The crisp crinkle of flickering flames echo erupt from within the still silence of the library, the warm glow of the fireplace shining the freckled features of the young girl, glaring down at the book below. Numerous books lay open, scattered all around her, a small note pad and quill of sorts, some scribbled out, some circles, some segments of ink having spilled from the dirtied fingertips of the young girl, going through one book to the next, oblivious to the faint figure approaching her until…
"Happy…birthday…to…you…"
The croaking voice of Roger rings in the anxious alarmed ears of the young girl, her heart dropping, dread hitting her hard, no…what was he doing? He was meant to be sleeping, he was meant to be resting, he was meant to…
"…Happy…Birthday…t…you…"
The young girl grimaces from his heavy voice, sounding like metal on metal, the sharp scrapings sent a shudder down the tearful girl's expression, trying to hide it biting her trembling lip. His voice used to sound so much nicer, Ann could remember him singing so happily with his merry men, his cheerful crew joining in some messy, some stumbling to join in but her father's booming voice always brought them all together and now…now it was nothing more than a shadow of that.
"Happy birthd…"
He kept singing as Ann couldn't help but plead, pray beg for him to stop, eyeing his dried up lips, shrunken from time, feeling the sharp sting of pain from her swelting lip, the boisterous blister forming from her teeth digging deep into her lip below, tasting the warm metallic liquid blossoming within her mouth.
Please stop…
Trembling, she couldn't help but beg internally at the mess of a man before her, her smooth melody now turned into hoarse screeches sending shivers down Ann's spine once more. The man's features once muscular now practically nothing more than shrunken skin and bone barely clinging to, barely hanging on…why…? Why did he keep doing this? The witch doctor had told him to rest, to sleep and yet here he stood…she had hoped he had forgotten, she had hoped this day would pass, she had hoped…
"Why…?" Ann couldn't help but whimper weakly.
"I've been so lousy haven't I? But it's your birthday so I just…" Roger begins but…
"You should be resting!" The young Ann persists pleads to him.
"Happy birthday…to…Anny…happy birthday to…" Roger continues hoarsely however the chocked gurgle sends shivers down Ann's spine, her blood turning ice cold when watching the man that was her father, that was the pirate king spew scarlet upon the ground below, the measly cupcake between them forgotten as Ann ran at him.
"Papa!" Anxiously, Ann lunges forward frightened for her life as the scarlet spilling from her father, screaming begging for Kureha's help as the old woman quickly rushed Roger back to bed. That was the last time her father had sung happy birthday to Ann and it sounded like nails on a chalkboard.
Ann slowly stirs scowling from the murky memory of it all as she feels a heavy wight swiftly slap her back, the harsh heat of the fever firmly throwing her back down on the bed. Ann furrows her brow, blearily black dots lay littered in her fuzzy vision as she silently stared up at the ceiling, the crips clear tears cooling her heated features as she simply stared. Why did she remember that? Ann couldn't help but frown, what time was it even? Ann blearily blinked turning towards the window for some hint of an answer only to grimace from the sharp squawks of seagulls and the bright blazing sun swiftly making Ann wince from the sharp sting of light.
Ann turns towards the clock by her side, her eyes expanding alarmed at the time.
"Sh-" Alarmed, Ann darts upwards out of bed but before she cold even think of dressing, her hand darted towards her mouth mortified at the burning bile swiftly surfacing as she ran towards the toilet, spewing her insides out…
Calmly, Aokiji makes his way to a familiar office unfazed by the looks sent his way, some scurrying away fearful, some simply staring in awe as a fair few blushing faces couldn't help but stare. Some even glare enviously at the man making his way into a familiar office only to frown from the man inside.
"What are you doing here?" Aokiji's brow furrows from behind his shades at the sight of Garp at Ann's desk, munching on some rick crackers.
"I could ask you the same thing…" Garp messily munches on some crackers.
"Where's Ann?" Aokiji frowns from the sight of Garp at Ann's desk.
"Ill." Garp grunts attempting to do his work.
"Ill?" Aokiji blinks befuddled alarmed almost at the news.
"Idiot decided to be a hero when a thunderstorm hit she got everyone else to go down while she took take of the sea king seems the rain got to her." Garp grumbles recalling the report well from Bellemere.
"…Right. She'll kill you if you get any crumbs on the desk." Aokiji attempts to warn him.
"Yeah yeah. Say how about you join me for some tea?" Garp grins at Aokiji however…
I'm busy." Aokiji turns to leave but…
"…Aokiji." Garp frowns calling out to the man.
"Hm?" Aokiji grunts stopping his tracks turning to stare at the surprisingly grim Garp.
"Don't go visiting her." Garp orders.
"…I don't get sick." Aokiji states sternly.
"That's not the problem." Garp sighs.
"Then what is?" Aokiji frowns.
"This time of year…isn't easy for Ann best thing you can do is leave her be." Garp brushes his hand through his hair, recalling her sorry state…
"Oi Ann you little brat if you don't want a fis-" Loudly, Garp begins but soon falters from the sharp sound of glass breaking, he looks down, eyes expanding at he shattered shards beneath his feet, frowning from the number of bottles rolling as he eyes the messy apartment before him.
"How could she call herself a marine in this state? Garp couldn't help but think mentally preparing his fist of love only to falter from the soft sniffle from within. Curios, Garp slowly approaches the bed ridden woman, his eyes expanding at the curled up fatigued flustered form of Ann curled up in the bed covers.
"Mom…Dad…don't go…please…don't leave me alone again…" The tears freely fall from the sniffling wreck as Garp couldn't help but soften falter from the sheer level of emotion coming from the still sleeping woman, voice trembling, begging beseeching, pleading almost for someone, anyone even to help her. He notes her fingertips digging deep into the fabric of the bedsheet below begging for some semblance of aid as Garp simply sighs, tucking the girl in, gently brushing the stray tear aside as he began gently cleaning up.
"Got it." Aokiji grunts going on his way leaving Garp to it.
