VII
o0o0o0o
When Yolande was restless on the island, she'd take meandering walks, enjoying the views and fresh air. Here on the Sorrowfree Wanderer… sure, plenty of fresh air was to be had, but she wasn't up for another icy swim at the moment. But at least she could look up at the stars. When she was younger, she'd wondered if people lived in the stars, or if the stars were other planets. Who knew?
She went back into the cabin, quietly closing the door and making sure it was secure before padding across the floor to the bed, hearing Arlong mutter as he twitched under the blanket. She took a few steps closer, hearing him give out a soft snarl, uttering a name that sounded like Shiryu. He let out a grunt, tossing his head.
Arlong had mentioned Ajkul, Jinbei, Fisher Tiger, and Queen Otohime. But Shiryu was not a name he ever brought up, and she stood there for several minutes, staring at him in the darkness as he twitched around in the throes of his dream. Did it count as eavesdropping to listen to someone talk in their dreams? Should she wake him up?
She sat in his chair, hearing a few more words… damn humans… stop… Kizaru...
She blinked as she heard the name, it couldn't be, could it? A sudden snarl burst forth from Arlong before he sat up, gasping quietly. He looked confused for a moment before patting the side of the bed with his hand, looking for her. She cleared her throat, and he flinched in surprise.
"What are you doing over there?" Arlong demanded.
"I couldn't sleep, so I went onto the deck for some fresh air. I just came back and you were twitching and jerking around so I wasn't sure if I should touch you. It's the first time I saw you like that…" she trailed off.
"Just a nightmare," he muttered. "Feel free to wake me up. I would rather deal with you than a nightmare," he said half-jokingly, collecting himself.
"Duly noted." She stared at him for a moment. "Who's Shiryu?"
"A sadistic asshole."
"He must have really been something if he was able to hurt you," Yolande said sympathetically, recalling the faded scars she'd seen on his body. He clenched his fists against his knees.
"The less said about him, the better," he said tersely. Yeah, she knew how that felt, didn't she?
"I suppose the same could be said about Kizaru?"
A low snarl met her question. Yikes. She lifted her hands, palms forward in the near-universal signal for peace/neutrality/'yeah I'm backing off'. Arlong remained where he was, looking at her, eyes looking pale under the moonlight that filtered through the window.
She was a stranger in a strange land – or ship – bound to this predator who was burdened by decades of pain and hate. She couldn't say this was the most dangerous experience she had ever had, but it certainly felt the most surreal.
"Come here," she heard him rumble. Almost without thinking, she did as he asked, and he pulled her into his lap. He held her tightly, saying nothing, almost as if she were a doll or stuffed animal he was using for comfort. Well, this was at least better than arguing with him or listening to his remarks about fishmen and humans, but it still galled her that he had just left her earlier when she was crying, and now he wanted her to comfort him? Such a selfish asshole...
o0o0o0o
Arlong preferred to not think about the nearly two years he'd spent in Impel Down. But inevitably, the memories would creep in, whether through intrusive thoughts or nightmares. Impel Down had the restraints necessary for fishmen, and he'd been humiliated and made to feel helpless more times than he could count.
How gratified he would have been if he knew that Shiryu of the Rain, the sadistic warden who made the lives of so many prisoners a living hell, was now a prisoner himself, confined to Level 6. But that was a world away, and without that knowledge, Arlong could only assume that he was continuing to torment and torture prisoners.
He shuddered to imagine what could have been, had he not managed to break himself and his crew out before falling into the hands of Shiryu.
And Vice-Admiral Kizaru Borsalino. The man who'd started him on his path to Impel Down. Arlong had had plenty of reasons to despise humans before Koala, but Kizaru only magnified that hatred. It would have galled him to know that Kizaru had been promoted to Admiral, and who knows if he might have gained any satisfaction in knowing that Kizaru had been instrumental in the scattering of the Straw Hats.
His embrace around Yolande tightened, and he felt her squirm in protest. He relented, and she relaxed. He leaned back, settling into the bed, keeping her in his embrace, savoring the warmth of her body against his. Not a word was exchanged between them, and when Arlong fell back asleep, he did not dream.
o0o0o0o
Chew had been polite and cool toward Yolande in the beginning, but he'd started warming up to her after she helped him with his migraines. Now they were playing a game of Go in the mess hall. Chew was quite good at the game and had not been defeated in many years. His winning streak continued, but he had to concede that she was the best opponent he'd had in a good while.
