Ameliorate ✦ One Piece

2

The Marine base was always loud and crowded. Whether it be Cadets rushing around in between training sessions, or officers dashing to their next big mission or voyage. There never seemed to be a moment of peace. At least not on the route that Akira knew well by now, one leading towards the infirmary. Whenever they passed through these halls, it brought her a tiny bit of joy, watching Jahra squirm as he worried someone not as corrupt as Captain Morgan might discover his scheme.

Which was probably why he so briskly scolded Akira after sparing her a short glance as she walked behind him. "Pull your sleeve down, girl." He instructed sharply, and Akira didn't have to look to know that the bracelet wrapped around her left wrist was showing. It was the one he'd placed there after the last time her hands got a good grip on him. And only he and a few of his staff were able to control it. Should she ever decide to get out of line again, he'd said when he showed it to her, along with a very unpleasant demonstration of the shock which it could deliver.

This wasn't the first model, of course. She'd learned that whatever lowlife he'd managed to convince into crafting them for him didn't use tough materials. It was easily cut off. Which was why she often got her meals without a knife since the first time she'd done that. One time she'd tried to steal a dagger off one of the Marines only to have him nearly cut off her hand for it.

"Here we are." The Marine who'd walked at a brisk pace ahead of them, escorting them through the halls, finally came to a stop in front of the infirmary door, pulling it open and allowing the trio to walk inside ahead of them. "Some broken bones and concussions, bruises and scrapes really, but Captain Morgan's reassured me it'll be fine."

"It will be." Jahra nodded without hesitation, and while she knew he was right (this she could handle with ease nowadays) Akira still shook her head as she reminded herself not to say anything. Instead, her eyes took in the four occupied beds, easily recognizing the sheepish smile sent to her by one patient in particular. With a small shake of her head, she made her way over to his side first.

"Bar brawls, really Ren?" She questioned in a teasing tone as she came to stand by his cot, the smile never leaving his face as he looked up at her.

"Maybe I just did it because I knew I'd see you." The dark haired cadet, she'd say he was only a few years older than her, announced proudly, making Akira raise an eyebrow. "Are you impressed by me?"

"You ended up in the infirmary, I'm not sure what there is to be impressed by." She pointed out, making him laugh in amusement only to wince as one of his hands reached up to his ribs. So, he was the one with the broken ribs, good to know.

"Get to work." Jahra, momentarily turning away from whatever discussion he was having with their guide, snarked as soon as he caught sight of her not doing what he'd actually brought her here for. Luckily, with her back turned to him, this time she could roll her eyes without any worry of being caught.

"Just the broken ribs?"

"And a concussion." Ren announced.

"Let's get to that head first." Akira said, reaching up her right hand, she let the fingers gently brush against the side of his head as she got to work. She could feel the energy coursing through him, and soon she could feel her own reaching out to it. "So, who exactly did you get in a fight with? And why?"

"Some green haired guy. Not sure what it was over." Ren's nonchalant voice and lack of knowledge had Akira momentarily pausing what she was doing, the energy draining from her retreating back again as she fixed him with a questioning glance. How did he not know the reason for his broken ribs? "He was actually fighting with Hemeppo. I jumped in to save him."

"You should have stayed seated."

"And have him tattle on me to his father?" Ren pointed out the flaw in Akira's suggestion, his voice lowering towards the end as the door of the infirmary opened once more. And soon enough, Akira figured out why he'd grown quiet as a voice spoke up behind her.