
Haruto sighed, he was certainly sick of Kasmirs' complaining, as well as yelling- but he did have a valid point. Following Kasmir towards the other side of town. There was a look of disgust on Harutos' face- Kasmir on the other hand, seemed rather excited.
They walked around through narrow, and rundown alleys. Since it was pretty early in the morning, there weren't many people out and about. Shop owners were setting up their businesses, and moving freight around.
Kasmir joyously walked through the streets at a slow pace- oddly enough for whatever reason he felt right at home. Stopping in front of a bar, he turned to Haruto signaling to follow him inside.
"Really? Drinking this early?" Haruto sighed as he followed behind.
"No. I said I'm doing things my way, and this is where I go when I'm out looking for someone, or something."
The place was nearly devoid of life- all except the old man working the crushed counter, and a few alcoholics scattered throughout. Kasmir walked up to the old man to ask him a few questions.
"Hey old man, what happened to this?" He called out, pointing towards the crushed mess of wood.
The old man smiled. "Oh you know, just a bar fight. Woman got thrown into it last night...she managed to walk away without so much as a few scratches."
"Those damn whores...still that's pretty brutal."
The old man couldn't help but laugh heartily at his statement.
"Was no whore. The girl was quite the looker, she refused the advances of some sloppy looking drunk last night. It's not everyday you see a woman with such interesting features."
'Interesting features?' He pondered over the old mans words, maybe...
The old man kept speaking as Kasmir thought. "Hey you kind of remind me of her...Well at least in the skin and eye department."
Kasmir, lost in thought didn't hear him speaking, but Haruto, who had only been a few feet away, did.
"Excuse me sir?" He spoke politely, removing his shades.
"You have them too. Both of you. Are you from the same area as the young lass? Or perhaps relatives of hers?"
"Relatives, no. But, you could say that we are from the same island." He smiled.
"Ah how lovely, well I'm sure you've met her before then. However, she's leaving the island today...said something about looking for something, or maybe someone? I'm not too sure, it just overheard bits and pieces of a conversation."
"Kasmir. We are leaving."
"I wanted a drink, Haruto." He whined, mockingly.
"We have something more important to take care of, instead of feeding you booze so early in the morning."
He smirked wider. "Told ya so."
Haruto rolled his eyes, before placing his shades back on, and started his way out the tavern.
Aiko had long since set sail, leaning up against the railing of the ship- finally able to relax. She been up way before dawn, not to mention moving heavy as hell cargo onto the ship. She was beat. Gulping down a much needed glass of water, she looked out over the ocean.
"So beautiful..." She mumbled under her breath.
It really had been too long since she had been out on the sea. She took a deep breath- enjoying the smell of the ocean. She missed it. The swaying of a boat, watching Sea Kings off in the distance, being able to see the sun melt into the sea at the end of each day. The reflection of the stars on the water at night- no light pollution.
"Aiko." Sakazuki called as he walked up to his newest subordinate, and soon to be project.
"Yes sir?"
"This is your first time on this warship, is that correct?"
She nodded, smiling happily. "I like it very much. Thank you for taking me under you wing, it really means a lot...especially from a man who is admired so greatly."
Admiral Sakazuki nodded, "So It came to light that you were promoted to Vice Admiral recently, aboard the last ship."
"Yes."
"I see. Well, I will have you resume those same duties upon this one. Furthermore, I would like to train you myself...I have heard nothing but good things about you, and I'm sure it would be nicer than spending a day with Garp." His normal frowned deepened at the thought of Garps' way of so-called 'training'- That narcoleptic mad man.
"Very true." She laughed, recalling watching him bark orders to his subordinates.
"Hey Hiro, how much longer until we reach the island?" Aiko called out as she was washing her dishes from her lunch.
Hiro chuckled, as he looked up from his book to address her. "About another day. Why are we getting a little bit stir crazy?"
Aiko rolled her eyes. "Certainly not...it's just, I haven't left the Marina in such a long time, I'm actually really excited to see a different place."
He laughed some more. "Sounds like you are tired of being on this boat. Though I need to know, how long do you intend to sail with the crew and I? We find you to be a great deal of help, and as it were, I am hoping you'll be traveling with us between the next few islands."
"Sure. However, if something does come up, I might have to leave. I would hate to leave you high and dry for help, but I am trying to get somewhere...very far.." Her voice trailed off.
"Daddy! When can we go traveling on your ship again?" Young Aiko called out running up to her father, sitting at his desk in his office.
A seemingly never ending mountain of papers littered his usually clean desk, he had no time to do anything but sit and read the asinine forms. Smiling as his only child approached, he greeted her with a grin.
"I am not sure my dear. Lately our islands militia has been growing, and seeing as how I am Baron over this island, I have to do most of the legal paperwork."
Climbing into his lap, she looked over his desk, frowning at it. "No fair. If I help you can we go sooner?"
His chest rumbled behind her, as he laughed at her cute words.
"Honey, this is far too much for a child to handle. You are smart, yes, but this is far more complicated than you think. But I promise, when I'm done we will go somewhere again."
"Hmmm...like where? Oh! Can I look at some of your maps and pick a place?" Aiko turned to face her father with sparkling blue orbs.
Another deep laugh from her father. "I suppose, but what would happen if it was deserted?"
Tiny eyebrows knitted together, "I look at your maps all the time, then I find books in your library and learn about each one!" Her small voice ground out in a matter-of-fact way.
"Oh? Well then, how about this, give me a few days maybe a week, once you find and island you really want to go to, show it to me and we will go, alright?"
Excitement burst through every part of her body, eyes shingling with happiness, and a smile that could melt even the coldest heart.
