It didn't take long for the old man to somehow gather all the strength he had by dragging you, the islanders drawing their attention back to a lightly colored house that looked to be painted a pale yellow or a beige color. ( although you would call it more of a modest yet large hut due to the strong yet sturdy looking roofing. ) Some of the other houses had intricate symbols. No, symbols isn't the right word. They looked more like patterns with triangles and swirls inside of diamond shapes and thin lines. Your gaze flicked over the buildings, the old man started explaining you were going to the main building called the Wharenui. The houses kept catching your eye, especially when you finally reached this Wharenui, your eyes grew round.

"Wow!"

The old man grinned, wrinkles and all as he nodded at the building. The roof was red, the roofing being more obvious due to the roof practically framing the front of the building and the front door. Atop the roof at the point was what looked like to be a warrior figurine with a sword, the walls along the side having some carvings into it as well from animals to weapons to plants. Even the door frame had those similar patterns from earlier, the art impressing you with the intricate detail. You can perfectly tell the cicada carving from where you were, from its large wings to each spot that represents their eyes.

"Impressive, yes? This is one of our proudest works, besides our curry of course." The young girl who you met earlier—you believe she was called Azu— all loud mouthed and blunt with spiky red hair that shows she didn't brush it said flatly their curry is third best. The old man ignored her. Putting a hand to a pillar with the carvings, covering a fierce looking boar. "We are an island of tradition. Proud of our ancestors in whatever they have in the past. And each carving represents that we remember them. The boar is my personal favorite."

You looked at the boar, walking closer to the wharenui, blinking as you leaned in. Looking at all the other carvings that were engraved into the wood with love and precision.

"A boar? Isn't the lion cooler?" You pointed at the one all the way at the top of the wooden pillar, the animal's face in a roar and posture proud, fangs flashing.

Azu waved an arm towards you, pointedly looking at the old man.

"See? Even the weird marine lady thinks Raiona is cooler than crazy Koki."

Eh? Weird? What did I do?

Before you thought much on it, the old man slammed the end of his cane down, face firm as he stared down at Azu.

"Don't talk like that! Kokori did a lot for this island more than that foolish bullheaded Raiona!" Azu was silent, face in a deep frown as she looked down and at the side. The old man's voice softened somewhat, sighing. "Raiona only thought of war. But Kokiri—Kokiri was the one that put us on the map. We are an island of spices and should focus only on the art of making others smile! Not create destruction. Do you understand, Azu?"

Azu was silent, only nodding as she continued to stare at the ground, brows furrowed.

The old man sighed again, before throwing you an airy smile, eyes curious.

"I may have to agree with Azu however, Marine. You came out of nowhere. Where's your warship with the rest of your crew?" Unbeknownst to you, a figure came from the back of the wharenui, leaning against the wooden walls as they listened in stoically. "Did you perhaps volunteer to scout ahead?"

"Oh, uh. No." You were sweatdropping, hand scratching the back of your head as you laughed sheepishly. "I kind of just got thrown here." Azu's and the old man's face morphed into confusion but you kept going, dropping your hand as you stared at them with interest. "But you guys mentioned a Yonko? What exactly is happening? I can still help."

This can still work out. Maybe Shanks is here after all! Wait, what sea are you in again?

The old man didn't seem interested to talk to you about that yet though, him pulling your arm once more.

"We can get to that later, young marine."

You rose a disbelieving brow as the man tugged you around.

"We can?"

"Yes, we have to show you the island first! You know, our curry is famous for our use of nutmeg."

"It's not," Azu pointed out quite unhelpfully. "We're more famous for being third than being famous for that, Ojii-san."

The old man's smile turned strained as a small sweatdrop went down the back of your head.

This might be a long day.

The figure that stood by the wharenui kept their stoic eyes on your form, wary. Before they disappeared into the forest, the bandages on their fist tight.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Or maybe not at all.

Instead of bringing you into the wharenui, which you thought was the old man's home due to the amazing size and beauty, you were brought into a humble sized house with the straw roofing. Although this one did appear a tad bigger than the others, and the use of clay for the house seemed to be a different kind as you looked around. Sitting at the dining room table made completely from wood, along with the rest of the kitchen when it came to the shelves. The table you sat in was small, Kuroi ten'nosabaki being on the wall behind you so you can sit more comfortably, chairs squeezed close together of four with yours having to be brought in from the living room.

For the kitchen made up the majority of the house.

The counter was stone and it was sleek, although now it was covered by pots and pans and plates with ingredients you can't begin to name. You just waiting as you watched in interest at seeing the old man prep with Azu nearby to hand him tools or ingredients. Knife cutting, water boiling, fire burning and spices beginning to tickle your nose.

You don't quite remember the last time you had a home cooked meal. Outside what Kokoro messily gave you at her house, you haven't had one in years. The Tower at Enies Lobby having their own cafeteria and having that kind of food doesn't really count. And campfire food doesn't count either. Whatever Garp would try to make is too embarrassing to even call home cooked.

Your throat felt oddly tight for some reason recalling those memories. You ignored it.

Your stomach gurgled, craving clear.

The old man—which you figured out his name was Mayor after the villagers kept calling him that(weird name)—threw you an amused look as he stirred.

"Hungry, are you? Don't fret, the food will be ready soon. But it's really my son that we need to finish this off. Actually, where is that young man—" The door to the house opened, your eyes turning towards it in attention but instead of a young man, it was a young girl who looked over at Mayor and Azu with a smile—red hair to match except it being lighter and it being wavy instead of spiky like Azu. She looked like she was in her early twenties. "Ah! Aiko! Have you seen your brother?"

"Ah?" The young woman's voice was quiet yet crisp, perfectly content as she further went into the house and put down a basket she was holding of fruits and vegetables onto an open space on the kitchen counter. "I thought I saw him earlier. The bonfire is tonight so I figured he was out helping gather the wood for it."

A brow arched as you turned towards the woman called Aiko, her wavy hair framing her face with a band that was red, black and white above it in her hair, said hair going down up to her bare tanned shoulders, her dress having thin straps holding it up while the pattern on it was different colored thick lines. You couldn't but observe she seemed to have a kind face.

"Bonfire?"

Aiko turned to you, mouth forming an "o" as she put a hand to it from surprise.

"Oh my! A guest!" Her eyes, which you took note was an interesting shade of orange mixed with red, squinted at you. "And a marine? Ah, are you here to help us? Please say you are! They just keep coming back no matter what we do and we can't handle them anymore!"

Your brows furrowed, frowning at her words.

That doesn't sound like Shanks...

Before you could get further into that, Mayor quietly shushed her, saying that no daughter of his should be worried. And before you could even question that(what age did he have her anyways? Fifty? Why does he look so old?), the old man explained briefly the importance of their bonfire atop the cliff at the edge of the island.

"We're a proud country, and so we now must celebrate it! We dance around the fire and have our drums while we throw our spices into the fire. It's so our ancestors can smell it too, when the smoke crackles and the fire collects and goes up to the sky..." Mayor smiled, eyes proud and distant and crinkling around the edges. It made him look younger, you think. "They can still feel like they're home. They just have to smell it."

Home, you repeat, gaze lowering to the grains of the table your arms were casually leaning on. Just smell it, huh?

For a moment, you felt as if instead of your nose being tickled with spices, you smelled wood and earth instead. Of reassurance and love and smiles  and words you'll never forget as the flicker of vanilla could be sensed.

You tasted salt. Even though there was none.

Azu comes over to you, whispering loudly into your ear by cupping her hand around her mouth.

"It is pretty cool. The fire gets really big."

You snapped out of it, half smiling as you made a noise of interest as Azu nodded. This is the most impassioned you've seen the girl you think, as she spoke of the bonfire and the amount of food they have to pile on where it's bigger than any of their houses. How it can be seen from every part of the island and it smells the greatest that night. You listening, a hand to your chin as your smile slowly grew at how Azu's eyes seemed to gleam in excitement while Mayor and Aiko watched with fond smiles.

The door opened again, your eyes turning away in interest as Mayor greeted...his son?

You stared.

The son couldn't be any older than Aiko, also in his early or mid twenties at the latest. His red hair seemed to be the darkest out of the whole family, and definitely a darker shade than Shanks. His bangs framed his bandaged covered forehead, appearing like silk with how straight it looked. His attire was different from the other villagers too. While some of the men went bare chested to proudly show their intricate tattoos and only had flax kilts on their waist with a belt to hold, and others would cover it with a thick feather cape over their shoulders like what Mayor is doing, this man chose a different approach. Instead of the use of flax or fur, his clothes seemed to be more of cotton or polyester quality, the color being black and almost seeming to have a high collar. His arms were uncovered, the shirt being a messy sort of tank top where he seemed to rip the sleeves of what was previously a sleeved shirt. Bandages covering from his hands to his biceps, looking a little worn. His legs being covered by black pants and with that, you're sure he is the most covered up you've seen in this village.

He doesn't have tattoos, you observe quietly, glancing between Aiko who had the diamond line patterns on some parts of her face and some on her wrists to the young man again, focusing on his bandaged arms. Not anything out anyways.

Weird, since everyone seems to proudly show it.

You glanced back up at the young man, to notice he's been stoically staring at you. Eyes carefully blank and hard to read.

You paused, jaw loosening a pinch.

He looks like Lucci like that. Before.

Your mind flashed with dark eyes, that was akin to a dead fish when you first joined CP9 years ago and held back a displeased shudder.

I hate that look. He doesn't seem to like me.

"I like you," the young man said flatly and your eyes popped out your head.

"WHAT?!"

Mayor looked at his son(Seriously, how does that work? His kids look too young!) disapprovingly over his shoulder, letting go of the cooking utensil.

"Zuko! Don't be rude! This marine is going to help us with those poauau pirates!" Zuko didn't look over at his father, only staring at your gobsmacked face with that intense quiet look. "We have to show her respect. She's a marine! They finally answered our letters for help and sent her to us from Marine HQ. So we must show her the Karé hospitality! Which we're famous for by the way." Mayor added pleasantly while looking at you.

Azu, who moved from helping her grandpa appeared behind you on the chair with a mild frown, sipping tea calmly.

"We're not actually. Oh, and matua kēkē Zuko says he likes people but actually he doesn't. He actually only likes people if he says I don't like you, instead." Azu explained, not paying attention to Mayor's tight smile at her words of how not famous their island is while Aiko threw her brother a frown as Zuko continued to stare at you. "It's strange. But it's okay. He cooks good."

How does one have to do with the other? You think with a mild sweatdrop as you glanced at her before focusing back on the cherry colored hair man.

So you were right. He doesn't like you.

You wonder why?

"Is that true?" Zuko questioned, tone neutral as your brows furrowed. "You came from Marine HQ? They sent you?"

"I'm here to help," you say, resolute. "It would help if you guys told me which Yonko and what division too actually—"

"No time!" Mayor cut in, appearing before you with the end of his cane to your face as your eyes crossed at it. He turned towards Zuko. "Zuko! Show the Karé hospitality!"

Zuko was silent in his answer, instead going to the kitchen counter and picking up a large stirring spoon. That's where the magic happened, your eyes focusing on the way his arms and hands seemed to move quick. From putting spices to stirring, to finishing up chopping and prepping the meat to searing. And, you observe Zuko's face and see how his flat lips looked a tad more relaxed along with the rest of his expression, he looks happy doing this. In his element.

By the time he finished, Aiko, Azu and Mayor moved to sit by you—all your knees touching or parts of legs due to his close the chairs were. Azu seeming to shift excitedly in her seat although she tried not to be while Aiko smiled fondly down at her.

"Have you ever had curry?" Mayor questioned in interest, as Zuko put bowls in front of you. The smell wafting to your nose and making your mouth water at all the scents of cumin, ginger, garlic and pepper and plenty of other scents you can't place. The sight was beautiful too. The colors were vibrant due to the peppers you could see. From red to to green and you think you see celery as well. "Not many other countries or islands I know of have it as their signature dish. But you must've travelled a lot."

"I have." You answer distantly, trying to hold back your drool as you picked up a wooden spoon and stared at the bowl in front of you. "Travelled I mean. Curry though," you took a spoonful, and watched the liquid and the glistening colors on it, fascinated. "I don't think so. I don't quite remember everything I've eaten but I feel like I would remember this. Ah," you stared up at Zuko, who stood above you by the table, his face staying neutral as he met your gaze. You put the spoon back, and put your hands together in a loud clap, your head bowing. "Thank you for the food!"

Zuko's eyes rounded a pinch. But you didn't pay attention, you just dug in. Your eyes gleaming at the wonderful flavors bouncing in your mouth.

"Ah! It's goofh!" Azu stared at you, pointing at her chin. You used the back of your hand, catching some stray curry and licked it before going in again. Not paying much attention as Azu stared at you with a baffled face and her mutter that your napkin was right there. Mayor looked proud though, while Aiko's kind face formed into a bright expression as she laughed softly behind her hand. Zuko maintaining his quiet stare at your sitting form as you ate his meal enthusiastically. You finished the dish, clean and done with a content smile on your face as you stared up at the man. "Thanks again! You're a pretty good cook by the way. Is all your curry like that?"

Zuko stayed silent but Azu answered for him as she tugged your sleeve. You looking down at her and spotting her prideful expression.

"Matua kēkē Zuko is one of the best at the island! If not the best. He's one of the ones like Ojii-san with the most of our ancestral tattoos and he gets to have their—"

"Azu." Zuko cut in, Azu freezing at his tone as he minutely shook his head. "No."

He turned around, looking as if he was about to leave. As he did, you noticed the back of his black shirt, there was a symbol of what looked like a soaring raven with its wings spread out with that diamond and thick lined pattern to outline it. Karasu glinted in interest at your hip.

Once he was out the door, Mayor let out a sigh, a hand to his face. Azu looking down with a bitten lip and having let go of your sleeve.

"That boy...Sorry about that." Mayor gave you an apologetic smile, straightening and shifting in his seat. His shoulders looked heavy all of a sudden, you think. Aiko put an arm towards Azu, giving her shushed words of comfort. "You're probably wondering what that was about. You see," the old man lifted the fur around his shoulders, showcasing the many tattoos upon his person. You could spot the boar that you saw earlier in that building, as well as others. "This isn't just to look and showcase our famous beauty—" Azu, still hurt, stayed silent. Making Mayor momentarily frown but kept going. "It's not just for pride either. Although my son has made it all about his. We can seek our chosen ancestor's tattoos guidance. But it's only for their chosen dominion. And others only get to only have one or two ancestral tattoos. But since I'm the island's leader..."

"You get to have more," you quietly realized, looking in awe at the tattoos. "Guidance? Does that mean you hear voices in your head?"

Hopefully not like mine, you think with an internal wince. Although maybe it's just a part of me that I can't seem to get rid of...like an opposite of a conscience. I just want to be like Shanks.

Mayor snorted while Azu threw you a disbelieving look.

"Are you stupid?"

"Hah?"

"Don't be rude, Azu." Aiko shushed, hand going through Azu's spiky hair. Aiko gave you an apologizing smile. "Don't mind my daughter. As you could tell before, she's quite blunt. She says what's on her mind as it comes."

You waved it off.

"She's fine. I was like that when I was younger too." You thought of harsh words and scowls towards an old hero, of curses and being picked up by the collar and a hit to the head in reprimand. You swallowed, eyes momentarily hidden beneath your cap before looking back up at the old man. "What do you mean than?"

Mayor explained briefly. How it was more of a feeling from the ancestor, a quiet guidance than just a voice in their head. It was like instinct that got turned on they never knew was there or existed before they asked the ancestor. However, only certain ancestral tattoos can be on at a time.

"As you can see," the Mayor pointed the tattoo of the boar, similar to what was seen in the wharenui. With diamonds and thick lines and thin lines and all filling in the outline of the tattoo making up the shape of the animal. "This is of Kokiri—our first founders. If not the first. Things get hazy when we spread our history orally. Kokiri helped me numerous times, but I can't hear him anymore. Not since my son got his tattoo when he was young."

"And Raiona," Azu cut in, quiet upon her mother's lap. Mayor and you glancing at her as your brows furrowed before turning your attention back to the serious elder.

"Why don't you like Raiona?"

Mayor's face darkened, his wrinkles apparent and seeming to grow as he tightened his hold atop the handle of his cane.

"Raiona wanted to be the best by force. He wanted to show the whole world only Karé can be asked for spices. By making sure no one else had any."

Well, that's one way of doing it you guess.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Raiona, stop!" A rose colored haired man with a heavily tattooed right arm, diamonds and triangles and thick lines until it circled a boar at his shoulder shouted, sunset eyes distressed as he held a spear. "This isn't the way! By doing this, you're signing other people's deaths! People who have nothing to do with this!"

"Than let it be so, Kokiri!"  The deep scarlet haired man replied. Hair wild and long similar to a mane, eyes set and expression firm as he stood with his back turned towards the troubled Kokiri who tightened his hold on his spear. Raiona turned his head towards him, eyes shadowed and spear straight, the tip glinting along with the man's sunrise for eyes, the tattoos on Raiona's face on making him look more threatening as his cheeks had sharp teeth to go with the lion upon the rest of his face. "We can't let any of those foreigners treat us like this! Or our pride of Karé. If you get in my way...than...you are on the wrong side of history, you soft fool. You'll kill us all. "

"Raiona, no!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Raiona...he did this?" Kokiri's eyes held grief as he looked around, jaw tight as he saw the bloodied bodies on the ground. Supplies were scrapped and the short rose colored hair brushed the man's shoulders with three braids on the side of his face as he tilted his head down, tightening the hold of his spear until he felt like he can get blood flowing to it back. It didn't work. "This can't be...this isn't the pride of Karé...this isn't what we're meant to be...! Damn it, Raiona!"

"What are we going to do, rangatira?" A tribesman called him chief respectfully as Kokiri's expression was shadowed and his back towards the tribesman. "He's...doing what's best for our people. If not, others would try to get us instead—"

Before the tribesman finished speaking, he was already trying to recover from the floor. Hand to aching chin and cheek that throbbed as the tribesman winced, the peaceful Kokiri's form over him, face twisted.

"Don't you dare say that! Who are we to judge what others would do before it happens? This isn't the Karé way! Our pride is not from stealing others lifework of creating dishes that define them. That is not our way! We," Kokiri took a breath, eyes with hues of orange and red similar to when the sun finishes it's magnificence for the day to the west narrowed and ablaze. "Are a proud people!"

The tribesman that helped the one that was injured by raising him up and the others looked at each other than back at the huffing Kokiri. Silence consuming.

"Than," another spoke, hesitant and unsure, "w-what are you going to do about Raiona, rangatira?"

Kokiri's eyes tightened, appearing stricken before he looked away, eyes on an empty turned over basket on what appeared to be nutmeg dusted on the grass.

"I don't know."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"You...you foolish Koki...! Do you know what you've...you've done..?!"

Blood drips and pants and huffs could be heard as red gathered. The lion lay bleeding, the boar's tusks tainted.

"You forced my hand, Rai...you...why did you do all this?"

"You wouldn't understand! You're not out there! You...have not seen what's been happening you stupid Koki! I am trying to save us!"

"No," Kokiri said, wobbly and tired and filled with grief. "You ruined us."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"He got power hungry and twisted. He shouldn't be on that wall and praised if you ask me. Who knows what else was lost in history. What else he did. Zuko got both Raiona's and Kokiri's tattoos and ever since than when he was able to hear and be guided by them, he's covered them. Refusing to use them or display either of them. Wanting to not use our ancestors guidance and want to use his own experience and knowledge. Must've been due to whatever Raiona said if you ask me. That blasted lion...I don't understand how Kokiri did nothing about Raiona. Him and Raiona were of the time before the Void Century after all."

Your eyes rounded, jaw dropping as your brows rose.

"Before the Void Century...?! You guys have information from people back than? With those tattoos?"

This isn't good. People who know about that time? No matter how little, if the World Government finds out about this...

A small sweat went down your temple, your blood pumping.

How often have they sent those letters? For help? How much did they say in those letters about the island?

Are those pirates that have been terrorizing them...even pirates...?!

Mayor continued, raising a brow at you and your reaction as his only response.

"We are an old island. Small too. I imagine that's why it took Marine HQ so long to get to us. We can be hard to find despite us being in the weakest sea in the East Blue." Your gaze rose at that. You are in the East Blue! "I suppose the currents around us can be difficult to maneuver. But lucky for us you managed to get through!" Mayor said with a smile, cane tapping twice on the ground.

They're lucky no one else seems to have figured out their culture. Based on what this old man said, others seem to be aware of this country and their spices. But are ignorant of the customs and history.

If they did...

Hands that were red, coated with blood. Screams and cries. Fire. Explosions.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"What happened in Ohara?" You ask Garp, youthful eight year old face in a frown. Knobby and scraped knees knocking together as you sat atop a log, one eye closed as Garp put bandages on your injured face from excessive training again. "Why did they use that thing?"

A young teen Smoker who was leaning against the tree of the deep forest within the island of Loguetown a few feet away from them, turned his gaze towards the quiet Garp in attention. His own brows deeper than usual as he held his staff, gone with the baseball bat and bruises upon his own person.

"They got scared," Garp said eventually, pausing on your now bandaged temple before planting his large hand atop your head, practically engulfing you but he was gentle. Soft. It was weird. His face a heavy frown which made you confused even more. You didn't think he could look older.

You didn't like it.

"Scared? Of nerds? Don't they just read?" You remembered what the papers were saying. Of this island filled of people who only read books were planning to destroy the government. Destroy everything. Of a little girl that's as old as you, stronger though. Able to destroy Marine warships. Your childlike eyes turning into deep bewilderment. Than turning into a deep frown, you recalling what her poster looked like. What they said. What they're calling her. Devil Child.  It's very close to demon, you think as you swallowed. "Did they deserve it?"

Garp's neck snapped up, hands moving to go to your shoulders as he knelt before you, grip tight but not painful. Your eyes widening as Smoker threw a look towards you, the hold on his crossed arms tightening around him as his jaw tightened.

