Nine years ago (or something along those lines).

From the VIP isle, Sengoku glanced to the lodge in the bleachers in front of him, where the seats for the Admirals were arranged. Empty, as always.

He sighed. Despite the lines of different ranked officials filling the remaining spots, the Admirals never showed up to this kind of competition, except maybe the very finals of the sparring tournament. But surely not the shooting contest.

A pity, in his opinion, as the Marines were not composed of sole brawlers, and several young talents were to be found in the other categories every year.

And this year in particular, he thought, eyeing the contestants coming up in the field below as the speaker announced them.

«...YES, ALL KNOWN NAMES FOR THE COMPETITION, I MUST SAY. WILL JERRY GET FIRST PLACE FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW? AND HERE COMES NAMINEE, AS BEAUTIFUL AS SHE IS LETHAL. AND AFTER HER, A FIRST, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. NO FRESHMAN HAS EVER ENTERED THE CONTEST BEFORE.»

Sengoku watched as you stepped in the rig behind the older marines. Still too thin, slouched shoulders and unkept hair, tamed only by the marine hat. The practicing rifle seemed way too big in your hands.

He had heard of your skill with it, though. Terrible marks in all the other disciplines, so, if it weren't for your incredible talent with firearms, you would have been kicked out already. Still, entering the annual Marine Games as a first-year cadet was way too ambitious.

He did not miss how you shot a quick glance to the empty Admiral seats before turning your attention back to the field.

«NOW LET ME REMIND YOU THE RULES. INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TARGETS ARE PLACED AT INCREASING DISTANCE IN EACH LANE. AFTER YOU CLEAR THE FIRST TARGET, YOU MAY MOVE AHEAD TO THE SECOND POSITION AND AIM AT THE SECOND ONE, AND SO ON. THE FIRST MARINE THAT HITS THEIR GOLDEN TARGET AND CUTS THE FINISHING LINE, WINS.»

As the contestants fell into place in the respective lanes, Sengoku noticed the other cadets glaring down at you. But you stared right ahead, hands gripping at the standard contest rifle.

«THE CONTESTANTS MAY TAKE POSITION. THREE... TWO... ONE...»

The ceremonial cannon signaled the start, and most of the shooters fired their weapon immediately, a number of first targets already bursting, allowing them to run to the second mark. But not you, as the rifle exploded in your hands as soon as you hit the trigger, knocking you back and in the dust of the field among boisterous laughter.

«LOOKS LIKE OUR FRESHMAN'S RIFLE DECIDED TODAY WAS NOT THE DAY.» the announcer chimed in the microphone, amusement evident in his voice.

Sengoku sighed.

A rigged weapon. Classic. It happened from time to time, and certainly to a first-year that had been too daring, the other contestants would see to that.

Loud laughter were still echoing on the bleachers as you slowly pulled yourself seated. The Fleet Admiral was far high in his spot, but even he could see your bleeding nose and the dirt on your face.

«AW, DON'T SULK LITTLE NEWBIE, YOU'LL DO BETTER NEXT YEAR! MEANWHILE, JERRY IS ALREADY CLEARING HIS FOURTH TARGET. HERE HE GOES!»

Without a word or an emotion crossing your dark expression, you slowly got on your feet. Then, to everyone's surprise, you sprinted ahead.

«NAMINEE ADVANCES AGAIN! AND— WAIT, HUH, WHAT'S THE NEWBIE DOING?»

Sengoku watched you jumping a third-year cadet in the third position from behind. As he tumbled ahead, you ripped the rifle from his hands. Then you turned and hit the first three targets in your lane in less than ten second.

«NO WAIT, THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS, YOU— WHAT'S THE NAME OF THAT GIRL AGAIN?»

A chorus of boos came down from the bleachers, but you ignored it, proceeding to run forward to the fourth position. A few contestants had been stuck there for a while. You stopped on your designated mark, aimed, and cleared your target. Then proceeded to clear every remaining target in the other lanes as well.

«WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING??»

The affected participants turned to you and started yelling. You ran ahead again, barely stopping on the fifth position to do the exact same thing again.

«WAIT! Huh, what did you say her name was? CADET L/N! STOP!»

But you didn't. You proceeded to hit the targets, barely stopping to aim, with a speed none of the other shooters could match. Naminee literally charged at you when you destroyed the bronze target in her lane. In fact, an increasing number of raging participants was on your heels now, so you had to be even faster.

Many of the boos turned into laughter. Some even cheered. That was a hell of a show.

«HOW IS SHE EVEN DOING THAT? SOMEBODY STOP HER!»

