Chapter Twenty: The Holy Land Marie Geoise

Note: Kind of a sad chapter. Depends on the person I suppose. 

------------------

Fear is a natural, primitive, human emotion.

It is what alerts humans to danger or threat of harm. For many, that danger is merely psychological. It stems from the inner workings of our minds, our memories, our emotions, our experiences.

Irrational fear is the term for those who exhibit an extreme fear of an object or an event (known as phobia scientifically). This fear is exactly as it is. It is simply irrational. And yet, if it were so irrational, why is it so threatening?

Why is it that it affected you so much?

For most people your age, they would be in school, have friends, socialize, and hangout, doing whatever most children did. Or most teens. For you, however, it was training, and wandering aimlessly down the halls of Marine Ford.

You had friends, Smokey and Drake (and sometimes Lucci would come to visit after missions), but you supposed that you wanted some normalcy in your life. You were a rowdy child, energetic, and frankly, very outgoing. That was child you. Now that you were a teen (fifteen to be exact), there were things that you thought of that you never had before.

There had never been a need to feel self conscious about yourself. As a child, you would simply be seen as that: a child. A child that was special, a prodigy. But now, now that you were aware, you held these feelings that you've never felt before.

It made your fears seem like something stupid, something that people would critize someone like you about. It was stupid. How would you ever become a pirate (marine to those who didn't know quite yet), if you could never step foot in those salty waters? How would it be possible for you to live if you're surrounded by something you were afraid of?

You were pathetic. Your strengths were useless if you could never accomplish anything. Hell, they wouldn't even be strengths in the first place. You were useless. You were just a brand new pencil without a pencil sharpener. Full of potential, but useless all the same.

And that was when you had your first taste of self depreciation.

---

- 2 Years Ago -

You were doing it again.

Garp and Sengoku noticed. You were staring at the wall, looking disinterested and detached. Those who didn't know you very well would have said that you were bored. It might have been true; Smoker and Drake were out on a small mission, and the Admirals had been extremely busy this entire week. It would have been reasonable to assume that you were bored.

But no, that was not the case.

Sometimes Garp felt that he didn't raise you quite right. Luffy and Ace had turned out fine (besides the pirating thing, darn kids), so why did you seem so different? Why is it that you weren't pestering him about ice cream or gelato anymore? Why is it that all you did was stare until someone came to hangout with you?

Maybe you were feeling lonely. Sengoku had suggested that, but why would you feel lonely when you were constantly surrounded by people? You liked to talk to people and followed them around like a lost puppy, so why was it that sometimes you would look so... sad?

"You're too overprotective," Sengoku huffed as he sat hunched over his desk. "You beat up all those marines who always chase after her. Why else would she feel lonely? All she has is those five and us."

"She doesn't need those boys!" Garp retorted with a huff. "Isn't our family enough?"

"Garp. I don't think you understand parenting," Sengoku began, causing the other man to let out a groan. "You know it's true." He held up a wanted poster. "Your adopted grandson's making his name as a pirate, and your actual child is the leader of the Revolutionary."

Garp turned away, crossing his arms. "Like you're any better."

"All of Y/n's friends are male figures, feared male figures. At least consider Y/n's feelings," Sengoku attempted to persuade, setting his work aside. "We both know that Y/n needs more people in her life. She needs to see places other than the walls of MarineFord."

"She goes into the town..." Garp muttered under his breath.

"You know she doesn't have the same bond with the people of the town." Sengoku rubbed his eyes. "Those people practically worship her. She needs more friends. Let her visit your grandson sometime again."

Sengoku paused, letting his hand fall back to his desk as he pushed himself up. Stalking over to Garp, he placed a hand over his shoulder. The Fleet Admiral gave his friend a solemn look.

"I know that parenting is hard. I lost someone I considered to be a son a long time ago." Sengoku let out a deep sigh. "But if you let her out once and a while, things will get better. Y/n is no bird. She has independent will. If you don't want her to visit your grandson, then at least figure something else out."

Letting go of his shoulder, Sengoku stalked out, leaving Garp alone with his thoughts. Garp groaned, scratching the side of his head.

Letting you go out... How would that even be possible if you couldn't even get on a ship?

Your dream of becoming a pirate would never be achieved at this rate. He clenched his teeth. Garp didn't really want you to become a marine, much like his grandsons. No, he didn't want you to experience the cruel parts of this world. And he didn't want the corruption to get to you.

A part of him knew that you would want to be a pirate if he sent you to Dadan. He knew that Ace and Luffy would tell you of their ideologies and dreams, and that you would want to be a part of that too.

You would be safer away from the World Government, that fact was evident. That was why he approved of your dream in the first place. It was why he permitted your wish to become a pirate. It was because he knew you wouldn't be like the others. You wouldn't become a bloodthirsty pirate.

But he needed the World Government to think that.

He needed them to think that you were dangerous. He needed you to have connections that would instill fear inside them. So much fear that they wouldn't even touch you.

And that was when he had a brilliant idea.

"Garp..." Sengoku groaned, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose in disbelief. "When I said to come up with an idea, I didn't mean... this."

