Fire And Ice

Chapter 7: Departure

"I thought you..." he trailed off, unable to make eye contact, while Taiga glared right at him.

"Stop thinking then. I am not here for you, Whitebeard, the crew, or anyone else. I'm here because Arctic had delivered a quest given by Orion."

"Who...?"

"Someone." She waved it off, but inside she was burning about how she so carelessly gave out two names. "It's not important."

"Like hell it isn't..."

Taiga huffed and turned her back towards Ace. "I'm going to bed. Good night, Ace."

"Why..." He whispered.

Taiga froze. "Why...?"

"Why won't you tell me anything? Why can't you just open up?'

"Because you wouldn't understand. You can't understand."

Ace stared at her as she walked away, not casting a single backward glance.

***

Walking through the corridors of the Moby Dick, she sighed.

Why does he have to be so nosy?

"Oi, Taiga!"

Taiga blinked and looked around when she heard her name. "Hmm? Oh, Marco. Hello."

"You getting ready for bed?" he asked, making his way toward her.

"Yeah. Are you?"

"Nah, not yet."

"I see. Well, good night." She took a couple steps before Marco grabbed her wrist.

"Hey. There something I want to ask you. Do you know whats going on with Ace?"

Taiga's face contorted into a confused look, and Marco took a deep breath.

"He's been super out of it lately, ever since you came aboard. I was wondering if you knew what's up."

She shook her head. "Sorry, Marco. I don't think I've offended him until now. I just saw him on deck and he seemed pretty hurt at what I said."

Marco blinked. "What did you say?"

Taiga's face flushed. "I'd rather not say. It's kinda private. And I might have blurted it out when I was talking to Ace. He's really nosy."

"Alright. Thanks, I guess."

Taiga nodded, and took another few steps.

"Oh, and Taiga? Go easy on Ace. He's just curious."

***

Of all the things she thought about at night while lying awake on her bed, she did not expect Ace to be one of them.

He's been out of it ever since I came? What does that even mean?

She shook the thoughts out of her head and curled into a ball under a blankets.

Never mind him. Just go to sleep. We're setting sail tomorrow, according to Whitebeard.

***

The next morning, she sat up, rubbing her eyes. She swung her legs off the side of the bed and stood up, stretching. Flicking another coin into her mini-shrine, she got dressed and walked out onto the deck. Climbing up to the crow's nest, she gazed across the ocean that stretched for what seemed like eternity. If you're wondering about breakfast, don't worry about it. It was dawn. The sun was barely peeking above the surface of the water, and the sky was still quite dark.

Leaning against the railing of the crow's nest, she rested her cheek on her palm. She wasn't thinking about anything in particular, she was just admiring the sun.

After what seemed like forever, the sun slowly made its way above the horizon and cast its warm rays on Taiga's face. She inhaled sharply as she recalled last night.

"Why won't you tell me anything? Why won't you open up?"

"Because I can't, Ace. I'm sorry." She mumbled.

"ALRIGHT WE'RE SETTING SAIL!"

She glanced down and saw the crew had woken up. She then glanced at the island and smiled softly.

I'll be back soon, don't worry.

The crew cheered and the ship departed from the shore of Tigara. As the island grew smaller and smaller, she sighed one final farewell before it was gone from sight.

"Goodbye, Tigara. I'll be back with the Crystalline Amber soon. I trust my ancestors will watch over you. Thank you for all you've done for me." She murmured.

"Saying goodbye to your island? That's something I've never heard or seen anyone say."

Taiga flinched at the sudden interruption. "W-who...?"

The man chuckled. "The names Thatch. Good morning."

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Weren't you...the one whose hand I froze?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, but I deserved it, huh. Probably shouldn't have gone and tried to mess with something I didn't know anything about. Sorry 'bout that."

Taiga blinked at the unexpected apology. "Ah. Well, apology accepted. And uh, sorry for overreacting a bit on the island. I kinda have a grudge against pirates after what happened ten years ago. But, uh, you, Marco, Ace and Whitebeard don't seem so bad."

Thatch chuckled again. "Glad ya think so. Anyway, it's time for breakfast. Care to join?"

"Um..."

Thatch held out his hand expectantly, grinning.

Taiga sighed and placed her hand in his. "Fine. Lead the way."

----
Ohohoohohohohohooh jealous Ace incoming ;)))))))
HAHAHAH short chapter agin srry bout that oops
Uh but if you enjoyed this chapter vote comment follow? Ty bb
-Sylveresque