Heeey everyone! Happy New Year! Thanks for getting me to 20k+ reads!! :)

Sorry for the late updates, school is keeping me busy.

Smoker froze for a moment, his gaze lingering upon the woman. Through the darkness, the dimmed light highlighted her features. To put it simply, she was as delicate as glass. Docile as a dove and harmless as a deer, nothing about her was threatening. Even if she could, he didn't believe she could win an arm wrestling match even if she tried.

Compared to the other woman, she was a flower while the other a tiger ready to bring out its claws. Through the silence he quickly regained his composure, his face remained stoned as he huffed from the large cigar in his lips.

All was silent as they gazed upon the woman. Silver curls lightly dimmed from the gleam behind her. As she gave them a closed eyes smile, Smoker took a glance at his subordinates. His frown deepened as they looked upon her in awe with flushed faces.

Tashigi kept her gasped at bay at the silver haired woman's appearance. She wasn't anyone she has encountered before. She was unique, beautiful, yes, but that word didn't do her justice. She felt her cheeks redden even more as the silver-haired woman glanced her way. Though she gave her a curious tilt of her head, Tashigi couldn't stop the pink hue on her cheeks from becoming brighter.

"Focus." His tone stern, making them stand erect.

Delicate this woman may seem, but something was off. On this island roamed pirates, plenty of them in fact. Two vulnerable women, well more so on for the silver-haired one, was a dangerous game. This area was a bit secluded, not many people would come around here. If someone were to as much scream, not a soul would hear their cries. Unless if the goal was to lay low or...They had something to hide. The hostility of the first one told him that he should dig deeper into it.

Though the blade remained near his neck, his gaze fixed on her as the silver-haired woman continued to smile, "Where are you hiding him?"

Hanabi's grip on her blade tightened as she brought it closer to the captain's neck. She glared dangerously, "I warned you-"

"It's alright Hanabi," She told her. Her voice as soothing like the songs of a breeze,"He's no enemy."

His ears heard the sharp inhale of the woman's breath and the cold metal of the blade retreated from his neck as she stood to the side. His features remained like a stone revealing nothing as she approached him and standing right in front of him.

Though at a respectable distance, there was a huge height difference. If he had to put his finger on it, around the same height as Tashigi, probably an inch of a difference to be precise.

Taking a closer inspection, he noticed her lashes were silver just like the curls of her hair. The way they curl upward as she lifted her gaze to him. Despite her unique appearance, her attire was simple, though she was in a white robe and bear foot. While a crystal necklace gently rested on her chest, a gentle blue hue emitted from it.

"It has only been my friends, my daughter and myself here." Her tone was soft, as the gentle waters.

She's a parent, this was something he would have never guessed. However, this still didn't subside his suspensions. All his other observations coming into play, his thoughts were plagued with many scenarios played in his head. There was definitely a possibility that she was threatened into silence, Though her friend may seem strong, her, on the other, she was vulnerable.

Besides, a woman with a child at sea was a recipe for trouble.

"Ah, how rude of me, I haven't introduced myself." The silver-haired woman bowed her head, her curls slightly flowing in motion. As she slowly raised her head, Tashigi and along with the other subordinate's cheeks redden once again. Her smile made the dim lights become brighter, "I'm Rue, it's nice to meet you."

Smoker remained unmoving at her display; Tashigi pouted like a child,her cheeks puffing like chipmunk. Sometimes, she hoped to be just as calm as her captain.

Again, Smoker wasted no more time. His attention shifted to the cabin behind her. An idea went through his mind. "I never told you who he was, did I." He uttered his voice held a tinge of mockery, "You must be hiding that pirate here."

His subordinates took note of this. Their captain had never brought up who the Whitebeard Pirates was ,neither did Smoker bring up who they might be or look like.

Smoker observed her closely, her face didn't change an inch Rue's smile remained, her voice soft as she replied. "You're right, but like I said it's only my friends and I-"

"Bring them out here." He announced, his words froze his subordinates,"You said you had a daughter and other friends on this ship. Bring them here."

