Chapter 12: A New Journey Begins
I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda! I only own my Ocs. With the fate of Princess Vivi currently unknown, my return to Alabasta arc will be on hiatus until Oda reveals Vivi's whereabouts. So, for now, I will be focusing on filler arcs.
'Pup, are you okay?'
'Chief…?'
Riptide felt the overwhelming presence of the old clan chieftain, which felt much more potent than before. He became aware of a firm yet gentle grip on his still-healing shoulder and slowly opened his eyes. Riptide wasn't sure if he was dreaming or if it was his mind paying tricks, but he could see Arlong the Black standing over him, looking worried. The old clan chieftain's touch felt warm and comforting, and without thinking, Riptide reached out, his hand touching a tattoed arm. His eyes widened as he stared at the arm he was physically touching.
"How?! Chief and I couldn't do such a thing before!" Riptide thought. "How is this possible?!"
'Pup, what is it? What's wrong?' Arlong the Black looked concerned.
'Chief, don't you see it?' Riptide said, nodding slightly to his hand on the moonless-colored muscular arm. 'Don't tell me that you don't feel that?'
The ancient chieftain blinked, looking startled as he realized the impossible. He and Riptide were able to touch each other physically. How was this even possible?! They couldn't do such a thing before!
'This…this is impossible!' Arlong the Black said, his voice sounding so startled. 'We shouldn't be able to do this?!'
'Are you sure?' Riptide asked.
'Pup, we have been able to touch each other's souls, drawing strength from one another, but this….this has no explanation!'
'What of the one who helped us? What was it he said?' Riptide said, thinking. 'Once two become one as it was before.'
'Wait. Are you suggesting that we are bonded in a far different way?'
'That is what I'm suggesting,' Riptide said. 'The one who helped us somehow joined us in a manner far different from our spiritual bond.'
'I am not sure I like this,' Arlong the Black said. "It does not feel….right.'
'Chief, are you afraid?'
'Afraid? Of course, I am! How will this new bond affect us? Are you not afraid of this?!'
Riptide wasn't sure how to answer and was trying to think of an answer when Skie entered their quarters. Seeing her husband awake, she was at his side.
"Oh, Rip," she said, tearing up as she caressed his scarred cheek.
"Skie….how did I get back to our room?" he asked, carefully watching Chief, who was watching Skie.
"Longtooth brought you," Skie said. "He told me you ran into him and how upset you were. Rip, he said that you aren't yourself."
"What do you mean?" Riptide said.
"That attack on you….it changed you," Skie said. "Longtooth claimed you are full of doubt, especially with Chief no longer bonded to you."
'She can't see me!' Arlong the Black said, sounding relieved.
"Skie, about that-,"
His wife hushed him caressing his face. "Sshh, rest for now. You have a slight fever, and that wound somehow became infected."
"Infected? I thought I had been treated?" Riptide said, agitated. "How was that allowed to happen? I thought my wife would have ensured that would not have happened. But, unfortunately, it seems I thought wrong."
"Are you accusing me?!" Skie went on the defensive. "You should talk! You promised me you wouldn't go alone, yet you lied to me!"
"How was I supposed to know that I was being followed? I didn't think I would need a babysitter to gather information for a map I would make!"
'Pup, I would stop there before you regret something!'
"Well, if someone had been with you, then you wouldn't have ended up as you did, and you wouldn't have lost Chief!" Destiny snapped.
"What was I supposed to do? Fight my father's old crew after I had been shot?!"
"Well, you would fight them when they snuck aboard Wavecutter!"
"Those bastards threaten you and our Nakama! I couldn't stand aside and watch all of you get hurt or killed!"
"Yes, if Chief were with you, you would have fought them!"
"What does that mean?!" Riptide said as he stared at his wife in an accusing manner. "Are you saying that I rely on the strength of Arlong the Black too much?!"
"You do!" Skie said. "Ever since you bonded with him, you rely on him for every fight you face! You relied on him to fight Genghis and even Stryker!"
'That bastard killed my sweet Shella!' Arlong the Black snarled.
"Stryker murdered Lady Shella," Riptide said. "Skie, you were there when that bastard tiger shark took her life! I felt his pain, his grief as a father when Lady Shella was taken from those who loved her. Before our bond, I was fighting Stryker and his forces before I escaped with those he held prisoner. He chose to bond with me! It was his choice to save my life! If he hadn't, then I would have died during the final battle with the fucking nut! So to say that I rely on his strength is a damn lie!"
"You still needed his strength to fight Genghis," Skie said.
"Wrong! Chief didn't do anything until I was severely hurt, and Genghis—he was a monster! A fucking monster! Skie, Genghis was sick, and his mind was twisted. But, hell, he survived an attack from my grandfather when they were young, and he even survived a fight with Fisher Tiger, who was incredibly strong! Genghis was a monster that I'm not sure I could have beaten even with Chief helping."
