Chapter 5: Sins of the Past, Part 5
I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda! I only own my OCs
Genghis sat upon his chair brewing when one of his hunters came rushing in. "Master," the Kuda hunter said, forgetting to bow in the presence of his master. "Master, they have returned!"
"Who has, fool?" Genghis growled.
"Zoar and his hunting party," the hunter said. "They have Itachi with them and-"
"And what?" Genghis growled.
"The bodies that Itachi had slain."
"What?!" Genghis rose from his seat, causing the poor Kuda to cower. "Who was slain?"
"Lash and all of his hunting party and Nàlani."
Genghis couldn't believe what he just heard. That couldn't be right. "Itachi was badly injured," he said. "So severely that it would take weeks for him to recover, and yet, you are telling me that he killed Lash's hunting party?"
"Y-yes, m-master," The Kuda in question stammered.
Genghis headed out to the courtyard. The remaining Kuda hunters and his Fishmen followers gathered together, staring at Itachi, bound, and lying on his stomach. Genghis crouched before Itachi, and despite his injuries, the Kuda glared at the mako. Finally, he turned his attention to the bodies of the slain then back to Itachi.
"Murdering your brethren," Genghis said. "And then Nàlani. You know what this means, Itachi?" Itachi glared at him even more. "But if you tell me where you've hidden that girl, I will forgive you for your crimes."
Itachi muttered something.
"What was that?" Genghis said, lifting Itachi's head. "I didn't hear you."
What happened next, no one could believe it, but Itachi turned around and sank his fearsome teeth right into Genghis' hand. The mako roared in pain as blood flowed. Then, with a couple of his hunters, Zoar kicked and beat Itachi until the Kuda let go of Genghis. The mako staggered back a few steps clutching his bleeding hand.
"You dare attack me?!" Genghis roared.
What he didn't expect to see was the defiant look Itachi was giving him. "Fuck you, Genghis!" Itachi snarled, spitting blood from his mouth. "I'll never let you near my mate nor child. I'll see you dead long before that happens, you fucking bastard!"
Zoar and the remaining hunters were taken back by Itachi's words. Itachi was Genghis' most loyal, and to hear this was unbelievable. Moreover, Genghis was furious by Itachi's defiance. How dares this wretched worthless Kuda defy him?
"Stringer! Blade! Crab!" Genghis snarled.
From the crowd of Fishmen stepped out, the three Genghis called. Crab, unlike Masta, was the strangest crab man that ever sailed in the Grand Line. He stood 6 ft. tall and had green eyes. He had four legs and two arms with two huge crab claws. Crab's body had a thick exoskeleton that was grayish red extending to his arms, pincers, and legs. He wore a red hooded cowl, a red vest like Luffy's with blue shoulder pads, and red shorts with a black belt and a gold buckle.
Blade was swordfish Fishman stood 7 ft tall with cold black eyes. He had blue skin and blue hair that was a Mohawk. His nose was similar to that of the saw shark Fishman except it was the length of a sword blade. He wore an orange shirt with a white flower pattern and orange shorts to match.
Stinger was a stingray and stood 6 ft. tall, and was pure white. Around his neck and shoulders were wings that grew from the sides of his arms, looking like a cape. The insides of his wings were yellow though the outsides were black, and completing this look was a long black tail with three nasty barbs on it.
"What do you want of us, Genghis?" Stringer said.
"Take this traitor to the prison cells and deal with him," Genghis snarled.
Blade looked at the mako. "Deal with him?" he said. "We don't work for you, Genghis. We only stayed because you promised that you give Scales an answer which we are still waiting for."
"You'll get your answer when I feel like giving it to you!" Genghis snapped. "Now deal with this traitor!"
Though they didn't like the answer they received, Crab, Stringer, and Blade did as told. Blade grabbed Itachi's tail dragging him off to the prison cells. The prison cells were in the lower part of the fortress, and lite torches lined both sides of the hall. Stringer stopped the bottom step at what he was seeing. The cells lined both sides of the aisle, full of the remaining island's women and men.
"What is this?" Crab asked as he and Blade joined their comrade.
"Slaves…" Itachi rasped.
"What?" Stringer said, looking at the injured Kuda. "Did you say, slaves?"
"Yes," Itachi said. He lifted his head some. "Nàlani betrayed his own to Genghis. So you see only the women and men, but no children."
Crab took notice that Itachi spoke true. "Why is that?" he asked.
"Nàlani offered all the children as sacrifices to that sick bastard who I once called master," Itachi said.
