"Captain Roger! Your life comes first right?! Just this once we should just listen to what the Gold Lion says!
"Urgh Buggy it's too early for your cowardly cries right now." Aloofly, the girl grumbles glaring at the sobbing wreck of the blue-haired clown crying his heart out as the girl brushes her pink braid to the side, smirking slightly amused almost at the crying clown.
"How can you say that Ann? Your old man's going to die out there!" Mad, Buggy glares glowers at the bored blondish pink-haired wearing a snow-white shirt with pink leggings and brown boots, her sword sheathed to the side.
"Please as if, my father's too stubborn to die losing." Scoffing, she shakes her head at the fool amused almost at his delusions.
"B-But…!" Buggy tries to argue but…
"Hey your body won't let you die no matter how many times they cut you so why do you care?" Casually, Shanks adds as he adjusts his straw hat.
"I swear you're the most cowardly devil fruit user ever." The young Ann sighs shrugging her shoulders aloofly at him as the armada of ships surrounds the lone ship.
"I still have weaknesses you dumbasses!" Angrily, Buggy yells at the two.
"Clearly." Curtly, the young Ann huffs as Shanks smirks, snickering her by her side.
"Oh yeah Crocus-san how is the captain's condition? He'd be better off not fighting right? Please medically relieve him." Buggy rushes over to the doctor checking his harpoons.
"You think my old man will just sit on the side-lines during a fight? Please Buggy I get you're delusional but this is another level of stupidity." Sighing, she shakes her head at him.
"Unfortunately for you he's in perfect shape." Crocus reports, taking out one of his harpoons for the fight ahead.
"Rayleigh san!" Sobbing said clown rushes over to the blonde's side.
"Just give it up we've been together a long time and we've never been able to stop Roger." One of the crew members grab Buggy by his collar.
"No way!" Buggy refuses desperate.
"Have faith in Tom's ship, the Oro Jackson! Roger doesn't have much time left." Rayleigh reassures the crying child, his tone softening slightly staring at Ann who grimaces glancing to the side sadly, her grip tightening around her blade while Shanks sends her a worried look.
"How many times have we had this discussion Roger? A lot of things have happened between us but let's put the past behind us! We'll use that apoplectic weapon of yours and my military might! And then with the perfect plan I've sent so many years developing, we can conquer the entire world at once! Become my right-hand man, Roger!" The Gold Lion demands from Roger.
"I have no interest in conquering anything Shiki! If you can't do as you please there's no point in being a pirate is there!? No matter how you try to pressure me, Gold Lion! I refuse your offer!" Roger roars.
"Don't captain! Don't you realise how many ships we're up against?!" Anxiously, Buggy begs beseeches the future king of the pirates pleading for him to stop, the tears freely falling from his eyes.
"Move." Raleigh sets Buggy aside as Roger simply smirks grinning from ear to ear.
"In other words, your answer is please kill me right here and now! Isn't it?!" Incensed, Shiki sneers scowling at the future pirate king.
"No it's I'm gonna crush every last one of you!" Roger roars as by his side stands his smirking crew ready for the fight ahead…
"Urgh…" Ann furrows her brow by her aching head opening her eyes widening when seeing nothing but the darkness of the water, bubbles burst out of her lungs astonished as she swiftly swims upwards, taking a huge inhale of water after spitting some seawater out, coughing, composing herself. Where the hell was she!? Scowling, she looks around as she sees no marines in sight making her curse until noting the thrashing from the distance perplexing her.
Ann approaches said splashing, her eyes widening when noting something seemingly be dragged down noting the shy silverish flicker of hair before she too dives down, her eyes widening when noting the scarlet smears in the water. Alarmed, Ann looks down her eyes widening when noting the drowning figure of Smoker, his foot being caught in the jaws of a snarling sea creature.
"Shit!" Ann internally curses swimming down towards Smoker seeing him being thrashed from side to sight, crimson continuously being absorbed into the sea as he helplessly flails from side to side, a heavy eye of blue crossing his fatigued facial features from the water.
