Hello everyone, here is the next chapter
This is a bit of this and that
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Whitebeard sat out on deck, early in the morning, when Marco came from around a corner, and he was still injured. Or, not that injured, he had a badly bruised face. And, it looked even worse than what it had been yesterday. He gave a smile to his son. "How are you, son?" Marco hummed and moved to stand beside him. "I'm good. I know it looks worse, but I barely feel it, yoi." He nodded. "That is good, son." Marco nodded. "It is. And it's still my fault." Whitebeard nodded. "I know. I also know Ace feels bad." Marco nodded and sighed. "I know, yoi. I wish he didn't." Whitebeard nodded and he agreed. It wasn't Ace's fault, Marco should know better he felt, as this wasn't the first time.
He then sat out while Marco stood, before more woke up, and a few did give shocked looks to Marco, and when Thatch came out, he moved his hand. "You look worse!" Marco shrugged. "And, yoi?" Thatch looked lost for words for a second. "You're never injured, Marco." Marco nodded. "But now I am, yoi." Thatch blinked. "Well… yeah." Marco hummed. "It is fine. Still my fault. I should know better, yoi." Thatch nodded. "I still can't believe that is a bad angle." Whitebeard agreed a bit, but as Marco had said yesterday, last time, both his cheekbone and jaw had cracked too, now it was only his nose that had been broken. When Trevor came out, he gave a laugh. "Oh my God! You look worse! Oh, I remember when it was me." Thatch blinked. "You've been injured by Ace?" Trevor nodded. "Yes. Both by accident and on purpose. The purpose one feels worse though, as accidents go over fast." That Whitebeard got. Trevor did go at Ace at times. As Ace had said when he sang that song, he hated Trevor at times, as he had done a lot wrong. But they are better now.
Thatch blinked. "Oh…" Trevor nodded. "So yeah. Not that surprised it happened, as Ace has some issues now and then." That was also true, and he got Ace had issues. He had been through a lot. A lot of bad things. Thatch nodded and didn't speak, and the day went on. When it was breakfast, Ace came, as Marco had said Ace was doing some paperwork until now. As the day went by, he could see many being shocked by Marco's state, which was understandable, as Marco rarely, or never, was injured. Ace did look to feel a bit bad when someone mentioned it, but Marco always said it was fine, and that it was his fault, no one should blame Ace, which it didn't seem like anyone did. Which was good. Ace might have done it, but he didn't mean to do it. The next few days did go fine, and it seemed like no one was more afraid or nervous around Ace, which was good. They got that Ace would never hurt them on purpose. Which was true. And after 4 days, them having been at an island for a day, where Marco kept inside or on the boat, probably so no one would see him injured that wasn't on the crew. Which he got. He was known as the Phoenix who never got injured. So he didn't want to seem injured to unknown faces. What was interesting, was how Jinbei had joined them for a few hours, and he had really looked shocked to see Marco injured, but hadn't voiced it. But he could see the shock on his face. But he probably knew it would be fine soon. And when they a couple days later passed the line to where the devil fruit worked, the bruises just faded away, which was good.
-x-
A week later, Whitebeard sat in his room as the weather outside wasn't the best, and when he was out, Ace was out and he had asked Ace to join him in his room, which Ace had said yes to, so now they were relaxing, when Whitebeard asked if Ace maybe had something he wanted to sing again, which Ace sighed to, before he nodded. "Sure. I can do a song. Why not." Whitebeard chuckled, glad Ace felt that and handed him a guitar, before Ace started to sing as he played.
"Like a target drawn across my chest. She's a bullet in Russian Roulette. You said you'd never turn your back on me (Rescue me, rescue me) Would you stand by me and bury me? (Bury me) Why don't we end this lie, I can't pretend this time. I need a friend to find, My broken mind, before it falls to pieces. Every time. You tried to leave me (This Suffering) blind. You'll never close (This Suffering) my eyes. You'll never close my eyes and watch me die. And when she spins the bottle round and round. Every time it leaves me gagged and bound. You said you'd never turn your back on me (Rescue me, rescue me) Would you stand by me and bury me? (Bury me) Why don't we end this lie. I can't pretend this time. I need a friend to find, My broken mind, before it falls to pieces. End this lie, I can't pretend (This Suffering) this time. I need a friend (This Suffering) to find, My broken mind, before it falls to pieces. Every time. You tried to leave me (This Suffering) blind. You'll never close (This Suffering) my eyes. You'll never close my eyes and watch me die." Whitebeard listened to the song, not sure if he liked this song or not. Not that it wasn't a good song, it was nice and a bit catchy, but the lyrics. Ace continued after some chords.
