"Hey Meeko? Are there any more Inari or familiars like you out there? I mean you've been sealed away for centuries, where are all the others that you spoke of?"
At this point I'm back at my apartment packing everything up to get ready for transport to Garps ship. Bright side to being stuck on a ship for so long is I get my own room as being the only female on Garps crew. So I won't have to worry about putting any of my things in storage.
Meeko is 'helping' by rolling around on the freshly folded linens I've just pulled off the lines. He is so carefree I can't help but be amused by his antics. But at my question he stops rolling around and answers quietly back "I don't know honestly. I haven't smelled anyone familiar since I came out of the egg. If they are around its far away from here. I hope I can find out what happened to everyone to make the world change so much to where yokai and magic disappeared."
He looks so sad now. I shouldn't have asked that, its upset him now.
"Well the world is a big place. Perhaps they have found a new island to settle down on. I have faith that you'll the find the answers to the questions you have. Have hope Meeko."
I can't help but be supportive for this little guy, after all he was sealed away for so long just to wake up in the same but different world and find out that everything and everyone he knew was just gone with no explanation. How horrible that is. But he is here with me now, and as much as I wanted to avoid his egg from cracking it did, he chose me for some reason and I already feel so protective of him.
Smiling now he continues rolling around enjoying the softness of the sheets "You're right Laurel, its been so long now they're probably off somewhere in solitude. I'll find them one day, and when I do I'll be super strong and all grown up. And you'll be there too. It really will be the best when that happens."
The optimism he has is good. He's going to need it for the future.
"Hey Laurel?"
"Yes?"
"I'm really glad I chose you. There were some people that I felt that I could have chosen lots of times when I was sealed away, but you're the best." Stopping my packing I look over at him confused "Meeko I'm flattered you think so, but you haven't even known me for more than two days now. "
"Yes I do. Cause I could feel your heart." At my look of confusion he pads over to me and jumps from the floor to the dresser to my shoulder to nuzzle my cheek. "Since I couldn't see or speak to anyone while I was sealed I could only feel out with my aura. And you felt so….so…..peaceful."
"Peaceful?" I was anything but peaceful during that meeting fiasco.
"Yea. You have a peaceful aura. Reminds me of my momma in a way. Soothing and thoughtful and not any malice or greed either. Scarface even told me how you refused the magic, so I know that since you turned down power at the start you won't be tempted by power later on. And when I felt you deny me when I was in the egg that just made me want to choose you more, which is when I made my egg move. You have a good heart, when you were offered power you declined it. When faced with adversary when that man grabbed you, instead of acting in violence you handled it as calmly as you could. You are the best person I could have ever chosen."
…..that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard. Returning to packing I allow him to stay on my shoulder. He stays there for the rest of the afternoon into the evening just keeping me company and chattering away at the slightest thing as I finish my tasks. I could really get used to this, it's nice to have a companion to keep me company. I have a feeling that Meeko will end up being one of my closest friends.
THE FOLLOWING DAY ON GARPS SHIP
"AHHHHHH! THIS IS SO COOL! THIS SHIP IS SO AMAZING! ITS SO BIG!"
Meekos darting back and forth across the deck as quick as he can getting into everything. Garps men are trying to catch him for the umpteenth time after he starts to run across the deck rails. He is running a little erratically which is why they are freaking out a bit.
Oh he nearly fell off for real that time.
"So what do you think of everything so far Laurel? Its been an interesting few days hasn't it?" Bogard has been keeping me company on the deck after he finished his duties after setting off from Marineford.
He's been with Garp ever since I can remember, about a head taller than Garp he wears a large gray fedora and a matching suit with a marine officers coat covering it, a katana hanging on his hip. When it comes to Garp and Bogard, Garp is definitely brawn while Bogard is brains. Not saying Garp isn't …intelligent? But he really does reckless things more so than he should.
I've been able to get on his good side ever since two years ago when I found out that he enjoys smoking a kiseru ( a long traditional bamboo pipe with a metal bowl at the end ). I had found an excellent kizami (a finely shredded tobacco product resembling hair ) at a market in Water 7 on one of our visits that had come as a complimentary item with some purchases I had made. I had no use for it so I had given it to Bogard, he was very enthusiastic about it and opened up tremendously afterwards.
"It has been a whirlwind to be honest. I keep feeling like this isn't really happening as much as it clearly is. Meeko has been a delight as hyperactive as he is and it seems like he's found a kindred spirit in Garp when it comes to energy, so that's a definite relief for me. I am worried about my training though. Meeko wants to get started tomorrow on the basics so he wanted to get used to being on a ship today. So today at least I get to relax. As for the future…."
"I see, Garp was 'cough cough' very adamant on you coming with us to the New World. He didn't want to leave you in Marineford under any circumstances. He cares for you deeply Laurel. I just wanted you know that. He will stand by your side though anything that happens in the future as will the rest of us. We see you worry Laurel, and we understand your worry as well. It's a difficult position you've found yourself in that's for sure."
Laughing comes from the deck. Looking over to the source I see Garp chasing one of the crewmembers yelling about an error in rations as Meeko is on the top of his head gripping his hair hanging on as he squeals in delight with his little backlegs and fluffy golden tail waving in the air as Garps speed increases after the terrified man, the rest of the crew pausing in their tasks to watch the spectical. Bogard and myself burst out laughing ourselves watching.
As crazy as this crew is, they are my family. Through thick or thin, no matter what happens I'll stand by their side. I'll train hard with my magic. Not for Kong not for the Gorosei and not for the World Government. I'll do it for them, no one else.
I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE. I OWN MY OC AND MEEKO.
A HUGE SHOUTOUT OF THANKS TO MY FIRST FEW REVIEWERS.
MADELVER
VONGOLA10
AND CHRONICLE WES
I GET ALL FUZZY INSIDE WHEN I SEE THAT I HAVE A FOLLOW AND FAVORITE. BUT I GET EXTRA GIDDY WHENEVER I SEE THAT SOMEONE HAS ENJOYED MY STORY SO FAR THAT THEY WENT THAT EXTRA MILE TO REVIEW AS WELL.
JUST IN CASE ANYONE WAS WONDERING, NO LAUREL WILL NOT BECOME ALL POWERFUL ETC ETC. SHE WILL NOT BE A OOC. SHES WAY TO MUCH OF A PACIFIST LOL.
MY MIND WORKS IN OVERDRIVE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS STORY SO I AM DEFINITLY NOT GOING TO BE STOPPING ANYTIME SOON. HOWEVER I DO WORK A FULLTIME JOB WITH AN ERRATIC SCHEDULE. SO THE MOST I'LL BE ABLE TO TYPE ALL THIS OUT AND UPDATE WILL BE A MINIMUM OF ONE TO A MAX OF TWO TIMES A WEEK.
THANKS AGAIN!
DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW (^.^)
ESCA249