Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 14: House ( Part 3 )

I looked at Garp as he started laughing, "You've grown up quite a bit little squirt!" I puffed my cheek, but blushed softly as Anthoni smiled, "I think my future daughter-in-law grew up nicely." I flushed brighter, "Anthoni-san!" They began laughing, but I looked and glared at Eustass Kyron asked, "And who are these rude people that aren't bowing?" I glared, "They're my friends and have received my permission to bow." I glared deeper, "Is there a problem with that Baron Eustass?"

I looked at him as he bowed, "Of course not princess. However, I have been promoted to Viscount ever since Marsh-" My eyes darkened and I glared blood thirsty, "Don't you dare mention that fith's name in front of me again. Or I'll show you that even as a woman I'll kick your ass..." I closed my eyes, "It seems I interrupted something important, so I'll be returning home... I just wanted to introduce the people that took care of that filth." They stepped up as I said their names, but didn't bow. "This is Lial, our vanguard. This is Sylvar, our ranger. This is Kytrose, our secondary vanguard and a melee attacker. This is Minori, our short to mid range. This is Mikeal, our support as well as..." I held out his hand as they glowed, "My blood brother."

I began walking, but stopped, "Oh, I almost forgot. Lial, Sylvar, and Kytrose are adamantine adventurers, while Mikeal and Minori are Platinum." I smiled, obviously pissed, "I'm their Captain, an adamantine adventurer." I turned and left, "Eustass-san... I suggest you don't forget your place." I closed the door and stormed down the hallway, but kept up my graceful appearance. I saw them shaking and the second we went out the gate they began laughing.

Mikeal fell to the ground, "Did you see their faces?! Oh my goddess that was priceless!" Lial laughed, "I must say that was actually quite entertaining." I puffed my cheek as I began walking faster, "I've always despised Eustass..." I stopped, "... Lial, Ky, Syl..." I looked at them seriously, "Be wary and investigate them if you can." I looked down, "That man and Eustass were often together..." I looked up, but froze as I saw Shanks's carriage.

I went to run for it, but yelped as Minori and Mikeal held me, "L-Let go!" I jerked as I saw him running up, so I stood there, but he brought me into a deep hug and began bombarding me with questions, but he simply nodded. "Yup, you'll definitely run." He casually tossed me over his shoulder and began walking, "I'm not a child anymore! Put me down!" He began laughing, "No way!" He looked at them, "Oh! Come on ahead and follow. Art's already told me all about you guys on our way here. We'll have rooms prepared for you when we get there." He then continued walking as he ignored my protests. He laughed louder as I yelled, "Law and Ace got these bad habits from you!"

I sighed softly as he placed me in the carriage with him as Art sat next to him. I jerked as he sighed, "Iri... I know... That you don't want to talk about it, but... Sengoku and I... We would like to hear it..." I looked down, "... I'll only tell you once and I won't answer any questions... I also won't forgive anyone if they hurt or threaten my squad..." He reached over and stroked my hair, "I promise."

I looked out the window as I saw Mikeal and Minori driving the cart laughing and having a good time. I shut my eyes and looked away, but flinched as he asked, "Do you want to stay with them?" I chuckled, "... Yes... There's a lot of people I want to stay by my side. There's a select few that must stay by my side... Gengi... Law... Mikeal... No matter what... Without them... I can't be me..." I looked up, "Oh! I need to talk to about same sex marriages since Mikeal is gay and has a boyfriend."

He blinked before he burst out laughing, "That's a complete one eighty Iri!" I puff my cheek and look away, "Shuddup! He's my blood brother!" I looked at him as he became serious, "... Do you even know what that means?" I tilted my head, but chuckled as he sighed, "That means he has a right to succession you know?" I snorted then burst out laughing. "Mikeal? King?!" I began laughing so hard my face was red and it was hard to breathe.

I managed to calm down as we arrived, but when I saw Mikeal I began laughing again. He walked up, "What's so funny?" I put my hand on his shoulder, "I can't even imagine you being king!" He glared, "How the hell did that come up? That's too much work. Dealing with you is hard enough." I giggled and got in his face, "You love me though!~" He huffed and gently moved my head away, "Yeah. Yeah."