"Listen to me good and well, (Y/N)," Garp commanded, eyes tight and burning and expressive. "No one deserves anything! Especially something like that. Never. No matter how much a shit they are. Or if they're not! We..." His fingers went tight on your shoulders than slackened, his head bowing as he seemed to clench his jaw before raising it again. Deep tired brown eyes meeting your blinking (e/c) ones. "We don't get to decide something like that."

Smoker kept his narrowed gaze towards them, before closing it. Grip slightly loosening around his arms, instead, a hand twitching around the weapon he's chosen for now to use to protect.

You didn't take your eyes off of Garp. Taking in his words as silence reigned for a few beats before you nodded. Garp's eyes relaxing as he put a hand on your head, before standing up.

"But," you couldn't help but say, Garp's eyes lowering to meet yours only to spot you were staring at the ground and your feet. "Why did they do it?"

You listened. Waiting. Waiting as Garp stood and thought. And thought.

And than—

"I don't know," he eventually said, haggard and hand covering his ashamed expression. "I don't know."

You and Smoker both frowned before glancing at one another. It was only truly when you entered CP9, you got the whole truth of what happened when before was just suspicion and Aokiji—san's little words about it.

You wonder if Smoker ever found out.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Would you say fuck it all and go your own way like I did? You wonder, deep and down and away where you haven't thought about it much(because if you did—), a mix of hope and despair and what feels like regret choking on your throat as you try to swallow. What Justice are you following? Do you have one?

You should've asked.

But I just wanted to hear your voice.

(Because if you did, you know what nightmares will await you.)

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

If that happens here, you think, Mayor continuing to explain that despite Raiona's actions, he did manage to bring more spices to the island that were rare. Azu adding that's why Raiona is cooler than boring Kokiri, who only cooked for others. Mayor lecturing Azu again about that how Kokiri was peaceful while Aiko just listened with a humored content smile with a hand to her chin. The house quiet despite that, and the village outside this house, preparations and revelry can be heard to celebrate the pride of their country. How can I stop that...?

Your eyes tightened, your teeth biting your inner cheek.

You're not strong enough yet.

You have to handle this.

"I think you guys should tell me about these pirates," you interrupt them as they seemed to move to talk about the bonfire tonight and if Zuko was going to make it or skip it again. All three of them turning towards you. "When was the last time you guys said they came again?"

"Ano," Aiko said, a finger to her chin as she looked up, her wavy candy apple hair moving slightly as she did so. "They come every three weeks or so. They keep getting rather aggressive."

"They're stupid," Azu cut in seriously with crossed arms, now off her mother's lap. "They think they can use our spices better than us. Stupid!"

"None of that," Mayor waved off, making you frown as he pointed the end of his cane to you. "You haven't finished hearing our proud history! Oh, and the bonfire!" He neared the cane farther up to you until it was a centimeter to your nose. You didn't cross your eyes at it this time. "You have to join the bonfire! And the drums—the drums will make you dance and get you focused back onto what's important!"

"What's important?" You question, voice turning high in disbelief. What is this crazy old man talking about?! "Listen, just tell me which way they usually come in and—" You got cut off by getting jabbed in the mouth by the end of his cane, your hands going to it in shocked pain before Mayor decided to grab you by the arm and take you away out the house back to the outside.

"Come on, our bonfire is the best at this side of the East Blue. And also I'm late and am the leader and I was supposed to get there earlier."

"You're a bad leader, Ojii-San."

"Now, now, Azu. You know how Otou-San loves his stories."

"Ha! See?" Mayor turned towards you, as you continued to hold your mouth, smacking your lips and making a face as he tugged you. You think you tasted something foul from the cane. "Even Azu thinks we have the best bonfire!"

"Ojii-San is weird~," Azu sang flatly.

The sun was setting and you can see in the distance past all the little hut for houses and trees there was a large pile of wood gathering. The three of them tugging you along until they reached a cliff, villagers with their flax skirts and tattoos proudly in display. Everyone wearing the red, white, and black headbands proudly on their heads. Even the children, their face painted with their own forms of temporary tattoos with some with spirals and others with more lines as they laughed and played around while helping with the large pile. Those who wore thin and long jade earrings clinking and moving along with those they are connected to. The smell of spices tickling your nose, of everything you can think of.

Your hand dropping from your mouth as you stared in awe. Mayor loosening his hold on you and smiling next to you knowingly, eyes glittering in pride as he leaned fully on his cane.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Azu ran towards the other children, flax skirt fluttering and her smile wider than you've seen as another girl painted her face. Aiko speaking to a large fit dark skinned man with plaited dark hair with a gleaming smile and giggles and soft eyes as he said something to her ear. The fire beginning when the villagers gave him a look, him returning it with a nod as the both of you watched the bonfire grow bigger and bigger and the smell of spices wafted as children threw at it in there and the wood crackled as the sky darkened.

It really is, you think, feeling heat on your cheeks and shadows dancing upon your face. The heat seeming to tickle your still healing left scarred cheek. The drums being heard, booming yet cheerful as others moved and twirled and spun in front of the fire and danced with others. It looks like when I did that large fire with the villagers and Shanks and everybody during one of the weeks I was there.

"Dance, (Y/N)! Dance!"

"I...I d-don't really...I kind of forgot how to do it exactly."

A wide soft smile, eyes eager and nonjudgmental as he grabbed your hand and spun you around and making you laugh as he grinned.

"You're not supposed to!" He said, tugging you towards him and your hands going to his chest automatically, stumbling, as he stared down at you easily. "Dance how you feel!"

You blink, before focusing on the music, confidence rising as you grabbed his hand tight with close lipped smile. His eyes widening at the action but grinned wider, cheeks looking a tad flushed that must've been from the drinks before you awkwardly twirled him back. Him having to help you as he let out a charmed laugh, ducking his towering form to move his head under your arm and you giggling with him. You continuing as you spun for him, extending your arm to make distance before closing it again as rhythmic clapping can be heard with a beat.

"Dahahaha! Yeah! Like this!"

"We are a proud people." Mayor began, taking out of your stupor as your eyes moved to the side to watch him. "Despite us being small, each man here is worth ten out there. Maybe even thirty. But," the Mayor's lips twisted into a waning smile, "we hate conflict. I don't want this to end bloody, not here. Not in our island." His head fully turned towards you, eyes serious. "Do you understand?"

He doesn't want you to handle them here. He's done with war. You can tell that from his feelings of Raiona.

But, how am I going to do this? These people...

Nonetheless, you gave him a firm nod.

"I'll handle them." Mayor's visage cleared, wrinkles calming around his face as he gave you a grateful look. You looked around, frowning. "Is your son, okay? He's been gone awhile."

Mayor quickly explained Zuko does not enjoy the bonfires much anymore, but he does stick with helping with the feast afterwards. Gathering the meat and supplies down deep in their jungle to get enough for everyone.

"I should help. It can give me more an idea of your island too," you add with a half smile.

Mayor smiled proudly and cackled.

"Kehkeh!" He jabbed your shoulder with the end of his cane, ignoring your playful and exaggerated scowl and words on what that was for before pointing at a direction in the jungle down below the cliff and past it. "He should be down there somewhere! Don't get lost!" Mayor called out as you started walking. "And don't get pecked to death either! Those moa's can be quite harsh! We're famous for them after all!"

"No, we're not!" You heard Azu call out, having the other children chime in with that. Mayor whipping around and jousting with his cane everywhere and yelling as you smiled before your eyes glinted, resolute.

You have to help.

You don't know how, but you do.

But first...catching some Moa's...?

Karasu seemed to dull, indifference clear as it was on your hip. You moving branches and bushes out the way as you squeezed through.

Back in Mayor's house, Kuroi ten'nosabaki leaned against the wall by the quaint little dinner table. If one squints, perhaps one can spot a ghost of what appears to be a sweatdrop go down the sheen of the infamous dark buster sword.

You blink. Realizing you're feeling really light, turning your head over your shoulder. Staring at the empty space on your back.

"...whoops. I was caught in His Pace I guess. And he jabbed my mouth with that cane." You thought about going back all the way, as you stood in the dark with thick trees and bushes everywhere, a hand to your chin in thought. Uncaring about a sound of what sounded like a slither and a hiss, of the bushes rustling loudly and glowing eyes peeking at you within the foliage. "Eh. It's okay. I probably won't need him for this. Hang on there, Kuroi ten'nosabaki! I'm coming!" You yell, moving in a run and dashing up to tree branches from the ground to get around quicker as your eyes moved to find Zuko. The many eyes widening at the speed, and running off in different directions. They'll find other meals after all. Less loud too. "Just wait for me!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Off the coast of Karé Island—A few miles East of the Bonfire

A ship docked, swords coming out of sheathes in the dark with guns flashing. A beard with chips and fries stuck within and encompassing a greedy smile.

"Let's go make some money, men!"

The pirates charged, moving towards where they see large smoke coming from the west. Unaware that many miles out from said ship and Karé, another ship with an infamous Jolly Roger was on their tail, a large figure relaxing on the deck with closed eyes.

Fate—seems to wish to play with you for quite awhile. Irony wishes to join too.

How will you answer?

If one can strain their ears, and truly listen, they can hear the Voice of the waves lapping at sea similar to a laugh and the wind howling above in amused agreement.

The Sea has a new Child, the breeze cooed.

No, replied the ocean that is vast and deep and encompassing. Just a returning one.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Within Karé's Thick Jungle—Holding the Flightless Moa's and the Large Kawekaweau's

"Are these even birds?" You questioned as you poked one of the birds that got knocked out. The bird seeming to be around ten feet tall birds and have no wings, similar to ostriches but instead of black and white fluffy feathers, they were tan and looked more wiry. They were not pleasant to touch and beak's are more pointed and sharp, perfect to defend themselves. "What kind of bird doesn't have wings?" You thought out loud, before making a note they look easier to ride with no flapping wings getting in the way.

At your feet were five knocked out moa's, their eyes white from fright. You don't quite understand what happened. One moment you got caught off guard and got chased by these towering birds and dodging their pecks and sharp taloned feet. But when you had enough and remembered the villagers need meat and you should probably help with that and not just look for Zuko, you stopped and turned around. Your expression turning set as you touched Karasu's hilt, staring at the moa's who came charging at you. Only for them to blink and come to a complete stop that you sure have them whiplash. Their eyes turning nervous as they continued to stare at you and bowed their heads, making your head tilt, only making your expression look more dangerous by making your gaze shadowed due to your cap. Their shudders clear before they knocked out.

Frankly, you're not sure what happened but you'll take it!

You heard foliage being rustled by you, making you turn in the direction. You heard what sounded like smacks and squawks, and headed towards it. Being mindful of the grass and sticks on the ground and maintains silence, hidden behind a bush to see what was happening.

Oh, it's Zuko! You realize, watching how the cook knocked out the moa's quite skillfully by chopping the back of their necks. Dodging their pecks and stomps of their talons with jumps over their heads, even grabbing one's neck with one hand and chopping it with the other as he fell back onto the ground. You also spotted a large gecko seeming to want to join in on the branches with the attacks. It being at least four feet long and it's long tongue whipping out it's mouth to try to land on Zuko. It kept missing by hitting the mao's though, making the mao's frustrated due to the growing ticks you could see from here and insulted squawks. Huh...he knows how to fight?

You observed Zuko's fight a little longer until he knocked out all the moa's, although the large gecko was trying to get him, Zuko didn't seem to pay any mind to it since it kept missing.

You came out from behind the bushes, purposefully making noise as Zuko's blank gaze landed on your bewildered yet smiling face.

"You know how to fight and cook? And using just your hands too," you pointed at Zuko's bandages hands, looking a little more worn than before due to the fighting. "I didn't think cooks liked using their hands or something. Something about protecting them. Which makes sense. Wouldn't be a very good swordsman if I can't have both my hands, would I?" You joked, but Zuko still kept his eyes neutral, lips straight.

As you were speaking, the four foot gecko on the tree behind you tried to aim at you with its tongue. Whipping it out and landing on your boot.

You made a face, shaking the tongue off and the gecko's tongue snapped back within its mouth.

"You shouldn't let the kawekaweau's tongue touch you," Zuko toned, your gaze raising along with a brow at him as he moved the moa's bodies all atop each other. "They're covered with a deadly toxin and can kill you in a mere few hours."

"What?!" You stared at your combat boots, looking a little worried before turning a scowling face towards the calm cherry haired man. "Why didn't you tell me that earlier?!"

"I thought you were fast enough to dodge," the man replied flatly, his eyes up at you before nonchalantly turning back to his task. "It seems not."

Your brows furrowed deeply, insulted.

What's up with this guy?

"It seemed to be missing you fine enough. Why did it get me?"

Zuko didn't seem to want to deign you an answer. The noise within the dark hard to see jungle outside of insects being him moving around the moa's and putting them in what appears to be a large towering wooden backpack to fit them all.

...

"Are you not going to answer...?!"

"Hands are not only meant to make." You blinked, thrown momentarily by the subject change only to notice he was answering your first question. His gaze was focused at his task, tightening the moa's with rope, bandaged muscles flexing with the movement. "True cooks hunt their dishes. And hands are also meant to protect. What is a cook if you can not protect what you make?"

You blinked once more, furrowed brows relaxing as understanding went through you, your head tilting at the man who's eyes seem to gleam each time he does or speaks about what he clearly loves.

Not quite a dead fish than.

It's not like Lucci turned out to be one either, you added as an afterthought before pointing your attention back to the man and his bandages from his arms to his forehead. Weird though. He seems to be prideful but he hides the tattoos.

Zuko, seeming to sense your gaze and where it was, turned his deep red eyes towards you.

"A cook, will also learn on his own. I don't need help. Not from anyone. Much less ancestors. Even more so when they aren't worth honoring."

Ah. So it's like that, is it?

"Idiot. You think I don't know you're strong on your own? Nothing is wrong with accepting help sometimes. So don't think you're weak cause of it. You idiot."

Your lips turned down.

"Your dad told me a bit about the two you have on your arm. You don't like both Raiona and Kokiri?"

Zuko's red gaze turned cutting as they flicked towards you. Your expression maintaining the same. You're used to piercing dark gazes by now anyways.

You didn't think he was going to answer as he put on the large towering wooden backpack, moa's still knocked out within it as Zuko stood—the twenty foot tall backpack dwarfing him to a hilarious degree. It didn't stop his set chin and stoic gaze.

"Why would you care? You're a deserter aren't you?"

You stilled. Karasu at your hip seeming to glint.

"We barely get News Coo's here, but when we do, I am the sole one that bothers to read it. What do you want from my family?"

You shook yourself, turning defensive.

"I don't know exactly what the newspapers are saying, but know I actually want to help. You guys...do you have any idea what the World Government would do if they found out about your tattoos...?" You questioned, swiping your arm out as Zuko's brow's furrowed a pinch. "The connection to the Void Century—don't you guys know what happened to Ohara for trying to figure it out? Imagine an actual connection!"

The cherry haired man's red brows furrowed fully.

"Ohara...?"

"You don't know—you haven't heard about Ohara?! It was everywhere!"

Zuko's expression seemed troubled as he turned his gaze to the side, lifting up his bandaged right arm and staring at it.

"So he truly wasn't paranoid after all..." he muttered, too low for you to understand making you arch a brow before he looked up at you. Demanding an explanation from you about Ohara with a simple "Explain". You doing so since this was more important than his attitude. Also adding onto your theory that the pirates may not even be pirates or just hired from the government. Once you were finished, Zuko's skin seemed to pale and his eyes wider than you've ever seen on him. Him than shaking his head. "We don't receive many News Coos here. If my father found out..." Zuko seemed to be struggling to get out more, his bandaged hands clenching at his sides. "But those must be pirates. They have to be. They were proclaiming about being Allies of a Yonko. They had the signature."

At least they know what a Yonko is.

You were going to ask once more on which one, but stopped. Noticing in the distance there was heavy smoke miles out where you came from, the bonfire on the cliff. Your brows furrowed, you pointing in the direction.

"Does the bonfire actually get that big?"

Zuko followed your finger, his form than tensing.

"No." And just like that, he bolted, backpack on all on him and you barely got past the word for him to wait. Having to follow after him.

"What?! What's going on?!"

"Pirates," Zuko spat out darkly, making you blink before you cursed to yourself as they dashed in between trees and branches. Impressive he is going in this fast pace. "They're here. Only explanation. I...Azu, Aiko, my father—it seems Raiona really wasn't paranoid. Perhaps we should've listened more and not follow Kokiri's way too strictly."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"What I use to disguise my tattoos, it's not just to not display them. I can't hear them. I refused to after what I found out about them—being the first to have both Raiona and Kokiri, I heard both."

"Okay," you said, stretching out the word with an arched brow. "So Kokiri did some bad things too I take it? Based on what your dad said, they didn't seem to like each other much..."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Ouch!" A small body landed harshly on the ground, rose hair splayed on the grass, small chest huffing with breaths with a stick a few inches away from tanned hands. A hearty laugh was heard. The boy making a face as he got up with embarrassment shining in sunset eyes. "Don't laugh at me! You're always stronger than me!"

The other boy that stood over him with a training stick, cleared a tear from his face. Dark scarlet hair shining in the sun as he grinned, feral with sunrise eyes glinting.

"Be better than me than, idiot!"

Despite the harsh words, a hand reached down as another reached up, clasping.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Not just that," Zuko said, red eyes focused ahead as his lips thinned. "They were brothers."

You blinked, listening as Zuko explained what he learned from the amount of time he got speaking with Raiona and Kokiri. Something you didn't understand he could do since Mayor said earlier it was more instinct than actual talking. Zuko didn't seem to bother with knowing why. Telling the story of how Raiona and Kokiri were of blood, and while Raiona perhaps was too violent—Kokiri had a hand in their country's downfall as well all those years ago.

"We were a kingdom. Once." Zuko said, eyes shadowed behind the bangs across his forehead as you spared him a glance. "Not one as great as others, not Alabasta or Dressrosa—no castles. Just huts. Our Wharenui. But we were a proud people. And Kokiri ruined it with his inability to act."

Your eyes squinted.

Were?

Zuko went on, saying that despite being family, their actions killed each other. And the potential for this country. Adding that he won't follow those who are failures—and who's knowledge he doesn't care to know more of. It made you frown.

"I don't listen to weaklings."

"That's pretty narrow minded you know," Zuko glanced at you, spotting your disapproving frown with a hint of being insulted. "You just cut them off after they told you that? For years? You didn't even hear what else they had to say. You probably didn't even get the full story—"

"I heard enough." Zuko cut you off stoically, turning his gaze back straight. Your lips thinned at the action but you stayed silent. "What would you know? And like I said—I don't need them to teach me anything. I don't need their help."

It's like talking to a brick wall.

Than again, you think, staring back towards the big cloud of smoke by craning your neck as you jumped and dashed at the same pace as Zuko. I would probably be like him if it wasn't for Smoker.

Your eyes than widened, making a noise of shock and realization. Zuko side eyed you.

"I have to get Kuroi ten'nosabaki! Who knows where those fires are!" Zuko's eyes widened, seeing your connection of his father's house before he gave a slow nod. Replying that he will go himself to check on Azu, Aiko and Mayor. And that you seem to care more about a sword than the people you stated to help. You whipped your eyes towards him, narrowed and words biting making Zuko get taken aback. "You don't know how to be a swordsman! So of course you wouldn't understand. A swordsman is nothing without their sword! And I won't become the world's strongest woman without Kuroi ten'nosabaki!"

The worlds strongest woman? Zuko thought to himself, frowning as he stared at your form. You?

It was silent for a few beats. You took a breath, calming yourself before adding.

"Besides, I said I would help. I'll help."

Zuko stared at you, the both of you stopping atop branches of trees. How your hair was wild under you cap due to the speed, your sword on your hip glinting within its scabbard and how even in this darkness, your eyes shined with conviction u set watch your hat that said the word 'MARINE'. When you weren't one anymore.

Strange, Zuko thought, tattoos underneath bandages itching. I could believe you.

Zuko tore his gaze away.

"I still like you." You made a choked noise of shock again at the words, cheeks flushing before you realized what he really meant and letting out an "Oi!". Zuko didn't pay you mind. "Go than. I'll take my leave."

You made a noise of huffed confirmation, the both of you moving to opposite directions. You using Kamisori to move faster now that you don't have to listen to the young looking man. No use in being polite now!

I'm coming Kuroi ten'nosabaki!

When Zuko glanced back, only to see nothing, his eyes widened.

She disappeared? Can someone be that fast?

Zuko shook his head, turning back towards the sky, seeing how the smoke curled in the sky where the bonfire was. How he could see the light of fire that is too high.

His jaw clenched, along with his bandaged fists.

He'll do this on his own. He doesn't need a failed ancient ancestor's help.

When Zuko arrived to where the fires were, huts on fire and children crying with their painted faces being ruined, of screaming and cruel laughter, his already stoic eyes turned cold in anger.

He spotted a few pirates messing with a family, a mother and her two children. No Karé warrior in sight able to defend them, too busy fighting the others.

Zuko cracked his knuckles, stepping up towards the pirates. The family turning teary eyes towards him, hope rising. One of the three pirates turned, a sneer already ready on his face as his peripheral vision spots the young looking tall cherry haired man.

"What do we have here?"

The pirates barely got the words out, before a bandaged fist met his face. The pirate's teeth being knocked out, Zuko's arm still up, red eyes flashing threateningly towards the other pirates, the punched pirate on the floor.

"I really," Zuko cracked his fists again, raising one up as he faced the two pirates who raised their swords up, "love this."

The two pirates blanched.

It's a psychopath!

Zuko handled the two pirates, taking a cut to his arm and grass to his abdomen to his irritation. Not saying anything when the family thanked him, only telling them to go far away from here and hide. They're stronger for just being regular pirates, but he has to save energy. He can't already have this amount of trouble with the grunts.

He looked down at his bandages on his arms, lips pressing.

