37A/N: Thanks for reading my story and a special thanks to: Ally 911, Dthehalfdragon, Mareo and Anime and Rockstar Jubilee for reviewing the last chapter.
Also happy birthday Endless Xero for Sunday sorry I'm late but I didn't manage to finish it on time and thanks for betaing
And also thanks to my mum who also proof read one section that I'm sure you can guess when you read it, here's a hint it's kind of ironic
By the way to spice the story up you can ask any random trivial question about the characters and I'll post the answer on the next update.
This doesn't affect any of you in anyway but I thought I'd say I was listening to Mayday Parade while writing this, they're a great band.
Last time on To Sail on Calm Seas:
It was discovered that Arashi's mother Kuroko was ill and the boy wants his father to come home to look after her. Meanwhile the boy's father Shiroshi helps Zenythe to defeat a pirate crew taking on the first mate while Zenythe handles the rest. Upon returning the two boys greet each other and talk while Arashi's parents are talking to Zenythe's father Rear Admiral Acmay.
Oreburgh Island, it was an Island with an abundance of natural resources that stood far above sea level. It mainly consisted of a thick forest which contained four openings into the islands underground mining area where most of the island's exports were uncovered. On South East side of the forest which spread across the whole island stood a small village and a marine base which took up the same amount of space stood on the North West. On the far West side of the island stood the dock reserved for marines where many still stood along with their family and friends however that didn't include Zenythe or Arashi who were once again on their way into the forest separating the marines and their families from the other inhabitants of the island.
Zenythe and Arashi had started the journey soon after Kuroko left but they knew she wouldn't mind. After all they spent most of their time in the forest or the village. The boys from the marine base jogged until reaching the end of the wooden dock upon which they burst into a sprint with Zenythe quickly pulling ahead. They ran along the ravine looking up to the vertical rock walls on either side, a forest resting on one and their home on the other.
As the boys ran, the ground started to become steeper as it started to even out with the high walls that had been caused the seemingly gentle motions of the tide. When they reached the top they had around a minute of barren level earth before hitting the wall of trees where Zenythe stopped, waiting for his friend. After a few seconds Arashi caught up and they both began to walk through the forest.
The two boys being young were never tired of the forest, whether they climbed trees, ran between them or just watched the animals they provided a home for, they were satisfied. At the moment the boys had just raced to the top of a tree to see who was faster. This was the one thing so far that Arashi had been able to beat Zenythe at. Zenythe had won at racing and sparring matches even though he used no weapons against Arashi's wooden training swords, however when it came to tree climbing Arashi always won which infuriated the competitive young boy to know end. Though Zenythe would never admit it, it had nothing to do with ability, rather Zenythe's fear of heights just like his mother before him though he still pushed himself to the top.
After a while the boys had had enough of sitting in the tree, they slowly and carefully made their way down to the base of the tree. After jumping from the last branch the boys began to make their way to the village for something to drink. The self-proclaimed future marines made their way to the village with a slow jog. As they broke through the walls of trees their pace began to slow as they walked to their usual spot when in the village.
As they were around the corner from the café they usually stopped off at, they passed an alley way where they saw the silhouettes of several people but the stopped as they heard an angry growl.
"Hey!" A voice from the alleyway shouted accompanied by the sound of footsteps.
Arashi looked at Zenythe in fear as the man reached them evoking a terse, "what do you want?" from Zenythe. This put a look of distress in Arashi's eyes as he looked between Zenythe, the man and the other men slowly joining the first.
The men were all scruffy looking with messy hair whether it was long or short and unkempt facial hair. There were six of them and their outfits all consisted of tattered worn denim and plain t-shirts covered in stains. The men all appeared to be in either their late teens or early twenties, but what was most shocking was the hopelessness and anger in their eyes and the bottles of alcohol which often accompanied this state of mind.