"Really?! Oh yay! Thank you father!" She screamed, hugging him as tight as her little arms would let her- before hopping off his lap and running out the door.
Midway, she stopped, and called out to him.
"I'll make sure I find the best island ever!"
Another bittersweet memory, but still, it was one she cherished very much. She missed her father a great deal, but knowing him, he was probably off on another adventure. He would probably also be mad- mad at the fact that she disappeared on their last adventure together. If it wasn't for her fathers first wife...that stern bitch. She couldn't see how he would ever marry a woman like that- but it seems you can't always walk out of an arranged marriage.
"Aiko?" Her captain called out, breaking her away from her thoughts.
"Oh hey...sorry I was kind of lost in my own head. Did you say something?"
"The next island are supporters of the Yonko. Though it was never under his protection...he made quite a few trips to this place. Well seeing as how he died almost a year ago...I suppose it's in an upheaval. Nevertheless, it's pirate territory, so just be careful."
'The Yonko who...holy shit.. I had forgotten about that... Or actually hate thinking about it..'
Tears slowly formed, budding in the corners of her eyes. She walked over to the railing, unable to hold them back, and falling to her knees. Her captain rushed over to her to see what was wrong, but she just shook hung her head, and buried her face in her palms.
Akainu...that heartless, cold, man. The tears had stopped flowing, as rage started taking over her mind. But how mad could she really be? He was just doing his job, but still... Pops was the kindest man she had ever met, and he got killed by her old Admiral- a man she also had held high respect for. The Marineford War...that whole scenario set the world ablaze, and now was throwing everything into a New Age.
"What happened to Whitebeards crew? A-are the alright?" She finally managed to find some words to ask some questions.
"I wouldn't know..however the rest of the remaining bunch of them come to this island around this time of year."
"I see...would you mind if I offered my condolences to them when we get there?"
"Aiko, I can't make any promises that they will be there, but if they are, feel free to do as you please. Just make sure to get your work done and be careful."
With a lazy, and somewhat forced smile, she thanked him before he got up from her side and left.
It had been years since she had seen the Whitebeard crew, far too long. As much as it saddened her to think about what happened, it excited her to be able to see them again.
When they had finally reached their destination, Aiko sighed with relief as she pulled the last of what they came to sell to the local shops, off the ship. Hiro have her a pat on the shoulder, handing her a small sack of money for her hard work.
She climbed down below deck for a much needed shower, an change out of her sweaty clothes. Luckily she was given a room with an en suite, but that was probably because she was the only woman on board. After she undressed, she stared at her naked body in the mirror. Scars- some big, some small scattered over her tan skin. She frowned slightly as she ran her hand over the age old wounds- being able to recall how the stories behind almost each one.
Before regaling herself with sorrows from the past, she stepped into the shower, and stood there under cold water.
Leaves scattered the stones on the ground as she look for a place in town to eat. Everything looked good. A man grilling unagi in a small road side stand- shaved ice on the corner. A noodle house, something that looked like a confectionary place. She simply couldn't decide.
Sighing she sat on a nearby bench in front of one of the small businesses. Watching people pass by happily, stumble drunkenly, and children play with each other it reminded her a lot about her childhood.
"Hey! You guys wait up!" A small girl called out to two boys around the same age.
"Huh?" The dirtier of the two boys said, as they watched her run up to them.
"What? Do you want something?" The cleaner of the two asked with a small frown.
"I want you guys to come play with me! My dad said I could go and play on his ship. But it would be no fun by myself...so would you please come?"
"Sure!" "No." The two boys spoke at the same time.
"What? Stop being such a wet blanket Haru! Doesn't it sound like fun?"
He rolled his eyes, placing his hands on his hips. "What if we got hurt? Who will help us?"
"Um what do you think were gonna be doing? Fighting? C'mon you worry way to much."
The girl smiled, grabbing Haru's hand and started running. The other boy looked stunned, before running as well to catch up with them.
"Excuse me miss, are you alright?" A voice spoke in front of the woman who was leaning against the building with her eyes closed.
She peeked one eye open, to see who it was. She had never been to this island...but why was the beautiful person in front of her looking more an more familiar as she continued to stare at him.
A silk kimono dazzled in the sunlight, as the person continued to be looked upon. It wasn't everyday you see a pretty man, much less on in such a beautiful kimono.
"H-have we met before? Because I feel like we have..." She finally spit out her words, standing up from where she was seated.
Indeed they had most definitely met before, nearly twenty years ago. Twenty long years.
"Oh darling! Of course we have, how could I forget those eyes of yours? You've grown up quite a bit, an into a beautiful woman no less."
Wait...if this was who she thought it might be then that means...
"I-izo?" Her face flushed pink in color at her embarrassment.
"Bingo my dear. What a surprise, oh I am just bursting with happiness to be seeing you in such a random place!"
Aiko smiled. He was still as pretty as she remembered.
"It is nice to see you again. It is a pretty random place, actually I am trying to make a journey home...but it's still so far away, and I found a job with some merchants so they let me tag along as I can be useful."
The commanders eyes widened at her statement. "Home? Darling, you aren't talking about Providence are you? That's damn near the New World."
"Ugh...don't remind me."
Izo smiled, grabbing her hand gently, and pulling her in the direction he had been traveling in.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Where else? I know a certain pineapple who would love to see you too."
Ah~ and there you have it. A little more on Aikos' life prior to the story. Some of you might be wondering why it seems like she might not have any potential weaknesses, but Sakazuki was once her mentor, and he's a bit of a hard ass. However a lot of her weaknesses will be introduced in an up coming chapter; it has a lot to do about why she keeps wearing those rings on her fingers. But now things will be fun because I get to introduce one of my favorite characters in the next chapter. That lovely blue Phoenix, named Marco.