Sanosuke POV

I kissed the island ground with passion as waterfalls of tears, poured out of my eyes.

I would have never agreed to follow this man if I knew how crazy he was. I mean, who in their right mind placing a bass on Sea King territory? I'll tell you who, my crazy Captain but at least he was true to his word, not one Sea King manage to get close to our boat but still, I thought my heart was going to pop every time a Sea King rose out of the water to eat us.

"Sanosuke, pull yourself together. I need to enlighten you on a few important details before I introduce you to Fae but I'll only inform you on what's most important right now. . . One," he lifted a finger up. "She is not to know about anything on what's going on in the outside world. . Two," he lifted a second finger up. "She is not to know that we are pirates or what we are planning to do and lastly."

He lifted a third finger up and the air around us begin to thicken, "be very careful about what you say around her." His voice deepened and his eyes darkened dangerously as he pierced his gaze towards me, "she loves to learn new things, especially when it comes to things that interest her so, think before you speak because she will try to abstract information out of you in anyway possible and trust me, she tends to have a memory of an elephant when it comes to things that fascinate her."

I gulped, "for a seven year old she seems quite sharp for her age."

He was silent for a long moment as if he was trying to conjure up the right words, "in most aspects, yes but she's earnest, trusting, and kind." His eyes harden in detest, "but her soft heart just makes her naïve and vulnerable to manipulation."

"Manipulation?. . Uhm, well that's not good." I could feel my eyebrows wrinkling together as I frowned. "In this day and age, being gullible is dangerous."

He nodded his head in agreement, "I know. It's in her best interest to sever that kindness in her heart but. . I can't. . it's not. ." His eyes begin to fill with remorse but he closed them, letting out a sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Just disregard my last remark. I told her before I left that I would find her a teacher, so she is expecting you." He uttered softly, changing the subject as he headed for the forest.

My eyes focused on his back. There is so many questions swirling inside of my head but he doesn't like it when I try to pry into his past.

I swear I can still feel the cold sweat, rolling down my spine when I asked him about his childhood and the look he gave me utterly terrifying.

The one think I do know for sure is that there are boundaries with Leon and asking questions about his childhood is definitely a forbidden topic.

I let out a sigh, but I still can't help but feel curious to why he needs to hide so many secrets. What exactly are you hiding, Leon and why hide it from your own sister? I let a another sigh and shrugged my shoulders. Whatever. I guess I'll learn everything I need to know over time.

I followed Leon into the forest and we came to a stop when a small white house came into view.

"She'll be happy to see a new face so prepare yourself to be bombarded with questions." Leon told me with a soft smile, opening the front door. We both came to a halt in the living room and Leon and I both let out a gasp when we saw how disastrous the house was.

Leon's mouth was gawking open in shock and I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. The look on his face was priceless but eventually, he snapped out of it and irritation marks began to form all over his face. "Fae Walker!!!!!" He roared her name and I could have sworn his voice echoed across the island. A loud crash came from the kitchen and a shriek followed behind it not long after.

We both quickly rushed to the kitchen and the color slowly drained from Leon when we entered into the kitchen.

It was a catastrophe mess.

Flour was flung all over the kitchen, eggs were cracked open on the counters and floor, bowls were scattered all over the place, and the milk carton was knocked over on the counter, leaking on to the floor, and in the center of all of it was a little girl with big round grey eyes and long silver hair that flowed all the way down to her waist.

She had on a long sleeve, puffy white and pink dress with a matching pair of white stocking socks and a pair of pink slippers and resting on the center of her head was a large pink bow.

"Fae, what have you done. This house is a complete disaster and the kitchen. . ." Leon took a step into the kitchen and step on an egg shell that still had yoke in it.

She dusted the flour off her dress before folding her hands behind her back, "I-I was going to clean it up when I was done." She said shyly, looking down at the floor as she nervously rocked back and forth.

My eyes had hearts in them and I place my hands over my cheeks. She's sooo cute.~ I felt my body swirling side to side.

Leon pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh, "I'll clean it up later but for now I want to introduce you to your new teacher." He turned to the side so she could get a better view of me and her eyes lit up with excitement.

The next thing I knew, I was being tackled to the ground with her arms clinging around my waist. "Yay! Will you be my friend and play with me?!" She asked with a smile as bright as the sun.

She rested her chin on my abdomen as her big round eyes gazed up into my face and my whole body stiffen, turning to stone.

It's a sin for someone to look this adorable!