He heard cries closer to where the bonfire originally was, his eyes widening than narrowing at the sound as he dashed forward to go towards it.

Aiko! Azu!

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Karé Island—a few miles out from the fires. Close to the Wharenui and Mayor's House.

"Why are you getting in my way?!" You say each word with a dodge, missing the darting poisonous tongue that is desperate to catch you. Your hand tight around Karasu, flashing in annoyance at the large eight foot long and five foot tall red and tan colored kawekaweau before you, large gecko like eyes trained on you as it brought its tongue back in its mouth. "This is crazy...how is a thing like you in the East Blue like this? You're like an animal that could be in the Grand Line with how fast you are."

You were on your way to the Mayor's house that was client to the Wharenui, you taking note that some of the other huts and houses that were nearby appeared ransacked and slightly burned. Your nose itching at the scent of smoke and burnt wood. Only for this huge freaking gecko to come out of nowhere and start attacking you just when you were heading to the direction of the Mayor's house.

You were astounded at its speed, faster than any East Blue animal should be. You having to keep your eye on it's poisonous tongue that Zuko told you about. You took out Karasu to use to threaten the kawekaweau with, but it seemed undeterred. Looking determined to stop you. Whether using its tongue or flicking it's tail towards you as well to whack you away.

The only reason stopping you from slashing it is those determined eyes in this odd looking animal. And how it seemed to get angrier when you would step closer to a destroyed hut.

"I'm not going to do anything," you say, one hand on Karasu and your arm splaying out towards the burnt huts before pointing behind the large reptilian animal. "I didn't do this. I'm trying to help. I have to check on Mayor's house. You saw those pirates right...?! I need to grab my buster sword so I can help the others." The kawekaweau did not move. It did not blink. Just kept its eyes on you. You made a noise of frustration, hand rubbing your face. "Why am I talking to you...? You seem like a brick wall like Zuko." The animal's eyes narrowed at you, making an odd gurgling sound at the back of its throat. You raised your head, brow arching. "You know Zuko? Come to think of it...one of your buddies kept missing him but somehow landed a hit on me. Do you guys like him or something?"

The kawekaweau didn't answer. Cause of course it couldn't. Only kept its reptilian large protruding eyes on the side of its head on you, before looking up at your cap. Clear suspicion and anger as it looked at it.

Your brows furrowed deeply.

Why is it looking at your hat like that?

The kawekaweau than whipped it's tail at you, the width of it being of it being two doors, you widening your eyes and leaping over it. You feeling a tug on your head, feeling air on top. You whipped your arm out, face scowling as you grabbed onto your hat that was connected to the kawekaweau's tongue still. The kawekaweau tense and claws sinking onto the ground, eyes flashing as it tugged. Your face twisted more as you held the back of your cap.

"What are you doing?! Don't you know what this is?!" The kawekaweau tugged, but you tugged back harder as you raged. "This is my treasure! You can't have it! Especially your dirty shitty filled tongue that's just gross! Don't you—Don't you have something you wish to protect too?!"

The kawekaweau paused, blinking as it focused back on your face. Your brows furrowed heavily over expressive (e/c) eyes, lips turned down. It spotted your hold on Karasu with your other hand, still at your side.

The kawekaweau blinked again. Releasing your cap, tongue back in it's mouth with a snap before licking its lips. Spitting out and shaking itself.

You scowled, face in angry tick marks as you shook your hand with Karasu.

"How rude! My cap doesn't taste that nasty!" The
kawekaweau made a noise in the back of its mouth, gurgled and almost sounding like a frog before it spat out again close to you. You hopped away, one foot lifted as you made a noise of disgust. "Ew! What's up with you anyways? Why do you want my cap and looking at it like that?" The kawekaweau turned its head up at you, looking down at you and your cap before turning around. Appearing as if it headed towards the Wharenui.

You frowned before following it, the kawekaweau stopped in front of the pillars where there were the ancestors portrayed as animals were etched with careful and expert carving. The kawekaweau looking at the lion on top and than the boar the bottom. If you didn't know any better...it looked like it was lost in memory. Sad. Wishful.

You stayed silent. Only opening your mouth when the kawekaweau turned to go towards the back of the large red Wharenui building, you following only to see the gecko with its wide feet and claws digging up the ground.

"What are you doing?"

The kawekaweau said nothing. Just dug and dug, glancing at you and your curious expression and than the cap back on your head before going back towards it's task. Uncaring if it hit rocks, just slashed at it and continued. Uncaring if it's thick skinned feet started bleeding from the task. It went on. Until it reached what it wished, stepping back and making a gurgle and tongue lashing out at you. You jumping over it only to see it was just aiming at the front of your feet, not wishing to hit you.

Just catch your attention.

You neared the deep and wide hole. Your eyes rounding at what you saw.

"This is..." At the bottom of the hole, had a large slab of stone, holding pictures detailing a story from the left to the right. From people peacefully grinding for spices, to people with spears, vases holding something in them, of fighting and war and bodies to sadness. You could spot two prominent figures, one with hair so long and thick it looked like a mane and another with a head band that looked as if had two fangs protruding upwards. Those must be Raiona and Kokiri but how strange...the more you try to understand what you were seeing, the more it seemed like Raiona and Kokiri were on the same side after all. Your eyes flicked down towards the bodies feet, seeing a four legged creature skittering by the legs. Moving from Raiona and Kokiri almost consistently throughout these amicus to hieroglyphics that had what you imagine is the Māori script you noticed when you passed by some stands earlier—except more elegant and smooth on how it appears. You pointed towards the picture of the creature, peering over at the kawekaweau who just studied and gazed down at the slab of rock, front feet bleeding upon the grass. "Is that...is that you? You knew Raiona and Kokiri?"

If it is, this animal truly has an amazing lifespan.

The kawekaweau gurgled sadly, and the large eyes actually did look as if it seen much now that you're studying it closely. You put Karasu back on your hip, squatting down to look closer before staring up at the large gecko like creature over you.

"You know better than anybody about what happened. The Void Century. People coming to your island. Attacking. You...you got affected, didn't you? What happened?"

The kawekaweau didn't speak. Because it couldn't. You know it couldn't.

Your eyes however, were trained up on its face. Appearing as if it was looking something you couldn't see, far away and distant and a world you could never touch or see again. 

The kawekaweau stared at the stone that held history. What no one knew. Except it.

Only it.

"What happened?"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Karé Island 915 Years Ago—Fifteen Years Before the Void Century

There was nothing. And then, there was.

An egg cracked, it shook, it wiggled. It struggled to be released from the nothing, the darkness. The only thing it knew until it didn't want to anymore.

Free, the young gecko within the egg thought as it managed to get a whole front leg out, with small nails barely even a size of an ant protruding from scaly fingers. Free!

It got released, shaking itself from the goo that wanted to stay on its skin, dirt in it's eyes as it climbed up and up and up.

Until—

The kawekaweau reached the surface, dirt covering the scarlet and tan scales, blinking it's squinted eyes from dirt. From the sun. The wind hitting it's little body, even upon the ground, even with the thick foliage around it. It stumbled.
Limbs new, feeling odd, but the kawekaweau paid no mind. Looking around only to see it was the last to hatch.

The ground was littered with cracked and pieces of egg shells. No sibling in sight. No mother.

Just dirt and cracked pieces and itself with dirt and the sun heating it's skin.

Alone, the kawekaweau thought, burning eyes blinking.

The kawekaweau has an instinct. It knows the mother would leave without seeing her children. It's an ingrained biological component where it knows. Just as it knows the sun is good for it and the cold is not. It eats insects. And some fruit but not all, or it would die. The mother may have eaten the kawekaweau's siblings for all it knows.

The kawekaweau has instincts. This is how it is. What could be. All it would be.

The cycle would continue with it. It would eat. It would grow. It would mate and breed. Have children it would never meet. And it will do it again. On and on and on it will go. Until it died, in a tree, a bush, a predator's mouth. Flesh and bones in its teeth or beak, uncaring if the kawekaweau would scream or fight or move as it slowly had it's life fade from it's large eyes.

Leave in a way as unimpressive as it was born.

Alone. The kawekaweau shook itself, some dirt managing to get off its skin and blinking it's eyes as it turned this way and that. Meeting forest as it stumbled again from how hard it shook, rolling on the ground before getting up again. Looking up and past the trees and to the sun. Alone. But go.

It has to go, so off the kawekaweau went.

It walked and moved and found insects to eat. Small ants. A beetle. It would miss sometimes when it would try to grab at them. It would miss a lot.

It would miss more because of how hungry it got. It always moved a little oddly too. No matter how it would try to insert its claws upon the ground to make sure it would not fall or move or stumble, somehow it still would as the sun would come and go and the kawekaweau would get cold and try to find a place that had residual heat to hide. Under a rock or log.

Wrong. The kawekaweau thought looking over it's body with large protruding eyes, flexing it's claws on the ground. Wrong.

When the kawekaweau was six inches big, and was caught under a moa's foot, it found out. The moa's eyes gleaming and beak wide and appearing hungry yet disgusted.

"Pathetic meal," it crooned and sniffed as the pressure on the kawekaweau's felt tight from the moa's foot. It couldn't breathe right. But it's heart was thundering. Would it die before it would enter the moa's mouth? "Small. Runts always are."

The kawekaweau stopped. It stared up at the moa that was one hundred times bigger than it. Towering over it. The kawekaweau an ant and the moa truly the kawekaweau instead.

"Runt?" The kawekaweau repeated, not quite understanding. "Me?"

The moa looked down at the kawekaweau, surprised it spoke before it grabbed it's body with its foot, flexing around it. The talons scratching at its scales and it looked pain as the moa brought it close to its humored face, beak large and threatening but the eyes is what made the kawekaweau scared.

"Yes, runt. Weak. Small. But easy to catch." The moa was smiling, narrowed eyes shining. "Easy to eat."

"But I'm small," the kawekaweau said, repeating the moa's words back to it. The moa would not be sated from a small meal. Large animal. Big animal. "Why eat me if you will still be hungry?"

The moa huffed.

"Meal is meal. Small. Taste funny. But," the moa opened it's beak, tongue licking and brought the kawekaweau closer, "food is food. All it is."

So this is how it ends.

Not even past a month. Not meeting it's siblings or mother or father. Not meeting anything besides the insects it would eat and the moa it will be eaten by.

It will hurt.

Alone in birth and alone in death.

What is past dying? The kawekaweau thought with pained closed eyes as it was brought closer to the moa's open mouth, to be swallowed and go pass its throat and die by stomach acid eating away at it and suffocation. Alone too?

The kawekaweau has instincts. It always has and always will. No matter how small and weak it's runt body is, it knows things. It is ingrained within.

So, it was not shocking to the kawekaweau to open it's eyes wide and fierce and to move about in the moa's feet with might and resolve, and decide to follow the instinct to live.

Live! Live to be more! The kawekaweau thought as it struggled, the moa making an annoyed squawk but it's weak. And small and the mouth is getting closer and the darkness of death with it and promise of pain and everything but—Live!

A sound in the wind. Sharp and a whoosh goes past. The kawekaweau is falling and it's eyes are closed, pressed and the talons scratch at it's small scales.

There's a squawk and than there was nothing. The kawekaweau on the ground and frozen.

"Ha! Got it! Told you I would!" A young prideful voice said, steps coming closer.

"Only because I helped you track it." Another replied, more soft yet indignant.

"Tch, who cares? I'm the one that caught it Stupid Koki."

"You're so annoying, Rai. Aren't you the stupid one for not knowing how to track? Ow!" The softer voice said, a sound of rubbing being heard in the kawekaweau's ears. "What was that for?!"

"At least I know and am strong enough to get food in the first place. Pretty cool moa too. This should be good for the others." The kawekaweau felt the moa's body move, for it was still encased in it's talons. Eyes still closed tight and heart palpitating. "Wait...Koki, is this...?"

Steps heard. Closer.

And the kawekaweau's eyes opened, rounding.

Two giants over him. Not as big as the terrible moa. Faces that look fat. Odd arms and legs, no scales or feathers or fur outside atop their heads. It was red.

Like scales, the kawekaweau thought, but still scared, tucking itself in the talons still around it and making the sharp tip sting and it flinch.

"A kawekaweau," the one with short rose hair said, all youth and wonder as it drew closer with it's odd face to the kawekaweau and the kawekaweau could do nothing. "It looks young too. Never saw one before. I wonder if they're all this small."

The kawekaweau does not understand these odd things with odd voices, but it felt insulted as it's face twisted.

"Stay back, Koki!" The one with deep scarlet hair and a little longer than the other splayed his arm around the rose haired one's chest, making him back up. The deep scarlet proud looking thing took a sharp looking claw out from the moa with a squelch, connected to a stick where the odd beings could attack farther. Dangerous. Smart. Alpha. "Kawekaweau's are dangerous due to their poison! It only takes a lick and we're done for. Let me get rid of it."

The sharp claw was over the kawekaweau and it gurgled, eyes wide.

No.

"Stop!" The rose colored boy stood in front of the kawekaweau and it blinked, along with the Alpha. "It can't do anything, Rai! It's already injured!"

"So? That doesn't mean anything. They're dangerous, Koki."

"But...but we can learn so much about it. Besides, it looks too weak to do anything and attack either of us with its tongue."

"Tch, learn what? It's as weak as you."

"Are you gonna be a bully to weak people all your life, Rai?!"

There was silence and the Alpha's face looked twisted. As if it ate a nasty acidic fruit that the kawekaweau ate once.

"I'm not a bully." The Alpha looked over at the kawekaweau, the kawekaweau freezing at the look of eyes that look like when the sun rises. He turned back, strange stick back in the ground. "Make it get stronger than. Maybe you'll finally get stronger too, idiot Koki."

"Poauau Rai." The rose odd thing said, tongue protruding out before grabbing something from it's hip. The kawekaweau did not understand, but suddenly it was covered by it, it was soft and didn't hurt but it was scary because it could not see. But the talons were gone as it got picked up by strange rose thing. "Kawekaweau's are venomous. Not poisonous by the way."

"What's the difference?"

"Poauau."

"Hah?! Don't call me poauau when you're the idiot weak one!"

The kawekaweau did not understand. It being taken somewhere else. It was scared. Too many odd things everywhere. With habitats made of sticks and hay and other odd things. Nose smelling more than dirt and sand and leaves.

The sun would set and rise. And the odd rose thing would feed it.

It eventually eating what it brought. Odd beetles and fruit it has not tasted before.

The bigger odd things that were taller than the ones the kawekaweau knows would yell at the two it does know, and they would point at it. But the rose odd soft thing would yell back. The kawekaweau did not understand, but it felt safe. Left alone. The Alpha though...

One day, when the kawekaweau was still just eight inches and eating insects in its cage made of sticks that is small but is nice, it sensed a presence. Head moving up to see the Alpha with arms at it's sides at the entrance of strange habitat, what odd things call tent.

"Why are you still small?" It asked, brow raised and sitting in front of cage. The kawekaweau blinking and feeling insulted again at how blunt it sounded. It poked the cage, and the kawekaweau gurgled at how it made the cage move back slightly at the movement. "Are you a runt? Is that why Koki likes you? You're not that interesting..."

The kawekaweau definitely felt insulted now. Eyes bulging and it made a strong gurgle, scratching at the bottom of its cage once before charging. It's head smacking at the cage but it caught the Alpha's finger, making it yelp.

The kawekaweau shook its head, dizzy. Head hurts but the Alpha's shocked face was worth it.

The kawekaweau stared up at the Alpha, who stared down.

Live, it thought, despite the instinct to retreat from an Alpha. Not bow. Not ever.

The Alpha did an odd thing than. With its face, with its body. Mouth wide and teeth flashing and body shaking and the kawekaweau could only watch as sound came out that boomed and was deep. Somehow sounding louder than the other bigger giants than it is. The Alpha breathless as it held it's stomach before it recovered and looked down at it with mouth upturned wide on one side and teeth shining.

"You're really like Koki, after all! You have fight in you." The Alpha took another look at the kawekaweau as its head tilted, wondering if it was complimented before it opened it's cage. The kawekaweau's eyes rounding and looking up as the Alpha stood and walked a few feet away before he turned his scarlet head that is similar to its scales but looks softer instead, eyes the color of arising orange dawn. "What are you standing around for? I'm gonna make you bigger and stronger. Use that spunk. So no one can call you a pathetic runt again."

The kawekaweau could not quite understand, but it felt it's chest pump and cold blood flow faster.

Won't bow. So make others instead.

The kawekaweau's eyes glinted and narrowed, determined rushing in it's little body as it stepped off its cage and got next to the Alpha who was making the odd face again. The kawekaweau is confused whether it should be threatened or scared or not. The other rose tiny giant did make it's mouth look so fear inducing.

"Oh, and before I forget." The Alpha tilted it's head down, face slightly shadowing and the kawekaweau froze as fear went through its body as the Alpha kept it's scary mouth curved but sharper. "If you aim that tongue on me, I'll make sure I'll kill you before I die. Understood?"

The kawekaweau's head nodded faster than a moa could run. No matter if it made it's earlier dizziness come back, perspiration seeming to come on it's body.

The Alpha's expression cleared, as if nothing happened.

"Great! Let's go than!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Even as the Alpha forced it to train by carrying sticks back and forth, constant usage of it's tongue by aiming at small cups based on what the Alpha called it or having it find it's food on it's own with constant words from him that it could do it—it did. Each time it would stumble, he would tell it to get back up and only give up when it could not move one talon.

"If you could move your tail, than you could move!" The Alpha would say with crossed arms. "If you stop moving, you die! You want to move don't you?!"

The kawekaweau did. It wanted to live.

So it followed the Alpha's words.

Even if by the end of it, it's tongue is lolled out of its mouth and it breathed hard and it laid on the ground pathetically.

"You giving up already?!"

The kawekaweau did briefly think about aiming its tongue at the Alpha. Good thing it couldn't talk. Not like it would say that out loud either way. The kawekaweau does want to live after all.

But than, he would pick it up, although roughly in his supple small hands and carry it back to the rose colored small giant with the soft voice and promise of food. And the kawekaweau would stare up at the Alpha who held it to his chest yet still be able to feel the sun. Warmth from both his warm blood and the rays that could touch upon it's scales and was there since it first thought Free.

It would stare up at the Alpha who had eyes the color of the new promise of the sun and think:

More to life is this, as it would nuzzle it's head closer to small bare chest.

And perhaps the Alpha isn't as ruthless after all.

The Alpha would pass it to what it now understands is his sibling, the rose colored tiny giant always disapproving at the Alpha. He pushes it too much. But in the end, the Alpha would scoff and leave it to the one of gentle touch and eyes of when the sun would leave.

"He pushes you too hard," the rose little giant would say in a sigh, as the kawekaweau eagerly drank the water it would be given. "You're still small and tiny. Are you even five months old? You've still barely grown." The kawekaweau looked up, body ten inches and decided to lick it's eye when it felt a drop of water get on it. The rose giant made that odd sound again like the Alpha did, but more smooth and sounded how it thinks the trees would laugh. The cool wind taking it's leaves, a breeze that didn't feel cold to it but just right. The rose giant moved its hand over the kawekaweau's head, and did the motion where it would close it's eyes and make it's own lips turn up at the feeling of it. Nice. Like. More. "That Rai...he likes you too."

The kawekaweau opened it's eyes slowly, staring up at the rose giant as it looked up to the sky and continued to pet the scales on his head and body that is red and tan like the Alpha and strange giant. The rose giant having a hand holding it's chin while the kawekaweau was on the grass.

"The other ones in the village disapprove us having you, but they never had trouble saying no to Raiona. I...admire that about him." The little giant had a strange expression on it's face. It's lips were turned up, but not in the way to show it's teeth. Lips closed, eyes symbolizing the end of a day distant. "He's always stronger than me. He's right that I'm kōpīpī. I can't help it. I...want to be stronger. Like him. Say what I want...but...that's just not me. But he believes that I could." The little giant looked down as the kawekaweau tilted its head, lips twitching a ghost more as eyes of the sunset shined, said event happening behind the soft little giant's head and encompassing the rose fur in a glow like it's eyes in hues of orange and yellow that were fading into pink. "He's showing me that I could too. With you. And if you can do it than..."

A hand squeezed, eyes gleaming and shining and determined and the kawekaweau stared in wonder, blinking.

Another alpha?

The expression left though just as quickly when the soft giant decided it was bed time, picking it up and the kawekaweau would stare at the soft giant next to him laying on it's straw next to scary Alpha. Limbs messy and tangled with the soft one's and making noisy sounds yet still holding a the weird stick with a talon at the end.

The kawekaweau laid and thought. And thought. Getting warmth from the large bodies, somehow not getting crushed by the two little giants. Free from cage and free from thoughts of life and death and free of relying on instincts and instead of what it wants.

This, the kawekaweau thought, moving it's body to get in between the two, right by their faces and laid once more. Hands automatically coming up and a snorted sound before it settles and gently laying atop scales and the kawekaweau's eyes closed, a happy chirp leaving it's throat and a smile up. This is free. Keep weird Alpha's close. Safe.

What were their names again?

Poauau Rai and Kōpīpī Koki.

It ignored the instincts that screamed at it that two alpha's will cause death and fight and blood. Because kawekaweau would see past angry words and how Poauau Rai picked Kōpīpī Koki up always when they would practice fight. Teaching. How kawekaweau imagine it should be with siblings and parents. How Kōpīpī Koki would defend Poauau Rai from other large giant's when scary Alpha would do something weird or odd like wishing to make a way to get out island.

No. It's not kawekaweau anymore.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Hey you! Stop that for now!" The kawekaweau stopped from lifting the sticks upon it's twelve inches back, letting them fall and stare up at Poauau Rai who looked odd. Hands behind back and looking away and scratching at the back of his neck. Kōpīpī Koki here too, him smiling wide and patient. "S-so, you're still alive. Although maybe you should've died a long time ago—" the kawekaweau huffed, hackles rising and anger with it and the Poauau Rai got it's scary look again with how it's lips could turn up in one side with teeth flashing. "But since you're still here thanks to me—"

"And me," Kōpīpī Koki cut in.