"It's a good idea, right?" Garp asked, munching on rice crackers as he began to search for the transponder snails. "She's good at making people like her. It's going to work."

The Fleet Admiral shook his head, going over to stop Garp from pulling out the snails. Pushing the Vice Admiral to the side, Garp raised an eyebrow at the stern expression on Sengoku's face.

"What?"

" 'What'? Garp! You realize that not everybody is affected by her?" Garp shrugged his shoulders dismissively, causing the other man to gape. "Garp! This isn't a good idea!" Garp sharply turned around, shoving a cracker in his face.

"Namehunersonoowashintaffrected."

"Sa-..." Sengoku stilled for a moment. "Sakazuki . Sakazuki didn't like her. He didn't like her because he thought she was annoying. But..."

He was affected by you too.

"But Sakazuki manipulates her innocence, so technically he wasn't affected," Sengoku pointed out, trying to prove a point. "We have no idea if it's going to work on the shichibukai. So far, she affects weak willed and kind hearted individuals the most, and the cold ones the least. They're pirates. It's not possible- OI GARP!"

Garp didn't react as Sengoku stretched his hand out to take the snail out of his hands. Unsuccessfully. Garp dangled it in front of Sengoku's face, by his thumb and index finger.

"You asked for an idea, I gave you an idea." Sengoku gritted his teeth, before letting out an exasperated sigh.

"I suppose it is a rather clever idea," he grumbled. "You're not going to say something ridiculous now like making her befriend the World Government are you?" He pointed accusingly at Garp, who suddenly brightened up.

"That's not a bad idea-"

"It's a terrible idea, Garp. I was joking. They're going to manipulate her into taking over the world." Garp busted out laughing at Sengoku's appalled expression.

"Ha! But-" Garp suddenly flopped to the floor, letting out a large snore.

Sengoku stared at the man with an unimpressed look. Bending down, he plucked the snail off of his hands (he had to pry them apart actually).

"Narcoleptic fool..." he grumbled, placing the snail down and detaching the receiver.

"Purupurupuru- Gacha."

"We are requesting that the meeting in Marie Geoise today be mandatory. All shichibukai are to attend." Hanging up the call quickly, Sengoku let out a sigh for like the bagillionth time. "I hope you're happy Garp. If this fails, it's going to be your head."

---

"Lucci? Do you think I'm annoying?" you wondered, giggling a bit when Hattori nipped affectionately at your fingers. "Am I too loud?" Lucci's eyes wandered to your face, raising an eyebrow at your sudden question.

Lucci had come to report back to Marine HQ along with Spandam, who should be speaking with Sakazuki at this very moment. He said that he only came because it was his job, and that Spandam requested him to come, but he only really did come because he wanted to see you again.

He would never admit it aloud, but he missed your presence a bit. You made an impact on his life several years ago when he found you playing with Hattori. There was just something about you that he couldn't quite place.

"No. If I did, I would not be here." He watched as your expression brightened up significantly. Busting out in laughter, you gave him a small hug.

"That's good. I missed you a lot! I bet you've been working hard." Hattori nipped your finger, causing you to giggle. Stroking his feathers, you placed a kiss on his head. "You've been working hard too Hattori. Here. I made sure to get you a treat when I heard you guys were coming."

Holding out a small cracker, Hattori's eyes practically sparkled as he nuzzled into your hands. Grabbing the cracker in his beak, he flew off to enjoy his treat.

"Ah, I'm so happy you came today." You sighed, flopping onto the grass. "Everyone is doing stuff without me. It kind of got a little lonely. There's nothing to do here except train and watch the sea."

Your face contorted to one of discomfort briefly, before you gave him a big smile. "So what have you been doing? Oh yeah, I got you the brandy that you wanted. I almost got caught by Saka-chan!" You laughed as you magically pulled out the alcohol, dropping it onto his lap.

"I don't approve of underage drinking, but there you go! I risked my life for it!"

Lucci stared at the bottle of brandy in his lap in surprise. Well, leave it to you to remember what kind of alcohol he liked. You were such a people pleaser. You were truly too kind for your own good.

Opening up the bottle, he took a whiff. With narrowed eyes, he took a long sip, letting the alcohol flood into his mouth, filling his taste buds. He let out a hum of content. It was good.

Slowly lifting his lips from the rim of the bottle, he stared at you thoughtfully. Setting the glass bottle aside, he gently grabbed your hand, pulling you into his lap. Wrapping his hands around your frame in a gentle manner, he let his head set on top of your head, letting his nose take in your familiar scent. That very same scent that had attracted him to you one fateful day.

It was just so addicting. There was something about you that made something inside of him stirr, made him feel overly territorial. You smelled good, not just because of your shampoo; he liked your natural scent that lingered beneath it all.

"You smell nice," he spoke, voice husky as he began to feel drunk on your scent.

You didn't move as he moved his head to your ear, his breath fanning the sensitive skin, sending shivers down your spine. You began to tilt your head to see what he was doing when you felt a small nip on your ear.

