One Piece Fan Fiction ❯ Broken, Only to Heal Again ❯ Foiled Again ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter 12

 

 

Vice-Admiral Fanton stood on the deck of the Sanguine. The island was in sight. A vessel could be seen on the edge of the horizon, but the size was too small for him to take much concern over. What he wanted was a very elusive green haired swordsman locked away in the holding cell of the Marine Base. For seven years he had been after the man. That was a long time to wait for revenge.

 

He almost had him six years ago. Someone must have tipped him off and he escaped. This time there would be no escape. They locked him up before he could run. Maybe this Kuro wasn't such a worthless piece of shit like he originally thought. If Kuro turned out to be someone worthwhile, maybe he could even use him in his fleet. Very unlikely, but one never knows. First thing, first. He wanted his prisoner.

 

Saya cleaned herself to the best of her ability. Fortunately her monthly cycle was due soon, so she had plenty of feminine supplies to aid in the bleeding. From a hidden compartment in the floor, she produced a bottle of pills to aid with the pain. Her hour was almost up. She brushed her long hair and put it into a single braid, reaching past her hips. She wanted to look her best for seeing her father and child after two years. She paused in her dressing. Had it really been that long? Shaking her head, she picked out a sapphire blue dress and sandals.

 

The dress was simple in style; thin straps over the shoulders, an empire waistline, and nearly touching the floor. It was her perfect body that made the dress stand out. Motherhood had given her wider hips and a fuller chest. A long silk scarf had been wrapped around her neck to hide the teeth marks. Wide bracelets hid the raw marks on her wrists. She edged her eyes with dark liner and shadow. The effect drew away from the swelling in her cheek. Her lips were a deep red to help hide the split in the bottom one. The contrast of colors to her pale skin made her look painted. Her husband would be pleased. She was only for show anyway.

 

Gasps could be heard from the men on deck as Saya emerged. She looked like a porcelain doll; beautiful and untouchable. Fanton gave her an approving nod before turning around and looking back at the island. Something was bothering him. The docks were empty of people. There should have been a squadron there to meet him. Where were Captain Kuro and his men? Saya joined him to stand at his side.

 

“I thought that the commander of this base was supposed to be meeting you. Are we that early?” She questioned him.

 

“No. Something is very wrong. Even that pathetic father of yours is not present. I assumed at least he would be here.” Fanton frowned. He did not like this at all. When things didn't go to his liking, he got angry. When he got angry, people tended to die. Today, he was very angry.

 

The Sanguine Blade pulled into port without the help of those on land. The men aboard the ship secured her in place and assisted their commanding officer and his wife to disembark. Each man made sure to perform each act perfectly. They could feel the fury radiating off the Vice-Admiral, and the concern in the petite woman's face.

 

“Where is everyone?” She whispered. She could only pray that her father and son were safe, whatever had happened. She noticed a single young cadet running down the street. He was out of breath and terrified. “Fanton, look.”

 

He growled at the sight of the young man. Taking heavy strides, he met the cadet in the middle of the street yanking the small form off the ground to eye level. “What the Hell is going on here? Where is your Captain?”

 

The frightened cadet almost pissed himself in fear. “H-h-he's d-d-dead, Vice-Admiral.”

 

“WHAT! By whom?” Someone had dared to attack a Marine. That was unforgivable. However, there was still one other important piece of business to attend to. “What happened to the prisoner? He is the main reason I'm here.”

 

This time the man did soil his pants. How was he supposed to tell the Vice-Admiral the prisoner was the one who killed the Captain? Death seemed unavoidable at that point. “H-h-he es-ss-caped. He's the one who killed Captain Kuro, sir. He slaughtered most of the men. His ship just now disappeared on the horizon. Our radio was damaged in the fight. We were unable to call for help.”

 

Fanton hoisted the cadet higher, rotated him and slammed him head first into the street. The unfortunate man's head cracked open on impact, splattering blood everywhere.

 

“He will pay!” Fanton's roar echoed off the surrounding buildings. With determined steps, he approached the base. It had to be another prisoner. It couldn't be the one he was after. Fate wouldn't be so cruel as to let him escape again.

 

Saya hurried as best her battered body would allow. She had no idea where to find her father right now. If he was working, there was a chance he had been caught in the fight. “Please, be safe, Tousan,” she prayed.

 

Most of the severely injured had been moved to the infirmary. The dead were being placed in a corner of the courtyard to be returned to their families or buried. Surprisingly, the eight bodies present consisted of the elite, personal guards along with Kuro. The swordsman had been very meticulous with his cutting.

 

Fanton stormed into the yard demanding to know what happened. Those who were able to speak answered his questions as best they could. Many were sent flying. Saya quickly made her way to the infirmary. She had no desire to see any more men killed. Her concern was for her father and child.

 

Casualties lined the halls of the medical wing. Most of them had been treated and were now resting. Nurses tended those remaining as quickly as possible. There was no way that just one prisoner could have done this much damage. Saya estimated there had to be at least a hundred injured. The escapee had to be a very powerful demon to have done all this. Saya's heart ached as she took in the look on the men's faces. No one could meet her gaze. It was beginning to unnerve her. A hand was placed on her forearm and she turned to face its owner.

