Hello everyone, here is the next chapter
This is a bit long, but has a bit of this and that
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
"Ace, I need to speak with you." Ace turned to look at Trevor, who had a worried look. Ace gave a nod and followed the man when he headed to the door. As they got to a more private part of the deck outside, most being inside as it was breakfast, Trevor gave a breath. "Mika should have been back at Amegakure three hours ago." Ace nodded, thinking. "No contact?" Trevor shook his head. "No, she had a Den Den Mushi, but no response; it's dead. She would have said something if she was delayed in the last day, even if it was making Dust get a note." That was true, Mika had used ravens and crows now and then when the original mean to contact them failed, so this was worrisome. Mika always gave a response or contact if she would be delayed, and seeing as she should have been on Amegakure, she would have almost 2 days travel from where she was, meaning he would have gotten a word from Dust yesterday or earlier from her. "Want me to head out and check?" Trevor nodded. "Could you? There's been no word, the ones she was supposed to kill have been confirmed by their accomplices that found them. This doesn't add up." It didn't, especially as Mika had done her job, meaning they wouldn't have captured her, that would have been mentioned when the targets were found dead. "I'll go check. If I have no tracks or findings after a couple hours, I'll ask Moira to join." Trevor gave a breath. "Yeah, sounds like a plan." Ace nodded. "There's a high chance Bay will be involved, so stay close to the infirmary, I'll bring her there." Ace would bring Mika there, even if she seems fine, injured, or dead. Ace had a feeling the last two possibilities were the most likely ones, and also seeing how no one has said anything, the chance she was just injured was the most likely, as someone would have taken the credit. They needed to wait and see what was found. Ace gave a small clap to Trevor's back, before Ace headed to get some things before he left, hoping he wouldn't have bad news when he returned.
-x-
As lunch started to come to an end, Haruta had a frown as she looked around. "Where are they actually? Wasn't Mika supposed to be back today?" Whitebeard hummed, also having noticed none of the assassins had been seen for some time. "I don't know, they're probably not far away." It was unusual for them to leave without informing them first. The captain hoped everything was fine, finding himself a bit unsure as Trevor had seemed a bit out of character this morning when he got Ace. "Oh, you mean Trevor?" Whitebeard looked to his left, seeing Tifa sitting on the table next to them. Whitebeard nodded, making the nurse hum. "Trevor's at the infirmary; Mika's late and he's there in case." Whitebeard frowned, not sure if that was a good sign. Izou frowned too, looking at the nurse. "Late? Late with what, her period?" It had many of them looking at the nurse, who shook her head. "No, he said she was due to return today, but never showed, and there's been no call about being late after doing her job, which was supposed to be done 2 days ago." That was worrisome. "Is-" Started Haruta, looking worried. "Is she fine?" Tifa gave a shrug. "Don't know. I think Trevor said Ace went to check." Whitebeard could see his children looking worried, which he got. It was clear something had gone wrong, and the fact Trevor was waiting in the infirmary, must mean they expected Mika to be injured. Whitebeard did his best to calm his children down, telling they needed to wait, and even if Mika was injured, she would be in good hands; Bay was an amazing doctor.
-x-
Ace always wondered how things would be without Dust to help him check large areas to find things or people, or even just keep watch. It was at times like this he really appreciated Dust help, as the bird said he saw the person they were looking for, sitting on the ground, back leaned against a cliff that went outward as it moved upwards, creating a sort of shelter for the woman, the reason she wasn't easy to find. Her breathing was also shallow from what Dust said, but she was breathing. As Ace appeared just a few feet from where the woman sat, the first thing he heard was the harsh breathing, before a hurtful and sarcastic chuckle was heard. "What took you so long?" Ace gave a sigh as he moved to crouch down next to the woman, seeing she had at least a broken arm and collarbone, maybe some ribs too, as well as a wound on her head that was bleeding and covered almost half her face with blood. "Well, someone decided to hide underneath an overhang. Dust might be amazing, but he can't look through rock." Mika started a chuckle, but quickly cut off with a whimper and gasp. Well, at least one of her ribs was broken.
"What did you do?" Asked Ace, moving to grab Mika's cape, moving to make a makeshift cast for her arm, wanting Mika to be as stabilized before they left, so it wouldn't get worse. Mika gave a hiss when he first touched her arm, before she did her best to take controlled breaths. "Fell down from the cliff. Met a bear, got away from the bear though." Ace chuckled. "But took a fall, seeming to land on your right side." Mika gave a small nod with hiss as Ace stabilized her arm in the makeshift cast, a bit glad it was her right arm and collarbone that was broken, making it easier to stabilize, hoping it would help with the ribs as well. "Any ribs in your lung?" Mika closed her eyes as she tried to keep hear breathing steady through the pain. "I don't think they poke my lung, but they are poking something." Ace nodded, feeling satisfied with how her arm was stabilized. Ace then moved Mika's mask, which was moved down around her neck, up to her head and tightened it, to stop the bleeding some. It wasn't a bad wound or bleeding excessively, it was just lots of blood that had bled the hours or days she had been here. "This might hurt, so bear with me." Said Ace as he moved to lift Mika, trying to do it as careful as he could. Mika still let out a painful gasp, eyes closing as she tried to breathe through her teeth. As he had Mika in his arms, the woman seeming to get through the pain, he looked at the woman in pain. "Ready to travel?" Mika gave a bitter laugh. "As ready as I can be. Just get it over." Ace gave a chuckle, glad when he heard Dust was ready in the infirmary, telling Bay was ready for anything, Trevor looking worried and sure it would be much worse than what it was.