The people on the Oro Jackson cheer celebrating dancing about having the time of their life as an anxious Ann watches on perched upon the railing of the ship, smiling strained at the dancing people. She spots Shanks and Buggy both bouncing about having the time of their lives. Ann holds the small cup in her hand, her fingertips flexing fidgeting around it, her long locks flowing in the wind, enjoying the sea salt air still fresh for her, how long had she been aboard? A few weeks now? Was her mother alright? Was she safe? Was she happy? Ann couldn't help but look back over towards the washing waves of the open sea. Ann couldn't help but feel the guilt gnawing away at her from the thought alone of her mother being alone, being upset, being lonely…leaving like she did was it still okay? Was it alright? Was it…
"Ann join us!" Ann perks up flinching from the voice turning to look up at the brightly beaming Roger making her frown from the buzzed man, eyeing his crimson cheeks. She was drunk, Ann couldn't help but tense up recalling the numerous drunkards she'd deal with now and again back home even if the man beofre her supposedly was her father…she eyes the man swaying staggering from side to side, a mug of mead in hand slashing splashing to the floor.
"…I…I rather not." Politely, Ann declines. She still didn't know these people after all…
"Come on it's fun!" Roger encourages as Ann couldn't help but frown waving their bodies about was fun? Ann couldn't help but grimace at the ache in her ears from the loud noises wanting nothing more than to go hide in some sort of hole, hiding away from the drunks perhaps she could dive down into the water and escape from the situation.
"No way." Ann shakes her head flustered from the thought. She was still new as if she could embarrass herself like that…!
"Why not?" Roger frowns at Ann as Ann couldn't help but grimace at the sickly stench of booze, attempting to hold in the urge to knock the man out right there and then, tensing up reading her fist when…
"I…I just can't." Ann looks away anxiously eyeing the rest smiling, she couldn't, she'd look silly, stupid, they'd all laugh at her.
"Why can't you?" Roger blinks befuddled eyeing Ann.
"…Cause I don't know how to dance! I-I'll look stupid!" Anxiously, Ann admits.
"Is that so…?" Roger hums leaning back considering it thoughtfully taking Ann aback at the sight surprised he even had any brain cells to have a singular thought.
"What are…?" Ann begins befuddled but Roger races back into the dance party amongst everyone.
"Ann look at me!" Loudly, eh calls out beginning to dance, horrifying Ann at his so called moves.
"W-What are you doing!?" Angry, Ann demands embarrassed, her hands dating to her face flushed from the sight of her father's moves however he continues cackling, laughing those around laughing as well.
"Nice moves captain!"
"He looks hilarious!"
"What even are those moves!?"
Ann couldn't help but eye the cackling crowd not laughing at him but…Ann couldn't help but blink befuddled by the sight why was…why was no one laughing…? Why…
"Hahaha!" Roger keeps on laughing as Ann couldn't help but giggle at the sight smiling shyly.
"You can't look as goofy as me now can you…?" Roger reasons rushing back over to Ann.
"That…" Ann smiles shyly at her father.
"Let them laugh come on let's dance!" Happily, Roger hollers offering his hand out to her as she happily slides her hand back into his, the two dancing away having the time of their life…
"How do you do that?" Ann couldn't help but ask her father, the two staring out at the setting sun.
"Do what?" Roger asks as he turns to grin at the frowning Ann.
"Not care what people say? You hear what they call you don't you? They call you a monster but you never hurt citizens, you only kill those that start the fight, that want you dead!" Angrily, Ann argues fury freely flowing through her.
"Ann…" Roger softens sadly at the angry Ann.
"I hate them! I hate them all for calling you a monster! I wish they were all-" Ann beings but stops from the arm around her.
"Ann…" Roger smiles softly down at the aggravated Ann.
"Hm?" Ann blinks befuddled looking up at Roger.
"Life's too short to worry about such things like that." Roger tells Ann, a still silence settling between the two till Ann plops her head down on his chest, looking away at the setting sun.
"…I don't want you to go…" Ann couldn't help her small sniffle, a tear freely falling from her.
"…I don't want to go either." Roger admits anguished.
"Then why? Why do you have to…!?" Angrily, Ann begins but…
"It's just how things are…" Roger calmly cuts her off.
"It's not fair! None of this is fair! I hate it!" Incensed, Ann admits bundling up his pink shirt.
"…Life isn't fair Ann." Roger gently pries Ann's hand off her shirt.
"…huh?" Ann blinks befuddled.
"You've seen it, we are not all born equal but that's why we need to look past such differences and just live don't you think?" Roger reminds Ann as he turns to the setting sun.
"…But I want you to live!" Anguished, Ann's voice breaks before her father.
"…I'd have liked that too…giving you away at your wedding day, meeting my own grandchild…that would have been nice to see." Roger lists off smiling at the thought.
"Papa…" Ann's voice cracks breaks, the tears freely falling.
"But fate has dictated things to be this way. I'm sorry…" Roger gently squeezes Ann's shoulder seemingly breaking the young girl in his grasp, a sharp sob breaking through her, crying in her father's arms as the sun silently sets…
The ice cool chill stirs Ann as she blearily blinks brought back to the brink of conscious once more by something cold. Ann couldn't help but lean into the tender touch feeling the soft embrace as a thumb gently rubs her cheek drawing patterns almost as her hand reaches out to the source of coldness, clinging to it, clutching it almost as she soon stirs. Her eyes expanding to find Aokiji looming over her.
"Sleeping beauty finally awakens…" Amused, Aokiji looks down at Ann amused as she simply stares stunned up at him as next she knew she knew…
"Why are you here?" Ann grunted grumpily; blanket draped over her cocooned thanks to Aokiji happily handing her some pills.
"Heard you were an idiot…see you're still being one…" Aokiji eyes Ann downing the pills with a nearby bottle.
"Helps with the throat." Ann grunts grumpily.
"I'm sure…" Aokiji takes the bottle from her.
"You really going to talk to me about drinking?" Annoyed, Ann grunts giving Aokiji a dirty look.