"Just hold on Smoker!" Scowling, Ann reaches the drowning soldier as the angry sea creature lunges at her however as it does so as its eyes of raw red meet her ice-cold brown, a sudden wave of some sort hits the beast stopping its track, opening its jaw seemingly going limp fleeing frightened as Ann then grabs the sinking Smoker, swimming upwards towards land where she swiftly slams her arm down upon the icy ground below, ignoring the searing sensation of her aching muscle, her chatting tense teeth, the heavy weight of Smoker which she just flops down upon the island ground…
Ann groans grimacing at the sludgy snowy below seeing the once snow-white floor below be swiftly stained scarlet by the bloodied broken leg of Smoker. She ignores her body shaking quivering quaking from the crisp crunch of it. She looks over at Smoker, she had to cover the wound, he couldn't bleed out. She crouched down to the sad state of Smoker, removing her coat she wraps it around his bleeding leg, ignoring the crisp child off the mountain as she tightens the fabric around the leg.
"Wha…what happened? Ann furrows her brow by Smoker's hoarse whisper befuddled by the environment she soon find herself in. Shakily, she stands brushing the snowy sheets off her, brow furrowing from the winter wonderland of sorts she finds herself upon, where was she…? Ann furrows her brow by the thought, trying to come up with an answer as she ponders they were heading to Alabasta perhaps this was…Drum island? Ann looks up at the sky brow furrowing from it. Yeah the tall towers of mountains certainly reminded her of it…
"Drum island…I think." Ann's eyes narrowed at the familiar setting soon taking note of his heated furrowed features alarming her, he was already susceptible with the water thanks to his fruit for the creature to attack as well with the chilly air…this was not looking good for him.
"Shit…don't tell me…" Ann curses cross as she reaches out gently placing the back of her hand to Smoker's temple reeling back by the searing sensation, confirming her thoughts, the water, and his clothes hadn't helped the situation, especially considering the temperature of the place…she had to get him help or else it would get worse…she had to be here, that witch had to be…
"Smoker can you hear me? Smoker it's me Ann. You're going to be okay, just hold on to me alright?" Ann attempts to try to talk some sense into Smoker scowling at his still silence as she tries to pick him up but…
"Like hell…! I-I'm fine!" Smoker grunts glaring at Ann attempting to help him up only leading him to cry out falling flat to his knee.
"Your leg doesn't look fine." Frowning, she remarks eyeing the broken bone.
"I said I'm fine dammit…the others take priority!" Stubbornly, Smoker snaps.
"I'll find them once you're treated." Sternly, she picks him up bridal style.
"No!" He refuses stubbornly making Ann's eye twitch tiredly.
"Cute you think you have a say." Smirking, Ann easily overpowers him, using her sword as a base of sorts, a seat to help hold him up.
"I'm not leaving them behind…" Smoker's grip tightens around her.
"You'd be more of a burden if I took you with me to find them." Truthfully, she tells him how it is making him curse.
"Dammit…" Pained, Smoker seethes scowling at the fact.
"Look I know a guy. Just hold on." Softly, she promises.
"I-I'm fine I can get up m-argh!" Stubbornly, Smoker still tries to argue as done, Ann drops him watching him fall flat on his behind crying out.
"You were saying?" Sighing, she stares down at the mess below.
"P-Piss off!" Smoker scowls up at her.
"Just let me help you. I won't tell a soul to save that pride of yours." Sighing, she promises offering her back to him.
"Shut up!" Scowling, Smoker grumbles but manages to crawl up her back.
"Look if I don't help you Hina will kill me so think of it like that." Tiredly, she hoists him up the two beginning their climb…
"…D-Damn…it…eh? Shit look out…!" Smoker grunts glaring at the tall towering bear coming down.
"…Hm oh that's just a mountain bear." Smiling, Ann assures as she turns to the bear turning to them.
"Mountain…bear?" Befuddled, Smoker scowls at the huge beast brushing by them.
"Just nod and it'll be fine." Smiling, she nods at the bear.
"…" Politely, the bear nods back before leaving.