Crab, Stringer, and Blade remained silent, but they were listening.
"The children-" Itachi choked some as he remembered what happened. "The children…Genghis feasted upon them."
"What?!" Stinger looked highly sick. "He did what?"
Tears were flowing, mixing with the dried blood. "Genghis ate them," Itachi said. "That sick bastard ate them. Only my Leilani escaped this horrible fate because I warned her. I would rather die before I let Genghis do the same to her and our unborn child."
Stringer, Crab, and Blade looked at each other before they started laughing. Itachi looked at them. Why were they laughing? Seeing the islanders in those cells was funny to these three.
"Why are you laughing?" Itachi asked. "What happened to these people is not funny."
Stringer crouched in front of the Kuda. "It is," he said. "You see, our boss, Scales, was bought as a slave when he was a young age as the rest of us were by one of those Celestrial Dragon bastards. You know what he bought us for?" Itachi remained silent. "We were used for deep-sea diving since there is a lot of gold and other rare minerals found in those depths."
"Between that and our boss' wife was killed when she resisted that wretched human, leaving only their daughter Ianna to be raised by the boss," Blade added.
"So any Fishmen that are human lovers they're traitors," Crab said. "And you admitted that you took a human as your mate and that she's knocked up with your kid. So that makes you a traitor!"
"So, how should we deal with this traitor?" Stringer said.
"Let's find his bitch of a mate," Blade said. "Might as well find out what Genghis would do with that human."
"No! I'll kill you before I let you near Leilani!"
Itachi lunged for Stringer, aiming for his throat only to have the Fishman hurl him into the far wall. The Kuda lay stunned, his bound body wracked with pain. He opened his eyes to see Crab standing over him, his right arm raised.
"Filthy human lover," Crab said as he struck Itachi in the face hard.
"Is he dead?"
Blade looked to see Zoar standing on the bottom step, eyes on Itachi. "No, just unconscious," he said.
Zoar walked up to Itachi and kicked him in his side. "How about letting me deal with the piece of crap?" the Kuda said, looking at the three Fishmen.
"And why should we let you do that?" Blade asked.
Zoar smiled evilly. "Because I know where Itachi had hidden his human, and I'm sure you three could easily find her."
Stringer smiled. "You, my friend, have a deal. Now, where was this human at?"
"There is a back entrance in the fortress and a path that will take you to a waterfall," Zoar said. "It was there that Itachi kept the girl hidden. If she is with a child, she won't be traveling fast and will take her time. So you should catch up with her easily."
Blade grinned. "Let's go."
Zoar watched them leave, then turned his attention to Itachi. "Now, I shall have my revenge on you, little dragon."
~~.~~.~~
Leilani had to stop and rest. She had no idea how far she had gone or where she was going. Leilani rested against a fallen tree, placing her pack by her feet. She winced in pain and hugged her belly.
"Please, my little one," she said. "Please rest. I must keep going until I find us a safe place." She looked behind her hoping, praying that her mate would appear. But, she knew that wasn't going to happen, not with those injures he got protecting her. "Mo'o be safe, my love."
Take a painful breath. Leilani picked up her pack and slowly moved on.
~~.~~.~~
Gaff stopped, looked around, and to his disgust, realized that he was lost. "Where the fuck am I?! he shouted.
The Kuda hybrid cursed wildly. But, unfortunately, he was so absorbed in his thoughts and misery that he wasn't paying attention. Instead, he was standing in a meadow with grass that was tall as him. Everywhere direction he looks he saw forests that he swore were all the same. So how the hell was he supposed to get back to Wavecutter? Gaff heard the snapping of branches and whirled in the direction of the sound. He saw a young woman struggling to make it safely down the hillside when she suddenly slipped. Without thinking, Gaff rushed to her aid.
"I got you!" He caught her with such ease and then noted that she was pregnant. Carefully he placed her on her feet, holding her steady. "Are you and your baby alright?"
She started to nod when she doubled over in pain. Gaff knelt by her noticing that she was hugging her belly. Not good. He had to get her to Wavecutter.
"Tell me do you know where the stone dock is," Gaff said.
"Yes," she said before crying out in pain.
Gaff shouldered the pack she had before scooping her up. "You tell me, and I swear I'll get us back to my ship."
~~.~~.~~
Kuroobi looked at Riptide and blinked. Did he hear this young fool right? That HE was going to own HIM? Seriously?
"Big talk for someone who thinks they can beat me," Kuroobi said.