"You really just going to avoid what's going on…" Aokiji frowns eyeing Ann as the two sit on her bed.
"Going on with what?" Ann cuddles further into the cocoon.
"With you…" Aokiji worriedly watches Ann delve deeper into the cocoon, attempting to hide away almost as Aokiji had pulled the sheet slightly to peer into the sheet spotting the surprisingly meek Ann.
"Look it's fine this isn't my first rodeo and it's certainly none of your business, best if you head back home…or find some bar to flirt with some girl I really don't care." Ann grumbles, delving deeper into the sheet shuffling further into the cocoon curling into the sheet.
"I could or I could be making sure you don't get even more sick." Aokiji reasons.
"Come on I neeeeed it…" Ann whines childishly.
"No, you don't." Aokiji asserts.
"Urgh you're such a buzzkill." Ann grumbles grumpily.
"And you're clearly in pain you wanna talk about what happened just now?" Aokiji asks Ann pulling the sheet back from the bundled-up mess.
"…Is biting my own tongue and dying of blood loss an option…?" Ann asks hopeful hiding away or attempting to.
"Afraid not." Aokiji eyes the mess that is Ann.
"Damn…" Ann curses cross.
"…Ann I'm just worried about you." Aokiji admits to her.
"Well don't be I'm not your problem." Aloofly, Ann dismisses back turned to him.
"Ann…whatever you're going through you don't have to tell me but don't think you have to handle all this on your own, I hate seeing you hurt yourself like this." Aokiji reaches out to her brushing a stray strand of her hair in his face behind her ear.
"…But I deserve it." Ann whimpers weakly.
"What?" Aokiji blinks befuddled.
"…Have I ever told you…that you give…the best hugs…?" Ann plops back down, leaning on Aokiji's shoulder.
"Is that right?" Aokiji hums eyeing the mess of a woman buzzed.
"And…you're also the stupidest motherfucker I've ever met." Ann admits as she looks up at him, smiling goofily.
"Alright you need to rest. Go to bed Ann." Aokiji decides, gently setting her down back on the bed but…
"Nooooo!" Ann childishly draws out.
"Ann you're sick not to mention you're gonna have a really bad hangover tomorrow if you…" Aokiji attempts to explain but stops from her plopping in his lap.
"…I don't wanna." Ann whines wrapping her arms around him.
"What's gotten into you?" Aokiji frowns eyeing the mess that is Ann, his eyes expanding at her shaking shoulders.
"I don't want to sleep…I always wake up alone…and I hate it. I hate it so much." Ann clings to him pained, her hands bundled up in his navy-blue shirt sniffling sadly, tone trembling.
"…I'll be right next to you tonight." Aokiji sighs softly hugging her.
"Don't you have work tomorrow?" Ann sniffles sadly.
"I can take a day off someone's got to look after you after all so…don't cry anymore." Aokiji softly pecks her head, her eyes expanding at the gesture as their eyes meet as soon enough, he's pecking her cheek, her eyelids, her nose everywhere but her lips as she soon frowns. Buzzed by it all she gently reaches out taking his chin, making him look down at her as she leaned in when…
"I can't…" His hand covers her mouth stopping her taking her aback.
"Wha…?" Astonished, Ann blinks befuddled, did…did she read the room wrong? No, she can't have…she's seen where this goes, she…
"I'm sorry but I can't not like this…" Aokiji eyes her drunken form.
"Why not? That hasn't stopped you from the girls before! Please…you can treat me as one of your flings I don't care just help me…forget." Fuming, an angry Ann demands from him upset however…
"I can't do that." He doesn't falter simply hugging the tearful glaring girl.
"Why not? You've done it with tons of girls why not me?" Mad, Ann demands, what made her so different from the rest? Was it their stations? They were both vice admirals did he even know who he was turning down? How many men and women have folded for a night with her!?
"I just can't…" He tells her a still silence lingering between the two as Ann once again descends down into the dark depths of her dreams in Aokiji's arms as he settles them both in for the night…
"So, your daughter will become the weapon that will destroy the world someday!?" Surprised, Roger exclaims.
"It's just a prophecy-jamon! And even if it's called an ancient weapon, it doesn't have to be used as one!" Neptune dismisses.
"I never thought that Poseidon was a mermaid!" One of the roger pirates exclaims as the group return to the main hub of fishmen island.
"Hey Shyarly when will the mermaid princess be born?" Smiling, Rayleigh kneels down next to the little girl.
"10!" Smiling, she answers as the ball glows beaming brightly only to falter from the young Ann's anguished reaction.
"I guess it's 10 years from now…But Roger I can't believe you're interested in such a weapon I'm disappointed in you!" Neptune berates Roger.
"Neptune what we want is the vast amount of treasure that was left by the people who called it a weapon!" Rayleigh reassures Neptune.
"Are you relieved? We won't come to kidnap your hairy daughter who'll be born someday!" Smiling, Roger laughs.
"She won't be hairy!" Neptune roars mad.
"Ten…" Anguished, Ann looks sadly solemnly towards her father brightly beaming broadly despite the news given.
"You!" Shyarly points to Ann.
"Hm? Me?" Ann jolts up at the sudden spotlight shining down upon her.
"You will marry and have two children." Shyarly looks into her crystal ball.
"…Eh?" Ann repeats taken aback.
"EH!? Shyarly what are you saying?! My pretty princess will marry no one!" Roger frets worriedly staring at the girl wearing a light-coloured hooded dress with a stripe down the side.
"Oi what about my Momosuke!?" Oden roars rolling his sleeve upwards.
"Not him! He isn't good enough!" Enraged, Roger roars.
"Oi Roger who are you to stay who my son isn't good for!?" Fuming, Oden growls.
"I am! My daughter deserves the best of the best a man that will have to surpass me!" Resolved, Roger dictates.
"Oi papa…!" Pleadingly, Ann tries to stop her father's fretful fury but….
"He will be older." Shyarly adds alarming Roger.
"…How old?" Roger growls.
"Uh…" Shyarly trails off uneasily.
