Aria kept her gaze down, forcing her hands still. The taste of wood was thick, with a jumbled mass of tastes reminding her of the labs with its undercurrent of medicine. She never expected to step foot here, but they had almost no choice.
Around them, pirates of another crew sat or stood, watching them. Some were passed out due to Shanks' haki, but most were watching them.
"And why do you think I would grant this, brat?" The loud voice shook the air, bringing a taste of bitterness with it. A harsh tang of something dark followed.
Aria sensed Shanks' haki threaten to flare out, though he remained still.
"I ask because of the situation we find ourselves in," Shanks responded calmly. His usual cedar taste was masked by the bright, cinnamon Aria had come to recognize as… she wouldn't call it desperation, but something closer to stubbornness. But the respect was clear in his voice; an equal to the man before them.
Aria's eyes darted up for a second to look at the pirate before them, larger than anyone else on either crew. A white mustache like a crescent moon, and wielding a large kind of glaive-like weapon.
Edward Newgate, also known as Whitebeard. A Yonko.
She tried not to freeze as he turned his gaze on her.
"And you? Why do you wish to seek sanctuary in my territories?" Whitebeard asked her.
She looked up, trying to withstand his overwhelming aura. "My son is in danger," she replied, her voice betraying a hint of worry despite her efforts to remain composed. "While the Red Hair territories are protected, the threat has shown to be persistent enough to track us on our islands."
Damn that Kaden…
From the corner of her eye, she saw Shanks give her a reassuring look.
White gazed down at her for a moment, then spoke to Shanks. "Are you so weak that you cannot protect your crewmates?" Clove wafted over, but it was immediately overwhelmed by a bitterness she couldn't name.
The boom of a haki storm sounded out, but it fizzled out quickly as Shanks replied, "It is not a question of weakness. The man has shown no qualms about entering my territories. But we believe he will hesitate to look for them in yours."
The man standing to Whitebeard's right spoke up. "How can one person be such a threat?" His taste was warm, almost sweet, with a bright, unfamiliar hint of fire.
Shanks glanced at Aria quickly before speaking. "Let's just say he has a personal interest in Aria."
Personal was an understatement. She still couldn't understand why he was so determined to bring her back to the labs. Especially to the point that he willingly struck a child with an intent to kill.
"And what are you to this threat, Aria?" the man asked.
Aria hesitated, the metallic taste of her own fear rising.
"Marco, that is not something we can share, unfortunately." Shanks said after a moment. "I am willing to grant any requests you would have of me, however, in return for this favor."
Whitebeard grinned. "I'm sure I can think of something to ask of you, but I do not understand why you think my territories would be any safer?"
A pause, then Aria said, "No one who attacks your territories, or those in them, does so and succeeds." She closed her eyes briefly. "Already in Red Hair territory, I have been attacked by this man several times and recently he injured my son." She fought to keep her voice steady, but was sure she failed at the last word.
Shanks' jaw clenched, but she knew he would forgive her for mentioning this. It was not something done, admitting weakness to another pirate captain, but this time it was justified.
Marco stepped forward, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "How old is he?"
"Enri is barely three," Aria told him.
An undercurrent of alarm could be felt in the next instant, spreading through the Whitebeard Pirates around them. Clover, spice, sourness, all of it swirled around in a jumble of tastes that threatened to knock her down.
Whitebeard growled, the sound almost making the air vibrate. "He would harm such a young child?" The spice of rage and disbelief was terrifying this close to him, even though there was a fair distance still between them. It overpowered almost everything else, even the taste of the sea.
Aria gave a nod and looked down again. "I wouldn't care if it was just me being targeted, but I do not want my son hurt again."
Whitebeard's expression darkened further, his gaze shifting between Aria and Shanks. Shanks stayed calm, his head high but not saying a word. Aria had her fist clenched against her knees, trying to keep her arms from shaking.
There was movement, and Aria was surprised when Marco sprouted blue flames, like wings. He flew up to Whitebeard's shoulder and exchanged a few quiet words with him.
She hadn't known Marco was a devil fruit user, but that explained his nickname of Phoenix. Maybe that's why the taste of fire from him was so different; his flames were mythical.
After a brief exchange, Marco stepped back onto the deck, his expression relaxed. The flames disappeared and he was watching Aria with barely disguised interest.
Whitebeard turned back to Aria, his voice firm yet reassuring. "Very well. You and your son will have sanctuary on one of my islands. Red Hair, you will assist us in a future matter when called upon. This is my condition."
Shanks nodded and stood. "I appreciate this Whitebeard, and I will gladly assist you in the future." Vague, but then again, this was an unusual request.
