This took me a while to do because while I was making the draft of this story it sent some triggering things that took me a while for me to get the motivation to write. Don't worry I took it out and rewrote it into something that didn't get me that much than before. Sorry it took so long, but I always say that don't I? Anyways, Enjoy!

For @kiwipinapples

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In a cold, dark, two bedroom apartment laid a tuckered out girl that was no older than sixteen, sprawled on the bed. The only thing that could be heard was her steady breathe until a knock broke the quietness. When nothing replied, another barrage of knocks came down upon the door, once again a reply was not heard. The door opened and the father who was raising the girl on their own and for the absence of their late mother entered the room.

Kuzan, or better known as Admiral Aokiji by his peers, walked over to her bed and gently shook the sleeping child. They stirred and groaned and peeked their messy bed hair from the covers.

"Little fledgling," he whispered, "time to wake up." A muffled whine was heard, Kuzan simply chuckled. "Get up," he ordered gently and shook her body once again. The covers were removed from their upper torso and the small figure immediately curled from the sudden change of temperature.

"Five more minutes..." she grumbled. Kuzan sighed at their stubbornness but complied. He grabbed a nearby chair and sat by their bedside for five minutes watching over them protectively. Five minutes were up and he began to wake her up once again.

"Wake up," he repeated. Another whine was let out from the girl and so did a sigh from Kuzan. "You asked for this, literally." He placed a hand on her exposed neck and turned it into ice. The sudden cold made her fall out of bed.

"Get it off of me! Get it off of me! Get it off of me! Get it off of me!" She screamed, her father laughed at the sight of her rolling on the floor in an exaggerating manner. She shot up with narrowing eyes and a pouting lip. "Why did you do that!"

"You said to wake you up that way if you didn't," he said with his hands up in defense. "Now, get dressed and pack your stuff, we don't want to be late now do we?"

"Yeah, yeah," she muttered. Kuzan ruffles her messy bed hair before headed out the door to give her privacy but before he could leave (Y/n) pulled on his sleeve.

She hugged him from behind, "Hey, dad?"

"Yes? What is it?"

"Love you," she muttered shyly before hugging him tightly. He smiled and placed his cold hands on her warm ones as if to slightly return the gesture. He removed her hands and turned to face her, gave a quick peck on her forehead before leaving. (Y/n) sighed gloomily after he left and touched the area where she was kissed before getting dressed.

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After washing up and eating breakfast they both got on Kuzan's bike and made their way to Marine Ford. Both were quiet, enjoying the sound seagulls cawing from above and the ocean waves crashing into one another. (Y/n) yawned before leaning on her fathers back. She closed her eyes as she held what little belongings she would bring to her to HQ close towards her.

"Hey, dad? Can you sing to me?" She asked.

"What would you like for me to sing, fledgling?"

"Ocean's Guide." Kuzan cringed a bit at the request, but if his daughter was the one to request it for him to sing the song he would do it a hundred times over.

(A/n): P.S. play the song for more dramatic effect

While he sang he thought of his wife that tragically died. He was about thirty years old about that time and was still considered young and full of energy. And unlike now, he also had express more emotions, specifically joy and love. However, whenever he was around his wife his anger would spew out the most.

They would have many, many, petty fights and arguments and with (y/n); that was about five years old at that time and was also whaling didn't help with the situation at all.

To make a long story short, Kuzan left the house after another fierce argument. He had left his wife and his crying five-year-old daughter to go to work, uncaring and forgetting about what had just happened. He was then assigned to the mission of the O'Hara buster call and did not return to his home for a few days from the mission, probably his biggest mistake he made in his life now that he thought about it because after a few days he was told that the island had been under attack by a group of pirates and they set the whole land ablaze. Every citizen had been recorded after the evacuation, all except his wife and daughter. He raced down the evac point to see if they were there, to see if they just forgot about checking in with the marines. When he got there he was directed to a group of small children, children that lost their parents in the attack. 

When he saw his daughter huddling with some of the children in the group, his heart shattered. After that day, he never forgave himself. 

"Dad? DAD!" he snapped back into reality.

"Yes, fledgling?" 

"Are you ok? You went quiet..." it took a minute for him to reply, his thoughts still remained in the past. 

"Yeah, I'm okay." His voice felt distant again. It was at these times that she knew to just leave the man alone. They continued the rest of their journey in silence and soon arrived at Marine HQ; vice-admiral Garp awaited them at the edge of the water. 

Once on land (Y/n) raised her hand to salute to her superiors. "Good morning Kuzan, (Y/n)," he greeted, "How was the journey here?" 

"It was fine sir," they smiled amusingly at her tone of respect and obedience. Garp placed a hand on her head and laughed. 

"No need to be so formal (Y/n), It's just us." She smiled and let her hand fall to her side. 

"Sorry sir, it's just fun to do that!" 