"We talking two years older right?" Roger probes anxiously as Shyarly stares at the crystal ball.
"…More." Meekly, Shyarly answers.
"How much more!?" Mortified, Roger roars raising his voice terrified.
"Papa…" Ann furrows her brow concern clear in her tone towards her father.
"Roger calm down she isn't always going to be the princess of pirates you know?" Rayleigh smirks slightly at Roger.
"Nonsense my Annie is never going to marry no one will ever be good enough isn't that right sweetie?" Strictly, Roger roars picking up his little girl holding her up as she simply sighs at her father.
"Do I even have a say in this?" Tiredly, Ann sighs slumping slouching her shoulders exhaustion etched into her furrowed features as next she knew…
"Gather up all of the crew! Time to ship out Bink's Brew!"
Softly, the sun peers into a familiar apartment where the soft snores of Aokiji echo in the lone bed. But it doesn't bother the girl cuddled into his side, Ann's arm happily holding his muscular arm as her head rested on his chest, the two cuddling, legs entwined as Aokiji's blue shirt, shades and bandanna were to the side. His arm around Ann holding her as Ann seemingly nuzzles into his side, slowly stirring.
"Mm…" Ann lets loose a small, strained sound some semblance of nonsense blinking blearily, her hair a mess as she looks around the room. Her eyes expanding at the body by her side staring stunned at him. How…wha…Ann blinks befuddled attempting to remember, her head wincing when feeling the sharp searing sensation of her head how had this happened? How did this come to be? How…? So many questions lay littered in Ann's head when…
"Roger having a kid!? That kid would no doubt be cursed, a demon, a monster!"
"The child of a devil with the devil's luck…"
"It would be killed like the creature it is!"
"It would apologise as it was taken by the world government to be rightfully hanged, it should apologize for being born for being garbage…!"
Ann grimaces, brow furrowing from the murky memory of it all, of her young self-hearing such words recalling her young self-decking the men, many times leading to bar fights and her coming back, battered, beaten, bruised, bloodied as her mother would walk over, a stern look of disapproval upon her face as she tended to her rash child…
"Roger's child is nothing but a burden to society!"
"A child of Roger should just die, no one would care if they died!"
"The world would be better off without such a creature causing chaos…"
"No one would miss such a cursed thing in this world…"
For his own safety it was for the best. Ann nods her head at the firm fact of it all as she casts a glance towards the sleeping sloth…
"Do you…do you think Gol. D Roger is scum?"
"He's king of the scum."
He would forget. He had to. Determined, Ann carefully pries his arm around her off as she tries to slither out similar to a snake however as she tries to do so she soon squeaks startled by the throbbing sharp searing sensation suddenly hitting her taking her aback as next Ann knew she fell flat to the ground, groaning…her heart dropped panic pumping through her, had he woken up? Much to her relief she continues hearing his faint snore making her smirk smugly, the one perk of him she assumed as she stood, quickly going to get changed as she then headed out having much to do.
The young Aokiji makes his way through the hallway, calmly going about his day until hearing the harsh ring of metal making him turn, his eyes expanding at the sight of the heaving huffing male and Ann, the man falling to his knees just done.
"So Nezu your people prayed to different gods depending on what they need…" Ann hums eyeing the mess of a man handing him some bottled water.
"That is correct." The man takes the bottle.
"Your beliefs sound so different from most islands I've been to. You got to tell me more." Amazed, Ann encourages, glint gleaming unaware of Aokiji's furrowed frown at the sight.
"Why? My island is gone." Nezu uncorks the bottle.
"…Your island may be gone but you're still here Nez. You can spread your culture and customs to all sorts of people to different islands…" Ann explains to him.
"But they differ so easily from others…the trouble that would come from it…it's not worth it." Nezu reasons unaware of Aokiji quietly watching on.
"So? Doesn't that difference make things more interesting?" Ann argues.
"I wish to think so, but it tends to lead to more problems." Nezu confesses.
"Sounds like that's more of a them issue than a you issue though." Ann argues.
"Vice admiral…" Nezu sighs.
"Don't let these people silence your voice Nezu you matter just as much as the next guy, you, your culture, your family and your island they make you who you are. Don't put yourself down so easily." Softly, Ann advises Nezu unaware of Aokiji quietly watching on.
"I will try not to." He picks up the blade.
"Good to hear!" Ann smiles a bright broad smile that Aokiji couldn't help but stare at, entranced almost at the brightness of said smile similar to the sun almost as Aokiji quickly looked away, the brightness too much almost as he left them to resume their training…
"Aokiji-san play with me!"
"No play with me!"
"Why would you waste your time on these girls when you can have a real woman?!"
The girls gush over the vice admiral calmly keeping to himself, drink in hand as he stands amongst his fellow marines merrily cheering celebrating something. Aokiji had forgotten what it was not that he really cared as he enjoys the fresh burn of sherry frowning from the lack of a certain woman as he decides to go investigate…
"I'm going to remove your collar now are you ready?" Aokiji comes out from the boisterous room, perking up at Ann's voice as he watches the younger Ann crouch down gently talking to the meek mermaids.
"I-It'll explode!" The meek mermaid whimpers weakly.
"I promise you that won't happen. It'll be alright jut stay still." Softly, she whispers as she flicks the collar.
"I-It's ringing!" Scared, she squirms. Aokiji's eyes expand alarmed was she trying to get them killed. He scowls, teeth gritted this was the reason why he had to keep an eye on her as he readied to intervene when…
"Just stay still…" Softly, she whispers ignoring said ringing as Aokiji's eyes expand to see the collar be thrown into the open air. How did she…?
"There we go fishman island should be over in that direction it may take some time but…" She smiles at the mermaid oblivious to the taken aback Aokiji, to have that level of observation…how much was she holding back?
"Thank you! Thank you! We'll never forget your kindness!" The teary-eyed mermaid whimpers weakly before swimming away, fleeing from the marine ship as Ann stands smiling softly staring out at the fleeting figure of the mermaids until…
"I told you not to look." Her brow furrows from the voice turning to the unamused Aokiji, scowl shielded by his shades.
