Newbie's Skill

Twenty-Two

"God, you look awful," Ryker said when he opened the door.

"Thanks," I sniffled. He let me inside and all of my stuff was here. I picked up my triple log pose, taking off the one on my wrist and combining them. I slipped that one on. One of the log poses was an eternal log pose for Ryker's island.

"That mark..." I looked up at the boy behind me. "Isn't that..."

"It'll be removed in a while," I said, returning to what I was doing. "I'm leaving the crew. I'm not welcome there."

"Talk to me, Bud," he pleaded. "I'm listening."

"I'm just an abomination," I mumbled. "After I find Teach, I'm going to turn myself in to the Marines."

"You have to reconsider this," he argued. I turned to him. "I have never in my life seen you so happy and free. Go back to your ship. They'll need you. Let Commander Ace handle the asswipe."

"Weren't you listening? I can't go back. They don't want me there."

"I disagree. I don't think that's possible. You had a home. Maybe a few guys ruined it, but you can't let that keep you from being happy."

"Ryker..."

"I'm telling you, Ashlo. They're the ones that are going to set you on the right path. You need them." Champ barked up at our arguing.

"Not now, Champ," I snapped. I didn't mean to raise my voice to him, but I was so on edge, it wasn't even funny. He continued yapping while Ryker and I continued to argue over my crew. It was getting chaotic that we didn't even hear the door being busted open. All we could focus on was snapping at each other.

"You need to go back!"

"Why do you even care if I leave the crew, huh? Do you pity me or something?" I shouted.

"No, I don't! You were finally happy, and a few guys spoiled it for you. Big deal! You should be happy where you are! At least you have a family!"

"Well if you would have just come with me, you'd be with me!"

"Then where would you be able to hide out, huh? Where could you possibly go?" he shot back.

"Anywhere! We could have sailed the Grand Line together!"

"You have no idea what I want!"

"Because you don't trust me!"

"This has nothing to do with trust, Ashlo!"

"Ashlo." My entire being froze and turned ice cold. I noticed Champ had run off to hide somewhere. That voice was Marco's. How on Earth did he find me? I gazed toward the door to see him and Ace. They had been listening to the bickering the entire time.

"Ash..." Ace murmured. "It's not true, right?"

"It's not true," Ryker piped up, and I glared at him. He returned the look. He shoved me towards the two I considered my big brothers. Marco caught me in his arms before looking up at the other kid. "I've never seen him more wild and free. I've never seen him so happy. He belongs with you." Ace smiled down at me, petting my hair gently, and I huffed stubbornly.