"Misery won't get the best of me. 'Cause now I'm calling, yes I'm calling on your bluff, yeah! Misery won't get the best of me. 'Cause now I'm calling, yes I'm calling on your bluff. Throw down the cards I've had enough. Why don't we end this lie. I can't pretend this time. I need a friend to find, My broken mind, before it falls to pieces. Every time. You tried to leave me (This Suffering) blind. You'll never close (This Suffering) my eyes. You'll never close my eyes and watch me die. End this lie. I can't pretend (This Suffering) this time. I need a friend (This Suffering) to find, My broken mind, before it falls to pieces. Every time. You tried to leave me (This Suffering) blind. You'll never close (This Suffering) my eyes. You'll never close my eyes and watch me die." (This Suffering by Billy Talent)
The song then ended with a chord, and Ace gave a breath. "That actually felt good." Whitebeard smiled. "That's good." Ace nodded. "It is. Maybe I should sing more of my songs." Whitebeard nodded. "Who do you usually sing for?" Ace hummed. "I am not sure which wins, but either Daisuke or Benn. I think Benn might win with a couple songs. They would never judge me based on my songs. Although, I won't sing all my songs to them though." Whitebeard nodded. "I see. Maybe we can change that? I love to hear you sing." Ace gave a small chuckle. "The others say the same. They usually let me choose, but Trevor has sometimes pestered me to sing." Whitebeard nodded. "I would never do that. I might push a bit, but not pester." Ace nodded and gave a small smile. "That's good." It was, he wouldn't do that. He would like to hear songs, but not force them out of Ace.
Whitebeard then hummed. "But I wonder, Russian Roulette, what is it?" Ace sighed. "A game. Or wait, no, not a game, but a game. You know what roulette is? You have a board and you roll a ball and it lands in a space when the roulette stops, and you either win or lose." Whitebeard nodded, he knew of that. Ace sighed. "Well, in this, you have a revolver, and you put one bullet in, and give it a good spin. Then two people take turns putting the gun to their heads, and pulling the trigger. If you get the bullet, you lose, and die, of course." Whitebeard blinked. "This is a game people play?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. Many are forced into it, either because of money issues or debt. It is horrible really." Whitebeard blinked, he had no idea this was a thing. "Why don't you stop it?" Ace sighed. "Because, both parties are willing most of the time. They have nothing to lose, and all to win. There is nothing I can do, even if I wanted to, which I do. But I can't." Whitebeard nodded, it sounded horrible.
He then looked at Ace. "Have you ever played it?" Ace sighed. "Yeah, I have. It's not fun." Whitebeard to that. He was about to speak when Ace did. "Also, I lost." Whitebeard blinked, before he frowned. "But you're not dead?" Ace sighed. "I was 15, and this man wanted the prize money for the win, so he sent prisoners in his place, many won, many lost. Then, it was my turn, and I was shaking, because…" Whitebeard nodded. "You were scared." Ace probably didn't like to say that. Ace gave a small nod. "Yeah, and when I held the gun, I was somewhat shaking, been 3 rounds already, I knew it was coming up. And I pulled the trigger and boom, I heard the gun fire and then things went black. Then, I am not sure how long, but I woke up in a pile of dead bodies. Apparently, since I was shaking, my aim was a bit off so the bullet ricocheted at my skull and never went into my brain. But they just assumed I was dead and threw me away." Whitebeard nodded. "You got lucky." Ace nodded. "So so lucky. And since I was now loose from chains and alive, I went back and killed those who deserved it." Whitebeard nodded, that was good.