Marco stepped forward. "If you would like, I can come take a look at him."
Shanks looked at him for a moment. "Our doctor has checked him over, but I don't think he would mind the help." He turned, and Aria fell into step behind him, her mind racing. As they walked back to the Red Force, she couldn't help but glance at Marco, who followed closely, his eyes studying her with a mix of interest and sympathy.
The rest of the Red-Haired pirates shifted around nervously as Marco followed them onto their ship, but the blonde man seemed unbothered. She started as he tapped her arm.
"How was he hurt?" Marco asked.
"He got cut with a sabre," she said.
He cocked his head. "That's not that bad."
Aria grimaced, twisted her braids end in her hand painfully. "He has a scar though, and it scared him more than anything." It had taken him a whole day just to let anyone but her or Benn approach without shaking. Even now, almost a week later, he still wasn't back to his usual self.
Marco gave her a sympathetic look. "I can imagine. It's difficult to raise a kid no matter where you're at, let alone on a pirate ship."
She heard the unspoken question that hung between them; why was such a young child on the ship? She didn't meet his gaze, not wanting to go into that right now.
They were stopped by Benn before reaching the surgery. "Did Whitebeard agree?" His gaze flicked to Marco, obviously wondering why he was there, but he didn't question it.
Aria nodded and he sighed.
Shanks rested his hand on Gryphon, annoyance flashing across his face briefly. "We owe him a favor in the future, but it's a fair deal. Is Enri in the surgery?" When Benn nodded, Shanks led them there but stayed outside.
Before Aria stepped inside, he grabbed her shoulder and gave her a somber look. She knew it costs him some pride to ask for help from Whitebeard like this, but he knew better than anyone on the crew what it was like being raised on a pirate ship.
He hadn't exactly been thrilled when Aria had gotten pregnant, but he never once said she had to leave until Enri had been hurt. Even then, he had merely suggested it, but Aria and Benn had agreed that it was probably the best idea.
Enri was curled up on the table asleep when Aria spotted him. She picked him up carefully, letting the long scar along his arm show. It was still red; the edges puckered. The black line of stitches was dark against his pale skin. He didn't wake, just rested his head on her shoulder comfortably before snoring. A light taste of apples rose from him.
Hongo spoke up from his desk; he must've guessed why Marco was there. "I'm not sure there's anything more to do, aside from watch for infection." It had been difficult to stitch the wound, since Enri was scared, but eventually he got it done.
Marco smiled and lifted a hand coated in blue flames. "I can't promise the scar will go away, but I can heal it as much as I can." The bright taste grew, with a mellow edge to it.
"You'd heal him even though he's on a different Yonko's crew?" Aria couldn't help asking. Not that she doubted him per se, but the Yonko's rarely ever dealt with other.
This situation was unique, but still.
And it had taken some serious thought of if talking to Whitebeard was even a good idea, or worth it. They all knew that asking Kaido was out of the question; he didn't get along with Shanks. Big Mom might've helped, since she seemed to be partial to kids, but she would've asked for something unreasonable.
Shanks had known Whitebeard since he was an apprentice on Roger's crew and occasionally met him in the past to share sake. They knew each other and got along usually.
Marco's gazed rested on Enri. "Rival crew or not, he's just a kid." He flicked his gaze to Aria. "While I can't help every kid I come across, he'll be living on one of our islands. If we're going to protect him, and you, I don't mind helping him now."
Enri woke up as Marco laid his blue flames against the scar, but he didn't scream like Aria half-expected. He just watched Marco curiously, his dark eyes flicking from the flames to Marco's face.
The bright taste grew until it was the only thing around them, the flames seeming to absorb into the skin before fading.
When Marco removed his hand, the line along Enri's arm was much fainter and healed, though Aria knew the scar would stay forever.
"Thank you Marco," she said as Enri examined his arm. He touched it curiously and looked confused, but Aria wasn't surprised. He had seen Aria and Benn get hurt, but they had never been healed that fast, or like this.
Marco grinned. "I'm just glad he wasn't afraid. Most kids would've been."
"But he's grown up on a pirate ship so far," Benn commented. "He's tougher than most kids would be."
Aria knew he meant it, but she also knew he was a little biased towards his own son.
Marco turned around as Shanks came in. "I'm guessing you want to know which island to take them to?"
Shanks set the map on the table. "Just tell us which one and we'll head there immediately." The cedar taste grew briefly, edged with anise; Aria knew that the further the island, the more likely Kaden might appear before they got there.