"Fae." Leon growled, grabbing ahold of the collar of her dress, prying her off of me. "You are a young lady and lady's don't tackle men to the ground." He scolded, holding her in the air as he glared into her small face but she just smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck, smashing her cheek against his. "I missed you so much, big brother!" She giggled happily and the anger slowly faded off of Leon's face.

If I didn't know any better, I think he was jealous that she ran into my arms and not his.

I pulled myself up off the ground as I watched Leon dot over his little sister. She was a bubble of sunshine and joy and the polar opposite of Leon.

She showered him in love, kisses, and hugs and I could see his face softening up but when his eyes landed on me, his cheeks turned slightly pink as he cleared his throat, setting her down on her feet.

"Fae this is Sanosuke. He's going to teach you what I couldn't and I want you to listen to what he's going to teach you, okay?" He said sternly, raising his eyebrows at her.

"Hai!" She shouted happily, folding her hand in front of her as she bowed her head. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sanosuke." She said politely as she peeked one eye over at Leon. "Did I say it right, big brother?" She whispered over at him and I had to cover my mouth with my hand to keep the awes at bay. She was just to cute and all I wanted to do was hold her and squeeze her until she popped.

He let out a chuckle, "yes, you said it right."

"Yay! Now we can eat what I made!"

Leon's smile dropped and his face pale over, "o-oh, that's okay Fae. I have already eaten."

"No you haven't-" Leon shut me up with a glare.

"Awww." She made a pouty face and she sniffled like she was about to cry.
"B-but Sanosuke hasn't eaten." Leon forced a smile, pushing me forward and I hesitated but I didn't want to disappoint her too. "Y-yeah, food sounds amazing right now." I smiled awkwardly.

"Yay!" She shouted with joy as she ran into the kitchen.

"Hold your breath and swallow fast without letting it touch your tongue." He whispered to me quickly before she returned with a bowl that reeked of death.

The purple goo in the bowl was bubbling and the hair in my nostrils curled when I took a whiff. I did my best not to snarl in disgust, "t-that looks quite a-appetizing." I lied as I gagged.

The scent is already clinging to my tastebuds! Leon you ass! I glared over at him and he gave me an apologetic look but I could see the devious smile, creeping up onto his lips.

"I hope you like it! I kept messing up but I think I got it right this time." She said cheerfully as she held a spoonful close to my mouth. I tired to take Leon's advice when she placed the spoon in my mouth but the moment I swallowed it, my eyes began to water and my lips pursed together as I grabbed my throat. It was the nastiest thing I have ever tasted in my life.

She looked at me worried, "oh no, your turning green. Does it taste bad?" She asked, dipping her finger in it and placing it in her mouth. Her whole body shivered from head to toe as she turned a shade of blue, "EWW! YUCK! IT'S DISGUSTING!!!" She yelled at the top of her lungs and she began to sulk, puffing out her cheeks.

Leon laughed, patting her head, "don't worry, I know if you keep practicing you'll get better at it in time."

She was still pouting until Leon pulled out a chocolate candy bar out of his bag and her face lit up again. "Something tells me if I go in to the pantry that their isn't going to be anymore sweets in there, am I right?" He raised an eyebrow at her, shaking the candy bar side to side.

Her face redden as she looked down at her feet, poking her pointer fingers together, "I-I may have eaten them." She said softly, fidgeting in place.

Leon's face went blank, "you-you ate three months worth of sweets?"

Tears began to form in her eyes as she nodded her head and her lips began to quiver. "I'm sorry big brother but I didn't like the taste of the vegetables! I tried to eat them, I promise I did!" She rubbed the tears away with the back of her hands.

S-so cute!~

Leon's eyes wavered and he let out a sigh, handing her the candy bar. "H-here. ." He grumbled with a red tent to his cheeks.

The tears suddenly vanished and the smile quickly returned to her face. "Yay! Thank you big brother! I'll love you forever!" She jumped into his arms, hugging him tight.

She totally suckered him!

"But from here on, your not allowed to eat anymore sweets until you at least eat one whole vegetable and a good healthy meal with it while I'm away or I won't bring you anymore sweets."

Okay, I guess she didn't completely sucker him.

"Awww, boo." She puckered out her cheeks but she didn't argue with her brother as she nibbled on her chocolate bar.

"Sanosuke, this is Fae's new schedule. She knows her old routine by heart but she's going to have to readjust now that you are here." Leon handed me a board that I remember him working on a few days prior and I felt my mouth fall open.