He looked at Ace. "You've been through a lot in your young life." Ace sighed. "Yeah, more than most, since I can travel so fast, I manage to go to many places fast." That was true. He then looked at Ace. "Do you have any other songs?" Ace hummed. "I actually have one I want to sing. The whole ordeal with Cesare Borgia, there were two ways to get to that island where we appeared. Either the note in the newspaper that we went with, or a song. I never got to sing the song since the majority chose the note in the papers." Whitebeard nodded. "Go for it." Ace gave a chuckle. "Oh, it was also made for Ann, she was going to come on and sing in a broadcast." Whitebeard nodded, now curious. Ace then took the guitar and started to play before he started to sing.
"Everybody knows that the dice are loaded. Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed. Everybody knows the war is over. Everybody knows the good guys lost. Everybody knows the fight was fixed. The poor stay poor, the rich get rich. That's how it goes. Everybody knows. Everybody knows that the boat is leaking. Everybody knows that the captain lied. Everybody got this broken feeling. Like their father or their dog just died. Everybody talking to their pockets. Everybody wants a box of chocolates. And a long-stem rose. Everybody knows. Everybody knows that you love me baby. Everybody knows that you really do. Everybody knows that you've been faithful. Oh, give or take a night or two. Everybody knows you've been discreet. But there were so many people you just had to meet. Without your clothes. And everybody knows . Everybody knows, everybody knows. That's how it goes. Everybody knows." Whitebeard listened to the song, and got that maybe this could be used to get their attention. Ace then continued.
"And everybody knows that it's now or never. Everybody knows that it's me or you. And everybody knows that you live forever. When you've done a line or two. Everybody knows the deal is rotten. Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton. For your ribbons and bows. And everybody knows. And everybody knows that the Plague is coming. Everybody knows that it's moving fast. Everybody knows that the naked man and woman. Are just a shining artifact of the past. Everybody knows the scene is dead. But there's gonna be a meter on your bed. That will disclose. What everybody knows. And everybody knows that you're in trouble. Everybody knows what you've been through. From the bloody cross on top of Calvary. To the beach of Malibu. Everybody knows it's coming apart. Take one last look at this Sacred Heart. Before it blows. And everybody knows."
The song then ended and Whitebeard gave a nod. "I didn't quite get the end." Ace hummed. "It is a code on how to get to the island where the revolution started. Benn or Shanks would have gotten it and probably told you." That made sense and he nodded. Shanks had told them about the input in the newspaper, so he would probably have told them about that as well. Ace chuckled. "I also made it and I am pretty proud of it." Whitebeard nodded. "You should, that was good. But you do have a musical talent." Ace chuckled. "Maybe." Ace really did. He then hummed. "Have you been in this area before?" Ace nodded. "Yeah, and the island we're most likely heading to, not the happiest to be there." Whitebeard frowned. "Why?" Ace sighed. "Last time, which was some years ago now. We were on a boat, and this guy ran up from behind me, lifted me up, slapped a piece of seastone on me, and threw me into the ocean." Whitebeard blinked. "He what?" Ace nodded. "Yup. Threw me in the ocean. When I got out and was really mad, he just said 'I was just joking!', and I was about to punch him, but no, no no, was not allowed by Daisuke." Whitebeard frowned. "Why not?" Ace made a sound. "We needed his help, so I was not allowed to punch him. If he so much as looks at me funny, I will punch him. Unless you are against it." Whitebeard shook his head. "I have no objections." He really didn't, as that man deserves to be punched. Or thrown in the ocean himself.
He then gave a smile to Ace. "Maybe we should do this now and then? Just enjoy ourselves and enjoy ourselves."Ace chuckled. "You just want to hear me sing." Whitebeard hummed. "Is that so bad?" Ace sighed. "No, not really. I know you have card games with Mrco once a week or every other week. Maybe this will be our thing." Whitebeard nodded. "Exactly. I wouldn't mind it." Ace hummed. "Probably. Let's try." That sounded to be good and he hoped they would manage this. He then sat and spoke a bit more with Ace, before Ace left to hopefully sleep as it was late now. He hoped they could do this more times, as he wanted to know what Ace felt and help Ace feel better.
The next few days went by fine,and when they got to the island, nothing special happened, and it seemed this man Ace didn't like kept his distance, which was good. They then stayed at the island for a day, before they headed on.