Eventually, you reached the golden mark. Jerry had missed his twice already when you stopped parallel to him in your lane, possibly because of his nervous glancing behind to take in the ruckus. The angry shooters behind you stopped as well, staring at the scene. It was now a 1 v 1.

Except not really.

You turned your face to him, a smothering gaze burning the remaining hopes for his victory, before turning back to take aim. Five seconds was all it took for your golden target to burst into pieces.

You adjusted your trajectory and blew up Jerry's, then all the twelve remaining ones, with twelve other bullets. Not one more.

«I... HUH...»

Silence descended on the bleachers.

After a few seconds, you dropped the contest rifle in the dust and walked away. A new choir of boos rose again to accompany you to the changing rooms.

«Seems like that girl needs quite some ironing.» Tsuru commented from her place beside Sengoku «Isn't she the orphan that Aokiji brough in?»

«I think so.» he replied «Troublesome girl. Some talent though, don't you think?»

«You can say that. She can thank that if they don't kick her out after this little performance.»

«Hm.»

«Sengoku.»

«Yes.»

«You are smiling.»

You were banned from the competition for three years. When you entered it again, you were already an official and, for what you did back then, you were permanently moved to the judging committee so you wouldn't participate ever again.

From the moment the door closed, shutting you in the workshop with Kid, you were very aware of the blood pumping through your body. Despite your racing heart, you forced yourself to take some deep breaths, fingers clenching on the bow.

Nobody moved for a few seconds.

You didn't turn to look at Kid's face, what expression he may have, as if it could clue you in on his thoughts. The truth was your stomach was striving not to churn.

«I have something for you.»

Kid's words almost startled you.

He moved around the room, finally walking into your sight.

The workshop was still messy, but not as bad as when you found the Victoria Punk. Kid stopped by the large table and, to your surprise, crouched down.

You raised an eyebrow.

«Something for me? There?»

«Fucking Beast Pirates can't even loot right.» he smirked, his hands lifting two layers of wooden panels from the floor.

There was a secret compartment below, and you caught a glimpse of a few cases before he selected one and let the floorboards fall back into place.

«What... is happening, exactly?» you asked as he set the case on the table.

Kid stopped for a second, eyes still on the box.

«Why did you ditch your rifle?»

You frowned.

«I didn't ditch it. I lost it in the landfall.»

«Hm.» he shot a glance to the bow hanging from your shoulder «I didn't know you were proficient with bows too.»

«I can use almost any kind of ranged weapon.» you frowned «What are you getting at, Kid?»

«Just... in case you want to switch back to firearms.»

He opened the case.

There were two thin pistols inside, resting on a velvet bedding. One black, the other white. Despite the case itself being dusty, the guns were so shiny you could see your own incredulous eyes staring back at you in the reflection.

«What... the hell?» you whispered, getting closer «You made these?»

You knew Kid had a thing for building weapons, but those guns were way too slender for his grip.

«Yeah.»

He took a step back and let you inspect the pistols.

«For whom?»

Kid scoffed.

«I told you, for you. They are too small for my men, and the girls already have their own shit.»

But he can't have possibly made them today.

Before you could press the matter further, he started talking.

«The white one is ultralight, for close to medium range combat. A bitch to use if you ask me, but shouldn't be a problem for you. The black one is for special and longer shots. Well, not as long as your rifle, but I didn't think you'd have to replace that. Anyway, it has a mechanism for special bullets, like the seastone ones, but you can use different kind too, like fire or explosive--»

«Kid, what the hell is this?» you cut through his rambling, gaze finally detaching from the guns to look at him «You made these damn elaborate weapons for me? When? Why?»

He grimaced and averted his gaze.

«I just wanted to play around with the concepts I got from your rifle.»

«Oh, yeah? How many weeks of playing around went into this?»

His eyes darted on yours.

«What does it matter?»

«Because you made these when I was still here!» you snapped, stepping up to fully face him «You made them, then... hid them away and kicked me out?»

You pressed a hand on your eyes, the confusion hurting in your head.

«This doesn't make any sense.»

He gritted his teeth, fingers twitching open and closed.

«They were unfinished. That's why I never gave them to you.»

You raised your gaze.

«So you finished them after throwing me out?»

There was a pause.

«Yes.»

«Why?»

Another pause.

«I don't leave things unfinished.»

Your eyes found his.

«Bullshit.»

A snarl deformed his features.

«What do you want me to say, Y/n?! OF COURSE I wanted you to use them on this ship! And I couldn't just fucking drop them afterwards, so yes, I finished and shoved them where I didn't have to look at them anymore.»