"Did you know what was in there?" Tiredly, Ann turns on her heel to face him.
"This is our mission for a celestial dragon no less." Aokiji adjusts his shades. That was their task he didn't like it was it was part of the job.
"And that should make me give a shit!?" Scowling, she glares at the bandanna wearing male. Aokiji's brow furrowing, did she really have no idea the powers they would be facing by angering a dragon, it was too much hassle.
"Ann… you know what powers the dragons have you should have turned away." Aokiji reminds the glaring girl. She could be executed…or worse. Aokiji's blood couldn't help but turn ice cold at the thought.
"I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm not cause I'm not the turn my back on such bullshit." Bluntly, Ann sneers.
"And what if that causes you to be demoted? To be executed?" Aokiji argues angry, how could this girl continue to be so reckless? Does she have no sense of self-preservation!?
"It is what it is." Aloofly, Ann shrugs stunning Aokiji.
"Why don't you ever think!? You can't save everyone you cross paths with Ann!" Agitated, Aokiji snaps at her. She wasn't some hero, you couldn't save everyone, a hard lesson Aokiji knew well, a lesson Ann seemed stubborn enough to fight against.
"You think I don't know that!?" Tiredly, Ann frowns at Aokiji.
"Then why save them? You've worked hard to get to this position, when you reach vice admiral you can save more people like vice admiral Garp?" Annoyed, Aokiji demands from Ann.
"…Why does my position matter?" Mad, Ann barks back.
"Why? It gives you the power to save people!" Aokiji argues.
"So, I just have to turn my people to the people that are suffering until I get this right? That's what you're saying? How many people must I turn my back on for some snippet of power to help others!?" Ann demands from Aokiji.
"…" Aokiji bows his head going quiet as she simply sighs.
"I'm sorry but I can't just freeze my heart like that if I can save people or at the least let out a helping hand, I'm going to no matter the cost." Candidly, Ann admits as she turns her back to him.
"Ann…!" Aokiji glares at the back of Ann.
"Relax this won't affect you I'll take full responsibility." Ann assures the frowning Aokiji as she heads back to her room unaware of the heavy ache in Aokiji's chest…
"What the hell were you thinking with meeting up with that scumbag?" Scowling, Aokiji demands from Ann as the two stand side by side, the ice-cold breeze brushing through her hair making her shudder slightly not helped by the ice cool hands upon her shoulders by the scowling Aokiji.
"The sand slap to the face sorta told me to." Tiredly, Ann shrugs ignoring the shy shudder coursing down her shaking spine.
"What?" Aokiji furrows his brow by her words.
"Why are you so angry?" Astonished, Ann demands taken aback at his tense tone.
"He could have twisted your mind!" Aokiji argues as Ann takes note of his hand being encased in ice spreading further.
"You think I'm that easily tricked." Ann pries his hand off brushing stray strands of ice coating her shoulder to the side.
"He's a pirate a scumbag." Annoyed, Aokiji argues.
"…Did you mean what you said?" Scowling, she demands from Aokiji.
"About him being a scumbag? Of course I do." Aokiji deadpans.
"I mean before about your form of justice…" Ann furrows her brow at Aokiji.
"Burning justice?" Aokiji furrows his brow by the mention of his justice.
"You think that truly is the way." Apprehensive, Ann asks brow furrowed.
"Of course it is." Aokiji scoffs.
"…I see." Solemnly, Ann bows her head ignoring the disappointment gnawing away at her.
"Why do you ask?" Aokiji furrows his brow down at her.
"…I just thought…maybe you could leave a cube of ice for the people?" Hopeful, she asks as she clutches her arm anguished.
"Why would I do that to these idiots?" Aokiji scoffs.
"Because they are suffering." Scowling, she argues.
"If they're suffering so much maybe they should pray for Crocodile then!?" Tiredly, Aokiji huffs.
"…Desperation can make you do some silly things. They can't help it." Ann argues.
"You're actually defending these people? They aren't your problem." Pointedly, Aokiji argues brow furrowed from the anguished Ann making him grimace from the strange sense of pain that hits him from her face.
"You mean the people that are suffering day by day in this scorching weather with water that is becoming more sea water than an actual drinkable water? That have to face sandstorm after sandstorm beast after beast scavenge food day after day?" Disgusted, Ann scowls glaring at Aokiji taking him aback.
"…If they have complaints they can talk to their so-called angel." Annoyed, Aokiji glares to the side scowling.
"…Aokiji, you have the power to help them." Tentatively, Ann reminds him.
"Help the enemy?" Aokiji scowls.
"…That's how you see it?" Sadly, Ann furrows her brow at him.
"How else am I meant to see it?" Aokiji scowls.
"These people are human; they are just like you and me they could be me and you in another life. They feel, they have dreams, they have wants, they are struggling, scared even…with how expensive water is becoming there are probably those who haven't had even a sip of water while withering away in some alleyway alone and desperate." Determined, Ann explains to Aokiji grimacing from her words, from the sharp sting delivered by her words.
"They should get a job then if they have all day." Aokiji grumbles glaring to the side.
"…You think they have the energy to do that if they are struggling so?" Scowling, she points to a nearby alleyway where his eyes widen when seeing the children sleeping slumped against the wall, holding one another clinging as his eyes widen when watching Ann remove her coat, draping it over the two shaking quivering quaking children clinging to one another.
"What do you expect me to do?" Aokiji steps forward furrowing his brow at the back of Ann as she looks over at the children, a sad smile upon her lips brushing her fingertips through their hair before taking out some currency placing it down in the pocket of her jacket.
"Aokiji, you have the power to help innocent people don't you want to do that? Why withhold such a gift that could help so many!" Mystifed, she asks as she turns to face him still crouched down looking up at him brow furrowed.
"Who says these people are innocent?" He sneers scowling at the children.