-x-
Whitebeard sat out on deck, enjoying a good day as the weather was good. And after a bit,Whitebeard watched as a black smoke appeared by Ace's mark and Ace appeared. Ace looked annoyed and instantly looked at Trevor, who stood a bit away, and Trevor lifted an eyebrow, before Ace moved his mouth, but no words came out. When Ace stopped, Trevor laughed. Whitebeard didn't know what was happening or why Ace wasn't speaking. Trevor then got himself together and looked at them. "Bunny is mute." Whitebeard frowned. "Mute? Why?" Trevor hummed and looked at Ace. "Based on the scarf around your neck, someone slit your throat." Ace gave a nod and moved his mouth some more, making Trevor snort. "You are lucky and unlucky at the same time." Ace gave a nod and responded, but he didn't know what he said. He guessed Trevor was adept in reading lips. All assassins probably were. Trevor hummed. "How long will this last?" Ace shrugged and spoke more without sound, making Trevor nod. When they all looked at Trevor, Trevor blinked. "Oh yeah, most can't read lips. It might be a day, or a week. Let's hope for a day." He hoped the same, this wasn't good.
He looked at his son. "How did it happen?" Ace rolled his eyes and when he expected him to speak to Trevor, Ace moved his hand and the words 'don't ask' appeared beside him in smoke. That was amazing, Ace could type in the air, but it also made sense. The day then went by fine, Ace seemed okay, he just couldn't speak. But it sounded bad that someone had managed to cut his throat, probably to kill him, but good that Ace made it. Which was good, but he also felt worried as someone managed to get that close to Ace. Everyone seemed to think the same, but it was fine, Ace was fine, beside from being mute. And based on how calm Ace was and what Trevor had said, this wasn't the first time. Which was also bad. But Ace seemed to handle it well, he could somewhat speak with his powers. So he guessed this would go fine.
-x-
Marco moved to his room, where Ace was, and he moved to sit on the bed and patted the space beside him and Ace sat down, and Marco moved a hand to Ace's leg. "Do you want to talk about it?" Ace sighed, and moved his hand, the words appearing beside him. 'Can we wait until I can talk?' Marco nodded. "Okay, yoi. But you are fine?" Ace nodded and moved his hand again and the words 'I am' appeared beside him. That was good. That was the most important. He moved his hand to Ace's leg. "Want to relax some?" Ace gave a nod and smile, and Marco nodded as well and they got ready for bed, before they settled, Marco having an arm over Ace. When he woke up later, he was alone in bed and turned to the clock and saw it was 5am. They had gone to bed around midnight. He then stood up and headed out to the galley, where Ace most likely was, and Ace was there. He guessed Ace wouldn't take too much work right now, as he was mute. A few were speaking with Ace, but kept it in short as Ace couldn't really answer much. It was good to see, as he was a bit worried no one would speak to Ace as he couldn't talk, but that wasn't the case.
The next few days went by fine, and after 3, Ace got his voice back. It was a bit hoarse for some hours, but it passed, and that made him able to ask what had happened, which Ace said someone had managed to get his attention elsewhere for a second, before someone brought a sword to his neck and cut it. Ace had then pretended to be dead, before he got up and killed everyone, but his voice was gone. But it was fine, Ace was fine.
-x-
Haruta smiled as she was out with Mika at a bar, which was nice, they were having a good time. Mika was a really awesome person
Haruta saw Mika's face fall, getting a look she didn't recognize as she turned around slowly, almost looking afraid. "H-Hakim?" The man close to the counter turned around. "Hmm? I'm sorry, I'm Travis." The man then got a curious look. "Do I know you? You look familiar." Mika sat silent, before she let out a scream as she stood up. "You maniac! You sadistic bastard!" Yelled MIka as she lunged at the man, who barely managed to avoid it, Trevor moving and holding Mika. "Woah woah, Mika, no." Mika tried to fight against Trevor as the man, Travis, ran out the door, a bottle flying after him and shattering the door. "Let me go! Let me kill him! It's Hakim! Argh!" Trevor didn't let go and did his best to hold Mika. "Mika! He's dead! Calm down!" Mika didn't for a minute, before she looked upset as she fell down to her knees, sobs being let out, Trevor doing his best to comfort her. What had happened? Haruta was very confused and worried now. Everyone in the bar seemed shocked and Trevor was quick in getting Mika out and probably back to the boat. Something had happened.
