Savage Kill: thanks for another lovely review. Blahhh I totally finished writing that near dawn. I barely remember posting it to be honest, so excuse the typos riddling the chapter. Ah me and 21 did not mix- whatsoever. I prefer fruity

Anyway...she is returning because she thinks someone from the Marines could be out to get her...like the current Fleet Admiral. But it's so much more than that, and possibly one of the worst decisions she could be making. As for the Marco thing...he sees her as an adult of the child he once knew. so right now his affection is purely for their friendship. Though eventually that will dissipate and he will begin to really look at her as a woman. But as for now it will continue to stay platonic.

And to all my lovely readers, enjoy!

Just A Little Fun

"I just received some interesting news over the den den mushi."

"...how does this matter to me?" A muffled groan came from across the room.

Haruto sighed. "You don't remember the book I sold on that island a few months back? When we started this mission?"

Another groan. "Oh that thing? Yeah...I kind of do. What's so important about it that you received a call about it?"

"You really are an idiot sometimes. It's so infuriating!" Haruto yelled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Shuddup. Just tell me why."

"You know damn well how books of those kind are made. I'm surprised you weren't turned into one yourself." Haruto smirked, leaning back in the chair beneath him.

"Fuck you. Who bought it?"

His smirk grew ever wider. "It seems our little Aiko is on her way home. Hole your lazy ass was sleeping in- I gathered information about the merchant ship she was last seen setting sail on, and where it makes it's runs to. We will catch up with her on their last stop, and take things from there."

"Thank you...but I have to do this." Aiko finally replied, pushing herself away from him, wiping the remaining tears away on her forearm.

Marco frowned at her answer, but he knew there was no changing her mind. Like Ace had been, she also, was stubborn as hell. Izo slowly walked up, kneeling in the grass next to her.

"The plan was to make you happy today, and all you've done is yell, and cry. Unacceptable. Would you be okay with doing something that might lift your spirits?"

"I am not drinking again." She smiled weakly.

The commanders chuckled at her statement, before helping her off the ground. Her legs felt like useless wet noodles, as she tried to regain some balance. Leaning against the tree behind her, she sighed, closing her eyes.

"What did you have in mind?"

"This time of year they have street festivals. If you would like to go, we can do that." Izo smiled kindly.

"Sure. It sounds like it could be a lot of fun. Shall we head there now?"

Izo shook his head.

Then it hit her. The conversation from earlier, wasn't over. She shot him a death glare. Femininity...

"Not in a million years Izo! I fucking swear...if you so much as try doing anything to me...I will the pretty out of you!"

Izo smirked, reaching his hand out and grabbing onto her slender wrist. Aiko tried jerking away, but his grip wouldn't budge.

"I won't do anything dramatic. Now let's go...we have work to do. Marco, meet us in an hour near the front gate." He called, pulling the adamant woman behind him.

The Phoenix shook his head, and laughed to himself. This was going to be a long fucking night.

Paper lanterns were strung along the streets, illuminating the night. Small booths, full of food, games for adults and children, as well as local craft. People dressed beautifully, danced and sung; children ran around playing with each other and enjoying the excitement.

In Izo's room, he and Aiko were having a bit of a squabble- mostly on Aiko's part. She never liked the idea of putting on make up, and getting dressed up for something. Loathing the idea of painting her face, Izo promised he would only give her some thing nice to wear for the night.

"Here. Put this on." Izo demanded, holding up a bundle of folded silk fabric to her.

Pink. It was fucking pink, and she was not at all fond of the color. The floral patterns and chrysanthemums, so elegantly embroidered into the silk, were of course very beautiful, but the idea of wearing something that wasn't pants, or shorts, made her grimace.

"Hell. No." Her voice was sharp.

"It's made for women. Just do it, I'm sure it'll fit you fine."

"Then why do you have it?"

"Because it's beautiful. Why else?" He smiled happily.

Aiko rolled her eyes, as she grabbed the fabric from him. It was cold as she slid it over her half naked body, but it fit exceptionally well. The obi secured around her waist was gold, which made her feel a little better, but not by much.

"It's a festival dear, you should dress up. So you should thank me, and stop giving me looks like you to choke me out."

"It's just...uncomfortable. But since you took time out of your day to do this, I won't complain any further."

Izo beamed- finally being able to have a little fun with the tomboy.

The pair arrived at the front gate within the given time limit; arms linked and smiles on the faces. Aiko reached into her sleeve for a lighter. Smoking was practically the only thing Izo would let her do.

It almost felt nostalgic in some ways. When Aiko was growing up, her father often held festivals four times a year. The festivals were held in honor of those who passed their exam. Much like this festival there were stands, beautifully dressed people, and lanterns illuminating the night- except it wasn't just the town center, but held throughout the whole city.

The scent of food wafted through the night air, filling the lungs of the kimono clad girl.

"Dumplings..and meat.. Hey Izo, you don't mind me eating something in your kimono do you?"

"No. If you're hungry, eat. A healthy woman eats."

