-Back on Dawn Island-
"It's true! I saw Naia leave with the Marines!" The pirate cried, "Not just any marines either but the newly appointed Admiral, Akainu."
"Why would Naia leave with the Navy?" Shanks questioned. "Garp put all her work with them on hold."
"I don't know but the man said it was official business." Makino winced as the conversation continued making Shanks narrow his eyes at the barkeep. She hadn't said anything about the fight she and Naia had had when they came back only that the Navy would be arriving.
"I have to get ready to deal with the consequences of her decision." Naia's words echoed in his head.
"Makino, what did you do?" Makino blushed at being acknowledged. "You know why she was being taken."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Makino huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, "What she does with her life is her business."
"You both were arguing about a decision you made for her," Benn pointed out. Makino gritted her teeth in frustration.
"That's right! You were also the one to tell us to anchor the ship away from port. You know what's happening." Lucky Roux stated. Yasopp nodded his head in agreement.
"What does it matter?" Makino said snidely.
"Just tell us, Makino!" Shanks raised to his feet. What exactly made the usually happy barkeep so angry?
"Can't you just forget about her for once!" Makino shouted, angry tears flowing down her cheek. "She's not even here and yet she is all you can think about!"
"Makino! What. Did. You. Do?" Shanks punctuated each word with a step.
"I said yes to a suitor!" Makino shouted. "She was invited to the Annual Marine Summer Ball and had an Admiral ask her to be his date. Naia said she turned him down and would be accompanying Garp! All because you two have been spending so much time together! She said it wasn't because of that but more because of the man's morals but I knew better! I know she said no because of you!"
Shanks felt his eyes widen as the barkeep dissolved into small sobs.
"Makino, how could you do that to her?" Benn asked quietly.
"I just wanted you to notice me not her!"
"That's not how it works and you know it." Shanks shook his head at her. "Where are the children?"
"I don't know. Naia only said they were left in the care of someone trustworthy when I asked."
"As long as they are safe. When will she return?"
"The ball only lasts two days so a couple of weeks." Shanks nodded as he let the information sink in.
"Then we leave tonight, men, for a small voyage," Shanks said to his crew before turning disappointed eyes onto Makino. "I expect you will see the error in your ways when we get back."
-Back at Marineford-
Naia hummed lightly as she pulled on her dress. The chiffon skirt swayed lazily around her legs as she attempted to string the corset.
"Need some help?" Garp's gruff voice echoed from the doorway.
"I would love some." Naia smiled as she slipped on the off the shoulder straps. She gasped as the sheer bodice was pulled tightly.
"You look beautiful," Garp observed. Naia observed herself in the mirror. She had pulled her curls to one side with a string clip of pearls and gold chains. Her dress was simple for a ballgown but fit her body perfectly as the chiffon skirt flowed around her with every movement and the ombre of blue gave the illusion it was water and not material. Naia's neck was adorned with a series of pearls and blue sapphire in the appearance of chokers while a longer gold chain held a pendant of a crescent moon where a single stone dangled from the tip at the top. Her fingers were adorned with a couple of gold and silver rings and a slave bracelet with a moonstone ring was situated on her left hand. Her earrings were a series of gold chains and pearls. She looked every bit like a goddess of the sea. It made her homesick.
"Thank you," Naia said, as she laced up pearlescent heels onto her feet, hopefully, they would give her some height.
"Ready?" Garp held his arm out to her.
"I thought Akainu would be escorting me," Naia said as she took his arm.
"He was but his red suit would've clashed too much. He wears the wrong shade of red." Naia giggled in agreement. Garp's white suit looked a lot better next to her than a fiery red one. "I also owe you for taking care of the youngsters."
"You don't owe me anything. I need the time away from this and those boys have stolen my heart."
"Them and a certain pirate right?" Naia blushed and looked away from the older man. "Bwahahaha, you can't hide anything from me. I've known you for too long."
"It doesn't matter though," Naia sighed, "I am stuck here. Especially since I have his attention."
"I won't let him block you." Garp tightened his grip on her hand.
"Nothing is going to keep him away," Naia sighed, "Furthermore he has one now. Keeping him away is off the table."
"You sound too depressed and old," Garp snorted, "You can't look like that and sound older than me!"
"I still remember when you were a cheeky recruit! You do well to remember who helped you get where you are today!" Garp chuckled but didn't respond.
"Introducing Vice Admiral Garp The Fist and accompanying him the recently appointed Rear Admiral, Naia the Sea Witch!" The announcer shouted as they stepped through the grand doors. Murmurs could be heard from the crowd as they made their way down the stairs to the main floor of the ballroom.
