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A deep sigh came from him, while he walked through the street, dragging a cart full of supplies back to the Moby Dick. This should be the last cart and then they only had to wait for the Logport to load. Wondering what he could do when he was back on the ship, he continued his way, not paying much attention to his surroundings. People around him were minding their own business, some running, some walking. Some just standing around chatting. When he nearly reached the docks, someone called out for him.
'Thatch!', he heard a familiar voice.
It snapped him out of his daydreams and the commander of the 4th divison looked over to whoever was calling him. In a hurry, the blackhaired, freckled Firefist ran up to him. Thatch looked instantly more serious, when he saw the worry written all over his companions face. Obviously, something must have happened, if the otherwise cheerful Ace looked like this.
'Did you see Rhys anywhere? She ran in the direction you came from!', he asked, looking past Thatch, hoping to spot her somewhere behind him.
'No, I.. honestly don't know if she passed me. What happened?', the darkblond answered, before he asked in confusion.
'Damn! She found out about Shanks! When she confronted Oyaji.. well to say she wasn't happy is an understatement.. She was furious!', Ace explained, his hands gesturing wildly around.
Thatch looked surprised for a moment, before he turned his gaze back from where he came with furrowed brows. He then cursed under his breath, turning back to Ace and pointing to his cart.
'Bring this back to the ship, I'm going after her. Is anyone else looking for her?', he said, before asking.
'Izou and Rurijo are searching for her. Do you have any idea where she could have run off to?', the freckled youngster said, grabbing the cart.
'I might have, actually. I'll be going then!', Thatch said, turning on his heels and running back into the city.
'Bring her home, you hear??', the Firefist called, watching the cook disappear into the crowd after he gave a thumbs up.
____
Just as he expected, he found her sitting on the floor in an empty, dim lighted alley. Far off from any nosy citizens. Back pressed against the wall of an abandoned looking house, arms wrapped around her knees and head leaning on them, she shook with each quiet sob. The sight made his heart ache. He closed the distance to her slowly, making his presence known by clearing his throat. Instantly, two jade colored orbs stared at him, tear stained and reddish from crying. She seemed scared first, but after she recognized him, she looked more confused. Smearing away any evidence of tears, she tried to stay collected.
'..how.. how did you find me?', she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
'To be fair you gave me quite a hard time, finding you, cupcake. But there were only a few options, where you would hide if you didn't wanted to be found. But checking every dim lighted alley I could find was quite time consuming.', he answered, a soft smile on his lips.
'..well.. you found me.. now go away, I want to be alone..', she mumbled, staring down on her knees.
'No can do, cookie. Everyone is worried and looking for you. Come on, let's go back, yes?', Thatch said, offering his hand to help her up.
'..Everyone huh.. How long until everyone want to get rid of me as well, I wonder..', she whispered, more to herself than to him.
Still hearing those words, the smile disappeared from his lips and he looked at her blankly. What was she saying? Getting rid of her? He huffed, a more bleak grin tugging on his lips.
'What are you talking about? Why would we want to get rid of you?', he asked.
'I am talking about everyone I care for, leaving me in one way or another! My father supposedly died! My mother died! Nile disappeared without a trace, making me think he died as well! Then in the Marine Ford war I find my brother but he tries to kill me because I was helping to get Ace back! Oh, by the way, did you knew my father is apparently alive and well, being a Yonku and was there to stop Nile from killing me when I was knocked out?? And he was there to stop the war?! Oh, right, you must have known because everyone on the Moby Dick knows, just not me, cause apparently my dear father didn't wanted me to know who he is for no reason! You guys lied to me, you kept it a secret while I was suffering under all this shit! Nile hates me for my choices, my own father doesn't wants me to know who he is and I only found out about my father, because I accidently overheared Marco talking about it! Explain it to me, Thatch! What did I do, that everyone I love leaves me behind and doesn't wants me anymore?! What have I ever done to deserve all this??', tears were running without a shame now, her voice cracked every now and then, the volume in her voice rised at first, before it died down and her last words were mere croaked words.