"You little brat how dare you talk to me like that? I've seen you before you're one of those marine brats right?" the man said with a sneer, "you're all the same you and your marine families, all stuck up snobs who think you're better than us." The first man said.
"You could be a marine too…" Arashi spoke up innocently earning a glare from the man as he started to move closer.
"And why would I want to be? Why does everyone have to be like you to get equality huh? Are miners not just as important, we're the ones who bring in all the income for the island and yet you're the ones living in luxury while we get squat?" As the man said this he got even closer to the boys as his older looking companions just nodded. As he moved closer and closer Zenythe stood protectively in front of his less battle-hardened friend.
"Stay back, there's no point being angry at us we don't even know you." Arashi spoke quietly.
"What was that you little brat?" The man said as he reached out to grab Arashi.
"Leave! Arashi! Alone!" Zenythe seethed as he grabbed the man's wrist in a vice like grip.
Normally the man would be scared due to the pain the boy's grip was able to cause but the alcohol had dulled his nerves as well as his reasoning so he didn't show a healthy amount of caution or fear but instead attempted to punch the boy with his free right hand. In response, Zenythe simply plucked it out of the air and squeezed causing the man to fall to his knees in pain as the sound of bones breaking could be heard.
At first everyone stood in a stupor but eventually the other miners attacked hoping to help their friend but they were just as easily dispatched. The men's movements were slow and laboured as they attacked. There were five of them but they attacked one at a time instead of surrounding the boy which would have been a much more effective strategy. The drunken men came one at a time, sending weak punches and kicks in Zenythe's direction but with Arashi behind him he couldn't dodge like he normally would have, so after dropping the first man's arms he simply blocked their blow and delivered fierce kicks whenever he got a chance until they were all unconscious.
After a few seconds of silence Arashi asked his friend, "how did you do that?"
Zenythe smirked, an action that looked strange on such a young face and said, "What? Did you think I lied about the stuff I've done? They were nothing compared to some of the things I've had to face." The boy said as his mind flicked back to the strenuous exercises Rear Admiral Acmay forced him to do that seemed to border on torture.
All the while during Zenythe's contemplation of his memories two pairs of eyes stared at him in awe after his defeat of the miners, the eyes of Arashi and that of a small silver haired girl with wide grey eyes.
Kuroko stood before her husband and old friend while they both looked angry at Ensign Axel's stares. She quickly decided to break the silence and tension by saying, "So what were you guy's talking about?"
Her husband sighed while Acmay frowned, she always was the only person other than his superior he'd let talk to him like that. The man looked at his child hood friend now and it reminded him of earlier days when he was more innocent. He had been with her for as long as he could remember, they were childhood friends, he had even been the one to introduce her to Shiroshi who he hadn't immediately approved of and he was also Arashi's godfather.
Shiroshi was the one Kuroko expected to answer her, but instead her long-time friend Acmay had the honour, "Shiroshi and I were just discussing the terms of his resignation," the man said in a cold voice obviously not approving of losing his highest ranked officer.
"WHAT!" The woman screamed causing Axel to jump outside.
Shiroshi aimed a frown at Acmay before looking at his wife in an unsure ashamed manner. "I'm sorry but I can't accept my punishment, I refuse to. You can ask him," the man said gesturing at his commanding officer with his head before continuing, "about it if you want. See if you think it's fair."
Kuroko turned to her friend who she had spent most of her childhood and all of her marine life with. Under her piercing glare Acmay quickly relented, "I told him to clean the toilets after undermining me in front of the crew." Acmay said in his defence.
"Well it seems a little harsh but from you it seems quite lenient," earning a rare smile from the marine before she turned to her husband.
"The only undermining I did was saving his son from death"
"After I told Zenythe to take out the crew himself," Acmay added. The parents had often argued about the best techniques in child rearing, Acmay always vehemently supporting the tough love style believing he should push his children in order for them to achieve. He wouldn't back down on this idea as it was how he was raised.
