Confusion From the Past

"Sorry it took so long." Nina landed with Robin at her side.

"Robin!" Neo leaped from her seat and rushed to her friend, hugging her one armed.

"It's good to see you, Neo." Robin hugged her back then looked at Cora. "It's good to see you as well, young man."

Cora puckered his lips.

"Nina informed me of what happened. Shall we be off?" Robin asked.

"We're waiting for Tero to come back," Neo said.

"I'm here." Tero rounded a tree and walked up to them. "Let's get this over with."

"Lead the way." Neo looked at Haruki. The man nodded and led them through the forest. As they made their way into the town, Neo sent Law a quick message so he wouldn't think something was wrong. Stepping through the town she glanced around to see if anyone might be there that would cause them trouble. As far as she could see were civilians. She couldn't help but noticed they were even healthier than when she first started giving them food and water. A smile bloomed on her face. It fell when she noticed some of Orochi's men push through the crowd. "What are they doing here?"
"Probably checking on the people," Robin said as one of Orochi's men grabbed a man by the kimono. The men spoke but the group was too far to hear what they were saying. From the fear spreading over the citizen's face, Neo knew the conversation wasn't a pleasant one. "Rumors of food appearing here have reached the capital."

"Maybe we should lay off giving food for a while?" Amara stepped closer to Neo.

"Maybe that won't be a bad idea," Neo mumbled while watching the rest of Orochi's men start harassing more citizens. How she wished she could help. How she wished she knew what they were saying. Maybe she could come up… well she didn't know what. How could she possibly explain how the people here were getting healthier without the help of clean food and water? She couldn't. It was impossible. She started at the press of a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry." Robin smiled. "The people are playing dumb and acting as weak as possible."

"You know that? Oh! You used your devil fruit."

Robin nodded. "I knew you would be worried."

"Thanks, Robin." Neo smiled and allowed herself to relax.

"Where are we going exactly?" Nina asked.

"To the gate," Haruki said in a low tone.

"It's in town?" Amara looked around. "Is that a good idea with Orochi's men around?"
"Fear not." Haruki smiled. "No one knows it is there. It is a tree hidden in a forest."

A few minutes later the group arrived at a small, worn down house sitting at the edge of an embankment. They entered the house and went right out to the backyard. A large wooden fence separated the yard from the prying views of the town. On the far side of the yard was a simple storage shed. They entered into it. Dust wafted into the air.

Neo instantly felt the hole in the embankment and the tunnel that led down into the earth several yards.

"It's a storage shed." Tero glanced around dimly lit room. Tools, crates, and barrels lined the walls and cluttered the corners.

Dust tickled Neo's throat. She coughed to clear it as she increased her wind crystal around Cora so he didn't breath it in.

"So it may look." Haruki walked over to a corner. Bending down he shoved a box to the side then pressed the wall. With a clink and a clank part of the back wall shifted, revealing a door leading into darkness.

"Things aren't always what they seem," Neo said.

Haruki lit a torch and headed into the hidden passage. After everyone had passed through the opening into the smell of dirt and damp ricks, the young samurai closed the door.

The noise from the town was cut off. The only sound remaining were their sandals tapping and scraping over the ground as they descended farther into the underground.

Neo brushed her fingers over Cora's hand to make sure he was remaining warm against her body.

"Cora warm enough?" Nina peered into the sling.

"He is." Neo nodded.

"I noticed Tra isn't with you." Robin stepped up beside Neo.

"He decided it was time for him to return to work. He thought I was stable enough to handle things now. As always, he was right." Neo grinned. "But that didn't keep him from checking up on me constantly this morning. He stopped some time ago."

Robin giggled. "That sounds like him."

"How are things going on your end? It's been a while since we have been able to come see you all in the capital," Neo said.

"Things are going very well for all of us. My popularity is still rising. It shouldn't be long before Orochi sends for me," Robin said. "Usopp's toad oil sales are up. And Franky is also growing in popularity among the men he's working with."

"Glad to hear that. Just remember if any of you need any assistance send for us immediately. Someone will come," Neo said.