Thatch was speechless. His heart ached more and more with every tear that left her eyes. He knew it was wrong to keep it a secret from the beginning. At first even Oyaji was against it, but it seemed that Akagami was persuasive about it. Oyaji respected the wish of the other Yonku and told everyone to keep quiet about it. Laying his hand on his neck and massaging it slightly, he sighed deeply. Great.. how was he to solve this now? Inside he cursed the phoenix for not being careful. He looked at the miserable form of her, before he stepped a little closer and kneeled down in front of her.
'I know it won't make the fact that we kept it a secret from you any better.. But maybe he didn't wanted you to know, because he feels aweful for everything he put you and Nile through? He must have his reasons, Rhys. And.. If we are already talking about it.. I know you will probably hate me for saying this, but your brother is an idiot. You're way better off without him and he doesn't deserves such a loyal little sister. You deserve to be treated better than this.', he started, trying to find the right words.
'If I deserve better, why is everyone keeping secrets, hates me or doesnt wants anything to do with me??', she asked, staring at him.
Noticing how weak his attempt was, he cleared his throat quickly, before sitting down on his butt in front of her, opening his arms and offering her warmth and safety. Confused green orbs looked at him, before she seemed to consider his offer. A soft, crooked smile settled on his lips, as she moved and crawled over to him, settling between his legs. He felt how she clutched his shirt in between her small hands, obviously scared that he would walk off without her. His arms snaked around her firmly, pressing her small form gently against himself, as if he wanted to say, that he would go nowhere without her.
'Yes.. we did shit with keeping that secret. But all we wanted to do was to spare you pain.. I know how much you wish for your family to go back just like old times.. But you have to let go of them. It will sadly never be the same again, but you knew that already, didn't you? They have chosen their paths. And so have you. Wasn't it you, who said you have found home in us? A new family? Come back with me, cupcake. Back home to the Moby Dick. Back to your family.', he said, his voice soft and yet hurtfully true and honest.
'...promise me, Thatch.. Promise you will never abandon me..', she whispered, her words desperate.
'I promise it. I will never abandon you.', he replied instantly, closing his arms a little more around her, squeezing her softly against him.
There was no hesitation in his words and he meant it. Nothing would ever get him to abandon her. A sudden, muffled sob came from her and he felt her trembling. The cook pressed his lips on her head, softly whispering soothing words and rocking her in his arms in a calming matter. He didn't knew how much time passed, but when she sank against him, he gently moved her to check on her. She had cried herself to the point of exhaustion, so much so that she fell asleep. Thatch watched her face a moment, before he lifted her up in his arms while getting himself up. Holding her close to his body, he made his way back to the ship, careful to not wake her, since she needed the rest. When he got to the docks, he already saw Ace, Rurijo and others coming his way. To make sure that they kept quiet, he hushed them instantly.
'You found her! Where was she hiding??', Ace asked in a whispering voice.
'Knowing her, she wanted to be alone and not be seen. There are just a few places where that condition was met, like dim lighted alleys far from the main streets of the city.', Thatch explained, his voice also almost nothing but a whisper.
'You should get her to her room, so she can rest better.', Rurijo suggested.
'That's what I had planned to do.', the cook answered, a wry grin on his lips.
'I'm just glad she's found and alright..', Ace sighed relieved.
Thatch nod in agreement. With the other two in the row, the cook brought the redhaired girl into her room and placed her gently onto her bed. Covering the young woman, he turned towards the other two and signed them to get out.
'Why do we have to go out, but you're allowed to stay?', Ace pouted.
'Because I made a promise and not you.', Thatch simply said, grinning about the growing pout on the freckled mans face.
'Come, let's go to the cantine and bring the news that Rhys is safe and sound back home.', Rurijo suggested, a soft smile on her lips.
..fiiiiine~ Watch over her and don't do anything stupid!', Ace gave in, before eyeing the cook.
'Wha- Why would I do anything stupid?? I should say that to you!', Thatch complained.
'Boys.. calm down, before you go and wake her!', Rurijo stepped in.
The guys looked over to the sleeping girl, who just turned around. Since she kept on sleeping, they exhaled shortly, before Ace and Rurijo then took their leave. Thatch on the other hand grabbed the chair from her small desk, placed it next to her bed and sat down on it. Watching her small form, a soft smile spread on his lips. He would be here, when she awakens from her slumber. She would see that he keeps his promise. He would never, never ever, abandon her..