"She's so beautiful."
"Like a siren."
"How did she manage to have the Vice-Admiral accompany her?"
"I bet she cast a spell over him!"
"I heard she was actually asked by Admiral Akainu."
"And she said no?"
"Such beauty! I simply must meet her!" Naia let out a few chuckles as people continued to gawk and glare at her. Garp let out a booming laugh as he led her through the hall. This was certainly going to be a fun night.
The ball was in full swing by the time night had arrived and it appeared that Akainu had yet to make an appearance. A small relief for Naia as she swept through the ballroom, meeting various commanders, captains, and their families. She bowed to the few nobles who were attending and made sure to speak of her trade but humbled herself before them. She conversed with the two other admirals that were present before moving on to the lesser-known marines. The picturesque image of a perfect marine bred. Naia found herself keeping close to Garp and the few of her squad that was in attendance. Weisman was out performing a few favors for her before he made an appearance.
"May I have this dance, Rear Admiral?" Weisman bowed, holding his hand out to her.
"Certainly." Naia smiled as she was led out to the dance floor.
"All is set in place," Weisman murmured in her ear as they swayed.
"Good," Naia smirked as he twirled her around. Her skirt flowed out before winding around her legs, giving the appearance of waves. "Any advantage we have will make a difference."
"Are you going to tell me what this is about?"
"When it's closer to the time." Naia waved him off, letting herself get lost in the music and dancing. Weisman was a very good dancer.
"She really is like a siren."
"The way her dress flows, it looks like water!"
"How stunning!" A squeal broke the whispers of the crowd.
"Look! It's Admiral Akainu!"
"He finally arrived!"
"What a terrible first impression. Being so late."
"I heard he was taking care of some pirates nearby."
"What an honorable man." Naia tensed as heavy footsteps echoed through the now silent hall. Weisman tightened his grip on her waist and Garp came to stand next to her. The crowd that circled the dance floor parted as the large man made his way toward her. He had a scowl on his face as he usually did but those that knew him could see there was more heat behind those glares.
"I believe you have stolen my date, Garp."
"Bwahahaha, I couldn't leave such a beautiful lady up in her room all night. All by her lonesome."
"And you. That dress is not what you were supposed to wear." That man racked his eyes up and down her body making Naia shiver in disgust.
"I already had this dress specially made for this event. I was not going to miss out on the chance to wear it." Naia stood defiant in front of him.
"That isn't your choice."
"It is entirely my choice," Naia hissed. Akainu grabbed her wrist, tugging her off the dance floor toward the veranda.
"Rear Admiral!" Weisman called out.
"Akainu! That is no way to handle a lady!" Garp protested.
"But she is no lady," Akainu sneered. Naia glared up at the man but let herself be led outside. "You have humiliated me for the last time, wench!"
"I have done no such thing!" Naia outraged, "I am not your plaything nor a thing you can own. You can not dictate what I do or what I wear. I have no obligation to you."
"You are mine!" Akainu ground out, heat pouring off the man in waves.
"I am no one's!" Naia struggled against Akainu's grip only to hiss as his hand burned her wrist. "You will humiliate yourself more should I walk back inside with an injury, Admiral."
"You will pay for such insolence!" Naia wrenched her hand away from the man, letting the blood flow to the ground as some of the skin peeled at the abuse.
"Just because you hold one of my leashes does not make you my master!" Naia hissed, her eyes flashing with anger. "I can and still will hold onto the small free will I have!"
"Then I will see to those being removed!"
"I would like to see you try." Naia spun on her toes, stalking back toward the party. Her heels clicked as she walked away while her hands were shaking as fear and anger overcame her. Her wrist throbbed as the cool air hit the heated skin and the skirt of the dress billowed around her as she walked as fast as she could through the crowd. Few turned and pointed at her while whispering about what could have transpired away from prying eyes but Naia kept her chin up and her eyes forward. No need to give them what they want.
"Naia, are you alright?" Her second in command's tone was laced with worry as he caught up with her. A few more squad members followed closely behind her.
"Let's get you taken care of," Garp said softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Naia jerked her head in agreement as they walked out of the ballroom. She waited until they were completely alone in the hallway before she let go. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Her body trembled uncontrollably as the adrenaline fled her body and it took all her effort to stay standing.
"You're going to be okay," Garp reassured her. "He will stay away from you."
"That bastard was hiding an iron plate in his hands!" Naia whimpered as Garp cleaned her skin.
"I will discuss his misuse of the information with Sengoku," Garp said, harshly. "He cannot use your weakness as a way of forcing you to comply with personal requests."
"Somehow, I don't think he will care."