"I don't think I can," Riptide replied. "I know I can."
'Is that wise to make such a boost?' Arlong the Black said.
'I don't need any shit from you right now!' Riptide snapped at the ancient chieftain. 'You've caused me enough headache and grief!'
'Riptide, I never meant any disrespect, but I just thought-'
'Thought! You just thought it was okay to take control of my body and that I would be OK with that? Well, I wasn't, you fucking bastard!'
Riptide could feel the old clan chieftain's guilt and even emotional distress. But, at the moment, he didn't care. He needed to remain focus on Kuroobi. But, yes, the Fishman was older and had more experience when it came to fighting. Suddenly Riptide cried out in pain, dropping to a knee.
"Rip!" Nami shouted.
What is it? What's wrong?!' Arlong the Black said.
'The pain! Oh god, this hurts so much! Chief help.'
'How am I supposed to do that when I don't know-' Arlong the Black stopped as Riptide shared the memory of Drake's experiments. 'Now I understand. It's a build-up of that electrical power, and you have no way of storing it. So we can use this to our very advantage.'
'How?' Riptide asked painfully.
'By using Tsunami's strongest attack.'
'Tsunami?'
Riptide saw an eel Fishman with Arlong the Black fighting back-to-back with shark clan chieftain. The Fishman ran towards a group of charging soldiers and leaping high into the air drawing his right arm back as he watched. The hybrid saw an electrical current spiraling around his fist clear up to his elbow. The eel Fishman unleashed an incredible punch in the center of the charging enemy resulting in an explosion that sent his enemies flying in all directions, their bodies crackling from the electricity he unleashed.
'Tsunami's Thunder Strike,' Arlong the Black said. 'He could take out nearly a whole army with such an attack.'
'How is this supposed to help me?' Riptide asked.
'You're going to use the Thunder Strike attack.' Arlong the Black said.
'I'm going to what?!'
'You heard me.'
Riptide was overwhelmed and completely unsure how he was supposed to duplicate such a devasting attack against Kuroobi. He wasn't even sure he could do it.
Kuroobi, on the other hand, seeing that Riptide was no doubt down and out, decided to take revenge on Nami. It was all her fault for the events at Arlong Park, for Arlong's downfall, and Kuroobi could not let that go unpunished. If he could get Chew to force them to scatter, he would have a perfect shot at the wretched woman. Luckily Chew glanced toward him, and he motioned with his fingers what he wanted him to do.
'Rip! Those two are up to something!'
'What!' Riptide said.
'That stingray pointed to the others and then spread his fingers!'
'Why? What are they-no! Mother! Mother is the target!'
'You need to stop them before they set their plan into action!'
Chief! How am I-'
'Damn it! I told you what you need to do! Were you even listening, pup?!' Arlong the Black snarled.
'I'm not Tsunami! I'm a saw shark hybrid, not an eel Fishman!' Riptide said. 'I don't even know how even to use this frightening ability!'
'Calm down.' Arlong the Black said. 'You need to calm yourself and focus.'
Riptide wanted to, but at the very moment, Chew moved toward another more decent-sized water puddle he reacted. Riptide didn't remember what happened or how he did it; knowing that his mother was the target was more than enough for the hybrid to react by instinct.
"Itazura shot!" Riptide was midair when he went his next attack. "O Uchimizu: Raiju!"
Riptide would have thrown a much larger droplet of water instead, but one thing to his mind: Raiiju, a mythological beast created from lightning. It wasn't a large droplet of water that struck the ground between Kuroobi and Chew but Raiiju, who took the form of a qilin. A beast with the head and scaly body of a dragon, the tail of a lion with cloven hooves and antlers for a deer, its body wasn't in scared flames, but lightning
When Riptide's attack struck the ground, there was an intense explosion of light that Nami and the others had to shield their eyes, followed by a blast of air that knocked them off their feet. Marcus dared to look in the direction of the attack pulling the brim of his hat down and his eyes squinting. He saw Raiiju roar before fading away, leaving the impact area nothing but scorched earth, and both Kuroobi and Chew lay where they were. Marcus got to his feet, spying Riptide on the ground, and he wasn't moving.
"Riptide," he yelled, rushing to his grandson. He dropped to his knees, taking and cradling the hybrid. "Riptide, open your eyes. For the love of heaven, open your eyes."
Riptide gave a small groan before he weakly opened his eyes. "D-did it work, Sofu?" he said, sounding so tired. "Did I stop them before they could hurt mother?"
"You tell me," Marcus said, helping his grandson sit up. "Do you think it did?"