Which made it all the more fun, but when he thought about it later, it was a bit sobering. It made him think of Arlong Park and how he and the others had it easy. On land, the towns were small enough for them to be controlled, and their strength as fishmen ensured their supremacy in the waters that surrounded the Conomi Islands. After all they'd been through, Chew was happy enough to follow Arlong after the fight with Jinbei. After a rough childhood in the Fishman District, and the fighting humans and slavers, the big-lipped fishman was happy to settle down to an easy life. After the first couple of years, there were no real challenges. Whether through brute force or bribes, Arlong ensured the good life for himself and his nakama, almost a non-stop vacation.
He looked down at the board, moving one of his pieces and blocking Yolande. Arlong didn't care for the game. Hatchan simply wasn't good at these types of games. Kuroobi was ambivalent towards Go or other board games. A few of the other fishmen could play reasonably well but would get frustrated with how damn good Chew was at the game.
Yolande stared at the board for several moments before moving another piece, and Chew responded in kind. It was the third game they played, and he'd won the first two, but she had not become dissuaded.
It was the first time in a long time he'd had so much fun with the game. She made several good moves, but he ended up winning again.
"I thought I was a fair hand at this game, but I am humbled," Yolande said with a small smirk. He chuckled at that.
"You are a fair opponent, I assure you. I just happen to be better at this," he said lightly.
"Are you going to chalk that up to the superiority of fishmen?" she shot back.
"Why not," he shrugged. She chuckled and shook her head. Several fishmen were watching, sitting or standing around them and taking in the entertainment.
"What do you say to one more game," she offered.
"Are you a masochist?" he teased. She snorted at that.
"I am simply acknowledging your fishman superiority and learning what I can from you," Yolande replied in a mock prim tone.
"Don't forget that you also have fishman blood in you," Chew reminded her in a tone that was almost kind as they set up the pieces for the next game.
o0o0o0o
Yolande came to the deck after doing her exercises in the cargo bay, seeing several fishmen move around in a state of excitement. What had she missed?
Arlong sent several fishmen into the water, telling them to have a good look. Chew turned to her and she raised her eyebrow.
"A ship has been spotted."
She recalled Arlong's plans to obtain a new ship and felt conflicting emotions. On the one hand, it could just be a smaller ship and Arlong might let it pass by. Or perhaps it was a Marine vessel or pirate ship. Fuck. The quiet life on the island seemed like a dream, now she faced the possibility of being drawn into conflict.
She stood there for a couple of moments, contemplating the possibilities. She saw Kuroobi fetch a telescope and look through it, and she squinted in the same direction. For a moment she was almost certain she saw a pale glimmer.
"Could I look?" Yolande asked politely. Kuroobi stared at her for a moment before handing her the telescope. Woe betide the poor bastards aboard that ship, but if Arlong and his men deemed it worthwhile, she knew there was nothing she could do to stop them. Well, except perhaps poisoning the next meal.
Yeah… no. She swallowed thickly, feeling Arlong's gaze on her.
"Do you have any objections to this?" he asked in a low, almost teasing tone.
"If I did, what could I do about it? Would you listen to me if I threw myself at your feet and pleaded with you?" she asked. He reached out to grab her arm, pulling her close.
"Perhaps… if the reason was compelling enough." he stared at her with cold eyes and a predatory grin. She gave out a soft groan at that.
"You're a real bastard."
He shrugged at that. "I am the captain of my crew, and I take care of my nakama. Humans took my park from me. I think a ship or two is hardly too much to ask for in compensation."
"What about the lives of those aboard?"
"What do you suggest? That I cast them off on a lifeboat?" he growled.
"It would be better than nothing."
"I might consider it if they prove themselves deserving."
She declined further comment as she felt his grip on her upper arm. Arlong only let her go when Ishidai and the others emerged onto the side of the ship, looking quite pleased as the blue-and-yellow-haired fishman went over to Arlong.
It was a better ship than they'd expected. The ship was well-built and armed. It was also more several times the size of the Sorrowfree Wanderer, but there were still plenty of larger ships, so this new ship wouldn't draw as much notice as some other vessels. And with a crew of fishmen and some modifications, it would be a quite adequate base for Arlong and his men.
She reached out to touch Arlong's arm. "At least hold off on killing them. A ship of that size and quality is bound to have some valuable people or information abroad. And I think it's safe to say there would be at least one snail. Take that in mind, you could use that to your advantage, too."
Arlong stared at her for several moments. The anticipation in the air was almost electric as the fishmen bustled about, and suddenly, inspiration struck her.