Robin nodded. "We will. Don't worry."

Several more minutes passed before Haruki stalled.

"We there?" Nina pushed upon her toes to look over the man's shoulder. Darkness surrounded them outside of the flame's reach. "I sense a cavern."

"We are." Haruki stepped to the left. Lifting the torch he set another one on fire then moved on to another one and another one until the fire lit up the cavern. Though shadows still remained beyond the reach of the fire. Hundreds of crystals gleamed in the bouncing flames. Sitting in the mist of the crystals was the poneglyph and four crystals representing the four elements had been carved into elementals, two of which were wearing medallions. "This cavern is a mile wind in diameter. The poneglyph is at the center of it. Beyond the shadows are more crystals."

"It looks like a crystal garden in here." Amara walked farther into the cavern. She was right. The crystals ranged in sizes from an inch to twenty feet tall. If it weren't for small footpaths they wouldn't have been able to walk around the cavern at all without puncturing a foot or stubbing a toe.

Neo stepped up to the poneglyph with Robin at her side. She flared up some of her crystals to give the woman better light to read by. "What does it say?"

Robin ran her eyes over the stone then she gasped. "No. It's not possible."

"What is it?" Neo asked. "What does it say?"

"There's another way to get to Raftel." Robin brushed her fingers over the poneglyph.

"To Raftel?" Tero stepped up to the women, eyes locked onto the massive stone. "I thought there was only one way to get there."

"One way that people know of." Robin touched her chin in thought. "Elementals don't make public announcement about their existence. At least, they didn't until we landed in Dressrosa. They could have hidden this to keep their secrets."

"What's the second way to get there then?" Amara asked.

"It says to use the crystal body to reach the final island. There you shall find the truth of the elementals and their ties to the human world," Robin read.

"Crystal body?" Nina asked.

"Ties to the human world?" Amara crossed her arms. "What is this nonsense?"

"It sounds like something happened between the humans and the elementals in the past," Robin said.

"The crystal body." Neo walked around the statues. She wondered if these elementals were based off real elementals that once lived or if they were only symbols. "I wonder if what happened to me in Dressrosa is what that's referring to."

"I believe you are right," Robin said. "Though I don't understand how that form can lead you to Raftel."

Neo turned to the woman. "Godfather might have a clue or know. He's known the elementals longer than I have. I can contact him."

"But why wouldn't we know about this?" Nina asked.

"It wasn't mentioned when were we on Luminous either," Neo said.

"It's mysteries that can wait until later." Tero, eyebrows narrowed, glanced around the cavern. "We have to take care of the here and now before we can deal with the future and past."

Neo studied the wheels turning in the man's eyes. "You seem to have an idea in that head of yours."

"You can manipulate these crystals." Tero waved at the crystals. "If you elementals can turn them into weapons and shields we could have a higher chance of success and survival in the coming war."

"Wow. The pirate actually had a good idea." Amara twirled a strand of hair.

Tero cut her a glare.

"Okay, you two. That'll be enough arguing for today," Neo ordered then looked at the other two elementals. "You inform the rest of our people of this development. We'll need their help. I would like a group of ten elementals down here a couple hours at a time. I don't want to leave our allies unguarded. Also, have some earth elementals dig a tunnel outside of the town to get in here. Having so many of us coming and going from the view of the townspeople will raise suspicions. I'm sure you all noticed Orochi's men in town while walking here. A rumor of us giving the people fresh water, fruits, and vegetables has reached the capital as Robin said. We have to be extra careful from now on."

"Yes, ma'am." Amara and Nina nodded.

"I'm going to go see Law for a few minutes and send a message to Godfather. Nina, please return Robin to the capital," Neo said before sending a message to her godfather.

"Sure thing." Nina nodded.

The group left the cavern.

"What are you going to do now? Should we continue training?" Neo asked as Tero escorted her through town.

"We're done for today. I'm sure you want to speak with Red Hair and go back to watch over your people," Tero said.

"I guess I do. This conversation with Godfather might take a while." Neo looked down at Cora. His face scrunched up before he started fussing. "There, there. You're probably getting hungry. Don't worry. You'll get fed soon."

