"Come on, Naia! It would be fun!" Makino pleaded. Naia shook her head adamantly and crushed the letter into a ball when Makino pushed it toward her. The boys were out in the forest today, getting a break from the horrible torturous lessons. They all but ran off when Naia said they had a free day. Luffy had suggested training with all three of them, which Naia agreed to start next week, but she wanted to come up with good plans to enrich their lives in all aspects.
"I am going as it is mandatory, but I will not be going with him!"
"Too bad! I already said yes for you!" Makino sang, and Naia felt her stomach drop.
"You did what!?" Naia stood abruptly, causing her chair to clatter to the floor.
"Ladies! We have ariv-"
"What the fuck were you thinking saying yes for me!" Naia continued, cutting Shanks off. "What gave you the right to do that?"
"You weren't going to make a move, so I did it for you!" Makino glared up at her, holding her nose up in the air. "You need to start living up to your title, Naia."
"My title? How dare you," Naia whispered, her voice hard but unnaturally calm.
"Ladies?" Shanks took a tentative step forward.
"Stay out of this, Red," Naia snarled. "Or do I not get to make that kind of a decision either, barkeep?"
"You bitch! I'm just trying to help you!" Makino raged. "All you've done is take care of the boys and hang out with him! You need to move on with your life. They won't be here forever!"
"That's what this is about? You were jealous, so you decided to say yes to a man who is known to be crueler than even the jailors at Impel Down?" Naia slammed her hands down on the table.
"What are you talking about?" Makino's shoulders sagged as realization struck her at Naia's words.
"Does it matter? Not like I can go back on what was said," Naia said coldly as she spun on her heels. "He'll be expecting me, and he's known for not letting those he is interested in go."
She brushed off the concerns and attempts to stop her from the pirate crew while she swept out of the bar. Her body shook from anger, frustration, and resentment that was welling inside her. There was no way out of this one, and Naia had no idea how to even begin to handle it.
"Naia! Wait up!" Shanks hollered behind her. Naia turned to see the pirate captain running up to her. "Naia, what's going on?"
"Nothing that concerns you." Naia swiveled back around and began her trek back to the cabin. "Now, leave me alone."
"Not happening."
"And why is that?" Naia hissed, her eyes flashing with anger.
"What did Makino do to make you so furious?"
"She did something without my permission and then tried to use my profession as a way to hold it against me."
"What did she do?"
"Leave it alone, Red," Naia sighed, "It won't change anything to keep discussing it."
"It upset you this much, though." Shanks put a hand on her shoulder, but Naia shook it off.
"Leave, Red. I have to prepare for the consequences of her actions." Naia quickened her pace, leaving a dumbfounded pirate captain in her wake. She didn't slow her pace down until she slumped into a chair in the kitchen. Groaning, Naia buried her face in her hands. The subtle shake of them had Naia cringing at her show of weakness. This was an opportunity. She could use it to get close to him, but now the opportunity had arisen, it made Naia's skin crawl.
"You conniving little bitch," a deep voice growled out. "You think you could've bested us? You will rot in this jail cell for the rest of your life, or I should say for eternity."
"He will fight and win," Naia snarled, straining against her restraints.
"Win? He never had a chance, much like that filth of a pirate I burnt to death." The man smirked at her. "Now, I think I'll keep you so you can watch as they all perish."
"Go to hell," Naia hissed.
"Gladly, but I will drag you down with me. Now, watch as I slaughter those you love." Akainu gripped her chin before restraining her with a muzzle and collar. "You will do as I say."
"Naia?" A small hand on her cheek had her breaking from her memories. "Are you okay?"
The three boys stood in front of her with varying degrees of concern; although, Ace hid his behind a fierce glare.
"Sorry, boys," Naia whispered, wiping her tears away. "It looks like I am having to leave for a while starting tomorrow. I will be dropping you off at Dadan's tonight."
"Dadan? Why not Makino?" Luffy asked, a frown settling on his face. Naia flinched.
"She has bigger things to take care of." Naia waved off any other questions. "Now, go pack a bag."
The group silently made their way through the forest as they trekked towards Dadan's camp. Naia felt terrible for making the usually rowdy boys so quiet, but this was serious. If he was going to be picking her up, then there could be no evidence she was taking care of the boys. Hopefully, Makino didn't ruin that part. Naia pulled Dadan aside to give her a brief explanation of why she needed them so far away from the village and was pleasantly surprised when the large bandit leader hugged her instead of screaming about them not being a daycare center.
Over the next few days, Naia had successfully avoided the bar and the pirate crew while hiding any indication that she had children living in the cabin. A knock on her door had her tensing in fear. It was time.
"Admiral," Naia greeted.
"I trust you are ready?" The admiral peered down at her. His eyes were both cold and ablaze with something that Naia couldn't quite name but had her shivering in fear none the less.
"Of course, let us be off," Naia said, stepping around the overly large man. The heat poured off him in waves causing Naia to instinctively keep a distance from him lest she dry out.
"Grab her bags!" He ordered. A lower ranking marine jumped and hastily grabbed her luggage before speeding toward the ship. The walk down to the port was a quiet and tense affair as neither wanted to start up a conversation. "You're not wearing your uniform."
"I am on an extended leave. I have no use for wearing such a thing," Naia explained. The man grunted but turned his attention back to the squadron walking ahead of them. Even his men had a look of fear on their faces. This was going to be a very long journey.
