Katakuri POV

“Are you sure you still want to do this?” I asked her hesitantly as we walked through the Seducing Woods, “cause we can turn around any time you want to.”

“Yes, I want to do this for the hundredth time.” Fae groaned in irritation but the smile slowly returned to her face as she swirled in circles under the sunshine behind me.

“This place is gorgeous but the forest seems like it goes on forever and the trees seem to be drifting closer to us as if there narrowing our path.” She stated seriously as her eyes roamed the forest.

That’s exactly what’s happening. The forest is keeping us on the path I want us to go on and for her to notice that so quickly is astonishing but I’m still aggravated with her stubbornness. I can’t seem to change her mind and I have been trying so hard to talk her out of sparring with me but nothing has worked. I’ve tried tempting her with shopping, sweets, sightseeing, and just about anything I could think of but nothing’s working.

I glanced behind me once more and she was still following behind me, skipping on the rocky path from one rock to another. “Is this really where you do most of your training?” She curiously asked me.

“Some times but I normally do it in the Mirror-World alone but the others insisted on watching us.” She stopped skipping from one rock to another and her soft grey eyes landed on me. “Why do they want to watch us?” She asked, tilting her head.

I loved it when she did that. I shook my head trying to get my thoughts in order but it was almost impossible with her around. “Because they don’t normally see me sparring with anyone and they also want to see what you can do.”

She was silent for a moment with her finger to her lips. “Umm, I guess that makes sense.”

I sighed, well that didn’t work. I only agreed to let the others watch because I thought it would scare her into not wanting to do this anymore! Dammit, when I made that stupid bet I honestly didn’t think she would agree to it! I’m so stupid! I should have known she would have agreed to this!

I glanced behind me to check on her again and she was so stunning with her hands behind her back and her eyes were shining brightly as she walked with a bounce to her step. I stopped in my tracks and she ran right into the back of my leg. She glanced up at me curiously, “why did you stop? Are we here?”

I shook my head, “no, not yet but I stopped because I don’t want to do this anymore.” I announced out loud to her seriously.

“To do what anymore?”

“This fight. You don’t seem to be nervous or scared which means you have a whole lot of confidence in your ability to beat me or your just-just. . I don’t know! I just don’t want to do this anymore! I’m so scared that I might hurt you or worse, if I end up hurting you. You’ll grow to fear me.” I whispered, clutching my fists tight. “I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want you to grow to fear me. I just don’t want to do this anymore.”

She smiled softly, “we don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” She announced sweetly, looking up at me with her eyes closed.

“Oh, thank god.” I breathe in a sigh of relief. “Let’s just head back then and do whatever you want to do today.”

She nodded her head, “sure, but that just means I win by default.”

I froze in place, “no, it just means no one won.”

“A bet is a bet and if you don’t want to spar with me, then that means I win.” She said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, turning her back on me but I ran in front of her to stop her in her tracks.

“Oi. Oi. Oi. I don’t think so. I am not forfeiting because if you win then I’ll have to pick and choose when to help you and I don’t want to do that.”

“So, then we are sparring?” She asked raising her eyebrows with a smirk on her angelic face.

“You. .” I narrowed my eyes at her and her smile deepened. She may look like an angel but theirs definitely some invisible horns on her forehead. “No, I’m not forfeiting.” I growled, stomping my way through the forest and I could hear her giggling lightly behind me.

We finally reached our destination and Oven, Daifuku, Smoothie, and Cracker were already patiently waiting for us. “It’s about time. I didn’t think you two were going to show up.” Oven grumbled with his arms crossed.

I don’t know what’s gotten in to him but he’s been extremely unreasonable towards me. Was Mama right? Does he have feelings for Fae? I narrowed my eyes at him, “Fae was enjoying the scenery and I wasn’t going to rush her for your benefit.” I snapped back at him and it was like an electric wave formed between us as we glared at one another.

“I didn’t come here to see you two have a chest-thumping contest.” Smoothie hissed at me and Oven and then her blue sharp eyes landed on Fae.

“Maybe we should let the boys have their alpha stand off and spar ourselves.” Smoothie boasted out loud, running her eyes up and down Fae like she couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into her.

“No, I don’t think so./Not going to happen.” Both me and Oven stated at the same time.

Cracker chuckled darkly, “I think that's a great idea. I think we all know you’ll hold back and just fend her off until she wears herself out, am I right?”