Reaching the clinic the two split up. Neo headed inside and noticed only one patient in the waiting room. She walked over to the front desk. "Hey, Topaz."

"What's up? The captain told me that you were checking into something," Topaz said.

Neo lowered her voice and leaned forward. "There are crystals here on Wano. Well, in Wano, I guess I should say."

"What?" Topaz gasped.

"And there's a poneglyph that said the crystal body can lead to Raftel."

"That thing you did in Dressrosa?"
"So we assume." Neo nodded. "I'm going to tell Law about this then speak to Godfather."

"The captain's in with a patient right now."

"I'll wait in his office. Cora's getting hungry." Neo headed down the hall, sensing Law before she entered into his office. Taking a seat on the cot she opened her kimono and brought Cora up to her. Tiredness washed over her as Cora fed. When he finished and burped she lay him in a vine and flower basket and lay down beside him. Her eyelids fell closed with a sigh.

Neo stirred at Cora's fussing before bolting up in bed. Heart racing she found Law pacing the room with Cora in his arms. Her heart slowed. "How long was I asleep?"

"About forty five minutes."

Neo yawned. "Is Cora okay?"

"He's fine. Just a little fussy." Law walked over to Neo and sat down. "So what did your little trip reveal?"

"You're not going to believe it." Neo told him of the development.

"You can lead us to Raftel?" Law placed Cora on his lap and offered his fingers. The baby curled his small hand around his dad's index finger. "That is hard to believe. How is that possible?"

"I don't know. Right now all we have is what the poneglyph said and what Godfather might say."

"Well, this is definitely an unexpected turn of events."

With a sigh Neo looked down at Cora. She licked her lips and leaned against Law's arm. Cora's eyes shifted to her. "Should I try it?"
"You want to turn crystal?"

"I don't know," Neo whispered. "Not really. I might not even be able to do it. Even if I could there's no guarantee we could get to Raftel."

"Don't think about the destination. Think only of the transformation. If you want to do it I mean."

"I know what you meant." Neo sighed. "I think I should speak to Godfather first. He might know something."

Law nodded. "Have you sent him a message?"

"I did back in the cavern. I hope it doesn't take him much longer for him to answer." Neo stretched her body before pressed back against Law.

"You're tired."

Neo nodded. "I guess I'm a bit more out of shape than I thought. Tero really gave me a good work out today."

"You should rest here a while. Since he didn't come in with you I'm assuming he's giving you the rest of the day off."

"Yes. I want to over see the elementals as they work. They're working on an entrance right now."

"I think you should stay here and sleep for a while longer, but I won't make you."

"You're the best."

"Captain," Topaz called with a knock on the door. "You have another patient."

"Guess you have to get back to work now." Neo stroked Cora's cheek. "Say goodbye to Daddy."

"Behave yourself, young man." Law passed Cora over to Neo then kissed her. "You too."

"I should be the one saying that."

"Now what kind of trouble could I get into here?" Law smirked.

Neo rolled her eyes. "Plenty. I know you've noticed the increase of Orochi's men here."

"That's why I said to be careful."

"Don't worry. We will." Neo kissed him then left the room. Stepping into the sunlight she spotted Shachi walking towards the clinic. "Hey, Shachi."

"I thought you were training with Tero today."

"I was. But things got changed. Walk with me?"

Shachi nodded.

As they walked towards the forest, Neo told him, in a low voice, about what was under Wano and what her crystal body might be able to do.

"That's insane. You're really going to try to get control over that form?" Shachi gaped at her.

"I have to for my people. There might be some important information on Raftel that we need to know about."

"Yeah, I get that." Shachi put his hands behind his head and turned his eyes towards the sky. "But still… Getting to Raftel is dangerous enough. If you can do this and it gets out then you could be in danger of being kidnapped."

"Don't worry about that. No one is going to take me away." Neo looked at Cora. "I have a bigger family protect now. Nothing's going to separate me from my babies ever again. Once was too much. I won't be able to handle that with Cora here."