'A monster who never should have been,' Arlong the Black said. 'Your poor grandfather, my heart goes out to him for what he had to do, but he did it to save those he loved.'
"It doesn't matter," Skie said. "You admit that you rely on him, and even now, you need him."
"What does that mean?"
'Yes, what is your mate saying?' The ancient chieftain was staring at Skie hard.
"Without Chief, you're a frightened child! You can't do anything without him! No wonder everyone doubts you and your ability to lead!"
Skie's words hurt deeply, and before Riptide could stop him, Arlong the Black took control.
"How dare you say such a thing about my pup!" the deep voice of Arlong the Black thundered.
"C-chief?!" Skie took a step back, startled. "How? Riptide said you were—"
"We were apart, but now we are one and stronger than before," the old chieftain said. "How dare you, his mate, accuse him of being weak and a coward?! I know what he went through. I was there when he was attacked by those loyal to his father! The pup knew he was outnumbered and wounded, but how he escaped was a suicidal move. So I wouldn't be accusing him of anything, especially since you're hiding things from him!"
"I'm not hiding anything from him," Skie said, yet she was alarmed.
"You are," Arlong the Black snapped. "Gunner and Izzy, are they not the names of those who raised you?"
'What?! You know of Skie's parents?!'
'I do, pup. I saw them when I was trying to find help.'
'I always thought Skie's family was dead,' Riptide said. 'Why did she hide that from me?'
'You should ask her, pup.'
Skie was startled and looked wildly around as if trying to find a place to hide.
"Skie…"
She looked at Riptide. "When were you going to tell me that Chief was back? How could you let him humiliate me like that?!"
"Me? When were you going to tell me the truth?" Riptide said. "You never spoke of your parents, and I assumed they were dead."
"Well, they're not!"
Riptide had never seen her like this. Of course, Skie was upset and afraid, but why? What reason did she have to be so? "Please love, talk to me," he said. "Don't shut me out. I'm your husband."
"Husband?! The hell you are! I don't need or even want you as that!"
Riptide was stunned. He was so shocked that he didn't move when Skie ran from the room. "I lost her…" he whispered.
'Pup, I—'
'Shut up! Damn it! All of this is your fault, Chief! I lost Skie because of you!' Riptide shut his eyes as he struggled not to cry.
'I'm sorry, pup. I truly am sorry.'
'Go away and leave me alone!'
'Pup, you don't mean that!'
'I SAID GO AWAY!'
'If that's what you want, then I'll go.'
Riptide felt suddenly alone, so cold and very alone. The hybrid broke down and cried his heart out. How could this have happened? How could he have lost the one he loved with all his heart? Was there a slight chance that Skie spoke the truth about him relying on Chief's strength?
"Have I ever told you about Shanks?"
Riptide blinked as he looked around the room. Did he hear just his Uncle Luffy?
"No," Riptide whispered.
He blinked as he saw Luffy as if he was there. Luffy smiled that famous grin as he reached up, taking off his straw hat, and reached out to place on Riptide's head. He remembered how it felt when his uncle put that straw hat on his head, his uncle's treasure!
"Shanks was my childhood hero. Before he left, he gave me this straw hat telling me that when I became a great pirate, I was to return this to him."
"Shanks was part of Gold D. Roger's crew," Riptide said.
"Shishishi! You remembered," Luffy said with a laugh. "Do you remember what I told you of what Shanks told me?"
Riptide blinked. "That you must protect your friends at all costs."
Luffy nodded, his smile growing.
Riptide felt ashamed as he lowered his head. "I'm not like you, uncle," he said. "I'm weak, a coward, and no one believes in me."
"You're not! You have never been! You begged me not to send Destiny and Long away because of your actions when you were little because you didn't want Nami to be sad."
Riptide swallowed as he remembered how he cried, begging his uncle not to do it. Suddenly he felt like that frightened boy again. Tears flowed uncontrollably.
"I don't know how to use swords. I don't know anything about navigation."
Riptide blinked as he looked at the image of his uncle. What was Uncle Luffy ranting about?
"I can't cook, and I can't lie either. So I'm confident that I wouldn't be able to survive if other people weren't there to help me."
"Uncle, what are you—" Riptide stopped as it dawned on him. "You said that to….him. What does this have to do with me?"
"You've gotten this far because you've had help from those who love you," Luffy pointed out.
"They doubt me now, and my wife….she hates me," Riptide said miserably, his head dropping.
"Because you're wallowing in your self-pity, and that's all they see. Don't be like Weakhoshi."
"Weakhoshi? Who is Weakhoshi?" Riptide asked, looking up only to find he was alone.
~~.~~.~~
"So, who is going to be Destiny's replacement?" Gaff said, taking a seat at the table.
'We have three senior members," Trapper said.