She then went back to the boat herself, and everyone out seemed worried, probably having seen Trevor and Mika, and those who knew she had been with her asked what had happened, and she had no idea. Some guy made her react, that was all she knew. She did notice Trevor heading out on the deck and did first speak to Dust, who was here, but he was no help as Ace was a place where devil fruit didn't work, but he needed to try it . Before he spoke with her, asking what had happened, and she had no words. She just seemed scared, before she freaked, it looked like. Trevor nodded and stood out on deck thinking for a bit, before Haruta saw the man that had made Haruta react on the dock by the town, and headed there, to see if she could figure out who it was. He did say he was Travis and had no idea what happened, before he invited her for a drink, as a sorry for making her friend feel bad, and she saw no harm, maybe she could figure more out. They then headed to a different bar, and took a drink. Trevor did come by and did speak to the man, who seemed confused to what had happened himself, before Trevor left. She really did wonder what had happened, and as she was about to ask, Travis went and got her a drink. He seemed nice.
-x-
Whitebeard frowned when he saw an upset Mika with Trevor walking over deck, before they were gone out of view by a corner, and after a bit, Trevor came back out and spoke with Dust, seeming to want to talk with Ace, but he couldn't hear right now, as he was still up north or something like that. But he was due to return soon. As Trevor got no answer from Dust, just a caw and shake of the head, Trevor sighed with a hand on his face, before he headed to the island, and came back after a bit. And when he was back, he spoke. "What happened?" Trevor sighed, before he headed closer and said that this man had made Mika think of this man called Hakim, and she had freaked, but he was dead. And Trevor sighed. "And now here I am, not sure if Mika lost it or not, and I have no idea what to do. I can't handle this." Whitebeard got it, and Mika had seemed to lose it for a bit. "Who is this Hakim?" Trevor sighed. "Bad man who got Mika captured 6 years ago. It was bad, but he is dead, it can't be Hakim." That wasn't good. Maybe Mika had lost it, and that sounded terrible. "I even spoke to him," Continued Trevor. "He's not Hakim, he's too… sleek and normal for a sadistic bastard. I'm scared Mika has gone insane." Whitebeard nodded, he was the same, what if Mika had lost it?
Trevor sighed again. "I wished Ace was here, he knows these things." Whitebeard nodded and agreed. This was bad. But Ace was due to return soon. Hopefully he could help here. The next hours went by fine, and when dinner was, those who didn't eat at the island, was in the galley, which included Mika, who still looked tense and somewhat upset, and Trevor tried to say it was fine. But Mika just shook her head to it. But as dinner was nearing its end, Ace came inside the room, a serious look on his face. "Ace-" Trevor didn't get to finish as Ace snapped his fingers at him. "Shut up." Ace then moved over to Mika. "Why is it Hakim? What makes you so sure?" Mika had a serious look as she spoke, sounding to be holding back, whether it was words or movement, the captain didn't know. "His voice. How he rolls his r's and how he speaks his d's with a slight tick at the end. How his eyes are able to stare into your soul. How they quiver when he says the letter o." Ace nodded, seeming to have enough as he looked at Trevor. "Where is he?" Trevor frowned. "What? Is it-" Trevor didn't get to finish as Ace spoke. "There's a difference between saying he looks alike and to be able to explain his quirks like this. It is Hakim. How, we can talk later." Trevor seemed at a loss for words, before he spoke. "He was in town last time I saw him. He was with Haruta." Ace nodded and left.