"We decided to give you a name. How does Koko sound?"

The kawekaweau paused, muscles loosening.

Name?

"Moko is better, Rai." Koki crossed his arms and gave Rai a look, Rai saying an indignant "Oi!" and hand tight around spear. "What? Look, it doesn't like it. You like Moko better?" Koki asked, squatting in front of the kawekaweau who did not understand.

Name? Not just kawekaweau?

"Ah, maybe you don't understand. I'm Kokiri," Weak Koki said with a hand to his chest, then pointing towards Stupid Rai. "He's Raiona. Name. What we call you. You're not just a random kawekaweau anymore. You're family."

Family?

The kawekaweau does not know giant language. But it does know eyes of sunset and sunrise and how they are both looking at it soft. Patient. Accepting. Waiting. It knows the feeling of warmth it gets when it would chirp when Rai would chase around Koki in anger or how it would purr when Koki let it stop it's soft odd rose fur of his head. It knows that.

The kawekaweau's protruding eyes blinked, dilating and it's eyes felt like it burned similar to how it first woke up alone yet free. But...

Family.

Tears went down it's eyes and Rai and Koki panicked and both dropped down with arms waving around in a panic by Rai and Koki concerned words as it held the kawekaweau who could not stop the odd warm substance being released from its burning eyes yet felt too good to stop.

In the end, the kawekaweau was called Mokoko.

Mokoko liked being Mokoko.

It's lips up and content in Koki's hands, feeling strangely more hot as Rai and Koki told bigger giants what they named Mokoko.

"Gwehgwehgweh! You called it gecko?! A little on the nose, boys!"

"I expected that from Raiona, but not you Kokiri! Both of you are bad at names!"

"Hey! What does that mean?! And Mokoko isn't stupid!"

"Calm down, Rai! Besides, it's not like they have a Mokoko of their own."

"Like we need one. Watch it's tongue never licks you from it's gratitude."

"Mokoko isn't stupid enough to do that! So shut up!"

Koki took Rai away before the situation escalated somehow, Mokoko now upon Koki's shoulder as they moved to sit around a fire of their own. Rai stepping away for a moment before bringing Mokoko a leaf filled with insects and fruit that made Mokoko's mouth salivate as it moved towards it. Being stopped by a finger.

"Ah, ah," Koki said with a smile, holding a small ouch of something in his other hand. "You're family now. So you eat like us too."

"Yeah, Mokoko. Don't know how you eat food so bland anyways," Rai mocked with his sharp lips that were always upturned interesting, grin flashing and youthful eyes squinting down at Mokoko as he sat next to Koki and Mokoko in the middle of their shoulders. "You have to get strong in food too! Maybe that's why you're so weak."

Mokoko's eyes narrowed and it gurgled threateningly as Rai laughed, not seeing Koki move his tanned hand to the pouch and grabbing a pinch and spreading it over the insects and fruit. Koki grabbing Mokoko, in return stopping it from swiping its tail at the laughing Rai, and put it in front of it's plate.

Mokoko only saw food so it didn't think much when it took it's first bite.

Protruding eyes widened, freezing.

Koki and Rai side glanced at each other, smiling.

"Like it, huh? You better! What kind of people do you think you were hanging with Mokoko? A bunch of nobodies?"

"It's good, isn't it?" Koki asked, a pet to Mokoko's frozen body from head to trunk. Flavors exploding, tongue in bliss and Mokoko briefly wondered if this is what after death would taste like. "We are good at this. Our angel's dust can make one feel as if they are in Paradise. It adds flavor to the food. This—"

"This—" Rai interjected, lips wide and both speaking as one, the sun that rises and the one that sets.

"—is our pride!"

Mokoko ate and dug, claws digging in to get every part of this magic dust. Eating quick yet wanting to taste in it's small tongue. Feeling full even with stomach only half way as Kōpīpī Koki and Poauau Rai laughed, arms around shoulders and up in the air as they also dug in.

Food is not food. Pride.

The days passed, turning into weeks and turning into months and than turning to years.

Poauau Rai and Kōpīpī Koki growing like Mokoko, but getting strange paint that is stuck forever on chests. Voice sounding deeper. Poauau Rai scarlet hair longer, and Kōpīpī Koki adding a braid. Rai still strong and Koki still soft but Mokoko likes it this way.

Although, it does not understand importance of symbols.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Why did I get a boar and you got a lion?" Koki asked, troubled as he stared at his right arm with its thick lines and spirals forming an animal with tusks and fur. "How do I possibly represent a boar? What was Kaumatau thinking? Maybe the elder made a mistake..."

"Heh. Maybe you're really the stupid one after all, Koki. Boars are mindless when they attack. But lions," Rai showcased his face, proudly displaying how his face was tattooed with a lion's face over his in mid roar, sharp canines over his cheeks and the tattoo even coming on some parts of his deeply tanned neck. "Lions can think and attack. Looks like I'm going to be rangatira after all. Unless, you can keep up of course?"

"I just need to beat you at the duel in five years when we turn twenty. I...I can beat you, Poauau Rai!"

"Start with not stuttering as you say that."

"Don't make fun of me! My voice...is turning. I have to grow more."

"A lot more. Like Mokoko. Eh, Mokoko?"

Mokoko looked towards the duo, their upper bodies being slightly covered by these odd feather cloaks and lower half still holding that cloth covering their pelvises and upper thighs, feeling the heat on it's four foot back from the sun and the rock it sat on with it's hands.

Mokoko made an inquiring chirp, which Rai took it as victory as he gave Koki a smug look.

"Ha! Mokoko thinks so too!" Rai guffawed, head thrown back.

Koki did not find it funny, sunset eyes narrowing.

"Sometimes I wonder about you, Raiona." Rai froze and Mokoko did too. Flicking protruding towards the tense Koki who's hands were clenched. Koki never calls Rai by other name. Unless angry. "And if you really act like a brother should."

Koki walked off and Rai splayed a hand out towards Koki's direction.

"Koki! Damn it—wait!" Koki did not come back, Mokoko staring at how his back grew smaller and he vanished within the jungle. Mokoko turned towards the sound of the strange stick with claw that it knows is called spear hit the ground harshly. "Poha! Poha, poha, poha, poha!" Rai paced back and forth, hands clenched before he sat by the rock Mokoko was at with a thump and a punch to the ground. "Damn it! Why doesn't that soft idiot get it?!"

Rai's head bowed, hands to his face and Mokoko stared, eyes rounding.

Never bow, Mokoko thought in disbelief. Alpha never bow for anything.

"Why doesn't he understand...?" Rai muttered to no one, except Mokoko. Voice that normally bellows and is loud instead now letting words being carried by the wind as he held his face. "He needs to get stronger. He needs to earn it. I can't just give it to him. That Koki...when will he get I don't even want to become chief?!"

It was silent. Only the sound of the crackle of fire and the scent of magical dust that tickled Mokoko's nose in a delightful way.

Rai's head rose a tad, only for him to lay it on crossed arms atop bent knees to star towards Mokoko. Sunrise eyes gleaming and shining in a way that promised dew on grass instead of heat.

"How do I tell him, Mokoko? He...he would be better than me at it. Why can't he see he can just do it? Why doesn't he see what I see...?!" Rai's head rose, hands going to his side and clenching on grass and dirt with lowered tight gaze. "He's soft. Heart always kind. But he's good at tracking and has plans. Plans to look outside of this island, and he sucked me into that idea too even though we've never left. No one has. He can make other's believe anything, so why doesn't he believe in himself...?!"

Rai flicked his eyes back towards Mokoko.

"You understand him, Mokoko. You're weak. But now look at you. Bulkier and stronger and faster than any kawekaweau I've seen. Maybe you could keep going. You...could understand that Kōpīpī Koki better than anyone. Maybe...he needs you more than me. Find him for me?"

Mokoko does not know words, but it can tell when the prideful Alpha that is Rai is asking for help.

Simply because Rai never does.

But Rai has done much for Mokoko, so Mokoko will help him with his brother.

No, Mokoko thought after he gave the nod to Rai and started scurrying away to find Koki who was always soft and quiet and gave the best pets, searching high and low and in all the spots Mokoko knows where Koki goes as the sun slowly descended. Family. Help family.

For even if they are giants and it is just a kawekaweau, the kawekaweau loves them and they love it.

Mokoko eventually found Koki, sitting on the shores of a beach on the other side of the small island. Mokoko was cold but it sat next to Koki anyways, thankful Koki was not too close to the cold waves but the sand was getting everywhere on it's scales. It reminded Mokoko when he first awoke, dirt in it's eyes and eyes squinting and burning as it looked around. Alone.

No, the kawekaweau thought as it drew closer to Koki's silent sitting form. Never again.

Koki turned, eyes blinking from Mokoko and he tsked as he brought Mokoko upon his lap.

"Damn it, Mokoko. You're not supposed to be out here without a fire. Can't that Poauau Rai do anything right?" Mokoko said nothing, only stare up at Koki, his face scrunched up and lips tight. "That idiot...what would he do without me? And he treats me like—he still treats me the same way ever since we were kids! Always mocking me and beating me in our spars...is all he cares about is who's stronger...?"

Mokoko put it's clawed hand over Koki's wrist, making a sad squeak in its throat as it shook its head.

Koki flicked his eyes down towards it, smile looking odd and not happy like it's supposed to.

"Sometimes I think you can understand us. Better than we can understand each other, Mokoko." Mokoko says nothing. Because it couldn't. But it did squeeze slightly more on Koki's wrist while being careful of its claws. Koki laughed bitterly, shaking his head and looking towards the horizon where the orange and purple sky met the sea. "I just don't understand him sometimes...he likes my ideas. Of going out there. To see what's beyond here. Because there has to be right? No way we're alone. Who knows what's out there..."

Mokoko stared at how Koki's face turned serene. Dreamy. Like how Mokoko thinks it's looks when thinking of delicious dusted grasshoppers or the spicy mangoes that comes in certain times of the year. Koki's face being kissed by fading sun ray's, and how similar the color of that was the color of his eyes.

Mokoko knows this. Without the need of instincts although the instincts would agree with it on this. What it's learned throughout its time so far with the scary Alpha and the Alpha that could be.

Their eyes hold the promises of the beginning and the end. And there cannot be one without the other.

What would days be? Without the rise and fall of the sun?

Mokoko moved off of Koki's lap, with Koki's confusion. Only for his expression to turn thoughtful when Mokoko brought a stick in it's mouth and presented it to him.

Koki stared, before grabbing the object that Mokoko has seen the giants create with. In ways Mokoko never thought before.

Koki scrutinized the stick before looking out to the sea, standing up to get closer to the waves. Mokoko tilting its head as Koki placed the stick on the water, watching as it floated and did not sink. Mokoko moved its gaze to how Koki's arms and shoulder shook before it jumped as Koki did a loud whoop. Saying things too fast for Mokoko to understand before looking over his shoulder with eyes aglow, the setting sun nearly gone and the a green flash lighting up briefly.

"Wait till I tell Rai how this mindless boar will let us be free in the seas!"

Free? Mokoko thought as it scurried after the running Koki and stood next to him as he excitedly told the other giants about this idea. Rai in the background with crossed arms behind Koki in the shadows of a particular large habitat that was hard, Rai's sharp lips instead in a proud smile as he heard and listened to Koki's words. Free in this too?

Mokoko doesn't understand. It thought this was freedom. And that this was life.

Is there more to it than this?

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time passed once more.

Weak Koki did it. Made something float in the sea. He got other giants to help and eventually join him.

Rai wanted to go too, since he helped Koki build the odd object that Mokoko does not understand that had cloth attached to a larger stick than everything else on the flat wood. But Koki laid a on Rai's bare shoulder, a smile on his lips as Mokoko stood next to Rai.

"Who's going to take care of the village while I'm gone? And Mokoko?" Rai looked down at Mokoko, conflicted. "Don't worry Rai. I'll be back. And than maybe it'll be your turn. We have to find others first. This...can be really good for us."

Rai sighed, shaking his head and smirking at his brother who was only slightly shorter than him, Rai 6'6 and Koki 6'5 in their age of eighteen.

"I'm not stopping you from that," they clasped hands, tight as Mokoko stared above in the middle. "Just make sure you get here before Mokoko gets even bigger than you. Don't get outdone by a lizard, Koki."

Mokoko, who was now five foot long and two feet tall, made an indignant gurgle and took a swipe at its tail at Rai's feet. Hitting it successfully as Rai made an an angry shout at it and Koki laughed at them.

"I'll be back as soon as I can. We have to find a place first. We have enough supplies to last us six months, once we reach three months and haven't found anything, we'll be back over."

Rai nodded. And him and Mokoko and the other villagers watched as Koki and the other warriors with spears and spices on their raft of flat sticks sailed away.

"HEY! KŌPĪPĪ KOKI!" Mokoko raised an invincible brow at Rai, who had his darkly tanned hands cupping his mouth.

Mokoko watched Koki roll his eyes from here and mutter "That stupid nickname, even at a time like this," before turning towards the shores and connecting annoyed sunset eyes to proud sunrise.

Rai raised both his arms, hand in spear like always and scarlet hair wild to his shoulders.

"SHOW THEM OUR PRIDE!"

Koki's eyes widened, before sunset gleamed and rose his tanned arms in a wave as the raft grew smaller.

"AH!" Koki called in agreement and Mokoko couldn't help but join, standing on its hind legs and waving its front legs too. Deciding to add little jumps as well, mouth wide and chirping excitedly. It made Koki laugh. "SEE YOU SOON!"

They left and Mokoko was by Rai.

Rai trained Mokoko as always. Feeding it.

Mokoko felt the absence of Koki. Rai felt it too. Mokoko can tell. Villagers always asking him questions. What to build. What to make. Where to put stone buildings. How best to fish out in water.

But Mokoko mostly noticed Rai feeling it when they would sit both by the campfire. Eyes promising a new day lost in the fire, wood crackling up front and plate untouched on his lap. Lost and away.

Mokoko thought Rai looked like what Mokoko possibly did in its early days. Of loneliness and death and if this all it would be forever.

It made Mokoko make a sad gurgle, placing its chin on Rai's darkly tanned knee. Mokoko felt Rai's large hand upon it's two foot wide back.

"Yeah," Rai sighed, rubbing his thumb ever so gently on Mokoko's back, it thought it felt like Koki as it closed it's eyes. "I miss him too."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

A year passed and the villagers have been growing restless.

"We need a new rangatira, Raiona! The elder can't be it forever!"

"That's right! It's been too long since Kokiri and the others left. We need a new leader now."

"I said I won't! How many times do I have to tell all of you?" Rai shouted, face in a harsh scowl and Mokoko next to him staring up at the other villagers with its own eyes narrowed as the villagers encircled them both. "Koki and I have to do the duel. No one can be the new rangatira until he comes back!"

"Forget the duel, Raiona! At this point, we all know Kokiri is not coming back—"

A fist met a face. A body sprawled and flying towards a large stone building that had inscriptions.

Rai still had his fist out and raised as the body sat up, orange eyes promising retribution with scarlet hair shadowing them.

"What," Rai growled, Mokoko doing one of its own, claws digging into the ground, "did you say...?!" Rai lowered his arm, turning towards the quieted villagers, eyes searching them all. "Who else thinks that?! Do all of you think Kokiri isn't coming back?!" They stayed silent. Eyes lowered and looking away. One pair of eyes holding soft features staring at how passionate Rai was getting. "Listen well and listen good! Kokiri," Rai took a breath, spear harshly lowering to the ground and meeting it and making the others flinch as he shouted, eyes wide and veins at his neck. "IS MY BROTHER!"

Rai's chest rose and fell from exertion, before he turned away, his back to the villagers.

"I won't become rangatira. All of you should be ashamed for not even believing in Kokiri. There will be no more talk of this until he comes back."

Rai left and Mokoko followed him into the jungle. And sat back as he fought dozens of moa's. Mokoko can see Rai does not want help.

He, Mokoko watched Rai's strained expression and loud curses and yells at each moa he downed or if a moa managed to scratch at it or peck him too close, needs to be angry for awhile.

Mokoko heard a crinkle of grass and turned its head in attention, tongue ready only to see it was one with the soft eyes and soft features. Looking concerned at Rai with hands to chest.

"Ano—"

"WHAT NOW?!" Rai raged, face turned towards the newcomer, scarlet hair flowing down, harsh orange glinting and blood upon his face from the moa's, tattooed lion teeth appearing more in a snarl.

"Hieeeee~!" The figure moved its arms back from the shock of how scary Rai looked, falling back and making a quiet sound of pain and flinch. Only for a moa to be behind it. Soft eyes widened along with sunrise. "Ahh—No!"

The moa moved its powerful beak down towards the close eyes figure, accepting their fate. Only for it to not be so.

Mokoko stared curiously at this weak giant, who was being held by Rai in his arm, his other holding his bloody spear due to the downed moa behind them. Mokoko's eyes glanced towards Rai's arm, bleeding from being pecked by the moa instead of the wide eyed giant.

"R-Raiona! Y-You're b-b-bleeding!"

"Tsk, who cares about that?! What's wrong with you?" Rai asked, looking down at the figure in his arms. Biting their weak looking lips. "Don't you know to not come here without a weapon? Or at least know how to use one. Do you even know how to?" They stayed silent, only looking at Rai's arm in concern. Rai released a loud sigh, putting the figure down, their eyes blinking owlishly up at him when he sat and put his arm out. When they did nothing, Rai's eyes narrowed up at them. "What? You just going to stand there and not try to fix that guilty face of yours?" Their eyes widened, lips parting as he looked away, closing his eyes and holding his head, as if in boredom.

They eventually moved to do so. Grabbing the sack they had on their hip and using what Mokoko understood was some sort of salve. Mokoko found this a bit boring, so it glanced around. Only to stop when it's far seeing eyes spotted a kawekaweau atop a branch a few feet above and forty steps away. The kawekaweau was already looking at Mokoko when Mokoko glanced there, making their protruding eyes connect.

The kawekaweau proceeded to make odd chirps and clicks in its throat at Mokoko.

Mokoko obnoxiously tilted it's head, a question mark above its head.

Due to Mokoko being distracted, it missed the conversation between Rai and the odd figure. It being a woman as she rubbed in the salve of Rai's bicep.

"Why did you come anyways? To bother me with what the villagers were spouting...?" Rai groused, brows furrowed and keeping his eyes closed as the woman glanced at him. He clenched a fist. "I won't become rangatira."

The woman softly smiled, going back to what she was doing.

"I know."

Rai's eyes shot open, glancing towards the woman in shock before she continued, her soft hands rubbing and soft and gentle to the touch despite her handling an injury. Rai couldn't feel it.

"You really love your brother. I...know how harsh you are with him sometimes. T-The village doesn't see it. That—That y-you're more than just a chest thumping man showing how better you are than your brother. But—I've seen how upset you get when Kokiri is upset. And how you always try to make him believe in himself. Like how you worked with Mokoko over there." Rai said nothing, just watched the woman's face as she concentrated on her work but also tried to keep her words even and stop herself from stuttering. She really wants him to know this. "You...really want people to succeed. Become better than you. I've always...admired that about you."

Rai's eyes widened, his heart seeming to quicken when her eyes shyly glanced up at him through her lashes.

Rai swallowed, looking away.

"U-uh. What's your name, anyways? Have I seen you before?"

The woman looked taken aback, her eyes popping out of her sockets.

"Hieeee?! We grew up together! I was there with you when you got your tattoo!"

"Huh? Really?" Rai scratched the back of his wild mane of a red head. "I've always been bad at faces but I feel like I would remember you."

"T-Than," the woman turned to face him as she sat on the back of her legs, squeezing her eyes shut along with her hands atop her knees. Chestnut hair getting in her face as she slightly bowed her head. "R-Remember me, now!"

A few beats passed and the woman's eyes flicked open when a finger lifted her chin, spotting Rai's amused smirk.

"I'll remember."

The woman's tanned cheeks colored at how soft Rai's face could be, especially at her! She fell back, hands to her face and moving side to side on the ground.

"HIEEEEEEEEE~!"

"I rather not remember that shrieking though. Oi! You'll call more moa's over here! Wait actually," Rai sat over her, hand to her shoulder and making her look up at him and see how close his face was. His face morphing into an excited sharp grin. "Can you keep doing that?! I'm still pissed and want to get it out!"

"HIEEEEEEEEE!"

"Yeah! Like that!"

Mokoko kept staring at the odd kawekaweau who was making it feel odd and intrigued.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Another year came and went, and bare feet touched upon the shores of Karé once more, a soft yet more confident smile as rose colored hair moved along the wind.

"I'm back!"

The villagers scrambled towards Koki, Mokoko remembers. Koki saying what took so long. How he brought new supplies. Of devices on how to tell directions. Of different clothes. Of a different world. He even stayed to learn the language of the island they landed, to properly trade and a person learned their's too.

Mokoko found it funny when Rai welcomed him back.

"Why, if it isn't Kōpīpī Koki back from his little adventures. Did you happen to get stronger or are you the same?"

Koki smiled, short rose hair bangs along his forehead, two small short braids within his free hair as he tilted his head. Mokoko feels as if Koki grew like Rai did. Rai still taller but not by much, now being 6'8 and Koki now 6'7.

Koki looked around.

"You didn't burn the place down while I was gone I see. Was worried about it coming from you, Poauau Rai!"

Rai's face twisted into a scowl, a tick on his face.

"Oi!"

Koki put his head back and laughed. Still soft in the way Mokoko remembers, like a breeze. But now loud, where you want the breeze to take you along for the ride.

Rai couldn't help join the laughter before they clasped hands, Rai sharply grinning and Koki looking at Rai with a smile.

"It's good to have you back."

"Good to be back."

Koki noticed there was a woman, who looked about to burst with a baby behind Rai. Waiting patiently and wringing her hands nervously. Koki recognizing the woman with a call of her name.