"Yeah. That's true." Shachi smiled. "You're going to be one protective mama bear now. Isn't that right, Cora?"

"Here we are," Neo said as they skirted around a tree. She pointed to a small hill of grass. "That's where the door is."

The ground spread open. An earth elemental stepped out and bowed. "Welcome, Princess. We have been expecting you."

"Things going well?" Neo asked.

"Very well. We're all rather surprised about the revelation down here." He waved to the tunnel. "Shall we?"
"Of course." Neo entered with Shachi. Torches lit up the dirt and rock stairway as they descended.

"Dang!" Shachi's jaw dropped open upon stepping into the cavern. Crystals shimmered as elementals reshaped their forms into shields and weapons. "You weren't kidding about all the crystals!" He picked up and shield and slipped it on his arm. "It's very light. Will it be strong enough?"
"It should be sufficient enough," the earth elemental said.

"Sufficient enough? We're going to be using these in battle against an emperor, ya know!" Shachi shook the shield at the elemental. "We need more than sufficient enough!"

The elemental crossed his arms with a frown. "I assure you that these will do. Our crystals aren't that easy to break. And it's not like you're going out alone. We'll be there. That alone increases your chance of survival."

"You're forgetting about the pollution stones," Shachi said.

"And that's where you come in. You humans and minks will supply support during those times of pollution stone usage."

Shachi sighed and placed the shield down. "I know, I know. I'm sorry. I'm on edge. We're all ready for this to be over with."

The elemental nodded. "Understood."

"Princess!" Two wind elementals ran up to them. "We have a large enough batch. We're going to deliver them to the minks so they can start training with them."

"Very well. Remember to keep out of sight," Neo said.

"Yes, ma'am!" Floating the first supply, the two elementals left the cavern.

"Shouldn't you get back to work?" Neo looked at Shachi.

He shook his head. "I'm taking a break. Mine if I hold Cora for a while?"

"I think Cora would love some attention from his Uncle Shachi." Neo passed Cora over to her brother.

"Hello, baby boy. Are you behaving yourself for your mommy? The captain's genes haven't taken hold of you yet, huh?" Shachi rocked on his feet.

Neo watched him for a moment before taking a seat on the ground. Summoning a few crystals she helped form weapons and shields. As she worked she summoned a vine and started sweeping the dirt around. She stopped with a startled jerk. "What the heck am I doing?"
"I was going to asked that." Shachi sat beside her. "Why are you sweeping dirt in a cave?"
"I guess the side effects of giving birth decided to show its head." Neo banished her vine. Her fingers twitched with the urge to clean. "Ugh. I hope it doesn't last for much long."

Shachi chuckled.

"So where do you think Luffy and the others are right now?" Neo looked upward.

"Hopefully he's on his way here," Shachi said. "Has Kin'emon heard anything yet?"

"No. Momo has even called out on the transponder snail," Neo said. "If they are coming then they're not close enough to be reached. Maybe we should send someone out to meet them?"

"Not a good idea. We have no idea which route they're taking."

"Yeah. I know." Neo nodded. "We're lucky we got in unseen."

The hours passed with Shachi remaining with Neo. They left the cavern together and made their way to the clinic as the sun lowered in the sky. Law was closing the door as they arrived. He and Topaz joined them and they headed back to the sub for the night.

Spices filled the halls. Talking came from the galley. Most of the crew had already arrived. Basil was standing at the stove with a warm smile. "Welcome home. Dinner is almost ready."

"Great. Thanks for cooking. I didn't mean to stay out so late." Neo sat down with Law and placed Cora on a flower between them. Her stomach grumbled. Dishes clanked and clattered as the pirate crew settled in to their meal. "I'm unfortunately too tired today anyway. And you're not going to believe what I learned."

"You can lead us to Raftel?!" Archer gasped when Neo explained again.

"Possibly," Neo said with a nod.

"Looks like we have more to add to our training then," Tero said.

"At least this won't be physically taxing." Neo tapped her chin with her fork then speared a steaming baked potato. She felt into silence as they ate and exchanged details of their day.