Tashigi held back her tongue and gulped as she watched the dark haired woman's sharp glare. She shifted her gaze to her captain, wondering if this was the right call. This was a bit reckless in Tashigi's eyes. She watched as Rue had to put a hand on her friend's shoulders to prevent her from pouncing at her captain.

However, Rue kept her smile, her gaze unwavering. "My daughter and my friends are asleep, I would hate to wake them up."

"If you have nothing to hide, then you can prove it right here." He shot back.

"I'm not obligated to do anything."

"You are if I tell you to."

Everyone watched as their captain got closer to her both closing the distance. Neither of them backing down as they stared at each other down a small lighting flashing between them.

Anything this woman could be a lie and to ensure that wasn't the case, he had to check. "I'm a Marine Captain, you're a civilian." The cigar in his mouth emitted more clouds of smoke, displaying his slight annoyance as he stared down at her. His gaze keen for subtle move to in her expression. "I can arrest you for obstruction."

Through the silence, he waited like a wolf cornering a helpless rabbit from escaping its grasp. Smoker witnessed the slight flicker in her gaze as her polite smile drop momentarily. It was as if her facade was slipped, however, her polite smile returned as if it never left. Interesting

Without missing a beat, Rue turned to her friend, "Hanabi, go get them." Without a response, Smoker's eyes trailed on the woman that left to the cabin.

Hanabi had only seconds to act. The door creaked as she slipped in. Yue still focused on her work, the air thick with paint fume. Meanwhile, Ryuji and Ace, both shirtless, sat quietly, glancing her way curiously. Hanabi began searching for something in the closet. Taking a moment, Yue's attention landed on Hanabi.

"What are you doing?"  Yue asked in a hush tone, gazing at her friend. A brush inked in purple paint, dripping to the floors. She wasn't even close to done with it. She was certain the plan was still in motion and her part was crucial. However, her part wasn't even nearly done yet. "Im not finished painting his tattoos-" Instead, she received a blanket to the face as a response.

"It's good enough." Hanabi told her, as she made her way back up the stairs to the entrance. Her tone as quiet as a whistle, yet sharp like a whip "Hurry and grab the kid." She sucked her teeth in annoyance. How dare that government dog order her mistress around, barging into their territory like he owned the place.

As she stayed close to the door, Hanabi fixed her gaze on them once more. An air of caution in the atmosphere,"There's been a little mishap, just follow my lead." Her eyes landed on both men in the room, "You two stay quiet."

Yue glanced as the men in the room, Ryuji nodded in reassurance while their new member smiled without a hint of worry. All they had to do was wait for the rest of the plan to go in motion.

Minutes later, Hanabi and a woman emerged from the cabin. She was a bit shorter than Rue in height, eyes of hazel while her dark hair style into a braid. Through the dimmed lights, he noticed the small child in her arms, who seemed to be sleeping soundly. As both woman made their way towards them, the child began to stir as the cool air brushed her cheeks. She scrunched her features, disturbed as she rapidly wiped her nose. She batted her eyes a few times, before her gaze landed on Rue.

She yawned as she reached for her mother, eyes slightly droopy. "Mommy," she uttered, drowsy like a drunkard. Rue gently patted the child's back.

"Are you happy now?" Smoker shifted his attention to the glaring swordswoman. "Leave."

Tashigi gave her captain a weary look, "C-captain, he isn't here." Her tone trembled slightly as Smoker kept his eyes on the cabin door, "He might hiding somewhere else."

Hopefully, they could leave as soon as possible, she gulped as that swordswoman kept her narrowed gaze, surely annoyed by their presence. She found her quite scary. Tashigi approached Rue, her head bowed in shame, "We're sorry for the trouble."

