Hy guys~! I don't want to append anything to this chapter, I hope you'll enjoy :)
Warning: Not correct English sentences!
„Waaaa~!"
I began to stir and when I opened my eye, I was in my room with the baby who was crying out the hell of himself.
„Okay, I got it, you are hungry" I murmured sleepily and after I picked him up, I made my way toward the kitchen.
„Good morning, Cat-chan! And to you too baby!" yelled Thatch at us.
„Daaaaa~!"
„Yeah, mornin'" I waved and wanted to pick up the little one's bottle, but a hand caught mine.
„I'll feed him, go eat something, yoi" I froze in my spot and stared at him.
He said something else, but I didn't hear it, I just watched as his lips moved and it hit me: he kissed me last night after I nearly cried my eyes out. I took a step back and shook my head.
„I-I can feed him" I told him panicking and after I grabbed the bottle, I run out of the mess hall and didn't stop until I reached my room. „What to do now, baby? I-I just run away from him…" I looked down at the baby who eyed the bottle hungrily. „Fine, I'll feed you first."
As I rocked him during his breakfast I thought about Marco. I couldn't deny the fact that I had fallen for him. Sure, made my case harder than it already is. Then a name came across my mind: Pops. He should know what to do with the situation. I got up from the bed and looked after Thatch on the deck.
„Thatch! I need you! Now!" I yelled and he stuck out his head from the nurses' door.
„Yes?"
„Could you take care of the baby for a little time? Please?" I asked him, but didn't wait for an answer. I gave him the baby and hurried over to Pops' door.
„Enter!" he said as I knocked. „Cathleen!" he greeted me.
„Pops!" I bowed.
„What's the problem?"
„How do you know there is a problem?" I asked confused.
„Your tail is fidgeting and your ears flatten" he grinned. I looked behind me and he was right, my tail appeared; I touched my head, yeah. Ears out.
„Well…you see…"
„Why don't you sit down beside me" he offered and I gratefully took it. „Is it about Marco?"
„How?" Why did he know everything?
„It's screaming that both of you have feelings for each other" he chuckled. „But you two are just silly children who don't recognize this."
„I love him Pops, but…it's so hard. I know it will hurt in the end and I am a coward because I don't want to bear with that much pain" I explained to him. „We need to do something with my brothers and I am not sure he will understand that. I am just so confused! And then again; he could do better than to stick with me. Look at me, I am just the plain me and he is a commander. The first commander of the Whitebeard pirates! The freakin' Whitebeard pirates! One of the Yonkou! A goddamn phoenix!"
Whitebeard looked at me amused and he was grinning.
„Now, now daughter. Don't get carried away too much. Why don't you just tell him?"
„Hahaha, that was a good one, Pop!" I laughed. „It's hard. I know it's not an excuse, but I got rejected too many times, so I already know that he will turn me down. I don't want the air around us be awkward, so I keep my feelings to myself. But…"
„But?"
„He kissed me last night" I mumbled blushing.
„Gurararara! So, my son made his move!" his laughter filled the room, while I was sulking.
„You don't help with that" I sighed.
„I could force you two in a room to talk it out" he suggested.
„No! God! Pops, you would just make things more awkward!"
„If you say so" he grinned. „Both of you are strong, yet you afraid of your own feelings. We are pirates, we fight with our enemies so we can die anytime. We don't have as much as time like the others; we need to do what our hearts say. Don't listen to your mind, because it'll always say not to do that. Listen to your heart, because it'll show the right way" I looked at him, a soft expression on his face. I threw myself at his chest and tried to hug the life out of him.
„Thank you, Pops" was all that I could say to him.
„You are welcome, daughter. Go and get your man whenever you are ready."
I nodded and walked out of the room. I was a little relieved that I could talk it out and got some point what should I do.
„Where is my baby?" I asked and Thatch came to me with a crying bundle.
„Here. He didn't shut up since you left him with me. I think my eardrums suffered a lot of damage" he complained.
„Oh, Thatch. I know you need more than just a little crying to actually hurt you."
„Don't flatter me" he grinned.
„I enjoyed the show as you were trying to shut him up, yoi" walked up to us Marco. „Is everything okay?"
„Yes, Thatch just over dramatize it. You couldn't hurt anybody, could you?" I giggled to the baby and he squealed.
„Maaaaaaa~!"
„You are so cute!" I hugged him.
„I'll go to the Doc' to check up on my ears…that baby…" murmured Thatch as he walked away.