"Arihi? You're with child! I've missed a lot haven't I? Who's the father?"

"A-Ano, w-well I wanted to—Hieeee!" Arihi squeaked when Rai put an arm around her, flashing a proud grin at Koki as sunset eyes glanced at the action.

"I am! You missed a lot, Koki. What kind of brother misses a wedding?"

Koki's jaw dropped.

"Y-you? A father? Husband?" Koki's face morphed into deep concern, as he bowed towards Arihi. "I'm sorry. My condolences."

"Oi!" Rai shouted, ticks back on his face as he brought Koki back up with his hand to Koki's lighter skin shoulders compared to Rai's, dark tanned fists around the piece of cloth Koki had around himself. "Don't get smart with me! Did you get some confidence while you've been away?"

Koki's smile only widened.

"Maybe."

Rai assesed Koki, his lips turning up a tad despite his "Hmph" of a grunt. Koki looked around.

"Where's Mokoko?" This is when Mokoko came out from the thick jungle, proud and large with five foot long and four foot tall came out. It's lips up and in pride as small bodies of kawekaweau's scuttle red around it, Mokoko whipping its tongue up towards the sky in excitement as Koki stared dumbly before shouting once more in surprise as Mokoko leaned it's head down towards a tiny kawekaweau who fell, bumping its head against the obnoxiously small one. No. Not it. "Mokoko is a girl?!"

Rai grinned sharply, smugly. As if he knew all along when in fact he didn't as he elbowed Koki's arm.

"Crazy, right?"

"Mokoko is the biggest kawekaweau I've ever seen!" Koki added, fascinated and Mokoko beamed in a way where she could, chin up and high and chest puffed as Koki drew closer.

The kawekaweau's at her feet, her babies, looking at him curiously. Tongues flicking slightly out but stopping when Mokoko glanced at them.

"Never hurt Alpha's. Never point tongues at them. Good. Family."

"Okay, Mama." Her babies said, who she will never leave, never experience loneliness or death or if life is all a circle of eating and fighting and wondering about dying, although confused. Not knowing of how Mokoko was first threatened by a scary scarlet haired child to never whip a tongue out at him or else death will come for her. But Mokoko has more reasons now than just the the threat of death coming for her if she ever broke that silent vow.

Mokoko was satisfied anyways. She made a pleased chirped when Koki, always soft and kind Koki, brought a hand to her thick scaled head. Closing her eyes as she felt once more the gentle touch upon her as his hand stroked between where her eyes was. Koki muttering about odd things and possibilities and miracles and how's and why's.

Rai only scoffed.

"What are you talking about? Of course she's the biggest! She had our Pride after all!"

Koki paused in stroking, making Mokoko open her eyes, seeing how Koki was staring at her tenderly. In thought. In realization and in pride, what she's always heard and what she knows.

Life is this, Mokoko remembered and never will forget, of campfires and nose being tickled by spicy dust and rough hands and gentle touches and laughter and sunrise and sunset shining. Never bow. Pride and free.

"Ah," Koki said, before turning towards Rai, head over shoulder and a calm smile. "And we'll show everyone."

Rai grinned, sharp and teeth flashing.

And Mokoko thought that sounded nice.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The duel happened after a few days. After the villagers got anxious and after Rai told Koki he better have worked hard these past few years and not just read.

Koki, sunset eyes glinting, said nothing. Only nodded and smiled. It made Rai pause, lips twitching up and trying to be held back.

But Mokoko sees what Rai did. Kōpīpī Koki isn't Kōpīpī anymore. An Alpha like Mokoko always felt he was, behind soft touches and kind eyes.

For Koki beat Rai. Fair and square. In a way that Mokoko never noticed before. His weapon looking harder and Koki revealing later on what it was.

"Spiritual energy. I learned it at the island," Koki explained to everyone and Rai when he picked him up. Rai in attention. "There's so much to learn, to do. We can spread our angel dust and we can also learn stuff along the way."

"That's nice," Rai said, crossing his arms and Mokoko glancing up from watching her babies that were hunting insects upon the ground, bodies sprawling and chirps and squeaks being heard. "So when can I go, rangatira?"

Koki smiled, in a way where he wasn't surprised Rai would ask. For Rai always wants to see more. And wants to see the world that Koki speaks so enthusiastically for. Even Arihi knew, her smile just turning accepting.

"How about first when your child is born before you leave mindlessly?"

"Oi! And of course I'm staying! And aren't you the mindless boar?"

Koki only shook his head and smiled.

Mokoko thought once more, of how things have changed and how they haven't and how Mokoko's life was more than it ever could be and instincts and knowing biologically, ingrained in it's mind of what is and isn't, isn't true. And that there are no conflicts between these two that could occur. And that Mokoko has a Family and has a family that she will never leave alone and have to wonder when they finally dig out of dirt if they will ever meet a sibling or father or mother.

This is life.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time would pass, with sunsets and sunrises and sometimes hotter and sometimes colder.

Rai often going out to the deep blue ocean, coming back months later. Sometimes years, but no more than two. Not wanting to pass Koki nor be away from his mate and baby. With him, bringing stories and sunrise eyes bright as he shared what he saw. Knowing and becoming an expert of this spiritual energy when he travelled. Koki listening intently and asking what he brought and what others would trade.

Of islands with puzzles for ground. Islands of animals one would never imagine. Islands of flowers, of sand, of Great Lakes and great storms.

Mokoko would listen too. Babies grown and off and being independent in the jungle. But knowing where their mama will be. To see. To love.

Mokoko loved this island. It's home. It has pride.

But she would think and wonder, as Rai would share stories and gesture and look so passionate, of how much freedom there could be beyond this.

More to life than home. Free.

Mokoko loved being with Koki, after being so long away. Helping Koki with ideas he would create, carrying sticks and stones in her mouth or strapped to her back, used to weight and trained for anything. Creating more habitats and rafts that are not rafts but something called boats, trading with that island he first saw. Where he supposedly found a mate too, based on how Koki likes heading over there often too. She was ecstatic when Koki showed a piece of stone wall, artists working on it and making pictures of what Mokoko understood was Koki and Rai and her since the begging and everything Koki and Rai accomplished so far too.

Mokoko stared, enraptured as Rai finished a story of seeing a large fish the size of an island, and Koki glanced down at her. Rai spotting where his eyes were and following, his signature sharp grin on his face that Mokoko still finds disturbing to this day.

"What? You wanna come with me, Mokoko? Sounds pretty amazing, huh?"

Koki gave Rai a disapproving look.

"And how will she go? We have boats yes, but what will you do when night comes? She needs heat. Especially out in sea like that."

"I'll make a fire."

"And burn down the boat with you?" Koki deadpanned. Rai scowled and looked away. Koki shooting Mokoko a look when she bowed her head sadly. "You really want to go, Mokoko?"

Mokoko's head raised, eyes glinting. Rai laughed.

"Look at Mokoko! Of course she does! She wants to share our Pride too, huh?"

At that, Mokoko whipped her tongue to the sky. It made Rai laugh again and Koki smile, his sunset eyes in thought before nodding.

"Okay. We'll find a way than. You're family after all, Mokoko."

Mokoko chirped, and was so excited, she jumped atop both of them with her scaly body. Them both grunting and Mokoko feels as if they were young again, Mokoko rubbing her head on their's as Rai pretended to not like it by shouting for her to get off and Koki patting her scaled arm.

Family. Good.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Koki made a boat design for her and Rai. Where Mokoko can freely lay in one part of the boat, to lay in night and making a way for fire to still be lit and not cause boat to burn. A way to carry it around too. Mokoko did not understand, but fire was surrounded by metal. But was still warm. Room where she will sleep will have several of these lit when it is night to keep her warm.

And once it was made, off they went.

Not before Koki gave them a goodbye at the shores. Him squatting down towards Mokoko and whispering lowly for her to take care of Rai. Which Koki did not need to. But Mokoko knows Koki says things that aren't needed.

Koki said goodbye to Rai, clasping of hands and telling him to take care of Mokoko.

Rai snorted, his grip tightening around his brother's.

"You point out the obvious sometimes."

Mokoko sees Rai knows it too.

They left.

And Mokoko saw how the ocean was not just one blue but many shades. How the sun felt hotter in the days, out in the open sea and nothing to block her from it. How warm breezes are nice and not cold. How birds would fly overhead that Mokoko has never seen before.

She didn't even know birds could fly.

Didn't know how green grasses can be in other islands. How high trees can go. How many different looking giants there are, but Mokoko's favorites will always be Rai and Koki. Food is different yet interesting and still tasty and how other places have their own Angel dust.

It was wonderful. It was everything.

But than it wasn't.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

They arrived in an island that was too quiet already, one they have visited in the past, famous for utensils and fish. Rai in alert with coiled muscles and pear at the ready, Mokoko in attention by his side, eyes looking this way and that.

They moved inward.

They found bodies.

Rai cursed, moving around until they found one. Mokoko seeing a body move, breath stuttering and panting and how red colored their chest.

"They...took everything...and they didn't even..." it was a man, Mokoko thinks, due to facial hair around the scrunched up face, tears falling in anguish that Mokoko can't fathom. Rai listened, squatting form and ear close to hear. "They said they will unite us...to become a part of something great...but they just stole...we...we'll be erased from history...!" The man cried, as if that was worse than death. Worse than what was after death.

Mokoko wondered if that was what true death was.

Forgotten, Mokoko thought as Rai silently rose after closing the man's eyes when it seemed to fade from it's glimmer. Life after death does not matter. If no one left in life does not know what you were.

"Come on, Mokoko." Rai toned, serious and grim that it made Mokoko stand in attention. Mokoko never heard him speak like this before. "We must find out about this."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

They travelled to other island's, them speaking of a group wishing to unite. Them wanting to join. Others not wishing to, just wanting to keep knowledge for themselves. Other's too late. Not all exterminated but enough where scars Mokoko did not see but know were there based on reactions when she and Rai arrived. Guarded and jittery and offensive.

How people stole what made them, them. Their
own Pride. Tricking and attacking without asking.

It made Rai really, really, really angry.

Mokoko understands why.

Pride is life. Pride is freedom.

Pride of Karé.

What would happen if those people came for Karé?

Rai thought the same, for they sailed back to Karé after he gathered enough. Them barely leaving an island due to them wanting to steal what little Rai had of their Pride, of Angel dust.

Rai and Mokoko barely touched their feet upon the sands before he asked to meet with Kokiri. Not Koki, but Kokiri. Everyone knew to stop and leave them alone. Although Rai's mate looked at him in concern and having to hold back baby that is baby no more but little giant to go to Rai.

Rai and Koki went to large habitat of stones, Mokoko staring with grin protruding eyes as Rai paced and Koki listened with a frown. Of islands having Pride stolen. Of islands being attacked by a group. A group that Rai managed to gather wore odd hats and some odd eyes. Of islands wishing to attack first and try to get Karé's Pride.

"We have to do something, Kokiri! We need to train our warriors, all of them in the spiritual energy, we need to prepare!"

"Rai. Calm down. We don't need to do that. It will send everyone to a frenzy if we suddenly train all our warriors harder than before." Rai stopped, sunrise eyes widening in disbelief. "Our Pride is not in our strength. Just our Angel dust. I believe you about this group attacking islands...but surely there must be more to it than that? Why attack them?"

"What do you mean why?!" Rai did not understand what Koki was saying. It seemed to just make him angrier. And Mokoko could only watch in the middle, eyes flicking back and forth in worry. "People aren't kind, Koki! That's why! Life has always been that way! People don't care unless it's about them! Life is just shitty sometimes."

Koki frowned.

"I don't believe that. There's always a reason."

Rai furrowed his brows, deep and seemed to be looking at Koki in a new light. Rai tightened his hold on his spear.

"You're too soft." Koki paused, tensing as Rai went on with a tone of disappointment. "I knew you always were. But I believed in you. You just needed to see what you could be. What you could turn into." Rai frowned, resigned as he stared down at Koki. "I guess I was wrong."

"Believed?" Koki repeated, half incredulous and other half causing his face to fall a tad as Rai looked to the side. "You think me a weak  rangatira? You haven't seen what I've done for our island, while you were going around and around for these past three years, I was making sure everyone experienced our Pride of our people. How it's meant to be. With everyone and freely. As we get other commodities from different islands here. We...are not a people that need to be violent."

"What do you think I'm saying?! What's wrong with being prepared, Koki?! Better that than nothing!"

"Raiona. I know you. You're all or nothing when it comes to things like this."

Rai's next words were cold, yet said in a way as if it was fact.

"I guess you're all nothing than."

Koki's shoulders tensed, eyes flashing as he took a step forward. Mokoko interrupting with a sad and strained gurgle, getting between the two. Rai and Koki blinking at Mokoko who stared at them, eyes feeling like they were burning.

No, Mokoko desperately thought as she looked between her family. Of two Alpha's. Instincts always saying this was a bad idea. End in blood. Instincts wrong. Family. Family!

Rai turned away, back facing Koki.

"I'll show you, Koki. People...aren't like you. You...always were..." Rai didn't finish his words, instead shaking his head and stepping out through the door. "I'll bring evidence what's happening. I won't let our Pride get stolen. Not by anyone. Mokoko, come." Mokoko stayed, flinching when Rai turned his head back and commanded for her to come. Rai's eyes widened before scarlet wild spiky hair hid sunrise eyes. "Fine. Stay than."

Mokoko did not feel better when Koki brought his hand on her back and head. Feeling as if something was coming.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Rai left after a few days spending with his family.

Mokoko stayed with Koki.

Mokoko doesn't know what Rai saw. He never truly said, not even to Mokoko. Not everything.

But he came back different.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"What do you mean they haven't been paying or trading everything in full?!" Rai questioned loudly, Koki sitting calmly as Rai stood over him and gestures wildly. "After all these years, they're trying to get advantage of us?! The first island you went to, Kokiri?!"

"They're not taking advantage. It is of no consequence either way. We're loyal to each other. We can be lax in payments and trades. "

"Not so many times! The other islanders talk, Koki. We...we need to keep some of our angel dust too! They are questioning you!"

"Are they or are you?"

"Koki. Don't. Just listen to me." Rai's sunrise met Koki's sunset, glinting and trying to show through eyes alone and silence to Koki the severity of this. "They're foreigners in the end of the day. They can't possibly know how important this is to us. Or they do know or don't care! We can't let people step over us like this, Koki! Cut trades with them! Or give them less than promised if they aren't going to pay properly!"

"You are taking this too close to heart. Rai...I..." Koki stared up at Rai sadly, whose form as tense and coiled and ready for a fight at any moment. Eyes always flicking slightly when a small movement was heard outside the large stone building. As if expecting an attack. "I...can't imagine everything you saw out there. How it felt...what it would mean...but that won't happen here. If that group comes, we'll just talk things out—"

Rai laughed, all broken and raspy and hollow and not deep and loud and bellow like Mokoko always knew. It made Mokoko throat feel odd and she noticed Koki's eyes were tight at the sound.

"Oh, Koki," Rai said in a breath, looking at Koki in a mix of sorrow and resignation. "If only everyone thought like you. I'm sorry but...I'm not behind you in this."

Koki's eyes widened and Mokoko's did too.

For Rai, always and forever, despite his harshness and roughness in words and actions, pushed Koki to be better. For he believed in Koki in a way no one else did. Backed him no one else could, in everything and anything with every idea and plan.

Rai always had Koki's back.

But not in this,  Mokoko thought.

Rai walked away, with a word of he's leaving again to bring someone he met in the seas. Someone who is trying to stop this.

Mokoko glanced at Koki, who smiled at her sadly.

"Go. I know you want to." Mokoko made a pitiful gurgle, bumping her head against Koki once before leaving, hearing the additional words Koki said, defeated. "Please watch over him."

Mokoko went to Rai, Rai accepting her easily and off they went.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Mokoko saw bad things again.

Bodies and blood. Some of the hats Rai was saying, looking white and Rai said they were supposed to be people who protect. Once.

Mokoko doesn't know those who kill all to protect, who steal.

But Mokoko can tell Rai wants to protect Karé in any way. And Koki wants to as well.

Mokoko does not know who is right. Who is wrong.

Just that being free is much harder than Mokoko initially thought. Harder than digging up and out and dirt in your eyes and finding you're alone with no one to take care of you.

Must watch Rai, Mokoko determined, attacking those who would attack Rai with a whip of her tongue or swiping her thick scaled tail that will be hard to cut through, hissing with narrowed eyes and looking ferocious as she was in front of a bleeding Rai once. Protect.

Mokoko does not know who is right.

Because she loves Karé too. And does not want Pride stolen. Nor freedom, nor life.

Mokoko does not know, for she is just a kawekaweau.

But she knows Rai is changing. Mokoko feels herself changing too.

At night, in the boat, Rai's head on her stomach and as they sleep, they can pretend they aren't.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Rai said they finally tracked down the person who could help. Who speaks of being free too. That the man can hear voices but more. A Voice.

That the man has a promise to keep.

Like how Rai promised mate and babies he will come back. And that no one will touch Karé.

They were in a habitat, dark and dank and small yet man could still fit. Mokoko sensed he was larger than he even appeared, as she stared up at the straw hat on man's head.

Man with straw hat asked if Rai is ready to truly do this, and why. Rai's answer was easy, sunrise eyes gleaming as he sat crossed legged in front of strange man with odd smiles and equally strange glints in eyes.

"For the Pride of Karé of course! No one will touch anyone there, nor what makes us who we are. Our Angel Dust...is meant to be respected! We..." Rai's hands clenched at his lap, his jaw tight. "...are a proud people!"

The man hummed, still smiling oddly.

"To die for pride? You sure are interesting, Raiona!" The man laughed before he sobered, eyes looking distant and straw hat slightly shadowing eyes. "I have a promise to keep myself. But it's to a Princess so you can say it's a better reason than yours!" The man childishly added before laughing again.

Rai did not react besides a mild sweatdrop, but Mokoko tensed beside him. Rising to her feet as the man glanced at her, still with mischief and joke in his eyes.

"Pride worthy. Pride is all!" Mokoko shouted, growling in the back of her throat so harsh she is sure that more venom is being formed for her tongue for their threat. The man did not seemed affected. "Man does not know Pride or price to be Free!"

"I don't, huh?" Rai's eyes looked bewildered, looking between the man who's tone was amused yet eyes serious and at Mokoko who had her already protruding eyes widened that he understood. "You are an interesting thing. Scars in your soul since you were born and fighting to be where you were. You think you are the only one who has fought and bled and spat to live?" Mokoko's jaw loosened, blinking and listened to man who sensed that she was born within dirt and had to fight to get out. "There are others who were alone, far longer than you. Raiona has talked much about you, prideful Mokoko."

Mokoko glanced at Rai, who's cheeks were colored at that but kept his gaze between them.

Mokoko looked back at odd man with odd hat and odd eyes, eyes connecting.

"Found family. Pride and family. Will fight and kill and die to protect."

Mokoko and Rai both jumped when the man threw his head back, his guffaw seeming to cause the small danky and dark walls to shudder at the powerful sound.

"Always to die and never to live for," the man said strangely with a wide smile and teeth flashing, Rai's brow raising along with Mokoko's invisible one. The straw hat man shook his head. "Does not matter. Just learn to not presume about others lives. Or other's treasures." Mokoko tilted her head. Treasure? "Now..."

Rai and Straw Hat man spoke of plan, of others and other islands.

Mokoko could not understand fully.

Just that Straw Hat was more than meet the eyes.

Larger than he appears, Mokoko thought once more.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Rai and Mokoko came back to island, seeing villagers crowding Rai of Koki's mistakes. Of the other island with a woman that has bewitched Koki to do nothing, of how they took more than they needed. Of how Koki is broken.

Mokoko can tell as Rai dashed to where the rangatira building was, all red and inscriptions and odd drawing and where the wall had Mokoko's, Rai's, and Koki's history so far, that Rai wanted to say the words "I told you so". It was on the tip of his tongue when they both went in, when he touched to open the door.

It left immediately when they saw a distraught Koki laying on the floor, shoulders shaking and looking small. An Alpha should not be small.

"Rai, you...she took a lot but...I did not think—" Koki's breath shuddered and Mokoko hates the sound of a sob stuck in his throat. Of how wobbly his voice sounded and how it shook. "She has my child...I did not...why would she do that...? Why do people...what is the point...of being cruel...?"

Rai did not say anything. He put his spear down on the ground, and went to Koki. Bringing Koki up and hugging him.

Mokoko stepped towards them too, laying down around them, encircling them due to her length and head touching both backs.

Rai didn't say anything. He just held his brother.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It took months, but Koki allowed Rai to train warriors properly in spiritual energy. Koki overseeing as well.

Rai was upset that they fixed relations with island that broke Koki's heart, but Koki never wants war. Allowing islanders to come to Karé, to stay and live and have mates.

Rai waits for signal of plan. From Straw Hat.

Mokoko wonders when everything will go back to normal.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Rai left again and Mokoko could not go with him. She had more babies to watch over.

But Rai came back and said that something happened to strange man with strange hat and the bad people who steal and kill and wish to unite by force will come.

The villagers panicked.

For at this point, most have boats and leave and come back for short trips. To trade. And have heard of this group that wants to take Mokoko's Karé away. Villagers wanted to run to islands already attacked. Not wishing death.

Rai decided to attack before others did. Koki did not like it.

Mokoko was stuck in the middle again, watching sadly as they fought with harsh words once more. Too many times.

They barely even call each other Poauau Rai and Kōpīpī Koki anymore. Mokoko does not remember the last time they did.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Rai had a plan, he was confident when he told Mokoko.

"With this, no one can touch us again," Mokoko did not understand, Rai saying it was a grand weapon. Better than anything. Better than him to protect Karé and their Pride. That even strange people want it but don't have it. "I just have to call in a favor. No one will hurt us, Mokoko. No one. Kokiri...he will see"

Mokoko believed him.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Mokoko paused, freezing from nuzzling babies in jungle, large head holding a seven foot long thick scales body of tan and red to a direction in the East.