He watched as Rue simply smiled while handing her child back to braided haired woman. Smoker continued his keen observation. The thick smoke from his cigar couldn't simmer the nauseating suspicion though his mind screamed something was amiss. His eyes followed her action,searching for a flaw in her performance. However, no matter how much his gaze bore through her, he found no error. Prepared to put the thought at rest, a gentle breeze elapsed by, arousing faint aroma slapped Smoker's senses.

Besides the toxins of his cigar, another strong scent almost matched it.

No one had anticipated his next move, without another word, Smoker grabbed the woman by her shoulder. Everyone froze, watching from the sidelines as Yue stiffened as her breath hitched.

"C-Captain..." Tashigi uttered. Her gaze widened at his action.

"U-um sir?" Yue uttered out, keeping her actions to a minimum to not stir the child awake. "W-what wrong?"

He shifted his gaze to Rue momentarily; he took notice of the alarm in her eyes. Regardless, if her worry was for the child or her friend. These people were her weakness.

"Oi," Tashigi flinched as the air grew cold from the hostility in Hanabi's tone. A hand on the hilt of her sword as her gaze sharper than any blade."I had enough of your disrespect-"

His subordinates watched from the sidelines as Yue gasped as he lifted her arms, high enough for the lights to send its gleam. Taking a closer inspection, a purple hue shined on the fabric of her sleeves,. He brought it closer, it was wet paint. The smudge stained his brown gloves."I'll ask you one last time, Miss."

As Smoker glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. Finally, he witnessed the cracks of the mask she wore since the beginning of their conversation. Her brows furrowed in worry, he witnessed her grab her unto her sleeves, playing them as if to calm her nerves. Smoker's lips curled into a smirk. Though his voice was calm it held urgency, "Where are you hiding the pirate?"

Finally, he had cornered the little rabbit. He left no escape, no routes for her slip away. It bared its teeth awaiting for its prey to surrender. However, the predator wasn't the one in control.

Afterall, no matter what, rabbits always had a way of escaping.

Not a moment longer, all eyes remained on Rue, waiting for her next moves. In the silence of the night, under the dimmed lights, they witnessed the unexpected.

Rue began to cry.

They all gawked as Rue clamped a hand on her mouth, as if trying to muffle her sobs. Everyone's eyes widened like saucers, minus Smoker, at the woman's sudden display of sadness. The sound of her muffled cries sent waves of confusion, besides Smoker who lifted a brow. However, as he observed the faces of her friends, he noted that they seemed alarmed at Rue's actions as well.

Hanabi rushed to her side, her words fumbling on her lips, failing to utter a single sentence. While Tashigi blinked, completely caught of guard. All she could muster , "M-miss, are you hurt?" Rue was fine before, but seconds later, she was in tears. Tashigi just couldn't keep up with her. Her voice slightly trembled, a panic rising within it. "W-why are you crying?"

Unfortunately for everyone, surprises didn't stop here.

The cabin door swung open, the door slammed harshly to the side as a huge gust of flames blocked their view. With quick thinking, many shielded their views, Hanabi covering her mistress while Yue and Aisha were rapidly protected by the marine captain.

Its heat blinded their vision, chocking the air. His subordinates coughed from the toxins. Through the vague clouds a figure rushed by, Smoker got a glisped of the intruders retreating figure.

He witnessed the purple tatoo of the Whitebeard Pirate.

"Captain!" One of his man exclaimed, their eyes fixed on his superior. Many of them readied their weapons in preparation to strike down their adversary. With a simple nod from their superior, they were off chasing after their target. As Tashigi was about to follow suit, she noticed her captain's attention wasn't on their intented target. Watching as he approached, Tashigi spread her arms out a protective stance against the silver-haired woman.

"Wait!" Tashigi exclaimed, although she flinched from under his gaze, she stood in between them. "She might have been forced into this! Captain-"

Her words fell on deaf ears as Smoker gently moved her to the side, his gaze never leaving Rue's figure. Though Hanabi glared daggers his way, she slipped to the side and stood near Yue, keeping a keen eye on him.