His heavy breaths filled the cabin.

«Then you realized I was too messed up in the head, and decided I was better off away from this ship.» you said.

His eyes twitched.

«What the fuck? That's not what--»

«Then tell me.» you hissed «Because I'm furious with you, Eustass Kid. And I'm tired. Killer asked me to give you time until you get your shit together, but I've never been great at keeping my own shit together either.»

You saw his jaw tensing, his nose wrinkling, the knots of emotions clawing at his throat.

Kid would have punched his way out of this, if he could. But.

«What I said before, it's true.» he started, slowly «When I saw how unstable you were, I realized that's not... how I wanted you here. Not because you were not strong enough, or some shit like that. Hell, you are...!» his sentence crumbled in a snort and he shook his head «I just knew you were not you. The real you, I mean. And it was my fault, I fucked you up.»

You stared at him difficultly releasing every word.

It was the truth. It had to be, right? Your heart started pounding.

It took some time, his words echoing in your head, before you could reply.

«Why couldn't you tell me this?»

His flesh hand ran harshly through his hair.

«Because! I suck at this, Y/n. Even if I tried, I would have said the wrong thing, just like before. Besides, nothing I could say or do could fix it. All the shit I did to you...» he shut his eyes «I'm the worst fucking thing that ever happened to you. You had to be free and away from me. I couldn't think of anything else. Believe me, I tried. I even--»

A bitter grimace curled his features.

«There was a part of me that wanted to shut these fucking thoughts off and just... keep you. Keep you as my prisoner, no matter what. But I couldn't anymore.»

You let his words sink into you, like stones fallen into the ocean that slowly hover their way down to the bottom of the sea.

Kid's eyes lingered somewhere in the cabin, waiting for you to talk or do anything at all. Each second that passed fed his restlessness, but he didn't urge you.

After a while, you took a deep breath and lowered the bow on the table before approaching the guns again. Your fingers hovered above them before picking up the white one. It was indeed ultralight.

Kid peered at your movements as you let the pistol spin around and then come to a brusque halt in your grip, pointed right at the porthole.

«They were never tested before.» he cautiously said «You should try them out.»

You unlocked the empty cylinder and flicked it, then quickly locked it back in, tossed the gun from one hand to the other before flipping it upside down, pointing behind your shoulder.

Damn, he's good.

It was so light and easy to maneuver, like holding a cloud, and yet it clicked just as precise as you wanted it to. You had to test how reactive it could be, it felt a bit like a nervous biter.

The black one was heavier and steadier. It could still spin around your fingers, but not as fast. The cylinder chamber could house some peculiar bullets. You pointed it through the porthole, in the distance of the sea, and peered through the gunsight.

With the right amount of haki, I can hit a target miles away.

Kid walked around you and leaned against the table, a subtle stiffness in his jaw betraying his nervousness.

«So? How do they feel?»

You lowered the gun but kept staring at the sea.

«Like they're mine.»

A tense breath escaped him. He waited for you to add something but, when you didn't, he grabbed the edge of the table with both his hands and talked.

«We are going after Kaido.»

«I know.»

«It's not your battle, so--»

«I'll fight.»

Kid's eyes travelled from the hand holding the gun up to your face.

«Y/n, the shit I did to you. I don't know how... if... I could ever make it right. I don't know. It will take everything I have, and that won't be enough.» he gritted his teeth, the wood cracking under his grasp «But. If you could... after this battle. After I kill Kaido. If you could just... give me a chance. To try.»

A deep frown cut through your distant expression and your fingers paled around the grip of the gun. Outside, the sky was as cold and gray as the sea.

Your heart was beating the silence in the cabin. Kid's fingers were now deep into the wood.

He watched you turn, eyes finally meeting his. You slowly lifted the gun until it pointed right to his tense forehead.

«Bang.»

Kid lost it.

His hand jerked ahead, grabbing a hold of your arm, and he brusquely pulled your body against his.

Before you could even realize what was happening, his mechanic arm had you in a death grip, lifting you just enough so his mouth could angrily attack yours.

Your body reacted before your mind could, your free hand clawing at his hair, your lips and tongue desperately fighting his.

His grasp on you loosened for a second as he used his metal arm to wipe a side of the desk clean so he could sit you on it, his mouth relentless, his flesh hand sliding up your back to press your nape against himself more, using his sheer strength and size difference to devour you.

The messy coils of feelings pulsating in your chest just a minute ago caught fire. His burning warmth, his scent, his steel body enveloping yours flooded your senses and you could just respond with the same fury.