"Would you mind if I got Cora ready for bed tonight?" Law asked as they entered into their bedroom.

"You really missed him today, huh?" Neo smiled.

Law nodded with a small smile as he stared down at Cora. "More than I thought I would."

"You know I don't mind." Neo tilted her head. "I think it'll be cute to watch you bath Cora."

Law rolled his eyes and headed for the bathroom.

Giggling, Neo followed him. She hosted herself up on the sink counter and observed Law and their son. Just as Law was layering Cora up, she felt Shanks calling for her. "Godfather's calling me."

"Then go."

"Okay." Neo reluctantly slid off the sink and headed for their bed. Lying down she closed her eyes. When she opened them she was back in their dream world. Her eyes went right to her godfather. His eyebrows were knitted. "Everything okay?"

"Yes. And sorry it took me a while to answer. Another pirate crew was trying to over throw me and my crew." Shanks sat down under the tree. Stars sparkled above them, mimicking the bell flowers on the ground.

"Are you all okay? Did any of you get hurt?" Neo rushed towards him.

"Of course we are okay. Only a few minor scrapes here and there." Shanks patted the ground beside him. "Come sit."

Neo joined him, breathing in his scent and booze. "I'm glad. I wish I had time to ask more about it, but there's something more important we have to discuss while we have the time."

"Sounds serious." Shanks lifted his eyebrows. "What is it?"

"It is. It's about Raftel."

"Raftel? What about it?"

"I've learned something about my people and Raftel." Neo retold what happened. Shanks listened intently.

"It's been a while since I've been to Raftel, but now that you bring it up." Shanks stroked his chin. "I do remember some crystals in the same of human like figures on the island. At the time I thought that's all they were. I never considered they might be tied to the elementals."

"So my people have been there."

Shanks nodded. "Seems like it's highly possible."

"Do you have any idea of what it might mean?"

"Not a clue I'm afraid. No elemental has ever mentioned anything about this."

Neo's shoulders slumped. "Oh."

"Hey, don't worry about it." Shanks hugged her to his side. "You didn't know anything about yourself until your pirate boy found you and you went to Luminous. This is the same. If you want to know more then you'll have to go to Raftel. It might be helpful if you learn how to control this new form of yours."

"You think so?" Neo looked up at him. His eyes were soft yet firm. She could tell he had all the confidence in the world in her to gain control over this form.

Shanks nodded. "There's no guarantee that you and your crew will get all the poneglyphs that lead to that island. This can help you get there. Maybe even give you an advantage over the other pirates."

"Well, that's true. I'm still not sure about it though." Neo lifted a hand and started at it. "Transforming the first time wasn't very fun."

"Maybe. But that was in a time of high stress. You have more control over your environment now. Well, maybe not now since you're on Wano, but you get my point."

"Yeah." Neo nodded as she thought about his words. Maybe he was right. Maybe she should get control over this crystal body form of hers no matter what. It might come in handy. Even if she doesn't care about the treasure at Raftel, she still cares about her people and family. That form could make her stronger. And like she had said before there might be something on Raftel that they all need to know. She swallowed then licked her lips. Her mind was made up. "Okay. I think I'm going to try and get control over it."

"That's my girl." Shanks patted her head. "You're going to do great. And how is my grandson doing?"

"Growing like a weed. He's put on a few more pounds."

"Good to hear. Before long he'll be as tall as your pirate boy."

Neo nodded then gave him a pointed look. "So back to this attack you faced. Was it from the worst generation?"

"You're still worried about that, huh?" Shanks hooked his arm around her neck. "You don't have to worry. This time is wasn't any of them."

"This time?" Neo narrowed her eyebrows at him and crossed her arms. "What do you mean this time?"

Shanks twitched with a nervous chuckle. "Yeah… well… Some time go that little pirate, Kid and his crew, did attempt to attack us, but they didn't come close to taking us down. In fact, I managed to take his left arm. I doubt he's stupid enough to try again any time soon. He's not as strong as he thinks he is."

Neo huffed and gave him a little shove. "You could have told me that sooner!"