I gave him a warning glare but he continued on, ignoring my warning. “What do you say, Fae? You’ll have a fair fight with Smoothie. She won't hold back like Katakuri will.” Cracker smiled devilishly at her.

“Shut up, Cracker.” Oven hissed and I could see Fae's face darken.

“You really think I’m that weak, don’t you?” She looked at me for a hot minute but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. I could see the muscles working in her jaw. “Smoothie, I would love to spar with you.” She muttered, never breaking eye contact with me.

“No, absolutely not. We made a deal, me and you. If you spar with her then the deals off.” I ranted and she crossed her arms and gave me a defile expression.

“Fine, but I’m not holding back and if you really think the only thing your going to do is block my attacks and try to wear me out, then you have another thing coming.” She spun around, storming away from me.

I never seen her so mad at me and my siblings were just as speechless as I was. “She really has guts. I like her.” Smoothie smiled, staring at Fae as she walked to the other side of the open field.

“I like her too. I’m kind of jealous that her hands are going to be all over you.” Cracker crackled and it took all my strength, not to lunge at him.

Oven and Daifuku were on both sides of him and they both punished him in the arm at the same time, “ouch, I was just teasing.” He whined while Oven dragged him away off the field by the collar of his shirt.

Fae was about 20 feet away from me and she was already in a strong defensive stance. “I’m ready when ever you are.” Their was no kindness in her voice and no warmth in her eyes.

I could feel sweat running down my neck. She’s serious. She really is going to come at me with everything she’s got. “Okay, I’m-" I didn’t even get the chance to finish my sentence when she was already behind me and I barely had time to block her attack.

So fast! She jumped backwards away from me but she rush at me from a different angle and approach again and again. Each attack I fended off, pounded my feet deeper into the ground, causing the crater to grow larger and larger with each blow.

I used Kenbunshoku Haki to keep up with her speed but she wasn’t letting up and I could literally feel her rage in each attack as her speed increased by the second.

She’s trying to get me to go on the offense but if her speed continues to increase, I may just have to.

She jumped high into the air above me and it was the perfect opportunity for me to strike her down but I couldn’t bring myself to do it and she knew that I couldn’t do it.

“Stop fending me off and fight back!” She shouted in rage as the bottom of her foot aimed for the center of my face but I stopped the blow with my forearm. I could feel her kick vibrate through my arm to the bone, even with the coded Haki.

What the hell! She’s monstrously strong!

She went to deliver another blow but I grabbed her by the ankle, slamming her to the ground. I gasped in shock when I realized what I had done. “Oh my god, Fae! I’m so sorry! Are you okay-“

The bottom of her heel, slammed into my nose as she did a handspring away from me. I was in shock but I wasn't sure if it was from the kick to the face or from the smile on her face. “Your starting to take this more seriously. I like that.” She stated with glow tent to skin.

I blinked a few times confused but slowly realization filled in the blanks. Of course! Why didn’t I see this before! She wasn’t upset about me coming to her aid she was upset I took the thrill of battle away from her! Yes, she was upset that I went for the kill but I think this whole ordeal is because I was trying to take the thrill of battle away from her. She’s like me. She enjoys the thrive of battle and I would be upset as well if someone tried to take that away from me. I get it now.

I stopped taking the defense route and I could see the light return to her beautiful eyes as she dodged my blows. The smile reappeared to her gorgeous face as we continued sparring for hours until we were both drenched in sweat and panting for air.

She finally sat down on the ground and fell backwards into the grass. “Okay. . y-you win. . I just. . hope I got my point across.” She huff and I could see her chest rising and falling rapidly.

I sat down beside her in the grass, “You did and I promise to leave you to your battles but I can’t promise I’ll stop coming to your aid. I’m sorry but your not going to change my mind on that.” She rolled her eyes but her smile was still glued to her face, “fine, I guess I can agree to that.”

I chuckled at her annoyance towards me, “I didn’t think it was possible but I think I just fell in love with you even more.” I confessed and she giggled, leaning up off the ground. “I love you too big guy and this was a lot of fun, we should do this more often but next time let's not hold back so much.”

I raised a eyebrow, “you. . you were holding back?”

“Of course I was. You weren’t taking me seriously, so I decided at the last second not to take you so seriously either.” She stated innocently as she curled into my lap and rested her head on my thigh. I tensed up at first but I slowly relaxed, stroking her hair gently.

“Who taught you how to fight?” I asked curiously running my fingers through her silky hair. She had her eyes closed but I knew she was still awake.