"I do if they are so desperate for aid, they'd rely on someone like Crocodile doesn't that just show how the marines who are meant to keep people safe who are meant to protect them from people like Crocodile have failed them? Everyone has their reasons for doing what they do, what we could see as an act of selfishness could be an act of selflessness for another." Ann explains to Aokiji, his eyes softening slightly while watching Ann tend to the children.
"…" Silently, he stares furrowing his brow by the strange sensation in his chest watching her tend to the children before standing up.
"Goodnight Aokiji." Smoothly, she dismisses him, heading to bed while he looks down at his hand, steam soon pouring out of it as next he knew…
Aokiji continues forming ice, half his face aching from being encased in ice but he remains quiet, why he did it…he did not know, the smiles of the young children happily playing in the ice to the tears of joy from the people were one thing but…
"You…did this?" Aokiji perks up at the astonished Ann, a childlike awe in her eye as Aokiji feeling the dull ache of ice almost fade from Ann's presence alone. A strange warmth almost emanating from her as she stares in awe at the cheerful children and people of Alabasta.
"…" Silently, Aokiji continues his work, surprised to feel her hand on his, many having flinched away in the past from it but Ann's touch, her hand alone almost melts the ice encashing him as he couldn't help but look away at her bright broad smile, blinding him almost as he turns to look away.
"That's sweet of you…thank you." Ann gently takes his hand, Aokiji's eyes widening when seeing her unfazed by the brittle ice as she pulls him down gently pecking his frozen cheek taking him aback as she smirks seeing his heated cheeks, swearing she saw steam as the ice coating his cheeks melted away. Aokiji's fingertips couldn't help but curl around Ann's hand, were they were always that small? That warm? Aokiji couldn't help but draw patterns into her inner palm, bashfully looking down at her, that was it, the people's smile, their thanks their relief was one thing but her smile…Aokiji couldn't describe what that smile of hers did to him as all he could feel was the ice coating his body begin to fade from her smile alone, feeling the slight ache return when she slipped her hand out of his approaching Smoke, talking to a kid.
"In a few years that'll be you and Hina Smokey." Smirking, Ann calls out as she brushes by him.
"It's Smoker!" Smoker yells only to falter from the sharp sob of the crying child. Smoker soon falters horrified at the crying child while Ann simply smirks at her mischief, oblivious to the small smile gracing Aokiji's own lips at the sight, a low chuckle escaping his own lips at the sight of the bickering Ann and Smoker.
Aokiji slowly stirs grimacing from the sun shining down peering into the room, Aokiji couldn't help his low groan, rubbing at his fatigued face from last night, the memories playing before him. He sighs placing his head in hands, he was so close, she was too, they could have…Aokiji could feel the faint feverish rush below and to his face from the thought before disregarding it, she wasn't sound of mind, he couldn't do that to her not in the state she was in…Aokiji turns expecting a certain someone to be there only to frown when met by an empty space by his side where was…Aokiji looks around noting the lack of clothes on the floor.
"Don't tell me…dammit Ann!" Agitated, Aokiji grunts grumpily getting up beginning to change if she thought she could just run away and act as if nothing had happened, she could think again…!
"This is nice…" Ann leans against the towering tree, looking up at the sun smiling up at it.
"Mind telling me why you're here…" Ace grunts glaring up at his older sister.
"As welcoming as always Ace!" Ann leans down ruffling his hair.
"Hmph!" Blushing, Ace puffs his cheeks cross glaring to the side.
"Ann! Ann tell us another pirate story!" Luffy lunges over stretching his arms around, bashing into her side.
"Hmmm…only if you make a promise!" Smiling, she catches the boy bemused.
"Promise?" Sabo makes his way over curious pipe in hand.
"Just cause you lot become pirates don't mean you can mess around with girls got it? You be nice to them if I find out any of you are playboys or cheats…!" Sternly, she tells the three.
"Eh why would we do that?" Luffy blinks befuddled.
"Yeah, girls are gross!" Ace scowls.
"Don't tell me…did someone mess around with you Ann?" Sabo gasps.
"Hm?" Ann blinks befuddled taken aback at Sabo's swiftness.
"Who is the bastard? I'll kill 'em!" Ace growls glaring.
"Ace…calm down…" Ace sweatdrops touched by her brother's protectiveness.
"So, there is someone…!" Sabo gasps.
"Of course not!" Blushing, Ann argues.
"Then why are you all red…?" Luffy pokes Ann's cheek.
"That…" Ann begins but…
"Not to mention why ask? Did someone break your heart?" Sabo wonders.
"Tell me I'll beat em up!" Ace suggests.
"Ace as sweet as the gesture is…" Ann begins but…
"Break Ann's heart? But she'd be dead…" Luffy frowns cutting Ann off.
"He means someone hurt her feelings." Sabo tells Luffy.
"Hurt Ann who hurt Ann I'll beat em up my fists are like pistols!" Luffy shows his fists making Ann chuckle coyly at the three.
"…I'm sure. As kind as you three are I'm fine just promise me you'll be nice to girls, okay? Be gentleman…" Softly, she smiles down at the three.
"Yeeessss…" The three chorus.
"Good boys now…which tale should I tell you today? Ah I know how about this…!" Ann happily begins another tale for the three, each of them eager to hear it…
"Oi Ann! EH?" Aokiji growls, swiftly sliding slamming the door open only to blink befuddled by the old man at Ann's desk…again.
"Aokiji back at it again I see…" Garp grins at the unamused Aokiji.
"…Where's Ann?" Aokiji demands from Garp.
"Ann…? Last I checked she went to Sengoku's office and asked for the week off." Garp recalls unaware of the temperature dropping or the gritted grinding teeth of the cross Aokiji.
"That…idiot!" Aokiji cross slams the sliding door shut, everyone around freezing flinching from the air turning ice cold.
"…Probably another's lover tiff…" Oblivious, Garp dismisses going back to enjoying his rice crackers.
"You really took down a sea king!?" Sabo smiles in awe at the tale Ann wove.
"That's amazing as expected of Ann!" Luffy adds amazed.