Ryder looked up, then at Blade and Longtooth. "Sorry, but you can count me out of this," he said.
"So dis is between ye and me, den," Blade said as he looked at his best friend.
"So it seems," Longtooth said.
"So, how should we do this?" Thor said.
"I would say a vote," Jimbei said. "But even then, it would seem half-sided."
"Half sided? How?" Longtooth said.
"Not everyone knows you two like some of us do," Marcus said. "Besides, I think Blade would be a far better choice than you."
"What's that?!" The shortfin mako said, glaring daggers at Marcus.
"You're a damn ass, how about that?" the longfin mako said.
"You should talk, you damn deadbeat!"
"Not again," Blade moaned.
"Deadbeat?! I'm no deadbeat!"
"From what I heard, you slept with enough women and have how many bloody kids!" Longtooth said.
"Well, I didn't raise a spoiled little shit for a son!" Marcus retorted.
Longtooth slammed his hands on the table as he rose to his feet. "Well, at least I didn't father a rapist for a son!"
That caused Marcus to follow suit, and it looked like there was going to be a very bloody fight between the two mako sharks.
"I did what I thought at the time was best for Arlong," Marcus said. "How was I supposed to know what was going to happen?"
"I don't understand how Lilly wanted to marry someone like you," Longtooth said.
Mentioning Lilly set Marcus off. "You damn bastard! You could never accept the fact that Lilly loved me!"
"I don't understand how she could!?" Longtooth snarled.
"Lilly had a good heart, and she cared about people," Marcus said.
Longtooth growled, baring teeth. "That's what got her in trouble when it came to you and Draco!"
"Watch what you say about my friend," Marcus snapped.
"Friend? From what I heard, he almost killed you," Longtooth said. "A pity that he didn't."
No doubt the pair would have come to blows if, at that moment, Nami hadn't acted. But, of course, no one had seen her get up from her seat, let alone go around to where the two arguing makos were, but they all saw the result of her actions.
"KNOCK IT OFF!" Nami screamed, punching both shark men in the back of their heads, sending them crashing to the floor.
No one dared to move or speak as they stared at Marcus and Longtooth; both were unconscious. Long swallowed nervously, remembering how his mother was no joke when it came to pissing her off; she was frightening when that happened.
"Now, since that's taken care of," Nami said, looking at the crew. "We can continue."
"You replace both captain and his first mate."
Silence followed as all eyes were on Van. Did they hear him right? Replace Riptide? Blade snarled as the shipwright rose from his seat, his eyes locked on the Lycanthrope.
"Ye dare ta repeat wat ye said about da cap'n?" he said.
Van stood up, defiance in his eyes. "I dare, metal nose," he growled. "Two weeks passed, and all of you are waiting for your captain to give the order to set sail. Well, I believe the time has come that you pick a new captain, someone with experience in leadership."
"That's mutiny right there!" Ryder said, rising from his seat. "How dare you speak such a thing in front of us?!"
"It's the truth, and you all know it," Van said.
"Keep going, and I promise you I'll put a bullet right between the eyes," Tarl said.
"Is such a threat supposed to scare me?" Van snarled.
"It's no threat, and I'll damn do it," Tarl retorted, teeth clamping tightly on the cigar he had.
"He won't be alone," Thor said as he raised his fists. The smooth Hammerhead Fishman looked ready for a throwdown.
Nami was ready to jump, but Jimbei rested a hand on her arm, drawing her attention. The helmsman of the Straw Hats shook his head, nodding that she sit. The Navigator hesitated, but more of the Saw crew was joining the war of words when it came to Riptide, and it was clear they were willing to fight for the honor of their captain.
"So ah suggest dat ye sit yer stinky wolf ass down before we make ye," Blade said.
"If you want to fight, then let's go!" Van said, shifting to his werewolf form. "I'll show you how strong I am!"
"And you were told to sit down!"
Van started to turn when a pair of fists came crashing down on the back of his neck, dropping him. The Helicoprion Fishman pinned him under his foot and leaned down some, locking eyes with his friend. "You were told to sit down and cease this talk of mutiny," he said. "If I hear another word from you, I will rip your throat with my teeth. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes…" Van said.
Grinder nodded, stepping back. Van shifted back and sat, wholly defeated.
"All in favor fer Grinder ta be da new First mate raise yer hands."
Grinder blinked as those present raised their hands, making their choice clear. "How can you all decide this?" the Helicoprion asked. "You know nothing of me."
"Yer actions spoke enough," Blade said. "Ye diffused a situation without violence, and something da cap'n will be wantin' ta have in his First Mate."
There was a groan followed by a moan as Longtooth and Marcus regained consciousness. They slowly got to their feet, rubbing their throbbing heads.
"I'd swear that Draco clobbered me," Marcus said as he winced. "Feels like it."