"Wait, wait, Arlong. I have an idea. What if I pretended to be the captain of this ship? I can keep Hatchan and Shioyaki and a few others around. It would give me a chance to gauge them when they're not on the defensive. I mean, the ship is armed, right?"
"You just suggested that so you can warn them!" Kuroobi accused.
She shook her head slowly. "No. Call it intelligence-gathering, if you will. You can make a cleaner strike that way. I'm trying to avoid a mess." And injury and loss of life, she mentally added. Arlong stared at her, and she stared back at him before giving him a soft smirk.
"I didn't get this far in life by being a fool even if I've had to play one in the past. You're eager to jump on me for the slightest transgression, are you?" she asked, directing the question at the ray fishman who offered no denial. "Trust me, that's the last thing I want. Or to face Arlong's fury, for that matter," she said, her gaze sliding back to Arlong.
He nodded his assent.
Kaneshiro steered the ship to make what appeared to be a friendly approach. Yolande swallowed thickly as she stood at the prow, watching the action on the other ship through the telescope as Arlong's vessel closed the distance. The sail was plain, depicting neither the World Government nor the Marine insignia. Nonetheless, she could not help but feel a knot of unease despite Arlong and Kuroobi's confidence in handling the other ship.
The name 'White Mermaid' was painted in cursive black script on top of the white paint that covered much of the upper half of the ship, and true to its name, there was a life-sized carved mermaid painted white that served as an elegant figurehead.
Hatchan and the other selected fishmen went about with chores, hats and long-sleeved clothing covering fins or extra limbs.
The little ship slid beside the White Mermaid, and Yolande received a jovial greeting from the captain of the ship, a handsome and broad-shouldered man who seemed to be around Arlong's age if not a little younger. He was well-dressed, and she deduced that he was the captain of a wealthy person's private vessel. Several men accompanied him, and she might have felt more intimidated as they looked down at her from their mighty ship if not for the fishmen who backed her up.
Captain Aiuchi was charming, but the cynical mate of Arlong did nothing more than offer a few polite smiles, and a couple of eyelid flutters at what she determined were the best times in the conversation as he inquired about her business.
"Just a merchant plying her trade through the South Blue and headed home after a long trip. How about you?" she asked.
"Gracious captain, I'm afraid I can not say. Private clients and all that, I am sure you understand."
"Oh, absolutely. I respect your professionalism, my good sir." She worked her way through the blather, paying attention to Captain Aiuchi's body language and words as well as that of his companions, and feigning what she deemed was an appropriate amount of surprise and pleasure at the invitation to lunch.
Last time you accepted an invitation from a captain, he claimed you as his mate, Yolande remembered dryly. "Are you sure you wouldn't get in trouble for that, from your boss?"
"Call it a business lunch, then."
She glanced back at the fishmen, aware of their scrutiny. "Certainly, if this is a business lunch, then my men should accompany me," she said, nodding to Hatchan and Kaneshiro. They were at her side almost immediately, and she felt reassured by their company.
"We do still have some saffron," Yolande said conversationally as she and her companions enjoyed lunch in the mess hall with the captain and a couple of other crew members. She did not miss how Aiuchi or his companions looked at the fishmen, and that left her wondering.
They didn't like having fishmen at their table, that much was clear after several minutes. She asked several questions, subtly prying information that she could take back with her.
She remained alert to her surroundings. On the surface, it seemed like nothing more than a private vessel, with more luxurious quarters on the floor above them. She wondered who lived in these quarters, perhaps a government representative or a dignitary trying to travel discreetly.
She looked down at the fistful of Beli she had in her hand, wondering how much more of it was on the ship. She watched quietly as Hachi handed off the saffron to two crew members of the White Mermaid. Kaneshiro had gone off to report to Arlong once they returned to their ship. She looked down at Captain Aiuchi, taking no small amount of pleasure in the fact that she was nearly a head taller than him, something that surprised him when she came aboard his ship although he'd quickly covered it up.
"Looks like you've done pretty well for yourself, you have these fishmen well-trained."
"Yes, I certainly do," she replied as she maintained a smile on her face. So her instinct was right. She glanced over his head at the White Mermaid, wondering what secrets were hidden within the ship. "You sound like you have some experience training them yourself," she said conversationally, praying that none of the fishmen nearby would show any reactions.
"Take them when they're young and break them, is what I always say," the smirking blonde man said, "though sometimes an older one can be fun to break in if you're up for a challenge… or just some fun."
"Where do you get them?" she asked casually.
