# MOMONOSUKE

M/n was losing his mind.

He frantically searched everywhere in the ship for Momonosuke, and yet, no signs of him. He figured that he had to do something, he had to go just beyond the ship.

Which points to the island.

If he wanted to keep his life and still have the face to face the crew, he'll have to do all means to get Momonosuke back.

Where did the young boy go anyway?

M/n walked through the streets of the island, looking around with a keen eye while also making sure he won't be found by anyone in the crew.

After realizing that there was no way Momonosuke would enter the town without being noticed by anyone from the crew and be found already, M/n decided to search somewhere deeper, risking even his fear for unknown places just to find the boy.

He ended up in a forest as he grasped into the barks of the large trees as he ventures further and further into the island, calling out for Momonusuke as his eyes searched all over.

"Momonosuke?"

The only reply he heard was the echo from the forest that reflected his voice, making it evident to him that it was a big forest, having taken over the majority of the island rather than the town itself.

"Momonosuke?"

Still nothing.

He sighed as he continues leaving big rocks behind his trail just to not lose his way.

He can feel eyes on him.

Before he realized it, he already plundered deep enough in the forest, leaning with his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. Anxiety was growing and he was starting to really fear for Momonosuke's disappearance and himself.

Oden will most probably kill him if Toki doesn't get to him first.

He'll be doomed!

The thought alone exasperated him as he swallowed the lump on his throat, his mouth drying upon the idea.

At the corner of his eyes, he saw something. And immediately, hope ignited within him as he pulled himself up and started running after the moving figure. It was short enough, like Momonosuke. And he swore he could see the little top hair.

It did not take long for him to catch up and reach for the figure without hesitating.

Much to his joy, it was indeed Momonosuke who was in his arms. M/n smiled widely, happy and relieved. But he noticed the tears that threatened to escape the corner of the young boy's eyes, and there was visible fear in his features.

It made M/n ponder.

"Momonosuke, what's wrong?" He asked, wondering why he was wasn't even relieved or felt at ease.

"M-M/n." The young boy stammered on his words. "Scary monster." For a second, M/n thought that Momonosuke was talking about him. That was until he followed where he was pointing at then he realized their current situation.

A giant tiger loomed over them, its tongue had a calloused and sharp texture while its eyes glinted even from the shadows of the large trees. It towered over them and its leg was a few feet taller than M/n. It was an abnormally big tiger. A dangerous one.

The mere way it stared at them like they were its next dinner was threatening enough that M/n froze on his feet, arms still wrapped around the young boy, covering his eyes.

"Momonosuke. . . On the count of three, let's run towards that cave, all right?" The brunette whispered in a low voice, not daring to move an inch in fear of the tiger taking its own actions right after.

The tiger was drooling and its saliva fell from the tip of its tongue, landing on the ground that was piled of parched leaves-- and right when it landed, there was a sickening hiss as the leaves dissolved and went directly to the bottom of the soil.

M/n swallowed thickly.

"3!" He exclaimed and went to move immediately, not even bothering to count right. He dragged Momonosuke along with him as they sprinted towards the narrow cave that was surely not big enough for the tiger to fit in. It was a small hole surrounded with big rocks, but it was big enough for both Momonosuke and him to fit and take shelter in.

"M/n!" Momonosuke cried. "I want papa!" He sobbed, making M/n turn to him and cover his mouth with his hand, preventing him from making loud noises that may potentially draw the tiger to their location.

"I'll get you to your papa soon." M/n whispered in assurance, keeping a hushed voice.

It was silent, the only sound M/n could hear was the cracking of dried leaves from a distance and Momonosuke's muffled sniffs from beside him.

"What are you doing in this forest?" M/n asked, partially glad for his own instincts to have decided to search the forest as well. If he had not, what would have become of him and Momonosuke? They'd both be dead for 2 different reasons.

"I was wandering. . ." Momonosuke eventually calmed down, just occasional hiccups emitted from him now and then. "I was following a squirrel I saw on the docks, and before I knew it, I was in the forest!"

He had impressive speaking skills for a little kid.

"I see." M/n sighed. "That was my mistake. I didn't keep a keen eye on you at the very beginning."

Once more, they fell into silence until Momonosuke's grumbling stomach was brought to M/n's attention. He turned to the boy, moving and shifting on his spot to give him some more space.