Longtooth ignored him as he looked at the scene before him. "What's going on?"
"Da crew voted fer da new First Mate," Blade said.
"They what?" Longtooth exclaimed as he now looked at Grinder. "You aren't serious, are you?"
"Why not?" Nami said. "Riptide needs a person with a cool head who can keep his wits."
"Besides, there are more positions that will need to be filled, but that will be up to my nephew," Jimbei said.
"Like what?" Kauileale said.
Having been in a large pirate crew when he was part of the Sun Pirates, Jimbei named the positions off. "Second mate, gunner, lookout, helmsman, rigger, blacksmith, tailor, scholar, chronicler, merchant, musician, janitor, cabin boy or girl, quartermaster, cooper, infantry, and some have a pet. You have the other positions filled with your new first mate, Chizz as navigator, Skie as the doctor, Long as the cook, Blade as the shipwright."
"Dad is certainly the musician," Tarl said, making Marcus blush slightly.
"Since I am, then that makes you and Garth bother gunners," Marcus said. "If we need a tailor, I wouldn't mind finding Gunner and Izzy."
"Are you serious?" Longtooth said. "Gunner? As this crew's tailor?"
"I'm serious," Marcus said. "Why? Are you afraid to face that old sawfish again?"
"Y-you just shut that mouth of yours," Longtooth said.
"I guess Butch, Sunflash, and Poseidon would be the infantry," Trapper said. "They can undoubtedly fight."
"Before all of you start deciding anything else," Jimbei said. "I believe the first mate should talk with the captain."
Grinder swallowed as he nodded. He left the room and headed for Riptide's quarters, where he knocked nervously.
"It's open."
Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, the Helicoprion Fishman entered the room, where he found Riptide staring out the stern window. He wasn't sure, but Grinder swore that he saw his young captain wiping his eyes. Had he been crying?
"Grinder, what can I do for you?" Riptide said, turning to face him.
"I thought you would want to know that the crew decided to vote for who they wanted as Destiny's replacement,"
"They did?" Riptide was startled. "Who did they decide on?"
"It was me," Grinder said.
Riptide did not hide the surprised look he had. "You? I would never have dreamed—"
"I Know," Grinder said. "I'm still shocked that they would choose me."
"May I ask why they choose you?"
Grinder sighed before he told him what had happened in the dining room. "I had no choice but to stop Van before he hurt or killed someone."
Riptide turned to look out the window of his quarters. "I'm not surprised that would happen. It won't be long before they realize that Van spoke the truth about me."
"Captain, what happened to you was no fault of yours, but the actions of bullies who refused to fight fair. However, you are not weak, and there's no sin in asking for help from those around you; who care for you," Grinder said. "It's a miracle that you are among the living still, and if people think you are weak, unable to command this crew, well….they can answer me!"
Riptide blinked as the final piece clicked, what the Grinder and his Uncle Luffy said. It finally made him realize that he wasn't weak, not a coward, and that there was no true shame in relying on others willing to help him. He had been trying to do everything himself, not wanting to rely on his Nakama because he believed they would see him as weak if he did that.
"So I'm confident that I wouldn't be able to survive if other people weren't there to help me. You're wallowing in your self-pity, and that's all they see."
"Captain?" Grinder said. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Riptide said. "Grinder, I need you to do something for me."
"Of course," Grinder said.
"I need you to see that our ship is ready to set sail, that we have everything we need," Riptide said, facing him. "If not, please see that it is taken care of."
Grinder nodded. "If I may ask, when shall we be setting sail?"
"In two hours."
"Aye-aye, Captain," Grinder said.
The moment Grinder left, Riptide decided he needed to take a walk.
~~.~~.~~
Riptide went to Leilani's village only to find it empty. He checked every hut to find it barren. The hybrid grew concerned. Had something happened to the villagers?
"They're gone."
Riptide turned to see Nanuae sitting atop a stone altar. "What do you mean they're gone?" he asked.
Nanuae looked at Riptide, a sad expression on his face. "Moana had a dream, and his ancestors told him it was time for them to travel the sea again to find a new home."
"What of Leilani?" Riptide said. "She wanted to have the naming ceremony."
"Moana knew this, but he knew she could never have that, for you claimed her and her husband as part of your family," Nanuae said.
"I didn't mean for her to be outcasted by her village," Riptide said.
Nanuae shook his head as he slid off the altar. "Do not blame yourself. It would have happened since no one would have accepted her husband or children."
"Why have you remained here if the island has been abandoned?"
"To uphold the promise I made to Moana. He felt bad enough that he was leaving without saying farewell to those who freed his people," Nanuae said. "I assured him I would stay and pass his thanks until you."
"And you have," Riptide said. "What will you do now, Nanua?"
"I will join Moana and his people, for they need a protector, and there is no reason I should not carry out my father's duty."