"Ow..." you whined softly, bringing your hand up. You felt a wetness there, and pulling your hand back, you saw that it was blood. "Lucci. This is why I don't think you should drink."

He blinked slowly, gently pulling back and coming back to his senses. He licked his lips, tasting a lingering metallic taste. He strangely enjoyed it, savoring it in his mouth. Eyes flickering over to you, Lucci saw that you didn't appear to be mad. Just a little concerned by his behavior.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," he responded automatically without much thought. He was definitely feeling okay. Better than okay, actually.

In the past, he had always been intoxicated by your scent. Ever since he had found you with Hattori, feeding him little crackers. He had been enamored by it, but it was never this powerful. But with each time that he came back, your scent had become gradually and gradually overpowering.

Beautifully so.

It was like a drug, a very addicting one. Maybe it had something to do with his Devil Fruit that it was getting hard to restrain himself. Maybe there was something different about you that stirred the animal within him. Whatever it was, he hoped it wouldn't affect him too much.

"There you are." He looked up, slightly startled by the sudden appearance of Sengoku. He didn't even sense his presence. He blamed it on your scent.

"Hey Grandad!" you shouted, waving to him. When you did, you watch his face morph into one of dread. "What's wrong?" you asked, concerned.

"What are you doing?" he whispered, looking around as if scared that someone would hear him. Maybe that was exactly what he was concerned about. Sengoku gestured to you and Lucci with his hands, and you tilted your head at what exactly he was doing.

And then it clicked.

"Ooooh." He was talking about why you were in Lucci's lap with his arms holding you close to him possessively. "We were talking about alcohol and Lucci said I smelled nice."

...

Sengoku's jaw dropped, and he told himself to calm down before he killed the CP9 member.

The wording was so incredibly bad, but he was sure that you didn't mean it like that. First of all: You didn't drink. You probably got some (most likely sneaked it) for Lucci and was just telling him about your endeavors of getting it to him.

Second of all... well, he didn't really know what to say to the part where Lucci said you smelled nice. Or why you were in his lap.

This all would have been relevant if he didn't suddenly remember why exactly he was looking for you. Brushing everything to the side, he strutted over to you quickly, pulling you out of Lucci's arms.

"Just don't tell Garp about this," Sengoku muttered to the two of you, mainly to you. You nodded your head in confirmation. "We're going to Marie Geoise."

"Okay, but let me say bye to Lucci and Hattori first." Turning around, you waved to the two of them. "Bye guys! Hope you enjoy the alcohol, Lucci! See you later!" You couldn't see it, but inwardly, Lucci was rather disappointed that his time with you was so short. As you turned back forward, placing your hand into your Grandad's own, Lucci glared at the older man.

He was unbelievably angry, and the lingering of your scent did little to quell his rage. How long would he have to wait to visit you again? How long until he can smell you and hold you in his arms once more?

Lucci gritted his teeth, only able to watch you leave. The alcohol in his hands wouldn't be enough for when he went back to Water 7.

You hummed to yourself, happily walking beside Sengoku as he led you along.

"Why are we going to Marie Geoise, Grandad? That's the place where the descendents of the first twenty kings reside in, right?" Sengoku nodded his head, pulling you along with him.

"That's right," he spoke, attempting to discreetly steer you towards the docks. "Marie Geoise is a place located on top of the Red Line. And it has a forest." He was attempting to distract you from your impending panic attack.

Your eyes were on him as the dock drew closer. Only ten feet to the dock, another ten to get onto the ship. He was so close.

"Ooooh! A forest? Wow. What kind of animals live up there? The air is pretty thin isn't it?" You put a finger under your chin, eyebrows furrowed in thought. "Hey, you said that I was going right...?"

Oh shit.

"...Don't freak out."

That abruptly stopped the conversation, and you were suddenly very aware of the dock that you were standing on.

A little part of you was happy that you were going to leave this hell hole of loneliness, even if for a bit, and yet the irrational part of you was just screaming at you to run back into the safe confines of your bed. The actual part of you was still processing everything that was happening.

Which was Garp running quickly to haul you over his shoulder and make a fucking sprint to the boat. All you could think about and see was the dark waters as you bounced up and down on his shoulder.

Water.

Water.

Water.

You were going to drown.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Your cries of protest increased, as you began to move faster, beginning to use more and more of your true strength. Garp widened his eyes as he felt your strength increase exponentially, beginning to struggle holding your small body as he clambered on board.

"LET ME GO! I DON'T WANT TO! LET ME GO!"

The crew could only sweat drop as the Vice Admiral continued his way down towards the private quarters. The ship was beginning to take off and you and you could only hopelessly dangle from Garp's shoulder as the two of you reached your private quarters, which was just you sharing a room with your two grandfathers. Tossing you onto a bed, your instincts kicked in and you set your hands in front of you so that they would catch you, making a brief handstand, before flipping yourself up.

"Please take me back to land," you whimpered, diving into the bed and burrowing yourself underneath the blankets. "Land land land... I can't do this... I'm scared..." Your hands shook as you clenched your eyes, attempting to hide away in the