~R~
I couldn't stop the tears. I didn't want to believe what happened to that old man. It was too much to bare. I can't imagine what we'll do without him. I wasn't the only one crying. I saw the same anguish on each face that got onto this ship. They were being brave though. The ones who were still fit to fight were ready to defend the ship and everyone who got on.
I made myself useful in a different way. I wiped the moisture from my eyes as I tried to hold Ace steady while the medic attempted to treat his wound. The burn mark on his back was serious enough to keep him unconscious. It had to be treated quickly or it would get worse. However under the circumstances, it was difficult to patch him up properly. He'd have to be looked at again later, when we were safer.
I sniffed. "How's he doing...?" I asked.
"It's too soon to tell...Anyway, let's get him to the sickbay. There's more supplies there, and it's too dangerous to stay on the deck." The medic replied.
I nodded and helped him hoist Ace off the floor. I avoided touching or even looking at his injuries.
~G~
"What the hell?! What's one of the Pirate Lords doing here?!"
"It's Red Hair Shanks!"
"I'm here...to put an end to this war!"
I haven't heard that voice in a few years now. Well. I wasn't expecting him to show up. What was he doing here? Last we checked, he'd gotten into a fight with Kaidou just yesterday. Yet he made it here somehow. And just in time to save that little runt Coby. I looked over at him, to see if I could figure out his intentions. What did he have to gain by coming here? He was holding Monkey D. Luffy's straw hat. His straw hat, actually. He looked at it fondly and then tossed it to that red-nosed clown who could separate his body. I heard him mention the strawhat kid. He was friends with that reckless rookie?
I heard a commotion and glanced over to see that the Fleet Admirals were still intent on catching that yellow submarine. They definitely didn't want Strawhat Luffy to escape. However, the chances of catching that submarine were slim, if I had to guess.
"Vice Admiral Grace...!"
Calmly I turned to face Akainu. He was leering at me furiously. I looked back at him, my gaze level.
"You cost me a chance to execute Fire Fist!"
"Sorry." I shrugged. "Friendly fire is always an accident, isn't it?"
"Friendly fire? Here I thought you never missed a shot." he said accusingly.
"I do when someone steps into my line of fire." I retorted. I narrowed my eyes. "I was aiming for my brat, and you got in the way. You have only yourself to blame, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki."
We stared each other down for a moment, and then he turned his back to me and walked away. Even with his twisted sense of justice, he can't fault me for his own mistake. I couldn't retain a smirk. You have no idea how often I've imagined shooting him. It was only his wrist, but it was still satisfying.
"...If there is anyone out there thirsting for more, then step forward!" I looked over at the redhead's crew. "We'll be your opponents!" Shanks stated. No one wanted to take him up on that. I was glad for that. And not just because we've taken too much damage already. Even Blackbeard backed down for the time being. Instead he chose to leave, thankfully without causing anymore damage. "Let me take care of Whitebeard's burial. I won't allow you to parade his death any further."
Some marines began to protest, but Sengoku interrupted them. "Very well!" he said. "Since it's you, I will allow it Red Hair. I will take responsibility." he said. He turned his attention to his own soldiers. "Tend to the wounded! This war is over!"
I breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked up to see the redhead discreetly looking my way. We locked gazes for a few seconds, and then I looked away.
Even after all the years that have gone by, those damn butterflies were still there...
~A~
I drifted at the edge of consciousness, but part of me wished I could go back to the deep sleep I was previously in. It hurt. It hurt a lot. I wasn't used to the feeling of being burned. I wanted to be unconscious again, but the pain wouldn't allow it. It was all I could focus on until I finally got around to opening my eyes. I was lying on my back in what I assumed was the sickbay on a ship. It was dim in the room. Only a small lantern provided light. I guessed it was nighttime. The familiar, gentle rocking motion of the sea helped me relax and somehow eased the pain.
Then I remembered the war, and everything came rushing back. Pops! What happened to him? I remember he told us to leave while he stayed behind. Did he really stay behind? And Luffy! What happened to him? Was he okay? I tried to prop myself up on my elbows and looked around. I wouldn't have moved had I known she was asleep at my bedside, but Rory had already jerked awake when I rustled the sheets.
"Ace...?" She lifted her head off of her arms and looked at me. "Ace!" She stood up and hugged me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I hissed. She pulled back. "I'm sorry!" she said quickly.
"It's okay... I'm fine." I replied, half lying. The hug hurt, but I didn't care as long as it was from her.
"Here..." Rory gently gripped my shoulder and helped me sit up. "Better?" I nodded. I leaned against my knees.
"Do you know what happened to my brother?" I asked, wincing slightly as I got comfortable.
"As far as we know, he's alright. Some guy came and took him and Jinbei away from the battle field. What was his name...? Law, or something like that." she replied.
"Good..." I paused, hesitating. "And...The old man? Is he...?" I watched Rory swallow and shake her head slowly. I gritted my teeth and looked at the wall in front of me. I brought my hand up to cover my eyes, fighting back the sting of tears.
I heard Rory take a shaky breath. Then I felt a cool hand slip over mine and squeeze gently. I know why, but her small gesture made me lose control, and tears spilled over. She draped an arm around my shoulders, and I instinctively leaned into her embrace. I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face in her shoulder while her fingers lightly brushed through my hair.