I waved to the others as they walked up. I grabbed Mikeal's hand, "Lemme show you guys around!" Shanks huffed, "Make sure to be at dinner! All of you!" I waved as I began by walking to the training area. I smiled as I saw Yasopp and Ben. "Yasopp-san! Ben-san!" They looked up and grinned, "Little Iri! You're home!" I walked up, but jerked as Ben asked, "How'd your hair become silver?" I looked at it, "... I forgot that it was silver because everyone acted normal." He looked at them and smirked, "I see you got some big shots with you."

Ben points to Kytrose, "Mr. Tiger, care to spar"? Yasopp smiled at Sylvar, "Let's have some fun, huh?" I giggled and looked at them, "... Ky. Syl. I really do think you'll have fun here, so I'll pick you up later!" I then ran off and left them there as Lial, Minori, Mikeal and I walked towards the garden, but I froze as I saw my swing. I quickly turned away shaking as I walked, "... Let's go to the library... I think Minori and Lial will like it there..."

I continued walking and showing them around as I dropped them off at the library. It was soon just Mikeal, Gengi, and I in front of my room. I stood there scared, but Mikeal sighed and barged in. I looked around to see that everything was cleaned and wellkept. I shakily went into my closet then my bathroom as I began tearing up at the memories of Makino. I fell to the ground crying as I saw the brush she would always put my hair up in and all the little things. Mikeal hugged me as soon Shanks ran in.

He walked over and gently motioned for him to let him hug me. Mikeal hesitantly let go as Shanks held me to him and stroked my back trying to calm me down. He flinched and used his mana to close the door as I sobbed, "I'm so sorry Uncle Shanks. I didn't think... I didn't know..." I cried harder, "She was my mom! She was my mom and you're my dad. It's ok if you only think of me as a niece, b-but! But she claimed to love me like her own daughter! She said that it was ok to think that! Is it because she actually has her own child that I wasn't hers anymore? Did she abandon me too?! I don't want to be left behind anymore! Why'd mom do that to me?!"

Shanks teared up, but held me as I cried. He grit his teeth as I cried out the entire story of the fight. I was finally able to calm down as he whispered, "It's alright Iri... No one will blame you. You did your best and that's all you can do. It's alright, I still love you and you're still my precious little girl... That's not changing." I held him closer, so he stroked my hair until I managed to calm down again.

Once I calmed down he asked, "Do you want another room? You need some rest." I looked down, "... I want to gradually start spending time here, so... I want to stay in the carriage until I'm able not to break down..." He kissed my forehead and stood me up, "Alright. Go rest up and I'll see you at dinner, ok?" I smiled softly and nodded, "... Ok." He patted my head then left as I shakily grabbed Mikeal's hand. He huffed softly and took it as he began walking me outside.

I heard Sylvar and Kytrose enjoying themselves on the training grounds, so it was just Mikeal, Gengi, and I. Once we arrived in the carriage I laid in Mikeal's bunk as he huffed, but simply laid down with me, "... You should be more careful Iri. Other people will get the wrong idea." I held his hand and closed my eyes as Gengi nuzzled into my chest between him and I, "I don't care... I will if you do, but I don't care."

I began nodding off, "I'll miss everyone after they leave... Are you staying or leaving?" He was quiet, so my heart dropped and I bit the inside of my cheek, but groaned as he flicked my forehead. I opened my eyes glaring, but met his glare, "Iri, after the party I'm leaving. How-ev-er, that doesn't mean I won't see you again. I'm going to the academy, remember? To do that, there's a lot that needs to be done. I'll be returning to Mary and tell him my plans before I come to see you and we can be together at the academy."

I leaned my forehead against his, "... You must promise to keep in contact with me." He closed his eyes, "We have our watches... I'll check-in with you every night until I get home, then I'll contact you every other or every three days, ok? Feel free to call me if you need me though." I nodded softly, so he stroked my hands, "Get some sleep." I whispered, "... Ok."