"See?" Smirking, she looks up at the stunned Smoker gawking at the bear before furrowing his brow as he swore for a brief moment he felt the brisk breeze brush against him.
"And what about those?" Tiredly, Smoker scowls at the bunny-like creatures, a whole horde, pack of them before them eyeing the two up and down.
"Hm…? Ah those might be a bit of a problem…" Ann admits as she sighs at the group of beasts before them. The white blurry balls of bunnies lunge at the girl easily predicting their movements, moving the sick Smoker out of the way of the bunnies claws, not even batting an eye to the tree freely falling from the rabbit's bite as Smoker fades in and out of consciousness leaving the rest up to Ann.
The fierce flame flickers before the soaked state of the marines as the marine ship stands nearby, the soaked state of some being tended to by blankets and those that were speared from the storm's rage.
"Kuzan san is the best!" One of the marines gushes giddily turning to the man with a dark blue bandanna with a white Marine symbol on it, as well as a pair of black round sunglasses, as well as an indigo coat with the Marine emblem on the left chest and the back, a sleeping mask in his pocket.
"To think he'd save us from the storm like that with his ice!" In awe, a female marines gushes giddily, smiling at the platform of ice the once ice man had made before the crash, crumbling before the scared group of marines before remerging, as if it were nothing.
"He really is amazing!" Amazed another marine adds.
"Along with the civilians!" Cheerily, another voice throws in as frowning, a hair with a Chelsea mohawk angrily approaches Kuzan.
"Sir we've done roll call sir our first aid kits were taken by the sea but we have everyone except for Ann san and Smoker san." Scowling, she states to the not at all fazed marine.
"Right…" Said marine arises from his seat of snow as he does so however he takes note of the sudden wave of power emanating from who knows where.
"O-Oi!" He hears his panicked men as many fall flat to the ground far gone from the world alarming a fair few.
"Whoa…W-What was that?" Taken aback, one of the men gawk gape.
"That felt like…" The girl with the mohawk begins brow furrowed, her eyes narrowing at the same direction Kuzan looks towards…
"So that's where you are." Kuzan turns towards said source bored almost as he begins heading towards the direction of said blast.
"K-Kuzan san?" Alarmed, a fair few stand up joining him on the search party.
"Someone has to drag those idiots back here you guys get back to the village, be careful of the wildlife." Lazily, he waves off those concerned as those that remain stay to ted to those unconscious while a fair few follow after the soldier hopeful to find the two other marines.
"Y-Yes sir t-thank you again!" Amazed, one of the girl marines gushes giddily swooning smiling as the search party and Kuzan go to get them back…
"T-That was…" Smoker says shocked sensing said shockwave while gawking gaping at the unconscious bunnies, the bigger bunnies long gone as Ann simply stares ahead as she continues marching through the snow, ignoring the blue tint to her legs and arms as she continues on.
"Hm?" Humming, she glances over at the stunned smoker.
"Conqueror's haki…" Smoker recognises.
"Wow well done captain obvious." Dryly, Ann huffs, attempting to hide her chatting teeth.
"You…you have that?" Taken aback, Smoker stares at her.
"No the man eating bunnies just fell flat on their face." Frowning, Ann grumbles.
2You…" Smoker scowls at him however before he could come up with an argument.
2Just sleep." Sighing, she cuts him off, too tired to argue as she tries to steady her shaking arms….
2Where…where do you even plan on taking me?" Mystifed, Smoker furrows his brow at her.
2Up there." She looks up at the tall, towering hill of sorts.
2There!? How do you expect to get up there!?" Tense, Smoker snaps at her.
2…I have my ways." Smirking, she answers as she looks up at the house upon the tall towering trunk of snow of sorts.
2Dammit if I could just use my…" Smoker scowls his grip tightening around her shoulders making her wince briefly by it.
2I wouldn't recommend it." Strained, she tries to warn him.
2It'd get us up there!" Tense, Smoker scowls struggling to do so.
2And it could put you in a poorer state of health." Honestly, Ann argues.