"But why would you quit because of that? It seems so unlike you…." Kuroko said as she stared suspiciously at her husband.
"Well umm I have to stand up for my beliefs." Shiroshi said as he sweats profusely under the gaze of both Acmay and Kuroko.
"AH!" The women screamed at her husband causing all three men (including Axel who had been listening) to jump. "You're using this as an excuse to stay home and 'take care of me' aren't you?" the woman asked while Acmay frowned at the new development.
"Honey please..."
"NO! We've already had this discussion; one of us has already had to give up their dream because of this," Kuroko said partly lifting up her top to show a deep wound that though it looked healed still carried discolouration and caused her great physical and the men in the room emotional pain, "and that's more than enough in a relationship. One of us has to carry on the dream of becoming the most powerful swordsman." Kuroko said as she looked at her love in a pleading way while he looked confused and pained while Acmay still looked tense and had a clenched jaw from when he saw the wound he felt that he should have stopped.
The seven year old Kinzoku had went to her mum and told her what happened before the boy's had got to the café, so when they did, their usual ice cold lemonades were waiting for them. She had missed a day of baseball but that was ok because seeing those two was much more interesting. She couldn't understand how he was so strong but she had heard them in here before, talking about their fights so the other boy must be at least almost as strong.
While there, her mum had often tried to include Kinzoku in the boy's conversation but she just looked away; a lot more embarrassed than any other time when she'd at least said hi to her mother's favourite customers.
The next day Kinzoku woke with her usual energy but this time it was more focussed than before. She was going to talk to those guys this time. However when she got downstairs to the café and she asked her mum what time she thought they would be here her mother told her that the marines were due for another quick patrol before a longer break and that Zenythe usually went with them. She also went on to tell her that Arashi doesn't show up either when Zenythe doesn't go with him, putting Kinzoku in a bad mood as she went to play baseball.
"Hey Kinzoku," Kinzoku's older friend Sakura said as she ran up to her smiling. Kinzoku gave a brief smile in response but her heart wasn't really in it, she was really looking forward to talking to those guys. They seemed so cool.
The two girls made their way to the area they usually played baseball; the point just outside the town between the village and forest. There were five of them all together, the children in the village who liked playing baseball that is. There were more kids but they either couldn't or wouldn't play baseball and then there were the kids in the marine base like Arashi and Zenythe but the village and marine kids didn't really mix which got her thinking about whether Arashi would want to play.
"Hey guys" Sakura quickly squealed causing Kinzoku to wonder why a girl like her who liked flowers would want to play baseball. There were murmured greetings in return as the girls approached the other baseball enthusiasts who all happened to be boys.
"Hey guys, I was wondering if you'd mind if a friend of mine joined." Kinzoku stated as she came to a stop in the midst of the semi-circle the boy's made to incorporate Kinzoku.
"Who?" a large boy named Eric asked. He was around 4'11 and was 10 years old and always picked at everything Kinzoku did which her mother said was because he like her but she knew was because she was the only one who could compete with him in baseball and physically in general.
"A friend of mine from the marine base," Kinzoku stated and she grew happier with herself by the second as she saw the looks of awe and shock from her friends who had probably never even met any of the marine kid as neither side was generally willing to cross the forest. However Eric wasn't looking happy. He was the son of a pretty bitter man who hated the marine's 'easy' life which influenced both of his sons causing the older one of them to get drunk and attack two marine kids who walked passed him and his friends.
"Are you serious?" the boy asked getting right in her face, "how can you be friends with one of those snobs?"
Kinzoku pushed the boy back, getting annoyed at the loss of her personal space and the insult to the people she admired she thought the marines were cool. The boy got even angrier as he fell to the floor and he was reminded of seeing his brother on the floor with broken fingers and a fractured wrist. He quickly pushed himself off of the floor as people started to laugh and the 9 year old Sakura who he liked began to giggle. Seeing red he attempted to push Kinzoku down in retaliation but was met by a punch in the face that knocked him out cold.