As Ace appeared in the infirmary, being sure to land in front of the bed, so he could just place Mika down. As he landed on the ground, Mika gave a small cry as her body got a bit jolted, which was normal. "For fucks sake! Ace! Get control!" Ace chuckled, moving to put Mika down in the bed. "Relax, it wasn't that bad." Mika gave a look to him. "It was!" Ace chuckled as he shook his head, looking at Bay who stood close and ready for Mika to be down in the bed. "Just some broken bones; right arm and collarbone, and some ribs that poke something aside from her lungs, and no matter how much blood it is and how bad it seems, a small head wound." Mika groaned. "Stop speaking and do something! it hurts!" Ace chuckled. "If you can yell coherent, you are fine." Mika just gave him an annoyed look, Bay moving to grab her good arm with a syringe in hand. "This will ease the pain. I'll let it work before I check you over; you seem stable." Mika gave a breath. "At least someone is helpful." Trevor moved a hand to his chest. "What about me! I haven't done anything!" Mika gave a stare. "I would have guessed you would get something was wrong earlier! I sat out there for almost 2 days!" Trevor gave a pout. "I didn't want to panic when a day had passed, I'm not sure if Ace would have gone to check!" Ace gave a chuckle. "I would have. If you have a legit worry, I will listen." Trevor blinked, moving his hand out. "Okay, you are making me the bad guy here!" Mika lifted an eyebrow at the other man. "Next time, tell someone after day one! I always check in!" Trevor opened his mouth a couple times, before he gave a grumble. "Fine. I'm sorry, okay. Are you fine? What happened?"
Mika took a breath, leaning a bit back in the bed, the pain medication starting to work. "A bear made me fall down a cliff." Trevor blinked. "How?" Mika sighed. "I tripped over her cub, so she charged at me like the bear mother she was, took me off guard." Trevor gave a nod, moving a hand to Mika's. "You will be fine, I'm sorry I was late in worry." Mika exhaled as she leaned back on the bed and closed her eyes. "It's fine... you got me..." Mika managed to finish the last word before she fell asleep, making Bay hum. "She wasn't supposed to fall asleep; it wasn't a high dose." Trevor shook his head with a small smile, moving his hand to stroke Mika's cheek. "It's as she said, she's been there for two days, injured and trying to get up, been in pain. She must be exhausted." The woman probably was, and to finally be back on safe grounds and some pain relief would make the woman fall asleep. Ace gave a hum as he moved his hands to take Mika's mask off. "She will be fine, just some broken bones, maybe a concussion. She must have landed on her arm first and softened the landing, probably landing on a bush or leaves, or something like that." As Ace had taken the mask off, he moved to untie the cape that supported her arm, knowing Bay wanted to look at her arm and it would save her the job. Ace then took away most of the weapons he knew about, before looking at Trevor. "We should let Bay do her work, Trevor. You can probably come back later." Bay nodded, moving to lift Mika's right hand and looking at it. "You can, let me just check the damage and wash off the blood. Let's say a couple hours."
Trevor nodded and gave a last caress to Mika's cheek, before they left, Trevor giving a breath when they came out. "Next time, I will say something a minute past a set time." Ace chuckled. "Don't overdo it, Trevor. Next time, give it a couple hours, then call, if nothing, that is a legit concern." Trevor sighed. "You're right. Thanks for checking. It's not like Mika to get hold up." Ace shook his head. "Don't mention it. And as she said, it was a bear. You can't predict that." Trevor nodded. "I know. If they had gotten her, it would have been mentioned in the transmit we overheard, right?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. They always mention if someone unknown or person of interest is found." Trevor sighed. "Damn, I knew I should have said something yesterday." Ace shook his head, moving a hand to pat Trevor on his back. "Don't brood over what you could have done. It went fine, Mika will be fine, it's just broken bones." Trevor nodded. "I know, I still feel guilty." Ace shook his head. "You haven't been on this side before, had this responsibility for how others assignments go. You have more responsibilities now, it's all a learning process." Trevor nodded as he sighed. "I guess." Ace gave a breath, looking at Trevor. "An advice; stay with Mika tonight, she will need it." Trevor gave him a look, before he nodded, Ace knowing he wouldn't go far from the infirmary anyway, wanting to be with Mika.
Ace then left to take a shower, having a bit of blood on him here and there, as well as needing to wash Mika's cape and mask. She would probably be out of the infirmary in a couple days, and completely fine in a week or two. Mika was a strong woman.