 

“Are you Saya?” The nurse asked. At the affirmative nod, the nurse's eyes began to tear. “Please come with me. Yumi-san is waiting for you. She is our Head Nurse.” She turned and motioned Saya to follow.

 

The pain in Saya's chest increased. Something bad had happened. Call it woman's intuition, or maybe just a gut feeling but in that moment, Saya knew her father was gone. She prayed that her son was far away from all this and safe.

 

They entered the triage room and the nurse asked her to take a seat and wait. Saya could hear muffled voices on the other side of the closed door, but was unable to make out any of the conversation. She tugged nervously at the ends of her silk scarf. A moment later the nurse returned with an older woman in a dark magenta uniform, and a sorrowful look on her face.

 

“My name is Yumi. I'm a friend of your father's. I must say you're as beautiful as your pictures. He spoke of you often. He was a great man.” Yumi walked up and placed her arms around Saya. “I'm so sorry. There was nothing we could do. The Captain attacked when he turned his back. Please, know that he was avenged, though. The swordsman made sure of that.”

 

“W-What?” Saya pushed away from her and stared with wide teary eyes. “What swordsman? What are you talking about? I thought some prisoner went wild here after he escaped.”

 

“Well, yes and no. I mean, yes the prisoner did do all this damage, but he was a friend of your father's. Takuya was the one who helped him escape. It was Captain Kuro who killed him. He was lucky he died such a swift death. The look on Roronoa's face was demonic. I'm willing to bet the whole island could feel his anger.”

 

“Roronoa? Do you mean Roronoa Zoro was here? Where is he now? Please tell me what's going on.” Saya fell to her knees, hanging onto the nurse's skirt for support. Her head was spinning with information. Her father was dead, her lover returned, and the Captain of the base was to blame for the entire incident. If Zoro was the prisoner, then that meant that he was the one Fanton was after. What could he possibly want with Zoro? None of this made sense.

 

Yumi led her to the chairs and helped her sit. She took note of the pained look on the pale girl's face as she moved. A physical would be in order after all this was cleared up. “I'll tell you everything I know, even though it's not much.”

 

Yumi informed Saya of the events of the past two years. The placement of Takuya in one of the village official positions was no surprise to her, nor was the frequent suspicious visitors to her father's house for meetings. She was pleased to know that Muteki was growing up well. Her father had enrolled him in a local dojo and he was excelling faster than should be possible. Then Yumi told her of the arrival of the Straw Hat Pirates. She spoke of the fight between Tajimaru and Zoro, and the capture of Zoro and Luffy. Yumi had no real details on the escape, but she recounted the events she had witnessed in the courtyard.

 

“Zoro forgave your father before he left. I don't think I was supposed to hear, but it was so touching.” The older nurse took Saya's hands in her own. “Then that blonde man with them told me Muteki was already on their ship. I don't know the exact details, but apparently he also knew your father. He swore on his life that he would keep your son safe.”

 

“I wonder why he would do that.” Saya was truly confused. She didn't know who the blonde man could be that her father had trusted so much with her son.

 

“I think it has something to do with Muteki's father. I believe he cares for the man very much. I know who Roronoa is. Takuya spoke of him to me one night. He said he was a good man despite his current occupation.” She tried to get Saya to meet her eyes. When the girl proved to be too stubborn, she sighed and continued. “Takuya told me about what happened. He tried to tell Roronoa, but that bastard Kuro interfered. I know you did it against your will, but he is still in the dark about it. What are you going to do? He has Muteki now. Even the boy won't be able to answer all the questions.”

 

Saya shook her head, tears falling down her face. “I don't know. Everything is so confusing. Fanton came here for a prisoner. I wonder if it was Zoro. I just don't know what he would want with him. I know there is a high price on Zoro's head, but why him specifically? Or was he after the other prisoner? Luffy was it? Maybe that is the one he is after? Oh Tousan! I'm so sorry.” She collapsed in sobs against the nurse's shoulder.

 

“Come now. Here take this.” Yumi held two pills in her hand. This poor girl needed to clam down, and a sedative would make it easier to check her over as well. “You're in pain, and we need to get you fixed up.”

 

Saya took the medicine and was led into an exam room. Her body grew lethargic and another nurse came in to help get her on the table. The damage revealed when her dress was lifted broke the hearts of everyone in the room. How could a woman be abused so horribly and still have the will to move?

 

**********TBB, OTHA**********

 

Outside there was mayhem. Men scattered as fast as possible to get away from the enraged officer. Two more were killed in his fury, and a dozen wounded. The man was pure evil. He was informed of the details of the escape to the best of everyone's knowledge. Yet, no one could tell him how they had gotten out of the cell in the first place. It appeared that someone had taken the prisoners a sword. The inspection of the holding area showed the food sent down was eaten out of the broken cell door, so that gave them an idea where to start questioning. The poor kitchen boy was scared out of his mind when the inquisition group came to the galley.