Marco studied the map for several minutes, then tapped a small one just beyond Dressrosa. "Ceto Isle. It's small, not many people visit there. But it's a nice little island we stop at occasionally to relax, so whoever's chasing you will think twice about looking there if they suspect you're in a rival Yonko's territory."
Aria leaned against Benn unconsciously. His arm rested around her waist. There was a tart taste emitting from him, though the warmth over it almost hid it.
Marco looked at them. "Would whoever is chasing you be a threat to anyone else?"
"Not on purpose," she said immediately. "He just wants me, but he won't hesitate to hurt anyone in the way." He had proved that many times.
Marco watched Enri reach for Benn. "Will it just be you and Enri?"
"Yes," Aria said, shooting Benn a pained look. "I'm more concerned about his safety."
Marco paused for a second. "I hope you understand it may not be possible for the Red Hair Pirates to visit," he warned softly. "Are you sure you want to separate him from his father so easily?"
Aria froze, watching Marco in surprise.
He leaned back, hands in his pockets. "I guessed he's the father from how Enri's acting."
Aria glanced sideways to see Enri snuggled against Benn's chest and already half asleep.
Marco continued, "While we already agreed, I just want to make sure you both understand that."
Aria met his sympathetic gaze. "We already talked over that possibility before we contacted Whitebeard." It hurt. It hurt every time they thought about it. But they both knew that sometimes you had to make sacrifices. In this case, being apart. Potentially for good.
Marco nodded once, then turned to Shanks. "We'll send a message when we need that favor."
Shanks left with him, and Aria and Benn took Enri down to their cabin.
Once alone, Benn wrapped his arms around them both. "I hate this."
Aria pressed herself into Benn's side tightly, reaching one arm around him. "I do too."
They sat like that until Enri woke and climbed down, only to curl up on the bed. While he was happy in his parents' arms, he usually preferred the bed anymore; sometimes theirs, but Aria recalled him once disappearing, only for Shanks to let them know he had made his way into his bed somehow.
Enri knew Benn was his father, but Aria knew he and Shanks were close as well. Another pang of regret, but also another thing that couldn't be helped.
Aria covered him, her fingers brushing along the scar. "I can't believe I let Kaden get that close."
"It wasn't your fault," Benn said. "I should've been quicker."
"And if you had, you probably would've lost your arm," Aria retorted softly. She laid her hand on the scar on Benn's arm; a similar but smaller version of Enri's. "I can get a Den Den so we can keep in contact though. It won't be the same as visiting, but we can at least hear your voice."
Benn smiled a little, but it faded quickly. "I wish we could take Kaden out, then you wouldn't have to go."
Aria shifted as Enri stretched out. "I know. I don't understand how he's survived my attacks." She sighed. "But it doesn't matter. I'll keep Enri safe."
Benn suddenly kissed her hard, his hands rough on her arms. When he pulled away, the pain in his eyes was palpable. "And yourself. I can't lose either of you, understand?"
Aria nodded, her eyes watering. "I promise."
Benn gave her a long, pained look, then left.
Aria knew he didn't want to, but needed to talk to Shanks about what they would do after they left her on Ceto Isle. Getting there, stops to make; he would help with all of that before they talked to Snake about their course. His first mate duties kept him busy, but Aria knew he would be back as soon as he was done.
Laying down with Enri, Aria used her observation to watch Benn join Shanks in his cabin. The rest of the crew, all their signatures tense from being near a rival crew, were moving around purposely, but Whitebeard's crew was already in the distance and soon disappeared from her range. She pulled her haki back with a sigh.
Watching Enri, Aria rubbed her nose as her eyes burned from unshed tears. She didn't know if this would work. It was all a guess. An educated guess, based on Kaden's attacks over the previous years, but a guess nonetheless.
She thought about how her life would be once she left the crew, but drew nothing but blanks. She had skills she could use; hunting, cartography, clothier, cook. She'd helped with a good amount of the work around the ship, so making money wouldn't be an issue.
But she would be alone. She hadn't been alone since her time in prison, almost eight years now. And before prison, which had been five years, the five or so years before that, she had been with the crew. Three years aboard a slaver, and fourteen in the labs.
She could hardly recall what being alone was like, let alone when it wasn't something forced on her.
But this time was different, she told herself. You have your son, might be able to call Benn, and you will be free.
Enri rolled closer and she smoothed down the black hair sticking up in places. With black hair and dark grey eyes, he looked just like Benn. The scar along his arm seemed to scream out at her, however, and she sighed.
She and her son would be safe, in the territory of someone that even the marines hesitated to aim at, and on an island that held nothing of immediate interest. Laying down, she wrapped an arm around Enri and closed her eyes.