"Are you hungry? I have a chocolate bar with me." M/n tried to lighten the mood as he reached for his pockets, handing it to the boy who happily received it. "Just don't tell your mama and papa I gave sweets to you, all right?"

Momonosuke was not allowed to eat overly sweet things most of the time, mainly because he gets really hyper and that was the last thing Toki and Oden needed.

But M/n figured that the boy would need all the energy they can get for later on when they finally get the perfect momentum to take the run for it.

As Momonosuke finally calmed down and ate the chocolate with a visible expression of glee, M/n sat back, regaining his breath. The adrenaline he got upon seeing that tiger was wearing off and he's starting to feel the peek of exhaustion get to him.

"Momonosuke, after you eat that bar, we'll slowly leave the cave and get back to the ship, all right?" M/n softly explained to Momonosuke with a small and reassuring smile to make him feel at ease.

Momonosuke was hesitant.

"Don't worry, you're your papa's son, right? The tiger would be too afraid to even approach you." M/n grinned, lightening the atmosphere as he glanced at the young boy's wooden slippers.

He frowned.

It'll be hard to run through the forest with those on, simply from the leaves. It would have been fine if they were going to run in bare soil.

"Here." M/n pulled out a bandana, using the assistance of a sharp rock to tear it to half. "Give me your feet." He watched Momonosuke reluctantly follow through.

M/n slipped off his slippers and started wrapping it around Momonosuke's small feet. The bandana was fairly big so M/n managed to thicken the soles of it. He did it separately to both foot.

"There." He clasped his hands together. "You'll be able to run faster this way. Don't worry about small rocks hurting, I already thickened the soles so it wouldn't affect you."

"What about my slippers?" Momonosuke pouted.

"I'll carry them for you." M/n assured with a gentle smile. "Now, come on. Let's get you back to your parents."

M/n guided the way as they slowly slipped out of the cave. Looking up, he can see the sight of the sky slowly getting dark, and it alerted him. They didn't have any form of light, they'll have to get out quickly if they still want to find the rocks and their way out.

"I'm scared." Momonosuke trembled as they started walking faster towards the direction M/n was most confident with.

"Hold my hand. I'll lead the way so you don't have to be scared."

The young boy abided.

M/n found the rocks and he was greatly pleased with himself. He knew it was convenient, and as well was his sense of direction. He was already used to places like this because of the island he grew up in which was also constantly surrounded with big barks of trees.

"See? I can spot the sea from here." M/n pointed, relief starting to engulf him.

But it was short-lived as he heard a ruffle from behind them. It was not long before he figured that the tiger had followed them.

M/n took in a deep breath to kneel down to Momonosuke's level. "Listen carefully. You'll run towards the ship, all right? Straight to Captain Roger and your papa. Assure them you're safe and that I'll be back soon right after."

Momonosuke was visibly hesitant.

"Can you do that? I'm sure you're smart enough to navigate your way to the exit of the forest and onto the docks, you can see it from here."

"But the tiger--!"

"I'm gonna deal with it quickly." M/n grinned, feigning confidence as he patted his head before ushering him to go. "Now go! I promise I'll bring your slippers back with me."

Momonosuke stumbled on his first steps before eventually gaining the guts to continue running towards the direction of the light.

M/n made sure he was out of sight before facing the tiger that was still carefully watching him with predator eyes. His suspicions were clear, the tiger didn't even go after Momonosuke. The tiger was oddly drawn towards him as if he was the perfect dinner.

Momonosuke wasn't chased earlier. He was simply scared and ran away from the big animal. The truth was that the tiger was simply there because of M/n. It has been eyeing him for a while now since he entered the forest, explaining the uncomfortable feeling of having eyes on him the entire time.

Without wasting another time, the tiger knocked him back with the force of its head, making M/n collide against the bark of a tree behind him.

The air was knocked out of him as he grunted, feeling the burning sensation within him as he struggled getting back up. He felt fear as he saw the tiger slowly approach him, its tongue out as acid dripped.

And just like back then, he felt the sudden sense of confidence. The burning feeling inside, the way he could feel his blood pump in his veins. He could feel every muscle on his body.

And it made sense now.

Back with Teach, when he felt the boy's killing intent-- he felt he was in danger. And it disappeared right away when Rayleigh swooped in to save him. It explained the phenomenon. . . Could it be a fight or flight instinct buried deep within him? Something that can be triggered when his body is certain that he's in danger?

Nonetheless.

That evening, M/n killed a tiger with his bare hands.