Weee I'm starting to scare myself. Three fairly regular postings in a row. OMG, Thank you guys so much for the reviews, follows, faves and community posting.
To Krystal 'Demon' Sanate: Thanks, glad you like it. Thanks for reviewing.
To Guest: Thanks, I'm pleased you like it. Hope this update is soon enough. Can't promise I'll get another chapter out soon.
To Lunapok: I'm thrilled you like it that much. Thanks for the review.
To Guest: Thanks for the review, I hope you're liking it. It shouldn't be giving to much away to say that Rouge (in my fic at least) wasn't human.
To Guest: Could be, could be. It's a bit of a trend in my fics (so far at least) to have a bit of a supernatural/mythological touch in them.
To Guest: Yeah, i'm sorry that one was short. It was all I could get out at the time. I'm glad you still liked it.
To IronSkilletofJustice: Hey, glad you like it. Oh my, you're starting to catch on to my writing style. You may be right, it it's at all possible, i'll find a way to surprise everyone.
To Trich: Thanks, i'm glad you like my fic. Yes, i'm a big fan of the WB pirates too. Couldn't resist a fic with them.
To Rin-s666: Thanks i'm glad you liked them.
To wjgr: Thanks, I'm pleased to see you like my fic so much.
In regard to IronSkillet's question about weather I'll take any requests based off this fic. I've given it some thought and will say this:
I will hear out any request, write as many of them as I can that fit into what I have planned for this story. If I get a whole lot of requests that fit out of the bounds I've got coming, I'll probably make a side-fic spot to post them up.
I don't own One Piece. Just my OC's ideas and one sock... I'm still looking for the other one...
Sometimes being right really sucked.
Marco and Thatch's feelings towards Bluejam and his crew had darkened further after each stop they made to a new island. With each new island visit came more tails of what Bluejam and his crew had put the islanders through.
Thatch snorted, without humor, at the use of the word pirate. Bluejam and his men were not worthy of such a name. Even most bandits had more morals than this lot. If Marco and himself found this Bluejam, he wouldn't be able to use the name much longer.
Six people, six people who did nothing but be in the pathway of Bluejams anger were dead.
After the news of each death, Marco and Thatch picked up their speed, hoping to prevent another death. All of their inquires pointed to Dawn Island being Bluejams next intended target. They had been unable to gather any intelligence of his departure of that island.
When they were sailing into Dawn Island it became clear right away that something had happened there. A large portion of the forested part of the island had suffered a major fire. It looked to have gone out only a few days ago, a faint smell of smoke still clung to the air.
Thatch looked over at Marco when he heard him zipping up his jacked, covering his jolly roger tattoo from view. Thatch raised an inquiring eyebrow at Marco's action. That tattoo was his pride and joy, physical proof of his bond to Whitebeard and their family of pirates.
"There's a good chance Bluejam is still on this island. Best not to let him know who he's dealing with until the islanders are in the clear of the fight." Marco replied.
Thatch nodded but said nothing as they made their way into the town.
While the townsfolk were not being hostile to the newcomers, they weren't being friendly either. Without being openly obvious, the islanders did their best to be anywhere but within close proximity to the pirates.
It was evidence enough to Marco and Thatch that Bluejam was or at least had been here. While people were usually weary of pirates, it was never at this level without reason.
"Well," Thatch said, stretching. "No ones likely to warm up to us any time soon. We might as well have a look at where the fire took place. Maybe it'll give us some clues about Bluejams whereabouts."
Marco nodded, his eyes still scanning the area. He was beginning to feel that Bluejam was no longer here, things seemed to quite but, looks could be deceiving.
~~~~~ Page Break ~~~~~
Ace smiled as he listened to Luffy babble about what he wanted to do once they reached the island. He was giving Sabo a break from keeping an eye on Luffy. It was hard to do that and make sure they were still on course.
Sabo had told them that in one more day, two tops they would reach their first island on their journey. It was a bittersweet moment, an event in their life that should have happened much later. But, at least it was something they would experience together.
"Acccceeeee. Are you listing to me!?"
