Chapter Six

Normal POV

…

Marco watched the Shinzou's back as he leads the way back while picking up some herbs along the way. An hour already passed and Marco was keeping an eye on his every move trying to familiarize his features and gestures. Everything about him seemed so… frail. But there was no doubt that he was full of surprises. Like how he intimidated the beasts that comes across him and how he was swift.

But it was not only Marco who was harboring interest, Shinzou was also silently studying the other without making his intentions obvious. Phoenix, one of the mythical creatures known to men. It is said that once they die, they burn and turn into ashes only to be reborn. It's… fascinating. To which extent is Marco's devil fruit reach? Only regeneration? Or maybe… he is immortal?

"Shinzou, what are you—" Marco was startled when Shinzou threw a knife inside the hut. But when Marco saw who it was directed to, he questioned what kind of bond does these two have while ignoring the fact that Leon was strangling Ace on the neck.

"Dad… threatening one of the few guests that managed to step inside this hut is bad… Ah… which reminds me… there were some visitors that arrived two days ago… you might be interested on hearing about them…" Leon raised his brow and dropped Ace who looked like he was about to barf on the floor.

"What is it Shin? Who came?" Shinzou approached Ace and casually wiped of the saliva coming out from his mouth with his wolf skin.

"Your friend from the Marines… from the World Government that is. They came with a very interesting item too. But sadly they lost it by accident." Leon looked Shinzou in silence and then looked at Marco with a very heavy looking eyes.

"Phoenix, can you do me a favor?"

"Shin, no matter what, don't let the Marines get you. Understand? Dad will just handle things with the Marines…" Leon watched Shinzou wear the clothes he was wearing when they first met. It was fully repaired by the boy and was changed a bit by Leon. Now, Shinzou looked more like a mannequin wearing a blue jacket with fur on the sides and a pair of wolf ears at the hood. The moment Leon changed it, the item was no longer an ordinary one.

"Dad… don't worry about me. The Marines don't know about me. Also… I'm more worried of you…" after being done changing, Shinzou walked towards Leon and then placed something on his hands.

"When something happens to me… Dad will save me right? Dad… thank you… now, I am ready to move forward once more…"

"…I gave up on dying… so don't worry, okay..?" with this, Leon hugged Shinzou tightly while crying. He didn't want to let him go. But he didn't want to lose his only son from the sin that he foolishly made.

They said their goodbyes and turned their backs to each other trying not to look back. On Leon's hand laid a single stone. It was no ordinary stone; it held the memories of a young man who struggled to learn how to live again. It was a tear of a Siren who can sing. A stone that connects two souls with an unbreakable bond.

…the strongest item that Leon can ever attain.

"Don't worry son… once I am finally able to finish everything, I will come back and watch over you."

Yow! Just leaving a note for a reviewer who requested something xD So yeah, to Animagirl, I'm sorry but i havent watched that anime yet but I could take that request. Only had one problem though, I don't think the outcome is as you think he is. Anyway, I did mah best. Thank you for supporting Pieces~ I posted two drawings of him in deviant art but i will put one as a cover for this story. Anyway, thanks for support and I hope everybody enjoys the story like you do. See you in the next update~