„He is a little sassy today, don't you think?" I asked Marco amused. „Maybe he is PMS-ing?"
„That would explain a lot of things, yoi" he chuckled which made me blush.
„Gaaaaaaa!" the baby motioned with his hands at Marco, who looked at him questioningly.
„What?"
„Daaaaaaaaaaaaa!" I understood why Thatch wanted to give me the baby. He sure had a strong voice.
„Right, right, I'll give you to the commander. Geez, don't need to be that loud" I gave him to Marco, who was surprised when the wailing stopped.
„Da~!" smiled the baby at him.
„Look at you! You look like a daddy" I chuckled.
„Than you'd look like a mom, because he is attached to you, yoi" smirked the commander.
„Wha-? No!" I denied.
„So you don't like the idea having a baby with me?"
„Sh-shut up!" I yelled embarrassed.
„I know one thing. You would be a good mother, yoi" he said seriously and my heart stopped for a minute.
„I don't know, if I would be a good mother or not. I only know, that I won't be a mother like mine was. And the father of my baby won't be like my father, even if I love my parents."
I stepped closer to the baby and stroked his face to calm myself down, until a hand under my chin forced me to look up.
„You won't be like that, yoi. I am sure" he lowered his face to mine and my breath hitched, when a loud explosion disturbed us.
„What the hell?" growled the blonde and I saw a Marine ship came toward us.
„The Marines are attacking us!" yelled someone.
„Who's on the ship?"
„It's Smoker!" came the answer.
„Sis' don't" warned Matt me.
„What?" asked Ace questioningly.
„Please take care of him a little" I handed the baby from Marco's hand to a nurse, who nodded and went back to the medical section. After that I turned to Marco and run up to him. „Care to drop me at our friends?"
„Cat, don't go!" yelled Matt to me, but I didn't listen.
Marco changed into his phoenix form and if the Marines wouldn't attack us, I'd jump around him squealing how cool he is. The blonde mentioned with his head to jump on his back and I did as he told.
„Thanks, Marco!" I said as I landed on the other deck. „Hello! I am Cathleen. Let's play a game!"
Nobody's POV
Marco watched the scene before him. Cat easily kicked out the lower ranked Marines and she was fighting with Smoker.
„Oh my God! It's really Smoker! Nice to meet ya'!" chirped Cat.
„Who the hell are you, girly?"
„Girly? You call me girly, while you call Tashigi on her name. That's not fair" pouted as she ducked before the man could hit him. „Oh, have you meet with the Straw-hats yet?"
At that, Smoker stopped and looked at Cat with a shocked expression.
„How-?"
„Hmmm…have you met with Dragon as well?"
„It's impossible for you to know" growled the Marine.
„Looks like it's not. Oh, Tashigi, so you have met with Zoro. He is quite badass, don't you think?" yelled over to the female Marine.
„Smoker-san! How could she possibly know that information?"
„Hell if I know" growled the white-haired man.
„So, why are you attacking us? It's not like you can win. I mean, even if you defeat me, there is Marco, who'll kick your asses. After all, he is a badass as well" declared Cat with a straight face.
„That was the first time you complimented me, yoi" chuckled Marco.
„Shit. I forgot you are here as well" muttered the girl with a pink face. „But it's true" she sighed.
„You kidnapped a baby" said Tashigi.
„We did what?"
„Some villagers reported that they saw a pirate running away with a crying baby. We are here to get him back. How shameful can you pirates be? Kidnap a little baby!"
„SHUT THE FUCK UP!" yelled Cat angrily and Marco looked at her surprised. He has never seen a pissed off look like that on her face. Her eye threw daggers at the Marines; if a look could kill, they would be already dead. Her position screamed 'I will kill you' and her fangs were showing. „I kidnapped a baby? You are fucking sick. I didn't kidnap the baby. I took care of him, because I found him under two bags of garbage in a dirty alley, ass naked! He was screaming like there wasn't tomorrow! He was fucking cold and hungry! And you dare to say I kidnapped him? I saved him you shit-heads!" and with that her wings came out.
Around her there were the green flames which gave her a dangerous aura. She walked slowly toward the two Marines, like a predator who wanted to catch its prey. Marco couldn't decide calling her a predator or a vengeful demon, but he felt a shudder go through his spine.
„You said that you are protecting people. How can you say that when you can't even save a little baby from his parents?" she spit and her shape began to transform.
The two meters tall cat with wings appeared and the third eye on her forehead opened.
„You want to take back the baby? Then go. But first, you need to go through your nakama's souls" that was when the pale shapes gathered around her from the after-life.