"As if that's true…" Ace scoffs.
"Eh? What do you mean Ace?" Luffy turns to Ace.
"Those things are powerful how could you possibly kill one?" Ace demands from Ann.
"Cause Ann's a part of Shanks crew meaning she's super strong!" Luffy throws in.
"Not that strong." Ace scoffs.
"Oh? Your match up board says otherwise…" Amused, Ann brings up.
"T-That!" Ace sputters scowling.
"…That?" Amused, Ann quirks her head to the side smirking smugly at the growling Ace.
"Fine let's have another match I'll destroy you this time!" Ace declares determined.
"I'm sure you will." Ann chuckles coyly.
"I wanna have a go at Ann!" Luffy whines.
"You can all have a go at losing to me." Ann smirks down at the trio.
"Losing!?" The fierce flames surround all three boys as the match up begins between all four once more.
Garp goes about his normal day around the marines making his daily stroll however he soon stops frowning from the sudden chill in the air. What was going on now? Garp gawks gapes at the frozen pillars of marine, some shaking scared with damp backs while others simply flee frightened for their life as Garp notices small segments of ice coating a familiar office.
"Didn't you tell me the other day how Ann felt on mess?" Garp eyes the ice encased office.
"…When she gets here, we'll talk." Aokiji grunts, shoes on desk.
"Did you two get into a lover's tiff again?" Garp sighs frowning at the man.
"For it to be a lover's tiff would imply we're lovers." Aokiji grunts glaring at who knows what.
"So, a normal tiff then?" Garp assumes.
"What do you think!?" Aokiji barks back brow furrowed as next Garp knew…
"…Garp!" Sengoku summons the man to his office.
"Oh, Sengoku I brought some fresh tea leaves let's bring out some rice crackers!" Garp shows said tea leaves to him.
"Do you have any idea what that granddaughter of yours has done?" Sengoku scowls at Garp.
"Uuh…" Garp begins but nothing comes to mind simply rubbing the back of his neck.
"Aokiji isn't working!" Sengoku snaps.
"Has he ever?" Garp blurts out.
"When Ann was around, he was actually doing more work than usual but now that she's gone he's doing nothing at all except freezing people! I've managed to convince him to unfreeze some, but you need to bring Ann back to talk some sense into him!" Sengoku orders Garp.
"So…no rice crackers?" Garp assumes.
"NO RICE CRACKERS!" Sengoku snaps.
"Tch…dammit Ann…why can't you keep what's going on with you and Aokiji out of the workplace…?" Garp grumbles heading out.
"Thanks for letting me stay over Makino." Ann smiles seated at the counter calmly enjoying her drink.
"No problem I'm surprised you didn't want to stay at Dadan's." Makino admits.
"As tempting as the offer is I rather not sleep in the same room as bandits leering at me." Ann deadpans she had enough of that back at HQ.
"Ah that is understandable." Makino nods her head in understanding.
"Ya think?" Ann scoffs sipping at her sherry red.
"So, what does bring you out here? I thought the navy didn't give out many days off." Makino couldn't help but wonder.
"Oh, they don't fortunately for me I've been saving up." Ann beams brightly.
"I can see that but why now? It isn't Ace's birthday, nor it is Luffy or Sabo's anytime soon…" Makino lists off.
"Can't I want to come visit my cute little brothers?" Ann huffs.
"Don't tell me…it's a guy!" Makino gasps hand over her mouth.
"…Eh?" Ann blurts out.
"It is!" Makino beams brightly.
"H-How? How could that possibly be it?" Ann stutters steam spewing out of her flustered features unable to look Makino in the eye.
"Hehe, cause I know you and you're easy to read!" Makino smirks pointing at Ann.
"I-I'm not that easy!" Ann sputters scarlet faced.
"Heh maybe to those you haven't let your guard down too still who is this guy? He must be something else to have you shaken!" Smiling, Makino assumes amused to see the normally calm cool collected Ann a flustered mess.
"Urgh he's a lazy dumbass who does nothing but play around with girls!" Ann pouts puffing her cheeks cross glaring to the side.
"And you…fell for that?" Makino says surprised.
"Hey, I don't fall for people they fall for me!" Ann disputes defensively.
"I'm sure…" Makino giggles at Ann.
"Tch seriously this guy just ticked me off…he'd been giving me signals for months now and when the time came to take his chance he floundered." Ann grumbles glaring down at her sherry scarlet seeping into her cheeks at the thought of him bitterly.
"His chance?" Makino hums curiosity clear in her tone.
"Yeah, and he was like I can't not in your state the heck does that mean?" Ann complains.
"Were you drunk?" Makino ask Ann.
"When am I not drunk?" Ann scoffs.
"Ann." Makino gives her a look.
"…maybe a bit tipsy…also slightly sick?" Sheepishly, Ann looks away.
"Seems to me he didn't want to take advantage of you." Amused, Makino points out.
"Why not? Most guys would leap at the chance…" Ann huffs annoyed almost.
"Well maybe that isn't the kind of guy he is…" Makino suggests cleaning a nearby glass.
"A playboy like him please?" Ann couldn't hide her scoff; she knew how men were…
"Maybe he wants things to be different have you seen him play around with any girls since he's been giving you these signals?" Makino considers calmly cleaning the glass.
"…Well…no." Ann looks away.
"Has he gone out with any girls?" Makino probes.
"…No." Ann hides within the safety of sipping her glass.
"Has he…?" Makino begins but…
"I get the picture Makino…!" Ann snaps snippily scarlet faced from Makino's smug smirk.
"Sounds to me like he's quitting his playboy ways to settle down for you." Makino bats her eyelashes amused at the flustered mess that is Ann.
"Sounds to me like you're being too naïve." Ann accuses annoyed.
"Naïve?" Makino blinks befuddled.
"Guys do this whole oh you're different thing to trap girls who are willing to stand their ground just to make the romp feel all the more better for the man…." Ann huffs.
"…How is it you can turn something so romantic into something so…sad." Makino frowns.