"Normally I would say Fishman Island, of course... though it's become a lot harder since Whitebeard put it under his protection. But mer- and fishfolk often leave to go see Sabaody or other places and that makes them easy to snatch up."
Shioyaki glared at her as he moved behind the other captain, and she raised her eyebrow before shaking her head subtly, cautioning him to wait. If she felt sympathy for the occupants of the White Mermaid before, it was rapidly waning.
"Would you have any on your ship? Trained or not?" she asked, putting on a convincing facsimile of an eager, interested grin as if she shared this loathsome man's opinion on seafolk. His smirk told her the answer before he verbalized it, and she had to school her face to not show her rage. She asked him several more questions while Shioyaki and a couple of other nearby fishmen listened, letting this stupid, arrogant human spin out the rope that he would eventually be hanged with.
Finally, she motioned the salmon fishman over and stood him before the captain of the White Mermaid. She could almost feel the rage simmering in the fishman, and she gave the back of his arm a quick squeeze.
"This is one of mine," she said cheerfully as she gestured to Shioyaki before she tugged down the zipper of his jacket enough to reveal his neck. Captain Aiuchi glanced at her and Shioyaki quizzically before he raised his thick eyebrows.
"Where's his collar?" Aiuchi asked. At that, she smirked and looked up at Shioyaki. He took his cue and grinned back.
"I don't have a collar because I'm not a slave, you arrogant jackass!"
"He's not…" Aiuchi asked, taking a step back as the reality of the situation started to dawn upon him.
His words were cut off when more fishmen emerged from the ship, and just beyond the ship, there were startled cries when other fishmen emerged from the water and climbed onto the White Mermaid.
It'd been so long since she engaged in combat. With the backup of her mate and his crew, she fought past several White Mermaid crew members to reach the bridge of the ship before roars of pain met her ears.
Fuck me, she thought as she realized that one of the humans was a Devil Fruit user, shooting out what looked like thick nails. She wasn't surprised that a crew like this, with a wealthy client, might have a Devil Fruit user among its ranks, but the bulky man shooting projectiles was proving to be a match for the fishmen. She winced as she saw Kaneshiro take a spike to the side.
"Bitch! I'll take great pleasure in breaking you myself!" the black-haired man roared as he took notice of her when she tried to circle around to attack him from the back. Several spikes emerged from his arms and hands, and he fired them all off at once. Pain tore through her shoulder and she was thrown against a wall. She heard more cries of alarm and pain.
She looked down to see a spike sticking out of her shoulder, bearing a resemblance to a porcupine quill albeit much longer and thicker, and with something of a metallic sheen to it. She barely had time to process that when another one tore through her leg, and she arched but did not scream because she was so overwhelmed by the pain.
o0o0o0o
"Shark on Darts!" Arlong roared as he launched himself out of the water, tearing his way through several men as he landed on the deck. On this side of the ship, the fishmen were holding up, but the screams and yelling from the rear of the ship told a different story.
Yolande had mentioned the possibility of a Devil Fruit user, and a projectile whizzed past him to land on the wood near him. A fishman staggered into sight, several spikes sticking out of him.
"Exercise caution!" Kuroobi yelled nearby. Several fishmen picked up whatever was close to use as shields, including a couple of humans.
-HELP-
The scene before him reminded Arlong all too well of coming across his fishmen in Arlong Park after that damn green-haired swordsman fought them – only worse because this time there was much more blood.
His mate was slumped against a wall, a spike sticking out of her shoulder. He barely had time to register it before the Devil Fruit user spun around on him. More spikes emerged from his skin, making him look like some sort of hellish porcupine Mink, and to his horror, Arlong realized that this bastard intended to launch them in all directions like an explosive designed to shoot out shrapnel. There had to be dozens if not at least a hundred of these spikes, growing out of his skin, poking through his clothes. His first instinct was to launch himself at the man, but his self-preservation instinct gave him a brief pause.
"Fishman filth. You deserve nothing more than to be ground under heel," the man growled, flexing his arms, on the verge of unleashing his deadly projectiles before suddenly, he stumbled off the side of the ship as if an invisible hand shoved him. Arlong blinked and several fishmen gave out several exclamations of surprise.
He turned to his mate, seeing her with her hand held up, a look of pained concentration in her eyes before her head slumped forward and her arm fell, her body falling to one side as blood pooled on the front of her shirt and pants.
o0o0o0o
Gasp, ooh, the drama, but Arlong and his crew were bound to run into that eventually, lol. Reviews and feedback are always very much welcome and cherished by this hardworking author!