Fae's Schedule

8:00 AM - Wakeup time / Wash-up
8:30 AM - Breakfast
9:00 AM - Sanosuke's class sessions
12:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 PM - Combat training
3:00 PM - Play time / Snack time
5:00 PM - Dinner
6:30 PM - Bath time
7:00 PM - Prep for bed
8:00 PM - Bedtime

"T‐this is. ."

"Strick? I know but it's for her own good." Leon proclaimed, taking the board from me and hanging it on the wall.

"But. . I-isn't she to young for combat training?" I asked, glancing over at the little girl licking the chocolate off her fingers.

"No, actually she's quite gifted in combat. She's a fast learner but of course she still has a long ways to go and that's why you'll be her opponent from here on. It's perfect, you'll get the training you need and so will she."

"What?! Are you out of your mind?! I'm not fighting a lit-" Leon quickly covered my mouth leaning his lips close to my ear. "If you don't want to see a deadly side of Fae, I suggest you watch your mouth. She hasn't learned how to control her strength when she's angry and trust me when I say, you wouldn't survive one of her blows." He whispered before patting my shoulder. "We start tomorrow, so settle in and get a good night's worth of sleep." He smiled cruelly, walking towards the kitchen. "Come on Fae, let's go clean the kitchen so I can prepare dinner."

"Hai!" She cheerily yelled but before she followed suit behind him, she gave me a big hug, staring up at me with these big enchanting eyes. "I love you!" She smiled like an angel and my heart tried to thump it's way out of my chest.

She was only seven and children tend to say things on a whim but those three words meant more to me than anyone would ever know.

I don't even recall hearing those three words from my own father and here is this little girl with love flowing out of her innocent eyes.

She tilted her head with her eyes closed and gave me one more breathtaking smile before falling in step behind Leon.

-The Ending Of Memory Lane-

Oven's laughter filled the room, "sounds like Fae and Leon turned your world upside down for the better. I see now why you respect and follow him."

I nodded my head as I glanced up at the Charlotte siblings who seemed to have been engulfed in my past memories.

"Very interesting." Smoothie sat back in her chair with her arms and legs crossed as she smiled condescendingly down at me.

I cast my gaze quickly over to Katakuri to avoid Smoothie's devious eyes but his gaze was just as bad.

"You know Fae better then anyone in this room. . can you tell me a little more about her? Like what she likes and doesn't like besides the obvious."

Oven nodded his head, "yeah, Fae tends to only tell us what she wants us to know, which isn't fair."

I snickered, "she's always been that way but their isn't much she doesn't like. . except for jam or jelly. . oh, and she definitely doesn't like Jell-O or heavy jewelry or shoes." I announced one thing after another and I could see Katakuri's eyes widen slightly.

"She. . doesn't like. . jam?" He asked as if he was making sure he heard me right.

I nodded my head, "she's never like it which is weird because it's full of sugar but. . . now that I have answered some of your questions, may I ask you something?"

Katakuri almost seemed. . disappointed in himself but he blinked back his emotions. "As long as it's a reasonable question, you may ask away."

I paused for a moment, realizing this may come out as an insult. "You informed the group that Fae told you that someone was in her room a while back and I'm just assuming that someone was Admiral Theo." I could see Katakuri's eyes narrowing dangerously at me but I forced my mouth to keep talking.

"So how is it that an Admiral manage to stay under the radar for so long and never be detected? I mean his Devil Fruit power probably had a helping hand on infiltrating in to your territory and getting place to place but my question is, how could he possibly always know where she was going to be and how could he stay hidden on your turf for so long?"

"Are you implying that someone was helping him?" The smile on Oven's face vanished and Smoothie knitted her eyebrows together. "That's just absurd. No one is crazy enough to go against Big Mama let alone betray her to help that Government dog!"

I gulped but kept going, "Oven, you stated that Fae told you that she felt eyes on her for a while but just maybe it wasn't you or your siblings eyes she was detecting." The room begin to chill over and the aura surrounding Katakuri darkened.

"I-I'm just saying even with his Devil Fruit powers it's not possible for him to always know where she is or where she is going to be unless someone was telling him."

Katakuri jumped out of his seat and stormed out of the room with Oven hot on his tail. I blinked in confusion but quickly followed suit behind them, "wait! If someone came to mind then I need to inform Leon right away!" I said but froze in terror when I felt the fury radiating off of both of the Charlotte brothers.

"I should have killed her." They both hissed at the same time as they left the building in pure rage.