-x-
Whitebeard walked into the infirmary, hoping to see how Mika was, the woman having been in the infirmary all day and Bay, as well as Ace, had said she was fine, but would be in the infirmary a couple days at most. He was glad it wasn't more serious, and all of them was worried when the news got out Mika was in the infirmary, but Mika was fine according to Ace. They hadn't seen Trevor since the morning, so Whitebeard didn't know for sure if Mika was really fine. Whitebeard had been a trip to the infirmary earlier in the day, to see how those who were there was fairing, but Mika was asleep at the time, and Whitebeard liked to have a chat with those who had gotten injured and needed to stay in the infirmary, for moral support in a way, something everyone seemed to enjoy, Bay having said it often help their spirits, the reason the captain always tried to do it. As he was in the infirmary, he didn't see Bay anywhere, not that many nurses either, but it was late and there weren't as many in the infirmary at this time. The captain also knew Mika had gotten a private room, most likely so the woman could relax. Whitebeard had a feeling Ace wasn't the only one battling nightmares and memories, so a private room would help in case of that, both to not disturb other in the infirmary, or to let others see it, knowing the assassins didn't like to show weakness.
Whitebeard knew it was a bit late, the clock nearing 11pm, and if Mika was asleep again, he would just leave and come back tomorrow. When he got to the door, he opened it as carefully as he could, in case Mika was asleep, and didn't want to wake her. But when the door was opened and the captain could see the inside of the room and the bed Mika had, he felt a bit shocked when Mika was neither sleeping in the bed or relaxing, but saw Trevor sitting in the bed, Mika in his lap, the female sobbing loudly with her head in Trevor's chest, Trevor holding around her and trying to comfort Mika. Trevor did look up when the door opened, and gave him small look for a second, before he went back to comforting Mika, doing his best in saying comforting words and stroking her back. Whitebeard carefully moved to close the door, leaving the two alone in the room, Trevor had control over the situation. As he was out in the infirmary again, he looked to a counter when he heard a sigh, seeing Bay there. "It's been like that for half an hour now." Whitebeard felt worried about that, hoping the woman was fine. But, as he looked at Bay, he felt the doctor looked on edge. "Bay? Are you fine, daughter?" The doctor gave a sigh as she moved her hands to her head, elbows at the counter. "I don't know. It's just reminds me of a time I don't want to remember." Whitebeard gave a sympathetic look to the doctor. "Your mentor?" Bay sent a look at him with a frown, obviously not knowing he knew, making him add more. "Mika once told me he did a surgery on her without any medication, and I asked Ace a bit soon after. I know he wasn't kind; I know he came off as cruel and heartless." Bay nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, he was like that."
As Whitebeard was on his way to speak again, Bay sighed loudly as she moved a hand to her forehead, elbow on the counter, a sort of chaotic and confused look on her face. "But, I also don't get it. Nothing more than the fall happened, she has absolutely no injuries aside from the ones from the fall. So why is she like this? I must be missing something! There is something here I don't get! I can't help when I don't get it!" Whitebeard was shocked for a couple seconds, never having seen Bay lose her poise, and it was clear she was upset by this, which he got. "It's okay, Bay. Maybe something before happened. You're an amazing doctor, thi-" Whitebeard didn't get to finish as Bay moved her hand down on the counter, almost banging. "No! it's not okay! I didn't get it then, and I still don't get it! I don't know if I should give her any medication! Or leave her alone! Or help her with something!" Whitebeard gave a supportive look, moving a hand to pat Bay's back. "Relax, daughter. You are amazing, and Trevor has control over the situation, if she needs anything, I know he will say something. This isn't a reflection on you, this is a hard situation, and you have done amazing, just as the good doctor you are. Don't doubt yourself." Bay nodded, moving her hand over her face, seeming to have calmed down. "Yeah, probably. I'll just wait and see, she seems fine." The captain nodded. "And she's most likely fine, too. You've done amazingly." Bay nodded. "Yeah, I'm probably overthinking this. Thanks, Pops." Whitebeard smiled at the doctor. "It's no problem, daughter. You need to relax at times too." Bay nodded. "Yeah, I will." The doctor then headed to her office, Whitebeard hoping she would be fine. It had never happened that he had seen her lose her composure, this entire situation weighting on her. Whitebeard had a feeling this mentor of hers was still plaguing her mind. He would be sure to check on her tomorrow, to make sure she was fine too.