As Ace was gone, Trevor looked at Mika. "Mika… I'm sorry, for not believing you." Mika shook her head. "It's okay. Or wait, it is not. I wished you had." Trevor nodded and looked to feel bad, which he got. Ace was then gone for some minutes, before he came running into the galley. "He knows we know! He took Haruta. We need to go, now!" Whitebeard felt his eyes widen, and was about to speak when Trevor and Mika got up, but Ace held a hand out to Mika. "Not you!" Miak blinked. "I can hel-!" Ace shook his head. "No! You're too close! You stay here." Ace said with a look and then mouthed something, which confused him. Mika didn't look happy with that, but sat down again with a 'hmph'. Ace then grabbed onto Trevor, who was beside Ace, and the two disappeared before he could speak. Mika then closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before she stood up and headed towards the exit. "I need fresh air." Then Mika was out. Whitebeard didn't know what to do or think right now. Hakim was real and had taken Haruta captive? That wasn't good. This Hakim must really be a bad man, especially if he had Mika like this. He didn't see any of the assassins after that, not even when he headed out, and was told Mika had gone to the island, muttering something. They had tried to stop her, but she didn't listen and headed off the boat. This wasn't good. He did want to go off and check himself, but Claus said Ace had said to stand by until Ace had more info, to not get more people in Hakim's hands, which he got and agreed on. He just hoped things would work out.
-x-
Hartua tried to get out of her binds, but it didn't work. It was tight and she was still in pain, her leg was most likely broken and her body bruised. This man, Travis, was a bad man, maybe even this Hakim Mika spoke of, and if she was honest, she was scared to be killed. She was so scared, no, she was man had already beaten her and was planning to kill her he said, after having his fun he had said, which sounded so bad and she just wanted away. As she was trying to get out, the door opened and she felt more terrified, knowing someone would come, and it might be Hakim. But as the door opened, Mika came tumbling in, being pushed by Hakim, who had a grin. "Two little ladies. This will be fun." Haruta looked at Mika. He had captured her as well? Not good. Mika was then tied to a chair after being hit once,. anmd Haruta felt scared again, what if she needed to watch Mika be tortured? Or even killed? She really didn't want that, she wished this was a nightmare. She just wanted to wake up and everything was fine, she felt she was crying, and she didn care, she just wanted out. Hakim then gave a low chuckle. "I've been wanting to get my hands on you for so long, Mika." Mika lowered her head, and then started shaking, Haruta sure she was crying, but felt shocked when she lifted her head and was laughing. Hakim frowned. "What?!" Mika chuckled. "Oh, I just remembered this fun thing that happened. I pretended to be more insane and then got captured so Dust could follow. Oh wait, that is now." Hakim's eyes went wide and about to speak when the door was kicked down and Ace and Trevor stood there, both pointing their guns at Hakim, who brought his gun out.
Ace shook his head a bit. "Don't do it, Hakim. Let it go." Hakim frowned and gave a growl, before he moved his finger to the trigger and Ace and Trevor shot Hakim, who fell down, hopefully dead. Ace then went over to her and untied her, while Trevor untied Mika. When they were free, Ace went and put a hand on Hakim's neck, humming. "Dead." Mika then stood up and headed over and kicked Hakim's dead body. "Stupid man."Ace looked at Mika. "Feeling better?" Mika nodded. "Yes." Ace then headed over to her. "How are you doing?" Haruta took a shaky breath. "O-okay." Ace nodded. "Any injuries? Aside from the bruises?" Haruta nodded. "My- my leg." Ace nodded and checked her leg, humming. "Broken. Let's get you to Bay." Hartua nodded and Ace moved to lift her up, and she just let it happen, wanting out of here and she couldn't walk.
When they got to Bay, she was put down in a bed and Ace patted her on the shoulder. "You'll be fine." Haruta nodded and Ace left, and Bay came and checked her, before she put a cast on her leg and was handed some pain meds and a pair of crutches. She was then let out of the infirmary, and she headed out on deck, going a bit slow as she had never been on crutches before. But, she was fine. ...But she also didn't quite feel fine. And she didn't know why.
-x-
Whitebeard smiled when Haruta came out on deck, holding onto two crutches as she walked, as her leg was broken. As everyone noticed her, many moved to hug her, glad she was fine. When that calmed down, he looked at his daughter. "How are you, daughter?" Haruta smiled. "Okay. Just a broken leg and some bruises." That was good. Or not good, but it could have been worse. He was glad everyone was fine. Mika wasn't insane and no one got too badly hurt. Haruta did say she needed to use the crutches for maybe a week or so, as it wasn't a bad break, but a break. And after it, things seemed to go back to normal. But after 3 weeks and he was standing outside, Rakuyo, who was on watch, came over to him and gave a sigh. "I am worried about Haruta." Whitebeard frowned. "Why?" Rakuyo shook his head a bit. "She just seems a bit off. She looks tired too." That he had to agree with it Haruta had looked a bit tired and yawning now and then. Maybe he should check on her? As he was about to voice that, Rakuyo spoke again. "I tried to get her to go to Bay, but she insisted she was fine. I really don't think she is. I was thinking, Ace is a good person who can instantly read a person, maybe have him speak to her?" That was a good thought. "I will ask him, son." Rakuyo nodded and seemed happy with that, and he would ask.