"What the fucking hell," Tarl said as he joined them. "Looks like a bloody damn naval bombardment happened."
The ground was not only scorched but any trees nearby were destroyed. Moana stepped out from where he had been hiding, his eyes wide at the power Riptide had unleashed. A power only possessed by the gods, and he shook with fear. Nàlani wanted him to find and bring the female with silver skin, but after seeing this, Moana decided against such an idea. He had heard the old legends of how the gods could take the forms of people and animals, and if this one was of the many shark gods, then he was a fool even to dare try to do what Nàlani wanted him to do.
"Are you hurt?"
Moana blinked as he realized that the tiger-striped sawtooth was looking at him and, out of fear, dropped to his knees, bowing crazily. "Yes, O Mighty Lord of the sea," he said, shaking some. "This humble one thanks you for saving his life!"
'Looks like this poor fellow thinks you're a god,' Arlong the Black said. 'Not that I blame him. You overdid with that attack of yours.'
'It worked, didn't it?' Riptide said.
"Hell if it didn't,' chuckled the old shark clan chieftain. 'Though we should check on those two. Not sure if they survived that attack of yours.'
Riptide swallowed, afraid that he might have done just that. Jimbei was checking on both Kuroobi and Chew. "Uncle, do they live?" Riptide asked.
"Yes," Jimbei said.
Riptide breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't killed them.
"Rip!"
Riptide looked to see Trapper with Ryder and Blade hurrying towards him. "Is everything okay back at Wavecutter?" he asked.
"We felt what we assumed was an earthquake," Ryder said. "Shook the whole ship."
"Aye, that it did," Blade said. "I went to fetch ye, and I ran into yer sister. She told me ye went off to save poor old Marcus."
"I'm not old," Marcus said. "Where did you get the crazy idea that I'm damn old?"
"Ye have grey in yer hair," Blade said.
"It was from stress, not age," Marcus grumbled.
Tarlong and Garth looked at each other. "Yep, dad is a proud one," Both brothers thought.
"After Destiny told Blade, he ran into us and told us that you were in trouble," Trapper said. The orca looked towards the area of Riptide's attack. "But what in the bloody hell did that?"
"That would have been me," Riptide said rather sheepishly. "I went a little overboard with an attack."
Trapper looked at his captain. "What the fuck did you do? Find Thor's hammer and call down the wrath of the God of Thunder?"
Riptide heard Arlong the Black laughing hearty. 'You find that amusing?'
'Strangely, I do. That is a good name for that attack you did.'
'What? Thor's Wrath?'
"Don't you think it's a good name?' Arlong the Black questioned.
"I thought Tsunami's Wrath would have been a bit better,' Riptide said. "He was your friend, wasn't he?'
'He was, and I wouldn't be surprised if that bastard tickled pink knowing that you're honoring his memory,'
"Cap'n, who are those two?" Blade asked, seeing Chew and Kuroobi.
"They're two of Arlong's former officers," Nami said. "Both are trouble."
"Then we best get these two in the brig," Blade said. "If ye okay with that, cap'n?"
"Do it," Riptide said.
Blade nodded, walking over towards the unconscious pair not before the old sawtooth whacked Tarlong on the chest. "Ye can help me," he said.
Tarlong grumbled and muttered something under his breath as he followed. Riptide slowly got to his feet Marcus making sure his grandson was okay. Finally, the group turned to go back to their ship.
"Mighty Lord of the Sea!"
Riptide paused as he felt the tugging on his arm and looked at Moana gripping his arm tightly.
"Please, O' Mighty One," Moana said, dropping to his knees. "This humble one has no right to ask a favor of you."
Riptide crouched so he was at eye level with Moana. "What favor are you asking of me?"
"Mighty One, I have done many great evils because I believed in Nàlani and his words," the man said. "Nàlani though did a greater evil and this I know for he told me."
"What is it you are asking of me?" Riptide said.
"Strike down the false one. Strike down the false god that my people welcomed and then betrayed, my people. He killed many, take others as slaves, and-" Moana paused before he continued. "All children save one became sacrifices."
"Does this false god have a name?" Ryder asked.
Moana looked at Ryder. "He calls himself Genghis."
Marcus made a choking sound and nearly dropped if Garth hadn't caught his father by his arm. "Genghis? Are you sure that is the name? Have you seen him?"
"Yes, that is the name the false god calls himself," Moana said. "I have seen him, and he is not right."
"What do ye mean by not right?" Blade asked.