Her eyes beamed, as she ran off into the crowd of people standing near the food stalls.

"We totally got ditched." Marco laughed loudly. Izo just shook his head and snickered to himself.

"She really hasn't changed all that much. I wish I still had that much spirit."

"Shut it, if it's something you think is beautiful, you chase after it, spending countless amounts of energy. It's kind of tiring to watch sometimes."

"Oh? Are you saying that you're old?"

Marco scoffed. "Mentally, yes."

Aiko sat down at a table near a cafe with a large amount of sweets, and grilled meats around her. They all looked so delicious, she couldn't make up her mind on what to try first.

"Whatcha got there!"

"Ah!"

She screamed, turning around to see who was looming I've her shoulder, startling her concentration, dropping a skewer of fried desserts in the process.

"Dammit Izo! My dango is in the dirt now.."

"I didn't mean to scare you...but it was pretty funny...and that food looks good too, are you sure you can eat that much?"

"Is that a challenge? Because I can eat more than this." She growled, punching him in the shoulder.

"What the hell was that for!"

"You ruined my fried sweets. Go grab me more. Please, Izo?" She frowned, giving him a childish, yet adorable look, before grabbing her grilled eel and sticking it in her mouth.

"Mmm...! Mish so gewd!" She squealed with delight with her cheeks stuffed with food.

"You really haven't changed much have you?"

"Mm?"

"Just because you've grown, doesn't change the fact you still act like a child sometimes. You used to eat the same way when you were on the Moby Dick." He laughed, patting her on the head.

Swallowing the food, she frowned, grabbing another stick of food. "I am not a child Mister Marco...hell your not that much older than me either...stuuupid."

"How grown up of you." He laughed again, before staring off into the crowd of people enjoying the towns festival.

'Remember..this will all end soon. The fun will inevitably end, and you will have to separate yourself from everyone and everything you think you care about.' Her consciousness played at her, making her freeze in place.

Izo soon returned with a new skewer of fried dango. And if he could read the stale look on her face, he knelt down beside her.

"I got this for you, now cheer up! Let's celebrate our next few hours together."

She smiled, taking her sweets, and devouring them with desire. Izo was indeed right, like usual. Damn him. But she wasn't going to let her mind get to her, but old habits are hard to break- especially if they have been mercilessly beaten into you.

"Mercy is for the weak Aiko. I will drill this into your head, as many times as it takes. You are not to let anything distract you. If you do, you WILL die. Either by my hand, or another's'."

Aiko picked herself up from the ground, spitting blood onto the ground next to her feet. Her body was bruised, and beat- she was lucky, he hadn't planned on using his Devil Fruit on her. Even with that 'handicap', the sparring was getting more and more brutal with each day.

"I understand sir."

He taught her how to channel the pain into raw fury. And in doing so, her close combat skills were improving at an exponential rate.

Once again she took a deep breath, shifted her feet, and legs apart, with knees bent- releasing the breath, she came at her superior again. She threw the first punch, aiming for his face; Akainu, dodged with absolute percision, anticipating her moves.

"More! Faster! Better! I want to see your anger, and feel it with every move!" He yelled, with a damming smirk on his face.

Another swing. One to the face, but another...

She swing the lower half of her body around, aiming for a roundhouse kick to the face. She smiled as her boot made contact with his face.

'Gotcha.'

In that instance, she smiled, thinking she had the upper hand, Akainu grabbed hold of her leg, prying it away from his face, and throwing her with such immense force into the wall farthest from them. Her arm made a sharp snapping sound as her body came into contact with the concrete.

As her body fell to the floor, even through the confusion, and pain, she could tell right away her arm had been broken- it at least three places. Her sternum was most likely cracked as well as a rib or two. Struggling to catch a small breath, she leaned against the wall.

"Very good." He replied, walking over to his subordinate. Not bothering to help her up, or ask any questions, he stared at her with a stern look before speaking more.

"I felt your fury, but there was an instance, even if it was for just that half-second, where you let yourself get the better of you, thinking you had the upper hand."

Aiko winced, as she grabbed her throbbing, limp appendage. Managing to stand, she stared at him with a serious look on her face.

"However..." He continued on to say, "I will commend you for making it fun, and keeping up this long. We are done here. I'll send someone to bring you medical help."

'I will turn your body, your mind, everything into a weapon.'

His words rang through her head harder than a hailstorm. Though she always managed to barely finish training, mildly unscathed, or luckily alive, she knew if he thought she wasn't making progress, he'd either give up, or just kill her himself.

She smiled. Maybe he wasn't completely as cold hearted as the aura he gave off- well at least not in the traditional sense.

I had a lot of fun writing this chapter I hope everyone enjoyed it. I just finished watching the movie, 'You're Next', and holy shit, my mind has been reborn with more ideas. Agh. One of the best horror/slasher films I've seen since, Strangers, or Rob Zombies, Halloween. Anyways enough of my babbling, I hope to get more likes and/or reviews on this or the next installment. If not, I hope you continue to read and enjoy the story. Au Vidersein!