Smoker watched as she bowed her head, unable to meet his gaze. Under the dim lights, his presence seemed more intimidating; she flinched as he took a knee, meeting her teary eyes. He wondered, was he a bit too harsh? He didn't yell nor was he cruel to her in anyway. It was his job to ensure people's safety, but if she wasn't so reluctant things could have ended differently. He chewed on his cigar, attempting to simmer the feeling of slight guilt in his gut; Rue's face wet from tears.

He had been suspicious of her at first, and he was somewhat right. She helped hide the pirate in her cabin, but he thought he might not have known why. Yet still, somehow, his gut kept warning him something was amiss despite the end results. However, witnessing Rue's demeanor, was he wrong?

About to lay a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, he hesitated, a ghost of a brush from his fingertips on her soft robe as he felt her tremble. Unfortunately for him, another unexpected event occured.

For the first time, Smoker choked on his cigar, eyes almost popping out of its sockets,while the other women's jaws dropped at the scene.

Rue began stripping herself from her robe.

"Mistress!" Hanabi screeched like a banshee, rushing to her without a second thought, startling Aisha in Yue's arms. She slipped Rue's robe back on her shoulder blades, as if it had never moved. She couldn't believe her eyes, never had she....First, they almost got caught, but thankfully, her crying stunt worked as a distraction, but now...What in the world was happening!? What was she thinking?!

Tashigi stood astonished, jaw dropped with a deep red hue covering her entire face. Confusion consumed her at unexpected events. Despite the shock, Yue carefully  attempted to soothe the child back to sleep, thankfully, this didn't take much time as Aisha shut her eyes, returning to her slumber.

Rue lifted her gaze, Smoker noticed the slight hesitance within them as she gripped the mesh of her soft robe. Her voice was soft, yet held an edge of nervousness as she spoke. Her eyes drifted in the distance, almost absentmindedly, as if trying to simmer down a memory. "Is this not what you wanted?"

Everyone's blood ran cold like the depts of the frozen river. The warmth of their skin drained turning ashen like stormy clouds. Her words struck them like a sharp blade. The silence in the atmosphere like the eary scratches of nails glidding a chalkboard.

Hanabi gripped her shoulders, intaking a sharp breath as if she had forgotten how to breathe. Her eyes lost the lushness of a chocolate brown replaced with keen coal of darkness. She hoped she had heard wrong, but no matter how many times she replayed her mistress' words, it filled her with dread. "Who."She demanded, her tone filled with urgency, "Who would dare."

Though a shadow covered his face, Smoker's eyes never left Rue's form. The cigar in his mouth became nauseating as he clenched his jaw; the toxins lingering in the air, leaving a nasty taste in his mouth. His fist tightened turning white at the thought of it. A marine, someone who wore the same uniform, someone within their ranks, within the same field, someone who swore an oath to serve and protect. Its impossible, no, unthinkable! Marines are honorable in their services, none would dare commit such a heinous act. 

Though angered, a thought came to mind, when he reached out, had she thought he would...He would have....

He couldn't finish the thought as bile of disgust rose within him.

Rue looked away , tears began resurfacing as she gripped her crystal. "I'm sorry." She attempted to blink her tears away, however, it became difficult as they slipped, dripping down her face. "I just wanted to protect my baby....I didn't mean to....I'm sorry" She muffled her cries once again with the sleeves of her as she kept apologizing.

As Yue kept her gasp and tears at bay, Tashigi's pupils shook as she felt a lump in her throat. How could they! How could someone do this to such a vulnerable woman, a mother at that. She bowed her head in shame, her fist clenched at her side, she felt tears ready to spill.

Then everything came down crashing on her, was she trying to protect her loved ones this whole time? Not from the pirate, but from them? It was as if someone splashed her with cold water.