When Whitebeard moved out of the infirmary and out on deck, it was quiet and dark out, him hearing some people having small gatherings here and there, most staying inside as the wind was somewhat chilly during the night. But as he moved a few feet from the door to the infirmary, he blinked when he saw Ace leaned against the railing, a smoke in hand. It had him move over to the other, leaning on the railing himself. "Hello, son. How are you?" Ace blew out some smoke, before he sighed. "I'm fine. Just out since I don't feel like sleeping or being around everyone. And a smoke sounded nice." Whitebeard gave a chuckle. "Probably hard to stop." Ace nodded, taking a drag of the smoke. "Yeah, and I still have the carton, so I will just finish that." That made sense, and Ace did seem fine and relaxed. "How did you find Mika?" He was curious on it, seeing as it was a decent size of the island he had heard. Ace hummed. "I checked common places, the beach and close to the mansion, while Dust flew and checked most of the island. He's a great help. But, since she fell down a cliff with an overhang, she hid under the overhang, and Dust can't look through rocks. But, he saw some blood and found her sitting close to the cliff, a bit injured, but fine." Whitebeard nodded, that made sense, that she tried to hide, in case. "How was she when you got to her?" Ace chuckled. "Annoyed, but relieved. Asked what took me so long. Did some chatting while I stabilized what I could, before taking her to Bay, where she once again yelled at me since using my powers means a bit of jolting. Then we chatted a bit with Trevor, not long after, she fell asleep with the pain relief." That sounded right. The woman was probably tired.
The captain hummed. "Did nothing more happened than the fall? She was there for a reason." Ace hummed, shaking his head as he flicked stump of the smoke away. "Nothing special. The job went fine. It was in, kill, and out. Went perfect. Then, of course, a bear and her cub came walking, Mika tripping over the cub. I think the fall was better than being maimed by a bear. But overall, she's fine, the fall could have been much worse, and no one saw her, neither people nor animals." Whitebeard nodded. "No other significant things happened?" Ace shook his head. "No." Whitebeard gave a breath, feeling a bit with Bay, but there could be many reasons. As he looked at the horizon, he heard Ace hum. "I have a feeling Mika's sobbing in Trevor's arms based on the questions." The captain blinked, looking at Ace who still had a calm look. "Yes. How did you know?" Ace exhaled. "I know Mika and the situation. Everyone would have been like that." Whitebeard frowned, not understanding that.
"Why? Bay is a bit on her wits end, trying to figure out if she's more injured; she couldn't find more injuries suggesting anything else." Ace shook his head, looking at the horizon. "No, nothing more happened. But, look at it through Mika's eyes. You just did an assignment, and it went flawless. You're just going to get a bit away to safety and check in, tell it went fine and you're on your way back, a planned call. But then, you fall and get injured. You're alive and okay, but you can't move much, so you drag yourself as close to safety as you can, under the overhang. Your Den Den Mushi died in the fall, so you can't tell anyone. But why would you worry? People know where you are, they will notice when you don't check in or show up, someone will be there soon. But then, an hour passes, then two hours, three hours, four hours, five hours, and still nothing, you just thinking they checked the mansion first. Then six hours, seven hours, eight hours, nine hours, ten hours, eleven hours, twelve hours, and still no single sound or anything. You're alone, you've sat there for twelve hours alone and injured, knowing not only someone from the mansion can find you, but there are predatory animals there. Then more hours pass, night comes, before day, and you've now been there for 24 hours, and nothing. And you start to doubt; will anyone come? Then another day, 48 hours, passes, and nothing. At that, you start and make peace, make peace with the fact you might die, all alone and by an insignificant injury as some broken bones, so you will die of starvation or dehydrations, if not an animal or enemy finds you. And with each hour that pass, you accept it more and more; you will die alone, no one is coming for you, you're alone. Then, after two and a half days, you get saved finally, and you're annoyed it took so long. Normal thing. And when you get patched up and feel better, it dawns on you; you're fine, you will survive, you're alive. When you make peace with the fact you will die, and then you don't and are back in safety, it's harsh, it tears your mind. It's not Bay's fault she doesn't expect it or know about it; you have to have been in the situation yourself, there is no other way to understand how it feels."
Whitebeard nodded. He understood the words, but still didn't quite get it. But then again, he hadn't been in anything like that. Been in a situation like that, and it might be as Ace said; you need to have been in it yourself. "Sounds hard. Have you been there?" Ace chuckled as he nodded. "We all have, all different situations and reasons. And no matter how often, that reaction stays. I can have a chat with Bay, tell her about it, she will get it." Whitebeard nodded. "She would like that, I am sure. And I wonder, her mentor, had he been in a situation like that? She seemed upset about still not understanding it." Ace nodded. "Yeah, he has. He worked for us for almost 35 years, and at times we knew it would be bad the moment we came to the place, so we brought him on our ship, him staying on it and preparing for what we brought. Sometimes it didn't go as plan and he wounded up injured, captured, just bad situations. I think it was one of the things that made him more confident in how he acted around us; he's been there. I didn't know him at the start, but the older ones did. And they say it was after 2 years he started to change, things got to him, and by year 6, they say it's like he just shut off his human side. When things went bad after that, he chatted with captors if he was in a situation like that, he just didn't care, that was what he tried to portray at least; he didn't care if he would die. None of them really knew how he did it; his poise never slipped. You could see the sad man he was, but it never faltered from the abusive and harsh words." Whitebeard wondered what this man was like, he sounded to be a mix of an abusive man, and a good doctor, but also a man with many issues. "I think he's a lot on Bay's mind." Ace nodded, moving to take another smoke out from his carton the captain seeing 7 left. "He probably is. He got to her many times, but she stuck with him. I am sure she's on his mind too, there is a lot of unresolved things between them." Whitebeard could understand that, and he would try and speak with Bay, wanting to get to know her better, know her past. It was clearly bothering her, and he wanted to help his children, and Bay was one of those who never faltered, never lost her composure, and it was clear her past was on her shoulder, being a doctor in general must be hard at times based on who her mentor was.