"He must have had a bad injury," Moana said, demonstrating how Genghis' head dopped to the right side. "Genghis cannot lift head to look left, and he has wheezing breathe."
"His eyes," Marcus asked, shaking visibly. "Have you seen the color of his eyes?"
Moana nodded. "Eyes purple in color."
Poor Marcus cried and dropped to his knees, tears spilling down his face and cursing wildly. "Damn it! It's my fault!"
"Dad, what are you talking about?" Tarlong said, sitting Kuroobi's unconscious form on the ground. "What is your fault?"
"All of this," Marcus sobbed. "Everything that happened to this island, those killed, it's my fault!"
"Marcus, we don't understand," Nami said, kneeling by the distraught longfin mako.
He looked at Nami. "Genghis," he sobbed. "He is my brother!"
"WHAT?!"
~~.~~.~~
Gaff had hurried as he carried the young woman careful in his arms. Her pain was becoming worse, and the kuda hybrid feared for the child she was carrying. She needed Skie's medical skills. Soon Gaff spied Wavecutter, and never their ship been a welcome sight. Next, he spotted Destiny, who was looking for Riptide and the others to return.
"Des!" Gaff shouted.
"Gaff," the silver-skinned hybrid peered down at him. "Where have you-"
"Fetch Skie and hurry!" Gaff nodded to the one in his arms. "She's is pregnant and in pain. I think her baby is in trouble."
Destiny nodded, hurrying off as Gaff hurried up the gangplank. He had just entered the infirmary when Skie came in with Both Destiny and Neeta following her.
"Here," Skie said, pointing to the closest bed to him. "Place her there."
Gaff nodded, carefully laying the young woman on the bed. Skie shooed him aside as she checked on her patient, feeling her belly and looking very concerned. "How many months?" Skie asked.
"Eight," the girl said before crying out in pain.
"Skie," Neeta said. "She's in labor."
"I fear you are right," Skie said, glancing at Gaff. "Her water broke."
Gaff looked at his clothing, realizing he was soaked, and he never noticed. "I'll go and clean myself up."
"No, go!"
Gaff saw the girl reaching out for him. He looked at the three females present, wondering what he should do. Skie took the girl's hand, stroking it.
"Why don't you want Gaff to leave?" she asked.
"Mo'o," the girl said, tears running down her face. "He can, my Mo'o."
"Mo'o? Is that your husband's name?" Destiny asked.
"Mo'o needs help," the girl said. "He was protecting me, but he is hurt. He was still healing from his wounds."
"Wounds?" Neeta said, leaning in some.
The girl gave a small cry. "You look like the others! Others who were with my Mo'o."
Gaff jerked some. Itachi? Was this girl talking about Itachi? "Mo'o," he said. "Does he look like a dragon?"
The girl looked so relieved. "Yes. My Mo'o look like that."
'Sonofabitch! That fucker got this girl pregnant, and she thinks he is some fucking saint!' Gaff thought angrily.
"Save Mo'o." The girl looked at Gaff with pleading eyes. "Please, save my sweet Mo'o."
Gaff swallowed. Was she asking him, asking him to save the one he hated? How could she ask this of him?
The poor screamed in pain as she felt a contraction hit. "Please," she said, tears spilling down her face. "Our baby is so important to him. But, my Mo'o, his queen said he could never have a family."
"What!" Gaff said, shocked. Itachi denied having that?
"Out," Skie said, herding him towards the door.
"But-" Gaff said.
Neeta took him by the arm and escorted him out. Once outside the room, the female Kuda looked at him. "So, what are you going to do?"
"Do?" Gaff looked confused before he shook his head. "Ohno, the hell with that bastard."
"You're not going to go and get Riptide?" Neeta said.
"Why should I save that rotten bastard after everything he did to me?" Gaff said. "Why should I play hero for him?"
"She asked you, and you would turn your back on her request?"
Gaff gave a small jump of fright and turned to face Destiny. "Don't do that," he said.
Destiny ignored him as she looked at him. "How can you do that?" she asked. "That poor girl asked you to save the life of her husband, and you won't do it?"
"Des, that bastard made my life a living hell," Gaff said. "You have no idea what he has done to me. How he made me suffer."
"I don't care," Destiny said. "You have to help, but you plain refuse to do so." She turned away from him. "I never believed that someone like you would refuse to help, but I guess I was wrong."