„What the hell are you?" screamed Tashigi terrified.
„The one you don't want to fight with."
Smoker was the first who snapped out of his daydream and turned into smoke.
„This doesn't work on me" growled Cat and with a wave of his wings the white fog moved back.
„Smoker-san!"
Cat turned to Tashigi who hopelessly held her sword, while Smoker was fighting with the souls.
„I don't know why, but I never liked you" muttered Cat.
„You monster!" screamed the female and with a blink of an eye her neck was between a strong jaw, full of sharp teeth.
„I can easily kill you, right here, right now. I don't really think it's clever to insult me" the jaw tightened a little around her neck.
Tashigi's body were shaking from the fear, the tears already falling.
„Too bad you need to live" released her Cat and stood back. „I'll let you live and don't be afraid. The baby won't leave the island. He will get a good parent."
Marco sat there, watching as his fellow nakama decided to let live two Marines.
„Come back here!" shouted Smoker, but the souls didn't let him go near to Cat.
„Naah, I don't think. I want to drink. What do you think, Marco? Are you free for a drink?" she turned her head toward him and the commander saw that she was herself again, her bloodlust disappeared.
„Sure. We need to celebrate your second victory over the Marines, yoi" he smirked.
„I know you just want to party, but oh well. I'll be the reason of the celebration" she chuckled and changed back to her human form, but her wings were still there. „Look Marco! They stayed!" she laughed happily.
„You little…" growled Smoker when the souls disappeared instantly when the girl changed back, but he didn't reach Cat, because blue flames stopped him.
„Oi, oi. She is a part of my division, yoi. I don't want anything to harm her. Especially not such weak Marines, yoi."
„You are a real knight" sighed Cat dramatically and flew up in the air. „Coming?"
Marco nodded and with a kick in Smoker's stomach they went back to the Moby Dick.
„YOU ARE ON MY LIST BESIDE MUGIWARA!" shouted Smoker angrily.
„YAY! THANKS SMOKEY-DOKEY!" shouted back Cat, earning a fit of laughing from the pirates.
„Give them a cannon-shot" ordered Whitebeard while he was grinning.
Cat's POV
„You just took down an entire ship Marine" gawked Ace at me.
„Aw, don't be jealous, Ace. Someday, you'll reach my level" I teased him.
„Oi! I can take down even two ships!"
„I know, honey. I know" I grinned.
„You aren't taking me seriously!"
„Of course I am. Believe me, you are strong. If you wouldn't, then you wouldn't be a commander" I reassured him.
„That's my point!"
„Okay, you are being a kid, Ace. Cat-chan, you were amazing, dear! I am so proud of you!" he hugged me sniffling.
„Help!" I said breathlessly, but for my luck, two other bodies crashed on me.
„Sis'! We were so worried! You need to stop that! We are growing grey hairs!" yelled Lucas in my ear.
„He is right. What if they hurt you?" asked Matt.
I think Haruta noticed as my soul were flying away from my body, because she tore off the boys from me.
„Air" I gasped, then it hit me. „Where is the baby?"
„Ah, he was a little grouchy after you gave him to me" the nurse handed the baby to me and he happily wobbled.
„Daaaa~ daaaaa~!" he screamed giggling.
„I missed you too. They wanted to take away from me, but I didn't let. Though I think tomorrow you'll get a new parent" I told him and he looked at me with his brown eyes. „Sorry, babe, I don't want you to get hurt, so it's the best if you stay on the island."
„Really?" asked Thatch.
„I love him, but…we are pirates and we live dangerously. Someone can use him as a blackmail and I don't want to anything like that happen. It's the best" I sniffled a little. „Come on, we will spend the day together."
As I promised to him, I was there for him at that day: we played, I fed him and again, we played. He looked so happy…but I knew it was the best for him.
„Okay, baby, get some sleep, because I'll be with the others on the deck and tomorrow will be a big day" I tackled his belly and he let out an adorable giggle.
„Don't worry, I'll look after him. The noises won't bother him" reassured me a nurse, because I thought he will be in good hands while we will celebrate.
„All right. But if-"
„I'll find you if something wrong" smiled at me the nurse.
„You read my mind" I sighed and with a wave I went back to my room.
After a shower, I stood in front of my wardrobe thinking what to wear. Yes, the women's biggest problem found me as well.