“Both Leon and Sanosuke but me and Sanosuke sparred more often. Literally just about every chance we got.” I could hear her voice getting heavy. “I always lost to them but I didn’t mind. I enjoyed learning knew techniques from  Sanosuke and they both always made it fun.”

“Who would you say is stronger, Sanosuke or Leon?” I asked, realizing we maybe underestimating the Vice Captain if he taught Fae to fight.

“I guess you can say they are both equal in strength but if I had to pick who I thought was little stronger. . Umm, I would have to say Sanosuke because he is more level headed in most aspects but he. . umm, lacks courage."

“So, he's a coward?”

“No! He’s not a coward he's just a. . just a. . push over." She whispered the last two words like a child saying a cuss-word for the first time.

"He doesn’t like conflict and he tries to avoid it at all cost so his voice just kind of gets lost in Leon’s.” She mumbled softly and after a few moments of silence she whispered, “I miss them so much.”

“I know.” I whispered and she jumped  at the sound of clapping in the distance. I shot a glare in the direction the clapping was coming from.

I forgot we had company and I could tell Fae forgot as well. She leaned up off my lap and I growled at Cracker for interrupting me and her.

All four of them slowly treaded towards us, “well, that was entertaining but I’ll have to admit I was starting to get bored watching Fae do all the pounding but.” His smile darkened as he stared down at Fae. “I enjoyed the view.”

I stretched my arm out in to Mochi, punching him hard in his face and he flew backwards, slamming through the thick forest of trees.

"Katakuri! Oh, my gosh! You've could have seriously hurt him!" Fae yelled in shock, jumping out of my lap.

"Nah, it takes a lot to do damage to that thick headed moron." Smoothie smirked, staring down at the path of destruction. Oven and Daifuku busted out laughing while something caught Fae's attention. She stared off towards Sweet City as she tilted her head, "Do you hear that?" She asked us curiously.

"Hear what?" I asked, getting up off the ground when I realized she wasn't going to sit back down on my lap.

Everyone grew quiet and in the far distance we could hear faint screams coming from Sweet City.

"What's happening?" Cracker grumbled, coming out of the forest with twigs and leaves sticking out of his hair while Smoothie's transponder snail puttered. She clicked her transponder snail on and screams in the background filled our ears. "Smoothie we need help! We can't find Katakuri or Oven or anyone and Big Mama's rampaging through Sweet City! She's having a hunger pang for Chocolate Souffles and the Chef's need more time! Please help us!" Opera screamed into the transponder snail.

Every muscle in my body tensed up and I knew something bad was going to happen. "We're on our way!" Smoothie shouted, clicking the snail off as she and the others took off towards Sweet City.

I swooped Fae up bridal style and followed suit behind them, "I'm going to drop you off at the edge of the City where you'll be safe." I told her and she shook her head no.

"No! I want to help! I can help evacuated the citizens!" She shouted up at me as she held on to me tight. I nodded my head, not wanting to argue with her at the moment and when we finally reached the City. It was in chaos as people screamed, running for their lives as large peices of gravel flew across the sky, landing in every direction of the City.

I put Fae down, "Cracker, take the East side! Smoothie, the West side! Daifuku, the North side. Oven, the South side and I'll take the middle. Signal if you find her!"

"Right!" And they all left in the direction I told them to go.

"Fae, help out as many citizens as you can and please, stay safe." I glanced down at her with pleading eyes.

She smiled softly up at me, "I will, now go!" I nodded my head, giving her one final glance before taking off to the middle of the City.

I scouted the destroyed town for Big Mama but I couldn't find her and the others still haven't signal me yet either. Where is she? I don't hear her rampaging through the City anymore and the gravel even stopped flying through the air. What's going on?

My baby transponder snail puttered and I clicked it on in a hurry, "did you find her?!"

"Katakuri! We have a problem! Fae is standing in front of Big Mama right now! She's protecting a large group of citizens and she's refusing to get out of Mama's path!" My world crumbled and I could feel my body moving all on it's own to where I left her. I moved faster then I have ever moved before in my life.

I could hear a battle happening in the distance and when I reached my destination. Fae had a large thick clear barrier of ice surrounding her and Mama, keeping them both in a large bubble.

What the hell is this?! I could see Oven trying to melt the ice but it kept regenerating faster than he could melt it and the others tried smashing, cutting, and pounding the barrier open but no one could get in.