As Ace had lit his smoke, the kid gave a chuckle. "One of the stories about him, most either gasp or chuckle at. I think a couple years before he stopped working as much, he was on a boat on his way to help us, a few lesser ones on the boat to just escort him. Then as fate is, he got appendicitis, and the ones who was escorting him didn't know shit about surgery or anything. What does he do? Well, he grabs a mirror, put it up, and do surgery on himself." Whitebeard blinked. "He what?" Ace gave a laugh. "He cut himself opened, removed his appendix, sew himself back together, and went on with his life. The people on the ship was running around in panic and calling those they knew asking for help, while he just calmly told them to be quiet as he needed to concentrate. The five who was on the boat was more shaken by the surgery than he was." Whitebeard chuckled. "That sounds interesting. Haven't heard anyone doing surgery on themselves." Ace nodded. "Agree, he's a weird man. One hell of a doctor, but weird man." That the captain got. Ace shook his head, taking a drag of his smoke. "I can go and speak with Bay after this smoke." Whitebeard nodded. "She would like that. I should probably head to my room soon anyway, Marco's out on watch." Whitebeard knew Marco would make him go to his room anyway, and he was somewhat tired anyway, it had been a long day. Ace chuckled. "He's on the other side of the boat. You got more than enough time." The captain chuckled as well, still amazed on how Ace knew these things.
Both of them looked at view, enjoying the calm evening, Ace moving the smoke to take a drag. And as the smoke was still between Ace's lips, a hand suddenly grabbed it, Trevor moving with a loud sigh as he took a quick drag of it, keeping it inside for a bit. Ace just blew the smoke out, not at all seeming fazed or startled, as if expecting it. When Trevor moved the smoke away and blew it out, he placed it back between Ace's lips, Ace moving his hand to take a drag before looking at Trevor. "Mika asleep?" Trevor nodded, a hand on his face. "Yeah." Trevor then looked at Ace, looking worried. "I don't get it. Why did this give her that reaction? Nothing happened to cause it. She just fell and broke some bones." Ace sighed as he looked at Trevor. "She sat alone and injured for two and a half days. And she was probably awake the entire time, sitting injured and alone, close to predators and enemies, no food or water. And here she is, safe and alive." Trevor moved his hands to his face. "Oh God, of course. Fuck! I didn't think of it like that, no wonder she's upset." When Trevor moved his hands down, he shook his head, eyes somewhat red as he looked upset. "I don't think I can handle this responsibility; taking care of other and making sure they are fine, the planning. I should have realised it at once, not two and a half days later something went wrong. Mika always checks in." Ace shook his head, moving a hand to pat Trevor on his back. "No, you can handle it. I know you can. You just made a miscalculation, you trusted that Mika had control and would be fine." Trevor sighed, shaking his head. "Shouldn't I?" Ace gave a breath. "No. When you are the leader of an assignment, expect everything to go wrong, expect you will need to help, either to get someone out or recover the body, until something else tell you different, the reason we have the check ins." Trevor sighed, a hand moving to his face. "This is a lot harder than it looks like." Ace nodded. "Yeah. Most things are. If you want, you can follow me for a few times. See what I do, I can help you with yours. Want a smoke? I'm heading to speak with Bay." Trevor nodded. "Yeah, I would like one. And yeah, I would appreciate that. How long have you been doing it?" Ace moved to take his carton out, giving Trevor a smoke, before putting it away, Ace flicking the stump of his smoke away. "About 4 years alone. Altogether, 8 years. You're going to get it, Trevor. I know you can, this was your first. We can speak more tomorrow. See you then. Good night, Whitebeard." Ace gave a clap to Trevor's back as he moved to the infirmary, the captain giving a good night back. Bay would most likely appreciate Ace speaking with her, and the captain would try tomorrow.
As Ace was gone, the captain looked at Trevor. "How are you holding up, Trevor?" The man gave a weak chuckle. "As well as I can. I feel guilty I didn't react at once, I should have. Not just assumed she was fine since her targets were killed." Whitebeard exhaled, moving to look at the waves in the horizon. "Don't blame yourself, Trevor. You couldn't have known. What matters is that Mika is back and safe, and will be fine." Trevor nodded, taking a drag of the smoke. "Yeah, I guess. I should have said something when she didn't check in, or just asked Ace, or something." Whitebeard hummed. "Don't brood over it. Mika's fine, because you did the right thing. She's a strong woman, and you are there for her, and that's all that matters. You can't change the past." Trevor nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Mika will be fine. I think I jumped a bit too fast into this, thinking it was easy." Whitebeard looked at Trevor, who seemed more composed. "Why did you get this responsibility? You haven't had it before, at least to my knowledge. But then again, I didn't know Ace had either." Trevor chuckled. "He's Ace, he's amazing and can do everything, I am sure of it. And, since both me and Mika decided to be more here, we got sort of promoted, do more work outside the field, same with Ace. He's in charge of the assignments that comes in, who to send to do it, and everything in between, basically the main leader. He's good at it." That made sense. "I can imagine Ace being good at many things, he got many talents. And he's been doing this for years apparently, I'm sure he had a learning process too." Trevor nodded. "Yeah. I'm glad Ace offered to help. I know he followed Azuruko for years, so it's no wonder he's amazing at everything." Whitebeard had a feeling Ace had been having this kind of responsibility for longer, maybe just not officially, and he was sure Ace learned a lot from Azuruko, Ace had been with him since he was 8 and caught things fast; he got known fast and made a reputation faster than anyone. It wasn't just luck, it was techniques and knowledge, as well as strength and authority he had acquired through the years.