When the night moved on, Ace came out, and he looked at Ace. "I am a bit worried about Haruta, after everything. Could you check on her, son? You are a good character reader." Ace hummed. "I can, but honestly, if you want to do an assessment of her, ask Quinn, she is way better than me at that. It is her job to assess people." The captain nodded. "I will." He would. He then stood out with Ace for a bit, and as Ace was about to leave for his room, or maybe Marco's he looked at him. "I can send Quinn to you. She should be awake." That sounded good and he nodded. He then left for his room, where there soon was a knock at his door, when he gave a come in, he saw it was Quinn. "Ace said you wanted to see me?" He nodded. "Yes. Some are worried for Haruta." Quinn nodded. "She did go through a traumatic experience." She had. He looked at Quinn. "Could you check her?" Quinn nodded. "I can. Want me to update you on it? And maybe the doctor too." Whitebeard nodded, "Ask Bay what she wants, but I want an update, if she maybe needs a small break." Quinn nodded. "I will ask to see her tomorrow. Or wait, it is after midnight. Later today." He nodded. "Sounds good." It did, and he hoped things were fine.
When the day came, it was filled with bad weather, and they stayed in the meeting room and talked, when haruta appeared, and something seemed off, and it had Ace frowning. "I was with you when we were kidnapped, when we got taken, and when I got you from Hakim. But I have never seen you as scared as you are right now." Haruta did look scared, she looked terrified, which didn't sit well. He gave a motion and asked everyone to leave, but the assassins, as they had been with her through this, and when they were gone, before he could speak, Haruta did. "I-I- what if I am demoted! What if Quinn says I can't handle this!" Ace hummed. "Which you most likely won't be. Why so scared?" Haruta took a shuddering breath. "What if I am broken now? What if I can't function?" Trevor moved a hand. "Then we make you function again." Haruta blinked. "W-what?" Ace nodded. "Yeah, we will work to get you back on your feet. After my first capture, I was out for like 4 or 5 months." Trevor nodded. "And when you were 17. You were out for around 3 weeks. That's the longest I've seen." Ace nodded. "Yeah, that's true."
Haruta blinked. "What?" Ace looked at Haruta. "This, having Quinn speak with you, wasn't to throw you to the wolves and demote you. It was just to see how you're faring after everything. If you don't function, you take a break until you do. But I don't think even a break is necessary, not a full one at least. You function well, I think, after everything." Haruta moved a hand to her chest. "R-really?" Ace nodded. "Coming from someone who has actually not functioning after something like this, you are doing well." Whitebeard was now glad he asked them to stay, Haruta needed to hear this. When Haruta looked at him, he nodded. "You are doing well, daughter."
Harua nodded and was about to speak when the door opened and Quinn stood there. "Heard you 5 were here, which was perfect for me." Quinn had probably finished her assessment. And Haruta looked scared, but Quinn spoke with a smile. "From what she said, I think she is doing quite well. I would suggest some pills to help you sleep a few nights now and then maybe. Also, ask Ace for pills, his makes them so you don't dream. Aside from that, speak to someone. Whether it is me, Ace, Trevor, Mika, Pops, or someone else, I don't really care. Even Bay is good. Just someone." Haruta moved her hand to her chest. "I was so worried!" Ace nodded. "And I don't get why. You are doing well." Quinn nodded with that, agreeing with that. Haruta sent a look at Ace and Mika. "But you are doing so much better than me!" Ace hummed. "As I said, my first capture, I was out for like 5 months. And other times, out of it for weeks or days. You're not. And, this was your first, or wait, no, second/third actually, and you're doing quite well after it." Trevor nodded. "My first, I was out for 3 weeks." Mika held a hand up. "A month and half." Ace nodded, giving a comforting look to Haruta. "So, you're doing well. And now, you're better prepared. I am not saying it will happen again, but if it does, you know more about what to expect and how to cope. It took us time to get where we are." That was good to hear, and they had certainly been through a lot. And the words probably helped Haruta.