One of the smaller kids immediately ran for his mum who got Kinzoku's mum and the doctor before going to the clearing. It turned out no lasting damage was done but Kinzoku was kept home until her father came home from the mine at which point Kinzoku's mother went and had a whispered talk with him. After less than a minute the two came over to the stool she sat on.
"Kinzoku dear…" Kinzoku's mother started.
"… We've told you that it's wrong to fight haven't we?" her husband continued. And they certainly had after the amount of times Kinzoku had come home with bruised knuckles.
Kinzoku immediately put on sad face as she told them, "But he was in my face and calling my friends names…" Which caused both of them to wrap their arms around her and assure her it would be alright and that they were proud that she stood up for herself and her friends.
The day after Kinzoku's fight Arashi awoke with the thought that his father and best friend were gone again. He had woken up early like he always did when his father wasn't there to care for his mother. Did he not see that she was ill the boy thought as he silently cursed his father with the few words that he knew?
The boy got out of bed and decided to make congee for his mum as she always made it for him when he got ill. It took a bit of time to make the rice porridge but eventually he did and served up two bowls; one for him and one for his mum. The boy felt happy for some reason which might have something to do with the fact that the marine ship would be back in a few days and they would be staying for at least a few months. The sun was also shining and the birds were singing which might have contributed to his mood.
Arashi made his way to the dining table and placed both bowls onto it before he walked to the counter and opened up the bottom drawer taking out a tray. For a special surprise he'd give his mother breakfast in bed, the boy thought as he took a spoon from another drawer and placed it on the tray and picked a bowl from the table also placing it on to the tray. He then strolled to his mother's room with a smile on his face. As he reached the door he realised it may be awkward and so decided to do this slowly. He pressed the tray between his stomach and the door and steadied it with one hand before twisting the door handle with the other.
The boy was terrified of staining the white carpet and ruining his day so he was extra careful as he snaked his foot around the door and moved out of the way. He then remembered he forgot to knock so he used his elbow to do so before walking in to wake up his mother. Usually he'd get scared that she didn't answer the knock but she hadn't since she had the 'accident' so he needed to stop panicking over something that was a regular occurrence.
The boy made his way to the bed placing the tray against the bedside table he began to tap his mum to wake her up. When he noticed it didn't work he sighed as he took both of her shoulders in his hands and shook her. The young boy began to worry as he noticed it didn't work before he reassured himself, "this happens all the time soon enough Kazeshini will be at my neck." He then grew even more fearful as time passed and he noticed how cold she felt under his fingers. She usually slept so restlessly and always seemed tired when she woke but now… she was oddly peaceful.
NO, the boy thought as tears fell. He kept shaking her progressing to more violent motions after a time, before long the boy dropped to his knees and cried before remembering what his father always told him before leaving, "If anything is wrong," the man said while glancing at the boy's mother, "just go fetch the doctor," while Kuroko simply rolled her eyes. That's it! The boy thought as he rushed to his feet with tears in his eyes. He stumbled as he stood knocking over the bedside table before sprinting off, leaving the forgotten breakfast spread across the floor.
"PLEASE, HELP! SOMEONE HELP!" The boy screamed as he left the apartment and ran through the corridor causing many annoyed grumbles and groans. The boy continued to run and cry until he reached the 7th floor where the doctor lived. He ran straight into the large bald man, with a pointed grey moustache and beard who had left the apartment to see to the ruckus and would have fallen over had the doctor not caught him and held him as he sobbed. After leading the man back to his apartment and his mother's room the doctor immediately knelt beside his patient and sighed after placing his hand on her neck and checking for breathing. He did it again just in case, looking for some hope or sign but from the temperature of her body the doctor could tell she'd been gone for a while.