2Why can't we find the other marines? Or the townsfolk…?" Smoker scowls.
2Bit late to be saying that don't you think?" Tiredly, Ann arches a brow at him.
2Just listen to me…!" Mad, Smoker yells but…
2And I am. The issue we have is this, we're already pretty far up, second of I doubt the marines, nor the civilians have the necessary treatments for how severe of a situation you're in. I'm surprised you even have the energy to talk to me and finally the witch is someone I know can help you." Sighing, she tells Smoker adjusting him on her back.
2Witch?" Smoker furrows his brow by the title.
2You'll see…the sooner we get there the better so go back to sleep save your energy and all that shit." Scowling, she makes her way towards the tall, towering mountain of sorts.
2…Fine." Frowning, he grumbles bowing his head hitting her back.
2Right now then just hold on tight okay?" Ann advises.
2What ar-" Smoker furrows his brow by her words but before he could finish said sentence…
2OI OLD HAG!" Loudly, she screams shouting up at the mountain mortifying mystifying Smoker.
2The hell are you doing!? You idiot you'll cause an avalanche!" Alarmed, Smoker berates Ann but falters from her smug smirk.
2Exactly." She smirks at the scared Smoker.
2E-EH!? The hell are-!?" Angrily, Smoker begins but before he could try to escape…
2Like I said just hold on tight." Tauntingly, Ann's grip tightens on the scared Smoker.
2WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Screaming, Smoker shouts seeing said snow come crashing down at the two.
2Alley oop." Ann simply says surprising Smoker when with one twitch of her eye next he knew…
2AVALANCHE!" Alarmed, a marine cries out from the search party, Kuzan leads.
Kuzan slams his foot down, creating a wall of ice sending the marines from said strike of snow.
2Kuzan san really is amazing!" In awe the group gush over the man simply staring ahead as then…
2Eh wait is someone…" Stunned, one of the marines take note of the tall towering trunk ahead.
2Charging at the avalanche!?" Alarmed, another finishes his sentence shocking everyone at the sheer sight of the familiar pink haired girl rushing towards the avalanche as the weight on her back screams screeches shouts at the grinning giddily girl, simply charging ahead.
2It looks like…someone's climbing the avalanche!?" Alarmed, another adds astonished as they see said blonde blur use the heavy fragments of snow snowballing together to move from right to left similar to wall climbing or at the least wall jumping taking everyone aback at the sheer sight.
2Whose stupid enough to do that!?" Taken aback, another one of the marines gawk, a girl seeing them do so.
2Do they want to die!?" Another adds demands taken aback at the figure leaping up from side to side.
2Wait is that…Smoker-san!?" Surprised, one of the marines recognises.
2Whose carrying him!?" Another demands.
2Ann-san!?" Surprised, the marines gawk gape as she reaches for the top when…
2SHE MISSED!?" The marines chorus taken aback at the sheer sight of the falling figure.
2Shit…!" Ann suddenly throws Smoker above as she unseats her blade.
2She…she threw Smoker like he were a sack of potatoes!" Panicked, one of the marines gasps at the sight of Smoker being thrown to the top.
2Ann-sama! She's going to fall!" Worriedly, a marine cries only then to falter gawking and gaping when…
2Huh?" The marines blurt out astonished, gawking gaping when seeing said pink-haired blonde blur suddenly slams her blade into the icy wall of the mountain, it goes down a bit sliding creating a small slash mark in the mountain but it soon stops as the blonde ball dangles down before spinning, swinging herself to sit upon said sword smirking crouched down.
2Stupid heels…Oi old hag you got Smoker?!" Scowling, Ann hollers calling out as the door to the house slams open to an old woman smirking smugly down at the familiar voice.
2You're as uncouth as ever…" Despite her exceptionally advanced age and apart from her well-wrinkled face, Kureha is a slender woman in her prime. Dr. Kureha dresses in a style more suited to women one-seventh her age. This includes a navel ring, a shirt that bares her midriff, a purple blazer and purple low-riding pants.