I coded my arm with haki and transformed my arm in to a spikey club hammer as I observed the barrier but I couldn't find a weak point and I wasn't sure if it was cause I was enraged for being on the outside away from Fae or because there was no weak point at all.

I didn't care anymore, I just wanted in. I put all my strength into one blow and I could feel the shock wave crumble the buildings around me but I only managed to crack the barrier a little and it regenerated with a thicker coat of ice.

I never seen anything like this in my life and she wasn't joking when she said she was holding back. "Fae! Put down this barrier and let us help!" I roared at her in anger but she ignored me as tried to avoid Mama's flying fists that were trying to crush her.

"Chocolate Souffles! Bring me Chocolate Souffles!" Mama shouted at Fae with yellow and orange swirls in her eyes.

"I'm sorry but I don't have any." Fae calmly stated to Mama but her face was pale and she was drenched in sweat. She looked like she was about to give out at any moment.

It must be taking a tremendous amount of energy and strength to keep this barrier up. There's no telling how long she can keep this up before she wears herself out.

"Fae, stop being ridiculous and drop this barrier! Let us help!" I shouted and I could hear the pathetic shakiness in my voice but it seemed to have worked because she finally looked at me, "is everyone safe!" She shouted at me but I didn't care about anyone else, only her.

"Yes! Thanks to you no one got hurt!" Pudding shouted to Fae through the barrier and she finally nodded her head but it was to late. Mama bent down towards Fae, "you keep getting in my way! . . Life Or Chocolate Souffles?" I felt my world crashing down when I realized I couldn't do anything to help her even if the barrier dropped in time.

"Fae! Drop this barrier now!" I pounded on the barrier with my fist, shattering it like glass but it continued to regenerate as Fae tilted her head and smile up at Mama, "life!" She shouted happily.

No! I expecting to watch her lifeless body fall to the ground but she was still standing and her life wasn't seeping out of her body.

By some miracle. Mama's devil fruit power wasn't working on Fae. The only way Mama's devil fruit power doesn't work is if her target doesn't fear death but I'm not waiting to test that theory.

"Fae, please! I beg of you, drop this barrier or so help me god! I'll do something I'll regret to you later!" I warned her and I finally could see the barrier melting from the top downward. I rushed to her, snatching her up and jumping away from Mama who was disoriented. "What were you thinking?! I pacifically told you not to put yourself in harm's way yet deliberately did! Are you insane?! Do you want to die?!" I roared in rage, never feeling this angry before in my life.

I could see her shrinking into me as tears welled up in her eyes and she looked at me as if I just whipped her. I sighed, calming down a little now that she was safe in my arms. "I'm sorry. You just scared the hell out of me." I whispered, giving her a bone crushing hug as if she would disappear if I didn't cling to her tight enough. She didn't complain, she never complains.

"Are you. . are you not scared of Big Mama? Not even a little?" I asked her hesitantly as I held her closer to me. God, I left her alone only for a moment and danger seems to sniff her out pacifically.

"No, of course not. Why would I be scared of your Mother?" She asked me baffled by my question and I couldn't help but chuckle in astonishment. "You. . Oh god, I don't know what I would do if something happened to you." I buried my face into her neck but she pushed me away.

"Katakuri, please stop. We don't have time for this. Put me down, your Mother needs my help." She said trying to get out of my arms as my siblings tried to get my Mother under control.

"No! I'm getting you out of here! Away from her!"

"No! Trust me, Katakuri. Your Mother is sick and she needs my help. Can't you feel all that negative energy swarming around her? It's littering eating her alive." Fae said softly, placing her palm on my cheek. "Trust me. Let me help her so I can help everyone in this City." She pleaded with me and I groaned, not wanting to put her down.

"Please, Katakuri." She whispered to me in a way that I couldn't possibly say no to her. I sighed in disapproval but I obeyed, gently putting her down on her feet. She patted my leg, reassuring me that everything was going to be okay as she walked swiftly towards Mama who was still having a psychotic breakdown.

I never left her side as I told the others to detract Mama and when Fae finally reached her. She placed her small hand on the back of Mama's leg and a gold coat wrapped around Mama like a blanket. The shrieking cries for Chocolate Souffles stopped and I could see the swirls slowly, disappearing from her eyes. After what felt like forever the gold coat disappeared and Fae removed her hand, taking a step back.

"How do you feel?" Fae asked Mama kindly as Mama sat down with a big thud, causing the ground to shake.

"Oh, I feel fine dear but what happened here?" She asked confused, glancing around.