Something wrong, Mokoko thought, watching how smoke came over to the jungle where even she could see. Mokoko did not wish to leave babies, chirping to call other previous but older babies that are bigger but are still her babies. To protect their half siblings. Once they answered and came, she dashed. Large body able to move quicker than any kawekaweau, bigger than any kawekaweau, stronger than any despite what she was. What she once was. A runt. Nothing. Lower than dirt. Rai and Koki helped. Mokoko thought, desperate and fast and nervous at what wa a happening.

Knowing that odd group was getting close to Karé based on what she would hear from Rai and other villagers not trusting Koki. But Mokoko was busy with family. So they do not know loneliness like she did. Busy for past few months now.

Mokoko ran and ran and ran. Seeing broken buildings. Freezing when building of rangatira was destroyed, thinking the worst before she sniffed. Glancing towards the East once more.

There, Mokoko ran towards where she smelled Koki and Rai. To family. To her Pride. To those who made what she was, to be alive and here and able to live and be free.

Mokoko stopped, muscles tensing and breath leaving her lungs and heart thundering faster than she ever felt before. Faster than when she almost lost her life to a moa barely a month in her once pathetic life. Faster than when Koki would call for her with the angel dusted mango, faster than when Rai would train her until not even her clawed toes of her feet could move, and faster when she first birthed.

The thudding of her chest stopped, and she felt as if it was stuck in her throat.

Two tanned bodies, bare except for cloaks made of feathers and tattoos upon a right arm and a face down on the ground, surrounded by others. Mokoko distantly realizing it was some of the strange people, who wished to take. But Mokoko did not care about those who wished to hurt, only carefully stepping up towards two bodies that were in the middle, blood upon the grass and body and weapons away from hands.

"No," Mokoko said desperately as she reached to where they were, to no one. To the sky. To the jungle. To anything that would listen. But no one came. "No!"

A head of scarlet hair moved while sunset eyes opened, rose bangs in the way.

"H...ey..." Mokoko eyes burned at hearing how Rai struggled to open his eyes, the ones that are sunrise and promised dawn and a new day. Koki's one sunset, who dignified endings, of night upon them, yet held the hope that it would always come the next day, stayed on Mokoko. Her tears hot and going down and her throat tight and wishing to keep releasing gurgles. Rai had a tight sharp grin, blood in his teeth. "Wh...at's wrong...wi..th... you? Have...n't...seen...you cry...since I...trai...ned you..."

"Rai," Koki rasped and Mokoko felt her chin tremble, large tears coming upon their bodies and they both made noises of discomfort but Rai adding that Mokoko is making a mess. "Don't...save...your strength."

Rai grunted, grin faltering but he kept it up with a smirk instead. Mokoko didn't sense she was digging her claws to the ground.

"My...strength? ...For what? I—" Rai stopped, and his tattooed face holding the powerful frightening lion looking strained. He swallowed, his eyes still tight and closed. He could not open them. "I...thought I rui...ned us...rem...member? I...should not have...done what I...did..."

Koki closed his one sunset eye, expression pinched. He couldn't shake his head, but Mokoko saw the minute movement of the attempt.

"No...I...did...I should've...never left you alone...we..." Koki's one sunset eye opened, his head turning to look at Rai who was beside him, tears going down it. Rai could not see it, but he could hear his brother's choked up words and how his breathing got more difficult. "We...are always...supposed to be...together...you should've...came with me...to the island...and I should've...went with you to the seas..."

Rai wheezed a laugh, Koki pausing when he did and Mokoko looked at Poauau Rai who always laughed at everything with such a scary face.

"Ah...and who would've...cared for Karé...? No...one of us...should always stay...to protect our pride...and we were never...alone. Right? Mokoko?"

Mokoko's breath repeatedly got stuck in her throat, but she nodded anyways.

Koki smiled, defeated.

"You...never really were...Poauau Rai, eh?"

Rai grinned, fierce.

"And you...never actually were Kōpīpī Koki...despite what I said, I always—" Rai bit his lips, and Koki stared at how harsh his scarlet haired brother who never shared emotions outwardly and always seemed far away, hold back a sob. "I always...believed in you...!"

"I'm sorry...that I disappointed you than..."

"No." Rai interrupted, firm. "We...both are at fault... I...just hope my favor comes in...but...that's not..." Rai coughed, spitting out a wad of blood.

Koki's one sunset eye darkened at the action, but he turned towards Mokoko who stood above them both, protruding eyes not stopping from burning. Koki continued for him.

"...it's not important, right now... Mokoko..."

Rai collected himself, and Koki and him spoke at once. Like they did when they both first showed Mokoko their Pride, their life, what became hers.

"You're family."

"So..." Rai said, loud voice too quiet and too soft and not like himself. "Can you..."

"Just," Koki continued for him, eyes of orange and pink that holds the ball of light that always gave Mokoko warmth since she was within an egg. "Stay with us...?"

Mokoko lips trembled, she pressed them together to stop it. She didn't say anything, because she was just a kawekaweau. But she did encircle her large seven foot long body around them, touching scaled skin to soft ones.

She did a chirp for them.

Mokoko thinks she felt them smile.

Alone in birth and in death, Mokoko thought, holding back a pained gurgle as she felt and heard breaths slow. But not them. Not them.

Just Mokoko.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Mokoko stayed there a long time.

It took remnant villagers for her to finally get off. They spoke of how large sea animals came. Made a strong current where no one could simply come to Karé again nor could those in the island to leave.

Mokoko did not care.

She was alone. Again.

Ah. Mokoko thought, sitting in front of two dirt mounds that the villagers made. So this is death.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Karé Island—Present Time. At Buried Hieroglyphics Behind Wharenui

"Huh," you said, scratching your head as you looked at all the simple drawings on the slab of stone at the bottom of the hole. Mokoko beside you silent as you did your best trying to understand from drawings alone. "I'm not a nerd, so I can't read this stuff...but I think I get it. You lost people, didn't you?" You asked, staring up at Mokoko who did not move sad protruding eyes from the slab.

You frowned, standing up and scratching your head again.

"Sucks you can't talk. You must've seen a lot that even this stone can't say. I wonder who those bad people are though..." Mokoko's eyes moved towards your hat, making you frown as you touched it. "Eh? It can't be related to the Marines?"

Mokoko shook her head and than nodded.

Your frown deepened.

"You're not making any sense...but look, I'm not here to do that." You fully turned towards Mokoko, (e/c) eyes connecting towards protruding ones. "I'm helping! They asked for help so I can't just leave these people here. You want to protect them too, yeah? Like before?"

Mokoko stared at strange woman who is saying strange things yet has one of the odd hats she has seen before. She stared at your eyes, with her very large ones.

Small, Mokoko thought, incredulous yet nostalgic all at once. Yet big. Could be large.

Mokoko nodded and your lips turned up, a harsh grin as you punched a fist to an open hand. Mokoko's eyes rounding at how sharp it looked, it could be a smirk.

"Alright! Let's go do this thing than!"

Karasu glinted at your hip, at the ready as you moved to run towards Mayor's house again. You yelping when some fire seemed to start to catch on it, Mokoko quickly following after you and bringing buckets from the well and you doing the same. You cursing about stupid pirates and burning everything and how dare they touch your sword like that. Even though Mokoko feels as if bad people did not know you were here. Whoever you were.

You who can smirk yet can be understanding and can sound soft.

It reminded Mokoko of family.

And when you went in the Mayor's house to get Kuroi ten'nosabaki, leaving Mokoko alone where two pirates appeared who must've caused this and whipping her tongue but they are able to dodge fast and quick and they were laughing and cursing at Mokoko as they managed to shoot and cut at parts of her tan and red scaled body—you slashed down at them. Appearing out of the Mayor's house with a high jump, sun glinting behind you and Mokoko stared.

"What are you two shits doing?! Can't you see—"

Mokoko stared at how you landed, how you rushed and how you fought and brought down the two pirates with eyes slightly shadowed and glaring as they laid on the ground.

"Can't you see that we're trying to protect our pride?" Mokoko mouth loosened, your tone serious and tense, one hand holding the largest and thickest sword Mokoko has ever seen. "This island...this sword...I'm going to teach you turds to stay in the dirt where you belong...!"

Mokoko felt hope rising, nostalgia hitting her once more as she looked at your back.

Perhaps, Mokoko thinks, whipping her tongue at the fallen pirates for good measure before continuing to follow your dashing form towards where the bonfire was in the distance, I can see the sunrise again.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Karé Island—Near the Bonfire and Houses/Huts on Fire

Zuko was crouched on the floor, coughing blood as he tried to hold himself up, sweat on his skin and breathing heavy.

"Matua kēkē!" Azu cried, struggling to get out of a pirates choke hold around her neck who only tightened his hold on her. The other pirates that smelled like salt that wasn't from the sea, but more from something that couldn't be placed. Azu spoke, despite her throat being cut off. "N-no! G-g-get up! Matua kēkē!"

"Shut up, you brat!" The pirates captain said harshly, standing above Zuko's struggling crouched form. His long unruly beard that reaches to his chest filled with chips and fries that are stuck within around a sneer. He brought a foot down atop Zuko's back, Zuko going to the floor, his usual stoic face tense when he heard his niece cry out for him once more. "All of you in the East Blue have always been weak. You surprised us at first that some of you are actually strong, but Karé is just like everyone else in this sea." The captain pressed his foot harder, Zuko grunting as his face was pressed onto the floor. "Just all second rate nobodies. You're no Pucci but at least your spices are good enough for my taste."

"You...!" Zuko's clenched eyes opened, towards his father who was kneeling on the floor in front of two pirates that had bacon on their coats, scratched up and injured. His feather cloak seeing better days but still on his weathered shoulders, his father's elderly face in anger. "We of Karé are not second rate...! You wouldn't know spices if it was dusted in your face!"

The captain's eyes narrowed towards Zuko's father, the two pirates that were behind Mayor each hitting a side of his head and making Mayor go down. Zuko's eyes widened just as Azu started to struggle more, crying out while Aiko beside her tried to shush her but she seemed to be struggling too.

They shouldn't be looking like that, Zuko clenched his bandages fists, his teeth clenched together as anger and uselessness rose. I'm too weak. I can't stop them all. They're monsters.

Zuko felt his tattoos under his forehead and arms itch.

He doesn't know what to do.

His family, they're going to die if he keeps being stubborn!

That woman isn't here either. All talk like I thought.

No, Zuko thought, moving his arm slowly as the captain was distracted mocking his father, teething the bandages off his fists and them slowly loosening, falling to the floor and pulse hammering in his neck. If I can't do it myself, than other Karé people can. Even if it's them.

The captain drew closer to the struggling Mayor, who spit out to the side as he slowly raised himself with his stick. The captain's sword tight around his hand at the gall of this nobody islander, who still had enough to speak with a cracked voice.

"Maybe we aren't the first best. Or even the second. But we sure have the heart to be it one day. We..." Mayor rose his head, shouting loudly despite the strain, wrinkled hand tight around his cane. "...are proud of our country!"

Azu's eyes watered, her poker face long gone but a sense of conviction rising.

"I'll show what to be proud of, old man." The captain raised his sword, only to be punched at his side out the way. Body flinging and towards a stone hut that was destroyed due to how hard it went through. The pirates sputtered around them, eyes wide and wondering what happened. The captain got out of the rubble, dirtied and some curly fries falling out of his beard. His eyes widening as he looked at the believed fried stick potatoes go to the ground. "What?! No, I was saving those for later! You—who did that?!"

The captain stopped, eyes rounding at a orange light that seemed to brighten around them, and not from the fire that lit up as the night watched.

Zuko clenched a bare glowing orange tattooed fist, expression cold and determined.

"Well, if it isn't one of our great, great, whatever's, Koki." An amused voice echoed within Zuko's head, all rough in tone. "And I thought he was going to shut us out forever."

A soft exasperated sigh in answer within Zuko's mind.

"I blame his stubbornness on you, Rai." This one was gentle and soothing. Zuko could imagine a rose colored head shaking, three short braids moving with it as it ignored the annoyed "Oi!". "It's just nice to hear you again."

"Why are you so soft, you Kōpīpī Koki?" Zuko thinks Rai sounded embarrassed but seemed to be smiling.

"At least I'm no idiot, Poauau Rai." A laugh was barked, a sound deep from the chest that Zuko does not think he could mimic. "We should focus though and help our descendant out. Despite his feelings towards us."

"Tch! Didn't even let us finish if you ask me. I didn't even get to the good part."

"Being unable to see by being blinded but still fighting is not the good part, Poauau Rai." Kokiri reprimanded.

"Definitely a highlight for me. Anyways, he's still weak like you were, Koki. No trace of Spiritual Energy." Zuko frowned at the words, repeating it to himself as Kokiri replied easily.

"He'll just have some of ours than. The remnants that remained."

"You better get ready, young Zuko!" For some reason, Zuko felt his back straighten. He imagined a sharp eerie smirk on Raiona's face, canines out with those words. "No descendant of mine is going to take this!"

"Stay strong and hold on as long as you can," Kokiri added, "People who look down on Karé—"

"Don't know what Karé is truly about," Raiona interrupted, and than they spoke at once.

In synchrony, the sunrise and sunset as one, the beginning and the end.

"Show them our Pride!"

Zuko didn't say anything, cherry red hair seeming to float around him and red eyes having orange gleam in them as the captain stared curiously. He could spot his father in his periphery having tear's in his eyes, Azu's mouth wide and open in a hopeful smile and Akko's mouth slightly open.

Zuko's red and orange glinting eyes met the pirate captain's.

"You're going to hate this."

The captain smirked, pointing to the left.

"Am I?"

Zuko frowned, glancing towards the left only for his senses seeming to scream to look right but it was too late. He grunted each time his body would skitter across the floor when it would stop going up in the air.

He struggled to get up, but did. Quickly dodging a shot to his chest by moving to the side, his eyes on a different pirate that had dried noodles upon his person.

"What do you think you're doing?" The pirate asked mockingly, twirling his long rifle with one hand. "You can't just attack the captain like that. No. I'm your opponent for riff raff like you. A nobody." Zuko was not sure if he felt Raiona's anger or Kokiri's disapproval, but he felt himself bristle at the words. "Oh, made you angry did I? Come on and teach me a lesson than."

Zuko's body appeared before this pirate, who was the first mate, first mate's eyes widening and clenching when a fist like stone met his face numerous times.

Zuko had to do this quick. He dodged when his senses would rage at him, his body feeling odd when he landed a hit towards the vice captain. His body is still injured greatly, he won't be able to last long. And he still needs to rescue his family.

He heard Azu cry out, making red eyes glance towards it automatically despite his senses screaming at him, only to fall and get shot in the shoulder. Zuko fell back, teeth clenching and muscles tense as he fixed himself before falling fully.

"Matua kēkē!" He heard Azu distantly shout, his red eyes tight and orange fading in and out. "Please, you're—you're the strongest! You—You can't die! I know...you don't like our customs, the stuff Ojii—San always talk about. I don't like it when Ojii—San says stuff we're not but...but..." Azu'a lips trembles along with her voice, her lips pinching together as tears fell down her tanned face as she looked to Zuko and Zuko glanced at her. "I actually love being in Karé! Being from here! And I—I want you too! So please, please don't die!"

Aiko called her daughter's name softly, surprised and his father only smiled knowingly.

Zuko kept his eyes on Azu, her eyes showing belief and gleaming and wide.

Zuko nodded, straightening his posture and ignoring the hole in his shoulder as he did his fighting pose with one arm extended out with fist clenched and the other arm closer with palm open.

The pirates laughed, the noise irritating his ears. The first mate raising a brow at the pose.

"What's that going to do—"

Zuko appeared in front of him, as if by teleportation, and the pirate barely managed to widen his eyes before he met a constant barrage of punches to his face and chest and abdomen. Each punch like iron, that it went through the first mate's Haki he attempted to create.

"Ha! Not talking now, are ya, ya little poha!"

"Don't distract our descendant, Rai."

"Tch! Than why are you making a pleased face?! I knew you had a sadistic side in there somewhere."

Zuko didn't pay attention to whatever his ancestors were talking about. He only punched and punched and punched and punched, faster than he thought he could go. Stronger than he could ever imagine. The back of his mind only wondering about his family, he had to get and rescue his family.

They're in danger, so faster, faster, faster. Stronger, stronger, stronger.

Zuko's eyes flashed, releasing one final cry as he did one final punch right to the man's solar plexus, the first mate spotting out blood and wheezing as he flew into the sky. Far and away, the first mate's eyes long white and unconscious as Zuko's chest heaved with short breaths. Him slightly stumbling and the orange hue in his red eyes fading into almost nothing and his cherry red hair following gravity's laws once more, no longer floating.

"You managed to knock out my first mate, islander," the pirate captain stated, yet his eyes looked over Zuko, a smirk around an unruly dirty beard looking more like a curl. "But that whole magic aura you had is gone now. And did you forget?"

Guns clicked back and the sound of metal moving was heard.

Zuko glanced and his pulse seemed to stop.

Azu's temple being pressed by a gun. Aiko with a sword to her neck. Downed Mayor having one being pressed to his back, right where his heart would be.

The captain laughed along with the pirates who had his family captive.

"You may have stopped my first mate somehow, but that doesn't change anything! We'll still have your spices. Karé isn't like the Gourmet Country, Pucci, but," the captain shrugged, "even nobodies like you have unique spices. Others want to have it. A pretty penny too. It's difficult for standard East Blue ships to get close to your island due to the powerful riptide around all of you, so it makes sense why barely anyone comes here. Who wants to come here anyways?"

Zuko felt his eyes narrow, anger starting to boil over. He blames it on Raiona inside him.

"You can even see it as me helping you. All of you getting the attention. Finally. Everyone will be able to taste what you all have, thanks to your wonderful sacrifice. Ah wait, how about a proposal?" The captain continued, not sensing at all with his Observational Haki of a dashing force coming straight towards their area. Only continuing to mock and sneer and taunt, his crew at his back and cheering him on as the pirate captain moved towards Mayor, and pressing a foot to his back as well. Mayor released a wheeze for a breath, lungs tight at the weight. "We'll let some of you live. To continue gathering these spices of yours. And we'll come every year to get them. That sounds nice, doesn't it? I can't let you live though," the captain said, pressing Mayor into the ground more and than glancing towards the struggling Zuko, whose muscles felt abused and each breath ragged. "And you. You attacked my first mate. Have to make you examples. We can just do that with the others though. Living in servitude doesn't sound that bad compared to death, right? Besides yours of course!" The captain ended with a guffaw, raising his sword to puncture the Mayor.

"Ojii—san!"

"Papa!"

Zuko's eyes widened. A ghost of a flinch when he took a step towards where his family were still being held.

I can't do anything, Zuko realized with dread as he watched iron get closer and closer to his father. I ran out of what they gave me. Even with their strength I still can't...I can't!

Zuko thought of your words, your determined expression and a deep gaze that seemed to go through him as you said you would help. With how your shoulders were back and your chin level, Zuko had the sense he could believe you.

Despite what he read, of inked words proclaiming you betrayed the marines. Running away from responsibilities and duties—a career all about serving and protecting others. A famed one too, based on what he understood. Leaving it all and running around with secrets that you can freely tell anyone that is only meant for marines. Dangerous knowledge.

A traitor that threw away what a marine meant, yet still had their hat.

And still...

"Besides, I said I would help. I'll help."

"Please..." Zuko bowed his head, red eyes tight, pride gone because all he wants is his family away from these pirates. Safety to do what they wish. Whether it's his father saying Karé false fame hoods, Azu hiding she loves Karé with a stoic face to be like him, or Aiko being the kind airhead she is . "Come...!"

I can't protect with just my hands!

A clang. No sound of impaled skin or a worm cry of pain. Instead cries from pirates, a whoosh a sound of a flick that sounded like a release of a tongue.

Zuko opened his eyes, widening and what felt like hope rise.

"So," you began, your buster sword out and blocking the sword from the captain in front of you who looked and smelled like he had too many fries and chips in his life, the pirate captain's swords tip in the middle of Kuroi ten'nosabaki as it was over Mayor. Mokoko handling the pirates that held Azu and Aiko with a strong and merciless flick of her tongue, throwing the pirates away. You were smirking, tight and dangerous, showing your irritation. "My opponent is you? I didn't think I was going to be exposed to you today, Salt Fisk pirates. I always wondered why you were allied with Big Mom when you lot seemed to prefer savory."

"(Y/N)!" Azu and Aiko called out in relief.

Mayor looking up with squinted eyes at you, his own weathered face seemed to relax at seeing you.

Zuko could only watch.

The captain snarled, leaping back from you, his eyes glancing at his crew who got downed by one of the largest gecko's the captain has seen. The gecko even making a sinister lick of the lips as if to show.

The captain's eyes narrowed.

Poison, the captain realized before turning back towards this woman with a sword taller than her, and a marine hat on her head. She seems familiar.

"Who are you?"

You didn't pay him any mind, glancing at Zuko who was still crouched and looking at you with the most emotion you've seen in his red eyes. Your smirk turned more natural, amused.

"What? You called too, didn't ya?" Zuko's eyes widened, his jaw loosening and you couldn't help but chuckle. "I help those who want it. Who ask. Can't do everything myself, can I? You gotta help yourself too by reaching out ya know!" You nodded back towards Azu and Aiko as well as Mayor. "Go help your family. I'll handle everything else. This...is the exact kind of fight I need!"

Zuko blinked, quickly doing so as best he could in his tired state. Gathering Azu and Aiko who hugged him immediately, helping his father up and Zuko's eyes going towards the large kawekaweau that helped too. Standing by with hackles raised, muscles looking tense behind you towards the distantly allied pirate captain of Big Mom, red and tan scales—.

He felt his ancestors within freeze.

"That's..."

"Mokoko! How...how is she alive, Koki?!"

Zuko frowned, wondering how they know this kawekaweau.