"As Kamohoali'i or as Nanua, the son of the King of Sharks?" Riptide asked.
"As my true self," Nanua said.
Riptide nodded as he held out his hand to the other Guardian. "I wish you well, Nanua, son of Kamohiali'i."
Nanua was surprised but took the outstretched hand. "I wish you well, as well."
~~.~~.~~
Riptide returned to Wavecutter, where he heard Grinder was still overseeing the ship's readiness.
"Make sure everything is secured and tied down! We can't risk losing any cargo or crew if we hit a dangerous storm in the Grand Line!"
He was expecting a protest, but there was none as everyone followed their new first mate's orders; he even helped ensure everything was done. Then, seeing that Grinder had everything under control, Riptide went to the medical bay, where he found Leilani but not Skie. Riptide was troubled that she was not there and decided he would deal with his marital problems later.
"Leilani, may I have a word with you?"
Leilani was surprised to see Riptide up and about; she nodded. "Is there something I can do?" she asked.
"I went to your village," he said.
"Oh? Have they decided to let Itachi and me have the naming ceremony?" she asked. "We've been waiting to hear from the village elders."
"There was no one there," Riptide said.
"What do you mean?"
Riptide sighed, feeling bad. "Kamohiali'i was there and told me that Moana and everyone left the island to find a new home."
"They left?" Leilani's eyes had tears welling up. "How could they have done that? How could they do such a thing after I asked my children to be accepted?"
"It happened because they could never accept Itachi or the children you gave birth to," Riptide said gently.
Leilani sobbed as she sank to her knees. Riptide knelt in front of her, resting a hand on her shoulder, doing his best to comfort her. Itachi entered carrying their babies, one cradled in each arm, and he saw his beloved mate in tears.
"Leilani, what is wrong?" he said.
"They left the island because no one could accept that you are my husband or even our children," Leilani said.
Itachi snorted, his tail swishing with anger. "How dare they? You merely wanted a ceremony for our children to be recognized and accepted by your village."
"Now it will never be, for I have no tribe," Leilani said.
"Wrong," Riptide said. "You, Itachi, and your little ones are part of this family. We will still have the ceremony for the children."
Leilani looked at Riptide in surprise. "How?"
"I'm sure Grinder would know something since he is part of the shark clan," Riptide said. "I will speak to him and see if he knows of something similar to the ceremony you wanted."
~~.~~.~~
Grinder knew of a ceremony and was more than willing to do it. So, before the Saw crew set sail, the Helicoprion had gathered what he could find on the island for the ceremony and prepared to perform the ancient tradition that had been done since Arlong the Black formed his clan.
As the evening was on the horizon, Wavecutter was underway when Grinder called everyone to oversee the ceremony. Riptide stood by Grinder, who had decorated his captain with the markings of the shark clan. The crew lined either side of the upper deck, watching as Leilani and Itachi came, carrying their precious little ones. They stopped before Grinder, who was smiling with great pride.
"Since the birth of the clan during the time of the great chieftain, Arlong the Black," Grinder said. "Every birth was cherished and honored by those of the clan. On this day, I am honored to perform this sacred and ancient duty of welcoming these little ones into our family."
Grinder picked up a small wooden bowl with a blue-colored paste. He smiled as he stepped forward. "Let us rejoice in the names of the newest members of our family," he said. "Speak the names, so they are heard and accepted."
"Wailele and Mo'o," Leilani said as she smiled with joy.
"Are these names accepted by the father?" Grinder asked.
"They are accepted with the greatest honor any father could have," Itachi said proudly.
Grinder's smile grew as he turned to Riptide. "As our family's chieftain, do you recognize and accept these young ones as part of the family?"
Having been told of his duty in the ceremony, Riptide nodded. "I, Riptide, accept and recognize Wailele and Mo'o as part of our family."
Grinder proudly nodded as he placed a finger in the paste and drew the markings of the shark clan on each baby's belly. "My clan," he said. "Look upon these little ones and know they are part of our family. Rejoice on this day as Wailele and Mo'o are accepted in the love and safety of our family."
The Saw crew whistled and clapped; a gigantic fin broke the water's surface.
"Kamohiali'i!" Leilani said.
Riptide calmly looked as Nanua took his ancient humanoid form. "What honor do we have from the great king of sharks?"
Nanua understood Riptide's meaning, and he bowed his head. "I wished to give your family a gift as a sign of friendship."
"Oh?" Riptide said.
Nanua nodded as he presented a conch shell, to which Leilani's eyes widened at the sight. "That's a Pü!"
"What is that?" Itachi asked.
"In ancient times, the Pü was vital in communicating between people on canoes and those on land," Leilani said. "Requesting permission to come to shore and set foot on land."
"If those asking didn't receive permission?" Riptide said.
"It would mean death," Leilani said. "But I still do not understand why you are gifting us this?"