"Just help him!" Scowling, she orders as she begins climbing up and making it to the top.
"Such an attitude heh." Haughty, she smirks adjusting her small sunglasses before taking Smoker in.
"She…she isn't human! She's a monster just like her grandpa!" A marine cries terrified as Ann finally makes it to the top, staggering and limping inside unaware of the small smirk from Kuzan.
"You guys go back it'll only get dangerous from here on." Kuzan orders as he continues on ahead…
Quietly, the fierce flicker of flames feast upon the wood in the fireplace, dancing performing almost for the tired Ann leaning against the stone mantle of the fireplace, placing her icy blue hands upon it, stretching, flexing trying to get the blood moving or at the least trying to feel something as Smoker is tended to…she swears briefly she saw a tiny figure of shadow but brushes it aside firmly focusing on the flames before her.
"You should be in bed." Bluntly, Kureha furrows her brow as she leans against the doorway eyeing the blondish pink haired girl near the fierce flames, hands stretch out trying to find some semblance of feeling.
"I'm fine." Firmly, she assures the witch only to release a small sneeze.
"Idiot!" Kureha karate chops Ann's head.
"The hell old hag!?" Ann glares at Kureha.
"Who are you calling old hag bray!? You had frostbite you are not alright!" Assertively, Kureha berates Ann.
"How's Smoker?" Ann asks Kureha.
"Your friend's resting." Kureha tells her.
"…Good." Relieved, Ann smiles softly, leaning back against the mantle of the fireplace, hearing the crisp crackle of fierce flames.
"You really are your father's daughter throwing yourself at harm's way for a friend… do you want to die young!?" Kureha sighs softly, staring down at the girl below before bonking her head again.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Ann cries out holding her head a bump forming upon her furrowed features.
"Still you've grown into quite the beauty no doubt your mother's side. I doubt that ugly mug of your old man helped in that department!" Dubiously, the witch cackles coyly, hand on her hip downing the wine bottle in her hand.
"I see you haven't changed a bit…by the way you need to keep quiet about me and you know who." Sternly, Ann tells Kureha.
"Because of the marine next door?" Kureha gestures with the bottle.
"That obvious?" Ann sighs softly sadly.
"The coat gave it away." Kureha simply shrugs.
"Yeeeah…" Ann trails off brow furrowed.
"What the heck is someone like you working with them?" Kureha demands flabbergasted.
"It was the old man's order." Ann asserts anguished, bowing her head.
"For you to work with the marines?" Kureha's eyes narrow.
"Well no just listen to Garp, trust him keep a low profile have a happy normal life that sorta stuff." Scowling, Ann recites brow furrowed from the murky memory of it all.
"So you work for the marines because…" Kureha trails off probing for more when…
"Because sometimes it's best to keep your friends close but it's better to keep your enemies even closer." Ann recites resolved.
"Oh I get it pretty sneaky." Smirking, Kureha remarks.
"Thanks so could you…?" Hopeful, Ann asks as she hints at it.
"Alright." Kureha nods her head getting the hint.
"Thanks." Ann sighs softly thankful for her aid as Kureha leaves her patient to recover.
Quietly, Ann calmly continues staring at the fierce flickering flames feasting upon the wooden blocks below, trying to keep warm despite the icy chilly air as she wraps her arms around herself.
"Oh ho seems we have a guest…" Kureha giggles gleefully, a familiar wicked witch like laugh alarming Ann.
"Hm?" Humming, Ann furrows her brow by the wicked witch like laugh as she nuzzles into the mantle side, hearing the soft sound of footsteps before her eyes wide when feeling a familiar black coat draping over her shoulder surprising her making her turn to look up.
"Oh ho quit napping have we?" Amused, Ann smirks slightly up at the black lenses of Kuzan.
"Causing chaos are we?" Kuzan joins her side, sitting down by her side.
"…I don't have to answer that." Tiredly, Ann grumbles lightly, her grip tightening around the coat draped over her.