"This is our family, brat! I knew he wasn't paying attention, Koki!"

"Hush, Rai. This...I can't believe...she's been alive all this time..."

"Me neither...she was—she was alone all this time?"

Zuko did not understand, but the silence that followed was thick. Zuko couldn't believe it either. Nine hundred year old kawekaweau? How did they never know of one in the history?

Zuko thought of your earlier question, of how the kawekaweau kept missing him but landed it's venomous tongue on you. Is the connection between his ancestors and the kawekaweau?

He didn't have much time to think however, as the kawekaweau looked over at him. Protruding eyes staring as it tilted it's head at him.

Zuko did not understand its confusion, until Azu asked him a question of her own as he held her in his arms.

"Why are you crying matua kēkē?"

Zuko felt his ancestor's pain, their anguish, their despair. Their words that were hard to understand even by the eloquent Kokiri. Of promises and family and catching insects and catching moa's and of Pride. Of the trio never being one without the other, not until things started changing. Of runts and never bowing and never giving up and how they all seemed to match with red and tan scales and skin.

Of the beginning. Of the end.

Zuko's lips tightened, answering Azu as they all left you to the fight. Aiko helping Mayor and Mokoko going with them after you told it to(it's a her, she had a small family of her own) while fending off the pirate captain's attacks with blocks. Mokoko's back holding Aiko, Mayor and Azu as Zuko opted to keep running despite his heavy fatigue.

"It's nothing," His niece didn't seem convinced, but Zuko just kept his red gaze forward. Hearing you fight and help him protect his true Pride. The Pride of Karé. Zuko's eyes glanced towards Mokoko, who glanced at him as well, her protruding eyes widening at his next words. "Just that our ancestors smile down upon us."

They really loved you.

Mokoko is just a kawekaweau. She never could truly understand nuances or anything.

But she sees those red eyes, and they have that flash of orange appear just like what Rai and Koki had, and he spoke with such hidden meaning. She understood.

Mokoko's eyes watered, muscles legs still moving and claws seeming to dig more into the dirt with each step, but she nodded with lips up and a happy chirp.

She missed them too.

Rai and Koki understood, within Zuko's head. Because family always does.

Now, they all just have to depend on you.

Mokoko and Zuko glanced back, belief in their gazes as your sword clashed and met the captain's, you slowly maneuvering away from the huts and more towards the direction of the beach. Their gazes understanding what you were doing as they watched what little they could.

A new beginning, Mokoko hopes.

Protect our Pride, Zuko thinks.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Karé Island—The Beach Red Shores of the Island

"What are you doing?!" The captain asked, his beard—if possible—even more unruly than before as he stood a few feet away from you, his sword brandished to his side as the waves that looked a dark deep blue in this night being the only other sound between the two swords clashing against each other. "Why is a marine even here?!"

You stood, breath a little haggard as you held your buster sword within two hands. Your eyes slightly shadowed from your cap, and sweat in your brow at how difficult this guy is.

Distant ally of Big Mom or not, this potato loving jerk is strong.

Your lips rose into a smirk, hands clenching around Kuroi ten'nosabaki that appeared to be glinting under the moonlight.

I have to beat him.

"What does it look like? I'm going to kick your ass."

The captain's face turned into a snarl. You think even his beard turned into swirls and curls from anger too as he shouted a "What?!" but you just kept going. Your gaze turning serious.

"No one is messing with this island again. Especially to someone like you. Lackeys of Big Mom."

The captain blinked, before his expression turned to one of mirth as he laughed.

"You sure don't know what you're talking about, marine. We decided to leave. I don't like Big Mom's taste. Too focused on sweets and not what's really the best type of cuisine—it being everything salty!" The captain dug into his beard and grabbed a french fry and ate it as if to show with a pleased hum. Your face twisted into disgust at that. There had to be a stray hair in there. "Not like she would get up and chase us herself to a weak sea like this."

You briefly thought about it, before agreeing with him.

Going all the way to a weak sea to cannibalize once ally's won't even be worth it for her.

"Besides," the captain continued arrogantly, "You may be fast, but I've noticed your buster sword. You haven't used Haki once! You think you can stop me from what I want?! I'll just go back to the main area of this island and continue what I was doing! You can't do anything!"

"We are a proud people." You recall the Mayor saying, staring at you with meaning. "Despite us being small, each man here is worth ten out there. Maybe even thirty. But," Mayor's lips twisted into a waning smile, "we hate conflict. I don't want this to end bloody, not here. Not in our island. Do you understand?"

You can't let him go back in there.

But...

Your face showed mild confusion at the mention of the word Haki. Only to be shocked as you got punched to the chest. Your hacking and breath knocked out as you flew back towards the shore, wet sand on you and sea water dripping as you lifted yourself up with an arm, one eye squinted due to other having salt water within only for your senses able to scream at you this time.

You used Geppo to go upwards, just as a sword met to where you just were, your temple having a nervous sweat go down.

T-Too close!

Your eyes rounded, making a yelp as you used Kamisori to dodge a wide arching upwards slash towards your form. Maintaining the use of Geppo up above as you gazed down at the Salt Fisk pirate captain from a healthy distance in both height and range.

This guy...You put a hand to your aching chest, your breaths puffing out as you tried to get it back, you slightly flinching when you did. That was harder than any punch Lucci threw at me. That...felt like the few punches the Old Man would do...!

Within your opposite hand, Kuroi ten'nosabaki's metal sheen seemed to flicker. Sharing your concern as your sixth sense decided to tell you once more to move, you having to dodge with a kick to the air to each side or stop kicking to escape every slash, cut, and slice that came your way even from the distance you had from the captain, still getting some grazed cuts along the way. It's as if it did nothing!

The captain spoke once more, in an arrogant shout as you kept trying to maintain your distance, of how it will just take one slash and that buster sword of yours will be no more.

Definitely not good, you landed onto the ground, bowing your head as a slash went over your head, catching some of the jungle and cutting numerous trees off cleanly. Managing to just miss your marine cap as you leaped backward, your mind going a mile a minute as you tried to think of a plan. Haki is something Bogard mentioned sometimes.

You think of Garp's right hand man with the fedora who always went on the old Hero's ship; your partner in crime when it came to stealing Garp's rice crackers while you would mischievously grin and his always flat lips will be lifted into something humored as they would distantly hear Garp rage about his precious snacks.

Not just that. But Weirdo Lino too. And Momonga. Haki can make things stronger but you never learned that!

You clenched your hand around Kuroi ten'nosabaki, Karasu moving along your hip as you gritted your teeth.

You can't use your swords! You won't risk them!

So, a new plan than!

You let out a surprised yelp, eyes wide as you sprung to the left closer to the sea and moving your buster sword and Karasu out the way from the slash. You let out a pained hiss, the cut landing on your left shin, the dark jeans now having a tear and blood pouring from your wound. The blood looking black under the moonlight as it dripped down to the sand, you putting most of the pressure on your right leg now to lessen the pain.

You glanced down at it, seeing the cut is not too deep. At least that's good.

At the captain's sinister chuckle, you looked in his direction to take in his pleased arrogant and mocking smirk. Funny how a man having a beard like that is arrogant at all.

"See? All I'm doing is adding even more character to your body. I'm no doctor, but I can tell when a scar is fresh. Nice and pretty spot too to erase whatever possible charm you may have had before. And I'm going to add plenty more before I off you," You stilled, the cap shadowing your eyes as the captain kept going with a one armed shrug, almost as if saying 'what could you do?'. "There's no point in you fighting these nobodies anyways. What's the point? Or are you truly just a marine that can't stop sticking your nose everywhere?"

The captain snickered, and only stopped when your bowed shadowed head rose, your narrowed  (e/c) flashing at him underneath your cap.

"Scar?" You repeat, like an afterthought. "The only scars I get are the ones I allow. And you definitely won't get one, you pube hair growing potato farm shit! You...don't deserve it!"

Deserve it?! The captain reared back in his head, ticks on his temple at your insult yet sweat on his skin at your glare. This is a crazy bitch! As if you choose who gives you scars! She didn't even care I insulted her appearance!

"And people who hold pride into their passions—that has always been a weakness of mine." The captain started sweating more, oddly. The marine's presence growing stronger and stronger if possible, as if you could crush him. The captain hasn't felt something like this...since... the captain's eyes widened. And with that shock in his expression, you took the opportunity like a dog with a bone. Appearing before him with the use of Soryu, your buster sword up and high to the side as you quickly did a number of slashes, putting your speed of Kamisori to the sword instead. Twisting and stabbing and slicing, the captain's garbs being cut up and the captain too disoriented to do much, until he felt a sharp pain to his chin that made him bite his tongue from the strength—copper filling his mouth due to your headbutt, your eyes aflame. "I too...have pride in something! So I'll protect theirs!"

The captain fell back, eyes rolled up just as your left leg gave out, blood still spilling down your leg as you felt the sand below you. The grittiness grounding you as you panted, lungs seeming to wheeze and your hand shaking around your buster sword as you held yourself up with your other trembling arm.

You still had it in your hand, however. And that's what counts.

You glanced down at the downed captain.

You managed to catch him off guard. If all else fails, insults always works to lose people's cool.

You don't know how else you were going to win. You managed to sense enough to dodge but he still managed to get you. A direct hit from a slash would've ended you.

But, I did it. You took in the pirate captain's insignia of a dead pig with seasonings being put on it on the captain's coat, a prideful smile on your lips between heavy breaths. This is one of the first few steps towards Big Mom. This was just a nobody once distant ally. I just need to get stronger!

You felt something like liquid go down your left cheek. You raised a hand and wiped, only to see blood on your fingers as you stared with a frown.

Your bandage on your cheek must've flown away as you were fighting. And the scar must've reopened due to how expressive you were being, pulling it open too much.

You clenched your bloody fingers into a fist, eyes shadowed as you glanced towards your bloody left shin, sand getting in the wound.

You have to get stronger.

You can't get any scar. Not one more.

Not one.

You stood, putting pressure on your right leg as you awkwardly moved towards the pirate captain, eyes still shadowed under your cap as you stared down at him. Spotting he was still breathing.

He really was strong.

You held your buster sword with both hands, despite the trembling muscles and calling out to you in protest.

"You may have been an asshole," You say quietly, Kuroi ten'nosabaki shining under the moonlight as Karasu at your hip glinted menacingly on your hip. "But I know worse people than you. You actually wanted to get out from someone's thumb too. Do your own thing. To do what you wish. You were strong too so..." you lifted your buster sword, the tip a centimeter above the captain's chest where his heart was. "I'll use Kuroi ten'nosabaki on you."

You can't risk him leaving. No one should bother these people anymore.

Pirates trying to steal their work or the World Government trying to stop possible secrets of the Void Century from spreading.

You know what you are from back when you were with Shanks and the others—that old man and the bandit.

If more blood is going to be on my hands, you think with tight eyes and bite of your inner cheek, than let it be for this.

You brought Kuroi ten'nosabaki down, only to be reminded these pirates travelled the New World. They are no amateur's. Naive to think your mere slashes can stop a pirate captain who travelled those seas—for a hand wrapped tightly around your buster sword, stopping it's descent into a chest cavity.

Your eyes turned round.

"I r-recognize you now," the captain, all blood and gashes on his chest rasped, breaths heavy but hold on your sword not budging, keeping you there. His unwavering eyes on your shocked ones. "I...heard of a y-young marine once—that t-travelled with Garp the Hero's ship and helped b-bring in all...types of criminals...years ago. A pupil. T-thought you died...being so absent for so long...and that so-called H-Hero looking p-pitiful. T-taking more hits...than usual." You took in a breath. Garp? Did he...? The captain's lips rose. "You were j-just hiding than...? Oh how the mighty have fallen. What will...that Hero think of his pupil now?"

(You don't think of what Garp is feeling. Just as you can't focus of what Smoker is. Because you can't. Because if you do—)

Your grip momentarily loosened, and that's all the captain needed as his eyes caught it—bringing his legs to swipe right under yours. You let out a grunt when you landed on your back, only for your heart to hammer out of your chest when you realized your hands were empty.

You looked up, to see the captain holding your sword, and bring it down. You tried to move, but the pain of your left shin skyrocketed all the way up to your head.

This is it?! You watched as your sword came down, the captain's smirk and words that he knows tricks too. This can't be it! I—I didn't even—Memories came and went, images of looking quietly at the moon, of sweet smiles, of yells and chases around a ship, of whispered giggles to your ear, of naps, of slow measured and unique words, of fluttering wings and dark eyes, of a straw hat on your head—I can't end here! Shanks will be...!

Your eyes lit up, fiery—and you grabbed a handful of sand and threw it into the captain's eyes. Him being blinded but his movement did not stop.

But you tried.

A whip was heard above you, a slap following it as the captain stumbled, smirk falling as Kuroi ten'nosabaki fell from his grip—a harsh murderous glint on it as the captain sluggishly turned his head with a "What?"

You followed his gaze, a breath releasing from your lips.

Mokoko brought her tongue back in, protruding eyes narrowed and staying as the captain fell. Gone.

You connected your gazes with the gecko, a disbelieving chuckle escaping as you closed your eyes as you said your thanks.

Guess I needed help too.

You kept your eyes closed, body relaxing on the ground as you lost consciousness. But not without having your buster sword being held loosely around your hand.

Kuroi ten'nosabaki gleamed.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

There is pride in being a swordsman, and there's the sword being proud of the wielder.

You would feel bitter shame for letting someone touch Black Heaven's Judgement and try to use it—as if an artist's work being copied and the thief expecting it to be better than the artist. A work stolen.

To have your sword stolen as a swordsman is one of the worst things that can happen. Worse to be cut by your own sword—the extension of the swordsman. The third limb as integral as everything else.

Your pride took a hit. To let someone like that touch Kuroi ten'nosabaki and be used against you.

To die by your own sword is a shameful thing.

But, one's sword is an extension of it's swordsman. Integral. Fused and is one—metal and hands the perfect mix.

Kuroi ten'nosabaki would not have cut you.

For you would not wish it.

And it would not either.

For a sword is nothing without it's wielder.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

You woke up a few hours later, to find yourself in a doctor's room. Small bandages on yourself and different clothes from your own, wearing what is called a tanīko bodice on upper half that was sort like a tank top with string thin straps and having the traditional triangle and thick lined patterns, the color red and white being used. Your lower half having a black skirt that you noticed was under the flax seed skirt the other's would wear, but they forgone the flax for you. Your tense shoulders relaxed when you spotted your marine cap was next to you on the nightstand and your swords were on the other side of it leaning against the wall.

Once the doctor came back in and after he said his gracious thanks to you and that you helped to not cause any deaths to the islanders, you asked about your left shin that was covered in the largest bandage out of all of them. If it would scar. The doctor stated they have good salves, so you would have to apply it often to make sure the wound heals and if you wish the scar to fade until it would be gone.

You nodded, touching your left cheek in thought as the doctor added: "I wasn't able to stitch that properly yet," the doctor moved to get supplies and bring it close to your bed as your eyes focused onto the doctor, "I was so busy in getting all those other nicks you had and that nasty gash and all the other burn patients I had. It'll only take a moment so let me—"

"No."

The doctor blinked.

"No?"

"You heard me. Don't stitch it. If I wanted that, I would've done it already," You stated obviously.

Weird doctor.

"B-But...it'll become messy if it stays like that. Perhaps just to clean it up?"

You stared. The doctor sweatdropped, only to blink once more at your next words.

"It stays like how I got it. How it was meant to be. I'm not risking any chance the scar will fully fade, got it?"

Promises and vows aren't meant to fade.

The doctor stared a moment more at your resolute eyes before he dropped it. Instead giving you a specific salve for it so you don't run the risk of infection and new bandages to let it heal. You let out a sigh of exasperation at the doctor's nagging only to wince, the movement making your chest ache. The doctor paused, looking back at you and where your hand on your chest was.

His expression was of clinical understanding.

"That will take some time to heal as well. But it will require solely on a good diet for the pain and bruises to go away." As he spoke, you looked down at your chest, spotting the splotches of darker skin signifying the bruises on your (skin tone) body, the pattern showing it was clearly a fist that marred you. "It's also best to rest, you are free to stay as long as you need to here. I'm sure no one would mind." The doctor smiled at you encouragingly.

You only frowned when you lifted your gaze, standing up and gathering your swords back to where they were.

"Where's my clothes?" You asked instead of responding, making the doctor's eyes flash in momentary confusion at the subject change but answered that Aiko took them to stitch them up at Mayor's house. You nodded. "Ah, okay than" You threw a grateful smile at the doctor, exiting out and into the bright and sunny island and the movement of the islanders fixing up the remnants of the invasion.

The doctor sputtered, exiting with you as you watched how a child helped their mother and father collect burnt wood to throw away, their chubby cheeks wide and smiling at their parents words of encouragement and pride.

"W-wait! You're not planning to leave, are you? You should rest!"

You didn't pay attention how eyes went over your way due to the doctor's exclamation, only glancing at your left shin again, tapping the tip of your boot against the ground twice. You felt pain wind up at the movement, making your brows furrow but it's not something that will hinder you too much if you'll just be out in the sea.

"Sorry," you say nonchalantly, walking by past the islanders and glancing at the child by their mother as you did so, the mother holding the child by the shoulders in reassurance and care. They both threw you grateful looks, filled with admiration and confusion as you went the way to Mayor's house. "I have something to do. I can't stay here much. I still have no idea where he might be..." you muttered the last part almost to yourself, wondering where exactly you'll go from here.

The riptide around this island will be an issue, but you can do it.

Right?

And after that, just choose a direction and hope Shanks is there. Not too hard.

Despite your thoughts, a flash of uncertainty washed over you which made you frown.

"Are you really leaving, Toa ?" You were taken out of your thoughts at the small voice with a lisp, you glancing down to see the child having a small frown. A difference to what you saw earlier. "You just got here."

"Now, now," the mother said easily, eyes warm towards her child as she put a hand to their head and rubbed before glancing at you apologetically. "I'm sure what she must do is important, best we leave her be. Although, we would wish for you to stay a little longer." The mother's smile turned sheepish, you gazing at how her corners lifted, her hand not stopping from rubbing her child's head with affection. "At least for the celebration."

"Āe!" The child whooped with an arm to the air, eyes shining as your unreadable gaze turned downward. "You have to come! We have all types of food we were supposed to eat for the bonfire and we're going to do our Kapa Haka dance!" The smile on the child's face practically drowned anything else as the child widened their arms on each side of themselves. "The table is this big and we all eat together and we can show appreciation to you too, Toa!"

You stared down at the child quietly, how their eyes shined and their smile wide. The corner of your eye spotting how their mother's hand went to their shoulder, and how the father went behind the mother, tattooed arm going around her waist.

You took a few steps forward until you stood in front of the child, crouching with a half smile of your own.

"With such a request like that, how can I say no?" You say breezily, watching how the child's eyes widened and they simply beamed at you. It made your eyes go half lidded, your smile widening. "And with such an infectious smile too. You have a shining smile that just makes others instantly happy, you know?"

The child laughed.

"Whaea says the same thing!" The child responded, and your smile turned wistful as you said a distant "Oh?" with the child nodding. "I can always make her feel better no matter what happens! And I'm also a good wood gatherer too, see?"

The child gestured to the burnt wood they collected due to the fires and you were struck just how positively proud they were.

With that, you decided to stay. The doctor seeming to relax from his nagging to you with that. The celebration coming quick in a whirlwind, you sitting at the long table with the others as drums and singing were playing. You would get momentarily distracted at how the Karé people danced, or Mayor beside you saying all these facts that you tried your best to listen to. You could not help but be lost in your thoughts, however, as you sipped your mango juice.

Your mind flashed to when you could only stare at how your own sword was about to kill you, how that punch made your breath escape and your lungs seem to cease to existence.

I'm weak, you think, frowning into your cup, your eyes partially hidden due to your cap. Zuko and Aiko seated in front of you not being able to see your troubled expression, Azu on your other side arguing with Mayor about how they aren't famous for their mango juice actually and Mayor just tightly smiling. I can't stay like this. I need to get stronger. If just a distant ally of Big Mom's is like that than...

You gripped your cup tighter.

You have a long way to go.

But you need a teacher—one who can show you how to do this Haki.

You thought of your words in Marineford, when you interrupted a Warlord meeting and met golden eyes that do not waver and held just his title. Your words, although around a confident teasing smirk due to your renewed energy of being so close to leave and away from Spandam, were not all serious.

Besides, you don't know exactly where the man lives. And he never was able to answer your words.

You let out a sigh.

You have a lot of work to do.

But you knew the road to be the World's Strongest Woman wouldn't be easy.

Perhaps Shanks can...?

Your temple felt a strong, annoying and hard poke, your face turning to meet the end of a cane. Your eyes crossed to stare at it, your expression into a mild scowl.

"What was that for?!"

"You're not listening!" Mayor shouted, askance. As if the thought was atrocious to him. His thin lips in a heavy frown. "What's got you so distracted anyways? You barely have touched your food! Our history isn't one to fall asleep to either!"

"You make it sound boring, Ojii—San," Azu piped up, between bites on your other side, sounding bored. "You're the worst storyteller ever. Especially to Toa (Y/N) here."

Your brow rose at Azu saying that word like the other child, wondering the meaning.

Mayor reeled back, offended.

"What?!"

"You can use some more emotion, Tou-San," Aiko said easily with a humored smile, before turning towards her daughter who was almost looking at Mayor mockingly as his expression turned strained, her expression hardening a fraction but still with that smile. "Don't be too hard on him, Azu. You know how he gets. He just wants to share what makes Karé to Toa (Y/N)."

That word again.

Zuko, spotting your confusion and was silent this whole time along with you with his own thoughts, spoke up.

"Toa," You turned towards him, his red eyes meeting your evenly before he gave you a small nod towards you in what seemed to be respect. "It means hero."