Ace chuckled as his attention was brought back to his little brother. Luffy was looking up at him glaring, though that expression on Luffy looked more like a pout.
"Sorry Lu. I was just thinking. What was it you said?" Ace reassured Luffy by using the nickname Ace and Sabo used for their younger brother.
Luffy puffed out his cheeks before repeating himself. "I asked what you wanted to do when we got to the new island."
"Oh... Probably scout the island. See what we might be able to hunt while there. We're going to need to find some fresh water." Ace couldn't leave all the practical stuff to Sabo after all.
"Neh, I bet I'll be able to catch something bigger than you do!" Luffy declared boldly.
Ace laughed at that boast. "Oh yeah, big words from someone who nearly got pulled in the water two weeks ago by a fish you were trying to reel in by yourself."
"Hey! That's not funny Ace!"
~~~~~ Page Break ~~~~~
The trek into the burned forest did not reveal any new clues to Bluejam's whereabouts. It did however, show what a heartbreaking and sorrowful event the fire was to the townspeople. There was proof, charred remains of shacks and other small dwellings.
People had lived in these woods.
People may have died in these woods.
Marco had no proof yet but, he just knew that Bluejam was responsible for this. He was about to suggest going back into town when a flash in one of the distant burnt trees caught his attention.
Marco reached out to touch Thatch's shoulder, silently asking him to stop. When Thatch looked at Marco, he simply pointed to the distant object that flashed when the light caught it.
As one, they began walking towards it.
The unidentified flashing object turned out to be a shard of mirror. That wasn't so unsettling. What was, what caused a pit to open up the pirates stomach and leave a dryness in their mouth was the location of the mirror shard.
It was in a burned out, hallow shell of what was once a tree house. A place where children once came to play. A place where the laughter of children once must have rang out now only held the sent of smoke and ash. A tome to once was and never will be again.
In a heavy silence, the pair made their way back to the town.
~~~~~ Page Break ~~~~~
In places like this, bars were one of the best spots to get information and Marco and Thatch really wanted to know some things. Party Bar seemed like the best one to go into. It was closest to the docks and more likely to attract the attention to a pirate.
They wanted to know where Bluejam was.
They wanted to know if he had killed anyone on this island.
They wanted to know if the kids that used that tree house were alright. They really hoped they were.
Upon entering Partys Bar Marco and Thatch found the place empty, save for one bar maid. That was not to unusual for such a small town, being the middle of the afternoon.
The bar maid smiled at them, a smile that didn't reach her eyes and ushered them to a place at the bar. The dark circles under her eyes hinted that she'd had little reason to smile of late.
"Good afternoon gentlemen. My name's Maniko. How can I help you?" Maniko asked, taking up her place back behind the bar.
Thatch smiled at Maniko, hoping to get her to warm up to them. "Good afternoon to you too, miss Maniko. My name's Thatch and this is my brother, Marco. I'm sure the bar's specialty will suit us just fine."
Maniko smiled, a hit of it reaching her eyes this time. "Well, I've yet to get a complaint about my seamen's stew. Let's see if it's reputation holds."
As Maniko was busying herself behind the counter, Marco decided to broach the subject they were most interested in. "It looks like there was some trouble around here, not long ago." Marco commented.
"Well, not all pirates are as nice as you but, some cause more trouble than others." Maniko gave them a pained smile with her cryptic remark.
"Yes and bluejam is certainly worse than others." Thatch's eyes only held compassion.
For Maniko's part, neither her expression nor any body movement gave anything away as to what she was thinking. Marco and Thatch were impressed. Izou, another of their brothers may have met their match in poker if she knew how to play.
"You know Bluejam then?" Maniko inquired, nothing but pure innocence in her voice.
Marco shook his head. "No but, we know of him and that's more then enough. We've been following his progress through the East blue. We intend to take him and his crew out before they do any more harm."
Maniko treated them to a real smile after hearing of their intentions. "While I find your quest truly noble, I'm afraid you've come to late to carry it out."
Thatch sighed. "He's already left the island then. Any idea where he headed to next."
This time Maniko shook her head. "No, no nothing like that. He and his men have already been killed."
"What?!"