Nanua, when he found the precious shell, had thought about how he gift it and what the use would be. "If you require aid, blow it, and I shall come," he said.
"Even if we are somewhere within the Grand Line or the New World?" Nami asked where she stood with Jimbei, who steered Wavecutter easily as he steered the Thousand Sunny.
"No matter where you are," Nanua said. "Blow it, and I will be there. I also have a gift for the little ones as well."
Nanua pulled from the leather belt; he wore two necklaces made from a shark's teeth and slipped the necklaces over the head of the twins. "Leilani's people always believed that the shark deserved respect and admiration," he said. "The tooth of a shark represents strength, but it also means honor and tradition."
"We also believed that the shark embodied the spirits of gods, ancestors, and our family deities," Leilani said.
"Yes, the aumakua," Itachi said. "That's right, isn't it?"
Leilani smiled at her husband lovingly, proud that he remembered what she had taught him. "Yes, it is."
Nanua looked at each member of the Saw crew before giving a slight chuckle. "Your children are under the protection of many sharks." He turned to go when Leilani stopped him.
"Great Kamohiali'I, may I give you a proper goodbye?"
Nanua looked at her, surprised. "You do?"
"Yes, with your permission," Leilani said.
Nanua, curious, nodded and, realizing his height was a factor, knelt before the young woman. Leilani leaned up and planted a kiss on the end of his pointed conical snout, something the son of the shark king never expected. Nanua nearly fainted from surprise and shock as his face flushed red. Before Leilani could step back, Nanua carefully wrapped a hand around her waist and lowered his head, gently and carefully pressed against her forehead.
"I thank you, little one," Nanua said.
He stood up and looked at Riptide, who nodded in respect to their first ally in the Grand Line. Then, Nanua bowed his head, dove into the sea, changed into his shark form, and swam off. Riptide watched until he no longer saw Nanua's dorsal fin before he turned to his crew and noted that Skie was not there. Had she been there, or had she left already, and he failed to notice?
"Grinder, did you see Skie?" he asked.
The Helicoprion looked uneasy. "I am afraid she was not," he said.
Riptide said nothing, but his eyes reflected the anger he was feeling. "Take charge while I go and speak with my wife."
"As you wish, captain," Grinder said.
~~.~~.~~
"Explain why you were not at the ceremony?" Riptide demanded the moment he entered their quarters.
"I had a headache," Skie said, not looking at him as she pretended to be reading a book.
Riptide was no fool. "The hell you did," he snapped. "I'm growing tired of this sudden attitude of yours."
"Oh really?" Skie said as she looked at him. "Coming from someone who suddenly relies on the strength of a being who died how many years ago?!"
"Don't drag Chief into this; this is between us," Riptide said. "I'm not the one keeping secrets either."
"What does that mean?!" Skie yelled.
"Your family," Riptide said. "You never mentioned them. Why?"
"I have my reasons," Skie said.
"Skie, I want to know," Riptide said. "I have a right to know as your husband."
"The hell you do!" she screamed at him. "I don't have to tell you a damn thing!"
"What the hell has gotten into you?" Riptide said. "What have I done to have you hate me for no reason?"
"You lied to me, damn you! You swore you wouldn't go off alone, and what the hell did you do, you lousy bastard?! You fucking went off alone!"
"For heaven's sake, Skie, I was only getting information to make a map of this island," Riptide said. "I had no idea I was being followed."
Without warning, Skie crossed the room and slapped him in the face. Riptide was stunned before he faced her, his eyes full of rage. A part of him was screaming to put her in her place, to teach her that she was his. But instead, he grabbed her arm and showed her the door. "Out!" he snapped. "I will not put up with you any longer! If this is how you will treat me, then you can go! I am no husband to an abusive woman such as you!"
Skie had no chance to respond; for Riptide slammed the door shut and locked it. She raised a fist to pound on the door but turned and left. Her departure did not go unnoticed, as the spirit of Arlong the Black saw her go. The ancient shark clan chieftain looked at the door for the longest time, his thoughts on Riptide. He wanted to go to him, but the young one had made it clear that he did not want him. He became aware of sudden emotional pain, and it surprisingly hurt him. Riptide might have told him to leave, but the old clan chieftain knew the pup needed him no matter how angry he had been at him.
~~.~~.~~
Riptide leaned back against the door and slowly sank to the floor, where he broke down. His heart was hurting so badly that he was alone, and he realized he was unloved and unwanted. He loved Skie dearly, but she may not have loved him as he believed. His painful sobs filled the room.
'My poor pup….'
"Chief….?"
Riptide raised his head to see Arlong the Black standing before him. The chieftain's dark eyes reflected his sadness as he knelt before the tiger-marked hybrid. Neither spoke; Riptide knew that his partner already knew. How could the ancient chieftain not know? He sensed the pain the other was suffering, and without a single thought, Arlong the Black pulled the younger into a hug.