The captain was out and spoke with Trevor for a bit, before the silver-haired man left to the infirmary again, Whitebeard heading for his room to relax. He would check on Mika tomorrow morning, hoping she would be better then.
-x-
Whitebeard walked into the infirmary, seeing Bay close to a bed and doing something, the captain giving a small wave with a smile to the woman, before he headed to the door close to the entrance, where Mika had her room, hoping she felt better today. When he opened the door, he saw there weren't anyone else than Mika in the room, the woman sitting in bed with the back of it up, resting against it, her right arm in a cast, and the other holding a book, some bandages around her head and arms, as well as some band aids here and there, as well as some bruises on her face and arms, probably more under her clothing. She looked banged up, which one would be after falling off a cliff, the injuries could have been much worse. When Whitebeard closed the door behind him, Mika moved to look at him, looking somewhat tired as her eyes seemed heavy.
As he made his way over to sit next to the bed, the woman gave a weak chuckle. "My, wouldn't have guessed the captain would visit me." Whitebeard gave a hum as he sat down, giving a smile to the woman in bed. "Why wouldn't I? I always try and visit my children when they are in the infirmary." The woman blinked at him. "My, am I your daughter now?" Whitebeard chuckled. "In my mind at least. You have the status as one of my commanders, I say that's enough for me to call you my daughter, at least think of you as my daughter." Mika chuckled, giving a small wince as her good arm moved to her right side, her ribs probably hurting, but seeming to recover fast, looking back at him. "I guess you're right. But, I'm okay with that." Whitebeard gave a supportive look to Mika. "How do you feel?" Mika gave a small chuckle as she exhaled. "Fine, considering everything. Ribs hurt a bit now and then. I could have left the infirmary today, but I think I want one more night here, just to relax a bit more. And the drugs have made me a bit woozy." The captain nodded. "I understand that. You look a bit tired, your eyes heavy." Mika nodded. "Yeah. I feel it too. But, makes the pain less, my arm hurt like hell yesterday. Actually, everything hurt like hell. Breathing hurt." Whitebeard nodded, giving a sympathetic smile. "I can imagine. Did Bay say it will heal nicely?" Mika nodded. "Yeah. The worst was my collarbone, but as my arm also has 5 fractures it will need to be in the cast for a bit, about 2 weeks, which help keep my collar bone stable. My ribs weren't that badly fractured, and I only got a small concussion. I will be completely fine in about 3 weeks, maybe 2 if lucky." Whitebeard nodded. "I'm glad you will be fine, Mika." Mika gave a weak chuckle. "I am too. And nice with some visit, better than Trevor; he's so fuzzy when worried." Whitebeard could see that. "Where is he?" Mika hummed lowly. "Shower. He really needed one." It was good Trevor took care of himself in this time, not being too worried for Mika as she would be fine.
Whitebeard was with Mika for almost half an hour, before Trevor came back. Trevor spoke a bit with both, before the captain left, glad Mika would be fine. When he got out to the infirmary and saw Bay, it was clear she was better today, the talk with Ace yesterday probably helping. It was good things would go back to normal soon, when Mika got out of the infirmary. They were all settling perfect still, and the thing with the forge and all had helped the captain believed. To see the assassins really didn't care about the brands and such. Things were going fine.
-x-
Haruta smiled as Mika came back with a couple glasses of beer, sitting down and handing one to her, carrying both in her left arm as her right one was still in a cast. Mika had been out of the infirmary for almost 2 weeks now, and Haruta had asked her out for a drink, to try and get closer to the other woman. It seemed it would start fine as Mika looked to be in a good mood. "This will be nice, you're one of the few I haven't really been much with; you don't speak a lot you know." Haruta chuckled. "I have this thing where I overthink at times. I always thought I needed a topic to speak with you." Mika gave a confused look to her. "Why? Why would you need a topic? A hello is more than enough, or 'wanna go for a drink?' I'm not complicated and scary." Haruta gave a chuckle. "Says the skilled assassin." Mika chuckled. "I'm not that scary." Haruta hummed. "I still remember you just bashing that man's face on the table, and he begged you to stop." Mika chuckled. "Fine, I am not scary to those I like."