"I'm just saying all men do is think down there Maki that's all they care about…least that's how it's already been in the bedroom." Ann couldn't help but glare to the side thinking of a certain swordsman.
"Maybe he's different…" Makino shrugs.
"Maybe he needs to find someone else worth his time…who isn't going to be trouble." Tiredly, Ann softens sadly solemnly pained almost as just then…
"Fist of…love!" Garp roars rushing in haki hand at the ready taking the two aback.
"Crap…! The hell old man!?" Ann narrowly avoids the harsh hit, eyeing the ruined remains of where she once stood.
"I could ask you the same thing you idiot!" Garp growls glaring at Ann.
"I took a day off sue me!" Mad, Ann stands scowling dusting herself off.
"Maybe after dealing with all the frozen marines back at HQ!" Garp growls.
"…eh?" Ann blinks befuddled.
"Aokiji's made a right mess since you left!" Garp admits.
"And that's my problem?" Ann glares at Garp.
"We all know the root of it." Garp gives Ann a look.
"Tch…" Ann glares to the side.
"Is that the guy?" Makino leans over the counter curious whispering.
"Is now really the time to ask?!" Agitated, Ann sneers snippily scowling at Makino.
"You're going back whether I have to tie you or beat you, you're coming back!" Garp tells them.
"Urgh…I hardly see why this is my problem…" Ann facepalms.
"Ann…!" Garp growls glaring at Ann.
"Fine I'll come back and deal with icehole just fix Makino's bar." Ann grumbles giving in.
"I can do that." Garp smiles.
"You wouldn't have to fix it if you used the door like a NORMAL PERSON!" Ann snaps snippily scowling at Garp however…
"Yeah yeah…" Garp rubs the back of his head unfazed as the two take off back to Marine HQ.
Ann quietly makes her way over to her office her brow furrowed from the icy chill in the air, spotting a fair few shaking figures frightened for their lives some frozen some sliding across the ice and falling, none of them able to look her in the eye terrified. What had happened? She was gone for a few days…she sighs steeling herself before peering into the room, awkwardly breaking the ice sealing the door, opening it to find the glaring Aokiji at her desk.
"Really? Feet on my desk? And are those rice crackers?" Annoyed, Ann frowns from the mess.
"…Welcome back." Bitterly, Aokiji greets glaring at Ann.
"Was it necessary to scare my men like that?" Ann sighs frowning at Aokiji.
"Was it necessary to run off like that?" Aokiji asks unamused.
"…We really going to talk about this?" Ann sighs.
"Yes. We are." Aokiji asserts annoyed.
"I don't even see the point nothing happened after all." Ann sneers snippily sitting down on the sofa.
"Ann…" Aokiji frowns at Ann draping her arms around the back of the sofa stretching out.
"I suppose I should thank you…my head really wasn't there not to mention the shame of being one of your many flings would have definitely made me want to kill myself." Ann admits one leg over the other sneering sardonically.
"…Oh really?" Aokiji stands scowling, slamming his hand heatedly down on the desk glaring at Ann.
"…Why are you making a thing about this? Nothing happened." Ann recites smirking shrugging him off.
"But it could have…" Aokiji stresses getting in Ann's face, leaning down to.
"But it didn't. You made that clear." Unfazed, Ann looks up at Aokiji, a challenging look in her eye.
"Excuse me for not wanting to take advantage of someone not in their state of mind!" Mad, Aokiji huffs heatedly.
"Look nothing happened so let's just act just like that yeah?" Aloofly, Ann decides done disappointment aching at her chest much to her frustration.
"You know we can't…" Aokiji sighs softening slightly at Ann.
"Why not?" Ann argues annoyed.
"Ann…" Aokiji begins but…
"Least tell me this then others have tried to kiss you while wasted before, right?" Ann curtly cuts him off.
"Right…" Aokiji frowns.
"Do you let them?" Ann asks him.
"…Yeah." Aokiji admits looking down at Ann.
"Then…why didn't you let me?" Ann leans forward frowning.
"…Because you mean more to me than just a drunk hookup Ann." Aokiji sighs sitting down by Ann, head down.
"…If this is due to with work then…" Ann begins but…
"You and I both know it's not to do with that." Aokiji gives her a look, the two were the same rank, sure he had been in the marines longer but still…
"Then what is it?" Ann couldn't help but ask as Aokiji simply stares down at her as next she knew Aokiji bent down, his lips against her cheek, brushing it lightly—and still that light touch sent shivers through Ann's nerves, shivers that made her whole-body tremble.
"If you want me to stop, tell me now," Aokiji whispered and Ann to her surprise said nothing to say. Aokiji still said nothing, he brushed his mouth against the hollow of her temple.
"Or now." He traced the line of Ann's blushing cheekbone.
"Or now." His lips were finally against hers.
"Or—" But Ann had enough, she reached up and pulled him down to her, and the rest of his words were lost against her mouth. He kissed her gently, carefully, but it wasn't gentleness she wanted, not now, not after all this time, and she knotted her fists in his shirt, pulling him harder against her. He groaned softly, low in his throat, as next Ann knew she was being held up, her arms around his upper body as he held up with ease, the two still kissing.
The two kiss like crazy. Like their lives depend on it. Aokiji's tongue slips inside Ann's mouth, gentle but demanding, and it's nothing like Ann had ever experienced, sure she had her fair share of kisses but this…this felt different, and Ann suddenly understood why people describe kissing as melting because every square inch of Ann's body dissolves into his. Her fingers grip his hair, pulling Aokiji closer.
Ann's veins throb and her heart explodes. She had never wanted anyone like this before. Ever. Ann couldn't help her small squeak when Aokiji softly sets her down on the sofa, separating briefly before pinning her down almost a shy stream of salvia splits between the two landing on their respective chins, the two simply staring at one another as the two were back to kissing, Aokiji's hand delving down to her thigh as her hand removed his shades, the two were in a world of their own…
*So what did you think of how Ann and Aokiji got together? I'd love to know your thoughts!*