Gaff watched her walk away, his heart hurting. He messed up badly. Destiny hated him, and he couldn't blame her. His hatred for Itachi was too intense, and he couldn't do what he had asked to do. Neeta had gone back inside the infirmary, leaving him alone as his thoughts tortured him and coming to a painful decision. He could no longer stay; he couldn't be part of the Saw Pirates.
So he hurried to his room and grabbing his belongings which sadly wasn't much. But, the moment he grabbed a pair of leather wrist bands, Gaff stopped staring at them. They were different in color and creation; one was a brown bangle cuff bracelet with a braided chain, and the other was a beaded bracelet made with flawless tiger eyes and onyx beads on a braided chain. The bracelets were familiar to him, and memories that he had forgotten came from the depths of his mind.
~~Flashback~~
Pain. Fear. That's was what Gaff knew as he lay on the ground staring up at the face of his father. He clutched his bleeding left arm, not understanding why his father attacked him. Other male Kudas formed a circle around them with hungry bloodthirsty looks on their faces.
"Papa," Gaff said, tears spilling. "I didn't mean to be bad."
The male Kuda who would become the captain to his matriarch's guard, snarled. "Don't call me that. I am not your father!"
Gaff didn't understand. He was his father, said he was, and now he suddenly wasn't. The young Kuda stared as the one who had been his father lunged open mouth teeth aiming for his neck. Gaff screamed. "PAPA!"
There was a blur of blue-green, and Gaff's father lay pinned underneath sharp claws the pierce his long face and neck. Gaff stared at the strange-looking Kuda, who looked more dragon than anything.
"Turn on your child," Snarled the newcomer. "Disgraceful behavior for a father."
"He is not mine," Gaff's father said, struggling to breathe. "Y-you have no right to interfere, Itachi."
Gaff blinked. So this was the legendary Itachi, the Matriarch's most excellent hunter. Itachi turned his head, reddish-brown eyes staring at the injured Kuda, who was frightened. The dragon Kuda pushed Gaff's father's face into the ground, claws digging deeper into his flesh.
"Papa," Gaff sobbed, reaching out for his father.
Itachi released his father, going to the youngster who cowered before the hunter. "Since you disregarded your flesh and blood, then I will claim him," Itachi said as he gently brought Gaff to him, hugging him close.
"Itachi!"
Gaff huddled closer to Itachi, burying his face into him as every Kuda present turned their heads to the arrival of their Matriarch. He never dared to look up, but he heard what was said.
"How dare you interfere, Itachi," the Matriarch said.
"I have every right to interfere, especially when a father threatens the life of his child," Itachi said.
"The child is weak and must die," the Matriarch said with an irritated hiss. "This is the law."
"And it is also the law that if denied by a parent that another can claim the said child," Itachi retorted. "I am exercising that right. I am claiming this child."
"As to what?"
Gaff peeked up at Itachi as he looked down at him. "As my brother."
Silence hung in the air as Itachi looked back to the Matriarch, who had now moved back into the shadows. "He is yours. For now."
Under Itachi's watchful eyes and care, Gaff thrived. He was still small compared to the other Kuda children, but he gained a friend in Neeta who looked after him. One day Itachi gifted Gaff the leather bracers he wore. Gaff was excited as his brother put them on him.
"The colors are symbols," Itachi said, tapping each bracer. "Brown means ruggedness, oneness with nature, practicality, and calmness. Black means strength, power, sophistication, mysterious and dominance."
Next, Itachi started teaching Gaff the ways of the hunter, deciding that Gaff would join his hunters. But, unfortunately, his decision brought the Matriarch's anger on the Itachi.
"How dare you decide that weakling will be a hunter," she snarled when she came to the training grounds of the hunters.
"He is not weak," Itachi said. "Gaff shows promise as a hunter."
Unknown to Itachi and the Matriarch, Gaff was watching as he kept out of sight.
"As a hunter?" the Matriarch laughed. "The only thing that pathetic weakling is good for is prey, and that is what he shall be."
Itachi was taken back by the Matriarch's decision. "Prey?! He'll stand no chance like that!"
The Matriarch glared at Itachi. "Do you dare challenge my authority?"
"I won't allow my little brother to become that!" Itachi snarled before charged the Matriarch.
It was a costly mistake as the Kuda queen struck Itachi, sending the hunter rolling across the training field where he slammed into a tree. Itachi lay stunned and helpless as the Matriarch came towards the down hunter.
"Leave my brother alone!"
Itachi had barely lifted his head to see Gaff crouching between him and the Matriarch teeth bared. The Matriarch gave an amused smile before she started laughing sinisterly.