"No but you certainly showed it. I assume Smoker's fine." Kuzan remarks, simply staring at the flickering flames taking shy glances towards the woman by his side, a part of him unable to not take note of the huge jacket draped over her rather tiny form.
"Oi old hag get off…!" The two perk up at Smoker's sharp shout.
"Old hag!?" Kureha snarls.
"Oh boy…" Ann mutters making Kuzan raise a brow by her words when…
"Argh!" Smoker's screech echoes throughout the hallways of the castle confusing concerning Kuzan even however he notes Ann begins eerily calm not eve batting an eye to the wicked witch of a laugh…
"You should watch your mouth!" She snarls as the sharp slam of cutlery of metal ringing echoes.
"Does that answer your question?" Ann asks Kuzan turning to her as the two go over to check on the room seeing the wicked witch's blade teasingly touching the neck of the scowling Smoker pinning him to the bed below.
"I'm still in my sparkling too young too young 130s you know." Kureha huffs hands on her hips glaring glowering down at the scowling Smoker.
"Isn't he your patient?" Kuzan points out.
"A patient with no manners." Mad, Kureha slams said knife down upon the mattress below nearly nicking Smoker's cheek.
"Now you understand why she's called witch." Ann crosses her arms over her chest, bringing the coat closer to herself.
"You should be resting too!" Kureha points at Ann agitated.
"I told ya I'm fine." Frowning, she dismisses the old witch.
"You had frostbite you either get back to that fire or I'll throw you in a boiling tub of water that will boil your skin off!" Kureha scolds scowls at Ann.
"…See talk like that will get your doctor licence off you." Ann remarks.
"I'd like to see them try hehehehe! Now go!" Kureha heckles hands on hips.
"URGHHH…" Ann groans, leaning into the side of the doorway, frowning from the sudden sickly sensation in her throat, using the back of her hand to stop said geyser of vomit from crawling up.
"Ann…" Smoker calls out astonishing Ann.
"Hm?" Humming, Ann turns to the scowling Smoker.
"…Why did you do this?" Tense, Smoker scowls at Ann.
"Hm?" Astonished, Ann quirks her head to the side.
"Why…why do all this for me!?" Mystifed, Smoker demands from Ann.
"Oh that's easy we're friends." Firmly, Ann argues unaware of the stunned Smoker nor Kureha's slightly smirk.
"…You did all that cause we're friends?" Flabbergasted, Smoker scowls at Ann's answer.
"Well yeah." Ann answers brow furrowed not quite sure what to make of his response, why did he seem so surprised?
"That's the stupidest thing I think ever heard." Smoker scowls turning his back to the taken aback Ann.
"You think so?" Shyly, she quirks her head to the side, unaware of Kuzan's soft smile bowing his head, shaking his head at her.
"You…" Seething, Smoker begins but…
"Hm?" Humming, Ann quirks her head to the side.
"Idiot! Forget it!" Smoker snaps scowling.
"Already have Smokey." Smirking, Ann assures the scowling Smoker.
"It's Smoker!" Shouting, Smoker screams at the grinning girl.
"Enough with the chitchat and get back to bed!" Kureha roars raising her foot firmly slamming Smoker back into the bed before slamming her heel into the astonished Ann as she dodges said strike, her eyes widening when next she knew, someone had caught her holding her bridal style. Stunned, she looks up at Kuzan simply staring down at the flustered mess of Ann.
"Uh…" Unsure, Ann trails off looking up at the unfazed Kuzan easily holding her up.
"Well, well, well. Look who's running back into my arms. I told you that I'm irresistible, didn't I?" Kuzan smirks smugly down at the crimson cheeked of Ann amused at her reaction.
"EXCUSE YOU!?" Angrily, Ann glares glowers at the tall towering man above.
"You heard me." Kuzan exclaims.
"I never ran into your arms in the first-place ice hole!" Ann glares up at him.
"Cute." He couldn't help but blurt out.
"Cute I'm not cute!" Cross, Ann snaps.
"Would adorable be more befitting?" Bemused, Kuzan proposes.
"S-Shut up!" Ann's fingertips fidget tightens around the neck of Kuzan holding her up.