He looked across to the boy who still had tears in his eyes but when his met those set in the doctor's wrinkled face the boy broke down. The man had attempted to get up and comfort the boy but he rushed off. Fearing the worse the man followed him to the balcony where he saw the eight year old staring out at the sea before screaming, "DAMN YOU SHIROSHI!" sending a chill down the man's spine, as he was sure he could feel Kuroko turning in her grave at what was recently spoken.
Shiroshi who was unaware of what had just happened and was talking to Zenythe released a sudden sneeze as the marine ship docked in order to arrest the bandits known to have made their base in the area.
Six days later Kinzoku was standing at the dock on the marine side of the island. She had heard that the marines had planned to be back today so she stood there hoping to meet and finally properly introduce herself to Zenythe.
The girl had been waiting all week for this hoping to meet the two strongest people she'd ever seen, even if she hadn't actually witnessed Arashi's strength. She had been distracted this whole week and when she finally relented in telling Sakura she had been teased endlessly but it would be worth it if she could recruit these two to her pirate crew. But becoming a pirate was her second choice first of all she planned to attempt to become a professional baseball player but if that plan fell through at least she had a backup.
After a few moments to calm her thoughts and to prepare what she'd say she saw the ship over the horizon and people slowly filing into the dock. Kinzoku thought that she should start moving now but decided that she could wait and let the people waiting to see their families go first after all she didn't even know the boy she was waiting for.
It took a little less than an hour for the ship to get there and by now the wooden dock was full to the brim with anxious families wanting to make sure their loved ones were safe. People from the village often insulted and disagreed with the marines, whether it was because they: thought they fought 'immoral' battles, were the government's 'dogs' or were given too much 'luxury' from the world government. However Kinzoku didn't agree with this and neither did her parents, the marines fought for justice and even if you didn't agree with the government she didn't believe you could find fault with the government; except the corrupt ones that is.
After a while the ship was beside the dock with the steps out and the marines pouring down. A large smile shone from the young girls face as she saw Zenythe and was about to go talk to him when she noticed the large bald man next to him who somehow looked like Arashi. Then the two were soon met by another large bald man who had a strange pointed moustache that stuck out at a 90 degree angle from either side of his face and a pointed beard that fell straight down and seemed almost like a blade. The elderly man, who stood taller than the man next to Zenythe, approached them slowly causing the younger man to freeze and go rigid eliciting stares from passing marines. Zenythe appeared busy so Kinzoku decided to wait to talk to him later but she could take her eyes off the group as the younger bald man eyes widened and he fell to his knees as Kinzoku looked on in shock.
It had been over a week since the marines had landed and most of the time Zenythe had just been staying out of everyone's way. He had heard from the doctor that Arashi hadn't even left his room since finding his mum. He had been sitting in his room and staring into space and had to be pressured to eat anything at all.
Zenythe had generally spent the last week in his room, in the training facilities or the forest. Most marines had continued to train as they were a bit disheartened at the death of a legend but had not been affected enough to stop work. What was more shocking was the slave driver who was their captain had called off all training until after the funeral as no one had known how close he was to Kuroko apart from one ensign that is.
At this moment in time Zenythe wasn't in any of his usual places. He wasn't in the forest, his room or the training room. He was stood a little way from the marine base, with many others but he wasn't in his usual white t-shirt and blue trousers, he now wore a small black suit with a white shirt and black tie, along with all of the other men there, while the women also wore an assortment of black clothing.
While the man was saying a few words before lowering the cold woman who used to be so warm to everyone into the ground Zenythe stood looking at Arashi. They hadn't spoken since before Zenythe left on the last patrol when the girl had been acting all weird around them. Zenythe had thought about going to talk to him but he had no idea what to say so he just stood and watched as his friend seemed to breaking.
After the body had been lowered and buried, the people slowly dispersed leaving the close friends and family to mourn in peace. Soon it was just Acmay and family, Shiroshi and Arashi left but after a while Shiroshi turned to his son's godfather, went to him and asked for a word in private. The two men soon left, leaving their sons alone standing there in silence with large gaps in between them. The only noise being the sound of the rain hitting the boys like it attempted to crush them, as if the emotional pain wasn't enough for Arashi.