"Well, I'm sure you have plenty of unpacking to do I'll get some people to help you while we talk to your father about some things." he walked past her, "Koby! Helmeppo! Quit lollygagging and help the poor girl with her things!" As if on cue the pink-haired and blond came rushing to take the small bags of clothes and little belongings she had. "Stay here while I talked some things out with Admiral Aokiji." 

"Yessir!" they said in unison. They walked off from the trio and when they were far from earshot the atmosphere between the men changed. 

"You've trained her well Garp." Kuzan started, "But are you sure she's ready for what's out there on sea?" 

"Don't worry about her too much Kuzan, She'll be fine." He stares off at her daughter who was smiling and laughing at the two boys that occupied her. 

"That boy with the pink hair," said Kuzan, "What's his background?" Garp looked at the kids and hummed. 

"There's no background of where he's from or who his parents are." He informed, "Why?"

"Nothing. He just looks familiar, that's all." Garp hummed again. 

"You have to let go of her eventually." The vice-admiral boldly said. "I know how hard it means to not be there for them when they're growing up, I used to have three grandsons after all..." 

"I know...I just can't seem to do it. I fear I'll lose her forever if I do." They continued to look at the kids who started some basic hand to hand combat. (Y/n) had Koby in a headlock and pinned Helmeppo down with her foot. She looked up at her father and smiled, showing pride from her strength of taking two boys down.

As he watches his daughter he was stuck, conflicting himself with the duty of a marine and a father. Questioning if he should he remained by her side and protect her from everything until he breathes his last, or should he let her go, knowing that she had everything she needed to fend for herself? 

Garp nudges the admiral's side.

"Are you just nervous of her being around so many boys?" he chuckled. 

"Mainly that, no one's gonna touch my daughter," he growled, Garp bursts in fits of laughter. "No, Seriously she's not allowed to date until I die." he pats his back in understandment. 

"Don't worry," He said. "She's like a granddaughter to me. I won't let that happen. Not while I'm around." 

"Man, this is such a pain." He scratches his head, "But you're right Garp, I'm not going to be with her forever, not after I leave for today." he looked up at him in all seriousness. 

"I swear Kuzan, you better come out alive." 

"I know." 

"You better come back for your daughter." 

"I know."

"You better-" 

"I know Garp!" he yelled, "I know..." He sighed and turned to his bike, "I better get going, the faster this gets done the better." 

"You're not going to say goodbye to (Y/n)?" 

"It's best if she doesn't see me leave, I can't bare to think of her while I fight Sakazuki."

"Don't let her hear you say that Kuzan..." 

"But it's true, Garp. She doesn't need to see me leave." Off in the distance (Y/n) saw her father about to mount his bike into the ocean. 

"Dad!" she let go of the boys and raced off towards him. "You're leaving already?" he didn't turn his head to see her. 

"Yeah, I'm getting ready to leave." 

"When will you come back?" The two men hearts were stricken with grief, the poor girl they thought. 

"I don't know Fledgling, maybe a week." he got on his bike, "Be good (Y/n)." Was all he said. (Y/n) quickly grabbed the back of his bike, making him nearly fall but luckily his legs caught balance. 

"So you're just gonna leave like that?" Tears stung her eyes. "No goodbye? Not even a hug? What the fuck dude?" He heart raced when she cursed, she thought he would get hit and scolded by Garp for such conduct but he didn't do anything. 

"Garp, can you leave us alone for a minute." Once the vice-admiral left he sighed and got off. He turned and to his surprise, his daughter had full tears streaming down her eyes. She sniffled trying not to let snot escape her nose. He immediately kneeled down to her level and hugged her tightly. She grabbed bunches of his justice coat.

"Do you have to go?" he voice muffled from pressing down on his shoulder. 

"I have to baby, Daddy has to." She sobbed harder. He didn't know what to do in this situation, this was the first time in a long time he has seen her cry. All that he could do was rub her back and hush her tears away.

"Please come home safe...Please come back..."

"I'll try sweetie, I will." he pulled away and wiped her tears with his thumbs. "Don't cry fledgling, you're a strong marine aren't you?" 

"But...Dad...I'm scared...Please don't leave. Please don't fight him. It's not worth it." 

"It's just a little feud, nothing to be scared about." She said nothing and continued to cry. Kuzan felt tears blurring his vision but blinked them away to keep his posture. "Fledgling," he said, "I want to give you something but you have to stop crying ok?" She nodded and messily wiped her tears away. He let go of her and grabbed something he was hiding under his coat. It was an old marine cap he had worn in his younger days, It was a bit worn but still in good condition. He placed it on her head and gave her a pat. "This used to be mine when I first joined the forces, I'm giving it to you," he said. "Whenever I'm gone or whenever you miss me just remember I'm always with you. Never forget that." He got on his bike and carefully set it on the waves. "Make me proud, (Y/n)." He gave her a salute with his fingers and began to peddle away from the docks. 

She stood up tall and ran up to the edge of where her father departed.

"YESSIR!" 

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