 

“I was on my way to deliver the food when another boy showed up. I've seen him here before doing errands, so I thought someone had sent him to help. He took the stuff down to the prisoners and left the keys in the plant just like he said he would. I went and checked for the keys a little while ago. They were right there.” The boy looked up at the Lieutenant. He hoped that his answer would be to their liking.

 

“What did this `boy' look like? Do you know his name?” The deep voice of the Vice-Admiral floated across the room. The marines parted to allow him to walk up to the boy.

 

“Y-y-yes, s-sir. He was really small, and had these bright blue eyes. I don't know what color hair he had, `cause it was covered by this big gray hat. I think it's green. He delivers mail a lot. And he helps the nurses too. I think his jii-san works for the village.” He was scared. This big black man stood over him with menacing eyes that seemed to get narrower with each word he spoke.

 

“I knew I should have killed that brat when I had the chance,” he mumbled. “So where is he now? This messenger boy. I want to have a word with him. Bring him to me.”

 

Uneasy looks were passed around. No one dared to speak. They knew he would kill another one of them if he knew that the boy was seen on the deck of the Pirate ship just before it left.

 

“We'll look for him at once, sir.” Several of the Marines took off out of the building in search of the boy.

 

“Sir? He might be in the medical wing. I believe his jii-san was killed in the attack.” The kitchen boy spoke up softly.

 

The smirk returned to Fanton's face. “So, the swordsman killed the old man after all? I wouldn't have thought he had it in him. Very well. Lieutenant, lead the way. Let us see if our boy is there.”

 

The Lieutenant decided to let the doctors correct the Vice-Admiral's ideas of how the old man died. Takuya was well known among the officers on the base, and liked by everyone. His grandson could always be seen around town, delivering messages and such. There was a rumor going around about how this boy could be the son of the great Roronoa Zoro. Now it seems that maybe the rumor was right after all. He prayed for the boy's safety.

 

Yumi was finishing up on her last patient when Vice-Admiral Fanton entered the office. She knew immediately that this was the person responsible for the maltreatment of the petite woman in the other room. She bowed politely to him and asked that he follow her to her private office. When they entered, she sat behind her neatly organized desk and gestured for him to sit as well.

 

“I am not here for an idle visit. I have come for the boy. Where is he?” Fanton demanded.

 

“I'm afraid I am unsure of whom you speak.” Yumi held her ground, unfazed by the glare sent her way.

 

“The grandson of the dead village official. I have reason to believe that he may have been the one to help the prisoners escape. He is wanted for questioning.”

 

“Do you not know the name of your own wife's son, my lord?” Yumi was treading on dangerous ground, but she was quite angry herself. In her mind, images flashed of the wounds she treated on the small woman.

 

Fanton emitted a growl. So she knew. If he got any useful information out of her, he might just let her live. “You must have been a friend of my late father-in-law. How nice. Now, where is the boy?”

 

“Gone.”

 

“Gone? What do you mean, gone? Where?” Damn it! This was not supposed to be happening like this. Things were supposed to be going in his favor now. He had paid the price for years of not being able to catch that damn man. When were things going to turn his way?

 

“I believe he was taken by the Straw Hat Pirates. The blonde man spoke of Muteki being on their ship. He said the crew had vowed to protect him.”

 

“I see. So this blonde, is he the Captain? Wait, no. The Captain is that buffoon rubber man. Monkey D. Luffy. Hmm, so who I wonder is this blonde?” He filtered through his mind of all known crewmembers currently listed for the Straw Hats. “Maybe he is that cook I've heard of. I could use a new cook on my ship. If he turns him over, I might let him live. Working for me, of course.” Fanton had stood up and began pacing the room. He stopped to look down at the calm woman. Yes, he would not kill her today. His bloodlust had been satiated for the moment.

 

“Am I to assume my wife is here?” At her affirmative nod, he continued. “Send her back to the ship after she has seen her father. We will be leaving as soon as the tide comes in.”

 

Yumi watched him leave. He needed to be stopped. She took out a piece of paper and went to work on a letter. If luck was with her, it would get to it's destination within the week.

 

Saya woke several hours later. Her body still aching from the brutal treatment, but she could tell it was on the mend. Yumi took her to see her father, and she again broke down in tears. The nurse joined her, and together they wept for a man that had meant so much to both of them. After care instructions were delivered to the Vice-Admiral in regards to his wife's stitches. A note was attached that assured him the nature of her injury would not be revealed. He merely scoffed at the message and tossed it into the bay. Saya arrived back on the ship and was immediately led to her room. The marines gave her sorrowful looks as she passed. Word had been received that her father had been slain in the ruckus. Rumors spread as to who actually did the killing, as Fanton still believed the green-haired swordsman to be the culprit. No one aboard the vessel knew of Saya's missing son, and her husband planned to keep it that way. He would not have his men know of his wife's little tryst before their marriage. Besides, if no one knew about the kid, no one would miss him.