"Naia?" A male voice questioned from behind them. Naia turned her head to see one of the Red Hair Pirates gaping at her. Naia felt her eyebrow begin to twitch in irritation. She had hoped Makino would've warned the crew of this, but alas, it looked like she either didn't bother or some didn't heed her warning. "What are you doing?"
"This is official Navy business, fisherman. Take your leave." The admiral glared at the man who flinched before running off in the direction of the bar. "Such a rude man."
Naia sighed in relief. It didn't look like the man recognized the pirate. A tense silence fell over the group as they continued on their way, and that silence would follow them to the ship and well on their way out at sea. Naia kept their contact to a minimum. Only seeing the man during meals or when they were attacking a pirate ship along the way. The rest of the marines seemed to catch onto her planning but didn't do anything to interfere with her avoidance, which Naia was eternally grateful for.
"I do hope you won't be this distant at the ball," The admiral's voice had her jumping from her position on the railing.
"I will act according to my title," Naia sneered.
"I was surprised to get your letter of acceptance when you so adamantly ignored me," he hummed, "It seemed out of character for you. You are as stubborn as I am."
"Believe me, this wasn't my choice," Naia scoffed, her glare settling on the man's chest as she cursed his unusual tallness. "An acquaintance made this decision for me out of spite."
"Tell me, what have I done to deserve your ire? It is unbecoming of a lady."
"I am not a lady. I am a Rear Admiral to the Marines," Naia said, her eyes narrowing. "And you will treat me with the respect I deserve."
"You don't get to order me around, wench. Last I heard, you were only a captain!" The man hissed in her ear as his hand gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "I am your superior."
Naia growled as her anger rose. How dare he put his hands on her! Her skin crawled at his touch. It was foreign, and the heat on her skin had her flinching back instinctively.
"I am under Vice-Admiral Garp and Admiral Aokiji. I have nothing to do with you." Naia wretched her face from his grip, letting the sea mist form a small barrier between them.
"And yet you caught my attention all the same. Such beauty and power," The admiral purred, "You will be mine."
"Tch, in your dreams, Akainu," Naia sneered, the waves spiking behind her as the ocean agreed with her fury. "I am nobody's."
"We shall see." the man swept away from her with such an air of smug confidence, Naia couldn't help but glare at his back. How she wanted to sink the ship; however, turning now wouldn't help her in the future.
Naia sighed in relief as Marineford came into view. This place had once been her home. It had once given her a sense of comfort and safety, but now it held such anguish and sadness. Just seeing the place almost had her in tears. This place would burn, but only when the time was right. She and Luffy had discussed hiding a few aces here so they could pull them from their sleeves should they need it. Naia smirked. This would be fun and would be even better if she could continue to avoid her… date. Naia shivered at the thought of being in such proximity to the man for even a second.
"NAIA! Glad you could finally join us!" Her second in command's familiar voice had her jumping from the ship and into his waiting arms.
"Weisman! I've missed you!" Naia grinned widely as the marine's long black hair tickled her nose.
"Naia! How many times do I have to ask you not to jump on me!" Weisman asked, exasperated.
"At least a hundred more!" Naia exclaimed, helping the man up. "Catch me up to speed. What has my squad been up to?"
"Most of the men have been promoted after that last battle but have elected to stay under your command. It took a couple of strings being pulled, but the threat of most resigning or refusing their promotion had Sengoku willing to comply," Weisman said as they fell into step. Naia didn't look back at the ship. Weisman was one of the few people to know what situation she was in. "Are you excited for yours?"
"And get to rub it into that smug Admiral's face that he was wrong? Hell yes!" Naia grinned sharply. "I'll surpass him soon, and then we can begin our plan."
"I have caught a few up to speed on what we are planning without giving too much away. As far as they know, we will be attempting to reform and exterminate the corruption within the Marines." Naia nodded in understanding. "This way, we can move a little more freely."
"Good thinking. We will have less chance to have spies within our rank, especially if I can get Sengoku to sign off on the arrangement. All I have to wait for is one instance of a fuck up, and we can sweep in."
"The time may be closer than we think. There are talks of a certain squad on an island in the Grandline using their power for slave traders and the black market."
"Sounds delicious." Naia licked her lips in anticipation. "Let it fester until I can leave. Unfortunately, Garp put me on the mission for at least ten years or so."
"So long!?"
"I know, but it is for a good cause, I promise. Perhaps, you could start vouching for the idea while I am away. Bring small instances up to Sengoku and Garp's attention."
"That could work," Weisman hummed, letting his mind drift to other plans. "I will leave you to get ready. I imagine Akainu will be escorting you to the ball?"
"Yes," Naia groaned. "Why me?"
"You seemed to have run out of luck." Naia stuck her tongue out at her friend before bidding him goodbye. Naia looked around the room that had been gifted to her. It was beautiful with its white and blue coloring. It was spacious without feeling empty, but it wasn't home anymore. A bag hanging on the door of the bedroom caught her eye.
I have taken the time to pick a dress out for you to complement the suit I will be wearing.
Akainu
Naia crumpled the note as she unzipped the bag. A bright, sparkling red dress greeted her. Not happening. Red wasn't her color. Naia zipped the dress bag back up before turning to her luggage. Naia rolled her shoulders back, letting a predatory smile spread across her lips. She might as well make a statement since she was dragged here, and it wasn't going to be with him.