"Huh?" You couldn't help but release, in clear bewilderment as you put your cup down to the table. "I'm no hero." The others looked at you, perplexed at your words as you just had a hand up with a pointer finger towards the sky. "Heroes are really kind people who won't stray from their morals no matter what. But especially don't kill." You glanced away, eyes holding some shame as your hand on your lap clenched. "I had to get rid of those pirates for not bothering you again so..."

Zuko, Aiko, Mayor and Azu looked at each other and than back up at you.

"What's wrong with you?" Mayor asked incredulous, your gaze rising towards him. "You had to do what you did to make those cretins not try to get us again! No one will take our Pride away!"

You blinked, frowning,

"But...you said you guys were a peaceful people."

"Oh. That?" Mayor waved his cane offhandedly along with his hand. "I changed my mind. Zuko told me some of the stuff Raiona and Kokiri went through based on their words. Turns out we weren't that peaceful after all. And it's nice you respect our roots like this!"

Your jaw dropped, touching the table before you shouted with teeth.

"THAT'S ALL IT TOOK TO CHANGE YOUR MIND?!"

Mayor shrugged.

"You protected us." Your expression cleared as Mayor stared at you, his serious gaze on you and a smile playing around his lips. "That's all that matters. You're Toa to us so just accept it. Marine or not."

Your eyes rounded, Azu explaining for you that Zuko told them while you were sleeping about your current title. Which isn't one at all really, but that you were no marine at all. Aiko mentioning that they were lucky they had you either way. Zuko still staying quiet as he watched you, distracted as Aiko went on with a finger by her mouth.

"Here I thought you came due to us sending all those letters with our hawks too."

Your brows furrowed.

Hawks?

"That's a good observation, Aiko." Mayor agreed, his own face thoughtful as he tapped his cane against his chin. "I wonder where all those letters went. The hawks seemed efficient at their job."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Karé Island—The Past Few Months

A hawk looked bored, cleaning their wings due to habit as the old smelly human that had feathers around his shoulders tied something to it's legs as it stood on old human's arm.

"You must fly extra efficient now! We need those marines by yesterday."

The hawk's gaze did not change from appearing as if it would do a thousand other things than listen to gums smack.

The ancient two legged released it into the wind.

Finally!

"Come quick now!" The human called from below as the hawk flew away from the island until the human could not see it anymore.

The hawk appreciated the freedom of flying around the island, it's gaze holding a small gleam, the free breeze feeding it's wings to raise it higher.

The flapping noise at it's leg was irritating it. The hawk used it's talon on it's other foot, the letter falling from it's leg and falling into the ocean below and disintegrating.

The hawk came back only after two hours, landing on the smelly human's shoulder that gave nice food who looked at it in awe.

"Woah, so fast! I knew our Karé hawks are the best! Azu, look over here and see."

The hawk had it's gaze back in its poker face, moving to clean it's wing again.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Either way, you think with a mild sweatdrop, deciding to take more bites of your plate as the conversation turned once again between the family around you. Best they never used a News Coo to send the messages. The less attention they get from the World Government the better.

As you listened, your eyes widening and you making a shout of disbelief at discovering that Zuko and Aiko are in their thirties, Zuko observed you once more.

Taking note of this marine that's not a marine and a hero but says you are none.

He thought of his own stubbornness and personal pride that got in the way, before he realized that he must throw it all the way. That maybe he can believe in someone too and not just his own hands.

That maybe you actually cared. And not someone to exploit his people.

"What? You called too, didn't ya?" Zuko's eyes rounded, his jaw loosening and you let out a chuckle. As if amused by him, a personal joke he could not understand. "I help those who want it. Who ask. Can't do everything myself, can I? You gotta help yourself too by reaching out ya know!" You nodded back towards Azu and Aiko as well as Mayor. And Zuko automatically followed your gaze as you went on, your shoulders back and spine straight. "Go help your family. I'll handle everything else. This...is the exact kind of fight I need!"

You had a grin, so sharp and so dangerous and so cutting, it may as well have been like the sword on your back that was more a hunk of metal due to it's size.

Zuko did not remember believing in someone else so much before. Each sentence since the beginning seeming to be a lesson or revealing who you are—how you appreciated his cooking and therefore their Pride and thanking him despite his attitude, how he was being narrow minded and probably did not understand everything, and how one's pride must be thrown.

For there are more important things.

He watched as you listened to Azu and Mayor argue like they always have, but lighter and Azu's lips quirked and his sister Aiko giggling in the background. Your eyes turning towards the dancers and others in the long table you helped protect along with him and his ancestors and Mokoko, roving over the islanders.

Your expression did an odd thing, a gaze that was distant—appearing lost in memory that your lips rise into a sad excuse of a smile.

Zuko frowned, turning to where your gaze laid. A mother playing with her child on the ground, happily 'eating' Curry Sand that her child made with obvious sounds of approval. Clear she was pretending but the child happy about it anyways, pride emanating from their beam. The other children around them taking turns to go down with the relaxed Mokoko's tail.

The sight of the mother brought a memory of when Zuko did the same with his mother before she died. Red eyes flickering in realization as they went back towards you as you asked the question about what is this island's Pride. Truly. Is it just the spice?

"What a weird foreigner!" Raiona scoffed in his head. "As if it was only just about that for all these years!"

His father cackled, shaking his head at you as your brows furrowed.

A soft chuckle echoed in his head.

"That's why we have to teach, Rai." Kokiri replied easily. "How else would they learn? I was hoping more people would've asked—back than."

Zuko's eyes watched before he gazed up to the blue sky, his expression relaxed.

Mayor's own lips were a scant up, eyes warm and soft as he looked around the islanders dancing and cheering and playing—you following his gaze as he quietly yet firmly answered.

"Sharing our spice with others, preparing it just for them. To see their appreciation." Mayor glanced down at your now empty plate, your cheeks slightly flushing but staying attentive at just how the old man could actually talk lowly. Azu also in attention as she listened, different shades of red seeming to move against the breeze that came as Aiko put strands back behind her ear with a glittering smile. "To understand and grow to love it like us and ask for more. Family. Friends. Strangers. Together. That is our Pride."

We, Zuko thinks, closing his red eyes and feeling his ancestors within stir in agreement to his next thoughts. Are a Proud People.

That's why...

"Huh," you say eventually, your lips quirked up as you leaned back in your chair, the two back legs the only thing keeping you up as you glanced at Mayor with respect. "You know, I don't know about anything else, but you lot are first in pride. It's pretty cool."

His father beamed, weathered smile making his wrinkles come out in the most striking way that brings beauty in age and not the despair.

"Our bonfire is cool too," Azu added to your side, making your smile widen as you gazed down at her in silent agreement.

I have to repay you, Zuko determined.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

When the celebration ended, you went back to the broken pier that you did your best to help fix with the limited time you set for yourself. The islanders a few feet back to give you space, Zuko wishing to speak with you. Mokoko by him and sitting down and looking down at you in appraisal while Zuko just did it stoically. At a loss of what to say.

You said your goodbyes to the others, you thanking Aiko for stitching up your dark jeans that got torn and is now back on you along with your other attire you brought. Your dress shirt from the CP9 uniform and you even noticed you had your tie in your back pocket of your black jeans. You put it back, not wishing to wear the darn suffocating thing but not wanting to throw it away.

You told Azu to make sure she watches the old man and not to get too distracted by Mokoko, who she took a liking too and vice versa. The kawekaweau's lips wide as she played with the young girl and making you smile.

The kawekaweau wouldn't be alone. Not anymore.

Mayor of course gave you quite a bit of supplies, wishing for you to tell others about the Pride of Karé with their spices.

Now it was just Zuko. And Mokoko.

One could not say what she wanted and the other just not spitting it out.

"Uhhhhh, you okay?" Zuko's shoulders seemed to bunch only to relax when he called from being ripped out his thoughts. Mokoko tilting her head at Zuko, protruding eye staring at him and the other at you. Yeah. Not creepy. "I really have to go, I'm in a bit of a rush—"

"I don't know how to repay you," Zuko cut off, the words seeming to tumble out his mouth without meaning to for his eyes widened slightly as you blinked. He straightened his expression, tone back to neutral yet lost. "I...have to repay you. For everything."

His red eyes connected to yours. You didn't let him clarify what everything meant, just shrugged your shoulders casually at him.

"You don't have to."

Zuko frowned at your words, not accepting your answer wholeheartedly but saw your expression of him not to ask again. He didn't.

"Than I have a question."

"Shoot."

"If you aren't a marine, what are you?"

Mokoko's eyes focused on you at the question, wishing to know the answer too.

You paused at the question, frowning thoughtfully and scratching by your bandaged left cheek.

What are you supposed to be?

Has what you've done so far make you a pirate?

"I don't really know what I am yet but...I do know this." You smiled, bright and wide and proud and giddy with an arm behind your head and Zuko could only stare at the look while Mokoko did the same. "I'm free!"

Free? Both Mokoko and Zuko thought, one bewildered and the other thinking of hardship and struggles to finally be that.

Zuko could hear Raiona's guffaw and Kokiri's soft laughter, only slowing down when you get on the boat and your struggles of getting out the riptide with the islanders trying to tell you navigation advise.

Mokoko watched as you left, by her family's descendants all around her and under the sun. Surrounded by life and love and laughter as you struggled before you managed to do it, throwing a thumbs up towards them. Mokoko could see Zuko's lips were up a scant.

Big small woman can be large, Mokoko thinks again, Free in all.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Within a quiet(?) bar of Foosha Village—Dawn Island

"Maa...so this is your answer, (Y/N)?" Lips form into a calm smile, eyes the color of the season where things fall and begin anew scan the newspaper, a humble straw hat of destiny and fate and everything in between atop the head of red hair. A chin rested on a hand, laying the newspaper atop the bar counter with the other. "To be free seems to look good on you..."

Akagami Shanks eyes turned more into assessing, thinking back into that island they helped make a home for those villagers. How you bowed your head and easily offered to throw your life away. From regret.

I hope you're going to keep your promise. Shanks thinks, bringing his mug of grog to his lips but eyes still on the paper. Don't do anything like that again. Your journey has just started.

"SHANKS!" A weight hit his back, making his face slam against his mug as his eyes widened out of his head. Beer soaked through his shirt and pants from the force, scrawny arms around his neck as Shanks winced, rubbing his bruised nose with a pout only to almost whine when he saw his beer was gone by turning it over and only seeing a drop come out. He could hear Yasopp and Lucky laughing at him behind him at the tables. "Story! You haven't said a story yet! You've been reading that forever! Story, story, story!"

Shanks reached behind his back, grabbing the cuff of the eager child's shirt to in front of him, spotting wide eyes and a large grin in excitement as raven hair stuck up in some places.

"If it isn't the little anchor! Don't you know we pirates have something called debts, Luffy?"

Luffy tilted his head.

"Huh? What's that?"

Shanks put Luffy on the stool next to him before grabbing him by the neck in a headlock, roughly rubbing his head as Luffy laughed and struggled to get out as Shanks grinned.

"This is for spilling my beer! This is repayment!"

"Shishishishi! Stop!"

Shanks playfully stuck out his tongue.

"No~!" He than turned towards the humored Makino behind the bar, cleaning some mugs before she grabbed one and filled it. Placing it before Shanks with a grateful smile at his patience for Luffy. Shanks grabbed it while still keeping a casual headlock on the struggling Luffy, taking a sip. "Thanks, Makino! It seems your debt has gotten fully repaid for you, anchor." Shanks let go of Luffy, Luffy almost falling over from the chair due to how much he was trying to get out only to be suddenly let go. Shanks glanced down at Luffy, autumn eyes teasing. "You want to be a pirate and you're letting other repay your debts for you? Looks like you're forever going to be a little anchor~."

Luffy angrily poured, fists clenching in his sides.

"No, I'm not!"

Shanks raised a finger for Makino, saying he needs milk. Luffy being confused about it until Shanks placed it in front of him.

"Here you go. It's so you can drink with us."

"Oh," Luffy said, grabbing it with both hands and taking a hearty sip. "Thank you!"

Luffy turned only to see Shanks pounding on the table with tears going down his face before pointing at the bewildered Luffy.

"Only growing boys need milk! You're going to need gallons to be as tall as me!"

Luffy cheeks flushed, embarrassed as the crew joined in laughter as Makino giggled behind her hand. Luffy standing up on the stool.

"No! Milk helps with bones! My bones are gonna be so much stronger than yours, Shanks!"

Shanks laughs slowly turned into stray chuckles, humored eyes looking at the young fiery boy in front of him with clenched fists and glinting eyes.

"Oh? Guess we'll have to see, little anchor. But for now," Shanks turned his back towards the bar counter, leaning his elbows against it to face his crew who stared at him in attentiveness. "Let's all do a toast!"

Makino filled nearly empty mugs, moving amongst the bar as the pirates said their thanks to her with smiles and nods which she returned. Her going back to behind the bar and leaning an elbow on it, a hand to her chin. Luffy followed what Shanks did, his brows furrowing as he held his glass of milk and looked up at the man next to him.

"What's the toast for?"

Shanks laughed.

"Why," Shanks rose his mug, his crew following it with grins and smirks and chuckles all around, his elbow on the table holding the newspaper in place that Benn brought to him. "To freedom of course!"

Luffy's eyes shined, before he followed suit. His glass of milk clinking against Shanks.

"Kanpai!"

Atop the counter, the headline of the slightly wet newspaper due to beer as cheers continued around it, it read:

Defective Famed Marine On the Loose—Corrupt Marines within Gaising from Words of Islanders!

Below the headline, some quotes and comments were taken.

"She saved us...my child and me." A local woman stated through teary eyes. "When that other threatened...aimed that at a crying child...If that's not a true marine, I don't know what is!"

"Defected?" A man that the other islanders called the resident scammer but was forward in wishing to speak. "I don't know much but...I think I know criminals when I see one. Besides cutting up our historically tallest tree...you can say she did nothing wrong. Criminally charged anyways. Not that I would know what criminals do." The man refused to comment when another islander called out that he's a liar.

The closest contact could not be reached in time for further comment before boarding a ship to leave outside of, "She's a weirdo. I'm going to follow her."

Footnote: No photo was taken at the time.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Karé Island—only a few minutes after your departure

Mayor went back to making a plan of what to do with the ship of the Salt Fisk pirates, going towards the area with his son and who he learned was Mokoko by him where they docked. His son seeming to be in thought, his red brows furrowed showing he was troubled.

He should've just asked the woman, Mayor shook his head, smiling to himself as he walked with his cane before turning towards Zuko.

"Nothing is holding you here, tama." Zuko's brows rose a tad, red eyes whipping towards his father who kept moving right along with a relaxed gait. Mokoko being distracted by stray grasshoppers and catching them with her tongue, making chirps as she did so. "We're alright. You and (Y/N) made sure of that, with the help of our ancestors as well. We need someone out there—to show the world what we are worth. What it means to be from Karé."

Zuko observed his father for a moment before looking away. Mayor glancing up, eyes understanding.

"Who knows?" He continued, with a knowing smile. "Maybe another chance will come again. Maybe you'll meet once more."

Ah, Zuko stared towards the ocean, away from the Salt Fisk pirate ship and only towards the horizon as they drew closer. Maybe.

A large towering shadow appeared behind.

"Excuse me," a baritone, cool and calm voice stated behind and over them. "Where are the pirates of that ship? They are..." the man's voice grew lower at his next words, dangerous intent clear,"...my responsibility."

Zuko felt himself freeze, the aura behind him overpowering. His father did the same but turned around easily enough, his face seeming to pale from the corner of Zuko's wide red eyes before gathering himself, elderly voice wavering as his head was turned upwards.

"I...I-I see, well, you don't have to worry about that anymore." Mayor cleared his throat while Mokoko looked tense nearby, her body seeming to want to become the ground in clear submission. "There was actually—"

"'A woman came and handled them'," the man interrupted, almost in a droll and Zuko can see from the large towering shadow in front of him that he slightly tilted his head. Mayor freezing, clear shock as he continued. "'We would've perished without her but we were mistaken that she was a marine due to her hat.' That's what you would've said."

His father seemed to stutter without speaking, mouth opening and closing.

"W-What spiritual energy!" Raiona said in his head, unease coming from him as well as Kokiri.

"This man is quite dangerous. Zuko, turn around," Kokiri requested, "Who is capable of such Future Sight?"

Zuko slowly did, inch by inch turning his body and eyes meeting large pointed boots and leather before roving up, and up, and up and up. Zuko's red eyes only rounding more and more as his head seemed to crane all the way back to meet the man's stony expression, eyes running over the area as if to still search for those pirates.

What a giant of a man! Zuko's jaw than loosened, recognition flashing in red eyes from the few times he read the newspaper. T-That's...!

"They should never have messed with civilians," the man continued, sounding sincere despite being mixed with a serious tone and making Mayor blink and assess the man who brought his fuchsia eyes back down. "Who was the one that cleaned up the mess?"

Before Zuko could even stop him, his father opened his mouth only to be cut off again as the man hummed distractingly.

"'(Y/N).'" He toned, "Is what you would've said. And where is she?"

...Big Mom's Top Commander—Katakuri!

Despite Mayor and Zuko not able to give him the answer he wanted, the man left just as sudden as he came, intimidating trident in hand. Internally wondering who you might be but deciding it's best to go and report this to Mama that the traitors were handled.

If one could hear, if one could listen—you might hear Irony and Fate laughing in the distance.

.

.

.

**Tekkai: Iron Body. Defense technique taught by the marines where your body turns hard like iron.

**Soryu: Shave. Where you can move in an instant flash in a burst of high speed. Taught and learned normally by marines.

**Geppo: Moon Walk. A move where it appears you're jumping in midair, when it's just the strength of your legs moving quickly and touching the ground that keeps you upright. You often used this when you're on your small boat so you can go faster on sea. Taught and learned normally by marines.

**Kamisori: literally meaning "Razor": A combination of Geppo and Soryu, where one uses Soryu in a zigzag motion in midair, allowing extremely fast movements in three dimensions. Other CP9 agents have also shown to use this technique or a similar one allowing them to move through the air at great speed. Can be used for Kamisori to cut through enemies while utilizing its high-speed movements.

**Karé: Māori meanings—dear, friend. Additionally: A Filipino stew of beef or oxtail in peanut sauce. Famous for their spices and a relatively small island.

**Zuko: Chinese meaning—loved one, awaken rank, vertical high.

**Azu: Japanese meaning—bright, long life.

**Aiko: Japanese meaning—little love.

**Wharenui: A wharenui literally "big house") is a communal house of the Māori people of New Zealand, generally situated as the focal point of a marae. Wharenui are usually called meeting houses in New Zealand English, or simply called whare (a more generic term simply referring to a house or building).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharenui

**Moa: Moa were nine species of now-extinct flightless birds endemic to New Zealand.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moa

**Kawekaweau: Hoplodactylus delcourti, also commonly known as kawekaweau,[3] Delcourt's sticky-toed gecko[4] or Delcourt's giant gecko, is an extinct species of lizard, the largest known of all geckos, with a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 370 mm (14.6 in) and an overall length (including tail) of at least 600 mm (23.6 in).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoplodactylus_delcourti

Example of Huts/Houses in Karé:

**Raiona: Māori meaning—Lion

**Kokiri: Māori meaning—Boar

**Mokoko: Māori meaning—Gecko

**Arihi: Māori meaning—A woman of noble kind.

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HAPPY 1 MILLION VIEWS FOR STRONG GUYS!! 💗💗💗

I truly love all of you and apologize for the wait, but I have hinted that chapters were going to be long during this arc(although I kind of went out of hand here, just woah). Still, know that I truly apologize and that I love Strong.

Wattpad nearly gave me a heart attack when Strong got deleted off it somehow. I wondered what I would do. All my detailed plans gone and only stuck with outlines.

I would've been disheartened, but I just love Strong too much. This story has made me grow as a writer. Maybe even a person. I wouldn't want to give it up. It's too precious to me.

I hope that perhaps others may feel the same way.

Just thank you everyone! New, old, and those who are still coming!

Strong will always keep coming!

Thank you for 1M Views!

(Hope you guys enjoyed the re-edited chapter previously "The Meaning of Being a Friend" to "One Last Time"! I'm going to keep editing as I go along. I really like Water 7 and added more scenes with other characters there too. Enjoy:

https://www.wattpad.com/256558779?utm_source=ios&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_writing&wp_page=create_writer&wp_uname=Animefreak1145&wp_originator=iyljUbWYS1D8ul2ONN4zyEMDRoEaa%2FSM81u4MMrLtgc1srZrm%2FA0i9JVBQeSGa1V0PGopC%2BerNRHajpO6XQYTV3NvAHiBWSJMGkdHDIIZK5SSPguZkVs%2B65ubkkK0HFn )

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This chapter really got out of hand. But I couldn't stop 😭

The island of Karé is heavily inspired by the Māori people of New Zealand with just some iterations I added and mixing my own ideas into it. Feel free to research them yourselves, truly a beautiful people and culture that should be known.

Challenged myself with writing in a essentially a gecko's POV and kind of making me cry in the progress too in this chapter so that's good 🥲 A lot of stuff that happened here should've been cut shorter but I can't imagine anything else anymore. I fell in love with the OC's I created and couldn't help it. Along with the theories of what happened in the Void Century and Joy Boy(who Raiona was speaking with in Mokoko's POV).

SB still acting a bit different compared to present. And really taking the scar thing seriously. 🤔 Also struggling a bit...focusing on stuff about the past.

Shanks is Shanks and kid!Luffy is kid!Luffy! If anyone noticed, SB is more like Shanks than she thinks, especially in how they act with Luffy. If you don't understand, perhaps go back to the Water 7 arc when the Straw Hats arrive just as SB leaves and you'll see the kind of callback planned.

As for everything else, gotta read between the lines.

Oh yeah. Katakuri is here too.

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VOTES~

Main Pairings
Shanks: 190
Mihawk: 171
Crocodile:70
Doflamingo: 68
Smoker: 80
Lucci: 64

Side Pairings
Kaku: 17
Paulie: 8
Buggy: 14

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FANART CORNER!

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