Kid was kissing you like his life depended on it, only allowing you minimal breaks to catch your breath, each one accompanied by a growl of impatience from his side and his torso pressing against yours further. You grabbed his vest and pulled him down on you again. Then the door of the workshop opened.

«Captain we are ready fooo--ooooly shit.»

«OUT!»

Kid's snarl was accompanied by electric rays cutting through the air and several tools darting towards the unfortunate Booka, who dived on the floor just in time before they plunged in the wall.

«SorrybosssorrysorrymygodIhadnoideasorrysorry!» he whimpered, quickly crawling out of the workshop and swinging the door closed.

«I'm gonna pluck his head off.» Kid growled between his teeth, his hands grabbing onto the desk to each side of you.

You let out a broken chuckle, taking advantage of the crack into the spell to wipe your wet lips.

Kid's eyes lowered on you, his expression softening slightly. He let you catch your breath properly, this time.

«I'm guessing we are not starting right where we left off, huh?»

You took another deep breath, still trying to calm your heart down. Your hand found his chest and pushed him away slightly, so the heat of his body would not make you lose all senses again.

God, you wanted to. But abandoning all reason did not seem like the right thing to do now.

«I... I need a little time. To think about all of this.»

Kid closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, before letting go.

«Fine. But you better keep that little hand to yourself if you don't want me to lose it again.»

A small smile broke through your lips and you removed your hand from his chest.

«Better?»

«No.»

He didn't back further off, nor his arms moved from their position, caging your thighs on the table. Instead, his large hand grabbed your jaw and he pressed his forehead against yours, eyes shut.

«I can't believe you're here.» he whispered.

Your lips parted in an attempt to gain more oxygen, and your breaths mixed together.

«I can't believe it either.»

It was like standing on the edge of a cliff. Just a falter, a shift in weight, and you could let yourself fall into his warm bliss, perhaps finally disappear into him. But you had done it before, and there were icy waters at the end of the fall.

You felt Kid was about to cede again, just like you. Suddenly, the cold metal kissed his sternum. He lowered his gaze to see the barrel of the gun, still in your hand, gently guiding him away.

The noises of the men gathering on the deck were louder now.

Kid lingered over you for a second before finally taking a step back with a sigh, arms dropping by his side.

«Will you watch the ship for me while I'm out?»

«Fine. Will you get me some clothes?»

«I'll tell the girls to pick something up.» he frowned «Just one more thing.»

His flesh hand slid in his pocket.

«I, hum, I modified this.»

He pulled something out and offered his open palm to you. There was the seastone bracelet, temporarily covered by its steel edges to shield him from the material. And there was a clasp on it.

You blinked at the piece of jewelry.

«Huh, you don't have to take it back if you don't want to.» he grumbled, eyes darting to the side «I just thought--»

His words were cut short when you snatched the bracelet away, the click of the clasp around your wrist echoing in the now silent cabin.

Kid's amber irises returned to you.

«Just so you know, we're not done. Not at all.» you stated with a serious gaze, pressing your index finger against his nose «We fight Kaido. You go take his head. Then we'll see if you can survive me.»

Kid stared at you for a few seconds, before a malicious grin spread onto his features.

«Then there's no way I'll lose.»

He grabbed your hand and harshly brought it to his mouth, unveiling his teeth to bite it, but he let you go last second, his fangs snapping a millimeter from your skin. He abruptly turned his back at you, inhaling deeply, hand running through his hair.

«I can't touch you, I won't do anything to you until-- IF you ask me to.»

You observed his back, the fur covered in dust, the mechanic hand resting by his side.

«Okay.»

When the silence prolonged, you shifted on the table.

«Your men are waiting.»

«Yeah.»

Kid shook his head, as to shake off the lingering clutch in his muscles, then headed to the door. Before leaving, though, he glanced at you above his shoulder, amber eyes glistening in the penumbra of the cabin.

«I'll be here when you're back.» you said, meeting his gaze.

Without a word, he left the cabin.

A couple of pirates remained on the Victoria Punk with you. You moved to the crow's nest with your bow and sat on the bench lining the perimeter of the small space, back leaning against the glass. God knew you needed some time alone to wrap your head around all that. Yet, it didn't take long before the hutch on the floor croaked and Papas' face peeked in.

«Y/n?»

«That would be my name, yes.»

«Ah-ah, you're so funny.»

He holstered himself up, closely followed by Emma's thin figure.

«Hi.»

«Hi.»