"So what did you want to…?" Acmay started before being cut off.
"I can't do it, okay?" Shiroshi said but was met by silence so he continued, "If I hadn't been on patrol I might have been able to help her. She might still be alive now" As Shiroshi said the last part he was facing down ashamed of himself.
Acmay shook his head before contradicting his soon to be ex subordinate, "It wasn't your fault we all knew she wasn't getting any better. That's beside the point anyway you couldn't have stayed behind if you wanted to. She was too proud to allow you to help, you didn't stand a chance."
"Arashi blames me you know." Shiroshi said changing the subject and causing Acmay to look at him in surprise, "no one's said it to my face but apparently the fact that Arashi cursed my name is a hot topic in the base." The widower stated with a small smile while his friend clenched his hands, "And before you say anything I don't know who said it in particular, I've even heard the boy say it himself to tell you the truth. He mutters while he sleeps you know and the curse words coming from that 'innocent' subconscious aren't nice." Though the man had a smile in his face there were tears in his eyes as he admitted to his son blaming him for his son's death. "If it's the last thing I do I'll make it up to the boy, I'm going to be there for him."
"What will you do?" the Rear Admiral asked in a quiet reserved voice.
"For a start I'll quit the marines and then scrape some money together to start a forge… maybe teach Arashi his grandfather's trade."
"Well you won't need to do any scraping; the sum of your severance package and the compensation for Kuroko's injury should cover it and more."
"But you already paid us comp…" Shiroshi began before being silenced by a look from the marine, "thank you" the man said with a smile before clasping the marines arm.
It had been about a fortnight since the funeral. Shiroshi had taken the money and Arashi before going off to some place called Pastoria Island the same day. The marines had left immediately for another patrol after the two Seishins left behind moved away even though they were due around a month's break; some speculated the captain of the ship just wanted to get his mind off of his friend's death.
Zenythe hadn't been happy when they left but quickly decided if that's what they needed then it was for the best but it didn't stop him being upset over his two lost friends. He felt especially bad as he felt he had no one now, the only person he talked to on the ship was Shiroshi as he was the only one who had time for him and Arashi was his only friend at home, he was his best friend.
As Zenythe continued to mow through his thoughts he noticed the crowded wooden docks of home. But there wasn't really anything there for him now. Due to this fact he stayed behind wanting to be the last to leave and slowly made his way out when he walked into someone. His person was even smaller than him which got him wondering why their parents hadn't said anything he was about to mutter a quick I'm sorry when he saw a hand extended in front of him. He looked up to see the source of the arm. His eyes trailed up along the arm to see a girl about his age wearing a black t-shirt and denim skirt as well as black trainers. She also had silver hair and wide grey eyes, but what shocked him the most was the large smile that seemed to shine as she took his hand and said, "Hey I'm Kinzoku."
A/N: So what did you think Zenythe's dad's a lot different with his friends than he is with his kids isn't he? Did you want to know anything else? Have you skipped this and the last chapter? Have these flash backs put you off the story? Tell me the answers to those and many other possible questions in a review…
Btw if you were wondering it was the bit where Arashi finds his mum dead that my mum read over
Here are the crew positions but there may be more that I haven't thought about.
Captain: Kinzoku
First mate: Zenythe
Marksman: Taken
Swordsman: Taken
Marksman: Taken
Chef: Taken
Shipwright: Taken
Doctor:
Musician: Taken
Chronicler:
Infantry: One taken but want more
There are also bounty hunters, random people, marines, Shichibukai, Yonkou and other pirates.
And I need a random character because as you can see from hook hand Harry's name I just don't have enough creativity to do it.
AND my first submitted character will be included in chapter 10 at the latest.