"Calm down princess." Playfully, Kuzan tells her.
"I'm not a princess!" Blushing, Ann yells at him.
"Of course my queen." Smirking, Kuzan corrects himself horrifying Ann.
"S-S-Shut up! Now put me down!" Flailing, Ann argues as she tries to escape his hold however…
"I'm not putting you down." Stubbornly, Kuzan refuses.
"I said put me down!" Agitated, Ann snaps scowling.
"You're enjoying it I know you are." Kuzan smirks down at the blushing girl.
"I will end you…!" Ann warns him.
"I'm sure just as I'm sure you're enjoying this." Teasingly, Kuzan tells her.
"I will kick your freaking ass." Ann growls glaring up at Kuzan.
"Oi lovebirds enough with the bickering!" Smoker scowls glaring at the two.
"We ain't lovebirds asshole!" Angry, Ann roars raising her voice at the two.
"…" Silently, Kuzan remains standing easily holding up the pink blonde haired woman.
"You two can go at it later after I say when your body is ready for that." Teasingly, the wicked witch winks at the two downing her bottle bemused by the alarmed Ann and unapologetically stoic statue that is Kuzan.
"I told you I was fine besides we're meant to be going soon!" Astonished, Ann blurts out taken aback at it all as she does a double take, her heated flustered features practically pouring smoke out as she goes limp in his arms, swirls spinning in her eyes.
"That's not happening." Kureha asserts.
"What do you mean it's not happening!?" Smoker scowls from his bed brow furrowed fuming.
"Your friend broke his leg he needs to stay here for a week at least and you need three days." Kureha reports to the two.
"We can transport them back to marine HQ." Kuzan asserts.
"Yeah we can do that!" Ann agrees.
"If you could give us a den den mushi." Kuzan begins but…
"We don't have one." Kureha deadpans.
"What do you mean you don't have one?!" Ann angrily glares.
"We'll stay." Sighing, Kuzan exclaims.
"Eh? Kuzan you can't just decide that we have a mission remember?" Ann reminds him panic perturbed even.
"Our comrade is injured I'll go back down to report in to marine HQ." Kuzan tells them.
"Kuzan…" Ann furrows her brow at him concern clear in her tone guilt gnawing away a bit at her.
"It's fine just rest." He tells her softly setting her down as she ignores the brief pang of disappointment as she watches him go off, going to report in while she soon is dragged into a bed to rest…
"So…it'll kill me…"
Merrily, the laughter echoes throughout the tree trunk hallway where a young girl leans against the wooden wall her head down, brow furrowed from the woman's words, feeling her heart drop, her hands clutching clinging to the feeble fabric of her shit sobbing slightly silently seeing the teardrops freely fall splash against her clenched fidgeting fist from the sad reality of the situation.
"You don't seem surprised…" The younger Kureha remarks, one leg over the other glancing to the side towards the lone child storming off, her fine hairs of pink perking the interest of the younger Kureha.
"I'm not." Resolved, Roger smiles despite the grim grave news bestowed upon him.
"You're not? There's nothing I can do for you…" Scowling, she reaches for the bottle coiling her fingertips around the neck of the bottle downing it.
"Could you at least tell me this?" Hopeful, he asks leaning forward towards her.
"Hm?" She stops said slurping to turn to the man towering over the ma bowing his head.
"Is it genetic?" The king of pirates bows his head as Kureha notes his hands slammed firmly upon his knees, noting his shaking quivering quaking hands….
"No…she's safe." Softly, Kureha promises, her tone softening slightly.
"Ah…I'm glad." Relieved, Roger raises his head happily beaming brightly despite his own situation as the girl's tears freely fall fleeing from the two…
Quietly, Kuzan enters the room brow furrowed holding the side of his head huffing, exhaustion etched into his furrowed fatigued facial features, approaching the bedridden blonde curling in on herself, in a world of her own. Kuzan looks down at the girl below, gently reaching out, brushing a stray strand of pink to the side, a shy soft smile crossing his lips when seeing her almost lean into his tentative touch, in a world of his own almost oblivious to the soft slurping figure of Kureha downing another bottle simply staring at the two….