Riptide sobbed, clinging to the ancient chieftain. "She never wanted me. Skie never once loved me."
'I don't believe that to be true,' Arlong the Black said, holding Riptide close to him. 'The girl—I believe she's suffered emotional trauma and never spoke to anyone of it. She's kept it bottled up for so long that she doesn't know what to do. You, sadly, did not help.'
"She insulted me, saying I relied on your strength more than I should besides a lying coward!"
'we both may be at fault for that,' Arlong the Black admitted. 'There have been times that I know you can handle things, but I interfered.'
"Why? If you knew I could do it—"
'Because I feared you would be hurt, and if that happened, I failed. Failed at protecting you.'
"Why?" Riptide said, slowly sitting back.
'I've come to look at you as if you were my son,' the ancient chieftain said. 'Don't think wrong of me, I loved my Shella and hoped one day for a son, but that wasn't meant to be.'
Riptide was more stunned than shocked at his partner's thinking. So Arlong the Black thought him as more of the son he had hoped to one day have? The ancient chieftain looked ashamed suddenly as if what he had just told was wrong.
"You shouldn't be ashamed for admitting a truth," Riptide said.
'It's still not right for me to think such a thing. You have a father.'
"Father? That man is a monster who cares only for himself," Riptide snarled. "What he did to my mother and countless others who suffered under his cruel rule back in Cocoyashi Village. Who knows how many other lives he has ruined that I'm unaware of? I will never call him father."
'Then why did you call yourself the son of Arlong the Saw?' Arlong the Black said. 'Do not say you have not because I know those of your crew, and I have heard you say it.'
Riptide cursed himself at this since he knew the ancient chieftain spoke the truth. He had said that, and he wondered why he had done so. He had no love for the one who had fathered him, yet he had said that he was the son of Arlong the Saw during a fight. Had he done to strike fear somewhat in the heart of his enemies? No doubt his mother had heard him say if, and who knows what pain he had caused her for saying it? He had always admired his uncles despite the insanity that always happened when it came to his Uncle Luffy. Wasn't his uncle the Pirate King, something he always claimed he would one day be? Why did he never claim to be the nephew of the King of the Pirates?
'Pup? Are you alright? You're suddenly quiet.'
"I—I was thinking about what you said," Riptide said. "I never once thought about why I always claimed to be that monster's son. He knows nothing of my siblings or me, and I'm willing to accept that truth. Yet, as you said, I claimed that I was his son."
Arlong the Black went from kneeling to sitting before Riptide, studying the younger. He knew Riptide was troubled by saying such a claim, especially when the one who fathered him was cruel. From what he had come to understand through the bond he shared with the hybrid, Marcus, Riptide's grandfather and father to Arlong's brothers, Tarlong and Garth, had abandoned Arlong when he was a young child. The man had blamed himself for the actions of the son he had left at an orphanage with the idea that Arlong would have a better life with a more loving family. He could not have foreseen the mistake in that idea. He had been doing what he thought would have been best for the life of the son he had known at that time.
'Sadly, you can not change the sad fact of who your father is,' he said. 'Nor could your grandfather change the things that happened because of his actions.'
"Genghis," Riptide said. "I know he perished, but how?"
Arlong the Black was silent, then he sighed. 'I have no doubt it was your grandfather who ended the life of his mad brother. The last I had heard during your recovery from the battle with that monster was your grandfather returned, hands soaked with blood.'
"So Sofu took his brother's life," Riptide said quietly.
'He knew he had to,' Arlong the Black said. 'His brother was a monster who enjoyed the suffering of others as well as being a cannibal. That one was too dangerous to continue living.'
Riptide was silent after that, as was his partner. They remained that way until Grinder came to fetch his young captain for the evening meal.
~~.~~.~~
Knowing how Destiny had been lately, Gaff took it upon himself to bring her dinner to her. Then, balancing the serving tray on his arm, he knocked on her cabin door.
"Go away; I wish to be left alone!"
"You can't keep doing this," Gaff said. "You can't keep yourself locked away."
"Yes, I can."
"Will you stop being so childish and open the door?!" Gaff snapped. "I'm tired of this behavior of yours!"
Silence followed, and Gaff feared he had overdone it. Soon he heard the unlocking of the door followed by it being opened. Taking this as a good sign, he entered the dark room, and the only light that entered was from the ship's hallway.
"I could use some light, please," Gaff said politely.
Destiny gave a weary sigh as she lit the wall-mounted lanterns. Satisfied, Gaff placed the tray on the small round table. He turned to face Destiny, who lay on the bed once more with her back towards him.
"You can go," she said.
"Not until you have dinner," Gaff said.
"I'm not hungry."
"Destiny," he growled. "I'm not leaving until you eat."
