Series of Misunderstandings

#9: The North Wind Blows

Marine Ford

"Congratulations on completing your training here in marine ford. Thank you for your hard work", Akainu led a sent-off party for the interns. Nearly half a year passed and they shall soon return to Flevance.  

"For the awarding, this pin will be rewarded to an outstanding intern", Akainu picked a pin from a box. "Intern Cari Myer", he called. With the man filled with an overwhelming presence, Cari felt like melting on the platform with him. The staff clapped as well as the marines watching. Cari looked at Galen who was in the crowd. The man nodded and gave a slight smile. Cari's eyes brightened.  

"Thank you. I am pleasured to work with the marine as well", she bowed her head Akainu pinned the award on her white intern coat.

Balcony 

Everyone is partying in the hall but Cari decided to take a breath on the balcony. She looked at the vast sea. "You're one of the most important people. Why aren't you inside?", Garp went outside biting off his rice cakes. "Want it?", he offered. Cari nodded and politely took one. 

"I never thought I'll be setting out to the sea once more", she looked at the horizon. 

"Why not?", Garp was absorbed with the atmosphere. 

"My Mom died on the sea. While we were on our way to Flevance, our ship was sunk by a certain pirate group. Many lives were lost during the shipwreck as well", Cari informed. "I am sorry to hear that", Garp sighed hearing another trouble from pirates his own existed was called for eradicating these delinquents. 

"I don't think I can even have another trip but I just need to reach Flevance before that day", Cari was surrounded was a darker aura mentioning a certain day. 

"Vice-Admiral Garp. Sorry for venting all of a sudden", she caught herself and bowed politely. Garp just laughed it off. "No worries, young lady. I would be thrilled to spend more conversation over this rice cake", he gave a wide smile. 

"Then, Miss. Do you hate pirates?", Garp raised his head looking up at the sky. 

"Why should I?", there was a crack in her voice. 

Somewhere in the wide ocean

Underwater

Polar Tang

Corridor

Adira walked around and haven't seen anyone so far. Shachi and Penguin are in the control room. The rest are hanging around the observation room playing some cards. Ikaku and some crew members are already preparing for dinner. Adira studied how the submarine was built. There are three sets of rooms, she guessed one of those is for the Captain. A kitchen connected to the dining room. Two bathrooms, a consideration for a female member. A control room is below and an observation room is above. The ship was quite smaller inside but sufficient compared to the number of the crew. 

She felt better after the medicine kicked in. 

Walking headed to where she could hear some sound, the kitchen. She came across a door designed differently. She guessed it was Law's. She was sure that he was the one running the entire place. She knocked and yet heard no response. She held on to the knob and the door opened. 

She peeked and saw the light was not turned on. She heard footsteps in the corridor. She entered closing the door behind her. As soon as she can no longer hear any footsteps, she felt a forceful wind passing through her hair. The lady could feel someone else's breath near her. "Who said you can come in?", Law turned on the lights. Adira finally sees herself being pinned by one of Law's hands. Her eyes widened as she saw the surrounding. The place was covered with glass having jellyfish in an aquarium-like container. 

"How-", she smiled but suddenly covered her mouth as soon as she felt Law staring down at her. Adira traced looking down on Law's half-naked body. She furrowed her brow as soon as she saw some of his tattoos. Adira pushed him away. "Wear something", she walked past through and went closer to the transparent glass. As soon as she place her hand on the glasses, some of the jellyfish turned pink. She clasped her hand in amusement at the lighting. 

Law wore a black tank top. "I'm sleeping. Go out", he tried to kick her out. "I'm not going to do anything. You can just sleep", Adira squatted and wrapped her leg with her arms indicating she'll stay a little longer. Law sat on his bed situated on the side and watch the woman who found the jellyfish interesting. He yawned. "If someone knocks, wake me up", Law laid down on the bed. "Careless", Adira commented. "What can you even do to me?", Law closed his eyes. 

Adira settled down and sat on the floor carpeted with scarlet red. She leaned on the stand on the bed. "I want to go home", she suddenly said before also giving herself the to close her eyes and fade into slumber. 

Flevance

Hospital

"Welcome back!", Dr. Moore and Apple stood at the gate. Cari's eyes widened and somehow, at the back of her mind, she would imagine someone else waiting for her as well. 

"You're just in time. The hospital is already preparing", Dr. Moore gave a gentle smile. Cari ran towards the place and hugged Apple tightly. She gave a polite bow to Dr. Morre. "I'm back", she said with a big smile. 

Reception Area

The place was filled with decorations. "I heard you were awarded as the best intern", the staff rejoiced and raised a glass of orange juice. They caught up with what is happening all around the world, especially with Cari. 

"So, did you finally see a lot of hot guys?". 

Cari felt embarrassed whining about it day and night in the hospital last year. She's quite maturing and felt regretting her idiotic actions. "Have you heard about the new warlord? I think I've seen his face somewhere", the staff looked at the newspaper. Cari looked at Dr. Moore who was also looking at the newspaper with longing eyes. 

"Eh?! Trafalgar?!", Apple fell on her seat. 

'What? Do you know him?", Cari was startled by her reaction. She assisted her to stand. 'Well, he's-", Apple was about to reveal something but saw Dr. Moore and her tongue rolled back. 

"By the way, Cari. You must be tired from your travel. Your room was clean as you left it", Apple pushed her towards the corridor. 

"I'll be dropping off somewhere else", she bowed and walked away. 

Edge of a Cliff

There was a couple of grave on the edge of the hill. For some reason, the place was surrounded by bell flowers. 

Those who mourn are loved. 

Every step she took was heavy. As if she's got two anchors chained to her. Her breathing deepened and she felt her stomach churning. Just a few more steps and she'll arrive where she's supposed to be. It was the same as a few years ago. Whenever she's already on the brink of visiting her, her legs will run away. 

As soon as she raised her head, Cari saw a silhouette of a person who was already in front of the grave of someone she would eventually visit for today. 

"It's been a long time, Cari", she heard a familiar voice. 

Her eyes suddenly turned teary and her cheeks were tainted with red. 

She clenched her white pants and strive to move closer. 

Just one more step. 

"Congratulations. We had always been waiting for the time that the three of us can be together again", the flat yet gentle voice reached out to her. She covered her eyes with her left arm which is free. She raised the bouquet of the violet flower to cover her entire face. 

"Uhm. Thank you for waiting", she gulped. 

Chapter end.