"Guessing you got quite the telling off from your boss' eh?" Kureha smirks slightly seeing said male in a world of his own quietly turn to her, his hidden lenses of black hiding his furrowed features only making her smirk smugly seeing the disappointment at being interrupted as clear as day for the stoic man.
"…It's fine." Formally, Kuzan answers as he looks back at the bedridden blonde gently placing the back of hand against her tense temple, leaning into his ice cold hand touch taking note of her heated facial features.
"I'm sure…still that girl she's as reckless as ever." Kureha sighs softly sitting herself down, one leg over the other as Kuzan quietly applies a light coat of ice upon his hand using it to fight back against his heated temple, smiling softly seeing her lean into it, nuzzle into his hand.
"…How do you know her?" Kuzan queries, gently combing his fingertips through her hair as she seemingly nuzzles into his side as he takes a seat on the side of her bed.
"I've known the brat since she was a little kid last I saw her she was clinging to her father's leg like some scared pup." Kureha smirks slightly recalling the sniffling shaking state of the pink haired girl clinging to the trouser leg of the giddily grinning pirate king.
"Her father?" Frowning, Kuzan perks up at the mention.
"Aye, he was strong, sadly he wasn't strong enough against the illness he was fighting." Frowning, Kureha looks down at the ground below, brow furrowed.
"Illness?" Kuzan furrows his brow by it.
"Aye…he was quite in the state, it was obvious he was trying to hide it from her though it was pointless in the end." Kureha sighs softly recalling the strained smiles, the giddy gris he would give his little girl patting her head as if she didn't know…
"What do you mean?" Kuzan probes.
"He knew she was watching him, when the girl came in here, she read every book I had trying to find some sort of answer for his illness, a cure she hadn't though I'd considered the cheeky little devil or maybe to help soothe him who knows…" Kureha adds as she recalls the quiet child searching through book after book, trying to find some semblance of an answer…
"…What happened?" Kuzan asks.
"What do you think? He died…the man knew he was dying the only reason he came to me was to ask if it was genetic." Kureha leans over brow furrowed.
"And was it?" Kuzan looks back down at the bedridden blonde below, his grip tightening slightly around her.
"No…he was willing to offer me so much to help ease the pain or at the least help her combat it…the two of them really are similar always worrying about others more than themselves." Kureha recalls the man desperate on his knees, the king of pirates begging beseeching the old woman to clear his worries towards his child…
"…" Kuzan's fingertips continue brushing through her stray strands of blondish pink.
"The brat was begging me, on her knees clinging to my life to save him sobbing her heart out the poor brat fell asleep from pure exhaustion…" Kureha sighs sadly brow furrowing from the murky memory of her yelling running at the crying child her books scattered about the place as she thrashed forced herself from the witch's hold having to find some sort of solution to the sad truth of the matter.
"…" Kuzan furrows his brow by the thought.
"To have to watch her father die, slowly like that…must have been hard for her. No doubt seeing what happened to her father made her be protective over her friends even at the risk of her own safety…" Kureha reasons looking over at the bedridden blonde.
"…Why are you telling me this?" Kuzan scowls at the witch downing the bottle before slamming it down on the desk.
"…So you can understand." Kureha answers as she bows her head staring at the empty bottle before her.
"Understand?" Kuzan furrows his brow.
"Understand the person she is, so you won't be mad at her for doing what she did." Kureha furrows her brow at the man before her, a part of her tempted to say more but…she made a promise.
"Mad? Who says I'm mad?" Kuzan scoffs.
"The ice would." Kureha gestures to the floor below towards the pathway from the hallway leading to the bedridden blonde leading to the frosted foot of Kuzan.
"…Tch." Kuzan clicks his tongue tense staring down to the ice spreading out over the floor going quiet from the witch's point…
*So what did you think of Kuzan in this chapter? Of Ann and Smoker? Heck of Ann and her dynamic with Buggy?*