„To the hell with it" I growled frustrated after 15 minutes and grabbed a long, knitted, cream-colored sweater which reached down my mid-thigh. The cloth's cutting showed my curves, but no too much, so it left something for the imagination as well. I choose a pair of black knee-high socks and a pair cream-colored boots. How could I own those clothes? Izo.
I put my hair in a loose bun and I was ready for the party. As I stepped out I instantly heard some whistles.
„Guys, really?" I rolled my eye.
„You…you look so girly" gasped Lucas.
„Can I kill him?" I asked Matt, who chuckled.
„No and he is right. You look nice."
„Thank you" I nodded. „And to you too Izo."
„I told you you'll need those" he winked at me.
„Children!" spoke up Pops and we went silent. „Today we celebrate because our Cat showed to the Marines that we are still strong and even a young woman can turn them down. Cheer!" I smiled at him.
He was a great father to us and I couldn't understand why hated him so many people.
„Come on, Cat-chan!" dragged Thatch into the dancing crowd and began to move.
I never laughed so hard in my life. He tried to find the beat, but he didn't succeed. He looked like a jelly after we shook it. It wasn't a surprise that Ace could dance. And very well I might add. Dancing with him for a few minutes and I was out of breath, but it was refreshing. I danced with Vista, Izo and Jozu as well, but with him was a bit difficult, because you know, he is a freaking mountain!
As a slow melody began to play, I wanted to walk away, but someone caught my wrist and pull toward a body. When I looked up, I've met with a pair of light blue orbs.
„If you don't mind, yoi" he smirked.
„I think we mentioned a drink, not a dance."
„You mentioned a drink, I just agreed. You didn't wait for my suggestion, yoi."
„Right, right."
His hands were on my waist, my hands on his strong chest, between us weren't any space.
„Don't think too much into it. You know he is not-"
„You did great today, yoi" he cut through my thoughts.
„Thank you, commander."
„And Matt is right, you really look nice, yoi" my heart race sped up and I was afraid that he'll hear it.
„That's your pick-up line?"
„No. I just told you what I think, yoi. No need for the hiss."
„Sorry" I muttered shamefully. „I just don't take so well the compliments."
„I can see that" he chuckled.
We were moving in a slow pace from side to side. I loved the calm air around us, like there weren't any problems, just the two of us. I forgot everything: Teach, deaths, the past. Just Marco, me and the music.
„It's so nice" I whispered as I laid my forehead on his neck.
„I agree, yoi."
„Marco?"
„Hm?"
„I just want to thank you everything you did us so far. We can't repay to you" I said and that was the truth.
„You are wrong. You can repay, yoi."
„How?" I looked him up and his lips were already on mine.
One of his hands buried itself in my hair preventing me to move my head back, while the other pushed me closer to his body. I couldn't push him away, but of course that was the last thing I wanted. My eyes slowly closed as my own hands grabbed his shirt. I gasped as he placed his hand from my waist to my butt and squeezed it, gave him the opportunity to dominate my mouth. My body went limp at the sensation of the kiss and if he wouldn't hold my body, I would fall onto the floor. The kiss was mind-blowing, knee-weakening and I enjoyed every moment of it. We broke apart when we needed air.
„Don't play with me" I whispered as our foreheads touched.
„I am not playing with you, yoi. I want your everything. Your soul…your body…your past…your future...your happiness…your sadness…everything" he gave me little kisses between the words. „Why are you crying, yoi?" he asked and I didn't even notice that.
„I am just…so happy" I said in a shaky voice.
„So, are you mine?" I laughed a little and gave him a peck.
„I was from the beginning."
Oh my God, that was the longest chapter! I didn't want to broke apart it, so I just left it long. I am sorry if Marco was a little bit OOC, but I think it suited him :) I am sorry, the 'fighting' scene was lame. Again. Please forgive me. Guys, you can't believe how much your reviews and favoring/following mean to me. It's like when I get a gift or something. Thank you so much TΛT *those are happy tears!*
Thanks to Gladius52, iiILurvePancakesii and DemonDamon for following and favoring the story ^^
Review answers:
':AAwww cuteness with the baby lol': I thought that he might bring some trouble and cuteness in their life :D
jossan13: Kyyyaaaa! Thank you ^w^ I am so happy you think that ^^
Greawenn: I am glad you like the baby :P Well, Marco is such a teaser ;) When I read your latest review, I just sat and stared at the screen, thinking that: 'That's why I am doing this' and a huge grin spouted on my face. You can't imagine how your words inspire me, it means a lot to me. Well, that was the chapter when Marco made the big step I hope you liked it ^^ Until, next time ;)