"Uh, we were under attack but don't worry we took care of the intruders." I announced out loud, reassuring Mama.

I heard people gasping and when I glanced behind me to see what was going on. Oven caught Fae who fell unconscious in to his arms. I rushed to her, snatching her from him. "Don't touch her!" I growled at him, but my focus went straight to her. I knelt down on my knees as I cradled her between my arm and chest. "Fae?!" I patted her cheek trying to wake her up. "Fae?! Wake up! Look at me! Open your eyes!" I shouted, shaking her but she didn't react to the sound of my voice or my touch.

Memories of her telling me about her ability flashed through my mind and the one thing I was worried about is now playing out in front of me like a nightmare sprinting to life.

~I can cycle out negative energy by replacing it with a positive energy through my touch. Anger, hatred, fear, hopelessness, jealousy, and stress all cause problems with the human body, so I know the healing I do is responsible for that ability. However. ., all the negative energy gets stored into me until my body slowly dissolves it all on it’s own.~

I looked down at her limp body as I gently ran my fingers across her sleeping face.

~Don’t worry, sleep is the only side effect, that I know of. If it’s just a small amount of negative energy, all I need is a good night sleep but the stronger the negative energy is the longer my body needs to sleep to heal.~

Her angelic voice echoed in my head. She made it sound like it wasn't a big deal but her face is white as a ghost and her warmth is slowly fading. She is so cold like that of a dead body. She won't even respond to anything I'm saying or doing to her.

I buried my face into her neck and held her close to me. This is all my fault! I shouldn't have let her go! I should have took her away like I wanted to and none of this would have happened!

Someone reached out to touch her wrist, "don't fucking touch her!" I roared like a savage beast, ready to rip out the throat of who ever tried to take her from me. Everyone around me to a step back in fear.

"Katakuri-sama, I'm a doctor. I'm not going to hurt her." An old brown mink-bear said calmly with his hands in the air to show me he meant no harm.

"Let me help her." He whispered softly taking a step towards me and I held her tighter to my chest protectively.

I felt numb, heavy, and useless. I couldn't do anything to help her and it's tearing me up in the inside.

"Why is she so cold?" I asked him and I could hear the desperation in my voice.

The doctor shook his head, "I'm not sure. I'll have to do an examination on her but I promise, Katakuri-sama. I'll take care of her." He told me seriously, now standing only a few inches from me. He once again, reached for Fae but I stood up, "I'll carry her. You lead the way and I'll follow." I growled, refusing to hand Fae over. He looked skeptical at first but eventually he nodded his head, leading me the way.

Pudding and Brûlée came rushing through the crowd. "I'll go with you Katakuri!" I nodded my head, not even caring that everyone was watching me crumble apart in front of them.

I never thought I would experience or know what helplessness felt like but I was wrong.

I held her even tighter, allowing her to take the warmth from my body but her skin was still as cold as ice. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm suppose to protect her, not just as her boyfriend but as a man.

I clenched my jaw together, trying to keep my temper in check. Never. I never what to feel this useless again. I must get stronger for her sake.

I couldn't break that barrier and neither could anyone else. I must protect her even though she has proven her strength to me but this ability of hers is pointless to use if this is the consequence of using such a dangerous power.

I narrowed my eyes down at her sleeping face, I don't like that she's been hiding this much power from me or maybe it’s just she hasn't truly had the chance to really test what she can do.

I always thought it was just her brother that was full of mystery but apparently it runs in the family because she has only shown me a fraction of what she can do and if she really is this strong then Leon and Sanosuke must really be monsters. If I remember correctly, she told me she's never won a battle between them and that's what scares the hell out of me.

Pudding POV

Katakuri's literally displaying his weakness to everyone and there's know telling who's watching.

"I'll round up the others to see who's stupid enough to try to take advantage of this situation." Brûlée whispered to me and I nodded my head in agreement.

"Right. I'll take Oven and Smoothie with me. Katakuri seems out of it and we may need the extra protection." I muttered seriously and Brûlée agreed.

I really like Fae a lot but she's becoming Katakuri's cripple and it was obvious to everyone who watched him break down.

I sighed, which means I have a lot of work to do on wiping people's memories of this incident. Really Katakuri, your lucky to have a sister who cares enough to do this.

I waved to Oven and Smoothie, gesturing them to follow me while Brûlée and Daifuku rounded up everyone.

I sighed again, it's going to be a long night for everyone especially for me. Yay me.