Ace then hummed. "Also, I think this is both the reaction to the first time we were captured and now. You watched someone you care about be tortured, and was scared to see it again. To see Mika be tortured or killed. No wonder you react, everyone would have." Whitebeard nodded, he agreed. Quinn then clapped her hands. "Well, I promised to update Bay as well. And really, Haruta, take some sleeping pills, as you said, you're not sleeping well." Haruta nodded and looked at Ace, who nodded. "I will have the pills by 9pm." Quinn nodded. "Perfect! Now, bye, for now." Quinn then left, and as she did, Ace gave a breath. "I hoped I would be first with Pops between me and Quinn." Trevor snorted. "Yeah right. You knew she would be first!" Ace gave Trevor a look. "Let me imagine I one day will be okay with nicknames." Trevor shrugged. "Honestly, I think you never will. You were so forced to not say nicknames. I am amazed you say Whitebeard and not Newgate." Ace looked at Trevor. "Let me hope." Trevor nodded. "Sure." Whitebeard got that, that Ace was uncomfortable with nicknames. "I don't mind. If it never happens, it never happens." Ace nodded. "True." Ace then clapped his hands. "But we now got off track." Ace looked at Haruta. "You're doing well. Okay?" Haruta nodded. "Okay." Whitebeard gave a supporting look. "No one expects you to be fearless, daughter. Take care of yourself, okay? Speak to someone." Haruta nodded. "Okay, Pops."
Haruta then left for her room, probably relieved that everything was fine. The rest of the day went by fine, and when evening came, Whitebeard stood out on deck, when Quinn joined him, and he looked at the woman. "Is Haruta really fine?" Quinn nodded. "Yes, she is. She is a strong person." Haruta was. They then spoke about this and that, before Trevor came, and he gave a look to Quinn. "Something hit me a few hours ago. You've never said Pops. Did you just do that to mess with Ace?" Quinn gave a chuckle. "Maybe." Trevor shook his head. "He's going to figure it out." Quinn nodded. "I know, but I just couldn't not do it." Whitebeard blinked. "You did it to mess with Ace?" Quinn hummed. "50/50. I do think of you as Pops at times, but not that fan of nicknames either. I knew he wanted to be before me, so I just had to." Whitebeard chuckled. "You're living a dangerous life, Quinn." Quinn gave a snort. "Ace doesn't scare me that much." Trevor nodded. "He scares me." Quinn chuckled. "But you are a scaredy cat." Trevro gave a look. "I am not." Quinn hummed. "I disagree." Trevor shook his head. "Then we disagree." Quinn nodded. "Yup." Whitebeard chuckled, glad everything was fine. He stood out with the two or a bit, before he headed to his room for the night.
As he had been in his room for a bit, maybe half an hour, there was a knock at his door and he gave a come in, a bit surprised to see it was Haruta. "Daughter, how are you?" Haruta gave a sigh and sat down in a chair. "I'm… okay. I am. But… I think I might do need a small… break. I don't want to be demoted! I want to be a commander. But not all the things right now… Does that make sense?" Whitebeard gave a comforting look and moved a finger to Haruta's side. "Never once has it crossed my mind to demote you. Not once. A small break has, as you did go through an ordeal. If you want, Mika or Trevor can take some responsibility. We don't even need to tell anyone about this, besides Trevor or Mika." Haruta gave a breath. "That sounds… good. Maybe Mika?" Whitebeard nodded. "Why don't you speak with her, and you can, together, decide which responsibility she would take and what you feel up to." Haruta nodded and gave a smile. "I would like that." He moved his hands to Haruta's side in a supportive manner. "You've been through a hard thing, take a break. Whether that lasts a week or some months, it is fine. You are a strong person. You really are." Haruta smiled and moved a hand to his finger, seeming glad.
He was sure things would go fine.
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
This was a mix of things and I hope it came together well
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