"Look at you," she said, smiling, a smile that revealed her broken, missing, and rotten teeth. "A weak little thing that is acting like a Kuda."
Itachi reached for Gaff just as the Matriarch knocked him away with such force that Gaff screamed in pain as he landed just behind the Matriarch.
"Take him away!" The Matriarch said, barely turning her head.
Two of her royal guard rushed in and grabbed Gaff, dragging him away as he screamed for Itachi. "Brother!"
Itachi painfully got to his feet, snarling in rage. He wouldn't let them take Gaff away. Not while he had a breath in his body. He barely even took a step when the Matriarch seized him and slammed him into the ground with such force that Itachi lost consciousness,
"BROTHER!"
~~End of Flashback~~
Gaff's whole body trembled. The Matriarch had robbed him of his memories, making him believe that Itachi was his enemy all those years, but he wasn't. Instead, Itachi had been his protector, his brother, and he almost killed him! He had almost killed his brother!
"Mo'o! Save my Mo'o!"
Gaff shook his head as he gathered his wits. "Don't worry, I will," he said. "I will save my brother."
As Gaff left Wavecutter full of determination, his departure did not go unnoticed. Slashback watched him go, and he gave a smile. An evil smile.
"Good," the sawtooth said. "Now, I can go ahead with my plan." Slashback pulled out a small vile of orange-reddish liquid. "Soon, I can end this charade with these fools."
~~.~~.~~
Stinger, Blade, and Crab had been trailing Leilani and soon lost her trail. They weren't happy.
"How could we have lost this stinking human's trail?" Stinger grumbled. "I mean, she's damn pregnant."
Crab had been searching around when he found tracks, and he called to Stinger and Blade. "Here! I found tracks!"
Stinger crouched down, studying them. "It seems this female found help," he said, pointing to the direction they needed to go. "We go this way."
Blade and Crab nodded, and the three Fishmen continued their pursuit.
~~.~~.~~
Itachi groaned as he slowly came to, his head throbbing.
"Finally awake, are we?"
Itachi looked to see Zoar crouching not far from him, smiling wickedly at him. "Zoar, what do you want?"
"Oh," Zoar said, mocking sympathy at him. "Is the poor little dragon confused?"
"Dragon? What the fuck are you talking about?" Itachi said. "I'm a Kuda like you."
"The hell you are!" Zoar screamed, getting to his feet. "The Matriarch only said you were because of what you did!"
Itachi was confused. "I don't understand."
Zoar glared at him. "The Matriarch only claimed you to be a Kuda after what you did to her greatest hunter," he said. "We raided an island that three dragon brothers guarded, but only one was there that day. He was so stupid that our Matriarch easily tricked him. We, her hunters, were ordered to raid the nests."
"What!" Itachi was horrified. "You raided the nests!"
Zoar nodded, smiling as he continued. "We came for the eggs. Some of them had hatched while others were starting to," Zoar licked his lips. "Newborn hatchlings made easy pickings, and to hear their pathetic squeaks for their parents made it all more enjoyable."
"You…murder!" Itachi said. "You fucking murdering bastard!"
"You should talk," Zoar said. "You killed my brother, you wretched hatchling runt! That's all you were, a pathetic runt of a hatchling when my brother found you in your nest with your nestmates. I was lucky enough to join him as we feasted on them, but you attacked him when he turned to eat you! I watched in horror as my brother fell from the cliff where your nest was. He lay on the shore dying; you clawed his eyes out! I rushed to his side, as did our father. The Matriarch came spied you crouching against the rocks, claws, and teeth covered with blood. Instead of killing you, she declared you a Kuda and the new leader of her hunters!"
~~.~~.~~
Having remembered the training with Itachi, Gaff found his way to Ghengis' fortress and, with skills taught to him, scaled the stone walls with ease. The Fishmen that were around paid little attention to him. To them, he was just another one of Genghis' hunters and best left alone. Being careful, Gaff found a small building, and here he found the weapons used by the hunters.
We can use some of these. Gaff thought as he picked one of the weapons.
He looked at the far wall lined with a mix of spears and polearms, and one caught his attention. It was a polearm with two prongs that were curved so that the points flared out. The hardwood haft was almost 72 inches long with a head that was 22 inches in length. The space between the prongs was open, and Gaff saw the deviousness of the weapon. Nevertheless, with its two prongs, it remained effective for stabbing. He removed it from its place, and despite that, it was half a foot longer than him; it felt natural in his hand. Satisfied with his choice, Gaff decided to find his brother.