She let the hutch fall closed and they both sat on the floor in front of you.

«So what now? We hold hands and share our childhood traumas?» you asked.

Papas scoffed.

«Emma wanted to get to know you better. She doesn't believe you can be cool, apparently.»

The girl glared at him.

«She's right.» you murmured, letting your head fall back against the window.

«Oh, come on Y/n, don't you want to get to know the girls too? They weren't here when you were around.»

With a hum, you opened one eye to peer at Emma.

Her body was more minute than yours. She had no curves, thin legs, and short hair arranged into a spiky crest. Her expression appeared as flat as her figure.

«Captain Kid told me to fabricate special bullets for you.» she said.

«Special bullets?»

«For your new gun or something? I can make fire ones, smoke ones, explosive, you name it. Well, depending on what the guys bring back. I would need to see the gun too.»

«Are you an engineer or something?»

«I'm a doctor, actually.» she shrugged «But I dab.»

«Doctor?»

Your questioning eyes flicked to Papas.

«Right, the doc you met was more like a... replacement.» he explained «He's from the boss' hometown. I don't know the details, but he was the only guy that ever did something for Captain Kid and the others back then. He was the ship doctor when they first took the sea, but always intended to leave when they'd find a proper one.»

You listened to the story with a deepening frown. It made sense. You always found it odd that an old, small guy was part of the Kid Pirates.

You eyed Emma.

Not that this one makes more sense.

But you knew better than judging by appearances.

«Where is he now?»

«Back at the lair, hopefully, or what's left of it anyway. Wire said he saw him sneaking away in the chaos. None of us remembers him getting captured, so he probably got away.»

You sighed.

«That's a relief.»

«You're strange.»

Emma was now staring at you.

«Relief for the old man? One of the people that took you captive?»

«Emma.» Papas warned.

«The doctor was one of the few men that showed me some sort of kindness at the beginning.» you said, unperturbed «He was never cruel to me and treated my wounds. Saved my life multiple times. I mean, he's possibly ninety percent of the reason I came down here to save your assess.»

Papas laughed, but the expression on Emma's face did not change.

«Makes sense.»

«Are you as good as him?»

«I guess.»

Your lips pressed together as you reflected for a second.

«Do you... treat Kid often?»

«Captain Kid? More than anyone on the crew.» her dark eyes studied you «Does it make you jealous?»

Did it?

«What Kid does with the women of his crew is none of my business.»

Papas chuckled.

«You don't have to be.» Emma continued as you did not speak «I'm not interested in the captain nor anyone on this ship.»

«Man, Emma, you're asexual as hell.» Papas sighed, head and arms rolling back on the bench. She did not react to that.

«I left the gun in Kid's workshop, I'll show it to you later.» you said.

For the first time, a thin wrinkle creased her forehead.

«The boss made it for you?»

«Apparently so. Two of them.»

The two pirates exchanged a glance.

«Sooo... word is you and the boss are... on friendly terms again.» Papas ventured.

«Booka's word?»

«Well, yeah.»

You pondered for a moment, but you saw no reason to lie. A strange calmness had spread onto you after the confrontation with Kid.

«I haven't decided what to do yet. Nor Kid asked me to join the crew.» you said, earnestly «I'll fight Kaido with you guys, so consider me an ally for now. If - and it's a big freaking if - we survive this battle, we'll see.»

After a few seconds of silence, Emma perked up again.

«Can I ask you something?»

«Can't seem to stop you.»

«How come you were a marine? From what the guys say, you don't sound like any marine I've met.»

«Marines come in all shapes and forms, you know.» you shrugged «I was very young. I saw a chance to get off my shitty island, I took it.»

She seemed to think about it for a second. For the first time, the shadow of a smile appeared on her lips.

«I can relate to that.»

«I also have some questions!» Papas chimed in «I want to know how you came to Wano! And how you found us.»

«Hey.» Emma elbowed him «We agreed we'll ask this when the other guys are also here.»

«But we are here now!»

«You just want to be the first to know and taunt them with it.»

«So what if I do?»

You observed their little exchange and couldn't help the chuckle that broke out your mouth.

«Are you sure you want to know before Kid or Killer?» you asked.

«Huh, yeah, good point. That might be dangerous.»

«Usually, we refer to them as Captain Kid and Killer-san.» Emma said.

«Oh.» you nodded, understandingly «Usually, I don't give a shit.»

She blinked at you, then snickered.

«And you said she's been like this since day one?» she asked Papas.

«Worse.»

«Hm. I don't see how she survived the boss.» she peered at you again «Or I see it too well.»