Haruta nodded. "I can agree with that. It's really cool, that you can terrify people like that. Just make them beg for you to stop and no one berates you for it." Mika chuckled. "Confidence. Just stay with your words and points. I already planned everything out before I went to bash his face in. I know people are like 'but you're a girl! you can't do shit!' I love bashing those faces in." Haruta blinked. "You do it to everyone who acts like that?" Mika hummed. "No, some I just say 'fight me' too. A lesson: if someone say you're weak since you're a female, you are much stronger than them in every way. So if they say yes to fight you, you will win." Haruta blinked. "Really?" Mika nodded. "Yeah. People like that are scared and weak, thinking a woman would just leave. Just show you have bone in your nose. If they keep being obnoxious, hit them, or bash their face on the table; works every time." Haruta chuckled. "I'm not sure if I could do that." Mika hummed. "You're cute and innocent. You need to start working up your intimidation strength, so people won't bug you. Sometimes you just need to pick a fight and plan to really hurt someone. Not kill, but hurt, so it gets out you hurt others who bug you." Haruta could understand that and would keep it in mind.
Before she could respond, Mika waved her hand a bit to her. "But we can take that later. How are you? Any topic you want to discuss? Since you need one to work with me apparently." Haruta blinked, before she hummed. "I'm fine. And I don't really have any topics…" Mika chuckled. "Random topic then; any people you have in your line of sight?" Haruta blinked, not really getting it at first, before she realized what Mika hinted at. "No, not really." Mika chuckled. "No? Really? I've seen you look at him. And I get it; his blond hair, muscular body, deep voice- it's so cute you're blushing." Haruta moved a hand to her cheek, feeling embarrassed. "I mean, I can't really. He's so much older…" Mika snorted. "Dumb excuse. He is like what, 10-15 years older? Have you seen Ace and Marco? Marco's old as dirt, and Ace is just 20." Haruta blinked. "I still forget Ace is just 20." Mika chuckled. "We all do. And no changing the topic! You should try; he looks at you too." Haruta blinked. "...he does?" Mika nodded. "Yeah. You should at least speak with him; you're kind of a silent one, but so is he I guess." Haruta didn't really know how to respond to that, and felt glad when Mika shook her head and continued. "I won't push you to do it, but think about it. Easier conversation; how are you? You're a young commander with lots of responsibility." Haruta shrugged as she took a drink of her beer. "It's okay, I know the others are a bit lenient with me and I have less responsibility places, since I'm so young, it's always been like that, and I try to get more of the usual things." Mika shrugged. "I don't think so. You're on the same level as everyone, you're just in charge of different things. You can't compare yourself to Curiel, or Marco, or Vista. I am sure if they tried to do your job, it wouldn't go well. You're in charge of an entire division, and in charge of the helm, as well as logistic in sorting and weight distribution. That's a lot, and you should be proud of that." Haruta nodded, Mika was right, Haruta just felt she should be more in charge of combat and such, but not everyone was. Maybe she should try and speak to Pops about it.
She would take that later, looking at Mika who took a chug of her beer. "How about you, Mika? How are you feeling? Your arm and such?" Mika shrugged, placing her glass on the table. "It's fine. I mostly only have the cast still since my collarbone need a bit more time to heal and be steady. If it wasn't broken, I could probably go without the cast and just be a bit careful, my arm isn't that hurt." Haruta gave a hum. "It looked bad when you got out. You in general actually." Mika chuckled. "That's how you look at the start. Bruises and all. Much better now. And yes, I will be fine soon." Mika was a nice person to speak with and this evening out would be nice too. The two continued to talk and enjoy the evening for hours, before they headed back to the boat, Haruta feeling closer to the woman, which was her goal. Mika was a really nice person and strong person. Mika was really glad they were friends. That, and she would check if what she had said was true, if she got looks from him too, which she sort of hoped for, but also not. She didn't know what to do if he did. Maybe she could ask Mika what she would do if she was her. Yeah, that sounded like a good plan.
-x-
Ace did his best to be stealthy and sneak around the building he was in. He had been called for an assignment to kill a noble, and he wanted to do it himself, not send someone in his place as he had for a bit now, seeing as he was training with Moira. As Ace moved forward and through a door, he was quickly met by a sword he evaded with his powers, before getting his own sword and gun out, cutting down the first enemy, seeing it was 4 in the room. Ace could handle that, might be a bit of damage, but he could handle just 4, or 3 now, although it seemed like all of them were skilled. Two of them had their sword out, while one had his gun out, and Ace used his gun to shoot the other with the gun, to get him out of the fight. A gun was bad. As he was up against the other two, he managed to fend off one of them, before going in for the kill on the other. But as he did, the guy managed to grab the gun from the floor and aim it at him.