He stepped from the building and sniffed the air. There was blood, a lot of blood, and Gaff recognized it. Itachi! His brother was severely hurt. He moved past some more Fishmen and paused at the sight of the hunters. The Kuda hunters were blocking his path, and some Gaff recognized a few of them. He knew if he tried to go past that, they would recognize him as well. So he had to find a way past them. But how? Then something happened that gave Gaff an idea.
Salmo, the brown trout Fishman wander too close to the hunters, and some of the group were quick to snarl and hiss in a threatening manner. Salmo glared at them, making a threatening gesture at them and seeing that was all Gaff needed. He looked about and spotted Lucious. The pike Fishman was dozing, but the mug of ale next to him gave the Kuda hybrid an idea.
Now to add fuel to the fire. Gaff thought, maneuvering closer to Lucious and knocked the mug over.
The ale splashed all onto a hunter who responded by striking Lucious. The pike, being rudely awoken, responded by punching the Kuda. The result was a brawl between the Fishmen and the hunters. Then, with them all fighting, Gaff walked right past, following the blood scent. Down to the lower part of the fortress and the prison cells.
"What the hell," Gaff said as he saw the imprisoned islanders.
"You should talk! You killed my brother, you wretched hatchling runt! That's all you were, a pathetic runt of a hatchling when my brother found you in your nest with your nestmates. I was lucky enough to join him as we feasted on them, but you attacked him when he turned to eat you! I watched in horror as my brother fell from the cliff where your nest was. He lay on the shore dying; you clawed his eyes out! I rushed to his side, as did our father. The Matriarch came spied you crouching against the rocks, claws, and teeth covered with blood. Instead of killing you, she declared you a Kuda and the new leader of her hunters!"
Gaff knew the voice, and he snarled. "Zoar."
He saw Zoar standing over Itachi, who was bound and helpless.
"Our family lost everything that day," Zoar said. "The Matriarch removed my father as the leader of the hunters, and I lost my rank! To be placed among the lower-ranked hunters was disgraceful. I had to watch you grow and take over my father's place."
"You killed them all, didn't you?" Itachi said. "My kind…they're all gone except for me."
Gaff saw the pain reflecting on Itachi's face. He honestly didn't know. Itachi thought he was a Kuda.
"Who gives a fuck if your pathetic race is all fucking dead!" Zoar said. The Kuda angrily started beating and kicking Itachi. "Who…the…fuck…cares!"
"Zoar!"
Hearing his name, Zoar turned as Gaff slammed into him, and they crashed to the floor. Zoar made a gagging sound, his eyes wide as he gripped the handle of Gaff's weapon, the curved prongs buried deeply in his stomach. Gaff rose, staring at Zoar as his lifeblood flowed onto the stone floor, and the light in his eyes slowly faded, then turned his back on the Kuda.
Gaff went to Itachi's side, who laid so still. "Itachi?" he said. "Brother?"
Itachi gave no sign that he heard or that he was even alive. Finally, the sight of his bound body was too much for Gaff, and with a solid savage bite, he bit through the ropes. Gaff stared at the wounds that covered Itachi's body; the right spiral curved horn was broken just near the back of his skull. Seeing the injuries, he gave Itachi brought Gaff to tears. Tears still flowing, Gaff laid next to Itachi and not since he was little, huddle against him.
~~.~~.~~
Itachi slowly gained consciousness and became aware of the sound of crying and the feeling of another being against him. Then, wincing painfully, he turned his head slightly and was surprised. Gaff? It couldn't be! He had to be dreaming! It just had to be!
"Gaff…?"
The tear-soaked face turned some as eyes red from crying stared into his. "Brother," Gaff sobbed. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Pain wracked his body as Itachi moved to pull Gaff closer to him. He rested his chin on top of Gaff's head, tears of his own starting to flow. "It's okay little brother," Itachi said. "It's okay."
They lay comforting each other, brothers once more.
Well, it appears there was more to Gaff's connection to Itachi. Marcus revealing that Genghis is his brother, and Slashback may not be who he says he is. Who is this mysterious Scales that was mentioned? Blade, Stinger, and Crab belong to my friend, Thomas Dovin, who has permitted me to use them.
Now I pose an interesting question to you, my devoted readers, to this story. Since I have a few arcs planned out, I would like to know your thoughts. Since this is an AU, should I continue to follow some of the story arcs that Strawhats had done or do a completely different set of story arcs of their own with new unique villains?
Remember to Read and Review as always.