For a marine to use his position to bully the weak, to force themselves to...Tashigi shook her head, wanting to forgot the thought. She had fought and captured pirates for the sake of protecting those in need. To think someone, wearing the same uniform as she did, to utilize the system of justice to commit injustice acts...This was a stain that would remain with her forever. "I'm so sorry," was all she managed to muster, in a whisper that went in the wind.

"Tashigi," She jumped at the utterance of her name. Her captain walked to the exit of the boat; she quickly followed suit. Huffed a breath she didn't know she was holding, everything was finally over. However, that wasn't the case, she witnessed Smoker's hardened expression. The clouds of smoke spreading from his cigar. His back faced them, yet his words resonated in the wind, leaving a deep impression on her, "I'll bring them to justice myself, that I can promise you."

As he left, Tashigi bowed once again, she lifted herself, her gaze set on them. Though sadness washed over her, a spark of determination ignited in her. Taking strength from her captain's words, her tone was filled conviction. "I swore that an oath when I became a Marine, to protect everyone."

She witnessed Rue looking up at her through her teary gaze. Tashigi's lips curve up, with reassurance, "Whether it's from pirates or marines, I will protect those in need." Though she watched as she continued to cry, Tashigi hoped it gave her some form of comfort.

Unbeknownst to Tashigi, behind Rue's tear stained face, her eyes displayed contempt at her declaration.

Everyone watched as their figure disappeared in the night, silence surrounded them under the dimmed lights. To be safe, Rue waited a few minutes, to ensure that they were gone.

Once she judged they were out of harms way, Rue got up from her position and wiped her tears away, replacing her distressed features for a blank expression. Hanabi and Yue stood astonished, watching their mistress act as if what just happened was nothing.

"M-miss, what..." Hanabi asked as her features displayed confusion. Was she not sad a moment ago?

"Mistress, are you ok?" Yue could tell that whatever happened, Rue couldn't have been ok. She had revealed something unknown to both of them. Rue had travelled alone for years without them, who knows what could have happened.

Rue took Aisha from her friend's arm. Immediately, the child settled in her arms. She caressed Aisha's dark locks between her fingers while rubbing her back in a circular motion.

Then her gaze landed on the opened door, her voice loud enough to reach their other guest. "You can come out."

And there he was. Under the dim lights, he was stripped bare from his usual attire. Instead of his usual bright orange hat, his head bore no sign of Fire Fist Ace's presence, besides his necklaces hidden under the dark long jacket he wore.

Seeing her tear stained face, a sudden worry consumed him, wondering if he made the right choice doing nothing in the end. He rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish grin on his lips, "Sorry for the trouble and thanks."

"You should be," Hanabi grumbled while crossing her arms.

"None at all," Rue replied with a smile as she continued to soothe her child. It was a good thing the plan played out well. Ryuji played as Ace,  while Yue would ensure authenticity with the tatoo and she and Hanabi would serve as a distraction. Although Rue had to milk the cow a bit, things turned out better then expected. After all, all this work wasn't all in vain.

Fire Fist will certainly be useful for what she has in store.

"Are you alright?,"Rue looked at him, curiosity within them. She noticed the slight worry within his gaze, "I....Well...You...." Ace became unsure how to finish his sentence. How can he bring it up? Though he took a few peeks here and there, he saw and heard the whole thing, what she....so happened to reveal left a deep impression. Why was she going so far to help him? She could have abandonned him and left him for dead if she wanted to; she wasn't obligated to help at all.

Another question plagued his mind. There plan was accomplished, why did she continue to cover for him if her Ryuji had already left? What was she trying to gain?

Ace kept his gaze on her for a moment, his tone soft as he asked, "Rue...What you said back there...Was any of it true?"

Of course, this angered her knight, Hanabi's narrowed her eyes dangereously. "She's been through enough. Don't push it."

He watched her, carefully without a single blink. Though she smiled, Ace felt a slight coldness within it. It seemed kind, yet it was as if she used it as a mask. Her voice soft like the ripples of a tide, however, held a deep resolution. "Does it matter?"

And just like that, the night ended.