Ace felt a groan leave him as the bullet hit his shoulder, feeling instantly it was a seastone one as his powers disappeared. Just as Ace was about to move his hand to his gun and shoot the two left, one managed to try and swing his sword at Ace, but as it was a low swing, Ace managed to jump over it, using his gun to shoot the swordsman, before using his legs to kick the last one, and when he went down, Ace still shot him in the head, to make sure he was dead. Ace had had enough of people he thought to be dead, only to reappear later. It was annoying, so Ace always either put a bullet in their head, or cut their throat, some even got decapitated. There was still some that managed to escape death, but it was mostly those who fell from heights, people they burned, or the rare occurrence a bullet wasn't enough. As they all were dead, Ace used a hand to dig the bullet out of his shoulder, before he got Dust to head to his room, Ace taking a breath as he appeared in his room, moving to the mirror to look at the wound, taking his shirt and cape off.
When he was assessing the wound, to see if there were some bullet fragments left, the door opened to reveal Marco, who had a shocked look as the door closed behind him. "Are you okay, yoi? Should I get Bay?" Ace shook his head, using a hand to check the wound. "Please don't. It will be fine in a small bit. Just a bullet wound, a clean one." It was clean, so Ace moved to grab a band aid and put it over, before using a bit of bandages too, in case it bled. He heard Marco give a sigh behind him. "You really shouldn't hide it, yoi." Ace let out a breath, moving to take a shirt on. "What good will it do me to head to Bay, have her patch me up for no reason, and for her to need to write a file about it? Nothing. If it's not fine by tomorrow, I will head to her, is that okay?" Ace knew it would be fine way before tomorrow. Ace would be fine before supper. Marco did nod at it, which was good. "Fine, yoi. But I am sure it will be fine before then. You don't like doctors I believe." Ace chuckled. "I have nothing against doctors, But I know Bay will make me relax and take it easy, which I won't do as it's just a small wound." Marco hummed. "If someone in your division got a bullet wound like that, would you tell them to go to Bay, yoi?" Ace nodded. "Of course. And," Continued Ace when Marco was about to speak. "That's because they won't be fine after a couple hours, like me. This is healed in no time. I bet you wouldn't head to Bay with a small bullet wound, would you now?" Marco let out a breath. "I wouldn't, yoi. But I can regenerate." Ace chuckled. "And I heal fast, close enough." Marco chuckled. "I guess, yoi." Ace shook his head with a smile. "Don't worry so much. I will be fine." Marco nodded. "I guess. Is the person who shot you dead, yoi?" Ace lifted an eyebrow. "Why?" Marco hummed. "Because I don't like people that hurt those I care about, yoi." Ace chuckled. "Then don't worry. He got shot himself. Only difference is that my bullet went through his head. Same with his three goons. All dead." Marco nodded, seeming satisfied with that. They then headed out to the deck, just enjoying the day. Ace did need to leave a bit later and would be back around supper or so, another assignment coming in, thankfully just a short information run. Always nice with a short and easy job now and then.
-x-
As supper was coming to an end, Haruta brought up the fact she hoped Luffy and Sabo could drop by again, not having seen them in a while, and they were affectionate in their own way. And the captain had to agree; the two kids were enjoyable to be around. He was sure Ace missed them too, as both were training and Ace possibly haven't seen them for a small bit. And the topic had Thatch speak up when he was close by. "If Luffy and Sabo comes, I need a day to know. Damn those two eats!" Trevor chuckled. "You should have seen Ace when he was younger; he ate just as much as Luffy." That had all of them blink, especially Thatch. "What?! You don't suddenly stop eating much! Don't tell me he's hiding it!?" Trevor waved his hand. "Nah nah, just ask Ace, he can explain." Thatch nodded, still looking shocked, which the captain got. If Ace hid it, it would be bad. And Luffy didn't eat a bit much, but a lot. So when Ace appeared half an hour later, Thatch was quick to ask him about it. "Do you eat much?" It had Ace blink, getting a frown as he looked curious. "No, I actually eat very little." Thatch looked flabbergasted by that. "But Trevor said you ate a lot before! Like Luffy! You don't just stop that!" Ace chuckled. "Because I did eat so much. When I was… 12 I think. Either 11 or 12, I had a surgery to remove 95% of my stomach. You can't eat a lot in my business." It had Thatch blink. "Is that safe?" Ace shrugged. "You survive the first year, you're fine. I did, as you can see. So, I eat little." Thatch stood dumbfounded as he blinked. "What? you can do that?!" Ace nodded. "You can, and I did. Not usually done, but it was done. Hurt like hell at the start, and I could eat a yogurt once a day, and I was full. So yeah. Many dies of starvation, I survived." It had Thatch blink, looking shocked. "Wow, I didn't know that was a thing." Ace chuckled. "It is. And it's a rare thing done, but it was needed." Whitebeard got it; one couldn't have a huge appetite as an assassin. They wounded up in situations where food would be little, being an assassin was hard work.
The captain could see Thatch slowly going back to his work, still looking shocked. It was easy to forget how hard Ace's work could be, seeing as he seemed to have such control. Ace was an amazing person with many talents, many of which they haven't seen yet. The captain was still curious about his powers and hoped he could learn more about them. They were extraordinary.
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
I know the Mika thing was long, but I hope everyone enjoyed it. The next chapter will be more around Ace. There will also be more about his powers and how they work
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