That made her roll over so she could face him. "Why are you being so pushy?!"
"Why are you being so damn stubborn?!" Gaff retorted. "Destiny, I get that you're hurting. Yes, we all got royally fucked over by someone we trusted who we thought was a friend and a brother. But that fucking bastard wasn't who he said he was! So I don't understand why you refuse to see Slavetooth for who he was!"
"I loved him!" Destiny said. "I fucking loved him, and he used me! I was nothing to him!"
Destiny broke down crying, and Gaff felt guilty. He approached the bed, sat beside her, and wrapped an arm around her. He thought she might reject his touch, but instead, the silver hybrid threw her arms around him, clinging to him tightly. Gaff held her, letting her cry, knowing she was finally letting the pain out.
"I'm sorry," Destiny whispered once she cried out.
"You have no reason to be," Gaff said.
"I got your shirt wet."
Gaff glanced at the shirt he had been wearing since they arrived at the island that Genghis had ruled. It was stained with blood still and filthy. He was sure that it smelled nasty, but Destiny had been polite, not to mention it.
Without a thought, Gaff pulled it off and shook his head. "It's nothing but a filthy rag now," he said.
Gaff did not realize that Destiny was seeing how muscular he was. She had never paid that much attention to him, but now she did. She noted the newly fresh scars he had gotten during his brief fight with Genghis, and she reached to trace her fingers along one.
Gaff's eyes widened, and he shivered slightly at her touch. 'She's touching me!' he thought.
Destiny pulled her hand back, looking away, thinking she had done wrong. "I didn't mean—"
"You did nothing wrong," Gaff said. "You just surprised me, that's all. No female wanted to be near me except Neeta, but she was a friend."
Destiny stared at him. "Why?"
He snorted as he gestured to himself. "I'm a hybrid, Des," he said. "To my race, I am a freak, an abomination. Only Itachi ever saw me differently and took me in, calling me his brother. No female in the Kuda would ever want me."
"They're damn blind and arrogant."
Gaff looked at her, surprised.
"I see nothing wrong with you," Destiny said. "You are different, but it makes you unique."
"You're disgusted by the sight of me?"
"No," Destiny said. "You're the dearest friend I could have right now."
'A friend? Well, that's better than nothing,' Gaff thought. 'Destiny does need that more than me being a lover.'
"Will you try eating for me?" he asked. "Please?"
Destiny looked at the serving tray noting two plates of food and drinks. "You had no plans on leaving, did you?"
"I think you know the answer," Gaff said.
"I guess I should make room for you then."
"What?!" Gaff exclaimed, eyes round and wide. "I meant dinner, not—" Destiny giggled, and Gaff realized she had been teasing him. "That was not funny, Des."
"The look on your face," Destiny giggled.
Though he was annoyed that she did that, Gaff was pleased to hear her laugh. He took this as a good sign that Destiny might be letting go of her pain and, hopefully, a future with her.
~~Early morning watch~~
Ryder stretched and yawned as he prepared to relieve his son of watch duty. The black tiger shark hoped his son would give him a chance one day. He had yet to tell the poor boy the whole truth about him, and his mother or that Stryker had grown tired of her, but he was grateful that his sick brother hadn't gotten Kauileale's mother pregnant. He climbed up to the crow's nest, where he found Kauileale sound asleep. Had he slept through his whole watch?
"Kauileale," Ryder said, shaking the boy's shoulder. "Son, time to wake."
Kauileale sat up with a start, eyes wide. "I wasn't asleep! I swear I wasn't!"
Ryder shook his head. "Afraid you were, and you slept through your watch."
The young Fishboy swallowed in fear. He knew better than to let that have happened. Ryder sat by him, offering up a breakfast roll which the Kauleale took gratefully, and he wolfed it.
"Don't be doing that," Ryder said. "That's a way to choke on your food."
"I was hungry," Kauileale said before he shivered.
Ryder looked around. "You brought nothing to keep you warm?" he said.
"I didn't think it would be cold," Kauileale said.
Ryder gave a small sigh. "I will make sure that we have a blanket or two up here before tonight's watch," he said. "Come, let's go to the kitchen so you can get warm."
"You don't need to go with me. I'm not a child," Kauileale snapped.
"You're my son, and I want—"
"Do not call me your son!" the young tiger shark snarled. "You were never in my life, so you have no right to call yourself my father!"
Having that said, Kauileale got up and climbed down. Ryder sat in sorrow, silent tears spilling. How could he ever earn his son's forgiveness when the boy refused to hear him out? He had wanted to explain everything to Kauileale, but the boy would refuse to give him a chance every time he tried.
"Maybe it would have been best if the Capn' hadn't saved my life," Ryder said sadly.
Ryder was so upset that he failed to see the approaching ship from the east.
Is this mysterious ship pirates or the navy? Remember to Read and Review as always.