"Sorry. I didn't want you to worry. You're too worried as it is." Shanks placed a kiss on her hair. "You need to get that pirate boy of yours to teach you how to relax more."

"Ha. Funny. Still, would have been nice to know about it," Neo said.

Shanks held up his hand. "I'll try to be more forthcoming in the future, my dear goddaughter. I promise. So anything else you want to talk about? Or do you have to get back?"

"I have some time off. Law's taking care of Cora tonight. He went back to work so he hasn't spent much time with Cora. He's missed our sweet baby a lot."

Shanks snickered. "He is such a softy."

"Sure is." Neo giggled.

"There you go." Law scooped up another handful of water and let it trickle over the remaining soap on Cora's skin. "Bath is all done. Time to get dressed."

Picking up a towel Law wiped Cora down before lifting him from the tub. Cora stared lazily up at him. Law's heart jumped. A smile bloomed over his lips. Even now he still found it hard to believe he was a dad. Some of the time he expected to wake up and Cora would be gone, nothing more than a dream. But it wasn't a dream. It was real. He was really a dad.

With Cora snuggled into his chest he headed into the bedroom. His eyes fell on Neo. Knowing she would want to see Cora before they went to bed he grabbed Cora's nightclothes and sat down on the bed. He finished dressing Cora as Neo returned to them. "Good visit?"

"It always is. I've decided to try and get a handle on this crystal body of mine."

"Really?" Law's eyebrows rose.

"Yeah. It might come in handy. And whatever's on Raftel… It might be something my people need to know." Neo brushed her fingers over Cora's hair. "Godfather also told me that Kid and his crew attacked some time ago."

"Oh?"

"Godfather and his crew won. He even took one of Kid's arms."

Law smirked. "Shame we weren't there. I'd like to have seen that fight."

"To see Kid get his butt handed to him or to see Godfather fight, possibly to the death?" Neo cocked an eyebrow.

"Both."

Neo rolled her eyes. "Come on, Cora. Time for bed."

Law watched as she crawled off the bed before picking their son up. She kissed him goodnight before placing him in his crib then got ready for bed. That kiss made Law's heart skip a beat. The thought of her spending special time with Red Hair so close to bedtime tapped at his skull. He didn't like it. And he was going to do something about it.

He waited until he heard the sink turn on before stepping into the bathroom. Neo was brushing her teeth as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He placed a kiss to her neck. Blood rushed through his body. His hands moved from her waist to her hips then down to her legs.

"Law," Neo said in a warning tone. She spit out her toothpaste and rinsed. "Not tonight. I'm too tired."

Law pressed more kisses to her neck, sucking hard on a soft spot while untying her kimono. It pooled around her feet. He then trailed his fingers around the bottom of her bra and unhooked it before flicking it across the room. He massaged her with teasing, gentle stokes.

"La-ah!" Neo gasped. "I said I'm too tired."

"So? We managed well enough on the Straw Hats' ship when you needed to rest." Law could feel that her tiredness was beginning to ebb away. Heat pooled in both their stomachs.

"You are hopeless." Neo sighed.

Law smiled against her neck. "Maybe." He picked her up and went back to the bed. Placing her down he hooked her legs around his waist and warped off his clothes.

Neo rolled her eyes. "You sure like to chea-Ah!"

Law entered her with one swift stroke. "Consider this punishment for speaking to that man before bed."

Neo bit her lip to keep herself quiet.

Law pressed his lips to her in his own attempt to help stifle the noises that wanted to escape. They had just put Cora to bed. And Law didn't want anyone, even their son, to interrupt them.

'Law-AH! If you don't want to wake Cora up then slow down.'

Law shivered as Neo's hands ghosted up his arms and into his hair.

'Easy, love. We have plenty of time. No need to rush, right? I know you're excited, but easy. Easy now.'

With the help of her fingers he slowed. He was glad she did that. He didn't want either of them to peak for a long while. Tonight it was about them, and only them. And he was going to make every second of it count.

...

Sorry about the last chapter. Got a new computer and have to use a new writing program. And it's programmed to save files as docx instead of doc. I forget to change the docx to doc when saving.